Monday, December 30, 2013

Merci Paris


Hi everyone,

Are you surviving all the holiday madness?  One of the things Santa left under the tree for me were some new Spellbinders die cuts.  I just couldn't wait to open them!

I stamped some French images on a Labels Twenty-Eight #3 and sponged the background in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & Bordering Blue.  On a Labels Twenty-Eight #4 I stamped Parlor Prints in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige then layered everything onto a Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight #3 cut from Bordering Blue paper.

Merci was stamped in StazOn Stone Gray and glued to the back of a pewter tag.  I don't think I can create a card anymore without making a triple loop bow from seam binding ... lol  Opaline pearls in sky accent the edges and a flat back pearl graces the center of the bow -  so Parisian!

The background paper on this card is from Cameo Shoppe on Etsy.  She has a cute shop with digital images.  This one is called Shabby French Ephemera.

  
The inside sentiment was stamped in Stazon Stone Gray.  A few flowers were colored with Spica glitter pens.  Flourishes from SU's Everything Eleanor set were stamped in Bordering Blue.


I have a few more thank you cards to create and then it's onto Valentine's Day.  Oh my, where does the time go?
 







Stamps:  Cavallini Papers & Co. Paris, SU Carte Postale, Parlor Prints, Clearly for You, Occasional Quotes, Everything Eleanor
Paper:  Natural White Linen, Bordering Blue, Cameo Shoppe Shabby French Ephemera, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Images - StazOn Stone Gray; Sentiments - Bordering Blue; Sponging - Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & Bordering Blue; Edges - ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown
Accessories:  Blueberry Vintage Seam Binding, Wild Orchid Crafts Cream Flower Flat Back Pearl, Opaline Pearls in Sky, Spica Pens in Baby Blue & Mint, SU Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight & Decorative Labels Twenty-Eight, Edge Distresser, Bow-Easy
Technique:  Sponging
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas Sparkles

 
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!  I hope this day is magical for each and every one of you.  Last night after fixing horsd'oeuvre platters I created this snowflake card.  


The shimmery blue background paper was embossed with a Cuttlebug Flurries embossing folder.  I then spritzed it with Tsukineko Sheer Frost Shimmer.  A piece of Fresh Air paper was cut using the Memory Box Essex Label die.  The matching Christmas Sparkles stamp was done in Ballet Blue.  Organdy white ribbon was wrapped around before adhering it to the base card.

 
I punched two snowflakes from opal pearl shimmer paper using a Marvy snowflake punch.  Both were popped up and then I glued a frosted finishes snowflake to the center.  Kaiser silver rhinestones were added to the label.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Ballet Blue and embossed with clear embossing powder with a heat gun.  Snowflakes were stamped in VersaMark with silver embossing powder.   


May your day be filled with smiles and wonderful holiday traditions!  Blessings to you and your family. 








Stamps:  Memory Box Christmas Sparkles, SU Greetings of the Season, Serene Snowflakes
Paper:  Fresh Air, DCWV The Shimmer Matstack Blue, Coredinations Opal Pearl Shimmer
Ink:  Ballet Blue with Clear EP; VersaMark with Silver EP
Accessories:  1/4" Organdy White Ribbon, SU Frosted Finishes Snowflake, Kaiser Silver Rhinestones, Tsukineko Sheer Frost Shimmer Spritz, Cuttlebug Flurries Embossing Folder, Memory Box Essex Label Die, Marvy Snowflake Punch, Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #5 die
Techniques:  Embossing
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Monday, December 23, 2013

A Magical Christmas ...


Christmas is a magical time where our spirits are lifted.  It is a time to look back and reflect on the year that is almost complete.  I have so much to be thankful for ...

I am thankful for my husband, who has been there for the past 20 years in both good times and bad.  Through the ups and downs, and all points in between, he is my rock providing support and love.

I am thankful for my brother and sister-in-law who are there for me when I need them.  They always make me smile and laugh!

I am thankful for my Cheops who is always ready to cuddle when I come home from work.

I am thankful for the time I got to spend with my parents before they passed.  They taught me all the life skills and lessons I need to survive in today's world.  I couldn't have made it as far as I have without their guidance.

I am thankful for my friends and extended family and wish all of you sparkly thoughts, shimmering dreams and splendid smiles, but most of all I wish everyone this Christmas ...

Peace, Love & Joy


Monday, December 9, 2013

Believe Poinsettia

 
Hi everyone,

Did you have a nice weekend?  Mine was rather exciting as I picked up my new SUV on Saturday.  I ordered it in October and it finally arrived.  So many new buttons to play with!   

Yesterday I couldn't resist pulling out my Memory Box Believe Poinsettia stamp.  I don't think I even used it last year - poor neglected stamp  :-(

I stamped the image in StazOn Timber Brown on a piece of Shimmery White paper cut from a Labels Eight #5 die.  I stamped it again on Shimmery White and cut out the poinsettia.  Everything was colored with Prismacolor Pencils with Gamsol.  The flower was popped up for dimension.  A few light rose Swarovski crystals sparkle in the center.


The focal image was mounted to a Decorative Labels Eight cut from Pretty in Pink paper.  The matting is parchment sand paper. 

 
The inside sentiment was stamped in StazOn Timber Brown.  Scrolls were stamped in VersaMark Dazzle on the pink paper.


I hope you are enjoying all that the holiday season has to offer.  I enjoy crafting this time of year.  We are supposed to be very cold this week so hot cocoa is on the agenda.

Stamps:   Memory Box Believe Poinsettia Collage, Stampabilities Joy, Love & Peace, Stampington & Company Wrought Scroll
Paper:  Natural Linen, Pretty in Pink, Parchment Sand, Shimmery White
Ink:  Image - StazOn Timber Brown colored with Prismacolor Pencils; Scrolls - VersaMark Dazzle
Accessories:  Jolee's Jewels Light Rose Swarovski Crystals, Spellbinders Decorative Labels Eight #4, Labels Eight #5, Gamsol
Technique:  Embossing
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Santa Tags


Have you been naughty or nice this year?  I have a little something to show you today from old St. Nick himself!  These digital Christmas tags are from Vectoria Designs.  She has a wonderful shop on Etsy.   
 

To make them a bit more magical I added Stickles platinum glitter around the edges.  Jumbo eyelets in antique brass were added to the tags with winter white seam binding.  Each corner was adorned with a Hero Arts felt poinsettia.


  Wouldn't these make a perfect finishing touch for your gifts this Christmas?  I plan to make several sets and wrap each tin in Cherry Cobbler seam binding with a bow. 
 
Thanks for stopping by to visit.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi everyone,
 
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family.  I really am blessed and thankful for each and every one of you.  Remember, there is always, always, always ... something to be thankful for! 


May your Thanksgiving be blessed with love and peace.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Wish for Peace


Last December I attended a gorgeous wedding.  As the snow softly fell the happy couple exchanged their vows.  They had asked me at the time if I could create a few thank you cards for them so today I have one of the designs to show you.


The focal image is a combination of Spellbinders Classic Circles and Lacey Circles.  The image was stamped in VersaMark and embossed with white embossing powder.  I then sponged Brilliance Pearlescent Beige and Crumb Cake all around the circle.  I couldn't resist adding a gold star to the top of the tree.  It was then mounted to a Lacey Circle cut from a piece of Brushed Gold paper.  1/8" beige satin ribbon was weaved through the loops for a touch of elegance.


The background was created by stamping snowflakes in VersaMark and embossing them with gold embossing powder with a heat gun.  I added some pearls to the center of each one.  Just for you was stamped on a grommet tag and embossed in gold.  Everything was adhered to a piece of Brushed Gold and mounted to a coco card.

The inside sentiment was also embossed in gold with a matching snowflake.


I can't wait until the weekend to do some crafting.  Do you have anything special planned?  As the temperature dips I have been enjoying my hot chocolate with whip cream!  My favorite is The Fresh Market's Winter Blend.
 
Stamps:  SU A Wish for Peace, SU Just Believe, Our Daily Bread Designs Peace & Joy, SU Kind & Caring Thoughts (Inside) 
Paper:  Coco, Brushed Gold, Shimmery White
Ink:  Image - VersaMark with White EP; Sponging - Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & Crumb Cake; Snowflakes & Sentiments - VersaMark with Gold EP
Accessories:  Offray 1/8" Beige Satin Ribbon, SU Basic Pearls, Gold Brads, Gold Mini Star Brad, Spellbinders Small Classic Circles #7, Lacey Circles #5, Grommet Tag
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Vintage Mother of Pearl

Sharing with you some of my latest finds ...


These beautiful mother of pearl pieces really dress up the table and add a touch of elegance.


Pearl handled flatware was very popular from the late 1800's to the 1920's.


The sterling cuffs have a traditional fleur-de-lis motif.


I love how they reflect the light.


This sweet pink basket was a garage sale find.  Pink depression glass is one of my favorites.


A pretty reflection of a rose ...


This Kernewek Goonhavern cup from Cornwall, England also makes a gorgeous vase for flowers.


Do you have any pretty mother of pearl items?  I don't think it ever goes out of style!
Thank you for stopping to visit.
Today I am joining ...
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Panther Mountain

A recent hike in the Adirondacks brought us to Panther Mountain and Echo Cliffs.  The mountain apparently received its name from the panthers that use to visit back in the early 1800s.  A quick but steep hike provides panoramic views of Piseco Lake.

 
We snapped photos along the way.


Taking in all the beauty.

 
 
Half way up you will pass an interesting flat-top square boulder along the trail.



As we scrambled up rock, and before reaching the top of the summit, there are exposed roots of a Hemlock tree.


The scenic vista to the east overlooks Piseco Lake and Spy Lake.

 


 Not a place for someone who has a fear of heights!  Don't worry I stayed back from the ledge.

 

We had a cliff-top snack before heading back down.


As we descended I heard something rustling in the leaves.  As I looked down, to my surprise, there was a snake by my foot!  As I let out a scream my husband quickly assured me the snake was more afraid of me than I was of it.

 
It was a little cloudy that day, but the foliage was still gorgeous.

 
It was a crisp day perfect for a hike.


Thank you for coming along.
 
Today I am joining ...
 
Sunday Snapshot @ Ni Hao Yall
Shadow Shot Sunday @ Shadow Shot Sunday 2