Time to Relax

Wow! What a whirlwind this Christmas has been! I know the holidays aren't quite over yet, but this year is quickly winding down, and the perfect time to kick back and relax! I hope today's card will inspire you to do the same!



Creative Inspirations Paints
Fuchsia
Ivory
Antique Copper
Burnt Clay
Blush
Beige

Kanban Products
Vintage Tags Ruby PCT 9113
Stamp 9038
Metallic Glaze Sorento - Coffee Brown CRD9741
Pearl A4PRL240IV
Copper A4MRS/CO

Creative Paperclay and Viva Las Vegastamps!

This month, Creative Paperclay® Modeling Material has had the chance to play with Viva Las Vegastamps! When I was picking out my stamps, I had a mixed media piece in mind, with a chicken theme. I have to admit, it just didn't turn out how I planned, so I made a fun card with my own egg embellishments.

I used the Children with Cat and Chickens stamp. I love how it looks like a vintage photo, but it really is a stamp! To make my eggs, I rolled out some Delight™ Air Dry Modeling Compound into an egg shape, let it dry a little bit, and then, sliced the back off so it would lie flat on my card.
I colored the eggs with Distress Stains, and after that was dry, covered them with Sakura Crystal Lacquer. These eggs could be really fun for your spring and Easter projects too! The Delight™ really is a delight to work with - it's very light weight, snow white and clean to mold. I love working with it!

I think it's cool when one idea doesn't work out the way that you think it will, but it leads you to something new on your creative journey.

Thank You Gnome

Merry Christmas! I hope you are getting to spend time with your family and loved ones! I have a thank you card to share with you today. I know I will have lots of thank-yous to send out, so this will get me started!

I used the adorable Mr. Gnome die, Mushroom and Flowers die, and Flowervine Edger dies from CottageCutz. This little gnome is just so cute, he makes me smile!

Crafty Secrets Home Decor

The Crafty Secret Girls have been sharing with you some ideas this month using our new CD #2. I've made a kitchen shadowbox, and used it to highlight an old spoon that I painted shabby white. I added vintage buttons around the frame for more interest. The red paper on the interior of the frame is one of the black and white PNG images , simply printed on the paper color of choice.

Please be sure to check out the Crafty Secrets Blog for more inspiration!

Scor-Pal and Authentique Paper Hop

Welcome to the Scor-Pal and Authentique Paper Blog Hop! You should have arrived from Emily Lanham's blog, if not you may want to go back and start at the Authentique Blog, so you don't miss anything. The Scor-Pal designers were lucky enough to get to work with the Splendid Collection. It really is beautiful. I created this Card Pouch from a template at Splitcoast Stampers.

Here you can see the pouch open with the cards inside. This would make a wonderful last minute gift (which also happens to be the challenge theme this month at Scor-pal, if you would like to play along!) Using the Scor-pal and Scor-tape, this holder is really quite easy to put together.

Here's the pouch with some of the cards out of the box.

It's time to hop on to Misty Buck's blog, but before you go, don't forget to leave a comment, for your chance to win a paper package from Authentique or a Scor-Buddy from Scor-pal. Blog comments will close on Monday, December 19th at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time). Winners must have a Canadian/USA address. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 21 on the Scor-Pal and Authentique Blogs.

Blog Hop Order:

Authentique Paper – http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/

Tifany DeGough - http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/

Steph Ackerman - http://www.stephaniescraps.blogspot.com/

Emily Lanham - http://createserendipity.blogspot.com/

Gini Cagle - http://www.ginicagle.blogspot.com/

Misty Buck - http://mistylynnwhat.blogspot.com/

Lisa Andrews - http://www.scrappingwithlisa.blogspot.com/

Brenda Smith - http://theimperfectscrapper.blogspot.com/

Katie Tate - http://bothsidesofthepaper.blogspot.com/

Cristine Redmond - http://onescrappynovice.blogspot.com/

Kittie Franken - http://kittyfranken.blogspot.com/

Scor-Pal – http://scor-pal.blogspot.com/

Window Shopping Tag

Well, I haven't played all 12 days of tags from Tim Holtz, but I'm having fun trying to get as many done as I can. This is my version of Day 10 (although the only thing that is similar to mine and Tim's is the Santa charm that I made). I love the Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium
paper, and as I was looking thought it, saw this adorable scene that inspired my tag. The Graphic 45 paper pads always have two pages of each design, so I was able to fussy cut my window shoppers and pop them up from the base. I used several Tim Holtz dies for this tag - Tag and Book plates die for the base, Typeset Alphabet for my "Window Shopping" words, and Vintage Lace die for my accents. I cut these all using my Vagabond machine (which is a fantastic machine). The bling is some of Want2Scrap's gorgeous line that coordinates with Spellbinders dies (or you can use them alone like I did here). My small tag was from Canvas Corp, and I inked it up with some Peeled Paint Distress Ink. Maybe if I keep making tags, I can actually get my presents wrapped for Christmas!

Challenges:

Tim Holtz: Tag 10

Creative Inspirations Holiday Hop

Christmas is almost here! Are you ready? If not, maybe you will get a few last minute ideas from the Creative Inspirations Design Team. If you are one of those highly organized individuals who has been ready for months, than maybe we will inspire you to create something for next year!


I took some inspiration from Tim Holtz 12 Days of Tags - but of course, had to change things up a bit using Creative Inspirations Paint. I stamped and embossed my tag, and then, painted over the images with Rustic Red, and the wiped the excess off of my embossing with a paper towel. Next, I covered the entire tag with clear embossing powder and heat set it. For the holly and poinsettia, I painted Worldwin Vellum with Garnet and Emerald. After the paint was dry, I cut the shapes with dies, creased the paper a little and added them to the tag. I made a custom charm using Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool Round 14, the Shape Studio Accessories Bubble Caps Round 14 , and the Metal Charms Round 14.

Creative Inspirations Paint
Barb
Carla
Carole
Dawn
Gini
Kassi
Kendra
Kianel
Creative Inspirations Paint

Now, your letter that you need to collect from me is M. So, you are ready to hop on to Kassi's blog!

Challenges:
Tim Holtz Tags: Day 9

Flying By To Say Hi

I think I have been making Christmas projects since August - so I decided I needed a little break from the Holiday festivities! So I've got a card that is a little bit more spring inspired! I love the layering of the dies and patterns - I just think it makes for a fun card!

CottageCutz Dies

Bird With Flowers
Ornate Circle Frame
Leafy Foliage
Scallop Three Edger
Eyelet Edger

Other
October Afternoon Papers
Inspired By Stamping The Sky's the Limit stamp set
Want2Scrap Pearls
Worldwin Papers Cardstock

Challenges:Card Patterns: sketch

Frosty Tag

I've been trying to sneak in the 12 Days of Tags with Tim Holtz - so for my last post for the Robin's Nest, I was able to take on Tim's Day 4 challenge! I changed things up a bit, though, so I could use some sparkly Robin's Nest Papers.

Did you know that the glittered areas on Robin's Nest papers act as a wonderful resist? My snowman was cut out of White Snow Glitter Cardstock, but then I used Distress Stain in Broken China to change the color and to really highlight the designs. Next, I painted over the image with Rock Candy Crackle Paint. After it was dry, I rubbed Faded Jeans Distress Ink into the cracks. I think this was a fun change for the tag!



I've enjoyed being on the DT for the Robin's Nest for the past six months and although I didn't reapply for a second term, I know the ladies staying on will continue to inspire you, and the new crew as well! Thanks for your generosity throughout my time with you!

Robin's Nest Products
White Snow Glitter Cardstock
Creme Awning Silver Glitter
Chipboard Snowflakes
Velvet Ribbon

Challenges:
Tim Holtz tags: Day 4

So Sweet with Crate and Epiphany Crafts

Crate Paper's Peppermint Collection is just fabulous! The papers can be used boldly or can be used soft and shabby as in this card.

Areas of snow were highlighted using Crystal Art Glitter.

Products
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Superior Quality Chipboard
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Patterned PapersCrate Paper Peppermint Collection Superior Quality Trims
Crate Paper Peppermint Collection Border Stickers
Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool Round 14
Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Accessories Bubble Caps Round 14
Epiphany Crafts Vintage Settings Tea Room
Art Glitter Crystal Ultrafine Transparent Glitter
Sizzix Embossing Folder Leaves and Diamonds
Want2Scrap Pearls
Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Squares
Scrapbook Adhesives MyStik Repositionable

Challenges:
Simon Says: Christmas Photo Inspiration