Merry & Bright

It's hard for me to belive we have 1 week until Christmas.  I am clearly not prepared.  Anyone that says they are incredulous on how fast the year is going is probably playing the catch up game... and that, my friends, is me. :-)

I have been creating holiday cards for months, but I don't think this is something I've shared with you before.

Merry & Bright

I used the December Stamp of the Month again, but this time I tried something different.  I thought I'd go for a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.  I would have made this a bit bent over, but it wouldn't have worked quite so well for the Spellbinder die.  With all that bling, it looks like it'll topple over, though...  LOL!  I think that's one of my favorite holiday specials.  There's nothing sweeter than Linus sharing the real meaning of Christmas.

I hope your holiday preparations are going well.  Be sure to sit back and enjoy the moment at some point.

Thanks for stopping by,
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Fir Branch (SOTM) by CHF
-Christmas Expressions (mona lisa moments) by CHF


Ink:
-Meadow Adirondack ink by Ranger


Paper:
-Simply Smooth by Prism


Patterned Paper:
-Mistletoe and Pear by Basic Grey


Other:
-Say It In Crystals by Prima Marketing
-Rhinestones by K & Company
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-Sewing machine and thread


Finished size: 5.5" square

NSR - In Loving Memory

For the most part, I spend time on my blog sharing artwork and my love for papercrafting.  This post is completely personal, but I felt it important to journal here.

Today, my grandma passed away, just after dinner, with her family around her in the manner in which she would have loved.  She waited for her youngest son to arrive and then declined.  We all gathered around for her final moments for a moment of prayer, solace and comfort.

She is gone and we are missing her.

Audrey Miriam Aubuchon Zankl

November 29, 1928 - December 13, 2008

So, with all that said, I thought I'd share a poem that hospice has printed in the family education booklet.

Thanks for letting me share about a wonderful woman,
lise

Gone From My Sight by Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,

spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts

for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.

I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck

of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,

hull and spar as she was when she left my side.

And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"

there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices

ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

Beautiful - and a personal note

I have a quick card I'd like to share with you today.

The Rummage Bin release last week was a fantastic set sized for inchie artwork.  I just love working with a 1" area.  Small, yes.  But packs a mighty punch!

Inchie Style (The Rummage Bin) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Beautiful

This is truly a simply inchie style card at it's best.  The sentiment and the image are both from the set and work perfectly together to make a fast project.  I think this took about 10 minutes in total to create.  Nothing better than a fast card!

Thanks for stopping by,
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Inchie Style (The Rummage Bin) by CHF


Ink:
-London Fog Memento by Tsukineko


Paper:
-Simply Smooth by Prism
-chipboard inchie by inchie arts, llc


Patterned Paper:
-Eva by Basic Grey


Other:
-1-1/4" square punch by EK Success
-flower by Prima Marketing
-jewel brads by Making Memories
-threading water punch by EK Success
-Copic markers
-Krylon pen in Silver
-Staples
-lace trim


Finished size: 4" square card

CHF Challenge - Backgrounders

So, we normally do a weekly challenge and post on Mondays...  I'm late.  I know... 40 lashes with a wet noodle.  :-)

It's an easy challenge, though.  Cornish Heritage Farms has a wonderful selection of backgrounders!

Tiled Scallops Jewelry Set:

I created polymer pieces and added them with jump rings to a purchased necklace and earring set. The polymer clay pieces are very light when baked and will add negligible weight to the overall project. I had made this project for a sweet friend about 2 weeks ago and is perfect for this challenge!

Thanks for looking!
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Tiled Scallops Backgrounder by CHF


Other:
-Necklace and earring set from Target
-Shimmery pastel pink polymer clay by Sculpey
-paper piercing tool to create holes prior to baking
-jump rings
-toaster oven and tray
-oval and circle cutters (I pinched the tops of the earring to shape a tear drop pendant).

December's Stamp of the Month

First of all, when did it get to be December?  I swear we were just smack in the middle of summer last week.  Sheesh.  Time flies!

The Stamp of the Month at Cornish Heritage Farms is always a fabulous deal ($6.99 unmounted / $10.99 woodmounted).  And the image this month is very elegant.  Definitely a favorite of mine.

Fir Branch and Sentiment:

Snowy Fir Branch:

I created this card to showcase both the branch and the sentiment.  I found the Basic Grey patterned paper at Michaels... there really isn't a patterned paper I don't love.  :-)

With a bit of glitter and a few snowflakes, this was a fairly quick card.  Here's a better picture of all the glitter.  I used a chunkier glitter for the image to give a crystalline appearance to the branch.  I really love the effect.

Also... if you catch this yet tonight (Tuesday- December 2nd)... for every 3 Scrapblocks you purchase today, CHF will include a FREE pack of Scrapblock Layer 8"x8" Paper Pack with your order.  Sorry I'm posting late... sale ends at midnight (MST).

OK... so I'm off to bed.  Hugs,
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Firch Branch and Kindness (SOTM) by CHF
 Ink:
-Meadow and Pitch Black Adirondack ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Simply Smooth by Prism

Patterned Paper:
-Mistletoe and Pear by Basic Grey

Other:
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-Crystal Glitter, Glue, and Die-cut felt ribbon by Martha Stewart
-Silver brad by Making Memories
-Sugarplum snowflake by Me & My Big Ideas

Giving Thanks for You

Happy Thanksgiving!  There are so many things for which I am thankful... my family, our health, friends...

I may have shared this with you before, but it's appropriate to share with you today.

I give thanks for you.

Have a wonderful day!

Lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Leaf and Acorn (Sept Stamp of the Month) by CHF
-Giving Thanks (Sept Stamp of the Month) by CHF
-Open Plaid Backgrounder by CHF


Ink:
-Vintage Photo Distress ink by Ranger


Paper:
-Kraft, Papaya Puree Medium and Dark by Prism
-Classic Cream by Neenah


Other:
-Copic Markers
-Copic Blending solution
-Spray Bottle
-precision scissors
-Bronze Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder

Love Story

Are you ever in the mood to just color?  I love this craft!  Truly, I do!  What better excuse to sit at a table and color for hours upon hours for the joy of it?  When I was a kid, I had piles of coloring books and loved my markers and pencils.  Not much has changed, my friends!

The card I'm sharing today is just one of those examples where I colored for the joy of it.  I have always loved the Thomas Kinkade images and decided to purchase the Open Gate.  I stamped a stack of these and spent some relaxing and therapeutic moments coloring.

Love Story:

The image itself is a dream to color.  The detail of the image really makes these easier to complete than you might think.  I used Copic markers and added a bit of sparkle to the flowers.  And kept the whole thing very simple.  I didn't want to cover all that coloring.  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!
lise

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Supplies:
Stamps:
-The Open Gate (Thomas Kinkade Series) by CHF
-Wedding Centers (Mona Lisa Moments) by CHF


Ink:
-Pitch Black Adirondack ink by Ranger


Paper:
-Twilight Medium and Light, Simply Smooth White Cardstocks by Prism Papers


Other:
-Lace trim from Hobby Lobby
-Copic Markers
-Atyou Spicca Glitter pens
-Sewing machine and thread
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder

Wedding Centers Release

I love the elegance of this new release for the Mona Lisa Moments line at Cornish Heritage Farms.  The sentiments of this set can be used for the most tender of love notes to celebrate a sweet couple, don't you think?

Wedding Centers:

Bride and Groom:

I stamped the Fiery Florals Scrapblock™ on vellum cardstock with White Moonbeam Brilliance ink.  It's stitched on the Desert Coral Light cardstock.  A few mini glue dots in strategic places keep it from moving around while sewing the layers.  I also used a small glue dot to hold my beads in place, so you can see the "something blue" in the design...

The vellum layer reminds me of the lace of a wedding dress.  I love this look... I'm sure I'll be repeating this style again!

Thanks for stopping by!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Fiery Florals Scrapblock by CHF
-Wedding Centers (Mona Lisa Moments) by CHF


Ink:
-Moonlight White Brilliance ink pad by Tsukineko
-Espresso Adirondack ink by Ranger


Paper:
-Desert Coral Light, Vellum and Simply Smooth White cardstocks by Prism Papers


Other:
-Lace from Hobby Lobby
-White satin ribbon by May Arts
-paper flowers by Prima Marketing
-Pearl brads by Spare Parts - The Paper Studio
-Pin and beads from Craft store
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder
-sewing machine and thread

Finished Project Size: 5" square card

Sandra Kuck Release

On Friday, two new images from the Sandra Kuck Series at CHF were released:

Little Guardian:

Christmas Angel:

Aren't they darling?

I thought I'd share with you a design with the Christmas Angel.

This project is ALL about the image.  I love this sweet girl and she was a joy to color.  I did this image with Copics and added highlights with the Copic Opaque White.  I love the way the Opaque White gives dimension to an image.  No flat color for me!
Thanks for stopping by!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Christmas Angel (Sandra Kuck Series) by CHF


Ink:
-Tuxedo Black Memento by Tsukineko


Paper:
-Simply Smooth White and Nautical Blue Light by Prism
-Core'dinations light blue cardstock


Other:
-Textile Folder by Provo Craft
-Lace by Wrights
-Sewing machine and thread
-pin, bead from Kraft store
-Copic markers
-Copic Opaque White
-small sable brush

New Stamp of the Month

With the new month comes the release of the new Stamp of the Month at Cornish Heritage Farms.  This month is a simple and elegant image that I think will be a huge hit when I get to mass producing my holiday cards this year.

Joy:

The main image was stamped with Versamark Watermark ink on Crabapple Dark paper and embossed with Seafoam White.  After the image set, I pressed the Champagne Dazzle ink by Tsukineko over the whole thing for a super shimmery image (love those inks!!!).

Super simple and elegant.  And very fast!  Be sure to check out the gallery for more inspiration and the store for a wonderful deal.

Thanks for stopping by!
lise
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Supplies:
Stamps:
-Ornaments of Joy (November SOTM) by CHF


Ink:
-Versamark Watermark ink and Champagne Dazzle ink by Tsukineko


Paper:
-Kraft and Crabapple Dark by Prism Papers
-Classic Crest Classic Cream cardstock by Neenah (matte)


Patterned Paper:
-Wassail paper pack by Basic Grey


Other:
-pin and beads from Michael's Craft store
-sewing machine and thread
-Seafoam white embossing powder by Ranger
-Nestabilities by Spellbinder


Technique:
-Sewing paper
-Embossing