End of Another Year

The last Day of the year 2015.  Wow, Hasn't the time flown.  I know it's going to be hectic for everyone, ringing out the old and ringing in the new.

Thank you to everyone who creates happiness, friendship and love, who will go forward into the new year doing good for the world.  Since we all put our own spin on thank you, I'm doing it with a cup of cocoa, not forgetting the marshmallow, please!

I think this mouse is adorable and couldn't wait to color this image.  He's so darn funny!

Supplies
Bugaboo digital stamp Christmas Mouse - cocoa
Memory Box Cheers Script at One Happy Cut
Spellbinders Labels Eight
Copic markers
Cuttlebug

Bye to 2015!

Tissue Box Sleigh

How else to title this, except as Tissue Box Sleigh.... On the front, you have a lovely assortment of ornaments with an elf that wants to go sleighing.  The sleigh is, of course, made from a tissue box.

Another sleigh pulls up and it too is made from a tissue box, (back panel only).  I found this beautiful stiped paper in a Christmas paper pad.  What could be better?

Close-up of the gifts behind the sleigh

Close-up of the area from above where you can see the tabs to which the gifts can be attached.  The gift card slots are very difficult to see with this patterned paper.  The tabs for the card haven't been pulled out, so you can use this as a regular card, not just a gift card holder.

I really love this die set and I think the little elf on the front turned out to be the perfect guy to put on the front.  He greets you with a happy face, no matter what color I make him wear.

Hope you like this card.  I gave it as a thank you card to the person who collects all the tissue boxes on her side of the office for me.  She wondered what I did with them.  

Supplies:

Hero Arts Santa's Elves Stamp & Cut (you can order from a2z Stampbooking and if they are out, please email your request on-site.

Elizabeth Craft Designs Sleigh Gift Card Holder available at One Happy Cut

Cuttlebug

Assorted papers and tissue boxes

Happy Days!

My First Ever Gift Card Holder

I love this gift card holder.  I am so glad I got this on sale for 35% though.  I've made 4 cards andnot only do they have presents wrapped up on their sleds, but, they also have a gift card for one of my favorite restaurants in the area.  

Remember to keep cozy and warm in your sleigh.  Check out Die Cut Divas for the challenge.

This first gift card was made for a White Elephant exchange we had and I love the easy way you can put this together. I went a bit glitzy too.  

Inside of card with gift card showing

Inside of card close-up without the gift card.  See the present in back of the front sleigh rail.

 Sharing another gift card.  Those snow flakes with the set are beautiful.

I love the striped paper and it looks great against this ornament strewn background.

 I did put a panel down from one of the Elizabeth Craft Designs dies the color of the sleigh's rails so I could write a little note.

Hope your holidays were merry and bright.

Arlene

The Holiday Season With An Attitude

Check out the Die Cut Divas blog.

This great Bugaboo image just swings with attitude.  I love the image and had such fun coloring this gal.  I also think that if you are hanging up ornaments, then you have to have fun with it.  So this is my Christmas with an Attitude card. I do hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and celebrates in your own way the holiday season.

I like the versatility of die-cuts and I hope you didn't recognize the die-cut I used right away.  It's from the Elizabeth Craft Designs Ring Accordion die.  did not use the main portions of the Ring Accordion die, but the cap that goes on the ornament.  It was perfect as it's really difficult, even in real life to see where the cap stops.

Bugaboo Christmas Ornament Gal

Elizabeth Craft Designs Ring Accordion at One Happy Cut

Copic Markers

Cuttlebug

Glossy Accents

I've Been Buzy

I gave out 77 cards (7 cards in ten gift bags) and these three cards were among them.  The photos may not be the greatest, as I think most of what I did was POINT AND CLICK so I could at least see what I made.  I found some of the delightful Elizabeth Craft Designs peel off stickers that I had colored in and thought I'd better make a couple beach scenes - after all, this is California.  And I think I'm still having Hawaii withdrawals.

This makes me want to go for a nice warm water swim.

I love the shells and palm trees.

Close-up of the bottom of the two cards so you can see the glitter from the micro-fine glitter.  

I was Heather's Secret Santa.

The card I sent Heather is on my post of December 20th.  I added these cute tags too.  I know she received these and thought I'd share the tags today.

I love how they turned out.  These were fun to make and I think those elves try to out-dress each other.  At least they seem to be doing that at my house.  I also sent Heather the Santa Elves Stamp and Die set so she, too, can make her own little elves.

Supplies:

Hero Arts Santa's Elves Stamp and Die set

Add a Little Dazzle and Dimension

Have a Happy Holiday and great New Year!  Tis the Season and I've been in the holiday mood since Thanksgiving.   And NOW, add a Little Dazzle and Dimension.

The three dimensions are height and width and depth. Depth is often applied by projecting a shadow.  In this case, I added layers to make the depth or dimension to this card.

Close-up of the little fella

 Card before adding the snowflakes.

Close-up of the elf so you can see the Stickles on cap and shoes.

Supplies:
Hero Arts Jar Frame Cut Die-cut at a2z Scrapbooking
Hero Arts Winter Scene at a2z Scrapbooking
Hero Arts Santa's Elves Stamp & Cut at a2z Scrapbooking
Hero Arts Scored Tab Stamp & Cut at a2z Scrapbooiking
Copic markers BG0000, R24, G03 & G17
Twine
Stickles
Silver paper

You can use code Arlene15 at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of $25 or more (before tax and shipping).  Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

Hope you’ll join in our December Challenge and Make It Pop (tons of dimension) with your Hero Arts stamps, dies and stencils. And, if you need some new supplies, don’t forget to shop at a2z Scrapbooking..  

Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

It's Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold

I love December and all the wonderful smiles on everyone's faces.  The many well-wishes sing down the hallways at work.

I can never make up my mind what I like best for my cards either.  I think it's really "THE ONE I'M WORKING ON AT THE TIME".

Presenting Xmas Teddy in all his splendid holiday cheer. Make sure you make your way over to Morgan's Art World to enter the contest to USE SILVER OR GOLD OR BOTH!  I even used silver on the leaves.

See all the samples and contest info here!  

Morgan's Art World Xmas Teddy

Copic markers YG01 and YG03 for leaves & tree with BG0000 for background & puff ball on hat.

Gold & Silver papers with SMOOCH Gold and Silver on the packages

SMOOCH Silver on the brim of the hat & dots on the scarf as well as the flower in the corner and swiped on all the border leaves..

SMOOCH Gold on the berries surrounding the frame.

Stickles on the red of the "ribbon" on the package and the snow.

Close-Up

You can see the silver on the leaves.  And after I had this all colored, I found a blob of YG01 on my clean white snow under the teddy's feet. BIG SAD FACE here.  I just added a fluffy line of green.  I don't think it even looks very odd.

I couldn't do just one card.  Dear me.  This one is more in the traditional red and green.   These were such fun.  I hope you enjoyed them too.

Close-Up

I used the Die-namicsStitched Rec STAX dies here.

My First Circle Card

My first Circle Card!  I've had this die cut for a year now and never used it. Shame on me!

This is my sample card for Die Cut Divas for the Warm and Cozy challenge.

The circle die set comes with two of those ornament caps to make a circle look like it's an ornament.  I LOVE THAT.  I was able to use the great Bugaboo "Warm Winter Wishes" sentiment inside to show that it may be cold outside, but warm wishes are coming your way.

 Inside of circle card

You don't have to make this card in threes.  You can write on the back of the mittens sentiment.

I cut the card in green.  The actual color of the panel the penguin is on is NOT blue, but the same green as the rest of the card base and penguin's scarf..

To make the outer rim of the card red, all you have to do is cut the large circle again and cut off the inside portion.  You can then use the inside to cut any smaller circles that you may need, like the one the penguin is attached to.  

Supplies:

Bugaboo Winter Circle Sentiments - Warm Wishes

Elizabeth Craft Designs Chilly the Penguin

Elizabeth Craft Designs Ring Accordion 

Check out Morgan's ArtWorld

Morgans ArtWorld Image of the Month

Are you interested in receiving new release Morgan Fitzsimmon's images for Free!!!

Then head over and become a member of Morgans ArtWorld Facebook Group where you will see loads of inspiration,

 with members having the chance to receive free images.

You've got nothing to lose by signing up!

A VERY MERRY CACTUS TO YOU

A VERY Merry Cactus to You.  I found some new paper and had to put it to use.  Looks like a sparkly rug and feels like one too.  I hope that's descriptive enough, because that really is what it looks and feels like.  I stamped several of the wonderful cacti in the new Hero Arts set.   This is the first time I've stamped this particular cactus though.  The matching die is for the top of the cactus only, but that really is all you need.  The pot is pretty easy to cut free-hand.  There are so many dies in the matching die set, that I might have missed this particular pot.  I would not have liked to cut out the cactus top on this one.   Gads, I LOVE this stamp set and am so glad I purchased the matched dies.    I thought the card should have a matching tag and VOILA, Happy Days, easy to do.

• Supply List:
• Hero Arts Merry Cactus to You at A2Z Scrapbooking
• Hero Arts Merry Cactus Frame Cuts Dies at A2Z Scrapbooking
• Hero Arts Phrase Bubble  (If not on the website, please contact a2z Scrapbooking to see if you can order it)
• Copic colors YG01, YG03 and YG05

You can use code Arlene15 at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of $25 or more (before tax and shipping).  Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

Hope you’ll join in our December Challenge and Make It Pop (tons of dimension) with your Hero Arts stamps, dies and stencils. And, if you need some new supplies, don’t forget to shop at a2z Scrapbooking..

Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

Happy Holidays where I posted at a2z Scrapbooking.

Merry Cactus To You!

Second Post of the Day.
These are TWO OF MY FAVORITE Hero Arts stamp and die sets from the Hero Arts Holiday Catalog.  Can you blame me?  Yeah, me too.  I even know the Copic colors I used on the cactus because I used the same colors to create many more cards.  I stamped cacti until they couldn't fit on the Copic paper, then went for a line of flower pots to squeeze in some.  I cut the cacti out by line to fit them through my Cuttlebug for cutting.  Then I colored them all when I had a little time, put them into a small zip lock bag and bingo, instant ready made embellishments 

Supply List:

Hero Arts Merry Cactus to You at A2Z Scrapbooking

Hero Arts Merry Cactus Frame Cuts Dies at A2Z Scrapbooking

Hero Arts Phrase Bubble

Copic colors YG01, YG03 and YG05

Velvet paper & soft glitter paper (thin, not chunky)

You can use code Arlene15 at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of $25 or more (before tax and shipping).  Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

Hope you’ll join in our December Challenge and Make It Pop (tons of dimension) with your Hero Arts stamps, dies and stencils. And, if you need some new supplies, don’t forget to shop at a2z Scrapbooking..  

Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!  My post is also at a2z Scrapbooking.

Irresistible!

The Divas at Die Cut Divas have another challenge up and ready to go!  It might sound familiar!

Here is my sample for the Die Cut Divas and FIRST POST OF THE DAY

I just had to choose this Bubaboo image; I just couldn't resist.  I think it's fun and silly and irresistible, of course.  And a lamp post?  Why not?

Close-up of the image, sentiment and lamp post.

Bugaboo Christmas Ornament Gal - both image & sentiment

Poppystamps Antique Lamp Post at One Happy Cut

Spellbinders Rectangle die-cuts

Tiny Bow die-cut

Copic Markers

Cuttlebug

gem stones

Goodbye to November

My Thank you card for the Die Cut Divas sponsor at Die Cut Divas.

Close-up - The light green is the algae covering this creek

I took a photo of this creek about 15 years ago on a hot August day in HOT SUNNY CALIFORNIA.  There is a small creek running (this one was walking) around the park on Gibson Ranch,  Horses are boarded there and there are different animals in pens over the acreage, including peacocks flying up in the trees and strutting their stuff around the ranch.  The ranch is a county park out in the country and it really is beautiful.  This particular year I took the photo, it was VERY HOT.  I had the photo made into a large note pad, that really was too dark to use, so I've been making notes on the back until I thought to use it on a card.

Hope your November was great!

I'm Inside Out Today

I'm showcasing the inside of this card at Die Cut Divas.  This is the last day of the month and we're thanking and sending warm winter wishes to our Die Cut Divas' sponsor, Dies R Us.  That's what I've done on the inside of this card.  

NOVEMBER 1  

Inside of card

Dies R US Elizabeth Craft Designs Palm Tree & Pail

Die-namics Stitched Oval STAX

Hero Arts sentiment & hat from Merry Cactus to You

Patterned paper

Cuttlebug

 Here's my Warm and Cozy part of the card, on the front.

Hero Arts Happy Cactus to You images & sentiments 

Hero Arts matching dies for Happy Cactus to You

Close-up of the inside.  I haven't done many of these and should do more because of the folding.  It really is a beautiful bench.  

Hero Arts Scramble 123 - whoo hooooooooooo

WOW, I remember the first scramble.  They are still as exciting and fun as ever.

Here's what I created today for the scramble that Kim was so kind to host.  Kim had us use our "itty bitty stamps" for a background.  All the stamps on this card are from the one stamp set Merry Cactus to You set.  There are so many things that I won't be able to use them all this Christmas season.  AND I WANT TO!

I used HA Ombre Pool to Navy ink for the star background & sentiment
HA CL909 Merry Cactus to You
HA DI146 Merry Cactus Frame Cuts
HA DI054 Phrase Bubble die
Copic markers YG01, YG03 & YG05 on the cacti
R24 & G03 on the tree lights
Glossy Accents
All stamps are from the Merry Cactus to You set (which I LOVE) with the matching dies

Let me get a plug in for a2z Scrapbooking.  They have a great sale going on for Black Friday sales or you can use my code Arlene15.

I'm in the mood for stamping.

Happy Thanksgiving

November 25 has arrived and many people are preparing for the big celebration tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.  I always think of warm houses and cloudy skies, leafless trees and taunting smells emanating from nearby homes.   This is my portrayal of a rustic home with warm wishes to everyone.  \

I wanted you to see the versatility of this house, which I also used on November 11th, this year, here.

Happy Thanksgiving and lots of Warm Wishes

Elizabeth Craft Designs Beach Edges

Elizabeth Craft Designs Holiday House

Elizabeth Craft Designs All Seasons Tree (includes the clouds/foliage for tree) not in stock when I made this card.

Hero Arts sentiment from Merry Cactus to You

Cuttlebug

Not just for the Holidays

Some samples for the a2z Scrapbooking challenge for November, the one layer card.

I know this is a "Winter" stamp, but I've never seen it as a totally WINTER stamp.  I've always seen the bits of snow drifting down as stars seen through the barren trees, either in the early dawn when you can see the sky lightening up on the horizon or late at night when the forest seems to turn dark and haunting.  I still can see the stars ahead of me guiding me out of the wilderness.  Yes, that does seem strange to say about a stamp, but I have always been intrigued by what colors to use with this stamp.  I believe last year, I used those wonderful neon Hero Arts inks and the skies are gorgeous with those inks, but I wanted to sue the new Ombre inks by Hero Arts.   AND I had to use Stickles on every card.  They are my stars twinkling in the sky.

My first two cards are indeed, Fall cards for the Northern Hemisphere.  I loved the Light Ruby to Royal Red of the sky.  It puts me in the Autumn mood.  Samples ar a2z Scrapbooking here.

This second card shows a sky from butter to land of orange by using the Ombre ink Butter to Orange.  Of course that bit of blue was NOT supposed to be there, so I caution you to thoroughly clean your stamp or you too will experience totally unexpected outcomes.  However, I do like what happened and so I am showing you my OOPSS card too.

And finally, I'm going to show you the scene and sentiment in that gorgeous Ombre ink of Pool to Navy and yes, I did make this one a Holiday card to show you the versatility of this wonderful stamp.  It seems to make the world a gorgeous place.  And yes, I did still have some butter to orange ink at the top of the trees. 

Supplies: Winter Tree Scene Ombre inks of Light Ruby to Royal Red, Butter to Orange and Pool to Navy and a Hero Arts stamp from a cards set, not in production.  

The "Live Thankfully" sentiment is on a Hero Arts clear set, Hello Flowers available at a2z Scrapbooking.

Hope you’ll join in our November Challenge and make a "One Layer" card with your Hero Arts stamps, dies and stencils. And, if you need some new supplies, don’t forget to shop at a2z Scrapbooking..  Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

You can use code Arlene15 at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of $25 or more (before tax and shipping).  Don’t forget that we are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

Monochrome and Brown?

Ok, when you think monochrome and brown, what do you get? BORINGT!   NO, not at all.  Well, I'm hoping you don't think boring, just so darn sweet.

I'm using a Morgan Fitzsimons image to serve as an example of a monochrome card for the kick-start of a new fortnightly challenge at Morgan's Art World.  And it's all about your monochrome entries.  I think this is one of the sweetest, saddest dogs ever.  He's just begging to catch your eye.  And very BROWN.  I hope you like him.  He is really just adorable in real life, even if I do say so myself.  I think this will be my birthday card to my granddaughter this month. 

I used Dog4 and a die by Die by Die-namics (Stitched Rec STAX)

Just have to have a tag to go with the card... don't you?  Say yes.  I cut this smaller image out and mounted his soulful self on a tag, used some gold snippets from another project to add some interest.  I always think of gold as a shiny brown.  LOL

Here's Dog4 with another Die by Die-namics (Stitched TradTagSTAX)

Please visit Morgan's Art World to see the charming examples of monochrome artistry and enter the challenge.  Ok, choose your color and get ready, set and GO!

No, It Can't Be Recycle Time.

I wanted to share some cards I made this past Sunday with you and over at Die Cut Divas.

I thought I'd recycle something, well, more than ONE something and here they are. 

This card reminds me of a farmhouse with a view on the world.  Well, something like that

. I'm recycling an OLD LARGE card that was 18 inches tall and made in THREE LARGE panels, each at least 12 inches wide, as well as being a very heavy duty cardstock.  I kept holding onto the pieces, but never had anything that really fit what I wanted until I purchased two of the Garden Patch die sets.

 Elizabeth Craft Designs Garden Patch 1 1/2 Inch at Dies R Us

 Memory Box Hello Script (there are many "hello" dies at Dies R Us - check them out. 

 Elizabeth Craft Designs Garden Patch 1 1/2 Inch at Dies R Us

 Memory Box Hello Script (there are many "hello" dies at Dies R Us - check them out. 

Recycled OLD LARGE card

Distress Ink Hickory Smoke on the outside of the base card

This card was also my exchange card for October on the Society of Stampaholics blog

Close up - I love the impression that this is a window looking out on an old village.

 Elizabeth Craft Designs Garden Patch  1 inch at Dies R Us

 Elizabeth Craft Designs Butterfly 1

 Memory Box Hello Script (there are many "hello" dies at Dies R Us - check them out. 

Recycled Tissue boxes for the inch panels and the base of the butterfly