Remembering Brass Stencils

 Does anyone remember the brass stencils from many moons ago - or better yet, does anyone still use them!  I'd forgotten all about them and the other day I was searching for something else and found a handful that someone had given me so long ago.  I may have used this one before but it's been a long time, so......

I used some distress inks on the stencil for the deer - added that panel to some Christmas patterned paper I had in my stash,  cut a circle piece of Vellum and used the same distress ink on it to give it a tint of the blue, and then added the snowflake and pearl. 

I've been trying to use more of what I already have instead of buying new things - but it's so hard with all the pretty stamps, embossing folder, etc. to buy now......but ........ I find something like this brass stencil and remember it really can make a nice card too..

I'll enter this in challenge at Rudolph Days (anything Christmas).

Thanks for stopping by...........and keep smiling! 

Christmas Leftovers

 No, I'm not still eating on the Christmas turkey and ham......but I am still trying to clear off my desk that still has Christmas stamps and do-dads all over the place.  

Here's a couple of cards using the same cute snowman from Unity Stamps (sentiments from My Favorite Things).....also the same design but different colors.  Not a single snowflake to go with a snowman either!  Yikes!  All this stuff on my desk and yet no snowflakes.  Improvise with stars and hearts......

Fun cards and I've already got a head start for Christmas cards now.  

Thanks for stopping by........and keep smiling!

Lynn

A Quilt, A Card, and A Very Merry Christmas

 First up today is a quilt I made for Christmas last year.  It was one of those deals where I looked at the pattern and figured there was no way I could do that but had to try..........I did it and it came out really pretty I think.  This is the best I could do for a picture.

Next up we have a card.......and it's the jolly old guy himself.  I've "re-discovered" Unity stamps and splurged a little during their sale and got a few things.  I love stamping with rubber even though I know it's easier to use the clear stamps so you can see where you're stamping.  I just always think the rubber stamps prettier.  Anyway...........here's the old guy from Unity Stamps……..

And last...........Merry Christmas.  If you celebrate the day I hope you have a good one.  No big plans here at all but I'm going to kinda disappear for a couple of weeks I think.  I have some things going on the first part of January and doubt I'll be crafting too much.  I'll check back with everyone when I get back.  Thanks to each one of you for being a part of my life - yes, you really are and I appreciate it.  

Thanks for stopping by........and keep smiling!

Lynn

Freezin' and Rambo

 Getting a little chilly around here now - and we still have January and February to go!  Time for me to just stay in the house and be warm.   Here's another 'freezin' card with yes, one of those cute little grumpling stamps from Taylor Expressions.  Gotta love these guys.....

The image was cut out and popped up on dimensionals.  I added a little pink and purple bottle tree from Tim Holtz stamps and the card was basically done.  A clean and simple "git 'er done" card.

Since I'm already here on the blog I thought I'd also add the latest picture of Rambo all decked out in his (almost too small) Christmas tee-shirt.  It says "no mistletoe needed".  We did the Santa pictures one year and it was pretty stressful on everyone involved....there was no biting (by either Rambo or Santa) but it was more of a "what the hell am I doing on this guy's lap" type deal.  

Thanks for stopping by........and keep smiling......

Lynn

'Tis the Season......

 What's not to love about this grumpy little cat from Taylored Expressions!  This is definitely me in colder weather.  That first cold front moves in around October or November around here and then I don't thaw out until April.  I'll take summer any day of the week - although it really does get a little toasty here - like HOT!  

Thanks for stopping by........and keep smiling!

Lynn

How About Another Bird

 I finally finished with all my cards for Christmas - Now to get them in the mail I guess.  It's always a relief to get them done but on the other hand, it's kind of a let-down too - knowing that you won't be needing anymore until next Christmas.  Since I have a couple of stamps I haven't used yet for Christmas, I think I'll try to keep making some all year.  (Of course I say that every year and then wait until the last minute in December to do them!  UGH)

Anyway, here's one of several I made using a Stampin' Up stamp.  I used some patterned paper from a  pad from Unity that I really hated to cut up because it was so pretty.  The image was colored with watercolor pencils.  

Thanks for stopping by.......and keep smiling!

Lynn

Couple of Cards

 Just a couple of easy cards for the holidays.  The wreath image was found in a stack of stuff that seldom sees the light of day.  Slapped it on a card and we have a merry and bright card!  

This second card has a story.  The stamp I used is from Stampin' Up and was one of the first stamps I ever bought there.  It's also the stamp I used on my first hand made Christmas card way back in (I think) 2009!  YIKES!  I have to laugh now, but the cards I sent out that year were all the same with this stamp being used and had so many layers on them they weighed a ton - plus this really textured ribbon from Stampin' Up.  Several weeks after Christmas I got one of the cards back in the mail - and then got another one, and another one.  All were fairly torn up from the post office machine because they were all so thick and bulky.  I'm not sure how many ever received their card but I doubt many actually made it to who it was going to.  Another reason why I keep my cards clean and simple now.  The embossing folder I used is older than dirt and is also one of the first I ever purchased.  

Thanks for stopping by........and keep smiling........

Lynn

The Crooked Bird

 It's a bird - and he's crooked.  I tried moving this stamp every which way I could think of and no matter what, he's still leaning to one side or the other - - or the branch is all whoppy-jawed or whatever.  So, like it or not, he's crooked.  Maybe he's just trying to hang onto that branch because the wind is so high.   Anyway.........

All I can say, is that he's a pretty cute little guy from Unity Stamps (and so is the paper - which, by the way, is green even though it looks a little off-color in the photo).  

One more Christmas card down and too many more to even think about.  They're getting VERY clean and simple now (as if they weren’t already) since we're coming down to the wire.  

Thanks for stopping by........and keep smiling!

Lynn

Two in One

 I just finished making about 30 gift tags and the entire time I was making them, I kept trying to think of some way to put a tag on a Christmas card, mail it, and then whoever it went to would also get a free tag along with the card.  I never did come up with anything I liked....... and then I saw the challenge at Inky Paws.  Well, hello.......this may work........So........

I used a stamp set from Newton's Nook for the image and also the sentiment.  The tag is possibly from Newton's Nook also.  Somehow all my tag dies got tossed into one envelope so I'm not sure on that.  The white borders were cut from a die that I didn't use and I just cut off the edges.  The snowflakes are from Lawn Fawn.  I colored the image in Copics and used blue distress ink on the background.  At the bottom of the tag I cut some glittery "snow" and then used a gel pen for the falling "snow". 

I'll enter this in the sketch challenge at Inky Paws.

Thanks for stopping by.........and keep smiling!

Lynn

Get Crackin'

 I kept telling myself I needed to get crackin' on making cards for Christmas........so here you go.  At least this is a start....

 What can I say other than it's been a rough year.

Thanks for stopping by......and keep smiling!

Lynn

Bear-ly Here for 2CCC Challenge

It's that time again..........time for another challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!  We're being sponsored this time by Jan's Digital Stamp Shop.  Come on over and play along for a chance to win a wonderful prize package from Jan's shop.  (By the way.....Jan has a sale on Christmas images going on in her shop right now.  Be sure and check it out!)

This is a bear.......a bear for Christmas - or actually just any kind of bear.  I used mine for a Christmas card though.  Added a little embossing, some Christmas patterned paper, a couple of tags from a Newton's Nook die and a bit of ribbon.  I also used the Pre-Colored version of Jan's image.  

NOTE:

Now, the reason I'm saying I'm bear-ly here..........All is good and I'm "here" just fine, but.........I'm going to be taking a break from blogging.  This will be the only DT I'm staying on (mainly because I'm co-coordinator and Connie said I wasn't allowed to leave just yet)!  I did drop the other design teams and am sad about that because both Pammie's Inky Pinkies and Jan's Digi's are both wonderful design teams to be on.  I just feel like I have to take a break from it all right now and it wasn't fair to ask Pam and Jan to let me disappear for a while.  I've been feeling like everything I do lately is looking the same so guess I'm a little burned out now and need a break!  I'm sure I'll be back soon and also probably having all my cards look alike once again!!!!!  Oh well............

But, I will be back on the first of each month for my card for the 2 Crafty Critter Crazy Challenges so it's not like you'll never see me again.  Otherwise I just won't be around in Blogland.  I will probably be posting a few cards on Instagram so check over there ever so often and you may see me.   

Thanks for stopping by........

Lynn

A Little Bit Of Christmas - Jan's Digi Stamp Challenge

We're still going full force over at Jan's Digi Stamp Challenge and would love for you to come play along with us.  It's an anything goes challenge.  Be sure and enter for a chance to win a wonderful prize from Jan's shop.

I used one of Jan's new releases - and we're talking about a little bit of Christmas.  It's never too early to begin on Christmas cards.  This one is so pretty and I used the colored version of it.   If you're in a hurry at Christmas the pre-colored digis are the way to go.  The image is called Christmas in July and the sentiment is from another Christmas set by Jan.  

Thanks for stopping by.............

Lynn

Have a Sweet Christmas - 2 CCC

It's time for another challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.  It's always an Anything Goes on it as long as you have some type of critter on your card on project.  Our sponsor is Lily of the Valley for this challenge and they have some awesome images.  I think I probably see a shopping spree coming on! 

I used this little girl and a deer to make an early Christmas card.  It's already June and it's going to turn into December before we can bat an eye I'm afraid.  I kept this very simple and used a lot of white other than coloring the image with Copics, the red gingham ribbon, and the Nuvo dot inside the snowflake.

(Back again - and don't roll your eyes!  This is the SECOND post for today.....I'll be back!)

Thanks for stopping by............
Lynn

Nifty Gifty Nuggets

I was looking on Instagram the other day and someone had posted a couple of these gifty gifts using Hershey's nuggets.   Hey......I can do that!  It's like going to a craft show and not buying anything because you look at it and say - hey I can do that.......and then sadly never do.  Well, these were looking way too easy so yes, I can do that!  And did.  At Thanksgiving I made a six of them for my daughter to give her immediate staff at school - her assistant principal, secretary, etc.   Not a problem...........until she liked them and asked if I'd make them for all her teachers and staff.   Um...............how many are we talking about........about 60 to 70. 

Well, feast your eyes on 74 of these nifty gifty nuggets!  Terrible picture because I was using my phone and not great lighting but you get the picture.   They really were easy to make and I didn't even eat a single one.  Proud of myself on that for sure!  It was tempting though.   

Now we're talking snippets.........in fact, we have exactly 592 snippets of paper and ribbon!!!!! 

Thanks for stopping by...............

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Thanks to everyone for all the beautiful Christmas cards I received this year.   I'm taking a little time and won't be back for a while.  My daughter and I are taking a mother/daughter trip (adventure) for about a week and then I may head on down to the southern part of Texas for a few days.  I'll be back though.

Lynn

Getting a Little Joyful

 Quick post with a couple of quick cards for Christmas ......... and yes, there's that plaid again.  Maybe I went a little overboard on the plaid this year but I don't think so.  Oh, and in case you're wondering about this - Just for giggles, I DID go back to see if they still had the plaid hedgehog and someone had already bought it!  Amazing.............

First card using alcohol ink backgrounds - think it was some pink and red - could have been purple too and maybe even some blue and yellow.  In other words I don't remember!   Second one in the plaid of course.  Both using a Joyful die from Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks for stopping by.........
Lynn

Three Deer - Jan's Digi's

It's time for Jan's Digi's Stamps Challenge!  Anything Goes and it'll give you a great chance to win some wonderful digi's if you enter your card or project.  Jan has beautiful images and so many to choose from and you can find all of them HERE!   I've used Reindeer for my card today.

 I realize this is super clean and simple and really nothing fancy at all. - In fact, it kinda looks like maybe a 1st grader did it............ However, to me, it's HUGE, HUGE, HUGE!  I've been making cards for I don't even remember how long - and using digi images too.  I've never ever been able to merge them though.  Nothing exciting but I've always wanted to at least put the sentiment with the image.  I DID IT!  I'm not going to guarantee I'll ever be able to do it again but I can always hope.  I was very, very excited about this card.  I used some glitter at the bottom for "snow" and then sponged a little blue for "clouds".  That's about it.  Like I said, nothing fancy, but oh, I was so proud of myself for this!

Don't forget about the challenge with all the craziness of Christmas.  Stop and take time for yourself and enter!

Thanks for stopping by............
Lynn

Merry and Bright - PIP Challenges

Time again for another challenge from Pammie's Inky Pinkies.  It's our last challenge until January so be sure and come on over and enter your Anything Goes card or project.  The winner will receive a gift code for Mo's Digital Pencil.

I've used this stamp set and also the same design for years for Christmas cards and it always makes a good one.  I usually try and change up the sentiment a little bit but that's it.  It was a Stampin Up wheel stamp that I unmounted from the wheel.  Much easier to stamp that way and especially since we have the Misti or other stamping tools now.  I colored this in colored pencils and then stamped the sentiment.

I'll enter this in the AAA Card Challenge - Along the Edge.

Thanks for stopping by.......and be sure and enter our challenge for a chance to win.
Lynn

The Penguin, The Rudy, and The Cat

How's this for a few pictures of Christmas cards!

I used a penguin like on a previous card but then had to add the little deer and cat to the mix on these.  All the stamps are from Taylored Expressions and I fell in love as soon as I saw them.  The sentiments are also from TE strip sentiments.  That cat looks like I used to when I would put the lights on the tree.  Whoever came up with the pre-lit trees needs a medal!

I'm not going to go into what I did because you can see for yourself.  I did add a background stamp to the panel on the penguin card - and on the cat one I used patterned paper for the panel.

I'd like to enter this in Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

I'll enter this in the challenge at Brown Sugar - Anything Goes

I'll enter this in the challenge at Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Snippets.

 Thanks for stopping by.............
Lynn

More Plaid

I walked into one of the local craft stores here the other day and was amazed at all the plaid.  Everything and anything was in plaid.......maybe even a little bit too much.  I swear there was a stuffed plaid hedgehog in there!  Seriously!  Anyway, I love plaid.....love, love, love it. 

So, why not make another card with plaid on it.  Using a die from MFT I cut the plaid tree, added a gold star with another die and then stamped the greeting.  Super CAS but since plaid is all the rage right now, I think it'll be great for Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by...............
Lynn

Is It Snowing Yet - PIP Challenge

There's a little "snow" on this card and hoping there's not a lot of snow where you are!  It's time again for another challenge from Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges.  It's really coming down to the wire on getting Christmas cards done but if you'll check out the images from Polkadoodles (who is our sponsor) I'm sure you'll find a cute one to do.  They have so many different images to chose from.

Polkadoodles provided images for the DT to use and I selected this one.  I think that little boy and girls are so cute - and I can almost hear them singing!  I colored them in Copics, used an oval die cut, and then mounted them on a Sheena Douglas snowy looking embossing folder.   

Be sure and come on over to Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge and enter.  It's an Anything Goes challenge and lots of fun.

Thanks for stopping by...............
Lynn