Friday, December 29, 2017

"A Few Of My Favorite Cards From 2017"

Hello friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
Just a few more days before 2018.
Have you made those resolutions or have you thought about making one?
Let's all strive to be the best and do the best we can during 2018.

Looking back through the cards I made this year, I picked out some of my favorites.
I like to share them again with you and see if they bring back a memory or give you a fresh idea on making one just like it in the coming year:














Go forth and celebrate.
Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Let's continue to support each other with our crafting ideas in the upcoming year.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, December 22, 2017

"I'm NOT A Glitter Fan"

Hello beautiful people on this Friday before Christmas.
It was the first day of winter according to the weather men/women and the calendar on yesterday.
Some of you are having summer-like weather in your part of the world.  You're ready to go swimming and take long walks beside the water edge.
We, in our part of the world, are putting on heavy coats, scarfs, gloves, boots and braving the cold, crisp air.  We stay inside where it is warm.

There are ten  more days before January 1, 2018.  With that being said/written, are you just trying to finish this year out or have you given any thought to next year.
Some of us are just praying that we get to finish this year and see New Year's Day.  We have loss so many this year and in the last couple of weeks to death.  With one more week to go, who will be next?

I'm using some items that were in my stash to put together a card for the New Year.  I don't do many cards in this category.  Usually it is one or two.
 Instead of using my bottle of "fantasy snow", I used some iridescent glitter for snow on this card.  A very bad decision on my part.   I'm not a glitter fan but I thought I would try this before throwing the tube away.  I thought that if I added some glue before sprinkling the glitter, it would remain in its designated place.  It didn't happen.  It was on my hands, on the desk, on the floor and on my clothes.  Glitter appears to float anywhere and everywhere that you don't want it to go.  I don't buy this stuff...what I have, came with other things or was given to me by some non-crafters.
I'm going to enter this at http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com


Enabler's List:
Neenah white cardstock; Recollections Signature Paper; patterned paper from Hunkydory
inks from Distress Oxides ...peacock feathers, broken china and vintage photo
die: House in the Woods by Poppy Stamps and Double Stitched Rectangles by Our Daily Bread Design
embellishment: iridescent glitter by Horizon
sentiment: computer generated

What's on your desk this Friday?  Can you make a card out of it?

Thanks for viewing and please come again.  Your comments are always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, December 21, 2017

"Using Sizzix Paper Cut Bird Die"

Good Thursday to you my friends, followers, viewer and visitors.
Are you still counting down?
Have you finished the Christmas shopping?
If you're a crafter, have you checked out Michaels to get those Christmas stamps and dies that are marked down?  It is a good time to get those items to use for next year if not this one.
Are you ready for another year?
Are all of those resolutions solved that you made on January 1, 2017?
Have you thought of your 2018 word for the year?
So many questions this morning.  You can tell that my mind is functioning very well.  I pray that it stays that way.  So many people either are suffering from Alzheimer or  dementia.  That leads me to focus on my Bible Journal Scripture for this week (Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength).  

Here, I'm using a die from Sizzix called "Paper-Cut Bird".  It measure about 6 x 4.5.  I backed the flowers with blue shimmery cardstock from PaperandMore and layered the image over some Julie Nutting "Buff" cardstock.
These layers were then adhered to another piece of blue shimmery cardstock.  The base is a cream piece of cardstock from Recollections

entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

This is the same card as above with a white background.

 Enabler's List:
cardstock: Recollections cream and light green; PaperandMore blue pearlescent metallic; Julie Nutting "buff" cardstock
die: Sizzix paper-cut bird
embellishment: Studio G self adhesive gems
sentiment: K&G bible quote sticker medley
This is another card I put together using an image from Hunkydory Christmas set.  I used washi tape to highlight the image.  The image and tape were adhered to a piece of Recollections black cardstock then to a piece of red Bazzill cardstock.  These layers were finally adhered to the Neenah white card base.  

In three more days, Santa will be on his way.  Have you been naughty or nice?

Thanks for stepping away from your busy schedule to view with me today.
Your comments are always welcome.  I do read them.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

"Almost Became Trash"

Hello friends, visitors, followers and viewers.
I've been trying to reorganize and get rid of some items from my crafting space.
I came across these acrylic stickers that I don't know what company they came from.  I searched Google to try to find out if they were Jolee's Boutique or Michaels.  They were stuck down under some other items without a label.  I will probably say they have been in my  collection for more than two years.  I started to put them in the trash bag but decided to make a fun little card to send to my grand daughter.  She will probably get a laugh out of it:

Go forth and have a nice day.
Thanks for viewing with me.  Please come again and don't forget to leave me a comment.  I love hearing from you.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

"You Are Beautiful"

Hello family, visitors, friends, viewers and followers.
It's another great day to do something nice for someone who is not as fortunate as you.  The holiday season is upon us and we want everyone to be the merriest they can be during this time of year.
Check out your closet to see if there are blankets or quilts you're not using anymore.  Someone at a shelter or someone who is homeless would really appreciate it.  Check out your food bin.  Is it an abundance of non-perishable items you could share with a family so that they may have a good meal on Christmas day or before the schools open after the holiday. You wouldn't believe how many children are going to be hungry next week due to schools being closed for the holiday.  If you've been blessed abundantly, then, pay it forward to someone else in need.  They would really appreciate it and so will you.
Here is a card I put together this morning.  It will go in my bin for an occasion when needed.  When you use up all the cards you've made...it's time to replenish the empty bin.  Most of my cards that I hadn't used were sent to the "cards for soldiers" last week.  She has posted them on Facebook to let me know she received them and has started to fix boxes to send out of the country.
 Two views of the same card.
It will be entered at http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com


Enabler's List
cardstock: Neenah white for the base 5.5 x 5.5.  Next, cut a piece of black Recollections 1/8 less than the card base and adhere it on top of the base.  Using a piece of DP from Hunkydory, cut this 1/8 less than the black.  Use TH distressing tool to distress all four sides.  Adhere your DP to the black cardstock.
die: Using the extra pieces from the Neenah white cardstock, cut out two circles with the Our Daily Bread Design double stitched circle dies and one of the dies from Sizzix Holiday Greens.  Adhere the circles to the DP.  From scrap pieces of blue cardstock, cut out two flowers using Elizabeth Craft Designs dies "Victorian Flower Overlay Set 2".  Adhere these to the DP. Glue the Sizzix die cuts around the circle.
embellishments: Take the leaves of the Petaloo flower and adhere them to the top of the circle.  Arrange the three Recollections fabric flowers around the Victorian Flower Overlay die cuts.
stamp: Using black archival ink and the sentiment from Penny Black heartfelt clear stamp set, stamp the sentiment under the circle.
embellishment: To enhance the look of the card, add three drops of NUVO sea breeze jewel drops to the top and bottom of the card.

List of dies, stamp and embellishments:
ODBD double stitched circle die;  Elizabeth Craft Designs "Victorian Flower Overlay Set 2 dies; Petaloo blue flowers with berries; Recollection pink & blue fabric flowers; Sizzix "Holiday Greens" dies; Penny Black heartfelt clear stamp set; Nuvo "sea breeze" jewel drops.

Thanks for taking a little time to view with me today.
Your company is always welcome along with  your comments.
Come again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, December 18, 2017

"Thinking Of You With Tonic Studios Dot & Drop Die"

Hello to all on this Monday, December 18, 2017.
Just think and ponder on this... next Monday will be Christmas Day.  I know you're ready.  The house, inside and outside,  is decorated.  The gifts are bought and wrapped.  The arrangements to have guest over have been made.  This week  you will begin the preparation for that Christmas dinner.  You will either order it from a local store that has catering or you will take each day this week to cook and refrigerate/freeze it until next Monday.  Crafting may not be on your list this week but you don't mind seeing what others are doing.
I was awarded a free die from Scrapbook.com.  It is a Tonic Studio die...Dot & Drop Die Blossom Spray.  I used it this morning to see how it would look.  I also needed some "Thinking Of You" cards in my collection for the upcoming year.
Here is your view:

 I took two photos of the same card.  One with a black background and one with a white and black background.
The swirls around the flower are NUVO drops.  The flowers have a piece of red shimmery paper behind them.  The leaves have a piece of green paper behind the die cut.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts stamp set.
This will be an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com


Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white; Bazzill purple; PaperandMore red shimmery; Recollections green
stamp: *Hero Arts Clear Stamps YEAR ROUND SENTIMENTS CL582
embellishment: NUVO autumn red crystal drops
die: Tonic Studios Dot & Drop Die "Blossom Spray" (It cuts a beautiful pattern into your base card as well as providing a perfect guide for accurate placement of Nuvo Crystal, Glitter & Jewel Drops)!

Thanks for taking a little time from your busy schedule to view with me today.
You are always welcome to comment.
Please visit again.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, December 15, 2017

"Could This Be The Last Christmas/Birthday Card For 2017?"

Happy Friday, friends, followers, family, visitors and viewers.
It's "What's In My Stash" day and what a way to end this year's Christmas cards and Birthday cards for the year.
If any emergencies happen next week, those people will have to shop at a card store or wait until next year for a Christmas card.  I will continue with birthdays and the other  occasions that happens throughout the year.
Friday is my biggest production day in another area that doesn't deal with crafting so I always try to do something quick and fast to share with you.  In my stash I found die cuts from Sizzix "festive greens", a die cut from Sizzix mixed media, and some paper from Hunkydory Christmas:
 A Christmas card using paper from Hunkydory Christmas.  I used the paper to make a tag.  The sentiment was cut from the sheet.  These two pieces were layered with a piece of Recollections red and paper from Our Daily Bread Design Christmas Collection 2017 paper pad.  The embellishment to bring everything together was the poinsettia and greenery from Sizzix festive greens.
This will be an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com


 This looks somewhat like a Christmas card via the poinsettias.  However it is that last birthday card for someone whose birthday is so close to Christmas.  I'm combining the two days into one card.  I've used a die cut from Sizzix mixed media and the die cuts from Sizzix festive greens.  The focal layer is Neenah white.  It was adhered to a piece of gold paper from the Hunkydory Christmas paper.  It looks as if it sparkles but it doesn't it is a smooth sheet of paper.

Thanks for viewing with me today.  Go forth and be merry and brighten someone's day.
Hope your weekend is safe and happy.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois








Thursday, December 14, 2017

"LOVE IS IN THE AIR"

Hello friends, family, followers, visitors and viewers.
Welcome to Thursday, December 14, 2017.
Are you still working on Christmas cards for this year?  Some of my crafting friends are continuing to do so not necessarily for this year but to get a start on next year's batch.  Their reason behind the process is...all of my supplies are on my desk or around my work space so instead of packing the Christmas supplies up and putting them away...you just keep making Christmas cards.
I have to admit, I have not put my supplies away as of this posting...I thought I would get around to it before the week ended...but I haven't.
I'm jumping two months ahead today with a Valentine's card.  I did manage to get my supplies ready on Tuesday and put them aside.  I had an embossing folder that I caught on sale after Valentine's day last year and  I wanted to use it.
Here is the card I made for your viewing:
There is a company that I ordered some sample paper from called PaperandMore.  I used a sheet of white shimmery cardstock from this company along with the embossing folder.  It came out so pretty and I know you can't tell from this picture.  I also used the pink shimmery cardstock for layering, the band, one of the hearts, and the word "love".
This will be an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com


Enabler's List:
cardstock; Neenah white;  PaperandMore shimmery white and pink; Recollections green
embossing folder; Spellbinders hearts
dies: Nellie's heart; Sizzix Celebration words; Sizzix festive greens; Sizzix garden greens;
embellishment: Prima pink flowers

Thanks so much for viewing with me today.
Thanks for your comments and support.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

"Patterned Paper, Butterflies and A Little Encouragement"

Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Hello friends, viewers, followers and viewers.  On this Wednesday I can say..."Baby It's Cold Outside".  I wish I didn't have to venture out, but I do.  I'm attending my brother-in-love (law) funeral.  He got his wings on last Friday, December 8th and today we celebrate his HOMEGOING service.
Before leaving for the occasion, I will share this card with you.  It was made with pattern paper (an inspiration from my friend, Treva), butterflies (my favorite embellishment) and a quote that I believe my BIL would love for everyone to be encouraged by:

Enabler's List:
Cardstock: Recollections blue and black; DP from Recollections Sea glass, ODBD Christmas Collection and DCWV The Old World Stack.
Embellishment: Martha Stewart butterflies; Nuvo Woodland green crystal drops.


If you are out and about today and the temps are in the teens...be safe and stay warm. 

Thanks for viewing today.  Your comments are always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

"Heartfelt Creation Winter's Eve Collection"

Hello Everyone on this Tuesday, December 12, 2017.
It is going to be a fun cold, cold day in my part of the world.  I'm keeping warm while crafting.
I have the desire to organize my craft room or I should say my crafting supplies so I can easily put my hands on what I need when I need it.  I really need to get this done before the end of the year.  My desire is to retire some items from my space and to make someone else happy.

Christmas day is not here yet and Christmas card making  is not over.  
I wanted to get some cards made using Heartfelt Creation Winter's Eve Collection paper pad.  Here are the two cards I made using one of the sheets from the pad along with some other dies and embellishments.
I added two die cuts to this piece of paper.  One from Tattered Lace and the other from Spellbinders.
An embellishment from Jolee's Boutique was added to finish the card.
An entry of this card will be made at http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.
 I added two die cuts to this piece of paper also.  It was the extra piece from cutting off the piece used in the above card. The dies were from Spellbinders and Sizzix.
 Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white; Recollections black and Recollections green;
DP: Heartfelt Creation Winter's Eve Collection
die: Tattered Lace "Opulent Over the Edge; Spellbinders standard circle
        Sizzix garden greens; Memory box "Little Candle Trio"
embellishment: Jolee's Boutique word "JOY"
                          Jolee's Boutique white poinsettias;
                          acetate sheet and  iridescent glitter

Thanks for viewing today.  Stay warm or cool depending on where you live.
Come back again for more inspiration and you are always encourage to scrap lift if you see something interesting.
Comments are encouraged and accepted.  Leave me some love.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, December 11, 2017

"Offray Snowflake Ribbon Background"

Hello friends, followers, viewers, family and visitors.
It's Monday, December 11, 2017.  How many more days before Christmas?  How many more days left in the year, 2017?  How many more days before we have another snowfall in the southeast part of the USA?
Saturday, we left home in the cold, cold rain heading north.  Just under fifteen miles down the highway, we start seeing cars going south with the tops full of snow and with some visible effects that it had fallen overnight on the grass and in the woods.  By the time we made it another fifteen miles, it was sleeting and light snow was falling.  It was still the wintery mix (rain, snow, sleet)  that had been predicted earlier last week.  We picked up a few items and headed back home where the snow was falling beautifully (even though I wasn't ready for it). On the way back home, we saw at least five cars that had slid off the highway due to the sleet and freezing temperatures.  We were very careful making it back home.
The snow, which I did get to see, prompted this card for today:
I started experimenting with the ribbon to see how it would look on cardstock ...straight without  making a bow.  Very impressive to use as a background... so  to cover up the Scotch adhesive, I looked in my file for a border that would go well with the ribbon. Next, I went to Pinterest and Google to find a sentiment that would go with snow/snowflake.
I will be using this card as an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Enabler's List:
cardstock: Recollections blue and black;  white PaperandMore (I encourage you to check out this supplier.  All their sample packages ships "free").  I've ordered from this company several times and I'm very satisfied with their products.
die: Penny Black border dies;  Nellie Snellen heart die
embellishment: Offray snowflake ribbon.

Thanks for taking a little time out of your busy schedule to view with me today.
Please come again and you are welcome to leave a comment.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, December 8, 2017

"WIMS Friday"

Hello family, visitors, friends, followers and viewers.
It's Friday...WIMS (What's In My Stash) day.  It is a wintery mix forecast for today leading into Saturday.  I may see a snowflake or two.  It's the beginning of a weekend journey.
It's the day of mourning but not a sad, sad day if you're a Christian.  We realize we are not here to stay forever and sometimes when you're really, really sick...family members don't want to see you suffer when there is nothing they can do about it.  It is best when God calls you home.

I pulled and plucked items from my stash this morning.  Instead of one card...I made two.  I've heard about this snow all week so I'm enhancing the outcome by making cards showing a little here and there:
The paper patterns were pulled from: Scrapbook & Collage Papers "The European Collection by TweetyJill Publications; Recollections Christmas Noel; Recollections Steampunk Botanic; DCWV The Old World Stack.
The jar is two Sticko tags.  The one on top was cut out so that I could put a piece of Offray ribbon behind it before layering it back to the second jar. 
The flowers are Recollections stickers that I've have for a long time.
I used a stamp from Art-C clear stamp set.
This will be an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
This was a fun little card to put together.  Searching around on Pinterest, there is a person named Birgit who did a card that perked my interest.  I hope she doesn't mind me scrap lifting her idea.  However, the picture I used behind the torn piece is one that was water colored with a Sizzix die cut of a tree added to the scene.  Delta fantasy snow was also added.

Thanks for viewing today.  Please come again.
Your comments are always welcome.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, December 7, 2017

"A Winter Themed Card Share"

Happy Thursday everyone.
Are you cold, warm, hot or is the weather where you are just fine?
I'm hearing snow reports and the weather men and women appear to be so happy for the first "falling" for the season.
I wrote on Tuesday that I wasn't ready for the white stuff but if it has to come...bring it on!
The card I'm sharing today has a winter theme in the background... layers for my scripture art ("The Lord's Prayer") and a reminder to accept what God has for you/me by continuing to give HIM thanks and praise.  This one will be put in my "Scripture Art Journal" for December:

 This card will be an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Enabler's List:
cardstock: tan PaperandMore; black Recollections; DP (snowflakes) from ODBD; red from DCWV The Old World Stack
dies: ODBD beautiful borders; ODBD layered lacy ovals; First Edition Craft doily dies.
"The Lord's Prayer" and "Give thanks and praise" came from an Art-C ephemera collage kit.
embellishment: Recollections flowers.

Thanks for viewing with me today.  Please come again and don't forget to leave a comment.  I love hearing from you.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois


Wednesday, December 6, 2017

"Back To Christmas Cards"

Hello family, friends, followers, visitors and viewers.
We've made it to Wednesday, the middle of the week.  A lot of lovely things have happened so far and we're hoping they will continue.
I've finished all the Christmas cards I needed to make for myself.  These that you are viewing today were made for someone else.  I hope you like them as well as the person who requested them.
This will be an entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
 Enabler's List:
Cardstock: Neenah white; cardboard; Michael's paper and DP from DCWV The Old World Stack
dies: ODBD beautiful borders; ODBD stitched circles; Sizzix fall foliage
punch: Little R Moroccan Window
embellishments: Prima blue flowers; Funkie Junkie Boutique metal snowflake; jute
This card was made using a sketch from Splitcoaststampers.com #674.
Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white; Recollections black;  DP from Hunkydory Christmas Past
die: Spellbinders scalloped ovals and Sizzix festive greens
embellishment: American Crafts premium red ribbon
sentiment is also from Hunkydory Christmas Past

Thanks for viewing and I hope you come again.
Comments are welcome and very much enjoyed.

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

"Those December Birthdays...#2"

Hello friends, followers, family, visitors and viewers.
The weather forecast for my area is predicting snow flurries by Friday....I'm not quite ready for the white stuff as of yet.  These cold temps are not good for my allergy or sinus problems either.  I told a person at church on Sunday that I feel as if I've become one of those people who prefer to be in a warm climate all year or a "snow bird" in Florida for six months.  We will see what the future holds but for the time being, I'm experiencing all four seasons...fall, winter, spring and summer.

Those December birthdays are rolling and I'm trying to catch up with the cards I have to make.  Today is birthday card #2 for December.  As you view, you can tell it is for another female.  To keep you from guessing each day...all family members born in December are females.
 I'm going to enter this one over at http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
Enabler's List:
cardstock: Kaisercraft craft cardstock; beige and grey  PaperandMore cardstock;
punch: Little B Moroccan Window
die: Sizzix holiday green;  Spellbinders foliage
stamp; Hampton Art Clear  18 pcs
embellishment: Little Birdie handmade flowers; Nuvo berry red crystal drops; jute

If it's your birthday today....Celebrate and have a good one.
Thanks for viewing with me today.
Comments are welcome and accepted.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, December 4, 2017

"December Birthdays...#1"

Hello everyone on this 4th day of December.
Christmas parades; Christmas shopping; Christmas decorations; gift wrapping;  just don't forget those who will have a birthday this month.  So much focus on "Santa" and you'll forgetting a family member or friend will be celebrating a birthday.  I didn't forget and I'm getting ready for those I know of who will turn another year older.
This first card has pink and white....therefore, indicating it will be for a female:

Are you helping to celebrate a birthday this month or are you busy with Christmas 2017?

Thanks for viewing with me today.
Comments are always welcome...let me hear from you!

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Friday, December 1, 2017

"HELLO"

Hello friends, family, visitors, viewers and followers.
December is finally here and whatever you have not done or attempted to do since January 2017, you have thirty more days to finalize those New Year's resolutions.  In a blink of your eye it will be another New Year on January 1, 2018.
I'm going simple today and many of you know why...I'm always busy on Friday and today is that day.
Some PaperandMore cardstock, a Darice embossing folder, a Sizzix die cut from the beginning of this week, some Kaisercraft Lucky dip wooden flourishes and a piece of jute brings a very simple card for today:
entry for http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

Enabler's List:
Kaisercraft craft cardstock; PaperandMore  cardstock;
Darice snowflake embossing folder
Sizzix festive greens die
Kaisercraft Lucky dip wooden flourish pack joy and hello
jute

Have a fantastic weekend.
Your comments are always welcome and I love hearing from you

Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois