St. Luke's Charity Challenge

I've made several Christmas cards this week, and the challenge at St. Luke's Charity Challenge this month is to create a Christmas card.  This first card also meets the qualifications for the Less is More challenge this week.  Here's my two cards:

I created both cards on my new Cameo (I'm loving all the fabulous things I can do with it!).  I used a cutting file (the mother reading to the child) for this first card. I filled the image with black.  I added a tree (also a cutting file and colored it black.  I added the star (also a cutting pattern) and filled it with gold.  The sentiment was also added to the image through the Silhouette program.  Then, once I had everything where I wanted it, I just printed it on my ink jet printer and cut to fit the card front.  It's difficult to see here, but the image is backed with some gold textured foil paper and then a layer of black.  I added some 3 dimensional dots with Liquid Pearls and then dotted them with some glitter.  I also added glitter to the star. I actually love how this turned out and next time I try it, it'll be much easier!

The second card was also created with the Cameo.  I cut the tree from green card stock, then cut the shadow from some white card stock.  I used a star punch to add a gold textured foil star to the top of the tree.  The red dots are Liquid Pearls and then I added a touch of glitter to the tree.  The sentiment is from Flourishes and was stamped with embossing ink and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.

I layered the tree on the same green as the tree and then on the gold textured foil paper.  Tied a red ribbon around the bottom...and another card is finished!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Your comments are always appreciated! Until next time....

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge #49 - A Single Red String

This week the challenge from Laura at I am the Diva is to create a tangle with a single red thread running through it.  This challenge is to help raise awareness of the mission of The Red Thread Promise.  Our challenge was to create a traditional black and white tangle tile with a single red "thread" running through it. 

I struggle with using color on my tangles.  I love looking at other peoples tangles that color has been added to, but it never looks right when I do it.  That's how I ended up with four different tangles!

I actually did all of these on 3.5 x 3.5 which is the traditional size for a Zentangle, but not the size I generally work with. This is the first tile I did. Definitely didn't like it (and probably shouldn't have posted it! LOL!).  It just looks weird!

This second tile is a bit better.  I love the dimension I got on this one, but I still wasn't satisfied.

I think this third one is my favorite of the four tiles.  I drew one large circle with a red pen, then added circles in each quadrant of the red circle.  Then I used light and dark tangles on each side of the red circle. 

I'm not sure where I was going with this one, but decided I'd go ahead and post it. Maybe I should have left the flowers off?

Just throwing this last piece in so I can ask a question.  Is this a tangle that someone has already drawn?  I did this while messing around with my tangles, and thought I had come up with a new design, but it might already be out there and I just don't know it.  If anyone knows if it's a new one, let me know and I'll post directions about how I drew it.  I used it in the fourth tile above and colored in the centers.  

Thanks so much for stopping by! As always, your comments are greatly appreciated! Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

Some Christmas Tangles

I wanted to share some of my new Zentangle Inspired Art.  This first one is going to be one of my Christmas cards. I have a die for the word "peace" that I cut from card stock using my Cuttlebug.  I placed it on the card (which is a 4.25 x 5.5 inch card) and traced around it with pencil, then drew random circles for my tangles behind the word "peace".  I'm trying to decide it I want to add a touch of color to these "ornaments".  What do you think? 

This second piece is actually the first "ornaments" I drew and was what inspired me to make the Christmas card.  I guess I could cut this one down a bit and layer it on a card front.  It takes me an hour or two to do these ornaments, so it probably wouldn't be "cost" effective to make many of them! LOL!

This last one is just something I was playing around with. I never have any idea what my finished piece will look like and I'm generally surprised by how they turn out.  This one makes me think of candy canes and braided Christmas bread!

 Thanks so much for popping by! I appreciate all your wonderful comments!! Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

LIM42 - Silhouettes and Something new...

Two weeks in a row...I can't believe it!! I'm certainly honored to have my cards showCASed.  Chrissie and Mandi...sending you a BIG Thank You! ♥♥ You made my day! ♥♥

 

I can't believe I've already finished three cards for this week's challenge  at Less is More (which is to make at card using silhouettes).  I might even get a couple of more finished!  For this first card, I cut the silhouette of the three carolers with my Cameo.  I cut a piece of white card stock with a curvy edge and layered it on top of the card base for my "snow".  I used a Copics B0000 to highlight the mound of snow and behind the carolers.  The carolers are pop dotted off the card and it looks really cool.  I also added a touch of glitter to make the snow glisten.  Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

For this next card, I used a Papertrey Ink Christmas silhouette.  Punched it out with a 1.75 inch circle punch.  The background paper is actually a gold shimmery card stock from SU that I recently ordered.  I wish you could see how shimmery it is, but I can't figure out how to photograph it and get that to show.  I punched a 2 inch scalloped circle from the gold card stock to back the image.  Then I layered it on a die cut from Papertrey Ink.  I added the gold pen lines around the edges of the die with a gold Uniball pen.  The sentiment was generated on the computer using text boxes so that I could make the background black, leaving my sentiment white.  I also edged the sentiment with the gold pen.  I also popped the background layer off the card.  The black border on the gold is simply thin strips of black card stock that glued around the edges.

This next card was the result of me playing around with my Cameo.  This is one of the cutting files I have, but from experience I knew that cutting all those tiny little lines would probably not work well as small as I needed it to be.  SO....I figured out that I could turn the image black and print it on my laser printer!! How cool is that! I am loving my Cameo!  I decided to add just a touch of pink because it just looks good to me...and it gave me the idea to add just a touch of bling to the little girl's hat.   The sentiment on this card was also computer generated in my Silhouette program.

Now...just thought I share what else I've been up to.  I have a long way to go before I'm any good at it, but I sure have had some fun playing with these snowflakes.

As you can see, my quilled snowflakes are a little wonky, so I'll have to work on that.  It's really fun to put these together - but very difficult to photograph!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I truly appreciate your wonderful comments!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

LIM41 - Leaves....and more

The Less is More challenge this week is a one layer card with the theme of leaves.  Of course, I just made a card last week using leaves....just saying, Chrissie and Mandi! LOL!  Oh well...last week's card wasn't one layer, so I had to do a little thinking about this one.

I'd also like to say Thank You to Chrissie and Mandi for selecting my card to be showCASed from week 39.  I was certainly surprised to see this ornament snowflake card in the showCASe!  I'd also like to say that I'm sorry that I haven't made it around to very many blogs in the last few weeks.  I do look at most of the cards, but life has been so hectic lately that I just haven't had time to leave comments! So Sorry!! I'll try to do better this week...although with this late start I'm getting, I'm not sure how that will work out!

Moving along...I've actually made two cards this week.  I'm still working on my Christmas cards, so I wanted to make one of them a Christmas card.

For this first card, when I was looking through my punches, I realized that I have three similar punches in three different sizes...so I decided to create something with them.  I punched the leaves (using the 3 different sizes) down the right front of my card base.  To add color without layers, I masked off part of the inside of the card (just enough to fill the leaves) and sponged on distress ink in Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, Pine Needles, and Mustard Seed.  With just the sponged ink the leaves looked a little blah, so I decided to add a touch of color in splotches. To do this, I crumpled up a piece of paper and tapped it on the darker ink pads and then used the crumpled paper to "stamp" some random lines/splotches on the sponged background for each leaf. On the bottom leaf I tapped with Worn Lipstick and Pine Needles and for the two smaller leaves I tapped it with Spiced Marmalade.  I think it gave a very nice effect. The sentiment is from Flourishes. Now...about that sponged strip on the left....I added that because I managed to get my inky fingers on the card and leave a smudge...so what to do?  Cover it up with a little sponging to match the inside!  Saved!

Here's a photo of the card from an angle so that you can see how the inking was done.

For my second card, I used a holly leaf stamp that I've had forever.  I'm not sure, but it might be an Inkadinkado stamp.  I stamped in Memento black.  The stamp has three leaves and some berries on it.  To make it conform to the shape I wanted, I drew a circle with a pencil so that I could line up my stamping.  I also cut a mask from a post it note.  The image was actually stamped 6 times to get this shape.  I colored with Copic markers, then using my Sakura clear star pen, I highlighted all the leaves and the berries.  After that dried, I went back and coated all the berries with glossy accents. In real life, this card is very sparkly and pretty. The sentiment is from Flourishes.

I wanted to share another layout while I'm posting.  This is the first layout I've completed since my hubby got home from the hospital...and it seemed to take forever to finish.  I hadn't scrapped in over a month, and it seemed like I'd forgotten what to do! LOL!  

This is my precious little granddaughter, Maggie.  Photography by Amy P Photography.  I just love these cute pictures...and Maggie is just adorable!!  For the layout, I used Echo Park Little Girl collection. The photos are backed with a dark pink card stock. All the little circles were punched from the design on on of the papers. All small circles are pop-dotted on the page. I added a touch of glitter to the center of each circle. The little birds on the bottom were also cut from one of the papers in this collection. I punched a dark pink border with a MS edge punch that embosses along the scallop. The title work was all cut with my new Cameo. The Cameo is new from Silhouette - it will cut up to 12x12 inches and all the files from my Silhouette work with it. So far, I'm loving it! The ballerina was also cut with the Cameo, and I added a sparkly top and a tulle skirt with a bow to the ballerina. I also added some sparkly toe shoes, but I don't think they show up very well. I used a dot of stickles on each of the letters and also on the tulle skirt. The title work and the ballerina are all on pop dots. IRL this is a very glittery, girly layout. I used a Sakura clear star pen to outline each of the title letters. The pen give just a hint of glitter to the edges. The journaling is tucked behind the top of the pink mat and reads: 

Maggie, you are so adorable in your little pink tutu. You have the brightest eyes and such a solemn expression on your face. Your crocheted hat is just precious with your tutu, but it covers up all your blond curls. You are so precious and I wish that I could see you more often than I do. These photos of you make me want to pick you up and give you lots of hugs and kisses. Photos – April 2011 

Here's a photo of my new toy cutting machine.... the Silhouette Cameo. THIS is a cool cutting machine!

That's all for me today...bet you thought I'd never stop! LOL!  Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are greatly appreciated!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge 48 - Circle, Square, and Triangle

This week, the challenge at I am the Diva blog is hosted by Sue Clark who is a CZT (certified Zentangle teacher).  Sue has challenged us to create a tile using three basic shapes (circle, square, and triangle) combining them to create a string. I've done two tiles using these "strings".

Sue also encouraged us to try some tangles we haven't tried before.  On this first one, I did just that.  The center one was supposed to be wisket, but I just can't seem to get it right.  Then I also tried Phuds, which looked okay, but my wisket looked wonky so I decided to try another tile.

 This first tile is on a 5x5 tile.  I decided to make the second one on a smaller tile which is 4x4 inches.

For this tile, I also used the square, circle, and triangle string, and I also used Phuds.  The "boards" were something I just decided to add in (don't think I've seen a tangle like this before - it's probably been done by somebody, I just haven't seen it).  I like the cleaner look of this tile.  

That's my take on the challenge....what do you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Comments are always appreciated!! Until next time....

♥ Hugs! ♥

Less is More 40 - Red and Orange

This week the Less is More challenge was a color challenge.  Here's what Mandi and Chrissie have to say about the challenge. I'm a little late getting my cards posted...but I was late getting them finished too.  I just don't have enough hours in the day to get everything I need to do done!

In the UK, it is traditionally on 'firework night' that the 'Gunpowder plot' of 1605 is commemorated. It was then that Guy Fawkes was arrested for laying explosives under the House of Lords.

Our first week of the month is another Colour challenge and redolent of bonfire flames we have chosen

Red and Orange

I made two different cards for this challenge.  I actually like red and orange together, but I seemed to have a bit of trouble combining the two this week.  

I'm not sure what I'll use this card for...I guess it could be a sympathy card, thinking of you, or just a note card.  Leaves are Flourishes stamps.  I stamped the image on white card stock, then colored with orange Copics and cut out each leaf.  Leaves are popped dotted on a white textured card stock that I also pop dotted on the red background. The sentiment is also from Flourishes. BTW, stamping on textured card stock is much more difficult than I thought it would be!

Since I'm in need of quite a few more Christmas cards, I wanted to try to make a Christmas themed one using these colors. Here's what I came up with...

The big flourish is from Papertrey Ink.  I used a textured white card base.  I stamped the large flourish in SU Pumpkin Pie and then highlighted it with some crystal stickles.  The word Peace was cut from red textured card stock using a PTI die and then pop dotted over the orange flourish. Here's a close up so you can see the dimension on the card. I couldn't get the glitter to show up on the flourish...but it's really pretty in real life!

I'm not too sure how I like this card...maybe it'll grow on me after I stare at it for a while! LOL!  

Thanks so much for stopping by! I truly appreciate each and every comment!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge #47 - In Remembrance

The challenge this week from Laura at I am the Diva is based on the Poem "In Flanders Field" written by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

When you create your tile or ZIA, the challenge is to remember - what this means to you.  Remember your fallen loved ones, your long lost friend from childhood, remember when your 3 year old was once a tiny bundle in your arms, remember the feel of your aging grandmother's hand... remember laughter and tears, friends and family, fallen heroes or quiet bravery. 

I've drawn my tile using black and white shaded with pencil and then I colored it just to see if I liked it.  Here's the two different tiles:

I love the background on this ZIA.  It seems to bubble off the page behind the poppy (or at least my interpretation of a poppy).  I did a little shading with some dots and then again with a #2 pencil.  This one is on a 5 x 5 inch tile.

After I scanned the original, I decided that I'd add a little color to the poppy.  I remember veterans selling poppies as lapel pins when I was a little girl, but I don't remember seeing them for a while.  To color my poppy, I used watercolor pencils to color and then touched it with a water pen to smooth out the color.  I keep playing with color, but I just can't make up my mind which I like the best...plain black and white or with a touch of color.

What do you think? Should I just stick with black and white....or do you like the color?

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit.  I'd love for you to come back again.  As always, your comments are much appreciated.  Until next time....

♥ Hugs! ♥

OLW71 - Tag it

This week's OLW challenge is hosted by Jennifer at Styles Ink.  Jennifer has challenged us to create a tag...or 2 or 3.  I rarely use (or make) tags, but I wanted to play along, so I made three Christmas tags that I can use on gifts this year.

Here they are...

Snowflakes are from a very old stamp set and I couldn't tell you who makes them.  The small snowflakes are all on one stamp and the large snowflake is a single stamp. I stamped in Memento black then highlighted around the snowflakes with a Copics BG0000 marker.  Stamped the sentiment (PTI) and then added a touch of glitter for sparkle.

This second tag was made by stamping the ornament in Memento black, cutting a mask and then stamping the background with a music score stamp.

Same general idea for this tag...stamped the ornament, masked it, then stamped the music, the to/from and the sentiment.  I drew a line on this one to ground the ornament, but I don't think I really needed it.

These were all made using a ready made white tag.  I couldn't get good photos for the life of me...this was the best I could do. They're all sparkly and glittery in real life.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon!  Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge 46 - Halloween

The weekly challenge from Laura at I am the Diva is to create a tile with a Halloween theme.  I often have difficulty with Halloween themed challenges, because Halloween is just not one of my favorite holidays, so I generally stick to more of a fall theme.  I decided to tangle on some pumpkins for my entry into the challenge.

Originally, I wanted to draw my pumpkin on a black tile and tangle with a white pen.  This tile is about 4x4 inches.

After I finished it, I decided I like the black on white better.  Which do you think looks the best?

The pumpkins for both tangles were sketched by hand...maybe if I'd used a pattern they'd be a little more even...but hey! Pumpkins are rarely even!

Since I'm already posting some Zentangle Inspired art...I thought I'd share a few more of my recent drawings.

I really like all of these.  Some of them look really intricate, but they're really not.  I spent about 2.5 to 3 hours on each of them.  They're all fairly large...about 6 x 6 inches.

I'm thinking I might get a few of my pieces framed. Not sure what to do with them then, but I do believe they'd look pretty good in a frame.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by!  I appreciate all your fabulous comments.  Until next time....

♥ Hugs! ♥