Tuesday, January 7, 2025

2024 Christmas Cards

Another Christmas has come & gone!
I always like to find creation elements & new ideas to make my cards,
but unfortunately, nothing in the crafting world caught my eyes this year.

What DID catch my eyes was a gorgeous digital download 
from an artist on ETSY.
I picked my favorite among 5 images of Mother Mary with baby Jesus.

Here's my 6" x 6" card.

Simple as it may seem, 
it did take a little doing to get it just right.
This may not be anything new to some, but it was for me.

I'm OCD, so if things are slightly 'off' it drives me crazy!
In order to get squares nearly perfect, one on top of the other,
instead of eye balling it, I made templates!
They worked out pretty well. 
I did this for both the front of the card & the inside.
Here's photos of the inside and how it worked for me.

First, I laid the black square template on the open card 
and taped it down to hold it in place.
This template measures 6"x6" 
with the inner opening being 5" x 5",
therefore leaving a 1/2" on all sides.


With double-sided tape on the back of the white 5" x 5" cardstock,
I carefully placed it within the center of the template.


VOILA!


Viewing the above photo, 
the inside sentiment is printed on 110 lb. white cardstock.
I chose the font "Papyrus" because it's very 'crisp'.

I then die cut the Star of Bethlehem above the sentiment
so that the navy card could show through.

I enclosed an 'explanation' of my creation,
which I started doing last year in 2023. 
It helps my friends know a few things about the card.

This is what it reads:

Dear Friends,
This year’s Christmas cards are created
using a digital download from an artist on ETSY.
I received 5 different images of the blessed
Mother Mary with baby Jesus.  
This one happens to be my favorite of them.

Sometimes I just don’t find anything in the 
‘Crafting World’ that appeals to me.
Although this year’s cards are simple, I have to say
that this beautiful image really caught my eyes. 
I hope you love it as much as I do. 

I wish you all a healthy and prosperous 
New Year in 2025.  
May God bless you & your family.

Your friend,
===============================================================

So with all of that.....
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas
and I wish you a Happy New Year!
Lisa



Products used:

ETSY digital image download

Maja Design - Monochromes - Shades of the Sea - Navy

Spellbinders - Glitter Cardstock in GOLD

Memory Box Die
Star of Wonder



Tools
Sizzix Big Shot Machine

Sizzix magnetic Platform


Fiskars 12" SureCut
Paper Trimmer

Martha Stewart
Scoring Board


Adhesives
Scor-Tape

Scrapbook.com
Adhesive Foam Sheets


Square Envelopes from Envelopes.com
6x6 in Metallic Gold

Monday, December 30, 2024

Blooming Bugs - Floral Insect Wonders - Lady Bug #1

 I really love this little coloring book!
I've always loved how Aqua, Red & Yellow look together.
I chose them for this cute lady bug.





Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa

Products used:

Blooming Bugs - Floral Insect Wonders coloring book

Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

Colors I used:
Lady Bug - Crimson Red, Canary Yellow, Light Aqua
Peonies - Greyed Lavender & Parma Violet
Leaves - Olive Green & Prussian Green
Background - Light Sky Blue


Prismacolor Colorless Blending Pencil


Sakura Electric Eraser



Grumbacher Final Fixative Spray

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Fran's 2024 Birthday Card

 I made a very special Canadian friend of mine, Fran, a birthday card.

I'm so blessed that we became close over a short period of time.
Crafting was how it all started, but has developed into a great friendship.

I chose to use the newest 49 and Market 
awesomely beautiful "Birdsong" collection!
WOW!
It's truly beautiful!

All of the 49 and Market collections offer beautiful decorating embellishments.  
I utilized the rub-ons and laser cuts. 
Let's move around the front of the card....

Starting with the 'infamous' shaker, that was part of all my 2024 birthday cards, 
I filled this one with a beautiful blue & yellow sequin mix.
It's framed by a pretty heat embossed chipboard piece.

Just to the right of shaker is a stunning ReneaBouquets dragonfly.
From the laser cut elements in this collection, 
I chose the words "you're amazing"...because Fran really IS an amazing friend!


In the bottom right corner are some rub-ons
that I spelled out You Are Special...a little lopsided (HA).
Adding a few leafy laser cuts topped with blue mulberry lilies 
coordinated nicely with the printing on the paper!

Another close up of the outstanding beauty of ReneaBouquets
 exquisitely detailed dragonfly!

Now a look at the red/pink floral arrangements I made 
to blend in with the beautiful print of the paper.

Now for the backside of the card.

A cute yellow butterfly rub-on

A bird on a branch laser cut element.

Another rub-on butterfly.

Layering floral laser cut elements reminds me of what 
a beautiful meadow full of all kinds of flowers might look like. 
I added a deep blue-purple laser cut butterfly, 
as well as a teal colored rub-on butterfly.

I used the 12x12 page, that's identical to the 6x8 card I made,
for the larger of the two box envelopes.

This collection is so beautiful!


Lastly, Fran reads, so I also made a couple of bookmarks for her.
The fronts are strictly the beautiful print in the collection.

The backs have a few rub-ons. 


Wishing Fran a very Happy upcoming Birthday!

(P.S. she really loved this gorgeous paper collection 
and is very happy with her card & bookmarks. YAY!)

Blessings to all,
Lisa

Products used:

49 and Market - Birdsong collection

6" x 8" papers
(used for the card & the bookmarks)

 "Blendables" Rub-Ons
(used on the card & on the
back of the blue bookmark)

"You're Amazing"
from the Laser Cut Elements

"Wildflower" Laser Cuts

"Songs of Hope"
(for the larger box Envelope)


"Solids Paper 3"
(for smaller box Envelope)

"Essentials" Rub-Ons
(used on the back of the peach bookmark)


Everything for the Shaker
Tim Holtz
Dimensional Dome

Catherine Pooler Designs
"Portland" Sequin Mix
Creative Embellishments
Small Intricate Frames 2

Krylon Gesso Spray

Tsukineko VersaMark
Watermark Stamp Pad

Lindy's Gang Embossing Powder
"Stardust Candy Rose"


Lindy's Gang Embossing Powder
"Kaiser Russet Red"

ReneaBouquets - Dragonflies
Tiny Treasures - "Fenton Art"


Flowers
49 and Market 
"Punch" Wildflowers

49 and Market 
"Punch" Florets


Mulberry Paper flowers
Blue Lilies


Mulberry Paper flowers
Red Cosmos Daisies


Tools
Fiskars 12" SureCut Deluxe
Paper Trimmer

Martha Stewart
"Cherish" corner punch

Martha Stewart
Scoring Board

Basic Grey 
Rub-on Roller Tool


Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)
Embossing Heat Tool


Fellowes Rhea125 Laminator



Adhesives
Nuvo Craft Glue

Recollections 
Foam Adhesive Circles

ScorTape

Martha Stewart Hot Glue Gun