2 cards for the Serendipity Stamps Challenge #59: Leave it Bare!

Hello Friends,
I had some free minutes to play and dug into some of my lovely Serendipity Rubber Stamps!  I found inspiration by looking at all of the lovely cards over on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog. And decided to play along with their current challenge:

SSCB#59 Leave It Bare - Let your detailed stamp take center stage. No room for covering up this time - we want you to leave the stamped image bare! No markers, no pencils - nothing - nada! Our red rubber stamps make gorgeous detailed impressions - just ink and stamp! Just be sure to include at least one Serendipity Stamps image (stamp or die) on your design! 


I used the lovely "Christmas Chapel" stamp for my cards.  I love the look of this church covered in the snowy beauty of a Christmas Morning!  I had a wonderful "Winter Wonderland" sentiment sticker given to me for free from Serendipity and decided to use it on my red card below:

  I used a snowflake die from Heartfelt Creations to create a snowflake shaped window in my card base which I had already embossed with a snowflake embossing folder.  I edged the aperture in white charcoal pencil and then added glitter glue and fine glitter to it.    I then layered a piece of music vellum into the window and placed the stamped image behind it gluing both pieces to the front of the card base.

   A sweet holly sticker to dot the "i" in Winter and some black and white twine complete this sweet card.

Then I decided to make a more CAS style card in earth-tones using Kraft cardstock and Mercury Glass Stickles around the snowflake aperture. 

 The sentiment I wanted to use was too big for the outside of this card so I just placed a sentiment on the inside only:

I love this sentiment "Let Heaven and Nature Sing"!  A favorite of mine!  
 
 Thanks for taking a look at my cards!  It is always fun to play with my Serendipity Stamps!  I need to add some more small sized sentiments to my stash I think!  I sure love the detailed beauty of their gorgeous images!  
Crafty Hugs!
:) Jill

SSCB#36 Autumn/Fall

Hello Friends,
I had some time today to make a card!  I went to the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog and took a look at their newest month-long challenge for October 2014, SSCB#36 Autumn/Fall.  I hope you will take some time to play along! 

Here is the card that I came up with: 

 I embossed Serendipity's "Bayleaf Wreath Large" stamp in "copper" colored embossing powder and colored the image with my copics.  This card did not photograph well this morning as it was too early when I took the picture but I could not wait if I wanted to post it.  My crafty time is at a premium these days! LOL!  And my poor blog is sadly neglected so I really, really wanted to post a card!!!!  I played around with trying to add a sentiment to the front of the card but ended up leaving the card with the beautiful wreath as the focal point.

 Inside the card I used a "Happy Thanksgiving" sentiment to finish things off.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog to take a look at my card!  I hope you are enjoying the Autumn weather and the changing of the leaves and the yummy fall harvest as it arrives at the Farmer's Markets!

Blessings,
Jill

SSCB#32 and Merry Monday #114: Happy Holidays

Hello,
Here with my first Christmas Card for my 2014 stash!  I took my inspiration from two different challenges: Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge and Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog.  Here are their graphics:

 

Card Product Info:

The snowman stamp is called "Snow Angel" and is from Serendipity Stamps. The sentiment is also from SS.  The Christmas star I added to the sky is from the "Welcome Jesus" stamp set from Sweet N Sassy stamps.

The snow backdrop on the circle window was created with a Stampin Up stamp from the
"Gorgeous Grunge" set.  The trees are a Magnolia Die and I used circle dies from Lil Inker Designs and MFT stamps to create my window. Stickles Glitter Glue: "Diamond" adds the sparkle.  Coloring was done with colored pencils and Distress markers and water as well as my BG10 Copic marker. Other supplies:  cardstock, vellum, twine, and a snowflake embossing folder.

Thanks for taking a look at my card!
Crafty Hugs,
Jill

Spring is Sprung!!!! SSCB#28 - Sheet Music or Newsprint

 
Hello Friends,
Are we all ready to be able to say those words - "Spring has Sprung!"  I am!  But they are predicting some snow in Seattle this weekend again so we may not be quite there yet.  But as it is March 1st today we can at least begin looking forward to it for sure!!!!  We actually had a wee bit of sun on a couple of days this week which was very welcome!  Here in Seattle the chances to soak up some vitamin D in the winter can be few and far between.  It always brings a smile when the sun shines down!

I am here with a card for the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog.  This month's challenge is to use either sheet music or newsprint on your card.  I used a lovely digital paper with some newsprint on it from Iralamija Shop on ETSY and started creating.  I chose to make this sweet new bunny die from Serendipity Stamps the focal point of my card along with their lovely "Spring is Sprung" sentiment!  So perfect as we get ready for spring! 

Thanks for taking a look at my card!  Happy Weekend everyone! 
:) Jill

Enjoy Cards - for SSCB#27 - Buttons (round 2)

Hello Again,

I wanted to share two more cards I made today.  These are going to some dear friends with a little gift via snail mail.   I am also entering them into the Serendipity Stamps Challenge #27 - Buttons.

 I layered embossed vellum over some patterned paper to achieve the pretty background within the window created by the Lil Inker Design stitched circle die.  The sweet "Enjoy" sentiment is a stamp from Serendipity which is perfect for so many different occasions!  I love having it in my stamp collection!

One last picture:

Thanks for taking a look.
:) Jill

SSCB#27 - Buttons....and some chalkboard too

Hello,
Here with a card for my son's sweet art teacher for the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Day in May.  I make quite a few cards each year so I like to do them a little bit at a time.  I drew inspiration from the Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog and challenge 27 which is to use "buttons".  I also chose to embrace the chalkboard technique that many of the design team featured on the challenge blog!  Gorgeous cards ladies!!!

I chose to use a sentiment stamp that reads:  "Art! Who comprehends her?  Whom can one consult concerning this great goddess? - Ludwig Von Beetoven"  I tried using my pastels to cover the embossed sentiment with a rainbow of color....what do you think?

Thanks for taking a look! And I have to say it...."Go Seahawks!!!"  I know my husband is probably watching from Heaven as he was a season ticket holder for so many years and always hoped to go to a Super Bowl one day.......he would have been so excited today!  My son and I have the game on and are watching it for him today!  Love you Papa Stu!!!

Hugs,
Jill

2013 Christmas Tags - Tag set #11 - Folk Art Star Tags featuring Serendipity Stamps

Hello Everyone,
I am still sick with a sore throat and cold and was feeling punk this morning so I sat and watched a Christmas movie and made this set of lovely star tags using a stamp from Serendipity Stamps.  I am adding them to the Serendipity Stamps Challenge #24 - Gifts and Tags.

Thanks for taking a look.  If you haven't see the other tags that I have posted for my 2013 Christmas Tag series you can click on these links:

Tag post #1  Candy Cane
Tag post #2  Peace On Earth
Tag post #3  Trees
Tag post #4  Pine Cone Trees
Tag post #5  Red Felt Snowflakes
Tag post #6  Sledding Fun
Tag post #7, 8, 9  Snowgirls, Gingerbread Sweeties and Reindeer
Tag post #10  Waltzingmouse Stamps Inspiration

Bye for now!
: )   Jill


Supplies:  Folk Art Star Tags:
Card Stock:  Kraft - PTI
Stamps:  Folk Star and To and From stamps - Serendipity Stamps
Dies:  Star Die
Other:  copic markers, twine, glue

Celebrate Today....

Hello Friends,
I am in a card making slump...of sorts.  I have several cards started on my desk but nothing seems to be coming together easily the last couple times I tried to steal a few minutes for card making.  However I have been enjoying Spring Break with my little one and celebrating that all week so it has been a good week all in all!  So nice to have some time away from the daily grind to spend quality time with those that we love most.

Today on this lovely Sunday afternoon I have cobbled together a card full of some lovely purple roses.
I drew inspiration from the "Pretty in Purple" challenge over at Cheery Lynn Designs and the "Stamp a Background" challenge over at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog.   There are wonderful prizes to be had for each session and I just love the chance to win some new goodies to play with!  Don't you?!  I hope you will join in too!

Here is the card I came up with.....

 I wanted to try something different so I made a tall card instead of the standard A2.  I used a lovely new rose stamp that I won from Serendipity Stamps for a challenge entry a few weeks back.  I was able to order several new stamps with my $20.00 gift certificate and I cannot wait to play with them all.  I used the rose stamp to make a background on the wisteria cardstock mat and then used it again to create the focal point.  I colored the image with a variety of Copic markers. 

I used a new die from Cheery Lynn Designs to create the purple trellis that the rose stamped mat is sitting on.  It is called the Gauze Border (item B305).  The scalloped oval mat is also from Cheery Lynn - item XM-8.  And I made the felt roses using the miniature rose die - B152.  I slid an "I am Roses" purple and white mini rose through the holes in 2 of the rose die cuts to create the flowers for my mini rose bouquet at the bottom of the card and as a topper for my bow. 

Thanks for taking a look...
:) Jill

Welcome Baby!!!

Edited to add:  So excited that this card was chosen as the winner of the "Oh Baby" challenge at the Serendipity Stamps Challenge blog - SSCB#9.    Thanks Serendipity team and to everyone who entered with their beautiful baby creations!


Hello Everyone,

I needed another baby card this week and decided to play along with a couple of challenges.  This week Cheery Lynn Designs has an "Anything Goes" challenge.  You can find the info:  HERE.  Since anything goes I decided to play with my favorite French Scalloped Flair stackers  and French Flair Stackers from Cheery Lynn for my baby card.

Serendipity Stamps is also hosting an "Oh baby" challenge:  HERE.  So I also reached for Serendipity Stamps "Lamb with Heart".  I love using this stamp to welcome new babies to the world!

Here is my card:

After stamping and coloring my image with Copic markers, I decided to make a border around my white mat using some pink tissue paper cut into strips.  I gathered the tissue as I glued it to the back of the panel to create this sweet ruffled edge.  I love using the tissue paper that my stamps are often delivered in to create this type of ruffle - a great way to recycle! 

Thanks for taking a look at my card!  

: )   Jill

 Supplies:
Stamps: Serendipity Stamps - Lamb with Heart; Papertrey Ink - Think Big Favorites #16 - sentiment
Cardstock:  Michael's and Papertrey Ink
Design Paper:  Authentique
Dies:  Cheery Lynn Designs - French Scalloped and French Flair Stackers
Other:  glue dots, Tombow glue, ribbon, tissue paper, stickles - diamond,

Happy Easter

 

I wish you all a Happy Easter Weekend! Enjoy!

:) Jill

Serendipity Stamps Challenge - A couple of step cards for babies

Hello,
Today I needed a baby card for a dear friend that is pregnant.  I made a boy version and a girl version based on the Serendipity Stamps Challenge #8 - Step Card.  It is the first time I have ever made a step card and I found it very easy and fun to do something different.  The tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers that is linked to the Serendipity challenge blog is very helpful if you have never made one before!

 This adorable baby booties stamp can be found:  HERE.  I used some copic markers to add shading to the images and to color in the bows.

 I also used a straight pin to poke small holes into the bootie along some stitching lines that are part of the image.  I like this addition and hope to remember to do this again in the future!  You might need to click on the picture to see it well...

  At the very last second of making this "girl" version I got a brown ink smudge on my white background by the image.  An eraser did not work this time for removing it and after pondering how to fix it since I had already glued everything down I decided to free-hand draw some hearts in a brown pen in several areas of the card.  I also added one down by the sentiment "Welcome Baby".  It wasn't what I planned for this card but mistakes happen to us all when we are stamping and you have to go with it....

Thanks for taking a look at my cards.  I hope you will join in the fun at the Serendipity Stamps Challenge blog and try out a step card.  They are lots of fun and I will definitely be making one again in the future!  Thanks for all of the wonderful inspiration Serendipity Design Team....and of course thanks for the beautiful stamps to create with!  :)

  Jill

Happy Birthday Sister...

Hello Friends,
Here today with a card I made for my sister Beth Ann's birthday which is just a few days away.  I was inspired by a lovely stamp set from Serendipity Stamps that I first saw on my friend Marybeth's blog:  HERE.  I saw the lovely card she made with the "Three Dresses" stamp set and I had to go and purchase it.  I have 4 sisters whose birthdays are all in the first 3 months of the year and when I saw this stamp set I thought of them right away.  Marybeth's lovely card and blog post inspired not only my purchase but my card for this post.  Thanks Marybeth!!  I love visiting your blog and seeing all of the beauty you create!  You are an inspiration and a smile maker in my life!  As are ALL of YOU that share this wonderful paper crafting world with me - I can't tell you what a blessing you all are - especially over the past 10+ months since my husband passed away.  Creating helps to fill a huge hole in my heart and seeing all the beauty that people make and share with others is a joy to me.   

I was also inspired by all of the lovely creations and the color story for this week's CR84FN Color Challenge: HERE.
Here is the lovely inspiration photo from the CR84FN blog:

And here are some pics of my card:

 I created a 5" square card and embossed the background with a Petite Hearts Embossing Plate from Cheery Lynn Designs.  I also cut out a French Flair Scalloped Stacker die cut in white cardstock to stamp the dresses on.  I then paper pieced each of the dresses using Kaiser Kraft's "The Lake House" paper pad as well as a lilac colored paper from the Boho Chic line - very old Making Memories paper.  I edged the die cut with copic V12  - pale lilac and then distressed the edges of the lilac color with some Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar ink - one of my all time favorite inks!

I also added some shading and coloring to the dresses with copics: E31, E71, and V12.  The sentiments I used are both from Papertrey Ink.  I kept the overall profile of this card flat as I have to snail mail it to another state.  I finished the card with some lace and a 10lb hemp twine wrap and bow.

I am entering this card into the Serendipity Stamps challenge:  SSCB#2 - Winter Birthday.  I hope that my card will count?  I did not use a "winter" themed stamp but it is for a winter birthday.   And of course into my favorite color challenge over at CR84FN - CR84FN69: HERE.  Thanks for taking a look at my card!
Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!
Hugs,
:) Jill

The 6 Tags of Christmas...

Hello All,
I made a sweet set of simple tags tonight on some oatmeal cardstock using kraft ink, some diamond stickles glitter glue and my new rectangle dies from Lil Inker Designs.  All of the incredible stamps are from Serendipity Stamps:  HERE.  I used some sparkly gold twine for the ties and just love how elegant these turned out.  It is a very dark and rainy day here in Seattle so I did the best I could with the lighting for the pictures: 

Thanks for taking a look!  The pictures don't do them justice!  They are gorgeous - I just love how beautiful Serendipity stamps are.  More to come!  Happy Holiday Crafting!
                                                                :) Jill

I love Snowmen! And Snow Angels! And Snow Babies....

Hello Friends,
Here tonight with a couple more Christmas cards.  These were made using another stamp from Serendipity Stamps that is new to their Holiday line up this year.  It is a beautiful snow angel holding a glowing star!  You can see (and purchase) the stamp:  HERE!

And here are some additional photos of my cards:

 

 

 

 

 

I hope to have time to re-take the photos during the day.  It has been cloudy the past few days here in Seattle and it is difficult to get good light for photo taking.  I used extra lighting but it just isn't the same as some good daylight.  I am posting anyway because I have a very busy weekend ahead of me and may not be in my craft room again until next week!  Happy Weekend everyone!
                                      :) Jill

Believe in the MAGIC....

Hello Friends,
I made another card for this weeks Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge #122. I gained inspiration from the many wonderful cards made by the designers and from several Holiday based Waltzing Mouse stamp sets as well as a new Santa stamp that I recently purchased from Serendipity Stamps: HERE

Here again is this weeks sketch:

I had fun making this card and was inspired by Renee who made a card with a Santa silouhette and the colors black, red, and cream.  You can see her card on her blog "It's a Patchwork Life":   HERE.  I ended up using the colors black, red, white and silver on my card. 

 I love this sentiment "Believe in the magic..." and wanted to give a special card to my son who is being shall was say "challenged" in his Santa beliefs this year.  The picture doesn't show it well but the snowflakes stamped over the "Twas the night before Christmas" poem are done in silver while the poem was in white.

I added some glossy accents to Santa's glasses so they look more real and created a reindeer border with the sweetest little stamp from Waltzing Mouse's Holiday Ornaments set!  I think I might try to make this card again and emboss the snowflakes over the white ink next time. 

I also made a little tag to go with the package that I will be putting this card with.  I am trying to make things as special as I can for Tim this year as it will be a hard day for both of us - our first Christmas without our beloved Papa Stuart.  Just praying to make it through with grace and peace in our hearts.  Thank goodness for all of our wonderful family and friends and all of you out in blog land who have offered such wonderful and loving friendship and support these past months.  It means so much to me when I read your comments and emails!  You are a blessing to me! 

So thanks very much for taking a look at my creations and leaving such sweet comments on my blog.  They truly do brighten my days!

I was able to get my desktop computer that has my picture editing software on it up and running tonight so my picture quality is a bit better but as usual it was a very dark and grey day here in Seattle land which makes good picture taking difficult even with extra lighting.  It looks like a new computer is definitely in our future as even with 2 repair appointments it is hit or miss as far as the desktop booting up when I want to do some photo editing or other work.  Bummer! 

Happy Crafting friends!!!

:) Jill