Wine Gift Tag 2

The last posting had a couple wine bottle gift tags.  Here are a few more -- super easy. 

The dimensions for the tags can be found here. 


Have a great week,
Kathy

Card Swap 3

Well, I finally finished the third card in the latest unfinished card swap.  To be truthful, this is my third attempt at this card.  I just could not get my thoughts together and come up with something I liked.  Is that similar to writer's block?

So to Pinterest I went and reviewed the cards I have pinned hoping to find something that would work.  I think this layout does.  It is almost like the card I pinned - many thanks to that person  -- sorry I forgot to write the who, etc.

The elements for this card included two strips of the printed paper, a large piece of the pink card stock, the pink scalloped centerpiece and a yellow ribbon.  The yellow ribbon is a complete mess now so I substituted this slightly off-color pinky browny ribbon.  I added the three pink pearls in the upper left corner and embossed the teal background.

I'm looking forward to the next unfinished card swap!

Take care,
Kathy

Flower Pot Christmas Card

Just recently I discovered flower pot cards and I love them.  The cards are so cute, fun to decorate and so unique!

Though I complain when I hear Christmas carols on the radio and see Christmas decorations in the stores before Thanksgiving, I've made another Christmas card.  I wanted to participate in the Festive Friday Challenge and the Paper Smooches Anything Goes Challenge and this card seemed just right for both.

The picture for the Festive Friday Challenge  #44 is below. 



And here is my flower pot card!

You can add personal notes or stamp sentiments on the tab that is inserted in the pot.

The flowers are digital flowers from Paper Smooches.  I printed the flowers on card stock and then cut out the flowers.  A few green, glistening leaves and fuzzy red and white flower centers finished the card.  Oops, forgot the ribbon which has little loops similar to the card stock and scalloped edge on the pot rim.

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge Anything Goes

I plan to make more flower pot cards using lots of different flowers, maybe some feathers and more sparkly decorations.  This is a great card for any time of the year.  I see lots more flower pot cards in the future.

Have a great weekend,
Kathy

Countdown to Christmas

Last weekend I was blown away when I saw a sign that said, "Only 7 more weekends for Christmas shopping."  OMG - that sounds like Christmas is almost next week! 

Then I started thinking about gifts, shopping, wrapping ... stress....   Fortunately, I have participated in a few Christmas card challenges so I have quite a few cards ready for mailing.  Yay!   Most of those cards have been posted already.  I also have a few cards that have not been posted and some gift tags, as well.  

So, for the next few days or weeks, I will be randomly posting my newest creations.  Hope you enjoy them and get some ideas for yourself.  Lots of quick creations, too.

The first offering is a couple of wine bottle tags.  Wine makes a nice hostess gift or a great gift for that person who has everything!  Add a little color and a unique gift tag to the bottle.  Of course, you can put these bottle tags on any bottle (soft drink, wine, liquor, alcohol, beer, etc.).

 

Wine tags are especially easy to make.  These tags are just a rectangle cut out of Christmas card stock.  Punch a hole in the top and score the top piece.  You can add a punch circle edge and decorate the bottom piece with die cuts, foam cut outs or a sentiment.

You can size the rectangle to any length you want.    My tags measure:

3" x 7"

score at 2 1/2"

1 1/2" circle punch

More in a couple days.  Have a great week.

Kathy

Just Because, Card Swap 2

The card swap has been a lot of fun.  I've really had to be creative.  This second card was not so bad -- I'm still thinking about the third!

The elements that were sent to me for this card were the truly lovely pink flower (white embossing and pink ink daubed around it) and the green chevron paper.   I really like the pink and green together so I layered the elements on pink card stock with a layer of white and pink base card.

The sentiment was stamped on a round white piece and placed over a round green chevron piece.  Final touches were the pink ribbon, little pearls and round paperclip.

 

The embossed flower has inspired me to try this as it brought back memories of a video I watched a few months ago.  So pretty.

Card Swap

OMG!  Here it is October 30th already.  I have not posted since the first week of October. Back in September I mentioned I had become involved in the local Woman's Club -- had no idea how much of my time this would take.  No regrets -- just running out of time for all the other things I want to do.  Again, I think the major time crunchers are over -- let's hope, cause I really miss making cards!  Have no idea how regular bloggers handle time scheduling -- how do you do it?!

Recently one of the discussion groups on Etsy has had an 'unfinished card' swap in which I am participating.  This is our third round -- a lot of fun.  In this round, each member sent 3-4 elements of a card to three other members and we were to make a card using the elements.  Yesterday I finally sat down to work on these cards -- I've had the elements for four weeks....

So, here is my first card.  The elements sent to me were the embossed silver paper, large and small snowflake and the silver and white rope.  I love silver, red and white together -- so traditional and beautiful for Christmas.  I added the small flower in the center of the snowflake for a dab of green.

 

Originally, I wanted a regular bow, but I'm not very good with bows and the thickness of the rope was awkward for me.  So I opted for this simple tie and I think it goes better with the design of the snowflake.

I'm glad to receive these elements so I could make a Christmas card and post it on Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes

and
Festive Friday Challenge #43

Happy Thursday,
Kathy

Over the Hill

Subtle.   But a gentle way to say happy birthday to someone who is or is going to be over the hill.  I was looking at my Paper Smooches stamps and saw this one and realized I had not used it yet.  The other day I saw a blog with a challenge to use unused stamps -- oh my, do I have a lot of stamps to use.  So this will be my start. 

I will post this card to the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge September Sketch

 


Have a great weekend.
Kathy

Merry Christmas Wine Bottle Tag

Today is September 30.  I just cannot believe how fast this month has gone by.  When August and summer ended, I thought I would have sooo much time to make cards, crochet and read.  Boy, was I wrong.  I've become very involved in the local woman's club and that is where all my time has gone this past month.  I'm not sure October will be any better so I'm looking forward to November, I think.

But I did have some time yesterday to make this wine bottle tag and I'm sure I will use on a  Christmas present! 

 

I'll be posting this card to Christmas Card Challenges #44 -- Anything Goes

There are some terrific cards this week - amazing talent.

Take care,
Kathy

It's Your Special Day Tag

Well, summer is almost over.   Hard to believe fall is almost here.  But in a way I am glad cause the last few weeks have been really hectic and I have not been able to get up to my cave at all.  Going through withdrawal.   Coming up is a holiday weekend and i have nothing planned for next week.  YAY!

This morning was free so I ran upstairs to make something for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge.  Love this guy and balloon stamp.  Actually there is another character in the stamp, but I didn't ink it and then used a marker to fill in the blank spots. 

 

The white tag looked rather stark so I added a few tiny hearts (off-stamped in green) around the edges.  I don't know about you, but this guy (think I'll name him Bucky) brings a smile to my face.  

Ingredients:

Stamps:  Paper Smooches Party Pals and Happy Birthday

 Inks:  some black, red and Copic pens

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Kathy

Missing You

My summer trips and visits are over so I will, hopefully, get back to my cave on a regular basis.

Today I had a couple free hours so I thought I would whip up a card for the Paper Smooches Challenge.  "Whip" is not exactly what I did as I started making this card several times.  I just could not get the picture in my head on a card.  Very frustrating to know what you want to do and can't do it.  Not being an artist doesn't help any either.   ;')

Below is the picture inspiration from Paper Smooches.




And here is my card.  I love the pastels and my Washi tape was the first thing I grabbed when I sat down to 'create.'    A splash of color with purple bug and purple card and three little hearts for bling.

Have a great weekend,
Kathy

Back and Gone Again

Well, I came back from visiting family and friends and now I am gone, again!  Summer is wonderful, but ooooh so busy.  I wouldn't change anything either.  I loved visiting everyone and I am currently loving the beach.   The ocean is absolutely beautiful and the weather is perfect.  We had a little rain the first couple days, but today is gorgeous.

The unfinished card swap is well underway.  I think I am the only one who hasn't completed the cards yet.  My mind is racing with ideas and these cards are at the top of my 'to do' list when I get to my cave.

One of my summer projects is to start crocheting Christmas presents.  Crocheting is another of my hobbies and passions and I crochet almost every day.  I love these coasters.  Last year I made twelve and sent them to my sister so all the residents in her assisted living facility would have a coaster at the dining table for the holidays.  This year I will make sets of four green wreaths with red berries for my friends.

The coasters were crocheted with a cotton yarn that has a silver thread going through it.  The cotton yarn absorbs moisture and is washable. 


I'm also crocheting a smaller coaster for my car cup holder which I'll post as soon as I get a picture.  These coasters are so cute! 

Ok, that's it for now.

Take care,
Kathy

Hello

Going off to visit relatives so I probably won't be posting much in the next week or so.  This morning I quickly put together a couple cards to enter the Viva La Verve challenge.

My collection of Verve stamps consists of one small mitten stamp set, a tiny little banner and a set of flowers and leaves.  I hope I win the drawing -- I need more stamps!

Two cards - two sketches:

   


Take care,
Kathy

Celebrate

Ok, here is the second card I made today.  Aren't these little creatures just the cutest!  Since these characters are so colorful, even without Copic ink, I thought the whole card should be color, color, color.

I'm still smiling.  


This card will be posted to Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes




and Seize the Sketch #24



Have a wonderful weekend,
k

Warm Wishes

Summer is flying by - I know where the time has gone, but yet....  I haven't posted anything in close to ten days so today I worked on two cards.  Here is the first.

Warm Wishes for two Christmas challenges.  When making this card, i recalled a card I had seen on Pinterest that had contrasting patterns and layers.  I don't usually use two different patterns ( plaid and stripes), but I see various combinations all the time and tried it.  I kind of like it.  The button was a last minute addition.  The tag and white bow just looked so plain that I thought a little pop of color would help and it goes with the folksy plaid.

I used Copic pens to color the ivy and berries.  These pens are great and I need to uses them more.

The first challenge is Festive Friday

 


and then Christmas Card Challenge #32 - Think Tags



Ok, so today is Friday.  Yay.   Have a great weekend,
Kathy

Ho Ho Ho!

Christmas in July!  yay!!

Here's the card I made for  Christmas Card Challenges #31 -- Anything Goes 

A cute rolly Santa with polka dots and snowflakes all around him. 



Though I'm working on snowy Christmas cards, I am off to the beach for a long 4th of July weekend!   Love it.  Can't wait to get there even though a tropical storm is headed up the east coast. 

Take care,
Kathy

Get Well -- Caught a Bug?

This morning I did all kinds of chores  -  watered my vegetable garden and flowers, weeded a little bit, repotted my African violets, and put in a couple loads of laundry -- so I decided I could play this afternoon which is why I have two posts today. 

The other card I made today was for the June Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge.   
I love this Healthy Vibes stamp set.  The bugs are sooo cute!  I gave the bugs bloodshot eyes, added a few rows of Washi tape and popped on a bright ribbon.

Hope you are having a great weekend,
Kathy

Pastel Christmas

The current Festive Friday challenge was truly a challenge.  Look at this inspirational tree --




My Christmas trees are the usual red, green and white with a little blue and gold, but no pastels.

So, since I love hexagons and sparkles, I thought I would use hexagon glitter paper.  The yellow and pink yarn balls are not Christmassy, I know.  Maybe I should pull out some Christmas decorations to add to my pictures.

A Room Without Books....

One of most favorite sayings is "A room without books is like a body without a soul" by Cicero.

I purchased the stamp set with this saying a while ago and thought the shape of the saying would be perfect for this My Favorite Things sketch.

Since I am a retired librarian, my house is full of books.  I don't know what I will do when I have to downsize.   Panic is setting in already....



Get Sketchy My Favorite Things Card Sketch #181


 

Take care,
Kathy

Sending Wishes with Hugs & Kisses

Cats!  There was a time when I did not care for cats - mainly due to allergies.  But then, Little Facie came to stay with me.  Loved that little cat.  I just had to remember not to touch my face, nose or eyes after petting her!

The cat stamps from Penny Black are just the cutest.  I haven't made an easel card in a while so I thought this birthday kitty would be purrrfect (lame, I know...).  Love that little smile.

I'll be posting this card to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is all about BOYS. Most easel cards are feminine and flowery.  So I went the opposite with black and grey papers and a punch of color in the brads to match the yellow in the candles and cake.

.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge June 7, 2014 

Take care, 

Kathy

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge requires a winter bird.  I had a card all planned and quickly found that I do not have the little bird I wanted to stamp on the card.  Drat....  But while looking, I came across this duck.  What a face!  Isn't he cute?  With a little color he quickly became a Christmas Duck!

So I made this Christmas Duck card to go with Seize the Sketch Challenge, too.  Two challenges with one card --  get it?  ha ha.  quack me up....  I'll stop now.

Seize the Sketch Challenge  #22



Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge Winter Birds


Have a great weekend!
Kathy

Wishing you... Sunshine

This stamp is one of my favorites:  Wishing you a day bright with sunshine!  What a great message for a birthday or just to let someone know you are thinking of them.

And one of my favorite dies is this sunflower.  Love sunflowers!  So the two of them together along with yellow, blue and green make this card one of my all time favorites!   ;'))

I'll be posting this card to Seize the Birthday Challenge - Summertime

Happy Thursday,
Kathy

Caught a bug?

When I saw this stamp set, I told myself I did not need it.  Well, that lasted about two weeks.  Then I gave in.  It is soooo cute.   Love those bugs and eyes!

Yesterday afternoon I made this card so I could post it to the Paper Smooches challenge this week.  Hopefully, the cute little images and cheery paper will cheer up the sickie.


Paper Smooches Anything Goes




Take care,
Kathy

So Proud

With Memorial Day still on my mind, I thought I would make a red, white and blue card for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge.

I used two of the Paper Smooches free digital images available here and added a cute little pin flag. 

 




Have a great weekend!
Kathy