Christmas Blessings

I'm taking a little break from blogging to soak in as much time, love, and laughter with my family as I possibly can.  :) See you in 2013 with LOTS of exciting news and new cards.  HUGS!

Valentine's Tags

Quick post today as I am busy as ever getting ready for Christmas!  These two kiddos are just too adorable; don't ya think? :)

All Stamps by Penny Black: 40-184 Her Heart (illustrated by Mo Manning), 40-183 His Heart (illustrated by Mo Manning), 40-169 Diamond Pattern, 40-092 All You Need

Have a great weekend!

Sweet as Honey

I had so much fun creating this coordinating set of cards using Penny Black 30-145 Sweet as Honey, a new Transparent set.  This set also works perfectly with Spellbinders Labels Twenty.  Here's a look at each card--

I colored each image with Copic markers and then added lots of Distress Ink for each background.  (all stamps by Penny Black)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Mixed Media Mash-Up II

Some blog posts I just can't wait to hit the publish button, and this is definitely one of those! I'm so pleased to announce another fun Mixed Media Mash-Up with the SUPER talented Elizabeth Allan.  If you missed our first Mixed Media Mash-Up, be sure to check it out HERE.

This time we both created projects with the following elements:

1) Media Base: 4 ¼ x 5 ½ Wood Board
If you're a card-maker and wanting to try some mixed media, I highly recommend starting with a "canvas" or wood board like I did, in the same dimensions of a standard card.  So nice to work on a size I am already comfortable with! 

2) Hand-drawn border
Drawing is always a bit scary for me, but borders aren't too frightening. :)

3) A stamp from Penny Black’s 2013 Valentine Collection 
Where to begin? I love this new collection! I used 40-190 Bed of Roses.  Such a versatile stamp...

So here's my creation using lots of Penny Black stamps, Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft mediums, and acrylic paints.

I love wrapping the color along the sides of the media base/wood board.

And now my favorite part-- here's a little peek at what Elizabeth has created using the same 3 elements mentioned above.  It's so cool to see how different our projects turned out, even with the same "starting point."  Be sure to click HERE to visit Elizabeth's blog and see the full reveal of her beautiful project!

PB&J Video Tutorial

Just popping in to let you know that a new PB&J video is up on the Penny Black blog.  

Hope you can come take a peek! :)

Click HERE to visit the Penny Black blog and watch the video.

ATC tray with NEW Penny Black stamps

Have you seen the new Penny Black Valentines collection?  I have to admit (and I'm pretty sure I say this everytime PB has a new release) these new stamps are some of my FAVS!!

This ATC tray was created using the new stamps and Madison patterned paper.

I've never done a project like this before and really wanted to go for lots of dimension.

You can see all of the new stamps and the new catalog HERE.

Thanks for popping by! 

See you on Wednesday with a new PB&J video. 

HUGS!

A Week of Circles, Day 5

Thanks for joining me the past few days for a Week of Circles!  Here's our last card with a circular element:

I began by stamping Penny Black 40-168 Holiday Delight with Memento Black Ink onto white cardstock.  It was colored with Faber-Castell Stamper's Big Brush Markers.  After rounding the corners, the background was inked with Brushed Corduroy and Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  The circles in the middle of the wreath were cut with Spellbinders dies and inked with Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans, and Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  The sentiment, Penny Black 40-167 Peace on Earth, was stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black Ink.

Thanks for popping by! 

Have a great weekend!

A Week of Circles, Day 4

Sometimes a circle is just a tiny little sentiment...

This card was created using Penny Black 30-127 Christmas Fashion, 40-164 Christmas Story, and 40-162 Cyrstal Pattern.  The fashion girl was stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black ink, embossed with clear powder, and colored with Copic Markers.  The background began as white cardstock which was then inked with Festive Berries, Fired Brick, and Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink.  Once inked, Christmas Story was stamped with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.  The turquoise layer was inked with Evergreen Bough and Broken China Distress Inks and Crystal Pattern was stamped with Teal Zeal Memento ink.

Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to visit the Penny Black blog today for more fun and giveaways!

A Week of Circles, Day 3

Another circle....

To begin I stamped Penny Black 4274K Christmas View three times.  I colored (Copics) and cut out the flowers and leaves on the first stamped image, cut out and distressed the circle (Chipped Sapphire and Faded Jeans) on the second stamped image, and cut out the entire image on the third stamped image.  I was then able to layer all three for the complete look.  This enabled me to use different colors for the outer edge of the image, the circular background, and for the flowers.  The card base was distressed with Wild Honey Distress Ink and the banner in the background was embossed and inked with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.  The sentiment banner is by Spellbinders and was inked with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.  The sentiment is by Penny Black, 30-139 Mouse Deco.

And don't forget...

click HERE to join in the fun!

A Week of Circles, Day 2

Today's card features three circles! I love the look of stacking these embossed images (Penny Black 30-134 Winter Magic) with bits of paper banners and twine between each circle.

This card is a Penny Black Les Petites.  It's such fun to create on a smaller scale.  Penny Black Les Petites notecards are  3 3/8” inches x 4 3/4” inches.  Here it is with a pair of two more Les Petites creations...

(I can't remember if I already shared a couple of these, so please forgive me if this is a rerun! LOL)

Penny Black 30-135 Silent Night, 40-169 Diamond Pattern

Penny Black 40-162 Crystal Pattern, 30-134 Winter Magic, 30-127 Christmas Fashion

GIVEAWAY WINNER-- before I go, the winner of the two stamp sets from THIS giveaway is.... Maureen Chandler!  Maureen, please email me your address and I will get your stamps sent to you ASAP. :)  And thanks to everyone for your visits and sweet comments on the Faber-Castell blog as part of this giveaway!

Don't forget to pop over to the Penny Black blog today for more BRAND NEW Valentines peeks, giveaways, and card ideas!

A Week of Circles, Day 1

Before beginning today, I just wanted to give a BIG thanks to all of you for your visits and wonderful comments last week on the Penny Black blog as part of the Cute to Elegant feature.  I was truly overwhelmed by your kindness and encouragement. THANK YOU!

This week I thought I'd feature Christmas cards that all have some sort of circular element.  To begin, here are two shaped cards which also feature a circular element for the sentiment.

Penny Black 30-136 A Wish for Peace was stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, embossed with clear powder, and colored with Copic markers. I added Distress Ink (Forest Moss and Peeled Paint) over the stamped areas.  The sentiment is by Penny Black 4288F, Christmas Magic.

To create this card I stamped Penny Black 40-160 Ornamental with VersaMark ink and embossed with white powder.  I applied Wild Honey Distress Ink and stamped Penny Black 40-162 Crystal Pattern using Memento Peanut Brittle Ink.  I also added a few touches of Gathered Twigs Distress Ink for added depth.  The sentiment is by Penny Black, 4289E Beautiful Season.

Oh, and be sure to check out the Penny Black blog all this week for sneak peeks at the new Valentine release and giveaways!!

Speaking of giveaways-- I'll be back tomorrow with the winner of THIS giveaway. HUGS!