Yuletide Carol Projects

I almost forgot. I have 2 more leftover cards I made using last year's paper pack Yuletide Carol. I made simple layouts for quick cards, a bunch of them, and just stamped multiple times. These are simple, yet so elegant looking. Don't you just love CTMH papers?

Background paper is Yuletide Carol, the reindeer is from Miracle of Christmas stamp set, and the tree is from the White Pines Cardmaking WOTG kit stamp set.

The reindeer is colored using Copics W0, W1, W3. I used Poppy extra thick twine to accent both cards. 

And here's the stamp set and WOTG kit stamp I used.

D1656 Miracle of Christmas

G1099 White Pines Cardmaking WOTG

And that's a wrap for Christmas 2015! Happy New Year everyone!

Last Christmas Related Post

Before the year ends, I'd like to share some of the last minute projects I made. This should remind me to get things done earlier next year, to better prepare and not rush at the last minute.

Here's a tag I made for my daughter's teachers. I attached these to the gifts I gave her teachers. I used La-La Land's Pretty Poinsettia Dies. Background paper I believe is from Echo Park's Home for the Holidays paper pack.

Another quickie last minute card I made is a quick cut of Lori Whitlock's Flip Ornament file. I used White Pines paper from Close to My Heart. This paper was such a big hit the paper packs are sold out already I think. Last I checked the site there's no more White Pines paper pack available. I'll have to keep my eye out on that one.
You can't see from the picture, but I used a gold shimmer cardstock on the ornament so it has a nice sheen to it. I used Crafter's Companion gold shimmer cardstock. I love the shimmer cardstock from Crafter's Companion. They come in so many colors, tAnd I topped the ornament with a silver glitter paper from some scraps I have.

This was super easy and fast to make. And who doesn't love a swing card right?

And last but not the least, a Christmas tree card. I used White Pines paper for the background and for the tree dies I used La-La Land's Christmas Tree Die and layered it with the Fancy Christmas Tree Die. I then adorned it red and white blings since my themed for my own Christmas tree this year is red and gold. I added some gold shimmer trim on the side to accentuate the tree.

After coloring for such a long time I do miss these plain no stamping or minimal stamping projects. Sometimes less is really more.

Hope you guys had a wonderful Chrismtas and Happy New Year to you all!

Christmas Reindeer Card

Hello everyone! Today I'm sharing another Christmas card I made for someone special to me. I took more time to do this one as I'd like for it to stand out. This family means the world to me and I just want something nice and thought of to share.

I used Cranberry cardstock as base and layered it with White Pines paper and Topiary cardstock. I picked the Reindeer image this time from the Miracle of Christmas stamp set and colored it with Copics in W0, W1, W3.

Here's the same stamp set I used.

D1656 Miracle of Christmas

I used the snowflake image to end stamped it with Versamark, then embossed it with Wow! White Diamond powder and topped with some bling to make it sparkle. I also added some berries using Christmas Red Stickles, and to top the reindeer image I doodled on the sides randomly. 

I hope they'll like it! Happy Holidays!

Miracle of Christmas Cards

Hello everyone! So it's 4 more days till Christmas, and I'm pretty sure most of you have already mailed out your Christmas card by now. Well, I'm happy to let you know that I made the cut too (I hope). I've finally mailed out all the cards and I'm officially done making Christmas cards!

So here I'm sharing some of the cards I made. I love CTMH's White Pines paper. Like I mentioned on my previous post, it's just so festive, either side of this B&T paper I was able to use to make different card styles.

I used a retired stamp set to stamp the sentiment and Christmas Tree. I believe it's CC1015 Holiday Magic. Love how classy the tree looks. 

This 2nd card below uses the stamp set D1656 Miracle of Christmas. I love all the cute animals in that stamp set. I made another version using the reindeer too.

Here's a complete image of the stamp set.

D1656 Miracle of Christmas

Few more days left and it's Christmas. I'll keep posting the remaining cards I've made but I'll be moving on to baking holiday cookies in the next few days! Can't wait for some time out from work! Hope everyone's as excited as I am to celebrate Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Card Making

It's December 20 and yes, I'm scrambling to make Christmas cards. I swear that I will start making cards in July next year! Every year I seem to find myself making last minute Christmas cards. But hey, big improvement this year since I actually was able to make some! Last year I actually went with the Close to My Heart's Cut Above cards that were so easy to put together. That is the whole point of Cut Above, assemble and glue and you're good to go. This year I actually carved out some time, albeit late, to create some cards.

So here I am sharing the one I did. This was done last week, since it had to be sent out early.

I used White Pines paper from White Pines Cardmaking WOTG kit. I love how red and festive this paper looks like. Last year the colors were on the dark side and I didn't quite like it that much. I used the stamp set that came with the kit, super cute!! I added some Christmas Red Stickles on the wreath for the holly berries to make it pop out a bit. Last but not the least, I added the extra thick fern twine. Love the red and greens! 

Happy Holidays!!

Christmas Elf Luka

Hello everyone! Today I'm sharing yet another La-La Land retreat project. Since Christmas is just 10 days away and it doesn't look like I'm ever going to catch up, I'll just share holiday themed projects from the retreat. After all, I did spend the last few weeks finishing these up anyway.

This has got to be one of my favorite cards that we got from the retreat. I love how Christmas-y and festive this is. I have to admit I do not really own a lot of Luka stamps, but this is becoming one of my favorites! And don't you just love the dies?

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00, E21, R11, R20

Hair - W1, W3, W5, W7

Greens - G21, G24, G28

Reds - R05, R08, R17, R27, R39

Boots - W3, W5, W7

List - E0000, E40, E41

Dies Used:

Fancy Doily Border

Pretty Poinsettia

Snowflake Flag Banner

Zigzag Trim Banner

Stitched Element

Postage Stamps

Santa Sleigh

Christmas Scrapbook Layout

I probably did not do this scrapbook page layout any justice by the way I photographed it. This looks so much nicer in real life! Today I'm sharing this, and it's again part of the retreat from last month.

This one uses Christmas Molli from La-La Land Crafts. The rolling hills I kinda overdid the glitter because I didn't use the right glue and it kinda smeared a bit. I promise this looks much better that photographed.

Dies Used:

Reindeer 1

Reindeer 2

Santa Sleigh Die

Fancy Doily Die

Snowflake Banner Die

Double Stitched Hills Border Set 

(for the rolling hills, but since I don't own them I used my Kiwi Lane template for it)

Zigzag Border Die

Small Snowflakes Die

Christmas Tree Die

Postage Stamp Die

Celebrate the Season!

After making a sad sympathy card yesterday, I'm so ready to go back to the holiday cheer. Today's share features another La-La Land retreat project. This is a no-stamp project that uses a lot of the new La-La land Christmas release dies.

Dies Used:

Winter Branches Die

Christmas Hill Border Die

Pretty Poinsettia Die

Photo Elements Die

Celebrate word Die

This reminds me, it's only a few days before Christmas and I have yet to get started with Christmas cards making! 

Praying Marci Sympathy Card

I've been posting a lot of retreat cards lately but here's one of my creations. Unfortunately I had to create one of these today for a dear friend / co-worker of mine. I hate creating cards like these, it's just too sad.

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00, E11, E13

Blush - R30, R20

Hair - YR31, YR21, YR23, YR24

Dress - W0, W1, E40

Dress Sash, Headband - E70, E71, E74, E77

The background paper I used is from Dovecraft Curiosity Corner paper pack. It's actually the paper pack I won as a prize during the recent La-La Land retreat. I have so much floral paper I didn't realize I do not own anything closely appropriate to an occasion like this. Thank goodness I have this one handy.

I used Praying Marci stamp, and sentiments stamped are from a retired Close To My Heart C1524 Words of Comfort. The butterflies and flourishes are dies from La-La Land Crafts' April 2015 club kit.

Baby Marci with Rattle

Today's share is another retreat project. This is Baby Marci with Rattle done in a tag. I unfortunately do not own this stamp set so I'm missing a sentiment, but thought this is ok as a stand alone anyway. Isn't Baby Marci just the cutest?

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00, E11, E13

Cap, Rattle - E93, E95

Dress - BV000, BV00, BV02, BV04

Dies Used:

Stitched Nested Circles

Open Leaf Flourish

Heart Banner

Scallop Border

Rolled Rose Large

Rolled Rose Small and Medium

Time Flies Marci

Today's share features Time Flies Marci. This is one of my favorite stamps, and I could think of so many ways to use this. I'm sharing another project from the retreat, a gatefold card. Or should I say tri-gatefold card?

I just love everything about this. I didn't think I'd be into steampunk and gears stuff, but these dies are just absolutely adorable!

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00, E11, R20 (blush)

Hair - E50, E51, E53, E55

Dress - YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97

Vest - E70, E71, E74, E77

Watch - Y21, Y26, Y28

Dies Used:

Steampunk Clock

Steampunk Heart Cogs

Steampunk Border

Enjoy!

Baby Christmas Gift Box

Hello everyone! Today I'm sharing this Christmas Baby box that was also part of the La-La Land Annual Retreat. I love how festive looking this project is. The reindeer dies are definitely one of my favorites! These die cuts were all distressed with Walnut Stain distress ink pads.

Distress Markers Used:

Skin - Vintage Photo

Cheeks - Work Lipstick

Hat - Peeled Paint, Black Soot

Outfit - Peeled Paint, Black Soot

Fur - Pumice Stone

Gift Box - Scattered Straw, Fired Brick

Here's a list of dies that were used:

Fancy Doily Border

Postage Stamps

Booktab and Labels

Reindeer 1

Holly Flourish

 Zigzag Trim Border

Christmas Elf Luka Tree

First project I'd like to share with you, given Christmas is around the corner, is a Christmas Tree with
Elf Luka. This tree card uses a 5x5 base that is folded diagonally in half, overlapped to make a tree.

Copic Colors Used:

Skin - E000, E00, E11, R20

Hair - E87, E84, E81

Clothes - R89, R29, R27, R24, C3, C1, C0, G99, G94, G21 

List -E84, E81, E40

I love all of La-La's new Christmas release. The Ornaments die are so pretty, and they sold out pretty quick! You can head over to La-La land's site and check out the dies used.

Christmas Ornament2

Christmas Ornament 3

Reindeer 1

Reindeer 2

Heart Snowflake

Stitched Elements (Tab)

Fancy Doily Border

Postage Stamps

Don't you just love this tree?

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

La-La Land Crafts Annual Retreat

It's been awhile, and I apologize for my absence. What with the holidays and family coming over and getting school projects ready and full time work, I got flooded. Now that everything's a bit settled down, I'll be back in action again! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday spent with family/friends. We had a quiet one, and it gave me a little bit of time to catch up on crafting.

Last month I attended La-La Land Crafts' Annual Retreat. It was my first time, and with family in town I almost didn't make it. But I'm so glad we worked out the schedule and I was able to partially attend the retreat. Boy was I ever glad I made it! The retreat was so much fun, and jam packed with projects! Projects that I'd probably be intimidated to do by myself, but have now learned so much that I could hopefully apply in future projects. I will share with you little by little the projects given to us at the retreat. There's a total of I think 24 projects in total. It was a 3-day retreat and on day 1, there was 1 class held towards the evening. Day 2 had 3 classes, and Day 3 had 2 classes I believe. The projects were very challenging and took a considerable amount of time to finish. Aside from that there were small tables were people can go around and make side projects.

Given the short amount of time and the quantity of projects, I decided to take home all the side projects and focus on the class projects itself. It took me about a good 3 weeks after the retreat to finally finish assembling and making every single project. Yes, it was that hard! 3 weeks, a couple of hours a day at night before going to bed, and that does not even include coloring! Coloring the images up took about 3 days here and there.

I am so happy with the quality of the retreat. And if you've been following me you know I'm a big La-La Land fan. I love the Marci images, and their dies are really great quality. So I signed up for next year's retreat in advance. I did it just in the nick of time too! After I signed up the slots all filled up and the retreat is fully booked! I think Irina is taking names to be on Waitlist, so if anyone out there is thinking of joining, try having your name placed on the waitlist. I promise you it will be worth your while.

To see a picture of the gang, head over here! http://www.lalalandcrafts.com/NEW__Craft_Retreat.php

Catching Up

Hi everyone! The last month went by like a whirlwind, too many stuff on my schedule, and next thing I know, Thanksgiving is just a week away! 

My last creation was Halloween goodie bags / treats for my daughter's class. I had fun making a couple of dozen of those, and even turned it into a mom-daughter activity (my mom and I). 

I made these owl pillow boxes that just looks so cute! I just purchased packs of Recollection paper and used an SVG cut file from the Silhouette store.

For the teachers I made something a bit more special, a purse. I also tried Lori Whitlock's owl treat bag. I wish I had more time, but given how busy my October was, this was the best I can come up with given the short period of time. Mental note, get started earlier next year!!

I'm trying to catch up, especially after returning from a long trip, but hopefully I can start cranking out some Christmas / holiday creations in the weeks to come! 

Thanks everyone! 

Sweet Birthday Girl

Hi All! Today I'm sharing a card I made for a sweet girl. This image reminds me of her, sweet, innocent, kind, and still a little girl. I used Kraftin Kimmie Stamps design by Rachelle Anne Miller, Birthday Girl. This is my first Kraftin Kimmie stamp creation.

I used Faber Castell Gelato Cotton Candy for that very light sky background. I colored her and the balloon using Derwent Inktense Pencils. I used Viva Pearl Pen Red ink to accessorize the hearts and pearls on her dress, and topped the balloon with Liquid Gloss.

The sentiment is from Close to My Heart Balloon Wishes. I heat embossed it in red and used vellum paper. The heart enamels were also from Close to My Heart.

Happy Birthday sweetie!

Time Out by Moonbeam Meadown

Moonbeam Meadow must be my favorite collection from Crafter's Companion. I've had these images for awhile now and have been debating whether to color it with alcohol markers, colored pencils or watercolor. Since I've been playing a lot with my Faber Castell Gelatos lately, I thought I'd do a pure gelato watercolor technique on one version.

The image I used is Time Out, and it aptly fits what I've been feeling lately. How I wish I have the luxury of time to just sit back and relax, and idle the day away.

Here are the materials I used:

Cardstock - Close to My Heart Juniper color cardstock
Background Paper - Jillibean Soup
Colors using mix of  Faber Castell Gelatos:
Blues - Cotton Candy, Boysenberry, Blueberry
Greens - Gree Tea, Lime, Iced Pear
Purples - Metallic Grape, Lavender
Red - Red Cherry
Browns - Chocolate, Butterscotch
Oval Dies - Silhouette Die Cut
Round Sentiment Die - My Favorite Things Stitched Circle STAX

Lastly, I brushed the red mushroom cap with Wink of Stella Red and White brushes.

My second version uses Derwent Inktense Pencils.

Background Paper - My Mind's Eye
Dies - Simon Says Stamp Postage Dies
Derwent Inktense Colors Used:
Reds - Poppy Red, Chilli Red
Purples - Thistle
Blues - Iris Blue, Lagoon, Navy Blue
Browns - Willow, Baked Earth
Greens - Hooker's Green, Apple Green
Mushroom Stem - Neurtral Gray, White

And last but not the least, I brushed the red mushroom cap with Wink of Stella Clear.

Paper Garden Happy Birthday Card

Today's the last day to avail of this month's Stamp of the Month by Close to My Heart and as a last hurrah, I'm sharing this birthday card I made for a special young lady. I thought of giving this to her, then later on decided it's probably not age appropriate so I made another one instead, which I will share after I've given the card.

I used Canary cardstock as base, Kaleidoscope paper to layer, and stamped the flowers from Paper Garden stamp set. I used Sweet Leaf, Gypsy and Blush inks, rolled the cardstock so the petals and leaves curl up a bit. I applied a very light sky blue background using Aqua Dolce Gelato and punched tiny flowers on Gold Shimmer trim to embellish the card a little. I am so hooked with the Gelatos. Will definitely use more of it in upcoming projects.

Here's the Kaleidoscope paper pack which I absolutely adore!!! Don't you just love the colors?

Hope you guys like it!

Paper Garden Just Because

I've been coloring too much lately and thought I'd take a break and make a card out of Close to My Heart's stamp of the month set. I love this Paper Garden set. I think it has this vintage look to it, and you can stamp it with so much color or just go monotone or give it a bit of a muted tone. Either way it's such a pretty stamp.

I've recently bought more Faber Castell Gelatos and have been using it partly as watercolor in my coloring craze. I love how versatile these Gelatos are, and they are perfect for backgrounds. You get to mix and match as many color combos as you like, make it as vibrant or as subtle as you like. So the background is a mix of Lemon and Butterscotch gelatos.

I stamped the flower with Versamark ink, heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. And then I used Jacquard Pearl Ex Pigment Powder to paint over the stems, leaves and flower. I love the way it turned out! You can't see the shimmer in the photo, but I swear it's there. I just love how it turned out! Lastly I embellished with a few gold sequins.

Hope you guys like it too! If you're interested in this stamp set, here's what it looks like. Remember it's only available for this month of September! Grab it while you still can! 

S1509 Paper Garden

Don't you just love it? I'm really a sucker for floral stamps...

Enjoy!