Quick and Easy Christmas Card

I came up with this idea after figuring out I'd need a slew of Christmas cards this year to send to our customers at the shop.  Each card only took a couple of minutes and IRL... they look really kewl!  The lighting in the dining room wasn't cooperating and my photog skills don't show this off well at all but here goes!

I used a brass stencil for this and coloured it with a large stippling brush.  Starting with Adirondack Dye Ink Aqua, stipple all over.  Next stipple on Adirondack Pool to the outer edges and work inward.  The last step is to stipple on Adirondack Dye Ink Stream to the outer edges. 

I thought it needed a bit more sparkle so used some Smooch!  perfect!  The cardstock is Staples 110 pound and scored 1/4 inch around the image.  Sentiment is stamped in Turqouise from Stampin' Up! and heat embossed.  Voila!

Have fune trying something like this.  I'm going to experiment with other colour combinations as well.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Sheree



New Use For Autumn Leaves

Good Morning Chickees!

I learned a new trick from my fab friend Victoria.  Should I be posting this.... who knows but, Victoria understands me!!  All of my friends in lower half of the world won't be able to try this for another 6 months when your leaves start falling.

If you are looking for a super simple way to make a fall card then try this!

Find some maple and oak trees and pick up the leaves.  I went with a Japanese Maple because the leaves are a lot smaller and turn a vibrant red.  Supposedly Oak leaves are the best so I'll go hunting later today or tomorrow.

The trick is to use a 'tight' sandwich with the CuttleBug to get the right effect.  I used the A and two B plates along with 5 layers of cardstock and the rubber mat.  The sandwich goes from the bottom up...
A, B, Cardstock, Leaves facing down, Cardstock, 3 more cardstock, Rubber mat, B Plate.

Here is what you'll end up with!!

These two first shots are of the bottom cardstock that shows the fronts of the leaves.  I'm not sure if you can see it but the paper is also embossed from the stem and ridges on the leaves.

This photo shows what the cardstock looks like from the back side of the leaf.  You see more ridges than actual leaves... kind of reminds me of a sand dollar.

I thought that these prints needed a simple layout because too many layers or embellishments would deter the eye from the embossed image.... What do you think??  Also, these cards will be part of the bundle going with my bundle for Children's Hospital in Vancouver!

Thanks for looking and I hope this gave you some ideas!  It would be fun to see how it worked with different species of tree leaves from around the world!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
Sheree
p.s.  I want to apologize to my followers!  Blogger allowed me to comment on everyone's blogs the other night but I haven't been able to since then.  Just want you to know I'm 'creeping' my way around!
xxx

Learn To Brayer... Check These Out!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I've been doing some surfing and keeping in touch in Blogland today as the weather here is rotten which tends to make walk in business slower.

I have three blogs for you all to check out!  These have gorgeous examples of brayering and tut's!

Cards Calligraphy - Shaz in Oz  -  Shaz's cards are just beautiful and a must see!  Check out her calligraphy as well as her brayered cards.   She's also a participant in WOYWW.  I'm not brave enough to show photos of my rubber room yet! 

Eileen's Crafty Zone - Stunning cards and Eileen has three step tutorials on brayering.  The example photos make everything so clear that you can't mess it up!  Eileen has a new card posted every day and it will take all afternoon to surf her blog of goodies. 

Lavinia Stamps Blog - Not only can you purchase gorgeous stamps here, there's a gallery of brayered pieces as well.  I'm checking into whether I can purchase stamps and have her ship to Canada.  There's stamps that would go along with Stampscapes stamps and that includes scenery stamps, animals... and the list goes on! I'm lovin' it!!!

So there you go girls!  I know you'll be impressed !

Hugs,
Sheree 

Distressed Christmas (The ink kind!!)

Hi Everyone!

The title almost sounds like I'm sending out an SOS! 
This card was fun to make and I played and learned at the same time.  I started with cream paper and first stamped the background stamp in Distress Walnut.  After the stamp was covered in ink I dabbed a paper towel here and there to create blotches.  The next step was to distress the paper and use my deckled scissors to jag the edge.  Once again it was distress on the front and back of the cut edges.  Looked pretty neat so sprayed some Smooch to give it a hint of glisten.
The rest of the card was easy and the longest part was playing with the layout so everything would fit!  It looks sooooo much better IRL!  The corners are actually squared but don't look it because of my fab photography skills again!

Here's the recipe

Stamps - Greeting - Unknown; Background Stampendous?  (Help Victoria!)
Inks - Distress Frayed Burlap, Walnut; Stampin' Up! Bravo Burgandy
Pointsettia (one from an old container I picked up from Michaels a couple of years ago.)
Pop dots
Smooch

Thanks for looking!

Hugs,
Sheree

Fall Challenge Entry

Hi Everyone!
I'm finally posting!  There will be quite a few over the next while as I've been busy dealing with the sewer backup into the house lately.  When I found a couple of minutes I hibernated into my rubber room to play.  Here's one I've come up with!
Also, this card will be included in the package I'm putting together for Send A Smile 4 Kids Canada which gives cards to B.C. Children's Hospital for either patients or for patients to give to staff who do an incredible job!

And the recipe is....

Stamps - Rubber Stamped;  Small and Big Maple
Inks - Distress Ponmegranate, Gathered Twigs, Seedless Something and Frayed Burlap. Versa Mark Black, Ranger Big N Juicy (Foliage)
Clear embossing powder
Perfect Pearls - Green Patina, Mint, Heirloom Gold
3D dots - Dollarama

Challenge:
The Outlawz - Sunday CAS

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Sheree