Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Card 33 - God Is Our Refuge

It is with a heavy heart that I did this card. My aunt went for a body check and the doctors found a lump in one of her breasts. They have scheduled her for a biopsy to determine if the lump is malignant or  benign. Whatever the results are, I don't think that as good news.

This card was done with my aunt in mind and the technique used was from PTI Make It Monday #42: Layered Background with Sentiment Stamps by Betsy Veldman.


My aunt loves children but sadly, she has none of her own. As such, my younger sisters and brother regard her as their Godmother. As for me, I have lots of memories of things that I did with my aunt as I was growing up and I just wanna let my aunt know that she's not forgotten. Most importantly, I want to remind her that God will be her strength. It's just so easy to forget about God and continue having faith and hope in the midst of our pain and suffering. I hope that the card can be an encouragement and reminder.

Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Rustic Cream, Smokey Shadow
Inks - Distress Ink Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, JBS Brown Sugar, Chicken Feed, Weather Vane
Stamps - PTI Peaceful Garden, Beautiful Blessings
Others - WRMK 3/8" Corner Chomper

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

HCBC Week 2 Card 9 - Sending Holiday Cheer

Today's class is on technique using distress inks and doing a gatefold card. My intention was to do a similar style card but as I got to working on my card, I realized I have limited stamp sets that stamps the image fully (as in not just the outline). I ended up not liking the white embossing so I did a die cut of the same image and adhere on top of the white embossing. My measurements were off as well (too big) so I couldn't do a gatefold styled card. Guess I have to try it next round.

Here is my final card. Although it didn't turn out to be what I intended, I did like how it turned out and enjoyed working on it.


I added Tsukineko Sparkle Shimmer as a final touch as the pearlized water background stamping didn't show off the pearlized effect. Probably due to the background stamp image I used (limited resources :P).


Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Stampers' Select White,  Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy
Inks - Distress Ink Chipped Sapphire, Evergreen Bough, Peeled Paint, JBS Spiced Tin, SU Riding Hood Red, Versamark
Stamps - PTI Christmas Poinsettias, Stylish Sentiments Holiday (Inside Sentiment), Hero Arts Magical Background
Others - Distress Stain Picket Fence, Perfect Pearls by Ranger, Mixed Accents by Hero Arts, Hemp Twine from SU, Tsukineko Sparkle Shimmer, PTI Christmas Poinsettias Die, Tag (from stash), 1/16" 3D Dots, AC Zing White Embossing Power

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

HCBC Week 2 Card 8 - Merry & Bright

Day 7's inspiration is on photo cards. I did mine without photos since it's not typical for us to send Christmas cards this way.

Here is my card:


The front panel is stamped with Envelope Pattern but it's not noticeable on photo. The images were also traced with Spica to add subtle shimmer.

Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Stampers' Select White,  Spring Moss
Pattern Papers - Happier by My Mind's Eye, Nordic Holiday by Basic Grey
Inks - Distress Ink Iced Spruce, Momento London Fog, Versamark
Stamps - PTI Tag-Its #8, Christmas Poinsettias, Wildflower Garden, Hero Arts Envelope Pattern
Others - Silhouette, PTI Edger #1 Die, Christmas Poinsettias Die, Raspberry Fizz Felt, 1/16" 3D Dots, Assorted Brads from Making Memories, Atyou Spica Clear, Hero Arts Mix Accents, 3/8" WRMK Corner Chomper



Monday, November 14, 2011

HCBC Week 2 Card 7 - Merry Christmas

Time flies... It's the start of another week of Boot Camp and it'll end in no time. I'll definitely look forward to the next one.


On a happy note, I was actually featured in the Students' Spotlight. I didn't even think they had this segment. I'm just so surprised. There are so many lovely cards out there.

Ok, back to the topic. Today's inspiration came from the sketch above. We were given 3 sketch choices and I decided on this circle since I've not done a circle card before. I used my Silhouette to cut the circle shapes.

Here's my card:


Anyone experienced doing something differently from what your brain tells you? Well, I wanted to add some twinkles and snowflakes to finish my card in subtle tones and I was thinking through the ink colors when the next thing I realized, I had stamped my image. Although it was in gray, it wasn't the subtle effect I wanted. Anyhow, I shall keep my hands to my side the next time I'm in my thinking process to avoid history repeating itself.

I added glossy accents to the ornaments which are paper pieced and a couple spritz of Tsukineko Sheer Sparkle. And the next thing on my to buy list is Spellbinder's Circle Dies. Ha...


Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Vintage Cream
Pattern Papers - 12 Days of Christmas by My Mind's Eye
Inks - Distress Inks Antique Linen, JBS Speckled Egg, Stick Candy, Seed Packet, Momento London Fog
Stamps - Lawn Fawn Ornate Ornaments, Hero Arts Very Merry Christmas (Inside Sentiment)
Others - Silhouette, Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, Tsukineko Sheer Sparkle, Glossy Accents, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

HCBC Week 1 Card 6 - Season's Greetings

Following Day 5's inspiration, I created another card using the same technique that is dry embossing and inking with distress inks.

This time, I wanted to use another of the Winter Limited Edition distress inks Festive Berries. I'm actually not very fond of red but I love the tone of Festive Berries. Will definitely be using it again.

Here's my card:



I wanted to create a gradient look and the pearlized effect is really so pretty and subtle. The poinsettias die cut were dusted with rock candy stickles. I love how it adds a frosty look to the poinsettias. I learnt this trick from Jennifer McGuire but I didn't have the chance to try it till now.

Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Stamper's Select White

Inks - Distress Inks Festive Berries, Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Momento London Fog
Stamps - PTI Christmas Poinsettias, Stylish Sentiments Holiday
Others - Sizzix Snow Flower Embossing Folder, PTI Pure Poppy Felt, Zing White Embossing Powder, Vellum, Rock Candy Stickles, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Matte, Cream Floss, SU Designer Buttons, PTI Christmas Poinsettias Die

Sunday, November 13, 2011

HCBC Week 1 Card 5 - Merry Christmas


The inspiration for Day 5 is about doing reproducible cards and using Distress Inks. I love using distress inks. In fact, I use them mostly in my cards. They save me the headache of having to think about pattern papers. As much as I love pattern papers and I do collect & hoard my 6x6 pads, I have serious problems with getting the pattern papers to match. In my opinion, Kristina Werner is an expert in using pattern papers and the cards she does look lovely and easy peasy.

I didn't have time to work on my card till today. Friday was Veteran's Day. Hb had the day off so we went shopping and dinner was around 1 1/2 hours wait. I just couldn't believe it. Luckily the food was delicious.


Anyway here's my card:


Here's a close up. I just love the pearly shine.


I wanted to use the new Winter Limited Edition Distress Inks Evergreen Bough and Iced Spruce. I thought Festive Berries would be a little too bright and used Tumbled Glass and Faded Jeans instead. The card turned out to be suitable for males even with that snowman image. Gonna send this to one of my male friends.

I'm having so much fun in this bootcamp and it's been so inspiring to see the different creations and interpretations from the other campers.

Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Smokey Shadow, Strathmore Watercolor Paper
Inks - Distress Inks Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Faded Jeans, JBS Chicken Food, Momento London Fog, Versamark
Stamps - Hero Arts Snowman Christmas, PTI Stylish Sentiments Holiday

Others - Sizzix Snowflakes Embossing Folder, 1/8" 3D Dots, Glossy Accents, Ranger Black Enamel, Diamond Stickles, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Perfect Pearls White, Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, Dove Blender Pen

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

HCBC Week 1 Card 4 - Friends Warm The Heart


Day 3's inspiration is doing window cards. I do like the idea of window cards and I will most likely do a couple more cards this style.

2 awesome videos by Jennifer McGuire and Shari Carrol. My favorite was Jennifer's on faux letterpress technique. I've seen this technique before but I've not gotten to try it. I've bought the Hero Arts Shadow ink pad just to try this technique out. Besides being inspired by the video tutorials, I was also inspired by Vicky from Lily Pads. She is doing a "Spotlight on Lawn Fawn" this week.

Here is my card:


Here's a close up:


I didn't have a matching stamp set to go with the embossing so I just inked my embossing folder with Soft Pool ink and dry embossed. The 2 snowmen are layered in between the front panel and card front. The inside is stamped with Tiny Flakes background stamp in versamark and lightly brushed with perfect pearls to give it some shine.

Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Aqua Mist, Stamper's Select White
Pattern Papers: 12 Days of Christmas by My Mind's Eye
Inks - JBS Spiced Tin, Speckled Egg, Lemon Drops, Archival Jet Black, Versamark, Hero Arts Shadow Ink Soft Pool
Stamps - Lawn Fawn Making Frosty Friends, Ornate Ornaments (Inside Sentiment), Hero Arts Tiny Flakes

Others - Sizzix Peppermint Twist Embossing Folder, 1/2" 3D Dots, Glossy Accents, Ranger Black Enamel, Hero Arts Mixed Accents, Crystal Stickles, Diamond Stickles, Spellbinders Label 8 Die, Ranger Perfect Pearls, Dover Blender Pen



Tuesday, November 8, 2011

HCBC Week 1 Card 3 - Home To Home


Day 2 was about photo cards. I'm not into photo cards as there's only my hubby & I. Nothing interesting going on with our lives that should be shared. However, there was also a feature on Boot Camp special guests and I was inspired by the folded Christmas tree done by Kelly Goree. Thankfully there was a quick tutorial on how to do that tree as I would have wasted goodness knows how many hours figuring it out on my own.

Here is my card.


I've had my embossing folders for some time but just didn't get to using them. I'm glad I put them to good use during this boot camp. I didn't have a big circle punch so I put my Silhouette to use. The folded tree was done using double-sided pattern papers and I added crystal stickles to the dots to mimic ornaments.

Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Vintage Cream, Lavender Moon, Hibiscus Burst
Pattern Papers: Dwell by My Mind's Eye, Candy Shoppe Collection by Echo Park
Inks - JBS Seed Packet
Stamps - PTI Stylish Sentiments Holiday
Others - Silhouette, Sizzix Flower Lattice Embossing Folder, Mandarin Twine from The Twinery, 1/8" 3D Dots, Fiskars Scallop Punch, PTI Half & Half Die, Studio G Blue Gems, Ranger Crystal Stickles, Sew Easy

Monday, November 7, 2011

HCBC Week 1 Card 2 - Wishing You The Happiest Of Holidays


This is another card done for Day 1's class inspired by Kristina Werner. For some reason, I did spend quite a bit of time on this card. Just couldn't get the elements to work to my liking. Anyway here is my final take.


The ornament image, designed by Kristina Werner was cut using Silhouette. I adhere a shimmery white paper behind the ornament and it's not noticeable on picture. Sentiment was embossed with Chestnut embossing powder.

Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Rustic Cream, Vintage Cream, DCWV Citrus Cardstock Stack
Pattern Papers: 12 Days of Christmas by My Mind's Eye, Holly Jolly Christmas by Echo Park
Inks - Versamark
Stamps - PTI Stylish Sentiments Holiday

Others - Silhouette, Zing Chestnut Embossing Powder, 1/8" 3D Dots, 1/2" 3D Dots, PTI Half & Half Die, Maraschino Twine from The Twinery, AC Cream Twine, WRMK 3/8' Corner Chomper, Zig Writer Chocolate

HCBC Week 1 Card 1 - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas



After going through Summer Card Boot Camp, I just had to sign up for the Holiday Card Boot Camp. It was so much learning and inspiration for me previously and I know it's going to be more learning and inspiration on this one.

Day 1 is about places where we get inspirations from and here is my card inspired by Jennifer McGuire.


I cut the star and the bow using my Silhouette. The star was white embossed and inked with Shabby Shutters, Crushed Olive, Forest Moss and Evergreen Bough distress inks. It's not clear from the picture but there's a shine on the star as I brushed perfect pearls over.


Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Rustic Cream, Vintage Cream, DCWV Citrus Cardstock Stack, AC Neutrals
Inks - Distress Ink Shabby Shutters,  Crushed Olive, Forest Moss, Evergreen Bough, SU Chocolate Chip
Stamps - Hero Arts Tiny Flakes,  PTI Christmas Poinsettias (Sentiment)

Others - Silhouette, Zing White Embossing Powder, Ranger Perfect Pearls, Sizzix Evergreen Embossing Folder, Studio G Red Gems, 1/8" 3D Dots,  WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper, PTI Holly Die






Saturday, November 5, 2011

Card 23 - Happy Birthday

My sister's birthday is just a day after my mum's. We have totally different styles. I'm more of a clean and simple while she is the elaborated, frills & layers type so it was a challenge thinking how to approach the card I wanted to do for her. Well I'll definitely look for more inspiration from the other crafters online and explore further through trial and error.

For now, here is the completed card.


Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Stamper's Select White, Autumn Rose, Scarlet Jewel
Pattern Papers - Blush by My Mind's Eye
Inks - Archival Jet Black, SU Chocolate Chip, Distress Ink Tea Dye
Stamps - Penny Black Christmas With Mimi, Hero Arts Birthday Messages (Sentiment)
Others - Marvy Uchida Le Plume Markers, Sew Easy, AC Baker Twine,  Hero Arts Floral Mixed Accents, PTI Christmas Label Die, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 8, WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper, Uni-Ball Signo Silver Pen, Gold Stickles, Glossy Accents


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Card 22 - Happy Birthday

I've been on a hiatus. Well hb has been on the morning shift so I don't usually craft since he'll be using the area to watch tv and play on his playstation. I'll have to find some way around that for the subsequent weeks since I've signed up for the Holiday Card Boot Camp. I'm excited for the class to start and to learn more.

Well my mum's birthday is around the corner and here is a card I made for her. I bought this stamp the moment I saw a card done by Jennifer McGuire. However I didn't really make any card with it till now. I used the technique shown on Jennifer McGuire's blog using distress inks and liquid pearls. My mum's favorite color is purple so I based the card around those shades.



Supplies Used:
Paper - PTI Stamper's Select White, Autumn Rose, Lavender Moon
Inks - Distress Ink Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord, Victorian Velvet,  Shabby Shutters,  Forest Moss, Ripe Persimmons, Wild Honey, Versamark, Jenni Bowlin Brown Sugar
Stamps - Hero Arts Flower Bird Garden, Sweet Threads by Basic Gray,  Birthday Messages (Sentiment), WPlus9 A Special Lady (Inside Sentiment)

Others - Fiskars  Scallop Sentiment, PTI Autumn Rose Satin Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Uni-Ball Signo Broad White Gel Pen, Ranger Liquid Pearls White, Ranger Liquid Pearls Silver