Christmas ATC's

This week's challenge at Simon Says Stamp: Monday Challenge is to make 'ATC's' or Artist Trading Cards, miniature pieces of art at 2 1/2 x 3 1/2. 

I loved all the inspiration from the Simon Says Stamp team, especially the Tim Holtz Christmas Paper Dolls, but alas, I only had the regular Tim Holtz Paper Dolls...none looked wintry enough!

Christmas in July

This is for the TFJB Challenge - Christmas Cards In July

I've been meaning to try out this Tim Holtz 3D folder for a while now and just hadn't found the right project for it. So, even though I probably would have chosen a different background for the Christmas theme, I'm happy with the results...the swirls in the 'Elegant' folder remind me a little of the boughs of a Christmas tree. I wanted to use the technique where you use Bundled Sage Distress Oxide Ink with the Bronze Distress Metallic Crayon, but alas, I purchased the Bundled Sage in the normal Distress Ink, not the Distress Oxide, so it didn't turn out as I'd hoped. So, I used the Bronze Distress Metallic Crayon and then used (finally) some really old Dreamweaver Metallic F/X shimmery powder called Eye of the Tiger, which brought out a little more pink to the bronze. I wanted to try another shot at this 3D folder in green for the Christmas in July entry, but I have to work tomorrow and am running out of time!

The ornament stamp is from a company no longer in business, Skipping Stones Design, and stamped in Versamark and Ranger Embossing Powder in Copper.  The bow die is from Tim Holtz Festive Greens.

I tend to keep the cards fairly simple so they can be mailed more easily.

The majority of the product used for this card is from The Funkie Junkie Boutique...thank you for the generous gift certificate for the random drawing in past challenges, which allows me to have so much additional fun shopping!

12 Tags of 2016 December

This is the final tag for Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2016 Technique Remix, but I understand this ends the 10 year "Tag Challenge".  I'm glad I was able to participate in all 12 months of this challenge and I'm sorry it has ended.  I will be curious to follow Tim's Blog as he comes up with new ways to share his product and techniques.

Gold and Silver Stampendous

Gold and Silver...gotta love it!  Reminds me of a record album by an old San Francisco band called Quicksilver Messenger Service...what memories!

Anyhow, I did a bit of a different take on this Gold and Silver Challenge over at DYSU Challenge Blog (Do You Stack Up).  This can be used as a gift card holder or to hold yummy Christmas candies or whatever you can stuff into the size can you've chosen.

Start with a pop-top can, preferably one with fruit because it cleans up so easily...then, turn it upside down and use a smooth edge can opener to remove the bottom of the can...leaving the pop top in place.

Measure around the can as well as the height of the can and cut a piece of cardstock to fit.  Find a fabulous stamp like this Christmas Background from Stampendous.  I stamped with Versamark and sprinkled gold and silver alternately down the paper.

Then I attached the stamped cardstock to the can using Beacon Zip Dry adhesive - Love this stuff! -

After you stuff the can (with confetti, gift card, candy, socks, coal...) turn it upside down and glue the bottom, add some ribbon and a cute little tag (Get Socks)...then when the recipient opens the can they have a totally personalized gift...lots more fun than opening an envelope Christmas morning!

http://barbsboys123.blogspot.com/2012/12/gold-and-silver-stampendous.html

Blog Hop - Skipping Stones Design New Releases

Welcome to the Skipping Stones Design Blog Hop to celebrate the release of two new sets, Sentiment Frames #1 and Brrrthday! 

 I am so excited to use both of these cute new sets more...I've only used the snowflakes from Brrthday and only one of the sentiments from Sentiment Frames #1.

If you've just happened upon my blog today, make sure to start from the beginning at Skipping Stones Design.   You should have arrived here from Maile Belles blog, Simply Stamped.

Combined with the blog hop today, it's also Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday which means we're showcasing another great creation from our Guest Sketch Artist this month, Maile Belles. We'd love for you to play along with the sketch and link your card at the Skipping Stones Blog. A free stamp set is up for grabs to a lucky winner that joins our sketch challenge!

Hop Order

Amy - http://tsurutadesigns.blogspot.com

Ann - http://stampwithme-ann.blogspot.com

Maile - http://mailebelles.blogspot.com

YOU ARE HERE - http://barbsboys123.blogspot.com

Brenda - http://sweetpapertreats.wordpress.com

Gladys - http://gladyschia2010.wordpress.com

Kelley - http://myfrontporch-kelley.blogspot.com

Jennifer - http://justjingle.blogspot.com

Kandi - http://kraftykandikrafts.blogspot.com

Tammie - http://alwaysinking.blogspot.com

Rae - http://simplyrae.blogspot.com

Wendy - http://papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com

Your next stop will be to visit Brenda at  Sweet Paper Treats.

Don't forget to play along with this week's sketch SSD #55 for a chance to win a free stamp set!

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to leave some comments along the way...

Christmas Swirls

Here's the other card I made for this week's challenge at Skipping Stones Design.

I love the way the border punch embosses while it cuts.  Non traditional Christmas colors for a change.  I actually made this card first but my husband liked the other one better so I took his advice. Now I can't wait to use the cute Christmas Dove that comes with this Christmas Swirls set.  Be sure to check out the other creations for Sketch Tuesday and play along at Skipping Stones Design.

Sketch Tuesday at Skipping Stones Design-Christmas Swirls

See, I told you Skipping Stones Design has some great Christmas sets!  This set also has a swirly ornament  and an awesome dove, along with some great Christmas sentiments.  The set is called Christmas Swirls and you can see this and some of the other Christmas sets here.  (Christmas Swirls is way down toward the bottom)  Check out what the other Stamp Tramps have done with this awesome sketch from our November Guest Artist, Shannan Teubner at Skipping Stones Design  Sketch Tuesday!

Be sure to play along this week for a chance to win some goodies!

SSD049-Wise Men

You know it's a little scary, now that Halloween has passed Thanksgiving will sneak up in what will seem like a week...then Christmas the week after!  So I thought I'd showcase this awesome set for Sketch Tuesday over at Skipping Stones Design.  I just LOVE this set!  And seriously, if you're going to order it and still have time to play with it before Christmas you'd better start making your list! Check out the other awesome stamps that come with it over at the Skipping Stones Design store.

And then, while you're there, check out the fabulous creations from our Guest Designers and the other Stamp Tramps; and don't forget to play along at Skipping Stones Design Sketch Tuesday using this awesome sketch from Shannan Teubner, our November Guest Sketch Artist:

Happy Tuesday!

Tutorial - Stamp on Stone (Tile)

Not too many tips here, just want to show how easy it is to stamp on tile.

Materials:
StazOn Ink (Timber Brown used here)
Porous Tile (Home Depot)
Great Stamp Set (Skipping Stones Design, Wise men)

 

I like to practice on paper of a similar size and color.

.

No need to heat emboss, just ink up and stamp.

Then add some ribbon, a little bling if you like, a little stand, and you've got a great little 'neighbor gift'

Thanks for looking, hope you have a great day ~ Barb

Wise men-Skipping Stones Design

SSD043-Wise men
It's Sketch Tuesday at Skipping Stones Design and this week the Stamp Tramps are showcasing a brand new release called Wise men.  You can see it here.  Such a fantastic Christmas set!  I didn't know I needed another Christmas set until I saw this one...I LOVE it!  Since 'O Holy Night' is my favorite Christmas song, I also chose to use the Timeless Textures musical score in the background.

Just Buggin Challenge #12 - Cricut Christmas

This was my first 'challenge' ever and was for Just Buggin' to encourage creative use of my Cricut. The challenge was to use 3 die cuts...

Star - George Cartridge

Snowflake - Doodletype Cartridge

Scallop square (trimmed) - Storybook Cartridge