Snowy Reindeer (CD #31, SSS: Let It Snow, CASology 74, CFC 123)

I had just a tiny bit of time a couple days ago to make a card, so naturally I turned to the 10 Minute Craft Dash #31 for inspiration.  I also noticed two three :) snow inspired challenges--Simon Says Say...Let It Snow, CASology cue card snowflake, and CAS-ual Fridays Let It Snow--so I used them to determine the theme of my card.  

 

This CAS card came together super fast (5 minutes 4 seconds).  I hope that it was okay that I used the Craft Dash colors (if you didn't notice, the reindeer's belly is yellow) on a kraft background.  Most consider it a neutral, so I'm hoping they do, too. :) I thought about embossing glittery snowflakes on white, but I've been really wanting to do an all stamping card lately, so that's why I went with kraft.  Well, I'm off to wrap presents.  I don't know if I'll have much time to craft in the next few weeks.  Though I tried really hard to simplify and plan ahead this year, somehow I'm still feeling like I don't have enough time to get the things done that I need to do before Christmas.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by...I'm sure you all are super busy, too. :)

***Don't forget to check out my For Sale Page Here. I have lots of new and gently used stamps and dies for sale including an extra brand new set of the Clearly Besotted Stamps I used on this card.***

Supplies

Stamps: In Stitches: Christmas (Clearly Besotted)

Ink: Fresh Snow Lemon Tart, New Leaf, Pure Poppy (PTI)

Other: dazzling diamonds glitter (SU!)

Reindeer Pup (Craft Dash #31 & Mojo Monday #322)

I saw the 10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge #31 in my emails earlier this week, but I didn't have time to read it, so I just made a mental note of the colors.  Last night I had some time to craft.  I made this card and was left with a pile of snipped off snowflake pieces.  When I went to throw the pile away I realized they looked an awful lot like antlers, and then I had an idea pop into my head.  Why not make a cute little critter into a reindeer?  I pulled out all my critters and decided to go with a dog because my sister has a sweet yellow lab that she adores.  I got to work and made my card with the help of this Mojo Monday sketch (which I rotated 90 degrees to the left).

 

I'm happy with it, though I failed miserably with my time.  I stopped the timer before I even finished the card.  I imagine it took me about 20-25 minutes to make.  I had some serious issues stamping that little dog from PTI's Tremendous Treats: Valentine.  It took me about 12 tries to get the two images I needed.  (I needed a second one, so I could pop up the dog's head...and don't look too close because one of them still wasn't perfect.)

 

When I went to write my post I clicked back to the Craft Dash link to get the challenge photo and decided to scroll down to see what the DT members had created.  That's when I saw that Caryn had made her card with a festive little pooch as well.  I guess great minds think alike. :) And maybe if I had used a set intended for a festive little dog with the matching dies like she had I would have finished in time...I guess I have another couple of things to add to my wish list.

P.S. The little scarf, bow, and sentiment are from one of my very favorite Christmas sets - Clearly Besotted's In Stitches: Christmas, which I accidentally purchased two of, so if you're interested in getting one, click on my for sale page here.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Winter Birthday (WPlus9 Monday Mood Board #24)

 

Hello!  Is anyone enjoying a snowy weekend like we are?  It's beautiful outside...at least from the view of our windows.  I'm not eager to step outside until the snow stops. :) Okay, on to today's card.

 

We've been really blessed to have good neighbors.  We have a quiet street.  Everyone is nice and friendly, but we don't see each other often.  Most people work all day, and you don't see many people out and about at night...especially in the winter.  But...I have a neighbor who I just love.  She's my friend, and I truly feel so much gratitude being able to say that.  Her birthday is next week, and I made this card for her.  The snowflakes are bright and cheerful...just like she is.

The inspiration for this card started with WPlus9's Monday Mood Board.  I loved the wood, and the bright red ribbon with the snowflake on it reminded me of this card I had seen, so I used that as my layout.

**Please check out my newly added For Sale Page here.....lots of stamps and dies still available.**
Supplies
Stamps: Strictly Sentiments 1 (WPlus9)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: berry sorbet, pure poppy, stamper's select white (PTI), Dilly Dally (MME)
Other: Snowflake Dies (Lil' Inkers), white embossing powder (SU!), button (PTI), hemp (CTMH)

STAMPS & DIES FOR SALE

Hello, friends!  Yep, you read that correctly.  I am selling some of my stash.  Why?  These are the biggest reasons:
One: I've accidentally ordered doubles a few times in my excitement to get products (most recently this fabulous set by Clearly Besotted).  That's what I get for almost always shopping late at night when I probably should be sleeping with the rest of my family. :)
Two: I need to move my craft space to a MUCH smaller location.  And that means parting with a lot of things.  So here it goes.

• Shipping is $2 per item within the United States and Canada.  If you order multiple items, I will combine shipping.  You'll pay $2 for the first item, and $1 for each additional item. 
• I am willing to ship internationally, but you will have to pay the full cost of shipping, whatever that may be.
• I am accepting payment through PayPal only.  
• Most stamps/dies are used unless otherwise noted.  Some of the stamps have staining but it does not affect the usage of the stamp.
• All items come from a smoke-free, pet-free home.
• If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, please email me at occasionalcrafting@gmail.com.  Thanks so much!
• The first person to place an order will receive a brand new copy of Paper Crafts Birthday Creations Vol. 3 magazine as well as some other fun goodies (like embellishments).  (SENT)

Clearly Besotted
In Stitches: Christmas (brand new)  $14

Papertrey Ink: Stamp Sets (a few with coordinating dies)
Background Basics: Herringbone Stamp Set  $10
Background Basics: Woodgrain Stamp Set  $8
Damask Designs Stamp Set  $14
Fillable Frames #4 Mini Stamp Set  $2
Friendship Jar Stamp Set  $14
Friendship Jar Fall Fillers Stamp Set   $14 (many stamps completely unused)
Friendship Jar Fillers Stamp Set  $14 (most stamps completely unused)
Iconic Images Stamp Set  (Limited Edition 2011 Stamp-a-faire Exclusive)  $7
Lighten Up Stamp Set, Lighten Up Sentiments Mini Stamp Set, & Lighten Up Dies  $16 (cost is for all three items; most stamps completely unused)
Simply Stationery Stamp Set (many stamps completely unused)  $12
Scattered Showers Stamp Set & Scattered Showers dies  $20
Sweet As Can Be Stamp Set  $8
Tag-Its #5 Mini Stamp Set  $2

Papertrey Ink: Dies
Beautiful Butterflies Dies (brand new) $7
Eyelet Lace Die $4  (SOLD)
Favor It Box 3 Die $8  (SOLD)

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps
Truth Is Stamp Set  $9 (SOLD)

The Alley Way Stamps
Bacon Bits Stamp Set (brand new)  $10  (SOLD)

Fresh Squeezed Stamps

Subway Series: Basics Stamp Set  $7  (SOLD)

Studio Calico

Inked Class Exclusive Stamp Set  $7 (most stamps completely unused)

Verve 

Joy Plain Jane Stamp  $1

Inkado

Somerset Alphabet Stamp Set  $4

(light staining on one stamp but I believe the rest are completely unused)

My Cute Stamps

Eek! A Monster! Stamp Set  $5 (retired, light staining on one stamp, all the rest completely unused)

Pop Flowers  $3 (retired but brand new in original package)

Spunky Nature  $6 (retired but brand new in original package) 

The Cat's Pajamas

Happy Camper Stamp Set  $6 (retired, staining on some but several completely unused; plastic packaging ripped at bottom)

Spellbinder's Dies

Spiral Blossom Two Die  $8

The Paper Studio: Embossing Folder

A2 Stripes Embossing Folder  $2 

One More Thing:
Is anyone interested in Stampin' Up wood mounting blocks?  I have lots of them in various sizes.  Some used to have rubber stamps mounted on them, but many of them have never been used.  All I would ask is that you'd pay for the price of shipping.  I also have the SU! storage plastic clamshell storage cases, if you'd want them.  Again, no charge except for the price of shipping.  I'm just having a hard time throwing them away, especially the wood.

If you have questions, please let me know.  You can leave a comment or email me at occasionalcrafting@gmail.com.  Thanks so much...I hope you find something you like.

Thankful For You

Hello!  This is just a post for fun.  Making cards is a wonderful outlet for me on the occasion that I need a break, but the really rewarding part of this hobby is being able to share it with others.  Though I feel a bit of anxiety every time I give my cards to people outside of my family, I'm happy to know I created something just for them.  I know I've shared lots of Christmas cards on here lately and that is because I've been trying to make a bunch for the Caring Hearts Card Drive.  It's such a great cause.  I don't actually mail out hardly any handmade Christmas cards (gasp!) .  It's true, though.  I don't like card-making to be stressful, and I'm constantly trying to simplify at Christmas, so I get our cards printed.  I feel like I've kind of neglected Thanksgiving on my blog, but I think it is a beautiful, important holiday, so I wanted to focus on it today.  Thanksgiving is the most perfect holiday to precede Christmas because a heart full of gratitude is so much more willing to give and recognize the needs of others and more likely to remember and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.   I just love that we have a holiday dedicated to helping us feel and express gratitude.  I have much to be thankful for...and that includes you! :) I sincerely appreciate the sweet and uplifting comments you leave on the cards I share here.  I love to smile and reading your comments always makes me smile.  Thank you so SO much!!!  I hope you have the happiest Thanksgiving!  And I hope you are surrounded by the ones you love.  (P.S. I realize it isn't Thanksgiving Day for everyone, but you can never say thank you too often, right?)

Watercolor Christmas Tree

Hi! I have one last card to share today.  Let me preface this post by saying that I know next to nothing about watercoloring.  Okay, now I'll tell you how this card came to be.  I had one idea for Curtain Call's CAS-ual Christmas challenge that never came to fruition.  I loved that tree offset to the right in the photo.  

When I went to the source of the inspiration photo I saw that the picture in its entirety reveals a beautiful burlap bow atop the tree (if you're curious, go here to see it).  I received my Clearly Besotted stamps Saturday and I knew immediately that the bow in their Make a Wish set would make the perfect tree topper.  And that was the last straw.  I had to try to make a tree.  I got out some watercolor brushes, ink pads, and a squirt bottle and got to work.  I tried super hard to channel my mom (who is amazing at watercoloring), and this is what I came up with.

I sprayed the watercolor paper with water and then I watercolored the tree using ink from three ink pads that I had rubbed onto a sheet of acetate.  Next I inked up the bow from CB's Make a Wish and sprayed it with water before stamping it on.  I did the same method (ink, spray, stamp) with the small and large buttons in CB's In Stitches: Christmas set to create the Christmas ornaments.  (Random side note: My color scheme was based on darker shades of the colors on our Christmas tree last year.)  Last I stamped on the Merry Christmas Sentiment (also from In Stitches: Christmas).  I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out.  I hope my mom likes it...it's going to her. :)

Unfortunately I didn't have time to post this card until now and Curtain Call's Challenge is closed, but I'm happy that I still get to link this card up at Clearly Besotted Challenge #6: Christmas.

Supplies

Stamps: In Stitches: Christmas, Make a Wish (Clearly Besotted)

Ink: Always Artichoke, Old Olive (SU!), Cranberry (CTMH), Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores, Ocean Tides, Tea Dye Duo (PTI)

Paper: kraft (PTI), kraft (recollections), watercolor paper, watercolor brush

Clearly Besotted Snowy Reindeer

I'm back!  I know, I've been so sporadic with posts the last two months and now I've posted 4 times this weekend and now I have another one today.  Hopefully you're not sick of me. ;) I made another Christmas card (you can see my first here) using my new Clearly Besotted stamps.  LOVE them!  Sometimes I get new stamps and find I'm a bit stumped with what to do with them, but not these.  I definitely have more ideas than time to create.

The set I used was In Stitches: Christmas, and it was a super quick card to make. I stamped the images, rounding the sentiment slightly.  Then I added some "snow" using  glossy accents and some SU! dazzling diamonds glitter.  I also added glossy accents with a little glitter mixed in to the darling reindeer's nose.  Isn't that nose adorable?  It's my favorite part. :) Oh, and I'm linking up to Clearly Besotted's Christmas Card Challenge.  Yay!

Simon Says Monday Mood Board

At the very last minute tonight I decided to make a card for WPlus9's Monday Mood Board #23.  I combined it with this week's challenge sketch at the Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge Blog. The entire thing (including the the twig wreath and the floral pattern paper) was created using stamps from WPlus9's Fresh Cut Florals Stamp Set.  I had intended to tie some twine across the middle to represent the horizontal strip in the sketch and to pull from the twine in the inspiration photo, but I totally forgot to put it on before I glued everything else down.  Oops.  Okay, now I'm really done for the night. :)

Turkey Thanks (cQc #216 &TAWS #42)

Just a quick card I made combing inspiration from two challenges: ColourQ #216 and TAWS Be Inspired #41.  I veered to the color palette of the ColourQ Challenge and interpretted those big yellow flowers in the brown jars in the TAWS inspiration photo as the big yellow feathers on the brown turkey.  I also used the brown scalloped piece and the brown tag to represent the brown table runner in the photo.  The sentiment was stamped with some selective inking on sentiments from TAWS's All About You set. (P.S. The layout of the tag was inspired by one Alice Wertz made on p. 109 in Paper Craft's Birthday Creations Magazine.)

Grateful Tags (MIM #141 , cQc #216)

I haven't had the best of luck with my heat and stick powder in the past (and have almost thrown it away twice), so when I saw Papertrey's Make It Monday Challenge this week was to add glitter using heat and stick embossing powder, I was happy to watch and get some tips from Heather.  And it worked.  Problem solved.  Apparently when used correctly it can be a wonderful adhesive.  What I like most is that the glitter really sets in and you can rub your fingers over it afterward and almost nothing falls off.  

I love looking at other blogs, and I pin and save ideas all the time, but I don't end up using those ideas often enough.  I decided that's ridiculous.  If I'm going to spend the time to be inspired by others, I might as well use that inspiration on my projects.  So I happily combined inspiration from two uberly talented ladies for my tags.  Maile Belles was the genius behind the layered tag in a post she shared for Papertrey's designer tips, and Amber Kemp-Gerstel inspired me to use an off the page sentiment in this post.  The beautiful fall color palette was inspired by this week's ColourQ Challenge.

This is actually the first time I've ever inked up my Birds & Blooms set from PTI, and I LOVE the font of the sentiments.  I just did some selective inking, so only the "grateful" part of the sentiment was used.  I actually made 8 of these tags for neighbor gifts and I can definitely see my self using this same idea in the future...as in all the rest of my Christmas tags will probably look something like this. :)

Supplies
Stamps: Birds & Blooms, Borders & Corners: Monogram Edition, Mat Stack #1 (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Autumn Terracotta (CTMH), Versamark
Paper: Stamper's Select White (PTI), Night & Fall (Recollections)
Other: Tag Sale #5 die (PTI), Fire Opal Glitter (Martha Stewart), Heat and Stick Powder (SU!), Cappuccino Twine (The Twinery)

Clearly Besotted Craft Dash

I couldn't have been more excited to play along with this week's Craft Dash Challenge.  The colors were fun and I my brand new (very first!) Clearly Besotted Stamps arrived in the mail today.  Woohoo!  I've been so eager for them to get here, and they really didn't take long at all to arrive...I was super impressed with the shipping time.  I don't think I'll be reluctant to shop internationally anymore.  I didn't really have a plan for this card except I knew I wanted to use my CB stamps and I wanted to make a Christmas card so I could enter it into Clearly Besotted's current Christmas themed challenge. 

 

This card came together so quickly.  I finished in 7 minutes 50 seconds, but really I would have finished sooner, but my son woke up and came in to visit while I was making it. 

To make my cards I used Clearly Besotted's In Stitches: Christmas set, which I am hoping is the start of a series.  These stamps ink up so nicely and stamp like a dream, so just for fun I made two more cards switching things up ever so slightly on each one.

I'm so glad you stopped by today.  Have a fabulous weekend!

Less Is More Designer Paper Challenge

Just a quick post to share another card I made for the current Less Is More Challenge to use designer paper in a CAS way.  If it hasn't been obvious, I've been trying really hard to use up some of my patterned paper lately, so this challenge is perfect.  I'm pretty proud of myself for using paper on this card that I've had for years!  If you follow the amazingly talented Maile Belles, you'll recognize that my card is a CASE of this card that she made.  I pinned it a month ago because it was such a brilliant way to use patterned paper, and I just loved it.  Well, I'm off to bed at last. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Supplies
Stamps: Reflections (Paper Smooches), Say it in Style (CTMH)
Ink: Cranberry (CTMH), London Fog (Memento), New Leaf (PTI)
Cardstock: Rustic Cream (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Glitter Christmas Stack (DCWV), Lost & Found Two (MME), Mosaic Memories (Recollections) 
Other: Reflections Graphic dies (Paper Smooches), Vintage Cream button (PTI)

Christmas Stockings 2 Ways (Curtain Call CAS-ual Christmas, Less Is More, TAWS)

Hello, again!  I'm so excited to share the cards I've been working on the last few days.  Inspiration struck very clearly for this card.   I was completely inspired by CAS-ual Fridays and Curtain Call's combined challenge.  The combination of rustic and sparkles, the monogram stockings hanging from the mantle, and the blue in the inspiration photo just begged to be made into a card.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and I knew exactly who I wanted to make the card for...one of the kindest card bloggers I know. :)  The only trick was I didn't quite have the tools I needed....so I improvised.  I don't have a stocking die, so I drew a template.  I don't have a scrawly Merry Christmas sentiment, so I wrote it.  It's far from perfect, but I feel like it adds to the feeling of wanting this card to come from my heart.  

This card makes me smile over and over because there are so many little things I did specifically with the recipient in mind including the use of my brand new (yay!) Lil' Inkers rectangle stitched mats.  Though I had the idea for this card first, I was too nervous to make it right away (that happens sometimes when I really want something to turn out well), so the next card was actually my practice run to prepare me for this one.

For my second card, I used the same idea but switched the stockings up a bit with added inspiration from the TAWS Be Inspired #41 photo (polka dots) and the Less is More Challenge to use designer paper in a CAS way.  And I suppose this might even be more suited for the CAS-ual Fridays part of the combined Curtain Call and CAS-ual Fridays Challenge because it is a bit more CAS that my first card.  I have the sweetest neighbors across the street, and their daughter is one of my son's best buddies.  I just love them, so I made this card with them in mind.  The patterned stockings reminded me of the stockings I sewed last year...can't wait to get them out in a week. :)

Burlap Stockings Card Supplies

Stamps: Sans Alphabet (CTMH), Trees Company (TAWS)

Ink: Bordering Blue, Garden Green (SU!), New Leaf (PTI)

Cardstock: Rustic Cream (PTI)

Dies: Sketched Shaped (PTI), Stitched Mats: Rectangles (Lil' Inkers)

Other: white gold, florentine gold, sterling, and lapis lazuli glitter (Martha Stewart), burlap (Hobby Lobby), Zing! gold embossing powder (AC), hemp (CTMH), hole punch, embossing pen

Patterned Stockings CardSupplies

Stamps: Alphabet Soup, Trees Company (TAWS)

Ink: Cranberry (CTMH), Garden Green (SU!), New Leaf (PTI)

Paper: Merry (MME), Stamper's Select White (PTI)

Other: Linen & Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Grey Flannel Marker (CTMH), hole punch

Joy (Craft Dash, Curtain Call, CAS-ual Fridays)

I've attempted to play along with the current 10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge in my spare moments over the last week.  I've actually made about 8 cards...only one of which I completed in less than 10 minutes.  And it's not this card. :) I forgot to take a picture of that one.  I like this one the best, so it is just as well.  And I was close...I finished this one in 10 minutes 22 seconds.  I've said this before, but many of my best ideas come when I'm putting my son to sleep.  He's pretty darling and its been so fun to watch how his creative little mind works and how much his creativity is expanding and developing in complexity (it fascinates me...especially since I worked so many years with children who did not develop typically).  Maybe his creativity seeps over to me a little bit in those moments. :) Anyway, as I was pondering about my failed Craft Dash attempts I decided I better combine it with another challenge to give me a little more direction. I loved the warmth, the pine boughs on the mantel, the touch of sparkle amidst the natural elements, and the blue in Curtain Call's new inspiration photo.  So I decided to go with that.  Since Curtain Call is teaming up with CAS-ual Fridays this week I really tried to keep the layout simple.  But I had to use that patterned paper.  It represented everything about the inspiration photo that I love too well not to use it.  I'm glad that the card turned out exactly how I sketched it out in my mind, that I used a bunch of PTI dies that I haven't used in a long time (including the button dies), and that I finally have a card to post here...it's been too long.  Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Challenges I'm participating in:
10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge #29       

CFC120:Curtain Call         

Curtain Call: CAS-ual Christmas

Joyful Snowman (TAWS & Simon Says...)

I was feeling a bit guilty that my last card ended straying a bit more than I had intended from the challenges I was using, so I made another one.  First, this one is a much more literal interpretation of the stacked polka dot teacups in the TAWS Be Inspired photo.  Second, though I still used patterned paper, I think this one captures more of a CAS feel for the Simon Says Keep It Clean and Simple challenge.  And since the season of gratitude is upon us I thought I would mention that as I was finishing up this card I was super thankful for speech bubbles.  Sentiment placement is often a struggle for me, and I've decided that speech bubbles are a new best friend.  They're incredibly helpful in taking out the guesswork of where words should go.  Oh, and I had to include one last picture.  It's admittedly grainy, but it captured the sparkly happiness on this card.  And that makes me smile. :)

Supplies

Stamps: Chill Out, Toy Land (TAWS)

Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Champagne (VersaMark)

Paper: Lost & Found Two, Merry (MME); pink, white (Michaels)

Other: Bubble Talk Dies, Linen & Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU!), twine

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Keep It Clean and Simple

TAWS: Be Inspired #41