Easter Cross (new die)

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this last Saturday in January. 

It's a brisk day here in Pittsburgh but lots of sunshine. That always brightens the day for me.

I don't have any big plans for today. My craft room needs straightened up and I am also in the process of organizing my die collection. Once that's done I will be on the lookout for stencil organizing ideas. I currently have them on a Tim Holtz carousel storage. It just takes up too much room on my desk, so I am looking for other ideas.  

My MFT stamps & dies also need organized. I bought an Interline plastic container a few months ago to do this but nothing has happened as yet. That's on my immediate to do list. 

Anyway, onto my card for this post. Today, I have a religious one for you using the Easter Cross w/Flowers die. Which, I believe, is the reason we celebrate Easter. I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. So, let's get started with some details of how I created my card. 

Design Steps:  

Since I knew what die I was going to use to create my card and I sort of had a layout in mind, I looked for a subtle designer paper that would work. I wanted paper that wouldn't overtake the cross. I found this one with a floral image on it.

Yellow Card Base: 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Designer Paper Layer: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Light Purple Oval: 3rd largest from the Stitched Oval
White Oval: 3rd largest from the Oval Set.

Next, I cut the cross and flowers in colors that complemented the yellow papers.

I wanted to use one of the new phrase sentiments that were just released. I chose the alleluia phrase from Faith Sentiments die. I cut it in 2 shades of purple because I wasn't sure which one to use. My cards are always a work in progress.

Now that all my elements are prepared, I am ready to start card assembly. I decided to use some ribbon on my card that matched one of the shades of purple on the cross. I attached that to the designer paper and then that layer to the card base with double sided tape.

For the cross, I used dimensional adhesive to slightly lift it off the oval background. At this point I decided to change the flower colors. I made them all yellow, and I liked that better. I added the alleluia phrase. I went with the darker purple one. I thought that made more of a statement on the card. Added a few yellow enamel dots and this card is complete. 

Well, that's it for me for this post. So, until next time.........God bless.

dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Catz has an anything goes w/optional to add flowers. 

2.  Creative Knockouts has a die cuts/punches challenge. 

3.  Gem of a Challenge is anything goes. 

  

Warm Winter Birthday Wishes

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. 

It's been a snowy and cold week here in Pittsburgh. One of those weeks where comfort type food is always welcome. I made 2 new soup recipes this past week. Wild Rice and Corn Chowder and both of them were delicious. They are definitely on my keeper list. 

I also roasted a big batch of veggies- cauliflower-broccoli-butternut squash. We really enjoyed those along with a salad. Roasting brings out such flavor in veggies. I don't have any plans for dinner tonight. We have lots of leftovers in the fridge and that might be what we will eat. We don't mind eating leftovers. In fact, when I cook, I always make more than what we will eat to enjoy the leftovers.  

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for my niece who celebrated her birthday yesterday. I used a new die -Winter Mouse by Woodstove die to create a warm and cozy inside scene. I love the window and snow covered limbs to reflect that it's snowy and cold outside. 

I used the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #877. Chris was the hostess, and we were to use granny apple green, mango melody and melon mambo for our color trio. And optional was to use any blue.

melon mambo, mango melody, granny apple green

The mouse, chair, blanket coffee cup & teapot are cut in the challenge colors. The wallpaper background is from Stampin'-Up "floral boutique" designer paper collection. I thought it worked perfectly for wallpaper and the striped for a clapboard effect. 

I used another CottageCutz die for the "warm" phrase. My sentiment is an MFT stamp set- bitty birthday wishes.

Well, that's my card for today. So until next time.......God bless. 

card details:

Stamps: bitty birthday wishes (MFT)

Paper: whisper white, night of navy, basic black, melon mambo, granny apple green, mango melody, basic gray, floral boutique dsp (Stampin'-Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento), tumbled glass distress, picked raspberry distress (ranger)

Accessories: winter mouse by woodstove, warm & cozy cocoa dies (CottageCutz)

I am also entering:

1.  Aud Sentiments is anything goes + a sentiment.

2.   Seize the Birthday #230 is anything goes birthday. 

3.  Crafty Gals Corner has a snow much fun challenge. I have snowy tree branches on my card. 

4.  Fab 'n' Funky wants us to use 2 or more patterned papers. 

5.  Simon Says Stamp has an anything goes challenge. 

Easter Blessings

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog this frigid Saturday in January. 

Well, at least it's frigid temps here in Pittsburgh. It was 1° overnight and our high today is 21°.  But we are only a month into winter, so this is what's to be expected. We just stayed warm and snuggly in our house last night.

We did venture out today for a run to Costco. Lots of people had the same idea because the store was very busy. We had a $27 check from them for purchases we made last year, and we wanted to use it before it expires. The store locations just aren't convenient to where we live, and we are going to drop our membership. A new BJ's store opened about 15 minutes from our home, and we stopped in there today to join that club. 

Now I am doing household chores and some light cleaning. I took a break to get my Blog post finished. The card I am featuring today is an early Easter card. I am using the new Spring Chickee in Basket die and the phrases are from the Faith Sentiments + the Spring Sentiments dies from CottageCutz.  So, let's get started with some details on how I created this card.  

Design Steps:

I started with my background. I found designer paper that had a sky and cloud theme. It was a bit light, so I took a cloud stencil and tumbled glass distress ink and deepened the color a bit.

Next, I cut the main image using different bright cardstocks. I liked the colors used on the packaging, and I kept with that color scheme.

Then I used the Faith Sentiments & the Spring Sentiments dies for the phrases on my card. I cut them in a royal blue cardstock to allow them to stand out on the background.

Now that my card elements are prepared, I am ready to start card assembly. I did cut a grass base using the Grass Slimline die and attached with double sided tape. The basket image is attached with the same adhesive. My Easter Blessings phrase is attached with Art Glitter glue. I like it because it dries clear.

To finish off my card, I attached the image panel to a white card base measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I also added some spring tulips cut from the Spring Kitten w/Envelope die and scattered a few pink enamel dots.

Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time -stay warm and God bless.

dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Arty Divas has an anything goes. 

3.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge. 

4.  Critter Crazy has an anything goes with a critter. 

5.  Crafty Animals has an anything goes. 

 

Hockey Bunny Valentine

Hello Blogger Friends and happy Saturday to you! 

Can you believe we are already halfway through January? This weekend we are expecting a big snowfall here in Pittsburgh - anywhere from 8"-12". 

I went food shopping this morning early because the stores will be crazy today and tomorrow. I have stuff in my freezer, but I am doing a fruit and vegetable Daniel Fast for a few weeks. It's something my hubby and I do at the beginning of each new year.  

This fast requires some planning on my part and getting veggies in every 3 or 4 days. I have a bunch of new recipes that I will be preparing. Today it's Tuscan soup with white beans. You use Tuscan kale in the recipe hence the name. 

Now let's move onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers and also for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. So here are some details of how I created it. 

Design Steps:

I started my card this week with the colors from this week's color challenge #878 on Splitcoaststampers. I was hosting the challenge and I chose daffodil delight, pacific point and rich razzleberry for the color trio. Optional was to make a masculine Valentine card.

For the layout I used a sketch from the Sunday Stamps Blog.

I cut the hockey bunny with cardstock in the challenge colors. I used the new Winter Hockey Bunny die from CottageCutz. 

Next, I chose the colors for the card base and the sketch layers. I used pacific point cardstock and embossed with a hearts folder. For the 2 rectangles of the sketch, I used Stampin'-Up designer paper and cut with a Stitched Rectangle die.

Now that my card elements are prepared, I am ready to start assembly. I attached the card layers to the base with double sided tape. Since this is a Valentine card, I decided to place the hockey bunny in the center of a heart and attached with dimensional adhesive.

After I attached the heart, I realized I forgot to stamp the sentiment I wanted. So, with the help of my MISTI I was able to get it stamped and even did a 2nd stamping. I used pacific point ink. The Hockey Bunny is attached with glue dots.

To complete my card, I used the Hugs w/Shadow die and cut a sentiment and then scattered a few hearts. They are cut in the rich razzleberry color. And that completes my card for today. So, until next time......God bless. 

dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Allsorts has a add a heart challenge. 

2.  Send A Smile 4 Kids has a love/Valentine challenge. 

3.  Taylormadecards4u has an anything goes w/optional of winter vibes. 

4.  Cut It Up has an anything goes w a die cut. 

5.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes- with something wintry and cheerful. 

Love you with all my heart

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

Have you taken all your Christmas decorations down yet? I am still working on it. I did get all 3 trees taken down and put away. I am now working on all the decorations in the rooms on my first floor. Its over half done and tomorrow I have the entire day to finish up. 

Then it will be on to Valentine's Day. I don't do a lot, but I have a few to put up. They will stay up until I move to my Spring decorations in March. 

Now onto my card for today. I have moved to Valentine card making.  Today, I am using the new Winter Cat & Bird Sledding and the Winter Ski Trip dies to create a scenic mountain lake with pine trees and sledding slopes.

I like to make non-traditional cards for this holiday, and I thought this image would work great as a love style card. I am not sure who I will give this card to as yet. Maybe my hubby or our precious little granddaughter. So, let's get started with some details of how I created this card.

 Design Steps:

I started off my card by cutting the images. I cut the cat & bird in bright colors. For the cat I used somewhat masculine colors and the little bird in more feminine colors.

The mountains are cut in a dark gray cardstock and also a very pale blue for the snow caps. The pine trees are cut with the Mountains & Trees Slimline die. I cut the pine trees in a dark green cardstock.

For the sledding slopes, I used the Hills Slimline die.

Next, I stamped my sentiment. I masked off the words I didn't want to use. I used my MISTI since this is a photopolymer stamp and sometimes, they don't stamp well with just one inking. I had to double stamp this one.

Now that my elements are prepared, I am ready to start card assembly. I used a white card base and for the sky background I used designer paper. I didn't need a full background for the designer paper since the slopes would cover it.

White Card Base: 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Designer Paper Layer: 3 1/8" x 4 1/2"

I attached the sledding slopes and the designer paper with double sided tape.

Next, I attached the pine trees and the mountains. I positioned the mountains to give the appearance of a mountain lake. It reminded me of Lake Tahoe.

The images are attached with dimensional adhesive. This little pair is so cute, and I love how they look placed in the mountain scene.

To finish off my card, I added my Love phrase. It's cut from cardstock using the Love Shadow die. I added a couple of enamel hearts, and this card is finished.

Well, that's it for me for this post so until next time.......God bless. 

dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Alphabet Challenge is "U" for unequal - something big and something small.

2.  Crafty Catz has an anything goes. 

3.  Time Out Challenges has a "in-love challenge. 

4.  Aud Sentiments has an anything goes with a sentiment.

5.  Critter Crazy Challenges has an anything goes w/a critter.