Nativity Screen Divider Card

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

Hope you all had a great weekend and did something fun. I celebrated my birthday on Saturday. My hubby took me out to dinner at one of our local restaurants. I enjoyed a delicious pasta with grilled salmon in a creole sauce.  

And then we went to one of our favorite ice cream parlors and had a sundae. The parlor is part of a local chocolate factory, and the chocolate is incredible. The ice cream is covered with their warm milk chocolate. Can you say delicious! Back to watching calories now (LOL)!!!

Let's move onto my card for today. I have another fun fold card and this one is a screen divider card. I thought this fold and dies I used tell the Christmas story across the four panels. So, let's get started with some details of how I created my card.

Design Steps:
I started this card by getting the screen divider cut and scored. The red panel measures 5 1/2" x 11" and is scored at 2 3/4", 5 1/2", 8 1/4". I put a pencil mark at 1 3/8" on the first panel. This is the center of each panel and where I will place my punch to cut the base of the screen card.

There is a notch on the punch that I aligned with the pencil mark I made. I will make this same punch across each panel.

I folded the first punched panel back on itself to use as my guide for cutting. I forgot to take a photo of this in the red cardstock. I was going to use blue cardstock originally and then changed my mind. 

I used this same method to cut the other 2 panels. It made lining up the cuts so much easier using this method.

Next, I cut the image panels. I found this starry night designer paper in my collection and decided to use it as the backdrop for my Nativity images.

white layering panel: 2 5/8" x 4 7/8"
designer paper layer: 2 1/2" x 4 3/4"

Now for the images I am using. I cut all of them from white cardstock. I like the contrast against the dark blue background.

For the image panel sentiments, I used the Silent Night Forest die. and Joy to the World Tree die (Christmas 2019 collection). I also cut these in white cardstock.

The last panel has a computer-generated sentiment. I cut with the 3rd largest Oval die (2 3/8" x 1 3/8") To complement the sentiment I added a Christmas Star from the Journey to Bethlehem (Christmas 2018) die. I cut in yellow cardstock and added some wink of stella.

Now that the images, sentiments and panels are prepared, I am ready to start card assembly. I attached the images with a combo of dimensional adhesive and clear drying glue.

This is an A2 size card does fold flat for mailing. It fits in the regular size envelope I mail my cards in.

For the back of the card, I added white cardstock to two of the panels and stamped 2 additional sentiments. Scattered a couple of red glitter enamel dots 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.  The Holly and Ivy Christmas  #124 challenge is anything goes.

2.  Peace on Earth Christmas is anything goes. My joy to the world fits the pillow on the board. 

3.  CHNC challenge #112 is anything goes Christmas. 

4.  Creative Creases is anything goes with a fun fold. 

5.  Aud Sentiments is Christmas + a sentiment. 

  

Faith over Fear

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

It's such a beautiful late summer day here in Pittsburgh. Next week is the official start of the fall season. Although the past few nights have been really cool. Hopefully we will still have warm sunny days because we have lots of tomatoes that need to ripen yet. 

My card for today is featuring a triangle easel fun fold design. Here is a link to a YouTube video to see how it's made. 

I am also guest designing on the Creative Creases Blog. It's an anything goes challenge using a fun fold design. I was so honored to be asked to guest design with them.

For my card. I used the colors from the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #911. We were to use soft succulent, sweet sorbet amd flirty flamingo for our color trio.  

Soft Seafoam, Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sorbet

A friend asked me to make a card for her friend who is battling breast cancer. So, I thought I would try to make one with this week's colors.

My card is emphasizing the flirty flamingo color but I did get all 3 of them in. I used the Baseball Cap die from CottageCutz and cut it from Stampin' Up designer paper. For the ribbon on the cap, I used the Hope die also from CottageCutz.

The designer paper on the card front is from the Stampin' Up "Pattern Party" collection. It is featuring the flirty flamingo color. To allow the card to stand up, I used the Hope die again and the ribbon symbol is the anchor. I attached this to soft seafoam cardstock.

The sentiment on the card front is stamped in watermelon wonder ink- sub for sweet sorbet. The sentiment is from the Stampin' Up "charming sentiments" stamp set. Debbie from The Secrets to  Stamping hosts this challenge and you can purchase it from her online store. 

I finished off my card by adding a few flirty flamingo enamel dots.

Well, that's it for me for this post. I hope you can join us over at the Creative Creases Blog for this new challenge. So, until next time ......God bless

Stamps: charming sentiments (Stampin' Up)

Paper: flirty flamingo, soft seafoam, basic white, pattern party dsp (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: watermelon wonder

Accessories: baseball cap, hope dies (CottageCutz), flirty flamingo enamel dots (Stampin' Up)

Techniques: fun fold, twisted easel

Let's Celebrate You

Hello Blogger friends! Happy Sunday to you. 

Hope your weekend went well. It was rainy and overcast here but still very warm temps and high humidity. We started our day with Church. It was a great service and our Pastor preached an excellent message. Now it's kick back time so I thought I would get a Blog post finished. 

This card I created for the Splitcoaststampers color challenge #899. We were to use sweet sorbet, orchid oasis and starry sky. Optional was to use any designer paper. 

orchid oasis, sweet sorbet, starry sky

For my card I used some of the elements from the Stampin' Up May 2022 Paper Pumpkin Kit. The gold trimmed card base was already printed with the "You" phrase. I attached the sweet sorbet panel to accent the gold "You" phrase. So that covered the designer paper option. 

I cut a butterfly in orchid oasis cardstock and the solid panel behind is cut in orchid oasis glimmer paper. I cut a second butterfly in sweet sorbet cardstock and did the die inlay technique and added on the outside wings.

The "let's celebrate" phrase is from a Tim Holtz metallic sticker book. It has the phrases and then the labels to attach them to.

To finish off my card, I scattered a few starry sky enamel dots. This card will be a birthday card with that sentiment on the inside.

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

card details:

Paper: sweet sorbet, orchid oasis, in-color glimmer paper (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Accessories: May 2022 Paper Pumpkin Kit, in-color enamel dots (Stampin' Up), Kaylee Butterfly (CottageCutz)

I am also entering:

1.  A Gem of a Challenge is anything goes. 

2.  Crafty Calendar Challenge is anything goes. 

3.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge. 

Big Leap

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

It's an overcast day here in Pittsburgh which makes it perfect for me to be working on our vegetable harvest in my kitchen. If it's sunny outside, I feel like I am missing something by not being out in the sunshine (lol)!!!

I have lots of tomatoes that I want to roast and then freeze for wintertime enjoyment. I quarter the tomatoes, add lots of minced garlic (5 cloves), sliced onion (1 large), olive oil (4-5 Tbs.), salt & pepper and a balsamic glaze. Roast for 25-30 minutes on a large foil covered sheet pan and then puree in my food processor. That's all there is to it, and I have a delicious marinara sauce. Roasting the tomatoes is the key to bringing out their incredible flavor. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created using the colors from the Splitcoaststampers CC893 challenge. We were to use soft seafoam, blushing bride and sahara sand for our color trio. Optional was to add enamel dots. 

blushing bride, soft seafoam, sahara sand

I needed a card for my grandson for a big accomplishment he just achieved. I recently purchased the Kate & Kari Kangaroo stamp set from Technique Tuesday and when I saw this sentiment the idea for my card was born.

I cut the kangaroos from the CottageCutz Mama Kangaroo & Joey die using baked brown sugar & sahara sand cardstock. I managed to get the blushing bride in with the kangaroo ears.

I stenciled a fun whirlpool pattern on the background with soft succulent ink. Added a few black enamel dots and my card is finished.

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

card details:

Stamps: kate & kari kangaroos (Technique Tuesday)

Paper: soft succulent, blushing bride, sahara sand, baked brown sugar (stampin' Up), bristol smooth (Canson)n sugar

Paper Size: A2

Ink: soft succulent, blushing bride (Stampin' Up), tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: whirlpool stencil (DecoArt), Mama Kangaroo & Joey (CottageCutz), black faceted enamel dots (Recollections)

Techniques: stenciling

I am also entering:
1.  Crafty Catz has an anything goes with optional to use a stencil. 
2.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 
3.  Cut It Up challenge is "so proud of you" or a congrats card. 
4.  Creative Knockouts has an anything goes challenge. 
5.  Little Red Wagon has a "cute-cute-cute" challenge. 

Stamps: kate & kari kangaroos (Technique Tuesday)

Paper: soft succulent, blushing bride, sahara sand, baked brown sugar (stampin' Up), bristol smooth (Canson)n sugar

Paper Size: A2

Ink: soft succulent, blushing bride (Stampin' Up), tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: whirlpool stencil (DecoArt), Mama Kangaroo & Joey (CottageCutz), black faceted enamel dots (Recollections)

Techniques: stenciling

Merry Christmas Tree

Hello Blogger friends! Happy Friday to you all. Hope you have some fun and/or crafty plans for the weekend. 

My hubby's tomato harvest is finally coming in and I will be in the kitchen tomorrow processing them. I have said before that working with his harvest is a craft to me. I worked on banana peppers for 2 days this week. I stuff them with a hot and sweet sausage and then freeze them for winter enjoyment. I have a big zucchini that I will turn into zucchini bread and also freeze. I should get 3 loaves out of it. My hubby enjoys eating that in the wintertime. Well to be honest - so do I. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. I am using the new Merry Christmas Tree die. So, let's get started with the details of how I created this card.

Design Steps:

Since I knew what die I wanted to use this week, I just needed a layout to show it off well. I checked out some sketches online and then found this one from Splitcoaststampers SC922. I thought it would work perfectly and allow me to use designer paper to take the card up a notch.

Now that I had my layout, I looked for a designer paper. I decided on this pattern that's from the Stampin' Up 2018  "joyous noel specialty"collection. It has copper accents, so I used a brushed copper cardstock as an accent layer. I attached it then remembered I forgot to take a photo (LOL). The card base is a rich wine shade- it's named merry merlot. It's also from Stampin' Up. 

Merry Merlot Card Base: 4 1/2" x 5 3/4"
Brushed Copper Layer: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Joyous Noel Designer Paper: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"

I cut the tree image in a blue-green (tranquil tide) cardstock paper and the Merry Christmas phrase in the merry merlot- both coordinate with the designer paper. Used the largest (3 1/4" x 4 1/4") Stitched Rectangle die cut in a sand cardstock as the frame for the tree image.

Now for the element of the sketch with the horizontal lines, I decided not to cut the designer paper into strips. Instead, I cut 1/4" strips of the copper brushed cardstock and used those to divide the designer paper. Sketches are open to your interpretation, as long as you keep the layout looking similar.

Next, I attached the tree to the rectangle image panel with dimensional adhesive. Then the rectangle panel to the designer paper layer also using dimensional adhesive. This adhesive was just a bit thinner to give a slight lift from the designer paper. 

I also cut new stars for the tree image in copper brushed cardstock. The photo above shows them in gold. Added a few enamel dots to the image panel just for interest.

To complete my card, I attached the panels to the card base. And 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.  Krafty Chicks has a Christmas challenge. 

2.  Tic Tac Toe #178 challenge- I chose any shape die, free space and sentiment. 

3.  Addicted to Stamps and More has a Christmas challenge. 

4.  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge is anything goes. 

5.  CraftyHazelnuts Patterned Paper challenge is anything goes. 

Ho Ho Hoooot Holiday

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. Hope your weekend went well. 

We had our family over yesterday for dinner to celebrate my daughter-in-law's birthday. Everyone raved about the food so that made me happy.  I made chicken parmesan, zucchini stuffed with a sweet and hot sausage and spaghetti with a red sauce. 

The sauce was made from my garden tomatoes which I roasted. It really brings out the flavor of the tomatoes that way. 

We had a German chocolate cake for dessert, and someone also brought some macarons from a local French bakery. Both desserts were fabulous. It was an enjoyable evening as family time should be. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. I am using the new Christmas Owls die. I have a friend who loves owls so this one will go to her for Christmas. So, let's get started on some details of how I created this card.

Design Steps:

Since I knew the die I was going to use, I looked for a Christmas themed designer paper in my collection. I have these new Christmas papers from Stampin' Up. It's their "lights aglow specialty paper".  I liked the snowflakes and gold accents and thought it would work perfectly for my card. 

Green Card Base: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Designer Paper Layer: 5 1/4" x 5 3/8"
White Image Panel: 2nd largest Stitched Rectangle (2 7/8" x 3 7/8") die

Next, I cut the owl images in different shades of cardstock. The Merry Christmas phrase is from a 2018 Christmas release - Merry Christmas w/Deer Family. 

For added interest on the image panel I used a Cuttlebug "swirling snow" embossing folder. The sentiment is stamped in red ink. It's from Darcie's Stamps. 

Now that my card elements are prepared, I am ready to start card assembly. I attached the designer paper and the image to the card base with double sided tape. Next, I attached the owl images with clear drying glue.

To finish off my card, I added the Merry Christmas phrase. And I have a Christmas card finished with one of the new dies of the season. So until next time.......God bless. 

Dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  CHNC #610 is anything goes Christmas w/option of using letter "S". I used snowflake paper. 

2.  Winter Wonderland has a Christmas animals challenge. 

3.  Aud Sentiments challenge is Christmas + a sentiment.

4.  Critter Crazy Challenge is anything goes featuring a critter. 

5.  Crafty Animals has anything goes with an animal.