Let's Celebrate You

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

It's a holiday here in the US and also inauguration day. We are celebrating the Martin Luther King holiday and also the inauguration of our 47th President. I spent most of the day watching the events on television. 

We are in the middle of a deep freeze here in the Pittsburgh area. We had snow overnight, but the plows were out early this morning clearing the roads. The temps are dropping, and it will be -1° tonight. It will get colder as we get into our week. Fortunately, I don't have to go out unless I want to. 

Oh, one other thing I did get all of my Christmas decorations put away completely by Saturday. My Valentine decorations are out. I love Christmas and get sad to put them away, so I quickly decorate for the next season. 

Now onto my card for today.  This one I created using the sketch #1044 from Splitcoaststampers. 

For my card I used the contents of the Paper Pumpkin Kit "Hugs from Shelli" to create a masculine birthday card. I have had this kit for a while but not used any of the contents until this card. 

This one is already in the mail to my brother who has a January birthday.  

I altered the design from the kit instructions. I cut a card base and used it for background designer paper and layered it with pretty peacock cardstock.

Stamped the bird images and the sentiment in pretty peacock ink. Added some ribbon in the same color for added interest. The feather was part of the kit. Even though I added ribbon I felt I stayed with a masculine vibe. 

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

Card Details:

Stamps: painted Petals (July 2024 Paper Pumpkin), Hugs from Shelli (May 2019 Paper Pumpkin)

Paper: Very vanilla, Hugs from Shelli PP Kit (Stampin' Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: pretty peacock (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Hugs from Shelli PP Kit (May 2019), Pretty Peacock ribbon (Stampin' Up)

I am also entering:

1.  Crafter's Cafe Challenge is anything goes w/option of birthdays. 

2.  Creative Crafting Uncles has a birthday theme for January. 

3.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends is anything goes. 

4.  Seize the Birthday is anything goes w/option of using something new. 

  

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. 

Be My Valentine

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

It's the day before Valentine's Day, and I wanted to get more of my Valentine cards posted. This one I made for a friend's granddaughter who is taking ice skating lessons. When I saw this cute fox with ice skates, I knew it would be perfect for her. 

For my layout I used the sketch #890 from Splitcoaststampers. I thought the mini slimline layout would be perfect to showcase this new die. 

The background heart paper is from the Stampin'-Up "have a cuppa" collection. I placed the fox on designer paper from the "in good taste" collection. I thought it had the appearance of an ice pond.

For elements 2, 3 & 5 of the sketch, I used a combo of square and rectangle dies from CottageCutz. 

The "be my valentine" phrase is from an older CottageCutz die. It's the "Be My Valentine Puppies" die. I scattered a few hearts and that completes my card for today. So, until next time.......God bless.

card details:

 

Paper: bermuda bay, melon mambo, gorgeous grape, cinnamon cider, have a cuppa dsp, in good taste dsp (Stampin'-Up)

Paper Size: 7" x 3 1/2"

Accessories: winter fox skating, be my valentine puppies, square and rectangle dies (CottageCutz)

I am also entering:

1.  Cut It Up has a love or Valentine's challenge. 

2.  Daring Cardmakers has a "my sweet Valentine" challenge. 

3.  Creative Knockouts has a Love/Valentine's Day challenge. 

4.  Crafty Gals Corner has a "Add a Heart" challenge. 

5.  Little Red Wagon has a "Be my love-Valentine" challenge. 

Magic of Christmas

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

It's the weekend before Thanksgiving and I have lots to do here. My son came over to help us mount a TV upstairs, and we thought originally he was going to go up in the attic. Well the access to the attic is from the closet in my craft room. 

So I had to take out the storage unit and everything that was on it. Then the plans changed, and he didn't have to go up there. So now I have to get the shelving unit back in the closet and everything put back on it. It is a good time to go through everything and get rid of the stuff that I don't use anymore. I can see it will be an all day project. 

So let's move onto my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog.  

Design Steps:

I started my card this week with the layout. I liked the sketch #880 on Splitcoaststampers. I thought it would work well for the oval shape of the die.

I looked through my designer paper for a background pattern that might fit and not overwhelm the die scene. I found this "all is calm" collection from Stampin'-Up. It's a subtle snowflake pattern that I only had pieces of, but I had enough to use for the three horizontal layers.

 
Soft Sky Card Base: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
All is Calm Designer Paper Layer: 3 7/8" x 3 11/16"

Layer under DSP: 4" x 3 11/16"  

Next, I cut the image from lost lagoon cardstock. Then I used the 2nd largest die from the Oval die set to cut a snowy background from white glitter paper.

I cut the Christmas sentiment using the Merry Christmas w/Shadow die. The shadow is the soft sky (card base) and the Christmas phrase is the lost lagoon shade.

Now that all my card elements are prepared, I am ready to start card assembly. I attached the designer paper layers to the card base using double sided tape. 

I attached the image panel to the white glitter panel with Art glitter glue. Then I attached to the card base with dimensional adhesive.

To finish off my card I attached the Christmas phrase with glue dots and added a few snowflakes for element 4 of the sketch. And, that's it for me for this post. So until next time.......God bless. 

I am also entering:

1.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 

2.  Jingle Belles has a Banner Holiday challenge. Inspiration is the blog banner. My designer paper has the snowflakes and the trees.

3.  Aud Sentiments has an anything goes + a sentiment.  

4.  Crafty Creations has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Paper Shelter has a say something challenge. 

Birthday Wishes

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

Wow can you believe we are entering into September next week. This year seems to have flown by. I feel as though I haven't accomplished a lot of the goals that I set for myself this year. But, I still have 4 months to go and I do intend to meet those goals. 

I had a busy week with the harvests from my hubby's gardens. I canned 20lbs of tomatoes which resulted in 7 - 16 oz jars of a tomato sauce for winter enjoyment. I use it as a base for a marinara sauce as well as in my Chili recipe. I have approx another 8lbs waiting for me to do something with. I may roast these ones and then freeze them. I also have about 20 banana peppers that I want to stuff and freeze. Again that will be a meal in the middle of winter.

Now let's move onto my card for today so I can get into my kitchen. This card I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. I am featuring the new Lil' Bluebird Designs Happy Birthday Stamps & Dies + the Kitty Love Stamps and Dies. I used the sets to create a birthday card. I like to have birthday cards on hand to send out to my family and friends. I have a large extended family so I am always in need of cards. So let's get started with some details on how I created my card.

Design Steps:

Having a layout in mind at the card start is always a big boost for me. That way I can just choose the card colors, and I am good to go. I liked this week's sketch #868 from Splitcoaststampers. I thought it was a great layout to use several of the stamps.

After many attempts to use designer paper for my image panel, I finally gave up and decided to keep the background white. It just seemed to busy with any of the patterns I tried to use in addition to the circles.

Light Purple Card Base: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

White image panel: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Light Purple Circles: 1 5/8" (I used the 4th largest Circle Set die)

Next, I stamped, colored and die cut the birthday images. I used both Copic and Stampin' Blends  markers to color the images.

Photo of the alcohol marker colors I used for coloring.

Now I am ready to start card assembly. I attached my images to the circles with dimensional adhesive. Then the circles are attached to the white image panel with double sided tape.

The birthday swag banner & the happy birthday phrase are both attached with dimensional adhesive.

I added some sequins to the card. I just didn't like the empty white space. I am not a clean and simple stamper (lol)!!! The image panel is attached to the card base with double sided tape to finish off my card.

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

Stamps & Dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Gem of a Challenge has an anything goes. 

2.  Sweet Stampin' has a lots of layers challenge. 

3.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge.

4.  Cut It Up has a sketch challenge of your choice + include a die cut.

5.  Simon Says Stamp has an anything goes challenge.  

 

You're the Grrreatest

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

I can't believe we are beyond the half way point in February. And, next month at this time it will be the first day of Spring. The days are getting longer as well. The sunset for tonight is 6:00- whoo-hoo! I don't mind the cold and snow but getting dark so early not so much. 

We just finished watching The Chosen series season 1. It's the story of Jesus ministry when He was on the earth.  I don't know why we were so late in getting on the bandwagon. Our friends were talking about it a year ago and then again recently. So we started watching a couple of weeks ago. They are free on YouTube or you can download the Chosen app and then watch on your TV. It's definitely worth the watch. 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. I used the new Leaping Lion die to create a birthday card for my Grandson. 

Design Steps:

I used the Splitscoaststampers sketch #841 for my layout. 

Next, I made my selection of designer papers and that determined the card colors. I chose some patterns that are festive and I thought would work well for this birthday card. Smooth sailing so far!

Black Card Base: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Background Designer Paper Layer: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Dotted Paper Layer: - used 3rd largest Rectangle die (2 3/4" x 3 3/4")
Teal Layering Panel: - used 2nd largest Stitched Rectangle die \ (2 7/8" x 3 7/8")
White Image Panel: - used largest Rectangle die (3 1/8" x 4 1/8")

Then I cut the leaping lion in coordinating colors to the cardstock.

Stamped my sentiment on the white rectangle piece. It's element 3 of the sketch. I rounded the original panel and then my ink smeared. So I cut another rectangle and then forgot to round the corners on this cut (LOL).

 Now that all my elements are prepared I am ready to start card assembly. I attached the background designer paper to the black card base. 

Then I added the Leaping Lion to the stamped sentiment panel. I used glue dots and Ranger multi medium matte adhesive to secure. 

I attached the other panels to the card base using double sided tape. For element 5 of the sketch I used the stars from the Circus Side Show die and moved to the bottom of the image panel instead of the top. I scattered a few other smaller stars around the image panel just for added interest.

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

card details:

Stamps: leonardo the lion (Technique Tuesday)

Paper: basic black, bermuda bay, whisper white, crushed curry, melon mambo, kaleidoscope dsp (Stampin'-Up)

Paper Size: A2

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: Leaping Lion, Rectangle dies (CottageCutz)

dies I used to create card: 

I am also entering:

1.  Sweet Stampin' has a card for kids/teens challenge.

2.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge. 

3.  Creative Knockouts has a lots of layers challenge. 

4.  Crafty Creations has an anything goes challenge. 

5.  Crafty Animals has an anything goes. 

6.  2 Crafty Critter Crazies has an anything goes with a critter.