December A Year of Card Techniques Stamp Your Background Blog Hop

Welcome to the

Welcome to A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop where each month we feature a different card technique. We’ve assembled a team of card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll see a great variety of cards and ideas. This month we’re going to stamp our own background for a unique customized look.  Hopefully, we’ll inspire you to try one yourself.  If you would like to check out our past technique hops, you can do that here:

• January-Shaving Cream Marbleizing
• February-So Sketchy
• March-no hop this month
• April-Stamp Set Showdown
• May-World of Watercolor
• June-Basic Card Folds
• July-Bleaching Your Card
• August-World of Watercolor
• September-Inlaid & Lifted Die Cuts
• October-Waterfall Cards
• November-Masking Magic

Our amazing sponsor this month is

Claudia Henderson of Close to My Heart

Please take a moment to check out her store here.

And the awesome prize this month is:

We really appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop today. 
 Since this is our last A Year Of Card Techniques hop and the holiday season is just around the corner,
we are going to give you some extra time to hop!  The winner will be announced on
 Saturday, December 30, 2017 on A Piece of (my) Heart’s blog, so be sure to check her blog on Sunday.
 The winner will have until January 6, 2018 to claim their prize.  If you would like to be notified
 by email, please leave your email address in the comments.

You should have arrived here from Wilma- https://stampintotheoldies.blogspot.ca/2017/12/background.html . 
 If you're visiting here first, you might want to start at the beginning so you don't miss a thing and increase your chances of
winning by commenting on each blog.

I followed a tutorial on YouTube-Stamping A Background to make my card.
I used a small Post-It note where the sentiment is as my masking square. 
The gingerbread stamps- clothes and decorations- are Recollections Christmas Noel and the gingerbread
die at the bottom also came with it. I use Recollections kraft paper to cut it using
my Cricut. I used Recollections Christmas Noel paper to cut the dress- another die- that came
with the stamp set. I used a black Sharpie to draw the face and bends in arms/legs of the
gingerbread doll. I used VersaColor Ultimate Pigment Ink 301 Noel on all the stamps except the jumpsuit and the sentiment. 
I used Stampin' Up! Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad on the jumpsuit and VersaFine Onyx Black Pigment Ink on the sentiment.
The sentiment is from a Christmas stamp set from my stash- I was given the stamp set without the original packaging.
I used a green Sharpie to draw a box around the sentiment.

Now you’re off to visit with Jodie- https://stampin-jodie.blogspot.ca/2017/12/a-year-of-card-techniques-december-2017.html .
Hope you had fun and thanks for stopping by.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here’s the full line-up in case you get lost:

Claudia
Debbie
Wilma
Amanda
Jodie

Christmas Tree Waterfall Card

 I made this card from a pin/tutorial I found on Pinterest- My Crafts. The card base on mine is 4 in x 5.5 in whereas the card base used in the tutorial is 4.25 in x 5.5 in so my measurements are off a little. I used Heartfelt Creations Festive Holly Collection paper for the background paper, the green triangles to make the Christmas tree are from Recollections Christmas Noel Chalk Holiday 8.5 in x 11 in paper, the cream/tan paper is from Recollections Strawberry Cream 8.5 in x 11 in paper, and the bling is from my stash.

 The tree turns upside down when the pull/bottom piece is pulled to reveal the waterfall effect. The Jingle all the way sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts Christmas Clear Stamp set and stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black Pigment ink.

I used a circle die to punch out a circle on my card base with my Cricut since I don't have the old fashion ornament die like was used in the tutorial. The circle shows the back side of the patterned paper on the front of the card and I decided to stamp Merry Christmas in the middle with VersaFine ink again. This stamp is also from the Hero Arts Christmas set. I plan on mailing this out to one of my friends soon. I may add some ribbon or twine to the pull piece before I mail it. I still have to make about 5 cards before I'm done with all my cards! I still have a few gifts to buy and then wrap them all as well. Have a Merry Christmas!

Growing In Unity Blog Hop

If you're looking for The North Pole Blog hop, CLICK HERE.

Welcome to the Growing In Unity Blog Hop! You should have arrived from MariLynn's blog- https://mississippi-mcgyver.blogspot.com/?m=1, but if not please start with Denise- https://thecraftyledger.blog/.

 Now for my card. I used Reason for the Season stamp set. The card base is Recollections Value Pack 4 in x 5.5 in. The paper is from Craft Smith Olde Time Christmas 6 in x 6 in paper pad. I colored in each nativity character and gifts from the wise men with various colored pencils. I'll add a note to the inside and mail it soon. I still have a few more Christmas cards to make. I'm trying to make them different this year so it's taking me longer. Have a Merry Christmas! Maria will chose 2 winners and post them on Growing in Unity Facebook page. If you're not a member of the group, I'll let you know if you won. TFL!

Here's the line-up if you get lost:

 Denise Sayers https://thecraftyledger.blog/
Lori Simonson http://mncrafting.blogspot.com/?m=1
Shannon Edwards https://lingeringhappinessco.blogspot.com/
Amber Sheaves https://allamberallthetime.blogspot.com/
Kim Chong https://mycutecrafts.com/
Angela Bode https://stampingbowd.blogspot.com/.../growing-in-unity...
MariLynn DeGroot https://mississippi-mcgyver.blogspot.com/?m=1
Amanda Rhodes https://salnclts76.blogspot.com/
Paula McClane https://scrapaddictsattic.blogspot.com/
Sue Nagata http://foleysfriend.blogspot.ca/
Amanda Garrett https://amandascreativecorner.blogspot.com/?m=1
Crystal O. Minkler https://crystalominkler.blogspot.com/

North Pole Blog Hop

Welcome to

The North Pole
Blog Hop
To the North Pole I'd like to go,
Over fields of ice and snow;
To see Santa dear,
Mrs. Claus and the elves would be
Waiting there for you and me;
Where they make the toys so busily!
Connie Can Crop (http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com) is the beginning of this hop! You should have arrived from SANDY-  https://simplycraftycreationsbysandys.blogspot.com/. If you need to start at the beginning head over to (CONNIE http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com)
This is a one day blog hop, but you have until Sunday to finish hopping and leaving your love for all of these talented elves.

We have an awesome sponsor for this month!
 

One lucky winner will win a gift certificate

Be sure to check out the shop online HERE

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday 12/13/17 at Connie Can Crop.
Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!
In his wonderful reindeer sleigh,
Santa would whisk us all away;
Flying merrily,
Non stop to the NORTH POLE!!

I made a double easel card. I used a YouTube tutorial from Double Easel Cards. All of my card except for the ink is from the Recollections Christmas Noel line. I used VersaColor Ultimate Pigment Ink 301 Noel- red, gold, and green- on the sweater of the Daddy of the Gingerbread family and the sentiment. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Christmas Clear Stamp set. The gingerbread family is cut from Recollections Kraft cardstock and the die came with the set. I cut the gingerbread family and the dress on the Mom using my Cuttlebug. I also used Stampin' Up Classic Stampin' Pad Old Olive water based die ink on the jumpsuit on the top left Boy gingerbread. I added the stickers- also Recollections Christmas Noel- to hold the bottom easel card open. I drew the faces and bends in the arms/legs on the gingerbread family with GellyRoll Metallic Silver pen. It closes up to fit inside an A2 envelope. I'll write my note on the green paper that can be seen when lifting the top easel card up. I wanted to use another stamp set on a double easel card, but this set that I used was more fitting for this hop. Please come back Sunday to hop along with me in a Growing In Unity hop. It will be me and a few other GIU girls from October and November.










Next head on over to Santa's workshop to visit with (SUE- http://suek86401.blogspot.com/) I'm sure she has something awesome to share!


Here's our line up in case you get lost along the way.
Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Rebecca- http://rebeccaanndesigns.com/
Angela- mermaidsnmonograms.blogspot.com
Kim- http://katydidcards.com
Ashley- http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com/
Holli- http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Veronica- http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
Shannon H- http://shannonhdesigns.blogspot.com/
Alicia- http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
Sandy- https://simplycraftycreationsbysandys.blogspot.com/
Amanda- https://salnclts76.blogspot.com/
Sue- http://suek86401.blogspot.com/
Miranda- http://www.nanasscrapspot.com
Marji- http://fstampaholic.blogspot.com/
Don't forget to join our current challenge
Connie Can Crop Challenge #65
I'm So Fancy (OUR LAST Challenge)
due 11:59 P.M. Saturday, December 30th, 2017
Pacific Time

You're The Bees Knees

I made this layout for a challenge- SSQ35- with Soul Scrappers, it's a private online chat community. Most of the embellishments were mailed in an envelope from one of the design team members- the stamped jar image, the chipboard flower, the 5 blue enamel dots, the colored swirly paper pieces, the tissue paper, the washi tape, the floral image was black and white, the paint swatch, the foil paper, and the arrow paper clip. We were told to use all of the items and alter the chipboard flower, the black and white floral image, the tissue paper, and the jar. The background paper is Cocoa Vanilla Bohemian Dream Abstract and the title piece is from Pink Paislee Wild Child 12 x 12 Cut Aparts Paper 1- both from Paper Issues. I added the bug stickers in the jar from a RAK from a Facebook group. I colored the jar with Gelly Roll Metallic pen. For the tissue paper I used a Spellbinders cactus die that I cut on my Cuttlebug and then colored it with 2 shades of green Sharpies. I colored the chipboard flower with Sharpies and then glued the enamel dots and swirly paper pieces on each petal. They remind me of quilling. I colored the black and white floral image with Sharpies and used the Gelly Roll Metallic pen on the bee's wings. The picture is of my friend, Laura, sitting on the side of a man made tunnel at Grand Canyon. I decided to make this layout for her since she has challenged me to overcome my fears and has taught me a lot. I'm slowly overcoming my fears. I decided to put the foil paper and the paint swatch behind the picture as a photo mat. We were to alter to the paint swatch, too, so I cut it in half. I used a black Sharpie to write the title- You're The Bees Knees.

Merry Christmas

I used the sketch above from Paper Craft Crew to make the following card.

The card base is Recollections Value Pack 4" x 5.5". The washi tape down the spine is American Crafts Christmas. I used a circle die from a Chinese circle die set and Recollections Bright and Jolly  Paper Pad that I cut using my Cricut Cuttlebug. The green strip is from my stash. The sentiment- Merry Christmas stamp I borrowed from a friend and stamped it with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink on typing paper. The candy cane sticker is from Recollections Christmas Noel sticker set. I decided to add the poinsettia instead of trying the swirl design.  I fussy cut the poinsettia out of Pebbles Home For Christmas Paper Pad. This is probably one of the most CAS (Clean And Simple) cards I have made! You have until Tuesday, November 21 to play along with the sketch! I must say I messed up on my first card, but as you can see I didn't give up! :) TFL!

A Year of Card Techniques November Masking Magic Blog Hop

Welcome to

Welcome to A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop where each month we feature a different card technique. We’ve assembled a team of card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll see a great variety of cards and ideas.

This month we’re going to explore masking techniques.  There are so many variations of masking, it would be difficult to list them all here.  But, since pictures speak louder than words, we’ll let our team show you the masking techniques they opted to try.  Hopefully, we’ll inspire you to try one yourself.  If you would like to check out our past technique hops, you can do that here:

• January-Shaving Cream Marbleizing
• February-So Sketchy
• March-no hop this month
• April-Stamp Set Showdown
• May-World of Watercolor
• June-Basic Card Folds
• July-Bleaching Your Card
• August-World of Watercolor
• September-Inlaid & Lifted Die Cuts
• October-Waterfall Cards

Our amazing sponsor this month is Jodie Park of Close to My Heart

Please take a moment to check out her store here.

And the awesome prize this month is:

We really appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop today.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, November 26, 2017, on A Piece of (my) Heart’s blog, so be sure to check her blog on Sunday. The winner will have until December 14, 2017, to claim their prize.

You should have arrived here from Wilma-- https://stampintotheoldies.blogspot.ca/2017/11/masking.html  .  If you're visiting here first, you might want to start at the beginning so you don't miss a thing and increase your chances of winning by commenting on each blog.
Before I tell you the details of my card, I must share the tutorial I followed- Splitcoaststampers.

My card base is Recollections Value Pack 4"x 5.5". I used Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Twisted Citron, I was given the round dauber from the Expo I attended in Mesa shown in the pic, and here's the kicker as to what I used as my sponge- 1 Equate Cotton Round that's supposed to be used for first aid and beauty. I won the ink at the Expo and learned that we could use make-up sponges on the daubers, because the dauber has Velcro at the bottom. The only sponges I could find had Vitamin E in them and I wasn't sure if that would mess up my ink. I did order some daubers this week from Heartfelt Creations and was hoping I would get them in the mail on time for the hop, but as I type this they are on the way and are due to arrive Friday, today, the day of the hop. :( I'm glad my back-up plan worked! The only difference I did with my card than the tutorial is I didn't put the negative paper that I used to cut the die with back on the paper. I used the third largest (the third to largest) of the Chinese circle die set to make the circle that I cut using my Cricut Cuttlebug. The Christmas tree stamp is from Hampton Art Happy Holidays Stamp and Die Set. I stamped it with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink and colored it in with Staedtler Colored Pencils. The tag and bling are from a Christmas in July pocket letter swap. I was looking for ribbon, but found this pocket letter. It's a good thing, because I also made some Christmas tags with some ornament dies from the same pocket letter. The twine is Trendy Twine Candy Cane. I cut a slit just beyond the spine of the card and inserted it twice around the card and tied it on the inside. Oh, I almost forgot my sentiment- Merry Christmas. It is from Hero Arts Christmas Clear Stamp set and I used Ranger ink to stamp it.  I will be mailing this card out to someone this Christmas. I'm trying to make a few at a time and then will mail them. I need to start making a list so I know when to stop! :)
Now you’re off to visit with Jodie-- https://stampin-jodie.blogspot.ca/2017/11/a-year-of-card-techniques-november-2017.html . Hope you had fun and thanks for stopping by.  See you next month with another great technique!

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the rest of the hop!

Here’s the full line-up in case you get lost along the way:

Sharon
Kim
Wilma
Amanda
Jodie
Debbie
Claudia

Growing In Unity Winners

Thank you all so much for stopping by my blog last week! The winners that I chose that will each receive 25 random stamps from Unity are:

Lisa Marie

Carol Mclendon



Please e-mail your home mailing information to me at nclights7 at gmail dot com and I will then send your information on to Unity. Congrats ladies and thanks again!

A Day of Thanks Blog Hop

Welcome to

A Day of Thanks
Blog Hop...
 

As we approach the busy Holiday seasons, let us take a few minutes this weekend to stop and reflect on the things in our life that we are thankful for. We bring you this hop as a way to encourage you and inspire you to reach out and say thank you to those who surround you. This simple gesture can go along way!
You should have arrived from (Shannon's blog- http://shannonhdesigns.blogspot.com/ ) but if you need to start at the beginning, head on over to Connie Can Crop.
This is a one day blog hop, but you have until Sunday to finish hopping and leaving your love for all of these talented crafters.
We have an awesome sponsor for this month!

One lucky winner will win a gift certificate
Be sure to check out the shop online HERE

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.
You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday 11/22/17 at Connie Can Crop.
Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

I decided to use Unity Stamp Company Panda bundle pack- well 2 of the pack for this card. I stamped them both with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink on typing paper. The card base is Recollections White 4" x 5.5" Value Pack Cards and Envelopes. The background paper reminds me of bamboo and is from Basic Grey Saturday Morning 6" x 6 " paper pad. I colored in the panda's eyes, bird, and the bird's beak with NPW 50/50 Two Tones Colored Pencils. You can barely tell the beak is yellow because of the ink, but it is faintly colored in. The silver washi tape strip is from Recollections Craft It washi tape. The twine on the spine of the card is Watermelon Sorbet from Timeless Twine, but the shop is closed, but I think Annie's Paper Boutique Pink Limeade is very similar to it. Now for the inside.

I used Gina K Designs My Anchor- well at least one stamp from the set- for the sentiment inside. I stamped it with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink as well. I won a 50% off gift certificate when I attended Stamp and Scrapbook Expo at Mesa, AZ this past September. This is the first stamp I have used of the set, shocking I know, I usually have new stamps inked up and used by now. I'm saving this set for the right moment to make cards or layouts with it. If you ever get to go to a Stamp and Scrapbook Expo, go! I learned a lot and met a lot of new friends plus you win prizes depending on the workshops you take. I got to see the Grand Canyon the day afterwards and can't wait to go back to Arizona!

 I'm the last stop on the hop so I hope you enjoyed the hop!

Here's our line up in case you get lost along the way.
Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Kim- http://katydidcards.com
Holli- http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Angela- mermaidsnmonograms.blogspot.com
Rebecca- http://rebeccaanndesigns.com/
Sue- http://suek86401.blogspot.com/
Veronica- http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
Ashley- http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com/
Alicia- http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
Miranda- http://www.nanasscrapspot.com
Shannon H- http://shannonhdesigns.blogspot.com/
Amanda- https://salnclts76.blogspot.com/



Don't forget to join our current challenge
Connie Can Crop Challenge #64
Color Challenge
due 11:59 P.M. Thursday, November 30th, 2017
Pacific Time

GIU Day 5 Become the Woman You Dream of Being

Welcome back to Day 5 of my GIU week. I have enjoyed all the comments on my blog this week and will be choosing 2 winners tomorrow. Now on to my project.

I decided to use this stamp set- Dream of Being by Angie Blom from Unity Stamp Company for this page in my SMASH book that my friend, Laura, made for me for our Arizona trip this past September. The picture is of me standing at the overlook at Grand Canyon just before we went on the trail down the canyon. She added the colored pencils/Joy stickers and the papers. I decided to leave the green paper area blank in case I decide to write something there one day. I stamped all 3 images on typing paper with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink. I colored in the woman image with American Crafts colored pencils and NPW 50/50  Two Tones colored pencils.

Please feel free to join me later tonight in A Day of Thanks Blog Hop. I used another Unity stamp set on that project. Thanks again for stopping by!

GIU Day 4 Too Beautiful For Earth

Welcome back to Day 4 of GIU! Thank you all for the comments this week.

I used Too Beautiful for Earth by Phyllis Harris stamp set on this card and stamped all 4 images on typing paper with Ranger Jet Black Archival ink. The card base is Recollections 4" x 5.5" White Value Pack. The yellow background paper is from Basic Grey Saturday Morning 6" x 6" pad. I don't usually use yellow paper since it's not a color I like, but I thought it fits with this stamp set. I used NPW Two Tones 50/50 Colored Pencils to color in the angel image. The gold trim/washi tape at the bottom is from a recent Halloween swap. I'm actually thinking about sending this card to First Baptist Church in Sutherland, TX after all those children and parents were killed this past Sunday. This world is becoming worse and worse. The more I look at the front of this card and the verse stamped inside it looks appropriate for them. If anyone would like to mail a card to them here is the address: First Baptist Church

P.O. Box 115

Sutherland Springs, TX 78161.

Thanks for stopping by and please come back tomorrow to see what I have in store for my last GIU post for this week and possibly the year. I've enjoyed this week! I'm actually participating in a blog hop tomorrow night- A Day of Thanks Blog Hop. Be sure to come back for both posts and hop along. I used a Unity stamp on my card for that hop, too! ;)