My Favorite Cards of 2013

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by - and so quickly!  I guess it's true when they say the years go by faster the older you get, because they seem to be flying by!

Some of the ladies on the PTI Forum are posting their favorite cards made in 2013 and I thought I would join in the fun.  Well, narrowing it down to 12 cards was much harder to do than I thought!  I had so many favorites for December that I picked 2, so here are (some of) my 13 favorite cards for the year (I actually picked out 24 but managed to narrow it down to these 13).

If you would like to see the original post, click on the link next to the "original post date" underneath each card.

Original Post Date:  01/26/13 - Hugs & Kisses

Original Post Date:  02/22/13 - Happy Birthday Dad

Original Post Date:  03/12/13 - You Are Always...

Original Post Date:  04/14/13 - Happy 40th Birthday

Original Post Date:  05/12/13 - Happy Mother's Day

Original Post Date:  06/15/13 - Oh Baby!

Original Post Date:  07/22/13 - Celebrate Today

Original Post Date:  08/20/13 - Enjoy The Ride

Original Post Date:  09/30/13 -  Have A Superstar Birthday

Original Post Date:  10/01/13 - Happy Birthday

Original Post Date:  11/11/13 - Happy 60th Birthday

Original Post Date:  12/11/13 - Holiday Hugs & Kisses

Original Post Date:  12/25/13 - Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday To You

I had to make a birthday card and have to say, it was nice to make something that wasn't holiday related!

My friend likes bright colors so I chose Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the card base.  I stamped the sheet music in black ink and "happy" and "to you" in raspberry ink.

I die-cut "birthday" twice, once in Raspberry Fizz and once in coaster for support and placed it on the card with foam tape.  I die-cut the balloons, added Pink Sorbet twine and adhered them to the card, placing one balloon on foam tape.  I used a couple of glue dots under the twine to shape the way the strings are laying.

Of course I had to add some glitter to the top of "birthday" and a few sequins to jazz up the card a little bit!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Background Basics:  Sheet Music, Wonderful Words: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud
• Tools:  PTI Wonderful Words: Birthday Die, Heart-2-Heart #2 Die
• Other:  Coaster; Twine; Glitter; Sequins
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Merry Christmas

And finally, the last of the Christmas posts!  This is one more card I made using my Two Feet Deep stamp set...at least I got a lot of use out of it!

I used Kraft cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Scarlet Jewel cardstock that I impressed with woodgrain.  I die-cut the sled, stamped it in brown and black inks and stamped "Brandon's" name at the bottom.  I added the brads and wreath and placed it on foam tape.

I cut a strip of Kraft, stamped it in Versamark ink, sprinkled gold Zing powder on top and embossed it with my heat tool.  The card looked too plain to me so I threaded jute under the sled.  Since this was for a male, I didn't add any glitter....

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Two Feet Deep, Simple Alphabet, Signature Christmas
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, Spring Moss; Memento Tuxedo Black, Northern Pine; Versamark
• Tools:  PTI Two Feet Deep Dies, Woodgrain Impression Plate
• Other:  Foam Tape; Zing Embossing Powder; Heat Tool; Jute; Brads
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Craft Group Tags

Last week I posted the Christmas tag I made for my craft group and wanted to post what I received from them.  Most of them are painters first, but will also make cards with me every once in a while.

All of these tags are hand painted - look at the details on them!  I really wish I could paint like them - they are all so talented!!

Together Forever

How about a break from all the Christmas items with an anniversary card?  I think I only have one more Christmas card to post and then things will get back to normal.

I used Aqua Mist cardstock for the card base and added a layers of Spring Moss and Rustic Cream, rounding just two corners.  I stamped the leaves and the sentiment onto the cream cardstock.

I die-cut two scalloped hearts in cream and two regular hearts in Aqua Mist polka dot paper.  I placed the hearts on foam tape and added the string tied in a bow.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Turning A New Leaf, Love & Marriage
• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Rustic Cream, Aqua Mist Pattern
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Standard & Scalloped Heart Nestabilities; Corner Rounder
• Other:  String; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I bought this evergreen tree die a few months ago with the intention of using it for Christmas and had to make sure I used it for at least one card!

I used Pure Poppy cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Kraft cardstock that I stamped with music notes.  I edged around the Kraft in white ink.  The sentiment is stamped on Kraft and embossed with gold embossing powder.  I layered it on another piece of red cardstock and placed it on foam tape.

I die-cut the snow drifts and adhered them to the card, adding a glitter edge to both of them.  I die-cut the trees in Ripe Avocado cardstock and placed them behind the snow drift.  I cut a few single trees in Spring Moss cardstock and adhered them to the card with foam tape.  All of the trees were swiped with white ink and are dotted with glitter.

I tied Fun Fur around the top and tied a red bell in the center.  My last step was adding the gold ball under the sentiment.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Background Basics:  Sheet Music, Think Big Favorites #20
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Fresh Snow; Versamark
• Tools:  PTI Background Basics:  Evergreens Die, In The Meadow Dies; Labels Four Nestabilities
• Other:  Gold Zing Embossing Powder; Glitter; Foam Tape; Gold Ball; Bell; Fun Fur; Heat Tool
• Card Size:  5.5" x 5.5"

Merry Christmas!

This is the card sent to family and friends. 

I used Kraft cardstock for the base, rounding the right hand corners.  I added a layer of Spring Rain, impressed with woodgrain.  I edged around the Kraft with white ink.

I die-cut the snow at the bottom and adhered it with spray adhesive.  I die-cut the sled, stamped it first with brown ink and then black ink for the hardware, adding two brads at the top of the sled.  I die-cut the wreath, stamped the branches in two different green inks, the berries in dark red and the bow in blue.  I added glitter to the wreath and adhered the sled to the card with foam tape.

I stamped the sentiment in blue and added random snowflakes, dotting them with silver Stickles.  The card is finished with Platinum Silver twine tied around the spine in a bow.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Two Feet Deep, Boutique Borders: Christmas
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Spring Rain, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Fresh Snow, Spring Moss; Memento Toffee Crunch, Northern Pine, Danube Blue, Rhubarb Stalk
• Tools:  PTI Two Feet Deep Die, Woodgrain Impression Plate; Memory Box Frostyville Border Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Stickles; Twine, Brads; Foam Tape; Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Christmas Tags 9 & 10

These are the final two tags I made this year....now I'm in the mood to start making my tags for next year!

Tag #9 has a Kraft cardstock base with two types of pattern paper layered on top - light brown polka dot and a red design.  I edged around the tag with brown ink.

I die-cut "joy" in Vintage Cream cardstock, stamped it with red ink and adhered it to the tag on foam tape.  I cut the loopy strip in Pinefeather cardstock to cover up where the two pattern papers met.  I die-cut another piece of Kraft and stamped the sentiment on it, also edging it with brown ink.  The sentiment is on foam tape.

The tag needed something else and I added the snowflake with the clear gem at the top.  I used a dark green ribbon as the tie to coordinate with the loopy strip.

Tag #10 is one of my favorites!  After finding out about the snowman dies, I wanted to make a tag using them.  I started with white cardstock for the base and added a layer of light blue snowflake paper.  I ripped white paper to create the snowdrift at the bottom, adding a glitter edge to it.

I die-cut the snowman, scarf, hat and mittens, coloring them with Copic markers.  I attached the snowman with foam tape.  I die-cut the tree, adhered it to the tag and stamped the sentiment on the snow.

I added the pompom to his hat and used fun fur, threaded with a red bell as the tie.  My last step was adding glitter all over the tag! 

Project Details:

Joy

• Stamps:  PTI Wonderful Words: Joy
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream, Pinefeather; DCWV
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Wonderful Words: Joy Die, Loop de Loop II Die; Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch; Stampin' Up Window Punch
• Other:  Foam Tape; Ribbon; Gem
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Snowman

• Stamps:  PTI Made Of Snow, Sign Language
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate; DCWV
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  BG05, G82, R27, Y38
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Made Of Snow Dies, Love Lives Here: Holiday Die
• Other:  Foam Tape; Glitter; Pompom; Fun Fur
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Snowflake Tag

Instead of exchanging gifts with each other, my weekly craft group exchanges tags we make.  I fell in love with this snowflake die when it was released, and liked how Nichole used seed beads on it.  I copied her initial idea but changed it up a bit to call it my own.

I used a scalloped circle for the base, cutting it twice, once in Aqua Mist cardstock for the back and white cardstock for the front.  I ran the white cardstock through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I die-cut the snowflake in Aqua Mist felt and sewed the silver seed beads through the holes.  There are 114 beads on the snowflake! (I needed to make 8 of them and those beads are tiny!)

I cut a round circle of felt for the middle of the snowflake and placed a coordinating button on it.  The snowflake is attached with scor-tape.  To keep up with my Fun Fur addiction, (haha) I used it as the tie.  

Project Details:

• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, White Stampers Select
• Tools:  PTI Stitched Snowflake Die, Bountiful Banners Die; Scalloped Circle Nestabilities; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
• Other:  Seed Beads; Fun Fur, PTI Aqua Mist Button; Scor-Tape
• Project Size:  3-1/8" x 3-1/8"

Christmas Tags 7 & 8

Tag #7  - I used Pinefeather cardstock for the base and added a layer of light green, striped pattern paper, cutting it slightly smaller than the tag so you can see the dark green base underneath.  This tag has two pieces to it and I cut the smaller piece in white.

I die-cut the mittens twice, once in coaster for support, and once in the same pattern paper.  I stamped the mitten image in dark green ink, added a twist of maraschino twine to the back and placed them on foam tape.

I stamped the sentiment and added a red gem to the mitten centers.

Tag #8 - I used white cardstock for the base and added a layer of Aqua Mist cardstock, cutting out the center.  I ran the Aqua Mist through the Cuttlebug with my Swiss Dots embossing folder and adhered it to the white cardstock with foam tape.

I die-cut the cup of cocoa and colored it with Copic markers.  I placed it on more foam tape - this tag is very dimensional!

I die-cut the banner, stamped it with the sentiment and adhered it to the tag with a couple of silver brads.  I added a clear gem to the cocoa cup, a little glitter and used silver eyelash as the tag tie. 

Project Details:

Mittens

• Stamps:  PTI Tremendous Treats: Christmas, 2008 Holiday Tag Collection
• Paper:  PTI Pinefeather, Rustic Cream; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Northern Pine
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Tremendous Treats: Christmas Die
• Other:  PTI Coaster; Foam Tape; Ribbon; Gem; Twine
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Warmest Wishes

• Stamps:  PTI Tremendous Treats: Christmas, Holiday Treats
• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  BG10, BG13, E23, E42, R27,W1
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Tremendous Treats: Christmas Die; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Tag Trio Nestabilities
• Other:  Foam Tape; Martha Stewart Sterling Glitter Eyelash; Brads; Gem; Glitter; Clear Star Gelly Roll Pen
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Wishing You The Happiest Of Holidays

This card uses a new diagonal die from Lil' Inker Designs - I think I'll get a lot of use out of it.  This isn't a color combination I would normally use, but it's PTI's December "Color Play" selection and I thought I'd try it out.

I used Ocean Tides cardstock for the card base, embossed with Mistletoe Kisses.  I die-cut the diagonal in Autumn Rose cardstock - I like that it has stitching around it!

I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink, sprinkled it with gold embossing powder and heat embossed it.  The diagonal die is on foam tape.

I added the snowflake with a gold ball center and the gold cording at the top to help balance out the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:   PTI Think Big Favorites #20
• Paper:  PTI Ocean Tides, Autumn Rose, Rustic White
• Ink:  Versamark
• Tools:  Lil' Inker Designs On The Diagonal Die, Stitched Snowflakes Die; Cuttlebug Mistletoe Kisses Embossing Folder
• Other:  Foam Tape; Gold Cording; Gold Zing; Heat Tool; Gold Ball
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Merry Christmas

I was looking at a card on Pinterest and didn't realize that PTI had matching dies to the Made of Snow stamp set!  I've had that set for a few years and was so happy to see dies for it!  I don't know how that slipped by me....

I started with white for the card base and added a layer of light blue snowflake pattern paper.  I made the snow drifts by ripping paper, placed it on the card and added a line of glitter along the edges.

I die-cut the four snowmen in white cardstock and stamped the faces and buttons, coloring in the nose and buttons with Copic markers.  I added the scarves and mittens, stamped in various colors of ink.  The hats were die-cut in various colors of cardstock - I placed a pompom on two of the hats.

The banner was die-cut in white, stamped with the sentiment and placed on foam tape.  I wanted to add "Will's" name to the card and die-cut circles representing "snowballs", stamping a letter of his name on each of them.

My last step was adding lots of glitter all over the card.  I think this turned out really cute!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Made Of Snow, Stylish Sentiments: Holiday; Inkadinkadoo
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, True Black, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening; DCWV 
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Enchanted Evening; Memento Tuxedo Black, Danube Blue
• Copics:  B99, BG05, G82, R27, Y38
• Tools:  PTI Made Of Snow Dies, Sketched Shapes Die, Bountiful Banner Die
• Other:  Glitter; Foam Tape; Pompom
• Card Size:  5.0" x 7.0"

Christmas Doodad

Since I have the Envelope Punch Board, I wanted to use it to make my holiday doodad.  I wanted to use a Hershey bar as the treat and knew I wanted to put it into some sort of envelope pocket and this is what I came up with.

This used a 6"x6" piece of pattern paper, lined up at 2-1/8", punched and scored.  I also scored it at 2-3/8" so when I folded the paper it would have a side to it.  I flipped the paper over and repeated the above scoring and punching steps.  For the bottom of the envelope, I scored it at 3-3/4" and 4" so it would create a bottom.  The envelope is held together with scor-tape.

The candy bar is wrapped in a piece of 5.5" x 6" paper.  I wrapped a piece of fun fur around the top with a bell tied onto it.  I made many different styles and here's a sampling of some of them.

Project Details:

Christmas Tree

• Stamps:  PTI 2008 Holiday Tag Collection
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; Anna Griffin; The Paper Company
• Ink:  Memento Pistachio
• Tools:  Envelope Punch Board; Standard Circle Nestabilities, Pinking Nestabilities
• Other:  Hershey Bar; Bell; Fun Fur; Stickles
• Project Size:  6.0" x 2.5"

String Up The Lights

• Stamps:  PTI Holiday Lights
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV; The Paper Company
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Love Letter, Cantaloupe, Pear Tart, Teal Zeal
• Tools:  Envelope Punch Board; Standard Circle Nestabilities; Pinking Nestabilities
• Other:  Hershey Bar; Bell; Fun Fur; Stickles
• Project Size:  6.0" x 2.5"

 Friends

• Stamps:  PTI Believe
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV; The Paper Company
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy
• Tools:  Envelope Punch Board; Standard & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities
• Other:  Hershey Bar; Bell; Fun Fur
• Project Size:  6.0" x 2.5"

Mittens

• Stamps:  PTI Tremendous Treats: Christmas, Tiny Treats: Christmas
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV; The Paper Company
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Envelope Punch Board; Standard Circle Nestabilities; Pinking Nestabilities
• Other:  Hershey Bar; Bell; Fun Fur
• Project Size:  6.0" x 2.5"

Bird 

• Stamps:  PTI Tremendous Treats: Christmas, Holiday Treats
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; Debbie Mumm; The Paper Company
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy
• Copics:  E31, E33, R29, Y35, YG93, YG97
• Tools:  Envelope Punch Board; Standard Rectangle Nestabilities
• Other:  Hershey Bar; Bell; Fun Fur
• Project Size:  6.0" x 2.5"

1st Class Christmas

I can't believe how fast this month is going by!  It's already more than halfway gone!  This is the card I made for my parent's mail carrier, thanks to this adorable stamp my friend Jill sent me - she's always looking for "postal related" items for me. 

I used white cardstock for the card base and added a layer of pink snowflake paper.  I really like this paper and would like an entire pack of it!  I placed the loopy strip at the top and covered it with glitter.

I die-cut the circle using my new stitched circles, stamped the image and colored it with Copic markers.  I die-cut the red banner, stamped the sentiment on it and placed it on the card, with just a little bit hanging off the side.  The circle is on foam tape for added dimension.

I placed a pompom on the cat's hat and lots of glitter all over the card. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Crafters Companion Christmas With Barkley 1st Class Christmas
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy; Recollections
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  C1, G21, G82, N4, R27, R83, Y35, YR30, 100
• Tools:  PTI Sketched Shapes Die, Loop de Loop II; Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Circles
• Other:  Glitter; Pompom; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  5.0" x 5.25"

Christmas Tags 5 & 6

Tag #5 has a white cardstock base.  I stamped the house image in black ink and colored it with Copic markers.  The trees are stamped in brown ink, one tree is fully inked and the other has the ink stamped off.  I also edged around the tag in a blue ink.

I added a snow drift along the bottom with glitter along the edges.  I also have a lot of glitter all over the tag for the snow.  I used "believe" as the sentiment because I thought it was a good pairing with the Santa sled flying over the house.  To finish the tag I placed a snowflake with a gem on the snow drift and ribbon that matched the roof color through the tag hole. 

Tag #6 uses the new Polka Dot Parade #9 stamp set again.  I used Kraft cardstock for the tag base and edged around it with white ink.  The tree is made from die-cuts and each one is stamped in red ink.  I placed the layers of the tree on foam tape.

I stamped the sentiment at the bottom and added red gems to each of the tree layers.  For this tag, I used Fun Fur for the tag tie.

Project Details:

Believe

• Stamps:  PTI Winter Hills, City Scene Sentiments, Holiday Button Bits
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa, Summer Sky, Danube Blue; Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate
• Copics:  B45, E33,W1
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die; EK Success Snowflake Punch
• Other:  Foam Tape; Ribbon; Glitter; Gem
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Tis The Season

• Stamps:  Polka Dot Parade #9, Stocking Prints
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Kraft 
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Polka Dot Parade #9 Die
• Other:  Foam Tape; Fun Fur; Gems
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Merry Christmas

I'm getting a lot of use out of my Two Feet Deep stamp set.  And so far I've only used the sled, but it also has skies and snowshoes in the set.

I used Kraft cardstock for the card base and edged around it in white ink.  I added a layer of Scarlet Jewel cardstock that I stamped with snowflakes in white ink.  I die-cut the snowdrifts, adhered them to the card and placed glitter along the edges.

I die-cut the sled and stamped it in brown and black ink, adding a few brads to the hardware.  The wreath is die-cut, stamped and adhered to the sled with foam tape and a gem center.  I tied Flax twine around the card and placed the sled on top with foam tape.  My last steps were stamping the sentiment on the snow drift and adding Stickles to the snowflakes.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Two Feet Deep, Signature Christmas
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss, Pure Poppy, Fresh Snow; Memento Toffee Crunch, Rhubarb Stalk, Tuxedo Black, Northern Pine
• Tools:  PTI Two Feet Deep Dies, In The Meadow Dies
• Other:  Glitter; Foam Tape; Brads; Twine; Stickles; Gem
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy brrrrrr-thday!

It's getting rather cold here so it's time to pull out this sentiment.

This is another card made with the Envelope Punch Board that looks like a folder by creating tabs at the top of the card.  I used white cardstock and layered it with snowflake pattern paper.  The inside of the card has a coordinating polka dot paper.

I die-cut snowflakes and placed them on the outside of the card, adding a gem to the centers.  I stamped the sentiment and placed it on foam tape.  I tied white fun fur around the card - which makes me think of snow for some reason!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Two Feet Deep
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Danube Blue
• Tools:  Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Snowflakes; Tag Trios Nestabilities
• Other:  Fun Fur; Foam Tape; Gems
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

May The Holiday Season Bring Happiness

While I had the all the embossing products out the other day I also made this card.

The card base is Scarlet Jewel cardstock.  I stamped the pine cone branches on Vintage Cream cardstock and embossed them with gold embossing powder.  I die-cut a stitched rectangle and stamped the sentiment in coordinating ink, adding a gold embossed emblem at the bottom.

The sentiment is adhered to the card with foam tape.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Stylish Sentiments: Holiday, Peaceful Pinecones, Peace, Love & Joy
• Paper:  PTI Scarlet Jewel, Vintage Cream
• Ink:  PTI Scarlet Jewel; Versamark
• Tools:  Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Rectangles
• Other:  Zing Gold Embossing Powder; Foam Tape; Heat Tool
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Holiday Hugs & Kisses

I am so happy with the way this card turned out, but I can't take credit for the entire design.  One of the PTI Design Team members (can't remember who...) used this snowman with the "hugs & kisses" banner a few years ago.  But the rest is my design!

I used white cardstock for the card base and covered it with pink and snowflake patterned paper.  I also cut the snow drifts in white, attached them to the card and glued a lot of glitter along the edges.  I die-cut the snowman, edging around it in brown ink and stamped the face and buttons, coloring the buttons and nose with Copics.  I added a bit of pink chalk for the cheeks.

I die-cut the hat, arms and mittens, edged around them in white ink and placed them on the card.  I die-cut "holiday" in Hawaiian Shores paper and the banner in Spring Moss to match the mittens.  "Holiday" is adhered with foam tape as well as the scalloped circle with Olivia's name, created on the computer.

A large pom-pom was added to his hat and ribbon tied around the neck.  I placed the ribbon on glue dots to give the effect it was being blown by wind.  Again, some more non-traditional colors!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Shape Up Snowman, Wonderful Words: Holiday
• Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst, White Stampers Select; Recollections Christmas
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; PTI Fresh Snow; Tim Holtz Tea Dye
• Copics:  BG13, RV10, YR15
• Tools:  PTI Shape Up Snowman Die, Wonderful Words: Holiday Die; Double Ended Banner Die, In The Meadow Dies; Standard & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities
• Other:  Ribbon; Foam Tape; Glitter; Chalk; Pom-pom
• Card Size:  5.5" x 5.5"

Have A Very Merry Christmas

I'm starting to really like heat embossing again, I think because I'm using a better embossing powder - Zing.  This gold is so much shinier than the other gold I have and really makes a difference in the appearance.

The card base for this is Pinefeather cardstock, a dark, forest like green (I know it's hard to tell from the picture).  On cream cardstock, I stamped the pine cone branches all around the outside in Versamark ink, sprinkled them with gold embossing powder and used my heat tool.  I really like watching the powder turn into shine!

The sentiment is stamped in green ink on a stitched oval and adhered to the card on foam tape.  I stamped and embossed another pine cone branch on the bottom of it.

To complete the card I tied jute around the spine.  I like this card so much it might be my Christmas card for next year!  But that's a long way off and I'm sure I'll change my mind many, many times before then.  haha

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Peaceful Pinecones, Stylish Sentiments: Holiday
• Paper:  PTI Pinefeather, Vintage Cream
• Ink:  Memento Northern Pine; Versamark
• Tools:  Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Mats:  Ovals; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Zing Embossing Powder; Foam Tape; Heat Tool; Jute
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Christmas Tags 3 & 4

And here are a few more tags:

Tag #3 - I used Spring Moss cardstock for the base and covered it with polka dot paper.  I have a lot of this paper and seem to use it every year!  Tag Sale #8 is two pieces and I die-cut the smaller piece in white as the focal point.

I die-cut the holly leaves in Ripe Avocado and the berries in Pure Poppy cardstock.   The sentiment is stamped in Pure Poppy ink.  I tied maraschino twine around the white and adhered it to the tag on foam tape.  I added a little glitter to the holly and threaded the top with red ribbon.

Tag #4 has a Spring Rain base, covered with a pretty blue and brown pattern paper.  Isn't it nice to see some non-traditional colors?

I used Boutique Borders: Christmas stamps and die to create the center of the tag.  I stamped the border of the die-cut and embossed it with white embossing powder.  The sentiment is stamped in light brown ink.

I tied silver cording around the bottom of the tag and threaded a silver bell through it.  The image is adhered to the tag on foam tape.  A little matching ribbon for the tag tie completes this tag.

Project Details:

Holly Jolly

• Stamps:  PTI Holiday Lights
• Paper:  PTI Spring Moss, White Stampers Select, Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy; Heidi Grace
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die,Holly Jolly Die
• Other:  Foam Tape; Ribbon; Glitter; Twine
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

• Stamps:  PTI Boutique Borders: Christmas
• Paper:  PTI Spring Rain, White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink: Brilliance Pearlescent Beige; Versamark
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Boutique Borders: Christmas Die
• Other:  Cording; Foam Tape; Ribbon; Bell; Heat Tool; White Zing Embossing Powder
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Merry Christmas

I'm getting lots of use out of this tree stamp set and coordinating die.  And I just love the "center stage" cover plate!

I used white cardstock for the card base and covered it with Pure Poppy cardstock, die-cut with the Center Stage Cover Plate.  Isn't it an interesting look?  I die-cut the loopy look at the top and covered it with glitter.

The tag is die-cut in Kraft cardstock using Tag Sale #8 and edged with white ink.  I die-cut and stamped the tree in Pure Poppy ink and placed the layers of the tree on foam tape.  I threaded the top with a red button with maraschino twine and adhered the tag to the card with more foam tape. 

I stamped Sarah's name in black ink on the tree...if you look you can see a letter of her name on each of the tree layers.  I also added a few sequins on the tree.

The sentiment is stamped in red and black inks on Kraft paper.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Polka Dot Parade #9, City Scene Sentiments; Studio G $1
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, Kraft, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Polka Dot Parade Die, Cover Plate: Center Stage, Loop de Loop II
• Other:  PTI Pure Poppy Button; Twine; Sequins, Foam Tape; Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (CAS #44)

I was looking through one of my craft drawers for something and stumbled upon this city line image and thought it would look cute combined with a stamp from PTI.

I used Pure Poppy cardstock for the card base.  On white cardstock, I stamped the city scene in black ink and colored it with a light grey Copic marker.  I stamped the sentiment underneath the street in black and red inks.

The adorable little Santa and reindeer image is part of a PTI $5 stamp set and goes perfect with this!  My last step was adding lots of glitter to the "sky" to make it look like it's snowing.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI City Scene Sentiments; Jillibean You Move Me
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  W1
• Other:  Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Christmas Tags - 1 & 2

My 2013 Christmas tags use the newly released Tag Sale #8 from PTI - when I saw this design come out, I knew I wanted to use it for my gift tags this year.  I made 10 different designs and will be posting them over the next few weeks.

Tag #1 - I used white cardstock for the tag base and covered it with a snowflake pattern paper.  I die-cut the word "snow", stamped it with a dark red ink and placed it on the tag on foam tape.  I stamped "let it" above the snow and dotted the various snowflakes on the pattern paper and the word with silver stickles.

This year I'm all about "fun fur" or "eyelash" as Martha Stewart calls it, and wrapped sterling eyelash around the bottom of the tag.  I used silver ribbon for the tag tie.

Tag #2 - This tag has a Kraft base, covered with a red, polka dot pattern paper.  I die-cut the sled and stamped it in a light brown ink for the wood and black ink for the metal parts, adding a few brads at the top of the sled.  The sled is adhered with foam tape.

I die-cut the wreath on the sled and stamped it with green and red inks. I stamped the sentiment on the banner and placed it across the sled.  I added a few snowflakes and a light beige ribbon for the tie.

Project Details:

Let It Snow Tag

• Stamps:  PTI Wonderful Words: Snow
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rhubarb Stalk
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Wonderful Words: Snow Die
• Other:  Martha Stewart Glitter Eyelash; Foam Tape; Ribbon; Stickles
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Sled Tag

• Stamps:  PTI Two Feet Deep, Peaceful Pinecones
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Kraft; Memento Pistachio, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Two Feet Deep Dies, Sketched Shapes Die; EK Success Snowflake Punch
• Other:  Brads; Foam Tape; Ribbon
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"