Hanging of the Greens

Hanging of the Greens, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I always love that Sunday at church, usually the first Sunday of Advent, when all the "greens" would be hung--all the wreaths, the swags, the garlands, the trees would be placed around the sanctuary for Christmas.

So here's my nod to the traditional hanging of the greens. I'm not totally loving this card...I think I would make the wreath larger next time, but I like the rustic vibe going on.

I die cut two pinked circles--one within the other to create a wreath. I dusted it lightly with Picket Fence Distress Stain then brushed the edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

I punched the bow and dusted it with Picket Fence too. Then I dusted the edges of the whole card with Picket Fence.

Finally I stamped the sentiment.

Super easy, but it's kind of cute in a really ski lodge/log cabin kind of way. ;-)


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (kraft card blank); Bazzill (green and red cardstock)
Stamp: Stampabilities (sentiment)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Gathered Twigs); Distress Stain (Picket Fence)
ETC: Martha Stewart (bow punch); Nestabilities (Small Pinking Circles); Glue Glider Pro


I'm making headway with the cards. I managed to get my To Do List cleared off yesterday so I could spend a couple of hours making cards. No time crunch or pressure here. No, sir.


~Cynthia ;-)

The Sisters

The Sisters, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Two variations of the same card today. I got the inspiration from this card by MeeMee which was posted on the Addicted to CAS challenge blog.

I began with kraft card blanks and stamped snowflakes in Frost White. Love that color!

Then I die cut the trees from sparkly paper.

For the snow drifts, I roughly tore white cardstock so there would be bends in the paper to give some texture. Finally I stamped the sentiment.

These came together super quick. I think they would be great for assembly-line-style construction.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (kraft card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock); unknown source (sparkly paper)
Stamps: KaiserCraft (Christmas sentiment set); Penny Black (Winter Greens and Whites)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); Color Box (Frost White)
ETC: Impression Obsession (DIE031-N Christmas tree); Glue Glider Pro


So the Christmas makes continue around here! I've got another 3 days or so to get them finished. How about you? Are you ready?? ;-)


~Cynthia

I'll have a Blue Christmas....

I'll have a Blue Christmas...., a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I so love using Tim Holtz's Tumbled Glass Distress Ink for Christmas cards. I think it's the most icy, snowy color out there!

I stamped the snowflakes in Tumbled Glass, then die cut the rectangle. While it was still in the die I dusted Tumbled Glass over the shape, with the more intense color on the edges and less in the middle.

I dusted more Tumbled Glass on white cardstock then die cut the fancy Christmas tree.

Instant color match! =D

Finally I die cut the second Christmas tree--the plain shape--out of white cardstock.  I added a bit of glitter to the star and then stamped the sentiment and...there's another Christmas card under the old belt!!


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock)
Stamps: Studio G (snowflake); KaiserCraft (Christmas set sentiment)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass)
ETC: Impression Obsession (DIE031-N--Christmas trees); Nestabilities (Large Labels); Sakura Gelly Roll pen (Clear Star)


In between making cards, I've been checking out other crafters' December Daily albums. They're so fun, gorgeous, funky, beautiful, simple, layered...well, you get the picture! So much inspiration out there!!! =D


~Cynthia

Christmas Make Marathon!

Christmas Make Marathon!, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I realized with a start this morning that this Saturday is DECEMBER FIRST! And I was so proud of myself for getting all my Thanksgiving cards done and mailed! Now I've got to do it all over again! ;-)

You know I love it, right?

And so begins my Christmas Make Marathon....

Today's card is super simple and quite elegant looking.

Punch three squares, cut six short strips, punch three ribbons, adhere three gems, stamp one sentiment.

Done.

I couldn't decide on the color for the sentiment, but in the end, I think the black looks quite sharp.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock); Bazzill (red cardstock)
Stamp: Penny Black (A Bright Tomorrow)
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
ETC: Martha Stewart (bow punch); Marvy (1-inch square punch); KaiserCraft (bling); Glue Glider Pro; Zig Two-way Glue Pen



So the number one most-asked question floating around the blog-o-sphere this morning is....Are you finished making your Christmas cards?? =D



~Cynthia

Leaf Polaroid

Leaf Polaroid, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

This is my final lost turkey.

On Saturday, I realized I was three turkeys short for my Thanksgiving cards. So I quickly made the cards. Wouldn't want anyone to go turkey-less for the Big Day, right??? =D

As I did for the other lost turkeys, I used a layout I had used earlier this month as inspiration.

Love this Polaroid look from Meghan's blog!

I die cut the square, die cut the leaf, and adhered everything! Stamp the sentiment and call it a day!


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (kraft card blank); Cosmo Cricket (I think); Neenah (Solar White cardstock)
Stamp: Stampabilities (T'day)
Ink: Tim Holtz (Rusty Hinge)
ETC: Nestabilities (Classic Square Large); Cuttlebug (Leaves die cut)



Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! I am so SO grateful for each of you. For all your comments and helpful tips and for all your visits to my little corner of the blog world--I AM SO THANKFUL!!!!!!!

~Cynthia

Negativity can be fun!

Negativity can be fun!, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Here's the twin sister of yesterday's card. I made everything the same way, except I die cut the leaf from the embossed panel and then layered a different die cut leaf over the negative of the first leaf.

Got all that? =D

I really, really like this style and layout. I could totally see using a snowflake embossing folder and die cutting snowflakes--negative and positive images. Maybe in a gorgeous icy blue??

Why, yes. Thank you!


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock); snippet (pretty sure it was some Cosmo Cricket paper)
Stamp: Stampabilities (Happy T'day)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge)
ETC: Cuttlebug (Forest Branches embossing folder; Leaves die cut); Glue Glider Pro



Only one more Thanksgiving card and then it's back to Christmas makes!

Thanks for stopping in today!


~Cynthia

Short a Turkey

Short a Turkey, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

So when I got ready to mail off my Thanksgiving cards on Saturday, I realized I was three turkeys short! Oh no! So I quickly headed to the craft room and got creating!

This card was kind of inspired by several of the cards I've made in the past few weeks. The combination produced a card that is fun to make and super quick!

I ran a piece of white cardstock through an embossing folder, die cut the leaf and stamped a sentiment.

The white leaf--kind of a shadow thing going on there--was die cut from the card I'll post tomorrow.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock); snippet (pretty sure it was some Cosmo Cricket paper)
Stamp: Stampabilities (Happy T'day)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge)
ETC: Cuttlebug (Forest Branches embossing folder; Leaves die cut); Glue Glider Pro



So did you get all your Thanksgiving cards mailed out?? Now I've got to get back to making Christmas cards! =D


~Cynthia

CASEing Another CASology Card

CASEing Another CASology Card, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I have found the cards linked up to the CASology challenges a veritable font of creativity, ripe for the copying.

Take this card for example. Cute. Awesome. Easy to make. You should totally go visit Meghan on her Little Pink Bike blog and see all her very cool creations.

And here is my take.

Die cut two Nestabilities squares, one inside the other, leaving a longer piece of cardstock on the bottom to resemble a Polaroid photo.

Adhere sparkly paper on the back.

Punch trees. Glitter them up. Adhere trees. Pop up front tree.

Stamp sentiment.

Adhere to card blank.

You're done!

I love Meghan's idea of a Polaroid-type card. SO cute!!! =D



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (kraft card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock); unknown sparkly paper (need to buy more as I'm using it up rather quickly!!)
Stamp: KaiserCraft (Christmas set)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Aged Mahogany)
ETC: Punch Bunch (tree); Nestabilities (Classic Squares Large); Gelly Roll (Clear Star gel pen); EK Success (3D Dots); Glue Glider Pro


I think I'm almost done with my Thanksgiving cards. Finally!! Maybe I'll get them done this weekend....oh dear. They really *do* need to be mailed this weekend. Oops! Better get in the craft room and create stuff!!! =D


~Cynthia

Negative Christmas Tree

Negative Christmas Tree, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

So...a funny thing happened on the way to this blog post....

I had seen this card roaming the internet and decided to (AS USUAL) shamelessly copy it. I actually took a picture of it with my phone so I could refer to it while in the craft room.

Good thing I did.

You know I always give credit where credit is due. So. Um. I forgot who made the card.

Oops.

I desperately pulled the photo up on my phone in an attempt to remember who made it or where I had seen it. And would ya believe it?? The creator's NAME is her watermark!

And--WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT--I actually have her on my blog list over there >>>>

So thanks to Kim at Joyful Creations for another inspirational card!! ;-)


My version was easy peasy! Die cut a cool tree. Adhere sparkly paper behind the "negative" image. Stamp a cool sentiment on a little banner. Adhere everything. Amen.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Bazzill (red cardstock); Neenah (solar white cardstock); unknown sparkly paper
Stamp: Artful Legacy (sentiment)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Festive Berries)
ETC: Dee's Distinctively (Christmas Tree No. 2 die cut); Glue Glider Pro; Zig Two-way Glue; EK Success (3D Dots)




Thanks so much for visiting today!!


~Cynthia

Another Turkey Day CASE

Another Turkey Day CASE, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Yes, kind of like Thanksgiving leftovers. But without the calories.

Or the guilt! Heh. ;-)

This is the second card I made after getting angry at the first card I tried to make. (See yesterday's post.) I felt like I should not let those tiny adhesive dots defeat me.

So there, tiny adhesive dots!!

Taking inspiration from Rosemary's CASology card, I die cut the letters and used a glue pen to adhere them this time. Then I punched the apple and cut it to resemble a pumpkin.

I used a long piece of painters' blue tape to keep the letters all on one line and straight.

Sadly, the tape...although I was oh-so-careful removing it...tore off part of the card.

So while the tiny adhesive dots did not defeat me this time, the painters' blue tape did.

*sigh*

I'm sending it out anyway. Maybe the recipient won't notice! ;-)



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (ivory card blank); Bazzill (orange cardstock)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Marker (Rusty Hinge--to make lines on the pumpkin and Forest Moss for the stem)
ETC: Martha Stewart (apple punch); Memory Box (Typewriter Lower die cut letters); Zig Two-way Glue Pen


My local scrap store is having a store-wide 40% sale! OH THE JOY. Cathy, the manager, was telling us that they're having their Black Friday sale NOW and not the day after Thanksgiving because, "No one will shop here on Friday--we don't sell TVs!!" LOL!!!


~Cynthia

CASology #19: THANKS

CASology Cue Word: THANKS, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

So, first off...Full Disclosure Time. For CASology #18 (ORANGE), I saw this card created by Rosemary.

SO CUTE.

I decided to shamelessly copy it...you know, as I so often do. However, I ran into a bit of a problem with the letters and to cover up my mistake, I did some funky stuff.

SO. This is no longer a shameless copy of Rosemary's awesome card and therefore I feel kind of OK in linking this card up to CASology #19 (THANKS).

(I'll be like that hot guy on the Old Spice commericals...)
Look at my card...now look at hers...look at my card...now look at hers.

See? Not exactly a copy. More like a source of inspiration. Yes?? =D

My problem was that I used a new (to me) product called Sticky Dots Die-Cut Adhesive by Therm O Web. The idea is you press your die cut onto the sheet, which is covered with tiny dots of adhesive, and then you just press the die cut onto your project to adhere it. Now, this worked fine for the pumpkin, not so good for the skinny letters.

I ended up with tiny adhesive dots on the edges of the letters, which would not come off no matter what I did. They became sticky and dirty and gummy.

And I was angry, so I just cut the whole strip off the card blank.

After some deep breathing exercises, I thought...you know...if I covered it with some thin tissue paper, it might be cool. So I did. I spread a bit of Multi-Medium over the card blank strip and pressed the tissue paper down, then used a bone folder to press the tissue paper around the letters.

Not bad!

So. Is my card too much of a shameless copy? I should do a poll.......



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (kraft and ivory card blanks); Bazzill (orange cardstock); stash (tissue paper)
ETC: Martha Stewart (Apple punch, cut to resemble a pumpkin); Memory Box (Typewriter Lower die cut letters); Therm O Web (Sticky Dots Die-Cut Adhesive); Ranger (Multi-Medium); Glue Glider Pro; bone folder


Thanks so much for stopping in today!!


~Cynthia

CASEing so I can't play along!

CASEing so I can't play along!, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I saw this card over on Cindy's blog--Papers Pads and Pictures. And I decided that I definitely needed to shamelessly copy it.

Then I saw the challenge this week on Less Is More: House. PERFECT.

Well, sure. If I wasn't shamelessly copying somebody else's card, I could join right in, but alas. No copying allowed.  And, oh sure, if this wasn't a multi-layered card I could join in too!

That's OK.

I can play along in my mind. =D

I pretty much followed Cindy's instructions to the letter, using different stamps of course. So if you would like to shamelessly copy her card along with me, head on over to her blog! :-)

Even though it looks complicated, it really all came together rather quickly. Getting the score lines on the "door" was the most time-consuming, but that was pretty easy.

I stamped the wreath once on white cardstock in black ink, colored it in and cut it out, then stamped it again on the red so the swirls would show up.

When I make this one again, I'll move the windows up farther so the wreath doesn't look like it's dragging on the ground! ;-)


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (kraft card blank); core'dinations (red cardstock); Neenah (Solar White cardstock); unknown white sparkly paper
Stamps: Penny Black (A Bright Tomorrow--wreath); Stampabilities (Merry Christmas 08)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Festive Berries, Pine Needles, Black Soot, Gathered Twigs)
ETC: The Paper Studio (brad); Scor-Buddy; Ranger (Distress Stickles--Xmas Red); Glue Glider Pro


Now I seriously SERIOUSLY have to get my Thanksgiving cards done. SERIOUSLY.


~Cynthia

CASEing Kim's CASology Card

CASEing Kim's CASology Card, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

(Yeah, say THAT three times real fast!!)

So....way the heck back in October, CASology's Cue Word challenge was WILD. One card really caught my eye: Kim's over on her Joyful Creations blog.  (**When you check out her blog, look on the left side of the page for a chart that shows different ways to layer Stampin Up punches--very cool ideas there!**)

I loved the layout and the clean look of the card and knew I would get around to shamelessly copying it some day.

Today is the day.

I ran a piece of white cardstock part of the way through an embossing folder. Then I die cut more white cardstock and did that cool edge-embossing thing you can do with Nestabilities.

I stamped the leaves sort of lightly, to get a blurred kind of effect.

I scored a line below the embossing, stamped a sentiment then adhered everything to a white card blank.

I'm thinking this would be awesome for Christmas. Use a snowflake embossing folder...maybe even die cut the middle of that panel instead of adding another layer. WOW. The possibilities for this kind of layout are really endless!!

Thanks for the inspiration, Kim!! =D


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock)
Stamps: Making Memories (Autumn Splendor: Thankful)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge); Memento (Tuxedo Black)
ETC: Cuttlebug (Forest Branches embossing folder); Scor-Buddy; Nestabilities (Labels One)


I can't believe it's Friday already! Where did this week go?? Have a great weekend and I hope you find some time to get all inky! =D Thanks for stopping by!


~Cynthia

Oh Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas Tree, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

At the rate I'm making Christmas cards, I should be done by the end of the month. You know, right before I SHOULD be sending out Thanksgiving cards....which are NO WHERE near done! LOL!!

My local scrap shop got in some new die cuts that I've gone crazy over: Dee's Distinctively. Here's just one example of how cool and really intricate they are.

This one's called Christmas Tree No. 2. It actually goes with a cone-shaped die cut so this one looks like garland around the cone. I like it open like this...but I might go back and get the cone one too. ;-)

These dies can be also used as a stencil or mask over the cone shape. Lots of cool options for your creativity!

Another cool thing is that Dee's Distinctively is based out of Canada and the dies are made here in the US.

Anyway. Enough pimping my new favorite die cuts! =D

I die cut the tree, glued it to a kraft card blank and then hit the berry shapes with Stickles.

I think this would be gorgeous if you used white cardstock for the tree and black or navy for the card blank. Hmmm. I wonder what would happen if I die cut two trees and layered them one face up and the other face down...hmmmm.......



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (kraft card blank); Reminisce (I think, not sure--green sparkly paper)
ETC: Dee's Distinctively (Christmas Tree No. 2); Ranger (Distress Stickles--Xmas Red); Zig Two-way Glue Pen



Have a crafty day!


~Cynthia

CASology #18: ORANGE

CASology #18: ORANGE, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I think I'm FINALLY beginning to catch up here. I'm only a day behind with challenges this week! ;-)

This card is for the CASology challenge--Cue Card: ORANGE.

I hope Rusty Hinge is good enough to be considered ORANGE. ;-)

This card is a riff off of another one of Susan Raihala's cards. Super simple design--love that. And easy to mass produce too!

I stamped the leaf, stamped it off on scratch paper, then stamped it on the card blank to make the leaves fade into the background.

Then I die cut the rectangles from orange and white cardstock and stamped the sentiment on the white piece.

I adhered them together and used pop dots on the larger piece to attach it to the card blank.

Easy! =D


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Bazzill (orange cardstock); Neenah (Solar White cardstock)
Stamps: Hero Arts (Real Leaves); Stampabilities (Happy Thanksgiving)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge)
ETC: Nestabilities (Large Labels); EK Success (3D Dots); Glue Glider Pro



I'm off to get a few more cards done today. Be crafty, my friends! =D


~Cynthia

LIM Week 92: PINK

LIM Week 92: PINK, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I saw that Less Is More's challenge this week is to use the color (or colour) PINK! So I decided to use PINK to CASE one of Susan Raihala's cards I saw on her blog several weeks ago.

See, this is how I roll. I see a card. I like the card. It takes me like FOUR WEEKS to get around to actually MAKING the card.

*sigh*

But here it is.

In all its lovely PINK simplicity.

=D

Directions:
1. Stamp circle.
2. Die cut circle.
3. Stamp present.
4. Stamp Happy Birthday.
5. Stamp the present and the Happy Birthday like sixteen more times because they are super tiny stamps and almost impossible to line up correctly in that tiny punched circle and almost cuss because it probably would have been waaay the heck easier to use that StampaMaJig thing that just sits in the drawer for such occasions and in the end attach the circle crooked and just call it a day and wish you had a few bits of Halloween candy left over to make yourself feel a smidge better.
6. Post the card on your blog.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white card blank); Neenah (Solar White cardstock)
Stamps: Hero Arts (Birthday Messages; birthday present); Gina K (The Giving Tree--circle)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry); Memento (Tuxedo Black)
ETC: Marvy-Uchida (circle punch); Sakura (Gelly Roll--Clear Star pen)


Go on over to Less Is More and see all the lovely (and non-crooked) PINK creations! Then play along with us!! =D

~Cynthia

Tim's November Tag

Tim's November Tag, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

It's November first and you know what that means...TIM TAG TIME!!!

Check here for Tim Holtz's step-by-step directions on his tag's techniques.

Here's my take! I stamped the wheat in VersaMark then covered it in clear embossing powder. Heated it.

Stamped the "gratitude" with Archival Ink so it wouldn't run when I spritzed the tag with water before coloring with various Distress Stains. Dried it, then I flicked water on the tag and dried it again to create a mottled effect.

Then, as per Tim, I ironed the embossing powder off the tag--such a cool COOL effect!!

I randomly stamped bits of a larger background stamp on the tag.

Added a bit of warm brown ink on the edges and then distressed the tag.

Colored some seam binding and string with more Distress Stains.

For the embellishment I cut a piece of (desperately forever-hoarded) burlap. I added a chipboard button and some leaves I cut from brown core'dinations paper. I sanded the leaves and distressed the edges with more brown ink before using glue dots to attach them.

Whew! I think that's all I did! As always...so much fun to create! I think that coolest part for me is going all MacGyer on these tags--seeing what I have that can be used as a substitute for what I don't have! =D

Check out Tim's blog and play along!


Supplies:
Paper: Stash (office supply tag); core'dinations (brown cardstock)
Stamps: Inkadinkado (wheat); Studio G/Hampton Arts (sentiment); Glitz Design (Distressing set)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Gathered Sticks); Distress Stain (Frayed Burlap, Rusty Hinge, Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold); Archival Ink (Jet Black); VersaMark
ETC: Stash (button, string, unknown clear embossing powder); the Sewing Place (Daffodil seam binding); Glue Dots



Thank you so much for stopping in to check out my version of Tim's tag! It fills me with gratitude!!!! =D

~Cynthia