Kinda like a polar bear in a snowstorm...

Kinda like a polar bear in a snowstorm..., a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

...you know...like white on white on white??

In person, this card is really cool. I added a bit of glitter pen to the centers of the snowflakes. And I dotted the I in Christmas with it too.

Alas. The Internet has conspired against me on this photo. I'm not sure you can see anything at all of my lovely card. So just squint your eyes and pretend! =D


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank)
Stamps: Penny Black (Crystalline set)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass)
ETC: Spica (Glitter Pen)


Happy Monday!! I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Craft on!!!

~Cynthia

Red and Green

Red and Green, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

I couldn't think of a snappy title for this one. ;-)

Based on a card by....you guess it...Susan Raihala, this is my first Christmas card of the season. Woo hooo!!

I stamped a branch several times, right off the edge of the card. I stamped the ornaments on a sheet of white cardstock, cut them out, adhered them to the branches and covered them with Glossy Accents. Then I stamped the sentiment.

Done and done.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank and white cardstock)
Stamps: Michael's Dollar Stamps (ornaments); Heartfelt Creations (Holly Berry Set--branch); Penny Black (Winter Whites and Greens set--sentiment)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Fired Brick, Forest Moss)
ETC: Glossy Accents


Thanks so much for stopping by today!! Have a wonderful weekend!

~Cynthia

Purple Mountains...

Purple Mountains..., a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Here's another steal from Susan Raihala's Simplicity blog.

Cuz it's all about the simplicity, baby. ;-)

I took the coward's way out though and cut a piece of cardstock to use with the Wrinkle Free Distress technique. I spritzed my craft mat with a bit of water after I dragged my Distress Ink Pad across it, then dragged the cardstock through that...instead of dragging the actual card blank through it. Which scared me.

Cuz I hate wasting cardblanks.

Then I stamped the mountains and the sentiment at the top.

I think it's kind of cool, but not really my favorite card. I need to practice. =D


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank); Recollections (white cardstock)
Stamps: Hero Arts (Thinking of You set); Stampscapes (Rocky Peaks)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Stains (Black Soot, Dusty Concord)
ETC: Glue Glider Pro


Happy Friday, y'all! I really cannot believe tomorrow starts October! Where has this year gone??? ;-)


~Cynthia

...up above the world so high...

...up above the world so high..., a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

And this is the last in my little three part series of Cards I Shamelessly Copied From Susan Raihala's Simplicity blog.

Blue and gold is one of my favorite color combinations. Possibly because those are my high school's colors. Or possibly because they look awesome on kraft paper. ;-)

I added a bit of a twist to this one--and it's more in line with what Susan did on her blog. I stamped my sentiment then added the frame around it. I still scored two lines beneath the frame.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank)
Stamps: Stampin Up (large star); Rubber Stampede (Star Trio); Stampendous (Everything Happy set)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Chipped Sapphire, Scattered Straw)
ETC: ScorBuddy; American Crafts (Pigment Pro pen)


We finally, finally, finally got some clear blue skies and sun today!! I hit the trails for a morning hike and stood around a lot, just letting the sun warm up my soul! =D

~Cynthia

...how I wonder what you are...

...how I wonder what you are..., a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Here's my second take on Susan Raihala's framed cards. Same as yesterday, I just used different colors.

Oh, I forgot to mention yesterday that I took the pictures outside, in the bushes--the only place we had sun in the yard. Those blotches on the card are leaf shadows. ;-)

I really like how changing the colors changes the whole tone of the card. Yesterday's was all pink and girly, but the blue here makes it more masculine-- I could use this for a young boy's birthday too.

I also scored two lines beneath the box then added the sentiment.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank)
Stamps: Stampin Up (blue star); Rubber Stampede (Star Trio); Stampendous (Everything Happy set)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Chipped Sapphire, Peeled Paint)
ETC: ScorBuddy; American Crafts (Pigment Pro pen)


I sat outside at lunch today, reading and enjoying the breeze and the precious sunshine. It's amazing how much the weather can change my mood! :-) I hope the weather is wonderful where you are today!!

~Cynthia

Twinkle, twinkle little star...

Twinkle, twinkle little star..., a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

...how I've CASE'd you from a far...

Yes, I totally stole the idea from Susan Raihala over on Simplicity. I lerved the idea of a framed area on the card. So cute!

I blocked off the area I wanted framed using sticky notes. Then I stamped the stars, drew the lines with a pen, scored two lines beneath the frame, and stamped the sentiment.

I liked the idea of using the darker ink for the sentiment. I think it draws the eye down, while also causing the lighter color to pop.


Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank)
Stamps: Stampendous (Everything Happy set); Stampin Up (star); Rubber Stampede (Star Trio)
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick)
ETC: ScorBuddy; American Crafts (Pigment Pro pen)


This past week was crazy! I spent time on Friday helping my local scrapbook store set up for a stamp convention, then spent most of Saturday shopping there! The vendors were fewer in number compared to the previous year, but I still managed to find some fun stuff!! Just doing my part to help the economy! ;-)


Thanks for stopping in today!

~Cynthia

Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake, a photo by HikerCynthia on Flickr.

Wow! It feels good to be back here sharing my creations!

**As always, excuse the horrid picture....we haven't had sun in a week!**

Between the crazy plumbers and...well...LIFE...I haven't had much time to create. But my dad's birthday was yesterday and I was forced to find a bit of mojo to get a card done. Turns out this is a great way to get the creative juices flowing. I managed to make 2 birthday cards and 3 Christmas cards!

YAY!

Here's the first one. I took a nod from Susan Raihala over on her Simplicity blog. Super simple card.

I stamped the border. Then stamped the cake piece, colored it using watercolors, then cut it out. Lots of glitter pen usage too. :-)



Supplies:
Paper: Recollections (white cardblank)
Stamps: Fiskars (How Many Candles set); Stampology (Celebrate set)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Fried Brick)
ETC: Glue Dots; Spica (Glitter pen)


And that's it for me! Thank y'all so much for all the kind words on my scrapbook pages lately!! Paper crafters are a very encouraging bunch!!!! =D


~Cynthia