Blue and Gold Christmas

I'm sure everyone is thinking about the end of summer, the beginning of the school year and for many of us creating Christmas cards.  So, here is my Sparkles Christmas Challenge card for September.  Pat chose the theme for this challenge the cards need to show blue and gold.

When I sat down to create my card, I was sure this was going to be a quick one for me....boy was I wrong.  My original plan didn't look on paper like it did in my mind.  So into the trash bin went idea #1, which I'd tried cutting 4 times.  The die, a large one just wasn't cooperating.

I decided to move on to idea #2, which is based on what you are seeing now.  What I did realize...I don't have Christmas patterned papers in blue and I thought I had many choices of blue solid papers....guess what, I don't.   At this point I was getting a bit frustrated.

While going through my paper pads, I found a 6x6 pad that is not Christmas, but it is blue.  My card is made from Vintage Romance by Maja Designs.  I love the papers, but they are not Christmas themed.  The patterns are tiny and I think rather quilt like.  I think these four papers worked well for the front of this card.

My snowflake was die cut from a Memory Box Die - Bianca Snowflake #98193.  I first cut the die using a gold mirror card stock, but it was just too shiny.  I cut the design again using a mottled gold card stock.  I liked this cut much better.  I did use the mirror gold to frame the layers of blue card stock.  The sentiment "Let It Snow" is a 1995 Annette Allen Watkins stamp - #C1371.  The center of the snowflake was cut from a piece of scrap blue card stock.

And now on to the inside of the card....

The inside of my card uses two more pieces of the Maja Design paper and I added 1/2 of the mirror snowflake I originally cut to use on the front of the card.  I do like the look.  My sentiment is from Stampabilities - 2008, Warm Your Heart - GR1145.  That's it for my inside and out.  I hope you too will take some time to create a blue and gold card and share it with the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  

I think my helper was a bit tired today.  She is always at my feet when I create.  

I don't know why I'm sharing this photo, I will name this photo persistence pays off....

I do tend to make a mess when I'm in creative mode.  Thankfully, if I clean up after each creation it's an easy and quick process.....Here's what my desk should look like.  

Well, I guess I'm ready to start my next creation.  Until next time, Happy Crafting, I look forward to seeing your blue and gold creations.  

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Krafty Christmas at Sparkles Christmas Challenge

This month we celebrate our Krafty walk to Christmas with a card theme that Caz chose for the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  Caz picked the theme...."A Krafty Christmas" and it must feature Kraft cardstock.

I started by coloring my snow family - Hero Arts H099 - Snowpeople Border.  I colored this image using a gift from a fellow crafter, actually artist Jodi Martinez.  She is the queen of Instagram @jodiathome, and her FaceBook page is Jodi At Home.  The pens she gifted me are Chameleon and I must say, they are easy to use and fun too.  They come with instruction and a code so you can see videos of the pens in action.  Thank you Jodi, it was nice meeting you in person....finally! Please check out Jodi's work, it is amazing!  Here's a sample of Jodi's work....for more you are going to have to go to her FaceBook page or to instagram using the info above....

Here's more on what I did to make this card.  I made the sky background on my computer using PrintShop and glued this piece to a slightly larger piece of glitter cardstock.    I fussy cut my snow family and glued it only to the bottom of the sky background.

I wrapped a piece of Kraft cardstock in glittery tulle, wrapped a piece of ribbon around the card, and added a metal snowflake.  I then  mounted it to the card base and glued my graphic piece to it.

My Merry Christmas sentiment is Stampabilities.  I mounted the sentiment to another piece of glitter cardstock and I slid it partly behind one of the snow people.  That's pretty much it for the front of the card.

Now, on to the inside:

As always, my inside is a bit of a repeat of the outside.  This stamp is Stampendous - M011 - Christmas Wish.

Note:  most of my stamps are quite old, as I've been collecting them for years.  I always try to list the stamps I use.  I know that many are retired, but I often still find them on line,  I know they are at  times available if you want to take time to look.

I'm sending wishes for a most crafty month.  I hope you will enter your creations with Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  I'll be looking for them!

Until next time, hugs from my world to yours.

Mary Mac
AKA:  GlitterGrammy

A Crafty Christmas

It's Jo's month to Sparkle and for her theme she has chosen:  Use a Craft Card.  Which is what I did....can you see it?  It's the base for my card and an extra bonus, I used nothing but snippets.  I love being able to make use of what I have.  The papers are from and 8x8 Graphic45 Christmas collection.  I liked the graphic, but, I wanted to make it just a bit different, so....I cut the brown decorative border away, outlined the graphic in gold and then glued all the pieces to another piece from the Graphic45 collection.  I added the die cut sentiment, which is one of my favorite Poppystamp dies.  

And here's the inside....

Lots of craft card stock and then bits left over from scraps from the front of the card.  Another Poppystamp die, and a favorite sentiment from Stampabilities.  

I showed you what I've made and now it's your turn.    You could win a fabulous prize....but not if you don't enter.......Check out all the fabulous makes the Sparkles Design Team created and then don't forget, we love seeing what you've made.  

This month's sponsors are:  

Fantastic Ribbons - a $10.00 voucher

Crafty Sentiments - 3 digi stamps

I'm excited to see what you create.....

Until next time....Happy Crafting,

Hugs from Me to You!

Glitter Grammy AKA:  Mary Mac

Let It Snow.....

This month the Sparkle Christmas Challenge is Snowflakes....Thanks go out to Amy for this fun challenge.   And thanks to, to Di's Digi Downloads for sponsoring this month's challenge. 

This month the prize is a $10.00 voucher....wow! 

 It wasn't all that long ago and the snows were falling.  In some areas of the country folks were shoveling their way through daily.  Here in California we do get snow, but ours comes, stays long enough to be enjoyed and then it melts away.  Last year we had no snow and very little rain.  We are in a drought now and I think all Californian's are praying for lots of snow and lots of rain.  So, to think about snow in August, is the thought of a Celebration of the Winter  Season!  I do hope Mr. Winter is impressed with my snowflakes and sends us many of his.

My card is 6x6.  The paper is Bo Bunny, My snowflakes were made using Poppystamps, Memory Box and IO dies and  Martha Stewart punches.  The background die is from the new Poppystamps release Big Bubble Background.  The ribbon is from my stash and the sentiment is one of my favorite Stampabilities rubber stamps that I stamped in white ink and heat embossed it using a white pearl embossing powder. 

I hope to see lots of snowflake cards this month.  How about joining in.  It's easy, it's fun, and it's a great way to stay focused on getting those holiday cards completed.  Come see what everyone has been creating.....Here.  Until next time.....

Hugs to all,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Sparkles Christmas Challenge

I've got great news.....I'm on the Sparkles Christmas Challenges Design Team for 2014! I am thrilled to be creating with some very creative people.  Here's what I made for my first post.....

Helen picked this challenge and it's called More Than One Fold

I couldn't wait to start on Christmas Cards and Gift Card Holders for 2014.  So, off I ran to create this gift card/money holder.  I borrowed this stamp from my friend Virginia.  I think I may have to go on a search to find it...I'm loving this jolly Santa.  

The money/gift card holder was made using a Sizzix die, the Ornament is Poppystamps the border is Memory Box and the sentiment is a stamp called Bright and Merry G1117 is from Stampabilities.  The die cut it is sitting on is Spellbinders as is the die used on the front of the card.  And here is what the Sizzix die looks like when it's open...

Now here's some fantastic news.  Sparkles Christmas Challenge isn't just a challenge that keeps us all working toward Christmas, it's also a place to share ideas and get and keep inspired.  Want more?  Well let me tell you about this months prize.....A $10.00 voucher graciously given by

Check out all the beautiful Digi Downloads that Di offers.  I think you'll be as excited as I am. And don't forget to enter your creation in the Sparkles Christmas Challenge for a chance to win a FABULOUS prize!  Be sure to check out the rules and follow the theme and then don't forget to link your project.  

Until next time.....Hugs from Northern California

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Rudolph Day

Happy Rudolph Day and for once, I am close to the actual 25th.  When I was putting my two new cards into "storage", it dawned on me that Christmas isn't all that far away.  I know, it's not even summer and I'm talking Christmas....never too early to start....and Sarn at Stamping For Pleasure points us in the right direction.  Well, here's what I've made for this month....

I'm not thrilled with the photo.  The glitter doesn't look all that glittery!  But it is....The card was made from snippets taken from a 6x6 paper pack. It's from  Melissa Frances - Deck the Halls.  I have no idea what year.  The sentiments are from Stampabilities and Stampendous.  The die is Memory Box.  The glitter is Martha Stewart.  And here's the inside....

I finished this card and still had snippets left over.  The up and down side to making kits for classes, lots of snippets are born...so, here is my Rudolph Day second card...and since these cards are both filled with snippets, Di will be getting a visit from me...Actually this week I've been running wild on the playground.  Too much candy maybe....

Two years ago, at PSB Christmas Crop, Karen gave us a sheet of paper that had tons of Santa's - big ones like this and tiny ones.  I glittered all of mine and put them safely away for another day.  Well, almost 600 days went by and finally....here's what I did... and you will notice the sewing.  My friend, Edy will be thrilled!  I used my Sew Easy tool....wanta know how long I've had that in my tool kit?  Wanta know how often I've used it?  Well....I was in Sacramento with friends and I found a ruler made by Sew Easy that actually makes guiding the tool easy....."Sew"...clever no?  I sewed, by hand mind you, using the pierced holes.  Pretty Easy! You may actually see more sewing!  And here is the inside....

Well, if I'm going to get this posted by the last day of the month.....I'd best get going.  Until next time, have a most wonderful and very crafty weekend. 

I am playing along at  Stamping For Pleasure - Rudolph Day
You'll find me jumping rope with Di and the gang at - Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Hugs to All,

Mary

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

WOYWW 177 - Carta Bella and Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Saturday was Carta Bella Day at Karen's - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

Well, here we are.  This is the afternoon group, our project was a  2 page lay-out using Carta Bella Christmas Day papers. (If you haven't seen them, might be worth a look at them)    The morning group ran out before photos could be taken, or more truthful, before we remembered to take them. The big kid in the back is Lindsay, the Carta Bella guy who tried keeping us all in line...I think it might have been easier to herd cats.... we did have a good time!

And here's Karen, I'd like to thank her for bringing Lindsay to her shop.  It was a fun day and we left with loads of goodies....

A few days ago, I posted a photo of a card I made using snippets left from making the Christmas album.  Thanks to Lindsay, I have many more snippets and below are a few of the cards I made using them.  I've gotta say, albums are a great way to collect snippets, not that any of us need help collecting them.  I'll be posting these cards on Di's blog....and I hope to spend some time tomorrow seeing what the others have been doing.  Di reminded me that Thursday is Rudolph Day over at Sarn's blog page.  If I get my act together, maybe I can actually make another card....Oh...I just remembered a new Memory Box die I purchased last week....I'll be making a Rudolph card using that...(that is if I don't forget!)  It's not too late, if you want to play along...

 

 

 

I made this card this morning.  I purchased the Spectrum Noir pens and though I haven't been doing much coloring lately, it's always been something that I've enjoyed doing.  I've got to say, using the pens is different than water color and after watching video's I'm learning to get the colors I was hoping for. I'm still working on shading.  So, about this card.  The papers are from CartaBella, the rubber stamp is from Stampabilities and is called Christmas Tale (not new, from 2003)  The dies are from Memory Box and Spellbinder.  All of these cards are made from snippets,

 

Do you want to see the mess I made making these cards?  It's Wednesday and it's the day to share our work desks...so, thank you Julia for giving us the place to post our little messy work desks.  Check out the other creative desks and see what was created there....and if you're feeling brave....post your little corner of creativity...

Oh....while going through the blue box, I looked through the lid and saw this.....

I always knew there was someone helping me put my projects together.  I had to laugh, I don't remember putting any of these parts in this order, although I do remember putting the epoxy pieces on the pink pad...do you think maybe, while I was sleeping, the pieces crept onto the paper pad?  OK, I can pretend...

Off I go, tomorrow it's supposed to rain and I'm hoping to get into my room to tidy up, and then make another mess playing with my pens and stamps....

Until next time....Happy Creating!
Hugs to all,
Mary