Buttons, ribbons, and Christmas, oh my

Alright I have to ask the question. When was the last time you added ribbon or buttons to your creations? I can tell you for me, it has been a really long time. But there is something about buttons, ribbons and Christmas that just go together.

The new challenge at Christmas 24 is:

Buttons and Ribbons

Here is the perfect opportunity to use up those we rolls of ribbon that Ellen Hutson sends to you with you crafting order. Or if you are like me, you have a bin filled with buttons that you just couldn't part with.

My card today features the layering Christmas trees from  Hero Arts. The ornaments on the tree are wee little buttons from my button stash.

So dust off your button box or dig out those scraps of ribbon and join us for our "button and ribbon" challenge at Christmas 24.

Let it snow!

Thanksgiving is only a month away and that means Christmas isn't far behind. Now is the time to start thinking about all of your holiday crafting.

I always am thrilled when I come up with an idea that can be easily reproduced in a variety of ways. This blueprint with a tag on a plain card base can be made in any number of ways. I made a similar card featured on this blog posting.

My tag cards use two new products just released by Memory Box. The winter large snowflakes stencil and the die- let it snow clouds.

So how did I make these cards you ask? I free cut a tag shape and sponged  MenentoLUXE inks on to the tag with the snowflake stencil. I used summer sky, angel pink, pear tart and toffee crunch. Next I tried something everyone has been doing but I have been late to the party on this technique. I placed the stencil over the tag so the snowflakes are covering open spots and using the shimmer creative medium from Imagine Crafts.

I spread the medium through the stencil with a palette knife and carefully removed the stencil. while the medium was still wet I sprinkled glitter on the tag. While the tag was drying I die cut the let it snow die and just used the words.

 When the tag was dry, I attached the "let it snow" sentiment. Lastly, I adhered it to my base card with foam tape and added matching ribbons and some of the ever popular sequins. Why you ask? Because you can never have enough sparkle!

Here is another view, so you can appreciate the glittery snowflakes on this fun card.

I am entering these cards in two challenges featuring tags. First the word at Addicted to CAS is "tags".

Second, I discovered a new challenge site that is all about tags called Tag You're It! where these tags were the inspiration.

I hope you like these clean and simple tag cards. Let me know how you would interpret this blueprint.

Sunny Days

This week's challenge at Just Us Girls is a word challenge. The word is "ribbon". I thought this was a bit tricky. Did it mean using a ribbon stamp? Did it mean a bow made with a ribbon or did it mean actually using ribbon on your card?

I have four shoe boxes of ribbon that I rarely use anymore, so this was a great challenge for me. I pulled out the boxes from under my desk and started sorting through them. I originally planned  a wedding card with some really elegant sheer ribbon, but I came across three rolls of bright orange and yellow ribbons that just warmed me like the summer sun. I had one of those "ah ha" moments and this card came to life in short order. I don't think I need to say anything else, do I?

I hope you will join us this week at Just Us Girls and show us how the word "ribbon"inspires you.

Tie a yellow ribbon

This is third semester of the House of Cards Challenge site. HOC was the first site to use a single theme and to promote a variety of card styles. Since we have started I have noticed other challenge sites are doing the same thing! But remember you saw it first here.

The theme for the month of July is add a ribbon- or more than one.  This week we are sharing the creations from the CAS team.

I thought long and hard about what I would do. The recent events in the Middle East reminded me of the first Desert Storm invasion and how everyone supported the troops by tying yellow ribbons around trees. My yard was full of yellow ribbons even though I had no one close to me in the service. There is a long history behind the tying of yellow ribbons. It started even earlier with tying yellow ribbons to support the hostages in Iran and all the way back to the Civil War. The American Forklife Center has a very good article if you more interested.

Of course there is the is the very popular song by Tony Orlando and Dawn- Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.

Please join us at House of Cards and share how you would add a bow or two or three or more to your creations.

You are my Sunshine

This is my last day of vacation, boooo hooooo...... I could so be a stay at home girl. I wouldn't get bored ever!!!

Saturday several of us took a road trip to Allentown for the Heirloom Rubber Stamp Convention. I have been attending this convention for at least 10 years or more. Sadly each year he becomes a little bit smaller. While it there was at least 2 less vendors then last year, a big discovery for me was Sweet and Sassy Stamps. What fun images and great samples. 

Plus a FREE make and take. Nothing ticks me off more then a make and take that you have to pay for. The whole point of a make and take is to sell product not to sell the sample. If you have to charge for a make and take it probably is to complicated. I did the SAS make and take and yes I did buy the stamp set!

The card today features the stamp set from Sweet and Sassy, Happy Place. I am entering this in the sketch challenge at the Sweet Stop blog.

This card makes me happy! It makes me smile! It makes me feel springy!

Have a great day!