On the first day...

.. of Christmas my true love gave to me... Come on, sing along - I know you know the words!

I bet you can tell where the inspiration for this card came from :)

Not too much fuss here, so the details will be short. The pears are from the Fruitful set from PTI. I inked them up with Spring Moss and then tapped a bit of Ripe Avocado to the one side. The bird is a die-cut from the Birds and Blooms Sizzlit Die (Stampin' Up!). Some flourishes from the Fancy Flourishes were stamped on the bird and also behind the pears for a bit of a 'branch'. The patterned paper is from the Holiday Vintage Prints pack. The ribbon is Scarlet Jewel and was adhered with glue dots. I have never been able to quite get the ribbon frills like this to look good. I need to practice!

Great to see you today, hope you'll stop by again! Take care!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Fruitful, Fancy Flourishes, Vintage Picnic - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Rustic Cream - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Holiday Vintage Prints - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Scarlet Jewel, Dark Chocolate, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado, Chamomile Tea Dye - Papertrey Ink
Other: Birds and Blooms Sizzlit Die - Stampin' Up!; Scarlet Jewel Satin ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Clear adhesive rhinestone

Vintage Merry Christmas

Happy December, friends! Before we know it, it will be June again!

Today I'm sharing my card that I made for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge (late again).

Here is the sketch:

And here is my card. I flipped the sketch and took some other liberties..

I love this card! I pulled out my Mini Holidays cling stamp set from the Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection. The collage of ads, cluster of snowflakes, and sentiment are all from this set. The music score background, which I just found this weekend and *love* is from Stampendous. Everything got a treatment of Distress Ink after I cut it out... I just love Distress Ink!

The cream strip of cardstock was punched with the Martha Stewart Simple Scallop edge punch. There are some other do-dads and things added - its all in the recipe, but if you have questions leave me a comment.

And speaking of Tim Holtz, today he started his 12 Tags of Christmas over on his blog. If you've never followed Tim's Christmas tags, you should check it out! It is very inspiring and he's giving step-by-step instructions, so you can play along (I am!)

Thank you for your visit today, I hope you'll stop back again!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Ad Collage, Snowflakes, Sentiment from Mini Holidays - Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection; Music Score - Stampendous
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Handsome Hunter - Stampin' Up!; Aged Mahogany, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Branch and Simple Scallop punches - Martha Stewart Crafts; Pinking Edge for Rotary Paper Trimmer - Fiskars; Gold pearls - Recollections; Fired Brick Distress Ink Stickles - Ranger

PPRS Star Sketch Challenge

Hi everyone! Here in the States it is back to a normal schedule again.. it was nice to have a short break, though. I certainly indulged in a little laziness!

I have a sketch challenge to share today, brought to you by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. The DT was challenged to create a card using this sketch:

Here's what I came up with:

The star card was fun to make! I used the circle part of the sketch and created a little window to the inside. The inside candle image is actually part of a larger ornament. I stamped it twice, paper piecing the candle and flame. I added some Stickles, too. The scalloped circle frame was made using Nestabilities.. it is covered in Stickles too but is a little difficult to see. Here's a view of the inside:

Fun! Thanks for stopping by today. I will be back with more tomorrow. Have a great evening!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Snowflake Candle Ornament - PPRS
Cardstock: Real Red, Wild Wasabi - Stampin' Up!; Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Wild Wasabi - Stampin' Up!; Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink
Other: Classic and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities - Spellbinders; Stickles - Ranger

Autumn Wreath

In the spirit of the season, I want to thank all of you for your daily visits and comments. I am encouraged, comforted, and blessed by you all and for that I am grateful!

I held a stamp workshop back in September and we made these wreaths. I was originally inspired by a wreath similar to this in the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog. I started with a 7" styrofoam wreath form and added the leaves with Elmer's glue. I just layered and curled and layered until I got the look I wanted. Aside from cutting all the leaves, it was easy!

Thank you so much for stopping by today, please know how much I appreciate your visits. I hope you and your families have a wonderful (and relaxing) belly-stuffing Thanksgiving!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Season by Season, Country Blessings - Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper - Stampin' Up!
Ink: Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Leaves #2 Originals Die - Sizzix; Kraft corduroy buttons - Stampin' Up!; Branch and Frond punches - Martha Stewart Crafts; pinking shears; linen ribbon; styrofoam wreath form

Fall Blessings

Hi friends! Only one day left before break! Yipee!

Before I go full-on Christmas mode (I admit, I've been listening to Christmas music already.. gotta love the 'Sounds of the Season' cable channel) I have a fall card to share with you. I am squeaking in under the wire with last week's sketch challenge from Mercy.

Here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

Boy, do I love these colors together! I had a color combination of Terracotta Tile and Spring Moss in mind and then when I saw this patterned paper from the Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg collection, my plan fell perfectly into place! This card is 6" by 3-1/2".

The oak leaf and acorn stamps are from the Waltzingmouse Stamps Blessed By You stamp set. The Fall Blessings sentiment is from Peace and Plenty. I stamped the leaves in Spring Moss, Really Rust, and Dark Chocolate. I cut them out and added some Martha Stewart glitter with a glue pen. Nothing like adding a little sparkle :)

I think I am finally caught up now with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge. I like doing these challenges regularly, so I'm glad to be back on track. And before I go, I'd like to share another of my husband's photos with you. Today's card reminded me of this one. Enjoy!

Hope you have a wonderful night!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Peace and Plenty, Blessed By You - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Terracotta Tile, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Nutmeg - Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa - Stampin' Up!; Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Green Agate, Brownstone, Fire Opal glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; sewing machine

Winter Wonderland ATC

Here we are at another Monday! I had grandiose plans for crafting this weekend but only managed to squeak out the ATC I am sharing with you today. But, I did take a mini-road trip with my Mom, winterized my backyard patio, put some finishing touches on my studio, and rearranged more furniture - so all was not lost! ;)

This is for Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps, using their Snowflake Tree stamp.

I don't usually make ATCs, but they are so fun! A mini canvas for your creativity!

I stamped the snowflake tree once onto white cardstock and again onto shimmer white. I used a punch to punch out the shimmery circles and then adhered them to the first tree with foam tape. I added some stitching, some aqua rhinestones, and a layer of vintage glass glitter. You could add this to a card front, use it as a tag, or trade it! Just keep an eye out for an ATC trade on your favorite forum. It is fun to work on the small scale. Hopefully I'll have better luck with the crafting tonight - I have so much I'd like to do!

Have a great evening - thank you for stopping by!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Snowflake Tree, Winter Wonderland - Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Cool Caribbean - Stampin' Up!; White, Shimmer White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Night of Navy - Stampin' Up!; Old Paper Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Creative Candy Twinkle Stickers - Amuse; sewing machine; vintage glass glitter; circle punches

Holiday Birds

Happy Friday everyone! Just a quick one today.. here is another card made using the holiday stamps from Prickley Pear. This stamp is called Holiday Birds.


The image was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento and colored with my Copics. It was matted on a piece of Riding Hood Red cardstock that had been outlined with a gold paint pen.

I added some random messy stitching to a piece of Mellow Moss, and some snowflakes to the Sahara Sand cardstock. I had a piece of faux pine and a pinecone that I thought would be fun to add!

Thanks for stopping by - it is Light Up Night here in Pittsburgh so I'm going to head downtown later for some hot chocolate and fireworks! The Holiday Season is offically here!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Holiday Birds, Snowflake - Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand, Mellow Moss - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Sahara Sand - Stampin' Up!; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: Assorted Copic markers; sewing machine; Stardust Gelly Roll pen - Sakura; gold paint pen; faux foliage

Pink Winter Wonderland

It is a dreary, cold and rainy Thursday here today. I think some cozy time on the couch is in order this evening.

Today's card uses new holiday stamps from Prickley Pear.

I stamped the flourished reindeer three times with Versamark ink and then embossed it with silver embossing powder. I added a Raspberry Fizz mat and then tied on a Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon. The card base is a Hibiscus Burst square (I can't seem to make anything but square cards recently). I added some clear adhesive rhinestones to the deer antlers to finish it off. The sentiment is also from Prickley Pear.

Hope you enjoy! Stay warm and dry tonight! :)

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Flourished Deer, Winter Wonderland sentiment - PPRS
Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: True Black - PTI, Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Rhinestone stickers - Recollections; silver embossing powder

Cookie Sheet Advent Calendar

Hello!

I have to tap into my files of old projects to share today's with you.. I haven't made anything new in a few days. But that changes tonight! I have new stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps sitting on my desk, my Papertrey Ink order was delivered today, and I have assignments for Prickley Pear. I don't know what I'm waiting for!

Today's project is a cookie sheet advent calendar that I made for the craft show last weekend. These are a little time consuming, but so, so fun! I certainly didn't come up with the idea - a quick Google search results in these links here, here and here (and many more). I first saw this idea last year and made them as gifts for family. I can't wait to make one for myself.

Anyway - on to the photos!


If you have any product-specific questions or want to know a little more about how I did something, please ask! I'm not going to bog us down with details in this post today. I will say that I used patterned paper from the Cosmo Cricket Oh Joy Collection (Frosty and Wrapping Paper), Thickers from American Crafts, and other little do-dads from my stash. Each day is a magnet created from a chipboard shape, and either inked or glittered (if they are glittered, I put a coat of Crystal Effects on top to smooth and seal them). Here is a close-up of some of the days (click on any picture for a larger version).

The dates are stamped onto the cookie sheet as well, so that when the magnets are not in place, you have a guide for magnet placement.. not that you couldn't just count! ;)

There is still time to get cracking on one of these for yourself in time for December!

I also wanted to thank you for the kind words you had for my husband's photos. He pops in here now and again, so I know he saw them. I will certainly share more of his pictures!

Thank you for your visit, and I hope the rest of your day is wonderful!

#Anya

Please comment on this post or email me for any product-specific questions you may have :)

Warm Wishes

Hello, my friends!

I have a cozy, snowy card for you today. I am enjoying experimenting with some non-traditional holiday colors and originally made this card for the first Embellish Magazine publication call.


All stamps used are from the Waltzingmouse Stamps Very Vintage Christmas set (which is currently out of stock - but you can add your name to Claire's waiting list).

This would be easy to mass-produce for Christmas cards.. which I just might do! I love the colors together and think these snowflakes are so elegant. A color combination of light and dark blue would be beautiful too! Have you started your Christmas cards yet? (I haven't!)

And finally, before I go, I wanted to share these photos with you. My husband took these. He really is turning into quite the photographer - if anyone has contacts in the photo industry, please send them our way!

Those are star trails - seriously! That just boggles my mind!

And a classic western Pennsylvania stream. Aren't they fantastic?!

Enjoy your evening!

#Anya

Recipe:
Stamps: Very Vintage Christmas - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Cardstock: Kraft, Rustic Cream, Ocean Tides - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Real Red, Sahara Sand - Stampin' Up!; Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; Antique Linen Distress Ink - Ranger
Other: Ocean Tides Twill, Dark Chocolate Button, Rustic Cream Button Twine - Papertrey Ink