Morning everyone!  Hanukkah is coming early this year, so I made sure to create some Hanukkah greeting cards.  This first one is for some very close friends of ours:

This design is counted cross stitch in DMC cotton floss and metallic gold.  Base paper is from the Very Merry Christmas paper pack (Echo Park).  The two Small Swirls (MyFavoriteThings) are cut from metallic paper.  Very simple, but cute Hanukkah card.

I put in a request to DCWV to create a Hanukkah paper pack and bling for next holiday season.  My request was forwarded to the design team, so keeping my fingers crossed!  It is difficult finding neutral holiday-type paper for the Hanukkah cards, so really looking forward to see what they come out with.

A holiday craft bazaar is coming this weekend, so I wanted to make sure I had Hanukkah cards on hand to sell.  I just about sold out last year.  This is what I have for this year:

Hanukkah design (Stampinton & Company) was embossed with Gold embossing powder (Tim Holtz).  Base paper is Christmas Milestones (Creative Memories).  Scallop Trim paper punch (Stampin' Up!) at right edge.  Music ribbon sticker (ArtTalent -- The Netherlands).  Two Glitter Red brads (WeRMemoryKeepers) add the finishing touch to this card.

A huge thank you to our friends, Greg & Dominique in Belgium, for all ArtTalent items used in our cards.   I am really getting into using these goodies!

Same Hanukkah design, but done in Silver embossing powder (Tim Holtz).  Papers and right edge punch are the same as above card.  The Purple Ribbon (ribbon inspiration), three rhinestones and Star of David with two more rhinestones in upper left finish this card.

Shabbat Shalom (Heritage Handcrafts) is done in Glossy Blue embossing paste (Dreamweaver) and adhered with pop dots.  Base paper is from Visions of Christmas paper pad (K&Company). Stock sheer ribbon.  Driedel and Star of David stickers (Life's Little Occasions) complete this card.

Happy Chanukah (The Stencil Collection) is done in Pearlescent embossing paste (Dreamweaver) on black card stock for an outstanding effect.  Base paper from The Traditional Holiday paper pad (DCWV).  Music craft tape (Washi) is brand new -- just picked it up at Michaels Arts & Crafts store.  The 3 Stars of David (Life's Little Occasions) complete this popular design card.

Lastly, this Candelabra (Life's Little Occasions) card is a little different.  Main piece is a 3-D sticker, like the Driedel and three Stars of David.  Base paper is from Home for the Holidays (Recollections) paper pack.  The gold Star of David on green paper is embossed in Metallic Gold embossing paste (Dreamweaver).

Hope to see you at the Holiday Craft Shows this year!

Since it looks like my husband will be off work for quite a while, we hope to be able to do additional craft shows next year -- spring, summer, fall and the holidays.  Come on out and buy your year's supply of greeting cards, chocolates, etched glassware and other gifts!

Happy Hanukkah and Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi Everyone -- Today dawned bright, beautiful and cold!  At least, there is no rain.

Here are some cards I worked up over the weekend.  This first one was a commissioned Christmas card from a wife (who loves penguins) to her husband (who is a postage stamp dealer):

This Holiday Penguin is a digi my sister had.  (It is enjoyable being able to share ideas and supplies with someone who enjoys the craft as much as you do!).  Penguin is colored with Copics and glitter glue in the snowflakes; a Snow marker adds a realistic touch.  He is edged with Broken China distressed ink (Tim Holtz).  Base papers are from Festive Collection paper pack (Authentique).  I used the last of my silver Snowflake ribbon with a silver Snowflake brad in upper left corner.  She loves the card!

I am still working on postage stamp greeting cards for my craft shows.  What doesn't sell at the Holiday Craft Bazaars this season, I will take to a local stamp show for interested customers.  (I know of at least two who were reminiscing about these cards.)

This block of four Butterflies and Flowers stamps comes from Burundi.  Yes, these are real stamps!  Most of the stamps I use on my cards have been used, but it is often difficult getting stamps where the cancellation does not interfere with the stamp design.  

Base papers are from Grandmother paper pad (KaiserCraft).  A stock Yellow ribbon and three rhinestones (Me&MyBigIdea) complete the card.

This block of four stamps also hails from Burundi.

Base papers are from the Violet Leaf stack (DCWV).  Red Floral ribbon and 5 stock buttons complete the card.  If you haven't seen this paper pack, it is so pretty!  I love the colors!

This Owl stamp is from the old Soviet Republic.

Base papers are from the Orange paper block (ArtTalent from The Netherlands); the papers include glitter butterflies and foil (under Owl paper).  Dark green coral ribbon and Brown Glitter Leaf (Splendor Fall mix by Prima) complete the card.  Simple, but attractive.

This Owls stamp is from Mongolia.

Base papers are from Chanteuse collection (KaiserCraft) -- notice the embossed leaves.  The Brown and Off-White rope (Light Jute pack by Little Yellow Bicycle), and Acorn and Maple Leaf brads complete this card.

Of course, I had to do some Horse cards -- This pony is from Poland.

The base papers are Hay (my stash) and Spring Greens (colorbok).  The Rope (Paper Studio) and black Horse brad complete the card.

This noble Arabian on the Poland stamp should be a quick sell.

His base papers are Wood Plank (my stash) and Spring Greens (colorbok).  A white Horse brad and multi-colored "stretchy" ribbon complete the card.

I also did some greeting cards using Cats, Dogs, Elephants and Dinosaur stamps.

All these greeting cards, others I have shown previously on this blog, and more will be available for sale at our Holiday Craft Bazaars:

"Follow the Star" Arts & Craft Fair

Friday, November 29

Saturday, November 30

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Edmonds Masonic Center

515 Dayton

Edmonds, WA

Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair

Saturday, December 7, 2013

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Edmonds-Woodway High School

7600 212th Street SW

Edmonds, WA

My husband Keith will also have his homemade chocolates and etched glassware available.  These shows are great venues to find gifts for those hard-to-buy for relatives and friends.  Hope to see you out there!

If you cannot make it to the fairs, there are more greeting cards on the I Did It Creations showroom site.

Now, it is time to get out the holiday papers and bling, and start making those Hanukkah and Christmas cards!  I mean....Holiday music is already playing on the radio!

Lastly, a huge Congratulations to my sister Jan for winning a gift pack from DCWV!  Lots of fun coming her way!

Now, for the other cards I finished this weekend and did not enter into a Challenge:

Antique Rose

This dry-embossed Antique Rose (American Traditional) was colored with Glazed Dimensions (The Stencil Company).  Base paper is from LaBella Rouge stack (DCWV).  Bird dazzle (starform) is colored with Copics and adhered with pop dots.  Stock sheer yellow ribbon for finishing touch.

Glazed Dimensions is a thick gel and gives designs a stained glass window effect.  Limited color selections come in Regular, Pastel, Metallic and Pearl.  I use a mix, depending on what colors I need.


For many years, I used postage stamps in my greeting cards.  I haven't used them in a while, so that was the goal this past weekend.  I completed 12 stamp greeting cards this weekend with one entered into a Challenge earlier today.  Here are some of the others I completed:

Background paper is dry embossed (cuttlebug) Musical and sprayed with Memories Mist.  It was difficult choosing which music ribbon to put on the card as I have several designs.  Love the matching Cello brad!  I did two other Composers stamp greeting cards that all turned out very well.

This is a simple card, where I made the paper work for me.  The Bugs are in a souvenir sheet from Denmark.  Notice the little Lady Bug brad in lower right.  The Red Leaf is from a package of various size leaves that I bought some time ago.  When I came across it yesterday, it was perfect for this card!

The Pope stamp greeting cards are popular at my craft shows.  This is Pope John Paul II (I think).  The twine and flower are nice touches to this simple card.

I did other stamp greeting cards using a combination of papers, ribbons, brads, buttons, bling and paper flowers.  I have more to do and will show those on my blog as I make them.

My stamp greeting cards will be available for sale at our local holiday craft bazaars in November and December.  If I have time, I will make some to put up on I Did It Creations sale website as well.

I will start my Hanukkah and holiday cards this coming weekend.  I sold out of Hanukkah cards last year, so definitely have to make them over the next two weeks as Hanukkah starts Thanksgiving Eve.

It has been a long time since I've entered a Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -- Keep it Clean & Simple, so here goes:  Friendship

When one enters challenges, the promoters like you to use their products in your creations if you have them.  I do not have anything from Simon Says, but if I win this challenge, that problem will be resolved!

I love working with Dazzles, and it was time I did some more.  These dazzles are from the Far East dazzles collection (HOTP). Base paper is The Far East paper stack (DCWV).  

Clean and simple card.  Remember -- make your base papers work for you in your design!

For the Papertake Weekly Challenge, Anything Goes,  I submit Asian Love

Central Dazzle is from the Far East dazzles collection (HOTP) on pop dots.  Base papers are from The Far East paper stack (DCWV).  White doily (Wilton), and two flower pieces to make one with a button in the middle to complete the card.  Love sentiment (Creative Memories) with yellow Rhinestone for bling.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge time, #294 - Animal Magic -- Winter Penguins

I have used postage stamps in my greeting cards for many years.  In fact, I used to make stamp greeting cards as fund raisers for a philatelic educational non-profit for many years.  Unfortunately, they were forced to close almost three years ago, so now I can make the stamp greeting cards for my enjoyment (and as gifts!).  

The Penguin stamp is from Russia, on swirl metallic white paper.  Base paper is multiple blue heavy paper.  The snowflake dazzles are see-through and pick up the paper color for a dazzling effect (literally!).  A snowflake ribbon completes the card.  I love this ribbon; am out now and need to get some more.

Check out the rest of my blog for more greeting stamp cards and other card designs..

My entry for the Flutter By Wednesday #260 challenge is Glazed Iris & Shimmer Butterfly

The hand-embossed Iris (Heritage Handicrafts) was colored with Glazed Dimensions (The Stencil Collection).  Base papers are from DCWV's La Creme stack.  The embossed and die-cut Butterfly (Spellbinders) is on a metallic paper.  Basic green ribbon, Small Swirl of metallic green (My Favorite Things) and 3 stock buttons complete the card.

Remember -- make your papers work for you!

With so much going on the past couple of weeks, I haven't had a chance to post my Halloween cards. So, here they are...

A Happy Hallowe'en (Art by Reminisce).  Base paper Candy Corn, White Paper Doily (Wilton), and Leaf embossed die-cut (Cuttlebug).  Jack-O-Lantern (Judith) gold powder embossed.

All the Halloween art on these cards is by Reminisce.

Hallowe'en Greetings curled at the corners.  Base paper Spider Web (Creative Imaginations).  Bat ribbon and Spider brad.

A Jolly Hallowe'en on black card stock (Paper Accents), Pumpkin embossed die-cut (Cuttlebug), Bat brad and Ghosts ribbon.

Hallowe'en Greetings on base paper Autumn Layered Paper Pack (Me&MyBigIdeas) and Paper Doily (Wilton).  Owl & 2 Leaves brads.  I made this card for my mother.

A Happy Hallowe'en on dark Gold/Brass Metallic paper die-cut.  Base paper Harvest & Holiday paper pack (Debbie Mumm) base paper. Boo to You and 2 Leaves brads.

A Jolly Hallowe'en on Spider Web (Creative Imaginations) base paper.  Halloween ribbon, layered Black Spider and 3 Halloween color rhinestones (Queen&Co).

A Merry Hallowe'en on Autumn Layered paper pad (Me&MyBigIdeas).  Multi-colored Jack-O-Lantern ribbon, Pinecone and Leaf brads, and 2-layered Bat.

Hope you all had a good, safe Halloween.

Now to get ready for Thanksgiving and Hannukah....

Today's creation has been entered in the Flutterby Wednesday #259 Challenge.  The theme is "any winged creature". 

I loved this Owl embossing folder (Cuttlebug) the minute I saw it; my husband, too, as he is a fan of Owls.  The Owl is embossed on Gold metallic paper and adhered to a Black Glitter card (DCWV Solid Glitter card stock box set).  The two-layered Black Bat is from the Creepy emboss/die-cut set (Cuttlebug).  His bottom layer is cut from flat black paper and the top from shiny black card stock.  I added the Halloween epoxy sentiment for a finishing touch (Renae's House).  Simple, yet attractive.

I created this card for my husband's brother and his betrothed.

Happy Halloween everyone!

For the greeting cards I did not enter into any Challenges, here they are:

The Pansies with Leaves (DMD) is colored with pencils and adhered with pop dots.  The Mini Flower (Inkadinkadoo) is colored with glitter ink pens (Gelly Roll) and also adhered with pop dots.  Base papers are from the Devotion paper pad (Creative Imaginations).  Dark Green "coral" ribbon, small Paper Flowers (My Moments) and large green Paper Flower (The Netherlands) complete the card.

I always need to try something different, so this is my "different this month" card.  The designs are from Nature's Pace (Stampin' Up!) set and colored with Copic markers. (Yes, I hand cut each design out.) Card base is Retro Square from a box of various embossed cards (DCWV).  Brown paper is from The Gauze paper stack (DCWV).  Sheer Bee ribbon completes the card.  The sentiment is from the same rubber stamp set and edged in Yellow Citrus of Primary Elements (Color Box Cats Eyes) ink set and adhered with pop dots.

I really hemmed and hawed before I bought The Gauze Paper Stack.  I mean, I love the stack, but what on earth would I use it for?  It would not work with exactly every card design, but I think it did a good job with this card.  The card base is one of the prizes I won earlier this year.  Forever loving DCWV!

Diving Dolphin Gray (The Graphic Word) is colored with Copics and Glitter pens (Gelly Roll).  Waterfall glitter glue (Stickles) is added to the water splash.  This piece is on Green Glitter paper from the Glitter paper stack (DCWV). Base paper is Water.  Seashell and Dolphin brads, and Anchor charm with Light Green "coral" ribbon add finishing touches to this adorable card.

No, you are not seeing double.  These two cards may have the same rubber stamp design, but they are different -- color, paper and ribbon.

This Blue Diving Dolphin card was colored with Copics and Glitter pens (Gelly Roll). Lagoon glitter glue (Stickles) was used to enhance the water splash.  The piece is on Green paper from The Fiber stack (DCWV).  Look closely to see the "fibre".  Base paper is Big Bubbles (HOTP).  Brown "coral" ribbon and 2 Seashell brads complete the card.

All these cards will be available for sale at our Holiday Gift Shows in November and December.

I have plenty more greeting cards up for sale on I Did It Creations Showroom, so be sure to pop over if you need cards the next several months.

New Challenge:  ABC50 "3-2-1" sponsored by ABC Challenges: The goal of this challenge is to use 3 shapes, 2 pattern papers and 1 ribbon.  Check!  My Daffodil Blessings fits that goal quite nicely.

The Daffodils design of the Greatest Joy set (Spellbinders) was colored with Copics and border stamped with green ink (Staz-On); edged with Orchid Pastel of Primary Colors (Color Box Cats Eyes) ink set.  Base papers are from the Luxury Stack (DCWV).  I added the sheer Yellow ribbon and three Rhinestones (Kaiser Scrapbook) to enhance card.  Lastly, the sentiment, from the same rubber stamp set, is brushed with Mowed Lawn distressed ink (Tim Holtz). Card is 5 X 6½ inches.

Here is my entry for Challenge #15: Your Fav Sentiment, sponsored by Inky Chicks.

This Pansy Ornament (American Traditional) is colored with pencils and adhered with pop dots. Card is 6½ X 5 inches.  Base papers are from These Days paper pad (KaiserCraft). Two (2) Small Swirls (My Favorite Things) were created with an embossing/die-cut folder on my cuttlebug; added a silver Bee brad to complete the card.  Sentiment is a rub-on from In Love set (KaiserCraft).

Dear friends of ours recently lost their kitty. This is the condolence card I made for them:

The cat trio are hand dry-embossed on green marbled paper, with middle cat colored with pencils. That piece is edged with Blue Lagoon from Color Box Cat's Eye ink.  Base paper is kitty paper from Michael's or JoAnn's that I purchased some time ago.  Cat footprint ribbon and gray cat brad were added.  Sentiment from Greetings collection (Inkadinkadoo), gold powder embossed and adhered with pop dots.

I am trying to use products that I bought the past couple of years and haven't touched, and do less buying of new products.  Do you have this problem?  Here's my latest creation with items bought the past two years:

I love the Bird Song line from Graphic 45.  This Peacock is colored with Gelly Roll glitter pens and hand cut out. Base paper from Traveler paper pad by MME.  Green glitter tape by AmericanCrafts to trim far right side.  (I have six rolls of glitter tape, and this is the first time I've used any of them.)  Peacock and Lantern are adhered with pop dots.

Last time, I showed you a 3-D card, one that I had to hand cut each piece out with a small pair of scissors.  Here are several 3-D foil cards that were die-cut: one only had to punch out each piece and assemble.  Much easier and less time consuming!

There are 5 layers on this card.

You can see the layers here.

I later did a set of four 3-D foil Horse cards.  There are 3 layers to each design.  I love these cards!

Background Grass paper "Nurture" (Reminisce). Rope is of the Jute Burlap set (The Paper Studio).

Grass paper is Spring Greens (Colorbök).  Cream Paper String by Tim Holtz Idea-ology set.

Same base paper as the first Horse card above.

What more can you really do with these cards?  They look lovely as they are.  The foil-based punch-out 3-D horses are by Dufex Crafts.

Where's the fourth card?  Oh, I guess I did say four horse cards.  The fourth one was so gorgeous, I just had to keep it.  After I put the fourth 3-D foil set together, I did not make it into a card.  I kept it as is and is on my window sill where I keep all my favorites (yes, I am running out of window sill space).

Since I did these cards, black pop squares have come out on the market, so I might switch to those in hopes they won't show up as much as the white.

Now, on to cross stitch greeting cards:

Cross stitch greeting cards are slow to sell, simply because they are more expensive, anywhere from $10 and up -- depending on how detailed the stitching is.  This Pegasus Gold card is done in DMC Metallic Gold with matching Yellow Cotton floss; Metallic Black used for outline.  The base paper is from The Stardust Matstack (DCWV).  The Autumn Tinsel Twine is by Tim Holtz idea-ology.

All my cross stitch cards are hand-done, not machine, and are counted cross stitch, not stamped cross stitch.

Periodically, I will do a different type of card, such as this one.  Notice the seam in the front center...Open the card, and...

A nice Dragon greets you!  This handsome creature is done with DMC Cotton floss on white fabric with glitters (unfortunately, cannot be seen in any photo I could take).  The outside front and inside side flaps paper is from Oriental Papers (The Crafts Paper Library).  The inside center papers are from Glitz Pack (Afternoon Muse) paper pack.  A "coral" ribbon adds the finishing touch.  

Close-up of the stitching.

I learned to do Blackwork a few years ago and really enjoyed it.  I have found it is difficult to find good designs, so when I saw these in a new book I purchased, I just had to give them a try.  This Gothic Owl alphabet C was easy to do.  He is done in DMC Metallic Black with Metallic Gold and Cotton Yellow for the C.  (Remember, these are gothic letters.)  To keep attention on the design, I did not decorate the card stock.

The Gothic Dragon alphabet N is from the same set as the Owl above, using the same DMC materials.  I plan on doing more of these designs.  Both card stock is from Yarn Tree Designs.

And now, back to traditional greeting cards:  (can we say that?)

I actually colored this cute card over the summer, but did not put it together until this weekend.  Dino Baby & Stork is hand colored and edged in Gold (Basics color box cat's eye ink set).  Base paper is from the Debbie Mumm paper pack.  I have had this paper pack for a long time, but have not used any paper from it.  I thought of it when I was making this card, dragged it out and found the perfect paper for this card. This paper pack is not your usual baby paper. It is a huge paper pack, so I will have to share some with my sister Jan next time she is over.  Diaper pin brad and Baby rub-on sentiment (Scrapperware) on pop dots complete the card.  Definitely going to our holiday craft shows.

Another card I colored over the summer and did not get put together until this weekend.  Trick or Treat Little Tiger is hand colored.  Base paper is Fall into Winter (Wübie Prints). The two fall leaves embossed and die cut with my Cuttlebug.  Candy Corn brad adds a nice touch.  The Halloween Express Yourself sticker sentiment (SRM Press) is adhered with pop dots.

I will put this card up on I Did It Creations website as I do not have a craft show until after Halloween.

I love purple roses. You get the right real Purple Rose plant, and they have a great scent!  This Rose design (Stampa Rosa) is colored with Copic Markers and Glitter Glue.  There are 4 small purple Rhinestones (Mark Richards) and 2 larger purple Rhinestones (Queen & Co). Design is edged with Blue Lagoon (Primary Elements color box cat's eye ink set).  Base paper is from The Luxury Stack (DCWV). There is one Leafy Vine die cut (Cheery Lynn Designs) behind the roses.  The right edge of card has been punched with Scallop Trim edge punch (Stampin' Up)!  Two Bee brads complete the card.

For some reason, I always have trouble coloring this rose design (Stamp Land). It is colored with Copic Markers, Glitter Glue and 1 Yellow Rhinestone (Kaiser Scrapbook).  Design is edged with Merlot (Rich Rustics color box cat's eye ink set).  The background paper is from Serene - Express Yourself paper pack (Creative Memories).  The right edge of the card is punched using Scallop Trim edge punch.  There are two Leafy Vine die cuts behind the Rose design.  Bee and Lady Bug brads added for a finishing touch.

I love this Rose design (Laurie Anderson). It is so easy to work with.  The design is colored with Copic Markers, Glitter Glue and 2 pink Rhinestones (a'muse) to enhance.  It is edged with French Blue (color box cat's eye Misty Meadow ink set).  Base paper is Print Poetry (Stampin' Up), which is edged in Brown (Rich Rustics color box cat's eye ink set).  There are two Leafy Vine die cuts behind the roses.  The card's right edge is punched using Scallop Trim edge punch.  Notice the Lady Bug and Bumble Bee brads as a finishing touch.

Irises are a favorite of mine and my customers.  This Iris set (Art Impressions) is hand-colored with pencils; edged with Merlot (color box cat's eye Rich Rustics ink set).  Base paper is Paper Stash Kraft Resist (Tim Holtz Idea-ology).  Blue "coral" ribbon and Yellow Butterfly brad complete the card.

Many of these cards today will be sold at our holiday craft shows this November and December.  Other cards are listed on a new artists' website, I Did It Creations!  (Yes, opening was delayed.)  This site should be open for business tomorrow, October 1.  Feel free to pop over and see what you need to buy.  When looking at Greeting Cards, be sure to think about all the birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and holiday events in your life.  Many cards are also suitable for Just for You / Thinking of You and Sympathy.

If you love any of these cards and they are not on the above website, just let me know you want it and I'll pull it out of our craft show stock; I accept PayPal.  I sold 6 cards last week this way (actually, those cards never made it into the show stock!).