Saturday, December 23, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - WINTER

 Dear Ones~
There's a new challenge over at Can You Handle the Pressure.   For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

WINTER
 Here's my card:
Oh my GEEEE - aren't these little snowpeople just the cutest you have ever seen? This is a die set by Tim Holtz called Chilly and Freezy. So stinkin' FUN!!! Now I have to admit that this is quite labor intensive, but it's so worth it. I just took my time and it all came together. The background embossing folder is a new one from Simon called Filament Snowflakes. It's so delicate and I love it.



The Ingredients:
GKD White, Lipstick and Red Hot Card Stock
Recollections Blue Card Stock
SSS Filament Snowflake Embossing Folder
Tim Holtz Chilly and Freezy Die Set
HOTP Janie's Snow Friends Stamp for Greeting
GKD Frozen Rhinestones
Stickles

 
 
 
 If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder.  Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there. And I can't wait to see all your wonderful designs!!
 
Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
And
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
judy

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Double D - WINTER/SNOW SCENE

Dear Ones~
Winter is upon us, and for a good share of us in the Northern Hemisphere that means snow.  The challenge this time over at the Double D Challenge Blog is WINTER/SNOW SCENE. Here is the Mood Board for our inspiration. Isn't it beautiful??
Here is my card:
I just ADORE this little stamp. I think it's so dear and I love it to pieces. It's very old, I think I got it in one of those magazines that used to include some stamping supplies. I stamped it on watercolor paper and colored it with my Mission Gold watercolors. Isn't it just the sweetest thing ever??

The Ingredients:
GKD White Card Stock
Recollections Blue Card Stock
SSS Filigree Snowflake Embossing Folder
Stash Stamp
GKD Seasonal Greetings Stamp for Greeting
SU Layering Oval Dies
Mission Gold Watercolor

If you head on over to the  Double D Challenge Blog and play along, you could win this absolutely adorable stamp set. Isn't it cute? Also, don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created.


Until next time dear readers, aspire to be inspired. 
Here's celebrating your Creative Muse and merry Christmas!!
~judy

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - HOLLY

 Dear Ones~
There's a new challenge over at Can You Handle the Pressure.   For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

HOLLY
 Here is my card:
I just love the clean and simple look of this card. The image is from an incentive stamp set from Gina K Designs called Under the Mistletoe. The Paper Studio embossing folder could not be any more perfect to complete the holly theme for this challenge.

The Ingredients:
Gina K Designs White Card Stock
Gina K Designs Under the Mistletoe Stamp
Stampin' Up Square Layering Dies
Paper Studios Holly Embossing Folder
Mission Gold Watercolors

 If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder.  Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there. And I can't wait to see all your wonderful designs!!
 
 Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
judy
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Double D - Christmas Animals

 Dear Ones~
This time over at Double D we are all about animals. CHRISTMAS ANIMALS. Here's the Mood Board for our inspiration:
And here's my card:
I have become enamored of the clean and simple look lately, so I thought I would do that for this challenge. I just love this little guy, he is part of an old, OLD stamp set from Hot Off the Press. I enjoyed coloring him with my Mission Gold watercolors on watercolor paper. Clean and simple for sure.

The Ingredients:
Canson XL Watercolor Paper
HOTP Janie's Snow Friends Stamp Set
Mission Gold Watercolors
Stickles
 
If you head on over to the  Double D Challenge Blog and play along, you could win this absolutely adorable die set from Cottage Cutzs. Also, don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created.
 
Until next time dear readers, aspire to be inspired, 
and here's celebrating your Creative Muse!!
~judy

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - CHRISTMAS

 Dear Ones~ There's a new challenge over at Can You Handle the Pressure.   For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

CHRISTMAS
 This is my card:
I love this Stampin' Up die set, I think it's from 2022. I decided to make a masculine Christmas card and this was perfect for that. The only stamping is the the greeting, and I used a great Tim Holtz embossing folder called Lumber for the kraft panel behind the focal.
 

 
 
 The Ingredients:
GKD White, Christmas Pine, Dark Chocolate and
Kraft Card Stock
SU Tidings of Christmas DSP
SU Snow Globe Scenes Die Set
Tim Holtz Lumber Embossing Folder
GKD Feeling Frosty Stamp for Greeting
GKD Chocolate Truffle Ink

 
 
 
 If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder.  Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there. And I can't wait to see all your wonderful designs!!
 
 
Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
judy

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Double D - Stripes and/or Dots

Dear Ones~
 This time over at the Double D Challenge Blog the challenge is STRIPES and/or DOTS. Here is the beautiful Mood Board for our inspiration:


Here's what I came up with:
I have been playing with my Fuze, so I thought I would try my hand at using some texture paste with a stencil and then runing it through the Fuze with some foil. It's so much fun because you get the texture from the paste and the glitz from the foil. I love how this came out.


The Ingredients:
GKD White Card Stock
SU Plaid DSP
GKD Sun Spots Stencil
Deco Foil Duo Transfer Gel
GKD Glimmering Gold Foil
Simon Hurley Floral Stag Die Set for Flowers
GKD Feeling Frosty for Greeting
Trinity Stamps Gold Baubles

 
 
 
If you head on over to the  Double D Challenge Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous die set from Tutti Designs. Also, don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created.


 Until next time dear readers, aspire to be inspired, and enjoy. 
Here's celebrating your Creative Muse!!
~judy

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - TURKEY/THANKSGIVING/THANKS

Dear Ones~
 
 Turkey Day is just around the corner, and in honor of our feathered friend the twist over at Can You Handle the Pressure this time is TURKEY/THANKSGIVING/THANKS.  For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

TURKEY/THANKSGIVING/THANKS
 Here's my card:
Isn't this guy goofy??? I found this design on Pinterest HERE.  He's done with die cut circles and ovals, really easy to do.  I ran him through an embossing folder for texture, and used the GKD Autumn Leaves die set to make his "feathers".



The Ingredients:
GKD Ivory, Black Onyx, Warm Cocoa, Red Velvet, Sweet Mango and Recollections Orange Card Stock
SU Tasteful Textures Embossing Folder
SU Old Paper Embossing Folder
Dynamics Thanks Die
SU Stitched Shapes Dies
GKD Autumn Leaves Dies
Stash Circle Punches



 
 If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder, it's a beauty!!  Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there. I can't wait to see what you create.

 
Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
judy

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Double D - OH DEER

 Dear Ones~
This time over at the Double D Challenge Blog the topic is DEER. Here is the beautiful Mood Board for our inspiration:

This is what I came up with:
I have had this die set for awhile and thought this was a perfect time to use it. For that background embossed panel I used Tim Holtz Tree Rings embossing folder. I really love it and use it often for masculine cards. I ink smooshed Distress Inks on watercolor paper and then die cut the leaves with the resulted background panel. So pretty.





Here's a close up of the deer.










The Ingredients:
GKD Warm Cocoa, Kraft and Dark Chocolate Card Stock
Recollections Green Card Stock
Tim Holtz Tree Rings Embossing Folder
Sizzix Delightful Deer Die Set
GKD Thanks Die for Greeting
Distress Inks in:
*Dried Marigold
*Barn Door
*Wild Honey
*Rich Razzleberry 
 
 
If you head on over to the  Double D Challenge Blog and play along, you could win these absolutely wonderful dies from Cottage Cutzs. Also, don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created.
 
 
Until next time dear readers, aspire to be inspired, and enjoy. 
Here's celebrating your Creative Muse!!
~judy

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - VINES/GREENERY

Dear Ones~
  There's a new challenge over at Can You Handle the Pressure.   For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

VINES/GREENERY
 Here is my card:
I used an embossing folder by Altenew called Vines. It's just beautiful and I use it often. Here I used Stampin' Up Evening Evergreen card stock, ran it through my machine with the embossing folder, and then lightly sponged white pigment ink over the raised design. I LOVE how it looks, very elegant. The greeting is from a very old Stampin' Up set called Feel Goods. I'm sad it's retired because it's really wonderful. I left the paper in the die after cutting and sponged it with some Whisper Ink to create a border around the greeting. Gold acrylic paint dotted on the "berries" on the vines completed the look.

The Ingredients:
SU Evening Evergreen Card Stock & Ink
GKD White Card Stock
Tim Holtz Gold Metallic Card Stock
Altenew 3D Vines Embossing Folder 
GKD White Pigment Ink
SU Tasteful Labels Die
GKD Whisper Ink
SU Feel Goods Stamp for Greeting
Spellbinders Floral Flourishes Dies
SU Forever Gold Specialty Paper for gold leaves
Trinity Stamps Gold Baubles
Stash Ribbon

 
 If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder, it's a beauty!!
Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there. I can't wait to see what you create.

 
Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
judy

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Double D - PUMPKINS

 Dear Ones~
There's another challenge up over at Double D, and this time the theme is PUMPKINS. A perfect topic for October. Here is the Mood Board for our inspiration:
 
 
 Here is my card:
This stamp set by Honey Bee Stamps is so much fun. There are many different pumpkin sections, each with a different pattern. You can build your own pumpkin with any of the patterns for a one-of-a-kind look. I stamped on dark chocolate card stock and gold heat embossed mine. I love how it turned out. I stamped the flowers on watercolor paper and colored them with Mission Gold watercolors. I have really been enjoying watercoloring lately.




The Ingredients:
GKD Dark Chocolate, Kraft & Ivory Card Stock
Honey Bee Patchwork Pumpkin Stamp Set
SU Cane Weave Embossing Folder
SSS Gold Embossing Powder
Mission Gold Watercolors
Gold Acrylic Paint


 
 
 
If you head on over to the  Double D Challenge Blog and play along, you could win this absolutely adorable stamp and die set. Isn't it cute? Also, don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created.

 
Until next time dear readers, aspire to be inspired. 
Here's celebrating your Creative Muse!!
~judy

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - SPOOKY

 Dear Ones~
There's a new challenge over at Can You Handle the Pressure.   For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

SPOOKY
 This is my card:
Oh my gosh, I had so much fun with this challenge. I pulled out an older stamp set by Stampin' Up called Jar of Haunts. Isn't it FUN??? For the background, I used a technique that Gina K recently shared on one of her videos. You can see it HERE. It's a fabulous technique, I hope you will give it a try. I stamped all the images on watercolor paper and colored them with my Daniel Smith watercolors.
 

 
 The Ingredients:
 Recollections Purple and Green Card Stock
SU Cobwebs Embossing Folder
Villainous Potion and Black Soot Distress Inks
SU Jar of Haunts Stamp Set
Daniel Smith Watercolors
GKD Wicked Stamp for Greeting
Martha Stewart Drippy Goo Punch
Hobby Lobby Ribbon
 
 
 
 
 If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder.  Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there. And I can't wait to see all your wonderful designs!!

 
Happy Fall, y'all! 
 
Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
judy

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Double D - PINK OCTOBER

 Dear Ones~
This time over at Double D we are waxing whimsical with PINK OCTOBER. Yup, you read it right, PINK!!! Here's the Mood Board for our inspiration:
 
 And here's what I came up with:
NOT gonna lie, this was a bit of a challenge. I knew I wanted to use that cute scarecrow from Debby Warner's set for Gina K Designs called Autumn Scarecrow. I stenciled some clouds on the panel behind him using GKD Passionate Pink Ink.  I thought it would be fun to die cut a border out of GKD patterned paper and I die cut a little bow with the same paper.

The Ingredients:
Recollections Rose Petal Card Stock
GKD White Card Stock
Darice Fall Leaf Embossing Folder
GKD Master Layouts 2 Die
GKD Autumn Splendor Patterned Paper
GKD Autumn Scarecrow Stamp
Honey Bee Summer Stems & 
Spring Lullaby Patterned Paper
GKD Fancy Border Dies
GKD Autumn Leaves Dies
Picket Fence A Bow for any Reason Die

 
 
If you head on over to the  Double D Challenge Blog and play along, you could win these absolutely wonderful dies from Cottage Cutzs. Also, don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created.
 
 
Until next time dear readers, aspire to be inspired. 
Here's celebrating your Creative Muse!!
~judy

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - BEES/BEEHIVES

 

Dear Ones~
  There's a new challenge over at Can You Handle the Pressure.   For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

BEES/BEEHIVES

And here is my creation:
I absolutely LOVE this bee stamp by Hero Arts. I believe it's a classic, but it's a wood mount and the name isn't on the stamp, just the number. I kept my design simple, using black as an accent and a SU Chicken Wire embossing folder that looks like a honey comb. The image is colored with watercolors.



 
 The Ingredients:
GKD White and Black Onyx Card Stock
SU Chicken Wire Embossing Folder
Just Rite Hand Written Sentiments for Greeting
Hero Arts Bee Stamp
Spellbinders Circle and Scalloped Circle Dies
MeiLaing Watercolors
Stickles


 
 
 If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder, so appropriate for our challenge this time. 
Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there.

It feels like fall here in Northern Michigan today, and we have seen some red leaves on the trees. 
It will soon be upon us.
 
Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
judy

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Double D - BIRTHDAY BALLOONS

Dear Ones~
There's another challenge up over at Double D, and this time we are having fun with BIRTHDAY BALLOONS. Here's the fabulous Mood Board for our inspiration.  Just look at all those pretty colors:

And here is my creation:
Isn't this a fun image? I got it for my birthday from Simon Says Stamp. Just in time for this challenge I might add, and it even comes with a companion die. Here I cut the die shape out several times and layered them together for more dimension. I wanted to go with clean and simple so that the balloons would be the star. I water colored them with my fairly new Mei Laing watercolors - I LOVE them. The embossing folder was the perfect background.





The Ingredients:
GKD White Card Stock
Simon Says Stamp Festive Balloons Stamp Set
Sizzix Happy Birthday Embossing Folder
White Gel Pen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you head on over to the  Double D Challenge Blog and play along, you could win this absolutely adorable Bo Bunny stamp set. Isn't it cute? Also, don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created.
 
 
Until next time dear readers, aspire to be inspired. 
Here's celebrating your Creative Muse!!
~judy

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Can You Handle the Pressure - TREES

 Dear Ones~
There's a new challenge over at Can You Handle the Pressure.   For this challenge blog you MUST use an EMBOSSING FOLDER on your project.  Heat embossing (with embossing powder) is permitted but only IN ADDITION to your embossing folder design.  Each new challenge will have a 'TWIST' which is optional ... your choice to use or not.

The OPTIONAL TWIST for today's challenge is:

TREES
This is what I created:
I absolutely LOVE this stamp set by Stampin' Up called Treasured Kindness. That bonsai tree is so much fun to play with using many different colors for the leaves. Here I chose red, very striking! I really like the Asian feel, especially with the papers I used. I think that Cane Weave embossing folder brings it all together perfectly.



The Ingredients:
GKD Red Velvet and White Card Stock
Tim Holtz Metallic Card Stock
SU Treasured Kindness Stamp Set
Made In China Stamp Die
SU Cane Weave Embossing Folder
SU Sending Support Stamp for Greeting
GKD Inks In:
*Charcoal Brown *Kraft
*Lipstick Red *Cherry Red
*Whisper

 
If you head on over to the Can You Handle the Pressure Blog and play along, you could win this fabulous embossing folder, it's really versatile. 
Don't forget to check out all the beautiful cards the other designers have created while you are there.

Until next time dear reader, ASPIRE to be INSPIRED!
Here's celebrating your CREATIVE MUSE.
judy