*Stencils*

 I honestly didn't think I'd ever "get in to" stencils... when I first started seeing them it was a lot more mixed media stuff and it wasn't my style.  I don't know what changed (probably me) but I have found myself gravitating towards stencils when I'm shopping.  To the point of wandering around a trendy shopping area in Calgary on the weekend and stopping in front of the art store because of all the stencils they had hanging in the window display.  

Today, the Scrap 'n Stamp Canada Random Acts of Cardness prompt is Stencils... and since I put an "s" on the end of my prompt word, I decided I should use more than one stencil.  I used two LOL!

I wish I had taken photos of the process, but honestly, I was in the creative zone and didn't even think of it.

I started out with the smaller white panel for the front of my card.  I used a Taylored Expressions Masking Stencil and some inks and blending brushes to create the centre panel.  I set it aside to dry for about a half hour before carrying on with the card because I didn't want to work on top of the colours if they were still wet.  I then adhered a patterned stencil on top and using Purple, masked off everything except that colour rectangle.  I put a layer of Glimmer Paste over top and once again, set it aside for about an hour so that it would fully dry. 

The rest of the card came together easily using my Layers Guide to create that great 1/16" mat behind the front panel.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White; Lawn Fawn Sugarplum

*Images:  Avery Elle Loads of Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Inks Picked Raspberry and Wilted Violet

*Stencils:  Taylored Expressions Rectangle Masking Stencil; Paper Rose Big Drops

*Tools:  Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes; Layers Guide

*Etc:  Moonstone Nuvo Glimmer Paste; Purple Tape

*New Years Eve*

 Well, here we are... at the end of what has been a challenging year for so many.  A global pandemic has made all of our lives different in the last 9 months, however I refuse to say that 2020 has been awful.  I had some challenging times but they would have been challenging with or without Covid-19.  But 2020 also made me stronger, helped me show myself what I can do... in 2020 I beat cancer for a second time and am hopeful for my future (which is something I didn't feel a year ago).  I have spent more time with my family of four, learned a new way to do my job (that I've been at for 8 years), I have figured out other ways to connect with family and friends... and I had the opportunity to make more cards in one year than I've ever done before!  My card count for 2020 is 327 cards... which means I will be sharing a few more 2020 cards as we start 2021.

I wonder how many cards I'll make in 2021...  2020 gave me a lots of time to play with being off while undergoing treatment and being home a lot more often thanks to Covid-19.  I'm not going to stress over it... just keep count as always, for interest sake.

But for today, another Christmas card for you (and yes, there are a few more Christmas cards to share)...

I swear to you, this card looked way better in my head...

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Real Red; green foil

*Patterned Paper:  Photoplay Gnome for Christmas

*Images:  Avery Elle Merry Merry

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Impact Alphabet

*Tools:  Perfect Layers; Gemini Jr

*Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy*

 Good afternoon everyone... so sorry for the absence here on the blog.  As I said a few days ago my stockpile of cards to post has been dwindling over the last several weeks.  When I have time to create, I have little mojo and when I have mojo, I have no time to create.  It was all so much easier when I was off work than being back to my regular hours at work again.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job and am so happy to be back there and to some sense of normalcy after the hell of the last 12 months, but I do miss my unlimited crafty time!

Not to mention we've had FABULOUS weather here in Calgary so far this fall and it's hard to be inside crafting when I could be outside in the sun!  It's so hard to believe that we haven't had a killing frost or snow yet (knock on wood).  And so far, the 10 forecast is looking pretty freakin' awesome too!

So I will post when I have cards to share... I'm so sorry if you got used to seeing cards every single day!

For this card I stamped and embossed the word happy on different colours of scrap cardstock and stamped the fancy "birthday" in there as well.  Lots of colour in this card!  Thanks to my friend Ardyth for the inspiration for this card!

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; assorted scraps

*Stamps:  Avery Elle Big Birthday; Lawn Fawn Happy Happy

*Ink:  Versamark

*Etc:  white embossing powder; heat tool

*Stenciled Bursts*

I had a vision for this card... and while it turned out OK, I don't think it was quite in keeping with my vision.  I don't know that I can describe what I was trying to achieve, I just know that it's not quite what I wanted.  Not to mention it's a whole lot of "busy" for my clean and simple tastes.

I used the small fingertip sponge daubers to ink up each of the pinwheels so that I was able to get the colour where I wanted it.  I cleaned off the stencil when I was done and then carefully put it back in place so I could cover it with the Nuvo Glimmer Paste.  I didn't quite get it exact so up close, it's not quite right.

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
• Images:  Avery Elle So Kind
• Ink:  Gina K Blue Raspberry, Lipstick, Sweet Mango, Wild Dandelion, Grass Green
• Stencil:  Carta Bella Circus Starbust
• Dies:  Spellbinders circle; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Backer
• Tools:  Gemini Jr; finger daubers; stamp positioner
• Etc:  foam tape

*Bright Birthday*

Just a quick shout out to my hubby today....  29 years ago today we said "I Do".  I can't imagine spending our Covid-19 quarantine with anyone else.  He's been a wonderful rock and support during my two cancer diagnoses, and is always there to cheer me on when even I doubt myself.  He's got a dry sense of humour, is smarter than I know what to do with and is so very loving.  Happy Anniversary, Bruce!

Now, I don't want to alarm you... don't fall over... but I have a few cards in the next few days that don't have a white card base!  I KNOW!  Crazy!!  This card just looked so pretty on the yellow that I wanted more yellow!

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Yoyo Yellow
*Images:  Stampin' Up! Thoughtful Blooms; Avery Elle Big Birthday; MFT Essential Sentiments

*Ink:  Gina K Passionate Pink, Turquoise Sea, Wild Dandelion; Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Embellishments:  unknown gems