Friday, January 1, 2016

Beloved Bouquet - January Stamp of the Month

Happy New Year!

I was halfway finished addressing and writing notes in Christmas cards this year when I suddenly developed migraines that lasted two weeks. My stomach was too upset to take medication, so I spent a lot of time resting. At times like that I always drastically prioritize: this doesn't have to be done this year, this I can do in a few days, etc. (In teaching reading I called that "Monitor and Adjust.") Thankfully, I had finished shopping. The bottom line was that I had some very good friends who didn't get a Christmas card from me, so I decided I can send them a different type of card after the new year.

Here's my new start for a new year. I used this lovely stamp of the month to make three cards to say I love you!  I matched it up with the La Vie En Rose paper pack. The first one uses this week's sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #140:


It's embossed with gold, has black and gold ribbon, gold glitter paper, and a gold epoxy heart. This next photo shows how glittery it is in certain light.


 





I'm also sharing this card with the following challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks #279 - anything goes
Crafty Gals Corner #52 - anything goes
Creative Corner - anything goes
Inspiration Destnation #66 - always anything goes




This next one was stamped with sorbet ink, then overstamped with the black details. I used an alcohol ink marker (ShinHan Light Orange and Pastel Green) to add shading and the colorless blender to remove ink to add highlights. I had always known that alcohol would clean remnants of my dye ink off of my work area but had never tried this on paper so I was pleased to find out that it works on paper, too.

 I stamped the third card with Hollyhock ink and shaded some parts with Cherry Pink ShinHan Touch Twin alcohol marker.


I loved the sentiment on this card: "Love is not a matter of counting the years, it's a matter of making the years count!"

If you have this stamp set, I hope I've given you some ideas. If you'd like to get it you can find it on my website here.



The last two cards each use a pattern from an upcoming workshop I'm doing in February using the Charlotte paper pack that just became available today in the new CTMH Seasonal Expressions catalogue.  Here's a sneak peak:

9 comments:

Veerle said...

Such amazing and beautiful cards Vickie. I hope your migraine is completely gone now. Thank you so much for joining our challenge. Greetings, Veerle DT Creative Corner Challenge Blog

Lauren said...

These are all so gorgeous, and I especially love the gold embossing! Thanks for joining us at AHSC this week.

Tamie said...

Awesome embossing! I love the gold and the layout you used. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful creation with us at 4 Crafty Chicks Anything Goes Challenge.

Tamie DT

Lisa said...

Love the way you used the stamp of the month here! My project for the coming week is using that stamp set with that paper! They are the perfect pair aren't they? Gorgeous card! Thanks for playing along at Atlantic hearts this week!

Ali said...

What beautiful, beautiful cards!! I loved the ones you made with Sketch #140 at AHSC most of all. ;) Super job. ~ Ali

Brandi said...

Wow, all of the cards are gorgeous, I love them all! I am not a huge fan of La Belle Vie and your cards are winning me over to this paper pack! Thanks for playing along with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge (AHSC)!

Brandi R
DT member AHSC
crzy4scrapbooking.blogspot.ca

Judy V said...

Gorgeous cards Vickie! Thanks for sharing with us at Crafty Gals Corner!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards. I really like how you embossed the first one. I like sending my cards after the holidays because they don't get mixed in with all the rest :) Thanks for playing at AHSC.

Linda Norman said...

Love the touches of gold and how you adjusted your goals based on your life needs! Beautiful cards! Thanks for playing along at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!

Linda
DT member AHSC
www.scrappytherapy.com