Christmas Blessings w/Stamp Simply

Although Christmas usually makes us think of using primarily red and green on our cards, for some strange reason, I enjoy using pink.  So much, in fact, that I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to Pink Christmas cards.  There's just something about seeing pink images that makes me feel happy.  And there's always lots of great inspiration out there for using it.  This card was a lot of fun to make using some lovely products from Stamp Simply, but difficult to photograph.  I just couldn't seem to capture the glitter on the angel's wings.

I did use a Christmas green cardstock base layered with a bright pink cardstock.  I inked both of the cardstock layers with white chalk ink on their edges.  The background I created uses the fabulous new Vintage Christmas Background Stamp Set, and I stamped it onto a piece of pale pink paper.  I did a bit of coloring using my Copics.

The music images were stamped using the beautiful Worship & Praise Stamp Set.  The music notes give such a lovely background setting for this sweet angel.  The angel, horn and sentiment (Christmas Blessings) were all stamped using the Angels Among Us Stamp Set.  I cut the angel and horn using the coordinating Angels Among Us Dies.  Some silver Stickles were added to the angel's wings to give them some sparkle.

I did spray my card (lightly) with both white and black soot distress spray.  I didn't want to actually cover anything, so I kept it very minimal.  A few sequins were the finishing touch.  You can always find lots of great inspiration on the Stamp Simply Blog and lots of great shopping at Stamp Simply.  Thanks so much for visiting me here today.  I appreciate you, and I hope you'll check out (and Follow) my somewhat new Instagram Page.

I'm playing along here:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Blessings,

Karen

Just A Note - Butterfly

You know how some projects are just more of a struggle than others?  Well.....this was one of those projects for me.  In fact, I made one project for this post that I didn't "love"; and I ended up coming back and creating a second project for this post.  Let me start over.  This project was created using a brand new Die-of-the-Month from Brutus Monroe.  It's a very detailed butterfly.  One of our fearless (and talented) leaders, Christopher from Brutus Monroe, shared This Tutorial using these dies.  I would highly recommend following his suggestion of using the adhesive foam to keep all the little bits in place.  Unless, of course, you enjoy a good puzzle.  It has lots of cute little circles and pieces for adding layers.  Here's my first project which, as I mentioned, I wasn't really happy with at all.

When I started my second project, I still didn't have any of the foam adhesive paper that Christopher used in His Tutorial; but instead I chose to work with wool felt.  There are two butterflies in this Die-of-the-Month set.  My first project, above, uses the larger butterfly.  My second project, below, uses the smaller more rounded butterfly.  I cut the butterfly in three different colors of wool felt (two peachy pinks and a cream).  Using Bearly Art Glue and the fabulous little tools/fine tips it comes with, I layered the felts to give my butterfly lots of dimension and color.  I glued every little piece right where I thought the colors looked most life-like and realistic.

I cut the butterfly's body from green wool felt, and also used some of the green felt scraps on the body of my butterfly.  Some Moon Dust Stickles and flower prills gave the butterfly even more dimension and glimmer.  I placed a French knot using yellow DMC floss as the butterfly's eyeball. Once finished, the butterfly flew around the room and landed here on this sweet tag.  It's all ready for placing atop a gift.  Here's a closer look.

The moral of this story is.....when a project is giving you stress and grief, walk away from it.  Give it some time, gather some inspiration, and come back to it with fresh eyes when your head is in a better place.  Just like a butterfly morphs from one thing to another; so can your creativity.  I hope you'll stop by Brutus Monroe to look around and see what sparks YOUR creativity.  Make something beautiful.

Blessings,

Karen

I'm playing along here:

CRAFT-alnica:  Challenge #292 - WOMAN - My butterfly tag will be going on top of a gift bag for a friend from church who needs some encouragement.  I'm blessed to have many strong wise women in my life, and I thank God for them.