Top 5 Favourite Christmas Cards of 2015

Hey everyone!  The past couple of years I've enjoyed sharing with you my top 5 favourite Christmas cards.  This year I wanted to do it again.  Plus, Debby from A Scrapjourney, is hosting a top 5 Fav right now and you can link up if you want.  It's rather fun to revisit the Christmas cards you've made throughout the year.  So, without further adieu, here are mine....

Card #1

Card #2

Card #3




Card #4




Card #5

Well, that was harder than I thought!  But, these five are some of my favourites for sure.  If you want more info on how I made the cards, just click on the headings and it'll take you to the original post.  I hope you are enjoying the holidays and wish you all the best for the coming New Year!  Thanks for visiting!

Merry Christmas!

You've probably noticed that I haven't been posting much lately.  Obviously, I've been busy with Christmas approaching. I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!  I really appreciate all your visits and comments over this past year.  It really means a lot.  Thank you!  Hope you'll all keep stopping by for a visit for another year.  Merry Christmas!

Big Hugs!

Kim

Inkspirational Challenge - "Bah Humbug"

Good morning everyone!  It's that time again for a new challenge over at Inkspirational!  It's been a busy month or so making all those Christmas cards so we decided that we wanted to switch it up this time.  The challenge theme is......Bah Humbug! No Christmas cards allowed!

I'm sure most of you are tired of making Christmas cards anyway.  Now us Ink girls aren't taking a break from the challenges for the holidays however to keep things a little simpler we ask that you link up only ONE card for this challenge. :-)   Anyway, here's my non-Christmas card....

I decided to play with a new stamp set by Waffle Flower called Hibiscus.  It's one of those sets that has layered stamps.  So, I decided to try the layered stamping technique.  I first masked off a diagonal section off my card and stamped my large flowers first with Canary yellow Memento ink then the second stamp was done with Butter Bar to Orange Soda Ombré ink (Hero Arts) overtop.  The smaller flower was done with Sea Glass ink (SSS) first then Tide Pool to Navy Ombré ink (Hero Arts) overtop.  Then I stamped the leaves using the solid stamp first and blending Bamboo Leaves and New Sprout Memento inks and then stamping the outline stamp in Bamboo Leaves overtop.  I removed the mask and then created two narrow strip masks and sponged on Sea Glass ink.  Once these masks were removed I die cut the word happy and sponged Golden Glitz Delicata ink on it (only because I discovered that I have run out of metallic gold paper). I attached this to my card and stamped the birthday (STAMPlorations) in Bamboo Leaves.  I like how this card turned out and it's certainly not Christmasy!

I do hope you'll pop on over to Inkspirational and see what the other DT ladies came up with too.  Their projects are all fabulous!  Plus, we've got a special Guest Designer joining us.  Shirley from Shirley- Bee's Stamping Stuff!  She's an amazing card artist with her own line of fantastic stamps. She's made a couple of great cards for us too!

I hope you enjoyed your visit and have a fabulous weekend!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Waffle Flower December Challenge - stamp layering
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - die crazy

STAMPlorations Mini Release Blog Hop - Anchored

Hi everyone!  Today is a great day to show you a new stamp set being released over at STAMPlorations!  It's another great set that's a part of Dee's Artsy Impressions line and it's called Anchored.  There's a fun hop going on today and if you comment along the way you have a chance to win the new set!  Just take a look at this beauty!

Isn't it awesome?  So much fun to be had here.  So, here's the details:  comment on the main blog and the designers blogs by December 18th, Friday, 11:55pm Pacific time.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 20th.

Here's what I made with this amazing new set...

I masked off a strip of my card base and then stamped the large anchor in black Memento ink all over.  I then stamped one of the hearts in red StazOn ink.  I removed the mask and created a small strip of one and sponged black ink along it.  Once that was removed I added a narrow strip of silver glitter tape.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment.

I can't wait to play with this set some more!  Hope you'll hop along with us today and I hope you've enjoyed your visit here.

Have a fabulous day!

STAMPlorations Inspiration Post #53

Season's Greeting, my friends!  It's Inspiration time over at STAMPlorations!  We've got some awesome cards to share with you today.  It will be the last Inspiration post for the year.  But you still have plenty of time to CASE a card and link up!  As always we encourage you to join in and CASE one of our cards from today's post or Post #51, Post #52 or CASE Amy's card from the CASEplorations post.  If you do play along you could win a prize too!  Here's my card...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations)

I stamped my chevron (Chevron and Arrows set) several times along the bottom, lining it up as best I could.  The pattern reminds of a knitted sweater.  I did several rows of red (Lady Bug Memento ink) and a couple of green (Cottage Ivy Memento ink). I added a strip of gold glitter tape and stamped the sentiment (Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower set) in black.  I inked up three of the triangles from the row of triangles stamp (Chevron and Arrows set) in the green to create my tree.  I added a star (Balloons and Banners set, Dee's Artsy Impressions line) in golden glitz Delicata ink.

I hope you'll all come over at see what wonderful cards the DT made too!  Maybe make a card yourself.  :-)

Have an fabulous day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenge:

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS
Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes with an optional colour challenge
Jingle Belles - anything goes

STAMPlorations Inspiration Post #52

Hey everyone!  Yes, it's another inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  We've got some lovely cards to share with you today. As always we encourage you to join in and CASE one of our cards from today's post or Post #51 or CASE Amy's card from the CASEplorations post.  If you do play along you could win a prize too!  Here's my card...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations)

I stamped my poinsettia (Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower) in Grey Flannel Memento ink on my kraft card base then covered it with a mask.  Then I stamped my pine boughs (Christmas Bell Medley, Dee's Artsy Impressions line) in Grey Flannel and Dove Gray StazOn ink. I stamped my flourish (from a new set you'll get to see soon!) in white.  I removed the mask and shaded my poinsettia with a white pencil crayon. I added a bit off white to the pine boughs as well.  I took a red gel pen and added a few little berries among the pine boughs. I die cut the word Joy from white cardstock, added some Wink of Stella glitter (which is so hard to photograph and is so sparkly in person) and attached it to my card.  I think this turned out rather well, if I do say so myself.  :-)

I hope you'll all come over at see what wonderful cards the DT made too!  Maybe make a card yourself.  :-)

Have an awesome day and thanks for dropping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenge:

Craft Stamper, December Take it, Make it Challenge - Sharing the Season
Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS
Addicted to CAS - code word is Joy
CAS(E) This Sketch -

Virginia's View Challenge - All About Glitter

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop Day 5

Day 5

Hey everyone!  There's a great stencil hop going on over at STAMPlorations right now!  Come on over and check out all the awesome ways some of the design team girls used the fabulous stencils that are available at the STAMPlorations shop!

There are some fabulous prizes to be won if you come hop with us and comment along the way.  More details can be found at the STAMPlorations blog.
(Commenting closes on December 13. Winners will be announced on December 15.)

Here's what I made...

I placed my stencil (Nestled Circles) on my kraft card base and sponged on white ink.  Then, leaving the stencil on, I splattered Picked Raspberry and Peacock Feathers Distress ink.  I didn't mind that it bleed underneath the stencil a bit. Added extra interest, I think.  Once the stencil was removed I added a strip of teal glitter tape and stamped the sentiment (Balloons and Banners set, Dee's Artsy Impressions line) in black.  Then I die cut a butterfly (SSS) and glittered it up with some dazzling diamonds glitter (SU!), added a iridescent pink rhinestone and attached it to my card.

*******

Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here.

Hope you all come join in on the fun!  Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS

Virginia's View Challenge - All About Glitter

STAMPlorations Inspiration Post #51

Greetings everyone!  Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner?  I'm not done my Christmas shopping yet but I don't have too much left.  It's been busy around here with the kitchen reno going on but I should have a functional kitchen by the end of this weekend. Yay!  It's looking really good so far!

Anyway, there's another batch of great cards over at STAMPlorations today to inspire you.  As always we encourage you to join in and CASE one of our cards from today's post or CASE Amy's card from the CASEplorations post.  If you do play along you could win a prize too!  Here's my card...

(All stamps/stencils by STAMPlorations)

I used the butterfly stencil/mask (Shower of Flutters) and sponged on Aqua and Midnight Color Box ink on my kraft card base. Then in the butterfly spaces I stamped my butterflies (Trendy Butterflies set) in Nautical Navy (Memento), Golden Glitz (Delicata) and white.  I stamped the sentiment (Fond Expressions 2) in the Nautical Navy.  I love how this stencil/mask coordinates with the stamp set. :-)

I hope you'll all come over at see what wonderful cards the DT made too!  Maybe make a card yourself.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting!

I'd like to link up to the following challenge:

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop Day 3

Day 3

Hey everyone!  There's a great stencil hop going on over at STAMPlorations right now!  Come on over and check out all the awesome ways some of the design team girls used the fabulous stencils that are available at the STAMPlorations shop!

There are some fabulous prizes to be won if you come hop with us and comment along the way.  More details can be found at the STAMPlorations blog.
(Commenting closes on December 13. Winners will be announced on December 15.)

Here's what I made...

For this card I used the other part of the Christmas Reindeer stencil.  I placed it on my subtle red plaid card base and sponged on clear versamark ink and then embossed it with vintage mint embossing powder (Recollections). I stamped the sentiment (Framed Christmas: Believe in the Magic set) in black and added some silver pearls and die cut snowflakes (Echo Park).

*******

Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here.

Hope you all come join in on the fun!  Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

52 (Christmas) Card Challenge - pick a previous challenge - I chose challenge #29, rudolph/reindeer, June 2014

CAS-ual Fridays - snowflake

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS

Virginia's View Challenge - All About Glitter

ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop Day 1

Day 1

Hey everyone!  There's a great stencil hop going on over at STAMPlorations for the next five days!  Come on over and check out all the awesome ways some of the design team girls used the fabulous stencils that are available at the STAMPlorations shop!

There are some fabulous prizes to be won if you come hop with us and comment along the way.  More details can be found at the STAMPlorations blog.
(Commenting closes on December 13. Winners will be announced on December 15.)

Here's what I made...

This card uses 3 stencils.  One is quite subtle so it's hard to see in the picture.  First I took my patterned paper (the words are actually gold foil) and stenciled the reindeer (Christmas Reindeer stencil) in black.  Then using the Nestled Circles stencil I lightly sponged on sea glass ink (SSS) around the reindeer image.  Using a variety of mixed media stamps (Mixed Media Elements set) I stamped around the reindeer image in the following ink colours:  Vistorian Velvet Distress ink, SSS Sea Glass, Dove Gray StazOn, and Delicata Golden Glitz.  Next, I stenciled the holly using a portion of the Holly Background stencil using Cottage Ivy ink (Memento).  I splattered some watered down Broken China Distress ink and spritzed some Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Mist.  I added some bling to the holly, colouring it pink with a Spectrum Noir marker and also added a trimmed strip of teal glitter tape.  I die cut a snowflake (Echo Park) and attached it to my panel.  Lastly, I attached my panel to a kraft card base.

Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here.

Hope you all come join in on the fun!  Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!

Inkspirational - Prompt Word - Flake

It's the start of another great challenge over at Inkspirational today!  This time we've got a prompt word for you.  "Flake".

Now, I know most of you will think snow or snowflake like us DT girls did.  But I hope some of you will push the boundaries and do something like, oh I don't know......pie!  Pie crust is flaky, get it?  LOL!  Anyway, I look forward to seeing all your fabulous interpretations.  Here's my card....

I was recently playing around with this new technique of stamping white on Kraft then stamping over it again, but not exactly, with coloured ink.  It looks really cool and is fun and easy to do.  I used an old foam snowflake stamp from Michaels for my snowflakes and stamped in white pigment ink then went over it with green and red StazOn ink.  I stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in black.

I do hope you'll come on over to see the other fabulous projects the DT made and maybe link up one of your own.  You should check out our fantastic Guest Designer as well.  Jane, of Onions and Paper, has made an amazing card to inspire you!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!  :-)

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - let it snow
Addicted to Stamps and More - holiday
CAS-ual Fridays - snowflakes

One Layer Christmas Card Challenge #23

Just a reminder that there's still about a week left to link up your cards to One Layer Christmas Card Challenges current challenge.  As always it's anything goes but you have the option to use the twist.  The twist this time is green.  If you do use the twist you'll be entered in for the drawing to win an ARTplorations stencil!

Here's my card to inspire you...

Isn't that little snowman adorable?  It's by Anita's Stamps which I don't think exists anymore. I love him.  I stamped him in Memento black ink and coloured him in with my Spectrum Noir markers. I then took my falling snow stencil (Simon Says Stamp) and used some dimensional snow like embossing paste. This snow has a fine glitter in it and it's impossible to photograph. I added a bit of the snow around the snowman as well.  It's simple but very fun, I think.  :-) 

Hope you'll take a moment to join us over at OLCCC.  We would love to see you there!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

TIME OUT Challenges - inspiration words, "snowflakes are winter's butterflies"
CAS on Sunday - Christmas
Addicted to CAS - dimension

STAMPlorations CASEplorations December

Hey everyone!  Have we got a great CASEplorations muse for you this month!  Joining us is Amy Tsuruta of  Tsuruta Designs. We invite you to CASE her card or one of our cards.  There's a possibility of winning a prize if you do!  Check out her fantastic coffee themed card we got to CASE...

Isn't her card awesome?  Love it!  Amy knows how to rock a CAS card, that's for sure!
Take a look at my CASE...

(All stamps are by STAMPlorations)

I decided to break into some of my patterned paper again.  This paper is by Bo Bunny and it part of their Woodland Winter line.  It's a few years old so not sure if you can even get it anymore.  I also went a little bit away from my usual one layer CAS style.  I like to mix it up every now and then. :-)  I cut a circle from some of the paint splatter patterned paper and a strip from the chevron patterned paper.  I adhered the chevron strip and then a strip of teal glitter tape. Then I attached the circle.  I stamp the coffee mug (Sketchy Coffee Cups set) and coloured it with my Spectrum Noir markers. I fussy cut it out and attached to my card with foam dots. I added some dimensional snow to the coffee cup (like it was whipped cream). I adhered a few loops of silver string underneath the coffee mug. I added a die cut snowflake (Echo Park) and added my bling embellishment. Then I stamped the sentiment (Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower set) in Walnut Stain Distress ink.

I do hope you'll join us this month and CASE a card.  We love to see your awesome projects!

Have a lovely day and thanks for visiting!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Add some sparkle or bling
Fusion Card Challenge - I went with the blue and white in the inspiration photo.

The Challenge (at Always Playing with Paper) - non-traditional Christmas

Virginia's View Challenge - All About Glitter

STAMPlorations Inspiration Post #50 - Roundup

Hey everyone!  This is the last Inspiration post for November over at STAMPlorations!  We have a great bunch of projects to share with you and if you want, you can CASE a card and link up too!  CASE one of our cards from today's post or from posts #46, #47, #48 or #49 You can also CASE Suchi's card from the CASEplorations post.  As usual, there's prizes!  So, let me show you my card for today.

(All stamps are by STAMPlorations)

I stamped my poinsettia (Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower set) by inking it up with Ruby Red ink (SU!) and Peacock Feathers Distress ink and spritzing it with water first.  I used a paper mask to layer  the poinsettias.  I stamped the sentiment (from same set) in Peacock Feathers ink.  I really like the blending of these two inks.

I hope you come on over to the STAMPlorations blog and check out all the other fabulous projects and maybe add your own!  Join us in October for a new round of Inspiration posts too!

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes
Uniko Studio - Christmas with the twist of making it CAS

STAMPlorations Inspiration Post #49

Hello!  I hope today finds you all well and happy?!  It's time for another STAMPlorations Inspiration post and I hope you'll come on over to the blog and check out the DT's cards.  If you want, you can CASE a card and link up too!  CASE one of our cards from today's post or from posts #46, #47 or #48.  You can also CASE Suchi's card from the CASEplorations post.  If you do, you could win a prize!  Check out my inspiration card...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations)

I stamped the pointsettia (Christmas Bell Medley set, Dee's Arsty Impressions line) in black and coloured them with my Spectrum Noir markers (DR1, DR7, FS6, True Black). I coloured the background in with my black SN marker.  Rather than make a straight edge I decided to go with a curved one for interest.  I went along that edge after with a gold gel pen.  I added some gold dots with the gel pen to the centers of the flowers as well.  I stamped the holly leaf (from same set) in Delicata gold ink masking where I needed to.  I did the white dots with a white gel pen.  I stamped the sentiment (Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower set), bending it to follow the curve, in black.  I attached my panel to my card base with some foam dots.  I really like how this turned out.  It's rather dramatic.  :-)

Well, I hope you come on over to the STAMPlorations blog for a visit and maybe link up a card.  Definitely, check out the awesome projects by the rest of the DT.  Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Spectrum Noir's Monthly Challenge, November - Christmas
Addicted to Stamps and More - make your mark
Simons Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes

Winter Town

Good morning!  Today I have a card to share that I made just to play along in some challenges.  I realized that I don't do that as often as I'd like.  My cards are usually for a DT commitment.  Sometimes it's fun to just make a card with no obligations. :-)  Anyway, here's my card...

I took one of my favourite Hero Arts stamps and using the HA pool to navy ombré ink pad, inked it up and stamped it on the bottom portion of my card.  I masked off a narrow strip above the image and sponged on the HA navy ink.  I added a narrow piece of silver glitter tape above that.  I stamped my sentiment (SU!) in the HA navy ink.  I just love how the ombré ink adds so much depth!

Well, I hope you enjoyed you visit today and to all my American friends and followers, I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving!  To everyone not celebrating, just have a happy day!  :-)

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

a2z Scrapbooking Challenge - create a one layer holiday card

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

TIME OUT Challenges - inspiration words, "snowflakes are winter's butterflies". I used the word winter as inspiration.

STAMPlorations Giving Thanks Blog Hop

Hey everyone!  There is a fun blog hop going on over at STAMPlorations today!  It's our Giving Thanks Blog Hop.  A lot of us STAMPloration girls have made some thanks/thankful cards and if you visit our blogs and leave a comment you have a chance to win a 4x6 STAMPlorations stamp set of your choice.  How cool is that?!  You have until November 27th, 11:55pm Pacific to get you comments in.  Winner will be announced on November 29th.  Here's my card...

I took a narrow panel of white cardstock and stamped my leaves (Frames and Flowers set, Dee's Artsy Impressions line) using Spiced Marmalade and Mowed Lawn Distress ink, spritzing with water before stamping.  I matted it in green and attached to my card base.  I stamped the sentiment (from the same set) in black.  A nice CAS card.  Love how the leaves turned out.  :-)

I do hope you'll you come on over and hop along with us.  And for all you celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, eat some turkey for me will ya?!  :-)  Have a lovely day!

OLCCC #22 Reminder

Hey everyone!  I'm running a bit behind getting my post up. Sorry about that!  Just a reminder that there is still time to play along with the current challenge going on over at One Layer Christmas Card Challenge.  As usual it's anything goes and this time the twist is silhouette.  Here's my card...

I decided not to use the twist this time. My card is actually a CASE of Shery's card she did for the last challenge. You inspired me, Shery!  You can check it out HERE.  I stamped my script stamp (STAMPlorations) in Antique Linen Distress ink and spritzed it with water first.  Then I stamped my pine bough (STAMPlorations) in Memento inks:  New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy and Forest Moss Distress ink.  Shery kept her pine boughs to one side while I filled up a corner instead.  I splattered a bit of golden glitz Perfect Pearls mist and added some red pearls. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in black.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and will join us over at OLCCC!  Have a wonderful day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Uniko Studio - Christmas
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes
AAA Cards - Anything Goes

STAMPlorations Inspiration Post #48

Hello!  It's time again for an Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  As always we encourage you to join in and CASE one of our cards from today's post or from posts #46 or #47.  You can also CASE Suchi's card from the CASEplorations post.  If you do play along you could win a prize too!  Here's what I made...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations)

I saw this technique on Pinterest but now I can't find the card anymore.  So, I had to guess how it was done.  So I used a kraft card base and stamped my flowers and leaves (Eclectic Flowers set) in white pigment ink.  Then I stamped overtop and somewhat off center with Azure and Forest Green StazOn ink.  I found the StazOn ink worked best over the pigment ink.  Then I stamped the sentiment (Fond Expressions 2) in black.  I think this is a very cool technique and look.  :-)

I do hope you'll all join in on the fun and CASE a card!  You should definitely check out what the rest of the team made too!

Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

CAS-ology - cue word is Pretty
Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes
AAA Cards - Anything Goes

Inkspirational - Photo Inspiration

Hey there!  It's time for another challenge over at Inkspirational!  This time we have a Inspiration photo for you.  Take a look at this cute picture!

Isn't that a fantastic picture?  I decided to go with the reindeer image and use a stamp that's an oldie but a goodie.  Check it out...

 

I love this stamp by Inkadinkado.  This set is among my first clear stamp sets.  I decided to keep the design very CAS to really showcase the lovely stamp design.  I love that there are pictures within the stamp image.  I stamped it three times in StazOn Blazing Red and Forest Green and in Walnut Stain Distress ink.  The arrangement makes me think of Santa's flying reindeer, don't you think?  I stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in Walnut Stain as well.  I added some Wink of Stella to areas of the inside images of the reindeer.  Hard to see, as always.  :-)

Anyway, I hope you take a look at the other projects the Ink girls have made as well as our awesome guest designer, Asha, of Sunny Summer Crafts.  Maybe you'll join in the fun, and make a card too.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a fabulous day!

I'm going to link up to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Christmas
Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes
Merry Monday Christmas Challenge - Reindeer