Uniquely Noreen!

Whimsical Christmas Tree

2011-12-14T13:44:00.002-06:00

Glitter and more glitter!!! I fell in love with the Tim Holtz heart/wing sizzix die about a year ago and have used it for quite a few different holiday cards. I wanted to do a whimsical card and decided to include the wings with the Christmas tree -- something fun as well as different! The background paper is a copper glitter design, the tree is a rectangle I cut by hand from another glitter paper, and the wings were die cut from champagne-color glitter paper. I used a SU border punch for the scallops around the tree edges. I used a Fiskar star punch on copper glitter paper for the top of the tree and embellished it with a SU tiny jingle bell for some added whimsy. The soft suede taffeta ribbon was attached using a tape runner prior to pleating the ribbon. The SU white velvet ribbon give the card a little bit of texture and old-fashioned feeling. I used dimension dots to lift the tree off the top of the card to give it some height. The verse was stamped using soft suede ink and cut by hand. I added two tiny gold-color pearls along each side of the verse for a little more elegance.
The teddy bear in the background is one I designed for my fall craft shows this year -- he is just so darn adorable!

Stocking card

2011-12-14T13:36:00.001-06:00

Once again, my teddy bear is holding up my Christmas card -- isn't he just adorable???
This is a card I made at a Stampin'Up! stamp camp the end of September. The new SU snowflake embossing folder was used on the green mat -- beautiful effect! The stocking was stamped and then punched out using the new SU stocking punch as were all the silver glitter pieces. This is the brand new silver glitter paper from SU -- absolutely breathtaking! Such high quality, almost looks like little diamonds floating on the paper. Well worth the little bit extra cost of this paper! A tiny jingle bell and bakers twine finish off the embellishments of this card. Cute and simple yet elegant!

Snowman pop-up card

2011-12-14T13:33:00.001-06:00

I used the new Inky Antics Penguin stamp set for this Christmas card -- I think the grandkids will love it! The printed cardstock was used for the inside of the card (looks like little snowflakes falling from the blue sky) -- like the effect this has on the snowman! The card front mats were made from two coordinating glittered cardstocks and a red ribbon with silver glitter circles for that little bit of bling. Watercolor pencils were used for the penguins, snowman hat, and branch along with a blender pen to soften the colors. The penguin on the front was attached using dimensional dots to give it a little lift off the paper. This one was time consuming -- but definitely worth it!!
The teddy bear in the background is one of my creations from this past fall craft season -- love him!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2011-12-14T13:27:00.000-06:00

What a fun card to make! I used glitter background papers and added a champagne-color glitter ribbon where the papers met to give it some "bling"! Soft suede ink was used for both the front and inside of the card, including the distressing along the torn edges of the stamped girls image. I highlighted areas of the girls using chalk to give it a muted color -- like the way it looks! Dimensional dots were used to lift the stamped image off the front of the card. I then used a new Tim Holtz die cut for the evergreen boughs and holly leaf; a circle punch was used for the holly berries. When it was assembled, I used glitter glue and sprinkled mica flakes to give the card an old-fashioned look. Really like this one!

Old Lamp Post Christmas Card

2011-12-14T13:19:00.001-06:00

Here is the favorite card I designed (so far!) for this Christmas season. I used the new Tim Holtz old-fashioned lamp sizzix die, a retired Christmas Verse from Stampin'Up!, a few different glittered papers for the background, and then highlighted the entire lamp post with mica flakes to give it an old-fashioned look.
I ripped the right top corner of the background paper and distressed the edges using soft suede ink. I then added a complimentary piece of cardstock in the area that was exposed... The light from the lamp was cut from gold vellum, so it gives a soft glow to the look of the card. The holly leaves were die cut from a printed green paper and then distressed. The holly berries were die cut using red velvet paper -- really looks nice and elegant!
I hope you enjoy this card as much as I do! Oh -- the teddy bear holding up the card is one of my own creations that I sold at local craft shows this fall -- isn't he just adorable???!!!

Creep On Over Halloween Card

2011-11-02T20:41:00.001-05:00

Here is the last Halloween card I designed this year. I used a Martha Stewart Halloween border fence for the front of the card along with a Sizzix bat die. The polka-dot paper was already distressed.

Check out the inside of the card -- the spider web with attached spiders spreads out when the card is open! I used a new Sizzix spider web die that uses two brads to attach the web to each side of the inside of the card. Black glitter cardstock was used for the spiders to give them a little bling Verses are from a Stampin'Up! stamp set. Looks much more difficult than it actually was! Fun for the kids (and adults, too!)

Halloween Witches Legs

2011-11-02T20:35:00.000-05:00

What a fun and rather easy card this was to make! I used three different border punches for the bottoms of the skirts. A Stamp-a-ma-jig helped me with the placement of the witches legs, starting with the middle set of legs to make sure they would all fit on the front of the card. Stampin'Up! inks and blender pen were used to color the legs; the new Stampin'Up! verse was used on the top of the card -- love this calligraphy of this stamp! I found the purple with tiny lime green star ribbon at the local Michaels -- I think this really makes the card "pop"! A few rhinestones were then added to the buckles of the shoes. This card was quick and easy (with the help of the stamp-a-ma-jig, that is!)

Halloween Candles Card

2011-11-02T20:32:00.000-05:00

I used lots of Tim Holtz products for this card, including his candle die cut, white crackle paint, and Halloween tissue tape. A sanding sponge was used to distress the candle base that was cut from black/gray core-dination paper. Gold smooch paint used for the flames with a line of orange marking pen for the flame. A piece of black cotton web material purchased from Joann's was attached to the green/black bat background paper using a tape runner in a few areas and tapped down lightly. The orange/black diamond glitter tape was purchased at Michaels and adds a bit of bright color to the card. Another fun card to make!

Halloween Skull Card

2011-11-02T20:28:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite Halloween card I designed this year! Four different Sizzix dies were used for the following pieces: skull, wings and crown, fence, scalloped oval and center. All die cuts were also distressed using ranger inks to tone down the mood of the card. The fence was die cut using core-dination paper and then distressed using a sanding sponge. An old paperback book page was wadded up into a ball and then torn to fit the card base, leaving some of the green printed background show around the edges. Rhinestones were added to the skull eyes and along the crown tips. This one was so much fun to make! Lots of cutting with the die cut machine, but I love the way this turned out!!!

Halloween Word Card

2011-11-02T20:24:00.000-05:00

Stampin'Up! stamp set, inks, blender pen, and embossing folders are the basis for this card I designed. I love using the blender pens with the inks -- gives a nice, muted look to the colored areas. The embossed background papers give a little texture to the card. I also used two different Martha Stewart Halloween border punches: spider web (top black border) and the spiders (bottom black border). Like the way this turned out -- lots of fun and easy!

Halloween Cat card

2011-11-02T20:22:00.000-05:00

I used a printed paper as the background for the stamped image. StazOn black ink was used on the cat/lamp post stamp I purchased at Archivers. I then used the masking technique to create the moon and light from the lamp. Ranger distressed ink give this a great, foggy look. I sprayed the front of the inked image using pearlized smooch spritz to give the card a little glimmer. Fun and easy!

Halloween Frog Pop-Up card

2011-11-02T20:19:00.000-05:00

A fun Halloween card using Inky Antics stamp set and honey-pop paper for the inside cauldron. I used Stampin'Up! cardstock, inks, blender pen and embossing folder; ribbon from Michaels coordinates really well with the cardstock. This card took quite a bit of time to make, with all the coloring, but was well worth it! Reminds me of the cards I received when I was a kid, with the pop up centers.

Halloween Forest Card

2011-11-02T20:15:00.000-05:00

Here is a Halloween card I created using Stampin' Up! designer paper and stamp. Ranger distressing ink was used to create the background colors of the stamped image. The image was first stamped using versamark ink and then embossed using black zing embossing powder. A few rhinestones at the bottom of the card and some purple ribbon with black feathered edges give the card a little "bling". A great way to use up some scraps of paper, too!

Halloween Wreath

2011-10-13T16:29:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of a Halloween wreath I made to sell at my fall craft shows. The ghosts, moon and pumpkins are made from cotton fabric. I used bean seeds and cloves as buttons on some of the ghosts. I hand-stitched around each pumpkin to give them move dimension. The faces on each ghost were drawn using a .05 pigma pen. There is a spider hanging from the top left side of the wreath. I cut it out of glittered, stiffened black felt using a new Tim Holtz Halloween die cut. I found a vine fence that is the perfect size that I placed in front of the ghosts. This is where I also attached the pumpkins. The grapevine wreath opening is about 12" in diameter, so it is a nice size for display.

I sold quite a few of these wreaths at the Little Red School House outdoor craft show on October 2nd. I have a few remaining that I'm hoping to sell at my next craft show this coming Sunday. Let me know your thoughts!!!

Grand Old Flag

2011-06-30T16:49:00.000-05:00

Here is one last card I designed for the 4th of July. I used a vintage flag/verse stamp in navy ink. I found the stripe/star card stock at a local craft store. I cut it to the size of my card base, glued down and the distressed the four sides with the nave ink to make it more vintage. I matted the stamped image on red card stock and distressed the sides as well. I pleated Stampin' Up! red striped ribbon to resemble flag bunting at the bottom of the card. I also added the bakers twine around the bottom for some texture to the card. After it was assembled, I spritzed the card front with shimmer spray. You can see the spray in the close up picture. Let me know your thoughts!!! Enjoy our country's birthday!!!

Rosie the Riveter

2011-06-23T22:18:00.002-05:00

"Rosie the Riveter" stamp set was used for this 4th of July card. SU Night of Navy cardstock as the background was embossed using a Big Shot and Tim Holtz's "rays" embossing folder, which ads some needed texture to the card. The SU ribbon edge punch was placed along the two sides of the stamped image and the bottom of the stamped verse to give a little color to the card. The stars were due cut using a Quikutz nested star embossing folder. A Tim Holtz memo pin holds a K&Company circle image of the flag; a piece of baking twine was tied into a bow along the bottom of the memo area of the pin. The large red star was attached using dimensional dots to give added depth to the card. This card was fun to make once I decided what I wanted to do with the stamped images! There is a close up of the card that shows more of the embossed background and memo pin/flag.

Fireworks!!!

2011-06-23T22:10:00.001-05:00

I designed this card using printed firework scrapbook paper for the background and stamped fireworks using versamark ink and gold Zing embossing powder. I cut the stars using the Quikutz nested star die and various colors of paper. "Fireworks" also was stamped using versamark and embossed with the gold Zing embossing powder. Small star rhinestone shaped were added to the middle star and smaller stars by the work "fireworks". Dimensional dots were added underneath the red star to give the shapes more of a 3-D look. There is also a close up of this card front detailing the embossed areas, star shapes, etc.

"Goofy" Father's Day Card!

2011-06-02T21:48:00.000-05:00

I saw a similar designed card online and wanted to try to CASE with my own "tweaking"! I used two circle punches for the glasses, grosgrain ribbons for the eyelashes (cut and unravelled) and the bow, which is held in place with a flower brad. The eyes are also made from flower brads. I used a Stampin' Up stamp set for the eyeballs and nose. A variety of old scrapbook papers were used for the backgrounds -- a good way to use up old papers from my stash!

Keyhole Father's Day card

2011-06-02T21:43:00.000-05:00

This is more of a vintage-type Father's Day card. I found some cardstock with antique keys printed on it, which I used as the background mat for the antique keyhole I cut using a Tim Holtz die cut. I distressed all edges to give the silver cardstock a tarnished look. I also used brass brads to hold the keyhole in place. I found the Father's Day stamp in the dollar bin at a local scrapbook store -- I think it is the perfect addition to my card! Vintage looking! I rounded all corners of the stamped image and background mat and distressed them with soft suede ink (my favorite color for distressing!). This was a fun and easy card to assemble.

Tie on Hanger Father's Day Card

2011-06-02T21:39:00.000-05:00

I found these Tim Holtz mini hangers at a local scrapbook store and knew I had to have them! They are perfect for this traditional Father's Day card -- the clear file folder tab with the verse inside gives this a professional look. The background kraft paper was embossed with a sizzix embossing folder for some dimension. I also used a similar argyle paper for one background mat. The striped tie paper coordinates nicely with the argyle background. I used a brass brad to hold the hanger in place -- along with a glue dot underneath the top of the tie to keep it in place while leaving the bottom of the tie free to move a bit.

Shirt/Tie Father's Day card

2011-06-02T21:35:00.000-05:00

This is a traditional Father's Day card: Striped shirt and tie! The shirt is only a rectangle; the collar is also a rectangle that is folded -- double sided paper, so the inside of the collar is a green contrast. The buttons on the collar are actually two white metal dots. The tie was cut freehanded. I used a dark brown mat underneath the shirt to give it more dimension. I also used a Sizzix embossing folder for the kraft cardstock background. The Father's Day verse is underneath the shirt and is also on a brown mat.

Papa and Baby Bear Father's Day card

2011-06-02T21:32:00.000-05:00

I saw a similar designed card online and decided to make one myself, using colors that I like working with -- remind me of Fannie May mints! A variety of circle and oval punches were used for the body parts; each part was distressed along each edge using soft suede ink -- this way, the pieces stand out and give the bears more dimension. I love the cranberry hearts on the background strip -- gives the card a little bit of color. I also like the striped background in contrast with the checked strip and the checked ties. This one was fun to make! Took a bit of time, but I think well worth it! It will be perfect for my grandkids to give to their dads for Father's Day!

Father's Day Cards

2011-06-02T21:29:00.000-05:00

I designed this Father's Day card using Tim Holtz cogs die cut and old jalopy embossing folder. I wrapped some twine along the left side of the card to give a bit of texture. The background mat was embossed using a sizzix embossing folder then distressed with soft suede ink. The old jalopy was embossed and also distressed with soft suede ink. I added a short strip of red/white ribbon for another focal point and texture. The map is a piece of scrapbook paper that was run thru a checkerboard embossing folder, torn along all edges and then distressed with the soft suede ink.

Pinwheel card

2011-05-03T20:10:00.001-05:00

SU vintage designer paper was used for the pinwheel. This card would be appropriate for Mother's Day, birthdays, or just about any other occasion. It was fun and easy to make! Let me know if you need directions to make the pinwheel!

Pinafore Mother's Day Card

2011-05-03T20:08:00.001-05:00

Here is a Mother's Day card I made, also appropriate for birthdays. I used a long Sizzix die that resembles a pinafore, as it layers across the top to the back of the card. I stamped the images, colored in with pencils, and then ran the pinafore thru a Stampin'Up! embossing folder in my Big Shot. I stamped, colored, and cut out the flowers and blue butterfly and attached to the embossed card front using glue dots to give them a little "lift" off the paper. The SU ribbon border punch was used for the bottom strip of paper. A pretty in pink taffeta ribbon adds the finishing touch to the top of the card.
Let me know what you think!