More Holiday Mania!

Here is another holiday card! This card features stamps from one of my other favorite stamp companies: Penny Black. I've previously loved their gorgeous tree and holiday stamps, but I've recently become acquainted with their li'l hedgehog character. He's sooooo precious! I especially love this image, and I wanted to create a fun & festive border, so I used their poinsettia stamp to decorate the edges.

Enjoy!

Here's the INSIDE of the card. Again, I used the poinsettia stamp, but I only inked a portion of it, and I combined it with this wonderful sentiment stamp.

Supplies:

Stamps: Christmas Star (Poinsettia), A Thorny Affair, ...The Most... (all stamps by Penny Black)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Desert Heat (Kaleidacolor)

Paper: White (American Crafts) Other: PrismaColor Pencils, Diamond Glaze (on berries)

Season's Tweetings!

With the holidays upon us, I wanted to share another fun card with you. If you've read any of my previous blog posts, you have probably figured out that I really love DeNami Design's stamps. I discovered their stamps just over a year ago, and I've been insanely addicted ever since. I can't get enough of their elegant, whimsical, and adorable designs! One of their most popular "characters" is the adorable chickie. Upon first seeing the chickies, I thought, "How cute!" However, I was somehow able to resist them and focused on many of DeNami's other stamps. However, after taking DeNami's classes at Papertrix in October, I realized just how much fun it is to stamp and color those precious little chickies.

Well, it has happened....I'm a chickaholic now!

(Sorry that these photos are a little blurrier than usual...I used my cellphone camera this time, and it's just not as sharp as I had hoped).

Supplies:

Stamps: F201 Cartwheeling Chickies, F200 Season's Tweetings, N112 Harlequin Border (all stamps by DeNami Design)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper: White, Red, Green, & Black (American Crafts)

Other: Copic Markers, Stickles, Stardust Glitter Pen

Special Thanks for Unexpected Kindness

Recently, I was blown away by a fellow blogger's kindness and generosity. I created the following card specifically for her. I made the card a few weeks ago, but I had to wait to post it to make sure she received it in the mail (didn't want to ruin the surprise!). This is one of my favorite parts about having a blog, being overwhelmingly touched and inspired by other people all over the world. To all of you who have been supportive, whether it's by leaving comments or sending me wonderful emails, I wish you the happiest of holidays and a very happy new year.

Amy Smidebush

I am also entering the above card into the DeNami Design Product Challenge #5: Punches. For more information about this challenge, please see my other entry and visit the amazing DeNami Design Blog. Supplies: Stamps: A78 Mini Cherries, D80 Small Cherries, J88 Large Cherries, You're a Sweetie (from TR09 Sweet Sayings stamp set (all stamps by DeNami Design) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Paper: Red, White & Dark Green (The Paper Studio), Textured Green (DCWV) Other: Copic Markers, Diamond Glaze, White Gel Pen, Twine (PTI), Scallop Oval Punches (Marvy)

I've decided to post another recent creation inspired by friendship. After finally getting my hands on some baker's twine, I couldn't stop the flow of ideas, and this is one of my absolute favorite cards from 2010. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Supplies:

Stamps: F172 Hello Friend (DeNami Design), TC51-R Texture Background (from Foliate Quad Cube by Stampendous), N232-R Chickadee (Stampendous)

Ink: London Fog, Paris Dusk (Memento)

Paper: Red, Navy & Gray (The Paper Company)

Other: Embossing Ink (Versamark), White Embossing Powder (Judikins), Delphinium Blue Flower Soft, Snow Marker (Marvy, used on belly), Stardust Glitter Pen, Pearl Pens (Viva Decor, copper=beak, black=eye, red=berries), Baker's Twine (Jillibean Soup)

DeNami Design's December Blog Hop: GIFT TAGS!

HAPPY BLOG HOP DAY!

I'm so excited! It's another fantastic blog hop from DeNami Design! I always look forward to these days. It's such a joy to see all the different creations and receive so much feedback.

If you've been following the hop from the beginning, you probably just came from

Beverly Montez' blog Sweet Sentiments. She is so talented! So many of her creations feature adorable critters and characters. SO CUTE!

If you are just joining the hop or you're lost, you may want to start at the beginning HERE. Not only is this a great way to get inspired, but you can also win prizes! Two lucky blog hoppers will be chosen to receive a $20 gift certificate to DeNami Design. For more details, check out the DeNami Design Blog.

...On to the HOP!

I was excited to make some tags using my DeNami stamps. I couldn't decide, though, if I wanted to make something sophisticated, elegant, or fun & festive. So...I decided to make three completely different tags!

My first tag uses two fabulous border stamps by DeNami to create a sophisticated pattern.

Supplies: Stamps: N112 Harlequin Border, N128 Three Line Border, Joy Dot (from TR22 Christmas Word Dots set) (all by DeNami Design) Inks: Lady Bug, Cottage Ivy, Tuxedo Black (Memento) Papers: Tag (unknown), Gold Foil (American Crafts), White (The Paper Company) Other: Copic Markers, Quickie Glue Pen, Red Glitter (DeNami Design), Gold Stickles, Gold Gel Pen (Pilot), Red Glitter Rickrack Ribbon (unknown)

My second tag features one of my favorite elegant stamps of all times: DeNami Design's Large Holly. It's such a stunning centerpiece, and then I used little leaves around it to complete the tag.

Supplies: Stamps: N95 Large Holly, Two Leaf Sprig (from PF37 Elegant Floral stamp set), Three Leaf Sprig (from PF05 Rosevine Flower stamp set), Peace Dot (from TR22 Christmas Word Dots set) (all by DeNami Design) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Paper: Tag (unknown), Gold Foil (American Crafts), White (The Paper Company) Other: Copic Markers, Gold Metallic Pen (Pilot), Quickie Glue Pen, Green & Iridescent Xtra Fine Glitter (DeNami Design), Xmas Red Stickles, Red Cord (unknown)

My final tag is just fun, festive, and cheerful. I'm a sucker for Christmas lights, so this is a celebration of holiday lights, using some amazing retired DeNami stamps that I've been fortunate enough to find.

Supplies: Stamps: N53 Light Border (retired), Small Bulbs (retired), Cheer Dot (from TR22 Christmas Word Dots set), A89 Mini Starlet, A93 Teeny Swiss Dot, A92 Teeny Star Inks: Tuxedo Black, Cottage Ivy, Danube Blue, Lady Bug, Dandelion (Memento) Paper: Tag (unknown), Gold Foil (American Crafts), White (The Paper Company) Other: Copic Markers, Diamond Glaze, Gold & Silver Metallic Pens (Pilot), White Gel Pen (Pilot), Stardust Glitter Pen, Green Ribbon (American Crafts)

Thanks so much for checking out my blog today. I hope you enjoyed seeing my creations, and please continue to see more tags on the blog hop.

Again, if you're lost, start at the beginning.

If you're right on track, then your next stop will be the

amazing Creative Antics by Ann Cox.

Ann creates stunning, elegant masterpieces, and I'm sure today is no exception!

Hop on over to see!

Have a happy hop & a very happy holiday!

Amy

Fa La La Carolers

Tis the season to be jolly!

Fa la la la la la la la la!

Sadly, I've been missing from the blogosphere for a few weeks. Life sure has been busy, and I've had a few setbacks, but I'm BAAAAACK! And, it's just in time to enter a couple fantastic contests!

DeNami Design has another fantastic Product Challenge. This time the theme is PUNCHES! Ohhhh, I loooooove using my punches! So, of course I have to enter! Plus, I recently saw that another blog has a Holiday Music Inspiration Challege going on as well, and it is sponsored by DeNami Design. Head on over to Wee Memories to check it out. It's a truly wonderful blog, and I'm now addicted to it!

So, here's my entry for both fantastic challenges:

This card makes me so happy because not only is it fun and festive, but I'm actually working as a Christmas caroler right now! It's wonderful! I get to wander around my picturesque little town, singing beloved Christmas carols, spreading joy and love throughout the season. Yup...it's fabulous. I can't complain. Plus, I colored the ladies in the stamp to look like my fellower carolers and me! Oh, and I used a fantastic new pen to write "Fa La La" in the circles. It's a Parallel Pen by Pilot. It is so versatile and easy to use, and my handwriting comes out looking fancy and flowing. I love it!

I hope you enjoy this card, and please check back again soon. I've been creating lots of cards which I need to post on this blog, plus the December Blog Hop for DeNami Design is THIS SUNDAY! For details on that, make sure to check DeNami's Blog. Hope to see you hopping!

Happy Holidays,

Amy

Supplies:

Stamps: A90 Mini Music Notes & M71 Christmas Carolers (DeNami Design)

Inks: Tuxedo Black & Cottage Ivy (Memento)

Paper: Patterned Paper (DCWV), White & Green (The Paper Company)

Other: Iridescent Extra Fine Glitter (DeNami Design), Quickie Glue Pen, Copic Markers, Parallel Pen by Pilot, Metallic Border (FlowerSoft), assorted punches by Marvy and The Paper Studio

DeNami Design's November Blog Hop: CHRISTMAS!

Whether you've hopped your way here or just stumbled in by accident, you have found my post for DeNami Design's Christmas Blog Hop! Aren't you excited? I AM! If you've been following the hop, you probably just finished seeing Nicki Scheck's beautiful creation. Her blog, Dream Create Inspire, always features lovely clean, simple, and elegant designs. If you are lost or would like more information about the blog hop (did you know there are PRIZES?!?!), please check in with DeNami Design's blog. You can start at the beginning and learn how YOU could potentially win a $20 gift certificate. At the bottom of this post, you'll find the link to the next blog.

There are so many things that I love about Christmas, but what could be better than a gorgeous, brightly lit, beautifully decorated Christmas tree? Both of my cards were created to showcase the fabulous Winter Tree Stamps by DeNami Design. These are, in my opinion, the most versatile tree stamps EVER. You can do just about ANYTHING with them. For my first card, I wanted to use Stickles to create the look of Christmas lights on the trees. I even used my Spica Glitter pens to draw the strands of lights on the trees! Lastly, you can NEVER go wrong with adding glitter ribbon to a card. Check out the bling! Oh, and guess what? That gorgeous ribbon is also by DeNami Design!

Supplies:

Stamps: Large Winter Tree, Winter Evergreen Tree, Teeny Star, Cheers (from Everyday Greetings Petit Four Set) (all by DeNami Design)

Paper: Purple, Lavender, White (TPC)

Ink: Rich Cocoa, Grape Jelly, Lilac Posies (Memento)

Ribbon: Lime 3/8" and 5/8", Fuchsia Glitter Ribbon (all by DeNami Design)

Other: Stickles, Spica Glitter Pen, Rhinestones (assorted)

Next, I wanted to create a classic Christmas Tree scene. Starting again with the Winter Evergreen Tree, I added a pine sprig stamp (in two different colors to add dimension). This particular pine sprig is part of a Petit Four set.

By using two different colors of green ink, the tree has more depth and looks lush and full. I had so much fun using that one little stamp to create such visual texture to my tree. Here's the finished product:

Supplies:

Stamps: Winter Evergreen Tree, Pine Sprig (from Classic Christmas Petit Four set), Ornaments (from Mini Ornaments Petit Four Set), Joy (from Christmas Word Dots Trifle Set), Solid Elegant Flower (from Elegant Floral Petit Four Set) (all stamps by DeNami Design)

Paper: Red, White Pearl Paper (Darice), Green Iridescent Paper (DeNami Design), Deckled Blue Shimmer Paper (Judikins), Red Velvet Paper (SEI)

Inks: Rich Cocoa, Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy, Lady Bug (Memento)

Other: Pearl Pens (Viva Decor), Stickles, Spica Glitter Pens, Glitter Liners (Viva Decor)

Thanks for checking out my blog, and now it's time for you to hop on over to the next blogger:

Annette Holleger: Feeding the Soul

Annette is so talented. She has created many beautiful projects in the past, and today is no exception. Again, if you get lost or need more information about the blog hop, please return to DeNami Design's Blog: http://denami.blogspot.com/.

Happy Hopping!

DeNami Color Challenge #5

It's DeNami Design Challenge time again! You know I can't resist participating! I just LOVE creating cards with DeNami's stamps! DeNami's Design Team member, Joann, picked these beautiful Autumnal colors for the challenge. There are so many fall ideas that pop into my mind, but the strongest pull I had was toward buttons! DeNami has some adorable button stamps, and I also used one of their double circle stamps to create a super-sized paper button! I was hoping to use some baker's twine on this card, but I don't have any yet! So, I created a striped raffia instead (gotta love Copic markers!). For more information about this challenge, and to see the other fabulous entries, go to DeNami Design's wonderful blog.

Supplies:

Stamps:Mini Open Button, Small Solid Button, Hello Friend, Medium Double Circle, Teeny Swiss Dot (all by DeNami Design)

Paper: Kraft, Cream, Orange, and Green (TPC), Dark Brown (DCWV)

Ink: Tangelo, Bamboo Leaves, Rich Cocoa, Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Other: Raffia (unknown), Stardust Glitter Gel Pen, Diamond Glaze, Buttons (assorted), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Copic Markers

More Holiday Cards!

As my Christmas Card Frenzy continues (come back on November 14th for DeNami Design's Christmas-themed November blog hop!), I made a few cards using stamps from some of my other favorite companies. I'm calling them my "Non-DeNami-National" cards. (Ba-dum-bum! Get it?) Anyway, I hope you enjoy seeing some of my other cards, but check back soon because I've been creating a ton of cards featuring DeNami Design stamps.

Sophie's DeLIGHT:

This card is inspired by my adorable, yet troublesome, cat, Sophie. While her sister, Izzy, is fairly laid back, Sophie has a knack for getting into trouble. Allow me to submit the following evidence...

Adorable: Sophie snuggling with her sister, Izzy. How cute is that fluffy belly?

Troublesome: This was once the sight that greeted me after returning from a week long vacation: ribbons and embellishments EVERYWHERE! I even caught Sophie in the picture with the evidence.

So now that you know some of the inspiration behind the design, check out the card:

I just adore the Fluffles the Cat stamps by Stampendous. They are so cute, and they almost always remind me of my Sophie. I also have a weakness for Christmas lights. I LOVE THEM! I pretty much HAVE to buy any stamp I see with them. Oh, and I bought the amazing Christmas Light String a couple months ago when on vacation in NY. Sadly, I didn't get the brand name, and I wish I did so I could not only get some more for myself but also tell you all about it. Sorry!

Supply list:

Stamps: Fluffles in Lights (Stampendous), Christmas Lights (from a Clear Acrylic set, brand unknown)

Paper: Green card and yellow glittery paper(DCWV), white (TPC)

Ink: Tuxedo Black, Cottage Ivy (Memento)

Other: Stickles, Copic Markers, Christmas Light String (unknown)

Snowy Peaceful Night:

I absolutely fell in love with this Snowy Night stamp from Hero Arts. Can't you see why? It's so peaceful and beautiful. Also, my new Swiss Cheese edger punch by EK Success was calling to me, and I'm really happy with the background texture it adds.

Supply List:

Stamps: Snowy Night (Hero Arts), Season's Greeting (Hero Arts for Archiver's)

Paper: Blue, White, Navy (TPC)

Ink: Paris Dusk (Memento), Starlite Silver (Brilliance) Other: Snowflakes (Starform), Silver Borders (Magenta Style), Ribbon (Celebrate It! for Michael's), Swiss Cheese Edger Punch (EK Success)

Vintage Santa:

This next card pushed me in a new direction, as I rarely work with vintage/antique images. I'm really excited about the finished product, though. This entire card was created using only two stamps, the Santa stamp by Magenta and the Pine corner stamp by Inkadinkadoo.

Supply List:

Stamps: Vintage Santa Quad (Magenta), Pine Corner (Deck the Halls set by Inkadinkadoo)

Paper: Silver, Gold and White Pearl Papers (Darice)

Ink: Embossing Ink Pad (Versamark), Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Other: Black Embossing Powder (Judikins), Copic Markers, Stickles