Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Getting Back to Cards

Hope everyone had a joyous holiday! Now that the season is winding down, I am back to creating cards.  I needed a graduation card but found I didn't have any appropriate stamps.  So, I went to the computer and downloaded a free digi.  I normally do not use digis because it is my personal philosophy that all images need to be heat embossed.  If I stamp it, I heat emboss it.  And digis from the computer do not allow for embossing.  Or do they?  I remembered from years ago a neat embossing pen that I have not used in ages.  The main reasons are: 1) I don't use digis and 2) I was never happy that using the embossing pen over white or yellow or other light colors changed the color I had wanted.  That was because the Versi-mark and Zig embossing pens have a light blue ink and when used over other colors, change that color.  After a bit of research, I found Ranger embossing pens that have a clear ink and DO NOT change the color of the image or underlying colors.  So, now when I need to do spot embossing, it is easy enough.  Here is a picture of my digi:  on the left, straight off the computer.  On the right, the tassel and bow are embossed.  I decided not to emboss the whole image, but to have these two items "pop".  Not the best picture, but you can tell how shiny the tassel and bow are, right?


Here is the card I made:
Because the upper half of the card has a circular design, I chose to round the top corners to give the card some continuity.  The bottom corners I left alone to match the bottom design.  And of course, since I needed to line the inside of the card, the liner matched the outer overall design.


TIP OF THE DAY:  Embossing pens are fun and very convenient for spot embossing.  The Versi-Mark and Zig pens have a blue ink and therefore, change the color you are embossing.  The Ranger pens do not.
Hope you can see the blue under-tones on the left.  The yellow is more an off green and the white is now pale blue.  The samples on the right remain true to the original colors.  I found my Ranger pens on Amazon.

Thanks for stopping by!  
Hugs, Jill


Saturday, December 16, 2017

Ugly Sweater Cookies

Happy Holidays!  Now that I have all the cards mailed out to the various hospitals and charities, I am spending a little time actually getting ready for the holidays!  One of my nieces had an Ugly Sweater Party last night, so I helped make cookies for her guests.  I do love baking....






Hope these brought a smile to your face and heart.  Have a safe holiday!  
Hugs, Jill