"Owliver" Owl Shaped Card / SU's Top Note Die / Punch Art

Just a quick post to share a cute owl card with you. The card is made using StampinUp's Top Note Die and some other punched shapes. Super easy to make and a cute card for all ages. I had made this for a challenge a couple of weeks ago and just realized that I hadn't shared it here with you all.

If you would like to make your own owl card...check out this tutorial HERE by Wendy Cranford. I had seen this on Pinterest, pinned it and finally got around to making it. Her tutorial is super easy to follow.

Thanks for stopping by!

Snowman Punch Art Card & Breast Cancer Awareness

Isn't this little guy cute?! I took a challenge to make  either  a Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas card using at least 3 punches. I chose to make a Christmas card. This cute little snowman took 9 punches to make him. The inspiration for the snowman came from SU demonstrator Dawn Griffith. Check out her tutorial HERE if you would like to know what punches to use and to learn how to make him.

I used some Stickles to glitter up the hearts and snowflakes  but it was a bit hard to get that to photograph. Hopefully some of these additional pictures at different angles will help to show the sparkle.

While I have your attention, I would like to take a moment to talk heart to heart with you all. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I'm sure you all have been seeing all the commercials on TV for breast cancer awareness, radio commercials as well as pink ribbons everywhere by those who support breast cancer research. Some of you might even be tired of it already....but don't be. As the commercials are saying, "1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer". That is a pretty scary number. I found out last month that I am that "one" when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

It does not run in my family, in fact, I am the first to be diagnosed with it. I did not feel a lump, nor did my doctor during my yearly exam. Thankfully though the routine yearly mammogram caught it. An ultrasound followed the mammogram to confirm that there was a mass. Biopsy followed confirming that it was cancer. I had surgery last week and I have further treatments ahead of me. Although I have some health issues that make it harder to treat me for breast cancer, I have the fact that it was caught early in my favor.

I'm putting this in my post today with the hopes that my story will encourage those who don't have a yearly mammogram to go get it done. The key to winning the fight against breast cancer is early detection. Don't be lazy, don't be scared and don't be stupid.....schedule your yearly mammogram and get it done if you haven't already. Do it for your family and friends....do it for you.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my punch art snowman!

Christmas Wreath Card / Martha Stewart Pine Branch Punch

It's my turn to host the weekly member challenge over at the CardSwaps forum on the CardMaker site. I'm challenging everyone to make a card with a wreath on it. It can be stamped, made with punches or die cuts, made with ribbon or buttons etc. Any holiday, season or colors but you must showcase a wreath on your card. I chose to use the Martha Stewart pine branch punch to make my wreath as the example for the challenge. I used Bazzill cardstock to punch the branches. Gemstones and ribbon are from my stash.

Why don't you come join us over at CardSwaps for the weekly challenge? Would love to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Wreath Card

Wow! Two posts in one day from me....and back to back ...LOL! Sorry about that. I meant to add this to the previous post and I no sooner clicked on the publish button when I realized I hadn't added this card to the post. So I decided to just make a separate post for this card. I promised myself I would try very hard to have my Christmas cards done early this year. Of course I say that every year and I always end up at last minute trying to get them all finished up and mailed. I'm thinking about designs though and I had fun making this one.

The wreath is made with the Martha Stewart pine branch punch. I punched several out in white cardstock and then placed them around a circle shape I had cut out with a Spellbinders die. I wanted to keep it simple and more of a white Christmas type of theme. Therefor I chose to have the only color be the red embellies on the wreath and bow. The border design was made using a Martha Stewart border punch. I had fun making the wreath and plan to try it out in green next.

Thanks again for stopping by!

Punch Art

This week I am the host for the weekly member challenge over at CardMakers Card Swaps forum. The challenge I chose to host is "Punch Art". When my obsession started with paper crafting years ago, I found that I loved punches! Big punches, little punches, shape punches and now all the wonderful border punches.....love them all. And what better way is there to get further use out of your punches than to create some punch art!

For my examples for the challenge I made 3x3 cards. The first one I made a ladybug using different size circle punches.

For the next one, the baby bib, I used a scallop punch, a circle punch and an oval punch to cut the neckline. Cute huh?

The last one, which is also my favorite, was made using different size circle punches and SU's ornament punch. The chocolate sauce is made by using the negative part of a scallop punch. I used a white pen for making the sprinkles then I added Diamond Glaze to help make the sauce look rich and chocolatey!

I can't take credit for these designs. I googled "punch art" and found oodles of designs! Instructions and credit for the ice cream sundae can be found HERE, the ladybug HERE and my apologies as I do not remember where I found the instructions for the baby bib. If you would like instructions though on how to make the bib, just let me know and I will be happy to post them.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed my punch art. If you haven't checked out my prior post to this one..."A Card Request"...please do and please consider sending a card. Your card can help put a smile on a child's face. Thanks!