Distinctive Touches

I'm Done!

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had wonderful holiday week.  I was lucky enough to spend a few days with my mother and father in-law... they are such kind souls (and funny too).  I truly am blessed in them. 

Here's a quick peek at the last of my holiday cards.  I can finally cross THOSE off my to-do list!  They made it to the mail box this morning and are heading all across the nation. 

 

I fell in love with this image from High Hopes and knew that it would be among the ones in my holiday collection.  I colored it with my Copics and used the mega Nestability to cut it out.  I kept the layout simple with no bulky embellishments since it was going to be mailed out... you know, I gotta keep my postage fees to a minimum when I have over 50 cards to send!  LOL  Anyway... I sort of feel like Rudolf - all tuckered out after the holiday rush.  (Well, it's not quite over yet... I still have our New Year's Party to organize, prepare for, and throw - Phew!)

Speaking of New Years... you need to start thinking about YOUR resolutions.  I'll be sharing mine (along with info about an UBER COOL project that I'm involved in for the new year).  Make sure to stop back again tomorrow for all the details!

Happy Hugs,
Colleen

Technique Tuesday - Ummmm, a technique???

Yeah, I know it's Tuesday, and you probably visited thinking you were going to get information about a neat new technique.  But let's be honest here... there is no technique today.  In fact, I think Mr. Technique may have moved away or something.  I called and left multiple messages for him, but he's just not responding.  I'm at a loss...maybe he's just away visiting family... or maybe he's snowed in... that's a definite possibility!  LOL

I hope this cute lil' card will warm your heart and make you forget all about Mr. Technique's absence. 

It's another of my many Colored Christmas Cards (rolling my eyes).  I spent the afternoon putting them together assembly style, and I'm happy to say that I'm almost done.  I plan on passing off the proverbial "pen" to my hubby tonight and having him help me sign and address all these puppies!

This is one of my favorites this year.  The snowman stamp and the sentiment again are from High Hopes and the image was colored using my Copic markers.  I spiced it up with a scalloped mat for the image, a strip of Basic Gray patterned paper (sorry - I don't remember the name).  I chopped up the sentiment and then went just a LIL' BIT nutty with my white gel pen. 

Hope you like it!  I'll be wrangling up another card to share tomorrow!
Hugs,
colleen

Anyone Still Out There?

Wow... I can't believe it has been over a week since I posted last... I'm a BAD BLOGGER.  I apologize.  I know how you all sprint to your computer each morning to check Distinctive Touches... LOL (just kidding)  I'm assuming that most of you have been just as busy as I have... and maybe you didn't even realize I was missing! 

Wanna see what has kept me away from my beloved computer? 

THIS... or should I say THESE... because there are many, many of these piled up on my crafting table.  Well, not all of them are the same... but you get the idea!  I was so late in starting my Christmas cards this year.  I'm not even done yet... I still have about 20 more to assemble.  And then address.  And then mail.  Yeish!  I'll be lucky if they hit the post office before Christmas! 

Never again will I do a "Copic" Christmas!  Bwwaaaahaaahaa.  I (for some kooky reason) decided to make most of my holiday cards with images that needed to be colored.  You know what that means... I was a COLORING FOOL (okay... maybe just a plain fool would be more like it...) for the past few days.  Now don't get me wrong... I love to color... but when it comes to 60 cards... NO WAY!  Simple Stamping is the way to go for next year! 

Even though my arm is about ready to fall off, I really love the way these turned out.  The image is a very "sporty Santa" from High Hopes with a matching 'Fishy' sentiment... perfect for the outdoors men on our list.

Anyway... I just wanted to pop in and say HI.   I'm treading water in a sea of red and green card stock and ink...and I can almost make out the shore... ALMOST!  LOL

I'll be back tomorrow with another of my Belated Holiday Cards!
Thanks for stopping back in...
colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Cut It Out!

 Ahhhhh, Thursday morning.  Up bright and early to walk the dogs.  There is a nip in the air (although it is supposed to get up into the 70's today) and the neighborhood is quiet.  That is... Until we stumble upon some deer quietly drinking by the stream.  Then, all of our pups calm submission goes out the window and he becomes MASTER HUNTER!  He is just so darn curious about every other animal out there... he thinks they all should be his friends.  (Tell that to the stray cat that we also scared up out of the woods.) 

When we got back from our walk, the horses (from the field behind our house) were visiting, so of course Takeo and Akira wanted to go and have a chat...  I took some pictures of the horses munching happily away while my dogs went barking and running in circles (showoffs).  I'll have to share them with you as soon as I get them uploaded.

So... that was my morning.  How about you?  Having a good one?  I sure hope so.

How about a challenge?  Are you up for it? 

Today's challenge is a fun one... (aren't they all?)  I want you to cut it out.  LITERALLY!  Your challenge is to use an element on your card/project that is cut out... and popped up.  I like dimension! 

You can cut out the whole image, one part of the image, or cut the image up into parts and paper piece it back together... totally up to you.  I just want you to cut it out today! 

Here's my sample.  I got some new stamps from High Hopes a while back and finally got to ink them up.  I figured this scarecrow would make the perfect "cut it out" card.  I stamped the image on white card stock and colored the wooden cross, the grass, and the wheat stalks with my Copic markers.  I then stamped it again and colored the scarecrow.  I then cut the scarecrow part out and popped it up over the original image.  He looks so darling.. just hanging around.  LOL  I  did a bit of faux stitching around the edges and cut the sentiment in half (also from High Hopes) and popped that up also.  

What a fun card this was to make!  I just love the look of paper piecing... I hope you play along.

Last week I challenged you to get your butt in gear and kick out a few holiday cards.  Here are some of the wonderful creations that were submitted.

Janine (Jay Bee) made this "homey" holiday greeting for friends.  I just love the rounded corners and the way she did the ribbon bow... cool!

Mom sent a bunch (she's on top of things) and I picked this one to share today.  I think it looks so elegant!  The embossing is gorgeous and the sparkly ribbon really is a nice touch.

 And Jessica Fick (JessJean) shared this adorable card with us (it's a sneak peak at one of the new releases for Gina K).  Those carolers are just soooooo funky!  Love it.

Thanks for sharing gals... and thanks you all for stopping in.  I'll see you back here (same time, same place) tomorrow to share my Featured Card.  Hope you all have a GREAT day!

hugs,

colleen