Looking Back: A Year in Review

It's become typical for stamping bloggers to post 10-12 of their favorite projects at the end of the year.  Since I only posted 37 times my first year, I didn't feel the need since it wouldn't take all that long for someone to look back through them.  This year, however, I've posted 87 times!!  (88 counting this post, of course)  Very cool!  That makes a grand total of 125 posts!  I'd say I achieved my 2012 goal of stamping more often.   :)

I'm simply going to show the pictures of my twelve favorite projects this year.  (in no particular order)  Click on them to go to the original post for more info about each one.

It was actually difficult to choose, because I'm pretty pleased with my output this year.  I managed to acquire lots of new goodies over the past few months, so expect plenty more next year!  Not only that, I have lots of old goodies that need using as well.   No dearth of stamping goodness here!  Thanks for stopping by my blog and thanks also for the lovely comments.  It's always fun to share!  Many wishes for a wonderful new year!!

White-on-white Snowflake

Time for the monthly Papertrey Ink blog hop!  This time the challenge is to create a white-on-white card.  Here's the description:

The color white evokes a feeling of clean crispness that can't be replicated with any other color.  With winter and snow upon us, there couldn't be a more perfect time to embrace this beautiful color and the blank canvas it creates.  With color taken out of the creative equation, there is no limit to what you can do.  Your challenge is to create a white-on-white card.  While you can add small pops of color or touches of neutrals, the main focus of your project should be the color white.  Layer die-cuts, mix textures created with impression plates, combine multiple ribbon styles, dazzle with rhinestones & pearls, think white heat-embossed patterns and so much more.  Let your creativity take the lead as you create your white masterpiece!

So soothing and pretty, isn't it?  Click on the inspiration picture to see the photo credits on Nichole Heady's blog.  I decided to pull out both Snowfall stamp sets for my card, since a white-on-white palette just screams snow to me.   Besides, I'm still on a snowman/snowflake kick.  :)  Check out my previous December blog posts to see more.

I punched four sizes of snowflakes and stamped them in Fresh Snow, sprinkling glitter on each while they were still wet.  (in hindsight, I should have used a glue pad since it isn't sticking too well)  Then I simply layered them together after slightly bending the edges for dimension.  In the center, I put a white button threaded with white embroidery floss and silver metallic floss.  I embossed the background with a snowflake folder for more texture, and then I embossed my sentiments in silver on some diecut banners.  It's quite pretty in person!

Stamps:  Snowfall, Snowfall Additions (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: White (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink); VersaMark
Misc:  Snowflake punches (Marvy Uchida); Double-Ended Banners dies (Papertrey Ink); silver embossing powder, white button (Papertrey Ink); white embroidery floss (DMC); silver metallic fine braid (Kreinik); Carrara Marble glitter (Martha Stewart); Snowflakes embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Frosty & Fabulous

Whew, I got my SFYTT card done in the nick of time.  It's been a crazy month!  My goal was to complete all twelve sketches this year, just like I did last year, and I wasn't about to give up despite all the last-minute Christmas preparations.  I'm glad I remembered that the sketch challenge ends early this month.  Sadly, it's the very last sketch too.  I'll miss doing these sketches, but it did accomplish what I originally hoped and that was to get myself stamping regularly again.   :)  So here is my last SFYTT card of the year!

I kept it super simple and I absolutely love the result!  I diecut several sizes of flag strips from some pretty Basic Grey paper and layered them on a kraft card base.  I stamped my Frosty & Fabulous snowman on a circle, colored it with Copic markers, and finished it off with lots of glitter.  Oh yes, glitter again!  I've been having fun with glitter all week.  Besides, glitter makes snowmen look positively frosty!   :)

In case you want to see the rest of my 2012 SFYTT cards, here are the links.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
(and of course, December's card is in this post you're reading...lol)

Make sure you check out the other sketch challenge cards here.  Lots of great eye candy!

Stamps:  Frosty & Fabulous Snowman (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Kraft, White (Papertrey Ink); Figgy 6x6 pad (Basic Grey)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copic:  0, C1, T1, B41, B45, B37, YG93, YG95, YG97
Misc:  Standard Circles die (Spellbinders); Fishtail Flags STAX dies (My Favorite Things); pop-dots

Snow Time Tags

Here is my fourth set of tags for my kids' gifts this year.  I pulled out my 2011 Heirloom Ornament dies this time and paired it with my It's Snow Time stamp set.  I had to continue the snowman theme after all!

Isn't that sweet?  I used my Copic markers to add pops of color and shading on the snowmen.  I took my B41 marker and edged the ornament shape to give it a little framing, and then went over it with the colorless blender to soften it.  (note to self...I really need a lighter blue!)  I added glitter around the edge, naturally.  I'm having fun with glitter this year!

Stamps:  It's Snow Time (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  White (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copic:  0, T1, B41, B45, BV29, YR18, R24, R29, R59
Misc:  2011 Heirloom Ornaments die (Spellbinders); Crystal Fine glitter (Martha Stewart); glue pen  

Snowflake Tags

On to my third set of tags!  Since I'd already done two tag sets with snowmen, I decided to stick with that theme for the rest.  I pulled out my Damask Snowflake dies for these.

These were quick tags to make.  I stamped the snowman tag image in the center of a white snowflake, and then layered it on an Aqua Mist snowflake.  I added some aqua to the snowman for a touch of snowy color and shaded around the head with some light gray.  For the carrot nose, I stamped the image in Pumpkin Pie ink and cut it out.  I also glittered the entire snowman head.   :)

Stamps:  Deer Friends (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  White, Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up)
Copic:  0, C1, BG11, BG13
Misc:  Damask Snowflake dies (Papertrey Ink); Crystal Fine glitter (Martha Stewart); glue pen   

Snowman Meadow Tags

Here's my second set of gift tags.  I used a cute snowman image from The More the Merrier along with a sentiment from In the Meadow.

Obviously, I broke out the Copic markers again.  It's a very simple design compared to yesterday's tags.  The coloring took longer though!   :)  I added glitter along the line of snow.

Stamps:  The More the Merrier (Stampin' Up); In the Meadow (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Enchanted Evening (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copic:  0, C1, T1, R20, R22, R83, R85, R24, R29, YR18, YG13, YG17, Y11, Y13, Y15, Y21, B91, B95, BV29, BG11
Misc:  Labels Four die, Labels Four Small die (Spellbinders); Crystal Fine glitter (Martha Stewart); glue pen   

Snow Scene Tags

I've been working on some gift tags lately.  In our home, we have a fun tradition.  Instead of labeling the kids' gifts from us with their name, we assign each kid a gift tag and use it on each of their presents.  The catch is that no one knows which tag is theirs!  It makes for a fun guessing game up until Christmas day.   :)

I am thrilled with how these turned out!  It's one of those rare occasions when the vision in my head comes out perfectly in execution.  The only issue I encountered was the time I spent hunting in my studio for a certain stamp set only to discover later that I don't actually own it.  lol  Good thing I finally checked my inventory list!  Thankfully I found another small snowman image that would work in my Window Dressing set.

I cut my tag base from Spring Rain cardstock using the Tag Sale #4 die from Papertrey Ink.  I use that die a lot!  The snowy hills were cut using the In the Meadow dies.  I glued the two hill pieces together, glittered the edges, and then cut it again using the tag die.  Looks like all one piece, doesn't it?  I stamped my snowmen in place directly on the tag and then added another layer that had been colored with Copics and cut out.  It adds a pop of color and dimension.  On the background, I stamped some snowflakes using Fresh Snow ink and an image from In the Meadow.  Once that dried, I stamped the sentiment from Tag-Its #8.  Put it all together and it's one super cute gift tag!

Stamps:  Window Dressing (Stampin' Up); In the Meadow, Tag-Its #8 (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Spring Rain, White (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copic:  0, T1, R24, R29, YR18, B41, B45, B37, BV29
Misc:  Tag Sale #4 die, In the Meadow dies (Papertrey Ink); Crystal Fine glitter (Martha Stewart); glue pen