Stamps, Paper, and Ink

And a Merry Christmas to all.....

My cards are stamped and ready to mail, I am recuperating from gallbladder surgery done on Wednesday of this week. My family is gathering in today and over the weekend. I love Christmas!! I love the time to remember that Jesus came - a baby born to be a King, named Immanuel . "God with us."

We will bake cookies and wait for an avalanche of deliveries from Amazon via UPS to our doorstep today. How about you? I'll bet things are hopping at your house too!

Here's the easel card I mass produced for mailing this year with the Christmas Lodge stamp set. The scored panel, rhinestone jewel and scallop glimmer paper oval show up much better IRL. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and holiday!

I can't make up my mind!

Greetings on this Thursday!

I have not one card to share, but two different takes on the same card. It all started with this scrap on my desk - and Lesley's great sketch at The Paper Players. I had a panel of watercolor paper which had been imprinted with the Letterpress design and thought it would look good as a tag in the sketch. Step one: I took a deep breath and die cut with the Two Tags die.

Here's the sketch.

Here's the first card I made using the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP and the Pines and Poinsettias stamp set.

The whole time I was photographing it - and during the night apparently - I kept thinking it was too busy.

So, what do you think I did? First thing this morning I ripped it apart, that's what, and remade it this way. I am funny about ripping up my cards - I'm sure I'm not the only one, right?

This time the tilted panel is Real Red card stock, embossed with the delicate floral spray with Cherry Cobbler DSP. 

Now my dilemna is: which one to enter in the challenge?  How about sending me your ideas while I think about it for awhile?  Which one do you like best? Would you take a minute to let me know what you like by commenting? Thanks in advance for helping me out!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Pines and Poinsettias

Paper:  Real Red, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Paper

Ink:  Real Red Craft, Versamark

Accessories:  Two Tags Die, markers, Linen Thread, Cherry Cobbler EP, Festive Finishes Letterpress Plate

O Christmas Tree

If I had known I'd be MIA from my blog for a couple or three weeks, I would have given you advance  notice. But it took me by surprise too.

Quite honestly, I was busy at first with work for my stamping club and classes, and just couldn't get time to make projects or blog. But that's only half of the story.

The main reason is that I've been discouraged by my stamping for my blog. Ever feel like maybe you're losing your MOJO? Have you felt as if you can never come up with another original creative idea? Or do you see all the fresh new stampers blogging and on design teams out there and wonder if you are crazy to try to keep up? I'm here to say that I'm not giving up yet and hopefully my little break has eased the burnout a bit. Just sayin' in case you'd want to know!

Now for today's card which I humbly share. Time to sing along..."O Christmas Tree.... how lovely are thy branches."

The focal image features the tree from the Christmas Lodge stamp set and is decorated with some die cut Little Leaves. The small flower from Fabulous Florets was stamped with Early Espresso ink on Real Red Textured card stock and cut out. Looks a bit like a poinsettia, do you think? I layered an embellishment of silver Glimmer Paper punched with the Triple Blossom punch, and added a button and Baker's Twine. Rhinestone jewels brighten the circle panel and the treetop for a bit of sparkle.

My choice of a Christmas tree was inspired by the challenge at Our Creative Corner. For sketch inspiration, I played along with the versatile and pretty layout from Freshly Made Sketches.

That's all from me today. If you have a moment, won't you pop in and let me know what you think of today's card? I'd love to hear from you!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Christmas Lodge, Fabulous Florets

Paper:  Real Red Textured, Berry Bouquet DSP, Glimmer Paper, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Garden Green

Ink:  Early Espresso, Garden Green

Accessories:  Button, Baker's Twine, Triple Blossom Punch, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Big Shot, Basic Jewels Rhinestones

"The Stocking is Hung" Vintage Christmas

Here's a window card with a cool twist - it's a unique type of suspension card too!

I cut a window in the card base and DSP using the 2-1/2" circle punch. I stamped the sentiment from Pines & Poinsettias (oh,I love that set!) and fussy cut it. Using Crystal Effects to make sure it holds real tight, I adhered the outer tips of the sentiment banner to the edges just outside the window. All that was needed was to "hang" the stocking by attaching it to the banner strip with glue dots. Easy and fun!

You can see the details in this close up. It's great being able to make your own cute embellishments with the Stocking Builder Punch from Stampin' Up! I also used the Beau Chateau DSP and punched a star accent out of Glimmer paper.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Shimmering Pines & Poinsettias

I don't usually post on the weekends but I had a couple of ideas for cards that came as I reflected on techniques shared at my online class and I actualy had time to make them. Kristina Werner made an adorable card that featured two panels of the same card stock. Using supplies to alter one of the panels, she placed them side by side in the layout. Here's my take on it!

I cut two strips of Pool Party card stock (each is 1-3/8" x 5-1/2"). I altered one by inking it with VersaMark, then heat embossing with Iridescent Ice. It gave a great sparkle and changed the hue just the tiniest bit. Beginning with a Crumb Cake card base, I stamped the delicate leafy image from the Pines & Poinsettias set using White Craft ink along each side.

The focal panel was inspired by our monthly magazine for demos, Stampin' Success. So many beauituf projects in there! I used Red Craft ink to stamp the floral image, and using Heat 'n Stick Powder I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I love the frosty shimmer.

All wrapped up in a red satin bow. (ETA - which I straightened up after taking the photo. Looks better now. <g>)

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Pines & Poinsettias

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Pool Party

Ink:  Real Red Craft, Real Red, Versamark, White Craft, Pool Party

Accessories:  2-1/2" Circle punch, Perfect Pennants Die (scalloped circle), Heat and Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Presentation is everything!

I am often reminded as I prepare for cards and classes that "Presentation is everything!" My good friend Donna likes to encourage me with those words too. I just came home with make up I bought at the mall, and they package it in a shiny-bold-black-and-white-striped bag with bright red tissue paper. They say the best things come in little packages, but it sure helps if they are also beautifully wrapped.

At convention we learned how to make a darling gift box using two of the Mini Milk Carton Dies. Here's my take on it for Christmas. I made it for the Fancy Folds challenge at Our Creative Corner.

I used silver metallic card stock and embossed it top and bottom with Pewter embossing Powder (I really love that stuff!) and the flourish image from the Creative Elements set. I put a rhinestone border around the top for bling.

To make this little treat box, you need to cut out two of the dies. On each one, cut off the panel on the end without the tab, then just adhere them together with sticky strip. It's important when folding in the bottom flaps, to adhere opposite flaps together overlapping them only about 1/4" to keep the six-sided shape.

You can just push down at the top and it will stay closed, or as I have done, punch holes all around and tie it with twine. Now that I've made this one, I can't wait to make another!

When you give it a try you're for sure going to see how easy it is to put together. But you will need a Big Shot.

I have good news about that!

The FREE Big Shot Offer has been extended until November 11. Check out all the details on THIS post.

If you already have the Big Shot, how about $100 of free merchandise?

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Pines & Poinsettias

Paper:  Metallic Silver, Whisper White

Ink:  VersaMark

Accessories:  Pewter EP, markers, Cherry Cobbler Quilted ribbon, Rhinestones, Mini Milk Carton Die, oval punch, Rhinestone Brad

Kaleidoscope of Color

Weekend before last I was able to travel to NJ to visit my Mom, and I enjoyed so much just spending time with her. She has a real gift of living in the present and enjoying each moment to the fullest with a grateful heart. We were able to take a drive to a nearby park on a beautiful fall day, and I loved the kaleidoscope of color in the foliage. Perfect inspirations for a fall card.

I actually made this card to show off the new colors of embossing powders to my club stampers. My card is a CASE of THIS lovely center step card, but I stepped it up and enhanced the images with heat embossing. Starting with Tangerine Tango card stock for the main panel, I randomly stamped leaves with Versamark and sprinkled them with Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder. I love the tone on tone effect and was surprised that the embossed images are just a tad lighter than the card stock. It gives them an almost opaque effect, so pretty IRL!

For the focal image, I stamped the leaf in More Mustard, then stamped the outline over it with Versamark, and added Pewter Embossing Powder, then heated it. Next I added highlights to the leaf with my versamarker, and heat embossed with Tangerine Tango EP. It's fun seeing the details take shape during the embossing process. Definitely my kind of playing with a WOW! result. 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Hand-Penned Holidays

Paper:  More Mustard, Soft Suede, Spice Cake DSP, Very Vanilla

Ink:  More Mustard, Soft Suede, VersaMark

Accessories:  Versamarker, Lace trim, Glitter brad, Pewter and Tangerine Tango EP

 

His and Hers for Christmas

The Stocking Builder punch has been sitting on my work table for about a month now, just waiting for me to pick it up!

Well, I did it! How about His 'n Hers stockings?

   
I love the way this punch cuts out not only the stocking but the top of the stocking and the heel and toe so that you can come up with cute or elegant variations. For "His" I used the bold glitter stripes pattern of the Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty paper, adding mini jingle bells and a button tied up with a Baker's Twine bow.

"Hers" is a dainty floral pattern decked out with pearls! I used Wild Wasabi card stock embossed with the Snow Burst folder for the circle. Layering red satin ribbon and Very Vanilla Velvet Stitched ribbon adds texture and a touch of vintage.

Wouldn't you love to create some personalized stockings for your cards and Christmas tags this year? Contact me today to find out more ideas and order your supplies.

This card was created using another great sketch by Karen at the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

Did you notice that the only stamping done was the sentiments?

  All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless noted *

Stamps:  A Word for You, Petite Pairs

Paper:  Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Paper, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Mini Jingle Bells, Brights Designer Buttons, Baker's Twine, Satin and Velvet Stitched ribbons, Stocking Builder and Scallop Border punches, Nestablilties*

more Spice Cake With Love

One more card using the Spice Cake DSP, I just love pulling these pretty patterns together. The sets for today's card include one from the Summer Mini and a new one from the Holiday Mini called Hand-Penned Holidays. Don't you love this softly flowing script?

It's really a very simple layout with the boldness that comes from the 1/16" mats. Of course, I love the watercoloring, especially with this lovely bouquet. Less than two weeks left to order supplies from the Summer Mini, so don't wait!

Hope you are having a lovely day~

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up! except noted*

Stamps:  On the Grow set

Paper:  Spice Cake DSP, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Watercolor paper

Ink:  Soft Suede, Black StazOn

Accessories:  Rhinestone Brad, Vanilla Seam Binding, Blender pens, Nestabilities*

 

Holiday Sneak Peek

I wasn't going to think holidays yet - but who can resist the GORGEOUS new set Christmas Lodge (coming soon!) which is my absolute favorite along with all the Frostwood Suite Products. Here's a peek for you, you're going to love it too!

So many new products here: the Frostwood Lodge DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper, Dazzling Details - a glitter glue that adds sparkle to the snow on my card, and Quilted Satin Ribbon. Last but not least, I am SO EXCITED to have these Mini Jingle Bells! I added them to my bow by threading them onto cotton thread, which I tied around and hid behind the bow.