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

Red, green and a little {{pink}}

I want to thank everyone who visited my blog yesterday - you made me feel as if my posts had been missed! I read every comment as well and so many brought a smile to my face. I appreciate you!

I was in the mood for a lighthearted Christmas card in non-traditional colors today. It absolutely tickled me pink to make this card! I love pink and green together with just a hint of red, don't you?

 
The Season of Joy stamp set is the perfect choice for a whimsical style card. My search resulted in no pink DSP to use, so I stamped the background with the words image from the set. (It was a DUH! kind of moment, lol!) The tree is stamped and cut out to add to this circle card, bedecked with pearls that were colored with my red Sharpie.

At MOJO Monday a circle or square card was the theme and here's the great sketch that inspired my layout.

I learned a new trick when making circle cards. Instead of die cutting or folding one sheet of card stock that is hinged at the top, I now cut out two separate circles. I score the one for the card bottom about 3/4 " from the top and fold it down to make a flap. Then I match the two pieces up and adhere them together. Makes the card a bit sturdier and I find it easier to make as well.

It's a rainy day today, but I'd best me on my way. Thanks for stopping by!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Season of Joy

Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Designer Paper Stack Subtles,

Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Wild Wasabi

Accessories:  Northern Frost and Tasteful Trim dies, Pink taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls, Nestabilities

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

Warmest of Wishes

I played with some fancy folds today!

 

I've experimented with making these origami folded trees and decided to pull out some of last year's (or has it been two years?) beautiful flocked Christmas Cocoa papers to make today's card. I made a row of ruffled paper for the trees to nestle in and added Basic Rhinestones that I colored with a red Sharpie.

Making this little scene was so much fun! Speaking of fun, I'm taking the online Holiday Card Boot Camp Class, and the folded trees are one of the many fun ideas I've learned. The fun and inspiration will continue through next week. It's cool to be in school!

I inked up the Warmest Wishes stamp set for the sentiment, and stamped it in Early Espresso. I love the impact of this bold image. Soft Suede ink was sponged around the edges of the trees.

   All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Sparkle and Shine!

Happy Friday!

I'm just a bit smitten with today's card. All that sparkle makes me smile!

At first I wanted to use red glitter on the die cut candy cane, but I tried it and ditched it. Using the Glimmer paper for the background piece worked well. Love all that sparkle and shine!

The JOY image from the Welcome Christmas stamp set is the only stamping. See you Monday!

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Welcome Christmas

Paper: Glimmer Paper (silver), Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Santa's Helper, Whisper White

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Stocking Accessories Die, Old Olive Grosgrain, button, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch

Peekaboo!

I measured those cute framed windows in the Peekaboo Die and had them sitting on my craft table. Watching for the opportunity to use one on a card. Today is the day. Peekaboo!

The die has windows in several shapes and sizes. It was featured as part of the Advent Calendar in the Holiday Mini. I decorated the closed window with a die cut snowflake and a Marina Mist taffeta ribbon bow.

Open the door and you can see this cute snowbuddy friend inside! I used the Snow Much Fun stamp set, Santa's Helper DSP, and Riding Hood Red card stock. The images are on Confetti White, which holds up well for water color. I scribbled marker on my acrylic block and dabbed it on with Blender pens. Rhinestones shine for bling!

This was created for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

Keeping this post brief today to get on with other things. No snow is in the forecast but it has gotten chilly and there's lots to do over the weekend. I love being outside in this weather, as a matter of fact I'm posting out back while Josie plays. For this NC girl, it feels great to have to wear long sleeves and maybe even a jacket.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Vintage Greeting

 Hi everybody!

I had lots of busyness last week, including a trip out of town for the weekend.  One of my favorite things about coming home - besides being welcomed by my family and sleeping in my own bed - is getting to stamp! So today after dusting and vacuuming, unpacking and starting the laundry, planting pansies and walking Josie - I got to make a card in the vintage style that I love with one of my favorite sets.

I needed to jump start my MOJO so I checked out the Featured Stamper challenge at SCS. Who wouldn't love to be inspired by the beautiful work of the very talented Deb Saranen? I chose THIS darling card and decided to use my Greeting Card Kids stamp set for my design.

The frame from the Beau Chateau DSP seemed the perfect place to start, so I fussy cut it and placed a rectangle of watercolor paper inside. The floral spray was snipped out as well to add balance and color. Stamping in Basic Brown, I colored the image with my aqua painter and reinkers. A sprinkle of Mica Flakes, a smattering of pearls and sponged distressing add to the vintage theme.

The mica flakes are clear or white but somehow they appear to be colored in my photo. I guess they are reflecting the Pink Pirouette and Marina Mist hues from the image. I used Mono Multi purpose glue to adhere the mica and found that fewer flakes look best.

ETA: I'm adding this to the fun Fabulous Faces challenge going on at Our Creative Corner.

The finished card is 5" square.

   All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Greeting Card Kids, Bells & Boughs

Paper:  Beau Chateau DSP, Marina Mist, watercolor paper

Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Soft Suede

Accessories:  Tasteful Trim die, Basic Pearls, Antique brads, Marina Mist taffeta ribbon, Lace Trim, sponges, markers, Mica Flakes