Dare to Dream

As we say goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013 I think it's ok to dream a little about what the new year will hold.

You could change the sentiment on this card and make it anything you want.  Those embossed clouds make me think of baby boys, graduation, thinking of you, even sympathy cards. 

My cards usually have more layers than this, but I wanted a clean and simple look.  

Have a safe and happy new year's eve.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

P.S.  We had snow today.  :)

It was fun to see snow on the lighted "Christmas Trees" out front.

Supplies:
Stamps: Loving Thoughts
Ink & Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Misc.: Cloudy Day Embossing Folder (available Jan. 3, 2013)

Sunday Share

Did you see my post yesterday?  I showed a set of cards I made for my friend.  Want to see what she made for me?  It's way better than the cards I made.  

 

 

 



 

Isn't it pretty?  She used my favorite shades of plum.  The funny thing is I have been looking for a bookmark like this in a pretty shade of purple and she didn't know it.  I'm a lucky girl! 

 

 

Not only did she make this beautiful bookmark for me, she showed me how to make one myself.  All I need is a couple of supplies and a new lavender tool and I too can make these bookmarks too.  I figure one for every book I have in progress.

In case you've never seen a bookmark like this, it is super stretchy.   Because it is stretches you can make it fit most books. 

As I was helping her clean up the beads and extra bookmarks I might have been gushing a bit too much because she let me pick out a second one for myself.  :)  She had lovely blues and greens and other colors.  I chose another pretty purple one.  What can I say?  I really love lilac, lavender, plum and purple.

I think she should sell these beauties.  <3

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Monogrammed Notecards

These monogrammed notecards were so fun to make for my friend, Louise.  She and I share a love for all things purple, so I was able to use my favorite color!

The cards come in two designs.  First is the Perfect Plum with a Perfect Plum Taffeta Ribbon tied across the front on 3 score lines on the top and bottom.

The second design uses Wisteria Wonder, 2 score lines on the top & bottom, along with Wisteria Wonder DSP punched out using the Large Lace Border punch.  (currently on the clearance rack!)

The idea to add score lines to these cards came from the queen of Clean and Simple, Maureen Merritt.  She is a great teacher if you are looking for ideas on "cleaning up" your cards.  I wanted these cards to be flat enough for my friends to mail without having to add extra postage. 

I decorated the corner of each envelope too with a coordinating rose from the Collage Curios stamp set from the new Spring catalog.  (available Jan. 3, 2013)  The background script also came from that new stamp set.  I think I'm going to get a lot of use out of that set.

The entire set was wrapped up in a vellum envelope I made using the simply scored diagonal plate.  I wrapped the envelope with Wisteria Wonder Baker's Twine and added a tag using to tie it in with the stationary.  This was a fun gift to make.  I hope Louise enjoy using these notecards as much I enjoyed creating them for her.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North



Lovely Letters Alphabet



Notecards and Envelopes



Large Lace Border Punch



Peace On Earth

Did you have a wonderful Christmas?   Mine was spent with my children and husband and animals.  It's all I ever want from a holiday.  :)  Of course the presents were nice too.  I got some new Stampin' UP! goodies from the upcoming Spring catalog and a Kindle Fire HD!!!  How fun! 

I was playing in my hobby room and trying out some new techniques.  It didn't turn out the way I envisioned it, but I'm sharing it with you anyway.   Sometimes we have to just play and experiment.  Even if the results are different than what we are going for, hopefully we are learning in the process.

To make the ice skaters I versamark and black embossing powder.  Next I colored in the images with my markers and used a Versamark pen over the entire image.  At this point the colors started to bleed.  I probably should have waited for the ink to dry before using the versamark pen.  ;)  I put some clear embossing powder of the image and heat set it.

After the card was complete I came in with some Dazzling Details to add sparkle to the pond and cuffs and hat of the lady.

 

My plan is to send this card to the people of Newtown with my thoughts and prayers.  If you would like to also send your condolences to the community the post office in Newton has set up a special PO Box.

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470

My thoughts are never too far away from this community.  It has made this holiday season bittersweet as I hold my own children close and thank the Lord for each day I have had with them.  All the while knowing that there are parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles who wish they could do the same.    Sending a card is a small thing, I know, but it also shows the community that others are joining them in their loss and holding them up in our thoughts and prayers. A simple card can mean so much.  I pray it does.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Merry Christmas

From our home to yours, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas.  May your Christmas wishes come true and may you be surrounded by those you love.

Christmas Blessings,
Heather North
and Family

Sunday Share

Our pastor shared this video last Sunday.  I thought it was clever and funny, so I'm sharing it here with you. 

Hope you are enjoying this special time of year! 

Merry Christmas,
Heather North

Gift Box Idea

My Christmas shopping is done.  My grocery shopping is done.  All the presents I ordered have arrived.  All I have left to do is finishing touches like wrapping the presents and putting them under the tree.  :)  It's a great feeling.

This year my kids have both asked for some expense gifts.  That means they won't have as many presents under the tree.  To make the morning last a little longer and to add a bit of fun, I am sending them on a gift hunt.  The first gift is in the tree.  Inside I will put some candy and a clue.

Can you spot the non-traditional stamp I used on the box?  I want them to open these boxes first, so I used the #1 from Blue Ribbon.

To make it sparkle I sprayed the finished boxes with shimmer mist.  One tip though... either spray the pieces and let them dry before adhering or use more dimensionals than I did to hold it on.  The paper curled where it wasn't attached using dimensionals.  oops.  :)

The great thing about decorating your own boxes is that you can make them any color you want.  Mine are made using my boys' favorite colors.

Tyler's box has the majestic Christmas deer. 

I was having difficulty lining up the ornaments on his antlers, and I didn't want to pull out my stamp-a-majig.  My solution was to take Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (a red glitter glue) and place a small dot at the top of each ornament.  It helps cover the flaws, and honestly my son will never notice.

Do you have any fun decorating ideas using your creations?  I would love to see them!  Here is a look at our tree.   The envelopes you see in the tree are actually "presents" from grandparents and won't be opened until Christmas.  :)  I thought this was a fun way to have their gift not get lost.  It also drives the kids a bit crazy because they look at it every day.  :)

Hope you are able to take time to enjoy the joyful part of this season and spend time with your loved ones.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

P.S.  The scallop circle is currently in the clearance rack WSL!!!  If you don't have it and want to make this box before Christmas you could easily cut a square or use the smaller circle and scallop circle.



Christmas Deer



Blue Ribbon



Kraft Gift Box




Snowflake Soiree



Wreath Door Card

Will you be going to any Christmas gatherings this year?  Today's card would be a perfect one to take with you for the host/hostess or to send out after the party thanking them for their hospitality. 

The door opens to reveal you greeting or message. 

In the video below I will show you how to make this wreath and card along with the tips and tricks I learned by trial and error.

Direct link to YouTube if you are having trouble viewing the video above.

Here is a close-up of the wreath.  It's easy to do, but it does take a little bit of time.  I enjoyed the process though.

If you are all done with your Christmas cards this year and want to get a head start on next year while you are still in the Holiday mood, this might be a fun project to work on while watching Christmas movies.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North



Merry Minis Stamp Set




Merry Minis Punch Pack




Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder



Easy Christmas Cards

Still need to make a few Christmas cards, but feeling crunched for time?  Here are some super quick and easy cards I whipped up a couple of days ago.  The Snow Festival Paper makes creating quick cards a snap. 

I love the little details on these cards.  It's a way to add my touch to the design.

The ribbon used in the last card is currently available in the Clearance Rack, while supplies last.  :) 

Creative Blessings,
Heather North





Snow Festival DSP



More Merry Messages