Double Wreaths

Holiday goodness coming your way.  First up, in honor of American Thanksgiving tomorrow, I have a gratitude card.

Stamps: Woodland Wreath (Wplus9) ; Big Day-Today (Waltzing Mouse Stamps)

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock (SU)
Accessories: Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder (Ranger); Woodland Wreath Die (Wplus9); 1/8" Silver Taffeta Ribbon (Stampin' UP!); Metallic Bronze Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Both of my cards were made using the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch.

My second card got its color inspiration from a new blog challenge showCASe your style.   This week's challenge is sponsored by Whimsy Stamps.  Not a new company, but new to me.  I just placed my first order last weekend and my stamps were already in my mailbox today!  Clear across the county.  I love fast customer service!  Hopefully I will have energy to play with my new goodies after turkey tomorrow.  :)

Such an elegant combination.  I had to try to make an equally elegant card to go with it.

Stamps: Woodland Wreaths (Wplus9); Alpine Christmas (Waltzing Mouse Stamps)
Ink: Versmark
Paper: Basic Black & Whisper White (Stampin' UP!)

Accessories: Woodland Wreaths Die (Wplus9); Princess Gold Embossing Powder (Ranger); Deco Labels (Stampin' UP!); Silver Wired Ribbon (???); Gold Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Check out my next post to see how I took the sketch and made it snow.  :)

Bokeh Snowflakes ~ Video

Today's card was inspired by a card I made last summer exclusively for the StampNation classroom.  I made two watercolor backgrounds that day, and this card I'm showing on my blog today was inspired by that first card.

In the heat of August I created this snowy scene to cool me down. I've waited to share it with you because I made it for A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0 and I wasn't sure if it would make it into the class or not.  Can you spot the trends I used?  We had so many awesome samples from our amazing team of designers that this card didn't make the cut, so I get to share it with all of you!  Doesn't that make you want to see the other cards in this class that did make the cut?  

Check out the video below to see how it is made.  If you cannot see the video click the direct link to watch it on youtube.  http://youtu.be/M7yvDALmbPs

There may be a few too many sequins, or perhaps not.  It's almost Christmas time, so I say, "bring on the bling!".

If you are a StampNation member you can click the link to see my original Bokeh technique video: Inspired By #3  

If you are not a member and would like to become one, click the link:  Learn more about StampNation.   My next installment of Inspired By is coming out on Friday, and a new challenge went up today with a sponsor prize.

Imagine Crafts is our sponsor this week for StampNation.  Here is a sneak peek at how the design team was inspired.

If you are looking for the trendiest Christmas card class online be sure to check out A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0.  I have 4 exclusive videos for the class.  :)  http://www.catherinepooler.com/trendyholidayHN

REMINDER- Tomorrow is the LAST DAY for StampNation members to use their $10 off coupon code for A Very Trendy Holiday.  

Supplies
Stamps: Alpine Christmas (Waltzing Mouse Stamps); Snowflake Soiree (Stampin' UP!); Vintage Snowflakes (The Crafts Meow)
Ink: Broken China- Peacock Feathers- Tumbled Glass (Distress Inks); White Paper (Fresh Ink); Versamark (SU)
Paper: Basic Gray (SU); Distress Watercolor Paper (Ranger); White (Bazzil)
Accessories: Sparkling Clear- Sweetheart Mix- Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Stitched Rectangles Die (Lil' Inker Designs); Studio Matte Medium (Ranger); White Embossing Powder (SU)

Watercolor Alpine Christmas ~ Video

Today is the last day for you to have a chance to win a FREE spot in the A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0 class.  Clicky to leave a comment on the original blog post. Don't worry, if you purchase the class and your name is drawn, you will get a refund.  :)

 So, in light of that, I thought I would share another card inspired by the class.

Creating the background for this card really helped me discover how distress inks and watercolor paper work.  The end piece came out nothing like I envisioned when I started, but that is the beauty of watercolor.

***Note- If you are reading this post in an email or reader, you may need to go to my blog to view the video below.

If you don't have distress inks, you can try this with any water soluble ink, such as Stampin' UP!   Check out yesterday's post to see the watercolor tag I made using SU inks.

Click here to sign up now for A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0

StampNation members, don't forget to pick up your coupon code first.

Not yet a member?  Click here to join the best paper crafting community on the web

Supplies
Stamps: Alpine Christmas (Waltzing Mouse Stamps)
Ink: Chipped Saphire, Iced Spruce, Stormy Sky, Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass, Weathered Wood (Distress Inks-Ranger); Versamark (SU)
Paper: Distress Watercolor Paper, Whisper White
Accessories: Frosted Sequins Embellishments, Basic Rhinestones,  White Embossing Powder (Stampin' UP!)

Frosted Sequins Embellishments