Washi Tape Tree

It's crunch time in the craft room as the deadline to send out Christmas cards and gifts approaches.  Today's card is very quick to make and mass produce.

Isn't it cute!  I filmed a video showing you how easy it is to make this card.

Note: you may need to go to my blog to view the video.  Click on the post title "Washi Tape Tree" above to go there now.  :)

You could punch out gold or silver stars to make this even easier.  I stamped my star, then covered it with dazzling details.  Stars must sparkle, even if they are pink, right?

The die cut panel is made of textured cardstock.  I like the look it added, but it meant I couldn't get a crisp stamped image.  In this instance I was ok with that.  :)   The twine is a yummy pink, raspberry red, and white candy stripe.

If you don't want to take the time to wrap baker's twine and tie a bow you could use the coordinating red washi tape from the Seasons of Style pack, or a strip of paper, or leave it without anything except the sentiment.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to papercrafting.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Supply List (SU unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Greetings of the Season, Merry Minis
Paper: Crumb Cake Smooth Cardstock, Crumb Cake Textured Cardstock
Ink: Raspberry Ripple
Accessories: Cricut Cartridge, Baker's Twine (not SU, anyone know who puts their thread and those adorable wooden spools?), Merry Minis Punch Pack, Dazzling Details, Seasons of Style Washi Tape

Greetings of the Season

Seasons of Style Washi Tape

P.S. Sorry about the late posts, poor picture quality and videos issues.  It has been a struggle with technology, but I see light at the end of the tunnel.  (Today I made the trip to Olympia to pick up our new modem.)  Thank you for being patient with me as I learn my new computer, update our home internet and figure out how to transfer photoshop to my new computer.  By the beginning of next year I should have everything up and running faster than ever.   That means no waiting all day for photos to upload and edit and download.  (in theory at least)

Shoebox Swap Part 1

Saturday I went to my first ever Shoebox Swap with some ladies from Splitcoast Stampers.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have to say these ladies blew me away!   I'll be showing you the cards I made with kits created by the ladies at the swap over the next few days.  First up though is my card.  I made 25 kits plus 2 card samples (one of each color) and a 3rd card for the competition. 

My cards are Christmas cards based on one of my favorite card designs.  Click HERE if you want to go to that post and see my original card.  I had two color choices, the more traditional Crumb Cake with Cherry Cobbler accents and the more modern Smoky Slate with Island Indigo accents. 

Each person was able to choose their greeting from Greetings of the Season and I had 3 scallop punches for everyone to use.  From there the differences were mostly based on the color kit they chose.

The Crumb Cake/Cherry Cobbler kit was embossed using the Fancy Fan embossing folder AFTER I cut out the ornament using my Holiday Ornaments framelits.  I didn't know the framelits have been discontinued, but the new ornament punch would work just as well. :) 

The Smoky Slate/Island Indigo choice had textured paper, Silver ribbon and DSP from the Winter Frost DSP stack.

This Crumb Cake/Cherry Cobbler kit had Black taffeta ribbon and Seasons of Style DSP stack.  My cards weren't the only Christmas cards.  Here are the other Christmas cards from the Shoebox Swap.

Aren't they great?  This is just the first batch.  I'll have more samples to show you tomorrow.  For now I will leave you with the card I completely messed up but totally love.  It's actually just the card front.  I'll be adding it to another card base so I can give it out this Christmas.

If you think these cards are good you are in for a treat this week because each card kept getting better and better.  :)   There was something for everyone from the lovely layered and super embellished card above to a lovely Clean & Simple One Layer Card I'll show you tomorrow.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

Christmas Card Recipe (Stampin' UP! Supplies)
Stamps: Greetings of the Season
Ink: Black Staz-On
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Smoky Slate, Smoky Slate Textured Cardstock, Island Indigo, Winter Frost DSP stack, Seasons of Style DSP stack,
Misc: Holiday Ornaments Framelits (retired), Silver 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Ribbon Punch, Dotted Ribbon Punch



Silver 1/8th" Taffeta Ribbon




Greetings of the Season



Seasons of Style DSP Stack



Winter Frost DSP Stack



Merry Midweek

Can you believe it's already Wednesday?  That's one of the best thing about a 3 day weekend... the next weekend comes back even faster.  :)  Over the past weekend I was able to get crafty and work on some cards for Operation Write Home (OWH).  Here is one of the cards I made using a sketch from their virtual cardmaking party.

Yes, I know it is September and these are Christmas cards, but we crafters have to get an early start on holidays.  We have to be even earlier if we are sending our cards into OWH so they get to the troops in time to send back home.  Here is the sketch I used.



Scrap Happens Blog

For my first 2 cards I followed the sketch pretty closely.  The sentiment is shifted to the far right instead of center, but I think it still works.

My last card was a bit of a cover up.  A happy accident.  A major boo-boo.  I stamped the sentiment after adhering all my squares and the sentiment did not full stamp.  It was a mess.  So, I decided to add some ribbon to cover it up and a banner on top for my sentiment. 

I might even like the ribbon better than just leaving it plain.  Either way works though, and are flat enough to send without extra postage.  The best part is I used up scraps from last year's Christmas DSP.  Oh, and the backs of the cards are stamped and ready to send in to OWH.

Do you see the error on the back?  I stamped it horizontal, but the cards are vertical.  I don't think anyone will mind though.  What is written on the inside by the hero will be the most important part of these cards.

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

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