It was supposed to snow a little bit today. Our first real snow of the season. Sadly, it warmed up to 36 degrees and is bringing us rain instead. I do love the snow, especially when I can warm up by the fire and watch it fall out my windows. It may not be snowing outside, but it was in my craft room. :)
To make this card I used some glitter gel that I got at Buffalo Stamp Store in Buffalo, NY while I was there shopping with some StampNation friends. So much fun! It was my first time using it and I like the end results I got.
I'm linking up my card with the Merry Monday challenge this week. Isn't it a fabulous one? I've already created a second card to share with you later in the week.
Before I go I want to let you know about the Anti Black Friday special that Catherine Pooler is offering for free to all her newsletter subscribers. I got to check it out early and I love it! Check it out here.
Stamps: Sparkle & Shine (Whimsy) Ink: Versamark Paper: Night of Navy, Shimmery White, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!) Accessories: Snowflake Centerpiece Die (Memory Box) Snowfall Stencil (My Favorite Things) Silver Glitter Paste (BoBunny)
Do you like to send out handmade Christmas cards? If so, how are you doing on your goals for the upcoming season? I'm not sure how I am doing, but I know I need tons more. ;) That is why I am trying to play along with the Merry Monday challenge each week until Christmas. This challenge is a great jump start to my Christmas creativity.
This weeks challenge is great for creating a focal point. Simply put a frame on it!
Supplies:
Stamps: Holiday Flourish (The Ton for Stamp of Approval) Snowy Sayings (CASual Fridays for SOA)
Ink: Golden Glitz Delicata) Black (Staz On) Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Whisper White (SU) Patterned Paper (Misc. Stack from my stash)
Accessories: Blueprints 20, Stitched Square Frames (My Favorite Things)
When it comes to stores putting out Christmas decorations in August and September I am vehemently opposed, but as crafters we need a little extra time to make our projects so they will be on time for Christmas. It was only October 3rd when I saw this monstrosity at Lowe's. <shake my head> Told DH NO!!!! That's just wrong in any season! Although, it might be a fun gift for my father in law. lol He loves fishing...
Big Bass Santa
Now that we are in October, you will likely see Christmas cards from me a couple of times a week, at least, as I work to get all my cards made. Today I'm super inspired by the Merry Monday challenges and have 3 cards to show you. :)
First is this card I made for last week's Merry Monday Challenge: Rainbow Christmas. I used the Stitched Alphabet Upper stamp set from Whimsy stamps and colored each letter in using my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. Next I took my Wink of Stella glitter pen and smoothed them out. Sorry the camera didn't pick up the sparkles. I'm having a "throw your camera out the window in frustration" type of day.
If you look closely at the top of my card you will also see a sneak peek of the soon to be released Stamp of Approval: Holiday Magic collection. I just love the little star banners that come in the Scenery: Holiday Trimmings set from Winnie & Walter. <3
Stamps: Scenery: Holiday Trimmings (Winnie & Walter for SOA); Stitched Alphabet Upper (Whimsy Stamps) Ink: 32, 22, 52, 50, 40 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers); Onyx Black (Versafine); Golden Glitz, Silvery Shimmer (Delicata) Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White Thick, Red Foil (Stampin' Up!) Accessories: Merry & Bright Die (Essentials by Ellen); Clear Embossing Powder (SU); MISTI; Black & White Twine (Doodlebug)
If you check out the challenge blog you will see I was completely inspired by Kristie's card. She was working on this card when we were together last week at a StampNation Design Team retreat. I should have paid more attention to what she was doing, because then I would have known she embossed her image to get it a bright white. Anyway, I was in my stamp room yesterday and decided to pull out my Heartfelt Holiday stamp set and make 2 cards. One with Crumb Cake cardstock and the other with white.
As I was trying to stamp the hearts inside the mugs on the Kraft card I made a little boo-boo. To cover it up I decided to try out the tiny heart in the Little Bits die collection from Neat & Tangled (also in the SOA: Holiday Magic Collection) They fit perfectly! How cool is that? Whenever I cut out those little bits I save the extras, and since the gold hearts were also sitting on my table I decided to add them to the card. Hopefully my card isn't too much of a CASE of Kristie. It's difficult to make the same images look different when you are working in the same color pallet.
Stamps: Heartfelt Holiday (Wplus9); Lovely Snowflake (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps) Ink: Crumb Cake, Real Red (Stampin' Up!); White (Simon Says Stamp) Paper: Crumb Cake, Gold Glimmer Paper, Red Foil Paper, Whisper White (SU) Accessories: Little Bits (Neat & Tangled for SOA); Stitched Square Frames (My Favorite Things)
Merry Monday's Challenge for the week was Red, White and Green. I actually made this card on Thanksgiving day while waiting for the turkey to cook, but never got the picture taken or post put up. What can I say? I was enjoying creating without deadlines. :) I'm not in time for the challenge, but I still think this is a cute card design, so I'm sharing it with you. Plus, it's week 5 in a row of completing the Merry Monday Challenge by making at least 2 cards inspired by the challenge in some way.
My first order from Whimsy Stamps came this week and they put in a couple of extra stamps that I just had to ink up. I thought the "Candy Cane Wishes" was perfect for the candy cane brads that I've neglected to use yet.
My second card adds in the craft color, and uses the second freebie stamp sent to me. I oopsied and got some red ink on my clear block which I then got onto my paper. The solution I came up with was to add stickles to all the dots, including my oopsie, to make it look like I meant it to be there.
My favorite touch is that adorable stocking charm. Stockings are my favorite part of Christmas morning. It was in the clearance section, so if you like it, be sure to hop on over there ASAP. I bought two packs and I'm thinking about buying a 3rd one during their cyber Monday sale to go along with the 30% stamp sets I need to buy.
Sorry, no sewing updates this week. I'm on Christmas card crunch time. My goal is to have all my cards done so that I can ship them the first week of December. To help me reach my goal, and not get bored, I'm entering in lots of challenges. :)
If you check out the design team samples at Merry Monday Challenge you will see that I was completely taken with Kristie Goulet's sample. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy getting baker's twine through the tiny bells, but I knew it would be worth it! The entire design team did a fabulous job, be sure to check them out if you want some inspiration for yourself.
Two Tips for creating this card:
1) Use a needle threader to get the twine through the hole at the top of the bell.
2) Swipe ink on the edges of white cardstock to get a perfectly matched mat.
3.) Use same ink to lightly sponge the edges of DSP and cardstock to add depth and contrast between the layers.
I'm also linking this card up with the current CASology challenge. The little flag in the top left corner wasn't in my head in the original design, but I think it's the detail that finishes off the card. I considered adding sequins, but wanted to keep my card "clean" and have the jingle bells be the star of the show.
Supplies:
Stamps: Peace On Earth (Verve)
Ink: Lost Lagoon (SU)
Paper: Winter in the Woods DSP Stack (DVWV); Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Tiny Jingle Bells, White Baker's Twine (SU)
Last weekend my crafty friend, Lisa, gave me an amazing gift. It was a "just because you appreciate creativity" gift. She made a decorative spool holder for baker's twine! I had to make her a special thank you card for it. ;)
The top finial has a magnet so I can change out the colors of baker's twine to fit the season or projects I'm working on. Isn't that awesome?! Thank you, Lisa!
I used her gift bag as inspiration for my card when I decided on the brown polka dot paper, and pulled the sketch from Retro Sketches for the layout.
Isn't that a perfect sketch? I really wish I had a die to match the curves in the picture, but the stitching on the scallop die tied in nicely with the stitching on the stamp. The sketch was so fun that I decided to use it for my Merry Monday Challenge card.
This time I used some burlap ribbon and Victorian crochet trim instead of paper. It still fits the sketch, but ties in the rustic feel that the challenge called for. If you are keeping track, and I'm sure you're not, this is 3 weeks in a row for me completing the Merry Monday challenge on time. Woot-Woot! I'm halfway to my goal of 6 weeks in a row to prepare for sending Christmas cards love meeting goals like this.
Supplies Stamps: Fall Foliage (My Favorite Things); Beauty of the Season (Penny Black) Ink: Goldeb Glitz Delicata (Tsukineko); Dark Chocolate (Simon Says Stamp); Versamark (SU) Paper: Crumb Cake (SU); Misc. patterned paper from my stash :) Accessories: Early Espresso Embossing Powder - Burlap Ribbon - Victoria Crochet Trim (SU); Stitched Scallop Borders (Lawn Fawn)
Now that the weather is colder, I am super inspired to get caught up on my Christmas card making. It is my second week in a row entering the Merry Monday challenge. My new goal is to participate each week in the Merry Monday challenge for the next 6 weeks. By then I should probably be sending out my cards.
These were the first cards I made for the challenge. Then I took a closer look at the challenge photo and realized I was supposed to do dry embossing, not heat embossing.
Ooops.... It was an easy fix though. I just pulled off the top layer and embossed over the sentiment. The second take is even better than the first.
The gold card has an elegant look to it. This time I die cut my sentiment instead of stamping it.
eta: Last night I was looking in my inbox and discovered the new Virginia's View Challenge. My card is right on trend with her metallics challenge, so I have to link it up there too. Check out the AWESOME inspiration at her challenge site!
This simple design was so fabulous I decided to make it in another color scheme, and film a video for you.
Note- If you are reading this post in an email or reader you may need to visit my blog to see the video below.
It was fun to play around with different colored cardstock and washi tape to achieve different looks.
At this point I'm not sure which one is my favorite? Which one do you like the best?
Now I have 4 cards to add to my pile. I'm not even tired of the design yet. Perhaps I should pull out my red and green washi tapes and try for a couple more. At this rate, perhaps I will be done with my cards early this year. (ya, right, even I don't believe that one!)
Before I go...
If you haven't yet signed up for A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0 you will want to sign up this weekend. The coupon code for StampNation members ends soon, and the BONUS Sketches PDF will only be available for those who sign up by Monday.
Be sure to check out Merry Monday Challenges and say goodbye toLeAnne Pugliese. I'm so grateful to her for starting the Merry Monday Challenge blog and inspiring me throughout the year. Without this challenge I doubt I would make any Christmas cards "out of season". Her challenges and the design team's creation keep me motivated all year long.
Stampin' Supplies:
Gold Card:
Paper: Gold Foil, Very Vanilla Cardstock (Stampin' UP!)
Accesories: Eliza Snowflake Die (Simon Says Stamp), Merry Script (Memory Box), Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape (SU)
Lost Lagoon Card:
Stamps: Merry Christmas Message (Hero Arts)
Ink: Lost Lagoon (Stampin' UP!)
Paper: Lost Lagoon, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: All Is Calm Washi Tape (SU), Eliza Snowflake Die (Simon Says Stamp)
White Card:
Stamps: Merry Christmas Message (Hero Arts)
Ink: Lost Lagoon (Stampin' UP!)
Paper: Silver Foil, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: All Is Calm Washi Tape (SU), Eliza Snowflake Die (Simon Says Stamp)
A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0 opens today and I am so excited to share it with all of you!!! Tuesday I showed you the monochromatic version of this card inspired by the Stencil trend in cardmaking. Clicky to check it out if you missed it. Today I am back with the rainbow version.
Plus, as promised, I have another video for you. ***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.
I'm linking this up with the Merry Monday challenge. This week the challenge is to use non-traditional colors. I think this card fits, don't you. Merry Monday is also a great resource for anyone wanting to jumpstart your Christmas creativity.
Class is OPEN! I'm so excited the doors are finally open for A Very Trendy Holiday 2.0 !!! Planning for this class began back in August and all the hard work has paid off just in time to get your Holiday card making mojo flowing. Now you can get inspired to get your Christmas cards done in time to mail them out before Christmas.
Here is what the class has to offer
Top Ten Trends for the 2014 Holiday Season
50 card/tag samples
19 videos (including 4 from me!)
written tutorials
BONUS- Sketches
During this class you will learn from a top line-up of designers covering topics like these:
Creative uses for dies
Faux Watercoloring with Distress Markers
Inlaid Die Cutting techniques
Simple cards that pack a huge WOW
How to make metal accent pieces
Simple coloring with copics
Emboss Resist techniques
Watercoloring embossed images
CASEing cards,but making them your own
How to get perfectly aligned layers
Masking Techniques
and more!
As an added perk, StampNation members get a $10 off coupon. Yes, this applies to new members too! Click here to start your StampNation membership.
Ready to start the funnest class you've ever been in? This is nothing like high school, my friends. Click here to join in the fun. Be sure to wait for your screen to change and log in after payment.
As an added bonus Catherine Pooler has given me one free class to give away!!! Woot Woot!
To enter to win, just leave me a comment on this blog post telling me, "How many Christmas cards you would like to send out this year?"
***Deadline to enter is Tuesday, October 28th at 9pm PST
Being creative has been such a blessing in my life that I want to share it with others. On my blog you will find cards, scrapbooks, quilts and a bit of my family life mixed in.
