Creative Christmas

When Scott asked what I wanted for Christmas I said "I want to sign up with Stampin' Up! to get their discount."   :)  I've been really enjoying making cards and 3-D projects.   There is so much I still want, but I was tired of paying full price.  He agreed to that.  ;)  The best part is that I was able to customize my starter kit!  How cool is that?  Among other things, I was able to choose 4 stamp set, 5 ink pads, 2 markers, 3 packs of paper, and even this wall art!  

Don't you love it!?!!  The hardest part was deciding which color I wanted.  They come in 3 sizes and 2 colors.  I went with the black because I had this magnetic frame I also wanted to put on my wall. 

Wall Decor

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

May I never forget the reason for the season.  Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

My 2011 Christmas Cards

I made several styles of Christmas cards this year.  Some were from classes and others were from clubs.  I found some online that I tried to copy, but ended up adding my own style.  Then there were the ones that I just pulled out some stamps and paper and started to create.  This card was my favorite of all my personal designs and what I planned to make for all my handmade cards this year....

In making them though I discovered a few things.

1. I started too late.  This was a simple design, but time consuming.  I either needed a quicker card or I should have started sooner.

2. When mass producing cards it is best to have easy to duplicate measurements. 

3.  Variety is the spice of life.  Making loads of the same design can turn that design from something you love to something you never want to create again.  Changing the colors or an element can make any project a little more interesting.

 Above is the original card I designed.  It uses Baja Breeze cardstock for the card base instead of just a layer onto Whisper White cardstock. I also stamped a background in Baja Breeze ink, but liked it better without that.  The original has Baja Breeze seam binding.  I forgot to add that layer to this last bunch of cards I made.  Which do you like better?

I also made a batch of these cards with Marina Mist.  I loved those too.  I planned on making it with Pool Party, but forgot to order that color ink in time.  DOH!  I may make this in Pool Party though with the matching ruffled ribbon because I think that would be pretty.

Suplies:
Ink: Baja Breeze, Versamark

Paper: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Baja Breeze

Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Christmas Lodge

Misc.: Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Silver Embossing Powder, Scallopped Eyelet Border Punch, Dimensionals, Glimmer Mist, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Artistic Etchings

Christmas Lodge



Baja Breeze

Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Snowmen Saying "Hi"

Here is another one of my favorite cards from Cindy's Holiday Class.  I almost kept this one to put out as decoration on my mantle or TV or end tables or shelf.  (Perhaps I should have talked to Cindy about making more than one.)  Then I thought about Nana.  She would not only love this "card", but she was likely to keep it and display it herself. 

Closed

Open

Stampin' Up! demonstrator site and online store

Stampin' Up! demonstrator site and online store

Nostalgic November Card Club

These are the cards I made for November's card club. Is it OK to say I love them? Something nostalgic about them. They remind me of an old fashioned Christmas card with a modern touch.

This first card I gave to my dear friend Louise. Our kids play together and so do we. Scrapbooking is our shared passion, but we have so many things in common. The best part is our kids enjoy being together. That is why I chose her to receive this card. It reminds me of our kids. I didn't buy this stamp set (yet) so she gets an exclusive "Heather Creation". LOL

Does this remind you of your childhood? We had so many family traditions growing up, but the tree was one of the ones I cherish the most. That is why I sent this one to my mom and dad. I hope it puts a smile on their faces as they remember the good times we shared as a family and they had growing up in theirs.

There are just a few things I want to point out about these cards. It's all in the details. The ribbon is oh so pretty. I cannot decide whether I like it better wrapped like a package around the card with a pretty bow, or the ruffled ribbon going down the side of the card and tied off with an antique brad. Which do you prefer? Oh, and the bling around the images are stickles. The demo used chunky glitter, and I didn't have any! (Thought I did) It turned out sparkly with the stickles, but the glass glitter looked even better!

Back in October I was ahead of the game as far as Christmas presents/cards/pictures that needed to be sent to our family in CA.  Somehow today I found myself EXTREMELY behind in getting everything mailed out in time for Christmas.  All I really needed to do was make 2 quick cards.  I was having so much fun creating with some new stamp stuff that I lost track of time.  Quick turned into a couple of hours.  Oops....

Anyway, here is the card I ended up making for my Father in Law and his girlfriend.  I kept adding layers and each time I did I liked it more. 

It's hard to see some of the details so I did a close up.  The Merry Christmas tag in the corner has one layer of dimensionals where it crosses the ribbon and 2 layers where it meets up with the card. That ribbon is super thick, but soooooooooooo soft!  I hope SU! decides to keep it, because it is going away soon if they don't.

Can you see the "merry" stamped on that adorable little tag?  I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to center it.   It's hard to see but I also used a glue pen on the snow and added Dazzling Diamonds.  What can I say, I love the bling and real snow is so pretty when it sparkles in the sunlight/moonlight. 



Being in my virtual card club has taught me so much about making cards.  Scrapbooking came naturally to me, but card making was something I really needed to learn.  It's been so much fun learning new techniques the past year.  Here are my October Card Club Cards.  The picture does not do these justice, but I needed to take it quick, and then mail them out.  :)

Close up of Card 2.  Can you see the glitter around the Merry & Bright?  I love holiday cards to sparkle. 

I love the pleated ribbon on this card.   It looks complicated, but it's actually quite simple!  One of the things I have loved about this card club is that my demonstrator does not skimp.  Can you tell how many layers are on this card? Cherry Cobbler A2 Card, Early Espresso Base, Layer of Old Olive, 2 layers of DSPaper, Cherry Cobbler band, layered with an Early Espresso band, then ribbon, then Early Espresso punched out and layered with another (stamped) Very Vanilla Layer.  That is 10 layers!!!  No wonder I ended up liking this card so much.



Letters to Santa

Decorative Label Punch

Back in October or November I took a Holiday Card/Craft class from Cindy at Cindy's Simple Stuff.  It was a birthday present I signed up for back in early May.  (Thanks Mom and Nana!)   This was one of my favorite projects from that day.  As soon as I made it I knew I wanted to give it to someone special.  (Both Mom and Nana came to mind)  Then I remembered my sweet cousin, Lisa, who sends us a card for almost every occasion whether we remember her or not.   She is carrying on the tradition of her mom (Aunt Carol) and our Grandma.  Both of whom have passed away.    The past few years I haven't sent out Christmas cards, but I wanted to start that tradition again.  Receiving a card in the mail always makes me feel special and I want others to feel that way too.

Here is a picture of that special card (open) for my special cousin, Lisa.  It's hard to see in the picture, but those reindeer were cut from a super sparkly copper paper.  Sooooooo pretty!

Here is another view of the card when it is closed.

After I got home I tried to figure out how to recreate it, so I could make another one for my mom.  Unfortunately I couldn't get my measurements right.  I'll have to do some research and try again.  We made another card that day that is just perfect for Nana, if I can bear to send it away.  It's a 3-D card thingy that would look so cute on our mantel.  ;)  Watch for a post on that soon.

Crafting with Kids

My friend gave me the joy of playing "Auntie" to her dear daughter while she and her husband went out to a company dinner last weekend.  Avery and I had so much fun being creative together.  She was excited to make presents for her mommy and daddy, and the night went by super quickly.  Here are some pictures of fun night.

My friend Louise gave me the idea at our church's Wednesday night preschool class.  First she colored the angels, then she painted glue on the angel's gown.  I let Avery choose which color of glitter to use and she chose PINK!  Love having a girl in the house.

After she had glued the angel she spread more glue on the plates and made them sparkle too.  While she watched Polar Express with my boys I punched holes in the top of the ornaments and strung some silver ribbon through them. 

I was planning on decorating the tree with her, but the tree was still too wet to put lights on, so I went with plan B and took her out to my "play room" to find crayons and glitter and sparkly ribbon.  She seemed to like my special room.   We also made some scrumptious Turtle candies, but I didn't take any pictures.  I think she ate more M&M's and pretzels than she put on the tray.  ;)  What are "auntie's" for?

While we waited for the glue to dry and the candy we made for daddy to cool, I gave Avery some bags to decorate.  She had fun putting on stickers, and writing a letter to mom and dad.  I think she had fun.  I know I had fun watching her.   Thanks Brian and Jenna for letting me share some love with your precious daughter.