Gold & Bokeh Christmas - Stampin' Up! Peaceful Evergreens

   At my classes I always try to teach my stampers some thing new or at lease remind them of a fun technique that they may have forgotten about so at my last class we did the bokeh (pronounced bow-kay) technique to make a fun background for a pretty gold Christmas tree.  

  We did this technique in a class a long time ago and most of my customers either didn't remember or started stamping with me after so it was fun to show them what a few circle stencils could do!

  This card starts with a Pretty Peacock base then we did the bokeh technique on a piece of Lost Lagoon for a monochromatic look.  

  To make your bokeh stencils all you need are a few sizes of circle dies or punches.  If you're using dies you can make your stencils out of acetate or cardstock.  Acetate lasts longer and can just be washed off but cardstock is fine too.  If you're using punches then stick with cardstock as most punches won't go through acetate.  Use a piece of cardstock or acetate that is at least as big as the card front and then punch/die cut the different size circles in a random pattern.  I used 3 different circle stencils with random patterns for class but you can use the same one and just rotate the stencil around for each layer.  Use some pieces of masking paper to help hold your stencils in place.

 Using one of the stencils and a blending brush we made Pretty Peacock circles first.  Then using the next stencil we did Lost Lagoon circles and finally for the 3rd layer we used white craft ink for the circles.  The circles should overlap some so you get that feeling of depth.  Any colors work and you can mix and match to see what looks you can get.

  Once we had our gorgeous background we added a length of Pretty Peacock and gold metallic ribbon.  The tree is stamped in Versamark on Pretty Peacock cardstock and then embossed in gold.  It's die cut and then popped on dimensionals over the ribbon.

  A bit of the new Brushed Gold Foil (Online Exclusives) is punched with a circle punch and the stamped and die cut sentiment round out the trio of elements.

  And of course you can't go wrong with a bit more gold so a few Drusy embellishments finish this design.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Peaceful Evergreens, Peaceful Season

Ink: Lost Lagoon, Pretty Peacock, white craft, Versamark

Paper: Lost Lagoon, Pretty peacock, Basic White, Brushed Gold Foil (Online Exclusives)

Accessories: circle punches/dies, Pretty Peacock & gold metallic ribbon, dimensionals, gold embossing powder, blending brushes, window sheets (acetate), Stitched Shapes dies, Drusy embellishments

Gingerbread Christmas - Stampin' Up! Humble Home

   This was a fun card to design for my last class! I wanted to make a gingerbread house and show off the Adhesive-backed Peppermint embellishments that have been in and out of stock since they were released. I think it turned out adorable!

  A Real Red card base is perfect for a classic Christmas color combo.  A strip of candy cane paper from Sentimental Christmas DSP sets the tone.

  A Spotlight on Nature circle is the base for the little grouping of the house and the trees.  The trees are cut from Garden Green cardstock using the Peaceful Evergreens die set.

  The house is stamped in Versamark on Pecan Pie cardstock and then embossed in white for the fun icing look.  After it is punched out the Peppermint embellishments are added and then it's popped on dimensionals.

  The sentiment is stamped in Real Red and hand trimmed and also popped on dimensionals.

  The final details is the red fork bow.  I use this type of bow all the time and it's so easy to make.  I did a quick video tutorial so you can learn to make your own!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Humble Home

Ink: Versamark, Real Red

Paper: Real Red, Basic White, Garden Green, Sentimental Christmas DSP, Pecan Pie

Accessories: Humble Home builder punch, Spotlight on Nature dies, Peaceful Evergreens dies, dimensionals, Real Red ribbon, Adhesive-backed Peppermints, white embossing powder

Sparkly Christmas - Stampin' Up! Peaceful Season

 The other day I counted up how many Christmas cards I have already made and I need to keep making them for a little bit longer so I won't be caught short when I actually sit down to write them out.  I'm going to take advantage of challenges to give me a starting place for inspiration to save a bit of time and dithering over what to make.  The 52 Christmas Card Throwdown has the challenge of "Sparkle" so I pulled out the Festive Glimmer Paper and got to work.

  I've finished up my classes for the year so there's no need to hoard Design Series Paper anymore so I used a full panel of Reindeer Days DSP for the card front.

  A large Stitched Shapes circle is the base for the rest of the elements.  Using the Peaceful Season dies I cut the 'Christmas' in Basic White and Garden Green and popped it on dimensionals right below the stamped 'Merry'.

  3 gifts and bows are die cut out of Festive Glimmer paper using the Reindeer Fun dies.  They are arranged under the sentiment with the gift in the forefront being popped on dimensionals.  A bit of Real Red ribbon finishes off the card.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Peaceful Season

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Reindeer Days DSP, Basic White, Garden Green, Festive Glimmer Paper

Accessories: Stitched Shapes dies, Reindeer Days dies, Peaceful Season dies, dimensionals, Real Red ribbon

More Merry - Stampin' Up! More Than Autumn

   I've got my monthly card class today so I've been busy getting prepped for that but I found a bit of time to stamp for for myself this past weekend.  The Color Hues challenge sounded like a fun one; use Aqua and Pink so I thought I'd try out a Christmas card with those colors.

  I haven't used the More Than Autumn set for very many Christmas cards but I thought these colors would be fun for some cups of cocoa (or coffee if you prefer!).

  I started off with a Basic White thick card base, then a layer of Basic White embossed with the Snowflake Sky embossing folder.  I hand cut a large banner from Summer Splash Glimmer paper and then added a square of 2024-2026 In Color DSP next.

  A Basic White circle cut with the Spotlight on Nature dies gives a nice place for the 2 cups, one in Melon Mambo and then other in Summer Splash.  I stamped a candy cane and gingerbread man on the cups then added the cuffs.  The candy cane and gingerbread man on the cuffs are popped on mini dimensionals.  The whipped cream is stamped off once Basic Beige ink.

  I added the greeting in Melon Mambo from a retired set and put a baker's twine bow behind it.  And as I'm always trying to use up retired embellishments but never having much luck I added a few Melon Mambo enamel circles.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: More Than Autumn, Good Greetings (retired)

Ink: Summer Splash, Melon Mambo, Basic Beige

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, 2024-2026 In Color Glimmer paper, 2024-2026 In Color DSP

Accessories: Snowflake Sky embossing folder, Spotlight on Nature dies, More Than Autumn Dies, dimensionals, baker's twine, enamel dots (retired) 

Peace & Joy Reindeer - Stampin' Up! Reindeer Fun

   I made a stack of this design last week as my customer thank you cards for October orders.  It's a fun design to show off multiple patterns of designer series paper as well as having a nice panel for an image.  The Reindeer Fun bundle continues to be a favorite of mine!

  I used this same layout a week or 2 back on THIS CARD.  Can you see how different a card can look by flipping a layout and just using different supplies!?  So fun!

  This card starts with a Real Red card base, then strips of Reindeer Days DSP around the border.  The deer are stamped in Early Espresso ink and then colored in with Blends markers.

  I stamped a tree in Garden Green to the side of the deer and added a gold sequin as a tree topper.  A Festive Glimmer paper bow is added to the adult deer.

  For the sentiment I embossed in gold a nice sentiment from the Peaceful Season stamp set and then die cut it with a Stylish Shape circle die.  I popped it on dimensionals and added a Real Red ribbon flag behind it.

  I think I may need to go through my DSP and see what other designs I can come up with using this layout.  The patterns are a nice frame for an image.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Reindeer Fun, Peaceful Season

Ink: Early Espresso, Garden Green, Versamark

Blends: Pecan Pie light & dark, color lifter

Paper: Real Red, Basic White, Garden Green, Reindeer Days DSP, Festive Glimmer Paper

Accessories: gold embossing powder, dimensionals, Real Red ribbon, Stylish Shapes dies, Neutrals Adhesive-backed sequins

Framed Joy - Stampin' Up! Alphabet a la Mode Dies

   Definitely don't overlook mixing and matching your supplies to create Christmas cards.  I combined a few die sets to create this fairly simple design.  The Alphabet a la Mode die set is a favorite of mine because you can fit a lot of letters/words on a card front with this set because they are nice and skinny.  Didn't really matter with this design but it's nice not to be limited by the letter size!  I created this one for the Just Us Girls challenge prompt of "Joy".

  The card front is covered with a piece of Nests of Winter DSP.  I used the Deckled Rectangle dies to create the Basic White frame.

  The Alphabet a la Mode dies, Festive Glimmer paper and foam adhesive sheets are used to create the "joy".  Making these letters pop with the foam sheets really makes for a nice look and saves you from having to use glue!  The 'to you' is trimmed from a longer sentiment in the Peaceful Season stamp set.

  Finally to frame out the letters I cut a pair of holly leaves and berries using more Festive Glimmer paper, Garden Green Two-Toned cardstock and the Reindeer Fun dies.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to create this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Peaceful Season

Ink: Garden Green

Paper: Nests of Winter DSP, Basic White, Festive Glimmer paper, Garden Green Two-Toned cardstock

Accessories: Alphabet a la Mode dies, Deckled Rectangle dies, Reindeer Fun dies, foam adhesive sheets

Mambo Christmas - Stampin' Up! Reindeer Fun Dies

   Not a deer in sight on this card but the main elements are made with dies from the Reindeer Fun die set! It's such a versatile bundle and I've used the non-deer elements quite a bit, mixing and matching with other sets. I'm using the fab colors from 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge which are bright and festive. 

 

  The colors were pink, green and white which I translated into Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo and Granny Apple Green.  

  This card is really quick and has almost no stamping.  I started with a Melon Mambo base.  Then I cut the gifts using Melon Mambo cardstock and Granny Apple Green glimmer paper from the Festive Glimmer paper pack.  I mounted the gifts with dimensionals to a label that I already had cut and is from the Iconic Imagery dies.

  The label is then popped on dimensionals over a length of Iridescent Striped Trim.

  I looked through my current Christmas sentiments and nothing had the playful vibe to go with this card so I pulled out a long retired set Good Greetings and embossed it in white under the label.  I finished it up by adding 2 Iridescent Faceted Gems.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Good Greetings (retired)

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Melon Mambo, Basic White, Festive Glimmer Paper (Granny Apple Green)

Accessories: Reindeer Fun Dies, Iconic Imagery Dies (Online Exclusives), dimensionals, white embossing powder, Iridescent Striped Trim, Iridescent Faceted Gems

Home Sweet Christmas - Stampin' Up! Humble Home

   I gave my customers a new color challenge the other day but didn't have time that day to get a card made so yesterday between soccer games and my online training course I gave the colors a go.  I'm in full on Christmas card mode right now so I had to try out these colors on a Christmas design and I think it turned out really cute.  

  They aren't really traditional Christmas colors but it's a nice change from red and green I think!  I started with a Petal Pink card base but covered it with a full panel of Country Lace DSP (soon to be on sale during the Stampin' Up! Seasonal Sale on Wednesday 11/13!).  

Then a panel of Basic White was die cut with the fun dot/snow die from the Peaceful Evergreens die set (I had to run the die through twice to cover the whole panel).

I added a skinny piece of Calypso Coral down one side.  Then 2 Mossy Meadow evergreens are added (from Peaceful Evergreens dies again).  

 Using the Humble Home stamp set I stamped the house and wreath in Mossy Meadow and then colored them in with Blends.  The wreath is fussy cut and the house is punched and popped on dimensionals. A few Calypso Coral hearts are punched, popped with dimensionals and embellished with Opaque Faceted Gems (now in the Clearance Rack).

  Finally the sentiment is stamped in Calypso Coral ink and trimmed and popped on dimensionals.

  If you're one of my customers and want to join in this customer challenge just let me know!

Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Humble Home

Ink: Mossy Meadow, Calypso Coral

Blends: Mossy meadow light, Calypso Coral light & dark, Petal Pink light & dark

Paper: Country Lace DSP, Basic White, Calypso Coral, Mossy Meadow

Accessories: Peaceful Evergreens dies, Humble Home builder punch, dimensionals, Opaque Faceted Gems (now in the Clearance Rack)

Clean Christmas - Stampin' Up! Iconic Imagery

   I've had a full weekend so far! Friday and Saturday I have had Stampin' Up! leaders training and Saturday and Sunday are also a soccer tournament for my youngest so there hasn't been a lot of stamping but I did squeeze in this quick clean and simple card with the CAS Colours & Sketches color combo.  I paired up the Iconic Imagery stamp set with the Peaceful Season bundle for this one.

  The colors for the challenge are Shaded Spruce, In Color Shy Shamrock and Real Red.  I used Shaded Spruce for the card base, then a layer of Basic White and then another layer of Basic White slightly smaller.

  Using the Peaceful Season bundle I cut the 2 layers for 'Christmas' sponging a bit of Shy Shamrock on the Basic White base layer.  Once the 2 layers are adhered I popped it on the card front with dimensionals. 

  The little banner is cut and then stamped with the 'merry' in Shaded Spruce, sponged the edges and popped it on dimensionals.

  Using the Iconic Imagery bundle I stamped 2 sets of leaves and berries.  I stamped off the outline of the leaves in Shaded Spruce and filled in with the two-step stamp in Shy Shamrock also stamped off.  The berries are outlined in full strength Real Red and the fill stamp is stamped off.

  After the leaves and berries were die cut I tucked them under the edges of the words and then finished the card with a few 2024-2026 In Color Shimmer gems in Shy Shamrock

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to create this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Iconic Imagery (Online Exclusives), Peaceful Season

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Shy Shamrock, Real Red

Paper: Shaded Spruce, Basic White

Accessories: Iconic Imagery dies (Online Exclusives), Peaceful Season dies, dimensionals, 2024-2026 In Color Shimmer gems

Classic Christmas Evergreens - Stampin' Up! Peaceful Evergreens

   I think I'm a little bit in love with this card!  It came together really quickly after I saw the Just Us Girls Challenge to use blue, white and gold.  You can't go wrong with blue and gold for a Christmas card so I pulled out some retired paper and the Peaceful Evergreens bundle!  I made this one yesterday afternoon an had intended on sharing it first thing in the morning as usual but now with the time change it was too dark to take any photos yesterday so I had to wait for the lighting to be good in my stamp room this afternoon!  And I'm also in the middle of a Stampin' Up! Leaders training right now during a break so I've got to get this posted!

  The card base is Night of Navy, then I stamped the little line of trees across a piece of retired Let's Go Fishing DSP.  If you have any of this paper left it looks so great so give it try.  If you don't use a piece of Country Lace DSP in the denim pattern for an almost identical look!  I stamped off the Night of Navy ink for each time I stamped for a lighter look.

  Next I added a band of retired Soft Shimmer Specialty Paper in Night of Navy.  I layered a length of gold ribbon on top of that using Tear and Tape to adhere it.

  The medium tree is stamped in Versamark onto Night of Navy cardstock and the smaller tree is stamped in Veramark on Misty Moonlight cardstock.  I embossed both in gold and then die cut them.  The taller tree is adhered flat and the smaller is popped on dimensionals.

  The sentiment is made with the Iconic Imagery stamp set combining 3 different stamps.  The sentiment strip is also popped on dimensionals.

  The final touch are a few of the lovely Drusy Adhesive-Backed embellishments the perfect bit of sparkle to go with the rest of the gold.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Peaceful Evergreens, Iconic Imagery (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark

Paper: Night of Navy, Misty Moonlight, Let's Go Fishing DSP (retired) or Country Lace DSP, Soft Shimmer Specialty Paper (retired)

Accessories: Peaceful Evergreen dies, dimensionals, gold ribbon (retired), gold embossing powder, Drusy Adhesive-Backed embellishments

  

Petunia Present - Stampin' Up! Peaceful Evergreens Dies

   I've been out of town the last few days and haven't stamped and was glad to see the fun layout at Freshly Made Sketches because I immediately had an idea and even a color combo I had been wanting to try out.  This one came together really quickly and I'm thinking I might need to pull out some other Glimmer Paper colors to try out!  The Festive Glimmer Paper pack has 3 different colors so that could be a great mix and match opportunity!

I used Petunia Pop for the card base, then a layer of Soft Sea Foam.  To create the 'ribbon' I used 1/2" strips of the Petunia Pop Glimmer Paper from the 2024-2026 In Color Glimmer paper pack.  Using a bit more I cut a bow using the dies from the Peaceful Evergreens die set.  This little bow is really easy and I held all the parts together with glue dots.  I used a few mini dimensionals to support the bow.

  I used the Layers of Beauty dies to cut the leaves from Shaded Spruce cardstock and the little tag.  I stamped the 'merry' from the Peaceful Season stamp set and tied that with a bit of white bakers twine.  Swap out a different sentiment and it quickly becomes a birthday card.

  I think adding some texture with embossing to the Soft Sea Foam layer could look really nice too!

 

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Peaceful Season

Ink: Shaded Spruce

Paper: Petunia Pop, Soft Sea Foam, Basic White, Shaded Spruce, 2024-2026 In Color Glimmer Paper

Accessories: Peaceful Evergreens dies, Layers of Beauty dies, dimensionals, glue dots, baker's twine

Sentimental Deer - Stampin' Up! Reindeer Fun

   I'm back with another card made with the Reindeer Fun stamp set.  This time I went with a vintage vibe using the Sentimental Christmas DSP.  This is a great pack of paper to add to your next order as not only is it fun to design with but Stampin' Up! donates $3 for each pack sold to children's literacy programs.  That's a win win!

I pulled the colors for this card from the DSP and used Pretty Peacock for the card base.  A piece of the Sentimental Christmas DSP is backed with Poppy Parade cardstock and adhered to the center of the card front.

  I stamped the sweet deer duo in Early Espresso ink and then colored them in with Stampin' Blends.  I used the color lifter to make speckles on the fawns back. Then they are die cut and popped on dimensionals.

  Using the holly leaf and berry dies from the Reindeer Fun die set I cut 3 sets and then trimmed them apart to create tighter clusters.  The leaves are Old Olive cardstock and the berries Poppy Parade.

  The sentiment from the Peaceful Season stamp set is stamped in Pretty Peacock and then die cut with a circle from the Stitched Shapes dies.  It's popped on dimensionals and accented with a Poppy Parade die cut bow and an Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Gem.  The adult deer has a red bakers twine bow on its neck for some more detail.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Reindeer Fun, Peaceful Season

Ink: Early Espresso, Pretty Peacock

Paper: Pretty Peacock, Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Basic White, Sentimental Christmas DSP

Accessories: Reindeer Fun dies, Stitched Shapes dies, dimensionals, baker's twine, Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Gem

Classic Evergreens - Stampin' Up! Peaceful Evergreens

 You can't go wrong with a nice pine or evergreen stamp set especially this time of year!  The Stampin' Up! Peaceful Evergreens bundle is perfect for Christmas and winter cards and it's such a classic style that you can use them for years to come.  I designed this card for a recent class and wanted to pair the stamp set bundle along with the Painted Trees 3D embossing folder.  They are a match made in Christmas card heaven!

  This design starts with a Cherry Cobbler card base, then a layer of Basic White.  The white is topped with a piece of Garden Green Two-Toned cardstock that is embossed with the Painted Trees embossing folder.  A sanding block is used to on the raised image to pull out some of the white core of the cardstock and it looks like snow dusted branches.

  The evergreen is stamped in Garden Green ink and is topped with the coordinating overlay die cut to add a snow covered look as well.  The tree is popped on dimensionals and topped with a gold foil star.

  The fun gold embossed sentiment is on a Cherry Cobbler die cut label from the Peaceful Season stamp and die set.  The gold trim is perfect for threading through the label and adding a bow to the side.

 Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE

Stamps: Peaceful Evergreens, Peaceful Season

Ink: Garden Green, Versamark

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Basic White, Garden Green Two-Toned cardstock (Scrapbooking Line), Gold Foil

Accessories: Peaceful Evergreens dies, Peaceful Season Dies, gold embossing powder, Gold trim, dimensionals, Painted Trees embossing folder

Rudolph Christmas Tag - Stampin' Up! Reindeer Fun

  I love the Stampin' Up! Reindeer Fun bundle because it's like getting 1 stamp set plus 2 die sets.  You not only get the dies that coordinate with the stamped images but you get basically another die set that makes the reindeer head as well as the gifts and bows.  Not to mention the wreath, holly and light strand dies.  So you can make lovely cards with stamping as well as without or a nice mix of both! My stampers made this design last week at class and the only stamping is the sentiment. 

  Adorable right?  We started with a Real Red card base then a piece of the Reindeer Days DSP in a fun classic red and green plaid pattern.   At the top of the DSP is a strip of Festive Glimmer Paper in Garden Green.  It adds a nice bit of sparkle to the card.

  Next is a Granny Apple Green tag and a punched Basic White Circle.  We used this nice crisp background to pop up our cute Rudolph on dimensionals.  Starting from back to front we used Early Espresso, Basic Beige and Pecan Pie cardstock for the deer layers.  The Cherry Cobbler Festive Glimmer paper nose is added by going back and using the 2nd layer die to cut it.  Garden Green linen thread is tied through the tag hole and then the tag is popped on dimensionals.

  A strip of Basic White is used for the Granny Apply Green sentiment and is added under the deer.  A bit of Garden Green and more Cherry Cobbler Glimmer Paper is used to die cut the holly.

  Finally a few Silver Ribboned Adhesive-Backed Dots are added for a bit more Christmas shine.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Reindeer Fun

Ink: Granny Apple Green

Paper: Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Basic White, Festive Glimmer Paper, Early Espresso, Basic Beige, Pecan Pie, Reindeer Days DSP

Accessories: Reindeer Fun dies, circle punch, dimensionals, Ribboned Adhesive-Backed Dots (Online Exclusive), tag punch (retired)

Tagged Evergreen - Stampin' up! Peaceful Evergreens

   A recently closed challenge at the Paper Players wanted us to make a clean and simple (CAS) card with a tag as part of the design.  I don't think I quite nailed the CAS part as the more that I look at it it seems a bit busy.  Maybe the dark background or the embossed pattern?  Regardless of it it's clean and simple it's a nice quick design for a Christmas card.  You can easily re-create this one yourself with whatever pine tree/evergreen tree stamp set you have and make the tag out of any specialty or designer series paper.

  The background is a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock embossed with the Forever Plaid embossing folder.  Using an old tag punch I punched a piece of retired Gold Fine Shimmer Paper, added a bit of retired ribbon and popped it on dimensionals on the card front.

  The tree is the largest tree from the Peaceful Evergreens stamp set. I stamped it in Shaded Spruce ink onto Shaded Spruce cardstock.  After it was die cut I sponged some gold ink on the edges of the tree then popped it on dimensionals over the edge of the tag.

  The sentiment is from the Peaceful Season stamp set and is stamped in Cherry Cobbler on a narrow strip of Very Vanilla.  

  I knew I had a few little Cherry Cobbler enamel embellishments left over from a past Paper Pumpkin kit so I dug those out and added 3 of them on the tag under the sentiment.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Peaceful Evergreens, Peaceful Season

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Shaded Spruce, Very Vanilla, Fine Shimmer Paper (retired)

Accessories: Forever Plaid embossing folder, Peaceful Evergreens dies, dimensionals, tag punch (retired), gold/vanilla ribbon (retired), Cherry Cobbler enamel dots (retired)

Frosty Christmas - Stampin' Up! Hearts & Hugs

 It's always fun to try to take a non-Christmas stamp set and use it for a Christmas card!  I gave it a whirl with the Hearts & Hugs stamp set and made some Christmas walruses!

  I started this one with a Pool Party card base and then used 2 long narrow panels of Nests of Winter DSP for the background.  The snow is made using 2 layers of Basic White with the edges torn.

  I die cut 2 pine trees with the Peaceful Evergreen die set and layered them on the left side of the card.  Next come the stars of the the walruses!  I stamped them in Gray Granite and then colored them in with Stampin' Blends.  Once they were die cut I popped them on dimensionals.

  The sentiment from Peaceful Season stamp set is stamped in Gray Granite and punched out.  I backed it with a slightly larger circle punched out of retired white glimmer paper and a Pool Party ribbon flag.  I then dug deep into my retired embellishments and found some loose Pool Party sequins so I added a bunch of them to the background.

  Take a look at your non-Christmas stamp sets and see what you can use for a Christmas card.  You might be surprised at all the designs you can make!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Hearts & Hugs, Peaceful Season

Ink: Gray Granite

Blends: Smoky Slate light & dark, Basic Black dark

Paper: Pool Party, Basic White, Garden Green, Nests of Winter DSP, white glimmer paper (retired)

Accessories: Hearts & Hugs dies, Peaceful Evergreens dies, dimensionals, circle punches, satin Pool Party ribbon (retired), loose sequins (retired)

Iconic Christmas - Stampin' Up! Iconic Imagery

   Even though I got the Iconic Imagery bundle in July I'm definitely not tired of using it!  I saw the newest Freshly Made Sketches challenge and immediately knew it would be perfect for the smaller images in this set.  The only thing I dithered about was the color combination!  I needed a set of colors that would work for the different Christmas images but still be complimentary!  I came up with Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Berry Burst and Pretty in Pink.

 I ended up adding a few more circles than the challenge graphic had but I needed to add them for some balance.  I think it turned out cute if I do say so myself!

  The card front is a piece of retired Pearlescent Specialty paper that I found tucked away hardly used because "it was too pretty to cut into".  So I'm finally using it!  I embossed it with the Snowflake Sky embossing folder and then got to work on the circles.

  I used punches to cut a few from each of the colors I wanted to use and then stamped the images and die cut them.  The images are all popped on dimensionals and then arranged across the card front.  I added 3 Berry Burst circles for balance and spacing and trimmed off the overhang.  The word 'joy' is stamped in Mossy Meadow and then trimmed to fit.

 3 different embellishments are used to add some sparkle and shine; Iridescent Faceted Gems are used in the center of the snowflakes, 2024-2026 In Color Resin Dots are on each of the Berry Burst circles and Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs top the two Christmas trees.

  I had such a good time putting this card together.  If you have a stamp set that has several small images that can be hard to highlight on their own think about a layout like this where you can group them together.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Iconic Imagery (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Berry Burst, Pretty in Pink

Paper: Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Berry Burst, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, Pearlescent Specialty paper (retired)

Accessories: circle punches, Iconic Imagery dies (Online Exclusive), dimesionals, Snowflake Sky embossing folder, Iridescent Faceted Gems, 2024-2026 In Color Resin Dots, Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs

Mr. Moose Christmas - Stampin' Up! Christmas Friends

   I haven't counted up how many Christmas cards I've made already but I do know I don't have nearly enough yet so I'm plugging away one design at a time!  I'll have a lot of new samples to show my stampers at class next week!  I used the Christmas Friends bundle again today and paired it with the Hand Stamped Sentiments sketch.  My coloring with colored pencils really leaves a lot to be desired but I think it turned out cute anyway!

  I wanted to use one of the patterns from the Sentimental Christmas DSP as the base for the card because I like the retro ribbon look and red and green is always a great starting place for a Christmas card.  While the green listed for this paper is Shaded Spruce I think a bit of Garden Green doesn't look bad here.  I used a panel of the Garden Green Two-Toned cardstock and roughed up the edges for some texture. I'm definitely looking forward to when we have all of our colors in the Two-Toned cardstock!

  I topped that with a piece of Basic White embossed with the Snowflake Sky embossing folder.  I adhered that to the card front on an angle keeping with the sketch.

 Mr. Moose is stamped in Early Espresso ink and then colored in with colored pencils.  Like I said it could be better so I'll keep trying...I definitely don't have that artist gene for coloring and need to work on shading!  

  The sentiment is stamped on a strip of Real Red Two-Toned cardstock in Versamark and then embossed in gold.  The I tore the end showing the white core and added a gold twine bow before popping it on dimensionals.  Mr. Moose is then also popped up right above it.

  For the little tabs at the top of the sketch I decided to make a little greenery sway with more of the Garden Green Two-Toned cardstock stacking 2 die cuts with a mini dimensionals in the middle. A Festive Glimmer Paper bow in Cherry Cobbler tops the swag.  

  One more Christmas card finished many more to go!  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Christmas Friends

Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso

Paper: Sentimental Christmas DSP, Garden Green Two-Toned c.s, Real Red Two-Toned c.s., Basic White, Festive Glimmer Paper

Accessories: Snowflake Sky embossing folder, Christmas Friends dies, dimensionals, gold embossing powder, colored pencils, gold twine (retired)

CAS Christmas Cheer - Stampin' Up! Christmas Friends

   After a bit of a break from Christmas card for a few days I'm back with a clean and simple Christmas card with a classic blue and gold color combo.  The layout is inspired by the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.  The smaller mouse image from the Christmas Friends set seemed like a good choice to highlight a bit with this layout.

  I had Misty Moonlight cardstock still out from my card yesterday so I used that for my card base.  Then a layer of Basic White.  Following the sketch I used 2 narrow strips of retired Fine Shimmer paper in gold.  Gold and blue are always a classic color combo for Christmas!  Gold foil would be a good substitute if you wanted to re-create this one with current gold paper.

  I stamped the mouse in Basic Gray then used Blends markers to color him in.  I used a gold Wink of Stella pen to color the bell so it's a little bit sparkly gold to go along with the 2 strips.  The mouse is popped on dimensionals.

  Finally, holding my breath so I didn't goof and have to start all over I stamped the sentiment from Peaceful Season stamp set along the angle of the gold paper.  

  I can still see about 17 ways to give this card "more" but I'm restraining myself and posting it as is!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Christmas Friends, Peaceful Season

Ink: Basic Gray, Misty Moonlight

Blends: Smoky Slate light & dark, Misty Moonlight light

Paper: Misty Moonlight, Basic White, Gold Fine Shimmer Paper (retired)

Accessories: Christmas Friends dies, dimensionals, gold Wink of Stella

Shades of Brown - Stampin' Up! Reindeer Fun

   Can you tell I've been having a good time creating with the Reindeer Fun bundle?  My card today is inspired by the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge which is to use shades of brown.  It took me a minute to square up "brown" and "Christmas" and after looking through some papers and finding the lovely snowflake pattern in the Sentimental Christmas DSP an idea started!

  I started with a Basic White thick card base and I sponged Pecan Pie ink on the edges, next is the layer of Sentimental Christmas DSP.  Next is a panel of Basic White embossed with the Forever Plaid embossing folder with more sponged edges.

  I had a piece of the Wood Textured Specialty paper left from a previous project and it was already blended with Crumb Cake ink so I punched a tag top and you guessed it...more sponging.  I added a Crumb Cake ribbon to the tag and secured it with a long retired Glimmer Brad.

  Next are the deer stamped in Early Espresso, colored with Stampin' Blends and die cut.  I popped the deer with dimensionals and then worked on the sentiment.

  The sentiment is also from the Reindeer Fun stamp set and I stamped it in Early Espresso and cut the tag with the Unbounded Love dies.  And again more sponged edges.

  The finishing touch are the 4 retired candy dots in a shade of brown.  Could be Early Espresso, could be retired Chocolate Chip, who knows!

  I am pleasantly suprised with how good the "browns" work for a Christmas card and I'm glad I gave this challenge a try!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Reindeer Fun

Ink: Early Espresso, Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake

Blends: Pecan Pie light & dark, SU300, color lifter

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Sentimental Christmas DSP, Wood Texture Specialty paper

Accessories: Reindeer Fun dies, Forever Plaid embossing folder, Unbounded Love dies, dimensionals, tag topper punch (retired), Stitched Crumb Cake ribbon (retired), candy dots (retired), Glimmer Brad (retired)