Shimmering Festival of Trees

Since they were mailed out last week, it's pretty safe to say that everyone should have received my Christmas cards by now...so it's OK for me to share here. This was the main card I sent out (the rest were cards I have been making & sharing here previously.) I tried to come up with a fairly simple design since I was making quite a few of them...but I later figured out that it took 5 passes through the Big Shot per card to complete...so I got my bicep workout at the same time!

The first few had the Northern Flurry embossed backgound....

Then I wondered how it would look with the Tiny Triangle embossed backgound...

I ended up liking that version a bit more, so I went with it for the remaining cards.The embossed circle was punched using the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. Then another circle was cut from the Silver Foil Sheets using a little larger Circle Nestability die. I added some Silver Dazzling Details to the snowflakes. Some of the silver embossed trees also got decorated with rhinestones...until that got too tedious and I decided the trees looked pretty enough without them! Here's a closer look...

Here's a look at most of them ready to mail...

I ran out of Lost Lagoon Satin Ribbon, so some had to be sent without the bow. (honestly, it was a relief, because I was tired of making bows at that point!) I doubt anyone will know...well, unless they read my blog! lol

A little Christmas gift to me (from me!) is expected to arrive here today...a box of SU! goodies containing my Occasions Catalog preorder & Sale-a-Bration!!! I'll be looking forward to having time to stamp after the holidays!

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas!!!

Flippin' Fridays - A Merry Little Wish

What a week! So much to do...and unfortunately I spent several days sick in bed. :-( Right now I'm feeling better, but very far behind with everything I need to get done before Christmas. So, I actually really am flippin' out this Friday!

I've been busy today working on my Christmas cards..hopefully I'll get them in the mail early next week. I'm taking a little break and thought I'd share a Christmas flip card with you using..

surprise!!!... the Festival of Trees stamp set & All Is Calm DSP & All Is Calm Washi Tape! I guess if you are a regular visitor of my blog, by now I'm sure you have figured out what my favorite items from the Holiday Catalog are, and hopefully you are not sick of seeing my many projects made with them.

I just love these colors together along with the shimmer & shine from the Silver Embossing Powder used on the  tree and the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper.

I came up with this card as I was working out my design for my Christmas cards this year. I'll share those once they are mailed.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Celebrate the Season

I just love this cute little washi tree created with the All Is Calm Washi Tape and the Tree Punch!

There is so much sparkle & shimmer on this card, that the photo just doesn't do it justice...from the pretty Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper - which adds the prefect snow-like sparkle for the background to the soft & satiny 5/8" Silver Satin Ribbon layered with the 1/8" Silver Ribbon which blends nicely with the silver metallic washi tape. I also used some of my favorite pattern of paper from the All is Calm DSP...wish I could buy a whole bunch of this one pattern!

Have you checked out the Clearance Rack for new year end closeouts yet? It's been updated today with lots of new great items just in time for Christmas!

I don't know about you...but I still have a LOT of things to do before the holidays are here! I'm heading out to do some Christmas shopping today and going to put up the tree later. Once our tree is decorated, I'll be done as far as decking the halls.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Tutorial for All Is Calm 6 x 6 Pocket Album

It took me much longer than anticipated, but I have finally finished the tutorial for my All Is Calm 6 x 6 Pocket Album!

This is a a very detailed 14 page tutorial loaded with photographs and step by step instructions to complete the cover with its fun shaker detail, plus all 14 inside pages of this beautiful keepsake album.
Note: Pages consist of three two page layouts, which equal 6 pages plus an additional 4 double sided pocket pages for a total of 14 pages. Once you learn how to create this fabulous little album, you will want to create more for all different occasions!

If you would like to purchase my All Is Calm 6 x 6 Pocket Album Tutorial for only $5.99, just click on PayPal button below. After receiving payment, I will send the PDF file to the email provided with your payment. I usually check my email a few times daily, but please allow up to 24 hours for delivery to your inbox.

Each kit includes the full tutorial with an additional bonus card, pre-cut supplies...including all cardstock, twelve 6x6 sheets of All Is Calm DSP, die cuts, embellishments and even a set of 6 shaker frames. You will need to provide adhesive, stamps & inks along with washi tape if desired. Kits will be shipped to you for only $32.99 (shipped inside US only)

Read more info, including full supply list  here.

If you would like to purchase my All Is Calm 6 x 6 Pocket Album Kit for only $32.99, please contact me as I only have a couple kits left.

Thank you so much for the positive response I've received for this project so far.

All Is Calm 6x6 Pocket Album Class & Kits

I'm excited to finally share a project I've been working on for a while.  This sparkly 6x6 pocket album uses many of my favorite products from the Holiday Catalog! I'm offering this as one of my upcoming classes in my home to those who live locally (Livingston County, Michigan) and for my blog readers...I am taking orders for kits in the mail!

The album features a fun shaker element on the cover and the inside contains 6 pages...four of which have pockets containing additional pages. That is a total of fourteen 6x6 pages! This little album would make a lovely keepsake gift holding treasured memories from the holiday season. Or maybe you have a new little one in the family? It would also make an adorable Baby's 1st Christmas album.

Here's a little peek of a couple pages showing details from inside the album...

Each kit contains the supplies to create the album and all pages, including twelve 6x6 sheets of All Is Calm Specialty Designer Paper (one sheet of each design), cardstock, die cuts and embellishments, along with a detailed PDF tutorial loaded with photos.

Once you learn how to make the basic album you can change the theme and fill with cherished photos to give as a thoughtful keepsake gift for any occasion!

You will need to provide your own adhesive, inks, stamp sets & some punches. In addition to my kit, here is a list of supplies you will need to provide to complete the book as shown:

• Envelope Punch Board (133774)
• Stamp Sets: Festival of Trees (135059) & Endless Wishes (136829)
• Inks: Soft Sky (131181), Pear Pizzazz (131180), Lost Lagoon (133644), Versamark (102283)
• All Is Calm Washi Tape (135844)
• Silver Embossing Powder (109131) & Heat Tool (129053)
• Dazzling Details Silver Sparkle - optional (124117)
• Punches: Tree (135859), 1/2" Circle (119869), 3/4"Circle (119873), 1" Circle (119868) & 1-1/4" Circle (119861)

If you do not have these supplies already, and would like to purchase them, please visit my Online Store. 

The All Is Calm 6x6 Pocket Album Kit will be shipped to you for only $32.99. (Additional postage will apply to those living outside the U.S., so please contact me prior to purchase.) Each kit includes the full tutorial with an additional bonus card, pre-cut supplies...including all cardstock, twelve 6x6 sheets of All Is Calm DSP, die cuts, embellishments and even a set of 6 shaker frames. You will need to provide adhesive, stamps & inks along with washi tape if desired. 

If you would like to purchase my All Is Calm 6 x 6 Pocket Album Kit for only $32.99, please contact me as I have only a couple kits left.

If you would just like to purchase just the tutorial for this project, I now have that available as well. It consists of 14 pages loaded with photos and step by step instructions to complete this album. 

Please click the button below if you wish to purchase just the All Is Calm 6x6 Pocket Album Tutorial for only $5.99.

Calm Festival of Trees

I just love the Festival of Trees set combined with the All Is Calm products! Here's another Christmas card using these items.

This one really has some shimmer & sparkle thanks to the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper used for the snowy hill, the Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details used on each of the trees & the Basic Rhinestone Jewels on the Bitty Banner. Adding a bit of pretty silver metallic shine is the All Is Calm Washi Tape along the bottom and a bit of 1/8" Silver Ribbon added to the center of the bow.

The pretty snowflake patterned DSP is from the All Is Calm Specialty Pack.

For now, I am happy to only be seeing make believe snow...I'm not ready for the cold Winter weather yet! Today is going to be in the mid 50's and they are saying this will be the last we'll see the warmer temps for a while. ENJOY your day!

Tutorial for All Is Calm Gift Set

A couple weeks ago I shared my All Is Calm Gift Set that I designed for an upcoming stamp camp. My local stampin' friends enjoyed the camp and really loved all the projects they created in this set.

I also sold kits which included a full tutorial to complete the projects at home. Since my kits have sold out and I am still getting lots of requests, I thought I would offer my tutorial.

My All Is Calm Gift Set Tutorial is a a very detailed 11 page tutorial with lots of photographs and step by step instructions to complete all the projects shown above. This set is great because you could give the entire coordinated set or four individual gifts.

If you would like to purchase my tutorial for only $5.99, just click on PayPal button below. After receiving payment, I will send the PDF file to the email provided with your payment. I usually check my email a few times daily, but please allow up to 24 hours for delivery to your inbox.

Thanks so much! If you have any questions...please don't hesitate to ask.

Sparkling Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees stamp set and the coordinating Tree Punch are so much fin to play with! Pair these up with Endless Wishes and the possibilities of what you can create truly are endless!

I created the scene by stamping my little pine forest on Soft Sky cardstock. I added snowflakes from Endless Wishes stamp set with the coordinating ink. For some pretty sparkle I painted over the entire thing with Dazzling Details. Look how sparkly it is...

To do this I just squeezed some out right onto my cardstock and used a wide, soft bristled brush to distribute it evenly. Be careful to brush over your design carefully...only once or twice to cover it should be enough, as it will start to make the ink bleed if you over work it too much. You just want a light coat. I set it aside to dry while I worked out the rest of my design. I was surprised that it dried quicker than I thought and I didn't even need my heat tool.

The DSP is from the All Is Calm Specialty pack...such pretty paper! The ribbon is Lost Lagoon Silky Taffeta tied with one of the silver All Is Calm Snowflake Embellishments charms...all these items are now available in the 2014 Holiday Catalog.

Enjoy your weekend! It's beautiful here...with thankfully no snowflakes in sight!

Bearing Gifts

At the end of last week it was my UPS man who was bearing gifts when he delivered my Holiday Catalog order! I always love unpacking a box of Stampin' Up! goodies...it feels just like Christmas! I had a busy weekend, but managed to get in a little play time using some new stuff. Of course I had to try out my absolute  favorites first!

Hands down, my most favorite image in the Holiday catalog is this adorable polar bear with the cute kiddos riding on his back called Bearing Gifts. It's a single stamp with the greeting below the image. For greater flexibility when using this stamp, I cut the sentiment off the bottom and mounted it on the side...so mine is now essentially a two stamp set.

My other new favorites used on this card is my favorite DSP from the Holiday catalog...the beautiful All Is Calm Specialty paper. I couldn't decide on a favorite as far as accessories go, so I used all my favorites!

• All Is Calm Washi Tape - there are 5 different patterns in this set!
• All Is Calm Snowflake Embellishments - metal charms to tie onto your projects with a pretty silver finish
• Lost Lagoon Silky Taffeta Ribbon - just like it's name...very silky and easy to work with.

I had fun using my Blendabilities Markers to color this...but...when I was almost finished, and just about to add just a little more shading with the darkest Coastal Cabana marker, I didn't remember to open my marker away from my artwork. In not doing so, you run the risk of getting splatters of unwanted color on your work if the brush tip hits the side of the cap as you pull it off. Which is what happened to me. Other times when this has happened, I've been lucky and able to use the Color Lifter to remove most of the color to make it virtually unnoticeable, but this time I wasn't so lucky. Can you see where the unwanted Coastal Cabana splatters are?

Hopefully not...because to camouflage them I used dots of Dazzling Details for a sparkly snowfall background. So my mistake turned out to be a good thing.

Check out the new Holiday Catalog...what are your favorites?