IT'S A POINSETTIA THIS TIME!

It's another tag punch creation, although this one didn't get to be a snowflake. When I started on this one, my plan was to make two of them, emboss them with Iridescent Ice, and use them as a snowflake just as I did on the previous card. All was going well until I started pouncing the VersaMark ink on the first one. I had dropped the ink pad, which landed upside down, so I just lifted the bottom and started pouncing it on the first flake. OMG!!!! It was a metallic gold ink pad!!!! Yikes! I tried to wipe the gold ink off the snowflake, but it was still somewhat discolored. I wasn't sure what to do with the other half of the snowflake until I remembered that one of the Wintergreen designer papers had a poinsettia design! And this half of my snowflake, all glittery and ready to go, was a perfect fit! Unfortunately, my picture neither portrays the sparkle on this card or the true colors of the paper. BTW, "Merry Christmas" is silver embossed. I was hesitant to use the silver embossing powder on that light green paper, but it actually turned out well. The rhinestone brads, in my opinion, turned out to be a perfect finishing touch on this card! I would like to have added some ribbon, but I couldn't decide where to put it.

I DIDN'T FORGET MY BLOG!!!

I can't believe I haven't posted to my blog in six days! Goodness! I have to admit, though, that it's been a busy week!

Believe it or not, I managed to crank out a couple of holiday cards last night and this morning with SU's "Big on Christmas" stamp set. It took me a while to convince myself that I needed this stamp set, and I'm lovin' it! I had a hard time getting a photo of this card that showed the icicles, but I hope you can see them . . . they're above the word "snow." I created the icicles with Crystal Effects, dusted with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. The stamped image was colored with markers, and the snowflakes are from "The Snowflake Spot" stamp set.

The "noel" card was actually the first one I made, and I wasn't sure how the design was going to turn out, but I knew I'd be using Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, and Blue Bayou card stock. BTW, the neutral color is Very Vanilla. It's hard to tell, but I used SU's "Weathered" background stamp on the burgundy card. The edges of the blue layer were distressed with SU's Cutter Kit (love, love, love that distressing tool). I really like this card, but it's a few steps from the look I normally go for. Doesn't it have a nice, warm appeal to it?

I have another "Big on Christmas" card that I made this morning, but I haven't been able to get a good photo just yet. I'll try to do that soon.

In the meantime, have a great weekend and don't forget to play with stamps and ink!

Village Christmas

The "Painter of Light" (Thomas Kinkade) has found a new (more affordable) way for me to enjoy his art . . . with rubber stamps! For years, I have wanted a piece of Thomas Kinkade's art in my home, but I've never been able to bring myself to choose just one--or pay for it. Not too long ago, I stumbled upon a web site that sold Thomas Kinkade rubber stamps, and it just so happens that one of them . . . Village Christmas . . . is one of my most favorite!!! So, I couldn't just carry on, day in and day out, as though the stamp didn't exist. This particular card is the first one that I've made with my new stamp. Granted, it's a bit lifeless, but I tried to dress it up with touches of silver glitter and some lighting. I definitely wanted it to look cold, but I wish it had more of a late evening look. I guess I'll have to keep practicing with this one! When I placed my order for this stamp, something made me get another one . . . The Forest Chapel. It's gorgeous, of course, but I don't dare attempt all the coloring for that one just yet.

On this particular card, the ovals were created with a Curvy Cutter, and the stamped layer is adhered to SU's Night of Navy card stock. Night of Navy ink, Whisper White card stock, and silver glitter are also Stampin' Up! products.