Playing with Christmas Ideas

Just playing with some products from last year and gold embossing.  Love the combo of Whisper White and gold.  The cord is from the current holiday catty and the embossing folder in the last card is the Woodland Textured Impressions.  Lovely, right?

If you'd like any info about embossing, let me know.

Cheers

Karen

Christmas Window Tutorial

I was inspired to make this card by Cindy Hall, one of the design team at Freshly Made Sketches.  It's quite a nice way to use the spruce tree from Lovely as a Tree.

I stamped the trees all over a square piece of card stock that measures 10cm x 10cm.  Some of the trees were stamped without re-inking so you get the feeling of depth.  Then I cut the card stock into 4 squares, each 5cm x 5cm.  Layer them onto a piece of black measuring 12cm x 12cm and you have your "view" in a window frame.

The ornaments were made using the Itty Bitty punch.  I attached them with glue dots so they're not completely flat.  The sentiment is punched out using the Decorative Label and I punched a scallop circle from glimmer paper to add a little mat and give it that extra lift from the frame.  Garden Green card stock cut with the Little Leaves Sizzlit adds an extra bit of greenery - I only cut one branch and snipped it in half because it was a bit big to use whole.

The whole thing is layered onto another piece of Whisper White measuring 13cm x 13cm.  And finally my card base is Cherry Cobbler, 14cm x 28cm folded in half.

Don't forget, when you're making large square cards you need to ensure you either have an envelope large enough for it, or you'll have to make one.  You should also consider the postage cost because non-standard sizes attract more $$.

Have a super day.
Cheers
Karen

One for the Troops & 52CCT Challenge 21

It's a colour challenge over on 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown this week:

And this was an easy one for me because I LOVE LOVE LOVE this colour combo!

Banners & flags are on trend right now, and the addition of an embossing folder or too gives this card it's simple but elegant look.  Don't stress about getting your banner ends even, simply use a square punch, just make sure you line up one corner of the square in the centre of one end of your cardstock.

This is also a fantastic way to use up scraps of cardstock.

Tip:  Spend some time running your smaller scraps through your embossing folder and keep them in a bag, box or drawer so you've got them ready for your next "quick" card!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set:  Greetings of the Season & A Banner Christmas
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Big Shot &embossing folders:  Vintage Wallpaper (R), Square Lattice & Pretty Print.
Bakers Twine & Rhinestone Jewels

Holiday Happiness Launch Make & Take

This is a gorgeous use of the products in the Holiday mini catalogue.  The card was a CASE from Amy Storrie, U.S. demonstrator, and when I saw it, I knew we had to make it at the launch.

It's so pretty with the Winter Frost DSP and silver Glimmer paper.   And how about that gorgeous Thinlit - Merry?  So cool.   The Thinlits are great because you can use the negative (as in this card) and the positive, below.

Enjoy your day!
Karen

Challenge #30 Christmas Stampin' All Year Long

Over on Christmas Stampin' All Year Long there's a photo inspiration challenge.  These can often present far too many choices - colours, patterns, shapes, etc, but that's one of the reason's they're good to have a crack at.  Focus, focus, focus!

   

Inspiration Photo

 While this was intended as a Christmas card, I realise there's no greeting - oops!  I'll have to add it later!!

Lovin' the ribbon?  Wide, soft & really easy to tie into a knot or a bow. It's in the upcoming holiday catty.

Are you coming to the launch on Saturday?  No? Well get your skates on and reserve your spot.  You'll go home with some super ideas and lots of goodies!

Good heavens, is that Washi AGAIN?  What is this woman doing?  It's all about washi and Gorgeous Grunge isn't it?!

Have a great day.
Cheers
Karen

Mojo 307 & JAI 178

No, a whole week hasn't passed already, it's just that last week my card was almost late for Mojo Monday and this week it's really early!   This is the first time I've combined two challenges, how exciting!

 

When I saw this sketch, it said Christmas.....partly because I've been working on some demo samples for my mini launch, so I'm kind of  "in the zone".  And also because I'm growing my stash for the troops - rather well right now as it happens!  Yay me!

And that's where the Just Add Ink challenge comes in, because this week is snowflakes!

So, here we have a couple of my fav things - snowflakes, and traditional Christmas colours.  What could be better (some real snow please!).

Do you like the way the snowflakes are stamped?  It's a technique called Stipple Kissing.  Start by inking your stamp in the lighter colour - I've used Crumb Cake.  Then, using a stipple brush, swipe it gently across the darker ink - Cherry Cobbler, and dab it on top of the stamp.  You can do specific areas as I've done here but it also looks great when it's a bit random and slap dash.   Be sure to breathe all over the stamp to moisten the ink before stamping onto your cardstock.

The rhinestones add a touch of sparkle and for a change I've used the embossed Old Olive cardstock on the de-bossed side, or the side where the image is pushed in.

Supplies used:
Stamp Set - ?? Sneaky Peeky,  Sweet Sentiments
Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler
Paper - ?? Sneaky Peeky
Petals a Plenty embossing folder, ??? Sneaky Peeky Framelits & the Big Shot
Rhinestone jewels, 1 1/4" square punch, stipple brush

What are those gorgeous sneaky peeky products?  You'll find out at the mini launch - email me to book - AND you'll get to use them too!

Cheers
Karen

Christmas Stitches CSAYL #29

At Christmas Stampin' All Year Long  (CSAYL) this week it's a stitch challenge.  Oh dear!  You know I have neither the skill nor the inclination for sewing, so why am I doing this one?!  Well, Christmas Cards for Our Australian Armed Forces is only a couple of months away and I need to stay focused!

Solution?  Faux stitches!

This was a super easy card because all the elements came together really well with the most fussy bit being the paper piercing for the stitches.  Even that was pretty good with the use of Stampin' Up'!s piercing template.

Please don't look too closely at my marker-on-washi- technique.  It's a bit slippery to work on and not up to standard!

Supplies used:
Stamp Set - Greetings of the Season
Cardstock - Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla
Ink - Cherry Cobbler Classic and the matching  marker for the stitching
Northern Flurry embossing folder and the Big Shot
Paper Piercer & Essentials Piercing Template
Washi Tape - sneaky peeky from the upcoming Holiday Catalogue
Rhinestone Jewels

Have you had your craft fix today?
Cheers
Karen

Another Christmas Card for our Troops and a CSAYL Challenge 28 Colour Combos

This week's colour challenge at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long provided lots of choices and gave me an opportunity to try another mini catalogue product ;)

I chose the colours blue, silver, white and red.  There are several different blues including Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay and Pool Party.  I've embossed the snow flakes using Bermuda Bay with clear embossing powder (work quick, it's a dye ink!) and Silver embossing powder on Versamark.  The greeting is Versamark with Pool Party embossing powder.

The stamps and Designer Series Paper are a sneak peek.....and how did I manage to cut out that snowflake so perfectly?  Come to the launch on 31 August to find out!

I love to read your comments, so show me some love!
Cheers
Karen

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown August Sketch Challenge

The deadline for Christmas Cards for Australian Armed Forces is just a few months away, so I'm really pleased to have found this site, 52{Christmas}Card Throwdown,  to keep me on the move towards my goal.  No, I don't have a set number that I like to make, I just want to have a good sized stash when the time comes :).

Here's the design team sketch:

And here's my offering:

I like how this one turned out, especially as I've used a non-Christmas stamp set, which speaks to it's usefulness year-round :)

Stampin' Up! Rhinestones are so easy to use.  How did I line up those 7 little ones on that ornament?  Easy, they come in a long strip with a continuous line of glue dots attached so all you need to do is cut the length you want and stick them to your project.  There are also 3 other sizes that are individual, again with glue dots so they're super quick to stick wherever you want.

My main embellishment is a Soda Pop Top from our last seasonal catalogue.  I've flattened it in the Big Shot - really easy, just put it between the two cutting surfaces and run it though.  I did mine on Tab 1 of the Multi-Purpose Platform but you should check yours first to see which "sandwich" layer works best.  The centre was made by stamping a snowflake and punching out with a 1/2" circle punch.  I stuck it down using glue dots.  Be careful with your choice of adhesive when working with metal because PVA or craft glue usually doesn't give a strong permanent bond.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: Mosaic Madness & Greetings of the Season, Snowflake from Snow Swirled (R)
Cardstock; Old Olive, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Silver Glimmer Paper
Mosaic Punch
Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder
Rhinestones, Bakers Twine & Soda Pop Tops (R)

Right, I hope you've had a crafty day, or maybe get some time this evening to make something.
Cheers
Karen

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7 Snowflakes & Ribbon Card

When you have designer series paper that you love, it's an added bonus to find it's suitable for a variety of occasions.  I just discovered this with Comfort Cafe.  

I like the balance in this card, the colours are gentle and I've incorporated vintage brads, glimmer paper & lace.  Some of my favourite things!

Supplies used: 
Stamp Set:  Greetings of the Season. By far, the BEST Christmas greeting set I've ever had!
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Marina Mist
Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Marina Mist
Designer Series Paper:  Comfort Cafe
Snow Flurry Die & Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder for the Big Shot
Blossom Punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle & 1 3/8" Circle
Crumb Cake Seam Binding & Lace ribbon with an Antique Brad.

Wishing you a very happy and productive day!

Cheers
Karen
P.S.  Tomorrow is the LAST day for the current Clearance Blitz Promotions.  Don't miss out!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5 & SUO #60 A Sparkly Tree Card

Today's card is all sparkly.

It doesn't need an explanation as to how it was made, but here's the supply list for you if you'd like to have a go:

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Greetings of the Season, Joyeus Celebrations (bow)
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue & Silver Glimmer Paper
Paper:  Festival of Prints DSP
Ink:  Always Artichoke Classic & marker, Island Indigo
Accessories:  Faceted buttons, Dazzling Details
Scallop Circle punch, paper piercer, Snow Flurry Die & Big Shot.

Don't you always need "just one more" card?!

Have a super day.
Karen

12 Days of Christmas - Day 3 Triple Time Card

I thought a Triple Time card was appropriate for today.  This is a really popular technique at the moment (I like to be on trend....giggle giggle..).   However, I've chosen none traditional colours which is kind of unlike me because I seem to be heading red & green all the way this year! 

I've used the Delicate Doilies stamp set in Elegant Eggplant & Rich Razzleberry.  Don't you love having a product that can stretch out it's usefulness all year long?   And I've spiced it up with silver metallic ink - it was a pad that we used to carry at SU but is now retired.    This particular one is great because it's an embossing ink but if you are prepared to wait a few minutes, it will dry nicely without heating, especially if used on dark cardstock. 

The greeting & mistletoe images are from the lovely Joyous Celebrations stamp set in the holiday catty right now (only until 31 Dec).  BTW I've heat embossed the greeting even though it's stamped in classic ink (Elegant Eggplant).  You just have to move quickly and get the powder on it immediately. 

White Organza ribbon & self adhesive rhinestones complete the shimmery look.  I cheated with the bow.  It's separate from the ribbon that goes across the card.  I attached the horizontal ribbon on the back of the largest white layer with snail.  Then the bow is attached with a glue dot.  If you are bow challenged like I used to be, this is the BEST ribbon because it's really easy to tie a gorgeous bow and it doesn't crease no matter how much you fiddle with it.

Dimensions for making a triple time card are as follows:

Card Base : A5, or 14.8 x 21cm folded in half
White or neutral layers:  143mm x 100mm
                                         113mm x 73mm
                                          83mm x 40mm
Coloured cardstock layers (same colour as base):  118mm x 78mm
                                                                                   88mm x 45mm.

1. Attach the 3 white/neutral layers together with dotto or repositionable adhesive, making sure they  are all centred nicely.
2. Stamp your images all over randomly, or as I like to say with "studied carelessness"!
    You'll hate the way they look right now but DON'T PANIC!
3. Carefully separate the 3 layers, and attach them to their appropriate coloured cardstock layer with snail.   I like to do these one at a time starting with the smallest piece so I don't accidentally flip the images and stick anything upside down.  Easier to do than you think!
4. Add your sentiment, ribbon, etc etc and THEN stick the whole thing to the card base.

I do hope you're enjoying my Twelve Days of Christmas projects.  Show me some love and leave me a comment....please!

Karen
                                         

Mojo Monday 269

As the weeks rush by we get closer to Christmas, and I'm in a festive mood so this weeks Mojo Monday is another excuse to make a lovely Christmas card.

I've used some of the retired Mocha Morning Specialty DSP in this one, and it's gorgeous because of the added texture with the flocking.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock;  Whisper White, Soft Suede & Crumb Cake
Stamps: Greetings of the Season
Ink:  Real Red & Soft Suede Markers
Paper:  Glimmer Paper in silver & Cherry Cobbler, Mocha Morning Specialty DSP & Christmas Cocoa DSP, both retired.
Delicate Designs Embossing Folder & Snowflake Die with the Big Shot.

Happy Tuesday!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 268

I walked into the studio this morning to the biggest mess you've ever seen - actually, you've probably seen something similar on your craft table!  
Basically, I finished my crafting last night and just got up and walked away!  Have you ever done that?  Yeh, right!

Well, not knowing what to clean up first, I avoided the lot, switched on the computer and there was this weeks Mojo Monday!  Aha, a way to skip over the cleaning and make more mess I said to myself!   Nothing quite like a Mojo Monday to get your....mojo going.

So, here it is:

I loved the simplicity of the sketch and as soon as I saw it had an idea of what I wanted to do.  So much so that the card was made, photographed and blogged in just under 40 minutes.  Whoa girl, slow down or you'll meet yourself coming back!!

Supplies I used today:
Stamp Set: Snow Swirled and a little snowflake filler stamp from retired set Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Co-ordinations Cherry Cobbler & Whisper White
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Long retired Christmas Cocoa Specialty - LOVE IT! Shelli, please bring it back...pleeeease!
Silver Glimmer Paper
Scallop Circle Die, Snow Flurry Die & Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder with the Big Shot, 3/4" circle punch & Basic Pearls

Now, it's off to do the cleaning.  Yep, reality calls!
Cheers
Karen

Shaker Card

This is my first ever shaker card!   It was presented by Narelle Hoggard and Paula Reid, two of the talented NZ demo's that were part of Jacque's team in Auckland last weekend.

The colours are Marina Mist & Very Vanilla with the Crumb Cake seam binding.  And glitter glass is used inside the shaker frame.    Isn't it pretty?   I will be doing a class on this later in the month, so why not come along and add some pizzazz to your Christmas cards this year?

Cheers
Karen

Quick Christmas Cards

Stampin' Up! introduced rub ons some years back, and I'm embarrassed to say that I still have rather a lot of them left over.

They actually make cards really quick and easy!   And if you were lucky enough to buy the co-ordinating designer series papers and rub-ons, you've got the job done double quick!

The word JOY is the rub on here.  The chipboard stars are covered with glitter.

First time I've tried this funny little fold to make a Christmas tree.  I got the instructions on Pinterest here.  This is our new christmas dsp - Be of Good Cheer

Again, the rub on is the greeting.  And how yummy is that paper?  Christmalicious!

I think these were call Jolly Holiday, but I'm not sure.  Anyway the main colours are Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla.  Not matter how many times I use non-traditional colours (and I do like them too), I always find myself returning to this combo.

Go dig out your rub-ons and see what you can whip up in a flash!
Cheers
Karen

Northern Flurry Style

I loooove this embossing folder.  It makes the quickest cards and is so beautiful on it's on that you can dress it up, or not!

Doesn't glimmer paper make great snow flakes?  That's the new Bigz die.  Love it!

The cute little reindeer are from my stash.  And the sentiment is from Heard from the Heart, which sadly retired this year.  I am not selling that set, no way!!

I have a couple of cards for you tomorrow using rub-ons.  See you then!
Karen

Getting my Christmas Stash Going

Do you need a lot of Christmas cards each year?  I think I usually send around 50!  That's a lot to make, especially as I also do the cards for our Aussie Armed Forces (check out the page to the right if you'd like to get involved).   So I started playing around with designs.  Here's what I have so far:

I always end up liking some more than others, but getting down and dirty, so to speak, is the best way to really hone in on the final masterpiece!   And I'm not a big fan of production lines so making lots of different cards is always easier for me.

Have you started your Christmas cards yet?  Watch out for my stamp camp coming up in November.  Join us, you'll be ready in no time!

I'll pop back tomorrow with a couple more designs.

Happy Wednesday.
Karen

Festive Friday

I saw a card on Pinterest that really inspired me.  Unfortunately I can no longer find it so I can't credit the original designer.

Anyway, mine is quite a bit different but I think you would recognise it if you saw the original so please let me know if you do.

I've used the Snow Flurry Bigz die to make the snowflakes.  I can see many possibilities for this because there are 3 sizes of snow flake and they will layer beautifully.

The embossing was done using the Northern Flurry folder for the Big Shot, and the bauble is one of the circle medallions from the Pennant die.

My second card is very similar but uses a stamp from Perfect Punches in the centre of the bauble.  I stamped in Real Red ink and used the 1 3/8" scallop circle to punch it out.

Thanks for looking!  Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Cheers
Karen