Christmas Cards- the end!

...this year, of course. There will be more next year, haha!
The last of my cards were sent out yesterday!! And honestly, we are 95% ready for Christmas! Now I need to focus on baking... How are you doing?? Anyway, here are the final cards, plus a little bit of instruction!
The three on the left are made up entirely of the stickers in the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit, and a bit of ribbon, a pearl, a few punches, and some greeting stamps.
The three on the right are all made using one stamp set, and even less accessories. But I had a request for embossing, so we used the top one for the class. (and the green one, but not the on with the Cherry Cobbler ribbon!)

Supplies:
Stamps: Greetings of the Season, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Versamark
Paper: Old Olive, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit
Accessories: Crochet Lace Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, Pennant Punch, Basic Pearls, Dazzling Details

So, you might be wondering how I used the whole wise men stamp but didn't emboss the star as well. This is how- you just pour the embossing powder carefully, and then tip it away from the star to dump off the excess. You can do this partial embossing with all sorts of images, you just have to be careful about it.

But, in this card, I didn't want the star just a flat gray, hanging out there, I wanted it to stand out! After all, the Christmas star is the real point of this image...! So I used the very fun Dazzling Details to make it stand out much better, and it does! It just takes a while to dry, so with a class, we did this one first, haha!
And here's a closeup, just for you!

Christmas Cards #3

Well my cards are finished- addressed and everything, just waiting for me to drive to the Post Office and get postage! How are your holiday cards coming along?
Here is the third installment of my Christmas Card class, just in case you're still looking for ideas! *grin

You can see many of these are the same card, they just look different with the variation of paper. Sometimes we drew the "string" or "hook" and other times I used actual Baker's Twine!

Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Greetings of the Season, Come To Bethlehem (words over tree)
Ink: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Old Olive, Simply Scrappin' Kit
Accessories: Ornament Punch, Cherry Baker's Twine, Crochet Lace Ribbon

Christmas Cards #2

Now that my Christmas Card classes are done, I can share close ups of all the cards we made. And just in case your cards are not done (mine will be ready to mail out today!) you just might find some inspiration! This set of cards uses roughly the same supplies, and yet each card has a different feel to it! Love that!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit
Accessories: Regals Brads, Crochet Lace, Dimensionals

Upcoming Card Classes!

I just needed to announce my upcoming Christmas Card class, for anyone interested! I made this flyer using My Digital Studio software. Click on it to see it bigger, but the details are also found below.

We'll be using the Simply Scrappin kit found in the Holiday Mini. We'll make 25 cards for $25 and I don't expect it to take more than 2.5 hours. I'll be holding my event on Friday, November 30th, from noon-3pm. And because I need to order the kit and prep the supplies for you, I'll need your RSVP and fee by November 25th. My friend Ellen will be hosting the same class the night before, in case you needed more information on that event.

And! Because I am enjoying the chance to show other ways to use your products, and because you'll take home some left over kit (if you choose to) here is a page I made with some of what was left over from my kit! These photos are from last Thanksgiving Day.

Supplies:
Ink: Bravo Burgundy Marker (coordinates nicely)
Paper: Simply Scrappin Kit, Very Vanilla & Basic Gray card stocks
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler baker's twine

Christmas weather, Christmas card!

Wow! I didn't share hardly anything last week because every spare minute I had was spent on prepping for a Christmas card class to be held Friday night.
However, I had to cancel at literally the last minute, because I could barely get out of my driveway, and frankly, the roads scared me! *Sad! The storm moved in Friday morning and we were supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow by Sunday afternoon. ....we had 3 inches by lunch time. By the time I needed to leave (around 430 pm) we had 5-6 inches, it was still dumping, and my parking lot complex and surrounding roads had not been cleared. Couple that with freezing temps, the sun setting around 5, and rush hour traffic, and you can imagine why I hesitated. Its just so darn disappointing when you have set a time for crafting, and especially with other people, and you have to cancel for something like weather! argh! 

The view from my window when my kids got home from school...

The bright side is, we were able to reschedule for later in the month (better late than never??) and I can now share with you a few sneak peeks for my Christmas card class...
These are all similar cards, and the class is designed using the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit (found on page 9 of the Holiday Mini).

Supplies:
Stamps: Come to Bethlehem, Lovely As A Tree

Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive & Basic Gray card stocks, Merry Moments SS Kit DP

If you would like to make these cards, my class will be at my house, held on Dec 1. Or you can schedule your own class if you hurry! *grin

Christmas Candy!

Since I'm borrowing this Sweets for the Sweet stamp set from my mom (to help me fill up my board!) I thought this week's sketch from Stamping 411 was perfect for a quick Christmas card! Not to mention how yummy those peppermint candies look! LOL!
Also, this is the first time I've used the new Gumball Green. It works well for this Christmas card but you know what it would be absolutely perfect for? Frogs and turtles. It is SUCH a great reptile green! Off hand, there's a frog in the new Ronald McDonald set, a turtle in a new baby set, and ooo! the dinosaurs, aliens and monster stamp sets!!

And as a side note, I'm having a hard time stamping my greetings straight...do I need glasses? I don't know what the issue is but its kind of driving me crazy.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweets for the Sweet, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Real Red, Basic Gray
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Gumball Green card stocks
Accessories: Real Red thin Taffeta ribbon

Christmas in....?

May? Sure. LOL. I was working on cards for my display board (you know that if you've visited in the last few days) and looking over my still-current stamp sets. I didn't have any cards using this set so I gave it a shot! So yes, I am posting a Christmas card today! *giggle
And the design of the card is based on the card on the cover of the 2011-2012 Celebrando Creatividad, which you can see on the side bar -->

Supplies:
Stamps: Come to Bethelehem
Ink: Always Artichoke
Paper: Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla card stocks
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Dimensionals

Simple cards!

Yes, I needed some super duper simple cards! Beautiful (albeit old!) designer paper helps that a lot!! First I used this lovely poinsettia corner to use the Stamping 411 sketch:

Supplies:
Stamps: Come to Bethlehem
Ink; Early Espresso
Paper: Always Artichoke & Crumb Cake card stocks, Old DP
Accessories: Early Espresso quilted ribbon


And then I used this corner from another sheet in the same package as the entire focal point of the card...

Supplies:
Paper: Crumb Cake card stock, Old DP

Simple and still very pretty! And almost done...!!!

Sketches for Christmas!

Its the final card push (yes, half way thru the month...but I blame the people who refuse to respond with their new addresses...LOL!) and I am relying on sketches to help me use up the last of the old paper packages and create something different!

First up, I went to Jen's blog, looking for her final SFYTT of the year. I was not disappointed and I love how the card turned out!

Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler card stock, Old DP
Accessories: Regals Brads, Mat Pack

Before finding the SFYTT, I came across other sketches on her blog that I decided to use! This sketch was on Jen's blog as the Skipping Stones design sketch. It worked for me, and this is what I did with it:

Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Decorations
Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red
Paper: Whisper White card stock, old DP

This also comes from Jen's blog, another Skipping Stones design sketch:

Supplies:
Stamps: Jolliest Time of Year, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Old Olive
Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla card stock, Old DP
Accessories: Red Taffeta Ribbon

Sparkly Snowflake Reindeer!

Yep, how's that for a fun combination? This DP is also quite old, but I made two of this design, and am really happy with it. The DP is shimmery, and like a muted Soft Suede shade, so I used Suede card stock and Crumb Cake ink. Very happy with it!
How are your Christmas cards coming? Or are you more on top of things and have them all sent out? (if that's you, you're my hero!)

Supplies:
Stamps: Dasher, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Crumb Cake
Paper: Whisper White & Soft Suede card stock, retired dp
Accessories: White Organza Ribbon

Duplicate Santa!

The other night I really did work hard trying to whittle down my card list, hee hee. I made four of this one. It uses some very old DP, from a Stampin' Up! Christmas kit, and the brand new Dazzling Details, haha!

Supplies:
Stamps: Jolliest Time of Year, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red
Paper: Whisper White card stock, retired DP
Accessories: 1/8 inch red taffeta ribbon, Dazzling Details, colored pencils

Welcome Christmas!

December is almost here! Are you ready?? I'm sure not... I have a lot to do still!
Here are three cards from my Christmas card class that I have not yet shared. They all come from the same stamp set. Its always nice to show how much you can create out of one stamp set. I really love the vintage, silhouette images found in this set.
This sledding children image must always be done with blue to show the cold, happy feeling, LOL! And the new quilted ribbon? Love!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Early Espresso
Accessories: Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon

These new Holly Berry buttons are fun. I love new buttons!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas (wreath), Come to Bethlehem (words)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Real Red Marker
Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke
Accessories: 1/8 inch Red Taffeta Ribbon, Holly Berry button, Glue Dots

This card is not my favorite. I liked the idea of this old-fashioned style DP*, but I think it overwhelmed the sweet stamp image - which I LOVE by the way. And I had my class attendees use a darker ink for the words than I used.
*want to hear something funny? I didn't love the Christmas DP Stampin' Up! offered this year so I didn't get it. But I used several other types of DP in my Christmas cards!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas, Heard from the Heart
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla card stock, Timeless Portrait DP

Jolliest Time Of Year!

First of all, if you like online shopping deals or sales, make sure I have your email address so you can participate in Stampin' Up!'s weekend to celebrate Black Friday, Cyber Monday and all other holiday shopping times! The Online Extravaganza will last from Monday, November 21 and run until Wednesday November 30, but there will be some 24hour limited deals that you won't want to miss. Just select me as your demonstrator and place your holiday stamp order!
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My Christmas Card class was rescheduled from today to this coming Tuesday but here are two cards that we'll be making. They both use the stamp set Jolliest Time of Year, which I borrowed from my MIL. I chose not to buy any new holiday stamps this year since I had 5 sets carry over from years past, but I still wanted some new ideas and borrowing is a great way to do that!

On this first card, I added some Dazzling Details to the snowflakes, which is in the Holiday Mini. It hadn't dried by the time I decided to swipe that piece of card stock in Real Red ink, hence the smudging....

Supplies:
Stamps: Jolliest Time Of Year
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red
Paper: Whisper White & Real Red card stocks
Accessories: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Watercolor Pencils, Dazzling Details

This second card is very simple but I think perfect for winter.

Supplies:
Stamps: Jolliest Time of Year, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Bashful Blue & Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: White grosgrain ribbon, stapler

Easiest card ever!

I am still working on my Christmas cards! Are you? So last night I got 18 more done and these are by far the easiest cards EVER.

I started with three card-sized pieces (1 1/2 sheets) of Crumb Cake card stock and this sheet of the Deck the Halls DP from the mini.

 and here's the result:

SOOO easy and I think absolutely beautiful! Yeay!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Come to Bethlehem, Holidays & Wishes (retired)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Crumb Cake card stock, Deck the Halls DP

Christmas Sketch!

Its been a while! Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? We had a wonderful day and a long weekend. Now its time for the Christmas rush! I'm certainly not ready to mail out my Christmas cards so I took some time yesterday and played with this week's sketch from Jen's SSFYTT and made this:

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Always Artichoke, Basic Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Bitty Buttons, Blender Pens, Mini Glue Dots

Its similar to others I'm making this year, and I am loving the vintage look.

Anyway, hopefully with the need for Christmas cards, I'll be posting more again!

Sneak Peek 2

Sorry for the delay. Just when I think life might possibly calm down, something happens to convince me that is never actually going to happen. I really need to quit looking forward to that day! haha!

Anyway, here's another Christmas card we'll be making next week!

Clean and simple, but I like it.

Supplies:
Stamps: Dasher, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Jumbo Brads, 1 3/8 inch circle punch

Variations on Cards

In September I had 4 card events in a 15 day period. I am pretty sure that is a record for me and my little buisness! I loved it, but that meant I needed to use the same (or at least similar) ideas over and over. Some of these events were up in the air as far as attendance. That's a challenge in an of itself. I needed to provide 'enough' but not too many of each sample. Consequently, I have a nice stack of card kits ready to go!

While trying to tidy up my crafting space I decided to use those kits but differently than the original. Here's my first set! What do you think?

Original:

Variations:

World Card Making Day!

Oh yes, that is today! Are you doing anything exciting to celebrate? I am! This evening I am holding a Card Buffet! Never heard of that? It means I put out kits of cards (usually left overs from workshop make & takes or card class extras, and you come make which ever ones you like, as many as you like for a set price each. You're here as long as you need to do the cards you want and that's it! Once each kit is gone, its gone, so its the kind of thing you don't want to be late to. Which means, if you're local, be here at 6pm! We'll have it wrapped up at 8 so that everyone can be home for bedtime and there will be yummy treats too!

Here is a sampling of a few super quick cards we did last Saturday, and the extras will be available tonight!

Christmas Card Class

Yep, its a liiiittle early for a Christmas Card class, but this is for church, what can I say? I have designed and and am teaching a bundle of five Christmas cards. What do you think? This one is my favorite. I adore these silhouette images. So perfect for the holidays! (yes I KNOW the ribbon and the DP on the red card are retired....but I'm clearing out my stash)