Christmas in January!

Well yesterday's post never went live, so we'll pretend today is still the 25th, HA! I had my Cards of Love stamp class yesterday morning and then all the things that normally happen in life took up the rest of the evening and cards weren't photographed until now! (Tuesday morning)
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Another of the paper-crafting goals I have set for myself this year is to not end up making 50-something Christmas cards in the month of December, ever again. haha...It's not nearly as fun as it sounds. I have decided instead to feature a few Christmas cards on the 25th of each month leading up to December! That should make a good dent in what I need done!
The funny thing was, my mom asked if she and I (or sometimes just me) could get some Christmas and Halloween cards made throughout the year, instead of cramming the week or month of. Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it??
For years I have seen a group on Splitcoaststampers.com that does a monthly Christmas card goal, just like my monthly scrapbooking goal. I don't want to commit to a number this year (maybe next year, let's see how it goes...) but I am going to share something for Christmas, every month.

So first, my stash. I had time to fit three cards in this day, and I thought I'd stick to the same general supplies. I used the Gentle Peace stamp set, which is still available if you're interested! Check HERE.

Supplies:
Stamps: Gentle Peace
Ink: Versamark,
Markers: Old Olive Blendabilities (retired), Wisteria Wonder Blendabilities (retired), Nude Blendabilities (retired), Mossy Meadow, Pear Pizazz, Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Tip Top Taupe, Crushed Curry
Paper: Watercolor Paper, Lost Lagoon card stock
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Dimensionals

Supplies:
Stamps: Gentle Peace
Ink: Versamark
Markers: Ivory Blendabilities, Mint Macaron, Rich Razzelberry, Blackberry Bliss, Blushing Bride, Island Indigo, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, So Saffron, Tip Top Taupe
Paper: Watercolor Paper, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay card stocks
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Hexagon Punch, Dimensionals

Supplies:
Stamps: Gentle Peace
Ink: Versamark, Smoky Slate
Paper: Pool Party, All Is Calm DP (retired)
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

And here are the cards I made at my mom's a couple weeks ago. She had just ordered the Subtles Markers so I thought I'd use that...I pulled out one sheet of Pool Party card stock and three sheets of Whisper White card stock, and grabbed a few stamps and pulled up a sketch. These were all intended to use the same sketch but it didn't quite work out...on the first I trimmed it wrong, haha... on the third I left off a snowflake, because I was running out of that sheet of card stock!

 So these two used the latest from the Viva La Verve sketch blog!

I decided to play with another snowman "set" (altho this one came by itself) and this is what I created. The greeting also came by itself.

Now my mom has five hand-stamped Christmas cards ready to mail!

Merry Christmas to you!

Today being the actual holiday, I saved this card for the last. I'm not super skilled at layering embellishments, but somehow this one just came together. I wanted to really feature the music paper, and I also wanted to use this stamp set that is still current from last year. And I think it all worked out because I LOVE this card!

Supplies:
Stamps: Gentle Peace
Ink: Versamark, Mint Macaron marker, Crushed Curry marker, Soft Suede marker, Chocolate Chip marker, Wisteria Wonder Blendabilities (retired), Old Olive Blendabilities (retired)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler card stock, Watercolor Paper, Home for Christmas DP
Accessories: Burlap Ribbon, Mint Macaron Lace Ribbon, Glitter Ribbon, Black Embossing powder, Heat Tool, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

This is my family last night, with our new Christmas jammies and our tree.

And this is how much snow we woke up to...it started falling last night about 930 and I think it stopped around 1030 this morning...we got at least 6.5 inches.

I also wanted to share this three minute message about Christmas, set to my favorite song:

And to again thank you for supporting my business and leaving comments on my blog and brightening my day!

Gentle Peace

Today, I'm going to feature this pretty stamp set...twice.
This is a new photopolymer stamp set that I just had to have for my Christmas Card class!

The first card I made, I inked it up with Versamark and then Island Indigo ink, and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I don't know if that made a difference or not, but it looks good, haha! I layered it onto some gorgeous All is Calm DP, and threw in a touch of ribbon too!

Supplies:
Stamps: Gentle Peace
Ink: Versamark, Island Indigo
Paper: Smoky Slate, Island Indigo & Whisper White card stock, All is Calm DP
Accessories: White Taffeta Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

And then I decided to color the image!

Supplies:
Stamps: Gentle Peace
Ink: Basic Gray, Soft Suede
Markers:
Crushed Curry (star & background), Hello Honey (around star, background), So Saffron (outside, halos)
Soft Suede (bricks), Baked Brown Sugar (hair)
Island Indigo (darker), Lost Lagoon (lighter)
Pear Pizazz (lighter), Always Artichoke (darker), Pistachio Pudding (swaddling clothes)
Blush Blossom (skin)
Paper: Crushed Curry, Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Big Shot, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder

I have a few other ideas for this stamp set, and I've found lots of ideas on Pinterest too, if you're looking!

Christmas Card Classes!!!

I did add some info to my event section on my side bar, but this is where you can find all the details about my upcoming Christmas Card Classes!!

To start, here are the first six cards we'll make! We'll use the Watercolor Winter kit, Gentle Peace stamp set, Holiday Home stamp set and White Christmas stamp set.

We'll make 15 different cards, for only $25!
* if you want me to make the cards for you, it will be $30, and you pick them up at your convenience.

I'll hold two classes at my house, and one at my friend's house. Choose the session that works best for you! The classes are set up for 3 hour blocks, but I don't think it will really take that long...
Yummy snacks are always served too!

1: Rabilin's house, Dec 1, 12:30-3pm
RSVP & fee due Nov 26

2: My house, Dec 4, 11am-2pm
RSVP & fee due Dec 1

3: My house, Dec 4, 6-9pm
RSVP & fee due Dec 1

Leave a comment, shoot me an email, or RSVP on the facebook events to let me know you're coming! Then get me your class fee and I'll have your supplies ready to go!