Magic Snowflake....

Only sort of.... It's not really magic, but it is cool. I love emboss resist, and it looks amazing on this card. The snowflake is done in white embossing powder and then sponged over with Night of Navy. I added a pearl to the middle for that little bit more, and it really makes the center pop. I love how much contrast there is on this card, I had originally done it in Marina Mist, but it looks a million times better in Night of Navy.


Stamps: Four The Holidays, Serene Snowflakes
Inks: Versa Mark, Night of Navy
Papers: Whisper White, Night of Navy
Misc: White Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers, Silver Elastic Cord (retired), Pearls, Dimensionals

I had another long day today, but sadly I don't think it's over just yet. I realized I still have a ton of Christmas Cards to make, and I need to do them asap if I want to get them out before we leave. Days like today I am beyond grateful for wonderful caring nurses. My grams has been pretty out of it all day and her nurses are amazing! They have gone above and beyond what their actual duties are and I am sooo grateful for them.

Jolly Jingles

This has to be a quick one cause I am dead tired. I spent the majority of the day at the hospital with my grams. This is another one from one of my Christmas Stamp-A-Stacks.

You can see the shine, but you really can't see the sparkle in these pics, but the whole card really does sparkle in real life, and is completely gorgeous.

Stamps: Tags Til Christmas, Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel
Inks: Versa Mark, Old Olive & Real Red Markers
Papers: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Misc: Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Sticky Strip (to adhere ribbon), Dimensionals

CAS Seasons Greetings

I have a hard time doing CAS (clean and simple) cards for some reason, but this one pretty much can only be called CAS. It's hard to tell, but the Pacific Point is actually layered onto Whisper White cardstock. All I did for this one was emboss the card front with the Norther Flurry Embossing Folder, and then go over it with a bit of Whisper White ink, add a couple Rhinestones and a greeting and Voila, done.

Stamps: Many Merry Messages
Inks: Whisper White
Papers: Whisper White, Pacific Point
Misc: Rhinestones, Northern Flurry Embossing Folder

I actually managed to get the Christmas Tree up tonight. I offered to take my sister in laws kids for a sleep over, and they had so much fun putting up the tree at their house that we did it here too. It was awesome. I barely had to do anything, except the top part of the tree, since none of them could reach it. Hubby was thrilled that all he had to do was get the tree down, plug in one cord, and put the topper on (that's tradition around here). We are making homemade tortillas and scrambled eggs in the am for breakfast, so I'd best be going to bed. I need to be up early with this many kids in the house.

Bethlehem

I love this card, I got the idea from a fellow demonstrator, Dawn Griffith. This makes for such a wonderfully simple card, but it is so striking too. I actually did 2 versions of this card, one with the silver glass glitter that you see here, and another with the Silver tinsel trim that I will post later. I embossed the main image with black embossing powder to add a little bit more shine to the card. I also used sponges to color the Whisper White cardstock with Bashful Blue and Marina Mist, then I ripped the edges.


Stamps: Come to Bethlehem
Inks: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, VersaMark
Papers: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist
Misc: Black Embossing Powder, Silver Glass Glitter, Sponges

I love making Christmas cards, they really do seem to put me into a Christmas Spirit. I'm hoping to get the Christmas tree up soon, since we leave for our Christmas holidays in about 2 weeks. I highly doubt I'll be able to convince my hubby to put up Christmas decoration outside this year, so I really want to get the inside ones up soon.

Many Merry Christmas'

One of my all time favorite Christmas stamps is called Many Merry Messages. It is fantastic for both the outside and inside of any Christmas card. I use it at pretty much every Christmas SAS I do and most club nights that have anything to do with Christmas too. The rest of this card uses the new Northern Flurry embossing folder and the Level 1 hostess set from the current mini. If you like these stamps you need to host a qualifying workshop or party before Jan 3rd. I still have a few dates available, so contact me today.




Stamps: Many Merry Messages, Northern Hearts
Inks: Pacific Point, Crushed Concord, Whisper White
Papers: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Crushed Concord
Misc: Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Rhinestones, Sponges, Dimensionals, Rhinestone Brads

I'm not sure you can see it real well in the photos, but the ribbon of paper with the saying Merry Christmas is actually curved outwards, and does not lay flat. I love the look it gives the card.

Shimmer snowflake

My mom reminded me of a card I made last year, and I went looking for it and could not find it on my blog, so I made a new one up using this years colors, and tweaked it a little bit. I absolutely love the Shimmer Paint from Stampin' Up! You can use it for so many things, but the easiest way to use it is to simply put it on your stamps and stamp with it. That is what I did here. I used Markers to ink up most of the stamp and then used a sponge dauber to put the Platinum Shimmer Paint where I did not color. This card is so shimmery and pretty in real life, it looks nice in the photographs, but no where near as awesome. If you are ever trying to figure out what could make your card stand out just a little more, use some shimmer paint on it.


Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Four The Holidays
Inks: Pacific Point
Papers: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Night of Navy
Misc: Platinum Shimmer Paint, Sponge Daubers, Filigree Brads, Rhinestones, Rhinestone Brads, Silver Elastic Cord (retired) Dimensionals

Northern Flurry...

Sadly that about sums up our weather lately.... cold and snowy!! I am really not a winter type of gal.... I think that snow is the worst of the 4 letter words, and about this time every year I wonder why we live in a place that gets winter for 6 months at least every year. I really do want to move somewhere (someday) that only has 1 season.... warm! The only good thing about snow and winter is that is makes for really pretty cards. If we never had snow, we would not have snowflakes to stamp and emboss onto cards, and that would be a shame. I was playing around with the Tags til Christmas stamp set the other day and made several cards with it, and then I decided to see what it looked like paired with this new embossing folder. I really do like how it turned out. Sometimes when you are just playing around with no particular idea in mind you end up with surprising results, and this time the surprise was a nice one.


Stamps: Tags Til Christmas
Inks: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White
Papers: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive
Misc: 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponges, Decorative Label Punch, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones

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Peaceful Christmas...

I think that is something we all hope for, but seldom get. I know that around here Christmas is an extremely hectic and crazy time. We have a great time very year, love the company, have more fun than we can imagine, but it is never peaceful. I love this stamp set, but wonder how the term Peace on Earth was associated with Christmas. This is one of the cards we did in this round of Christmas Stamp-A-Stacks... well almost theirs is slightly different, the card base was Cherry Cobbler instead of Early Espresso.



Stamps: Peaceful Season (level 2 hostess)
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler, VersaMark
Papers: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Misc: Clear Embossing Powder, Basic Pearls, Sponges, Dimensionals

I had a great weekend teaching classes, but now I have to get on to something a bit more important. Christmas shopping/making for my hubby. If anyone has any great ideas on what to get or make for a computer guy who loves the outdoors, and wood working I'm totally open to suggestions. I have such a hard time every year trying to find a great present for him. It can't be large in size either cause I need to pack it into the car, since we do Christmas every year in Arizona.

I have tons more cards to show you all in the coming days and weeks before Christmas. I'm hoping to get one up every day, but life might change those plans.

Step it up part 4??? a slightly different version starring Jolly Jingles

I love wheels, they are so easy to use, super quick and they add the perfect touch to any card. This card is a slight variation from the other card. I used the Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel to create the background. Everything else is pretty much the same. I have been asked several times what ink color I use the most with my wheels, and I have to say VersaMark. It is a great way to add a bit of detail without overdoing the card, and if you do want to add color to it, you can use the pastels like I did here, or you can add embossing powder and have a lot of color. If you are unsure of what color to ink up your cartridges for your wheels, start with VersaMark, you will not regret it!



Stamps: Jolly Jingles Wheel, Tags Til Christmas
Inks: VersaMark, Real Red, Old Olive
Papers: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Real Red
Misc: Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Crumb Cake Stampin' Pastels, Wheel Guide, Sponges

I sure hope you all don't get sick of things easily, cause I will be posting a ton of Christmas cards in the next few weeks. Every year I send out what feels like a million cards, but in reality is only about 125 or so. On both my side and hubby's side we have a huge number of extended family members, plus friends and such..... and I get bored after making too many of the same card, so I usually end up making at least 40 or so different cards, and I will be posting them all here. I have already posted several, but there are still a ton to post, and sadly, still a ton to make. Wish me luck that I get them all done in time.

Step it up, card 3

Here is card 3 as promised. I had a great afternoon with some great people today, and I will be doing this class again tomorrow and Monday night. I love Christmas, and I love making cards, so these classes are a ton of fun for me. This card is pretty easy to see what I did to change it up. I sponged Real Red onto the top of the embossed part of the card.

Stamps: Tags Til Christmas
Inks: Old Olive, Real Red (markers)
Papers: Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Misc: Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch

So can you tell which idea was mine, and which was hubby's? Card 2 or 3? I am totally spoiled by hubby. I know most husbands don't even look twice at the stuff their wives make, let alone help out with ideas. And not only does he help out with ideas and tell me his opinion (when I ask) he also is great about me buying tons of stuff for my addiction/hobby. And even better, he looks after the kid when I am teaching, and when we go to Arizona and I want to get together with other demo friends. Talk about lucky right?

I am off to bed, I have to get up tomorrow and help mom with a quilt for the kids bed before I teach another class in the afternoon. Hope you all are having a great weekend so far.

Step it up, card 2

Well it took longer than I thought to get back on here. It's amazing how hectic life can get as soon as the road conditions are not great and snowy. Here is card 2 of 3. This one only has a slight change, but I love how much more the tag pops because of it. I punched out the Decorative Label Punch in Real Red and Old Olive and cut the pieces in the corners and added them behind the original one. Just that little bit extra makes the card that much nicer.



Stamps: Tags Til Christmas
Inks: Old Olive, Real Red (markers)
Papers: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Real Red
Misc: Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch

I am off to teach a Christmas Card Class, but I will post the 3rd card later tonight. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Step it up, card 1

I was making Christmas cards the other day and this one popped into my head. As soon as I was done with it I immediately figured out how I could make it look better. I decided to go ahead and turn it into a step it up card. My hubby was in the room with me, and looked at it and said, why don't you try this, so I did both. I will show you those tomorrow, and the next day. You will have to guess which idea was mine and which was hubby's.



Stamps: Tags Til Christmas
Inks: Old Olive, Real Red (markers)
Papers: Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Misc: Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch,

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Halloween Fun

want to know what I love most about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? The fact that I HAVE to Scrapbook!! At least that is what I tell my hubby. Stampin' Up! has a great promotion on right now where you can sign up to be a demonstrator for HALF OFF!! The starter kit is normally 215.00, but from now until Nov 30th, you can sign up for only 107.50!! Talk about HUGE Savings! I will get into that a little later with my next post. For my Stampers Club this month we are doing scrapbook pages. I let them choose their theme, Fall or Halloween, so I did both LO's. This is the Halloween one, and I love that these pics are from last year! That means I'm only 1 year behind!!! WOOHOOO!! The LO is pretty simple for the most part, and I LOVE that most of the little figures are made from the owl punch! How awesome is that?? I saw the little mouse done somewhere online (I'm sorry if it's your idea, I have completely forgotten where I saw it, if you came up with this please let me know so I can give proper credit) and just had to try it. Then I figured why not try a cat, and it was super easy. The tail for both comes from the leaves and branch from the bird punch. The tombstone is from the designer label punch.






I painted over part of the candelabra with silver shimmer paint to give it a little more of a spooky look.
Stamps: Wicked Cool
Inks: Basic Gray, Whisper White
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White, Perfect Plum DSP
Misc: Owl Punch, Bird Punch, Bat Punch, Designer Label Punch, Top Note Die, Sponges, White Gel Pen, 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile (cat's eyes), cricut

I had a lot of fun designing this LO. I love when you can use punches for more than one use, it makes them so much more versatile.