Faux Tile Pines and Poinsettias

Tonight my Stamps-a-Latte group meets and we're going to learn two techniques.  I already posted about one here.  The second one is not exactly new, but it sure is a whole lot easier with the launch of the new Simply Scored. 

Holiday card using the Pines and Poinsettias set with sentiment from Contempo Christmas

Faux tile has been around for ages, but I rarely used it because I had a hard time getting my score lines exactly even.  No more.  It is SO easy with the Simply Scored!  I plan to use this technique a whole lot more now.  I love the vintage look it adds to this card.  Another simple, yet often neglected technique this card uses is crimping.  I added dimension and texture to the patterned eyelet border by running it through my crimper.  A fast and easy way to add visual interest to any project.  Another layer of interest is the lightly stamped and sponged card base.  I'm not sure it shows in the photo, but I lightly stamped the scroll image from the Pines and Poinsettias set all over the card base in crumb cake ink, stamped off once.  I then sponged the edges to distress it ever-so-slightly to provide a suitable background for the vintage look I was going for. 
Once again, I am amazed at how much this whole suite has grown on me in the months since I first laid eyes on it at convention.  It just goes to show you that there is not substitute for hands-on experience!

Stormy Weather!

WOW!  Did we ever have a storm last night!  The lightening was incredible...it looked like a strobe light, there was so much of it.  On the news this morning they said there were 1000 lightening strikes every 2 minutes in southern Ontario during the height of the storm!  That's a lot of electricity flying around and, since our hydro kept flashing of and on, I didn't want to take the chance of turning on my computer to do a blog post.  Sorry if you missed me!  Today I have another Christmas card for you.  This is one that I did while I was away up north last week.  If you recall, I was really struggling to come up with something I loved...this card is just ok, in my books, but you might love it...so here you go!

Holiday card using Scenic Season set with sentiment from Contempo Christmas

One thing I DO like about this card is the colour scheme:  soft suede and cherry cobbler are just yummy together!  I also like the Mocha Morning DSP for holiday cards...you'll see more of that in the coming months.  What I did discover is that when using the new Dazzling Details product (in the new Holiday Mini), it is necessary to let the ink dry throughly before applying the Dazzling Details.  Otherwise the ink runs and you end up with what I did:  sparkly brown snow!  I was a wee bit disappointed with that...I was hoping for a nice glittery effect to balance that sparkly glimmer paper accent.  Ah well, live and learn, no?  This way I can warn all of you and save you from the same frustration!!
On another note, tonight is the first meeting of my Christmas Club.  I am so excited to show everyone some of the new products from the Holiday Mini...I know they're going to love them!  We are going to be busy making 12 cards, so it will be a stampingly crazy night!  Can't wait!!  If you'd like to get in on the action, you can join for the last three installments in September through November.  Check out my Events tab at the top of this page for additional information.

Dasher-ing towards Christmas

This time of year is busy for we crafters...so many great holiday craft and gift ideas and so little time to complete them!  As this is my first Christmas as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I had no idea just how crazy things can get with clients and new customers wanting to hold workshops and Stamp-A-Stacks.  I have been spending all of my crafting time cutting paper and prepping for various events and have had almost no time to create anything for myself!  If only I didn't have a full-time teaching job during the day!  Ah well, the Christmas break will be here soon and I'll have a full week off to get my Christmas crafting done!

Today's post is a card I created for one of the Stamp-A-Stack classes I held last week.

Simple card using the Dasher a la carte stamp.

Close up of Dasher...isn't he a handsome fella?

Sentiment is from the Contempo Christmas set.  I used one of the big designer buttons in Baja Breeze to embellish it.

Inside of card.  Snowflake images are from Serene Snowflakes.  Sentiment is from Christmas Greetings.

This card came together as I was prepping for my SAS and realized I was out of Cherry Cobbler cardstock!  I didn't have enough to do the card I had planned to, so I had to think fast and come up with something that used the supplies I had enough of on hand.  I was quite happy with the way it turned out and my SAS guests liked it too!  Here is what I did:

I started with a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of baja breeze cardstock.  I stamped the snowflakes all over the top half using baja breeze ink.  I adhered a 3" x 4" piece of Candy Cane DSP to the bottom half of the baja breeze piece.  I then punched a 4" wide piece of whisper white with my dotted scallop ribbon border and adhered it over the seam.  I added a piece of 1/8" taffeta ribbon in real red and adhered it to the back of the cardfront.  I adhered the whole thing to a real red card base. 
For the focal image I stamped Dasher in baja breeze on whisper white cardstock, punched him out with a 2" circle punch and then sponged the edge with baja breeze ink.  I layered this on a 2 3/8" scallop circle in baja breeze and a 2 1/2" circle in real red and adhered the finished piece using dimensionals.  I added a little rhinestone gem to one of the snowflakes for some sparkle.
For the sentiment I coloured the Merry Christmas from the Contempo Christmas set using my baja breeze and real red markers, stamped it on whisper white and then punched it out using my decorative label punch.  I layered this on another decorative label in real red and adhered it to the cardfront using dimensionals.  I threaded some 1/8" taffeta riboon through a big designer button in baja breeze and tied it in a knot.  I adhered it to the upper right corner of the sentiment using glue dots. 
The inside of the card is fairly self-explanatory.  I stamped the snowflakes in baja breeze and sponged the edges of the white before I adhered the white piece to the inside of the card.  The sentiment is from the Christmas Greetings set and is stamped in real red and then punched out using the decorative label punch again.  It is sponged using baja breeze, layered on another real red label and then adhered inside the card using dimensionals.
A cute card using one of my favourite holiday images!

Contemporary gift card holder

As I mentioned in an earlier post, last weekend was spent working on projects for my upcoming holiday classes.  One of the classes is all about gift-giving and finding unique ways to make your gifts extra-special.  I designed this gift-card holder as one of the options for that class.  It has a contemporary look...I also did a vintage one I'll post tomorrow.

Gift card holder using Jolly Holiday DSP

Inside view #1

Inside view #2 (I had to use a Tim Horton's card...I AM Canadian, after all!)

This is one of the few projects I did last weekend that I was actually happy with and that will make my class line-up.  I started with a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  I scored it at 3", 4", 5", & 8".  I folded along the score lines, creating a "mountain" with the two 1" sections.  I added a 4 x 3/4" piece of DSP to each 1" section and then glued the sections together with sticky strip.  Be sure to put the sticky strip on the OUTSIDE edge, otherwise your giftcard won't go into the slot (don't ask me how I know that!).  I then punched a slot with my Word Window punch that was wide enough to accommodate the gift card.  The rest of the project is up to you.  You can decorate it as much or as little as you'd like.  For the front of mine, I used more Jolly Holiday DSP which I matted on Old Olive cardstock.  I punched out an ornament from a different pattern in the Jolly Holiday pack, embellished it with a gilttery snowflake (cut with the Northern Frost die), added some linen thread and a little "Merry" tag from the Tiny Tags set.  The ribbon I used is the 1/8" taffeta in Old Olive.  The first inner page was again more of the Jolly Holiday DSP and a little tag from the Tags Till Christmas set.  The inside Christmas tree image is from the Contempo Christmas set;  I coloured it with markers and added a shimmer brad in Real Red for the star.  I left one page blank to write a heartfelt greeting on. 
What I like about this project is it's versatility...this layout could be used for any occasion and be as elaborate or as simple as one wants.  Tomorrow I'll post a vintage version of this idea.  In the meantime, have a great weekend!

Treat Box makeover

Last month Stampin' Up! ran a Clearance Rack Blitz where many discontinued items were offered for online purchase at deeply discounted prices.  Being the good little shopper I am, I picked up all sorts of goodies; among them the Treat Boxes that were in last year's Occasions Mini.  These cute little boxes are sturdy but the colour scheme (Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel) just weren't cutting it for Christmas.  So, I decided to make it over into a sweet little Christmas box. 

Treat Box Christmas Make-Over

Close up of focal image with 3D ornament.

 When I began this project I had thought it would be a good one to offer as part of my Gift Giving class in December...then I realized just how involved it would be and thought better of it!  I will certainly use this little box in my own gift giving this year, but I think it would have to be a class all on it's own if I were to try to teach it to anybody else!
In case you want to try it yourself, here is a list of supplies I used:
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
Patterned Paper:  Jolly Holiday, PlayDate
Stamps:  Lovely as A Tree (for the pine bough from which the ornaments are hanging), Tags Till Christmas, Contempo Christmas
Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive
Fibers:  Double-stitched White Grosgrain (retired), 1/8" taffeta in Real Red and Old Olive, gold elastic cord (also retired)
Tools:  Big Shot, Top Note die, ornament punch, decorative label punch, word window punch (to punch the slot at the top)

This project uses LOTS of adhesive.  To adhere the layers of patterned paper to the cardstock I used the new Big Shot multipurpose adhesive sheets.  I am LOVING these things!  It makes adhering paper so easy and it DOES NOT come up.  I also used lots of sticky strip to adhere the various panels to the box.

If you want to try this yourself, do as much as you can prior to assembling the box...it is easier to work on a  flat surface!
Good luck!

Tin 'o Tags

Why is it that the weekends always go by SO much faster than the work week?  I just was settling in to get some stamping done this afternoon and here it is already 9:30!  How does that happen??
Today was all about the tags...gift tags that is. I am running a gift packaging class on the first Saturday in December and I decided it was about time I got going on planning the projects for it!  Part of the class will be dedicated to creating beautiful gift tags and so today I came up with a vintage and a contemporary collection all packaged in a reusable tin.  Class participants will be able to choose which style they would like to make.  Today I am posting the contemporary version...tomorrow will be the vintage one!

This sturdy tin is covered in Jolly Holiday DSP.  When the tags are gone the tin makes a lovely gift-box.

Close up of the focal image from the Contempo Christmas set

Even the sides of the tin are covered!  The edges of the lid are also covered in 1/8" taffeta ribbon...a perfect fit!

A Tin 'O' Tags!

Tag #1 - using the Two Tags die and my Big Shot

Inside of Tag #1

Tag #2 - also from the Two Tags die

Tag #3 - Uses the Top Note Die

Tag #4 - Using the Table Setting die

Inside of Tag #4 (not sure what's up with the smear on the right?!?)

Tag #5 - Using the Two Tags die

Tag #6 - using the Top Note Die

 My original plan had been to keep these tags fairly simple, but I've decided I just CAN'T do simple!  I start with something simple and just keep adding and playing and before I know it, I've spent an hour on a "simple" gift tag!  Ah well...I like 'em and I hope my customers will too!  If you are reading this thinking "I'd like to make these tags and have a lovely tin to hold them all", drop me a line and sign up for my class!  It is running on Saturday, December 4th at 9:30 am.  I'd love to have you join us!

Now for the worst part of the weekend...heading to bed and setting the alarm for 6:00 am!  Have a good night everyone...talk to you tomorrow when I show you my vintage version of the Tin 'o' Tags!

Regionals Rocked!

Whew...it has been a whirlwind weekend!  Yesterday I was at the Hamiltion Regional Seminar for Stampin' Up!.  It was such a great day!  I learned SO much and had fun swapping and stamping with my friends.  The highlight of the day, by far, was meeting Shelli Gardiner.  For those of you who have no idea who I'm talking about, Shelli is the Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!.  She is a bit of a legend among us demonstrators and having the chance to say hello and let her know how much I appreciated her coming all the way to Hamilton from Utah was certainly something I won't soon forget.  I also had a photo taken with her which I will post tomorrow.  All in all, the day was such fun and so informative.  I also had the chance to swap cards with many demonstrators from all over Ontario and the US. Tomorrow I will post some photos of the beautiful cards I received in exchange, but today I wanted to show you the second swap card I made to take with me.

This card uses the ornament and sentiment from the Contempo Christmas set in the main catalogue.  The patterned paper is from an unexpected source...the Playdate DSP pack!  I was looking for a single colour print in Old Olive and lo and behold there is was!  I think it is perfect for Christmas.  The layer underneath the patterned paper is Whisper White cardstock that I ran through my Big Shot with the Perfect polka Dots embossing folder.  I layered that on a piece of Old Olive cardstock, tied a bow with Old Olive satin ribbon and mounted the whole thing on a Whisper White card base.  The ornament and the sentiment are both stamped with Cherry cobbler ink.  The ornament is punched out using the ornament punch.  I added a wee bit of sparkle with a single rhinestone jewel.  The sentiment was punched out using the Wide oval punch and was then layered on a Decorative Label punch in Old Olive.  This is a quick and easy card that still is contemporary and elegant.  Check in tomorrow when I will post swap cards I received as well as my photo with Shelli!

Continuing in a Christmas theme...

I've sort of been on a roll with the Christmas cards of late.  I don't know whether it is the new Holiday Mini coming out or just realizing that time passes much more quickly for me than it used to and I had better get my Christmas cards made sooner than later!  Regardless, I have certainly been in a December state-of-mind and today's post reflects that.  I was playing with the pretty new Christmas set from the Idea Book & Catalogue called Contempo Christmas.  Here is what I came up with:

All three cards use the Contempo set as well as the Jolly Holliday DSP.  Here are some close-ups of each one:

Simple and traditional

The inside sentiment is from one of the Level 3 Hostess sets in the catalogue called Occasional Quotes.

For this one I coloured the stamp using my Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive markers.  I added a small square fire rhinestone brad in place of the star for a little bling.  The ribbon is the new Cherry Cobbler seam binding from the Holiday Mini.

This is the inside view.  The sentiment is also from the Contempo Christmas set.

This card is really clean and simple.  The only embellishment is the rhinestone brad.  I like this because it is very contemporary looking...a real contrast to some of the vintage stuff I've been doing lately.  This goes to show you can do some really great things with just ink, stamps and paper!

This is the inside view.  The sentiment is from Occasional Quotes, a level 3 hostess set in the catalogue.

This card is pretty much the opposite of the previous one!  This was anything BUT simple!  I started out with the Jolly Holiday DSP layered on a Cherry Cobbler card base.  The funky looking strip in the middle uses a the Bargello technique.  It basically involves cutting striped paper into little tiny strips and then adhering them to a cardstock base while offsetting the stripes.  It isn't hard to do but IS time consuming.  Cutting up all those 1/8" strips took a while, as did gluing them all down.  However the effort was, in my opinion, worth it!  I love the effect created with this technique.  I embellished it with more of the Cherry Cobbler seam binding as well as a couple of ornament punches.  The patterned one is from the Contempo Christmas set.  The sentiment is also from that set and it was punched out using the decorative label punch which is also in the new Holiday Mini.  A couple of little rhinestones for some bling and viola...a funkadelic Christmas card!

I hope you've enjoyed this little taste of Christmas!  I know today's post was long!  I did that on purpose because I won't be posting again until next weekend.  I am taking my son up to visit my parents at their place in Magnetawan.  I won't have internet access there, so won't be able to post anything while I'm gone.  The good news is that I am bringing some projects with me so I'll have LOTS to show you when I get back!

Have a great week!