Another "Hybrid" Christmas Card

Hi Stampers!       

                                                                                                        

I hope all of you are having a wonderful week!  I decided to try another My Digital Studio “hybrid” card for the PP123 Sketch at The Paper Players- again, if you have the time, check out the Design Team Samples and the other entries!!  They rocked this challenge this week!!

To create this easy CAS “hybrid” card:

Using My Digital Studio (MDS) print out the snowflakes from Serene Snowflakes  and the greeting from More Merry Messages onto Whisper White cardstock.  One thing I love about MDS is that you can re-size your stamp images (not to mention flip, freverse, mirror and so many other things) plus the images do not “retire” :-)

Cut the panel and trim the sentiment to size and adhere to Basic Black cardstock.

With the Big Shot™ and the Delicate Designs (snowflake) Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock along the sides that will be showing on the card front.

Mount the center printed snowflake panel and add the sentiment with SU! Dimensionals. Add the Rhinestones to the center of the snowflakes and at the corners of the sentiment and attach the 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon bow to finish off the card.

Quick and easy!!  Although it was a bit difficult to obtain a good photo of this card- the Rhinestones do not show up as well as they do IRL and since there is so much white, it was hard to avoid the shadows but my husband said he liked this card- high praise indeed! :-)

Stamp Sets:  None- My Digital Studio- Serene Snowflakes, More Merry Messages

Ink: Printer Ink- Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Delicate Designs (snowflake) Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Rhinestones, 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thanks again for stopping by!  This would be an easy card to duplicate in time for Christmas- I think it would be pretty with a red or possible green bow on some of them!!  Have a great week creating and God Bless!

Chickadee Christmas- "Hybrid" Clean and Simple

Hi Stampers!   

In January, I decided to sign up for the CCC12Splitcoaststampers Christmas CardChallenge and create at least 20 cards per month- unfortunately due to my unforeseen overtime work schedule and a few unexpected Design Team assignments, I am woefully behind on my commitment :-(

While enjoying an extra day off during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I decided to take a day to create a set of Christmas cards for the CCC12 Challenge using the Splitcoaststampers WT402Challenge- Black and White with a “pop” of color.

One way I have found that is successful in creating a batch of cards is to utilize My Digital Studio (MDS) to create the images and then use dry embossing, ribbon and other techniques to create a “hybrid” card.  I love the crisp and detailed image of the bird with MDS :-)  

 Just a reminder- if you have not tried MDS yet, now is a great time since it is half price through November 28^th (check out the Online Extravaganza Sale thru my Online Store).

Smaller circle image 

I used MDS to print out the chickadee image from Beautiful Season (in several sizes to fill the entire piece of 8.5 x 11 cardstock), the sentiment from More Merry Messages and a few sentiments from Christmas Lodge onto Whisper White cardstock.  

FYI- All of these sets were additional downloads that I purchased after the initial investment in MDS but the digital version of the stamp sets are so economical that I like to purchase the actual stamp and the digital as well to supplement my “inventory” - a girl cannot have too many stamps! :-)

Some of the cards I used a Circle Punch to cut out the chickadee image and others I used an oval Sizzix Framelit™ or just cut a rectangle with the paper cutter around the image.  Add the "pop" of color on the berries using a Real Red Stampin’ Write marker.

Easy Rectangle Image 

Layer the focal image onto a Whisper White or Basic Black card front (Whisper Whitee embossed with the Petals-A-Plenty and Basic Black with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder).  

Punch banner corners on some of the sentiment pieces (using the corner of a 1” Square Punch) and layer onto Basic Black or Real Red.  Adhere at an angle either at the top or bottom of the focal image. On one of the sentiment banners I used the Circle Punch to round the corners versus the banner points :-)

Add the 5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon bow, adhere to a Whisper White card base and you are finished!

   

Version with the Lacy Brocade Basic Black card front 

Stamp Sets:  My Digital Studio- Beautiful Season, More Merry Messages, Christmas Lodge

 Ink: Printer Ink- Black , Stampin’ 

Write Marker- Real Red

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Petals-A-Plenty and Lacy BrocadeTextured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Oval Framelits™, 2" and 2 1/2' Circle Punches (or use the Circle Cutter),  5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thanks for visiting!  Have a wonderful week and hopefully, I will be sharing more Christmas cards shortly (time is running out! :-))

Midnight Silver- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend-I know I enjoyed the extra time off from my accounting job :-) !!  I spent most of yesterday trying to catch up on one of the designs for my Christmas cards (will post this card tomorrow) but today, decided to create a fancy fold card for this week’s Hand StampedSentiments HSSTC145 Challenge along with the colors from this week’s DynamicDuos#30 Challenge (if you have not visited their sites yet, the samples at both are gorgeous)!

This card is a Clean and Simple (CAS) Gatefold Card (see the Splitcoaststampers’ Tutorial here- of course, I used my Simply Scored™ Tool).

Create the base for the Gate Fold card using Whisper White cardstock- use a scoring tool or bone folder.

Front view partially open 

With the Big Shot™ and the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, emboss a piece of Silver Metallic cardstock.  Adhere the embossed panels to the two front sides of the “gate” on the card base.

Stamp the sentiment and ornament using Midnight Muse Classic Ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  Cut the ornament using the Big Shot™ with the Holiday Ornaments Framelits™ Die and create a basic panel with the sentiment (mounted onto Midnight Muse cardstock).  

Adhere the ornament with Stampin’ Dimensionals onto the panel and mount the panel onto the left hand “gate” fold only. 

Another front view showing ornament & sentiment

Attach the 5/8” Whisper White Organza Ribbon bow and Rhinestones to finish off the outside of the card.  I  decorated the inside with a few stamps and layers - remember to leave room for personalizing :-)

Stamp Sets: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages, First Christmas (inside)

Ink: Midnight Muse

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Silver Metallic

A simple message inside 

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Holiday Ornaments Framelits™ Die, 5/8” Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Rhinestones

Thanks again for stopping by and if you have a chance, stop by tomorrow eve. to see the "hybrid" Christmas :-)).  I hope all of you have a marvelous Monday and God Bless!

PP122- Thanksgiving and Christmas- Two Cards for One Challenge!

Hi Stampers!  

                                                                                                             

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my U.S. friends!!   I hope all of you are having a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

This week the PP122 Challenge is a Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge using Silver or Gold so while I had the supplies out, I decided to create two cards- one for Thanksgiving and another for Christmas.

If you have not had a chance to check out The Paper Players site yet, I would recommend that you take a moment to do so.  Again, the Design Team has outdone themselves and the rest of the entries are gorgeous!! 

To create the Thanksgiving card:

With the Big Shot™ and the Holiday Frame Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder emboss a piece of Early Espresso Core’dinations cardstock (lightly sand the embossed image to show the lighter core of the paper).

De-static a piece of Naturals White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy® and stamp the images from Full of Blessings and French Foliage using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder and heat emboss with the Heat Tool.

Once cool, cut out the oval using the Big Shot™ with an Oval Framelits™ Die and fussy cut the leaves and create a banner with the sentiment (use the corner of the 1” Square Punch to create the banner points).  Mount the oval to the embossed panel using Stampin’ Dimensionals™ and arrange the leaves and banner sentiment attaching to the card with Mini Glue Dots.

Adhere the entire panel to the Naturals White card base to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Full of Blessings, French Foliage

 Ink: Versamark™

Paper:  Early Espresso Core’dinations, Naturals White

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Holiday Frame Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder, 1” Square Punch

To create the Christmas Blessings Card:

With the Big Shot™ and the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Use the narrow ornament from the Holiday Ornaments Framelit™ Die to cut a piece of More Mustard cardstock.  Adhere the white embossed background to a piece of More Mustard cardstock.

De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock and the More Mustard ornament with the Embossing Buddy®.  Ink the stamp image from Bells & Boughs , the sentiment from More Merry Messages and the Snowflake Party Builder Wheel using Versamark™ ink (I took the wheel apart and use it as a regular stamp).  Stamp the poinsettia image and the sentiment onto the Whisper White cardstock.  Stamp the Snowflake Party wheel across the ornament a few times.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder to all images and heat emboss with the Heat Tool.

Cut the poinsettia image out using the Big Shot™ and the round pointed ornament from the Holiday Ornament Framelits™ Die set.  Mount the More Mustard ornament first, then the white ornament to the Lacy Brocade embossed background.

Create the banner using the corners of the 1” Square Punch and adhere to the bottom of the card.

Add the Satin Ribbon Bow and pearls to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Bells & Boughs, More Merry Messages, Snowflake Party Builder Wheel

 Ink: Versamark™

Paper:  More Mustard, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder, 1” Square Punch. Pearls, 1 ¼” Gold Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Again, Clean and Simple (CAS) style does not come easy to me and I so admire those who can create the CAS masterpieces that I see everywhere but this is my version of CAS.

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving and weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hi Stampers!!

I will be posting a few cards later today (sneak peek above) but wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!  

I hope all of you have a blessed, safe Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends!  We have so much to be thankful for and I personally am blessed each time you visit :-) 

Thanks again for your friendship and taking the time to stop by- God Bless!

A Christmas Quilt- Four Punches, Two Embossing Folders and a Whole Lot of Fun!

Hi Stampers!

I have had quite a few busy weeks with swap cards and a quilt card class but I wanted to take the time to create a card using the Dynamic Duos #28 Color Challenge and the SplitcoastStampers SC409 Sketch.  Again, if you have not been directed here from either of those sites, I hope you will take some time to check out the Design Team samples as well as the other entries/gallery- what a wonderful example of how two colors can be used in so many ways not to mention the multiple interpretations of the sketch!

To create this card:

Using the 1 ¼” Square Punch, I used squares from Cherry Cobbler cardstock, Sahara Sand DSP and retired Christmas DSP to create my paper quilt.

Once you layer the squares (cut into triangles) and create your quilt pattern, ink the interior of the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder with Sahara Sand Classic Ink and emboss with the Big Shot™.  Layer the paper quilt onto Cherry Cobbler cardstock and Sahara Sand (alternating layers ending with Cherry Cobbler). 

Ink the interior of the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder again with Sahara Sand and emboss a piece of Sahara Sand DSP. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Large Scallop Edgelit™ Die and cut a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock.  Ink the interior of the Delicate Designs Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder (Lace) and emboss the scalloped piece of Sahara Sand.

Adhere this panel to the embossed Sahara Sand DSP, add the ½” Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding. 

Add the mounted circle of DSP and sentiment to the paper quilt, add the ½” Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding triple bow and adhere to the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Stamp Sets: Bells & Boughs

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand , Sahara Sand DSP, retired Christmas DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade and Delicate Designs (Lace) Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Large Scallop Edgelits™ Die, Punches- 1 ¼” Square, 1 ¼” Circle, 1 3/8” Circle, XL Oval, ½” Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Pearls

Once I chose the design for the paper quilt, this card was fairly quick and easy to create. I may choose to add an Antique Brad and additional "antiquing"/sponging on those that will be hand delivered but this card should be fairly postage friendly :-).

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a wonderful week and find some time to relax and create!

Joyful Hearts Meeting- Nov 2012

Hi Stampers!               

                                                                                                

Between the hurricane, internet and power outages and work, I have been busy creating my 26 swap cards for our quarterly Joyful Hearts demonstrator meeting that my lovely upline, Cindy Fodor held today.  She is just the best upline possible and this meeting included her family serving us a wonderful dinner (turkey, beef, veggies, desserts-all of the food was fabulous and so fresh since it is from their farm)!!  Thank you Cindy and family for such a grand evening of fun!!

This card is fairly simple to create:

Stamp the Ex Libris background stamp using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Color the flowers, vines and borders with the Aqua Painter using More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Bravo Burgundy Classic Ink (be careful not to use too much water or the Early Espresso ink may run).

Stamp the medium flower image from Everything Eleanor using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Again, using the Aqua Painter, watercolor with More Mustard and Bravo Burgundy ink- once dry, add a second layer of ink on some of the areas for dimension.

On Very Vanilla cardstock, stamp the sentiment (with Early Espresso Classic Ink). Cut out the sentiment using the Big Shot™ with the Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Die- lightly sponge the edges with Crumb Cake ink and use the Color Spritzer Tool with the Stampin’ Up! Crumb Cake marker to add additional distressing.

Close-up of Watercolor Background 

Also with the Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Die and the Big Shot™, cut the label from Bravo Burgundy cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the watercolored Ex Libris background panel as well as the Bravo Burgundy label die cut.

Assemble the background panel onto Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke cardstock.  Add the embossed label and stamped sentiment along with the flowers along the side.

Attach the ½” Always Artichoke Seam Binding double bow and pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Ex Libris, Everything Eleanor, Blessings from Heaven

 Ink: Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Crumb Cake, Stampin’ Up! Crumb Cake marker  

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits™ , Aqua Painter, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, ½” Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by!!  I had a great time making this card for all of my fellow demonstrator “friends” that truly bless my life!

I hope all of you are doing well and have a wonderful week creating and stamping!