Here is a really cute stamp set from Stampin' Up! called

 "No Peeking"! 

Here is the card I made with this set at Maria's stamp event in November...

Very sweet isn't it?  And I like the style of the greeting - so I think a child would LOVE a card like this!

But after searching the internet, I could see that crafters are having a field day with this stamp set - there were so many great projects out there - whew! Fabby stuff!

Here's a few that grabbed me from talented Stampin' Up Demos like

 Andi Potler and Sandi MacIver's tags to Connie Tumm's and Carrie's {Carrie Stamps} cards!  

Click on their names to visit their respective blogs!

...tags galore!!! Excellent!

...just awwww! 

...great for twins!

... love the colours and layout!

This is what I luv-luv to see with a stamp set - real versatility and imaginative possibilities! 

Stampin' Up! No Peeking Stamp Set

wood mount #126290 $29.95 CDN

clear mount # 126292 $21.95 CDN

Now GO craft!  

*

  

 Just one of the many cards we created. 

This features SU!'s new Snow Flurry Bigz Die

*Hellooooo!

Boy am I tired - but happy!!!   I now have several really nice HOLIDAY CARDS ready to go and I didn't even have to think them up!  Thanks to Maria's 2nd Annual Holiday Craft Event in Peterborough!  Yessiree...I attended as a guest and had a fab time - THANKS MARIA!!!

Keep your eye out for Maria's event next year if you're in her area [Kawartha Lakes] and you'll have a lovely time and come away with great cards!  And maybe win some prizes!

We also had a pot-luck lunch since it was an all-day event and I enjoyed all the nice dishes the women brought, and I enjoyed meeting them as well - very nice ladies who all made the event feel cozy and friendly!   

Maria and her friend Jane keep well-organized and help you when you need it, and Maria brings along some nice items to purchase {bring along a little spending money! its worth it :) }.....Jane has a little funny streak and made me laugh a few times!!!  We especially had a little fun at Maria's expense because Maria has the most worn-out stamp scrubber we've ever seen!  Maria - it's time to pony up, lol!  Maria's a good sport - she has to be to put up with us...."Maria?".... every few minutes, ha ha.  
 **
VISIT Maria's blog  " CRAFTY MARIA'S STAMPING WORLD" for more great ideas. 

All the supplies can be found in Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Catalogue :)  

 Here are more of the very lovely selection of cards we made....lots of layers, fun punches and accents to add....and the day just swam by we were so absorbed by the process!  

Looking forward to next year Maria!
** 

CHRISTMAS  BOTTLE  TAGS

TUTORIAL

Here is one of the items which sold out fast at the craft fair I participated in Nov 10 [see earlier post].

I was told by my friend Maria, a fab crafter in her own right, to do these but I didn't really think I needed to make that many - boy was I wrong!

The nice thing is you can put these on WINE or WATER BOTTLES, and I think on any present which they could slip on to....maybe bubble bath bottle. right? 

They are super easy to make - I used the following:

Stampin' Up! Punches

 2.5 inch Circle Punch

1. 3/4 inch Circle Punch

Holiday Stocking Punch 

Scallop Border Punch

Corner Punch or Small Circle Punch

Small Oval Punch {optional}

Cardstock in minimum of 2 colours for tag

Cardstock scraps for stockings  

Glitter Cardstock for accents  {optional}

To: and From: rubberstamps {optional}

Instructions 

[using cardstock of choice] 

TOP OF TAG 

1)  Punch a 1. 3/4 inch Circle from cardstock 

2)  Position 2.5 inch Circle Punch around the negative circle space

created from step 1, and punch. You should now have a cardstock "ring". 

This is the ring that will be at the top of the tag. 

3) Create a  rectangle from cardstock - about 3 x 5 inches. 

4)  Place the 1-3/4 Circle Punch in half-way of the top edge, punch.

5) Glue your ' RING' to the top - matching the circle inside edge to 

the newly created half-circle top edge of tag. 

Trim the cardstock from  outside the ring using a Corner Punch to create corners at top.

This helps to create the top of the tag's neck.

6) At this point, I lightly score a line across the top of the tag, on either side of the ring - just so it bends a little when draped over a bottle neck.

BASE OF TAG

7) Decorate the base of your tag! 

I used the Holiday Stocking Punch from Stampin' Up! (2011 Holiday Mini) 

and created all sorts of stocking pairs - which parts I mixed up in a

pleasing fashion.  If I add a mix of glitter or shine or velvet cardstock - it really 

makes those stockings pop!

8) Trim the length of your tag if you need to, and add a nice border accent

near the bottom. I often used the Scallop Border Punch for this, but I also

used just strips of scrap cardstock.

OPTIONS

Emboss the cardstock for the Tag base,

Sponge ink over edges, 

Sprinkle glitter over tag as accent,

Add embellishments: buttons, brads, ribbon, etc. 

BACK OF TAG

8) I added two small oval tags {used Small Oval Punch} in vanilla cardstock, and stamped

To: on one oval, and From: on the other oval.  Tied them loosely together with baker's twine, and 

glued them to the back.  You can decorate the back of the tag more but its most likely not needed.

VOILA - DONE!

This sounds more than it really takes to make these - you can get in the swing of things and 

make several of these in a session! Get some cocoa and brownies together with friends or family and have a yummy TAG-MAKING TIME! 

This dollar-store clock was altered with a few of Stampin' Up! punches and Designer Papers and of course, some gems to add some cheery zing to the kitchen!  It's easy to do - all you need is to pop off the back of the clock {usually all you need is a screwdriver} and then its up to you how you want to decorate!!!

I used a lot of circle punches, Ornament and Bird Builder punches. Then a die strip called Northern Frost to make snowflakes [actually every year I make a whole carton of snowflakes so I can grab them when I need 'em!]  I also hot glued a string of cheap christmas pearl trim around the edge {as long as the cover goes back on - throw on the embellishments!}.plus buttons..and topped it all off with a healthy dose of glitter sprinkled everywhere!  

Here it is in the kitchen!  I am not afraid to use it as it didn't cost much to make but what's important is the it brings back good memories every year when I will glance at it :) 

MERRY CHRISTMAS BOUQUET - Beautiful !

One of our perks as Demos is to receive inspiration from a monthly magazine Stampin' Success which contains awesome projects like this gorgeous PAPER FLORAL BOUQUET in a BOX!!!  

YOU CAN MAKE THIS TOO!

Yes, seriously, you can!  I can!  We all can!

Purchase the list of products and you could make this in time to present to so many awesome people in your life - and ...

it's never gonna fade away! 

ok only if they leave it in a window forever, lol! ...but this is a beautiful reminder of your affection and its a real conversation piece, so your intended will enjoy relating to others how you made it which will bring more joy to them...

so it keeps on giving! 

GET STARTED! Hopefully you have some items in your possession or can borrow some BUT order supplies today and you will have many projects waiting for you to create! Let's Go!

Stamps Christmas Greetings Set, Gifts of Christmas SetPaper - Cardstock Garden Green, Old Olive, Real Red, Soft  Suede and Whisper White Ink Classic Stampin' Pads: Old Olive, Real Red;  and Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker; and Stampin' Pastels Accessories & Tools Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Rhinestone Basic Jewels Stampin' Dimensionals, Color Spritzer Tool,  PUNCHES: Boho Blossoms, Dotted Scallop Ribbon, Extra-Large Tag and Lace Ribbon, 1-1/4" Circle, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack BIG SHOT and DIES: Flower, Daisies #2 Bigz Die, Island Floral Bigz Die Sponge Daubers Floral wire Hot glue gun Pinecones Silver ornaments

Instructions

To decorate box: 

1. Punch border from Whisper White Card Stock using Lace Ribbon Punch and adhere to box. Wrap Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon around box and adhere. Wrap Linen Thread around box and adhere.
2. Stamp flower image in Old Olive ink on Whisper White Card Stock. Stamp sentiment over flower in Real Red ink. Punch tag from stamped card stock using Extra-Large Tag Punch.
3. Adhere tag to Old Olive Card Stock and cut out.
4. Punch border from Real Red Card Stock using Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch. Trim scallop border and adhere to tag. Adhere Rhinestone Basic Jewels to tag.
5. Tie Linen Thread in a bow and adhere to tag.
6. Punch flower from Real Red Card Stock using Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Adhere rhinestone to flower and adhere to tag. Adhere tag to box using Stampin' Dimensionals.

To create Whisper White flowers

1. Cut flower petals from Whisper White Card Stock using Big Shot and Island Floral Bigz Die. Layer two sets of petals. Sponge Stampin' Pastels on flower center using Sponge Daubers.
2. Spritz flower using Color Spritzer Tool and Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker.
3. Cut strip of Whisper White Card Stock. Snip card stock every 1/16" and roll into a cylinder. Sponge Stampin' Pastels on snipped card stock. Adhere to center of flower, standing straight up.
4. Attach flower to floral wire.

To create Real Red/Soft Suede flowers

1. Cut several layers of flowers from Real Red Card Stock using Big Shot and Flower, Daisies #2 Bigz Die.
2. Punch a circle from Real Red Card Stock using 1-1/4" Circle Punch. Adhere circle over hole in one flower. Lay flower flat.
3. Curl petals on remaining flowers and fold in half. Adhere folded flowers around center of flat flower, slightly overlapping. 
4. Snip Soft Suede Card Stock every 1/16" and roll into a cylinder. Adhere to center of Real Red flower.
5. Attach flower to floral wire.

To create Old Olive/Whisper White flowers

1. Cut flowers from Old Olive Card Stock using Big Shot and Island Floral Bigz Die. Cut one petal from smallest flower and fold the rest of the flower to three petals.
2. Punch flower from Whisper White Card Stock using Boho Blossoms Punch. Scrunch flower and adhere to center of Old Olive flower.
3. Attach flower to floral wire.

To create Real Red flowers

1. Cut flowers from Real Red Card Stock using Big Shot and Island Floral Bigz Die. Layer flowers, removing petals from some layers. Curl petals downward.
2. Fold and distress small piece of card stock and adhere to center of flower.
3. Attach flower to floral wire.

Additional pieces

1. Cut thin strips of Garden Green Card Stock and attach to floral wire.
2. Attach ornaments to floral wire.
3. Attach pinecones to floral wire.
4. Arrange flowers and additional pieces in floral arrangement.

IF YOU REQUIRE ANY HELP - ANY AT ALL - PLEASE CONTACT ME!

NOT EVERYTHING IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS HOBBY - AND WE LOVE TO SHARE, SO PLEASE ASK ANYTHING!!!

IF YOU NEED TO PURCHASE SUPPLIES - PLEASE CONTACT ME AS i AM ONLY TOO HAPPY TO HELP!  

THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

* Hello! *

I am continuing my trip through my archives today!  I now have a hurt right hand to add to my lost camera cord as another reason why I can't post new projects - I can't "make" any - honestly, some weeks!

So I found these two favourites using our ORNAMENT and SCALLOPED OVAL PUNCHES!

I remember the favourable results I got when I posted these on Splitcoast Stampers - so there you go, lol!

The one difference between the two is that I sponged WHITE CRAFT INK over the design of the top card to achieve that soft, almost frosted look!  I love it! 

The background stamp is from our BAROQUE MOTIFS stamp set - a must have stamp set in my humble opinion.....if only for that flourish alone! 

So please try this design - if you'd like to order both or one of the aforementioned punches - please let me know, I will be glad to help. 

Now that we snipped and glued our way through Christmas - its time to think about scrapbooking some of those pictures!  DO IT NOW - at least 2 pages!!!!   If we put them in a box - ya' know what happens, they will sit there ad infinitum!

But - if you are like me, you purchased papers and accumulated a ton of scraps. I throw the scraps into a bin on the floor to save time. and so looking at it the other day and finding some old 'purchased' (gasp!) cards, I put two + two together and decided to do this......

and close up.....

And...I like it!  Its bright and cheery - just what I wanted.  I have to make some choices as to how I will use it, but that will come a little later. The feeling of satisfaction I achieved was that I recycled, and I managed to use up more of the pricier papers....and if you have read my earlier posts, you know its important to me to use up what I have because, after all, we pay for it with our hard-earned money!  

Now, I had one lady at a party recently comment - why would I create a page, isn't that why I purchase pre-designed paper for?  And yes, it is. But. If you have a quiet time, want to create something so unique that NO-ONE else is going to have in their albums - then I say, have fun and try this!  

TIP - I used white glue to assemble this, plain white glue and a glue stick and a slick surface ( two separate sheets of those annoying large,glossy, real estate advertising  that shows up every other week!) - and so, after you are done, position the paper between something flat and heavy to weigh down the paper to create flatness. I say that because the paper does buckle a bit from the water in the glue. This method is too much to use up expensive tape adhesive! Just sayin'! 

MORE OPTIONS Another cool thing you can do - is SCAN this and make a pdf. file!  Your own "digital design"....that is probably what I will do next. Then you can download and print your design and create other things such as tags, book covers or even wrappers for crackers, wall decor projects....lots of ways to use this. 

OK I will be back soon with some more scrapbook ideas for your holiday pics!

Bye for now!

xx

Happy Holidays!

We're still in a festive mood around here...but a more "relaxed" affair, thank goodness!  I hope that for those of you who celebrate the Christmas Day on the 25th, that you have had an excellent one - and for those who have Christmas still to come - I also wish great tidings for you!

However, today I was looking through my collection of  recent photos and thought to share this card I made for a lucky couple who travel a great deal, Eileen and Peter!  Thinking about the sunny surroundings one must enjoy if you were to celebrate Christmas far away from our frigid weather[emm-hmm!], I thought these two happy penguins reflected that!  Aren't they fun or what!

So if you have friends or family who will enjoy a family holiday this year or one year in the future - maybe make them a vacationers Christmas card!  As far as that goes, take any stamp and put a Christmas theme to it by merely adding those symbols of the holidays - a Santa hat, a Christmas tree, decorations, etc. - and you'll see that it will all come merrily together!

Time to trim the tree! Do you like decorations - of course you do! Care to make some......sure, the easy way!

Well one of the more 'fun' things to do in rubberstamping is when you work with a stamp set that allows you to a) stamp 2 parts to make a 'whole'  and  b) to interchange the design!

TREE TRIMMINGS is one of those stamp sets!  You'll see it on page 44 of our main Canadian catalogue, IDEA BOOK & CATALOGUE in the 'Holidays' section.

I like stamping the ribbon stamp and then stamp any of the 3 decorations I choose to use beneath it - it's fun!!

We made these cards at one of our demonstrator get-togethers and used the colours which match the holiday paper " A Cute Christmas" featured in our Holiday Mini Catalogue - see that striped cardstock - it goes with soooooo much!!!
 Pretty in Pink was always one of my fav combos with Real Red!  Adding Baja Breeze (a muted blue) is then triple-delish! Besides against Whisper White - it all pops beautifully. The stripes in the designer cardtock is excellent at adding just the right amount of co-ordination as it ties everything together - in patterns and colours! Then punch a trim using one of Stampin' Up!'s border punches - shown here is our EYELET BORDER punch which also matches nicely with the decoration's patterns.  So with a few steps you could have a multitude of Christmas cards on there way - all handmade - by you!

CLICK ON IMAGES

STAMPIN' UP SUPPLIES:  Tree Trimming Stamp Set #116722 $17.95    Eyelet Border Punch # 119853 

$22.95 

Cardstock and Inks in Real Red #102482, 103133), Baja Breeze (#111352, 111833) and Pretty in Pink (100459, 101301) {example: 8 1/2 x 11 inch cardstock Pretty in Pink $8.50 and Classic ink pad $ 7.25} 

Snail Adhesive (acid-free roller tape) # 104332 $9.75 

CONTACT ME to place your order or to inquire about purchasing supplies as a gift! 

xx

Beverly

Hellooooo.....back to my blogging at last!  I've been hectic-smectic -  as I am sure "we all are" but tonight I am cleaning, watching Turner Classic and catching up on small projects, just need some chocolate an' I'm all snuggly-wuggly, lol!

Here is another card I created not long ago.....its one of those with extra-love, so it would go to someone close and personal, like a family member or best friend.

What I did which I liked especially here is I made my snowman a hat!  Just scrap felt and some crochet thread, and a little glitter glue!  I also used the scrap of the hat even - to add as snow in one corner.  May as well use up everything!

I used our Stampin' Up!'s AQUA PAINT BRUSH to watercolour him using our STAMPIN' CHALKS....they work just fine as if they were watercolour paints. Of course, the paint brush with the water in its handle and the slick nylon brush make it easy.  A wee "squeeze" of the handle brings a drop(s) of water to the brush and smoosh brush tip in the chalk tablet colour of choice; brush on paper.

Applying colour:... apply a bit more water or more colour to get the effect you want.  Move along so as to not over-water the paper or it will tear, but you will pick up on that by "practicing"  first on a scrap of paper! Just like painting, you can come back after drying to apply more colour. It's not complicated - choose two colours and blend. Pretty easy!

THIS is also why quality paper like Stampin' Up! cardstock WHISPER WHITE works!  Try a lesser brand of paper and you'd not get the nice colours or it would far easily tear.{ Whisper White has a semi-gloss top coat.}

OK!  You can see what I have done I think!  It's a card you add as much embellishments as your heart desires!  I love those kinds of cards!

Bye for now!

Beverly

Stampin' Up! Supplies:  Aqua Paint Brush;  Chalks; Whisper White, Bashful Blue and Night of Navy Cardstock.  Ready, Set, Snow rubber stamp.

I created a Holiday 'WOW' Card Swap on Love is in the Details forum, and so here is what I considered to be my 'WOW' style!  I love birds and the bird cage is the icing on the cake!

I also just purchased a new wheel stamp which creates Music Notes - and I have been just dyin' to get something like that, so I used it to create the crimped paper along the bottom.

Here they are all together!  I have to make another for myself -  I always keep a sample one so I can include it with the cards I will receive from the others in the swap.  Don't they look pretty together?

Here is the crimped paper 'ribbon' I created using our new Music Notes wheel - I squished the ends up into a partial 'fan' at one end and embellished with a snowflake, and the other end was cropped with our Scallop Border Trim punch.   

I will come back [dead tired today from yesterday's craft fair!]...and provide more details on making this card ! :)   Now I am off soon to take my dog to have his Santa picture at the mall - they allow dogs and I guess pets, to come after the mall hours tonight - last chance, so I better go groom him a bit!

Bye!

Hi everybody!

I am still working on my craft fair makes today - but I have time to share a quick post!

Some of us need teacher's or student cards - and I have here one I made the other day which is suitable for the elementary level of school ......

I found this Santa Head die at a sale - it used to belong to Jenni from Scrapbooking by Design - whose store has sadly shut down (but not their online store!)...and it was very well used, but that says a lot for Sizzix dies, because its perfectly functional!  I don't know if many of you out there have the original Sizzix's, but this one is red. I only normally know the ones I sell from Stampin' Up! which come in grey. 

Anyways, my point is that I ran Santa through my BIG SHOT and then I was sort of under-whelmed!  Yeah, I was....mmmm, not so much!  But then - I went to work on it!  I did the following....

SANTA

His HAT...

- coloured with chalk in REAL RED and glittered his hat with red glitter. 

 - the hat's trim was covered thickly with big chunky white glitter with a dash of STAMPIN UP 's GLASS GLITTER in SILVER.  I like the two glitters together!   

His BEARD...

- i) ran a piece of WHISPER WHITE paper first through an EMBOSSING FOLDER;

- ii) ran embossed paper back through with the SANTA HEAD DIE  to create a separate beard and TWO moustaches (add a second piece of scrap paper over moustache area to get 2 pieces).

- glittered the edges all around both pieces - very thickly to get a real sparkle!  

- paper pieced the white beard over his face and mounted the second moustache over Santa's face's first moustache with some foam mounts.

His FACE...

- cut and mounted a set of eyebrows in the Whisper White.

- coloured his face with chalks, blushed his cheeks, etc. 

.....................and all of a sudden, SANTA LOOKED GREAT!!!  So a boost was all the die needed IMO. 

The CARD

Card Base =  measures 5-1/2 x 7inches,  Top Fold, Pacific Point cardstock.

Top Layer Mat - cut and emboss a Whisper White cardstock, 5 x 6-1/2 inches and set aside. 

The PENCIL + TOP WHITE MAT

- using a new wood pencil - or a used wood pencil still with a very nice erasure - shave down the size of the pencil to within the size of the card's top layer mat. 

- cut a "thin strip of blue paper ribbon " about 4 inches long and cut the ends in a pleasing fashion;  roll tightly around the pencil and secure the two sections together with a small brad and place and push through the white top mat cardstock which was set aside,...

- now attach the white mat/pencil to the card's front, centering. 

FINAL STEPS

- layer a strip of Decorative Paper cardstock to the white mat, at about 2/3 rds down the front mat. I used red striped from our STAMPIN' UP'S CUTE CHRISTMAS DESIGNER PAPER

- create and mat some small sections of cardstock to create a background frame for a letter 'A' or 'A+' and attach to the right end of the decorative strip.

- attach SANTA with foam mounts (Stampin' Up's Stampin" Dimensionals)

AS A FUN THING for a young person....I used our JEWELLERY TAG PUNCH to make a little more of a statement on the back of the card, you know, we usually stamp "hand-made by....so'n'so", right?  Well, I thought IF you are a little person giving this to your teacher, wouldn't it be nice to acknowledge their action of choosing the card?  I thought a very young student would love this part, as they can 'write' their name down on the last tag which is why I left it empty!  

                                                                                 [giver can 'sign' back of card]

ok - so much for a quick post, lol! 

Hope you enjoyed this! Ta!

PS - if anyone wants a die cut of this Santa Head - just email me! 

Hi everyone,

I thought I might show off some of my 'reindeer' cards!  I have a few stamps involving reindeer as a new one comes along every year for my collection...and the one constant that I like, is their antlers!  Reindeers also are a wonderful way to introduce the colour brown into the mix!

So here are a few of my examples:

This card (above) is one where I made - yes, MADE my own stamp - the birch bark trees!  I merely drew two styles of tree trunks on a double thickness of foam [like the kind in kids crafts], CUT them out...applied some repositionable glue to one side of each, and then stamped with them like I would with any other stamp!
Foam actually works pretty good - it has a nice smooth yet absorbant surface for the ink and transfers the ink to your paper or fabric, etc. very well too!   Reason I made one is that I did not have a tree trunk like I envisioned for this card.
After stamping the trees in WHITE CRAFT INK, I stamped my 2 different stamps of reindeer onto a separate paper and cut them out using good, sharp scissors like our Stampin' Up! Craft Scissors.

The dark, smaller deer in the back represents the 'Doe' and I cut her 'antlers' off.  I also "cut" her in half, removing a tiny piece out of the middle section, and then placed the two remaining sections on either side of a tree trunk - so she appears to be "behind" a tree in the background. { {TIP: you need to cut a piece of the mid section out or else, just separating the two parts on either side of the tree would appear visually incorrect}.

The 'Stag' was cut with his antlers off too, but this time I "stamped" his antlers onto the card front, then using dimensional foam dots, and aligned him with his stamped antlers - but not before adding a 'wreath' around his neck! [same thing - stamp and cut out a wreath]....

So I really, really like the results!  I may do some more additions to this card - perhaps an accent to make it pop even more - like some glitter snow!!!

Now here are a pair of cards my daughter and I made.  I think its a very nice card considering you use only the natural paper and shades of brown! But it is the "variety" of browns and natural whites that works!!!  And of course, that is our wide striped grosgrain ribbon from Stampin' Up! that everyone loves - so that really helps [they have many colour choices too!]. You could add an nice antique brad accent or even a hint of  '   red ' to adorn these cards further.  Also - its just one rubberstamp of one deer - which we stamped 3 times in a row!  

This would also make a nice card for a Grandfather, Father, Son,....you know how we dwell on finding males a card!  LOL! 

Last but not least.....I DREW a card!   Yes I did!  I realized that I have not been 'artistic' enough lately - it is my first calling after all!  I went through years and years of fine art in school, art history in university and finally trained as an Art Conservator - - and I have drawn and painted for all of my life, and yet rubberstamping has taken over!  So, I must of been feeling nostalgic, and so I made a S-I-M-P-L-E  DRAWING!

I made a tiny sketch of a tree, and used circles as leaves. My "reindeer" is like the Scandinavian deers - very, very simple, like a 'stick' deer!  A bit of colour...but I wanted it to remain soft, so in no time, it was done!  The NATURAL cardstock from Stampin' Up! is also a big help to making the card feel hand-made. 

Well, I hoped you like my tour today - hopefully inspired you in more ways to be artful with your cards!

Beverly :)

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES = Cardstock, Markers, White Craft Ink, Classic (dye) Inks, Punches, Ribbon, Glue, Pop Dots & Dimensionals. 

That is exactly what I had with this tag.....amongst all the oodles of cards I am making for a craft fair coming up, I am taking breaks by making projects that use all kinds of different elements.  Sort of like a cardstock 'stew', lol.

                                                         Cute  Gift Tag or Notecard

TAG BASE
 1. First, I started with a small piece of cardstock of 3 x 6 inches, folded to create a square 3 x 3 inch tag.
2.  I layered a BAJA BREEZE cardstock square on top of the tag - I used my SCALLOP TRIM CORNER PUNCH to create the pretty corners!
3. To rev it up a bit, I glittered the bottom of the tag with some of Dazzling Diamonds.

TAG DECORATION

4. I stamped  my lil' WALRUS  on a punched out '1-3/4 in.' Circle  of Whisper White cardstock  - then while I "masked" him, I stamped the background with a snowflake stamp from JOLLY OLD ST NICK set.

5. Next I placed the stamped circle onto a larger green circle, and and transformed it into an ORNAMENT by adding a 'christmas bell' stamped and cut from my JOLLY BINGO BITS stamp set.

Accents.....Putting it together......

6. Using the same stamp set, JOLLY BINGO BITS, I stamped out the cute pair of mitts!  I use these as small accents.

7. I mounted the newly created 'ORNAMENT' onto the prepared whisper white cardstock with mounting squares, and now tucked the little mitts below.....to the top, I.added some twist of white ribbon - looks good!
8.  To finish, I cut a beautiful SNOWFLAKE from our new NORTHERN FROST DECORATIVE STRIP  ( tabletop die-cutting machines)and WHISPER WHITE cardstock which has its own lovely sheen......now it looks balanced!
9.  But the WALRUS needs a little something.....a gift!  {Cut one from Candy Cane decorative paper.}

Isn't this an adorable GIFT TAG or NOTECARD?  I think it came out AWESOME!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Beverly

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS TAG - YOU'LL NEED....

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES :
Tools:
Scallop Trim Corner Punch, 118870
Big Shot Tabletop Die-Cutting Machine, 113439
Northern Frost Decorative Strip, 120901
Stamp sets:
 Jolly Bingo Bits, 121187 clear/ 120857 wood mount
Jolly Old St. Nick, 121321
Walrus - from Cold and Cuddly,
Paper:
Candy Cane Specialty Designer Series Paper, 120809
Real Red, 102482
Baja Breeze, 111352
Whisper White, 100730
Other:
Dazzling Diamonds Glitter,102023
Whisper White Organza Ribbon, 114319

 I haven't even begun to run out of ideas to do with my stamp set, A CUTE CHRISTMAS. This stamp set is endless!  No wonder because it has 'everything" ....stockings, mitts, trees, ornaments, etc.  STAMPIN' UP! has made it one of their two featured holiday themes. So there are lots of materials that are designed to work together.

                                                                   Happy Holidays

This card is featuring TREES and the fun you can have colouring it with your markers or chalks.  It's a simple way to co-ordinate a small piece of the lovely CANDY CANE designer papers with your cardstock and  stamped image.

I am still playing with buttons - see the little one in the upper corner?  Because its a small button - I decided it could have more presence with a backing of a small cardstock scalloped 'button'.

With lots going on with the trees, I made my HAPPY HOLIDAYS GREETING...go subtle with a monochromatic look - blue ink on blue paper.  I think it looks smart!

All mounted onto a backing of embossed Whisper White cardstock - using our Swiss dots texturizing folder, "Perfect Polka Dots" !  Then a card base of Real Red to really pop!

Try it yourself!
Ok, off to do more!
xx Beverly


 One TIP: when purchasing your INK Pads from STAMPIN' UP! - do as I do, and purchase a co-ordinating MARKER - it really ties your project together!   Also buying my chalks was a brilliant start to my hobby - it also allows me great co-ordination for the papers, and ribbons, etc. that I purchase from SU!

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES
Candy Cane Designer Series Paper; Real Red and Whisper White cardstock;
A Cute Christmas  Stamp Set
Green Garden Stampin Write Marker
Baja Breeze Ink Pad
Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
Rhinestones
"Perfect Polka Dots" Textured Impressions Folder

COME AND ENJOY A CLASS AND MAKE YOUR OWN HOLIDAY CARDS THIS YEAR!

CONTACT ME IF YOU WISH TO ORDER THE SUPPLIES FOR THIS PROJECT.

Stampin' Up! has fabulous stamp sets for the holidays every year....its why I purchase so many sets!  I feel now as I did several years ago, that you CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY HOLIDAY STAMPS!!!
LOL!
 I am not blind to the fact that I spend and spend on cards - its my hobby as well!  So, if I were a golfer - I'd probably be buying golf equipment which conceivably could cost much more - so there, I have now justified my hobby in one stroke (no pun intended!).

So with my usual enthusiasm, I have purchased some very nifty stamp sets to add to my collection, and A CUTE CHRISTMAS is one of those excellent buys!   WHY you ask?  Well - it has so many components to the set! You have trees - you have a snowman!!  You have little ornaments and they come as a single stamp, or as a border stamp - and the same for the stockings and mitts!!!  You have a fun couple of greetings.....ITS A WONDERFUL and COMPLETE STAMP SET!

Now, having said that - I  designed this next card to emphasize the beautiful CANDY CANE Christmas paper collection.  Its such a pretty collection - whimsical with really pretty colour combinations.  Me?  I really love the simple stripe because it has  - gasp - s p a r k l e !   


BUT.....every card in my mind, needs its special 'star'.....and for me, I added a FELT ACCENT paired with a button. A simple technique that really POPS!
The felt was cut using my Big Shot and a SIZZLIT Die called 'Birds and Blooms ' - which has 4 separate dies included. I used the Button die which has a large and a small scalloped button on it.  This felt is made using the  larger button. The card I am showing after this post features the smaller button.

Here it is!

Please note, I used STAMPIN' UP!'S " BRIGHT CHRISTMAS" Holiday Greeting Set.

And as you know - I HAD TO ADD SOME BLING!  So I painted my ornaments and dazzled them with our DAZZLING DIAMONDS glitter (hard to photograph - but its there!)

Hope you like it!
xx
Beverly

....plus a whole lot of other things!!!  His everyone....I have been a bit quiet on my blog but not so in my craftin`room! I`ve been a busy gal by steadfastly making christmas card after christmas card!  Not too shabby either - unlike my usual rush at the last minute - this year I am determined to be waaaay ready!

So here is one card for you to see...I will post my details on how to make this card once I get back home later today........

It`s my Vintage inspired Santa Claus card!  Hope you like it!

TECHNIQUE

First off....get yourself set up for making cards for the holidays....its less hassle if you have a sort of `system`approach even if  it`s organized in a temporary fashion such as putting everything away in a large box or pretty basket when your finished for the day. Have a nice box to put the finished cards into (along with `co-ordinating stamped` envelopes! 

Here I have my table set up for making this particular card...and you can see that I made several of each part as I go along which helps in making `multiple`cards for each design. 

OK let`s make this card!

Take a piece of Whisper White cardstock layer, 3 x 5 inches. Begin by rolling a background distress look with our jumbo handle and the TEXTURE jumbo roller wheel in a soft neutral such as Soft Sky.  A little bit of red is nice too.   

Then using Stampin`Up!`s alphabet letters `m-e-r-r-y c-h-r-i-s-t-m-a-s`, stamp them in 3 or 4 complimentary colours (here is Real Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso & retired Purely Pomegranate)

and in a sort of random fashion ....altho I managed to spell `Merry` and `Christmas` was stamped around the edge.  Don`t worry over this point, as a lot of it gets covered, but it should suggest the familiar greeting.

Now...fill in the outer spaces with images from JOLLY BITS - any of the images will do. You can use SU! small `A` size CLEAR BLOCK with the stamps - its a cute block, tiny but worth it!

Stamp a greeting such as ``MERRY`` which is from one of our latest greeting sets, BRIGHT CHRISTMAS and cut closely around the edges of the word. Do as many as you need. 

I have picked up these wonderful tiny ornate ``frames`` and stamped a small `S` for Santa. I used a template to  cut around it without having to measure out the exact size each time! Once cut, place the cardstock inside the frame. Voila - a lovely monogram charm!

More embellishment - using some scrap VELLUM, and a SNOWFLAKE stamp in a tiny size, I grabbed some WHISPER WHITE CRAFT INK and proceeded to stamp a bunch of times to create...

....this!  Now I have a lovely winter theme paper to use for my next item - a metal tag!

Cut away the vellum snowflake print with a template and a hobby knife and using Memory Maker`s Tag Tool

....I have these tiny tags - are they not cute!

OK - we are nearing the end!  Make SANTA by using STAMPIN`UP!`S new stamp set, JOLLY OLD SAINT NICK and stamp on Naturals White cardstock.  I not only stamped his image, but I coloured the image with a soft inking around the edges and features  in our newest brown ink, EARLY ESPRESSO, using a sponge. Cut around him with CRAFT SCISSORS.

Colour Accents: his hat I coloured with a marker in RED RIDING HOOD, and accented it with some RED GLITTER. Using our chalks, I blushed his cheeks and mouth.  Now, doesn`t he just look ol`fashioned! 

Nice :)

Again - make as many as you need. 

ASSEMBLE the parts A and B

Top Layer Assemblage - A

.....i) our Christmas alphabet-stamped cardstock is cut on one edge with my notecard punch ....

ii) string the metal snowflake tag and the monogram charm with some thread and attach to the above alphabet background cardstock - just below the top edge and to the center...

iii) now layer our Santa head over the background alphabet cardstock; by slightly over the snowflake tag, but below the monogram charm  (see pic - click for close-up)....

iv) now layer the greeting word, `Merry` over top of Santa`s beard, slightly off-center to the right.

* use some small bits of glue to keep everything layered nicely

Set aside and prepare cardstock base.

Cardstock Base - B

v) taking a 4:1-4 x 5:1-2 inch (A2 sized ) cardbase in chocolate cardstock, Early Espresso - roll with ink using the same TEXTURE roller wheel for the distressed look and make the fold at the top.

vi)...now take the alphabet-Santa head-tag`n`charm assemblage and glue securely to the cardstock base.

Finished. Yeah!

Hope you give this a try.

STAMPIN` UP! SUPPLIES

INK: Basic Black, Real Red, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Soft Sky, Purely Pomegrante

* Craft Whisper White Ink ( 101731)

MARKERS: Red Riding Hood

STAMPIN PASTELS (chalks)

CARDSTOCK: Early Espresso, Naturals White, Whisper White

TOOLS

JUMBO WHEEL HANDLE, 102661

CLEAR BLOCKS: A, C, F

BONE FOLDER,102300

HOBBY KNIFE, 102449

CRAFT SCISSORS,103179

STAMPING SPONGES, 101610

* FEATURED STAMPS * 

 Holiday Mini Catalogue:

JOLLY BITS, 121187 clear stamps

JOLLY OLD SAINT NICK, 121321 clear stamps

BRIGHT CHRISTMAS, 121318 clear stamp greeting

2010 Idea Book and Cataloque 2011:

JUMBLE ALPHABET, 115199 clear stamps 

TEXTURE, Jumbo Wheel 116685 

* any small snowflake stamp from a set, (Jolly Bits, Serene Snowflakes, Snow Swirled, etc)