"Winter Post" Christmas

Hello again! I have been gone for awhile! I hope you missed me! LOL! It's good to go and it's good to be home again! We went to Branson, MO for a few days; it was cold but dry and lots of fun! We saw three shows: The Miracle of Christmas, Mark Lowrey, and The Twelve Irish Tenors. They were all very good but I think Mark Lowrey was my favorite. : ) We also got to shop and I finished all my major Christmas shopping except for my DH's! That was an unexpected bonus!

Enough of that...now, back to stamping!

I received this card in a swap but it doesn't have a name on the back, so if it is yours, let me know and I'll give you credit! I thought it was so pretty but I didn't have this set until just recently; it's a great set! I love the old fashioned skaters and word fonts used to give this set a vintage feel.

The card base is Brocade Blue layered with Pale Plum that is stamped with the snowflake in VersaMark ink. The ribbon is Brocade Blue 1/2" grosgrain. Beneath the ribbon the greeting from Heard from the Heart is stamped in Rich Razzleberry ink. I love that saying because Christmas is all about our hearts and the love of God brought to us through his Son Jesus.

The skaters image is stamped in Basic Gray on Natural White cardstock and colored. This is layered on a Scallop Circle die cut in Rich Razzleberry. The finishing embellishment is the snowflake stamped in Brocade Blue onto Naturals White cardstock and embellished with the 2 Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

The picture of all the stamps in the Winter Post set can be seen in a previous post here.

Thanks for dropping by today! Hope you're having a good weekend!

Margaret

It's a Razzleberry Christmas!

I've admired this Winter Post set ever since it came out; I finally have it! It not only makes beautiful Christmas cards and projects but can be used through out the winter for various occasions as well as scrapbooking! That snowflake is especially lovely.

This is a card I designed for a recent workshop quick and simple Make 'n Take project. The white snowflakes are stamped with White Craft Ink onto the Rich Razzleberry for a beautiful contrast. The skaters are stamped with Rich Razzleberry onto Kraft cardstock, the corners treated with the Ticket Corner Punch, then the edges shaded with Razzleberry ink using a Sponge Dauber. The Ticket Corner Punch was used on the white cardstock layer beneath that, as well as the Razzleberry snowflake layer. The base card itself is Kraft cardstock.

The lovely sentiment is from the Christmas Punch set. It was designed to fit the Wide Oval Punch, which I have used to punch it out.

The "airy-ness" (is that a word?) of the White Organza ribbon gives the finishing touch to the card.

I've only used two of the images from this set on my card. You can see the other wonderful images to the right. The "Dec. 25" image fits into the Designer Label Punch, and the reindeer will fit in several punches, including the Ornament punch! I'll have more cards to post with this set soon.

Stamps: Winter Post, Christmas Punch (Level 2 Hostess set)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry Classic, White Craft Ink
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Whisper White cardstock
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Sponge Dauber, White Organza Ribbon

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day here in the USA or wherever you live! Thanks for dropping by!

Margaret

Autumn Days Christmas Card

Yes, I know tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day; no, I'm not rushing the season! lol! This card is made using a stamp from the Autumn Days set; this set is even more versatile than you might think at first glance!

Among the nice images in the set is this lovely pine bough and pinecones stamp. It is inked up with Soft Suede and Old Olive markers before stamping on Very Vanilla cardstock. This is then punched out with the 1-1/4" Circle Punch and layered onto a 1-3/8" Circle punch of Old Olive cardstock. Square layers of vanilla, chocolate and olive cardstock form a nice backdrop for the image.

The card base is Old Olive layered with Chocolate Chip. A piece of Very Vanilla cardstock is placed about 2/3rds of the way into the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder and run through the Big Shot, leaving the bottom third plain. On this I stamped the nice-sized "Merry Christmas" from the All Holidays stamp set in Chocolate Chip ink.

A beautiful sash of the 1-1/4" wide Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon encircles the front layers of the card and is finished with a simple tie. The pinecone focal layers were added over the ribbon with Dimensionals.

I saw similar cards somewhere on the web but now I don't remember where. If it was yours, let me know and I'll gladly give you credit! Thanks for the inspiration! I love how this card turned out... plus it's another great use of the Autumn Days set! : )

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Margaret

Autumn Days III

While making sample cards with the Autumn Days set, I saw this design by Amy Celona and loved it... so I just had to "case" it! :) Hers was actually a stationery holder but I thought it would be great for a man's birthday card. Since I'm always needing those, I changed a couple of things and adapted it to a card.

The layout features three designs from the beautiful Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper and the pheasant from the Autumn Days stamp set. They are both just wonderful! Combine those with the circle and scallop circle die cuts from the Big Shot and dies, and you have a card that isn't hard to do but has lots of visual interest.

The pheasant was stamped with Soft Suede ink on Whisper White cardstock, cut out and added to the focal point with Dimensionals. The sharp little Paper Snips make cutting out images like the pheasant so easy... if you don't have a pair, you need them! : )

I loved Amy's original project and thank her for the inspiration! I appreciate those stampers who share so freely of their talent and creations.

Stamps: "Autumn Days"; "Teeny Tiny Wishes"; inside birthday greeting from "On Your Birthday" set
Ink: More Mustard, Soft Suede, Really Rust, Sage Shadow
Paper: Autumn Traditions DSP; More Mustard, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Whisper White cardstock
Accessories: 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot, Scallops #2 Die, Circles #2 Die, Stampin' Sponge, Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!

Margaret

Autumn Days II

Today's featured card is by Amy Watson and was received in an organized swap at the Stampin' Up! Convention. I love the rich autumn colors Amy used to reflect the season and get us in the mindset for Thanksgiving! I also got to meet Amy in person! Besides being a lovely person, she lives in the very same state I do!

I'm featuring the Autumn Days set again today; it is perfect for this time of year and makes such great cards for the men! Wouldn't this great for a person who enjoys bird hunting? The pheasant was inked in Crushed Curry then it looks like Amy used the "Rock 'n Roll" technique of adding an additional darker color to the stamp before putting it to the cardstock. This is usually done by "rolling" the edge of the rubberstamp around a darker color pad to get ink on the edges; another method is to use a stamping sponge or sponge dauber to add the color. Either way, it gives further dimension to the image when two colors are used.

For the colorful background layer, the leaf from the set was stamped in many fall-ish colors: Crushed Curry, More Mustard, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy and maybe another one or two (I don't have her recipe). At any rate, the colors are delicious! This as well as the other layers are placed on Baroque Burgundy cardstock to accent them. The base card of Crushed Curry was stamped very lightly with one of the plant stamps from the set to give a subtle background.

The sentiment is from the "Holiday Best" Level 1 Hostess set and punched out with the Large Oval Punch. Three Gold Brads are the finishing touch. All products are from Stampin' Up! and can be ordered through my Stampin' Up! website here or directly from me.

Thanks, Amy, for a lovely swap card, and so fitting for this season! I'll have some more cards with this set in upcoming posts.

Have a great day, everyone, and hope you have some fun stampin!

Margaret

Autumn Days and Autumn Traditions

As we wend our way toward winter and Christmas, I couldn't resist making a few more autumn cards. I love the warm rich colors of this time of year as well as the cooler temperatures.

I used my new Autumn Days set and the beautiful coordinating Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper for this card which was designed for a workshop make and take. The background of Sahara Sand was first stamped in Sahara Sand with one of the plant stamps then run through the Big Shot with the "Distressed" Texturz Plate to give it a subtle and interesting texture. (I love those Texturz plates and use them all the time!) A piece of the colorful stripe from Autumn Traditions DSP was then added down the left side before placing it on the Soft Suede card base.

Two of the plant stamps were stamped in Sahara Sand on the More Mustard cardstock then the pheasant was stamped in Soft Suede. A layer of Ruby Red was added before adhering this focal image to the card.

The final touch is the greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in Ruby Red, punched with the Word Window Punch then layered onto a Modern Label punch-out of Soft Suede. This made a quick and easy card for my workshop. Seems we can never have enough cards for the guys in our lives and this set lends itself perfectly for this purpose!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Ruby Red
Paper: Autumn Traditions DSP; Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, More Mustard, Ruby Red cardstock
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Texturz Plate Kit #4, Big Shot

You can order any of these items from my Stampin' Up! website here or contact me through that website to place an order with me personally.

Thanks for dropping by. You are always welcome here! Have a creative day!

Margaret

Mr. Turkey with Punches

This week's Blogger's Challenge (#125) is "Happy Fall!". For some time I've been wanting to make a turkey with punches that was in the October 2008 Stampin' Success, the idea and information magazine that Stampin Up! does for its demonstrators. This challenge was the perfect opportunity (excuse, lol!) to make this little guy on a fall card.

The card base is More Mustard with a layer of Ruby Red on that, then the Soft Suede which had been textured with the Big Shot and a Texturz Plate. Each of these layers has been treated with the Ticket Corner Punch. On the left side of the front, a piece of the striped Designer Paper is layered on Ruby Red cardstock and three Gold Brads are inserted at the top; Mr. Turkey was then added to the right side.

The Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel is rolled in Chocolate Chip and "Thankfulness" is cut out and layered onto a More Mustard cardstock strip. I shaped this with my fingers and attached it with Mini Glue Dots. A Ruby Red button was also added with a Glue Dot.

The punches used for the turkey are listed below.

Stamps: Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Gold Brads, Earth Elements button in Ruby Red (retired), Ticket Corner Punch, Pattern #2 Texturz Plate, Big Shot, Mini Glue Dots.
Punches: Scallop Circle Punch for feathers; 1-3/8" Circle for the body; 3/4" Circle for the head; two 1/4" Circles for buttons; 3/4" Square trimmed for hat; flowers from Boho Blossoms for feet; a petal from one of the Boho Blossoms for the beak; 1/8" circle (Crop-a-Dile) for the eyes.

The list of other Blogger's Challenge members is here. You can check them out to see what the other talented stampers made this week.

Thanks for visiting! I appreciate you coming by!

Margaret

Dasher in Bermuda Bay

Well, I'm a little behind; I've had so many things going on that I haven't had time to stamp or post! But I do have a new card today done for Technostamper's Weekly Challenge, TSSC95.

I'm using my Dasher stamp again today; this is only the second card I've done with it and I'm eager to make some more samples with it. I thought the sketch for this challenge would be great for featuring this beautiful stamp!

Dasher is stamped in Soft Suede onto Sahara Sand the layered only Whisper White. The Bermuda Bay background cardstock was run through the Big Shot with the Flourish Texturz Plate before layering on the Soft Suede card. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter was applied to the "antlers" of Dasher with the Glue Pen.

For the upper portion of the card, Glossy White cardstock was stamped in VersaMark with the snowflakes stamp from Christmas Punch, a Level 2 Hostess Set in the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up Catalog. This was then embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. Once cool, I brayered then sponged on Bermuda Bay Classic Ink. A piece of Whisper White scalloped cardstock was added to the bottom of this piece and then White Organza Ribbon was tied around it.

The Merry Christmas from Delightful Decorations was stamped in Bermuda Bay onto Whisper White, punched out with the 3/4" Circle Punch then layered onto a 1" Circle Punch out. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter was added to this also, for the finishing shimmer!

Here's the cool sketch Mary Jo had for us this week; thanks, MJ!

Stamps: Dasher, Delightful Decorations, Christmas Punch (Hostess Level 2)
Inks: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, VersaMark
Cardstock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede
Accessories: White Organza Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Brayer, Stampin' Sponge, Scallop Edge Punch, Big Shot, Flourish Texturz Plate, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Dimensionals.

Hope you are having a good week. Have some fun stampin'!

Margaret

Veterans Day Salute

To our courageous and faithful men and women who have served or currently serve in our armed forces, I salute your dedication and service. May you be held in highest regard. We thank you for your service.

For those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, may the memory of their selfless service and sacrifice always be a reminder to us that freedom is not a given, it must be won and protected.

To the families of those who have served and currently serve, thank you for your own sacrifice and service to our country.

You are all appreciated; we are grateful for you. May you be richly blessed. Thank you.

Dasher in Soft Suede

Dasher is such a beautiful stamp! I ordered it right away when I saw it in the new catalog! Seems I wasn't the only one as it is one of the best-selling Stampin' Up! stamps. Another really popular item is the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder; it gives such a luscious deep impression for stunning backgrounds.

For this card today Dasher is stamped in Soft Suede onto Sahara Sand cardstock; these two colors work together so well. Dazzlling Diamonds Glitter has been applied to Dasher's "antlers"; you can see it a little bit in the larger image. This is layered onto Soft Suede cardstock that has the bottom edge treated with the Scallop Edge Punch.

The card base is Soft Suede with a layer of Whisper White added on top. Then over that is a piece of Melon Mambo cardstock embossed with the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder run through the Big Shot die cut machine to give it a deep and gorgeous impression. Tip: Use Mini Glue Dots on the back of the embossed cardstock for good adherence to the other layer without smashing your embossing.

A Whisper White snowflake diecut with a Sizzlet has been sponged with Frost White Shimmer Mist; it is centered with a Silver Brad that has Dazzling Diamonds Glitter applied to make it sparkle!

Stamps: Dasher
Inks: Soft Suede
Paper: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Sahara Suede
Accessories: Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Snowflakes #2 Sizzlet set of 4, Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Silver Mini Brads, Glue Dots, Scallop Edge Punch.

This non-traditional colored Christmas card was an easy one to make but has lots of panache!

Thanks for visiting today.

Margaret

Autumn Splendor Leaves In Colors III

Here's another card I made from the sheet of Autumn Splendor leaves stamped with this year's In Colors from Stampin' Up! The layout is from this week's Technostamper's weekly sketch challenge.

On the Soft Suede card is layered a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock that has been treated with the Weave Texturz Plate and the Big Shot. The leaf-stamped layer is sponged with Soft Suede, distressed then layered on Crushed Curry. Underneath that is a layer of the beautiful Autumn Meadows Designer Paper layered onto Soft Suede cardstock. All the edges have been distressed with the Distresser Tool from the Cutter Kit.

The Thank You sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes was stamped in Soft Suede onto Very Vanilla cardstock, punched out with the Word Window Punch and layered onto a Modern Label Punch of Dusty Durango. Vintage Brads accent each end of the sentiment as well as the layer of Autumn Meadows Designer Paper.

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Background Basics
Inks: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango.
Paper: Autumn Meadows DSP; Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla.
Accessories: Vintage Brads, Big Shot, Weave Texturz Plate, Distresser Tool from Cutter Kit, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Blender Pen, Stampin' Sponge.

Here's the sketch for the Technostamper Challenge this week. You can see who else participated in the challenge this week right here. If you would like to participate, just make your card, upload it to an online blog or gallery and put a link on Technostamper's page.

Thanks for dropping by today! I hope you have a safe and creative week!

Margaret

Kind and Caring Thoughts Hostess Set

Kind and Caring Thoughts is a lovely Level 3 Hostess set and it caught my eye right away when the new catalog came out. It also has quite a good assortment of sentiment stamps in the set also! I was so happy to get this set myself!

Today I'm showcasing several swaps I received at the Stampin' Up! Convention in August that use this set. The first one is from Rhonda Glaze; it is so soft and pretty. She use Apricot Appeal ink for the flowers and Soft Suede ink for the sentiment. A band of Soft Suede Grosgrain Polka Dot Ribbon with a 5/16" white brad in the center encircles the top layers. The base card is Apricot Appeal cardstock that was folded and then die cut with the Scalloped Square Die and the Big Shot. This is such a soft and delicate card. So pretty!

The second card using this set goes a totally different way. Bold colored flowers of Rich Razzleberry and Dusty Durango combine with soft So Saffron flowers and a multicolored layout to make a festive birthday card. Three additional Rich Razzleberry flowers were stamped, cut out and showy Dazzling Diamonds glitter added then adhered over the same color flowers for a 3-D effect with lots of bling!

A card base of Rich Razzleberry is layered with So Saffron and Mellow Moss cardstock then tied with a Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, knotted in the center.

This is a card I received in our SSUS organized swap at convention from Nikki Bond from Georgia. It's so pretty! I love it Nikki, Thanks!

The third card with this set is from Mary Petzoldt; this was a convention swap also. Mary used Kind and Caring Thoughts, the sentiment from Refuge and Strength and the Sympathy stamp from Close as a Memory set. These stamps sure go together nicely!

The flower is stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock then covered with White Vellum which has been stamped with the verse in Black Stazon ink. This is layered on Pale Plum then Basic Black cardstock.

The Sympathy was stamped on Vanilla cardstock then layered on black cardstock also. Both were layered onto Rich Razzleberry then onto a black card.

These cards all use the very same flower stamp but each artist has achieved her own different look by using different colors, layouts and accessories. Isn't that the fun thing about stamping and papercrafting? Everyone creates their own look! How great is that!

Thanks for visiting! Have some fun stampin' when you can!

Margaret