May the Holiday Spirit Find a Home in Your Heart

Hello friends! It's December, it snowed the other day, and things are starting to feel festive! I mentioned in my last post that I was going to see The Nutcracker....it was absolutely magical and the perfect start to the Christmas season! I'm ready to feel all the holiday feelings that are so warm and wonderful!

My card for today evokes these same sentiments, so let's get started!

To begin, I cut the leaf background twice using the Cover Plate: Lush Foliage Die and then glued them together with liquid glue. Once that was done, I added New Leaf and Garden Green (SU!) ink over the top using blender brushes. My original idea was to layer this over plaid pattern paper, but instead, I created a stenciled panel. In the end, it's hard to see the stenciling, so if I did it over again, I'm not sure if I would do that again! ha ha!

I used the Holly Berries Stencil Collection on an A2 panel of Vellum White paper from Cardstock Warehouse (it is a very lightweight blush paper). I used the same colors as I did on the Cover Plate with the addition of Scarlet Jewel ink for the berries. I glued the leaf portion over the top using liquid glue and then spritzed it with Shimmer Spray-Sparkle.

I cut a bunch of holly and berries using the Into the Blooms: Swag Die from white cardstock and colored them with the same ink as the background to keep everything cohesive. I added the berries here and there using liquid glue. In the end, I felt it need some added detail, so I grabbed a few leftover berries I had from THIS project. At this point, I didn't have any additional ideas as to the direction of this card, so I toyed around with a few ideas, but in the end settled on adding the heart. 

I die cut the heart twice using the Elegant Heart Die and glued them together. The heart was competing with the background, so I adhered it to a strip of vellum using foam squares and then added liquid glue to back of the vellum where the heart would hide it, and adhered it to the background.

I decided to search through my sentiments to find something that was Christmas-y and talked about a heart....BINGO!  I used the Winter Globes Sentiments Mini Stamp Set with gold embossing powder and then cut it using one of the dies included in the Hold That Thought Die. I love the gold on the Scarlet Jewel cardstock! I placed it in the center of the heart and then added a BOW. You all know I have a weakness for using tiny houses and since the sentiment was practically begging me to use one, I added it to the bottom.

I had one leftover in the storage sleeve for the Bring Home the Holidays Die and then I cut a heart from Pale Peony ink using the Larger Than Life: Home Die. I gave it a coating of Glossy Accents. I added some glitter to the berries, leaves, and bow and attached the entire background panel to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. My next project needs to be to add inside greetings to ALL of my Christmas cards! I know I should do it when I create them, but unfortunately I don't! ha ha! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Warm Holiday Wishes

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm headed to The Nutcracker this afternoon with my mom, sister, daughter, and her boyfriend so I thought it would be fitting to share this card with you today! To begin, I cut a 5 by 7 piece of Weathervane cardstock and embossed it using the beautiful Merry Moments 3D Embossing Folder. When I bought this particular folder a few months ago, I didn't realize it was 5 by 7, but it works well with the amount of flowers I chose to use and the tall nutcracker. I added some Stormy Sea and black ink around the edges and over the raised embossed portions to give it some added depth.

I cut quite a few poinsettias in varying sizes using the Into the Blooms: Poinsettia Die from white cardstock and then colored them with ink and blender brushes. I layered and glued them using both liquid glue and foam squares. I inked up the four leaves from the same die set and set those aside.

I die cut all of the pieces that I would need for the nutcracker using the Lovely Layers-Nutcracker Die. 

The pictures are washing the poor guy out a bit, but his skin is a peachy color and his hair and beard are cream. This is the first time I have used or assembled this nutcracker, so I learned that the base layer should be the color you want his hair and pants. I initially thought it would be the color of his face, so I went with peach, so now this dapper fellow is wearing peach pants! ha ha! He DID have peach hair, but I decided to cut the top portion again to give him the cream hair and just glued it to the base.

I adhered the poinsettias and leaves using foam squares and then secured the nutcracker in the middle using a double-stack of foam squares. I added some white acrylic paint splatter and then got to work on the sentiment.

For the sentiment, I chose an older one from Honey Bee Stamps that I bought a few years ago and haven't used yet called Home For the Holidays. I heat embossed it with gold powder and then cut it using the coordinating Home for the Holidays Honey Cuts. I secured it to the card front using foam squares. Each of the flower centers got a gem and then I also added a trio of sparkling clear sequins. It was looking just a bit bare, so I turned to my leftovers pile and found some bits of foliage that I tucked here and there. I gave it a spritz of shimmer spray and called it done! 

Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Christmas Gallerie Collection}

Hello and welcome, friends! I'm so happy to be here as we showcase the beautiful new Christmas Gallerie Collection from The Greetery and all I can say is: I'm completely smitten! It is absolutely wonderful and works so perfectly with the last few releases. In fact, I don't think it will ever be able to leave my desk because I will be reaching for it often! Yes, there are Christmas stamps/dies, but it's also jam-packed with so many beautiful basics that are exactly what my collection has been missing and I think you'll agree!

The Greetery will be giving away two $50 gift certificates to the shop, so make sure to visit The Greetery Blog for the official "meet and greet" for each of the new products AND leave a comment there, and on each of the designers' blogs for a chance to win one of the two gift certificates.

Up first is a series of three cards using a handful of the new stamps/dies and I will explain everything as we go along! One of the only products I'm NOT sharing (go figure) is a collection of beautiful printed images included in the Capsule Christmas Gallery Prints. Some of the images remind me of Currier and Ives prints and so I wanted to get inspired by their work. One of the first images to pop up on my search was a beautiful old Currier and Ives book that reminded me of the Bookish Holiday Frames Stamp Set. That was all I needed and I was off! ha ha! 

Many of you mention how much you enjoy it when I used older products that you might already have on hand, so these ones are for you! ha ha! To begin, I die cut a panel of pale pink cardstock using the A2 Stitched Scallops Die and then stamped the detail using the frame image with pigment gold ink. I layered it onto an A2 Pure Poppy background using foam squares. Once that was done, I did some foiling on a scrap of Pure Poppy cardstock using the Capsule Borders 1 Hot Foil and silver foil. I cut it out using the Capsule Basics Die and believe me, this die got a WORKOUT for this release, so I will be referencing it often, but this is where it's linked. I cut the beautiful border from antique gold cardstock using the Capsule Filigree Borders (this also got a major workout) and glued it over the top. I simply used a dot of liquid glue on each of the points and then adhered it to the red piece. You can stretch it and pull it while the glue is still wet until you have the placement correct.

All three cards feature the top detail that is cut using the new Hang it Up Die and I couldn't stop using IT either! Like I said, OBSESSED AND SMITTEN! Included in this release are a series of beautiful new dies called Bigger Holiday Botanicals. The three cards feature the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Holly no. 1, Holly no. 2, and Mistletoe. I will be showing you a few more of the options on other projects, so stay tuned! I sat down one day and just cut and colored and cut and colored some more until I had a nice pile of beautiful botanicals to use to my heart's content! I still have quite a few left so I'm already dreaming up more Christmas tags and cards! 

The card on the left uses the same basic details as the first card, but this time I used the Rosemal Reflections Embossing Folder for the capsule portion. I was thrilled that the filigree border laid down so nicely over the embossing and I was squealing with joy with the result! I didn't want to stop working and creating because everything is just SO beautiful! Thank you, Betsy, for always giving me just what my crafty soul requires!

This card features the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Holly no. 1 and Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Mistletoe. Each and every one is simply beautiful and I can't wait to use them ALL! There are a few I didn't get a chance to use, but that will be remedied soon enough! Now, lets' talk about the sentiment; this sentiment is included in the new Capsule Quick Tags Stamp Set. I will be showing you an entire collection of tags made using this set, but for this card and the last card, I used one of the cute stand-alone sentiments heat embossed in gold.

One of my next favorite products is the new Linked Labels series of stamps and dies. The pieces the sentiment is layered on is cut using the Little Linked Labels Die and then embossed using the Little Linked Labels Embossing Folder. There is a coordinating stamp set that I will be showcasing on another project, so I can show you how cute it all is!

All of the foliage is dusted with a bit of Rock Candy glitter, which really enhances the vintage feeling on this series of cards. 

The first card and this card also feature the Regency Bow No. 1 and I will be also showing the Regency Bow No. 2 on a few other projects.

The piece behind the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Mistletoe is the new Large Linked Labels. It is die cut and then embossed, and just like the small version, there is a coordinating stamp set.

I did some foiling and embossing for something different on this particular card. The sentiment is heat embossed and is from the Simple Holiday Sentiments Stamp Set that is part of the Christmas Market Collection.

My next project is a set of tags that I talked about earlier. All of the cards use the beautiful new Capsule Quick Tags Stamp Set and I had so much fun creating them. I did some that are quick and easy, just like the name suggests, and then I added a few more steps and details on the others!

Let's start with the most basic and work our way up to the most complicated since each one uses the same basic steps for the beginning. To begin, I die cut three capsules in Ocean Tides cardstock and three capsules of Enchanted Evening cardstock. There are two different border images included in the stamp set, so I did two with one border and the rest with the second border. I rotated between gold pigment ink and white pigment ink for the six tags.

The tag that is nearest includes the basic layout and then the pine detail at the top is a separate stamp that you can use. There are also other stand-alone sentiments that you could use here as well, but the rest of the imagery and to: from: sentiments are included in that base stamp.

Each tag uses the Hang it Up Die which is what is included at the top and everything is cut from antique gold cardstock. Each tag also has a filigree border. Some of the tags have a Regency Bow no. 1 and some have a Regency Bow no. 2.....which reminds me, I forgot to mention that each of the varieties has both a large and small bow die included; these cards use the small version of both styles.

This is one of the "stepped" up tags. I used a sticky note to cover up the "to: from:" portion of the tag while I was inking it up and then removed the sticky note before stamping. Once that was done, I used the detail pine portion on both the bottom and top. I added one of the Large Linked Labels stamped with a sentiment from the Large Linked Labels Stamp Set.

These are the two tags I made using that same stamp combo and they use the Holly No. 1 and Poinsettia which are part of the Bigger Holiday Botanicals series.

You can see the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Paperwhites on the tag on the left.

Here is the entire set so you can compare and contrast which stamps were used.

These tags use the Regency Bow No. 2 and they are the perfect size to accent the top of the tags. 

Since we're in a tag frame-of-mind, let's move onto my next project featuring the beautiful Large Linked Labels Die and embossing folder along with the Little Linked labels Die and Little Linked Labels Stamp Set. I love all of the "handmade" or "homemade" sentiments included in this release AND the last release, so I thought it would be fun to focus on those and make some handmade gifts! 

I had some leftover fabric from a recent sewing project, so I thought I would use it to make some handmade handwarmers for the upcoming winter to give to friends for Christmas. I have made these occasionally over the years and I put together a tutorial a few years ago that you can read about HERE. In that tutorial I share instructions for warmers made with 4 1/2 inch squares, but for today's project, I made them 4 inches square which didn't use as much rice as the instructions say. This particular fabric is from Tilda Fabrics and I used one pattern for the top and one pattern for the bottom, but you can use the same fabric for both sides.

Each tag consists of a base layer created with the Large Linked Labels Die and Large Linked  Labels Embossing Folder. I used a pale green for the base for each tag and then added the cute gold details using the Hang It Up Die...can't stop, won't stop! ha ha!

Each tag also uses the Little Linked Labels Stamp Set, Little Linked Labels Die. I chose all of the sentiments that had reference to homemade or handmade to fit the project.

This particular tag features the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Wax Flower which is so beautiful. 

I used Rustic White cardstock, which if you've used it, you know it has a different texture which gave these tags a bit of a vintage, worn look that I just love! This tag also features the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Holly no. 1. I love both of the holly options, but this one seems more romantic and vintage in my opinon.

Of course I couldn't stop with the bows, so a few of the tags got a Regency Bow No. 2 in the small size.

I tied the pair of handwarmers up using some beautiful ribbon that I purchased last year and it complements the handmade/homemade sewn theme perfectly!

For those of you who haven't had your fill of the Shortbread Shapes, have no fear, there's a sweet new addition: Shortbread Shapes: Snowflake! Eep! I'm in love....it is so fabulous and is so much fun to create with! I've only touched the tip of the iceberg with the possibilities and I'm sure the rest of the team will show it off to its full potential!

This is a 5 by 7 sized card, which is the size of the beautiful new Shortbread Shapes: Snowflake Embossing Folder. Of course you can cut the paper to suit your needs, but the 5 by 7 is just lovely to show off all of the fun details!

To begin, I cut a panel of cream cardstock and ran it through my machine using the Shortbread Shapes: Snowflake Embossing Folder. Next, I used the Shortbread Shapes: Snowflake Die to cut the red panel. I carefully placed it into the embossing folder to get it all lined up correctly and then ran that through the machine. I brushed a white pigment ink pad over the top to add the color to the raised portions. I layered it onto the base layer using foam squares.

The next step was the star portion which was cut from Honey Nut cardstock and I followed the same steps as the red piece. There is another die that is included in the set that will cut each section so you can have shortbread slices, but I didn't use it for this project.

For the sentiment, I used the Shortbread Shapes: Rectangle Labels Die and cut it from Pure Poppy cardstock. The center piece was cut from the same Honey Nut cardstock and embossed. The sentiment, which is from the Simple Holiday Mini Sentiments Stamp Set, is stamped in white. I added an enamel candy cane using liquid glue and a few Mint and Berry Bits. I loved how Betsy used those cute peppermints on her cards for the last release and I wanted to incorporate that on mine as well!

I mentioned at the beginning of today's post that I spent an entire crafty session making all kinds of holiday foliage using the Bigger Holiday Botanicals and boy, did that come in handy! I just pulled different pieces here and there for all of my projects which was so fun! This card uses the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Holly no. 1 and the pine-y pieces from the Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Wax Flower.

I used the large size of the Regency Bow No. 2 Die for this card and of course some of the Hang it Up pieces for the top! I had WAY TOO much fun working on this release and I hope you love it as much as I do! Everything will be available for purchase tomorrow at 10 am EST. Don't forget to visit the other designers' blogs and leave a comment to be eligible to win one of two $50 gift certificates to the shop! Thanks for fluttering by!

Caly Person

Dana Kirby

Laura Bassen

Kelly Lunceford (you are here)

Laurie Willison

Melissa Phillips

Wanda Guess

 

Project Inspiration {The Stockings Were Hung}

It's that time again; time for the Project Inspiration feature for Papertrey Ink! I had so much fun putting this card together and I'm sharing the process with you with easy to follow instructions and photos!

Step 1: Create the background with the Holly Berries Stencil Collection on an A2 panel of white cardstock. I spritzed the leaves with fossilized amber distress spritz before removing the stencil on step 1. Carefully remove the stencil and allow it to dry before moving on to the next two steps. Trim it down to measure 4 by 5 1/4 inches.

Step 2: Attach the stenciled panel to a top-folding A2 card base using foam squares.

Step 3: Cut the largest size included in the Love to Layer: Elegant Points Die Collection from Stormy Sea cardstock. Stencil the snowflakes around the edges using Stormy Sea ink using the Build-a-Snowflake Stencil Collection. Attach it to the card using foam squares.

Step 4: Cut the basic stocking shape, toe and heel reinforcements, cuff, and loop using the Build-a-Stocking Die. I cut the base, heel and toe reinforcements, and loop from Pure Poppy cardstock and then added Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges for added depth. The cuff is cut from white with a touch of Aqua Mist ink around the edges. Add it to the card using foam squares.

Step 5: Cut all of the accessory pieces using the Build-a-Stocking Die and color them using blender brushes and dye ink. The gift was cut from Sweet Blush and the bow from Pure Poppy. Everything else was cut from white and colored with ink. Arrange them in and around the stocking.

Step 6: Add some white ink splatter using Fresh Snow ink and a paint brush.

Step 7: Heat emboss the sentiment in gold using the Merry Motifs Stamp Set and cut it out with the Merry Motifs Die. Attach it to the stocking using additional foam squares.

Step 8: Add some Crystal Stickles and a spritz of Shimmer Spray-Silver. 

This is the first time I have actually used the stocking portion of this die set. I didn't participate in the release the month it came out so it has just been waiting for me. It is such a fun die collection and I have used the envelope for other things, but never the stocking.

As soon as this sentiment was released, I have been itching to make a card using some of the elements described in the poem-"the stockings were hung by the chimney with care". 

I forgot to mention...I added some brown marker to the tips of the berries and some white gel pen details.

This card was so much fun to make! Thanks for fluttering by!