A Simple 'Joy' Project ... A Joy to Create and A Joy to Display

I am over half-way finished with making up the kits and gift totes for the Christmas Retreat.  Since we've had to go to 'kits only' for this class, I'd suggest that you come up with your own ways to make this into your Retreat.  I know you'll enjoy making all 18 cards.  If you're wondering why it takes so long to make up your kit ...
When I'm finished, I will have put together enough kits to make over 180 cards.  Whew!  I look forward to hearing how your Retreat went and how you enjoyed finding your little surprise gifts.

While you're waiting on your kit, enjoy today's post.  It's one of my most favorite projects that I've ever made.  It brought me joy to create it, and now joy to enjoy having it on display ... and ... it will be a joy to reuse it as a part of my Christmas decor for years to come.

I've had this idea to create this project for a couple of years now.  It's lived in my head all this time.  This year, I finally took the time to make it happen.  I love it!  I've combined silver and gold embossing (mostly silver) and the word 'Joy' is cut from black CS and then silver foil.  I wanted the blue behind the beautiful star to be lighter than the DSP, so I layered it under a piece of vellum CS.  I wanted mostly silver on this project because I created it to pair with a gorgeous trio of silver angels.

Love, love, love it!  I added the light touches of gold to my project so it would tie in with all the silver and gold already on display.  The library cabinet that has the angels atop is right next to my mission style library table, where I have all the silver, gold, copper and even champagne.  I'll share an update on that soon, too.  Library cabinet?  Library table?  Gee, do you think it's that obvious that I used to be a teacher.  Seriously though, I love this style of furniture.

One thing I learned from this project is that I can go to my local craft store and have them cut a mat exactly the size I want, as well as the dimensions for the opening.  I never would have found a frame already on sale with these exact dimensions.  This is actually my second most favorite project for this year.  Wait until you see my number one!

 UP NEXT:

November 18 -- Christmas Retreat / KITS ONLY
     10:00-3:00 / NOW $40.00 / 18 Cards: 6 Designs - 3 Cards Each
     Fee includes all materials to make 18 cards. 
NOTE:
We are having a TON of conflicts come up with this date.  I am doing 'kits only' for this class.  I'm thinking that there is NO 'good date' in November for a big Saturday class.  I will have to  rethink this for next year.
   
I only have 3 kits remaining, so sign up fast to reserve yours. 

December 11 -- Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

Red And White Simple Joys Card

I love the crisp, fresh look of this Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White card.  It is just striking, especially with this beautiful star.

I like layering white on white for an elegant look.

What a beautiful text, to go with this beautiful star.  This one has to go down as another favorite of the season.

Updates:

- I'll have class schedules coming out soon for 2017.

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

- Please sign up to follow my blog and/or leave a comment. 

- Come  back often for more creative inspiration. 

'Merry Banner'

Here's another fun banner project of mine.  This was super fun to create and I have it hanging it my studio.

I 'painted' a background onto the watercolor paper piece (after die cutting it) using Cherry Cobbler reinker.

I die cut and used 2 sizes of stars throughout the banner.   I used a nice assortment of ribbons at each end of the banner, as well as a little bow at the top of each piece.

I die cut letters from black CS to go behind my embossed letters.  The Cherry Cobbler CS letters were embossed (3 X each) with clear EP.  Click here to learn more about embossed letters.

I used gold embossing to add some stamped texture behind my letters.  Before attaching the letters, I spritzed each piece with my shimmer mixture.  Once the letters were attached, I went back and added Wink of Stella to each embossed letter.  I'd say I used quite a LOT of ways to add sparkle!!!

My banner started out like the one below, but I didn't think the embossed stars on each end showed up enough, so I went back and die cut stars to go over them.  Love it!

This is even prettier in real life, but I think you get the idea.

Exciting News:

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PLEASE NOTE:  
If you have a coupon from Toby Joe for $10. off an upcoming class, you may use it for $10. off the card kits shown below.  I have just one remaining kit!!!  Be sure whenever you use a coupon that you have it with you.  I need these for tax records.

Christmas Card Kits for sale!

 

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- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

- Please sign up to follow my blog and/or leave a comment. 

- Come  back often for more creative inspiration. 

November Christmas Retreat, Cards 4 AND 5

I'm going to make this a Wow Wednesday kind of day and share TWO of the cards we'll be making at my November Christmas Retreat.  They both have lots and lots of sparkle.  

This first card has 3 sources of sparkle:  embossed silver images, silver foil, and white glimmer paper.  Wow!  That's a lot of beautiful sparkle.

I had a big surprise the first time I used the framelit in the above photo.  It cuts an image that I thought looked great on the inside of the card.  Isn't this beautiful?

The next card has glimmer and shimmer, as well.

I didn't realize until after I'd designed this card, that we no longer carry the red foil sheets.  I had just enough left in my 'stash' to use for this class.  It's a real wow to see the gleam of the red foil and the glimmer behind it of the red glimmer paper.  Gorgeous!

I hope I've inspired you to start thinking about making Christmas cards ... maybe creating cards with us at my Christmas Retreat or on your own.  Either way, I've shared some good ideas to get you going, so get out your 'stash' and get started!

In my next post, I'll share our sixth card we'll be making.  Come back and see what I have to share with you. 

I still have a few openings left for the November Christmas Retreat.  The deadline to sign up is the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday).  It's going to be a lot of fun and you'll go home with 18 cards --- 3 of each design.  
If you are unable to attend, kits are available for $30.

Special Reminders:

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top to see my class schedules. 

- Look on the left for sneak peeks and registration policies. 

- Please sign up to follow my blog and/or leave a comment. 

- Come  back often for more creative inspiration.