Lynn's Card

Remember my post about how nice it is to get a special card in the mail?  Well, today's post is about just that --- a special card I received in the mail.  It's from my friend and downline, Lynn.  Isn't this a really great card?  I just love it!

Check the 'labels' section at the bottom of the post for her supplies.  Thank you, Lynn!

a Message to my Friends...and More Snow Fun

A message to my friends:

I'd love to stay in touch with all of you.  I enjoy sharing ideas and inspiration, along with tutorials and other information to help you be at your creative best. 

Facebook is rolling out a new notification feature.  Because of the way Facebook works, only some of my posts show up in your news feed. If you want to get a notification every time I post, please go to my page, click on the "LIKED" button and select "GET NOTIFICATIONS."

My sharing for today ... more SNOW FUN!

I used the pine sprig stamp from Watercolor Winter to create a background for the snowman.  By using punches, I created an ornament effect, like he is hanging on the Christmas tree.  The ribbon is our Gumball Green stitched ribbon.  It is beautiful and so easy to work with on your projects.  My colors are Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler --- a perfect combo!  This is one of the cards we made at a recent event here in my studio.  Everyone loved it!

Have a great day and come back soon.  I have more tutorials coming up, along with time-saving tips to help you get ready for the holidays.

Watercolor Winter: 2 Ways

Here are 2 versions of cards I made using the Watercolor Winter set.  I'm home with a stuffy-nosed baby this morning, so I thought I'd catch up on my posts.  We're all pretty exhausted, after all the family get-togethers, the visitation and memorial service for my father-in-law.  My in-laws were truly blessed with a lot of really good friends.  It's nice to have a moment this morning to reflect on my own about the past events.

In turning to Christmas cards, we can think about the coming holidays and the One who was born for us all.  I love getting ready for Christmas and all the card-making, decorating and preparations that I do for family times.

Today's cards are 2 versions using the same stamp set.

Whether stamping on CS or DSP, this stamp set can create a gorgeous background.  In the first card, I used a die cut ornament (Ornament Keepsakes) as my focal piece.  In the second card, I kept the poinsettias all in the background, but stamped and hand cut the top one, mounted it on dimensionals, and let it take on more of the focus.  The sentiment is embossed.

So, that's it for today.  Both card are fairly simple to make and I know you'd enjoy making them.  Come back soon for more inspiration.

Gingerbread Garland

Here's a cute Christmas card I made using the little gingerbread man from the Scentsational Season stamp set.  I wanted it to look like a gingerbread garland, so I made 3 little men, using the framelits to quickly cut them out.

I wanted them to have a vintage look, so I added some sprigs of pine from the Watercolor Winter stamp set.  I also sponged around the edges, to really get into the vintage look.  To create the garland effect, I used linen thread behind the gingerbread men.  I didn't really want to make holes in them, so I just added the linen thread behind them and popped them up with dimensionals.  At one side of the garland, I added a bow with long ties, using linen thread.

Sometimes, it's the extra little details that can really make a card.  Notice that I sponged around each gingerbread man and the scallop oval tag, as well.  I stamped off to lightly add a sprig of pine over the tag.  The buttons on the gingerbread men are really dots of cherry cobbler Dazzling Details.  It's like a glitter glue --- glitter without the mess --- love it!  The finishing touches were a glimmer brad on the tag and linen thread around the cherry cobbler seam binding.

Hope you enjoyed my cute little garland today.  Now, so stamp something... and have a great day!

Christmas Springy Card

I have a great little tutorial for you today.  A while back I did a tutorial on how to make a diamond fold (springy card) and now, thanks to our new diagonal plate for our Simply Scored Tool, the job is even easier --- actually, it's amazingly simple and really fun.  Here's my new card:

Before you start, decide which pattern of your DSP you'd like for each side.

Basic directions at a glance:

• Start with a 4 X 12" piece of CS or DSP. 
• Score as marked.
• Crease folds with a bone folder.
• Fold into a springy card.
• Decorate as desired.

When you've finished scoring, simply decorate as you like.  Be creative!

See the faint fold line down the center of the diamond?  You do NOT need to make this fold now because you can make the diagonal score lines using the diagonal score plate on the Simply Scored Tool.  I was used to folding it like this previously and just forgot to leave it out.  It's nice to not have that line in the middle of your project:)

I hope you'll give it a try and make your own version of a diamond fold card.  They're a lot of fun.  Actually, if you're making more than one, score the entire 12 X 12" sheet of CS or DSP and then cut it into 4" strips.  It will save you a little time.  You can still decorate each one differently.

Have a great day and don't forget to check out my '500' blog special!