Beautiful Baubles Card

Here's a beautiful card for a beautiful Saturday morning.  I love this stamp set.  I chose Pool Party for my card and embossed it with silver EP to coordinate with the silver foil edge on the card.  The envelope has silver edging, too.

You can quickly get an entirely different look to your card simply by changing the color of your CS.  After embossing, I attached the Pool Party piece to the inside of the front of the card.  So, when you open your card, you still have a white back of the card where you can stamp and/or write your message.

I thought the 'Deck the Halls' sentiment, along with a shimmery little Pool Party bow, was the perfect finishing touch.

October Events: 

Oct. 8 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Christmas Project, showcasing the Timeless Tidings Kit poinsettia.
     CLASS FULL.  REGISTRATION CLOSED.
Oct. 20 / Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 
     6 Beautiful Christmas Cards
     PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.

November / December Events:
Nov. 12 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30     Mixed Media Christmas Project
     PAY TO REGISTER ON WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.
Dec. 10 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Christmas Cards, showcasing the Timeless Tidings Card Kit.
     PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.

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

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- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

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:

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All Ye Faithful, Version Two

Today's card is a second version of my previous post.  They're very similar and use the same stamp set. 

In today's card, I've used ovals again, but in a slightly different way and I've added an embossed (and shimmer spritzed) layer beneath the ovals.

Which version do you like the best?

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

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration. 

All Ye Faithful, Version One

Today's post is for sharing another Christmas card.  I'll show Version one in this post and Version two in my next post.

Combine Silver Glimmer Paper, Night of Navy CS and silver embossing and you're off to a great start.

I lightly sponged around the image.  I love the little sheep on the envelope.

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

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Double the Fun... in TWO Ways!!!

I have double the fun for you today... a double ornament card and good news for two (OR MAYBE SIX) lucky people.  Keep reading to learn about the card AND the good news.  Some lucky people are going to be very surprised today!!!  First, the card: 

This is a closer look at one of the cards we'll be making at my Nov. 21 Christmas Retreat.  Instead of stamping on the inside of the card, this time I chose to add a strip of our Glimmer Paper at the bottom of the CS inside the card.  It looks really pretty on it and coordinates nicely with the card front.  

The ornaments are embossed with Silver EP onto CS and then cut out with our thinlits.

Drum roll, please.  Here comes a big surprise for TWO lucky people (per prize)... as in double the fun!!!  I mentioned at the beginning of 2015 that I would have a big surprise toward the end of the year and I'll bet no one even remembers me announcing this in my classes.  Good!  Now, it's even more of a surprise.  I wanted to do something really special this year, in appreciation for my customers who have loyally attended my classes throughout the year and have placed orders with me throughout the year, as well.  I have been saving up names for my own secret drawing.  I had the furry babies help me with the drawing.  (Talk about a challenge!)  I decided to have 3 prize categories, with two winners at each category.  Here's who the furry babies chose as our winners.  Another drum roll, please.

TWO FIRST PLACE WINNERS:
Marsha White
Elaine Beam 
FIRST PLACE PRIZES --- ATTEND MY NOV. 21 CHRISTMAS RETREAT AS MY GUEST!!!!!

TWO SECOND PLACE WINNERS:
Priscilla Snelson
Sheila Witts-Mannweiler 
SECOND PLACE PRIZES -- $25. SHOPPING SPREE AT MY $1.00 SALE.  Call to arrange your time to come shop!!!!! 

TWO THIRD PLACE WINNERS:
Cherie Lowhorn
Brenda Clark 
THIRD PLACE PRIZES --- Take $10. off a class of your choice... good through July 2016!!!

THESE PRIZES MAY NOT BE USED WITH OTHER COUPONS, PRIZES, OR TOKENS OR EXCHANGED FOR ANY OTHER CHOICES.  HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL ENJOY THEM AS GIVEN.
 
So you see... it's double fun at first, second, AND third place for our winners.  Congrats!  I hope you enjoyed my double fun post today.

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Acrylic Block Technique Cards, Part 1

Today, I'm starting a little series on cards I've made using the Acrylic Block Technique.  This technique involves literally scribbling onto an acrylic block with 2 or more colors of Stampin' Write Markers, spritzing it 2 or 3 times with water, and then stamping it onto CS, to create a beautiful background.  I use Shimmery White CS for mine because it takes a little water nicely and it's just plain gorgeous with it's subtle shimmer.  

I tried using a larger block on this card.  It's our E block.  (I usually use our D block.)  I stamped the sea fan in Pear Pizzazz, after letting the background dry, and then stamped it again with VersaMark Ink and embossed it with silver EP.

I added a silver embossed sea shell to the bottom of the card.

I used a combination of blues and a bit of green for my background and then used Marina Mist and Pear Pizzazz for my card.  I think it turned out pretty nicely.  I love the blues and greens together.  The super fun thing about this technique is that it turns out differently every time.  It's like a fun surprise!

Come back for more Acrylic Block Technique cards.  

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You've Got This in Blues And Silver

I'm sharing a card with you today from a brand new stamp set that I just love.  This set is going to be versatile in using it for several different coloring techniques, so I'm sure you'll be seeing it again... and again.  Today's card is embossed with silver.

I stamped off before I stamped the background, so it wouldn't be too dark.  My color story is Lost Lagoon and Island Indigo, along with the silver EP for the flower (on a white background).  I added a paper lace doily and some silver thread for my finishing touches.

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Work of Art with Watercolor

Today's card is the result of playing around in my studio... with watercolor paper and our Work of Art and Gorgeous Grunge stamp sets.  I love the results.

I was just trying to create a beautiful background. 
I liked it so much that I kept the card as is and all the text will be on the inside of the card.   

To create this look, you basically start playing around with your stamps and watercolor paper.  I started with slightly damp paper and spritzed more after stamping, where desired.  Once it was all dry, I stamped some more with a couple of Gorgeous Grunge stamps, using VersaMark Ink and then embossed with Silver EP.  Love it!  Now, get out your stamps and your watercolor paper and start playing.  See what you can create!
 

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

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.