Joy ... Framed

Reminders:
Today's the last day for our Online Extravaganza, so check out the bargains.

Be sure you've marked your calendars for Dec. 11, 2:00-5:00.
It's my Christmas Open House/Customer Appreciation Event and all my customers are invited.  There will be games, prizes, displays to inspire you, goodies, my Christmas Boutique (I have LOTS of gift items this year!!!) and a FREE Make and Take project for those who give me an RSVP.  Come and join in on the fun.

Now, for today's project:
I love making framed projects.  This one is quite 3-dimensional, so I attached it on TOP of the glass.  I didn't even have to open the frame.  I wanted it to be in a grid of squares, so I used my Simply Scored tool to help make the job easy.  I took my 12 X 12" piece of textured white CS to my Simply Scored and scored it every 3 inches.  I turned the CS and did the same process, which gave it score lines horizontally and vertically creating 16 boxes -- each being 3" square.
From there, it was a matter of adding lots of layers, texture and embellishments.  I stamped, embossed, die cut, punched and embellished to my heart's desire.  Here's the final result:

Here are some close-ups:

You'll notice that I used more of the glimmer paper, both red and silver.
Tip:
I found a great frame at my local craft store that is perfect for 12 X 12" projects.  It's a frame designed for record album collectors.  Wait for the store to have frames on sale and stock up for future projects.

1 more tip:
I used Liquid Tombow glue to attach a lot of the pieces in my project (also dimensionals).  It works great and has a strong hold.  You don't want your project to fall apart:)

Framed projects make great gifts, so try creating some for your friends and family.  They can use theirs to decorate their homes for the holidays for years to come.

While you're online, don't forget to check out the Online Extravaganza.  Today's the last day!!!
Now go get busy on those Christmas projects.

Shimmer, Glimmer and More!

Remember this card?

While I had out my glimmer paper, I decided to try a new design.  I just love the sparkle!

Punch the snowflake and save it for another project.  The negative image becomes your top layer on your card.  The card base is 5 1/2 X 8 1/2" in shimmery white CS.  (Score @ 4 1/4" and fold.)  I love to use the shimmery white CS at Christmas time, especially.  The glimmer paper layer is 4 X 5 1/4" and the shimmery white top layer is 3 3/4 X 5."  The 'Joy' sentiment is from The Sounding Joy stamp set, page 23 in the current Holiday Mini.  I embossed the 'Joy' with our new Cherry Cobbler EP.  Love it!

I especially love the silver and white combo together.  I used the same layers and same dimensions for the card, just substituted the silver glimmer paper for the red glimmer paper.  I embossed the 'Joy' in our new Pewter EP.  I made all the layers really stand out by adding dimensionals between each layer.

Now that's some sparkle!
Check back soon for more Christmas ideas.  My next post is a framed project that I think you'll really enjoy!

Decor for the Holidays

I needed a couple of projects to display in my bookcases and remembered I had never worked on my chunky frames yet.  I had 2 of them just sitting and waiting for me to do something with them.  Here's what I did --- quick and simple:

I embossed the 'Joy' with our Pewter EP on shimmery white CS.  I layered it onto silver glimmer paper and then a layer of textured white CS.  The frames are displayed (1 at each end of the bookcases) with silver filigree trees.  I was going to emboss snowflakes directly onto the frames, but chose not to so that I could keep the option of putting something else inside the frame if I ever wanted to change it.  These frames were retired, but you can still find some on the clearance rack.  Here's the link.

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=117599

They were $19.95 and now they're $7.99!  What a deal.  Copy and paste the link to go right to the page.

I hope you'll try adding some personal touches to your holiday decor with some handmade projects.  Check back often for more holiday project ideas.  My next post will really glimmer!!!

Welcome Christmas!

I love the stamp set Heard from the Heart.  My favorite one of all is the 'Welcome Christmas into your heart' because you can add a little punched heart to it and it looks so cute.
This card was super simple to make.  I punched a snowflake from a 3 3/4 X 5" piece of whisper white CS.  I will save the snowflake for another project because I'm actually using the negative piece for the top card layer.  Emboss the message with cherry cobbler EP and add the punched heart from our red glimmer paper.  Layer the entire piece over a 4 X 5 1/4" piece of our red glimmer paper.  Attach this to a whisper white card base and you're finished.
Tip:
For added interest, I attached both my card layers with dimensionals.

You can see in the close-ups how shimmery the glimmer paper really is.

So here are all the last cards I've shared with you.  I hope you can use some of these ideas in creating your own cards.  If you're really enjoying what I'm sharing, do me the honor of signing up as one of my blog followers.  I look forward to sharing more ideas with you in every post!  Happy stamping and check back soon!

O Christmas Tree!

Here's a quick, easy and fun card for Christmas.

I used a 1 1/4" square punch, along with our triple layer punch, to create my 'gifts' and then stacked them into a Christmas tree shape.  The card base is Early Espresso and the DSP is Frostwood Lodge.  I added some rhinestones for some bling.  Notice how the wood grain in the bottom square works well for the tree trunk.

It almost looks off-center in the first photo, but it's not.  It's because the card is slightly opened.
Tip:
Trim down the top 'gift' a little because it's at the top of the tree shape.

The Stocking Builder Punch

I love when you can use a product in more than one way and that's the case with this great new punch.  I made the same card 2 ways --- a stocking and a stick horse.
Both start with a cherry cobbler card base and have a layer of crumb cake over that.  The strips of Frostwood Lodge DSP are woven in 1 corner.  I added a bit of Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler ribbon tied together into a knotted bow and attached it over a punched snowflake.  I also used cherry cobbler baker's twine and some rhinestones.  (Color the rhinestone for the horse's eye with a black Sharpie.)  Stamp 'Happy Holidays' (from Holiday Happiness) and you're all set to give a great card.
Tip:
The stick horse card is more labor intensive than the stocking, but well worth the effort.  I used a lollipop stick (for candy making) for the horse's stick.

The toe, heel and cuff of the stocking have extra layers (easily done with the punch) that are attached with dimensionals, for added texture and interest.
Tip:
When attaching tiny pieces, cut smaller pieces from the edge of the dimensionals to fit behind the pieces, so they won't show.  OR... sometimes I layer 2 or 3 tiny glue dots.  That still gives some dimension, too.

My Sweet Little Pilgrim!

When my daughter was just 7 months old, I made her a Pilgrim dress for her first Thanksgiving.  Somewhere along the way, we seem to have lost the bonnet, but today my sweet granddaughter (almost 7 months old) wore the same dress for her first Thanksgiving.  She looked so cute!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day!!!

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us take time to give thanks for all our many blessings.

At the top of my list... in no particular order.....

a loving husband
my children and their families
my beautiful grandchildren
my sweet Toby Joe
my friends
my home
my church family
being able to share my creativity with others
my studio where I can create to my heart's content
my customers and stamping friends, with whom I can share my stamping passion
living in a country where I can be free to give thanks
...and so much more

...and..... let's not forget the turkey:)

My sweet husband is a Weber grill man and spends a good part of the morning before Thanksgiving going in and out and checking the turkey while it cooks on the grill.  It comes out this gorgeous color and he gets all the carving done and mess cleaned up BEFORE Thanksgiving... sweet!

I wanted to share with you some projects I've made over the past few seasons and added to my holiday decor.  It's so nice to be able to add your personal touch to your decorating for the holidays and create something that you can enjoy for years to come.

I didn't even realize that Toby Joe had sneaked into the photo until I uploaded them onto my computer.  What a clown! 

Can you see my 2 Spice Cake wreaths hanging on the corner china cabinets?  You can see them a lot better IRL:)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Be sure to check back each day.  I have lots of ideas to share with you to help you get ready for Christmas.  I'll have something new pretty much EVERY DAY.
Also, while you're here, don't forget to click on the Online Extravaganza to check out the super sales.  There are tons of bargains going on right now!!!
Have a great day!

A Penguin Christmas

This cute little penguin card is sure to please a special someone who receives it.  I made him with the owl punch and added wings from the bird punch.  He's standing on silver glimmer paper -- for ice.  The 'Merry Christmas' is embossed with pewter EP and is from the stamp set Hand-Penned Holidays.  I LOVE the font of this set!

He's just so cute!
I'm signing off now ---  lots to do to get ready for Thanksgiving.  Good luck with all your preparations and, if you are traveling, be safe.

A Snowy Christmas

The card with this little snowman (from Tags til Christmas) could be used for Christmas or as a winter card.  I punched the heart, the scallop circle and the doily snowflake from our silver glimmer paper.  I embossed the whisper white layer with our dotted embossing folder, to give the impression of a snowstorm.  The card base is beautiful marina mist.  I used so much cherry cobbler for my Christmas projects this year that it was fun to go back and play with marina mist.  They are both top favorites with me.  I did not stamp a sentiment yet because I wanted to leave it open to decide if I use it during the winter months ahead or for Christmas.  It's nice to have options:)

I added a few touches of our Dazzling Details to make the snow sparkle.  Oops, I think I should go back and color in his scarf and hat!

More Holiday Gifts from my Everything Christmas Class!!!

Here are more gift ideas that will send you hunting for bargain frames and plates.  Have fun!

...a decorated frame (Frostwood Lodge DSP / Winter Wishes felt pieces)

I used our silver glimmer paper and cut the letters with the Big Shot.

The 'o' is an ornament that is stamped and embossed with our pewter EP, which I love!  A tiny sprig of ribbon is always a nice touch.

 ...and here is another version, with a black frame...

The DSP is Frostwood Lodge and the buttons are from our Holly Berry Bouquet product suite.

...and, of course, a piece of art does not have to be in a frame at all.  You could use our Decor Elements and a plate!

You can attach the bow with Crystal Effects or large glue dots.  A large rhinestone brad helps to hold the bow together.  It is actually wrapped around the center of the ribbon.  If you want to give this as a decorative cookie plate, leave off the bow and hand wash after using.  If you add the bow, it becomes holiday decor in your home.  Either way, it makes a great gift.  Wouldn't this be nice to give a hostess when you're invited to her party?

These Decor Elements are in our holiday mini (#125635) and you get 27 damask images in your package.  That makes them cost about $1.11 when you cut them apart.  That means you could make a LOT of gifts for your lucky recipients.  You can use the image for a lot of other projects, too, so put on your thinking cap and get started with your projects.