Quilted Christmas Cards

I have been on a kick as of late using the same layout and creating multiple cards with varying materials.  For these cards, I went to my stash of Christmas Designer Paper.  I think each card has a different feel based on the DSP used as well as the ribbon.  I used the technique of embossing over the DSP to give the look and feel of a quilt.  I really like this technique!  I used the new Snowburst Embossing Folder on each of the cards.  You can really see it in the first and third samples.  I think the colors and design overwhelm it a bit on the middle sample.  I also used the White Gel Pen to create faux stitching on the card.  The Snow flake punch, a Rhinestone brad, and Basic Pearls embellish each card.  When I showed the finished cards to my family, my daughter Olivia and I both liked the first one best.  My son, Thomas, like the second one best, and my husband, Mitch liked the third best.  These cards will be sent as my contribution for the Open Swappers swap this month.  Each swapper will receive a different card!  I hope they like the one they get!

Two versions

I have been getting inky a lot lately, but finding the motivation to take pictures and upload to my blog has been lacking.  When I think about taking a picture, the natural light I use is gone for the day. But, today I got some pictures taken.

This first card was a result of wanting to make something using the accordion fold medallions I have seen on other blogs.  These medallions, or lollies as some refer to them, are not hard to make when using the new Simply Scored tool from Stampin' Up.  I also wanted to do something using the DSP Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Paper.  What I ended up with is a New Year's card. 

I really like this card.  It has an elegance to it.  I used Champagne Shimmer Paint on the black panel as well as embossed it with the new Stripes Embossing Folder. Both of the medallions are made from the Mocha Morning paper.  I also used the Brushed Gold Card stock for the subtle shimmer on that layer of the card.  Even though the card has a lot of shimmer and bling, my husband still liked it!

I liked the first card so much that I decided to try the same layout and make a blinged-out Christmas card.  Here is that result.



I made a different kind of medallion for this card, and switched up the placement of the sentiment, but the rest of the layout is the same.  I actually don't like this card as much as the first.  I don't even know why.  lol.  It uses my favorite DSP, Frostwood Lodge but even with that and the happy mittens and the jingle bells...ehhh.  Not so thrilled.  Ah well.

What do you think? Which card do you like better?  I would love some comments.

Kristine



Holiday Stamp Camp

Yes, another bit of time has sped past me.  I have been over run by putting together a Stamp Camp--which ended up being enjoyed by all, so that's good!

The cards below are the cards that we did at the camp.  Each guest at the camp made two of each design, so they left camp with 14 cards! None of the other demonstrators have blogs, so I have no where to point you for more of their art work.  Below the cards are some pictures I took at Camp.

Enjoy!

 This is my card.  Have I told you how much I love the Christmas Lodge Stamp Set.  Yes, I'm sure I have.  I just realized that I forgot to take the clear sleeve when I photgraphed it!  I am tired. Oh well. :-)

 Card designed by Fabiola Baughman

Mary Cargill.  She did this card as well as the one below.

 Designed by Lynnette Parker.

And finally, we had two new demonstrators join us in this Camp.  They did great!

Here are their cards.

Designed by Cheryl Lyman

Designed by Michelle Burrows.

Here are some pictures from Camp.  We had 43 guests! Lots of stamping happening here!

Christmas is coming

Last year I managed to have three different Christmas Card Stamp-a-stacks.  This year...well, I managed to have a class where I offered three cards.  Something is better than nothing!  I am considering moving into my van with all of my crafting supplies.  I spend  A LOT of time in the transport of my children.  Maybe I'd get more done if I just set the back up with supplies? Hmmm.

Anyway, the three cards below were the cards we made two weekends ago.  (Golly, I am far behind in posting!)  I had a lovely group of ladies join me for the day.

This card used the Stiched Stocking stamp set as well as lots of bling.  I was going for the idea of a mantel with the stockings hanging and some silver garland (I used Crystal Effects and Silver Glass to make the faux garland) across the top.  The DSP is from the Frostwood Lodge collection.  L-o-v-e that paper!  Add some Jingle Bells with some of the Cherry Baker's Twine and it is darling, even if I do say so myself.

This card is not my design.  I love the work of so many other paper crafters, and sometimes I want to make something I see.  So I make it and I love it even more, and it becomes a project in a class!  This traditional, country card is the brain child of Lee Conrey.  Beautiful, yes?  YES!  The DSP at the bottom of the card is once again my beloved Frostwood Lodge DSP.  Notice the stripe embossing behind the pinecone panel.  (Kinda hard to see in the picture, dang it!) How easy is that step up on the card to add the Stripped Embossing Folder! It just adds the right, finishing touch.  The ribbon is the Espresson Quilted Satin Ribbon from the Holiday Mini.  Yummy stuff!  You know when you put espresso, quilted and satin together the result is gonna be good. :-) Makes me think of a comfy bed with a cup of yummy coffee reading a wonderful book.  

The final card for the class is also a copied card.  My upline, Jill Olsen, made a card using the Silver Glimmer Paper but instead of leaving it silver, she used reinkers to make it pink!  I think that is just too cool for school!  I like using the blues and white in Christmas cards, so I used Tempting Turquois reinkers and painted the silver glimmer paper with the ink and an Aqua Painter.  When it dries, it is a very close match to Baja Breeze Cardstock, which is what is used as the main card.  This is just such a happy card! Think of all the colors you can use to make Silver Glimmer Paper into something!  How about pink hearts for Valentines, or a shimmery green shamrock for St Patrick's Day.  The hint with this technique is using the darker colors--think Concord Crush rather than Wisteria Wonder.  The inks do dry much lighter.

I have other items to post, but I have run outta time! I'm thinking I need to call my mom and thank her for all the transporting she did for me as a child. 

Kristine

Simply Sent Christmas

One of the promotions right now through Stampin' Up! is to buy two Simply Sent Kits (page 192/193 in the main catalog) and get a coordinating stamp set from those same pages FREE!  Since I am in the Christmas mode, setting up for a Holiday Stamp Camp, I decided to make the Simply Sent Kit Everyday Elegance into Christmas cards.  I think they turned out great!  And seriously, they were fast!  I'm talking making 8 cards in less than 30 minutes! Yeah, that fast.

Here they are!

A closer view of the Cherry Cobbler card--blinged out with Basic Rhinestones.  I just noticed my ornament is a little lopsided.  Ooops.  Just pretend it's perfect. :-)

And the Baja Breeze card softened with those wonderful Basic Pearls and some Velvet Ribbon.  I did not design this card.  It is a CASE of a wonderful demonstrator Sandi MacIver's card.  She is very inspirational for me!  I loved it so much I HAD to make one too!

If you'd like to make some of these cards for Christmas, and you do not already have a demonstrator, please visit my Online Stampin' Up site to place an order.  The link is on the right side bar. (The little computer mouse pushing a shopping cart.  Isn't that a great picture!)

I've listed below everything I used to make these cards. You can, of course, substitute in any sentiment sayings you already have.

Stamps:
Tree Trimmings 116722 $14.95
Christmas Greetings 115448 $10.95
Stiched Stockings 123784 $19.95

Inks:
Cherry Cobbler Classic 119669 $5.95
Baja Breeze Classic  111833 $5.95
Craft White 101731 $7.50

Punches:
Stocking punch 124095 $16.95

Embellishments:
Basic Pearls  119247 $4.95
Basic Rhinestones  119246 $4.95
Jingle Bells  124116 $2.95
Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine  123125 $2.95
Very Vanilla Velvet Ribbon 125637 $7.95

Thanks for stopping by.  Maybe you can take some time over the weekend to get your fingers inky! Yeah!

Kristine

The last of summer

There are snow flurries today in Reno.  Crazy weather.  It is truly fall.  In honor of summer fading, I made a last summery card for my Open Swappers group.  I used a set that I bought because I think the images are serene and beautiful.  It's called Plant Hope. That is a good directive too...plant some hope somewhere.  Maybe someone's heart, maybe in your own heart.  Here's the card.

Stamp: Plant Hope, Line Background, French Script

Paper: Crumb Cake, Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla

This is a CASE card from an older SU IBC.  I used almost all retired items on this card.  The nifty thing about my group, the Open Swappers, is we can use retired items.  We are "Open" to using ANY SU merchandise whether it be brand, spankin' new, or from the first years of the company's production.  There's no themes mandated, no musts.  It is for pure fun and enjoyment.  Use what ya want 'cause you want to use it! 

To see what the other members of the group designed, click on the picture of the white Alpaca on the right sidebar.  If you would like to join in the swap, send me an email and I'll get you the details of the swapping.

Thanks for stopping in.

Kristine



Mojo #208

This is a quick post.  I've had this card to post all week, but finding the time to sit and post was not possible until now.  Busy week.  For this card I used two things I had not opened yet from my stash, the stamp set Tagtastic, which is a hostess set, and the DSP Just Add Cake.  You know what, most of life would be better if we followed the advice of that DSP...Just add cake...and waalaa wouldn't life be sweet...literally.  Okay, here's my interpretation of the Mojo Monday #208 sketch. 

Happy card, no?  Yes!  I like the colors in the DSP.  I actually bought the paper for a baby scrapbook I'm making.  But, it's good for a card too. ;-)

Thanks for stopping in today.  If you still have a little time, and a fresh cup of coffee or tea, stick around a bit and putter through my blog.  I hope you find something that inspires you to pick up your own supplies and get a little inky.

Kristine