Festive Flurries meets the "Flip it die"

Hello Friends!
It's been forever.... since I posted to my blog... but here I am, at last, with Christmas presents mostly wrapped, and a cup of coffee at my side!

The card I have to share with you today features the new Circle card thinlets die as well as the Festive Flurry bundle from the Holiday catalog.  We made this card at one of my recent stampers' clubs.  That gorgeous designer paper, is the Winter Frost specialty designer paper -- also from the Holiday catalog.  The circle card thinlets die allows you to make a super cute fun fold card with just one pass through your Big Shot machine.  Notice the extra fold in this card -- featuring an extra folded over portion for more space to write.  Scroll on down for photos of how to place your card stock into your die to create this fold.

 To make that extra "flap" on your card, start with a 5 3/8" by 8 1/2" piece of card stock -- like you would use for any standard A2 card.  (Note that I made the card stock a hair narrower than 5 1/2" so it will slide through the die easily.) When placing your card stock into the flip it die, center the front end under the die as normal -- the end with the circle that will be the front of your card.  For the opposite end, pull your cardstock up through the die, so the tail is on TOP of the die preventing it from cutting that end of your card stock.  When you run it through your Big shot, the "tail" end of your card stock will have a crease rather than a cut edge -- fold on that crease mark so that the flap folds in towards the inside of your card. You now have that extra flap that you can write your message behind. This technique simply expands the ways you can use this super cute die!

Here is another card featuring this die:

A very Happy Holiday season to each of you!  May you have plenty of turkey and get every single thing on your crafty wish list! :)
Cheers!

Christmas is in the air!....

... or in the stores at least!!!  It never ceases to amaze me how EARLY the Christmas decor comes out every year.  It's not even Halloween yet, and all that glitters is showing itself everywhere.  I DO love Christmas decor, though -- ALL of it!  The glitterier and sparklier the better! :)

October is a busy month for me this year, celebrating my wonderful parents' 50th wedding anniversary with a family reunion here in Montana.  The guests have begun to arrive and I'm feeling excited about all the celebrating plans.  So,..... before I get completely carried away by the goings on this week, I wanted to share these Christmas cards with you.  We will be creating these at my upcoming annual Christmas card stamp-a-stack.  I am OH so proud of myself for having these designed BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER!  There is NO doubt that that is the EARLIEST I have ever had my Christmas card class already planned. :) :) :)  The classes will be on November 15th and 17th in case you would like to join us.  See this link -- http://www.meetup.com/Flathead-Valley-Stampers/ -- for all the juicy details.

On with the cards!

One thing I tried to do this year with my cards, is to show how you can use non-traditional Christmas stamps to create a winter scene.  This stamp is from the "Serene Silhouettes" stamp set -- nothing Christmasy in this set at all, but doesn't it make a lovely winter card?  I first stamped the birds/branch image in Island Indigo onto the top portion of a Whisper White Top Note die cut.  I then punched a circle from a sticky note and placed that where I wanted my "moon" to be.  Next, I cut a wavy edged sticky note free hand, for my "snow" and placed that slightly over the bottom of the trunk, so it looks like the tree is sticking out of the snow.  I then sponged Pool Party ink over the open spaces until the desired result was achieved.  Then removed my masks and there you go!  Of course, added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter with my two way glue pen to add to the sparkly snow effect.  The sentiment is a long retired one from an old holiday set.  A little strip of Silver glimmer paper and some DSP from the Winter Frost pack and a background panel embossed with the Petals a plenty embossing folder, finishes the card!

Here is another classic set -- "Lovely as a tree".  Super simple card where I stamped the pine tree in Artichoke ink, added some Rhinestones colored red with a Shparpie, some glitter, a little sparkly red rick-rack -- die cut red glimmer paper using the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, a strip of patterned paper from the Neutrals DSP stack, and a panel of Early Espresso Co-ordinations card stock embossed with the Beautifully Baroque embossing folder, and sanded to show off the lighter core.

Another non-traditional Christmas set -- the "Daydreams Medallion" stamp set -- used to create a wreath.  I stamped it in Gumball Green ink, added some basic rhinestones colored red with my Sharpie, then punched the birds using the bird and branch punch.  For the cardinal, you punch and extra wing and place that behind the head to make the cardinal's crest.  For the black part, I punched a flower out of black using the Boho Blossoms punch, and placed that over the front of the bird's head and trimmed it to the size I needed it to be.  Super simple, but cute none-the-less.

Ok, this one is traditional Christmas. :)  I used the Ornaments Keepsakes stamps set -- a carryover from last year's holiday mini -- and the matching framelits to die cut these lovely ornaments.  The colors of ink and card stock used here are retired -- Bravo Burgandy and River Rock -- as I have a tone of that card stock I need to use up.  The "Merry" word is cut out of Champagne glimmer paper using the Expressions Thinlits dies from the new holiday catalog.  LOVE these little word dies.  They are a wee bit fussy, but the result is amazing.  I stamped the background with a flourish from the "Creative Elements" stamp set in River Rock ink.  Finally, I added some basic pearls to add to the elegance factor for this card.

Last, but not least!...  this card uses the lovely "Festive Flurries" bundle from the holiday mini to stamp and die cut those gorgeous snow flakes.  This is a pricey bundle, but WOW! it is so gorgeous it is worth the price, in my opinion.  This bundle made in onto my first order from the holiday catalog -- and I haven't been disappointed.  I used the postage stamp punch to punch out squares from the Winter Frost DSP pack from the holiday catalog -- gorgeous winter papers that you simply must have!  The panel behind the punches is Island Indigo layered onto a Soft Sky folded card.  Quite simple, really, but a lovely wintery card.  One of the snowflakes is die cut from silver glimmer paper to add some sparkle.

Hoping you feel inspired to create some lovely holiday cards of your own this year!  SU is offering a series of "weekly specials" right now, that start every Tuesday and go for one week only -- a number of lovely products on sale for one week only.  AND, every Thursday, is "Thank you Thursday" where a selection of products are on sale for just one day.  This past Thursday, it was 4 packs of DSP on sale for $8.21 each.  So, be sure to check my website on Tuesdays and Thursdays to see what's new.

Also, if you've ever entertained the idea of joining SU, you can right now through Oct 21st for only $25!  That's right, get $26.95 worth of product for $25 and give SU a trial run.  Because the current quarter is underway already, you wouldn't need to meet your minimum of $300 in sales to stay active, until the end of March 2014.  Can't beat that deal, now can you!

Ok, I'm off to enjoy my day.  Happy Sunday to each of you!

Scrappin' up a stack!

Well, I am officially feeling "scrapped out".   I've been working on designing the (6) 2 page, 12x12 layouts for my first ever "scrap-a-stack" happening next week.  The participants will each make 6 layouts at this class -- great way to get a substantial start on your scrap books, if you haven't started yet, OR add some interest and variety to your current books.

For these layouts, part of my goal, was to use up a bunch of retired DSP I am inundated with, so some oldies but goodies are having a chance at another debut! :)

Layout #1: a direct CASE from one I saw made by Kay Kalthoff on Pinterest.  Features the Beautiful Butterflies SU Bigz die, the Top Note die, Tasteful Trim die, butterfly punches, and the Flowering Flourishes stamp set.

Layout #2: "Ok, Smile!" -- Spice Cake DSP -- combining More Mustard and Pool Party.  Seems like an odd combo, but isn't it stunning?!  That gorgeous medallion is from the Daydream Medallion stamp set and its matching framelits.  This layout came from an idea I saw in a CTMH catalog.  These silver flourish frames (framing the title) are in the SU Clearance rack right now -- $2.79 for a set of 8!

Layout #3: "Sweet, sweet moments" This layout idea was shared with me by my friend, Leah, when I was feeling completely out of scrappin' Mojo.  I don't know where she got the idea, but isn't it neat?  The papers I used here are from the "Mocha Morning" specialty DSP pack.  Also featured, is the Flower Shop stamp set and matching punch, and

Layout #4: Thankful for you!  I used the new Expression Thinlets from the new Holiday catalog for the "thankful" word -- cutting it out of the champagne glitter paper.  So stunning!  This layout idea was taken from another of Kay Kalthoff's layouts that I saw on Pinterest -- she did a Halloween one for hers.  Also featured, in this layout: Bitty butterfly punch and larger butterfly punch, the swirl stamp from the "Everything Eleanor" stamp set, Oval Accents Bigz die, the Deco Labels framelits, retired lace border punch, and the Round Array stamp set and 7/8" scallop punch.

Layout #5: Love U!  featuring the Expression Thinlets dies again for the word "Love" -- cut out of the red glitter paper.  Very simple layout I took from a sketch I saw somewhere.  Also featured: Hearts framelits, Chalk Talk framelits, 3/4" circle punch, and the Beautifully Baroque embossing folder.

Layout #6: "Owl Always Love You".  This layout features a darling little owl stamp set with matching framelits that I got off the Sizzix clearance rack a while back when they were having a big sale.  I adore little owls anyways, and that little cute baby owl -- well, I just could not resist!!! Also featured: the 1 3/4", 1 1/4", and 7/8" scallop punches and the Itty Bitty punch pack to make the flowers -- you snip between the scallops to create the petals of the flowers.  For the edging, I used the Finishing Touches edgelits -- SO easy to use now with the magnetic platform!!!

If you've made it ALL the way to the end of this eternal post, congratulations!!!!!  Don't forget, the special this month is the bitty butterfly punch paired with the matching "Papillion Potpourie" stamp set -- a lovely combo that I reach for all the time -- I used the bitty butterfly and the larger butterfly punch on the first layout featured here.

Folded shirt card

Happy Thursday!

Today I have a quick post showcasing a "folded shirt card".  I'm using some papers from the new paper stack -- Sweater Weather -- from the Holiday catalog.  There are a lot of nice small patterns in this paper, which makes them well suited for this project.  To make the shirt, use a piece of designer paper 3 1/2 x 5".  For the pattern of how to fold the shirt, email me and I can send you the pdf.  I got this pattern off of splitcoaststampers ages ago, so no idea who to give credit to for it.  There are many versions out there for the folded shirt idea, so this is just one of many.

I used the Tasteful Trim XL die to make the diagonal trim on the card.  The script stamped on the left hand card is from the "By the Tide" stamp set.  The colors I used here are Pool Party and Chocolate Chip.  This is another card we are making at my upcoming masculine cards class for my monthly stampers hostess club.

 Below is the lineup of the three cards we are making at my class.  I generally have trouble coming up with masculine cards, so was pretty proud of these ones. :) 

Ok, I'm off to finish getting ready for my scrap booking retreat I'm going to this weekend.  Whoopeee!

Black and White with a splash of Red!

Good Morning Crafty Friends!  Recently I went to a friend's SU card class, and she had a card layout design similar to this (I think she saw the idea on Pinterest, so I have no idea who to give credit to for the original layout design), and I immediately knew I wanted to try the same idea in black and white with a splash of red using my new Flower Shop set.  I also have been anxious to try using my new Expressions thinlits dies.  They might seem intimidating to use at first, but there are several tricks I've tried that make them pop out easily.  First, put wax paper between your die and the paper you're trying to cut, secondly, use a little card stock shim on top of your top cutting pad to make the sandwich a little tighter.  Thirdly, after you've cranked it through, roll it backwards back through the machine a second (or even third) time to make sure it has cut through well.  When you pull it out, you should see a little corner or two popping out -- get a grip on it and gently pull it out of the die -- or use a paper piercing tool to poke gently through the little holes on the back of the die to help your expression to pop out.  You can also put the multipurpous adhesive sheets on the back of your paper before cutting your work, so you can easily "peel and stick" your word.  A xyron sticker maker also works great.  Anyways, I can see myself using these a lot.  AND I love that the "love" word can be used for other stuff than just Valentines or anniversary -- would make a great title "love you" for a scrap book layout -- and the "thankful" word will be a great title "thankful for you" for a fall themed layout as well as thanksgiving cards or whatever.  Ok, on with the card...

I also broke out my finishing touches edgelits to edge the red cardstock.  I LOVE how easy these are to use now with the magnetic platform!  I'll admit, the edgelits used to make me so frustrated that they mostly just stayed on my shelf.  Now, I just pull out my magnetic platform and my paper doesn't slide anywhere when I go to cut.  SO AWESOME!!!!

Other products used on this card, are the Flower Shop stamp set and matching pansy punch, labels framelits, fancy fan embossing folder, basic pearls, Itty Bitty shapes punch pack, Polka Dots DSP pack, Real Red, Basic Black, and Whisper White card stock.

Happy Sunday to each of you!