Christmas Card Parade - 2

The week before Halloween, I made Christmas cards.  Yep.  This didn't start with Christmas cards in mind.  It started because I wanted to "get messy" and play with mixed media.  I started with a cool twist on the shaving cream technique and wound up with four cards.  Here is the second card.

Hanging ornaments with a scattering of sequins!  I love the subtle pattern on the red layer and the subtle swirls of red throughout the green background.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

Christmas Card Parade

The week before Halloween, I made Christmas cards.  Yep.  And as I type this post, I have a PL spread laid out for the week of Halloween.  For some reason, I was so glad to put away the Halloween decorations.  **gasp**  So, while I finish up this PL spread, how about I share some Christmas cards?  

This didn't start with Christmas cards in mind.  It started because I wanted to "get messy" and play with mixed media.  So, off to the mixed media drawer I go.  

Has it been that long?  My gel medium was jelly.  My crackle paste was rock hard.  And the lid on the matte medium would not budge.  The matte medium was salvageable - Dale was able to open the jar!  But not without a colorful phrase!    

Looking for mixed media inspiration, I decide to visit some class materials I had on mixed media projects and learned about a new way to do the shaving cream technique.  I chose a series of green (of course) reinkers (little bottles of liquid ink), grabbed a can of shaving cream (not much in the can and I could have used a shave - but hey - it's crafty time!) and got to work.

Out came several neat unique backgrounds that I made into four unique Christmas cards.  Here is the first one.

Not my original idea, but I thought this was really cute.  An elf.  A headless, arm-less, leg-less elf - but forget that part.  It's still cute!  I was pleased to be able to use so many neat items from my stash!  The doily (there's gold under that collar), the corduroy brads (um, hello!) and the POW glitter paper (the butter of glitter paper).  Plus a sheet of striped designer paper from a past December Daily mini kit.  I don't consider the black cardstock stash, but a staple - gotta have it.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

Solemn Stillness GOLD

The gilded age has returned!  

I love the sparkle, especially the Zing! Glitter Finish Gold embossing powder!  I'm not certain I'm impressed with the Mister Huey Gold.  In the right light, it shimmers nicely; otherwise, meh.  While I wish I had tried it without the Mister Huey Gold, I'm very happy with how it turned out otherwise! Mister Huey plays a big role in this card though.  LOL. Maybe it will grow on me some more.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

Stamps: SU! Solemn Stillness
Paper: SU! Very Vanilla & Brushed Gold
Ink: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Versamark
Accessories: SC Mister Huey (Gold); SU! gold cord, Gold Glory EP; Zing Glitter Finish Gold EP

MSM's Solemn Stillness

I need 16 - 20 more Christmas cards.  (sigh)  I thought I had enough.  No worries.  I'm having fun making cards.  I checked in with my go-to challenges over on SCS: CAS, Color Challenge and Sketch Challenge.  I figured I best pick a stamp set first.  So, I picked another go-to: SU!'s Solemn Stillness.  There are so many possibilities with this stamp set.

Next, I chose the color challenge:  Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake and Pool Party.  Really? Pool Party. That name so does not go with winter in Kentucky.  LOL.  BUT, adding touches of silver and bouncing off the Sketch Challenge, it made a lovely card.

I made four of this style, which is my favorite number for successful mass production.  I probably could do up to 10 maximum.  But, I did four.  And am very happy with them.

Stay tuned for more variations on Solemn Stillness!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

Stamps: SU! Solemn Stillness & Christmas Greetings
Paper: SU! Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Pool Party & Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Accessories: SU! Sterling Silver DP & silver cord

MSM's Merry & Bright, more or less

I'm playing in the CAS challenge over on SCS again this week.  This week's challenge is "stamp a pad".

I used a technique called direct to paper to create the paint swipes using three shades of blue for an ombre look.  I really do like that pop of black.  That's the more version, only because it has three more sequins!  LOL.

This is the less version.  It's fun to do a more & less version, interesting to see the differences.  I can't make up my mind which one I like better.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

Paper: PTI White, SU! Basic Black
Ink: SC Color Theory (Glass Slipper, Clear Blue, Something Blue)
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Silhouette Cut File, SC sequins (black)
Techniques: Direct to paper, Sewing

MSM's Merry Christmas + Paint

I'm so in love with the acrylic paint in the cool tubes from Studio Calico's Color Theory line.  

Let me tell you a story.

My vision, inspired by a card from the Send Joy class taught by Lisa Spangler.

Firstly, I had none of the supplies for the card demonstrated in the class.  As a master counterfeiter (ahem) with a Silhouette cut file and a masked a portion of a sentiment from the SU! stamp set Christmas Greetings, I was good to go! 

I love the die cut "Christmas" backed with SU! Cherry Cobbler, cut using my lovely Cameo.   Using my handy stamp-a-ma-jig, I positioned "Merry" and stamped it in SC Color Theory Emerald City.   Not my favorite green, but it is a really nice green for Christmas cards!  Then I squished some of that same not so favorite green into my tray, grabbed a paint brush and got to swathing paint!  I had only die cut four cards...and ooops, I had way too much paint in my tray.  Since it comes in nifty cool tubes, there was no way to "save" it, nor was I washing it down the drain.  I decided to use the rest on six more card bases and eventually came up with this:

This one might be my favorite of the three.  Funny how that works out.  

When I was gluing sequins on the die cut card, I didn't realize that T-2 (cat) had knocked one of the die cut cards off the desk until I was all set & done!  So, I wound up one like this:

I just call that my "less" version.  I sorta like it better than the "more" version.  And I really have a thing for sequins.  Hmmm...

That other green is called Mint Hint, another "favorite" (ahem) green of mine.  However, I will say, again, that they look moo'valous together on a Christmas card.

Green is my favorite color.  However, I tend to lean towards a true John Deere green and a more yellow green than blue green.  I do not like SU! Certainly Celery or any relatives, such as Mint Hint.  LOL.  That may change.  Who knows.  But I did get rid of every single sheet of SU! Certainly Celery I had.  Maybe it reminds me of limp, stringy celery and "ants on a log."

Well, that's 10 more fun, easy & WOW Christmas cards.  Bonus points for flat & easy mailing!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

MSM's Solemn Stillness

I'm in the Christmas card making / challenge participation / sharing mood.  Today's project features the Stampin' Up! Solemn Stillness stamp set  (Can you hear the Christmas hymn?) and a traditional Christmas color combination with gold accents!  

This is no one layer wonder; however, it will ship flat, a feature helps greatly when sending out bunches of Christmas cards to the individuals on our Christmas card list! The "WOW!" factor comes from the Zing Glitter Gold embossing powder; add to that, gold sequin stars, gold cord and a brushed gold cardstock panel.  

The card size is 6 x 4.5.  There are some vanilla envelopes I wish to use and I wanted to maximize the usage of a precious 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock.   LOL.  

I love the stamped off tree image and I definitely love the gold trim!  

Thanks for stopping by!  Have  moo'valous day!

Stamps: Solemn Stillness, Christmas Greetings

Paper: BG Figgy (6x6); SU! Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold

Ink: SU! Always Artichoke; Hero Arts Unicorn Pigment Ink; SC Color Theory Inky Black

Accessories: Zing Glitter Finish Gold EP; SU! Gold Cord; SC Gold Sequins; Black Brads

MSM's Be Merry

Today's CAS (Clean And Simple) challenge over on SCS focuses on non-traditional Christmas cards. I am taking a class over on Studio Calico called "Send Joy", taught by Lisa Spangler.  This is a CASE of one of three cards she demonstrated, using a cool ink technique!  

This non traditional Christmas card has a trendy vibe with its two toned (blue / green) triangles that serve as evergreen trees.   It is definitely CAS in design, containing white space upon which the eye can rest.

This was a fun challenge using something other than the traditional red + green for Christmas cards or white + blue for Winter Holiday cards.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

Stamps: SC Send Joy

Paper: PTI White

Ink: SC Color Theory (Mint Hint, Lime Light, Emerald City, Inky Black), Brilliance Galaxy Gold

Accessories: Krylon 18 kt Gold Leafing Pen, mini mister (water), foam squares, SC gold sequins & stars, SC craft die O Christmas Tree

Peace on Earth

I love this stamp set.  It was a hostess set named Peaceful Season.  Paired with Letters to Santa DSP and some NEW Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon.  OK.  I'm so not the PINK gal!  But I love this stuff!  Take a peek!

Check out the amazing details & textures on the card!  The blue panel I received through SCS Wish RAK several years ago.  It's pressure embossed with snowflakes on textured CS.  That snowflake...is not really a snowflake.  It's a doily.  SU! has a triple layer doily punch...I tell ya...they look like durn snowflakes.  I have yet to use them as doilies...and why buy a snowflake punch when ya already got a great substitute!?!  LOL.  Saving those FRNs.  ;-)

Speaking of FRNs...everything on this card...I guess...was from stash.  I DID buy the Letters to Santa DSP because I didn't have any Christmas DSP.  The pleated ribbon IS new...but it's more of a repurpose...it's not advertised as being used on Christmas cards.  It's not available for purchase by the general public until January 2, as it's featured in the upcoming SU! Ocassions Mini.

It's so luscious!  I loved rubbing my finger across the pleats...sigh...nice stuff!  Truly.

Inside, I stamped a snowflake trio and a sentiment!  The sentiment is from a virgin stamp set (not seen ink yet) named Season of Simple Grace.

I'm mailing these out in clear envies!  Since I gotta pay an extra 20 cents for the bumps...the brad & ribbons...I'm gonna use a clear envelope!  A first for me, as I've not mailed anything in a clear envelope yet.  It's actually kind of cool.  I received a card with a button in a clear envelope the other day!  Cool!

I made SIX of these.  I think SIX is a good number to "mass produce".  I tried that mass produce thing one year...with embossed images.  I wonder why I have not used EP (embossing powder) lately.  LOL.  I do have some NEW scented EP from SU!  I hope it smells good.  And heck naw...they didn't put out chocolate scented EP.  More like cherry, orange & melon.  Those are summer scents.  Maybe we'll get chocolate next time.  :-D

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo'valous day!

Scrap Card

Do you need a great card idea to use up your long scraps?  How about these?

Purty, aint' they?  I wanted to make some Christmas cards.  I had some Fruitcake strips & scraps.  Basic Grey Fruitcake, that is.  I got the idea from Andrea Walford, a Canadian SU! demonstrator.  I made eleven cards in all!  Whoo hoo!  It took ALL freaking day!  OMG!  Who would've thought it would take all freaking day to make 11 cards?  It was fun and I really really do like the result! 

There were lots of combinations of paper patterns to choose from to mix and match.  I think some of the cards look like a cottage roof! 

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Christmas Greetings
Paper: SU! Soft Suede, Basic Grey Fruitcake
Ink: SU! Soft Suede Classic
Accessories: SU! Tasteful Trim XL Die, Big Shot, SU! 5/8" Old Olive Satin, SU! Sherbet Button Boutique, SU! Linen Thread, Mono Multi, Glue Dots, Stamp-a-ma-jig

You've Got Mail!

I needed something creative for Mom's gift cards.  I have it!  Off to search the alterables closet for...a Target mailbox!  Remember those things...$1.00 a piece...in bubble gum pink, white and red? 

Many crafters had issues with covering the box in patterened paper because of the permanent flag stuck to the box.  Usually, I left the front part where the flag was uncovered.  This time, and it's been a while since I've covered a mailbox, I had an idea.

Off to the punch storage drawer & out comes Stampin' Up!'s Word Window Punch.

I cut a 12 x 12 piece of patterned paper from My Minds Eye Be Merry Collection (Snowball Fun pattern) to 4" wide.  I dry fit the 4 x 12 piece to the mailbox.  I marked my spot and punched two times.

I applied sticky strip to all four sides.  Check out where the seam is...barely visable.

I grabbed my SU! 1 1/4" striped grosgrain.  I love this wide silky grosgrain ribbon.  I tied it up with a nice bow.  From the coordinating accessory sheet, I used a tag, which was attached with a safety pin from SU!'s Vintage Trinkets.  I love the trinkets, too! 

The lowly safety pin...elevated to embellishment status.  The same accessory sheet has another cool embellishment for the gift card mail box...

This one, I ran through my Xyron.

I was impressed with how cute the project turned out.  I do believe Mom liked the mail box and the contents. 

SUPPLIES
Paper: My Minds Eye Be Merry Collection
Accessories:  Coordinating Accessory Sheet, SU! Old Olive 1 1/4" Grosgrain, SU! Vintage Trinkets, Xyron, Sticky Strip, Word Window Punch

Frosty the Snowman

...came to life one cold winter day.  I love Frosty the Snowman!  Stampin' Up! has this "retro" Santa / Frosty stamp set named "Jolly Old Saint Nick".  Jolly Ole' Saint Nicholas...lean you ear this way...

Back to Frosty.  This has to be my favorite Snowman image.  Ain't he a cutie?

I've cased Michelle Zindorff (AKA the brayer Queen!)  Here's her tutorial entitled Chilly Day #382.  As soon as I saw her card, I knew I had to try this tutorial. 

I did change a couple of things from her original card - the right side is a sentiment instead of a die cut.  I also used the snowflake from Jolly Old Saint Nick in the sky as well as make large dots.  Ahem...she said small random dots.  BUT, I did get the image all covered in Versamarker, and all inside the lines, too!  YAY!  It takes practice.  I made four of these cards.  Reckon I had enuf practice with this one.  {wink}

This is a fun card to send for Christmas thank-yous that should be arriving to recipients in January 2011.  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a moo-valous day!


SUPPLIES
Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick, Snow Buddies, Wonderful Words
Paper: SU! Whisper White, SU! Baja Breeze
Ink: Versamark, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Mat Pack Mat, SU! Markers (Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Blush Blossom, Baja Breeze), Versamarker, Sponge, Stamp a ma jig, Brayer
Techniques: Emboss Resist, Brayer, Masking

SSK Christmas Cards (Day 5)

Supplies:

- Stamps - Dasher
- Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Old Olive CS, Real Red CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - Old Olive Craft
- Accessories - Clear EP, Heat Gun, circle & scallop circle punches (Marvy)

SSK Christmas Cards (Day 4)

Today's treat uses only items from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit.  No stamps, no ink.

Supplies

- Stamps - None
- Paper - Real Red CS, Old Olive CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - None
- Accessories - None

SSK Christmas Cards (Day 3)

Supplies- Stamps - Christmas Greetings
- Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Old Olive CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - Chocolate Chip Craft
- Accessories - SU! Stampin' Dimensionals

SSK Christmas Cards (continued)

Here's today's treat!

The focal image looks like an ornament!  As I look at this, I'm pretty certain I used a Marvy circle punch & the Marvy scallop circle punch for this project. 

Supplies

- Stamps - Dasher
- Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Old Olive CS, Real Red CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - Old Olive Craft
- Accessories - Very Vanilla Grosgrain, circle & scallop circle punches (Marvy)

SSK Christmas Cards

Time to send out the Christmas cards.  This year, I'm using "leftover" cards from previous years.  Last year I created oodles of cards with the SU! Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit.  That has to be one of my absolute favorite kits.  I was able to create lots of awesome looking cards with just a few supplies - Christmas Jingle SSK, Dasher (single stamp) and Christmas Greetings and with four coordinating colors - Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip.  Fun, quick, easy and BEAUTIFUL cards!

I scanned this photo...which explains the dark shadows.  

Supplies

- Stamps - Christmas Greetings
- Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Christmas Jingle SSK
- Ink - Real Red Craft
- Accessories - Red Rhinestone Brad (non SU!, I think)