Quilted Gingerbread Christmas

I'm all about simple Christmas cards this week.  And while this one makes use of some retired Designer Series Paper I had in my stash, any paper could be used to make this card.  It really is a great way to use up some scraps!

To make this card, I simply punched out six different patterns of DSP with my square punch.  I adhered them to a piece of Garden Green card stock, then ran it through my Big Shot using the Argyle embossing folder.  I also love the now-retired Square Lattice embossing folder, but when I made this card, I wanted to use something current.  While nothing gives a quilted look the way the Square Lattice folder does, the good news is that the Argyle folder is a great alternative.

I used an old (but much loved!) stamp set called Gingerbread Christmas, and colored in the image with Aquapainters and ink.  I punched it out with the Decorative Label punch, added some seam binding ribbon, and that's it!  I did offset the quilted piece intentionally, but as I study the picture, I think it might look better if it's centered.  If you try it that way, I'd love to see a picture!

Supplies
Stamps:  Gingerbread Christmas (retired)
Ink:  Garden Green and Real Red ink, StazOn Jet Black ink
Paper:  Real Red, Garden Green, and Naturals Ivory card stock, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Argyle embossing folder, Decorative Label punch, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon

Label Thinlits Christmas Card

Next week I'll be holding several Christmas classes for kids.  It's always fun, but totally crazy. CRAZY.  I like to have the kids make beautiful projects that they can be super proud to give to their family.  The trick, however, is keeping things simple, so they can actually make them. 

This is one of the cards we'll be making.  I don't think it would matter one bit what was on this card, because the flipping feature is going to be all it takes to make the kids love this card.  But I won't love it unless there's a little bit more going on.  I used up some old Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper on this...I have so many scraps of this left over from a project I did with a huge group of people a couple of years ago.  I'm not sure I will ever run out. :)

Tips & Tricks

• It's barely visible in the picture, but there is a subtle like of pine boughs that run up the left side of the card.  To add a little bit of subtle interest, consider a tone on tone look.  I used Real Red ink on the Real Red card stock, and it is just the right amount to add interest without overpowering the rest of the card.

• The sentiment on this card is a very old set.  But it fit perfectly with this card, and I thought that the water coloring would be fun for the kids.  I didn't want to stamp with StazOn black ink, so I embossed with Early Espresso instead.  I like the look of the brown, but especially love that the embossing creates a wall of sorts to keep the water coloring where it's supposed to be.

Supplies

Stamps:  Gingerbread Christmas (retired), and Pine Bough Wheel (retired)
Ink:  Real Red Ink Cartridge, Garden Green Classic Ink and VersaMark
Paper:  Real Red and Naturals Ivory card stock, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP (retired)
Accessories: Big Shot, Label Card Thinlits, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainters, Stampin' Around Wheel Handle