Gorgeous Grunge Washi Tape Birthday Card

I made this card as a birthday card, but it kind of makes me think of New Year's Eve with the "confetti" background and the party hat.  Although there are never celebrations of that level at my house on New Year's Eve.  We have a long-standing tradition (this will be 19 years!) of getting together with college friends and just hanging out together.  I'm usually fighting sleep from about 10:00 on and have all I can do to stay awake to watch the ball drop.  I'm pretty pathetic. 

Tips & Tricks

• Washi Tape is an easy way to add a fun element to a card.  Simply tear off a piece and stick it to your card front.  I let it run off one edge here, and just folded it around to the back.  You could always trim the excess, but in my opinion, that's just an extra step that's not necessary.

• Since there are some see-through parts on the designs of the Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape, I suggest adhering the tape, masking it off, and then stamping.  Otherwise, you'll see your background through the tape.  I've use lighter colors here, so that step wouldn't be necessary, however, darker colors would really show through the tape.

Supplies

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge, Pennant Parade, Itty Bitty Banners
Ink:  Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight
Paper:  Island Indigo, Whisper White, and Melon Mambo card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Pennant Builder Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat

So how about you?  What New Year's Eve traditions do you have?  Do you prefer big parties, or mellow get-togethers?

Pennant Parade Christmas Tree

In the spirit of making Christmas cards out of current, non-Christmas stamp sets I already own, here's an adorable little Christmas tree made from the Pennant Parade set.  Conveniently, there is a little star and pot for the tree included in this set, so clearly, my idea to use it as a tree was not original.  This card is so simple to create, and makes a cute and fun card to give this Christmas.

Tips & Tricks

• Five of the little Cherry Cobbler banners will fit in the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder at one time...great when mass producing this card!
• I love how the Ovals Framelits make layering perfect.  I cut them out using my Big Shot and the new Magnetic Platform, of course!
• The Season of Style Designer Series Paper Stack is a tremendous value!  At just $6.95, it's a bargain you just can't miss!

Supplies

Stamps:  Pennant Parade, Christmas Greetings (retired)
Ink:  Old Olive, Crushed Curry, and Soft Suede Classic Ink
Paper:  Naturals White, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, and Old Olive card stock, Season of Style DSP Stack
Accessories:  Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits, Pennant Builder Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Paper Snips

I'll be holding another Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack on October 20.  If you'd like to attend, please contact me for details.