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.

Season of Style Washi Tape Card

I know, I know, it's barely even fall, but yes, this is a Christmas card.  I broke out some retired items for this one, including the glitter and the "Merry Christmas" stamp.  It's my favorite Christmas sentiment stamp, and I pretty much use it every year, even if it is retired.

Tips & Tricks

• Washi Tape is so easy to use!  Don't be afraid to just stick it to your card stock.  It's easy to reposition if you don't like how it looks.  In fact, I moved the Crumb Cake piece on this card several times until I had it perfectly spaced.

• Who doesn't love a good glittery card?  Heat and Stick Powder is the secret to adhering glitter to a stamped image.  Simply stamp in VersaMark, then "emboss" using Heat and Stick Powder.  As soon as you set the Heat Tool aside, sprinkle the glitter on the image.  The glitter will stick and look fabulous!

Supplies

Stamps:  Scentsational Season (retired), Christmas Greetings (retired)
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler and VersaMark
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots Embossing Folder, Holiday Collection Framelits (retired), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Tool, and Mat, Season of Style Designer Washi Tape, Heat Tool, Heat and Stick Powder, glitter, 1-3/4" Circle Punch

Button Buddies Banners

So now that the news of the Color Refresh has had some time to sink in, are you feeling sad about losing any of them?  I'm mostly excited about the new colors, but I'll definitely miss More Mustard.  That was one of my all time top three favorite colors, so that's a hard one for me.  But I was able to order some card stock and ink refill, so I'm all set.  And I know that as soon as I see all the new colors arranged in their new homes, I'll forget all about the colors we're losing (OK, except for More Mustard!)

But since we do have to say goodbye to some colors, I thought it would be a good idea to use them!  I have lots of Bashful Blue, which I honestly haven't used much recently (and apparently, neither has anyone else!)  It's great for baby cards, but that's generally all I use it for.  I remembered a few years ago there was a great Designer Series Paper package that used Bashful Blue, Real Red, and Old Olive.  And one of the prints had cherries on it.  It was a favorite of mine, and if truth be told, I still have a pack and a half in my stash.  So that was the inspiration for this card.  See, it's good for things other than baby cards!

Stamps:  Button Buddies (122735), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink:  Old Olive (126953)
Paper:  Bashful Blue (105120), Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), and Whisper White (100730) card stock, Polka Dot Parade DSP (126902)
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (117335), 3/16" Corner Punch (119871), Brights Designer Buttons (119747) 

Christmas in July

I've been holding out on the Christmas cards, because I just can't bring myself to start thinking about winter just yet.  I have no problem making fall cards any time of the year, but Christmas...it's a bit of a stretch.  But I finally caved and made a couple of Christmas cards.  This one is very candy caney.  Not a word, I know.  But the red and white (well, vanilla, actually) and all the stripes scream candy canes.  Once again, I used retired product (shame on me!)  The striped paper is from last year's Christmas DSP, but it's so similar to one of the papers in the Be of Good Cheer DSP pack that's on it's way to my house right now.  I actually think the newer striped paper is going to look better, because there's a bit of green in it, and this card needs a third color.  I embossed the red in the background with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The ribbon is more of the 1/4" grosgrain from my vast stash. :)  The candy cane is from the Scentsational Season stamp set...it is ADORABLE!  And, much to my delight, it has a coordinating Framelits set!  I love my Framelits!  I embossed it with the new Peppermint Sticks scented embossing powder.  It's smells fantastic!  The piece of Naturals Ivory card stock behind it was cut out with the Window Frames Framelits and then embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder to give it some sparkle.  Fun!

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  VersaMark, Real Red Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Very Vanilla, and Real Red card stock, Be of Good Cheer DSP (not shown, but it makes a great substitution!)

Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits, Holiday Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (Very Vanilla and Real Red, both retired)

July Club Cards (Part 2)

This was the second card we made at club this month.  This card is also a lesson in how not to make a card five minutes before club starts.  I had ordered the exclusive set, A Reason to Smile, specifically to use at club.  The July 4th holiday got in the way, though, and when I received my shipping confirmation, UPS was telling me that my order would arrive the day after club.  I was so upset, because this set is only available during the month of July, and I wouldn't have another chance to use this at club.  Did I mention I was upset?  On the day of club, I checked the status of my package, only to discover that it was out for delivery!  I was so excited (talk about a mood swing!)  I was out in the morning, but was looking forward to coming home, picking up my box at my front door, and creating a new card for club.  Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.  My UPS deliveries are ALWAYS at my house by 2:00, and of course, the one time that I desperately wanted it to arrive by then, it was late.  It didn't come until around 5:30.  I have to leave my house for club at 6:15.  I only had 45 minutes to throw together a card, cut all the paper for my club members, and pack up my supplies.  Somehow I did it.  I didn't even leave any supplies at home and have to call my husband (like I normally do!) 

However, in my hurry to get this card made, I was sloppy, and I really wish I had had more time to play.  I completely CASED this card, changing very little from the original.  And those sunflowers...ick.  That top one is the perfect example of how not to use the new firm foam ink pads.  It's a little blotchy, and nothing is even close to being lined up.  I could pretend it's supposed to be that way (and it sort of is...these stamps are not meant to line up perfectly), but I could have done a better job.  Oh well...it's a five minute card, especially since I only had time to make one sample at home, and this one was made as my club members were arriving!

Stamps:  A Reason to Smile, Petite Pairs

Ink:  More Mustard, Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Paper: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Garden Green, More Mustard, and Whisper White card stock

Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Oval Scallop Punch, Small Scallop Punch, More Mustard 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (retired)

July Club Cards (Part 1)

This was the card I was originally planning to make at club this month.  I loved the colors, the rock and roll technique on the flower, and the piece of Floral District DSP.  I even loved that little bit of ribbon with the button at the top.  But something just didn't feel right.  I saw this fun fold card, and was stumped for days trying to come up with a good design to use with it.  I hated every single one I made.  And then I decided to combine this card with the fun fold, and this is what I ended up with:

 I was so happy with how it turned out!  Same bright colors, same fun flower, same everything (except that cute button!), just rearranged.  The diamond part of the card opens up, so you can write your message inside of it.  It's so cute, and so easy to make!

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Gumball Green Classic Ink, Whisper White Classic Ink

Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, and Whisper White card stock, Floral District DSP

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Bright Blossoms

This super simple card uses the Bright Blossoms stamp set and Summer Smooches DSP.  Both of these items are just like their names:  bright and summery.  I've noticed I've been using orange a lot lately.  Or maybe I always do and just haven't noticed???  I like orange so much that I painted my dining room orange. :)  This orange is Tangerine Tango.  My dining room is more of a terra cotta color...sorry, there isn't a SU color that matches it exactly...somewhere in between the old Real Rust and the current Cajun Craze.  Anyway, enough about my dining room.  If you want to come stamp with me, you can see it in person. :)

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, and Crumb Cake Markers, Tangerine Tango Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White card stock, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat