Last Call for Merry Patterns!

Happy Monday! I hope you've had a wonderful weekend. I certainly enjoyed a somewhat less hectic one than I have since school started. Wrapping up my fall retreat last weekend has allowed me to spend some time in my studio getting caught up on class prep and even designing some new projects. It felt SOOO good to create again! Another advantage to having the retreat behind me is having the time (and energy) to get back to blogging regularly. I've neglected my poor blog for too long!

Today I have a project that features the Merry Patterns pomotional stamp set. Time is running out to earn this exclusive set, so I thought I'd show you a project before it is too late.

I think my favourite stamp in this set is the pine bough! I know...crazy, right? It's just so perfect for adding subtle texture and is so perfectly festive I'm finding myself using it all the time. Here I began with a piece of Color Theory DSP and then stamped the pine branch several times in Old Olive ink, stamping both full strength and 2nd and 3rd generation to create depth. This creates the perfect backdrop for my focal image.

The outline of the candles is heat embossed in gold. This makes it super-easy to line up the patterned candle images because the embossing resists the ink, so if you're off a little it's pretty forgiving. I used Real Red and Old Olive ink to stamp the candles. The flames are stamped in Crushed Curry. I used the Stitched Shapes framelits to die-cut my oval and then layered it on a scalloped oval in gold foil. I added some gold mini sequin trim as well as some die-cut pine boughs and glittery red sprigs. The pine boughs were cut with the Christmas Staircase Thinlits and the springs with Pretty Pines. The sentiment is stamped in Basic Black ink on a strip of Real Red card stock.

On the inside I added a Whiper White panel on which I stamped more candles, using Basic Black for the outline rather than heat embossing in gold. I added another pine bough in Old Olive ink (see what I mean about that stamp??) and the sentiment in Basic Black.

I have to say I really love this Merry Patterns stamp set...I just wish it would stick around a while longer! Don't miss out on your chance to own this fabulous set. Get some friends together and place a qualifying order before October 31st at midnight when this deal turns into a pumpkin ;)

Product List

Merry Patterns Photopolymer Stamp Set [144973] $0.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $11.25	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100702] $10.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $10.00
Color Theory Designer Series Paper Stack [144193] $12.50	Gold Foil Sheets [132622] $5.25	Red Glimmer Paper [121790] $6.75	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931] $9.25
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $8.50	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $8.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $8.50	Versamark Pad [102283] $11.25
Embossing Buddy [103083] $8.00	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129] $6.75	Heat Tool [129053] $40.00	Big Shot [143263] $136.00
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $40.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $46.00	Christmas Staircase Thinlits Dies [144679] $51.00	Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies [141851] $34.00
Gold Mini Sequin Trim [144128] $8.00

Merry Season for Sunday Stamps

Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying your weekend! I know I've been MIA in blogland the past week...and I do apologize to my faithful followers. I'm currently in Niagara Falls holding my Fall Fling Stamp 'n' Scrap Retreat. The days leading up to this event as well as this weekend have been a little bit crazy! I'm looking forward to some downtime and getting back to my regular schedule.

That said, the retreat has been a BLAST so far! I am having so much fun stamping and sharing with my friends...what a great weekend away it has been!

Today marks the start of a new sketch challenge over at Sunday Stamps. Check it out...

Here is my card for the challenge, using the Merry Patterns stamp set...

I began with a piece of Real Red card stock which I embossed using the Holly TIEF. I added a strip of Merry Little Christmas DSP, a gold glimmer banner and some Real Red, Basic Black and gold baker's twine and then adhered it to a Basic Black card stock base.

The sentiment is stamped first in Basic Black and then the letters are filled in with Real Red. I offset the letters slightly for a 3-D effect. I added some pine branches along the bottom edge in Old Olive ink and layered the stamped panel on a slightly-larger piece of Basic Black. I added a few black rhinestones to the flourish and voila...quick and easy Christmas card!

On the insde I added a Whisper White card stock panel on which I stamped the sentiment is Real Red and more pine boughs in Old Olive.

This sketch is fabulous...so many more ideas swimming around in my head...I just need more hours in the day to bring them to life. Give this one a try and be sure to share with us at Sunday Stamps.

Have a fabulous Sunday!


Product List

Merry Patterns Photopolymer Stamp Set [144973] $0.00	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931] $9.25	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $8.50	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $8.50
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $11.25	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $10.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $10.00	Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper [144621] $14.50
Gold Glimmer Paper [133719] $6.75	Big Shot [143263] $136.00	Holly Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [141634] $10.00	Black Rhinestone Jewels [144639] $6.50
Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine [141682] $4.00	Baker's Twine Trio Pack [141999] $12.00

Quilted Peace Two Ways

Have you started your Christmas cards yet? I have been designing Christmas cards since July! Today I have a project that features the Quilted Christmas bundle...one of my favourites from the Holiday Catalogue! The first card is one I made at a demonstrator training event I attended in Pennsylvania this summer. It was designed by Connie Heisey.

This is a fairly quick and simple design and, as you know if you've been following my blog for any length of time, I like to step my projects up just a touch. So I redesigned this card and stepped it up...

I love that this card totally works both ways. Quick and easy for the novice crafter (or those in a hurry!) and stepped up for the seasoned stamper. Can you spot all of the differences between the two cards? Here is a side-by-side photo...

Firstly, I added an additional layer of Real Red card stock over the card base, adhering the DSP strip to the Real Red layer and then running it through the Big Shot with the Quilt Top TEIF. I love the extra texture it adds. Using embossing folders is a simple, yet stunning way to step up any project!

Next, I used the stitched detail die on the solid Garden Green pinwheel to add interest. I also added a few sprigs of pine greenery behind the sentiment banner. I swapped out the ribbon, favouring the Real Red, which pops nicely against the greenery.

The inside of the first card wasn't decorated at all, so it was easy to step it up ;) I added a Whisper White panel, stamped a sentiment from the Christmas Quilt stamp set and adhered another strip of DSP.

Isn't it amazing what just a few extra details can do to take a project from fun to fabulous??

Product List

Christmas Quilt Photopolymer Stamp Set [144793] $26.00	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $8.50	Powder Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [144084] $8.50	Basic Gray Archival Stampin’ Pad [140932] $9.25
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $11.25	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $10.00	Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102584] $10.00	Quilted Christmas 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [144617] $11.75
Big Shot [143263] $136.00	Quilt Top Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [144687] $11.25	Quilt Builder Framelits Dies [144673] $40.00	Christmas Staircase Thinlits Dies [144679] $51.00
Real Red 1/8" (3.2 Mm) Solid Ribbon [144631] $9.25