Z-fold Joy

Well, my Christmas class schedule is in full swing!  Last night I ran a Stamp-A-Stack in Dundas for a fun group of scrapbooking friends.  We did 12 cards and had lots of laughs!  Here is one of the cards I designed for that class...

Elegant holiday card using The Sounding Joy, Bright Hopes and Christmas Greetings stamp sets.

Open view.

I have to say I was really happy with the way this one turned out.  I was going for something that would come together fairly quickly and easily but that would still provide the WOW factor.  I turned, once again to that gorgeous Mocha Morning DSP for inspiration, added richness with the cherry cobbler seam binding ribbon and an antique brad and viola...quick and easy Christmas card!
Today is all about the gift tags...I have my class tomorrow night and need to prep 120 tags this afternoon!  I hope your Sunday is a little less busy than mine will be!

What happened to the weekend???

How is it Sunday night already??  I'm not sure how, but the weekend somehow escaped me.  I had my Valley Girls Club meeting today and it went a wee bit long...they like to chat!  Then I stopped by for a little auntie time with my new nephew on my way home and here it is, 9:30 pm!  How can time go so fast on the weekend yet so slowly during the week?  I am not ready for Monday yet!  Since I have a ton to do before I can sleep tonight, this post will be a quick one.  This card is one that I designed for my Christmas Club which is meeting this week on Thursday.  We are focusing on the Sounding Joy set from the mini, since everyone loves it!  See what you think...

Holiday card featuring the Sounding Joy set from the holiday mini.

I went with a cool colour scheme of marina mist, night of navy and whisper white on this card. I embossed a third of the background using the snowburst embossing folder, which is also in the mini and then die cut a snowflake using the snowflake #2 die.  It is peeking out from behind the stamped focal image.  I kept this one simple because we'll be making 12 cards on Thursday night and I don't want to be at it all night!  I hope my club members enjoy this one!  Right now I'm off to get ready for my Inky Paws class tomorrow after school.  That is my monthly group of colleagues who meet to stamp after school in the staff room.  It is a fun social time for us all!

What a week!

TGIF!!!
The first week back to school is always crazy and this year was no different.  I don't know why I haven't learned over my 16 year career that the first week is just plain nutty, no matter how well you plan and prepare.  I am SO tired...summer holidays seems like months ago!  I did have some news that kinda made my day, though...

I just checked this week's challenge and discovered that I'd been chosen as the Rock Star for last week's challenge with this card.  Who knew that such a tough challenge would produce a winning card???  Anyhow, it was an honour to be chosen and a terrific way to end an otherwise crazy week.  Thanks to all the ladies over at the Mashup for choosing my card.
Since I've been so busy I haven't been down to my stamping corner much this week.  But that doesn't mean I don't have something for you!  Today's post is a Christmas card I did a while ago and never got around to posting.  So, without further complaining, here it is:

Christmas card using The Sounding Joy stamp set from the Holiday Mini

This layout is a CASE of someone I saw online somewhere, but I have NO idea where!  If this is your design please let me know so that I can give you credit.  I changed the colour combo and added the ribbon, which wasn't on the original card.  I do love this colour combo for Christmas...so rich and elegant looking.
This card is really  simple in design and execution...the hardest (and by that I mean tedious) part is poking all of the little bits out of the snowflakes after die cutting them with the Big Shot.  There are an awful lot of little bits to poke!!  I had originally thought I might do this with my Christmas Club this month, but after spending so much time poking all those little bits I figured my club members would likely poke ME...HARD..if I made them make four of these cards!  So, its back to the drawing board in terms of designs for this month's class, but I DO like this card.  I'll just send it to someone special this Christmas!

The Holiday Mini is Here!!

WOOHOO!  My favourite mini of the year has arrived!  I just love holiday crafting and having new goodies to do it with just adds to the fun.  Each year I look forward to the start of the Holiday Mini because it means all sorts of new ideas and products to play with.  If you haven't received your own copy of this fabulous new catalogue drop me a line and I will get one to you for FREE!  If you just can't wait that long, click on the image of the mini in the left side-bar to view it online.
With the new month, I have also sent out my e-newsletter.  If you think you are on my mailing list but didn't get your newsletter, please let me know...I am having issues with things I send from my Stampin' Up site getting dumped in SPAM folders! I've also updated my events page for the new month...check it out!
Now on to some stamping!  In honour of the new mini, I have another Christmas card for you!  It uses one of my favourite sets:  The Sounding Joy.  This card is inspired by one by Mary Rindel...thanks, Mary for the gorgeous inspiration!

Holiday card using The Sounding Joy stamp set, Snow Burst embossing folder and pewter embossing powder from the new Holiday mini.

Isn't this set just beautiful???  I love the script and the star-shaped background text...so elegant!  It also helps that Joy the the World is my favourite Christmas carol!  This card came together very simply and quickly and will be one of the cards we do in this month's Christmas Club.  If you like this and would like to schedule a workshop to make it and other projects with new Holiday mini products, give me a call or email and we'll set a date!

Holiday Mini Sneak Peek #1

Man, oh man, so I love the upcoming holiday mini!  Maybe its because I first laid eyes on it at convention and could actually see and touch the new products.  Whatever the reason, this mini is, in my humble opinion, the best one yet!  There are SO many new products...and not just stamps!  Adorable little embellishments, beautiful ribbon, punches, dies...too many for my little bank account to handle all at once!  Good thing it is around till January!  Today I have a card that I created using some of the new products...have a look:

CAS Christmas card using The Sounding Joy stamp set from the upcoming Holiday Mini

Pretty, no? I just love this stamp set...likely because Joy to the World is my favourite carol!  The scripted  font is so elegant...and it looks beautiful done in the new pewter embossing powder!  This colour has just a hint of gold in it to give it an aged look...and it goes perfectly with the Antique Brads!  I also used some of the new quilted satin ribbon...so beautiful!  This is another card that will likely make my class line-up this fall.  If you haven't already, click the Upcoming Events tab at the top of this page to see what's happening.
Don't forget to enter my Bloggaversary  draw for some cool blog candy!  Leave a comment on THIS POST to enter.  I'll be selecting the winner on August 21st!