Joyful Evergreen

In case you hadn't noticed, I am in full-Christmas mode these days, as I gear up for the many holiday classes I have coming up next month.  Today I have another design to show you that will be featured at my Holiday Head-Start Card Buffet coming up this Friday evening:

Rustic Holiday card featuring the Evergreen stamp set (127973) with sentiment from Joyful Christmas (131805).

I went for a more rustic look for this design.  I love the way the burlap and the woodgrain embossing work together.

 

I also like the pop of the Real Red mat against the earthy tones of green and brown.

I kept the inside simple, stampin off the  tree before sttamping on  my card stock and using another sentiment from Joyful Christmas.

Now for some more exciting news...

It’s time to start thinking about how you are going to package those treats and gifts this year, and Stampin' Up! has the perfect solution for you. These two Tag It bundles include the tags, the ribbon, and the boxes to make your own pretty packages...how easy is that?  Even better, they are discounted 20%!

Item	Description	Price	Includes
135811	Holiday Tag It Decorative  Box Bundle	$23.95	Stamp a Tag Kit Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon (10 yards) Decorative Window Gift Boxes (6 boxes)
135812	Holiday Tag It Extra-Large Box Bundle	$24.95	Stamp a Tag Kit Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon (10 yards) Extra-Large Gift Boxes (3 boxes)

These bundles are available till November 19th, so order your bundles today and take the stress out of your holiday gift giving!

Beautiful Bokeh!

Happy October!!  I don't know where September went, but I sure am glad October is here!  This is my very favourite month of the year.  With the new month comes a new challenge over at The Technique Twist.  This one is brand new to me.  Called Bokeh, this stamping technique attempts to mimic the effect photographers get when they experiment with capturing the natural reflection of light.  I did a little research online and found this image that really caught my eye...

I love that it was clear this is a Christmas Tree, but the only visible detail is the twinkling lights.  I decided to try to capture this look in my design:

Bokeh Christmas tree with sentiment from Greetings of the Season (128033)

Isn't that cool??  I love this look!!  Here's a closer look:

I can't wait to show to my monthly techniques group this week.  Here is how I achieved this look...it's easier than you might think!

• Starting with a 3-7/8" square piece of watercolour paper, I sponged Midnight Muse ink all over it.  I then spritzed it all over with water and let it dry completely (you can use your heat tool to speed this along).
• Then, using the clean eraser end of a brand new pencil, I stamped using Silver Metallic Encore ink.  The key to this is stamping repeatedly with just one inking.  That gives the illusion of depth.  You also want to be sure to overlap the circles and don't be too precise.  This really is a quick and easy look to achieve.

Here is a look at how I finished the inside of this card:

Inside view with images and sentiment from Evergreen (127973)

I stamped the solid tree in Midnight Muse and then the Silent Night text over top in Silver Metallic Encore ink. 
Be sure to check out  the other Design Team members' projects...they are gorgeous!  Then give this technique a try...it is such fun!  Be sure link up to our challenge so we can see what you come up with.  Need more inspiration?  Be sure to stop by tomorrow...I'll have another take on this rather addictive technique :)

A Little Christmas in July!

Today I have a project for you that was inspired by a couple of online challenges.  This week's colour challenge at Dynamic Duos is to use Pear Pizzazz and Garden Green on a project.  This is a huge challenge for me, as those are two colours that I rarely pull out.  I decided to create a Christmas project for The Friday Mash-up using the sketch from The Paper Players.   First, here is the sketch:

...and here is my card:

Simple Christmas card for DD63, FM120 and PP156 featuring the Evergreen stamp set with sentiment from More Merry Messages.

This card has some old, some new and some current product on it!  The Evergreen stamp set , as well as More Merry Messages are carryover sets from last year's Holiday Catalogue.  They not in any current catty but are still available to order.  If you missed them last year, it's not too late!  The DSP in the background is from last year's colour family DSP Stacks.  I still have a TON of that stuff kicking around and the stripes were just festive enough for this project.  The bronze button is another leftover from last year's Holiday catty...sadly they are no longer available...but keep your eye on the online Clearance Rack...you never know what might show up there ;)  The burlap ribbon is a new embellishment available August 1st in the new Holiday Catalogue.  I am fast falling in love this that stuff...it adds such wonderful texture to any design!  The little star atop the tree was punched with the Merry Minis punch pack, which is yet another Carryover item from last year.  Still available to order, this pack of three punches includes a Christmas tree and ornament, in addtion to the star. Call or email to order these and any other Carryover items.

A Bit Over the Top

Today's project is one that I most certainly wouldn't do in a class or workshop, but really like none-the-less.  It is a wee bit too involved to do in a class setting but sometimes it's fun to just allow yourself to go a little embellishment happy.  Have a look and you'll see what I mean...

Over-the-top Christmas card featuring the Evergreen stamp set.

Inside View with sentiment from Greetings of the Season

Soooo...I kinda went a little crazy with the pearls.  I just couldn't stop!  Now, looking at it again, I probably should have...they are a bit much!  There are a couple of things I do love about this card, though. Firstly, the music background.  It is from the Natural Compositions specialty paper pack.  The images come clear-embossed on a neutral brown background.  I just sponged Cherry Cobbler ink all over to make the notes pop off the page...they almost look like they're embossed in gold!  Very cool and so easy!  The other element I love is the new scalloped tulle ribbon.  Here I used the Crumb Cake version, but it is also available in Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso.  So soft and pretty...it adds a truly unique element to any design.  Of course I also love the Evergreen stamp set.  I just can't get enough of that set...you'll most definitely be seeing more of it in the coming months.

Now a couple of reminders...
Firstly, don't forget to enter my monthly draw for a free month's subscription to Craft Project Central.  Just leave a comment on any post dated August 5th -12th.  I will announce one lucky winner here on the 13th.

Secondly, there is just one more week to register for my Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Camp coming up at the end of the month.  In case you missed it, here is a photo of the projects we'll be making:

Register by August 16th.  Don't be disappointed!

All of the details for this event are listed HERE.  Be sure to get in before the deadline...you won't want to miss this event!

Twelve Days of Christmas (in July!) Day 8

Happy Saturday to you!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned with friends and family and, of course, some stamping time too!  This weekend we are tackling our VERY long TO-DO list!  I spent time yesterday making a master list and then also did one specifically for my DH.  He needs to get cracking...and so do I!  We have family coming from Austria for a visit in September and our house needs to be ship shape for their arrival!  Not sure how much stamping time there'll be in my future this weekend...hopefully a little!  Here is a little inspiration to get you thinking festive thoughts...

Twelve Days of Christmas in July Day 8 featuring the Evergreen and Greetings of the Season stamp sets

Inside view with sentiment from the Beautiful Season set.

Can you tell I really love the new Evergreen stamp set?  I have several other sets from the new Holiday catty just waiting to see ink while I play around exploring the possibilities of this one!  This card is a really quick and easy one, made stunning by the beautiful embossed pattern.  I used the new Lacy Brocade TIEF and Core'dinations card stock in Cherry Cobbler.  So gorgeous!  I'll be using that combo again for sure!  Not sure you can tell in the photo, but the Merry Christmas on the front is heat embossed in gold.  All in all, a quick, yet elegant holiday card.  Here is the rundown of the supplies used in the creation of this card.  * Starred items are available August 1st.

*Evergreen (CM 127973, WM 127970)  pg. 18
*Greetings of the Season (CM 128033, WM 128030) pg. 8
Beautiful Season (122682)
*Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations CS (127846) pg. 6
*Sanding Block (129367) pg.6
*Lacy Brocade TIEF (127819) pg. 6
Very Vanilla CS (101650)
Early Espresso CS (119686)
Crumb Cake CS (120953)
Crumb Cake Ink Pad (126975)
Cherry Cobbler Ink Pad (126966)
Versamark Ink Pad (102283)
Gold Embossing Powder (109129)
Heat Tool (129053)
Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (102992)
Basics Glimmer Brads (121003)


Feeling festive yet?  If not, no worries!  I've got lots more Holiday inspiration in store for you!  See you tomorrow!

Twelve Days of Christmas (in July!) Day 4

Today I have a sneak peek project for you!  This design uses several new products that will be available in just over a week with the launch of the new Holiday Catalogue.  Check it out:

Twelve Days of Christmas in July Day 4 featuring the new Evergreen stamp set.

Inside View

So many new products on this project!  Since the Holiday catalogue isn't yet live, I can't link each item to my online store, but I can reference the page number in the catalogue so you can have a look at each item in more detail and get started on your wish list!  Here we go (*starred items are from the Holiday Catalogue and will be available beginning August 1st!):

*Evergreen (CM 127973, WM 127970)  pg. 18
*Early Espresso Core'dinations CS (127848) pg. 6
*Sanding Block (129367) pg.6
*Wood Grain TIEF (127821) pg.33
Whisper White CS (100730)
Cherry Cobbler CS (119685)
Old Olive Ink Pad (126953)
More Mustard Ink Pad (126964)
Cherry Cobbler Ink Pad (126966)
Versamark Ink Pad (102283)
Gold Embossing Powder (109129)
Heat Tool (129053)
Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (102992)
Antique Brads (117273)

I am so in love with the new woodgrain embossing folder and the Core'dinations card stock!  I plan to use both of these items a whole lot in the coming months!  See you tomorrow for yet another bit of Holiday inspiration!