MY 2018 CHRISTMAS CARDS

I don't know why I impose on myself a little frantic rush to the Christmas season, but I seem to think that I need to spend precious time making the Christmas cards that I will send to family and friends.  It's really not necessary because I always seem to have a lot of cards from the samples that I make, but I still rush to make a stack.  I had two main designs this year:

The first card features Stampin' Up!'s Buffalo Check background stamp, Sprig punch, glimmer paper, retired black and white designer paper, Whisper White and Smoky Slate cardstock.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!, but I can't recall which one at the moment.  Because I was in a time crunch, I used my Cricut Explore to cut the green sprigs, tiny reindeer, ovals, and trees.  Funny discovery took place when the trees were cut.  As I peeled the glimmer paper from the mat, I soon found myself confused as to which trees were the ones that I had cut--the ones that came up with the paper or the ones stuck to the mat.  Because I let the machine set up the cuts to save paper, they were cut so close that the "negative" was absolutely useable!  Bonus!

My second card features the Softly Falling embossing folder, Winter Woods stamp set, Vellum and Whisper White cardstock, Shaded Spruce ink, In the Wood Framelits, silver sequins, and a retired die was used to cut "Merry" from glimmer paper.   

I had purchased the "Cool Christmas" stamp set and dies from My Favorite Things, and I had to complete at least one card featuring these cute snowmen with a tree tied to the top of their car.  I think that image worked very well with the background, don't you?

"COUNTRY ROAD" + "BUTTERFLY GALA"

Today's post features a sentiment from a brand spankin' new stamp set (Butterfly Gala) and images from a new-to-me stamp set, Country Road.  I have wanted this set since my eyes first landed on it, but it always seemed to get bumped off of my orders until recently.  

I can't take full credit for the design, though, because my card was heavily inspired by one created by another demonstrator, Marilyn Harres.  

How did I make it?

1)  Crumb Cake ink was used to stamp the wood-like image from Timeless Textures all over the Whisper White cardstock.

2)  Shaded Spruce ink was used to stamp the leafy stem image from Country Road, and I used Gorgeous Grape ink to stamp the flowers from Jar of Love.

3)  Early Espresso ink was used to stamp the wagon wheel image.

4)  Shaded Spruce and Early Espresso inks were sponged on the edges, and then I used Shaded Spruce ink to stamp that pretty sentiment.

5)  The Whisper White cardstock was adhered to a layer of Gorgeous Grape cardstock.  The Braided Linen Trim was wrapped around the two layers, tied in a bow, and then that layer was adhered to the Crumb Cake card base.  

6)  The finishing touch was the addition of the three sequins.  They're from the Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins pack--another new product available January 2019 from the Occasions Catalog.

"SIMPLY SAID" CHALK COUTURE BUNDLE

Today I am hijacking my own blog to share a FANTASTIC Chalk Couture bundle!  I have shared some of my Chalk Couture projects in the past, and I was first drawn to the products because they kinda/sorta go hand-in-hand with my love of stamping, paper crafts, creating handmade gifts, etc.  The "Simply Said" bundle is an all-inclusive way to test the Chalk Couture waters!  Just look at what's included:

Order your bundle at https://www.chalkcouture.com/regina/product/M184173

Besides the fact that the hexagon-shaped chalkboard surface is a brand new product, it's also one that can be used again and again and again!  Use the images from the You Are Enough  Chalk Transfer and the Chalkology Paste to decorate the chalkboard, and then wash it clean with a damp cloth so you can change the design.  The Chalk Transfer is also re-useable, of course!  In case you didn't already know this . . . the Chalkology Paste goes on wet but, once it has dried (takes just a few minutes), you don't have to worry about the design coming off if it's touched--accidentally or otherwise.  Once you're ready to re-use the chalkboard surface for another design, a damp cloth will wash away the paste.  If you make a mistake, just wash it off and try again.  It really is that simple!

You can punch or drill holes in the hexagon-shaped surface so it can be hung with ribbon or twine, but it could also adorn a large wreath or be used as a decorative vignette in your home.

This awesome bundle is available while supplies last.  If you have questions about it or any of the Chalk Couture products, please give me the opportunity to be of assistance to you.  

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"ACCENTED BLOOMS" THANK YOU

I don't know why it took me a while to get Stampin' Up!'s Accented Blooms stamp set, but it's such a fun one to use, particularly with the coordinating punch.  The photos aren't the best, but take a look at this fun fold I created recently:

One of the Petal Pair embossing folders was used on that right side flap.  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include:

Cardstock:  Gorgeous Grape, Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper White

Specialty:  Watercolor Paper, Share What You Love designer paper

Punches:  1" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, Tailored Tag

Accessories:  Aqua Painter

THIS NEW STAMP SET IS THE "SWEETEST THING". LITERALLY.

Stampin' Up!'s brand new Occasions catalog products and the Sale-a-Bration promotion are just around the corner, and it's always such an exciting time!  I preordered a few things two days ago and expedited the order . . . just in case it decides to snow this weekend.  So far, the only new stamp set that I've worked with is the Sweetest Thing.  I think I know how it got its name because it (and the coordinating dies) are SUUHHHWWWEEEEEEEET!!!  You don't have to take my word for it, though.  Feast your eyes upon my first two cards with this bundle:

You'll be seeing more of this one from me, I'm sure.  It's just too fun.  See those cute white candies on the left side of card #1?  The dies cut and emboss in a single pass through the Big Shot.  If you're wondering why I colored the gummy bears on card #2 with three shades of brown, it's because they aren't gummy bears to me . . . they're Teddy Grahams.

It's not too late to ask Santa for some stampin' dollars for Christmas because you're going to want the Sweetest Thing bundle (and lots of other goodies) when January rolls around.  ;-)

BRUSHO "THANK YOU" CARDS

Does it sometimes (or often) seem that you get excited about a product, purchase it, and then hide it in a drawer, basket, cabinet, etc.?  The last time I re-arranged my desk drawers, my box of Brusho Crystal Colour got pushed to the back where I couldn't see it.  That's not good!  When I needed to make some thank you cards recently, I was quite excited to spy those magical crystals and put them to use!  Oh so fun and oh so easy!

The same colors of crystals were used on these cards, and I love that none of them are identical.  I just sprinkled the crystals on the watercolor paper and then spritzed with water.  

After the paper dried, my Stamparatus® was quite handy for stamping the dragonfly image on the watercolor paper since I needed to re-ink and stamp the dragonfly at least three times to get a nice crisp image.  Because watercolor paper is often thick with a roughish texture, it's a good idea to plan to stamp your image(s) more than once.

On two of the cards, the sentiment has been stamped onto Vellum cardstock using Pacific Point water-based dye ink and Whisper White pigment ink. The stamped sentiments were cut with the Pretty Label punch.

Other Stampin' Up! products used to create these cards include:

Tin Type embossing folder

Dragonfly Dreams stamp set

Beautiful Bouquet stamp set

Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine

Silver & Pool Party Baker's Twine

Thick Whisper White Cardstock

Basic Black Cardstock

If I can help you find any of these products in my online store, let me know.  

CATCHING FLURRIES

Since I shared my non-Stampin' Up! Christmas centerpiece in the previous post, I thought I'd share this little dilly that I whipped up on Sunday.  Notice his sparkly Swarovski crystals?  They look so nice in real life, and I wonder why I often forget to bring them out and use them.  I thought this was going to be a non-Stampin' Up! post, but I just remembered that the pretty snowflakes were cut with my Big Shot and three of the Snowfall Thinlits dies.  YES!  Thinlits dies can cut felt like butter.  I cry for you if you didn't purchase the Snowfall Thinlits while they were available last month because there are at least 10 different gorgeous snowflakes in that set, some leafy elements, a delicate flurry flourish, etc.  Anyway . . . check out this guy:

Most of the time when I visit my parents on Sunday, daddy watches the race while my mother and I help my sister with whatever she needs for her classroom.  It seems that our needle and thread projects get put on hold while school is in session, so you might imagine my surprise when my sister told me on Saturday to bring my wool and thread this past weekend.  Hmmm . . . I didn't have anything in particular ready to work on, so I just took some felt (not even wool) and all of my thread.  I really love my wool, but it was just easier to take lots of colors of felt in one small container without having to stir through all of my wool.  I even found a glittery white felt for the flurries and the snowy ground.  And so, by the end of the day, this snappy little flurry catcher was born.  He is actually Tammy Tutterow's Snow Many Buttons design but, since I didn't follow her pattern exactly or use any buttons, I personally refer to this piece as Catching Flurries.

Yes, I know that my snowman is missing a mouth, and my plan was to not give him one because I'm not that skilled at making same-size French knots.  I might re-consider, though.  Probably not.  

What shall I do with him?  I still need to trim the felt, but this piece will end up being approximately 6" x 7".  Shall I turn it into a large ornament to hang on the tree?  A small wall-hanging?  Attach it to a small decorative sled (if I can find one)?  Suggestions welcome!

MY EASY PEASY CENTERPIECE

Last year, I created (what I think) is a lovely decoration in my living room using a rustic metal tray and some mini pillows made by my sweet mother.  You can see that post HERE.  As my mind started thinking about Christmas, my plan was to take the remaining pillow covers that my mother had made and decorate them using Chalk Couture transfers and ink.  And then I remembered my little stash of cotton/muslin sacks that wouldn't require any sewing!  I present to you . . . the Christmas centerpiece for my coffee table:

I love it!  Know what else I love?  The fact that I could just as easily hang those sacks as ornaments on my tree (when I find a place to put it, that is).

I won't link all of the Chalk Couture products that I used because a couple of them are retired, but I'll list them:

Days Until Christmas (transfer)

Mini Holiday Icons (transfer)

Peace Joy Believe (transfer)

Mistletoe (transfer)

Snowflakes (transfer)

Happy Camper Add-On Winter (transfer)

Wise Men (transfer

Azure Chalkology Paste

Candy Apple Couture Ink

Shimmer Gold Couture Ink

Shimmer Silver Couture Ink

Eucalyptus Couture Ink

Morning Sky Chalkology Paste

Garden Herb Chalkology Paste

Note:  You'll notice that I used a combination of Couture Ink and Chalkology Paste.  Typically, you would prefer ink on fabric; however, since I do not plan to launder the sacks, it's all okay.  ;-)