ORIGAMI WREATH ORNAMENT

Who likes to make ornaments?

Today I'm sharing a relatively simple wreath ornament.  I say "simple" because the video tutorial that I followed by Ann Melvin was easy to understand and follow along.  The folds were easy, but the assembly was a little tricky.  I ended up using binder clips along the way to hold some of the pieces in place.  I also decided to add some embellishments and a greeting.

I'm usually mindful to not create green things to go on a green tree, but I goofed this time.  Ha!  I suppose I could hang this ornament somewhere else but, for now, it's the first ornament on my tree--that would be the tree that still needs 300 more lights wrapped around it before I can get on with the decorating.  My least favorite thing about a real tree is having to string the lights around it.  Ugh!

But . . . here's the ornament hanging on the tree.

TUTORIAL: EASY "JOYFUL FLURRY" CHRISTMAS CARD

Stampin' Up!'s "Joyful Flurry" bundle is such a pretty one, and today I have a step-by-step photo tutorial for (what I think) is a really pretty card.

On a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of white cardstock, stamp the second largest snowflake image five times in a (kinda, sorta) circular pattern using Bermuda Bay ink.  The objective is to create a wreath of sorts.  After inking the stamp, stamp off on a scrap piece of paper each time before stamping on the cardstock.  Don't worry about trying to stamp a perfect circle . . . everything is going to be just fine in the end.

Using Bermuda Bay ink, stamp the next snowflake image five times, filling in the gaps.  Don't stamp off this time--you want the images to be darker than the first snowflakes that you stamped.

If you have an embossing buddy, run it across the cardstock to leave a powder residue for this next step.  Ink the smallest snowflake image with VersaMark ink, and stamp the image on top of the first snowflakes that you stamped.  Sprinkle the images with silver embossing powder, and use a heat tool to melt the embossing powder.  Note:  Now is a great time to use a favorite embossing folder to add some texture to the cardstock.  I only remembered to do this on one of my cards.  🙁

Cut a 10" piece of silver cord, tie it in a bow, and use a mini glue dot to adhere it somewhere near the center of your stamped snowflake "wreath".  

From a scrap of white cardstock, cut the largest label die from the Frosted Flurry dies.  Cut the two small snowflakes from a scrap of foil cardstock.  I used a blue foil from the retired Noble Peacock collection, but use what you have.  Stamp the sentiment on the die-cut label using Bermuda Bay ink, and adhere it with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Use liquid glue or a mini glue dot to adhere the die-cut snowflakes.  Lastly, scatter some rhinestone jewels wherever you'd like. 

Use a distressing tool to rough up the edges of your cardstock.  I think this step adds a lot of texture and interest--especially if you forget to use an embossing folder.

All that's left to do is adhere the completed layer to the front of a card base, which measures 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored in the center at 4-1/4".  Easy peasy, right?!?!  What I really enjoyed about this card design is that it was quick to make multiples.

I'd love to know if this is the kind of card you'd enjoy making and sending this year.

The "Joyful Flurry" bundle is quite a pretty one, and there's still time to order it and make your Christmas cards.

JOYFUL FLURRY BUNDLE 

"CHEERFUL BASKET" THANK YOU CARD

Is it true that I haven't posted anything since October 24th?????  I knew that it had been a while, but I wouldn't have guessed it had been that long.  I must try to do better and post a little more often.  Today I'm sharing a thank you card that I made recently, and it features Stampin' Up!'s "Cheerful Basket" stamp set and coordinating dies.  Isn't that a fantastic basket?!?!  

Making this card was the first time that I have used these products, but it won't be the last.  This bundle is designed to be oh-so-easy to use, which also means that it makes card-making relatively quick.  Since I mailed this card immediately after making it, I can't really remember what I used to color the basket and apples, but I'm fairly certain that I used ink pads and a water brush.  The die-cut apples in front of the basket were cut from cardstock, and I used a sponge to darken the edges.

Of course, I had to include a die-cut tag because it looked good on the card . . . and also because I 💗 the Tailor Made Tags dies.  The designer paper featured on my card is from the Happy Forest Friends collection, which seems to be the DSP that I reach for quite often.

Thanks for visiting my blog today, and I hope that you will visit again soon!  

Happy stampin'!