A WOOLY GIFT FOR MY PARENTS

One of my new passions this year has been the discovery of wool appliqué, and this is a fun piece that I completed as a Christmas gift for my parents.  The design (from Bonnie Sullivan's "Seven Snowmen") is so adorable!  While this pattern with so many little pieces was quite a challenge (for me), I did little else for the better part of two days besides prep the pattern cuts, choose the wool for each piece, and stitch, stitch, stitch.  It's true that my stitches may not be perfect, but I am very pleased with this piece because . . . well . . . it's cute as can be.  See that big snowflake that Mr. Snowman is holding?  It was a clever cover-up because I could never get his "hands" just right and after I stitched the snowflake into place with Stampin' Up!'s Silver Metallic Thread, I kind of made a mess in the center, which I covered with a pretty bow from silver cording trim.  ;-)  This is one of the awesome things about wool appliqué . . . it's forgiving of minor imperfections.  I'm still not sure if it's "wrong" for a snowman to be holding a snowflake--would it be right for a man to be holding skin?--but it is what it is.  Ha!

HANDBAG CARD SET

Everyone needs some pretty colors and flowers to get them through the cold winters, and this card set would definitely cheer them up! The cards are stored in a cute little handbag with pretty Antique Brads on the handles. The handbag can hold eight cards and envelopes. This tutorial includes two card designs made with the Remarkable You Stamp Set, and four of each design can be made to fill up the handbag. This would make a perfect gift, and a great class project. 

The tutorial for this project, which was designed by the talented Christy Fulk, can be found at Craft Project Central.

SWINGING CARDINAL CHRISTMAS CARD

I've been a bit slack lately when it comes to posting new projects, and that's partly because I have been working on some Christmas gifts and also because I've been trying to learn to use a new camera.  Just yesterday, I took what would have been pretty good pictures, but I didn't have the card in the camera (argh!!!!) and didn't want to figure out how to connect the camera to the computer.  I do, however, have something to share today.  While the Silhouette Design Store had a 50% off sale, I purchased a lot of images/cut files, including this lovely dimensional card.  It's comprised of three layers (they cut like a dream) that are supposed to be attached with adhesive foam.  While the card definitely looks amazing when assembled with all of that dimension, I discovered that it looks quite striking without it.  

I brushed the cut snowflakes and the tops of the snowy ground layers with a Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush.  A brush of glitter instantly adds a little wow, you know?  I almost need a truckload of those glitter brushes because I want to use them on nearly everything--they're THAT awesome!  They don't disturb or muddy a watercolored image, are fast-drying, and the glimmery glitterness does not come off.  If you ask me, I think the Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush is one of the BEST products ever on the paper-crafting scene.  You can even purchase your own truckload of them from me once Stampin' Up!'s Occasions catalog goes live on January 5th, and I do recommend that you treat yourself to at least more than one.

 

WANT A SWINGING CARDINAL CARD?

I made more of these cards than I need and have 3 extras.  Sooooooo . . . the first three people who place an online order through my Stampin' Up! web site (click HERE) will receive one of these cards in the mail.  The inside of each card has a stamped greeting from the Flurry of Wishes stamp set, "Sending you a flurry of warm Christmas wishes".



WATERCOLORED MASCULINE GIFT CARD SET

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at watercoloring but thought you couldn’t do it?  Here is your chance to give it a try using the masculine set The Wilderness Awaits and an Aqua Painter. The step-by-step instructions will show you how to make a wonderful set of four masculine cards with envelopes that fit right in the box that showcases your water colored creations that you can give away as a gift or keep for yourself.

The tutorial for this great project, which was designed by Sara Hoogendoorn, can be found at Craft Project Central.  Sara is a guest designer this month.

GO WILD AND PAMPER YOURSELF

This gift set is a mini spa day packaged in a coordinated kit. This set includes a nail file holder, a nail polish caddy, and chocolates that all fit inside a unique gift bag. There is also a matching gift card holder to add a little something extra. This spa day kit is perfect for that special person who deserves an indulgent gift. There is also a bonus recipe for a sugar scrub to add as an optional gift!

The tutorial for this project, which was designed by Boni, can be found at Craft Project Central.  Have you subscribed yet to this month's awesome projects and tutorials?

"ENGLISH GARDEN" BOX & CARDS

Today I'm happy to share a sneak peek photo of the project that I designed for Craft Project Central this month.  It's a decorative box filled with six different card pockets to hold an assortment of greeting cards that feature the same floral/honeycomb/bee design that decorates the box.  Following is the introduction that I wrote for my project:

Need a fantastic, useful, and attractive gift for someone special?  You will enjoy making this project, and the recipient will cherish it!  Create six pockets to hold an assortment of cards, a box to hold the pockets, and this tutorial also includes instructions for six assorted—coordinating—greeting cards to start filling the pockets.  Once you give this box of cards to a special someone, don’t forget to replenish the cards throughout the year on holidays, special occasions, or just because.  This ensemble would be great for a stamp camp.

 

Would you like to win a FREE one-month subscription to all of the fabulous project tutorials at Craft Project Central?  Getting entered in the drawing is really easy . . . just visit Craft Project Central and leave a comment on the post where my project is featured by clicking HERE.  A winning name will be drawn and announced on Monday, December 21st, so be sure to visit my blog again on that date.

EVERLASTING LUMINARY GIFT SET

This sweet and sparkly little gift set is sure to please! Learn how to quickly, and elegantly, turn a battery-operated tea light into an everlasting décor piece. Then you’ll learn how to make the coordinating gift box that is the perfect custom size to fit the three tea lights. And the simple, but sweet card will make this the perfect hostess gift for those holiday drop-ins!

The tutorial for this gorgeous ensemble, which was designed by Julie Beltramo, can be found at Craft Project Central.

SKETCH CHALLENGE #54

It's been a while since I have shared one of my own creations, and today I'm sharing the card that I created for Craft Project Central's Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #54.  This is what the sketch looks like:

And this is the card that I created for the sketch:

Did you know that for every 10 cards submitted for the sketch challenge, a name will be drawn to determine which participant will receive a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central? It would be awesome if you would take a few minutes to create a card to submit!  Just post a picture of your card online, and then upload/post the link HERE.

Stampin' Up! products featured on my card include:

Stamp Set:  Butterfly Basics

Ink:  Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow, Gold Glimmer Paper, Winter Wonderland Designer Vellum Stack

Punches:  3/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 1-3/4" Circle

Sizzix:  Butterflies Thinlits, Greetings Thinlits

WINTER HOLIDAY PUNCH ART TAG SET

Punch art is a fun way to create images that you may not have stamps for, as well a great way to get extra mileage out of your punches. In this project we will create punch art images for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve. Each of these images is part of a cute tag, and all of the tags fit nicely in a decorative box. Includes a matching card for gift giving. These fun punch art designs are great for a club or a class, or just a fun winter afternoon of crafting.

Many of us are preparing for Christmas and in need of clever tags, such as these designed by Yapha.  Her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.  Have you subscribed to the awesome tutorials this month?  Consider giving a subscription as a Christmas gift to your stamping and paper-crafting friends!

2016 CALENDAR / KEEPSAKE BOOK GIFT SET

Are you looking for a thoughtful gift for a special person this Christmas or for an upcoming birthday? This 2016 Calendar/ Keepsake Book Gift Set is a wonderful choice! This calendar will not only look beautiful sitting on a desk or counter, it will also turn into a keepsake book at the end of the year. There is space to write down goals for the New Year, record special memories and each month has a place for a treasured photo. The calendar and custom pen fit nicely inside the gorgeous gift box that doubles as storage when the year is done. And don’t forget to add the matching card! This lovely card is the perfect way to let your recipient know that you are thinking of them.

The tutorial for this great project, which was designed by Julie, can be found at Craft Project Central.