Christmas Potpourri

No, it doesn't stink! It's a potpourri of cards for Christmas! Today I spent some time cleaning up some partial pieces and odds & ends that have been sitting around cluttering up my table getting in the way. I promised myself I'd get some of this stuff finished or throw it out. Yikes, did I really just say that???? I hope my hubby didn't hear me say that out loud. He'd be getting the garbage bags ready to catch all the stuff I'd have to throw out. Don't worry, it's not gonna happen today!

Ok, back to the cards. Each of these started out as something else that didn't quite make it. They've now been resurrected and finished to be added to the 'ready to mail' box. I can't believe just how many 'one of a kind' cards I'll be sending out this Christmas! There's no way I'll ever remember what I sent out this year when I start planning for next year. Oh well, that's too far in the future to worry about! Who cares anyway??

Bella Bleu Christmas -

Stamps: Sweet Season and Four the Holidays

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy and Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper

Ink: Not Quite Navy Classic and White Craft

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, and a blue dew drop (non SU!)

Bashful Trees -

Stamps: Patterned Trees (Hostess Level 1)

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, and Shimmer White

Ink: Bashful Blue and Rich Razzleberry

Accesssories: Big Shot with Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Wheel and Handle, Snowflake Punch (retired), Dimensionals, and stick-on rhinestone (non SU!)

Chocolate Dasher -

Stamps: Dasher and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Whisper White and Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Big Shot with Embossing Folder (non SU! - it was a gift! I had to use it, honest!!), Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Bold Bright Buttons (retired), and Dimensionals

Last one!

Stamps: Dasher and Sweet Season

Cardstock: Real Red, Garden Green, and Whisper White

Ink: Real Red pad, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, and Garden Green markers

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, and Dimensionals

Ok, that's as far as I was able to get. There were other things that I had to get done too! I know, what could possibly be more important than finishing up some stamping??? For some reason, hubby thinks making meals just might be more important. And since I really, really like to eat too, I can't really argue with him about that.

Time to get back in gear here. Talk to you later...

Sharon

It Takes Two, Baby!

At least it took two people to get the layout just right on this card anyway! I was really struggling with this. I wanted something really smashing for the Pals Paper Arts challenge this week. The theme is Christmas Cheer - that shouldn't be all that hard, now should it?? I mean, that's what we've all been working on defining for the last several weeks, isn't it? The idea was there in my head. I knew what colors I wanted to use. The main components were all embossed, stamped, punched, sponged, and whatever else was needed. Then.... it just didn't work out!!!! Waaaah My hubby looked at it and gave me his two cents worth (actually his ideas were worth way more than that!) Ok. Peel off some of the layers. Change this layer size..... hmmm, maybe change the color too! Maybe it needs another layer too while I'm at it. Try it again. Nope, not yet. Take it all apart again and turn it upright. Hey, I think we've finally got it! And after all that, none of the pictures really showed the Brushed Gold cardstock layer or the gorgeousness of the Shimmer Paint! Nuts... Ok, now for the really tough test.... What do you think???

Stamps: Short and Sweet

Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Brushed Gold, Real Red, and Very Vanilla

Ink: Always Artichoke

Accessories: Big Shot with both Finial Press and Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folders, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Sponge Dauber, Ornament Punch, Small Oval Punch, Sleigh Bells Ribbon, Gold Cording, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

I was disappointed that I couldn't get the rich look of the Brushed Gold cardstock layer to show up on the pictures. Very nice, but subtle.

Actually there is a little sponging around the Mellow Moss layer with the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint that doesn't show up either. In real life it's just gorgeous!! I really wish I could send one to each and every one of you so you could see the shimmer! But I don't know if I'd ever get around to making quite that many cards anytime soon! So I guess you'll just have to take my word for it. Or better yet, why not make one for yourself??

Have a great evening! We'll be stamping over here!! What could possibly be better than that? Well, maybe having chocolate too!!

Toodles,

Sharon

CASEing the Master

While browsing blogs late last night again, (no wonder I'm always tired!) I checked out the Master - Jan Tink. Oooh yeah! So many great ideas. But there was one delightful little ornament card that I thought I might CASE because it had such nice clean lines to it. I did most things just like Jan, but there was a thing or two that I had to tweak for me. What is it that makes me even think I can improve on greatness?? LOL I certainly don't know. But I can assure you that it's not an improvement, just a slightly different look. Thanks for the awesome idea Jan - it's a winner!

Stamps: Delightful Decorations

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip Classic Pads, Whisper White Craft Pad

Accessories: Ornament Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cording, Sponge Dauber, and Dimensionals

Now wasn't I right about this being a delightful little card? I'm enjoying pairing Chocolate Chip cardstock and ink with so many different colors. It tends to soften the look nicely, but not be too dark and austere. The little bits of silver cording give this card just a touch of bling for an understated elegance.

Ok, it's back to the drawing board for me. I'm looking forward to having a group of ladies here tomorrow night for Joann's workshop. I've been designing the make & takes we'll be doing. I can hardly wait to show everyone!! I'm sure we'll have lots of fun stamping and sharing.

Don't forget about the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! There's plenty of terrific gift ideas for the people on your list (maybe even something for you too!!). You can order directly online, or give me a call and I'll be happy to help you with your order. And you can always let me know what you'd like for Christmas and then send your hubby and/or kids over for me to help them order!! Either way, it's a win-win situation for YOU!

Happy stamping and shopping!

Sharon

Joy Times Two

What an unbelievably busy week this is turning out to be! This is class week for me, so that means class on Monday night, two on Tuesday night, and Wednesday at noon. Throw in a doctor's appt on Tuesday, with just a wee bit of shopping at Christopher & Banks on the way home! And then our son moved out today and back in with his sister to help conserve money with a son-in-law not getting steady work. Whew!! I'm just about wiped out for today!

But before I give up for the night, I wanted to share a class project and a second version too. First the class version - I saw this lovely card while blog hopping late one night instead of sleeping, and then couldn't find it the next morning. This is what I remember of it:

Stamps: Delightful Decorations

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, and Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Big Shot with Texturz Plate SU! Backgrounds #1, Silver Cording, Mini Glue Dot, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, and Dimensionals

Everyone seemed to like this card - very clean lines and pretty in just red and white. And I have a hard time keeping my fingers off the flocking!! It just feels so cool!

Now, since there were some extra cardstock and layers cut for class in case of mistakes (or leftovers from people not showing up!), I thought I'd finish them up tonight and add them to my stash of Christmas cards ready to send. So far, so good. The problem comes in that I ran out of the gorgeous flocked Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper for one of the layers. So it's time to improvise. Here's what I did.

I changed up the Real Red layer by using the Finial Press Embossing Folder to give it a more defined overall texture. Then I spritzed the smaller red layer with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and Frost White Shimmer Paint. Oo-la-la! Just love that look!! I'm not sure you can tell in the photo, but it adds such a pretty shimmer to frame the ornament. It needed something to define the two red layers and separate them without adding another color. What do you think?

Stamps: Delightful Decorations

Cardstock: Real Red and Whisper White

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Big Shot with Finial Press Embossing Folder, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cording, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Mini Glue Dot, and Dimensional

So that's about it for tonight. Seven more cards made for the Christmas stash. Hope I get enough made in time to send out! LOL Then maybe I'll get some extra sleep to make up for the crazies today!

Hope you have a restful night and have lots of energy to create tomorrow.

Sharon

Favorite Things

Yes, I know there are probably hundreds of things that I think are my favorites. But for right now, right this very minute, one of the most favorite things is my Big Shot. There's just so many things that you can do with it. And I've been trying them all lately. But right now, I've got a card to share with you that uses only two of the many aspects of it.

I just love using the Embossing Folders in my Big Shot! You can achieve such elegantly gorgeous effects by just adding embossing to a layer on your card. It's just an instant ooohhhh effect! You can have a very simple card, but the embossing raises it to another level. And it's just so easy to do. Maybe that's why I've been adding it to just about everything I make lately?! lol

The 2nd accessory for the Big Shot, is the Movers and Shapers Die and the add-on dies for it. I love how SU! has made each of the dies just a smidgeon larger than the coordinating punch. Now was that smart, or what?!!! Don't you just love that tiny sliver of Real Red showing around the Garden Green and Whisper White on this card? It's just enough to make it pop, but still be very subtle. I want to try this on everything and try using all 48 colors too! But for now, this one will do.

Stamps: Christmas Punch

Cardstock: Garden Green, Real Red, and Whisper White with Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Ink: Garden Green

Accessories: Big Shot with Finial Press Embossing Folder and Movers & Shapers Die, Curly Label Punch, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, and Dimensionals

This card goes together so easily that I'll be making multiples of these to send out for us. I'm lucky my hubby doesn't really care which card we send out for Christmas - as long as I get it done! lol This way I don't get bored making just one style of card and can have fun while getting the cards all made!! It's a win-win situation as far as I can tell.

Have a great week. Hope to be back posting tomorrow. :-)

Sharon

Oh, I feel so inspired today!

What a wonderful feeling!! Thank you Lord!! The shot yesterday and meds the doctor now has me on must be doing the trick. I woke up early today (for me anyways!!) and couldn't wait to start creating. Yes, that's a 'capitalized creating' today! I've already made a project for my Christmas Bags and Tags class in December. Whoa, don't hold me back, 'cuz I'm on a roll.

I stopped for lunch and was browsing blogs to help in the digestion of this food I was eating. But that didn't work too well. My first stop was Gretchen Barron's blog and it was sketch time. So much for actually eating my lunch after that! Her sketch challenge for this week got me so inspired I had to stamp while the idea was hot! lol By the time I was done with the card, my work table was so covered with stamps, inks, punches, ribbons, etc. there wasn't any room left for me! And aren't you just dying to know what I came up with? I thought so! Here it is....

I'm so happy with this, that either it's really good, or my meds are playing with my mind. You decide. lol

Stamps: Dasher, Snow Swirled, and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Ruby Red cardstocks and Holiday Lounge Designer Series Paper

Ink: Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Square Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, Fire Round Rhinestone Brads, and Dimensionals

There are so many leftover and discarded partial pieces to this card I'm going to have to do something with them! I tried sponging on this, but I really preferred the clean edges this time around. And that little sentiment layer thingy, all I can say is - it was tried in many different color and punch combos. This was the winning choice.

Let's have a little feedback on this. Should I have skipped the snowflake and rhinestone? It sort of looked too empty there and needed something. Any suggestions on what might have worked better??? Since I have so many extra pieces, I'm sure the next one will be different. So why not give me your two cents worth?!

Stamp your heart out today! I will be!!! ;-)

Sharon

The latest in the 'bug battles'

And no, I don't think I'm winning the battle at this point. Just in case you've been worrying about my state of health, I saw my doctor this afternoon for the 4th time in 6 1/2 weeks. She promptly sent me to the hospital to get a chest xray to check for pneumonia. Yup, that's the latest mutation of this bug. I'm just not sure how much more I can take of this! Arrrgghh!!!! Just what's it gonna take to land a 'knock-out punch' to this bug? I promise you that this blog is a bug-free zone. I washed my hands and sprayed disinfectant all over so there should be no lingering germs here trying to sneak out!

But other than that, life does go on. The five ladies who were available for stamping all got together last night to make the cards for "From Our Hearts". We enjoyed making the cards and really enjoyed eating the wonderful Pumpkin Roll that Shirley made. Oh, it was sooooo yummy!! And we were able to get 50 cards made in less than 2 hours. They are all packaged up with envelopes and clear envies too!!!! What a terrific accomplishment ladies! I'll start planning the projects for the next stamping night out.

Anyway, with all that's been going on, I haven't had too much time to do my own designing. When I was cleaning up the other day, I came across a leaf that was all watercolored up and just sitting there all by itself. It really needed to be joined with a card after all this time by itself. So this is exactly what I proceeded to do. I think it's much happier now, don't you agree?

I chose to use the swirled Texturz Plate and Big Shot to give the card some interest. It reminded me of leaves swirling down from the trees. Also the complete card was cut from the Scallop Square Die. Doesn't it make a really cute card?

The leaf still looked a little lonesome, so I stamped up the acorns from Autumn Splendor and colored them to coordinate. Added the greeting from Grateful Greetings set and a bit of Kraft Taffeta ribbon, and that's about it. It was really quite quick to put together. I need just a few more Thanksgiving cards, so maybe a couple more of these would do the trick.

Have a great day - whatever is left of it anyway!
(stomp, stomp) Hey, I think I got another one of those bugs!
Sharon