Gift Bags for Christmas

I hate paying a lot of money for gift bags,  I would rather spend the money on the present to go inside, so I checked out what they had at a local dollar store and I purchased these two bags for $1.00 and embellished them.  The bags are really sturdy and with the addition of some fancy flowers, a few punches, Designer Series Paper, and some ribbon I now have pretty gift bags.

I put the flowers on the bags using buttons and brads so the flowers can be removed and used as a tree ornament. I sold several at a craft fair this weekend, and people really liked the fact that the flower was removable.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Wild Wasabi E108641, Real Red #102482

Designer Series Paper:  Holly Berry Bouquet #12400

Stamp Set:  Jolly Bingo Bits #120857 wood or #121187 clear

Punches:  Decorative Label #120907, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle #118874, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle #119854, Scallop Trim Border #118402, BoHo Blossom #119858

Ribbon:  Real Red 5/8" Satin #117286, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta #119251, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta #119959

Embellishments:  Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons #125636, 5/16" Neutral Brad #112534, Regal Brads #119737

Craft fair day!

For any of my readers who live in the Lehigh Valley and like to shop craft fairs, come out to Northampton County Community College today between the hours of 9 a.m. - 3 p.m..  I will have a table set up with a lot of items for sale for the holidays, and as always you are free to come to just get ideas.  Bring your camera!  Hope to see you there. 

Maybe you will be the lucky door prize winner!

Shaker Frame Gift Tags

Using Shaker Frames and Mica Flakes, I made some gift tags for an upcoming craft fair.  They would also look nice as a gift topper, or tree ornament. Both the Mica Flakes and Shaker Frames are in the Holiday Mini Catalog and will be available until January 3rd.

The following were used: (current products listed only)

Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler #119685, Whisper White #100730, Brushed Silver #100712, Night of Navy #100867, Real Red #102482, Garden Green 102584

Stamp Sets:  Sweet Snowglobe #120868, Snow Swirled #111690, Jolly Bingo Bits #120857, 121187

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler #119669, Garden Green 102272, Basic Black #101179

Marker:  Real Red #100052

Ribbon:  Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding #120992, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta #119251

Punches:  1 3/4" Circle #119850, 1 1/4" Circle #119861, 1 3/8" Circle #119860, Large Oval #119855, 1 3/4"Scallop Circle #119854, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle #118874

Embellishments:  Shaker Frames #124155, Mica Flakes #124115 - Holiday Mini

Accessories:  Crop-a-Dile #108362

Triple Treat Flower Birthday

Add some scrunched satin ribbon, and decorate a corner with your paper piercing tool, to dress up any card.

This simple card was made last week at one of my workshops.  It shows how just a few accessories can dress up any card.  The card base is Cajun Craze with a layer of Old Olive and Very Vanilla.  I punched some leaves with the Blossoms Petal Builder Punch and placed them onto my layer before I added my stamped and punched large flower.  To accentuate the corner I used my paper piercing tool and mat pack.  The paper piercing template makes it easy to create any size corner.   To create the scrunched ribbon I first ran a strip of snail adhesive across the bottom of my layer and then just placed the ribbon down in little bunches.  In addition, I sponged some Cajun Craze ink around my sentiment.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Cajun Craze #119684, Old Olive #100702, Very Vanilla #101650

Stamp Sets:  Triple Treat Flower #122909, Sincere Salutations #115068

Ink:  Cajun Craze #119671

Punches:  Extra Large Oval #119859, Fancy Flower #118073, Blossom Petals Builder #121808

Ribbon:  Old Olive 5/8" Satin #117292

Accessories:  Paper Piercing Tool #116631, Mat Pack #105826, Dimensionals #104430, Stamping Sponges #101610

Kidoodles Christmas

Yesterday I posted a card with the Halloween stamp in the Kidoodles Stamp Set, today I made a card using the Christmas stamp. 

My card base is Wild Wasabi cardstock, with a layer of Real Red, and then two pieces of Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper. I stamped my little elf in Wild Wasabi ink and added a bit more color with coordinating markers.  I scrunched some Real Red Satin Ribbon and placed it between the two different pieces of DSP.

The Kidoodles set also has stamps that can be used to make a Get Well, Thank You, Birthday, and Congratulations card.

I used the following:

Cardstock:  Wild Wasabi #108641, Real Red #102482, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Holly Berry #124004 (Holiday Mini)

Stamp Set:  Kidoodles #122865 wood or #122867 clear

Ink:  Wild Wasabi #109014

Markers:  Real Red #100052Wild Wasabi #120975, Soft Suede #120973

Ribbon: Real Red 5/8" Satin #117286

Kidoodles Halloween

Today a Halloween card, tomorrow one for Christmas, both made using the Kidoodles Stamp Set.  A great set if you want a nice variety of cute, kid friendly designs and sentiments.

My card is Cajun Craze cardstock and an added layer of Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper which was embossed with the Spider Web embossing folder.   I like how the paper with the spiders went along so nicely with my large stamped spider.  I added a bit of color to the spider using markers, and punched it out with the Decorative Label punch.  For added dimension I punched another Decorative Label Punch in Cajun Craze and cut it in half taking away the center so I could layer it behind the white punch. 

Check back tomorrow for my Christmas card.

For today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  Cajun Craze #119684, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Frightful Sight #122351

Stamp Set:  Kidoodles #122865 wood #122867 clear

Ink:  Basic Black #191179

Markers:  Cajun Craze #119678, Old Olive #100079

Accessories:  Spider Web Embossing Folder #120889, Dimensionals #104430

Punch:  Decorative Label #120907

Nature Silhouettes

When I need to make a masculine card, I like using my Nature Silhouette Stamp Set, and pairing it up with some rich masculine colors.

My card base is Marina Mist cardstock, followed by a layer of Cajun Craze that was embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.  To this layer I added a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock, and  a piece of Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgain Ribbon.  My images were stamped on a torn piece of Very Vanilla cardstock using Chocolate Chip ink, and a torn piece of Marina Mist was added to the one side.  I also stamped my sentiment onto another torn piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, and placed it on top of the ribbon using dimensionals.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Marina Mist #119682, Cajun Craze #119684, Very Vanilla #101650, Chocolate Chip #102128

Ink:  Chocolate Chip #100908

Stamp Set:  Nature Silhouettes #111542

Ribbon:  Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain #120929

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976, Dimensionals #104430

Sweet Birthday Card

Crystal Effects was added to the center of my "lollipop" and I have a card that looks good enough to eat.

My card base is Whisper White cardstock, and then a layer of Daffodil Delight that was embossed with the Stripes embossing folder.  Next I added Tempting Turquoise cardstock, a piece of Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper, another layer of Tempting Turquoise, and then my stamped image was put onto Whisper White.  To add the little string I took my Paper Piercing Tool and poked two small holes on the sides of the stick.  I threaded a single strand of White Baker's Twine through the holes and then tied it into a knot.  I added Crystal Effects to the lollipop, and made sure to let it dry.  My sentiment was punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch which was trimmed on one side.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Daffodil Delight #119683, Tempting Turquoise #102067

Designer Series Paper:  Big Top Birthday #122348

Ink:  Tempting Turquoise #100814

Marker:  Daffodil Delight #119677

Stamp Set:  Sweets for the Sweet #122510 wood or #122512 clear

Punch:  1 1/4" Circle #119861

Embellishment:  Crystal Effects #101055

Accessories: Paper Piercing Tool #116631

Ribbon:  White Bakers Twine #124262

A' la Carte Elizabeth Stamp Set

Some pretty designer series paper, paired with coordinating cardstock, and the elegant Elizabeth Stamp Set were used to create my card for the newlyweds.

Wisteria Wonder is my card base with a layer of Pink Pirouette and Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series paper, and then another layer of Pink Pirouette and Whisper White.  I stamped my Elizabeth Stamp in Elegant Eggplant, and then inked my sentiment in Wisteria Wonder and punched it out and placed it in the middle.  I could of stamped the sentiment directly onto the oval, but I liked the layered look.  To add a bit more dimension, before the layers were placed onto my card base I punched them with the Ticket Corner punch.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Wisteria Wonder #122922, Pink Pirouette #111351, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Flirtatious Specialty #122360

Stamp Sets:  Elizabeth #117120, Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant #105210, Wisteria Wonder #122936

Punches:  Large Oval #119855, Ticket Corner #119867

Build-a-Bear Thanksgiving

Thankful Beary Best Friends!

Very Vanilla cardstock is my card base, followed by a layer of Soft Suede cardstock, a piece of Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, More Mustard cardstock and then another layer of Very Vanilla for my stamped images.   The bears were stamped with Soft Suede ink and filled in using markers, and to give the look of standing on grass I sponged Old Olive ink along the bottom.  

The Season of Hugs Stamp Set is a nice complement to your Beary Best Friends Stamp Set, and it gives you a lot of nice accessories for the holidays.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla #101650, Soft Suede #115318, More Mustard #100946

Designer Series Paper:  Spice Cake #124003

Stamp Sets:  Beary Best Friends 3118052, Season of Hugs #120823

Ink:  Soft Suede #115657, Old Olive #102277

Markers:  Soft Suede #120973,  Early Espresso #119680, Pool Party #123052 (In Color Set), Pumpkin Pie #105115, Wild Wasabi #120975, Blush Blossom #100037

Accessories:  Stamping Sponges #101610

Fall Triple Treat Flowers

I'm pulling out some of the Fall Colors, such as Cajun Craze, and adding some Champagne Glimmer Brads to make a Fall Thinking of You Card for this month's stamp class.  It's funny how I forget about some of the colors, but thanks to the changing seasons and holidays they all eventually get used.

River Rock cardstock is the card base, and I added a layer of Early Espresso and then two smaller layers of Cajun Craze and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.  My Triple Treat Flowers were inked in Cajun Craze ink and then punched out with the Fancy Flower punch, and champagne glimmer brads from the basic collection were placed in the center.  In addition,I added a piece of Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon that was placed between two scored lines of the Early Espresso cardstock.  My sentiment was placed on with dimensionals and sponged with Cajun Craze ink on the edges.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  River Rock #108640, Early Espresso #119686, Cajun Craze #119684, Very Vanilla #101650

Designer Series Paper:  Paisley Prints #122367

Ink:  Cajun Craze #119671

Stamp Sets:  Triple Treat Flower #122909, Sincere Salutations #115068

Punch:  Extra Large Oval #119859

Ribbon:  Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain #109016

Embellishment:  Basic Glimmer Brad (Champagne) #121003

Accessories:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool #122334, Dimensionals #104430

Inked Embossing

If you want a different look for your embossing folders, take your Brayer and ink the flat surface of the folder.  Now your raised embossed image really stands out against the inked background.  There are so many uses for the Brayer, and that is the one accessory I need to use more often.

My card base is Very Vanilla cardstock with a layer of Soft Suede and then my inked embossed layer which is just another cut piece of Very Vanilla cardstock run through the Big Shot using Pool Party ink on my Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  Instead of using ribbon for my bow, I cut a piece of Spice Cake Designer Fabric.  I have quite a bit of Stampin' Up! fabric, and since I don't really sew I decided to use it in place of ribbon on some of my projects, and I really like the look.  My sentiment was punched out using the Decorative Label Punch and to get the second Soft Suede punch in the background I just cut another Decorative Label Punch with Soft Suede cardstock and cut the center out of it and then placed these pieces behind the full sized punch.

For today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla #101650, Soft Suede #115318

Stamp Set:  Curvy Verses #114948

Ink:  Pool Party #122938

Embellishment:  Spice Cake Designer Fabric #124066 (Holiday Mini)

Punch:  Decorative Label #120907

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder #116824, Dimensionals #104430

Very Simple Masculine Birthday Card

I find masculine cards the hardest to make, because I love adding ribbon or other types of embellishment to my cards.  So, instead I turn to my embossing folders to give the card a bit of embellishment without adding all of that extra frill.

Marina Mist cardstock was used for the card base, and I added a layer of Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper, and both were embossed with the Houndstooth Embossing Folder.  A punched sentiment added with dimensionals, and I have my simple masculine card.

I wasn't sure how I felt about the Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper for my Christmas cards, but I really like the warm textures for masculine cards.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Marina Mist #119682, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Frostwood Lodge #124002 (Holiday Mini)

Stamp Set:  Perfect Punches #117022 wood or #120516 clear

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Houndstooth Embossing Folder #123134, Dimensionals #104430

Triple Treat Flower

Another A' la Carte stamp, Triple Treat Flower, was the focal point for my card.  It is nice when one single stamp gives you just what you are looking for.

Now, for my colors - I went to my Color Coach for the combination - and at first was skeptical of the pairing but when I put it all together I liked it.  The color pattern is Wisteria Wonder for the card base followed by a layer of Elegant Eggplant, and then embossed layers of Lucky Limeade.  These aren't colors I would choose myself, but it is nice to try something different.

The first Lucky Limeade layer was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder, and then a small layer was embossed with the Houndstooth embossing folder.  I stamped my flower in Wisteria Wonder ink and then punched it out with the Fancy Flower Punch.  An In Color Designer Brad was placed in the center before I put it onto my layer of Whisper White which was stamped with leaves from the Awash With Flowers set.  A small piece of "Wisteria Wonder 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon was added for extra embellishment.

For today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  Wisteria Wonder #122922, Elegant Eggplant #105127, Lucky Limeade #122926, Whisper White #100730

Ink:  Wisteria Wonder #122936, Lucky Limeade #122935

Stamp Sets:  Triple Treat Flower #122909, Awash With Flowers #117062 wood or #120549 clear, Petite Pairs #122495 wood or #122497 clear

Ribbon:  Wisteria Wonder 3/8" Ruffled #122973

Punch:  Fancy Flower #118073

Embellishment:  In Color Designer Printed Brad #122940

Accessories:  Big Shot #113430, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Houndstooth Embossing Folder #123134

Bringing Baby

Petite Pairs Stamp Set offers you a choice of wording for
the front and inside of your card.

Stampin' Up! offers a variety of A' la Carte stamps, such as Bringing Baby,  making it easy for you to work well within your budget.  Check them out on pages 18-20 of the Idea Book and Catalog.

For my baby boy card, I started with Bashful Blue cardstock, and added a layer of Soft Suede that was sprayed with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.  I stamped my image with Soft Suede cardstock and using my Blender Pen added additional color.  An addition of some Scallop Edge Borders in Bashful Blue were placed under this Whisper White layer and then placed on the card.  I used coordinating sentiments for the front and inside of the card.

My Stamping Tip:  When I want to add a bit of color to a large image, I like to use my Blender Pens.  I just touch the tip of the pen into the ink pad color of my choice, and then I can add as much color or shading as I want.  To clean the tip of your pen, just rub it back and forth across a piece of scrap paper until it runs clear.  The tip might look discolored, but if it is running clear on your scrap paper you can reuse it again for your next color.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Bashful Blue #105120, Soft Suede #115318, Whisper White #100730

Stamp Sets:  Bringing Baby #122905, Petite Pairs #122495 wood or #122497 clear, Baby Bundle #118525 wood or #120576 clear

Ink:  Soft Suede #115657, Bashful Blue #105209

Marker:  Blush Blossom #100037

Embellishment:  Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz #118772

Punches:  Scallop Edge Border #119882, Small Oval #120908, Large Oval #119855

Embossed Gratitude

Gold embossing powder really adds beautiful texture and gloss to my stamped images.  After looking at the card again I think that I might change the brad in the middle to a Pool Party Designer Printed Brad instead of the Gold Shimmer Brad. 

Pool Party cardstock and layers of Very Vanilla Cardstock and Spice Cake Designer Series Paper provided the layers for my card.  I stamped my images with Versa Mark ink and then embossed them with gold embossing powder.  A gold glimmer brad from the Basic  Glimmer Brads pack, was added to the center of my flower.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Pool Party #122924, Very Vanilla #101650, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Spice Cake #124003

Stamp Set:  Day of Gratitude #120835 wood or #121148 clear

Ink:  Versa Mark #102283

Punch:  Extra Large Oval #119859

Accessories:  Heat Tool #100005, Gold Embossing Powder #109129

Embellishment:  Basics Shimmer Brad #121003

Christmas Doily

I am having fun experimenting with the Hello, Doily stamp and thought I would try it out for Christmas.

I embossed my Whisper White Cardstock with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder before I placed my stamped Doily on top.  I stamped the Doily in Real Red ink and then sponged Wild Wasabi ink around the whole image, and placed it on using Dimensionals.  A Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Button with a piece of Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon placed through the button holes was added for a bit of embellishment.  I also used the 3/16" Corner Punch on my sentiment, and sponged Wild Wasabi ink on it as well.  

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730

Stamp Set:  Hello, Doily #122845, Christmas Greetings #115448

Ink:  Real Red #103133, Wild Wasabi #109014

Punch:  3/16" Corner #119871

Accessories:  Big Shot #113430, Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder #116824, Dimensionals #104430

Embellishment:  Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Button #125636 (Holiday Mini)

Craft Fair Items

I participated in a Vendor/Craft Fair this past Saturday to benefit the American Cancer Society.  My biggest concern was what should I take.  With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all so close together I tried to make a little bit for each holiday, as well as some all occasion gifts and cards too.  I also only had one table so my display was a little bit cramped, but it was nice to support the American Cancer Society and help them raise funds, and I got to meet some really nice people as well

Enjoy the pictures, and if you have any questions about any of the items you see just leave a comment.