Monday Christmas Card(s) Week 4

Not sure yet what I will be making for dinner tonight, might need to check out some warm temptations on Pinterest..it's a nasty day here in Virginia~ gloomy,wet and cold!
Yesterday I actually had to turn on the heat :(

I am still in denial that the cooler temps are here to stay...still in denial that the sun sets earlier and that the holidays will be upon us before we know it! Ahhhhhh!

It was the perfect day to stay indoors and stamp, so today I have for my 'Monday Christmas Card'...three cards to share with you. All are made with my latest and greatest favorite stamp set (have you noticed that I say that alot?). It's called Winter Memories and I LOVE it!! It is shown on Pg. 19 in the Holiday Catalog and screams 'vintage' so when I sat down to play...I could not just stop with one card!
Another element that I used throughout was the Festival of Prints DSP (126904) shown on Pg. 20 in the Holiday Catalog. This paper pack is a total of (48) 6"x6" double sided sheets and makes for quick projects~ use them for a photo mat, punches, card fronts and more!! All 48 sheets for only $6.95!

Here is the first one I made:

I applied the DSP to the Very Vanilla CS then ran it through the Big Shot, then I took the sponge dauber and Frost White Shimmer paint and lightly brushed the ink on the raised snowflake. There was enough going on with the card that I kept the image blank. The image was stamped with the Early Espresso ink, then embossed with the Vanilla scented embossing powder. When the card was all assembled I 'spritzed' it...with the same Frost White Shimmer paint mixed with rubbing alcohol.  Very 'Norman Rockwell'...huh?
Inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Winter Memories (127937 C), Tiny Tags (118592 C)
Card Stock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red and Festival of Prints DSP (126904)
Ink: Early Espresso
Access: linen thread (104199), Riding Hood Red 3/8" taffeta ribbon (122988), Vintage Faceted buttons (127555), vintage trinkets (118764), jewelry tag punch (117190), Champagne glass glitter (120997), Frost White Shimmer paint (116854), sponge daubers (102892), Big Shot (113439), Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902), heat tool (129053), Vanilla scented embossing powder (125590), 2-way glue pen (100425), dimensionals (104430), sticky strip (104294)

Here is the second:

The iceskates are perfect in this set, reminds me of the 'olden days'. We could skate as kids in front of my grandparents house when the pond froze...and only come in when you couldn't feel your toes. It has been a long time since I have put on a pair of skates...maybe one day~

For this card, I ran a layered piece of Crumb Cake CS that was embossed with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder (116824) and sponged the edges with Crumb Cake ink. The skates were stamped in Early Espresso ink on Very Vanilla CS and over that the 'Warm Winter Wishes' was stamped on Vellum CS with Lucky Limeade ink and embossed with the Vanilla scented embossing powder. Added some ribbon and brads and for this one I sprayed the card with the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz. Voila~

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Winter Memories (127937 C)
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Vellum CS and Festival of Prints DSP (126904)
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso
Access: Cherry Cobbler 1/2" seam binding ribbon (120992), stamping sponges (101610), vintage trinkets (118764), Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder (116824), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772), heat tool (129053), Vanilla scented embossing powder (125590)

Here is the third:

This one is pretty self-explanatory: the Soft Suede CS was embossed with the Woodgrain embossing folder (127821). For the image I embossed with Versamark and Pewter embossing powder and colored it in with blender pens and the ink pads.When this card was assembled I sprayed it with the Champagne Mist shimmer paint mixed with rubbing alcohol.

Inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Winter Memories (127937 C), More Merry Messages (126402 C)
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and Festival of Prints DSP (126904)
Ink: Versamark, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede
Access: Big Shot (113439), Woodgrain embossing folder (127821), Pewter embossing powder (124114), heat tool (129053), linen thread (104199), Vintage Faceted button (127555), Soft Suede 3/8" taffeta ribbon (122967), crochet trim (118481), sticky strip (104294), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806)

Let me know if you have any questions, or leave me a comment to really make my day!!
Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Monday's Christmas Card Week 3 & Hope Card

UPDATE: This is acutally Tuesday 10/2/12...could not finish posting it because I strained my neck :(
I am on some muscle relaxers...and will post again later today...that should be interesting!!

[Monday's post: 10/01/12]
What a weekend!! Most people dread Monday..I was looking forward to it!!  Some relaxation, no plans..the kids being away at school during the day. I can start my Friday all over again; clean the house, do laundry and run errands!!

'Hope' you all had a great weekend and happy Oct. 1st!! I mentioned in an earlier post that during this month I would focus on the fact that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My first card to share with you is one that I made yesterday and I love how it turned out~

Here is how I made the background (after a few different attempts).
I knew I wanted to use Melon Mambo ink refill...and white glossy CS.  I had a piece that measured about 5x7 and using a spray bottle filled with water I sprayed it all over. There were a few places that the water pooled and that's okay. Then I used an aqua painter pen and some of the refill ink and 'smeared' the ink all over.

On this sample I just dropped the refill ink drops directly onto the CS. The ink follows the little water rivers..and made a really cool effect. I will use this piece for another project.

It looked like both of my samples were going to take a LONG time to dry...and that was 'no bueno' for this impatient girl! So I used the heat tool to dry it and the air from gun made the ink and water run in all sorts of different directions. I'm sure that everytime you try it...each one will be unique.

Give it a try for yourself...not sure if this is even a so-called 'technique'. But it was pretty neat!

When the CS was dry, I stamped the flower image from in Basic Gray and wished I had done it in Basic Black...you could see it..just not was well as I had hoped. So...I grabbed my new favorite ink pad...the Illuminate Watermark Stampin' pad? (pg. 23 in the Holiday Catalog.) I didn't even know this baby existed!! I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to make sure the image matched and restamped...now it looks almost embossed....and so pretty!! Cut it out with the framelit and finished my card!!
Voila~
Here is the inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Blooming with Kindness (126422 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Basic Gray, Glossy White
Ink: Basic Gray, Illuminate Watermark Glimmer pad (126857)
Access: Vintage Faceted buttons (127555), linen thread (104199), Basic Gray taffeta ribbon (retired), sticky strip (104294), Silver Foil Smooch Spritz (118771), Glue Dots (103683), Big Shot (113439), Labels Collection framelits 9125598), Lacy Brocade embossing folder (127819), aqua painters (103954), heat tool (129053)


Now for Week 3 of my Christmas Cards:

This card was inspired by the cute card on pg. 23 in the 2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalog. Look in the top left corner with the polar bear~ I loved the bottom how it represents 'snow' so I gave it a try.
Inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Evergreen (127973 C), Christmas Lodge (123769 C)
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Ink: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Versamark
Access: Pewter embossing powder (124114), heat tool (129053), Vintage Faceted buttons (127555), linen thread (104199), glue dots (103683), Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon (122331), Big Shot (113439), Addorning Accents folders (125601), Addorning Accents edgelits (125595), Apothecary Accents framelits (127003), Champagne Mist Shimmer paint (116806)

Tomorrow I will be back with my 'Color Challenge' card and video for the pop-up owl card shown here. Have a great day and go stamp something...anything...even if it's the dog!! (LOL)

-Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Monday's Christmas Card Week 2

Happy Monday!! This morning was chilly..I didn't want to get out from under the covers!! I almost poured another cup of coffee just to warm my hands!! It's too early to turn the heat on right?? Fall is definitely in the air so I first want to share with you a 'fall' themed project.

I have been picture crazy over the last few months...it all started when I purchased some frames that I liked. Well...that led to painting the walls a fresh coat of paint...then finding the right photos for the frames. I have this one frame in the basement that was given to me over a year ago that has even been hung on the wall...but still has that 'generic' family smiling back at me! I feel like maybe I should name them and officially 'welcome' them to the family!!

But you know when you need to have just the right photo?? Well...I printed a TON to choose from and most have now been filled. This is one I had I left over of my oldest son Tyler. He is now 17 and a senior this year...AAAHHH! (This photos was taken 4 years ago)

Here is what I have created with it:

It started off as a 5x7 with a border, I trimmed it down to fit a 5x7 mat of Night of Navy CS and added it to a 8x8 scrapbook page. Then placed it here:

I found the scrapbook stand at my local craft store, it holds 8x8 pages. Love it!!!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: French Foliage (121166 C)
Card Stock: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand and First Edition Specialty DSP
Ink: Sahara Sand, Eary Espresso, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze and Soft Suede Marker
Access: Big Shot (113439), Leaves #2 (retired), Woodgrain embossing folder (127821), linen thread (104199), Denim Jean ribbon (125053), color sprizter tool (107066), Naturals Designer buttons (127554), dimensionals (104430) and a stick (lol)

Now~ for 'Week 2 of my Monday Christmas Card's'
Here is what I made:

I took this photo, then realized it's a wee bit blurry...oopsy!
Here is a close-up:

This is a better view, easier to see in this photo that after I applied the postage stamp squares, I embossed the card with the Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902). This is a very simple card, easy to replicate and make LOTS of...Christmas cards anyone??
Inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: More Merry Messages (126402 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP (126901)
Ink: Early Espresso
Access: linen thread (104199), 5/8" crochet trim (118481), Naturals Designer buttons (127554), Riding Hood Red 3/8" taffeta ribbon (122988), Big Shot (113439), Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902), Postage Stamp punch (122344), Frost White Shimmer paint (spritzed with rubbing alcohol) (116854), sticky strip (104294)

Tomorrow I wil post my Color Challenge from SCS...can't wait!!
Have a great day!
Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Monday's Christmas Card Week 1

Today and every Monday until we get closer to Christmas I will be sharing with you my 'Monday Christmas Card'...Here is today's:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Evergreen (127973 C), Tiny Tags (118592 C), More Merry Messages (126402 C)
Card Stock: Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Champagne Glimmer Paper (127885)
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake, Versamark,
Access: color spritzer tool (107066), crumb cake marker, heat tool (129053), Vanilla scented embossing powder (125590), stamping sponges (101610), vintage trinkets (118764), jewelry tag punch (117190), sticky strip (104294), crochet trim (118481), 1/16" handheld punch (101227),
Here is a close-up:

and the inside:

While coming up with the idea on what I was going to make...I began singing the song 'Silent Night' and thought about the 'Music Notes' wheel....it would be perfect!  Well...after I looked it up in the catalog, I  then jumped on the site to order the wheel and thought...'wait'... "Maybe I already own it"~ Well...guess what?? I do!!! YAY!! Don't you love it when that happens?? (smile)
I also LOVED how the two stamp sets Tiny Tags and the sentiment used from More Merry Messages were so alike check out the dots...(sigh)! Thanks Stampin' Up! for making us OCD freaks smile (LOL)!

Christmas cards were originally the reason I started stamping, I have always liked the thought of sending out annual cards to keep loved ones in the loop~ perhaps 'shock' them with a family photo to showcase just how big the kids have grown, but since I began stamping and became a demonstrator I noticed that over the years I sent less and less out and last year because I was working...I didn't send out any!!! My time devoted to stamping was swallowed up~ Do you want to know the really sad part?? I even made them!!! The days that I did dedicate to stamping tickled me to death, I was SO happy!!
Here is one that I made:

Here is how it opens:

Who would do that you ask?? Make and not send it out?? Me~ I know I am a freak...quite honestly I said to myself..."Who is worthy??" I had only made a few of these...and a handful of others. What if I didn't make enough to send to all that I needed?? What about the cards that would come at last minute? Now being faced with a return address...would I have the time to make them a hand-made beautiful creation?? Ahhh~ So....I panicked and packed them all away in a box...and had decided last year that I would not send out ANY!! At times I think I hear them crying!! (frown)

I ended up making several others, prepared different designs for Workshops and Stamp Camps, but when it came down to 'me' actually needing a card to send...I didn't have one! Sure in reality I had hundreds...(seriously that many!) But I felt that if I needed a card I needed to make a 'freash' one~ a new design...something that I hadn't seen before.
Here was another card that I made a dozen or so of:

I know now that this stamp is retired,but you could use this for inspiration. Swap it out with a current image. I must really still like the look with the 'safety pin' & tag, since I used it again about a year later with today's post!!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I am looking forward to tomorrow's post about the Color Challenge at www.splitcoaststampers.com See ya then!! Have a great night!! Don't let the bed bugs bite....EEWWWW!!! Maybe I shouldn't even say/write that~ sweet dreams!
Stampin' hugs,
Erin
Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
stampingwitherin@yahoo.com