Christmas

Merriest Trees Love & Joy

It is the 25th of the month and time for another Christmas card.   In an attempt to have a less stressful December I am posting a Christmas card on the 24th or 25th of the month.   My plan is to also make a few more cards while I have the supplies out.  This will hopefully translate to a good head start on my Christmas cards.  This is the first time I have come up with a real plan regarding my Christmas cards.  The usual plan is I say I will start earlier which results in no action until the last minute.  

MerriestTrees_love&joy

The only flaw in my plan is that I do not have very many Christmas sets that are still available for purchase.  Hopefully soon there will be some new stamp sets.

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  • Basic White CS 4" x 5-1/4".
  • 1" x 4" strip of Take a Bow DSP.
  • Sentiment from the Merriest Trees set inked in Real Red ink.

Thank you for stopping by and helping me stay motivated to work on my Christmas cards.  I am hoping this will make my December more joyful and less stressful!

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Sophisticated Sled Good Tidings

It is Thursday and time for another Create with Stamping Friends Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge.

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What a beautiful and classic combination.  The first thing that came to mind was the beautiful sled in the Sophisticated Sled bundle.

SophisticatedSled_GoodTidings

  • Real Red CS card base 4-1/4" x 11".
  • Garden Green CS layer 4" x 5-1/4".
  • Basic White CS layer 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" embossed with the Snowflake Sky 3D embossing folder.
  • Sled base in Real Red CS using the  Sophisticated Sled dies.
  • "Wood" seat in Early Espresso CS using the Sophisticated Sled dies.
  • Greenery in Garden Green using the Sophisticated Sled dies.
  • Bow and string stamped in Real Red ink using the Sophisticated Sled stamps.
  • Center of bow embellished with a Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Gem.
  • Skate boots in Basic White CS cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies.
  • Skate laces in Real Red CS cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies.
  • Skate blades in Smoky Slate CS cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies.
  • Banner in Real Red CS cut using the Peaceful Season dies.
  • Sentiment from the Sophisticated Sled set inked in Versamark and embossed in white embossing powder.
  • Banner sides embellished with Adhesive-Backed Sparkle Gems.

SophisticatedSled_GoodTidings_inside

  • Sentiment from the Sophisticated Sled set in Real Red ink.
  • Snowflakes from the Sophisticated Sled set in Garden Green ink (to make the lighter color I stamped off once before stamping on the Basic White).

SophisticatedSled_GoodTidings_Side

Thank you for stopping by.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Stamping Friends design team created with this color combination.

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Decorative Trees Friends & Family

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Stamping Friends Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge.  It is another great sketch that lends itself to lots of different stamp sets and occasions.

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If you have been reading my blog for a while (thank you) you know I love the look of 3 things.  Whether the images are big or small I like the focal point of 3.

DecorativeTrees_PeacefulSeason

  • Real Red CS cardbase 4-1/4" x 11"
  • Baisc White CS 4-1/8" x 5-3/8"
  • Real Red CS layer-4" x 5-1/4" embossed with the Forever Plaid 3D Embossing folder (love this folder!)
  • Basic White CS banner cut using the Nested Essentials dies (I used the 3rd largest banner die and cut it down-this is easy to do and if you have questions how to do that let me know)
  • Garden Green-Festive Glimmer Paper- 3 trees (did you miss the Glimmer Paper?  It is on page 53 of the Sept-Dec Mini.  It is lovely and I love the sparkle without any mess) cut using the Decorative Trees dies
  • Basic White CS-tree overlays cut using the Decorative Trees dies
  • Basic White CS- shadow for the "Christmas" die cut from the Peaceful Season dies
  • Real Red CS- "Christmas" die from the Peaceful Season dies
  • Real Red Festive Glimmer Paper- 3 bows for the tops of the trees with a rhinestone

DecorativeTrees_PeacefulSeason_In

  • Basic White CS layer- 4" x 5-1/4" sentiment in Real Red ink from the Peaceful Season stamp set
  • Real Red  Festive Glimmer Paper - 3/4" x 5-1/4"

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Thank you for stopping by.  Be sure to check out what the other members of the Create with Stamping Friends made with the sketch.

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Artful Amaryllis Bright and Beautiful Christmas

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There are so many things I love about the Artful Amaryllis bundle.   The stamp set is so versatile with great sentiments and a Two-Step amaryllis image.  The dies create beautiful flowers with texture and cut work.  The flowers have so much detail.

  • Poppy Parade CS card base 4-1/4" x 11'
  • Basic Black CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Basic White CS layer 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" I lightly drew lines 1/2" apart and used them to line up the die to create the background.  I also slightly offset the position so every other design is positioned a little differently.
  • Poppy Parade CS for the flowers and buds.  I used the small Blending Brush to ink on Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the petals
  • Gold Shimmer paper (retired scrap) for the flower centers
  • Granny Apple Green CS for the leaves and stem
  • Lemon Lime Twist CS for the small leaf/wrap on the stem
  • Drusy Adhesive-Backed Embellishment for the centers
  • Basic Black CS label cut using the Autumn Leaves dies
  • Sentiment (Artful Amaryllis set) inked in Versamark, sprinkled with white embossing powder and heated with a Heat Tool
  • Drusy Adhesive-Backed Embellishment to add sparkle to the sentiment

ArtfulAmaryllis_Bright&Beautiful_inside

  • Basic Black CS layer 4" x 5-1/4" 
  • Basic White CS layer 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"
  • Basic White CS strip 5/8" x  3-7/8" 
  • Sentiment from the Reindeer Fun stamp set inked in Tuxedo Black Memento ink
  • Poppy Parade CS amaryllis

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Thank you for stopping by and if you are interested in seeing more samples using the Artful Amaryllis bundle go here and here.

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Reindeer Fun & the Take A Bow DSP

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It is Thursday which means it is time for a new Create with Stamping Friends Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge.

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I think the images found in the Reindeer Days DSP are so cute!  Especially the ones I can cut out using the Reindeer Fun dies.

ReindeerDays_dies (1)

Adorable, right?  Sometimes I like to stamp and color the images and sometimes it is nice to just cut them out from the DSP.  

ReindeerFun_TakeABowDSP

  • Real Red CS card base-4-1/4" x 11"
  • Basic White CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Berries & leaves pattern from the Take A Bow DSP 2" x  4-1/2"
  • Dotted pattern from the Take a Bow DSP 2" x  4-1/4"
  • Cherry Cobbler Festive Glimmer Paper 1/4" x 5" (cut 2)
  • Basic White CS cut using the Stylish Shapes dies
  • Sentiment from the Merriest Trees set inked in Real Red ink
  • Reindeer cut from the Reindeer Days DSP
  • Rhinestone Basic Jewel added to the neck wreath of the reindeer

ReindeerFun_TakeABowDSP_In

  • Basic White CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Dotted pattern from the Take a Bow DSP 1" x 4"
  • Little tree from the Reindeer Fun stamp set inked in Garden Green, Early Espresso, and Crushed Curry 
  • Little tree die cut using the Reindeer Fun dies
  • Merry Christmas from the Reindeer Fun stamp set inked in Real Red ink

ReindeerFun_TakeABowDSP_side

Thank you for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Stamping Friends design team created with this sketch.

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Reindeer Fun Merry Christmas

ReindeerFun_SophisticatedSled

It is Thursday which means it is time for a new Create with Stamping Friends Challenge!  This week the challenge is a sketch challenge.

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This is a great basic sketch and one that can be used with lots of different images.  Definitely one to keep in your sketch bank.

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  • Garden Green CS card base 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"
  • Granny Apple Green CS 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Reindeer Days DSP (debuting  September 4) 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"
  • Garden Green CS 2" x 5-1/4"
  • Granny Apple Green CS 1-7/8" x 5-1/4" embossed using the Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder
  • Basic White cut with the Stylish Shapes dies
  • Wreath image from the Online Exclusive stamp set-Sophisticated Sled stamped in Garden Green ink
  • Wreath cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies (buy the Sophisticated Sled bundle and save 10%)
  • Wreath image colored using Granny Apple Green and Real Red Stampin' Blends
  • Adorable reindeer from the Reindeer Fun (debuting September 3) dies
  • Basic White CS cut with the Stylish Shapes dies
  • Sentiment from the Reindeer Fun stamp set inked in Garden Green

ReindeerFun_order

How to make the reindeer

  • Early Espresso CS base
  • Basic Beige CS middle
  • Pecan Pie top

I like this layering as the little light color/Basic Beige creates a great highlight to the reindeer's eyes.   Here are some other color combinations.

Reindeers-Early Pecan

ReindeerFun_SophisticaedSled_In

  • Basic White CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Sentiment from the Reindeer Fun stamp set inked in Garden Green ink
  • Reindeer Days DSP 3/4" x 5-1/4" strip
  • Holly cut using the Reindeer Fun dies in Granny Apple Green and Real Red CS

ReindeerFun_SophisticatedSled

Be sure to check out the Reindeer Days suite in the 2024-25 September-December Mini Catalog.  If you need a catalog and live in the USA leave me a comment.  

Now it is time to check out what the other design team members created with this versatile sketch,

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Sophisticated Sled

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Stamping Friends Challenge.  This week it is a color challenge- Blackberry Bliss, Garden Green and Pecan Pie.

SophisticatedSled_CSF

I used the Sophisticated Sled bundle which is an Online Exclusive for today's project.

CSF830

  • Blackberry Bliss CS card base 4-1/4" x 11"
  • Garden Green CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Basic White CS 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" embossed with the Snowflake Sky 3D Embossing Folder
  • Sled inked in Pecan Pie ink on Pecan Pie CS and cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies
  • Garden Green CS cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies
  • Swag inked in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Basic White CS colored with Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Blends and Garden Green ink and a Blender pen
  • Sentiment from the Sophisticated Sled  stamp set inked with Blackberry Bliss on Basic White CS 
  • Sentiment cut using the Unbounded Love dies

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  • Basic White CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Garden Green CS sprig die cut using the Sophisticated Sled dies
  • Bird inked in Blackberry Bliss and colored using Blackberry Bliss and Pecan Pie Stampin' Blends

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Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out what the rest of the Create with Stamping Friends created for #CSF830.

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Merriest Trees

Ready for another Festive Friday challenge?   What is the Festive Friday challenge?  The Festive Friday challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that is inspired by a holiday/festivity.  An Inspo list of 10 items is created using the festivity as its inspiration.  To play in the challenge you need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project and enter it in the Festive Friday gallery.  We love seeing what you choose from the Inspo list and look forward to seeing what you create.

FF

I found this Inspo list to be a really tough one!  I finally decided to go Christmas. This seemed like an easy way to incorporate gold, silver and bronze.  I had to dig into my stash to find my gold and silver Glimmer paper and bronze(ish) Foil paper.  

MerriestTrees

  • Thick Basic White CS card base 4-1/4" x 11"
  • Bronze(ish) Foil paper 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Shaded Spruce CS 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" embossed with the Snowflake Sky 3D Embossing folder
  • Basic White CS 3-7/8" x  2" torn for the "snow"
  • Tree image from the Merriest Tree set inked in Shaded Spruce ink
  • Tree cut using the Merriest Trees dies
  • Assorted ornaments cut using the Merriest Trees dies in gold & silver glimmer paper and bronze(ish) foil
  • Sentiment from the Merriest Trees set inked in Real Red

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Be sure to check out what the rest of the Festive Friday design team created with this Inspo List.

 

This is my last card as a member of the Festive Friday design team.  It has been a fun 5 years!  Hard to believe it has been that long.  Thank you Beth for the opportunity! 

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Stampers Dozen Blog Hop...Christmas in July

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Welcome to the Stampers Dozen Blog Hop!  We are a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators who come together on the 14th of the month to bring you this blog hop.  This month our theme is Christmas in July!  I know it is the middle of summer and I am not  thinking about Christmas.  That being said  it would be smart for me to start my Christmas cards.  Every year I am scrambling to get my cards done.  Maybe just maybe after all these years I will start them now and get a some cards made ahead of time!

WinterlyTreeTops_MerriesTrees

  • Cherry Cobbler CS card base 4-1/4" x 11"
  • Basic White CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Balmy Blue CS layer 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" embossed using  the Snowflake Sky 3D Embossing folder
  • Basic White CS tag cut using the Merriest Trees Dies and embossed using the Snowflake Sky EF
  • Stamp the birds  (Winterly Tree Tops stamp set coming in September featured in the 2024 September-December catalog) in Tuxedo Black  Memento ink
  • Color the image using Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Azure Afternoon, Balmy Blue, and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends and die cut using the Winterly Tree Tops dies
  • Adhere the birds to the tag using Stampin' Dimensionals
  • Loop a piece of Black & Very Vanilla Large Check ribbon through the tag's hole
  • Tie a bow around the ribbon using white Baker's Twine
  • Adhere the tag to the Balmy Blue CS
  • Stamp the garland (Winterly Tree Tops stamp set) in Tuxedo Black Memento ink
  • Color the garland using Azure Afternoon, Balmy Blue, & Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends
  • Adhere the garland to the top of the tag
  • Die cut a Stylish Shapes banner in Basic White CS
  • Stamp the sentiment from the Merriest Trees stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink on the banner
  • Adhere it to the bottom of the tag using Stampin' Dimensionals
  • Attach a few Rhinestones to the tag

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  • Basic White CS layer 4" x 5-1/4"
  • Balmy Blue CS 1" x 4" embossed with the Snowflake Sky 3D Embossing folder
  • Stamp the garland in Tuxedo Black Memento ink
  • Color the garland using Azure Afternoon, Balmy Blue, and Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends
  • Die cut the image using the Winterly Tree Tops dies
  • Cut garland below the berries and attach it to the Basic White CS
  • Adhere the Balmy Blue strip

WinterlyTreeTops_MerriestTrees_side

Thank you for stopping by and be sure to check out all the stops on the blog hop for more Christmas in July!

 

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Joy of Noel Snowflake Magic

It is Thursday and time for a new Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge and it is for two weeks.  

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This is one of the rare times that I knew what supplies I wanted to use and what I was going to make for the challenge. 

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  • Pretty Peacock card base 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2"
  • Snowflake Magic Specialty DSP 4" x 5-1/4" (unfortunately this appears to be sold out)
  • Pretty Peacock Glimmer strips 3/4" x 3-5/8" 
  • Joyous sentiment from the Joy of Noel stamp set fussy cut
  • Large leaves and berries from the Joy of Noel stamp set.  Image colored using Pretty Peacock and Lost Lagoon Stampin' Blends.  The berries were colored using the Pearlized Enamel Effects.  This takes a little bit of time to dry so apply the Enamel Effects last and set it aside to dry.
  • Real Red ribbon tied in a bow and attached to the leaf bouquet.

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Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!  We will see you back on December 28th with a new challenge.

Thank you and be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created.

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Merriest Trees Christmas Pudding

Ready for another Festive Friday challenge?   What is the Festive Friday challenge?  The Festive Friday challenge is a bi-weekly challenge that is inspired by a holiday/festivity.  An Inspo list of 10 items is created using the festivity as its inspiration.  To play in the challenge you need to use 3 items from the Inspo list on your project and enter it in the Festive Friday gallery.  We love seeing what you choose from the Inspo list and look forward to seeing what you create.

FF149

I chose from the Inspo list White, Brown, Red, and Christmas pudding.  Are you wondering what is Christmas pudding?  I had to look it up, isn't the internet wonderful?  Christmas pudding should have 13 ingredients representing Jesus and the 12 disciples.  Here in the US we would call it plum pudding or figgy pudding.  I am not sure I have ever eaten it so I had to also look up what it looks like.

MerriestTrees_ChristmasPudding

I am not sure this is an accurate depiction of Christmas pudding.  

  • Card base is a Basic White note card.
  • DSP layer is from the Joy of Christmas DSP 3-1/4" x  4-3/4"
  • The pudding base is Early Espresso CS cut using the Fluffiest Friends dies (the die that looks like a dome.
  • The icing is Basic White CS also cut using the Fluffiest Friends die. The edge was hand cut to hopefully look like icing.
  • The Shaded Spruce CS was cut using the holly die from the Magical Meadow dies.
  • The glittery berries for he top of the pudding were cut in Red Glimmer paper using the Christmas Classics dies.
  • Both sentiments from the Merriest Trees stamp set were inked in Real Red and stamped on Basic White CS cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.

MerriestTrees_ChristmasPudding_side

The holly, berries, and sentiments were all popped up using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team created using the Inso list.

 

The Festive Friday Challenge will be back on January 5th 2024 with new challenges!  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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