Christmas Mix It Up with Non-Traditional Colors

When we think of Christmas, we think of red, green and sometimes a bit of blue and white.  Frequently around the holidays I like to challenge myself by using other colors than the traditional. 

I’ve put a bit of a vintage twist into this Christmas card by using black and vanilla as my main colors.  If you haven’t purchased the Newsprint Designer Series Paper you are going to want to have that for your paper creations going forward.  It is so lovely and it creates a wonderful background to my Christmas card. 

I got my inspiration for the layout for this card on page 96 of the 2010-2011 Stampin’ UP! Idea Book and Catalog.  I made a slight modification by creating a slit in the background paper and weaving the Very Vanilla strip to the front.  By doing that I created the perfect space for my greeting.  Don’t you just love that greeting?  It comes from the Just Believe stamp set, which by chance isn’t even from a Christmas set, but it is just perfect for this time of year!  I really love how this turned out.  What do you think?

Stamps:   Lovely as a Tree, Just Believe
Papers:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla 
Ink: Versmark, Basic Black
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Vintage Brads, Black Stampin’  Emboss Powder,
Tools: Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Snail Adhesive, Hobby Blade, Handheld Punch 1/16” Circle
Techniques Used:  Heat Embossing

The finished card size is 4-1/4” x 4- 1/14”.  I like to change up the card size every now and again too…just to mix it up!  I usually mail these in a standard greeting size envelope.

Enjoy!

December Birthdays

I’m sure many of you know someone in your family or a friend that has a December birthday.  I know it is really hard for those people because everyone likes to lump their birthdays in with Christmas.  So, in the spirit of giving I created this fun card for my son’s teacher Mrs. Hardy.  I am so in LOVE with the new bling from the catalog – okay, forgive me for saying NEW, because it is all new to me right now!  7 months of no stamping and I feel like I am on stamping overload! I’m still trying to use as much of my stamping stuff as I can!  LOL! 

A dear friend sent me a picture of a holiday card found over at  Tamara Black’s blog. It was a great starting out place for me and just the inspiration I needed for Mrs. H’s birthday card.  All the “presents” are wrapped/stamped with background stamps.  Don’t you just love those mini background stamps?

Stamps:   A to Z, Dot,Dot,Dot, Solid Stripes, En Francais, Monogram Sweet
Papers:  Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Whisper White Satin Ribbon
Tools: Snail Adhesive, Boho Blossoms Punch, 1-3/8 Square Punch, Paper Snips, Sticky Strip, Needle and Thread, Itty Bitty Bits Punch Pack, Decorative Label Punch, 1-1/4 Circle Punch
Techniques Used:  I gathered the ribbon with needle and thread and secured with Sticky Strip behind the Basic Black layer of cardstock.  

I hope the next time you decide to design a December birthday it doesn’t contain Holly, Christmas trees or wreaths and comes in other colors besides green and red!

Enjoy!

What projects are you creating next?  Should you need any Stampin’ UP! supplies please visit my online store.

Holiday Place Cards

There are only a few short weeks to get together all those wonderful handmade gifts.  I am super excited to have our family in for a visit over the holidays!  Since I rarely get to create a big feast I am going all out and even creating some place cards for the table this year!

Stampin’ Up! offers us demonstrators some great ideas and this place card holder was just an idea that I had to make my own!  I just love the earthy feel of the colors and the papers and it’s always fun to mix and match your stamp sets to create that perfect work of heart! My stamps have been missing me so I had to use them so they would all be happy!

Stamps:  Peaceful Season (Hostess – Holiday Mini), Lovely Letters Alphabet, En Francais, Artistic Etchings
Papers:  Confetti Cream, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Early Esspresso, Soft Suede
Accessories: Antique Brads, Hemp Twine
Tools: Snail Adhesive, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1/16” Handheld Punch, 1-1/4” Circle Punch, 1-3/8” Circle Punch, Two Tags Bigz Die, Paper Snips, Sticky Strip, Sponges
Techniques Used: Stamping Off, Sponging, Dry Embossing, Tearing, Direct to Paper

I just love how this project came to life.  As I look at his project many other ideas pop into my head – wouldn’t it be neat to place a little surprise in the ring?  The tag would make a perfect bookmark or a terrific addition to your Christmas Tree next year!  Please feel free to copy or to use this as a piece of inspiration for your holiday projects! 

Enjoy!

 

Do you need just the right stamps, cardstock and accessories for your projects?  Visit my online store today to get the items you’ll need for your holiday projects.