Christmas Comeback

After many years apart (papercrafting-wise), my friend (and former blog contributor), Stefanie, and I got together yesterday evening to make Christmas cards! As usual, Stefanie produced an astonishing number of cards in comparison to my paltry few (15 to 4, to be exact). Out of fairness to myself, I did also attach tags to some gifts, and there was a fair bit of orienting to craft tools and their location. ;)  We started crafting at about 9 p.m. and finished just before 3 a.m.!!

My first card of the evening is probably my favorite:



I tried achieving the background by inking a sheet of acetate with Tim Holtz Peeled Paint Distress Ink, spritzing some water, and then inking my stamp on the acetate, but the result was a bit sparse. I just inked my stamp directly and stamped right over top--problem solved.

I'll be posting the remaining cards over the next few days.

It was such a joy to be crafting with someone again. :)  The best part is that Stefanie really enjoyed getting back into card-making! She's coming back over today for more. :D

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Classic Kraft, Simply Chartreuse, Luxe Gold
• Stamps: Fillable Frames #9, Watercolor Backdrops (MFT)
• Ink: Dark Chocolate, Tim Holtz Peeled Paint Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Dies: Winter Trees (Simon Says Stamp)
• Other Tools: Mister Huey's Opaque White (Studio Calico)

Happy Wonderful Christmas

My mother posted another of the cards I created at our all-day crop this past June.

I have to say that this is probably my favorite one. I loved the three-step wreath, as well as the fonts on the sentiment.

The interior:

Thanks for peeking!

Oh Baby

A baby card for a friend to give to her teacher:

My camera was acting up this morning... :(

I used a Distress Paint dabber for the first time. I used a stencil and there was quite a bit of bleeding. I don't mind the effect, but it wasn't what I was going for.

The baby rattle shaker was created using a sheet of acetate (from PTI stamps) and embellished with a bit of lace and twine.

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Classic Kraft, Vintage Cream, Gold Shimmer
• Stamps: Wonderful Words: Baby
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Dies: Baby Button Bits, Wonderful Words: Baby
• Accessories: lace, Cream Cotton Baker's Twine
• Other Tools: Delicate Doily stencil (MFT), Picket Fence Distress Paint (Ranger), gold embossing powder (Filigree), foam adhesive sheet

Friends Never Go Out of Style

This card base has been kicking around forever, waiting for me to finish it. I pulled it out to create a belated birthday card for a friend.

I tried doing a pinch of silver and Kaleidoscope embossing powders.

At this point, I had a tool malfunction: my Goosebumps shimmer spray was completely clogged. I tried flicking the goo on, but it didn't look right. I tried smearing it around and got an interesting, though completely smeared, look. I'm not completely satisfied, but neither am I completely disappointed.

The interior:

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Stamper's Select White, True Black
• Patterned Paper: unknown
• Stamps: Fashion Sense
• Ink: Scarlet Jewel, Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Versamark (Tsukineko), Memento Dandelion (Tsukineko)
• Other Tools: clear and silver embossing powders (Filigree), Kaleidoscope embossing powder (Stampendous), Clear Star gel pen (Sakura)

Masculine CAS: Thank You

An acquaintance cleared up a wasp problem of ours--thank you so much!

I looked around online for sunset color inspiration:

This cover plate die was NOT easy to work with. I had to run it through my Cuttlebug several times with increasing shims in place and still had to use a blade to assist with negative scrap removal...

Thanks for peeking!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, Smokey Shadow
• Stamps: A Big Thank You (free, limited edition)
• Ink: Tim Holtz Ripe Persimmon, Seedless Preserves, Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks (Ranger), Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Dies: Into the Woods cover plate
• Other Tools: clear embossing powder (Filigree)

Welcome Baby

Another card I created at the all-day crop with my mom.

This was the second time I created this particular card due to an adhesive malfunction--too bad I ended up stamping the giraffe crooked! Didn't care enough to try for a third. ;)

All supplies used for this card can be found here.

Pine Bough Christmas Card

This Christmas card uses a unique die set available from Stampin' Up (see here for complete supply list):

Pulling on the left side of the card "opens" the card and flips the centre panel to the back side:

I will most likely write my personal Christmas note on the back. :)

All supplies used for this card can be found here.

Christmas Cards Starting in July

I recently had the opportunity to visit my mom in Victoria, BC. We attended an all day crop at which I finally got around to making some cards!

Me and Mom

 Using my mom's Stampin' Up supplies (see here for a list), I started with the following Christmas card:

I really like the sentiment I used on the interior (you'll see it a few more times!):

It was fun to craft again!!
Thanks for peeking!

All supplies used for this card can be found here.

Happy Happy Happy 6 Birthday

A quick card for a birthday party:

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Kraft
• Patterned Paper: Dark Chocolate + unknown
• Stamps: Happy Day
• Ink: Dark Chocolate
• Dies: Tipped Tops, First Place, Make a Wish, Horizontal Gift Card Holder (MFT), Negative Dot Alphabet (MFT)

Thanks

I ask, on occasion, the lady who watches my youngest daughter if she wouldn't mind seeing my other two children off to school. She always agrees and never takes payment for it. So I picked up a favorite mascara and sent it off with a thank you card.

The "thanks" die was a "free with $60 purchase" gift from My Favorite Things. So was the stitched speech bubble border die!! Gotta love it!

I even whipped out my hot glue gun for the darn sequins!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: white (scrap)
• Patterned Paper: Blueberry Sky and Enchanted Evening stripes
• Stamps: Dot Spot
• Ink: Summer Sunrise, Spiced Marmalade Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Dies: Thanks (MFT), Stitched Speech Bubble border (MFT)
• Accessories:  random sequins, clear bubble