The Open Sea Masculine Birthday Card

I thought I would get a jump on the cards I need for the upcoming year.  So my first one is a masculine one.  And a super easy one at that too!

I used Tempting Turquoise card stock and ink.  I also used a piece of decorative paper from the Sweet Taffy pack.  It's my second pack!!! I used up my first one on an envelope punch board album. You can see the fun album here.  I would LOVE to make another one but they do take a LOT of time.  

I used the Sweet Taffy piece on the background.  I thought it would give the illusion of water.  If you squint!  With one eye closed??  From across the room???  LOL I just liked the color.

I stamped the ship in Tempting Turquoise ink and layered the image on the front of the card.

I did the words on the computer.  I used the RBG code for Tempting Turquoise but I think it came out a little too blue. I think it could have used a bit more green.  Oh well, I used it anyway.  That code was found on the net and it was R-84, B-220, G-193.  There are other codes out there and you can try one until it matches from your printer.  Different printers can print different colors too.  

Anyway, the word layer was set in place using Dimensionals.

See, I told you it was super easy.  And it was fun too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Love & Sympathy Birthday Card

I love to find stamp sets that you can step out of the box with and use for other occasions as well.  Here I used the "Love & Sympathy" set but I used a birthday sentiment instead.  It now became a pretty, soft and subtle birthday card.

I used the decorative paper from the Lullaby pack.  Once again I used an image that I didn't much care for but once I was done with it, I did like it.

For the flower I used Pistachio Pudding and Hello Honey markers on the rubber stamp.  I huffed on it and stamped the image.  I trimmed it up a bit and then added the layers.

Then I punched a round Hello Honey scalloped circle, and a 1-3/8" round Pistachio Pudding circle.  The words are from my computer.  I do sell the words in my web store. This PDF download file contains 10 greetings that will fit in a 1=1/4" circle punch and layer them on top of another circle or on top of a scalloped circle.  Some of them even fit in the oval punch.  The greetings include: Thinking of You, Thank You, Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday, With Sympathy, Get Well, Merry Christmas, Happy Father's Day, Happy Mother's Day, and Be Mine.  There are 24 greetings on each page.  You can print out as many pages as you wish and use them in cards you make to give away or even on cards you make to sell.   I print them out and punch half of them out. I put the rest in envelopes for safe keeping.  It's nice to have some already punched out for when I need a quick card.  

Anyway, this card was very easy to do and I did like making it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Bloom With Hope Birthday Card

I have not copied a Sandi MacIver card in a very long time.  Not sure why, I LOVE her cards!!!

I found this gem on her site and I'm sure that I did not copy it exactly, but I thin kit's close enough.  I like how it looks and that is what is important, right?  

The base of the card was done using Soft Suede card stock. Then a piece of Coastal Cabana was added on top.  Then I used the decorative paper from the Lullaby pack.  I was not so fond of that side of the paper, I liked the little hearts on the other side, but it was fun to see this paper in a different light!  

The next layer is Basic Black and then Whisper White on top of that for the focal images to be stamped.  I used the "Bloom with Hope" stamp set.  I did have to do some fussy cutting on the flower on the bottom right.  I cut it out first and then I colored it.  I did it that way because too many times I have colored and then botched up the cutting.  So now I cut first and then color.

This was a fun card to make and I REALLY do like that background paper!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Blooming with Kindness Birthday Card

Another "SO me" card!  Again, with all the layers!  I think I have my Mojo back!!!  

I had originally stamped the image using the black Memento ink and I started coloring it in with the Perfect Plum ink pad and blender pen.  As I was coloring I realized that it was not the way to go with this image.  So I stamped the image in Perfect Plum ink and I was much happier with the outcome.  Plus it was quicker and easier!!!

I used Basic Black for the base of my card.  Which usually means I have to add a trimmed up white piece of card stock to the inside for writing on.

I layered each piece using the black card stock.  I also used the scalloped circle punch, the 1-3/8" circle punch, and the 1-1/4" circle punch.  The words were done on my computer.  I set the word layers in place using Dimensionals.

I told you it was easy, and quick too!!!  I think it would be great to make these in different colors and using different words and make a package for gift giving!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

An I Like You General Card

Here is another set I don't play enough with.  This image is from the "I Like You" Hostess set.  It does remind me of the "Bordering on Romance" set though.  Which is okay but it's kind of sad that it is SO similar.

Anyway, onto my card.  This card is SO me!  I LOVE layers and this card has several!!!  Oh and this card wasn't found on the net (yet!).  I came up with it on my own!  I need to start doing more original cards instead of copying other people's cards.  Not that there is anything wrong with that but it is nice to have an original card.  I use to have almost all original cards but I got lazy and then Pinterest came into being and I found SO many cards on there that I loved and just HAD to make!  Though I am sure that I may still find cards like that from time to time.

For my card I stamped the image using VersaMark and white embossing powder.  I colored in the flowers with the Blendabilities.  I tried to color within the lines but there were times I just couldn't.  I was about to give up on the image and I decided to just "try" something on it.  I colored in the flowers and I colored over the embossed lines.  I had colored in the larger flowers using the Cherry Cobbler pack.  I didn't like the look of the two larger flowers being the same color either.  So I took the Daffodil Delight marker and I colored over the Cherry Cobbler and what  you see is what I got.  So I'm now thinking that maybe I can salvage the image.  But now the white embossed lines are stained with marker.  UGH!  And I tried to wipe it off with my finger and nothing happened.  Then I took the Color Lifter marker and ta dah!, it removed the marker from the embossed lines!!!  I just swiped the marker across the whole image and wiped it off on some scrap paper, much like you do when getting the ink off the blender pen.  I did that a few times until I thought it looked pretty white!  The embossed lines are not as shiny as they were when it was first embossed.  I did take a paper towel and "buffed" up the lines a bit.  They got a little shinier.  So once I was done with revealing the lines I decided I was going to make this into a card after all! 

I  used Old Olive and Cajun Craze decorative paper.  The base of my card is Basic Black.  I added a layer of Whisper White on top of it and then the layers!

I do like this card and am going to be using it as a thank you card.  I need to send a few of them out within the next 2 weeks.

This was a fun card to make and I SO love making cards with lots of layers!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Holiday Home Christmas Card

I would like to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas.

This is the card I made for us to sent out this year.  The snowman is from the "Holiday Home".

The snowflakes are from an embossing folder I had bought at JoAnn's.  I love snowflakes and when I saw that folder, I just had to have it.  

The Soft Sky snowflake in the left corner was done using a retired snowflake punch.  There are some punches I just never let go of!!!  The center of the snowflake has a silver foil circle in the center of it.  

After I finished with the embossing, I punched a hole in the piece using the 1-1/4" circle punch.  Then I set the piece in place on top of a folded half sheet of Whisper White card stock and I stamped the snowman.  I wanted to make sure I got the snowman in the center of that circle.  I colored the snowman in using a blender pen and the Soft Sky ink pad.  

The snowflake panel was set in place using Dimensionals.  I made 60 of these!!!  They were fun and I had a great time making them!

Have a Very Merry Christmas,
Wanda

A Bloom with Hope Birthday and a Fun Fold!

I tend to make my cards using the "open on the right side" style.  Once in a while I will venture out to the "open from the bottom" style, but not very often.  And even more rare, the "folded front" card.

I used Cherry Cobbler card stock.  I cut the full sheet in half on the short side.  Then I folded it in half and then I folded the front panel back.  

The inside piece is cut 4" x 5-1/4".  I set it in place (not taped it) and I stamped the flowers.  I colored them using the Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities markers.  Those things really make coloring SO easy!

Next I cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler decorative paper  2-1/4" x 4".  Before I taped it in place I taped a piece of Cherry Cobbler satin ribbon around the edges.  Then I took another piece of the ribbon and tied it to the first piece of ribbon.  Then I taped the piece in place.

Next I punched out the scallop, a 1-3/8" Cherry Cobbler circle, and the words that were done on my computer were punched out using the 1-1/4" circle punch.  I set that in place using Dimensionals.

The final step was to tape the Whisper White piece with the flower on it.  And there you have it.  A super quick and super easy Birthday card!

All the gifts are wrapped. All the baking is done.  The kitchen is full of dishes to do and then I can finally take a few minutes to relax before the festivities begin!  Merry Christmas Eve!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Flower Patch Thank You!

I do SO love playing with stamp sets that have matching dies and punches.  I do prefer a punch over a die because I am a bit too lazy to walk over to the Big Shot!!! LOL  But I do know I can cut more than one piece using a die.  And I can cut fabric and felt with the dies, something you can't do with a punch!

Okay, onto this pretty card.  I found this card at Julia's "Paper into Love" blog.  I thought it was a very fun and pretty card to make.  I did have the correct ink pad and color, Lost Lagoon, but the ink in the photo doesn't look like it matches the decorative paper. But in real life it does match. It must be the lighting.  

This was a very easy card to make too.  The base of the card is a folded half sheet of Lost Lagoon card stock.  I cut the full sheet on the short side so my card opens from the bottom.  The next piece to add is the Whisper White, and that was cut 4" x 5-1/4".  Then I added the Lost Lagoon decorative piece of paper.  That piece measures 2-1/2" x 4".  The Crumb Cake piece measures 4" x 2-1/2".  The Whisper White piece on top of that measures 2-3/8" x 3-7/8".  

I stamped and cut out the larger flower and I also cut the smaller flower at the same time.  I stamped the flower stem on. But before I did, I had set a cut out flower on top to see about where the stem should go.  the center of the flower is from a tiny 1/8" paper or circle punch.

When assembling the card, I did set the Crumb Cake piece on using Dimensionals.  And that was it.  It's a super easy card to make.   

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

An Endless Wishes Christmas Card

If you are looking to make a quick Christmas Card (like I was), you will find this card perfect for your needs.

I made this card in under 10 minutes!!!

I stamped the words first.  Then I cut my scalloped piece and set it along side the words (not taped yet) to see how far I needed to go with the stamping of the snowflakes.

My colors are Bermuda Bay and Soft Sky.  

Oh and did you notice that I remembered the rhinestone on the little snowflake on the silver glitter paper?  Finally!!! LOL

I found this fun card made by Jessica at Ink it up with Jessica.  

I believe this may be the last Christmas card I will be making.  I need some other cards and Christmas is nearly here!!  It's been a fun month of Christmas stamping and craft making.  I'm hoping to make some fun things for Valentine's Day sometime in mid January. I don't want to jump into it too early.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

An Endless Wishes Christmas Card With a Touch of Gorgeous Grunge

I often wonder what I'm thinking when I'm copying someone's beautiful card!  Here I should have moved the snowflakes and the words up before I did the faux stitching.  Plus the stitches could have been a little closer to the edge.  It's been a long day of Christmas preparations.  I never feel that I'm ready for Christmas until a couple of days after Christmas!

When I finish here I need to pin two blankets together so I can sew them tomorrow afternoon when I get home from babysitting the granddaughter and running a few errands.  It may even be evening, I think I will have to be making dinner too!!!

The original card can be found here at Iliana's Creativity Within blog. I changed the background because I didn't have what was used there and I did change the wording a little.  Go there and follow that card if you want to make one of these!!!

I used my Chalk Marker to do the lines.  I never have any luck with the gel pens.  They work the day I get them and after that I have a lot of problems getting the ink to flow.  So I've pretty much given up on those. I do like the Chalk Marker, it was easy to use and it is white enough when dry.  

I used Whisper White for the base of the card.  I stamped Cherry Cobbler ink on the background using the dotted image from the "Gorgeous Grunge" set.  The snowflakes and words are from the "Endless Wishes" set and were stamped using White Craft ink and then embossed in white embossing powder.  

I'm off to pin the blankets.  And then hopefully there will be some time to kick back and relax.  It's such a busy time of the year.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Gorgeous Grunge and Endless Wishes Snowman Tags

Aren't these tags fun? I found them on the Internet.  You can see the originals here.  I made a few little changes but not too many.  I should have sponged the edges but I forgot.  I may just leave them the way they are.  I need to use them and I don't want to wait for them to dry!!!

I cut my card stock 4-1/4" x 2".  I punched the tops using the tag punch.  Then I punched the circles using the 1" punch and the 1-1/4" punch.  I glued them together.  But I did glue the head to the back of the body snowball.  Once you tie the ribbon on you will see the bottom of the head ball.  So to avoid that you glue the snowman on "backwards". Or you can glue the top to the bottom and turn it over.  There's no way you can ruin that step!!!  I drew in the face using markers.

Once the balls were glued together, I brushed on some Crystal Effects and covered the pieces in glitter.  I did the bottoms first and then the head.  The paper starts to curl so it was best just to do half at a time.  Next I tied the ribbon around the neck in a knot.  I set them aside to dry.  I set them face down and I put punches on top to try to keep them flat.  

Then I stamped the background using the White Craft ink pad.  I used dots from the Gorgeous Grunge set. And I used the snowflake from the Endless Wishes set.  

I cut some scrap Whisper White card stock and cut the top part of it in a wave for the snow.  I covered that in glitter too.  Then I set the snowmen in place using Dimensionals.  I colored the rhinestones using the Blendabilities markers and I set them in place on the tags.  And that was it.  The original one shows the edges sponged in white and I will give that a try on one but I do need to use them now!!

These were fun to make too!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

An Endless Wishes Christmas Card

I found this fun card on Pinterest.  I just had to make because you know how much I LOVE snowflakes!!!  It's such a festive looking Christmas card, isn't it?  I used Real Red and Coastal Cabana for my colors.  Plus the little snowflake and the "A little dash of" was done using Smoky Slate (stamped off once).

I opted to use the Coastal Cabana for the snowflake because I wanted to color in the sequins using the Blendabilities marker and the light blueish one I had was Coastal Cabana.  They were easy to color and I was glad I did it.  I think it added a touch of colorful sparkle to the card.  Not to say that the original card wasn't pretty, I just wanted an excuse to color the sequins!  The original card came from "Craft-somnia Mama's" blog.

This is a very easy card to make and it went together very quickly too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Work of Art Snowman

Oh my gosh!  If you have not made your Christmas cards yet, this is the way to go!  This card was SO quick to make!!!  You can whip out a lot of these in no time at all.

I used the "Work of Art" stamp set.  I started out with the scarf.  I stamped it in Real Red.  I did the part that goes around the neck first and then I did the two pieces that hang down.

Next I did the mouth using the Memento black ink.  I LOVE that ink, that is why I chose that pad.  I started in the center and went out on both sides.  Then I used Pumpkin Pie ink and made the nose using the heart shaped stamp.

The eyes were added next.  And then for the hat I used Wild Wasabi.  I stamped the long piece first and then the top hat part.  I did forget to add the bow.  But I did remember to add the pearls!!!  It seems like I always forget something!  UGH!  

I had cut my white card stock too much too.  I think I should have cut the white at 5'3/8" x 4-1/8".  Then the hat would have fit better.  This is a card that one of the gals at Terri's Technique Tuesday group made.  I just LOVE it and HAD to make it.

I think this would make a fun Make N Take card too.  I like this card too, because it's not just for Christmas. It could be used for a winter Birthday or just a fun winter card to send out to a friend!!!  (The bottom card is the original card. I bet you guessed that because of the bow, right?   LOL)

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Holiday Home Christmas Ornament

Tonight I am participating in a Christmas ornament swap using Stampin' Up! products.  I was able to make my ornament entirely made using Stampin' Up! products.  

This was not difficult to make.  The Holiday Home house has a die cut with it so that made it a lot quicker to make.  I cut out 5 houses. One stamped and 4 blank. I glued them all together and set them under a larger stamp punch to weight it down and keep it flat. I used glue instead of tape.  When the glue dries it helps make a better bond between the layers and it also makes the card stock very firm too.  You want that feeling of fine box board.  

For the background I used my paper cutter and cut the piece 2-1/2" x 4-1/2".  I cut 6 pieces of plain Crumb Cake card stock and I cut one from a piece I had textured using the "Hardwood" embossing folder.  I took my brayer and Chocolate Chip ink and ran it across the texture so the raised paper took the ink.

The chalkboard looking piece was cut 2" x 4".  I stamped the words from the set using VersaMark and then embossed them using white embossing powder.  I took a sponge and sponged on a little white ink to make it look like the board had been erased at one time.  The Basic Black chalkboard looking piece was made using just a single piece of card stock.  

The stars are from the punch in the Holiday catalog.  I used glitter paper and glued them in place.  

I colored in the house using the Blendabilities Rich Razzleberry assortment.  The roof was colored in using Soft Sky. Crystal effects was added to it and then some glitter.  The wreath was stamped and punched out using the 3/4" circle punch.  I also cut out several more circles so the wreath would have the same type of look as the rest of the ornament. I did use glue to set the house and the wreath in place. But before I glued the house on, I used the markers and colored around the edges to make them blend in a little more too.  

This was a very fun ornament to make and I'm hoping whomever gets it in the ornament exchange will like it.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Snowman Hershey Bar Wrapper

 Today I thought I would make some fun candy bar wrappers for my co-workers.  I found the fun Christmas Fudge poem on the Internet to put on the back too!!!  

You can get the free download for the snowman here.  It prints out two to a page.  Cut the bottom off at 6-1/4" and then cut the 11" side in half so your piece is 6-1/4" x 11".  I scored my pieces at 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 3-3/4", and 4".  I used glue to stick the seam together with. I wanted to make sure I used something that would stay. I wasn't sure how long the tape would hold in place but I knew glue would hold, so I went with the glue.  

After I glued the seam on the back, I used my bone folder to press it a little.  Then I inserted the candy bar.  I printed out the poem on a full sheet of label paper and cut it to fit.  I was able to get 6 poems on one sheet of paper.  After I got the poem on the back I tied a ribbon around the candy bar and made a knot in the front.  And that was it.  SO quick, SO fun, and I think they are SO cute!!!

The poem can be found below!  Have fun making these.  I had made them a couple of years ago and they were a hit.  I didn't make any last year.  I just ran out of time.  So today when I was at the store, the line at the register was long (what's new there this time of the year????) and I looked at the tabloids enough to make me wonder what is wrong with celebrities and I noticed the Hershey bars.  And the snowman candy wrapper came to mind, so when I got close enough I picked up a bunch and you know the rest!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Dashing from the malls
With groceries yet to buy,
Workshops, kids & housekeeping,
Life's so crazy! Why?

Bells on our telephone ring,
The machine will take the call,
We have no time for family or friends,
It drives us up the wall.

How are you? How's your life?
We really want to know.
Hope you're ready for Christmas,
Now maybe it will snow.

A day or two ago,
We thought we'd make a treat,
For all our special friends--
A Christmas Gift to eat!

Our intentions were top notch,
But our schedules would not budge,
Hence, here's this year's edition of
Homemade CHRISTMAS FUDGE!

An Endless Wishes Christmas Card

I found this pretty card made by Chat at "Me, My Stamps, and I".  I made my tag too big so I had to set it in place at an angle.  But it's ok, I still like how it turned out.

I did change the colors a bit too.  Chat used Marina Mist, where I used Lost Lagoon.  And she used Soft Sky and I used Coastal Cabana.  

I colored some white ribbon with the Coastal Cabana Blendability marker.  That is why I changed the Soft Sky to Coastal Cabana.  I didn't have a Soft Sky permanent marker.  

I did forget to put the rhinestones in the center of each snowflake.  I think I just got too excited to get it finished.  I had a very long and busy day at work.  I'm exhausted and I'm going to make this post short and go put my tired feet up!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Festival of Trees Christmas Card

I found this gem of a card at Carol's "Stamping Rox my Blue Socks" blog.  I was looking for something fun to do with the new "Filigree Frame" embossing folder and I ran across this card.  I thought it was a sweet card and I got out my stuff to make one.  I did not have the Baker's Twine that she used so I thought I would just run a piece of Washi tape across the bottom there and call it a done deal!!!  It worked for me.

I had used Old Olive for my green.  I stamped the tree and then I added the Real Red "bulbs" on using the next stamp in the "Festival of Trees" stamp set.  The star was punched out using gold glitter paper.  I glued it on top of the tree after I punched the tree out.  Then I set the tree in place on the embossed paper.

Next I stamped the words using the ones that came in the set and I added the Washi tape.  Yup, as simple as that!!!  What a sweet and quick card to make!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Endless Wishes Candy Cane Christmas Tag

This tag could use a bit more work if you are looking to make it into a to and from tag.  I was just thinking of using it as fun tag to tape to packages.  I could rework it a bit to make a "to" and "from" on it.

They are easy enough to make and you can make them as long as you want.  The width was 2" and you can decide how long to make them.

I used the "Endless Wishes" set to make the snowflakes.  I used Lost Lagoon and Soft Sky ink.  I sponged the edges with Lost Lagoon.

I used my x-Acto knife and cut two slits in the center to hold the candy cane.

They're very quick and simple to make.  And there's endless possibilities as far as images on the tag goes!!!

They also make perfect little stocking stuffer gifts!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Get Your Santa On Christmas Ornament

Next week I will be participating in a Christmas ornament swap.  I thought I would use the Santa from the "Get Your Santa On" set but half way through the ornament I decided not to use him.  SO since he was all cut out I thought I would just make a regular ornament out of him.

I had stamped and cut him out five times.  I glued the pieces together and set a heavy punch on top to keep it flat while it dried.  Once he was dry I colored him in using markers.  I also covered the edged with marker so it blended in better.  I added a tiny white pom pom on the hat to give it a nice little touch.

Using white glue and five layers made the ornament feel like thick firm cardboard.  

I punched a hole in the top and added a piece of linen thread as the hanger.  I will probably be putting him on a package, he's kind of small for an ornament.  But he was very fun to make!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Get Your Santa On Santa Candy Money Holder

Today I thought I would whip up some candy "money" covers.  These are easy to make too!  Just print, stamp, and color.  

I made sure I had about 1/4" on the one side before I cut the other side.  

I stamped the Santa from the "Get Your Santa On" and the hats are from there.  

I have the pattern for free in my web store.  It's free too!  You will have to fill out the info like you're buying it.  I don't do anything with that information.  I don't even know how to access it, nor do I want to learn how to access it.  So your info is safe!!!  It's all a part of the store program, I have no control over it.  It's also an automatic download, so when you get done with the info part you will get your download right away.  

So onto this fun project.  I stamped the Santa and was amazed that he fit the circle so perfectly!!!  I colored him in with markers, Real Red, Garden Green, Basic Black, and Cherry Cobbler (inside the hat). 

This is very fun to make and make great stocking stuffers or a fun teacher's gift that your kids can color in themselves!!!

You can use other images, as long as they fit in the spaces provided.

Have fun with these and thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

An Endless Wishes Snowflake Card

I just LOVE these snowflakes in the "Endless Wishes" set.  I stamped my snowflakes using Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon, and Soft Sky ink.  The words are also from this same set.  I stuck them together on the clear block so I could stamp them in one motion.  

I used the "All is Calm" decorative paper for the background.  And the base of my card is Pear Pizzazz.

The piece of ribbon was colored with the medium Old Olive Blendabilities marker.  I'm wondering if the lighter one may have been closer to the Pear Pizzazz color.  On a paper test it looked like it matched.  Oh well, at least it's in the same color group so it will be just fine!!!

This was a very quick card to make and very easy too!  And that's about all I have to say about it.  Very simple!!

I thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wamda

Holiday Home Gift Tags Weekend Project

I was actually trying to clean up the counter top behind my worktable and I ran across some stuff that I had to look through.  I found a Christmas tag from a gift I had received a few years back.  I'm not sure why I had saved it.  Perhaps it just got put in the tote I found it in so it would be out of they way!  I don't know why, it was a while ago that I did that.  Anyway, after seeing the tag I thought it would be fun to make up some tags.  I was wrapping gifts this afternoon and I had run out of tags.  I'm sure I have more in a box in the foyer closet but I didn't feel like going in there and getting them.  And since I was in my workroom and these didn't look that difficult to make I thought I would just make some.  

I cut some Cherry Cobbler card stock 4" x 4".  I scored them at 2".  The decorative paper is from the "Trim the Tree" paper stack.  I cut the strips 3-3/4" x 1-3/4".  I also cut strips of Whisper White card stock the same measurements.  I used those on the inside in case I wanted to write on the front or the inside, either way I was covered!!!  I was thinking of stamping "to and from" on the front but I kind of like them looking the way they are.  I guess I'll know when it comes time to put them on the packages I'll be wrapping tomorrow!

You can also punch a hole in the upper left corner and tie some baker's twine on.  

The snowman is from the "Holiday Home" stamp set.  I colored the scarf in using Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler markers.  I also added a little Pumpkin Pie marker for the nose!  I used my new Soft Sky ink pad and the snowflakes image from the same set. Giving the snowman some snowflakes on both sides of him dressed up that circle a bit.  Click on the photo for a larger view of the tag.  

These tags went together so quickly, which is good.  I think I may be in the need of a few more!!!  I might even do some snowflakes ones using the snowflakes from the "Endless Wishes" set.  

Have fun making these!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Golden Festival of Trees

I don't play with embossing powders much anymore.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's because everything I've been playing with lately has a die or punch with it and I'm feeling that it's enough.  Though embossed trees punched out would be pretty!!!  Hmmm, I'm not really sure why I don't play with embossing powders much anymore.  I do like the looks of them.  

I found this card, or something similar to it, made by Julie at Stampin' Gala.  I did make a few little changes.  My words are different and so is the background as well as the layout of the background.  My bow is also different.  I didn't have the gold ribbon that Julie used but I did have some gold ribbon. It happened to have wire in it (not a Stampin' Up! product) so I thought I would use it.  It doesn't make a bow as nice as regular ribbon does.  And here I had to add the bow separate because of the wire.  But I was glad I could use what I had in my home.  I have SO much stuff to use up before I invest in any new stuff.

To make this card I stamped the trees in VersaMark and embossed them using gold embossing powder. Then I used the embossing folder for the background and cut it to fit the tree panel.  I set it in place to see where to stamp the words. Those words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  I embossed them in gold too.

It was a quick card to make too!  I love the gold on white.  Julie used the gold on Very Vanilla.  I just grabbed white when I saw the card.  I didn't read first.  But either way it turns out to be a pretty card!!!  It was a fun card to make too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Life Saver Matchbook Christmas Stocking Stuffers

I have not posted stocking stuffer items in a long time.  I actually made these for my beading students last night.  I wasn't planning on making these, it was one of those last minute things.  I thought it would be a fun little thing to give them.  

These are extremely easy to make too.  I cut my Garden Green card stock to 5-1/4" x 2-1/8".  You can adjust the width size if needed (the 2-1/8" one).  If you have a larger image you can widen the holder.  You can widen it enough to hold 2 life savers!!

I scored the piece on the long side at 1/2", 1", and 3-1/4".  I folded the 1/2" and 1" scored lines towards the inside.  Then I set the life saver in the opening and I stapled it shut.

My snowman came from an old Provo Craft set I had.  I thought he was cute plus he was the perfect size.  I stamped him and then punched him out using the 1" circle punch.  I also punched out a 1-1/4" Real Red piece for the layer.  I glued them in place.  The cover bulges a bit and I thought it would cause the circles to lift off if I had used tape.  I suppose I could have left the card stock at 5-1/2" and then scored at 3-1/4" to give the top a flat area to accommodate the candy better.  You can try that and let me know how that works for you.  

Anyway, after the glue dried I closed the top like you would a matchbook cover. As simple as that.  I made 6 of them in just under 10 minutes!!!  Super easy and super fun!  What a nice little teacher gift too!  And not to forget, a fun little stocking stuffer.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Endless Wishes Wording and Ribbon Technique

DUH!  I always forget to do something on a card.  Though you will have to give me some credit today.  I did get the photo much straighter plus I even got the words straight!!! See, there is still hope for me!!! LOL

Today's card was copied from a card Jackie at Klompen Stampers.  I had another card in mind that I was going to make but when I saw this one, I just HAD to make it!!!  I love snowflakes (but lately just the ones on paper!!!).  

This was such a stunning card.  She had posted this card because she was showing how you can use the words in the clear set to stamp all at one time.  You line up your words on your grid paper and then press your stamp down onto them.  Make a test run first and if all is straight, then you're good to go!!!  I LOVED that idea, so I had to give it a try.  And it worked!!!  Part of the reason my words were on straight.  I was able to use the edge of the clear block to line up with the edge of my card stock.  I know there's a Stamp-a-ma-jig but I rarely dig that out!! I just whine when I get it crooked!!! LOL

The colors used here are as follows:  

card stock:  Whisper White and Soft Sky

ink pads: Soft Sky, Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon

The ribbon was colored using the Blendability markers.  Though I did not pay attention that the color of the marker was Coastal Cabana or I would have changed my ink and card stock.  But I think it blends well.  Not so much with the light shining on it the way it is in the photo but in real life it isn't as dark.  

The decorative paper strip is from the "All is Calm" Specialty Paper.  I forgot I had gotten that.  And you know what that means, right?  You'll be seeing that in a few more cards this week!!!  I just have WAY too much stuff to play with.  

This was a very fun card to make and one I'd like to keep but I am going to be giving it to a special friend.  I could make another one but I rarely do that!  But before I give it away, I am going to add the rhinestones like Jackie did.  I can't believe I forgot to do that!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Cherry Cobbler Festival of Trees Christmas Card

Okay, I tried REALLY, REALLY hard to get the image in my camera straight!  The bottom edge is straight because that is were I was focusing on before I heard the "click!"  I do have to admit that it is much straighter than the photo I took yesterday.

I embossed my background using a Cuttlebug embossing folder I found at JoAnn's earlier this season.  I LOVE snowflakes and when I saw this, I just HAD to buy it!  You can use any other current background for this card.  If I didn't have the snowflake one I would have used the "Decorative Dots" one.  It looks more like big snowflakes falling.

I used a piece of Cherry Cobbler ribbon and I taped the edges of it on the backside of the panel.  I taped that piece in place on top of a folded half-sheet of Whisper White card stock.

Next I took a 2-1/2" x 3" piece of Whisper White card stock and stamped the words first. Those words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  And then I stamped the tree.  Using Cherry Cobbler ink of course!!!  I set that panel in place using Dimensionals.  Now who doesn't love a red and white card???  I think they have an elegant look to them.

This was a very easy and fun card to make.  I think it would be a fun Stamp a Stack card too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Festival of Trees Christmas Card

My photography skills sure do lack a lot!!!  It looked straight in the lens!  UGH!!

I found this fun card at Split Coast Stampers.  It was posted by stamping chick.  I did change it a little.  I added more stars to the trees.  More is not always better.  I was not thrilled with the look when I was done.  The original card is SO much better.

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and the tree is from the "Festival of Trees" set.  I used the star punch and the glitter paper to do those. The trees were stamped using Smoky Slate ink.

The trees were set in place using Dimensionals.  It was an easy enough card to make.  I wouldn't give it a second thought to use these for our yearly Christmas card.  It went together very quickly.  Though I would omit all of those stars and keep it to just the one, plus adding the glitter that was on the original card.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Endless Wishes Christmas Card

I took out the snowflakes from the "Endless Wishes" stamp set.  I didn't look at the other elements in that set or I would have noticed the fun "Merry and Christmas" images that I could have used  on my card.  Though I did kind of have my heart set on something a little fancier!  The words I used came from the retired "Hand-Penned Holidays" set.  I find it difficult to part with word sets.

I stamped the snowflakes in a mixture of Soft Sky and Pool Party ink.  Now I'm saying a mixture because I went to reink my Soft Sky pad and I had used Pool Party inker.  I have never done that before and I was a bit shocked when it dawned on me what I had done.  SO I reordered a new Soft Sky ink pad and inker.  UGH!!!

The card stock used here is Soft Sky.  

First I stamped the words and then the snowflakes.  I taped the ends of the ribbon to the back and then I taped the layers together.

I have a fun tip on how to make fun bows like that.  You take something to tie the ribbon around.  I had used a round glue bottle.  I tied the ribbon around the glue bottle, keeping the ribbon as centered as possible.  You do need to tie it in a knot for it to stay.  Then remove the ribbon from the bottle.  You now have a circle tied to the ribbon.  Find the center of that circle and cut it. You can trim the edges to match and make sure they are even.  I think mine area a bit too long and when I'm done posting this I will be trimming them a bit shorter.  To affix it to the card, find the knot.  The knot is the center of the ribbon.  Wrap the long ends around the card and tape them to the back.  Once you do that you will be able to tell if you need to trim up the edges from the circle you made.  See, very easy to do!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Holiday Home Christmas Card

Today I thought I would play with the "Holiday Home stamp set and dies.  I LOVE it that I didn't have to cut out the house but I did have to cut the snowman and the wreath.  The wreath was very tiny and more difficult to cut than the tiny snowman.  UGH!!! Those dies have spoiled me!!!

I found this card here at Glitter Thumbs blog.  

I think on the original the house was colored in with Blendabilities.  I didn't have that color group so I used Cherry Cobbler ink and a blender pen.

I drew the snow line in by hand and then set the house and the snowman in place using Dimensionals for the house and pieces of Dimensionals for the snowman.  And I used even tinier pieces of Dimensionals for the wreath.  

I stamped snowflakes all over the background and then I used Crystal Effects and glitter on them. I also glittered up the ground, the roof of the house, the top of the chimney, the top part of the snowman hat, and the right side of the bottom ball of the snowman.  I did not let it dry before I took the photo, so it may not look as sparkly as it does in real life!

This was a fun card to make and I did have fun playing with this set.  Now I'm off to give this set another try and hopefully I can be original with it!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Festival of Trees Christmas Card

I took a few days off to regroup and try to get some things done around this holiday!!!  I did find a fun card to recreate. I saw this by Lisa at la Stamper.   

I thought it was a fun looking card.  I made a few minor changes.  I also ruined the card by not getting the words straight.   And the card was going together so well.  UGH!  I suppose I could fix it using the oval punch and oval scallop.  

First I stamped the snowflakes on using Smoky Slate ink.  Then I added the Washi tape.  Next I stamped the tree using Old Olive ink, and then I punched it out with the matching tree punch.  I set the tree in place using Dimensionals.  It was as simple as that!!  

I layered the piece using Smoky Slate card stock and set that layer in place on top of a folded half sheet of Whisper White.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

 

Happy Thanksgiving to You!

Today I would like to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!  I will not be posting a card or project today.  I am taking the day off.  We will be spending time with our son, his wife and our beautiful granddaughter.  This year she gets to eat people food! She's such a mess when she eats!!  This promises to be fun and entertaining!!  She's such a doll and we love spending time with her.

Whether you are at home our on the road, have a wonderful, memorable, and safe day.
Wanda

A Wondrous Wreath Christmas Card

Today I thought I would put a card together using the wreath from the "Wondrous Wreath" set.  I don't have this set but I did have an extra wreath made up from a stamping event a while back.  I don't recall why I had an extra one but I did and I hung onto it.  Just like I hung onto the "Merry" from the "Expressions" Thinlit dies.  I had that merry stuck to my laminating machine since last winter.  I didn't want to toss it.  I remembered how difficult it was to remove it from the die.  I didn't have plans for making more so I just wanted to preserve that one for as long as I could.  And I did!  About a year!!!

When this wreath was made I remember stamping the lighter green and then taking another stamp in the set and stamping the darker green.  Then the berries were stamped on top of it all.  This wreath set has tabs so you can get the images lined up right.  The bow is separate.  You stamp it and use the die to cut it out.  That was set in place using Dimensionals.  

My background is a Cuttlebug Snowflake folder.  I found it at JoAnn's and just had to buy it.  I am such a snowflake freak!!!  It was just too adorable to pass up.

The "Merry" is stuck in place because I had run my card stock through my Xyron machine to put sticky stuff on the back side.  I can't imagine trying to glue that thing in place.  What a mess that would be.  

I layered the card with Real Red card stock and that is about it.  It's a simple enough card to make.  There are other words that are in the current Occasions catalog if you wanted to make a card like this without any retired or contraband items!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Let it Snow Beaded Christmas Bulb

Today I'm going to share with you my latest creation.  I designed this beaded Christmas bulb.  I am planning on making them for Christmas gifts for my family.  I have two left to make.  I needed a dozen of them!!!  When I was in Portland in October, I made a lot of the belly bands and then when I got home I did the top and the bottom parts.  That is the quick part.  The bulb is easy to make, it just takes a lot of time to do.  I even beaded some of the belly band components on the airplane!  

I also have the pattern all set up for sale in my web store.  My hopes are to get enough patterns to have a book made!  I've been busy beading and creating the step by step pattern. Sometimes I feel like I'm stretching my time to thinly lately!!  And the holidays are upon us too!!! UGH!!!!

I gave my younger sister her bulb today.  I really don't want to wait until Christmas eve to give the bulbs.  I want them to have them early so they can hang them on their trees.

I really think I should also make one for myself!!!  I do like the pattern and this photo does not do the bulb justice.  There's a lot of sparkle to this bulb.  The Rose Montees on it don't even show up well.  They look like black or gray dots. UGH!  I'll try to get a better photo.  Maybe once the tree goes up I can get a photo of one hanging on it with the pretty branches and lights in the background!  It sounds like it will be a pretty photo, doesn't it?  LOL

Thank you SO much for stopping by today
Wanda

A Get Your Santa On Christmas Card

As I look at this card, I now wish I had not cut out the Santa.  I am not a fan of fussy cutting anyway but I thought that was what I needed to do.  But now that I see the background, I'm not caring so much for how it turned out.  But what's done is done! I do however, like the words on the side. Those are from the "Petite Pairs" set.  I've used the top wording but never the bottom one before.  It's kind of nice when you use all the stamps in a set, isn't it?  I don't do that very often at all.

The Santa is from the "Get Your Santa On" set.  It's the first time I've used the set.  There's some other cute and fun images in the set that I'm anxious to play with too.

My background paper is from the "Trim the Tree" paper pack.  I thought it would be a festive looking paper to add to my background.  The base of my card is Whisper White and the layer is Garden Green.  There is also some Cherry Cobbler card stock in the layers.   

The words and the Santa layer were set in place using Dimensionals.

I colored in the Santa with markers after I had cut him out.  I have tried to color and then cut but sometimes my fingers would pick up the ink while I was cutting and I would have a mess, so I now cut and then color!

This was a fun card to make and I especially like the words on the left side!  This card, even with the fussy cutting, did not take long at all to make!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Ornamental Pine Gate Fold Latch Card

Today I am going to share with you a card that Terri had for her latest Technique Tuesday.  This technique is called the "Gate Fold Latch".  I have never made one before.  And much to my surprise, they are not as difficult as I thought they would be.  Plus they are a really cool looking card too!!!

To make this card you score a piece of 4-1/4" x 11" card stock just 2-3/4" from each end and fold towards the center. 

She used the ovals and scalloped oval to make this card.  You take the scalloped oval and the the oval that is just a bit smaller and tun it through your Big Shot.  Then take the 2nd largest Framelit and run it through the Big SHot to create a matte for your stamped image.  

Next take the 3rd from the largest oval and cut out your card stock to stamp your image on.  

With the card closed, adhere the Scallop frame to just the top half of the card on the top flap.  Adhere the stamped image to the matte and then adhere the matte just to the bottom of the card only.  

The bottom matte slides over the stamped image and when the card is closed it looks like a large frame around the image.  I am going to be showing my sister how to make this and I'll let you know how it goes.  

To make the image on this card click here.  I posted the instructions a couple of days ago.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Work of Art Festival of Trees

Today I wanted to make a soft looking Christmas or winter card.  I used the Coastal Cabana card stock and ink to achieve it.  I inked up the zig zag image and stamped it in the center of the card stock.  I didn't try to get it perfectly centered, it didn't matter.  Then I moved the stamp down and over and stamped again without inking it up and I moved the image over to the other side and down and stamped again.  Then for the top part I inked up the image, stamped off once and I turned the card stock upside down and stamped the image to one side and then I moved down with the image and stamped it one last time.  That made a total of 5 zig zags on the card.  The ones on the top and bottom are extremely light.  If you click on the photo you will see a larger image of it and you can see that light stamping better. 

Next I took the round image in the set and stamped several dots around the card.  As you can see, some of those are light too.

Then I stamped the words.  Those came from the Petite Pairs set.  Then I textured the card stock.   I set it aside and I stamped and punched out the tree.  Then I set it in place using Dimensionals.  

I taped the textured piece to a folded half sheet of Coastal Cabana card stock and it was done.  Very quick, very simple, and very wintery looking!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wamda

An Ornamental Pine Ornament Card

This is not just an ornament card, it's actually an ornament on a card.  It's difficult to see but there is a hole in the dotted layer of card stock where the Baker's Twine is tied to the ornament and the card.  So once you give this pretty card out, the one receiving it will be able to remove the ornament and hang it on the tree!  Terri is SO clever!!!

The "Ornamenal Pine" set was used to make this card.  The pines were stamped first using the Mossy Meadow ink.  Then the pine cone was stamped using Early Espresso.  Another pine cone was stamped using Early Espresso ink again but this pine cone was cut out.  Then pine cone was covered in Crystal Effects.  The Crystal Effects actually turned the pine cone green.  But it was a perfect look for it!  The wet pine cone was set aside to dry.

Then the pine needle image was punched out and then the bulb part was punched out.  One of the tag punches was used to do that.  I had never seen that technique done before.  It was SO clever!!!

The pieces were assembled and added to the card as I described above.

This is such a fun and neat idea!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A World of Dreams and Work of Art Birthday

I found a fun card at Shauna's Card a Day blog, that I just had to "work with".  I didn't have the image she used or the wording either.  SO I began my card with the Work of Art background.  I used Tempting Turquoise instead of the Island Indigo.  I do like that color but I was in the mood for something more bright today.

I used the World of Dreams set for the focal image.  I stamped it using the black Memento ink.  It's my favorite black ink to use now.

I used a couple of strips of decorative paper at the bottom. The scalloped circle layer was set in place using Dimensionals.  The words were done on the computer, punched out, and taped in place on top of a Tempting Turquoise 1-3/8" circle.  

I did have fun making this card.  Anytime I can play with the Work of Art set I have fun!!!  And I REALLY like the Tempting Turquoise color!!

I still have a few more Stamp a Stack cards to show you yet too!  I think this would make a fun Stamp  Stack card!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Wintertime Christmas Card Stamp A Stack

Today's card is another from Terri's very fun Christmas Stamp A Stack.  For this card we used the "Wintertime" set with the "Happy Winter" removed.  I LOVE that whole concept.  In doing that Terri made this stamp more versatile.  Can't you see the image done using silver embossing powder and in the center there's a Mr & Mrs?  Or a "You're Invited".  "Congratulations."  So many possibilities now!!!  It's not just for Christmas anymore!!!  Terry is SO clever!!!  

For this fun, simple and quick card we used Real Red card stock and ink.  We stamped the image and then added the words.  The words needed to be added closer to the bottom center of the image so you could add the bow. I almost centered mine but my sister reminded me to move it down!!!  It would have been okay though, I would have just not added the bow. I would think that the words and that image together could stand alone and be just as stunning.

So, if you're looking for a quick Christmas card to make this year and you have TONS to make, this is the one for you!!!  Pick a color you like, or one you have ribbon to match and get going!!!  I have designed our yearly Christmas card and am in the process of putting them together.  It all takes time, doesn't it?  

I don't have a lot to add about this card because it's such a quick, clean and simple card to make.  It really needs no explanation!!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda