Get ready for Christmas



Yes, us crafters have to start getting ready for Christmas early. For some of us, September is even a bit late to start! Here are 3 cards that I made from the gift that came with the September Quick Cards Made Easy magazine. The stamps and embossing folder are made by Tiddly Inks and Christy Crolf.

I colored them with Watercolor Crayons that I got from SU! a few years ago. I've tried using the new Blendabilites markers that SU has come out with and I just have not been satisified with my results. Maybe I need to play with them more. Don't know. In the meantime, I'll use coloring methods that I know I can do. lol

The papers, card stock, ribbons, & buttons are also from SU! I think that they are all retired items so I'm not going to post the item numbers for them. I know that you can find papers that will look great.

From now until Thanksgiving, I'll be really busy with Operation Christmas Child. As an area coordinator for OCC, I volunteer all year long but things get really busy in the fall. I know that I will still be making cards but I don't know how much time I'll have for posting them on the internet. I will try not to have any lapses in my posting, but if I miss a few days, please check back again. I'm not planning on stopping my blog. Sometimes, life just gets in the way.

BTW, if you live in the Central Texas area, we will be having our Kick Off Rally on Sept. 20 from 9:30-1;30 with a free lunch. Come learn more about OCC. We have some great things planned. We will also have a silent auction where I'll have 3 sets of cards for sale to benefit our OCC program. One set will be a Christmas set, including these 3 cards.  

Merry Christmas

Luke 2

New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Remember the reason for the season.

Got Mistletoe?

Wow! I'm so excited that I got all the way through National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child and still got my cards posted for you! Now I just have to figure out Christmas! lol

Here's your last Christmas card before Thanksgiving. Enjoy your family and friends tomorrow and don't forget to give thanks for all you have been blessed with.

Materials needed:
Snow Festival patterned paper (#126908) choose 2 sheets
Real Red card stock 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"
Very Merry Tags stamp set (#130402)
Whisper White card stock
Old Olive marker
Cajun Craze marker
Extra Large Oval punch (#119859)
In Color Brads (#122940)
Old Olive 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon (#129291)
Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

1. I chose the gumball green with white stars for my background paper. Cut it 4 1/4 x 5 1/2". I chose the patterned paper with Christmas houses, etc in lines for the other piece. Choose the lines that you want to use on this and cut at the natural divides to measure about 3 x 4 1/4." Adhere the smaller paper on the green with stars about 1/2" from the bottom of the paper.
2. Center the Real Red card stock over both pieces of patterned paper.  Adhere.
3. Use the Old Olive marker to color the mistletoe on the stamp. Color the ribbon, words, and border with the Cajun Craze marker. Huff on it and then stamp on white card stock. Punch out the image with the Extra Large Oval punch.
4.

 

4.Tie the ribbon in a loop.

5. Punch a hole through the center top of the Real Red card stock and the patterned paper. Loosely place aa brad there.

6. Wrap the tied part of the ribbon on the brad. Tighten the brad in place. Place Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the "mistletoe" tag. Cut the ribbon loop in half. Add adhesive to the top of the back of the tag. Look to see how far down you need the ribbon to fit on the tag. Press the ribbon on to the adhesive. Add one more Stampin' Dimensional on top of the ribbon.

 

7. Peel the backing off the Stampin' Dimensionals and place the tag so that it looks like it is hanging on the brad.

8. Adhere the card front to a card base and add your greeting to the inside. Sign it and wish your family and friends a very merry Christmas.

Snowman Gift Card

Christmas is one month away today. It's coming soon. Here's a card that you can slip an extra something special in to. You can put a gift card or a cookie in the pouch, depending on who you're giving it too.

Materials needed:
Jolliest Time of the Year stamp set (#116584, retired)
Tag a Bag Gift Bag (#131370)
Real Red card stock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Black Staz On ink
Early Espresso marker
Crumb Cake marker
Cherry Cobbler marke
Gumball Green 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon (#126848) 10-12"

1. Score the gift bag at 3 7/8" and fold. Adhere the bottom of the bag to the Real Red card stock.

2. Using the Black Staz On ink, stamp 3 snowmen on the front of the gift bag. Use the markers to color bits of the snowman, as shown. (You can stamp the bag before or after you adhere it to the card stock.)
3. Wrap the ribbon around the gift bag and tie.

You can place a longer item in the bag, if you wish, because the bottom section is not glued together.

4. If you want to place a small item or a gift card in the bag, adhere the top and bottom together so it won't flap open.
5. Place this card front on to a card base. Add your greeting and note inside the card.
That was easy enough! At least, I think so.

Naughty or Nice

Here is another Christmas card for you. You could put a cute note inside this one about who's naughty or nice and why. Have fun with it.

Materials needed:

Very Merry Tags stamp set (#130402)
Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder (#132174)
Framelits Labels Collection (#125598)
Decorative Label punch (#120907)
Raspberry Ripple cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Whisper White cardstock 2 x 3"
Old Olive patterned paper--this is from a retired pack from a year or two ago
Old Olive 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbons (#129291)
Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)
Raspberry Ripple In Color ink
Big Shot

1. Run your Raspberry Ripple cardstock through your Big Shot with it inserted into the Stylish Stripes embossing folder.
2. Cut out a 3 1/2" label from the framelits labels collection dies. 
3. Use Raspberry Ripple ink to stamp your naughty/nice greeting on white cardstock. Punch this out with the Decorative Label punch.
4. Wrap a 5" piece of Old Olive ribbon around the bottom of the card about 1 inch from the bottom. Adhere.
5. Adhere the naughty/nice label onto the Old Olive patterned paper decorative label.  Place Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the decorative label and adhere to the center of the card near the top.
6. Adhere the card front to your card base and have fun.

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Here is a very simple Christmas card to do. Even though it's simple, I think that it has a powerful look.

Materials needed:

Come to Bethlehem stamp set (#120591)
Basic Gray card stock
Night of Navy cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Night of Navy ink
Top Note Bigz die (#113463)

1. Stamp the image of the Wise Men in Night of Navy ink on basic gray cardstock.
2. Stamp the saying in Night of Navy ink above it.
3. Run the Night of Navy card stock and the Top Note die through the Big Shot machine. Watch where you place the die so that it will be centered.
4. Adhere the frame from the Top Note to the top of the basic gray with the images stamped on them.

Triple Trees

Materials needed:

Old Olive card stock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Patterned Pines stamp set (retired #116525, hostess set)
Night of Navy Top Note cut out left from Monday's card
Green background patterned paper 3 x 3 3/4"
Epic Day This and That Washi tape (#131269)
3/16" Corner Rounder punch (#119871)
Gumball Green In Color ink

1. Adhere the Top Note die cut left from Monday's card to the center of the Old Olive card stock. 
2. Stamp the 3 trees from the Patterned Pines stamp set in Gumball Green ink on the green patterned paper.  Use the Corner Rounder to round the corners of the patterned paper.
3. Tear a piece of Washi Tape about 4" long. Press it along the bottom edge of the patterned paper. Wrap the ends around to the back & smooth out the corners. Adhere this on to the Night of Navy cut out piece.
4. Adhere the card front on a card base. Finish with a Christmas greeting on the inside.

Joyful Christmas

 Materials needed:

Joyful Christmas stamp set (#131805)
Old Olive card stock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Night of Navy card stock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Whisper White card stock
Scallop Edge Border punch (#119882)
Primrose Petals In Color ink pad
Old Olive Stampin' Writer marker
Sponge dauber
Stampin' Dimenionals (#104430)
Top Note Bigz Die (#113463)
Big Shot machine

1. Using Primrose Petals ink, stamp the poinsettia from the Joyful Christmas stamp set on white card stock. With scissors, cut around the outside edge of the flower. Color the berries with the Old Olive marker. Adhere it to the center of the Old Olive card stock.
2. Stamp the "Joyful" greeting from the stamp set on white card stock. With your scallop edge border punch, punch around all four sides of the greeting to make a scalloped rectangle.
3. Use a sponge dauber to daub ink on the edges of the greeting.
4. With the Top Note die, cut out the Night of Navy card stock. Be careful to line it up carefully as you will be using the outside part of this. Put the center label part aside to save for the card on Wednesday.
5. Use Stampin' Dimenionals to adhere the Top Note "frame" to the Old Olive card stock. Watch to keep the poinsettia in the center of the framed area. Put 2 dimenionals on the back of the right hand side of the joyful greeting. Put adhesive on the left side of the greeting back. Place the greeting over the frame on the left hand side. The dimenionals on the right side will have this even across the poinsettia.
6. Adhere the card front on a card base. Add a greeting or note on the inside. There is a great one in this stamp set. And you are ready to send this Christmas greeting to a friend.

4 Views of Christmas

I wanted to see how this would look using 4 different types of "sparkle." This is a simple card to make. You just have to determine which look you like the best.

Materials needed to do all 4 versions:
Old Olive card stock  4 1/4 5 1/2"
Tempting Turquoise card stock 4 1/4 x 5"
 Basic Gray card stock  4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Evergreen stamp set (#127973)
Calm Christmas stamp set (#132739)
Clear Embossing Powder (#109130)
Gold Embossing Powder (#109129)
Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023)
Heat Tool (#129053)
Heat & Stick Powder (#100625)
Season of Style Designer Washi Tape (#132155)
Patterned paper 2 x 3 1/2"
Whisper White card stock
Pear Pizzazz ink
Old Olive ink
Primrose Petals In Color ink
Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

1. Place a strip of Washi tape across the center of the card stock.
2. Use 2 step stamping to stamp Christmas trees from the Evergreen stamp set on white card stock. Use the lighter color, Pear Pizzazz, for the solid tree and the darker color, Old Olive, to stamp the highlights on top.
3. Stamp the highlight stamp from Evergreen stamp set with VersaMark over the trees. Use Heat & Stick Powder and glitter, or embossing powder and your heat tool to add to the trees.
4. Cut out the tree loosely around the outside edge. Adhere the tree to the small patterned paper or pop it above the paper with Stampin' Dimensionals. Adhere this to the center over the Washi tape.
5. Add the "Peace on Earth" greeting to the top of the card.
The first card picture here has clear embossing powder on the tree. You can't see it but you can feel it.

This tree is simply 2 step stamped with nothing else added. Because the Tempting Turquoise card stock is a little smaller, I stamped Peace on Earth on the top & bottom of the base card. I then centered the card front on that.

This tree has Dazzling Diamonds glitter on it. It's hard to see on here but you can see it on the card. Because the Tempting Turquoise card stock was a bit smaller, I adhered it to the center of the front section of a basic gray card base.

This tree has the tree outline in gold embossing powder. I think it is the one that shows up best but it's just in whatever look you are wanting.
On the last 2 cards, I also stamped the greeting on white card stock and punched it out with my Extra large Oval punch (#119859). One of them I adhered directly to the card stock. The other one I popped up with dimensionals.

I hope you enjoy seeing different ways of doing the same basic design and I hope that this gives you different ideas on how to make cards using different mediums.

Getting Ready for Christmas

I know that it's still 3 months until Christmas but as all crafters know, if you want to have things ready in time, you've got to start making them now. Whether it's hand crafted gifts or cards, the good crafter plans ahead. Well, I'm not planning so well this year. Usually by now, I've got 80-90 Christmas cards ready & waiting for addresses but not this year! I've made 6 or 7 different cards so far but have not decided which one I want to use for this year's card. I may just make several of each & send out a variety this year. Here's the first one for you to start getting your own ideas.

This is a fun card if you like glitter. This is hubby's favorite one so far but I'm not the biggest glitter person!

Materials needed:
Marina Mist card stock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Dazzling Diamonds glitter (#102023)
Heat & Stick Powder (#100625)
Heat Tool (#129053)
Calm Christmas stamp set (#132739)
Midnight Muse In Color ink or Night of Navy ink
Versa Mark  pad (#102283)

1. Rub the VersaMark pad across the bottom half of the Marina Mist card stock making a curvy pattern at the top part. Cover the area completely with VersaMark. Be sure there are no empty spaces.
2. Using a clean sheet of paper to collect the excess powder, sprinkle the entire section of VersaMark with the Heat & Stick powder. Shake off any excess powder and pour excess back into bottle. Heat the powder until it looks almost liquid.
3. Sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds glitter over the wet heat & stick powder. Shake off excess and pour into bottle. Heat set the glitter.
4. Stamp the dove with Midnight Muse ink on the top left hand side. Stamp the Peace on Earth greeting with Midnight Muse on the center right, above(not on) the glitter section. This stamp set includes a great greeting that you can stamp on the inside of the card. "Wishing you a calm & blessed Christmas filled with the true peace of Christ the Lord." I like this greeting so much that I think I will use it for the inside on matter which outside design I choose.
I'll post more Christmas card ideas, here & there as I continue to post various fall cards.

Christmas Package Decoration

This is a great, festive way to decorate those gifts for that special someone that you want to impress.

Ornament Keepsakes stamp set (#128051)
Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies (#127816)
Gumball Green In color ink
Real Red classic ink
Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (#126848)
Snow Festival DSP (126908)

Stamp 2 of each ornament and adhere together

Christmas Holly

Wild Wasabi cardstock
Old Olive cardstock
Whisper White cardstock
Real Red cardstock
Bells & Boughs stamp set (#121142)
Gumball Green marker
Raspberry Ripple marker
Festive paper-Piercing Pack (#127857)
Framelits Labels Collection (#125598)
Paper-Piercing Tool (#126189)
Paper-Piercing Mat (#126199)

Christmas Gift or Treat box

This box would be for treats or for a small gift, such as jewerly.

Bigz xl Dies Box #2 (#114518) or
Bigz xl Die Fancy Favor (#115965)
I made this with Box #2, however, it is no longer available. The Fancy Favor die would work for this also and it is available in the current catalog.
Top Note Bigz Die (#113463) cut 2
Wild Wabasi cardstock
Ornament Keepsakes stamp set (#128051)
Holiday Ornaments Framelits dies (#127816)
Bells & Boughs stamp set (#121142)
Real Red classic ink
Scallop Oval punch (#119856)
Real Red marker
Summer Sun marker
Wild Wasabi marker

Christmas Ornaments

I'm going to try to give you some ideas in the next few days that will help you take your paper crafting into Christmas. Some of them are very simple and others a bit more complicated. Hope you enjoy them and you find something useful for you.

I remember the first year I was marriend, we didn't have any money to buy any Christmas decorations so I made some for us from items I had around the house. This ornament is made with double sided Christmas patterned paper, ribbon and buttons. Easy peasy!

This paper is some that I had left from last year's Celebration DSP but it will be great with some of SU! Christmas patterned papers. You might want to try Be of Good Cheer (#126896). Any of these patterns would be beautiful.

Cut a piece 2" wide and 12" long. Accordian fold the strip and place adhesive on the end. Press the ends together. Use glue dots (#103683) to stick a bright button from the Brights Designer Button (#119747) collection on each side. Cut a 12" piece of 1/4" red ribbon. Double it and adhere the ends of it to one of the folded areas. Hang it on your tree.

With double sided paper, you can use either side!

Merry Christmas card

Here is a little bit easier Christmas card that you can do. I'm actually working on several of these for what I'll send out this year. My dear, sweet husband ran the background cardstock through the Big Shot for me.

Wild Wasabi cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"

Ruby Red cardstock 4 x 5 1/4"

Old Olive cardstock 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"

Bells & Boughs stamp set (#121142)

Ruby Red classic ink

Ruby Red marker

Wild Wasabi marker

Summer Sun marker

Old Olive 1/2" Grosgrain Striped ribbon (#113883)

3/16" Corner punch (#119871)

Christmas style embossing folder

5 1/2 x 8 1/2" Whisper White cardstock

Rest of the Window Christmas Card

I gave you the materials and instructions for the first part of this card on Wednesday. Today we have the rest of the card, or as Paul Harvey used to say, "the rest of the story."

front of the card from Wednesday

Open the window of the card and see a Christmas tree with a message.

Do not adhere the window to the large piece of Whisper White cardstock yet.

Evergreen stamp set (#127973)

Gumball Green InColor ink

Night of Navy classic ink

Daffodil Delight classic ink

Basic Black marker

Whisper White cardstock cut 5 1/2x 8 1/2"

The window that you made from Wednesday.

Score and fold the Whisper White cardstock at 4 1/4." On the front folded section, stamp a solid tree from the Evergreen stamp set in Gumball Green In Color ink in the center of the cardstock. Use Night of Navy to stamp the words of Silent Night onto the tree.

Use the basic black marker to draw lines to make mounds of snow around the tree.

Now adhere the window from Wednesday onto the front of this. Be sure you only place adhesive on the outside edges of the window. Do not adhere the window portion. You want the window to be able to open.

Finish the card by stamping the inside of the card like you see here.

The inside greeting and the lighter tree are both with the Evergreen stamp set. Now how many times have you used every stamp in a set on one card? Be sure to sign your creation on the back of your card. I always sign with my name and date. I have a dear friend who signs her cards with her first name. However you want to sign your card, just be sure that you  do because, even though it's my design, it's your creation!

Christmas Window

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but for those of us who make our own Christmas cards, we have to start early. It's less than 6 weeks until Christmas Day and even less than that to mail your cards. So here is one that I designed for my own use that has a very religious theme. It's also a bit more time consuming to make. I actually started on this one back in July but haven't gotten very many of these finished. With being my usual busy self plus an extreme allergic reaction to pencillin, I've had trouble just getting 3 cards a week on my blog. Now, I've got a torn rotator cuff and will be having surgery right after Thanksgiving so it looks like I won't get these finished for this year. Maybe I can send it out next year!

With the rotator cuff problem (my right shoulder & I'm right handed) I am limited on the things I can do. I'm trying to make enough cards ahead, before my shoulder gets to the point that I won't be able to use it at all, so that I will still be able to have 3 cards a week for you. Well, have to see what happens with that.

At first glance, this looks more like an Easter card, than a Christmas card. IMO, Christmas wouldn't matter, if Jesus hadn't died on the cross for us at Easter time, so I started this card with a cross.

Crosses of Hope stamp set (#120567)
Gumball Green In Color ink
Whisper White cardstock, 1 piece 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" and 1 piece 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" for each card
Primrose Petals In Color ink
Midnight Muse In Color ink
Wisteria Wonder In Color ink
Daffodil Delight classic ink
Marina Mist classic ink
Sponge Daubers (#102892) one for each color works best
Evergreen stamp set (#127973)
craft knife
ruler
Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334)

Use a ruler to measure the center of the card and lightly draw a pencil line down the center of the card. Choose the cross that you like and stamp it centered on the line with Midnight Muse ink. You also need to stamp another cross to cut out and use as a mask.

Use a large label to make a pattern for the window. Trace the label and cut out the inside on some scrap cardstock. Lightly draw with pencil the entire pattern of the inside of the window. You will use this later. Use paperclips to hold the pattern in place on the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" piece of Whisper White.

Hold your cross mask on top of the stamped cross.  Use the sponge daubers and 5 colors of ink to stamp the inside of the window to give it a stained glass look. Remove the paper clips and pattern. Use the star from Evergreen stamp set to stamp around the top and sides of the window.

Use the Scoring Tool to score the edges of the window about 1/2" from each side of the cardstock depending on the label you used. The label that I used was cut from an Original Sizzix crescent tag die. Look to see where the curve of the top of the window ends and begin your score mark from there and end it at the bottom of the tag.

Use a craft knife and cutting mat to cut down the center of the window on the same line you stamped the cross on. Then erase any pencil marks that still show. With the craft knife, cut the line you drew earlier on the curved top and the straight bottom of the window pattern.

Use your bone folder to fold the window sides back so that the window will open.

Check back on Friday for materials and instructions on the inside of the window and the inside of the card.

Stocking Gift Card Holder

Here is a gift card holder that certainly says Christmas and Santa.

You can free hand draw or print out my pattern from my pattern page to use.

Start with an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of Real Red cardstock. Trace the stocking pattern on one half of the cardstock.

Fold the cardstock in half and cut out 2 stockings at the same time.









Cut the toe and heel pieces from Garden Green cardstock and the white for the top from Whisper White cardstock. Adhere these pieces with adhesive.

Stamp Joy at Christmas from the Perfect Punches stamp set (#120516) with Gumball Green. Punch this out with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch (#119854). Adhere it to the front of the stocking.

Mark where you will make the slits to hold the gift card in place. Some gift cards are different sizes so you might want to place it on the back stock piece and mark instead of using the marks on my pattern.

Place the 2 stocking pieces together and punch four 1/4" holes along the left side of the stocking.
Measure and cut about 20" of Gumball Green 3/8" Satin Stitched ribbon (#126848).
Thread the ribbon through the holes starting at the top. Once you reach the bottom hole, turn the stocking over and thread the ribbon back through the holes going to the top of the stocking. At the top, tie a double knot and clip the ends.
Keep the ribbon straight as you thread it through the holes.

Place the gift card on the inside and write to and from on the top white of the stocking.

Sorry, Ronnel, I forgot to link to you! I'll fix that right now so that any future hoppers will see it.

Go to Ronnel's Stamping Studio here

A Merry Christmas

Marina Mist cardstock
Whisper White cardstock
Bells & Boughs stamp set (#121142)
Primrose PetalsSatin Stitched 3/8" ribbon (#126844)
Scallop Oval punch (#119856)
Glue Dots (#103683)
Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)
Sponge Dauber (#102892)

To do the twisted ribbon, place a glue dot on the back of the ribbon at each place where it touches the card. The poinsettias are stamped twice with the top one on Stampin' Dimensionals.


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