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.

Highlighting Poppies

There are so many ocassions that a congratulations card will fit. It can be a job promotion, a graduation, a new baby, new family members, and on and on.

I don't usually buy the background stamps because the way I stamp, I don't use them all that often. When I saw this one, the individual poppies just jumped out at me so I knew that I would use this stamp for more things.

Pleasant Poppies background stamp (#129499)
Perfect Punches stamp set (#120516)
Marina Mist cardstock 4 1/4/x 5 1/2"
1/4" Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Stitched ribbon (#126872)
Modern Label Punch (#119849)
Cajun Craze marker
Always Artichoke marker
Midnight Muse classic ink pad

For the first stamp on to the Marina Mist cardstock, ink up the entire image making the poppies the dark Cajun Craze color and the stems Always Artichoke. Stamp onto the Marina Mist cardstock.

For the second stamp, ink up the section of the poppies that you want to highlight with the two colors and stamp on Whisper White cardstock. Carefully cut that section out close to the edges. Use Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430) on the back of the white and carefully line those poppies up over the same group on the background.

Use ribbon to go over the end of the white cardstock so it doesn't look like the poppies have an abrupt end.
Add the other items as you see on the card.

Veteran's Day Sunday

We should always remember the brave men and women who have served our country throughout the years. If you know someone who served in war or peace, be sure to tell them thank you for the service.

Wonder how Veteran's Day got started? Watch this video for a history of it.

I am very proud of family members, past & present, who have served our nation.
Stamey Hendricks-WWI
J. B. Henry-WWII
Samuel Johnson-Korean War
Bobby L. Johnson-peace time
James T. Henry-Vietnam War
Chaplain/Maj. Larry Matthew VanHook-currently serving, has served 2 tours in Iraq
Shea Arrais- served in the Air Force for 4 yrs
Tristion Morrales-currently in Marine recruit basic training in San Diego, CA

These are all directly related to my husband & I. We are very proud of each & every one of them.

Happy Thanksgiving, Friend

Here is a Thanksgiving card you can send to that special friend.



Pleasant Poppies background stamp (#129499)

Perfect Punches stamp set (#120516)

Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (#115370)

Tangerine Tango cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"

Marina Mist cardstock 4 x 5 1/4"

So Saffron cardstock

Brights Designer buttons (#119747)

Subtles Brads (#119738)

3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon, Midnight Muse (#126847)

Curly Label punch (#119851)

Modern Label punch (#119849)

Word Window punch (#119857)

Always Artichoke marker

Cajun Craze marker

On the Pleasant Poppies background stamp, use the brush end of the markers to ink the portion of the flowers that you desire on Whisper White cardstock. Then cut closely around the outside of the image. The oranges and the darker reds give this card more of a fall look.

Stampin' Trimmer

The brand new Stampin' Trimmer is here now! SU! took some time in getting this ready but they wanted to make sure that everything was right before it was released to the public! And all the time was well worth the wait. This trimmer is everything I hoped that it would be. It cuts smooth and straight and has plenty of room to work with your papers, plus, storage room on the back side of it.

This is from pl 180 in the current catalog. You can see some of the cool features that are here. Here's some of the info from the catalog.
Cutting and scoring..Cut anywhere in any direction. Full 12" cut or score. Keep scoring and cutting blades on the track at the same time. 1 cutting blade and 1 scoring blade.
Measuring..Exended 6 1/4" base. Extend ruler to 14 1/2"
Storing..Compartment under base to store blades, scoring stylus, more!

I am totally thrilled with this trimmer. It's the best I've ever used and I've been paper crafting for over 20 yrs.

Dots & Scallops

Lots of layers here on this card. Sorry the picture is a bit crooked. Some days are just like that. lol

Island Indigo cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" plus a small scrap
Marina Mist cardstock 3 3/4 x 5"
Old Olive cardstock 3 x 4"
Wild Wasabi cardstock 3 x 4" plus a small scrap
Old Olive 1/2" Striped Grosgrain ribbon (#113883)
Textured Impressions Perfect Polka Dots (#17335)
Scallop Edge Border punch (#119882)
Modern Label punch (#119849)
Word Window punch (#119857)
Just Believe stamp set (#120453)
Gumball Green In Color ink (#126861)
Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (#115370)

Run the Marina Mist through the Big Shot machine with the Textured Impressions Perfect Polka Dots folder. Cut 2 sides of the Wild Wasabi cardstock with the Scallop Edge Border punch. Stamp the leaves/flowers in the center of the Wild Wasabi cardstock. Without reinking, stamp again on the left side of the card stock. Ink the stamp again, & stamp it one time on scrap paper. Then stamp again on the right side of the cardstock. This is how you get the lighter color impression.
 Layer all the cardstock pieces and top with the ribbon. Add the happy birthday tag.

Let it Snow

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Actually, please don't snow here! I'm not a big fan of cold weather but I do like the looks of the snow. Fortunately, living in Texas all of my life, I haven't had too worry about snow too often. Here in Central Texas it snows maybe once every 10 or so years. We do have way too much ice though!
Anyway, I'm not really too sure when ya'll up north have the first snow but here's my first snow card. Hope you like it.

MarianaMist cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2"
Whisper White cardstock scraps
Lovely as a Tree stamp set (#115026)
Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (#115370)
Really Rust classic ink
Crumb Cake classic ink
Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (#126847)
Word Window punch (#119857)
Modern Label punch (#119849)

Stamp your line of trees near the center of the Marina Mist cardstock.

Tear the Whisper White cardstock with curves and so that the torn edge is fuzzy.

Lightly ink the edges of the snow with Crumb Cake ink so that you can easily see the overlaps.

Layer the torn pieces so they look like hills of snow.


Add the ribbon to the top of the card and your greeting. Then go drink a cup of hot chocolate after your cold work!