Thursday, December 2, 2010

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff - Quick Christmas Cards

This week Lindsay challenged her DT to create quick (10 minute or less) cards. (Think easy to "mass produce", even though I don't like this phrase for hand made items.)






Here are the steps to make this card.
  1. Cut a standard A2 (5-1/2 x 4-1/4 inches) card base. You can get 2 card bases out of a single piece of CS by cutting it at the 5-1/2 mark. You could also use pre-cut/purchased card bases.

  2. I cut another piece of card stock slightly smaller (approximately 5-3/8 x 4-1/8 inches). You will get 4 of these and a little scrap out of single piece of card stock.

  3. I ran the above piece through my Big Shot using an embossing folder. I used the large dots because I like them but you can use any folder you like. The snowflake folder would look good too.

  4. I imported the sleigh clip art image into MS Word and reduced to 35%. I used the "Rotate" image button to flip it horizontally. I didn't count how many of these you can get on a single page, but you can get quite a few. Print using the "best" quality and "color" settings on your printer.

  5. I used my Big Shot and Spellbinders Nestabilities dies to cut my circle. (TIP: Use painter's tape to hold your die where you want it when running it through your die cut machine. It prevents it from moving and is easy to peel off.) You can trace a circle and hand cut or use any circle cutting system you have.

  6. I imported the designer paper into MS Word. I changed my margins to "0" on all sides and dragged the DP image to cover the entire page. Print using the settings mentioned above.

  7. Cut the DP into strips 2 x 5-3/8 inches. Again, I didn't count how many you get, but there are quite a few.

  8. I had coordinating aqua CS in my stash. You could skip using it or use another coordinating color. I cut a strip 2-1/8 x 5-3/8 inches to mat my DP strip. I cut an additional piece using my Big Shot and a Spellbinders label die. You could mat the sleigh with another circle, a scallop, what ever you would like or skip this step.

  9. Adhere the layers together. (See my note on paper piercing below.) I added a piece of velvet ribbon I had in my stash. I didn't tie in a bow to keep the card flat and easier to mail. I also found it quicker if I didn't have to fuss with a bow.

  10. Add any additional embellishments you would like. I stamped "Noel" and added 3 gemstones.

Note: On my card, I added some paper piercing around the circle and the white embossed panel. Again, you could skip this but I liked the little extra it added. It did take some extra time. If you want to pierce your paper, do it before adhering the layers together.

If you have questions on any of these steps, please feel free to email me at shestamps11-blogs at yahoo dot com.



I hope this inspires you to get those Christmas & holiday cards made. Please visit the blogs of the rest of the DT to see what they have to show you this week.

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer) - check Lindsay's blog for her weekly freebie!
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Laurel Seabrook
Leanne Garner
Margie Visnick
Micki Harper
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen


Supplies:

  • Stamps: Winterland from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff (mygrafico.com), Tree Trimming Trio from PaperTrey
  • Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific CS, misc. aqua textured CS, Winterland DP from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
  • Inks: Close To My Heart Crystal Blue
  • Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, paper piercing tool, Provocraft Seeing Spots embossing folder
  • Embellishments: Misc. gemstones & velvet ribbon

Challenges:


AI Factory Guest DT

A while ago I was asked to be a guest designer for the AI Factory challenge blog. So at last the day is here where I can share my card.





I was given this cute AI Factory image to work with and the theme this week is "Winter". I hope you will join in the AI Factory challenge this week.

I think this might be the first time I have colored an image of a person. I usually try to avoid them because I don't feel comfortable coloring skin or hair yet. My daughter loves this image. She says it looks just like her.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:




  • Image: Ice Skating girl from the AI Factory, Computer generated sentiment
  • Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific white CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, PaperTrey kraft CS, misc. red CS, My Mind's Eye O'Christmas Tree DP
  • Inks: Stampin' Up white ink
  • Tools: Cricut, George & Basic Shapes cartridge, Martha Stewart edge punch, EK Sucess snowflake punch, Copic Markers, paper piercing tool
  • Embellishments: PaperTrey bakers twin, misc. blue dew drops

Challenges:

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff - Vintage Christmas

I have an additional Lindsay's Stamp Stuff post this week. I was messing around and made this card and wanted to share it.





I'm still fighting my cold so I am going to keep this short. I will have 2 posts tomorrow (Thursday) so please stop back.

Updated: If you get a chance, drop by my 9 y.o. DD's blog. She has a new card posted.

Thank you for looking!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Warm Wishes & Christmas Labels from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff (mygrafico.com)
  • Papers & CS: PaperTrey kraft & dark chocolate, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Georgia Pacific white CS, My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas DP
  • Inks: Distress Inks tea dye, old paper, antique linen
  • Tools: Copic markers, embossing stylus
  • Embellishments: Tiara Stickles, misc. lace, bakers twine, gemstones

Challenges:

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Pink Cat Studio Snowman

Pink Cat Studios is having a Holiday Challenge. Since I love challenges and PCS images, I decided to play along.





I think my love of snowmen was well documented last week and this is another one I have in my collection. I was happy to be able to print him out, color him, and give him a home.

Well, I'm going to keep this post short. I have been fighting off a cold. I plan to drink a cup of tea and head off to bed.


Thank you for stopping by!


Supplies:

  • Stamps: Friendly Snowman from Pink Cat Studios, Tree Trimming Trio from PaperTrey
  • Papers & CS: Neenah Crest Solar White CS, PaperTrey kraft CS, My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas DP, misc. brown, green & red CS scraps
  • Inks: Close To My Heart chocolate ink
  • Tools: Big Shot, My Favorite Things jumbo scallop die, Stampin' Up word window punch, Provocraft Snowflakes embossing folder, Copic markers
  • Embellishments: PaperTrey bakers twine, misc. snowflake buttons, Inkssentials white gel pen

Challenges:

Sentimental Sundays - Challenge 31: A Recipe

It's Sunday so that means it is time for the new Sentimental Sunday challenge. This week we have a recipe challenge for you. We want to see your creation with 3 designer papers, 3 buttons, and a ribbon (plus a sentiment). You are free to add anything else you would like to your project as long as it includes these elements.

So here is a look at my project.




On Friday you learned of my weakness for snowmen. As soon as I saw these cute new snowmen from Whimsie Doodles I had to purchase some of them. I think I will be back to get the rest soon. (You just can't have too many cute snowmen digis.)

Once again, I made my own crinkle ribbon by coloring seam binding with my Copic markers. For more info and tips on how to do this, please see my post from Friday.

I hope you will join the Sentimental Sundays recipe challenge this week for your chance to win 4 digital sentiments sets from Raindrop Echo Designs. If you stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog, be sure top download the free weekly sentiment digis available for one week only.

Supplies:

  • Images: Cup of Tea digital stamp from Whimsie Doodles, PaperTrey Holiday Treats
  • Papers & CS: Neenah Crest solar white, GP CS, PTI Dark Chocolate, BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses paper pack
  • Inks: Close To My Heart Chocolate & Blush, Distress Ink Antique Linen
  • Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic markers
  • Embellishments: Misc buttons, DMC floss, Hug Snug rose seam binding, Tattered Angels Snow Queen glimmer mist
  • Techniques: Distressing

Challenges:

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Music Saves My Soul Saturday

I don't know what happened to Marcea's challenge. It kind of looks like it died off. But since I love music I am still planning on sharing with you a song every Saturday. A friend of mine shared this song on FB earlier this week and it has been stuck in my head ever since. I have to admit my daughter and I were dancing around the kitchen to it on Monday night. That girl has some awesome moves!


Thanks for stopping by!


Friday, November 26, 2010

Meljen's Designs - Challenge #35-Buttons & Bows

I admit it. I have a weakness for snowmen. Our Christmas tree is decorated almost exclusively in snowmen and snowflakes. I have to control myself to keep myself from buying more snowmen knick-knacks. After all, I only have so much room to display them. And as much as I love looking at them through the holidays, I detest having dust them, or worse yet, to put it all away in January.


So, I was super excited to see Melissa's 11-24-10 new release. Check out these cute snowmen! I LOVE them! I can look at them or use them on projects any time I want and they are digital so they take up zero space and don't need to be put away.



Here is a peek at the entire new release available at Whimsy Stamps.



Do you like my matching ribbon? I used some Winter White Hug Snug seam binding. I sprayed it with a little rubbing alcohol and randomly colored on it using the same Copic markers I used to color my snowmen. (Just the purple shades). I put it in a plastic baggy, spritzed it with a little more alcohol and smooshed it around a bit so the colors blended. I then spritzed it with some glitter mist and smooshed around some more. I then dumped it in a pile on a paper towel to air dry while I assembled my card. The alcohol dries pretty quickly. The glimmer mist takes a little longer but sometimes I help it along by using my hair dryer on a low setting. (Keep it bundled up a bit in your hand if you do this so you don't blow out the crinkled look.)


Don't forget to enter the Buttons & Bows challenge on the Meljen's Designs blog this week for your chance to win some free digital images.



Thank you for stopping by!



Supplies:


  • Stamps: Caroling Snowmen from Meljen's Designs on Whimsy Stamps, Made of Snow from PaperTrey
  • Papers & CS: Neenah Crest solar white CS, PaperTrey white CS, Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather Dp, misc. purple DP
  • Inks: Close To My Heart Petal
  • Tools: Stampin' Up edge punch, Copic markers
  • Embellishments: Hug Snug winter white seam binding, misc: buttons, DMC floss, Liquid Applique, Crystal Stickles, misc. fibers, Snow Queen Glimmer Mist (on seam binding)

Challenges: