Simple Christmas

It's that time of year to begin thinking about Christmas cards even though Fall isn't really upon us yet. This card came together very quickly and it will be one that is easy to mass produce. I've had this background paper for years and I think this is the first time I've used it. The stamp image coordinates beautifully with the paper and the striped ribbon gives a good contrast to the circles and floral images of the paper.

S
upplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Cerise DSP; Ink: Real Red; Stamps: Punches Three; Other: 1 1/4" Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Square Punch, Dimensionals

Witching You...

This image is from one of the new sets called "Greeting Card Kids" in the Stampin' Up catalog this year. I have been wanting to try water coloring and thought this would be a good set to use. There are 4 different images in this set so it spans several seasons. The image was stamped using Black Stazon ink onto watercolor paper. I think my image has too much color added to it to actually be considered water coloring, but I still like how it turned out. I need to practice my water coloring technique but that just gives me an excuse to create more cards.

 

To achieve the shimmery look on the background, the black card stock was first embossed with the spider web embossing folder then spritzed with a mixture of about 1/8 teaspoon of silver Pearl Ex powder mixed with about 2 ounces of liquid hairspray. I purchased the hairspray and the spray bottles at the dollar store. I prefer to use the liquid hairspray rather than rubbing alcohol because once it drys the Pearl Ex doesn't rub off. The mixture lasts a long time you just have to shake it up really well before each use. You can make any card stock shimmer with this mixture and try using different colors of powder for various effects. This is a great look on Christmas cards!

Supplies Used: Paper: Watercolor Paper, Only Orange, Lovely Lilac, Basic Black, Naturals White; Ink: Black Stazon, Various SU Colors; Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Haunting Halloween; Other: Watercolor Brush, Web Embossing Folder, Only Orange Grosgrain Ribbon, Dew Drops, Silver Pearl Ex Powder, Dimensionals

Jacket, Shirt and Tie

These 2 cards were created for one of the executive manager's birthday where I work. He doesn't always wear a suit to work but, when he does these cards are the kind of look that portray him. The suit idea came from a tutorial that I found here.

I changed a couple of things from the tutorial so that the card would fit in a standard A2 envelope. I also used a corner rounder punch to give the shoulders of the suit a better look and added a small piece of card stock for the pocket square under the ribbon.

Supplies Used: Paper: Night of Navy,Brocade Blue, Background Paper (unknown); Other: So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Buttons, Corner Rounder Punch, Bone Folder

The shirt sleeve card was created so that my co-workers could all sign a card to give him as well. The same background paper was used so that the cards would coordinate with each other. The background paper was cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and attached to a standard A2 card front in whisper white. The cuff of the shirt sleeve measures 4 1/4" x 2 1/4" and is attached to a piece of whisper white card stock. Using a corner rounder punch, I rounded the bottom right side of the main card and the cuff portion. The stitching on the cuff was done with a straight edge and a fine tip marker and then attached to the main card with dimensionals. The greeting was placed vertically to represent the opening of the sleeve.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Background Paper (unknown); Ink: Night of Navy; Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes; Other: Corner Rounder Punch, Word Window Punch, Buttons, Straight Edge, Dimensionals

Life's Moments

Here is another card using the Elements of Style set. I think this stamp set is becoming a favorite of mine. There are so many occasions that this stamp set can be used for. The colors I chose for this card are very soft and serene looking. I'll have to see how bolder colors will look using this same stamp.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose DSP; Ink: Black, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Old Olive; Stamps: Elements of Style, Occasional Quotes; Other: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, 1/2 Pearls, Dew Drops, MS Seam Binding Pink Sand, Dimensionals