Christmas Tree Card Holder

Isn't this just the cutest card holder? As soon as I saw it I knew it would be a fabulous way to display mine (and other people's) Christmas Card creations. I just had to share it with you. If you are wondering where I got it, I found it at my local Costco.

Glittering Snowflakes

Here is the last card we made at Stamp Club. This card used the Big Shot and the Snowflake #2 Originalz Die. We also adhered the glitter with Heat N' Stick Powder which was a new process for me but I love the final result. The snowflake is so beautiful! I may make some more for some ornaments for our tree.



Oh...The background: We stamped the background using a scrap snowflake and stampin' sponges. We layed the snowflake down and sponged around it. I started with the lightest shade of blue and gradually got darker. I added some silver and white snowflakes to the background to finish it.

If you would like detailed instructions on how to create this card, e-mail me to receive a pdf file with instructions.

RECIPE: CS-Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Brushed Silver & Chipboard; Ink-Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Encore Silver, Whisper White & Not Quite Navy; Stamps-Snow Swirled; Big Shot; Dies-Snowflake #2; Embossing-Dazzling Diamonds & Heat N'Stick Powder.

Decor Elements Experiment

As you all know, Stampin' Up! released its new product line-Decor Elements. These are great vinyl images, letters and shapes that can go on most walls in your home, glass, wood and other things. The images coordinate beautifully with our already fantastic stamp images to make home decor a breeze. I have been trying to decided which one of these great images to get and where to put it. I placed a rather large order a few weeks ago that qualified for Level 2 hostess benefits. One of the perks was a Decor Element image available in White, Chocolate Chip or Black. I chose the Chocolate Chip.

Today I finally found the perfect place to put it. On my dining room wall. This is where I hold all of my stamping events so I thought it was the perfect place to put up one of our Decor Elements. Plus I love the saying--"Home is Built of Love and Dreams". A very fitting saying for one of the busiest rooms in our house.



I must admit, I was pretty intimidated about the whole process, especially since my six-year old was helping me. But it was so easy and it took less than ten-minutes from start to finish. The end result is a beautiful image that enhances my dining room beautifully. This is how to apply Decor Elements.




I know it looks really crooked in this picture but it is not crooked on my wall. I think the angle of the camera is why it looks so messed up.

These images would make some great Christmas Gifts for a couple of friends of mine....Hmmm!

You can have this image as well if you hose a workshop with orders totaling above $300. Call or e-mail me and we will plan your workshop now! I am gearing up for Holiday Workshops now so pick your date before my schedule fills up!

Re-Thinking Silhouettes

I love our brand new stamps in the new "Silhouette" Style Watch on page 10-11. The images are so simple and elegant. I have always been drawn to nature. As soon as I saw the "Inspired by Nature" stamp set I knew that I had to have it. I could just imagine all of the cards and scrapbook pages I could make with it. But I have to admit, this is one of those sets that can get you stuck into a rut. All you can do is silhouettes of flowers or grass, not always exciting, I have to admit. Just making silhouettes in different colors can get very boring.

So thanks to the inspiration of CeeCee Cote I now look at this stamp in a brand new way.

Yes, I did "paint" the black-eyed susans on this card. It looks like something you would find in an art gallery hanging on the wall. It is so simple to take the basic image of "Inspired By Nature" and create a masterpiece.

1. Stamp your image in a light color (yellows such as So Saffron and Barely Banana worked better for me; I used So Saffron for this project).
2. Starting with the lighter colors, using your blender pens, gently color over the image. Be careful not to go over the same area too often or you will notice the paper will start to tear slightly.
3. Add the darker shades to create your shadows and "voila!" you have created a beautiful piece of art.
4. I gently sponged sky and grass around the image to make the flowers pop and to ground them on the page (the flowers looked like they were floating until I did that).

5. Attach it to a card or put it into a frame to display!

I hope you will look at the "Silhouette" collection a little differently now.

RECIPE: CS--Very Vanilla, So Saffron & Chocolate Chip; Stamps--Inspired By Nature; Ink--So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke & Bashful Blue; and Ribbon--Chocolate Chip Taffeta.

Sweet Frame

Here is another project inspired by the "Sweet Bella" Style Watch in the new catalog. This is my version of the picture frame pictured in the catalog. I am not really a flower person (hard to believe since I do make a lot of cards with flowers) I don't use a lot of flowers in my home decor or in what I or my girls wear. But the "Sweet Bella" line has me addicted to roses. I made this frame to put a picture of my new baby girl in. She is my "joy" with a sweet smile and joyous laugh. So I had to add that to her picture frame.

Home decor and stamping has always seemed a little daunting to me. I was not sure how to incorporate my love for paper crafts into my house. Now that I have done it though, my eyes are open to all the possibilities! This was such an easy project to make. It was a bit of trial and error as I moved things around and played with how I wanted everything positioned. I love the final project and cannot wait to get Brenna's sweet picture in place. My oldest wants one for her picture too. So I guess I will have to get busy and make some more. :-)

RECIPE: DSP--Bella Rose; CS--So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss & Chocolate Chip; Ink--So Saffron & Chocolate Chip; Dies--Join In the Cheer Decorative Sizzlet.