It's Christmas...one more time.

You see, I lied. Yes, in my last post I said I wasn't thinking about Christmas cards this year...but no sooner said and then...all I can think about is Christmas cards! So offering a two for one today to end the month. First up is an alternative to the last posted card.

When I first saw this stamp it took me back to my childhood, catching snowflakes. It was the style of the picture and the coat...it reminded me of a gray coat I had in grade school. My Dad had made sure it would last more than one winter by buying it too big! Even the hat with it's tassel was a trip down memory lane.

I have always envisioned the gray and red cardstock as the perfect frame. Adding a few punched snowflake "buttons" coated with crystal lacquer I think added to the retro feel, and a hand made tassel from DMC red floss slipped through a punched hole in the fold to top it off.

The second card for the final Christmas in July themed post is a new design from earlier this year.
The colors are a little more traditional and it has a few more flourishes, too!

The background embossing folder is from Sizzix: Snow Globe
the holly berries are coated with garnet glitter from Martha Stewart
red ribbon from Offray
Stamps: holly swag from Inkadinkado
and Merry Christmas from Stampendous
markers are Zig Writers in shades of green.

Well, those are my simple offerings for some holiday inspiration, enjoy!

Another Day of Christmas in July

 

Thought I'd post this top-fold card card from my 2011 Christmas Card Designs while there are still a few days left in July to pretend I'm actually thinking of Christmas designs...which I'm not.  

When I found this winter stamp it took me right back to a scene from my childhood...the coat, the plaid skirt, even the hat! and of course...catching snowflakes...what wonder! 

I saw another stamp today that I thought would be perfect to go with this, next design around. I found it at Impression Obsessions item B5579. It says: "never lose your sense of wonder". It's perfect!

the little girl in the snow stamp is by Nature's Blessings

the greeting stamp Merry Christmas Always by Stampabilities

the ink is Cobalt by Archival Inks

the ribbon is by Bobbin Ribbon

cardstock: light blue, white from Hollos

Christmas in July

While browsing some of the sneak peaks from CHA and all the lovely papers and supplies for Christmas, I was inspired to post a 2011 Christmas Card Design. I'm usually busy with new card designs for Christmas but this year I'm busy working on several quilts. I'm really enjoying the change of creative energy working with fabrics...now just to see it through to completion!

The card I'm showing off today has an unusual color palette for Christmas, but the distinctive mid-east feel of the stamp seemed to really call for the warmer tones and copper accents. Copper cardstock lines the back of the scallop heart punch to give it another layer of of bling, and repeats the curves of the patterned paper.

Stamp by Inkadinkado
Paper by Imaginisce: Exotic East collection
Cardstock: Copper, orange peel, burnt orange, and marigold all from Hollos
Spellbinders Scallop Circle; EK Sucess scallop heart punch

Exciting News!

I've actually been selected to be a part of DeNami Designs August Blog Hop! (see link on the side bar) I have already begun work on the card for that event. It's exciting as this is one reason I began a blog, and it is opening up all sorts of amazing avenues of creativity (and creative people) I had not counted on.

All that Glitters...

Wanted to have this simple stamp design from DRS to have a little glimmer added for a touch of richness. The linen cardstock almost demanded more attention. As I thought through what I wanted to do in the way of added texture, I ran across a card on Our Daily Bread gallery that used this technique of quilting and crystals. It is so similar to a popular design Hannah does on some of her wedding cakes  (www.sweetendingscakes.com)  that I had to try it. Very pleased at how easy it turned out to do and think I'll do this again when I want a similar lush look.

Plum Crazy

Every once and a while you find a color cardstock you love to use...and then it disappears....that's what happened with this deep plum shade in this card. I'd been looking high and low to no avail, when I found these overlays from Papercuts on clearance at a cardshow a few years ago and had to pick them up. However, I rarely worked in 5x5 or 6x6 cards due to the need for extra postage, so I have put off until recently trying to work with this most favorite shade of "plum" I'm crazy for.

Wedding

Weddings have abounded this year. Seems like just about every one of our friends have had a child getting married, including myself! This is one of my latest cards, trying out a few new techniques and layers. The Bride loved Hydrangea, so that's what I stamped and added (embellishments: Martha Stewart)

We've Only Just Begun...

The newest thing that I'm trying out...blogging...this may not last long, but we'll try to learn something new! I'll probably make a lot of mistakes, so please bear with me.