Any Holiday Card SWAP

Kim's Birthday Card SWAP

Guy's Birthday

I am in a SWAP with Kim, Crafty Me. We need to create a Birthday Card. I always find that Guy cards are the most difficult, so I decided to create my cards for a Guy.


I used the Winds of Grace stamp set and the Outlaw Designer Paper. I stamped the image with Timber Brown, Staz on inks. Then I water colored the image with Really Rust, More Mustard, Sage Shadow, and Creamy Caramel. I sponged Bashful Blue around the sails. I distressed the edges of the card stock, and stamped the edges of the designer paper with the diamond image from the All in a Row stamp set. I used the photo corner punch to accent the corner. This is the first time that I used this punch, boy do I love it. I will be using it more often. Believe it or not I did not use dimensionals on this card -- WOW.


Stamps: Winds of Grace, All in a Row, Short & Sweet Inks: Really Rust, More Mustard, Sage Shadow, Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Timber Brown Staz On Paper: Chocolate Chip, Natural White, Sage Shadow, Outlaw DP Extras: Photo Corner, Small and Large Oval punches, Copper Brads, Distressing tool, Paint Brush, Sponge

Merry X-Moose

Remember this card from my Holiday card SWAP? I have had so many ladies ask me about this card. Isn't this just the cutest? It looks good in the picture, but it is absolutely FANTASTIC IRL!!

Well Julie is such a sweetie, she has posted a tutorial on her site. You can find it here. Go visit and see some of her other cards too, she is SO talented. I just love the pink pixie -- so beautiful.

Holiday Cards

Here is the last one from my Holiday Swap.

Merry & Bright:

1. Score and fold always artichoke (4 1/4" x 11") cs


2. Punch corners of river rock (4 1/8" x 5 3/8") cs with the ticket corner punch.


3. Punch corners of pomegranate holiday (4" x 5 1/4") DP with the ticket corner punch.


4. Attach the pomegranate layer to the river rock layer, and then to the card front.


5. Punch the corners of three pieces of always artichoke (1" x 3") cs with the ticket corner punch.


6. Punch the corners of three pieces of river rock holiday (7/8" x 2 7/8") DP with the ticket corner punch.


7. Attach river rock layer to always artichoke layer. (for all 3 pieces)


8. Tie ribbon around two of these pieces.


9. Stamp sentiment on third piece with always artichoke ink.


10. Attach all three pieces to card front. (see demo for placement)


11. Stamp images on very vanilla cs, using Black Staz on ink.


12. Water color images with river rock, purely pomegranate, and always artichoke.


13. Ink up images with Versamark, and emboss with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.


14. Punch image out using the 1 1/4" circle punch.


15. Punch three circles of purely pomegranate cs, using the 1 3/8" circle punch.


16. Punch three scallops of always artichoke cs, using the scallop circle punch.


17. Attach all layers, and then attach to card, using dimensionals. (see demo for placement).

Stamps: Merry & Bright, The Snowflake Spot
Inks: River Rock, Purely Pomegranate, Always Artichoke, Black Staz on, Versamark
Paper: River Rock, Always Artichoke, Holiday DP
Extras: Ticket corner, 1 1/4", 1 3/8", and Scallop circle punches, heat gun, iridescent ice embossing powder, powder pal tray, artichoke ribbon, dimensionals, paint brush

Holiday Card

Here are the instructions for the card I created for my Holiday SWAP. This card uses the Sleigh Bells Ring stamp set. I love this set!! It seems to create such a vintage card, which is perfect for the Holiday Time.











Sleigh Bells Ring

1. Score and fold bravo burgundy (4 1/2" x 11")cs.
2. Stamp branches on river rock Holiday (4 x 5 1/4") DP using always artichoke ink. (stamp off once)
3. Round corners of DP using ticket punch.
4. Attach DP to always artichoke (4 1/8" x 5 3/8") cs
5. Attach brads.
6. Attach always artichoke ribbon, 2 pieces of burgundy ribbon and elastic gold cord.
7. Attach to card front.
8. Round corners of always artichoke holiday (2 1/2" x 4 1/2") DP.
9. Attach to bravo burgundy (2 3/8" x 4 5/8") cs
10. Stamp sentiment on always artichoke DP using versamark ink.
11. Emboss sentiment with gold embossing powder.
12. Attach brads, and then attach to card using dimensionals.
13. Stamp image on confetti cream (2 1/2" x 2 3/4") cs using timber brown Staz on ink.
14. Water color image using river rock, really rust, ruby red, sahara sand, mellow moss, always artichoke, soft sky, creamy caramel, chocoloate chip inks.
15. Highlight church, trees, bridge, and fur on people with white gel pen.
16. Let image dry for 1 hour.
17. Round corners with the ticket corner punch.
18. Emboss image 3-4 times with glassy glaze embossing powder.
19. Let image dry over night.
20. Place card stock in freezer for approximately 1 hour.
21. Remove card stock and bend back and forth to "crack" embossing.
22. Attach image to bravo burgundy (2 5/8" x 2 7/8") cs
23. Attach brads, and then attach to card using dimensionals.
    

Stamps: Sleigh Bells Ring, Peaceful Wishes Inks: River Rock, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Soft Sky, Creamy Caramel, Chocoloate Chip, Versamark, Timber Brown Staz On Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Holiday Designer Paper, Confetti Cream Extras: Heat Gun, Powder Pal Tray, Gold and Glassy Glaze Embossing powder, Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals, Theater Ribbon package, Gold Elastic Cord, Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon, Paint Brush, White Gel Pen, Gold Brads

Holiday Cards

Several ladies have emailed me asking for instructions to my Holiday Cards that I created for my SWAP. I am going to post the instructions here, so it is easier for me.

Seasons of Joy Card

Stamps: Seasons of Joy, Fine Lace BG Inks: Handsome Hunter, Night of Navy (Marker and Craft ink) Paper: Soft Sky, Night of Navy, Handsome Hunter, Whisper White, Shimmery Silver Extras: Heat Gun, Powder Pal Tray, Clear and Hologram Highlights Embossing Powder, Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Brads, Dimensionals

1. Score and fold whisper white (5 1/2" x 8 1/2") cs.


2. Stamp Fine Lace BG on 3 pieces of soft sky (1 1/2" x 3 7/8") cs using night of navy craft ink.


3. Emboss all 3 pieces with hologram embossing powder.


4. Punch corner of night of navy (1 5/8" x 4") cs using the ticket corner punch.


5. Attach soft sky pieces to night of navy pieces, and then to front of card.


6. Ink word block stamp with handsome hunter and night of navy markers (see demo), and stamp image on whisper white (2 1/2" x 2 5/8")cs.


7. Attach whisper white cs to night of navy (2 5/8" x 2 3/4") cs, then to handsome hunter (2 3/4" x 3") cs, and then to whisper white (2 7/8" x 3 1/8") cs.


8. Stamp tree on scrap of shimmery silver cs using handsome hunter craft ink.


9. Emboss tree with clear embossing powder, and cut out.


10. Attach brads and tree, place one brad through center of tree star.


11. Attach to card using dimensionals.

Jen's Monthly RAK Club

Jen, Pieces of Me, has a monthly RAK club. You should go over right now and check it out. She is having sign-ups for the month of October. You let her know you would like to be included, and then she matches everyone up. It is so fun receiving RAKs from all over the world. I know that I have been hitting the RAK jackpot lately, but it is so FUN. Who would of thought I would ever like receiving mail?

This first card is from Nancy, Nancy's Creative Mess. She drew my name for Jen's Monthly RAK Club. Isn't this beautiful. I am sooooooo happy she sent this card to me. I saw it on her site earlier and just loved it. You should go visit Nancy, she is one of the ladies that I call Queen Bees. She is just so talented, she is a personal friend of Allison too -- so you know I am so jealous. (wink wink)

This second card is the one that I sent out. This is one of the triangle cards that I made with On Gossamer Wings (retired SU!). I love making the triangle fold cards, but I like putting them on regular sized cards.

BTW -- I have been updating my labels on past posts. Have you all been receiving a bunch of emails? So sorry if you have, I have tried to limit myself to 5 edits a day.

Holiday SWAPS

Here is a slide show of all the cards that were created for by Holiday SWAP. I think I did this correctly.

Halloween Swap

I have a question. I have not added "labels" to my posts. If I go back and do it now, will it send an email to my subscribers if I do? I have 270 posts, I certainly would not want to send you all 270 email messages. When I update my layout does it send an email too?

This is the card that I created for Kim's Halloween SWAP. Notice the layout, yep another one. I used $1 stamps from AC Moore, and retired paper from SU.

Do not forget about the CANDY.

BTW-- you all must think I am kidding about the constructive criticism. I would really like some suggestions on my site and my cards. I know I am hard on myself, but I also know that I have room for improvement.

A Reject and a Keeper

Here is the last of my SWAP cards. I started with this one, but I thought it was lacking BLING. Can you tell that I LOVE this layout? I think it is simple, yet so beautiful. So this one is the reject.

This one is the keeper. I think I have worn out my ticket corner punch. 24 cards and numerous punches on each card. Well if any one was wondering whether these punches are worth it, I am here to tell you that they DEFINITELY are.

I stamped the Merry & Bright images, and water colored them in. Then I applied versamark over the image and embossed with Iridescent Ice. (I do not know whether you can see it in the picture). I added the scallop punched layer to this card. Well now that I am looking at it, maybe this one is a little busy. Oh well, I have already done 8 copies.

Stamps: Merry & Bright, The Snowflake Spot Inks: Always Artichoke, River Rock, Purely Pomegranate, Pumpkin Pie, Versamark, Black Staz-on Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Holiday Harmony Designer Paper Extras: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, paint brush, Scallop, Ticket Corner, 1 ¼” & 1 3/8” circle punches, Dimensionals, Artichoke Ribbon

Holiday Card Swap Reminder

Just a little friendly reminder that the Holiday Swap Cards are due by this Saturday. Please have them postmarked no later than September 15. Here is a list of the groups. The cards that I have received are FANTASTIC!!

Group 1

1. Allison
2. Melissa K. -- Received
3. Libby
4. Michelle -- Received
5. Melissa R. -- Received
6. Rita -- Received
7. Kim -- Received
8. Me -- Done

Group 2

1. Teri
2. Carrie -- Received
3. Julie -- Received
4. Elizebeth -- Received
5. Kat -- Received
6. Wanda -- Received
7 . Kathy -- Received
8. Me -- Done


Group 3

1. Jen -- Received
2. Amanda -- Received
3. Kathleen H -- Received
4. Lori -- Received
5. Beth / Me -- Done
6. Jenni
7. Kristina -- Received
8. Shelly -- Received

This has been so fun -- Thanks to all of you for playing along!!

A Keeper -- I think

I think this is the card for another one of the SWAP groups. I need to stop being so critical of myself, I know this is a nice card. The one yesterday was my Vintage style card, and this one is my Bling card with non-red colors. (BTW it looks better IRL)

I stamped the Fine Lace BG with Night of Navy craft ink, and then embossed it with Hologram Highlights. The stamped the tree with Handsome Hunter craft ink on brushed silver CS, and then embossed it with clear. The words are done with markers and "huffing".

Stamps: Seasons of Joy, Fine Lace BG Inks: Night of Navy, Handsome Hunter Paper: Soft Sky, Night of Navy, Handsome Hunter, Brushed Silver, Whisper White Extras: Hologram Highlights and Clear embossing powder, Heat gun, Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Brads, Dimensionals

Not a Reject

I know I have been posting my Holiday SWAP rejects --and I have 3 more rejects-- but I thought you all might like to see a non-reject. I know all my rejects are OK, but I wanted a FANTASTIC card for the SWAP. I think I probably went overboard, but this is my first time hosting a SWAP. I hope you all like it. I am not sure which group this one will be for.

I used the "cracked glass" image from one of the rejects. I stamped the holly branches from the Peaceful Wishes stamp set on the DP instead of using the french script. Then I used the layout from last weeks sketch challenge. I love that sketch with ribbon -- so pretty. I embossed the sentiment with gold, and the rest is self explanatory.

Stamps: Sleigh Bells Ring, Peaceful Wishes Inks: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Rose Red, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, River Rock, Always Artichoke, Timber Brown Staz On. Paper: Confetti Cream, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Holiday Harmony DP Extras: Paint brush, corner rounder punch, gold brads, glassy glaze and gold embossing powders, heat gun, dimensionals, theater and burgundy ribbon, gold elastic cord.

Oops, Another NB

And you thought I was done with Natural Beauty Cards.

I inked up the image with markers. I like the way this one turned out. Do you think this could be a "Guy" card? I know it has ribbon, but I did a knot not a bow.



Stamps: Natural Beauty

Inks: Green Galore, Brill ant Blue

Paper: Green Galore, Brill ant Blue, Whisper White

Extras: Ribbon (Michael's), BB brads, dimensionals, mat pack, white gel pen

Be Happy

This is another envlope card. I made several versions of these last September. This picture is washed out, but it looks pretty good IRL.

Stamps: It's Your Birthday, Be Happy, Aida

Inks: Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Bravo Burgundy, Sahara Sand

Paper: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Bravo Burgundy, Sahara Sand

Extras, EE Brads, corner ronder punch, Designer Ribbon, 1/16", 1/8", 1/4", 1/2" circle punches, sticky tape

Flaky Friends Flap

Here is one of my absolute favorite cards. I made this one for my demonstrator meeting. We make cards to swap with each other. The theme for the evening was the holidays.

I had purchased the Halloween designer paper for the Treat bags, and I could not figure out what to do with this paper. Well I love flaky friends. (Who doesn't). So I thought why not use this paper for a holiday card.

I stamped the image on the shimmery white card stock, and then painted it in with the classic inks. The card has a flap that closes it. So I used up the violet paper, and then everyone wanted this card. Funny I did not even like the vintage violet color until I made this card.

Stamps: Flaky Friends Inks: Craft White, Black Staz on, Cranberry Crisp, Vintage Violet, Marigold Morning, Old Olive, Buckaroo Blue, True Thyme, Cool Caribbean Paper: Vintage Violet, Halloween DP, Shimmery White, Old Olive Extras: Corner rounder punch, paint brush, black gingham ribbon, silver brads