Christmas Cards

Lots of Christmas cards went in the mail this week. Here are a few, and you can see more on Facebook at Carol Gleason! Let me know which ones are your favorites by leaving a comment here or on FB!

Be sure to check what's on the Year End Sale, going on now through January 3, 2017!

Peaceful Woodlands

It's That Time of Year

We awoke to snow on the ground on Saturday morning in Green Bay, and I must say, I'm not really ready for it. On Friday it was in the 60's, on Saturday - only in the 30's!

To create this woodlands scene, apply Versamark ink to the Stampin' Up! Woodland embossing folder before running it through the Big Shot. Then apply gold embossing powder and heat it with the heat tool until the powder melts. Decorate as desired with glimmer paper, sequins or other embellishments.

Use the Christmas Greetings thinlits dies and fine tip glue pen to add a sentiment.

Don't miss the Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza going on this week! There are lots of great deals with up to 40% off!

Thankful

Thankful for You

With the Thanksgiving holiday this week, there's no better time than now to think about the people in your life that you're grateful for, and let them know what they mean to you. This easy card we created in class this month can be sent for Thanksgiving, or really any time of year!

Card Base: Rich Razzleberry Card Stock,  cut to 5-1/2” x  8-1/2”

Flower Layer:  Blooms & Bliss DSP, cut to 3” x 5-1/2”.

Larger Rectangle: Mint Macaron card stock, cut to ¾” x  3”.

Smaller Rectangle: Whisper White ½” wide scrap, long enough for sentiment, ~2-3/4”. TIP: use a longer scrap, then trim after stamping the sentiment.

Sentiment:   Stamp ‘Thankful for You’ from the ShelteringTree stamp set in Rich Razzleberry ink

Optional: Add a layer of Whisper White card stock, 5-1/4” x 4” on the inside to have a lighter area to write on.

Hugs to You

Bear Hugs This Christmas

Today's card is one we made at card class last week and features the Stampin' Up! Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper (DSP) and the baby bear from the Fa-La-La-La Friends stamp set. Isn't he cute in his Christmas pajamas? 

Details:

Card Base: Mint Macaron card stock, cut to 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and folded in half

DSP: 2 pieces of Presents & Pinecones paper:

1. Cut one piece 3" x 4".
2. Cut the second piece 2" x 3".

Oval: Emerald Envy card stock, die cut with the 2-3/4" x 1-3/4" oval from the Layering Ovals framelits.

Sentiment: Use a 1/2" wide scrap of Whisper White card stock, long enough to stamp the sentiment, ~4".

1. Stamp the Bear Hugs greeting from the Fa-La-La-La Friends stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink on the white scrap.
2. Trim the length of the sentiment so there's equal white space on each end.
3. Sponge the edges of the sentiment with Cherry Cobbler ink and a sponge dauber.

Bear: 

1. Stamp the bear from Fa-La-La-La Friends in Mint Macaron ink on another scrap of Whisper White card stock.
2. Die cut the bear with the Big Shot and the Bear Hugs framelits.
3. Color the bear with Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette and Crumb Cake Stampin' Write markers, or other colors, as desired. NOTE: There are several sets of just two markers available in the Holiday catalog: Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green, Real Red and Crumb Cake, or Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie, and they're also available in color family sets, like the Brights.
4. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to attach the bear to the Emerald Envy scalloped oval.

Embellishments: Add a Silver Metallic Enamel Shapes Heart to the bear's pjs.

Assembly:

1. Adhere the pretty designer paper to the card base, with the smaller rectangle in the upper right corner and the larger rectangle in the lower left corner.
2. Add the sentiment across the two layers of pretty paper.
3. Use Snail or other adhesive to attach the scalloped oval with the attached bear to the larger rectangle.

Grab yourself a treat and congratulate yourself for adding one more card to your Christmas stash!

Merry Christmouse

Merry Mouse on Candy Cane Lane

Today I have another card featuring the beautiful Stampin' Up! Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper along with a cute mouse from the Merry Mice stamp set in the 2016 Holiday catalog. It was lots of fun coloring this little guy with the Stampin' Write markers!

BONUS:  The Merry Mice stamp set is on sale this month!

Recipe:

Card Base: Crumb Cake card stock, 8-1/2" by 5-1/2", folded in half to create a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card

Peppermint Layer: Candy Cane Lane DSP, cut to 2-1/2" x 5-1/2"

Large Square: Early Espresso card stock, 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" square

Smaller Square: Very Vanilla card stock, 3" x 3"

Assembly:

1. Stamp the mouse from the Merry Mice stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink, close to the top of the 3" square. Stamp the greeting from the same set in Real Red ink, centered below the mouse.
2. Color as desired - here are the Stampin' Write marker colors we used:
• Ornament - Real Red and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write markers.
• Mouse's shirt - Soft Sky Stampin' Write marker
• Mouse's pants - Dapper Denim Stampin' Write marker
• Mouse's nose - Pink Pirouette Stampin' Write marker. You could also color the inside of the ears if desired.
• Tree branches - Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write marker.
3. Add a Gold Metallic Enamel Shape over the star on the mouse's tail.
4. Layer the peppermint DSP about 1/2" from the left side of the Crumb Cake card base, then layer your square on top.

There you go! A few pieces of paper, some ink, markers and adhesive, and you've got a cute card ready to put in the mail!

Merry Candy Cane Lane

Merry Candy Cane Lane Houses

The Stampin' Up! Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper is so cute that you can let it be the star of the show on your Christmas cards this year!

Create this simple card with just a few Stampin' Up! items. 

Here's how:

Card Base: Whisper White Thick Card stock, cut to 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", folded to 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Embossed Layer: Whisper White Card stock, 

3-3/4" x 5-1/4", embossed with the Big Shot and Festive embossing folder.

Houses: Candy Cane Lane paper, cut to 2-3/8" x 5-3/8", so that there are 3 houses on each piece.

Sentiment:

Die cut 'Merry' with the Christmas Greetings Thinlits from Real Red card stock.

Assembly:

1. Adhere the embossed white layer to the top of the card base, leaving a 1/2" wide un-embossed area at the bottom for the sentiment.
2. Center the Candy Cane Lane houses over the embossed layer, closer to the top so there's space for the 'Merry' greeting on the embossed layer.
3. Adhere the 'Merry' greeting with the Fine Tip Glue pen, or sponge Tombow multi-purpose glue on the back side of the lettering.
4. Stamp 'Christmas' from the Holly Jolly Greetings stamp set in Early Espresso ink near the right side, in the 1/2" un-embossed area at the bottom.

Make one, or make a bunch so you'll have your Christmas cards ready to go out after Thanksgiving!

It's Time to Deck the Halls with Stampin' Up!

It's Time to Deck the Halls

This card layout is a great way to use up your tiny pieces of pretty paper. The 1" square punch is on the clearance rack right now for just $9.60! The Merry Mice stamp set is also on sale - see details at the end of the post.

How to Make It:

1. Cut a Cherry Cobbler card base 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” and fold in half.
2. Cut a Very Vanilla layer, 4-1/2” x 3-1/4”.
3. Cut a Garden Green layer, 4-1/4” x 3” and set aside. (These 3 colors of card stock are also available in the This Christmas combination package, which includes 8 sheets of each color.)
4. Use the 1” punch or a paper cutter to cut 6 – 1” x 1” squares of This Christmas Designer Series Paper.
5. Glue the 6 squares evenly spaced onto the Garden Green layer. HINT: attach the two end squares, leaving a ¼” margin at top & sides, then center 1 square between them in the top row. Then do the bottom row so the squares are ¼” from the bottom of the Green layer and lined up with the top row.
6. Run the Garden Green layer and squares through the Big Shot with the Lovely Lace embossing folder.
7. Now attach the embossed Garden Green layer to the Very Vanilla layer.
8. Add the Very Vanilla piece to the Cherry Cobbler layer.
9. Stamp the banner from the Number of Years stamp set in Cherry Cobbler Ink.
10. Stamp the sentiment, It's Time to Deck the Halls, from the Merry Mice stamp set in Garden Green ink on the banner.
11. Cut the banner out, using the Big Shot and the Large Numbers framelits.
12. As an alternative, stamp the Merry & Bright or Christmas Joy stamp from the Stitched with Cheer stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock and cut the banner out with the Big Shot and Bunch of Banners framelits.
13. Attach the banner to the center of your card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
14. Add 3 random rhinestones wherever they look best on your small squares.

NOTE: the 1” square punch used to punch the square for this card is currently on the Stampin’ Up! Clearance Rack, while supplies last. The original price is $16, on clearance for $9.60. It’s a great tool for cutting small squares to use up your small scraps, as these small pieces are difficult to cut with the trimmer.

The Merry Mice stamp set is on sale as part of the Stitched from the Heart promotion. You can see the new Stitched Shapes framelits dies and the stamp sets that are on sale only in November here.

Oh Christmas Tree

Casing the Holiday Catty 

When you're looking for stamping inspiration, start with the Stampin' Up! catalogs! They're full of ideas for color combinations, card layouts, gift packaging and more. Last week we were inspired by this simple and elegant Christmas card on page 48 in the 2016 Holiday Catalog:

Of course, we changed it up just a bit, and this is our version:

How to Make It:

• Cut a Whisper White thick card stock base to 4-1/4” x 11”, score at 5-1/2" and fold.**
• Rub the Embossing buddy over the front of the card to remove static and prevent stray embossing powder from sticking to your project.
• Stamp the Pine tree from the Stampin' Up! Totally Trees stamp set in Versamark ink. You can also stamp the sentiment in Versamark if you want to make it gold instead of Cherry Cobbler.
• Cover the stamped area with Gold embossing powder & shake off any excess into a tray. Heat the embossed area with the heat tool just until all the powder is melted.
• Stamp Merry Christmas with the stamp from Stampin' Up! Teeny Tiny Wishes in Cherry Cobbler ink, if you didn’t emboss it.
• Punch a star from Dazzling Diamonds glimmer paper & adhere it to the top of the tree with a mini glue dot.
• Tie 1/8" gold ribbon at the top of the card, putting a glue dot under the bow to hold it in place. 

**HINT: If your card base is 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", you won't be able to tie the ribbon around the card. So just cut it long enough for the front of the card and attach it with a couple of mini glue dots, then make a separate bow and attach it to the ribbon with another mini glue dot. Ask me how I know this :) 

How will you be inspired today? If you need a Holiday Catalog, contact me!

'Tis the Season

'Tis the Season Card

Just a few pieces of pretty paper, some ink and a stamp set are all you need to create this quick card from last week's class. Or you can step it up a notch with the Stampin' Up! Festive embossing folder!

• Cut a Very Vanilla Card Base 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” and fold in half.
• Cut a 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" piece of Garden Green card stock.
• Cut a 3" x 3" piece of This Christmas Designer Series Paper (DSP)
• Cut a 2” x 5” Cherry Cobbler card stock layer and emboss it with the Big Shot and Festive Embossing Folder (optional). 

NOTE: The Very Vanilla, Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler card stock is also available in the This Christmas pack, with 8 sheets of each color!

Assemble:

• Adhere the Cherry Cobbler piece to the center of the card base as shown.
• Stamp ‘Tis the Season from the Stampin' Up! Peaceful Pines stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink in the lower right corner of the card, and stamp the snowflake 3 times in the upper left corner.
• Use Snail or your favorite adhesive to attach the This Christmas paper to the 3-1/4” x 3-1/4” Garden Green paper.
• Adhere this square layer at an angle on top of the Cherry Cobbler embossed layer so that the distance from the top and bottom, left and right edges of the card are equal.

That's it - a simple and mailable card! 

Just click any of the links in the directions above to order your card supplies and start creating!

Reindeer Tag

Christmas Tags for All Your Gifts

Here's a quick little tag that will add a cute touch to all of your Christmas gifts!

How To Make It:

1. Cut Whisper White card stock to 2" x 3-1/2".
2. Punch one end of the Whisper White piece with the Scallop Tag Topper punch.
3. Stamp the 'To: From:' stamp from the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set, near the bottom of the tag is Real Red ink.
4. Cut a 2" x 2" piece of Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper (DSP) and adhere it to the card, centering it between the sentiment and top of the tag. Today, October 31, is the LAST DAY OF THE BUY 3 GET 1 FREE Designer Series Paper sale!! Be sure to get your order in today!
5. Stamp the Reindeer from the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set in Early Espresso ink on Very Vanilla card stock.
6. Punch the reindeer out with the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch. Don't forget you can bundle the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set and Cookie Cutter Builder Punch and save money!
7. Punch out a red glimmer bow with the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch.
8. Attach the reindeer to the tag with 2 Stampin' Dimensionals.
9. Attach the bow with a mini glue dot to the antler for a girl reindeer, or as a bow tie for a boy reindeer.
10. Cut Real Red ribbon and tie it through the punched hole to finish your tag. Now you're ready to finish off your gift wrapping!

This Christmas

Season of Cheer Card

When we gathered earlier this week for the Shimmer and Shine Christmas card class, we made this card featuring the Stampin' Up! This Christmas Designer Series Paper and the greeting from the Jar of Cheer stamp set. There are lots of layers, but it's quite easy to stamp and assemble!

1. Cut the following:
• 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Mint Macaron card base
• 4-3/4" x 2" Garden Green card stock
• 4" x 4" This Christmas Designer Series Paper (DSP)
• (2) 1" squares Cherry Cobbler card stock
• 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" Mint Macaron card stock
2. Fold the Mint Macaron card base in half.
3. Adhere the Garden Green layer in the center.
4. Center the 4" x 4" DSP over the Garden Green layer.
5. Cut the two Cherry Cobbler squares in half, corner to corner, to make triangles. Then adhere the triangles to the corners of the DSP to create a frame.
6. Round the corners of the 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" Mint Macaron square with the Project Life Corner Rounder punch.
7. Attach this square to the center of the DSP as shown.
8. Die cut a Basic Black 2-3/8" circle with a framelit and layer it in the center of the Mint Macaron square.
9. Stamp 'Wishing You a Season of Cheer' from the Jar of Cheer stamp set in Garden Green ink on a scrap of Very Vanilla card stock.
10. Punch the stamped sentiment out with a 2" circle punch and adhere it to the center of the black circle and your card is complete!

We hope you'll give it a try! The 'This Christmas' Designer Series Paper featured here is a great option for all of your Christmas cards. There are 24 double-sided sheets in a package, and they're thinner than most of the DSP. So you can make a LOT of cards with just one package and even with the layers, they are not too heavy for mailing! Come back tomorrow to see another sample!

Merry Little Treat Bag

Christmas Tag for a Treat Bag or Card

Today I have a little treat bag for you that we made last week at our Holiday Crafting Open House. We're lovin' the new Stampin' Up! Copper Embossing Powder and Holiday Catalog!

• Cut a 2” x 3.5” piece of Whisper White regular or thick card stock with the Paper Trimmer.
• Punch one end of the tag with the Scallop Tag Topper punch.
• Stamp the ‘Merry’ sentiment from the Jar of Cheer stamp set in the middle at the bottom of the tag in Cherry Cobbler ink.
• Stamp the Solid Xmas tree shape stamp in Mint Macaron about ½” above the “e” in Merry, and let it dry.
• Rub over the tag with the Embossing buddy.
• Use the Xmas tree branches stamp & Versamark ink to stamp the tree branches over the mint macraon background you just stamped.
• Cover the Versamark image with Copper embossing powder. Tap off any extra powder.
• Heat the embossing powder with the teat tool until the powder melts. Do not overheat!
• Stamp the small star in Cherry Cobbler at the top of the tree.
• Tie a 6” piece of 5/8” Organza ribbon through the hole at the top of the tag.
• Fold the top of the polka dot gift bag back along the score line.
• Attach the tag with 2 Stampin’ Dimensionals to the green banner that has been cut using the Big Shot and Banner Framelits dies.
• Add the banner to the bag with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

NOTE: The polka dot bags have been discontinued, but there are Kraft and Glassine bags on p.176 in the Annual Catalog that could be decorated and used instead. The tag could also be used on a card front.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: 

AC = Annual Catalog; HOL = Holiday catalog

All of these items can be ordered by clicking HERE to go to my online store.

Description	Catalog/Page	Item #	Price
Paper Trimmer (includes Cutting & Scoring blades)	Ac/189	126889	$30
Whisper White card stock	AC/170	100730	$9 (40 sheets)
Or Thick White Card stock	AC/175	140272	$7 (24 sheets)
Scallop Tag Topper Punch	AC/186	133324	$23
Jar of Cheer stamp set	HOL/25	142161	$21
Clear Glass Blocks	AC/183	Various	$4-$12 each or bundle
Cherry Cobbler Ink	AC/170	126966	$6.50
Totally Trees stamp set	HOL/48	142198	$26
Mint Macaron Ink	AC/169	138326	$6.50
Embossing Buddy	AC/181	103083	$6
Versamark Ink	AC/180	102283	$8.50
Copper Embossing Powder	AC/181	141636	$5
Heat Tool	AC/181	129053	$30
5/8” Organza Ribbon	AC/178	114319	$6
Stampin’ Dimensionals	AC/182	104430	$4 (300)
Big Shot	AC/190	143263	$110
Banner Framelits	AC/193	132173	$27
This Christmas Designer Series Paper	AC/172	141628	$13 (24 sheets)
Kraft or Glassine Bags	AC/176	Various

Hope you enjoy the treat bag and make one of your own!

Happy Stamping!