Stamping with the Stars

Christmas Swap Card

This is the card I sent to Dawn's Glitter Queen Swap this year.  I wanted to wait until after the deadline for submitting them before posting the tutorial.

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp sets:  Lovely as a Tree, Pg. 110 #115026; Holiday Best, Level 1 Hostess Set, Pg. 13 #115364

Paper:  Bride Specialty Paper, Pg. 158 #115669; Not Quite Navy Cardstock (CS), Pg. 156 #101722; Whisper White CS, Pg. 155 #100730

Ink:  Whisper White Craft Pad, Pg. 155 #101731; Not Quite Navy, Pg. 156 #103008

Accessories:  Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Pg. 183 #114319; White Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109132; Clear Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109130; VersaMark Pad, Pg. 190 #102283; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; 2-Way Glue Pen, Pg. 192 #100425; Dazzling Diamonds, Pg. 182 #102023; Mat Pack, Pg. 191 #105826; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430

Cut Not Quite Navy CS 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and score at 4-1/4" to form the card base.

Cut Not Quite Navy CS 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".  Stamp the tree image with Whisper White Craft Ink, then heat emboss with White Embossing Powder.

Use the 2-Way Glue Pen to apply Dazzling Diamonds.

Cut Whisper White CS 2-3/4" x 3-3/4" and use Mat Pack and Needle to pierce holes in the corners.

Attach the tree image to the Whisper White mat with Snail Adhesive.

 Cut Whisper White CS 2" x 2".  Load the image up with VersaMark and then Not Quite Navy ink and stamp in center of CS.  (You may want to use a Stamp-a-ma-jig to center the images. Pg. 191 #101049)

Use the Mat Pack to pierce holes in the corners.

Cut Bride Specialty Paper 4" x 5-1/4" for the card front.  Wrap Whisper White Organza ribbon around the Bride Specialty and tie in a bow.  Attach to the card front with Snail adhesive.

Attach the matted tree image and the greeting to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Repeat 19 times and you have your swaps done!  I can't wait to get my swaps back from the other Glitter Queens.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  My posts will be a little slower during the holidays.  I just retired last March, so this will be the first Christmas that I don't have to rush all of the shopping, decorating, baking and stuff.  I plan to take it easy and enjoy the season for a change. As soon as I finish the 45-50 handmade Christmas cards that is. And then there's the cookie exchange.....  *sigh*

Happy Holidays!

Mickey

Christmas Calendar Card

I didn't invent the easel card, but I sure wish I had.  It looks so complicated, but it's super easy to make.  I guess the original concept was from Deborah March, but I found a great video tutorial at My Stampin' Dreams . I haven't seen anyone turn it into a calendar yet, so I guess that part is sort of my own.

Oh, and if you're wondering why it took me so long to post this article, it's because I made 40 of these puppies to send for Christmas cards this year. And no, I don't have too much time on my hands, I just can't stand the thought of going to all the trouble of making Christmas cards and then having them tossed or packed away after the holidays.  Maybe they'll keep it out for the calendar. (At least until spring, LOL)

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp sets:  Holiday Lineup, Pg. 43 #111648; Many Merry Messages, Pg. 33 #116586; Punch Pals, Pg.40 #116588

Paper:  Merry Moments Designer Series Paper (DSP), Pg. 160 #102482; Real Red Cardstock (CS), Pg. 156 #103133; Old Olive CS, Pg. 156 #100702; Whisper White CS, Pg. 155 #100730

Ink:  Jet Black Staz-On, Pg. 190 #101406; Old Olive, Pg. 156 #102277; Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Pg. 156 #100052; Old Olive, Pg. 156 #100079; More Mustard, Pg. 156 #100076; Ballet Blue, Pg. 157 #100066; Basic Black, Pg. 155 #100082; Optional:  Use Blender Pens, Pg. 192 #102845 with inkpads.  For instructions on using Blender Pens, go to my Snowman Cube tutorial.

Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch, Pg. 186 #107214; 1/2" Circle Punch, Pg. 186 #104390; Dazzling Diamonds, Pg. 180 #102023; 2-Way Glue Pen, Pg. 192 #100425; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Sticky Strip, Pg. 192 #104294; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Sponge Daubers, Pg. 192 #102892; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049; Craft & rubber scissors, Pg. 191 #103179; Paper Piercing Tool, Pg. 191 #116631; Calendar Pads.  (I found mine at Stamp On This! LLC

Cut Real Red CS 4" x 8" and score at 2" and 4" on the 8" side as shown.  Apply Sticky Strip to the 2" x 4"  end panel.

Cut Whisper White CS 3" x 1-1/2".  Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position in image and stamp with Staz-On.

Color image with markers or Blender Pens.  Then dot the image with the 2-Way Glue Pen and apply the Dazzling Diamonds.  Ink around the edges with Old Olive. (Or your choice of color.) 

Cut Real Red CS 4" x 4".  Cut Designer Paper 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" and ink around the edges with Sponge Daubers and Old Olive ink.  Attach to the 4" square with Snail Adhesive.

Attach the image to 3-1/3" x 1-3/8" Real Red CS with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Attach to the card front with Snail as shown.

Attach the calendar with Sticky Strip.

Peel off the Sticky Strip on the card base and attach the card front as shown.  Only the bottom part of the card front will be attached to the base.

Now flip the card over and attach DSP to the 4" x 4" panel.  Measure in 2" from the front corner as shown and mark with a small dot.

Stamp a small snowflake image on Whisper White and punch out with the 1/2" Circle Punch.

Pierce the center of the image and insert a brad.  You'll have to cut the ends of the brad so they don't stick out of the circe when open.  You can use a wire snips, but I prefer my Craft & Rubber Scissors.  It cuts through wire and brads like string.

Attach the brad over the the mark in the center of the DSP with a dimensional.  You'll need the extra height to hold up the card front.

Stamp the sentiment on 3" x 1-1/4" Whisper White CS.  Punch out the corners with the Ticket Corner Punch and ink around the edges.  Cut Old Olive CS 3-1/4"x 1-1/2" and punch the corners.  Attach the sentiment with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Then attach to the card with Snail.

I'll be adding a piece of Whisper White to the top portion with a personal note and signature.

I ran a little experiment on this card yesterday:  I showed it to four different people to see if they would realize that the calendar would stand up.  Not one of them did.  They just read it and then closed it up like any other card.  I was afraid of that, so I'm going to add a little sticker behind the calendar saying that it should be tucked behind the button.

One other thing.  This card would fit into a 4-1/4" square envelope, but you'll have to pay an extra $.17 postage, so I'm send mine in standard A1 envelopes.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure and check out My Stampin' Dreams to see the video I used to make the easel card.

Mickey 

November Thank You Cards

This month's thank you card is also my entry for the new Pals Paper Arts Christmas Cheer Challenge PPA16.  I also tried a new technique for embossing the flap on the envelope, which I first saw on a Mary Fish's Curried Fresh-Cut Notes post.

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp set:  Holiday Best, Hostess Level 1, Pg.13 #115364

Paper:  Real Red Cardstock (CS), Pg. 156 #102482; Bride Specialty Paper, Pg. 158 #115669; Whisper White CS, Pg. 155 #100730

Ink:  Real Red, Pg. 156 #103133

Accessories:  Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pg. 183 #109034; Mat Pack, Pg. 191 #105826; Needle; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; Clear Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109130; VersaMark Pad, Pg. 190 #102283; Embossing buddy, Pg. 188 #103083; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049; Optional:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pg. 194 #113439; Finial Press  Embossing Folder, Pg. 195 #115963; Whisper White Mini Square Envelopes, Pg. 168 #107309

Cut Real Red CS 3" x 6" and score at 3" to create the card base. 

Cut Bride Specialty Paper 2-3/4" x 2-3/4'.  Wrap ribbon across the Bride Specialty Paper and tape in back.  Attach to the card base with snail.

Cut Whisper White CS 2" x 2".  Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, center the image on the CS.  Load your stamp up with VersaMark and then Real Red ink.  Stamp the image and apply Clear Embossing Powder.  Heat emboss.

Use the Mat Pack to pierce holes  in the four corners of the image.

Attach the image piece to 2-1/4" x 2-1/4" Real Red CS with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Attach this piece to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

If you missed my October Thank You Card post, go back and take a look to see how I cut the Finial Press Embossing Folder to create a single row of embossing.

Insert the envelope flap into the short piece of the embossing folder and run it through the Big Shot Die-Cut Machine to emboss.

The embossed envelope is a perfect match for this card.  I hope you'll give it a try.  Don't have a Big Shot yet? Watch this video demonstration  then put the Big Shot on your Christmas Wish List.  Or better yet, go to my online store today and place your order so you'll have it in time to use during the holidays! 

Thanks for stopping by today, and Happy Friday the 13th!

Mickey

Thankful Thoughts Card

I thought I was all done posting Thanksgiving cards this year, but this idea sort of popped into my head while I was working on my MOJO Monday entry this morning.  I think the In Colors are perfect for this card.  

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp sets:  Lovely as a Tree, Pg. 110 #115026; Autumn Splendor, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 12 #116503; Grateful Greetings, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 8 #116511

Paper: Crushed Curry Cardstock (CS), Pg. 155 #115319; Dusty Durango CS, Pg. 155 #115321; Soft Suede CS, Pg. 155 #115318; Bermuda Bay CS, Pg. 155 #115317; Very Vanilla Naturals CS, Pg. 157 #106530; Autumn Meadows, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 13 #116769; Optional: Scrap of Really Rust CS, Pg. 156 #100661;

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Pg. 156 #100908; Dusty Durango, Pg. 155 #115654

Accessories:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pg. 194 #113439; Stampin' Up! Two Tags Die, Pg. 198 #115954; Gold Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109129; Clear Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109130; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; Embossing Buddy, Pg. 188 #103083; VersaMark, Pg. 190 #102283; Button Latte Designer Button, Pg. 181 #114333; Gold Elastic Cord, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 27 #109867; Paper Piercing Tool, Pg. 191 #116631; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049; Blender Pens, Pg. 192 #102845; Sponge Daubers, Pg. 192 #102892; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430

Cut Very Vanilla Naturals CS 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and score at 4-1/4" to form the card base.  Cut Soft Suede 4" x 5-1/4" for the card front.

Cut the four In Colors CS 1-1/4" x 2". Line them up as shown and tape across all of the strips.   I wanted to make two cards so I cut the strips 1-1/4" x 4" and taped at the top and bottom.  Then I cut down the center.

 Use the Sponge Dauber to ink around the edges with Chocolate Chip.  Fold the strips where they meet to ink between the strips.

Dust the CS with the Embossing Buddy and use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the Lovely as a Tree image across the strips.  Load the stamp up with VersaMark and then Chocolate Chip ink and stamp the image.  Heat emboss the image.

Die cut the tag from Very Vanilla Naturals CS.  Heat emboss the sentiment the same way you did the trees. Ink around the edges.

Attach the tree image and tag to the Soft Suede card front with Snail.

Use the Paper Piercing Tool to pierce holes to fasten the button to card front with gold cord. 

Stamp the oak leaf on Autumn Meadows paper with VersaMark.  Apply Gold Embossing Powder and heat emboss.  Squeeze the inkpads to deposit some of the ink on the inside lid.  Pick up some of the color with the Blender Pen and fill in some of the lines on the leaf. 

Stamp the acorns on Dusty Durango or a scrap of Really Rust and shade in with the Chocolate Chip and Dusty Durango.  I used Really Rust to give it a little more contrast with the Dusty Durango ink.

Cut out the images with paper snips and attach to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Attach the card front to the card base and you're all done!

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Mickey

Americana Christmas Card

Good morning!  I haven't posted anything for a few days because I've been busy making all of my swap cards for Dawn's Glitter Queen Swap.  The swap is only for Dawn's downlines, but I'll try to share some of them with you with their permission, along with a tutorial for my own swap card.  There are 19 downlines participating and I can't wait to get all of those cards in the mail!  Can you tell this is the very first card swap I've ever done?

There's something about this card that has that sort of old world-y Americana look to it, don't you think?  I'm a little disappointed in the picture.  Even though I tried to photograph this card in every room in my house, I just couldn't pick up the red glitter on the tree. 

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp sets:  Lovely as a Tree, Pg. 110 #115026; Yuletide Christmas, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 22 #116855; Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Pg. 132 #114996

Paper:  Natural Ivory Card Stock (CS) , Pg. 159 #101849; Old Olive CS, Pg. 156 #100702; Ruby Red CS, Pg. 156 #102030

Ink:  Old Olive, Pg. 156 #102277; Ruby Red, Pg. 156 #102259

Accessories:  Mat Pack, Pg. 191 #105826; Punches Plus Template, Pg. 188 #109539; Sleigh Bells Ribbon, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 17 #116795; Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter, Pg. 180 #114287; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Sponge Daubers, Pg. 192 #102892; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049; 2-Way Glue Pen, Pg. 192 #100425;  Needle; Post-it note or other masking material.

Cut Old Olive CS 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and score at 4-1/4" to form the card base.  Cut Natural Ivory CS 5-1/4" x 4" for card front.

Position the star template in the upper right corner of the card front. Punch holes with a needle.

Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the greeting in the lower right corner.

Wrap ribbon across the card front as shown and tape in back.  Now you can attach the card front to the card base.

Stamp the tree image on 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" Natural Ivory CS.

Now I'll show you how I added the tree decorations.  You could just dot the image with the 2-way glue pen and add glitter, but I wanted nice neat circles.

Stamp a tree image onto masking material and carefully cut out with paper snips or hobby blade.  (Save the masking and the tree cut out---we may be using them in a future project.)

Place the mask over the tree image and use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp random circles on the tree with Ruby Red ink.  I know, it sounds goofy to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp a random pattern, but I didn't want the dots to overlap.

Remove the mask and put a tiny dot of glue on each cirlce and add red glitter.  I think this would also look nice with emblossed red circles.

Attach the tree image to a 2-3/4" x 3-3/4" Ruby Red mat with Snail.  Position on the card as shown and attach with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stampin' Dimensionals between the image and the Ruby Red mat would look nice, too, but you have to be kind of scimpy with the dimensionals if you're going to mail your card.  Last year, I wasn't sure if my cards would fit the new post office guidelines so I took them to the post office and ask the clerk how much postage I needed---just to be safe.  And I still got half of them back for more postage!!!  Oh man, now I'm getting mad all over again just thinking about it. Okay, shake it off, Mickey....

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you'd like to purchase the supplies to make this project, you can find them here:  Mickey's Stampin' Up! Website.

Now I'm off to the post office to mail my swaps to Dawn.  Then I can get busy on this month's "thank you" cards.  Then, my own Christmas cards!

Mickey

Snowman Note Card

Today I have just a quick little note card to go with the Snowman Cube I posted on October 30th.

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp set:  The More the Merrier, Hostess Level 3, Pg. 17 #115322

Paper:  Whisper White Cardstock (CS), Pg. 155 #100730; Not Quite Navy CS, pg. 156 #101722

Ink:  Jet Black Staz-On, Pg. 190 #101406

Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Pg. 156 #100052; Only Orange, Pg. 156 #100051; Garden Green, Pg. 156 #100080; Ballet Blue, Pg. 157 #100066; Basic Black, Pg.155 #100082; Sahara Sand, Pg. 155 #105105

Accessories:  Red Gingham Ribbon, Pg. 183 #104827; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049

Cut Whisper White CS 3" x 6" and score at 3" to create the card base.  The Not Quite Navy mat is cut 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" and the Whisper White front is cut 2-1/2" x 2-1/2". 

The image is stamped with Jet Black Staz-On and colored with markers. Use the Sahara Sand marker to add depth as shown.  (You could also use a blender pen and inkpads to color the image like we did on the Snowman Cube.)

Use Snail to layer the image onto the Not Quite Navy mat.  Wrap the ribbon around the two layers and tie in a bow.  Attach to the card base with Snail.

One of my readers commented that the Snowman Cube would make a great teacher's gift.  Now you have the perfect note card to go with it!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Mickey

Snow Bear Card

This card was inspired by those cute Coke commercials they always air during the holidays.  I usually run out of the room during commercials, but I just love those cute polar bears.  I guess those ad people know what they're doing!

This is also my entry in the MOJO111 Challenge over at Mojo Monday.  

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp sets:  Cold & Cuddly, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 18 #116523; Simple Snowflake, Pg. 208 #115554; Many Merry Messages, Pg. 33 #116586

Paper:  Whisper White Cardstock (CS), Pg. 155 #100730; Bermuda Bay CS, Pg. 155 #115317

Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Pg. 155 #115655

Accessories:  Printed Window Sheets, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 27 #116805; Silver Cord, Holiday Mini Catalog, Pg. 27 #109866; Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Pg. 183 #114319; Jumbo Snowflake Punch, Pg. 186 #116628; Heat & Stick Powder, Pg. 180 #100625; Dazzling Diamonds, Pg. 180 #102023; VersaMark Pad, Pg. 190 #102283; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; Embossing buddy, Pg. 188 #103083; Clear Rhinestones, Pg. 179 #113144; Paper Piercing Tool, Pg. 191 #116631; Bone Folder, Pg. 188 #102300; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332;  Sticky Strip, Pg. 192 #104294

Cut Whisper White CS 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and score at 4-1/4" to form the card base.  Cut Bermuda Bay CS 5-1/4" x 4" for card front.

Cut Whisper White CS 3-1/4" x 2-1/4" and use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the bear image and sentiment.  Stamp with Bermuda Bay ink.  I guess I could have positioned my sentiment a little better, but of course I didn't notice that until I started writing my post.  Oh well, as my friend Joni use to tell me when I first started machine quilting, "If you're going to worry about every little flaw, you're not going to enjoy this hobby very much."  Of course, Joni's work is always flawless as far as I can tell.  LOL

Layer the stamped CS on 3-7/16" x 2-7/16" Bermuda Bay.  You could cut the Bermuda Bay mat  3-1/2" x 2-1/2" and it would look fine.  You could also use a contrasting color, but I've been into this same-color layering lately.

Wrap Whisper White Organza Ribbon around the Bermuda Bay card front as shown and attach with tape to back.  Layer the image piece over the ribbon and attach with Stampin' Dimensionals. 

Cut the Window Sheet 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" and score at 4-1/4" to form the overlay.  You may need to trim the card base to fit inside the overlay.  I trimmed 1/8" from the bottom of my card base.  Attach the card front to the card base with Snail, but don't attach the card to the overlay yet.

Dust Bermuda Bay CS with the Embossing Buddy and stamp the Simple Snowflake with VersaMark.  Apply Heat & Stick Powder and tap off the excess.

Heat the image just until the Heat & Stick Powder turns shiny.  Apply Dazzling Diamonds and tap off the excess.  Heat again to set the glue.  Be careful not to overheat---it only takes a second or two. 

Punch the image out with the Jumbo Snowflake Punch.

Slide the card into the overlay and position the Snowflake on top of the Window Sheet.  You may want to use temporary adhesive to  keep the snowflake in position.

Remove the card from the overlay and pierce a hole through the snowflake and overlay front.  Insert a Clear Rhinestone Brad and attach.  If you use the smallest rhinestone, you should be able to position the brad "wings" under the snowflake so they don't show.

Insert the card into the overlay.  I used a little Sticky Strip on the back of the card to hold the overlay in place.  Wrap Silver Cord around the top of the card and tie in a bow.  Position the bow over the Whisper White Organza Ribbon as shown.

That's it.  I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  Now I have to get busy preparing for tomorrow's workshop!

Mickey

Holiday Extravaganza

Make Stampin' Up! your one-stop shop for all your holiday gift-giving needs. With our Gift-Giving Guide you can quickly and easily find gifts for kids, teens, neighbors, and more! Plus, get a FREE Décor Elements (up to a $16.95 value) when you spend $50 on products in the guide.

And don't forget the hostess promotion is still going on through November 30.  Get 50 percent off My Digital Studio when you host a $400 workshop.  Plus, get any one item from the Holiday Mini Catalog for just $10 when you host a $250 workshop.

Contact me today to schedule your workshop or visit my Online Store today to place your order!

I'll be back soon with another tutorial, so please drop by again later.  Or better yet, subscribe to my blog through Feedburner and receive an email whenever I update my blog

Mickey