Stamping with the Stars

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

In the Pink

Today's card was created for the Pals Paper Arts In the Pink Challenge PPA14 to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month and  Karol Harris, and her loving daughter (and PPA Design Team member), Kris Kilcoyne. 

I'm also dedicating my post to my very dear friend, Germaine, who is also fighting this battle.  I have no doubt that she will win, because she is the smartest and bravest person I know.

The only requirement for this challenge was to use pink, so I made my first pink Christmas card.  Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp set:  Gifts of Christmas, Pg. 37 #115372

Paper:  Whisper White Cardstock (CS), Pg. 155 #100730; Pretty in Pink CS, Pg. 157 #100459; Brushed Gold CS, Pg. 159 #102935

Ink:  None!

Accessories:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pg. 194 #113439; Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder, Holiday Mini-Catalog, Pg. 21 #116824; Oval Scallop Frame Die, Pg. 199 #114521; Hobby Blade, Pg. 191 #102449; Craft & Rubber Scissors, Pg. 191 #103179; Gold Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109129; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; Embossing Buddy, Pg. 188 #103083; VersaMark, Pg. 190 #102283; Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pg. 183 #109032; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Dazzling Diamonds, Pg. 180 #102023; 2-Way Glue Pen, Pg. 182 #100425; Fine-tip Glue Pen; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049

Cut Pretty in Pink CS 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and score at 4-1/4" to create the card base.

I first saw this technique of cutting out the oval in a Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder over at Patty's Stamping Spot.  The only difference is instead of cutting out the oval on both sides of the embossing folder, I only cut out one side.  This has two advantages:  First, I'm basically a lazy person, and this is a whole lot easier.  And second, I can actually pop the oval back in and emboss the full sheet as intended.

You'll need an oval shape to trace onto the embossing folder.  The Oval Scallop Frame die works great if you have one.

Once you trace around the oval, cut it out.  I used the Hobby Blade to get it started and then cut around the oval with the Craft & Rubber Scissors.

Yes, I actually wore "Sharps" gloves when I cut the oval out of the embossing folder.  (My husband bought them for me the last time I cut the tip off my finger.)

Insert a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Whisper White CS into the embossing folder and run it through the Big Shot.  I usually spritz the CS with alcohol before embossing it, but I forgot this time.  Still, I think I got a nice crisp texture.

Here is a piece of cardstock I ran through after popping the oval back into my embossing folder.  Looks fine to me.  Now I can cut a rectangle out of my spare folder!

Dust the embossed CS with the Embossing Buddy and use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to center the image in the oval.  Stamp with VersaMark, apply Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.

Now use the 2-Way Glue Pen to fill in the dove.  I also used a fine-tipped glue pen to get into the tight areas.  Apply Dazzling Diamonds and tap of the excess.

 Layer the image piece onto 5-3/8" x 4-1/8"  Brushed Gold CS.  When I made my card, I attached the embossed piece with Stampin' Dimensionals, but I wasn't thrilled with the results, so I recommend attaching it with Snail Adhesive. (When you're attaching an embossed piece to CS, apply the Snail to the base CS so you don't flatten out the embossed piece.) Wrap Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon around the layered piece and tie in bow.  Attach to the card base with Snail.

We're all done. I hope this tutorial will inspire you to submit your own entry in to PPA's In the Pink Challenge.  While you're there, check out the links to other websites for more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mickey