Christmas Card Challenge - Watercolor - Silver Foil Joy

I had some small Christmas note cards featuring a wreath and Joy in silver foil on white card.

I decided to trim the card front off and water color the background with the Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder crayons.  I left the center of the wreath white.

On this card I used Tempting Turquoise with salt.  Once it was dry I trimmed it a wee bit. I added the TT Thread with a large round silver brad to hold it in place aligned the left hand side.

I adhered it to the Tempting Turquoise card base with double side tape.

This card features the same silver foil wreath with the Old Olive watercolor. 

This one was just a basic wash on the background again leaving the inside of the wreath white.

I found some coordinating round sequins in my stash and mounted them with tiny silver brads.  I chose some green and some silver.

The watercolor layer was adhered to the Old Olive card base with 3D foam tape.

A seasonal insert with a white envelope completes the card.

For this card I used the Brave Burgundy watercolor and created a gradient wash with it being light at the top and darker at the bottom.  I actually painted this upside because it works better to start dark and add water as you get lighter.

I chose 4 large silver star brads for this card.  I put them in the four corners.

I adhered the greeting layer to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I made 2 of each color so I have 6 more cards in the Christmas card box.

Ready 2 Go Christmas Stack Kit - Set 13

I started with a light blue card base.

I adhered a lavender card stock layer leaving a small border.

I recycled a card with an angel announcing the birth of Jesus.  I added a gold star brad over the one on this layer.  It was adhered to the card front.

The greeting was color printed on blue card stock and fussy cut to the border. It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A quarter sheet insert with a seasonal sentiment was added to the inside of the card.

More purple for this card in a deep colored card stock which works with the tail feathers.

I added a white layer leaving a small border.

I added the iridescent purple snowflake with a purple small brad onto the silver greeting layer.  It was then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A quarter sheet insert with a seasonal sentiment was added to the inside of the card.

Another shade of purple for this card.  I chose a grape color textured card base.

I then layered a warm green layer to the card front leaving a small border.

I added the small gold star brad to the Holy Family layer then it was adhered to the card front.

The greeting was color printed on warm white card stock and fussy cut to the border. It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A quarter sheet insert with a seasonal sentiment was added to the inside of the card.

R2Go Christmas Card Stack Kit - Set 11

I started with a dark teal card base of textured card stock.

The silver layer is metallic card stock cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.  It is adhered to the teal card front.

I trimmed the teal foiled ornaments recycled Christmas card to 3.75 x 5 inches.  I managed to keep the essential elements.

I placed 3 teal snowflake sequins on the teal ornament layer and made holes with a push pins and inserted tiny round pewter brads to hold them in place. I pressed the prongs apart on the back.

The teal ornament layer was then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A quarter sheet insert with a Christmas sentiment is included in the kit.

The card started with a set of recycled Christmas cards each a little different.

I chose a warm grey card base to repeat the color in the pencil drawings on the card.

I placed some red metallic paper on the bottom half of the card which was adhered then trimmed to the card edge with scissors.

The card layer was then adhered with 3D foam tape.

These look great!

Ready 2 Go Christmas Card Kit - Set 10

Working on card kits for my stack card class on November 4th.

I started with a red card in the landscape orientation.

I added a piece of red plaid metallic paper which was cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches and adhered to the front

I added the Christmas green tree brad to the gold foil NOEL label cut with the Stampin Up Apothecary Framelits. I made a hole with a push pin, inserted the brad and pressed the prongs apart at the back. I added 2 pieces of 3D foam tape and adhered it to the card front.

The gold fabric snowflake was adhered in the top left hand corner with a Bling Zot.

I started with a red card in the portrait orientation.

I cut a layer of green card stock to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.  I added a length of red cotton ribbon aligned left of center and taped the ends to the back. The layer was then adhered to the card front.

The musical holly accent square as adhered to the card front over the ribbon with 4 pieces of 3D foam tape.

I added a greeting in the bottom right hand corner.  It was color printed and punched out with the Stampin Up Modern Label punch.

It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

You can check out my R2G card kits on the tab above.

Ready2Go Christmas Stack Kit - Blue & Cream Dove and Peace on Earth

I worked on a Christmas Stack kit in case someone wants to get a head start on those cards.

The image is a recycled Christmas card featuring navy, light blue and cream.

I added a light blue layer of card stock to repeat that color which was cut to 4 x 5.25 inches leaving a small border.

I chose a cream card in the tall orientation.

These layers were all adhered to the card front with the light blue first and the dove next.

I created a greeting with the Stampin Up Artisan Label punch.  I used the navy and light blue in teh greeting, color printed it and then punched it out.

It was adhered to the card front with 3D foram tape aligned on the dark/light line on the dove layer. 

This is another recycled Christmas card layer. 

I cut the black layer to 4 x 5.25 inches leaving a small border of card base showing.

I chose Kraft card stock to repeat the kraft colored swirls on the right hand side.

The Peace on Earth layer was adhered to the black layer then I used 3 round tiny brads in the top left, bottom left and bottom right corners.  A push pin was used to make the holes before the brad was inserted.  I selected 3 of the dots in the design for the star brads.

The 3D foam tape was cut in 4 pieces and placed on the 4 corners of the black layer.  It was then adhered to the front of the card.

A quarter sheet insert was used in these cards.

Loving how this one came together.

Cards - Special Granddaugther Christmas cards

A friend asked me to make special cards for her granddaughters from a couple of the Christmas cards she received last year.

As they were large cards to start with I chose the half sheet size card size at 5.5 x 8.5 inches.

Doggie Reindeer

I trimmed the card front. I then chose a deep espresso card base to coordinate with the large reindeer antlers which I scored at half of the full letter sized card stock and folded.

I placed holes in the recycled card to the left and right of the central image with the Stampin Up Slot punch.  I ran a red cotton ribbon through the doggie card front through slots then across the inside of the card and knotted it along the edge of the right hand edge of the image. 

I created a special greeting which was printed in green on white card stock.  I created the banner with the Stampin Up Banner Triple punch by layering the greeting onto a red card stock layer leaving a small border.   The greeting is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Doggie Elf

I trimmed the card front a bit to have it fit on a half sheet card.  You can see the iridescent glitter in the top left corner so I wanted to work with that. 

I chose a kelly green card which I scored at the half to give me a 5.5 x 8.5 inch card. 

I found some wide ribbon in my collection with an iridescent strip which matched the recycled card front. I cut 5 pieces of ribbon and flagged the bottom ends.  I placed double sided tape onto the card and then placed the ribbon at different lengths across the card as shown. 

I adhered the doggie card aligned the card top with 3D foam tape.  I printed the special greeting onto white card stock and created the same banner greeting as before with the banner punch.  It is attached to the card front with 4 tiny red brads in each corner.

I included white inserts with a special sentiment.

R2Go Christmas Stack - Gold, Red, Green

I cut the Merry Christmas layer with one of the thinlets from the Sizzix Square set which is 3.75 inches square.  I cut the Christmas green layer to 4 inches square.  These are adhered together. I used a push pin to create the 2 holes for the brads - Star Glitter and Green Pine tree brads.

I spattered the red card base with gold Gleams acrylic paint and let it sit till it was dry - a couple hours. Once dry I wrapped a piece of ivory and gold metallic organza ribbon around the card front and taped the ends to the card front under where the greeting will cover.

I cut the 3D foam tape square into 4 pieces and placed them in the four corners.  I then adhered the greeting square over the taped ribbon ends leaving even border top and bottom.

Glue the quarter sheet insert inside.

I cut the metallic gold NOEL layer with the Tim Holtz Bracket die.

I used a push pin to create the hole in the middle of the O in NOEL and pushed the brad through and spread the prongs apart on the back. 
Inny Outie Bow - Put one end of the ribbon through the left hand hole then repeat with the other end through the right hand hole. Cross the ends on the back and reinsert the ends through the opposite hole from the back. Pull gently to take up the slack. 

I cut the 3D foam tape square in 4 and put on on each corner.  I then adhered the NOEL layer to the front of the green card.

Trimmed the ends of the ribbon with scissors and glued the quarter sheet insert on the inside of the card.

R2Go Christmas Stack - Turquoise Dove & Copper Ribbon

I started with the Turquoise Dove Die cuts created with the Stampin Up Deco Label thinlits.

I added a metallic copper circle behind the diecut.  Two pieces of 3D foam tape was added to the back.

The decorative black copper layer was created with Antique Copper Mist by Maya Mist applied with a toothbrush rubbed across a metal butter knife. It was left to dry over night.

Lay the copper ribbon across the decorative layer and determine the placement of the turquoise cord.  Tie the turquoise cord onto the copper ribbon then tape the ends to the back layer.  Adhere the layer to the front of the white card base.

Remove the release paper from the 3D foam tape and adhere the dove element over the ribbon on the right hand side of the card.

Pull the star & Bling Zot from the release paper and adhere to the card front as per the sample.

R2Go Christmas Stack - Soft Sky Dove & Holy Family

I started with a beautiful dove glittered large card. I cut it down to leave me with this dove glitter image with warm blues, cool purples and glittered snowflakes.

I chose a soft sky card base onto which this layer was adhered in the tall or portrait orientation.

I printed the greeting in deep purple blue and punched it out with the Stampin Up Modern Label punch.  It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.
 
I added 3 iridescent sequins with Bling Zots.

I added a quarter sheet insert for the sentiment inside.



 
This card is a similar sketch with the wide or landscape orientation.

I had just enough of these to complete the kit.

I cut down the card and added a strip to the right hand side to complete the card layer leaving a small border.

I added a silver foil SU Modern Label punch with a SU Word Window punchie adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

This time 3 silver stars were adhered to the card front.

Christmas Card Gift Set

I have prepared a set of Christmas Cards for a friend who moved away and loves to give handmade cards. 

I recycled a note card front into this card.

I added a blue green layer behind the tree image. 

I punched a couple of holes in the top and ran a length of gold metallic ribbon through and knotted it in the front.



The Rejoice is a digital image I designed years ago. It was color printed onto white card stock.  I added a gold sparkle star brad above the `j`.  The image was spattered with silver ink.   It was mounted onto a green card base.







A recycled card front mounted onto a purple card to pick up on the holographic image.  Love the silver frame. 

I was able to keep the greeting which was great.

This card features my Bethlehem digital.  I printed it in dark brown onto a white card. 

The star was printed on vellum and embossed with silver powder.

The edges were ripped and then it was folded over the edges of the card then adhered to the inside.












Another recycle card front with a white dove placed on a red card base.  The greeting was printed in the top left hand corner.

R2Go Christmas Kit - Bethlehem Triptych - Punched Stars

Another Ready 2 Go Stack kit for my class on Monday, June 05.  Very similar to the one I made earlier.

It features a Bethlehem Triptych with a gold foil greeting.  The layer measures 3.5 x 4.75 inches.

I chose a navy card.

I trimmed the 12x12 gold metallic card stock to 4.00 x 5.25 inches which leaves a small border of blue card.  This layer was adhered to the card front.

I punched 3 stars below the gold greeting on the Bethlehem layer.  Once placed on the gold layer the stars become gold as the lower layer shows through. I placed the center one first then evenly space the other two on either side.

R2Go Christmas Kit - Bethlehem Triptych

I'm working on Ready 2 Go Stack kits for my class on June 5.

It features a Bethlehem Triptych with a gold foil greeting.  It is 3.5 x 4.75 inches.

I chose a navy card.

I trimmed the 12x12 gold metallic card stock to 4.00 x 5.25 inches which leaves a small border.  This layer was adhered to the card front.

I added 3 gold star confetti adhered below the greeting with Bling Zots.  I placed the center one first then evenly space the other two on either side.

Christmas Card Count - 100

I finally got around to putting inserts into the Christmas cards on my desk and I have 100 cards in my box!! Yeah!

This is a digital card I made in 2013 from one of my own photographs.  It was a colored photo which I changed to a monochromatic color of blue.  I also applied some texture to it with a filter.  I added a frame around the holy family.  This is a recycled card so I cut down the original card front and adhered it to a blue card base. 

Christmas Card Challenge - May - Christmas Buildings

The challenge for May is Christmas Buildings. Some ideas are; a stable, church with lit up windows, small cottage in woods, house, grand mansion, castle, igloo with lights, or general store.  What comes to your mind?

I chose several different buildings.  The first, is eastern looking buildings which may have been in Bethlehem with stars in the sky. This is a recycled Christmas card which I mounted to a green card.



The second is a snow covered cottage in the deep woods.  The lights are on as the sun sets.  There's a snowman in the front yard near the path in the deep snow to the front door. It is a recycled Christmas card which I mounted to a green card.  I added a gold Stampin Up! Modern Label in gold with a Word Window greeting.  This was mounted on 3D foam tape.


The third is a large house dare I say "mansion" with a wreath on the front door.  The lights inside create a welcoming and inviting feeling to those approaching.  It is a recycled Christmas card mounted on golden yellow card stock then onto deep green card.  I added a SU Modern Label punch with a color printed greeting.

Gift Card Holder - Recyled Cards

Some of these cards are so pretty they don't really need any other embellishment. For this blue one I added punched snowflakes and bling in their centres.

The holly card was great just the way it was so it was very easy. Check out the previous posts for a pic of how the gift card holder gets added to these cards.

Gift Card Holder - Recyled Cards

These are tri-fold cards which provide an envelope to hold a gift card. I cut out the fronts of old Christmas cards and glued them to coordinating cardstock. I added a few embellishments as required. See the previous post for how the card holder envelope is incorporated into the third flap.

These have an insert with a Christmas greeting.

Gift Card Holder - Recyled Cards

I'm creating some items for a fundraiser in November. I made several gift card holders.

These are full cards with a complete insert. I used a piece of cardstock 12x5.5 inches. I scored at 4.25 and 8.5 inches. It becomes a trifold card with 3.5 inches folded into the card. I placed a small envelope with a thumb space on this flap to hold the gift card.

The fronts are recycled Christmas cards. I added sequin stars to the Bethlehem on the left. In the cente a snowflake punch has been added to the night sky and the bottom was ripped below the greeting. The right hand picture shows the 3 pieces (front, back and flap) of the card.

Cmas Card Challenge - April - Nativity

Coming up with nativity images was a challenge. I have a small stamp of baby Jesus with a lamb. I think that the Holy Family, Bethlehem, wiseman, shepherds and nativity images would fit. I wondered "Where can I find these images?" I decided to recycle Christmas cards. I browsed through my collection and selected a few nativity related images.

Silhouettes - I used a QuicKutz die for the stable & holy family. I layered gold paper onto a red card then mounted the die cut on it. I added glitter to the star. On the blue one, I placed a layer of vellum stamped and glittered in the sky. I stamped the sentiment in black and embossed it with black detail powder.

Recycled cards - The orange card was stamped with a border stamp all around the edge. I cut the central image of hills, camels and Bethlehem from the old card and just glued it on. The young shepherd was cut from the old card then I punched the corners with a decorative punch. I took the back of the card and cut it a bit larger than the first and rounded the corners. The greeting was stamped onto a piece of the inside of the old card. It was great because all the pieces coordinated.
Recycled Cards 6 Silhouettes 2 = 8
Total Christmas cards: 20

Charmaine's Card http://tweedcurtain.blogspot.com/2010/04/nativity.html

Cmas Card Challenge - April - Nativity

Ovals - I cut the front of the old cards with my Creative Memories oval cutter. The top ones feature Bethlehem and the star. I embossed the cards the purple with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, the other with silver embossing powder with a background stamp. Added a coordinating metallic paper layer. Greeting stamped and embossed.

Oval with Baby Jesus - Cut the old Christmas card then 2 more layers in larger sizes. Added a stamped greeting. Ornament - I cut the ornament from the old card front. I applied pigment ink to the green card with the direct paper technique then applied gold embossing powder and heated. It added texture in a interesting way. I glued the ornament to the card then I added a small gold cording bow at the top.

Christmas Tags

Here's the Christmas Tag kits I designed this year. It's a set of 20.

The top left hand corner is alchohol ink backgrounds on cardstock with acetate overlays. See my earlier posting on alcohol ink backgrounds.

Top right hand corner are square taags with glitter cardstock with Sizzix die cuts.

Right hand middle are recycled Christmas cards. I cut them with my large crescent Sizzix tag die. Worked really well.

Bottom left is cream & holly gift wrap with poinsettias made with the Stampin Up! five petal punch.

Bottom right is double sided designer cardstock.

The ties are a mixture of satin ribbon, cool fiber, and cording.