Christmas Cards - Arched Joy

Here are my first Christmas Cards for 2023.  I generally do a Christmas Card Challenge but it did not happen this year.

I used the TH Arched Frame die into which I placed the TH Joy Mover and Shaper die.  Running this combination in the Big Shot with the striped designer paper I got my main element.

I chose a designer paper with a variety of colors which allowed my to use several colors of card stock.  Top left - Handsome Hunter, top right - Tempting Turquoise, bottom left - Kiwi Kiss and bottom right - Island Indigo.

The Joy is visible against the darker card stock.   

I printed the words "to the World" on white card stock in coordinating colors and trimmed them to .75" tall and then cut the left hand end into a banner by hand.  This was mounted to the card with 3D foam tape aligned on the right hand side. 

I added a quarter sheet insert and a white A2 envelope.

Card Kit Order - Single Simple Layout

I got a call from a friend this week asking if I was still making cards and kits.  Of course, COVID has put a hold on Card Club for the last 2 years.  Beside that, I got rid of lots of supplies when I de-cluttered for moving.  Many of my card making tools are in storage.  Despite that, I said yes.  I am needing a distraction.  She was looking for 20 kits as one of several activities for some down time for women attending camp this summer.  The kits needed to be simple and need few tools to assemble. These need glue, scotch tape and scissors. My Stampin Up card stock cupboard is full so that was good.  I had basic punches, ribbon, brads, and decorative paper.

I decided that all the greetings would be the SU Modern Label punch with a Word Window punchies of color printed greetings on white card stock.  I printed some Early Espresso, Black, and Night of Navy.

I decided that I would make the kits flexible so they could be orientated in tall (portrait) or wide (landscape). These 2 samples, instruction sheet, and extra greetings are being delivered in the bag. I have varied the decorative paper and coordinated the card base colors, the ribbon, and accents.  All the cards will be different.

In this sample the card base is Real Red, the grosgrain ribbon is Real Red. 

The designer paper is Twitterpated.

The scallop circle and Modern Label punchies are Basic Gray. 

The circle punchie is Whisper White.  

I added a red foil star to the accent adhered with a Zot.  It is adhered to the card front with a medium Zot.  

The greeting is adhered with 3D foam tape.

The card is an A2 card which measures 4.25 x 5.5 inches. 

On this sample the decorative paper is kraft with gold foil polka dots.  

The card base is Soft Suede as well as the grosgrain ribbon, the scallop circle punchie and the Modern Label punchie.  

The white greeting is a Word Window punchie.  

The star on the scallop circle is a gold sequin.

The card has a white bond paper insert and a white A2 envelope.

R2Go Christmas Stack kit - Pinecones & Reindeer

I cut the pine cone element with a Sizzix Squares Thinlits at about  3 inches square.  I then cut with the paper cutter a white layer at 3.25 inches. These are adhered together.

I cut black and white snowflake designer card stock into pieces 4.25 inches by 2.5 inches. The paper is by Teresa Collins - Christmas Home - Cmas Damask. This is the reverse side. I adhered the piece on the left side aligned to the edge of a black card.

I then cut a length of 6.5 inch red crimped ribbon and placed in the center of the wide card and taped the ends to the inside.

I added 3D foam tape to the four corners of the pinecone accent and adhered it to the right side leaving even border on the top, right and bottom edges.

This is the same sketch but in the portrait orientation.

The Reindeer element was cut to 3 inches and an ivory layer was cut to 3.25 inches. These are adhered together. I chose ivory to coordinate with the striped ribbon.

The striped light and dark green designer paper is by Graphics 45 from the Twas the Night Before Christmas collection. It was cut to 2.5 inches tall and 4.25 inches wide and adhered to the bottom of the green card.

The striped ribbon was cut to 6.5 inches, placed in the center of the card and the ends were taped to the inside of the card.

The reindeer element was adhered with 3D foam tape placed in the 4 corners.  It was aligned to leave an even border on left top and right hand sides.

Card Making - 3 Styles

When designing cards for this class at Compassion House I chose versatile designs where different paper, card stock and accent would create a different card.

Style 1 - Ripped 4 inch - The designer paper is cut to 4 inches square.  It is ripped and the pieces are positioned to the edges leaving the yellow card showing in between.  I chose a butterfly accent color printed and punched with the Stampin Up Decorative Label.  The colors on this one is Old Olive and So Saffron.  This label is adhere with 3D foam tape.

 Style 2 - DSP Split - I chose warm colored designer for fall cards.  The 4 inch x 5.25 inch piece is cut at 3.5 inches then the 2 pieces are taped back together.

I added a piece of ivory grosgrain ribbon across the join and tape the ends to the back of the layer.  I created an accent of silk flowers starting with a tiny yellow handmade paper one on the gold brad, then the orange one, another yellow, a deep rust one then the final large yellow one.  A hole was made through the designer paper layer then the prongs spread apart on the back.

The layer was then adhered to the front of a deep brown card.

The greeting was printed on tan card stock and it was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.  The card works without a greeting as well.

Style 3 -  Square - The designer paper chosen is Stampin Up Autumn Spice.  The card color selected is More Mustard. The designer paper was cut to 4 inches square.  The edges were rubbed with an Early Espresso ink pad.

The buttons are from Stampin Up and matches the card color. I tied a length of Early Espresso thread, knotted and trimmed.

The greeting was color printed in Cajun Craze and clear embossed.  They were cut apart to 1" tall.  The end was flagged with scissors.  It held in place with Zots. Once placed the button was adhered with a large Zot to the left of the words of the greeting.

My First Apron

I spent my day off yesterday making my first apron.  Last week I had sorted my stash of fabric and put together a couple of piece which coordinated well and there was enough to make a reversible apron.  The fabric is a solid dark green with a printed green/black stripes with white flowers.

The adjustable apron I currently use I purchased several years ago. I love the design but the fabric is very stiff and the pockets are not useable because they are straight up.  I think pockets at an angle would be more natural for how my hand will get into them. It is not reversible. It has a loop to hang it up at the end of the day.

I have researched adjustable styles on line from which I gleaned a couple of add ons to the one I have. Then I took mine to our Easter girls get together with my Mom and sisters.  We girls are of several sizes and heights so that gave me some feedback about what works and what does not work.

There was some ripping out seams and changing things as I tried it on and felt adjustments were necessary.  

Here it is!

The garden flower fabric on the left and the dark green cotton fabric on the right.

I added patch pockets in the alternate fabric on each one.

The shoulder straps for tying are long and can be brought to the front if you want.

The back features loops where you pull the shoulder straps through to then tie the apron at the back or the front.








It allows you to tie couple of ways as well.

The shoulder straps can be crossed at the back and run through the opposite loop and tied at the back or the front.

The shoulder straps can be brought straight down to the loops and then tied at the back or front.

This provides versatility to the apron wearer to adjust the apron to their comfort.

 




I added a loop in the front on both sides where you can pull a towel through so you have one at hand all the time.

I added a loop on the green side at the top of the bib which allows you to hang it up at the end of your time in the kitchen.

I want to thank the ladies who gave me feedback which helped with this project.

R2G Christmas Card Stack Kit - Christmas Plaid

I started with the traditional Christmas Plaid card stock. I chose red and green card stock which coordinated.  I cut a white layer at 5.25" x 4" which was added to the card front. I cut plaid layer to 5" x 3.75".  I wrapped a white seam binding ribbon around and knotted it to the front. I created the circle greeting with the Merry Christmas going all the way around and I added vintage Christmas card images in the centre. They were color printed then cut with a 2" SB Nestabilities smooth circle die. I glued the circle greeting onto a Stampin Up Deco Label die-cut in the same card stock as the card. It is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape. As you can see it can be mounted to make a landscape (wide) or portrait (tall) card.

So with the same supplies and just a change of color and orientation creates 2 different looks. Great versatility!

Card - Versatile DP Birthday

I made this card for guy who celebrating his birthday next week on a warm beach.

I love this paper because there is so many colors to choose from.  I chose blue with a white layer for this card, but I pulled burgundy, moss green, dark olive, brown and even salmon for some pieces of this paper. I cut the designer paper 3.75 x 3.75 with the layer at 4" square.  I added a printed vellum banner greeting held in place with a Zot and a blue button with white thread on top of that!

Check in later for a card kit with this paper.

Card - Versatile Sketch

Here's another card with the sketch I used earlier.  Check out the other cards I've made, the Christmas one and the feminine one.I wanted to make a masculine card with the same sketch.
I started with the die cut made with the Tim Holtz Cabinet Card die.  I cut the designer card stock to just under 3.5" and ran it through the Big Shot which eliminated the second notch.  I cut a circle that matched the top with a Spellbinder Nestabilities in white.  I found a greeting in my stash and trimmed it to fit along bottom of the die cut. I brushed the edges with a navy ink pad. I added a length of navy seam binding wrapped between the circle and the greeting and tied in a knot with the ends trimmed.  I added a navy star cut with a Sizzix die in the middle of the circle with small kraft star all held in place with a navy star brad. This was mounted on a kraft card which had a layer of navy gingham designer paper adhered to it leaving a small border.

Notecard - Honeycomb with Daisies

Another set of cards for my friend.  I chose card stock that matched the deep plum daisy confetti.  I added a layer of white core card stock which I embossed with the new Stampin Up! Honeycomb folder.  It works really nice. Once that layer was embossed I used a sanding block to remove the top layer of color to reveal the white core. I glued this layer to the card front. I then added the daisy confetti which is held in place with a tiny white brad to which I added a small white sequin which works with the white I revealed in the embossed layer. 
I made several colors.  You could change the color of the daisies and card stock and the embossing folder as well which provides a wide array of different looks and feels.  A great versatile design.

Card - Script Background and Fleur de Lis Accent

I made this sketch earlier and decided this was a versatile sketch so I made more in other colors.  Pink, Blue and Yellow!  I created the script background with some poetry I wrote a long time ago.  I printed it in a color coordinate with the card color.  Found some ribbon to match which is pulled through a slit in the fold.  I cut the label with one of the SU Apothecary Framelits.  I'm really happy with my purchase of these.  I punched a 1.25" circle then layered a MS Fleur de Lis punchie onto it.  This accent was then applied to the card front with 3D foam tape.  Great versatile design.

Card Club - Paper Strips

This is a great way to use your leftover strips of designer paper.  I went through my tray of left over designer paper and selected strips of paper.  I organized them by color. I laid a piece of black cardstock to simulate the card and put together strips until I was happy with combination.  I added a .75" strip of black cardstock which I trimmed the ends by adding a V in each end.  I wanted the ends to stand out so I cut it short enough that they rest against the DP.  I stamped the greeting with a clear stamp on a Stampin Up! Decorative label punchie in black Versafine ink which was raised from the surface with 3D foam tape.  Great versatile design that would make a masculine or feminine card based on the colors and patterns selected.  With using black as the neutral the colors just pop and any color will do!

Card - Exchange

I made these cards for my exchange group.  I started with the metal medallion in white.  I wanted a paper that would contrast nicely.  I had these Cricut cut with "Just because Cards" cartridge backgrounds left over from these cards. I thought that would well. I placed a length of white ribbon across the shape below the centre. I tacked it with a bit of snail adhesive in the centre to hold in place then taped the ends to the back.  I glued the shape to the black card front. I mounted the metal medallion in the top curve with 2 tiny black brads.  I glued the color printed oval greeting(cut with Creative Memories cutter)  in the bottom curve.  I added 3 silk flowers running along the length of the ribbon and those are held in place with tiny black brads. They worked out great!  Very versatile design because with just a change of flower you can have variety.

Christmas Card Stack - Big Snowflakes

Aren't these great looking cards?  I love the color combination. This is a versatile design as it can make a portrait or landscape card.  I chose Cherry  Cobbler and Black card stock.  This card has the fold at the top or on the left side so the card stock was cut 4.25x11". I selected a  turquoise sheer ribbon which was tied around the card front at top/left in a loose square knot.  The Designer paper was cut to 4" square which works great for 12x12 card stock. This was glued to the bottom/right of the card.

I layered the large Sizzix snowflake in white card stock over it with a smaller snowflake between the black tiny brad and the large snowflake.  The red smaller snowflake was cut with the Cricut and the Winter Lace cartridge.  The light blue one on the black card is a Martha Stewart punch.

Card - Advent Class Cards

I was asked to help out with a "Getting Ready for Christmas" class.  The instructor is spending 8 weeks helping the group prepare for Christmas spiritually as well as practically.  Each week she has a related craft.  This week it was Christmas cards and she asked me to teach the card class.  We had an hour so I kept the cards simple to ensure everyone was able to finish their 4 cards in the time allotted.

I wanted a versatile design in which I could change the colors without affecting the entire design. Also, I wanted a card in each orientation of portrait and landscape to add variety.  I selected the these images: the manger scene is by SonLight Impressions which I have owned for years.  The candles I just bought this summer is by Sunshine Designs put out by Stamp Barn.  I gold embossed the central image on white cardstock then cut it with Nestabilibities Classic Oval.  I then cut a Nestabilities Scalloped Oval in a solid colored cardstock to coordinate with the designer paper.  These were glue together, I dotted each scallop with a Galaxy white opaque marker and a fabric gold snowflake was added with a Zot.  The designer paper was trimmed to 5.25x4.00 inches and glued to a white card. The central oval was mounted to the card with 3D foam tape which easily adds dimension. I had seven different color combinations so that there was lots of variety so each person got 4 different cards.

Card Club - Flocked border

I found this flocked border at a Dollar store.  I thought it was so gorgeous.  I created a greeting for this sketch and color printed them.  The greeting is trimmed close to the frame.  I coordinated one word in the greeting to the card color.  I used a couple of embossing folders (Cuttlebug Victorian and Stampin Up Finial Press) in the kits.  I cut the colored square with a Sizzix original die. The embossed layer was glued to the card front.  I discovered after I made my sample that the border was adhesive to the brads are purely decorative. This design is versatile to accommodate a variety of colors and occasions. I made up kits in several colors with several greetings (Thanks, sympathy, birthday). 

All Occasion Stack Class - Double sided DP

Another very versatile sketch. I used Stampin Up! double sided designer paper. Selected my card stock to match the paper. Trimmed the DP to be just a bit smaller than the card. Then cut the DP piece and turned over the smaller piece and just butted it against the other. Glued these down to the card. Placed coordinated colored gross grain ribbon over the joint and glued it to the inside of the card front. With the tall version you will need to place a small slit in the fold to bring the ribbon to the inside. I punched a small daisy shape from the DP cut off and placed it in the centre of the flower and a brad holds the flower onto the card front. I ensured that the flower on the brown card was ivory as in the DP and white on the blue card. With no greeting these cards can be used for any occasion.

All Occasion Stack Class - Foliage Trio

I love this card template. I used it recently on these cards. I used 4 different card stock colors in this kit. Printed the greetings and the foliage dingbats in the same color on white card stock. I punched the colored circles with the SU! 1 3/8" circle punch. The foliage images were punched with the 1.25" circle punch. I then trimmed the white greeting into the rectangle and adhered to the card front. Layered the foliage onto the colored circles. The easiest way to space your circles is to place the right and left ones at the same distance from the outside edges. Then place the last one evenly spaced between those two. I've started developing a variety of greetings in this style. They cover birthday, baby, sympathy, illness, and a lot more!

All Occasion Stack Class - Daisy & Greeting

These are the next set of cards. I feel I've gotten carried away with daisy confetti. They can be used in so many ways. I used a large variety of decorative paper which was trimmed to fit the front of the card. I added a color printed greeting which has been highlighted with a white daisy and a tiny black brad. I made a variety of greetings and if it was not what they wanted they could swap with another lady in the class or just turn it over and leave it blank or stamp a greeting. Easy to make a lot of cards for any occasion and not have them look exactly the same. Some paper was muted and soft and lent themselves to sympathy or get well cards. Bright and cheery paper for birthday or thinking of you cards. Some were thank you or Just for you cards.

All Occasion Stack Class - Scallop Accent

This card features a scallop accent. It was created with the Stampin Up! Scallop punch, the 1 3.8" circle punch, a 1.25" circle with another shape punched into it. You want to punch the hole first then align the 1.25" punch over it. I used the MS Fleur de Lis, stars, hearts, daisies, etc. I mostly used stripped decorative paper. It card can be used in a tall or wide orientation. I picked colors from the decorative paper for the accent. Any color combination will do. Another versatile design.

All Occasion Stack Class - Daisy Trio

I had 8 ladies in my All Occasion Stack Class this morning. What's a stack class? That is when you make many cards in one class. There are no rules in my classes so some designed cards that loosely resemble these. I should take pics of some of them. Some real creativity was used and a good time was had by all.

Here's the first card. Daisy confetti over a set of punched shapes with a matching strip of paper on a coordinating card. The circles are 1 1/4" circle punchies and the squares are the smallest on the Sizzix square die. I used tiny white brads in the centres. Use a push pin on an old mouse pad to made the hole for the brad. This is a versatile design as it can be landscape or portrait orientation, a variety of punched shapes can be used, the squares can be set into a diamond shape and any color combination can be used. The strip of paper can be ripped, cut with decorative scissors or cut straight. All around good design. A greeting could be stamped on the strip if you want.