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.

Advent Candle - 3rd Candle - Joy

The third candle in the Advent Wreath is Joy.   It is also sometimes called the Shepherd's candle as they were the ones to come, see the Child and went about telling the news of great joy.

From Ann Voskamp's Advent book The Greatest Gift for today.  We are made to worship.  We bowed to something.

We create idols to worship in our lives that do not give life but rob us of life.

Take time this season to slow, to be still and wait Advent will whisper - There is one God.  Let us leave the wrapping, decking and the performing  and come in awe of God.

O Come Let Us Adore Him.  Let the Joy of the Christmas enter our spirits and help us to express our joy.  Sing hymns, dance in the living room, look at nature, or find a way to be joyful just for the sake that the Child is coming.

Gold and Green Holy Family Favors

I made over 60 of these for our Women's Ministries Christmas Brunch today.

I cut dark green linen card stock with the Sizzix Bigz Ornament #2 die which allowed me to cut 2 at a time.

I cut the Holy Family with the Penny Black Manger Thinlit Die from gold card stock.  It is attached to the top ornament with a gold star tiny brad.  The top was then adhered to the back one with quick dry adhesive.  These were pressed to ensure good adhesion.
 

The JOY satin ivory ribbon was cut to exact 8" to ensure I had enough to do the lot.  I used a piece of heavy card cut to 8" inches long.  I then wrapped the ribbon front to back until the roll was empty.  I then added the elastics to keep the ends I place while I cut the ribbon at both ends.  The 3yds on a roll produced 13 8" lengths.

I folded the ribbon with the words facing away from me and the pushed the fold through the ornament hanger.  The 2 tails were pulled through the loop and pulled taut.

The ends were trimmed at a slant with scissors.

A great reminder of the Reason for the Season.

Christmas Card Challenge - May - Purple Ornament

The Christmas Card Challenge prompt for this month is Purple Ornament.

I chose a black card and cut some purple polka dot single sided paper to leave a small border and adhered it to the front of the card.  

I chose one of the 2011 Spellbinder Hierloom Ornament Nestabilities dies which I cut from purple cardstock and pearl white card stock. I then cut the Tim Holtz Joy Mover and Shaper in the center of the ornament. These were layered together and adhered.  I then rubbed the edge with a black ink pad so it would stand out against the polka dot paper.

I cut the hanger with the Sizzix Ornament #2 die from the same pearl white card stock. It was adhered to the top of the ornament.  I added a length of black knitting ribbon. Then I added 3D foam tape to the ornament and glued it to the card front.

One Thousand Gifts - Session 4 - Trust: Bridge to Joy

I am leading this bible study tonight - One Thousand Gifts Bible Study - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.
Seven of us met tonight to share and learn.
I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratitude.

Session 4 - Trust: Bridge to Joy

Ann recounts an incident where she crosses a bridge and has the epiphany that every time she comes to a bridge she trusts the bridge builder to ensure safe passage across. We need to trust God who sent the bridge between Him and us. 

In this session Ann presents the concept of being "practical atheists".

• When we live our lives not trusting the God we believe in.  

• When we choose stress, it is an act of disbelief. 

 "When we can't see His Hand, we can trust His Heart"

One Thousdand Gifts - Session 4 - Trust - The Bridge to Joy

This is week four in this bible study - One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.  I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratefulness. The video is very well done with wonderful images. There was good attendance.

Session 4 -Trust - The Bridge to Joy

This week, Ann mentions several fears that made it difficult for her to trust God in her life.  As she practiced Eucharisteo - giving Thanks she found that Joy came and Trust grew.

Fear keeps our lives small. Fear tells us the lie that God's goodness is finite, it will come to an end, that there will not be enough, our needs will not be met. Trust is hard work.

If we reach for life with open hands does our life become bigger, richer, more joy filled?  God has given the best and knows our needs so what would He withhold?

We build trust through millions of faithful moments where God was there to support, provide and encourage.

This week Ann describes a moment on her drive to somewhere. She had the epiphany when she drove over a bridge and realized that she had trusted the bridge builder to get her across safely.

Thanksgiving builds Trust.

We need to trust God who is our Bridge Builder to get us through and over the troubled waters in our lives.

'When we can't see His hand, we can always see His heart'.

Christmas Card Challenge - January - Gold / Star

Card making is not as popular as it used to be. In my card making classes, attendance is dwindling.  My Stack Classes are in serious decline.   The cost of postage and electronic methods of communication has affected how many cards are sent each year. All Occasion cards in my classes have been in declined but Christmas cards hung on for longer. I gave 140 handmade Christmas cards this year but received about 20% of that.  I have to say that result affected my card making mojo. I hope that people are still connecting.  I was raised to send thank you cards for the gifts I receive but I would say that it is not a prevalent practice these days. 

Christmas is such a special time for me that I cannot stop sending Christmas greetings but I think in 2017 I will embrace some the new ways.  I can see a photo card and an electronic letters are possibilities.

After some serious self talk, I finally got my card making mojo working.  I learned many years ago that I need to make my Christmas card throughout the year so come Dec 1st they are ready to address. In that effort, I run a blog challenge every month.  January`s theme was gold and star.

I chose a script background I designed a few years ago which includes scripture.  I added a large word in the bottom right hand corner `Joy`.  This was printed on red card stock and trimmed to leave a small border.
I mounted that to the front of a black card.

I cut a gold star from non shed glitter paper with the Sizzix Star #2 die.  I  mounted that onto the card front with 3D foam tape. 

Cards - Exchange Group - December

I made these cards for my exchange group.  

I chose a brown card to coordinate with the pine cones in the designer paper.  I cut the piece of paper to 4.00 x 5.25 inches then cut it again at 2.5" crosswise for this landscape (wide) card.  I put a red cotton ribbon across the fold and taped the ends to the back.  I adhered this layer to the card front. I stamped the greeting in Real Red with the Stampin Up Perfect Punches Stamp Set. It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

On this card I chose a warm blue card which matched the branches in the designer paper.  I used the same red cotton ribbon and the same Stampin Up stamp. 

Ready2Go Card Kit - SU - Bright & Beautiful

Here's another kit for my class tonight.  This is a Stampin Up kit using Bravo Burgundy and More Mustard and the Bright and Beautiful Stamp Set. I printed the star on vellum in BB and clear embossed it.  I cut a star from MM and the vellum star with the Sizzix Star #2 die and layered them. I chose BB for the first card base onto which I printed Wonderfully Worn background in BB. The stars are held in place with a tiny gold star brad in the center on a BB card.  I slipped a length of MM grosgrain ribbon behind the stars on the bottom third of the card front and taped the ends to the inside.  The greeting is printed on Very Vanilla card stock, punched with the Artisan punch and mounted to the card front over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.












The next card again has a
Bravo Burgundy card base.  I created a designer layer with the Bright and Beautiful stamp set on Very Vanilla.  This layer was trimmed to 4.00 x 3.5 inches and adhered to the card front aligned to the bottom. I ran a length of More Mustard grosgrain ribbon at the top of the stamp layer by putting a slit in the fold of the portrait card and taping the ends to the inside.  I created the large JOY greeting with the stamp set and layered it with MM and adhered to the card front over the ribbon with 3D foam tape.   The other card is based on the same layout but using More Mustard as the card base and NOEL as the greeting.

Joy to the World

I started with the chalkboard JOY which was cut from a card with the A2 Matting Nestabilities.  I then cut the red envelope with the next size up rectangle.  I then created the banner and color printed it on white card stock.  Cut the banner ends with the Stampin Up Triple Banner Punch.  Adhered it below the large greeting.  I then printed some red music background onto white card stock and trimmed it to leave a small border.  Once adhered to the front of a black card the greeting layer was adhered as well.

Silver Sparkle Joy

I started with a piece of very sparkly decorative paper.  I punched stars in it with a Creative Memories star border punch.  I punched on each edge.  This decorative paper has so many colors depending on the reflection of the light.  I chose a light aqua card which shows up the stars very nicely.  I then needed a central element.  I checked my collection of stamps and chose this Posh Impressions Joy stamp that I have owned for years!  I stamped it in black on vellum then embossed it with Silver Sparkle embossing powder.  I cut it down with Spellbinder Smooth Oval Nestabilities thin dies. 

I then cut a piece of silver foil paper with the coordinating Scalloped Oval by Spellbinder.  I mounted the vellum to the silver oval and then adhered this layer to the center of the card front.
I love the sparkle of this decorative paper and the silver sparkle coordinates really well with it.

I'm submitting this card to following challenge(s):
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Christmas Card Challenge - Aug - Joy Embossing Chipboard

Have you started your Christmas cards? Today is a perfect day.  I make cards every month to be sure I have what I need by December 1st.

This is the card for my blog Christmas Card Challenge.  The theme is Joy/Embossing/Chipboard.

I cut my warm white Joy from thick card stock which is serving as my chipboard.  I then cut the Tim Holtz Stylized Label with the Joy Mover & Shaper in it's center from green card stock.  I glued the chipboard onto the green die cut aligning the word.  I embossed the white card stock with the Stampin Up Northern Flurry snowflake folder.  I wrapped the white embossed layer with a length of gold metallic ribbon which I taped to the back.  This layer was then adhered to the red card front.  I added an oval of gold metallic card stock behind the green die cut to hid the gold ribbon.  I added 2 glitter stars on both sides of the greeting.  This layer was then adhered to the top third of the wide card with 3D foam tape. 

Joy to the World Challenge

I started with the Tim Holtz JOY Mover & Shaper cut from green card stock.  I then cut the word out of the piece of card stock with one of the Spellbinder Smooth Oval Nestabilities.  I cut a scalloped oval with the corresponding SB Nestabilities from gold card stock.  These were adhered together.  I cut the TH Ornamenal die from ivory music decorative paper.  I chose a deep red card onto which I stamped some washi tape from the Stampin Up Tape It stamp set in black ink.  I colored printed the "to the World" greeting in black and I applied a bit of TH Antique Linen Distress Stain to just remove the whiteness of the card stock. I flagged the end of the banner with the SU Chevron punch.   I then layered it onto the same green card stock as the Joy die cut leaving a tiny border. I adhered the Ornamental die cut to the card front then adhered the banner in the bottom third of the card.  I then adhered the Joy scalloped oval with 3D foam tape.

Submitting this card to the following challenges:
Sparkles Christmas Card Challenge - Anything Goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Card Challenge - Inspired by a Christmas Carol

Card - Color Challenge - Blue, Green, Purple

I started with a Stampin Up Always Artichoke card.  I color printed the Joy greeting with a digi from the Eventful Year stamp set in Marina Mist.  I then stamped the Evergreen from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set in AA. I adhered this layer to the card front.  I added small ribbon flags in the upper left hand corner in MM, AA and Elegant Eggplant.  These are held in place with tiny white brads.

Submitting this card to these challenges:

Clean & Simple Color & Sketches #114 Challenge.

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything goes

R2G Card Kit - Chalkboard JOY

I made a couple kits of these cards.

I found this chalkboard layer a while back and envisioned this card.  It's taken a while to get them done.  I cut the JOY layer to 4.5" x 3 3/8". I then cut the white layer to 3.75"x 4.75".  I glued these together.  The took a short piece of the red ribbon and flag cut both ends then laid it over the long one make sure about placement.  Then, I tied them together with the white thread. I placed on the JOY layer and taped the ends to the the back.  This layer was then adhered to the black card front.  I love this card.  I made a few for myself.

R2G Christmas Card Stack Kit - Joy Star

Here's the second card in this kit.  I chose a purple diamond designer paper which could be used with a few shades of purple card stock.  I chose a deep purple card and matched it with pearl white card stock for the JOY layer.  I paired the copper metallic paper with a lighter card stock. The metallic layer was cut to the 4"x 5.25"inches then the JOY was punched with a Martha Stewart border punch. The punching was pretty easy because I punched the centre one first then just aligned the other two.  The stars are cut with a Sizzix star die with the largest in the metallic card stock and the smaller one in glitter card stock. The designer paper was cut to 3" x 4.75" and layered onto the metallic JOY layer. The metallic star was adhered directly to the designer paper and the glitter star was adhered with 3D foam tape making sure to align the horizontal rays.

Update: When I did the class with this kit the participants discovered that the sentiment insert I had included was portrait but the card was landscape.  As they worked on the other cards my brain was desperately trying to find a way to make the best of the situation.  Here's the solution:

Joy Banner

I'm using left over supplies from my previous cards.

The letters were cut with the Cricut from cherry metallic card stock with the Creative Memories Tiny Treasures cartridge. I selected a green card.  I diecut a Stampin Up Top Note from vellum.  I adhered it to the card front with a line of snail adhesive that will be covered by the ribbon.  I laid the silver metallic satin ribbon across the middle of the card.  The ends are taped to the inside of the card.  I mounted the 3 letters with 3D foam tape. Here are the cards I made earlier.

Vellum Accent Christmas Cards

 I made some of these cards from my June Stack class because I just loved them. I like the softness of the images against the boldness of the JOY background.
The images printed on the vellum are all my own designs.  They are color printed and cut down to 2.75" wide.  It is wrapped top and bottom over the kraft and white printed background.  I wrapped some silky cream thread around this layer and tied it off. Then I mounted it to a white card.  I made 8 of these for my own stash of Christmas cards.

Card Club - November - Snowflake Joy

I started with a navy card.  I cut the navy snowflakes from navy flocked ribbon with Marianne Designs thin die.  It's best to cut from the back side and fortunately with the snowflake it makes no difference in the result. I cut the red scallop borders with a Die-amics die.  I punched holes in the scallops with my 1/8" punch.  I glued the borders down first having measured the distance apart with the white layer.  Then I glued the white layer over the borders.  I then placed the navy flocked snowflake in the centre of the white and used a push pin to create the hole for the snowflake brad.  The J and Y were cut with the Stampin Up! Typeset Alphabet Bigz dies from the same card stock as the borders.  They were glued to the white layer evenly on each side of the snowflake "O".    The girls really liked the turquoise one.

Christmas Card Challenge - April - Coloring

The challenge for April was coloring.  This could be watercolor, pencil crayon, markers, copics, acrylic, wax crayons and I've likely missed a few.  Choose your favorite or challenge yourself with one you've had a hard time using and go for it!  If you make a card let me a comment with a link to your card.  I would love to see what you have made.

Here's my card for April.  I started with coloring some chip board coasters with Tim Holtz Distress Stain.  See my previous posts for a sample.  I chose the vintage colors for this card.  I cut the letters from the Aged Mahogany chip board with my Sizzix Shadow Box Alphabet. I cut the SU! Apothecary die cut from Echo Park Paper - Tree Skirt from the Season's Greetings Collection by Lori Whitlock.  I rubbed the edges of the diecut with the distress stain dauber.  I glued the JOY letters to the Apothecary die cut with quick drying adhesive.  I created my background layer with a piece of white card stock aged with the TH Antique Linen distress stain.  I cut it down to leave a border. I found a piece of gross grain ribbon to match the letters and mounted it onto the back ground and taped the ends to the back.  The background is adhered to a piece of coordinating green card stock. I glued the JOY letters to the Apothecary diecut with quick drying adhesive.  The label diecut is adhered over the ribbon to the background with 3D foam tape.