Stampin’ Up! are spoiling us this year, rather than just one Sale-a-bration (where you receive free items when you spend £45) there are two! As well as the ‘normal’ Sale-a-bration at the start of the year, there is one on now (from 3rd August to 30th September.) This second Sale-a-bration is a stunning combination of seasonal papers which correspond with items from the July to December catalogue and items which can stand alone or by used with others. One of my favourite items available for FREE is the Texture & Frames, it contains some gorgeous stamps which I am excited about using, I have had the stamp set on my desk and I have been playing.
When I first saw the frames, I thought wreath. I tried with one layer but it looked a bit odd so have stamped the circle frame a number of times to create the wreath. I then discovered that one of my new sets was also perfect for adding the holy berrys. I have added the holy berries in two ways. Using the berries from the Words of Cheers stamp set and using the real red basic rhinestones. The Real Red Rhinestones have been in my stash for a few years now, but are one of my go to embellishments along with the Metallic Pearls. I added some retired Ribbon for the bow but you could use any you have, I sometimes cut the ribbon in half so it is narrower, or you could colour the crinkle ribbon with the Blends.
Measurements
My Metric
Card base – 14.5cm x 21cm (cut at 10.5cm to 3cm on both sides on 21cm)
Cut at 3cm at 14.5 side to 3cm cut on both sides
2 x White – 8cm by 10 cm
Metric
Card base – 14.58m x 21cm (cut at 10.5cm to 3cm on both sides on 21cm)
Cut at 3cm at 14.8 side to 3cm cut on both sides
2 x White – 8.3cm by 10 cm
Imperial
Card base – 4 1/8 " x 5 ¾" (cut at 4 1/8” to 1” on both sides on 8 ¼ “side)
Cut at 1” at 5 ¾" side to 1” cut on both sides
2 x White – 4” x 3 ¼”
This is another card where you can choose your decoration to make it your own and also to suit the person you are sending it to. The rhinestones can be difficult if you are posting the card to the recipient (i always add a piece of paper to protect the envelope.) I think I prefer the card with a little bling on though, which do you prefer?
Blended Tree Card
When choosing a stamp set and punch, I try to use items which can be used again and again and again. I loved the Perfectly Plaid Suite when I first saw it and am so glad I added it to my basket, It has been around for a while but it is still one of my Christmas favourites. I have made a number of cards using the Perfectly Plaid stamp set and have now challenged myself to use the Pine Tree Punch. If you search on Pinterest there are more cards using the punch so there is lots of inspiration available.
Todays card uses the punch to create a stencil in order to add ink blended trees to the card, You can place the trees in lots of different places on the card. The red strip works well to hide any boo boos from the ink blending.
Measurements
My Metric
10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (14.5cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)
Red Panel - 10cm x 14cm
White layers – 9.5cm x 13.5cm
Metric
10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (14.8cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)
Red Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm
White layers – 9.5cm x 13.8cm
Imperial
4 1/8 " x 5 ¾" (5.75” x 8 ¼ scored at 4 1/8)
Red Panel – 3 3/4” x 5 1/2”
White layers – 3 1/2” x 5 ¼”
The card looks better if you do the trees in order, it is best to work out where you want the trees in the background, blend these first and then add the darker trees, I would start off with a lighter amount of ink, I would ink blend off on a scrap piece of paper and then add the lighter trees. Before adding the darker trees after, ensure to remove the excess to prevent streaking.
For the Misty Moonlight, again ensure that there is only a light amount of ink left on on the blending brush and add colour sparingly.
On the first card the adding of the sequins went a bit wrong, if using the fine tip glue pen, ensure that you do not squeeze too hard, it just needs a slight touch to add a dab of glue to add the sequins.
I added ‘snow’ using the Stampin’ Chalk marker ( you could also use a Gel Pen or Blender pen and White Craft ink.
I am off to my craft room to play with my punches. I have a few more cards to make using the Pine Tree Punch. Do you have a favourite punch?
Simple Perfectly Plaid Trees
Last Sunday I said I would share some more cards which I have created using the UNIKO in the forest stencil. I love this stencil and it is one of my collection. I am not sure where the others are, I may need to tidy my craft room, who am I kidding, I always need to tidy my craft room as shown in some of my Facebook pictures and that sometimes I say ‘timber’ in my craft videos as the pile of craft supplies has created an avalanche. Anyhow I digress, todays cards are simple ways to create Christmas cards using paper, ink, stencils, blending brushes, heat embossing and embellishments.
Measurements
Card 1
My Metric
10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)
Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm
Metric
10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)
Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm
Imperial
4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)
Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”
Card 2 - Layered
My Metric
10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)
Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm
Outside Layer 1 - 10cm x 14cm
Outside Layer 12- 9.5cm x 13.5cm
Metric
10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)
Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm
Outside Layer 1 - 10cm x 14.3cm
Outside Layer 2- 9.5cm x 13.8cm
Imperial
4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)
Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”
Outside Layer 1 - 3.75” x 5.5”
Outside Layer 2 - 3.5” x 5.25”
Card 2 - Alternative - sketch 8
My Metric
10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)
Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm
Outside Layer 1 - 7cm x 14.5cm
Outside Layer 12- 9 cm x 13cm
Metric
10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)
Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm
Outside Layer 1 - 10cm x 14.3cm
Outside Layer 2- 9.5cm x 13.8cm
Imperial
4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)
Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”
Outside Layer 1 - 3.75” x 5.5”
Outside Layer 2 - 3.5” x 5.25”
The video below shows show I made my cards.
Tips and Advice
ensure the stencil is stuck down properly
Remove the excess ink before adding it to the stencil
Don’t rub too hard with the blending brush
Ensure leave time to dry before adding embossing ink and powder
Using an embossing buddy/ anti static powder to ensure that the embossing powder only sticks where it should
Heat the embossing tool off the card, to avoid paper warping
If the paper warps, heat from the other side and place a heavy item on top to flatten- I use my biggest block - you could also run it through a die cutting machine.
Although I have mainly used traditional colours, I love the pink trees, the colour combination of Blushing Bride, Polished Pink and Misty Moonlight (with the retired but Gorgeous dazzling diamond embossing powder) is inspired by a new paper pack in the August to December catalogue. Are pink trees wrong?
Perfectly Plaid Present cards
I have been playing with the Perfectly Plaid stamp set again. I had been looking on Pinterest, however, most of the cards use the punch and I wanted to create a few more cards using the Stamp Set. Also I have not ordered any Christmas Designer Series Paper yet, so wanted to delay the punch example cards until I have. I have not ordered yet, as I am a discount shopper rather than a purely business demonstrator, so I split my craft budget throughout the year.
I pulled out one of my favourite stencils called in the forest by a cute English brand called UNIKO and was playing with colour combinations. All the combinations that I have used can be found in the Colour Combinations Gallery.
Measurements
My Metric
10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)
Outside and Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm
Metric
10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)
Outside and Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm
Imperial
4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)
Outside and Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”
The video below shows how I made these cards.
Tips and tricks
Ensure that the stencil is stuck down properly
hold the stencil to ensure minimal movement
remove the excess ink before using the dauber to ensure no stripy images
ensure the twine is secure - otherwise will be loose and lines will not be straight
My favourite colour combination is Evening Evergreen, Silver and Soft Succulent. I can’t wait for my next order to do some more cards using this combination. What is your favourite?
Simple Tag Topper Tags
When wrapping Christmas and Birthday presents, I tend to use tissue paper to wrap them. A few years ago, I bought some gorgeous tissue paper in Paperchase one was purple (like Gorgeous Grape) and ones was green (it is very close Shaded Spruce.) My last birthday tags were inspired by the Gorgeous Grape tissue papers. This project was made to use with the Shaded Spruce tissue paper. Heat embossing is a perfect way to create easy tags which look super easy and wow people who think that they are gorgeous and complicated to make.
Measurements-
Metric
Shaded Spruce and Basic White - 5cm x 10.5cm
Imperial
Shaded Spruce and Basic White - Just under 2 inches x 4 inches
The measurement of just under 2 inches will ensure that the card fits in to the tag topper. Please do not add more than one piece of card in the tag topper punch as it will damage the punch.
The video below shows how I made the tags.
The tags can work in any colour, the picture below shows Highland Heather and Silver or Night of Navy and silver. It depends on whether you want a traditional or non traditional colour scheme for wrapping. I used the co-ordinating ink to the card stock, if you don’t have the same colour in ink, you could use any complimentary colour. Also you could use any ribbon that you have in your stash.
I love the Shaded Spruce tag but I think that the Highland Heather will look gorgeous on some white tissue paper with silver spots that I found in Home Bargains. What will your colour scheme be?