JOY

I always have high expectations for my Christmas cards, but I'm not thrilled with this year's results . . .

 

I was inspired by a card I saw on a blog and I tried to put my own spin on it.  Probably should have left well enough alone.  Anyway, I wish a memorable and a wonderfully blessed MERRY CHRISTMAS to one and all!

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #140 Watercolor, Carnival

                    Cover Red, Scraps Green 

Dies:            DieNamics Winter Wreath, Cheery Lynn Pine Branches,

 Lil Inker “Joy”                

Noel

BLUE RIBBON #2

I found these colorful scraps and decided to use them for a Christmas themed card, even though the color scheme isn’t exactly traditional . . .

 

Keep scrolling for a look inside the little folder . . .

Cardstock:   Strathmore #140 Watercolor, Wausau #100 Haute Red, 

Scraps Burgundy, Orange 

Stamps:       Tim Holtz Mini Handwritten Holidays: “Noel”

Inks:             Distress Aged Mahogany, Gelly Roll Clear Star

Colorants:    Gelatos Blood Orange

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Memory Box Poinsettia Ribbon, Spellbinders Layered

Poinsettia, La La Land Pretty Poinsettia (flower center), 

Arich Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles, Lil Inker 

Stitched Mats Rectangles, Marianne Holly Branches, 

Ellentina Nesting Tag #4     

Stencil:        Tim Holtz Mini Leafy

Doo Dads:    Golden Light Molding Paste         

Ornaments 2024

My Mother made ornaments for her two grandchildren every year until they finished school.  Now, I get to do the same thing with mine . . .

 This whimsical tree is a great way to use up scraps and this simple tree goes together very quickly.  Scroll down for a look at their mailing boxes.

Cardstock:   Starwhite #130 Tiara White, Assorted Designer Papers         

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Faint Scratches

Inks:             VersaMark

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Embossing Tinsel Silver, Sparkle & Sprinkle 

Root Beer Fizz

Dies:            Memory Box Circle Basics Set, Sizzix Floral Arch and

Words set, DieNamics Pierced Circle Frames, Simon

Says Layered Tree                  

Doo Dads:    Mark Richards Metals Gold, Silver         

 

BOX:

Simon Says Layered Tree, Tim Holtz Alphanumeric

Assorted Designer Papers         

Papertrey Ink Bulk Mail Envelope

JOY

For this year’s season of joy, I went for a disarmingly simple layout . . .

 

  . . . however, the pre-assembly prep took just as much time as it always does.  It’s a good thing I always enjoy fussing over the details!  May this Christmas season be a blessing to one and all . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Georgia Pacific #110 Cardstock, Various 

Patterned Papers   

Dies:            Lifestyle Crafts Joy, Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes                  

Emb Fldr:     Sizzix Chevrons & Flourishes Set

Doo Dads:    NUVO Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss, Simon Says 

Assorted Moonshine Sequins      

Heaven Sings

I fell in love with this extremely simple Christmas tree die and had to use it for my cards this year . . .

 

 . . . it will likely make future appearances as there are several ways to feature this die design.  For now, an ancient music background and a sparkly gold star seemed to mostly complete the layout.  I bought an inexpensive batch of plain check-sized envelopes to hold this Mini Slimline-sized card and have addressed them all.  I’m  pleased to note that at the time of this writing in early November, the yearly Christmas card endeavor is fully under control.  Now it’s on to the rest of the annual mayhem.

               A blessed and very merry Christmas to one and all!

 

Cardstock:   Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth, Bazzill Black, Ivy,

American Crafts POW! Gold glitter   

Stamps:       Above the Mark Abbey Music, Memory Box Heaven Sings

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black

Dies:            Gina K Rectangle Small Set, Memory Box Folk Art Tree,

Spellbinders Victorian Tags, Our Daily Bread

                      Sparkling Stars            

Place Cards

My solitary plans for Christmas happily changed and I found myself in the cherished company of three of my closest friends for a lovely dinner.  As I did for Thanksgiving, I made another set of place cards – this time for Christmas . . .

 

As with the Thanksgiving place cards, I die cut two tags and glued the top ends together for each tag so that it would stand up.  The music background was stamped and then came some die cutting fun with Christmas stockings, some pine foliage, and a sprinkling of glittery stars.  I put a hanging loop at the top for display on a tree or maybe to dangle from a decorated shelf . . .

Cardstock:   Strathmore Ultimate White, Bazzill Julep, American

Crafts Light Green, Concord & 9th Neutrals Glitter

Paper Pack     

Stamps:        Stampendous Music Score

Inks:               Superior India Ink Black

Dies:              Spellbinders Tags & Flags, Stocking Trio, Cheery Lynn

Pine Branches, Memory Box Garden Sprig , Our Daily

Bread Sparkling Stars, Tattered Lace 2015 Alphabet      

Doo Dads:    Stampendous Fun Flock Cotton Ball White, Offray

                      Grosgrain Ribbon 1/8” & ¼” Red          

Tidings

Every year, I swear that I’m going to simplify my Christmas cards and lessen the number of steps it takes to make them.  And every year, it takes me at least thirty steps to put each one together.  NOT this year . . .

I held firm and made these happen with less than ten steps apiece.  I love to fuss over all of my cards – especially those for Christmas.  But with seventy six cards to send out, reality must be faced.  So I did just that . . .

                   A Merry and very blessed Christmas to one and all!

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore Mixed Media #90, Carnival

Cover Red, Love Nicole Rainforest Collection         

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Tidings 2, Tim Holtz Flurry

& Pine

Inks:             Distress Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy

Dies:            Memory Box Leafy Ring, DieNamics Winter Wreath

(bow), Lil Inker Stitched Mats: Rectangles          

Doo Dads:    Stickles Silver 

Celebrate

Here is the fourth and final sample I made from the wonderful collection of brass stencils I was gifted with from Joyce Kurtz, owner of The Peddler’s Pack . . .

 

I kept it simple and let the variegated metal leaf do the talking.  A sliver of gold glitter paper and a brass charm finished this layout. 

I had a ton of fun playing with these stencils – thanks so very much, Joyce!

 

Cardstock:   Metallic cardstock Red, American Crafts Glitter Paper

Gold, Strathmore Pastelle Bright White 

Colorants:    Houston Art Metal Leaf Variegated Red 

Dies:              Lil Inker Stitched Mats Rectangles, TK Online Celebration

Set: Celebrate,    

Stencil:          Dreamweaver Birds with Holly

Doo Dads:    Deco Foil Gel Duo, Gold charm

JOY

There were some unforeseen challenges on this layout and happily, I stumbled onto some unforeseen solutions!

 The first problem was that the angel didn't stand out enough from the background.  The solution was to add something to her, but I'd already assembled the card and the detail work would have had me at it for weeks.  So after cutting out another angel and discarding it, I put the surrounding mortise around the angel on the card front, and sprayed with a light coat of gold mist.  I think it worked!

The second situation involved the die cut word "Joy".  With seventy cards to complete, I didn't fancy sticking countless pop dots behind the word for dimension.  So I sprayed strips of Fun Foam with adhesive, laid strips of gold cardstock on top, and when dry, die cut the word.  I'm  thrilled with the results and will be using this quick, easy, and time-saving method from now on!

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Two Cool Colors Gold, various scraps    

Stamps:       Stampendous Music Score

Inks:             Hero Black

Colorants:   Perfect Pearls Mists Heirloom Gold

Dies:            Frantic Stamper Heralding Angel, Lil Inkers Stitched Mats:

                     Rectangles, Birch Press “Joy”

Ornaments 2021

For quite a number of years now, I've had fun making ornaments for two of my grandchildren.  I got the idea from my mother who did the same for her grandchildren.  The idea behind it was to build up a collection of ornaments with lots of memories behind them.  When each child is old enough to leave home and have their own trees, they'll have plenty of memory-filled ornaments right from the start . . .

Although the camera has turned them gold, the ornaments are actually Kraft cardstock.  I also like making matching gift boxes to help with storage and make it easy to tell which ornament belongs to which grandchild . . .

 

Cardstock:   Mohawk Carnival Cover Red, Constellation Jade

                     Raster-White, Scrap Green

Dies:            Pretty Quick Poinsettia Bauble & Banner Set, Spellbinders

                     Standard Circles Small, DieVersions font Noodles, Birch

                     Press Ornament Basics      

Doo Dads:    Sparkle & Sprinkle glitter Fantasy Gold,  rhinestones Red,

                     Green

The Angel Said . . .

 This one shows one of my rare forays into the world of patterned papers . . .

 . . . but the Holiday Hassles and some major renovations going on in my home mean that I'm grateful for whatever can save me some time.  Of course, hand painting each feather on the angel's wings promptly negated any time saving I'd been able to create.

But hey, it's Christmas!  May each of you have a blessed one . . .

 

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Assorted Patterned Papers, Generic scrap

                     Green         

Stamps:       Stampendous Music Score, Stampin’ Up Angel, Endless

                     Creations Unto Them Luke 2:10,11

Inks:             Hero Black, Distress Barn Door, Black Soot, Gelly Roll

                     Gold, White

Dies:            Concord & 9^th Take a Bough, Spellbinders Classic

                     Rectangles Small, Small Deckled Rectangles,

                     DieNamics Horizontal Stitched Strips                   

Ornaments 2020

Every year I make Christmas ornaments for my grandchildren and here are the ones for this year . . .

 

The idea is to build up a collection they can take with them when they grow up and move out.  Their first Christmas trees in their new homes will already have some built-in memories to make things cozy and familiar.

 

Kid’s Ornaments

Cardstock:   Love Nicole Rainforest, Neenah Conservation Cover

                     White, Generic Scraps Green, Purple, Silver, Gold           

Dies:              Birch Press Simple Joy, Marisol Ornament, Ornament 

                        Basics;   

Box:              Papertrey Ink Bulk Mail Envelope                       

Doo Dads:    Gold and Silver fibers        

JOY

With Christmas just fifteen days away, I came to realize I was in a bit of trouble by not getting the Christmas card assembly line up and running.  I was left with two choices:  cut the list of eighty five recipients way down, or not send any cards at all [GASP!].  I opted to chop . . .

 . . . it was long since time to do some winnowing anyway.  I also reined in my usual thirty five construction step procedures and went for about six steps instead.  This is as close to Clean and Simple as it will ever get for me, folks . . .

A very merry and most blessed Christmas to you and yours . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Cougar Opaque Ivory, Jute, Generic scraps Red        

Stamps:       Too Much Fun “…to the world”

Inks:             Hero Black, Nuvo Glitter Gloss

Dies:            Spellbinders Standard Circles Small, Lifestyle Crafts Joy      

Emb Fldr:     Sizzix Birds & Reindeer Set

Doo Dads:    Green and Gold cord          

Beauty

Blue Ribbon #4

Although I prefer using faith-based art for Christmas and Easter cards, I also think there's always a place to showcase some of His magnificent creation . . .

This card features leaves, a pine spray, birch trees, two lovely cardinals, and a sprinkling of snow - a small display of His never-to-be-equaled, amazing handiwork.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Ash, Light Grey, Beckett Iceberg, Wausau

                     Firecracker Red, Generic scrap Black (plain and

                     marbleized

Stamps:       Stamp Zia "Beauty"           

Inks:             Ancient Page Stone Grey, Hero Black, Papertrey Ink

                     Chamomile, Distress Old Paper

Emb Pwdr:   Stampendous Shabby White, Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Memory Box Tall Birch, Savvy Birch Trees, Marianne Birdcage

                     Die Set: Birds, Papertrey Ink Angled Labels                            

Punches:     Family Treasures and Punch Bunch Birch Leaves, McGill

                     Evergreen Sprig

Doo Dads:    Deckle edge scissors         

Love and Joy

Having had the most jam-packed year ever, the annual Christmas card-making session got postponed until the calendar shoved me to the point of no return.  The only option was to keep things exceedingly simple, thus speeding up the assembly line manufacturing process . . .

The remarkable die of the ageless nativity scene made it all possible and I was able to turn out eighty five cards in five days.  Nice to know it can be done, but definitely not the peaceful fun it's supposed to be.  Sigh . . . next year will surely be better, yes?

Christmas blessings to you and yours . . .

Cardstock:   Wausau Firecracker Red, Georgia Pacific Premium #110,

                        Love Nicole, Gold Glitter        

Stamps:       Impression Obsession “Love and Joy Come to You”

Inks:             ColorBox Gold

Emb Powder:   Judikins Egyptian Gold  

Dies:            Poppy Stamps Nativity Scene, Memory Box Star of 

                          Wonder               

Hear the Angels Sing

In an attempt to simply my usual overly-fussy Christmas card production line, I set up two rules for myself this year:  no heat embossing, and the background must be a smooshed one . . .

These were wise decisions:  with over 80 cards to do, there really is a limit as to how much time I can carve out to spend on these.  I think I'll restrict myself in the same manner next year . . . of course, cutting down an overly large Christmas card list would also be helpful.  

Hope that's not too bah humbug-ish . . .

Cardstock:   American Crafts White, Strathmore #90 Watercolor paper,

                        Generic Dull Gold        

Stamps:        Stampin’ Up Shepherds, Neat & Tangled Joyful Sentiments,

                        Above the Mark Abbey Music, Starving Artistamps Retro

                        Mosaic Grout

Inks:               Distress Chipped Sapphire, Faded Jeans

Dies:              Memory Box Star of Wonder, Tim Holtz Labels              

Button Tree

Here is a picture of this year's Christmas gift, destined for two of my friends who love and appreciate handmade efforts . . .

The original idea came from artist Shari Carroll who posted her instructions for this stunner of a button tree last December.  I knew right away that this would be my gift choice for this year.  Here is her excellent video on the procedure . . . 

I enclosed both an easel and a Command hanging strip so they'll have a choice as to whether to hang it or display it on a side table.  It was a really fun project to do and I expect I'll be making several more in future . . .