Deceptively Simple

Week 2 of the Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks was very successful today, with my hardworking gang churning through the work to get all ten cards done before we all had to scatter in different directions to collect children from school.

This card proved to be more involved than it looks at first glance:

Stamps:  Sanded Background, Music Notes wheel, Baroque Motifs, Perfect Punches
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Shimmery White
Ink:  Versamark, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Platinum Shimmer Paint
Other:  Adhesive Rhinestones, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, 11/4 " circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Rich Razzleberry grosgrain, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Sponges

The card took a little while because it involved a little more technique than you might expect.  First, there was the background:  we stamped the Crumb Cake (formerly known as Kraft) layer with the Sanded background in Versamark, which created a subtle texture.  Next we rolled the Music Notes wheel across three times, inked up with Crumb Cake ink.  I'm not entirely sure that my music notes are right way up!
Next, we sponged the edges with Crumb cake ink.  Then came the swirl from Baroque Motifs (a classic stamp set, so versatile) in Old Olive ink.  The next step was a little involved - the ghosting technique done with the SAMJ to ensure the image was slightly offset, stamped with Platinum shimmer paint applied directly to the rubber with a dauber.  Then came the Rich Razzleberry flowers, the Rich Razzleberry ribbon and tag, attached with linen thread.  Oh, and see the white part on the tag?  Shimmer White cardstock (YAY!).  It is lovely in real life.  For a final touch, we added bling in the form of diamontes.

I hadn't realised when I made my sample, that the shimmer paint was VERY messy to work with when you make this card in bulk.  Oops, sorry girls!

For a one layer card, this has a lot of texture and interest, built up with the layers of collage and the "ghosting" effect.  It is also a perfect example of how you can make non-Christmas stamps and non-traditional colours (step away from Green and Red sometimes!) really work for you in a Christmas Card.

I'll show you the second card we did, a little later.

Finally some cards and things

Today is a pupil-free day, so a long weekend for the kids, hooray!   I did manage to carve out some crafting time yesterday (11:00pm) so I could finish my sister Bridget's box of gift cards she commissioned me to make.  In case you are reading this Bid - hope you like them!

Here is the box (apologies for the dreadful photo taken at 11:00pm):

And the gift cards to go inside.  The brief was black. white and silver.  Simple but elegant.  I used the Baroque Motifs stamp set and it worked very well with such a pared-down colour scheme.

Then I made a few cards for kids as there are a few birthdays in our family at this time of year:

With the "Ahoy, Matey" stamp set:

 Now a girly one made with "One of a Kind" - I added some bling with heat 'n stick powder and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.   I had pictured this card completely differently before I made it, but this is how it ended up!  

Finally, my eldest son was invited to a classmate's birthday party, so I made the wrapping paper and matching gift card.  The invitation had a rocket ship on it, so I went with the space theme with the only rocket stamp I have, a cute clear acrylic stamp that I got in the cheapie bin at my local scrap shop.  I can't recall the manufacturer, but when I do I'll edit and post.  Hmmm, I've said that before, haven't I?

I love making wrapping paper to go with the cards I've made!  So easy and looks great (well, I think so anyway!).  I have a big roll of butcher's paper from IKEA that I use and I also found a big roll of white paper from that chain craft shop Riot.   I never have to buy wrapping paper (or cards) again!

Some wedding cards

This past weekend, a former work colleague of mine, was married - and it reminded me of my own wedding nine years ago on the first Saturday in October. Beautiful weather, a gorgeous dress and a wonderful day. My Mother in law also needed a wedding card, so I decided to duplicate my card in a different colour. I'm quite pleased with the result. The vellum reminded me of a wedding veil.

I first stamped the background stamp (En Francais by Stampin' Up!) on the Lavender card with Lavender ink and sponged around the edges, then heat-embossed the vellum layer in white with the swirl from the Baroque Motifs stamp set (also SU!) and attached it with adhesive and brads. A bit of celery ribbon to match the celery base card, and the sentiment and it was done. The apricot card was done the same way, but obviously used different colours - Blush Blossom card stock stamped with Apricot ink this time. I really love that colour combination! The beauty of these cards is that they were actually really simple and quick to make. Deciding which colours to use took longer than the time it took to make them!

I rarely get to make wedding cards, so I enjoyed the change from birthday and Christmas cards!

Thanks for looking.