Painted Harvest - 2 ways

I first used the Painted Harvest stamp set to create Christmas cards, using the flower background as a wreath.  They made very pretty but simple cards to create in a hurry.  I'm sure you've all seen them on Pinterest, so will just post my photo here.

But once the rush of Christmas was over, I took another look and created a couple of cards using Calypso Coral and Peek-a-Boo Peach for the flowers.

My style is usually clean and simple, so I tend not to put a lot on my card - these I feel have just enough!

Christmas Quilt stamp set

When Stampin' Up! recently offered free shipping, I jumped right in and ordered the Christmas Quilt stamp set.  The reason I had not bought this at the start of the Holiday Catalogue, was that I already owned a quilt die or two, and didn't think I could use another one.  However, when you look more closely at the stamp set that coordinates with the quilt dies, you see there are some really interesting effects that can be achieved with this stamp set.  Sadly, it is retiring at the start of the new year, but I have really enjoyed making cards with it.

The star outline was stamped in Fresh Fig, and the pattern fills in Lemon Lime Twist and Sweet SugarPlum, then stamped a border around it with a stamp that looks like blanket stitch.  This was mounted on a top fold card, and the pattern adhered below between strips of Fresh Fig card. 

I used the triangle pattern pieces to create these small trees - that is the same pattern stamped in pink above - a strip of DSP below and Merriest Wishes in Real Red from the set Merriest Wishes.

Another stamped quilt - Smokey slate and Flirty Flamingo and this time mounted at an angle over Flirty Flamingo card.

Wedding card from Colourful Seasons

Just a quick post to share this card made from the Colourful Seasons stamp set.  I have just purchased this stamp set, as I hadn't really 'noticed' it before, but due to my doubling up on a stamp set in a recent order, I had to find another set to replace my duplicate one, and decided on this.  I'm so glad I did, as there are 'hundreds' of uses for this stamp set - autumn, summer, winter, spring (just like the title suggests lol) but also weddings, sympathy, holidays, and simply celebrating life!  Now I'll have to buy the matching dies, as those flowers are just beautiful, and 'need' to be popped up!

Inks:  Crumb cake, Powder Pink, Sweet Sugarplum, Baked Brown Sugar
Card:  Powder Pink, Whisper White
Stamps:  Colourful Seasons, Timeless Textures

Gift packaging

Today I have some gift packaging to share - the first one is sized to fit Revlon lip gloss - finished container measures 5.75"high by  1.1/8th" on all four sides.  As you can see it has a milk carton style closure, which I will eventually punch with two holes and thread ribbon through.

Card stock - 6.75" x 5"

Stamp white card stock with the two large circles from Year of Cheer stamp set - I used the combinations of Sweet Sugarplum and Festive Fig, Crumb Cake and Baked Brown sugar and Tranquil Tide and Lemon Lime Twist (not shown here),  My tags used the new everyday punch, and the Tin of Tags stamp set for the sentiments.

On short side score at 1.1/8, 2.2/8, 3.3/8, 4.4/8 and 4.7/8"

On long side score at 1.25, 5.75"  

Fold and burnish all score lines.

Cut up all score lines for the base and remove the small rectangle at the bottom of the flap.

Apply strong tape to the narrow flap, fold over the box and secure to both edges together.

Fold up the flaps of the bottom in this order - both sides first, then the back flap - adhere glue to the front flap and close over to secure.

For the top, pinch the front and back edges with your fingers, and gently ease the sides below the first score line to create the milk carton profile.  At this stage, punch one or two holes in the top for closure with ribbon.  Or you can use small clips.

My next box and lid was demonstrated by Caroline of craftycarolinecreates - I followed her video description to the letter and am thrilled with how it looks in real life.  The lid is stamped and reinforced by a double fold, and the base is plain card stock.  If you haven't found Caroline before, please visit her blog, as she is an amazing crafter and so easy to follow.  Wouldn't this make a lovely gift box for that special person?

Flowers from an unlikely source

I'm back today with a card I CASed from Jill at Paper Daisy Crafting in the UK, which uses the lovely DSP Year of Cheer as a base to create flowers.  Jill used SU new blends, but I don't have them yet, so unfortunately, I have had to resort to my long-time owned alcohol markers.  But I'm sharing anyway, as I think they make a beautiful card - or two.

This sentiment is from Window Shopping stamp set - I just love that font!

This sentiment is the single stamp Sylised Birthday - both stamps are still current.

To create the flowers, Jill used the pansy punch placed carefully over the DSP to include an interesting pattern for the centre, then coloured the flowers with the blends - darker in the centre then lighter.  You would only need one set for each of these, as you can create a lovely gradient of colour by colouring over a few times, then leaving the lightest colour as it is.

My thanks to Jill for sharing this super idea!

Sending Love and Hugs

Today I'm sharing a card I CASed from Leonie at Stamp a latte .  I needed a card in a hurry (don't we always need to make one especially?) for a friend who was struggling with some disheartening health results, and when I saw her card published the other day, I knew it was the one for this occasion!

Now Leonie was actually showcasing the 'ink smooshing' technique, but I chose instead to use colorburst powders, but in almost every other way, it is a direct copy of her lovely design.  I have popped my love die cut up on fun foam to ensure this sentiment stood out!

Stamp:  Sunshine Sayings
Die:  Sunshine Wishes

Joy at Christmas

I've had a lot of fun playing with the new stamp set and suite - Cheers to the Year, and today I decided to stretch an ornament die from last year to add to this suite. I like to re-use my older products in another way - for my own cards, not to demonstrate of course.

I think the embossed snowflake makes the perfect background for last year's Merry Little Tags, with this years gorgeous DSP behind the little tree.  Amongst my stash I found some Ranger embossing powder in the colour of Terra Cotta, and it coordinates perfectly with the paper.