My Christmas cards are done!

Here is the final result! I'm so happy with how they came out. And somehow it's a one layer card, which I usually have so much trouble making.
As you can see, it's similar to the card I made before. There are a couple of differences. First, I stamped the snowflake in white craft ink all around the edges for a more solid look; random just looked odd. Then for the focal image, I used the baby wipe technique just like on my gift card holder (same colors). But before I inked up the stamp, I inked it with VersaMark. Then I embossed the image with Irridescent Ice EP to add sparkle. You can use this technique to emboss with any classic ink; just ink with VersaMark first. The VersaMark won't hurt your classic ink pad in any way.

Here's a side view to show some of the sparkle!

Happy stamping!

Christmas card in progress

This card may look slightly familiar. I made one that is similar a few weeks ago. It still isn't exactly what I've been picturing, but I think I'm getting closer. What do you think I need to add or change?
I used the scallop border punch on the bottom of the card to show the wheeled image on the inside. I added the rub-on sentiment in the lower right corner.
For the card front, I started by stamping the tree from Scandinavian Season in Always Artichoke craft ink. I poured on the Irridescent Ice EP and masked off the tree with an oval (cut with the Coluzzle) to stamp the snowflakes in Whisper White craft ink. Then I heat set the whole thing. Why did I do it that way? I find that the white craft ink doesn't really dry on its own, so I wanted to heat set it and heat the EP at the same time. I added some sponging in white to define the oval. The ribbon is the finishing touch.
Supplies (all SU): Stamps: Scandinavian Season, Scandinavian wheel; Paper: Kraft; Ink: Real Red, Whisper White craft, Always Artichoke craft; Accessories: coluzzle, scallop border punch, Chit Chat rub-ons, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon
Happy stamping!

A Quick Christmas Card

Last week's demonstratable card challenge was to use masking or reverse masking. We were also supposed to use scraps and a bonus was to use rub-ons. I already had an oval cut to use for reverse masking, so I think that qualifies as a scrap! I decided to make a Christmas card and take the colors from the Alpine Ribbon Originals from the Holiday Mini. The colors in the ribbon are Very Vanilla, Kraft, Real Red, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip.
I stamped the tree from Scandinavian Season in VersaMark and embossed it in gold. Then I put the cut-out oval opening over it and sponged on Old Olive. I used the scallop border punch on the bottom of the card and then used the Scandinavian wheel in Real Red across the inside of the card. I sponged Chocolate Chip around all of the card's edges and added the rub-on sentiment. The last thing to do was tie on the ribbon. I'm not totally pleased with the result, but I think it has promise. I'm going to fiddle around with it some more and see if I can come up with my card for this year. I have to decide by Saturday so I can take all of the stuff with me to Florida.
Supplies (all SU): Stamps: Scandinavian Season, Scandinavian wheel; Paper: Kraft; Ink: VersaMark, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red; Accessories: Chit Chat rub-ons, Alpine Ribbon Originals, Coluzzle, gold EP, scallop border punch, sponge
Happy stamping!

Holiday Mini sneak peek

You got a little peek at the upcoming mini last time with the Scandinavian wheel. Well, here is a look at the coordinating stamp set, Scandinavian Season. This set caught my eye right away because it looks like rosemaling. Rosemaling is a style of painting; I think it's from Norway, but I'm not Scandinavian! I have seen a lot of it up here in Minnesota, though. Yah, you betcha!
For my first card with this set, I wanted it to really look like rosemaling. I think I got the colors right anyway; the picture is a little off so don't be too judgemental!
This was a pretty quick card. I stamped the tree image in Chocolate Chip craft ink and embossed it with clear EP. I colored in the image with ink and an aquapainter because I wanted nice deep color; I used Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Real Red and Garden Green. The ribbon is also from the Holiday Mini. You get 2 ribbons together: this cool felt ribbon, and a striped ribbon!
Supplies (all SU): Stamps: Scandinavian Season, Scandinavian wheel; Paper: Confetti White, Real Red, More Mustard; Ink: Chocolate Chip craft, Real Red, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Garden Green; Accessories: clear EP, Fire Circles rhinestone brads, aquapainter, Alpine Ribbon Originals
Happy stamping!

Whoohoo!

I was able to get the internet hooked up on Daniel's computer, so I can post again! Whoohoo! Let's celebrate with a tutorial! First, though, here is a picture of Rhonda last night at craft night. She used hemp twine to tie her hair back. It was so cute!

The tutorial for today is for a lip balm holder. Those of you who know me or have been reading my blog for a while know that my MIL, Shirley, is an Avon lady. Last year I made lip balm holders for her to give her customers at Christmas.

When Rhonda and I were at Regional in Milwaukee in April, a demonstrator made a little box using the Print Pattern background stamp. Rhonda suggested it could be a lip balm holder. I had to lengthen it, but it worked! Well, I really didn't want to stamp that 20 times, so I took apart the one I had made and converted it to standard measurements. I even wrote them down!

First, I wheeled a full sheet of cardstock. (Here I've used the retired Wild Wasabi cardstock, Garden Green ink, and the Scandinavian wheel from the upcoming Holiday Mini.) Each lip balm holder is 3 3/4 X 5 1/2, so you can get 4 from one sheet of cardstock. Place one 3 3/4" side against the top of your cutter and score every 3/4". This divides the piece into 5 equal sections.

Next, I turned the piece over (plain side up) and put the 5 1/2" edge against the top of the cutter. I lined it up at 4 1/2 and used a pen to make a little mark across each score line and at the top and the bottom. I made the marks inside the area where the blade would normally score or cut. Then I flipped the cardstock 180 degrees and did the same thing again. This made all of the marks 1" in from each edge.

Then I used the 1/4" square punch to make a diamond shaped hole where each mark was. (Fold on the score line and line the punch up as shown above with the mark in the center.) I also punched a triangle on each edge.

I used sticky strip to adhere the box together; two of the sections overlap to form the box. The punched holes make notches to hold the ribbon in place when you tie the ends of the box shut. 8" of ribbon is the perfect length for each end.

I'm going to stamp the star from the coordinating stamp set, Scandinavian Season, and emboss it in gold for Shirley to use as a little tag.

I think this would also be cute to hold a lipstick or some small candy.

Happy stamping!