Countdown to Christmas ~ Wk's 8 & 9 - finally!

FINALLY!! - Let me explain, I've been trying to blog for nearly two weeks now and I just couldn't log in.  No idea why, I have upgraded my browser and a tweaked a few things on my laptop, so not sure if all the computerie housekeeping has been the cause and eventual solution, but at least I'm logged in now - phew!

So, realising that I'm a couple of weeks behind with my Christmas shares, so without further ado, let me share with you a couple of projects to get back on track.

First project is a little simple gift idea.

This is made from an envelope with a few fancy folds, run through the bigshot machine using a snowflake embossing folder that I have in my stash.  I wrapped a belly band round to add the sentiment to and to give a bit of focus, used a cello bag and a bit of ribbon to make it look all pretty.

This close up shows the detail of the embossing folder that I highlighted by rubbing a classic ink pad over and covering with "Dazzling Diamonds" glitter ~ well, you have to have a bit of glitter on Christmas things.


And inside, well, I added a couple of the Options "Indulgence" hot chocolate drinks, but they are only 60 calories each, so a bit naughty and nice - perfect!


My second share today is a really simply card using the same embossing folder from my stash.  This type of card is great as it is easy to replicate if you need to make loads.

Using the embossing folder, just run "Whisper White" through the big shot, wrap some "Old Olive" ribbon round, adhere to a  "Cherry Cobbler" card blank, add a sentiment using "Cherry Cobbler" ink, and your done.  I didn't add glitter to this one, but I sprayed it with some shimmer paint mixed with surgical spirit to give it a nice shimmery look.

Well, that's it from me today, hopefully I'll be able to post again tomorrow - fingers crossed!

Take very good care of yourselves... xx



Project Ingredients

Stamp Sets : "Contempo Christmas" & "Perfect Punches" Stamp Sets.
Card stock : "Whisper White", "Baja Breeze" & "Cherry Cobbler" cardstock
Accessories :"Old Olive" ribbon (RETIRED); "Baja Breeze" Seem binding ribbon; "Dazzling Diamonds" glitter

Colour : "Baja Breeze" & "Cherry Cobbler" Classic Ink pads
Tools : Glue dots & SNAIL adhesive; Big Shot machine.

Envelope and embossing folder - from stash

More birthday card inspiration.

Hello there, well, I had a lovely day yesterday shame you have to injure being a year older to have a special day - lol!

Anyway, I would like to share with you the other 2 cards I made after being inspired by my birthday card from Stampin' Up!

As you can see, it's basically the same as yesterdays only I just stepped it up a little bit by using the "Elegant Bouquet" embossing folder and running the "Whisper White" card stock through the Big Shot.  This helps add some interest to the top right hand corner that seemed a bit empty on my first card.

My second card is basically the same again, only this time I added a gift parcel and thread with a button and changed the placement of the sentiment, all of which, along with the colour palette, gives it a more mascaline feel I think.

I don't have anyone to give these cards to, I was just playing which sometimes is all you want to do rather than have the presure of wanting to create something perfect so that it's good enough for recipient.

Another thing, I've had a comment and a couple of messages about doing a tutorial for the box I showed you earlier in the week, from my "Countdown to Christmas series.  The current plan is to have one ready to publish on Sunday, so stay tuned.

That's all from me, hope you have a fabulous day....xx


Project Ingredients

Stamp Sets : "Curly Cute", "Playful Pieces" Hostess set (** RETIRING **)
Card stock : "Naturals Ivory", "Soft Suede", "Tangerine Tango" & "Whisper White" Cardstock.
Accessories : Clear embossing powder, "Sweet Stitches" DSP (** RETIRING **) & "Elegant Soiree" DSP (** RETIRING **), Flower Button from "Neutrals" collection. & Linen Thread. 
Colour : "Tangerine Tango", "Melon Manbo", "Soft Suede", & "Baja Breeze" Ink pads
Tools : SNAIL Adhesive, heat tool & Glue dots

A simple little card

Hello again, hope your week is going well so far.

My share today is a very simple little card using a wonderful stamp set that is sadly on the retirement list, that means that come the 1st October it will no longer be available so if you like this one please place an order as soon as possible so you don't miss out.

The card is one of those that comes together quite easily.  Firstly I embossed a square on the front using a bit of cardstock and a bone folder.  Then inked up my clear block and stamped the shape within the embossed area.  I love this technique, so easy and a great way of getting the most out of your supplies. I then stamped the main sentiment on the bottom right hand corner and the heart sentiment using StazOn ink, let to dry for quite a while as I wanted to heat emboss.  I used by embossing buddy, which is a great little tool for reducing static on cards and stopping embossing powder sticking to strange places.  Then I stamped the heart, added clear embossing powder and heat embossed.

This card is part of a series I'm doing for "Support our Soldiers" appeal who send handmade cards to the scary places where our armed forces are deployed so that they have the opportunity to have cards that they can send home as there are not many WHSmiths in Afghanistan!!  I'm aiming to do about 30 by the end of the month so I'll keep you updated on that.  If you are interested, you can find out more about this charity HERE

That's it for today, hope yours is a good one!  xx



Project Ingredients

Stamp Sets :  "Simply Said"
Card stock : "Whisper White"
Colour : "Baja Breeze" ink pad, StazOn ink
Tools : Stampin' Up! clear mount block - size "C"; Clear embossing powder; Heat tool

"Less is More" Challenge card

Sorry not to post for a while, just a really really quick post today.

This is my entry for this weeks "Less is More" challenge, which is to create a 1 layered card with embossing on.

I used Baja Breeze cardstock for the card blank which was embossed in the centre using a piece of card stuck on the front then using a bone folder to fell round the edges on the inside of the card to create the embossing.  I stamped the leaves pattern from the "Confetti" stamp set, (Cat ref: 120465, Pg 60),  round the outer, unembossed section of the card and stamped the larger flower from the "Growing Green" stamp set, (Cat Ref: 120624, Pg 56), and heat embossed both using clear embossing powder.  I used the Rose Red marker pen to colour in the flower and Chocolate Chip marker pen for the dashed lines and for the Friend to Friend sentiment, which is from the "Pocket Silhouettes" stamp set, (Cat Ref: 111672, Pg 45)

Take care, and chat more soon - promise :o)

Double Embossed Card

Todays card is a double embossed card, what I mean by that is that there is both heat embossing and an embossing folder used on this card.

Firstly, I used a cuttlebug embossing folder from my stash and embossed the left side of the "Whisper White", (Cat Ref: 106549, Pg 85), cardstock.  I then stamped the open flower image from the "Fast & Fabulous" Hostess Lv.2 stamp set using Versamark ink, (Cat Ref: 102283, Pg 103), and covered in white embossing powder, (Cat Ref: 109132, Pg 100) and heat embossed using a heat tool, (Cat Ref: 110197, Pg 100).  Using makeup sponges I daubed over the embossed flowers using