Merry Christmas

First I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. 

Today I have a card with one of the stamps from the Holiday Trees & Ornaments stamp set.  The frame was created by layering a variety of die cut rectangles (Fitted, Stitched, Fitted Frames, and Dotted Scallop).  This was one of my favorite Christmas cards this year.

You can create a variety of cards by switching the theme and the sentiment and this versatile layout will be useful and fun all year! For example,  from snowflakes, tree and Christmas sentiment to a cupcake and tiny hearts and you'll have a birthday card.

The size of the finished card is 6 1/2 x 5 inches.  It is a card base is from a purchased set of blank cards and envelopes.

Here is how to complete the card:

1.  Stamp the tree with black ink, color with markers. Die cut using the matching die. Add Warm or Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter to the snow on the branches.

2. For the first layer of the frame (the smallest inner layer surrounding the tree) use the Fitted Frames 1 Lace Rectangles die set to cut White Soft Finish Cardstock (SFC). Use the small scalloped frame.

3.  Use the third largest Stitched Rectangles Frames die to cut White SFC.

4.  Use the second largest Fitted Rectangles die to cut Forest Green SFC.

5.  Use the largest Dotted Scallop Rectangles die to cut White SFC. stock.

6.  Using a paper trimmer or craft knife, ruler, and self healing craft mat, hand-cut a Forest Green SFC rectangle 1/8 inch larger than the white Dotted Scallop Rectangle.

7.  Layer and adhere all of the rectangles, starting from the smallest and working outward. Center each frame on top of the next one. (Refer to the project photo.)

8. Attach the frame to the front of the 6 1/2 x 5 inch card front.

9.  Stamp the sentiment with black ink. When ink is dry, trim around the sentiment using scissors to fussy-cut a curvy shape.  Adhere per project photo.

10.  Add the  tree below the sentiment.

11.  For the snowflakes, die cut White Soft Finish Cardstock that has Clear Double Sided Adhesive on the front with the tree branch die that has the small snowflakes (Christmas Tree die set). Cut off the snowflakes, Remove the release sheet to expose the adhesive and cover with Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter (or Warm Diamond if you used Warm Diamond for the snow on the stamped tree). Polish with a fingertip to bring out the maximum sparkle. Glue the snowflakes around the tree, inside the scalloped frame.

The products used from Elizabeth Craft Designs are linked below.

Background Challenge

The Elizabeth Craft Designs challenge for the design team this week was to create a background with either dies or stamps.  I chose to use the new Kaleidoscope background die and Gold Mirror cardstock.  To see all the cards/projects created by the design team, go to the Elizabeth Craft Designs Blog at this LINK.

For the Challenge today, Elizabeth Craft Designs is giving away a $20 Gift Card to use on the Elizabeth Craft Designs website to 3 winners. 

To enter, simply leave a comment on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog post and leave a comment answering this question:   What Elizabeth Craft Designs dies or stamp sets would you use to create a background on something you were creating?

      

Elizabeth Craft Designs will select 3 lucky winners in a random drawing.

The winners will be announced on Friday, December 22, on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog.

Good Luck!

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Here is how I created my card.

1.  Add a piece of Clear Double  Sided Adhesive to the front and back of a piece of white card stock, slightly larger than the Kaleidoscope die.  Peel off the covering on one side, exposing the adhesive, and attach a piece of gold mirror card stock.  

2.  Attach the Kaleidoscope die on top of the gold card stock, with removable tape, and run through the die cutting machine.  Because there is adhesive on both sides of the white card stock and the gold is attached on top, the die will not cut completely through all thickness if run through just once.  You will have a nice die cut design through the gold card stock.  Do not remove the small die cuts within the design.

3.  Use a 5 x 6 1/2 inch card base.  Cut a piece of white card stock slightly smaller and score around the edges, using a score board,  for a finished look. Attach to the front of the card.

4.  Attach the gold die cut background to front of the card.

5.  Use Gold Peel Off Line Stickers to go around the outside of the die cut piece, as shown.

6. Add Clear Double Sided Adhesive to the front of a large piece of white card stock.  Use the Christmas Tree die set to create the tree.  Die cut the background  pieces and  overlay pieces with the dies on the top of the adhesive.   Die cut all the background pieces again using just white card stock.  You will have one set of background die cuts and two sets of overlay tree die cuts.

7.  Peel off the backing on the adhesive on the background (solid) die cuts and add Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter.  

8.  Peel off the backing of the overlay die cut tree pieces and add Light Gold Silk Microfine Glitter.  Be sure to rub the glitter with your fingers to bring out the shine.

9.  Glue the Light Gold tree die cuts over the Cool Diamond background.  

10.  Attach the white card stock background pieces to the back of the glittered die cut tree pieces so the bottom edges show slightly below the glittered pieces.  See picture.

11.  Die cut the Star from the Christmas Tree die set with Clear Double Sided Adhesive on top.  Add Champagne Silk Microfine Glitter to the star. 

12.  Die cut the tree trunk and the pot for the tree.  Die cut the overlay using silver mirror card stock.  Die cut the background using white card stock.  Attach the silver die cut over the white background.  

13.  Assemble the tree over the gold background, using dimensional tape under each of the tree layers, and the pot.  

14. Glue the glittered snowflakes, from the die cut tree,  around the tree, as shown.  

You can purchased the products used by clinking on the links below.

Susan's Garden Challenge - Votive

Today the Elizabeth Craft Design Team was challenged to create a card or project using Susan's Garden die sets in a Christmas Theme.  We are to use traditional Christmas colors -- red, green, gold/silver.  You can see all the design team projects on the Elizabeth Craft Designs Blog at this LINK.

I chose to create a Christmas Votive using Susan's Garden Notes Carolina Window and Shutter die set for the votive and decorated it with Garden Notes Poinsettia die sets.

As with all challenges, Elizabeth Craft Designs is giving you another chance to win a prize.

For the Challenge today, Elizabeth Craft Designs is giving away a $20 Gift Card to use on the Elizabeth Craft Designs website to 3 winners. 

To enter, simply leave a comment on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog post and leave a comment stating "What Susan Garden products would you like to find under your Christmas tree this year?”

      

Elizabeth Craft Designs will select 3 lucky winners in a random drawing.

The winners will be announced on Friday, December 15, on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog.

Good Luck!

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Here are the directions for creating the votive:

Start by die cutting four Garden Notes Carolina Windows.  Also cut a long strip of cardstock approximately 1/4 inch wide, that will be used to connect the windows to form the square votive.  Score the long strip down the center.  

Cut four pieces of the long strip, cut the length of the square part of the window.  Add a piece of Clear Double Sided Adhesive along the outside edges of the long pieces.  Attach the pieces to the backside of each die cut window, to create a square box.  

Create a bottom for the votive.  Place the square window, you just completed, on top of a piece of card stock and mark the insides lightly with a pencil.  Remove votive and cut the square with 1/4 inch margins on each side.  Score the square along the pencil lines and crease well.  Cut a slight 'V' shape on each corner, which will help the bottom fit easy inside votive sides.  

Cut two squares the same size as the inside of the square just created.  These will be glued inside, on the bottom, to create a firm bottom base.  (There will be three layers of cardstock on the bottom.)

Die cut four additional windows.  Cut four pieces of acetate the shape of the window.

Attach Clear Double Sided Adhesive around the outside edges of these four windows then attach the acetate.  

Attach Clear Double Sided Adhesive to the outside edges of the bottom square piece.  Attach the bottom piece ito the inside of the square votive.  Be sure bottom piece is even with the lower edge of the die cut windows.  

Peel backing off the extra die cut windows and attach to the inside of the votive making sure all edges are attached evenly.  By adding the extra die cut window pieces inside, it will make the votive strong.  The acetate should be between the two die cut window pieces.

Use the Dotted Scallop Circle die set and die cut three of the largest circles.  Attach the three circles together to create a firm base.

Use the Garden Notes Whitepine Bough & Pinecone die set to die cut 8 pine boughs.  Use the Garden Notes Mistletoe die set to die cut 4 branches.  Attach all these branches around the die cut circle.  Attach the Mistletoe pieces first, then the pine branches on top.

Use the Berry Branch die set and die cut 4 branches.  Use Gold Nuvo Crystal Dots to create berries on the branches.  Let dry thoroughly and attach over the pine boughs.

Add Clear Double Sided Adhesive to the bottom of the votive and attach to the center of the decorated circle.

Use the Garden Notes Poinsettia die set and create four poinsettias, using red card stock.  Attach one poinsettia to each corner of the votive, using dimensional glue dots.  Using gold cording, create 4 bows to be added to each corner, behind the poinsettia.

Use the Snowflake die set and die cut one gold snowflake and attach to the front of the votive.  Add a, battery operated, small candle inside the votive.

Hope you enjoyed my project.  You can shop for the products used by clicking on the products listed below.

Let It Snow

I love creating cards with snowmen.  I have had  a lot of fun using the Elizabeth Craft Designs Snowman die set.  For this card, I used only part of the snowman's body.

Start  with a 12x6 inch piece of Whisper Blue Soft Finish Cardstock scored across the center to create a 6 inch card. Cut a piece of white card stock 5 3/4 inches square and attach to the front of the card.  Cut a piece of the ModaScrap Let It Snow design cardstock slightly smaller and attach for the background.

Use the third largest die in the Dotted Scallop Rectangle die set and die cut one white rectangle.  Use the fourth largest die in the Stitched Rectangle die set and die cut one rectangle.  Before removing from the die, use Faded Jeans Distress Oxide Ink to sponge on blue ink.  This will leave a white border around the rectangle die cut.  Use a white opaque marker to draw on white snowflakes to coordinate with the design cardstock.  Attach the rectangles together using a piece of dimensional tape between layers.  Attach to the lower right corner on the card.

Use the Stylish Snowman die set and die cut the head and middle section of the snowman.  Die cut the hat, face and scarf.  If you would like a glittery snowman, die cut the pieces using Clear Double Sided Adhesive on top.  Use Basic Black Silk Microfine Glitter for the hat, Cool Diamond for the body, Orange for the nose, and Spring Peridot Silk Microfine Glitter for the scarf.  I cut a narrow piece of cardstock with Clear Double Sided Adhesive to create a hat band and added True Red Silk Microfine Glitter.  To create the polka dots on the scarf, I used a white opague pen.

Assemble the snowman and cut off a portion of the larger body to fit across the bottom of the frame created.  Attach the snowman with dimensional tape.

Use the Els van de Burgt Candle die set and die cut a bunch of the pine boughs using green card stock.  Arrange the pine boughs on the lower left and upper right corners of the framed snowman.  Add berries using Nuvo Crystal Drops.

Use the Holiday Garland die set and die cut one snowflake garland.  Use a piece of white card stock with Clear Double Sided Adhesive on top when you die cut it.  Sprinkle on Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter and rub in with your fingers for a sparkly finish.

Use Susan's Garden Notes Poinsettia die set to create the flower.  Add green and yellow Prills to the center.  Shape the flower and leaves using Susan's Flower Tool Kit.  For instructions on how to shape and create this poinsettia, you can view Susan's Garden Notes Poinsettia Video at this LINK.

Use the Garden Notes Whitepine Bough & Pinecone die set to die cut several pine boughs, using green cardstock.

Attach the Whitepine Boughs on the upper left corner of the card.  Attach the poinsettia on top.  Add red berries.

Cut the Snowflake Garland die cut so you can attach it across the top of the framed snowman and a piece down under the poinsettia.

Use the Winter Sentiments Clear Stamp set to stamp the sentiment on white card stock using black ink.  Cut around the sentiment using scissors.  Pat the sentiment onto a VersaMark Pad and clear emboss.  Attach to the lower left corner.  

How would you like to dress up your snowman?

You can shop for the products used for this card at the links provided below.

Pink Marble Poinsettias

Good Morning.  This is  a card designed using Susan's Garden Notes Poinsettia die sets.  I will show you how I painted the petals for this pretty Pink Marble Poinsettia.


1.  Start with a piece of card stock that is 12x6 inches.  Score across the middle to create a 6 inch square card.

2. To create the poinsettias the same way I did, use both the Garden Notes Poinsettia and Garden Notes Poinsettia Small die sets.  Die cut two of the large petal die cut using the Garden Notes Poinsettia die set and die cut one large petal die cut using the Garden Notes Poinsettia Small die set for each flower.   Die cut enough to create three flowers.  That will be 6 die cuts of the larger petals and 3 of the smaller petals. Die cut 5 or 6 leaves, using the larger Poinsettia die set.

3.  Draw the veins on the flower petals and leaves, using Susan's 4-piece Flower Tool Kit.

4.  Use watercolors and a water brush to color the pink on the poinsettia petals.

5.  Load pink watercolor on the water brush.  Start at the base of the petals and draw the color out, feathering the color on, up towards the point.

6.  Use the Flower Tools to shape the petals and leaves.  To assemble the flowers, use two large sets of petals and one small.  Alternate the petals when gluing together.  Use Kids Glue to  attach the petals. Use a mixture of green and yellow prills in the center of each flower.

7.  Use the Beautiful Baubles die set and die cut three pine branches using White Soft Finish Cardstock.  Lightly sponge color the needles using PanPastels.

8.  Use the Lovebirds die set and die cut once.  Lightly sponge on PanPastels to color leaves and bird.  Use a brown marker to color the branches.  Glue on Red Prills to the branches to resemble berries.  To glue the berries on, add a spot of Kids Glue on craft mat or paper plate.  Pick up one red Prill with Elizabeth Craft Designs tweezers.  Lightly touch Prill into glue and place on branch.  This branch will be cut apart to add behind the flowers.

9.  For the background, use the Kaleidoscope Background die to die cut one white background out of White Soft Finish Cardstock.

10.   Use Perfect Pink Soft Finish Cardstock to cut a piece to fit behind the Kaleidoscope Background.  Use 3mm Clear Double Sided Adhesive to attach Background to the pink cardstock.

11.  Cut a piece of White Soft Finish Cardstock 5 1/2 inches square.  Use a Scoreboard and score around the edges for a finish appearance.  Attach to the front of the card.

12.  Attach the Kaleidoscope background to the top portion of the Scored cardstock.

13.  Attach the poinsettia arrangement.  Start by attaching the pine branches.  Second, Attach the poinsettias with dimensional glue dots.

14.  Use the Holiday Garlands 2 die set to die cut the snowflake garland.  Attach it under the flowers.  Add a Clear Glitter Dot Peel Off Sticker to the center of each snowflake and circle on the garland.  Also add Clear Glitter Dots to the corners of the Kaleidoscope frame.

15.  Use the Sentiment 2 - Just Because Clear Stamp Set to stamp the sentiment, using black Archival Ink.  Die cut using the matching die set.  Use the VersaFine Dazzel Ink Pad to cover the sentiment and emboss with clear embossing power.
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