A Vintage Santa!

One of the style of cards that I dearly love is vintage simple.  This is a name I give to vintage cards that are not too over the top with too many frou-frou embellishments and details.  At Christmas, vintage Santas are one of my favorite images.  I have been collecting them in a file on my computer, but have never used one.  I decided this was the year that I had to try my hand at a card featuring a vintage Santa.  I love to frame vintage pictures, and I decided that would be what I would do with my lovely old guy!  Here is how my vintage Santa card evolved.

Recipe: Georgia Pacific White cs. Bazzill Blush Red Medium cs.  DCWV Christmas Stack (2011): green snowflakes. Authentique: Festive-Joyful stripe. DCWV Glitter paper: lime. Graphic Fairy: Old St. Nick color image. Wilton 6” Doily (modified). Colorbox Chestnut Roan distressing. Stampin’ Up Scallop Border punch. Spellbinders: Scallop Ovals LG, Ovals SM, Scallop Squares LG.  Petalloo Poinsettias. Recollections Rhinestones.

A New R.N. in the Family!

Congratulations are in order for my youngest daughter, Jackie!  Today, our family and Jackie's long-time friends gathered to watch and celebrate her R.N. pinning ceremony upon completion of her final quarter in her associate R.N. nursing degree.  She has worked so very hard putting aside many things in her singular effort to become a registered nurse.  We are very proud of all her hard work and her 4.0 grade point average.

So, of course, I had to make a card for Jackie for this special occasion. I made her card while on my vacation in California from an original design by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot).   As I was creating it, I thought it would be perfect for this occasion with the grandfather clock denoting it was time to celebrate something very special.  After completing the outside and deciding on the right sentiment for the front of the card, I began to formulate my inside verse to celebrate Jackie.  I hope she likes the card and the special words meant just for her.

Recipe:  Papertrey Ink designer paper and cardstocks. SU Punches: Modern Label, Word Window. EK Fancy Corners. Papertrey Mehndi Medallion Impression Plate. Sizzix Tags. Wilton 4-inch Doily. Hug Snug Melon seambinding ribbon. MFT Felt: Jellybean Green. Prima flower. Stash: Lace & Fringe.

It has been an interesting voyage watching this young lady grow from a gawky teenager to a beautiful young lady.  She began her college career thinking she wanted to be a professional photographer.  Her first college degree at the local community college was an Associated of Arts degree.  She went from there to the Seattle Art Institute and received a photography degree...her specialty fashion photography!   After several years of working in photography, she came to the conclusion that to be really successful in her preferred line of photography, she would have to move from the northwest, and she had no desire to do that.

During these years and somewhere along the way, she became interested in nursing as a possible change for her life's career.  This isn't too strange because both of her grandmothers were nurses, and she has numerous aunts and cousins who are nurses.  To be sure that was her calling, she volunteered at Harborview Medical Center and went back to college to get her Certified Nursing Assistant license.  She was able to get her first CNA job at Harborview and was elated.  After a year of working at Harborview, she was sure she wanted to be a nurse. 

Her attempt to achieve this goal is a little slower than some, as she basically had to start college all over again changing from arts to science!  So, back to college she went while still working part-time at Harborview to acquire the prerequisites needed to even be able to even apply for a nursing program.  It was a long and arduous trek, taking biology, chemistry, microbiology, anatomy & physiology, psychology, and numerous other classes, but she was finally ready to find a school.  Trying to get her nursing degree in an economical manner, she chose the L.P.N. to R.N. bridging route at our local community college, which would mean four full-time quarters, and then apply and test for her L.P.N. nursing license.  Working for a year after passing the L.P.N., she bridged to an associate part-time R.N. program while still working part-time in private pediatric care. 

Today, she finished the next step in the ladder to her final goal, getting her B.S.N.  She has already formulated her plan to work as an R.N. for a year, and then apply to the University of Washington's Bachelors of Science R.N. part-time bridge program.  Personally, I think the Bachelor's degree may not end up being the final step, but we'll see as time unfolds.  Her entire family, of course, wishes her the very best and will continue to love and support her!  Though this story became rather lengthy, I hope I did not rattle on too long...can you tell I'm a proud parent!

Using Stampin' Ups New "Merry" Expressions Thinlit #2!

I was so excited when the man in brown delivered by Stampin' Up order to me while vacationing in California.  During a weekend crop at my Mom's, I just had to try out my "Merry" Thinlit on a card of my own.  I love this Teresa Collins Cottage Christmas paper that I purchased last year and didn't get a chance to use.  It is so very festive and perfect for my new cursive die!  I'm big on layers, so I didn't seemed to be satisfied until I had added a minimum of eight layers, including embellishments.  But, surprisingly, even with all those layers, the card remains fairly simplistic in look.  I hope you enjoy my "Merry" little card.

Recipe:  Stampin’ Up Papers: Cherry Cobbler cs (base); Red Glimmer. Recollections: White Glimmer.  Teresa Collins-Christmas Cottage: Sentiments/ Tiny Flowers Stripe. SU Expressions Thinlits. WRMK Deco Corner Chomper. Zutter Corner Rounder. Petaloo Poinsettia. SU Rhinestones (Copic colored).  Ribbon stash: 5/8” white ruffed sheer; Felt rick rack.

Using Stampin' Ups New "MERRY" Expressions Thinlit #1!

I just purchased Stampin' Up's new Expressions Thinlits a few weeks ago.  The first time I saw this new die and also got to use it was at a Christmas Cardmaking Event hosted by my friend, Liz Thayer.  First, I am including the very first "MERRY" card I made designed by Liz for her cardmaking event.  I did tweak the card a bit with my own ideas by adding a white cardbase below the red to give it another layer and fishtailed my ribbon instead of burying it edges beneath a layer.  This card is just too darn cute and I know whomever I decide to give it to will be delighted!  In my next post, I will show my own card that I designed using this new "MERRY" die.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products:  Paper-Whisper White cardbase, Real Red cs, Red Glimmer, Season of Style dsp.  Stamp: Happy Hour. Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green. Dies: Expressions Thinlits-Merry. 5/8" Satin-Sheer.

Christmas Glitter Window #3!

Here is my third and final use this year of the Glitter Window technique using Stampin' Up Ornament Keepsake dies.  As you can see the same effect can be accomplished with dies and not just punches.  I've had this red and white spiral paper in my stash for a few years and decided I either needed to throw it out or try to make something with it.  I thought a Glitter Window in the center of its spiral might be interesting.  I found some peppermint candy paper with an aqua background to use as the ornaments decoration.  I ended up fussy cutting one of the peppermints out of the paper and using Pool Party cardstock behind in order to isolate a single peppermint.  I have certainly confirmed that I love the effect of the Glitter Window.

Recipe: Stampin' Up products: Whisper White (base), Real Red, Pool Party cardstocks. Die: Ornament Keepsakes. Clear button. Recollections 180 Christmas Stack. Queen&Co. Red Crystal-coated pearls. Darice fine white glitter. Scotch 3M 2-inch Clear Packing tape. Lyon mini yarn (JoAnns). Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss: Red. Stash: 5/8" white satin-sheer ribbon; 3/8" seafoam satin ribbon; Lyon white/silver mini yarn.

Tickets to Christmas #2!

I wanted to try out the Glitter Window technique again...I just love its effect!  This time I decided to try using a patterned paper behind the window instead of washi tape for the ornament's decoration.  I also wanted to use one of my other ornament punches to see how that would look.  I love Stampin' Up's Winter Frost  designer paper in the Holiday booklet and their Silver Glimmer paper and those were my choices for this card.  I was pretty happy with it when it was finished, reminding me of a cold and crisp winter day with a bit of snow on the ground!

Recipe:  Stampin Up products:  Papers: Island Indigo (base), Smoky Slate, Pool Party cardstocks; Winter Frost dsp; Silver Glimmer. Ink: Island Indigo. Stamp: That's the Ticket. Punches: Ornament (retired), Boho Blossoms. Embossing Folder: Snowburst (retired). Rhinestones. Dimensionals. Stash:  Satin-Sheer ribbons - white and seafoam.

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

I want to wish all those who take a peak at my blog a wonderfully warm and 

Happy Thanksgiving!  

I hope each and every one of you have a delightful day, enjoying good food and pleasing company!

My card was inspired by one originally designed by Misty Bradley over a year ago, and I thank her for that inspiration.  As you may know by now, I really like square cards, so my card had to be square, and I decided it needed a few more color layers.  I veined my leaves by folding at just the right angles and sponging these folds with Colorbox's Chestnut Roan to simulate the dinner-plate-sized maple leaves that fall in our front and back yards every year.  I also tweaked the papers used, adjusted the layout a bit, and added embellishments.  I just love the little wooden button and twine and decided it was just the right finishing touch.  I think my card turned out to be really warm, thankful, and encouraging, and I hope you enjoy it on this special Thanksgiving Day!

Inspired by Misty Bradley 2012 original.  Recipe:  Papers: Bazzill Dotted Swiss-Honey; Bazzill-Burning Ember/ Aqua; Stampin' Up Naturals Ivory (base), Early Espresso cs; Echo Park-Fall Fever: Trees & Stripe. Stampin' Up Punch: Open Scallop Border. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (sponging and distressing). Wrights Orange Citrus Twill. May Arts brown twine. Stash: wood button.

Santa's Little Stocking!

This little card is similar to some I've seen created by Stampin' Up cardmakers.  It uses all Stampin' Up products.  My card has an added white cardbase than most I've seen, and it is larger (of course)!  I decided I like using the heel and toe silver to match the stocking cuff, where most I've seen to not add to the base of the stocking and leave it all red.  For my sentiment I have used the Sizzlits Lots of Tags die and modified both pieces. . .that was an interesting project.  I decided this card will go to a really good friend of mine who entered my life as the wife of a co-worker of my husband's, then became a Mom at the school where I worked, and finally went to work for the district as a substitute office worker, where I requested her for our building many times.  Thus, evolved a long-time friendship that has endured into my retirement.

Recipe: SU stamp: More Merry Messages (sentiment). SU papers: Whisper White cs, Real Red cs, Silver Glimmer paper, Red Glimmer paper. SU Holiday Stocking Bigz die. SU Embossing Folder (Stripe). Sizzlits Lots of Tags (modified). Real Red 5/8” satin ribbon.

Tickets to Merry Christmas #1!

I went to a Christmas card-making event sponsored by my friend, Liz Thayer.  She shared several techniques that I really enjoyed.  One was the glitter window (like a snow globe shaken), the second was double embossing, and the third was techniques and ways to use washi tape.  My card was inspired by one that Liz had us make during this event.  

The double embossing was done with Stampin' Up's Stripe Embossing Folder, which is a diagonal multi-stripe. By rotating the paper 180 degrees and embossing it a second time, it made a diamond-shape embossed plaid.  On this card, the glitter window is created by punching out the ornament shape and putting clear 2-inch wide packing tape over the hole on the back side with the sticky surface showing through the ornament window and then sprinkling with white fine glitter and tapping off excess glitter.  On this card, three patterns of washi tape are diagonally placed on the second paper surface beneath the window, creating a pattern to show through as the ornament's pattern and through the glitter window.  The washi tape was also used diagonally on one of the tickets.  Just love the way this card turned out.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up products: Old Olive (base), Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede cardstocks.  Authentique: Festive-Glistening (plaid); Stamps: That's the Ticket; Ink: Old Olive; Punch: Ticket Duo, Christmas Ornament; Stripe Embossing Folder; Washi tape set: Season of Style; Soft Suede seam binding ribbon.  Scotch 3M 2" Clear Packing tape. Martha Stewart white fine glitter.

Merry Christmas Glitter - Tag Card #6

My last a final tag card conversion.  This was just such fun to prove to myself that I was right...a tag could be made into a lovely card.  Again, I change and tweaked the layout on this tag and added some elements to fill in areas to fit my ribbon and bow that I wanted to add to this card.  I also added tiny rhinestones for Christmas tree lights, and, yes, I am much happier with the smaller rhinestones than the size I used in Tag Card #4,  I deviated from all Stampin' Up papers on this bone and used BoBunny's Double Dot Frost Blue for my main background mat.  I really like the use of the oval Silver Glimmer paper on the Crumb Cake Decorative Label to fill in, and the addition of the small Silver Glimmer snowflake and the rhinestone center on scalloped circle element is a plus as well.  Now, I am inspired to try a tag on other occasion cards as well.

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (tree), Mixed Medley (scallop design/ sentiment). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits (trim). SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 1-1/4” Scallop, 3/4” circle, 1-3/4” large oval, Decorative Label. Martha Stewart Punch: Aspen corner (mini snowflake). SU papers: Cardstocks-Early Espresso base, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla-tag; Silver Glitter paper; Festival of Prints dsp stack. SU Ink: Early Espresso, Gumball Green. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones (Copic color). Queen&Co. Twinkle Goosebumps-crystal. Hug Snug seam binding-Tropic Wine. Stash: Silver ribbon. SU Early Espresso Baker’s Twine.

Christmas & Hot Chocolate Go Together! Tag Card #5

I just love this Stampin' Up stamp and die that creates a hot cup of...hot chocolate, hot toddies, coffee, tea, etc.  I made quite a few paper, ribbon, and layout changes to this tag, plus added a scallop border and embellishments.  I also had this lovely sheer snowflake ribbon that just absolutely begged to be used.  I didn't have a picture at the time I was making this tag, so I just ad libbed with the pieces that I had.  I was really happy with how my tag and card turned out.  Hope you like it as well!

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.Recipe:  SU stamp/die set: Scentsational Season (cup), Jolly Bingo Bits (snowflake). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits, Snow Flurry Bigz. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, Scallop Edge Border. EK Punch: 3/4” Scallop Circle, Medium Scallop Photo Corner, Scalloped Scallops Edge Border. SU papers: Cardstocks-Early Espresso base, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla; Snow Festival dsp (scallop trim), Festival of Prints dsp stack, Silver Glitter paper. SU Ink: Soft Suede. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). Rhinestones. Stash: Cream crochet thread; Snowflake glitter ribbon (Michaels).

Christmas Tree Sparkle - Tag Card #4!

Tag Card #4 really brings on the Christmas season with its sparkly little Christmas tree.  I made a few paper and layout changes to this tag, plus added lots of little rhinestones for tree lights instead of leaving them white.  There is a story behind that, of course.  

I tried using Perfect Pearls liquid first.  I just couldn't get all the round dots to be uniform so that I was happy with it.  After the liquid pearls dried, it confirmed that I just wouldn't be satisfied with the way it turned out.  I took my trusty Cricuit spatula and scraped off the dried liquid pearls.   This little Cricuit spatula (looks like a mini pancake turner) is so good for lifting off glued down items...don't know what I would do without it...even though, obviously, I am not using it for the purpose for which it was created.  I was able to get the pearls off and have a flat surface again, but the pearls "stained" the tree's circles red, green, blue, etc.  Therefore, I had to put on rhinestones at least large enough to cover the staining.  I would have been happier with rhinestones the next size smaller.  By the way, I colored my rhinestones with Copic markers to match the color shades in the paper used.

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (tree), Mixed Medley (snowflake). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 3/4” circle, 1-1/4” Scallop. Zutter Corner Rounder. SU papers: Cardstocks- Cherry Cobbler base, Marine Mist, Very Vanilla; Festival of Prints dsp stack, First Edition Specialty dsp, Silver Glitter paper. SU Ink: Early Espresso, Gumball Green. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones (Copic colored). Queen&Co. Twinkle Goosebumps-green. Hug Snug seam binding ribbon: Gabardine Green, Spring Green. SU Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine.

Candy Canes Christmas Tag Card #3

I'm having such great fun turning these tags into Christmas cards!  It is really putting me in a festive mood.  I just love the candy canes on my Tag card #3.

I added an an Old Olive Open Scallop punched border to the design running down the center of my tag to give it a bit more color.  I also changed the scalloped circle to a green paper with a bit of red as I thought this would also add more color.  I stamped my Crumb Cake (tan) Decorative Label with SU's Crumb Cake ink and the Flowering Flouishes stamp to give the plain cardstock some additional interest.  I added to and changed the tag ribbons, added some candy dots and a Cherry Cobbler fishtail mat behind the sentiment.  Following is a picture of Tag card #3 with a picture of Heidi's original tag.  By comparing the two you can see how card #3 evolved.  

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.
Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (canes), Flowering Flourishes, More Merry Messages (sentiment). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 3/4” circle, Decorative Label, Scallop Trim border. EK Punch: Medium Scallop Photo Corner. SU papers: Cardstocks- Very Vanilla base/tag, Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade; Festival of Prints dsp stack, Silver Glitter paper. SU Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). Old Olive Candy Dots. Hug Snug seam binding ribbon: Moss Green. SU Crochet Trim. SU Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine.

Merry Christmas Gingerbread Man! Tag Card #2

With my first tag card conversion under my belt, I learned I need to decide on the card papers and layers to go along with my tag before I assemble my tag because the manila background on most of the tags doesn't show off the tag well against the Stampin' Up Festival of Prints papers Heidi used.  This is probably because the papers use white rather than cream in their design.  On the first tag, I made the tag first and then  added a piece of Cherry Cobbler to back the manila to make it show up against the paper better.  Fortunately, I found that my Zutter corner rounder had the exact same shaped corners as the tags, so I was able to cut a rectangle slightly larger than the tag dimensions and round its corners to match the tag's corners.  It did not have the curved top, but the ribbon through the tag hole covered up this omission so it doesn't show.  

With this 2nd tag card, I, fortunately, have the exact tag die that was used, so I cut a tag outline of the patterned paper she used at the bottom as an accent.  This covered the entire tag, so I did not use it as an accent piece.  Instead, I added a strip of Cherry Cobbler accent and placed my scalloped silver glimmer on top.  Below is my 2nd card, along with Heidi's picture of her original tag.  In comparing the two, you can see the changes I made to develop my tag into a card!

  

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.
Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (gingerbread), Mixed Medley (snowflake), Teeny Tiny Wishes. SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 1-1/4” Scallop, 3/4” circle, Decorative Label (modified), Word Window. SU papers: Cardstocks-Whisper White-base, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla-tag, Cherry Cobbler; Silver Glitter paper; Festival of Prints dsp stack. Be of Good Cheer dsp. SU Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones (Copic color). Queen&Co. Twinkle Goosebump-green. Hug Snug seam binding Spring Green. SU Linen Thread.

Christmas is Coming - Snowflake-Gingerbread Man - Tag Card #1!

Guess what...the rest of the month of November leaves me free and clear of any birthdays, anniversaries, or other non-holiday cards needed or that I want to make.  Yahoo!  This means I can devote all of my cardmaking creativity to getting ready for Christmas!  

I bought a kit of six Christmas tags in 2012 that were designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  They are all using Stampin' Up's Scentsational Scents stamp and die set.  I decided to bring out the kit and get started.  Now, I knew when I bought this set of tags that I would not be using them as package tags, but rather converting them to Christmas cards; therefore, I have taken the liberty of making some paper layout changes to help with the card layering that I wanted to use.  Following, is the first tag I converted to a card.  

 

With this tag, I added the Cherry Cobbler mat behind the tag to give it more color against the green patterned layer next to the tag.  I also shortened my center fishtail banner and added rhinestone buttons to Mr. Gingerbread.  I used Cherry Cobbler as my cardbase as well.  Next, I added a layer of silver glimmer paper and the matching green pattern, with Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon with a double bow.  I was very pleased with my "tag" card, and am excited to make the other five "tag" cards.  Watch for them as they appear in my blog throughout the month of November!

Recipe:  Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (gingerbread), Snowflake Soiree. SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits (pinking). SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 1-3/4” circle. Zutter Corner Rounder. SU papers: Cardstocks- Cherry Cobbler-base, Very Vanilla-tag; Silver Glitter paper; Be of Good Cheer dsp, Festival of Prints dsp stack. SU Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones. Hug Snug seam binding cream. SU Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine.