Small Wondehdehdeh...

As much as I'm dying to post some pictures of some of the Christmas cards I've been making...they are unfortunately on a camera that I've forgotten at my sister's. Sigh. So, instead I will show you a card I made for my niece's christening.

I had seen a number of different variations on how to make a lamb out of punches, but I didn't have some of those particular tools, so I improvised and it all ended up coming out great! What do you think?

Stamps: Whimsical Words (retired: sale-a-bration 2010)

Ink: Basic Black stampin' write journaler, pretty in pink marker, versamark, pretty in pink pad

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Pink Pirouette

Tools: Scallop trim border punch, word window punch, 1 1/4" square punch, corner punch, 1 3/4"scallop circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, Boho blossoms punch, Bird punch, white embossing powder, heat gun, sponge daubers

Extras: Pretty in pink gingham ribbon (retired)

The card is pretty self explanatory. I used the word window punch for the legs and just blackened ends with marker for hoofs. I used a square punch for the face and rounded the corners. Her ears are made from the bird punch's wings.

The greeting is stamped in versamark and then I used white embossing powder. I used a sponge dauber and sponged over the greeting once embossed to make the words stand out a bit.

The face I drew freehand with markers. She was so much fun to make, I have to make more sometime! But Christmas is taking all my time right now. I suppose I'll end up waiting until necessity forces me to make another !?

A Playdate with Animal Stories

My little niece turned 2 recently and it was a pretty big deal as she is the first of all the grandchildren. So I wanted to make a pretty special card too. She loves giraffes and has many of them in her room, so I thought this stamp would work nicely.

Stamps: Animal Stories (retired)

Paper: Playdate (retired)

Ink: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip

Extras: 1" double stiched grosgrain red ribbon, baker's twine, scallop square, 1-1/4" square, & 1" square punches, olive green library clip, Playdate rub-ons

I also thought the bright colours of the Playdate designer series paper would suit her well. I had gotten the paper, accent stickers, and rub-ons off the clearance rack and couldn't wait for an excuse to crack them open.

I liked the design and colours so much I made a couple extras but made it adaptable to the birthday or "just thinking of you" sentiment of any age. I replaced the "2" with one of the die-cut stickers.

Stamps: Animal Stories (retired)

Paper: Playdate (retired), Playdate Accents (die-cut stickers)

Ink: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip

Extras: 1" double stiched grosgrain red ribbon, baker's twine, scallop square, 1-1/4" square, & 1" square punches, olive green library clip, Playdate rub-ons

Stamp set: Swirls and Curls (2011 summer mini hostess L1)

I punched out some "2"s from the dsp and lined them up across the bottom and added a greeting in Real Red. Voila!

Christmas Lane Extras

Here is a card I made with the leftovers I had from the card class we did. Those extra stickers could absolutely NOT go to waste! So, here's a little 3" x 6" card made with a couple of the left over die cut stickers.

Stamp sets: Bingo Bits Christmas, Berry Christmas (retired)

Paper: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, & Whisper White cardstock, Christmas Lane DSP

Ink: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler

Extras: die-cut stickers from Christmas Lane

I used the Bingo Bits reindeer on this one. I love that set, it has so many uses. The images can be front and centre, as seen here, or used to decorate the interior of a card or the outside of the envelope.

Inside of card:

Stamp set: Many Merry Messages

Paper: Whisper White cardstock

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Extras: Christmas Lane die-cut stickers, baker's twine in Cherry Cobbler

So much fun to figure out ways to use these stickers! It reminds me that I must always get a Christmas Simply Scrappin' Kit each year! It lets me step out of the box trying to match the stickers, the paper, the shapes...oh my!!!

Well Worn Little Pick-up

My girlfriend Paula, had a birthday in October and I knew this set would be perfect for her. She lives out in the country, on an acreage, and drives a pick-up. We grew up together and I've known her a very long time. It's so nice when those friends from long ago are still somehow part of your life amidst all the moving around and life changes that lead people to fall out of touch with each other. I love going to see her and her kids, it's kinda like going back home in a way, but better cause were not moody teenagers anymore, and now we've gotten a chance to make our lives what we needed them to be. We reminisce about the crazy things we used to think, and the absurd ways we thought the world worked. Thank heavens, a person grows up! We figure we'll take the wrinkles if it comes with the peace of mind we have managed to gain.

So, for my long-time friend, I made a special card.

Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories, Tailgaiting (wheel), Tiny Tags

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Brown, Not Quite Navy, Espresso, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze

Paper: River Rock, Cajun Craze, Ivory Naturals cardstock, watercolor paper, Well Worn dsp

Tools: regular wheel, Aquapainters, Crop-a-dile, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Modern Label punch

Extras: Copper eyelets (retired), Twill ribbon

Isn't this just the cutest stamp set ever?

I'm in love with the little tree in this set but will have to save that for another post.

I used the pick-up from the above stamp set, I stamped it in Basic Brown on watercolour paper, then used the Aquapainter to fill in and colour. After having painted in most of the areas, I shaded further with the fine tip of the marker in the same colours.

The other stamps on this card came from the set below:

Those little dogs in this set were something I just HAD to have in the back of my pick-up. We are both big dog lovers, so it was perfect for her. In keeping with the doggie theme, I used the Tailgaiting wheel at the bottom of the card.

It was a time-consuming card, but so worth it! She loved it!!!

Wow, check this out...

If you ever considered in the back of your mind that you might like to have a night with just you and your friends having fun in your own home...well, then this is the perfect opportunity. It's a chance to spend some quality time with your friends while doing something fun. Right now, Stampin' Up! is having a promotion where you can get even more free stuff, as the hostess of an in-home workshop.

With the Christmas season fast approaching, this could also be a great opportunity to do some gift shopping while being introduced to Stampin' Up!'s product and trying them out for yourself. It's always fun to get those you love something a little different and this would be the perfect place!

Happy Thursday to you!