Christmas Card Classes

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Some crafty ladies (and guys :) in Norway...

One of the things my aunt mentioned before we headed off to Norway was that she wanted to get into cardmaking. And, that others there are into scrapbooking. So... I made sure to save some room in my suitcase for some stamps and ink to take along for gifts. We had an evening of creating cards with all the girls, and the boys thought it looked like so much fun that they even jumped into make some!





Look how many got made!!

Birdie Thanks

By the time this card posts, (this is the last of my scheduled posts) I should be home again from Norway... so, this is a special "Thank you so much" card dedicated to the great hospitality of my family in Norway.


Stay tuned for my pictures (I'm sure there will be many!) and posts about my trip to Norway.... once I'm over jet lag :)

Bzzzzzzz!

Bees are really in right now. Sounds funny, I know... but they are. They are popular on children's clothing (that's REALLY odd to me, because bees hurt people) home decor, scrapbook pages, stamp sets, purses, etc. They are very striking to look at, but at the same time, when they decide to strike, look out!

Already this summer, a friend of ours got attacked by bees and ended up with 14 stings. The poor guy is going to have a phobia for the rest of his life.

But, back to the image of bees. There is something about black and yellow together that just appeals. here are some bees that I've just left as line art, but they still intrigue me.


I popped a couple cut out bees off the card in this next one. Thought it gave them an illusion of movement. Don't read too much into the red colouring... these are just your regular bees :)

Nice and Neutral

Bees, birds and bird cages, along with a vintage feel... these are things that you will find in many crafting lines right now. I love the vintage sets that Stampin' Up! has out right now, and I am the proud owner of several of them, including the set that this card was made from:

Nature Walk (w-116998, c-120495)

Simple Lines

I love it when a stamp can stand alone. This is one of my favourite stamps of all time. It is from the set Concerto, and it was the very first stamp set I bought from Stampin' Up!. It was retired several years ago. I love that I can stamp it in black and leave it alone, or I can colour it in and give it a whole new look, but that isn't necessary because it is such a strong stamp all on its own.

Birdie Dreams

I used some rub-ons that I had in my stash, as well as some retired patterned paper and ribbon for today's card.

Fun with Felt Flowers

These felt flowers are retired, but you can get a similar look with some of the current Stampin' Up! products, or maybe you have some of the old flowers on hand, still. They add a nice touch to a simple card.

A Happy Little Bird

Botanical Gazette Suite

I've said it before, but one of the things I love about the current mini catalogue (OCCASIONS MINI CATALOGUE LINK) is how the catty is divided up into suites. The Botanical Gazette Suite has become one of my favourites! We used the Nature Walk stamp set, as well as Botanical Gazette designer paper to make this card on Monday night at my Stampers Club.


We also used... the Paper Crimper!! I highlight this because it has been so long since I pulled it out. But this week I saw on someone's blog where they challenged paper crafters to use this tool again. And it is so FUN to use!! If you have one, I want to extend the challenge to you - use the tools you have bought! Look around your craft room. Do you see something you bought and haven't used? Why not make it a goal for April (that's tomorrow... can you believe it?!) to use the tools and supplies you have purchased. If you forget why you bought something, or don't know how to use it, then feel free to leave a question or a comment on here and I'd be happy to help you find a project to go with your supplies!! I encourage customers and friends that if they are going to buy something (especially in the case of embellishments) to USE THEM!!! They sure look pretty in jars and on shelves, but they look even better on a card or scrapbook page! And the purpose is to create something with them... not to just look at them! Have fun and happy stamping!! I would love to know if you took my challenge, and what you created!

Inky Fingers

Last night was my Stampers Club, and I will post those projects once I get them photographed.

But, this morning, as I was tidying up after the club, Elise and I stamped a few cards with the supplies that were still out.

Here's her card...


And then, she said, "Oh NOOOO! It won't come off!" Oh well! 'Tis the life of a stamper to have inky fingers! Inked hands are a sign of a creative day :)

Birthday Celebrations!

Last week, my mom turned 60. Today, I had a surprise tea party for her with about 20 of her friends. Here's the invitation I sent out... (most people got these, but some were invited via email due to lack of address, time constraints, etc.)


Inside the card were directions, time, etc. And then I put this:

Because you have brought her
so much joy through the years
with your friendship,
we invite you to help us surprise
this special lady on her birthday…



Your presence is your gift

And we request no other.

Monkeys Monkeys Everywhere!!

Here are the cards we made last night using Sock Monkey. Also, E with her striped monkey, and the authentic, handmade monkey my mom made when I was a girl. Time to make the boys some sock monkeys, I think! They are feeling a little left out!!!

We used Jolly Holiday paper to piece the monkey together. I love it when you can use something for more than its original planned use: Christmas paper doesn't always have to look Christmasy!

Another Club Card

Here is the second card we did on Monday night. I love this paper, Love Letter, and this card is perfect for Valentine's, or for a number of other occasions just by changing the sentiment.




All of the items used on this card are from the Idea Book & Catalogue. I got a chance to use my brand new punch... 119275 Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch.

A little spring card

I heard today that we are now halfway through Winter. Spring is on its way!!!! Here's a card to get you in the mood for Spring :)

Some more Springtime

Springtime in blues....

Stamps about Sewing

What could be better than throwing my 2 favourite hobbies into one craft project?! Love the "Oh Sew Suite" category in the Occasions Mini catty. The colours are fun, the designs are sweet and there is fabric, stamps, embellishments, paper, and more! This suite is so well coordinated and laid out.

Here is a super fast and easy card I made the other night for a friend....


A few little deets:
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: So saffron and Melon Mambo
Ribbon: Marina Mist
122009 Sew Suite Clear-Mount (wood mount: 121933)
121781 Sweet Stitches Designer Paper
113792 Great Friend Stamp Set

Sweet Paris

I would love to see this in real life one day, but for now, I will have to settle for this stamp set!

Stamp set used: Artistic Etchings.

Inside view of card:

Another Open House card

Here is the other card we made last night as a Make and Take.

This one is with French Foliage from the Holiday Mini. It is pretty basic, and we used the "Happy Thanksgiving" sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I have the set in clearmount set, but it is available in woodmount, as well.



I also made this gift bag from a paper lunch bag. I just stamped French Foliage all over it and then added the twine, sentiment and floating leaf. What a quick and easy (and cheap!!!) way to make a little gift bag if you need something cute for a hostess gift when you go visiting friends over the Thanksgiving season.

Happy Feet!

These happy fellows are from the stamp set "Jolly Bingo Bits" in the Holiday Mini Catalogue. We love the movie Happy Feet, so I wanted to make a whole bunch of dancing penguins. I used a post-in note and made a mask so I could put some of the dancers in behind.

Orange is not a typical Christmas colour, but I think this Pumpkin Pie colour works on the card because of the penguins' beaks.

A little detailing on the inside of the card: