Another Holiday Ornament

I wanted to try something different with the Stampin' Up! holiday ornament this time....NO stamps and NO designer paper! This one relies entirely on the texture from embossing folders. I was going to use this as my sample for the SUO Challenges Design Team, but since I used (non-SU) white tulle on it, it didn't really qualify.

Nevertheless, it is gorgeous in real life, and I want to make more of them to adorn my tree.  The tree that we haven't even purchased, yet. Yes, we are seriously lagging in the Christmas department this year, but in my defense, I have been dealing with Dad's estate stuff, so I haven't had the time I normally would have to devote to all things crafty.

I do wish my camera took better pictures of the details. Maybe that's what I should ask Santa for Christmas. That old point-and-shoot camera just doesn't cut the mustard! There's a sneak peek of the new LARGE rhinestones that are coming in the Spring Catalog. They're the same size as the large pearls (8 mm).

And now, for your holiday enjoyment, here's a cute and funny video from Stampin' Up! wishing us all a merry Christmas: 12 Days of Christmas, SU style

Stamps: None
Cardstock: Whisper White, White Cardstock Vellum
Ink: None
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits dies, Lacy Brocade and Fancy Fan embossing folders, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Silver Glass Stampin' Glitter, Crystal Effects, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Large Rhinestones Basic Jewels, 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Silver Tinsel (retired), white tulle (non-SU)

Holiday Ornaments

The ornaments on the cover of the Stampin' Up Holiday Catalog have been a big hit, with lots of people wanting to know "How did they DO that?" Fortunately, some very talented, creative ladies got a few tips from SU, and then set out to figure them out.  One of them, Linda Heller, posted a couple of videos*, and since she did it already, I'll just link to hers......no sense in reinventing the wheel, right?

This is one of the ornaments we made in the Holiday Decor class last Saturday.  This is an easier version of the stamped one on the catalog cover.  Using Designer Series Paper makes the process a bit speedier, because you don't have to stamp the same image 15 times, and cut them out one at a time with the Framelits. Not that I'm impatient, or anything.

 

I just like to have fabulous results in a timely manner, that's all! That's not asking too much, is it?

My point being, you can cut three layers of DSP with the Framelits, thus making the "getting ready to assemble" process much quicker! Five passes through Mr. Big versus fifteen passes.... as Martha would say, "It's a good thing."

Stamps: None

Cardstock: Be of Good Cheer DSP

Ink: None

Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Large Pearl Basic Jewels, Dazzling Details, hot glue gun (non-SU)

*Video links:

Longer video (stamped ornament)

Shorter video (DSP ornament)

And now, if you scrolled all the way down here, here is my big (to me, anyway) announcement that I mentioned a week or so ago..........

I've been invited to be a Control Freak!

If you have spent any time at all perusing blogs for stamping inspiration, then I am sure you know who I'm talking about......some of the most esteemed names in stampdom!  Uber-talented folks like Wendy Weixler (one of this year's SU Artisan Award winners), JanTink, Lisa Martz, Connie Babbert, and Mary Brown, just to name a few.  People whose work I have admired forever!

That I have been invited to join the group is a HUGE honor for me. Once I've participated in a Control Freaks swap (as soon as the Spring catalog comes out), then I can join in the Tour de Freaks blog hops. Can't wait!

So, that was my big news, and if you stuck with me this far, I have a little blog candy for ya:

That's a package of the Large Pearl Basic Jewels, and a roll of Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon. Just leave a comment, and Sunday night I'll use Random.org to pick a winner!

Christmas in August

This is what we made for this month's Christmas Club. You should have been here! We had Christmas music playing on Pandora to get us in the holiday mood (despite the heat and humidity outside), cookies and cold spiced cider (because hot spiced cider didn't sound like such a terrific idea, lol).

This is a fun-fold card, inspired by a swap I got from Cris McCarthy at Convention. It is so cool, and it was quick and easy to do, too! (Measurements given below.) The belly band slides off to reveal an accordion folded card. There are all kinds of possibilities for finishing the inside, with lots of room to write a personal note, as well.

The Christmas Club meets the second Monday of the month at 2:00 PM and again at 7:00 PM for the people who have daytime jobs. The card du jour is emailed out in advance (ideally) so people can decide how many they want to make before they get here. Here's the other two options:

There's always room for more, so let me know if you want to be added to the class email list. Time's a-wasting to get those cards made; the holidays will be here before you know it!


Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, Petite Pairs
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Pacific Point DSP, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP, Red Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Real Red, Early Espresso, Midnight Muse
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, 1" Square Punch (banner ends), Merry Minis Punch Pack, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Here are the measurements for the basic card, just decorate as desired! 
     Card base: 5½ x 12, scored at 2,4,7, and 9
     Belly band: 1¼ x 8½, scored at 2¼ and 6 ⅜
     DSP: 2¾ x 5¼ (x2) and 1¼ x 5¼ (x1) for card base
     DSP: 1 x 3 ⅞ for belly band

Some Convention Pics and Swaps

Here are a couple of the Stampin' Addicts organized swap cards I took to the Stampin' Up! convention, along a few of the display boards. Oh, momma, there was some uh-MAZing creativity displayed there, worth the price of admission even without all the freebies we received (more on that later).

The Champagne Glimmer ornament was cut with the Holiday Ornaments Framelits die, and the E.E. heat embossed ornament was fussy-cut, leaving the lovely glimmer paper border showing.

Christmas Card
Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Soft Suede DSP
Ink: VersaMark, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Heat Tool, Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Biity Shapes Punch Pack, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Butterfly Card
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Papillon Potpourri, Pursuit of Happiness
Cardstock: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Modern Label Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch (mask), Early Espresso Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Dazzling Details, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

I'll be posting more of the swaps and display boards in the days ahead. And pictures of some of the lovely people I met, as well. (Justin Wilson, You Crew member, you made my day!!!)