Making Spirits Bright-Christmas

Here is one card we made last night at Stamp Camp using the Set "Making Spirits Bright".  

Too bad this set is retired.  

There will be more samples from this set over the next few days.

I stamped the sentiment on whisper white and then used my framelits to cut out the image<  I cut the coordinating  layer from Old Olive which is also the base of the card.  

I topped it off with a ribbon bow.

Wouldn't this be cute as an invitation to a Holiday cocktail party?

Here it is using the Square Framelits

Happy Stampin"

Diana

Work of Art-Christmas

I hope you were inspired by my recent Work of Art post.  

Have you purchased this stamp set you?  What are you waiting for?  

Here is your Christmas in July inspiration

Work of Art Wreath

I think this is my favorite of all the cards I've created so far.  It is made using 2 different colors 

and stamping off occasionally to get some contrast.  The berries are made using red glitter paint.

Easy Peasy!  This MAY Be my Christmas Card this year!

Next I made a tree using 2 different stamps to get the shape.  

Wouldn't this be a great card for the kids to make?

I used Gorgeous Grunge to make the "ornaments" and punched a star out of gold glitter paper.  

So Easy-so Beautiful

Happy Stampin!

Diana

Cookie Exchange

Every year my friend Debbie Hosts a cookie exchange.  Every year I VOW to just make some tasty cookies and forgo the competition part of the evening...but it never fails, and the competitive gene kicks in.  This year it paid off and my entry won FIRST prize.  I called it "Wanna Play some Reindeer Games?"

I simply made cupcakes, iced them with brown butter cream icing and topped them with a gingerbread candy melt nose, edible candy eyes and pretzel antlers.  

I secured the red-hot with a dot of red icing for a Rudolph nose.

Looking back I wish I had only made a few of them with red noses...

Not to be outdone, my 15 year old DD was also invited to a cookie exchange.

She created these mini cups of cocoa using a graham cracker base, marshmallows topped with icing dipped in chocolate sprinkles.  The handle is the top part of a mini-candy cane.  She didn't win but I think she should have!  So cure and actually tasty to boot!

Wonderful Counselor

We've been making Christmas cards in each class class recently and this is one of my favorites.  Simple, beautiful and keeps Christ in Christmas.  This photo doesn't do the card justice!

The base of the Card is smokey slate

First layer is Midnight muse

glittery layer is Sliver Glimmer Paper (I absolutely love the weight and texture of this glimmer paper.  It comes in silver, champagne and red...Wish they also made it in black)

I used the Deco Labels collection to trim the stamped image

Some midnight Muse ribbon and Frosted Finishes embellishments finish off this card.  Quick, easy and SOOOO beautiful.

Merry Christmas!

Recycled Altoid Containers-Gift Card Holders

We give a lot of gift cards as gifts now that our family has many teenagers and young adults in it.  Those cards can be expensive but the holder need not cost a lot!  Make these cute holders using your craft supplies.  You're only limited by your imagination. 

Start with a clean Altoid container.  Spray paint it if you wish (the bottom of the container has printing on it--so this is a good option if you don't want to cover the bottom).  ALlow the pain to dry before proceeding to the next step.

 

Use stick strip and line the edges of the container so your decorative paper will not peel up.

Trace the shape of the box on to the BACK side of the decorative paper and cut out along the outside edges of your marks to assure the best coverage.

Decorate as desired using stickers, rubber stamps, ribbons and rhinestones.

These boxes were both decorated using

Stampin up's Stitched Stocking rubber stamps and stocking punch!

Who wouldn't love receiving this container???

Thinking ahead

I know that it's only Memorial Day weekend and Christmas is the last thing on your mind...but you have about 5 months to get your act together and begin creating some lovely gifts now. I'll post some ideas for some fall and Halloween crafts too!

For now...I'll just entice you with what "cast-offs you need to begin collecting

Assorted Jars
Gallon Milk Jugs
broken jewelry, pottery and china
Corks
Greeting cards
Purchase worsted MID weight yarns in your choice of colors (I prefer solids)

Spend the weekend taking some great photos (think Christmas Cards or a great scrapbook page)

Enjoy!