Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Claire to host this week and she has a fabulous bright colour challenge for us to work with:

Bright colours may not be considered traditional for a Christmas card, but I am on a roll and so that is my starting point for everything currently! I decided the best way to highlight each of these was to balance it with lots of white and a touch of festive silver - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

I've chosen to feature the ice skates and wreath from the Sophisticated Sled bundle - one of my favourite Online Exclusives bundle for the festive season. I love both the sled and the ice skates in this set - both items that I've never owned in my craft collection previously. I've used the sled on a couple of cards previously (you can see those cards here and here) but for today's card I wanted to feature the ice skates.

These skates are so cute; they have separate diecuts for the blades and boots and a neat slit into which you can insert the separate diecut laces - so clever. I decided to add four pairs of skates, each with a different coloured pair of laces. In order to accommodate 4 pairs, I decided to use a slimline design. I created a mat layer comprising a panel of each of the 4 colours, then added a white panel embossed with the Snowflake Sky embossing folder (you can see this detail more clearly on the photo below). Whilst this is a narrow embossing folder, it's easy to emboss one half of the panel then move the cardstock along and emboss the other half to achieve a continuous background.

I hung each pair of skates from a silver-on-white heat-embossed wreath, decorated with clear basic rhinestones for a little added sparkle. I finished each wreath with a large co-ordinating bow (this is from the retired Pierced Blooms Dies). You can see the detail of the individual elements that make up the wreath and skates in the close-up below:

I added a simple sentiment, also from the 'Sophisticated Sled' stamp set to the bottom corner of my card base, to complete my card. The diecutting on this card took a little while, but I love the finished card - it was worth it!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; I'll be spending mine attending more of the virtual #Stampin' Up! Backstage@Home2024 event - a training event for leaders with lots to be learned. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

SOPHISTICATED SLED BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (50.25)	SNOWFLAKE SKY 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (10.25)	RHINESTONE BASIC JEWELS (5.75)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)	METALLICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)
SILVER 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) FOIL SHEETS (4.75)	GORGEOUS GRAPE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	PUMPKIN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	MELON MAMBO A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

Today I'm sharing a card that uses the layout over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown that was inspired by the pink snowflakes in the top right corner of the Hand Stamped Sentiments inspiration photo:

It's big on layering too so I'm also linking up over at Inkspirational where that's the current theme. So let's take a look at what I made:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Today's card is a celebration of some old favourites - with just a sprinkling of something new! The starting point for my card today was the strip of retired Whimsy and Wonder pink and white snowflake-patterned designer series paper. I don't mind admitting I hoarded a stash of this oh-so-pretty paper that makes for a beautifully feminine seasonal card. I paired it with a layered base in retired Blushing Bride and Basic White, paired with a multi-layered diecut snowflake, made from a retired shiny snowflake and layered stitched diecut snowflakes, finished with a large centre gem. I added a tied snowflake trinket too and the 'new' is a sprinkling of the white loose snowflakes from the current mini catalogue; these are great for a shaker card but also work as a chunky embellishment too. Check out those layers:

A silver heat-embossed sentiment from another old favourite, the 'Snow is Glistening' stamp set, completes my card. I do love a non-traditional colour scheme for a Christmas card; this one would also be lovely for someone celebrating a birthday at this time of year too. A total of 8 layers, yet still clean and uncluttered - just how I like it!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

WHITE LOOSE SNOWFLAKES (7.50)

RHINESTONE BASIC JEWELS (5.75)

Today I'm sharing a card that took no time at all to pull together for the current challenge over at CAS On Friday where the theme is 'corner of your card' - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

A clean and simple card that took no time at all to put together - yes, you've guessed it, I've used another of those A Little Bit Festive Mix & Match diecuts - this stack of presents was perfect to decorate the corner of my card:

A simple sentiment from the retired 'Perfectly Plaid' stamp set and a trio of festive gold pearls complete my card. So easy - the A Little Bit Festive Mix & Match Specialty Designer Series Paper pack is a must-have for speedy festive crafting!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

GARDEN GREEN CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Patricia is hosting this month and our first challenge is a colour challenge: 

I'm also playing along with the 'anything goes' CAS challenge over at AAA Cards but since I thought these colours would be perfect for a Christmas card, I'm not going with the optional twist of Halloween. I decided to use an old favourite for my card today that would allow me to indulge in some inlaid diecutting - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Shy Shamrock is one of this year's new in-colours but I haven't used it much to date. The retired Christmas Classics bundle is a seasonal favourite of mine and the dies were perfect to showcase both shades of green:

I think Shy Shamrock adds a real freshness to this card - I love the colour combo this week and can't wait to see what our challenge entrants make of them too. 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

As a reminder, for our colour challenges, you must use all of the stated challenge colours. You may also use neutral colours; however, the challenge colours should be the most noticeable ones featured on your card. We use Stampin' Up! colour names for reference, but you are welcome to use any other companies' products as long as you match the challenge colours as closely as possible.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

SHY SHAMROCK A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

SHADED SPRUCE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

SHADED SPRUCE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

Happy Monday everyone - another week rolls around! Today I'm sharing a card that I made using Judy's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches this week:

I don't often use ovals as the focal point on a card, but I was inspired by Judy's sketch as I had some diecut foliage in the A Little Bit Festive Christmas designer series paper pack that I knew would work perfectly for that element at the bottom of the frame - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

I started with that foliage swag, which might seem a little backward, but I had been wanting to use it to decorate something, so that was the first bit. I then decided to feature one of the large sentiments from the 'Greetings Of The Season' stamp set in my oval. This has to be my favourite sentiment stamp set this season - you can make all kinds of greetings by combining the words in this set and the two larger sentiments are great as a framed feature or on the inside of your card too. Finally, with decoration and sentiment sorted, I had to decide how to 'frame' it and what background to use. Turns out this step took ages; I tried all kinds of embossed and patterned paper finishes, but nothing seemed to work. Then, as I looked at Judy's sketch, the ornate detail she used to decorate her oval reminded me of my old retired Heirloom Frames 3D Embossing Folders - and the retired one fit my sentiment perfectly:

A plain Garden Green background to allow the plaster-like embossed detail of my frame to shine, and my card was complete!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)

GARDEN GREEN A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (7.50)

I had a super crafty day yesterday so I have a quick extra post with a couple of cards I made using some sketch challenges that are closing today:

The first is a Christmas card that uses the sketch over at Tuesday Morning Sketches and is a no-stamping-at-all card - take a look:

I used a diecut wreath from the A LIttle Bit Festive speciality paper pack (I used the offcut to decorate the envelope) and a foiled diecut sentiment from the Joyful Sayings pack. A few metallic gems and a simple gold twine bow were the finishing touches that complete my card:

My second card is for the challenge over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge; I haven't managed to play along there in a while but since they are celebrating their 600th challenge sketch I had to play along. Not only that, the sketch was perfect for another zentangled circle creation featuring the Full Of Life designer series paper - take a look:

I added a panel of paper and a birthday sentiment from the 'Friends For Life' stamp set, separating the two with a black and white gingham ribbon bow:

A few black enamel dots complete my card. This card is heading to my nephew for his upcoming birthday - I think he will appreciate the modern design (the bow maybe less so!)

Here are the visual summaries of the key products used on today's projects for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your evening and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)	JOYFUL SAYINGS MIX & MATCH EPHEMERA PACK (ENGLISH) (9.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	NIGHT OF NAVY A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	ADHESIVE-BACKED METALLIC GEMS (8.50)
FULL OF LIFE 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	FRIENDS FOR LIFE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (7.50)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! If you live in the UK I hope you enjoyed an extra hour in bed this morning as the clocks changed! It's the turn of the fabulous Ann to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

I have another Christmas card to share with you today, which I'm also sharing with the team over at Inkspirational where they are all about seasonal cards, and this one is full-on traditional festive - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

A Little Bit Festive - The A Little Bit Festive specialty designer series paper is the big hitter on today's card: I used a sheet of the red and white striped candy cane panels for the base and one of the diecut wreaths as the backing for my sentiment. This paper is so great for 'one and done' cards, with pre-diecut pieces making light work of decoration. I couldn't stop there today though; in addition to adding in some extra diecut foliage and berries, I added a few other pieces too; for more information, read on!

Greetings Of The Season - I added a heat-embossed sentiment from the 'Greetings of the Season' stamp set to the centre of my wreath, in two parts in order to fit the whole sentiment without obscuring too much of the foliage:

Joyful Sayings - Since the sentiment on the sketch was actually at the bottom of the left panel, not inside the shape, I chose some words that would allow me an extra element instead of substituting something else here; I actually used one of the pre-printed Joyful Sayings elements - it works perfectly.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

I love the traditional festive look of today's card; what's your favourite kind of Christmas card design? Do let me know in the comments below.

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

A LITTLE BIT FESTIVE 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) MIX & MATCH SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (9.50)	JOYFUL SAYINGS MIX & MATCH EPHEMERA PACK (ENGLISH) (9.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	GREETINGS OF THE SEASON PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)
BASICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	GARDEN GREEN A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

Today I'm sharing a quick card I made a couple of nights ago for the current challenge over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown where the theme this week is 'Nutcracker':

I still have my long retired 'Santa Stache' stamp set so paired him with a layout that gave me the opportunity to use up some retired nutcracker-patterned paper I had in my stash too - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

A quick stamp of my Nutcracker and coloured with my Blends. I diecut his moustache and popped it up on dimensionals for a little extra lift because, well, why not?

I used an offcut of patterned paper to decorate both the inside of my card and the edge of my envelope - and done.

No visual summary today - this card was simply for fun and to show some love to old Nutcrackers! 

Enjoy the rest of your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous LeAnne to host this week and she has a fun clean and simple challenge for us to work with:

I decided to make my tag the central feature of my card and paired a new tag die with a gingerbread house courtesy of the super-cute 'Humble Home' bundle - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Humble Home - I heat-embossed my sentiment from the 'Humble Home' stamp set directly onto my Real Red cardbase, then separately stamped and heat-embossed the little gingerbread house onto both a piece of Pecan Pie and Real Red and punched out with the coordinating house punch, before paper-piecing the door into place for a pop of colour.

Grab A Tag - My tag is courtesy of the Greetings Of The Season Dies - they contain so many great shapes for labels and tags alike! I diecut my tag in basic white, before dry embossing with the Snowflake Sky embossing folder. The effect is subtle, but I love the addition of the snowfall behind my gingerbread house - you can see it more clearly on the closeup below:

I added a simple red and white twine bow to the top of my tag.

Snowflakes and Peppermints - I accented my little gingerbread house with some of the adhesive peppermints from the mini catalogue - how cute are they?! I also added a scrap of retired Gingerbread & Peppermints designer series paper to the lower portion of my tag, to pick up on the peppermint swirl design. 

With all that detail on my tag, I am probably pushing the boundaries of 'clean and simple' this week, but tag aside, the rest of my card is clean and uncluttered ... and I love this card so much I just had to share it! I actually do have a slightly more clean and simple version - the card that I based this one on, which is the card that I send out with my mini catalogues at the start of September - here's a picture of that card:

As you can see, less embellishments and a different colour scheme - this one was easier and quicker to make multiples of, which is always a consideration when it's catalogue mailing time. Here's a shot of lots of them together:

I guess you could say my red version is a 'stepped up' card, but since we aren't super strict with our definition of 'clean and simple' over at The Paper Players (minimal layers/embellishments, open/white space) I wanted to share it - I think the additions make this card a real festive treasure!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; ... I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

HUMBLE HOME BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (37.75)	GREETINGS OF THE SEASON DIES (30.00)	SNOWFLAKE SKY 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (10.25)	REAL RED & WHITE ADHESIVE-BACKED PEPPERMINTS (8.00)	BASICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)	VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)
REAL RED & WHITE BAKER'S TWINE (4.75)	REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (13.00)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Laura has asked that we add a diagonal corner detail to our clean and simple cards:

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card. For my card today I decided to make a feature of that corner with an offcut of Season of Green & Gold Specialty Designer Series Paper (another of my Online Exclusives favourites) that was the perfect fit:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Isn't that paper beautiful? I added a simple strip of gold foil and 'went large' with my sentiment, choosing one from another Online Exclusive, the 'Iconic Imagery' stamp set, and followed the line of my Old Olive cardstock base; I just love the large 'celebrate' stamp:

That's all there is to it - super simple and another Christmas card for the pile! This is such a great card design - perfect for using up scraps or strips of patterned paper and you could pair with any kind of sentiment too.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

SEASON OF GREEN & GOLD 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (16.00)

GOLD FOIL SHEETS (4.75)

OLD OLIVE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

ICONIC IMAGERY PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (19.00)

METALLICS WOW! EMBOSSING POWDER (20.00)

VERSAMARK PAD (9.00)