Keeping Christmas

Hello there!  It is time for our June 2018 installment of the monthly Keeping Christmas Blog Hop that a group of us who were on The Challenge Design Team together host on the 25th of each month, January through November. Our goal is to show you how to build your stash of cards (or tags) a few at a time all through the year. We try to include all of the tips and tricks to help you get it done and to know that it is do-able so you don't get overwhelmed. Hop along and be sure to visit each blog. There is always a lot of inspiration and ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

Kelly Lunceford

Anita Madden

Claire Broadwater

Julee Tilman

Kim Heggins

Lori Tecler

Nance Salkeld

Nina Forsyth

Rachel Bergfeld

Vicki Finger (You are Here)

I was not able to participate last month because were were in the middle of a move and I had yet to unpack anything.  Most of my studio has been unpacked now so I am glad to get back in the groove of blogging and creating.  

Because my time is somewhat limited these days I decided early on that I would make something very simple once again. One of the goals of this hop is to show you that using a few minutes whenever and wherever you can, you can do one step at a time to pull a single card together or a group of cards.  My cards are clean and simple and easy to mass produce which is what I try to show you each month.  This month, I really kept it simple by using a large sentiment.  This stamp is from the Year of Psalms Collection at Papertrey Ink.  This particular one is Year of Psalms: October and it is a $5.00 Stamp set.  What a bargain!

I started by heat embossing the sentiment on several pieces of white cardstock using Versamark and Simon Says Stamp Antique Gold Embossing Powder.  Next I die cut them using a Hemstitched Rectangle from Spellbinders.  This is is the middle size.  This added a lot of detail to the panel without a lot of fuss because there's no additional stamping or heat embossing.  I added some patterned paper or cardstock behind the panel using a stitched rectangle die.  I made a few different styles and mounted it to a top folding white card base made from Stamper's Select White Cardstock.  For the one card I wanted it to be a bolder look and used a Black Cardbase (True Black from Papertrey Ink) with a stitched rectangle cut from Gold Glitter Cardstock.  I will put a white panel on the inside as well for writing my message.  

As you can see, I was able to pull 6 cards together very quickly.  As always, I do things in stages; all the heat embossing in one stage, then all the die cutting in one or two stages as I have a few minutes, then assembly.  I created some cards where the panel was adhered directly to the background panel and in other cases I used Scotch 3D Foam Tape.  

By using patterned paper in a variety of styles, you have several different looks and this is also a great way to use those scraps of patterned paper that you might have.  You could also make them all the same if that's what you'd like to do.  

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you find lots of inspiration along the hop. The supplies I've used are linked below for your convenience (Affiliate links may be used).

Cuttlebug Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS	Gemini Full Size Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS	Kokuyo Long Dot Runner Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Mini MISTI Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | GKD
PTI Stamper's Select White Cardstock Shop at: PTI	Scotch 3M Foam Tape Shop at: SSS	Spellbinders Embossing Mat Shop at: SSS	Spellbinders Hemstitched Rectangle Dies Shop at: SSS | SPB
SSS Antique Gold Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS	Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS	Versamark Ink Shop at: SSS
Wagner Heat Tool Shop at: SSS	WPLUS9 Gift Card Layers Designer Dies Shop at: SSS	PTI - Year of Psalms - October Shop at: PTI