Twelve Days of Holiday Cards - Day Four + Giveaway

Welcome back for Day Four of my Twelve Days of Holiday Cards Series!  If you haven't been here before, be sure to check out the previous days of posting.  Today's card uses a few new holiday things from Poppy Stamps, one of the Memory Box Companies.

I wanted some beautiful red poinsettia blooms for today's project, so I grabbed my favorite red shimmer cardstock and cut a few of the Delicate Poinsettias.  Shine Red Satin Cardstock can be found at PaperPapers.com.  They also have white, blue, gold and green.  I've been on quite a mission to find some shimmer cardstock in a beautiful Emerald or Kelly Green, but so far no luck.  If you know of any, be sure to let me know in the comments.  PaperPapers.com also has a great selection of Glitter Cardstock in 8.5 x 11-inch size.  Be sure to check them out.  There's a link in the right-hand side-bar.

This Shine Red Satin Cardstock catches way more of the beautiful sheen and it is perfect for making poinsettias out of.  I also used Moss Green Metallic for the leaves.  This die doesn't actually come with a separate leaf, so I just cut an extra of the largest layers from the green cardstock to use as leaves.

In actuality, the poinsettia is nothing more than leaves that turn colors as they are exposed to light and elements. The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors, but are actually leaves. The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color.  Even a television or passing cars on the street can interrupt the dark necessary for this to occur.

For the gold centers on these, I used the smallest size from Studio Katia Gold Foil Pearls and grouped several of them inside on each bloom.  For the smallest "bloom", I used two of the top layers and one of the bottoms for the leaves.  There are five leaves on that particular layer, so I only used three of them  They cut apart very easily in the center.

I used a strip of gold glitter cardstock to create an anchor for the blooms on my card. I had some laying on my desk from another project, so it was easy to grab one and add it here.  A simple Brush Merry Christmas finishes this clean and simple card.

While I am a stamper, this series is focused on cards that you can assemble quickly in duplicates using new cardstock or scraps from your bin.  If you're anything like me, you have a whole bin full of scraps to choose from.  One of the best things about being a crafter is being able to do flowers or foliage in any color you want rather than just the colors you might see in nature.  Do them in colors that make your heart happy.  I plan to try a few other colors during this series of posts.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Be sure to leave a comment so you're eligible for today's giveaway.  I've linked as many of the supplies I used below for your convenience.

Affiliate Links may be used at no additional cost to you.

Crystal Katana Tool Shop at: SSS	Gemini Junior Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS	GKD - Connect Glue Shop at: SSS | GKD	Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS
Memory Box - Bursh Merry Christmas Die Shop at: SSS	Poppy Stamps - Delicate Poinsettia Shop at: SSS	PP.Com - Cougar White Digital Smooth - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC	PP.Com - Shine Red Satin Shop at: PPC
PP.Com Shine Moss Green Shop at: PPC	PP.com Shine Pearl White Shop at: PPC	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	ScraPerfect No Clog Tip for Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS
SSS Gold Glitter Paper Shop at: SSS

Twelve Days of Holiday Cards - Day Three + Giveaway

Welcome to Day Three of the Twelve Days of Holiday Cards!  I am having a great time putting this series together for you this year!

Today's card features a set of dies from Birch Press Designs.  Nativity Star is a four-layer stacking set that is simple with very clean lines and a look that is so elegant.  One of the things I love about this die is that you can save all the little pieces from when you cut it out and add additional elements of color to your finished piece.

Lately, I seem to be on a "shades of blue" kick and so I wanted to do something in blues for today's project. I pulled Shimmer Cardstock from PaperPapers.com in Aquamarine, Lagoon, Peacock and then some of my gold card stock.  I use various sources on Amazon to get my Gold Cardstock because its the most reasonably priced of any place I've found.  Most of the time I use the Hygloss Brand found here at Amazon.  They have matte gold and mirror gold.  The matte gold is more yellow in appearance than metallic gold, so I use the mirror gold.   I don't want to be limited on how much I use, so  Even though I typically like silver with blues, it kind of got lost with these colors so I changed over to gold.

My card base is made from Cougar Super Smooth Digital White #120 cardstock and the mat layers are White Pearl from PaperPapers.com and Glimmery Ocean Blue from Simon Says Stamp. The Peacock is just a shade or two deeper than the Glimmery Ocean Blue.

Next, I decided what order to do the layers in.  I decided to do the base layer of the star in the medium color, then the next layer from the lightest and the 3rd layer from the darkest to give each shade a good amount of contrast in between.  I save all the small pieces and when I had the bottom three layers put together, I went back and added the darkest bits behind the bottom layer's openings.  I used the center circle from the medium tone behind the top layer's cross.  I added a crystal to the center of the top layer.  I made a tiny pencil mark at the tom and bottom of the panel so I could align it.  I used Scotch Foam Tape to adhere it to the card base.  I die cut just a single layer of the sentiment, Peace Cheshire Script, and attached it using glue.  I wanted to focus to remain with the Nativity Star and not be outshined by the sentiment.

I love the detail in this set of dies.  My favorite style of decor and architecture is Art Deco and this fits right in with that style as do many of the Birch Press Design styles.  It's not the only style I like, but it is my favorite.  It always makes for a really clean and layered card. 

I was curious about this Nativity Star and so I googled Art Deco Star and found this lovely platinum and diamond brooch.  It is considered French Art Deco and is an antique Platinum and Diamond Brooch that was once offered by Lang in San Francisco.  They have been in business for 50 years there and offer a wide variety of vintage and Art Deco jewelry pieces and maintain an excellent online library of pieces they have had through the years.  Jewelry is most assuredly where my love of Art Deco began as I used to work in a jewelry store.  While our specialty was loose diamonds, we often held events that featured Vintage Jewelry or people who wanted to remake their vintage jewelry into something more modern.  All joking aside, that makes me shudder!  I have a platinum, yellow gold and diamond brooch that belonged to my great-grandmother.  I even have a picture of her in one of my albums where she is wearing the brooch.  I would never change it.  I don't have too many occasions to wear it, but I have worn it for special events throughout the years such as weddings and the like.

Truth be told, working in a jewelry store is probably where my appreciation for well made and beautiful things comes from and I am often inspired to try to create such lovely things from paper.  I typically use gems or pearls for my card embellishments and people often ask what kind of gems I use.  I love to use Swarovski Crystals and I buy them in 12 and 16 SS Flatback Stones. I only ever use two colors so far; Clear and Aurora Borealis.

This is, once again, a project that you could sit and do some die cutting while you're watching TV or listening to an Audiobook, Podcast, or music.  If you have one of the little Sidekick die-cutting machines or a Mini Blossom from Altenew, these dies go through just fine.  With the Sidekick, you will need to rotate the die a few degrees to the left or right of the vertical center position.

I usually use Ranger Multi Medium Matte or Gina K Designs Connect glue for this type of project and the small size of these containers works well if you just want to sit and glue die-cuts together.  It's somewhat of a mindless task and then you'll have a whole bunch of these ready to make fast and easy cards.

Please, be sure to comment for your chance at winning one of the daily prizes that are being offered for the Twelve Days of Holiday Cards series. I will have a Winner's Post on November 30th.   Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I've included a linked supply list for your convenience.

Affiliate Links may be used at no additional cost to you.

Birch Press Design - Nativity Star Complete Set Shop at: SSS	Crystal Katana Tool Shop at: SSS	Gemini Junior Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS	GKD - Connect Glue Shop at: SSS | GKD
Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Memory Box - Peace Cheshire Script Die Shop at: MB	PP.Com - Cougar White Digital Smooth - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC	PP.Com - Curious Metallic Aquamarine Shop at: PPC
PP.Com - Curious Metallic Peacock Shop at: PPC	PP.Com - Stardream Lagoon Shop at: PPC	SSS Glimmery Ocean Blue Cardstock Shop at: SSS

Twelve Days of Holiday Cards - Day Two + Giveaway

Hello and welcome back to Day Two of my first ever Holiday Card Series!  Today's card is more complex than yesterday's, but it wasn't too bad and didn't take me as much time as I thought it might.

I started by choosing the colors I wanted to use.  As you know, I love Pink and Gold, so it was pretty much just a matter of deciding on White - White Space or Cream White Space.  I chose cream this time although my usual choice would probably be white.  I felt that the cream background color added just a hint of warmth with the warm gold and warm pink tones.  I die cut the background panel with the Rectangle Basics Die Set in the 3rd largest size.  This cream is a shimmer cardstock from PaperPapers.com called Poison Ivory.  Using a double-sided adhesive, I cut a Poinsettia Corner from both Gold and Pink Cardstock.  The pink cardstock is Pale Peony from Papertrey Ink.

Next, I carefully pulled the outline image from the gold die-cut and then placed it on my card where I wanted it to be.  Then using my Crystal Katana Tool, I pulled the petals off of the release paper one-at-a-time and placed them within the gold outline on the ivory cardstock  Even though it looks like a lot of work, it's actually only 15 petal pieces that you are moving to the card, so it took very little time.

I went over the surface of each petal with my Spectrum Noir Shimmer Pen and added a jewel in the center of each flower.  I used a larger one on the bigger bloom and smaller ones on the rest for a total of 8 gems.  I could have also used one of the pearl colors I have on hand as those contain various sizes as well.

I added everything to a top folding horizontal card base made from the same Pale Peony Cardstock.  I considered an Ivory card base, but I liked the pink more - go figure!  Ha, Ha.  You know pink is my favorite.

I'll be back tomorrow with another post but don't forget to comment for your chance to win one of the daily prizes! I will have a Winner's Post on November 30th showing each day's winner.   A supply list is linked below for your convenience.

Affiliate Links may be used at no additional cost to you.

Birch Press Design - Nativity Star Complete Set Shop at: SSS	Crystal Katana Tool Shop at: SSS	Gemini Junior Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS	GKD - Connect Glue Shop at: SSS | GKD
Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Memory Box - Brush Merry Christmas Die Shop at: SSS	PP.Com - Cougar White Digital Smooth - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC	Memory Box - Plush Poinsettia Corner Shop at: SSS | MB

Twelve Days of Holiday Cards - Day One + Giveaway

Hello everyone!  This is my first year to do a Holiday Card Series and I wanted to do one using lots of products from all of the Memory Box companies.  Memory Box, Poppy Stamps, and Birch Press Designs were all founded by Dave Brethauer.  Each company has their own unique style of products.  I plan to continue this series in the years to come.  Since I'm on the Memory Box Design Team, I have more of those products than the other two, but I am crazy about all three styles.

I will also be doing a giveaway each day of the series, so be sure to comment to be entered into the giveaway.  I will have a Winner's Post on November 30th showing each day's winner.

Today's card features all Memory Box Dies but I'll be mixing and matching during this series.  I used Peace Cheshire Script Die, Star of Wonder, and Country Church Frame.  Most of the die cuts have at least 2 layers to give a bit of dimension and stability.  I die cut two of the Country Church Frame and a couple of extras of the little church building.  One is cut from plain white cardstock and the other is cut from Simon Says Stamp White Glitter Cardstock.  This particular one is 8.5 x 11 inches, so be sure to watch for that when you order because there is also a 6 x 6-inch pack available.  I wanted that frosty, snowy look, so I chose white glitter cardstock for the top layer. 

For the little trees, I colored carefully over the glitter cardstock with a Copic Marker in the color G46 - Mistletoe.  I used the chisel point and went over it lightly so as not to damage my nib.

I wanted a background that was somewhat shimmery to go with the white glitter, so I chose Tonic Silky Sky Cardstock for the background.  I was wanting to simulate an early evening sky and thought this would work well.  The Star of Wonder was the perfect finishing touch for the focal image.  There are two on this die in two different sizes but I thought the larger sized star was not the right scale for the rest of the card so I only used the smaller one.

For the church, I also wanted to give the appearance of light coming through the windows of the building, so I put very pale gold vellum behind the windows to give it that effect.  I wanted a hint of color from say a candlelight service rather than a bright vivid color that overwhelmed the scene.

This card was a simple matter of die-cutting.  I find my Gemini Junior easily cuts the intricate dies.  It did take a little time to glue the various layers together, but you don't have to do that unless you want to.  It's also a great one to die cut in advance and then sit and assemble while you watch TV or listen to an audiobook or some music.  I am trying to make all of the projects for this post fairly simple to do and my last post for the series will be on November 30th.  Make sure you get your shopping/wish list ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  There will be lots of sales to look forward to.  Most of the dies I'll be using for this series are from the Holiday 2019 Collections.  Simon Says Stamp carries Memory Box, Birch Press Design and Poppy Stamps products in their store.

Several days during this series will have a giveaway!  To be eligible, you must leave a comment here on my blog and the winners will be chosen randomly.  All winners will be notified via e-mail, so make sure to fill in that blank when you post a comment for me.  If I'm not able to reach you, then I will select another winner.

Also, I should mention here that my husband just updated my computer to Windows 10 and forgot to back up all of my Outlook contacts.  So if you think I already have your contact information - I DON'T! I only have 6 addresses in my e-mail at this time, so if we know each other, you should send an e-mail to me so I can save it in my blank address book.  Hubby was definitely in the doghouse for a few days, but at some point, you just have to get over it and move on.  Lord help him the next time he wants someone's address from me . . . . . just sayin'! *Ü*

If you have any questions, just shoot me an e-mail through the Contact Me Form in the right-hand sidebar of my blog.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I'll be back tomorrow with my Day Two Post.

Affiliate Links may be used at no additional cost to you.

Crystal Katana Tool Shop at: SSS	Gemini Junior Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS	GKD - Connect Glue Shop at: GKD	Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS
Memory Box - Country Church Frame Shop at: SSS	Memory Box - Peace Cheshire Script Die Shop at: MB	Memory Box - Star of Wonder Dies Shop at: SSS | MB	PP.Com - Cougar White Digital Smooth - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC
SSS White Glitter Cardstock 8.5 x 11 Shop at: SSS	Tonic Silky Sky Mirror Cardstock (Satin Effect) Shop at: SSS