Window Scene

 

I love playing with new things!   I received this window die, Poppystamps "Small Madison Window" (816) from Joan's Gardens yesterday and was excited to see what I could design with it.  My card is 5.5" x 6".  I started out by embossing the Tim Holtz Sizzix  "Tall Pines" on the left side of vanilla card stock then placed the card stock into the Tim Holtz "Bricked" embossing folder and created a wall on the right side for my window.  I used a small piece of card stock that would fit behind the window and embossed the tops of the "Tall Pines" on that piece so the trees would show behind the window.  The trees were sponged using Forest Moss Distress Ink then the background sponged using Weathered Wood Distress Ink.  I wanted to create a snowy appearance on the trees and used another new product I received from Joan's Gardens called "Mister Huey's Calico White Color Mist".  The Distress Inks lighten when sprinkled with anything wet, and this Color Mist created a snowy effect.  It doesn't show up that well in the photo above, but does look like it is snowing on the trees.  Another great product!  I forgot to tell you that I used a piece of "Eclipse Masking Tape" along the bricked wall so I wouldn't get color on it while sponging. 

Next I wanted to create a pretty arrangement on the window.  I used the new Cheery Lynn "Miniature Rose" die (B152) to create the small red flowers.  I watched the video at Joan's Gardens and followed the instructions for creating these flowers.  They were very easy to make.  The white flower was die cut using the Marianne Design LR0121) dies.  They were die cut using white card stock, embossed before taking out of the die then I used a red marker to create the red dots.  A small punched sun (Punch Bunch) was placed in the center of this flower.  Behind the flower I die cut some more new leaves I just received from Joan's Gardens.  These are the Poppystamps "Gentle Leaf" (807).  She also has another very pretty leaf called "Meadow Leaf (806) that I know you will want in your collection.  For additional filler, I die cut one of the Marianne Design (LR0192) leaves in a darker green and placed it on top of the Poppystamps leaves.  The flowers were attached with glue then some Martha Stewart branches were tucked in for additional filler.  My arrangement needed a little more red, so I die cut two of the Memory Box "Crisp Bows" (98197) and clipped off the long part of the bow and tucked them in behind the white flower.  I wanted to add a sentiment.  I used one of the sentiments from the JustRite "Deck The Halls" stamp set on white card stock and trimmed it down to create a package.  Another red Memory Box "Crisp Bow" was added to the package. 

Hope you enjoyed seeing my first idea on how to use the pretty window die from Memory Box.  Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your weekend.

If you haven't checked it out yet, don't miss the items in the Joan's Gardens 12 Days of Christmas Sale today.  Each day she has lots of great products we all love to use.  I'm sure you know, but the wonderful thing about shopping at Joan's Gardens is that she only charges exactly what it costs for postage.

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Joan's Gardens Weekly Challenge - Tags

 

It is time for a new weekly challenge at Joan's Gardens.  It is only 23 days until Christmas.  This week we are asking that you create any type Christmas tag.  Anything goes so use your imagination.  You may want to use some of the items that maybe you previously stamped or die cut and would like to use up. I have created four different tags to give you some ideas.  

All my tags were created by using this Tim Holtz, Sizzix "Tag and Bookplates"  (656938) die from Joan's Gardens.  With this die you can cut 4 or 5 tags all at one time - what a time saver! And -- they are the perfect size for decorating.

This first tag was created by embossing the tag with the Tim Holtz "Tall Pines" embossing folder.  Distress Inks were used to color the sky and trees.  Snow banks were created by cutting white card stock with scissors.  The village are two die cuts from the Marianne Designs "LR0172" and LR0173" dies.  Yellow card stock was added behind these die cuts to cover the windows and doors.  The sentiment is from JustRite and reads "Tis the Season".  

This tag was also die cut with the Tim Holtz tag die.  The background was embossed with the Sizzix "Holly Swirls (657139) embossing folder.  The poinsettia was stamped with Heartfelt Creations "Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set" (HCPC 3415) using VersaMark Ink on white vellum and gold embossed.  Distress Stains were used to color the poinsettia and leaves on the back of each.  The sentiment is from the JustRite "Hearts  Come Home" stamp set, and the "to/from" tag is from the JustRite "From Our House" stamp set.  They both were gold embossed.

This is a very quick and easy tag.  The Santa image was cut from the Bo Bunny "Father Christmas Collection" design paper pad and glued to the bottom of the tag.  The pretty snowflake flourish is a die cut from the Memory Box "Snowflake Corner" (98238).  The little poinsettia was created with a stamp from JustRite Christmas stamp set.  The sentiment "Believe" is also from a JustRite stamp set.

The background for this tag was embossed with the Sizzix "Holly Swirls" embossing folder.  The sleigh is a die cut from the Marianne Designs "LR0178".  The pretty bell is from the Heartfelt Creations Christmas Collection "Poinsettia Cheer Bells PreCut Set" (HCPC 3422).  The small poinsettia was created with the Marianne Designs "LR0121" dies and the "Holly Flourish" was die cut using the Cheery Lynn "Holly Flourish" (B128). 


I hope you will join us this week for this fun challenge and get a head start on those tags you will need for Christmas gifts.  Remember if your tag is chosen for the weekly drawing, your name will be added to the list of names that will be eligible for the $100 Gift Certificate to Joan's Gardens.  Each time your name is drawn for the weekly challenge, you do get an additional chance to win this fabulous prize.  I know there are lots of new things at Joan's Gardens you would love to have.

Joan's Weekly Challenge

 

 

It's time for another challenge at Joan's Gardens.  This week we would like to have you create either a Christmas card or a tag with  an animal on it.  If you create one of each, please download them separately - this will give you two entries for a chance to win the weekly prize. 

For the tag I created:

I started by using the Tim Holtz Sizzix "Tag and Bookplates" die to cut my tag.  This is a nice large tag and what I love about having this die is that you can cut your tag out of any material - card stock, old manila folders, or even chipboard.  The "Christmas Carol" song in the background is from the Tim Holtz "Seasonal Reflections (CMS112) stamp set.  It was stamped using TH "Walnut"  Distress Ink.  The snowflakes are from Heartfelt Creations and were stamped using VersaMark Ink and clear embossed.  "Weathered Wood" Distress Ink was sponged over the top three fourths of the tag to bring out the stamped design.  The tree is a very old Sizzix "Christmas Tree #2" that I don't believe is available any longer.  It was embossed using the bottom portion of the Sizzix "Thank You Set #5" (656983) embossing folder.  The tree was cut apart so I could layer each one with dimensionals.    I really like this embossed pattern on the Christmas tree. The tree was sponged with "Pine Needles" Distress Ink.  Next, the tree was attached to the card by gluing the bottom portion of the tree to the tag.  Next dimensional tape was added to the bottom of each of the tree layers and glue added to the top.  By doing this, the bottom of the layers become dimensional.  To decorate the tree with snow, I used Rangers "Bisque" Liquid Pearls on each of the cross sections of the embossed design.  The deer was die cut using the Tim Holtz Sizzix "Mini Reindeer & 25" set (657493).  You get this small reindeer and the numbers 2 and 5 in this set.  The sentiment is from the JustRite "Deck the Halls" stamp set.  The snowflake is the Martha Stewart "Polar Snowflake" punch.  The outside edge of the tag and sentiment were gold edged using the "Delicata" Golden Glitz Pigment Ink pad.  This is such a beautiful gold.  It is easy to just drag the edge along the ink pad to create this border.

For the card:

The embossed oval on the red card stock was done by using the Sizzix "Birds & Wreath" embossing folder.  The small white strip was embossed using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.  There is a small border along the edge of the red card stock and that was die cut using a portion of the new Cheery Lynn "Lace Edger" (B153).  The deer was die cut using the Sizzix "Mini Reindeer" (657493).  I used the Tim Holtz music stamp from the "Seasonal Reflections" stamp set to put a design on the deer.   The tree, Marianne "(LR0136), and flower, Marianne Designs (LR0122 and LR0121) were die cut.   The leaves were die cut using the Cheery Lynn "Pine Branches (B146) and "Olive Branches" (B147).  Little red pearls were added to the branches.  The snowflakes are from the Martha Stewart border punch "Aspen Snowflake" border punch.  The sentiment is from the JustRite "Deck the Halls" stamp set.  Stickles was added to the petals of the flower and Polar White Flower Soft was added on the tree and below the deer.

I hope you will join us this week in the challenge at Joan's Gardens.  You will find all the details about the challenge on Joan's Blog.

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Snowman

 

Don't you love snowmen!  I don't know why, but they always make me happy.  I use lots of them to decorate my house at Christmas time.  We had about two inches of snow last night.  I have this cute little snowman from Joan's Gardens and thought it would be perfect to create a card with today.  This is the snowman and stocking from the Sizzix "Snowman and Stocking" die (657248).  Joan does have these dies in stock.  The "25" is a die cut from the Sizzix "Mini Reindeer & 25" set (657493).  The snowflakes are a combination of snowflakes from the Marianne (LR0123) and the Cheery Lynn Snowflake 5 (DL169). They were all die cut and layered with dimensional dots between each one.  After they were assembled I brushed on "Glue N' Seal" glue and sprinkled on diamond glitter.  The border across the middle of the card is Cheery Lynn "Daisy Lace Bracelet" (DL135).  The border across the bottom is the Cheery Lynn Anastasia Border (B136).

After die cutting the snowman, I used the snowman die and placed a piece of black card stock over the hat and blue card stock over the mittens and ran it through the machine again.  The nose was die cut with the "white" snowman so I just colored it with an orange marker.  I love how my snowman turned out.  I used Post It notes to cover the hat and arms then used "YES" glue and a small spatula to spread glue over the body of the snowman.  "Twinklets Diamond Dust", which is a very coarse glitter, was poured over the snowman and pressed down into the glue.  Dew Drops were added for the button and small pearls added for the eyes.  There are little holes for these and I placed some glue in the hole and pressed the black beads into it.  A "fuzzy" blue scarf was tied around his neck.  This is a piece of fuzzy yarn.  Some glue was added across the hat and black glitter sprinkled on for the band.  The stocking was die cut with blue card stock as well as a scrap of design paper then paper pieced.  A Quickie Glue pen was used to draw lines on the blue parts of the stocking and mittens, and glitter was added.  Also small dots of glue was added to the white dots in the design paper and glitter sprinkled on.  Along the bottom more "Twinklets Diamond Dust" was added over the Anastasia Border.  A small white bow was added for the stocking to hang from. 

If you like to create "snowman" Christmas cards, I am sure you will really enjoy using this Sizzix Die.  All the products I used can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

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Joan's Weekly Challenge - Think Outside the Box

 

We have a fun challenge for you this week at Joan's Gardens.  We want to see different ways you can use your stamps and dies to create any Autumn/Thanksgiving item other than a card.  Many times we don't think out of the box and to use our stamping products for things other than cards.  Joan and I have created a few items to give you some ideas.  You can read all the details about this challenge at Joan's Gardens.

For this week's challenge I have completed two projects.  My first one is a pretty candle ring for a candle centerpiece.

 

I started out by die cutting a doily using rust card stock and the Marianne Designs "LR0180" large plain doily die.  This doily has a solid center for my candle to sit on.  Next I cut a band out of a "fall" design paper to go around the bottom of the candle.  To this band I added my fall arrangement.  The leaves were die cut using the Sizzix "Mini Tattered Leaves" die.  I used a new Sizzix die I just received from Joan's Gardens that makes pinecones.  This die is called "Tattered Pinecones" and is a die cut spiral that shapes very quickly into a pretty pinecone.

 

Can you see the pine cones tucked into the leaves in this picture?  Also this die has a pine branch which i die cut using brown card stock.  You can also use this portion of the die to create green  "evergreen" branches.  I wanted to add some small flowers to my arrangement so stamped and die cut Heartfelt Creations "Posy Patch Flowers" (HCPC 3303).  I used that Cheery Lynn "Mega Italian Flourish" (DL159) doily under the centerpiece. These mega doilies are just beautiful for things like this.  To complete this centerpiece I added a pretty bow.

My next project is a box created for a loaf of pumpkin bread I baked for one of my neighbors.  

To create the bottom of the box, I drew a line around the loaf of bread (on the card stock), and added one inch for the sides of the box.  For the handle I die cut 4 of the Cheery Lynn "Tiffany Border" (B137).  These dies are 8 inches long and I needed 11 inches so just pieced them together.  The handle was attached with ScorTape along the bottom edge of the box.  The pumpkin was die cut using the Sizzix "Mini Acorn and Pumpkin" die cut set.  The leaves are from the Sizzix "Mini Tattered Leaves" dies.  The flourishes were created with the Marianne Designs "Forest Branch" (LR0150).   On the handle and sides of the box I added two Spellbinders Accents.   A Spellbinders Tag was cut, sponged and a small brad put in the hole then attached to the handle with a dimensional dot.  A bow was added to the top.  A loaf of pumpkin bread, wrapped in clear wrap, and placed in the box.

Joan and I are anxious to see what creative items you can come up with for this week's challenge.  Be sure to added your photos to the link at Joan's Gardens.  A random drawing will be held and one of you will receive a nice prize from Joan's Gardens.  There are not many weeks left to get entries in for the challenges this year.  Remember, someone will receive a $100 Gift Certificate to  Joan's Gardens at the end of the year.

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Autumn Gatherings

 

Joan's Gardens is featuring "Autumn" products this week and I created a card using a couple of the Autumn dies.  To begin with I used the Sizzix "Branch Tree" embossing folder and sponged it with Distress Ink.  To create the sun I used a Spellbinders Circle die and sponged three different shades of yellow ink, inside the die, to create a Harvest Moon.  The pumpkins were die cut using the Sizzix "Mini Acorn & Pumpkin Set" die.  The branches and leaves below the pumpkins were cut using the Sizzix "Autumn Gatherings" die.  This die has different branches, acorns and many different leaves.  I love the size of these smaller leaves because you could create wreaths with them or even use the different leaves with floral arrangements you create for your cards.  I wanted to distress both the pumpkins and leaves to make them look more realistic.  Below is a picture to show you how I did this.

 This is a picture showing the Tim Holtz  texture stamp I used.  It is from the "Slight Alterations CMS 060" stamp set.  This stamp set has three different background stamps that I use a lot to add texture.   I inked the stamp up and laid the leaves over it.  Next a piece of computer paper was placed on top and I used a brayer to roll over the stamp to transfer the design to the leaves.  By placing a piece of paper on top, it kept the leaves in place while I brayered over the stamp. I die cut many different colors of leaves and used different colors of ink on the them.  My favorite color ended up being a dark brown ink because the texture did how up the best.  After they were stamp, I used different Distress Inks to sponge each one.  I didn't like flat leaves, so gently wadded them up and shaped them, to create a realistic look.  The pumpkins were also stamped with this texture stamp and were sponged.  The top of the pumpkin was cut out and a green stem, cut with the die, was glued behind the pumpkin.  A stylus was used to draw lines down the pumpkins to make them more realistic.  All the pieces were arranged along the bottom of the card.  The sentiment is from an old JustRite stamp "A Day in the Country".  A burgundy silk bow was added to complete the card.

Be sure to go over to Joan's Gardens to see all the Autumn products she is featuring to help you with your Autumn and Thanksgiving projects. 

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Snowman Popup

This is a Christmas card with a popup center.  It is similar to the one Joan (Joan's Gardens) did for her workshop.  You can see her card here as well as the other projects completed in her workshop this past weekend.  The products I used for this card include:  Sizzix Scallop Circle 3-D popup die; Snowman & Stocking die;  Layered Christmas Tree die; and Holiday Lamppost.  The Christmas Tree was embossed using the Sizzix "Beaded Ribbons" embossing folder.   Cherry Lynn  Victorian Picket Fence (B123); Christmas Light Swag (B131) and Pine Branches (B146) dies were also used.  The sentiment is from JustRite "Deck the Halls".  The embossing folder used for the background is the Sizzix Triad Leaves.  VersaMark Ink was rubbed on the inside of the embossing folder, on the raised side, then run through embossing machine.  Clear embossing powder was sprinkled over the background then heat set.  Distressed stains were used to color it.  Below the edge of the scallop popup, the Memory Box "Frosty Border" was added.

The Penny Black "Village Christmas" stamp was used for the front of the card.  The Marianne Designs "Ice cycles" (LR0135) border was used at the top.

Tomorrow is the weekly challenge at Joan's Gardens.  We have a fun little project for you and I hope you will come back and join us in the challenge.

All the products used on this card can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

Give Thanks

 

 When I started this card, my goal was to use the new Sizzix, Mini Tattered Leaves which are repositionable Magnetic dies. Joan had sent me a few other Magnetic Dies and they are fun to work with.  I had no idea where this was going to take me.  I must admit though that I was having so much fun that I just kept die cutting different things and do have quiet a list of products used on this card. 

The design paper is from the BoBunny "Forever Fall Collection".  The die cut below the arrangement is the Cheery Lynn "Princess Garden Frame" (FRM126).  It was sponged using " Vintage Photo" Distress Ink.  The sentiment is from the JustRite "Autumn Blessings Set".  The pretty corner was die cut using one of the Marianne Design corner dies.  

This card started by die cutting the Sizzix Mini Tattered Leaves using different colors of card stock.  They were painted using different colors of Distress Stains.  Some of the leaves have 4 or 5 different colors on them.  Once I was happy with the colors, I used a "word" background stamp from Wendy Veccchi's "Botanical Art"  set and stamp over the leaves (just for "interest"). They were brushed lightly with the Adrinondak "Gold" Acrylic Paint Dabber then they were placed in (are you going to believe this?) the Sizzix Snow Flurries embossing folder to give them texture. Three or four leaves were each placed on a snowflake in the embossing folder,  then embossed.   Next they were rubbed on a VersaMark Ink pad and clear embossed and shaped while they were still warm.  Sounds like a lot of work, but it was really fun working with them and I do like the way they turned out.. 

The rest of the card went together very quickly because it was just die cutting and arranging everything.The flowers were created with a variety of dies.  The two flowers with the yellow stamen were created with the Cheery Lynn "Judy's Bloom" (C184) die. The flower in the corner was created using the Mariann Designs LR0 128, 168, and 169 dies.  Each of these flower petals were cut down toward the center for a fringe look.   I don't know if you can see that in the photo. They were all shaped using the Flower Tool Kit.  Stamens were punched using the Punch a Bunch medium  "Sky Flake"  punch.  

The three  pinecones were created by using YES glue and 25 punched small pears for each one.  I had these made prior to starting my card..  I do have a tutorial on my blog on how to create these pinecones.  A few more "pretties" were die cut to add to the arrangement -- Marianne Decorative Elegance (both dies) (LR0157; Forest Branch (LR0150) and Garden Branch (LR0151).  After the card was arranged, it was sprayed with "Cappucino"  Perfect Pearls Mist.

Well I did use a lot of different products, but do you like this card?   I love to read your comments.

As you know all the products I use can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

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We Are Happy Tonight

 

I'm sure you all know that I love snowmen.  This little guy is from JustRite and I added lots of die cuts.  Seems like everyone is loving creating cards with die cuts right now.  The stamped image is from the new JustRite "Blizzard Bunch Set".  It was colored with Copic markers, cut out with a Spellbinders oval Nestie and sponged with Distress Ink.  In fact, all ivory die cut pieces were sponged with "Tea Dye" Distress Ink.    The accent under the snowman was die cut using one of the Spellbinders "Floral Doily Motifs" dies.  The beautiful flourish at the top of the card is the Cheery Lynn "Victorian Romance Flourish" (DL151).  The snowflake up in the corner is layered - the larger snowflake is one of the Marianne Designs (LR0123) snowflakes (there are three in this package).  On top I added a Martha Stewart snowflake. This is a 5.5" x 6" card.  The designer paper used is from the Graphic 45 "Christmas Emporium" pad. 

Have you seen all the new Sizzix dies Joan's Gardens is now carrying?  This is the Tim Holtz Alterations "Holiday Lamppost" (657469) that Joan just received.  Isn't it beautiful.  The die includes the lamppost, the holly and the holly berries.  I distressed the bottom of the lamp post with the Cuttlebug "Distressed Stripes" embossing folder then used the "Delicata" Golden Glitz Pigment Ink pad to antique it.  This is a beautiful gold and perfect for using on your Christmas cards.  I put the holly leaves in the Sixxiz "Triad Leaves" embossing folder to give the leaves texture.  I sure use this embossing folder a lot, don't I!  The leaves were then sponged with brown ink.  A fine tip marker defined the 3 berries.  I wanted my lightpost to be "lit" so I added a piece of dark yellow card stock behind the light then used a "Quickie Glue" pen to scribble in glue and added some multicolored yellow (with a hit of wine) glitter.  This is something I have had for a long time.  To complete the card I added some snowflakes punched with one of the snow flake "Punch a Bunch" punches Joan and I use for creating some of our flowers.  Oh, can't forget the little bow to help make it more festive!

All these products can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.  If you don't see them on her site, please just ask her about them.

Merry Christmas Reindeer

 

This is my second post today.  Hope you didn't miss my Heartfelt Creations box posted earlier.

It is only 56 days until Christmas; can you believe it!  How are you coming along creating your Christmas Cards?  I'm still working away on mine, and today worked with the beautiful reindeer.  He was die cut using the Sizzix Reindeer die (657246).  Joan's Gardens does have a good supply of these dies.  I always like to dress up my die cuts and today was no exception.  The reindeer was die cut, using Kraft card stock,  then the body was inserted into the Sizzix "Triad Leaves (657259) embossing folder to give him some texture.  Christmas is a time for lots of glitter and shine so I used Mica Gloss "Chocolate" Metallic Effects Ink" over the body.  This is a beautiful color.  The shine does not show up well in the picture but in real life it has tiny little sparkles in it.  On the antlers I used the Adriondak "Gold" Acrylic Paint Dabber.  I tried using the Mica Gloss gold but it was a very bright gold and I wanted this more muted gold on the reindeer. A black pearl was added to his eye.  To make him even more festive I used thin gold cording to wrap around his neck, twice, then added three tiny jingle bells using "Crafter's Pick "The Ultimate" glue.  This glue works great on just about anything, including metal. 

I found a scrap piece design paper from last year that has glittered snowflakes I thought would be perfect because I wanted to use the new Cheery Lynn "Laced Pine Snowflake" (DL175).  It was die cut using white card stock and lightly glittered with an aqua glitter that matches the snowflakes in the design paper.  For the sentiment I used one of the JustRite stamps from "Sparky and Friends" and cut it out with a Spellbinders oval Nestie.   It was attached to the center of the snowflake.  Under the reindeer I attached the Cheery Lynn "Polynesian Sails Oval" doily (DL153) which was die cut on a pearlized card stock.  The center does come out of this die because there is a smaller circle doily die in the middle.  I wanted a solid center so the reindeer would show up, so I used a Spellbinder "Petite Scallop Oval" to cover that opening. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and even find time to create some of your Christmas cards.

As you know, all the products I use can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

Pretty Ornament

 

It has been a while since I have used purple so decided to use this pretty Sizzix Ornament and glam it up with purple glitter.  This is the Sizzix "Ornament #4". Joan (Joan's Gardens) has a good supply of these ornament dies and she asked me to create a card with it. I always feel like I don't do a very good job when using ornaments on my projects.  I was a little nervous even getting started but  I am really pleased with the way this turned out.  Do you think it might be the purple since that is one of my favorite colors???  No, not really; this was just such an easy die cut to work with.

I started out by using the Sizzix "Peace Poinsettia" embossing folder (656988) and embossed the right side of a 6x6" card front.  On the left side I scored 1/4" lines down all the unembossed area using my ScorBuddy. 

The Ornament was die cut using dark purple card stock.  I love the openings in the ornament.  I used a piece of shinny silver design paper left over from another project to line the openings in it.  The top of the ornament (the hanger) was silver embossed.  You can't really see that in the picture.  Before attaching the silver paper to the back I used "Glue N' Seal" adhesive on the front of the ornament, then sprinkled on purple glitter.  I love using "Glue N' Seal".  I am finding I can use it for so many things.  I used a brush to "paint" the glue all over the ornament.  Since I used silver on the ornament, I decided to use a gold cording to go in between each of the scored lines on the left side of the card to kind of balance the colors on the card.  

For my embellishment I used my favorite poinsettia stamp set, which is the Heartfelt Creations "Petite Poinsettia" set (HPC3415).  I used a stamping glue pad  to stamp the flowers onto a light lavender card stock.  You have to heat the glue then I poured the same purple glitter over it.  I hand cut the flowers because I was afraid some of the glitter would come off if they were die cut with the Spellbinder poinsettia matching dies.  They were shaped and purple glitter added to the center of the flower.

I am disappointed you can't see it in the picture, but behind the flower, peaking out at the top, I added one of the new Marianne dies I just received from Joan's Gardens (LR0192).  It is a "fanned" leaf and is so pretty.  There are three different leaf dies in this set.  Coming down towards the bottom of the card I added one of the new Cheery Lynn die "Holly Flourish" (B148).  I love this flourish for Christmas cards.  It just adds that little added touch to finish off a card.  

The ornament was added in the center of the embossed area.  I wound a bunch of silver cord around my hand and tied it in the center to create a bow, then snipped the ends of each loop and added it to the top of the ornament with a large glue dot.  A pretty purple silk bow was added over the cording.  

I think I might have gotten over my fear of working with ornaments - this was a very easy card to create.  

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the post showing the Joan's Garden's challenge think you will have fun with this one!

Little Gift Box

 

 First I want to thank those of you have sent my neighbor a Get Well Card.  Both Dick and Pat were in tears and ask me to thank you for your thoughts and prayers. They said it is so special to receive cards and know others care even when they don't know them.  They are putting your beautiful cards on the hospital window to admire all day.  Dick went in the hospital for treatment for cancer and some how got a staff infection before they started that treatment and is very ill, so has to wait until that is cleared up before they start the cancer treatments.  His wife only leaves him to go home for a few hours sleep then go back to spend the entire day with him.   If you haven't sent a card, and would like to, here is his address again:

Dick Montgomery

822 N. Oasis Avenue

Deer Park, WA  99006

USA

Once again, thank you to those of you have sent cards -- it truly has given them a lot of happiness.

Today I have been getting ready for two stamping friends that are arriving from Vancouver tomorrow.  I haven't seen them for awhile so am very excited  to see them.  They always attended my workshops when I lived there and they want to spend lots of time stamping while they are here.  I think I have lots of new things to teach them.

For my post today, I made a cute little box that will be perfect for a small Christmas gift.  I used the Sizzix "Popcorn Box" die and embossed it with the Sizzix "Botanicals" (657137) embossing folder.  On the front I added the Cheery Lynn "Ornamental Wreath and Bow (DL143).  The wreath was die cut 4 times to give it a lot of dimension and the bow was die cut twice.  They were layered using dimensional tape.  

For the top of the box I used my favorite poinsettia stamps.  They are the Heartfelt Creations "Petite Poinsettia PreCut Set (HCPC 3415).  Two sizes of the petals were gold embossed on watercolor paper then water colored, cut out and layered.  The doily below the flower was die cut with the Marianne LR0185 doily die. 

As you know, you can purhase all of the products I use from Joan's Gardens.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you have a great weekend.

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Joan's Gardens Challenge - A Decorated Bag Mini Tutorial

 

It's time for another new challenge at Joan's Gardens.  This week we want you to create a FALL or Trick or Treat BAG with a topper. You can get all the details from Joan's Blog.

  

I decided to create a Trick or Treat bag using a lot of different products from Joan's Gardens.  I decorated a kraft bag with handles and have a mini tutorial below to show you how I created the topper.

The design paper on the bag is from the Graphic 45 "Halloween in Wonderland"

8 x 8" paper pad. 

To create the "topper", I used Kraft card stock.  First I decided how deep I wanted the topper, then doubled it, and scored across the middle and creased it will with a bone folder.  Using scissors I cut a small opening along the fold line that was just a little longer than the width of the handles.  I wanted to create a design on the front edge, so used the Cheery Lynn "Tiffany Border" (B137) die.  I taped it to the edge of the topper then die cut it.

After it was die cut, it cut the border out along the edge leaving an opening along the bottom edge.  I wanted to add the border back over the opening, plus wanted a color behind it.  

A strip of card stock was added it to the back of the topper over the die cut opening.

 

 When I added the die cut back into the opening, I placed it slightly higher so it left some of the color below the scalloped edge. The die cut was glued along the very top edge, to the edge on the topper.  A piece of the stripped design paper was added right above the die cut edge to give it a finished look.  I used grungeboard letters from Tim Holtz Idea-ology Mixed Minis alphabet for the "Trick or Treat" letters.  Distress Ink Stain Daubers were used to color the letters, to match the colors in the design paper.  I love how they turned out.

To decorate the top edge of the topper, I used the Sizzix "Autumn Gatherings" (657454) die, which has branches, acorns and different small leaves.  These were all arranged across the top.  All these dies are pictured on my last post.

For the Jack-o-Lantern I used the Sizzix "Pumpkin Jack" (657463) die.  This is the way it looked when cut.

I wanted to give the surface a texture so used the Wendy Vecchi "Funky Flower Art" stamp set.  In this set is a large background stamp that I clear embossed over the pumpkin.  The Jack-o-Lantern face was cut free hand from black card stock and glued to the pumpkin.

The pumpkin die includes the stem.  I die cut it using green card stock then embossed it with the Cuttlebug "Distressed Stripes" embossing folder.  To complete this bag, I die cut a lot of leaves using the Cheery Lynn Leaves dies (D133, D134, D135, and D136).  I used a variety of leaves from each of these sets.  The large acorn on the bottom is from the Sizzix Mini Acorn & Pumpkin Set (657457).  The handles of the topper were pushed up through the opening that was cut in the center of the topper to complete my Trick or Treat bag.

All the products used on this project can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.  Please go over to Joan's Blog to get all the details about this week's challenge. 

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