50% OFF January SALE, FREE CROP Jan 3 PLUS Crystal's Design Team Project...WINE TAGS!

Did we have you at WINE???

Hi All! Dawn here, before we move on to Crystal's AWESOME Wine Bottle Tags, I wanted to let you know that we are CLOSED for the Holiday Season and will OPEN 10am January 2 with a 50% off SALES! Entire product collections 50% off!!! WE HATE STOCK COUNT so help up not have to do it!!!! PLUS JANUARY 3 is a FREE CROP 10am-10pm!!!!

Merry Christmas, fellow crafters! As my post was scheduled to be the last before Christmas, I thought it a little late for Christmas card inspiration, so decided to create some wine tags. I made mine based off the above inspiration photo, but these would be great to make and use throughout the holiday season whilst visiting family and friends to really dress up a bottle of wine.

This one is simple and classy. The snowflake was cut using the Lawn Fawn “Stitched Snowflakes” die set, which I’ve used a lot on Christmas crafts this year. I also added some accents to everything with a white gel pen.

For this one, I went with a more whimsical deer and humorous saying. This would actually be great to put on a bottle of vodka, rye, or any other spirit, as it would make it extra “punny.” The deer is from the Dylusions “Christmas Accessories” set and the sentiment is from the Dylusions “Christmas Words” set, which is a must-have for those snarky holiday cards.

Instead of colouring the image, I chose to paper piece him.

This one pulls double duty as a gift card holder. I didn’t have a gift card at home, so made a stand-in for demonstrative purposes. On the block letters, I used a snow pen marker and some Iced Stickles.

To create the pocket, I simply folded the piece around the main panel and glued it all together. The whole piece was then adhered to the wine tag base

A tip when creating pockets of any sort: be sure to use a wet adhesive as opposed to a dry one, lest your gift card, money, picture, or whatever you’re placing in the pocket, get stuck to the dry adhesive which will never truly “dry” and be not sticky anymore.  

These wine tags are fairly easy to make, and you can make them as simple or elaborate as you want. Should you like to make your own wine tags for the holiday feasting season I will give you the measurements for the bases of the ones I made.

First Two Tags: Paper cut to 8.5” x 2.75” and scored at 2.5”. I used a 2” circle punch for the hole because it is literally the only circle punch I own, but I think a smaller one would be better - 1.5” would probably be perfect.

Third Tag: Paper cut to 7.75” x 3.75” and scored at 2.5”. The piece for the pocket was cut to 2.5” x 4.25” and then scored a quarter of an inch on each side to create the flaps to wrap around the main panel of patterned paper. I wanted the pocket a little bigger so more of that great deer paper would be showing, but didn’t want the gift card drowning in the pocket, so when gluing it together I put glue on the entire bottom half (1.25”) so the gift card could stick out the top.

Thanks for joining the design team this month and hopefully you were inspired for your own Christmas crafting. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season with your family and can’t wait to start creating again in 2015!

~ Crystal Thompson

http://sistersofthecraftersguild.blogspot.com

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a new born babe on a Christmas Countdown

Dawn here, before we get on to Courteney's amazing countdown, I just wanted to take a moment and say Merry Christmas to all of you.  We will be CLOSING for CHRISTMAS Break Monday Dec 22 at 2pm and will reopen December 2.  30% off Sale will be going on until Dec 22, so don't miss out on those deals....I NEVER do that!!!!! 
 Please enjoy your family, like we will be enjoying ours
Dawn

 
Hey Everyone!!! Well it looks like a lot of us Design Team members were thinking the same thing this month! Lol! I love, how so far most of us did Altered Items with Christmas count downs! Great Minds think a like!! Lol! Even though we did stick together this month everyone's turned out so different and so amazing! I truly hope you enjoyed them and play along! We would love to see your take on our inspiration/challenges!!!

Here's the Inspiration!!


AND here is my take on it...

ENJOY and MERRY CHRISTMAS
XOXOXO
Courteney

30% OFF SALE..Monthly Kit CLUB...Monica's DT

 

Hi All! 

Bare with me...I've got a few announcements today before we move onto Monica's gorgeous DT Project! 

• Become a MONTHLY KIT CLUB MEMBER and SAVE 25%: Kits will be full of fabulous new products with a retail minimum value of $37.50 but will only cost you $30 when you commit to a 6 month term; savings of $45...sign up for 12 months save $90 a YEAR!!! Each Kit will include a mix of paper, embellishments and other yummy goodies that catch my eye, at a discounted rate to Kit Club Member only! Kits are available to post as well for a flat rate of $15 to any where in Canada. Project Samples will be available each month for inspiration in shop and online! As an ADDED BONUS for those who live close by, Kit collection day will always fall on a 10-10-10 Crop which you will get to attend for FREE when you register! (registration subject to spaces availability) Please email theinkedstamper@gmail.com  to register and I will send you over the form for you to fill in and send back.
• HUGE 30% OFF SALE! Starting TODAY until Dec 23 (We will be CLOSED Dec 24 until January1)  99% of the store is included in the sale! Just not handmade items, Liquetex, Golden, Prima Mediums, Julie Nutting Boy stamps, Glitter Dust and PanPastels. Everything else is 30% OFF!!!!
• OK On to Monica's Project! 

December Design Team Project - JOY OF THE SEASON FRAME

Hello everyone! I had fun doing this months project - after a short
period of WHAT THE HECK DO I DO WITH THAT!? when I first saw the
inspiration photo. It was a very short moment though, as the minute I
saw the frame in the corner I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I started with a Kaisercraft Beyond the Page Ornate frame. I had
originally wanted to use it for another project, but it worked great for
this one. I put Gesso on it first, then painted it with the fab Dina
Wakely white acrylic paint. I then used Viva Decor white crackle, along
with some Prima Bloom spray in gold to give it an aged/antique look.  I
then used the amazing My Mind's Eye Sleigh Bells Ring paper line for
both the back (the branches paper) and the letters (the Reindeer names
paper). I was originally going to make my own pine cones but couldn't
get them to work as I wanted (at least not in time to get my project
done!) so instead found some at a local store that I funky'd up using
the Glitter Dust in Silver that I got from the fabulous Dawn!!

My final step was to put everything together. I have been asked a few
times how I do this and since there is really no rhyme nor reason to my
process, I thought I might do a video to show everyone just that. I will
be posting it to my YouTube channel right after my project goes up on
the blog, so please check it out and let me know what you think!
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx65qO9iM7BmrBWFJGcPo3A)

Again, I want to thank Dawn and Courtney and everyone at The Inked
Stamper for this great opportunity to be part of their team!  Hope you
all enjoy my project and have a very Merry Christmas!

Monica

Supply list:

My Mind's Eye - Sleigh Bells Ring paper (Branches and Reindeer Names)
My Mind's Eye - Sleigh Bells Ring bows
Maya Road - Oh Deer Resins
Miscellaneous flowers and leaves from Prima
Glitter Dust by Thermoweb - Silver
Kaisercraft Beyond the Page - Ornate Frame
Dina Wakely acrylic Paint - white
Viva Decor Croco Crackling Colour - white
Prima Bloom Sprays - gold
miscellaneous glues, gesso and other adhesives

 

12 Days of Christmas SALE starts TODAY BOGO 50% OFF ALL Dies and Embossing Folders

 

Merry Christmas! On the 12th day of Christmas your Scrapbook Store gave to thee.....BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF ON ALL DIES AND EMBOSSING FOLDERS! * 50% off least expensive one. Remember, Friends don't let friends shop sales alone! Tell one, tell all! We are OPEN 10am-6pm on Friday !

 FYI Tomorrow you can CROP 10AM-4pm for FREE (I'll be away at a hockey tournament...and I can betcha my set of twins Courteney will put on a cheeky sale for exclusive to the Croppers! She's a cheeky monkey when I'm away!)

Merry Christmas 

xoxox

First Guest Designer: Monica Lipscombe and her STUNNING Vintage Window Count Down

                                             Vintage Window Advent Calendar

I started with an old window I had from an abandoned farmhouse. I painted the glass with chalk paint. I then created mini library card pockets from the wonderful My Mind's Eye Sleigh Bells Ring paper line, strung them on twine with clothes pins and used the tags (that are tucked in the pockets)  from the same paper line combined with some I created with card stock and ink sprays. All the tags  are  decorated with brads from the Joyous paper line from My Mind's Eye.
The numbers are called Advent Tags also from the Joyous LIne from My Mind's Eye and the bow at the bottom was is also a part of the Sleigh Bells Ring collection centered with a Flair Button from Echo Park Paper.
The top of the window is adorned with Kaiser Craft wooden Reindeers sprayed with Dylusions Spray and touched with stickles.
Supply List
12 x 12 paper - 'Sleigh Bells Ring' from My Mind's Eye
Advent Tags - 'Joyous' from My Mind's Eye
Bows - 'Sleigh Bells Ring' from My Mind's Eye
Deocrative Brads - 'Joyous'  from My Mind's Eye
Flair Buttons - ' Christmas Cheer' from Echo Park Paper
Wooden Flourishes - 'Reindeer' from Kaiser Craft
Dylusion Sprays - 'Cherry Pie' and 'White Linen'
Decorative Washi Tape from Carta Bella
Tomato - 'Izink'
Dark Brown -'Stickles'
24 wooden mini clothes pins
1 red glittered mini clothes pin
Striped ribbon from my stash
Twine from my stash
Gesso, Scissors,Stapler and Glue Gun

Thank You, 
Monica

Share YOUR Crafty Friends with ME and EARN SHOPPING MONEY!!!

 Have CRAFTY FRIENDS....want to earn HOSTESS BENEFITS for bringing them to me? SIGN UP for a CLUB or BOOK A PARTY TODAY AND EARN FREE GOODIES!! Read on for details.

CARD CLUBS & SCRAPBOOK CLUBS: It's important to take "ME" time, and I appreciate how HARD that is, don't forget I have twin boys in hockey and run my own business! I'm hearing more and more lately how nobody has time...so your hobby gets bumped to the bottom of the pile.  Me Time is IMPORTANT...you DESERVE IT, it will make you happier, and balanced which will benefit everyone in your life, but most of all it will benefit YOU! So for 2015 I am starting up Clubs again, they are SCHEDULED, so EVERY month, you know when and where your ME time will be...plus they are only 1 hour, so even the busiest person can carve away 1 hours...drop your kids off at their event, and come back to the shop to do YOUR event!

 What are the Clubs? Each month we will meet up as a Group, and you will make your projects, then you will shop. Like the home parties, there will be a HOSTESS each month, the hostess may bring a snack to share if they choose, and the hostess of the month will receive HOSTESS BENEFITS based on the groups sales. Each month there will be minimum purchase of $30 (pre tax, excluding sale items) per person required to make sure everyone hits their Hostess Benefits. The more the group shops, the more you receive! So you may choose to bring in extra people to shop to boost up your sales that month!  There will be a Club Sign up Fee payable at the start to cover the cost of material used to make the projects :

• Cards $5/month includes 2 cards (1 technique based, 1 simpler)

• Scrapbook $7/Month includes one 12x12...this is a BARGAIN, $0 instructor fee and below retail cost/class! 
• Price is due upfront and will be based on how many we get/group. Min is 9 to hit hostess chart, max is 12.  
• Card Club Start Dates: Monday January 12. Day Club: 10:30-11:30 am; Night Club 6:30-7:30pm: runs every 2nd Monday $60 for 12 Classes of 2 cards each month
• Scrapbook Club: Wednesday January 14 Day Club 10:30-11:30am; Night Club 6:30-7:30 pm runs every 2nd Wednesday $84 for 12 classes of one 12x12 layout each month


PARTIES: will run similar to home based parties, except you will have the whole shop to shop from, not be limited to a catalog and no waiting! You book a Party, invite all your friends, ($5/person for 2 Cards, $7 for Layout) we will make a pretty project, and then you all shop! You will earn HOSTESS BENEFITS based on the sales!

Hostess Benefits*
$250-$499 Sales= 7% of Party Sales + 1 Item of choice at 25% off*
$500-$999 Sales= 10% of Party Sales + 2 Items of choice at 40% off*
$1000+= 15% of Party Sales + 3 Items of choice at 40% off

*Hostess Benefits are a bonus to the hostess each month and do not count towards her own Club purchase that month, she is still required to make her minimum purchase.  Benefits must be used at the close of the party, and may not be used on custom orders. The 25-40% off item of choice is subject to limitations: not valid on commission pieces or Die Cut Machines. Also, they are in ADDITION to the 7-15% Party Sales, hostess money may not be used to pay for them.  They are not mandatory to use, and are NOT transferable to your friends.

Please call the shop (780)458-2422 to register or book a party.  You may send an email to theinkedstamper@gmail.com or contact me via private message on the FB store page as well if it is past business hours.
THANK YOU

SALE TODAY!!! We have Gift Ideas for EVERYONE on your list...well maybe not your husband!

 Like Crafts? So do we! Don't forget about your favourite hobby store this time of year..I know it's the time to think of others and not yourself, so here are some ideas to help you out...and will help me pay the bills too! Win Win!
1) Shop for your crafty friends and fill their stockings with pretties like Winks of Stella & the NEW Winks of Luna Pens! What girl does not like METALLIC & BLING?
2) Next, grab some fabulous Gorjuss Girl 3D Kits for $2 each for your daughter and niece! Keep them busy, and keeps them off the ipads for awhile!! Top it up with some $2 Prima Bling too for a fabulous treat!!!
3)Boys, YES boys like to craft too, we have lots of BANNER KITS in stock! Come grab some and let your kiddo's make some Christmas Cheer..again keeps them off the ipads! Or grab some funky Monster Stamps, and a value pack of cards! Crafting is SO good for brain development, and imagination!!!!
4) Come purchase a handmade Card for your kids Teachers', they DESERVE it...or how about a pretty Candle, or Vintage Jar?

BEST PART OF IT ALL, 10% OFF YOUR TOTAL PRODUCT PURCHASE TODAY!!!!! (not including hand made items) ADDED BONUS, save an EXTRA 5% if you purchase $50 plus!!! Save up-to 15% OFF of my GREAT, everyday prices! I know some of you missed the OPEN HOUSE, so I've EXTENDED The SALE FOR TODAY BECAUSE WE ARE OPEN LATE every Tues/Thurs, 12-7pm, so even the "workers" can make it in!!! While YOU are in, fill out YOUR WISH LIST Card and leave it with us, send your friends and family in to shop off your list!
 

Kate's spectacular Christmas Cards!

Christmas Cards Galore

I thought I was ahead for Christmas this year until I realized all the presents I'd bought and wrapped needed some cards to go with them. The project inspiration photo sent me into overdrive. I was originally planning on another mini-album but somehow cards won out.

The Pieces

I made ten cards by sets of two. The pairs only differ slightly but this was my way of speeding things up. I'm huge on the wood veneer embellishments right now (/since I first saw them coming out) and had to force myself to actually use them rather than stare at them and admire how incredibly cute they are.

I'm also a love of twine and string. Besides the fact that I have an embarrassing amount already stashed around my craft room... it's fun. So easy to work with. Sometimes you just plop it down and it works (or at least that's what I tell myself).

My other favorite thing for these cards? A white chalk edger. Couldn't live without it, I swear.

The Materials

• white cardstock (measured at 7.5 x 9", folded at 3.75")
• miscellaneous cardstock:
• red twine
• red and; white striped twine
• mini red jingle bells (these were a garage sale find!)
• white embroidery thread
• white snowflake die-cut cardstock

The Tools

• double sided tape
• hot glue gun
• white chalk edger
• snowflake die-cut (or a cricut)
• tag shape die-cut
• straight cutter
• scissors
• bone folder

Christmas Count Down Project and Christmas OPEN HOUSE

Hi All!
We have all been working so hard to prepare for our FIRST CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, Saturday December 6, 10am-4pm.  We have lots of local Crafty Artists who are bringing in their wares to sell! Lots of One of a Kind Frames, Vintage Windows, Canvases and Vinyl decorated Christmas items! Along with Cards & Tags for those of you who just didn't' have time to make them.  We also still have some Christmas Card Kits left too (great for YOU to make your own cards without having to "think" about what to do, OR Give it to your child to create while you get on with your Christmas prep!)   Please bring Cash to pay for handmade items as these are not store stock, I would hate to charge the venders bank and credit card fees on top. *

Now onto my Design Team Project.....

As you seen on Monday's post for Pam's creation, here is our inspiration picture this month, straight for My Mind's Eye Pinterest page!  As soon as I saw this collection, Sleigh Bells Ring by My Minds Eye, I knew it was going to be popular!!! And boy has it been! The Design Team has made FABULOUS project with it, the full collection sold right out, BUT luckily, I ordered more in, so pop down to grab some TODAY to get cracking on your projects with!
For mine, I decide to create my boys a new Christmas Count Down.  I started off with one of the awesome Prima Vintage Cream Frames; I jazzed it up with some Prima Chalk paint and some glazes, and just LOVE how it turned out...so much so, that this will be a class for sure!

I used all My Mind's Eye Sleigh Bells Ring, paper and embellishments, plus their Countdown Kit from the Joyous Collection.  The only non MME I added was the scrabble letters and Lawn Fawn wood Snowflakes.   I LOVE how the die cut packs make embellishing so EASY and AFFORDABLE! Added a little twine, and little Design Memory Crafts Glitter gel, Prima Heavy Gel Medium mixed with Glass Glitter, lots of Crackle Accents and BOOM...we have a sweet new Christmas Count Down! 
I used Velcro behind the Count down numbers so they can easily be changed every day.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by, your comments are always 100% appreciated!!! Please head on over to the shop to see this and all the Design Team Creations in person, taking good photos of projects is such a challenge...on the day I took these, it was a blizzard outside, so not a lick of sunlight to be had! 

Anyhoo, thanks again

Dawn

December's Design Team: Please check out PAM's Gorgeous Mixed Media Layout

Hi All! Pam here with today's design team post for December! It is starting to look a lot like Christmas!  Mother Nature has definitely prepared us Edmontonians for the winter solstice with a HUGE amount of snow just before the weekend.  And although the snow and the road conditions have fostered a number of colourful words, when all tucked up warm at home, sipping my Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (no whip, non-fat if you're in the neighbourhood), past the din of tires spinning and snow plows beeping there is something so magical and peaceful with the world covered in white.

Is it any surprise then that white is the in colour again this winter?  White ornaments, white trees, white deer heads.  White.  Which totally adds style to our December inspiration photo all that much more.  My Mind's Eye kicked it out of the park with their Sleigh Bells Ring collection.

Using MME's Sleigh Bells Ring collection and Prima's Coffee Break Cup O Joe paper I put together this fun, wintery, sparkly layout.  It has been a super long time since I worked on a layout.  For those who can date Alex's age by the toque he wears, you will recognize that this is an early 2014 winter layout.  Oscar has now been retired.  Not sure what it is about my monkey but he can definitely make a toque look good.

There are quite a few layers to this layout.  I started off setting up the first layer by laying down the book page, the burlap pieces and Prima's Coffee Break Cup O Joe papers.  I then inked splatters and hot chocolate cup rings using distress ink (pumice stone)/Tim Holtz splatters layered stencil and added stars and random droplets with dylusions sprays and izinks.  At the risk of sounding like a broken record, because this is the second time I will sing their praises in two posts for the Design Team, I will once again mention how great those little bottles of ink are.  Izinks are super easy to use and have a fantastic dramatic effect for very little cost.  Afraid to use them, you say?  Let me know in the comment section if you are interested in a class and The Inked Stamper can set something up if there is enough interest.  So don't be anxious about letting us know if you would like a demo on how they can be used.  Classes at The Inked Stamper are always super reasonably priced and you definitely get your bang for your buck. 

I outlined some of the stars to ground them.  A technique I learned at The Inked Stamper from Dawn.

Once that first layer dried I was all set to start building.  I added the photos, the snowflakes (Lawn Fawn stitched snowflakes) and the MME embellishments.

Thank you for stopping by, remember to leave a comment and if you have any questions do not be afraid to ask!  I always love hearing from you and the Design Team have the bestest and mostest craft knowledge to share.  I am always learning from them.

Stay warm and craft-on my North American friends and to those in warm wintery locations: send us warm crafty thoughts.  We will need them until April.

It's time for YOU to CREATE a story with your Child! What will YOUR story be?

HI All! 
Before I pass you along to Courteney's post, I just wanted to say, these fabulous Prima Ornaments are super affordable at only $6 each, what a PERFECT way for you and your Kids to create some memories together! I know how expensive it is being a mom, and I know just how busy you are! So some days you just have to slow down and create some special bonding memories together that do not involve running back and forth from arena to arena, or from event to event! 
 Not only will you have fun making these cuties, you will create memories you and your child will have forever of the time you sat down to created together. Every year when you pull out your ornaments, your child will say "remember how much fun we had making these" or maybe the memory will be "remember when I spilled the glitter every where making these and the cat was covered for weeks", and you will laugh!  However your story turns out, you will HAVE a story! Please take the time to create with your children today and implant those memories, one day you will thank me, I promise! 
Merry Christmas

 

Hey Everyone! It Courteney here!!! I hope you all have been enjoying the amazing projects the Design Team has made! I know I have! If you haven't stopped by the shop to see them in person you truly have to!!!!!! They are all STUNNING!!!!!

This 1st month was so fun, I may have gone a bit over board!!! Once I started I couldn't stop. When you see them, you will understand why! Lol!

First the Inspiration page! I advised the girls and yourself to take what you find in this picture inspiring and work with it! Add your own twist! Take or leave whatever you want! It's your project and I want to see what the girls & you can come up with! Please always feel free to play along with us!

Of course the stunning Julie Nutting Doll stamp "Olivia", wings, snow pen, cute stamp, snowflake paper and the always hilarious Will Ferrell as the Elf!

So here's my take
The "NEW" Julie Nutting Christmas Ordainments are to die for! They are so cute and so much fun!

Here's a the step by step of how I created her:

• First I glued down the paper with my Liquitex Matt Super Heavy Gel.

• I used my Embossing ink pad and my Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, Heat setting it into place. It gave the wings a clear thick coat of shine.

• Then I used my all time winter favourite, my snow pen and added it around the outside of the wings!

• Using my Matt Super Heavy Gel again I glue down the beautiful silver crushed glass glitter.

• I used my Faber Castell big brush markers and my Wink of Stella pens to color my girl. Added some Glossy accents to her top and X-Mas red Stickles to the holly! Then adding the Ribbon and Tassel that comes with the ordainment was the perfect finishing touch!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE how she turned out.

So of course I had to keep going.......And going..........

Told you I got carried away!!!!! Lol!
I hope you all enjoyed my inspiration to you!!! These ornaments are truly so much fun, I hope you pop on down to the shop to see them all in person.

Xoxo
Courteney McMillan-Gibson

Decemeber 6 Christmas Open House

 

 Hi All

Please mark your calendars, save the date and set the reminder on your phone for Saturday December 6 is The Inked Stamper's 1rst Christmas Open House.  Come on down and get ready to be festive! The shop will be all pretty and inspiring with Christmas theme projects and demo's all day long.  We will have handmade cards and tags available to purchase as well! Be prepared to cross some names off your Christmas List by purchasing some of our handmade Candles, Vinyl Signs and much more.  While you are in there, please fill out YOUR Christmas Wish List.  We will leave it behind the counter and you can send in your friends and family to shop from your list! We will cross off as they purchase it to ensure no duplicates .  

A $2 Make and Take table will be set up as well from 1-2pm. 

Hot Chocolate and Goodies will be available in the workshop area as well while they last.  Courtney will be teaching 2 Pocket Life Classes that afternoon as well! $25 each, please call the shop to register (4 spaces available)

Crystal's Christmas Inspriration and Inked Stamper Christmas Open House!

Hi ALL! Dawn here, I just can't express how happy I am with my Design Team! They are just FABULOUS! All the work they have done to inspire you is amazing!!! I hope you are enjoying them as much as I am! Don't forget to pop down into the the shop to check out their projects in person, they always look a million times better too!
I would like to take a moment to invite YOU and YOUR friends on Saturday December 6 to The Inked Stampers 1rst Christmas Open House!  Not only will their be hot chocolate and goodies set up in the back, there will also be lots of beautiful hand crafted items for you to purchase! Cards, Gift Card holders, tags, Vinyl Art, Candles and more;  all heartf, handmade gifts to give away to those you care about this year!  This will also be the day to fill out YOUR WISH LIST to leave behind the counter, then you send your friends and family in to SHOP FOR YOU! That way you will be sure to get what you want (and no doubles).
See you soon and enjoy Crystal's project

Greetings, crafty friends. Today I’ve got two very different cards, derived from the same inspiration picture, to share with you. As a refresher, here is the November inspiration photo again.

For my first card I drew inspiration from the Julie Nutting doll, the colours that Buddy the Elf is dressed in, and the red and white berries.

Perhaps foolishly, I decided that my first The Inked Stamper design team project would be a good time to try a technique I’ve never done before - no line colouring. I started by stamping the Julie Nutting “Merry Nice” image onto watercolour paper using Antique Linen Distress ink so the lines were barely visible and easily blended away. I then watercoloured the image using Distress Markers and a water brush. After the sentiment was stamped with Festive Berries Distress Ink I went over it with my water brush to soften the lines.

I used the same snow marker in the inspiration photo to add some fluff to her hat and falling snow around her. You really have to ensure the paint is 100% dry before you heat it up with a heat tool so if puffs up properly. If you hold the heat gun over it too long (because it’s not fully dry for example), you can end up burning it, causing a yellow or brownish hue.

I always finish off the inside of my cards as I see no reason a card shouldn’t be beautiful on the inside as well as the outside - much like people…(wow...can’t believe I just made that analogy). The easiest way to add some oomph to the inside is to use the leftover bit of patterned paper from the front. When you use paper from a 6x6 pad, you’ll always end up with a strip leftover, and those are perfect for the interior.

Let’s move on to the second, completely different card. For this one, I picked out the snowflakes, general colours, and snow marker. The berries also made me think of the woods.

All the stamped images on this are from the Lawn Fawn “Joy to the Woods” set. I stamped everything onto watercolour paper and watercoloured them with Distress Markers. I then used the coordinating die set to cut all the images out, which greatly speeds up the process. Thank you, Lawn Fawn for making coordinating dies. Goodbye, fussy cutting. Please don’t take the breakup personally.

I had used some patterned paper from the Lawn Fawn “Sweater Weather” 6x6 pad, but decided the colour was a little intense, so I used a piece of vellum over-top to mute it. This created an issue, as attaching vellum can be difficult if you don’t want ugly adhesive showing (and who wants that). So the vellum is only glued down on the top and bottom - underneath the borders - the middle is floating.

I used the snow marker to add some snow to the tree branches, and really loved how it turned out. I see a lot of birch trees with snow on their branches in my card making future.

For this one, I created the inside by stamping the snow drift, foot prints, and sentiment from the “Joy to the Woods” set, leaving lots of space to write a personal message.

Hope these inspired you to create some Christmas cards of your own, as time is running out. Only a month left and it’ll be Christmas Eve! Yipe! Pop on down to The Inked Stamper and check out some of the great Christmas stamps and papers that are available and power through those holiday cards!

~ Crystal Thompson

http://sistersofthecraftersguild.blogspot.com