In the Zone: Art Journaling Collage with inspiration from Jane DavenportI

WOW! 3 posts in one week! This is a miracle for me and proof to you that I am BACK to being just me...I'm still The Inked Stamper...but I'm the happier 2.0 version! I love that I have time to create and just have fun again! I do not miss the bills, orders, stocking...and all the headaches! The store front I only miss because of all the great friends/customers!  Now I can just inspire you from home, on your computer, and we will have to meet up at other venues!

Those of you who knew me from the store, Courteney and I will be  working together on some new ventures, once we figure stuff out...we will announce it here!

For today, my post is from my Dylusions Art Journal. I made a collage based inspired by one of Jane Davenport beautiful girls in her book I recently purchased. The book is just full of pretty girls to draw inspiration from. 

 

Here is Jane's fabulous girl from the book that inspired me to play that day...I love ANYTHING with birds on it, so I was immediately drawn to this image.  I was not trying to copy her girl, but rather draw inspiration from her.  I'm still trying to find my own style...I'm thinking whimsical seems to be more me, and big eyes, I prefer my girls to have big eyes.  I think the girl I drew looks like a chubby Tinkerbell!  LOL! 

I'm not going to go through the whole process of what I did...I was literally in the zone and 5 hours went by, so I can't remember 90% anyways.  I know I started off by collage Tim Holtz tissue and some napkins, drew my girl, painted my girl with many different brands of paint, paint pens, gelatoes, prisma pencils, white sharpie, big brush pens everything but the kitchen sink is on this girl! LOL! I painted Prima Sprays for my background I think! LOL! Stencil, doodle, Irresitable drops...again, a load of products! 

I hope it inspires you to get lost in your zone today too.

Thanks for stopping by

Finding time to create a magical mixed media piece makes my heart sing...

 

Hi All! 

Well those of you who know me well, know one of my biggest complaints I had when the shop was open was that I had no time to create for just ME.  I must say that I am loving creating again! Todays project was actually one I created this past summer...it was a just for me project, that ended up as a shop display, so some of you may have seen it already.  It was just in this last edition of Canadian Scrapbooker as well, on their instagram page.  But I don't think I ever blogged it, so here it is.  It really is one of my favorite things I've made, and it now sits on my pretty vintage painted dresser welcoming people to my home...and facing my art desk so I can see it too. 

I used lots of products to achieve this look; gesso, gelatoes, molding paste, Prima sprays, Big brush pens, liquid ink....it was a process of love, and I remember just having a fabulous time making it.  It's actually on a 1.5 inch thick corrugated advertising display for smashbooks, I held on to it for years cause I knew one day I'd have time to create on it.  

Hope you like it! I've got 2 great mixed media canvases to post next week.  One is a photo collage and one is  a mixed media painting that I made to go over Ethan's bed.

Thanks for stopping by

Zombies can be sexy too....Plus Prima's Jamie Dougherty is coming to TOWN!

Hi All

Just a quickie post today to give a massive HUGE shout out to Jamie Dougherty.  I've been lucky the last year and have taken some amazing classes by some of the biggest names in the industry...including 3 with Jamie. And I have to tell you, this lady has one of the biggest hearts EVER! She is so sweet, kind, compassionate.....ALSO, she is one hell of an AMAZING ARTIST and  INSTRUCTOR!  Not only have I taken 3 classes of hers in person, I am doing her Blooming through the Seasons online class, and I have purchased multiple pieces of her art (1 original, 1 custom made original I commissioned, and  multiple prints, bags that we're made with her gorgeous designs on them) SO folks.....my point is Jamie is coming to Scrap Addicts the end of THIS MONTH and she still has spaces left! HOW I have zero idea...it's not my store to promote....but Jamie is honestly one of my most favorite people on planet earth! If you are in the Edmonton Area, please check out her class schedule and register today.  I promise you will be SO happy that you did!  Go and learn from one of the industries most talented artists.....she doesn't just slap down a bunch of flowers and embellishments and call it done, she actually teaches you ART TECHNIQUES that you can use over and over again in your scrapbooking, card making, art journaling! She is a GENIUS! 

My projects I'm showing you today, the one below was the one I did it Jamie's class.  I love taking her Bloom Girl classes because they include the face templates for you to take home; online classes you print them out. That way you can reuse them over and over again! The sexy zombie up top you can see was recreated with the same template! I love this girl...I could easily just use her face and change the hair up to make her look different too, so I can keep using it again and again! 

Thanks for stopping by

She chooses to see the world.....

 

Hi Everyone! 

Well for those of you who don't know, the store front is now closed; I won't get into huge details on here, but the short version,  I was working 24-7, and the only thing that deserves that much attention is not a thing, but my family. So I am now a full time Momma and Crafter.

I will still be here for inspiration...and Courteney and I have some ideas that we need to figure out how to bring to life ...but for now, please continue to follow  the Blog and take a second a follow on FB and Instagram too.  I hope to have more time now to be more active on all the social media sites! 

The shop has been closed for about 2 weeks now...and it was difficult for me to process that, plus sort out all the stuff that needed to be done...it honestly was a horrible 2 weeks for me. Even though I knew it was the right choice for me, and my family, it was still unbelievably hard.  But I'm feeling more on the up right now and this week I found time to paint in my journal again.  And let me tell you..it was amazing to just be creating something for me...not for a class or display, which was the only thing I had time for the last 4 years, I played just because I wanted too, and because I love it! It felt AMAZING! 

Currently I am being inspired by Jane Davenport's style...my goal for the last few years has been to learn to draw girls better, but I never found the time to really sit down and dedicate the practice required to it.  I've been trying to do that the last few weeks.  I even started a small journal just for faces that I'm sketching in pencil to practice.  

 

I won't bore you with all the details, but here are a few shots of how I started out. Sketching her with pencil, I did the face first, then added hair...I was not aiming for her to look like Ariel, but it's how she turned out, so I decided to just roll with it.  I used a clear gesso over her so I could still see the lines, then I started painting.  I used a mix of paints, paint pens, Big Brush Pens, Prisma Colors to bring her to life.  The picture on the right was what I thought was done...but I knew something was just NOT right about here....I walked away from the art table, but brought the journal with me and stared at it while I watched TV. Then I figured it out! Her hair over her left shoulder was shaded wrong! It's hard to tell in the picture, red must not photo well, but her hair there was shaded dark, shadowed, BUT I brought it over shoulder therefore it's in the front! So it shouldn't be shadowed! OPPS! So I repainted over here with 2 layers of white gesso, and lots of skin tones to get ride of the hair over her shoulder and push back the shaded bits. And now she's more balanced.  I know I have a LOT of work to do learning how to paint better and shade properly...but I think she is pretty dang good start!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Feel free to leave a comment and let me know that you were here...and what you would like to see! More journals or scrapbook pages. Feel free to ask questions too, I'll do my best to help! 

XOXOX

Guest Designer JANINE!

Hi everyone, Janine here for The Inked Stamper Design team! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas .  I don't know about everyone else , but I needed a little kick in the butt after the holidays to get back into my crafting. Thank goodness for the design team inspiration, as soon as I looked at it all of the ideas started flowing and I couldn't wait to start my project! The Bo-Bunny Altitude paper line was the perfect place to start my project and if you ask me they hit the nail right on the head with this beautiful paper!! After choosing my paper I mixed up some light modelling paste and a few sprays of Dylusions sprays in "Crushed Grape" and used one of my snowflake stencils to give the paper some texture and dimension.  After that was dry I sprayed some "make your own" Primary elements mixed with water in "Teal Zircon"( this was a Finnabair trick she taught us this summer!) over top of the snowflakes. I then sprayed Color bloom spray in Pearl white over the whole page to tone down everything and give a beautiful shimmer!  Then I stamped some snowflakes on neutral paper with "weathered wood" distress ink, fussy cut them out and then clear powder heat embossed them to give them shine and texture. I picked a few different papers in the same Altitude line, cut them in different shapes and sizes and inked the edges in weathered wood to make a background for my picture. Then it was time to arrange everything down on paper. I usually group all my embellishments in two groups in a line that is pleasing to the eye.  So away I went  grouping my stamped snowflakes, Prima dollie die cuts, Prima flowers, metal snowflakes, say it in pearls and say it in crystals in a diagonal line on either corner of my picture and finished it off with a burlap bow and a few spots of silver Izinks! I had a ton of fun  playing with my craft stuff and making something pretty! I hope you all enjoy my project and that I inspired you all to go into your own craft rooms and make something pretty...after all it is too cold to go outside so you might as well stay in and craft!!!! 

Kate's fabulous Mini Album: January Design Team

A Mini Mini-Album

I hate snow and it would be a lot easier to keep hating if it wasn't so pretty. And this month's inspiration happily gave me the motive to do another mini album, but this one is tiny. It was a spur of the moment idea, so (I'm sad to admit) I didn't get any in-progress photos of working on it. 

I'm big on mini-albums because I like actually finishing my projects and my 12x12 scrapbooks... I feel like I never really finish them. This album only contains a couple of favorite polaroids from the holiday season... two years ago. Better late than never. Am I the only one a teeny bit behind? I've fallen off the journal bandwagon because of the current holiday season so this project was the perfect way to start my new year. I left room to slip in little journal cards and 'detail' tags to go with the photos and I'll be adding this to the shelf of minis.

I also hid a little new year's resolution in the pocket with the sequins (note to self: take better pictures). I told myself it's ambitious: I'm going to clear out old all the craft/art supplies I don't use in my craft room and use some of the extra space (which I assume I will have after organizing everything) to display my projects a little better. And I hope one of the design team inspiration pictures will get me going on a hand-made display!

January 50% OFF SALE and 1rst DT project

Hi All! Dawn here, before we move on to Pam's Awesome Banners, just wanted to let you know that January's I don't want to Count Stock Sale is still going on this week!! 50% off all products in shop...just not handmade items! 

Pam here with my design team project for January.  Resolutions have never been my strength.  They tend to be monster-sized goals that seize your attention for a few weeks until your best friend says to you, as you're carrying your gym bag out to the car with the greenest of green smoothies, there is a super sale at (you fill in the blank) and we will need humungous lattes to survive the rush.  Resolutions can be behemoths if you let them.  

But resolutions really are simply goals; we just tend to make them at a critical time when the world is bellowing sentiment of new beginnings and fresh starts.  Therefore we often take a reasonable, probably meaningful, goal and turn the little critter into a mountain of an accomplishment.

With that said, I have made two "resolutions" this year (I have many goals but two of which I really want to be mindful): (1) Organize better so that I may (2) spend more time with family and friends.  The first resolution may surprise those of you who know me.  I am quite the organized person.  Everything has a home and events and activities are always well planned and prepared.  What I need is a schedule.  

I read this article (Here’s What You Should Do Instead Of Making New Year’s Resolutions It’s called a “rememberlutions” jar and it’ll make you feel good all year) posted by Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and decided to, in addition to my two resolutions, celebrate the smaller resolution successes as they come as well as all of the magnificent things, memories and accomplishments over the next twelve months by creating my own rememberlutions jar.

That coupled with our design team inspiration, I was off to the races.

I created a pendant for each of the four seasons of the year so that I have something to look forward to at the end of each season as the jar turns.

winter:

spring:

summer: 

autumn:

And here they are all together and assembled:

Whether you create resolutions this year or a rememberlutions jar, do what makes you feel good, makes you giggle and smile and let's you celebrate you all year long.

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