Merry Xmas ...

... although it is only relating to the card designs at the moment. But it is scary that we have already nearly reached the end of October and Christmas is not really that far away.

A lovely designed Christmas sentiment of a good size can also be a beautiful focal point of cards. And the large candle and holly merry Christmas image (XM137HF) by Crafty Stamps is just perfect for this. For this card I opted for a mainly monochrome design with splashes of colour introduced by paper roses and the candle and holy image within the stamped image, which I coloured in using Spectrum Noir pens.

For the topper I used a Spellbinders label die. The main feature of the panel underneath is black cardstock with a white core, which I embossed using a Snowflake embossing folder and sanded using a Tim Holtz sanding grip. A quick wipe with a Dust Buddy by Core'dinations then brought out the colours nicely.

For the holly die-cuts I used a Cheery Lynn die. The holly sections underneath the paper roses are created with the same die, but I trimmed off the end sections. A snow writer by DecoArt helped to give the snow on the letters more of a 3D feel. Clear adhesive gems and Stickles glitter glue in 'Frosted Lace' applied to the paper roses provided the finishing touches.

And Crafty Stamps/Stamper's Grove (that is their craft shop in Edinburgh) will also be at the Hobbycraft show at the SECC in Glasgow from 25 to 28 October 2012. If you are going, perhaps pop along to their stand C26 and say hello to Emma. Loads of gorgeous stamps are already packed up and ready for the trip to Glasgow.

A Sleigh with Presents

The first card that I would like to share with you today is again a Christmas card - and this time one that is a bit more colourful. It is built around gorgeous glittered paper from the First Edition paper pad 'Stocking Fillers' (a Trimcraft product) and mainly held in a vibrant red and the light and soft green tone featured in the paper design.

My image of choice is from the new Christmas collection by Crafty Stamps - the large sleigh (XM141F), a quality grey rubber stamp mounted onto kling-on, so it is ready for use with an acrylic block. I coloured in the images using Spectrum Noir pens. To create the topper I opted for Spellbinders octagon dies and arranged the die-cuts in an angle. I added it to the card using the large 3D foam squares by Trimcraft - one of absolute craft essentials.

For the border along the left-hand side I used a die by Die'sire, but pretty much any border die or border punch that can cope with cardstock would do the trick. Paper poinsettias, white paper roses in two sizes (10mm and 15mm) enhanced with a bit of Stickles glitter glue in 'Frosted Lace' as well as clear adhesive gems in two sizes are completing the card.

Large Champagne and Cracker

Large champagne? Oh, that is so me. Alright, alright, it does not need to be champagne. Normal sparkling wine would do.

And you are probably not surprised to hear that I just could not resist the large champagne and cracker image (XM138F) from the new Christmas collection by Crafty Stamps. And as their stamps are quality rubber stamps, which are already cling mounted, we crafters can use the stamps straight out of the package without the need for preparations. And we all know how impatient we crafters can be when it comes to craft goodies ...

And here is a list of the other 'ingredients' that I used for this blue and gold Christmas card:

* Ivory linen card by Southfield (the card is based on a 15cm square card blank)
* Ivory glass-smooth card by Southfield
* Dark blue pearlescent card
* Gold mirri card
* Black Memento ink pad
* Spectrum Noir pens
* Snowflake embossing folder by Darice
* Embossing folder from the Snowman collection by Crafter's Companion
* Rub-on sentiment from the Snowman collection by Crafter's Companion
* Gold metallic card
* Paper roses and rosebuds
* Candi with a gold mirri finish

Cheeky Season's Greetings

Mistletoe Kisses

Today I have got cards with a completely different style of images for you. Not so much elegant, but cheeky and humorous. And after working with these new images by Crafty Stamps for a while I have come to absolutely LOVE them.

For the card above I used the stamp 'Mistletoe Kisses' (XM136F) and coloured it in using ProMarker pens with ultra-fine nibs. My cardstock of choice was ivory glass-smooth cardstock by Southfield, kraft card and Core'dinations cardstock. I used octagon nesting dies by Spellbinders, star nesting dies by QuicKutz and mistletoe dies by Marianne Designs. The embellishments are paper roses and rosebuds, a rub-on sentiment from the Snowman collection by Crafter's Companion and Liquid Pearls in 'Bisque' for the berries on the mistletoe branches.

Happy Festive Couple

The New Year's card features the stamp 'Happy Festive Couple' (XM134F) and the sentiments XM115S (the words come as individual stamps, so a number of options are possible - very clever!) For the colouring I used again ProMarkers with ultra-fine nibs. The card is created with white glass-smooth cardstock from Southfield, white linen card from Southfield, purple mirri card and pink mirri card. The dies are by Spellbinders and the paper flowers by Wild Orchid Crafts. I finished the card off by adding Stickles glitter glue in 'Frosted Lace' to the champagne glasses, the earring and the flowers as well as plenty of adhesive gems.

A pearlescent Christmas greeting

The first card that I would like to share with you this weekend was actually only finished today. After seeing the amazing new production of the 'Phantom of the Opera' on Thursday I just felt like creating a card that showcases a bit of opulence, rich colours and shimmer.

I opted for the Crafty Stamps Celtic candle image (XM102M), which I stamped with black Memento ink and coloured it in using the Spectrum Noir pens IG1, BG1, BG2, BG4, BG5, BG7, CT4, OR1, DR1, DR3, JG5 and JG6. I gave the candle some sparkle by using a Sakura Gelly Roll pen in 'Clear Star'.

For the base of the card I used a 15cm square white card blank with linen effect from Southfield. Further materials are:

* Brown Centura Pearl cardstock
* Pearlescent cardstock in latte
* A small piece of green Core'dinations cardstock
* White glass-smooth cardstock from Southfield
* Die'sire Embossalicious 6" x 6" embossing folder (I know that some crafters doubt that they go through the Cuttlebug, but I use the 6" x 6" folders without problems with a second generation Cuttlebug)
* Dotted embossing folder
* Marianne Designs holly die
* Paper roses and rosebuds
* Special Delivery wooden ornaments by Trimcraft
* Stickles glitter glue in 'Diamond'
* Adhesive (including a good portion of silicone glue)
* Die-cutting machine
* Toolbox essentials

Noir et Chic Christmas Cards

One sentiment stamp, one paper pad, two Christmas cards ... And the First Edition Noir et Chic premium paper pad is not even a Christmas product. But it is such a versatile paper pad that many sheets can be used for various occasions - even for elegant Christmas cards.

The sentiment, which I used for both cards, is created with the 'Wishing you a Merry Christmas' stamp by IndigoBlu. I also used candle, holly and snowflake dies by Marianne Designs and a border die by Spellbinders. The organza ribbons are Woodware products.

Product lists and step-by-step instructions for both products are again in my Trimcraft gallery.

And I hope that you will all have a good start into the new week.