The Greetery {Nordic Christmas Greetings}

 

Hello and welcome, friends! I'm here today sharing a pair of Christmas cards inspired by an ad that kept popping up in my feed! Does that ever happen to you? While most ads might be annoying, I think we’re all pretty used to them by now. Every once in a while, I will get an ad for something that inspires me either from the color scheme, layout, etc. This particular ad kept popping up so I took the hint and ran with the inspiration! Ha ha!

My algorithms seem to know I’m heavily involved in the paper crafting world, which also includes stationery. This particular set of cards was inspired by a Fresh Cut Paper ad for their holiday advent. I love the traditional red and green and the use of berry clusters and pine sprigs so that is what I got to work making. I pulled out any and all dies that I thought might work; first up was the pine sprigs that are cut using the BotaniCuts Pine Bough Die. I cut them from white and then colored them with finger daubers and distress oxide ink in colors pine needles and rustic wilderness. The berry sprigs are cut using the Rosemary and Berry Die and colored the same way but with twisted citron, mowed lawn, and rustic wilderness. For the berries, I simply added some Pure Poppy ink to a scrap of white cardstock and then cut them out using the included berry die. I glued the berries to the sprigs and then added some Ranger Glossy Accents to the berries and set them aside to dry.

My next step was to create the cute birds and tree. I cut the base of the birds from Pure Poppy cardstock with gold cardstock wings using the Nordic Birds Die. I added a bit of Scarlet Jewel ink around the belly of both birds for some contrast and then added the gold wings using foam squares.  The tree was cut using the Nordic Tree Die from Powder Green cardstock and antique gold for the trunk and the star. I added some gold pigment ink lightly to the bottom of each section of the tree and gussied it up with some adhesive pearls.

I used the Ornamental Tag Die to create the cluster of greenery on the tree and at the bottom of the card with the birds. I cut the bows from Pure Poppy and gold and secured them to the middle of each cluster.

I love how Betsy showed how you can use the beautiful Rosemal Reflections Embossing Folder with a standard A2 card. My inspiration ad also used “chopped/cut” corners like this, so it was just perfect! The background of the bird card is Pure Poppy and the background of the tree card is Colorplan Forest cardstock. I ran them though my die cut machine using the sandwich guide recommended for my particular machine. I layered them onto white card bases using liquid glue.

I used the Capsule Borders 1 Hot Foil with champagne foil and then cut them using the Capsule Basics Die. I adhered them to the background using foam squares; I made sure to add them to the flat, unembossed portions so that it wouldn’t be wonky.

I had fun adding in all of the premade greenery and foliage using both liquid glue and foam squares. I added some Tim Holtz Rock Candy glitter to the greenery on the bird card for holiday sparkle! I had so much fun creating the pair and now my ads should return to normal since I’ve gotten it out of my system! Haha! Thanks for fluttering by!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland {PTI Release Day}

Hello friends! Thanks for stopping by today! There are a few products from the new Papertrey Ink release that I didn't have a chance to use during the countdown, so I have a card to share with you today using one of the never-been-used products, a few of the new products that I DID use, but are some of my favorites, AND some of my older favorites!

To begin this card, I used the Fanciful Snowflake Hot Foil Plate with gold foil on a panel of teal cardstock. I also used the new In Frames: Circle Die to cut the medium and small sized frames from the same cardstock. I adhered those to the two opposite corners using mini foam squares and they are slightly overlapping to keep the circles within the confines of the card front.

The large snowflakes, which are included in the Forever Snowflake Frame Die, are cut using gold glitter cardstock and adhered to the middle of each of the two circle frames. I cut the ornament using the new Holiday Tags: Elegant Ornament Die from white cardstock and then colored it with Pale Peony ink and blender brushes. I gave it a spritz of fossilized amber distress oxide spray and added the top that was cut from gold cardstock using liquid glue. 

I cut a few of the smaller snowflakes included in the Holiday Tags: Let It Snow Die from the same glitter cardstock and added one to the pink ornament and the other to the side of the larger circle frame. I used bright pink adhesive pearls to add to the center of each small snowflake and also scattered across the background.

The greenery and flowers are included in the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die and were cut from white and then colored with Pale Peony, Stormy Sea, and New Leaf ink and spritzed with the same distress oxide spray.

The centers of the poinsettias are cut from gold cardstock as well as the cute little bow on the ornament that is included in the Bows Galore Die. I added the gold details using liquid glue.

The sentiment is heat embossed with rose gold embossing powder and then cut using the versatile new Hold that Thought Die and adhered using foam squares. I gave everything a spritz of shimmer spray-sparkle for maximum shine and a trio of sparkling clear sequins to really make it sparkle! Everything included in the new release will be available for purchase today at 10:00 am EST. Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink November Release Countdown Day 4

Hello and welcome to the 4th and final day of the Papertrey Ink November release countdown! I'm sharing two projects using the last 2 in the new Cover Plate series. I think I mentioned yesterday that I didn't use the Cover Plate: Let It Snow Die, so I remedied that for today and you can see it at the end of this post.

My first card uses the new Cover Plate: Snowman and I think this one is my favorite of the bunch, followed by the Cover Plate: Elegant Ornament that was showcased on day 1. I had so much fun dressing this cutie up in her winter gear all ready for a snow day!

For the background, I cut a panel of Spring Rain cardstock and added some snowflake patterns using the Build-a-Snowflake Stencil Collection with Spring Rain ink. Next, I used the Cover Plate: Snowman main die to cut the frame and base and added it over the top using foam squares.

I die cut the Believe word from silver glitter cardstock and glued it over the top with liquid glue. I added the snowdrift using foam squares and die cut the snowman and all of her accessories.

I inked them up with Spring Rain, vintage photo distress ink, Sweet Blush, Summer Sunrise, and Canyon Clay. I colored the eyes with a black sharpie and then got her dressed with her things using foam squares and liquid glue. I added some miniature buttons from my stash, but please note: there are button dies included in the set...I just love these little buttons so much! The trio of snowflakes are cut using the Bring Home the Holidays Die and the foliage is from the Into the Blooms: Above Ground Die, the berries are leftover from my Reflections card yesterday and the Poinsettia and holly are included in the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die.

I always love making some type of purple snowflake card at some point during the season, so I took the opportunity to make it with this Cover Plate: Let It Snow. I created an A2 blended panel using an assortment of distress oxide inks. I splattered it with Fresh Snow ink and Shimmer Spray-Sparkle.

I die cut the Cover Plate from white cardstock and layered it over the top of the blended panel with foam squares.

The sentiment is die cut from silver cardstock and glued over the top using liquid glue.

I added some purple pearls and PTI Gems-Clear. I lamented the other day that I was out of the smallest size of the gems, but I found a sheet that was almost completely full! yay!!!

I added some Crystal Stickles to the white snowflakes for some added snowy sparkle!

I added the entire panel to a top-folding A2 white card base using liquid glue. My Christmas card stash is growing and I'm so thrilled! 

Everything will be available for purchase tomorrow! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I decided to give this cute little snow-girl some mittens and I realized I forgot to add a dot of white to the eyes, so you can see the additions here. 

 

Papertrey Ink November Release Countdown Day 3

Hello and welcome to day 3 of the Papertrey Ink November release countdown! I have a few projects to share with you today using the new Adorning Pinecone stamp/die set. This is a large sized pinecone and bow that allows you to fill an A2 card front easily for a bold impact.

There are two sentiments with coordinating die cuts, but I chose to use this curved banner from the Hold That Thought Die with a gold embossed finish.

There is an image of a cord for the pinecone to hang from, but I decided to add some actual gold cord for realism.

I also wanted to get a seamless look on both the pinecone and bow, so I just cut everything from white, added some ink blending and then stamped the detail images over the top. Please note: there ARE base images included in the set, but for this card, I didn't want the white perimeter showing. Hopefully that makes sense.

I added glitter and white ink splatter on the pinecone, glitter on the foliage and bow for a vintage look.

Switching gears from Christmas for just a minute to show you the card I made using the new Reflections: Isaiah 40 stamp/die set. I have mentioned before that I like to take cues from the verse as to what stamps/dies I will use. This particular scripture isn't very Christmas-y, so I went with flowers, but with autumnal hues to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

I still have little yellow leaves like these all over my yard that need to be finished raking up! ha ha! To begin this card, I used the previously released Fresh Greens Hot Foil Plate on Autumn Rose cardstock with champagne foil. I did add some Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges before I did the foiling for some added depth and detail.

I also cut the largest layer included in the Reflections: Isaiah 40  Die from Autumn Rose and added the same blending around the perimeter. I stamped the verse in black on Vintage Cream cardstock (which is also back in stock) and cut it using the Reflections: Isaiah 40 Outline Die. I added it to the center of the panel using foam squrares.

I can't stop with the anemones, so I chose to use the Into the Blooms: Anemones. I cut three of the smaller flower so they would fit on this card and not cover the sentiment from white and cream cardstock. I colored them with Pale Peony and Autumn Rose ink for the flowers. The leaves are vintage photo distress ink and Harvest Gold and Summer Sunrise ink with fossilized amber distress oxide spray.

The centers are cut from gold and I wanted to add some gems to the centers and I am OUT of the small size....I've been bedazzling way to many projects! ha ha!

My final card for today is a neutral, rustic design using the Adorning Pinecone stamp/die set. 

The background is created using the Winter Pine Hot Foil Plate on Vintage Cream cardstock with silver foil. I used that same layer from my last card to anchor the pinecone cut from Dark Chocolate cardstock.

The sentiment is cut using the beautiful Line it Up: Christmas and is cut from gold and once from white and then glued together. Sometimes the foil cardstock has a tendency to curl, so this helps give it a sturdy base. I added it to the card with tiny pieces of foam tape for dimension.

I had a leaf left over from the last project that I didn't color and it was the perfect choice to tuck behind the bow/pinecone to keep the rustic neutral feeling.

I added a trio of sparkling clear sequins and added it all to a top-folding A2 Kraft base using foam squares. I have been using a lot of red and green this holiday season, so it was nice to switch things up a bit! 

Join me again tomorrow for the 4th and final day of the countdown! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink November Release Countdown Day 2

Welcome to day 2 of the Papertrey Ink November release countdown! My first project for today uses a fun new stamp/die set called Christmas Wishes. I paired it with some older favorites and traditional colors.

I particularly like the arched sentiment that surrounds the tree. I had some fun decorating the tree with a few bits and bobs for some festive cheer.

I pull out the Fanciful Snowflake Hot Foil Plate every year because it is so beautiful. I especially love it with the red foil on the Pure Poppy cardstock. I also die cut the medium sized arch included in the Love to Layer: Arches Die from Pinefeather cardstock. I was so thrilled to see it is back in stock after years of waiting! I promptly placed my order today so I could get it back in my hot little hands! This little piece was a scrap I've been hoarding and it worked perfectly for the arch. I added some black ink around the edges and then added some white ink splatter.

The sentiments and tree are die cut from white cardstock and then stamped using Scarlet Jewel ink for the sentiment and Vintage Jadeite and New Leaf for the tree. I added a star that is cut from gold cardstock using one of the two included in the Love to Layer: Christmas Tree Die and a gold bow using one of the options included in the Bows Galore Die. I seem to use this ALL the time, so it sits near my desk at all times!

The cute ornaments are cut using one of the detail dies included in the new Cover Plate: Elegant Ornament Die that was featured yesterday. I cut them from Pure Poppy cardstock and then added glossy accents to the top and a gem to three of the ornaments for some additional detail and shine.

And yep....you guessed it, more holly and foliage from the Into the Blooms: Swag Die. I promise I won't use it again for this release...in fact, I already chose another foliage collection for some projects coming up! ha ha! 

These cute little tags were created using the new Holiday Tag: Let it Snow. There is also the coordinating Cover Plate: Let it Snow, but I ran out of time, so hopefully I will get a chance to use it for day 4.

The sentiment is stamped using the new This is Big Sentiments: Christmas Tags and is stamped in Enchanted Evening ink.

The other sentiment is die cut using included dies in the set. I cut the "Let It" portion from glitter cardstock and the "snow" portion is die cut three times and glued together and then placed at the bottom of the tag. I DID got back and add some glossy accents to the snow word and some glitter at the top of the letters to make them look snowcapped, but that was after I took pictures! I looked at the tag the next day and decided it needed a little something extra! ha ha!

I just love how three of the 4 snowflakes included in the collection look stacked together with a gem in the middle.

I added a bow to the top of each tag that is cut from silver cardstock using Bows Galore. I also added a bit of silver cord to the top of each tag for ease when it comes time to add this to a gift. Join me again tomorrow for day 3 of the release! Thanks for fluttering by!