Merry Christmas To All

Back in August, my daughter and I started Seaside Crafts Bulk Buying group to help Stampin' Up demonstrators purchase items that compliment the Stampin Up line of products to help them build their businesses. In October we opened the group membership to include artist's who focus on fundraisers, craft shows, etc. The group has grown immeasurably ... we are well over 500 members now! It has been an exciting time and I certainly look forward to 2011 and finding more WOW type items.

Over the past couple of days I have struggled over what I could give the group as a whole for a Christmas gift. I have made some wonderful online friends as a result of this group. They have given me so much in enriching my heart. So I finally finished the gift earlier this evening and would like to share it here as it does pertain to all stampers ...

A CRAFTER'S CHRISTMAS EVE

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the group

Nothing was stirring, not even a drupe.

The crafters were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of new projects danced in their heads.

The stamps and supplies were put away with care

In hopes that new tools soon would be there.

One crafter awoke to such a loud clatter

She ran down the hall to see what was the matter.

What to her wondering eyes should appear?

A little old man full of jolly good cheer.

He was so lively and quick,

She new in a moment it must be St. Nick!

As she stood in her nightwear,

She watched ribbons and buttons fly through the air.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Filling all of the cupboards; then turning with a jerk

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

Giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

As she watched his sleigh fly across the yard,

On the counter she saw a new card.

Who knew Santa loved to craft?

Wishing all of you and your loved ones a safe and very merry heartfelt Christmas.

Christmas is in the Air

Everywhere you go there are twinkling lights, beautiful displays all shiny and bright. It's that time of the year when the world becomes magical. Christmas will soon be here.

Over the weekend I worked on a couple of designs. These items are great for gifts to friends and loved ones. They fit perfectly on desks, night stands, dressers, even as place cards for your dining table! This first one is definitely Christmas orientated -

 

My daughter and I have a Bulk Buy group where we recently purchased Craft Metal Sheets. They are so fun to work with! In this image, I embossed the Metallic Red and covered a mini canvas with it. It's so pretty that I didn't want to cover it! My stamp choice gave me plenty of opportunity to have snippets of the metal peek through.

Stamp Set - Christmas Postcard (#121428)
Ink - Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Champagne Mist and Frosty White Shimmer paint
Card Stock -Very Vanilla
Embellishments- Vintage Brads, Pearl Jewels, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon
Tools - Big Shot, Paper Snips, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Sticky Strip and Mini Glue Dots
Other - Metallic Red Craft Metal Sheet, Mini Canvas (2x3) and Mini Easel

The second item I made is for a friend who is a connoisseur of red wines.

I had intended to brayer Baja Breeze Classic ink on the canvas for background but my brayer has decided to play hide-n-seek with me. Guess who's winning right now? Never to be deterred, it dawned on me to just rub the canvas along my ink pad! Love how this turned out with the additional texture.

Stamp Sets - Studio Sketches (#122222) and Artistic Etchings (#120573)
Inks - Baja Breeze, Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede and Basic Gray
Card Stock - Whisper White
Embellishments - Bravo Burgundy Button and Hemp
Tools - Paper Snips, Designer Label Punch, and Stamping Sponges
Other- 2x3 Mini Canvas and Mini Easel

If you'd like any particulars on the items used here, please leave a comment or email me directly at seasidecrafts@verizon.net.
 

A Family Card Devoted to Snow

Remember Halloween? The Angel and Devil fever occurred again over the weekend. Of course when the fever hits, there is no stopping it. I have learned from past experiences that I must go with the flow – who knows where my ideas will take me but that is one of the fun parts of creating. Right?

So here I am happily making a Star Album for Challenge #47 – “All About Snow” with the Late Night Stampers group on Yahoo. Stampin' Up has the perfect designer paper this season to work with this theme – “Holiday Lounge.” We have snowmen and icicles/snowflakes stamps galore so I dive in. Then I realized I need words too! Egads, do you realize there are not many referring to snow? Of course I scoured all 100+ sets I have, then the catalog, and finally My Design Studio. Well I found a great one in MDS and set about printing it out.

I cut all my paper, started putting the segments together and then it hit me – the dreaded fever. If I change this, I can do that. Oh how cool would it be to make this a part of the album?

Then I start thinking about my son, daughter-in-law and my three grandchildren. They lived in Omaha, NE for several years and were transferred to FL. Of course they don’t get snow there and the kids miss it. Jumping into their mind set, what would I depict if I was in this situation? When I was a child it was loads of fun making snow forts, having snowball fights, and making snowmen. As an adult, the “fun” of snow disappeared once I had to shovel it (that stuff can get heavy!) and deal with drivers who seem to think the Indiana 500 still needs to be achieved regardless of road conditions! But I digress … back to the subject at hand.

Now my “album” has taken on epic proportions! I used glitter, glue, tape, punches, ribbon, rub-ons, ink, paper – my craft area looked like a blizzard had hit! By now Santa and sugarplums were not dancing in my head but Snowflakes certainly were!

I finally arrived to the last segment of my star and I am staring at it wondering what can I do with this? Then Jackie Topa’s Snow Boys hit me! Thanks Jackie for the inspiration but I must tell you, it took some time putting them together from staring at your wonderful designs. You are a very talented lady. Not one to shrug from another challenge, I dove in. And challenge it was! I have never used so many punches much less created something directly from them. My first real punch art came to be!

After waiting for glitter to dry and putting all of the pieces together, I am finally able to sit back and ooh and aah. Oh and my album? Well now it is a family Snow card!!!! Hope they like this … a segment has been devoted to each child, one to the parents, and one to snow.

If perchance you have some time, please - oh please - leave a snow print that you were here. Snowman hugs and

Simple Elegance

Yesterday I was reminded of something I did back in high school - braiding ribbon. We used to make tons of bracelets doing this technique. I decided to take a step back in time and made this card. Who would have ever thought of doing this back then? LOL

I used the Old Olive from Mistletoe Ribbon Originals bundle in the Holiday Mini to make the wreath. Add a couple of gold brads from the IBC and a bow (I used the Real Red Polka Dot ribbon), you have a sumptuous wreath ready to grace your card.

Have you seen the Bride, Groom and Bridesmaid Specialty papers in the 2009 Idea Book and Catalog? This paper is simply divine. I can't wait to play with it some more. "Merry Christmas" was cut from a Sizzix die and paper pieced. I put a Swarovski Crystal Heart in the center of the wreath. I added a little glitter to Santa's hat to balance out the bling.

Of course I couldn't make a card without some stamping, right? I stamped and embossed the verse on the inside. I also stamped the holly branches to finish it off.

Off to play with my grandson Logan ... it is always refreshing to see new things in the eyes of a child. We have some errands to run but will be taking time to feed the ducks at a local farm. Logan loves animals! This makes Grandma very happy! LOL

To You and Yours - Card Share

A simple and easy technique which gives the card a beautiful look. This set is available through my Stampin' Up site - Seaside Crafts. Click on Shop now and the Item number is 112951. From now until December 23rd, Stampin' Up is offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders totaling $70 or more.


This card is made using the Dryer Sheet Technique. I love how it gives your image a cottony look to it.

I make a point to decorate the insides as well. The dove has sparkle added to the swirls following it.