24th Advent Window - Christmas Eve!

Well, the last few days have seriously flown by, nearly as fast as the wind that is whistling around us! So, I am ending this years advent blog with a double window showing two more decorations - as always I have serious hankerings to retired elements, but sometimes it's good to review ;-)

 

So this is of course this seasons fabulous Festive Flurry Framelits die, cutting out a very simple white felt, stitching on a central Frosted Finishes Embellishment and then simple Nordic inspired silver embroidery and the sensational 1/8" Silver Ribbon as a hanger. The outline of this snowflake is so stunning that I wanted to keep the decoration simple.

 

 

Here is a present that I made for a friend, which although it is so last year I simply love, and hope she does too :-) This design can be used with any of the decoration stamp sets, and can be done in the colour choice appropriate for your scheme - here seen in Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler.

 

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and Fabulous 2014, where of course crafting will be an essential element ;-) Gen xxxx





23rd Advent Window - glitter baubles!

 

Somehow my Sunday didn't include decorating the tree, but it is out of loft now ;-)

 

I've made these simple decorations using the 2 1/2" circle punch and the Season of Style Designer Series Paper.

 

The decoration on the right is made from 12 circles and the one on the left is made from 8 circles - I found out how to make them both on Pin Interest, and have simply edged the baubles with glitter, just to give some sparkle as they turn on the tree - eventually!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting - not long now ;-) Gen xxxx



Advent window 22 - time for the Tree?

Even I'm thinking of putting my Christmas Tree up today, which by my schedule is EARLY as it doesn't usually go up till Christmas Eve, so here is a tree inspired card just in case I'm running a little behind schedule ;-)

 

So here I have used the Brushed Silver Card Stock with an embossing folder, then Wild Wasabi embossing powder for the Fir Tree Stamp from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set on Basic Black card stock. Greeting in Wild Wasabi ink on whisper white card stock from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set, punched out with the word window. Silver glimmer paper and star punch for the top and 1/8" Silver ribbon for the side.

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

 



Advent window 21 - shortest day!

So here's some sparkle!

 

So here is a variation on a theme for me, I've used the Sassy Salutations Merry Christmas greeting in Pear Pizazz, Old Olive, Baked Brown Sugar and Cherry Cobbler fitted together as an outside border.

 

The central Poinsettia flower is from the Joyful Christmas stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink and the leaves in Old Olive ink, both on Parchment paper, with a Frosted Finishes Embellishment to add a little Christmas Sparkle!

 

Think I might do this with silver ink next time!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

20th Advent Window - not long now!

So have reverted to my favourite Christmas colour combination of Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive.

 

I wanted to use the Love & Joy stamp as a central greeting for the background leaf (from the Joyful Christmas stamp set) wreath, using two window frames collection Framelits and then a little old olive and organza ribbon.

Keeping it simple over Christmas ;-) Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx



Advent Window 19!

 

Today we have a little 10cm square card as I'm going with a less is more approach ;-) Christmas craft super quick!

 

Season of Style Designer Series Paper for the background, then the oval stamp individually coloured with regal Stampin' write markers on Whisper white card stock and punched out with the extra large oval punch. Then finished with the 1" Cherry Cobbler Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon and a vintage brad.

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

Advent Window 18 - Twinkle twinkle little star!

 

So as always I really like using stamps that are designed for one thing in another way - here I have used the parcel pile of the Wishing You stamp set with Real Red Ink for this 5 pointed star, then some silver glimmer paper for the punched large central (on a red polka dot dsp backing) and smaller stars, with the final flourish being the rhinestones for the parcel piles.

Keep on Christmas crafting, Gen xxxx

Advent window 17 - Keep it simple!

With all the serious sumptuousness of the season, today's card is really pared down in comparison.

 Some Season of Style Designer Series Paper, Real Red card stock, Whisper white for the Real Red ink greeting (from a retired set) and then a simple Old Olive tree with Real Red baubles from the Warmth and Wonder stamp set.

 

This design could easily be adapted with red glimmer paper, embossed powder greetings and maybe even a star for the top of the tree and some more layering for the simple mats shown here - the possibilities are endless ;-)

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

16th Advent window - Get the Glitter!

Keeping it Simple this morning with a simple selection of the Colour Me Christmas stamp set that I used in an earlier children's workshop, with of course the addition of some Christmas sparkle in the form of GLITTER!

 

These little cards are such fun, really cute and more importantly at this stage of the game, quick! Keep on Christmas Crafting! Gen xxxx

15th Advent Aindow

Sitting in the warm, watch The Polar Express and getting in the festive mood :-)

 

Here I've used Pewter Emboss powder for the Wonderful Wreath stamp on Garden Green card stock with Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details for the wreath berries and Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon with the Sassy Salutations greeting stamped in Real Red Ink.

 

Even I'm thinking of putting my Christmas Decorations up soon ;-) Just wish I had the somersaulting energy of the Christmas Elves!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx



Advent Window 14

So a simple Saturday card made from scraps!

 

Here I've used the Merry Thinlit Gold foil leftover on a Cherry Cobbler background, teamed with the gold ink stamped greeting from the Seasonal Sayings stamp set, and trees from the Merry Mini's (catalogue carryover), and simply finished with some 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Gumball Green.

 

Remember! Never throw anything away, it can ALWAYS be created into SOMETHING! Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

Advent Window 13

I'm sure all of you dropping in on my advent posts are well into the flow of the festivities, as I saw for myself when visiting family homes last weekend where trees were dressed and halls were decked!

 

As always I'm running a little late ;-) and although I often manage deadlines sometimes my planning preparation could be better. So to help things along I have personalised my This and That Seasonal journal with some Season of Style Designer Series Paper, Washi Tape, some of the Season of Style journal stickers and finishing with the sumptuous Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon.

 

 

So the card and present lists are in active use, although I don't seem to have found a place for the Just say No to cake sticker - ho ho ho!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx



12th Advent Window

So I'm trying to get in the festive feel of things following my close encounter of the Santa kind on Sunday, so this card is inspired by the man himself ;-)

 

As yesterdays post showed, I love this Tag It stamp set and matching Chalk Talk Framelit, and when you print a few too many for your parcels then you can use them for cards too!

 

I also wanted to start using Washi Tape, and am really pleased with the effect on the polka dot paper and then the white background showing the pattern off.

 

Supplies:

Stamp set: Tag It

Ink: Real Red

Card stock: Whisper White, Old Olive, Polka Dot Parade DSP, Red Glimmer Paper

Accessories: Typeset Alphabet Bigz (JOY), 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, Season of Style Designer Washi Tape

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

Advent Window 11 - all wrapped up?

 

I am such a softie for the natural look - especially when it comes to wrapping, so the Seasonal Catalogue Decorative Window Gift Box is RIGHT up my street - even better for those of us with some time constraints, that you don't really need to DO anything with it!!

 

 

I have simply tied the 1" Cherry Cobbler Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon which I have to say is super soft yet makes wonderful bows!

 

I finished it off with a Tag It! stamped tag

with the co-ordinating Chalk Talk Framelits Dies 

and Whisper White Bakers twine to attach it.

 

These were presents for the family girls that I saw at the weekend - each containing a festive bath bomb to unwind from the excitement of the festivities ;-)

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

P.S. Happy Birthday TLB ;-)

10th Advent Window - he's on his way!

 

I saw him!!! It's more years than I care to remember since Santa asked me if I had been a good girl,

but to my surprise it happened last Sunday!! He would have sunk up on me if it hadn't been for his jingle bells!

 

 His question took me so much by surprise that I replied " I've been trying!" and before I could give him my wish list he was whisked away by one of his ever efficient Elves.

 

So today's advent window is to remind us all to be good boys and girls ;-)

 

 

The inspiration for this tag came from Julie Kettlewell - thanks :-)

 

This super cute tag is made using:

Card stock: Real Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Basic Black

Punches: 2 3/8" Scallop circle, 1 3/8" circle, Owl builder and the antlers from a swirls Thinlit

 

Closer to the time you could do Rudolf's nose in Red Glimmer Paper so Santa can find his way

- Ho Ho Ho!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

 

Advent Window 9

So to finish off Matthew's Christmas Crafting Session, and to heighten the whole excitement of the forthcoming festivities everyone joined in to make a banner!

 

We background stamped the pennants with a snowflake stamp and used silver glimmer paper for the letters and snowflakes, then used baker twine to string the bunting together. We used a mix of Pacific Point, Pool Party and Marina Mist card stock and inks.

 

After four crafting projects their excitement was at such a level they had to run off their creative energy outside ;-)

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

 



Eighth Advent Window

 

It's not possible not to get excited about the possibility of building a snowman - so we started at Matthew's Party!

 

Here we have used the Top Note & Snowflake Die and then circle punches for the eyes and mouth, a piece of Pumpkin Pie triangular card and a crimper for the carrot nose and way hey -

 

Frosty the Snowman is here!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting!! Gen xxxx

Advent Window 7

 

And of course, when you have started colouring, it's hard to stop!

 

So here we coloured in the Stocking from the Color Me Christmas Stamp Set then used a couple of dimensionals to raise it up off the fabulous tags that are available in the current festive catalogue. using 1/8" Real Red ribbon and Ta dah!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting - he's on his way! Gen xxxx

6th Advent Window

 

I was lucky enough to be asked along to Matthew's Christmas Craft Party, so we did this colour in card with the Colour Me Christmas Stamp Set, which I stamped ahead of time with Staz On Ink so that we could get STRAIGHT to the colouring, with some Stampin' Write Markers :-)

 Simply finishing it off with some Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain ribbon and a retired ribbon slide and the greeting from Teeny Tiny Sentiments Stamp Set, in Real Red Ink in the bottom right hand corner - perfect for tiny hands!

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

Fifth Advent Window

As a second project for Dolau WI we tackled a simple punch art robin.

 

 

This is a greeting from the carry over set featured in the right side bar :-)

 

We used Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green card stock with the Bird Builder Punch, and it was done in an instant, in amongst eating Celebrations !!

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

Advent Window 4

Those of you have seen my blog before will know that I am the original last minute queen. When I was travelling home on Sunday night I saw more Christmas lights on the 1st December than I can really remember!

 

Luckily, Christmas themed workshops last month allowed me to get in the right mood.

 

 

Here is the version of the Merry Little Christmas Simply Created Card Kit that I created with Dolau WI, with the Warmth & Wonder stamp set using Pool Party, Old Olive and Real Red Inks and EVERYTHING else you see here is in the kit pack.

 

I thought as this group were Stamping newbies I would do two versions with the left one using a stamp-a-ma-jig to align the tree baubles, whereas the right version is a simple image. Obviously there were more takers for the more complicated design, but everybody did really well ;-)

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx 

 

 



Advent Window 3

3-D Christmas Snowflake Decoration

 



Seemed appropriate for the third advent window to feature the third project we did at the Christmas themed Card Club in Llandrindod Wells - thanks to Teresa and Ruth for asking me along!

 

Stamp set: Festive Flurry

Inks: Indigo Island and Smoky slate on the back of the decoration!

Card Stock: Whisper White

Accessories: Matching Festive Flurry Framelits Dies (and big shot), Scoring Board for concertina folds with scoring tool, Rhinestone brad in centre and jewels for decoration. Silver 1/8" Ribbon for hanger.

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, and Happy Birthday Tom K ;-) Gen xxxx

Advent window Two!

So it's just not possible to show this project with one window - so there's TWO!

 

It's official - I LOVE the new Thinlit flip cards, and there are SO many informative tutorials on You Tube you can become an expert in an instant! Closed card above and open below. . .

 

 

Stamp set: Warmth & Wonder

Inks: Smoky Slate, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana

Card stock: Coastal Cabana, Whisper White & Winter Frost Speciality Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Circle Thinlit die and Big Shot, Rhinestones for snowflake centres.

 

Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

 





1st Advent Window! December is here!!

For this year's Advent Adventure, I thought I would start simply.

 

This is my version of this card featured on page 10 of the
Seasonal Catalogue.

I have simplified it for ease of reproduction in a workshop environment, initially gold embossing the greeting on the Real Red background card and the red poinsettia, which I then cut out along the outline.

I embossed the whisper white card and used a sponge dauber to highlight the embossing and edge with gold ink, which I then used to change the colour of the frosted embellishment from silver to gold, but think realistically it needs gold paint as it doesn't really dry completely on the metal embellishment - another crafting trial and error ;-)

 Last but not least is the stunning gold foil greeting across the poinsettia - think I may be using this lots for this season.

 

Stamp sets: Joyful Christmas, Greetings of the Season

Ink: Versa mark & Gold Emboss, Gold metallic ink

Card stock: Real Red, Whisper White, Gold Foil Sheet
Accessories: Expressions Thinlits dies, Frosted Finishes Embellishments, Stampin trimmer Scallop cutting blade for edge of real red card stock. Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

 



Keep on Christmas Crafting, Gen xxxx

Of course I've have the new thinlits ;-)

So here is my first attempt!

 

I simply love the flip element of it! I was SO excited this first one, it doesn't have any stamping on!! I've used Pool Party as the background and some Sale-A-Bration DSP and ribbon, with Island Indigo card stock for the contrast. And the circle is perfect for the 2 1/2" punch. Then it flips to reveal  . . .

 

 

Seriously simple, quick and sensational. Click on the icon in the right hand bar to find out more details and you can shop with me on line, for even quicker service :-)

 

Keep on crafting, Gen xxxx

Pumpsaint Workshop - here's what we did!

Somehow we're in November! I have been meaning to share with you the projects that we did at the October workshop, but somehow it's taken me till now!!

 

We started with an Anniversary celebration card - this design could easily be changed for other anniversaries.

 

 

Stamp Set: Hearts a flutter, Creative Elements, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Card stock: Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Hearts a Flutter Framelit, Junior Sizzlit (retired)

 

There was a request from the group to do a Pop Up card and so the one I demonstrated is seen below, although we did modify the design for somebody who was 50 and it worked really well!

 

 

Stamp Set: Sassy Salutations, Tag It

Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Regals Stampin' Write markers

Card stock: Island Indigo, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz DSP, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Card Base and Label Pop 'n Cuts Die, Simple Numbers Die, Labels collection Framelit

 

 

To finish the workshop I wanted to show a card that utilises left over card stock, as we all have plenty of that! The new Flower Shop stamp set and matching Pansy punch are ideal for this!

 

 

Stamp Set: Beautiful Birthday, Everything Eleanor

Ink: Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry 

Card stock: Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Pansy Punch, Pearl jewels, Bright Button and retired brad for flower centres.

 

Keep on crafting - I'm off to prep for Christmas workshops now, so will post our project here soon! Gen xxxx



Thinking of friends

My friend has reached the end of her studies and before we can get together for a serious celebration I sent this card to let her know what a star she is . . .

 

Stamp Set: Sassy Salutations

Card Stock: Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Pool Party, Silver Glimmer

Inks: Strawberry slush, Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Big Star punch

 

Another friend is in the final furlong of treatment, and as I have a new stamp set for some of my workshops ;-) I tried the set out with this  . . .

 

 

Stamp set: Tag It

Stampin' Write Markers: Pacific Point, Real Red, Basic Black and Chocolate chip

Card stock: Whisper white, Pacific point, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Chalk talk matching dies, Denim Ribbon and Brights candy dots (so much easier than a brad), but I have obviously have the matching Candy dot brad bases ;-)

 

As you can see from this picture I took last weekend, I am doing my own form of treatment and feeding them up, even though they thought were only calling for coffee and cake I managed to squeeze lunch into the short time they were with me - hee hee hee!

 

 

 Keep on crafting, and of course eating cake! Gen xxxx





Boys Birthdays!

 

Sometimes you go through a real phase of Birthdays, and lately it's all been about the boys!

Here, I've utilised some retired DSP, picking up the Old Olive, Pacific Point and Real Red colours in the embellishments.

 

 

Stamp set: Kiddodles (retired)

Ink: Pacific Point

Card stock: Pacific Point, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories: 3/8" Denim Jean Ribbon, 1/4" Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Ribbon slide, Decorative Label Punch, Stampin' Up! coloured pencils

And so, my first creation with the pop up feature from SU - let me know what you think, leave a comment at the bottom of the post ;-)

 

Stamp set: Wacky Wishes

Inks: Silver & Pacific Point

Card stock: Red Glimmer, Pacific Point and Whisper White

Accessories: Large & Small star punches, Big Shot Simple Numbers and Card Base and Label Pop 'n Cuts Dies 

 

Keep on crafting - you know it makes sense ;-) Gen x

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday APJ! A working holiday this year, but cake on your return ;-)

 

As you can see a familiar variation on a theme, keeping it simple as always!

 

Stamp set: Sassy Salutations

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Midnight Muse, marina Mist and NEW Silver!!

Card stock: Pool Party, Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Marina Mist and Silver Glimmer Paper

Accessories: Retired star punch

 

Keep on crafting, Gen xxxx

P.S. See new offers on the right side bar - Join SU, Party promo and October Best of Sale-A-Bration - whoo hoo!

 



Single stamps - Assortment 2!

Just when I had convinced myself that I wouldn't NEED anything else for Xmas (as far as stamps are concerned) today I've seen this flyer on the SU website - oops!

 

I so love stars at Christmas time, but am finding the tags more and more difficult to resist - who am I trying to kid!! 

 

Just email me to have this flyer sent to you directly so you can see it in more detail, and eventually I will work out how to add it to the sidebar like the others special stamp sets, just not tonight Genevieve!!

 

Keep on crafting, Gen xxxx 

Bonkers about Butterflies!

 

As my classy cousin celebrated half a century I thought I would illustrate how quickly time is flying by with a card covered in of course 50 butterflies - here they are all double winged and therefore have enough room to flutter in a seriously sparkly way! I used some retired DSP for the colour inspiration!

 

Stamp sets: Beautiful Birthday, Creative Elements

Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue(retired)

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue and Basic Black and Silver Glimmer paper

Accessories: Beautiful Wings embosslit, Scallop trim corner punch, Rhinestones and Big shot simple numbers(retired)

 

I also wanted to show that sometimes my inspiration is completely backwards and comes when I get the present ready, so I used the swirly pattern of this packaging and the pink and grey colours as the starting point for the card below.

 

For all of you who love the Papillion Potpourri set as much as I do and are just looking for a reason to buy, check out the 15% off Butterfly Bundle offer on the right side bar for till the end of September - you know you NEED it ;-)

 

Stamp Sets: Beautiful Birthday, Everything Eleanor, Papillion Potpourri

Inks: Melon Mambo, Smokey Slate

Card stock: Silver Glimmer paper, Whisper white, Smokey slate, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Bitty Butterfly and Elegant butterfly punches, Rhinestones and NEW Candy Dots Brad bases in Melon Mambo and Basic Black, Simple Big Shot Numbers.

 

Last but not least,

 

 

Encouraging my penchant for postcards I made this one using the Swallowtail stamp, I simply love the detail, here on Very Vanilla Card stock with Early Espresso Ink and backing card, as with my last demo order I put this stamp in for my hostess credits . . . .

 

 

Seemed a shame to write on it really, and even worse to cover up a section of it with a postage stamp!! So I think now I have the Post Card stamp the possibilities are endless and the postman is going to LOVE me ;-) Keep on crafting, Gen xxxx

Seasonal Catalogue launch!!

 

Woo Hoo! Launch date is here, and that means I really need to get round to showing you some NEW projects, so watch this space over the weekend!!

 

Click on the Get Festive side bar to see the new goodies :-)

Aussie catch up and New Catalogue cards!

So my now Aussie blond niece had her eleventh birthday,

which obviously calls for shimmer and glitter :-)

 

Stamp set: Papillion Potpourri

Inks: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Wisteria Wonder & Basic Grey

Card stock: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Perfect Plum, Pool Party, Bashful Blue, Basic Grey, Regal Rose

Misc: Elegant & Bitty Butterfly punches, Dazzling Diamonds & heat and glue powder, Rhinestone jewels, Big shot letters. 

 

 

And one for the boys - specifically my Nephew Mark

 

Stamp sets: NEW Label Love, Seasonal Sayings and Wacky Wishes

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Card stock: Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy and Whisper White

Misc: NEW Artisan label punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, 5/8" Organza Ribbon

 

 

For my Darling Dad a very simple variation, a real less is more card this year! I did my usual trick of displaying his age in such an unusual way only I knew about it! Rhinestones at the top of the card for every decade, and the ones at the bottom for each year! On a background of Stripes embossed Tempting Turquoise card stock.

 

As you have probably guessed I have this week off from work, so am trying to catch up with my blog amongst other things - an ideal opportunity to pour over the NEW catalogue :-)

 

Keep on crafting - especially when it's raining and you CAN'T paint windows or do the gardening that you thought you would do with your week off - hee hee hee! Gen xxxx

Thinking of you . . .

Some of my close friends are going through it at the moment, so I thought I would share some of the cards I have made for them recently.

 

This was a Birthday card I did way back in June!

 

Stamp sets: Nature Walk, Wacky Wishes

Ink: Chocolate chip

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate chip, Naturals DSP

Misc.: Finishing touches Edgelits, Vintage Brads, Decorative label punch, Pearl jewels, Natural seam binding.

 

Next two different looks for the same stamp set, firstly . . .

 

 

Stamp set: SAB Patterned Occasions

Ink: Raspberry Ripple

Card stock: Very Vanilla, SAB Sycamore Street DSP

Misc.: Corner punch

 

 

Ink & Card stock: Island Indigo

Misc.: Ruffled ribbon Island Indigo with white stitched ribbon and ribbon slide, Small heart punch.

 

Keep on crafting, Gen xxxx