Advent Window 24 - Tree day!

It's our tradition to put the tree on Christmas eve, and the first window here shows a driftwood tree supplied by the fantastic Kennedy Creations, with a little addition of copper wire lights and some dazzling diamond glitter for some of the snowflakes.

So the tree theme influenced the last card of this advent blog,

with this tree decoration made from 5 embellishments glued to a central button.

Stamp set: Christmas Pines and Hang your Stocking

Card stock: Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Always Artichoke and Old Olive

Accessories: Year of Cheer Embellishments, Rhinestone and Old Olive twine

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

23rd Advent Window - he's on his way!

You know how busy he's been, getting ready for the big night, but for those on the other side of the world he's close to his first delivery!

This is of course the curvy keepsake box, in Real red, Shimmery White for his wonderful whiskers, and Pink Pirouette for his face and nose. The punches are scalloped circles, small oval, Owl builder punch and the wing from the Bird builder punch.

So make sure you're hanging your stocking in good time,

maybe like this . . .

Stamp set: Hang your Stocking

Card Stock: Real Red, Whisper White,
Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper

Ink: Real Red, Smoky Slate, Garden Green

Accessories: Christmas Stockings Thinlits Dies, Rhinestones,
Triple Banner Punch

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 22 - Dec the Halls!

I know most people have their homes decorated for the festivities,

but finishing work yesterday now I can focus on decorating

- whoo hoo!

Stamp set: Carols of Christmas

Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green, Merry Music Speciality Designer Series Paper

Ink: Momento black

Accessories: Holly Textured Embossing Folder, Stitched Felt Embellishments from Quilted Christmas Suite

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

21st Advent Window - Simple Star of Light

As you have seen many of my designs have a less is more aspect, and with the Star of Light Stamp set it is easy to keep it simple. Seems apt to be highlighting light on the shortest day here ;-)

The stunning detail in the design of this stamp set means less really is more. Both cards are stamped directly onto a white card base with Rich Razzleberry and Tempting Turquoise using a smaller star die from the co-ordinating Starlight Thinlit and a large Rhinestone in the centre.

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 20 - Rudolf at the ready!

By this point, even I realise that Rudolf and friends are readying the sleigh for their big night! Continuing with the curvy keepsake festive family, here's my version of Rudolf :-)

Card stock: Soft suede, Chocolate chip, Whisper White, Basic Black, Red Glimmer

Accessories: Curvy keepsake die, Owl and Tree Builder punches, Tombow glue

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx 

19th Advent Window - Double dangle!

As always there are embellishments available through the

seasonal catalogue which can ultimately enhance cards and craft projects, or your ears ;-)

Golden stars in the nights sky, or . . .

Silver, sparkles ;-)

These are of course part of the Year of Cheer Suite embellishments,

enhanced with circular Metallic Enamel shapes in the centre.

I am making my own crackers this year, and thought these would work out as great cracker gifts for the girls :-)

The night sky here is provided by the Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper.

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 18 - Sunflower stamp wreath

As tempted as I always am by new stamp sets,

sometimes I like using stamp sets that I already have,

and that aren't classically Christmas stamp sets.

The difference in ink colour for the two step wreath is done by stamping off the larger sunflower petal image to give a lighter colour.

Stamp sets: Painted Harvest, Oh What Fun

Card Stock: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla

Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Acrylic blocks for photopolymer stamps, 1/4" Double Stitched Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler and retired 1/8" Old Olive ribbon

You could easily add small holly berries if you desire,

but I liked the greenery :-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

17th Advent Window - Peaceful Pine

I have used this stamp set in several different designs for cards at this time of year. Here in Wales we get quite a few days where the cloud is so low it shrouds the distant trees in mist, like this . . .

Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree (and retired greeting)

Card Stock: Pacific Point, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Ink: Crumb Cake, Pacific Point

Accessory: Rhinestone

I really enjoyed the variation of cards created for the Christmas Cheer Challenge, but think my love of stamping means this is my favorite design. Last Sunday we were able to experience the Peace of 8 inches of snow, a wonderful gift to slow life down and appreciate your surroundings as a magical winter wonderland :-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 16 - Stamp a Stack of Snowflakes

As I pledged to create 100 cards for my Christmas Cheer challenge,

it made sense to stamp a stack, that is have a production line,

(on the dining room table in my case) creating 20 at a time.

I would love to say that they were all identical,

but as they are hand made they were all sensationally similar ;-)

Stamp Set: Snowflake Sentiments

Card Stock: Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Grey, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: 1/8" Whisper White Sheer Ribbon, Rhinestones

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

15th Advent Window - Winter Wonder

Sometimes with embossed images the debossed image is equally as attractive. Even though I have used the embossed image here if you use this embossing folder the debossed image is effective too.

Card stock: Whisper White, Silver Foil and Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet

Accessories: Winter Wonder Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Seasonal Layers Thinlits and retired Thinlit greeting, Rhinestones

The Multipurpose adhesive sheet allows precise addition of die cut snowflakes and greeting without glue smears or seepage.

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 14 - Good Tidings

This is a two step stamp set which allows real depth of image,

and the photopolymer stamps allow easy alignment.

Even though I have only used two colours, when you stamp off an image (printing the inked image on scrap paper), the colour shade becomes lighter for your project image.

Stamp Set: Good Tidings

Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler

Card Stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Merry Music DSP

Accessories: 1/4" Double Stitched Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

13th Advent Window - Joy to the World!

At a time where we have just experienced the deep and crisp and even purity of snow, it inspired me to do this.

Stamp set: Joy to the World

Ink: Night of Navy, Versa Ink and Silver Emboss

Card stock: Night of Navy and Whisper White

Accessories: Hometown Greetings Edgelits Dies

Keep on Christmas Crafting, and looking in the night sky ;-)

GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 12 - Peace Love & Joy

Another stamp a stack contender for

my Alder Hey RMHC Christmas Cheer challenge.

Stamp Set: Every Good Wish

Card stock: Cherry Cobbler, Merry Music Speciality Designer Series Paper, Gold foil Vellum (retired), Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizzazz

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

11th Advent Window - Retro design

As always I have certain favorites, despite time passing.
Here is a stamp a stack card that I made
for my Alder Hey RMHC stash.

This is of course the fantastic Dasher in my favorite colour combination, and something for TLB on her Birthday ;-)

Stamp set: Dasher, Greeting from Lots of Joy (both retired)

Card Stock: Whisper White, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Triple banner punch

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

(Double) Advent Window 10 - Fun with Felt!

With the fabulous Quilted Christmas Suite,

are the fantastic

Stitched Felt Embellishments.

As fabulous as they are as card embellishments,

they also lend themselves to being made into

understated Christmas earrings

- hee hee hee!

At this time of year, the focus is on trees,

. . . and Stars ;-)

I've used the Quilted Christmas 6"x6"

Designer Series Paper as a background ;-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

9th Advent Window - Wishing

As part of the Christmas Cheer Campaign I made cards like this for my bundle for Alder Hey RMHC

Stamp Set: Every Good Wish

Card Stock: Whisper White and Gold Vellum

Ink: Old Olive and Real Red

Here's wishing for a Merry time,

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxx

Advent Window 8 - cozy cable!

With the winds whirling and the temperature dropping, it's just time for a bit of cable coziness!

Stamp Set: Snowflake Sentiment

Card Stock: Whisper White, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Swirly Snowflakes and Oval Stitched Thinlit dies, Quilted Christmas 1/4" Ribbon,

Cable Knit 3D dynamic textured embossing folder.

As always you can choose to have the texture embossed, debossed, or as in this case upside down for all you knitters out there ;-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

7th Advent Window - Tree Treats

Some presents are best kept small and simple,

so this year's Tree gifts look like this . . .

Although the children grow up so fast,

who can resist Gingerbread at this time of year ;-)

Stamp Set: Cookie Cutter Christmas

Card Stock: Whisper White and Be Merry Designer Series Paper

(for the 3" x 3" envelopes)

Ink: Soft Suede

Accessories: Cookie Cutter Builder Punch, Envelope Punch Board, Quilted Christmas 1/4" Ribbon, Retired Label Punch for name :-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 6 - On trend Copper

As always, we're influenced by colour trends and the influence Copper has had this year has even filtered into Mid Wales ;-)

Stamp Set: Christmas Pines

Card Stock: Smokey Slate, Copper Foil, Silver foil, Whisper White

Ink: Versa Mark and Copper embossing powder

Accessories: Swirly Scribbles, Seasonal Layers and Pretty Pine Cones Thinlits dies, 1/4" Copper Trim, Last year's copper pine cones tied with Linen Thread.

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

5th Advent Window - Star of Light

The possibilities with this stamp set are endless,

but somehow I keep coming back to the classic metal

and white contrast, with this year's revelation being

Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets

- no more glue marks on foil card stock!

Stamp set: Star of light

Card Stock: Whisper White, Gold Foil

Ink: Versa Mark and Gold Embossing Powder

Accessories: Starlight Thinlits Dies, Corner Punch, Gold sequins

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 4 - Quilted Christmas

For me it is ALWAYS possible to be tempted with new sets out of the seasonal catalogue, especially when I try to tell myself I don't NEED any more :-)

This is of course the fabulous Quilted Christmas Suite,

co-ordination made easy :-)

Stamp set: Christmas Quilt

Ink: Real Red, Lemon Lime Twist

Card stock: Garden Green, Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper White, Quilted Christmas 6"x6" Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Pennant and Quilt Builder Framelit dies, Quilt Top Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stitched Felt Embellishment (Holly)

As a sewing enthusiast, I'm looking forward to using this set throughout the year :-)

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

3rd Advent Window - Let it Snow!

Here, we have had some snow in November,

but if you're lacking the white stuff

you can always put it in your cards,
with white glitter in a shaker card :-)

Stamp set: Flurry of Wishes

Card stock: Old Olive, Thick Whisper White, Color Theory Designer Series Stack, Chocolate Chip, Clear acetate sheet for shaker window

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: Card Front Builder Thinlits, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Advent Window 2

Luckily for me, one of my workshop requests

was for festive curvy keepsake boxes

For me nothing says Christmas Chill

better than a Penguin Gift box ;-)

Card Stock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango

Punches: Owl Builder, Small & Large Oval, retired label punch.

Accessories: Curvy Keepsake Thinlit, White gel pen

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx

1st Advent Window is Here!

I wanted to start this year's Advent blog with a message of hope.

Stamp Set: Carols of Christmas
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Card stock: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Whisper White, Be Merry Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Holly Textured Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes Framelits, 1/4" Double-Stitched Ribbon

Keep on Christmas Crafting, GenGen xxxx 

My Christmas Cheer Challenge - Saturday 2nd December 2017

Stampin' Up! continues with the second half of the 10,000 card challenge.

I will be at Penybont Community Centre Christmas Fayre on Saturday 2nd December 2017 3-7pm, with some Christmas crafts that I have made and stamping equipment for volunteers to help me make 100 Christmas cards for Alderhey Ronald McDonald House. These cards will be available to the families who stay in the Ronald McDonald House while their child is in Alderhey Hospital.

Just as we stayed in a room at the Alderhey Ronald McDonald House when my nephew had open heart surgery when he was 3 months old. Next February my nephew will be 21 years old, and he lives life to the full near Perth in Australia now :-)

I jumped at the chance to give something back for the care shown to him and us, and to help other families at their time of need, starting with the cards I made in June of this year.

Come along to the fayre AND help me make 100 cards, make a difference to families who are struggling to keep life as normal as a hospital environment can be, see you there!

Keep on Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Colour me Happy Kit

Along with my inability to make two cards the same, is the inability to follow instructions for a card making kit ;-)

The fabulous card bases and envelopes that come in the Colour me Happy Kit are perfect for other possibilities.

Amazing Alfie is 5 this year, and, as Lego is an important part of his life I snuck a few printed ones under his Birthday number banner!

 

Silver glimmer for his name and number, keeping it simple ;-)

Keep on crafting, GenGen xxxx

Stampin Blends are here!

As a serious fan of colouring in,

I am over the moon to see blending pens return to SU :-)

(use the Stampin' Blends icon on the right to see the details)

There is a fantastic Colour Me Happy Kit and the matching
Colour Me Happy Stamp Set 
which is a great way to get into blending ;-)

Here is my version of one of the kit cards, using Basic Grey Archival Ink for stamping and the greeting, with Pink Pirouette Blending pens, with SERIOUSLY gorgeous matching envelopes :-)

Keep on Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Hubble Bubble!

Happy Halloween!

This year's Spooky Night Designer Series Paper is such a great starting point for card design. I've matched it with the Merry Café stamp set, as I am loving the possibilities of the Coffee Cup Framelits, and as always I have a few images from years gone by with the pumpkin and black glimmer witch on the broom ;-) It's simply Tuxedo Black Momento Ink with Very Vanilla and Tangerine Tango card Stock.

Keep on Halloween Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Climbing Orchid

Even when I use a stamp set for the first time,

I don't seem to be able to keep it that pure . .

here heavily influenced by the wrapping paper for the gift ;-)

Stamp set: Climbing Orchid, and Birthday wishes (retired)

Card Stock: Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Silver, Whisper White

Ink: Melon Mambo

Accessories: Orchid Builder Framelits, Seasonal Layers Thinlits, Washi Tape Punch, Melon Mambo ribbon (retired), rhinestones

Keep on Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Home is where the heart is!

I seriously Love this time of year! The Autumn colours have been wonderful with the dry but mild weather.

When I bought this Glamper Greetings Stamp set I knew I was going to get quite a lot of use out of it, as the combinations are endless! 

With the neutral card base and Soft Suede card I continued with Soft Suede ink for the caravan outline, using Stampin' Up! pencils for colouring, with Stampin' Up! pens for the autumn leaves and obviously Old Olive for the grass detail :-)

Keep on Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Color Theory Inspiration for Autumn

The fabulous Color Theory Memories & More Card Pack makes great background for a seasonal card. The fabulous Seasonal Layer Thinlit dies allows a 3 D emphasis of the design, with Old Olive as contrasting focus.

Keep on Crafting, GenGen xxxx

A Levels done, the next exciting adventure!

Having done all the hard work, and on the brink of University,

sometimes you need to enjoy the summer.

I used the Color Theory Memories & More Card Pack for the background and the Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies, with Berry Burst as contrast and for the greeting from the Color Seasons stamp set, and the Glitter Enamel Dots for a little added sparkle.

Keep on crafting, GenGen xxxx

Degree 1st

When studies culminate in attaining 1st class honours at degree level, it's simply not possible to have too many stars ;-)

Keep on Crafting, GenGen xxxx

Sunshine Wishes thinlit

Metallic card for this Thinlit, makes the image stand out, using the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets on the back of the card it makes easy and clean positioning of the cut out image. :-)

Using a crumb cake base card, I used a cascading heart embossing folder for the Very Vanilla card background, with the gold and copper Thinlits, added for a simple Anniversary card.

Keep on crafting, GenGen xxxx

Birthday Balloons

Sometimes the simplest idea can give the most effective celebratory card.

Stamp set: Balloon Celebration

Ink: Berry Burst

Card stock: Color Theory DSP Stack Berry Burst, Window sheet

Accessories: Retired Balloon Thinlit and varied confetti

And toned down slightly for a male card, with Dapper Denim

Keep on crafting, GenGen xxxx

Comic story board inspiration

As with all card makers I like to try and make a Birthday card appropriate for the individual. This card I made for my nephew who was going to Manchester Comic Con as Darth Maul, so have used Red and Black as the strong focus for this card, not too heavy on the dark side of the force ;-)

Many elements of the card are now retired,

but just thought you'd like to see it for fun ;-)

Keep on crafting, GenGen xxxx

Butterflies for Birthdays

The first two here are again significant Birthdays . .

Stamp set: Watercolour Wings and a retired greeting ;-)

Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive and Lemon Lime Twist

Card stock: Basic Black, Old Olive, Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper white and Silver Glimmer and some Fresh Florals DSP for the matching envelope ;-)

Accessories: Triple banner punch, Bold Butterfly Thinlits and retired die for numbers, Rhinestones, Layered Leaves embossing folder.

For this card I wanted the Butterfly wings to overly the numbers :-)

with a less is more approach and simple colour way of Black, Grey/Silver

Stamp set: Butterfly Basics

Ink: Smokey Slate

Card stock: Basic Black, Smokey Slate, Silver Foil

Accessories: Butterflies and Large numbers Thinlits, Rhinestones and 2/8" Silver Metallic Edge Ribbon

And finally . . . a mix and match.

Here I've used both stamp sets mentioned above and both Butterfly Thinlit sets with a backing of a retired Butterfly DSP form earlier in the year.

Card stock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette

Keep on Crafting and obviously card making ;-)

GenGen xxxx

September already! Catch up time!!

So in an attempt to catch up with my latest obsessions, I am going to group a few photos of cards that I have made along the same theme as I have been seriously enjoying some of the new goodies from the current catalogue, and soon to be shown the new seasonal catalogue!

This year seems to have been a year of significant Birthdays, or ones that I like to make a fuss of ;-)

My niece down under is somehow 15 this year, so her favorite colours with a little black glimmer and sparkles of sequins. This Happy Birthday die has become an excellent addition for the front of a shaker card.

And for my gorgeous Dad who celebrated his 80th Birthday . . with the star window . .

So used this colour theme to make the decoration for his cake which I simply glued to a bamboo stick ;-)

Keep on crafting, GenGen xxxx

And continuing the theme . . .

Working with the Zoo Babies Stamp set made me remember that sometimes the children in Hospital are really quite young, so here are the last two cards of the 21 total, in a brighter colour way.

Stamp set: Zoo Babies

Card stock: Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Pear Pizzazz

Ink: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi

I had lots of fun with this challenge,

looking forward to the Christmas Cheer Challenge to continue with the charity card count,

it'll be here before we know it ;-)

Keep on crafting, GenGen xxxx