24th Advent Window - Ascending star

 Thought I would end this Advent blog as I started, with a little Home Decor. I wasn't sure that there would be sufficient creativity for 24 posts.

This simple wreath will lean against my Tree of Life candle, watching over our celebrations.

It wasn't terribly likely that I would get through the season without a little origami ;-) This 5 point star is folded from the Firework print of the Iconic Celebrations 6"x6" DSP, Foliage cut from the Graceful Greenery Vellum by the Golden Greenery Dies with some Metallic accents in the foliage and then a central sequin.

Keep Peace in your Heart, GenGen xx

Twenty third Advent Window - Ribbon Inspiration

 I was keen on ribbon before I was a SU demonstrator, so I still browse haberdashery, just in case. I picked this up earlier in the year . . . 

. . . . . and from this inspiration came this . . . . 

Stamp set: Trucking Along, and a retired snowflake

Ink: Momento Black

Card Stock: Black Glimmer, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories: Grove Dies, Rhinestones

Take some time for a walk in the woods, GenGen xx

22nd Advent Window - not strictly Christmas

 The foliage of this set isn't a Christmas set, but as you can see, even when you don't use traditional Christmas colours you can create a festive wreath.

Stamp Set: Painted Lavender

Ink: Mossy Meadow, Soft Sea Foam, Highland Heather

Card stock: Highland Heather, Soft Sea Foam

Accessories: Circular punches, Iridescent Ribbon 

(from my extensive stash)

Never rule out casing a card that comes through the post ;-) 

GenGen xx

Twenty First Advent Window - Peaceful Doves

 Another simple moment of reflection

Stamp Set: Iconic Imagery

Ink: Misty Moonlight

Card stock: Silver Foil, Iconic Celebrations 6"x6" DSP, Whisper White

Accessories: Silver & White 1/2" Sheer Ribbon, Iconic Imagery Dies

Let us all hope for Peace, GenGen xx

20th Advent Window - Seasonal Greens

 My other distraction this year is the fabulous Winter Meadow DSP, also using an embossed Shaded Spruce background for the foliage.

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season

Card stock: Winter Meadow DSP, Shaded Spruce, Graceful Greenery Vellum, Silver Foil

Ink: Shaded Spruce

Accessories: Fern 3D Embossing Folder, Golden Greenery and Friends for Life dies, White 3/8" Frayed Grosgrain ribbon, Adhesive backed sequins and pearls

Simple Season's Greetings, GenGen xx

Nineteenth Advent Window - Berry Bauble

 Another interpretation of the circular Irresistible Bloom die - here turned into a Bauble, thanks to TLB xx

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season

Ink: Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Gorgeous Grape, Berry Burst Glimmer

Accessories: Irresistible Bloom die, Silver edged Berry Burst Ribbon, Silver Elastic for bauble loop, various Sequins, Pearls, Rhinestones

Just about to hang a few Baubles myself,  as Christmas approaches ;-) GenGen xx

18th Advent Window - No stamping!

 At this time of year the contrast of the dark nights and the stars in the sky still fascinates me, especially when highlighted by the brightly shining moon!

Card stock: Gold Foil, Season of Green & Gold Specialty DSP, Night of Navy

Accessories: Star Die, Thoughtful Moments Hybrid Embossing Folder, Adhesive backed Gold sequins.

Keep an eye looking up, for new stars, GenGen xx

Seventeenth Advent Window - Trio of Tags

 As the month races past, even I am getting to the point where some presents are getting closer to being wrapped!

With the Greetings of the Season Dies tags have been super easy this year, but then I always have a Star die to hand ;-) 

I've simply used the Season of Green & Gold Specialty DSP, Graceful Greenery Vellum and Golden Greenery Dies, Foil in Silver and Gold and for the central tag Night of Navy with a Stamp and Die from the Iconic Imagery set for the Snowflake.

There's always Silver, Gold and Old Olive twine to attach to the parcels, with a bit of retired ribbon too.

Seriously simplistic tags this year, GenGen xx

16th Advent Window - New Home

 Time truly flies, and sometimes a text from a friend lets you know that they're in a New Home for Christmas, so a new address for their simple card!

Stamp set: Humble Home

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Real Red

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Heart die, Humble Home builder punch, Black & Very Vanilla 3/8" Large Check Ribbon

With a hand written sentiment of New Home for Christmas! Keep your card making simple, GenGen xx

Fifteenth Advent Window - Gold on Gold

 This year has been simplistic and pared back, but I think it might well be a way forward for me. Especially when Specialty Designer Series Paper is this stunning. The tiny perforations that edges these Greeting Dies highlight the shape.

Stamp Set: Greets of the Season and Iconic Imagery

Ink: Real Red

Card Stock: Gold Foil, Seasons of Green and Gold Specialty DSP, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Greetings of the Season Dies, Gold twisted thread

Let the light shine, GenGen xx

14th Advent Window - Iconic Trees!

 It's certainly getting closer to the time we put our tree up ;-)

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season, Iconic Imagery

Card Stock: Pretty Peacock, Old Olive Glimmer, Whisper White

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Garden Green, Lemon Lime Twist

Accessories: Old Olive/ Pretty Peacock Ribbon, Greetings of the Season and Iconic Imagery Dies

Let a little Sparkle in, GenGen xx

Thirteenth Advent Window - Snow boughs

 The colour combination of natural and white was highlighted at the wreath workshop last week as one of the ribbons was natural and white foliage.

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season, Golden Greenery

Card stock: Buff card base and Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versa Mark and Wow White embossing powder

Accessories: Iconic Imagery Dies for the small stars

Each day a little crafting, GenGen xx

12th Advent Window - Golden Greetings

 Today I just wanted to share a card that creates such a great background, less is more ;-)

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Cardstock: Brushed Gold cards & envelopes, Gold Foil, Graceful Greenery Vellum

Accessories: Greetings of the Season Dies, Woven Golden Leaves, Cherry Cobbler adhesive backed berries, Cherry Cobbler 1/4" Satin ribbon

Less really is more, GenGen xx

Eleventh Advent Window - Winter Meadow

A little Seasonal Foliage for today's card, the Winter Meadow DSP is my latest distraction. The hand painted finish of these images could really just be used on it's own. I've layered over some die cut foliage to add depth.

Stamp set: Greetings of the Season

Ink: Misty Moonlight

Card stock: Misty Moonlight, Winter Meadow DSP, Shaded Spruce, Silver Foil, Graceful Greenery Vellum

Accessories: Golden Greenery and Thoughtful Wishes Dies,                 Silver sequin Trim

Keep a little serenity in your heart, GenGen xx

Birthday Wishes TLB XxXxX

10th Advent Window - Modern Wreath

 I particularly like taking sets that aren't really Christmas sets and using them for Christmas, for me, this die has always looked like a modern take on a circular wreath.

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season

Card stock: Lost Lagoon, Hello, Irresistible DSP

Ink: Lost Lagoon

Accessories: Irresistible Blooms Dies, Rhinestone, Sequins, Pearls, Frosted Gems, 1cm White Frayed Ribbon

A Little Sparkle in the Darkness, GenGen xx

Ninth Advent Window - revamping my Christmas Card book

 I've loved my Christmas book, where I customised the DSP with Real Red greetings, but it was starting to look a little tatty . . . . 

So with my current obsession of the Season of Green & Gold Suite, the larger Specialty Designer Series Paper seemed a perfect update . . . . with some gorgeous gold ribbon that was just on the shelf ;-)

Good for another few years, this Specialty DSP doesn't need enhancement with Washi tape and Seasonal Greetings.

Less is more, GenGen xx

8th Advent Window - Time for tagged gift envelopes!

 With a visit to family this weekend, I thought I would take Christmas cards, and gifts too. I'm hoping that they're hung on the tree till Christmas Day.

Stamp Set: Iconic Imagery

Card stock: Iconic Celebrations 6"x6" DSP, Metallic and Glimmer for the background label and Whisper White for the printed label.

Ink: Pecan Pie, Misty Moonlight

Accessories: Greetings of the Season Dies for labels, Gold and Silver Metallic elastic

Keep light in your heart, GenGen xx

Seventh Advent Window - In Celebration of Wreaths

 I had a wonderfully indulgent evening making a Christmas Wreath at a workshop on Thursday evening, and it's inspired me to make this . . the fir branches are from the vellum of the Graceful Greenery witch match with the coordinating dies ;-)

Stamp Set: Humble Home

Cardstock: Pecan Pie, Graceful Greenery Vellum

Ink: Versa Ink and White emboss

Accessories: Humble Home Punch, Natural 1cm Polka Dot Trim, Cherry Cobbler Berries, Golden Greenery Dies

Keep sending Love, from your Home to theirs, GenGen xx

6th Advent Window - Metallic reflection

 Today's window is reflective, with the metallic copper Naturally Gilded Specialty DSP

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season, Labelled with Love

Ink: Bronze

Cardstock: Copper Foil, Naturally Gilded Specialty, Whisper White

Accessories: Labelled with Love Punch, White frayed 3/8" grosgrain ribbon, Neutrals adhesive backed sequins.

Keep calmly crafting, GenGen xx

Fifth Advent Window - Cheery Cobbler

 So from the subtle woodland window yesterday, it's time for cheery cherry cobbler, the colour of the season I think. The fabulous thing about this Season of Green & Gold Suite means that the coordinating dies, fit the matching designer paper to allow easy Bells and foliage for this quick card.

 

Stamp Set: Greetings of the Season

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Cardstock: Gold Foil, Season of Green & Gold Specialty DSP, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler & Gold 1/4" Satin ribbon, Greetings of the Season and Golden Greenery Dies

Keep card making quick ;-) GenGen xx

4th Advent Window - Winter Stag

 Sometimes, and often with my cards, less is more. Designer Series Paper is often too striking to cover over and here I have literally allowed it to be centre stage.

Stamp Set: Iconic Imagery

Ink: Silver

Cardstock: Pebble Path, Winter Meadow DSP 12"x12", Whisper White

Accessories: Iconic Imagery Die, Rhinestones 

and Iridescent 1/2" Ribbon

Keep Peace in your Heart with Christmas card making, 

GenGen xx

Third Advent Window - Season of Green & Gold

 This Suite caught my eye when I had the opportunity to get a sneak peak of products ;-) Golden accents for this specialty designer series paper and very versatile sentiments.

Stamp set: Greetings of the Season

Ink: Mossy Meadow

Cardstock: Gold Foil, Mossy Meadow, Very Vanilla, Season of Green & Gold Specialty DSP 12"x12"

Accessories: Golden Greenery and Stitched Nested Label Dies, Pearl Adhesive backed berries, Pecan Pie 3/8" central stripe ribbon

I just wanted a side accent on the greeting, and to show more of the DSP.

Keep on Christmas crafting your way, GenGen xx

2nd Advent Window - Trucking once more

 Easing myself in with an Encore Set, updating with new DSP, 

and this time carrying presents rather than a Christmas Tree, 

but still classic colours.

Stamp set: Trucking Along, Greetings of the Season

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Momento black

Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Balmy Blue, Basic Grey, Iconic Celebrations 6"x6" DSP

Accessories: Trucking Along Builder and Labelled with Love Punches

Also flat enough to be postal friendly! Keep Christmas crafting, 

GenGen xx

First Advent Window - Simple Snow Globe

 I'm not really sure how many posts will be happening this year, as not really feeling the joy - just thought I'd start, and who knows what might happen ;-)

As we've had a little of the white stuff in November and quite a few frosty mornings I've made a little Gingerbread House on a hill of snow, with Frosty the snowman in the foreground.

Stamp Set: Humble Home (Mini catalogue)

Ink: Versa Ink and White emboss

Cardstock: Cajun Craze and White Velvet (roof)

Accessories: Humble Home Builder Punch and 

Rudolf Builder Punch for the arms of the Snowman

Keep on Christmas crafting, 

it's a good distraction, GenGen x