2011 Holiday Card-a-Thon

Here's a photo of the 12 cards we made in this year's Holiday Card-a-Thon (click on the photo for a closer look).

We had great fun making these cards and everyone in the group made it through all twelve! Instructions for these cards will not be posted, but you're welcome to contact me at cathy_hansen@q.com for information about any of the cards.

Cath ;D

3-D Christmas Tree Card

This fun tea bag folded tree was the second project at our November classes. It's a quick and easy fold and adds some dimension to your card. (Thanks to my friend Sheryl Luttringer for the idea -- she showed us how to make these little trees at our September Front Range Stampers meeting.)

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Bells & Boughs (120831-w $19.95; 121142-c $14.95; set of 4)

Paper:
* Cherry Cobbler card stock (119685, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) - need 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" for card; about 2" x 3" for punch
* Very Vanilla card stock (101650, 8-1/2” x 11”, 40 sheets, $8.50) (5-1/4” x 4”; less than 1/4 sheet for punches)
* Wild Wasabi card stock (108641, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (5” x 3-3/4”)
**Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Series Paper (124004, 12” x 12”, 12 sheets, $12.95) (3 squares in contrast designs: 2” x 2”; 2-1/2” x 2-1/2”, 3” x 3”)
**(Coordinating colors: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Very Vanilla)

Ink:
* Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad (100908, $5.95; refill 101065, $2.95)

Accessories:
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439, $99.95)
* Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (123128, $7.95)
**Mini Jingle Bells (124116, 48 pcs., $2.95)
**Cherry Cobbler 3/8” Quilted Satin Ribbon (124105, 10 yds., $7.95)
* Lace Ribbon Border Punch (122362, $19.95)
* Decorative Label Punch (120907, $16.95)
* Stampin' Sponges (101610, 3 pieces, $3.50)
* SNAIL Adhesive (104332, 472”, $6.95; refill 104331, $4.50)
* Stampin’ Dimensionals 104430, 300 pcs., $3.95)
* Crystal Effects (101055, $6.25)

** 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog (available through January 3, 2012)

Tea Bag Folded Tree Instructions

There is no way I could possibly write out the instructions for the fold for this tree, so instead, I've placed a link here to a You Tube video. The card this lady is making is also very cute!!!!


Instructions:
(SNAIL Adhesive used to assemble unless otherwise noted.)

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Cherry Cobbler card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from scoreline to create card.

2. Use Lace Ribbon Border Punch and Very Vanilla card stock to make a strip of lace 3-3/4" long. Stamp greeting on Very Vanilla card stock with Chocolate Chip ink; punch out with on Decorative Label punch. Use Stampin' Sponge to sponge Chocolate Chip ink around edges of all Very Vanilla pieces (Lace Ribbon, Decorative Label, and 5-1/4" x 4").

3. Adhere 5-1/4" x 4" Very Vanilla card stock to front of card.

4. Use Big Shot and Stripes embossing folder to emboss stripes on Wild Wasabi card stock. Use Two-Way Glue Pen to adhere Lace Ribbon about 1" from right side of card stock. Wrap Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin ribbon over Lace Ribbon and adhere on back of card stock. Punch Decorative Label from Cherry Cobbler, cut in half lengthwise, and adhere to back of Very Vanilla Decorative Label so about 1/8" of Cherry Cobbler shows at top and bottom of label. Adhere over ribbon with Stampin' Dimensionals.

5. Follow directions in You Tube video above to fold Designer Series Paper, and adhere to front of card as shown. Use Crystal Effects to adhere Jingle Bell at top of tree.

I hope you enjoy this fun little project! (Yes, it's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas . . . .)

Cathy ;D

Elegant Christmas Stocking Gift Card Holder

This beautiful stocking is the first of three projects that we made in my November classes. I don't know where this design originally came from, but one of my demonstrator friends brought it to our last Front Range Stampers meeting to show us what they had made at a recent Mile High Stampers meeting. Isn't this just gorgeous?! It would make a great gift card holder.

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Many Merry Messages (116586-w, set of 8, $34.95)

Paper:
* Very Vanilla card stock (101650, 8-1/2” x 11”, 40 sheets, $8.50) - need 1 sheet
* (hm) Silver Glimmer Paper (124005, 12” x 12”, 2 sheets, $4.95) - need about ¼ sheet

Ink:
* VersaMark Pad (102283, $7.50; refill ink $3.95)
* Sahara Sand Classic Pad (105208, $5.95; refill ink 105220, $2.95)

Accessories:
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439, $99.95)
* Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976, $7.95)
* Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (120902, $7.95)
* (hm)Holiday Stocking Biz L Die (124098, $32.95)
* Stars #2 Originals Die (113461, $15.95)
* Very Vanilla ½” Seam Binding Ribbon (120999, 10 yds., $6.95)
* Stampin' Sponge (101610, 3 pcs., $3.50)
* Embossing Powder (mixed together:
** Gold (109129, $4.75)
** Silver (109131, $4.75)
** Iridescent Ice (101930, $4.75)
* Heat Tool (100005, $29.95)
* Linen Thread (104199, 15 yds., $4.50)
* Antique Brads (117273, 20 pcs., $5.95)
* Smooch Spritz – Vanilla Shimmer (118772, $4.95)
* Sticky Strip (194284, 10 yds., $6.95)
* Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430, 300 pcs., $3.95)
* Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755, $3.95)

Other Stuff:
* About 6" x 6" piece of fine tulle
* Large-eye needle

(hm) = 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog (available through January 3, 2012)

Instructions:

1. Cut or fold Very Vanilla card stock in half at 5-1/2". Use Stocking die and Big Shot to cut 2 sets of the stocking, toe and heel pieces, and cuff.

2. Use Big Shot and Northern Flurry Embossing Folder to emboss both stockings. (Note: these will be glued together back-to-back, so you'll want to make sure you emboss the design on one stocking with the toe pointing to the left, and on the other with the toe pointing to the right).

3. Use Big Shot and Square Lattice Embossing Folder to emboss both cuffs, both toe pieces and both heel pieces. (See note above re embossing on opposite sides.)

4. Use Stampin' Sponge (I like to cut mine into four pieces so they're easier to handle while sponging) and Sahara Sand Classic Pad to distress edges of all cut pieces. Lightly rub sponge across embossed snowflakes on stocking piece to make the design stand out.

5. Use Tombow Glue to adhere toe pieces and heel pieces to both stockings; making sure that cuffs line up the same on front and back piece, adhere cuffs to tops of stockings.

6. Apply Sticky Strip to wrong side of one stocking near edges, but don't remove backing yet. (IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT apply sticky strip across top of stocking.)

7. Cut about 10" of ribbon and tie the two ends together to create a hanging loop. Make a loose bow out of another piece of ribbon, making tails as long as you like.

8. Punch hole about 3/4" from top left corner of cuff on front piece of stocking; use Paper Snips or Paper Piercing Tool to make hole through center of knot in bow. Insert brad through center of knot and through stocking; open prongs on the back side of the stocking piece. Place hanging loop on back of stocking piece with knot under the brad and slide sides of loop under prongs so hanging loop extends above cuff.

9. Remove backing from Sticky Strip, carefully line up front and back pieces of stocking, wrong sides facing each other, and adhere together, making sure hanging loop extends out of the top of the stocking between the two pieces.

10. Using Big Shot and Stars die, cut the three smaller stars from Silver Glimmer Paper. Use Paper Piercing Tool or 1/16" Circle punch to punch two holes in each star (like button holes).

11. Use VersaMark Ink to stamp "Noel" on Very Vanilla card stock. Apply the Gold, Silver and Iridescent Ice mixture of embossing powder (listed above), and heat with Heat Tool. Punch out image with Small Tag punch. Punch a Large Tag from Silver Glimmer Paper and adhere behind small tag. Punch a hole near top of tag with Paper Piercing Tool or 1/16" Circle punch.

12. Thread needle with about 12" of Linen Thread and tie a large knot at one end. Thread through first hole in smallest star shape from back to front, and then front to back; leaving about 1/8" to 1/4" between shapes, thread needle through the two holes in the medium-sized star, and through large star. Finally, thread needle from front to back through tag. Wrap remaining length of ribbon between the brad and the bow two or three times, then apply a small dot of Tombow Glue to unwrapped thread, and continue to wrap one more time to secure. Cut off loose end near brad.

13. You can leave the tag and stars hanging; however, I didn't want to take the chance they would catch on something and pull off, so I used Stampin' Dimensionals to secure the large star to the tag, and the smallest star to the stocking.

14. Tuck tulle into top of stocking.

15. Spritz entire stocking with Smooch Spritz.

You can hang this in a doorway, or you can tuck money, a gift card, or other small gift inside the stocking for a special friend.

Cath ;D

Glitter Puzzle Card

This was another project from the November 12 classes, and the technique of the month -- Glitter Puzzle. This is a great way to add some glitz to your card without having glitter all over the inside of the envelope and all over the recipient's hands . . . and table . . . and floor. Of course, I'm not saying you won't have glitter all over you when you're finished making this card . . . .

Materials:

Stamp Sets:
* Zoo Review (122197-w $22.95; 122199-c $16.95; set of 5)
* Merry & Type (122550-w $25.95; 122552-c $18.95; set of 6)

Paper:
* Basic Black card stock (121045, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (8-1/2” x 5-1/2”; about ¼ sheet for punches and dies)
* Tempting Turquoise card stock (102067, 8-1/2” x 11”, 24 sheets, $6.95) (5-1/4” x 4”)
* Whisper White card stock (100730, 8-1/2” x 11”, 40 sheets, $8.50) (5-1/8” x 3-7/8”; 3-1/2” x 3-1/2” for glitter background; about 1” x 2” for die)

Ink:
* Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad (101179, $5.95)
* Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad (101406, $7.95; refill ink $3.95)

Accessories:
* Window Sheets (114323, 12” x 12”, 2 sheets, $4.95)
* Sticky Sheets (114300, 12” x 12”, 2 sheets, $6.95)
* Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter ($4.50)
* Fine Galaxy Stampin’ Glitter (Black, Silver, Red, Gold, Champagne; $13.95)
* Fine Supernova Stampin’ Glitter (Chocolate, Olive, Orange, Pink, Aqua; $13.95)
* ½” Scallop Dots Ribbon, Black (124145, 10 yds., $7.95)
* Silver Mini Brads (122941, 200 pcs., $5.50)
* Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275, $15.95)
* ½” Circle Punch (119869, $5.95)
* Scallop Oval Punch (119856, $16.95)
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439, $99.95)
* Lots of Tags Sizzlits Die Set (114508, 4 dies – 5 tags, $21.95)
* SNAIL Adhesive (104332, 472”, $6.95; refill 104331, $4.50)
* Stampin’ Dimensionals 104430, 300 pcs., $3.95)

Instructions:
(SNAIL Adhesive used to assemble card unless otherwise noted)

1. Cut 3" x 3" piece of Window Sheet. Stamp penguin image in center with Jet Black StazOn ink. Set aside to dry.

2. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Basic Black card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from scoreline to create card. Adhere Tempting Turquoise to front of card. Set aside.

3. Cut 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" piece of Sticky Sheet; remove RED backing sheet, leaving sticky surface on off-white portion of Sticky Sheet. Adhere to 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" piece of Whisper White card stock.

4. Cut 3" x 3" square from scrap card stock or chip board for template. Place template in center of off-white backing side of 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" piece assembled in Step 3, and trace around with a Sharpie pen. Punch a 1-3/8" Circle from scrap card stock; place in center of square and trace around with a Sharpie pen. Use Sharpie pen to draw two wavy lines across square, about 1" to 1-1/4" from bottom of square; draw another wavy line about 1" to 1-1/4" from top of square.

5. Use Xacto knife to cut along outside square through backing sheet -- do not cut through card stock. Second, use Xacto knife to cut along the line for the circle. Third, cut along the wavy lines only from outer edge of circle to square, making sure all of the cuts meet the circle and square cuts (this helps to cleanly pull backing off for next step).

6. To Make Glitter Piece:

a. Leaving all other pieces in place, remove Sticky Sheet backing from section inside square below circle. Sprinkle Black Glitter onto sticky section, press with your fingers a little bit to make sure glitter adheres to sticky stuff; tap off excess glitter.

b. Next, remove backing from two middle sections between circle and square. Cover with Aqua Glitter, press to adhere, and tap off excess.

c. Next, remove backing from section above inside square and above circle. Cover with Silver Glitter, press to adhere, and tap off excess.

d. Finally, remove backing from circle. Cover with Dazzling Diamonds, press to adhere, and tap off excess.

7. Cut a 2-5/8" square from top center of 5-1/8" x 3-7/8" Whisper White card stock (I used the Fiskars paper cutter to cut along a line 5/8" from edge of paper beginning at the 5/8" mark on the cutting guide and going down to the 3-1/4" mark; repeat for top and opposite side, then cut the fourth (bottom) edge across from one side to the other at 3-1/4".) Remove backing from outside square surrounding the glitter area, place your penguin stamped on the Window Sheet (remember him?!) over the glitter area, and carefully place Whisper White card stock over the piece, centering the penguin and glitter area in the window.

8. Use the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch to cut 4 "ribbon" pieces from Basic Black card stock, each 2-5/8" long. Adhere one piece along the edge on each side of the window, slightly overlapping the edge so you see no white between the "ribbon" and the glitter image. Punch 4 1/2" circles and place in each of the corners to cover up the "cutouts" in each corner. Attach to the card stock with a silver brad in the center of each circle.

9. Wrap Scallop Polka Dot ribbon from front to back around Whisper White card stock about halfway between glitter section and bottom of card stock. Adhere ribbon on back of card stock; adhere Whisper White card stock to front of card, over Tempting Turquoise.

10. Use Big Shot and Lots of Tags Sizzlits die to cut 1 Whisper White and 1 Basic Black tag (see picture to determine which tag shape to use). Use Jet Black StazOn to stamp greeting in center of Whisper White tag. Punch Scallop Oval from Basic Black and adhere to back of Whisper White tag. Cut Basic Black tag in half top to bottom, and adhere to back of Whisper White tag, behind Scallop Oval, positioning so that about 1/8" shows on front on each side. Adhere to front of card over ribbon with Stampin' Dimensionals.

WHEW!!!!! That was a hard description to write -- so many steps. Easier to show you. (Maybe some day I'll start doing videos . . . .) In the meantime, you're welcome to contact me with any questions.

Have fun with this one!

Cathy ;D

Instructions for final October class project

This is the last design we made in our October classes. It's based on a wonderful card I received from Heather Sewszak in one of my recent card swaps. It would make a great Thanksgiving card or a birthday card with a more masculine look.

Materials:

Stamp Set:
* Leaves of a Tree (123843-w, set of 1, $9.95)
* Grateful Greetings (116511-w, set of 12, $36.95)

Paper:
* Cajun Craze card stock (119684, 24 sheets, $6.95) (8-1/2" x 5-1/2")
* Not Quite Navy card stock (101722, 24 sheets, $6.95) (3-1/4" x 3-1/4"; scraps for punches)
* Very Vanilla card stock (101650, 40 sheets, $8.50) (scrap for punches)
* Well Worn designer series paper (122359, 12 sheets, $10.95) (3" x 3"; 3" x 2" - two pieces)

Ink:
* Early Espresso Classic Stampin’ Pad 119670 $5.95; refill 119789 $2.95)
* Cajun Craze Stampin’ Write Marker (119678 $3.50)
* Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker (119680 $3.50)
* River Rock Stampin’ Write Marker (120972 $3.50)
* Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker (120973 $3.50)

Accessories:
* 3/8” Taffeta Ribbon – Not Quite Navy (122978 $6.95)
* Round Tab Punch (119864 $16.95)
* 2-1/2” Circle Punch (120906 $16.95)
* SNAIL Adhesive (104332, $6.95; refills 104331, $4.50)
* Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430, $3.95)

Instructions:

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from scoreline to create care.

2. Adhere two 3" x 2" pieces of Designer Series Paper (DSP) to front of card -- one near upper left-half corner; one near lower right-hand corner.

3. Adhere 3" x 3" DSP to 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" cardstock. Wrap ribbon around both pieces about 1/2" - 3/4" from bottom and tie in a knot in the front near the left side.

4. Use Early Espresso to stamp sentiment on Very Vanilla card stock; punch out with punch of your choice. (I must apologize at this point -- I inadvertently used a retired Stampin' Up! punch to punch out this piece for this sample -- but there are lots of other punches which will also fit well into this design -- for instance, one of the oval punches.) Set aside.

5. Use side of brush end of Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker to paint branches of tree directly onto rubber stamp; use side of brush end of remaining colors to tap color randomly onto the leaves. "Huff" on rubber stamp to add moisture to colors, and stamp image on Very Vanilla card stock. Without reinking, stamp image a second time on piece made in Step 4 above. Set aside.

6. Use 2-1/2" Circle punch to cut out tree image. Punch a second 2-1/2" Circle from Not Quite Navy card stock. Cut circle in half and adhere it to the back of Very Vanilla circle so about 1/4" hangs over the edge of the Very Vanilla on each side. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere to front of card over ribbon.

7. Punch Round Tab from Not Quite Navy. Adhere Very Vanilla piece made in Steps 4 and 5 above to Tab. Adhere to front of card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

That's it. The card's finished. And isn't it beautiful?!

I hope you enjoyed this card as much as I did. There are so many talented stampers in my swap groups and I appreciate that they're so willing to share their wonderful ideas with me so I can share them with you!

Take care! Keep on Stampin!

Cath ;D

Finally -- Instructions for another October class card

If you haven't used the Simply Scored scoring tool from Stampin' Up! to make a "lolly," now's your chance. These cute pumpkin and spider lollies were made by scoring a 12" x 1-3/8" strip of Designer Series Paper every 1/4", then folding accordian-style and squeezing it all together into a flat circle. Very fun and easy once you've made one or two . . . . (We made these in our October classes.)


I realize it's kind of late to make these cards for Halloween . . . but you could do the same thing with some cute Christmas paper and some of the wonderful Christmas stamps Stampin' Up! is featuring in current catalogs.

Materials:

Stamp Sets:
* Batty for You (116576-w, $23.95; set of 8)
* Scaredy Cat (122555-w $19.95; 122557-c $14.95; set of 5)
* Grateful Greetings (inside) (116511-w $36.95; set of 12)

Paper:
* Spider Lolly Card: Basic Black card stock (121045, 24 sheets, $6.95) (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"); Old Olive card stock (100702, 24 sheets, $6.95) (5-1/4" x 4")
* Pumpkin Lolly Card: Cajun Craze card stock (119684, 24 sheets, $6.95) (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"); Basic Black card stock (100702, 24 sheets, 6.95) (5-1/4" x 4")
For both cards:
* Basic Black card stock (121045, 24 sheets, $6.95) (about 4" x 5" for dies & punches)
* Whisper White card stock (100730, 40 sheets, $8.50) (about 2" x 2" for punch)
* Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper (122351, 12 sheets, $10.95) (5" x 3-3/4"; 1-3/8" x 12") (Coordinating colors: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Basic Gray, Old Olive, Basic Black)

Ink:
* Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad (101179 $5.95; refill 102512 $2.95)
* Basic Black Craft Stampin’ (102192 $7.50; refill 102995 $4.25)

Accessories:
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439 $99.95)
* Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die (113459 $19.95)
* 1-3/4” Scallop Circle Punch (119854 $16.95)
* 1-3/8” Circle Large Punch (119860 $15.95)
* 1” Circle Punch (119868 $10.95)
* 1-1/4” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (Basic Black) (115615 $9.95)
* SNAIL Adhesive (104332, $6.95; refills 104331, $4.50)
* Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430, $3.95)
* Two-Way Glue Pen (100425 $3.50)

Instructions:

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" cardstock at 4-1/4" and fold away from scoreline to create card. Adhere 5-1/4" x 4" cardstock to card front.

2. Adhere ribbon to front of Designer Series Paper (DSP), wrap ends around to back of DSP and adhere. Adhere DSP to card front.

3. To begin making your lolly, score 1-3/8" x 12" DSP at 1/2" and every 1/2" across to end. Turn paper over so the scorelines you just made are facing down, and beginning at 1/4", score every 1/2" to end (basically, you're scoring half-way between each of the scorelines you've already made). Fold the DSP back and forth, accordian-style, away from the scorelines and glue one end over the other to create a tube (I used a Two-Way Glue Pen for this). Once you have this tube, you're ready to assemble your lolly.

4. You will need a top and bottom to hold the lolly together. For this card, I cut the largest circle on the Scallop Circle #2 Die from Basic Black card stock; you can either cut a smaller Basic Black scallop circle with the same die, or use the 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch. Spread Tombow Glue on the larger of the two scallop circles, being careful to not get glue on the scallop edges. Holding together the top of your DSP tube and spreading out the bottom edges, place your DSP tube and flatten it over the glue. Once it flattens out, you'll want to push the ends toward the center of the circle so the hole in the center is as small as possible. Hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue starts to set up. Place Tombow Glue on the smaller Basic Black scallop circle and place it over the center of the lolly. Place something on top of the smaller circle to hold everything in place until the glue dries.

5. For this card, I stamped one of the images from the Batty for You set on Whisper White paper and punched it out with a 1-3/4" Circle punch. Then I stamped either the same or a coordinating image on the coordinating color card stock and punched it out with a 1-3/8" Circle punch. Adhere the smaller circle to the center of the larger circle so the words appear around the outer edge of the larger circle, and then adhere it to the center of the scallop circle on top of the lolly.

6. Adhere lolly to front of card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

That's it! If this is all very confusing to you . . . and it's likely to be -- it took me awhile to figure out how to make these cute little things . . . there are several locations online where you can view a tutorial. Here's a link to one of them: http://www.youtube.com/social/blog/dostamping-typepad-dostamping_with_dawn. (Click on the Paper Rosettes Stampin' Up! Simply Sent
video.)

Dawn actually does hers a little differently . . . she uses Sticky Paper instead of Tombow Glue, which may be a little more expensive, but eliminates the need for having to wait for the glue to dry. She also builds hers upside down. Now that I've viewed her video, I think her technique is probably a little easier than mine. (See?! We learn something new every day!!!!) The cards she shares are her video are also very cute!!!!

I hope you enjoy these lollies (or paper rosettes, or paper medallions . . . whatever you choose to call them)!

Cathy ;D