CAS Northern Flurries

Hi there! How is your Tuesday going so far? When I saw this color combo for this week's challenge at The Play Date Cafe I knew I wanted the silver to be front and center...I just wasn't sure how to do it. I pulled out Basic Grey, Soft Suede and Brushed Silver card stock as my color combo. I just got the Northern Flurry embossing folder in my order last week and have really been wanting to break it in. I guess that was my starting point for this clean and simple (CAS) creation.

This embossing folder is so pretty on it's own, especially on the sparkly silver card stock. I added some jewels to the center of the snowflakes, then to the corners for a little extra sparkle. The sentiment is heat embossed in silver on Soft Suede card stock. I originally added Soft Suede ribbon then just felt like it wasn't quite right, so I layered a piece of Basic Grey ribbon over the top. It seemed to work better together. I am really happy with how it all came together. What do you think? I struggle with CAS cards because I always feel like I should do MORE with them....ugh! 

*For the inside, I just kept on embossing using the ornament and sentiment from the Contempo Christmas set:

One last thing, I wanted to share a little "furry-love" with this photo from Mr. Emmitt Rowley, taken on Thanksgiving. He has a few toys that are his absolute favorites and this little bull is one of them. (note the hind legs by-the-way...CUTENESS, right??) We had a vet visit today for a check-up and vaccinations, because we have finally come to the conclusion that he is most-likely a permanent "house-guest".  All went very well at the vet and afterward he went to Petco for some treats and a new toy. :) 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Perfect Punches (front) and Contempo Christmas (inside) 
Ink: Versa-Mark
Paper: Soft Suede, Basic Grey, and Brushed Silver card stock
Accessories: Northern Flurry embossing folder, Silver embossing powder, Scalloped Circle punch, Ornament punch, Embossing Buddy, Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon (retired), Basic Grey Taffeta ribbon (I think it is retired, too??)  and Jewels

Thanks for stopping by today! 
Happy stamping, 

Paper Players Challenge #25-Nance's Sketch Challenge

Happy Sunday! It's time for another fun and fabulous challenge over at The Paper Players! This week Nance has whipped up the following sketch for us to play along with:

I had a lot of fun coming up with my card(s) for this challenge. Yes, I said cards! I couldn't decide on my theme for my submission as a Guest Designer this week, so I made 3 cards before finally choosing the one you see here. I will post the rest throughout the week, stay tuned. :) Please come play along with us at The Paper Players this week, it's a lot of fun! 

Stop by and visit the lovely ladies on the Design Team for more awesome inspiration: 

Lesley

Nance

Ann

Jaydee

LeAnne 

I'm back with another installment of my "Cards Too Big for an Envelope" series! I am completely hooked on bulking up my creations lately. I like to call these cards "multi-purpose" because chunky cards can also be used to wrap a gift. (Click here to see my earlier post) With this one though, (here is the awesome part)...it really CAN fit in an envelope! Yup, the 3-D ornament can actually be flattened for mailing. Ha! Just make sure to tell the recipient to "fluff it up" upon reciept.

I created these dimensional ornaments from 8 punches of Love Letter DSP with the Ornament Punch. They can be made with as few as 5 punches but I like lots of dimension, so I went with 8. Maybe it's a Texas thing, but I say, if given a choice, just go BIG, ya'll! :) Simply take your punched ornaments (in whatever number you feel comfortable with), score them down the middle, fold 'em, stick 'em together, then fan 'em out to create this technique. This isn't my idea, although I can't seem to find a link for a tutorial to share...oh no! If you would like instructions, let me know and I can email you. I'm not sure I would even know how to post a tutorial in any way, shape or form. Eeeek, scary for me! 

The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is heat embossed for some shine. I also used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder on the Basic Black card stock to play off of the polka dots on the ornaments. Finally, three little pieces of bling were added to the bottom just because I never hold back on the bling! I also dressed up a coordinating inside (my new favorite thing). Somehow, this card reminds me of a "Santa suit". Maybe it's the color combo. What do you think? 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Contempo Christmas (sentiment, inside and out) and Delightful Decorations (little snowflake inside)
Ink: Basic Black and Riding Hood Red classic ink and Basic Black Craft ink (for the "Merry Christmas" sentiment on the front)
Paper: Love Letter DSP, Riding Hood Red, Basic Balck and Very Vanilla card stock 
Accessories: Ornament punch, Scalloped Border punch, 3/4" Circle punch, 1" circle punch, Corner Rounder punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Clear embossing powder, jewels and Gold elastic cord (ret.)
Non SU! Accessories: gold glitter glue and sheer red ribbon

Have a great day!
Thanks for visiting,

CAS Christmas Swap

Hello everyone! I have been horrible about keeping up with my blog this week, sorry. My husband and I have been taking some time off together, so I'm a little slowed down in the creative department. But *tick-tock*, deadlines call and I HAD to get to stamping and cutting to get a few swap cards done on time. I signed up for a CAS (clean and simple) Christmas Card swap at Spiltcoast last month. I was pretty excited to play along, as CAS cards are NOT really easy for me. Don't get me wrong, I love the look of a clean design, I just love lots of layers and lots of little details. But I figured out, when creating this card, that you still can do that on a CAS card...well at least I think you can.

I pulled out 3 sets for this one: Contempo Christmas (sentiment), Delightful Decorations (ornament) and Berry Christmas (the bow which you may, or may not, recognize from another earlier project). For my colors, I used Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke which looks like that traditional red/green combo I tend to avoid. But WAIT, when you throw in some Pink Pirouette it changes it up a little, right? 


I heat embossed the bow in silver and then added a couple of jewels and some glitter glue for added sparkle. I did my research and CAS cards can sparkle...I wanted to Smooch this baby, but thought that would be a little TOO much, though! :) The ornaments were punched out then popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals for a little lift. All that and I only added three layers...which is a monumental thing for me. Ha! 

There was also some excitement today with the feline "boys" when our little gecko, Harriet (thanks to Teressa for the great name) decided to taunt them through the window. This photo is completely fabulous for one reason alone...this is the first time my boys have been this close to each other, ever, without FIGHTING! Tomas has been part of our family since early-June and every day since then they have had a disagreement! Some days even involve injury...eeek! I guess the gecko was too important to allow their differences get in the way. Finally!! :)

Oh, and for the record, I had "James Morrison radio" locked in on Pandora today. Sorry Steve Perry, but James got my mojo workin'. :)


Thanks for visiting! 
Happy Stampin',