Christmas Cards Galore!

Ho, ho, ho.

That's about as merry as it gets around here at this time of year.  I find myself not feeling terribly Christmassy until the very last minute (although for a wonder I have actually finished all the gift buying early - I know, I couldn't believe it either!).

Each year, I have been asked by my employers to make handmade cards to send out to our customers.  It's only a small company, but that's still in excess of 100 cards - *phew*.  I almost didn't do it this year, as I was a little burnt out after making 100 of these (which I really liked, but not after the first forty or so).  But at the last minute I remembered that our customers have enjoyed these cards in the past, they have come to kind of expect it, and I get paid for my efforts :-)

So without further ado, here is this year's effort.  This isn't all the cards - but you get the idea.  As you can see, I've revisited an old favourite, Season of Joy - still available in this year's catalogue (but sure to retire next year).  It really is a great set, with enough stamps to create quite a variety of looks.  I added a rhinestone to the star of each, just for a little extra "wow".

 I made some in Old Olive, some in Pacific Point, and some in Cherry Cobbler (however I teamed the Cherry ones with Very Vanilla rather than Whisper White - love the "vintage" look those to have when they're together.

The cards were a snap to make ... I quickly worked out that I could get three bases out of a sheet of A4 by cutting two 19 x 10.5cm strips from one end, then flipping it 90 degrees and trimming the remaining piece down to 19 x 10.5cm.  Each strip was then scored at 14.8cm, leaving a 4.2cm flap for the front.  Then I just stuck A6 pieces of Whisper White or Very Vanilla behind the (decorated) flaps.

And here is a closeup of one of the cards.  As you can see, I used my Scallop Edge punch down the edge of the flap, and dressed it up by embossing that section with the Finial Press Embossing Folder.  After a time I realised I could put two pieces through the Big Shot at a time - the second piece wasn't embossed quite as deeply, but looked perfect anyway.  Unfortunately, I didn't work this out until I was on the last 18 or so LOL.


Anyway, they all went out in the mail on Friday, and I have already had a couple of comments from the customers - feedback is a wonderful thing!

And in case you're wondering, here are links to Christmas 2009's cards for work, and 2008's as well.  Next year I'm going to start early.  No, honest.

Images © 1990-2011 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp/s: Season of Joy
Ink: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Other: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones

An update

Yes, I know it's over 2 weeks since I posted ... it's been hard to get a look-in on my own computer lately, since 18yo DS got Skyrim and this is the one computer in the house that has enough RAM to run it.  Tonight I have asked him nicely to let me have a turn :-)


I wanted to give you a quick update on the December Frenzy sale ... due to limited supply, the set Every Moment has been returned to its normal price (ie. $31.95).

New Summer Mini Catalogue 2011-12

One more quick post and then it's time for bed...

From December 1 2011 through to March 31 2012, you can purchase items from the new Summer Mini Catalogue.  There's lots of new stamps, papers, ribbons and even a couple of punches (look out for projects starring the new 1" square punch and the coordinating postage stamp punch!).

Email me if you would like a copy of the Mini for yourself (or you can check it out online if you prefer), or if you would like to place an order for one or more of the new toys inside :-)

December Frenzy!

Hello?  I know you're out there ... sorry it's been a few weeks since my last update, November turned out to be quite a bit busier than I had expected for everything except stamping.  But I have to take a few moments to share the December promotion with you, because it's a beauty :-)

During December  2011, you can get up to 50% off a selection of amazing products.  There are a couple here which I am definitely going to be buying myself for Christmas (hey, it's the only way of being sure I will like what I get LOL).

Item	Page	Description	Discount	Retail  Price	Sale Price
120597	22	Welcome Christmas Clear-Mount Set	50%	$39.95	$19.98
121584	22	Welcome Christmas Wood-Mount Set	50%	$49.95	$24.98
117715	28	I {Heart} Hearts Wood-Mount Set	40%	$42.95	$25.77
121528	35	Got Treats Wood-Mount Set	40%	$40.95	$24.57
117699	42	Something Sweet Wood-Mount Set	40%	$44.95	$26.97
116686	46	For Everything Wood-Mount Set	40%	$47.95	$28.77
119163	67	Cottage Garden Wood-Mount Set	50%	$32.95	$16.48
121508	72	Every Moment Wood-Mount Set	40%	$31.95	$19.17
121480	74	Awash with Flowers Wood-Mount Set	40%	$71.95	$43.17
121522	75	Friends Never Fade Wood-Mount Set	50%	$31.95	$15.98
120618	75	Friends Never Fade Clear-Mount Set	40%	$25.95	$15.57
121600	75	Ornate Blossom Wood-Mount Set	40%	$19.95	$11.97
123551	88	Clearly For You Wood-Mount Set	40%	$47.95	$28.77
123848	96	Chloe Stampin Around Builder Wheel	40%	$9.95	$5.97
116911	126	Padded Envelopes (3)	40%	$6.50	$3.90
119263	138	Poppy Parade 1/2'' Stitched-Poly Ribbon	30%	$16.95	$11.87
119267	138	Blushing Bride 1/2'' Stitched-Poly Ribbon	30%	$16.95	$11.87
119731	143	Regals Flower Brads	30%	$16.95	$11.87
119730	143	Neutrals Flower Brads	30%	$16.95	$11.87
118762	146	Distressing Essentials	30%	$37.95	$26.57
103179	149	Craft & Rubber Scissors	30%	$37.95	$26.57
112531	149	Circle Scissor Plus Glass Mat	30%	$37.95	$26.57

So contact me today to place your order and take advantage of these bargains!

Those Colours Again

Last time I showed you a card made with a somewhat eye-popping colour combination ... well, I didn't stop with just one, oh no, not me.

How do you like this?

Again I have used Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry and Early Espresso but aside from the greeting, there is no stamping involved - I just let the cardstock and my awesome new Fun Flowers Bigz L Die do the work for me.

The closeup here shows the detail of the new Stripes Embossing Folder, which I used on a strip of Lucky Limeade across the bottom of the card for a bit of fun.

Images © 1990-2011 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Other:Stripes Embossing Folder, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, 3/4" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch

Trying out Colours

Here's a colour combination I found a little challenging.  I used the ColourQ site again, and picked these as colours I would use but hadn't put together before ... it was quite interesting to work outside my comfort zone with these.

So, do Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry and Early Espresso work together?  I think the answer is "yes".  Who would have thought it?  Certainly not me!

And I am really liking this Hostess Set, "Array of Sunshine" - I love big bold flower stamps - it makes for a lot of colour with very little effort, just my kind of stamping :-)

 Hey, and check out this bow ... so neat and tidy and such a CHEAT *g*.  It is actually a "fork bow", glued over the top of a piece of ribbon wrapped around the back of the strip of stamped Whisper White cardstock.  I discovered these awesome instructions, and just tied the bow around my fingers rather than a fork for a slightly larger bow.

Images © 1990-2011 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamps: Array of Sunshine
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White

Other:Crimper, Eyelet Border Punch, Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

A Sale to "Die" for

During November, you can purchase selected Big Shot dies and embossing folders for 10% off!  No minimum requirements, no other purchase necessary - take a look at this list of special prices:

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	10% Off Price
156	117332	Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
156	114515	Flower Burst Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
157	114517	Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
157	116824	Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
157	119277	Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
158	113440	Buttons #5 Sizzlits Die	$9.95	$8.95
159	113466	Pillow Box Bigz Die	$36.95	$33.25
159	114507	Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
159	120903	Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
160	115953	Mover & Shapers Punch Windows	$54.95	$49.45
160	120893	Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die	$69.95	$62.95
160	121810	Petal Cone Bigz L Die	$59.95	$53.95

If you don't own a Big Shot, November might well be the month to buy one, as you can also buy the following Big Shot Bundle at 10% off the regular price:

Page	Description	Retail Value	10% Off Price	Item
155	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine	$186.85	$168.16	128944
156	Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die
157	Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I own a lot of Big Shot stuff myself, but I can see a few things on the list that I still have to buy :-)

You can see the flyer over at my Stampin' Up! website, then give me a call or drop me an email to arrange your order.