Dashing Thru The Snow

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

Dashing thru moonlit snow in a one horse open sleigh sounds so very romantic, doesn’t it? In my imagination I am surrounded by warm cozy blankets and filled with anticipation of a warm destination filled with family, love, and laughter!

The snowflake vellum (Holidays Fancy Foil Vellum) layered over the black gives a dusky night sky feel to the background; the focal point created with the Lots of Labels dies gives a snapshot of depth to the scene with a dark sky illuminated by snowflakes (Winter Wonderland DSP) and Silver Foil Paper giving a sheen to the trees (Sleigh Ride Edgelits) in the background while the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper anchored by one rhinestone studded snowflake (Winter Wonderland Embellishments) creates the imagery of the one horse sleigh (Sleigh Ride Edgelits) in moonlit snow. The imagery is so strong that no sentiment is needed on the front of the card.

This was one of the cards we created in my October Card Making class and my classmates were delighted with it! You, too, can delight your family and friends with this gorgeous, handmade card this Christmas! Imagine their delight when they open up the envelope and they pull out this beauty!

For your convenience I’ve included a product list of most of the items used to create this card below.  Get started on this lovely Christmas card now by clicking on one of the products below or the Shop Now tab above to be taken to my 24/7 online store! Thanks so much for stopping by!

What Makes a Winter Wonderland?

The Winter Wonderland ensemble of products makes the perfect winter wonderland! I can’t help it; I am in love with everything Winter Wonderland! Trust me, you will love it, too! What’s not to love? It’s elegant, it’s masculine, and, oh, so fun!

My husband and youngest son love to go out in the woods and deer hunt; usually with a bow. My husband loves the stillness out in the woods, along with the occassional spikes of adrenaline when a deer wanders into his sights!

I love most all things nature, too. But sitting out in the chilly woods doesn’t sound all that good to me; I’m a fair weather nature lover! I prefer walking or biking along a wooded trail and catching the reddish gleam of warm sunlight across that fur coat in between the trees!

My challenge with this card was to be able to make more than 3 cards with the antler Winter Wonderland vellum so I went with this simple, timeless layout that allowed me to cut my 6 x 6 vellum into 3 x 3 squares; equaling 4 cards per 1 sheet! Exciting stuff! I wonder if that is a new-fangled common core answer? Any way, I remembered the little deer in the White Christmas stamp set and he was the perfect size to be centered in my 3 x 3 squares of vellum! This is placed on a Very Vanilla Woodland embossed background. I put a touch of gold spattered Washi tape behind my greeting. I only wish it showed up just a little more. I may have to experiement with that a little more on the next one! I love the little black glimmer paper star accentuating the greeting. It really adds some pop!

For your convenience I’ve included a product list of most of the items used to create this card below. To add any of these items to your stamping collection you may click on one of the products below or the Shop Now tab above to be taken to my 24/7 online store! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Does Overthinking Sabotage Creativity?


Have you ever had a card idea just not come together? You started out with an idea in your head. You pulled out your stamps and supplies; eager to wow your stamping friends with your creative prowess. Then it hits you as you take the supplies and try to create that “thing” that was in your head; a springboard of what ifs takes you down multiple paths and you just aren’t happy with any of them! The card is too busy. The colors are wrong. The sentiment doesn’t fit right. The layout does not work. Frustion sets in as your reflection pool turns into a vortex.

Bits and pieces get thrown into the trash as each attempt is rejected. Before long your trash can is full and you still do not have a completed card. Eventually, in frustration, you decide to walk away from it and try again later.

Researchers who study creativity discover some very interesting things. Below is an excerpt from an article about this very thing. Your pain is real my creative friends!

Creativity is the ability to bring together disparate ideas in new and useful combinations. What is happening to the electrical, chemical, and architectural environment of our brains that stimulates our imagination and makes us more creative? A 2015 study from Stanford University suggests that “overthinking” (relying exclusively on the brain’s higher-level, executive-control centers held in the cerebrum) actually impairs, rather than enhances, creativity.
The study’s lead author, Manish Saggar(link is external), PhD, summed up the findings of the study by saying, “The more you think about it, the more you mess it up.” This is exactly what tennis legend Arthur Ashe would describe as “paralysis by analysis.”
So, if you are having difficulties with that card; stop, go take a walk and let your mind wander. Eventually, inspiration with singleness of purpose will come to you!
Thanks for stopping by! 

Tents Are Not Just For Summer and Camping!

I love making tent cards. This is a card style that we revisited in my September class. I need to put together a video one of these days. I’m still in recovery mode after our big move across the state of Iowa. Just blogging and holding classes has been a challenge! So, I will save the videos for a later date.

I have absolutely been loving these sleigh ride edgelits! They were a perfect fit for the inside of this tent card!

For your convenience I’ve included a product list of the items used to create this card below. To add any of these items to your stamping collection you may click on one of the products below or the Shop Now tab above to be taken to my 24/7 online store! Thanks so much for stopping by!

How to Make Gift Cards More Fun!

Giving gift cards can sometimes seem impersonal and thoughtless. However, it can be difficult when people have so much or, you can’t afford to get them what they really need or want. Gift cards are an option that fit in most everyone’s budget just because they can be purchased in various amounts; even as low as $5 in many cases. This is more for the coffee lovers in your life but I am sure that you can come up with other creative card fronts based on the gift card and recipient! The card lends the personal touch to the gift that we all desire!

I didn’t have a Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, or Carribou card handy to use…so I used some junk mail for a visual! The card base is 5 1/2″ x 11″ and scored at 4 1/4″ from either end and at 5 1/2″ on center! Tear and tape was used at the spine of the card to create the pocket. The die had no trouble cutting through both layers to create the slot/pocket to hold the gift card.

These are the dimensions for the cup. So many have missed the corrugated paper in the catalog (I missed it the first time around myself)! It’s perfect for the cup wrap! The cup itself really needs the embossing to stand out; so if you decide to make this card, don’t skip this step! This was a fun card to make. It’s a card that we made in my September class.

For your convenience I’ve included a product list of the items used to create this card below. To add any of these items to your stamping collection you may click on one of the products below or the Shop Now tab above to be taken to my 24/7 online store! Thanks so much for stopping by!

How to be On Trend with Gilded Creations!

This year when it comes to card-making; all that glitters really is gold! Gold is hot, hot, hot! Embracing gold in your card-making is an easy trend to get into. Patterned papers, foil paper, glitters, and embossing powders are all easy ways to put the guild on! The Winter Wonderland Specialty Designer Series Paper has some beautiful gold foiled designs and the black, white, gold combination offers quick, easy elegance for your holiday card-making! The layers of golden gleams over the background are 1 inch wide strips layered over the black and white snowflake background.  I love the gold foil peace sentiment across the front of the card, it’s the golden touch that makes the card shine! Don’t delay, place your order now and you can make, and mail out, these lovely cards for Christmas in the 50 days we have left!

For your convenience I’ve included a product list of the items used to create this card below. To add any of these items to your stamping collection you may click on one of the products below or the Shop Now tab above to be taken to my 24/7 online store! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Don’t Miss Out! Extra Stampin’ Rewards Ends November 9th!

It’s a great time for hosts! October 9-November 9, any qualifying order of $300 or more will earn you an extra three percent in Stampin’ Rewards!

Details:
  • Dates: October 9-November 9, 2015
  • Customer, demonstrator, workshop, and online orders qualify for this promotion.
  • Hosts placing a qualifying order of $300 or more will receive an additional 3% in Stampin’ Rewards. The qualifying order amount must be reached with commissionable merchandise prior to shipping and tax.

If you are unable to host a workshop in your home you can still be a host! Host your party on Facebook! Let’s set a date for you! I will get you set up with a hostess code for your event. You can create your event on Facebook and on your party date we can share some stamping projects with your friends during your event on Facebook. They can place their orders online with you using your host code before, during, and after the event (until you decide to close ordering for your party)! We will keep them posted on the day of your event of where your party total is at so they can help your reach your $300 goal! Contact me today to get your event scheduled! I will help you every step of the way!
Here is how the Stampin’ Rewards Chart looks with the extra 3%

And, if you have ever considered being a demonstrator for whatever reason (making extra money, supporting your hobby, getting the discount, or a new career), Remember: Stampin’ Rewards can be used towards the purchase of a Starter Kit! Join now with your Stampin’ Rewards…it’s just the beginning of all the Stampin’ Rewards you will enjoy! Click here to learn more about joining the fun! Then contact me to get your event scheduled and let the fun begin!

Masking Technique Video

I love this stamp set! I love the sentiments, I love the flower, I love the background. Okay, I’m sure you get it by now…I love it! LOL! I have quite a few swap cards in my stash made with this stamp set that I will eventually get around to sharing with you after I exhaust all my Christmas ideas!

For your convenience I’ve included a product list of the items used to create the card in the video below. To add any of these items to your stamping collection you may click on one of the products below or the Shop Now tab above to be taken to my 24/7 online store! Thanks so much for stopping by!