Creative use of one stamp

Today's Christmas card has a few steps but I think you'll really like it. Except for the greeting, it uses only one stamp to create a beautiful Christmas wreath.

I took the designated stamp from the Autumn Fun stamp set and stamped it repeatedly in a circle around a 4"x4" card using Creamy Caramel ink.

Then I changed ink to Garden Green and stamped over the initial impressions. Just approximate to do your stamping and it gives you a kind of blurry appearance. Don't worry though, the next step will clear it up.

Now, using Rose Red ink, stamp the image again on top of the previous impressions. It will now look like there are berries on the wreath. Isn't that amazing for using only one stamp!

Lastly, I added a holiday greeting and a little bow using Rose Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. The paper was cut using the Big Shot and the Scallop Square die. This card is one of those "it's so easy" types that you just want to show everyone.

Have fun making your own cards.

Monday Morning Challenge

Today's card is, of course, another Christmas card. I told you the other day that I have really been enjoying the new My Digital Studio computer program. Isn't this card lovely! Now I'm ready to really stamp some of these, or maybe I'll have them printed and add a little embellishment afterwards. Either way, they will look lovely.

I hope this gives you another idea of how to create your own Christmas cards.

A Holiday Greeting

Today's card was done using the sketch for the Saturday Stamping Challenge 411. I just can't stop doing Christmas cards right now. The way it looks, most of my friends will be receiving different cards since I've made so many samples. Today's is just another look at what can be done using the Christmas Jingle Designer Series Kit and some colored brads. I just had to decorate my tree with lots of colored lights. I hope you enjoy today's card. I look forward to seeing you designs.

Stamping Challenge during the holidays

Since I'm off work for a few days, I have time to participate in some of the stamping challenges that are around each week. This card is actually a combination from 2 different ones. The sketch was done for the Diva Coffee Break challenge and the colors are part of the Color Throwdown challenge. I don't know that I would ever have selected these colors otherwise.

Again, I used my computer software, My Digital Studio to make this card. It is so great for designing a rough draft. But then, I am also using it to make a scrapbook of our summer vacation. It is so user friendly, and that is very important to me. I don't want to take any more time and effort that I have to do.

Another Christmas Card

Todays card was designed using the sketch for the MojoMonday Challenge. The fascinating part is that I created the card in just a few minutes with no mess in my stamp room. I used My Digital Studio computer program to create this sample. This program is great for creating cards, calendars, and even scrapbooks. I have been really happy with the products that I've created. I can't tell you more....there might be some Christmas gifts in what I have created.

If you want to create this same card using SU! supplies, here is what I used:

Stamps: Christmas Jingle

Inks: Real Red

Papers: Merry Moments Designer Paper, Real Red, Whisper White and Old Olive Cardstock

Accessories: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon

Tools: Scallop Edge Punch

A very simple gift card box

How simple could today's project get? I purchased this tin on sale at a discount store. It is only a little over 1/4" thick. I covered the top with some designer paper, added some 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and then stamped and punched the greeting. Isn't it cute? Who wouldn't love to receive a gift card, or even money, this way?

Be sure to share other ways you might decorate your own.

Personalized Journal and Notepad

These samples are so easy to create. All it will take is just a little time and creativity.

For the Journal: Using your designer series papers and an inexpensive journal/notebook, cover the outside as you would any bookcover. I usually add a strip at the binding to give come contrast. I then add a piece of paper inside the covers to disuise the paper that went around the corners. If you want, add a strip of ribbon for an accent.

For the Notepad: I used a 4"x4" coaster and covered one side with designer paper. The clip has a small scrap of the same paper glued around the outside. The ribbons are added as accents but add a nice finishing touch. Now, just glue a small notepad on the coaster and you're finished with another holiday gift.

I hope you've enjoyed these 2 ideas. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing your personal creations.

Lip Balm Holder

If you want to give a quick and easy stocking stuffer or maybe a Secret Santa gift, this one works great. Using just a few scraps of cardstock and an added stamp, if you want, you can create many of these in an afternoon.

Cut a piece of cardstock 3 1/2" x 5 3/4". Score at 2 1/2" and 3 1/4".

Fold the cardstock on one of the score lines. Cut 2 slits through both layers up to the 2nd score line.

Fold on the score lines to create a "book". Put the cut area inside to make a holder for the lip balm.

Decorate the front as you want. Be creative.

Now, be sure to send me photos of your creations.

An early Christmas decoration

This framed holiday decoration is an imitation from another stamper, Leann Greff. She came up with a beautiful idea and I just made a few changes to suit myself. I hope you enjoy it.

The frame is a 6"x12" inexpensive one from a discount store. The papers used come from the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Papers in the Stampin'Up! Holiday Mini Catalog. The red/white combination is flocked and very elegant. The substitutions for the "O" in Noel were done using the Merry & Bright Rub-ons. I think they add a nice appearance. The large snowflake was done using the Snowflake Punch and the corners have Real Red 1/4" ribbon attached. For such easy additions, it adds a lot to the overall picture.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me via email at: criokodiak@gmail.com. Also, remember that everything I am posting can be ordered.

Enjoy your holiday gift making.

More Bookmarks!

I thought these little creatures were so cute that I had to share them with you. I have been collecting punch animal designs over the past few months and these are some of my favorites. In fact I made a large number for the Humane Society to sell at the local Holiday Bazaar.

By using punches and variety of colored cardstock, you can create a multitude of designs. For me, I prefer the simpler ones such as these. When making your own, if you sponge around the edges it seems to make it look a little more complete. You can see this easily on the lion and bear. The lamb even has a little bow on the top of her head to complete the look.

I hope you enjoy these ideas. I would love to see samples of your own creations.

I'm back and ready for the holidays!!!

I apologize to everyone for being so lax the past month and not posting. It just seems that things got a little too hectic and I wasn't prepared for it. But now I have had my dear husband taking photos for me and I have a number of blogs ready for your viewing. You will notice that they all revolve around the holidays. I am so ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas that you will be seeing primarily cards and gift ideas during the next 2 months. I hope you enjoy them and I love hearing comments.

Today's sample is my rendition for Thanksgiving placecards/bookmarks. I am planning on making them for our gathering at home this year.

The turkeys are easy to make. The tail feathers are each 1/2 of a scallop punch. Even the beak, feet and wobble were all cut after being punched from the scallop punch. The body was sketched after being punched with the scallop and then cut out. It's very simple...just try it.

The colors I used for the tail feathers were Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive. The wobble is Real Read and the beak/feet are So Saffron. A black marker was used to mark the eyes and also the tail feathers on the first row. It is all attached to a large paper clip with dimensionals. All I have to add it the person's name and the place card will be complete.

Saturday Sketch

Today's card was designed using a sketch from the Saturday Challenge. It makes it so much easier when there is a starting point for a card design. The simplicity of it helps in the design I think. I look forward to seeing your own designs.

Stamps used: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Soft Suede

Paper: Thoroughly Modern DSP and Sahara Sand, Rose Red & Bermuda Bay Cardstock

Accessories: 1/4" Rose Red Ribbon

Tools: Scallop Oval, Large Oval and Small Oval Punches

12 Weeks of Christmas begins next week

My 12 weeks of Christmas ideas begin next week. Every Tuesday over the next 12 weeks I will send you a holiday idea that you can duplicate. Please consider this my gift to you. These projects will range from Holiday Greeting Cards, Gift Ideas, Gift Bags, and Gift Tags. All these design will be completely unique and will not be on my blog or any other website.

If you aren't already a subscriber, send me an email and I'll add your address.

Monochromatic Medallion

Today's card is another one that doesn't take any time to complete. I used only one color of ink and the layers were simply punches. Sometimes the simplest and easiest are just as pretty as those we spend a lot of time completing. What do you think?

Stamps: Medallion and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Tempting Turquoise & Whisper White C/S

Accessories: Rhinestones

Tools: Scallop, Large & Small Oval Punches

Give Thanks

Today's design was done as part of the MojoMonday Challenge. I admit I altered it somewhat, partly due to my limited supplies. I would have liked to add a wider ribbon instead of the 5/8" that I had. Guess I'll add that to my wish list. I was also trying to use limted colors on this card. I do think it gives the look of Autumn that I was wanting. Tell me what you think.

Stamps used: Holiday Best

Ink: Soft Suede and Dusty Durango markers

Papers: Dusty Durango and Soft Suede cardstock, Dustry Durango DSP

Accessories: Soft Suede 5/8" ribbo

Simplicity in Autumn

Today's card is one that can be done so quickly. I tried to make an extremely simple card, but also, one that still has an attractive appearance. Trying to limit the number of layers and accessories was the most challenging. I hope I accomplished what I wanted. You'll have to let me know.

Stamps used: Holiday Best and Autumn Days

Ink: Crushed Curry & Soft Suede

Paper: Whisper White Cardstock

Accessories: 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

Flowered Bib

Hi, Stampers. Today's blog will be a little different as I'm presenting something that requires no stamping, ink or paper at all. Instead, I'm combining my love of the Big Shot die-cutting machine with my other lover, fabric. I've created an iron on applique on a simple child's bib, but this technique can be done with any type of fabric that can be ironed.

First you need to iron adhesive to the back of the fabric you will be cutting. You can cut a couple of layers of fabric at one time, if you wish. I used the Daisies #2 die in this sample and cut fabric of 2 different colors for a little variety. After the fabric has been cut, simply remove the backing and iron onto the bib. I added a corduroy button at the flower center. As for washing, since it isn't sewn down, it will need to be washed on delicate. I hope you enjoy this idea.

Wecome

Sorry it's taken me a while to post, but I think you'll like todays card. It was designed as part of the Stamping411 Challenge. It's hard to see but there is glitter in the clear embossing powder that I used on the flower. It adds a little pizzazz. I look forward to your comments.

Stamps used: True Friend and Warm Words

Ink: Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry

Paper: Cottage Wall DSP, Orchid Opulence, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White and Old Olive cardstock

Accessories: Clear emboss powder, Dazzling diamonds glitter, Crystal effects

Be Merry

I took today's stamping challenge and made a few changes to fit the stamps that I used. The ornaments just didn't quite work well within a circle and my snowman certainly couldn't take a rectangle. Of course the colors don't usually go with the holidays but I think they work well together. I am anxious to hear what you think.

Stamp Sets: Delightful Decorations, Christmas Punch, and Warm Words

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, and Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White cardstock

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie 1/4" ribbon, Crystal effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Tools: Punches

Getting in the holiday mood

I got up this morning, after an enlightening chat with my 5 & 6 year old grand daughters, and decided to think "Christmas". As I have mentioned before, I am really enjoying the Medallion stamp. I had the idea to make it into a holiday ornament. And it worked! Of course I had to stamp quite of few of them and then emboss them, but the finished product worked out really well.

I do realize it is only August (well, almost September), but I feel I need to start early as I never know what will slow me down as the holidays approach. There are always so many fun things to do.

The trickiest part of this was to cut the scallop after stamping the design, but almost every time it has worked perfectly. Here's how I mastered that:

1. Cut out the scallop using the Circle die and the Big Shot using a single piece of paper

2. Lay the paper scallop over the stamped Medallion design and line up edges

3.Keeping the 2 pieces together, turn them over and bring close to the Circle die

4. Slightly peel back the scallop paper and align the edges with the die.

5. Be sure to keep the scallop paper and stamped image together on other sides

6. Lay both pieces on the die and cut.

I would love to hear if this works for you as well.