Keeping it Super Simple...

Before I move on to another Suite of Products, here's one last quick and easy card using the Merry Christmas to All Stamp Set and this time using the Swirls and Curls Textured Impression Embossing Folder.  The strip of Designer Series Paper is also from the All is Bright Designer Series Paper pack.  The Layering Circles Framelits Dies make great focal points for a card.  I stamp the "Merry" and the flourish in Call me Clover and the "Christmas" in Real Red.  The hole in the top of the circles was punched with the Detailed Trio Punch.  I threaded a piece of Real Red 3/8" Cotton Ribbon through the hole and tied it off with a piece of Call Me Clover 1/8" Grosgrain Ribbon. 
Stamps: Merry Christmas to All
Ink: Real Red, Call Me Clover
Paper: Crumb Cake, Call Me Clover, Whisper White, Real Red, All Is Bright Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Big Shot, Swirls and Curls Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Real Red 3/8" Cotton Ribbon, Call Me Clover 1/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Holiday Cards Simplified

It sometimes takes me several readings of a new catalog before I have that "aha" moment for a quick and easy project.  I must've looked at Page 11 four or five times before I saw them...the Foil Edged Cards and Envelopes!  They come in both Silver and Gold and are perfect for quick multiples with just the right touch of elegance.
Add the versatile Merry Christmas to All Stamp Set and it's coordinating Merry Christmas Thinlits dies and the possibilities are limitless.  Here are four cards that use both the stamps and the Thinlits along with the coordinating All is Bright Designer Series Paper.  These three products are part of the All Is Bright Suite found on pages 4-7.  I started out just testing the Thinlits dies and cut all four of the word pieces out of Real Red card stock.  Then I paired them with some of the many corresponding stamps from the set stamped in Garden Green ink.  A few quick Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels added some bling to the flourish and holly stamps also included in this set. Here are some close-up pictures of the cards:

On all of the cards, I mounted the Whisper White Panel on to Garden Green card stock and added a tousle of Gold Metallic Thread behind for some more sparkle. 

 After popping the panel on to a piece of Designer Series Paper, I layered the whole thing on top of one of the Foil Edged Cards and it was done. 

Notice that the Stamp Set also includes a font that matches the Thinlits dies as well as a contrasting type-face font.  What a versatile set.  With 28 stamps including several sentiments for the insides of your cards, there are multiple options for great cards.

Here's the last of the close ups.  I like that the All is Bright Designer Series Paper has the photo-realistic paper look on one side and on the other, a more whimsical printed look. 

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Merry Christmas to All
Ink: Garden Green
Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, All is Bright Designer Series Paper, Gold Foil Edged Cards and Envelopes
Accessories: Big Shot, Merry Christmas Thinlits Dies, Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Gold Metallic Thread, Take Your Pick Tool, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Ok, I just Can't Wait!

I know, I'm pushing the time line here.  I couldn't wait to start sharing some of the cards I designed for the Holiday Catalog Open House.  Here's one of my favorites.  I love the font on the Noel from the Peaceful Noel Stamp Set featured in the Joyous Noel Suite found on pages 28-29 of the Holiday Catalog.   The color palette used in this suite (Gray Granite, Merry Merlot, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Tranquil Tide and Whisper White) is rich and elegant.  I also really like how it pairs with Copper accents.  This card uses a piece of the Joyous Noel Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The paper collection has copper foil accents throughout.  I paired this paper with the Copper Foil Paper, and punched the Sprig Punch (Bundles with the Peaceful Noel Stamp Set! p. 29, HC) from the Tranquil Tide Glimmer Paper (from the Joyous Noel 6x6 Glimmer Paper Pack on p. 29, too!) to add some sparkle.
The ribbon is the Merry Merlot and Copper 5/8" Reversible Ribbon (p. 29, HC)  It adds just the right touch.
Here's what else I used. 


Stamps: Peaceful Noel
Ink: Merry Merlot
Paper: Whisper White, Merry Merlot, Joyous Noel Specialty Series Designer Series Paper, Tranquil Tide, Joyous Noel 6x6" Glimmer Paper (Tranquil Tide)
Accessories: Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits, Sprig Punch, Merry Merlot & Copper 5/8" Reversible Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Another Country Lane Card

Here's another card using the products from the Country Lane Suite on page 42-43 of the Holiday Catalog (HC).  I used the Tin Tile DTIEF this time with the Galvanized Paper found on p. 43 (HC.)  I lightly sanded the top of the embossed design and then added some inks (Cajun Craze, Blackberry Bliss, Soft Suede and Early Espresso) to create a distressed look.  I chose Stampin' Blends to color in the milk jug and the floral image from the Country Home Stamp Set.  The Designer Series Paper is again from the Country Lane Designer Series Paper Pack.  The embellishment is made using one of the Galvanized Clips paired with some Crumb Cake Classic Weave Ribbon (p 200 in the AC) and a little piece of Silver and Whisper White Baker's Twine (also p. 200 from the AC.)  Here are the details:
Stamps: Country Home
Ink: Tuxedo Black Momento Pad, Classic Stampin' Pads in Cajun Craze, Blackberry Bliss, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Stampin' Blends in Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Blackberry Bliss, and Smokey Slate
Paper: Whisper White, Galvanized Metallic Paper, Country Lane Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Sanding Block, Stampin' Sponges,  Galvanized Clips, Crumb Cake 3/8" Classic Weave Ribbon, Silver and Wisper White Baker's Twine

Summer Flew By...On to Fall!

It's hard to believe that we are in September already.  That means the 2018 Holiday Catalog is out and full of ideas to inspire a season of creating and giving.  For those of you not quite ready for the serious Holiday projects, I'll ease in a bit slowly. 
Here's a fall-color card featuring the Country Lane Product Suite found on pages 42-43.  Every year I think that the Holiday Product Line-up can't get any better and every year, I'm blown away by some of the neat things.  One of those things is the Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (say that 10x fast! Whew!)  This folder is stunning.  It creates the look of a pressed tin ceiling that you would see in older homes.  My husband and I actually saw a ceiling that looked really close to the same pattern in an Italian restaurant in Shreveport, Louisiana.  The folder can be used on regular card stock (here it's used on Cajun Craze) or can be used on metallic foils (see the next post for another sample).  It will also look good on Holiday cards, as well.  The copper look on the pitcher is made with the Bright Copper Shimmer Paint (found on p. 38 in the Holiday Catalog.)  The coloring o the flowers is done with Stampin' Blends.  I like the way the are a bit muted here on the Crumb Cake card stock.  The cotton is also colored but using the Whisper White watercolor pencil from the collection in the Annual Catalog found on page 202.  I didn't use any water on them for fear of smearing the Tuxedo Black Momento Ink used to stamp the images.  Thanks for visiting today.  Here's what I used:
Stamps: Country Home
Ink: Cajun Craze, Tuxedo Black Momento Ink, Stampin' Blends in Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Dafodil Delight and Blackberry Bliss
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Country Lane Designer Series Paper (p. 43 in the Holiday Catalog)
Accessories: Big Shot, Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 3/16" Braided Linen Thread, Chicken Wire Elements, Water Color Pencils, Bright Copper Shimmer Paint, Stampin' Dimensionals.