Christmas Themed Thank You Cards

I was so enamored with the monogram card sets that I made, I decided to whip up these thank you cards using a similar supply.  In this case, the monogram stamped using my Concord and 9th Monogram collection stamps and die set is die cut with the tag die and the sentiment gold heat embossed on the front.  There is shimmer pen on the flowers, but again, tough to get a good photo showing the shimmer off.  I paired the monogram with some shiny gold ribbon.  We'll be using these to express our gratitude this Christmas - something that we should do more of.

Using my Mini MISTI, these were quick to stamp up and simple to put together.  I intend to use these stamps again soon - so much fun.

We intend a rip, roaring good time tonight celebrating the ending of 2018 - a year of much change in our house - and the beginning of 2019.  We're hoping for a great year and wishing you the same.

Happy New Year's Eve!

Christmas Presents Made By Hand - Folio Photo Albums

Brandy shared with me these photos of some of her handmade Christmas presents.  These little folio books are adorable in person, perfect little albums with which to store/keep key photos from your Christmas celebrations.

Each album has a patterned paper cover, decorated to match the pattern paper with die cuts and Christmas colored twine/fibers.

The end cover is usually adorned with a trinket or charm.  I just love the white Christmas bell - I can hear it ring, can you?

This reindeer is my favorite - just loving the silver, white and mint color scheme.  Those tiny bells and tinsely-wrapping has such a neat and tidy look - less green and red.... I'm surprised I enjoyed this the best.

Those tiny little pinecones - a fall themed die set from Hero Arts - the September 2016 monthly kit - is a wonderful accent - the brown adds a richness and softness to the bright color scheme.

Here's some more of the Buffalo Plaid made with Concord and 9th's Plaid background stamp.  Here she adorned the plaid with gold heat embossed stars and another of those white bells.  Such a lovely front - classic in design and yet modern with those skinny patterned trees.

On the inside, the classic look continues with the red and green theme. Each of the insides features a waterfall accent so that a bunch of photos and/or journaling can be added.

These make me wish I had done the same - a fun and easy project at the holidays for a quick and simple gift that ultimately is very useful.  I guess I can always do so next year!

Andie for 

Monogram Christmas Tags

Whew!  The last week of the holiday went really fast.  I didn't stop to consider whether I had posted all the photos of my Christmas projects and these tags were done late.  I'm sharing them now, a bit late to the blog, but here nonetheless.

I made these tags using my Concord and 9th Monogram collection stamps and die set as gift tags for the Monogram card sets that I made.  In each case, the letter is the individual's monogram.  On these tags I decided to die cut the leaves and flowers to create some dimension.  The gold is a piece of Bristol cardstock painted with gold watercolor paint.  It has a ton of depth in person, though this is hard to see in the photos.

Here's one of the tags on the gift bags - turned out just as perfect as I'd hoped.  Such a fun project, start to finish.  I was very pleased with the entire project.

You are the Nut to My Cracker - A Christmas Card

Brandy shared this photo with me of a card she created for Christmas.  The sentiment/poem was created on the computer using Word and inspired by a Pinterest pin.  It is so adorable!  She then used her Simon Says Stamp Comfort and Joy stamp set to decorate the card with multi colored snowflakes and mount onto a green cardstock card base.  Some tiny gems in the center of a few of those snowflakes and the card is done!

I was so enamoured by the card, that I asked Brandy to print me a version to make one as well.  On my card, I used only red and green ink and the same stamp set.  I also chose to mount onto a white card base that I stamped the same snowflakes onto the front, choosing instead to mat the sentiment front onto green cardstock using a foam sheet to create some dimension.  On the inside, a playful green and red sentiment finishes the card.

So much fun, I think we're going to miss all the holiday crafting. Guess we'll have to get started on Valentines!

Andie for 

Some Leftover Christmas Cards

Brandy also made this adorable pop-up card as a gift card holder.  That Buffalo Plaid is the perfect background, created using her Concord and 9th Plaid stamp. A slightly different take fronher Christmas cards.

The pop-up works perfectly to hold a gift card, in this case, some Starbucks goodness.

Brandy also helped her sister to create this adorable snowman card using Tim Holtz emboss and cut folder.  Adorable!

Brandy's cousin maybe wins this year with this Pinterest inspired card.  Brandy amped it up by provising a buckle die and those boots.  At a minimum, this card wins the cute award.

Hoping your Christmas was merry!

Andie for 

Merry Christmas!

Brandy and I typically make our own cards and then share them on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  This year I made smaller quantities of various designs.  However, this card made using my Art Impressions Holiday Mansion stamp and die set with the HM Accessory Stamp Set is my favorite and, ultimately, the card that I spent the most time creating.

On the inside of the pop up card design is a sentiment from Rubbernecker Stamps which I thought fit the design.  The pop up card design was so fun to make - using Distress Ink blending and background stamps to set the scene.  I really couldn't be more pleased with how these turned out.

On the backside, a frame die cut to be able to write a short note to the recipient.  Perfectly paired to the style of the mansion.

We are off to Christmas breakfast and then dinner.  A fair amount of travel in store for us, but with all the losses this year, I'm feeling particularly blessed with the breadth of our family and the connections we have, despite those losses.  I am wishing you and all yours a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve!

Here we are on a quiet Christmas Eve and I am stopping in to wish you and yours well.  Brandy and I have finished our Christmas paper crafting and are both ensconced with our families, celebrating Christmas.

Tonight I share the card Brandy made.  A beautiful buffalo plain card with a paper die cut bow.  I tried to capture the beauty of this card, but there is something lacking in my rendition. It is beautiful!

Here's a view prior to mailing to me - notice how well the bow made it through the mail in a bubble mailer!

So we celebrate Christmas Eve and the anticipation of our family celebrations tomorrow.  Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas Eve!

Andie for 

Finishing the Monogram Card Set

On these cards, I decided to skip the monochromatic vibe and go in the contrasting colors direction.  I'm super glad that I did.  The purple is a great match to the yellow.  As with all the other cards, I stamped using my Concord and 9th Monogram collection stamps and die set.  The general sentiment card used the S monogram - S is for Sympathy. 

This ends the cards in the card set.  I've actually delivered these cards to the recipients.  They super loved the card set.  I'm hoping that they put them to good use!

The day before Christmas Eve has arrived.  I'm actually running around today - getting a bunch of last minute tasks done - including cookie making.  I'm hoping your week of celebrations is festive and joy filled.

The Aqua Monogram Card Set

Aqua - such a beautiful monochromatic color.  I'm back today with another card made using my Concord and 9th Monogram collection stamps and die set.  I'm more than halfway done completing the card set (a planned total of 32 cards):

• One each of a set of cards with general sentiments
• One each of a set of the individual's monogram (i.e., A for April's cards, M for Mai's cards, L for Lorraine's cards and K for Kathy's cards)

In this case, the general sentiment card used the H monogram - H is for Hello.  

On each of the cards, I used my shimmer pen to add glitter to the flowers.  It is really difficult to capture that in the photos, but trust me the coloring is beautiful in person.

Christmas is nearly here.  Advent is nearly over.  I have one more set of cards to share in this set and then the focus shifts to celebrating the birth of our Savior.