Some More Cards Featuring Concord & 9th Annuals Stamp and Die Set

These last two cards made with my Concord and 9th Annuals stamp and die set might be my favorite.  I was running out of alternative ideas and then remembered a set of delicate word dies.  I love the simplicity of these cards.  The background is the Concord and 9th Plaid background stamp.

I used some Crystal Accents on the cardstock word die cuts.  I'm very pleased and think this was a great crafty session!

A Notecard Set Using Concord & 9th Annuals Stamp and Die Set

I had stamped our some of the floral images using my Concord and 9th Annuals Stamp and die set.  I used Bristol paper making them perfect for coloring with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  When I went to use them on cards, I also decided to create my own background using my Concord and 9th Plaid background stamp set with coordinating Distress Oxide inks.  I'm ever so pleased with how these turned out.  

Yellow usually isn't my preference.  In this case, this yellow and orange card is my favorite.  Go figure!

Of course, green is my favorite color and so this card is a close second.  So soft and pretty.  Wish I had an occasion to use this card right away.  I have some more pieces on the bench from my stamping frenzy, so I think more cards are in the works.

Christmas Themed Gift Card Holders

I had the need for a couple of gift card holders here at the last minute for Christmas and Birthday gifts.  What easier to use than my Spellbinders April 2019 Large Die of the Month?  I cut the pieces from kraft cardstock and then stamped with my Concord and 9th Plaid background stamp using WPlus9 Warm Wool ink.  Perfectly matched, this created a backdrop for my Spellbinders Poinsettia die cut flowers and Magnolia Doohickies die cut poinsettia leaves.  The flowers were splattered with white gouache and centers made with Art Glitter's Earth Elements.  My favorite way to make a poinsettia. 

I think these turned out perfect and were easily made in a couple of hours of die cutting and arranging.  I'm almost ready for Christmas.  Hoping your celebrations are almost ready too.

Desk Calendars on an Easel

Brandy had picked up a set of the Taylored Expressions Mini Tear Off Calendars.  They are only available for a short time, but what she was able to do with these is inspiring.  The desk calendar was  simple to assembly, using a kraft cardstock base, covered with paper stamped using Concord and 9th Plaid background stamp and decorated with die cut flowers using Spellbinders April 2018 small die of the month set. 

Brandy also die cut an easel to stand the calendar on out of kraft cardstock.  The results are fantastic.

So colorful and lovely - a delightful project.  Plus, the green one in the center is mine!

Andie for

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 

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