sharing a little bit of Christmas with you...

Updated to add on 11/27/11 - Thank you to Tiffany at My Crafty World for choosing my snowman punch art card (3rd card below) for one of her crafty picks from Sunday's Crafty Picks #44. What an honor it is to be chosen among so many talented stampers and crafters!

A couple of weeks ago I held two events on back to back evenings! Probably not my smartest idea ever, but I had a great time at each event, so I would do it again if I had the choice (well...only if my mom was still able to help me with the prep work...and my sanity!)

The first event was at my mother-in-law's home. I come visit her and her friends every other month and hold a 3 for $6 card making night since the distance is a little longer for her friends to commute to me. It has turned out to be a great idea since there is always a packed house!

CARD #1

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Real Red, Red Glimmer Paper, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Pearl Accents (largest size)

Tools: 1-3/8" Square punch, 5 Petal Flower punch, sponges

Tips:

• Ink the edges of the bottom layer of the flower "leaves" (Wild Wasabi card stock) using Wild Wasabi ink to make it a little darker from the base of the card.
  
• I used SNAIL adhesive to assemble the poinsettia together and then used a Dimensional to pop it up from the card.
  
• Make sure to push hard on the pearls to make them stick well to the Red Glimmer paper.

CARD #2

This card was inspired by the talented Andrea Walford. Her card can be found HERE.

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations, Christmas Greetings (sentiment)

Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Garden Green

Accessories: 5/8" Real Red Satin ribbon, Linen Thread, Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (on the ornament), Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools: Ornament punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

CARD #3

This card proved to be a bit more time consuming than the first two cards! In hindsight, I probably would have punched out all of the pieces. There was just too much of wanting to know where this punch was or that punch. But the end result (in my opinion) is worth it! He {or she} is just too cute!! I found a couple different versions of this snowman all over the web, so I'm not exactly sure who to give credit to, but just so you know...I did not create this out of thin air! *wink*

**Note: The size of the card below is 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" and will still fit in a regular envelope without extra postage.

Stamp Set: Seasons of Joy (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Candy Cane Christmas DSP (retired)

Ink: Real Red, Baja Breeze, White Gel Pen

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools: Decorative Label punch, 3/4" Circle punch, Small heart punch, Two Step Owl punch, 1-1/4" Square punch, Ornament punch, Word Window punch, Scallop Edge punch, Scallop Oval punch, Crop-A-Dile

Tips:

• Sponge each of the edges of the white parts of the snowman using Baja Breeze ink. It helps the pieces stand out without being too stark white.
• The last two pieces to attach to the card should be the "hands" using Dimensionals, so that they go over the sign the snowman is holding.

If you would like a copy of the page I created to show all of the pieces of the snowman with tips on how to assemble him, leave me a comment below with your e-mail address.

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The next evening was a workshop at a friend's house I met through my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. She invited a handful of friends to come over so that I could share about Stampin' Up! and demonstrate a couple of fun things and then at the end they were able to make a card for free!

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen, Pennant Parade

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso, markers - Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, sponges

Tools: Top Note die, Pennant Punch, Heart to Heart punch

Tips:

• To make two colors on the sentiment, use Stampin' Write markers to color each of the sections (Cherry Cobbler & Old Olive). "Huff" on them to make the ink a little juicy and then stamp onto the paper.
• The middle tree is raised with a Stampin' Dimensional and the baker's twine is attached with a little bit of SNAIL adhesive.
  

I have a couple more Christmas cards to come...

and lots of craft fair items, too!

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And, don't forget about the Online Extravaganza happening now through November 30th! There are so many great deals to snag up...some at 60% off!! Check out my online store to order!

{click on each picture below to view larger}