control freaks holiday card swap

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to swap again with the Control Freaks! This time around we made 25 Christmas swaps using a stamp set we each chose from the Holiday Catalog. I decided to play with the Bright & Beautiful stamp set again to see what I could come up with. I made all of my swaps the same and in return I got 25 beautiful swaps showcasing various Christmas sets from the Holiday Catalog. I love, love, love opening the mail box to find "fun mail"!!

After much trial and error with my design, I finally settled on this and I actually love how it turned out! I ended up leaving off half of the sentiment and to do that I colored the stamp using Lost Lagoon marker.

I used the Heat & Stick with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter technique for the stamped star and then using the Star Framelits and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper created a "framed star" with a Rhinestone in the middle. Each star layer is popped up with Dimensionals.

Stamp Sets	Bright & Beautiful
Ink	Lost Lagoon, Versamark, Marker - Lost Lagoon
Paper	Lost Lagoon, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Heat & Stick Powder, Rhinestones, Lost Lagoon 3/8" Silky Taffeta Ribbon, All is Calm Washi Tape
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Star Framelits, Star Embossing Folder

25 cards all ready to mail!

The Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration designers are also sharing Christmas cards today, so be sure to head on over to see some inspiration as we look ahead to the Christmas season!

friday favorites - bright & beautiful

It's Friday Favorites at the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog and I have a favorite to share today! It comes from the 2014 Holiday Catalog. The set I chose to showcase is called Bright & Beautiful. This stamp set coordinates with the Star Framelits, which are a new addition to this year's Annual Catalog. Aren't those stars beautiful?

This particular card I made for our SSINK Holiday Catalog swap, so each of the gals in our group received one of these cards. Unfortunately pictures don't always do cards justice, especially when you add glimmer and glitz. The middle star is die cut out of Silver Glimmer Paper. The stars stamped in the background are embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. They sparkle in person! I thought it would be fun to double up on the ribbon. The 1/8" Silver Taffeta Ribbon is laid over the 3/8" Lost Lagoon Stitched Ribbon. Gives it a fun touch...although the knot of the ribbon does require extra postage. Well, so do the pearls! ;)

Stamp Sets	Bright & Beautiful
Ink	Lost Lagoon, Versamark
Paper	Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, Soft Sky, All is Calm DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, 3/8" Lost Lagoon Stitched Ribbon, 1/8" Silver Taffeta Ribbon, Pearls
Tools	Scalloped Dotted Ribbon Border Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Star Framelits, Itty Bitty Circle Punch (retired)

I also just mailed off 26 swaps a couple of days ago for the Control Freak Christmas Swap and used this set, as well. Stay tuned for that card!


Be sure to visit the SSINK blog to see what the other designer's favorites are this week!