Christmas

One Night in Bethlehem…

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…the start was humble.

This is a lines from a parody of the 1980’s classic “One Night in Bangkok.”  It was remade to tell the story of Christmas.  And, there is so much truth to this line.  Our Lord Jesus left the Glory of His Father to be born of a woman in a meek and lowly manger to save the people of the world from an eternity in hell.

So, that being said, Stampin’ Up has provided the world with another gorgeous set celebrating that humble beginning!

The Night of Bethlehem Bundle (146043/146044) features the Night in Bethlehem Stamp Set (144809/145282) and the Bethlehem Edgelit Dies (144676).  With this bundle, you can make some of the most beautiful Christmas cards that not only send greetings, but celebrate the arrival of a King!

This clean and simple slider card allows Joseph to led Mary to the stable where Christ will be born.

Layering the village pieces can provide shadowing for a great visual effect.

Then, there is a little sponging.  I sponged the background then added the village and the star cut from the new Champagne Foil Sheets (144748).

That’s really all I have for you today.  Short and to the point… much like me!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time… keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne

 

 

Merry Little Christmas

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Hope you all enjoyed the 2017 Holiday Catalog Product Spotlights that I blogged about last week.  That was great fun.  All the gals came up with unique takes on each of the products.

And, I’ll let you in on a little secret…

I bought the Detailed Gate just for that blog hop and now I absolutely love it!  So, watch for a whole week of projects featuring that die!

Today, I wanted to show you how a simple piece of Designer Series Paper is really all it takes to create an easy yet spectacular card!

When I first glanced through the catalog, I fell in love with the Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper (DSP to those in the know!).

 

These first two designs were inspired by the work of Lori Pinto.

This card  shows three different designs of the paper.  I just love that plaid.  I had to have this paper just because of that plaid!  I created the layers based on the largest square stitched shape.  I then added the sentiment and a little Black Rhinestone for some bling.

This card is basically the same as the card above.. but so very different.  This is a prime example of “same but different,”  wouldn’t you say!

And, here is the last one for the day…

This design was CASE’d from Mary Fish.  She did a treat bag that looked like this.  And, since it’s been awhile, I have done a project sheet for this one 🙂

Proj Sheet – Season of Cheer

You’re welcome!  LOL  Here is a glance at the items used to create this simple card!

 

Product List

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.00

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.00

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$9.00

Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Watercolor Christmas Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$25.00

Watercolor Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$18.00

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

$7.00

Basic Black 3/8" Shimmer Ribbon

$7.00

Black Rhinestone Jewels

$5.00

2" Circle Punch

$18.00

Paper Snips Scissors

$10.00

 

What projects are you thinking of with this Designer Series Paper?  Post them on my facebook page…  the link is on the right hand side —>

Until next time… keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne

 

Product Spotlight: Pick a Pumpkin Bundle

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Are you as sad as I am?

This is our last installment in our special 2017 Holiday Catalog Product Spotlight Blog Hop!  But, don’t worry.. just come back and visit us all for new ideas every day!  And, be sure to check us out on Pinterest and Facebook too.  You can find my links on the right-hand side!

So, today’s hop is all about the PICK A PUMPKIN BUNDLE (146024/146025).  This bundle includes the Pick a Pumpkin Stamp Set (144989/144993) and the Patterned Pumpkins Thinlits Dies (144670).

Here is what I have to share with y’all today!

For this card, I used the gourd stamp and created a mock-paisley background in Always Artichoke.  My layers also include Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla.  I used the Thinlits to cut out some of the foliage.  Added a little of the Touches of Nature Elements (144216) along with some Burlap Ribbon (141487) and Linen Twine (104199).  The sentiment is from Labels to Love (144970/144967) and punched out with the new Everyday Label Punch (144668).  To add a bit of interest, I cut another label out of the Cajun Craze, cut it in half and adhered to top and bottom of the sentiment.

This card features the jack-o-lantern faces on the pretty little pumpkin stamps.  I stamped them Pumpkin Pie ink on Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  The faces are Basic Black ink.  Then, I added some shading around the edges with a sponge and the black ink.  They are standing guard in front of the gate.. .but will lend you the key if you ask nice!  The gate is cut from Silver Foil using the Detailed Gate Thinlits Dies (144669).  I then used the “tarnished metal” technique to add age to it.  The background was sponging Crushed Curry, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Rich Razzleberry, and Basic Black onto white Cardstock.  I created the mask for the moon by punching a 2″ circle from a post-it note.  I was inspired by the Great Pumpkin.. so you will see this design again…

But… wait… there’s more.  I discovered something when I was picking up some of the foliage I had cut for the first card…

You can use it to make a wreath!

I added some red Rhinestones (just plain ones I colored with a red sharpie!) and a bit of the new Real Ribbon 1/8″ Solid Ribbon (144631).  The sentiment is from the Holly Berry Happiness (142061) which carried over form the 2016 Holiday Catalog.

But, you can use it for more than just a wreath… Look at what else those branches make…

Mistletoe!  Yep, folks… that’s right!  Didn’t see that one coming, did you? LOL

I just glued three of the branch tips together with Tombow glue… added the same ribbon from above and some of the Pearl Basic Jewels (144219).  The sentiment is from the Carols of Christmas Stamp Set (144801/144804).

So, don’t write this set off as just a Fall set… there are plenty more uses beyond.  I can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!

Now, hop on over to Valérie Perlin or hop back to Janet Wakeland!

Until next time, keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne

Product Spotlight: Test Tubes

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Today is the 4th installment in our 5-day 2017 Holiday Catalog Product Spotlight.  Have you seen anything yet that you just loved? I sure have.  I will be CASE-ing a bunch of them!  There are some very talented Stampers here!

So today, We are here to talk TEST TUBES!

When I told my husband I needed some candy for test tubes, he was very puzzled.  He thought I was doing something with my daughter for her science class.  He just has no clue that TEST TUBES aren’t just for science anymore.  They are a great way to give a treat!  What you can do with them is really only limited to what you can fit inside them.

Here are a few of the things I came up …

This is your typical hot chocolate packet simply dumped into one of the test tubes.  I created a card for it using the Hug in a Mug Stamp Set (144933).  I cut the little tag using the Wood Crate Framelits (143730).

Lemon Heads candy fits nicely into the tube for someone that you want to give a little sour too.  I used the Lemon Zest Bundle (145359/145360) to make the tag.  This bundle includes the Lemon Zest Stamp Set (143805/143808) and the Lemon Build Punch (143712).

But, you can put more than just candy inside these little test tubes…

If it fits… it can be a treat!  Here are a couple cough drops and a little tag for a friend who has a cold.  The tag is from the Here For You stamp set (141541/142164) and cut out with the Classic Label Punch (141491).

And for the last one…

A little fire starting kit.  I grabs some pine needles and twigs off the ground outside my craft room to put in the test tube then slipped in a couple matches.  On the top of the cork, I glues a small circle of sand paper so you can light the match.  The fire on the tag was created using the Painted Harvest (144783)flowers in Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red.  The logs were embossed using the Woodland Textured Impression Embossing Folder (139673) then fussy cut.  The wording was created using the Little Labeler Alphabet Stamp Set (141936).  And, I used the new Everyday Label Punch (144668) to make the stand.  I cut two pieces and glued the tips together then slipped the tube in between after it dried.

Hope you enjoyed what you see here!

Now, hop on over to Jennifer Van Wart or hop back to Janet Wakeland!

Until next time, keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne

Product Spotlight: Vintage Crochet Trim

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Welcome to the second installment of the Holiday Catalog Product Spotlight.  Today, we will feature the Vintage Crochet Trim (144611).

This trim can be found on page 53 in the Holiday Catalog which is all the way towards the back with the Halloween stuff.   But, that doesn’t mean it’s just for Halloween!

So, the first thing I think of when I think about Crochet Trim is that is it the perfect edging to a blanket.  So, I would be remiss if I didn’t make a little blanket…

I ran a bit of snail around the edge of a square of Basic Black cardstock, then I adhered the trim around it.  I added a square of the beautiful  Merry Little Christmas Designer Series Paper (144621) and ran it through the Big Shot in the new Quilt Top Textured Impression Embossing Folder (144687).  I added the perfect little sentiment from Snowflakes Sentiments (144817/144820).

My next project also features a new Designer Series Paper.

This one is called Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper (144623).  I just created a simple box and used the Crochet Trim to finish it off with a simple bow.  I suppose a tag could be made for it, but this will be used as a simple box to hold a special treat for a friend!

So… Crochet Trim…???  Where else is trim used?  On clothing, of course!

For this card, I created a dress out of the Petal Garden Designer Series Paper Stack (144168) and trimmed it with the Vintage Crochet Trim.  I added some of the new Black Rhinestones (144639) for a little bling.  The sentiment comes from the Beautiful You stamp set (143004/143637)

You can find a printable project sheet with the template for the dress at

https://keepitsimplestampers.com/all-dressed-up/

And… I would be remiss if I didn’t create at least one Halloween card with this trim, wouldn’t I.

I used it to create a spider web!  I double stamped the sentiment found in the Spooky Cat Stamp Set (144749).  I used the eyes from that set for the spider and simply punched two circles for the body and added some black twine for the legs and web he is dangling from.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for this one!  How will you get creative with the trim?

Now, hop on over to Sara Rayner or hop back to Teri Wells

Until next time, keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne

Stampers Dozen Blog Hop – August Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek

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Hello and welcome to my first hop here with the Stamper’s Dozen Blog Hoppers!  I am so excited and honored to be a part of this group!  This month we are featuring our favorite sets from the NEW 2017 HOLIDAY CATALOG.

I have chosen the Snowflake Sentiments Bundle (146052/146053) featuring the Snowflakes Sentiments Stamp Set (144817/14420) and the Swirly Snowflakes Thinlits Dies (144678).  When you get your catalog, you can find the set on page 35!

This first card is simple yet elegant!

For this card, I used Silver Foil to cut the band of snowflakes using the Thinlit.  I used silver embossing for the sentiment and other snowflakes.  A little silver edged ribbon and some rhinestones is all it too to add that touch of sophistication to this very easy card!

The next card has a completely different feel! It was inspired by Robin Messenheimer.

Who says that you have to use red and green on a Christmas card?  This one uses two of the new In Colors…  Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist.  They play really well together on this modern, non-traditional card.  And, BONUS…  I made a project sheet for this one!

Proj Sheet – Christmas with a Twist

And, my last card with the set…

Now this one is very masculine.  I just love that “TARNISHED FOIL” effect.  Don’t you?  I actually used the NEW Winter Wonderland Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (144686) to de-boss the snowflake image in the silver foil.  Add some black ink and embossing powders and you get this great effect.  That little snowflak in the corner comes for the same Thinlit used on the top card.. I just cut it away for the bunch.  Wouldn’t the man in your life love to get this card this Christmas?  (PS – the sentiment came from the NEW Christmas in the Making stamp set (144841/144845).)

I hope you enjoyed these projects.

Remember, you are currently visiting Joanne Cantrell…

Now, hop on over to Patty Chenail

Or hop back to Debbie Naylor

Until next month… keep it  simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne