Nutz about Stamping

Here's how to surprise your hard-to-buy-for friend this Christmas

Hi fellow crafters. Do you have a hard to buy for friend and you are not sure what what to get them for Christmas this year? Today's project will help you solve that problem. I will be using my Boughs of Holly paper and Holly Berry stamp set. Shall we get started?

 

Nothing suits this project better than the Boughs of Holly paper. These beautiful papers embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime with poinsettia, holly, and evergreen motifs. I am going to use this particular pattern for my project as it will be the perfect match.

 

 

Celebrate the season with the elegant Leaves of Holly stamp set. From simple touches to elaborate designs, garnish your seasonal cards, tags, and gift boxes with this classic Christmastime foliage. You can stamp either the base leaf stamp or detailed leaf stamp alone for quick greenery. Or take advantage of the Two-Step design to create images with added texture and dimension. Try out different color combinations on your leaves and berries to create beautiful boughs of holly. Make beautiful crafts, “From Our Home to Yours” and spread the “Peace & Joy” of the season.

 

 

Here's my fun Christmas gift project idea:

Here's what you need to make it at home: 

 

Stamp set: Leaves of Holly (bundle: 159608)

 

Ink: Shaded Spruce

 

Paper and cutting dimensions
        Shaded Spruce: 3" x 1 3/4"; 3 1/4" x 2 1/4"; 8 1/2" x 9" 
        Boughs of Holly: 4" x 8 6/8" 
        Mossy Meadow: scraps 
        Basic White: 4" x 3" 

 

Misc: Boughs of Holly Designer Series Paper (159600); Tear & Tape Adhesive; Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels (158987); Adhesive Sheets

 

Here's my video - be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas and watch for me to share a fun insert idea! 

 

 

If you want to get a Stampin' Up! gift certificate for your crafty friends, email me at: terri@nutzaboutstamping.com and I am happy to help make that happen! 

See how to create a stack of beautiful holiday cards this year

Don’t fret about your Christmas cards this year. With a single stamp set and a pack of designer paper, you can create a stack of beautiful cards that have a simple design but still deliver that holiday wow factor. Here are three designs to get you started.

 

Supplies for all cards:

Stamp set: Leaves of Holly (159601)

Ink: Soft Succulent (155778); Mossy Meadow (147111); Shaded Spruce (147088); Real Red (147084)

Paper: Basic White; Shaded Spruce (146981); Real Red (102482); Boughs of Holly Designer Series Paper (159600)

Misc: Stampin’ Seal (152813); Paper Snips (103579); Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels (158987); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

 

Card Sample One

 

Paper:

Basic White: 8 ½” x 5 ½”; 2 ¼” square
Real Red: 2 3/8” square
Mossy Meadow: 2 ½: square
Boughs of Holly: 5 ½” x 4 ¼”; ½” x 5 ½”

1. Fold Basic White card stock in half to create card base.

2. Ink ‘Season’s Greetings’ using Mossy Meadow and stamp in center of Basic White square.

3. Ink ‘from our home to yours’ using Soft Succulent ink and stamp above ‘Season’s Greetings’.

4. Ink ‘to friends near and far’ using Soft Succulent ink and stamp below ‘Season’s Greetings’.

5. Using Stampin’ Seal, adhere Basic White square to Real Red square and then to Mossy Meadow Square

6. Adhere Boughs of Holly layer to Basic White card base.

7. Adhere Boughs of Holly strip across front of card base.

8. Adhere phrase squares to card front.

9. Add 2 small and 2 large Pearl Jewels to complete card.

 

Card Sample Two 

 

Paper

Basic White: 8 ½” x 5 ½”
Boughs of Holly: 2” x 5 ½”
Shaded Spruce: ½” x 5 ½”

 

1. Fold Basic White card stock in half to create card base.

2. Ink ‘peace’ using Shaded Spruce ink and stamp on an angle 4 times down right side of card base.

3. Ink ‘joy’ using Real Red ink and stamp on an angle 3 times down right side of card base.

4. Adhere Shaded Spruce strip to back of Boughs of Holly designer paper layer.

5. Adhere Boughs of Holly layer to card base.

6. Add 3 large Pearl Jewels to complete card.

 

Card Sample Three 

 

Paper

Basic White: 8 ½” x 5 ½”; ¾” x 4”

Shaded Spruce: 1” x 4”

Boughs of Holly: 4” x 5 ¼”; second scrap piece

 

1. Fold Basic White card stock in half to create card base.

2. Adhere Boughs of Holly paper to card base.

3. Ink phrase and stamp onto Basic White strip.

4. Adhere phrase strip to Shaded Spruce strip. Adhere to card base.

5. Using paper snips, ‘fussy cut’ one flower from scrap Boughs of Holly paper.

6. Using Stampin’ Dimensional, attach flower to card base on top of phrase strip.

7. Add 3 Pearl Jewels to complete card. 

 

This fun fold is perfect for that last minute Christmas card

Hi fellow crafters! Today I have a super easy Cottage Wreaths fun fold card idea. This fun fold takes only a few minutes to create and would be perfect for that last minute Christmas card that you suddenly realized you need (not that I have EVER done that, lol). 

 

The Cottage Wreaths stamp set is perfect for creating elegant but simple holiday wreaths. You can make wreaths for tags or put them on cards to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wreaths look lovely paired with the festive greetings in this set, or you can use them alone to make them suit any occasion. Although this set has lots to offer I will be only be using one of the phrases this week.

 

 

 

The key to this simple layout idea is to get a pack of Boughs of Holly paper.

 

These beautiful papers embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime with poinsettia, holly, and evergreen motifs. I am going to show you how to use leftover pieces of the same patterns to make many easy holiday card this year.

Here's my simple fun fold idea - don't miss my video tutorial below! 

 

 

Supplies

Stamp set: Cottage Wreaths (159652)

Ink: Real Red

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Real Red: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
        Basic White: 4″ x 5 1/4″; 1 1/2" square
        Mossy Meadow: 2" square
        Boughs of Holly: (4) 1 7/8" x 2 1/2" 

Misc: Boughs of Holly Designer Series paper (159600); Ruler, Pencil, Mini Glue Dots; Layering Circles dies (151770); Iridescent Pearls Basic Jewels (158987)

Here's my video - be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas! 

Here’s a quick and easy way to add more texture to your cards

Here’s a quick and easy way to add more texture to your cards using a household staple – packing tape!

I will show you how to use the Sweet Candy Canes Bundle and the Sweetest Christmas designer series paper (DSP) to create a visually interesting card idea. 

Did you know the Sweetest Christmas DSP has candy canes that can be cut out with the Candy Canes Dies?  You can use one of those candy canes for today's project, although this technique works just as well with stamped images. You will also need regular clear packing tape from the office supply store.  Tip: choose an image that is smaller than your packing tape.

Pull out enough packing tape to cover your image: it should be sticky side up.  You can use a large paper clip to keep the roll in place.

Place your image face down on the packing tape and rub well to get out any air bubbles.

Trim off any excess packing tape around the cardstock or DSP.  Use your die to cut out the image.  The image will be slick, so use plenty of washi tape to keep the die in place.

How easy is that?!  And now you have a nice shiny candy cane.  Just think of the possibilities!  Ornaments, drink glasses, windows, snow globes, fish bowls……. I’m sure you’ll think of many more ideas.

Use your candy cane to create the simple card below.

This beautiful fun fold Christmas card is perfect for using leftover paper patterns

Today I have another fun fold Christmas card to share, one that will give you lots of room inside for more creative or writing space.  And like last week's card this layout is super easy so you can make multiples in a short time. For my fun fold, I will be using my Boughs of Holly leftover paper bits. 

 

For my card I chose a non traditional pattern from the Boughs of Holly pack. These beautiful papers embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime with poinsettia, holly, and evergreen motifs. I am going to show you how to use both sides of the same pattern paper to make this fun fold Christmas card idea.

 

I also used the Leaves of Holly bundle, for the phrase and for some fun visual elements: 

 

 

I really love the simplicity of my card; it only took a few minutes to create. If you love the design and want to make it at home, you can set up an assembly line approach:

 

• day one: cut all card stock and paper layers
• day two: stamp and die-cut the phrase
• day three: die-cut the evergreen branches
• day four: assemble
• day five: design the inside
• day six: add your holiday message and signature and pop into the mail! (don't forget to decorate your card using the Leaves of Holly stamp set!)

Here's my Boughs of Holly card. Be sure to watch the video below to see how to create it, step-by-step, along with my bonus tips and design ideas! 

 

 

Here's what you need at home to make this card. 

 

Stamp set: Leaves of Holly (bundle)

 

Ink: Real Red; Versamark

 

Paper and cutting dimensions
        Soft Succulent: 11" x 4 1/4"; 1" x 3"; 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" 
        Boughs of Holly: 4" x 3"
        Mossy Meadow: scraps 
        Basic White: 3" x 1 1/4"

 

Misc: Boughs of Holly Designer Series Paper (159600); Stampin' Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Embellishments   

 

Here's the inside of my card - just one idea to try:

 

 

Here's my video - enjoy!     

 

See how these adorable images can make playful holiday cards

This holiday season, treat yourself to the un-brrr-lievably adorable All Bundled Up stamp set.

 

Honestly, the only thing cuter than a few forest animal friends is dressing those animal friends up in fuzzy hats, winter scarves, and little booties! Make cards with fun seasonal messages like, “You’re the coolest” and “Your friendship warms my heart,” with a merry moose or bubbly bunny alongside the sentiment. Add a few snowflakes for that finishing touch. 

Here's just one playful card idea you can make: 

Supplies:

• Stamp Set: All Bundled Up – 159824, Shaded Summer – 155783
• Card Stock: Basic White – 159276, Bermuda Bay – 131197, Early Espresso – 119686
• Stamp Pads: Tuxedo Black Memento – 132708, Balmy Blue - 147105
• Stampin’ Blends: Deep Combo Pack – 158152, Medium Deep Combo – 159461, Medium Combo – 159462, Crumb Cake combo -154906

• Mics:  Liquid Glue -110755, Blending Brushes - 153611

Measurements: 

• Basic White: 8½ x 5½ score at 4 ¼ card base, 3 ½ x 4 ¾
• Early Espresso: 5 ¼ x 4
• Bermuda Bay: 5 x 3 ¾
• Copy Pape: 5 x 5

Instructions:

1. Stamp the moose and the Happy Birthday greeting onto the basic white layer using Memento black ink. 
2. Color the moose with Stampin’ Blends. (Colors for hat and scarf Soft Succulent, Moose I mix ALL 3 combo of the browns, Antler the lights Crumb Cake) 
3. Using the piece of copy paper, tear it in half. 
4. Place the torn copy paper at the bottom of the stamped white layer and blend some Balmy Blue using Blending Brush. Keep moving the piece till your reach about half of the cardstock. *No need to mask the moose; the Balmy Blue is lighter than the moose. 
5. At the top, blend lightly with Balmy Blue ink. 
6. Adhere all layers to the card base. 

This paper is designed to please everyone who loves traditional holiday colors

This week's card challenge is a color challenge - with a Christmas theme! 

I love a good color challenge, how about you? And this set of colors matches perfectly with the Boughs of Holly paper pack which means I can use up some leftover strips!

This pack has so many Christmas like colors in it, designed to please everyone who loves traditional holiday colors: Cherry Cobbler, Evening Evergreen, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Poppy Parade, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Shaded Spruce, Soft Succulent, Soft Suede

My card design I chose the Cottage Wreaths bundle: 

You can make elegant holiday wreaths for tags or put them on cards to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wreaths look lovely paired with the festive greetings in this set, or you can use them alone to make them suit any occasion.

As I have so many Christmas cards to make each year I decided that was my challenge theme. Here's what I created:

The challenge colors I selected were: Mossy Meadow, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler - rich tones, right? 

And now it's your turn! Try this week's color challenge and see what you can create, Christmas or not. If you want to see what they other design crew members created this week, click here to head over to the Paper Craft Crew website. 

If you want to see more card ideas using the Boughs of Holly paper pack, scroll back through my blog. I have LOTS to share with you!

Dislike gift wrapping? Then try these 4 fun ideas instead

Dislike Gift Wrapping?

If you are like me, you dislike gift wrapping.  Stampin’ Up! has some great treat bags that can be used for smaller gifts and with a little of the right designer paper, some scissors or a die, you can make your own originals.  These work great for small gifts and are food safe.  You can find these on page 140 in the 2022-23 catalog.

Kraft Gift Boxes

You can decorate this using the Sweet Christmas Designer Series Paper and the greetings is from the Santa’s Express Memories & More cards.  Use the Iridescent trim from the Santa’s Express Suite.  If you want to use it as a box, put a wide Belly Band on it to cover the window.

The Embossed Treat Bags are great to use for a small gift bag.  #159251

This is decorated using the DSP Santa’s Express and tied with the real red cotton ribbon.  This bag can be decorated in many ways, even a stamped card.

The Peek a Boo Bag Is best used for candy or a baked treat.  They do not hold much.  These would make good table decorations and individual treats.  These have both white and craft bags.  159252

Use the Santa Express Designer Series Paper to decorate this bag.

The last idea uses the Delicate Details Treat Bag # 159148

This is decorated with the Boughs of Holly Designer Series Paper.  The flowers are fancy cut and you can add extra leaves.  Tie it all up with Evening Evergreen ribbon.

 A little designer paper, scissors, a little glue ,and embellishments can turn the Stampin’ Up! treat boxes and bags into some fun fill Christmas wrap.

Materials:

Kraft Gift Boxes

Peekaboo Treat Bags

Embossed Treat Bags

Delicate Details Treat boxes

DSP: Boughs of Holly, Santa’s Express, and Sweet Christmas

Misc.: Scissors, Adhesives, and Ribbon

Embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime

Hi fellow crafters! Thanks for all your comments and kind words on my YouTube videos and for letting me know you would like to see more fun fold card ideas. Today I have just that - a fun fold Christmas card. As I played around with the layout I realized that this idea could easily be converted into a gift card holder too. Do you want to see how?

 

What gives this card idea a Christmas feel is the Boughs of Holly paper. These beautiful papers embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime with poinsettia, holly, and evergreen motifs. I am going to show you how to use two of these patterns to make a Christmas card that can easily be converted to a gift card holder.

 

Celebrate the season with the elegant Leaves of Holly stamp set. From simple touches to elaborate designs, garnish your seasonal cards, tags, and gift boxes with this classic Christmastime foliage. You can stamp either the base leaf stamp or detailed leaf stamp alone for quick greenery. Or take advantage of the Two-Step design to create images with added texture and dimension. Try out different color combinations on your leaves and berries to create beautiful boughs of holly. Make beautiful crafts, “From Our Home to Yours” and spread the “Peace & Joy” of the season.

(Tip: click on either photo above to place an order at my online store)

I have shared a lot of projects using this amazing bundle and I hope by now you see what a GREAT value it is. Need more convincing? Then try this idea!

Here's how to make this fun fold (gift card holder!) card at home - and don't miss my video tutorial below: 

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Leaves of Holly Bundle (159608)

Ink: Real Red

Card Stock and cutting dimensions:
        Real Red: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" 
        Shaded Spruce: 2 7/8" x 1 1/8"
        Basic White: 2 3/4" x 1"; 9 3/4" x 4 1/4" 
        Boughs of Holly: 5 1/4" x 4"; 4" x 3"; for gift card holder (2" x 4") 

Misc: Simply Scored; Stampin' Seal; embellishments if desired

Here's my video, be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas. 

See how this fun fold adds a wow factor to your Christmas cards

Today I have a fun fold holiday card idea to share with you, using the Leaves of Holly paper:

and the Leaves of Holly stamp set:

 

I have shared a lot of projects using this amazing bundle and I hope by now you see what a GREAT value it is. Need more convincing? Then try this idea!

Here's how to make this card at home - and don't miss the second photo below:

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Leaves of Holly (159601); Leaves of Holly Bundle (159608)
• Card Stock – Evening Evergreen (155574); Basic White (159276)
• Stamp Pads – Real Red (147084), Evening Evergreen (155576)
• Misc. – Holly Berry Dies (159607); Boughs of Holly Designer Series Paper DSP (159600); Quatrefoil Tile Embossing Folder (158655); Red Rhinestones Basic Jewels (146924); Dimensionals (104430); Real Red & Garden Green 3/8” Ribbon Combo Pack (159577)

 

Measurements: 

• Basic White: 4 ¼” x 5 ½”; 3” x 4”; 1” x 2 ¾”
• Evening Evergreen: 4 ¼” x 9 ¾” scored at 3 ¼” and 6 ½”
• Boughs of Holly: DSP 3” x 4”
• Ribbon: 4”

Instructions :

1. Emboss the card base with the Quatrefoil Tile Embossing Folder.
2. Accordion fold the Evening Evergreen piece. Adhere it to the card base.
3. Adhere the DSP to the front of the accordion folded piece.
4. Stamp “Christmas Wishes” in Real Red ink on to the 1” x 2 ¾” piece of Basic White. Die cut with the small label die from the Holly Berry dies. Adhere to the DSP with a Dimensional.
5. Stamp “to friends near and far” in Real Red ink on the 3” x 4” piece of Basic White. Stamp a portion of the large detailed holly leaf stamp in the lower right corner and in the upper left corner in Evening Evergreen. Ink up the large solid holly leaf stamp. Stamp it on a scrap paper, then stamp it over the detailed portion of the leaf in the bottom right corner. Repeat for the other leaf.
6. Adhere the Basic White 3” x 4” piece inside the accordion piece.
7. Adhere on Red Rhinestone to the label and two more around the label. Tie the red ribbon in a knot. Adhere just above the top left corner of the label with a glue dot.

Your holiday cards don't have to be complicated to be pretty

Using this week's card sketch I have simple but very pretty Christmas card idea to share with you, showing that you don't have to create complicated cards to wow your friends and family this year. 

 

And of course I chose my Cottage Wreaths bundle for this week's project.

 

I have used this bundle so much and am getting such great value for my $$! As I have already pointed out, you can create elegant holiday wreaths with the Cottage Wreaths set. You can make wreaths for tags or put them on cards to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wreaths look lovely paired with the festive greetings in this set, or you can use them alone to make them suit any occasion.

I will say this card sketch is one of my favorite all time layouts. No matter what I create using this layout I always love the product! Try this idea using the holiday paper you have on hand, then try it again using birthday paper - you will love it too! 

Here's my card: 

If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this weeks challenge, click here. And we ALL hope you will give it a try too!

1 simple layout idea can be used for many beautiful Christmas cards

Last week I shared a Cottage Wreaths stepped up card idea with lots layers and texture and sparkle. But: what if you have a very busy life and just need 1 simple idea that can be used over and over to create beautiful holiday cards this year? I have the perfect layout idea to share with you today.

Shall we get started?

 

You can create elegant holiday wreaths using this bundle, wreaths for tags or put them on cards to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wreaths look lovely paired with the festive greetings in this set, or you can use them alone to make them suit any occasion.

The dies include wreaths along with a variety of shapes you can use to embellish them. Cut out leaves, bows, and more; they're perfect for the holidays, but they can also be used throughout the year just by changing the color scheme. 

To add a touch of brightness to my card I also chose a patterned paper from the Boughs of Holly pack:

The key to this simple layout idea is to get a pack of Boughs of Holly paper. These beautiful papers embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime with poinsettia, holly, and evergreen motifs. I am going to show you how to use strips of these patterns to make many easy holiday card this year.

 

Here's my card: 

 

Here's how to make this easy layout idea, along with a video below! 

Supplies

 

Stamp set: Cottage Wreaths (bundle #159659)

 

Ink: Real Red, Versamark, Shaded Spruce

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Basic White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 2 3/4" square; scrap for bow
        Shaded Spruce: 3" square
        Real Red: 3" square
        Boughs of Holly: 2 1/4" x 5 1/2" 

 

Misc: Fine Tip Glue pen, Iridescent Basic Pearls Jewels, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals; Boughs of Holly designer series paper (159600)

 

Be sure to watch all the way through my video, for my bonus tips and design ideas - AND my fun challenge! 

Are you looking for an adorable Christmas stocking stuffer idea? Try this one!

This simple but sweet holiday treat is easy to do and is great for kids and adults alike. Treats such as Ghiradelli Chocolates, Hershey Mini’s, & Fun sized M&M’s work great. Create a little pouch out of designer series paper, add a cute scottie dog embellishment, some rhinestones and a ribbon and you have an adorable stocking stuffer!

The delightful detail on this pouch comes from the Christmas Scottie bundle:

They're cheerful, loyal, and ready to help you send Christmas greetings! The three Scottish Terriers in the Christmas Scottie stamp set are eager to adorn your handmade cards and gift tags. Choose your pup, then dress it up in festive finery by stamping the bow of your choice. Giving a gift? Add a bow to the two-line image to create a little present. You can use this set for Christmas cards and tags, but the set also includes sentiments you can use all year long.

Here's something fun you can try with this set—use the kissing technique to create a plaid scottie dog (or bow). The kissing technique is easy and fun: Stamp the plaid background stamp in your favorite color ink, then "kiss" (press) the scottie dog stamp onto the inked plaid stamp. The scottie dog stamp will pick up the ink and design from the plaid stamp, and you'll end up with an adorably plaid puppy!

Here's a fun pouch idea to try this holiday season:

Supplies: 

Stamp Set – Christmas Scottie (159740) (Christmas Scottie Bundle 159744)

Card Stock – Basic White (159276); Real Red (102482)

Stamp Pads – Real Red (1147084); Tuxedo Black Memento (132708)

Misc. – Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Bone Folder (102300); Stylish Shapes Dies (159183); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Paper Snips (103579), Paper Trimmer (152392); Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels (146924); Scottie Dog Punch (159743); Sweetest Christmas Designer Series Paper (DSP) (159559); Real Red & Garden Green Ribbon Combo Pack (159577); Tear & Tape (154031); Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334); Small candy such as Ghirardelli Chocolate Square or other “fun” sized treat that is fairly square

 

Measurements:  

·       Candy Cane pattern from Sweetest Christmas DSP: 4” x 6”

·       Garden Green with White Dots pattern from Sweetest Christmas DSP: 1” x 6”

·       Real Red: scrap for bow

·       Basic White Card Stock: 3” x 8 for sentiment, stitched circle and dog

·       Garden Green Ribbon: 8”

 

Instructions:  

1.     Place Tear & Tape of the back side of the Candy Cane DSP – on the 2 long sides and one short side. Lay tape side up on tabletop. Place candy in the middle and remove the tape covering from all edges. Fold the un-taped side to the middle and then fold the opposite side such the DSP overlaps and the tape holds.  Pinch the top and bottoms together lining up the DSP edges. If the edges are not lined up nicely, use paper snips to have a straight edge.  Use the score tool to create 2 score lines on the taped outer edges.

2.     Adhere the Garden Green DSP strip around the center with Tear & Tape.

3.     From the Basic White card stock: die cut the approximately 2 ¼” stitched circle, stamp the dog in black ink and punch out the shape with the Scottie Dog Punch, and stamp the greeting with black ink and fussy cut with the paper snips.

4.     Stamp the bow with Real Red ink on the scrap of Real Red card stock and punch out bow shape with the Scottie Dog Punch.  

5.     Adhere the circle to the center of the treat with dimensionals and the dog to the center of the circle with dimensionals. Adhere the bow to the dog’s neckline with multipurpose liquid glue.  Adhere the greeting to the treat with dimensionals.

6.     Make a bow from the Garden Green Ribbon and adhere to upper left corner of the treat with a glue dot.  Add rhinestones as shown in the sample.

Here's a fun challenge that will make you think of home for the holidays

It's time to get our Christmas on with this week's challenge!

Yes, holidays could include Halloween and Thanksgiving, but I am going all out and am going to create a Christmas card for my challenge card. I decided on a simple layout, one that let's my Cottage Wreaths bundle be the star:

You can ceate elegant holiday wreaths using this bundle, wreaths for tags or put them on cards to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wreaths look lovely paired with the festive greetings in this set, or you can use them alone to make them suit any occasion.

The dies include wreaths along with a variety of shapes you can use to embellish them. Cut out leaves, bows, and more; they're perfect for the holidays, but they can also be used throughout the year just by changing the color scheme. 

To add a touch of brightness to my card I also chose a patterned paper from the Boughs of Holly pack:

If you know me at all, I am not a bold patterns kind of crafter so I challenged myself to go bold this week and let my paper be the standout. I crumpled it several times to break down the fibers and add an eye-catching background layer look. 

I also stamped the branches on the layer under my wreath - to give that layer a bit more visual interest. I LOVE how my card turned out, do you? It was so easy to make that I am thinking of making several to mail this year. 

Now it's your turn! Try this week's challenge and see what card you can make the represents 'home for the holidays'. If you want to see what the other design crew members created this week, click here. 

Try these 2 beautiful and easy ways to add texture to your holiday cards this year

I think it's time to think about Christmas cards, don't you? When I think of Christmas I often think of stepped up cards with layers and texture and sparkle. This is our chance to go all out and impress ourselves with what we can create. Today I have a beautiful Cottage Wreaths Christmas card idea to share, a card that is super easy to create. But that's our secret. I will also share my top tips for creating texture and elegance to your holiday cards this year. 

The first way to add texture and elegance to your cards is to use an embossing folder. 

You can create the perfect textured background of sheet music using the Merry Melody 3D Embossing Folder. Inspired by the traditional Christmas song “Joy to the World,” this 3D embossing folder not only allows you to easily add texture to your Christmas cards but it will also give them a festive touch that everyone will love. In my video below I will show you how to age the embossed layer. 

The main feature on my card is created using the Cottage Wreaths bundle. This bundle will add not only texture but layers - my second easy tip. 

 

This bundle is perfect for creating elegant holiday wreaths. You can make wreaths for tags or put them on cards to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The wreaths look lovely paired with the festive greetings in this set, or you can use them alone to make them suit any occasion.
The dies include wreaths along with a variety of shapes you can use to embellish them. Cut out leaves, bows, and more. Customize your wreath for any occasion. Wreaths are perfect for the holidays, but they can also be used throughout the year just by changing the color scheme. So get creative and see what you can do.

A bonus tip: add a layer of beautiful Christmas paper. This adds visual interest and can coordinate colors on your card. 

These beautiful Boughs of Holly papers embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime with poinsettia, holly, and evergreen motifs. It also includes a more neutral birch tree bark pattern, soft polka dots, and abstract swatches of classic seasonal colors. Did you know that you can cut out images for quick textured and detailed layering pieces?
Product colors: Cherry Cobbler, Evening Evergreen, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Poppy Parade, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Shaded Spruce, Soft Succulent, Soft Suede

 

Here's my card, and below I have included a video on how to make it. 

 

 

Here's how to make it at home.

 

Supplies

 

Stamp set: Cottage Wreaths (bundle #159659)

 

Ink: Real Red, Sahara Sand

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Soft Succulent: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3" square
        Shaded Spruce: 3" square
        Real Red: 1 3/4" square
        Basic White: (3) 3/4" squares; scrap for phrase
        Boughs of Holly: 5 1/4" x 4" 

 

Misc: Fine Tip Glue pen, Bling of your choice, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Merry Melody 3D embossing folder (156392); Boughs of Holly designer series paper (159600)

 

Here's my video - be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas. 
        

Here's how to make a lot of beautiful Christmas cards in a very short time

If you make a LOT of Christmas or holiday cards every year, this is the challenge for you! 

Simple stamping is just that: minimal layers and products. Yes, perfect for the beginner stamper but also for a very busy stamper who has a lot of people to make cards for this Christmas. 

Here's what you do:

1. Purchase a pack of gorgeous designer series paper, like Boughs of Holly:
   
   
   
   
2. Next: purchase two or three solid colors of cardstock and one pack of Basic White cardstock. I chose Mossy Meadow and Real Red for my solids but if you wanted to coordinate with the above designer series paper colors you could also choose: Cherry Cobbler, Poppy Parade, Evening Evergreen and Shaded Spruce. 
   
   
3. Then: select a stamp set that has (perhaps) more than one Christmas phrase. Think about phrases that are a bit larger than usual as this will be a simple layout and the word(s) will be the main attraction. I chose Leaves of Holly, because I can use the smaller phrases for the inside of my cards too: 
   
   
   
   Yes, I bought the entire bundle because I want to make a few 'not so simple' cards this year as well. But you don't need the bundle if you are a simple stamper! 
   
   
4. Unpack your favorite sparkly embellishments.
5. Now, cut all layers for the cardstock, phrase layers and designer paper layers. Set up an assembly line and create bunches of cards over just a few days! 

Here's my simple card idea for this week's challenge:

I used several Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels on my card - just for that final elegant (and simple!) touch. Now it's your turn. Try this week's challenge and see what you can create at home. If you want to order any of the products I featured today, click on that photo to head over to my online store. 

And if you want to see what the other design crew members created for this simple stamping challenge, click here.