Make your own Christmas cards!

I have been making birthday cards and cards for many other occasions for many years, but I have never made my Christmas cards. I usually send out about 60 cards so that is quite a commitment to make them all. But this year I did it!! Rather than making 60 identical cards, I opted to make several designs.

I used the Sparkle & Shine paper pack X7176B for this one along with the Remarkable Wreath stamp set C1473. The sentiment is from the stamp set in the Frosted Cardmaking WOTG G1063. I finished it off with Silver Shimmer Trim Z1799 and I added a few Bitty Sparkles Z1263 on there too! The ink and cardstock colors are Ruby, Juniper, Slate and White Daisy.

For a less traditional color palette, I used the Frosted paper packet X7175B. I used Twilight, Bamboo and Colonial White cardstock along with Twilight ink. The sentiment is also from the Frosted Cardmaking WOTG G1063. The Burlap Ribbon Z1760 added a rustic touch and the Clear Sparkles Z1752 provides some glam.

I still had some of the Pear & Partridge paper (retired) from last year, so I created this beauty! The stamp set is Merry & Bright C1510. I used Cranberry and New England Ivy cardstock and ink. I just love the Bronze Shimmer Trim Z1849.

And lastly, I used the Believe paper packet (also retired) for this winter card. I cut the snowflake using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge Z1686 and used the coordinating Snowflakes stamp set D1480 along with Crystal Blue ink. The sentiment is from the Perfect Fit - Holidays stamp set B1412.

I'm so happy I was able to make all 60 cards this year!! I hope I can do it again in 2014!!

Greatest year ever!

I am blessed to have one of my beautiful nieces nearby attending Boston College. She just returned for her senior year and also recently celebrated her 21st birthday. The sentiment on this card works for both this milestone birthday as well as her final year in school.

Supplies used:
CTMH Viva paper packet
CTMH cardstock - White Daisy, Sunset, and Gypsy
CTMH ink - Sunset
CTMH paper flowers
CTMH Aqua dots
CTMH Hooray Bouquet stamp set

Tommy cards

The long 4th of July weekend would not be complete without some sailing here in New England. The Tommy paper packet and coordinating stamp sets are perfect for nautical themed cards. Here are a few I came up with for a recent card swap.

Supplies used:

Tommy paper packet and stamp set from the Workshop On The Go kit (item #G1058)

Cranberry, Honey, Outdoor Denim, and White Daisy cardstock

Cranberry, Honey, and Outdoor Denim ink

Sail Away stamp set (item #C1530)

Perfect Fit - Frames 2 stamp set (item #D1536)

Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon (item #Z1809)

Silver Shimmer Trim (item #Z1799)

Blue buttons (item # Z1371) and Red buttons (item #Z1369)

Cranberry Baker's twine from the Harvest Assortment (item #Z1751)

Silver brads (item #Z1366)

Artisan studs (item #Z1816)

Cricut die cuts from the Artiste cartridge (item #Z1790)

Graduation card

It's that time of year again! I bet you know someone who is graduating. I made this card for our Godson who is graduating from high school. I love the wise owl in his cap and gown! Too cute!! The red panel is embossed with a star pattern and I matted the ruled paper with black cardstock so you can see the punched edge clearly. The star and "Congratulations" are epoxy stickers. A little black and white gingham ribbon is the finishing touch.

Supplies used:
Slate cardstock (CTMH)
Ruby cardstock (CTMH)
Black cardstock (CTMH)
Stars embossing folder (Cuttlebug)
Lined journaling card (Collage Press Ledger)
Edge punch (EK Success)
Black ink (CTMH)
Ruby marker to color the hat and collar (CTMH)
Owl stamp (Hero Arts Happy Graduation set)
Star and "Congratulations" epoxy stickers (EK Success Graduation Stickos)
Black & white ribbon (Michael's)

Beautiful you birthday card

I love the combination of yellow and grey. I made this card for my mother-in-law's birthday. The yellow flowers and flourishes are stamped and the grey flourish is a velvet rub-on!! A little ribbon and some sparkles and you are done! This card was quick and easy to make, but it's simplicity makes it beautiful!

Supplied used:
Honey ink (CTMH)
Grey Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons (CTMH)
Flower stamp (Fancy Pants "From the Garden" set)
"Beautiful You" stamp (Verve "Beautiful You" set)
Grey sparkles (CTMH)
Ribbon (Michael's)

Winter wishes

After a lovely dinner at a friends home, I wanted to send a friendship/thank you card to express my gratitude. I have been dying to use this adorable stamp set. Adding red to the gray and light aqua color scheme perked this winter card right up! The patterned paper also has a bit of shimmery "snow" around the edges.

Supplies used:
Cranberry cardstock (CTMH)
White Daisy cardstock (CTMH)
Reindeer and sentiment (CTMH Bundled Buddies stamp set)
Slate ink (CTMH)
Slate & Cranberry markers to color the scarf (CTMH)
Brads (CTMH)
Gingham patterned paper (CTMH)
Dot/snow patterned paper (SEI WinterSong)

Valentine's Day cards

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays for card making! I just love sending cards to everyone from my parents to my nieces and nephews.

My husband is a woodworker, so this woodgrain paper made a perfect backdrop to this simple but personal card. The arrow is from the Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes Z1844 set from Close To My Heart.

I made this one for my nephew. I like the graphic design of the big "XO" and who doesn't love owls!!

I love the orange and turquoise color palette on this card. The coordinating fabric trims and paper flowers add texture and dimension.

Happy Valentine's Day!!