Welcome to the October, 2024 edition of the Sparkles Christmas Challenge! Our host for # 165, Debs., chose Use the Word Christmas for our theme. When you get finished here, I hope you will visit the challenge site to view the creations from the very talented members of our design team. After you’ve created your own themed card, please don’t forget to upload it to our gallery.
Here’s my card:
I am so thankful that the Magical Meadow DSP carried over for this holiday season. The DSP did all the work for this card. I embossed the DSP using the So Swirly embossing folder to (hopefully) add movement to the snow scene. This card definitely falls into the easy-peasy category.
What I Did:
The Misty Moonlight base measures 5-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches, scored at 4-1/4 inches
After dry embossing the DSP with the So Swirly folder, I trimmed the DSP to 4-1/8 by 5-3/8 inches
Trim another piece of DSP to 6 by 2-1/2 inches for the envelope flap
Punch a 1-inch circle from coordinating DSP for the envelope seal and run it through the XYRON create-a-sticker
Trim a piece of white cardstock to 4 by 5-1/4 inches for the inside of the card
I stamped the inside sentiment on the white cardstock using Misty Moonlight ink
Adhere a piece of ribbon (I used the retired Misty Moonlight ribbon) around the DSP
Here’s a set of pictures to show you how I adhered the ribbon:
Unless otherwise noted, I used multipurpose liquid glue to adhere pieces together
Adhere the DSP to the front of the card base
After using your embossing buddy on a scrap piece of Misty Moonlight cardstock, stamp the sentiment using VersaMark ink
Cover the ink with white embossing powder and heat set
Crop the sentiment using a deckled rectangle die
Crop the leafy branch from a piece of Misty Moonlight patterned DSP
Adhere the sentiment using dimensionals
Use mini-dimensionals and liquid glue to adhere the branch to the sentiment and DSP
Adhere the white cardstock to the inside of the card
With that, I’d finished this coordinated card, envelope, and envelope seal set.
Welcome to the September, 2024 edition of the Sparkles Christmas Challenge! Our host for # 164, Helen., chose Sentiment as the Focus for our theme. When you get finished here, I hope you will visit the challenge site to view the creations from the very talented members of our design team. After you’ve created your own themed card, please don’t forget to upload it to our gallery.
Here’s my card:
I’m so thankful that the Magical Meadow DSP, stamp set, and coordinating die set carried over! The DSP (designer series paper) made creating this card fall under the easy-peasy category.
Measurements:
The Basic Gray base measures 5-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches, scored at 4-1/4 inches
The piece of Magical Meadow DSP for the background measures 4-1/8 by 5-3/8 inches
Trim a piece of the same cardstock to 6 by 2-1/2 inches for the envelope flap
Next, punch a 1-inch circle using a scrap of the deer DSP for the envelope seal and run it through your XYRON create-a-sticker
HINT: When punching this seal, make sure you aren’t punching the bottom of the DSP where the deer lives
Trim a piece of Basic Gray cardstock to 2-3/4 by 4-1/4 inches
The deer DSP piece comes from the Magical Meadow cardstock and I trimmed it to 2-5/8 by 4-1/8 inches
Trim a piece of white cardstock to 4 by 5-1/4 inches for the inside of the card
I used a scrap of Basic Gray for the sentiment
You will also need a piece of Lost Lagoon ribbon to go under the sentiment block
Stamping & Assembly:
Unless otherwise noted, I used multipurpose liquid glue to adhere pieces of the card together
After I used my embossing buddy on the scrap of Basic Gray cardstock, I stamped the sentiment from the Greetings of the Season stamp set using VersaMark ink
Next, cover the sentiment with white embossing powder and heat set it
Then, crop the sentiment using a square die from the Stylish Shapes die set
Adhere the Lost Lagoon DSP to the card base
Adhere the deer DSP to the gray cardstock mat, then adhere it to the front of the card
Add dimensionals under the sentiment square
Fold the ribbon in half and use three mini-dimensionals to adhere the ribbon to the back of the sentiment square, then adhere the sentiment to the front of the card
Stamp the inside sentiment, again from Greetings of the Season, in Lost Lagoon on the white cardstock and adhere it to the inside of the card
HINT: I’ve learned that I need to adhere the inside after I stamp the sentiment in case I make a mistake
With that, this coordinated easy-peasy Christmas card, envelope, and envelope seal set is complete
I’ve been using the By Your Side kit to create a number of cards. You can see one of the cards here, and there will be more coming on September 11, 2024 for the Pals’ Blog Hop.
Here’s the unboxing video for the absolutely adorable By Your Side kit:
If you live in the U.S. and don’t already have a Stampin’ UP! demo from whom you order, I would be honored to work with you.
When ordering, please enter the following HOST CODE when prompted:
Welcome to the July, 2024 edition of the Sparkles Christmas Challenge! Our host for # 163, Melanie., chose Christmas Critters for our theme. When you get finished here, I hope you will visit the challenge site to view the creations from the very talented members of our design team. After you’ve created your own themed card, please don’t forget to upload it to our gallery.
Here’s my Christmas Critters card:
Once again, I used the retired Beary Christmas stamp set and punch. I did have to fussy cut the baby polar bear, the gift, and the tree, but there weren’t too complicated to cut out, even if you are left-handed like me.
Measurements & More:
Unless otherwise noted, I used multipurpose liquid glue to adhere the pieces of the card together
The Night of Navy base measures 5-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches, scored at 4-1/4 inches to create a tent fold
I used another piece of Night of Navy cardstock measuring 4-1/8 by 5-3/8 inches for the background
The Beary Christmas stamp set has two sizes of snowflake stamps. I stamped them randomly using Versamark ink on the background. I added clear embossing powder and heat set.
I stamped the sentiment in VersaMark ink as well and covered it in white embossing powder, then heat set the sentiment
Using the Countryside Corners die set, I cropped the center out of a piece of Real Red cardstock measuring 4-1/8 by 5-3/8 inches. Then, I added a bunch of dimensionals to the back of the Real Red frame and adhered it to the Night of Navy background
The present was also stamped using VersaMark ink on a scrap of Real Red cardstock. Once again, I covered it in white embossing powder, heat set it, and fussy cut it
I used Mossy Meadow to stamp the tree outline and inside on Old Olive cardstock and fussy cut the tree
The polar bears were stamped using Momento Tuxedo Black ink
Use the light Smoky Slate blend to add shading to the polar bears. I used the bears on the DSP as my guide.
Punch the adult bear and fussy cut the baby bear
Stamp the beanie and scarf on white cardstock scraps using Old Olive ink and fussy cut both
After dry-fitting the cutouts, I added dimensionals to the back of them only where they would not be touching the Real Red frame. I used liquid glue where the parts would touch the frame.
Thank you for stopping by my abbreviated post for Sparkles Christmas Challenge!
Have a Peachy Day!
Sue
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Welcome to the July, 2024 edition of the Sparkles Christmas Challenge! Our host for # 162, Caz., chose Handmade Ornaments or Ornaments for our theme. When you get finished here, I hope you will visit the challenge site to view the creations from the very talented members of our design team. After you’ve created your own themed card, please don’t forget to upload it to our gallery.
Here’s my ornaments card:
While I used the retired Whimsical Trees products for the DSP, and stamp set with coordinating dies, this layout can be found on page 22 of the Stampin’ Up! 2024 -2025 annual catalog. Here’s a look at those templates:
I used the third from the left on the bottom for this card. I’ve already posted cards I’ve made using other templates and you can find them here, and I included four cards from the templates here,, These templates have been instrumental in helping me get some of my mojo back after being sick for almost a month. I’ve been told that full recovery could take two to three months. I encourage you to use them as well when you feel stuck in your creative space.
Welcome to the March, 2024 edition of the Sparkles Christmas Challenge! Our host for # 160, Billie A., chose Using Ribbon or Twine for our theme. When you get finished here, I hope you will visit the challenge site to view the creations from the very talented members of our design team. After you’ve created your own themed card, please don’t forget to upload it to our gallery.
Here’s my Real Red ribbon Christmas card:
While I used retired products for this card, I hope you can use the layout to create easy-peasy Christmas cards for yourself. Actually, this layout would be fabulous for so many other occasions for which you need a quick card.
Measurements & Assembly:
Unless otherwise noted, I used multipurpose liquid glue to adhere the pieces together.
The Real Red base measures 8-1/2 by 5-1/2, scored at 4-1/4 to create a tent card.
After you run a piece of Balmy Blue cardstock through your Cut & Emboss machine in the Christmas Tidings 3d embossing folder, trim the cardstock to 4-1/8 by 5-3/4 inches.
The Beary Christmas piece of DSP (designer series paper) measures 2 by 5-3/8 inches.
Trim another piece of DSP to 6 by 2-1/2 inches for the envelope flap.
Punch a 1-inch circle from coordinating DSP and run it through your XYRON create-a-sticker for the envelope seal.
Trim two pieces of Real Red cardstock to 5-3/8 by 1/2 inches to adhere to the back of the DSP so it forms a border.
Wrap a length of Real Red ribbon around the DSP piece and tie it in a bow.
Adhere to the embossed Balmy Blue cardstock.
Stamp your sentiment on white cardstock using Real Red ink.
Crop the sentiment using a square die from the Stylish Shapes die set.
Trim a piece of Real Red cardstock to create a border for the sentiment block.
Adhere the sentiment piece to the red cardstock.
Add dimensionals to the back of the red cardstock so that they will straddle the ribbon, and adhere to the DSP.
Trim a piece of white cardstock to 4 by 5-1/4 inches and stamp your sentiment on it using Real Red ink.
Adhere the white cardstock to the inside of the card.
With that, you’ve finished this easy-peasy coordinated card, envelope, and envelope seal set.
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If you live in the U.S. and don’t already have a Stampin’ UP! demo from whom you order, I would be honored to work with you.
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Welcome to the March, 2024 edition of the Sparkles Christmas Challenge! Our host for # 158, Debbie, chose Plaid or Tartan for our theme. When you get finished here, I hope you will visit the challenge site to view the creations from the very talented members of our design team. After you’ve created your own themed card, please don’t forget to upload it to our gallery.
Speaking of galleries, I want to thank everyone for playing along with my February hosted theme of Kraft Paper. I’m honored that you played along and all the entries were so creative and individual.
Here’s my Bash Your Stash Plaid or Tartan card:
The DSP (designer series paper), the embossing folder, and the Christmas tree die set are all retired. I used them with current cardstock, sentiment, deckled rectangle dies, and gold embossing powder. I think the retired and current items worked for this card.
Measurements:
The Cherry Cobbler base measures 8-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches, scored at 4-1/4 inches.
The plaid DSP measures 4 by 5-1/5 inches.
I also trimmed a piece of this DSP to 6 by 2-1/2 inches for the envelope flap. Then, I punched a 1-inch circle from the white and gold DSP for the envelope seal.
After embossing the white cardstock, I trimmed it to 2-3/4 by 5 inches.
I used a Cherry Cobbler marker and a gold Wink of Stella pen to outline the white cardstock.
I used a scrap piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock for the sentiment panel. After setting the gold embossing powder sentiment, I outlined it using the gold Wink of Stella pen.
The white cardstock for the inside measures 4 by 5-1/4 inches.
The Christmas tree was cropped from Cherry Cobbler cardstock. I used a gold and white patterned foil DSP for the zigzag on the front of the tree.
I stamped a retired Christmas sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink on the inside.
I used multipurpose liquid glue to adhere the layers together. There are dimensionals under the tree. The sentiment is adhered to the tree with liquid glue, and I added dimensionals to the other side of the sentiment panel.
After I figured out what I was going to do, this Bash Your Stash card came together very quickly.
I have another post going live at 7 am ET this morning for the Creative Creases Challenge. I hope you will come back to visit to see my new-to-me stadium wave card. Here’s a sneak peek:
Welcome to Just Peachy Stamping by Sue Jackson: an independent Stampin' Up demonstrator.
Through Stampin' Up!, I happily share my love of papercrafting through sales, classes, small stamping group meet-ups and workshops. I think that being a teacher in my "real life", I have a unique approach to sharing my fantastic hobby. I look forward to connecting with you!
