WWC #167 - Gail's All About Christmas Challenge

Hello friends.  Gail is hosting our Watercooler Wednesday challenge this week and it's "all about Christmas".  What better opportunity for you to get a head start on your annual Christmas cards. 

If you need some ideas just  head on over to the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge blog and check out all the fabulous inspiration from the DT and then play along with us!  You can find all the info you need right HERE.   We hope you'll join in this challenge which is open until 5:00pm Mountain Time on Monday April 30th, 2018.  

Here's My Card: 
Creating Christmas cards at this time of year is such fun.  There's no pressure and it allows me an opportunity to explore different techniques and use stamp sets that might have seen little ink.  

For this week's card, I've gone back in time to use a Stampin' Up set called Wonderland.   It was one of my all time favourites and I took inspiration for this particular design from Alexandra Agelean and her Youtube video.  

Back in the day, I bought this set solely for the "Silent Night" sentiment and for the trees...........I absolutely loved that tree cluster and had all kinds of plans for it.  For this card, I've paired it with a newly retired stamp set called Musical Season. I loved the sentiment in this set too but it barely saw ink.  At the end of the day I have to scratch my head, as I've probably only used these "top of my must have stamp sets" two or three times.  Does this happen to you too? 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Musical Season and Wonderland
Ink:  Emerald Envy, Whisper White, Smokey Slate, Soft Suede Marker 
Card Stock:  Emerald Envy, Whisper White and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper
Accessories:  Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Tim Holts' Alterations Snowflakes (661599), Iced Rhinestone (R), Whisper White A2 Envelope, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensional. 

Details:
1.  The Emerald Envy card based measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is scored at 4 1/4".

2.  The Dazzling Diamonds layer measures 4 1/8" x 5 3/8".  Note:  I removed the center of this layer with a 3 3/4" x 5" rectangular die, after all you simply can't waste Glimmer Paper.

3.  The Emerald Envy layer measures 4 x 5 1/4". Note: The surface of Glimmer Paper and cardstock simply don't mix so I used  Tom Bow ink in the center part of this layer and Glue dots around the edges to secure it to the Dazzling Diamonds layer.  Worked like a charm.  

4.  I stamped the tree image on a piece of Whisper White that measured 3 3/4" x 5".  I began by stamping the image in Smokey Slate image on the right and left side leaving a gap in the center.  I cleaned my stamp, re-inked with Emerald Envy and stamped the image in the Center and partially on the right and left sides.  Then, I cleaned the image again and inked it up with Whisper White.  I stamped the Whisper White over the Emerald Envy tree images and while the ink was still wet I sprinkled on  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and used a heat gun to set it.  Note:  I probably should have taken the lead from Alexandra and applied the glitter with a two-way glue pen, as it would have stuck to the card stock better.  Oh well, that's what experimenting is all about and this is a good  "Learn From Your Mistakes" lesson for next time.  

Although this picture doesn't capture the beauty of the Glimmer Paper and the Dazzling Diamonds, trust me it is beautiful and so shimmery.

5.  I stamped the snowflakes from the Wonderland set in Smokey Slate and the Silent Night sentiment in Emerald Envy.  

6.  I didn't have any Stampin' Up! snowflake dies so I used an old Tim Holtz set to die cut a medium sized one from Dazzling Diamonds.  I placed it in the bottom left corner of this panel and added a large Iced Rhinestone to the center with Glue Dots.  

7. For the inside panel I used a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Whisper White card stock.  I stamped off in Smokey Slate ink and stamped the tree image in the center of the card.  I stamped the sentiment from Musical Season "May the spirit of Christmas be the melody that plays in your heart all year long" over top of the trees in Emerald Envy.  

This is one of my favourite Christmas sentiments because it's so meaningful.  For me Christmas is about the heartfelt stuff not presents or commercial things.  It's the peaceful feeling after a walk in the snow or a visit with good friends and it's something that applies all year long.   

8.  I also stamped the tree tops in Emerald Envy on the front left corner of the Whisper White A2 envelope and the small pinecone branch on the flap.  I coloured the pinecone and branch with a Soft Suede Marker.  

I didn't take a picture of the front of the envelope as you know what the trees look like, but this tiny little branch from the Wonderland set is so beautiful I just had to share it.  It made the back of the envelope looks as inviting as the front. 

And that's it for today's post.  I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane with these two Christmas themed stamp sets.  I hope you'll leave me a comment and let me know what if you have a favourite Christmas sentiment you like to use.  Until next time.............

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

WWC #163 - Penny's "All About Christmas" Challenge

I find at this time of year there's always lots of appointments, paperwork, spring cleaning and other tasks that take over my life and settling into a routine after a vacation absence doesn't always leave much time for doing the things I love to do.  With a long list of "must do's" it was a little hard to focus on this week's All About Christmas Challenge for Watercooler Wednesday, which I'm hosting, but focus I did and I came up with a card that I'm very pleased to share with you.   

The Watercooler Wednesday WWC163 Linsky is open until 5:00pm Mountain Time on Monday April 2nd, 2018.  If you're looking to get a head start on your Christmas cards, challenges like this are a perfect way to get them done.  I hope you'll join in with your own creation, and also check out the beautiful cards created by our very talented Design Team.  

Inspiration:
My inspiration for this weeks card came from one I made in a class held by Cheryl LeFore, using the Good Tidings stamp set and featuring the Eclipse Technique.  I thought it would be fun to make one using the Merry Patterns stamp set.  Here's the Original Card: 

Here's My Card: 

I love how the Eclipse stamping and lettering merge and give the front of this card so much dimension.   

The inside of the card is special because the stamped panel is designed to hold a gift card.  

Supplies:
Stamp sets: Merry Patterns(R), Hearts Come Home #145416
Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green
Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green and Very Vanilla
Accessories: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, EK Success Alphabet (1 1/4" dies), Foam Strips, Basic Rhinestones, 1" Circle Punch, Tom Bow Glue

How It's Made: 
1.  Cut an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Cherry Cobbler for the base and score it at  4 1/4".

2.  Cut two 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" pieces of Garden Green for the first layer on the card front and inside.

3.  Cut a 5 1/4"" x 4" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock for the stamped layer.  Using Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green inks randomly stamp a pattern using the deer and branch images from Merry Patterns.

4.  Place the stamped piece on the big shot platform and place the "N" "O" "E" and "L" die cuts in the center of the design.  The letters should be close together, almost touching, and in a straight line. Run through the big shot and remove the letters.  Adhere the stampled panel to the Garden Green layer.

5.  Using a scrap of Garden Green card stock cut a second set of letters and adhere them to the backs of the patterned letters.  Attach Foam Adhesive Strips to the backs of the letters.

6.  Before removing the backings on the foam strips temporarily place the letters into the negative image slots left on the patterned paper when the dies were cut out. Adhere the center of the "O" carefully realigning it through the center of the foam mounted "O" to the negative space.

7.  Once the "O" center is in place, remove the adhesive backings and carefully place the letters in the negative spaces pressing down to adhere.

8.  Finish off the front of the lettering with some randomly placed Basic Rhinestones.

9.  Cut a 1 1/2" x 4"  and a 5 1/8" x 4" piece of Very Vanilla for the inside card panels.

10.  Stamp the sentiment "Wishing You a Beautiful.........." from the Hearts Come Home stamp set in Cherry Cobbler. Stamp a couple of boughs in Garden Green to the bottom right hand side of this panel.  Adhere to the Garden Green layer.

10.  For the gift card holder, stamp the boughs and deer images on the 1 1/4" x 4" piece of Very Vanilla and then cut a half circle from the center right with  the 1" circle punch.  Add adhesive to the back side on the top, bottom and left hand side and adhere to the larger panel.  

It may look like a lot of work, but really this is a very straight forward card to make and it's got a really "wow" look to it.  If you haven't tried out the Eclipse Technique yet I urge you to experiment with it.  You're going to find that it's fun and I'm sure you'll have fun with it.  Don't worry if you don't have any alphabet dies, just try the same technique with any punched shape or die cut.  Experimentations the key! 

Thanks for visiting my site.  I hope you'll let me know what you think of this card.  I love receiving comments on my work.  If you haven't already checked out the other Design Team entries here's a link to the WWC163 challenge.  I hope you'll drop by again.  In the meantime.....

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot 

Watercooler Wednesday WWC154 Judy's "All About Christmas" Challenge

 

The days are starting to get longer although they seem to be flying by just as fast if not faster than a month ago.  I haven't been able to scrounge up much stamping time or Mojo since the New Year but managed to get my card finished for this week's Watercooler Wednesday "All About Christmas" Challenge being hosted by Judy Markowitz.  Nothing like getting an early start on making my Christmas cards for next season!  

How about starting your Christmas stash early too. Make a card or project and link your creation with the InLinkz at the bottom of this challenge.  It's easy!

Here's some details:
          1.-No back-linking to previous posts, your must be a new project.
          2. You must link your project back to our challenge 
          3. You must link directly to your post, not simply your general blog.
          4. Can't be linked to more than 8 challenges including ours.
          5. Have fun!

Oh, and don't forget to  use the link-up below to share your project.  The Linky closes Monday, January 29th at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Here's My Card:

I've made another fun Twist N' Pop card for this week's challenge.  Hands down this card style is one of my favourite fancy folds, and you'll see many examples of it on my blog.  If you're interested in making one simply click here and check out this post for all the measurements and my working template. 

Outside Details:
One of the things I really like making for these Twist N' Pop cards is the belly band.  The belly band is "the keeper of the gate".  It's what holds back the mystery of these special cards.  Honestly with a good belly band you have absolutely no idea what's going to show up inside the card until it comes off.  What fun!

For that very reason I try to make the belly band extra special.  For this card I wanted the sentiment to be bold so I chose the Special Delivery sentiment from Merry Little Labels.  It's stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink on Whisper White card stock and cut out with the large oval from Stitched Shapes Thinlets.  

For some glitz n' glam I cut out a larger oval from Red Glimmer Paper and mounted that with foam tape behind the sentiment layer.  I added a 3/4" x 4 strip of designer paper on the front of the band and then attached the Special Delivery label with Tear N' Tape to the center front.

The card front itself is very simple and has no embellishment.  I added a 5 1/4" x 4" layer of Whisper White card stock followed by a layer of patterned paper   from "Season of Style" DSP. This paper was around a few seasons ago and I still absolutely love the colourful zig zag pattern.   The chevrons of colour are Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive.  Perfect!

When the belly band comes off it reveals Santa Claus and his pack of reindeer, in all their festive glory. 

Inside Details:
Every Twist N' Pop card I make has an inside story. This one begins with Santa's Reindeer, who're eager and ready to "guide his sled tonight". I stamped the reindeer images with Stampin' Ups! Cookie Cutter Christmas which was carried over from last year. I stamped them with Momento Tuxedo Black ink on Crumb Cake and then fussy cut out all those cute little heads with my detail scissors. If you don't like fussy cutting there's a coordinating builder punch.

Using an oval or other shape as a support when you're grouping images really helps to hold them together, so I cut a 3" oval from Whisper White for these ones. Rudolph's shiny nose was cut from Red Glimmer Paper and I scattered some red sequins about for extra shine. I also added a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Season of Style designer paper to this panel. 

I kept the bottom panel of the card very simple by only adding a 5 1/4 x 4" layer of Whisper White card stock.  I stamped Merry Christmas from Teeny Tiny Sayings in Cherry Cobbler and cut this piece and the Old Olive layer out with the two coordinating dies from the Stitched Sayings Thinlet set.  

Center Panels:
There are four center panels each adding a little bit more to the story and helping to support the greeting.  

The first panel represents the homes waiting for Santa's special delivery and consists of three layers of images.  It starts with a 3 1/4 x 2 1/4" piece of DSP followed by a 2" x 3" piece of Whisper White card stock.  I cut out the sky with the Card Front Builder dies and added a piece of silver shimmer paper behind the Whisper White panel to light up the night sky.  The houses were cut from Basic Black card stock with the Home Town Greeting Edgelit and placed on a slant.  I used the retired Sleigh Ride Edgelits to cut out the final layer of sleigh and horse from Whisper White card stock.  

The second panel is Santa's Suit and is simply constructed from Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black card stocks.  I added a silver glimmer paper square for the belt buckle and some Black Basic Rhinestones for the buttons.  

For the third panel I stamped the Santa Claus image from Cookie Cutter Christmas on a piece of Whisper White Card Stock and cut this panel out with the Pinpoint Rectangles Die. I cut out two more panels from Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler card stock and attached the Santa panel to them before adhering to the DSP.   I stamped and fussy cut a second  Santa image and coloured it with markers and Wink of Stella on the bear, cuffs and hat.

The fourth and final panel has a layer of Old Olive that was embossed with the Holly Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The sentiment "Just for You" is from the Merry Little Labels stamp set and the sprigs of holly were cut out with the Card Front Builder die set. 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Cookie Cutter Christmas, Merry Little Labels, Teeny Tiny Sayings
Card Stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Old Olive
DSP:  Red and Silver Glimmer Paper, Season of Style (R)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive
Accessories:  Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Detailed Scissors, Dimensionals, Foam Tape, Tear N' Tape, Black Rhinestones, Wink of Stella, Home Town Greetings Edgelits, Memory Box Pinpoint Rectangles #30065, Holly EF, Stitched Shapes Ovals, Sleigh Ride Edgelits, Card Front Builder Thinlets, Large Oval Punch,

I hope you enjoyed today's Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and that you've had time to check out my template and tutorial on my previous post just click here.. I also hope you've checked out the entries from all the Design Team members at the Watercooler Wednesday challenge as there are so many great ideas and inspiration.

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot  

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #142 - Charlotte's All About Christmas Challenge

If you haven't started getting your Christmas cards together, this week at the Watercooler should be very inspiring for you.  After all it's now just two months today until Christmas.  I know, i know!  Kick me for reminding you of that! 

Our challenge this week is being hosted by Charlotte out newest Design Team Artist, and it's "All About Christmas". You may know Charlotte by her blog name, "Lady Joyful".  She leads us off with a beautiful snowflake card.

Our Design Team simply loves seeing the creativeness of our participants and having new stampers join in our weekly challenges.  If you're planning on sharing your Christmas Themed card or project on this week's challenge, you'll want to do so before 5:00pm on Monday October 30th, 2017 when our Linsky closes.  

Our challenge rules are simple and are listed on our Watercooler Wednesday home page.  Please take time to review them so you're not disqualified from our winner and runner up draws. It's super disappointing for us when a beautiful card has to be passed over because it was entered in too many challenges.

Here's My Card:
One of my favourite products from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalogue this year was the Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper, and so my card is all about showcasing how wonderfully these papers mix and match.

 

Supplies:
Stamp Set:  Musical Season
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black
Card Stock:  Whisper White and Basic Black 
Specialty Paper:  Merry Music Special DSP, Silver Foil
Accessories:  Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Pinpoint Rectangle Layers Dies, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Hot Glue Gun,Tom Bow Adhesive, Simply Scored, Sponge Dauber.

Details:

1.  Cut an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic Black card base and score at 4 1/4".

2.  Cut a 5 1/4 x 4" layer of Whisper White and adhere to base.

3.  Cut a 3 7/8" x 5 3/8" piece of Black & White Writing DSP and adhere to the 1st layer.

4.  Cut a  3 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Silver Foil.  For my card I die cut this piece using my Pinpoint Rectangle Layers Dies (non SU).  Center and adhere to the DSP layer.

In this view you can see the beautiful  mixture of papers with the silver foil.  These papers are ultra light compared to regular DSP packs, so it doesn't add much more additional weight to the card having a series of layers.

5.  Cut a 3 1/8" x 4 1/8" piece of Black and White Snowflake design DSP and adhere to the center of the foil.  

6.  For the Lolly, cut a 12" x 1 3/4" strip of the Merry Music DSP  and score at 1/4" intervals from end to end.  Use a sponge dauber and Tuxedo Black ink to sponge the edges.  Fold alternately on the 1/4" score lines.  Punch out a 11/4"  circle from Basic Black card stock to use as a base.  Join the ends of the strip together and then form a lolly by gathering the edges together and pushing down gently onto the black circle.  Put a dollop of hot glue in the center of the and press down so the circle holds the lolly's shape.   Punch out another 1 1/4" circle from Black and White DSP and cover the front center of the lolly. 

Note:  If you've never made a lolly before here's a link to Shelley Godby's blog where she shares instructions and a video on how she makes hers (a bit different from mine, but same concept).  These are great for all kinds of projects like banners, rosettes etc.

7.  To finish off the lolly, stamp the sentiment Peace, Joy, and Love from the Musical Season stamp set on to a 3 1/4" x 1/2" strip of  Whisper White card stock and adhere to the center of the lolly.  Use a generous amount of Tom Bow glue to adhere the lolly to the center of the card front.

8.  For the inside of the card cut a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Whisper White card stock and adhere to the card base.  Stamp the sentiment "May the spirit....." from the Musical Seasons stamp set in Momento Tuxedo Black ink.  

9.  To finish the inside panel adhere a 3/4" x 3 3/4" strip of the handwriting DSP to the bottom of the panel.  Die cut a  trumpet from Silver Foil with the Musical Instruments Thinlet dies.  Adhere, and as Frenchie would say, "Voila you're finished". 

Well, that's it for today's challenge.  Hope you enjoyed this black and white Musical Season themed Christmas card.  I know I had fun making it and plan to make a few more of these before the card exchange is upon us.  For this type of card I will definitely make a box style envelope so the lolly isn't compressed in the mail.  Enjoy!  

If you started at my blog and haven't see the rest of this week's creations by the Watercooler Design team make sure you go back and check them out.  What an awesome array of seasonal cards.  Love them.

Happy Stamping!
Penny Token's Stampin' Spot   

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #138 - Marsha's "All About Christmas"

Welcome to this week's "All About Christmas Challenge" hosted by Marsha of the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge blog.  In my book, it's never too early to think about making Christmas cards.  So this week's challenge is right up my alley.  

Marsha Reed our very talented Assistant Coordinator is starting us off with a stunning gate fold winter scene. Just seeing Marsha's beautiful snowy winter scene put me in the Christmas spirit.  I know you're going to love Marsha's card too and be very inspired by the rest of the WWC Design Team who've also contributed inspiring designs.  Believe me when I say everyone's pulled out all the stops to bring you some great Christmas card inspiration!  

Before we get to my entry for this week, I just want to remind you that the Watercooler Wednesday Card Challenge DT welcomes new participants to join in our challenges. Don't be shy!

It's super easy to link up your entry and play along.  Just make sure to enter no more than eight challenges including this Watercooler Challenge, and link up your photo before 5:00pm MST on Monday October 2nd and you're good to go.  See, super easy! Who knows, your entry might "Rock the Watercooler" or join our "Rockers" who have received honourable mentions. No matter, we love having new participants join in our challenges. So, why don't you play along?

Here's My Card:
I seem to be hooked on Navy Blue, Silver and White for this holiday season.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Musical Season #144811
Card Stock:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Card Front Builder Thinlet Dies #144674, Circles Thinlets, Winter Wonder Embossing Folder #144686, Dimensionals, Tom Bow Glue, Basic Rhinestones.

Card Front Builder Thinlet Dies # 144674 coordinates with the Carols of Christmas stamp set.

Musical Season Stamp Set #144, 811, coordinates with the
Musical Instruments Framelits Dies

Winter Wonder Embossing Folder #144686

Details:
1.  The 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" card base is cut from Whisper White card stock and was scored at 4 1/4".

2.  The 1st layer is Silver Glimmer Paper and measures 5 3/8" x 4 1/8".  Note: to reduce the bulk and not waste my glimmer paper, I cut away the center with a rectangular die cut.  I made sure I left a half an inch on all sides, so that the die cut in the next layer covers the glimmer paper. 

3.  The 2nd layer is Night of Navy card stock that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  I lined up the Card Front Builder Thinlet die on each side to add the cut work design.  

 4.  For the next layer I used my old circle die cuts to make a  3 1/2" circle from Silver Glimmer Paper for the base of the snowflake. 

5.  I embossed a 4" x 4" scrap of Whisper White card stock with the Winter Wonder Embossing Folder and then fussy cut around the embossed image with my detail scissors. I sponged over the embossed image and around the edges with Night of Navy ink.  Basic Rhinestones were attached to the circles between each of the snowflake points. The snowflake was glued flat to the Silver Glimmer paper circle with Tom Bow glue.  This piece was mounted to the center of the card front with Dimensionals. 

6.  I stamped the Peace.Joy.Love sentiment from Musical Season on a 3 3/8" by 3/4" piece of Whisper White and then mounted it on a piece of Night of Navy that measured 3 1/2" x 1".  The sentiment was adhered with Dimensionals to the center of the snowflake.  

7.  For the inside of the card I kept it simple by stamping on the card base instead of adding a layer.  The beautiful sentiment and mandolin from the Musical Seasons stamp set was enough to enhance this panel.  I simple stamped them in Night of Navy Ink.  

I hope you liked my snowflake Christmas card.  It certainly was an easy one to do and is very pretty to look at with all the sparkle.  How do you like the inside of the card? Does it's simplicity offset the outside, which was my intention?  I hope you'll leave me a comment as I really enjoy receiving your feedback and your ideas. 

If you came to my site first and haven't had a chance to check out the rest of the WWC138 Christmas Anything Goes DT cards just click here to return to the home page.  See you next time....

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot