Joy Ornament Christmas Card

You know those days when you sit down to craft and are bombarded with these incredible ideas, and even the most mundane of objects becomes enlightening inspiration? Well, last night was NOT one of those for me. In fact, I couldn't think of one single original idea. So, I was looking through SCS (A God-send for stampers block), and came across THIS amazing card by Stampersandee. I was totally impressed with her beautiful card, and decided since I need to start on Christmas cards, I would give it a try. I hope I did her justice! This card is 5x5.

I LOVE my Stamp A Ma Jig! The sentiment stamp in the picture is the stamp I used, however I used SU Markers to color each word separately, then used my SAMJ to align them closer together to fit into the Large Oval Punch.

Stamps: Lovely Letters Alphabet, Holidays & Wishes
Ink/Paper: Metallic Gold paper, Bravo Burgundy/Handsome Hunter ink and CS
Punches/Bog Shot: Damask Texture Plate by SU, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" circles, Scallop Circle, Large Oval, Scallop Oval.
Accessories: Sponges, Mini Glue Dots, Gold Cording

My FIRST Christmas card this year!

It doesn't look like much from this pic, I know. But, if you have never seen a Tri-Fold Shutter card, keep going with this post and see it open! I am NOT one of those stampers who gets her Christmas cards done throughout the year. I wait until Thanksgiving, then spit out Christmas cards in a stress-induced maniacal frenzy. But, hey that works for me. It's just something about stamping in the cold weather, with the fire going, and bundled up that gets me in the mood to make my holiday cards. But this year, I am trying to start now. Here is the pic of my card open all the way.

You can click on the pics to see them full-screen, and for this pic, that is not a bad idea. There is added texture and tons of detail all over this cute Christmas card. It took me two nights of stamping to complete, mostly because there is half a bottle of Stickles on this bad boy and it had to dry before I could do the other panels. I may never do one of these again, but I love how this one turned out. I don't think all of my paper piercing shows up, but it's there, there are Rhinestone brads, Red Crystals, and so much more on this card. I didn't skimp on the blingy's which I normally do! All of the felt snowflakes and mittens were sent to me from the one and only, amazingly talented, Siobhan in Japan!!! Thanks, girl, I love them! Let me know what you all think of this one. I am happy with it! Now, if I can get 2 or 3 Christmas cards done a week I will be close to ready in time for Christmas. I have to save some for stamping while the fire burns!

I can't name all I used here, I just can't remember. But the card itself is Baja Breeze Textured CS, the DSP is Ski Slope, the main stamp sets are The More The Merrier (current Level 3 Hostess), and Perfect Presentation (retired).

Real Red Medallion...

Every time I see this stamp, I just ache to make it RED!!! Red is my very favorite color, and I love pairing it with black! This one is really simple, but I wanted to share it anyway. I inked up the very popular new Medallion background stamp with Real Red, stamped it on Whisper White cardstock. I used a Pewter Build-a-Brad with a piece of scrap paper stamped with the small circle stamp from Circle Circus, and punched it out with the 1/2" punch. Basic Black and Real Red cardstock made a clean band across the front with Basic Black Grosgrain ribbon tied in the center. I LOVE the Define Your Life set, I just earned it free from SU (LOVE SU!), and the Happy definition is from that amazing set. The Happy Birthday on the bottom finishes this card off, and is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I love this bold color combo!!! Below is a detail shot of the Build-a-Brad and the definition in the corner!

CARRIE won the BLOG CANDY!!!

There were 27 comments left for my blog candy, and using Random.org, number 12 was randomly selected. The 12th comment was from Carrie!!! I will be emailing Carrie for her address and sending out her free In Color Polka Dot ribbon sampler, along with a little matching cardstock this week!!!

Thanks to everyone who played! I will be doing monthly giveaways, so keep watching!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 12 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Blog Candy!!!!! Get in on it before Aug 1st!

***This post will remain at the top until Aug 1st, when the contest is over! Scroll down for my new postings!***
Who LOVES the new SU In Colors????? Yeah, I thought so!!! Would you LOVE to have a yard of EACH of the 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbons??? And maybe a little something extra to go with it? Here's what I am giving away...

ONE YARD of each of the following colors...
Melon Mambo
Crushed Curry
Dusty Durango
Soft Suede
Bermuda Bay
Rich Razzleberry

You do NOT have to link this up on your blog, or tell the world about it to have a chance to win! You are welcome to do that of course, but I wanted to say a special thank you to all my friends out there who visit me! Leave a comment telling me which new In Color is your VERY favorite, and include a 3-color combo you either use or think would be great including that color! That's it!!! Maybe I just need color combo inspiration, maybe I want to see which color is the most popular, maybe I just want to give away ribbon! Who cares??? To be eligible, you must leave your fave color, the combo (I don't care if you throw it together looking in the catty!), and make sure I have an email address for you! Winner will be announced here at A Stampers Paradise on August 1st!!! Once I hear back from you with an address, the goodies will go out!!!

Good Luck, and thank all of you for your loyal following!

Soft Bermuda Medallion

I finally got some time to ink up my new Medallion background stamp!!! The image itself is so beautiful, I personally don't think you need to do too much to it. This card was really easy, and I would love to make a gift set of these and package them up, when I get that done, I will post it here as well. The circle is 5" cut with the Creative Memories system, that is the only non SU thing I own that I will never part with! I stamped the Medallion in Soft Suede, then spritzed the card with the Bermuda Bay Marker with the Color Spritzer Tool, colored a few dots with BB, and used some Crystal Effects on those part. I decided it was too plain, so I added a punch of Boho Blossom in the center to frame my Filigree Designer brad, which is set with a Clear Rhinestone brad. I scored down one side, punched two holes, and ran ribbon through holding the back of the card on. The picture below is a little peek of the inside! Enjoy! I had a great time making this!

Fabulous Friend Flower Pot

So, I sat down last night determined to get some much needed stamp time in. I began by making my coffee, and straightening my craft area just enough to have room to work. Then my craft light fell off of it's stand, crashed into my coffee cup, which poured everywhere! It soaked through 2 brand new packs of cardstock that I just got in, and was getting ready to file, ruining almost every piece! I was livid, yelling at the coffee cup, trying to kill the lamp, and screaming for Jim to bring me some paper towels. You would have thought it was a 'real' emergency with how angry I was! So, that's how my night of stamping began. However, it ended on a much better note. I finally made the Flower Pot card, which is currently a featured tutorial on SCS. I may never make another one, but I love this one! It took me well over an hour, and after all my ruined paper, I was just not feeling it anymore. Maybe if I tried again, I could pull one together much quicker. Below is a shot of the insert pulled out.

Paper: Melon Mambo CS, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, and Rich Razzleberry CS

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Oval All, and The More the Merrier (new Level 3 Hostess)

Punches: 5-Petal Flower, Scalloped Oval, 1" Circle, Boho Blossom, Eyelet Border, Large Oval

Die Cuts: Big Shot by Sizzix for SU, Little Leaves SU die, Birds&Blooms SU die

Accessories: Sq Fire Rhinestone Brad, Melon Mambo Ribbon, Frosted Lace Stickles, Sponges