Deck the halls

I used the Deck the Halls stampset from Gerda Steiner for this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday (star light, star bright)  and Wednesday Challenge (anything goes showcasing Tim Holtz products).

I stamped the Kitty and sentiment with Versafine onyx black ink and then immediately sprinkled on Papermania clear embossingpowder and heat set it.
I watercolored the image with Distress inks (mowed lawn, candied apple, mustard seed and mermaid lagoon and pumice stone and tea dye for the kitty) a typical Tim Holtz product and one of my favorites. I then added Nuvo shimmer pen on the lights and ornaments and added Glossy Accents on the ornaments for shine and dimension.


For my bright shiny star element I thought a matching washi tape that also has kinda foiled golden stars on it would be the perfect shine. So I added it to the bottom of the cardbase and mounted the watercolored panel with foamtape on top

For more information onthe Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.
For more information on the Simon Says StampWednesday Challenge, see this.

Oreo wrap treat wrap, with video

For these Oreo wraps you  need a piece of designer paper (thin paper, not cardstock) that measures 5"tall x 6" wide, it could be a little narrower, but if you're cutting up your designer pad you have the 6" anyway.
You'll also need some ribbon and washi tape or Scotch tape, I prefer decorative washi tape.

I  made two versions, one with the ribbon on the outside, that's like wrapping a present.
But I don't like it when you have all those scrunched up bits of wrapping paper and loads or Scotch tape to hold it in place.

I think you can use some sturdier wrapping paper as well, just try.

The other version has the ribbon on the inside and you can pull on the ribbon to reveal your treat. I think that's my favorite.

I attach the ribbon with a bit of taperunner to the Oreo package, just so it doesn't slide around while you work on it.
You can either tie a bow on the top, or as I did wrap some bakers twine to hold the wider ribbon tight.

Cut or tear a piece of washi long enough for the wrap and stick it to the table, then wrap the paper around the Oreo and tape it shut.

You can decorate your wraps with flowers, tags, foam shapes, enamel dots, anything you like.

Diy ornaments, tree decoration or tags, with video

Today I'm showing you how to make these, fun little tree decorations, but they could also be tags, or gift decorations.

I used a selection of snowflake shaped dies and a deer.
The Spellbinder one I got second hand and I don't know the name, The Joy craft one is 6002/2053 and it's at least one year old, maybe more, might not be available anymore and the deer were from Yvonne creations (YCD10029) and it's  not about which item I used, It's about digging through your own stash and seeing what might work.

Best is to use very symmetric shapes, esp if you use stamps like the little Christmas tree in the video, but I'm sure you have similar items.
I used holographic card, I was tempted by the glitter paper, but it's too thin and wobbly and you'd  have to mount it to card first.
Crafter's companion has released a line of glitter cardstock, that is nice and sturdy, i only have their black and fuchsia, so not very Christmassy.

I diecut two of each shape , in different colors, but you could use the same on both sides, I thought it would be funny if they twist and turn on the tree and they change.
Also might be easier to use up scraps.

To hang them I added a bit of gold Lurex "wool" and glued it to the two sides first, then added dots of glue on one of the diecuts and stuck them together.

you can use ribbon or baker's twine, but if the ribbon is wider than the diecut, it looks weird to me and bakers twine might be too bulky, fishing line or nylon jewelry line could also be a possibility.

AAA Cards Challenge #104: Christmas, with video

Our theme this fortnight is: Christmas, and our sponsor is Uniko, you could win an in stock stamp set if you play along with us.

For my card I used an Uniko stampset, but it's no longer available in this guise, but the Santa appears on a background stamp as well and that's a new release.

I used the Crafter's Companion neenah paper and stamped the images with Simon Says Stamp intense black ink, then cut out the images using the Scan N Cut.

I colored the images with Spectrum Noir markers.

I thought the sentiments in the set were a bit small for my card, so I pulled out a Christmas Washi tape, and one with gold confetti.

So I also have a grounding spot for my colored images. It's like a hill or road if you prefer.

I adhered the tree with tape runner and I made the Santa wobble with a homemade wobbler spring.

then mounted him in front of the tree. I decorated the tree with some really small glittery blue enamel dots as if they were baubles/ornaments on the tree.

For more information and to play along with the AAA Cards Challenge, see this

I'm also entering it into the Less isMore Challenge Let it shine as I thought the glod laminated washi and glittery enamel dots would be on theme.

And the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge tear it up  As I tore the washi tape.

Mini candybar treatbox #4 and bonus treat bag, with video

For my last video on this mini series I made a box with a lid.

You'll need two pieces of paper measuring 6"x6".
you first score the bottom piece by placing the lid piece in the side of your scoring board as a shim. then score at 1 and 5 inches, turn and score again at 1"and 5".
Burnish and notch, then  put it together.
I used the other bit of paper as my shim, but a narrower piece would be easier, as long as the thickness of the card is the same.

For the lid you also score at 1"and 5"but without the shim.
I like to fold the lid around the base/bottom, but it should fit snugly no matter.

Feline festive

Today's card is for both the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: furry friends, showcasing Newton's Nook products.
And the Less is More challenge: CASE Susan.

Happy Birthday Susan first of all!.

For my card I chose to use Ornamental Newton from  Newton's Nook. I stamped him on Schut hotpressed and smooth watercolor paper (140lbs/300grams) with Simon Says Stamo Intense black ink and then colored him with Talens Ecoline, a fluid watercolor, SSS now carries. The gold is also ecoline, but a different recipe to the other transparent ones.

Of course I had to color the cat as one of my own, although mine have black noses as well, I thought the pink would give the image a bit more life. I mean look at Tjeerd "helping" me unpack this box of books...it's like I'm looking at Newton ;-)

As my panels of watercolor paper are always slightly narrow compared to the base I filled the gap with sold glitter washi tape and mounted the panel with foamtape before adhering it to the cardbase.

Fixative spray to protect the watercoloring.

mini candy car box #3: cigarette box style closure, with video

For box #3 I designed a box that is like a cigarette box closure.
this box's finished dimension are 3'x3.5"x,75".

Cut your paper to 81/4" x 5"
If you use a directional pattern, make sure the top is pointing left <<<
score on the long side at:
3", 3 3/4", 6 3/4"and 7 1/2"
Score on the short side at: 3/4"and 4 1/4"
cut and remove bits like in the drawing.
Glue the bottom first, make sure the front folds over the other flaps, so you get a smooth finish.
Then fold the lid over the box and glue it on the little tabs, you might need to shorten a little.