Holiday Mini Catty Cruise

Welcome to the Holiday Mini Catty Cruise! You probably just sailed in from my talented friend Wendy Janson's blog, It's All About Stamping . Didn't she create some wonderful projects using the Delightful Decorations set and the matching punch?

The first stamp set that caught my eye in the new Holiday Mini Catty was the beautiful new set Serene Snowflakes. I just love snowflakes, so I knew this was the set I wanted to share on the Cruise. These snowflakes look just gorgeous embossed. My first card shows the largest snowflake embossed in silver on Night of Navy and Brocade Blue.

Here's the medium sized snowflake embossed in Iridescent Ice on Elegant Eggplant for another look.
The base of this card is made of acetate and stamped in White Stazon. I made a little matchbox filled with gift tags to match. (Sorry for poor quality of photo...it is really hard to photograph the clear card...I'll give it another shot in the morning.) Here's a close up look of the cute little gift tag matchbox. Wouldn't this be a fun little gift to give somebody? Everybody can use cute gift tags at Christmastime...and handmade ones are better yet. I have one more project that I didn't quit finish, but hope to share it here tomorrow.

In the mean time, please sail on to Connie Collins blog, Constantly Stamping and enjoy the beautiful holiday projects she has created using Decor Elements.

Happy New Year!

Sorry about the poor quality of this photo. This card is a lot cuter in real life, but since it's stamped on acetate, it's really difficult to photograph. There were a few friends that I had planned to send Christmas cards to, but ran out of time, so I figured I'd send them a New Years card instead.


I used White Stazon to stamp the background of snowflakes using the Snow Swirled set. I thought Mr. Penguin from the Punch Pals set would look like he was going out to celebrate in style with a top hat borrowed from Mr. Snowman. So, with the help of my Stamp-a-ma-jig and some masking I added the hat. Card stock colors: Pacific Point, Basic Black, Brushed Silver & Whisper White.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! It's been a while since I posted...I've been taking it easy and enjoying some of my new Christmas goodies. Actually, this is what has been taking all my time...

I got hooked on the HBO series about vampires called True Blood, so I thought I'd like to read the series of books the show is based on. They're really good! I'm so addicted that I'm already on the 5th book! They are a more adult version of the Twilight books. If you like the show, you'll love the books!

I also got the Aerosmith Guitar Hero for Wii. I'm not a video game player, but I LOVE Aerosmith. My BIL & SIL were here at Christmas and were shocked that I didn't have the game so they surprised me with it. Wasn't that sweet?! I thought that was so nice of them! I had to have the boys show me how to play it...I'll tell you what...it is really difficult! I still haven't made it through an entire song yet. A feel like such a pathetic loser to have my guitar hero - Joe Perry throw his guitar down, shake his head with disgust and turn his back on me. Steven Tyler kicked over his mike stand and headed off stage...the whole while I'm being booed by the audience. This happens over and over...I am SO BAD! It is fun though. My goal for the New Year is to make it through a whole song!

I hope 2009 is a happy, healthy, creative & prosperous New Year for you all!

Valentine's Day Projects at Hostess Club

Friday night was the start of another round of my hostess club. Since we won't be meeting in February until after Valentines Day, I designed this months projects with a Valentine theme. The first project was a masculine Valentine using the Always stamp set. A slight variation to the Joseph's Coat technique was used to create this card. If you've never tried this technique you should give it a try:

1. Using a spectrum pad* brayer a piece of glossy white card stock with color. *This is where I deviated a bit from the technique - I randomly sponged on the colors I wanted instead of using a spectrum pad and brayer. Allow card stock to dry.
2. Rub the Embossing Buddy over the glossy card stock, then randomly stamp your images with Versamark ink. (In this case I just stamped the one heart image.)
3. Emboss with Clear Embossing Powder and allow to cool.
4. Brayer over the top of the entire glossy card stock with Basic Black ink until evenly coated.
5. Wipe excess ink from stamped images using a paper towel.

I really love the new Always stamp set. The heart looks so pretty embossed! The sentiments included with this set are great too, as well as the little background pieces. However, it is the bird in the set that really caught my eye...he is stamped on the inside of this card. I look forward to making more projects using this set with the bird front and center!

The other project I had the group do was an acetate card using the Happy Heart Day set. The acetate was stamped on the front panel with White Stazon ink. Then each layer is matted and adhered to a different panel of the acetate by applying double stick tape behind the previous smaller mat. This way all the adhesive is hidden by another layer and when the card is closed you see each layer of matting except the inside where your greeting is written. For example, my mouse image along with the Bashful Blue mat was adhered to the front (outside) of the card. I then opened the card, directly behind my blue mat I applied my double stick tape to the acetate, then I centered my Rose Red mat behind that, and proceeded to work my way back until each layer was properly centered and adhered to the acetate. I just love the look of these acetate cards ~ I'm glad I finally found the time to make one!I always give the hostess of the month a hand stamped gift. For this round of stamp club I decided to try something a bit different. I ordered the 12x12 craft keepers and everyone got to personalize one using white stazon & ribbon. To finish off this project, a fun embellishment was added to the flap of the craft keeper. The large flower from Time Well Spent was water colored on whisper white card stock and then embossed with several coats of Glassy Glaze enamel. This created a hard acrylic coating over the flower image. Then using a Build a Brad for the center it was attached to the flap. Here's a close up look:

When completed, this project is not only cute it is also useful!

January is a big birthday month in our family. I've been busy creating birthday cards. Tomorrow I will share some of those projects. I hope wherever you are you are staying warm...it is soooo cold here right now!