Christmas Snowflake Cards with Maja Design

I'm here with Christmas in September.  I know summer has just faded and I promise I am not trying to rush the holidays.  

I created a classic card that is simple but graceful - with a touch of rustic.  

The collection used is an older collection,  Maja Design - I Wish Collection

and more specifically, I used the front and back of the same sheet, "I Wish Christmas Was Today". 

I really love the red plaid paper in this collection.  It's rustic, vintage and totally gets me in the Christmas in September feeling. 

I added a diecut with lightly inked edges and tied together with raffia for more old country feel.  

Thanks for stopping.  Remember - it's never too early to start those holiday cards!

Bright Bold Butterfly Cards -DIY Instructions

Time for some bright and cheery cards.  

As the seasons change where I live, the sky grows dark and gloomy.  It's time to add bright colors, butterflies, cheer and love to someone's day.  

DIY time! For these cards, I created my own DIY background using stamps from JustRite Papercrafts.  The butterflies are also from JustRite. 

Here is a list of the stamps I used : 
JustRite Swirly Dots Background Stamp
JustRite Layered Butterflies Stamp Set
JustRite Get Well Soon Sentiments

Creating the Backgrounds

I did some creative fun blending and stamping to create the backgrounds of both cards.  The best way to get a smooth blended background is by using the right paper: Specialty Stamping Paper for Inks .   This paper has a glossy slippery feel to it, helping to make the inks blend seamlessly.  The paper is the key. 

Next I used Sponge Daubers - Finger Tip Sponge Daubers.  I love these little buggers.  They are absolutely perfect for controlling the ink colors and getting the colors exactly where you want them.  The other blending tools and pads are just too big to do the job.  This is a card....the area being colored is small.  It requires a small tool.   

These are the other products I used:  

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Chipped Sapphire 

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Mermaid Lagoon

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Wilted Violet

Sponge Daubers - Finger Tip

Specialty Stamping Paper for Inks 

More DIY backgrounds here.  The orange background was created with the following: 

Sponge Daubers - Finger Tip

Specialty Stamping Paper for Inks 

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Squeezed Lemon

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI - Spiced Marmalade 

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxides - Worn Lipstick

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Barn Door

Where to shop? 

You can shop for JustRite stamps and dies right here. 

JustRite Layered Butterflies Stamp Set

JustRite Get Well Soon Sentiments

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Chipped Sapphire 

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Mermaid Lagoon

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Wilted Violet

Sponge Daubers - Finger Tip

Specialty Stamping Paper for Inks 

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Squeezed Lemon

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks MINI - Spiced Marmalade 

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxides - Worn Lipstick

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Barn Door

Peace on Earth - DIY Cards Using Stamps

JustRite Papercraft has released it's new Christmas stamp collection and I am enchanted.  

Now is the perfect time to start your DIY cards.  The summer has rounded to a close ( sob sob)  - school is in session.  This seems to be the time of year when we speed like a jetliner towards Christmas.  

Three blinks and it's Halloween,  Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

JustRite's stamps help make the DIY holiday card preparations easy.  

I have created two cards using some of the new releases paired with one of JustRite's beautiful medallion dies.  JustRite Merry Christmas Sentiment Stamps Set

I decided how large the stamped wreath needed to be first, then I drew a circle in pencil as a guideline for stamping.  I then was able to stamp and actually be satisfied with my wreath shape.

After the inks are dry, the pencil marks can be erased. 

Thanks for stopping here. 

Where to shop? 

You can shop for  the JustRite Merry Christmas Sentiment Stamps Set
and other new JustRite Christmas releases as well as all their other gorgeous dies and products right here.

DIY Christmas Cards Using Stamps

JustRite Papercraft has released it's new Christmas stamp collection and I am enchanted.  

Now is the perfect time to start your DIY cards.  The summer has rounded to a close ( sob sob)  - school is in session.  This seems to be the time of year when we speed like a jetliner towards Christmas.  

Three blinks and it's Halloween,  Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

JustRite's stamps help make the DIY holiday card preparations easy.  

I have created two cards using some of the new releases paired with one of JustRite's beautiful medallion dies.  

JustRite Christmas Elements Clear Stamp CR-05508

JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp - CL-06008

JustRite Damask Flourish One Die -DIE-05069

The image above shows the two new Christmas stamp sets I used on the cards.  

Look at the adorable assortment of options  included in the  Christmas Elements Stamp Set.

So many possibilities. 

This is the first card created using an assortment of stamps to create clusters of festive holiday greens.  

The greens, pinecones and berries were all stamped with inks using the sweet stamps from JustRite Christmas Elements Clear Stamp .

After the inks were dry, I accented with Stickles Glitter Glue and Red Nuvo Crystal Drops .  There are a ton of perfect holiday images on this stamp set.
These are the inks  and Stickles I used: 

Stickles Glitter Glue - Lime Green

Stickles Glitter Glue - Crystal

Stickles Glitter Glue - Platinum

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Red Berry

Ranger Archival Ink by WendyVecchi - Leaf Green

Ranger Archival Ink by Wendy Vecchi - Red Geranium 

Hero Arts Green Apple Ink

This is the second card I made using the fun new stamps from JustRite Papercraft . 

JustRite Christmas Elements Clear Stamp .

JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp 

JustRite Damask Flourish One Die

I did use a stamping platform (MISTI Stamping Tool) to stamp the background.  I wanted to make sure I had complete and crisp coverage before I removed the stamp.  I am a giant fan of the platform  - which ever platform you choose - because it eliminates or at least majorly reduces stamping frustration.  It also cuts down on paper waste from half-stamped images, and helps me move through a project successfully and happily without frustration. 

Crafters craft to relieve stress,  right?    Tools like stamps, platforms, inks all help to make our hobby a happy and enjoyable one.  

How Did I create the Background?  

I had fun making this particular multi-colored dotted background.  

I stamped JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp  using a stamping platform (MISTI Stamping Tool) as described above using a Clear Embossing Ink Pad  and three different colored embossing powders sprinkled on the card: 

Fine Gold Embossing Powder

 Ranger - Wendy Vecchi Geranium Red Embossing Powder

Ranger - Wendy Vecchi Leaf Green Embossing Powder

How Did I create the Decorative Medallions?  

The medallions were created by stamping with Ranger Archival Ink by WendyVecchi - Leaf Green

Ranger Archival Ink by Wendy Vecchi - Red Geranium , accenting with Stickles Glitter Glue - Lime Green  and 

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Red Berry.  

Where to shop? 

You can shop for JustRite Papercraft's new Christmas releases as well as all their other gorgeous dies and products right here.

Product Links 
JustRite Christmas Elements Clear Stamp CR-05508
JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp - CL-06008
JustRite Damask Flourish One Die -DIE-05069
Fine Gold Embossing Powder
Fine Antique Gold Embossing Powder
MISTI Stamping Tool

Clear Embossing Ink Pad
Ranger - Wendy Vecchi Geranium Red Embossing Powder
Ranger - Wendy Vecchi Leaf Green Embossing Powder
Stickles Glitter Glue - Lime Green
Stickles Glitter Glue - Crystal
Stickles Glitter Glue - Platinum
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Red Berry
Ranger Archival Ink by WendyVecchi - Leaf Green
Ranger Archival Ink by Wendy Vecchi - Red Geranium 
Hero Arts Green Apple Ink

Bright and Bold Poinsettia Card

Bright and Bold Christmas Cards are something I usually do not create.  BUT I surprised myself and stepped out of my comfort zone...and had fun doing it. 

I created this cheery bright card using some stamps from JustRite Papercrafts.  

JustRite Doodled Loopy Loops Background Stamp

JustRite Merry Christmas Sentiments Two Stamp

There's not a lot to this card.  Some stamping, some embossing, a ribbon and a flower.  

Where to shop? 

You can shop for JustRite stamps and dies right here. 

JustRite Doodled Loopy Loops Background Stamp

JustRite Merry Christmas Sentiments Two Stamp

Tulips and Happy Thoughts - DIY Card with JustRite Stamps

Thinking of You!

 There are people all around us who could use a kind word of encouragement, a quick "pick-me-up" note, or even just mail.  Yep happy mail that is not a bill, a payment notice or junk mail. Gosh who isn't sick of receiving ONLY junk mail and bills in the mail.   

Raise your hands if you smile when you actually receive a card in the mail.  Come on...raise those hands.  

This card was made for just that reason.  It's a card that can be popped in the mail and can mean so much to the recipient.  JustRite's Rose Garden and Leaves Clear Stamp helped to make this super easy.   Scroll down and I'll tell you how I made this.  

This card was created using the following stamps: 

JustRite Rose Garden and Leaves Clear Stamp CR-05506

JustRite Get Well Soon Sentiment Clear Stamps -CR-05513

These are the Inks I used: 

Spellbinders Ink by Jane Davenport - Squid Ink Pink 

Tsukineko Momento Dye Ink-Tuxedo Black

Ranger Archival Ink by Wendi Vecchi- Prickly Pear 

Tsukineko Momento Dye Ink- Pear Tart

Tsukineko Momento Lux Dye Ink- Rose Bud

DIY Instructions: 

Step 1.  I used a pencil and drew a circle to start my tulip wreath.  The circle helps me in the stamping process and lets me know where I should be placing the stamp in order to make a decent wreath.  

Step 2.  I used two of the tulip stamps for this wreath however I only added only one tulip stamp to an acrylic stamping block at a time.  I thought this was the easiest way to avoid overlapping stamps.  

Stamping TIP -  You'll get better, crisper, clear stamped images if  you avoid using textured cardstock.  If the cardstock is flat on the backside, that is OK to use. 

Step 3.  I used cheap watercolors to add a splash of imperfect color to the tulips and leaves.  

Step 4.  Finishing Touches - I finished the card by stamping green accent dots (from the  stamp set) around the wreath and drawing stitch lines with a fine point black marker.  

I stamped "Get Well Soon" Sentiment last -  after I had a feel for where the bow was going to be added.  I didn't want to bow to cover the sentiment so placing the sentiment  off center was perfect.

Thanks for stopping here today.

Where to shop? 

You can shop for JustRite stamps and dies right here. 

Products Used on this Card:

JustRite "Get Well Soon Clear Sentiment Stamp" CR-05513

JustRite Rose Garden and Leaves Clear Stamp CR-05506

Watercolor Paper

Spellbinders Ink by Jane Davenport - Squid Ink Pink 
Tsukineko Momento Dye Ink-Tuxedo Black
Ranger Archival Ink by Wendi Vecchi- Prickly Pear 
Tsukineko Momento Dye Ink- Pear Tart
Tsukineko Momento Lux Dye Ink- Rose Bud

Hugs and Kisses and Butterfly Wishes

Sending a card to someone does two things  - it brings joy to the person receiving the card and it adds joy to your heart knowing you have made someone's day and touched their life.  

Bright and bold greeting cards add the extra element of lightness, cheer, happiness. 

Sometimes that little bit of colorful cheer can make all the difference in raising the spirit of a person who needs a bit of emotional support and a smile. 

When you send a card - it's like sending a hug and a smile from afar. 

I created this cheery bright card using some stamps from JustRite Papercrafts:

JustRite Doodled Loopy Loops Background Stamp

JustRite Layered Butterflies Stamp Set

JustRite Get Well Soon Sentiments

This card was easy to create by stamping the JustRite Doodled Loopy Loops Background Stamp first  and then adding your touch of color after the ink dries.  

Perfect Card For Kids Projects

This particular card is perfect for kids to make.  There is stamping and coloring involved and butterflies for added fun. 

I chose to color with inexpensive watercolor paints so I used watercolor paper - however you can use colored pencils, crayons, markers - whatever you have on hand for the kids. 

Just make sure the ink is dry first. 

Where to shop? 

You can shop for JustRite stamps and dies right here. 

JustRite Doodled Loopy Loops Background Stamp

JustRite Layered Butterflies Stamp Set

JustRite Get Well Soon Sentiments

Relax and Recover - Get Well Card

Today I am presenting a  get-well card made from Maja Design's fabulous  Denim & Friends collection.

This collection is one of my favorites for layering.  The patterns and florals combined with the blues and soft browns in this collection make this versatile for both men's and women's cards. 

These are the papers I used from the collection:

Summer Shirt

Stonewashed

Paisley

This is a closer look at the layers of the card as well as the sentiment. 

I added a piece of fun foam under the sentiment piece to give a little volume and dimension. 

The sentiment stamped with a warm chocolate colored ink using a new stamp from JustRite Papercrafts.  It's a newly released set, JustRite Get Well Soon Sentiments.  
And it covers any an array of get well wishes.

Here is an image of the stamp set from JustRite. 

Maja Design has introduced a solid collection to coordinate with the Denim & Friends collection.  It's called Monochrome - Shades of Denim and it is a set of solid colors that are custom selected for the Denim & Friends papers.

One last view of the complete card. 

Have a wonderful day.  

Where to shop? 

You can shop for Maja Design Papers here. 

You can shop for all the dies and stamps from JustRite here.

Traditional and Festive DIY Christmas Cards

JustRite Papercraft has released it's new Christmas stamp collection and I am enchanted.  

Now is the perfect time to start your cards.  Folks, it doesn't get any better than this to start.  Time only speeds up from here.  

JustRite's stamps help make the holiday card preparations easy.  

I have created a traditional and festive card using the newly released JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp  paired with one of JustRite's beautiful Damask Flourish One Die  .  

These are the two JustRite  products I used on this card:

JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp 

JustRite Damask Flourish One Die

  This card was amazingly easier and created more quickly than it looks.  

I embossed the background onto deep red cardstock using the JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp with Clear Embossing Ink and Fine Gold Embossing Powder.

After the embossing is done, I started embellishing. 

That's quite simple too:  add some gold trim, cut a JustRite Damask Flourish Die  medallion from Gold Cardstock  .  

NOTE: I used the negative space from the die.  This is the paper leftover once the actual die cut shape has been removed.  In other words - the leftovers. 

I did use a stamping platform (MISTI Stamping Tool) to stamp the background.  I wanted to make sure I had complete and crisp coverage before I removed the stamp.  I am a giant fan of the platform  - whichever platform you choose - because it eliminates or at least cuts down on stamping frustration,  cuts down on paper waste from half-stamped images, and helps me move through a project successfully and happily without frustration. 

Crafters craft to relieve stress,  right?    Tools like stamps, platforms, inks all help to make our hobby a happy and enjoyable one.  

 Where to shop? 

You can shop for JustRite Papercraft's new Christmas releases as well as all their other gorgeous dies and products right here.  

JustRite Dotted Lines Background Cling Stamp - CL-06008
JustRite Damask Flourish One Die -DIE-05069
MISTI Stamping Tool
Clear Embossing Ink
Fine Gold Embossing Powder
Tonic Studios Mirror Cardstock - Satin Honey Gold