Embossed Snowflakes

Arrrrrgh … the last few weeks before the holidays is NOT the time to be sick!  Whatever this bug is that has decided to take up permanent residence in the family, has successfully zapped every ounce of energy from my body (not that there was much there to begin with).  In a valiant attempt to get back to my blog (I’m sure ya’ll have missed me terribly!), I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet.

This is another card that was made at my holiday card stamp camp, inspired by many other creations I have seen.  I have this thing for snowflakes, just can’t seem to get enough of them.  When Stampin’ Up! released the Northern Flurry embossing folder, I swear my neighbors could hear me squeal with delight!

The snowflakes are embossed on vellum cardstock.  The heavier weight of this paper didn’t shred during the embossing process and is still light enough to give the desired effect.  I added several of the new self adhesive rhinestones in various sizes to give it a touch of bling, along with a bow made with matching satin ribbon.  Did you notice the sentiment?  I love how the new Decorative Label punch layers with the Holiday Windows movers and shapers die – perfect!

PROJECT RECIPE

Stamps:  Snow Swirled, Serene Snowflakes, Northern Hearts
Paper:  Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, vellum cardstock
Ink:  Whisper White craft, Marina Mist
Accessories:  Northern Flurry embossing folder, Decorative Label punch, Holiday Windows movers & shapers, Big Shot, satin ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, dimensionals

Unlimited Possibilities

Have you been searching for something just a little different than the norm for your cards?  You can make your very own embossed backgrounds in any design you wish with just a few die cut pieces, some cardstock and a crank of your Big Shot!  

I stumbled on this technique totally by accident quite a few months ago, then quickly forgot about it as I became busy with other demands.  Imagine my surprise when I started seeing many more unique creations using the same basic principle I thought I discovered!   hehehehe, just goes to show you that great minds really DO think alike! 

This is a sample of my original “discovery” … I used the Lattice die and embossed it into the background panel.  I liked the end result so much that this became one of those cards I just couldn’t bare to part with, so tucked it away for safe keeping.  Evidently I created this card before the color renovation became official, so please forgive the use of retired product.  I felt it was a great example of this technique and photographed very well, so decided to include it in this post.

When I came across that card a few weeks ago, I decided it was a wonderful idea to teach to my club members.  This time I went with a more seasonal theme … snowflakes.

I chose to use the new Northern Frost decorative strip from the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini, using several of the snowflakes and trimming some off at the edges of the cardstock.  I now have a new “texture plate” of my own that I can use over and over again!

And the finished product this design was used on?  Since one of their projects for the evening was a holiday themed item, I wanted to go with something just a little different.  I felt this design could be easily used as a non-traditional holiday card, with a bit of a vintage feel … or simply as a winter themed greeting card.

PROJECT RECIPE:

Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases, Serene Snowflakes
Paper:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls dsp
Ink:  Early Espresso
Accessories:  Northern Frost decorative strip, Swirly decorative strip, Crochet Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, snowflake punch, 3/4” oval punch, photo corner punch, antique brad, linen thread

Stampin’ Addicts Happy Holidays Tour – Autumn Meadows DSP

Welcome to the Stampin’ Addicts Happy Holidays Blog Tour! This tour will take you through 20+ blogs, each showcasing different items debuting in the new Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini Catalog … available for purchase beginning September 1st.

I’m stop #8 along your journey. If you’ve been following the tour in order didn’t you just LOVE Holly’s gorgeous creations at Ink Paper Stamps! If you’re beginning the tour with me, don’t fret – the tour is a continuous circle so you can see all the wonderful and inspiring projects. Just follow the arrows at the bottom of my post. Without further ado here are the fun projects I’ve created featuring the new "to die for" Autumn Meadows DSP!

This paper SCREAMS fall to me, so my first project of course had to be Autumn themed with lots of leaves. I stamped the leaves with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint then embossed with clear powder – sponged leaves with Really Rust and Chocolate Chip inks and cut them out. Each leaf is stacked and mounted with dimensionals to achieve the layered look I was hoping for. I love how they sparkle!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Grateful Greetings
Paper: Really Rust, Taken With Teal, More Mustard, Autumn Meadows DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard
Accessories: Champagne Mist shimmer paint, ribbon, large grommet, clear EP, sponges, dimensionals

In my next project I tried very hard to think "outside of the box" (ok, so it was a very small box) ... a Christmas card using fall themed paper! I started with a piece of the blue chevron patterned paper (I think that's what the little wavy lines are called), stamped random flakes using the Serene Snowflakes set with white craft ink. Back to the new shimmer paints (don't ya just luv 'em!), stamped a design from the Delightful Decorations set using Platinum shimmer paint, punched it out with the new Ornament Punch - then layered it using the Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers. I did this twice (so it looks the same when you open the card) and sandwiched silver elastic cord between the layers. The inside of the card is another patterned piece from the Autumn Meadows DSP, felt it was perfect peeking through the window. This was my very first attempt at a suspension card, hope you are as happy with it as I am!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Delightful Decorations, Four The Holidays
Paper: Very Vanilla, Taken With Teal, Chocolate Chip, Autumn Meadows DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, White craft
Accessories: Platinum Shimmer paint, Ornament Punch, Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers, Circle Scissors, silver elastic cord

For my final project I incorporated the remaining papers and made a set of cards with a cute little purse box to tuck them into. I came across this box template long ago (so long ago that I have no clue as to who/where) and altered the size to fit just a few cards. The main box is stamped with the Autumn Splendor set using Taken With Teal ink, covered the lid with a piece of Chocolate Chip large leaf patterned paper. Cute, cute, cute! I will post more details on this project later in the week.

I hope you enjoyed my projects with the new Autumn Meadows DSP, as much as I did creating them. Use the arrows below to continue on the tour and see what Lyssa has in store for you at Song of My Heart Stampers!

Links to all blog tour participants:

1. Tracy: Sweet Centers (Tracy’s Stamp Therapy)
2. Michelle: Grateful Greetings (Come Stamp with Me)
3. Sarah: Pumpkin Patch (Sarah’s Ink Spot)
4. Twila: Twick or Tweet (Stamp a Little Longer)
5. Sara: Haunting Hill & DSP (Lily’s Ink Pad)
6. Marie: Night & Day DSP (From Combat Boots…)
7. Holly: Autumn Splendor & Tablesetting Die (InkPaperStamps)
8. Joyce: Autumn Meadows DSP (Stampin’ Central)
9. Lyssa: Calendar Kit with Magnetic Box (Song of My Heart Stampers)
10. Trina: Gifts of the Earth (Stamps and Whiskers)
11. Kim: Wandering Words (Stitchin’ N Stampin’ on Paper)
12. Carmen: Cold & Cuddly (Stamping Addiction)
13. Ashley: Just Beclause & Christmas Cocoa DSP (Stamp with Ashley)
14. Dawnmarie: Berry Christmas (DM Dezigns)
15. Rhonda: Holy Family (The Stampin’ Bunny)
16. Kat: Delightful Decorations and Punch (Kat’s Kards)
17. Cheryl: Icicle and Merry & Bright Rub-Ons (Love to Stamp and Scrap)
18. Holly: Serene Snowflakes (Holly’s Stampin’ Mania)
19. Paula: Décor Elements & wood blocks (Stamping with Paula)
20. Linda: Charming (Olive Stamps)
21. Barbara: Simply Adorned (Creative Stampin’ Spot)
22. Yapha: Bear Bigz Die and clothes (Yapha Stamps)