Angels' Glad Tidings

Hi y'all!   Well, it's that time of year again!  Time to make hand-stamped holiday cards!  Actually, it is a good idea to make a few along the way all through the year, but if you haven't done that, now is the time or you could end up on a really tight timeline!  This last quarter of the year always seems to get really busy and time flies by!

My cards for today were inspired by some designer paper and a Tim Holtz greenery die cut that I used a couple of weeks ago.  I had cut and colored two and had the spare still on my desk.  It seemed to go really well with this designer paper printed tag (you'll see what I mean as you keep scrolling), so I grabbed some of our stamps (old and new!) to add to it.

I started out with this combination of sentiments and swirls from our older Christmas JOY set and the new Worship & Praise.  I love the look of the sentiment in black ink layered over top of the silver swirl.

I paper-pieced the angel for the inside, adding the JOY sentiment to the lower left corner.  

This version fits nicely into a standard envelope and is flat for mailing.  

Then I decided that I should try the same design in landscape format rather than portrait, thinking the angel would look so pretty on the front.  This paper pad is convenient for that since it includes two of each of the printed tags sheets.  Not exactly "assembly line" but it does save time to do a second card of a similar design rather than designing completely from scratch.  In this case, since the angel's dress is fussy-cut it is a little detailed for "assembly line" production anyway, but would be perfect if you have a few special folks on your mailing list.  

I probably could have made this second card into a standard sized/regular envelope card as well, but decided that the angel showed up so much better when mounted onto a tag.  I always love tags but to me they seem especially appropriate to use on Christmas cards.  I can just imagine this card topping a gift simply wrapped in shiny, plain white paper (ha! freezer paper anyone?!) with a big blue bow!  

So here's that extra sprig of greenery that I mentioned earlier.  Isn't it a nice match for this paper?!  I love how all of these elements from different sources work so well together.

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Angels Among Us Bundle
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Christmas JOY
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Worship & Praise
• Carta Bella Winter Time 6 x 6
• Sizzix Thinlits Dies by Tim Holtz - Tag Collection
• Sizzix Thinlits Dies by Tim Holtz - Holiday Greens Mini
• Delicata Non-Tarnishing Ink Pad - Silvery Shimmer
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black
• May Arts 1/16" Jute Burlap Cord Sampler - 24 yards
• Copic markers

Remember also to check out our weekly Wild Wednesday specials on the Stamp Simply blog.  Here's this week's!

With Heartfelt Sympathy

 

Many believe that the sighting of a cardinal is a sign that those we've lost will live forever as long as we keep their memory alive in our hearts.  In the midst of intense grief, the brightly colored visual reminder brings the comfort of knowing that we will be reunited some day.    

Our beautiful God Will Take Care of You bundle is a lovely choice for many occasions; when paired with a few other sentiments or dies it is also a wonderful choice for a sympathy card.  

This beautiful barn-wood print designer paper makes a perfect backdrop for a masculine card.  I stamped a portion of the sentiment directly onto the designer paper and added a die-cut swirly "sympathy" sentiment alongside.  

Here's the inside, with the country church and a passage from Second Corinthians.  This verse will hopefully bring comfort to the family of one whose spirit has been released from the struggles of their earthly body, especially if their loved one suffered from a lingering illness or painful injury.   

Sadly I have needed several sympathy cards in recent weeks, and I'm so thankful that stamped images and sentiments are here to help express words and feelings that are difficult to convey.  There is so much love poured into the creation of a hand-made card, and I truly believe that from the moment the envelope is opened, the recipient can feel that love and compassion come rushing forth.

    
Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - God Will Take Care of You Bundle
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - My Church
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Deepest Sympathy
• Stamp Simply Steel Dies - Sympathy Word Die
• Craft Consortium Beach Hut 6x6
• Memento ink
• Copic markers

Don't forget to check out our new Wild Wednesday weekly feature on the Stamp Simply blog!  

Angels Among Us!

I'm back with another new stamp set and another fun fold!  This one starts with a 5.5 x 12 inch piece of card stock and some simple scoring.  When folded it kind of looks like a simple pocket card with a belly band...

but when it is opened you can see that there is a little more to it. Don't be intimidated though...it really is not hard to do.  It's called either a Miura or mirror fold card.  

Here is a closer look at the belly band which wraps around the card to hold the folds and tag in place.  The ovals attach only to the band so it can easily be removed.  Isn't this angel absolutely gorgeous?!    

So gorgeous, and it's easy to color and die cut!  

The tag is not attached to the card at all.  It simply nestles in place because of the shape of the folds.  

I smile every time I look at this set because the angel reminds me of a pair of wooden angels that my Mom painted for us years ago.  She mod-podged fabric onto the wood and then painted portions of the pattern over the fabric...they are absolutely gorgeous with beautiful colors and swirls of gold.   

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Angels Among Us Bundle
• Carta Bella A Wonderful Christmas 6 x 6
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Ovals SM
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Ovals LG
• Tim Holtz Tag Collection Sizzix Thinlets
• Tim Holtz Holiday Greens Mini Sizzix Thinlets
• Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Marker
• May Arts Faux Linen Ribbon Sampler - 27 yards
• Copic markers

Be sure to visit Stamp Simply to find out more about a new weekly feature, Wild Wednesdays!  

 

Wintry Country Church Center Step Card

I can hardly read this passage of scripture without singing "How lovely is Your dwelling place..." although this darling country church also makes me wanna sing "Church in the Wildwood!" Never in my life (lived almost entirely within a few miles of Interstate 10) have I attended church in such a lovely snowy setting, but I really enjoyed playing with these new stamps and dies from Stamp Simply!  

I followed Beate's tutorial on SCS except that I made the side strips a little wider and the center panel a little narrower than her measurements.  The center panel of the card has a mat of silver card stock.  The sentiment and church were stamped directly onto a rectangle of card stock, the country church colored with Copic markers.  The surrounding sky was masked/sponged with pale blue ink, the cloud die-cut from silver card stock.

I cut extra strips the same width as those narrow side panels and used our new tree line dies to cut them to varying lengths.  After sponging the trees with pale blue ink and dabbing them onto a Delicata Silvery Shimmer ink pad, I glued three strips one on top of the other and then glued that to the side panels of the step card, then repeated the same process for the inside.  I used more die cut trees and the slope die to add accents to the bottom of the card.  It really added a lot of depth and dimension, giving the impression of snowdrifts and tree-lined mountainsides.     

The inside includes a beautiful sentiment and a silver cross cut using our gorgeous cross dies.

This is one of those shimmery, ethereal cards that the camera simply cannot accurately capture.  So much prettier in person than the photographs show.

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Church Bundle Quad
• Luxury Pearlescent Metallic 105# Cardstock - Silver 6 ct
• May Arts 1" Sheer - 100 Yard May Arts 1"
• Stamp Simply Steel Dies - Crosses
• Delicata Silvery Shimmer Ink
• pearls
• Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Marker
• Copic markers

Trio of Tags

Hello friends!  I'm back with a trio of tags using new stamps from Stamp Simply.  That swirly music stamp and Studio Light's Sending Joy designer paper prints inspired the idea of a "Let's Go Caroling" invitation, and the rest flowed from there.  All were made assembly-line style using Tim Holtz Tag Collection dies, so they were super fast and easy, and honestly, can you ever have too many tags at Christmas time?    

The first tag is a soft monochromatic country church snowscape with a star-sprinkled sky.  I can't even read that tiny tag at the top without singing the song in my head!  It brings back thoughts of the church from my childhood, and of my parents and others who were so influential to my faith.     

This particular paper design is the one that inspired the trio.  With the addition of those lovely music stamps it is the perfect "Let's Go Caroling" invitation, but I suppose it could also be "Let's Go Purchase & Decorate the Tree," or "Deck the Halls with Me" since holiday music is always such an important part of those things.        

Here's the third tag with a beautiful scripture passage about encouraging each other and singing praises to God with gratitude in our hearts.  

All three of the tags have sentiments under-stamped with grey ink that was over-stamped with silver.  Choosing different colors/styles of card stock, ink and ribbon can really change the flavor and personality (casual, elegant, etc) of each tag.    

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Worship & Praise
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - My Church
• Studio Light Sending Joy 6 x 6
• Luxury Pearlescent Metallic 105# Cardstock - Silver 6 ct
• Tim Holtz Tag Collection Sizzix Thinlets
• Delicata Silvery Shimmer Ink under stamped with Memento Gray Flannel

Ribbon options

• May Arts 5/8" Twill - 30 Yard Spool - Sage
• May Arts Faux Linen Ribbon Sampler - 27 yards
• Christmas Seam Binding Sampler

New Stamps: The Lord's Prayer

We are celebrating a new release at Stamp Simply and sharing cards made with some beautiful new sets.  Today I'm sharing a card made with the new bundle, The Lord's Prayer.  

The Lord's Prayer series includes two stamp sets (The Lord's Prayer and Pray Without Ceasing) along with two sets of steel dies.  

I stamped the praying hands with Memento Ink and colored them with Copic Markers, adding a swipe of clear Wink of Stella glitter marker to the fingernails.  The cuffs portion was stamped again onto coordinating designer paper and fussy-cut.     

I wanted the card to display the entire prayer, and after browsing Pinterest found a tutorial for this triple easel card which was easy and worked perfectly.  One of our beautiful cross die cuts fits alongside as a  lovely accent.  

A side view shows the construction of the card which stands for display but collapses to fold flat to fit into a square envelope.  

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Pray Without Ceasing Stamp Die Bundle
• Carta Bella Gather at Home 6 x 6
• Stamp Simply Steel Dies - Crosses
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Marker
• pearls
• Copic markers

Visit the Stamp Simply blog and store to see more stamps and cards from the new release, which is available individually or in a wide variety of bundled options.

Time to be Grateful

Hello friends!

It has been a bit chaotic in our household in recent weeks.  A while back we had a slab leak which was repaired early on, but the damaged wood floor was another story.  Finally last week the floor guys came to remove the warped wood and deliver replacement wood which has to acclimate for a while before they return to install it.  That meant lots of furniture moving and living with things out of place, crowded and in the way, or inaccessible for a while.  Suffice it to say that with all of that going on, I needed a little attitude adjustment!  And it's not even over yet!  We don't know yet when they'll be back to finish!  

So that is what inspired this card made for someone who might need a reminder as I did!  A gentle nudge to take the time to be grateful and to find the beauty in every day, because it is right there before our eyes if we shift our perspective and take the time to see.

I've noticed lots of pumpkin patches popping up in and around town, and while they're filled to the brim with the usual orange pumpkins, there are also a few of the pale white-green ones that are sometimes a little "warty."  I find them quite lovely and a bit fascinating, warts and all!  Since these papers have a pop of that pretty, soft teal color, I decided to color one of my pumpkins in that hue.   That soft color really makes the adjacent orange really pop! 

While the outside of the card uses stamps from the Fall/Winter Seasonal Wreaths set, the sentiment on the inside is from the Spring/Summer version.  

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Seasonal Wreaths Full Bundle QUAD
• Carta Bella Welcome Autumn 6x6
• Stamp Simply Steel Dies - Fishtail Sentiment Banners
• May Arts 5/8" Twill - 30 Yard Spool - Orange
• Kaisercraft Self-Adhesive Round Rhinestones - Split Pea
• Copic markers
• Copic multiliner

Black and White with a Pop of Krafty Christmas Color

Our Stamp Simply design team has been having fun with black and white cards with just a pop of color.  Mine was inspired by some KaiserCraft designer paper which also included little hints of Kraft and I added a pop of red to that.  I thought it was kinda fun how all those tiny triangles echo the shape of this tree from our stamp set "O Christmas Tree."  🎵  And those houses!  "I'll be home for Christmas..." 🎶  

A Kraft bow with red accents frames the stamped sentiment.  The tiny tag suspended from the ribbon was cut with a Tim Holtz Tags Collection die.  "Believe" is cut from one of the designer prints from the paper pad.  

Here's a peek at the inside which is stamped with a sentiment from the same stamp set.  

This larger tag on the inside of the card is one that is a punch-out from a sheet of tags that is part of the designer paper pad.  I added a house colored and fussy-cut from the designer paper to carry the theme from the front to the inside.

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - O Christmas Tree Bundle
• Kaisercraft 6.5x6.5" Paper Bundle #4 - Christmas
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Ovals SM
• Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Ovals LG
• Stamp Simply Steel Dies - Fishtail Sentiment Banners
• Sizzix Thinlits Dies by Tim Holtz - Tag Collection
• May Arts 5/8" Twill - 30 Yard Spool - Champagne
• May Arts 3/8" Metallic Velvet Sampler - Christmas - 8 yards
• Kaisercraft Self-Adhesive Round Pearls - Red
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black
• distress oxide ink
• diluted white acrylic paint
• red and green copic markers
• clear Wink of Stella

With Gratitude

The autumnal equinox of 2023 will arrive on September 23, according to the Farmer's Almanac, marking the official start of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere.  This week our Stamp Simply team has been highlighting cards that herald Fall's arrival with the images and colors of the season.  Of course, Florida is always fashionably late to the party and this box fold card pays tribute to that in its use of Retro Summer designer paper for the background.  

This card folds flat and fits into a standard envelope for mailing, but the box portion at the bottom helps to support the card in an upright position for display.  I deliberately kept the layout uncluttered to let those beautiful Fall colors shine all on their own.

It helps to use sturdy card stock for the card base...the stuff I used here was the perfect color but proved to be a bit flimsy when all was said and done, even with the extra layers!  It was more like the thickness of designer paper than card stock and really works better as a layer for a mat than for a base layer but with this designer paper it was the perfect color.  (I need to order more Kraft card stock...and other colors too!)

I used two of our gorgeous Fall stamp sets for this project.  The leaf and acorn are from Give Thanks, and the sentiments are both from Falling Leaves.  That GRATITUDE sentiment was a perfect fit stamped directly onto the box portion at the bottom, and the My Friend stamp fit just right into the tag from Tim Holtz Tag Collection dies as well.  

It's very hard to catch on camera, but if you look very closely just maybe you can see the shimmer of the leaves border stamped onto the box portion of the card with Delicata ink.  The leaf and acorn were both colored with Copics and then given a tap with the Delicata ink pad to add some shimmer there too.

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Falling Leaves Border Strip
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Give Thanks Bundle
• Craft Consortium Retro Summer designer paper
• Tim Holtz Tag Collection dies
• Hot Pink Rhinestones
• Jute string
• Memento Ink
• Delicata Ink
• Copic markers

Christmas Special Delivery Gift Card

This week our Stamp Simply team has been designing simple cards that are flat for mailing.  Mine is a card that has no coloring and only a little stamping but it does require a few passes through the die-cutting machine.  If you organize well beforehand you can make duplicates of this card assembly-line style without being overwhelmed!

I love Tim Holtz thinlits and used several on this design.  We usually exchange gift cards with our neighbors and so each year I try to create a trio of handmade cards that will make a pretty presentation for them.  The TH Collector set is perfect for this purpose and the to/from sentiment from our Farmhouse Christmas set puts the recipient's name front and center.  

The Special Delivery die cut is from the TH Postale die set.  I cut it once from red card stock to use as a "postage stamp" on the envelope, and then cut it once again from green card stock to use the letters DEC for the date next to those big fun numbers from Countdown.  

The Collector set has a die shaped sort of like a gift card that would fit inside the envelope, but I really like the look of a tag, especially at Christmas, so I used the tag set too.  Either of these are the perfect size to attach a gift card onto the back and slip it into the envelope pocket.

We just got some fun new arrivals in the store, including Christmas dies from Tim Holtz.  There's a new Festive Gatherings set of greenery that is really pretty but since I don't have it yet, this greenery is from the Holiday Greens Mini die set.  The tiny I <3 U is from our Stick People Sentiments.  Look closely at the envelope and you'll notice that it is faintly stamped with our Snowflake Border stamp.  

Here's the inside.  Honestly, even with all of the die cuts that were used, the two-toned stamping shown here is probably the hardest part of making this card.  And even that is easy!  :)  

Supplies:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Farmhouse Christmas
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Snowflake Blessings Border Strip
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Stick Family Sentiments
• Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Collector
• Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Postale
• Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Tag Collection
• Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Countdown
• Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Holiday Greens Mini
• Craft Consortium Tartan Plaid designer paper

Be sure to visit the store blog to see other ideas for mailable Christmas cards.