Merry Christmas Poinsettia

Posted on November 19, 2019 by M. Schuering

I haven’t posted in a while. But now that Christmas is getting nearer, I’ve started making holiday cards.

This card features a beautiful poinsettia flower. I love the die it was cut from. There is so much detail in it. The embossed lines that are created by the die really add dimension to the flower.

I die cut the flowers and the leaves from metallic shimmer paper because I think the holidays are all about things that shimmer, shine and glow. The border stamp (though it is stamped in the middle of the card front) was stamped with metallic gold shimmer ink. The results are stunning, and the photo doesn’t quite capture it.

Hope you like this project. Have a great day and try to fit in some Holiday crafting!

Supplies used in making this project:

Stamps: Pretty Pink Posh: Winter Borders stamp set; My Favorite Things: Hand Lettered Holiday stamp set (‘Merry’ ‘Christmas’ sentiment/words).
Dies: Hero Arts: Paper Layering Poinsettia Fancy Die.
Inks: Delicata: Golden Glitz (for the stamped border. Note: this ink is from Tsukineko); Hero Arts: Mid-Tone Shadow Ink in Royal Red (for sentiment).
Cardstock:
- Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream (card front).
- Poinsettia flower in Red Satin shimmer cardstock (from my stash: brand name unknown).
- Leaves: Curious Metallic Paper in Botanic.
- Flower center: Stardream Metallic cardstock in Gold.

Snowman Joy

Posted on December 22, 2018 by M. Schuering

Snowman-Joy-IMG_0950

I’m posting the Christmas cards that I made kind of late in the season (a couple of days before Christmas. I usually do this because I want to make sure that the people I originally sent the cards received them and didn’t see them ahead of time on the Internet.

I made this card using nothing but die cuts. The only stamping was the sentiment that went on the inside. The inside is not shown here.

The snowman and all of his paraphernalia and the “J” and “Y” were all cut from one MFT Die-namics set and then layered onto an A2-sized piece of cardstock. I used a Concord and 9th scalloped edge with snowflake die to create the edging at the bottom of the red cardstock base so that the final dimensions of the red card front were 3.5″ (along the vertical) x 5.5″ (along the horizontal). This card front was then mounted onto an A-2 white horizontal-oriented card base.

Note: For added detail, the snowman’s face and the “J” and “Y” were cut from white glitter cardstock. The snowman’s hat band was cut from the same red cardstock used for the card front and the scarf was die cut from MFT’s Candy Land paper pack.

This is a pretty chill snowman if I do say so myself. Happy Holidays!

Supplies used to make this project:

Die-cuts: MFT Die-namics: Filled with Joy die set (snowman face, hat, scarf, nose); Concord & 9th: Wintry Edge dies set (there are 2 dies: one cuts the scalloped edge, the other cuts the snowflake border).

Cardstock: Simon Says Stamp: white glitter cardstock; MFT Candy Land paper pack; Papertrey Ink: Pure Poppy (card front/mat, snowman hat band); Papertrey Ink: Terracotta Tile (snowman’s nose); Papertrey Ink: True Black (snowman’s hat and a circular piece (1.25″ diameter) glued behind the snowman’s face for the snowman’s black coal eyes and mouth); Neenah Solar White 110# for the card base.

Cheers 2017! Ellen Hutson Pin-Sights Challenge Jan. 2017

Posted on January 26, 2017 by M. Schuering

The Ellen Hutson Pin-Sights Challenge for January, 2017 came from the inspiration photo below:

I was inspired by the gold lettering against the black background, the oval wreath and “year” themes.

I love metallic colors against black, especially gold against black. Metallic colors really seem to pop against a black background. The “this year” sentiment also made me think about the coming New Year. We’ve almost finished the first month of the New Year, and I only just made a card to celebrate it. Maybe one of my resolutions should be not to procrastinate.

I know one of my resolutions should include posting the cards I make more often on my blog. I make more cards than I actually post. However, by the time I’m finished with a card design (and I really agonize over the designs), I’m exhausted. So the idea of writing about the card sometimes becomes overwhelming. But I really need to do more posting. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll do more postings.

Anyway, back to my project. I ran with the theme of black and gold and found a 6×6 cardstock pad that had all black and gold and cream designs. I’ve been hoarding this pad for a long time. (Note to self: Stop hoarding supplies and use them! This is another new year’s resolution.)

I cut a piece of A2-sized black cardstock along the diagonal. Then, I chose a complimentary pattern from my cardstock pad (gold dots against a cream-colored background); cut an A2-sized piece of the patterned paper along the diagonal as well. I now had 2-pieces of cardstock that I could mount onto an A2-sized mat.

After mounting the two diagonally-cut pieces together, I die-cut a wreath in gold foil cardstock and mounted it against the patterned side of the card front. I then stamped the word “cheers” from the Essentials by Ellen Advent stamp set onto the black side of the card front using Delicata Golden Glitz ink. I had to stamp the word several times to get the impression I wanted (thank God for my MISTI!).

I also stamped the numbers 2, 0, 1, and 7 from the same stamp set onto a scrap piece of black card stock in the same gold ink. Again, I had to stamp the number several times with my MISTI to get the proper coverage.

I die cut the stamped numbers using the coordinating dies for the Advent stamp set. The numbers were adhered underneath the “CHEERS” sentiment with tiny black foam adhesive pieces.

The entire card front was mounted onto an A2 top-folding card base.

So there you have it! An almost-one-month-old New Year’s greeting card! Better late than never.

But sincerely, to everyone reading this post, I wish you a very happy, healthy, exciting New Year brimming with creativity.

Supplies used in creating this project:

Stamps: Essentials by Ellen Advent stamp set.

Dies: Essentials by Ellen Advent coordinating dies.

Cardstock: My Mind’s Eye: Yes, Please 6×6 cardstock pad; DCWV: gold foil cardstock from foil pack; Papertrey Ink: True Black (100#); Neenah Solar White cardstock (110#).

Ink: Tsukineko: Delicata Ink in Golden Glitz.

Peace To The World Card

Posted on November 30, 2014 by M. Schuering

There is so much turmoil here and abroad that I thought I’d make a card wishing for peace in the world. By the way, I hope I don’t sound like a beauty pageant contestant by saying this!

I started by stamping two geometric images from an Altenew stamp set, Dodecagram in Delicata Golden Glitz ink. This is my favorite gold ink and I try to use it whenever I want to add a bit of elegance to a card. The sentiments from Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Brushstroke Christmas by Julie Ebersole were stamped in Scarlet Jewel, an ink from Papertrey ink. Small pearls from my stash were added to the center of the stamped images.

The card front was originally 4.25” x 5.5” but I realized that it looked a little bare so I trimmed it down and added 2 thin strips of cardstock in Scarlet Jewel (by PTI) and Antique Gold (Stardream Metallic cardstock) on the left side. All of this was mounted onto an A2 top-folding card base.

The result was simple and I liked the richness of the colors in the card. I think the combination of the Scarlet Jewel (a rich burgundy-red) and the Antique Gold lend an elegant look. I love the “peace” sentiment in the brushstroke font paired with the thin block letters of “to the world”. The two fonts are a nice contrast to each other.

Hope you like the card!

Supplies used in making this card – Stamps: Dodecagram by Altenew, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps Brushstroke Christmas by Julie Ebersole; Inks: Scarlet Jewel by Papertrey Ink, Delicata Golden Glitz by Tsukineko; Cardstocks: Neenah Solar White (80 lb. for card front and 110 lb. for card base), Scarlet Jewel by Papertrey Ink and Antique Gold by Stardream Metallic. Other: Pearls from Hero Arts.

Peace and Gold Trees

Posted on November 24, 2014 by M. Schuering

Hello!

Today, I decided to create a Holiday card without a lot of the bold, bright colors associated with Christmas.

I love the Hero Arts stamp I used in this card. The stamp is a delicate fine-lined drawing of bare winter trees. The simple graphic style of the stamp’s image really does convey a sense of quiet and peace in the dead of winter.

I first stamped the image in gold ink onto white 80 lb. cardstock and trimmed it down a little and mounted it on gold metallic cardstock. I then centered the whole think onto wood-grained paper and mounted everything onto a top-folding A2 card base and added the die-cut brushstroke ‘Peace’ sentiment. Love this brushstroke die.

I’m pleased with the simple, minimalist layout of the card made with a minimum number of supplies The gold Delicata ink is gorgeous. The photo doesn’t do justice to this beautiful gold, shimmery ink.

Hope you like this card!

Supplies used in making this card: Stamps: Hero Arts Winter Trees Pattern; Inks: Tsukineko’s Delicata ink in Golden Glitz; Cardstock: Neenah Solar White 80 lb. and 110 lb. papers, Stardream Metallic in Antique Gold, Essentials by Ellen Woodgrain Embossed 110lb in white; Die: Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies: Brushstroke Peace by Julie Ebersole.

Have a Cozy Christmas – Cool Dude Santa

Posted on November 21, 2014 by M. Schuering

This is another card I made using stamps from the Essentials by Ellen Holiday 2014 release. I love the Santa with the shades! He’s such a cool dude. It looks like Santa took a bite out of the poor gingerbread man while sipping some hot chocolate.

Well anyway, enough storytelling.

I die cut a 3-opening film strip using Pretty Pink Posh’s die and PTI’s Pinefeather cardstock. I stamped the images onto white cardstock. The gingerbread man was stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and the other 2 images in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. All images were colored using Copic makers (I only colored Mr. Gingerbread man’s eyes, mouth and bow tie in red). After coloring, I fussy-cut the images.

The backing to the 3-opening strip is a piece of kraft cardstock cut down to the same size as the strip and then stamped in red ink using the argyle-patterned background stamp. After adhering the backing to the film strip, I mounted the fussy-cut images onto the strip using small dimensional foam dots. Then I mounted the strip onto a 4.25” x 5.5” piece of red cardstock. This entire piece was mounted onto an A2 top-folding card. The sentiment was stamped using white craft ink.

Supplies used in making this card: Stamps: Essentials by Ellen’s Tis the Season stamp set by Julie Ebersole and Cozy Christmas stamp set by Julie Ebersole; Impression Obsession’s Dotted Argyle background stamp. Cardstock: Papertrey Ink in Pure Poppy ,Pinefeather and Kraft; Neenah Solar white 80 lb.; Neenah Solar White 110 lb. (for card base). Inks: Memento inks in Rich Cocoa and Tuxedo Black, Stampin’ Up Whisper White craft ink. Other Supplies: Dies: Pretty Pink Posh’s Stitched Film Strip Die; Copic Markers; dimensional foam dots.

Merry Christmas using Scribbles Stamp Set

Posted on November 19, 2014 by M. Schuering

I received an early Christmas present this year! Santa gave me the entire Essentials by Ellen Holiday 2014 Release. This was the first card I made from the release. The images were designed by Julie Ebersole one my favorite cardmakers. Julie’s humor in videos always makes me laugh!

The images and dies in this release are gorgeous. I especially like the delicate lines of the ornaments, evergreen branches and sentiment in the two sets that I used. I don’t know how to describe it but the stamps in this release have both a delicate and whimsical feel to them. Love this release and I’m going to love making Holiday cards using them.

I stamped the evergreen branches in 2 shades of green to give a feeling of dimension. On a separate piece of white cardstock, I stamped the ornaments using Memento Tuxedo Black ink because I knew I was going to use Copic markers to color them. I colored the ornaments first and then fussy-cut them. The ornaments were flush-mounted onto the card and I drew small hooks using a fine-tipped black artist pen so the ornaments looked anchored to the tree. The sentiment was stamped in archival ink and I added a few sprinkle image from the stamp set in red ink to highlight the “Merry Christmas” sentiment a little bit more.

Supplies used in making this card: Stamps: Christmas Scribbles stamp set and Cozy Christmas stamp set (for the sentiment) both sets are from Essentials by Ellen designed by Julie Ebersole; Cardstock: Neenah Solar white 80 lb for card front mounted on Papertrey Ink: Pure Poppy and then mounted on Neenah Solar White 110 lb for card base; Inks: Papertrey Ink: New Leaf , Simply Chartreuse and Pure Poppy; Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink (sentiment); Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (for ornaments); Other Supplies: Copic Markers, and Faber Castell Pitt artist pen in black.

Happy Thanksgiving with a Bokeh Effect

Posted on November 18, 2014 by M. Schuering

This is a Thanksgiving card I sent to family members this year.

My original idea did not include the use of a bokeh effect. I first stamped the sentiment, ‘H * appy’ and found that I wasn’t getting the solid coverage I wanted. To counteract the splotchy sentiment I used small sponge daubers in an array of autumn colors to create bokeh dots over and around it. I die cut the house twice from a coordinating die set and then glued the 2 pieces together and mounted it where the ‘A’ should appear in the word ‘happy’. I added the little smoke swirl coming out of the house’s chimney. The smoke swirl is from another stamp set (see below). The photo doesn’t show it very well, but I used my clear Wink of Stella pen to go over the house to add a little shimmer.

I really like the final effect even though this wasn’t the original design I was going for.

Supplies used in making this card: Stamps: Avery Elle’s Fill In the Blank, Papertrey Ink’s Year Round Happiness, Essentials by Ellen’s Cozy Christmas by Julie Ebersole (for smoke swirl); Inks: Papertrey Ink in Ripe Avocado, Limeade Ice, Terracotta Tile, Canyon Clay and Harvest Gold; Dies Avery Elle’s Icon Fill in the Blanks Elle-ments dies (for the house); Papers: Neenah Solar White 80 lb. for the card front, mounted ontp Papertrey Ink cardstock in Terracotta Tile, mounted onto a card base using Neenah Solar White 110lb. cardstock. Other supplies: Tsukineko Sponge Daubers, Wink of Stella pen (clear).

Online Card Classes Holiday Card Workshop 2014

Posted on November 12, 2014 by M. Schuering

I love taking courses from Online Card Class. Not only do I get to hone my card making skills with new techniques, but I also get to see fabulous projects made by other card makers. The teacher and the students offer so much inspiration and represent so much talent and different artistic views.

I just finished the 2014 Holiday Card Workshop so I’m presenting my projects from this class on my blog. However, I wasn’t a very good student and didn’t have time (no, my dog didn’t eat my homework) to do all the daily lessons for this class. Anyway, thanks for visiting!

Day 1 of class was a class on easy to duplicate cards or cards that are can be made via mass production. I was inspired by a card made by one of the instructors, Debby Hughes. This was my take on her card. The snowflakes were made using a stencil from Dyan Reaveley and Distress Inks. The tag was made from vellum using a Papertrey Ink fishtail tag die. The snowflake die from my stash (can’t remember the brand) and the merry Christmas sentiment was from Simon Says Stamp Deco Trees craft die set. Both the snowflake and sentiment were cut from silver metallic shimmer paper from my stash. I added clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and threaded the vellum tag with silver cord also from my stash. Cardstock used for the card front was 80 lb. Neenah Solar White and PTI Enchanted Evening cardstock for the card base.

While this card has a lot of components to it. Each component can be done as a step. e.g. the distress inking, the die-cutting, etc. Debby Hughes’ cards have so much beautiful, gorgeous layering and detail. I’m a novice at this type of style so I choose this as my Day 1 assignment to help me become more familiar with the techniques of a more layered, detailed style.

Day 2 of class – The star on the card below can serve as an ornament for the Christmas Tree. I adhered it to the front of the card with removable glue dots.

The front and back of the star are the same so it has a finished look and can be viewed from either side when it hangs from the tree. The star was made from Lawn Fawn’s Puffy star Stackables die set. I die cut 3 of the same-sized stars from this set using silver metallic shimmer paper. The front and back layers were die cut using red shimmer paper with the “Joy” sentiment from Ellen Hutson’s Essentials Brushstroke Joy die designed by Julie Ebersole. I LOVE the Essentials by Ellen 2014 Holiday release. I’ll be posting more cards made from this release in the near future. (Santa came early to my house and gave me the entire release!)

The white dry-embossed background was created using Lifestyle Crafts’ Dainty embossing folder. I mounted the embossed piece onto a red cardstock base and threaded the star ornament with red twine.

Day 4 – This is a simple one-layer card. I don’t have many cute critters stamps, but this adorable penguin from Lawn Fawn and its matching die make this card so simple and just plain fun to make. I used Copics to color the penguin and scalloped circle dies from Nestabilities to cut out the front and create a coloring mask for the inside of the card. Distress Inks in two kinds of blue were used to color the scalloped area inside this top-folding card. The sentiments (heat embossed with white embossing powder) and little snowflake accents came from the same Lawn Fawn Winter Penguin stamp set. I feel really good about using almost all of the stamped images from this set!

Day 6 This card involves coloring with my favorite coloring markers, Copics! Copics are so forgiving and make my simple coloring techniques look more amazing than they really are. The stamped image is from Tim Holtz’s blueprint collection. I think its called Blueprint Christmas Tree or something like that. The sentiment is also from Tim Holtz.

Well this completes my work from OCC Holiday Card Workshop 2014! Thanks and I hope you like my cards.

Maggie Stamping

Putting my stamp on the world one card at a time.

Category Archives: Holiday Cards