SHC - Christmas Trees Galore ...

.... Hello! I'm here with my Seven Hills Craft post - a bit late, but I was busy watching the Bake Off final last night!! I've made four more cards for my Christmas stash all using products from Concord & 9th. I'll start off with my tree shaped cards:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Inks: Versamark; Gina K - Red Velvet, Obsidian Amalgam

Dies: C&9 - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Old Olive, Mossy Meadow; Gold Embossing Powder; Gold, Silver, Red Mirri Card; Clear Aquashimmer Brush; Glossy Accents

I used the large tree die from Trim the Tree to make these shaped cards. They were very easy to make. I cut a panel of white card 11" x 4¼", folded it in half and placed the die on it so the top was over the crease, and ran it through the Big Shot. I ended up with a tree shaped card that will stand easily on the tree trunk. I used the same die to cut two green trees to go on the front of the cards.

Before attaching the green trees I added some decorations. On the dark green tree I used the stitch die (from Trim the Tree) to add stitched decorations and on the light green tree I stamped Christmas lights using stamps (Trim the Tree). I adhered the trees to the cards and continued to add more decorations - you can't have too many decorations on a Christmas tree!! I used the bauble garland and ornament dies to cut gold, silver and red decorations. I added the words 'fa la la' to the front of the light green tree, added some sparkle with a clear aquashimmer brush and went over with glossy accents. On the dark green tree, I stamped a large greeting and embossed it with gold powder. On the inside of both cards, I stamped a Christmas message in red ink.

I'm submitting these cards to the current challenge at The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - H&ICC#84 where it's Anything Christmas Goes.

The next two Christmas trees are the focal images on actual cards:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Inks: Versamark; Gina K - Red Velvet, Sea Glass, Dark Chocolate, Obsidian Amalgam

Dies: C&9 - Trim the Tree, All the Merrys

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Old Olive, Mossy Meadow; Gold Embossing Powder; Gold, Silver, Red Mirri Card; Clear Aquashimmer Brush; Glossy Accents

I used some of the stamps from Trim the Tree to make the backgrounds on these cards. I added stitched garlands to the light green tree and die cut the words 'fa la la' out of the dark green tree. I glued them to the front of the cards and added more decorations. On the plaid card I added a gold star and silver bauble garlands, along with the word 'Christmas' in a pretty script font on the sides. On the snowy card I used the inlaid die technique to add the word 'fa la la' in red mirri card. I also added a cute gold bow and some more decorations. On the inside of each card, I stamped a large greeting in bright red ink.

I'm submitting the snowy card to Jingle Belles - JB:20:24 where we should take inspirations from the blog's banner. I've picked the snowy background, the trees, red letters and glitter.

Before I go, here's a photo (sorry, it's not a great photo) showing how the shaped Christmas tree card stands up - I think it's very cute:

Just a quick warning - there are only four weeks' until Christmas! Yes, I'm not sure how that crept up on me either. If you want some ideas, we've got a fun Santa Claus theme over at Christmas 24Challenge and there's still time to join in with the challenge.

I've got to go through my Christmas card list and make sure all the addresses are up to date. I think that sending cards this year will be even more important than in past years. We've not been able to meet up with so many of our friends and family, so a card and letter is a great way of keeping in touch. That's all for now. See you again soon.

SHC - Friends and Christmas ....

... Hello! It's time for my weekly Seven Hills Craft post. I've made some quick and easy cards this week:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Buds and Blossoms

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocture, Summertime; Gina K - Passionate Pink

Accessories: White Card

This card is based on the sketch from the current CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#398; it's been a while since I played along. I used two large sentiments in black ink, stamped the outline flower and then added some colour with the matching solid flower image. I also added some orange dots in the middle of the flower. This is ultra clean and simple and very quick. The inside is blank for my own message.

My next two cards use more of the smaller flower images from the stamp set:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Buds and Blossoms

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocture, Summertime, Cheerful, Charming Pink, Purple Delight

Accessories: Cream Card

The card on the left is 6¼" × 4½". I used my MISTI to make the card. I stamped the orange flower first, turned the card and stamped again in the opposite corner. I repeated this process with the yellow and purple flowers. I masked the yellow flowers and stamped them again in pink. I finished this card with a simple sentiment in the middle of the card. The card on the right is smaller at 5½" × 4¼" (a standard A2 card in the USA). Once again, I used the MISTI to stamp the card and create the floral background. I should have allowed the ink to dry more before adding the 'thank you' sentiment - you can see that the black ink has bled a little. Oh well, never mind, this is a handmade card! Once again the insides are blank for my message.

I'm submitting the 'Hello Friend' card to The Flower Challenge - TFC#50 where they want us to use a sentiment. The 'Thank you' card is being submitted to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#20 - this is a brand new set!!

I was having such fun with these cards, and they were so quick to make, that I decided to make a set of Christmas cards too:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - All the Merrys, Pinstripe Background

Inks: Versafine Clair - Green Oasis, Warm Breeze, Fantasia, Acorn, Tulip Red; Gina K - Key Lime, Sea Glass, Wild Wisteria, Sweet Mango, Innocent Pink; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Accessories: White Card

For the focal sentiment, I used the two-step 'Merry Christmas' stamps from All the Merrys. I stamped first in the light shade and then in a darker co-ordinating shade. I used the matching outline letters in black to define the words. Then I played. I used the Pinstripe background to add some decoration. I left the teal card ultra clean and simple with only the sentiment in the centre. I stamped diagonals on the top left and bottom right corners of the orange and green cards. On the lilac card I added diagonals all around the words. Finally, on the red card, I stampted diagonals on the top right and bottom left - first in pink and then shifted the card and added red stripes. The insides are blank. I think my two favourite cards are the teal and red ones. I'm submitting the teal card to the current CAS on Friday - CASOF#193 challenge where they want us to use a big sentiment.

That's all from me today. Have a good week. Take care and be safe.

C24C - Santa Claus ....

.... Morning! Wow, this month is flying by - we're already half-way through. However, that does mean it's time for our new challenge at Christmas 24 Challenge - C24C#22 where we want to see your cards feature the main man - SANTA CLAUS. I've made two cards, here's the first:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Around Christmas Time

Inks: Gina K - Sea Glass, Red Velvet; Versamark

Dies: Die-namics - Circles Stax 2 # 7

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Silver Embossing Powder; Stardust Clear Glitter Pen

I'm submitting this card for CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#396 and to The Colour Throwdown - CTD#619. It's been a while since I played along with any challenges, so this feels good.

The card was super easy to make. I used the MISTI to stamp the lines on the card - that way I made sure they were straight! I stamped the Santa circle on white card, colour the hat red (of course) and added some colour to his face and to the words. I repositioned the image in the MISTI and stamped in Versamark ink and embossed with silver powder. I used a circle die to cut out the image and adhered it to the front of the card. I added some sparkle to the little bell and added a simple greeting in red. On the inside, I simply added another Christmas greeting.

Here's a close-up of the Santa image - this one has always been a favourite of mine:

My next card is a slightly different take on Santa - this one features Santa's footprints:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Secret Santa; Concord & 9th - All the Merrys

Inks: Gina K - Soft Stone, Red Velvet; Versamark

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Silver Embossing Powder; Stardust Clear Glitter Pen

I'm submitting this card to Freshly Made Sketches - FMS#461 and to Time Out Challenges - TOC#174 where the theme is Festivals - Christmas is a biggy!!

I positioned the large shoe print stamp in the MISTI and it on white card. I removed the card and coloured the lines with Copic markers, repositioned the image, stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with silver powder. I carefully cut out the embossed image and edged it with a soft grey marker. I cut a panel of white card onto which I stamped a row of Santa's footprints up the side and then adhered the large embossed shoe print. I edged the panel with red ink and adhered it to the front of a 6¼" × 4½" card. I finished the front by stamping a greeting in red. On the inside, I added another greeting and a 'approved by' stamp on the corner.

I took a close-up photo of the shoe print so that you can clearly see how the colour appears:

I think this is a fun challenge and I look forward to visiting your blogs to see your creations. Don't forget to visit our Christmas 24 Challenge blog to see more cards from the rest of the design team. Bye for now.

SHC - Ornament Banner Christmas ...

... Hello! Time is marching on - it's almost the middle of November and that means there are only six weeks until Christmas. So, my Seven Hills Crafts post features Christmas cards. All feature ornament banners - I made banners in pinks, blues, gold, rainbow, and red & green. Here's the first card using the pink ornament banner:

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Ornament Builder Banner; Concord & 9th - Star Turnabout, Very Merry Sentiments, Christmas Cottage

Inks: Gina K - Innocent Pink, Passionate Pink, Red Hot, Cherry Red, Jet Black Amalgam; Delicata - Silvery Shimmer

Dies: Die-namics - Ornament Builder Banner

Accessories: White & Black Card

I used the Star Turnabout alternating pink and silver inks to create the background. I cut the pink ornament banner into two, adhered them to the card front and finished by stamping the sentiment in the middle. On the inside, I stamped and added some decoration in pink to match the front of the card.

My next card uses the blue banner:

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Ornament Builder Banner; Concord & 9th - Star Turnabout, Joy, Christmas Cottage

Inks: Gina K - Powder Blue, Blue Denim, Jet Black Amalgam; Delicata - Silvery Shimmer

Dies: Die-namics - Ornament Builder Banner

Accessories: White & Black Card

I used the same star stamp for the background, but this time only stamped it twice, once in blue and once in silver.

Next is the rainbow ornament banner card:

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Ornament Builder Banner; Concord & 9th - Star Turnabout, Christmas Cottage, Warm Wishes

Inks: Versafine Clair - Tulip Red, Summertime, Cheerful, Verdant, Paradise, Charming Pink, Purple Delight; Gina K- Jet Black Amalgam; Delicata - Golden Glitz

Dies: Die-namics - Ornament Builder Banner

Accessories: White & Black Card

For this card I only stamped the stars once in shimmery gold ink as I wanted the rainbow ornaments to stand out. I stamped a greeting on the front and inside, I used the same words as the previous two cards, but this time the decoration is stamped in gold to match the stars.

The next card features the gold ornament banner:

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Ornament Builder Banner; Concord & 9th - Polka Dot Turnabout, Very Merry Sentiments

Inks: Delicata - Golden Glitz; Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies: Die-namics - Ornament Builder Banner

Accessories: White, Cream, & Black Card; Clear Embossing Powder

I changed the background to polka dots for this card and stamped the turnabout image twice in gold. I adhered the ornament banner across one corner of the card and stamped a bold greeting in black in the opposite corner which I embossed with clear powder. On the inside, I stamped the verse from Very Merry Sentiments.

My last card uses the red & green ornament banner and this time I opted for a portrait look:

Stamps: My Favorite Things - Ornament Builder Banner; Concord & 9th - Polka Dot Turnabout, Very Merry Sentiments

Inks: Kaleidacolor - Fruit Cake; Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies: Die-namics - Ornament Builder Banner

Accessories: White & Black Card; Clear Embossing Powder

I really like this Kaleidacolor ink pad, I think it's perfect for Christmas cards. I stamped the polk dot background twice. I cut the banner into two pieces, adhered them across the corners of the card and added the centre ornament with a dimensional pad. I finished by stamped the sentiment directly on the card and heat embossing with clear powder. The inside has the same verse as the cream card - but the photo was blurred!! 

These cards are flat and will be easy to mail. That's all from me today. Hope you're all keeping safe and well. Bye for now.

SHC - Quick and Easy Cards ...

.... Morning!! I'm here with my regular weekly post for Seven Hills Craft Blog. This week I've got several one-layer cards to share. I made all six cards in under an hour. I'll start with one of the larger (4½" × 6¼") cards:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Painted Shapes, Painted Sayings

Inks: Versafine Clair - Cheerful, Summertime, Tulip Red, Charming Pink, Purple Delight, Nocture

Accessories: White Card

This card is super easy to make. I used the hexagon stamp (which has a slightly distressed image) and stamped (freehand) from the yellow to the purple. I added one of the bold sentiments from Painted Saying and on the inside I finished the message, and added a few more hexagons. So quick, so easy.

The next three cards are all stamped on cream cardstock (I've got a lot to use up) - two portrait and one landscape:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Painted Shapes, Painted Sayings

Inks: Kaleidacolor - Desert Heat, Gina K - Soft Stone, Stormy Sky; Distress Oxide - Mustard Seed, Gina K - Wild Dandelion, Sweet Mango, Coral Reef; Distress Oxide - Crushed Olive, Memento - Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy

Accessories: Cream Card

I really like the painted shapes stamps - I've done them here in bold colours, but they could equally well work in lighter shades. The sentiments are fun and look fabulous stamped in colour. I've left the insides blank for my messages. I suspect that some of these will end up going to Kat at university. I was having such fun, that I thought I'd have a go at using the same stamps to make a couple of Christmas cards:

Stamps: Concord & 9th - Painted Shapes, Painted Sayings, All the Merrys

Inks: Gina K - Whisper Amalgam, Versafine Clair - Tulip Red, Green Oasis, Nocturne

Accessories: White Card

I used the larger white cards here. On the portrait card I stamped the rectangle painted shape in a very soft grey and then used the two part Merry Christmas sentiment in the centre of the card. I kept to a simple and traditional red and green colour scheme. I used the tiny snowflake (confetti) stamp to add some texture. The landscape card is even more clean and simple. However, for this card I did use my stamp positioner to make sure that the stamped border was straight! I finished the front with a simple greeting. The insides are blank.

That's all from me today. See you again soon.