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More Christmas Bling!

As promised, here are a couple more of the cards I have made and are offering for sale this Christmas.  They are available as individuals for $2.50 each plus shipping or in sets of 10 matching cards for $23 plus shipping.  Contact me for more details and more designs if you are interested.
**Note:  The design for the snowflake card was CASED from someone, but I don't remember where I found it.  If it's yours, please let me know!  :)

Christmas is Coming!

Well, I'm finally posting some of the beautiful Christmas cards made for the sale at church!  We raised $786 for families in need in the community with the sale of our cards!  An additional $750 was donated by Thrivent Financial, giving us a total of $1536.   More cards are continuing to sell, raising the total in the fund each week.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  The money will surely be put to good use.

Now, here are a couple of my favorite cards . . .I do LOVE snowflakes!  Check back soon for more Christmas bling!

12 TIPS FOR TERRIFIC CARDS

12 TIPS FOR TERRIFIC CARDS!

1. Be clean! Keep your hands and work surface clean. Keep your tools clean and free of smudges (ink pads, markers, etc.).

2. Be smudge-free! Make sure your ink is completely dry before closing your card. If you do have smudges on your card, try to remove them with a white eraser like Stampin’ Up! Pastel eraser. If that doesn’t work, re-do it. It’s only paper!

3. Bling! Add something special to your card, but don’t overdo--clean and simple is beautiful. A little bling goes a long way!

4. Be sharp! Make sure your cutting tool is sharp and not fraying the edges of your paper. Use a sharp scissors for cutting ribbon so it does not fray.

5. Little things mean a lot! Cut ribbon at a pretty angle when finishing your card. Be sure to line up your edges so your images are straight and even. Blush the edges of cardstock to create depth and interest. Need help with blushing? Just ask!

6. Quality shows! Always use high quality cardstock (80 lb. paper is ideal). Your paper should have a nice, smooth surface to accept the ink. If your image doesn’t seem dark enough, your paper may be the problem. Envelope quality matters, too. The difference will show in your finished product.

7. Image is everything! Be sure your stamped image is sharp and clean. If not, re-do it. It’s only paper! If you consistently get a poor image, check your stamp and your paper to determine where the problem is. If the stamp is damaged, don’t use it. If the problem is your paper, you need a better quality cardstock.

8. Detail! Detail the inside of your card. Include an extra layer, blush the edges, stamp an image that coordinates with the front of your card, etc., but avoid lots of shapes or busy lines. Place your sentiment just slightly above center for the best presentation.

9. Decorate! Decorate your envelope to match your card. Keep it simple, though. Do not put anything on the outside of the envelope that might get caught in postal machines.

10. Be Postal friendly! If you are using buttons or brads, be sure they will not poke through your envelope in the mail. If they might poke through or prevent the envelope from lying flat, include a piece of bubble wrap inside your envelope to protect the card and get it safely through the post office machines.

11. Final look! Take a final look at your project when complete. If it doesn’t meet the above criteria and have a professional look, make changes!

12. Break out! Do all of your cards have a similar look? Break out of your comfort zone and try a different technique!

Your extra effort will show in your beautiful, professional-looking card!

Back to School

Sorry it's been so long since I posted anything, but I've been kind of meeting myself coming and going.  Today I take my son back to Mizzou for another school year.  Tomorrow the local schools start and my other son begins high school! 

Yesterday the group Circles of Care Ministry stamped cards at church and we created some lovely designs to send out to congregation members who need a smile.  Some of the cards will be available for sale.  We are getting ready to launch our Christmas card marathon.  We will make sets of 10 Christmas card sets to sell at our fall sale.  Proceeds go to help those in need in our congregation and the local community.  I will post some of these designs in the near future!

See you soon!

More Goodies to Share!

Here are some more of my new favorites.  I'd love to know which ones YOU like the best!  If you have a favorite, tell me!

Happy Bird-day!  This is one of the really fun cards!  I sent it to my Aunt Phyllis for her birthday.  It uses such fun, bright colors!  Can you pick them out?

Base:  _____?
Textured layer:  _____?  Embossing Folder:  ____?
Stamped images on:  _____?
Designer Paper:  _____?
Ribbon:  _____?

This should be a super easy quiz.  If you couldn't answer any of these questions, you need to spend more time with your catalog!

This is a lovely but simple wedding card made with Woodland Walk Designer Paper.  I plan to do lots more with this lovely paper.  It just has a beautiful, peaceful feeling about it.  This design just looked like a bride's boquet to me.

This is a fun, bold card!

 

Hee hee!  This card started out to be my masculine card!!!  Can you believe how it turned out?  It just goes to prove that the card really does create itself.  You are just the tool! 

And I have saved my favorite for last!  I know, I know, lots of them are my "favorite," but although this card is super simple, the colors and the message just pop for me!  I hope you enlarge the image on your screen so you get the full effect.  This is the outside. . .

. . . and this is the inside.  What a wonderful mesage!  It would be great for graduation or new job or any encouragement for a major step in life.  Hey, you know. . . what about a wedding?  Hmmm.  Think about it.  Why do wedding cards have to be all bride and groomy?  This would be a great message for a new couple starting their life together!  Just imagine the possibilities . . .

I hope you've enjoyed all the new cards.  Goodnight for now.  Be sure to tell me which card(s) your favorite!

A Few New Cards For You

The Key to My Heart is Love!

Because I Care

(totally CASED)

Because I Care
with Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper in an easel card.  I also used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and the Scallop Trim Border Punch.   Oh, yeah!  The flower is the Simple Flower Embosslit, and the buttons are the Brights Designer Buttons.  I just love all the cool new buttons and brads!  I think a little *bling* can just make a project!

Just for You

Cute by the Inch with Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper, Concord Crush, Pumpkin Pie & Whisper White paper, Brights Designer buttons, and  Peach Parfait 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon.

Tip:  Pumpkin Pie and Peach Parfait are perfect complements to each other!

A couple more cards CASED from the catalog!

 This thank-you uses Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy and Blueberry Crisp Designer Paper.  The flowers were made from Punched Posies and the stems are from the Two-Step Bird Punch.  Oh how I just LOVE that Blueberry Crisp DP!  I think I'll create an entire class around it.  The "Thanks" is from the Perfect Punches set and the button is again from the Brights Designer Buttons.  I have used those a lot!!!