After a non-stamping friend of mine saw the “Serene Snowflakes” stamp set, she insisted that I design her Christmas cards for her using this set. In return, she would purchase her supplies from me. It sounded like a wonderful proposition to me. After all, I love to stamp and this stamp set is gorgeous! The wheels in my head were already turning…thinking in terms of Iridescent Ice and glitter. And then came the catch. My friend would be the first to tell you that she “thinks outside of the box” and “marches to her own drummer”. Her requirements were that the card be non-traditional, maybe using blacks and reds. It needed to be “edgy” like her! Oh, my! What had I gotten myself into? But, I armed myself with Real Red, Basic Black, and the phenomenal new Specialty Designer Series Paper, Night & Day, and gave it the old college try. I love non-traditional Christmas cards, but my idea of non-traditional is stamping Dasher in Old Olive…Ho! Ho! Ho! Er, I mean Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, what can I say? I think it is a wee bit on the “edgy” side…Let’s hope that she does, too!
- Prepare a 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base from Basic Black.
- Ink the Large Snowflake image from Serene Snowflakes with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Color using Real Red and Blender Pens. Punch the corners using the Ticket Corner Punch. Mat onto Real Red, followed by Whisper White and Basic Black.
- Add a Filigree Brad and a small Red Circle Fire Brad to the center of the snowflake. Silver Brads accent each punched corner.
- Layer a selection from Night and Day Specialty Designer Series Paper onto Whisper White. (Tip: Click on the photo to enlarge the wonderful pattern I selected.) Add snippets of 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbons in Real Red and Old Olive. Adhere to the card base.
- Position and adhere the image mat to the card base.
- Ink the “Merry Christmas” sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch with the Modern Label Punch. Adhere to a Designer Label which has been punched from Old Olive and paper pierced.
- Punch a second Designer Label from Real Red and cut into horizontal halves. Adhere each half to shadow the Old Olive label as illustrated in the photograph. Position and adhere the sentiment, and pop onto the card using a Stampin‘ Dimensional.
The Stampin‘ Schach Tip of the Day: Designing for someone else can be both fun and stressful. It’s important to incorporate the design elements they want, while at the same time letting your own personality shine through, since that is why they were probably attracted to your work in the first place!
Today was spent unpacking and storing my lab supplies at school. As many of you know, I teach high school science. This year I will be teaching two sections of Biology, three sections of Chemistry, and a section each of Anatomy & Physiology and Physics. I am looking forward to settling back into my routine, although I am sure that for a few weeks it will encroach upon my card making time!
Have you participated in the Pals Paper Arts challenge yet? Mr. Linky will close at 12 Noon CST Tuesday. So you still have plenty of time to participate. I am always amazed at the talent there is in the stamping world. As one of the Design Team members, I really enjoy looking at all of our entries and leaving comments. And…of course, as usual…will you please leave a comment for me? I do read them all, and I do respond to questions that I receive. They are important to me. It is great to know that you are indeed looking at my work! Until next time…
Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Sets: Serene Snowflakes (115438—Available September 1st), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Real Red (103133)
Designer Series Paper: Night and Day Specialty Designer Series Paper (116768—Available September 1st)
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Basic Black (102851), Old Olive (100702)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Modern Label Punch (116630), Designer Label Punch (107590), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Blender Pens (102845)
Embellishments: Filigree Brads (112577), Circle Fire Brads (109110), Silver Brads (104336), Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109052), Old Olive 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109054)
This is awesome! Wow I couldn’t pull that off. What a great designer you are. TFS
Ann, you blow me away with every one of your cards! Your designs are so meticulous and gorgeous. This is no exception–absolutely fabulous!
Dito what Kris said. That card is gorgeous!!!
Just go back and read all the comments you already have … that is how I feel.
Oh and WOOOOOOOWWW!!!
You are amazingly talented, Ann.
This non-traditional look for the snowflake is beautiful. I love how you layered the punches, too!
Love your color choices, Ann. You are so original, love that about your work. This card will sure stand out in the crowd. Hugs,
Luv how you backed the sentiment with all of those punched layers! You are so clever. I can’t keep up with all of your cute creations. Go Ann!
Gorgeous card. I love what you have done with the papers and the stamp set. Very creative.
Stunning. Love the colors, layout, layered sentiment . . . Wow. Hugs, Mary
Gorgeous–if she doesn’t like it, I’ll gladly take it! The colors and design are wonderful. And I love your tip of the day! Great advice!
First, let me say “Holy Crap”! I absolutely love it! I said that out loud when I opened up your blog this morning! I love it! I am a big “edgy” too. I love non traditional Christmas. This is awesome and inspiring! If your friend rejects it, I have a place for it!
Good luck with school starting! You are my hero – I want those subjects to teach as well! Man, I wish I could student teach with you!
Wow! I am sure you’re friend will love this card! It is very cutting edge. Being somewhat color blind, I am a huge fan of black and white. I love seeing that they are now perfect for Christmas too!
I love this set and I have to say I never thought of putting it with red and black. You know at first glance (for me anyways) it doesn’t even look like snow flake; it looks like a medallion. Perhaps it is becasue of the coloured portions. Well done Ann!
I hope your friend likes it.
OMG Ann. I am a new follower of yours and I must say this is your best work yet! I was on the fence about this set and you have convinced me to get it! Thanks for a fantastic card.
OH wow! This is gorgeous!!! I love the red!!
Whoa! This is gorgeous! I can’t wait to get that set!
OK no more teaching school for you – time to design and create for the rich and famous – then you can be rich and famous! This is just beautiful – and a bit edgy – hope your friend loves it – I do!