It’s Wednesday and time for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches inspiration card! This week’s fabulous sketch is courtesy of Jen Timko.  I opted to capitalize on the strong patterns and colors of the Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper in creating this card featuring the Snowflake Soiree stamp Set.  Enjoy!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Snowflake Soiree Flowers
This finished card measures 5-1/4″ square.

• Make it work!  These two patterns from Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper work together for one reason:  commonality of color.  The Red Flourish paper “pops” out the red in the busier pattern, making them work together.

• Banner-ific! The larger scale pattern paper calls for a larger scale sentiment.  “Merry Christmas” from More Merry Messages does the trick!

 

• Think outside the box! Two images from the Snowflake Soiree stamp set were used to create this snowflake flower! They were embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder and cut out using the Floral Frames Framelits.  Basic Pearls add the perfect touch!

I enjoyed creating this card, and I hope you enjoyed it, too! Won’t you let me know in today’s comment?  And don’t forget, if you ever have questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time… 

Stamp Sets:  Snowflake Soiree, More Merry Messages;  Ink:  VersaMark, Early Espresso; Designer Series Paper:  Candlelight Christmas; Card Stock:  Early Espresso, Real Red, Naturals Ivory; Tools:  Big Shot, Floral Frames Framelits, Adorning Accents Edgelits, 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch; Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls;  Other: Red Permanent Marker (to color pearls)

Several of you have asked for a tutorial on how I made the Seam Binding Rosettes on this card:

Here is a repeat of a pictorial posted back on November 2, 2011.  Although the color of the seam binding used is different, the process is still the same!

1.  Punch a 3/4″ circle from card stock.

2.  Cover with Sticky Strip or other adhesive.

3.  Snip off a 6″ piece of Seam Binding.

4.  Pull out one or two threads from one end.

5.  Shirr the seam binding by pulling on the threads.  But be careful…don’t pull the thread completely out!

6.  Double the shirred seam binding and wrap thread around it all to form a blossom.

7.  Attach to the Sticky Strip covered circle, and trim off the excess.(Note:  For the rosettes on the Banner Card, the tails were left on.)

8.  Form a “leaf” in the same manner and attach.  Trim off the excess.

9.  Add a pearl.

10.  To make your roses fuller, simply use a longer piece of seam binding and “scrunchy” it up as you add it to the card stock circle.

As with every new skill, your roses will get better with practice. I hope you enjoy them! Until next time...

It’s Sunday and time to play at The Paper Players! This week we are featuring a fun sketch that made me go running for the Christmas Lodge set.  I hope you enjoy today’s card!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Distressed and Sparkly
This finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2′ long. 

• Sparkle a-plenty! The Lodge image was inked in Soft Suede and stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  The sparkly snow is courtesy of Dazzling Details.  And for a touch more shimmer and shine, the embossed Labels Framelits behind the image mat was “kissed” with Stampin’ Up!’s new Illuminate stamp pad.

• Pearls a-plenty! For a different look, Cherry Cobbler inserts were added to the hand-snipped banners.  And what could be better to top these little diamond shapes than…you guessed it…Pearls!

 

• Ribbon a-plenty! Cherry Cobbler Tulle Ribbon was coiled tightly and adhered to a Sticky Round to create a quick and easy ribbon rosette!  Of course, I had to add a little Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, and (gasp)…a Pearl!

I was in one of those distressing moods today, so I used Crumb Cake ink on all of my edges. I thought it added a bit of a rustic appeal to the Lodge!

Muffy’s Show Picture

Muffy insisted on sharing her latest show picture.  And if that wasn’t bad enough, she insisted on talking today.  Heeeere’s Muffy!

Muffy:  Hi, Mom’s Stampin’ Friends! Can you believe that is me in this picture?  I look so big and grown-up!  Although I didn’t get the big winner prize, I did something special.  I…I…What was it, Mom?
Me:  You were reserve to a 5-point major.  That’s a pretty big honor, Muffy.  There were 65 Boxers showing that day.
Muffy:  Well, I knew it had to be something special because Mom was really happy, and so was my new handler, Rhonda.  Doesn’t she look pretty in her blue jacket?  And some of the other dogs were afraid of the judge ‘cuz he had on a cap and sunglasses.  But I wasn’t.  My mom wears sunglasses sometimes when we go for walks.  Can we go for a walk, Mom?
Me:  Muffy…it’s 9:45 at night.  We can’t go for a walk now.
Muffy:  You wouldn’t have to wear your sunglasses.  If you loved me, you would take me for a walk.
Me:  Muffy, we aren’t going to play those games.  I do love you, but we are not going for a walk this late at night.
Muffy:  We’ve done it before.
Me:  Yes…but Mom has watched too many Criminal Minds reruns these past few days.
Muffy:  Then can I do something special because I did a good job at the show?  Can I give away “Dog Candy”?
Me:  Muffy, it’s actually “Blog Candy”, and I just gave away Blog Candy last week.
Muffy:  No, I mean DOG Candy.  Can I, huh?  I know exactly how to write it up:  “Leave a comment on Mom’s blog between now and Tuesday for a chance to win a big, old stinky boy dog named Brody.”
Me:  MUFFY LIN…that is enough.  Get your paws off the keyboard right this minute. I thought maybe you had matured into a sweet, young lady.  Remember, pretty is as pretty does, and right now you are not very pretty.
Muffy:  Aw, Mom! I was just joking.  You know I would never want Brody to leave.  I actually meant Lexi. Barkhahahahaha! 
Me:  Muffy…to the Time Out Chair!

Now you know why the Twins seldom get to use the ‘puter anymore!

So, what do you think of today’s card?  Won’t you let me know in your comment today? Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one.  Of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time…

 

Stamp Set:  Christmas Lodge, Lovely as a Tree; Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler;  Tools: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Sponge Dauber, Sticky Rounds; Glitz and Glam:  Dazzling Details, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz,  Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, Victoria Crochet Trim, Always Artichoke Seam Binding;