Merry Christmouse!

Another stamp set that I really liked from the Stampin Up holiday catalog this year is this little mouse set, called Merry Mice.  It has several really cute mouse images in it, great for making some whimsical Christmas projects.  :)

 I love this little singing mouse, cut out with the oval framelits.  Doesn't he look so festive?  I added some rhinestones to give him some bling, so he really shines on this card.  The idea for this card is from Ann Schach that I found on Pinterest.  I like the striped paper for an accent, too.  It kind of reminds me of a candy cane, only with green stripes, too. 

Look at the little mice here in this sweet dimensional card.  They are walking through the forest, looking for their Christmas tree to decorate.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but it's a small box card.  I trimmed the dimensions so that it fits nicely into a regular envelope when folded.

It's hard to see in the first photo, but there's a small silver star hanging in the diorama, too.  This card idea is from Bekka Prideau.  

This Happy Christmas card features the tree punch.  I love how the designer paper shows through.  I added the white layer using dimensionals to make the tree "pop."  I love the colors in this card - cherry cobbler red, mint macaroon and emerald envy greens.  Don't they just sound so festive?  This card was quick and easy to make.

Lastly, there is a set of 2" tags all packaged up in the clear box and wrapped up with a bow.  This makes a cute little accent gift. 

This set is definitely one of my favorite card classes! 

Getting a Head Start on Christmas

This week I held my first Christmas card-making class for the season.  I'm not one to make things too far ahead (Ha ha- I procrastinate everything!) but I wanted to give the stampers a preview of some of the new Christmas stamps and papers that are available.  Here's a sampling of some of the sets that I took out to make cards with.

At the end of each class I always ask the ladies which card or project that they liked best.  This week almost everyone voted for this card.  It's a quick and easy card that can made in multiples.  I love the contrast of the pine cones against the greenery.  It's so peaceful.  I usually go online and get some ideas for cards to make.  I got this idea from Dawn Olchefski.

 I love cards that are easy to make and have a simple look to them.  There is a new tree punch from Stampin Up.  I had so much fun making the trees for this card.  You don't even have to have the stamp set that coordinates with it to use it.  I made the trees in different sizes and embossed some to give them texture.  We had made a variation of this card at my last demonstrator meeting.  I copied the idea from my friend, Deb Valder.

At first I tried to paint in color on this bauble stamp, but I couldn't get the details to look nice.  So I changed up the card and just stamped the ornament onto designer paper using a contrasting raspberry colored ink.  I added the strips along the edge to give it some color.  I am really happy how it came out.  I combined the ideas from two people- Vicki Burdick and a demonstrator named Melissa (no last name). 

Last, but not least, we used the Home for the Holidays stamp set to make this card.  I stamped my houses onto designer paper and used the foil paper from the All is Calm paper set for the snow.  Somehow this new greenish-aqua color called Lost Lagoon has worked its way into a Christmas color!

In person, this card has a nice shimmery shine to it with glitter on the roofs and the snowman.  Designing the "town" reminded me a bit like playing with Colorforms when I was a girl.  I guess I'm dating myself now by admitting that.  :)

Have you started on your Christmas cards yet?  How many handmade cards do you send out each year?