Is It Ok To Have Purple Snowmen?

So did you watch the Super Bowl last night?  What about The Masked Singer?  I'm more into the latter than the former, but Alaina made our famous brownie recipe AND frosted them with our homemade chocolate icing.  I had to hang around the big football showdown just to have some!  The commercials were great - I laughed quite a bit and the one about the Wisconsin School of Veterninary Medicine tugged at my heart.  I heard on the radio that the man whose dog's life was saved personally paid for that commercial in appreciation of the vets.  What?!?!?  It was $5.7 million for a 30 second spot!

If you read my blog regularly (thank you!), you know I LOVE challenges!  I played along with Handstamped Sentiments winter inspiration challenge today.  Ooohh, I LOVE winter!!  Here in Pittsburgh, it's not been a great one for a winter-enthusiast like me but yesterday morning I woke to snow flurries and it sent me into raptures.  It sent my poor husband into fits of sorrow.

I had to resurrect Snowman Season and the Snowman Builder Punch.  I also used the color combination and ribbon technique from Friday's post.  And I made my snowmen purple (Highland Heather to be exact)!  Who says your stamp images have to reflect reality?  No one!

See that striped background?  Grab your favorite Stampin' Blends markers and use the brush tips to draw lines across a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Don't worry about keeping the lines straight and evenly spaced.  The fun of this look is in its imperfection.  Cut several pieces of Whisper White cardstock (try 5"x3") and check out my Pinterest color board for some ideas I've curated.

Stampin' Blends used

• Light & Dark Highland Heather
• Light & Dark Smoky Slate
• Light & Dark Mint Macaron

Shop all Stampin' Blends in my store

See More Stampin' Blends techniques

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5 Days of Christmas Series | Gift Card Holders | Day 1

The last 5 days have been active and full.  My brother and his family stayed with us for several days and Emma was home from college.  We had 10 people packed into our little one-story, 1200 square feet home.  The cousins played games and read books, Brian wrestled with his 5 year old nephews (something he rarely did having 3 daughters), and my parents and grandmother came over for dinner each day.  Brian and I took our niece and nephews to Fun Fore All one morning and got to be silly and crazy - we attacked robots, played fooseball, raced each other on snowmobiles, and ate ice cream for lunch.  And now it's quiet because they returned home and Emma's back at college.  Alaina and Caitlin are still here, of course, but 6 fewer people in a small home is noticeable!  

So let's begin the blog series, shall we?  It's all about creative ways to gift the ever-popular gift card.  First up is an A2-sized holder (A2 is a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card).  I received one as a swap at OnStage and loved its ease to make and that it can be mailed in an envelope for a standard sized card.

The first version has a shabby, vintage look that goes so well with the Toile Tidings set and Designer Series Paper.  The cardinal was stamped on Very Vanilla in Real Red ink, then a Blender Pen was used to color over the image.  This smears some of the ink to give it a soft, colored-in look.  I added scraps of Very Vanilla Scalloped Lace Trim for an extra vintage touch.  Let me show you how to make the basic gift card holder!

Cut your cardstock to 4-1/2" x 11"; score at 2-1/2" and 5-1/2" on the long side.

Add Tear 'N Tape to the 2-1/2" section.

Cut three pieces of Designer Series Paper: 2-3/4" x 4"; 2-1/4" x 4"; 1" x 4"

If you want to add a vintage touch, add Soft Suede ink to the edges of the designer series paper with a Stampin' Sponge.

Glue designer series paper to the pocket card (not shown is the 2-3/4" piece glued to the front); Use a circle punch (any size) to create a notch, then remove Tear 'N Tape liner and fold to create a pocket.

This is a cleaner version of the one above - no sponging, no Blender Pen coloring, and no lace.  I kept the Early Espresso mat cut with the Layering Square dies.

Here's one that uses the Let It Snow product suite.  I used Pool Party ink to stamp "Let It Snow" as a background for the happy snowman.  Snowfall Accents Puff Paint and a Heat Tool were used to create touchable snowballs.  A strip of washi tape from the Let It Snow Embellishment Kit runs along side panel and the Layering Square mat was cut with Sparkle Glimmer Paper.

This one looks similar to the first except I eliminated the stamped background and highlighted the snowflakes with Basics Holiday Rhinestones Jewels and a Coastal Cabana Stampin' Write Marker.

These gift card holders are so easy to make!  Pick your favorite set and designer series paper and follow the tutorial above.  

Don't forget about this big sale that starts tomorrow PLUS another special from me!

  

• Orders must be placed with Nicole Steele at my online store between Tuesday, December 3 and Sunday, December 15.
• Free shipping applies to orders of $70 or more (before shipping and tax)
• Shipping will be refunded by a check mailed to you from me, Nicole Steele.  Checks will be mailed by December 15.
• Orders must use the Host Code B422JZJ2 if between $70 - $149.  
• Orders $150 or greater do not need to use the host code - I want you to receive your Stampin' Rewards and you will still get free shipping from me, Nicole Steele.
• Questions?  Ask me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.

Snowman Season

I was really excited about today's project but then something just TRIPLED it.    I stood there attempting to catch my breath when I read this enormous news.  It's news about an event many - not just me - have been hoping and wishing and praying for.  And it's actually going to happen!  Are you ready for it?  Really ready?

Ken and Brad and James are having a Jeopardy! showdown January 7.  Can you hear my heart pounding with excitement?!

No?  Because who are Ken and Brad and James?  The three greatest Jeopardy! players ever are going against each other - Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter, and James Holzhauer.  I am a certified nerd that gets a rush from ideas and trivia and history, so I get it if you don't share my enthusiasm.  But please tell me we share the stamping bond!

Surely, this card has you at least a smidge grinning!  Coastal Cabana, Real Red, a punched out snowman with a felt scarf on.....and sponging!  I love sponging Soft Suede on the edges of paper to give it a slightly shabby feel.

Seriously, it's the little details on a project that make me smile big - like this sentiment strip that is slightly curled and lifted.  I ran a bone folder along the Real Red piece to get those waves, then adhered it with a Stampin' Dimensional to keep the shape.

The snowman and his hat were punched with the Snowman Builder Punch and embellished with pieces from the Let It Snow Embellishment kit.  And that little piece of glittered washi tape underneath the sentiment is in the kit, too!  The kit comes in a cute box that you could re-gift filled with homemade cards or tags.  The Let It Snow product suite has been my favorite from the Holiday Catalog this year. 

See more Let It Snow projects on my blog here.

Real Red cardstock (on sale!)

Soft Suede Ink (on sale!)

Let It Snow Suite

Card Recipe:

• Coastal Cabana cardstock: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" card base
• Let It Snow Designer Series Paper: 5" x 3-1/8", sponged with Soft Suede ink
• Real Red cardstock: 4" x 3/4", ends flagged with Paper Snips
• Whisper White cardstock: 3" x 3" piece to punch out snowman and hat
• Let It Snow Embellishment kit
• Stampin' Blends: Dark Basic Black, Dark Cherry Cobbler, Dark Shaded Spruce
• Basics Rhinestones Jewels
• White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Versamark, and Heat Tool for sentiment
• Bone Folder to curl sentiment strip
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
• Pool Party ink (to stamp card base background)
• Snowman Season bundle (punch and stamp at a discount)

Today (Friday) is the last day to shop the Online Extravaganza sale in my online store!  Get discounts on select ink pads, cardstock, and bundles.  See what's on sale.

A Flurry of Snowmen From Snowman Season!

Hello, friends!  How was your weekend?  Friday evening I got to visit with my aunt and uncle whom I haven't seen in 15 years!  They are active people who have many interests, so there is always something to talk about.  My uncle is in his 60s and taught himself to play the ukelele recently.  My aunt loves to read so we talked about books we enjoy.  Then Saturday we got up at 5 AM and drove 3-1/2 hours to watch Emma run her final cross country meet of the season.  It was an important meet, she had a goal for herself, and she crushed it!!  She ran a new PR!  What a way to finish the season, right?  I'm SO proud of her!  

I think this card has to be one of my favorites ever.  I was actually jumping out of my chair as I made it and clapping with glee!  

What I love about this card:

• all the beaming snowmen from Snowman Season (I'm just as happy about the cooler weather as they are 😊)
• the use of a Light Pool Party Stampin' Blend marker and Color Lifter to give a bit of presence to the snowmen
• the random way they are positioned (tucking and layering are techniques I LOVE to do on my projects)
• the bit of snow and sparkle at the top (created with Snowfall Accents Puff Paint and Ice Stampin' Glitter sprinkled in before heating)
• the chubby rhinestones on the sentiment strip

The snowmen are stamped and punched using the Snowman Builder Punch, then adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Don't be afraid to have a bit of fun with your stamping!  Tilt your snowmen, tear your cardstock, add rhinestones where you want some sparkle - there are NO RULES!  That's what is SO amazing about this art!

Here's a neat trick for using a punch that punches out multiple pieces at one time, like the Snowman Builder Punch.  It uses a stamp positioner tool (Stampin' Up!'s Stamparatus is one or I used a Mini MISTI in the photo tutorial below).

Punch into cardstock and keep negative piece.

Place negative piece in stamp positioner.  Lay stamps in punched out spaces (Snowman Season set used here).

Close stamp positioner lid to pick up stamps.  Place blank cardstock in positioner and anchor with magnets (they come with the positioner).  Ink up stamps, then close lid to stamp on cardstock.

Remove stamped cardstock from positioner and insert into punch.  It lines up perfectly!

That little tip makes stamping life easier, doesn't it?  It works for any of our Builder punches.

If you enjoyed this post, pick a way to connect with The Joyful Stamper:

• Shop my online store using the host code 7YNXHH3W and receive as my gift to you a 6 Pack of Christmas Card Tutorials ($15 value).  If you liked the one above, you'll enjoy these!
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• Request a catalog, if you are not already working with a demonstrator you love.
• Join My Joyful Stampers team - instant community of people who love stamping as much as you do!
• Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, the monthly crafting kit for those who like neat, simple solutions to their crafting needs.  As part of your subscription, you'll receive a monthly newsletter with alternate ideas and an instructional video.
• Attend one of my local, in-person classes - laughter is good medicine!
• Follow me on Facebook for more interaction and spontaneous fun!
• Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration.
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see stamping demonstrations.

  

Facebook Live 11 | 5 | 2019 The Snowman Season Episode

I dreamed of this card.  As in, minutes before I opened my eyes to start the day, the layout flashed into my mind.  Crazy!  How I create is how I shop for gifts and clothes - no planning, just going with what jumps out at me.  Otherwise, something terrible happens called overthinking and it drains every. creative. drop. from me.  

What I love about this card:

• Mr. Snowman is SO happy!  Look at that smile!
• The felt scarf - it's touchable and soft, and unexpected.  How many times do you see a card with felt on it?
• The mix of Real Red and Coastal Cabana - it has a warm frostiness vibe (I realize that's an oxymoron, but playing with words is fun and I know someone out there understands 'warm frostiness')!
• The excellent use of designer series paper scraps - we all have them, maybe even a stack of them, and these 1/2" wide strips whittle that pile down in a flash.

Mr. Snowman is dimensional.  That is, I stamped him on the Whisper White panel, along with his arms, then stamped him again on a scrap piece of Whisper White.  I punched him out with the Snowman Builder punch and stuck him on over the original image with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Tip for adhering the felt scarf: I used a Mini Stampin' Dimensional on the right side of the scarf (the part that is lifted off the cardstock) and a Glue Dot on the left side (the part that is around the snowman's neck).  Multipurpose Liquid Glue did not hold well since it absorbed into the felt.

In the live demonstration, I forgot to put the felt scarf on the card (*oops*) but in the tutorial below, it is there in the photo, instructions, and supply table.  

Ways to Connect with The Joyful Stamper:

• Shop my online store using the host code 7YNXHH3W and receive as my gift to you a 6 Pack of Christmas Card Tutorials ($15 value!).  If you liked the one above, you'll enjoy these!
• Shop the Clearance Rack for fantastic deals.
• Search my blog in the sidebar box by stamp set, holiday, or technique.  You can also type in "tutorials" to pull up all the printable ones on this blog.
• Join My Joyful Stampers team - instant community of people who love stamping as much as you do!
• Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, the monthly crafting kit for those who like neat, simple solutions to their crafting needs.  As part of your subscription, you'll receive a monthly newsletter with alternate ideas and an instructional video.
• Attend one of my local, in-person classes - laughter is good medicine!
• Follow me on Facebook for more interaction and spontaneous fun!
• Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration.
• Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see stamping demonstrations.

Snowman Season and Wednesday Sketch Challenge

My little stamp space in the corner of our family room has been a happy, busy place recently.  Good thing I stamp mostly when everyone is at work and school because I talk to myself!  I'll try something and love it so much that I'll burst out, "That is SO pretty!" or "Ooooh, I can't stand the cuteness!"  Lily my pup, who snoozes on a giant pink beanbag next to me, will even get startled occasionally.  Stamping is not a quiet hobby here.

Here's this week's sketch on which my card is based.

My mind immediately went to LAYERS.  The more the better!  And since I had Snowman Season on my desk, that's what I used, along with some other super fun products.

These colors of Flirty Flamingo, Coastal Cabana, and Real Red are so fresh.  I'm not so great with combining colors, so when I use Designer Series Paper, I pull my colors from that.  This paper is called Let It Snow and did you know that Stampin' Up! prints the colors used right on the chipboard backing that comes with the paper?  So handy!  The colors are also listed in the catalog in each DSP pack's description.  Each time I order a DSP pack, I check my cardstock in the listed colors to make sure I have enough.  If not, I add a few packs and it ensures NO disappointment!

This snowman is SO happy!  I had to make him even happier by adding Snowfall Accents Puff Paint to the snowballs in the image.  This stuff is magic in a bottle.  Just shake it up, squeeze a bit out, then aim your heat tool at it and watch it puff.  It's addictive.  I have a stack of cards to share using this stuff, because I could not stop playing with it.  Watch the video here to see it in action and to see another card that uses the puff paint on a cloud image.

Card Recipe:

Snowman Season stamp set 

Let It Snow Designer Series Paper

Snowfall Accents Puff Paint

Whisper White Baker's Twine (backordered, but still orderable)

Stitched Rectangles dies

White Stampin' Emboss Powder

Heat Tool

Stampin' Write Markers: Coastal Cabana, Real Red

Cardstock: Basic Black, Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White

Ink Pads: Real Red, Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black

Adhesives: Multi Purpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Paper Trimmer

Paper Snips

November's Host Code Gift

Use 7YNXHH3W if order is less than $150

$150 or greater = no code but you'll get the gift PLUS Stampin' Rewards

Shop here!