Home For The Holidays October SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Home For The Holidays October 2014 Stamp Of The Month Blog Hop. We are so happy that you could join us. There are 73 bloggers participating this month and if you started at the beginning thank you so much for coming this far. If you just happened upon my blog post, clicking on the link to the next blog will take you the full circle. I know I get a lot of inspiration from this group and I hope that you do too.

You should have arrived here from ***Kathleen Androlewicz's blog Life Is Like a Bowl Of Stamps***. Please note that if you ever get lost along the way, a complete list of participants can be found at Melinda Everitt's If You Bling It.

The SOTM for October is this set of 7 stamps where 5 of them coordinate with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

As soon as I saw the "dreaming, believing, wishing" stamp I knew what I wanted to create.

I wish the background showed better in the above photo. I used the Ornament Cascade Square from Artbooking as a mask. Below is a close-up of one of the stamped images where you can better see the background.

I am very pleased with how my initial idea translated to stamping and paper since sometimes I am not that fortunate. Before you head off to the next stop, ***Carol-Anne Grenier's blog***, I would love to know what you think of my layout. Thanks for visiting today.

Close To My Heart Products Used:

• My Acrylix® October 2014 SOTM: Home for the Holidays (S14010)
• Cardstock in the following colors: White Daisy (1385), Canary (X5772), Chocolate (X5643), Cotton Candy (X5760), Hollyhock (1246), Pear (X5764), Topiary (X5635)
• Cotton Candy Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad (Z2193)
• Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686) - Design Space code:
• #M4003B - Ornament (compatible with October 2014 SOTM)
• Cricut® Artbooking Collection (Z1906) - Design Space codes:
• #M3F33C - Ornament Cascade Square - used as a mask with mist (pg 75 - Holiday Layout)
• #M3E09C - Rectangle Bow Frame (pg. 74 - Holiday Layout)
• #M3D6B1 - Joy (pg. 74 - Holiday Layout)
• #M58178 - Make A Wish (pg 87 - Celebration Layout)
• #M58114 - Merry Christmas (pg 75 - Holiday Layout)
• #M44CCB - Sweet (pg 49 - 8" x 3½" Love Mini Album)
• #M40CB3 - December (pg 57 - 10" x 8" Festive Mini Album)
• #M40D38 - Swirl Candy (pg 55 - 6" x 6" Halloween Mini Album)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
• 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022)
• Bonding Memories™ Glue Pen (Z553)
• Designed Décor Black Shadow Box (Z2015)

Supplies not from Close To My Heart: Cricut® Design Space was used to hide contour, weld, slice and resize images, Cricut® Explore, Heidi Swapp Color Shine Gold.

CTMH October 2014 Stamp of the Month: Home for the Holidays

The Close To My Heart October 2014 Stamp of the Month is Home for the Holidays.

Home for the Holidays (S1410) is an exclusive D-size stamp set of 7 stamps that you can only purchase during the month of October 2014. The stamp set can be yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products. Alternatively you can purchase it for $17.95.  Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks are: 1" x 3½" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003), 3" x 3" (Y1006) and 2" x 3½" (Y1009). This stamp set coordinates with the CTMH/Cricut® Art Philosophy collection (Z1686).

Items created with the stamp set by CTMH Corporate artists are this treat box and cupcake box:

If you would like a list of the products used to create either of the above items, you will find the information in the Recipes (clicking the link will open a PDF in a new tab), a booklet that works hand-in-hand with the Idea Book to provide details to re-create any projects at home. Also check my Pinterest Board CTMH 2014 10 Oct SOTM Home for the Holidays for additional ideas using this stamp set.

Please stop back tomorrow for the Home for the Holidays Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.

October 2014 also brings us Ribbon Revelry
-- update 10/16/2014 -- unfortunately the ribbon has sold out  -- I am sorry if you missed it
-- update 10/17/2014 -- while the chevron ribbon has sold out, for the remainder of the month you will receive a special surprise ribbon or trim with qualifying orders

During the month of October when you purchase $50 in product (excluding Studio 5 and While Supplies Last items), you are eligible to receive one of two chevron ribbons for free! Which Chevron Ribbon you receive, Ruby or Outdoor Denim, is a surprise and you can only qualify for one free promotional chevron ribbon in a single order (even if you spend $100 in one order). The ribbon is ¾" wide and spools contain 5 yards. This offer is while supplies last so place your orders as early in the month as possible.

*Offer valid October 1–31, 2014 while supplies last. No tax will be charged on the free items. Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the free item ($6.95 USD).

Finally, please stop back October 7th for the ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Marker Blog Hop. Several CTMH Independent Consultants will be sharing projects where the markers are the focus of our creative projects.

If you are ready to place an order or would like to research any product, the Shop Now button will take you there.

If you have any product or promotion questions, do not hesitate to email me. You will also find me on Facebook as Brenda's Paper Crafts.

My First Base & Bling Pendant

I thought you would like to see one of the Base & Bling Pendants I created. I assembled this at the ReDiscover Event for Close To My Heart Independent Consultants in Rochester, NY.

This is the Faux Antiqued Gold Circle Pendant (Z1965) on a Faux Antiqued Gold Chain (Z1954) with a Circle Glass Cover (Z1966). The feather is from the Dreamer Charms (Z1955) and the owl from the Free Thinker Charms (Z1957). The insert is from the Dreamer Style Sheet (Z1976). Liquid Glass (Z679) was used to attach the glass cover to the pendant. I traced a circle glass cover to cut the image to fit into the circle pendant using the technique shown in the video on my Friday, February 21, 2014 blog post.

No tools are required to make Base & Bling wearable items. However I did not want my charms to cover the pendant when wearing it so I used some jewelry making tools to attach the charms through a link on the chain.

If you choose to leave the charms loose, both the charms and the pendant slide over the lobster claw clasp so they can be switched as your mood changes or to match your outfit or other pieces of jewelry.

I have also heard that some are mixing the metals and I might try that on a future piece.

If you have any questions about Base and Bling, feel free to send me a message. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Click the Shop with me link if you are ready place an order. Contact me if you would like to learn how you can earn free and 50% off products by hosting an in-home or online gathering.

Finally, I would like to remind you that I am hosting a prize drawing. Entering is easy and you will find the details on Saturday's blog post.

Base & Bling - New Items in Annual Inspirations

Close To My Heart added items to the Base & Bling line in the Annual Inspirations (August 2014 - July 2015) Idea Book. You will find Base & Bling items on pages 164 to 167 of the Idea Book. If you do not have a copy, you can download a PDF of the Idea Book on my OBA.



To summarize, new items include:

• Base & Bling Oval Pendants in Faux Antiqued Silver (Z2008) and Faux Antiqued Gold (Z2007)
• Base & Bling Rectangle Pendants in Faux Antiqued Silver (Z2026) and Faux Antiqued Gold (Z2025)
• Base & Bling Oval Cuffs in Faux Antiqued Silver (Z2035) and Faux Antiqued Gold (Z2034)
• Base & Bling Glass Covers in Oval (Z2011) and Rectangle (Z2030)
• Base & Bling Charms in Signature (Z2024) and Journey (Z2014)
• Base & Bling Style Sheets in Signature (Z2055) and Journey (Z2054)

As you can see in the video, you can use sparkles with Liquid Glass (Z679) to fill the interior of the pendants or the cuffs and ribbon can be braided onto the cuff to make your wearable item as unique as you are.

The square and rectangular style sheets fit perfectly in the square and rectangular pendants; to make them fit in the circle pendants, the 1" Circle Punch (Z1999) is the perfect tool. Flip the punch upside down so you can see exactly where you are punching. If you do not have the circle punch, you can trace around the glass cover and cut it out (more details about that on my Friday, February 21, 2014 blog post where Kristine demonstrates in a video).

We are also shown sticker style sheets and charms are not just for jewelry. You can use them on cards and layouts as well. I sure you will find other outside-the-box uses for the style sheets and charms too.

If you would like a refresher of the Base & Bling products that were released in the last Idea Book, you will find details in the video on my Thursday, February 20, 2014 blog post. All are still available for purchase on my OBA.

And if you would like a reminder of how Close To My Heart recommends adhering the glass covers to the base with Liquid Glass, including how to use the circle glass cover as a template to cut the square or rectangle style sheet stickers to fit the circle pendant, see the video on my Friday, February 21, 2014 blog post (you will also see a suggestion for presenting a Base & Bling Pendant as a gift).

If you have any questions about Base and Bling, feel free to send me a message. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Click the Shop with me link if you are ready place an order. Contact me if you would like to learn how you can earn free and 50% off products by hosting an in-home or online gathering.

Finally, I would like to remind you that I am hosting a prize drawing. Entering is easy and you will find the details on Saturday's blog post.

13 Weeks Until Christmas

My mom received a request for donations from an organization that assists Veterans a couple of years ago and it contained some gift wrap that was designed by Sue Zipkin. The envelope the request was mailed in had some of the same and coordinating images on it. They were so cute that I could not help but try to use them in my cardmaking.

This is how my card turned out:

I started by cutting white cardstock into a top-folding card that would fit in a #10 envelope. I used scraps from the mailing that contained art by Sue Zipkin to cover the front. Since the piece was not large enough to cover the entire front, I used Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pads in Gypsy and Glacier and the My Acrylix® stamp sets Geometric Backgrounds (D1559) and Swirls Around (D1551-retired) to remove some of the starkness where the white cardstock showed. I cut the banners from Artbooking and Whisper cardstock and the letters from Art Philosophy and Gypsy cardstock using the Cricut® Explore and Design Space. The twine is from an exchange I did with an online friend.

I hope you like how I put the card together and my "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" effort.

Edited to add: I am linking my card to Decosse's Dynamite Doodles 12 Months of Christmas Card Link Up.

I would like to remind you of my giveaway. Earning entries is easy. You will find the details on this past Saturday's blog post.

Artfully Sent - Rest Relax Repeat

Below is another from the first batch of cards I created with the CTMH/Cricut® Artfully Sent (Z3017) cartridge. It is one of the Scene cards. You will find this card on the "U" key.

With the exception of the Cricut® Explore and Design Space all products are from Close To My Heart: Canary Cardstock (X5772) and a B&T Duos™ from the Confetti Wishes Paper Packet (X7189B). I used 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022) in the larger areas, but the dots allowed me to get very close to the negative spaces without adhesive "webbing" showing through, and the Bonding Memories™ Glue Pen (Z553) on the narrower spaces like the flower stem.

It took longer to select my papers than it did to cut and assemble the card.

If you have any questions about Artfully Sent, feel free to send me a message. I would be happy to assist you and would be delighted if you make a purchase from me.

Click the Shop with me link if you are ready place an order. Contact me if you have questions about how you can purchase the cartridge for 50% off.

Finally, I would like to remind you of my giveaway. You will find the details on Saturday's blog post.

National Stamping Month ends September 30

National Stamping Month ends in one week and when that happens, the #30yearsofhappy stamp set will be gone for good. The stamp set also celebrates Jeanette Lynton's 30 years in the stamping and scrapbooking industry.

You can receive this C-sized stamp set for free when you purchase $30 of any current retail-priced stamps during the month of September, but hurry, once the clock hits 11:59pm on Tuesday, September 30, this deal will be gone.

This is a quick card I created with the stamp set. It will accompany a birthday gift. I started with a blank card and envelope from the 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" Colonial White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack (X1410), Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pads in Canary (Z2643) and Thistle (Z2640). I used a sticky note to mask where I stamped "For You". I used the Stitch Guide (Z1852) to help me keep a relatively straight line across the card and down the envelope, but I did not want to be too perfect. It needed to be unique like the recipient. Besides, crafting is supposed to be fun, and if you are holding your breath every time you stamp how stressful is that?

I saw many crafters use this technique with this stamp set and I think they all were great; I think my card was influenced by those creations, but I did not CASE any particular card or layout.

I finished off the card with Honey Triangles Washi Tape (Z1931).

If you do not a have CTMH Independent Consultant, you may purchase the stamp set and all of the supplies I used to create this card at my online business address. Do not forget this stamp set will no longer be available after September 30.

Before you go, please leave a comment to be entered into my Surprise Giveaway. Thanks for stopping by today.

Artfully Sent - Enjoy The Journey

Below is the first sentiment card I created with the CTMH/Cricut® Artfully Sent (Z3017) cartridge. It is one of 50 5"x7" Sentiment cards on Artfully Sent. You will find this card on the "A" key.

I cut the card using the Cricut® Explore and Design Space using cardstock from my stash. When first using and learning about a cartridge or trying a new pattern I prefer to use cardstock from my stash  - it hurts less if I make a mistake. I used 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022). The dots allowed me to get very close to (and over) the negative spaces without adhesive "webbing" showing through.

If you have any questions about Artfully Sent, feel free to send me a message.

Click the Shop with me link if you are ready place an order. Contact me if you have questions about how you can purchase the cartridge for 50% off.

I would like to remind you of my giveaway - entering is easy. You will find the details on Saturday's blog post.

Surprise Giveaway

Edited to add - I guess I should add what I am celebrating. My 400th blog post came and went without much fanfare. Apparently when it comes to blogging I am not as organized as my friend Julie so I do not have a blog hop organized. I hope you will find a chance to celebrate with me.

I had planned to post this earlier this month, but I seems like by the time I commute home and take care of chores, dinner, etc., time evaporates away and it is time to go to bed to get some rest so I can be ready start it all over again the next day. I know most of you know how it feels to be on the hamster wheel.

Here are the details about the surprise I mentioned in my September newsletter.

I will be drawing three winners (I am sorry, but you can only win once). I have a few retired stamp sets that I have never used that need to find good homes.

You can enter the drawing several ways and you can be entered into the drawing multiple times. The entry period runs from September 15 through 11:59pm on October 17, 2014; I back-dated the start date a bit so you can get a couple of extra entries if you choose.

• One entry for following my blog (you will find the opt ins on the right sidebar). Please note if you subscribe via email I do not know how to get a list of the 17 subscribers so please send me a note letting me know you are a subscriber
• One entry for liking my Facebook Page Brenda's Paper Crafts
• One entry to subscribing to my monthly newsletter (subscription information is below)
• One entry for every blog post you comment on from September 15 through October 17, 2014; if you post as anonymous, please "sign" your post with your initials or first name and last initial so I can give you credit
• No purchase is necessary to be entered, but if you purchase Close To My Heart products from me (either via my OBA or a Gathering) you will get one entry for each $25 (before tax and shipping) you spend

This giveaway is not sponsored by Close To My Heart, Facebook, Blogger/Google or any other corporation. I am sorry to my friends outside the USA, but this giveaway is only open to those in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. military bases.

I will conduct the drawing by October 20 and will post the winner's names on my blog on Monday, October 20. The winners will have until noon on Thursday, October 23 to email me to claim their prize; if they do not contact me an alternate winner(s) will be selected and their name(s) posted Friday, October 24. The winners will be able to select their stamp set from a list of stamp sets I email to them and the stamp set will be delivered if the winner(s) are nearby or mailed via USPS at my expense to the address provided.

If you would like to receive a monthly newsletter from me which tells you about upcoming Close To My Heart product promotions and blog hops that I am scheduled to participate in, please let me know by sending me a note

Click the Shop with me link if you are ready place an order. Contact me if you have questions about this giveaway or any CTMH promotion.

14 Weeks Until Christmas

Or maybe I should call this Two-wit twooo Meets Frosted again? This is the third card I created using the Two-wit twooo, a digi from Digistamps4Joy.

I used the following materials to create the card: Two-wit twooo from Digistamps4Joy printed on Georgia Pacific white cardstock. The image was colored using Lyra Rembrandt 72 Polycolor Fine Art Coloured Pencils for Artists. I fussy cut the image using a craft knife and glass mat.

The pre-cut and scored card base is 5.5" high and 4" wide. I used the retired CTMH My Acrylix® Frosted Cardmaking Workshop stamp set (D1562) with Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2641) and the My Acrylix® Pathfinding Cardmaking Workshop stamp set (D1624; WOTG G1083) with Cashmere Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2175) to create the background. I used foam squared to elevate the trunk of the tree so the owls look like they are inside the tree (though it is hard to tell from this photo).

The sentiment was created using Cricut® Design Space with the Explore. The banner is from the CTMH/Cricut® Artiste Collection (Z1790) and the font is Don Juan. The writing was done with a green American Crafts Precision Pen. The edges were inked with Ruby Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2170).

I am linking my card to the Digistamps4Joy September 2014 Monthly Christmas Challenge and Decosse's Dynamite Doodles 12 Months of Christmas Card Link Up.

I decided to keep the background fairly plain to let the image shine. I like it, but I am not sure I love it. I hope you like it and thanks for making my blog one of those you visited today.

Two-wit twooo Meets Frosted

This month's digi from Digistamps4Joy, Two-wit twooo, is another image that I could use over and over. I think this image is just too cute!

I used the following materials to create the card: Two-wit twooo from Digistamps4Joy printed on Georgia Pacific white cardstock. The image was colored using ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers from Close To My Heart. This is my third image colored with alcohol markers. I hope I am improving. I fussy cut the image using a craft knife and glass mat.

The pre-cut and scored card base is 5.5" high and 4" wide. I covered the card with a deep blue cardstock from my stash. I tried something new and used Ranger Perfect Pearls and the retired CTMH My Acrylix® Frosted Cardmaking Workshop stamp set (D1562) to create the background. The sentiment was stamped on a scrap piece of white cardstock using the same stamp set and Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2140). I am considering adding some glitter to the "fur" and "pom poms" on the caps.

I am linking my card to the Digistamps4Joy September 2014 Monthly Christmas Challenge and Decosse's Dynamite Doodles 12 Months of Christmas Card Link Up.

I hope you enjoy my card. Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Now Available - CTMH/Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection

We received a message today that the newest CTMH/Cricut® cartridge Artfully Sent is now available for purchase!

The Artfully Sent Collection (Z3017) includes the cartridge, a keypad overlay (not pictured), three My Acrylix™ D-size stamp sets and one 12" x 12" White Daisy Cardstock Pack. The font on the cartridge matches the font in the stamp set.

The description on page 141 of Annual Inspirations (valid August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015) reads: "Cardmaking has never been easier or more fun! With our newest Cricut® collection you can make handmade masterpieces in no time at all. Choose from cards with sentiments cut directly into them, or combine several custouts to create your won pop-up scens. Featureing more than 25 different card themes and 5 different card formsts including dynamic interactive designs, this cartridge has a card for any and all occasions–even if the occasion is 'just because'! Card sytles include pop-ups, scenes, sentiments, sleeves, and pocket cards."

Here is a peek inside one of the cards you can create with Artfully Sent.

You can download a PDF version of the Cricut® Artfully Sent Shape Index. There is also a PDF of the Cricut® Artfully Sent Sample Cards.

The zoom feature in Adobe Reader is very helpful when viewing the Shape Index and Sample Cards. If finding the zoom feature in your browser is new to you, here is a tip for finding it: in Google Chrome hover you mouse over the lower left of the browser window and look for a toolbar to appear; in Internet Explorer hover your mouse near the bottom of the window and it will appear on your screen; in Firefox a toolbar will appear near the top of the window. Each of the toolbars give you a chance to save the PDF to your computer or to print the document.

I just ordered my cartridge today and I cannot wait for it to arrive. I hope to take a couple of days off from work so I can do nothing but create with it. Watch my blog in a week or so for photos of my newest cards.

If you have any questions about Artfully Sent, feel free to send me a message. I would be happy to assist you and would be delighted if you make a purchase from me.

Click the Shop with me link if you are ready place an order. Contact me if you have questions about how you can purchase the cartridge for 50% off.

15 Weeks Until Christmas

There are only 15 Weeks Until Christmas?! Even though I have been counting down each week since May, when 32 weeks remained until Christmas, I am still surprised how few weeks we have left.

While I had some trouble with ideas for using the Santa's Helper image from Digistamps4Joy last month, I felt my card with this month's image, Two-wit twooo, came together fairly quickly.

I used the following materials to create the card: Two-wit twooo from Digistamps4Joy printed on Georgia Pacific white cardstock. The image was colored using Sargent Art Water Color Pencils and a CTMH Medium Waterbrush (retired) was used to blend and soften the colors. I fussy cut the image using a craft knife and glass mat.

The pre-cut and scored card base is 6.5" high and 5" wide. I covered the card with CTMH Kraft Cardstock (Z1375) embossed with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Z1996) and inked with a Chocolate Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2111).  The sentiment was stamped on a scrap piece of white cardstock using the My Acrylix® To You And Yours stamp set (B1403) and New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2135) then layered on a scrap of red cardstock. I used two Memory Book Glue Dots™ (1772) layered on top of each other (to raise the image) to attach the fussy cut image and 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151) to attach the sentiment.

I am linking my card to the Digistamps4Joy September 2014 Monthly Christmas Challenge and Decosse's Dynamite Doodles 12 Months of Christmas Card Link Up.

I hope you think I used the image in a pleasing way. Thanks for visiting my blog today.

National Stamping Month #30yearsofhappy Blog Hop

Welcome to the #30yearsofhappy Blog Hop!

When you make a qualifying purchase of $30, you can receive this C-sized stamp set for free.

For the #30yearsofhappy Blog Hop I am following [[[ Gina Brandstetter ]]]. There are almost 40 Close To My Heart Independent Consultants participating in the #30yearsofhappy Blog Hop. If you are just starting the hop you can keep visiting the next blogger until you get back here - it is one big circle. If you get lost somewhere along the way, a complete list of all participants can be found on Melinda Everitt's blog.

My first card is inspired by Triple Tag Fun™ on page 53 of the Originals Card Confidence Program™ (9036).

In addition to the National Stamping Month #30yearsofhappy stamp set, other Close To My Heart Products used are: 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack (X254), Chalk It Up Paper Packet (X7184B), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pads in Lagoon (Z2195), Sorbet (Z2164) and Black (Z2105), Sponge Daubers Value Pack (Z1938), Sequins Gold Assortment (Z2012), Sparkles Clear Assortment (Z1752) and 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022). The tag is from Art Philosophy (#M472AA). I used the Hide Contour feature in Cricut® Design Space.

I think we will be sending this card to someone who lost their husband a year ago this month to let her know that we are thinking of her on this sad anniversary.

I am sorry about the quality of the photo below. I had to take the photo when it was already dark outside and using the flash did not make it better.

I had been staring at the #30yearsofhappy stamp set for quite awhile and I kept coming back to the "You + Me" and anchor images. I just started stamping and playing and this is the card I ended up with. For this card the Close To My Heart Products used are: 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" Colonial White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack (X1410), Seaside Paper Packet (X7192B), Colonial White (1388), Champagne (X5931) and Glacier (X5770) cardstocks, Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pads in Champagne (Z2174) and Glacier (Z2641), Sponge Daubers Value Pack (Z1938), 3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive (Z3022) and 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151).

If you do not a have CTMH Independent Consultant, you may purchase the stamp set and all of the supplies I used to create this layout at my online business address.

Thank you for participating in the hop. Before you move on to the next stop on the hop I would be delighted if you left a comment letting me know what you think of my cards. Our next blogger is [[[ Pam Trostle ]]].

I hope you are enjoying the #30yearsofhappy blog hop.

16 Weeks Until Christmas

Did I count incorrectly? Sixteen weeks until Christmas! That seems impossible. Today is the first day of school here in New York State. How could Christmas only be 16 weeks away?

When I saw this Holiday Card Kit (the kit makes 10 cards; 5 each of 2 designs) in Tuesday Morning for only $3.90 I had to pick it up. The first reason I made this purchase is I can create one card for less than the cost of postage to mail it. In addition, everyone occasionally needs a quick and easy craft project at the ready. Something like this I can easily create during my lunch break because everything fits into the box except the stamp and ink and adhesive is already applied to the back of the embellishments so it is just peel and stick.

This is the box and the contents:



After creating at least one card following the directions on the box, I always try to look for additional ways to put the cards together. This is the card the instructions show the fold on the top.



And this is the card the instructions show the fold on the side.



The only thing I must add to the cards is an inside sentiment.

I may also add some glitter, glitter glue (there was some in the package, but it had dried) or shimmer tape. Or ink on the embossed card front or ink to distress the edges. Of course I can only do some of these things at work.

One thing I will do (and suggest you do if you find this kit) is bend the ends of the brads back on itself using small jewelry making pliers. They are just a bit too long and can be seen no matter which way I turn the brad. I would not snip the ends off because the ends could become rough and the brad is attached to a tag that is not stuck to the card with adhesive. I also had to re-score the card fold and use a bone folder to make the fold nice and crisp.

Who knows, you may find this kit in a Tuesday Morning near you. If you do, it will put you 10 cards closer to having your Christmas cards completed long before the busy holiday season starts.

Thanks for visiting today.