This is one of my all time favorite Christmas cards and my biggest seller during the holiday season (yes, I sell my cards). I posted this on SCS yesterday and had a ton of request via email and comments asking for details on this card....so here it goes! It's actually quite simple, the card layers can be done in advance, Night of Navy for the card base, Brocade, Ballet or even Bashful Blue can be used for the next layer, then Shimmery White for the next layer. The focal image is a small piece of Glossy white paper, the only trick is that you'll want to make it 1/2 an inch shorter in width rather than the usual 1/4 inch because you'll be spreading it out to make the windows. I used the Blue Frost spectrum pad from SU, inked up my brayer and just went back and forth until it was a really rich color. I lightly rubbed over the glossy paper to remove any excess ink and then using Staz-on Black, I stamped the trees in the center. I set it aside to dry for a few minutes and went ahead and stamped my Xmas phrase on the bottom using Night of Navy ink. Next I took my paper cutter and sliced up my trees horizontally and then into thirds vertically. I layered them in the window pane position and adhere them to the card. Be sure you test your placement first before actually sticking them down, I work from the center out. The last step is to apply Crystal Effects on the bottom sections of each 'window' and then add glitter. Be careful, as they take a long time to dry...I usually just set it aside overnight to be safe. That's it! I'm so thrilled that you all loved this card as much as I do. It just makes me want to snuggle in by the fire and sip on some hot chocolate. Mmmmm
Friday, August 31, 2007
Snowy Windows are a sure sign of Xmas...
This is one of my all time favorite Christmas cards and my biggest seller during the holiday season (yes, I sell my cards). I posted this on SCS yesterday and had a ton of request via email and comments asking for details on this card....so here it goes! It's actually quite simple, the card layers can be done in advance, Night of Navy for the card base, Brocade, Ballet or even Bashful Blue can be used for the next layer, then Shimmery White for the next layer. The focal image is a small piece of Glossy white paper, the only trick is that you'll want to make it 1/2 an inch shorter in width rather than the usual 1/4 inch because you'll be spreading it out to make the windows. I used the Blue Frost spectrum pad from SU, inked up my brayer and just went back and forth until it was a really rich color. I lightly rubbed over the glossy paper to remove any excess ink and then using Staz-on Black, I stamped the trees in the center. I set it aside to dry for a few minutes and went ahead and stamped my Xmas phrase on the bottom using Night of Navy ink. Next I took my paper cutter and sliced up my trees horizontally and then into thirds vertically. I layered them in the window pane position and adhere them to the card. Be sure you test your placement first before actually sticking them down, I work from the center out. The last step is to apply Crystal Effects on the bottom sections of each 'window' and then add glitter. Be careful, as they take a long time to dry...I usually just set it aside overnight to be safe. That's it! I'm so thrilled that you all loved this card as much as I do. It just makes me want to snuggle in by the fire and sip on some hot chocolate. Mmmmm
Thursday, August 30, 2007
It's beginning to look a lot like....
XMAS!!!! Yes, I said it! I love Christmas time.....the baking, the decorating, the shopping, the card making.....love, love, love it! And this card couldn't be any easier and yet so adorable....The Snowflurries set makes for great backgrounds AND foregrounds so you can do a lot with it. Just add a phrase to the bottom and you're done! The colors used here were Bashful Blue and Night of Navy, the really light blue was 2nd generation of the Bashful Blue. :) I miss that gorgeous snowflake punch from Stampin Up. It retired a while ago but I still use it all the time, it's my favorite snowflake!!! So get ready, there will be more holiday stuff coming....I can feel it. ;)
Monday, August 27, 2007
Oh what a night!
"....late December, back in '63....what a very special time for me. Cause I remember what a night! Doo doo doo doo-doo, doo doo doo doo-doo"
Every once in a while I start out telling a story or saying a phrase and it just reminds me of a song so I sing it and get it out of my system. ;) That being sung, last night was NUTZ!
We left Saturday morning to head out of town for a wedding in San Jose. We stayed at this really great hotel, Hotel Montgomery....if ever you head to downtown San Jose you MUST choose to stay there, it was great! Anyway, the wedding was kinda low key, the weather was perfect, the ceremony and reception were held on the 17th floor of the Silicon Valley Country Club. What shocked me the most was the food....it was horrible!!! I was expecting this fabulous meal and oddly enough I had to fill up on bread because the food was just gross! They had a mixed green salad served with blue cheese and shredded onions (who does that at a wedding?) and this very bitter vinaigrette. Luckily, they served a second course of lime sorbet to cleanse our palettes, but with those onions they should have just passed out some Listerine in shot glasses. The main course was either salmon, filet or chicken. My hubby got the salmon (I won't touch seafood and he loves it) and I got the filet. My mom and dad both got the chicken so I thought if my filet was too rare (very common) that could trade with them. The chicken had this peanut sauce drizzled on top with pine nuts.....again, who does this?!?! Those are VERY different flavors and just do not mix well at all!! The filet was rare, REALLY rare and was served with 2 sliced carrots and purple potatoes. I never knew there was a purple potato until this weekend, interesting but not very appealing. I have to take my hubby's word that his dinner was unpleasant since he never passes up seafood and he actually pushed his plate away after two bites and proceeded to eat my filet.
Ok enough about that, let me fast forward to Sunday. We slept in until 8am, mainly because I was up all night with a tummy ache and there wasn't a soda or antacid that would make it go away. So once again, bread was my best friend. By the time we got home that afternoon I was just exhausted, so I decided I wanted to just relax around the house and be lazy. WRONG! I totally forgot that I had to bake a cake for my final class on Monday and make two batches of icing in three different consistencies. And then I checked my email and completely forgot that SIYJ (Stamping in Your Jammies, a virtual stamp night by Paper Pretties) was Sunday from 6pm-9pm and I was NOT going to miss that! Ok, so it was 4:30pm so I had time to clean up my stamp table and whip up this cake and get it in the oven. WRONG! No eggs.....wait, let me correct that. I needed 3 eggs and there were 2. So, in my eyes...NO EGGS! So I waited until the SIYJ began, whipped up the first sketch challenge and then ran to the store. Got back, prepped the cake pans, took a photo of my card and then ran back to the computer and posted it.
Next challenge, sewing!??! I don't have a sewing machine! Oh and can I tell you that Faux stitching probably takes LONGER than using the real thing!!! Ok, card....focus, you can do this. Layout design, done. Color choices, done. Paper choices....done. Cake....OH CRAP, NOT DONE! So I run back in the other room, finish mixing up the batter (luckily I did preheat the oven) and threw in my two cake pans. Ok, 25 minutes til those are done and 10 minutes left to cut everything and finish my card and post it. I run into the stamp room, finish up my card, run into the kitchen to photograph it and then back to the computer to post it (15 minutes late). BUZZZZZER....CRAP!
Ok, run into the kitchen, where are the toothpicks?!?! Ok, toothpicks found, cakes tested and they are done. Pull them out and set them on the counter to cool. What was I doing? Oh yea, last card challenge....back to the computer, what's the challenge? Ooooh colors, ok light green, light blue and light purple...got it. Only 25 minutes left?!?!!? I need an hour!!! Ok, focus, go back to simple and just stamp it! Ok, breathe....simple, simple, think simple. GOT IT. Stamp, color, punch, layer....I'm done! I'm 5 minutes late but hey, I finished. Run to the kitchen, take the last photo, run back to the computer and post.
TAH DAH! But what about the 2 batches of icing?
***anyone else exhausted yet?***
So I decided to just use the canned stuff, can you believe it?!?! I threw it in my Kitchenaid, added some meringue powder and slapped it onto my cake. At least I did add some raspberry filling to the middle so hopefully no one will notice the fake frosting on the top, right? WRONG....it's gooey!!!! The whole point to adding the powder was so that it would harden up so I could smooth out the creases and lumps and take it to class. So, my class tonight should be very interesting to say the least. But I've learned a lot...I love stamping more than baking, I can't function in a messy stamping OR baking area, simple is still cute (especially when you only have 10 minutes and you've lost your mind completely) and lastly, I NEED to get my hands on that mini sewing machine!!!!! :)
Every once in a while I start out telling a story or saying a phrase and it just reminds me of a song so I sing it and get it out of my system. ;) That being sung, last night was NUTZ!
We left Saturday morning to head out of town for a wedding in San Jose. We stayed at this really great hotel, Hotel Montgomery....if ever you head to downtown San Jose you MUST choose to stay there, it was great! Anyway, the wedding was kinda low key, the weather was perfect, the ceremony and reception were held on the 17th floor of the Silicon Valley Country Club. What shocked me the most was the food....it was horrible!!! I was expecting this fabulous meal and oddly enough I had to fill up on bread because the food was just gross! They had a mixed green salad served with blue cheese and shredded onions (who does that at a wedding?) and this very bitter vinaigrette. Luckily, they served a second course of lime sorbet to cleanse our palettes, but with those onions they should have just passed out some Listerine in shot glasses. The main course was either salmon, filet or chicken. My hubby got the salmon (I won't touch seafood and he loves it) and I got the filet. My mom and dad both got the chicken so I thought if my filet was too rare (very common) that could trade with them. The chicken had this peanut sauce drizzled on top with pine nuts.....again, who does this?!?! Those are VERY different flavors and just do not mix well at all!! The filet was rare, REALLY rare and was served with 2 sliced carrots and purple potatoes. I never knew there was a purple potato until this weekend, interesting but not very appealing. I have to take my hubby's word that his dinner was unpleasant since he never passes up seafood and he actually pushed his plate away after two bites and proceeded to eat my filet.
Ok enough about that, let me fast forward to Sunday. We slept in until 8am, mainly because I was up all night with a tummy ache and there wasn't a soda or antacid that would make it go away. So once again, bread was my best friend. By the time we got home that afternoon I was just exhausted, so I decided I wanted to just relax around the house and be lazy. WRONG! I totally forgot that I had to bake a cake for my final class on Monday and make two batches of icing in three different consistencies. And then I checked my email and completely forgot that SIYJ (Stamping in Your Jammies, a virtual stamp night by Paper Pretties) was Sunday from 6pm-9pm and I was NOT going to miss that! Ok, so it was 4:30pm so I had time to clean up my stamp table and whip up this cake and get it in the oven. WRONG! No eggs.....wait, let me correct that. I needed 3 eggs and there were 2. So, in my eyes...NO EGGS! So I waited until the SIYJ began, whipped up the first sketch challenge and then ran to the store. Got back, prepped the cake pans, took a photo of my card and then ran back to the computer and posted it.
Next challenge, sewing!??! I don't have a sewing machine! Oh and can I tell you that Faux stitching probably takes LONGER than using the real thing!!! Ok, card....focus, you can do this. Layout design, done. Color choices, done. Paper choices....done. Cake....OH CRAP, NOT DONE! So I run back in the other room, finish mixing up the batter (luckily I did preheat the oven) and threw in my two cake pans. Ok, 25 minutes til those are done and 10 minutes left to cut everything and finish my card and post it. I run into the stamp room, finish up my card, run into the kitchen to photograph it and then back to the computer to post it (15 minutes late). BUZZZZZER....CRAP! Ok, run into the kitchen, where are the toothpicks?!?! Ok, toothpicks found, cakes tested and they are done. Pull them out and set them on the counter to cool. What was I doing? Oh yea, last card challenge....back to the computer, what's the challenge? Ooooh colors, ok light green, light blue and light purple...got it. Only 25 minutes left?!?!!? I need an hour!!! Ok, focus, go back to simple and just stamp it! Ok, breathe....simple, simple, think simple. GOT IT. Stamp, color, punch, layer....I'm done! I'm 5 minutes late but hey, I finished. Run to the kitchen, take the last photo, run back to the computer and post.TAH DAH! But what about the 2 batches of icing?***anyone else exhausted yet?***
So I decided to just use the canned stuff, can you believe it?!?! I threw it in my Kitchenaid, added some meringue powder and slapped it onto my cake. At least I did add some raspberry filling to the middle so hopefully no one will notice the fake frosting on the top, right? WRONG....it's gooey!!!! The whole point to adding the powder was so that it would harden up so I could smooth out the creases and lumps and take it to class. So, my class tonight should be very interesting to say the least. But I've learned a lot...I love stamping more than baking, I can't function in a messy stamping OR baking area, simple is still cute (especially when you only have 10 minutes and you've lost your mind completely) and lastly, I NEED to get my hands on that mini sewing machine!!!!! :)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Loving this MFT set!
I've been wanting to find time to dive into my August Paper Pretties MFT box for a few days now and last night I actually was dreaming about it (addiction perhaps?). So this morning I woke up at 7am and got to work. Isn't this just wonderful?? I can't believe how versatile this entire kit is. I can make cards for a baby shower, bridal shower, an under the weather card...just about anything! And how gorgeous is the Crate paper!!! So I'm going to crank out a few more of these and just leave the backside blank and when the time comes, I can stamp whichever greeting is appropriate.
This afternoon we'll be heading out of town for my cousins wedding so I won't get any time to stamp tonight or tomorrow morning (argh). But I'm hoping that with the 3 day weekend coming up next week that I can play catch up with all my new goodies. Oh and my FAB new cake pan should be here by then too!!!!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Fantastic Fun Friday!!!
So my hubby worked from home today so I asked him to come take me to lunch. California Pizza Kitchen was my selection for the day and as always it was DELICIOUS!!! We shared the Margherita pizza: cheese, basil and tomatoes...that's all you need for the perfect pizza. Mmmmmmmmm And of course a side salad to get some sort of healthy element into my daily consumption. But it's the California eggrolls that keep me coming back. Alvocado, Jack Cheese, Chicken and Bacon..........mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I could actually hear myself gaining weight while I was chewing. ;)
Oh, did you want to hear who won? Ahh that's right, I knew there was a reason I was meeting up with Scott today. Let's see, what did he write down on this napkin???
#44!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS DENISE!!!!
Denise... said... I subscribed...and I am hoping and hoping that I get picked. I don't have any bellas!!! Love the blog...always great inspiration. Thanks so much!
I have truly enjoyed spreading the fun and candy around this week and I have already started to get together some more fun goodies. I have a bad habit when I go to the craft stores, I pick up one for me and one to give away. It's just such a good deal I must share it, right?!?!
Oh, did you want to hear who won? Ahh that's right, I knew there was a reason I was meeting up with Scott today. Let's see, what did he write down on this napkin???
#44!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS DENISE!!!!
Denise... said... I subscribed...and I am hoping and hoping that I get picked. I don't have any bellas!!! Love the blog...always great inspiration. Thanks so much!
I have truly enjoyed spreading the fun and candy around this week and I have already started to get together some more fun goodies. I have a bad habit when I go to the craft stores, I pick up one for me and one to give away. It's just such a good deal I must share it, right?!?!
Any Stalkers??
Is anyone checking back regularly to find out who the big winner is?? It's awfully quiet out there....I wonder if anyone even remembered that today was the big day. Hmmmm
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Drumroll please.....
#17!!!
tbreanna said...
Jillian... pick me, pick me, pick me. :) Love your blog, it's 1 of my to do list for daily blog checking.
Tbreanna, send me your addy so I can send these lovely ladies to their new home.
TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!! Make sure you ALL check back to see who the grand prize winner is.
tbreanna said...
Jillian... pick me, pick me, pick me. :) Love your blog, it's 1 of my to do list for daily blog checking.
Tbreanna, send me your addy so I can send these lovely ladies to their new home.
TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!! Make sure you ALL check back to see who the grand prize winner is.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
86!
Yup, that's today's lucky winner!!!! I'm not sure if it irritates me or makes me laugh....but when I ask someone "pick a number between 1 and 10" and their reply is either 1 or 10, I roll my eyes and tell them to get serious. Granted, today it was between 1 and 87 and she said "86!" but still, I know those type of people that pick the ACTUAL numbers you tell them to choose between.....if I wanted those numbers I would have said "ok, choose either 1 or 10". Sheeeesh!
So congrats to Wednesday's Winner!!! CHATTERBOX!!!
chatterbox said...
Hi, I subscribed to your blog a week ago - simply because I LOVE your sense of humor, down to earth (ok, my earth)chatter, and your creative projects. Some day's I just need a little inspiration - and this blog sure has helped me out of my mini slump. BUT... when I saw your bellas in the candy package...OMG! I didn't even know what a bella was... I have a new mission...Bella collecting!Thanks for sharing your ideas, not sure my husband is going to like my new hobby though.
Chittery Chatterbox...send me your info missy!!!! :)
Some updates & notes: I was incorrect in my previous post stating that Aug 20th was the last day to sign up for the Sept bella box. Christie over at Paper Pretties has moved all the dates back to normal so you have until the end of each month to sign up for the next month's box, which is great! Not to mention the fabulous discount at the Paper Pretties Corner Store just for being a subscriber! ;) Also, yesterday's winner Whimsey, well her name is Michelle...not Ida. So I apologize Michele for changing your name...although you did offer to let me call ya Lula so I might just have to take you up on that!
2 more winners are in the making!!! Be sure you check back to see if it's you!!!!
So congrats to Wednesday's Winner!!! CHATTERBOX!!!
chatterbox said...
Hi, I subscribed to your blog a week ago - simply because I LOVE your sense of humor, down to earth (ok, my earth)chatter, and your creative projects. Some day's I just need a little inspiration - and this blog sure has helped me out of my mini slump. BUT... when I saw your bellas in the candy package...OMG! I didn't even know what a bella was... I have a new mission...Bella collecting!Thanks for sharing your ideas, not sure my husband is going to like my new hobby though.
Chittery Chatterbox...send me your info missy!!!! :)
Some updates & notes: I was incorrect in my previous post stating that Aug 20th was the last day to sign up for the Sept bella box. Christie over at Paper Pretties has moved all the dates back to normal so you have until the end of each month to sign up for the next month's box, which is great! Not to mention the fabulous discount at the Paper Pretties Corner Store just for being a subscriber! ;) Also, yesterday's winner Whimsey, well her name is Michelle...not Ida. So I apologize Michele for changing your name...although you did offer to let me call ya Lula so I might just have to take you up on that!
2 more winners are in the making!!! Be sure you check back to see if it's you!!!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Total Bust...
So my cake class last night was a bust, I know I should enjoy each moment of "learning" but when I can't USE it then I get frustrated! So we were able to either bring a cake or cupcakes....so I chose cupcakes! Then they showed us how to make faces (those freak me out) and clown bodies (another freak out) and dots and star flowers and drop flowers....the flowers were what I was looking forward to but I was highly disappointed when they didn't look nearly as nice as the did in the book. Apparently THOSE are made with a different icing, not buttercream so that's why they look nice and smooth in the book versus icing blobs that I was making. So, I turned my boring white icing into a pretty turquoise color and swirled icing on top of my cupcakes and threw on some white sugar crystals. Oh, and I did scrape up the scary clown and put it on top of one cupcake to give to my sister (she has an odd fear of clowns). So in true sisterly love fashion, I gave it to her. :)
Ok, now to the good stuff..............*drumroll please*
Tuesday's mini-bella-blog-candy winner is......................................
#72 Ida!!!
Whimsey said...
I LOVE the cake pan and the results-how stinking cute is that!!!!! I subscribed to your blog a week or so ago - can't remember how I came across it, but I love your work!
August 18, 2007 8:01 AM
Ida, send me all your details and so I can send you some goodies. :)
My hubby is going out of town starting tomorrow on business so I'm hoping to get a LOT of stamping done. No more cake talk until next Monday....I promise!!! *fingers crossed*
Ok, now to the good stuff..............*drumroll please*
Tuesday's mini-bella-blog-candy winner is......................................
#72 Ida!!!
Whimsey said...
I LOVE the cake pan and the results-how stinking cute is that!!!!! I subscribed to your blog a week or so ago - can't remember how I came across it, but I love your work!
August 18, 2007 8:01 AM
Ida, send me all your details and so I can send you some goodies. :)
My hubby is going out of town starting tomorrow on business so I'm hoping to get a LOT of stamping done. No more cake talk until next Monday....I promise!!! *fingers crossed*
Monday, August 20, 2007
Monday's winner is.........
...but first a big Thank you to Mnhyrkas who gave me the link to Random.org.....today it chose post 34....Angel Wilde!!!
Angel Wilde said...
I subscribed and then almost forgot to come back and comment. I don't own a single Bella and Have wanted to play around with one for a while so I would LOVE to win those bella images. PLEASE pick me. :-)
I subscribed and then almost forgot to come back and comment. I don't own a single Bella and Have wanted to play around with one for a while so I would LOVE to win those bella images. PLEASE pick me. :-)
CONGRATS!!!! Send me your mailing info so I can get these lovey's in the mail to ya.
Also, everyone please note that this is just a BONUS, this won't change the chances of winning the BIG prize on Friday....my DH will be pulling a number out of a hat so it could be anyone!!! Don't forget to check back again tomorrow....you might be Tuesdays winner!!
And how fabulous is this card??
I got home late on Saturday night from one of THE WORST trips ever (I'll tell you all about it later) to find this wonderful RAK in my postbox. My lovely fellow design team member Kristine made it and I think it's just simply divine!! Thanks Kristine...I needed that!!!!
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