Confessions of a Christmas Stamper

Just one Christmas stamp set.  That was all I was going to buy this year.  I already owned retired Christmas stamps sets, not to mention the fact that I generally send Costco photo cards because Costco cards include a photo, they are inexpensive, and I send out over 100 cards.  Therefore, I was only going to treat myself to ONE new stamp set and that would be it.  (Insert non-stop laughing here!)

My one stamp set was going to be Among the Branches because I could use it for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  Perfect! What more would I need? So, I bought the bundle that included the embossing folder and had fun making cards which you can see HERE.

Well...I decided that wasn't just a Christmas stamp set, so I could get one more.  I fell in love with the the Cozy Christmas set and vintage Home for Christmas paper and HAD to get those items too.  I made loads of cards with that set and paper which you can see HERE.

So...then there was this awesome Christmas shaker card kit, and Christmas tag kit, and Wondrous Wreath bundle, and....you can probably see where this is going.  In the end, I bought Christmas set after Christmas set and have loved using every last one of them!

My Holiday stamp sets plus a few accessories

Some of what I made, already gave some away.

So with at least fifty handmade cards under my belt, what did I end up sending to all my family and friends this season?  

Here comes the ultimate confession:  I sent Costco photo cards!

Say what?!

Yes.  I went with the streamlined, fast, photo-included experience that I know so well.  I was going to send my handmade cards with a photo included, but Costco doesn't even have a 3 x 5 printing option anymore and I wasn't going to trim down 150 4 x 6 prints. So, what happened to all the cards I made?  They didn't go to waste.  I gave them with teacher gifts; I gave them with homemade goodies; I gave them to friends, and I'm giving most of them to the residents of a nursing home when I take my piano students to perform there in a couple of days.  There are a few favorites that I just can't part with yet, so I'm keeping them in my box to look at, and smile at, until I'm ready to part with them next year!

This leads me to something I think about quite often.  Why do I stamp?  Why do I go through the trouble of making handmade cards and gifts when I could buy some pretty cute cards at the store and it would cost me significantly less?  Well, I stamp because it makes me happy.  I stamp because I love it and I get a thrill from the creative process.  I stamp because it gives me a chance to get together with friends and make beautiful things.  I have made some of my closest friends through stamping.  I often say, "It's my golf."  Some people go golfing for thrills; some people visit antique stores; some people collect bears; some people write; I stamp.  Even if everything I make ends up in the trash (it is paper-crafting so I realize that is most likely it's inevitable end), I will still keep doing it because it brings me joy and I love it!.

At OnStage with my good friend, Lorinda.

Thank you!

Thank you to whoever recently placed an order on my online store and checked out as a guest.  I would like to send you a thank you card, but when you check out as a guest, Stampin' Up does not give me your contact information so I have no way of knowing who ordered.  Hopefully you will see this and know I said thank you! :)

Please note that you can receive a free gift if you place an online order of $30 or more and use my monthly hostess code.  The free gift is my monthly card kit, or your choice of pearls, rhinestones, dimensionals, twine, or other small items.  See the complete list HERE.  Even if you use the hostess code, I will not receive your contact information if you check out as a guest.  You will need to e-mail me to receive your free stuff! :)

Thanks!
Marsha
E-mail: stampwithmarsha@gmail.com

Wondrous Wreath

The Wondrous Wreath bundle really is wondrous! I first discovered this stamp set at a class with my friend, Michelle Suit.  Once I started looking at card ideas on Pinterest, I knew I HAD to have it for my December "stamp-set-of-the-month-class."  I also used it for my monthly card kit.  This is what we made at the class:

Project 1:  Joy Wreath Card

Project 2: Blue Wreath Card

Project 3: Mailbox with Garland Card (even better in reality because of the glitter on the snow that doesn't show up in the picture!)

Project 4: Wreath on a Fence Card (also better in reality because of the glitter on the snow that doesn't show up in the picture!)

Project 5: Wreath Gift Card Pouch

I can't take credit for designing any of these projects, as I found all of them on Pinterest and fell in love.  That doesn't stop me from being thrilled with how gorgeous they all turned out in real life! :)

These are a few of the other cards I made with this bundle:

I received the following beautiful card from a card swap at On Stage in November:

This stamp set has been a real winner for me.  I will admit that the first time I tried to cut it out with the framelits, I was discouraged.  It took a few tries to figure out how to line it up just right.  It really helps if you draw an arrow in the corner of your cardstock to remind you which way is the top of the wreath.  Then use the two little leaves that are close together at the top of the wreath as your guide when lining things up for two-step stamping, as well as when die-cutting.  The magnetic platform also makes a big difference when running this through the big shot.  I didn't have it when I first was using this set.  Once I had it, everything became easier because it prevented the framelits from slipping.  In spite of the need for extra care when using this bundle, I still managed to stamp and cut at least 40 wreaths!  It's obviously worth the extra effort in my book! :)

December Make & Take

We made some fun projects at our Make & Take class on Saturday! Here are pictures for all the projects and instructions for the first one.  If you have any questions about the others, let me know!

Project 1--A simple yet classy gift card holder that works for men or women.

I found instructions for this cute idea HERE.  

How to make it:

1.  Take a 5" square piece of Real Red cardstock and use the envelope punch board to make the smallest envelope (gift card size).  No need to tape the envelope together, just fold it up and use a belly band to keep it closed.  

2.  Use a Basic Black strip of cardstock to make a belly band, 3/4" by 8", fasten with tear tape.  Cut a 3/4 " black square to put on top of the buckle.

3.  Punch the belt buckle out of silver glimmer paper using the label bracket punch.  

4.  Attach the 3/4 inch black square to the top of glimmer buckle using strong adhesive like tear tape.  

5.  Attach the buckle to the band with dimensionals.  The band can slide off and on so you can open the holder and put your gift card inside.

6.  Add a rhinestone to the middle of the belt if desired.

As you can see, you can have your holder face the wide direction, or flip it to be the tall direction and put buttons and buckle on the back side.  Add some ribbon to the top so you can hang your gift card holder on the Christmas tree.  Super cute and fast to make!

Project 2--Winter scene window card

I made this lovely card at a class planned by my friend, Michelle Suit, and knew I wanted to share it with my group.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Oh What Fun

Ink: Lost Lagoon, Soft Sky, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe, Lost Lagoon

Other: 1 1/4 inch punch (punch out a post-it note and lay it down while sponging around it to create the moon), 2 1/2 inch punch (for window), Decorative Dots embossing folder, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, sponges

Project 3: Wondrous Wreath Card (I'm doing a whole class around this stamp set, so check back next week for more samples)

Project 4: Another blue Christmas card.  I love blue!

Project 5: Another cute Santa project holding yummy chocolates.  This project was planned by my friend, Lorinda McDaniel.  We do this class together, with each of us planning some of the projects.  This gives our attendees variety with our different styles.

Bonus Projects!  It's Christmas so we couldn't stick to only 5 projects!  We had to add a couple extra surprises!

Ghirardelli Chocolate Treat Packets:

A fun Christmas Tag, also planned by Lorinda:

We hold our Make & Take Class the first Saturday of the month in Gainesville, VA. I hope you can join us for our next one!  It's not to late to sign up for my Wondrous Wreath class next Saturday, December 12th, at 9:30 a.m.  See pictures HERE and e-mail me if you want to come: stampwithmarsha@gmail.com.