Nichol Spohr LLC

My Favorite Projects from 2016 In Review

It's the last day of the year and I'm celebrating the close of 2016 with my top 25 favorite projects from the year! These projects are all special to me either because of the design, the products used, the colors, or how they made me feel while creating them. If you're looking for a review of my Christmas cards/tags/bags projects from 2016 all in one place, click HERE. I'm looking forward to what 2017 will bring and to sharing many more crafting adventures with you all! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your visiting my blog, YouTube Channel, the comments you leave here and on my Facebook Page and Instagram Account. I appreciate each and every one of you! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

1. "Peep Filled Marshmallow Hugs" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
2. "I Love You" Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
3. "Tomorrow Is A New Day" Card featuring wplus9 stamps
4. "Happy Birthday" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp floral stamps
5. "Hello You're Beautiful" Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
6. "Coffee A Hug In A Cup" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
7. "Welcome Baby" Card featuring Whimsy Stamps stamps and dies
8. "Waving Hello" Shaker Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
9. "Now and Then" Scrapbook Page featuring Kerri Bradford Studio Die Cuts and Stamps
10. "Spread Kindness..." Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
11. "Hello" Mermaid Card featuring Mommy Lhey stamps and dies
12. "Smile You're So Cool" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
13. "We Are Better Together" Card featuring Neat & Tangled stamps and dies
14. "You Are The Sprinkles On My Donut" Cards featuring Neat & Tangled stamps and dies
15. Pineapples Quilt featuring Bella Blvd fabrics
16. "Kindness Can Change The World" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
17. Quilted Feed Sack Tote Bag featuring Bella Blvd fabrics
18. "Thanks Teacher" Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
19. "You're The Coolest" Card featuring My Favorite Things and Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
20. "Hello" Card featuring Neat & Tangled Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
21. Secret Garden Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
22. "Thanks For Always Being There" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
23. "Autumn Blessings" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
24. "Merry Christmas" Santa Faces Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
25. Felt Plush Ornaments/Tags featuring Simon Says Stamp dies 

S H O P P I N G

Last day to save 25% site-wide at My Favorite Things! Use coupon code SAVE25 at checkout to apply your savings. *Excludes brand new. Click HERE to shop now.

 

Waffle Flower Crafts It's In the Details | No Line Watercolored Birthday Balloons

It's time for my weekly video series, It's In The Details, for the Waffle Flower Inspiration Team. Every Friday I will share a new video featuring amazing Waffle Flower Stamps and Dies.

No line watercolored balloons is made super easy with Distress Inks and the balloon images from the Congrats and Balloon Messages stamp sets. The pink/red/purple color combination is perfect for Valentine's Day, a new baby girl, or even a birthday card like the one I created here today. A Distress Inked background is made extra special with second generation stamped phrases and hearts from the Balloon Messages stamp set. I love the soft look of the balloons against the Distress Inked background instead of a harsh, black stamped line.

I stamped the balloons from the Congrats and Balloon Messages stamp sets on watercolor cardstock using Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry, Candied Apple, and Spun Sugar Distress Inks and then used a water brush to pull the color from the stamped line and to add additional Distress Ink color when necessary. I set the images aside to completely air dry before die cutting with the coordinating Congrats Die and Balloon Messages Dies.

I applied Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry, and Spun Sugar Distress Inks to a watercolor cardstock background and spritzed the background with water from a Distress Sprayer and then blotted the background dry with a paper towel.

I added detailing to the inked background with second generation stamping of the “xoxo” and the small solid heart from the Balloon Messages Stamp Set.

I stamped balloon strings from the Balloon Messages stamp set with Waffle Flower Like A Pro Ink  and adhered the balloons to the background as shown.

I added a stamped greeting from the Congrats stamp set with black ink and then die cut the Celebrate Die from watercolor cardstock adhered to Fun Foam before customizing with Distress Inks. 

An additional greeting from the Balloon Messages stamp set finishes the inside of the card and added a scattering of Pretty Pink Posh Iridescent Star Confetti and Sparkling Clear sequins to the front of the card design.

V I D E O  T U T O R I A L

To watch the creation of this no line watercolored birthday balloons card from start to finish, click HERE to watch on the Waffle Flower YouTube Channel or watch below:

S U P P L I E S

The letters below the thumbnails below link to stores where you can purchase the products shown in this post and video: SSS = to purchase from Simon Says Stamp, EH = to purchase from Ellen Hutson, WF = to purchase from Waffle Flower. Affiliate links used. 

Waffle Flower Balloon Messages (SSS)	Balloon Messages Stamp Set (WF)	Waffle Flower Balloon Messages Dies (SSS)	Balloon Messages Die (WF)	Waffle Flower Congrats (SSS)
Congrats Stamp Set (WF)	Waffle Flower Congrats Word Die Set (SSS)	Congrats Die (WF)	Spun Sugar Distress Ink (EH)	Spun Sugar Distress Ink (SSS)
Picked Raspberry Distress Ink (SSS)	Picked Raspberry Distress Ink (EH)	Candied Apple Distress Ink (EH)	Candied Apple Distress Ink (SSS)	Wilted Violet Distress Ink (SSS)
Wilted Violet Distress Ink (EH)	Waffle Flower Like A Pro (WF)	Like A Pro Ink (WF)	Strathmore Watercolor Paper 9X12 (EH)	Strathmore Watercolor Paper Pad 9x12 (SSS)
Simon Says Stamp White A2 TOP Fold Scored Cards 120# 10 Pack a2top10 STAMPtember	Pretty Pink Posh Iridescent Mini Star Confetti (SSS)	Iridescent Mini Star Confetti (PPP)	Pretty Pink Posh 6mm Sparkling Clear Sequins (SSS)	Pretty Pink Posh 6mm Sparkling Clear (EH)
Pretty Pink Posh 4mm Sparkling Clear Sequins (PPP)	Pretty Pink Posh 4mm Sparkling Clear Sequins (SSS)	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (SSS)	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (EH)	Waffle Flower Celebrate Word Die (SSS)
Celebrate Word Die (WF)	Ink Blending Tool Round (EH)	Ink Blending Tool Round (SSS)	Distress Sprayer (EH)	Distress Sprayer (SSS)
Medium WATERCOLOR BRUSH Pen MWCBP101	Scotch Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape (SSS)	Scotch Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape (EH)	Zots Bling Glue Dots (AZ)	Zots Bling Glue Dots (TH)
Ranger Mini Multi Medium (SSS)	Ranger Mini Multi Medium (EH)	Lifestyle Crafts QUICKSTIK Precision Pickup and Placement Tool	We R Memory Keepers QuickStik Craft Tool

InLinkz.com

Mermaid Greetings Thank You Cards + GIVEAWAY

Hello friends! Today I have a set of four thank you cards showcasing Mommy Lhey stamps, Simon Says Stamp greeting stamps, and an Avery Elle frame die. I absolutely love the mermaid image from the new Mommy Lhey Mermaid Greetings Stamp Set and it inspired this set of thank you's.

I created these cards assembly line style, starting by die cutting four panels from smooth white cardstock using a Avery Elle Wonky Stitches Die. I stamped the mermaid from the Mommy Lhey Mermaid Greetings Stamp Set and a greeting from the Simon Says Stamp Many Thanks Stamp Set with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink on each panel using the MISTI to make creating multiple cards so super easy.

Next I stamped seaweed from the Mommy Lhey Magical Sea Stamp Set and a gift package from the Mommy Lhey Mermaid Greetings Stamp Set. I masked the seaweed and stamped the bow wrapped candy cane from the Doodled Sweater Stamp Set.

I stamped the word "greetings" from the Mommy Lhey Mermaid Greetings Stamp Set above the thank you stamped phrase using Versamark Ink and heat embossed the greeting with clear embossing powder. You will want to use clear so that the thank you phrase is still legible. I stamped snowflakes from the Mommy Lhey Mermaid Greetings Stamp Set and heat embossed those with clear embossing powder as well.

I created masks for all the images and then applied Salty Ocean and Tumbled Glass over the background panel. The clear embossing resists the ink. I removed the masks, buffed any ink off the embossed areas with a dry paper towel, and then colored in all the images with Copic Markers. Additional detailing was added to the images with black and white glaze pens and the Stardust Glitter pen. 

I adhered the panels to top fold card bases.

I finished each card by stamping an additional greeting from the Simon Says Stamp Many Thanks Stamp Set on the inside of each card.

V I D E O  T U T O R I A L

To watch the creation of these mermaid thank you cards from start to finish, click HERE or watch below:

S U P P L I E S

The letters below the thumbnails below link to stores where you can purchase the products shown in this post and video: SSS = to purchase from Simon Says Stamp, EH = to purchase from Ellen Hutson. Affiliate links used.

Mommy Lhey Mermaid Greetings (SSS)	Mommy Lhey Doodled Sweater (SSS)	Mommy Lhey Magical Sea (SSS)	Simon Says Clear Stamps MANY THANKS sss101463 Stamptember	Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink (SSS)
Copic R20 Blush (SSS)	Copic R20 Blush (EH)	Copic R24 Prawn (SSS)	Copic R24 Prawn (EH)	Copc R46 Strong Red (EH)
Copc R46 Strong Red (SSS)	Copic E00 Skin White (SSS)	Copic E00 Skin White (EH)	Copic Y08 Acid Yellow (SSS)	Copic Y08 Acid Yellow (EH)
Copic YG01 Green Bice (EH)	Copic YG01 Green Bice (SSS)	Copic YG17 Grass Green (EH)	Copic YG17 Grass Green (SSS)	Copic G28 Ocean Green (EH)
Copic G28 Ocean Green (SSS)	Copic E13 Light Suntan (SSS)	Copic E13 Light Suntan (EH)	Copic E43 Dull Ivory (EH)	Copic E43 Dull Ivory (SSS)
Copic E44 Clay (EH)	Copic E44 Clay (SSS)	Copic E47 Dark Brown (EH)	Copic E47 Dark Brown (SSS)	Copic W1 Warm Gray (EH)
Copic W1 Warm Gray (SSS)	Sakura White Opaque Glaze Pen (SSS)	Sakura White Opaque Glaze Pen (EH)	Sakura Black Glaze Pen (SSS)	Sakura Black Glaze Pen (EH)
Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen Clear (EH)	Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen (SSS)	Tumbled Glass Distress Ink (SSS)	Tumbled Glass Distress Ink (EH)	Salty Ocean Distress Ink (SSS)
Salty Ocean Distress Ink (EH)	Versamark Watermark Ink (EH)	Versamark Watermark Ink (SSS)	Simon Says Stamp Embossing Powder Clear	Neenah Solar White 80lb (SSS)
Neenah Solar White 80lb (EH)	Simon Says Stamp White A2 TOP Fold Scored Cards 120# 10 Pack a2top10 STAMPtember	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (SSS)	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (EH)	Avery Elle Wonky Stitches Dies (SSS)
Avery ELLE-ments Wonky Stitches (EH)	Ink Blending Tool Round (SSS)	Ink Blending Tool Round (EH)	Hero Arts Embossing Gun (EH)	Hero Arts Embossing Gun (SSS)
MISTI Precision Stamper Stamping Tool (SSS)	My Sweet Petunia MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (EH)	Simon Says Stamp MASKING PAPER Label Sheets 20 Count SMSK20

InLinkz.com

G I V E A W A Y

Leave a comment on this post by Sunday, January 1st, 2017 11:59 pm CST for a chance to win these four packs of Mommy Lhey Pigment Inks and two pens! 

A huge thank you to Mommy Lhey for the giveaway!

 

Christmas Cards, Tags, & Bags 2016 In Review

Hello friends! I am compiling all fifty of my Christmas and holiday cards, tags, and bags I've created over the last few months in one place. If you're looking for ideas for next year I wanted to make it easy to find my 2016 projects! Links to each project are listed below each photo collage. 

Christmas Cards, Tags, and Bags 2016

1. "Snow Much Thanks" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp January 2017 Card Kit
2. Reindeer Shaker Cards featuring Mama Elephant Stamps & Dies
3. "...Make Snow Angels" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp January 2017 Card Kit
4. "Folded Gift Tags" featuring Neat & Tangled Stamps and Dies
5. Felt Plush Ornaments/Tags featuring Simon Says Stamp Dies
6. "From Our Home To Yours" Card featuring Waffle Flower Stamps and Dies
7. "You Warm My Heart" Card featuring Honey Bee Stamps and Dies
8. Reindeer Tote Bags featuring Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies
9. "Joy Peace Love" Gift Card Holder Cards featuring Ellen Hutson Stamps and Dies
10. "Merry Christmouse" Gift Card Holder Card featuring Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies
11. Elegant White & Gold Santa Gift Tags featuring Waffle Flower Stamps and Dies
12. Christmas Card, Envelope, and Matching Tag featuring Neat & Tangled Stamps and Dies
13. "Sealed With A Kiss" Tag featuring Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies
14. Crafty Labels Tags featuring Mama Elephant Stamps and Dies
15. "You Light Up My Christmas" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
16. "Merry Christmas" Santa Face Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
17. Elf Gift Tags featuring Neat and Tangled stamps and dies
18. "May Your Holiday Be Bright" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
19. "Merry & Bright Greetings" Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
20. Yeti Slider Card featuring Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies
21. "Have A Sweet Christmas" Light Up Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
22. "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Card featuring Waffle Flower stamps and dies
23. "Joy To The World" Shaker Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
24. "Merry Christmas" Card featuring Waffle Flower dies
25. "May Your Holidays Sparkle..." Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies

More Christmas Cards, Tags, and Bags 2016

1. Retro Holiday Labels Gift Tags featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
2. "Be Merry" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
3. Pix's Happy Holidays Gift Tags featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
4. "Merry Christmas" Card featuring Waffle Flower stamps and dies
5. "Merry and Bright" Shaker Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
6. "Merry Christmas Wishes" Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
7. "Believe..." Card featuring Simon Says Stamp stamps and dies
8. "Meowy Woofmas" Gift Tag featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
9. "Season's Greetings" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
10. Wooly Winter Spinner Gift Tags featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
11. Elegant Gold Deer Card featuring Ellen Hutson stamps and dies
12. "Believe..." Card featuring Ellen Hutson stamps and dies
13. "Have Yourself A Merry..." Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
14. "FaLaLaLaLa" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
15. Watercolored Poinsettia Card featuring Mama Elephant stamps and dies
16. Reindeer and Tiny Tags Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
17. "Have A Magical Holiday Season" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
18. "You've Been Nice" Card featuring Waffle Flower stamps and dies
19. "May Your Christmas Be Bright" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
20. Perfectly Plaid Christmas Candy Boxes featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
21. "Snow Cool" Interactive Pop Up Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
22. "... Sprinkled With Joy" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
23. "Fairy Christmas" Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies
24. Tim Holtz Christmas Cards featuring Tim Holtz stamps and stencils
25. "A Little Something For You" Pop Up Card featuring Lawn Fawn stamps and dies

Be sure to come back tomorrow for an idea for creating Christmas thank you cards and an awesome giveaway! See you then!

Handmade Holiday 2016 WINNERS and Review + Great After Christmas Sales

Happy Monday friends! I wanted to pop in here quickly today and announce the winners from my Handmade Holiday 2016 Series and to thank each and every one of you for your kind comments and wishes for a happy holiday. I deeply appreciate each and every one of you.

G I V E A W A Y  W I N N E R S

• The winner of the $25 Ellen Hutson Gift Certificate is: Mel H
• The winner of the $50 Lawn Fawn Gift Certificate is: Angelique Vela
• The winners of the two $50 Simon Says Stamp Gift Certificates are: Laurie Brown and Teresa
• The winner of the $25 Neat & Tangled $25 Gift Card is: Marianne
• The winner of the $25 Mama Elephant Gift Certificate is: Amy Cooley
• The winners of the 6 Online Card Classes spots are: Arianna Barbara, Liz Mcallister, Teresa Doyle, May, Lori M, Athena b.

Winners have been notified via email.

I N  R E V I E W

I hope you all enjoyed the last seven days of projects as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you! I've compiled all five projects here today. Links to the original blog posts below the photo collage.

Here are links to the original blog posts for the 2016 Handmade Holiday Series projects:

1. Day 1: Rudolph Zipper Panel Gift Card Holder Cards
2. Day 2: Reindeer Tote Bags
3. Day 3: Felt Plush Ornaments/Tags
4. Day 4: Folded Gift Tags
5. Day 5: Reindeer Shaker Tags

S H O P P I N G

Take 25% off all Ranger Products at Simon Says  Stamp with code BOXINGDAYSALE. Valid 12/26 - 12/28 at 11:59 pm EST. Click HERE to shop!

From now through the end of the year, save 25% site-wide at My Favorite Things! Use coupon code SAVE25 at checkout to apply your savings. *Excludes brand new. Click HERE to shop now.

 

Waffle Flower Crafts It's In the Details | First Step Embellished Shoes Inspiration Card

It's time for my weekly video series, It's In The Details, for the Waffle Flower Inspiration Team. Every Friday I will share a new video featuring amazing Waffle Flower Stamps and Dies.

An encouragement card featuring the fabulous shoes from the First Step Stamp Set is made extra special by customizing the shoes with great embellishments from the stamp set and adding pen or Glossy Accents detail to the shoes. I know a couple of friends who could use some uplifting thoughts and prayers and an encouragement/thinking of you/you've got this style card is always the perfect little happy thought to receive in the mail! I know that those cards that have come when I've been low and been struggling are always some of the most appreciated!

To start my card, I trimmed a piece of smooth white cardstock to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" and used my MISTI to stamp the shoes image four times around the edge of my card panel with Jet Black Ink (awesome true black ink perfect for Copic Coloring!). I stamped the greeting as well and chose which embellishments from the First Step Stamp Set I wanted to use for my shoes and stamped two sets of each. Once colored I die cut the embellishments with the coordinating First Step Dies.

I colored all the images in with Copic Markers. Even though this card has a lot of coloring, the areas are big and not tiny, tiny detailed images, so the coloring went super quick. I had planned to do a "rainbow" of color with my coloring but the green just wasn't working for me so I went ahead and left it out! It's ok to change your mind mid-card creation! 

Once the shoes were all colored, I stamped and created masks for all of them from masking paper and then watered down Black Soot Distress Paint and flicked it over the surface with a small paintbrush for some background distressing. I didn't want the shoes to have any spots so the masks were a quick and easy way to mask off any area I didn't want splattered with paint.

Once the paint was dry and I removed the mask I was ready to start embellishing the shoes! I added a layer of Glossy Accents to the red shoes and red bows as well as parts of the yellow tassels! I used the Stardust Glitter Pen to the purple flowers and a combination of the glitter pen and Glossy Accents to the peach jewel on the orange shoes.

The embellishments on the shoes were all adhered with foam adhesive for additional dimension and interest. I trimmed the excess off the edge of the background and adhered the panel to a white side fold card base. 

Some gold mini star confetti sprinkled throughout the background adds to the positive good feeling of the card, plus add a touch of sparkle!

V I D E O  T U T O R I A L

To watch the creation of this encouragement card from start to finish, click HERE to watch on the Waffle Flower YouTube Channel or watch below:

S U P P L I E S

The letters below the thumbnails below link to stores where you can purchase the products shown in this post and video: SSS = to purchase from Simon Says Stamp, EH = to purchase from Ellen Hutson, WF = to purchase from Waffle Flower. Affiliate links used.

Waffle Flower First Step (SSS)	First Step Stamp Set (WF)	First Step Die (WF)	Waffle Flower First Step Dies (SSS)	Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink (SSS)
Copic R24 Prawn (EH)	Copic R24 Prawn (SSS)	Copc R46 Strong Red (SSS)	Copc R46 Strong Red (EH)	Copic R39 Garnet (SSS)
Copic R39 Garnet (EH)	Copic YR00 Powder Pink (EH)	Copic YR00 Powder Pink (SSS)	Copic YR04 Chrome Orange (SSS)	Copic YR04 Chrome Orange (EH)
Copic YR09 Chinese Orange (EH)	Copic YR09 Chinese Orange (SSS)	Copic Y08 Acid Yellow (EH)	Copic Y08 Acid Yellow (SSS)	Copic Y11 Pale Yellow (SSS)
Copic Y11 Pale Yellow (EH)	Copic Y19 Napoli Yellow (SSS)	Copic Y19 Napoli Yellow (EH)	Copic B16 Cyanine Blue (EH)	Copic B16 Cyanine Blue (SSS)
Copic B18 Lapis Lazuli (EH)	Copic B18 Lapis Lazuli (SSS)	Copic V09 Violet (EH)	Copic V09 Violet (SSS)	Copic V17 Amethyst Violet (EH)
Copic V17 Amethyst Violet (SSS)	Copic E000 Pale Fruit Pink (SSS)	Copic E000 Pale Fruit Pink (EH)	Copic E00 Skin White (SSS)	Copic E00 Skin White (EH)
Copic E11 Bareley Beige (EH)	Copic E11 Bareley Beige (SSS)	Copic E13 Light Suntan (EH)	Copic E13 Light Suntan (SSS)	Copic E15 Dark Suntan (SSS)
Copic E15 Dark Suntan (EH)	Copic E25 Caribe Cocoa (EH)	Copic E25 Caribe Cocoa (SSS)	Copic E27 Africano (EH)	Copic E27 Africano (SSS)
Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen Clear (EH)	Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen (SSS)	Black Soot Distress Paint (SSS)	Black Soot Distress Paint (EH)	Neenah Solar White 80lb (EH)
Neenah Solar White 80lb (SSS)	White A2 Side Fold Scored Cards	Pretty Pink Posh Gold Mini Star Confetti (SSS)	Gold Mini Star Confetti (PPP)	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (EH)
Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (SSS)	Ranger Studio Paintbrushes (EH)	Ranger Studio Paintbrushes (SSS)	Distress Sprayer (SSS)	Distress Sprayer (EH)
My Sweet Petunia MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (EH)	MISTI Precision Stamper Stamping Tool (SSS)	Lifestyle Crafts QUICKSTIK Precision Pickup and Placement Tool	We R Memory Keepers QuickStik Craft Tool	Ranger Glossy Accents (SSS)
Ranger Glossy Accents Mini (EH)	Ranger Mini Multi Medium (SSS)	Ranger Mini Multi Medium (EH)	Scrapbook Adhesives Thin White Foam Squares (SSS)	Simon Says Stamp MASKING PAPER Label Sheets 20 Count SMSK20

InLinkz.com

Simon Says Stamp January 2017 Card Kit | Snow Much Thanks Card + GIVEAWAY

The January 2017 Simon Says Stamp Card Kit is now available!

You can pick up the January 2017 card kit HERE for just $29.95 + shipping. Or if you’d like to receive this kit and future kits for only $24.95 + shipping per month, you can SUBSCRIBE HERE. When you subscribe you will receive kits delivered to your door automatically.

I love the look of tone on tone white backgrounds (even when they are hard to photograph) because they are so super pretty in real life. The texture of the embossed snowflakes definitely gives the look and feel of winter!

I trimmed one of the patterned papers from the kit to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" and adhered it to a top fold card base. Next I took a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece of Cream Cardstock from the kit and die cut the bottom edge with the Dot Scallop Border Die. I just love this die. I used it on THIS card too and it's one of my favorite borders ever!

For the tone-on-tone background I stamped the snowflakes from the Frozen Fractals all over the cream cardstock with the Delicata White Shimmer Ink from the kit. I embossed the snowflakes with Simon Says Stamp Clear Embossing Powder. 

I stamped the words "much thanks" on a strip of black cardstock using a greeting from the Frozen Fractals stamp set and heat embossed the greeting with Simon Says Stamp White Embossing Powder. I adhered the strip to the cream background as shown.

Next, I backed a piece of Fun Foam with Stick It on both the front and back, removed the backing paper from one side and replaced it with cream cardstock. I die cut the word "snow" from the Winter Snow Die Collection from the dimensional material and adhered it above the stamped greeting strip to complete the greeting!

I finished the card by adhering sequins from the January Card Kit to the center of some of the snowflakes and finishing several with pearl gems as well. I adhered the panel to the card with foam adhesive for additional dimension.

V I D E O  T U T O R I A L

To watch the creation of this tone on tone stamped snowflakes card from start to finish, click HERE or watch below:

S U P P L I E S

Click the thumbnails below to purchase from Simon Says Stamp. Affiliate links used.

InLinkz.com

G I V E A W A Y

Simon Says Stamp has generously offered me the opportunity to give a away January 2017 Simon Says Stamp Card Kit to one lucky recipient! 

Please leave a comment on this blog post in the "Comments" section below today's post by Monday, December 26th, 2016, 11:59 p.m. CST for a chance to win this incredible kit! 

Handmade Holiday 2016 Day 5 | Mama Elephant Reindeer Shaker Tags + GIVEAWAY

Welcome to Day 5 (the final day) of my last minute Handmade Holiday 2016 Series!

I'm back with my third year of last minute handmade ideas! Even with the craziness of the season I like to be able to add handmade touches to gifts for our friends and family. Over the next two weeks I'll be sharing mostly quick (an hour or less) Handmade Holiday ideas for cards, tags and gift wrapping sure to add that handmade touch we all love. Most ideas will include multiples (today I created two shaker gift tags)! These tags took a bit longer than an hour, however if you're only creating 1-2 you could easity get them done in an hour!

Each Handmade Holiday project blog post will feature a brand new, never before seen project(s) plus at least one incredible giveaway from a generous sponsor!I

REINDEER SHAKER GIFT TAGS

Shaker tags are one of my go-to gift tag projects when I want to give an interactive gift tag that I know the recipient will enjoy. I've created some other shaker tags in the past showcasing this large Mama Elephant Tags A Lot tag shape (it's the perfect size for shaker gift tags). Click HERE for a penguin shaker tag I made a couple of years ago that inspired this one.

For the shaker tag, I die cut a solid tag from Simon Says Stamp Surf Blue Cardstock for the tag back using the Mama Elephant Tags A Lot tag shape. I die cut another tag for the front using the Mama Elephant Tags A Lot tag shape and the circle die from the All Prettied up Die Collection. I die cut the circle from smooth white cardstock to use as the background of the window inside the shaker. I also die cut another solid tag shape from acetate to use for the window of my shaker.

On the back to tag (the solid tag) I stamped "for/from" and "special delivery" from the Crafty Labels Stamp Set using Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and Simon Says Stamp Surf Blue Ink. On the front of the tags I stamped a greeting from the Cozy Christmas Stamp Set with black ink. 

On the white circle shape I masked off a straight line with post it tape and inked up the upper part of the circle with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. I removed the masking tape and then adhered the circle to the tag back, using the cut out in the tag front panel to line it up perfectly.

I punched holes in all the tag shapes with the Crop-a-dile.

The reindeer, small candy canes, and ornaments were stamped from the Reindeer Games Stamp Set and the large candy cane from the Wooly Winter Stamp Set using Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers. I die cut the images with the coordinating Reindeer Games Dies and Wooly Winter Dies. Detail was added to the eyes with a black glaze pen, sparkle was added to the ornaments with the Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Marker, and Glossy Accents was added to the reindeer's noses.

I adhered the reindeer and candy canes to the inside panel to create the snowy scene.

I backed the frame for the shaker with the die cut acetate tag and then added two layers of foam adhesive to make the "well" for the shaker materials. I used a anti-cling powder tool around the edges of the foam tape and then filled the shaker with tiny, tiny clear beads and Pretty Pink Posh Iridescent Star Confetti before securing the back to the front as shown.

I secured the ornaments hanging out from underneath the edge of the die cut circle frame on the outside of the tag, adhered the little birdie to the back of the tag, added die cut white cardstock hole reinforcements to both the frong and back of all the tags and finished each with twine and jingle bells tied on with white silk ribbon.

V I D E O  T U T O R I A L

To watch the creation of these reindeer shaker gift tags from start to finish, click HERE or watch below:

S U P P L I E S

The letters below the thumbnails below link to stores where you can purchase the products shown in this post and video: SSS = to purchase from Simon Says Stamp, EH = to purchase from Ellen Hutson, SB.COM = to purchase from Scrapbook.com. Affiliate links used.

Mama Elephant Clear Reindeer Games Set (SSS)	Mama Elephant Clear Stamp Reindeer Games (SSS)	Mama Elephant Reindeer Games (EH)	Mama Elephant Reindeer Games Dies (SSS)	Mama Elephant Reindeer Games Dies (EH)
Mama Elephant Clear Stamp and Die MEPT308 Wooly Winter SET	Mama Elephant Wooly Winter (SSS)	Mama Elephant Wooly Winter (EH)	Mama Elephant Wooly Winter Dies (EH)	Mama Elephant Wooly Winter Dies (SSS)
Mama Elephant Cozy Christmas (SSS)	Mama Elephant Cozy Christmas (EH)	Mama Elephant Crafty Labels (SSS)	Mama Elephant Crafty Labels (EH)	Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink (SSS)
Copic R00 Pinkish White (EH)	Copic R00 Pinkish White (SSS)	Copic R14 Light Rouge (SSS)	Copic R14 Light Rouge (EH)	Copic R27 Cadmium Red (EH)
Copic R27 Cadmium Red (SSS)	Copic YR07 Cadmium Orange (EH)	Copic YR07 Cadmium Orange (SSS)	Copic Y18 Lightning Yellow (EH)	Copic Y18 Lightning Yellow (SSS)
Copic BG11 Moon White (EH)	Copic BG11 Moon White (SSS)	Copic BG13 Mint Green (SSS)	Copic BG13 Mint Green (EH)	Copic E40 Brick White (EH)
Copic E40 Brick White (SSS)	Copic E43 Dull Ivory (EH)	Copic E43 Dull Ivory (SSS)	Copic E44 Clay (EH)	Copic E44 Clay (SSS)
Copic E47 Dark Brown (EH)	Copic E47 Dark Brown (SSS)	Copic E49 Dark Bark (EH)	Copic E49 Dark Bark (SSS)	Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen (SSS)
Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen Clear (EH)	Sakura Black Glaze Pen (SSS)	Sakura Black Glaze Pen (EH)	Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Marker (EH)	Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Marker (SSS
Tumbled Glass Distress Ink (SSS)	Tumbled Glass Distress Ink (EH)	Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Pad SURF BLU	Simon Says Stamp Card Stock	Neenah Solar White 80lb (EH)
Neenah Solar White 80lb (SSS)	Clear Bitty Beads (HB)	Pretty Pink Posh Iridescent Mini Star Confetti (SSS)	Iridescent Mini Star Confetti (PPP)	Lawn Fawn Red Sparkle Trimmings (SSS)
Lawn Fawn Red Sparkle Trimmings (EH)	DoCrafts RED AND WHITE Jingle Bells Papermania 356910	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (SSS)	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (EH)	Mama Elephant Tags A Lot (SSS)
Mama Elephant Tags A Lot (EH)	Mama Elephant All Prettied up (SSS)	Mama Elephant All Prettied Up (EH)	Ink Blending Tool Round (EH)	Ink Blending Tool Round (SSS)
Powder Tool Adhesive Deactivator (SSS)	Powder Tool Adhesive Deactivator (EH)	MISTI Precision Stamper Stamping Tool (SSS)	My Sweet Petunia MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (EH)	Crop-a-Dile Eyelet & Snap Punch (EH)
Crop-a-Dile Eyelet & Snap Punch (SSS)	Zots Bling Glue Dots (TH)	Zots Bling Glue Dots (AZ)	Scotch Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape (SSS)	Scotch Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape (EH)

InLinkz.com

G I V E A W A Y

I'm thrilled to be offering two incredible giveaways today!

Please leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Mama Elephant or a spot in an Online Card Classes Class! 

A huge thank you to Angela & Kryssi at Mama Elephant and Jennifer and Kristina at Online Card Classes for sponsoring the giveaways today!

S I M I L A R  P R O J E C T S

Looking for more gift tags, bags, and more ideas?

Here are links to the 2016 Handmade Holiday Series projects:

1. Day 1: Rudolph Zipper Panel Gift Card Holder Cards
2. Day 2: Reindeer Tote Bags
3. Day 3: Felt Plush Ornaments/Tags
4. Day 4: Folded Gift Tags

Here are links to the 2015 Handmade Holiday Series projects:

1. Day 1: North Pole Gift Card Envelopes with video 
2. Day 2: Vellum Gift Bags and Reindeer Tags with video 
3. Day 3: Gift Card Holder Cards and Matching Envelopes with video 
4. Day 4: Pretty Packages and Tags with video 
5. Pretty Packages (close up)
6. Day 5: Bella Blvd Lined Fabric Gift Bags 
7. Day 6: Penguin Peek-A-Boo Gift Tags 
8. Day 7: Reindeer Games Spinner Tags 

Here are links to the 2014 Handmade Holiday Series:

1. Gold Foil Monogram Gift Tags (video)
2. Decorated Treat/Goodie Bags (video)
3. Zipper Panel Gift Card Holder (video)
4. Pretty Die Cut 3-dimensional packages (video)
5. See Thru Santa Tags (video)

Simon Says Stamp January 2017 Card Kit | Snowflake Inlay Border Card

The January 2017 Simon Says Stamp Card Kit is now available!

Today I'm sharingmy first card with the January 2017 Simon Says Stamp Card Kit. This gorgeous kit if full of beautiful patterned papers, cardstock, confetti/sequins, a shimmer ink cube, a stamp shammy to clean your stamps, and of course a fabulous new stamp set! The new Frozen Fractals Stamp Set has the most gorgeous snowflake images as well as as fabulous greetings perfect for this time of the year!

I used the brand new Cornflower Blue Cardstock, one of the parchment papers, ivory cardstock, Frozen Fractals stamped images and sequins from the kit with the awesome Northern Lights Snowflakes Die for this beautiful greeting card. 

I started the card by trimming the Cream Cardstock in the kit into a top fold card base. Next, I trimmed the Cornflower Blue Cardstock to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" and die cut it with the Northern Lights Snowflakes Die. I inked up the die cut border with the Delicata White Shimmer Ink Cube front the kit and hit it with my heat tool to dry the pigment ink faster. I set the border aside and stamped the greeting from the Frozen Fractals Stamp Set on the "background" as shown using the same Delicata White Shimmer Ink. I stamped snowflakes from the stamp set as well and covered all the images with white embossing powder before heat setting them with my Hero Arts Heat Gun.

I adhered the blue gray parchment paper to the cream card base and then carefully adhered the blue cardstock panel including the die cut border for the inlay design. The parchment paper peeks through the snowflake design! I adhered the sequins from the kit using Bling Glue Dots, layering some of the sequins for added dimension.

On the inside of the card I stamped an additional greeting from the Frozen Fractals Stamp Set using Delicata Silver Shimmer Ink. 

V I D E O  T U T O R I A L

To watch the creation of this snowflake inlay border card from start to finish, click HERE or watch below:

S U P P L I E S

Click the thumbnails below to purchase from Simon Says Stamp. Affiliate links used.

InLinkz.com

Handmade Holiday 2016 Day 4 | Neat & Tangled Folded Gift Tags + GIVEAWAY

Welcome to Day 4 of my last minute Handmade Holiday 2016 Series!

I'm back with my third year of last minute handmade ideas! Even with the craziness of the season I like to be able to add handmade touches to gifts for our friends and family. Over the next two weeks I'll be sharing mostly quick (an hour or less) Handmade Holiday ideas for cards, tags and gift wrapping sure to add that handmade touch we all love. Most ideas will include multiples (today I created seven folded gift tags)! These tags took a bit longer than an hour, however if you're only creating 1-2 you could easity get them done in an hour!

Each Handmade Holiday project blog post will feature a brand new, never before seen project(s) plus at least one incredible giveaway from a generous sponsor!I

FOLDED GIFT TAGS

A folded tag is a great way to include an additional message, almost like giving a card! It's easy to die cut a folded tag shape by simply die cutting a tag (or other shape) slightly off the fold of cardstock or patterned paper. Add an additional tag on the front, decorate, and you're ready to add festive tags to any treat or package! I made a set of seven of these folded gift tags to tie to the treat bags we are giving our neighbors this year!

I folded Surf Blue Cardstock in half to make four standard card bases and used the Neat & Tangled Classic Tag 1 Die to die cut seven folded tags. On the inside of each folded tag I stamped greetings from the Neat & Tangled Santa's Wonderland Stamp Set and Happy Holidays Stamp Set with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink using the MISTI to make stamping the greetings in just the right spot quick and easy!

I die cut seven tags from smooth white cardstock using the Neat & Tangled Classic Tag 1 Die and stamped the snow border and a greeting from the Neat & Tangled Santa's Wonderland Stamp Set along the bottom with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink  and again using the MISTI to duplicate the stamping on each tag in the exact same spot.

I stamped the falling snow image from the Neat & Tangled Santa's Wonderland Stamp Set along the top of each tag with Versamark Ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder. I masked off the snow border on each tag and applied Tumbled Glass Distress Ink to each for the sky.

I stamped the penguin and snowman from the Neat & Tangled Santa's Wonderland Stamp Set on smooth white cardstock and colored in the images with  Copic Markers before die cutting with the coordinating Santa's Wonderland Dies. I added detail to the eyes with a black glaze pen and added the Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Pen to areas on the images as well. I attached the penguins and snowmen to the tag fronts as shown.

I glued the tag fronts to the folded tag bases and finished each with some red and white twine tied through the top. I even stamped my custom greeting on the back of each folded tag, just like I do with my cards!

V I D E O  T U T O R I A L

To watch the creation of these folded gift tags from start to finish, click HERE or watch below:

S U P P L I E S

The letters below the thumbnails below link to stores where you can purchase the products shown in this post and video: SSS = to purchase from Simon Says Stamp, EH = to purchase from Ellen Hutson, SB.COM = to purchase from Scrapbook.com. Affiliate links used.

Neat and Tangled Santa's Wonderland (SSS)	Santa's Wonderland (NT)	Neat and Tangled Santa's Wonderland Dies (SSS)	Santa's Wonderland Dies (NT)	Happy Holidays (NT)
Neat and Tangled Happy Holidays (SSS)	Tumbled Glass Distress Ink (SSS)	Tumbled Glass Distress Ink (EH)	Versamark Watermark Ink (SSS)	Versamark Watermark Ink (EH)
Simon Says Stamp EMBOSSING POWDER WHITE Fine Detail WhiteEP2 Stamptember	Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink (SSS)	Copic R00 Pinkish White (SSS)	Copic R00 Pinkish White (EH)	Copic R14 Light Rouge (SSS)
Copic R14 Light Rouge (EH)	Copic R29 Lipstick Red (EH)	Copic R29 Lipstick Red (SSS)	Copic YR04 Chrome Orange (EH)	Copic YR04 Chrome Orange (SSS)
Copic Y08 Acid Yellow (EH)	Copic Y08 Acid Yellow (SSS)	Copic YG17 Grass Green (SSS)	Copic YG17 Grass Green (EH)	Copic BG10 Cool Shadow (EH)
Copic BG10 Cool Shadow (SSS)	Copic B24 Sky (EH)	Copic B24 Sky (SSS)	Copic V06 Lavender (EH)	Copic V06 Lavender (SSS)
Copic W00 Warm Gray (EH)	Copic W00 Warm Gray (SSS)	Copic W1 Warm Gray (EH)	Copic W1 Warm Gray (SSS)	Copic W4 Warm Gray (EH)
Copic W4 Warm Gray (SSS)	Copic W6 Warm Gray (EH)	Copic W6 Warm Gray (SSS)	Copic W8 Warm Gray (SSS)	Copic W8 Warm Gray (EH)
Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Marker (SSS	Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Marker (EH)	Sakura Black Glaze Pen (SSS)	Sakura Black Glaze Pen (EH)	Simon Says Stamp Card Stock
Neenah Solar White 80lb (EH)	Neenah Solar White 80lb (SSS)	Lawn Fawn Red Sparkle Trimmings (SSS)	Lawn Fawn Red Sparkle Trimmings (EH)	Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (SSS)
Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray (EH)	Neat and Tangled Classic Tag 1 Die (SSS)	Classic Tag 1 (NT)	MISTI Precision Stamper Stamping Tool (SSS)	My Sweet Petunia MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool (EH)
Ink Blending Tool Round (SSS)	Ink Blending Tool Round (EH)	Hero Arts Embossing Gun (SSS)	Hero Arts Embossing Gun (EH)	Teflon Bone Folder (EH)
Teflon Bone Folder (SSS)

InLinkz.com

G I V E A W A Y

I'm thrilled to be offering two incredible giveaways today!

Please leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Neat & Tangled or a spot in an Online Card Classes Class! 

A huge thank you to Neat & Tangled and Jennifer and Kristina at Online Card Classes for sponsoring the giveaways today!

S I M I L A R  P R O J E C T S

Looking for more gift tags, bags, and more ideas?

Here are links to the 2016 Handmade Holiday Series projects:

1. Day 1: Rudolph Zipper Panel Gift Card Holder Cards
2. Day 2: Reindeer Tote Bags
3. Day 3: Felt Plush Ornaments/Tags

Here are links to the 2015 Handmade Holiday Series projects:

1. Day 1: North Pole Gift Card Envelopes with video 
2. Day 2: Vellum Gift Bags and Reindeer Tags with video 
3. Day 3: Gift Card Holder Cards and Matching Envelopes with video 
4. Day 4: Pretty Packages and Tags with video 
5. Pretty Packages (close up)
6. Day 5: Bella Blvd Lined Fabric Gift Bags 
7. Day 6: Penguin Peek-A-Boo Gift Tags 
8. Day 7: Reindeer Games Spinner Tags 

Here are links to the 2014 Handmade Holiday Series:

1. Gold Foil Monogram Gift Tags (video)
2. Decorated Treat/Goodie Bags (video)
3. Zipper Panel Gift Card Holder (video)
4. Pretty Die Cut 3-dimensional packages (video)
5. See Thru Santa Tags (video)