Christmas in July - July 25, 2014

There's a stamp technique 'out there' called Triple-Time Stamping.  I put a tutorial here with measurements of the layers.  I'll give you the link a bit later in this post.

I call this Triple-Double stamping.  It's the Triple-Time Stamping technique along with 2 step stamping which is a two layered stamp to make a single image.

I used the Watercolor Winter stamp set, and the Merry Christmas from my very favorite Bells and Boughs set.

The Triple-Time stamping takes a little courage, as it doesn't look like much when you're in the middle of it, but it always comes together beautifully!  Remember, you're stamping on layers, so some of the areas will not stamp along the edges.... BUT that area is covered with the mats.  

Click HERE for the post including all the measurements and instructions you'll need to make these amazing cards.

2013 Christmas Cards - October

Late September and early October were really hectic around here!  Lots of in-laws drama (which I don't partake of), and things going on at work.... it was enough to even get to work much less craft.

After our Stamp Camp weekend I was more energized and had some projects to get moving on.  It was the perfect time to get caught up on my Christmas Cards!

As always, I made 6 for the monthly goal - with one of my favorite stamp sets, Watercolor Winter.  I kept everything red with just the Old Olive green on the holly for an addition of color.

 Here you can see the inside sentiment and the envelope.  Remember, "No naked envelopes!"

This Triple-Double stamp technique is one of my go-to favorites....  Triple Time Stamping with a Two step stamping set.  Quick, easy, and really beautiful!

Three colors in the entire set of cards.  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, and Old Olive.

Please enjoy!

Christmas in July 29

Featured today is one of my very favorite card techniques!  The tricky part is that when you're in the midst of making it, it looks like it is going to be a total disaster!  Yes, really - then when  you get all the layers together, and the mats placed....  it looks GREAT!  Seems you just have to work through the scary moments when you think it isn't going to work.

Click HERE for the measurements (and a bit of a how-to) on making this Triple-Time Stamping card.

This card features the Watercolor Winter stamp set which is also a two-step stamping set (stamp the base color, then use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to place the top color).  I guess this card is a Triple-Double!  :)

I used lots of colors on this card - Gumball green as the card base and ivy leaves, Wild Wasabi for the evergreen needles.  Baked Brown Sugar is the acorn base layer color.  I used Cherry Cobbler ink for the poinsettia and holly berries - Bravo Burgundy (ret.) for the darker layer on the poinsettia.  Early Espresso for the evergreen twig, and top layers on the acorn, and the holly & ivy.

Whew!  That really sounds like a LOT more work than it was. 

I hope you enjoy today's card.  Only 2 more days of Christmas in July to go.

Operation Write Home - Box 1

Here is a sample of the 55 cards I sent in my first box to Operation Write Home.  OWH always has some challenge or other going on as well as mini-challenges on the Facebook page or their blog page.

One of my Cricut/Facebook friends mentioned OWH, and I looked into it.... and here I go with another project! I do love these - challenges, deadlines, and oh yes, you have to be creative! 


I used some of my new Stampin' Up products that are coming available now in January, as well as some of the Sale-a-bration items available later this month!

 

I really love the sailboat, and have found lots of use for it.  I got out the Spectrum Noir markers, and had a good time working with blending the alcohol inks.

 Here we have a triple-time-stamping sample using the Everything Eleanor stamp set.

Below, is one of my very favorite retired Stampin' Up sets - Watercolor Garden  I get an incredible amount of use out of it - One Sheet Wonders, etc....  Flowers anyone??

Are you tired of seeing the Stippled Blossoms yet?  I LOVE them!  Looks great with the colors... so springy!

 

I found an entire set of card sketches on the OWH website, and decided to play with one of them under the flowers theme.  Even if it is in the middle of winter....  flowers are always so nice to have around!!

 

Here's another retired Stampin' Up set - I really like how the alcohol markers make the flowers look so pretty!  I added some photo corners, and lots of little details.

 

I saw a sample of this on a blog, and thought it would be great for the winter themed cards.....  Here I used my Tsukineko brilliance inks - Sky Blue and Platinum with some pearls and rhinestones.

 Here you can see some of the new stamps - the hummingbird, butterfly, and flower come from the Sale-a-bration brochure, and the sentiment stamp is from the new January catalog.  I'm going to get lots of use out of these stamps!

 So that's my first post for Operation Write Home cards!!!!  I'm already working on the 2nd box with new challenges and assignments.

Check out the Facebook pages and blog pages!
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Operation Write Home Blog  

Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

50 Christmas Card Order - COMPLETE!

My dear friend (and boss) of the 2nd job I work at ordered 50 Christmas cards late in July, beginning of September.

I had some samples laying around because I've been making so MANY Christmas cards this year!  I wasn't able to stop just at the Christmas Card Challenges because I'd seen so many really amazing cards, and wanted to play with some new techniques.

We decided on 4 different designs, and one sight-unseen (which I think turned out the best)...  With just a few little details and delivery to complete next week or the week after, my project is finished.  WHEW! :)

 Many of the cards use the Triple-Time Stamping technique, some old stamp sets, and some very new ones.
I think I'll call the next series of two pictures Triple-Doubles - Triple-Time Stamping, with a Two-Step Stamping set.  Whew!

 The picture directly above and below feature the new stamp set for the season: Watercolor Winter.  I REALLY love it!!!  It's a two-step stamping set, so I ordered them in wood mount, and made a permanent Stamp-a-ma-jig template for the outline pieces.  You wouldn't believe how much time this saves!!!

 These 3 cards feature one of my very favorite stamp sets: Bells and Boughs.  I get lots of use out of it!  There are quite a few of these, and they took an incredible amount of time coloring with markers.

These cards feature the Joy-Fold technique, and once all the pieces are cut, go together very quickly.  I used the new ornament stamps and coordinating dies as well as some Be Of Good Cheer Design Series Paper to make these colors work together so well.

 The above card showing the inside view is the last set of 10 cards to complete the order... and are stunning in person.  All the materials here are from last year's Christmas catalog - even the velvet ribbon.  I used embossed vellum to cover the star, and pearls to cover the glue dots.  LOVE the Stampin' Up glitter paper!  It is amazing in person!

Stamp sets used for this card order:  Christmas Collage, Bells and Boughs, Christmas Postcard, The Sounding Joy, Many Merry Messages, Watercolor Winter, and Watercolor Winter.

Your comments are treasured!

Joy in Triple-Time Stamping

Here's another Triple-Time stamping card.

Saturday, after doing some stamp work, I was cutting pieces for this technique, and my friend had out this stamp.  It's one of the really large SU stamps, but I LOVE it so much!

I stamped in in Old Olive - after experimenting for awhile with lots of colors, this Olive color just seems right to me for the background.  I like to take time with the markers outlining and accenting other areas of the stamp.

The poinsettias, bell ribbon, and holly berries are outlined in Bravo Burgundy then colored in with Riding Hood Red.
The bell is Daffodil Delight, Bravo Burgundy, and More Mustard.
I also outlined Joy with Always Artichoke but didn't color it in... just as an accent.
All the holly leaves and poinsettia greenery are colored with Certainly Celery, and outlined in places with Wild Wasabi.

I've made only one of these so far, but I think I'll put one of my assembly lines together, and make more of these.  I'll also add some Stickles to this before they go out in the mail. :)






Your comments are always appreciated!

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Triple Time Stamping with Measurement How-To

I found this technique searching around online, and wanted to really play with it.  I already posted the two Christmas Cards I made using the Triple Time Stamping, and now the "regular" cards using two different stamp sets.

You could use almost any stamp set using this technique... your imagination is your limitation!!

This card, I used the Stippled Blossoms Stampin' Up set.  It's a Two-Step Stamping, and I've recently decided to buy these from now on in the wood so I can make a permanent Stamp-a-ma-jig template saving lots of time and hopefully, frustration!

 This card uses the Everything Eleanor stamp set I've recently started to appreciate (Thanks, Kathy!!).

 So....  HOW is this technique done??  Here it is - you won't believe how easy it is!!

First, cut your base card from 8 1/2 x 11" cardstock and fold to make 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card.

These are the measurements for the mats:

5 1/2 x 4 1/4 - card base
4 1/2 x 3 1/4
3 1/2 x 2 1/4

Now, your white/vanilla, etc cardstock for stamping:  This actually uses only 1/2 of a sheet.
5 1/4 x 4  (turn sideways after this cut to get the rest)
4 1/4 x 3
3 1/4 x 2
**Cut the 4", 3", and 2" pieces first, then cut to length.

Line up the white/vanilla cardstock, and use a repositionable/temporary adhesive while you do your stamping.

After you are finished with the stamping, put the layers together, adhere, add ribbon and other embellishments, and you have a very pretty, quite impressive card!


Your comments are always appreciated!
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More Christmas in July

Just 6 months away from Christmas, and Hobby Lobby already has the Christmas decorations out... haven't seen the Christmas trees yet, but they're going to be up soon!!!  As you know I'm always in the mood for anything Christmas - and even though these two cards were quite time consuming due to the coloring involved, they were worth it!!

These two cards show a technique called Triple Time Stamping.  It's quite easy, and gives such a nice result, as well as a very pretty card!  I'll use this one often. 

Click this LINK to view the directions on how to make a Triple-Time card as well as another non-Holiday example!

Your comments are always appreciated!
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A Proud member of The Lime Light. Click on over to see what we are doing.