Day 9: Doily Love

Day 9 brings us to another of my favorite craft items: the Doily.  From the craft store, party supply store or a die cut shape of which there are many.  They are lacy and old fashioned and add just a bit of vintage charm on a card. This card also has stitching, an old book page, embossed kraft paper, velvet punched holly leaves and red glittered pearls for berries; one of my all time favorite cards. 

May we proclaim Joy To The World this Holiday Season and Always.  Peace to you and yours. 

Day 8: Gift Cards Galore

Day 8 brings us to Gift Cards.   This is a gift card holder that has 2 pockets, one for the gift card and one for a personal note.  It's a fun way to package a simple gift card in a way that makes it more personalized.

These gift card holders are super easy to customize with the variety of rubber stamp images and papers available.  For example a Starbucks card could have coffee bean paper and themed rubber stamps images.  Enjoy and Be Inspired!

Day 7: JOY Banners

Day 7 brings us joyful banners proclaiming JOY!  Today was a joyous day filled with friends, crafting, food and theater.  That IS what Christmas Spirit is all about; being with people who fill your heart with joy! 

The JOY banners were so much fun to create.  Each of us chose papers unique to our style and it is amazing to see how beautiful they all turned out.  Simple construction with the help of Spellbinders die cuts, paper and some sparkle.  Have I mentioned that EVERYTHING is better with glitter?? 

3 friends + some paper and glue = hours of fun and good memories!  May your season be filled with JOY!  Be Inspired!

Day 6: 3 Sparkly Chicks

Day 6 brings us 3 Sparkly Chicks!  They are as cute as can be all glittered up and ready to party!  This is more of a 'clean and simple' design, not always my style but it worked for this fun card.  It's going to a friend who will laugh out loud at the hats, I'm sure.

 I'd have to say one of the most fun things about making handmade cards is to customize each one for the recipient.  Searching through my papers, stamps and embellishments to find the perfect combination is creative therapy at its best. 

What's your favorite part of paper crafting?   We are half way through the "12 Artful Days of Christmas".  I hope its been as much fun for you so far as it has for me.  Enjoy and Be Inspired!

Day 5: 3 Sisters

Day 5 and we're going on a trip down memory lane.  This card has a picture me with my 2 older sisters from sometime in the early 70's.  The coats crack me up...and the pants!!!; I imagine they were in style back then?  I'm on the far left in the red coat.  I imagine one sister will crack up over this and the other will roll her eyes and groan.  Some things never change......

It's a great example of being inspired by a photo.  I used papers that closely matched the coats; isn't it amazing that I HAD papers that closely matched the coats??  I know....crazy.....and proof that I need lots of papers cuz you never know what you'll need for a project ;p

Construction is simple, the papers were embossed with an embossing folder to add more texture. 

What old photos do you have in an album that can become an inspiration?

Enjoy and Be Inspired!

Day 4: Vintage Tag Card

Day 4 brings us to one of my favorite kinds of cards.  I LOVE-LOVE making TAG cards!  A regular ol' shipping tag is a fabulous little canvas for creating art. Tags will appear in an upcoming day as well in a home decor project that is almost finished.  This card is super simple to create and has lots of vintage appeal while still remaining flat, meaning it's easy to mail with no extra postage or packing.  The 'buttons' are paper from a Sizzix die tied with a bit of red/white bakers twine.  The snowflake is 2 punched shapes layered and coated with Martha Stewart's Crystal Fine Glitter; love the look!  Everything is better with glitter...or so I've heard ;p

Tag cards: "It' s a Good Thing"

  
I've got lots more to share, there are still 8 days remaining in the 12 Artful Days of Christmas.  I'm realizing I need to time the posts so that folks don't see their card on the blog before it arrives in the mail!  I hope you are inspired to create something fun.  Enjoy!

Day 3: Take your Penguin for a Spin!

It's Day 3 and I'm ready for a fun card; how about you?  This card is almost too cute to send.  I made 2 of them; one for my niece and nephew and one for my dear friend who loves the 'gwins".  It's a spinning penguin all frosty and cute.  I used a Tim Holtz Metal Game Spinner to allow the lil' guy to spin around.  Some white glitter makes him frosty white. 

I'm guessing it'll bring some fun to all the recipients.  I know I took him for a spin a time or two...check out the movie ;p