« September 2008 | Main | November 2008 »
When we asked for customer input this past spring as to what they would most like to see from us for the holidays, we heard one request over and over again. A set celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, supported by some of your most cherished Bible verses. We are proud to bring you a collection of images that should fill that void perfectly, all with a simple elegance that will remain a classic for years to come.
There are a total of nine sentiments & verses in this set, all celebrating the special birth that took place on Christmas Eve. The font choices for this set were very important to me. I am really happy with the balance I was able to strike, with the verses keeping the clean elegance that I enjoy using.
...............................................................................................................
My project today is just a quick card that I came up with, thinking that it might be something that others could mass produce this holiday season.
I love this color scheme. It's Papertrey's exclusive Aqua Mist & Ocean Tides paired with our white shimmer cardstock. SO pretty together.
..................................................................................................................
I'm also in love with this flourish image. I have enjoyed using it so far to create both backgrounds and focal points. It is fabulous embossed to (which Debbie did on her card today.) On my project, I stamped it in both Aqua Mist and Ocean Tides onto the white shimmer paper. The Ocean Tides ink in particular is just stunning on it. It really captures the shimmer of the paper well. You'll just have to try it yourself!
..................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................
Check out Heather's last peek as we get closer to release night!
Melissa Bickford has one more project to share too!
Debbie Olson created an amazing card using Silent Night as well.
................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
Stamps: Silent Night (available October 15th)
Ink: Ocean Tides & Aqua Mist
Paper: Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist & White Shimmer
Other: Ocean Tides satin ribbon, sewing machine
Every month I usually try to stick at least one piece of polka dot patterned paper in latest paper collection. This month however, it's all about the dots. So much so, we like to call it our Polka Dot Parade.
...................................................................................................................
Each pattern lends itself beautifully to both common & unique color combinations. You can click the image above to check out a better view of all the colors! As usual, the pad will be retailing for $8, featuring six patterns in 2 different scales, a total of 36 sheets. The design team has been restraining themselves from using these on all of their projects.
Every year around this time, stampers everywhere are frantically trying to figure out what will be *the* card this year. Your 2008 holiday card that is! Well, if you are still indecisive, we are here to help!!! The design team and I have put together an entire presentation to help you get past the planning stages and into the stamping phase!
Here's how it works. Scroll down through the following projects and pick which one appeals to you and your stamping level the most. They vary from really simple to a bit more complicated, some with more steps than others. In other words, there is something for everyone, no matter their capabilities!
Once you have selected *the* card, simply click to download a FREE planning worksheet. The complete supply list & instructions to make 25 of the same design, have been compiled just for you for EACH of the projects below.
There isn't anything left to do but check to see what you have on hand from the list and order anything you don't. With the helpful cutting list that each designer included with their project, you can have your holidays cards done in one afternoon. We hope you enjoy this special holiday presentation. Please be sure to let us know if you utilize it!
LINK TIPS:
---> Click on a designer's name to visit the blog post they did today in conjunction with their design.
---> Click the download link to see the Planning worksheet for that design.
Designed by Michelle Wooderson
Warm Winter Wishes Planning Worksheet:
Download warm_winter_wishes_cards.pdf
....................................................................................
Designed by Betsy Veldman
Snowy Cheer Planning Worksheet:
Download snowy_cheer_card.pdf
....................................................................................
Designed by Melissa Phillips
O' Christmas Tree Planning Worksheet:
Download o_chrismtas_tree_cards.pdf
........................................................................................................
Designed by Debbie Olson
Oh, Holy Night Planning Worksheet:
Download oh_holy_night.pdf
........................................................................................................
Designed By Becky Oehlers
Warm Wishes Ornament Card Planning Worksheet:
Download warm_wishes_ornament_card.pdf
........................................................................................................
Designed by Heather Nichols
Jingle All the Way Planning Worksheet:
Download jingle_all_the_way_card.pdf
.......................................................................................................
Designed by Lauren Meader
Gently Falling Snowflakes Planning Worksheet:
Download gently_falling_snowflakes_card.pdf
.......................................................................................................
Designed by Dawn McVey
Merry and Bright Tree Trio Planning Worksheet:
Download merry_bright_tree_trio_card.pdf
.......................................................................................................
Designed by Lisa Johnson
Holiday Tag Menagerie Planning Worksheet:
Download holiday_tag_menagerie_cards.pdf
.......................................................................................................
Designed by Niki Estes
Festive Trees Planning Worksheet:
Download festive_trees_card.pdf
.......................................................................................................
Designed by Geny Cassady
Christmas Snowfall wishes Planning Worksheet:
Download christmas_snowfall_wishes_card.pdf
......................................................................................................
There you have it! Now there's nothing stopping you from getting those holiday cards done! And don't forget to enjoy the journey!
Heather Nichols has been one of our most well-received stamp designers, and it is no wonder why. Here viewpoint in stamp design is so fresh and unique. I am already giddy with anticipation as I think about what she may create for us next year!
Her second release for this month is one that I fell in love with the instant I saw the illustrations on my computer screen when I opened her files. An adorable mug, with several different ways to decorate it. A heartfelt sentiment with interchangeable key words that can be included, depending on what the recipients hot beverage of choice is! You had me at *coffee*!
I've always wanted a really great coffee set, not because I personally like coffee (actually, I cannot stand it!), but because both my best friend,Wendy, and my husband, David, love it so much. As I got to thinking about what I wanted to create for my post tonight, I couldn't help but dwell on the fact that I missed Wendy's birthday last week. I know! Aren't I a terrible excuse for a friend! I've been thinking a lot about how everyone has so much trouble nowadays, making time to connect with friends. Everyone is always so busy, that it's difficult to have chats or get together in person without scheduling it in advance. And that's when it hit me!
Wendy and I used to go out for coffee ALL the time at this little local cafe called The Looking Glass. Those are some of our fondest memories now that she has moved several states away. Why not rekindle the fun we had in that coffee shop by having long-distance coffee dates?
Coffee Date defined:
Cof-fee
Date
I first designed the main invitation I would send her. This card will announce that permanent arrangements have been made for the first Saturday of each month to be our special day. We'll brew a pot of coffee (or tea in my case) in our respective homes at the designated time and call each other on the telephone. We can get caught up on each others news, reminisce about the old times and make plans for the future.
.............................................................................................................
Note the bottom half of the card front. I used the Scor-pal to create a grouping of horizontal lines at the bottom of the card front. I just love this layout and may have to do it again soemtime soon!
..............................................................................................................
Now, I knew with both of us being busy working moms that scheduling these special coffee dates in advance would be the only way to ensure that they happened! So I took the liberty of making Coffee Date Reminder cards.
The little postcards can easily be prepared to mail. Just fill in the time & place in the appropriate area on the cards. I scheduled a reminder to go off on my iPhone a week in advance of our coffee date, allowing me to drop one of the reminder cards in the mail. With the envelopes addressed & stamped, there will be no excuses for not sending them out.
And guess what, here's the FREE download that I put together for you to re-create this same project! Once printed you just need to cut the sheet into quarters (5.5 x 4.25) and you have your completed cards. No trimming necessary!
Download coffee_date_reminder_cards.pdf
Here's the completed ensemble. I plan on giving her the main card to announce the coffee dates in conjunction with a tea tin full of chocolate-covered espresso beans! Her favorite! I will obviously keep the reminder postcards in a prominent place on my own desk, so I can send them out punctually as needed.
The "Coffee Date" sentiment was created by combining Heather's "coffee" image from this set , with "Date" being formed using Simple Alphabet. All letters can be combined on a single block for easy repeat stamping.
...............................................................................................................
Keep in mind that this type of gift offering can be suitable for any friend, near or far. Do you get the opportunity to see your best friend regularly? If not, then I challenge you to whip up a similar set and put your own Coffee Date on the calender for a full year! I don't think there is anything more inspiring than the love and support of a true friend, and this gift set makes it easy to pass on that blessing to someone else. Please be sure to let me know if you able to get started.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
Don't forget to check out the blogs of these Design Team members to see what they've been up to for this release....
Heather Nichols
Melissa Bickford
Michelle Wooderson
Lauren Meader
.................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
Stamps: Snowfall (available for sale beginning October 15th), Polka Dot Basics.
Ink: Ocean Tides & Dark Chocolate Palette inks. Vanilla pigment ink.
Paper: Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream & Classic Kraft
Other: Dark Chcolate satin ribbon, pinking sheers
