Winter Lovely As A Treee

 I had a nice crafting weekend.  On Friday night I wanted to stamp, but since the craft room was all set for Saturday's JOY Frame workshop, I didn't want to do anything that would require a lot of clean up.  I pulled out the Lovely As A Tree set, stamped the tree line and started sponging grass.  I was going to create a lawn that resembles our lawn right now--brown and green and very "Fall".  Well, it turned out so not the way I envisioned that I used that section as a mask on my next attempt, leaving the bottom portion looking like snow--very easy, just left it white--hahaha!!!  The sky was sponged with Bashful Blue and Basic Gray inks and it is the perfect background for the tree line!  A glue pen and  Dazzling Diamonds glitter added a little sparkle to the snow while the lone evergreen tree looks like it belongs  in the forefront of the peaceful setting.   On Saturday, more pretty JOY Frames were created and on Sunday I created some pretty projects which I will post during the week.  Have a wonderful day!

Introducing the New Stampin' Trimmer

I just received my trimmer last week and so far, I am pleased with it.  Below are the features of the new paper trimmer:

• An extra-wide 6-1/4" cutting base and an extended 14-1/2" ruler
  • The extra-wide cutting base provides a large work area and is marked in 1/4" (4 mm) increments, allowing for small measurements.
  • The right-side grid helps you measure and cut very thin strips.
  • The extended cutting arm has a stabilizing leg to provide a sturdy and steady cutting surface for longer cuts.
  • When fully extended, the extended cutting arm sits flush with the trimmer base, providing more accurate and consistent measurements across the entire surface.
  • The cutting base and track include a full ruler, incorporating measurements down to 1/16" and grid lines that mark each quarter inch.
  • All rulers and measurements on the base are printed under a plastic cover so your measurements won't wear off.
  • The base has nonskid feet, which keeps the Stampin' Trimmer securely in place on your work area.
• A full 12" cutting and scoring track
  • The extra-long cutting track has space at the top and bottom so you don't have to take the cutting and scoring blades out when you're not using them.
  • The track gives you enough space to cut or score a full 12" (30.5 cm) without having to remove or switch out handles.
  • The cutting track locks in place for secure storage or transport.
  • The track includes an insertion point for cutting and scoring blade handles so you can easily insert handles into the cutting track.
• Specially designed handles and cutting track to ensure straight cuts
  • The hook on the scoring and cutting blade handles keeps the handles stable so the cuts are as straight as possible.
  • Handles come in two colors: dark for cutting, light for scoring.
  • The precision tip on the cutting blade allows you to pinpoint precisely where you're cutting.
  • The point on the side of each handle shows you where the blade will cut, making it easy to see exactly where your cuts and scores will begin.
• Storage compartment under base
  • The storage compartment holds scoring and cutting tools such as a Bone Folder, Simply Scored Stylus, extra scoring and cutting blades, and even business cards.
  • Separate compartments within the storage compartment keep your tools organized, and the clear cover makes it easy to see what you've stored.
• Product details: item 126889; $29.95

Heartfelt Doilies

Happy Friday!  Today's card was created using paper from the Festival of Prints DSP pack in the Holiday Mini.  I did use the better part of two of the same papers, but I wanted to give the effect of two-layer stamping without the stamping. It took a while, but I lined up the images just about right. Now had I been thinking "don't waste DSP", I would have cut off the portion of the DSP under the top layer and saved it for another card!!  Oh well, next time.  By stamping the "heartfelt" sentiment on the card front, it remains an all occasion card.  The card could be given with heartfelt: thanks, wishes, sympathy or other thoughts, depending on the handwritten note you add to the inside of the card.  A few pearls and a scored border finish off this card.  Have a wonderful weekend and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Heaven Knows Your Special

Today's cards are simple and pretty.  They are two of the cards I am creating and putting together as a Christmas gift.  The circular image is from the Just Believe stamp set and the sentiment is one of the stamps in the Blessings From Heaven set. The sentiment and image are such that the cards can be used for any occasion: birthday, anniversary, thinking of you and many more. The inside of each card is left blank so there is plenty of room for a handwritten message. I know I mentioned this in other posts, but when I am making cards to give as presents, the embellishments used are typically flat, such as the butterfly.  Once you start adding the bulky embellishments to the card, the chances of additional postage start to increase.  I have a pretty good idea of when a card needs additional postage, but the gift recipient may not be familiar with the mail restrictions.   Speaking of postage, a nice little addition to the gift package of handmade cards would be the stamps and you might be saving someone a trip to the post office.  Have a wonderful day!