How many Xmas cards do I need??

Hello, thanks for stopping by. I can't believe on Christmas Eve I'm still making cards for the holiday season. I am really enjoying making them so I've started on my stash for 2017; how's that for forward planning? No getting caught off guard this next year for me.

This time I'm sharing a shaker card. Susan of Craftyduckydoodah showed me this easy way of making them at one of her Coffee and Card sessions. I've used mainly SU products although I confess the church stamp is one I've had for several years and is not made by Stampin Up. I chose Night of Navy and White with silver accents for a fresh look.

Night of Navy

Whisper White

 I've used dies from several sets to create the bauble card so my shopping list might seem excessive this time. Those of you that know me, are aware I like to get value for money so this time, in my defence, I was trying to think outside the box. The bauble is actually just a round die with the top taken from the Delicate Ornament Thinlits. The bow is from Everyday Jar Thinlit dies although I could have used the bow as well as the sentiment fromWonderful Wreath Framelits. The Softly Falling embossing folder added some texture and just made the whole scene feel a little more Wintry

The band of Silver Glimmer Paper and die cut sentiment complete the look. Please look out for other cards based on the bauble theme; I intend to make a variety of them.

Star of Light at Coffee and Cards

Although I know I should, I haven't yet had opportunity to buy from the Autumn/Winter catalogue so when Susan of Craftyduckydoodah suggested we use Star of Light, I jumped at the chance. In fact we were lucky enough to use this set two weeks running and make completely different cards.

Sweet Sugarplum

Very Vanilla

The first week we used Sweet Sugarplum and Very Vanilla, possibly not really thought of as Christmas colours, but the results were gorgeous.

As usual I added a little bling - well you have to for Christmas! The smaller star was die cut from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper. A Wink of Stella in clear alongside a few jewels completed the look.

As usual we decorated the inside of the card and the envelope. I think it gives a "finished" look each time. This set is on one of my wish lists - yes, I have more than one! List one is for must haves - the sets I just can't live without. Sets and/or bundles that I know I will go to for numerous occasions, regarless of whether they get discontinued. Star of Light (and Jar of Love) fall into this category. The next list is the wanted list - sets that I know will be used but may not have such versatility.

The swirly stars are perfect for backgrounds throughout the year. I've been eying them up for the next Harry Potter card I make for my youngest daughter but more about that later.

And so onto week two. This time we made a shaker card in Night of Navy and Whisper White. They look as if they are quite complicated to make but really are so easy....

Night of Navy

Whisper White

This time the star was cut using the plain die. The cutout was stamped and very carefully stuck onto the base card so it fitted the aperture. It's at this stage it helps to remember the acetate to hold the sequins in. It can be either glued or taped in place as long as there are no gaps for the sequins to escape, Stampin' Up now make foam adhesive strips which are a great depth and will mould around any shape.

Close up

Once again Wink of Stella added bling, this time to the swirls. Sorry it doesn't show up so well on the page. To make the shaker more interesting the star was stamped inside before adding sequins.

Is this where I admit there are actually more of the little stars on this card than I had intended? I'd just inked up the slightly larger of the 2 small stars when it fell put of my hand onto the paper, ink side down. Bit of an oops moment however by adding two more - one small and another larger, I think I've got away with it. And who knows, if I hadn't 'fessed up, no-one would be any the wiser.