PRETTY CARDS FOR YOU.

Oh my! Is it only two weeks until Christmas? I know everyone else "out there" is probably thinking the same thing! I'm finally getting a chance to make my own Christmas cards to send out to (very select) friends and family. 

Just thought I'd post a few just in case you have run out of ideas and need some inspiration!

VERY QUICK AND EASY:  (I love glitz and glimmer - it adds so much).

I used Sparkle & Shine paper (reverse side of stripes), some red glitter paper for the little "stars" along the bottom, and our red shimmer trim.  VERY VERY EASY!

Another fairly easy card inspired by Allisa Chilton of  Rocky Mountain Paper Crafts. I LOVE working with circles! The paper is a scrap I had, same with the black and silver ribbon. I cut a 1-1/2" circle out of red, and a 1" circle out of the Sparkle & Shine polka dot, and then stamped the little candies from the Candyland  stamp set, colored them with a red Sharpie pen, placed them on pop dots, and added some glitter on top.

Inside of my "3 circle" card.

Here is my all time favorite, inspired by Card Monkey's Paper Jungle. I am so in love with our darling little village stamp sets! This little house and sentiment are also from the Candyland stamp set.

I used our watercolor pencils and blending pen to color the little house (although the red is a Sharpie pen), the Sparkle & Shine striped paper (LOVE IT!), and the gingerbread boy and candy from the Candyland stamp set, which I stamped, colored with Sharpie pens, and cut out and popped up on the card.  I didn't add any glitter to this card (hum.m.m.m.m.m. - I'd better fix that).

Last but not least, another all time favorite:

Can you tell I love this striped paper! I used it on almost every card I've made! I "lifted" this card almost exactly from Pamela O'Connor, another CTMH consultant. The deer stamp is the October Stamp of the Month and I used white pigment ink on the red sentiment tag.  Of course, there's a little gem in each corner!

I hope this has helped give you a little bit of inspiration! 

HAPPY CARDMAKING!

BUTTERFLIES AND LIQUID GLASS.

While we're on the subject of butterflies (from my previous tutorial on the Tag Merry-Go-Round album, PART II), I wanted to show you a cute project using the Quick-Cards Butterfly stamp and Close to My Heart LIQUID GLASS.  I think Liquid Glass is a MUST HAVE for anyone who enjoys crafting!

I love how the Liquid Glass looks wet and shiny!

I stamped my butterfly image on a piece of Colonial White cardstock and then cut out around it.  I used my Close to My Heart WATERCOLOR PENCILS and scribbled around the image, first in yellow, and then in orange.  I then used the BLENDING PEN to shade the colors together. I love this soft effect.  

Use the Liquid Glass to fill in the area of the wings and body, giving a good coating and being careful not to get air bubbles.  If there are air bubbles, you can prick them with a pin and it'll smooth out.

Then adhere your finished design to your card (once the Liquid Glass has dried). It takes about an hour for the LG to dry.  I used the DARK CHOCOLATE GROSGRAIN RIBBON on the above card which I absolutely love!  

I posted another card where I used the Liquid Glass on a flower  photo card on my blog HERE.

Did I tell you that Liquid Glass is also a fabulous glue to use for just about anything, including gems, pearls, ribbon, twine, buttons, and adhering anything to plastic or acetate??? 

Have fun using your Liquid Glass!