CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

Christmas Blessings is our final Stamp Camp Christmas card for 2022.  Once again, we see the Aspen Trees Dies but this time, in white.  A snowy Night of Navy background comes about with white embossed snowflakes and stars – a good time to practice your wet embossing skills.  3 red cardinals are perched jauntily on tree limbs.  A simple sentiment is layered on Night of Navy cardstock and festooned with a real red cotton bow.  This is a cheery classic Christmas card.

Our message layer is ready for you to stamp the holiday greeting of your choice.  Make sure to check out the Christmas messages as several new sets recently appeared.  3 red birds provide a festive touch. 

Our final 2022 Stamp Camp will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 1, 2, and 3 from 10am – 4pm.  Our first 2023 Stamp Camp will be February 2, 3 and 4.  The new Occasions Catalog and Spring Sale-A-Brations mini catalog will be coming out in December and will be available for ordering effective January 5, 2023. 

Stay tuned for some calendar samples available at the December Stamp Camp.  These make great holiday gifts.

Warm Blessings, Rosemary – H(630.759.3089 – C(630.965.1965) – paperrose01@aol.com

SILENT NIGHT

I was very hesitant in purchasing this Peace to You stamp set due to the large amount of photopolymer that needed to be inked.  However, Stampin’Up quality has improved tremendously and this image stamped up perfectly although I did choose to ink twice.  Of course, I used my Stamparatus.  The Silent Night sentiment is positioned correctly on the Stamparatus so its a simple ink and stamp both images in one step. A rhinestone accents the single star.  The Stitched Nested Label Dies provide the perfect die-cut shape to enhance the simple beauty of this stamp.  Starry Sky – a new 2022-2024 color – is the perfect shade of blue.  A strip of Starry Sky and a layer of Metallic Edge ribbon provide additional texture and contrast.  Lucky Stars is an ancient Stampin’Up embossing folder in my archives and was perfect for background embossing.  This is a perfect Christmas Card.

 

The So Many Stars retired stamp set includes so many stars and I chose this starry stamp for both the message layer and envelope.  We have many Christmas messages for you to choose from.  One of my favorites is with the So Many Stars set and would be perfect for this card:  OH HOLY NIGHT, THE STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHINING.  The Starry Night ink is as beautiful as the card stock.

Please let us know as soon as possible which cards you would like to do, which day you plan on coming or if you need cards to go.  Debbi is coming to help cut paper on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Now let’s look at Joy Fold Thanksgiving card!

Blessings, Rosemary – H(630.759.3089) – C(630.965.1965) – paperrose01@aol.com

CHRISTMAS BARN

I love this old fashioned scene.  It is reminiscent of driving down a country road and seeing a red barn proudly wearing a Christmas wreath.  The card itself is Evening Evergreen with a Real Red embossed front panel. I must admit the red in the picture is a bit brighter than actual Real Red.  The barn is pre-colored for you.  A small sliver of white glitter cs is adhered to the left portion of the roof.  The 2 darker trees are stamped and die-cut.  The Garden Green trees are simply die cut.  The silo and fence also have dies.  I am recommending a double layer on the fence to give it more body.  A self adhesive backing has been applied to the Crumb Cake cs to ease the fence making.  I have added 9 white glimmer snowflakes but you can add as many as you wish.  Wink of Stella adds a glittery snowy finish to the front yard and can be added to the trees and barn windows if desired.

The message layer matches the envelope – a stamped horse pulling winter-clad passengers.  This is such a fun card!

November Stamp Camp will be held on November 3, 4 and 5, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10-4.  December Stamp Camp will be December 1, 2, and 3.  I will have calendars available at December Stamp Camp if you wish to make them.  They make great Christmas Gifts. 

We have seen Halloween and Christmas – how about a bit of fall?

Blessings, Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

SWEET CANDY CANES

I had so much fun with these cards.  The candy canes are found on the Sweetest Christmas DSP and simply need to be die cut.  And I absolutely love the diagonal die which I used in red and white adhered in opposing directions for  these cards.  This is the red and green sample.  The diagonal die is part of Candy Canes Dies set.

The green and white candy canes have the same layout as the sample above.  The Call Me Clover branches come from the Christmas Banners Dies.  I also found 2 pine branch dies that had been sent as a thank you from another company.  Using 3 of the double branches from the Christmas Banners Dies and 3 of the pine branches did the trick.  I adhered them in a fan format and plopped the candy canes down in the middle which concealed the joining points of the branches.  A bow and sentiment finished the card. 

The red and white candy canes card was my first sample.  I used the Tombo Mono Aqua Liquid Glue but didn’t like the stiffness the adhesive left. I used the Tombo Mono Multi Liquid Glue for the majority of the other cards. The ribbon embellishment can be red or green as can the sentiment from Toile Christmas. Note the 3 small gold leaves that are tucked in among the branches.

The message layer features a pine branch which can be die cut from the Christmas Banner Dies or stamped as we see on the envelope.  A strip of the Sweetest Christmas DSP can be used with the candy cane print as shown here, or the red and white striped pattern on the back as shown below.

As the candy canes colors are assorted, please have a second choice in mind.  There is no guarantee we can meet your request.  All the candy canes are darling but we are limited by the colors shown on the Sweetest Christmas DSP.

September Stamp Camp is right around the corner – Thursday, Friday and Saturday – September 1, 2 and 3.  To end any confusion, we are setting the time from 10am to 4pm for all 3 days.  If you have a situation where you need to come earlier, or stay later, please let me know so we can accommodate your needs.  As always, please let us know as soon as possible what cards you would like to do.  Stay tuned for 3 more fun cards!

Blessings, Rosemary – H(630.759.3089) – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

CLASSIC CLOCHE

Our Christmas cards start with Christmas in July, continue thru November with one Christmas card at each stamp camp, and this year will finalize with a Christmas Card Buffet on December 2, 3 and 4.  A Christmas Card Buffet is simple, you come and choose to put on your “plate” those cards you wish to do.  Each item will be priced individually and you can choose to add one to your plate, or two, or three, or none.  This is totally up to you.  The goal is to have a buffet line of 10 different entrees.  Please realize this is my goal! I will guarantee there will be a variety, colors will not be limited to red and green, and at least one pyramid card will be included.

For our November Stamp Camp, the Classic Cloche is being offered.

All three of the Classic Cloche views are done with Garden Green, Evening Evergreen, and Peaceful Prints DSP.  This view also features the cloche dome which slides very easily into the die-cut opening and has taped adhesive already in place.  This may look difficult, but believe me, it is a piece of cake.  A sentiment from the Classic Cloche stamp set is stamped in Evening Evergreen and uses the Lovely Labels Pick A Punch as does the Evening Evergreen layer.  Two additional trees are layered on the front above the sentiment.

This close-up view of the church shows the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter adhered to the rooftops and ground.  Ice Stampin’ Glitter was added before the dome was adhered turning this into a shaker card.  It’s cute and very easy!  There are even pre-colored scenes if you don’t wish to color your own.  These cards will not fit into a standard envelope.  I will have 5 X 7 padded envelopes available for 50 cents each to ease your mailing options.

Each of the 3 card samples features the same message but different embellishments.

The Classic Cloche Stamp Set and matching Cloche Dies also has a bird option.  The birds inside the cloche are stacked 2-3 high for depth.  I chose not to use dimensionals as the sequins would stick.  Although not featuring glitter, Snowflake Sequins are added turning this card also into a shaker card.

The message layer shown on the bird sample is embellished with a single and 4 die cut trees.

The final sample of the Classic Cloche card samples is a flat view with no cloche added

This close-up view of the flat sample indicates bumpy snow – perhaps the snow blower had just been by.  I’m not sure how the glitter will fare through the mail although it appears to be very sturdily glued on.  Tombo Aqua Mono Liquid Glue was used as the adhesive for the glitter and allowed to dry.  A tiny shoestring bow of silver and white Baker’s Twine was added to the top of the cloche image.

The embellishment featured on this final sample is simply a row of punched Evening Evergreen trees using the Evergreen Border Punch!  The message and envelope stamps come from the Snow Wonder Stamp Set.

As you choose your cards for November Stamp Camp, please understand that this is really an easy card to create – it simply looks difficult.  In addition, Debbi and I are available if a challenge arises.

Blessings, Rosemary – (C)630.965.1965 – (H)630.759.3089 – paperrose01@aol.com

SWEET LITTLE STOCKINGS

Sweet Little Stockings is the perfect Christmas card for those friends and relatives who have family pets.  The set includes 3 Christmas stocking sizes, the head images of a dog, cat and chipmunk as well as gifts, candy canes, Santa hats and more!  And of course, the dies match the stamps!  What is really exciting is that the dies MATCH THE STOCKINGS on the Sweet Stockings DSP!

This is a great set for years to come!  Who doesn’t need Christmas stockings with matching dies?  The colors of this card are Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Soft Seafoam and a touch of Bumblebee.  Felt trim is added for dimension and texture. 

I am a cat person so my second sample features two cats.  This card also reverses the layout of the small and large stockings, and uses an alternate sentiment.  Two dogs could easily be used or 1 animal and 2 stocking of presents or a chipmunk could be used – lots of choices!   Note the stitched rectangles in the corners.  This die set is relatively new and I was excited to use it.  The Jolly Felt comes in the 4 colors used here.  I know felt would be cheaper at a Bix Box store but the colors match the card stock and inks perfectly.  Adding the felt trim and toe/heel die cuts adds so much detail.  The Decorative Dots used also match the colors used in the card.

The message layer I originally designed is changed.  I prefer this design of the Sweet Stockings DSP to embellish the card.  the addition of a simple Christmas stocking and candy cane provide just the right touch.  Although there are many messages that can be used for this fun card, I really like the SANTA PAWS is coming to town wording.

Sweet Little Stockings is one of the cards featured at our October Stamp Camp on October 7, 8 and 9.  Times are 10-4 on Thursday 10/7 and Friday 10/8, and 9-4 on Saturday 10/9.  Please let me know just as soon as you can what cards you wish to make and what day you plan on coming.  You can make as many cards as you choose – cost is $14 for any 4 cards and $3 for each additional card.  If Cards to Go works better for you, be specific as to what you want in your kit.  As the holiday season approaches, Cards to Go might work better for your busy schedule, but then you would miss my smiling face and Debbie’s latest tales!  Please bring your mask as Covid is still plaguing us!  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Blessings to all,

Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

ANGELS OF PEACE

Angels of Peace is my favorite Christmas set for 2021.  I fell in love with the set the second I saw it in the July-December Mini Catalog.  I pondered over how to present the angel in a simple but elegant fashion.  The end result has her embossed in gold and framed with embossed metallic gold.  The oval dies used are a combination emboss and die cut.  The end result on the gold metallic is very elegant.  The framed angel rests on tufted embossed white cs framed in Night of Navy on a thick white card.  A simple Noel embellishes the lower corner and a gold star shines in the East.

The message layer is framed in navy and features our second angel – small in stature but a mighty presence.  She wears a garland  of flowers and clutches a bough of holly.  The message is chosen from the Angels of Peace stamp set.  The message and angel are gold embossed to carry thru the elegance of the card. 

This is our September Christmas card.  You may make as many as you wish.  Embossing is fun as you watch the dull gold heat up and pop into life!

Don’t forget to let us know if you will need a kit, how many cards you wish to do, and what day you plan on coming!

Blessings,

Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

TIDINGS OF CHRISTMAS

In case you are wondering why I keep changing font sizes, I’m trying to adjust the type size to stay within the image area. 

As you know, Stamp Camps from August thru November will feature at least one holiday card.  For August Stamp Camp, we have Tidings of Christmas.

This card comes from the Tidings & Trimmings Bundle found on page 89 in the annual catalog.  The Tidings of Christmas DSP used here is 15% off thru July – see it on page 133 of the annual catalog.  I chose a red and green color scheme for this holiday card – actually it’s Real Red, with the new Evening Evergreen and Soft Succulent.  The new 3/8” Open Weave Ribbon is wonderful to work with.  Soft Succulent ribbon is used here.  The cute stockings are stamped in Evergreen and Red.  Stampin’Up has “Jolly Felt” that will be available for Purchase in August.  As I am not the most patient crafter, I dug into my archives and found some inexpensive red and white felt which die cut easily.  The bottom portion of the felt stocking was trimmed off and voila – a felt cuff appeared.  A stem of silver metallic berries was added to embellish each stocking. 

A good way to have handmade Christmas cards ready for December mailing is to make 4 Stamp Camp Christmas cards each month.  This technique is used by several of our crafters.

Please let me know which day you plan on attending for August Stamp Camp and which cards you plan on making.  You know my plea – the sooner you can let me know your selected cards, the easier you make my life.

AND REMEMBER – THE SWEET ICE CREAM CARD MEANS STAMP CAMP ICE CREAM – even if you don’t make the ice cream card!  Come and enjoy!

Blessings, Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

JOY

To me, JOY is the spirit of Christmas. 

This festive red and white card is so eye-catching and oh so very easy!  I sprayed the red layer with the White Frost Paint and Alcohol mix I make.  This is an option for you.  The top layer is embossed with the Swirls and Curls Embossing Folder. The Brother Scan’n Cut nicely cut the JOY, the white squares and the red scallop squares for us.  Very simply, the letters are adhered to the white squares which are adhered to red scallop squares (hard to see) and adhered to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.  The red rhinestones are adhered to the left, center, and right of the JOY letters.

As I was finishing the front of the card, I remembered that somewhere in the stamp archives was a set titled “The Sounding Joy.”  Sure enough, the set was found and this stamp was part of the set.  Doesn’t it make the perfect message layer for a JOY card?  However, there are many other stamp sets to choose from – this is an option that has been stamped and die cut for you. 

SNOWFLAKE WISHES

Snowflake Wishes is our final Christmas in July card.  This 3D “flakey” card features lots of silver foil and snowflakes. The Snowflake Embossing Folder adds lots of texture to the center panel.  Rhinestones embellish the center of the die cut snowflake and the dot over the “i” in “Wishes”.  The beautiful Feels like Frost DSP is the perfect background for this lovely card.

A sparkly message embossed in silver with a scattering of snowflakes is the perfect message for this lovely card.

We have seen 6 different cards for Christmas in July.  As a reminder, the dates are Thursday July 15 from 10am-6pm, Friday July 16 from 10am-6pm, and Saturday July 17 from 9am-4pm.  Each day allows for 8 hours of fun and crafting.  There will be presents for all, and please feel free to bring a snack to share.  There will be 6 stations set up with each station accommodating 2-3 people.  Kindness is encouraged.

2021 CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Any 1 – 6 cards	$3.00 each
Any 7 – 11 cards	$2.75 each
Any 12 – 17 cards	$2.50 each
Any 18  cards and more	$2.25 each

As always, I plead with you to please let me know which day you wish to come and which cards you would like to make. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.  Masks are optional. 

Christmas Blessings, Rosemary – (h)630.759.3089 – (c)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

SILVER SPARKLES

Silver Sparkles actually does sparkle!  The festive Feels Like Frost DSP is festooned with a die-cut silver ornament tied with a simple cord.  The silver embossed sentiment says it all very simply – Thinking of You at Christmas.

The message layer is also embossed in silver.  There are many messages to choose for all the Christmas in July cards.  This is the one card that there is a limit on.  We have 38 silver lined cards with matching envelopes.  Once they are gone – they are really gone.

DOVE OF PEACE

We chose copper embossing for the Dove of Peace and sentiment.  This simple but elegant card is one of my favorites.

The message layer features a single star and the message of your choice.  We added a strip of copper dotted DSP to coordinate the card with the message.

Don’t give up yet – 1 more Christmas blog post to go. 

Rosemary – (h)630.759.3089 – (c)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com