I'll have a blue Christmas...maybe...

I sat down at my crafting table with the SU stamp set "Branch Out", fully intending to make a Christmas card. I thought it might be nice to get an idea for this year's card. This is what I ended up with. I really like the card, I just don't think it makes a good "official" Christmas card. :)

Stamps: SU - Branch Out
Paper: SU - Chocolate Chip & Bashful Blue
Ink: SU - Same colors as paper ;)
Accessories: Corner rounder punch

Who knows. Maybe this will end up being our Christmas card this year. If it doesn't I'm sure I can find some use for it! :)

A little birdie...

Stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Ink: YoYo Yellow (SU), Certainly Celery (SU)
Embossing Folder: Stylized Flowers (Cuttlebu)
Ribbon: Michael's
Technique: Sponge inking on the embossing, Dry embossing, Heat embossing (Clear powder)
Paper: Archiver's

It was a little time consuming to sponge ink the embossed image, but worth it for the overall effect. I used the little fingertip sponges and Stampin' Up ink. I experimented with other inks that were definately "juicier", but in this case SU's less than inky ink worked better.

I embossed the bird with clear embossing powder after I had stamped it with a brown pigment pad. I don't know what I'd do without my clear embossing powder. It's awesome!!

I LOVE Inkadinkadoo stamps. They are so embellished and pretty! The set this bird comes from is called: Birds Galore. I also bought some Halloween Inkadinkadoo stamps last year that are just as cool! They are one of my favorite brands!

This card is a good reflection of my personal taste. It's very earthy and clean. Kind of like me! Minus the clean part...thanks to a very active two year old!! :)

Monogrammed Mayhem!

I don't usually do much with monogrammed projects. I'm not really sure why. I guess it's because I don't often make projects for my own, personal use. That may all change! :) I've had some offers lately to start my own "invitation" business. While I don't think I'm ready to jump head first into this endeavor, I am excited to try out some ideas. This is the first thing I've worked on with that business in mind.

I cuttlebugged (I'm confident that isn't actually a word) a piece of mint green cardstock with the "Stylized Flower" embossing folder. I added the ribbon and bow over top of some cream paper. Then I stamped the "D" and punched it out with a circle punch and mounted it on brown cardstock that I also punched, with a larger punch.

This really is more of a notecard than an invitation. I will have to push myself in the direction of wedding invites. I'm definately not in that mode!! I'm excited either way to be trying something new and sharing it with anyone who will take a peek!! :)