Cross Stitch Circle STAX

Merry & Bright – The Paper Players 268

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Before jumping into today’s post, I wanted to share my excitement at having my card chosen as the headliner last week with The Paper Players!! Thank you so much Nance!!

Merry & Bright - The Paper Players 268I am really enjoying the Designer Series Paper this year from Stampin’ Up!. The pattern I used for today’s card is muted yet bold, and is the perfect backdrop for the drop dead gorgeous stamped images. And yes, I used Perfect Pines again because, well…they’re PERFECT!!

A simple circle provides a nice separation from the patterned paper and allows the focus to be on the tree and the sentiment. The cross stitch is an added bonus detail 🙂

Merry & Bright - The Paper Players 268The pretty poinsettias add a nice pop of red and help balance the card. Hint: I use the MISTI to double stamp the poinsettias, resulting in a vivd stamped image.

The Paper Players sketch this week was the inspiration for my card:

pp268I found the three panels to be a challenge, I just couldn’t make the math work so I eventually just cut the panels to 1 1/4″ wide each and then trimmed them down until the fit (and matched). I’m still not sure how that worked out, but I’m glad it did!! Thank you so much for stopping by!!

Wishing you joy and blessings!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Thick Whisper White by Stampin’ Up!

Pattern Paper: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper Pack

Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Mossy Meadow by Stampin’ Up!

Stamps:  Peaceful Pines, Lots of Joy, and Wondrous Wreath by Stampin’ Up!

Dies: Peaceful Pines, Seasonal Frame Thinlit Dies, and Envelope Liner Die by Stampin’ Up!; Stitched Mats: Ovals by Lil ‘Inker.

Tools:  MISTI

Embellishments: Unknown source for red sequins

Giving Thanks – Freshly Made Sketches 208

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In preparing this post I discovered that I haven’t played along with the Freshly Made Sketches‘ challenge since the 200th sketch…8 weeks ago! Yikes!

I was so inspired by the wonderful designs from the design team that I just had to sit down and create a card with Cindy Hall’s sketch:

Giving Thanks – Freshly Made Sketches 208I’m really loving the colors in this one and I had so much fun coloring the pumpkins! Did I mention yet that I purchased a ScanNCut2? If I haven’t and you haven’t heard of it, please use the link to check it out–this machine is A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

With the machine I was able to cut out both the basket full of pumpkins AND the itty bitty pumpkins after I had them colored. Just slipped the paper right into the machine and BAM, now I have die cuts…AND I can choose the depth of the border around them! SO cool!!

Lawn Fawn’s 6×6 paper pack Into the Woods have really framed the pumpkins nicely and really help them pop. Of course, Stampin’ Dimensionals give them a bit of pop too 🙂

Giving Thanks – Freshly Made Sketches 208ShinHan Touch Twin Brush Markers helped me color my stamped image in. If you haven’t heard of them, they are the product giving Copic a run for it’s money. They have a wonderful brush tip to work with, and have a lower price point…yippee!!

Isn’t the script font of the sentiment amazing? The stamp set is called Scripted by Papertrey Ink and the sentiment carries on to the inside of the card:

Giving Thanks – Freshly Made Sketches 208I was inspired by Kim Singdahlsen‘s card to use the cross stitch borders that I forgot I had. Thanks Kim, I love them!

Clean, simple and a POP of color…I’m so in tickled with how this turned out! I would love to hear what you think as well, your feedback only makes me a better artist!!

Giving Thanks – Freshly Made Sketches 208Wishing you joy and blessings!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Stamper’s Select White by Papertrey Ink

Pattern Paper: Into the Woods by Lawn Fawn

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Early Expresso by Stampin’ Up!

Stamps:  Vintage Picnic and Scripted by Papertrey Ink

Dies: Cross Stich Circle STAX by MFT Stamps and Envelope Liner Die by Stampin’ Up!

Tools:  MISTI; ScanNCut2; ShinHan Touch Twin Brush Markers

Embellishments: Neutrals Candy Dots by Stampin’ Up!