My super sweet new colleague, Tara, graciously opened her home to me for a Stampin' Up! workshop today. We made 3 projects: Christmas card, Thank You or Birthday Card and some 3×3 gift cards and I had a blast! {And on a side note, her awesome hubby Steve baked us an apple pie from scratch that was delicious & impressive – what a guy!}

We started easy with this project. Each card is 3×3 and created from 12×12 textured card stock. We made one each in Pool Party and Pacific Point.

  • Crimper (one of the silver circles has been crimped)
  • Snowflake Punch
  • 2-1/2" Circle Punch
  • Designer Printed Brad or Clear Rhinestone Brad

DSCN4881
DSCN4890

Then we created a card using "Aviary" that was inspired by a card I saw months ago and, frankly, can't recall where. I vaguely recall it being a card by Denise Sullivan (?). Anywho…. it was a little more difficult than the 1st project.

  • I used the "Thank You" sentiment from Days of Gratitude but some gals used a "Happy Birthday" from Party This Way that I brought along.
  • Colors: Blushing Bride & Baja Breeze
  • Ribbon: 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon in Blushing Bride
  • Basic Pearls
  • Word Window Punch
  • Modern Label Punch
  • Baja Breeze and Basic Black Ink
  • Basic Black Marker
  • Baja Breeze Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Collection Paper Stack
  • Ruler
  • And…. the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (yes, it's really called that!) for perfect placement of the birds inside the cages

DSCN4884

I love borrowing ideas and I love my "Britain meets Texas" downline, Sarah Wills', style. (I keep forgetting to ask Sarah to say "ya'll" in a British accent – I think that'd be funny). Sarah created this super cute card for the recent Founder's Circle achiever's retreat swap. 

DSCN4879
Though I loved what Sarah did on this card, I felt like making it more of my own. So I tweaked and this is the card we made tonight. This was the most involved card for my stampers but they did a great job! {Note to self: never use a Mini Jingle Bell that I feel compelled to tie a ribbon onto – I thought I'd go blind threading those tiny holes!}

DSCN4876

DSCN4877

This card has oodles of dry embossed elements - I used 4 different Textured Impressions Embossing Folders:

  • Vintage Wallpaper (for Early Espresso on top),
  • Snow Burst from the Holiday mini catalog (white background card stock),
  • Square Lattice (center stocking) and
  • Perfect Polka Dots (left stocking).

Other products used include:

  • Silver Glimmer Paper (Holiday mini)
  • Mini Jingle Bells (Holiday mini)
  • Cherry/White Baker's Twine
  • Stocking Builder Punch (Holiday mini)
  • Decorative Label Punch
  • Stamping Sponge
  • 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon Early Espresso (Holiday Mini)
  • Sentiment: Grateful Greetings Stamp Set
  • Card stock: Whisper White, Real Red, & Early Espresso

Workshops are the most exhausting yet exhilarating activity for me and I loved having this special girly, creative time with Tara and her guests. I'd love to do it again!