2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 24

July 16, 2021July 15, 2021audreypettit Leave a comment

Happy Friday, crafty friends! As I mentioned in a previous post, from now until December I am on a mission to make at least one holiday card a week during a crafty Zoom session with my friend, Kathie. It’s one way to stay connected to friends and family during these quarantine days, and a great way to build up my stash of cards for the year at the same time. I am calling this my 2021 Christmas Card Project, and each week I hope to share my progress here with you.

Last month I got the chance to visit with Kathie, and we were able to craft together in person, for a change. I brought along my favorite holiday collection of the year, Simple Stories’ Simple Vintage North Pole, and managed to make a handful of cards. I have shared most of the cards already over the previous weeks, and today I’m back with the last of them.

This card features one of the few remaining 3×4 journaling cards I had left in the 6×8 paper pad. It didn’t quite fit in the die cut rectangular frame I wanted to use, so I added a strip of patterned paper to fill the space at bottom and top, and embellished the frame with paper photo corners, die cut ephemera bits, and twine.

I have very little of this paper left, which makes me both sad and happy. Sad because I hate to see it go, but happy that every scrap is getting put to use. I may manage to eek out one or two more cards with the supplies I have left, and then maybe move onto tags. Stay tuned! And thanks so much for stopping by!

The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole: 6×8 Paper Pad, Die Cut Ephemera

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 22

July 2, 2021audreypettit 1 Comment

A couple of weeks ago, I went to visit Kathie, and we were able to craft together in person for a change. I made a handful of cards with my favorite Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole collection, and today I have two of them to share for week 22 of the Christmas Card Project.

Card number one features a sentiment image from the cut-apart journaling card paper that I framed within a die cut circle window opening. I added some small snippets of patterned paper and remnants of a scalloped die cut border to the sides, and used die cut ephemera pieces to accent the design.

The second card may look a bit familiar, as it utilizes the large Santa image that I had on a card last week. This Santa comes from a much larger image that fills the entire 6×8 paper sheet, that I simply cut down to size. I added more small scraps of patterned paper and my favorite twine tie. A die cut ephemera sentiment finishes the design.

Happy July, crafty friends! And thanks so much for stopping by!

The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole: 6×8 Paper Pad, Bits & Pieces
Sizzix Rectangles Framelits
My Creative Time Bunch of Fun Circles Die Set

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 21

June 27, 2021June 27, 2021audreypettit Leave a comment

I’ve fallen behind a bit on my Christmas project these past couple of weeks. I’ve been having some serious computer issues with my old desktop computer, which I still use for my photo editing and storage. The thing is older than the hills, and has currently taken to simply shutting itself off and refusing to reboot. But just when I think it’s gone for good, it surprises me with a sudden return and I manage to limp along again. But on a happier note, my parents have arrived for a nice long visit, and we have been busy catching up and running around after not being able to be together since Christmas 2019. So I apologize for the absence, and hope that I am back for awhile.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to visit my dear friend, Kathie, and we were able to craft together in person for a change. I made a handful of cards with my favorite Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole collection, and today I have two of them to share for week 21 of the Christmas Card Project.

The first card features a sweet Santa image from the cut-apart journaling card sheet in the 6×8 pad. I layered the Santa onto a stitched rectangle cut from white cardstock, and added a bit of candy-caned striped paper at the top and bottom to fill in the rectangular space. The green patterned paper is edged with white scalloped borders and placed down the center of the card. The tab at the top is a portion of a die cut ephemera piece, and it was wrapped in a bit of twine. The round sentiment is from the Bits & Pieces die cut pack, too.

I’m happy with how the second card turned out because I love that Santa image, but it was the full 6×8 size, which made it challenging to use. I used an old Sizzix stacked rectangle die set to cut out just the face portion of the image, and added it to a mat of white cardstock. I am really challenging myself to use up every scrap, and managed to use some very thin strips of paper as a band across the center of the card and a small tab at the top right corner. Twine was tied around the left side of the card, and I finished off with a die cut ephemera piece for the sentiment.

Isn’t it crazy that we are almost halfway through the year already? Soon it will be Christmas in July, and I will be right on trend with this Christmas card making project of mine! 😉

The supplies that I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole Collection: 6×8 Paper Pad, Bits & Pieces
Sizzix Rectangles Framelits Die Set

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 17

May 21, 2021audreypettit Leave a comment

For week 17, I made two cards with the adorable Simple Vintage North Pole collection from Simple Stories.

I have so been enjoying this vintage-inspired collection. I purchased just the 6×8 paper pad and the ephemera die cut bits and have made ten cards so far, and am still going strong. This week’s cards began with the same basic design layout….. a base layer of patterned paper, followed by a strip of paper down the center and finished with another layer of contrasting paper on top. From there, I changed up the design by adding different details to the 3×4 cut-apart journaling cards. One got a fishtail banner and twine tie. The other, die cut scalloped borders and photo corners.

I haven’t had much time in my craft room lately, but so far I’m managing to keep up with my 2021 Christmas Card Project and weekly Zoom sessions, which makes me very happy. Really starting to make a dent now!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all a beautiful, sunshiny weekend ahead!

The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Simple Stories Simple Vintage North Pole Collection: 6×8 Paper Pad, Die Cut Ephemera Bits

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 16

May 14, 2021May 13, 2021audreypettit Leave a comment

This week, I still had supplies out on my table from last week…. so I used those to create one winter-themed holiday card using the very cute, but quite old, Sub Zero collection from Simple Stories.

One thing I really love about Simple Stories is how many printed journaling cards they include in their kits, and this mountain slopes card comes from one of three cut-apart sheets in the collection. I layered the card onto striped patterned paper and added a pair of photo corner accents to the top edge. The gondola is a cardstock sticker that was popped up with foam tape in the center of the card. The die cut stitched frame is actually sized for a #6-sized card, but with a bit of cutting and mitered corners, it now perfectly fits the 3×4 image. More white cardstock, patterned paper strips, and twine finish the design.

It has been a crazy week here, and I haven’t had time to post much, so I’m sorry for my absence. I went back to work, and am trying to re-adjust to my new schedule, and am remembering how much work cuts into your free time! Haha! And after being home with online studies since last March, Pete is heading back to Richmond tomorrow to start his last year of pharmacy school… so I have been trying to make and freeze dinners for him and spend every spare minute with him that I can. And we are smack dab in the middle of the gas crisis, which has added to all the craziness. We got word that there’s a station not far away that currently has some premium gas, so Pete has made a run for it. Keep your fingers crossed that he gets in. And wish me luck dealing with empty nest syndrome, all over again.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Simple Stories Sub Zero 12×12 Kit
Stampin’Up Twine

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 15

May 7, 2021May 6, 2021audreypettit 1 Comment

For week 15, I made a pair of card using an older 6×6 paper pad from Carta Bella called Snow Much Fun.

Although this is truly a winter themed collection, I think it works perfectly for holiday cards, as well. I mixed patterned papers and crisp white cardstock with small 2×3 printed journaling cards that came in the 6×6 paper pad to create my winter scenes. I’ve been obsessed with the border dies by PhotoPlay recently, so both cards got some decorative edging using that set. And I pulled out some older stitched rectangle and oval dies by Tim Holtz to add more detail to the edges, too.

I found a few old stickers in my stash that matched the papers well, so they’ve been added to help build up the scene. And of course there’s a bit of twine to finish the designs. Unfortunately, a lot of these products are no longer available, but I do always hope to use up some of my older supplies and I think that Christmas cards are the perfect opportunity to do so. Because unless your friends and family are card makers, they’ll never know what’s old and what’s new!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and a very happy Mother’s Day!

The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Carta Bella Snow Much Fun 6×6 Paper Pad
Simple Stories Sub Zero 12×12 Stickers
Sizzix Stitched Rectangles, Stitched Ovals Thinlits Die Sets

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 12

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021audreypettit 2 Comments

For week 12, I made a pair of cards with Simple Stories’ Jingle All the Way collection.

Today’s cards are very simple in design, but I’m pleased with how they turned out. At 6×8 in size, I really wasn’t sure at first what I could do with the images that I used for these cards. The full-size pages were too big for a standard card, and I don’t scrapbook anymore. I supposed you could put them into a frame, but even that would require some cutting down to size. It seemed like such a waste to let them go, so after a bit of careful trimming and strategic placement, both now work perfectly for cards… and I’m so happy they do. For the first card, I cut the image almost directly in half, leaving just enough room at the bottom for a thin strip of contrasting paper and a twine tie. So simple, but that image is just too cute.

The second card required trimming on all four sides to fit an A2 card base. I added two strips of patterned paper down the right side, along with plaid photo corners I cut from paper. The sentiment labels are from the die cut pack. And a cardstock star sticker and twine tie finished the design.

I’m so happy to find a use for these over-sized printed 6×8 journaling cards. There’s a few more left in the pad, so the challenge is still on. But I’m always up for a good challenge. 😀

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead!

The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

PhotoPlay Paper Mad4Plaid Christmas Cardstock Stickers
Stampin’Up Twine

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 10

April 2, 2021audreypettit Leave a comment

For week 10, I made a pair of cards with the Simple Stories Jingle All the Way collection.

I love this paper I used on the first card. Those little cars with their loaded packages and trees just makes me happy. I added a strip of polka dotty paper and layered with a few die cut ephemera pieces. A little scalloped edging peeking out the top finish the design. Really reminds me of an awning over a shop window. Wouldn’t you agree?

I used a 3×4 journaling card from the paper pad on card number two, layered with a solid print and a die cut ephemera piece that I cut in two to fit behind the image. Another scalloped die cut border spans the card, along with a strip of dotty paper. I tied the center of the card with twine and finished with a trio of enamel dots for extra detail.

If you’re keeping count with me, I think this makes 20 cards now. Slowly chipping away at my Christmas card stash! Thanks so much for stopping by, friends. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend ahead!

The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 7

March 12, 2021March 11, 2021audreypettit Leave a comment

For week 7, I made a pair of cards using the Simple Stories Jingle All the Way collection.

I used the 6×8 paper pad and die cut ephemera bits for these cards. The first card features a 3×4 cut-apart journaling card that was included in the pad. I layered it onto a Lawn Fawn stitched rectangle die cut, and edged the top and bottom with die cut scalloped border. Little triangle photo corners, a tab top, and a twine tie finish the design.

I did some machine stitching on the second card, which I haven’t done in quite some time. But I love how that defines the seam line of the two papers and anchors the die cuts at the side. The tag is layered die cut bits with more of the scalloped border across the bottom and a twine tie on top. Both cards are based off older CardMaps sketches from July 2018.

Another week down, and two more cards added to my stash!
Happy weekend, friends!

The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

2021 Christmas Card Project- Week 4

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021audreypettit Leave a comment

For week 4, I finished two cards using Simple Stories’ Simple Vintage North Pole collection.

I really love the collage-style of the die cut ephemera bits that look like you spent lots of time layering pieces, when in fact all the hard work is already done for you. Both of these cards were an attempt to use up leftover scraps of paper, which you can see in some of the small strips and banner flags. White cardstock, twine, and a corner rounder were the only extra additions.

The second card utilized a scrap of paper that I had previously die cut a circle from. I just layered it onto cardstock and popped an ephemera piece in the middle. Looks like they were tailor made.
Two more cards down!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by!