Hi!  I'm here to share another One-Layer Christmas Thank You.  As I mentioned earlier this month, I am featuring a "Christmas in July" series.  I'll share ideas for Christmas thank you notes, Christmas tags, and packaging ideas.  This week my focus is on Christmas thank you notes/cards.

After completing the card below, something just wasn't right, and then it hit me.  The sentiment was  green.  That was the problem!  If the sentiment were stamped in red there would be more cohesiveness. More flow.  I needed to re-create my card using red for the sentiment.

Here is the same card with just one minor change, the sentiment color.  Much better!  Along with the sentiment color change, I used a golden color bling.  These blend better than the clear, and are a bit more subtle in my opinion.  What do you think?

 



Because this is a one-layer card, I used my Tombow markers to avoid the bleed through that you have with Copics.  It's been ages since I've had my markers out.  To add interest to the petals, I used Stickles (Diamond) .  I love the shimmer and sparkle that it adds!

Here is a up close photo. With the Tombow Blender Pen, I was "trying" to do some shading on the leaves. 

 



 

I hope I've given you inspiration and motivation to get started on your Christmas thank you notes.

 

Supplies:

 

Stamps: Memory Box (Image) and A Muse (Sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Lady Bug 

Paper: Stampin'Up Whisper White

Accessories: Stamp Positioner, Gold Bling, Tombow Markers (126 & 856), & Stickles (Diamond)

 

One-Layer Wednesday 148 ~ A Christmas/Holiday Thank You

Welcome to this weeks One-Layer Wednesday Challenge.  In keeping with the Christmas in July theme, I thought it prudent to start on some Christmas thank you cards.  So, this weeks challenge is to make a one-layer Christmas/holiday thank you card.  I hope you'll join me.

 

Think about making sets of your Christmas/holiday thank you cards.  When packaged in a fun and festive way, they are a great hostess or teacher gift.  Of course, I like to have a few sets on hand for my daughters and me to use.

OLW148 Rules 1. A one-layer card is defined as a single layer of card stock folded in half. No other layers of paper allowed.

2. Make a One-Layer Christmas Thank You Card. Remember to keep the embellishments to a minimum.

3. Post your card somewhere online and link back to my blog using the InLinkz button at the bottom of this post. If linking to a blog post, please be sure to link to the specific post and not your blog's home page.

4. HAVE FUN!

Supplies:

Stamps: Memory Box - Poinsettia Outline & Lattice Background, Sentiment - A Muse
Paper: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento - Desert Sand, Lady Bug & Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Stamp Positioner, Bling, Tombow Makers & Sticklers - Diamond

One-Layer Wednesday 147, Use-Your-Stamps Challenge, Never Before Used Stamps (NBUS), And a Christmas Card...

*An interruption in my regularly scheduled blog post... In an effort to post my Wednesday or One-Layer Wednesday post, I ran out of time.  Time being after midnight, tomorrow, the next day.  It's now Thursday, the 4th of July.  I would be horribly remiss if I didn't wish all of you a very happy 4th of July! 

God bless our military and their families. Along with all of our veterans and retires.  Thank you for all you've done in the name of peace.
 
                                                   *************

On to today's post.  Yes, I really did say Christmas and I know, it's only the beginning of July...! I'm sure you've all heard the old "Christmas in July" saying, right?

Before I go any further, I should mention this is a rather lengthy. I'll be glad to wait if you need to grab a cup of coffee, iced tea, or sweet tea (for those of you who live in the south). 

So, this week's One-Layer Wednesday host is Susan.  Her challenge is to use glitter or something shimmery on a one-layer Christmas/holiday card.  You can see Susan's post here. 

So here's my sparkle.

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I thought I would play around with some non-traditional colors.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm all about tradition.  I love the traditional reds and greens of Christmas, but I have to admit when the Christmas displays go up, I can't wait to see what's new and trending. What do you think the trends will be this Christmas season?    

Here's a peek at the inside of my card. I like the way the gray Washi Tape coordinates so well with the silver embossing. 

Earlier I mentioned the Use-Your-Stamps Challenge.  Susan, (the creator of the OLW Challenge) recently started her Use-Your-Stamps Challenge. You can see the rules here.  Really, the rules are very simple!  Please don't let the word rules scare you off.  Just think of the gratification you'll receive in knowing that you really did use all your stamps.  Then you can purged the ones that are outdated, overused, or you just don't care for anymore.  This of course, makes room for more stamps.  Did I hear a YES?  I thought I did. After reading Susan's challenge, I knew I needed to participate!  So this is my first post using my never before used stamps. 

Now, the Never Before Used Stamps (NBUS) is another stamp challenge that the very funny, and oh so adorable, Darnell also started recently.  This is another challenge involving your neglected stamps.  I think I'm seeing a trend here.  I hope you'll visit both sites and join in.

The Stamps used in today's card all fall under the Use-Your-Stamps Challenge and the Never Before Used Stamps Challenge (NBUS). I'm still searching for an accounting system that will help me track these challenges!

And finally, Susan's Christmas card challenge falls perfectly in line with my blog plan for July.  This month, my focus is on Christmas.  I'll be featuring a different category (cards, tags, packaging, etc.) each week this month.  My hope is to motivate you to start early this year.  My personal goal is to start earlier this year.  This all falls under the category of better planning.


OLW147 Rules

1. A one-layer card is defined as a single layer of card stock folded in half. No other layers of paper allowed.

2. Make a sparkly card using glitter, glitter embossing powder, or some other shimmery substance (Brilliance, Smooch, Glimmer Mist, Twinkling H2Os, etc.). You can even use a card base of shimmer cardstock! The key is to get sparkly. Remember to keep the embellishments to a minimum.

3. Post your card somewhere online and link back to Susan's blog using the InLinkz button on the sidebar. If linking to a blog post, please be sure to link to the specific post and not your blog's home page.

4. The most important thing is to...HAVE FUN!

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Vintage Ornaments & Gina K Designs - Sentiment
Paper: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Papertrey Ink - Hibiscus Burst & VersaMark
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Stamp Positioner, Silver Cording, & Washi Tape

Washi Tape And Your Die Cuts

Welcome back to another post in my Washi Tape Series.  Today I'm focusing on die cuts and your Washi Tape.  Most of us have die cuts, right?  Maybe even several die cuts? So, I wanted to show you a few ideas using those die cuts, but first I have a tip or two to share with you.

As you can see by the photo below, I started off with white cardstock for my base, but because of the translucency of the tape you may want to use another color cardstock.

For this die cut project, I chose three different Washi Tapes in varying widths, and placed them on the diagonal. I think the varying widths are important when planning this project. They (varying widths) are not always easy to find, but well worth the effort. 

Another option is to use chipboard or a cereal box for thicker die cuts.  If you plan to use one of these, you will probably want to put a coat of acrylic paint on first before applying the Washi Tape.  Again, because of the translucency.

 



Here are a few close ups:

I hope you will explore your die cuts and Washi Tape collection. 


Supplies:

Washi Tape: Queen & Co, Little B (both purchased at Archivers), and Michaels
Die Cuts: Papertrey Ink

 

Spice Girls...

This week's One-Layer Wednesday host is Ardyth.  Her theme "Spice Girls".  Make a one-layer feminine card inspired by a spice, condiment or flavoring. You can use your spice as color inspiration, as part of a sentiment or as a theme.

I think this was my third attempt at the challenge this week. You should see what my work table looks like, not to mention the trash can. 

So this is what I came up with.  The "Spice" is my color inspiration,  paprika and saffron.  The "Girls" are the ever-so-cute Elzybells.  I can't tell you the last time they were out of the box.  I added a bit of Washi Tape which is all over my desk right now, a burlap flower, and a bit of lace. 

I hope the OLW police won't notice it's a tag instead of a card!


Supplies:

Stamps: Elzybells Art Stamps
Paper: Premade Tag
Ink: Memento Potter's Clay and Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Washi Tape, Lace, Felt, Burlap, and a button.

More Washi Tape Fun and a Mini Tutorial

Before I get to today's post, please note this week's One-Layer Wednesday host is Ardyth.  She has a great challenge for us! I hope you'll check it out.

Okay, now for more Washi Tape Fun.  This month the focuses of my posts are "all things Washi Tape". Today I have some envelopes to share with you.  We decorate the inside of our cards.  Why not decorate our envelopes?   It's fun and easy, and a great way to justify that stash (of Washi Tape, I mean).  Also, it's another way to carry out the theme of your card.

  Here is a mini tutorial for mitering the corners of your Washi Tape (see the green stripe tape above). 

First, cut two pieces of Washi Tape and lay them on your work table creating an "L" shape. 

Next, lift up the connected corner and cut at a diagonal (starting at the bottom right corner and cutting up to the top left corner).

Then, pull the two pieces of tape apart and place.

 
Here is the end result. 

I hope you'll find this helpful.  Please, feel free to email me with any questions.  Also, look for more Washi Tape posts later this week.  I have more ideas to use your Washi Tape collection.

Supplies:

Stamps: (Sentiments) Papertrey Ink, A Muse (Retired), and My Favorite Things
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug
Paper: A4 Envelopes - Stampin' Up  White
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-Jig

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"Show Your Colors" Post #2

Here's another card for this weeks One-Layer Wednesday Challenge, (Show Your Colors...Red, White, and Blue, of Course).

This 4th of July card defiantly falls into the non-traditional category, wouldn't you say?  In fact, I think I've thrown tradition to the wind and jumped right on the "trendy" train!  

If you would like to play along this week, please refer to this post to link up your creations.

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Background Basics Chevron Stripes & Close to my Heart - (Sentiment) American Celebration
Ink: Memento - Nautical Blue, and Lady Bug
Paper: Stampin' Up Whisper White
Accessories: Bling, Sequins, and a Glue Pen.