It's the Holiday Season...FUR Real!

 Blog Candy Alert! However, you need to read through today's post to get the opportunity! There will be a quiz!
The thing about working in the paper-crafting industry, is that you end up thinking about Christmas about nine months out of every year. All the sample designs need to be created months in advance in order for stores and customers to have the time to purchase the latest must-haves for the holiday season. This card is a great example of this. I created this card back in June for the Stampendous Holiday 2011 catalog which was released in July. Fortunately, I love designing for the holidays...especially when I can use my favorite furry feline, Fluffles. Fluffles is known for continually getting into mischief (like most cats), and once again, there he is...in trouble. He and his pal are cohorts in crime as they attempt to steal the goodies out of the Class A' Peel Jumbo Velvet stocking. (By the way, this stocking sticker was applied to a white cardstock panel and both were run through the Big Shot with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder to add a dotted swiss texture.) Both "cat burglars" were stamped, colored with Copic markers, and cut out, in order to be precariously perched together above the stocking. Another Velvet Class A' Peel design, the Stackable Trees pops off the fun red patterned paper along with the appropriate sentiment, "Just droppin' in to say...Meowy Christmas". As I'm sure you are well aware, the holiday season is officially in full force now, and Stampendous is chock full of wonderfully beautiful and humorous images, products, and ideas for creating the perfect holiday gifts, cards, tags, bags, and boxes. For more inspiration, visit the rest of our Stampendous "elves" listed at right, as well as the Stampendous Impressions blog. The team have been very busy this month creating with chipboard, and we are challenging YOU to play along...create your own, post it, and link it to the Stampendous blog. You can enter as many times as you'd like, and one lucky winner will receive the Cling Jumbo Songbird image seen here:

So, do you think you read my post carefully? Well, if you did, you'll know the answer to the question below. Add your answer (along with your email addy) to the comments below to possibly win this fabulous Cling Jumbo Believe in Santa set:

Here's the question:  Who is my favorite furry feline?

The Chipboard Challenge Continues...

 We are into the third week now of the Stampendous November Chipboard Challenge. The team has been showing a variety of ways to highlight Stampendous images and products with chipboard elements. For my cards today, I used the Painting With Powder Technique on my chipboard ovals. The ovals were covered with Versamark ink before pouring Periwinkle Embossing Powder over the sky area, and White Embossing Powder over the area that will include the snow families and their snowy domain. After this first layer has been melted and cooled, talcum powder was rubbed over the surface to prevent EP from the next step from migrating. Then I stamped and embossed in black images from either the Perfectly Clear Winter Warm or Perfectly Clear Snow Place sets, and flakes from either set embossed in white in the sky. Using a glue pen, I applied Shaved Ice Frantage Elements and Apple Red Glitter. Using plain white cards with embossed panels, I adhered my chipboard ovals over another embossed panel and both to the card. The sentiment was simply Class A' Peel Holiday Greetings in Mirror Red. The sentiment from the clear set was stamped on the inside along with a few more flakes. We are challenging YOU to play along with us this month, and link your creation to the Stampendous Impressions' blog by December 1st, for an opportunity to win the new Cling Jumbo Songbird. Need some more inspiration? Here you go:

Taylor Usry

Wendy Jordan

Suzanne Czosek 

Pam Hornschu (me)

Stampendous Blog 

 

While you are visiting the Stampendous blog, be sure to check out our latest group of BlogStars! Also, did you know Stampendous is offering FREE shipping on all orders $50 or over (to US/APO/FPO addresses)?! Use the promo code FREESHIP and stock up on some goodies!!  And if you are in Southern California, make plans to stop by the new Stampendous Outlet store!

Stampendous Saturday Goes Merry and Bright!

 For Stampendous Saturday this week, I chose to post a card that I created for the July holiday catalog. This features this darling Cling Penguin Star, colored with Copic Sketch Markers, and sprinkled with Multi Ultra-Fine Crystal Glitter. If you don't have any other glitter in your sparkle arsenal, you MUST have the Multi UF Crystal Glitter from Stampendous! Perfect, subtle sparkle that allows the image and color to shine through. For this card, I also added the fun Jumbo Merry Class A' Peel stickers in the red mirror finish. I think red and aqua are now my favorite colors for the holidays this year, and this aqua and red dot and matching plaid paper from Pinecone Press works perfectly. Check out what the rest of the team is showing off this week, as well as the Stampendous Impressions blog. Here's the girls that are playing along this week:

Wendy Jordan

Taylor Usry

Cyndi Bundy

Wendy Price

If you haven't played along yet with the September sketch challenge, you have until September 29th to link your creation to the Stampendous Impressions blog. Remember...the fabulous Jumbo Cling Romantic Border is the prize for the chosen winner! Next Saturday, October 1st will be a new challenge, and trust me...you'll definitely want to play along!

Jumbo Size It!

 

Busy, busy, busy! I don't know about the most wonderful time of the year, but it's definitely the busiest! That's why these two projects featuring the Stampendous Perfectly Clear Jumbo sets are nice and simple. The first uses a tri-fold card. The Jumbo Tree has been stamped and embossed in white on green cardstock. Velvetty Class A' Peel Scrollwork Borders are added, the tree is cut out and adhered over the ribbon tie that holds the card closed. Because it's a tri-fold card, you have a nice spot inside for tucking in some cash or a gift certificate/card. The star was also stamped, embossed, and cut out to top the tree. The sentiment was stamped on the side panel and embossed.

The second project is a fun ornament. Stamp and emboss the Jumbo Ornament in white on several green, red, and print papers. For each ornament you'll need at least five circles. Cut and piece the various colors and patterns as desired. Score down the center of each circle and adhere each to the other on sides only. Before adhering the last circle, trap and adhere a cord loop in the center. Add a multi-looped bow for the perfect festive touch. Great gift, great school project, or a great tag to add to a present.
Pam

#1-Tri-fold Jumbo Tree Card:
Perfectly Clear "Jumbo Tree" from Stampendous (SSC1016)
Class A' Peel "Scrollwork Borders" from Stampendous (AC726VF)
White Embossing Powder (EP100)
Frost White ColorBox ink
Bazzill cardstock
mirror gold cardstock
ribbon

#2-Jumbo Ornament:
Perfectly Clear "Jumbo Ornament" from Stampendous (SSC1010)
White (EP100) and Red Shimmer (EP106) Embossing Powder from Stampendous
Bazzill carstock
print cardstock
silver cording, ribbon

No Challenge...Just Inspiration

 Sadly, we are taking a break from the Stampendous Saturday Sketch challenge until after the 1st of the year. However, I still wanted to post some sweet Stampendous inspiration. Here are two more cards from the Holiday '09 catalog. The first is highlighting the Starry Angel stamp. I created a layered window on the front of the card by punching a circle through the white card, and then stitching a square on the print paper before tearing around the edge. This made a nice frame for the image stamped inside the card that was watercolored and glittered. I love the sentiment on this card, small and simple, yet perfect. On the second card, I created another window through the dotted print paper to stamp and watercolor (and yes, glitter,

too) these snow friends. As an overlay to highlight them and add to the snowy feel, I stamped and embossed in white the Swirl Tag. (Tip: Embossing on acetate can be a bit tricky because of the static cling on the acetate and because embossing powder loooooooves static cling. If your acetate has a tissue clinging to the back of the sheet, keep it there. Rub a small amount of talcum powder on the top, or the back as well if you don't have the tissue. Then stamp your image and apply the powder. Snap the back of the image with your finger to dislodge any remaining embossing powder cling. Then go ahead and heat to melt the powder, holding the heat tool several inches away so as not to warp the acetate. When done, remove the tissue and use a damp paper towel to wipe away the talcum residue. I like using talcum for this more than the anti-static mediums and pouches that are on the market for two reasons: 1) Talcum doesn't scratch the acetate. 2) It's cheap!) So, back to the card, I finished this off with another great Stampendous sentiment and a ribbon tie on the tag. Now it's your turn to get back to the holiday stamping! Be sure to post your creations to any of the online sites. Just because we aren't doing the challenges for a few weeks, doesn't mean you couldn't possibly win the "Win Without Warning" opportunity. For more info, visit the Stampendous blog site.
Pam

#1) Torn Window Angel Card:
"Starry Angel" from Stampendous (E210)
"Family Season" from Stampendous (L187)
Onyx Versafine ink from Tsukineko
Bazzill Cardstock
white cardstock
MME Paper
ribbon, velvet rick rack
1 1/2" circle punch
sewing machine

#2) Snow and Swirl Angel Card:
"Snowy Angel" from Stampendous (F168)
"Ours to Yours" from Stampendous (L190)
"Swirl Tag" from Stampendous (M203)
Thermo Acetate from Stampendous (PC75)
White Embossing Powder from Stampendous (EP100)
Frost White ColorBox ink from Clearsnap
Onyx Versafine ink from Tsukineko
Bazzill cardstock
white cardstock
MME paper
Zots glue dot
ribbon
Coluzzle Square Template

Two for the Post of One?

 Didn't have an opportunity to post yesterday, so posting two cards today. The first was designed for the Stampendous holiday '09 catalog and features the Ponderosa Pine stamp embossed in white randomly over the DP. That panel was matted in red, and adhered to a soft blue-gray card. The tag is actually a stamp as well, and was also embossed in white, cut out and matted in red. The red buttons add just the right amount of pizazz to this card.
My second card today was created for this year's holiday catalog, and is soooo simple to recreate. It features the Class A' Peel velvet Jumbo Poinsettia stickers from Stampendous. Just apply them over the DP, mat the panel and adhere to the card. The sentiment was added to a matted strip, tied with a ribbon and

and adhered to the card. A few Class A' Peel Dot Sparklers were added for bling! The perfect card for those of you who are panicking about having enough time still to make your own cards.
Pam

Card #1:
"Swirl Tag" from Stampendous (M203)
"Ponderosa Pine" from Stampendous (Y013)
"Family Season" from Stampendous (L187)
White Embossing Powder (EP100)
Frost White ColorBox ink from Clearsnap
MME print paper
cardstock from Kelly Paper
buttons

Card #2:
Perfectly Clear "Christmas Wishes" from Stampendous (SSC1068)
Class A' Peel "Jumbo Poinsettias" from Stampendous (AC999RV)
Class A' Peel "Dot Sparklers" from Stampendous (AC672HSR)
Satin Red Versafine ink from Tsukineko
Bazzill green cardstock
Red Linen cardstock from Kelly Paper
print unknown
ribbon (Creative Impressions)

Home to Home Forest Scene

I suddenly realized just how close Christmas is, and I have so many cards to post still! Here's one of my faves using Stampendous' new Forest Cottage Scene. I know I posted something a little similar way back in July when this stamp was first released, but the process on this one is a little different. For this one I colored the whole scene with Copic Markers before placing a sheet of Peel N' Stick double-sided clear adhesive over the entire panel. Then I covered the panel with Crystal Glitter. The panel was adhered to a Coredinations card which had been sanded first, and a torn piece of DP had been added. The tiny bunch of pine cones I found on a walk some time ago. I added Liquid Applique and more glitter to them, before tying a ribbon knot over the bunch and a tag with the sentiment. I'll probably have to mail this card in a box to prevent the pine cones from getting squashed, so I'll have to make sure it goes to someone special! Any takers?

Cling "Forest Cottage Scene" from Stampendous (CRR123)
Perfectly Clear "Holiday Home" set from Stampendous (SSC1067)
Multi Ultra-Fine Crystal Glitter from Stampendous (GM220U)
Therm O' Web "Peel n Stick" from Stampendous (FX70)
Tuxedo Black Memento from Tsukineko
Copic Sketch Markers
Coredinations cardstock
white cardstock
MME "Bohemia" print paper
American Crafts ribbon
pine cones
white Liquid Applique from Marvy-Uchida
Zots from Therm O' Web

Happy Snow Triptych

Here's another quickie post featuring a card previously made for the Stampendous Holiday '09 catalog. I plan on posting several from this particular catalog for a couple of reasons. Chances are unless you were a store owner and happened to have this catalog, you probably have never seen many of these samples. Also, I'm rather fond of them still, and had a lot of fun creating them! The focal point of this card is this cute "Happy Snow Trio", which were stamped and watercolored, and of course, I had to add pompoms on their hats! The three panels in the background were stamped with "Snowflake Symphony" and embossed using three colors of embossing powders. A simple ribbon knot and swirl paper clip complete the card. I would love to see what all of you are creating for the holidays, so please leave me a comment (I love comments) with a link to your latest creations!

"Happy Snow Trio" from Stampendous (M167)
"Snowflake Symphony" Perfectly Clear from Stampendous (SSC623)
Baby Blue Pastel (EP162), Lilac Pastel (EP182), and Blushing Pink Pastel (EP163) embossing powders from Stampendous
Multi Ultra-Fine Crystal Glitter from Stampendous (GM220U)
Versamark and Onyx Versafine inks from Tsukineko
watercolors
Bazzill Basics cardstock
white cardstock
ribbon, swirl clip, pompoms (Michael's)