Christmas 2021 Cards

 

This week's party continues here.

I had maybe the most fun I've ever had with making Christmas cards this year. I've really focused on learning how to work with layered cut files and while I am still a novice at making my own, I almost don't need to ( except for my innate stubborn nature and wanting to do "all the things" ) with all of the amazing files that are out there. For these, I used files from Creative Fabrica and Sweet Red Poppy 

Disclosure: I am a Creative Fabrica affiliate so I do get a small benefit if you order through my link

Supplies:

• Christmas Scrapbook Papers (I used various packages from Michaels)
• Foiled Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
• White 110lb Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
• Foam Squares / Tape (Dollar Tree)
• Coordinating Sequins, Glue, Tape Runner

I used a combination of papers I already had and ones I got new this year because I'm a paper addict and Michaels keeps coming out with gorgeous papers and when they have their buy one get 2 free Hot Buys can you blame me?! 

This year I added White Christmas: 

and Evergreen

and this week (12/12-12/18) they're on sale for $4.99 each!!! Hmmm...

I can never decide on just one style both because the papers are too inspiring and the cutting files too plentiful. So I did some with silver as the primary, some with gold, and some red. 

I'm also having fun playing with a great site called Designify I learned about from Abbi Kirsten, one of my favorite designers, who taught a workshop I attended called The Magic of SVGs and showed how to easily remove backgrounds from photos. Basic use of the site is free ( you can pay to upgrade ) and includes some backgrounds like the one I used in the focal image. 2021 was supposed to be the year I really focused on skills but it had other plans and distractions and I'm glad to be able to get back to it. 2022...don't get any ideas! 

For the red cards, I used papers from last year's Hot Buys: Christmas Red and White.

I imported, sized, and cut my images using Cricut Design Space and my Cricut Explore 2, and then layered them using foam squares and foam tape then finished them by adding adhesive rhinestones and coordinating sequins. 

Cardmaking remains my first crafting love! 

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! It's been a week that's gone by quickly and slowly at the same time. I'm not sure how that's possible but that's how it's felt for me. The clock stays ticking and we're almost within the two week window for Christmas which seems hard to believe. Looks like you've all been creative and busy Elves, getting presents done and your halls decked. 

Let's take a look at some of your inspiring ideas!

These Icing Cones from Studio 27 by Jennifer Adams look good enough to eat don't they? However don't! They're made from ... spackle! What a wonderful addition to holiday kitchen decor and/or a Hot Chocolate Bar. 

Even if you don't have a digital cutting machine you can still make beautiful papercuts like this gorgeous tree by Priyam at Simple Joys. Great for a card, ornament, or package topper. 

Speaking of trees, LOVE these rust Twine and Wood Piece Trees from Saved From Salvage! 

Finally, if you're looking for a special holiday dessert, you can never go wrong with a Chocolate Mousse and this one from Kiku Corner looks perfect! 

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

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Christmas: DIY Acrylic Ornaments

 

I had so much fun with these easy to make ornaments! I found these plain acrylic disc ornaments at Michaels and they were a must get! They can be painted, papered, or as shown here, are the perfect surface for vinyl. 

Supplies:

• Acrylic Disc Ornaments (Michaels)
• Assorted Vinyl and Transfer Tape
• Assorted Beads
• Snowflake Ornament Hooks (Walmart)
• Misc Jewelry Supplies (Jump Rings, Head Pins, Pliers)
• Design
• Digital Cutter (Cricut, Silhouette, etc. )

NOTE: This project assumes a digital cutting machine and familiarity with applying vinyl but you could use a die cutter to cut the images or cut images using an X-Acto knife. 

The ornaments come 18 pieces to a package. Regular price is $9.99 w/out sale or coupon. I used Cricut Glitter Vinyl and a metallic turquoise vinyl I had in my stash. The images I used were various ones I had in my collection. 

First step is to size your images to fit the ornaments. These are 3 inches in diameter so you want to size your image slightly smaller. Then cut and weed your vinyl. Set aside and prepare your surface. 

I used glass cleaner and paper towels but you could also use alcohol to clean them. You want to make sure you remove any residue plus you want a clean surface! Then apply the transfer tape and apply your image to the ornament. 

Once you've positioned your vinyl then use your scraping tool to apply. Remove transfer tape. Now it's time to embellish! 

I added some iridescent rhinestones to the trees on these, and some black ones on the gnome. 

I picked up these cute snowmen beads at JoAnn's when they were having a great sale. They were perfect for the turquoise. I also found these snowflake ornament hangers at Walmart. I wish I'd bought more! I strung the bead onto a head pin, closed, then  used a large jump ring to attach the ornament hanger to the ornament and a smaller jump ring to attach the bead. Same process for the others shown using coordinating beads. 

And there you are! 

One of my friends did a Krampus tree this year so I had to make her an ornament for it! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy December everyone! The time crunch is ON! I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and for those who began celebrating Hanukkah, hope it's been fun. It was just the two of us but I cooked like it was 20 of us only without the stress of what mood(s) guests would be in and not having to time cooking to drive, pick up relatives, cook, drive relatives home etc. It was freaking glorious. The halls are now all decked and full speed ahead until Christmas which will be wonderful this year because thanks to the pandemic last year, it was the first one we didn't spend with our son and he'll be here this year! Thank you 🎅🏾.

I don't know about you but the hardest part of this time of year for me is being busy making things that you can't post because they're gifts for people you don't want to see them! However, you can share them here so let's take a look at some ideas from last week's party ok?

If you're still looking for some fun decor projects, these Yarn Loop Trees from The Apple Street Cottage are easy and festive! And there are so many fun yarns to play with.

I love a good Dollar Store project and this Ornament Wreath from Life as a LEO Wife is pretty and easy on the budget. 

My blog is really about this next blog's perfect name: Makeable Crafts. Festive accent pillows can change the whole feel of a room. These are no exception! 

Finally, it's the time of year when dinner needs to be easily doable with everything else going on right? These French Dips from Homemade On A Weeknight are PERFECT for that! 

Alright all you Santa's Elves, let's see what you've been up to this week. 

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BFF Open House Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving  all! By the time you see this you will have probably gobbled til you wobbled. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday. It's full speed ahead from here on out and keeping it simple this week with just the link-up and no features. Wishing everyone who will be celebrating Hanukkah starting this weekend much love, light, and latkes! I'm grateful for fellow creatives who choose to share your work and talents here each week! 

 

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Christmas Decor: Layered Christmas Stocking

 

"It's the most wonderful of the year" also the busiest but definitely fun! As a Maker, it's definitely my favorite. And another favorite this making season continues to be layered cut files that so many Makers keep coming up with and sharing, I can hardly keep up! For this project I used one from a collection of Layered Ornaments from one of my favorite creators, Kimberly from Sweet Red Poppy. Whether you sew, do papercrafts or just love pretty things, you really need to check out her blog! 

NOTE: This project assumes familiarity with how to use your machine's software. 

Supplies: 

• Layered SVG Files (I used the stocking from this collection by Sweet Red Poppy)
• Cutting Machine (I used my Cricut Explore 2. These also work for Silhouette)
• Gold Foil, Cream, Silver Glitter cardstock (All, Recollections from Michaels)
• Background Paper ( I used sheets from the White Christmas stack, Michaels)
• Display Case Frames (Michaels)
• Foam Dots
• Embellishments (I used Wood Stars from Dollar Tree)

For the smaller stocking, I used a silver display case frame from my stash. I pick these up whenever they're a buy one get one at Michaels. The 8x8 frames come 3 to a package and the 12x12 come two to a package so when they're a BOGO it's a great deal! For the 12x12, I thought I had silver but alas, no so to the craft paints! Here's where what some might call a craft fail, I prefer to call a happy accident! I took the frame apart since I was going to paint it. Set the glass and insert aside. 

You might think I used a crackle medium. Nope! I took out some silver chalk paint and apparently it's a wee bit old and had separated. Oops. I stirred and shook it but when I applied it it crackled itself! While I thought I was going to go with a solid silver finish, as I watched this happen I was actually quite happy. Ergo, happy accident! 

The next step was to prepare my layers. The stocking comes in five layers but I wanted it simpler so I hid two of the layers and used the ones shown sized to 6 inches tall for the smaller stocking and 10 inches for the larger. 

Once you've sized your layers, cut them on your machine. Here are my completed and cut layers. 

Once you have all of your layers assemble using foam dots/squares/tape. For the top layer I cut the squares in half to fit the more narrow border. 

Working from the back of your layers, place the foam squares around the cutout, then flip and attach to your base layer. Repeat with the top layer. 

The reason I only did three of the layers is because I'd chosen a star background paper and was excited to use these wood stars I found at the Dollar Tree ( once again..."why didn't I buy more of these?!") because I went back and gone, baby, gone. I put small drops of glue (Ranger, Glossy Accents) on the back and applied to the stockings as shown. 

Squeal! I instantly fell in love with this White Christmas Hot Buy stack at Michaels. This week (11/21-11/27) they're my favorite...buy one get two free so get thee to a Michaels if you are looking for some pretty holiday scrapbook paper. I chose the paper I wanted for my background and cut one sheet to fit the 8x8 and trimmed the other to fit the 12x12 and then adhered to the inside of the frame back using double sided tape. Then I adhered the stocking using more double sided tape and assembled the frames. 

I am so happy with how they turned out! The color combinations are endless. I am so addicted to these beautiful and intricate layered files. 

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