Thursday, December 12, 2013

Merry Christmas Special Friends!


Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing two special cards that I made for two special friends that I met through Splitcoaststampers.  The first card is for Nancy ... we met while both on the CAS Design Team Winter 2011 and have been on-line friends every since.  We chat on-line most days ... sometimes several times a day! :)  We have A LOT in common - we are kindred spirits!  One of the biggest things we share is the love of making cards ... and we have a similar style - both CAS girls at heart.  I made this special card for Nancy and mailed it several days ago.  I waited to post until she received it, which she now has.  I wish you could see this in real life.  The wreath is made from lots and lots of glittery green pine sprigs, all layered together and then placed over the gold foil background - so shimmery and glittery.  The sentiment is heat embossed in gold to match the paper.

Here's a close-up, followed by an angled shot so that you can see all the dimension of the wreath:








Stamps:  Christmas greetings (SU!)
Paper:  White, Green Glitter (Michael's); Gold Foil (SU!)
Ink:  Gold
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Wreath Strip die (Cheery Lynn), Circle nesties (Spellbinders), 1 1/4" square punch, gold cording, gold embossing powder, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals



I do love this wreath strip die as it cuts out seven sprigs at a time ... a lot easier than punching (or die-cutting) each one separately.  In fact, I love this die so much, that I included it as part of Nancy and Debbie's Christmas gifts (see Debbie's card below).

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Here's the card I made for my special friend, Debbie.  We also met on Splitcoaststampers and have become good friends, chatting most days (and as the same with Nancy, sometimes several times a day).  I love Debbie's outlook on life.  She has the most amazing sense of humor and keeps me laughing.  We also share a passion for card making and have a similar style.  Debbie loves red ... so I wanted to make a beautiful poinsettia card for her.  This one has sponging around the outside of each petal to add depth, then it was shaped with my stylus and the layers were glued together.  I added a gold foil center to match the background paper, which was embossed for added interest.  The same sentiment as the first card, also heat embossed in gold.

Here's a close-up, followed by an angled shot so that you can see all the dimension of the poinsettia:








Stamps:  Christmas greetings (SU!)
Paper:  White; Real Red, Gold Foil (SU!)
Ink:  Real Red (SU!); Gold
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps), Square nestie (Spellbinders), Musical Flourish embossing folder (Cuttlebug), gold embossing powder, stylus and mat, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals


A very Merry Christmas to my two special friends and their families - love you both!

I'm entering these two cards in the following challenges:

CAS on Sunday (#23 - Christmas)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge (#154 - make a card for someone special)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra - December
Snippets Playground (Week #102)
ATS&M - #75 - photo inspiration







31 comments:

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

Oooh - I do love these cards Loll - the wreath is awesome and I love how you placed it on a gold "window". I am a huge fan of Christmas wreaths and I was amazed to learn from your Post, that there is a branch strip die -WOW - I shall be checking that out! Although I love my MS branch punch, it is so hard on the wrist and it takes quite a while to punch enough leaves! Thank you for the info Loll.
The Poinsettia is also amazing and really pops from the embossed gold background. Fabulous!
Sylvia xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Two stunning card Loll, tat Cheery Lynn wreath die is on my 'wish list' and your poinsettia looks lovely against the embossed background

Anne

Colorado Crafter said...

Lovely cards, Loll. I like how you used the foil paper on them. I've hoarded quite a few different colors of foil cardstock and I think I've only used some of it a couple of times. You're inspiring me to get it out and use it!

And I hope you won't mind a question on another topic. You have mentioned that when you use die cuts, you often glue several of them together to make a sturdier piece. So, I'm curious what brand or kind of adhesive you use to do that so that they don't warp. The only one that I have found so far that doesn't warp my paper/cardstock is Zip Dry. I find it to be sort of a pain to use, so I wondered if you have a good liquid adhesive that doesn't warp your cardstock. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Betty said...

both your cards are gorgeous but especially love the first one!!!

Barb Ghig said...

Both of your cards are stunning, Loll! I love all of your attention to detail, which makes you the amazing crafter that you are! I'm sure both of your friends will cherish their cards for a long time to come, too!

Kylie said...

Stunning, stunning, stunning. No other word, sorry! LOVE these cards, Loll xx

Kylie said...

and thank you so much for playing along at ATSM xx

Wendy said...

Oh my, both cards are gorgeous, Loll!! That gold foil paper just makes your wreath & poinsettia pop! Lucky girls!!!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Holy smokes, Loll! These are outright amazing!

Lee-Anne said...

These are both totally gorgeous and totally amazing, Loll! Love!

Bonnie said...

Two gorgeous cards for 2 very special people! I love the metallic backgrounds. The pine sprig wreath is so pretty! And so is the poinsettia!

Cathy said...

2 beautiful cards Loll, the wreath is stunning as is the poinsettia, and both look fabulous on the gold backgrounds, Cathy x

MaryH said...

Jiminy, all I can say is a double BIG WOW! for each of these lovely cards. They are simply regal & stunning. Isn't it one of the best things about this card blog hobby that we can meet and 'get to know' the most amazing people? And it seems like we are kindred spirits...more so than 'actual local' friends? I'm sure each person was so pleased to receive such a mini masterpiece from you. That gold mirror paper window background left me speechless. Thank you for sharing the inspiration and beauty with the rest of us! Hugs.

Benzi said...

Your wreath is absolutely gorgeous and it almost looks as if sunshine is shining through the window with that gold foil.
The poinsettia is gorgeous, too. I love the center and the pretty embossing on the gold foil.

I'm sure your friends are enjoying these wonderful creations.

sandie said...

Both wonderful and thanks for sharing with is at ATSM. Card making is a fabulous way to make lasting friendships and I feel blessed that I have met so many wonderul friends x

shirley-bee said...

These are stunning cards, Loll! Love the frosty wreath, and the embossed gold background on the poinsettia card. The shading on the poinsettia petals adds so much depth. Beautiful!

Hazel said...

These are stunningly beautiful - love the dimension of the wreath and the poinsettia and the gold backgrounds show them off to perfection - thanks for entering both of my CHNC challenges - hope to see you again soon. x

anja curvers said...

Wow two beautiful cards love them. Thank you for joining us over at CAS on sunday.

Di said...

Oh Loll, these are gorgeous! What lovely friends, who will no doubt be delighted!

I neeeeeed to check out the wreath die, sounds a great idea!

Hugs, Di xx

Darnell said...

Gulp! More stunningness from you, my friend!! Your creations look like they are being lit from behind by Christmas candles!! You knock my socks off every time!! Hugs, Dolly

Canonbury creations said...

What can I say Loll, two more wonderful cards, love the idea of a strip of pine leaves:)
Val x

Jeanne H said...

Like everyone else, I think your cards today are beautiful, stunning, wonderful, gorgeous, ...just cannot think of enough words! Wish I had your skill, but am learning to be more confident, so I will keep working on making pretty things. Thanks for sharing your craft. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Karen M said...

Stunning cards Loll - I love them both:) Hugs xx

Julia Aston said...

Two beauties Loll! Love the green wreath against the gold panels - and that gorgeous red poinsettia! Wonderful clean, CAS designs!

nancy littrell said...

I wish you all could see this dazzling wreath and gold background card in real life. It is amazingly creative and gorgeous. Thank you again Loll for being such a treasured friend. It continues to surprise me at how much we have in common. I would agree...kindred spirits for sure.

Debbie's card is so gorgeous too. I love the eb foil and beautiful die cut RED poinsettia. I am sure Debbie LOVED her card too.

Merry Christmas Loll to you and your family. Hugs, Nancy

Basslady said...

wow! so elegant and classy! love it!

hugs and kisses from germany,
silvi xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Loll. Both cards are very beautiful. The first one has a very delicate feel and the second one a rich and sumptuous one, both perfect for Christmas. Thanks for joining the fun at ATSM. Monika

Nonni said...

These are both wonderful, Loll! Thank you also SO MUCH for the amazingly beautiful card I received in mail today, I really love it. This design of yours is wonderful, no matter if the wreath is made out of felt or of shiny card -it works with everything! Many hugs! xx

Danielle Vincent said...

Absolute elegance Loll! The wreath card nearly left me speechless - how fabulous. Hope your holidays are wonderful. Thanks so much for joining us at ATS&M.

Darnell said...

Hi, Lolly! I am popping back to congratulate you on the honors over at Addicted to Stamps and More!! Well-deserved! Holiday Hugs, Dolly

Unknown said...

gorgeous! i love all of these!