StampMonkeys

Using Photographs with Your Christmas Cards

I asked Karen W. if she wouldn't mind that I shared her card. Not only does she have beautiful kids, but it's a great example of adding photographs to a card that you stamp!

My image isn't that clear, but you can see what she did.

She used Old Olive card stock and printed her holiday letter on the inside. Then on the outside just stamped the "Merry! Merry!". I think that the best thing about the card is how well the colors she chose when she had the card printed match the Old Olive! It's a simple solution to something that a lot of people have to decide every year.

I personally love getting pictures and letters every year - but I also love the hand made cards too. This is a simple solution! With a little planning, measuring, etc. You can do it too! By the way, Karen's card is a full 8 1/2 x 11 sheet folded in half. The postage was the same because it wasn't too thick!

That's it for your holiday cards! Stay tuned...new things coming for the new year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Holiday Punched Cards

Don't you just love this card? How simple, and yet I can't stop looking at it! My SU! Demo friend Chris D. sent this over. The color choices are fabulous, and I LOVE how the different sized circles are just randomly placed with the little swirly on the side. Awesome card Chris! Thanks so much!

The second card is a fun way to use the Scallop Circle Punch. The black scallop is actually attached to the inside of the card and the front is punched to match it! So cute! You could make this type of card for any occasion, just change the stamps! Thanks Denise R - it's a fun card!

Christmas Card Catch-Up!

I have a few more cards that I received to share with you. Everyone is so talented, thanks again for sending them to me! :)

This cute snowman came from Maureen S. I miss the Cold Play stamp set - it's such a fun one to play with! She did a fantastic job masking everything and building the snowman. I love the little bit of glitter across the top of the snow!

So cute!

The second card is from Lisa P. - LOVE IT! I love the colors and the fun trees! Too bad that the Merry & Bright stamp set will be retired in a few weeks!

Speaking of...if you haven't seen the retiring stamp set list yet, make sure you check it out! You can see everything that's retiring online through my Stampin' Up! Business website - just click "Shop Now" and it's right there. The best part? The stamp sets are STILL available for 10% off! Get them at a discount while you still can!

Two for One Cards!

You just can't beat Christmas colors! This card is so pretty with Garden Green and Ruby Red. I love the window showing the reverse holly stamp! (I miss that stamp set, anyone remember the name of it?)

Very pretty! Thanks so much Bethany B. for sending it to me! (PS - Beth is expecting her first baby in a few months - congrats!)

I might as well keep it in the family - this next card is actually from Beth's mom, Anni R. The colors are so soothing! She used the Lovely as a Tree stamp set, which is always perfect for a Christmas card!

She used Glossy card stock and masked the moon before sponging the cloudy sky.

Gorgeous! Thanks Anni (and congrats to you too Gramma!)

Scallop Edge Warm Greetings

My friend Janelle, who I've known since I moved here to Rhode Island (over 10 years!) sent this card. Looks like she probably had the same "numb thumb" issue that I had since she used her Scallop Edge Punch!

It's very pretty, especially with the Riding Hood Red Ribbon to match. (I'm a little partial to it myself!)

Thanks Janelle!

Elegant Ornament

My friend, and downline member, Debby sent this card. It's so elegant with the gold embossing, don't you think?

She also used her Nestabilities (I think, please correct me if I'm wrong) to do the dry embossed rectangle around the ornament.

It's funny, I rarely use all white as my background, more as just something I stamp on and then cut out - this is just lovely though. I might have to try it more often!

Thanks Deb!

Snowman Film Strip

How cute is this little guy? My friend Ann Marie sent this one over - I LOVE it! So cute how he's peeking into the corner of the first frame. I also love the glitter in the last frame!

She used the Spiral Punch to give the "film strip" look to the three images.

It's a keeper! :) Thanks AMB!

Love the Plaid Ribbon!

I received this card from my cousin Stephanie. I LOVE the plaid ribbon! Simple and cute! My kind of card!

(Think about how many ways you could make a card that looks like this! Just swap out your image and greeting and you'd have something for every occasion!)

PS - just in case you are wondering, I have a garland swag (fake) on my mantle where we put all the cards we receive every year, that's why the background is different and you see lights!

Excuses... Excuses... and a card too!

So all of a sudden, a week went by, and nothing new here! Eeeek! I have a bunch of cards ready to post that have been mailed to me - they are all so pretty! I just haven't found the extra few minutes I need this week!

In past years during December, my husband starts working a swing shift with the Transportation Group for the US Postal Service. He coordinates all the priority mail packages to make sure that everything gets out of Providence as quickly as possible so that nothing is left behind for Christmas. Well, this year they weren't going to need his expertise, but at the last minute, they called. I wasn't prepared to be "mom" and "dad" that quickly! (Plus finishing up the Fall quarter at New England Tech!)

But here I am, the quarter is over, my husband is still on "nights" as I call it - meaning that I have to do dinner, baths, bedtime, and all the stuff by myself. Not that I complain (too loudly! hee), but it just takes every minute, you know?

So...since I have the rare luxury of both kids napping at the same time (which is where I want to be, especially with all the snow coming down!) I'm determined to get at least a few posts ready to go so you don't think that I fell off the earth! :)

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Like I mentioned, I've gotten a lot of pretty cards in the mail - so I thought I'd show you a few! Would you believe that this one is stamped, but with paint and a 3-month old's foot? What a cute idea! I received this from my friend Crystal who has a new little girl - so cute! I LOVE this idea! Too bad I won't be having any more kids where I can use this idea! But maybe some of you can! (I couldn't get a really clear picture of it, but I think you can get the idea. My only question is...did she stamp while Olivia was sleeping? (I can't imagine that she was awake and enjoyed getting the paint all over her toes!)

Enjoy!

A Very Merry Christmas Card

Isn't this pretty? I received this in the mail the other day from a friend/customer of mine - Ellen W. THANKS SO MUCH! I LOVE it!

She had fun with her Cuttlebug for this one - and the Navy with the White is so striking!

I'm almost ready to show you some sneak peeks of my Christmas card - until then, I'll put up some of the ones I've received. If you'd like yours featured here, just send it to me! :) (Send an email for my mailing address...)

Have a GREAT Monday!