#52: I love snowflakes!

I have an awful lot of snowflake and snowflake-themed stamps, but since I don't make my own Christmas cards, they don't see as much use as they should. I love to incorporate them into other types of cards, like this get-well card for a co-worker.
Here's the cover: .... and then a small scan of the inside:


The card is 6"x6" and I think all the stamps are from various $1.00 bins.

The round snowflake punch is an old one from All Night Media, and the snowflake border punch on either side of the "Get Well Soon" is Martha Stewart's embossing border punch. (Note to self: The embossing shows on the underside of the cardstock, so put the cardstock into the punch upside down....)

The wonderful sparkly chipboard letters are from the Dollar Spot at Target-- some of the prettiest I've ever seen! I only got two packages, so I'll definitely need to make a return trip for more, now that I've seen what a nice touch they add.

Hope all your holiday plans are coming together. Try not to stress, OK?

#39: Fiskars Border and Corner Punch

I love-love-LOVE punches of all kinds, but I'm really impressed with one of the new Fiskars Border and Corner punches. I haven't seen them in stores, yet, but did purchase one at a recent Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking show in Syracuse, NY.

The names of the punches are truly, truly awful (one that's a woven-type of style is called "Lattice Entertain You".....), but I just adore the beautiful intricacy of the one I purchased, called "Comin' Up Roses."

You must start with a square or rectangle that's measured in full inch increments. There are actually two punches, side-by-side: the corner punch and the border. You begin by pressing both simultaneously, then move your paper/cardstock along the very clearly marked base, pressing only the border punch, to make your design. When there's one inch remaining, turn the paper 90 degrees and repeat. One of the easiest punch systems I've ever used, with spectacularly intricate results. It almost appears laser-cut.

On this sample, I used a heavy cream paper matted on black cardstock, resulting in a simple, but elegant, sympathy card. With the right stamp and by substituting a pretty pink or green mat, and it could be a wonderfully feminine birthday card.

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Stamp: My Sentiments Exactly! Clear Stamps "Sympathy Sentiments" (Set #M123)
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#26: Susan's Punches

Last fall, Susan of Gingerwood offered a wonderful 40 piece set of punches for sale, at a ridiculously low price. (Yes-- FORTY. The entire upper case alphabet, the numbers, and all the math symbols, such as +, -, x, ÷, and =, with the letter O doubling as the zero.) She then packed them up in the most ingenious way to save me shipping costs, and I've enjoyed them more than you can know.

Today, I just wanted to make something cheerful and colorful. The punches were calling to me, as well. This is the card I came up with, and every time I look at it, I smile. I might have to keep it for myself.

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I think Susan said she originally purchased the punches at Costco.
The flowers are brads, manufacturer unknown.
Ribbon is from after-Christmas clearance at Wal-Mart.
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#25: Happy New Year!

With the start of a brand-new year, here's wishing each of you great happiness in all you do.

Thanks for visiting!

~Mary

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Punches used:

~1¾" and 2" Scalloped Squares from Marvy-Uchida

~Ornamental Bracket by Anna Griffin (punched at each corner of smaller scallop)

~Card corners: Punch by McGill, name unknown

Thanks Stamp:

Stampin' Up

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