Wooden Ornaments for Yvonne Blair Designs

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Oh I love home crafted Christmas ornaments. Every year I try and make a few new ornaments for my tree. This has become a tradition that my family looks forward to each year. Today, I would like to share with you one of  this year's new designs using Yvonne's Compass stamp from Impression Obsession. 

Compass

You can also use several of Yvonne's other stamps, I give you some ideas in the video link below.

 

For the base of the ornament I'm using these wooden shapes I grabbed at a local craft shop. This bag was under $5 and as you can see we will be able to make lot of ornaments.

I filled in the knots on the wood with Modeling paste so that I can get a smooth surface  for stamping.  You can leave these natural with  a white wash of gesso or you can paint them if you like.

In the video below, I will share with you two versions that I created, so that you can decide which technique you like best.   But both are gorgeous.

It was easier to add the foiling  on the chalkboard version because the paint helped to make the surface smooth.  But if natural look is what you like, I think it turned it nice as well. It is just harder to see the foiling.  If you decided to go with this technique, I suggest bold and heavy designs for your stamping. Thick and large fonts will show up better.

Here is the video sharing how I did the technique.

Watch on YouTube

Wasn't that fun?   I want to make a bunch these. They would be great to add to packages, and share with your friends and family.  Or create a set and give them as a gift.  Thank you so much for hanging out with me today. 

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Christmas Cards

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We are quickly approaching the hustle of the Holiday Season. I don't know about you, but my world is a whirl wind of constant motion this time of year.  I barely have time to sleep, let alone knock out STACKS of Christmas cards.  I'm sure I'm not alone!  Although I don't "mail" out stacks of Christmas Cards, I do like to have a few handy just in case.  This is a great opportunity to pull out last year's paper collections, and use those holiday scraps from this year's projects.

Today, I would like to share with you a few "simple" designs that will encourage you to simplify without compromising elegance. Both of these cards can be made by ANYONE in a matter of seconds.

I just finished a major project, that I will share with you later, and I took this opportunity to quickly knock out  these cards with scraps.  As you know, my philosophy is always USE those scraps immediately, and cards are the perfect way.

For elegance my advice is keep it simple.  A monochromatic color selection will maintain sophistication without a lot of fuss. 

For this card, I decided to use a simple clean white label to break up the busy pattern in the background.   A few simple touches like the punched border, fancy label shape and script stamp make this simple design elegant and fun.

 

Supplies needed for above card:

• Card base - White Card stock 11 x 4.25inches folded in half to yield a 4.25inches x 5.5 inches.
• A scrap of paper to use as a base.  I used Teresa Collins' Santa's List - Red Flakes.
• Border Punch (I used Martha Stewart Crafts Pinking Scallop Edge Punch)
• Labels Punch (I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies, Labels 4)
• Sentiment Stamp (I used Inkadinkado Merry Christmas)
• Ranger Archival Ink Vermilion
• Baker's Twine
• Gelly Roll pen -  stardust  (I traced around the label with this pen, you could also trace the snowflakes with it).

 

 

The pop of glitter, and one iconic simple image, makes this card pack a powerful statement.  I love that it looks complicated, without much effort! My advice is find a simple iconic image that conveys your message, and remember less is sometimes more!

 

Supplies needed for the above card:

• Card base - White Card stock 11 x 4.25inches folded in half to yield a 4.25inches x 5.5 inches.
• 1/2 Inch  Corner Punch (I used the We R Memory Keepers)
• Cosmo Cricket Glitter Sheets in Starlet (THESE GLITTER SHEETS DO NOT SHED - AMAZING!)
• Sentiment Stamp (I used Inkadinkado Merry Christmas)
• Ranger Archival Ink Vermilion
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations - Embossing Diffuser.
• Provo Craft - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
• Silver Ribbon
• Silhouette Cameo (Ornament) from Echo Park

I encourage you to go through Christmas past paper collections and see if you can duplicate a few of these simple designs.   Don't have a Silhouette?  Never fear, lots of companies have similar images available in dies, go through your stash and see if you can substitute another design. Just remember simplicity is key, especially if you want to mail these cards.

I just love that  both card designs can easily be modified to work with any occasion.

Hope I have inspired you to use up your scraps and make some great simple Holiday cards.  Remember to keep it simple, so you have time to make the memories that matter!

Thanks for stopping in today,

Tonya Gibbs
http://www.psychomomscrapbooks.blogspot.com

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