Merriest Memories of Gingerbread

This season's theme for me is "work smarter, not harder" based on the Backstage@Home conference I attended in August.  One of the ways that I am applying that to my life in general is by finding ways to cut back on the stresses that come with the holidays.  While making a Shutterfly card is fun and easy, it's usually something that still stresses me out to create.  And then it comes, and it's a little matte and a lot of flat.  So this year, I needed to find a card that I could make that would hold a printed photo and newsletter while also letting me take the time to create each and every one.

To some people, that sounds horrible and like a big time commitment.  But if you are reading my blog post, you are one of those people that likes taking the time to create a special card for whatever the occasion.  The key is to find a design that is easy to replicate with what you have on hand and to START EARLY!  No waiting until November to try to knock these out.

So, the easiest way to create layers of fun that still mail is to combine our dies and punches with our DSP and stamp sets.  The Merriest Moments Bundle is a great tool to help with that since it has stamps, dies, and a hybrid embossing folder that combines them all together.

But, before I stumbled onto that amazing bundle, I had intended to use the Gingerbread and Peppermint Suite in the JD mini catalog (pg 8).  I loved the idea of our Gingerbread & Peppermint Memories and More Cards & Envelopes for our family photo card.  My plan was to cut out the shapes from the DSP with the Gingerbread Dies and just create while drinking a gingerbread latte.  So I bought a lot of stuff to do those.

Here is where the worlds collide.  Using the Gingerbread DSP and the Merriest Moments bundle, I was able to design a fun card front that will mail easy and screams holiday.  

And, to keep the photo card idea, I turned the card inside out so when you open it, you will see the photo and and then I will add my newsletter.  I'm so excited with how this turned out and how much fun these will be to mass create!

Sometimes the most fun cards are the ones that happen when you just let yourself play with your supplies. 

Supplies: 

• Stamps: Merriest Moments
• Cardstock: Cinnamon Cider, Basic White, Gingerbread and Peppermint 6x6 DSP
• Ink: Cinnamon Cider
• Tools & More: Cut & Emboss Machine, Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing Folder, Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, Adhesive

Instructions:

• Put a 4 x 6 piece of Cinnamon Cider Cardstock through your cut and emboss machine using the largest die in the set.  
• Put a 4 x 6 piece of Basic White in the embossing folder with the large die also in there and run through the Cut & Emboss Machine with the indicated sandwich.  
• Run the white piece through the cut and emboss machine again using the large intricate die.
• Attach a 1 1/4 x 6 strip of the Gingerbread & Peppermint DSP to the card with adhesive. 
• Layer the white die cut image on the cider cardstock using adhesive and add to the card.
• Cut out the rectangle of coordinating or matching DSP using the stitched die.
• Stamp your saying in Cinnamon Cider ink on a 1 3/4 x 2 1/2 piece of Basic White.
• Add saying to the DSP with adhesive and then add to the card with dimensionals.
• Add red rhinestones as desired. 

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy