The Making of my 2016 Christmas Card

Every year, I create a new design for a Christmas card and make them in batches. This year, I've made an embossed set of cards that are simple and elegant.

Here's a shot of a bunch of the cards together:

Here's an up close look at the "snowflake" card. 

I used an embossing folder to make the snowflake impressions

with my Cuttlebug.

I stamped Isaiah 9:6 inside the card in Holiday Red ink

from Close to My Heart.

Here's an up close look at the "dots" card.

I used an embossing folder with my Cuttlebug, again.

For the red ornament, I used Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy cartridge. 

And the ornament image on page 33.

I cut the image from red card stock on my Cricut Explore Air, sizing it to 1.5 x 2.5". 

I cut thin strips of the same red card stock to use for the "string" holding the ornament.

I stamped the word "Joy" on each ornament with Versamark Ink

then heat embossed with white embossing powder.

I love how they turned out!

Happy Crafting!

~Tricia

Close To My Heart HAUL and New Flower Market Cricut Cartridge

I've uploaded my latest video, this one of a Close To My Heart Haul which includes the new Flower Market Cricut Cartridge. Just look what I did with the handbook!

Check it out here: https://youtu.be/spt66JDjISc

Thanks for watching!
Happy Crafting!
~Tricia

Easy, Fun Hostess Gift

We were invited to brunch by some dear friends this Saturday and they insisted we bring nothing. Since bringing nothing is really not an option, I went to my studio and created a hostess gift. So, while we're not taking food, we are taking a hostess gift to thank our dear friends for their hospitality.

I created a set of cards, each one slightly different:

I simply used the Martha Stewart lacy border punch to create layers of lace and topped each off with a strip of decorative paper and a simple embellishment.

I created the layers by punching the lace on one side of 1" strips of card stock and gluing them to the base, which was also punched on one end. The strip of decorative paper hides the seam created by gluing the pieces on top of one another. 

Making cards is fun, easy, economical and quick. These cards are blank on the inside.

If you would like a set of similar cards, let me know in the comments. 

A set of six cards, with envelopes, is $12.00, including shipping. Embellishments will vary and may not necessarily be the ones shown.

~Tricia

The Osprey Catch

Besides writing, crafting, home making, home schooling, cooking, baking and child rearing, I love photography. 

You can see my gallery of photos here.  The picture featured below is in the gallery, but it's featured here because, just today, this photo won Viewbug's Spring Selection Award!

"The Osprey Catch"

This picture was taken while we were on a ship touring the area of Michigan where Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. It was a gorgeous day and I'd been snapping photos all day. My son saw this Osprey circling for fish and I began snapping over and over in order to catch him in the act of catching one. Finally, I got it! The perfect picture! After he caught this, another Osprey tried to take it away from him.

To all you aspiring photographers out there, I say go for it! Don't be afraid to showcase your photos and enter them in contests. If I can win, so can you!

Happy Photographing!

~Tricia