I’ve had this set, A Cardinal Christmas, for a while and had trouble coming up with a design that I liked for this beautiful bird. I had tried embossing and watercoloring but it never looked the way I had imagined.  So this week, I tried using the Stampin’ Write Markers and coloring the stamp the different colors – Real Red, Garden Green with a touch of Old Olive, Close to Cocoa and More Mustard – then stamped on Whisper White paper.  I really liked the way it came out.  Then to dull the brightness a little, I sponged this panel with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.

Next, I really do like the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder featured in the Holiday Mini.  I used it iwth Real Red, matted it on Chocolate Chip paper,  and wrapped a piece of Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. Then rotated it to make a diamond shap.

Lastly, the card and card front.  The card front was created using Chocolate Chip cardstock and then stamped the leaves from the A Cardinal Christmas stamp set in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, added Clear Embossing Powder and then heated.  The image was stamped 4 times to get the desired look shown. Then matted onto the card (Close to Cocoa).

To assemble the card, add the diamond panel using SNAIL Adhesive, then the Cardinal, top panel using Stampin’ Dimensionals.  I really do like the way it came out and you can use this layout for many holiday sets, such as Home for Christmas or Good Cheer and many others.

Other suggestions:

1. Using the Big Shot or Circle Cutter to frame the Cardinal.
2. Create a Shadow Box card, again focusing on the Cardinal image.
3. Try watercoloring instead of the marker technique.

Happy Holidays!

First, cut a piece of Night & Day designer series paper (here black with white polka dots) 4 inches by 12.  Then score at the 5" and 7" mark and fold (making a triangle-type of shape).  Since this is designer series paper and thinner than the regular cardstock, I also cut a piece of 2×4 piece of Bermuda Bay paper at the bottom for better support.

For the front panel, I stamped the haunted house image and tree branches in Basic Black ink then used sponges to color "the sky" with Rich Razzleberry and Bermuda Bay.  Then matted the paper on a piece of Bermuda Bay paper. Then sponged the corners of the Bermuda Bay paper with black in as well. Adhere the front panel to the bag front using SNAIL Adhesive.

Fill a small cello bag with Kisses or desired candy or snack.

Lastly, create the desired greeting with black ink, Whisper White and Bermuda Bay cardstock. Then align the greeting, the bag, and the paper and hold close while punching a hole.  You can use the Crop-a-dile to create a large hole or a handheld punch if creating a small hole.  Thread the ribbon through them all and tie a bow.

Other View:

Other Thoughts:

• Use the Brayer Tool instead of Sponging.
• Use Black Embossing as in the In Color House of Haunts card.
• Use a brad or Build-a-Brad instead of ribbon to hold the bag shut.
• To make the project even simpler, don’t do any sponging, instead stamp the house image in Rich Razzleberry and the greeting in Bermuda Bay (for example). Eliminate all sponging and this project is a cinch, fast, and can be duplicated quickly to prepare many treat bags for your upcoming Halloween visitors.

Don’t forget to view the Holiday Mini to see more fun Halloween samples and new product!

Since Crystal Effects takes time to dry, I created this front panel first. Cut a 4 x 8 inch piece of patterned paper from Pawsitively Prints designer series paper and then added Crystal Effects on the green diagnonal striped pattern.  Set aside to dry while continuing to work on the bag.

Next I cut a 4-1/4 x 8 inch piece of Pretty In Pink cardstock and then used the Cutter’s Kit (Distressor Tool) to rough the edges. The above panel would then eventually be adhered to this panel using SNAIL Adhesive.

Next, cut a 1/2" x 8 inch piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamp the greeting across it again and again, and punch/place pink brads in between each phrase.

Then stamp the bears and balloons in Chocolate Chip Ink. Color the bear and balloons using Stampin’ Write Markers (I used Pretty In Pink, Summer Sun, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel). When finished, add Cystal Effects.  Set bag aside to dry.

Lastly, creating the Silk Flower.  Sponge flower with Pretty in Pink Classic Ink. Then re-sponge edges with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink. I then punched 2 flowers using the Boho Blossoms punch (in Pretty In Pink paper and the patterned paper), pierced them with a 1/16" Circle Handheld punch, and placed a green brad (from Soft Subtles Brad Collection) through the punched flowers and the large Silk Flower from the Pretties Kit.

Remember to check out the new Build-a-Bear product line in the Holiday Mini Catalog!