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Sneak Peek: Sweet Strawberry

Happy Birthday / December 26, 2020 / JJ2021, Punch Bundle, Sneak Peek

As promised, here is a look at the future-a sneak peek from the JJ2021 mini catalog that will begin on January 5, 2021. Today’s card features the NEW Sweet Strawberry Punch Bundle.

Begin with a White card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
Using the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine and the Best Plaid Builder Dies, cut the larger square plaid die with Basic Black cardstock and the thinner die with Real Red cardstock.
Layer the black plaid onto the white cardstock using liquid glue. Next adhere the red plaid on top of the black layer.
Using the Sweet Strawberry Bundle, stamp the strawberry in Real Red and the leaves in Granny Apple Green on white cardstock and punch out.
Cut the largest circle from the Stitched Shapes die from white cardstock and layer to the upper left of the card base.
Adhere the two strawberries and green leaf tops to the circle.
Stamp the birthday greeting on white cardstock and cut out using the Stitched Rectangles Dies and layer this white onto a 1 x 3” piece of Real Red cardstock.
Adhere two leaves to one side of the greeting and one leaf on the other. Secure to card using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Place three Red Rhinestones randomly on card front.

This Sweet Strawberry Bundle will be available to purchase beginning January 5, 2021.

I hope you enjoyed today’s sneak preview and will stop back tomorrow for some more crafting fun.

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Merry Christmas to you all! I hope your day is filled with love, fun and laughter. Whether you are gathering with friends or spending a quite day alone, I wish you many blessings for a perfect day.

Since it is Christmas Day and I have been posting a lot of Christmas cards from the PRESENT, I thought it would be fun to feature some cards from the PAST. Regarding the FUTURE, stop back tomorrow for a sneak peak preview from the JJ 2021 mini catalog, which will begin on January 5th.

If you are a preferred customer, you should have already received your copy in the mail, if not, please reach out to me!

Enjoy this parade of cards, who knows maybe you will recognize some of these retired sets and perhaps you even own a few. LOL Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Past Challenge! Can you name any of these retired sets? Send me an email at blessedbycards@yahoo.com with your answers and put #ChristmasPast in the subject line. You could be the winner of the Christmas Past Challenge! Challenge ends on Monday December 28th.

One winner will be chosen randomly and receive a Mystery Package of PAST goodies from me! The winner will be announced on my December 29th blog post!

Again, Have A Very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! And don’t forget to join in on the Christmas Past Challenge-email me before midnight (CST) December 28th. You never know, you just might be the winner! Let me know what you think of the challenge, comments a are always appreciated and welcome!

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Spread Some Christmas Cheer!

1 Comment / Christmas 2020 / December 24, 2020 / Northern Lights, video

Merry Christmas Eve and of course it is never to late to spread some Christmas cheer! And just how do we do that? Well, there is a great quote from one of my favorite Christmas movies…..can you guess which one! Today’s card features Christmas Means More and it will give you a clue to the movie!

Begin with a Crumb Cake card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
Layer a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Cherry Cobbler on the card front.
Cut a 2 ¼ x 5 ¼” strip of the Crumb Cake stars from the Classic Christmas Designer Series paper pack and layer it across the middle of the Cherry Cobbler panel.
Stamp the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink on Whisper White cardstock and cut it out using the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine and the Layering Square Dies.
Using the Layering Square Dies, cut a scallop square from Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake cardstock. I love how easy it is to build layers with these dies. You might want to check out the Layering Circle and Ovals in the annual catalog as well. They really do take the guess work out of layering.
Place a Stampin’ Dimensional on all four corners and adhere to the Crumb Cake strip.
Add three Gold Metallic Pearls to the Cherry Cobbler panel.
Stamp your favorite Merry Christmas sentiment on the inside using Cherry Cobber ink. I used the Merry Christmas from the Tag Buffet stamp set. I added a Gold Metallic Pearl to the “i” in Christmas.

Have you guessed the movie yet? If you guessed ELF, then you would be correct. Give yourself a Gold star, or better yet, reward yourself with a pack of Gold and Silver Metallic Pearls.

So it turns out that I prepared this blog post ahead of time and now the Christmas Means More stamp set is sold out! So if you have this set, enjoy the card idea. If you don’t have it, keep reading, there is another Christmas card for you using the Snow Wonder Bundle, which is still available!

The technique that I used for this card is called Northern Lights and it is sponging of colors!

Begin with a Gorgeous Grape card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
On a piece of Whisper White cardstock cut at 4 x 5 ¼” sponge your color of choices to create the Northern Lights. Below is a video on the technique. I prepared this video for a virtual event, but the technique is still the same.
Before laying your “Northern Lights” panel, tear a few strips of Whisper White cardstock to create snow drifts and adhere them to bottom of your Northern Lights scene.
Stamp the sentiment in Memento Black ink in the snow and layer onto the card front. I used the greeting from Itty Bitty Christmas featured in the annual catalog. Stamp can cut out the snowman from the Snow Wonder Bundle and add a splash of color (as much as you like) using the Stampin’ Blends. I used Shaded Spruce and Real Red.

Stay safe, enjoy your loved ones and Have a Very Merry Christmas!

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Classic Christmas Paper Pack
#155969 $11.50

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Everything Essential for the Holidays!

Anniversary & Love-Weddings / December 23, 2020 / Be Mine, Bundle, punch

Today’s card feature the Everything Essential Bundle. This cute little set will be retiring soon and include a tag punch that is great for Halloween, Christmas and even Valentine’s Day! Yes, that holiday will be coming up soon enough. You can find this set on page 61 of the Aug-Dec Holiday mini catalog.

Begin with a Melon Mambo card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
Using the Essential Tag Punch included in this bundle, punch out 3 tags from the Plaid Tidings Designer Series paper pack and 4 Whisper White tags. On 3 of the Whisper White tags stamp the little hearts stamp in Melon Mambo and Seaside Spray ink.
On the 4^th Whisper White tag, stamp the Be Mine image in Melon Mambo Ink and punch it out with the Essential Tag punch.
Adhere the punched tags to the Melon Mambo card base with Stampin’ Seal and place the Be Mine image in the middle using some Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Here is another version of this same card using the Plaid Tidings DSP pack.

Here is another card version just in case you do not have any of the Plaid Tiding Designer Series paper.

Begin with a Melon Mambo card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
Using the Essential Tag Punch included in this bundle, punch out 3 tags from Whisper White cardstock and stamp the little hearts stamp in Melon Mambo and Seaside Spray ink randomly on tag.
Stamp the Be Mine stamp in Melon Mambo ink onto some Whisper White cardstock and punch out using the Essential Tag punch. TIP: Pay attention to how you stamp these out as two of them will need to have the fancy part of the tag at the bottom of the image and you want to be sure that your heart is not upside down.
With the same “Be Mine” stamp, ink only the wording in Memento Black ink and stamp on some Whisper White scraps.
Using your paper snips, fussy cut the black “Be Mine” out and adhere it to the original wording stamped in Melon Mambo.
Color in the flowers on the Be Mine tags using the Seaside Spray Stampin’ Blends.

And if you like 3D projects, try out this cute little treat box is perfect for any occasion.

To create this little box begin with a 5 ½ x 6 ½” of Rich Razzleberry cardstock and along the 6 ½” side, score at 2”, 3”, 5”, 6”. Rotate the cardstock clockwise and score the 5 ½” side at 1, 4, and 4 ½”.
Remove the smaller rectangles sections from both side of the box. Cut vertically up to the first full score line on each side of the box and angle cut the small tabs. Two of the small tabs will be quite long, so you will need to remove approx. ½” from these tabs.
On the box front and back with the taller flaps, corner round both sides as this will be the top portion of your box.
Cut a 1 7/8 x 2 7/8” piece of Plaid Tiding Designer Series paper (or DSP of your choice) and adhere to the front and back of the box panels.
Stamp the “You & Me” Birdie stamp in Seaside Spray ink onto some Whisper White cardstock and punch out using the Essentials Tab punch. Adhere to the front of the box.
Place the box face down (design will not be showing) and fold back the left side of the box. Apply liquid glue or tear and tape to the long skinny rectangular tab and bring the right side of the box over to meet this section and adhere along this rectangular tab.
Next, fold the bottom flaps in and adhere the base of the box using liquid glue or tear and tape.
Fill your box with treats or a small present and fold top flaps in and up to meet. Put a small piece of tear and tape inside this flap and wrap with Linen Thread and tie to close.

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Snow Many Trees, So Little Time!

Christmas 2020 / December 22, 2020 / Snow Wonder Bundle

Or should I say, so many stamps, so little time! LOL Today’s card features the Snow Wonder Bundle and although the Aug-Dec Holiday mini catalog is coming to a close, this set will be back next year!

I just love the look of fresh fallen snow, especially when it is a thick enough blanket to cover all the fall leaves. I am not sure if we will have a White Christmas here is St. Louis, so this Whisper White snow may have to do, but hey a girl can dream!

Begin with a Whisper White card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
On a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Whisper White, stamp the trees randomly in Shaded Spruce ink.
Using the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine, dry emboss this layer with the Winter Snow embossing folder and adhere to the card base.
Stamp the greeting in Shaded Spruce ink on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock and cut it ous using the Stitched Rectangle Dies. Attach the greeting to the card front using some Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Add a few Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the front of the card and you have the perfect winter snow scene.

Ho Ho Ho Christmas is just a few days away and if you are like me and hoping for snow, then I wish you a Very Merry White Christmas!

Winter Snow Embossing Folder
#153577 On Sale $3.75

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Ho Ho Ho Perfectly Plaid

Christmas 2020 / December 21, 2020 / Designer Series Paper, Perfect Plaid, Pine Tree Punch, Plaid Tidings

Today’s card feature the Perfectly Plaid set in the annual catalog. It is on page 60. It will not be retiring until May so there is still time for this one, not sure if there is any Plaid Tidings Designer Series Paper available, but I have loved playing with this designer series pack this season.

Begin with a Pretty Peacock card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
Layer a piece of 1 ¼ x 5 ½” piece of Plaid Tiding Designer Series paper to the left side of the card. I cut mine at an angle on both end.
Using the Stitched Rectangle Dies cut a large rectangle from Whisper White Cardstock and adhere to the card base, covering some of the plaid paper.
From the Plaid Tidings Designer Series Paper, punch three trees with the Pine Tree Punch on page 166 in the annual catalog. Layer the trees on the Whisper White rectangle.
Using Pretty Peacock ink, stamp Merry Christmas from the Perfectly Plaid set above the tress and the Ho Ho Ho stamp at a slight angle above Merry Christmas. TIP: If you cannot purchase the plaid paper, use the plaid tree stamp to create your own plaid design.

Layer a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Whisper White cardstock to the inside of the card.
Stamp the inside sentiment from the Perfectly Plaid set in Pretty Peacock ink.
Again using Pretty Peacock ink, stamp the plaid tree to the bottom right under the sentiment. I stamped the tree trunk in Early Espresso.

This is such a fun Christmas set with so many possibilities. If you would like to add this to your crafty collection, please use the current host code: URBMWZNY.

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It’s Almost Christmas! Sunday Wisdom

Sunday Wisdom / December 20, 2020

Yes, it is almost Christmas! We have 4 days left to prepare our hearts, bake those cookies and wrap those present. Hopefully all of your shopping is finished! LOL

Today’s gospel reminds me of the excitement and anticipation Mary and Joseph must have experienced long ago that first Christmas, but it also makes me wonder if there was also nerviness and anxiety. One thing I am sure of and often take solace in, is Mary and her undying love for our Lord. I am often reminded of her obedience, gratitude and acceptance of all gifts, the good and the stressful.

As we wait to enter into the Christmas Season, no doubt this year will be filled with some stress and anxiety, but remember it can also be filled with HOPE! We place our hope in the Lord as we long for peace, justice and security. My prayer for all of you this Christmas Season is that your heart will be filled with HOPE!

I am blessed to have so many of you as my friends, and today, I thank God for each and everyone of you!

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Angel Wings

Christmas 2020 / December 19, 2020

Today’s card features the Christmas Means More set on page 29 of the Aug-Dec Holiday mini. This has been a pretty popular set, so the inventory is low. Once it is gone, it is gone! Go ahead, order yours today. If your order is less than $150, please use the Host code: URBMWZNY.

Can you name the famous movie where this saying came from????

Begin with a Cherry Cobbler card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
Layer a piece of 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Whisper White to the card base.
Cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler that measures 1 ¾ x 4 and a 1 ½ x 4” piece of the Classic Christmas Designer Series paper with a Shaded Spruce design and layer together.
Adhere the designer strip on the left side of the card leaving a small showing of the Whisper White cardstock.
Stamp the saying on Whisper White using Shaded Spruce ink and cut it out using the Layering Circle dies. Color in the bells with Real Red blends. Then cut another scalloped square from Shaded Spruce cardstock and layer together.
Adhere the squares to the designer strip, placing it at a slight angle.
Cut out some bells in Shaded Spruce and Cherry Cobbler using the Sounds of the Season dies (inventory is very low on this item) and arrange the bells on your card adhering them with some mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Hey all, here is another card that I would like to share from my dear and long time friend Cherie Masters! So blessed that you moved closer to me and we can craft together more often……just like old times, though we are not old! LOL

Cherie made this card using the Joy of Sharing All Inclusive Kit, which is on Sale for $24.50 while supplies last!

Classic Christmas Designer Series Pack
#155969 $11.50

Joy of Sharing Kit
#153650 ON Sale $24.50

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Holly for the Holidays

6 Comments / Christmas 2020 / December 18, 2020

Today’s card is all about the Holly and features the Gleaming Christmas stamp set. Since I seem to gravitate to the ornaments in this set, I thought it was time for a little holly! If you like this set, hurry and order as the inventory is very low.

Begin with a Very Vanilla card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”. Score in landscape position at 4 ¼”.
Layer a piece of 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Cherry Cobbler to the card base.
Cut a 3 ¾ x 5” piece of Very Vanilla and layer onto the Cherry Cobbler.
Using the Stampin’ Cut n Emboss machine and the Layering Circle Dies, cut a Cherry Cobbler scalloped circle.
Stamp a greeting, I chose Merry Christmas, in Cherry Cobbler ink onto a scrap of Very Vanilla cardstock and cut out using an oval from the Stitched Oval Shapes.
From the Christmas Gleaming Designer Series Paper, cut a piece that measures 1 ¾ x 3 ¾” and adhere across the Very Vanilla layer. Layer the Cherry Cobbler circle and the oval with the greeting to the designer series strip.
Stamp the holly several times and color with the leaves Old Olive Light and Dark blends and the holly with the Real Red blends.
Fussy cut the holly leaves. If you use our Paper Snips, this job will take no time at all.
Punch a few Mossy Meadow sprigs using the Sprig Punch and layer with the holly around the greeting and the Cherry Cobbler accent circle. I used some Stampin’ Dimensionals on a few of the holly leaves to give it a bit more dimension.
Once the card is assembled, stamp a few snow accents in Cherry Cobbler ink.

Before you leave today, here is another amazing Christmas card I received from a fellow stamper and wonderful friends, Sarah Condit. Sarah, thanks for sharing your stamping creativity with us!

You might not be able to tell from the picture, but the ornament is actually made to be 3D and detachable, I think!

At least that is what I did and it is now hanging on my tree. Thanks Sarah! You are so creative. Here is a picture of the ornament on my tree.

And speaking of creative ornaments, here is one from my good friend Laura Rossmann who is very artsy and talented in ways far beyond me!

Laura made this ornament from some Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper. I hope these projects inspire you. Enjoy!

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All Wrapped Up For Christmas!

2 Comments / Christmas 2020 / December 17, 2020

I love all the decorations that are going up in my neighborhood. It gets me in the mood to wrap Christmas gifts, so I was thinking why not make a Christmas present card.

Today’s card features the Gift Wrapped Bundle, which includes the Gift Bow Builder Punch.

Begin with a Crumb Cake card base 5 ½ x 8 ½”.
Use the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine to dry emboss a 4 x 5 ¼” piece of Real Red cardstock with the Tasteful Textile 3D embossing folder and adhere to the card front.
Cut two pieces of red striped paper from the Playful Pets Designer Series pack- ¾ x 5¼”, ¾ x 4” and adhere them to the red panel to form the look of a wrapped present.
Stamp the bow stamp of your choice in Real Red ink onto Whisper White cardstock and cut out with the Gift Bow Builder punch. Adhere to the paper ribbon with some Mini Stamin’ Dimensionals.
Stamp the A Very Merry Christmas greeting in Real Red ink onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock and cut out with the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the Stitched Rectangle Dies.

I hope this cards inspires you to get out that wrapping paper.

But before you go, here is a real treat! I received this Christmas card from one of my team members, Mary Steinau. Isn’t it beautiful! Thanks Mary for sharing your talent with all of us.

It looks like Mary used some of the Feels Like Frost Designer Series paper and some Silver Foil sheets to cut out the snowflakes from the Snowflake Wishes Bundle. I love the added snowflake splendor ribbon and the way she heat embossed the tag with silver embossing powder. Very festive!!!

I hope you will stop back by tomorrow for some more crafting fun! Who knows maybe I will get lucky and receive another Christmas card to share with you.

If you have any crafting inspiration to share, please feel free to post it on my Facebook page.