Learn to Stamp and Scrap with Lynn Larson

Countdown to Christmas - Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of my Countdown to Christmas.  This week, it is time to start to do the following:

• Finish making your holiday cards if you haven't done so already
• Start writing out your holiday cards or at the very least, take your address books and envelopes with you during the day so that when you find yourself with a few extra minutes waiting for the kids or at a doctor appointment you can start addressing your envelopes. 
• Finish making up your Christmas gift lists.  Who do you have on your list to give to?  Who do you need to add that you might have forgotten?  How about your children's teacher, your co-workers, a neighbor or someone who you just want to do something special for?
• Begin your crafting of holiday decorations and gifts.  Would you like to make ornaments this year?  How about stockings for the kids or gift items for that special someone?  Begin thinking projects you would like to make, check out what supplies you might need and then start your creating!

I think that is enough to get you started this week.  I will see you back here next week with more Countdown to Christmas ideas and tips.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

Candy Cane Carnival - Greenfield, MA

Just a reminder that I will be at the Candy Cane Carnival in Greenfield, MA again tomorrow from 9 am until 2 pm.  If you weren't able to make it there today, be sure to stop by tomorrow!  There are over 65 vendors and TONS of really cool stuff (including my booth)!  LOL

Hope to see you there!

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

Countdown to Christmas - Week 1

I am excited to announce my "Countdown to Christmas" program that I will be offering for the next 6 weeks.  This week, I am suggesting that you get started on the following:

• Update your holiday card mailing list
• Start your gift list (if you haven't already done so) - remember your service people on your list like your faithful UPS man, your newspaper delivery person, waitstaff in your favorite restaurant, postmaster, teachers, neighbors and hostesses whose houses you are going for that special holiday party.
• Start making some of your gifts for people on your list.  How nice would it be to receive a gift like this frame or this journal or even this treat holder (tutorial included) for example.
• Be on the lookout for early holiday sales.  They seem to be bigger and better this year and some of the Black Friday specials started early.  There is less pressure and it is easier to spread out your spending if you do a little shopping each week.
• Mark your calendars for my Holiday Sale and Open House scheduled for Saturday, December 12th from 10 am - 4 pm and again on Sunday, December 13th from 10 am - 3 pm.  I will have TONS of handmade and other gift items for sale as well as retired stamp sets, scrapbooking kits, Designers Series Paper and other crafting accessories.
• Start making your holiday cards.  You might be interested in a post like this one that features quick and easy card variations so you can whip those cards right out and still have them look elegant!

I hope you enjoyed Week 1 of my Countdown to Christmas.  i will be posting Week 2 on Monday so stay tuned!

Happy stampin'

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

Busy Crafting...

I have been busily crafting some new goodies for the Candy Cane Carnival Craft Fair coming up this weekend in Greenfield, MA. Be sure to stop by to see me either on Saturday from 9 am - 3 pm or on Sunday from 9 am - 2 pm!

Snow Buddies Christmas Card Sample

Sometimes it is fun to think out of the box and create a card using non-traditional colors for the holidays.  This Christmas Card uses the Snow Buddies stamp set which is a Level 2 Hostess Stamp Set shown in the Holiday Occasions Mini.

Since I was using Ballet Blue cardstock, I decided to check out the Color Wheel to find a different color than I would normally choose to create my card.  When it showed Pumpkin Pie as a complementary color, I knew that I wanted to use that color as my accent for this card.  It makes the focal point on the card just pop and shows off his carrot nose.

I used Frost White Shimmer Paint to paint a shadow on the left side of the snowman and also on the ground.  It is hard to see the shimmer in the paint in this photo, but it is there.  I also stamped a second top hat, colored it in and cut it out so I could add a Stampin' Dimensional and give some added dimension and interest to the card.

Here are the supplies used:

Stamp Sets:  Snow Buddies (Level 2 Hostess set) and Four the Holidays (both sets from the Mini Catalog)

Cardstock:  Ballet Blue, Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie

Ink:  Ballet Blue and Basic Black Classic Stamp Pads; Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories:  Stampin' Dimensionals (behind entire layered center piece with snowman and also behind the second cut out hat on snowman's head)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow when i start to share some fun gift ideas.  Don't forget to sign up for my Holiday Stamp-a-Stack Card Class on Tuesday, December 1st or one of my other classes found on my calendar.

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

 

Scenic Season - Holiday Card Variations

Here is another card that I have been doing at my workshops lately.  I have been focusing on simple, yet elegant, holiday cards that you would be proud to make and give to your family and friends during the holiday season.  The holidays can be a busy time of year and coming up with a simple holiday card design is really appreciate by many people.  So here is a simple holiday card using the Scenic Season stamp set that can be made in a variety of ways by using a package of Rich Regals Assorted Cardstock and some Whisper White Neutral Cardstock...

This first card started out to be a simple card for some beginning stampers that I had at a recent workshop.  I didn't want to overwhelm them with multiple layers, color inks, stamp sets and embellishments.  This is a great stamp set for both the beginner or for the seasoned stamper.  It has the tree image and the "Season's Greetings" wording all on one stamp set and also has a stamp to put inside your card that says "May the peace and joy of the season be with you throughout the new year."  It is simple, yet elegant using strips of contrasting cardstock to go across the card for a hint of color.  You could also add some faux stitching wiht a white gel pen for added detail if you desire, but certainly isn't necessary.

This next card is just a little step above the first card.  Instead of using strips of cardstock, I added some burgandy grosgrain ribbon, some Tombo Multi All-Purpose Glue and some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the trees and to the snow mounds.

This variation uses Handsome Hunter ink and cardstock along with the burgandy grosgrain ribbon, Tombo multi purpose adhesive and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  With a couple different ink pads and cardstock from the Rich Regals color assortment you could create a beautiful card in Night of Navy, Eggplant Envy or Brocade Blue (to name a few).

If you are interested in making some holiday cards, be sure to register for my Holiday Stamp-a-Stack on Tuesday, December 1st from 6-8:30 pm.  You can check out my calendar of events HERE!

I hope you enjoyed these Christmas card samples.  I will have another great card to share with you tomorrow using the Snow Buddies stamp set which is a Level 2 Hostess only set from the Holiday Occasions Mini Catalog.

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

Candy Cane Carnival, Greenfield, MA (This Weekend)

It's time for another craft fair!  The Candy Cane Carnival is coming up this weekend in Greenfield, MA.  I will be there on Saturday, November 21 from 9 am until 3 pm and again on Sunday, November 22 from 9 am until 2 p.  This is the first year I am doing this craft fair.  It is also one of the bigger craft fairs that I have done.  If you haven't gone before, you might want to take the time to stop on by.  There are TWO FLOORS of vendors PLUS the hallways are lined with vendors. 

I will be busy doing some more crafting over the next couple of days getting some more goodies made.  I have a large selection of items for you to chose from and hope to see you there!

See you back here tomorrow,

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

Serene Snowflakes Masculine Holiday Card

At my recent workshops, we have focused a lot on holiday cards.  This card was one I created to show some non-traditional holiday colors that you could use for cards for anyone, but especially for the men in your life.

This one uses repeat stamping of the larger snowflake in Bravo Burgandy and the smaller snowflake in Night of Navy.  The bottom portion of the card also had the snowflake stamped in Bravo Burgandy for that tone-on-tone look.

This card has a few layers behind the snowflake focal point.  In the center of the snowflake I added a clear rhinestone brad from the Pretties Kit to pump it up just a bit.

Following are the supplies I used:

Stamp Set:  Serene Snowflakes and Four the Holidays (Peace on Earth wording)

Cardstock:  Bravo Burgandy, Whisper White and Night of Navy

Ink:  Bravo Burgandy and Night of Navy

Accessories:  Dimensionals and Clear Rhinestone Brad from Pretties Kit

Thanks for stopping by, see you back here tomorrow for a fun and easy way to get variety out of your Scenic Season Stamp Set.

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

 

NEW Chat Box on my Blog!

I have been getting some questions in the comments section of my blog.  I decided to add a chat box to the left sidebar here on my blog.  If you have a question, simple jot it down there and I will answer you there!

Who will start the chat?

Lynn Larson - www.learntostampandscrap.com

Follow Me on Twitter

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