Tone on Tone

Be sure to choose an ink colour similar to the cardstock colour that you use, but with enough contrast (when dried) to make sure that the stamped image is distinct enough to appreciate.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampendous
Papers: off white cardstock (Core'dinations Ice Cream), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: CTMH Seafoam 
Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A, pearls (Kaiser), ribbon (SU)

Spellbinder Decorative Labels One

The new Spellbinder Decorative Labels One dies work well to mat the Labels 1 die cuts. I intend on getting the Decorative Labels Eight dies too.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Impression Obsession
Papers: red & green cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: ColorBox Cranberry
Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A, Labels 1 & Decorative Labels 1, brad (K & Co.), ribbon (Fabricland)

Ticket Dies

I used the ticket dies for my sentiment on this card. The ticket stamp set used from Stampers Anonymous contains ticket images for other occasions as well. It's a good idea to purchase stamps that coordinate with dies. The same is true for the angel stamps and dies from Papertrey Ink.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: angel (PTI), tickets (Stampers Anonymous)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Inks: Memories Soft Wheat, Versafine Onyx, ColorBox Chalk Dark Moss & Chestnut Roan
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels 10 & Petite Ovals Large, buttons & embroidery thread (stash), ticket die (Tim Holtz), angel dies (PTI)

Red Checked Ribbon

This is a cardmaking staple. The small pattern allows you to use it with just about any patterned papers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: ColorBox Cranberry
Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A, Squares & Scalloped Squares, button & embroidery thread (stash)

Do You Remember When...

Large brown envelopes used to be closed with a string wound around two circles? Thought this was a different idea to incorporate buttons on the front of a card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: red & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A, buttons & embroidery thread (stash)

Doily Dies

Doily Dies make a great "lacey" mat for a stamped image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (SU), sentiment (PTI)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red & pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Inks: Versafine Onyx, ColorBox Dark Moss
Accessories: buttons (stash), doily die (MFT), scalloped border die (MFT), ribbon (Fabricland)

Numerical Dies

Using numbers for that special day of the month is a great idea for a specific theme:
Hallowe'en--October 31
Valentine's Day--February 14
St. Pat's Day--March 17

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Studio G
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), blue & red cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: ColorBox Chianti
Accessories: number dies (PTI), Spellbinder Labels 18 & Ovals Lg., snowflake punch (EK), label punch (SU)

Layering Labels

Spellbinder Labels come in graduated sizes which make it so easy to add dimension to a card design.
The trick is to find an image or sentiment that fits within the "frame" created by using a circle die to make the label a frame.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Papers: blue & red cardstocks (Bazzill), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned paper (K & Co.)
Ink: ColorBox Chianti
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels 18 & Circles Sm and Lg, ribbon (stash), button (stash), embroidery floss (stash)

Sparkly Garland

Tried a product (new to me) called Glistening Snow Writer by DecoArt. I assumed that the "snow" implied that it dried white. Guess I was wrong. Can't say I'd recommend this one.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red cardstock (Bazzill), shimmery cardstock (Linda G. from DCWV), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: red pearls (Kaiser), tiny alpha stickers (MLS), tree die (Sizzix), Spellbinder Matte Basics A

The Stocking Was Hung...

I thought that this embossing stocking die cut worked perfectly with this patterned paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: ribbon (stash from Betty M.), stocking die & folder (Sizzix), Spellbinder Matting Basics A

Too Cute!

A smaller stamped image allowed me to use multiple layers of borders. The Spellbinder Matting Basics dies cut the layers in perfect dimensions.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: sentiment (Paper Inspirations), image (CTMH)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co )
Ink: Staz On Timber
Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A, ribbon (stash from Betty M.)

Carry On with the Berry

To mimic the berries in the patterned paper, I used two buttons in the centre of the ribbon bow.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Impression Obsession
Papers: red cardstock (Bazill), pattenred (K & Co.)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: buttons (stash), ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Fancy Tags 2

I Love Fat Ribbon!

Though it's a challenge to use, I love this wide, patterned ribbon. The layered border provided good support for my focal image. I stamped and cut out a circle separate from the doily die cut underneath for more dimension.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Craftsmart
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), patterned (K & Co.), red cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Colorbox Cranberry
Accessories: border punch (EIK), ribbon (SU), doily die (MFT), marker (Marvy)

More Swirls

Red and turquoise is one of my favourite colour combinations. I used a swirly stamp and red rhinestones to decorate my die cut shape so that it would be work with the patterned paper. I'm just starting to combine different die cut shapes.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Autumn Leaves
Papers: off white cardstock (stash), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.), shimmery cardstock (DCWV)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Spellbinders (Framed Tags One & Labels 5), rhinestones (Kaiser), embroidery thread (stash)

Sparklin' All Over

Here I've used another section from the same sheet of 12 X 12 paper I used yesterday. In addition to the shimmery cardstock, the sheer, white ribbon works well with the patterned paper. Rhinestones on the ends of the tag die cut finish off the look.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Papers: patterned (K & Co.), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), shimmery cardstock (KCWV, thanks to Linda G.)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: ribbon (stash), rhinestones (Kaiser), Spellbinders (Matting Basics A & Fancy Tags)

By the Light of His Nose

Once again I have used part of a piece of 12 X 12 patterned paper for my background. The shimmery cardstock was a perfect compliment to the glittered, patterned paper. To compliment Rudolph's red nose, I used a red ribbon bow. I adhered the strip of red ribbon to the corner first and then attached the bow separately.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve?
Papers: shimmery cardstock (DCWV, thanks to Linda G.), patterned paper (K & Co.), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: rhinestone (Kaiser), ribbon (stash), Spellbinder (Ovals & Matting Basics A), deer die (Sizzix)

Framed in Glitter

Here is another card, using the same embossing folder as yesterday. I framed the embossed panel in glitter using double sided tape along the edges of the cardstock. A fine glitter produces more consistent results.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PTI
Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: embossing folder (Couture Creations Baubles), glitter (Art Institute True Red), Spellbinder Matting Basics A

3D Baubles

This is another of the new embossing folders from Couture Creations. It's called Baubles. I dry embossed the base and then dry embossed 3 more of each shape. The circles were punched out with a circles punch and the heart was fussy cut.  The shapes were folded in half and the sides were adhered together to create a 3D shape. Though some dimension may be lost in an envelope, once opened, the ornaments will pop back out.

Natalie

Card Recipe 
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Accessories: embossing folder (Couture Creations Baubles), Marvy circle punch, Spellbinder Matting Basics A

A Crafter's Workshop Corner

I wasn't satisfied with leaving the cardstock base white behind the snowman, so I dug out my Crafter's Companion Mini Cosmic Swirl template and stippled white paint on it with an Adirondack Snowcap paint dabber--instant pattern and texture!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: white cardstock (Georiga Pacific), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), template (Crafter's Companion), white paint (Adirondack Snow Cap)

Homespun

To carry the "homespun" theme in the sentiment, I embellished the card with small buttons. Since I didn't have enough of the pink cardstock for the card base, I used Distress Worn Lipstick ink on white cardstock to colour it.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: PTI
Papers: pink & green cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Inks: Versafine Onyx, Distress Worn Lipstick
Accessories: stocking die (PTI), Spellbinder Matte Basics A & Nested Frames, Flower Soft

Tone on Tone

I chose an ink close in colour to that of the pink cardstock to create a subtle pattern on the stocking.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PTI
Papers: pink & green cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: stocking die (PTI), Spellbinder Matt Basics A, button & ribbon & embroidery thread (stash), Flower Soft

Owl Be Ready for Christmas

Got the inspiration for this card from: www.shaelaodd.blogspot.com.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Penny Black
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinders (Matte Basics A, Layered Poinsettias), border embossing folder & die (SU), ribbon & button (stash), Copics, Glossy Accents, Flower Soft

Oh Dear

The brown background of the patterned paper drew me to choose an image that would be appropriately stamped in brown. Sometimes the design and/or colours in patterned paper point you in the right direction.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: sentiment (Impression Obsession), image (Inkadinkado)
Papers: silver (stash), pink & green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: Spellbinder Matte Basics A, buttons & embroidery thread (stash), ribbon (SU), rhinestone (Kaiser), buckle die (Quickutz), pearl (Kaiser)

Take Advantage

It's great to be able to save some time when you have a lot of cards to make. In this case I used the premade 3D embellishment as the focal point of my card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & pink cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: Spellbinders (Matte Basics A, Ovals, Lacey Ovals), ribbon & button & embroidery thread (stash)

Change Your Shape

Though I don't ordinarily make cards of this dimension, when I was given the blank card and matching envelope, it was a great opportunity to try something different.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Papers: white cardstock (Wendy B.), green & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Double Ended Tags & Squares, brads (stash), ribbon (stash)

A Different Adornment

In an effort to use up the 3D embellishments that came with this patterned paper, I used the mittens on my wreath instead of a bow. Thought it was a cute idea. The Spellbinder Matte Basic dies provide perfect borders for every layer of your card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: green & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: ribbon (SU), rhinestones (Kaiser), Spellbinders (Scalloped Circles & Matte Basics A), buttons & embroidery thread (stash)

Don't Forget to Decorate the Tree

This stamped and "fussy cut" tree fit perfectly in the space provided by the patterned paper. To pull the card design together, I chose rose coloured pearls to decorate the tree, drawing the pink from the flowers in the pre-printed paper. To make sure that the stamped tree was not too faint, I heat embossed the image with clear embossing powder.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Impression Obsession
Papers: patterned (Memory Box Mistletoe), solid cardstock (Memory Box Willow), green cardstock (Bazzill)
Inks: ColorBox Chestnut Roan & Lettuce
Accessories: Spellbinder Matte Basics A, clear embossing powder (PSX), pearls (Kaiser Rose), ribbon (Basic Grey Mellow)

Not All Sentiments are Stamped

In this case, I used a metal embellishment for my sentiment. Over the years, many companies, especially Making Memories, have produced embellishments of different shapes and sizes that can be used on cards. Dig into your stash and see what you can find!

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: patterned (Memory Box Mistletoe), solid cardstock (Memory Box Vanilla Bean)
Accessories: ribbon (stash), metal embellishment (Making Memories), Spellbinders (Matt Basics A)

Frosty

I thought the perfect image for this patterned paper was a snowman. I enhanced the patterned paper by highlighting the snowdrifts with Diamond Stickles.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Impression Obsession
Papers: patterned (Memory Box Winterberry), solid cardstock (Memory Box Sage)
Ink: Staz On Timber
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), Spellbinders (Matt Basics A, Labels 18, Classic Ovals Large), Diamond Stickles

Tag It!

Once again, I worked with the design in a patterned paper and a solid cardstock from the same company to quickly make this card. All that was needed was a Fancy Tag die cut to complete it. Rhinestones on the ends of the tag added the necessary holiday bling.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Papers: patterned (Memory Box Winterberry), solid cardstock (Memory Box Vanilla Bean)
Ink: Staz On Timber
Accessories: Spellinder Matting Basics A & Fancy Tags, rhinestones (Bazzill Cardinal)