A Christmas Card with a Surprise!

 Don't look down any further until you answer this question - what is special about the front of this card?  Have you figured it out?  Ok, now you can look further!

 The stars an an Easel Card!  Pretty cool, huh?  Thank you to Wendy Klein for this idea!

This card was a hit at a recent workshop.  Who knows, if I had seen it before deciding on my personal card for this year, I might of chosen this one although I know a number of the recipients would have never figured out the easel so I am probably better off not doing it this year.

Forever Stampin',

    Cathy Williams

Product List

Bright & Beautiful Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135029]	Stars Framelits Dies [133723]	Good Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135017]	Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133679]
Pear Pizzaz 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131201]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	All Is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper [135823]	Silver Foil Sheets [132178]
Silver Glimmer Paper [135314]	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [133644]	Pear Pizzaz Classic Stampin' Pad [131180]	Lucky Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folders [135817]
Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack [133787]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments [119246]	Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon [119256]	Frosted Sequins [135835]

Christmas Using Blendabilities...

This Christmas Bauble stamp is a great stamp to get started using Stampin' Up!'s Blendabilities.  It is not difficult to think about where the shadowing should be on a round object - the sides, of course!

My Blendabilities journey has certainly evolved since they were first introduced.   When I first got them, I always used the brush side and worked light to dark.  After a few months, I found that I was working dark to light and now, I always use the fine point side!  I find it easier to control where I want the shading and also blending.  How has your Blendabilities use evolved?  

Do you like my red button?  Yep, Blendabilities!  Now you can have as many buttons in a particular color - just by coloring them yourself.

Forever Stampin',

    Cathy Williams

Product List

Christmas Bauble Wood-Mount Stamp Set Wood-mount Stamp Set [133824]	Endless Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set [133455]	Bright & Beautiful Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135029]	Always Artichoke 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [105119]
Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131199]	Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119685]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Red Glimmer Paper [121790]
Trim The Tree Designer Series Paper Stack [135824]	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [126966]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129]
Gold 5/8" Satin Ribbon [134547]	Very Vintage Designer Buttons [129327]	Punch Corner Project Life [135346]	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Old Olive Assortment [130999]
Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Cherry Cobbler Assortment [130995]	Crushed Curry Stampin' Write Marker [131901]	Linen Thread [104199]	1/4" Circle Handheld Punch [134364]
Large Pearl Basic Jewels [125577]

Bright & Beautiful Stars!

Today's card uses the Bright & Beautiful stamp set.  Stars are my favorite Christmas symbol as it reminds me to look toward the real reason for the season.  With all the commercialization of Christmas, we all need a reminder once in a while.

The Filigree Frame embossing folder works great for these side fold cards.  I ran two of them through the Big Shot, placing one on the inside of the card.  I then cut 1/4" from the center of the other one and used the left half on the front of the card and the right side on the left inside of the card.  A quick & easy way to make both at the same time!  And I am all about saving time - how about you?

Forever Stampin',

    Cathy Williams

Product List

Bright & Beautiful Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135029]	Wondrous Wreath Photopolymer Stamp Set [135047]	Pacific Point 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [111350]	Gold Foil Sheets [132622]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad [126951]	Metallic Gold Encore Pad [132141]	Stars Framelits Dies [133723]
All Is Calm Snowflake Embellishment [137383]	Filigree Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folders [135818]	Twine Baker's Whisper White [124262]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments [119246]
Deco Labels Framelits Die [130102]