Hello my stamping friends and welcome back, I was playing the other day and have a new card to share with you created with a non-holiday stamp set. (or 3)
I find it’s fun to dig around in my stamp collection for stamps I really like and turn them into a beautiful holiday card. Stamps are so versatile that way Sometimes just changing out the sentiment can do it, or a “cool” colour combo like I used here today.
How I created the Stampin Up Best Birds Christmas Card:
- I started by embossing the Balmy Blue card front with the Subtle Embossing Folder from Stampin Up and then mounted it to a Thick Whisper White card base.
- Next I cut a piece of Whisper White 2-1/4 x 4-1/2. I sponged the edges with Balmy Blue and then Night of Navy.
- I used the snowflake stamp from Still Night to stamp the background and then I hand drew the branches in with my Crumb Cake and Soft Suede markers
- I mounted this to a piece of Night of Navy 2-3/8 x 4-5/8 and attached it to the card with Dimensionals
- I stamped the birds in StazOn Black onto a piece of watercolour paper 4 x 5 and then used my Aqua Painter and Ink pads to colour them. I used Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Balmy Blue and Smoky Slate.
- When they were dry I cut them out with my scissors. There are dies for these birds, but I wanted to trim really close with no white border showing.
- I attach the birds with glue dots to my center art piece.
- The sentiment is from the Feathers & Frost stamp set, stamped in StazOn Black onto a 1 x 3-1/2 piece of Gold Foil Sheet and also attached with Dimensionals.
And on a personal note – As of today I have resigned from Stampin Up. I have been a demonstrator for them for 10 years, 7 in the USA and 3 here in Canada. I’m looking forward to a break from working and getting more rest. My doctors say it will keep me healthier longer. I will be finishing some quilts that have been hanging around and probably do some new ones, read some books, play with some journals and generally slack off, haha. I will still be sharing here on my blog and on my Youtube Channel, but it may not always be with S.U. stamps and products. Like many of you, I have a stash of “Contraband”, and I’m looking forward to giving it a little love too. I’m way more creative when I don’t have deadlines to meet haha so I’m looking forward to getting back to “stamping for fun”.
Thank you to all of you who have supported my business in the past 10 years, I truly appreciate it very much. I hope you will continue to visit and create with me.
Ok, that’s it for me today, Have a blessed weekend my friends and I’ll catch you on the other side.
I’ll pop back in tomorrow and load a PDF file for you for this card, I’m out of time today – Ian’s Christmas Party is tonight, I have to go and get beautiful, haha
Sandi I am now receiving all your wonderful blog posts. Congrats on your new blog.
Yipee, so glad you got signed up Arlene
Can’t wait to see all the gorgeousness you come up with!!!
Beautiful! Birds are beautiful any time of the year!
Simply stunning Sandi! Your birds are amazing. I’m so sad that you’re resigning, I was looking forward to seeing you at Stampin’ Up! events! Glad that you’re taking the time that you need to take care of yourself and that you’ll still be creating! Chat soon my friend! 🙂
Stunning card! Thank you for sharing. Best of health to you; get the rest you need. Share when you can.
Maybe if you worked at this you could be good, only kidding, you are the BEST by far…you do things with stamps that are way above the average artist. You always amaze me, your colors, your placement, your imagination…you push me to higher goals. I had breast cancer in 1996 with lots of chemo and 33 radiation treatments and 2 lymph nodes shy of a stem cell transplant and I’m still here, keep up the positive attitude…worked through all my treatment, (would have gone crazy had I sat at home.) Luv ya brave girl.
Marilyn Gauvin
1926 Spyglass Drive
Asbury IA 52002 USA
Hi Sandy, we will miss having you as part of the Stampin’ Up! Family but I’m certain to continue enjoying your creations. Your health comes first and I wish you all the best.
Sad when you left the U.S. More sad now. You have such a wonderfully creative way of teaching. I’ll try to sign up for your new emails Good luck in the future .
I have to say, I love this card! It’s gorgeous! I just don’t think to use a lighter blue. I think of the rich, royal colors, like emerald Greens, Night of Navy and Cherry Cobbler! Well you just changed my thinking today! Thank you for that! Especially, Thank you for sharing your projects!
Sending hugs and all the good wishes you can stand for all the art you will create without deadlines or limitations. Love you Sandi
aw, thank you Billie, I’m so looking forward to it.
Congrats on your decision to leave SU!. Your the second person today whose made this announcement. I also may have to retire from SU! But since I have no customers It not as troublesome for me! I’ll know hopefully by Dec. 12,2018 if I have Breast Cancer again! I’m just in limbo until then. My husband has been trying to get me to quit for awhile! I just wasn’t ready yet! I maybe ready now, whether I want to be or not! So, I’ll continue to follow your blog as long as you put them out there and I’m able! Thank YOU for ALL the projects you shared over the years. I’ve learned alot from you!
I truly, only wish you the best!
Thank you Gloria. I’m very sorry to hear that your cancer might be back, please stay in contact, be strong and fight hard they are doing great things with treatments these days. you’re in my prayers girlfriend.
I am so sad to hear your news…glad for you to be more in charge of your time, but sad for those of us who found such inspiration in your blog. so now I am Demonstrator-less….can you recommend some one to take your place? maybe one of your downline?
all the best to you Sandi. Take care of yourelf!
aw, thank you Rosemarie, I have private messaged you about a demonstrator, we would hate for you to be demonstrator-less, that would be terrible, haha….and stay subscribed to my blog, because I will continue sharing and giving you card ideas, you will just have to contact Eva for the supplies, haha
Enjoy your “rest”!
Enjoy your rest Sandi, will miss your beautiful SU creations, you are one talented lady!
thank you Elaine, I’ll still be sharing S.U. creations, along with occasional others, just not working quite so hard, haha
Beautiful card, Sandi. I, along with countless others, want to see you in good health for as long as you can be, so enjoy this next phase in your life! Thanks for continuing to be a creative inspiration. x
thank you Christine, that is my goal, and backing off a bit will help me succeed at it.
Oh Sandi I am soooo going to miss your artistic creations but best of luck in your new adventures….and many thanks for sharing 10 years with us….
oh thanks Marge, but you won’t be missing anything, I’ll still be stamping, just for fun instead of work, there is a big difference, haha
I love birds but didn’t consider this set. You did such a wonderful job coloring them, I am now reconsidering – beautiful job!
thank you Jamie, I love these particular birds as they are a great size for colouring and you can change up the colours too to go with many different background styles
See you on your new blog Sandi! Stunning card! Love it!! So happy that you’re listening to your doctors advice! Wishing you much love and happiness!! It’s wonderful to stamp and create for pure fun!! xoxo
Thank you Judy, appreciate you taking the time to post a comment
Sandi, this card is just gorgeous!!!! I love your coloring so much!!! I am so going to miss your beautiful cards made with Stampin Up, but excited to see all the future projects you will share as I know they will be fabulous!!! Thank you for everything you have done for me from the bottom of my heart!!!! Wishing you everything amazing!!!!!
aw, thanks Eva, now I’ll be a customer, haha, and don’t worry I’ll still be creating lots with Stampin Up products as I do love them. Thank you for being part of our team, I look forward to following your success and fun stamping style too.
Best Wishes Sandi on your new endeavors. I have loved and appreciated all you have shared on your blog for a long time and will miss you but will try to follow you at your new one. Enjoy this special time in your life and all your creative activities. I’ll look forward to seeing you on your new blog. I had a problem trying to sign up for your new blog but will keep trying until it works!!! thanks again for all you share.
Hi Glenda, thank you for all those kind words. Please send me an e-mail with the issues you had trying to sign up and Ill get help for you sandimaciver@gmail.com
Simply stunning, Sandi. I love playing around to see what can be used together, too. Those Best Birds lend themselves to so many interpretations. Your card is very inspiring.
thank you Heidi, I absolutely LOVE colouring those birds, it so relaxing, haha
Sorry to hear you’re leaving SU! Your wonderful creations will surely be missed – good health and happy creating!
thank you Claire, I’m no longer a demonstrator, but I’ll still be creating and sharing, but for fun, not for work
Wow, Sandi! You will be missed! Your health and your family should always be our first priority. You’ve worked very hard and accomplished so much! You should be very proud!
My very best to you in your future. Relax and have fun! You deserve it!
thank you Kate. It’s been a very fun ride, lots of adventures and many new friends all over the world, all thanks to Stampin Up and Blogging….it will be a bit of an adjustment for this Type A personality gal, but I’ll get there, right after I get my house back in order haha
So sorry to hear you’re not going to be a demonstrator anymore but was so happy to hear that you will carry on developing projects for us to see. You do such beautiful work and your instructions are the best. Love listening to your YouTube’s too. Enjoy your life and take care of yourself. See you in the New Year!
thank you Karen, for those kind words and I’m so glad you enjoy my projects. Sometimes when you don’t get feedback you feel like you are talking to the crickets, haha….I’ll be back with bells on and fun new projects as I will have more time to create them
Wishing you all the best. I look forward to future blog posts. Take good care.
thank you Wendie, I’ll have lots for you, as soon as I get caught up on laundry and house cleaning and christmas baking, haha
An absolutely gorgeous card. Thank you for sharing
thank you Ellie, I’m so glad you enjoyed it
well, my friend…it is time for you to make the right decision. I may be behind you! I have no one following me, & have all the bells & whistles that S>U has to offer. Then, like you say, the contraband is waiting. Go forth, Sandi, you’ll still have many followers! Happy Holidays; 2019 should be an exciting year for you & many more who decide to take the leap, w/ S.U
haha, Susan, a gal after my own heart, haha. It is time to make the right decision, and I did, but with very mixed emotions. As they say – “It will all be ok”…..and my little contraband cupboard is so happy and calling me to come and play haha…..so it will be a bit of a mix shared from now on, and I’ll try and keep it all balanced out.
Sandi, SU will miss you, but thank goodness we’ll still see you and hear from you through your blog. Like many I’m a demonstrator with no followers…never got into selling. I also have a room full of ‘contraband’. Addicted to this hobby and feed it well…LOL!…Merry Christmas and enjoy 2019!
I’m glad to hear you are putting yourself first. Thanks for all the wonderful classes you taught here in the US and for your fabulous blog. I look forward to seeing your future creations. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Chris R.
aw, thank you Chris, and thanks for being such a great customer in the USA and for following my blog all these years. Merry Christmas
Sandie, I am so going to miss you with Stampin Up! I wish you the very best, you are a true artist and can’t wait to see what you bring us in the future. Take Care and Merry Christmas to you and your families.
Lovely card Sandi as always. Will miss you as my team leader, I was hoping to get my SU business going more in the New Year, hopefully I can accomplish that without you at the helm.
I wish you all the best in the future and look forward to your continued creations. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and take care of yourself!
Sandi I think this card is an amazing one to be going out on. Love the colours you used on these birds so beautiful and a perfect Christmas card. I will sign up so I continue to get your posts. Take care sweetie and have a good Christmas xx Aileen
Thank you Aileen, and so glad you enjoyed the card
HI Sandi, Thank you for all of your wonderful creations and posts. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
Hi Sandi
Received your package today with your cards. Stunning! Wishing you good health and happiness will check back on your blog and enjoy your wonderful creations
You are so welcome Jennifer and thank you for your support
Oh my goodness Sandi I have followed you for years and have so enjoyed your creations and that laugh of yours Is fantastic! I’m glad you will continue to create and look forward to seeing what u come up with. I wish you a wonderful holiday season and wish you good health.
Thank u Sandi for your time, diligence, and great ideas. Will miss thosebut look forward to new ventures with u.
Best of luck! I signed up to still be part of your venture.
thank you Donna, I’m looking forward to it too, haha
Hi, Sandi! As someone who stepped away from deadlines a few years ago, I can assure you it is so liberating! It felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders, as I got back to creating for just the joy of it. I know you will continue to inspire as always. I will miss seeing you at Stampin’ Up! events, but I will continue to see you on your blog! Hugs!
thank you Ann, I’ll miss seeing you too. have to agree, moving away from deadlines and going back to stamping for the fun of it has been very enlightening in so many ways. Now it’s just fun again.
Sandi, I have been following your blog for years. You were in the USA when I started. I am also a SU demonstrator–18 years. Have about 10 customers that keep me going. I missed the post about you leaving SU. Could you direct me. Also, How do I sign-up for your New Blog??? Did I see you now sell Altenew products? How do I go about buying from you or is it on your new Blog?? I think they have very Pretty flower stamps. Thanks for your time, Tammie DeVane
Hi Tammie, same blog, link to the Altenew site to purchase through me, is on the right side of my blog. They have amazing flower stamps and their markers are pretty awesome too