American Crafts Christmas Card Trio & Top Ten Blog Hop WINNER

Before I share my cards today, I wanted to say thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit my Blog during the Top Ten Blog Hop and for the sweet comments.  Also, welcome to all of my new followers!  So glad to have you and I hope you enjoying visiting my Blog every now and then.  Now, let's announce the winner of my giveaway...

CONGRATS SHERRY ECKBLAD!!

Sherry, please email me at ashleyhorton010675@gmail.com. 

Last week, there were some amazing Christmas projects shared on the American Crafts Blog.  I was up with a set of handmade Christmas Cards, using the Peppermint Express collection.  You can create unique handmade cards, by using scraps from your collections and mixing in a few fun techniques or adding other paper items, such as vellum.

Supplies: 6x6 Paper Pad (366119) - Peppermint Express, Cocoa Lane (366096) - Peppermint Express, Iceplum (42276) - Remarks, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366106) - Remarks, White (71259) - Cardstock

Supplies: 6x6 Paper Pad (366119) - Peppermint Express, Figgymint (366108) - Bits, Iceplum (42276) - Remarks, Twinkle (366105) - Thickers, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366106) - Remarks

Supplies: Hollymint (366115) - Decorative Clothespins, Figgymint (366108) - Bits, Accent & Phrase Stickers (366106) - Remarks, White (71259) - Cardstock

I'm sure we will all have some leftover pieces from our Christmas collections this year, so if you plan to save them, they will definitely come in handy, when you are getting ready to create your Christmas cards next year!

American Crafts December Gallery | Christmas Magic

One of our local towns does a tree lighting every year, and we love to take the kids.  They have Mrs. Claus (because Santa is very busy at the North Pole) and the the kids love to visit with her.  I snapped some photos of each one of them as they sat with her and told her what they would like for Christmas.  And I knew that the Peppermint Express collection from American Crafts would be perfect with my photos.

 
I used two fun techniques on my page.  The first, cutting a shape and backing it with vellum, and adding sequins behind it on my page.  And the second, adding some Glitter and Gold.  The double sided adhesive paper from Silhouette is so awesome.  I cut several snowflake shapes and then adhered them to my page.  Once they were in place, I sprinkled over it with some of the Silhouette Glitter to give it some sparkle.

I hope you've had a chance to get some Christmas photos scrapped this year...and that you've had a chance to pick up some of the Peppermint Express collection.  It would also be great to use in your December Days album if you are working on one this year!

Supplies:  Jolly Greetings (366101) - Peppermint Express, Cocoa Lane (366096) - Peppermint Express, 6x6 Paper Pad (366119) - Peppermint Express, Jinglemint (366110) - Dimensional Stars, Twinkle (366104) - Thickers, Fabric Bows (366201) - Polka Dot Party

Other:  Sequins & Stickers:  American Crafts; Die Cut Machine, Double Sided Adhesive Paper & Glitter:  Silhouette America; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp
 

American Crafts December Gallery | A Cuppa Love

***Linked up at Paper Issues*** 

It's time to spread some Christmas cheer, using the adorable Peppermint Express collection from American Crafts!  Since we live so far South our Winter temps usually don't get that cold.  But sporadically during the season, our temps will go down to the low 30's or 20's, which is cold for us!  So when those days come, the kids love to have hot chocolate...but I really think it's more about the marshmallows than the hot chocolate!  During one of our recent colder nights, I snapped a couple of photos of our oldest daughter enjoying her cup of hot chocolate.

I love the patterns in this collection, and wanted to mix several of them on my page.  I also wanted to use a large cut file for my background, but still have the patterned paper show trough.  This circle star pattern was exactly what I was looking for.  Once the star file was cut and layered over my patterned paper, I backed some of the star shapes with papers from the Peppermint Express 6x6 paper pad.  I didn't want to cover a lot of the background on my layout, so I did a small cluster with my photos, title and embellishments.  I finished off my page, by adding some of the American Crafts Christmas collection available at Target.  The phrase stickers and sequins add just the perfect touch to your Christmas layouts!

Supplies:  Cocoa Lane (399096) - Peppermint Express; Santa Stripes (366099) - Peppermint Express; 6x6 Paper Pad (366119) - Peppermint Express; Accents & Phrase Stickers (366106) - Remarks; Dear Santa (366095) - Peppermint Express; Iceplum (42276) - Remarks; Gingermint (366107) - Details; FIggymint (366108) - Bits; Frosted Forest (366100) - Peppermint Express; Fox (53414) - Thickers

Other:  Wood Veneers:  Recollections; Enamel Dots:  My Mind's Eye; Phrase Stickers & Sequins:  American Crafts  

American Crafts | Paper Christmas Ornament

***Linked up at Paper Issues***.

Earlier this week, I shared a tutorial on the American Crafts Blog, for creating a Paper Christmas Ornament.  We all know, that this time of year can get a little pricey when you are decorating your home and buying Christmas gifts for family and friends...so why not dig into your scrappy supplies and create your own home made Christmas ornaments and decor??!!

Begin by cutting your 12x12 sheet of paper into 3x3 squares. This will give you 16 squares and you will use all of them to create the cones for the ornament.

Next, roll your paper squares into a cone shape and secure the corner with a piece of clear tape along the backside. I flattened the skinny ends of my cone shapes to keep them from making the center of the ornament too bulky.

The easiest way to begin placing the cones is to cut or punch out a circle shape. I cut my circle at 4 inches and then began placing the cones in a cross shape to make sure I end up with an even edge once all of the pieces were in place.

Continue to fill in the next open space with a second cross shape.

The final cone shaped pieces will need to be placed in the open spaces over the top of your base cone pieces. This will fill in the empty gaps and help create some dimension on your ornament.

I wanted to add some layers to my ornament, so I cut the leaf shape on my Cameo and added some sparkle to it by applying Zazz Glitter Glue over some of the leaf shapes.

Once the glitter glue has dried you can assemble the pieces of your ornament. I also added to some Zazz to the holly leaves die cut shape for extra sparkle. You can attach a ribbon bow to the backside of your ornament for hanging it on your Christmas tree.

This ornament can be a great addition to your own Christmas decor or make a great gift for family or friends!

Supplies: Santa Stripes (366099) - Peppermint Express, 6x6 Paper Pad (366119) - Peppermint Express, Glitter Glue (27411) - Zazz, Gingermint (366107) - Adhesive Layered Embellishment, Figgymint (366108) - Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Ribbon (366117) - Premium Ribbon