Santa Claus is coming to town

First of all, in case you don't know, I am on a design team for StampingScrapping.com. I started out buying at a store with exceptional service and ended up with a friend for life. Cindy and Kevin Echtinaw, like a lot of people in this economy, struggle with keeping the doors open on a small business. They don't ask for help, they ask for customers. And once you order from Cindy, you discover what customer service really is. In fact, if customer service were in the dictionary, they would have Kevin and Cindy's picture - lol. I tell you that to tell you this: Cindy offers blog candy on the Stamping Scrapping Design Team Blog - for every 100 new followers, she gives away a gift certificate. And the Design Team Blog is filled with tutorials, hints, and new products. So, pop on over there and give it a peek. Stay to browse, follow, and good things are going to happen to you. I promise.


I turned this card topsy turvy. I started with a 4.25" x 11" piece of paper scored at 3" and 9" on the long side. The latch is from an old Sizzix die I've never used (not the only tool in my stash I've never used, believe me). A hint for adding this to your card: assemble the latch and put a piece of removable tape on the front. Add your adhesive to the back keeping in mind it will need to open down the center and you can't cover the slit and prong, so keep your adhesive off of the middle, add your latch to your project and then remove the tape. Easy Peasy! Another technique I like for a snow effect is using Tulip white metallic paint to cover an area before I put on glitter or flower soft. It gives a dimension that flat glue doesn't. Left alone it has a really nice shimmer to it and the nozzle on the tulip paint is very tiny so you can get into the smallest places. I will be concentrating on Christmas cards until Christmas, so if you're a friend that reads my blog, this card could be in your mailbox soon.


The tree is from the Santa Collection 08 - there are 3 trees, I cut one out; Cindy doesn't have it in stock, but I'll bet she'll be glad to order it for you if you contact her at: (stampingscrapping@charter.net). Other supplies are: Paper: DCWV Christmas Stack, Stash; Stamps: Magnolia Frosty with Snowflake; Sizzix Latches Die; Kaiser Rhinestones; Ribbon: Stash; Tulip Metallics White Paint; Sparkling Ice Glitter; Silver Stickles; Spica Clear; Copics: [B000, B91, B95]
Things I wonder: How Sophie Allsopp on HGTV's Unsellables can paint a bathroom white wearing a little black dress and stilletto heels. I can't look at a paint can without getting it all over me, the cat, and the trees outside. What do you suppose she knows that I can't figure out?