Days of Old

We're celebrating "The Spirit of Christmas Past" which means we're creating cards with a vintage vibe. That might mean incorporating actual vintage items; OR using new papers, dies or stamps with an old-fashioned feeling. 

What do we mean by "vintage"? Pretty much any timeframe in history! Your "days of old" could be Regency England, Midcentury Palm Springs, or even just the fond days of your childhood Christmases. Just in case you have nothing that will suit, Lauren's scanned a few vintage postcards and some sheet music from her own collection and placed them below. Just right-click and save to your computer, then print them out at whatever size you'd like.

To add a little extra incentive, this week we're sponsored by Lauren's Etsy Shop, Just Enough Stuff, and there's a sweet little pack of holiday ephemera for one lucky cardmaker who links up their vintage card design at the bottom of this post.

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "My go-to starting place for Vintage is my collection of Ideals Christmas Magazines that were rescued from the recycle bin.  I found this image of poinsettias that I detail-cut around the edges.  Next I added ephemera from Tim Holtz the kind of vintage reproduction items to help complete the layout.  The last touch was adding clear Crystalline Drops to the Poinsettia centers and a scattering of golden gems."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "Two of my all-time favorite items to use on vintage-style holiday cards are sheet music and doilies. There are lots of modern versions of both, and I love music-inspired patterned paper and doily dies. But in this case, I went with actual OLD sheet music, paired with the doilies I found at a thrift shop over the weekend. The postcard image on my card is also vintage, but in this case I scanned the original and printed it slightly smaller, to be a better fit on my A7 card. Torn mats of patterned paper, machine stitching and a little bit of Eyelet Outlet washi tape add texture and interest."

Vintage items for you to use:

A fun prize from Just Enough Stuff, to be awarded randomly 

to one lucky cardmaker who links up with us this fortnight:

A Deluxe Christmas Assortment 

featuring sheet music, illustrations, 

text paper, playing cards, postcards, tags and more!

♥♥♥

Link your Old Fashioned Masterpiece right here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, May 19th. Keyword for galleries, social media and Flickr is JB-21-10.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Gift Card Creativity!

It's always been our dream to be able to send a shout-out to EVERYONE who participated in one of our Jingle Belles challenges, and this fortnight, that dream has come true! :)

Martina of U Martiny

...designed a clever little wallet in which the giftcard stand up when the folder is opened!

Lorraine of Paper Vernissage

...used a very clever die to make two adorable holders into which the gift cards get sealed, and the recipient pulls a perforated tear strip to release their gift!

Patrice posting on Instagram

...one of our newest Jingle Belles has gone all out with an extra special gift card POCKET; who wouldn't love to have a holiday outfit featuring red jeans adorned with lots of golden sparkles?!

Deanne Saunders of A Little Bit O' Paper 

...used her Cricut to design a clever fold-up pocket with a sentiment cut right into the flap; we love both the concept of this and the finished design!

♥♥♥

We'll be back at Midnight with a brand new prompt, we hope you'll be ready to have some good old-fashioned fun! 

the gift(cards) that keep on giving

We're still creating ways to send gift cards across the miles (or maybe hand it to them in person) and we can't wait to see your clever gift card holder ideas! You have until 6pm EST on Wednesday May 5th to join the party; scroll down to the original post to link up.

Here's how we are giving our gift(cards) this week.

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "I found a cute little Gift Card Envelope Die from The Cat's Pajamas in my stash (apparently long-ago discontinued but similar to this one from Hot Off the Press), and it was perfect for the top element in this week's Sketch Saturday.  I used 3/8 inch Velcro dots to hold it closed to make for easy access to the gift card.

The sticker sentiments and stitches are from Pretty Little Studio.  Paper is from Memory Box Garland paper collection (I love how there is pattern on one side and solid with corner patterns on the other side)."

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "There's a fab IG account called @LoveForPaperGoodies who makes really cool origami-style folded paper pockets. I used this video tutorial and was pleasantly surprised to find the technique is quite easy. I've put a bit more detail about the process on my own blog today." 

"There are three sections in the pocket, once it's folded. Working from back to front, I've got: a large shipping tag decorated with torn paper, vintage postage, a fussy-cut Authentique reindeer and miscellaneous blooms held on with ancient brads. In the middle section, there's a smaller shipping tag, with an Authentique Santa; and then the gift card tucks into the pocket right at the front."

On the First Day of Christmas ...

...my true love gave to me: a gift card in a gift card holder!  

That's right dear Belles, we're asking you to make a card that doubles as a gift card holder and has a place to tuck in a gift card. There are so many possibilities, from dies and templates to online tutorials; OR start with a store-bought option and decorate it. We can't wait to see your creative solutions.

Here's what we made this week:

Stephanie's Gift Card Holder

Stephanie Says, "I found a gift card holder tutorial that I made with a 12" x 5 1/2" piece of glittery designer paper  and coordinating tag from Pebbles Cozy & Bright.  This design just takes four scored folds, some strong tape and a few die cuts.  I used Essentials by Ellen Tag Trio for the gift card opening and a vintage My Favorite Things File Folder Edges Die for the rounded tab.  Finally I finished with the My Sweet Petunia Cut-Align to cut the perfect slit to tuck my gift card holder closed."

Lauren's Gift Card Holder

Lauren says, "I prefer a little box of some sort when it comes to gift cards, because it just looks so much more substantial! I saved and dissected a pillowbox which came with skincare samples, traced it onto beautiful Ciao Bella patterned cardstock from Paper Anthology, then cut, scored, folded and embellished it. I made a simple folder with a pocket to hold the actual gift card, sized to fit inside the pillow box, and decorated both items with diecuts, silk flowers, ribbon, jewel brads and a little bit of sparkly washi tape."

Link your project here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, May 5th. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB-21-09.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Happy Earth Day!

We are always delighted and impressed by the holiday cards our Jingle Belles make in honor of Earth Day and this year is no exception! If you haven't scrolled through the Readers' Gallery, we highly recommend a trip. Meanwhile, here are three cards we thought had especially clever twists on the theme:

Rocky of Rocky's Crafting Blog

...up-cycled an old folder to make the vibrant blue-sky background for her sweet woodland scene!

Martina of U Martiny

...rescued this lovely cottage from a holiday card she received, then made it even better by adding lace and lots of glamorous glitter!

Lorraine of Paper Vernissage

...made not one, but two, awesome cards; using JUST recycled items; this one has some pretty packaging, a paint chip, the liner of a security envelope, and the bow off a bag of sweets. 

(Hop over to see her other card!)

♥♥♥

Many thanks to everyone who played along, and we hope you'll continue re-using and up-cycling interesting bits and bobs on your cards throughout the year. 

We'll be back at Midnight with a brand new prompt we hope will make you feel gifted!

Go Planet ... it's your EARTH Day

Yep, we're still celebrating EARTH DAY this week at Jingle Belles, which means creating holiday cards featuring recycled materials.

Here is how we up-cycled this week:

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "I'm kind of excited that, apart from a few Eyelet Outlet Pine Tree, Deer and Snowflake Brads, a little bit of sheet music and some sparkly Tree Tape, these cards are made entirely out of cards. I trimmed, distressed, stacked, stitched and embellished multiple blue-and-snowy segments of card fronts and I'm pretty happy with the results!"

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "This week I went back to my packaging stash and used three different pieces for this card.  The two background die cut panels are another tissue box and a piece of K & Company packaging.  The Simon Says Stamp Ho Ho Deer Die is cut from a piece of Studio Calico Gridded Packaging backed by a scrap of coordinating designer paper from my scrap box with an added pair of googly eyes (never pass-up an opportunity to break out the googly eyes).  The stamped sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp Christmas."

Remember, you have until Wednesday April 14th at 6pm EST to upload your up-cycled Earth Day Cards.

Peace on Earth {Day}

If you've played along with us at ♥JINGLE BELLES♥ over the last few years, you already know there are two prompts that never change: at the beginning of October we honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month with "Pink Christmas"; and the end of April we celebrate Earth Day by making holiday cards that feature re-cycled, re-used or up-cycled elements.

So this week we're asking you to create a card that features at least one recycled element.

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I saved this lovely marbled cardstock from one of the many tissue boxes I go through in a year for just such a recycling opportunity.  I used three Sizzix Christmas Circle Words dies for the words and then finished with a sentiment from Impress Holiday Words and a scattering of blue gems."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "I rescued the birch-bedecked cover of a catalog in December, and since I usually save the fronts of the store-bought holiday cards I receive, I was able to find one with cardinals who look right at home there. My sentiment was trimmed off another card and I matted everything on scraps of specialty cardstock and affixed them to my kraft slimline card. I had intended to add snowflake brads or sequins, but nothing seemed quite right, so I decided to stop and let the cardinals be the stars of the show."

Link your cards right here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, April 21st. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB-21-08.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

To Die For!

There are so many gorgeous cards in the gallery this time, it was especially hard to choose just three; so be sure to scroll down to the original post and grab an eyeful of inspiration!

Liz Cavill of Crafty Sunflower

...used a clever pop-up die set to create her awesome dimensional staircase, then accessorized it brilliantly to give the feeling of being in a festively decorated room! 

(We especially love that cool embossed "wallpaper"!)

Viv of Viv's Visuals

...has both "Merry" and "Bright" covered perfectly with this bold and dramatic CAS card; plus two sets of diecut trees for a super cool shadow effect! 

Carol S of Inky Fingers

...proves that sometimes thinking INSIDE the box is a really great idea; especially if its a folding box card, and it's full of diecut holiday cuties!

♥♥♥

Many thanks to everyone who played along, we really do love seeing every single one of your amazing cards. We'll be back at midnight with a brand new prompt we hope you'll think is the greatest thing on earth! ;) 

Prepare to DIE(cut)!

We're still celebrating dies and punches at Jingle Belles and you have until Wednesday evening to join the fun! 

Scroll down to the original post to see the awesome Readers' gallery and link up your card; meanwhile, here's what we made this week:

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "Since die-cutting can result in both positive and negative images to work with (the die cut itself, as well as the hole it made) I've got a two-fer this week! The card to the left was made using ancient nested diamond dies to create two layered mats, which I filled with Impression Obsession's Deer Trio and Birch Trees. I took the diamonds I discarded while making those frames and stacked them, added more deer plus some Fiskars punched trees, and layered them onto an alternate background I made last week with the Hero Arts Holly Confetti die."

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I'm not sure how long I've had this cute little Holiday Owl from Elizabeth Craft Designs in my stash, but I had never cut him out.  He's super-cute and perfect for a card in the Iowa Hawkeye Colors for some fans on my Christmas Card list.  Sentiment is from Kerri Bradford  Oh What Fun and layout is the current Mojo Monday Sketch."

Holiday Cards to Die For!

We're embracing the joys of die-cutting this fortnight at Jingle Belles, so break out your nested label shapes, your stamp-and-die combos, your beautiful background dies or all of the above! 

For those who have not embraced the format, we'll also accept cards that feature old school paper punches, as well as electronic cutting systems like Cricut, Silhouette, etc; so there's no excuse not to join the fun!

Here's what we made this week:

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "Memory Box is one of my favorite companies for Die Cuts.  This card features both their Tall Taper candle and the holly accent trimmed from the Memory Box Cabrini Ornament, all cut from glitter paper outlined by gold metallic paper.  I paper pieced it together on a piece of Memory Box Garland designer paper and finished with a sentiment from Memory Box Holiday Greenery."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "I love this Hero Arts Holly Confetti Cover Die, so it's a bit of a mystery why I don't use it more? That's what I love about challenges... they spur me on to use neglected items. I made a funky smooshed background using Lime, Pthalo Green and Turquoise ColorBurst, and layered the diecut panel over some ancient dark green velvet paper. The flower and snowflake stack has some pre-packaged silvery diecut snowflakes, as well as Tim Holtz Tattered Snowflakes that I cut from white glitter paper; the flakes are sandwiched between layers of fabric flowers. The brad at the center is so old I'm not sure where it's from, but it has tiny holly leaves so I couldn't resist!"

Link your diecut (or punched!) creations right here, by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, April 7th. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB-21-07.

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Greenery Greats

 So much beautiful holiday foliage in the gallery ... here are a few that caught our eyes.

Vicky of Crafting Clare's Paper Moments

shared a stunning one-layer poinsettia card.  

The masked shading is such a great way to add visual interest to a CAS design.

Barbara G. of Barb's Creative Corner

made us smile with her holiday garland decorated with 

ornaments and a fat little Christmas Cat.

Susan B. of Cardmaker's Garrett

shared a super-cool technique with her 

boughs of holly.

And finally ... drum roll ... our prize goes to:

Cyndie R. of Reis's Pieces of Paper

We'll see you back at midnight with a *sharp* new holiday card prompt.

Festive Foliage

We're still celebrating holiday greenery at Jingle Belles and you're still invited to join us! Scroll down to the original post to see the fun little prize we've got and to link up your own festive foliage card!

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "This week I've combined LOTS of different diecuts: holly, a few types of evergreen, even a bit of fern; plus of course that beautiful big Penny Black "Glorious" poinsettia... all on top of a collaged background of sheet music, text paper and holiday postage."

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "When paper is this pretty, I'm not too proud to let it shine front & center as my card design.  This paper featuring a collection of holiday foliage is from Simple Stories Vintage North Pole.  I trimmed it down and added another of the light blue papers along the top and the bottom.  I finished with some light blue sequins."

The Holly & the Ivy

This week's Jingle Belles prompt is “going green” … we'd like you to incorporate holiday foliage into your cards. 

This could be literally Holly or Ivy … but there's also mistletoe and did you know that Poinsettias – whether red, white green or even pink – are all actually considered leaves and not flowers?? So there's lots of room for ideas to “grow” on you.

And one lucky participant will receive the Flora & Fauna Holiday Word Party Stamp Set.

Here's what we've got growing this week:

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I love how this image from Simon Says Stamp Joyful Season combines several types of holiday foliage.  I stamped it in Versafine Clair Rain Forest ink and then added red to the berries with Spectrum Noir Markers.  I finished with a sentiment from the set and coordinating paper borders."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "The beautiful panel of holly, berries and mistletoe was the background of a card someone sent me this past Xmas. I'm not sure how it got mixed into a pile of totally unrelated stuff on my desk, but I was excited to find it just in time to make this week's card. I added an Authentique journal card, a few diecut greens, super skinny red mats and a trio of Eyelet Outlet Poinsettia Brads and my flat, mailable masterpiece was complete!"

Link your foliage inspired creations here by 6pm on Wednesday, March 24th. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB-21-06.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Super SKETCH-mas Greetings

You guys sure made it hard to only choose THREE sketch cards from the readers' gallery to feature, but after a very difficult choice, here they are:

Donna of Keep Calm and Snark On

...made the adorable wee reindeer the star of the show in her fun, whimsical, vibrant card!

 

Cyndie of Reis' Pieces of Paper 

...achieved an artful, elegant vibe by pairing a beautiful gift tag with patterned paper on top of an amazing salted watercolor background that she painted herself!

Jenni of Wish I Was Scrappin'

...cleverly used ribbon for the sketch's strong horizontal and vertical lines, then made a smaller stamp work brilliantly as focal point, by accessorizing perfectly!

♥♥♥

Many thanks to everyone who played along, we love seeing ALL of your amazing creations! We'll be back at midnight with a brand new prompt that's unbe-LEAF-able! :)

SKETCH-ing in a Winter Wonderland

We're still getting SKETCH-y this week (link-up here by 6pm EST on Wednesday) with our wonderful Jingle Belles Layout.

Here are the Belles' designs for this week:

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "Again I capitalized on the efficiency of using a sketch by translating the various shapes into readymade items like stickers and diecuts. I flipped the sketch, so that the focal point and the intersecting lines are reversed, just to change things up a little. I've used five different Eyelet Outlet Washi Tapes to make the strong vertical line, and an older Crate Paper sticker that says "Winter" for the horizontal. I've clustered a few items to make up the focal point: a sweet jar diecut from Pebbles, embellished with EO Holiday Tree and Snowflake Brads; a couple of chipboard xmas trees that I think were Echo Park from several years ago. The whole thing is on a base of music-lined paper that is ancient, but still looks fab to me!" 

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "I thought if I flipped the sketch, it would be the perfect way to nest a Snow Globe into my design.  I went searching through my holiday tag collection and found this adorable Merry T-Rexmas one that fit the bill.  I paired it with Gina K. Designs Winter Whimsy designer paper, which had the perfect colors & almost exactly matched the Christmas Tree in the snow globe.  I decided to run my vertical & horizontal pieces all the way across the card and finished with some glittery green Love from Lizi Peel-off Strips."

Merry SKETCH-mas

It's Sketch time at Jingle Belles, so we've got a beautiful, flexible layout devised by our very own Stephanie Severin to help you design this week's holiday card.

The circle element can of course be any shape, and you're welcome to rotate, flip, or stretch the design; just make sure we can see the "bones" of the sketch in your card. Here's how we were inspired by the Sketch:

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I couldn't resist combining papers from adorable Doodlebug Polar Pals Paper.  I added some purple bling to the sky and a sticker sentiment to finish the design."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "I *love* card sketches because they streamline the design process so brilliantly, especially if you stick to readymade items. I used wintery Echo Park stickers from last year to make up my focal point, as well as the strong horizontal element up top. For the vertical on the left, I used self adhesive, super-thin wood veneer that came in a roll, which is absolutely my new favorite thing. A couple of coordinating patterned paper mats and some Eyelet Outlet Snowflake Brads complete the design."

Link your sketch cards here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, March 10th. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB-21-05.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter