Christmas is Coming

The weather turned cold after our snow earlier this week but they say the weekend will warm up.  The cold weather made me realize how quickly Christmas is approaching.  I decided to start making a few holiday cards. 

The limited edition Holiday Frames & Tags Cricut cartridge has a wide variety of multi layered shapes that are lovely for cards.  The shapes remind me of the type that were on the Lacy Labels Lite cartridge.

The frames and the tags are designed using four layers.  This frame is on page 69 of the handbook (letter M).  The top layer cuts in two pieces to reveal a shadowline of the lower color - in this case, red.

You could use some of the frames with just two layers and make different combinations to suit your project.

This frame is designed to have a top layer that reveals just a bit of the layer below.

By leaving the center section of the top layer off you can have a different look.

I tried one version of the card using the frame without the center top layer and then heat embossed the word "JOY" from a Martha Stewart stamp set with white embossing powder.

After trying several variations, I ended up using all of the layers of the frame and embossing the stamp with red glitter embossing powder by Zing.  The frame would look nice on a plain red card front like this.

I decided to add more layers and used this green foil cardstock from the DCWV "Merry Christmas" stack from last year.

This is the stack I used - there are so many Christmas stacks with similar names from DCWV that I thought it would be easier to show you the exact one.

I cut my card layer carefully to make sure that the foil design was centered.  I added a second white cardstock mat to add a thin line of definition around the green foiled mat.  The finished frame was raised from the card front with foam circles (you probably don't need this many, I get carried away sometimes!).

The frame ends up to be quite thick when the four layers are assembled.  I used DCWV Shimmer cardstock (green and red) and Core'dinations Gemstone and Core Couture white glittered cardstock for the top layers.

In hindsight,  I think it would be better to use a smoother cardstock for the top layer if you are planning to heat emboss the sentiment - particularly if you are using glittered embossing powder.

It's hard to tell from the photo but the glittered word works very well with the shine on the green cardstock.  It is important to cut the green layer so the pattern will be symmetrical on the card.  This frame was cut at 3 1/2 inches and fits the card and the design in the cardstock perfectly!

While the cartridge is called Holiday Frames & Tags it is really suitable for almost any occasion.  You can vary the look by using papers in colors that suit the occasion - pastels, metallics, etc. 

Creative Memories has designated this cartridges as a "Limited Edition."  The "Limited Edition" items are only available for two months (until the end of December) and could sell out sooner.  You can see the full handbook for this cartridge HERE.  If you don't have a local consultant and you are interested in buying this cartridge, I'd be happy to help you.  You can order on my website HERE and have the cartridge shipped directly to your address.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  I think that I have sent my Dad's address to everyone that requested it so they could send a card.  He'll be 88 on the 17th.  If you didn't get an email with the address, please let me know right away - Thanks!


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