Stamping Techniques 101 Blog Hop - Chalkboard Technique

Hello! I hope you're enjoying this month's Stamping Techniques Blog Hop - so many wonderful projects with the Chalkboard technique, a classic!

Here is a photo of my project:

The Chalkboard technique is one of my favorites - I adore projects done with this eye-catching, yet simple style. This time, I'm thinking ahead to Christmas time and went with a more contemporary style. 

My Basic Black card base is cut at 4 1/4" x 8 1/2", folded in half to make a 4 1/4" square card. 

I trimmed 1/2" off the front right edge so I could add the strip of Silver Glimmer Paper at the end. 

There are several different ways to do this technique, I opted for the simplest - rubbing the Embossing Buddy across the black cardstock. 

Seriously, it's that simple. 

Before I do any stamping, I drop the Embossing Buddy onto the cardstock which produces a small dust cloud of white 'stuff' - whatever it is that's in that little sack. 

Then, I rub the Embossing Buddy around on the card front, tapping at times to produce more dust. It gives a look just like a schoolroom chalkboard. 

I stamped my images in Whisper White Craft Ink and embossed with White Embossing Powder. (Full confession here - my white embossing powder is a little old and isn't as brilliant as I'd prefer - you may have different results depending on the white level of your powder.)

Tip #1 - Don't be shy about adding more dust from the Embossing Buddy once the images are embossed. Sometimes it takes a few applications to produce the chalky finish you are looking for. 

Tip #2 - Be sure to have clean, oil free hands when doing this technique. Any oil or grease (hand cream for example) on your hands will come off on the cardstock and you WILL see the spots. 

I completed my card today with a greeting stamped in Versamark and embossed with Silver. I layered it onto a piece of Silver Foil Paper, using Stampin' Dimensionals under each layer. The layers were cut out with the Stitched Shapes Framelits and my Big Shot.

The ribbon side tie is the Pool Party 3/8" Shimmer Ribbon simply wrapped around the card front and tied off in a knot. I added some Clear Rhinestone Jewels for a sparkly finishing touch. 

I really hope you give this fun and easy technique a try for yourself! 

Here's a few of the products I've used for today's card: 

#142110 - Star of Light Photopolymer Stamp Set

#142049 - Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set

#103083 - Embossing Buddy

#109132 - White Embossing Powder

#147277 - Whisper White Craft Pad

#144152 - Pool Party Shimmer Ribbon

#145372 - Stitched Shapes Framelits

To purchase any of these supplies and more, you can visit my Online Store at this link:

www.trinitydesignstudio.stampinup.net

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit the other hoppers blogs and see the fun projects they've created for you! 

A Christmas Tradition - From my Kitchen!

Merry Christmas Eve my friends! 

Today's post is all about a special tradition in my home, 

the annual baking of the White Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti. 

It's in short, AMAZING! 

This recipe has been a favorite of my family and friends for many, many years. I make it each Christmas and if I make it too early, there is NONE left for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 

I have to share, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am NOT an awesome cook by any means. My wonderful hubby does most of the cooking in our home. 

I can cook, but I don't enjoy it like he does. 

What I do love however, is baking! 

I spent many hours baking with both my Mom and my Grandma while growing up and there's often nothing I enjoy more than baking something special for people I love. 

So, because I love you guys a LOT....

I put my recipe in a downloadable pdf file for you. :)

If I can't bake it FOR you, at least I can share my recipe!

Here is the link:

Robin's White Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti

I hope you have time to create this baked specialty for your friends and family this year. Make it and serve it with your New Year's Day coffee - it will be a great addition to your breakfast!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

I hope you get to create something fun today. 

Sweet Treat Packaging and Tags

If you're like me, you may be finishing up your Christmas baking and treat making this weekend. I'm way behind this year, mainly because we've already eaten or given away most of the first batches we baked Thanksgiving weekend! LOL!

We intended to get a head start this year, which we did.....

but it doesn't do any good if we can't keep our fingers out of the cookie jar! 

Anyway, all that to say if you're taking the time to make wonderful baked goods and sweet treats for friends and family, they definitely deserve some awesome cutie-patootie packaging like this: 

These adorable packages were dropped off at my door by my sweet friend Diana Eichfeld. She created them with the Oh, What Fun tag kit and some great basic Stampin' Up! packaging. 

You can use any snowflake stamp set along with White Craft ink to decorate the boxes. It's so beautiful on the natural background. 

And the Oh, What Fun Tag Project Kit is actually ON SALE for just $14.70 during the Year-End Clearance Sale!
Be sure to check all the great deals when you shop in my Online Store. 
I hope these lovely packages inspire some ideas for your own homemade treats! 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Great Christmas Gift Tag Ideas!

Earlier this Fall, I participated in a Christmas Gift Tag swap. 

Four of those tags, including my own design from this 

blog post HERE are part of my Glam Tags class. 

(Moved to 12/17. Periscope LiveStream on 12/18)

Here are the other tags from the swap. 

All are adorable, don't you think??

Even if you don't have the exact supplies to re-create these at home, you can use the basic ideas and layouts to make some fun Gift Tags of your own! 
There's still plenty of time to get crafty for Christmas!

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about these tags, feel free to email me at trinitydesignstudio1@gmail.com

www.trinitydesignstudio.stampinup.net

Simple Silent Night Card - Quick and Easy Christmas!

I KNOW!

You're still working on getting those Christmas Cards DONE ~~

Here's another simple idea for you: 

Card Instructions: 

• Whisper White card base 4 1/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2" and folded in half. 
• Emboss the card front with the Softly Falling Embossing Folder in the Big Shot.
• Ink the trees image from the Wonderland stamp set in Garden Green ink and stamp on a piece of Whisper White card stock   2" x 5 1/2". 
• Ink the greeting in Real Red ink and stamp below the trees. 
• Glue two 1" x 5 1/2" pieces of Gold Foil Sheets to either side of the stamped card stock. Glue this to the card front. 
• Punch stars out of Gold Foil Sheets with the Confetti Stars Punch. Glue on a few to the card front with the Fine-Tip Glue Pen. 

You can get 64 cards from ONE pack of Whisper White card stock.

You will need SIX packs of Gold Foil Sheets. (2 12" x 12" pieces per pack)

Here's a supply list for you:

To place your order for supplies, simply click on any thumbnail photo above to get to my Online Store. 

Now, go create something fun! 

Winter Wishes Gift Tag

Hey there crafty peeps!

Yesterday, I shared something quick and easy and awesome - did  you like the Santa Suit card? 

Today, I'm sharing something awesome, but not exactly quick and easy....
But SO worth it, would you agree??
Take a look:

As the Mom of a figure skater, I am always OVERJOYED when Stampin' Up! comes out with a stamp of an ice skate - and this image from the Winter Wishes stamp set just makes my heart go pitter-patter!! 
It's detailed right down to the toe-pick - if you skate, you KNOW what I mean....

For this gift tag, I stamped, colored and cut out 
ONE sled image
TWO evergreen branches and
TWO ice skates.
That's a lot of fussy-cutting, but it was worth it. 
I ADORE how this turned out!

The tag base itself was done with the Lots of Labels Framelits and my Big Shot. And I stamped the Hardwood background with Tip Top Taupe ink. 
For the banner, I stamped the greeting on a scrap of Very Vanilla card stock and cut it out with my Paper Snips. It's curled with the Bone Folder and adhered to the front. 

Here's all the supplies for this project:

As always, you can click on any of the thumbnail photos above and shop directly from my Online Store. 
Winter Wishes is RETIRING at the end of the Holiday Catalog. :( (Boo)
But you've been warned, get it before it's gone! 

Thanks for stopping by today, 
now go create something fun! 

Weekly Deals! Don't miss out!

Need a great gift for someone?
I offer Gift Certificates in ANY Amount!
email me at trinitydesignstudio1@gmail.com

All Gift Certificates come complete with a beautiful handmade card by me!

Santa Suit Christmas Card

Have you heard??

Christmas is in 21 days!

Now is the time to get serious about getting those Christmas cards DONE - and here's a quick and simple card project for you....

Santa's suit is adorable on this easy card!

Card Instructions: (z-fold card)

• Your card stock base should be cut at 4 1/4" x 11" (half of a sheet of card stock, lengthwise.
• Score it at 5 1/2" and again at 2 3/4". 

• Fold as shown in the photo above - like a "Z".
• The insert is 4" x 5 1/4". 
• The ribbon is 5 1/2" long, adhered on the back of the front fold.
• Santa's "buttons" are 3 of the largest Pearl Jewels colored with a Black sharpie marker.
• The Black Glimmer Paper 'belt' is 1 1/4" x 2 3/4".
• Silver Foil Paper buckle is 1 1/4" square with a 1" square of Black Glimmer Paper. 

Everything was adhered with Fast Fuse Adhesive.

You can create 48 of these cards with:
ONE pack of Real Red card stock, 
ONE pack of Whisper White card stock, 
ONE pack of Black Glimmer Paper and 
ONE pack of Silver Foil Sheets. 
You will need Three packs of Pearls and 
ONE roll of ribbon.
There are 40 envelopes in a package.

Here's a complete supply list: 

As always, you can click on any of the thumbnail photos and shop in my Online Store.

Thanks for stopping by today! 
Now, go create something fun!

Need a Gift Certificate?

email me at trinitydesignstudio1@gmail.com

You can purchase in any amount and it will come with a handmade Christmas Card from me!

Hello December 2015 - A Project Life Project

Good morning stampers!

Today, I'm giving you a little glimpse into my personal life and sharing something I'm doing for myself this December. 

Every day, I spend time with God, reading scripture from the Bible and writing in my journal. 

Several months ago, I discovered that my Facebook friend Shannon Long publishes a monthly Scripture Writing plan and I started using it in my daily time with God. 

I've found that writing out a portion of scripture each day not only draws me closer to him, but gives me a deeper understanding of his word. 

For the month of December, I decided to document the scriptures in a Project Life Album using the Hello December 2015 suite of products. 

I'm including family photos in the album, along with the written scriptures, personal journaling and pre-designed pocket cards to create a keepsake that I know I'll treasure for years. 

I've decided to share my album here with you as we go through the month, maybe it will inspire you to create a similar keepsake for yourself.

Here are the pages for December 1-5:

(For the photos of my pages here on the blog, I've added family photos from Christmases past so you can see fully designed pages. I'll be switching them out for photos of this year after the new year so I can document 2015.)

Here are the supplies I used to create the album and the pages: 

As always, you can click on the thumbnail photos to purchase any of the products shown - you'll be directed into my Online Store to complete your order. 

If you'd like to follow the same Scripture Writing Plan that I am, you can find it on my friend Shannon's blog at this link here:

Sweet Blessings

Wishing you a blessed Christmas season! 

Join me on my journey this year. 

(All scripture in my December Project Life Journal comes from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible)