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Today’s card was inspired by a combination of a favorite sketch and the “Presents and Pinecones” Designer Series Paper.  A clean and simple design that I completed in just a few minutes.

Product Suite Inspiration

When I sit down to do some card making, there are times I have no idea what the outcome will be.  I generally have something in mind and, in most cases, I go in a completely different direction.  This was one of those projects.  The “Presents and Pinecones” Designer Series Paper is part of a holiday suite in the 2016 Holiday Catalog, the “Christmas Pines” stamp set and “Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies” are also part of the Suite.

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Creating with a Product Suite is simple.  Since each product coordinates with the other, you don’t have to have a large inventory of supplies.  You can invest in one suite and create endless projects.  My first thought for the project today was to crop some pine boughs… well, that didn’t happen!

Here’s how it went…

  • Once I looked at the patterned paper, noticed the pretty tree and soft snow falling in the background, I knew I needed some snow, so I went to my “Softly Falling” Embossing Folder.
  • I cropped a layer of paper highlighting the tree… this was actually my first step.
  • I chose my card stock colors (Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Emerald Envy)  from the patterned paper.
  • Emerald Envy would be my card base since I wanted to replicate the patterned paper as much as possible (remember, this was part of my original inspiration).
  • Cherry Cobbler would be the color for my mat layer since the snow and sentiment layer had to be Whisper White.
  • I chose the sentiment because I liked it and it was a good “sentiment banner” size.
  • It was the word “sparkle” in the sentiment that led me to add my much loved sequins and crop a Gold Glimmer Paper star.
  • Oh, and by the way… this is always my “Go To” sketch design.

So, there you have it.  This is the way I create my projects… starting out with an idea, then just going wherever I’m prompted to go.  It’s a process I enjoy because there’s always an element of surprise for me.

So take a look at some of the pretty Product Suites in the Holiday Catalog.  It’s definitely not too late to pick up a few pieces and create your own surprises.

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And RIGHT NOW Stampin’ up! is offering another fabulous promotion. It’s called STITCHED FROM THE HEART and features new Stitched Framelit Dies and 25% off selected stamp sets for the holidays.  It’s a WIN, WIN for you!  … and I wouldn’t be surprised if you start to see some beautiful new projects featuring these framelits.  They really do give your cards and projects that “Stepped Up”, finished look.

STITCHED FROM THE HEART HOLIDAY PROMOTION

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…and, The Christmas Pines Stamp Set is one of the specially priced sets.

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