Stamping Sunday Blog Hop — Simply the Best

Welcome to the December Stamping Sunday Blog Hop. This month, our theme is “Simply the Best” or clean and simple cards!!! Believe it or not, I was a little freaked out about this challenge! Ha!!! Clean and simple really isn’t my thing. I figure if I’m going to make the effort to design a handmade card, I’m going to put forth my best effort. Typically, I start with a simple concept, but then think to myself, “what can I do to elevate this and make it look special?” So, this was actually a challenge to think of something simple that I’d proudly mail to a friend.

I chose the Merriest Trees Stamp Set for my card, and I only stamped … no die-cutting to show that I CAN make a card with just stamps, ink, paper … okay, and one little circle punch and a few embellishments such as ribbon and rhinestones. That may not seem simple enough, but look at my product list. It’s WAY shorter than normal!!! 🙂

One of the easiest things you can do to create a simple card is use designer series paper. Stampin’ Up! has so many, and they are all fantastic! For this card, I used the A Walk In The Forest Designer Series Paper (DSP.) I bought it because Stampin’ Up! is donating $3 from every purchase to support organizations dedicated to spreading cheer and providing support to those in need. Anytime SU! has a product like that, I like to participate, and this one is darling, and I knew I’d love using it. Plus it coordinates with the Merriest Trees Dies and Beary Cute Punch.

To create my card, I used a sheet of Joy of Christmas DSP (wood print) in the background and then tore Basic White Cardstock strips to create snow. Then, I fussy cut the bear and the trees on the far left and right from A Walk In The Forest DSP.

For the center tree, I stamped it with Balmy Blue ink and the highlights with Pretty Peacock ink. Then, I fussy cut the tree.

In the background, I used a 2-3/8″ punch to cut out a circle from A Walk In The Forest DSP. Then, I used a Wink of Stella Glitter Brush to add highlights to the snow and stamped tree.

I stamped the sentiments on the card front and inside with Cherry Cobbler ink. Then, I trimmed the “love & joy” down to a narrow strip and scored it to create a banner. The final touch was a strip of White Iridescent Ribbon under the banner and some Iridescent Rhinestone Jewels.

On the inside is more of that great DSP!

Be sure to continue on through the rest of the Stamping Sunday Blog Hop to see the other designers’ ideas for clean and simple projects!

Stamping Sunday Blog Hop Designers:

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Use Host Code 9ZEM4RAE for purchases at my online store to qualify to receive free exclusive project tutorials. This month’s PDF includes 12 fantastic tutorials designed by my demonstrator friends and I to inspire your creativity! The projects feature products from the 2024 Annual Catalog, Online Exclusives, and new January-April Mini and Sale-A-Bration Catalogs. Enjoy!

Product List