Artisan Secret Santa Exchange

The 2024 Artisan Design Team is feeling the spirit of the season. Today we are hopping over on Instagram, but this isn't an ordinary hop. This is a special Secret Santa Gift Exchange Hop! Earlier we drew names and then got busy hand stamping a project just for the name of the person we drew. The projects in the Insta' hop are all gifts to one another.

Merry Christmas Verena Shapiro! I was SUPER excited to have drawn Verena's name for our Artisan's Secret Santa Exchange. She has an impeccable stampin' style which she calls "simple and not so simple." I cased a card of Verena's, shown below, and added several touches inspired by other card designs I found of hers. 

First, I included Verena's fringe-style background, next her use of Basic White and hues of blue, and lastly I included a technique I saw in another one of her cards which was to stamp and then dry emboss. 

While I cased her card I included a bit of my stampin' style too. There are lots of colorful Bubble Bath and Balmy Blue micro splatters, and I couldn't resist using a bit of Wink of Stella. I say Wink is always invited to the party, she gives any card it's finishing sparkle.

Here's a look at the inside of the card. You may be wondering why I added a white layer to the inside of a white card. I did that to give the back side of the card both physical and visual weight to counterbalance with the front.

I mentioned that the Artisans are hopping over on Instagram. There are several of us who are also sharing our Exchange on our blogs. Below are links to those who are blogging. To see all the gifts head over to Instagram.

Narelle -  https://www.narellefarrugia.net/?p=10973

Su - https://aromasandart.com/artisans-secret-santa-exchange

Maheswari - https://mystampgarden.com/2024/11/2024-artisian-blog-hop-secret-santa.html

Teri - https://alaskastamper.com/artisans-secret-santa-exchange

Yvonne - https://thecreativeteacup.blogspot.com/2024/11/artisan-designteam-2024-secret-santa-hop.html

Monique - https://www.moniquedekok.com/2024/11/cake-celebrations-artisan-designteam.html

Mikaela - https://thecraftyoinkpen.co.uk/2024/11/artisan-design-team-secret-santa-exchange.html

Ashley - https://designwithink.blogspot.com/2024/11/secret-santa-casing-with-2024-stampin.html

Jacque - https://stamphappy.co.nz/hearts-of-elegance-masculine-valentines-or-anniversary-card

#TGIF501 Let It Snow

#TGIF501 is an inspiration challenge. I created a winter scene with help from the A Little Bit Festive Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Joyful Sayings Ephemera.

Artisan Post #21 - Stockings for Christmas

This post is all about my last Paper Pumpkin alternatives made especially for Stampin' Up! as an Artisan. These two were made with the Filled with Joy Kit from November. For my first alternative I kept it pretty simple by adding a few fancy details to one of the stockings.

First, I gathered a bit of Basic Beige Bordered Ribbon to the cuff of the stocking. No sewing machine necessary. I used Tear and Tape to attach the ribbon to the cuff and it worked like a charm. I carried the addition of ribbon over to the tag for a big finishing touch. The personalized name was cut with the Mini Alphabet Dies. While I included Foam Adhesive behind each letter that is not what I used to adhere the name to the cuff. Once I had the letters exactly where I wanted them, I pulled one off at a time and used Multipurpose Liquid Glue to permanently  attach them.

Artisan Post #20 - Otterly Amazing

These river otters are totally adorable! The entire Otterly Amazing Suite Collection is over the top awesome. My monthly Artisan assignment for November was this fantastic set of products. I decided to mix it up a bit and instead of making cards I made some custom gift boxes. I guess I was getting in the mood for the biggest gift giving season of the year. What's cool is both packages could easily translate and be recreated for the front of a card.

#TGIF500 is Tearing it Up!

It's hard to believe, but TGIF Challenges has hit our 500th challenge!! It's so fun to be here for this momentous moment. Now check this out. The challenge is all about tearing techniques so, I think it's fun to say we are "tearing" it up for our 500th #TGIF500 challenge.

For this card I did a designer series paper mash up. I combined the Nests of Winter 12" x 12" DSP, which I used for the focal point, with the Iconic Celebrations 6" x 6" DSP, which I layered for the base and background of my card.

I have three various prints from the Iconic Celebrations that I tore and layered on the left side of my card. Under those layers is a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece of the candy cane pattern from the Iconic Celebrations pack. I love how the four designs playfully work together. The tearing technique is simple yet adds lots of fun visual texture.

#TGIF499 Changing Leaves

This autumn the leaves have been bright and beautiful and a sight to see. In my neighborhood the leaves now lie on the ground and the tree branches are totally bare, but in my mind I can still see the wonder of nature. For #TGIF499 we are sharing projects that feature "autumn breeze and beautiful leaves." 

For this card I used the stunning Changing Leaves Hybrid Bundle. I chose a palette of Berry Burst, Cajun Craze, Copper Clay, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and Bubble Bath. I also included copper foil and Wink of Stella for shine and sparkle.

For the "hello" greeting I die cut that from Berry Burst Glimmer Paper using the Rustic Crate Dies. Did you notice the woodgrain paper? It's called Wood Textured 12" x 12" Specialty Paper. It comes all white so you can brayer it and make it any color you like. I used a brayer to add a light coat of Bubble Bath.

Artisan Post #19 - Snow Days Scrapbooking Page

Several of us on the Artisan Design Team had an extra assignment to create a scrapbook layout using the new products from the recently released Scrapbooking Brochure. I was lucky to receive the Snow Day products which included the Snowy Scenes 12" x 12" DSP and Sticker Sheet, the Snow Day Stamp Set, and the Snow Day 12" x 12" Two-Tone Cardstock. 

To see how I put this page together click the photo below to view a video on my YouTube Channel.

I can't say enough about the greatness of the new Two-Tone Cardstocks! Take a closer look at how I repeated a tearing technique for the border, the photo mats, and the "Sun Valley" title and date.

Artisan Post #18 - Iconic Imagery

I'm catching up on a few Artisan Design Team projects I forgot to post. This one was for our July. Our  assignment for our Group was to create projects featuring the Iconic Celebration Suite Collection from #stampinupofficial. This was a new online exclusive Suite that was released in July. It's filled with "iconic images" for birthdays, holidays, love, celebrations, and seasons. It is still available in Stampin' Up!'s online store and it definitely covers a wide range of themes which you might totally enjoy.

I think my favorite touch that I included in both of these cards are the "star" shaped flowers.