Triple Time Stamping with Flat, not fluffy, Christmas Cards

The last thing I mentioned in my previous post (before answering the four questions) was that I needed to continue working on making f-l-a-t, instead of fluffy, cards. The two cards I have today are definitely more flat than my previous ones, which is good; however, I am not a fan of either of them because I think they are too p-l-a-i-n. Therefore, my quest to make a flat card that is visually appealing continues. *sigh*

I used the Seasonally Scattered stamp set, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, and Whisper White cardstock, and the Perfect Polka Dots & Snow Burst (retired) embossing folders to create the card below.

(click photo to enlarge)

For this "Triple Time Stamping" card I used the Snowflake Soiree (retired) and Endless Wishes (sentiment) stamp sets. Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, and Whisper White cardstock and I added a few Basic Jewels for a little bling.

(click photo to enlarge)

Triple Time Stamping:

Whisper White Cardstock:
Top Layer: 2 x 3 1/4
Middle Layer: 3 x 4 1/4
Bottom Layer: 4 X 5 1/4

Cherry Cobbler Cardstock:
Top Layer: 2 1/4 x 3 1/2
Middle Layer: 3 1/4 x 4 1/2
Bottom Layer: 8 1/2  (scored at 4 1/4) x 5 1/2 

Layer the three white pieces of cardstock on top of each other making sure they are centered. Stamp your images and then adhere the white pieces onto their respective Cherry Cobbler mats.

I would love your feedback (aka: constructive criticism) on both cards in the comments section below. Do you think they are too plain? What do you (or don't you) like about both of them?  I'm curious to see what you think.

Tomorrow I will have another epic flat fail for you - because I'm good at those, ya know! I will use the (retired) Santa's List stamp set and MOJO Monday Sketch #354 as my template.  Even though I manage to not use any embellishments, the five layers plus a banner definitely disqualifies it from being considered "flat".

On Wednesday I will show you the Christmas card that made the final cut so I (with help from my hubby) will be duplicating it to send out later this week. On Thursday I will do a little Throwback and show you a few of my cards from Christmas 2012 - all of which my mother took hostage for her box of Handmade by Hallie cards!

Until tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday ... Hugs, Smiles, and Blessings!
~Hallie
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

April Design Team Work - Day #2

Howdy, Blog Readers!!

Welcome to Day #2 of my April CCrew Design Team project reveal. Since I am showing you one project per day and there isn't a lot to say about the projects, my posts will be short and sweet. Of course if you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will be happy to provide you with an answer!!

Theme:  
April seems to open the door and invite us outside! This month let's focus on welcoming spring's attitude back into our hearts.

Catalog Focus: Watercoloring! Whether it be with an ink pad aqua painter, markers, watercolor pencils, making a background, or dying something. What can you do with water & color?

I definitely ventured out of my comfort zone for this challenge because I am NOT one to water color.  The most water coloring I've done was when I was a small child at my parent's office. I remember having a glass of water alongside the long container of Crayola water colors and the little yellow paintbrush. Of course the paint always started out new and then the pretty colors inevitably ended up being mixed together which eventually resulted in ALL of the circles of paint being BLACK! It was then that I began scheming of ways to get a hold of my sister's water colors so I could mess them up too have colors that weren't mixed together. Sometimes my schemes worked and sometimes they didn't. Whichever the case, I only have happy memories of my childhood water coloring so I'm guessing the details worked themselves out. 

For this card I used the Triple Time Stamping technique and paired it with stamped, punched, and water colored flowers. I stamped the pansies from the Flower Shop stamp set onto some Stampin' Up! watercolor paper and then water colored them using my Stampin' Write markers and an aqua painter. Once the flowers were finished I punched them out and adhered them to my card using dimensionals. The process was pretty straight forward and easy so without further adieu ...
 

 

 (click to enlarge)

That wraps up today!! Until tomorrow ...

Hugs, Smiles, Blessings, & Happy Stampin'!!
Hallie

Triple Time Stamping

As it turns out, I did not make it to my craft room yesterday to have something for you this morning; however, I am sneaking this post in now; in just enough time to have it count for today!! Yay!!

Thankfully my hubby is MUCH better and will be returning to work tomorrow which means I will be able to spend most of my day stamping. I am a little panicked because I currently have eight, that's right - EIGHT!, Design Team assignments that I need to do in addition to several other projects. YIKES!! The only down side to my DT work is that I can't share my projects with you until they go live; 4 on April 1st and then 4 more on May 1st (that was a hidden announcement, did you catch it?!?). What's the saying?!?  All good things come to those who wait!! It's a good thing that I'm the one creating the projects and will see the end result immediately because I'm not a patient person. Nope - Not Me!! I am all about instant gratification!!

Speaking of instant gratification, how about I show you today's project?!?  Actually, hang on just a second while I tell you that I visited my dear friend Marsha's blog, found her Triple Time Stamping (TTS) tutorial, and then stole CAS'd (that's Copy And Shared) my version of her card. If you've never made a TTS card, I highly recommend you boogie head on over to her blog and follow her instructions - they are wonderful!! You could also be so kind as to leave her a sweet comment when you are there!! Now for my card...

 (click to enlarge)

That's all for now!! I'm off to continue creating while my creative juices are flowing!!

Hugs, Smiles, Blessings, and Happy Stamping!!
~Hallie

All supplies Stampin' Up! (you can order HERE).
Stamp Set:  Flower Shop; A Dozen Thoughts
Ink: Pacific Point; Tangerine Tango; So Saffron
Cardstock:  Pacific Point; Tangerine Tango; So Saffron; Whisper White
Accessories: Pansy Punch; White Baker's Twine; Basic Pearl; Dimensionals
Techniques:  Paper Piercing
Note: The background flowers were tapped off TWICE before stamping them onto the Whisper White cardstock.  The single popped up flower is 100% saturated Tangerine Tango ink (in other words, ink pad to paper ... no stamping off!).