#SimpleStamping Saturday – Christmas Gleaming. If you are a returning visitor you will know how much I love #SimpleStamping Saturday. Creating 3 projects, each perfect for different levels of stamper is just a joy. But, I also think that it is a great way to show you how you can step up a design simply as you add more product and learn more techniques. Of course, if you have everything in your stash, and know lots of techniques, sometimes you need a quick solution, so my Note Card and Envelope version may be just what you are looking for.

The Christmas Gleaming Stamp Set is perfect for really quick projects, the ornaments fill space really quickly. I chose two of the Delecata Ink Pads for all my cards. These are a pigment, so do take a little longer to dry, so just be careful not to smudge them! On the #SimpleStamping version I simply stamped two of the ornaments and sentiments, then drew in the ‘string’. My original choice for the string was the Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker, basically because you can by it on its own. In the video I switched this out for the Soft Suede version. Which do you prefer?

My first stepped up version introduces full sheets of card stock and the punches that match the stamp set. I ‘attached’ these with Silver Metallic Thread in place of the Stampin’ Write Marker, having popped them up on Dimensionals. The stamped mat is Gold Foil, which I gutted so I could use the middle piece on another project. I felt that only 2 ornaments left too much white space, so added a further small one to balance things out. The extra ornament was just what was needed and I am really happy with the result.

My final version introduces coloured card and I switched the Gold Foil for Copper Foil. As a finishing flourish, I added some of the Red Rhinestones. These add a great pop of colour and you get an amazing 220 in the pack, so they go a very long way. This version is very similar to the second one, so I hope it shows how just a small change can make a real difference.

But, of course the real question is to find out from you which one you prefer. Are you a quick and simple fan, or would you rather have more colour on your Christmas card? Please let me know, either in the comments below, or in the comments on the YouTube video.

Dimensions

For International A4 Card

Standard A6 Cardbase
First Mat – 5-5/8 x 3-7/8” (14.4 x 10cm)
Second Mat – 5-1/2 x 3-3/4” (14.2 x 9.8cm)

For Letter Sized Card (8-1/2 x 11″)

Standard Card Base (half sheet folded in half to 4-1/4 x 5-1/2″)
First Mat – 4 x 5-1/4″
Second Mat – 5-1/8 x 3-7/8″

Nail Varnish Colours

Today’s Nail Colours are by Nails Inc. PLEASE NOTE, I get no commission from Nails Inc if you choose to shop from them using this link.