Ashbee Design

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Etsy Cards • Handmade by Others • #4

I have used thread and ribbon in my card designs before but not in the same method as Carol Smith-Nichols. She crafts many themes using stitches but I especially like her geometric snowflakes. Here is the design Karen picked out as part of my birthday collection.

Each of these lines is an embroidered silver thread.

If you like this type of card you can order the pattern as well. It comes as a PDF file on your computer and it shows both the punching pattern and the stitching order. The layering of the stitches adds to the uniqueness of this design. It is copyrighted by www.stitchingcards.com.

In fact, if you like this design I think you'll have to order the pattern because I can't find her shop on Etsy any longer. I did find other hand-stitched cards, many with beautiful designs but poor photography. And the prices are incredible reasonable for all the work!

Previous posts of interest:

Monday, December 5, 2011

Christmas Decorating • Organizing Ideas

Here is a hint to help you NEXT year. This is a portion of my holiday decor.

Overwhelming, right? Where to begin? Although I often use the same ingredients I do different arrangements mainly because I never remember what I did last year. I have started taking quick photos of decor arrangement ideas in my home that I liked, especially those that are quick and effective. I love getting ready for Christmas and I spread the event out over the entire month. Reality is that I also have a job, do my blog, make cards, calendars, cookies, and entertain so my decorating needs to be of the quick variety. Here are a few snapshots I took last December to remind me of ideas I liked. These aren't great photos- they are just to help me.

I do a lot with adding just a few seasonal pieces to my existing decor. The above table is there year round. I just added the Santas and Swedish runner.

My giant pear looks ready for the season once it gets the Santa hat!

The top of the family room hearth was quickly decorated with just a line of red Christmas balls. Matches the balls I have everywhere else!

One additional organizing tip - be sure to give the photos a common keyword -like Christmas Decor Ideas, so you can quickly find them in your digital photo album. I wasn't so focused on that and had to do some searching. I'll fix that this year! And I'll take more.

So once you are done decorating this year, take five minutes and snap a group of photos to start you off Christmas 2012!

Previous Posts of Interest:

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Etsy Cards • Handmade by Others • #3

I have handmade pop-up cards in the past and shared some of my Christmas Cards here. Others are much more accomplished paper engineers than I. Daughter Karen gave me a card from Petrina Case of PopUp Studio in Palmyra, NY. Pop-up and tree house. What a great combination for me!

Made me smile!

You can see more of Petrina Case's work at her Etsy shop here or her website here.