Sorry that I’m a day late with my blog post. I returned from the awesome Stampin’ Up! Backstage Event on Thursday evening and had a lot of sleep to catch up on, lol. I also had a Grandparents Day to attend (can’t miss those!) and decided to sneak in a doctors appointment to try to knock out a sinus infection that I’ve been fighting. Fingers crossed that the new meds will work better.

So today I have four cards for you that I received as swaps at Backstage. By the way, if you aren’t familiar with the Backstage Event it is a leadership training for demonstrators who are at the Silver Elite level and above. With the help of my customers and team members I’ve finally gotten there. I do still feel like I don’t quite belong with all of the million dollar achievers but I love meeting them and learning from them.

The first card is a cute Bendi Fun Fold created by a gentleman stamper from Europe, Vic Fait Du Scrap. Vic has used the Festive Friends Bundle and Elegant Pines Designer Series Paper. The coloring on this Santa is just gorgeous. I think I see a Bendi card coming soon in my Creative Cards Class! The card base is 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ scored at 2 3/4″. The next layer is 4 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ scored at 1/4″, 2 1/4″ and 1/4″. The front band is 6″ scored at 1/4″, and 5 1/4″. If you want bigger tab for gluing, make the layers a bit longer.

This next card was created by my friend (and roommate for the event) Dawn Olchefske. She has also used the Elegant Pines Designer Series Paper for these die cut ornaments. The ornaments and greeting come from the Ornamental Christmas Bundle. The Faceted Snowflake Gems used on both of these cards are so pretty too. The 7/8″ ribbon has been cut in half the long way to create 2 smaller bows.

This card is so ‘Dawn’. We each have our own style when making cards. I tend to run to country cute, while Dawn’s are classic and elegant.

Evelyn has created a fun fold card as well. The base is 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ with a flap centered on it that is 2 3/4″ x 11″ scored at 5 1/2″. The image is die cut from the Traditions of Christmas Designer Series Paper and the greeting is from the Ornamental Christmas stamp set. The Glass & Gardens embossing folder was used on the 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ white layer under the image. Some shinny Sparkle Sequins finish off the card.

Linda has also used the Ornamental Christmas stamp set for her greeting, as well as a gold foil pine bough cut with the Christmas Greenery Dies. The greeting has been heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. The greeting label is created with the Labeled with Love Punch. The Real Red Shiny Ribbon is from the Traditions of Christmas Suite. A 1 1/2″ x 4″ piece of the Traditions of Christmas foiled Designer Series Paper adds another pop of color to the card. Three of the Drusy Embellishments add some more sparkle.

Wow! Four great ideas for Christmas cards and we still have some time to make them!

Click the links below to shop in my store for the products used to create these cards.

P.S. I just had to share a few photos from the Backstage Event.

Dawn Olchefske and I at the Photo Booth.

The count down on the big screen for a session to begin. The 6 year old cowgirl who still lives in my heart loves this graphic.

I loved these table decorations.

Paper chain activity.

With CEO Sara Douglas

With founder Shelli Gardner

We got to ‘build’ a cowboy hat and I totally LOVE mine. The process didn’t run smoothly, so I ended up with a ‘pre-built’ hat but I still love it. I was able to get it ‘branded’ with the Stampin’ Up! logo and it’s a great momento. I’m going to have to wear it out to the barn one day and see how my horse likes it.