'Grandma's House' Christmas Card

My son has been practicing the songs for both Christmas programs at church and the school he attends on Fridays - an umbrella for homeschool. In order to know well the songs he will sing, we listen to the CDs in our car wherever we go (I love listening to Christmas songs anyway). Yesterday, as we were listening to, and trying to sing along "Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go..." I thought of my husband's grandma and how much I miss her. Both my grandmothers passed when I was a child, so this very special lady became my grandma too. Christmas is so beautiful up there where she lives, actually, I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a White Christmas. It was inspired by Christmas at Grandma's that I made this card for a friend. 

Supplies needed for this card
Paper: Dark green, off white and red cardstock paper, hollies paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine (I used my Sizzix), decorated edge oval die, (Nestabillities), 1/8"circle punch (to make the corners on the label), permanent adhesive, colored pencils, winter wonderland glitter.
Stamp: Merry Christmas (Stampabilities), White Christmas,
Embellishments: red ribbon, snowflake button. 

Cherish the moments you have with people you love, make sure to tell them you love them, or write it down in card that you made. 

Thank you so much for checking my blog out. Check my etsy store too. 

God bless you and all the people in your life.

 Vanias Reed  

Gift Bag + Free Crochet Ornament Pattern

Wow! I haven't posted anything for a while. I'm sorry. My family and I just moved, and it's amazing how the whole process takes a long time. You pack, you find things that you didn't even remember you had, you move, you unpack, and you find more things you didn't even remember you had. LOL. Anyway, now we are in our new home, and I love it. Now I'm inspired again, and just in time for Christmas. So here this is my first post for our countdown with a free crochet pattern just for you.

Supplies needed
Paper: paper bag
Embellishments: border sticker, crochet snowflake, snowman button

Pattern for the Snowflake

Abbreviations

ch = chain

ch-3 sp = chain-3 space, the space formed when you worked 3 chain stitches in the previous round                                          

dc = double crochet

sc = single crochet  

beg = beginning

Make a magic ring

sl st = slip stitch

Round 1: Work 12 sc sts in ring. Join the work to the beg of the round with a sl st.
Round 2: Work 2 sc into each sc all the way around. You'll end up with a total of 24 sc sts. Sl st to join the work to the 1st sc worked in the round.
Round 3: [sl st in next sc, 1 sc in ea of next 2 sc, sl st in next sc] Work sequence in brackets 5 more times. You'll end up with a total of 12 sc sts in the round. Join with a sl st to first st in the round.
Round 4: [sl st in next sl st, sl st in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in next sc, ch 3, sl st in next sl st.] Work sequence in brackets 5 more times for a total of 6.
Round 5: [skip all sl sts. Work 3 sc sts into the space formed underneath of the ch-3 in the previous round. ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next dc, ch 3, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp.] Repeat sequence in brackets 5 more times, for a total of 6 times. At end of round, sl st to join the work to the 1st sc st worked at the beg of the round.

The snowflake can be used as an ornament. Just ch 8, sl st both beg and end of ch to the back of the snowflake.

This Christmas make something different to embellish your gift bags. 
Thank you for stopping by, and let's countdown to Christmas together.

Vanias Reed

Cute Turkey Thanksgiving Card

Another fall is coming, and I can't wait! I'm so ready for a cooler weather, aren't you? I mean, if you live anywhere in the south, of course. I know that my relatives and friends up in Michigan and Colorado are wishing it was spring coming instead of fall. (smile). Anyway, whether one prefers a cooler or a warmer climate, I'm pretty sure most of us enjoy to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends. It is such an special holiday. To make it even more special, make a card to go with the dish you will bring, if invited to a dinner. If you are the host/hostess, a card will make your guests feel even more special. So here is an idea for you.

Supplies and technique used
Paper: rusty red, olive green, brown, yellow, rust, cherry red, orange, white, black, and cream
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, large polka-dot embossing folder, owl builder punch, flower punch, wave border punch, gift tag punch, fall-colors ribbon, brown pearls
Stamp: Happy Thanksgiving 
Ink: black

One of the reasons why I love this card is the amount of layers. I had so much fun making it. 

Thank you for stopping by. Celebrate any occasion with family and friends. Give handmade cards and gifts. But most of all, may God be always the center of all your celebrations

Vanias Reed    

A Fall Thank You

Hi there all Paper Creations, ETC fans. I want to thank you for following my blog, and tell you the good news. For commercial purposes I had to change my Etsy.com store's name. So I present you Crafts Basket . The blog and the Facebook page will keep the same name that you have liked and followed, Paper Creations, ETC that is - at least for now. So check out my store and find there the crafts you have enjoyed here and more. Here is one of the cards I'm selling there.

Supplies and techniques used
Paper: Rust red, mustard, vanilla, white, dark brown, brown, baby blue,   black, orange, forest green, and yellow cardstock
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, frame embossing folder, owl builder punch, scallop oval punch, oval punch, precision scissors, computer, and printer.
Embellishments: Pilgrim and Indian owls, sentiment phrase
Note: I handmade the Pilgrim's hat and collar, and the Indian's bandana and feathers.

Thank you so much for stopping by. May the Almighty God bless your day.

Vanias Reed  

Fall Button Wreath Card

I don't know if it is because earthly colors are my favorite, but just seeing fall decorations in the stores makes me smile. Living in a warm climate, I don't get to see the trees' leaves changing color, so I enjoy what the stores do, decorate my home, make cards and other fall projects. Here is another one of my autumn cards. Enjoy.

 Supplies and techniques used
Paper: rust red, grey, white cardstock
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, lace border embossing folder
Stamps: 'Happy Thanksgiving' sentiment phrase, olive leaves circle (I stamped this three times to get the thickness I wanted)
Ink: light and olive green
Embellishments: 1 yellow button (bigger than the others), olive green, rust red and orange buttons in different sizes, red yearn bow (passed through yellow button holes first)
No time for crafts? That's ok. You can find this and other cards in my Etsy store 

Thank you for checking out my paper creations. May God's abundant grace and mercy inspire you to create something beautiful.

Vanias Reed    

Pumpkin Thanksgiving Card

Fall is almost here, and I'm loving it. When you live in a place where summer is extremely hot, the words fall and winter sound wonderful. Just the thought of a cooler weather inspired me to start making my Thanksgiving and Christmas cards. So here is the first one.

Supplies used

Paper: rust red, white, olive green, rust yellow, and brown cardstock

Tools: cutting/embossing machine, wave edge punch, scalloped oval punch, oval punch, 1 3/4 circle punch (to make the pumpkin - see my post 'Fall Ideas' from 09/03/2014), quilling tool (see picture below), computer, and printer.

Embellishments: green gemstones, pumpkin, paper ribbon.
Note: If you don't have a quilling tool, it's ok. You can use small cylinder to roll the pumpkin leaf.
Not much time for crafts? It is ok. You can find this and other of my cards in my Etsy store

Let's thank God for the blessings of family and friends, and give our family members, and our friends nice Thanksgiving cards. 

Thank you for stopping by. God bless you.

Vanias Reed     

Fall Ideas

What can you do with paper rosettes, a large circle punch, and a gift tag punch? A cute pumpkin to decorate your table, a gift... the possibilities are endless. Try this:

Then use a large circle punch to make leaves

Next make a gift tag

Then use your imagination and creativity to create something like this

Supplies needed
Tools: orange, cream and green cardstock, hot glue gun, got glue, large circle punch, gift tag punch, brown stamp ink (for the effect on the tag)

This is the kind of project that your children can help with, and turn it into a family tradition.

Thank you for stopping by. God bless you.

Vanias Reed