Vintage Box Shaker Christmas Card

Isn't it interesting how some people affect our lives in ways we don't expect? There is this young lady who loves vintage, and whom I describe as sweet, beautiful, kind, discrete, elegant, and everything that is good. She possesses the very characteristics which describe someone who truly loves God. First two things I noticed when I met her was her beautiful smile, and her nostalgic look. My family and I met her because her parents attend the same church we do. Because of her I learned to include the vintage style in my crafts, and even some pieces of decor in my home. So here  is a card that could well be inspired by Caylee. 

Supplies used for this card
Paper: Christmas patterned cardstock (MME - kit sold here ), white and natural cardstock, transparency sheet
Tools: Paper cutter, 3D foam adhesive, heat tool, glitter (for shaker box), white glittered embossing powder, embossing pal (find the video tutorial for the embossing pal here)
Stamp: Merry Christmas (Stampabilities)
Ink: Embossing pad (Top Box)
Embellishments: self adhesive pearls

To make the picture frame and box shaker, cut the patterned paper in the middle - 3/4in from each side. Adhere the transparency in the back to cover the rectangle. Use 3D foam adhesive strips all around the rectangle. Don't leave any gaps or the glitter will fall out. Put some glitter on the card, and adhere the frame tight on it. 
Get inspired by someone, or go outside, look around and get inspired by something. Nature is so beautiful. 

 Thank you for stopping by, and Happy Christmas in July.

Vanías Reed   

Poinsettia Christmas Card

Yesterday, despite the heat and humidity, I decided to finally plant some flowers and new plants in our front yard. It looks so pretty. We had to choose special roses for the kind of weather we have, warm and humid most of the time that is. I would love to have some poinsettias, but they wouldn't survive. But I can always buy them around Christmas time, and make some paper ones for my cards, right? So here is a card with a sort of poinsettia made with a leaf paper punch.

 

Supplies used

Paper: Green, white, leaf green, and patterned cardstock

Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, diamond embossing folder (The Paper Studios), leaf punch (Ek Tools), precision scissors, round edge punch.

Embellishments: See through red ribbon, pearl sticker, 'Peace on Earth' vintage homemade sticker, paper poinsettia

This card is not difficult to make at all, and it can be used not only for Christmas, but for a winter birthday too - just change the sentiment.

Thank you for checking out my paper creations. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed weekend.

Vanías Reed   

 

No-bake Dessert

We are going to make a brief pause on Christmas cards because I need to post this recipe, as I promised on my Facebook page. I made it for 4th of July. You can decorate it the way you want, even with Christmas eatable decorations. ;) But first let me tell you a little bit about this delicious Brazilian dessert. The name in Portuguese is Pavê (Trifle) .
Pavê resembles a tiramisu, but ... much better! It is a wonderful no-bake layered dessert made with different types of creams and cookies, or biscuits. The most common one is made with Lady Fingers and white cream. The recipe I'm posting today is my creation, and, therefore, made with chocolate. Yep, I confess, I am a chocoholic. (smile). But doesn't everything taste better with chocolate anyway? (bigger smile).

Ingredients
3 packages Tea Biscuits (you can use Graham Crackers, if you prefer)
1 can sweet condensed milk 
3 tbsp Nesquick
1 can table cream (you'll find table cream at the international aisle of your grocery store)
1/2 cup milk 
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
2 8oz containers Whip Cream
Fresh fruit (I used raspberries and blueberries to make the flag), or any decoration of your choice.


In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine Nesquick, butter, and sweet condensed milk. Cook in medium heat stirring constantly until it thickens and loosens from the bottom of the pan (about 10 minutes). Turn off heat. Add table cream. Mix very well until you have a smooth (almost liquid) cream. 
Put milk in a deep dish (add sugar to the milk if you like your desserts very sweet). One by one, deep the biscuits in the milk and arrange them in a 9"x 13" baking pan. Cover the biscuit layer with chocolate cream. Repeat this process 2 more times. Spread whip cream on top, decorate, put in refrigerator at least for 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Let me know in a comment how your dessert turned out. Please post a picture of it on my Facebook page.

Thank you for stopping by. May God bless you and yours,

Vanías Reed  

Winter Scene Christmas Card

Today is one of those summer days with lots of rain. A day like this reminds me of Christmas in my country. I remember getting in stores to buy gifts for family members, and being 'stuck' there for a while because of the rain. I also remember being in a pool with my siblings and cousins on Christmas Day. Isn't it amazing how the weather can take us on a memory journey? Anyway today I'm posting a Christmas card that is the opposite of Christmas in Brazil. This card has everything to do with Christmas in the northern U.S. and other parts of the world where it snows in December.

Supplies used
Paper: Plain white and glitter white cardstock, gold scrapbook paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, landscape stitched die, dryer sheet (it makes the glitter pop out), spray adhesive, snowflakes border punch, gold glitter gel pen, winter wonderland fine glitter
Stamps: merry Christmas, and evergreen forest
Ink: Black and evergreen 
Embellishments: squirrel sticker, snowflakes, pearls, star

  Thank you for stopping by. Celebrate the Real Reason for CHRISTtmas.

Vanías Reed  

Christmas in July - card #2

Those who know me, know how much I love Christmas, therefore, it's needless to say that I'm enjoying to watch Christmas movies at Hallmark channel. So, in the Christmas in July spirit, here is another card. This one was inspired by a class I watched on Craftsy

Supplies used
Paper: Solid white, red, golden,  patterned green, red and beige cardstock paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine (Sizzix), stripes embossing folder (The Paper Studios), precision scissors, 3D foam adhesive dots
Embellishments: clear gemstones, "Joyous" homemade sticker


If you speak/ understand Portuguese, I posted a video tutorial for this card here
Thank you for stopping by, and have a blessed Christmas in July. 

My Redeemer lives!

Vanías Reed

Christmas Card (already?)

Hi there. Do you celebrate Christmas in July? I do. Mainly because I'm originally from Brazil and it is summer there during Christmas time. It is amazing how even the humidity at this time of the year reminds me of Christmas in my country. That's why I pick July to post a preview of my Christmas cards. I'll try  - the key word IS try - to post one for each day of the month. Here is the first one.

Supplies needed for this card
Paper: White, patterned blue, and glittered white cardstock, transparent velum
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, stitched landscape die (Lawn Fawn - Simon Says Stamp), sentiment die (Merry - memory box dies), snowflakes punch border (Martha Stewart), 3D foam adhesive, scoring board, scoring tool, craft knife and mat.
Stamp: Pine tree (Stampabilities)
Ink: Ever green
Embellishments: snowman sticker, pearls

Note:
1. Wet your stamp one time, and stamp twice before wetting the stamp again. That will give the look of trees in the front and back. Use the stamp in different hights too. 
 2. Glue the velum on top of the first "snow mount", then, using 3D foam adhesive, place the second "snow mount"on the velum.

Christmas is an amazing time because it is when we celebrate the fact that the Son of God humbled himself to be born as a man. All because He loves us THAT much! Celebrate Christmas in December, July, daily. Celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ and thank him every day for what he has done for us. 

God bless you

Vanías Reed   

Father's Day Card with Free Tutorial

Father's Day 2015 is almost here, which means that half of the year is gone. Wow!  Hobby Lobby even has Fall and Christmas crafts items out already. Can someone please slow down the time? Hahahahaha. I wish. Anyway, jokes aside, I wanted to make a card for someone really special: my sister's father-in-law. He and his wife embraced my husband, my son, and me as if we were part of their family. They call our son grandson, and he calls them Nanny and Papa. So here is the card I made for Papa for Father's Day, and the link to the video with measurements to make a s-shaped card. 

 Supplies used for this card
Paper: Brown and white cardstock
Tools: Embossing machine, deep stripes embossing folder (The Paper Studios), computer, and printer
Embellishments: "screws" - I used black and silver fine tip gel pens to draw the screws holding the signs 'Papa you are a classic'

Card completely open

Find the video-tutorial for the s-shaped card here

My Dad went to heaven 22 years ago, but my family and I have been blessed enough having someone like my sister's father-in-law to celebrate Father's Day with. If you have your father still, make sure to let him know how important and special he is. If not, make a card for a father who doesn't have his kids anymore.

Thank you for stopping by, and may God bless you and yours.

Vanías Reed