Holly Jolly (Hostess) Santa

Puzzle Solved: Thanks to our reader Sandy, I can now refer you to the blog Vera Stamps for my original inspiration for this post. Thanks, Sandy, for taking the time to leave a comment!

Edit: I drew inspiration for this card from the web site of another SU! demo and carefully saved it on my computer for acknowledgement. Unfortunately, before I posted my version, my computer melted down and I don't know whom to credit! If this looks like something you've seen before, I'd love to know so I can give credit where it's due. -Kathy

I just love getting those FREE hostess stamp sets - and this month is an even better deal than usual for hostesses! (Can you say "Anything in the Mini for $10?" or "My Digital Studio at half price?" More deets at www.kathynace.stampinup.net)

One of my favorite layout tricks is "repetition with interruption". To make this card, I stamped the Santa image from the Christmas Punch hostess set four times in Real Red and four times in Old Olive onto Whisper White. I punched these out with the 1 1/4" square punch, so it was super quick! The sentiment fits perfectly within the Curly Label punch, and I like the way it interrupts the rigidity of the squares while still maintaining the grid design.

The card base is 5x5, with a panel of Real Red that measures 4.5" square (including a base panel such as this not only looks nice, it stabilizes the lighter-weight Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock). When adhering the Santa squares, begin at the corners, then center the middle one in the remaining space. By doing it this way, you avoid running out of space at the end of a row! The sentiment is popped up on dimensionals so that I could tuck the bow underneath slightly. I recently inherited "button boxes" from both my mom and my mother-in-law, so the jingle bells are vintage editions tied onto gold elastic cord.

A little tip for "matting" the Curly Label punch and/or the Top Note die: Cut two extra in the color you wish to use for the mat. Split one of these in half vertically, and one horizontally. Lay out each piece in matching halves, and pull the halves apart about 1/4". This causes a rim to extend beyond your top/stamped piece, and when you layer them all together with your two split pieces under your main image, you get a matted effect (there will be a little "nip in" at the corners where the two layers overlap). You may have to trim the points off where you've split the halves so they don't show from the front.

Hope you enjoy many special traditions in your "countdown to Christmas". Sometimes I think anticipation is 90% of the fun!

Kathy

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Christmas Punch hostess set

Ink: Real Red and Old Olive classic

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red CS

Accessories: 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon; 1 1/4" square punch; Curly Label punch