Twisted Gatefold Beary Christmas Gift Card Holder

I'm back a LOT sooner than I thought!  Actually, it's probably due to sheer will at this point, hahaha!

I really wanted to share this version of an amazingly simple fancy fold card with you before Christmas rolls around so you can put it to good use if you like.  Don't freak out yet--it totally fits in a standard size A2 envelope!  ;)  (If you missed my Thanksgiving version, head over to THIS POST for a link to the directions and my inspiration.)

Isn't that just the cutest thing?

I used the Thought that Counts My Acrylix stamp set from Close to My Heart.  This one has some crazy funny tag sentiments that I know my peeps will enjoy for years, check it out...

The inside of this card easily holds a gift card with a couple of glue dots!

LOVE it!

Gratefulness and Joy

Hey friends!  I hope and pray that this season brings you gratefulness and joy.  I have found lately that those two things can really get you through when things are hard...because seriously, life gets hard, it really does!  But WE CAN do hard things by practicing gratefulness and choosing joy!

I'm doing it my way, of course...soooooo I made this card to show someone how grateful I am...

This is the second version of this type of twisted gatefold card that I have made now.  I'll show you the other one soon...I just realized that I haven't even blogged it yet!  I found the directions for these amazing little cards on You Tube like any good cardmaker, lol.  Here's the link.  It even fits in a regular size A2 envelope!  :)

I used the Beary Christmas and Silver and Gold Paper lines from Close to My Heart for this one.

Bronze sequins?  Yes, please!

The Falling For You leaf and the Thin Cuts Leaf in vellum and gold foil were perfect for creating a more masculine leaning theme.  I added pops of color to the leaf with my ShinHan Alcohol Ink Markers in...

Here you can see the inside underneath the "twist" where I added another part of the sentiment...

Maybe I can help you out a little bit with some joy right now...today for Cyber Monday (I still can't believe this is a real thing, lol) Close to My Heart has organizational tools on sale up to 40% off on my website!  Here is the link to see what's available.  I know organizing brings me some much needed joy!  ;)

We Love You, Dawn! Official Blog Hop

I put everything else on hold today (well, yesterday too) and got my fingers inky for a VERY special reason...Dawn McVey.

Dawn is a sparkling light in the crafting community.  She designs for Papertrey Ink, which led me to her blog and eventually Instagram.  I have been admiring her gorgeous handiwork for years while also following and praying for her health struggles.  No matter what direction her struggle has taken, Dawn has been perpetually positive and has let nothing dull her amazing, sparkling smile.  She is an inspiration to everyone who has crossed her path, myself included.  It would be Dawn's fault completely that I am trying my hand at growing succulents, lol. She just makes it look so EASY!  ;)

Well, Dawn just received a new small intestine in one of the riskiest transplant surgeries available...and so far, thank the Lord, her body is accepting it!  It is an absolute miracle for her and her family, and the crafty community that loves her is coming together to brighten her room and keep her spirits high with as many cards as we can in the official We Love You, Dawn Blog Hop!  Here's mine!

I immediately knew which sentiment I was going to use on her card...because Dawn IS sparkle!  I wanted to use her Raspberry Suite Floral Sketches which are designed to add your own color...

I was able to successfully watercolor the flowers, and also added some more blooms from a separate sheet.  After it was all attached, I used my white gel pen and shimmer pen to add some flair.

I hope these watercolor blooms brighten her day as much as her constant positivity has brightened mine!  Here's the link to the rest of the hop!

Products I used...

-Papertrey Ink: Raspberry Suite Floral Sketches, Shakers and Sprinkles Make It Market Kit, Sparkle and Shine Stamps

-Lawn Fawn:  How You Been? Stamp set and coordinating Die

-Close to My Heart:  Sparkles, Silver Shimmer Trim, Charcoal and Black Exclusive Dye Ink, Watercolors, Watercolor Brushes

-Copic Toner Grey 0