Dreaming of a White Christmas...

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The snow has not yet fallen here in Manhattan, but I have an inkling that it is on its way. Christmas in the big city is beautiful and I hope that Christmas this year is a frosty one. I was inspired today by two challenges, the Scrappy Saturday Holiday Music Challenge (can you guess what one of my favorite holiday tunes is?) and the Flourishes Winter White Challenge, which I really took to heart. I love monochromatic cards, and I set about trying to make a card that was primarily white, and I tried to use layering and embossing to add depth and interest to my card.

I get a lot of emails asking me about what products I like to use on my cards to achieve certain effects. I thought that every once in a while, I would write about a tool or supply that I use most often. Today's Good Beans Spotlight is on something simple: white cardstock. I use several different brands, but the one I find I use most often is Classic Solar White by Neenah. Last year, when I first started paper-crafting, I asked around and this particular one kept cropping up. It's great for Copic markers, but what I like best is how it is sturdy without bulk, and for a card like this one I made today, it really holds up well (it also comes in a cream color, too!)

SPILLING THE BEANS

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Emboss snowflakes on cardstock, trim, and adhere.
3. Trim cardstock hills. Punch trees. Adhere with glue and foam tape.
4. Punch circles for snowman body, eyes, and nose. Cut hat, scarf, and branch arms from cardstock. Assemble and adhere.
5. Print sentiment on cardstock. Trim and adhere.

BEAN NOTES

• Cardstock: Classic Solar White (Neenah)
• Tools: Christmas Tree Ornaments Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts)
• Template: Snowflake Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft)
• Font: Amelie (www.fonts101.com)

HAPPY BEANS

• Tools: 1/8" Hole Punch(Fiskars); 1-1/8"-, 7/8"-, and 5/8"-Circle Punches (EK Success)