Twas the Night Before Christmas by Graphic 45 Changed My Life

Cards made with the “Twas the Night Before Christmas Collection

The Twas the Night Before Christmas Collection

The day was Saturday, September 20, 2014. I had just finished posting two stories on my personal blog, “Crabtree-Creations” using a new collection called” Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Graphic 45. Like most Graphic 45 paper collections, these beautiful Victorian images were perfect for making cards.

My first blog post featured the four cards you see above. The second post described the process by which I design cards...I took the reader through each step from first, selecting the paper to next, cutting out the images for embellishments and finally, designing and constructing the cards! My readership was good, and I really enjoyed blogging as well as teaching others how I made my cards. But little did I know that Twas the Night Before Christmas paper would lead me to a new adventure...

Twas the Night Before Christmas Cards

The Day Things Changed

One day I received a note from Cher Nicastro, owner of FotoBella.com. who asked me if she could post photos of those very cards I made using the Grapthic 45 Twas the Night Before Christmas paper. I said “of course!” and in the process of discussing this, I asked her if she needed someone to design for her company. Cher immediately said yes and it was as if in one moment I had gone from a card maker to a card designer!

Twas the Night Before Christmas Cards

What’s Old is New Again

Now, eight years later, Twas the Night Before Christmas is back! We have the Deluxe Collector’s Edition available in two products. You can purchase the 12 x 12 Paper Pack where each pack includes 2 each of twelve double-sided 12 x 12-Inch papers (24 total), 27 die-cut chipboard embellishments, 70 cover weight stickers on a 12 x 12-Inch sheet. You can also purchase the 8x8 Paper Pack.

Twas Amazing

The past eight years have been amazing! In addition to designing three projects a month, Cher took me to Creativation, the Craft and Hobby Association’s annual Trade Show. I learned so much and met so many talented designers! But the years also were difficult at times...I had to have several surgeries, and my physically disabled son was hospitalized numerous times which took me away from my designing. But the support from Cher and my design team manager, Jeri Vann never wavered.

This is what impressed me the most about designing for Fotobella.com. They cared about us! So as I say goodbye to this chapter in my life, I want to say thank you to Cher and Jeri for all you have done for me! I loved designing for FotoBella.com! And to my fellow design team members both past and present, thank you for your kindness and friendship! It will never be forgotten!

Before I go...

Before I go I wanted to share another Christmas card and a tag I made this year using the Northern Lights collection. I hope you like them ! If you want to see more of my cards and tutorials, hop over to my blog, Crabtree-Creations.

Love and hugs to all,

ReNae Allen

Design Team Farewell from Kristine - Live with Passion

Hi crafty friends. It’s Kristine and I’m here today to share my final post as a FotoBella design team member. It has been such a wonderful two years designing for the team. So, a big “thank you” to Cher for taking a chance on a new designer and giving me my first design team job! My art has evolved over these last two years, and I am so very appreciative of the opportunity you have given me.

Truly, it has been an honor to design alongside so many other talented ladies. First, a warm “thank you” to my fellow designer, Chris, for all of your positivity. It has been fun to work alongside you. To my friend, ReNae, “thank you” from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, constant encouragement, and understanding (and sharing) of my Graphic 45 obsession! A very special “thank you” to Jeri for your guidance, willingness to answer questions, as well as support and encouragement along the way. You make it such a joy to be a part of the FotoBella design team!

Final Project - Live with Passion Journal

As I reflect upon my last two years on the design team, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill my passion. Each month, I have the opportunity to create something wonderful and hopefully inspiring to our FotoBella followers. My final design team package features the Stamperia Passion collection, which is so fitting for what we do as designers.

‹

›

There were only four of the 8x8 papers leftover from my other projects. So, my challenge for this project is to create a small journal. My goal is for it to be beautiful and whimsical, but also somewhat functional. I hope I succeeded in this task. It was fun to make and the inspirational quotes throughout are so applicable to my paper crafting. Using just a few images from the Collectables papers gives my pages a bit of embellishment. Finally, the cover is made from cardstock covered with a sheet of rice paper.

A Final Farewell to the FotoBella Design Team

One last time, I want to thank the wonderful women involved with the FotoBella design team. However, I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of the FotoBella followers who read our posts and follow our work. If you would like to continue to follow my work, you can find me through my website, YouTube channel, Facebook page, Etsy shop, and blog. I hope you will continue to be inspired every day and nurture your own creativity! Always live with passion!

Happy crafting!

~Kristine, FotoBella Design Team

Festive Graphic 45 Greeting Card

Greetings! Today I am excited to share this Festive Graphic 45 Greeting Card I created using fotobella’s Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle! The colors and papers in this collection are stunning! reds, golds, black, and greens oh my! Add florals and little birdies and you have everything you need to create your winter cards!

Supplies needed

Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle

Kraft Card Base, red ink, Gold gems, gold Stickles

Start by stamping snowflakes from your Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle onto you Kraft card base front with red ink.

Open up your card and stamp greeting and additional snowflakes as shown.

Cut Red stripe papers from your Patterns and Solids pack in your Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle to 3 1/3 x 4 1/2. Adhere to the left side of your card. Selt a journaling card from your Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle and adhere to card.

Add gold stickles to your flower centers and gold gem stones to accent your journaling card!. I hope you enjoyed creating this Festive Graphic 45 Greeting Card and are inspired to get creative with your Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle!

Warm Wishes Christmas Card

Greetings! Today I am excited to share this Warm Wishes Christmas Card I created using the Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle. As with all Graphic 45 papers - the colors are stunning! Just look at these colors and images.

And this bundle has it all! Stamps, journaling cards, ephemera, the Patterns and Solids papers, Chipboard! Enough for all your Warm Wishes Christmas Cards.

Supplies needed

Graphic 45 Warm Wishes 12x12 I Want It All Bundle

Kraft Card Base, red ink Gold gems, red Stickles

Gather a Kraft card bases that are 5 x 6 1/2. Select the two (2) journaling cards. Cut the red stripe papers from your Patterns and Solids paper pack to 4 1/2 x 6 1/4 and 5 x 4

Matte your journaling cards onto the cut stripe papers as shown.

Open your card base and stamp poinsettia onto inside of card base as shown.

Adhere small matted journal card to the inside of your card.

Adhere large matted journal card to front of your card. Add red stickles and gold gems to accent the journaling card.

You can see the extra “wow” factor the stickles add to the card. I hope you enjoyed creating the Warm Wishes Christmas Card.