One of my dearest friends, Star, is not Jewish herself but is married to the most wonderful mensch, Bernie. As a result, Star has many observant friends and family members for whom she makes cards. Over the years, she has asked where to get paper, stamps, and other embellishments for the cards she creates.
As I've shopped with her in mind, I've also made some cards -- not just for her and Bernie, but also for friends and neighbors in my predominantly Jewish community. The cards are also very popular at the gift stores and shows where I sell my cards, because "nice Hanukkah cards are so hard to find."
This year, I've created quite an assortment of Hanukkah cards that I've added to my CardMonkey catalog. Without further ado, I present to you my "12 Days of Hanukkah". (Yes, I know there are really only 8 days of Hanukkah, but let's throw in 4 more for the fun of it...)
I'll be presenting three cards a day over the next four days, so do stop back and visit....
On the first day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:
1. A Glittered Iris-folded Star of David:
To make this card, I cut the Star of David in the center of a white piece of cardstock, using my Cricut Explore and a pattern from their Design Space subscription. Next, using the sentiment stamp I purchased from Simon Says Stamp and Versamark Embossing Ink I purchased from Close To My Heart (CTMH), I stamped the "Happy Hanukkah" below the cut star. I used gold embossing powder (also from CTMH) and a craft heater gun (CTMH) to imprint the sentiment.
I then cut strips of glittered cardstock each 1/2" wide and 3" long. Using a traditional Iris-pattern within the open space on the back, I arranged alternating colors of the paper, taping each of the pieces in place to fill the opening.
Once done, I backed the card with Thistle cardstock from CTMH, and adhered to a value-pack card (CTMH), and voila, Card #1 is done!
On the second day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:
2. A colorful Candle card:
To make this card, I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut colorful candles from a variety of 6x6" papers that I had collected over the years -- no rhyme or reason for the color choices, just as long as they were colorful. I cut the flames from gold metallic paper from Bazzill (www.scrapbook.com), also using my Cameo. I cut 8 candles that were one length, and made the center candle (called the shamash, or helper/servant candle) a little longer. I placed the shamash first in the center onto white cardstock (CTMH), and then arranged in fun and intentionally crooked ways the other eight candles. I used a fine-line black pen from CTMH to draw the wicks.
I affixed the flames using a glue pen (I prefer the one from Martha Stewart) and stamped the sentiment, which is from Close To My Heart, using Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink (CTMH). I backed the card onto Outdoor Denim Cardstock (CTMH) and then onto a handmade card using White Daisy cardstock (CTMH). Voila, Card #2 done.
On the third day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:
3. A Dreidel-shaped card for all to see!
This was probably the easiest card I've made. It is a shaped card that was designed fully by the Silhouette Online Store and cut with my Cameo -- all I had to do was cut and embellish. I cut the backdrop of the Dreidel using Crystal Blue cardstock (CTMH), and the overlaid pieces using Pacifica cardstock (CTMH). I glued the layers together using a Bonding Memories gluestick (CTMH) and stamped the sentiment inside using the same stamp set I used on Day 2, from CTMH, and Pacifica Exclusive Ink (CTMH).
After I thought I was done, I wanted some glitz, so I added silver Stickles (from Ranger) over the Hebrew letters (Shin on the left, Hei on the right) and at the top of the Dreidel. It would have been easier to layer some silver glitter paper under the layer, had I not glued it down first -- live and learn! -- but I think it is just as pretty, don't you?
Stop back tomorrow to see Days 4, 5 and 6!
DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,
