Be Merry Collection Inspiration with Laura Evangeline

Hello, crafty friends! I am Laura Evangeline, and I am excited to join you here as a guest blogger for the first time. I grew up in Texas, and after a few trips around the world with the Army, I now call Nashville “home” along with my handy husband, who is soon to retire from the Army, and also my spunky 10-year-old son. I can’t forget our two Yorkies, Max and Penny too! I started making cards a few decades ago now, but after taking a long break I realized it was more than a silly hobby. I wholeheartedly credit my mental health and well-being to crafting and the amazing friends I’ve made through this wonderful industry. It really isn’t just glitter and glue, it’s genuine kinship and therapy! If you’d like to join me for more craft “therapy” after today, feel free to join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

I was inspired to make this collection of projects by a leftover piece of watercolor paper from my last crafty session with the Yours Truly collection. I used the blue and purple combo then to make a summer floral card, and thought the colors would be beautiful to use with this winter collection too.

Chill Bear Christmas Card

Since I was totally smitten with the Chill Bear die, I worked with him first. Instead of foam tape and a frame to make a shaker as I would have traditionally done, I instead wrapped my leftover piece of watercolor background in acetate securing the flaps directly behind it after I jazzed it up a bit more with Sparkle Silk and tucking in loads of sequins and glitter. Since my sentiment and bear are popped up with foam, I thought this “flat” shaker would work better as not to create an overly thick card. I really think this one looks like the beautiful winter sky is swirling behind the bear. I’ve never been that far north, but in my mind the skies are full of watercolor sunrises and sunsets like this.

Other Supplies

Hero Arts Acetate, Crafter’s Companion Vellum, Spectrum Noir TriBlend Markers

Friendly Snowmen Christmas Card

For my second project, I made a new watercolor background, only I added much more pink this time. I also used the flat shaker technique again, (because I’m obsessed with it now). I foiled a sentiment from the new Gifts of Christmas Sentiments set and stamped, colored, and cut out a sweet snowman family to mimic my own from the Friendly Snowman stamp set before securing them in place. Since I had a few snowflakes left over from the Chill Bear set, I painted them with Sparkle silk and sprinkled them on the card as well.

Other Supplies

Hero Arts Acetate, Crafter’s Companion Vellum, Spectrum Noir TriBlend Markers.

Holiday Gnomes Christmas Card

For my third project, I really wanted to make another shaker since I was on a roll, but also didn’t want to disappointment you on my first guest blogger visit with three nearly identical shaker cards, so I made three shaker tags! And, I couldn’t just make one because all three of the gnomes in the Holiday Gnomes set were so stinking cute.

Other Supplies

We R Memory Keepers Fuse Tool, We R Memory Keepers Fuse Sheets, We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-dile, We R Memory Keepers eyelets, Crafter’s Companion Vellum, Spectrum Noir TriBlend Markers

Well, that does it for me today. I really hope you’ve enjoyed my projects as much as I’ve enjoyed making them for you. I hope to craft with you again soon. Until next time… stay crafty! – Laura Evangeline