If you are coming to my blog via Paper Crafts magazine… I’m so happy to have you! I was so excited when Courtney invited me to join in today’s blog hop celebrating the release of Cool Tools for Card Makers.
I think Cool Tools is one of the best special issues yet from the Paper Crafts family and I’m honored to have some projects in this issue! Dozens of techniques and hundreds of projects will inspire you to use tools you already own (punches, adhesives) as well as get tools you’ll want to own (seriously… who knew all the designs I could make if I had fringe scissors and the Sew Easy?!)
I have to admit: using tools as a starting point was somewhat of a challenge! Typically before I start a project I’m inspired by a theme, color or product – not the tool I’ll use. But it was fun to switch up the process and stretch my creativity to find new ways to use paper crafting tools.
For today’s card (specially designed for today and not published in the issue) I pushed myself to use handheld punches in a new way. I decided to build a snowman. The snowman’s body and hat are created totally using circle and square punches, completed with some rhinestone and button accents and linen thread arms. I stamped an older Papertrey Ink sentiment to finish this wintry card.
You can hop on over to these talented designers’ blogs for more Cool Tool inspiration:
Anddd… in case you haven’t seen it yet, visit the Paper Crafts Connection blog today for a chance to win an AWESOME prize package of (you guessed it) paper crafting tools!
Finally, just for stopping by my blog you could win a free copy of the new Cool Tools issue. Just leave a comment on this post by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, January 15 and I’ll randomly pick a winner next week!
papercraftstyle.wordpress.com 
Such a sweet snowman…love the crisp design! The button is the perfect touch!
Brilliant ! so simple but striking !
He’s a total darling!
Adorable!!! So simple, yet so striking….Love your choice for the arms! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank YOU Irene, so glad you stopped by my blog today! ~Stephanie
how precious is THAT!? i adore that snowman! the jewel eyes are my favorite part!
What a cute snowman…who doesn’t love a cute snowman~!!??
Thanks Karen!!
the snow man looks adorable love the way you have used the punches to create this fun card…TFS.
This snowman is just so cute!
Thank you Helene! So glad you stopped by my blog today!
Fun card – amazing what you can do with a circle punch. Love the inspiration on today’s hop – thank you.
What a nice guy! Pretty card!
Can’t go wrong with a cute snowman!!!
Very nice card.your snowman is looking really cute.
Cute snowman! I love the colour of your card base. Thanks for sharing!
So cute!! And I love how it is just the snowman with that pretty blue background. Thanks for sharing!
very adorable card! great use of the punches to make Mr. Snowman
Cute, cute, cute! A great simple holiday card.
Thanks, Alice!
Love your snowman, so easy. Really like you you made his arms too.
Fabulous! Such a cute snowman!
What a sweet snowman and a simple design to make a beautiful card.
Thank you, Julie!
Adorable sweet card! thanks!
Thank you, lee!
Sweet! Love your snowman :)
Aww…such a adorable snowman! I love your card!
Thanks, Bethany! :)
Cute snowman… I can see how this design could be mass producted. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win.
Thank you, Mary-Anne! So glad you visited my blog today!
Adorable snowman love how you used linen thread for his arms, great idea and such a sweet face and a touch of bling never hurts, does it.
Such a sweet little guy! Love the added button too :o)
This came out ADORABLE!!! LOVE your cute snowman!!!
Cute and fresh card. Also liked your post about craft rooms…..
clean and cute
Thanks, Sandi!
I just LOVE snowmen and this one is too cute! Thanks for sharing the idea!
Thanks Brenda! Thank YOU for stopping by my blog!
What a nice wintery card! Margaret K
Thanks, Margaret!
what a fun snowman…love it..
thanks for sharing..
So cute! Love the sentiment too, I think I have that PTI set.
So cute, this little guy!!!!
Very cute snowman! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank YOU for visiting my blog, Amrita! :)
I think we all need to pull out some of our tool stash and start playing! Thanks for the inspiration!
Simply cute card.
He is awfully cute. Great card!
Thanks, Mariam!
Oops, sorry for the typo – Miriam! :)
Love the adorable snowman and sweet card!
Thanks, Betty Lou!
Adorable little guy! ;)
Love snowmen, so this card is a winner in my book!
Thanks so much, Jo!
Such a happy looking snowman!
Thanks, Beth!
So cute! I love how his hat is tilted off to the side too! Love your great ideas!
Thank you Angela! So glad you visited my blog today!
This is so cool! I love the look of it!
I love snowmen! Cute card!
Thanks, Donna!
This is so adorable, Stephanie! Thank you for your nice note on my blog. I will definitely have to check out the rest of your blog projects! :) It’s nice to “meet” you!
(Don’t pick me to win the issue either – ha!)
Danielle
Nice to “meet” you too Danielle! Will definitely be following your blog from now on!
Great CAS card. I like his arms and the button on his hat.
Thanks, Michelle!
As always Steph, a great card. I always love your designs. I bought the issue last Friday but haven’t had time to look through it yet. Guess I better make some time this weekend.
Thanks, Kathy!! It is definitely a must-read, I love all the ideas in this one. Hope you’re new year is off to a good start.
This card packs a punch!
great idea! love the colors too!
Thank you, Veronica!
How cute is this??!??
Adorable snowman!
Thanks!
Great card !!! Who knew a simple snowman could be so Hip ? TFS.
Thank you, Julie! :)
Great snowman!
Very adorable! I look forward to challenging myself with some of these tools as well!
Thanks Cassidy! This issue is definitely a must-read, have fun making things with your paper crafting tools! :)
So simple and so cute!!!
Thanks, Helen!
Great card, he is just so cute! Thank you!
I love that cute snowman! Cute and simply adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Kimberley! I appreciate you stopping by my blog today!
Who knew a circle punch could create such an adorable card!! I love it…and will use my punches a lot more now!! Thanks for another great idea!!!
Thank you, Carol!!
Aw how cute is he?? Such clean lines & happy feel to the card.
Thanks, Ellen!
Super cute snowman…i love anything with bling!
Me too! :) Thanks, Tina!
what an adorable snowman!! so cute!!!
So cute and yet simply created! just perfect, actually!
Thanks so much, Barbara! I appreciate you stopping by my blog today!
What a perfect card! It just snowed four inches where I’m live.
lol, so fitting, then! No snow here yet! :)
Oh, very cute! Looks like a fabulous last minute card (ie, it looks great but I imagine it’s fast to mass produce if you’re pressed for time – and who isn’t pressed for time?).
Thanks, Jessica! Yes, once I had the idea I realized that these would be easy to mass produce! :)
Love the snowman you created using punches and this magazine is going to have to be a MUST HAVE!!!
Thank you Marla, it definitely is!! So many great ideas!
Sweet card! Thanks for sharing!
Thank YOU Connie, for visiting my blog! :)
eeeks! i love snowmen! so that makes your cute card extra special to me! love it stephanie and thank you for sharing!
marie
aw so glad, thank you Marie! :)
This is a very appropriate card. It is snowing, more on top of what we got yesterday.
It is cold and windy. Hope snowman can stay safe.
ooh that is appropriate, then. Stay safe in the winter weather, Mary Lou, and thanks for stopping by!
I love it! I did something just like that for the kindergarten Christmas party this year! :)
Sweet card! Thanks for the ideas & inspiration! ;-)
Thank YOU, Diana! So glad you visited my blog today!
Love the snowman and i love how simple the card it self is so the snowman really sticks out.
keaunalynn@msn.com
Thanks, Crystal!
Your jaunty little snowman with this button on his top hat is so happy and cheerful looking! I love the CAS style you used for this card since it really lets him pop so nicely. Great fun!
Thanks for sharing! :)
aw! Thanks Emily!! and thank you for stopping by my blog today!
What a cuper cute snowy guy! Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of this fab issue :)
Very cute!
Thanks, Susan!
Love your snowman! Seriously I was just out walking my dogs, and the wintry air made me think…I could make a snowman with a circle punch! LoL. Really…I can’t make that up! And I come back to finish the hop, to see your card! How cool is that? Great style!
LOL… how funny is that?! “great minds think alike”! thanks for visiting my blog and commenting, Robin!
Cute Card!! I love the snowman’s arms!! And punch art!!
Ashlee
ashlee@musemyworld.com
Thank you, Ashlee!
Super duper cute Snowman who’s ready to dance…Love it!
haha! thanks Jennyfer!
Love It!!! He is so cute!!! Thanks for sharing with us today!!!
This snowman is really cute! Nice card!
I love this punch snowman, would proably be fun to make with kids as well! TFS =)
Adorable. Thanks so much for sharing him. After 60 degree weather earlier this week, we had snowy flurries in GA this month. I’m a winter girl, so I’m so in the mood for snow. Also, thanks for a chance to win.
this morning, not month. Silly me.
I’m also in the mood for snow, if you couldn’t already tell from my card! ;) thank you for visiting my blog, Cheryl!
I adore snowmen and this card is just my style…..
thanks, Lorraine!
This is absolutely adorable!
thank you, Isabel!
What a cute snowman! I’m going to make a note on using twine for arms. Thanks for sharing.
thank you, Dorothy! :)
Super cute snowman, thanks for the ideas!
You’re welcome, Jessica! And thank you for the nice comment!
That is just precious…and love how you built it out of “ordinary” punches! Very cute!
Thanks for the chance to win, too!
Love the snowman!
Love the snowman! Thank you for the inspiration!
thank you, Emily! appreciate you stopping by my blog today!
Darling little snowman, and that looks like a great issue.
thanks Dreama! it definitely is a wonderful issue, so many great ideas!
This card would be a blast to make! Thanks for the idea. You have a really fun blog!
thanks, Candy! I appreciate your comment and glad you like my blog – I’m so happy to have you visit! :)
Awww, this is way cute! Thank you so much for the inspiration, my punches are so neglected. :)
I love when snowmen get a little tipsy and dance…
I think I use to teach second grade student to cut out circles and stack them to make a snowman! With punches how easy does that make it? Your little snowman is so very cute…and I love the clean and simple style of the card.
Great idea to use punches to create something you want! I hope I have more punches to play with!
How cute is he?! Love his eyes!
Thanks, Marie! :)
so simple, but so adorable. thank you
Thank you, Summer!
I adore punch art !! Such a sweet snowman!
How cute! And I LOVE the rhinestone eyes :)
Love geting new ideas how to use my tools! Thanks for the chanse to win!
Thank you Ulrika, glad you stopped by today!
Adorable snowman. You can do so much with punches.
Blessings,
Peggy
Agreed! Endless possibilities! Thanks for visiting, Peggy!
Very very cute snowman! Thanks for sharing.
thank you, Katie!
Love the cute little snowman!
What a cool way – and with warm wishes! – to end this fun blog hop. Thanks for your inspiration!
:) thank you Peggy! appreciate you stopping by today!
What a cute card!
Gotta love a clean and simple card, the snowman is a winner!
The snow man is very cute!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
thank you, Melissa! :)
Very cute snowman card!
Thank you, Sue!
What a cool punched snowman!
I never get tired of snowmen. Very cute!
Me either! ;) Thanks, Sheri!
Great idea! I love his little arms! Great use of punches. Also love the button. Wonderful winter card! Thanks for sharing.
Katie B.
Thank you, Katie! Appreciate you visiting my blog and your comment!
cute snowman.
Such a fun card to receive – love it!|!!
thanks, Kathleen!
Great winter card. Thanks for the idea!
thank you, Cindy!
Very cute…love the snowman!
thank you, Jessie!
Oooh! I love this snowman card! Love it!
aw, thanks Christine!
Very cute snowman!
thanks, Noreen! :)
Totally sweet! I love your punched-up snowman. :)
He looks like he’s styling :-) Cute!
hehe! thanks, Shelly!
Fabulous, fabulous card! I love that super cute snowman!
thanks so much, Mariana!
very cute snowman! love the googly eyes and his arms!
Cute idea!
thanks, Cryss!
SUPER cute little snowman! LOVE him! Thanks for the chance to win:) sbmmhoover at yahoo dot com
Thanks for sharing!
Sure thing! Thanks for visiting, Tracy!
What a sweet snowman :-)!! Super easy and very effective!
Blessings
Maxine
How adorable! Thanks for sharing with us :)
Awwwww…what a cute little punch art snowman!! GREAT job!
thanks so much, Kimberly! :)
I love your adorable snowman!
How cute is that snowman! I love your idea! This blog hop has been so inspiring. Thanks for the chance(very slim but you`ve got to be in it to win it, right?) to win this special book.
He’s adorable! I like that he looks like he is celebrating that it’s a Friday. Great use of punches…totally enjoyed this card.
thanks, Kristen! :)
What a great idea! Love your adorable snowman. Thanks for the inspiration. :D
Love how the snowman looks kinda dancy!!
haha! I didn’t realize that but you’re right, he kinda does! ;)
This is too cute! And I love the little button on his hat! Thanks so very much!
Lisa
What an adorable snowman!! Wonderful card!!
Who needs snowman stickers when you can create your own so easily! Love this idea!
good point Marla! thanks for stopping by my blog & commenting! :)
So cute! Your snowman has lots of personality.
I love the rhinestones.
thanks, reddbudd! :)
What an adorable snowman, he looks like he’s doing a little jig ;) x
haha! thanks, Steph! :)
cute snowman!
thank you Pai!
I love the ideas for using tools you have in a different way.
glad you enjoyed the post today, Nancy!
What a darling, happy snowman
thanks, Kathy!
Adorable card. Thanks for the opportunity to win the tool magazine!
I’ve always had a place in my heart for snowmen. He’s sooooo cute!
:) thanks Kathy!
Cute and simple card.
thank you Laura!
Love your snowman! He’s a super cute guy!
thanks Pam! :)
Ahhh, ain’t he sweet?! I love him!
Mr. Snowman is adorable and aptly appropriate for today’s viewing, since we are experiencing a snowy, blustery day here in Southwestern Ontario. Thank you for sharing your card with — he is so cute!
I liked the snowman idea! Your christmas ornament card (btw) is so simple but striking! Just visited your blog, through this cool blog hop, and I LOVE the craft room ideas you’ve included! Really, makes you re-examine your crafting spaces. So many ideas, so little time… Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Thanks so much, Julianne! I thought those craft spaces were so inspiring, too! I appreciate you visiting my blog. Come back anytime!
What a cute card – such a simple idea with lovely results.
Thanks Manda!
He is soooo cute and great quick idea that is so cute
Thanks, Syd!
Such a sweet snowman!
Thanks Judy!
very darling snowman!
Thank you Carrie!
How cute is this little snowman, a perfect winter card!
Thank you Sharon!
Fantastic idea of a great way to use a punch!
Thanks, Bernice!
So, so cute! I love the snowman…you’re so creative! Thanks a lot for the chance to win.
Thank you Emma! So glad you visited my blog!
Stephanie – such a cute card – clever use of punches!
Thanks Tricia!
Cute card! So simple, yet very effective!
The Snowman card is great!
Thank you, Luke! :)
That is one happy Snowman if I say so myself. Very cute idea. And I just love the hat and little arms to go with. Thanks.
Thank you Carol!
Wonderfully simple and oh so adorable!
Thanks Emily!
Love your snowman. He is so cute!
I love snowmen so this card hit home with me. Just adorable. With all of the special machines and pre-made items, sometimes you forget that you have all the supplies you need right in your craft room. I’ve gotten so many ideas from the blog hop. On another note, I got lost (in a good way) in your blog. I was all over the place. I love the rustic wrapped Christmas present (adore the little mittens) and one of the new year resolutions is to finalize my craft room make-over. My hubby helped me re-do my son’s room into my craft room so I have 80% done and the last 20% is taking forever so seeing those pictures you posted, really got me jazzed up to get things finished. I’ll definitely have to follow for more great ideas. Thanks!
Connie, Thanks so much for your nice comment! Glad you found my blog to be inspiring, especially as you begin to renovate your craft room. That sounds like so much fun. I’m so glad you found my blog and “got lost” in it! Feel free to come back anytime! Happy crafting :) ~Stephanie
Thanks for sharing!
Kisha
Thank you for visiting, Kisha!
THANKS for sharing!! I LOVE the snowman!! Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)
Your snowman is adorable! Love that he made totally from punches.
Who wouldn’t love to get a cute snowman in the mail?? Simple yet stated nicely. Amazing was a simple circle punch can do! Wish I’d have thought of that when I was making all my Christmas cards! I’ll know next year. :o)
Great card, love the gem eyes & button on his hat.
To use even more punches you could use one scallop from a punched scalloped circle for the nose :)
Cool idea – thanks Gra!
Love your snowman, he is so cute.
Thank you Barbara!
he is just too cute!
nice project. thank you for sharing.
Thank you Rush!
So nice and clean design! Love it! thanks for the inspiration and for the chance to win!
cute snoman card :-)
thanks, Nat!
Super super cute! Simple…sweet…I love your card!
Wow what a lot of comments. Your card is so cute. Love your snowman and the color you chose to use with him.
Thank you Sadie!
Nice card! What a great way to use those circle punches.
Thanks Jeni!
Great snowman card. Thanks for a chance to win. Ann O.
You’re very welcome – thank you for checking out the blop hop!
What a cute snowman!! I love it and already plan on doing something similar:) Thank you so much for sharing!!
Glad you liked the idea! Thanks Jessica and happy crafting!
I like his jaunty little hat. So cute.
thanks Micah!
How adorable. I love that it’s so simple, so it really focuses on your guy.
thanks Natasha!
His crystal eyes and button on his hat add so much oomph. What a cute card.
Wow! There are so many great adeas. I especially liked the little gift boxes and bags.
So cute. Love his different embellishments you used.. Thanks for sharing.
Linda D.
thank you Linda!
Such a cute snowman. Love the colors you selected as well
Thanks Pam!
Vert cute snowman! Thanks for sharing.
thank you for visiting, Jessi!
Adorable snowman! I love your creative idea!
Well, he sure is a cutie! Love his jaunty hat, sparkly rhinestone, and sweet face. Thanks for the inspiration.
Those of us that have been paper crafting for several years forget the “old” standbys sometimes when we have to have the latest & greatest tools. Of course I’m the gadget guru of my group! LOL Thanks for showing us a cool snowman (pun intended) that is made with tools most all paper crafters have on hand.
Awww I love your CAS snowman …. this would be a perfect design for making batches of cards. TFS!
really adorable little guy-thanks for sharing.
thanks Linda!
Very pretty! The snowman looks so clean and crisp against the blue! Perfect for this time of year, that’s for sure! Thanks for the inspiration, and the chance to win!
Thanks Carolyn! Thank you for visiting my blog!
This is so much fun. TFS your cute creation.
very cute arms on your snowman!
Adorable snowman!
thanks Bree!
Adorable card!
Your card is adorable! thanks for the inspiration!
Very cute card!
thanks Lana!
I agree with your comment about how hard it is to base a layout on the choice of a tool. I totally agree!
Thanks Lynda! Yes, it can be tough, though once you get started it can be a fun & new way to approach a project. Happy crafting! ~Stephanie
very cute! TFS! thanks for a chance to win! And, have a GREAT day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
Darling snowman card! Very sweet!
DeniseB
thanks Denise!
So cute!!! I love that snowman!!! Wonderful idea!!!
thanks Angie!
What a fun snowman card!
What a cute snowman. Love his jaunty hat. :)
thank you Charlene!
Very cute card!
thanks Tanja!
Such a cute snowman card! Love that soft blue cardstock base :)
Adorable…love it!
thanks Michelle!
Your snowman is super cute. TFS.
I love snowmen and you just made it look so easy with simple punches. Thank you for a great idea
You’re welcome, Sherry! Thank you for stopping by my blog!
How cute is that?
thanks Danielle! :)
The snowman is cute, tks for sharing!
thanks Sharon!
cute and simply, my favorite kind of card
Who doesn’t love Snowmen — and your’s is a cutie. I could make a few and get a good start on my cards for next Christmas in no time. Thanks!
thanks Sandy! yes, that’s true!
Cute, cute, cute little snowman! Thanks for the inspiration!
What a super cute card! Love the arms too!
thanks Tammy!
So adorable! I love snowmen!!
Such a cute card. Thanks for the chance to win
sure thing, thanks Diane!
Darling!
I love your snowman! I wonder why I can never think of these idea’s until AFTER I see someone else do it. Thanks for sharing!
hehe, I think that happens all the time! oh well. thanks Connie, and happy crafting! ~Stephanie
What an adorable CAS card! Thanks for sharing your idea with us!
He is a very cute snowman! Love the jaunty angle of his hat! Thanks for sharing and a chance to win.
thanks!!
Such a clean and beautiful card.
Adorable snowman card!
thank you Cindy!
SOooo cute!! Love your card!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
thanks Anna!
What an adorable snowman! Thanks for the inspiration!
thank you for visiting my blog, Tanya!
LOVE the CAS snowman! Thanks for the chance to win!
~Ashley
proudusmcwife@gmail.com
What a fun card….That snowman is so adorable.
he is so cute! i want it to be xmas again so i can make him!!!
thank you! :)
“Cool” fun winter card.
Love your snowman. Good old circles & squares!!
thanks Char :)
so glad you showed a snowman
so cute! love them! and will have to try it!
thank you Victoria!
So cute! Love the simplicity.
thanks, Lorie!
This is a soo simple card that sure is cute.
OK so who wouldn’t love a snowman like that!? Fun card.
thanks Janice!
Wow! Such a cute card! What a fun way to use punches! Love it!
Thank you Amy!