spreading more Christmas cheer!

These next two Christmas cards I made specifically for the craft bazaar I was a part of a couple of weekends ago. I wanted to have a good display of Christmas cards and ended up making 10 of each card design (there were 6 total) in case there was someone who wanted to mix and match or buy a complete set. I had a handful of other cards for sale, as well, that were leftover from card designs I had made last year.

I made this particular card design last year for one of my card nights. However, I did make some small changes this time around, especially to the bottom half of the card. I left off the ribbon (easier to mail), changed the DSP pattern, and used a different image in the white circle. I didn't have the same snowman I used last year (and he was retired anyway), so I opted instead for this cute little penguin from the Polar Party stamp set. Doesn't he just make you happy?!

And, because all things are better with a splash of glitter, I used the NEW Dazzling Details glitter glue on the "snow" under the penguin's feet, as well as on the ball of his hat.


Have you tried this stuff yet? I LOVE IT! And, for only $2.50 a bottle...this will help add that extra sparkle to a lot of cards for an inexpensive price!

Stamp Set: Polar Party

Paper: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Whisper White, Candy Cane Christmas DSP (retired)

Ink: Real Red, Basic Black (for penguin), markers - Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Basic Black

Accessories: Rhinestones, Dazzling Details, Dimensionals

Tools: 2-1/2" Circle punch, Modern Label punch, Scallop Oval punch, Snowflake punch

Tips:

• Cut your paper 4-1/4" x 11" and fold it lengthwise so it opens "up" instead of "over". Changing the direction of the card is always a fun idea.
• The hole on the front of the card is made using the 2-1/2" circle punch. I wanted a 2" circle for the inside and unfortunately SU! doesn't sell one, so I made a circle using the Creative Memories cutter. This is the white circle you see inside the card.
• Did you know that the Stampin' Write markers have two sides? Use the fine tip of the marker to color in all of the details of the penguins. These markers are a must have on your wish list!

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This next card I must admit came together only with the help of my mom the night before the bazaar. We both agreed we needed one more design (x 10 cards) to fill up some more slots on the card spinner. I have made some of these quilt cards in the past and knew they would be simple enough to pull together ten of them, but yet make a beautiful card. I have a mini-tutorial on how to make these quilt cards...you can find it HERE. These cards are perfect to help use up those little scraps of DSP...and really lets the patterned paper be the "star of the show"!

Stamp Set: Occasional Quotes (hostess set - retired)

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Tools: Wide Oval punch, Decorative Label punch, 1-1/4" Square punch

Tips:

• Arrange the squares of DSP onto a piece of 4" x 5-1/4" cardstock until you like the pattern you see. Then be sure to use SNAIL adhesive to adhere each square next to each other to make into a 4 column x 3 row rectangle. For a visual of this visit HERE.

I have one more craft bazaar I am participating in this weekend, but I hope to be in and out on my blog this week to show you all of the fun things I made for my last bazaar!!

Blessings to you this holiday season and happy stamping!

sharing a little bit of Christmas with you...

Updated to add on 11/27/11 - Thank you to Tiffany at My Crafty World for choosing my snowman punch art card (3rd card below) for one of her crafty picks from Sunday's Crafty Picks #44. What an honor it is to be chosen among so many talented stampers and crafters!

A couple of weeks ago I held two events on back to back evenings! Probably not my smartest idea ever, but I had a great time at each event, so I would do it again if I had the choice (well...only if my mom was still able to help me with the prep work...and my sanity!)

The first event was at my mother-in-law's home. I come visit her and her friends every other month and hold a 3 for $6 card making night since the distance is a little longer for her friends to commute to me. It has turned out to be a great idea since there is always a packed house!

CARD #1

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Real Red, Red Glimmer Paper, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Pearl Accents (largest size)

Tools: 1-3/8" Square punch, 5 Petal Flower punch, sponges

Tips:

• Ink the edges of the bottom layer of the flower "leaves" (Wild Wasabi card stock) using Wild Wasabi ink to make it a little darker from the base of the card.
  
• I used SNAIL adhesive to assemble the poinsettia together and then used a Dimensional to pop it up from the card.
  
• Make sure to push hard on the pearls to make them stick well to the Red Glimmer paper.

CARD #2

This card was inspired by the talented Andrea Walford. Her card can be found HERE.

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations, Christmas Greetings (sentiment)

Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Garden Green

Accessories: 5/8" Real Red Satin ribbon, Linen Thread, Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (on the ornament), Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools: Ornament punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

CARD #3

This card proved to be a bit more time consuming than the first two cards! In hindsight, I probably would have punched out all of the pieces. There was just too much of wanting to know where this punch was or that punch. But the end result (in my opinion) is worth it! He {or she} is just too cute!! I found a couple different versions of this snowman all over the web, so I'm not exactly sure who to give credit to, but just so you know...I did not create this out of thin air! *wink*

**Note: The size of the card below is 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" and will still fit in a regular envelope without extra postage.

Stamp Set: Seasons of Joy (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Candy Cane Christmas DSP (retired)

Ink: Real Red, Baja Breeze, White Gel Pen

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools: Decorative Label punch, 3/4" Circle punch, Small heart punch, Two Step Owl punch, 1-1/4" Square punch, Ornament punch, Word Window punch, Scallop Edge punch, Scallop Oval punch, Crop-A-Dile

Tips:

• Sponge each of the edges of the white parts of the snowman using Baja Breeze ink. It helps the pieces stand out without being too stark white.
• The last two pieces to attach to the card should be the "hands" using Dimensionals, so that they go over the sign the snowman is holding.

If you would like a copy of the page I created to show all of the pieces of the snowman with tips on how to assemble him, leave me a comment below with your e-mail address.

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The next evening was a workshop at a friend's house I met through my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. She invited a handful of friends to come over so that I could share about Stampin' Up! and demonstrate a couple of fun things and then at the end they were able to make a card for free!

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen, Pennant Parade

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso, markers - Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, sponges

Tools: Top Note die, Pennant Punch, Heart to Heart punch

Tips:

• To make two colors on the sentiment, use Stampin' Write markers to color each of the sections (Cherry Cobbler & Old Olive). "Huff" on them to make the ink a little juicy and then stamp onto the paper.
• The middle tree is raised with a Stampin' Dimensional and the baker's twine is attached with a little bit of SNAIL adhesive.
  

I have a couple more Christmas cards to come...

and lots of craft fair items, too!

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And, don't forget about the Online Extravaganza happening now through November 30th! There are so many great deals to snag up...some at 60% off!! Check out my online store to order!

{click on each picture below to view larger}

happy thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Stamp Set: Falling Leaves

Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Spice Cake DSP

Ink: More Mustard, Soft Suede

Accessories: 3/8" Pool Party Ruffled ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools: 1" Circle punch, 3/4" Circle punch, 1/2" Circle punch

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There are so many things I am thankful for and one of them is my customers...

butterfly birthday

A good friend of mine had a birthday at the beginning of November and I wanted to treat her to a pack of Stampin' Up!'s beautiful Spice Cake Designer Fabric. She can work wonders with fabric, so I knew she would appreciate the gift!

Spice Cake Designer Fabric
$9.95

I needed a card to add to the gift, so I cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock to make it 3-1/2 x 10 and then folded it in half. I added a piece of Early Espresso for the border and then I used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder on a piece of Pool Party. I inked the edges to create a "vintage" look. I added the butterfly using the Beautiful Wings Embosslits (also inking the edges) and added three pearls in the middle. I popped it up with a Stampin' Dimensional. I finished the card off by stamping "Happy Day to You" from the Friendly Phrases stamp set.


Here is the card attached to the package of Spice Cake Designer Fabric. I added a strip of Spice Cake DSP around the middle of the box to add something extra, tying a bow with the Ruffled Pool Party ribbon.

hot holiday deals...online extravaganza!!

Hi Stampers!! Have you missed me?

Sorry for my absence over the last two weeks. I've been working hard on craft fair items, so I haven't had a ton of time to check in like I had wanted to. But...I'm back this week! My craft fair was this past weekend and I look forward to sharing all of my fun treats with you this week!!

In the meantime...


Today begins the annual Online Extravaganza to kick off the holiday shopping season! Take advantage of great savings up to 60% off!

Plus, TODAY ONLY (Monday, November 21st) there are two items that are 20% off...but only for 24 hours, so don't wait until it's too late! Visit my website to order online!

Simply Scored Tool
Regular Price: $29.95
Sale Price: $23.96


NEW! Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps
(coming soon in the Occasions Mini Catalog)
Regular Price: $16.95
Sale Price: $13.56
Plus, continuing through November 30th there are so many other great deals!! Click on each picture below to view the great deals online! PLEASE NOTE: The online store will not show the discounted prices except for the bundles. Please refer to this PDF Document to see the discounted prices for each item.


Including...
Glimmer Brads Bundle
Exclusive Sale Price: $10.20
Birthday Calendar
Regular Price: $7.95
Sale Price: $5.57



Including...

Classic Stampin' Spots - Getting Started Collection
Regular Price: $21.95
Sale Price: $13.17
I {Heart} Hearts & I {Love} Love Jumbo Wheel
Exclusive Sale Price (wood mount): $21.27
Exclusive Sale Price (clear mount): $16.47



Including...
On Your Birthday (wood mount) Stamp Set
(I use this set SO MUCH!!!)
Regular Price: $33.95
Sale Price: $16.98


Flight of the Butterfly (wood mount) Stamp Set
This one has been on my wish list!!
Regular Price: $31.95
Sale Price: $15.98



Including...

Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric
Regular Price: $9.95
Sale Price: $3.98


All of the items shown above are only a handful of great products at a discount! Contact me today to place your order or better yet...order online at my website and get your order shipped directly to your door!

Happy Shopping!!

turkey treats and Thanksgiving tags!

Over the weekend (and yesterday) I was able to work on a few fun Thanksgiving treats to add to my items at a local consignment shop, as well as in my preparations for the upcoming craft bazaar I am going to be a part of.

I found this cute little turkey online somewhere and just knew I had to use him to make some treats! To make the topper, I used the Top Note die in Crumb Cake and then embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. The "Happy Thanksgiving" is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and I stamped it in Chocolate Chip onto Daffodil Delight. The ribbon is More Mustard 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon (retired). I attached the top note with Sticky Strip to the baggie before tying the ribbon around the top. The turkey was attached with a Dimensional.


How to make the turkey...

• Turkey Body - Owl punch with Chocolate Chip card stock (trim off the ears)
• Feathers - 5 Petal Flower punch with More Mustard & Pumpkin Pie card stock
• "Gobbler" - use the heart form the Owl punch (punch 1 in Daffodil Delight and 1 in Real Red - trim off the bottom of the one punched in Daffodil Delight and glue it onto the bottom of the Real Red heart and then turn upside and glue onto the face)
  

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Last week I attended a meeting at the home of my awesome upline Andrea Botten. She always has inspiring projects to share and one in particular caught my eye of something I could recreate. The cute little tag on the right was her creation and I just copied her design because I thought it was perfect! I added some Early Espresso sponging to the edges to give it more of a soft feel. I decided to come up with a little bit of a different twist with the tag on the left to have options. I used the BEAUTIFUL Spice Cake DSP from the Holiday Mini Catalog, Early Espresso card stock, and twine. The stamp set I used is Day of Gratitude. I tied the tag around a "tube" of Fall colored M & M's that are inside the 1" x 8" Cellophane Bags from the Holiday Mini.

As always, if you have any questions, please leave me a comment or send me an e-mail! I'm happy to help! Happy Stamping!!

birthday boy...Cars style

I'm only a month behind in posting my son's 4th birthday party invitations, but better late than never! If you're planning a Cars-themed birthday party, I have more details on the party I shared on my other blog HERE and HERE, including dessert ideas, a race track cake, and some simple games to play.

For the invitations, I found a Lightning McQueen image when I did a Google Image search on my computer. I then copied and pasted it into a Word document. My computer just so happened to have a Disney font, so I added the "start your engines and race on over..." right under Lightning McQueen. The black gingham checked paper was all I could find after looking at three different craft stores (I really wanted to find checkered paper!), so I hope that it gave the affect of a checkered flag.



This invitation is actually a pocket card, so when you pull on where the star is, there is a piece of paper with all of the party details! I think this is a fun and unique invitation idea. I found many pocket card ideas in my search for party invitations and I just fell in love with the idea!


A couple of fun treat bags using the scallop circle punch and coordinating circle punches. I created the "Thanks for coming to my party!" in a Word document, printed off a page full and punched them out with the 1-3/4" circle punch.

For the cousins...
For friends...

Not much stampin' with this party, but it was still fun to create!

Christmas card swap!

**Leave me a comment below if you'd like a step by step tutorial for the following card and if there is enough interest, I'm happy to put one together!**

I'm so glad to be back into the stamping mood and I'm excited to start making some fun stampin' treats for Thanksgiving and Christmas! I am going to be participating in a bazaar in a few weeks, so it's time to itch that creativity bug bite and start working!! Now that I'm home from our 10 day vacation in mid-October (well, I have been for almost 2 weeks now!), the house seems to have gotten back to normal a bit and we're now in a routine again! I love Halloween...but thank goodness that holiday is over, too!

I'm not going to skip Thanksgiving all together, but I did want to share my swap card I made for our Christmas card swap we did at last night's downline meeting. I hadn't been in my stamp room for a good three weeks, so I was excited to get in there and start creating!! I love the finished product.

Have you seen those easel cards around the web lately? I have overlooked them because they just looked too difficult to make. But I wanted to give myself a challenge and my upline encouraged all of us to bring a swap card using a "new to us" technique, so I went for it!! The longest part was coming up with a design, but after figuring it all out I whipped through them and decided to make eight of them...some for the swap and some to have as leftover for me!

This is one of those cards that mailing them probably will cost you an arm and leg because not only is it square, but it's also a little extra bulky.

Here is the card closed...

And here it is opened...It stays standing because of the bow.
How fun is that?!
This card doubles as a decorative display!

I really wanted to "glitz" it up, so I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the trees and used the Dazzling Details on the grass to make it snow. You might not be able to see in the picture, but I used Shimmer Spray on the white background before stamping. And, of course...I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new silver glimmer paper (snowflake) from the Holiday Mini. It's even more gorgeous "in real life".


Stamp Set: Polar Party

Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip (used with Blender Pen), marker - Daffodil Delight

Accessories: 1/2" Old Olive Scallop Dot ribbon, Dimensionals (for snowflake), Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Dazzling Details, Basic Pearls, Sticky Strip (to attach bow)

Tools: Big Shot, Large Scallop Circle die, Northern Frost Decorative Strip die