Stuck on Stampin'

birthday bash cards!

2012-02-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

On Saturday night, my upline and friend Andrea and I co-hosted a Birthday Bash Card Making Night that was held at my home. Both of us have birthdays in February and we thought it would be fun to hold an event to help celebrate with what we love to do...card making!! All of our guests made 8 cards for only $15 (2 each of 4 designs). I designed two and Andrea designed two. We wanted to showcase products from the Mini Occasions Catalog and Sale-A-Bration products, so our cards mainly highlighted those products. We also had an ice cream bar with lots of toppings! It was a great turn out of 14 stampers. We prepared for just a few more, so I have a handful of cards to make, but I love having a chance to do more stamping!

My first card was inspired by a sketch from a blog I recently found called Freshly Made Sketches. The designers encourage clean-lined creations with lots of "white space" and clean edges, but also encourages lots of details and embellishments, avoiding distressing and torn edges. Yippee...my kind of cards!!

This is the sketch...

And, my take on the sketch...

Stamp Set: Friendly Phrases, Mouthwatering (available in clear or wood mount)

Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Sweet Shop Specialty DSP
Ink: markers - Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots (for Baker's Twine bow), Rhinestones Jewel Accents
Tools: Big Shot, Stripes Textured Embossing Folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

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This second card was inspired by a card I saw here. I just changed up a few things, but loved the design layout and mostly the colors!!! Adding the butterflies with the pearls was a fun little accent.

Stamp Set: Outlined Occasions (SAB product!)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade (polka dots), Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB product!)
Ink: Early Espresso (inking edges), Black Stazon, markers - Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party
Accessories: Pearls Jewel Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Scallop Trim Border punch

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These are Andrea's cards she brought to the party...aren't they adorable??

sweets for the sweet & big top birthday

2012-02-08T15:29:00.000-08:00

I was blessed with a couple days away last weekend (thanks, Sarah!). I was going to bring scrapbooking because I rarely get the chance to pull it out, but after looking through the pictures on the computer I got too overwhelmed and decided I would bring my card stuff instead. I really went into the weekend as a chance to relax, enjoy myself, and put no pressure on the amount I was going to get done. On my last craft weekend in the Fall, I spent too much of the weekend trying to be in work-work-work mode and didn't enjoy just being away. This time was different and I had more fun!!

I decided to make four cards of each design. My intention was to come away with as many cards as I could just to have on hand...I am always needing cards either to use myself or people are interested in buying. To make it easier, I tried to grab a couple packs of DSP and then any coordinating colors, stamp sets, etc. that went with it.

Here are a few of the cards I made using the Big Top DSP and Sweets for the Sweet stamp set...

With this first card, I was inspired by something I saw in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

Stamp Set: Sweets for the Sweet (available in clear or wood mount), Petite Pairs (sentiment-available in clear or wood mount)
Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Peach Parfait, Big Top DSP
Ink: markers - Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso
Accessories: 1/2"" Poppy Parade Taffeta ribbon, Rhinestones Jewel Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: 1" Circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack (smallest circle), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot

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I fell in love with Melissa Stout's "sweet" card (found here) and knew it was a great layout. I changed the sentiment and used Dazzling Diamonds Glitter instead of Dazzling Details, but just couldn't resist those cute lollipops!

Stamp Set: Friendly Phrases, Sweets for the Sweet (available in clear or wood mount)
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Big Top DSP
Ink: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive
Accessories: 5/8" Real Red Satin ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: 1" Circle punch

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This one was a little more of a process as I cut out each of the three pinwheels using my Paper Snips.

Stamp Set: On Your Birthday (let's celebrate!)

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Big Top DSP
Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turrquoise
Accessories: 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta ribbon, 1/2" Real Red Taffeta ribbon (retired), sponges, Tempting Turquoise brads, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Large Oval punch, Paper Snips, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch

More cards to come!!

sending a kiss

2012-02-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

Just one more week left until Valentine's Day...
have you been making some fun little treats lately?

{Hershey Kisses baggies I made for a relative to hand out to her grandkids}

card making night - valentine's day style!

2012-02-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

Every other month I travel to my mother-in-law's house house (about a 45 minute drive) and I hold a 3 for $6 card night there with her and her friends. We've been doing this just a little over a year now. Everyone seems to have a great time and it has worked really well into my schedule of having one more event I can count on to create cards! The turn out has always been really good, but last week there were 21 ladies, which was awesome!! This time around we decided to make all Valentine's Day cards. What fun!

The first card I designed using the sketch from The Paper Players.

Card #1
It's difficult to see but the Bashful Blue background has polka dots using the Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate created with the Big Shot.

Stamp Set: Send Me Soaring (available in wood & clear mount), Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist
Ink: Bashful Blue (clouds & inked edges), Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Red Glimmer Paper
Accessories: Sponges, 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Pinking Hearts Border punch, 1" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Owl punch (for extra small hearts on the bottom), Word Window punch

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Card #2

Stamp Set: I {Heart} Hearts, Delightful Dozen
Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Pearl Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Heart to Heart punch, Small Heart punch, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

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Card #3
I wanted to use some different colors out of the normal Valentine's Day red and pink, so with the third card I used the beautiful Sweet Shop Specialty Paper in the Occasions Mini Catalog!

I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the words to give it a little extra sparkle.

Stamp Set: Outlined Occasions (Sale-A-Bration)

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Sweet Shop Specialty Paper

Ink: Black Staz-On, markers - Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 3/8" Wisteria Wonder Ruffled ribbon, Rhinestone Accents , Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die, Labels Collection Framelits Die,

My Digital Studio Express 30 Day Trial - download at anytime!

2012-02-02T14:40:00.001-08:00

Stampin' Up! has begun offering a 30-day FREE trial of My Digital Studio Express. For those of you who have always thought about starting digital scrapbooking, this is a great opportunity!!

Here are some FAQs for those of you interested:

Q: How long can we take advantage of the My Digital Studio Express trial?
A: This is an ongoing offer. We want all our demonstrators and customers to be able to try My Digital Studio.

Q: What digital content comes with the My Digital Studio Express Trial?
A: My Digital Studio Express includes one stamp brush set, 12 Designer Series Paper patterns, 81 embellishments, 26 punches, and 5 designer templates. You can view a list of the included content here.

Q: What's the difference between My Digital Studio and My Digital Studio Express?
A: My Digital Studio Express is My Digital Studio software that you can download directly to your computer without having to wait for discs to be shipped to you. The program functionality is exactly the same as the disc version of the software with less digital content. You can watch a quick video explaining the difference between My Digital Studio and My Digital Studio Express here.

Q: Can I get the My Digital Studio Express Trial on a disc?
A: No. The My Digital Studio Express Trial is only available as a download over the Internet. However, the file is not large, so even if you have a dial-up internet connection, you will still be able to download the program.

Q: What are the system requirements to use My Digital Studio?
A: You can see the system requirements for My Digital Studio here.

Q: How do I order the My Digital Studio Express Trial?
A: You can purchase My Digital Studio Express Trial by visiting my online store and ordering HERE. You can order the free trial by itself, or you can add it to an order with stamping supplies or digital downloads. If the My Digital Studio Express Trial is the only item you order, you will not be asked for any credit card or payment information. If you are new customers to my online store, you will need to create an account.

Q: How do I install the My Digital Studio Express Trial software after you have ordered it?
A: You can access your My Digital Studio Express Trial download through the Downloads section of your account. Make sure you select Mac or Windows, and the download and install wizards will walk you through the rest of the process.

Q: Is the trial version of the software different from the paid version of My Digital Studio Express?
A: No. When you order the My Digital Studio Express Trial, you will receive the full version of My Digital Studio Express. The software will function exactly the same as if you had purchased the software--you can design, purchase downloads, and print. The only difference is that you can only use the trial version for 30 days.

Q: Can I place a print order with the trial version?
A: Yes. You have full access to everything you can do in My Digital Studio for a full 30 days. This includes full designing functionality, printing, and the ability to purchase downloads.

Q: Do my 30 days start as soon as I download My Digital Studio?
A: Your 30 day trial period starts as soon as you launch the program. It does not matter when you download the program, your 30 days will start as soon as you actually launch (open) the program.

Q: Will the trial still last 30 days even if I order it in the middle or end of the month?
A: You can order the My Digital Studio Trial at any time. The trial period is not tied to the calendar. The trial period will begin as soon as you launch the program, and you will be able to use it for the next 30 days.

Q: What happens after the 30 day trial period is over?
A: When you launch the software after the 30 day trial period is over, you will be prompted to enter a product key. You will not be able to use the software again until you have entered a product key. You can get a product key by purchasing My Digital Studio or My Digital Studio Express. The product key prompt will include a link to the software page of MyDigitalStudio.net, which will tell your customers where to order the software.

Q: How do I purchase My Digital Studio after the trial period is over?
A: Simply add My Digital Studio (item 118108) or My Digital Studio Express (item 124483) to your next order. If you order My Digital Studio Express, you will not need to reinstall the software. A product key will be e-mailed to you; after you complete your purchase, just enter that product key when the program prompts you to. If you purchase the disc version of My Digital Studio, you will need to use the installation discs in order to access the included digital content. The installation wizard will walk you through the process, including entering the product key (which you'll receive with your shipped discs). You will not lose any downloads or projects from your 30-day trial period.

Q: What happens to digital downloads I purchase during the 30 day trial period?
A: You (and your customers) will have continued access to any downloads you purchase during the trial period. If you choose to purchase the software, you will simply need to enter a product key, and you will be able to use all your downloads like normal. If you do not purchase the software, you will still have access to your downloads through your download manager, and you will be able to load them to the digital design software of your choice.

Q: Can I use My Digital Studio digital downloads in other design programs?
A: Yes. The My Digital Studio digital downloads will work with any digital design program.

Q: Will my saved projects be lost when the free trial ends?
A: You will not be able to edit any of your projects through My Digital Studio after the trial period has ended unless you purchase the software. If you do chose to purchase the software, you will be able to access all your projects. If you don't choose to purchase the software, we recommend you save your projects as jpg files. You will then be able to use them like you use any of your jpg (picture) files.

Q: Can I have two free trials?
A: No. The My Digital Studio Express Trial will only work once. After your 30 days are over, you need to purchase the software to continue using the program.

Q: What if I don't want to purchase the software at the end of the trial period?
A: You can uninstall the software at any time.

Q: Are there other free My Digital Studio downloads available?
A: We do occasionally offer free My Digital Studio downloads. These are generally promotions that run for a short amount of time, and will be announced in a current update. Download some of our free digital downloads for the 2010 In Color Card Stock and Designer Series Papers. You can find links to those downloads here.

Q: Will My Digital Studio work on my iPad?
A: No. We do not have a My Digital Studio app at this time.

Q: How do I use My Digital Studio?
A: We have several videos and resources available for both you and your customers on the training section of MyDigitalStudio.net that will help you learn how to use the program.

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My Digital Studio is new to me, too! I haven't yet tried it out, but I'm excited to take advantage of this opportunity and glad that Stampin' Up! is offering customers to try it out for free, too! If you're interested in taking advantage of this, simply visit my online store to order!

downline card swap - make n takes

2012-02-01T20:44:00.000-08:00

On Saturday the Papercrafting Professionals gathered together for a downline meeting. We're a small group, but little by little we're growing! (There were four who couldn't make it to the meeting.) My direct upline (and friend) Andrea Botten is the "head honcho", but since our downline is scattered everywhere, we share in our hosting duties. This time the meeting was at my home. It just so happened to come on the day after my stamp club, but at least many of my stamping supplies were already out and the house was clean!!

At this particular meeting we all decided we would bring a "box swap" and we would create each other's cards. We were encouraged to plan a card with items from the Occasions Mini Catalog or Sale-A-Bration brochure, but we could pretty much do what we wanted!

I thought I'd share the cards we created...

My Card
{inspired by a card I saw on Patty Bennett's blog...
I believe it was something from Leadership}

Card by Andrea Botten
{inspired by a card out of January Stampin' Success, a demonstrator only magazine}
Andrea turned this into a shaker card, which was so fun! We used the Champagne Glass Glitter for the inside.

Card by Tami Gaumer
{Tami used the Love Letterpress Plate for the Big Shot for the background!}

Card by Terri Takashige
{Terri and I were thinking alike with using the Everyday Enchantment Sale-A-Bration DSP!}

Card by Laura Howell
{Laura's card highlighted a fun folding card and she used the shimmer paint on top of the Night of Navy ink...definitely shows up more in person!}

It was a great time with the girls and we probably could have kept chatting all night long!! So fun to be inspired and share ideas about our Stampin' Up! businesses...and to do it with such fun women is a real treat!

stamp club - January

2012-01-30T15:36:00.000-08:00

I started up another round of Stamp Club on Friday night. 14 of us are going to be coming together once a month (Fourth Fridays) to stamp together! I'm really looking forward to it! There are two groups of six, myself, and one of my downline members. Our first meeting was last Friday and it was a blast!

I put together a couple of fun projects for the ladies...

Project #1 - "i love u" Shaker Card

We used the Shaker Frames that were introduced in the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog. Although this catalog is now retired, the Shaker Frames are still available for purchase from the Mini Catalog CarryOver List. You get 6 of the nested circles below and as my gift to each of the ladies, I let them keep whatever we didn't use.

I kept the card fairly simple as I wanted the shaker frames to be our intended focus!

We made our own "confetti" using the leftover hearts after punching out with the Pinking Hearts Border punch, small hearts from the Owl punch (Pretty in Pink card stock and Red Glimmer Paper), and Silver Glass Glitter.

Stamp Set: Outlined Occasions (exclusive Sale-A-Bration set!! - spend $50 and get if for free!)
Paper: Window Sheets (to keep the confetti from falling out of the hole!), Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Subtles DSP Pack (Pretty in Pink polka dots), Red Glimmer Paper
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain ribbon (retired), Silver Glass Glitter, Shaker Frames, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/4" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, Pinking Hearts Border punch (to make tiny heart confetti), Owl punch (to make little heart confetti)

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Project #2 - Valentine's Pinwheel with a Licorice "Stick"

The second project I kept a little simple, but who doesn't love pinwheels?! You could use any kind of double-sided paper for these pinwheels. Each of my stamp club made them with the Real Red patterned paper from the Brights DSP pack. I also made some using retired paper from the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog called Sending Love, but I didn't have enough to go around!

The quick and easy way to make pinwheels...

Cut any size square (mine is 5x 5, but cut them 4x4 and you can get 6 pinwheels out of one pieces of 12x12 DSP) then score the paper diagonally twice.
On each scored diagonal line, cut up to the center, stopping about 3/4-inch before the center.
Bring a corner to the center and secure with some adhesive and then continue all the way around, skipping a corner each time. Make sure to overlap once you get to the center.
For a secure hold (regular adhesive will not hold it together!), poke a brad through the center. I hid my brad with a heart in the center. The brad also pokes through the 1x8" Cellophane Bag that holds the piece of licorice. (FYI: The licorice stick is just slightly too long for the bag to have some room at the top for the brad, so using kitchen shears, I cut off the top of the licorice).

Stamp Set: None
Paper: Brights DSP Pack, Red Glimmer Paper
Ink: None
Accessories: silver brads, 1x8" Cellophane Bags (still available on the Holiday Mini Catalog CarryOver List!)
Tools: 3/4" Circle punch, Heart to Heart punch (to make small heart in the center)

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Last year my hostesses each month received a little handmade gift from me, but this year I have decided that I would put together a little card kit pack of coordinating paper, buttons, ribbon, and misc. punched out sentiments. Just thought I would change it up a little! This month's pack included some Sending Love DSP (retired), Pretty in Pink card stock and ribbon, Very Vanilla card stock and ribbon, buttons, and brads. I also punched out some shapes from With All My Heart stamp set, which coordinates with the DSP.

Already looking forward to next months' club!

you send me soaring

2012-01-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

What fun to be chosen as last week's "Monkey Princess" at A La Card Monkey for creating THIS CARD. Those of us whose cards were featured were asked to be a guest designer for an upcoming sketch challenge. It has been awhile since I have had the time (or motivation) to participate, but I always love being able to have a chance to use a sketch to create a card. It definitely helps with "card maker's block".

This week's challenge is Love + Sketch #93 and the sketch looked like this...

I decided to ink up my new Send Me Soaring stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog and came up with this fun to create card...

{Heart Banner}

Stamp Set: Send Me Soaring (available in wood & clear mount)
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Cheerful Treat DSP (hostess exclusive)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Baja Breeze (clouds & inked edges), Early Espresso
Accessories: Sponges, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Tools: 1" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Heart to Heart punch, Owl punch (for extra small heart with sentiment)

I'm also linking this Valentine's Day card to...

Spend some time in your stamp room and put together a Valentine's Day card and then head on over and link up with the rest of us! And, don't forget to go visit other stamper's awesome inspiration!

it's sale-a-bration time!!

2012-01-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

Let's Sale-A-Brate!!

It's kind of like Christmas when it's...

Take advantage of Sale-A-Bration as...

Or step it up a notch and get even more free stuff when you host a workshop as...

{click on picture to view larger}

Have you been thinking about joining the Stampin' Up! family?! The Starter Kit is normally $175, so you're saving $50 AND getting a free pack of DSP (or digital downloads) for a year just for signing up before March 31st!! Contact me (heidilynneboos@hotmail.com) if you're on board to join!

{view Sale-A-Bration pamphlet}

anything goes challenge

2012-01-23T22:13:00.000-08:00

I have been preparing for the start up of Stamp Club coming up on Friday, but I needed a little break and some inspiration for making my nephew's birthday card, so I headed to the A La Card Monkey Challenge #92 where "anything goes" this week.

I don't have very many boy stamp sets, so this card is about as boy-ish as I could get with what I could find in my stash and because my nephew is only turning six...I can still get away with "cutesy". I decided to play with the pinwheels again, but opted for cutting them out of the Big Top Birthday DSP instead of stamping.

I added some dimension with the "Happy Birthday" curled up a little. I probably could have added another pinwheel now that I see the extra white space, but the card is already in the hands of the six-year old, so I can't do anything about it now! :)

Stamp Set: On Your Birthday
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Big Top Birthday DSP, Brights DSP Pack (Tempting Turquoise dots)
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Tempting Turquoise brads, Real Red button, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die

january 2012 card making night!

2012-01-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

WOW!

This is one word I can use to describe last night's card making night at my home. I was over-joyed to have 24 stampers come stamp with me at my first event since the beginning of October. I was so happy to have such an awesome turn out to start off the New Year with gusto! My biggest group of stampers before this was 18 in attendance and that was about a month after we moved into our new house (almost 2 years ago), so at that time I thought most of my friends who came just wanted to see my new house! ;)

I had 9 new stampers who hadn't been to one of my card making events before and the enthusiasm in the room was contagious. Crafting nights are always so thrilling and enjoyable when there are so many stampers having such a great time! It was a tight fit, but we made it work. If the attendance continues like this (or if it grows!), I will need to find another location, but for now I like the coziness of having it in my home. We'll see as time moves on...

I designed and prepared supplies for everyone to make three cards each. Some stampers requested two sets, and I also had an "add on" project that I am offering, which is new this year! It was a lot to prepare, but with my New Year's goal of having things planned ahead of time, I felt pretty good about it when the day came. It also helped that my parents watched my kids for the day, so I could focus on my "job" and be 100% ready for the evening...snacks, treats, drinks, and all!

Enough jibber-jabber...here are the cards we made!

{card inspired by Mary Fish...from 2009!}

Even though it was a tedious process, I really wanted the hearts to pop off the page, so I added a Stampin' Dimensional to each of them. Let's just say I used A LOT of Dimensionals on this card, but it's worth it (and they really are a pretty inexpensive way to add a little "wow" to a card). Because it was going to be such a large group I didn't want to have everyone trying to share one punch, so I ended up pre-punching the hearts in different patterns of paper and then they could choose how they wanted their own tree to look.

Stamp Set: Season of Friendship, Delightful Dozen (available in wood or clear mount)
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Brights DSP Pack (some of the hearts and background), Red Glimmer Paper
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: 3/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Dimensionals
Tools: Heart to Heart punch, Extra-Large Oval Punch

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Since birthday cards are the most commonly requested card, I decided to make the other two cards birthday-themed!

Aren't these pinwheels so cute?! And I love that just by adding a few different sizes of circles it gives it that playful, but simple look! The pinwheels are made with two separate stamped images put together with a brad. And they actually spin if you want them to (not on their own, of course!)

Because Rich Razzleberry is such a dark color, I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock to fit inside of the card and then stamped the coordinating stamp to finish off the birthday greeting. The stamp set I used is called Petite Pairs and it's so fun because it has two little greetings that are meant to go together if you'd like, but they are separate stamps.

Stamp Set: Sweets for the Sweet (available in both wood and clear mount), Petite Pairs (available in wood and clear mount)
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Brights Pack DSP (Tempting Turquoise stripes & Pumpkin Pie polka dots)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Silver Brads, Dimensionals
Tools: Paper Snips (used to cut the intricate pinwheels with ease), 2-1/2" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Heart to Heart punch, Extra-Large Oval Punch

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Party hats make me happy, so this next card is such a bright and cheery one! And, again, because there was such a big group, I had the party hats pre-stamped because it was only one stamp which needed four different colors. Can you imagine the chaos that would be with everyone sharing one stamp...oh the mess of those poor ink pads! :)

Another card with lots of Stampin' Dimensionals...and some Dazzling Diamonds glitter, of course!
When I first designed the card, I cut each little party hat topper with my Paper Snips, but then I imagined 20+ people doing that and decided to try a different way!
Thankfully the circle from the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack fit perfectly!

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade (available in both wood and clear mount), **upcoming Sale-A-Bration set called Outlined Occasions (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Pretty in Pink, (markers in all four colors to color in confetti around "Celebrate"), Staz-On Black
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Dimensionals
Tools: Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, 1-1/4" Square punch, 1-3/8" Square Punch, Petite Pennants Builder punch

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New this year at my card making nights is an "add on" project for anyone who might want to make a 3D project. Some like to do more than cards, so I thought adding this option would be a good change of pace. This is optional and I usually ask that the guests tell me ahead of time if they'd like to make one (or more!). I decided that I would prepare more than who had said they wanted to make them just in case there were others who might have changed their mind once they got here. It's a good thing I did make extras, I almost sold out of all of them...and I made 19 kits!

This project is made using two of the Scallop Envelope Bigz Die cut outs to create a "pocket". For a quick look at how to make one of these, head on over to Julie Davison's blog. This is similar to a project she posted back in 2009!

Inside the pocket, you can slip a fun size pack of M & M's (or Ghiradelli chocolate, among other kinds of candy). The little note card slips right behind the pack of M & M's.

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes, I {Heart} Hearts

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Subtles DSP Pack (Pretty in Pink stripes), Play Date DSP (retired, but still in the Clearance Rack for only $1.99!), Red Glimmer Paper
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Sticky Strip (to secure the two pieces together), 1/8" Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon (retired), Dimensionals
Tools: Heart to Heart punch, Full Heart punch, Small Heart punch, Big Shot, Scallop Envelope Bigz Die

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Such a fun time with some great ladies...looking forward to the next "Third Thursday" card night already!

And, now it's time to get ready for "Fourth Friday" Stamp Club starting next week!

i {simply} love you

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to pop in to share with you a quick Valentine's Day or any day to say "love you" card.

I received all of my new Mini Occasions Catalog toys a few weeks ago and have been just fiddling a little with this and that to figure out how it all works. For this card, I used the new Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die for the main focus. It's truly very simply, but it works for me!

Want to know a little secret? Occasionally (Ha! Who am I kidding?! Much more than occasionally...) I make a mistake or try something and don't like it. In the past I've been known to rip apart the card and scrap it all together, but I'm trying REALLY HARD not to go to drastic measures and instead just work with the mistakes. Well I made a mistake on this card in the top right corner (I was trying something and ended up not liking it AT. ALL.) But instead of just giving up, I adapted...thus the reason I have a folded corner with a mini library clip and a linen thread bow. I'm thinking no one would have ever known about my mess up, but telling you this means that it's OK to make those mistakes...just work with them and try a little something different before you rip the card to shreds!

Remember our new motto for the New Year...

Don't over-think the process, just do it!

Stamp Set: Short & Sweet
Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Ink: Melon Mambo
Accessories: Dimensionals, Mini Library Clips, Linen Thread, Pearl Accents
Tools: Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die , Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, Big Shot

In other stamping news....

I have my monthly 3 for $6 card night tonight! I look forward to starting these up again and this will be my first one of the New Year! We meet on the Third Thursday of every month and tonight will be a PACKED HOUSE! Should be fun...more card samples will be coming your way!

butterflies in-color

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

There must be something about butterflies lately because I have yet another butterfly card to share with you today! My friend celebrated a birthday yesterday and I wanted to send her a special card made just for her! Over the weekend, I sat down and waited for some inspiration. It didn't come right away, so I grabbed the nearest Papercrafts magazine and when I saw the picture on the front, I got to work! Isn't this card with the butterflies on the buttons beautiful? That was my inspiration!

Now I wanted a card that would mail easily (nothing too bulky!), so I went with no buttons, but kept with the tone on tone look. I decided the 2011-2013 In-Colors would do the trick!

I made the "birthday wishes" by stamping the word birthday and wishes separately using the Fabulous Phrases stamp set. I then punched them out using the Word Window punch, but also cropped it smaller on both ends, so the word window wasn't as long.

Using Dimensionals the butterflies seem to fly off the page!

Stamp Set: Fabulous Phrases (comes in both wood and clear mount)
Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Coral Calypso
Ink: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Dimensionals, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Rhinestones Jewel Accents
Tools: Word Window punch, Adorning Accents Edgelits, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Big Shot

bundle of love challenge

2012-01-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

Updated to add on 1/20/12...I'm so excited that the following card was chosen and I was the "Monkey Princess" at A La Card Monkey!

It's been soooooo long since I've participated in a sketch challenge and yesterday I was really wanting to make a card for fun...not for an upcoming event, birthday, or any other reason. Just for fun! So, I visited A La Card Monkey and joined in their sketch challenge #91...with "a bundle of love" theme!

This week's sketch...

I wanted to stretch myself and go a little outside of the box I usually stay in and picked up a stamp set I didn't think I'd ever ink up, but decided just to go for it! The colors were inspired by a card I had seen on Stampin' Connection (a Stampin' Up! demo only website). I just loved the look of Pool Party and Blushing Bride, so those are the colors I stuck with (adding a little Early Espresso in there, too). Most of the products used on this card can be found in the *NEW* Occasions Mini Catalog!

You can't tell very well from this photo, but I used the *NEW* Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz. I sprayed it on the Blushing Bride card stock framelit behind the heart. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!! It's gorgeous in person...and sparkles beautifully!

Stamp Set: Take it to Heart (available in both wood and clear mount), sentiment - "Be Mine" from an upcoming Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Outlined Occasions!!
Paper: Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin ribbon (I pulled out the pleats as I just wanted a little splash of Blushing Bride...click on the link to take a peek at how cool this stuff looks!), Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled ribbon, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz
Tools: Fashionable Hearts Embosslits die, Hearts Collection Framelits Dies (this punched out the heart shaped stamp), Labels Collections Framelits Dies

Head on over to A La Card Monkey to play along!! You have until Thursday at midnight to link up your own take on their sketch.

butterflies and birthdays

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Remember that goal of mine for the New Year? Less over-thinking the process of making the cards too complicated and more just doing it and actually sending them out! Well, I have good news...I'm on track with that goal! I had a couple of friends I had been thinking about and wanted to send a card to just to let them know that. In the past I would "put it on the list" and most often it just wouldn't get done. Not this time!!

To "get 'er done" and send the card off in the mail, I decided to keep the card simple. I love me some purple, so I reached for this color first.

Stamp Set: Apple Blossoms - sentiment (retired hostess set)
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Lucky Limeade, 2011-13 In Colors pack
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Pearl Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (one of my favorites!), *NEW* Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, *NEW* Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I added the Dimensionals behind the butterflies to make them "fly" off the page...

I wanted to play with my new "toys" I got from the Occasions Mini Catalog, so I thought this card would be the perfect chance to get out my Adorning Accents Edgelits Die & Textured Embossing Folders to match! The Edgelits die cuts and then the Embossing Folder created the embossed look above the cut. I hope to use these more in future projects. It took a little bit of mastering and I feel like I have a little more to learn yet, but my first time was fun, so I'll get them out again!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My kids and I went to a birthday party on Friday and sticking with my butterfly kick, I got out my never-been-inked-before Flight of the Butterfly that I had purchased back during the Online Extravaganza in November (I snagged it at 50% off!) It had been on my wish list for awhile, so I knew this was the perfect chance! This is a two-step stamping set, so I got out my Stampamajig to line up everything perfectly...love that thing! If you don't know how to use the Stampamajig and you are a proud perfectionist (like me!) ask me how!!

Another quick and simple card, but perfect for a sweet little 4-year old girl!

Stamp Set: Flight of the Butterfly
Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Cheerful Treat DSP (hostess exclusive)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: pink rhinestone brad, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tools: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch

We brought our little 4-year old friend a purse filled with a couple of goodies for a mother-daughter date. I wrote a little poem to go with the gift, typed it up and added a few little flowers to give it a little something extra. I'm pretty sure her mom (my good friend) probably appreciated the poem and gift cards for the date more than she did, but there were a few little goodies in there just for the birthday girl like nail polish and lip gloss. What 4-year old wouldn't want that?

Hope you all have a wonderfully blessed weekend!

conversation hearts

2012-01-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Updated to add on 1/15/12 - What a treat it was to find out that Tiffany at My Crafty World chose my Conversation Hearts as one of her Crafty Picks #48. Thanks, Tiffany!!

I am so excited to have had a chance to play in my craft room the last couple of days! (Although I have to admit my house is suffering because of my "play time".) By yesterday, I had all three cards planned for next week's card night, and today I finished planning the "add on" project for that same event. Another goal I have for 2012 (in addition to sending out more cards this year!) is to have my cards and projects for my events planned at least one week before the event. I was too stressed last year in trying to get things done last minute! I know it will often depend on the month of how busy things are, but thankfully I have one event planned ahead of schedule and for that I'm proud of myself! Now, the cutting card stock and other things to have all the supplies prepared for the event? That will have to come this weekend after I get more confirmations of those attending! It's looking to be a pretty good turn out, so I'm glad!

Since I was such a good girl and I completed my tasks, I decided to make a few little treats I could have ready to go for Valentine's or to bring to the local consignment store where I have my cards for sale. You can never start thinking Valentine's Day too early, especially when you're a stamper!! I used the 1x8 Cellophane Bags newly introduced in the Mini Holiday Catalog...they carried them over and you are still able to purchase them!!

Conversation Hearts Skinny Bags
{with matching tag}

For the tag: I used the Candy Conversations single stamp in the new 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog. To match the candy hearts, I stamped it in various colors...Almost Amethyst (retired), Marina Mist, and Pretty in Pink. Then I punched out each heart using the Small Heart punch and used Stampin' Dimensionals to place them on the Modern Label punched out shape. The ribbon is 1/4" Marina Mist & Pretty in Pink grosgrain. I kind of like that the colors aren't your typical red and pink!

Helpful hint for filling the skinny bags with candy hearts. Use a marker to push them down into the bag. It will help the candies go in straight.

Candy Conversations
{wood mount single stamp - $8.95}

Have a blessed day and thanks for stopping by!

time for a new session of stamp club!

2012-01-11T22:50:00.000-08:00

For those of you in the Portland-Metro (Oregon) area...

Interested in building your Stampin' Up! supplies without having to spend the money all at once?

Do you want to find ways to be more creative and schedule in a little "you" time?

Being part of a MONTHLY STAMP CLUB offers you all this and so much more!

{If you are interested in seeing some of the projects we created in stamp club during our last session, click HERE.}

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHAT IS A STAMP CLUB?
A group of stampers that come to "club members only" events once a month (committed for 6 months) to learn NEW stamping techniques, use my supplies and make projects for FREE! Each member is committed to making a minimum monthly catalog purchase of $25 (+ 10% shipping of your order) for 6 months. This is a great way to build up your supplies gradually without spending the money all at once.

WHAT DO I GET AS A MEMBER OF A STAMP CLUB?

Members get a number of benefits including:

· A FREE copy of our current Idea Book & Catalog OR *NEW THIS YEAR*...if you already have a catalog you will receive $5 in catalog product of your choice.

· A FREE stamping event each month while the club runs, where you'll learn new techniques, plus collect patterns and ideas for great stamping projects.

· FREE hostess benefits during your month as hostess and *NEW THIS YEAR* you will get free shipping on your own order during your month as hostess.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

Make a minimum $27.50 purchase (includes shipping) each month for 6 months & bring a snack or dessert to share on the night that you are the "hostess". Events will be held at my home, so no need for you to clean & prepare the house for guests...bonus for you!

WHEN AND WHERE DOES THIS ALL HAPPEN?

The club will begin this month (January) and will run through June to the end of the current catalog. Monthly club events will be held at my home on the FOURTH FRIDAY of each month, beginning on Friday, January 27th. If you ever can't make it to the club event it's no problem! Just get your order to me the night before our meeting and come to the next one! I will send you the projects you missed for you to create at home.

WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN AS HOSTESS...

· You are guaranteed $25 to spend on either hostess exclusive products or anything you choose in the catalog (and possibly more if you choose to collect orders outside of the stamp club members...I highly encourage this during your hostess month!)

· You will receive FREE SHIPPING on your order the month that you are hostess

· A chance to bring a friend to the club event for FREE!

random projects

2012-01-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

I've gotta get my groove back!! I feel like I have spent the last couple of weeks just looking at the piles of stuff I end up shifting from one room to the next! My craft room was taking a major "back seat" to all of the other projects I wanted to accomplish, but finally by Saturday night I think I actually have it cleaned and organized to be able to get back in there and start working again. I'll have to post craft room pics soon because my mom made some fun curtains for my closet (I removed the doors) and I feel like I have a great organization system going on. I purchased a 12 x 12 paper rack from a paper store closing out and snagged a card spinner, too! I still have a few more things to be hung, but I'm just waiting for my hubby on that one! ;)

So, in the meantime I thought I would share with you a few random projects I've worked on recently...

I covered these small clipboards (6x9) for the kids to keep in the car. My daughter is always wanting to write or draw on something, so I thought this would be perfect! I decided to attach the paper with adhesive and Sticky Strip instead of Mod Podge which is what I originally tried. For some reason the Mod Podge just warped the paper and I didn't like the way it looked. I was pretty proud of myself for not just scrapping the project all together, but instead I started over and tried something else. Such a concept, huh? ;)

I used the Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlits to die cut the letters for each of their names and used my "sticker maker" to add adhesive to the back of the letters. I liked the way it looked with their names on the bottom of the clipboard even though I'm sure they could guess whose belonged to who. I cut 8-1/2 x 11 white copy paper in half and a stack of paper is clipped to the clipboard ready to go. (Note: The paper is non-SU!...I have to use up some of that "contraband" paper somehow!! *wink*)

I also had in my stash (everybody has a "stash", right?) some short gel pens in different colors, so I found a gel pen that coordinated with each of the paper colors. I attached half of a Velcro circle on the clip part and the other part on the gel pen. Now they'll always have a pen to draw! I also decided to add some little bits of ribbon to each of the clipboards for an added flair.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Another little project I worked on this past weekend was making some hand sanitizer bottles. These make such great gifts! I purchased some hand sanitizers at The Dollar Tree and peeled off the front label, then added either some rub ons (retired) or a vinyl flower (which demonstrators have been able to buy in bulk in the past). Adding the ribbon finishes the project perfectly! You'll notice I also added a few pearls to some of the flowers on the front of the bottle. The bonus is that these are refillable, so you can reuse them for however long you need to!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We had MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) on Monday and just like each month I brought my group a little gift for January. I wanted each of them to have a little notebook to write down some of their goals for 2012...or just to use as a place to jot down anything they needed to! These are mini-composition notebooks I picked up in September on the school supplies clearance. Kind of wished I would have snagged some more! They were great quality notebooks and ended up only being $.25 a piece.

I covered each of the notebooks with retired Stampin' Up! DSP (Sweet Pea) and added some ribbon to tie around the notebook and ended it with a knot. I didn't take a picture of the back, but I also covered the back of the notebook using a coordinating color of DSP. I decided to use Mod Podge with this project and it worked great! With Mod Podge, I glued the paper to the notebook and then covered over it with another layer of Mod Podge that dried perfectly clear. This will help prolong the life of the notebook as it gets shoved in the purse or glove box of the car.

I added an initial for each of the ladies in the group using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlits (just as the same with the clipboards, but used the lower case this time).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I was able to spend some time in my craft room Tuesday to get ready for my upcoming card night next week, as well as to make a few cards to mail out to friends. I'm still sticking strong with my motto..."Don't over-think it. Just do it!" I found myself chanting that while in my craft room. It actually worked! ;)

a quick and simple Christmas thank you

2012-01-09T14:27:00.001-08:00

I really wanted to make Christmas thank you notes this year! I always have the best intentions of doing this and with the New Year rolling in, one of my goals for 2012 is to be better at actually SENDING out cards! I think in the past I have spent so much time and energy on making cards for upcoming events that I didn't take enough time to send them to my friends or family often enough. I get so much joy sending out cards...I need to do it more often and stop over-thinking it!

With these cards, I decided that I wasn't going to make them complicated because a) I had 12 cards to make, and b) I needed to get them out ASAP before January came and went! It's not always about making it over the top, so I decided to go simple. I was inspired by a card created by Mary Fish that I found on Pinterest and inked up the Best of Everything stamp set for the first time. The "thank you so, so much" sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen stamp se t.

I've been wanting to try the white on white technique for awhile.

I cut the top white card stock a 3-1/2 inch square and then popped it up with some Dimensionals.

All the cards are stamped, written on, and already in the mail!!

And, my new motto for making cards this year...

Don't over-think it...just do it!

the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog is here!

2012-01-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

Today (January 4th) is the debut for the Occasions Mini Catalog!

View it in...
Flash Version or Pdf
Shop Now
or leave a comment below and I will send a hard copy your way!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Some of my favorites include the...

{Mouthwatering Stamp Set}

which coordinates well with the...

{Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper}

which would look great with the...

{Sweet Shop Jelly Bean Brads}

and the new dies look like so much fun...

{Hearts Collection Framelits Dies}

{Labels Collection Framelits Dies}

a new mini catalog wouldn't be the same without a new punch...

{Blossom Punch}

I love me some...

{Baker's Twine - lots of colors!}
and for only $8.95 you can get this cute single stamp...

{Candy Conversations}

View the catalog for more great products you'll love!

{2011} a year in review

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

Looking back over 2011 I realized how much I have been blessed by being a part of this stamping community. I am so thankful for making that decision of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator in March 2009. I can't believe it will already be 3 years since this journey of mine began! To sum up this year I wanted to take a peek back month by month at some of my favorite projects I was happy I had the chance to share with you! (This was much harder to choose than I thought it would be!)

{January 2011}
Definitely not my original creation, but isn't he so cute?!

{February 2011}
Butterfly valentines...perfect for classmates!

{March 2011}
Who doesn't love the Create a Cupcake stamp set?!

{April 2011}
Easter bunny treats...not my original punch art creation, but oh so fun to make!

{May 2011}
End of the year teacher treats!

{June 2011}
Sweet baby boy sailboat card.

{July 2011}
My first month designing for Craft Project Central (thank you, Jacque!)

{August 2011}
Bright and cheery pennant card!

{September 2011}
Season of Friendship frame home decor

{October 2011}
Baby shower sweetness...with pinwheels!

{November 2011}
Turkey treats!

{December 2011}
12 Days of Christmas...Day 4 Hershey Nugget Trays

Thank you to my blog readers for being so kind to come by to take a peek at the creativity I love to share! I hope for so many new ways to share my creativity in the New Year, as well as to help inspire each of you to create!

May blessings abound for you and your family in 2012!

And, as always...

HAPPY STAMPING!

l is for lemon

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

I am going to try to keep today's post short and sweet...

...or should I say SOUR?!

For Christmas each year on my mom's side of the family all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins get together for a fun Christmas party with lots of yummy food and a gift exchange. The kids each open a gift from their great grandparents and the adults (all 21 of us) bring a $10 gift that starts with a letter we are on for that year. For instance, we have already gone through the word Christmas and now we are onto the word Holiday, so this year's letter was L! This has been a fun way to have a "white elephant" gift exchange of sorts, but everyone is supposed to bring a good gift and not a gag gift. It's always funny to see how some people stretch the name of the gift to make it fit the letter for that year!

This year for some reason I left my decision making to the last minute (actually that's not really a surprise for me lately!). I had initially thought of bringing a candle...aka "lighted wax", but I wanted to be a little more creative. I ran across my candy stash in my craft room and found Lemonheads!! I knew right then and there I wanted my gift to be lemon-themed. So, off to the store I went! I kind of had a difficult time finding things that were lemon, especially with the $10 budget (and the time crunch!) but I came away with...Country Time Lemonade powder mix, Lemon Mentos, Raspberry Lemonade chapstick, and Lemon Ricola cough drops. I should have taken a picture!

Of course I had to add in my handmade touch, so I made...

{five 3x3 lemon cards with envelopes}
I kept them simple...which had nothing to do with crunch time! Ha!

{wrapped up in a bow}

And here is where the Lemonheads come in. I had this cute little jar (Dollar Tree!) in my craft room just waiting for it to be used! I added a little lemon accent to the top, which matched the cards and tied a few pieces of coordinating ribbon. My sister-in-law ended up opening the gift (she was #1) and at the end decided to keep it rather than trade. Made me feel good that it was going to someone who I knew appreciated it!

Some other gifts that were brought...

Lime green blanket with Lime soda & Lime Tortilla Chips (this is the gift that I got!)
Electronic "lead" sharpener...aka pencil sharpener, which we all laughed that nowadays pencils are made with graphite
Lights...flashlights -- lots and lots of flashlights!
Lights...nightlight
"Lincoln" - $10 in pennies
Levels
Locks
Lotion

I love seeing the creativity each year!! This is such a fun tradition for our family!

***********************************

Stamp Set: Tart & Tangy

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Real Red

Punches: Two-Step Owl (heart), 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle

LOVE is in the clearance rack..don't miss it!

2011-12-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

Have you been to the CLEARANCE RACK yet?? If not, what's stopping you?! The Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack Blitz is still happening with products up to 80% off (through January 5th!)

And, just to get you in the mood...here are some great products as you start thinking about the next holiday coming up - Valentine's Day!

Full Heart Punch (old style)
Regular Price - $15.95
Clearance Rack Price - $9.59

Heart to Heart Punch (old style)
Regular Price - $15.95
Clearance Rack Price - $9.59

And, who doesn't love ribbon?!

Pink Pirouette 1-1/4" Grosgrain (10 yds)
Regular Price - $7.95
Clearance Rack Price - $2.99

Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain (15 yds)
Regular Price - $7.95
Clearance Rack Price - $3.19

Melon Mambo Pom Pom Trim (5 yds)
Regular Price - $6.95
Clearance Rack Price - $2.59

Melon Mambo 1/2" Polka Dot (15 yds)
Regular Price - $9.95
Clearance Rack Price - $3.99

Paper, paper, oh how we love paper!!

Love Patterns Designer Series Paper
{Real Red & Pretty in Pink - 12 sheets total}
Regular Price - $9.95
Clearance Rack Price - $1.99

Love Impressions Specialty Designer Series Paper
Regular Price - $11.95
Clearance Rack Price - $4.79

And, who could forget the Big Shot?

Hearts Set Sizzlits Die 4 Pack
Regular Price - $19.95
Clearance Rack Price - $7.99

Technically these buttons are Christmas-themed, but look at that red and pink and even more so...check out that price!!!

Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons (48 buttons!)
Regular Price - $8.95
Clearance Rack Price - $1.79

Last, but not least...

Love Impressions Rub-Ons
{4 sheets - 2 of each design}
Regular Price - $7.95
Clearance Rack Price - $1.59

Hurry on over to take advantage of these Clearance Rack prices and get crafting on your Valentine's creations for an affordable price! Plus, there are even more products than what I've shown you here...and they just added 10 more items on Monday!

ORDER ONLINE!

at least I hand stamped the envelope!

2011-12-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

I hang my head in shame and admit that I didn't hand stamp my Christmas cards this year (or last year or the year before that and so on...). Anyone want to join that club with me? As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I always feel like I should make a handmade Christmas card, but every year it creeps up on me and it just doesn't happen.

At least I put a little personal touch on each of the envelopes I mailed out...

{back of the envelope}

Yes, I did color in each of the stars on every envelope! If I wasn't down to the wire in getting these suckers in the mail...I would have added even more color to the trees. And, yes I am crazy! Coloring in 90+ stamped envelopes would not be an easy task...glad I used a little common sense and decided to fore-go that idea!

{front of the envelope}

However, I did design my own photo card! I wish I could say it was with My Digital Studio, but unfortunately I cannot! One of these days I'll be brave enough to open the shrink wrap to that CD and play with it a little...I just haven't gotten to that point yet!

Here is our 2011 Christmas card...

I do take the time to write a little update on our family each year,
so that should count for something, right?

Craft Bazaar Round-Up 2011

2011-12-26T17:46:00.000-08:00

In mid-November I took part in the 3rd Annual MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale. I spent A LOT of time getting things ready and I ask myself every year why I keep adding this to my "to do" list during the busy holiday months! After it's all over, I enjoy the benefits of having a little bit of extra spending money to replenish my craft supplies (and add a few new things, of course), but the process of getting everything completed is so time consuming and I feel like my family gets the short end of the stick during this time! On the flip side, I love creating and helping others send a handmade gift and have some leftovers for me to use as gifts, too! But, I'm pretty sure next year I'll be doing things a little differently...which most likely means I won't be participating in any bazaars. (I've already asked a handful of friends and my mom to keep me accountable with that!)

The plus side of doing these bazaars is having all of these fun creations to share with my blog readers! Many of these items I have already shared in my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects}. I will attach a link to any of the projects that have a step by step tutorial, so feel free to click away and save the idea for next year if it inspires you!

Since my first bazaar was the weekend before Thanksgiving, I had a few Thanksgiving treats out for sale, too!

{Turkey Treats}

{Hershey's Nugget Trays}

{M & M's Skinny Bag with Tag}

I realized this year that I had a lot of candy treats!!

Here are the Christmas goodies...

{Wrapped Rolos}

{M & M's Skinny Bag with Tag}

{Hershey's Nugget Trays}

{Ghiradelli Chocolate Holder}

{Top Note Christmas Candy Corn Bags}

{Santa Suit Bottles}

{Fill Your Own Treat Bags}

{Gift Bags with Matching Tags}

{Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow}

{Jingle All the Way Shadowbox Frames}

{Season of Friendship Frame with Inserts}

{Rudolph Gift Card Holders}

{Gift Card Holders}

{Snowman Gift Bags}

{Covered List Pads}

{Owl Post-It Note Keychains}

{Tooth Fairy Tins}

{Christmas Easel Card}

{Misc. Christmas Cards}

This year's set up turned out a little different than last year's, but I liked the final product! I was able to borrow a table top card spinner from a friend and I packed along the 6 cube shelf for the extra 4 feet in my "10 foot" allotted space. It worked perfectly!

{The Complete Set Up}

{Up Close of Shelf}

{The Business Side of Things}

My two little loves came to visit me at the bazaar.
I love having my own little fan club!

I also participated in a second smaller bazaar (it was called a Holiday Shopping Party), but I didn't get any pictures of that set up. All of the handmade crafts were mostly the same except for the addition of these cute things...

{Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments}

Please feel free to leave me a comment if you have any questions!

Hope each of you had a Merry Christmas!!

12 days of Christmas {projects} - a winner!!

2011-12-19T14:37:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I have not heard from my first winner and there was no way to get a hold of her because I didn't have any information with the comment she left, so I drew another winner for my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} Giveaway!

I printed out each person's name who left a comment on this post (thank you!) and had my daughter pull one out of the box!

The new winner is...

This just so happens to be my mom, but in all fairness I TRIPLE PROMISE I did not rig the giveaway for her to win...and my daughter did not peek when she pulled the name out of the box. I must admit she was super excited to see her Grammy's name, though!

12. Anonymous said...: I love all the projects! My favorite is the Rolo....it looks easy and I like that candy ;)
Love,
Mom; December 12, 2011 5:32 PM

I just wanted to thank EACH AND EVERY ONE of you for taking the time to leave comments on not only the giveaway post, but also on my other posts as well. I find joy in reading these comments and it encourages me to know that I have readers who are inspired by my work that I love! I know how busy life gets and it's tough to fit in time to leave comments while jumping from blog to blog. There is so much inspiration out there!! Thank you again and may the remainder of your Christmas season be filled with joy, happiness, love, laughter...and a little stamping, too!

it's a CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ!!

2011-12-15T11:29:00.000-08:00

I have some super exciting news to share with you!

Stampin' Up! is having a

CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ

starting today through January 5, 2012! You can get many of the old style punches at 40% off (most of them are only $9.59!), and they have also added a TON of great products like ribbon, paper, and buttons! Head on over to my ONLINE STORE to order today!

Seriously...you need to act fast - these are GREAT PRICES and GREAT PRODUCTS!! If anyone wants to contact me today by 3:00 PM (local) I can help save on shipping. If you order from my website the shipping will be $6.95 (or 10% whichever is greater) which will probably be worth it since you're saving so much on these prices...and a bonus for ordering online is that it will ship straight to your front door! Please note: I would encourage you to get the order in today if you want it before Christmas. These clearance prices would make great gifts for those crafty people in your life...or for YOURSELF!

Act fast, act now...head to my website to order!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Don't forget today is the last day to enter to win some little treats for my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} giveaway!! Enter to win HERE and be sure to browse all of the fun projects to make...they're quick, easy, and fun!

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 12...and a giveaway!!

2011-12-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #12

Jumbo Clothespin - Picture Holder

Day 12 is here! I actually can't believe that 12 days have gone by...it seemed so quick! My final project of this Christmas series is one that I made for my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. This is my second year of being a discussion group leader and I like to do a little something for them each month. Each of the ladies will receive one of these jumbo clothespin holders that can be used as a picture holder. I have also printed a picture of our group that I will stick on the clothespin before they arrive! (Let's hope that none of my group decides to read my blog before coming to MOPS this morning and spoil the surprise!)

Let's get started!

Find yourself a jumbo clothespin (I found mine at Michaels) and get out your Mod Podge. If you don't have any...you really need to get some! I pull out my big jar of Mod Podge for little projects here and there and I am always so glad I have some on hand.

Cut two pieces of DSP (I used retired Candy Cane Christmas):
1-1/8 x 3-5/16

1-1/8 x 1-1/16
Keep in mind that the clothespins you have or find may not be the same size.
I stamped the JOY ornament from the Delightful Decorations stamp set onto Whisper White card stock using Real Red ink. I punched it out with the Ornament punch.

Using a foam paint brush, brush Mod Podge over the top of the clothespin.

Lay your two pieces of DSP over the Mod Podge, smooth with your finger, and then brush another layer of Mod Podge on top. Set aside to let dry.

Adhere Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the ornament starting with the 2-Way Glue Pen...

Then generously sprinkle on Dazzling Diamonds glitter and shake off excess. Allow to dry for a few minutes.

Punch a hole in the top of the ornament using a 1/16" hole punch.

Cut a 10" piece of white floss and break into two pieces (3 strands each).

Thread through the back of the ornament and then thread to the front 2 Mini Jingle Bells.

These mini jingle bells are only available until January 3rd out of the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog. Aren't they so cute?

Thread a 10" piece of 5/8" Real Red Satin ribbon through the hole of the clothespin.

Tie into a double knot.

Thread the floss up through the red ribbon.

Tie the floss into a double knot and then make a bow. Trim the ends of both the floss and the satin ribbon for a completed look.

Add you favorite picture and count it all JOY!

I hope you have enjoyed these simple, but cute projects that are easy to recreate so that you are able to still do a "handmade holiday", but can also have more time during the busy Christmas season! I hope that you are able to bless someone with your talent and gift of creativity!

Now onto the GIVEAWAY!!!

One lucky reader will receive these treat from me...

You will probably recognize that many of the things pictured are items you have seen during my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects}.

To enter to win:

LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST...
telling me which project of the 12
I shared with you is your FAVORITE!
{giveaway will end on Thursday, December 15th at 8:00 PM...
I will announce the winner on Friday morning!}

Please be so kind and share this giveaway with your friends and family and I would love to be able to pass these projects onto anyone who would like to use them and sharing my blog with others can help do that! It's my gift to my fellow crafters this Christmas season!

Thank you to those who come to visit me daily...I hope you continue to come by and I will continue to share more creations and inspirations! Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos
Day 7 - Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow
Day 8 - Snowman Kisses
Day 9 - Ghiradelli Chocolate Holder
Day 10 - Jingle All the Way Shadowbox Frame
Day 11 - Candy Hugs & Kisses Treat Holder

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 11

2011-12-11T15:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #11

Candy Hugs & Kisses Treat Holder

Here's a simple little treat holder you can pull together really quick and you don't need much on hand. Sometimes when I'm searching for treat holder ideas on different blogs and websites, I just want something simple and quick that doesn't use a lot of dies, punches, etc. This one will do the trick and you can decorate the front however you'd like!

Start with a piece of Real Red card stock 3-1/2" x 8-1/2" (you can get three of these treat holders out of one piece of cardstock!)
Score lengthwise at 3, 5, and 8 inches.

Fold on each of the score lines.
To decorate the front I used Real Red marker to color in the "dec. 25" part only on the stamp from the Tags Til Christmas stamp set. I then stamped it onto Very Vanilla card stock.

I punched out the "dec. 25" with the Large Oval punch and also punched out a Real Red Scallop Oval and Garden Green Decorative Label. The DSP (Holly Berry Bouquet) is cut 1-1/2 x 3-1/2.

Using SNAIL adhesive, adhere the DSP to the front of the holder, making sure it is on the side with the top "flap".

I attached the "dec. 25" with SNAIL adhesive to the Real Red scallop oval and then used a Dimensional to attach it to the Garden Green decorative label. The decorative label is attached to the front using two Dimensionals.

Place some Hershey's Hugs & Kisses into a small baggie (I find these in bulk at Paper Zone) and fold over at the top.

Line it up to the top, and center it.

Fold the flap over the back.

Punch two holes using 1/8" Circle punch about 3/4" apart (this will also punch through the baggie).

Thread a piece of 5/8" Real Red Satin ribbon from behind to the front.

Make a pretty bow!

You'll see the candy kisses from the side view.

Hope to see you tomorrow for the last project...and a giveaway!!

Blessings to you and I hope you've had a wonderful weekend!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos
Day 7 - Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow
Day 8 - Snowman Kisses
Day 9 - Ghiradelli Chocolate Holder
Day 10 - Jingle All the Way Shadowbox Frame

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 10

2011-12-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #10

Jingle All the Way Shadowbox Frame

Hi there! I meant to get this posted before the busy weekend began, but for some reason I just couldn't squeeze it in! But, here I am (it's Sunday) and I'm now trying to catch up. Anyone else feel like they're always two steps behind during the Christmas season?

I wanted to share with you all a project I created about 2 years ago using the small Jingle All the Way vinyl from Stampin' Up's Decor Elements line. The small vinyl only costs $3.50!

This project included a square shadowbox frame, some jingle bells, a piece of Christmas paper, a piece of ribbon, and the vinyl above and they all combined to make a fun piece of Christmas decor.

I just knew I should have taken a picture of each of the four designs I made for this year's craft bazaar (I used different paper for each one). However, I didn't and all four sold out!! Here is one sample I caught a picture of. (This is NOT Stampin' Up! DSP in the background.)

Here is a picture of two others that I had for sale at last year's craft bazaar. Both of the DSP in the background are retired Christmas paper from Stampin' Up!

And here is the original frame I created 2 years ago. At that time they had black, red, and green vinyls available to purchase, so this one uses Old Olive. (The DSP in the background is NOT SU!)

For a "how to" for this frame, please visit my ORIGINAL TUTORIAL I put together 2 years ago on my personal blog. At that time, I hadn't started my Stampin' Up! blog yet.

Only 2 more days left of the 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} and definitely be sure to visit on Monday, the 12th for a giveaway and the final project in the series!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos
Day 7 - Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow
Day 8 - Snowman Kisses
Day 9 - Ghiradelli Chocolate Holder

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 9

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #9

Ghiradelli Chocolate Holder

This next project is an idea I got from the talented Jill at Jill's Card Creations last Christmas. I made about 20 of them for this year's craft bazaar. I purchased the Peppermint Bark Ghiradelli Chocolates to use inside each of the holders...I love peppermint bark!

Please note: For the craft bazaars I participate in, I typically try to use up retired DSP and save the current DSP for events that I host. Therefore, this is the reason many of these projects I am posting in my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} uses retired DSP. Any of these projects can be easily changed with current DSP, if desired!

Cut a piece of Garden Green card stock 3" x 8".
Score lengthwise at 3-14/16" and 4-2/16"

Open the piece of paper all the way and slip the Word Window punch into the paper until you can't go any further. You will want it off centered a bit.

The chocolate will not fit with only one punch...

Place the Word Window punch in again as far as it will go and then move it a little to the right.

Fold up the paper so the pieces are together. Using the 1/8" Circle punch make two holes about 1/4" apart.

To decorate the front, I used a piece of striped DSP (from retired Candy Cane Christmas) cut 1-12/16" x 2-14/16"and two strips using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch (2-14/16" in length). I also used a sentiment from the Sweet Season stamp set and punched it out with the Decorative Label punch.

You will need an 11" piece of thin ribbon (I used 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon). Thread through the back and then tie into a bow.

Pull out the treat...and eat! ;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos
Day 7 - Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow
Day 8 - Snowman Kisses

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 8

2011-12-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #8

Snowman Kisses

Anybody wondering when Day 8 was going to appear? ;)

For today's project I wanted to do a "revamp" of a little project that I have done for the past two Christmas seasons, but this time using a current stamp set. By no means is this project something I came up with all on my own (I have seen it a little here, there, and everywhere for the last couple of years), but I did figure out the dimensions and made my own design and so I would like to pass those on to you to make it easier for you to re-create!

I present to you my little Snowman Buddy bringing you some snowman kisses...

You'll need to start with a Tic Tac "Big Pack" in white...

Cut a piece of Baja Breeze card stock 3" x 4-1/2" and round all four corners with the 3/16-inch Corner Rounder punch.

Score at 1-15/16" and 2-10/16"

Cut a piece of Whisper White card stock 1-6/8" x 2-13/16" and round two of the corners on the right. (please note: do not adhere it to the blue yet as shown below...I am just showing you how the white fits inside the front cover)

Sponge edges with Baja Breeze ink. Using the snowflake from the Season of Friendship stamp set, stamp off some of the snowflakes to make them lighter. I stamped once on a scrap piece of paper and then again on the cut piece making a softer look. If desired, stamp more snowflakes with full ink on top.

Using the snowman from the Button Buddies stamp set, ink up the image with markers...Basic Black, Chocolate Chip (for arms), Pumpkin Pie (for carrot nose). Stamp onto the white card stock near the top. Set aside.

With a 14" piece of ribbon (I used retired Red Gingham), fold the scored piece of Baja Breeze and line up your ribbon to be even on the right.

With SNAIL adhesive, adhere the ribbon ONLY TO THE FRONT "COVER" (not the spine or back).

With SNAIL adhesive, adhere the finished snowman to the front cover (over the ribbon). You'll notice I have already added the special details to the snowman (Dazzling Diamonds glitter, scarf, and Rhinestone on hat). I had to "retake" this picture, but my first attempt I added all of those details last.

Using your 1" Circle punch, punch a hole at the bottom, overlapping a little on the second circle.

Attach Sticky Strip to the spine of the pack of Tic Tacs.

Adhere to the inside spine of the card stock.

I added a fun tag with my Tiny Tags stamp set and coordinating Jewelry Tag punch.

To make it complete, on the inside I added this poem (I wish I could say I made this up, but I didn't!)...

I have made these for the last couple of years for the annual craft bazaar I participate in...

2009

2010
Although I didn't have these at my craft bazaar this year, I just knew I needed to share him with you, but update it a little. It's funny how the snowman has progressed over the years.

Thanks for hanging in there with me on Day 8 coming a bit late. Sometimes life just gets in the way of my stamping...how dare it?! ;)

Hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Christmas season. The weather here in Oregon has been gorgeous so far! I am loving the blue sky days and even though there's cold air...there's no rain and gloominess! I could do this all winter...and maybe add a little snow in there, too!

Only 4 more days of my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects}...and I'll see you on the 12th for a giveaway! Please forward this to a friend if they're interested in some quick, fun, and cute ideas as Christmas draws nearer.

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos
Day 7 - Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 7

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #7

Merry Trees Glass Block with Snow

For today's project, I wanted to share with you a fun Christmas decor item you could whip up in a matter of minutes. It's a great way to spruce up your holiday decor...or give as a gift!!

I'm sure many of you have seen the clear glass blocks that you can purchase at your local craft store. Last year around this time I found some on clearance at 50% off, so I snagged all they had left, (which, unfortunately was only four and yes, I would have gotten more if they had any!)

I wanted to come up with something that was a home decor item to have at least a little bit of variety on my craft bazaar table, so when I saw these clear blocks in my stash I just knew I had to use them!

Many people choose to put tiny lights inside, but I wanted to do something a little different, so I found some leftover "snow" (from my wedding almost 8 years ago...how resourceful is that?!) and poured some inside until it was about half way.

I used the SMALL "Merry Tree" vinyl (only $3.95!)...

...and adhered only the trees on the left. This means I have the rest of the vinyl to save for another project. Which, of course, I have yet to do, but I'll think of something I'm sure!

Wrap your favorite ribbon (I used retired Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot ribbon) around the block and voila! You now have a beautiful gift to give...or keep for yourself if you can't bear to part with it!

At the Holiday Shopping Party I participated in last Sunday, each of the vendors brought a gift to raffle off in some drawings. Below is the gift I chose to bring. I adhered the Merry Trees to this clear pail and filled it with some goodies...M & M's Skinny Bag with Tag, Hershey's Chocolate Bar Slider, baggie of misc. Christmas tags, and a Mini Holiday Catalog. I just love that you can adhere vinyl decor to just about any surface!!

Thank you for coming by and joining me for my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects}. I hope you've been feeling inspired to create!!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays
Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments
Day 6 - Wrapped Rolos

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 6

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #6

Wrapped Rolos

This next project is one of those super easy treats to put together, but yet it looks FABULOUS! They are perfect for those people that you want to wish a Merry Christmas to with just a little something more than a card...staff at your child's school, bus driver, mailman (or woman), your child's classmates, co-worker, hair stylist, your UPS driver (you know us Stampin' Up! demos appreciate those boys in brown!)...the list could go on and on! These have have been a big hit both at this year's bazaar and last year's as well!

Supplies you will need:

Rolo candies (look for sales on candy bars or buy them in bulk at Costco!)
Your favorite DSP (I used misc. retired SU! paper)
Matching ribbon
Any Christmas stamp set that would make a cute tag

Wrapping the Rolos:

Remove the outer wrapping of the Rolos. The wrappers should slip right off and the gold foil will remain.
Cut a 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" piece of your favorite DSP.
Place SNAIL adhesive on one side and Sticky Strip on the other side. Starting where the SNAIL adhesive is, roll the Rolos into your DSP, ending with the Sticky Strip to secure tightly.
Tie a ribbon around the Rolos and add a tag...

The tag I decided to make seemed PERFECT for this treat. It comes from the Tags til Christmas stamp set. I could have punched it out with a 1" Square punch, but decided I wanted the inked border around it, which would have gotten cut off. So I hand cut the edges (it didn't take that long...promise!) and then punched out a scallop square in a coordinating color using the Scallop Square punch. I added a Dimensional to make it "pop"!

Hope you have an extra SWEET day!!

Bless someone with a handmade treat made by you...just for them!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays

Day 5 - Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 5

2011-12-05T14:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #5

Holiday Hand Sanitizer Ornaments

A little delay on today's Christmas project, but I hope this fun gift idea is worth the wait! And, as I always say...better late than never!! *wink*

I purchased at least 20 cute little reindeer mini hand sanitizers last January on the after-Christmas clearance on Bath & Body Works knowing that I would want to make some holders for them for this year's bazaar (there were so many great tutorials out there, especially this one from Erica Cerwin which I used for a stamp club hostess gift back in May). However, when it came time for me to get working on bazaar stuff, I put these holders on the bottom of the list and never got to them. I'm not sure if the work involved or if I just had too much on my plate was to blame, but it didn't happen! Fortunately I did a second bazaar a couple of weeks later and decided to go for it. However, instead of going the more difficult route I opted for something clean and simple...and quick {just my style}. I was able to create these cute little hand sanitizer holders as a result and I'm so happy with the way they turned out!

Please note: For the craft bazaars I participate in, I typically try to use up retired DSP and save the current DSP for events that I host. Therefore, this is the reason many of these projects I am posting in my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} uses retired DSP. Any of these projects can be easily changed with current DSP, if desired!

Cut a piece of Real Red card stock 3-1/2" x 5-1/2".
Score lengthwise 2-1/4" and 3-1/4".

Turn your card stock and score again 1" and 2-1/2".

Fold each of the score lines and then using Paper Snips, snip the two inside folds on each side.

For DSP, you will need:
2 pieces - 1-3/8" x 2-1/8"
2 pieces - 7/8" x 2-1/8"

Adhere the two larger pieces to the front and the back as shown below.

Using the 1-1/4" Circle punch, line the circle on the front and center it (I just go ahead and "eyeball" it and hope for the best).

Not too bad, right?

On the inside of the box, place Sticky Strip on the outside of the two "flaps". I used SNAIL adhesive and added a strip to the inside.

Begin to fold it up like a box with the flap on the outside. In the next step it will be covered up by the last part that comes up.

On the last two flaps, put Sticky Strip on the outside and SNAIL adhesive on the inside for extra "stickiness". Fold up to make a completed box similar to the last picture.

With SNAIL adhesive, cover the two sides using the other two pieces of DSP (7/8 x 2-1/8).

Using the 1/8" hole punch, punch a hole on each side of the box

Cut an 8-1/2" piece of Real Red 1/8" Taffeta ribbon. Thread it through one of the holes and tie a double knot. (Note: the length of the ribbon depends on how big you want the loop).

Then thread the ribbon on the other side and double knot. Trim the ends, if necessary.

Decorate the front as desired.
Don't you just love how the reindeer are peeking through?!
(I used the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set in Real Red ink. Punched it out with the Window punch and Modern Label punch out of Real Red card stock. The snowflake is from the Northern Frost Decorative Strip die. I added a Rhinestone to the center for a little bling!)

A helpful tip when using Glimmer Paper with your Sizzlits dies. Be sure to place the "sparkly" part facing up. This will be waaaaaaaay easier to punch out. Let's just say I learned from experience. *wink*

Use a paper piercing tool to poke out the detailed parts of the snowflake.
(I don't have a clue why this picture is sideways!!)

Hang the ornament on the tree (or anywhere) for a special surprise! Wouldn't these be great little gifts for people in the health care field...or a teacher!!

Hope you have a happy and HEALTHY Christmas season!!

And, if you're curious...the reindeer mini hand sanitizers aren't available anymore, but they do have some other cute options like the ones below.

Come back tomorrow for Day 6...and definitely come back on December 12th for a giveaway!!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars
Day 4 - Hershey Nugget Trays

sorry for the delay...

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Day 5 of the 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} will be coming soon...

I had a BUSY DAY yesterday with church, participating in a Holiday Shopping Party (bazaar), spending the evening with my family, and then early to bed for a change...so project #5 will be a little delayed.

Thanks for understanding and I hope that you are enjoying the 12 Days of Christmas {Projects} so far!!

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 4

2011-12-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #4

Hershey Nugget Trays

I'm going to have to keep today's post short and SWEET! Today is a big day for me as I am participating in a Holiday Shopping Party with 15 other vendors. I'm looking forward to sharing some of papercrafting creations and maybe get some people interested in attending my events!

You've probably seen these Hershey Nugget Trays all over and they're nothing new, but I thought I would share with you just how quick and easy they are to put together for a fun Christmas treat for a friend, co-worker, neighbor...and perfect for your child's teacher! Who wouldn't love chocolate with a handmade touch by you?!

Please note: I am using retired Jolly Holiday DSP from the last catalog, but these can be made with all kinds of DSP!!

Measure and cut your card stock (I used Cherry Cobbler)...
1-7/8" x 4-1/4" and score 1/4" in on each side.
Crease the folds with a Bone Folder.

Cut 4 pieces of various patterns of DSP...
1" x 3" each

I used regular SNAIL adhesive on one end and a small piece of Sticky Strip on the other end (as seen below).

Starting with the end with the SNAIL adhesive begin wrapping the DSP around the Hershey's Nugget.

Pull tight, and seal the end with the Sticky Strip.

Do the same above for each Hershey's Nugget and then place in "tray".

Using pretzel bags (these can be found in the cake decorating/candy aisle of your local craft store)...

Slip the tray with candy into the pretzel bag.

Stamp your greeting, choose your ribbon, and...

...punch a hole and tie the ribbon in two knots to hold secure. Finish it off by trimming the top of the pretzel bag.

These have always been super fun to make and so easy for any holiday!! In fact, I've made them for last year's Holiday Bazaar, Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving...

I hope you will continue to join me this next week as I continue on my 12 Days of Christmas {Projects}. Please let me know if you ever have any questions on any of the projects I share.

Thanks for coming by!!

************************

Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder
Day 3 - Santa Suit Jars

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 3

2011-12-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #3

Santa Suit Bottles

Hi Stampers!
Ready for Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas {Projects}?! Each of my daily inspiration projects are meant to be quick and simple because once the month of December rolls around, let's face it...we don't have much time because there's always so much to do!

Today's project I wish I could claim as my own creation, but unfortunately I can't! I found this cute idea through my newest addiction...Pinterest! The idea comes from HERE, but like always I tried to add a few little touches of my own!

I specifically made these bottles for the Holiday Bazaar I participated in a few weekends ago. They were a snap to put together, but aren't they oh so cute?! I think this would be the perfect little gift for a teacher, co-worker...or wouldn't this look darling if you left this on your neighbor's front porch?

To start things out, you'll need an empty and washed Starbucks Frappucino bottle with the label removed. (A helpful hint for removing the label: Soak it in hot soapy water for at least 5 minutes. You might still need Goo Gone or other sticker remover, but the label peels off easier if soaked.)

Next comes preparing your supplies...

3" x 9" piece of Real Red card stock
1" x 9" piece of Basic Black card stock
7/8" x 3" piece of Whisper White card stock
a "buckle" made from Silver Glimmer paper
(hello...LOVE this paper!)

Wrap the Real Red piece around the center of the bottle making sure the seam meets wherever you want the back of the jar to be. I used SNAIL adhesive randomly to have a good hold, but on both ends of the paper, I used Sticky Strip (see next picture). Before adding the Basic Black strip of cardstock, be sure to add the Whisper White strip down the middle of the jar. I only used SNAIL adhesive for the white.

BOTH ends (only one end is seen pictured) of the Real Red and Basic Black card stock have a piece of Sticky Strip for a tight hold once you wrap it around the bottle.

To make Santa's buckle, punch out a 1" square out of the Silver Glimmer paper (I'm telling you...this paper is even more gorgeous in person!)

Then center the 1-3/8" Square punch around the 1" square...

Easy-peasy!

I let the belt buckle stick out a little and only added adhesive to the middle part. I figured eventually the adhesive would wear off if it was wrapped around the bottle and I like the affect of it sticking out.
To cover the label of the top of the jar, I stamped "From Santa" (a single stamp offered in the Holiday Mini Catalog) using Real Red ink, punched it out with a 1-3/4" Circle punch and then used a small strip of Sticky Strip to hold it securely in place.

Around the lid, I added a 1/4" x 6" piece of Real Red DSP (from the Brights DSP Patterns Pack). I used SNAIL adhesive on the whole strip, but added a tiny piece of Sticky Strip on both ends to make sure it didn't come undone.

Finish it off with a piece of Real Red 5/8" Satin ribbon tied in a knot and it's a gift ready to give!

I wanted to include this picture from my bazaar because my 5-1/2 year old daughter is actually the one who took this...

...right before she took this one of herself!

I love this silly girl!!

Thanks again for stopping by!

Be sure to come back each day for the next 9 days for more quick and simple Christmas project ideas...and on December 12th there will be a GIVEAWAY!!

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Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag
Day 2 - Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 2

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Project #2

Rudolph Punch Art Gift Card Holder

Gift cards seem to be the most popular item on Christmas wish lists these days! So, if you're going to give a gift card...at least make a fun gift card holder to add that extra special handmade touch!

This cute little gift card holder was one that I made last November with my stamp club girls! I used the inspiration behind the actual gift card holder from the talented Kerry at Kerry's Craft Blog. The Rudolph punch art morphed itself from a couple of things I had seen on the web, but mostly this little guy was inspired by the Rudolph seen on Angie Kennedy Juda's My Chic 'N Scratch (love her style!) I decided on different antlers, but most everything else stayed the same!

{front}

{back}
The quick and simple "how to"...

You will need:

2 top note die pieces out of the card stock of your choice (I used Cherry Cobbler)
1 DSP top note die piece (I chose the retired Jolly Holiday...love that DSP!!)

Trim the edge of the DSP top note piece. You will see a perforated line where you will need to cut off.

Using SNAIL adhesive, adhere the DSP to one of the top note pieces. Then cut the other piece straight across a little more than half way up.

Picture not shown: If you want a stamped greeting on the back of the holder, make sure to stamp something before moving onto the next step.

Place Dimensionals on the sides and bottom of the cut top note. I used a gift card to help me see where I needed my Dimensionals to be. You want to make it a tight fit so the gift card doesn't slip out once it's assembled, but you also don't want it too tight that the gift card won't fit!

Attach the two top notes together...and your gift card holder is complete!
...except for the decorating part!

When I saw this Rudolph last year, I just knew I needed to create him (much like the snowman punch art I made a few weeks ago)

You will need the following...

1/2" Circle punch (Cherry Cobbler "nose")
Boho Blossoms punch (large flower...Chocolate Chip)
Extra Large Oval punch (Crumb Cake sponged with Chocolate Chip)
2 black eyes using a regular hole punch
Scribble, Swirls Sizzlets die (Chocolate Chip)
Uni-Ball Signo gel pen

If you look closely at Rudolph you will see how he is put together.

But one helpful hint...

Place the Chocolate Chip flower on top of the Crumb Cake wide oval as seen in the picture below (please note: it is already sponged with Chocolate Chip ink).

Turn it over and trim the part hanging over the edge.
Now he has a little tuft of "hair" in the front!

I sold these along with a couple of other gift card holders at a local Holiday Bazaar I participated in. They were $2.00 each.

Thanks for coming by and I hope you find time to do some Christmas crafting!

Be sure to come back each day for 10 more days of Christmas project ideas...and on December 12th there will be a GIVEAWAY!!

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Day 1 - M & M's Skinny Bag with Matching Tag

12 days of Christmas {projects} - day 1

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's December!! I hope you're ready for a month of festive fun as the preparations of the Christmas season have officially begun! I kind of feel a little more on top of things this year as we have already picked out our tree and a couple of days ago we put it up. Now, it's still not decorated (that will come tonight), but its green leaves are ready to be adorned with memorable ornaments and twinkling lights! How about you? Are you ready for this magical Christmas season to begin?!

The next 12 days on my blog I will be sharing "DIY projects" for my 12 Days of Christmas {projects}. These daily inspiration projects (most of them items I created for my holiday bazaars) will be quick, simple, and practical so that you, too, are able to recreate them during this busy time of the year!

Christmas Project #1
M & M's Skinny Bag with Tag

Have you seen the adorable new skinny cellophane bags that Stampin' Up! has started selling out of this year's Holiday Mini Catalog? They are 1" x 8" (with adhesive on top) and come in a pack of 50 for only $2.50! They are perfect for so many treats (check out how I used them for Halloween and Thanksgiving).

I added a couple of different tags, like this one with this sweet smiling Santa face!

This is a single stamp called "From Santa" found in the Holiday Mini (which only goes through January 4th!). He fits perfectly in the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch. I decided to punch out the circle with the 1-3/4" Circle punch and then using a Dimensional, attached it to a 2-3/8" Scallop Circle of Real Red cardstock. I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the rim and ball of his hat for that extra added sparkle. The ribbon is retired red gingham ribbon.

The other tag I made was similar in size to the one I made with my Thanksgiving M & M treats. This one took a little more work than the Santa above, but how cute would this look on top of a package as the gift tag? I can see it now! Can you?

Because I made a handful of these for my Holiday Bazaar, I wanted to create a template that I could use to get the corners just right each time without having to guess. First I cut a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" and snipped off the corners until I felt like they were even on both sides. Then I traced it onto a thin piece of cardboard to have as my template.

What you'll need:

2-1/2" x 3-1/2" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock (corners snipped as mentioned above)
3/4" x 2-1/2" piece of your favorite Christmas DSP
2 - Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punched pieces of Real Red cardstock (2" long)
1/2" circle punched from Garden Green cardstock

With SNAIL adhesive, adhere one of the dotted scallop trims onto the bottom of the tag, letting half of it hang over the edge.

Trim off the part hanging over the edge...this will become your bottom border.

Using the other dotted scallop trim adhere half of it onto the back of the small piece of DSP using SNAIL adhesive.

Adhere this onto the top of the tag.

Turn the tag over and snip the corners.

With SNAIL adhesive, adhere the 1/2" circle to the middle of the top part of the tag.

Line up the 1/8" Circle punch over the green circle to create a hole for the ribbon to thread through.

Stamp your tag with the stamp set of your choice.

I used:

Pennant Parade stamp set (Garden Green & Chocolate Chip)
the small Real Red heart on the tree is the smallest heart of the Heart to Heart punch
Sweet Season stamp set (colored with markers...Garden Green & Real Red)
my ribbon choice: 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon

I would love, love, love to see your creations using the skinny cellophane bags, so in your comment below, please leave me a link to yours, too!

{HAPPY STAMPING!}

I hope you stay to join me for the next 12 days as I share some fun Christmas projects with you. And, definitely come back on Day 12 for a GIVEAWAY!!

spreading more Christmas cheer!

2011-11-27T22:31:00.000-08:00

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 marker s 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...

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-11-22T15:23:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

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!!

2011-11-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-11-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-11-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

**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

welcome sweet baby girl

2011-10-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

I had the joy of creating baby announcements for a friend of mine...her first little girl!!

There is also some baby shower fun I shared a few weeks ago for this same sweet little baby girl HERE.

Halloween treats!

2011-10-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

Halloween is soooooo close...only 10 days away! I wanted to make a few extra little treats to have at the local consignment shop I have my cards displayed at. I figured someone might want to purchase a fun treat for someone sweet on Halloween!

Each of the Hershey's Nuggets are wrapped in Stampin' Up!'s Frightful Sight DSP and placed in a card stock "tray". The tray is then placed in a pretzel bag and tied with Basic Black Scallop Dot ribbon, finishing it off with a Happy Halloween tag using the Modern and Window punches. I trimmed the top of the pretzel bag to make it complete.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

congrats all around

2011-10-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Did you miss me yet?? I'm actually on vacation with the family right now, but the next couple of days have a little more "downtime" in them, so I thought I'd come on here really quick to offer my CONGRATS to the lucky winner of my Craft Project Central giveaway!! Never mind that I was supposed to announce this 10 days ago?! (Sorry, I had Disneyland on the brain!) I had 16 comments on my CPC September project debut and using random.org lucky commenter #10 was chosen...

Sarah @ Our Pumpkin and Sweet Pea

said..

Looks great, I forgot to say that! :-)

September 30, 2011 4:25 PM

Sarah, CONGRATULATIONS on winning a
FREE September subscription to Craft Project Central.

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And speaking of congrats...

My friend and her family just bought their first house!! I wanted to send her a card to let her know how excited I am for them!

Stamp Set: Good Neighbors (retired)

Paper: Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, retired 2009 Sale-A-Bration pack (can't remember the name!)

Ink: markers - Real Red, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 1/4" Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Tools: Scallop Edge Border punch

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And, one more congrats!

My cousin had her first baby a month or so ago...
a sweet baby boy!

I used the same layout as the baby card from this post,
but this time made it BLUE!

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment), A Slice of Life (retired hostess set)

Paper: Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist DSP (polka dots), Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, marker: Real Red (colored in the heart)

Accessories: 1/2" Chocolate Chip Scallop Dot ribbon

Tools: Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Polka Dot Embossing folder (used with the Big Shot)

baby {girl} shower sweetness

2011-10-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

Updated to add on 11/10/11 - Thank you to Tiffany at My Crafty World for choosing my baby shower items for one of her crafty picks from last Sunday's Crafty Pick #41. I feel so flattered!!

I had a wonderful opportunity to host a baby shower a couple of weeks ago for a friend and her newest arrival, sweet baby Kate! Over the last 5+ years I have been a part of a community of friends who had once been in a small group together when we all attended the same church. We have since all (in some way or another) gone our separate ways, but every few months we still come together to enjoy some fellowship and fun. Sometimes we come together as families and other times just the girls or just the guys. This time, the ladies got the chance to come together to shower Julie and her sweet new baby and it was a great time to reconnect and catch up with each other. This little girl has two older brothers, so we spoiled her with lots of pink!

I offered to host and was happy to put together a fun "girly" shower invitation I could send to each of the ladies (even though we all decided on a date and time through e-mail!) There's just something special about getting "fun snail mail".

The invitations were pocket cards.
(I used the hostess "Cheerful Treat" DSP)

Pull up the tab to reveal the details...

I wanted to add a special little touch to the food table, so I created some pinwheels out of the same "Cheerful Treat" DSP as I used on the invitation. I wonder if any of the ladies noticed it matched! *wink*

Candy favors to send home with each of the guests.

And, here is the card I gave her with my gift...

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment), A Slice of Life (retired hostess set)

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, marker: Melon Mambo (colored in the heart)

Accessories: 1/2" Melon Mambo Scallop Dot ribbon

Tools: Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Polka Dot Embossing folder (used with the Big Shot)

Special Notes: I stamped the onesie image onto the white card stock using Chocolate Chip and then I stamped the same image onto Pink Pirouette DSP (polka dots), cut it out using my Paper Snips and added some Dimensionals to make it pop up off the page.

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Only 3 days left to enter to win a FREE September Craft Project Central subscription. Visit THIS POST to enter to win! Giveaway ends Thursday, October 6th.

Spice Cake Card Sampler & Gift Box...on CPC!

2011-10-01T22:24:00.000-07:00

**Don't forget my giveaway!!**
Click HERE for your chance to win a free September subscription to Craft Project Central! (ends Thursday, Oct. 6th)

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I'm just a little late to share with you the last Craft Project Central project for the month of September, but it's a fun one! This is an all-occasion card set featuring Spice Cake Designer Series Paper and the "Oval All" stamp set. This card set includes four cards: thank you, best wishes, just for you, and you're a fabulous friend. The directions include a fun box to package the cards in. This would make a great gift for the Thanksgiving hostess. This beautiful project is designed and created by Anne Marie at Stampin' Anne.

Subscribe to the month of September (or any month) for only $10!

More September Projects you may have missed...

Mini Milk Carton Hexagon Box & Card
Pentagon Roll-Up Compartment Box & Card
Pumpkin Gift Box & Card
Friends Gift Box
Halloween Luminaria & Candy Containers
Pin Cushion & Card Gift Set
Pick Your Poison Halloween Ensemble
Beautiful Seasons Tags & Cards Box Set
Witch Hat Treat Box & Card
Frightful Sight Halloween Trio (my project!)

Frightful Sight...my own creation on CPC (and a GIVEAWAY!)

2011-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday Stampers!!

Today is the day I get to share MY VERY OWN Craft Project Central project for September! I just love the Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper, so I knew I wanted to use this somehow and as soon as I came up with a plan in mind and decided on my "theme" (spiders!) my creativity hit full force and I came up with this trio of Frightful Sight goodies!

For a fun gift to make someone say "eeek!" on Halloween, these easy to make projects are perfect for that friend who loves Halloween fun...and all things creepy crawly! Included in this tutorial are directions for the candy pouch, mini box (that opens up with a fun surprise inside) and a spider card with some added "sparkle". If you change up the images and add some different paper, these projects are easy to make for other holidays, too!

How about a sneak peek of what's inside the box...just for my readers!

If you'd like to subscribe to the month of September (or any month within the past year) for only $10 per month, head on over to Craft Project Central.

And...

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Each month I am a guest designer for CPC, I am able to give away one FREE SEPTEMBER SUBSCRIPTION to Craft Project Central!!

**Leave a comment on this post before Thursday, October 6th for your chance to win.**

Want ONE MORE chance? "Follow" my blog by adding your name to the left hand column under "Members" and click on "Join this Site". If you are already a follower, just leave me a comment. If you're new and just began following, leave me a comment, too. I will add either one as an extra entry!

A random winner will be announced next Friday, October 7th!

Good luck!