Countdown to Christmas

I am so excited!!!! At 4:00 this morning, my daughters, son-in-law and I went door-busting at Kohl's! This is a family tradition that my one daughter and I have done for years. This year my other daughter and husband are joining us since they have moved East in August. This was the first Thanksgiving we have all had together since she was a senior in college. So this was the first time going out on "Black Friday" together. This is my favorite day of the year! We all had a good trip and now we are going out for some more deals.

Here is a card I worked on last year for a Stamp a Stack. The only supply on this card which is not available this year is the ribbon (although the ribbon is available on MDS). I really liked this stamp set because it looks so vintage to me. I love cards that have that vintage feel. There is no great technique used here but just a nice card that someone would enjoy receiving.

Well, the countdown to Christmas is on and there is a lot to be done. This afternoon we are going to cut down our tree. My son-in-law will help my husband put it up and they will cut one down for their place. Tonight I will start mixing cookie dough and place it in the fridge until I have time to bake them next week. I love this time of year! Enjoy the day! I know I will, especially with all the activities going on today.

Sale Prices Online

The sale prices did not make it to my blog for some reason. The regular prices are there but not the sale prices so please check the website for the sale prices. You will be excited about the reduced prices! Please contact me if you wish to order or you can order online 24-7.

Holiday Extravaganza Sale!!!!

A FANTASTIC sale is going on now at Stampin' Up!! There are items from 30-50% off their regular price! Stampin' Up has also put together bundles at fantastic savings! If you want stamp sets, ribbons, embellishments, punches...they have them! If you are looking for scrapbooking bundles...they have them! If you are looking for Definately Decorative bundles... they have them! Please check the website to see all that is available. They will only be available to noon next Monday. You can order online at my Stampin'Up website or contact me and I can out the order in for you. Either way, this is a great deal.

Product Offering:

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120976	Thank You Kindly Bundle (French) Tous mes remerciements stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120310	Heart to Heart Bundle (Spanish) Te Quiero Mucho stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120311	Heart to Heart Bundle (French) J't'aime beaucoup stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120312	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French) Profiter de chaque instant stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120313	Sock Monkey Bundle (French) Sing-chaussette stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120314	Simply Said Bundle (French) Amitié stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle For All You Do stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120315	For All You Do Bundle (French) Merci pour tout stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120316	For All You Do Bundle (Spanish) Por todo lo que haces stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120317	Fresh-Cut Bundle (French) Fraicheur exuise stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120318	Pendant Note Bundle (French) Adorable parc stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120319	Pendant Note Bundle (Spanish) Un dia en el parque stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

*This bundle is only available while supplies last.

Christmas Sweet Treat

These Sweet Treat cups are the neatest item that Stampin' up has come up with this season. I have looked at many blogs and people are coming up with the best ideas on how to use them. One of my customers told me that she filled her Sweet Treat cups with Legos and used them for an invitation to send out. How inventive! But anyway, I decided to use it as a Christmas ornament for this card. Instead of the usual candy placed in the cup, I decided to use crinkled paper to fill the cup to create the color for the Christmas ornament. This card is hard to see in this picture, but the white background paper was run through the Big Shot using the "PETALS A PLENTY" Textured Impressions Folder. I love the neat effect it gives. I embossed the ornament cap in gold and punched a 1-3/4" circle out underneath it. I then filled the cup with crinkled paper. I was really out looking for the metallic crinkled paper but was unable to find it where I was shopping that day and settled for this paper instead. You could also make your own crinkled paper by running it through a crimper. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sweet Centers

PAPER: Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Whisper White

INK: Versamark

ACCESSORIES: Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Brads, Sweet Treat Cups, Dimensionals, Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder

This was a quick and easy card that is very impressive when you give it to someone. It seems that my customers really like the different ways that you can use this stamp set and also the many ways that you can fill the cups. Whoever came up with this idea was a genius in my opinion. Enjoy your day!

Susan's Tissue Holder

On Sunday, my up-line had all us over to her place for a meeting. The best part of the meeting for me is when we exchange our swaps. This was the swap that I received from Susan. The day before the meeting I showed her my swap which was the gift card holder. Well she went home and changed her swap to this. I adore it! It is so simple but yet is so cute and functional. All she did was take a piece of card stock, scored it to fit around the package of tissues, turned it over and took the scallop oval punch and punched a hole for the tissues to be able to come out of. She stamped a cute design for the front and embellished it with a ribbon. So gosh darn cute and it is so easy to make. What a cute way to make a dull package of tissues look more festive.

I just had to show them to you because I just thought it would fit in with the theme I had going on different ways to give gifts. It is a little overcast here today and looks like it might drizzle but I intend to go out and enjoy my day. I hope you go out and do the same.

Yesterday's Technique Class Card

Sorry I have not been able to post lately but I have been painting and painting and painting! I am soooo sore right now from going up and down on the ladder for days. We are painting our family room and I do ALL the trim and cutting in because I have the steadier hand. Well... this room has a lot of trim and a lot of windows and beams to cut in from. It is a task that was bigger than I thought it would be. I really have not had time to do much else. Because I would like it done before Thanksgiving and this is where this card comes in. I had my last Technique Class yesterday for the month of November. It is a nice card to send someone for the Thanksgiving Holiday. I demonstrated the technique that was shown at Regionals on how to make your own stamp pad out of felt and re-inkers. This technique is great when you have to make a large number of cards that you want multiple colors from one single stamp. At Regionals they also used the same stamp from the set "WANDERING WORDS" but I also showed my customers how to color block. I used the colors from the Earth Elements color family which gives it that Autumn feeling. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SET" Wandering Words

PAPER: More Mustard, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla

ACCESSORIES: Re-Inkers:More Mustard, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, 5/8" Neutral Brads, Felt

This was a WOW at Regionals and I can assure you it was a WOW at my classes. This technique will definitely save some of my customers time when they are making a large number of cards. I know my one customer was upset when she saw this technique yesterday because she had already done a large number of cards which would have gone faster had she known about this sooner. I will NOT be painting today but instead will be running to a number of appointments that I have this morning and this afternoon. But hopefully you will enjoy the rest of your day today.

Another Quick Gift

I was trying to think of something I could do a quick demo on to give my hostess when I did an in home workshop last weekend. The idea was to show how you could make a quick gift with Stampin' Up products. So I had a bunch of these small glass jars that you can get at Ikea or Hobby Lobby and thought I will put Hershey Kisses in the jar(for now) and fancy up the jar with ribbon and a design on the lid. After I made it, I changed my mind(of course) and made another item which used a larger number of our products. But I digress... This is a quick and easy item to make and fill with whatever the person you are giving this to likes the best. Personally, I think chocolate is a safe thing to fill a jar with because ALL my friends LOVE chocolate! You could also fill the jar with homemade candies or mixes. The supplies that I used for this project were:

STAMP SET: Berry Christmas

PAPER: Real Red. Old Olive, Whisper White

INK: Real Red, Yoyo Yellow

ACCESSORIES: Glue Dots, 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon(Old Olive), Scallop Cicle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch

The last few days, I just wanted to show you quick and easy items to help your gift giving easier. Well I am off now to paint. I am in the process of painting all my trim in my family room. Then I will edge in the wall paint. My husband does the painting with a roller but I have a steadier hand to do the more detailed work so I prefer to do that. Hopefully we can get this project done by Thanksgiving. Go out and enjoy your day because I know I will be stuck in the house, painting today!

Magnetic Gift Box

In the Holiday Mini, there is greatest packaging for gifts. It is the Magnetic Gift Box. For $4.95, you receive 2 gift boxes. They arrive flat, which is great for storage until you need them. But the boxes are 4" x 4" x 1-1/2" and can be used for your gift giving this Christmas. You can use them to place gifts of jewelry or any small item. After I assembled the box, I decided that I could spiffy up the packaging. I decided to make a Belly Band to place around the box. I used Old Olive card stock and paper from the Merry Moments DSP. I then took 5/8" Red Grosgrain Ribbon to tie a nice bow around the box. The Delightful Decorations stamp set was used to create a name tag for the package. What a quick and easy way to embellish a box for your gift giving! People will love receiving a gift with this simple but impressive packaging.

This is the season that we are always looking for quick and easy ways to give gifts. Hope this idea will help you make the Holiday gift giving a little easier. I intend to go out today and start buying some gifts for the upcoming holidays. I will be enjoying my day so go out and enjoy yours.

Gift Card Swap

On Sunday, My Up-line is having a meeting for all her down-lines. When we have these meetings, we always make a project or card to swap with the others. This is my swap for this month. It is a great idea to use as a gift card holder. With the holidays rapidly approaching, I think we are all thinking of gift ideas. This is a quick way to make gift card holders to make giving those gift cards a little more festive. All you need to have is an envelope. I folded the envelope in half, cut the flap at the fold. I adhered the left side flap to the envelope but left the right hand side open so that you can place the gift card in the opening. Then you just decorate the holder anyway you wish using card stock, Designer Papers, or a combination of both. Place ribbon underneath the card stock that you placed on the front of the envelope. After you place your gift card in the pocket, close the envelope and tie the ribbon. There you go, all ready to give a gift card to that special person! The materials that I used for this card were:

STAMP SET: All Holidays

INK: Real Red

PAPER: Cocoa Specialty Paper, Real Red, Soft Suede

ACCESSORIES: Envelopes, Adhesive, 1/4: Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon

I put a very simple greeting on the front because the paper had such a busy design. You do not want to make the design busy when you have a busy background. It is just too much for the eye to take in. So if you need a quick and easy way to present your gift card, this is it. I received a swap with this pattern at a Regional a few years ago. There was no name on the back so I can not give them credit. But I thought it was a great idea. Thanks and everyone go out and have a great day.

November Technique Class-Card 1

This card is one that I will be doing with my customers in my November Technique Class. This technique is called "Cracked Glass". It can be called other names but I prefer to go with Cracked Glass because that is what it looks like. I like this technique because it tends to make your image look more vintage and that is why I chose the stamp set that I did. The stamp set is "WINTER POST" and I think it has a very vintage feel to it. I love the old time skaters and that is why I stamped this image in Chocolate Chip. I did not want to use a lot of bright colors in order to keep that vintage feel. That is why I used Very Vanilla, Real Red, Kraft, and Chocolate Chip card stock. I stayed with this color scheme even when I chose the ink colors. The red gives it a winter feel without taking away from the older look of the card. If you wish to attend my class this month you can contact me through my email or call me. I will be holding classes on Wednesday, November 11 at 7PM, Saturday, November 14 at 9AM, or Tuesday at 9:15 AM.

I have been working on projects over the weekend and will be posting more Christmas cards this week.

Getting Into the Christmas Spirit

I am starting to get into the Christmas Spirit. Halloween is over and now my mind is focused on Christmas. Tomorrow I have a workshop at one of my friend's homes and we are focusing on what can be made for Christmas. So I have been busy trying to come up with some designs for my workshops, technique classes, last minute Holiday Stamp A Stack, and of course my own Christmas cards. Because people do not have a lot of extra time as we head towards Christmas, I tried to come up with very simple cards which are easy but still are impressive looking. I think this card is an example of that. It starts with 1/4 sheet of white card stock for the base. I took 3-1/4" sheet of that beautiful flocked designer paper from the Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper from the mini and folded a 1/2" flap and attached that to the back of the card base. I took Old Olive card stock and scalloped the one edge but also folded a 1/2" flap and adhered that to the opposite side of the base. I took the stamp set "BERRY CHRISTMAS" and stamped the wreath , berries, and bow on to Whisper White cards stock. I matted that with Real Red card stock and mounted it to the Old Olive card stock. I ran the Merry Details Sizzlet through the Big Shot and took the bird from that and place him on the wreath. Then the final touch was the sentiment on the inside along with the bird again, but this time sitting on a branch. The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS: Berry Christmas, Many Merry Messages

PAPER: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP

INK: Real Red, Old Olive

Accessories: Big Shot, Merry Details Sizzlet, Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Border

This card was so fast and easy to make. It would not take long to make a whole batch of them for the holidays. Elegant and easy. Your friends will love it! Enjoy your day but start thinking holidays!

I Think I Got It!

I think I finally figured out what I was doing wrong and why I couldn't get this scrap book page uploaded to my site. Please be patient with me while I try getting to used to all this new technology.

These are pictures my daughter took when she went to Las Vegas. I told her to take a lot of pics so I could use My Digital Studio to make her a book. This is one of my pages I made using her pictures. I think it came out alright. I love what Las Vegas looks like at night. I think she did a great job with the photos. And I am getting more used to using the program and so the next page that I make will be more complicated. Hopefully!

I went to the dentist today and had 2 temporary crowns put on my teeth. So I really did not feel up to posting anything until now. I had TMJ a few years back and so when I go to the dentist to have work done in my mouth, it becomes a bigger deal than for most people. I hope you can see the whole page this time and I hope you get to enjoy what is left of today.

Digital Card-Part 2

Using the My Digital Studio makes creating cards extremely easy. I was able to make this simple card in 10 minutes. I needed to make some Christmas cards for my daughter but I really did not have the opportunity to drag all my supplies out. I am not as lucky as some to have a craft room. When I stamp, I take over the whole dining room. No one in the house is happy when I do that. So this week, we had so much going on that I needed to keep the dining room nice and neat. When I got a request for cards, I thought My Digital Studio was the answer. I could create the cards without turning my household upside down. This was a big plus for me this week. My daughter loved the card and will be ordering them from me.

I love how easy it is to work on. I also liked that I could play around with colors without getting all my papers out or finding out that I ran out of the color I wanted to use. After she gets these cards, she could also add other embellishments to them. There are many ways that you can use this program. I am going to play around with it more today and see what else I can come up with. I know I will enjoy the time creating today. You enjoy your day also!