Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful Holiday!  I will be taking a week off to enjoy some relaxing time with my family.  Will begin posting again January second.  Enjoy the Holiday Week with your families!

A Merry Christmas from my Sideline!

As you know Susan and I coordinate a lot of our stamping events together.  We often attend SU events together also so of course we exchange Christmas cards.  This is the one that Susan sent me this year.  I find it difficult to make cards for Susan because we do so many Christmas events together that I find it hard to find time to come up with a design that she does not know about.  I am sure that she feels the same way. 

I loved the card that she sent me this year.  It is so simple and clean and the feeling it gives to me is the feeling of peace and calm.  I LOVE it!  The supplies that she used for this card were:

STAMP SET: Joyous Christmas
PAPER:  Whisper White, Brushed Gold, Cherry Cobbler
INK:  Cherry Cobbler, Versamark
ACCESSORIES:  Gold Embossing Powder, Heating Tool, Pearl Jewels, Dimensionals, Scissors

Thank you Susan!  Short post today.  I still have a lot to get done before Christmas.  Enjoy the day!

Pennie's Christmas Card

I was so excited when I got the mail yesterday.  In with all my Christmas cards, I found one sent to me by my Upline, Pennie.  Since Pennie moved to Washington State, I do not get to see her much except for Stampin' Up events.  So I was so excited to receive a Christmas Card from her which of course she made herself.  I LOVE it!

Pennie used a color scheme that I would have been afraid to try.  I am more of a traditional red and green girl myself.  But I loved this.

The supplies that she used for this card were:

STAMP SET:  Christmas Messages, Frosted Flurrues
PAPER:  Pool Party, Smokey Slate, Basic Gray, Silver Glimmer Paper, Winter Frost DSP
INK:  Basic Gray
ACCESSORIES:  Frosted Finishes Embellishments, Northern Flurry EF, Big Shot

I love this time of year when you hear from people you do not get to see often.  It really means a lot to me when I receive a Christmas card from them.  And even more when they make the card themselves.  Well I am off with another busy day.  No grandsons to watch today so I will be busy trying to get things done that I can not when I am watching the boys.  I have a long list and need to get started.  You Enjoy the day!

Envelope Punch Board Recipe Cards

Last Sunday at the Downline Christmas Party, Susan and I arranged a cookie exchange.  Everyone was asked to bake enough cookies to share 1/2 dozen with each person that was participating.  We also thought it would be fun to use the ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD to create a Folder Folder Card which would be used to 

hold the recipe of the cookies they brought. Here are the recipe cards that were used in the exchange.  I would have included the names of who made each card but unfortunately I was unable to attend.  And when I received the cookies and the recipe cards, no names were attached.  Just wanted to share with you the various designs that people came up with.  Love it!  Cant wait until next Christmas to share more cookie recipes and  more designs for our recipe cards.

Today we are watching all 3 boys.  I think we will be going out today and enjoy the snow that fell over the weekend.  Enjoy the day!

Downline Christmas Party

Sunday Susan and I had our Downline Christmas Party.  At the last minute I was unable to attend but I hear that it went quite well and everyone had a wonderful time.  For the party, we asked our downline to make a gift using SU product and we then had a drawing to decide who would receive which gift.  I was lucky enough to receive a wreath made form the Seasons of Style DSP.  I placed it on my wall in the family room as soon as I received it.

Here is a picture of my new wreath!  Isn't it beautiful and it fits right into my color scheme in this particular room.  I loved how she used the Bow Die to make the bow for the wreath.  The bow is made from Red Glimmer Paper and adds just the right amount of glitz for the Holidays.  

Just another idea of what you can with Stampin' Up products to help decorate your home for the Holidays.  Enjoy your day!

A Glimmer Christmas

Susan and I held our Downline Christmas Party on Sunday. We had a few things planned.  Susan and I provided the sandwich tray and our downlines were asked to bring an appetizer.  There was plenty to eat and it was good.  We also hosted a cookie exchange.  More about that is later post.  

Since everyone is so crafty, we thought everyone could create a Christmas gift and then we would have an exchange.  I have seen more and more Demos creating Home Decor items.  So I decided I would try to come up with one.  Of course the idea I start with is never what I finish with.  I wanted it to be light, cheerful and silvery.  Well I ended up with it be cheery and RED!  Here are some pics of what I ended up with.

I started with the center piece which was created using the Festive Flurry Framelits and coordinating Stamp Set.  Then I looked at the stamp sets that I owned and tried to find ones that would fit in a small space.  My project did not use the 12 x 12 format but instead an 8 x 8 format.  3" x 3" squares are used if you make you project 12 x 12.  But Since I used the 8 x 8 framed shadowbox, I decided to reduce the shares to 1-3/4".  I really wanted to see the 8 x 8 Red Glimmer Paper that I used for the background so the squares had to be a bit smaller.  I also used a lot of rhinestones to give it some sparkle.  After all it needed to be festive.  

The stamp sets that I used for this project were:

STAMP SETS: Best of 25 Years…Christmas, Warmth and Wonder (Hostess Set), Ornament Keepsakes, Festive Flurry, For the Birds, Embellished Events, Wishing You
PAPER:  Red Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper Whisper WHite, Silver Foil Paper, Real Red, Basic Black, Real Red Patterned DSP
INK:  Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Baked Brown Sugar, Black Stazon


It took me a week to do this one.  Not because it was time intensive but because it took me that long to switch different pieces around until I was happy with how it looked.  One of Susan's downlines received my card and I am told that she really liked it.

IT is snowing here today and so we have the 2 grandkids that attend daycare on a Tuesday because because of the weather.  So I anticipate another busy day.  Enjoy the day!

Joyful Christmas Gift Card Holder

Here is another gift card that was offered at the "Let's Wrap it UP" stamping event.  Who can't use gift card holder?  My customers are always looking for new ways to make a gift card holder.  This holder is so quick and easy.  

The supplies that I used for this project were:

STAMP SET: Joyful Christmas
PAPER:  Old Olive , Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Seasons of Style DSP, Red Glimmer Paper
INK:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
ACCESSORIES:  Dazzling Details, Scalloped Trim Edge Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip

Where do you place the gift card, you ask?  It is hidden inside the flap on the left.  Here are the dimensions for this project.

1.  Cut a piece of card stock 4-1/4" x 11"
2.  Score at 5-1/2" and 8-1/2"

When you fold at the 8-1/2" mark, fold inward.  You will punch a half circle at that end of the card stock.  Place sticky strip on the side edges and close.  This will create a pocket for the gift card to slide into.  The design of the card was CASE'd but I turned the design into a gift card holder.

Another crazy week.  Yesterday was my day off from babysitting and I had a lot to do.  But life always happens and changes your plans.  This weekend is a crazy week with Eli's birthday party with his friends and then he comes back to our house for a family dinner and party.  Sunday is my Christmas Downline Party.  I will be posting again on Monday after my crazy weekend.  Enjoy the day!

Santa Gift Card Holder

Here is another project that was offered at the "Let's Wrap it Up" stamp camp.  The gift card template was borrowed from Dawn Oshefske's blog and can be found HERE.  This was such a quick and easy gift card holder that this one was made more than any other item I had prepared for the event.

I love this Santa face and was so happy when SU brought it back in the Best of 25 years...Christmas.  I have tried to use this image on a lot of my projects this year because I think the Santa is such a nice vintage looking image.  One thing I tried differently with the coloring of this image was to use Crisp Cantaloupe for the skin tone.  One of my customers accidentally used the color for a skin color when she was making a punch art project.  I really liked it as a skin tone when I saw it and tried it on this project.  I think it looks good.  All the coloring on this project was done by using Blender Pens.  I also used some Dazzling Details on the fur on his hat.  A little glitz only adds to a project is my motto.

The supplies that I used for this project were:

STAMP SET: Best of 25 Years...Christmas
PAPER:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper, Styles of the Season DSP
INK:  Black Staz-On, Crisp Cantaloupe, Real Red, Garden Green
ACCESSORIES:  1-3/4" Circle Punch, Festive Flurry Framelits. Big Shot, Old Olive 1/4" Taffeta Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Blender Pens, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 Way Glue, Dimensionals

This is a very simple gift card holder which has a removable Belly Band that keeps the gift card holder from opening until you need it to.  I made a couple of extra pieces so today I am going to try to finish them.  I also want to try to bake some Christmas Cookies.  Hopefully I can achieve my goal for today.  Enjoy your day!


 

A Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.  Mine was a crazy fast paced weekend.  We had the kids over for Thanksgiving and then we went Black Friday Shopping and when we got home from that, we headed out to cut down our Christmas tree.  Then a marathon weekend of decorating winding down to Sunday when I hosted the "Let's Wrap it Up" stamp camp.  Whew!

But now I am starting my week with a new post.  This is one of the cards that was offered at the "Let's Wrap It Up" event.  My customers absolutely loved it.  This was one of my favorites, I have to admit.  At convention I saw a card using these 2 stamps from non holiday stamp sets and I was so impressed how it looked so Christmasy.  I did not get a picture of it but just remembered the birds and the pine trees.  So I came up with my own design but using that idea of the birds sitting on a branch with the pine trees stamped to look like they are in the background.  The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS:  Serene Silhouettes, Evergreen, Petite Pairs
PAPER:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
INK:  Always Artichoke, 
ACCESSOIRES:  Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Ovals Framelits, Circle Card Thinlet (banner framelit from that set), Dimensionals, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Markers.

I like using oval framelits to silhouette an image.  I think it gives a more vintage feel.  And the embossing folder Fancy Fan also adds to that feel.   The more I looked at this card, I which I had made this card horizontal rather that vertical.  By having the card horizontal, you would be able to use a longer or larger sentiment.  A few of my customers tried that layout today and it really looked nice.

Well I am off to the eye Dr. this morning so it is going to be another busy day.  We only have 1 grandson to watch today so it should not be too crazy I hope.  Enjoy the day!

A Day Away

Today I decided I would not post a project but pictures from my outing with my daughter yesterday.  It is a tradition for us to go to Peddler's Village.  It is a quaint shopping village in Bucks County and has very unique stores.  My oldest daughter and I have made it a tradition to go there every year before Christmas when they have it decorated for the holidays and they have their Gingerbread House Contest.  I am amazed at the wonderful entries that they have.

We had a wonderful time although the weather was very yucky.  It starting snowing turned into sleet and then to rain.  But we took Carter along and when the weather got worse, we went to the children's area and left him play there.  He had a wonderful time.

I am posting pictures of some of the entries for the Gingerbread House contest and of course one of my youngest grandson playing.

I hope you enjoy the pics.  Be sure to Enjoy the day!

Yes this is an entry in the Gingerbread House competition and is cake

Aren't they beautiful?  I hope you enjoyed!  And I saved the cutest picture for last!  What a great day!

A Cute Little Box

Another one of the gift packaging projects that we will be making is this cute little box.   This year I decided that I had to include different types of packaging in my Christmas Event because there are so many neat items this year's main catalog.  

This was made by using the Tag A Bag Gift Boxes.  It was so easy to make.  You get the box and the acetate sleeve and all you have to do is create gift tags and embellishments to enhance the packaging.  This box can hold a small bottle of wine or Dipping Oil.  It can also be used to package candles.  Do you need a way to gift K Cups?  Well this is a perfect package  to do that.  There are so many items that can fit in this box.  the ideas are endless.

So if you would like to make this cute little box, you can join us at my place on Dec.1 @ 1 PM.  Just contact me.

Well if the weather holds out today, my daughter and grandson will be going to Peddler's Village for the day to do a little Christmas shopping.  It is a tradition for us.  I cant wait, it is always a nice day.  So you go out enjoy your day!

"Let's Wrap it Up" Class is Coming

It is time to "Let's Wrap it Up" on your Holiday crafting needs.  At this time of the year I like to wrap up all my gift and card making.  It does not always work but I try to get all the kind of stuff finished so I can relax and enjoy the Holiday season.  So I am offering a chance for you to wrap up your stamping needs. This event will held like a card buffet.  You will be able to choose which items you would like to make and how many of each.  

I am offering 9 different projects.  There will be 3 Gift Card Holders, 3 Cards, and 3 Different Ways to Package your small gifts.  This project is one of the projects that you can choose from.  This cute MUSLIN GIFT BAG is a cute way to package all those small gifts that you plan to give.  It can be used to hold jewelry, candy, or any small item.  To create this cute Gift Bag, you start with the Muslin Bags which can be found in the Holiday Mini.  The rest of the supplies used for this bag are:

STAMP SET: Wonderful Wreath
INK:  Garden Green
ACCESSORIES:  Muslin Bag, 3/4" Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Rhinestone Jewels, Red Sharpie

Just a few tips...
1.  Before stamping an image on your Muslin Bag, remember to put card stock inside the pouch.  This will keep the ink from going through to the other side and it also is a sturdier surface to stamp on. 

2.  Use Crystal Effects to adhere the Rhinestone Jewels to the bag.

3.  You can also place a piece of waxed paper on between the card stock and bag.  The waxed paper will prevent the crystals effects to stick to the card stock in case it goes through the muslin.

I really like this project!  I stepped it up by adding the Rhinestone Jewels and replacing the cord with the Chevron Ribbon.  I plan to make a few of these to fill with candy for Eli and Emmett to give to their Daycare teachers. They like when I make things for them.  

I wrapped the kids Christmas gifts last night and I plan to start mixing my Christmas cookie dough this afternoon.  Enjoy your day!

The Last of the November Technique Cards

This is the final card that we made this month during my Technique Classes.  I always create a gift card holder during the last Technique Class of the year.  My customers are always looking for new ways to give their family and friends a unique way to give a gift card.  So I come up with a different way to make a gift card holder.

This year it was easy to come up with a new way to make a gift card.  When Stampin' Up released the new Circle Card Thinlets, I was so excited.  What a quick and easy way to make a fancy fold card!  But the fantastic twist is you can also make a great fancy fold gift card holder. The first pic is the card but I also added a closeup of the card.  I just wanted you to see the detail that is on the reindeer.  

The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS:  Best of 25 Years...Christmas, Warmth and Wonder (hostess set)
PAPER:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Baked Brown Sugar, Season of Style DSP
INK:  Baked Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler 
ACCESSORIES:  Circle Card Thinlet, Decorative Label Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Jewel Rhinstones, 1" Circle Punch, 2 Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds



The 1" Circle Punch was used on the flap covered with the DSP which creates the pocket that holds the gift card.   This card is very simple in color using on 2 colors along with the white.  My customers really liked the idea of using just the brown and red.  I was worried it was not colorful enough but they felt the simplicity of it made it stunning.  

Well another busy day.  Today I am helping a friend make cards and crafts using animal stamps.  Her daughter is studying to be a veterinarian.  Her group is holding a fundraiser and they are selling items that have to do with animals. The fundraiser is tomorrow evening so we have a busy day stamping and getting things done.  I know I will be busy today go out and Enjoy your day!

I Am Back Finally!

After many weeks without a working computer, I am finally back.  When I posted the last time, I thought my computer was fixed.  It wasn't!  I finally had to go out and buy a new one.  So Mac is gone but his half brother is now at the house.  I got it yesterday so I am still getting used to this new guy.  I plan to be posting regularly again.  It has been driving me crazy that I have not been able to do what I love.

So finally here is the second card in the series of three for the month of November.  I was not sure how my customers would like this card but they loved it!  I designed this card by using a technique that I had seen demonstrated at last years convention.  I think it was Dawn Griffith that demonstrated a way to use leftover scraps of ribbon.  I liked what I saw but decided to wait until I could think of a project that would really showcase the ribbon design.  So this idea finally came to my head to use that technique for a Christmas Ornament.

The supplies that I used for this project were:

STAMP SETS: Ornament Keepsakes
PAPER:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Silver Glimmer Paper, Gumball Green
INK:  Gumball Green
ACCESSORIES:  Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Holiday Ornament Framelits, Beautifully Baroque, Rhinestone Jewels, Dimensionals, Adhesive Sheets

If you look closely, you can see that the ornament shape is cut out of the Gumball Green card stock.  Underneath is the strips of ribbon scraps adhered to the adhesive sheet.  It seemed a little unfinished so I added the stamped elliptical shape and placed a rhinestone inside.  That little touch seemed to finish the ornament.  I hoped you enjoyed this project and please come back tomorrow because I will have a new post.  Hopefully my new computer will not let me down.  Enjoy the day!

November Technique Class Card #1

Wow !  What a week so far!  The youngest grandson had high fever for the first 2 days of the week.  He is fine now but he just wanted to be held so I did not get much done.  Then I got sick and the 2 grandsons we watched yesterday were sick and today my husband.  So glad the weekend will soon be here.  We just need to rest and get well!

So today I finally was feeling good enough to post one of the cards that we will be making at my Technique Classes this month.  I am pretty happy with the cards this month and I hope you guys like them too.  This is a quick and easy Shaker Card using Washi Tape.  If you look closely, you can see the little Christmas shapes that I punched out using the Mini Punch Pack.  I love love love the single stamp Be Merry and when I saw it, this card immediately jumped into my head.  If I would change anything on this card, it would be maybe making the Be Merry sentiment in Cherry Cobbler.  I might try that just to see what it looks like.

If you wish to attend my Technique Classes this month, I am holding them on Tuesday November 12 @ 9:15 -11:30 AM and Wednesday November 13 @ 7-9 PM.  The cost is $10 for 3 cards/envelopes plus 3 Technique Instruction Cards or $5 if you also purchase $25 worth of product.  Please contact me if you wish to attend, I still have room.

Enjoy your day!

November Holiday Stamp A Stack

This is the last Holiday Stamp A Stack that I have scheduled for this year.  I will be holding a last chance card buffet again but more of that in another post.

I think we have chosen four great cards to end our Holiday SAS Events.  We have a great Pool Party and Smokey Slate snowflake card using a sentiment from the Single Stamps (that are being offered right now until January 31, 2014).

We designed a Fancy Fold card that uses the Circle Card Thinlets ,the Season of Style DSP and the Joyful Christmas stamp set.  Santa's List was used in the vintage looking card which used Silver Foil to make it really pop.  This card is my favorite.

The last card uses a tree from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set.  This stamp set is the longest selling stamp set SU sells.  This stamp set can be used in so many different ways that it has to be a stamp set that everyone should own.  This is a great example how you can make a Holiday card without using a stamp set that was designed especially for the holidays.

You can make either  15 cards/envelopes (5 cards each of 3 designs of your choice) for $25 or 20 cards (5 cards each of each of the 4 designs) plus a package of Rhinestone Jewels for $35.If you wish to attend, please contact me by November 17th.

I wanted to post this yesterday but one of the kids was sick with a high fever and I held him all day.  Today he is better and so I was able to get a few minutes to post this.  Enjoy the day!

Mac is finally back! (my computer that is)...

Mac is back!  I have missed my computer so much!  Supposedly he is finally fixed.  We will see.  The last few days were rough and I was really beginning to lose patience.  But the nice man at Apple today was so kind when he gave him back to me and said he was fixed.  So here is hoping I can again post and get back to showing you some of the great projects and cards that can be made.


The card I am going to show you today is the birthday invitation that I made for him for his 3rd birthday.  It does not seem possible that he is going to be that old already.  I know I used a retired set for this card but he wants a construction theme for his birthday.  But I did use 2 stamp sets that were new this year which were "Glorious Grunge" and "Regarding Dahlias".

I stuck with the gray, orange, and yellow color scheme for this card because those were the colors that most of his trucks were.  You were probably surprised when I said I used "Regarding Dahlias" stamp set because this card doesn't scream floral.  Look up the right hand corner and you will see the sentiment.  That sentiment came from that stamp set.  The supplies that I used for this card:

STAMP SETS: Glorious Grunge, Regarding Dahlias, I Dig You (retired)
PAPER:  Smokey Slate, Basic Black, Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade DSP
INK:  Smokey Slate, Basic Black
ACCESSORIES:  2-1/2" Circle Punch, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Daffodil Delight Markers.

I love the blobs and stripes that came from the Glorious Grunge set.  They really made this card look like the card was stained at a garage which gives it that perfect construction look.  I showed Eli last night what I had made for him and he was so excited.  He loved them!  I don't care if anyone else likes them because Eli loves them and that is what really matters.  Grandkids are the best!

25% OFF 25 STAMP SETS We're celebrating Stampin' Up!'s 25th anniversary all year long, but during the week of the actual date (October 25th to be exact) we thought we should pump up the party even more. So what better way than a sale on the very products that started it all: stamps, of course! Dates: October 22-28, 2013 Offer: Get 25 percent off 25 stamp sets.  PRINT FLYER to see all of the 25 stamps that are on sale! Contact me to place an order or you can go to my ONLINE STORE.  I will be placing an order on October 28th. Enjoy the day!

October Technique Class- Card 3

As I said in my last post, I love when you can find multiple uses for a product.  So for my third card this month for Technique Class, I decided to make a card that I found on Connie Babbit's blog, "ENVELOPE LINER CARD".  She posted on a tutorial on her blog and I just had to share her idea with my classes.  This is another way to use the Envelope Liner Framelits.  They loved it!  They too like it when you can find other ways to use a product.

When I made my card I also case'd the layout.  This is my version from her card.  It can be used like a pocket card as you can see from the pull-out piece.  At the bottom of the pull out piece I stamped a leaf.  Both stamps that I used were from the Best of 25 Years... Autumn stamp set.  I was so excited to receive that set because the images were from my favorite stamp sets over the years.  This pail full of apples was one of my favorites that I used a lot before it retired.  So you can imagine how happy I was when it came back in the set.

Next week I will be posting pictures from the Holiday Stamp A Stack that I will be hosting on Oct. 27  @ 1 PM at my house.  I know you will like them.  Well today I will be putting together Eli and Emmett's Halloween Treats for daycare.  Their daycare teachers always like it when I send in treats that are stepped up in wrapping that I made.  So go out and enjoy your day!

October Technique Class- Card 2

This card is a "FILE FOLDER CARD".  Since the ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD came out, you see these type of cards all over various stamping blogs.  If you want a see a great video tutorial on making these cards, check out Patty Bennett's tutorial on You Tube.  

I love when a product is versatile.  I always feel like I am getting more bag for my buck.  So when I received the Envelope Punch Board, I was so excited when I found out that you can use this product for more things than just making envelopes.  I just think that using this product to make a File Folder Card is ingenious!  This is the variation that I came up with.  I love the color combination.  I love creating cards in the Fall because I just love the colors of that season the best.  The color combo that I used was Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, and Cajun Craze.  I have a class tonight and then next Saturday I will be having the last of the October Technique Classes.  

Next month  for Technique Class, November's theme will be "CHRISTMAS".  We will be making a SHAKER CARD, GIFT CARD HOLDER, and a RIBBON CARD.  I will be getting the specific dates to you at the end of this month.  Enjoy the day!

October Technique Class Card-CArd 1

Well, they say the computer is fixed and it was not the hard drive.  But I am still having problems so hopefully it will co-operate with me until I am able to get all my information onto another computer.  Since I do not understand how that part works, I am relying on family to help me add everything over to a different computer.  We started last night but was only able to transfer my photos.  I need to add a few other programs to that computer so I can add my other info.  I just need to get everything backed up because I need to have access to my projects.

Anyway...enough of my problems.  Today's card is one that we will be making this month at my Technique Classes.  This month's theme is "Autumn".  We will be making Autumn themed cards this month that can be used for all occasions but have a "fall" feel to them.  This card is using the "PAINTER TAPE" Technique.  I love the rustic effect that it gives to the card.  The sentiment and the leaves from the stamp set "Gently Falling" also make the card a little bit more whimsical.  This is a great card to give someone during the Autumn season for any occasion such as birthday, sympathy, thank you, ect.   

If you are interested in attending any of my technique classes this month, contact me.  I will be holding a class tomorrow morning at 9:15 AM and Wednesday @ 7 PM.  There is still space available in each class.

I have all 3 little guys today.  I can not believe everyone is playing quietly while I get this quick post done.  I am now off and running.  It will probably be a very very busy day.  Enjoy your day!

Computer Down

Well I am at my daughter's babysitting today and using her computer to make a quick post.  My computer has finally stopped co-operating with me.  I am heading for the Apple Store this afternoon.  I talked to a friend with more computer knowledge than I and it looks as though my hard drive is shot.  I will find out for sure this afternoon.  So I will not be posting until I get my computer fixed.  Hopefully it will not be long.

Candy Wrappers for Halloween Gathering

This is the last post about the Halloween Gathering.  When planning my projects for this event,  I try to add a cute way to give candy gifts to teachers and friends.  This year I planned very simple wrappers.  The first was a cute one that I found on Becky Robert's blog, Inking Idaho.  I thought this was such a quick and neat way to package candy for a class treat or a special trick or treater who comes to your home.

The next candy wrapper uses the new ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD!  At our last downline meeting Susan presented this unique way to wrap a regular sized candy bar.  This wrapper uses a 5" square piece of DSP and Washi Tape. The Envelope Punch Board is used to notch and score the wrapper so it can fit easily around the candy bar.  I LOVE it when products can be used in a variety of ways!  


 I used this wrapper style to make all the cary gifts for Eli's and Emmet's daycare caretakers.  I am sure they will like it.  I mean... who does not like chocolate?  Right?

I hope you have enjoyed the projects we are going to be creating at the Halloween Gathering.  You still have to the end of today to sign up for it.  Let me know if you plan to attend.  Enjoy the day!

Creepy Crawly Halloween

This is such a simple and quick card to make if you need a quick Halloween card.  This card takes minimal stamping and uses the WITCHES BREW DSP.  The Witches Hat is from the Best of 25 Years...Halloween stamp set.  It was a perfect fit inside the Labels Collection Framelits.

If you look very closely, You will see that this is really a Gate Fold Card but held sideways.  I love it and so will anyone that you give this card to.

This is another card that will be available to make at the Halloween Gathering Card Buffet event.  If you are interested in attending, contact me.  A reminder that you get to choose which cards you would like to make and how many of each you would like to make. 

 I also posting a picture of a card that I posted a few days ago.  This was a card that I thought I might use in the card buffet and I did decide to use it for the Card Buffet.  I think that the four cards that I am offering will fit any of your needs this Halloween season.  Tomorrow I am going to post the candy wrappers that will also be offered.

Enjoy the day!

Another Halloween Gathering Card

Here is another one of the cards that I am offering at my "Halloween Gathering".  I saw this card somewhere and really do not know where I found it or who made it.  But I just thought it was so adorable and I decided to CASE it.  It is a different way to use the Thinlets- Label Card.  Believe it or not, it uses the Owl Builder Punch to create the owl.  I think that was why I found this card so interesting. 

If you are interested in making one of cards and more, please contact me.  I will get more information to you then.  The Card Buffet will be held at Maryann's house on Oct. 9 @ 6:30 PM.  Hope to see you there!

If this is your card that I case'd, please contact me so that I can give you credit.

Enjoy the day!

Annual Halloween Gathering Event

Every year I do a "Halloween Gathering Card Buffet" at a customer's home.  This year my Halloween Gathering will be held at Maryann's on Wednesday October  9 @ 6:30.  I hold it like a Card Buffet.  I will offer 4 different cards and 2 candy wrappers.  You get to decide what cards and what candy wrappers you would like to make of each.  

This card is one of the cards that I am offering at the gathering. It is a pull out card.  The piece that pulls out from this card is the white card with the haunted house at the top.  You are able to pull out that piece and place a sentiment or attach a gift card to it and give it to a friend or family member.  It is a cute and simple card to make and your friends will love it.

The cost of the Halloween Gathering Event depends on how many cards and candy wrappers you choose to make. I will be posting the rest of the cards that will be offered all week. Contact me if you would like to attend and I will get a flyer with all the details to you.  

Enjoy the day!

Downline Meeting Make & Take

Susan and I had our joint Downline Meeting on Saturday.  We have been demonstrating a new product and also demonstrating a technique at each of our meetings and then doing a Make & Take using that technique.  At this meeting, I demonstrated a technique using a baby wipe and re-inkers.  You place a few drops of various colors of re-inkers on a baby wipe.  Then you use the baby wipe to ink a SOLID image stamp and that creates a multi colored image.  I thought  that technique would be great to create an autumn leaf.  I love the leaves this time of year when they are changing colors.  The leaves are usually multicolored as they are changing.  so this technique was perfect for this Autumn inspired card.

For this card I used the following products:

STAMP SETS:  Gently Falling, Sweet Essentials, Glorious Grunge
PAPER:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Whisper White, Sweater Weather DSP
INK:  Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake
ACCESSORIES:  2-1/2" Circle Punch, Rhinestone Jewels, Brown Sharpie Marker (non SU), Baby Wipes (non SU), Dimensionals

I also colored the Rhinestone Jewels with the colored Sharpie Markers.  This was an extra technique for everyone to experience.  We had a great day and there were 2 other M & T's that we made and I will post those at a later time. 

Today we have all three boys again.  So we will be busy all day long.  The weather is really nice so we will have them outside playing a lot today.  Enjoy the day!

Halloween Happiness

Been working on  my Halloween Gathering cards and project the last week.  Here is one of the card that we will be making at that event.  This is a really easy card to make and does not use the traditional fold completely  For some reason I am on a traditional fold strike.  I think I decided that I need to change up my cards a bit some way.  So the last couple of cards that I have made, I try to change them up in some manner.  

I really liked the "HALLOWEEN HAPPINESS" stamp and decided I really needed to use it in one of my cards.  I did not want the background of the card be so busy because I felt it would take away from the all the details in the stamped image.  For this card I used the following supplies:

STAMPS:  Halloween Happiness
PAPER:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Witches Brew DSP
INK:  Tangerine Tango
ACCESSORIES:  Oval Framelits, Big Shot, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 Way Glue, Dimensionals, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive Markers

If you look closely in the top pic, you will see an orange glittery pumpkin.  I made that by using  the orange Glitter from the Holiday Catalog to cover a plastic pumpkin. First I sprayed the pumpkin with spray adhesive and then I sprinkled the orange glitter all over the pumpkin.  Just another way to use it.  Also if you look closely at the pumpkins on the card, you will notice the pumpkin with the face is all glittery.  I used Dazzling Diamonds to create that effect so the pumpkin would stand out.  I will be getting out all the information on the event in the following few days.  I need to finalize a few things first.  

Yesterday we watched all three youngins and I was exhausted by the end of the day.  Sometimes trying to get all three down for a nap can be a bit tricky and yesterday was one of those days.  The phone kept ringing and waking them up and when all 3 fell asleep at the same time we were ecstatic.  And then someone came to the door and rang the bell and it was chaos with all 3 crying.  At least for 15 minutes all was quiet!  Today it is more quiet with one, so it was easier today to post.  Enjoy the day! 

Congrats to my Downline

I finally had a few minutes to myself yesterday that I was able to get my congratulations cards photographed so I can send them out this month.  I have started to send out Cogratulations cards out to the top three sellers of the month in my downline.  This is the card that they will be receiving this month. It is a CASE of a card that I saw with some changes.

I love the rustic feel that this card has.  The burlap ribbon helps to convey that.  I tried not to clutter this card up, so it is very simple.  The "GLORIOUS GRUNGE" stamp set was used to create texture on the background.  And finally I used the "ROCK AND ROLL" technique on the Maple leaf to add more color and interest to the card.  The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS:  Zoo Babies (sentiment), Maple Leaf, Glorious Grunge
PAPER:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White
INK:  Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake
ACCESSORIES:  Burlap Ribbon, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Regal Buttons (RETIRED)

I ran out of Natural Buttons because I am using them for this month's Technique Class.  So I resorted to  using a button that is retired from last year's catalog.  But the button goes with my color scheme so I hope I am forgiven for using a retired product this time. They will be going out in the mail today.

 I have a few people coming over today to work on the Holiday SAS cards.  I plan to start my personal Christmas Cards today.  We will see if I will be able to get started.  I plan to have a nice relaxing day with fellow stampers today.  Enjoy the day!

September Technique Class- Card 3

This is the final card of the three that we will be making at my September Technique Class.  This card uses the Colored Vellum technique.  Years ago when I went to my first downline meeting at Pennie's, I saw one of her other downlines demonstrate this technique.  I thought it was really neat but did not think about it  again until I saw some other people using it for their Christmas Cards this past month.  So I decided to try it again for this Autumn card.

If you look very closely at the leaves on the card, you will see that they are different colors.  I used Cardstock Vellum, embossed the image using Gold Embossing Powder.  I then took sponges and sponged the back of the embossed images.  I love the very light and muted look that you get by using that technique.  Very easy to do and it creates an effect that is very impressive.  Everyone you give this card or a card using that technique will be amazed.  

I am watching 2 of the kids today and that is why I was a little late posting today. They are napping right now, so I had a few free minutes to post.  I hope you enjoyed the card  today. If you want to make these cards and live in the area, I still have two Technique Classes scheduled this month.  Contact me if interested in attending.  Enjoy the day! 

September Technique Class- Card #2

This is the second card that we will be making at my "FALL / HALLOWEEN" themed September Technique Class.  I have been wanting to do the HERRINGBONE Technique for a while but just could not find the right time to do it.  But when I saw this large Halloween sentiment stamp which is found in the "Halloween Bash" stamp set, I knew it was time to do it.  The Witches Brew DSP is perfect for this technique.  I think the contrast of the patterns in that particular DSP lends itself nicely for   this technique.

I really like this stamp set because it co-ordinates with a number of different punches such as the Ticket Duo Builder Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch and the Labels Collection Framelits.  I used one of the Framelits from the Chalk Talk Collection. 

This is also not the first version of this card.  But I am very pleased with how it turned out.  I tried it with different widths of strips but decided that 3/8" width of my strips seemed to have the best looking results.  I also played around with the colors of strips and with the background colors.  It took longer to do this than what I thought but in the end, it was worth all the time I put into it.

Today should go a bit easier since we are only watching one child today.   And it is a special day for him today because Carter (the youngest of the gang) turns 1 today.  Happy Birthday Carter! 

 Enjoy the day!

September Technique Class- Card 1

I know I have been MIA the past week, but I am now back on track.  I am excited about this month's cards.  I am not a big Halloween fan but with three little grandsons, I have been converted.  This is the first card that we are going to do.  This card uses the "NEW" Thinlits-Circle Card.  This was one of my favorite sneak peeks that was presented

The inside of the card

The front of the card

 at convention this year.  I could not wait to get mine.  This is definitely a "go to" tool.  It makes creating a fancy fold card sooooo easy.  I think people have been afraid to make this type of flip-flop card in the past because of all the measuring and having to cut in all the right places.

This is really the 3rd version of the card that I started with.  I think I am pleases with what I finally decided on for my Technique Class.  I mainly am demonstrating how to use this tool but I slipped in a technique with it.  If you look closely, you can see the "MOONLIGHTING " technique.  I used a 1/2" circle to mask all the sponging I did on it.  After I sponged Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Cajun Craze all over the 2-1/2" Whisper White circle, I removed the 1/2" circle to show you a white moon!  I then stamped the spooky tree over top all my sponging.  I think it looks like a spooky night.  I used the Best of 25 Years- Halloween stamp set.

My technique classes will be held on Tuesday September 17 @ 9:15 AM, Wednesday September @ 7 PM, and Saturday September 28 @ 9 AM .
If interested in attending, please contact me.  We will be making three cards this month with the theme being "FALL/HALLOWEEN CARDS".   1. Herringbone Technique,  2. Thinlits-Circle Card using Moonlight Technique,  3. Colored Vellum.  The cost is $10 for the 3 cards/envelopes plus instruction cards for each.

Today I have all 3 babies so it will be another crazy day for me.  Enjoy the day!