Retiring Sets on Sale

Stampin' UP! has released the list of stamp sets that will be retiring on January 18th 2009. For the first time they are offering 10% off on all of these retiring stamp sets!! There is also free shipping on all orders of $70 or more from now until December 23rd!!

To see the list of stamp sets click here.

Another Card Portfolio

I think this turned out beautifully. The picture just doesn't do it justice. I love one layer cards and these colors work perfectly with the pocket silhouettes stamp set. This will be another gift, or maybe I'll keep it for myself.

Post-it note holders

I think I'm going to make these for all of the kids teachers (don't for get about the music teachers, PE teachers, art teachers, reading, etc) These are little post-it note holders that have a slot in the side for a little pen or pencil. They are very easy and they don't take a very big piece of card stock so I used up a lot of scraps making these.

Remember today is the last day you can place orders for the Stampin' UP! bundles for a discount!!

Skinny Note Pad Covers

I saw this on Splitcoaststampers.com (one of my favorite inspiration sites). I bought Jr. legal pads at the office supply store and had the cut in half, then I used card stock to create a cover for them. You can put them on your desk, in your purse or put a magnet on the back and put it on your fridge. It's the perfect size for a grocery list!

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving. I had a lovely day. We didn't eat until 5pm, so we decided to volunteer to serve food at a local community dinner at 11am. When we got there we were surprised to find that there were more volunteers than people in need. Although it was a good thing, we were all a bit disappointed we didn't get to help. So we relaxed and watched a movie before eating dinner with Steve's family. I was very happy to have my Dad there as well.

Today I was one of those crazy shoppers who got up at 4am to stand in line to buy the "perfect gift". This is the second year I've done it. A little disclaimer, I don't do major shopping I go for the one thing then go home. Steve and I decided to go have breakfast this morning and then we were home by 6:30am

Below is a picture of one of the items I had for sell today at the Holiday Extravaganza. Thanks to everyone who came, it was a good day. Project is so simple and easy, and makes a nice presentation for a couple cards. It holds 4 cards and 4 envelopes. It is made using an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock. Score and fold at 5 1/2 inches then score and fold 2 inches from the bottom. Cut a V in the flap, and adhere the sides closed. Punch holes on each side for ribbon. Ribbon is used to hold the cards into the portfolio.

I think this makes a nice thank you gift, or a Christmas gift for Sunday school teachers or other people you want to give a small something to.

Below is a picture of all the projects I had for sale.

There is still some left, if you weren't able to come today I'm going to be participating in two craft bazaars, tomorrow I'll be at Shepherd community church from 9am-4pm and on Friday December 5Th I'll be at Liberty Park Elementary school from 6p-9p. Stop by and see me.

WOW--Huge Stampin' UP! Sale!!!!!!!

This is the best promo Stampin' UP! has ever done!! They've bundled up stamp set and accessiories and some are as much as 50% off!! This sale is only good today thru December 1st so don't miss out.

To see the complete list of items on sale click here

You can call to place orders or you can go to my stampin up website and click shop now.

Tea bag gift

Here is a picture of a very simple project using large envelopes. You fold them in half and cut the flap (sealing one side). I used the scalloped edge punch on the other side of the flap and tucked an individual tea bag. you could also use this as a gift card holder.

Because it is holding tea, I used the "like it a latte" stamp set, it's retired but I really like it a latte so I held on to it. The background is stamped with a jumbo wheel this makes it quick and easy to mass produce. I made 36 of these for a tea party a couple weeks ago. I have some left so I'll be selling them at the Holiday Extravaganza!!

Money Holder

If you are planning on coming to the Holiday Extravaganza on Friday you must RSVP by Noon Today!!!

There will be lots of fun things to do!

*Make 20 Christmas Cards for $25
* Kid's can make gifts (covered notebook, beaded pin and bookmark) $15
*Purchase handmade Christmas cards, stationary sets, gift card holders (like the one in the picture) and money holders and other great stocking stuffers.
* Purchase retired stamps and accessories
*Get ideas for what you can make for the Holidays!
* Receive 20% off of all regular priced Stampin' UP! merchandise (no hostess benefits)
*Come and bring your own projects to work on!

The picture is of a money holder I'll be selling on Friday. Picture doesn't have any money in it because I almost never have cash--but you get the idea. I used real red cardstock, ski slope designer paper and merry and bright stamp set.

Kid's Class--Perfect for Teachers

Here is a picture of the gift set that the kids will be making on Friday (remember to RSVP by noon on Tuesday). Each child will get to pick the paper they want to use to make this gift set. Can you believe that all this was made using one piece of 12 x 12 designer paper. The cost is $15.

Gift Card Holder

This is one of the gift card holder I will be selling at the Holiday Extravaganza on Friday. These were so easy to make. I don't really like giving gift cards for a present because they are so impersonal, however sometimes it's the best gift. So this is a great way to dress them up. It's very easy to make. I got the idea and measurements from Patty's stampin' spot. It's a great blog, Patty is one of Stampin' UP!'s top demonstrators and I love some of the stuff she makes. Check it out http://pattystamps.typepad.com/pattys_stamping_spot/2008/11/gift-card-holder-class---part-1.html

Make sure to RSVP if you are coming on Friday

Is Christmas in your Heart?

I love this sentiment. "Welcome Christmas into your heart".

This is another card we made last week. Card base is real red 6x6 folded in half. This will fit in SU!'s long envelopes or a regular bill envelope. The sentiment was stamped in old olive and the heart which is from an old retired set is stamped in real red. We used a piece of ski slope designer series paper (it's beautiful, I almost didn't want to cut it) and used the scalloped edge punch on both top and bottom.

Shining Star

Here is one of the cards we made at the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack last week. One of the things I try to do when we are making a lot of cards is make them simple yet striking. Heat embossing usually does the trick, add a little shimmer and it is a great Christmas star. The card base is handsome hunter, then we used brushed gold card stock and embossed it using versa mark and copper embossing powder. Before adhering the gold cardstock to the card base I tied a ribbon (you know I love using ribbon). simple, easy, quick, striking.

Check my class schedule to make it to the next stamp-a-stack.

Holiday Gift Giving

Gift giving is hard for everyone. It's hard to know what to get, what make sometimes it's even hard to know what to ask for. Stampin' Up! is trying to make this a little easier on you.

Stampin' UP! has several items that make great gifts for friends and family check out the gift giving guide below.

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/gift_giving_guide_us.pdf

If you would like to create your own wish list click on the following link

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgzn457r_1fwjgmxdd

let me know if I can be of any help.

A lot going on--

Okay so there seems to be alot going on at Stampin' UP! and I'm a little behind so I'm going to put a link to all of Stampin' UP!'s current promo's on the side of my blog, but if you have a question just holler.

Rub-On's promo

To continue to celebrate Stampin' Up's 20th anniversary Stampin' UP! is offering 20% all rub-ons with a $20 purchase.

Country Living Promotion

Stampin' UP! and Country Living Magazine have teamed up again and created a kit that includes chipboard, paper and a great stamp set so that you can make your own ornaments, tags and cards. for more info see the flyer here http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/country_living_US.pdf

This is a great deal!

Holiday Extravaganza

Here are a few pictures of the projects I will have for sale on Thursday November 28th at the Holiday Extravaganza.

Below is a tin decorated with "Au Chocolate Paper" with 10 coordinating cards and envelopes. $15


The two tins below are birthday card organizers. The tins are decorated on the outside, there are twelve dividers labeled with each month. I've also included 4 matching cards and envelopes. This is a great way to make sure you don't miss any one's birthday. $15

Any of these would make great gifts for teachers and friends. Stop by on Thursday after Thanksgiving for more gifts.

Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

Here are two cards that we will be making at the Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stacks. They both use the stamp set Snow Swirled, but they look much different.

Holiday Classes

Here is a list of the Holiday classes I have planned.

Stamp-A-Stacks: Make 20 Christmas cards for $25

Session 1: Nov 18th or Nov 19th at 6:30
Session 2: Dec 2nd and Dec 3rd at 6:30
Session 3: Dec 9 and Dec 10th at 6:30

Holiday Extravaganza!!

Friday November 23rd from 9a to 9p

There is a lot going on this day, come and stay as long as you want. Sign up for a Stamp-a-stack ($25), Shop for gifts, get ideas on what to make for gifts, bring your kids to a giftables class perfect for teacher gifts ($10), make a gift tag, and participate in a raffle. Please RSVP by the 23rd to let me know if you are coming and what you are planning on making.

All orders placed on November 23rd will recieve 20% off. Orders will be available for pick up at my house on December 12th.

Last minute Gifts

Wednesday December 17th 6:30 $15

I'll be posting pictures of what you will make in this classes.

I'm Back!!

No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I've just been busy with family stuff. We went to visit some friends who live in the Boston area over fall break. Here's a picture of Caleb and Emma in front of "Old Ironsides"

Then of course we were busy with Halloween costumes. Emma was Leia and Caleb was Luke. They were very cute.

I did get to do some scrap booking with a few friends on Friday night, then on Saturday I went to a crop at my old church so between the two days I finished my Disney scrapbook (we went to Disney world in June of 2007). So I feel like I accomplished a lot. I'll post pictures of some of my favorite pages soon.

More with my scraps

I'm still working on clearing my table of the scraps, I just can't get rid of the top note frame. I love the way it looks. And considering I still don't have my own Big Shot I have to be content playing with the scraps that I have left from playing with my friends.

I sometimes struggle using the square rhinestone brads, I use the circles all the time. I like the was this turned out although it's not really a typical card for me. I guess that's one of the great things about only using what's on your table!!

A little says a LOT

This little envelope was made with the big shot and the scalloped envelope die. It is the size of a card you would get with flowers. I needed just a little note for a friend. I think this was perfect. Sometimes when we make cards or gifts we need to remember that less is more.

Snow Swirled Embossed

I don't know why but for some reason I love to emboss Christmas cards. I don't usually emboss all year but I do on Christmas cards--anybody else?

Although this card is heat embossed it is super easy and cheap to make. I used the negative porting of the top note die cut to make a frame, then stamped the image and sentiment in versa mark and embossed using white embossing powder. Simple and beautiful.

Have you started your Christmas cards yet??

New Challenge

When I stamp my table gets very messy. I will sometimes clean it off and put everything away, then start stamping by the end of the projects the table is full again. So sometimes I think it's easier to use the stuff on my table then to clean it off. So that's my challenge to you this week. make a project using your scraps or leftovers. Use the punch or ink or whatever accessory that is already out. Either send me a picture via email or comment and link your picture and you will be entered in a drawing for a prize!!

This card was made using scraps of what were on my table, including the negative part of the top note die cut. Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, chocolate chip ink, chocolate chip, whisper white, really rust, creamy Carmel, baja breeze and kiwi kiss cardstock.

kid's stamping

As most of you know both of my kids love to stamp. I used to have a pile of non stampin up paper and accessories that I let them use but now they know the difference so I've given them total access to my scrap box and I even let them use my accessories. I figure why hoard them when the kids can make great stuff.Their favorite stamp set is Loads of Love with the accesories. Caleb made the Happy Harvest card, Emma made the one with the hearts. Can you believe that they did it all by themselves. I told them I have adults that come to my classes that can't get the people in the truck straight.
Emma has discovered the aqua painter so that's what she wants to use all the time. I've now given her one. The only thing I don't share with them is my markers. They have their own that they use but they aren't stampin up and both have made comments that the colors don't match. I said I know that's why I love Stampin' UP! so much.

I encourage you to stamp with our kids--I love that we spend time together doing something we both like!!

I got some new goodies!!

So last night I got to play with some of my new stamp sets. I really love this tree. The first card is a 3x3 card that I made using scraps and mistakes (not bad)Most of the cards I made with this set have a fall feel but I love that it came with a snow flake so this card was turned into a Christmas card (confession, I was listening to Christmas music while I was stamping). I'm very happy with the way it turned out. You can't really see it in the picture but the tree is stamped on the White shimmer paper, and it's gorgeous!! And don't you love the felt snowflake!!
I wanted to make a card that used the elements but not the tree itself. And I was very happy to use the new designer series paper.
Last but not least this is a more traditional use of the stamp set. Perfect for Fall!!

Home for the Holidays

Are you ready to see some beautiful cards. I have discovered that I love watercoloring on white shimmery paper. I like it better than watercolor paper. I love this stamp set, the saying makes me think of my mom. "Though far and wide on Earth we roam at Christmastime our hearts come home."The top card is a pretty basic 4x4 layout. I wanted the watercolor and the shimmery white to be the focus no ribbons or such. And no it didn't take very long to watercolor this. The time consuming part was picking the colors I wanted for everything.

The card below is also a 4x4 card. I like this size because you can still mail it in a regular envelope, but you get the look of a square card which is very popular right now. I wanted to show that you could use this stamp set with out coloring it in and I think it's still beautiful. The ribbon is the kiwi and vanilla double sided ribbon, it's so soft!!
this next card I colored with Markers and it took forevery and I don't like the look as much. I do like the layout and the red ribbon. I will probably red0 this card using the watercolor technique from the first one.
Last but certianly not least is the one layer card. If there is anytime of year to make beautiful one layer cards it's Christmas. I don't know about you but I send out anywhere between 75-100 cards, I don't want them to take too much time.
the card is naturals Ivory and I stamped the image and sentiment in chocolate chip and colored just a few areas in using pastels. I was very happy with the result, I love the way the sled pops.

Big Shot Samples

I still haven't splurged and purchased my own big shot but I did get to cut some pieces of retired paper when I played with my stamp friends a few weeks ago. I finally got around to making what I cut. This is the pillow box, which is sized perfectly to fit a fun size Hershey bar. The basket is made using the basket and blooms die. In addition to everything you need to get the basket you also get several flowers and a tag to decorate the basket. It took a little practice to put it together but I love it.

American Girl Fashion Show

Saturday was Emma's American Girl Fashion Show. She had so much fun and looked adorable. I wasn't sure how she would do when it came time to actually walk across the stage but she did great. Emma was "Nellie" for the fashion show so she got to have a fan and a big blue bow in her hair.

Thank you to everyone came and made cards to raise money for the Junior League so that Emma could participate in the fashion show. We both appreciate it!! If you weren't able to make it you can see four of the projects we made.