Getting Clipped....-

A little dilemma here -- how to present restuarant gift certificates the old-fashioned paper way (?) along with Starbucks gift cards in those oh-so-adorable mittens. All that is too big for one of my mint tins, so I bought the $1.00 wooden clothespins at A.C. Moore, covered them with acrylic paint and Designer Series Prints paper. A Big Deal alphabet intiial in the scallop circle and some organdy ribbon. There you have it -- more Teacher's Gifts -- to go!

Gift Tins

Every once in a while I look up from my table to see if the Christmas Crafting is finished! There is still plenty to do, but I thought I would stop and share one of my Teacher Gifts this season.

These are DVD tins inspired by something I saw on Cambria's Blog back in August. I've made a half dozen or so. I cover them in some of the fun Stampin' Up! Designer Papers (One set here is Cutie Pie, the other Fall Flowers.). On the inside I make one side with a little pocket to hold a gift card, the other side has a notepad. Cambria's tins seemed to have real little legal pads in them. I couldn't find any to fit my tins. So I purchased memo pad refills and just made toppers for stacks of papers.

I personalized each tin with my Simon Lower Chipboard letters. These are really coming together quickly. And since the papers and ribbons all coordinate so beautifully, I don't even have to think about "matching"!

Gift Card Tins

The gift cards for teachers and bus drivers and other important friends are starting to fly out of here! And I'm sending lots of them out in those fabulous mint sized tins.

This one (and plenty others like it) features the "Dashing" Designer Paper. I didn't snap a photo of the inside but the bottom is covered in a coordinating stripe and the inside of the top has solid cardstock and a message in Very Vanilla.

I used a retired set called "Tiny Talk" for my greeting. I know it's not current, but it is one of my all-time favorites for use with the Small and Large Tag punches.

The ribbon is the Wide Grosgrain in Old Olive and it gets a little bling from a rhinestone brad.

Going, Going, Gone....

As I suspected, my little Cold Play snowman IS retiring at the end of the month. The new Stampin' Up! (first) Semi-annual Retirement list was announced today -- see it HERE.

Our July retirement sale was soooo long and soooo extensive the word "retirement" list makes me break out in hives. But alas, this list looks normal and predicatable even if it is a little sad for my snowman. (Lots of snowmen are retiring -- I am expecting fabulous new ones in six months!)

Anyway -- look over the list. Because it's Christmas I'm offering 20% off the stamp sets that are retiring. Grab them soon, though. Once January 2nd gets here it's a new Stampin' Year!

Cold Play

This is a fun favor I have been handing out this month. My favorite part is how adaptable the basic technique is to ANY occasion where you need a "little something". This hot chocolate holder is made from a large Whisper White Stampin' Up! envelope. I used the Large Tag Punch to cut the sides out and make a little "handle". It's just the latest in a series of envelope tricks shared by Stamping Goddess Amy Celona !

I fixed up the outside with some torn, coordinating Whisper White for "snow", a little Dazzling Diamonds on the edges, because you can never have enough *sparkly* snow, and my favorite snowman set, Cold Play. This is the set where you an build all sorts of snowmen in all different shapes and sizes because each piece is a separate stamp. I cut the sentiment with my Designer Label Punch just to well, punch it up!

I'm afraid Cold Play might be ready to melt away forever. It's THAT time of year again, time for Stampin' Up! to retire my old favorites to make way for my new favorites. I'll have the list for you very soon. Remember, we get a new catalog January 1st loaded with great goodies for '08!

Tag Box

As you probably know by now I often get sidetracked by a stamping project while I should be paying attention to another worthwhile, yet not crafty, endeavour. Such is the case with this little box that is holding my package tags.

I was in the carpool line the other day thumbing through the latest issue of Papercrafts Magazine (at this rate I will be finished with it sometime around February of 2009). I saw that someone had made a little box for their tags and since I had just made all my tags with that --- have I mentioned it today -- fabulous Tags for All set that is actually on sale now -- I figured I'd go home and whip up a box myself!

I went to my "alter me someday" box (which is camouflaged as toy storage -- shhhh and don't tell Joe!) and pulled out this little white lunch tin. Then it was off to the "craft with me someday" paper stash (you can tell him, this he has seen!)-- and I spotted some of last year's Stampin' Up! "Holiday Thyme" Designer Paper.

A few coordinated (naturally) scraps later, my "Big Deal" alphabet, assorted ribbon, a Jumbo eyelet (can you say Crop-a-dile?) and some Old Olive ink and I was done. It is holding all my finished gift tags plus tape and scissors. A spiffy addition to the wrapping station if I do say so myself.

Only problem is now that it's done I actually have to wrap. Unless I can design something you can roll around in ink and glitter to hold wrapping paper... Hmmmmmmm...

Wrapping up the Holidays Sale!

Stampin' Up! is offering some great specials right now on items that will "wrap up the holidays" for you. Discounted prices on wrapping paper, accessories to make cellophane bags with toppers, my favorite Tags for All stamp set and that luscious satin ribbon.

The specials are good through December 15th -- or while supplies last.

Click HERE to see the colorful flyer!

Or read the black and white here:

Holiday Tag Bundle (item 112409) A new item just for this promotion!
This bundle includes several pre-cut pieces from the Holiday Glitz kit and makes 15 quick and easy toppers for gift giving.

Empty Accents and Elements Tin-3 Pack (item 112410) A new item chosen just for this promotion!

Tags for All Stamp Set* (item 110380) 20% off!

Hand Selected Accents & Elements (item 110228) 25% off!

Designer Gift Cards* (item 110264) 30% off!

Purely Pomegranate (item109863) and Chocolate Chip (item 109862) Satin Ribbon* Buy 1, get 1 free!

A Pocket for Your Thoughts....

I was inspired by a card in the Splitcoast Gallery to craft up this little pocket full of Thankful Thoughts. This style of card really comes together quickly, especially when you keep the sides together with a simple brad treatment!

Stamp Set: Thoroughly Thankful
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel, Ruby Red
Accessories: Earth Elements Brads, Blender Pens, Tab Punch

Thankful for Patterned Paper!

Have I mentioned today how thankful I am for yummy patterned paper and that it's still Buy 3 packs get 1 FREE until November 30th? Stampin' Up!'s Fall Flowers is what I used here and I love the way the layers work together!

Stamp Set: Holidays & Wishes
Paper: Kraft Cardstock, Fall Flowers, Old Olive Cardstock, Soft Sky Designer Prints, Very Vanilla
Ink: Old Olive
Accesories: Wide Olive Grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thankful Thoughts

I am still really all over this Christmas thing. The first of the teacher gifts are finished. The supplies are here so I can get busy on the Christmas Card I have already designed. I divided the gift shopping into manageable lists and plan to handle 2 more of those this weekend while Joe can give me a hand with the girls. I even cleaned out the refrigerators -- both of them -- because Cynthia had it in her Monday plan over at Organized Christmas. So what was missing in this entire picture???

HOW ABOUT THANKSGIVING?

Well, I am caught up there now as well after a few days of hustle. The cards have been completed, addressed, stamped and mailed. I made mini loaves of Pumpkin Bread for the teachers and stamped tags to go along with them. I have three classroom feasts over the course of the next three school days. But I'm ready! I even managed to stash a few extra meals in the freezer to keep me together while company is here next week and I'm making my sides for the family feast. Oh, and the kids will underfoot and out of school!

Stamp Set: Thankful Thoughts
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Wide Chocolate Grosgrain, Blender Pen, Crafters Tool Kit, Sponges

November Stampin' Club Projects

Here is what the Stampin' Club will be making this weekend:

*A mini-album with front and back covers that are 4 x 4 chipboard coasters. (Done in Wintegreen Designer Paper.)

*A Christmas Card featuring the Big on Christmas Stamp Set and Dashing Designer Paper.

*An dramatic acetate card in black and white.

Guests are always welcome to join us -- use the email link for details!

Stamp-a-Stack

It's time for a little speed stamping! The Christmas Stamp-a-Stack is here!

In 2 hours you'll make 15 cards, a gift bag with coordinating card, and stamp three 8 1/2" x 11" pages of tags for your gifts.The photo of the cards and the gift bag is attached. You'll be "freelancing" on the tags selecting Whisper White or Very Vanilla Cardstock along with your favorite ink colors. The tag set we're using is HERE.

Dates and Times:

Thursday, November 29, 8:00pm
Friday, November 30 10:00 am & 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 2 2:30 pm

***Please RSVP by November 18 so that your materials are prepped***

Cost: $25.00 Stamp Club Members attend for $20.00. Not a club member? Place a $20.00 order at the workshop and pay $20.00 for the Stamp-a-Stack. As always, bring along someone new to me and you receive a Classic Ink Pad in your choice of color.

A Sparkly Christmas

Since I am in the midst of an organizational "flurry" -- I thought I would share this Christmas Card that incorporates a few flurries.....

The Stamper's Club made it two weeks ago at our regular meeting. We used that fabulous Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder to completely "bling" that Baroque swirl!

I had 10 minutes yesterday between Kindergarten Centers and Preschool Pickup, so I dashed into a Post Office and bought my Christmas stamps. (Postage, not rubbah!) Guess what? They had plenty and there was no line. Now while I tap my foot impatiently waiting for my card supplies to arrive, I am going to make sure my card list and address database are current. I followed my Christmas planner and made a list of all the gifts I plan to craft, and I have ordered all of those supplies as well. So far , so good this organizing business......

Stamp Sets: Baroque Motifs, Cold Play, Party Punch
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Whisper White
Ink: Bleu Bayou, Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Versamark
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Designer Label Punch, Sponges, Pomegranate Stitched Ribbon, 3/4 circle punch, ticket corner punch

The Countdown to Christmas....

Remember when I told you just how verstile the Stampin' Up! patterned paper is? Here is an example of what you can pull together when you've got paper on hand.

November 1st is always a big day of planning for me. Halloween is over -- and it is full steam ahead toward Christmas. Part of my planning this year included creating two different organizational binders. One is for Household/School, etc -- the other is strictly Christmas. The binder idea is from Organized Living and its sister site Organized Christmas and so are the printable forms. I purchased $2.00 binders at Target. I fixed up the first one with the Notations Designer Paper. (I especially loved the sentiment on the one sheet -- "Balance Your Life".) I'm feeling good about taming the piper tiger around here and I feel really good about Christmas. 52 more days and my card has been designed and the supplies are on the way. So is some of that yummy Wintergreen and Dashing Paper. I bought it on sale (see Paper Party below!) and plan to fix that Christmas binder right up! The best way for me to tackle an organizational project is to turn it into a craft project. Now THAT's what I'm talking about.....

It's a Paper Party!

All this month Stampin' Up! is offering a "Buy 3 Get 1 Free" deal on packages of patterned paper. The paper is so versatile -- useful in card making, scrapbooking and crafting gift items.

Grab your big catalog and turn to pages 170 -173 to see all the choices!

Let me know how many packages you need.....

One Last Treat....

From my bag of Halloween tricks!

This is my final batch of Halloween cards using the wonderful Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper. I've made several cards lately where I "pinned" back the double-sided Designer Paper so I didn't have to decide which side to use! On these cards I used the Batty for You Stamp sets and the coordinating Batty Wheel so the fold back reveals paper -- and text!


Stamp Sets: Batty for You, Batty Jumbo Wheel
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White
Designer Paper: Creepy Crawly
Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: 1 3/8 punch, 1 1/4 punch

No Tricks -- Just Treats!

Are you getting whipped into a frenzy over the Halloween party favors you need pronto!

Here are 3 quick and easy ideas.


The 2-5-7-10 Box -- created with one sheet of cardstock -- holds all kinds of treats. Directions HERE.


The Toilet Paper Tube Table Favor. Go ahead -- squeeze the Charmin and cut the rolls -- add a little patterned paper, and a punched Scalloped Circle for a bottom.


And the Coffee Filter Favor. Get out those plain filters. Use a Jumbo Wheel to cover them in a pattern. Fill with treats and tie!

(Nichole over at www.papertreyink.com created the tube and filter!)

Happiness....

That is what we wish for Leslie and Matthew as we celebrate their marriage.

Congratulations!

Stamp Sets: Baroque Motifs, Warm Words
Cardstock: River Rock, Very Vanilla
Ink: River Rock, Versamark
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Vanilla Narrow Grosgrain, Designer Label Punch

October Projects

Here are the first of the October Stamper's Club projects. We're getting ready for Thanksgiving with a 6 x 6 envelope album -- it has spots for photos, journaling, even places to tuck in your favorite recipes. As soon as the dishes are cleared, you'll be ready to scrap the celebration.





We're also making a Thanksgiving card in a less-than-traditional size (so you'll get an envelope as well!)



I promise I am working on a Christmas Card -- but I'm just not satisfied with it yet. Stay tuned......

Did You Say 40% off????

Yes, I did. 40% off all Stampin' Up! Simply Sent Card Kits purchased between now and 8 pm on October 8th.

You'll love the SIMPLY SENT kits loaded with die cut stamps (hooray!), cardstock, inks, accessories, some adhesives -- even the envelopes are included.

Get (at least) one for you and one for a friend.

But do it before 8pm on October 8th.

View the kits online HERE or in your Big Idea Book beginning on page 12.

Happy World Card Making Day!

Criss-Cross, Applesauce!

This is a criss-cross card -- I followed the directions on THIS Splitcoast Stampers Tutorial. Fun cards to make -- and a great way to show off patterned paper and the matching stamps. I made these two last night for a pair of adorable preschool teachers named Ms. Joan and Ms. Anne. They have let Sophia spend the morning in their class three times during her track out. So I made these gift card holders for their beverage store of choice -- Starbucks! Criss-Cross Applesauce as we say at circle time.........

Stamp Set: In the Spotlight
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Patterned Paper: Cutie Pie
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Rhinestone Ice Brad, Soft Subtles Brad, Tab Punch,Slit Punch Purely Pomegranate Stitched Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

September Stamping!

Here's what we will be making at the September Stamper's Club Meeting.

*One 12 x 12 Scrapbook Layout ready for Halloween photos

*One coordinating Halloween card

*A "Christmas" card with a winter theme and a bit of sparkle and bling

The card technique for your technique ring is "heat embossing" -- that's what we'll be doing to the branches on the Christmas Card.

See you there!

A Birthday Doodle!

Here's a birthday card for Super Stamper (and Sister-in-law) Lori. She is an "Earth Elements" girl so we fixed her up a little something from the other color families.

Have a great day, Lori!

Stamp Sets: Doodle This, Party Punch
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Black Staz-on, Whisper White Craft, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Ice Rhinestone Brad, White Embossing Powder, Designer Label Punch, Black Grosgrain, Aquapainter

It's a Stampin' Up! Fall Frenzy!

Make a $30.00 Stampin' Up! purchase this month and select one of six popular sets for 30% off. Spend 30 -- get 30. Read all about it here!

The sale sets include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Fall and Back to School choices. Now's the time to pick up one (or two or three or more...).

Punch a Bunch -- And Feel the Love!

We are in the Final Days of the August Stampin' Up! Punch a Bunch Promotion! If you haven't gotten your hands on this cutie little punch box set -- you don't know what you're missing.

The blue tin comes packed with the Three for You Stamp Set -- and all the stamps are DIE CUT (just punch and go -- no trimming or cutting required!). The adorable three flower punch matches the stamps exactly. And you get three stampin' spots -- two are the In-Colors of Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate.

But wait -- there's more!

Order from me by August 31st and you'll get 30 3x3 note cards with envelopes for free! The cards are in the yummy new textured cardstock. The colors are Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate and So Saffron. The envelopes are Very Vanilla and if you haven't stamped on and mailed with one of our envelopes yet, give them a try and see the quality firsthand.

I've ben telling everyone who will listen the box is soooo great because with the promotion it contains everything you need to make darling cards. Pre-scored cards, envelopes, ink, stamps and a punch. And don't get me started on how much I love keeping everyhting together in that sweet box!

So go ahead -- Punch a Bunch -- item # 109227 -- before August 31st!

(If you need new ideas for Show and Tell consider this punch. Sophia snatched it right off my work table and took it with paper scraps to show and tell and punched a bunch for everyone!)

August Stampers Club

Here is what we're making at this month's meeting.

* We will scrap highlights of the entire summer using the Office Accoutrements Stamp Set and the coordinating Notations Double-sided Designer paper. The base of our album is the 5 x 5 On Board Art Journal. And we are adding photos the super simple way - by using the Spiral Punch to put them right into the book!

*A Birthday card that incorporates the Office Accoutrements Stamp Set and Prints Designer Series Paper.

*Our Christmas Card uses the new Year after Year Stamp Set and coordinating See You Around Jumbo wheel.

Our Technique portion includes hints for watercoloring stamped images and by popular demand the Cliffs notes review of cutting and scoring 101!

See you there!

Happy Birthday, Craig!

Here's how you know I love you. I let some of my always cherished, always hoarded stash of retired Cool Caribbean cardstock make its way onto your birthday card. Now THAT's special!


Stamp Set: Office Accoutrements
Cardstock: Cool Caribbean, So Saffron, Whisper White
Patterned Paper: Petals & Paisley
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean
Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, Chocolate Grosgrain (retired), 1 3/8 in circle punch, 1 1/4 in circle punch, pencil eraser

Sparkling Summer

We are getting ready to celebrate a 3rd birthday around here -- and we're doing it with a POOL PARTY! I sat down to make a batch of invitations and I wasn't all that inspired by anything that popped into my brain. And so I said to myself WWJTD?

Those of us who are immersed in the cult -- er, company -- known as Stampin' Up! often make business and creative decisions by asking ourselves, What Would Jan Tink Do? Jan is a fantabulous stamper and demonstrator in Michigan . She is the goddess of GO-JUHS and she loves herself and all her fans love her right back.

Well, wouldn't ya know Jan Tink had previously crafted up a cutie litle invitation with the Sparkling Summer set that she folded into a basketweave based on an article in a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator magazine from a few years back. That did it! I pulled out my Bold Brights and scored and cut and folded -- and there you have it!

One more confession. Sparkling Summer isn't even my stamp set. Had to borrow it from Auntie Robin. I lovd the set for years -- should have bought it half a dozen times and then it retired right out from under me this past summer. Let that be a lesson. Buy 'em when you like 'em. Or hope Auntie Robin did!

Stamp sets: Sparkling Summer, Hugs and Wishes
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, YoYo Yellow, Pixie Pnk
Ink: Black Staz-on, Tempting Turquoise, YoYo Yellow, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Turquoise Grosgrain, Blender Pens, 1/8" hole punch, Black Journaler

The Wasabi Twins

So Joe walks in last night with the following questions.

Joe: "What time is dinner?"

The Little Voice Inside My Head: "Every night for the past year -- yes, exactly one year since we moved, a hot meal has been placed by me on the table in front of you between 5:45 and 6:00. Even when I'm leaving for a meeting, I still have it all timed out."

Actual Answer: "5:52."

Joe: "Who made the mess on the screened porch?"

The Little Voice Inside My Head: "You just would not have believed the aliens that swooped in here and took out all the plastic dinnerware to arrange such an elaborate tea party. And I think Martin, the Wonder Cat, helped."

Actual Answer: "I let them have a tea party."

Joe: "Hey, I need two presents and cards. For new babies. John's and Stuart's."

The Little Voice Inside My Head: "What do I look like, a Hallmark store?"

Actual Answer: "Remember that new catalog Stampin' Up! Demonstrator order that cost you a small fortune? I'm so glad I got those things because now I can whip out my Year after Year stamp set and the matching See You Around Jumbo Wheel and play with some new color combinations involving that Wild Wasabi cardstock I am so wild about it. Good idea, honey!"

Sometimes it is very hard to tell my inside voice from the outside one!

Stamp Sets: Year after Year, Warm Words, Holidays & Wishes, See You Around Wheel
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Pretty in Pink Whisper White
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Pretty in PInk, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Whisper White Grosgrain, Aquapainter, Crafter's Tool Kit