A Sweet Slide

Here's a fantastic way to make an ordinary candy bar an extra sweet treat. Make it slide! This is a basic candy bar pouch -- with the addition of a piece of ribbon that allows you to slide the candy bar up and out without even untying the bow.

I followed the tutorial at Splitcoast (where else!) and crafted it up in one of my favorite combos -- Pretty in Pink and Close to Cocoa. I've already made a half dozen or more. Hope all my Valentines like them!

Stamp Set: Happy Heart Day
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Berry Bliss DP
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Three for You Flower Trio Punch, Soft Subtles Brads, narrow pnk grosgrain, Theater Ribbon Originals, Sticky Strip,

Classes, I've Got Classes.....

The Embrace Life Photo Wallet
Saturday, Feb.9 2:00 My Stampin' Spot
You'll love how Stampin' Up! Stamps, Paper, and Ink coordinate for this gift for your Valentine -- or just for yourself.
Class Fee: $10.00 or 5.00 if you place an order at the class that qualifies for free Sale-a-bration merchandise.
RSVP by February 1st.


The 10 for 10 Class -- make 10 Cards for 10 Dollars.
Sunday, March 9 2:00 My Stampin' Spot
"Happy Birthday" "Thank You" "From the Heart" and no sentiment at all -- a great assortment you'll reach for over and over again. Learn great simple stamping techniques.
Class Fee: Each set of ten for $10.00
RSVP by March 1st.

An Unforgettable Elephant

This one is for Hillary! We made this card with the elephant in the Happy Heart Day set at a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator event this weekend. This design is brought to us by Susanne Moyer who is really the High Priestess of Stampin' Up! in these parts.

This doesn't look like Valentine's Day, either. Does it???

Stamp Set: Happy Heart Day
Paper: Gable Green, Almost Amethyst, Basic Black, Whisper Wite, Almost Amethyst Designer Prints DP
Ink: Basic Black, Gable Green, So Saffron,
Accessories: Spiral Punch, Black Gingham Ribbon

Valentine Bundle is good until January 31st.
Watch the counter to the right -- we are DAYS away from FREE STAMPS!

A Happy Heart Thank You

I'm a big fan of versatile when it comes to my stamps. While Valentine's Day is the focus of the Happy Heart day set featured in the Valentine Bundle -- the set has a lot of other possibilities. This is a Thank You card that only uses Happy Heart Day. Yes, the "thank you" is part of the set and the font type and size matches my super-fav "Crab & Company" which means those fun creatures are in perfect proportion for Thank You notes as well!

Stamp Set: Happy Heart Day
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Berry Bliss
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Theater Ribbon Originals, 3/4 circle punch

Stamp Club Projects

Here's what the Stamp Club is making this month:

*A Valentine's Day card featuring "Happy Heart Day"
*A "Milk carton" treat box
*A 2008 Desk Calendar made from a CD jewel case

"Happy Heart Day" is the stamp set in the Valentine Bundle. Order before January 31st to take advantage of the special.

And get ready for Sale-a-bration! The biggest Stampin' Up! sale of the year begins February 1st. It's a great time to place an order, host a workshop or become a Demonstrator.

See the FREE STAMPS here. And watch the countdown clock.....

Playing with Color...

Here is my offering for this week's Color Challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers. I love that particular challenge each week because it helps me work outside the (crayon) box -- move away from my favorite combos (when in doubt -- go pink!) and try something new. Exhibit A is this week's combination. if you had sat me down with the Stampin' Up! Catalog and told me not to move until I had created the most unlikely color combo ever -- this might have been it. Apricot Appeal -- Rose Red --and Sage Shadow.

I may never work with it again -- but I am glad I gave it a try!

Stamp Set: Heartfelt Thanks
Paper: Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Rose Red Designer Prints
Ink: Versamark, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red
Accessories: Apricot narrow grosgrain

Celebrate You!

Happy Birthday to my sister today -- here in the month of "Jandra-uary"! I am celebrating one of my favorite stampers with some of my favorite new Berry Bliss Designer Paper. After your fabulous trip, Sis, you'll get the card in person!

Stamp Set: Celebrate Everything
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Berry Bliss Designer Paper
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, Theater Ribbon Originals

I've Caught the Bug!

Not the "stamping, scrapping, crafting all the time and buying supplies for it" bug. That, I have had for some time. This is the first thing I've made with my brand new Cuttlebug. Leslie and Matthew gave me this too cute and easy for words die-cutting machine for Christmas. I got it going for this week's Color Challenge over at Splitcoast.

Now the Thank You notes have been crafted and are on the way!

Stamp Set: Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper: Barely Banana, Wild Wasabi, Blue Bayou
Ink: Blue Bayou
Accessories: Wild Wasabi Stitched Ribbon, White narrow grosgrain, Cuttlebug

Celebrate Teal... and Celery...and Red!

Here's one I pulled together for a Color Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. I don't use a lot of Taken with Teal -- no real reason -- it just happens that way. But that's why I like challenges. They s-t-r-e-t-c-h the creative process. This is also my frst sample with the new Celebrate Everything stamp set. So many of you are already Happy Everything fans and this one is just as versatile!

Two notes about this card: 1) I wanted the ribbon to be sort of fireworks-ish -- made up word, I know. 2) A Stamp-a-ma-jig is key for placement of the words.

Stamp Set: Celebrate Everything, Print Pattern
Paper & Ink: Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery, Real Red Whisper White
Accessories: Red, Celery, White Narrow Grosgrain

More to Embrace....

Still playing with that Ginger Blossom Designer Paper and the "Embrace Life" set. This one's got a little "bling" thanks to the Dazzling Diamonds!

Embrace New Stamps!

While I am patiently (tap, tap, tap) waiting for my Valentine Bundle to arrive -- I am playing with some of the new sets from the new catalog that have already arrived. (And if you tell Joe these are actually NEW stamps I will swear that the UPS man was actually here dropping off YOUR order. :) )

I was inspired to follow the theme of the Groovy Guava Cardstock and the Ginger Blossom Designer paper on the cover of the new Spring/Summer Collection 2008. (You can follow the link in the right sidebar to an online version of the big book, or email me for your own copy.)

Stamp Sets: Embrace Life
Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Riby Red, Basic Black, Watercolor
Designer Paper: Ginger Blossom
Ink: Black Staz-On, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red
Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Aquapainter, 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds

New Year, New Stamps!

If anybody knows what happened to most of December be sure to let me know! Phew... what a whirlwind. Anyway, the trees are gone, the presents have been worked into the available space, the Thank You notes are in progress and the brand new Stampin' Up! catalogs have arrived!

The book is beautiful and the artwork inside is inspiring. You can view it online using the link in the sidebar on the right or contact me for your very own copy.
So let's move on to Valentine's Day. You've just got to have the new Valentine's Day Bundle special. A stamp set, two rolls of wide grosgrain, and medium cello bags for $33.40 (a $41.35 value!). The sale goes on until January 31st -- but you'll want to order it now to go ahead and get out in front of those sweet projects.
You can get a better look at the pieces in the bundle HERE.

I promise to get busy with some of the new stamp sets and share what I'm doing. Stay tuned, as they say...

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!