Online Extravaganza

Online extravaganza is on until November 30th with Stampin' Up products discounted 20 to 60%. All you have to do is click on this link to go to my website and click 'shop now' to see what's on sale (sorted by discount offerred!)

What's on sale? All sorts of things from stampsets to digital downloads to exclusive bundles of products and ribbons! They even have one of my FAVOURITE stampsets of all time on sale, Winter Post...it's on for 50% off...at just over $16 it's a steal!!:)

It's Good to be the Hostess:)

Hostesses have the opportunity to earn up to $45 in extra free stuff (on top of the existing hostess benefits!) when you decide to book a workshop. Offer runs from now until December 15th. Some dates are filling up, so contact me today if you want to book a workshop:)

Contempo Ornaments

This was the 2nd make n take/technique club project this week. As I said in the last post we were dong 2 techniques: glitter and rosettes. The glitter on these ornaments is rimmed around the rosette and it was applied using a 2-way glue pen.

As for the rosettes, they are 1 1/4" x 12" strips of DSP...I used first edition dsp on the first one and then decided to try holly berry bouquet on the second and determined I liked that better...so we used the holly berry in club:)

Recipe (all SU):

- holly berry bouquet and first edition dsp

- cherry cobbler and very vanilla cardstock

- cherry cobbler and wild wasabi classic ink

- contempo Christmas, pines & pointsettias and tiny tags stampsets

- medium scalloped circle die for bigshot

- snow burst embossing folder

- galaxy fine glitter in champagne

- cherry cobbler quilted satin ribbon

- mini vintage tags

This card is NOT going to fit in an envelope

This was the card make & take from last night's technique club. Our techniques were:

- rosettes AND

- glitter

On this post I'll explain the glitter technique used for this card (rosettes will be covered in the next post). I hope you can see the fine dusting of glitter on the finished card in the pics above...it's a nice finishing touch in person:)

I recently discovered when working with a Christmas Keepsake Box that an ingenious way to add glitter to a project is to LIGHTLY (I can't stress that enough) spray the project when you are finished with spray adhesive and then with a bit of glitter pinched b/t your thumb and index finger LIGHTLY sprinkle the project (again I stress LIGHTLY...you do not want to dump the glitter...you might just ruin your project). For this project we used the champagne galaxy fine glitter:)

Recipe (all SU):

- pines & pointsettias stampset

- holly berry bouquet and first edition dsp

- striped wide grosgrain ribbon

- real red cardstock

- real red, wild wasabi and early espresso stampin markers

- galaxy fine glitter

- corner rounder and decorative label punch

Mini Christmas Keepsake Box

Today is our technique club and Jennelle is this month's hostess, so today's project is my little thank you to Jennelle as hostess:) Each time I try to make the hostess something with either a product or a technique I've been meaning to try or learn.

Today's project is made with one of the kraft gift boxes that are found on pg 15 of the Holiday Mini...they come 4 in a pack and I bought mine quite a while ago and then never got around to using them...until now;) I was inspired by the keepsake box that was a promotion a while back...and this is what I came up with.... and I used both of the techniques that we'll be working with at club tonight (rosettes and glitter...more on that when I post the club projects the next few days:)

Recipe (all SU):

- kraft gift box

- holly berry bouquet paper

- pines & poinsettias stampset

- early espresso cardstock & ink

- holly berry bouqet dsigner buttons

- wide striped grosgrain ribbon

- linen thread

- eyelet punch

- pearl jewel

- galaxy champagne fine stampin glitter

- scallop square die for big shot

- espresso taffeta ribbon

9th Anniversay

Today is our 9th wedding anniversary! ...and I love my husband even more than the day we said 'I do'. Unfortunately I have to work today (I made the card on the weekend and set it to post on November 7th because I wanted to post on the actual day). Hopefully I don't have to work late. It's also the provincial election day on our annivesary this this so we've decided to pick up supper and go out for a proper anniversary date on the weekend.

My inspiration for this card came from the Well Worn dsp which I purchased a while ago knowing Les (my hubby) would love it but I hadn't gotten around to using it. I also used one of the new frames embossing folders with my big shot on it.

Recipe (all SU):

Cardstock - not quite navy

DSP - well worn

Stamps - clearly for you

Embellishments - beveled window panes, frames embossing folder, cherry seam binding ribbon

Ink - early espresso & cherry cobbler

Rosette Christmas Wreath

Because I have it hanging on our back door I can't seem to get a good picture with natural lighting as when I open the blinds the light of the window creates a shadow in the picture even though to my own eye standing there the colours are rich and stand out...so please bear with me on the quality of these photos.

As many of you who have been to workshops or classes with me lately know, I am in love with making rosettes or lollies ever since I got my Simply Scored tool...it's makes it to quick to do. My inspiration for this wreath came from page 6 of the Holiday Mini, but from the moment I started thinking about making a wreath I started thinking about the Frostwood Lodge Suite. I love the rich plaid so much. So while I think this looks much better in person, here is what I have come up with:)

If you don't already have one, you might want to add the Simply Scored tool to your Christmas wish list...that is, if you can wait!;)

Recipe (all SU):

Cardstock - cherry cobbler, verry vanilla, wild wasabi

DSP - frostwood lodge, first edition

Embellishments - vintage brads, holly berry bouquet buttons, smooch spritz

Ribbon - victoria lace & cherry cobbler seam binding

Stampset - Four the Holidays & Pines & Poinsettias

Ink - Versamark and black embossing powder for greeting & cherry cobbler for background

Free Digital Downloads for MDS November 4th - 7th!

That's right, I said FREE!! For all of you that have already purchased My Digital Studio (MDS) all you have to do is log onto MyDigitalStudio.net between Nov. 4-7 and and there will be 4 different downloads for free including a Home for the Holiday Christmas themed download, a photobook related download, a new brush set of sentiments for download and more. So be sure to get your free downloads and mark your calendar!!

For those of you who haven't purchased MDS yet, now is a great time to do so and you too can get all the free downloads too on Nov 4 - 7th!

Witches Boots

I saw the inspiration for this project on SU's FB page but now I can't find it as so many wonderful people post comments and ideas on there! The legs are the 1 x 8 cello bags from the holiday mini and the boots are made with the stocking punch (and a circle punch)!:)

I had originally taken a picture of it hanging in my house, but the detail didn't show up as well, so I sat it down on my workspace and retook the picture with the white background so oyou could see in case you wanted to make your own.

BTW instead of filling these with gumballs or jelly beans as some are doing, these are filled with score bites...yum! They fit perfectly:)

Recipe (all SU):

Cardstock - rich razzleberry, basic black

Ink - black

Dies - top note

Punches - stocking, 3/4 inch circle (and one circle smaller...punch doesn't say it's size), boho blossoms & word window

Ribbon - rich razzleberry taffeta

Tools - simply scored for rosetta

Embossing folder - snowburst

Embellishments - rhinestone jewels

Peek-a-boo frame treats

I made these little treats for the ladies at yesterday's class using the 1 x 8 cello bags in the holiday mini and the new peek-a-boo frames die for the big shot (also in the holiday mini). Stamps used were from the tiny tags set:) Carstock was in elegant eggplant and black.

Beau Chateau Project

A few weeks ago I posted this preview of the Beau Chateau class which I held yesterday. I remember saying it was a BIG one so we would keep it for a Saturday rather than a Thursday evening and we would start a half an hour early...well all in all it was a 5 hour class but everyone left with their project complete and smiles on their faces.

So I thought I'd share a few more pictures of the project to hopefully inspire you to make your own. This project was inspired by the Beau Chateau Suite in the current Idea Book & Catalog and my new Simply Scored tool...oh my, how easy it makes it to make boxes! Also I have seen these flowers on several blogs out there, so I sat down to figure them out one day and I love them! I used the medium (5 for the pink flower) and large (5 for the blue flower) flowers from the fun flowers die.

Recipe (all SU):

Stamps - elements of style and notably ornate

DSP - beau chateau

Cardstock - marina mist, early espresso, pretty in pink & very vanilla

Ink - early espresso, marina mist

Ribbon - very vanilla satin, chocolate striped grosgrain (which is now retired, but some of us also used the marina mist grosgrain and they were adorable too, but we used the chocolate satin ribbon to coordinate with this one), marina mist scallop dots ribbon (on some of the cards inside)

Punches - round tab, modern label & 1 " circle

Embellishments - antique brads & designer buttons

Other - spritzer tool

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp

A great new product from Stampin UP...I think I'm going to need to order some!! I've also heard that there are recipes included with the cookie stamps and that the shortbread are amazing!

Available now until January 3, 2012

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are a
brand-new Stampin' Up! product that will appeal to crafters and non-crafters,
alike-not to mention kids! What a wonderful unique gift!!

The
easy-to-use cookie stamp has a solid wood handle with three interchangeable
stamp images: a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake. Food safe - dishwasher
safe!

Just make your favourite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the
two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in
a flash. The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly.

Item # 125152 Price $20.95 Cdn.

Includes solid wood handle with
three interchangeable stamp images, two recipes, and tips for use

Here's a link to a short video so you can see what all the fuss is about.

Kindness Matters Bookmark

Kindness Matters was the first stampset in the new catty that caught my eye. I didn't have much time to craft this past weekend, but when I did sit down I couldn't help but reach for this pretty set to make this little bookmark for a friend. I also used the frame image from the Forever Young set and a key charm. Cardstock was natural ivory and wisteria wonder; ink was early espresso and wisteria wonder.

Sweet Life

My husband is far too sweet:) I made this project (you might have to click on the image to see the detail) for a silent auction for friends of ours that are fundraising for a missions trip (along with a separate cardset). You'll recognize that it is a variation on what we did in September's class. Well, during the auction my husband didn't think the bid on it was high enough, so he added his own and actually ended up winning/buying my project and bringing it home. When I asked him why he did that he said:

- it was his favourite item in the auction (awe:)

- I keep giving what I make a way and he wanted this for his bedside table

- and that because I'm his sweetheart he has a 'sweet life' (the sentiment of the project).

So this now sits on his bedside table:) I love that man!:))

Sneak Peek - Beau Chateau Class

Today I have a sneak peek for you of October's Beau Chateau class. This class has a lot in it, so I will be limiting the class size so that everyone can get their project completed in the time we have together. I have also moved the class from a Thursday evening to a Saturday afternoon to give us a bit more time since this project is BIG!

We'll be making a portfolio style sectioned stationary box that contains 3 compartments along with 6 greeting cards for in the largest compartment (envelopes included) and a small mini album for the second largest compartment. We'll be primarily using the new Beau Chateau DSP, which we'll be using a lot of! We'll also be primarily using the Elements of Style stampset (and a bit of Notably ornate). We'll also make 2 fancy flowers and play with lots of ribbon and embellishments AND the spritzer tool.

(Elements of Style stampset)

Registration will open on September 15th, so be sure to call or email me if you want to be on the list for one of the spots as they do tend to fill up quickly.

Here are the class details...

When: Saturday October 22, 2011 1:30 pm

Cost: $35 (we will be using a lot of DSP, ribbon and embellishments & this is a fairly large project, see list of what we're making above). However, I will discount the cost of the class by $5 for anyone who orders the Elements of Style stampset when they register...and then, you'll have your very own stampset to work with at the class and take home with you afterward:)

What to bring to class:

- scissors

- adhesive: glue runner, tombow mono multi (liquid glue), glue stick, sticky strip

- early espresso ink pad and sponge...we're going to be using this a lot!!

- paper piercing tool

- clear blocks if you preorder the stampset in clear

Friend Card

Just a card I made this last week for a friend. The sentiment reads: "time passes' on the front...and inside it continues "friendship stays right where its put" and comes from the Curvy Verses stampset.

The whole idea for this card came from that clock which is part of the new 'Forever Young' stampset and I just thought it would be fun to layer and pop out the clock. Cardstock used was marina mist and naturals ivory. I also used the tulips border embossing folker, the boho blossoms punch and pearl jewels.

Mini Technique Book

Our second project at technique club this week was this mini book with pockets to put the techniques we play with at each meeting. The book is made out of the scallop envelope die for the bigshot cutout of crumbcake cardstock. The word 'create' is black embossed on the cover and the cover is finished off with flocked black dsp from the mocha morning pack, the new cherry cobbler scallop dotted ribbon and a flower made with the smalled flower from the fun flowers die. For the flower you cut one flower out and crumple it up and then work it with your bone folder until you break down the fibers enough to separate the flower into 2 layers...this is what gives you that suede/brushed softer look. The flower was finished off with a black medium flower from the boho blossoms punch and a rhinestone brad. I chose to use this flower technique on the cover because I was asked about it by a couple of the girls in the group, so it was a bit of a bonus technique of sorts;) The stampset used on this project was the Creative Elements one which is quickly becoming a new favourite for me because it is so versatile!:)

Established Elegance/Faux Metal

On this card from last night's technique club we worked with the 'faux metal' technique of embossing. You press your cardstock into versamark and then cover it with embossing powder and heat set it, then repeat 3-4 times and then you press your stamp (preinked in versamark) into the hot embossed cardstock to create the impression that ends up looking like faux metal!

I knew I wanted this to be one of our projects when I saw the new holiday mini that started on September 1st where Stampin Up introduced its new pewter embossing powder. From the second I got my preorder I had to play with it and there are several images in the Established Elegance stampset that was used on this card that work beautifully with this technique!

Supplies used on this card include (all SU):

- cardstock: early espresso, very vanilla, cherry cobbler

- ink: early espresso, cherry cobbler, always artichoke, versamark

- dsp: first edition

- ribbon: chantilly lace, always artichoke seam binding

- punches: 1 1/4" cirlce & boho blossoms punch

- big shot: scalloped circles die & frames impressions folder

- pearl jewels:)

Pin Cushion Hostess Gift

Tonight marks the start of my new technique club and Ruth is tonight's hostess. I thought I'd make each month's hostess a little something for their month and this is what I came up with for Ruth. I decided I needed to stretch myself and come up with something I'd been meaning to try or learn in what I made the hostess, and I've been meaning to craft more with fabric, so from there came the inspiration for this project. That and I had just received the new beau chateau designer fabric and was in the love with it, and I thought Ruth would be too since she loves all things vintage:) The 'create' tag was stamped by using markers and I'd been wanting to combine those 2 stamps (the frame and sentiment) from the Creative Elements stampset ever since I first saw that in a sneak peek from the Stampin Up cruise that some of my fellow demonstrators earned. All the fabric elements for this project were cutout with the Big Shot (scallop square die and circle scallops die) and the cushion was stitched together by hand with linen thread. I finished it off with a pin with pearls and other pretties from the retired pretties kit and I added some chantilly lace, rhinestone jewels and pin from the vintage trickets pack (all available in the current catalog:)

This month's technique is embossing and I'll be back tomorrow and the next day to show you our projects, so come back tomorrow if you want to see 'faux metal' embossing:))

New Holiday Mini Catalog

The new Holiday Mini starts today. You can click here (and then select Holiday Mini) to see it online, but if you want to see if in person, contact me and I'll get you one!:) ......there will be a live link to the mini added to my sidebar once it goes live sometime on the 1st too:)

There are so many new and exciting things in this mini, like:

- the new Simply Scored Tool...I preordered mine and it is brilliant! (You'll have noticed in last weeks posts I was playing with it:))

- new stocking punch and coordinating stampset!

- gorgeous Christmas designer series papers...2 wonderful varieties (one with coordinating fabric) and both with coordinating stampsets!

- lots of fall and hallowe-en goodies

- a stocking die for the big shot!! I'm already playing with mine!

- jingle bells to tie on you projects, just too cute!

- how about the mica snow flakes?!!

- or the shaker frames?! (shaker cards have never been easier!)

- big beautiful buttons:)

- velvet stitched ribbon and quilted satin ribbon (this is not good, I already have a ribbon addiction!;)

- winter wishes stitched felt...the mittens are too cute!!

- pewter embossing powder (check out my blog tomorrow to see how I'm using this!)

- peek-a-boo frames bigshot die (how on earth am I going to watch my budget?!)

- stampin card keeper (why don't we all order one and then get together for an afternoon to decorate them?!! ...I mean it, call me up if you wanna:)

- lots of new digital downloads and content

- the prettiest new stampset called "You are Loved":)

- dazzling details glitter glue (and the glimmer paper is back too!)

- "The Sounding Joy' stampset...perfect for embossing or ornament making even...beautiful!

AND I have missed items on the list above, so you'll need to go and check out the new Holiday Mini on my Stampin Up website and discover what your favourites are!:)

Back To School Desk

Every year on the first day back to school I write my daughter a letter telling her how much I believe in her and praying blessings over her new school year...and every year I try to make something to put the letter in or to put in treats in or to coordinate with the letter. This is this year's 'something'. I saw a desk like this over here. I thought, 'that's cute, I can make that', so I sat down and this is what I came up with. I know there is a link where you can buy the tutorial, but I thought it looked simple enough, but if you would like a tutorial, be sure to click on the link above. I also know the link has a much smaller post it note pad, but I thought a full sized one would be more practical for my daughter even if it dominated the desk and so I purposely put the drawers closer together to offer support and I cut the teeny pencil in the original because she wouldn't use it.

Sorry this is not a great picture...it's at least 3X cuter in person...the morning light when I took the picture was too bright for the window sill.

This project uses 6 of the matchbox dies from Stampin Up. The purple is because that seems to be my daughter's favourite colour these days. The stampset I used is the strength & hope stampset that benefits a great cause and is only available until August 31, so if you don't have your yet, be sure to place your order before the end of the month.

In each of the drawers I have placed some chocolate and a challenge & blessing for the year ahead for my girl. As in prior years I placed this in her place at the dining table the night before so she discovers it at breakfast on her first day:)

Kindness Matters Pocket

I love this stampset. It was one of the first ones on my wishlist when the new catalog came out. Kindness (truly does) Matter!!

On today's pocket I used crumbcake, island indigo & very vanilla cardstock along with the new triple layer blossom punch and the scallop border punch and a piece of hemp twine.

The jury is still out on the petite pocket die...I'm loving these little pocket envelopes so I might just have to have it, but I'm also loving my new simply scored which certainly simplies the process of re-engineering a project!;)

Occasions Alphabet Pocket

Today's pocket was made with the new Occasions Alphabet stampset. Can you believe mine hadn't seen ink yet?!!

I paired it with wisteria wonder, melon mabo & pretty in pink cardstock and some flirtateous dsp. I used the large oval and designer label and 3/4" circle punches too and the new ruffled ribbon in wisteria...so pretty!:) Today's pocket took some inspiration from Jenny, but I still haven't decided if I need the new petite pockets die, but I am liking my new simply scored tool!

Established Elegance Pocket Envelope

I'm trying to decide whether to order the new petite pocket die for the Big Shot and in the meantime I received my preorder of the new simply scored tool that debuts in the Holiday Mini on September 1. So I thought I'd try making my own pocket envelopes for giftcards, notes, etc.

At the same time I had my new Established Elegance stampset out as I'm preparing the projects for Sept. 1st's technique club, so I couldn't resist playing. I got some inspiration for this one from Kim. The cardstocks I used are: island indigo and ridinghood red, and I used some of the first edition dsp and the curly label punch.

Strength & Hope Treatholder

I wanted to post a recent project with the Strength & Hope stampset as it is only available for a few more days (until August 31st). This is a very special stampset where a portion of the proceeds on every set sold go to the Breast Cancer Research Fund, so if you haven't gotten your stampset yet, contact me to order one...you'll be supporting a great cause and the stampset is really beautiful.

This project was inspired by Shawna, my upline. Shawna has a tutorial here. The cone is made out of a 6 x 6 piece of first edition dsp. The butterfly is stamped in marina mist on naturals ivory and inked with soft suede. The tiny tag is punched with the tiny tag punch and is stamped with the Strength & Hope stampset which includes the beautiful butterfly image. It's tied together with a piece of white bakers twine and a button from the neutral pack. The lace is chantily.

A Rose by Any Other Name...

The rose on this little box is made out of the medium flower from the fun flowers die...actually 3 of them;) Cardstock used was wild wisteria and crumb cake and the edges were inked with soft suede.

Ghirardelli Treat Holder

This is another one of our stamp camp projects. I used the scallop envelope die for the big shot with some of the new flirtateous specialty dsp to creat the base. The tag is stamped on naturals ivory with stamps from the Clearly for You stampset and the flower is from the new blossoms bouquet triple layer punch and the lace trim border punch. I used a large pearl jewel in the centre and the ribbon is whisper white taffeta. Oh and the chocolate is 'dark chocolate with raspberry' by ghiradelli:)

Stamp Camp Bookmark

This was the fun flowers bookmark we made in wisteria wonder at Stamp Camp this weekend. Once you cut the flowers with the fun flowers big shot die you crumple them up then sponge the edges with the same colour of ink, then you layer them with dimensionals and circle punches (that you don't see) and attach a ribbon at the back. To finish them off we added a tiny tag made with the tiny tag punch and stampset (image 'love') and with the angel from the charmed stampset stamped lightly in the background. This is then tied onto a button along with a crown charm with linen thread and then attached to the centre of the layered flower with a glue dot:) We used the new ruffled ribbon for the tale of the bookmark too:)

I'm made 2 similar bookmarks recently...here (mocha morning) and here (vintage wallpaper embossed)

Cheerful Tote with coordinating cards

Another one of the projects we made at yesterday's stamp camp. Although I've seen these totes in several places on the web, Amy has the best directions for how to make them so here is a link.

We used the Cheerful delight dsp (a hostess only selection:) and built a doily from the flirtateous specialty paper into the flower. Cardstock used: melon mambo, lucky limeade, concorde crush, naturals ivory. We also used the designer frames embossing flower on one of the cards and the images stamped on the cards are all from the Creative Elements stampset. The sentiment is from the swirls & curls verses hostess stampset.

You have enough dsp for the tote, it's handles and the 2 cards from one sheet of 12 x 12 with a wee bit left over. I almost made a 3rd card with the left over, but we already had 5 projects including this one for stamp camp and I was bit concerned for time:)

Stamp Camp is Here!

It feels like I've prepared all summer for today, my first ever stamp camp, and with it 5 projects for my participants. I might have been too ambitious!;) But I'm sure we'll have fun.

This little birdhouse is one of today's projects. It was inspired by one in my demonstrator magazine and I can email a template; however, I'll caution that the template isn't quite perfect.

I used a couple of new products on this project...island indigo card stock, lucky limeade ruffled ribbon and paisley petals dsp! The flowers were made with the boho blossoms punch and the centres are pearls from the jewels pack. The welcome stamp comes from the fabulous phrases stampset.

24-7 Decor Project Class

I made this framed decor piece for a friend and the feedback has been such that I decided to do a class to make this project.

When: Thursday September 15^th 7-8:30 pm

Where: My Home

Cost: $17

RSVP by September 8^th, or sooner if the spots fill up (as there are a limited number)

What to bring:

• *scissors

• **adhesive: 2 way tape/glue runner; liquid glue/tomobo mono multi OR glue stick

• brown/black inks and a sponge for edges & distressing

• paper piercing tool (if you have one)

"Treat Yourself Like Your Own Best Company"

Again, some more mocha morning dsp, and some first edition. Add to that some crumbcake and very vanilla cardstock, my new favourite frames impressions folder, my new favourite colour, wisteria wonder, and the brand new Creative Elements stampset and voila!:))