Happy Birthday Tea-friend!

Today is my friend, Alana's birthday, so no Christmas creations for you today... Instead here is Alana's birthday card which was made with the spice cake dsp and some new goodies from the upcoming Occasions Mini which starts January 3rd. Alana is a tea-girl like me, so I couldn't resist using the new Tea Shoppe stampset for her card:)

If you haven't received your copy of the Occasions Mini, contact me and I'll get you one as soon as I can!

Last Minute Stocking Stuffer

A bookmark is always a good idea. This style is made with a hair elastic. Dawn has a video on how to make something similar. I used products and stamps that I had handy based on treats and cards I've been making and posting the last few weeks.

Are you all ready for Christmas now?!:)

Cookie Boxes

These are just a couple of quick boxes I decorated for some neighbour gifts. I used the kraft gift boxes in the Holiday Mini (and the good news is, they will be available again in the Occasions Mini).

Yet another Christmas Keepsake Box

I *love* making these and each one is a little different though I've used the Holly Berry Bouquet Suite on all of them... This one I used more of the espresso papers from the kit and a bit more inking for a bit more depth in tone:)

If you want to make your own version, just a reminder about the Clearance Blitz at my online store right now. There are kits to make a similar keepsake box including the boxes on clearance. The kits don't include the stampsets used, but you can make this project with your favourite stampsets; however the kits include paper, glitter, ribbon, pearls and more, so hurry if you don't want to miss out.

...and even without this project kit, you'll want to check out the clearance rack there are some unbelievable deals on designer paper, punches, decor elements and even goodies for your big shot!

Let Earth Receive Her King!

I told you The Sounding Joy was my favourite Christmas stampset. I never tire of finding new ways to use it either. This card was made with it along with the medallion background stamp to create a wreath effect. I topped it off with some quilted satin cherry cobbler ribbon, a vintage brad and some rhinestone jewels and right now it's one of my favourite cards this year:)

Joy to the world...

I had to make at least one card this year with the Sounding Joy stampset and the music notes stampin wheel...these two stamps just belong together, don't you think?!;)

...lots of inking and vanilla smooch spritz on this card for an extra vintage-y feel...soft suede paper and inks work well for vintage:)

Stocking Giftcard Holder

One week til Christmas!! Today I finished most of my wrapping, which is a victory...it's no fun when it is left until the last minute.

Each year I seem to find that more and more people want giftcards instead of actual gifts so I'm always playing with new ways of making giftcard holders...

When I bought my stocking die for the Big Shot this year, I thought right away that it lended itself to a giftcard holder and this is one of the ones I came up with. It's hanging from the tree with some quilted satin ribbon (hence the angel).

Recipe (all SU):

Cardstcok - cherry cobbler

DSP - frostwood lodge & red glimmer paper

Ribbon - espresso quilted satin

Holly berry bouquet designer buttons

Stampsets - pines and poinsettias & short & sweet

Vintage-y Christmas Card

I took some inspiration for this card from Shelli's Today Show card:) I used the Holly Berry Bouquet Suite of products again along with some quilted satin ribbon in cherry cobbler, some striped grosgrain in chocolate chip and some victoria lace. I also used a couple of our pearls from the jewels sheets:)

Another Star...

...this time using frostwood lodge dsp...same basic recipe though as yesterdays post:)

Star Ornament

Could these be any more fun to make and adorable?! Here's a link to Dawn's tutorial (probably the easiest to follow out there on how to make these:)

I used the Holly Berry Bouquet paper for mine. You will need 5 - 3" squares and 2- 1 1/2" squares of the same dsp. For the 3" squares you fold them in half one way, then in half the other way and then turn them over and fold diagonally, then scrunch together to make these little cubes. I attached my cubes with sticky strip and then added a button and ribbon for opening and closing and voila!:)

More than 200 new items have been added to the clearance rack starting today and at great prices! You won't want to miss out...everything from punches to big shot dies to designer series paper and all sorts of accessories. So click here to go to my demonstrator website and then hit 'shop now' to view all the new items on the clearance rack.

Clearance rack orders can only be made through online orders on the demonstrator website. Quantities are limited so act quickly if there is something you want so you don't miss out!:)

More Tags

These super simple tags were made with the other tag from the two tags die, some more scraps my the holly berry bouquet dsp and the winter post stampset, one of my all time favourites:) ...oh and some glitter...I'm all about the glitter this year it seems;)

Holly Berry Bouquet Tags

As you can see, I'm loving making tags with the two tags die for the bigshot. Today's tags were made with scraps and such from the holly berry bouquet dsp along with the pines and poinsettias stampset:)

Christmas Open House

We went to a Christmas open house for former neighbours of ours at their new home yesterday afternoon and this was the card I made for in their gift.

Recipe (all SU):

-pines and poinsettias stampset

-real red, very vanilla cardstock

-holly berry bouquet dsp

-pearl jewel accents

-vanilla designer velvet

-real red, wild wasabi & early espresso SU markers

Repeat...The Sounding Joy

This is the other version of yesterday's card I've been making, but this time with an always artichoke cardstock base and the 'Joy' image from The Sounding Joy stampset embossed over the star. I also used a different embossing folder for the matt portion...this time the vintage wallpaper folder.

The Sounding Joy

My absolute favourite stampset this Christmas is a new set in the Holiday Mini..."The Sounding Joy'. I love the sentiment (the star includes all the words to 'Joy to the World'). And it just lends itself to simple vintage elegance. This is my take on the card in the mini. I used cherry cobbler cardstock and a bit of always artichoke. The ribbon is cherry seam binding. The star is stamped in more mustard and 'let earth receive her King' was embossed over that in new pewter embossing powder, also from the mini.

One other thing I would like to highlight is that the matt is the same colour as the cardbase, but to add dimension and texture I embossed it with the snowburst embossing folder and then inked the edges in cherry cobbler:)

Another Christmas Keepsake Box

I love these keepsake boxes! This time I used a different dsp from the Holly Berry Bouquet pack:) Stamped images come from the pines & poinsettias stampset and the fabric for the big flower is from the Holly Berry Bouquet designer fabric. Other elements include victoria lace, fine galaxy glitter, striped wide grosgrain ribbon, a pearl bauble and a rosette made from wild wasabi cardstock:)

Gift Tags

I love making gift tags...particularly with the two tags die:) These are just a few that I've done so far this year using frostwood lodge dsp and coordinating cardstock and ribbon...and the cherry cobbler bakers twine and dazzling details glitter:)

More Treats!

...while I'm on a roll;) I thought I'd post a couple more ideas for these. For these ones I used the occasions alphabet stampset and the pennant parade & winter post ones. The blue one is embossed with the snowburst embossing folder and the other is frostwood lodge dsp. And the stocking is just dsp and the stocking punch:)

Another Treat Container

I've made a ton of these this year...different ones have been make & takes...easy & fun!

This one is made with the frostwood lodge dsp and the wordplay stampset with a little coordinating cardstock, ink & ribbon! Don't you just love that cherry cobbler scallop dots ribbon?!:)

Stocking Punch Card

The new stocking punch is so much fun, with or without the coordinating stampset. Here's I've built the 3 stockings on this card using the Holly Berry Bouquet dsp on a background of real red cardstock. I used linen thread to string them along and I embellished each with a mini jingle bell. The 'merry Christmas' sentiment comes from the contempo Christmas set. A very simple card, but so cute!

Poinsettia Bookmark

I used a some real red cardstock and the fun flowers die to create this poinsettia bookmark. I finished it off by adding a Holly Berry Bouquet button, a mini jingle bell and little tag I made using the tiny tags stampet and punch along with the pines & poinsettias stampset. The bookmark is layered using dimensionals and attached to real red grosgrain ribbon and sprayed with vanilla smooch spritz.

Another Sour Cream/Treat Container

...this time using the Holly Berry Bouquet designer fabric and the pines and pointsettias stampset. Also I created the texture on the real red cardstock base with the snowburst textured impressions embossing folder.

Rosette Christmas Tree

...continuing my love of making rosettes, I made this little Christmas tree out of rosettes. Here's a link to the best source of measurements out there. Basically you make each rosette a quarter inch smaller than the last. I used up my stash of green dsps from the last couple of years so many of the papers used are retired...a great way to put odds and ends to good use!:)

My Husband's Birthday:)

Yesterday was my husband's birthday, and we had a delightful day celebrating him:) He is such a fabulous husband and I love him even more today than ever!

This was the bday card I made for him. I used the following (all SU):

- cardstcok: crumbcake & basic black

- dsp: well worn

- beau chateau side notes

- crumbcake seam binding ribbon

- vintage brads

- vanilla smooch spritz

- vintage wallpaper embossing folder (for big shot)

Open Sea Birthday

My father-in-law's birthday was last week, and he is a well-traveled man with many experiences and stories, so I pulled out my Open Sea stampset (from the previous mini) to make his card:) AND I learned that due to popular demand, Stampin' Up has decided to continue to make this stampset available even though the mini it was in has expired. Just look for item #123032 when you place your online order and take advantage of the online extravaganza while you are at it too!:))

(The sentiment BTW is from the Wordplay stampset that I mentioned in yesterday's post:)

Make & Takes from last weekend's Workshop:)

Last weekend was Hilary's workshop and I meant to post the pictures of the make & takes we did, but as I mentioned in my last post, I've been under the weather this week, so better late than never;) I apologize for the lighting in the pictures...daylight would have been better:)

Hilary and her guests are new to stamping and paper crafting, and Hilary requested we do Christmas themed projects, so I tried to keep the projects simple and Christmas-y but also use stampsets and supplies that can be used for more that the Christmas occasion.

The Christmas card we made used the Pennant Parade stampeset and Pennant Punch. This stampset can be used for birthday's, new babies, love, thank you's, just because AND Christmas:) I love it when a stampset is so versatile:))

The second make & take is a sour cream style treat container (with 3 cherry cordial hershey kisses inside:) It's made out of the frostwood lodge dsp and another versatile stampset, Word Play...I love how the 'tidings' sentiment fit perfectly in the ornament punch:))

Because of the current hostess special on, Hilary earned an additional $45 in free stuff at her workshop (in addition to normal hostess benefits). This hostess special lasts til December 15th, so be sure to contact me if you want to host a workshop and earn extra free stuff too!:)

Christmas Keepsake Box

I have been sick all week with an upset stomach etc...and at the same time lots of pressure from my day job...I came home from work yesterday and went to straight to bed...and then I slept late today...and I'm starting to feel a bit better...so I decided to bolster my mood a bit and sit down (ginger ale in hand;) and just make something for fun, so here it is, my keepsake box:)

Stampin Up has a few of the boxes that are used as a base for this project available for purchase together with the paper and embellishments used (item #129024) all you need to add is your stamps, adhesives and inks/markers and voila! You can order yours at my website online (and take advantage of the online extravaganza at the same time:) or you can contact me to order one:)) This was such a fun project to make with Shelli & Sara:)))

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!