Evergreen Elegance

Just a retake on yesterday's card.  I did all the same steps with the stamping and the matting but this time the pattern I pulled from the Festival of Prints was more neutral and I thought it called forth a bit more elegance so I topped the tree and potted it accordingly.  I think I like yesterday's better, but this one has a loveliness too!

Also, I forgot to mention yesterday, both cards were sprayed with my spritzer bottle with a little champagne mist mixed with rubbing alcohol to give a little glimmer!

BTW the stampin spritzers (which come 2 in a pack) are on sale for only $2.77 as part of the Online Extravaganza.  If you haven't already, you will want to check it out my SU website.  The sale ends tonight (Nov 28/12).

Evergreen Heart

I love the Evergreen stamp set...and my favourite part is the image of the tree formed with the words to silent night!:)  Here I stamped the words then came back in with the tree outline stamp and sponged champagne mist ink onto and stamped over the words.  I matted this piece on a second piece of very vanilla cardstock which was run through the big shot with the lacy brocade embossing folder and then that piece was edged with a piece of champagne glimmer paper which I edge punched.  I matted this all on some dsp from the festival prints pack and adhered to my card base.

Christmas in the Heart - Paper Bows

Did I really need another Christmas stamp?  Yes, from the moment I saw it I need the Heart of Christmas individual stamp.  This card is pretty self explanatory except for a few things I would like to point out:

- the early espresso background is SU's coordination card stock which was run through the big shot with the argyle impressions folder and then sanded.
- the bow is another paper bow I made...this one using the large oval punch and the Festival of Prints dsp pack.
- the shapes for the sentiment and matt were all cut with the apothecary accent framelits and the big shot.

Snowflake Rosette Ornament

I made this ornament using the bold snowflake single stamp and the coordinating blossom punch.  The center circle is stamped from the Ornament Keepsake stamp set and punched with the 1" circle punch...then I put the smallest flower from the Boho Blossoms punch in the centre and a pearl jewel on top of that.  The base of the ornament is a rosette made from a piece of the Be of Good Cheer dsp that is on sale right now and on top of that is some very vanilla cardstock which has been put throught the big shot with the delicate doilies die.  The ribbon on top is the cherry cobbler seam binding.

November Club Project #2

So what went inside the box?  Why TAGS, of course!  We made an assortment so everyone is set for the Christmas season and brimming with ideas!

These tags and several of the others were made with tag forms cut out using the Two Tags Die for the big shot.  The owls on these tags and other dsp came from the Snow Festival pack (as did any other dsp used in our club projects this month).    We punched them with 1 1/4" circles and then layered them up with card stock and dimensionals.  The tags are tied with the 1/4" sweater trim from the Holiday Catalog.

These tags also used forms from the Two Tags Bigz die.  The birds were punched out of card stock using the bird builder punch and the eyes are from the pearl jewels pack.

This time we used both of the Two Tags forms and more of the Snow Festival dsp.  then we stamped the little tree and message using the Pennant Parade stampset and coordinating punch...  The punch is on sale in the Online Extravaganza and there is a bundle deal on the stamp set too.  I love the versatility of this set... it does Christmas, birthday, baby, thinking of you and much more!

These tags were made by folding some naturals white cardstock then running it through the big shot with the ornaments framelits.  Then we stamped the coordinating ornament on whisper white and cut it out with our paper snips to layer on top...add a ribbon tie on the crease and an adorable gift tag!

We stamped the new bold snowflake single stamp in Illuminate ink onto baja breeze card stock and then punched it out with the blossom punch.  Then we stamped the 1" circle design from the Ornament Keepsake set an dpunched it out and popped it up on the snowflake and adorned it with a rhinestone jewel.  Speaking of rhinestone jewels...they are on sale as a part of the Extravaganza($4.55 for a pack...what a deal!)

The last two, couldn't be much simpler...they are just the Snow Festival dsp on the the larger tag from the Two tags die.

Well, these weren't really the last tags...everyone got two more, but the last two we didn't make... I gave everyone a couple of the tags from the Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags pack...you get 25 tags in a pack (all double sided and adorable) for just $4.95!!

November Club Project #1

So the first project we made in club last night was this little gift box.  I thought it would be practical this time of year to talk about how to make a custom box to fit your presents!  This one was made using the Simply Scored Tool out of 2 sheets of card stock cut to 7 x 9 and scored at 1 1/2" all around.  The top was then scallop punched.  oh...and the top was also scored using a shim.  Connie Stewart gets the credit for the idea of making a shim to use with the Simply Scored Tool to help boxes go together like a snap!

The other technique that I wanted to show my stampin' ladies was how to make a paper ribbon.  The seem to be in vogue right now...  Thie one was made with the extra large oval punch and some of the Snow Festival DSP.

Also, the lid of lid of the box was stamped with the new bold snowflake single stamp using the Illuminate ink that can be found in the Holiday catalog.

As for what's inside the box, well that's club project #2 and you'll just have to wait for tomorrow for that;)

Stampin Up Fabric - Gift Bags!!

 I saw this idea on Heather Summer's blog and I thought 'what a great idea' and then add to that that SU has some of its prior years Christmas fabric in the clearance bin for like $1.19 and I just couldn't go wrong.  You can get 6 gift bags out of one package of the fabric and I thought this particular pattern (Candy Cane Christmas is what is is called:) went so well with the Snow Festival dsp in this year's Holiday Catalog, so I topped each of these with a coordinating tag:)

If you like these bags, you can go here to see how I made them (I did almost the same thing as Heather and I sewed the ribbon tie right into each:)  And then head on over to my online store and take advantage of not only the fabric in the clearance rack but also the Online Extravaganza that is on this week!

Extravaganza - Don't Miss Out!

Just a reminder that Stampin Up's Online Extravaganza is going on.  You can place your order online by clicking here or by contacting me as I will have an order going in after club on Thursday.  With discounts of 20-50%, you won't want to miss out.  Here is a pdf of what's on sale!

Also, if you are placing an online order, remember you have access to the clearance rack online, there are some great items with fabulous discounts to be found there too!:)

Heart Ornaments

You will recall a couple of weeks ago when I posted some other ornaments made out of strips of Be of Good Cheer dsp, well here's my latest version:  heart ornaments.  I used wider strips for the outer heart and narrower ones for the inner heart...not the best pictures of them, but trust me, they are adorable to make!:)  I might just have to get another pack of Be of Good Cheer...I think I'm addicted to making them;)  ...good thing that the Be of Good Cheer dsp is on sale right now...only $10.80 for a full pack!:)

Kraft Boxes - Decked out for Christmas!

Just showing you an idea of how you can decorate the kraft boxes SU sells and the receiver can still get into the box!  These boxes are on sale in the Extravaganza that started on Monday.  i decorated this one with some Be of Good Cheer  dsp that is also on sale.  The stamps I used come from the Ornament Keepsake stampset and the Greetings of the Season stampset.  The whole thing is tied together with gumball green stitched satin.

I used these little kraft boxes last year for my neighbour gifts and filled them with homemade cookies (which I used SU's cookie presses on).  These kraft boxes come in so handy for gift giving this time of year and are so versatile AND you get 4 in a pack  for only $2.45 on the current sale!:)

MDS 2 **On sale for HALF price!!!

Click on the image above to see it larger!  ...and see what's all included in the newest version of MDS!  All of that is on sale starting today for half price...and if you already have the original MDS you can upgrade to MDS 2 for half price too...just click on over to my SU website/online store by clicking this link and order your copy today!  (Sale's on 'til Nov 28th only!)

JOY Banner

I was supposed to be cleaning up the craft room today, but...I made a banner:)  I used all kinds of fun supplies, the first of which that I want to mention is the *sticky rounds* from the Holiday Catalog...oh my goodness, these are amazing...i used these behind the rosettes to gather the tulle.  I also used a fair bit of the cherry cobbler tulle - I just love it.  The dsp is from the Be of Good Cheer pack which is on sale this week (starting on the 19th) for 20% off!!  I also used the Champagne Glimmer paper for the letters...you should see how it sparkles, not just from them but also b/c I took the champagne mist ink and mixed it with alcohol in one of my spritzer bottles and prayed the whole project when I was done!:)  Oh and the misters are on sale this week too!!  I used a few big shot items too...the banner shapes themselves were made with the Labels framelits...I was thinking I hadn't pulled these out recently and then I thought, 'I wonder how they would look on a banner...'  Voila!  I also used the rosette die for the rosettes obviously (and the silicone matt to adhere them...it makes rosette making a snap).  Oh, and the letters were cut with the Typeset Alphabet Bigz die...I'm so glad I used my 50% item to get these (when your workshop reaches a certain size you are elgible to order any item at 50% off you know...I like to use that to help with my big ticket purchases:)

The last Christmas banner I made, said 'noel'...and I'm so in love with everything French, you are probably wondering why I picked JOY this year...  Well (if you don't mind me sharing a little personally here), I think Christmas or not it's a word I need to focus on.  The Bible says 'The joy of the Lord is our strength'.  I want to enter into what that really means.  I've been singing Kari Jobe's 'Joyfully' a lot lately and so I thought I'd just share that with you here too in case you were interested:

Extravaganza Starts Tomorrow - Monday November 19th!

Dates: November 19-28, 2012

Details

The Online Extravaganza promotion is our biggest online sale of the year!  During these 10 days only, you can get incredible discounts-up to 50 percent-on some of your favorite products!

In addition, there will be three products 20 percent off for 24-hours only on both the first and last days of Online Extravaganza-our very own doorbusters! Woot!

Monday, November 19, midnight - 11:50 PM (MT)

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
181	125586	Simply Scored Diagonal Plate	$15.95	$12.76
186	113439	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine	$122.95	$98.36
186	113474	Big Shot Doctor's Bag	$93.95	$75.16

Wednesday, November 28, midnight - 11:50 PM (MT)

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
7	118941	Clear Block Bundle (Blocks A-I)	$89.95	$71.96
7	120279	Clear Block Storage Caddy	$18.95	$15.16
175	109127	Stack & Store Caddy	$44.95	$35.96

You can visit my online store starting Monday to place an order or contact me, I will have an order going in after club on Thursday night!

The Fine Print

• Discounts range between 20 and 50 percent-awesome!
• Discounted products are available on all order types (customer, demonstrator, workshop, and online).
• There's no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion. Sale on!
• For product bundles, you need to use the bundle item numbers provided. If you use individual item numbers, you won't get the discount-bummer.

Here is a link to a pdf of the flyer so you can see ALL of the items on sale!

Rosette Ornament

Just playing around with another ornament using the ornament keepsake stamp set, the large doily die for the big shot and a large rosette made out of Be of Good Cheer dsp.

Tomorrow ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA begins...a great SU pre-Christmas sale with discounts of 20-50%!  I will post a link for you.  You can place your orders online or contact me as I have an order going in on Thursday.

Also, just a word that there are 3 items on sale for one day only (ie. only November 19th)...the big shot, the doctor's bag for the big shot and the diagonal simply scored plate.  If any of these are on your wish list, you will want to place your order on my website tomorrow/MONDAY so you don't miss out on these special prices!!  (see link on the right side panel and click 'shop now' -->)

Talking Tag

With Talking Tag, you can send a gift that is uniquely you. Talking Tag is a message label you can attach to cards, invitations, gifts . . . anything! Personalize birthday cards, Christmas gifts or even record quick instructions for a project. Now your pictures really can say a thousand words!

How to send a voice message:

1. Download the FREE TalkingTagT App on you smartphone from talkingtag.mobi, iTunes® or Google PlayT.
2. Adhere the message tag to your card or gift.
3. Open TalkingTagT App and scan the code.
4. Record your message (recording starts immediately, so make sure your ready!).

You will have the opportunity to listen, re-record, cancel, or confirm your message after you've completed recording it. Each label allows up to 60 seconds of a greeting, song, or product message.

To play the message, recipients will need to download the app and scan the code.  Messages are saved for two years, so they can listen to it over and over.

How to Buy Talking Tags:

Buy 'em by the sheet! You get 10 tags for just $7.95 (item 129723).

Texture Boutique - for a limited time (and special price!)

Have you wanted to start using the embossing folders, but haven't splurged for the big shot yet?  Or, do you have a big shot but would like a smaller solution for quick embossing on the go, well today I might just have the solution.  Stampin Up has this limited time/limited supply offer:

Due to our partnership with Sizzix, we are pleased to be able to offer a test run of the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine in our North American markets. We have 4,000 available to be sold only while supplies last. If this product test goes well, we may offer the Texture Boutique again in the future.

The Texture Boutique works with Textured Impressions Embossing Folders to transform ordinary cardstock, paper, metallic foil, or vellum into an embossed, textured masterpiece. This machine embosses only; it does not die cut. Because this is a product test, the Texture Boutique is not branded with the Stampin' Up! logo. It comes in Sizzix packaging and is the same color and design that is sold in stores. We recommend you read the included instructions before using the Texture Boutique and that you pass the same recommendation on to customers who purchase it.

'Tis the season of giving, and the Texture Boutique makes a wonderful gift for anyone who wants to create their own elegant embossed art. To help you with your gift-giving needs, we're offering a special value bundle that saves you $10.90. If you prefer, you can also purchase the Texture Boutique alone. Looking for stocking stuffers? Pick up some additional embossing folders.

Texture Boutique Bundle
Item 132700
$45.95 (a $56.85 value)
Includes

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 Pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim
• Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive
• Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine
Item 132657
$36.95
Includes

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim

Here is what it looks like and how it works:

More Ornaments - for tonight's class:)

Tonight is my Ornament Keepsake class - where we'll be making this ornament that I posted both here and here.  I thought I would also show the ladies how to make some other cute ornaments too, and given that the ornament keepsake is quite time intensive, I came up with these ones that are not.

 They are made of one inch strips of dsp...I should have taken some pictures from the sides so you could see the variation from outer to inner on each ornament...so cute!:)

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary and this is the card I made for my husband whom I love more today than on the day I said 'I do'.  

Recipe:
Stamps - affection collection
Markers - cherry cobbler & basic black
Card stock - basic black and bravo burgundy
Ribbon - black organza
Dsp - festival of prints
Big Shot - lacey brocade embossing folder &  apothecary accents framelits
Other -**the key is from the trinket keys which are currently available online on the clearance rack at a great price! *********

Merry Christmas - Ornament Keepsake

I stamped this ornament from the ornament keepsakes set in gumball green and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  the patterned panel is a left over piece from yesterday' card and uses the festival of prints.  The cherry matt for the card was half embossed with the polka dot embossing folder and the green matt for the quilted piece was edged with the adorning accents edgelits.  The Merry Christmas greeting comes from the Greetings of the Season stampset.

I guess I'm getting more into the holiday cards now for 2 main reasons:
- it snowed big time here where I lilve
AND
- Thursday is my ornament keepsake class and so I've had Christmas supplies out and about as I've been preparing...so fun:)

Peace on Earth

I was inspired on this card by Jill Olsen...she had done some 'quilting' with the festival of prints.  I took a piece of neutral cardstock and cut different widths of the dsp and adhered them with snail (Jill use a much different approach).  Then I ran the piece through the big shot with the apothecary accents framelits.  The sentiment coes from the 'greetings of the season' stampset.  I stamped it in gumball green and then clear embossed it (I love how you can do that with the new ink pads).   The cherry cobbler background matt is embossed with the lacey brocades folder, my favourite of all time!

Christmas Stamp-a-stack

This is a preview of this year's Christmas Stamp-a-stack which I am hosting on Thursday December 6th at 7pm (please RSVP by November 24th).  The whole idea of a 'stamp a stack' is to get together and make a bunch of cards using just a few core products so you can make multiples of each in a fairly short period of time.

If you would like to join in, please be sure to contact me (phone/email/comment) as space is limited.

Cost is as follows:

Non-club members

8 cards (2 each of 4 designs) for $15 or FREE with a $75 minimum order that night OR

12 cards (3 each of 4 designs) for $22 or FREE with a $100 minimum order that night

Club members

8 cards (2 each of 4 designs) for $12 or FREE with a $60 minimum order that night OR

12 cards (3 each of 4 designs) for $17.50 or FREE with a $85 minimum order that night

Another Ornament Keepsake

As I was preparing today for next Thursday's ornament keepsake class, I decided to make another version to help me prepare and to help remember some of the details and help simplify a few steps.  This one is a lot like the one I posted here, but the centre is done a little bit different and has a brass button instead of a vintage faceted button...I'll the the participants choose which one they want to use!

Stampin' Trimmer - Just released...I think I need one!:)