Turtle Thanks

I used "fox and friends" again for another challenge this week. Stamping 411
is one of my favorite places to do challenges, the operators always visit and make nice comments and they give you measurements- easy peasy!

I needed more thank you cards for Christmas gifts and new dsp, stamps and a sketch are a great way to start!

Back with some mojo

I can't believe I haven't posted in almost 12 days! We are in final phases of addition (and no my craft room is not done yet- it is but I don't have furniture or shelving and such in there yet), so we have been moving furniture, painting, etc... Oh and by the way Christmas and shopping, cleaning, etc.... happened in between there.

So, I took a much needed stamping break. I got back in the groove with some new stuff- I got my preorder for occasion mini which starts on January 5. This set is called fox and friends, super cute! I attempted to do mirror image technique, but kept getting air bubble in acetate sheet when I tried to put it down on card stock.

I also used Mojo Monday sketch this week, as I needed some mojo after lay off from stamping. I needed some thank you cards for gifts I received from some of my swim students.

Caroling Reindeer

I love punch art! This is a card we did in a class. I cased the idea from a bunch ones I have seen on SCS and blogs, so I don't know who to give credit too, but I combined some ideas I saw from a few different people.

Head: wide oval in cocoa, small oval in black
antlers-:snowflake punch in choc chip
nose: 1/2 in circle in red
hooves: end of small oval and then cut triangle out with scissors

White Family Christmas Card

Are you crazed by Christmas yet? Good Golly, got so much going on- no time to blog or visit other blogs.

I did manage to get our Christmas cards out last week.

I used a combo of Stampin Up sets; Baroque motifs, delightful decorations and a personalized stamp that I have been using for year. I used Stampin Up's shimmer paint in Holiday mini catalog and the ornament punch.

ONLY 9 Days to go, soooo much to do.....

Winter birthday

I make the cards for the teachers birthdays at school, when you need to mass produce for the month, I like to do one style per month. This is the December card I came up with to give the teachers. They use to buy cards and I said if they would pay for supplies I could make them much nicer than a bought card.

Another tip- when I send hand stamped cards I use a post it note to write in it, then they can reuse the card for their own personal use.

This card features the sizzix original dies snowflake # 2, the other is stamp sets are Stampin up's-
short and sweet, think happy thoughts and hostess set patterned pines.

off the Christmas cards, onto birthday

I needed some birthday cards and wanted to break out of the Christmas color scheme I have been in the last month.

Luckily, I went to stamping 411 blog and got their latest sketch. Stampin Up's razzleberry lemonade dsp with colors of melon mambo, rich razzleberry, crushed curry and pumpkin pie was far away from Christmas colors.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas! But it was a nice change to play a different color palette.

Gift in a jar

I did a "gifts class" last week, and this was a project we made. I can not take credit for idea, I subscribed to Debbie MacNeil's website- craftyperson.com and she has fabulous ideas for demonstrators, and does all the work and planning for you.

I was able to find the jars for only $1.69 at our local Christmas tree shop. If you don't have one in your area, it's like the best store ever! It is one that the men hate to go to also!!!

You could fill it with any thing, this is peppermint patties decorated with scallop circle and any image that fits in 1-1/4 circle.

Lots of Challenges and a Winner!

Congrats to #12- Marge winner of my blog candy! Marge- PM at kraftinkathy@verizon.net with your address and I will forward you the prize!

Thanks for all who left messages, I found some sites I never knew before. Here is the list (no links sorry)

Place to do stamping Challenges:

1) stamping411.blogspot.com
2) Mojo Monday
3) Jen Del Muro's sketch
4) Late Night stampers
5) Gretchen Barron
6) Diva Coffee Break Designs
7) Technique Junkies newletter
8) SCS
9) JUGS (justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com)
10) my pink stamper
11) Sudsol
12) my studio (formly the craft room)
13) Hope stamps eternal blog
14) the whimsy stamp challenge

Blogoversary x 2- Blog candy offered

This Saturday 12/5 is my two year blog-o-versary.

To celebrate I am offering some fun embellishment blog candy (see pic).

One of my favorite things is to do challenges to get my mojo going. I have been super busy lately and haven't had a chance to play along with many.

Tell me your favorite place to do stamping challenges, name. I will winning entry this weekend.

Dasher share and blog candy alert

Happy December! Can you believe it? This is a card we did at recent stamp a stack using the Dasher stamp and teeny tiny wishes.

Also, my 2 year blog anniversary is coming up in 3 days- 12/5/09. Leave a comment and I will post some goodies for you in next post (will include ribbon and stamps!).

Honey Do List

I had some large legal pads cut in half at my local office supply store. I had plans to do some holiday planners with them, but decided to use "buzzin by" set from Stampin Up to make some "honey do" list. We all have them!

stamped money holder

Looking for some great gift ideas for delivery people, coaches, bus drivers, music instructors and more for the holiday?

How about a money holder? Who doesn't love money or can use it now days.

instructions:

1. card stock measures 7" x 7 1/2"

2. score it at 1-3/4" and 4-3/4".

3. use circle punch for inside, only about 1/2 of the circle- thumb hole to pull out money.

4. used sticky strip to hold sides together

5. belly band measures 1-1/4" wide by 7-1/2 " (dsp is 1/4" narrower)

Decor elements gift

My good friend Michele hosted a holiday Stamp a stack for me and this was the Hostess gift I gave her. I used the small Welcome decor elements and the big flower was a hostess set from last catalog.

I have so many frames (there must be a 12 step program for that), I decided I better do something with it. I just put in a piece of designer paper and then voila in 5 minutes you have great home decor.

Online extravaganza is going on now! Many items 30-50 % off! check out link to my online store!

Thanksgiving 411

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge is posted here.
I love their sketch challenges, because they give all the layer sizes. So much easier when you know your cuts and just have to pick out a stamp set and paper!

My friend asked me to make a Thanksgiving card for her. So I picked up Autumn Harvest stamp set. I love it to watercolor with and I used masking technique as well.

shimmery snow swirled x 2

Two kids home sick today, no food in the house... what to do. I got all my Christmas cards cut, stamped, punched, embellished - all 75 of them. All I left to do is assemble.

I thought I would share a card I did last week for stamp a stack at my friend's house. This features using shimmer paint available in winter mini catalog.

* I used a sponge dauber to apply it onto stamps, then used it to "ink up" the edge to add dimension without another layer.
*I also used some clear rhinestone brads to add some bling.

Notice how I changed up stamp set from Christmas (snow swirled) to Hanukkah (let there be light) to give people options.

glitter reinker ornaments

Are you ready for Christmas yet? Yikes Thanksgiving is next week- when did it get to be the middle of November? Anyways, our school's holiday fair is coming up, we make things for the kids to buy for Christmas gifts all under $5. As it was near 60 degrees yesterday, I sat out in my porch and whipped out 2 dozen of these babies. I wore plastic gloves and still ended up with ink all over my fingers!

Super fun and easy to make.

Tutorial:

materials needed:

glass bulbs

reinker(s) for classic ink

fine glitter

funnel or paper cone

*recommended (old film canisters, plastic gloves, paper towels)

1) clean glass bulb, remove top

2) using your classic reinkers add 20-30 drops depending on size of bulb you are using

3) swirl it around the bulb filling in all the spaces as you go. This is where gloves are handy or use paper towel to cover open hole. add more reinker if you are not getting good coverage

4) I let it drain out into a empty film container

5) use fine glitter (such as SU cosmo or dazzling diamonds)

6) using your paper cone or funnel add glitter to ornament, dump out extra using funnel into container

7) using thumb over hole, shake up ornament to get good coverage

8) let dry for few minutes upside down in film container

Play around with mixing colors. My favorites are rich regals, pacific point, purely pomegranate, rich razzleberry. Deeper colors look cool!

Fashion 411

Stamping 411 Saturday sketch challenge is here. I love having a sketch to make quick work of a card. It saves time to have a starting point, vs spending hour or two surfing the web to case a card. I can come up with one all on my own!

I needed to send a thank you card to a personal shopper who helped me out this week.

Long story short, I need an outfit for upcoming event and since I am stuck in typical "mommy wardrobe" of jeans and sweats- I needed some 411 fashion help. I have expect to be ambushed by Stacy and Clinton, but no such luck of a $5,000 shopping spree for me. Lucky for me my friend Jax majored in fashion and could help me out.

So, I used my humor in humor in high heels stamp set, night of navy prints dsp and cardstock and texture plate for big shot.

November's 3 for $5

I started holding 3 cards for $5 classes, to get people stamping and make it affordable for them to do so. I offer this as "class to go" vs. a workshop as well, more a totally hands on class. If they make a purchase I waive the class fee.

Anyways, this month we are doing 3 different types of gift card holders. Gift cards are a great idea, but having a nice hand made holder looks like you took the extra time to make them something from the heart.

Class will be held Friday November 20th at 10:00 am, and RSVP is due by 11/13.

coffee gift card gift

Super cute idea to make a gift card holder out of a lunch bag! Then the open pocket you can fill with anything else, I chose a packet of gourmet hot cocoa.

The idea is similar to paper bag scrapbooks. I made a bunch of these up for a vendor fair last Sunday. Unfortunately, beautiful day killed our indoor traffic and I did not sell any of these.

Sorry, I have not posted or commented in last few days. We are in final phases of our addition and I have spent the better part of two days with the frustrating job of removing wallpaper from our hallway. Not fun!

build a bear dress up magnets

Have you seen the new build a bear dies for the big shot? They are exclusive to Stampin Up in our current Holiday mini catalog. At first, I was not going to get them. I have two boys ages 12 and 10, no big need for dress up.

But I am so glad, I did. They are toooo fun! What girl does not like to play dress up and accessorize???

Anyways, I got the original idea to make magnet tins from Michelle's rubber room
Here are some clothes inside:

And here she is all dressed up! The cool thing about the big shot you can cut through almost anything and this adhesive magnet sheets went through "like butter"

Masculine birthday card

I combined two challenges in one card! I got the sketch from SCS sketch challenge 253 and Late Night Stampers challenge #44- masculine cards. I went to my old standby for masculine cards Lovely as a Tree, may Stampin Up never retire it!!! The technique I used is thumping with markers.

Hershey Bar slider tutorial

I am participating in a vendor fair this Sunday and have been busy crafting some things to sell.
This is a cute candy bar slider. It is super simple to do, and fun way to present Chocolate!

steps:

1. cut you cs to 6 x 6 and then score it at: 1/2 inch and 3.25 inch
2. put sticky strip along the 1/2 inch side and on the bottom
3. stamp as desired
4. cut your ribbon double the length of the candy holder plus enough to tie it on top
5. using a crop a dile or another 3/16 punch punch top center through both sides
6. now seal up your sides of holder and crimp the bottom
7. slide ribbon through both hole and put candy bar between ribbon and slide it down and then tie it off. When they pull the ribbon it slides the candy bar up!

"Christmas fudge poem"
Dashing from the malls
With groceries yet to buy,
Lessons, work and housecleaning, Life’s so crazy! Why?
Bells on our telephone ring, The machine will take the call,
We have not time for family or friends, It drives us up the wall.
How are you? How’s your life? We really want to know.
Hope you’re ready for Christmas, Now maybe it will snow.
A day or two ago, We thought we’d make a treat, For all our special friends-
A Christmas gift to eat.
Our intentions were top notch, But our schedules would not budge,
Hence, here’s this year’s edition
Of homemade Christmas Fudge…

Buzzing by for 411 challenge

Even though I was working on house projects yesterday and getting ready for Halloween, I still got a chance to play along with Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch challenge. It was a challenge to think of 4 small items to stamp with and I needed some birthday cards. So, I dug through my stamps and decided to use just buzzin by stamp set. I also used some night and day designer paper from Holiday mini catalog. Since Stampin Up's designer paper is two sided, I reversed it on both cards. I used crushed curry for my card base.

Late Night stampers candy challenge

Late Night Stampers

Challenge this week was to use candy for your inspiration.

So, I chose my son's favorite 3 musketeers. And hey, it's low in fat too!

I used baroque motifs and embossed it in silver on brushed silver cardstock, then used delightful decorations out of Holiday mini and the silver cord (SU needs to have this cord every holiday season!). I finished it off with a rhinestone brad. And I ate no candy in the making of this card!

Quick and Easy gift!

This was a quick gift I did for teacher appreciation last spring. Super easy to do-

1) get your favorite candy bar (in this case Hershey's chocolate bar)

2) take your favorite scrapbooking paper and measure it about 1.5 inches longer on each end of candy bar and enough to wrap around it.

4) use double sided tape or sticky strip to hold it together.

5) put sticky strip at each end and run it through your crimper

6) I decorated it simply with something I typed on computer- but you can add "Christmas fudge poem", ribbon, stamped tag and more!

sorry, I have been lax in posting and checking in on everyone. I did a Stampin Up yard sale this weekend with some other demos and I have a vendor fair in two weeks- so super busy with all that!

Desk top stationary set

I created this a few weeks ago and just never loaded it to show. I am going to make a few of these for upcoming vendor fair.

Lauren Meader, the genius she is has created templates for you to purchase. They are affordable at $5 and saves you time from re-inventing the wheel. You can check out her templates here.

I used tart and tangy stamp set. The card stock is whisper white, real red and craft. The letters I cut out using my big shot and billboard alphabet and used some playground buttons. So cute!

My first orgami box !

At Stampin Up Regionals, someone showed how to make this fun orgami box with designer paper. As I am orgami inpaired sometimes, well I guess I should say I am a visual hands on learner, so I got a little lost on some steps.

Luckily, you can google anything and find tutorials. I will save you a step and give you K. Werner's video tutorial . I grabbed retired dsp in case I really messed up- but got on first go around. So proud of myself!

Watch out, got loads of ideas to start creating away for upcoming holidays.

shellbrate Christmas

This was my other swap I did for regionals. I had a bunch of baroque burgundy card fronts left from a Christmas SAS last year, so I told myself I had to use them and that was my jumping off point.

1) I did watercoloring with markers, my fav technique of late. You just scribble your markers on to a plastic surface like stamp case and then pick up with aquapainter.

2) I also used my other new fav- my petals-a-plenty embossign folder. The background piece is soft suede.

Deals of the week 3!

Week 3 Deals of the Week on page 179

1) basic Jumbo grommets ( item 11438) for $4.49

2) Mini Library clips (item 109857) for $8.99

3) Circle Designer brads ( item 112571) for$3.99

4) 1/2" Library clips (item 112581) for $3.99

these deals are only good through 10/24/09

baseball BAB

This is one of my swaps I made for Portland Regionals. I used Build a bear dies and billboard alphabet for big shot. I did stamp using "just baseball" set. I was thinking Red Sox theme for the New Englanders who would be there- too bad they got knocked out early.

Let there be light

Late Night stampers challenge this week was a sketch.

I love the under $10 page and got the Let there be light set, to have some options for my Jewish customers to change up a card to suit their holiday needs vs. using a Christmas set.

I embossed it in silver then used brushed silver cardstock and small star punch. I rotated it to try to mimic the star of David- not quite but I thought it worked for embellishment part of sketch.

I am so excited to be off to Portland with some local demo friends for Stampin Up Regionals. Can't wait to share when I get back!!!

new craft room!

This is a sneak peak at my new craft room. We are currently building addition and this will be my new space. This is the back wall with my sky light- I am planning to put some floor cabinets with a counter for my cutting tools.

This is the front of the room- I think I am going to put my desk right in front of the window. I have two little cubby closets to store all my altered items I tend to accumulate, maybe one will be for my knitting stuff.
This is the entry- still planning on what to do with shelving and such. I think a trip to Ikea is in the works! But I am totally open to suggestions and ideas!

On to some stamping! These are the cards we will be doing at my next 3 cards for $5 class next Friday 10/23, RSVP by this weekend if you plan on attending.

Rocking birthday case

I cased this card of SCS, I am sorry I don't recall the person I cased it from. I had a totally hands on workshop and this is one of the cards we made. It was a big hit for boys using exteme guitar and extreme elements.
I am going to Stampin Up regionals this Saturday in Portland, so I am feverishly trying to finish my swaps which I will post over next two days!

simply scrappin in an hour

I did 3 pages in one hour using new birthday simply scrappin kits! No stamping required- I got both my boys birthdays completed, which makes me happy as I am really behind in my scrapbooking! Love, Love, Love these kits!

Jackpot!!!

I needed a card for my FIL 70th birthday. They love the casinos, so I thought this would be a perfect birthday card.

Stamping 411 sketch challenge this week.

I needed to make a birthday card for my good friend Michele. She is my going out buddy and we do enjoy trying out some good beers. I wanted to make the card more feminine, so I used regal rose as my main card base, I use the damask texture plate in big shot and eyelet border punch to "girl up" my birthday beer card.
The stamp set is "cheers to you"