Saturday, December 31, 2011

Christmas Cards

I made a few cards that I haven't posted, so will share now. This was inspired by Barbara Dykhouse who posted on Stampin' Connection (SC). It uses the stocking punch and designer paper for the staircase from Frostwood Lodge as well as the little leaves sizzlet.  The stockings use retired DSP.
*(The stocking punch will be gone after 1/3/12, so get it now if you are interested. Itis so easy to make a cute accent with this punch. It also makes a cute baby sock and I have seen it turned upside down to make a hobby horse.)
This is a card that we made for stamp club in Nov. I received a telescoping card in a swap at convention then saw the snowman either on SCS or SC, but not sure who to give credit. This is my take on him. We used the bigshot and the circles die, also scallop circle die and a couple of circle punches. The arms are made with the snowflake punch, the hat is the word window and 1" square with rounded edges. I used a non SU small snowflake punch for hat accent with a rhinestone.
 Card with snowman lying flat. The background is made with the northern flurry embossing folder and lightly sponged with pacific point ink.

This is the card that I made to send to friends. I fell in love with and bought the Sounding Joy set to use, so had to do it even though they went in the mail after Christmas. I had the new cherry cobbler embossing powder  and wanted to use it, so that was how I chose the color combo. I used the new snow burst embossing folder for the olive background. The cherry cobbler seam binding worked well, but I needed something else, so found the retired "joy" and small star punches and added a pearl.
I tried overstamping the sentiments like on the front, but couldn't read the words underneath so did them separately. The card base is naturals white which is a bit heavier weight than whisper white.
Any of the cards can be enlarged to look at details by clicking on the picture.

Friday, December 30, 2011

New tattoos

The girls and I thought it would be fun to do something together, so we all got "sleeves" for Christmas!

Starbucks bottles of bath salts

I found epsom salt at Dollar Tree and thought it would be a fun project for the girls to make for Christmas gifts. After searching online, this is the recipe we used: use funnel to fill bottle with epsom salts then pour into glass bowl, add 2 tbsp of baking soda, 20 drops of essential oil (we used strawberry), and food color to desired shade. Then I let each girl help me choose designer paper, ribbon, and design for the top of the lid. They had fun making these and were so proud of their homemade gifts. Two 32 oz boxes of epsom salt made 4 small starbucks bottles and 2 other jars full for the girls to take home to share.  
First wash bottles and lids, the labels come off easily if bottles taken directly from a hot dishwasher. Use a magic eraser to remove writing on bottle. The small bottles need a strip of decorative paper 2 3/4" x 8 1/2", attach with sticky strip. The large bottles need 3" x 9" strips of paper. I used a paper piercer and hammer to make a hole in the lid and used a brad to attach the decorative top. Then tie ribbon and make knot or bow. You could get more creative and decorate much fancier, but this works.


Random thoughts

1. I need to apologize for my lack of action, I'm ready to get back to posting at least once a week.
2. We had a great family Christmas: too much food, lots of noise, and many laughs.
3. So thankful for Christ leaving His home in heaven to come to earth as a baby, only to die for our sins! Thank you God for the FREE gift of salvation.
4. Loving this warmer winter weather!!!!!!!
5. Home today, need to clean my house, but this is more fun!
6. Got a box of toys from SU, need to play so I can share some ideas. I ordered some clearance rack items, some occasions mini preorder things, and for the first time SU gave us the opportunity to get some free Sale-A-Bration products with our preorders.
7. Shopped last night at Bath and Body- got some 50-75% off bargains, went to Christopher and Banks with a $10 reward card and got a top and slacks, both 70% off, for $10, then went to Kohl's with $10 Kohls cash and got a pr of PJ's, 80% off, for $1.70.
8. I used store bought Christmas cards for 58 church members and sent out 32 hand made cards to family and friends. I will post the card that I made using Sounding Joy (that many of you got in the mail) for those who didn't get it.
9. My dishwasher decided to quit just before Christmas, it just runs dirty water and doesn't drain. My husband scooped out water cup by cup and wiped it out.  I had washed dishes and put in dishwasher to dry. My daughter was here while I was out, added more dishes and tried to run it, now I have another dishwasher full of dirty dishes. Just got them all done AGAIN!
10. I love my husband so much, we are really enjoying our empty nest. That is when we don't have grandkids, which is fairly often.
11. Dylan, our 4 yr old grandson learned how to spell his name at preschool recently, so he had a great time finding his presents under the tree and opening them.
12. Emma, 6, got a dolly that drinks and wets. When changing the diaper, she found an anatomically correct boy. Her first response was "Oh, No!"
13. Taylor, 13, is accepted into the student ambassador program with people to people and we are making fabric flowers to sell. She cut out 15 last weekend. We just need to sew them together, but need to make more in different colors this weekend. You will hear more about fundraisers for her.
14. Chris and I went to Centerville so I could work there 12 hrs on Christmas day. We were put up at Honey Creek Resort, beautiful place with a fun indoor waterpark. Sad to miss our church service, but they really needed help and they made me an offer that I couldn't refuse.
15. Chris and I have each lost 30# this year. We are both pretty much at our goals, just need to tone up some. So proud of our new bodies, however we will never look like we did nearly 38 yrs ago when we got married.
16. I could probably go on and on, but will quit with this one, I am so thankful for my Stampin'Up! friends.You are my reason to challenge myself to try new techniques, search for different ways to use certain products, and keep on stamping! My resolution is to give better customer service this year. I am open to constructive suggestions.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Another Dasher card

I saw several cards using Dasher and Lovely as a Tree, so tried my hand at it. This picture does not do the card justice. The sky and ground are sponged. There is iridescent ice embossing on the ground and I used dazzling details on the antlers. The trees and dasher are stamped with soft suede.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Center Step cards

These are cards that we made at Heartland Stampers club last week. The first two fall cards were planned and demo'd by Marlene. The "center step" card is fun because it stands up and out when standing. It takes just a bit of practice, but isn't hard. I came home and colored in the leaves and acorn with my aqua painter and inks. The second card has the other leaf on the inside.

This card is one I made with Stampin'Up! cardstock, designer paper, and stamps. I wish I had made the center piece shorter so I could add a sentiment across the bottom. Oh well, that just means that I get to play some more.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Pumpkin card

This card is made using Stampin'Up! oval punches. You needto punch 3 of each size to make one pumpkin. The front middle piece needs to be a full punch, but both back pieces can be a partial punch. I then ran them through embossing folders and sponged them after I glued them together. I used 1/8" olive tafffeta ribbon for the stems. The "sky" is sponged using our scallop circle punch. This was a really fun card to make and fun to use the punches for something other than just an oval shape.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Final Christmas card for Stamp-A-Stack

This card is made using Snow Swirled set and new In colors Island Indigo and Pool Party. I also used the northern flurry embossing folder, ruffled Island Indigo ribbon, and rhinesones on the tree. The other pic is the inside of the card.
Check out the rest of the cards and the inside for all the cards that I'm adding on the previous Christmas card Stamp-A-Stack post.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Fabric flowers

I made this and the multi colored flower barrette below as an adoption gift for a 2 yr old using several different dies (fun flowers, blossom party, and retired flower layers #3) for the Bigshot.

 This is made with fun flowers die and spice cake Stampin'Up! fabric. I added some tulle and used spray starch and scrunched it.
 This is one I made for my granddaughters using fabric I had leftover from making shirts with fabric flowers. It also uses the fun flowers die.
 This was a gift from Audrey, my convention roommate using springtime vintage fabric and buttons from Stampin'Up! It also uses the fun flowers die. She attached both a pin back and barrette clip.
 
I can teach you how to make these for yourself and all the girls in your life. 1/8 of a yard of 3 different fabrics plus some tulle will make several flowers.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Buy Two Simply Sent Kits-Get a Free Stamp

Dates: October 1-31, 2011

Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occasion. Click on button on sidebar to go to website and see the actual items.
Page
Item
Description
Price
192
122375
Simply Sent Great Day
$12.95
193
122377
Simply Sent Everyday Elegance
$11.95
193
122376
Simply Sent Sweet Moments
$13.95
And get a FREE coordinating stamp set:
Page
Item
Description
Price
192
123682
It's Your Day
$8.95
193
193


123686

Everyday Wishes
You're Cherished 123684
$9.95
$8.95











Clearance Rack Reloaded Up to 60% off

Check out the new things on the clearance rack. Save up to 60% off. You have to place an online order or I can bundle if several want to order to split minimum postage. Go to my Stampin'up! website: http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=493 to see and order.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

NEW Cookie Press Stamps

ONLY Available October 1, 2011-January 3, 2012 Item # 125152 $16.95
Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are a brand-new product that will appeal to crafters and non-crafters, alike--not to mention kids!
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.
Just make your favorite 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.

However be aware that this will not work with most sugar cookie dough that is premade. We got to  see the cookie press (picture below) and taste cookies made with one of the included recipes (picture above) at convention, they were great!!

How would you like to have a FREE Bigshot?

An offer to DIE for!
If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20 discount on your favorite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.* If you already own the bigshot, you can choose $100 in other FREE product!!
Use the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies** to create uniquely beautiful projects in a flash.
In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--contains over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies-everything you need to start your new business.
There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including
  • A 20 percent product discount!
  • A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success!
  • Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
  • Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
  • Regular get-togethers to stamp!
  • Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
  • Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot!
Don't miss this BIG deal! Contact ME today to learn how you can take advantage of this great opportunity and get your FREE Big Shot!

The nicest thing about this great deal is that you don't have to do anything more with this business if all you want is a discount for yourself. You will get 30% off on a first order placed within 45 days of signing up, after that it is 20%. You don't have any minimum requirements your first partial quarter, so you have until March 31, 2012 to meet the $300 quarterly minimum. If you choose to drop at that point, you still have your bigshot and all the rest of the products that came with the starter kit. But you may also decide to keep going, all it takes is 1-2 "parties" a quarter. Or you may want to make this a business. I have loved my last 9+ years with this wonderful company!!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Christmas Stamp A Stack Cards

 These are 4 of the cards that we will be making. I am still working on the 5th card.There will be a jingle bell on the stocking, note picture added of close up of stocking with jingle bell. Click on any of the pics to see more details. I have added pictures of the inside for all of the cards. You will be able to change up the sentiments on any of them.

 Cherry Cobbler and White with Frostwood Lodge DSP and Stitched Stockings set. I found a similar card on Stampin' Connection by Charlotte Hollingsworth. I added the white scallops and stamped the stocking instead of using the same dsp.
 Navy and white with silver glimmer paper and Sounding Joy set. This card is a direct CASE (copy and share everything) from Lisa Young on Splitcoaststampers (SCS). I used navy instead of black and added a 3rd star.
Olive, red, and white with Beautiful Season set. I found this card also on SCS by Diane Vander Galien, but I added a red layer and used green for the lace ribbon border punch instead of white, then used red ribbon.
Red and white with Dasher embossed with white. Tyshero on SCS made a card similar to this, but I used white organza ribbon and made mine vertical with a different sentiment.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Christmas Card Stamp A Stack Sat 10/22 10am-4pm

Do you dream of getting your Christmas cards done in Oct or Nov, but are feverishly working Dec 24th to get your cards in the mail? Sign up NOW for my Christmas Card Stamp A Stack!! Let me do the work and all you have to do is bring your own adhesive and a pair of scissors to make 20 cards (4 each of 5 different designs including envelopes) that you will be proud to send or include with gifts. Stamp sets that we will use are: Dasher, Snow Swirled, Beautiful Season, Stitched Stockings, and The Sounding Joy. Cards will be embellished using Northern Flurry and Snow Burst embossing folders, stocking punch, NEW silver glimmer paper, Frostwood Lodge DSP, Jingle Bells, Mini Silver Brads, Dazzling Details, and a variety of ribbons. I will have a variety of inside sentiments, some religious and some not. Pics will be posted as soon as I have some samples made, just waiting for my recent order to arrive.

And if that isn't enough reason to come, I will be providing lunch (probably pulled pork sandwiches, chips, a salad of some sort, brownies, and lemonade). Only $30 for everything! Tell your friends. I have the meeting room at the Bondurant Library reserved.


Don't miss out-RSVP by Wed 10/12 and get payment to me by Sat 10/15.

Friday, September 23, 2011

French Foliage and one Gently Falling card

I made this card at my sister's house as she got this stamp set and paper, also the fabric and buttons. I'm not sure I am happy with the bow, will have to think on that. I used a strip of the dsp as a punched layer and for inside the card.
 A swap card that I received last year at the Des Moines regional event by Stampin'Up!
 I received this beautiful card in a WOW swap at convention this year. She put a lot of time and effort into this.
 Another Des Moines regional swap
 One I made last fall. It also uses the clear block stamping technique. I love the vintage brads paired with the lace.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Accordian card

I go to a monthly stamp club at Urbandale library (not Stampin'Up! affiliated) and the members take turns teaching a technique or style of card. Last week Paula brought this card for us to make. It used one sheet of 12x12 specialty paper. It was a heavier weight and had lots of fun details to the paper. We cut a 5 1/2 x 12 " piece for the card itself and used the rest of the paper to cut out various details to embellish the card. I used lots of dimensionals to add depth to most of the additions. I used small bird and small butterfly punches that some ladies brought then sponged and stamped on them to also add some extra details. The card is scored at 4 and 8", then cut each long side 1 1/2 " in from 2-10", then score at 2" and 10" between the cut lines. Clear as mud? Ask for further directions if you want to make a fun card like this. I'm sure it has a name different than accordian, but I'm not sure what it is.
 This is the front of it flat. It fits in a regular A2 envelope.
 This is the card standing.
 The bird and birdcage are added and popped up.
 A bird stamp that someone brought fit perfectly on this small inside panel.
 Lots of cutting and dimensionals used here.
A close up of the front.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Stamp club card swap

We occas have a card swap and these are from our group this month. I don't have detailed info since I did not make the cards, but definitely some fun ideas. Click on any pic to enlarge for details.
 By Melba
 By Tiffani
 By Jackie
 By Alice
 Also by Alice
 By Marlene
 By Dorris
By Teena