A Touch From the Heart

Stamping 411: Saturday Sketch

It feels good to be back playing the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I took last week off to spend time with my family.  We always host Christmas Eve and Christmas here.  So, last weekend was a blur....a happy blur, but a blur nonetheless.

I've been fighting a terrible headcold the past few days.  So, when I opened the online sketch notebook and saw this week's sketch, my heart started to beat a bit faster.  Not an easy sketch this week!!!!  LOL!!!  

Do you remember the anti-drugs commercial....."This is your brain.  This is your brain on drugs"? 

Well, this is my card.....designed by my brain on cold meds..........

I used one of my brand new stamp sets from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog.   It's called Fox & Friends, and it is available starting on Tuesday January 5th.  I ordered my stamp set in the new Clear Mount option.   The rubber image is still the same, but the stamps get mounted on an acrylic block rather than permanently mounted on a wood block. 

The base card is Chocolate Chip (my favorite neutral).

On the right side of the card, I glued down a 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" strip of the Melon Mambo striped patterned paper.  It's from the Melon Mambo Patterns DSP pack.

To cover the seam where the patterned paper meets the base card, I cut a 3/4" x 5 1/2" strip of Pretty in Pink cardstock.  I paper pierced the right edge with my piercing tool and mat pack. 

The sketch calls for four elements.  I stamped the owl twice using Chocolate Chip ink on Whisper White cardstock.  I colored in his beak with a Pumpkin Pie marker.  I punched him out with the 1 3/8" circle punch.  I sponged the edges lightly with Chocolate Chip ink.

I used the Three Way Heart Punch to punch the heart using Melon Mambo cardstock. 

Each of the four elements are popped up on dimensionals.

The finishing touches include the Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (tied into a classic knot) and the sentiment.  The sentiment (from Teeny Tiny Wishes) is stamped on Pumpkin Pie cardstock using Chocolate Chip ink.  I punched it out with the Word Window Punch.

Are you ready to take the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge?  I hope so!!!  If you choose to take the challenge, be sure to link your card to the Stamping 411 blog using Mr. Linky.  You never know....your card might be selected on our Friday Showcase!!!!

Until next time.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Happy 2010!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!

Have you heard that the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration starts on Tuesday, January 5th?

If you've purchased from me over the past year, you will be receiving these catalogs in your mail box from me.

Now, Stampin' Up! let us demos know that the catalogs didn't get sent out as early as they would've liked. 

To make everyone happy, they posted the links to both the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration catalog early.

Click HERE to view the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Click HERE to view the Sale-a-bration Brochure.

Now, here are some things to be on the "lookout" for in these catties:

• stamp sets are available in both Wood Mount (traditional) or Clear Mount options.  Both have the same wonderful rubber images you are used to.  The difference is using an acrylic block for the Clear Mount option.  The Clear Mount is also about 25% less expensive than wood mount.  Click HERE to learn more about Clear Mount stamps. 
• the punches have been re-designed.  They are now lock and can be stored more easily.

Sale-a-bration is back!!!  This year the promotion runs from January 5th through March 31st.  There are three parts to Sale-a-bration:

• As a customer, for every $50 of your purchase, you get to choose one item from the Sale-a-bration brochure for FREE. 
• As a hostess, for every $300 of your workshop sales, you get to choose one item from the Sale-a-bration brochure for FREE.
• If you would like to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator yourself, the starter kit is on sale for 15% off and you get to choose any stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog for FREE. 

The Sale-a-bration brochure includes stamp sets (your choice of wood mount or clear mount), a pad of designer series paper and a border punch.  You can also choose from a variety of stamp sets from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog too!!!!  The list of stamp sets to choose from is in the Sale-a-bration mini catalog. 

I am very excited about both the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration.

Take a peek at the new catalogs and let me know what you think!!!!!  I know you will fall in love too!

If you would like to hostess your very own workshop to earn free goodies from both the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration brochure, email me today to get your workshop scheduled!!!!

Organization Can be Fun!!

Dennis bought me some fabulous Christmas gifts.  He bought me a new filing cabinet.  I now have three drawers to store my cardstock scraps and business supplies.  Now, I will admit that I did know about this gift.   He wanted me to pick it out.

For a surprise, he bought me an awesome ribbon organizer.   My ribbons now hang on the wall where I can take them out easily for a class.  Have I mentioned how awesome it is?  Now, I am NOT a ribbon addict (ahem......fibbing here), but one organizer wasn't enough.  So, it's a good thing my brother and his family gave a gift card for me to purchase another one.  Now, I have lots of room for my ribbon.  There are some empty spots (unbelievable, I know), but it will soon fill up when I order all the yummy colors of Satin Ribbon in the new Occasions Mini.

Anyway, as I was cleaning my stamping area, I found some old class project packs.  Now, these are old because the base card is Buckaroo Blue (one of the original In Colors).

Christopher needs some Thank You cards as he needs to thank some people for sending him birthday and Christmas gifts. 

I stamped the snowflakes (from Serene Snowflakes.....jeez, I am going to miss this set when it retires on Jan 4th) with Buckaroo Blue, Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel ink.  I then used my Color Spritzer tool and a Chocolate Chip marker to add some ink spatter.  I also sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

The sentiment is stamped on a strip of Buckaroo Blue cardstock with Versamark ink and sprinkled with White embossing powder.  After heating to melt the powder, I used my Photo Corner punch to make the banner edge.  I love this technique.

It's a very simple Thank You card, but I didn't want to make it all extravagant since they will be sent by my teenage son.

Well, I am off to hang on the couch and watch some TV.  I seem to have caught a cold and it's packing a bit of a whallop.  I promised my daughter a trip to MOA tomorrow to go shopping.  I need all the strength I can get to go to the mega-mall with a 15 year old girl.  LOL!!!

Until next time.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

P.S.  Don't forget....the products in the Holiday Mini (with the exception of the Shimmer Paint, decor blocks, Simply Adorned jewelry and Build-a-Bear products) are only available until January 4th.  Make sure you place your order for your favorites before they are gone.

Ordering is easy......you can either email me your order or place an order online via my demonstrator website.

Easel Card

 It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone.  It seems like we spend so much time preparing for the big day, and it's over in the blink of an eye.

We spent wonderful times with the family.  We have lots of traditions each year like our Christmas Eve Pizza Picnic, the setting up of the Nativity, hanging the stockings after reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas", leaving cookies and milk for Santa (as well as baby carrots for the reindeer).

Now that Christmas is over, the papercrafting world moves onto the next big holiday.....Valentine's Day.  I love sending a special someone a little token of my love.  Life is so busy sometimes that we forget to notice the little things that our loved ones do for us each day.

For this valentine, I decided to try an Easel Card.  Let me tell you, they are so much fun to make.

Here's a side view:

Now do you see why they call it an Easel Card?  Cool, huh?

I started with a 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I scored it at 2" and 4 1/4".

The front panel is a 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Pretty in Pink cardstock.  I added a 1" x 4 1/4" strip of the gorgeous Real Red damask dsp (from Christmas Cocoa DSP pack.....retiring on Jan. 4th).  Behind this dsp is a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock with its top edge scalloped using the Scallop Edge punch.  I stamped the heart (from Love You Much stamp set) using Chocolate Chip ink and punched it with the Three Way Heart punch.

For the focal image, I used one of my favorite stamp sets from the Holiday Mini catalog.  It's called Wandering Words.  I used my markers (Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Pretty in Pink) to ink up the stamp.  I sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink.

For the inside of the card, I also used the same damask DSP.  I added some Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon to cover the seam. 

The only thing left to do is to add the brad.  The brad acts as an "anchor" to hold up the easel portion of the card.  I used one of the 5/8" Neutral Brads.  I glued the smallest of the hearts (from the Love You Much stamp set) to the brad to fit with the card theme.

Are you ready to try your hand at an Easel Card?  If you choose to make one, be sure to leave me a comment here with a link to your project so I can check it out.

Now, if you've fallen in love with this project, the Christmas Cocoa DSP and Wandering Words stamp set are only available for purchase (say it isn't so) until January 4th.

If you would like to place an order, it's easy.  You can either email me your order or you can place an online order through my demonstrator website.

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Pretty Packaging

 

I held my final Stamp Club meeting for the year last Thursday.  The ladies made a Valentine's Day card (which I will share with you next week) and this gift bag.

The gift bag is made with the Big Shot and the Bigz XL Fancy Favor box die.  For this die, I cut a piece of 12x12 Old Olive cardstock in half.  The box comes together with just a little bit of Sticky Strip to keep it all securely closed.

To decorate the bottom edge of the box, I cut some 1 1/4" wide Whisper White strips.  I used the Scallop Edge punch along the top edge.

I stamped the sentiment (from Teeny Tiny Wishes) using Versamark ink.  I sprinkled with Gold Embossing powder and heated with my heat gun.  I tend to emboss a lot in the winter......it's cold here in MN!!  ha ha!!

I punched the sentiment with my favorite-est (not a word....but I like it) punch.  It's called the Modern Label punch....and it is awesome!!!

Now, onto the ornament.

I punched the ornament three times using the Ornament Punch and the red flocked paper from Christmas Cocoa DSP pack.  I folded each ornament in half, lengthwise.  Glue the ornament sides together to form a 3D ornament.  Isn't it cool?

Before gluing to the box, tie a bow using some Gold Elastic Cord.

Now, you can't tell from this photo (because I didn't use my photo box.....it's put away at the moment to make room for the Christmas Eve pizza picnic), but I did spray some of my homemade Champage Mist Shimmer Mist to make this all uber-sparkly.

It really is SO pretty in person.  I am going to add some shredded paper to the inside and tuck in my sister-in-law's jewelry gift.  I can't tell you specifically what's in there in case she is reading this post.  You never know when she is going to stop by, and I don't want to ruin her surprise.

Happy Holidays!!!!

P.S.  Don't forget, the Ornament Punch and Christmas Cocoa DSP are in the Holiday Mini catalog.  The last day to order from the Holiday Mini is January 4th. 

Click HERE to order your Stampin' Up! products

Holiday Happenings

Hi everyone!  Sorry for my lack of posting, but it's a few days until Christmas and it sure has been busy!!!

I finally got my Christmas cards finished.  I really need to start making a few cards each month so I am not so overwhelmed in December.  Wasn't that my New Year's resolution for last year?  Probably.....as well as those extra pounds I never lost.  LOL!!!

The kids had their last day of school today until January 4th.  They are VERY excited to sleep in.  Hopefully the teachers were nice and didn't assign lots of homework.  I guess I'll find out when I get home from work.

The final preparations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are underway.  I have some wrapping to do tonight.  I also need to go to the grocery store since there is a BIG 'ol snowstorm coming our way (possibly over a foot of snow).  It's supposed to start Wed night and go until Saturday.  I feel terrible for those people who are trying to travel for Christmas. 

I've been stamping a little bit.  I just finished up 30 swaps for the GoDiva Occasions Mini swap.  I really like the way it came out, but I can't show it to you because I want the recipients to be surprised (besides, I forgot to take a picture of it....silly me).

I will be back later with a project, but I didn't want you to think I forgot about you.  I've just been a bit overwhelmed (okay, completely stressed out) with lists of things to do.

Thank you for your patience!!!! 

Stamping 411: Saturday Sketch

It's time for this week's Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 blog.

I am still working like crazy to get my Christmas cards finished.....so my blog posts have been focusing on simple cards (because simple is the only way to get them all done in time this year).

Here's my card:

 Simple?  Yup.  Cute?  Definitely.

This card is actually for my nephew.  I am going to tuck in a gift card for him to open on Christmas day.

When I first saw this sketch, I immediately pictured a "buckle card".  See the red strip.  That slides in and out of the slot created with the Modern Label punch to close the card. 

Here are some of the details:

• the base card is Not Quite Navy cardstock
• the flocked patterned paper is lightly sponged with Close to Cocoa ink to show off the snowflake.  The edges are also lightly sponged.
• before adhering the patterned paper to the More Mustard mat, I wrapped some Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon and tied it into a classic knot.
• the walrus (from Cold & Cuddly stamp set) is inked with Chocolate Chip ink.  I dotted his eyes with a Chocolate Chip marker.  The walrus is punched with the 1 1/4" circle punch.
•  I inked the hat with Real Red and Not Quite Navy markers and stamped on a scrap of Whisper White.  I cut it out and glued to his head.
• the sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink and punched with the Curly Label punch.
• to finish the card, I sprayed it with Shimmer Mist that I made with rubbing alcohol and Frost White Shimmer Paint.

Oh well, back to the card making!!!!

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

  
  

Stamping 411: Color Inspiration 102

 

It's the week before Christmas, and I admit that my holiday cards are still not finished. I have about 1o more to make.  Then it's on to wrapping gifts, planning my Christmas day menu, cleaning, baking cookies and enjoying time with the family.

 

My holiday cards are simpler this year.  I learned my lesson last year when I was stressing because my cards weren't done.  As much as I love to make extravagant cards, I will save them for other occasions.  My goal for this year was a beautiful but simple card.  Here's what I came up with.

 

 
This week's Stamping 411 color combination is one I tend to use every Christmas.  I like how the Certainly Celery brightens up the classic Garden Green and Real Red.

 

This card is actually quite sparkly in person.  It's been sprayed with my homemade Shimmer Mist.  If you'd like the recipe, be sure to sign up for my newsletter.  It's one of the tips in the December edition.

 

I also used the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint in the center of each snowflake.  I just use an embossing stylus to add the dots. 

 

The card is pretty simple so I'm not going to give you the "play by play".  If you have any questions, just send me an email.

 

Here's the card recipe if you'd like to make one.

 

Card Recipe

stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Four the Holidays
paper:  Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Whisper White
ink:  Garden Green, Certainly Celery
accessories:  Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Real Red Wide Grosgrain, sponges, embossing stylus

 

If you don't have a demonstrator and would like to purchase Stampin' Up! products, click HERE to go to my demonstrator website.  Simply click on "Shop Now" to go to the online store. 

You have to try this cookie recipe!!

I found this new cookie recipe, and I wanted to share it with all of you.  I made them for Thanksgiving as well as for the neighborhood cookie exchange.  They are fabulous!!  If you give them a try, let me know what you think.

Iced Lemon Cookie

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour

For cookies: preheat oven to 350F.   Line 2 baking sheets with foil.

Using electric mixer, beat sugar, unsalted butter, vanilla extract and
Grated lemon peel in a large bowl until blended. Add egg 1 at a time
Beating well after each addition (may appear curdled).
Continue beating 1 minute. Combine flour and baking powder in small
bowl. Add to butter mixture and stir to form soft sticky dough.

Spoon dough into pastry bag fitted with large star tip.
Pipe 2-inch long strips, onto prepared sheets, spacing apart.
Bake until golden brown, about 13 minutes.

Remove cookies from oven. Immediately brush warm icing over hot cookies.
Cool iced cookies on sheets 2 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool completely.


ICING
1-tablespoon butter
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons (or more) water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1- teaspoon vanilla extract

PREPARE ICING: Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat
Add sugar, 2 tablespoons water, lemon juice, and vanilla extract and whisk until sugar
melts and mixture is heated through. Thin with water if icing is to thick to brush.

12 Days of Holiday Sales

Stampin' Up! has a huge sale going on until December 22.  It's called the 12 Days of Holiday Sales.

The sale has lots of Big Shot dies and sheets of our Decor Elements vinyl.

If you don't own a Big Shot, I am offering a sale of my own to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.  That's right, until December 22nd, I am offering the Big Shot for 10% off.

If you email me your order, I can take the 10% off immediately.  If you place an online order, I will mail you a personal check in the amount of $10.00.

Now, how about that vinyl (now available in lots of new colors including chalkboard)?  The vinyl was designed to be die cut with the Big Shot.  If you already own a cutting machine, the vinyl will work in that machine too.  Now, if you are using the Big Shot you want to use the vinyl with the Bigz dies rather than the Sizzlits.  Sizzlits were really only designed for paper.

Here are some ideas on how to use it:  cut out a shape in the clear vinyl and apply to glassware or tabletops to make it look like etched glass, apply vinyl to walls, mirrors, doors, glass, vases, plates, picture frames, glass shadow boxes, trays, wood plaques.

One of the new vinyl colors is called Chalkboard.  It works just like a chalkboard.....that's right....you can write on it with chalk.  Imagine that on your playroom walls. 

Now, here's the list of items on sale.  You can see pictures of these items by visiting my demonstrator website.  Click on "Shop Now" to go to my online store.  Then click on "12 Days of Holiday Sales" to see the items on sale. 

As always, feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or if you would like to place an order.  Remember, I'm here to help you with your papercrafting needs.

Item	Page #	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
114515	195	Flower Burst Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
114516	195	Cherry Blossom Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115957	195	Thanks Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
114513	195	Sweetest Stem Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115952	195	Hi Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115951	197	Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits die	$74.95	$59.96
113446	197	Build a Flower #2 Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$19.95	$16.96
114509	197	Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$21.95	$18.66
113448	197	Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$19.95	$16.96
113457	198	Tulipe Bigz die	$21.95	$16.46
115954	198	Two Tags Bigz die	$21.95	$18.66
114524	199	Fringed Flower Bigz die	$19.95	$15.96
114523	199	Decorative Accents Bigz die	$19.95	$15.96
114534	199	Flower Bigz Clear die	$19.95	$15.96
113473	199	5-Point 3D Star Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113472	199	Circle 3D Ornament Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113470	199	Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113465	199	Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
115961	200	Perfect Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95	$32.21
113483	200	Pennant Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
113484	200	Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die	$39.95	$31.96
116760	201	Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
116759	201	Pop-Up 3D Ball Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
114890	201	Matchbox Bigz XL die	$42.95	$36.51
113458	202	Flower Layers Originals die	$15.95	$13.56
114336	158	Kraft Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114334	158	Dark Gray Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114337	158	Chocolate Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114335	158	White Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
118797	n/a	So Saffron Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118798	n/a	Rose Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118799	n/a	Taken With Teal Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118800	n/a	Pretty In Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118801	n/a	Bashful Blue Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118802	n/a	Real Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118803	n/a	Old Olive Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118804	n/a	Black Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118805	n/a	Night of Navy Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118806	n/a	Certainly Celery Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118807	n/a	Tempting Turquoise Décor Elements Sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118808	n/a	Clear Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118809	n/a	Pumpkin Pie Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118810	n/a	Pixie Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118812	n/a	Sahara Sand Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118813	n/a	Gable Green Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118814	n/a	Basic Gray Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118815	n/a	Chalkboard Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$14.95	$11.21