Woody Christmas

  I'm actually ahead of schedule getting ready for my class tonight so I thought I would quickly get this card posted.  I have hardly used Watercolor Winter yet but after seeing some cool samples around blog land I thought my set should see some ink before Christmas was over!

  Once this one was complete I thought it was a good masculine card....maybe for a male teacher or for a gift card for a male relative?  The sentiment could even be changed up for a winter birthday card.  No ribbon and metal generally make it a guy card for me!  =)

  The base is Sahara Sand and I stamped the pine branches all around in Garden Green.  I then sponged around the edges with Sahara Sand.

  The image panel is Very Vanilla and I stamped the Christmas greeting from Delightful Dozen in Early Espresso.  For the pine branches I stamped off one time for each branch making the Garden Green a bit lighter for this panel.  I stamped off once as well for the pinecones using Early Espresso ink.  That gave me a lighter image to pair with the pinecone outline stamp which I stamped in Early Espresso at full strength right over the top of the original pinecones.

  The image panel is layered over another Sahara Sand panel that was embossed with the Houndstooth embossing folder and sponged.   This is backed by a panel of Garden Green.  I finished this card off with 2 metallic brads on the left side and popped it up with dimensionals.

  Reminder!  Tomorrow is the last day for the Online Extravaganza!  Have you gotten everything that you want?  Don't miss out on the super savings!  Check out my online store to start shopping!  For my local ladies; I'll be placing one last group order tomorrow morning so if you're not coming to class tonight but would still like to put in an order please e-mail it to me by tomorrow (Wed.) morning at 9am.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

  Stamps: Watercolor Winter, Delightful Dozen

  Ink: Garden Green, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso

  Paper: Sahara Sand, Garden Green, Very Vanilla

  Accessories:  Houndstooth e.f., metallic brads, dimensionals

Giant Snowman

  Last week I stumbled upon a new challenge blog dedicated to digital scrapbooking with My Digital Studio.  It's called MDS Monday and this week they are starting us off with a sketch challenge.  As I've been creating pages for my 2012 photo book I've found I need some inspiration to get started just like I do with cards sometimes.  I'm glad I found this challenge and will be looking forward to the next one!

 
  I thought this was a cute picture of Alex and I to use for this sketch.  It was fun playing with some new downloads that I got a few weeks ago.

  Remember that the Online Extravaganza ends this Wednesday!  And if you're interested in My Digital Studio to start creating your own projects it is on sale for 50% off but only until Wednesday.  Check out my online store to get begin shopping or to download a trial version of My Digital Studio.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?


Embellishments
    Candid Frames
    Round Buttons - Not Quite Navy
    Baker's Twine - Cherry Cobbler knot

Stamps
    Decorative Overlays
    Old Saint Nick
    Season of Cheer

Punches
   Flag Punch
   Snowflake Punch

Paper
 Designer Series Paper - Number One
 Designer Series Paper - Wonderfall
 Designer Series Paper - Christmas Jingle
 Textured Card Stock - Whisper White  
 Textured Card Stock - Bashful Blue

Tidings of Joy Shimmer - Fab Friday

  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed the time with family and friends.  As usual my father-in-law spoiled us rotten with his awesome cooking.  We were lucky enough to snag some leftovers to bring home so I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner take 2 tonight!  There's even some of the dessert we made left!  Bonus!

  I'm late getting this posted but here's my project for Fab Friday 07!  It's a really fun sketch that Mindy has for this time around.  Check out the rest of the Design Team projects!  They are super talented!

  This was a fun sketch since the main panel is so big you can do just about anything you'd like.  I wanted to use the great image from the retired set Tidings of Joy that didn't see nearly enough ink last year.  It's a bit time consuming to watercolor but it's so adorable!

  I mixed the image with a sentiment from More Merry Messages.  I added a bit of shimmer throughout this card...I painted Champagne Shimmer paint on Baby Jesus' blanket and the star.  To highlight the sentiment a bit I lightly colored over the scroll-y words with an even lighter coat of Champagne Shimmer paint and then added a little banner made from Champagne Glimmer paper.  You'd think with all this champagne flowing on here that it would be New Year's eve or something!

  Here are some close ups of the details!

 Don't forget to see the other team members projects over at Fab Friday.  And get to work on your own submission!  We'd love to have you play along!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Tidings of Joy (retired), More Merry Messages

Ink: Stazon, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Marina Mist

Paper: Baja Breeze, watercolor paper, Floral District DSP, Brushed Gold, Champagne Glimmer paper

Accessories: Simply Scored, faceted button, 1/8" taffeta ribbon, adhesive pearl, Champagne Shimmer paint

Star Filled 7th Birthday

  Is everyone prepared for Thanksgiving tomorrow?  We're in pretty good shape minus the cold that I've come down with.  I have all the ingredients needed to make the 2 desserts I volunteered to bring.  Just need to bake those up tonight.  I'm laying low today, drinking a lot of OJ, having tea with honey and lemon and trying to fight this cold.  Anyone have any home remedies they swear by?

  I've been stamping quite a bit lately to get ready for my class next and I'll share those project after my ladies get first peek at them.  I also have several other cards but they are stuck on the camera and I'm thinking I don't have the energy to download and edit them right now.  I know pretty pathetic huh?  Maybe I'll get a burst of energy later!

  Anyway here's a card a made several weeks ago for a birthday party Ryan was invited to.  While I had plenty of lead time to make the card I didn't get to it until the morning of the party so I didn't have a lot of time to get futzy over it.  I chose my colors from the Color Coach (love that thing!) and used one of the Fab Friday challenge sketches.  I think I used this great sketch for about 6 cards!

 The base is Midnight Muse stamped with the shooting star stamp from Blast Off also in Midnight Muse.  To make the banner I used the Chevron e.f. on a strip of Gumball Green Bore'dinations cardstock and then lightly sanded it down.  I cut 2 stars out with the retired Stars Big Shot die, one in WHisper White and the other in Marina Mist.  The finishing touch is a popped up 7 die cut from silver Glimmer paper.

  Super simple but I try to remember my audience for kids cards!

  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Blast Off

Ink: Midnight Muse

Paper: Midnight Muse, Gumball Green Core'dinations, Whisper White, Marina Mist, silver Glimmer paper

Accessories: star die, Chevron e.f., Simple letters/numbers die, dimensionals

Promotions! News! Sales! Oh My!

  I have a WONDERFUL group of local customers who are the sweetest, nicest bunch of people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing but I know even they don't want a gazillion e-mails updating them on the crazy amount of Stampin'Up! news I have to share with them.  So I thought I would post everything here and then just send one quick e-mail referring them here!  Hope you don't mind!  I'll even show a quick card at the bottom to make it worthwhile!  =)

First up is the Online Extravaganza!  Wow!  So many great deals and one day door busters that you don't want to miss out! Head to my online store Nov. 19-28 to take advantage of these deals.  Local customers can e-mail me their orders if they prefer.  The Big Shot is on sale for Monday only! If you're thinking of joining the Stampin' Up! family now is a perfect time...Online Extravaganza items can be included in your starter kit!!  Wow again!  More bang for the $99 starter kit (you get up to $125 worth of items and free shipping!).  Check out the other bonus if you join now at the bottom of this post!

Check out the whole list of sale items HERE!! 

   Next is the limited time promotion of the Sizzix Texture Boutique Embossing Machine.  This seems like a great little tool for embossing with the embossing folders.  How cute is that purse shape?  These are limited in number and seem to be selling fast.  If you have questions if this tool would be good for your crafting style don't hesitate to ask me!

  Here are the details:

'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 $5.90. 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
$39.95 (a $45.85 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
$29.95
Includes:

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

  To see this baby in action check out this video


  Cool new smartphone product!  Talking Tags! 

  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 Buy Talking Tags:
Buy 'em by the sheet! You get 10 tags for just $7.95 (item 129723).
How to record 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 you're 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.

  For more information see the Talking Tags video



  And to add Stampin' Up! to your iPhone (android version coming soon!) the  Simply Sent App!!

Send personalized e-cards with a Stampin' Up! flair with this Free app!  Add your own photos and greetings and share it with everyone! Download it from iTunes or the App Store, share it with all your friends, and post a review!
Try it out!


And last but not least!!  Free Ink Pad Promotion!!  Until Dec. 16!

Deal for Hostesses: 
Hostesses who hold a minimum $450 party during the promotion period will receive a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads--they can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals--a $49.95 value!  Plus, the free ink is in addition to the regular hostess benefits--INK-redible!

Deal for new Demonstrators:
New demonstrators who join the Stampin' Up! family during the promotion period will received a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads (a $49.95 value)--they can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals! It's INK-redible!

   If you've stuck with me this far here is your reward!  =)  I didn't say it was going to be an awesome reward but it's better than nothing!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: For the Birds

Ink: Stazon, Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo

Paper: Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, watercolor paper, Patio Party DSP

Accessories: jewelry tag punch, baker's twine, Itty Bitty button, Aquapainter

I'm So Far Behind! My Digital Studio Photo Book

  At some point over the last year I began to think how fun it would be to have a photo book of our 2012 memories.  Trips we'd been on, places we'd visited, goofy every day stuff that happens at our house, you know that kind of photo book.  We tend to take a lot of photos and they sit on our computer  and our screen saver scrolls through them but we really don't do anything else with them.  Sometimes Alex will sit at the computer for 15 or 20 minutes watching the random selections appear.  He thinks it's funny to try to guess if the baby is Ryan or himself.  Wouldn't it be nice to sit down and flip through a book of your whole year?  Exactly!

  I've had My Digital Studio (MDS) for a while now but just never sat down to start making anything.  Then Stampin' Up! came out with My Digital Studio 2....well that just might have been the incentive that I needed to get in gear.  I upgraded, downloaded a bunch of new papers, embellishments and kits and decided that I was going to start with January of 2012 and pick some photos and get them on a page.  I know I've got a long way to go but I think if I keep working through this year and try to do 2013 one month at a time I'll eventually get there!

  This is my first page.  It took a while; I'm not a natural scrapbooker by any means so I needed to fiddle a bit and refresh my memory about MDS and learn the new features.  I think it came out OK and hope that I become more proficient with practice.  Mydigitalstudio.net is a great resource and I know I will be spending a lot more time there as I work my way through 2012.

  You can download a trial version of My Digital Studio if you're interested in seeing how it all works.  Head to my Stampin' Up! site to learn how you can get started on your own 2012 Photo Book (or cards, or single pages or whatever you can dream up!).

   ***Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza sale starts on Monday!  My Digital Studio will be 50% off starting on Monday!!  Don't miss out!***

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Supplies used in MDS:

Background
     Designer Kit -Number One

Embellishments
    Designer Kits - Number One
    Baker's Twine - Early Espresso knot (re-colored)

Stamps
    Designer Kits - Fifty Nifty - Virginia outline
    Designer Kits - A Split Second - frame 4
    Sporting - star

Punches
    Star Punch,  Filled with: Textured Card Stock - Real Red
       
 

Booster Club Thank You

  Once in a while I get to combine my stamping obsession with my everyday, ordinary duties as an at home mom.  At the end of the summer I volunteered to co-chair our preschool parent booster club.    We recently finished up our largest money making event of the year with a Holiday Stop & Shop and used book sale.  We had some great parent volunteers to pull it off so of course I had to make some thank you cards for those who showed up when they said they would and got the job done.  I'm a big believer in thank you cards....we all have people we need to thank for big and small things so don't wait....get that card stamped and in the mail!

   I needed to make about 20 cards so I wanted one that wasn't too time consuming.  I browsed the gallery over at Splitcoaststampers and saw this card by sf9erfan.  I loved that it used the sentiment as the main stamped image.  My card base is Crumb Cake and then I layered Rich Razzleberry with one of the bold patterns from the Floral District DSP.  I rounded the corners of those panels to soften the look a bit.

  I stamped the Seasonal Sayings thanks stamp which I got as a single stamp purchase as I didn't need the whole set at this time.  Great way to boost your sentiment choices without buying a whole set!  Next I made a fork bow out of retired Rich Razzleberry ribbon and wrapped it around the DSP panel above the sentiment.

  The little flowers are from Betsy's Blossoms set and are stamped with Daffodil Delight and Rich Razzleberry ink and punched out.  I popped the large flower up on a dimensional and added a rhinestone to it and one of the small flowers.

  I've heard from a few parents that they really appreciated the cards so I know gestures of thanks are appreciated no matter how small!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Seasonal Sayings single stamp "thanks", Betsy's Blossoms

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Floral District DSP, Whisper White

Accessories: circle punches, satin ribbon (retired), rhinestones, corner rounder

Postage Thanks Fab Friday 06

  Can you believe we are on our 6th Fab Friday challenge already?  The time has just flown by and I'm having a blast with Mindy's challenges.  Today she has a color challenge for us.  I have to admit that this challenge snuck up on me...I think I've been thrown off my schedule since the storm last week and then election day on Tuesday.  It seems that every time I turn around the boys are having a day off from school.  I finally put all the boring household "to-do" items aside this morning and worked on this card.  I had the idea in my head I just had to make it work with the actual paper...sometime easier said then done!  Head over to the Fab Friday challenge to see the other awesome designer creations.

  These colors are so great for masculine themed cards or for fall cards as well.  I decided to go with a thank you card.  Change up the sentiment and you've got a birthday card!  I used the Postage Due set and stamped the large background stamp in Crumb Cake onto a Crumb Cake base stamping several times without re-inking to fill up the whole card front.

  I used a strip of scrap First Edition Specialty DSP which I dirtied up with some sponging with Crumb Cake.  I wrapped some linen thread around the card front and tied it off with a small length of Midnight Muse stitched ribbon.

  For the stamps I used each of the 3 stamp stamps (ha!) using the same color ink and paper.  The postage stamp punch makes quick work of a layout like this.  For the sentiment I stamped the "thanks" from Petite Pairs in Midnight Muse onto Very Vanilla and punched that one out as well.  I sponged a bit of Crumb Cake onto the edges and added a Vintage Trinket brad to the corner.  Each stamp is popped with a dimensional.

   Let's see what you can come up with using this fabulous color combination! 

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Postage Due, Petite Pairs

Ink: More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze

Paper: More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, First Ed. Specialty DSP

Accessories: linen thread, In Color Stitched ribbon, Vintage Trinket, stamp punch,

Clean & Simple Wedding

  Ahhhhhh....it's finally here!  Election day!  Regardless of which way you're voting today I know we can all agree that not having the constant political phone calls will be awesome!  I don't think I've answered my phone for more than a month!  At one point we had 15 messages on the answering machine and that didn't even count the calls that hung up before the machine picked up.  The trials and tribulations of living in a swing state I guess.

  And another thing....I understand the need to use schools for voting precincts but really....bringing a 6 year old and 4 year old to stand in line to vote is quite tiresome.  I think I will need a few more cups of coffee before tackling that part of my day.

  On a more serious note; don't take the privilege of voting lightly.  Many people have lost their lives in our country's history to give us this ability to choose our leaders.  Let us not take those sacrifices for granted.

  The Public Service Announcement is over....now onto the card!

  We went to a family wedding a few weeks ago and this is the card that I made for the special occasion.  I was short on time that week (when am I ever long on time right?) so I quickly browsed through the gallery over at Splitcoaststampers for some inspiration.  I came across this card by SanFransister.  Gorgeous!  If you haven't joined Splitcoaststampers (SCS) I highly recommend it.  There are so many great resources one of which is the fantastic gallery.  Go check it out!

  For my card I made a larger size than I normally do.  This one measures around 5 x 7.  I had a few random envelopes left from another project and wanted to size the card to match.

 As you can see I really just CASEd (Copy and Share Everything) SanFransister's card.  I didn't have the exact supplies she used so I substituted what I had on hand. 

  The base is Sahara Sand with the right side corners rounded which I carried through to the other layers.  Next is a layer of Very Vanilla.  I stamped the "Congratulations" in Sahara Sand ink and added the sprinkling of rhinestones.  I used more rhinestones than the inspiration card as my card was larger and needed more to balance the size.  Next I added a fork bow made from the retired Very Vanilla satin ribbon.  I kind of miss this ribbon as it is so elegant.  The top layer is again Sahara Sand and is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

  Stamps: Well Scripted (retired)


  Ink: Sahara Sand

  Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla

  Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper e.f., Very Vanilla satin ribbon (retired), rhinestones, corner rounder punch

Fall Texture

  This is going to be a super fast post today.  We've got lots of places to be today!  If you're in the Richmond area come on over to the Epiphany Lutheran Holiday Stop & Shop from 9-5 today.  There are tons of great vendors selling everything from paintings to jewelry to clay pieces.  I'll be working at the used book sale to benefit the preschool so stop on by and say hi and get some of your Christmas shopping done early!  The sale is at Epiphany Lutheran Church at 1400 Horsepen Rd.  Richmond 23226. 

  I wanted to make a card last week to send out to one of my stamping ladies who made me the cutest little wool acorns.  They are so adorable I can't stop looking at them!  I love the colors too, so rich.  Thanks Andrea!  I love them.

    I used the very versatile sketch from the current Fab Friday challenge.  I think I've made about 6 different cards with this sketch!  Head over there to see the other designers inspiration and play along!

  You can't really see it in the photo but the maple leaf was embossed with the Woodgrain e.f. before using the spritzer tool on it. 

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Just Believe

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, More Mustard

Paper: More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Howlstooth & Scarringbone DSP

Accessories: Autumn Accents die, Woodgrain e.f., Square Lattice e.f., button, linen thread, Vintage Trinkets safety pin, Word Window punch

Aviary Hello

  I needed some cards to send out to a few of my stamping ladies so I used the cool sketch over at The Paper Players to get my mojo going.  I was bound and determined to keep using the Howlstooth & Scarringbone DSP even though Halloween was over yesterday.

  The base is Marina Mist with a layer of Very Vanilla that was embossed with the  Perfect Polka Dots e.f.  Next I pulled in some of my Howlstooth & Scarringbone DSP edged with strips of Early Espresso.    I made the banner from Marina Mist cardstock and then embossed some lines using the Simply Scored.

  I stamped the cage and bird from Aviary and then cut them out with the Windows Framelit.  I added a little loop of Early Espresso stitched grosgrain.  Then I stamped a quick "hello" from the Pennant Parade set and punch it out with the jewelry tag punch.  I held the tag and ribbon loop in place with a Marina Mist brad.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Aviary, Pennant Parade

Ink: Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango

Paper: Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Howlstooth & Scarringbone DSP, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Windows Framelits, stitched grosgrain, brad, dimensionals, jewelry tag punch, Simply Scored, Perfect Polka Dot e.f.

The "5" Car Sponsored by Stampin' Up!

  Oh my!  The Halloween nonsense is over for another year!  We had a great time last night.  We had a bunch of the neighbors over for pizza and then headed out to trick-or-treat.  Well Matt took the boys around the neighborhood and I sat on my porch with a glass of wine and handed out candy with some of the other moms.

  And now I have to share the boys in their costumes.  My fantastic DH made the car costume for Ryan out of cardboard boxes, spray paint we had on hand and duct tape.  Ryan decided a number of weeks ago that he wanted to be a race car.  He couldn't be swayed!  He was so proud of his costume!  He picked out the number and decided that his car's sponsor should be Stampin' Up!  Isn't that funny?  I tried to tell him that we could probably find a more "race car" themed sponsor but he thought Stampin' Up! was perfect.  How's that for brainwashing huh?  =)

Super Fast 5 Car!

Maybe I'll get more customers?!?

  Alex was a karate guy.  HI-YA! HI-YA!  My mother-in-law had sent down an old karate outfit from when DH & his brother did karate way back in the day.  The pants were way too large for Alex but the shirt was like a dress anyway so it didn't matter about the pants.  Check out that karate chop he's doing!

Do they look crazed for candy or what?

  I'll be back later tonight or tomorrow with a card!  Thanks for letting me share my family!

  Did you stamp today?