Snowmen Popcorn Wrapper

I saw these adorable snowmen online and really wanted to make some.  My original plan was to make them for Abigail's preschool class, but I waited until the last minute and didn't have time so I made them for our neighbor instead.  I put them in a gift bag with two 20 oz bottles of Sprite and a tag that read "May your Christmas be Jolly and Sprite!"

Pretty cute, huh?

Gift Card Holder

Hello friends!  I needed to whip up a gift card holder for my brother and I wanted something that I haven't made before.  I love the Top Note die and have seen holders made from it so I thought I would give it a try. I didn't follow any instructions, just sort of put it together.  I cut out 2 Top Notes and used sticky strip along the bottom and a little more than half way up to stick them together and ribbon (retired) to tie it together.  I like how it turned out.

I used glitter on the candy and dimensionals to make them pop.

Stamp Set:  Jolly Bingo Bits
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink:  Real Red, Black Staz On, Versamark Pad
Accessories:  Black Gingham Ribbon (retired), 1" Square Punch, Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Crop-a-Dile, Top Note Bigz, Big Shot

Advent Tree

8 days until Christmas!  Yikes!  Where did the time go?  I made some of the purses using the Petite Purse die for the holiday bazaar I participated in November.  As I was unpacking my leftover goodies I took the purses out and wondered what I would do with them.  I hung them on my little tree that sits on the piano to worry about later. Then this idea popped into my head...

an Advent tree!

I wanted to make something for Abigail last year so she could get a little goodie every day leading up to Christmas, but just didn't have the time with all the craziness that the season brings.  I am really pleased with how it turned out and I'm hoping it will last a few years.  

Stamp Set:  25 & Counting

Paper:  Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Raspberry Ripple, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Raspberry Ripple, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories:  1" Square Punch, Scallop Square, Petite Purse Die, Silver 3/16" Metallic Brads, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot

Christmas Card Making Workshop

I will be having a Christmas card making workshop at my home on December 2nd, from 10:00 - 1:00.  I love the Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags from the holiday catalog and bought a ton of them with the plan of using them for my cards this year.I am going super simple with just texturing, rhinestones, and some shimmer paint (mixed with alcohol and put in a spray bottle) to "dress" up my cards.  I figured I might as well use these for the workshop, too.

Can you see the shimmer on the Gumball Green?  So pretty!

 Love the rhinestones...

This has shimmer on the Baja Breeze, but you can't see it in the picture.

Shimmer paint on the Primrose Petals and Cherry Cobbler.  Rhinestones, too (a little droopy in the middle there).

Had a tough time coming up with an idea for this tag.  I used the Perfect Polka Dots and Striped texture embossing folders as well as shimmer paint on the Cherry Cobbler and Primrose Petals cardstock.

Stamp Sets:  Delightful Dozen, Sassy Salutations, Many Merry Messages (retired), Sincere Salutations (retired)

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green

Cardstock:  Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Primrose Petals,Whisper White

Accessories:  Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Stripes Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot

More Bazaar Items

I had a great time at the Oregon City High School Holiday Bazaar this last weekend.  I had a steady flow of lookers as well as some interest in my workshop I am planning for the 2nd of December.

I saw these online a couple places and thought they were cute and I LOVE Chap Stick.  I have one in my purse, the diaper bag, and in each of my coat pockets.  Can't live without Chap Stick!

I am so pleased with how these gift card holders turned out.  The non-holiday ones sold better than the holiday.  I got the idea from my friend, Heidi.  You can see hers HERE.

These adorable turkeys were big sellers!  There were lots of different ways to make these little guys but I went with the fastest since I was getting close to the day and wanted to get as many made as I could in the time I had left.  I sold out, which surprised me since we just had Halloween and I thought everyone would be candied out!

I'm already thinking about the Spring Bazaar!

Holiday Bazaar

I'm participating in a holiday bazaar this coming weekend and these are some of the projects I have been working on.

These are boxes using the Fancy Favor Bigz die.  I decorated the front using glimmer paper and the Northern Frost (retired) snowflake die and ornament punch. 

The peppermint patties are tied together with Real Red grosgrain ribbon (retired).  They fit inside perfectly.

I made gift tags using the Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags (2 each of 5 designs) and Snow Festival DSP is the topper for the package.

These cute little purses are made with the Petite Purse Bigz die.  The bracelets are rolled DSP.

I saw these online somewhere, but they used a candy bar in the center and there was a big hole in the back so you could hang them on a door.  I made these with hot chocolate and a candy cane wrapped with Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine or Linen Thread.  The stamp set is Scentsational Season and the DSP is Festival of Prints, both from the holiday catalog.

Halloween Goodies

Abigail is in preschool this year and I thought it would be fun to make a goodie bag for her class.  Luckily, Stampin' Up! had these adorable Ghoulish Googlies kits available.  Aren't they cute?

I also made bags for the trick-or-treaters.  We only had seven kids come to the door so I have a lot of candy left.  I am planning to change them up for the holiday bazaar I am participating in next weekend.

Here are my two little ones all dressed up.  Abigail was Plum Puddin' (from Strawberry Shortcake) and Jackson was a monkey.

World Card Making Day!

I got together with three other demonstrators to honor World Card Making Day a couple weeks ago!  We each planned a card and provided supplies for our guests to make.  There were over 20 people in attendance and this is the card I designed.  I had recently bought the Owl Occasions stamp set out of the Holiday Mini Catalog and I was determined to use that set.  I love this ribbon in Primrose Petals.  I think it dresses it up a bit.  Isn't it cute?

Glitter is my favorite embellishment!  Something needed glitter in order for this card to work for me so the leaves got it  A handful of the attendees were putting glitter on the balloon...I loved it!  Wish I would have thought of doing that.  It was a fun day hanging out with ladies (and one gentleman) who enjoy making cards as much as I do.

Stamp Set:  Owl Occasions, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Primrose Petals  
Cardstock:  Certainly Celery, Early Espresso, Primrose Petals, Whisper White
Accessories:  3/8 Stitched Satin Ribbon - Primrose Petals, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, 1/2" Circle, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits, Big Shot

Getaway with the girls

Some fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators and I went to the coast a couple weekends ago to have a few days of nothing but crafting.  It was so much fun.  I loved being able to just sit and work and not have distractions around me.  Each of us planned a card for the others to make.  I wasn't too thrilled with mine, but as we were putting it together we changed it up a bit...cutting out the wing and placing a dimensional to make it pop, adding some bling to the eye, and using the scallop punch to make the flower not so blah.  It turned out great!

The flap of the card is tucked behind the bird.

Stamp Set:  Betsy's Blossom, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Floral District DSP

Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Designer Buttons - Daffodil Delight, Modern Label Punch, 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Rhinestones, Big Shot

Cupcakes

Abigail has been asking to make cupcakes so I picked up a white cake mix and some frosting earlier this week.  I remember seeing some colorful cupcakes on Pinterest and decided to give them a try.  We waited until Jackson went down for his morning nap and then we went to work.  I separated the batter into four bowls.  Abigail picked the colors and helped me color the batter.

I dropped two spoonfuls of each color into each liner.  I think next time I make these I will do just one spoonful for a smaller cupcake.  My cupcakes always tend to be on the larger side.  After they baked, Abigail and I cut into one to taste and I thought it lacked in flavor, but looked great!  I am not a big fan of white cake, but the colors work better with white.  We frosted them with cream cheese frosting and of course, sprinkles for decoration.  The frosting made them taste so much better.

I'm taking some over to the neighbors after dinner so we don't have to eat them all.

Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog

I am so excited for August 1st!  Why, you ask?  Because the new Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog starts.  There is so much great product in this catalog (which runs through January 4, 2013).  My wish list has doubled.  Yikes!  I love the Snow Festival DSP on page 10 and the Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags on page 12 (my gifts will be using those this year).  How cute is the Owl Occasions stamp set on page 13?  You could use it for Christmas, Birthday, or any occasion, really.  Most people on my Christmas list will be getting the Everyday Happenings Designer Calendar on page 22.  The list goes on...

Click here to view catalog.

Pennants & Banners

I love the Petite Pennants Builder punch.  You can make party hats, sail boat sails, flags, base of an ice cream cone...the ideas are endless.  I used it to make a pennant banner on Jackson's invitation for his first birthday.

Stamp Set:  Party This Way
Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Lucky Limeade, Pacific Point, Real Red, Celebrations DSP
Ink:  Real Red
Accessories:  Whisper White Bakers Twine, Petite Pennants Builder Punch

I couldn't decide on a design for his thank you cards and the weeks were going by so I finally just sat down during nap time and busted these out.  Not my favorite card, but it worked for the hour or so that I had to put them together.

Stamp Set:  Itty Bitty Banners, Sweets for the Sweet
Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Lucky Limeade, Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White, Celebrations DSP
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Real Red
Accessories:  Cupcake Builder Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Folder, Real Red Glimmer Brad

Floral District DSP

I ordered the new Floral District DSP on my last order and I love it.   I was going to a downline meeting at the beginning of June.  We were having a card swap and was asked to use only current items in the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  I was going for simple and I think I achieved it.

Our neighbor just had a baby the week before so I figured I would make a card for them too.

Stamp Set:  Itty Bitty Banners
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Floral District DSP
Accessories:  Lucky Limeade and Whicper White baker's twine,  Subtles and Brights Designer Buttons, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits

Birthday, Birthday, Birthday

We had two birthday parties to go to this weekend, both for 3 year olds.  This morning when I got up I realized I didn't have cards to go with the gifts.  I had little time to do anything fancy so I just found some cute DSP and a birthday stamp and went to town.  They are super simple and I am happy with how they turned out.  I am planning to make a few more when the kids go to bed tonight, just to have on hand for those last minute needed cards.

The thing I like best about these cards is that it used some of the DSP I have.

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen

Paper:  Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Whisper White, Ice Cream Parlor DSP (retired), Big Top Birthday DSP

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Real Red

Accessories:  Boho Blossoms Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch, Silver Brad

Baby Shower

My friend is expecting a boy in June and I offered to make the invitations for her shower.  I have lots of supplies and I figured I might as well some up.  Plus, I love making cards!  I found cute turtle plates and napkins online, so I tried to tie the invites in, using similar colors and circles.

I think they turned out pretty cute.

Stamp Set:  Fox & Friends, Party Time

Paper:  Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White

Ink:  Lucky Limeade

Accessories:  Circles #2 Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1/2 circle punch, 3/4 circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 3/4 scallop circle, Big Shot, Brad

Of course, I had to make a card to go with her gift.  I remember seeing a card with a sailboat on my fellow demonstrator's blog.  Click here to view card.  I was short on time so I didn't change up my card much from hers.

Paper:  Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Lucky Limeade, Brights Collection DSP

Accessories:  Tempting Turquoise Button, White Baker's Twine, Whisper White 5/8 Satin Ribbon, Circles #2 Die, Big Shot

Horses!

We had Abigail's 3rd birthday party at the Salem's Riverfront Carousel so I made invitations and table centerpieces to go with a horse theme.  I also found the cutest cowgirl plates, cups, etc. online.

Stamp Set:  Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Melon Mambo DSP
Ink:  Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Brads - Neutrals, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Stocking Punch (Retired), Big Shot

More Shimmer Paint

I was looking on splitcoaststampers the other day and saw this card.  I recreated it, changing the ribbon and adding the glimmer paint to the flower, which I think adds a bit of elegance.

Stamp Set:  Because I Care, En Francais
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimentionals, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch

Sweets for the Sweet

I love, love, love the Big Top Birthday DSP.  It is so bright and fun.  I think the sheet with the colorful circles is my all-time favorite.  Too bad I couldn't buy a pack of just this one sheet.  The Sweets for the Sweet stamp set is adorable.  Makes me want to run out and buy lollipops.

I even added a little something in the inside.

Stamp Sets:  Sweets for the Sweet, Petite Pairs, Teeny Tine Wishes
Paper:  Big Top Birthday DSP, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Peach Parfait, Whisper White
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Old Olive
Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones, Tempting Turquoise 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punch

Candy Holder

I have Designer Series paper coming out of my ears so I decided that my projects in the coming months need to include DSP until I feel like I have made a dent in my stash.  I planned to visit my coworkers at the law firm I used to work at and I thought I would make up some Valentine goodies for them.  I used my scallop punch border to the bottom (hard to see) and my heart punch to add a little something to the front flap.  I think they turned out cute and they were really fast and easy to make.

Skittles...yummy!

Stamp set:  I {Heart} Hearts

Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, Sending Love DSP

Ink:  Real Red

Accessories:  Scallop Edge Border Punch, Full Heart Punch

Shadow Box

I bought this Celebrate Today Stampin' Up! decor element in hopes of putting it on a shadow box and changing the inside with the holiday.  This is what I came up with for Valentine's Day.

I think I will make some of those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey kisses on top when Valentine's Day is over.  The hubby loves those.

Paper:  Pretty in Pink DSP

Accessories:  Celebrate Today Decor Element

Christmas in January

I received my order from Stampin' Up! this afternoon.  It's like Christmas!  26 items of fun.  Sale-a-Bration is going on now (through March 31st) so for every $50 you spend you get free product.  I got a few free things, plus the hostess benefits.  I can't wait to play with all my goodies!

Stamps, inks, paper, punches, buttons, glitter, and so much more!

Welcome!

Hi all!  Welcome to my blog.  I decided to start this blog to keep me motivated in being crafty.  I have tons of fun stuff taking up space and I don't use it as much as I should, so hopefully this gets my butt in gear.  If there is anyone out there following me, I might as well give them something to look at, right?

I have a downline meeting this weekend with my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators and we are all planning a simple make-n-take.  We were encouraged to use a new technique.   I am pretty basic when it comes to making cards.  Because my time is limited, I typically don't do anything "fancy" with my cards.  I like to bust out as many as I can in the few minutes that I have (during naptime).  Not to say that my cards look like they were thrown together in a matter of seconds, I just don't spend too much time on any one card.

Anyway, I don't know what you would call this "technique." I just stamped my stamp with Night of Navy ink, shook the Frost White Shimmer Paint, and then dipped my sponge dauber in the lid.  I dabbed the dauber around my stamp, then I stamped.  My daisys have a nice frosted look to them, although it is hard to see in the picture.  I also added a few rhinestones to the flowers.

Simple, right?

Stamp Set:  Upsy Daisy  

Paper:  Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Pocket Full of Posies DSP

Ink:  Night of Navy

Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones, Shimmer Paint, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals