My Balloon Adventures

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balloon-advnetures-1216Yesterday I had a team gathering of my SASsy Stampers and Friends.  I’ve added the “and friends” because I know a number of demonstrators who don’t have an active upline or who are simply my friends and I want to include them in my group.  There were a total of nine of us (which is pretty good for this time of year!).  We gathered together, chatted, had brunch and made some cards!  I’m kicking myself now because I wanted to take a picture of the group and I forgot!  Sheesh!

We did have a good time.  My three newest recruits were there so I had everyone go around the table and introduce themselves and tell how they met/knew me.  It was fun to hear some of the stories.  Naturally we got off topic a number of times but itsn’t that half the fun!  🙂

If you’d like to be part of my SASsy Stampers team Sale-a-bration will be the perfect time to join!  For $99 you will get to choose $125 worth of merchandise AND 2 free stamp sets of your choice!  Sale-a-bration runs from January 4 – March 31.  Start thinking about it!  I’d love to have you join my team!  Contact me with any questions you may have!

balloon-adventures-onstage-1Now, on to stamping!  I designed two projects for this gathering using products from the upcoming Occasions Catalog and one project using a product from the 2017 Sale-a-bration Brochure.  This project may look a bit familiar.  I took one of the cards that we made at the OnStage event I attended in Phoenix last month and made it my own.  You can see that I didn’t change much on the front.  I changed the card base color and added a few layers.  You know me and my layers!  Ha!

The only differences on the inside of the card are the colors of the balloons and the designer paper I used on the edges.  You can view the original card here.  Sometimes it’s nice not to tax your brain coming up with balloon-advnetures2-1216your own design.  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!  Don’t forget to think about joining the SASsy Stampers!  🙂

Simple Saturday: Candy Cane Lane Gift Tag

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candy-cane-christmas-1116Easy Peasy!  Who doesn’t love that?

Does this tag look a tad bit familiar?  It should if you’ve scoped out all of the samples in the Holiday Catalog.  (Check page 4!)  Why go to all of the trouble of  designing when there is a perfectly good sample to copy?

There are so many samples in Stampin’ Up! catalogs and so many styles too.  That’s the great thing about SU catalogs….not only do you get to check out great products but you also get to check out great samples for those products!

The only thing I did differently on my tag than what they had in the catalog was I added the red scalloped circle behind the stamped white image.  That’s it!

It was kind of funny in class when we made these.  I usually tell people to stamp your image first and then punch our die cut but in this case I had them die cut the circle first, then stamp to make sure they’d be able to get both the image and the candy on the circle.

Another little thing that I did on the tag was that I first adhered the loop of baker’s twine onto a piece of Thick Whisper White card stock.  I then adhered the designer paper so that the twine was sandwiched between the two papers.  Other than that the tag is pretty straight forward….perfect for Simple Saturday!  🙂

I’m having a little team gathering this morning.  We’re going to have brunch and then make a few cards using products from the new upcoming Occasions Catalog.  It should be a fun time.  Be sure to let me know if you’d like your very own copy of the new Occasions Catalog and the 2017 Sale-a-bration Brochure.  I’ll make sure you get a copy!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Silver Bells, Silver Bells….it’s Christmas Time in the City….

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seasonal-bells-1116I told you that I start singing when certain words or phrases are written or spoken.  I can’t help myself!  My MIL is the queen of this!  Of course most of the songs that she starts singing are REALLY old and I’ve never heard of them.  Ha!

This is a card that I designed for my Christmas Card Buffet and I also used it for a few workshops/parties.  Simple, yet elegant.  That’s the kind of card I really like.  A card that says “wow” but doesn’t take three hours to create.  The Silver Foil Sheet is what gave this card the “wow” factor.  I could have used Smoky Slate card stock but it just wouldn’t have been the same.

Be sure to use Black StazOn Ink when stamping directly on the Silver Foil Sheets.  It won’t smear.  Speaking of Silver Foil Sheets…I think I would have actually used another layer of Silver Foil between the white background and the blue card to tie things together.  I think it would have given the card a more finished look.  I didn’t do it for class just to make things a little simpler.  Another little tip when using the foil sheets is that you should use Mini Glue Dots or Fast Fuse Adhesive.  You need a strong adhesive when working with the shiny, glossy surface.

It’s been a chilly few days here in Denver.  I thought I was back in the Minnesota Homeland there for awhile with high temperatures in the low teens and lows actually below zero!  BRRRR!  Lucky for us it’s warming up today and I can put the parka in the back of the closet until the next cold front arrives!

Have a warm and cozy day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Christmas Trees

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greetings-from-santa-1116Simple yet beautiful!  The perfect card for this time of year when we’re all running here and there trying to prepare for the holidays.

Isn’t this little trio of trees cute?  The tree is from the Greetings from Santa stamp set.  I added a little falling snow and I have the perfect Christmas card.

What is your Christmas tree like?  Here’s a picture of our tree at night.  I love keeping all 20161207_210326-2of the room lights off and just have the glow of the lights on the tree.  I don’t really like decorating the tree because I know that sooner rather than later I have to take all of the decorations off the tree.  I know…kind of weird thinking.  I do like looking at all of the ornaments though.  Most of them are dated or I can remember when or where we got them.  I use to try to find an ornament each year for my sons that had something to do with what they did in the past year.  For example, the year we moved to Colorado they got little clay figures that were skiing and snowboarding.  I try to get my husband and I an ornament each year too.  If we haven’t gone a trip I’ll just get something that I really like.

What type of decorations do you put on your tree.  Leave a comment and let me know!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Santa’s Sleigh

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santas-sleigh-1016It’s definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Denver.  We had a little snow overnight and woke up to temperatures in the teens.  Brrrrr!  We don’t usually get that cold!

This is another one of my favorite cards that we made in class this fall.  My favorite part is the tree.  It’s a really cool tree!  🙂

The embossed falling snow is perfect because it’s still lightly snowing.  One nice thing about Denver is that even though it’s cold and snowy today, tomorrow it will get up to 50 degrees and the snow will be gone!

All of the images are die-cut with the COORDINATING Santa’s Sleigh Thinlits.  Boy does that make things easy!  One of the tips I have for you on this card is to remember to stamp the sentiment on the white card stock BEFORE running it through the Big Shot!  It’s makes things SO much easier!  🙂

The other tip would be to cut a little slit in the wreath in order to get it around the deer’s neck.  It will go over the head but with a lot of work and you could bend the antlers.

I’m all ready to snuggle up in my warm and cozy house on this chilly day.  I’d love to read a book all day but there’s too much to do!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Hang Your Stocking

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hang-your-stocking-1-0816Christmas stockings are so much fun!  The Hang Your Stocking stamp set and the COORDINATING Thinlits were some of my first purchases from the Holiday Catalog.

Christmas stockings come in all shapes and sizes.  When I go to someone’s house over the holidays I love to see what their Christmas stockings look like.

When my oldest son was born I made Christmas stockings for the three of us.  I cross-stitched the tops of all of them and sewed them together.  We each have a different little design next to our names.  They turned out pretty cute and I made another one for my younger son after he was born.  However….my poor daughter-in-law doesn’t have her own yet.  When my parents were cleaning out their house before they moved my mom gave me my stocking from my childhood that my grandmother had made for me.  It’s felt with a felt design on it and all sorts of sequins and such.  I use that one for me now and my DIL gets to use my cross-stitched one with a little tag with her name pinned to it.  It’s pretty lame.  One of these days I AM going to make her a stocking!  🙂

But back to paper crafting!  What do you think of the cable knit background?  Don’t you just love the new Cable Knit Dynamic Embossing Folder.  It gives such a deep, dimensional impression!  I knew I had to pair it with the Christmas stocking!

I bet you’re wondering how I made my hand-drawn stitches so perfectly….well, its your Tip of the Day!  I first die cut my oval.  Then I took the next smallest oval die and laid it on top of the die cut oval.  The outside of the smaller die lined up perfectly with the outside of the die cut image.  Then I was able to use the inside of the smaller die as my template and drew my little stitch marks!  How clever is that?!  🙂

Send me a photo of your Christmas stockings!  I’d love to see them!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping.

Burlap Wreath Ornament

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burlap-wreath-1216Yesterday there was a little Christmas party for the ladies at church.  We were suppose to bring an ornament for an exchange.  I wasn’t sure what I was going to bring for my ornament but then I remembered that I had seen a really cute little ornament on a demonstrator-only Facebook page.

Of course I had to scroll and scroll and scroll through things to find it.  (I had saved it but it was a long time ago!).  Once I saw it again I knew I wanted to try to make it.  Lucky for me the gal had included a link to a video where she learned to make it.  The video shows you how to make a full size wreath using a wire coat hanger and thick burlap ribbon but I was able to shrink it down to use Stampin’ Up!’s burlap ribbon!  🙂

Here’s the link to the video.  It is pretty easy.  The beauty of making this wreath is that you really can’t screw it up!  It’s not suppose to look absolutely perfect.  I just kept added ribbon to my wire until it looked full.  Then I put some glue across the end of the ribbon to keep it from fraying.

I decorated my wreath with Real Red Satin Ribbon and the Mini Jingle Bells.  I used my Tombow Multipurpose Liquid glue to put the bells and bow on the wreath.  I also used it to stick the ends together around the looped hanger.  Pretty darn cute!  Give it a try.  When you’re done, send me a picture of how you decorated it!  I’d love to see it!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Jolly Santa Hat

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hat-builder-1116At Stamp Camp in October my friend Jan had decorated all the gift bags for the participants with this adorable design.  I knew the design itself was simple enough for a Card Buffet class but I also knew that die-cutting the “jolly” would be a little more time consuming for people and might not work for the class.

So…I came up with design #2.  It had the same basic layout:  hat, jolly, and layers.  At first I thought “Hmm…this could work”.  But you know what?  I was missing the sparkle!

How can you not use Glimmer paper on a Christmas card?  Sheesh!  It was no contest.  I had to use design #1 in the class so I pre-cut all the “jolly” elements for people.  It really wasn’t too bad.  Tip:  I used wax paper between the die and the glimmer paper along with using the Precision Base Plate on my Big Shot and the Big Shot Die Brush and the words popped out easily.   I even used this card in a couple parties because it is TSC!  Too Stinkin’ Cute!  🙂

Tip:  When using the Glimmer Paper you need to use either Fast Fuse, Tear & Tape or Mini Glue Dots to adhere something to the Glimmer Paper or to adhere the Glimmer Paper to something else because of the glitter and the thickness of the paper.

Which card do you like best?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Have a jolly day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Simple Saturday: Twinkle Trees

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twinkle-trees-1116Yep!  It’s time to start thinking about Christmas.  I finally have my Thanksgiving things put away and it’s on to Christmas.  I’m not sure if we’ll put the tree up this weekend but I will get the space cleared for it.

When do you all put your tree up? We don’t have a specific time/weekend or anything.  It goes up when we get around to it.  I’d love to know your traditions so leave a comment and share!

This is a nice and simple card for Simple Saturday.  A few layers, some baker’s twine and the option of some falling “snow” run through the Big Shot.  The “garland” is simple to line up over the tree because the Twinkle Trees stamp set is photopolymer.  I’m really liking photopolymer lately.  The only bad thing about it is that it stains but even then you can still see through it..  I did pop up the red layer to add a little dimension to this easy card.

I hope your Saturday is simple.  Don’t fret or worry.  Just do your thing.  I’m going to get ready for my Christmas tree as well as design some cards using new products for my team gathering next Saturday.  Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Cookie Cutter Reindeer

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cookie-cutter-christmas-1116TSC!  Too Stinkin’ Cute!  I love this little reindeer!  I was pretty tickled with the way that this card turned out.  I needed a simple card for my Christmas Card Buffet but I still wanted a card with a little something extra.  I think I hit the mark with this one.  My philosophy is that you can’t go wrong with layers and a little ribbon (baker’s twine).  I popped up the Early Espresso layer as well as the reindeer head.

I’m still amazed at how if you can punch out this little guy using the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch which looks like a gingerbread man.  That is pretty darn creative if you ask me.

It’s Year-end Closeout time at Stampin’ Up! and I’m happy to say that the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set and the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch are sticking around for a little while but if you want the Cookie Cutter Halloween stamp set you better order it before December 21st.  After that it will only be available while supplies last and who knows how long that will be.

yearendcloseout_shareables_eng_6If you haven’t had a chance to shop the Closeout Sale hop on over to my online store and check it out!  There are some great deals.  The Closeout Sale has items from the Clearance Rack, items from the Holiday Catalog that won’t be carrying over as well as items from the Annual Catalog with excessive inventory.  Don’t miss out!  Some items are available only while supplies last!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Year-End Closeout Sale!

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Who doesn’t love a sale?  Especially at this time of year!  Hop on over to my online store and check out all of the fabulous deals!  You’re not going to want to miss it!

There are items from the Holiday Catalog that are retiring as well as items from the Annual Catalog that they have high-inventory on…and old items on clearance!  There is a TON of stuff on sale!  Don’t miss out!  SHOP NOW!

Here are the details of the sale:

*  the sale runs from December 1, 2016 – January 3, 2017

*  some items (clearance rack items) are only available while supplies last

*  high-inventory items will only be discounted through January 3rd.  They will still be available after that but at their regular price.

*  retiring stamp sets (from the Holiday Catalog) are only guaranteed available through December 21st.

*  retiring accessories are only available while supplies last.

Contact me if you’d like an actual list of the items retiring from the Holiday Catalog.  You do not have to place orders online you may contact me with your order.

Do you want some extra incentive to check out this Closeout Sale?  I am offering double Customer Appreciation Points during December!  What are Customer Appreciation Points?  I keep track of the dollar amounts of all of your purchases.  For every $50 you spend on Stampin’ Up! merchandise (it doesn’t have to all be at one time) you receive 1 Customer Appreciation Point.  When you’ve accumulated 10 points you can choose a FREE catalog item of $30 or less.  So during the month of December, you will receive 2 points for every $50 you spend!  Happy Shopping!

Be sure to contact me with any questions you may have!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Easy Christmas Pines

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christmas-pines-0916I designed this card for my first Card Buffet class a few weeks ago where you could come and make as many cards of any design as you like.  It’s a simple card but it’s one of my favorites of all the Christmas cards I’ve designed this fall.

The Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper works perfectly for the card.  There is a holly design that works too.  Designer paper, sentiment, ribbon and layers.  That’s all you need to whip up this beautiful and simple card.

The Cherry Cobbler layer is popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals to give the card a little added dimension.  Have you started (finished?) your Christmas cards yet?  If not this one will take you no time at all.  You can check out the products I used below.  Last night and this morning I had my Christmas Tags class so while my guests were working on their tags I was working on Christmas cards.  I didn’t design a special card to send out.  I just cut extra cards from all of my Christmas card classes this fall and now I’m stamping them and putting them together.  I’m off to a good start.  How about you?

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Last Day!

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Today’s the last day!  Don’t miss out!  There are some really great deals out there!  Since it’s the last day of the sale there are some new items that are only available today!  Check out the picture below:onlineex_flash-shareable_nov2816_na

flurry-of-wishes-1116Here’s a gorgeous card that’s made using the Snow Flurry Bundle (stamp set and COORDINATING punch!) that’s on sale TODAY!  Get on over to my Online Store and get these products while they’re on sale!  If you’d like to recreate this card just check out the supplies below.

I’ve got my order all ready to put in today.  Do you?

Happy Cyber Monday!  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Seasonal Bells

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seasonal-bells1-1116Silver Bells….Silver Bells….It’s Christmas time in the city…..

Sorry…I’m one of those people who will start singing a song when they hear words that can be lyrics to songs.  I can’t help myself.  I love to sing!

But I digress….I wanted to tell you about this beautiful Christmas card.  It’s made with the Seasonal Bells stamp set and the COORDINATING Bell Punch!  Woo Hoo!  COORDINATION!  My favorite word when it comes to crafting!

All of the stamped images you see on the card are from the Seasonal Bells stamp set.  I love all the swirly designs.  There are actually four different bell images in the stamp set.  There are even sentiments/images to make wedding cards!  Versatility!  My second favorite word when it comes to crafting!

So what are your favorite words when it comes to crafting?  Leave a comment and let me know!

I’m off to get ready for our annual Thanksgiving Leftover Night.  We usually do it on the Saturday evening following Thanksgiving but a few of our regulars had plans so we moved it to Sunday this year.  We’ll eat early enough so that we can watch the Denver Broncos football game on Sunday Night Football.  I can’t think of a better way to spend my Sunday evening.  Can you?

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Jolly Friends Christmas Moose

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jolly-friends-swapThanksgiving is over.  Black Friday is over and I guess it’s time to really start thinking about Christmas.

If you need a smile this moose will do it.  He’s so stinkin’ cute!  I bought the Jolly Friends stamp set just for the moose….really, I did!  Then you put the Santa hat on him and you’ve got ADORABLE!  🙂

I CASEd the idea for this card from the internet.  The original was a regular size card but I made mine into a 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ card.

jolly-friends-swap-2First you die cut the scallop circle in the designer series paper.  Adhere it to the front of the card and then you die cut the circle in the front of the card.  This way everything is all lined up.

I adhered a piece of Whisper White card stock to the inside of the card and then, with the card closed, I stamped the moose onto the white card stock through the die cut circle.  I used my blender pen and So Saffron ink to color the antlers.  Then I stamped another moose on Crumb Cake card stock, cut it out (no antlers) and adhered it over the stamped image inside jolly-friends-swap-3the card.

Punch out a hat with the Jolly Hat Builder Punch, put it together and put it on your little moose head.  Ta Da!  You have an adorable card!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!