A Stamp Above

Valentine Sneak Peek!

Love is in the air!!!  Here's a cute card that I made using the layout for the New Year's Card we made this month at my FREE classes (you can view HERE).  As soon as I saw this new FASHIONABLE HEARTS EMBOSSLIT - I knew I had to try it with this layout. I used the Tree Trimmings stamp set for the strings above each heart.  The embosslit is a brand new product coming out in the Occasions Mini catalog. I used Riding Hood Red cardstock and ink.  Another great accessory is the PLEATED RIBBON!!!  Available in Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride & Baja Breeze...it's so beautiful!

This card is also uses the SPRINKLED EXPRESSIONS stamp set - coming to you January 24th for FREE - with a $50 order.  Part of the Sale-A-Bration promotion.  You can view all the cards I've made with this set by clicking on the Sale-A-Bration CATAGORY in the right column of my blog.

Here's a little tip on multicolored images...I stamped my stamp in Riding Hood Red ink and then took the Basic Black marker to color "you just the way you are."  I like using this technique because it's easier than using 2 different colored markers.  As long as the marker you use is dark - this works.

Here's the inside - the words are from the Delightful Dozen hostess set...

 

If you'd like to place an order - click here:

Thanks for stopping by...

Another Sneak Peek!!!

Here's some more amazing products...

This card features the SPRINKLED EXPRESSIONS stamp set - FREE with a $50 order starting Jan 24th - with our Sale-A-Bration promotion!!!  My bright cardstock is Pacific Point.  It also uses the new framelits dies LABELS COLLECTION.  The largest of these framelits are 5-7/16" with the smallest being about 2".  There are six in all.

I used the Stars #2 Originals Die to die cut a bunch of stars out of cardstock...then glued them to a sheet of cardstock and used it as a texture plate...it's hard to see in the photos, but there's a line of stars running up the left side of my card.  It's so fun to use dies and punches to make your own texture plates!  The stacking order for your Big Shot from the bottom up is:

Multipurpose plate with tab 1

Cutting Plate

Homemade Star Texture Plate (shown below)

Silicone Rubber (shown below)

Impressions Pad (shown below)

You can see the embossed stars better in this photo...

Here's the template I made...

If you'd like to place an order - click here:

Here's a platter of the goodies we enjoyed at our Christmas celebration on Saturday.  I spent an entire day baking cookies and candy.  I love baking (hate cooking)!  I made Christmas cut out cookies, Andi's chocolate mint cookies, confetti cookies, peanut blossoms, pretzel sticks dipped in almond bark, Bugles dipped in almond bark, english toffee, angel food, cashew brittle and homemade carmels...whew!  Hailey's boyfriend looks forward to helping me with the candy making every year...this year he helped with the toffee, angel food and wrapped carmels.  He was a little helpless...he just had surgery on his shoulder last week - but a one handed helper is great too!  I gave each of the men a tin bucket filled with a sampling of everything...when they were packing up to leave they were all making sure they had their candy/cookie buckets!!!

 Thanks for stopping by....

SNEAK PEEK!!!

I had a super busy week and weekend...more on that later...but I took some time to play this afternoon!!!  I'm playing with my new loot....from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog (available to you Jan 4th) and our fabulous Sale-A-Bration mini (starts Jan 24th)!!!

Here's a brand new stamp set called LOVE & LAUGHTER - an amazing wedding/engagement stamp set that comes with a coordinating jumbo wheel - WEDDING WORDS.  Although I didn't use the jumbo wheel on this card...I have it and can't wait!  We also have some super cool new embossing "STRIPS" called ADORNING ACCENTS...with matching EDGELIT DIES!!!!  Are you gasping at the anticipation yet??? This little ribbon is from the Sale-A-Bration promotion - part of a two pack - YOURS FREE WITH A $50 ORDER!!!

OK - so back to my card...I used a masking technique on this one to make an oval template.  I die cut a piece of typing weight paper in the Ovals Originals Die (shown below).  Now - all three of the ovals are cut at once...so I taped two of them back into my paper.  I centered the template over my piece of Whisper White cardstock, inked up my new NETTING BACKGROUND stamp with Baja Breeze ink and stamped.  Or should I say, layed my cardstock on top of the background stamp and rubbed with a flat hand to get the image onto my layer...this is how you should always use the big background stamps.  It's so much easier - I never have luck trying to stamp with these babies like you use other stamps.

I stamped the bridal dress in Calypso Coral ink because my COLOR COACH (shown below) told me that this was a color that went with Baja Breeze.  I use my COLOR COACH all the time - if you don't have one (GASP) - I highly recommend them!  Cut out the dress and used the 2-Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds to add the bling it needed...the photo just doesn't do this card justice.  I popped my dress on a couple Dimensionals to give it some extra dimension...of course.

Next we have to talk about the ADORNING ACCENTS embossing strips and edgelit dies...OMGosh!!!  They are soooo amazing.  I embossed the strip of little hearts - then ran the scalloped edges embosslit through the Big Shot to get the decorative edge at the bottom...super easy!  Last but not least - I sponged a little Baja Breeze on my embossed hearts and added the greetings.

Now - who's getting engaged?  I'll keep this one...for the next engagement announcement!

Here's my oval template...

Check back tomorrow to see the details on these cards....all made with the NEW SPRINKLED EXPRESSIONS SAB FREE stamp set and our new FASHIONABLE HEARTS embosslit!!!

If you'd like to place an order - click here:

MY WEEKEND...OH MY...we had a houseful yesterday and a BLAST.  We celebrated Christmas with my step kids and their families.  Heres' a photo of the whole gang...this was the first and only group photo of all of us that I took.  Everyone was smiling and had their eyes open!  A miracle in itself...but a little someone stuck their finger on my lens before I took most of our photos...so there's a blurry spot in all the photos...I have to laugh!

Back row:  Scott (son-in-law); Stephanie; Steven; Steve  Front row: Anna; Molli; Me with AJ on my lap; Hailey; Kelly (daughter-in-law) with Molli on her lap; Austin with Porter on his lap.

We always have a fun meal...I made a huge pork tenderloin my mom gave me - half in gravy and half in BBQ sauce - both were delicious - cheesey potatoes - chips & dip and lots of appetizers.  We always eat, unwrap gifts and then play board games.  This year each adult brought a $10 gift that we used for game prizes...funny thing...Stephanie won a $10 scratch off lottery ticket, Steven won a Solea Mexican Grill gift card that Steph wanted to trade with him, then Anna won a Shopko gift card that she wanted to trade with Steph...when all was said and done - Steven won $50 on the lottery ticket!!!  We found out that Anna is horrible at being rushed and we roared with laughter everytime it was her turn.  My favorite game of the night was called "5 Seconds" - it was really fun - so much laughing (I highly recommend this one).

Thanks for stopping by...

Clearance Rack BLITZ!!!!

 

The Clearance RACK BLITZ starts today, and only lasts for 2 weeks!! SUPPLIES are on a "while supply last" basis, so shop today!!    Seriously, items are dirt cheap! Awesome beautiful papers, and ribbons, you have to get the valentines paper, punches, ribbon, and more! If you are a scrapbooker, check out the $7.99 12 X 12 albums!! They are awesome!! Buttons, brads, big shot dies, chipboard, and TONS TONS more!! Keep scrolling through after the 10 pages, because there are about 30 pages of deals!!  Or see my tip below to view all of these items on one page...   If you have a scrapbooker on your list, shop today and still get it in time for Christmas. Or if you have a little girl you are shopping for there are card kits for $2.50 and $4.37...she'll LOVE them, and they will keep her busy for hours!!   Here's the link to shop so you get the preferred pricing: CLICK HERE TO SHOP Here are some of the GREAT deals... If you've never shopped on my online store...here are some pointers... Look for this and either SIGN IN (if you've shopped before) or CREATE AN ACCOUNT... Then look for this and click on CLEARANCE RACK... Here's a tip - the screen will only show you 8 items at a time... but if you click as shown below - you can view all of them on your screen!!! Choose all... Click on the item you're interested in and it will show you a bigger picture with all the details.  Just click on ADD TO BAG.  Once you've added an item to your bag - you can click on the "back arrow" twice to go right back to your place in the Clearance Rack and continue shopping!!!   Feel free to call me if you have any questions - I'll be happy to help you! HAVE FUN! I know I did!! Click here to shop now: Thanks for stopping by...

 

FREE December Classes

I have a great lineup this month...and there's still time for you to join the fun!!!

This class is free - a minimum $15 order is the ticket to learn how to make all three of these projects!!!

Join me:

Monday, 12/19 at Trinity at 5:30 or 6:30 in Menasha OR

Tuesday, 12/20 at First English Lutheran Church in Oshkosh at 6:30

 

JUST CALL OR EMAIL TO JOIN US - WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU!!!

Here's a simple card with a very creative inside:

I found this idea on Splitcoaststampers.com and made a few adjustments.  They had a little envelope that the gift card fit in - I didn't have any tiny envelopes so I modified the insert holders and just put a little glue between them - leaving the middle "unglued" so the gift card would slip in!!!

Here's the details:

Stamps: Jolliest Time of the Year; Hand Penned Holidays; Soft Holly Wheel

Ink: Old Olive; Real Red

Accessories: 2-3/8” Scallop Circle Punch; 1-3/4 Circle Punch; Standard Wheel Handle; Dazzling Diamonds; 2-Way Glue Pen; Simply Scored Scoring Board; Liquid Glue; Dimensionals

Cardstock:

Real Red - Base

Whisper White - 2 @ 4 x 5-1/4

Gift Card Inserts 2 @ 5-1/4 x 3 - scored at 1, 1-1/2 & 2-1/2

My inserts are smaller than the directions on Splitcoaststampers too - I didn't see why they needed to be so wide - they would take up most of the inside of my card....

*Just fold on the score lines and glue one piece to the inside of the card and the other one to that piece - leaving the center open for the gift card insertion - WAA LAA!!!

Here's a fun gift box that I found online...you make two Fancy Favor Boxes and slide them together to make a bigger box!!!

Here's the details:

Stamps:  Sweet Season; Snow Swirled

Ink: Melon Mambo; Lucky Limeade

Accessories: Organza Ribbon 25”; Decorative Label Punch; Wide Oval Punch; Bakers Twine; Fancy Favor Box Die; Big Shot

Cardstock:

Whisper White 12 x 6; Melon Mambo 12 x 6  Scraps:  Lucky Limeade; Whisper White

And last, but certainly not least...this beautiful New Year's card from my friend Penny Thomas!!!  I just fell in love with this idea when I saw it....

I found it easiest to run my scraps through the Big Shot on various embossing folders - then sponge little spots to punch with the various circle punches.  It's hard to see in the photo above...but the stamped image layer is layered on a larger layer - that is adhered to my card front with Dimensionals.

Here's the details:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes; Tree Trimmings; Delightful Decorations

Ink: Early Espresso; Blushing Bride; Soft Suede

Accessories: Crochet Trim Victoria 13”; Scallop Edge Punch; 1, 3/4 & 1/2 Circle Punches; Embossings Folders - Polka Dots, Elegant Lines, Vintage Wallpaper, Finial Press; Dimensionals

Cardstock:

Very Vanilla - 4-1/4 x 11

3-1/8 x 2-3/4, 3-3/8 x 3

Soft Suede - 3-1/8 wide

Scraps-Vanilla

Here's the Fancy Favor Die:

If you'd like to place an online order - you can click here:

Thanks for stopping by...

WINNER & NEW CONTEST!!!

Cindy Ehlers of Neillsville, Wisconsin - CONGRATULATIONS Cindy!!!!!

Cindy will enjoy ordering $25 in FREE merchandise of her choice from ME!!!

Here's her winning card:

 

PLEASE VOTE!!!!

Here's the next set of cards submitted for the contest!!!!  IF YOU'RE ON MY BLOG:  Please leave a "comment" at the bottom - by clicking on "comment" for your favorite!!!  IF THIS COMES INTO YOUR EMAIL REMEMBER - you need to click on the title "WINNER & NEW CONTEST" to go to my blog and vote there.  THANKS!!!!

 GOOD LUCK LADIES!

Thanks for stopping by...

Stampin' Up! Donating AGAIN!!!

This week Stampin' Up! Co-Founder & CEO,  Shelli Gardner, was on the final hour of the Today Show giving away some of those cool cookie press stamps that we have.  (You can get those here.  They come with 2 great recipes - just type in "cookie" in the search).

You can watch Shelli here:

 

 

Don't you think it's time YOU joined my team as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator ?

 

 

Make-A-Wish Donation

STAMPIN' UP!'s DONATION ON BEHALF OF DEMONSTRATORS GRANTS THREE-YEAR-OLD'S WISH

Three-year-old Birklee has a new wooden play set, a play set that she enjoys playing on with her family and friends. The play set helps take her mind off the things that a typical toddler shouldn't have to be worried about, things like surviving hypoplastic left-heart syndrome (HLHS).

Birklee received the play set through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, when Stampin' Up! granted her wish. We work with the foundation to grant the wish of at least one child every year, on behalf of our demonstrators and in lieu of an annual Christmas card.

"Through this donation, we hope our demonstrators feel how much we love and appreciate all they do, and that we celebrating our shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around us," says Shelli Gardner.

Stampin' Up! shares Make-A-Wish's commitment to children, and we especially appreciate the organization's desire to "enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy."

Birklee wish has certainly done that. The play set was completed recently, and Birklee and her family and friends celebrated with a fun princess party. 

Thanks for stopping by...

IT'S TECHNIQUE TUESDAY!!!

Join me today - Tuesday, December 6th for a fabulous technique class!!!  We'll be making these three projects - an Emboss Resist Graduating Color technique, a fabulously glitzy card for the new year and a unique gift card holder...just in time for the holidays!

I'll have extras cut - just in case you can make it!  The class is $5 with a minimum $15 order - or FREE with a $40 order.  Here are some close ups...

This gift card holder is similar to a swap I received a couple years ago...

The Real Red base is 5 x 5-1/2 -scored at 2-3/4 on the 5-1/2" side (so it's 5" wide by 2-3/4" tall when folded).  The card insert is 4 x 3-1/2 - scored at 1/2" to make the holder for the gift card at the bottom.  Tags Til Christmas is such a GREAT stamp set - I've used it soooo many times over the last couple years!  Solea is a local Mexican Grill - right down the street...they have the BEST margaritas!!!

Our Technique Card is an Emboss Resist technique - I used Bashful Blue, Marina Mist & Night of Navy - sponged over the Serene Snowflakes....it's so soft and pretty!

This last card was designed by my downline - Rachael Lienhard!  I just love the BLING!!!  The Mica Flakes (Holiday Mini Catalog) are the perfect touch!

Just bring your scissors & adhesive - see you tonight!!!

If you can't make the class - I'll email you the detailed instructions with your online order this month!!!

Order HERE:

Thanks for stopping by...

Gift Set Class

Join me on Wednesday or Thursday next week to make this charming winter "Thank You" themed box and card set!!!  This is the perfect gift for the holidays...everyone needs THANK YOU cards for all their Christmas presents!!!

 

Thanks for stopping by...