Pumpkin Wagon

I know Thanksgiving is over and we are on our way to Christmas, but I just had to show you this little paper wagon before I put it away. I saw one on a blog somewhere and of course, I wanted to steal it. But she was selling the template, and I wanted it NOW! I'm kind of impatient... Anyway, I pulled out my card stock and started playing with a template of my own. This is what I came up with. Don't ask me to reproduce it, I have no clue how it got to this point. But it did, (must have been the card stock angels), and when I was finished, I piled my little punch pumpkins inside. Not bad, if I do say so myself!

Treat Cup Snow Globe

Where do I begin with this little gem?

Originally created by Ilina Crouse,

my heart melted when I saw it, and I knew I had to CASE it

(copy, steal, whatever... it's what I do best).

It uses the single stamp called Sweet Snowglobe (#120868) found in the Holiday mini catalog. The sentiment is from the set called Bright Christmas (#121687), also in that mini.

The Treat Cup (#116802 ) combined with the stamp makes the little scene really come to life. The 'snow' is actually Chunky Glitter (#108797).

Makes me think of the song "Over The River And Through The Woods....."

Please Pass the Pumpkin Pie

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

'Fall' In Love With Stampin' Up! Open House

Last weekend, I held an Open House in Champaign, Illinois, where we have a huge, wonderful family. I wanted them to see what it is that I actually do, since I talk non-stop about Stampin' Up. It was a lot of hard work, but luckily for me, I had the help of four 'elves'. My brother-in-law, Jimmy, his wife, Beverly, my daughter, Megan, and my husband, Steve. I couldn't have done it without them. They made it fun for me, and I think the family members that dropped by enjoyed themselves too. I heard more than once, "I thought Stampin' Up! was just cards!"

The cards are a very big part, BUT, Stampin' Up! is so much MORE than cards!

We had so much room to move around, visit and talk 'stampin'!

The tables received lots of oohs and aahs, but that paper cake was a big hit!

Halloween and Thanksgiving cuteness.

Simply Adorned jewelry samples.

Loving the Christmas colors.

' Thank You for Coming' goody bags.

They loved the Make-n-Takes and Big Shot demonstration!

Three of my four 'elves'.

Left is my daughter, Megan, (aka Sweet Pea), my brother-in-law, Jimmy, (with that beard, wouldn't he make a great Santa?), and Steve, my husband, (probably checking football scores on his cell phone). Beav, my sister-in-law, is arranging the displays on the tables. She is AWESOME!

Thank you four so very much. I appreciate your help and love you for it.

By the way, what are you doing next spring...I want to do it again!!!!!!!!!!!!! = ^ )

Mini Christmas Album

I love it when you can make cuteness from an unexpected source.

(I'll get to that in a minute.)

An example, is this mini Christmas album.

I saw this project on the Demonstrator's website, and had such fun decorating each page.

There are four 'sleeves' with tags that pull out ready to hold special pictures, sentiments, journaling, maybe a holiday recipe. Or, as my brilliant friend, Jayne Singleton, suggested, how about placing different gift cards in each sleeve?

Like I said, brilliant!
The sleeves are held together with two binder rings that I've made pretty with lace and ribbons to match the Jolly Holiday Designer Papers.
Gotta have some bling, too!

One of my all-time favorite stamp sets, sadly retired.
That little snowman always makes me smile.

Snowflake punch.

Have you guessed what each sleeve is made from?

Wait for it...........

.....Paper towel rolls, or toilet paper rolls!

I know, not very glamorous, but oh so cute.

Wouldn't you like to have access to such a creative source like the Stampin' Connection?

It's just for Stampin' Up! demonstrators, and you can become one for 50% off, only $87.50!

Now, through November 30, you can start your stamping business or kick up your hobby by becoming a demonstrator. Contact me right away, and let's get you started on making your life a little happier!

NOW Is The Time to Become a Demonstrator!

Let's get you started today!

It's not going to get any better than this!

Christmas Card Stamp-a-thon 2010

One of my favorite events of the year is my annual Christmas Card Workshop. I start looking for ideas, literally, the summer before. I change my mind over the course of the next few months, several times, until I have it chiseled down to five or six favorites.

Traditionally, I tend toward the more whimsical type of Christmas card. This year, with the deep new colors and nostalgic designer papers, my choices were more vintage. I am so happy with how they turned out this year. I think my stamping friends liked them as well. We had a great, chilly day stamping, snacking, listening to Christmas music and enjoying the company of each other.

I saw a version of this beautiful card on my sister, Penny's blog http://www.penguinstamper.blogspot.com/, last year, and filed it away, knowing I would have to make it too. She always has the prettiest cards, and I use her as a resource constantly.

The base card stock is Bashful Blue, with Whisper White Craft ink on the flourish stamp from Baroque Motif stamp set. On top we placed a die-cut Top Note, stamped with the Simple Snowflake, again in Whisper White Craft, heat embossed in white. With a very light touch, we daubed at the snowflake with Bashful Blue ink to soften it and placed a rhinestone in the center. The sentiment is from the set called Heard From the Heart.

Thanks, Penguin!

The base card is Real Red. The Shimmery White card stock is embossed using the Texturz Plate called Flourish, from the Big Shot. The swirls of the embossed background along with the shimmer of the card stock seem made for each other. The tiny sentiment is from the set called Short & Sweet. Just the right touch here. Then, just like a pretty package, the Real Red Satin Ribbon ties it up with a bow.

This is such a rich looking card, but so very simple. The base card is Very Vanilla, as is the Satin Ribbon and the Victoria Lace. The designer paper is from Deck the Halls and adds that rich Always Artichoke color. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, stamped in Cherry Cobbler.

I thought I had my cards all ready to go and then I came upon Heather Klump's blog, http://hlkdownstairsdesigns.blogspot.com/, and quite literally scrapped one of my choices for this one. Hers has a cute button in the middle of the punched snowflake, but since my event was in THREE days,and I had no buttons, I pulled out the pearls, because I wanted to do this card so badly. I think she is one of the most creative demonstrators I have ever met! And I feel it was an honor to steal from her! = ^ ) Thanks, Heather for inspiring me everyday!

This is a one-layer, Clean and Simple card. Sometimes less is MORE! We masked the Crumb Cake ink in the center using sponges and then with Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler markers, colored the holly stamp from the hostess set called Peace on Earth. With Cherry Cobbler ink, we placed the sentiment just below.

Thanks to all who came. You always make it fun for me.

And the food!

OMG!

(Did you know that you can put chocolate chips in pumpkin cookies? Fantastic!)

Thanksgiving Place Cards or Picture Holder

I just love this!

You could use it as place card holders on your Thanksgiving table!

Or, how about placing a picture in the little paper clip?

I found this little gem on our demonstrator sharing website and ran for my punches.

Recipe:

Extra-Large Scallop Circle Punch #118874, Two-Step Bird Punch (for the leaves) #117191, Decorative Label Punch #120907, Peach Parfait Card Stock (In Color) #119794, Old Olive Card Stock #100702, Crumb Cake Card Stock #120953, Pumpkin Pie Ink Pad #105216, Soft Suede Ink Pad #115657, Stamping Sponges #101610, Elegant Thank You Stamp #114484, Sticky Strip #104294

Additional: Small Paper Clip and a Penny! (placed inside at the bottom adds weight to prevent it from tipping over.)

Be careful while making these....they are addicting!

Kristine's Workshop Samples

Kristine and her family and friends got together for a holiday workshop. Judging by the laughter, I think they had fun!

This card was quick to make, but so pretty.

A tiny pearl placed on the ornament is such a pretty touch.

Don't forget to stamp something pretty inside too!
I think this one was a favorite.
We tore a strip of Whisper White card stock to make it look like a snow drift.
Then highlighted that torn edge with Dazzling Diamonds.

It sparkles, just like snow!

All the cards were placed in a cellophane bag and tied up with a bow.
When you add a pretty tag, it's a nice little gift for someone special this holiday season.
If you would like to get your friends together for some holiday stamping fun, let me know! Workshops are FREE!

Fall/Thanksgiving Stamp Camp Samples

In Missouri, we are blessed to have beautiful fall colors outside the window this time of year. I get that feeling from this card. The front panel is actually punched as a window. The leaves are from the stamp set called Day of Gratitude.
From the same stamp set, Day of Gratitude, this card has partnered Tangerine Tango and River Rock to make a vivid statement.
Wouldn't the guests at your Thanksgiving table feel honored to have this sitting at their plates?
Something for them to take home to make up for the lumpy mashed potatoes?
If you are lucky enough to get an invitation to a Thanksgiving meal, what a nice card this would be as a thank you for the lumpy mashed potatoes? French Foliage is the stamp set used.
Even though the holidays are coming up, we can't forget the birthdays this time of year!
Cute By the Inch stamp set makes this a perfect card for either man or woman. The base is Sahara Sand. Isn't that ribbon luscious?

These little Pendant Note cards come ready for you to embellish and include an envelope. You just push the perforated design out and add your pretty designer paper to fit any occasion.