Snowman Soup

Just a quick post today.  This is the card I made for my grandson for Christmas.  Inside is the Snowman Soup poem with a packet of instant cocoa and a peppermint stick for stirring.  That's the new Perfect Polka-Dots Textured Impressions embossing folder that Stampin' Up! is releasing in the new Occasions Mini Catalog (starts Jan. 5th).  Isn't it mah-velous?

The SU embossing folders are so superior to anything else I've found.  They emboss an ENTIRE A2 card front!  Yup, the whole 4¼" x 5½".

Since I'm going in for surgery later today, I won't be posting again until Friday, when the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Blog Tour starts.  Be sure to check back then!!!

O Holy Night

That is my all-time favorite Christmas carol!  It brings me to tears, when sung with the reverence it deserves.  (Can you tell I'm not too fond of more modern versions?  Two or three divas come to mind...trilling all over the place, which sounds like they're trying to find the right note. I'm not impressed with your vocal range, sweeties!) 

Anyhoo, this is the card I CASEd from Maria Bell's Christmas Stampin' All Year Long blog.  I just love the richness of the colors, and the tenderness of the image.  The spotlight technique really makes the highlighted part special, don't you think?

I didn't have a stamp for the sentiment, so I just printed it off the computer onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  (That's the Monotype Corsiva font.)  Also, I tried the card with the Stampin' Up! Brushed Gold, but it was too muted for the look I wanted, so I used a brighter gold foil cardstock I had on hand.  The image was colored with Copic markers. 

Stamp: Holy Triptych
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla, gold foil
Ink: VersaMark, Bravo Burgundy, Copic Sketch markers
Accessories/Tools: Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Big Shot, Movers & Shapers Punch Windows die, Finial Press Textured Impressions die, gold organza ribbon

Spreading Love

I saw this on Kerry's blog, Three Clovers Designs, and feel it is worth sharing here:

*****************************************

This is Ethan. Ethan is 7 years old. He has neuroblastoma (cancer). And it is spreading.
Ethan is the cousin of my best friend, Kristen. You can read his entire story on her blog.

Ethan also has an older sister named Sierra who who worries about him and takes such good care of him.

Both Ethan and Sierra love to get mail. Do you have an extra card or even two that you can send them this Holiday Season? It doesn't have to be a handmade card. It would really make their day!!!

Ethan & Sierra's mailing info:

Ethan & Sierra Smith

27 Donna Street

Nashua, NH 03060

Please feel free to share their story. Help us spread the love!!

Thank you and God Bless.

Challenge Winner!

I almost forgot to pick a winner for last week's challenge (use those scraps).  Sally, you were # 2, so I will send your paper pack out in Monday's mail!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2

Timestamp: 2009-12-12 22:00:07 UTC

I'll be starting the Friday challenges again after the first of the year, since I'm up to my neck in holiday stuff right now.  Anyone have an idea of what I should call them?  Friday Frenzy Challenge?  Fab Friday Challenge?  TGIF Challenge?  I'm open to suggestions!

12 DAYS OF HOLIDAY SALES!

Stampin' Up! is having 12 Days of Holiday Sales! Find great deals on Big Shot dies and select Big Shot supplies—December 11-22 only! The sale begins Friday, December 11, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT). Visit my Online Store to find great deals today. Clicking on the logo above will take you to the sale items!

December Swaps

I hope you all enjoyed the Dormant Retiring Blog Hop this weekend.  There were some amazing creations from some very talented ladies!!!  I'm looking forward to the next hop in January, featuring goodies from the new Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs coming out.  Woohoo!


This past Saturday was the stampin' club meeting and card swap.  The theme for December was "Time", and I gotta tell ya, that one REALLY gave me trouble.  I have the Sense of Time stamp set, but didn't want to just stamp the clock and sentiment - too plain. 


The Designer Label Punch has always reminded me of a watch case, but I couldn't figure out how to make the watch face to fit it, not having a stamp that small.  My upline, Rosalie, came to the rescue and suggested finding an image of a watch face online and printing it out.  Duh!  I never would have thought of that; I was stuck in stamp mode.


After finding the image I wanted to use, it was easy to re-size it to fit the 1" Circle Punch.  I also punched a piece of acetate to imitate the crystal covering the face.  Crystal effects was the glue that held the face to the crystal.  I don't know if you can see it, but there is a silver brad glued sideways at the side to look like the winding stem.  Anyway, I'm please with the way it turned out.  It's not your ordinary chronometer. :-)


Off topic: Please pray for my mom and her husband. They were involved in a rollover accident yesterday, and she has a concussion (for the third time in two months) and he has broken ribs and a punctured lung.

WELCOME TO THE HOP!

I'm so glad you stopped by for the Stampin'Addicts Retiring Dormant List Blog Hop today! Stampin' Up! has issued notice of the stamp sets on the Dormant list that will be retiring on January 4th, so some of the very talented ladies at Stampin' Addicts put together this hop showcasing TEN of the stamp sets that will be going, going, gone!  I am honored to be a part of the hop! :-D  All the links should be up and running by noon Eastern today, and will run through tomorrow (Sunday), so be sure to tell your stampin' friends to check it out!

This stamp set is called 'Ocean Commotion', and is perfect for the summer, beach, fishing, fish bowls, etc.  You can even use the swirl for other porpoises, I mean purposes - it looks almost Victorian, doesn't it?

It's a four piece set which includes the swirl and the conch shell.  You don't see the shell (get it, sea shell)?  Look closely at the bottom in the water.  I stamped it on a clear acetate sheet using StazOn Cotton White ink, then cut it out and added it to the water along with some green micro beads.

If you're following the hop in order, you just visited Yapha's blog, and saw her magic using the 'Man's Best Friend' stamp set.  Next on the hop is Kim's blog, Stitchin n Stampin' on Paper, where she will be knocking your socks off with the 'Quilt Quips' stamp set!  If you just stumbled into the middle of the hop, you can keep going until you end up back here, or click on the blog hop logo on the upper right to go to the first stop.

Thanks for coming by today!  Remember, any of these stamp sets are still available from any Stampin' Up! independent demonstrator (including me). ;-)  But after January 4th, they'll be gone!

Challenge Winner and a New Challenge!

Congratulations to Krystal for winning last week's challenge.  Random.org chose #2 out of the 6 entries, and your first card was number 2 (Sally posted the first card in the comments section).  So, email your address, Krystal, so I can send the paper pack!

Today's challenge is to use up some of those paper scraps you have hanging around.  Come on, you know you have them, and they're threatening to take over your craft space!  I know I have lots of scraps that I obsessive compulsively hoard frugally save. :-p

So, here is my card, using scraps of Merry Moments Designer Series Paper.  I love all of it, and just can't bear to part with any little piece.  Making a patchwork card is a good way to use those scraps!  With the exception of the Very Vanilla card base and the Chocolate Chip mat, ALL of the rest of the card was made using scraps.

Let's see what you can come up with!  Use Mr. Linky to link to your creation.  If he's being temperamental, post a comment with the link.  The challenge will run until next Friday, Dec. 11th.  You can post as many cards as you can create.  Just remember - you must use your scraps!

Reminder - tomorrow is the Stampin' Addicts Dormant Retired blog hop!  You'll be able to click on the logo on the upper right to go to the beginning of the hop.  Hope to see you hopping!

Stamp: Sentiment from Snow Swirled
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke
DP: Merry Moments DSP
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories/Tools: Real Red ¼" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sizzlets Little Leaves die, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pearls from the Pretties Kit

Christmas Post

I finally got out this stamp set and inked it up for the first time.  The push is on to get all my Christmas cards finished by next Wednesday and get them mailed.  No flaking out this year and sending them the day after Christmas!  (Woohoo!)

Since I'm in a bit of a rush*, I decided not to color the image, so I stamped it in Old Olive to match the ribbon.  See that little strip of DP down the left side of the card?  That's the scrap that is left over after you use your border punch.  Don't throw those away!  They make nice little accent pieces.  (Heads-up: Tomorrow's challenge involves using your scraps!) 

* Son's b.day card, finish Christmas cards, make cards for this weekend's blog hop, make cards for card swap at club meeting day after tomorrow, make gifts and Christmas cards for club members, make Christmas presents for family members, making anniversary cards for mom and hubby, and daughter-in-law's parents.  I'd be okay if that pesky need for sleep didn't get in the way, lol!

Stamps: Winter Post, Four the Holidays
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
DP: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper
Ink: Old Olive Classic
Accessories/Tools: Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch

Dormant Stamp Sets Discontinued in January

These stamps sets are still available, but have been on the dormant list for the past year.  Stampin' Up! has just announced that as of January 4, 2010, they will be retired.  As in, no longer available.  Gone with the wind.  If you want them, now is the time to get 'em!  Or you can wait, and when you figure out that you really did want one of them, pay an outrageous price on ebay.  I'm just sayin'........  ;-)

Three Challenges!

Whew!  I managed to complete the National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) challenge of posting something every day for the month of November.  And believe me, it was a challenge.  There were a few days where I squeaked in with a post just a few minutes before midnight.

Today's post also meets the Heart's Delight card challenge I posted a few days ago to make a Christmas or Hanukkah card in non-traditional colors.  I think Rich Razzleberry definitely qualifies as a non-traditional Christmas color!

AND, this easel card design also meets a Splitcoast Stampers challenge (TLC242) from last month!  I love the idea of an easel card.  Wouldn't it be perfect for sending your traditional holiday family photo to loved ones as part of your Christmas card?  Then they could just prop up the easel and display the photo!

Stamp: Gifts of Christmas (115372) 
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (100730) 
DP: Rich Razzleberry Patterns Designer Series Paper (115685) 
Ink: Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad (115658) 
Accessories/Tools: Rich Razzleberry ½" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613), gold brad, gold flat back pearls

Sponges and Thriftiness

Today's post was inspired by a discussion over on Stampin' Addicts about whether or not one can wash their stamping sponges. Yes, you can! They will still be somewhat stained, but they won't transfer the color.

There are several different ways to do it. Amy, one of the SA moderators, throws hers into a lingerie bag in the washing machine, along with some towels.  I'm too chicken - I just wash mine by hand in the kitchen sink with Dawn detergent.  Another idea came from Anne Matasci's upline, who washes hers in her dishwasher's silverware basket with the little lid down to keep 'em from getting out.

In these lean financial times, I'm trying to be as cheap thrifty as possible, while still submitting to my addiction, lol.  A pack of three Stamping Sponges (#101610) is only $3.50.  I cut mine in half and then each half into thirds, so I end up with 18 pieces from one pack of sponges.  It helps to use a medium binder clip as a "handle" to keep the ink off your fingers!  Of course, for me it's a lost cause - I'm gonna end up inky no matter what I do!

I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!  I'm off to my upline's all-day stampin' Christmas Blitz.  Trying to get my cards finished today!!!

Son's Birthday

Tuesday is my son's birthday.  I can't believe how oooold he's getting!  He was born in America's Bicentennial year, so a quick bit of math will tell you he's going to be 33.  Yikes!  That makes me older than dirt. ;-)

He's kind of into trains, so I pulled out this retired set, borrowed some ideas from Cheryl (lovetostampandscrap) and came up with this card. 

Stamps: Happiness is a Journey, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Brushed Gold, Whisper White, Sage Shadow
DP: Groom Specialty Paper
Ink: Basic Black Craft
Accessories/Tools: Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, ribbon, brad

My Challenge to You

I've been blogging for a little over a year now, and today I'm going to try something new (for me).  There are so many great challenges out there, some of which I try to do, when I have time.  They are a terrific way to get the creative juices flowing, and many of them push us out of our comfort zone, which is a good thing!  It's so easy to get stuck in a rut, and when that happens, the mojo tends to disappear.

So, since this is the day after Thanksgiving, and the Christmas/Hanukkah season is upon us, I want to challenge you to make a Christmas (or Hanukkah) card in non-traditional colors.  NO red or green for Christmas, NO blue or white for Hanukkah.  Want to play along?  Make a card for the challenge, and use Mr. Linky to link to it.  Be sure to leave a comment, too!

HERE IS MY CARD FOR THE CHALLENGE

The challenge will run from today until next Friday, Dec. 4th.   On Saturday, I'll use Random.org to generate a winning number from the entries.  The winner will receive a Stampin' Up! Patterns Pack III 6x6 designer paper pad (Hostess Level 1).

And now, I must ask you.......... what are you doing here on the computer instead of out getting those Black Friday bargains?!  LOL

Mr. Linky is being temperamental, so if you don't see him below, please leave a comment with a link to your card instead. Sorry for the inconvenience. :-(

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today is the traditional day of thanks, but I am thankful every day for all my blessings!  I have a loving husband, two wonderful, successful children who are married to wonderful spouses, three adorable grandchildren, a roof over my head, plenty of (too much!) food on my plate, freedom, good friends (both IRL and online), good health and a happy heart.  I want for nothing, and for that I am truly grateful!

I especially want to thank our service men and women who work and sacrifice to keep our country safe and free! 

THANK YOU!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, lots of laughter, and loved ones nearby!

Hugs, Cindy 

P.S. NEW ITEMS have been added to the Clearance Rack!  Check it out on my Stampin' Up! Website.   Click the "Shop Now" button on the right!

Quick Ornament

I borrowed the idea for this from some goodies BFF brought me when she came to visit last August.  It only took about 10 minutes to put it together.  These might be good craft fair items!  I'll post details later - gotta go get the pies out of the oven. ;-)

Edited to add:  Cut a 12" strip of pattern paper 1-1/4" wide. Use scoring tool (Simply Scored) and score every 1/2". Turn paper over and score every 1/2" on the 1/4" marks (1/4", 3/4", 1-1/4", 1-3/4", etc.). Use border punch on edge, then pleat at the score lines. Adhere short ends with sticky tape (adding loop for hanging, if desired), and glue punched circles to center on both sides. 

Variations: Sponge ink on edges for vintage look, glue glitter to edges instead of using border punch, use small doilies, large brads, or ribbon roses in center - wherever your imagination takes you! To vary the size of the finished lollie, use different widths of paper (note: for wider strips, it may be necessary to piece two strips together).

OWH to Kids

Operation Write Home put out a call over the weekend for lots of love cards for kids (ages 1-7) that our deployed military can send home to their children.  This is the "boy" card that I came up with.  I'll be sending 10 of them and 10 of the "girl" card (still waiting to be made). :-)

Stamps: Choo Choo, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Whisper White, Summer Sun
DP: Old Olive Designer Series Paper
Inks: Brilliant Blue Classic, Real Red Classic, Soft Suede Classic, Basic Black Classic
Accessories/Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Brads, Blender Pens

HUGE SALE!!! Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza!

This is huge.... ginormous even!  

Stampin' Up! is offering bundles of goodies at savings up to 50%.  If ever there was a time to shop for some deals, this is it!!!  I've posted just three of the 54 (!) deals to be had.  There are stamps sets, ribbons, buttons, designer brads, punches, Decor Elements.....too many for me to list here, so click here or on the SHOP NOW! catalog on the right to go to my website and see ALL the wonderful things available. This sale is for one week only, so now would be a good time to get some Christmas shopping done!!!

 

Note: Due to the holiday, Stampin' Up! will not ship on Thursday or Friday of this week, but you can still place an order through my website (click catalog on right), or by contacting me directly.

Christmas Gold Card Class

There are only three spots remaining in the Christmas Gold card class on Sunday, Dec. 6th!  If you want me to hold a seat for you, please let me know by Nov. 29th.  The fee is $15.00, and includes enough materials to make six cards (choice of white Bride Specialty Paper or cream Bridesmaid Specialty Paper), refreshments, and an illustrated instruction sheet for future reference.

What We REALLY Made

Here's the gate-fold card we ended up making at the workshop last night. I wanted to use the Big Shot, so I changed the other card around a bit to incorporate the textured background.  Naturally, since the background was embossed, I needed to keep the image kind of simple.  The Ornament Punch and Delightful Decorations stamp made it easy-peasy.  Image and sentiment, all rolled into one!


I think I may have a class on bow-tying sometime soon.  I was surprised that half the ladies couldn't tie a bow with the ¼" grosgrain!  I won't mention any names, lol.  :-)



Stamp: Delightful Decorations
Cardstock: Garden Green, Very Vanilla
DP: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories/Tools: Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Ornament Punch, Big Shot, Petals-A-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Brad, Real Red ¼" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Very Merry Lovely Tree

It occurred to me last night that I haven't played at all with the Galaxy Fine Glitter I got a few weeks ago.  At first, I toyed with the idea of putting down a strip of Sticky Tape and making a glitter ribbon for the card.  Then I got the idea of making a Christmas tree and using Mini Glue Dots for glittery ball ornaments.  This photo really doesn't do the glitter justice.  It it so pretty and sparkly IRL (and yes, it appeals to the Magpie in me!).

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Real Red
DP: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper
Inks: Old Olive, Real Red
Accessories/Tools:  Real Red ¼" Grosgrain Ribbon, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Ribbon Slide, Designer Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Mini Glue Dots, Red Galaxy Fine Glitter, Champagne Galaxy Fine Glitter

CASEd Christmas

My friend Sally, of Sally's Creative Corner blog, made a beautiful card yesterday that I just had to CASE.  I loved how she did the layers of dry embossing, but since I decided to use the Bride Specialty Paper, I wasn't liking covering up all that gorgeousness.  The first change I made was leaving off the embossed layers (though I WILL be using that idea in a future card!).  That specialty paper also led me to using the White Vellum Card Stock for the gold embossed ornaments, so it could show through a little bit.

I was wishing I had some of that lovely ribbon Sally used, because I think the gold wire-edge ribbon I used is too narrow, but that's all I had.  I even tried dabbing some Gold Encore ink on a Whisper White taffeta ribbon - blech!  Don't try this at home!

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful pre-Thanksgiving weekend!!! 

Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Four the Holidays
Cardstock: Whisper White, Brushed Gold, White Vellum Card Stock
DP: Bride Specialty Paper
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories/Tools: Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Gold Brads, gold ribbon

Gate Fold Christmas

This gate-fold card is the third card we'll be making at Saturday's workshop.  I don't normally do 3 projects, but this hostess won an extra project of her choice at the workshop where she booked the party.  

Sooo, this is easy and something a little different.  The flap tucks under the brad, holding it closed. I hope everyone likes it!  (I particularly like the way the design in the ornament stamp mimics the design on the DSP!) 

Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla
DP: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper
Ink: Real Red Classic, Old Olive Classic
Accessories/Tools: Gold Elastic Cord, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Brad, gold pen

Extreme

I think this will be the second of the three cards we'll be making this Saturday.  I always have difficulty with masculine cards....can't use bows and glitter, lol.  But this turned out okay.  I may just use this one for my grandson's birthday next year.

Workshop Sweet Treat

My hostess for this coming Saturday's workshop asked if we could do something with the Sweet Treat cups, and I liked Natalie Travis' idea so much that I decided to use it again for this party. It's really easy, and since I don't know the skill level of all the guests, I thought this would be a good way to get the ball rolling.  Or balloon floating, as the case may be.  ;-)

Stamps: Sweet Centers, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink
DP: Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools: 1¾" Circle Punch, Sweet Treat Cups, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Slit Punch, Clear Circle Rhinestone Brad, ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, 2" circle punch

One More Valentine

I just had to make one more Valentine to send to Operation Write Home.  You see, I had this scalloped heart that needed to be used.  :-D

Stamp: Grateful Greetings

Cardstock: Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red
Accessories/Tools: Big Shot, Finial Press Textured Impressions die, Spellbinders dies, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (mist), heart border punch, glitter brad

Shimmer Paint and Mist Comparison

Just a quick post today about the differences between the three Stampin' Up! Shimmer Paints.  In the picture above, I stamped a sample of each (ink the stamp by dabbing a sponge dauber in the shimmer paint and then dabbing it on the stamp), and also made a sample of cardstock sprayed with home-made shimmer mist, using the three shimmer paints.


Making the mist is easy - all you need is a small mist sprayer, some rubbing alcohol, water and the shimmer paint.  For my bottles*, which are 0.25 oz., I filled them about ¾ths full of alcohol, added a tiny bit of water, and then 3-4 drops of the shimmer paint.  I didn't measure anything, but I'd estimate it's about a 7:1 or 8:1 ratio of alcohol to water.  Shake well to blend before you spray.  I love that I can turn any color of cardstock into shimmer paper!  Woohoo!!!!

As you can see, the Frost White and Champagne Mist made the best shimmer mist (in my opinion), but the Platinum inked the stamp the best.  It seems to be thicker and more opaque.  They are ALL gorgeous in real life - the picture doesn't do them justice!

Also, these Shimmer Paints are only available in the Holiday Mini Catalog, which ends January 4th, so if you want them, you better get them while you can!  Click on the catalog on the upper right to order!

* I'm using empty hand sanitizer spritzers I got at the 99¢ Store in a 2 pack.  (It's not the gel-type sanitizer; it's liquid spray.)

Operation Write Home Blog Hop Has Begun!

First of all, I want to say what an honor it is to be a part of this! Operation Write Home, formerly known as Cards for Heroes, is a non-profit group that processes hand-crafted greeting cards donated by crafters for our military members who are deployed.  These brave men and women don't have access to cards to send back home to their loved ones, so you can imagine how it puts a smile on their faces when they get a box of beautiful hand made cards to choose from.  If you want to learn more about this worthy organization, just click on their name above!

If you just stopped by to visit my blog, you can start the blog hop HERE at the beginning, or click the "Start Hopping" button on the upper right of this page.  If you landed here after visiting the lovely and talented Yapha's blog, WELCOME!

These are the cards I made for our deployed heroes.  The two at the top are for Any Hero.  There is a note inside each one expressing my gratitude for their service to our country and for my family's freedom.  

The Valentine's cards are blank inside for them to send back home to a loved one.  

Thank you stopping by to visit!

Your next stop is Rhonda's blog, Bumble Bee Creations

She's having a give away!!!

Still Grateful

I wasn't really sure where I was going with this card when I started.  Today is the Marker Club meeting, and I wanted to show the gals how to get a watercolor look, so I did the usual marker 'direct to stamp', then misted the stamp with water and stamped on watercolor paper. Meh, it looked okay, but not fabulous.  Next I tried misting the paper before stamping on it. *yawn* Still not fabulous.  Then I tried misting after stamping.  Yet again, not really the look I was going after, and I was getting tired of wasting the watercolor paper on experimentation.


I then stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock, grabbed my little spritzer bottle with the alcohol/Shimmer Paint mixture and tried spritzing the stamped image with it, and holy hannah! The colors intensified and absolutely popped!  That was what I was looking for!  The fine shimmer adds a bit of magic, as well.  You can really see it in the close-up photo below.  (As usual, you can click on any photo to enlarge for more detail.)

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (115026), Grateful Greetings (116511) 
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (102128), Very Vanilla (101650) 
DP: So Saffron Patterns Designer Series Paper (112152) 
Inks: So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker (105114), Real Red Stampin' Write Marker (100052), Really Rust Stampin' Write Marker (100073), Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker (100071) 
Accessories/Tools: Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854), Chocolate Chip Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (111849), Very Vanilla Neutrals 5/16 Inch Brads (112534)

Thankful for YOU!

This card is for YOU.  Yes, I'm talking to you (quit looking over your shoulder, lol).  I am truly grateful for the many blessings in my life; a wonderful husband, good health, a roof over my head, family and friends I can count on, and so on.  I am also very thankful for my online friends, the people who take time out of their busy lives to stop by here and take a look at whatever I've created, or whatever ramblings I have posted.  And especially if they leave a comment!  It really makes my day. And not in a Clint Eastwood kind of way. :-)

So, yes, this card is for you, dear blog reader.  Thank you for brightening my world!

Stamps: Autumn Splendor (116503), Baroque Motifs (113490), Grateful Greetings (116511) 
Cardstock: So Saffron (105118), Taken With Teal (101584), Very Vanilla (101650), White Vellum Cardstock (101856) 
DP: Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper (116769) 
Inks: VersaMark (102283), Gold Encore Pad (101017), Summer Sun Stampin' Write Marker (100077), Real Red Stampin' Write Marker (100052) 
Accessories/Tools: Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129), Heat Tool (100005), Designer Label Punch(107590), Modern Label Punch (116630), Designer Label Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware (112454)

Punchy Cup Instructions

Holy smokes, I got a such nice response to the punchy cup I posted yesterday, and requests on how to do it!  I'm usually the one copying other people's good ideas, and rarely have one of my own, so I'm thrilled that other people liked my idea. :-D

Okay, here goes my very first tutorial of my own original idea. *gulp*

Click on any image to enlarge it, if needed.

First, you'll need the Stampin' Up! Small Oval Punch (107304), Large Oval Punch (107305), and Wide Oval Punch (112082).  Note: If you don't have 'em, you can order them by clicking on the catalog under where it says My Stampin' Up! Website on the right.

Now punch some Real Red cardstock with all three punches, and sponge some darker ink (I used Soft Suede) on the edges of the smaller two ovals. Glue the smallest oval onto the medium oval so it's slightly closer to one side.  It's all about perspective!

With the largest oval, punch some Chocolate Chip, or whatever color you want your beverage to be.  Soft Suede looks like tea to me.  Close to Cocoa looks like, well, cocoa. Go figure. ;-)

Now comes the tricky part.  Slide the largest oval into the Wide Oval Punch and center the narrow end of the oval up against the front of the punch where the pointy tab is located.  Punch off the end.  Do this with the Chocolate Chip piece, as well.  You should have pieces that look like this:

Now glue your "beverage" to the inside of the cup rim, as shown below:

That piece gets glued to the inside of the cup:

Please ignore the inky fingers in the photo!  That poor woman really could use a manicure.  Poor, neglected creature....

Next comes the cup handle.  Using the smallest oval punch, cut into the cardstock at an angle.  Then use the medium oval punch, lining it up just inside the previous cut.  You may want to experiment to get the shape/size you want.

Next you'll want to flatten the bottom of the cup a wee bit.  I used the Wide Oval Punch for this, but you could use scissors or a craft knife if you want. Sponge darker ink around the sides and bottom of the cup.

Now you just glue the handle to the cup, sponge darker ink on the handle, glue the cup to the saucer, add some white gel pen highlights, and voila!  A punchy cup!

I think you could make a gorgeous "china" tea cup if you used some designer series paper instead of cardstock.  Or use the cardstock with some of the fabulous Stampin' Up! rub-ons!  The possibilities are nearly endless!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Happy stamping (or punching, as the case may be)!