Wednesday, November 30, 2011

SUO Challenge 33, Holiday Colors!

The challenge this time at SUO Challenges is to make a project using your favorite holiday colors. It can be anything from a traditional red and green Christmas, to blue, silver and white for Hanukkah, to non-traditional holiday colors, as well.  I'm seeing a lot of pink for Christmas this year.

However, being an old-timer a woman of a certain age, for me Christmas is all about red and green (though I do love the cool look of blue and white for winter colors, too)!

This card qualifies for Our Creative Corner's Christmas tree challenge this week, too!

Stamp: Bells & Boughs
Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants Die, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, Snow Burst Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka-Dots Embossing Folder, Lots of Tags Die Set (have I mentioned how much I love my Big Shot lately?), Cherry Cobbler Scallop Dots Ribbon, Basic Jewels Pearls and Rhinestones, Stampin' Sponge

Monday, November 21, 2011

Online Holiday Extravaganza

Today is the day it starts, and you don't want to miss the 24 hour special that runs TODAY ONLY! You can find a PDF of the sale items HERE, but if you click the image above, you can see the products (just click on the "Shop Now" button under my name).

These products are sure to help give your holiday cards and hand-crafted gifts some pizzazz!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Quick Post for the Day

I've been busy this week getting things made for the Holiday Extravaganza tomorrow. It's the first time I've done anything like this, so I hope I have enough stuff to sell (and pick up some new customers, too!). This is one of the stocking stuffers that will be available.

When I first saw Reindeer Noses HERE, I knew I had to make them. It just cracks me up! And I think the reindeer in Holiday Lineup are the perfect image for this, since everyone is so focused on Rudolph's nose!

Here's another item I'll be selling:
Sorry for the blurry picture. My camera usually warns me when I wiggle.

Well, gotta go finish up so I can get some sleep tonight....with any luck.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

For My Friend

One of my downline had to have major oral surgery last week, so I made this card for her. I don't want to call and risk waking her from a nap, but do want her to know I'm thinking about her! I am blessed, because not only is she my downline, she is also a sweet friend!
Stamps: You Are Loved
Cardstock: So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Haiku DSP (retired)

Ink: Tangerine Tango and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories: Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie Brads (Brights Collection), Modern Label Punch, Modern Label Mover and Shapers Punch Window, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

SUOC32 - Thankful!

'Tis the season for giving thanks, and what better theme for our challenge this week at SUO Challenges than to make a card or gift to express your thankfulness. It can be a simple thank you for someone's kindness, or something to express your attitude of gratitude at Thanksgiving, your choice! Just be sure if you enter it at SUO Challenges that you use Stampin' Up! products only, and you haven't published it before our challenge started. Please. Amen!

Stamps: French Foliage, Hand-Penned Holidays
Cardstock:Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Ink: Peach Parfait, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Soft Suede, and Cajun Craze Classic
Accessories: Basic Pearls Jewels, Stripes Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Antique Brads, Stampin' Sponges

Friday, November 11, 2011

Courage

On this day that we honor our nation's Veterans, I am humbly grateful for their service and sacrifice to keep our great country free. It may sound trite, but we really are the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave. Never forget that, and please take the time to thank every veteran and current service member you see. I do!

Stamps: Courage, Service & Sacrifice
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Gray, Real Red
Accessories: Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot, Real Red Brads (Brights Collection)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Folded Star/Snowflake Tutorial

Today I am grateful that so many people liked the Snowflake/Star I posted yesterday! Since there were some requests for how to make it, here ya go.

It is really simple to make, but precise measurements are important for success. Once you've made the first one, you'll be able to whip a bunch out in no time! Edited to add: Yapha Mason greatly simplified the instructions HERE. Thanks, Yapha!

For the purposes of this tutorial, I will be drawing heavy lines with a Sharpie, so they can be easily seen in the photos, but you will be drawing light ones with a pencil and erasing later.

Supplies you will need:
  • 10" x 10" lightweight cardstock, like Designer Series Paper
  • Stampin' Up! grid paper (102787), or a grid mat
  • Bone Folder (102300)
  • Sharp pencil and eraser
  • Ruler (quilter's ruler works great)
  • Paper Cutter (104152) with cutting and scoring blades
1) On top edge of cardstock, make a pencil mark at the halfway point (5" from either end).

2) Lay cardstock on grid, having edges even with lines, then draw a light guide line down 1½" from original pencil mark, using the ruler to make sure the line is perpendicular to top edge. (Ruler should be on the same grid line at top and bottom of paper.)

3) Now draw an angled 10" line from the lower right corner to intersect the guide line. Have the end of ruler at the lower right corner of your cardstock, and rotate to make the 10" mark on the ruler intersect the guide line. Making sure the ruler hasn't shifted, draw a light pencil line from guide line to corner. Repeat for the left side.



4) Place cardstock in Paper Cutter with 10" pencil line exactly centered over cutting groove. (You can lightly slide the blade without pushing and cutting to check that the center of the blade is going to follow your pencil line.) If it lines up properly, go ahead and cut from one end of the paper to the other.

5) Repeat for the other line. You should now have a 10" equilateral triangle, and the hard part is done!

6) On each 10" side, make a pencil mark at the halfway point, 5" from each end.

7) Using the scoring blade in the Paper Cutter, lightly score between the marks. (Yes, I know the cardstock is different in this pic. It's from the completed sample at the top. I forgot to take a picture of the turquoise shtuff.)

8) Fold up one flap and place crease under the 1½" mark on the ruler. Use edge of ruler to form new flap, folded back. Flatten with bone folder. (Note: If your ruler isn't the 2" wide quilters style, use the grid paper instead. Have the fold on a grid line, count 6 squares up = 1½" and place ruler there.) Repeat for other sides.


9) That's it, just decorate and you're done!  To close the star, fold the flaps in, like folding flaps on a box top. The last one gets tucked under the first.


 Have fun making these!

Snowflakes!

I love the snow. I love snowflakes, and snowmen, and glistening white landscapes.  Of course, I don't have to live with the white stuff, so it's easy for me to love it. Several times per winter, our local mountains (about an hour's drive away) will get blanketed and it looks so pretty from down here. If I want to experience cold, frozen toes the beauty up close, all I have to do is hop in my car and go! Today I am feeling blessed to live in Paradise, where I can pick tomatoes from my garden all winter, and usually don't need more than a light sweater on really "cold" days (which means the temperature got all the way down to the 50s).
I found this Fancy Fold Star on a Norwegian blog, and adapted the size down to fit in a 6" x 6" envelope. The measurements needed tweaking to get the card to close properly. And yes, it is a card! Here is the inside:
Since I do live in Paradise, I went with the tropical/beachy colors of Baja Breeze and Island Indigo. They pair beautifully with the Silver Glimmer snowflake!

This would make a beautiful Star of David for a Hanukkah card, too, I think. Although, I think traditionally, a Menorah or dreidel is more common. (Yapha, can you help me out here?)

Edited to add: You can find my tutorial for the folded star/snowflake HERE!

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Four for Christmas
Cardstock: Whisper White, plus Island Indigo and Baja Breeze DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Not Quite Navy Classic
Accessories: Snowflake #2 Originals Die, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Subtles Glimmer Brads, Brights Glimmer Brads

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Much to be Thankful For!

Today I found out my Arizona grandkids will be here for Thanksgiving - WAHOOOO!  I haven't seen them in so long, I'll probably not recognize them. Just kidding, of course, but I'll bet my granddaughter is almost as tall as I am now. So, today I am thankful for getting to see the grands!
This is another card inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest. So, you see, I really don't spend all day on the computer looking at lovely schtuff. I do sometimes make schtuff, too!


Stamp: Party Time
Cardstock: Whisper White Textured, Elegant Eggplant, Concord Crush, Perfect Plum
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Elegant Lines embossing folder, Big Shot, Basic Pearls Jewels, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch, 1-1/4" Square Punch, 1-3/8" Square Punch, butterfly punch from Martha Stewart

Great Company!

Today I am thankful that I get to work with such a wonderful company -I looove being a Stampin' Up! demo so much! They are the best company to be partnered with, and they really look for ways to spoil their demos and customers. For instance, the BONUS free digital download they are offering for a limited time. And you don't even have to have My Digital Studio to use it; how cool is that?! If you'd like the opportunity to learn what I'm talking about, and get a FREE Big Shot Die-Cut Machine ($100 value), contact me by Nov 11th.
Here's a fun birthday card that I CASEd on Pinterest. What a brilliant idea, adding a real birthday candle as an embellishment! Wish I'd thought of that. Since I'm not brilliant (or even slightly bright), it's a good thing there are people much more clever than me on the web!

Stamp: Pennant Parade
Cardstock: Whisper White, Rose Red, Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink DSP
Ink: Early Espresso Classic
Accessories: Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, birthday candle, Mini Glue Dots

Monday, November 7, 2011

I Love the Internet

I am sooooo appreciative of all the wonderful things that are available on the 'Net. (That's my gratitude for today, in case you missed it.)  I just discovered Pinterest, and a whole new world of wonderful ideas and creativity has been opened up for me! For instance, I found a tutorial for making these flowers, which inspired me to make this card.
Everything on this card is from Stampin' Up!, with the exception of two Nestabilities dies and a Martha Stewart punch.

Stamps: Perfectly Penned, En Francais
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Always Artichoke, Brushed Gold
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Big Shot, Birds and Blooms Sizzlits Die, Little Leaves Sizzlits Die, Gold Smooch Spritz, Basic Pearls Jewels, 5/8" Crochet Lace Trim, Champagne Shimmer spray

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Attitude of Gratitude

Today's moment of gratitude is for the news that Mom's CAT scan was negative - there are no apparent tumors to be found. Of course that doesn't mean she is cancer-free, but it is very encouraging! I'm thankful we live in an era of medical and technological advances that help so many people.

One last card from the Masculine Cards class, then tomorrow on to some frou-frou and holiday schtuff!
This is pretty much a direct CASE from Cindy Hall's card here.  

I loved the warm autumn glow of the colors she chose, and the subject matter! Tearing the Early Espresso panel made it look even more rugged and masculine, and having the greeting off-center better balanced the bird. (A lot of alliteration, teehee!)

Stamps: Autumn Days, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Early Espresso
Inks: Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, and Cajun Craze Classic
Accessories: Linen Thread, Metallic Brads, Stampin' Sponges

Friday, November 4, 2011

New Friends

One of the biggest perks to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the new friendships I have been blessed to develop, and that is one of the things I am grateful for today. There's just something magical about paper, ink, and stamps that seems to bring out the best in people, and I cherish every new friendship!

Here's another card from the Masculine Cards class, which was inspired by this card that Heidi Baks made for the SUOC31 Challenge. I hadn't inked up the Up, Up & Away set, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Note there is no ribbon, glitter or even brads! *Gasp!*
Stamps: Up, Up & Away
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, Newsprint DSP, Nursery Nest DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals

Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but this is also the swap card for the stamp club tomorrow, heehee!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

More Masculinity

Day 3 of my month of gratitude - I am so thankful for the new friends I have met through stamping! What a wonderful, funny, genuinely nice bunch of people, who all share the same passion for creating with bits of paper, rubber and ink!
This is another card we made in the Masculine Cards class. Originally, I had planned for the greeting to say "Wish BIG", since it would make a great card for a teenage boy. Alas, my stamp had a defect (which is quickly being remedied by Stampin' Up!), so was the greeting we used instead. You probably can't see it, but the windshield and headlights are shined up with Crystal Effects.

And yeah, I know my brads are crooked. I couldn't find my Mat Pack when I was placing the brads. Oh well....I believe the lesson there is to become more organized!

Stamps: Need for Speed, On Your Birthday
Cardstock: River Rock, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper, Well Worn DSP
Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, and Bashful Blue Classic
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Blender Pens, Real Red Brads (Brights Collection), Cutter Kit (distressing tool), Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Blessed by Love

Day 2 - Thirty-seven years ago this Friday I met a man like no other I had ever known.  He is funny, kind, smart, and my rock. Today I am feeling blessed to know true, unconditional love. Being married to a mate with whom you can be completely at ease, and know that they love you (even when they've seen you at your worst), is the BEST possible gift in life!

Stamps: Young Vermillion, (greeting unknown, stamp says Stampin' Up! 2002)
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper, Pocketful of Posies DSP
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Poppy Parade, Night of Navy, Basic Gray, and Soft Suede Classic
Accessories: Blender Pens, Gold Brads, Stampin' Sponges

Month of Gratitude

November is traditionally the month where our thoughts turn to the many blessings and riches we have in our daily lives.  While I am thankful every single day for the people, experiences, and love that enrich my life, this is the month that I try to express it. So, please bear with me as I attempt to post daily  throughout the month of November with something for which I am thankful.

Day 1 - So VERY thankful that my Christmas cards are finished, wooohooo! Less stress later this month!
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Petite Pairs
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze DSP, Shimmery White
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, and Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pads, Blush Blossom Stampin' Write Marker, Gold Lame Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink
Accessories: Big Shote, Snow Burst embossing Folder, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

SUOC31, Thinking of You

The challenge this week at SUO Challenges is to make a card that tells someone special that you're thinking of them. I loved ALL the cards the SUO Design Team made for this challenge, especially Robin's bright, cheery Daffodil Delight doily card.

When I thought of making this card, I thought of my BFF, and how much I'd love to sit and share a cup of coffee or tea with her. We do get the giggles when we get together, and I sure miss that. (Love you, Barb!)

Stamps: Morning Cup, Three Little Words
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Mocha Morning DSP
Ink: Esrly Espresso, Soft Suede
Accessories: Blender Pen, Stripes embossing folder, Big Shot, Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Antique Brads, Stampin' Sponges