12 Days of Christmas Minus 8

Just wanted to apologize to those of you who had been looking forward to 8 more days of Christmas. As usual, this time of year tends to consume me and I had no time to post 8 more days. I'll aim for improvement in 2010! I hope to be getting back to posting new samples over the next week as we get back on track at my house. I will say, I used my Christmas break to get working on the cleaning and organizing of my craft room/play room. We are almost to a point where I can stamp and have the kids play in the same room! Yeah! For those of you who don't know my saga, this has been a work in progress for at least 2 years. One of our kids' Christmas gifts gave me motivation to get it done. I hope this Saturday concludes the project since I will only be working a half day. This means much more stamping time! So I look forward to sharing more creations with you all in the year to come. Happy New Year!

12 Days of Christmas-The Fourth Day of Christmas

Sorry it has taken me some time to get my days of Christmas up! I have been plagued with migraines this last week and all the hustle and bustle of the season. I still hope to get 8 more days up before Christmas which will call for a little doubling up! This is a great idea for those of you participating in cookie swaps or who like to give a small gift of cookies. I won prettiest cookies at my cookie swap with these. Stack your cookies on top of each other and wrap them in plastic wrap. Then take some parchment paper and roll them up. Add a rubber band to each end of the roll to hold together and add decorative ribbon to hide rubber bands. Take a copy of your recipe and embellish with stamps. Wrap your recipe around the parchment (note tape does not adhere to parchment so make sure to adhere each end of your recipe to each other).

Here is what I used:
Stamps: Autumn Days
Ink: Always Artichoke, Soft Suede Markers
Accessories: Real Red 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon

12 Days of Christmas-The Third Day of Christmas

Using the Idea Book and Catalog is a great source of inspiration for making cards, so why not use it for some Christmas card inspiration. This card was inspired by the treat box on page 159 of the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog and oh so simple.

Stamps: Winter Post
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip Patterns DS Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

12 Days of Christmas-The Second Day of Christmas

Okay, I am starting to see I might be a bit ambitious when it comes to posting 12 days of Christmas as I am recovering from my 2 year old's birthday party today. December is such a busy month for our family with birthdays, Hanukkah, and Christmas, and we seem to add more to our plate every year. So the 12 Days of Christmas may include some decorating ideas in addition to cards. We'll see! Here are the ingredients for today's card:

Stamps: Snow Swirled
Paper: Real Red, Real Red Textured, Whisper White
Ink: White Craft
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Sizzix Scallop Circle #2 Die, Circle Scissor Plus

12 Days of Christmas-The First Day of Christmas

In the spirit of the Christmas season, I hope to share with you 12 Christmas Cards this month to celebrate "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Most cards will be simple and easy to replicate. It is important to make sure your cards are simple when you plan on making high quantities of cards. I learned that my first year making Christmas cards when I decided to make 60 cards with 4 quilt blocks that needed to be colored in. Needless to say my cards went out December 27 :)

For this card, I used a simple sponging technique and dry embossing to add a little pizazz to this card. Here are the supplies for this card:

Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Autumn Days
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red, Soft Suede
Accessories: Stylus Tool, Sponge, Markers

Online Holiday Extravaganza

I am posting the Holiday Extravaganza sale items here so it is a little quicker to view. To see or purchase items, visit my online store by clicking the "Shop" button. Remember, these deals are only good November 23-30.

Product Offering:

120280 Framed with Love Bundle
• Framed with Love stamp set
• Full Heart punch
Regular $43.90 Sale $21.95

120281 Thank You Kindly Bundle**
• Thank You Kindly stamp set
• Scallop Edge punch
Regular $29.90 Sale $14.95

120282 Animal Crackers Bundle
• Animal Crackers stamp set
• Star Designer brads
Regular $25.90 Sale $12.95

120283 Corduroy Button Bundle
• Kraft Corduroy buttons
• Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons
• Summer Sun Corduroy buttons
• Basic Gray Corduroy buttons
• Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons
Regular $49.75 Sale $24.88

120284 Game Night Bundle
• Card Games stamp set
• Game Night stamp set
Regular $40.90 Sale $20.45

120285 Four Square Bundle
• Four Square stamp set
• Scallop Square punch
Regular $30.90 Sale $15.45

120286 Heart to Heart Bundle**
• Love You Much stamp set
• Heart to Heart punch
• Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
Regular $49.85 Sale $24.93

120287 Chipboard Letter Bundle
• On Board Timeless Type
• On Board Loads of Letters
Regular $25.90 Sale $12.95

120288 Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle
• Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
• Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
Regular $17.90 Sale $10.74

120289 Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle*
• Best Wishes & More stamp set
• Eight Great Greetings stamp set
• On a Pedestal stamp set
• Earth Elements Stampin' Spots
• Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• Flower Designer brads
Regular $127.70 Sale $76.62

120290 Build-A-Brad Bundle
• Calendar Alphabet stamp set
• Pewter Build-A-Brad
• Antique Brass Build-A-Brad
Regular $40.85 Sale $24.51

120291 Enjoy Every Moment Bundle**
• Enjoy Every Moment stamp set
• Circle Designer brads
• Flower Designer brads
Regular $43.85 Sale $26.31

120292 Cheep Talk Bundle
• Cheep Talk stamp set
• Note cards
• Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons
Regular $42.85 Sale $25.71

120293 Sock Monkey Bundle**
• Sock Monkey stamp set
• Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set
• Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons
Regular $58.85 Sale $35.31

120294 Alphabet Bundle
• Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set
• Lovely Letters stamp set
Regular $87.90 Sale $52.74

120295 Simply Said Bundle**
• Simply Said stamp set
• Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• Full Heart punch
Regular $52.85 Sale $31.71

120296 On Board Bundle
• On Board So Tweet
• On Board Batch of Blooms
• On Board Essentials
Regular $42.85 Sale $25.71

120927 Christmas Décor Bundle #1
• Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red)
• Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
• Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
Regular $74.85 Sale $44.91

120298 Christmas Décor Bundle #2
• Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red)
• Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
• Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
Regular $74.85 Sale $44.91

120299 Christmas Décor Bundle #3
• Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red)
• Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
• Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements
Regular $74.85 Sale $44.91

120300 For All You Do Bundle**
• For All You Do stamp set
• 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads
Regular $36.90 Sale $25.83

120301 Striped Ribbon Bundle
• Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
• Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon
Regular $47.73 Sale $33.41

120302 Bling Bundle
• Sticky Pages
• Sticky Cuts Sweet
• Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter
• Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
Regular $43.80 Sale $30.66

120303 Fresh-Cut Bundle**
• Fresh Cuts stamp set
• Fresh-Cut Notes
• 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads
Regular $37.85 Sale $26.50

120304 Pendant Note Bundle**
• Pendant Park stamp set
• Pendant notes
• 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads
Regular $39.85 Sale $27.90

120305 Sporting Bundle #1
• Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements
• Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements
Regular $67.90 Sale $47.54

120306 Sporting Bundle #2
• Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements
• Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements
Regular $67.90 Sale $47.54

120307 Sporting Bundle #3
• Large Black Sporting Décor Elements
• Black Just Sports Décor Elements
Regular $67.90 Sale $47.54

114864 Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements
Regular $39.95 Sale $27.97

114863 Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements
Regular $39.95 Sale $27.97

112534 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads
Regular $7.95 Sale $5.57

112533 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads
Regular $6.95 Sale $4.87

112081 Scallop Square punch
Regular $15.95 Sale $11.17

113693 Full Heart punch
Regular $15.95 Sale $11.17

113694 Heart to Heart punch
Regular $15.95 Sale $11.17

112091 Scallop Edge punch
Regular $15.95 Sale $11.17

112571 Circle Designer brads
Regular $5.95 Sale $4.17

112579 Flower Designer brads
Regular $5.95 Sale $4.17

112572 Star Designer brads
Regular $5.95 Sale $4.17

114785 Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements
Regular $39.95 Sale $27.97

114786 Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements
Regular $69.95 Sale $48.97

114791 Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements
Regular $39.95 Sale $27.97

114792 Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements
Regular $64.95 Sale $45.47

*Limit one per customer
**Some sets are available in French and/or Spanish; see my website for more details

Give Thanks

It has been a little while since I have posted, but I did not want to miss the opportunity to post a card of thanks. What a better time of year to express a thank you to our friends and family! Too often in our busy lives, we forget to stop and say thanks. So over this Thanksgiving weekend, I challenge you to send a thank you card to a friend or relative...a thank you for friendship, a thank you for support, a thank you for love, a thank you for the big things that we forget to say thank you for. Thank you for looking at my blog and for your friendship! Happy Thanksgiving!

MOJO Christmas Punch Art Card

One of my favorite blog sites is MOJO Monday. Ever since I found the blog, I have found myself doing a little extra stamping just to try out their awesome layouts. This week, I was inspired by their layout as well as my own goal to create cards that use punch art for my Stamp Club next week. I wasn't too sure about the color combo at first, but feel it all came together in the end.

Stamps: Snow Swirled, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Glorious Green, Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, So Saffron
Inks: Craft Whisper White, Classic Glorious Green, Classic Mellow Moss
Accessories: Ruby Red Brads, White Embossing Powder, 5-Petal Flower Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch

A Fall Thanks

Here is a thank you card I just made for one of my hostesses this past month. I love using the new In Colors in fall cards. Their rich colors make an unexpected warm fall mix.

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Enjoy Every Moment
Paper: Confetti White, Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry
Ink: Crushed Curry Classic Pad and Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, and Bermuda Bay Markers
Accessories: Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, Top Note Bigz Die

Pets Leave Paw Prints on Our Hearts

Recently, I made this card for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law when they lost their dog. As with any loss, it was a difficult card to have to make. Don't forget those furry friends in our lives when making your cards. The "D is for Dog" and "C is for Cat" stamp sets are a great help when you can't figure out how to express your thoughts to those they have left behind.

Stamps: D is for Dog
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, So Saffron, Basic Black, DSP Cottage Wall
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Circle Scissor Plus with Glass Mat, 1 3/8" Square Punch

First Card Post

Well here is my first card post for my blog. I got inspiration from the Mojo Monday files. Here are the details of supplies that I used:
Stamps: Autumn Days
Paper: Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Whisper White, DSPP Chocolate Chip
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango Marker
Accessories: Vintage Brads, 5/8" Grosgrain-Chocolate Chip

I hope to post a couple times a weeks, but it may take me a bit longer in the beginning as I get the hang of blogging and photo editting.

I have finally gotten my blog to a point at which I am ready to share! As I go, I hope to learn new things to make it better, but I really wanted to get started sharing. I hope you enjoy my work. I receive much inspiration from my fellow demonstrators. So thanks to all who inspire me!

You can find this button on the side of my blog to link directly to my Stampin' Up! website for shopping, class schedules and more ideas!