Farewell 2010!!!!

It was such a crazy year!  I am sad to see it go, but glad to welcome 2011...  I am preparing for my 100th blog post as the first of 2011!!!!  Please enjoy the greeting card made in My Digital Studio as my gift of 2010 to all of you!

Merry Christmas to all ---- a little late!

Sorry this is a week late - but the wish is sincere - Please know that I love each of you and your comments and support keep me going.  December was hard with life busy and kids missing at Christmas.  but we made it!  Enjoy the holidays and your family!  this is the Christmas card I sent to friends and family.  It uses My Digital Studio.  I absolutely ADORE it!  If you want to know more, contact me and I will be happy to show you all you need to know to begin creating fabulous digital items such as this card!

I am coming up on 100 posts!  I will create an extra special one for that! 

The secret is out....

Here is the promised missing project from the gift class yesterday.  These are chapstick holders.  I had seen the idea before, but found a great sketch on Splitcoast Stampers for them. So.. I duplicated them!  I have a few stashed for quick gifts! 

Starting on the top left corner - I used Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise.  The stamp set is Priceless - that's an oldie by goodie!  The top right corner uses Soft Suede, Old Olive and Tangerine Tango. The stamp set is the ever adorable Fox and Friends.  The bottom center holder features fall colore - Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and More Mustard.  The set is Day of Gratitude.

more gift class stuff

So the ladies has a lovely time today as they got a head start on homemade gifts.  Here are a few more projects.  The first is of a tea light holder that I stamplifted from Jill Hilliard. 

The blue box is Bashful Blue and Night of Navy using the stamp set Serene Snowflakes.  The red box uses the now unavailable Candy Cane DSP (sad face).  The stamp set is Holiday Line Up.

The next project is one that is seen many places online - so I am not sure who was the ORIGIONATOR - nor does anyone else.  It is a wall hanging that uses the Big Shot - that is a GREAT idea for a holiday gift for someone you love.  The colors are Early Espresso, Old Olive and Real Red.

A few gals made some tile projects - there were coaster tiles using tumbled Marble tiles and the Medallion stamp.  The other one was a 'dry erase' tile.  The set used is Baroque Motifs.

I have one more cute idea to share - so watch for it tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so greatful for all of my family and friends!  We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with our 'new' family - our daughter-in-laws family.  It was a lovely day full of laughter, chatter and LOTS of food!  We are so blessed to have good people in our lives - Thank you for being a part of it!  WE LOVE YOU!

The card is made with the AMAZING My Digital Studio; a fabulous digital papercrafting program.  Right now until Nov 30, it is on sale for 50% off!!!!  EVERYONE needs this program.  Contact me for details!

Holiday Gifts

Just a quick little post to show you a gift idea - how about a stamped pocket calendar?  Imagine the possiblities!

Tags, Bags, Boxes and More

I held this great class this past Saturday.  The ladies came to make some fun packaging ideas for their holiday gift giving.  The first photo is of the gift card holders they made -  The colors were Real Red and Garden Green.  The stamp set used for the package holder is Punch Potpourri.

The next photo is a small gift bag that uses the tiny gift bags in the Holiday Mini catalog. They sell for $4.95 - and that is for 10 of them!  They ran the bag through the Petals-a-Plenty impressions folder then used a Cherry Cobbler marker to color the centers of the flowers.  The stamp set for this bag is Tags 'til Christmas.  I also used my new favorite type of ribbon.. 3/8" taffeta!!!  It is luscious!

The other bag was a bagalope - you make this from a simple envelope! 

The boxes were very fun!   I used the Box #2 die, Fancy Favor die, and the Matchbox die.  I can't believe I used to make boxes like these by hand!  Now with just a quick crank from my best friend Big Shot... I have super cute boxes to make for gifts!  All of these use the Tags 'til Christmas stamp set.  Also used were the Snowflake die, Decorative Label punch, Medium oval punch, Scallop oval punch, Belle wheel, and Serene Snowflakes stamp set.  The colors used are : Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist. I also used just a tad of Deck the Halls DSP on the matchbox.

November Stamp-a- Stack cards

I had a great time with these cards for November's Stamp-a-Stack.  I could make tons of Christmas cards, so I made a couple for the ladies to make!

the first one uses one of my favorite new stamp sets - Greeting Card Kids.  They remind me of the Campbell's Soup Kids I grew up with!  (dates me, huh!)  The colors are Marina Mist, Garden Green, Blushing Bride and Real Red.  The DSP is from the Candy Cane pack.  I love these new big buttons too!

The second card is the card I featured using scraps - It uses River Rock, Marina Mist and Not Quite Navy as the colors.  The stamp set is Party Hearty.  The texture for the card is made by running the cardstock through an impressions folder (this one happens to be square lattice) after gluing on the punched circles.  Fun idea!

The third card was fun to make.  The Just Believe stamp set is one of my favorite 'go to' sets.  It is so versatile.  This one used the colors Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron and Garden Green.  The butterflies are made by using the Beautiful Wings embosslits die.  The other punches were the Word Window, Modern Label and Spiral Edge. 

I saved the BEST for last.  This one is my favorite of the evening.  It is so simple, yet elegant.  This one was a CASE from a card I saw on a blog - sorry I don't remember who's ... if it is yours.. let me know as I would like to give you credit.  It uses a fun set Tree Trimmings - and the sentiment is from my NEW 'go to' sayings set - Word Play.  I embossed the ornaments and saying in Silver and usded the Eyelet Border punch for the Real Red strip of CS.

This was a fun night of card making - come join me on December 3 for a night time card making class, or the same class on December 4th for a day time one.  Check out the side bar for information and samples.

Online Extravaganza!

Do you want to save a bunch on some gifts for you or your friends?  Then check this out.  You can get the FABULOUS My Digital Studio for 50% off - that makes it $39.98.  You will NEVER see it this low again!  If you have been teetering on the fence about getting it - DO IT NOW!

I have the list in a PDF if you want to see them all at a glance; just CLICK HERE

I will be putting an order in Wednesday the 24th and then Friday the 26th  and then Tuesday night (the 30th). 

November Club cards

We had a great time at our Stamp Club this month.  We always chat up a storm and it is great therapy for all of us!  I planned a couple of cards for Thanksgiving using the new set out of the Holiday Mini catalog called Day of Gratitude.  This was one of the notorious sets that I thought - eh, I'll never use it! but again - I was WRONG!  I see so many uses besides the Thanksgiving season. 

The first card is one that my fellow demonstrator/friend Sue Brown had us do for our make and take at our Southwest Demonstrators meeting.  Very simple, but stunning.  The colors used were River Rock, Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze.  the trim on the card is done using the new die cut - Tasteful Trim.  It features 4 12" borders that are so fun!

The second card using this stamp set was one for our technique of the month - Dauber Stamping.  You can use your sponge daubers to apply the ink to any stamp.  We used the large wreath motif stamp from the set.  The colors used were Almost Artichoke, More Mustard and Cajun Craze.  The sentiment for this card was from another Holiday Mini set - Seasonal Sentiments.  This was the first time the ladies used the Dotted Scallop Border punch. 

I decided that each month should have a birthday card also- so this one was simple.  I used the set On a Pedistal and the new In Color - Peach Perfection.  Wild Wasabit and Rich Razzleberry were used as an accent colors.  I was very happy to see these colors come back from previous years' In Colors.  The background was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot impressions folder, then layered the cake on the stand. Isn't the new Poly Stitched ribbon fabulous!?

And of course we had to have a Christmas card.  This was one of the cards that was made at an earlier Stamp-a-Stack.  I will show the others later, but this one was my favorite, so I had to have the club make it too!  I got the idea from a class planner on SUDSOL - my 'go to' demonstrator help website.  Thank you to all the wonderful demonstrators who share their talents with those of us pressed for time!  The stamp set is Contempo Christmas and I embellished a bit with the Tiny Tags set too.  The colors came from the Jolly Holiday DSP - Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive. The Decorative Label punch was showcased as well to show off how to mat it. VERY CLEVER idea! 

Polka dot scraps

I am going to repost this since for some reason the photo did not make it. The origionator of this idea that I almost completely CASED from is Jessica Taylor's HERE where she had a fun use for scraps.  I even loved the color combo so I used it too!  The stamp set is Party Hearty, the colors River Rock, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, and Very Vanilla.  THANKS for great demo's who I can get inspiration from too.  I hope you like this idea.  She has a great tutorial on her blog.

November Birthday card

I was busy making birthday cards this week.  I have decided to try to stay ahead of my monthly family birthdays and make a card for the entire month, that way everyone will get the same card - I think this may be a nice feature of my stamp club too.  So, for November, I CASE'd this card from another demo, but changed the color scheme to be more universal for boy or girl.

 The card uses 2 sets - On a Pedistal and my favorite new sentiment set - Word Play.  The colors I used were Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, and Rich Razzleberry.  I added a bit of flair to the card with the use of the polka dot impressions folder and some Peach Parfait Poly Striped ribbon.  Fun card!  Happy Birthday to all the November Birthdays!

Thankful Card for a Swap

I made a bunch of these cards for a swap that I do each month.  I used the Stampin' Up! set Day of Gratitude from the Holiday Mini Catalog. This card will either be taught as a technique card to my stamp club this month or as a card for my Stamp-a-Stack.  It uses stamp daubers to color the stamp.

I used the colors I used were Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Always Artichoke.  They really said FALL to me.  The sentiment is not from Days of Gratitude, although there is a lovely Thanksgiving sentiment in it, but I use another set from the Holiday Mini called Seasonal Sentiments.

Borrowed Ideas for products

Have you ever had a product that you just couldn't get any mojo for?  Well, I just simply HAD to have the Cute By the Inch hostess stamp set because it coordinated with a punch.  So, I ordered the Petal Card XL Double Punch and let it sit for a while.  I came across a few blogs that showed some fun ideas - but the one I fell in love with was Beth McAlexander.  She made a very cute box using this punch.  She gives some great directions on her blog HERE how to create this fun box, but here are my samples for you!  I demonstrated this box at our Southwest Stampers demo group meeting last month and the ladies LOVED it almost as much as I did! 

Happy Halloween to my kiddos!

Since they are all getting older and not Trick or Treating, I decided to make them a special Halloween goodie full of candy.  I even gave one to Mike.  I still have one box left for my oldest son, James and his wife Dawnmarie.  I will have to give it to them the next time we see them as they spent the weekend with her family.  Gotta love family!  I am glad that I have these wonderful kids in my life!  Happy Halloween!!!!

I used the Big Shot Fancy Favor BIGZ die, and the spider web impressions folder.  I painted a bit of Platinum Shimmer Paint on the web to make it stand out a bit.  I then used a strip of the Night Owl DSP to make a ruffle for the top of the box to look like tissue paper.  I used my favorite Halloween stamp set - Wicked Cool, to make the embellishment.  I filled the box with yummy candy, but not without adding some Pixie Stix topped with some scallop punched toppers using the Batty For You stamp set.

Wedding Cards

Before you get all crazy thinking I have ANOTHER kid getting married - calm yourself!  My dear friend Jamie asked me if I had any wedding invitation samples on my blog - well... the answer was NO.  So, I decided it was high time I did.  I have scanned the internet for others samples and well... stamp-lifted!  I praise those who made the origionals - where-ever you are and who ever you are!  I keep files full of ideas and my gratitude goes out to you.  If you see one of your cards here PLEASE let me know so I can give you proper credit for the idea! 

Enjoy - the cards were all made with either Pumpkin Pie and Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red and Tangerine Tango, or Peach Perfection and Poppy Parade.

Which is YOUR favorite???? 

Elegant Thank You

This was the last card we did at the October Stamp-a-Stack last Saturday.  This card was so quick and easy.  It uses the Elegant Lines Impressions Folder, a sweet sentiment from the Perfect Punches set, a little Very Vanilla satin ribbon and some gorgeous Basic Pearls embellishments.  I am so tickled that Stampin' Up! carries self adhesive flat-back pearls and rhinestones! They are dazzling. 

SWEET Birthday!

Monday was my neices birthday.  She is named after me and so I sent her a great My Digital Studio card that I created for her.  I will share that tomorrow, but I wanted to send her the card I made at my October Stamp-a-Stack from last Saturday, but didn't get it off in time. And besides, the Canadian postal service might just keep it and eat the M&M's!  This was a great card using the Sweet Treat Cups from Stampin' Up! They are so cute and inexpensive too!  The stamps I used were Something Sweet and Got Treats.  I loved that I could use the 'OPEN' stamp!  The colors are perfect for celebrating - Real Red, Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight.  I also used the new punch available in the Holiday Mini Catalog - Decorative Label.  It is quickly becoming my favorite new punch!

OOO LAA LAA stamp-a-stack

Saturday was my October Stamp-a-stack. We had some fun projects that were all quite easy.  I chose 2 projects to share today that were monochromatic.  The first uses my favorite shade of yellow  -  Daffodil Delight.  It uses the sets Snow Swirled and Heart from the Heart.  Who knew snowflakes could look so NOT winter?  I have also found a new ribbon love - the striped grosgrain!  OOOOO LAAA LAAA!

The inspriation for the next monochromatic card was grom Ustamp with Dawn and Friends.  I am currently in their Cards with COOL Moves and the color combo suggestion was Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, and Concord Crush.  So... I gave it a try - what do you think?  I added a splash of that favorite yellow - Daffodil Delight with the 1/8" taffeta ribbon.  It used the sets On a Pedestal and Curly Cute.

Happy Thanksgiving to my family in Canada

So, I am actually Canadian.  I was born in Alberta and moved to the United States when I was 10.  I have American citizenship now but most of my family lives in Canada still, so I created this card with My Digital Studio to send to them to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. This card took me about 15 minutes to put together using the images found on My Digital Studio.

If you want more information about this wonderful digital paper-crafting software please contact me.  I would love to come to your place or you come to mine to show you this amazing product that includes thousands of Stampin’ Up images that you can use to create cards, scrapbooks, calendars, and many other digital projects to email or print.  It really is super easy, super fast, and SUPER FUN!

Spooky Halloween

This card is also a card inspired from the UStamp with Dawn and Friends Cool Moves color combos.  This time I paired pumkpin pie, Old olive, Marina Mist and Basic Gray.  The stamp set is new to Stampin' Up! - Wicked Cool.  I have fallen in love with this Halloween set - I will be using it more later this week. 

Delicious Awash with Flowers

This set I earned for free last spring and haven't used much, but it is really lovely.  I think I need to spend more time with my stamps!  The colors on this card were inspired by UStamp with Dawn and Friends.  I won a pass to the latest edition - Cool Moves.  You can check that out at the blog here.  Every 12 hours there is a new card idea and color combination.  I am loving it!  The color combo for this card is one to make you hungry - Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Baja Breeze. 

Birthday card class

Tomorrow fans of Stampin’ Up will join at my house for a Birthday Card stamp-a-stack.  They are making 4 birthday cards.  I have finished up 3 of them and will share the 4th tomorrow after they make them. (I want to keep SOME surprises for them) 

The first card is a fun one using Fox and Friends and the new saying set Curly Cute.  The colors I picked using the Color Coach – Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Concord Crush.The second card was an easy one layer card using a hostess set – Because I Care.  The colors are Regal Rose and Garden Green.

 

  The last card I am going to share is one that is using the Beautiful Butterflies die for the Big Shot.  This uses a retired Designer Series Paper from the Spring, but the colors are Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and a touch of black.  The stamping was done with a great birthday stamp set called On Your Birthday.

Baby Gifts

I had a couple of baby gifts to make for work.  So… I pulled out my paper and stamps and went to town creating some fun mini brag books!  I used shades of pink – Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink.  I used a couple of stamp sets – Baby Bundle, Priceless, Lovely Letters, and Greeting Card Kids.  They were a HIT!  The ladies loved them and proudly put them in their purses to add photos later!

September Scrapbook Class

This Friday night fabulous friends will gather at my house for our monthly scrapbook class.  I have created 2 layouts fit for the season.  The first one is a Back to School layout ready for your class photo and some snapshots of the first days.  I used the colors Night of Navy, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight.  The stamp set is Schoolbook Serif I loved the punched owl and a big thank you goes out to Connie Babbert who I copied her wonderful idea.

The next layout they will make is a fall combo from the My Create Ink blog challenge.  I used the colors More Mustard, Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze.  The layout was inspired by Gretchen Barron and the Soul Scrappers Challenge sketch.  The stamp set I used was Baroque Motifs.  It seems to be my 'go to' set!  I also used the Scallop Trim Border punch and the new Scallop Squares Duo Bigs Die.