Merry Christmas to ALL!

Holiday Craft Camp projects

Here are the projects planned for the Craft Day -

November calendar of events

I love My Digital Studio - I use it mostly for my monthly calendars-- so here you go.  I think in a week or two I might spotlight the calendar I just made for Nathan on his mission.

But, this is the calendar for November with all the events I have going on.  Watch in the next few days for photos of the Holiday Gift projects and prices.

Double take of a Double take!

Or is it double, double, take?  I am not sure.  I liked the idea that the club ladies could choose their own individual touch to the card that I did another one at the hostess club that they could do just that.  This card was a CASE from Mary Fish - a fellow Tucson demonstrator.

Stampin' UP!  has great ways to support their demonstrators and there are other means out there in our highly technological world to get support.  Mary is also a transplant to Tucson and hooked up with our Southwest Stampers group.  It is always nice to get together with other demos, but in a pinch, I have to admit I turn to my cyber demos on SUDSOL.  I had the privilege of being stop #4 on their blog hop yesterday!

Back to the card.  I used the stamp set Easy Events so the ladies could choose from 8 different celebrations!  They all turned out fantastic.  I told the ladies that they could make these as gifts and stamp a bunch of different sentiments to let the recipient choose what event they needed.

The first is the CASE from Mary, the second is my additional version for a birthday.

Stamps: Easy Events

Colors: Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Red Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, 1 3/8" square punch, 1 1/4" square punch, 1" square punch, Heart to  Heart punch, Blossom Bouquet triple layer punch, Scallop Square die

SUDSOL Blog Hop -

I am honored to be part of the SUDSOL blog hop this go around.  I have some fun holiday samples to share with you today and a couple of them were inspired by samples I found on SUDSOL or tutorials.  SUDSOL stands for Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing OnLine and  is a fantastic demonstrator community.  You can find many great resources to help your business along including a listening ear when you have a bad workshop or if you need a WOW project or if you simply want to swap cards.  Check the community out!  Join me on SUDSOL - Your 24/7 Upline!

You should have just come from stop three -Nola Burkhard at her blog  Ink on Her Paws.  Please enjoy the samples that I have for you to celebrate the holidays!  All of these are cards inspired by other demonstrators.

Stamps: Hand Penned Holidays, Easy Events

Colors: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Snow Burst impressions folder, Very Vanilla Designer Velvet Ribbon, 

Stamps: Contempo Christmas

Colors: Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories: 2 step Owl Punch, Northern Flurry impressions folder, Dazzling Details

Stamps: The Sounding Joy

Colors:  Not Quite Navy, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Silver embossing powder, Scallop Trim Border punch

Stamps:  Four the Holidays, Triple Treat Flower

Colors: Real Red, Garden Green

Accessories: Houndstooth impression folder, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon - Real Red, Garden Green, Modern Label punch, 5 Petal flower punch, Fancy Flower punch

Lastly, I made a treat holder using a pattern on SUDSOL.  There are many patterns in the Creative Library to use for your needs.  This particular one uses the Scallop Circle Die and the 1 3/4"  Scallop Circle punch to create a fun Reese's cup holder.  

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Delicate Doilies

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, Scallop Circle die, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog on the SUDSOL blog hop.  Please hop on to the next stop here.

Thanks for stopping by! 

CONTINUE on the Blog Tour
Nola Burkhard	SUDSOL

Club double take

More club card shares for you today.  These two cards were the options for the gals.  I thought that not all people like to send Halloween cards so I created a simple solution- two cards that are similar, but can be easily adapted to a different celebration.  I began with the Give Thanks card and with a few additional stamped images created a fun Halloween card.

Stamps: Jack of All Trades, Hand Penned Holidays

Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Soft Suede

Accessories: Photo Corner punch (retired)

With a few additional pieces you can get a great Halloween card ....

Stamps: Jack of All Trades, Grateful Greetings

Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Soft Suede, Concord Crush

Accessories: Corner Rounder punch, Ticket Corner punch, Scallop Square punch, Postage Stamp punch

Chat sketch take 2

So I posted the sketch yesterday from a couple of weeks ago on SUDSOL.  I have told you how much I love SUDSOL!  I get workshop ideas, sketches, patterns and templates for boxes and gifts, and so much more!  I will feature a project on the blog tour that utilizes that special area of the website - Patterns and Templates.

BUT, you have to wait a couple more days -- Thursday in fact.  In the mean time, here is the second card I completed using the SUDSOL sketch.  The Stamp a Stack gals loved it!  I hope you enjoy!

Stamps: Snow Much Fun

Colors: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder

Accessories:  Lace Border punch, Snow Burst impressions folder, Snowflake punch, Corner rounder punch

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I have blogged before about the SUDSOL Chat & Challenges. This card was one I made for that very thing.  I always try to get a card done in the 1 hour time limit and this is what I came up with.  It is perfect to wish you all a very Happy Halloween!  I know I love to see the kids in costume and this year have a great costume.  I will try to post a photo of that later this week too.    

Here is the sketch we were given. If you try it - link back to mine!

Before I show you the card, I want to remind you to check back on Thursday, November 3rd for the SUDSOL blog tour.  We are all spotlighting Holiday designs and projects.  I am excited for it...  SUDSOL is who I always turn to when I need help as a demonstrator.  My upline is in Utah and I hardly ever talk to her - like NEVER, but I can shout out to my SUDSOL sisters and get help right away! 

Back to the Halloween card!  Watch for the other version that I got finished during the chat tomorrow!

Stamps: Wicked Cool

Colors: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

Accessories:  Frightful Sight DSP, Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, 2 3/4" scallop circle punch, 1/2" scallop dots ribbon - Basic Black, Sweet Buttons embosslits die, scallop edge border punch.

October Fun!

I am trying to catch up a bit before the BIG BLOG HOP!  Next week, on Thursday, November 3, I will be participating in the SUDSOL blog hop.  SUDSOL is a great resource for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. There are lots of benefits to this demonstrator only group.  I have mentioned the Chat & Challenges before, but there are templates, class outlines, tutorials, organization tips and tricks, card ideas, gift ideas, scrapbook ideas - you name it and it is probably there!  Be sure to sign up for my emails or follow me and see what we have planned on this hop!

For the October Hostess club I have a couple of cards to share today.  The hostess club had so much fun with their cards.

Stamps: Hello Friend, Bright Hope
Colors: Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue
Accessories: 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 3/8" taffeta ribbon (crumb cake), Sweet Buttons embosslit, Crystal Effects

I saw a boy version of this card on the Stampin' Up demo website and knew I had to copy it.  LOVE it.  I love that you can use the Stitched Stocking set for more than just Christmas stockings.

Stamps: Stitched Stockings, Petite Pairs

Colors: Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Perfect Polka dots impressions folder, 5/8" satin ribbon (Pretty in Pink), Pearl Jewels, Eyelet border punch

Halloween Hop!

Welcome to the fun this month with our Hopping Just for the Fun of It blog hop.  You are in for a treat today as you see the fun Fall and Halloween ideas that some amazing Stampin' Up! artists have come up with.  Please sit back and enjoy the ride today as you hop from blog to blog.  You can start anywhere and end anywhere - just enjoy the cards and projects we have prepared for you.

You have just come from stop #11 -Stamp With Jane.  Didn't you LOVE her great ideas for the Sorting Hat?!  I have some fun stuff for you today.

I am not really a Halloween person I have to admit, I have good intentions but never seem to find enough people to send things to.  First up is a little test tube box I found on Lisa Sommerville's blog.  I have a tutorial I will post later this week for you all.  I have a little similarity going with each project - maybe you can see what it is?  Post a comment if you can figure it out!

Stamps: Spooky Bingo Bits

Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Lace Border punch, Postage Stamp punch, 1" sq. punch

This next card also uses the Spooky Bingo Bits set.  It is a fun, simple design.  

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Stamps: Spooky Bingo Bits, Grateful Greetings

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Island Indigo

Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Postage Stamp punch, 1" sq. punch, Corner Rounder punch

The next card is a very popular fancy fold design these days around the stamping world - I have seen lot's of samples, and probably the best is Dawn Griffith's video. Do you notice the fun medallion???  I will show you a tutorial of that later this week also!

Stamps: Jack of all Trades, Spooky Bingo Bits

Colors: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black

Accessories:  Frightful Sight DSP, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch

And the last project I have for you is a 3-D box that I saw on an email group I'm on using the Big Shot machine and the ever popular Top Note Die!  Cute way to give a small sweet treat to someone you love!

Stamps: Spooky Bingo Bits, It's a Wrap Holidays

Colors: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Basic Black

Accessories: 1 3/4" Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch

Thanks for stopping by!  Here is the lineup for the rest of the blog hop- I am stop # 12.  The next stop is #13 - Raissa Spatola.  You can start anywhere and end anywhere and if you get lost along the way- please check back on the list and you can link to any of the blogs!

1. Hopping Just for the Fun of it
2. Pretty Inky
3. jnorris1019
4. Stamping with Janice
5. Krafting With Karen
6. Scrappy Stamps and Ink
7. Little Patch of Dirt
8. Stampin ' At Dawn
9. inkedx2
10. Paper Fairy
11. Stamp With Jane
12. Life Is...
13. RaissaStamps
14. Bluegrass Stamper Studio
15. InkPaperStamps
16. The Love of Stamping

Happy Friday and Hopping tomorrow!

The day has come and I am so happy to be here on FRIDAY!  It has been a long week and I am tapped out - emotionally and financially!  But, tomorrow is a new day - and a BLOG HOP day!  The first Saturday of every month I will be participating in a blog hop - just of Stampin' Up! ideas.  This month is going to be Halloween and Fall ideas.  You are certainly in for a treat from some great fellow demonstrators.  

So for a sneak peak, I'll share the little treat I enclosed in Nathan's box I just sent a couple of weeks ago.  It is a little Halloween goodie bag.  I am almost certain they don't have Candy corn in Mozambique!

Stamps: Grateful Greetings

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Top Note Die, Petal Cone Die, Postage Stamp punch,

Perfect Polka Dots impression folder

Here is the lineup for the blog hop tomorrow - I am stop # 12.  You can start anywhere and end anywhere and if you get lost along the way- please check back on the list and you can link to any of the blogs!  See ya tomorrow with MORE luscious Halloween ideas!

1. Start            Hopping Just for the Fun of it
2. Pretty Inky
3. My Creative Impressions
4. Stamping with Janice
5. Krafting With Karen
6. Scrappy Stamps and Ink
7. My Little Patch of Dirt 
8. Stampin ' At Dawn
9. inkedx2
10. Paper Fairy
11. Stamp With Jane
12. Life Is...
13. RaissaStamps
14. Bluegrass Stamper Studio                    
15. InkPaperStamps
16. The Love of Stamping

S'more fun with July club

This was a project I wanted to do for a year.  Well, I finally got to it!  It is a s'mores kit.  I have admired them for a while and knew that the In the Stars stamp set was perfect!  

It is made with a Top Note die cut and scored the long way.  The stamped images were colored in with Watercolor Pencils.

Stamps: In the Stars

Colors: Night of Navy, More Mustard, Old Olive

Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, cello bag

Fancy Fold Pinwheels

 This card was a fancy fold card.  It was quick and easy to put together.  I started with the 'window' card idea with the punched pinwheels then built larger layers and ended up with this card.  The card size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" but instead of cutting the paper 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, you cut it 4 1/2 x 11.  Then you fold it at 5 1/2 and then score the front side at 4 1/4" from the non-scored edge.  You then will fold it up and run adhesive inside and hold down the top fold.  The other layers were 4" then 4 1 3/4" squares and finished off with the postage stamp punch.

stamps: Sweets for the Sweet, Happy Greetings
colors: Riding Hood Red, Pale Plum, Lucky Limeade
accessories: postage stamp punch, ticket corner punch, Lucky Limeade 3/8" ruffled edge ribbon, basic rhinestones

some oldies!

I realized today as I 'clean house' per se, that I have not shared some club cards for a while.  I will play catch up for a couple of days with some oldies, but goodies!  These samples are from July club.

This first card was to get myself to use the Blossom Petal Punch.  I borrowed it from my friend (and oops, I still have it!) so I thought I should actually use it!  There is very little stamping on this card.  It also spotlights the Designer Paper Packs that go with each color family.

Stamps:  Four Frames, Petite Pairs
Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Rose Red, So Saffron
Accessories: Blossom Petal builder punch, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, Decorative Label punch, Stripes impressions folder, Sweet Button embosslit die]

It's a Wrap - swap style

I participated in an all demo swap with stamps from the new Idea Book & Catalog.  I kept this card from blog-world until now to share with you.  I fell in love with this set right away and saw great potential with it.  You can use it to wrap around mini candy bars but I was swapping cards so I had to make it a card - This is what I came up with.

 

Stamps: It's a Wrap Occasions

Colors: Whisper White, Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo

Accessories: Polka Dot impressions folder, Scallop Trim border punch, Cupcake builder punch, Dazzling Diamonds

After I got the first card done, I decided it wasn't as hard as I thought, so I created another one!

Stamps: It's a Wrap Occasions, Baby Bundle

Colors: So Saffron, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Scallop Oval die, Finial Press impressions folder

A 'little' spotted break from card crafting

Ok, so I am going to take a little shameless plug here to show off my latest adventure.  This adventure was not the one I envisioned myself taking at this point.  However, here is my story.

Once upon a time (like almost every day) Mike was subbing a newspaper route in the wee hours of the morning.  This happened to be the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  As he was in an apartment complex throwing their papers, he heard a very small whining sound and followed it with his 'hound-like' ears (this plays a part).  To his surprise, he found a very small puppy under a car.  ABANDONED!  Well, as many of you know, I have a wonderful daughter in law, who among her many talents is an animal lover and has worked animal rescue for a long time.  That little voice in his head told him he better save that puppy or chance who knows what for leaving the small creature there to die in the parking lot - so we became the puppy rescue.

We were vigilant and posted FOUND signs with photos, walked around asking if anyone knew who's puppy it was.  No one to claim the wee lad.We waited the two weeks after we reported him and still no one!  Which brings me to the new project at our house these days.....................

Well.... I guess the happily ever after is that he has a good home now....................OURS!  I am not the happiest camper, but dang he is the CUTEST little thing ever!  We are pretty sure he is a beagle with maybe nothing else!

And I ask you, with a face like that (and I mean the puppies) could you give him away?  And while I mention the OTHER face....  I really can't say 'no' to my BIG creatures too!  WELCOME COSMO!

2nd Challenge Card

This was my second card I made using the sketch that SUDSOL provided.  Once I got going, I really saw possibilities for cards.  I pulled out my Easy Events set - a new one in the Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog.  I have a family member going through a hard time right now, so I decided to make a card to send off.  Cards are such a great way to share a hug across the miles and there are LOTS of miles between us.

I started with my Color Coach to pick the colors I wanted.  I thought Riding Hood Red would be good, then I found Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso to match.  I took the card base of Pear Pizzazz and ran it through the Big Shot using the texture plates.  I then stamped the Wood-grain background stamp on a strip of Soft Suede with Early Espresso ink.  I quickly punched out a border strip of the Riding Hood Red with the Dotted Scallop border punch and punched a few hearts from CS scraps. Then I stamped the Wood-grain on a Very Vanilla circle and stamped the image on the card which I colored in with markers.  Rounded the corners for a bit of softening to the edges and there you go!

SUDSOL - Chat and Challenge

I had the opportunity to participate in the SUDSOL Chat and Challenge last week.  SUDSOL is the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator sharing spot. The acronym is Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing OnLine.  It is like your favorite friend - warm, comfortable, and a great place to go for help or advice.  I do not live close to my upline so I go to SUDSOL for help.  Each week they host a Chat and Challenge and post a sketch or color combination or some other challenge.  Last week it was a sketch.  I got to participate for the first time in a LONG time and I was so excited!

Here is the sketch they provided -

And my take - take #1 - I used the new DSP from the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog - SPICE CAKE.  I love it!  The stamp set was Happiest Birthday Wishes.  The set is exclusive for hostesses. I stamped it three times and punched out with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, the 1 3/8" circle and the 1" circle punches.  I added a simple bow with the new Ruffled Ribbon in Pool Party and VOILA!

I will share the 2nd card I completed during the 1 hour time limit for the Chat and Challenge tomorrow.