Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas




This day in David's city a savior has been born to you, the Messiah and Lord. Luke 2,11





May you & your family have a very Blessed Christmas!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

The Countdown to Christmas --- Oh the Memories!


Christmas is such a special time. I have so many wonderful memories...one was watching the Wizard of Oz every Christmas Eve as a child. Why was it on at Christmas time? I never got the connection...buy enjoyed lying on the floor inches away from the tv (we were always told to get further back...it will hurt your eyes), eating lots of popcorn, & watching that great old movie. It was on last night!!! I still enjoy watching it, even now.

I hope your home is filled with joy, making your own Christmas memories.

No new creations to share, but take a look at this blog zanynotcrazy.blogspot.com. It is sure to give you some inspiration! Wow, isn't she talented.
Until next time, Happy Stamping!

Friday, December 21, 2007

It's Crunch Time!!!




Well, I'd say it's getting down to crunch time preparing for Christmas! You have 4 days left!!! What are you going to put under your tree? When do you have time to go buy it? Will they like it? Will they want to return it?
I was trying to finish my shopping this week and just couldn't decide what to get. For some reason, this year I had a really difficult time selecting Christmas gifts. I just couldn't seem to find that perfect gift. Well, I think I figured it out. It is the gift that always fits...CASH!!!
I made these money cards using Real Red & Old Olive cardstock. I used the Dashing designer paper, stamped with Perfect Presentations Hostess Set. I colored the stamps with markers to make the 2-color image. Basic Black & Real Red grosgrain ribbon finished the projects. All supplies Stampin' Up. Good luck with your Christmas shopping. I will be wrapping the rest of my gifts today, and maybe even some stamping time later:). Have a happy Friday!



Thursday, December 20, 2007

Acrylic vs Rubber!

There are a lot stamps on the market! How do you decide which ones to purchase?


I consider my stamps as a long term investment. When I make a purchase, I decide which stamps match the themes I will use most for my personal use, and as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, which stamps will appeal to my customers. Stampin' Up! rubber stamps have earned the Creating Keepsakes' Readers' Choice Award for "best rubber stamps" seven years in a row!!!


Stampin' Up has researched the market trends, and are aware that there is growing interest in acrylic stamps. But their research has found that "Rubber Stamps" produce the best results on your projects. Their images are deeply etched on foam backed rubber to ensure sharp & clear stamped images. The wood blocks were selected because trees are a renewable resource.


Acrylic stamps are appealing because you can see through the acrylic blocks to determine the exact location of your stamped image. However, the acrylic will yellow over time, and the stamps do not give the same quality stamped image as rubber. Also, the stamps can become gummy & sticky.


If you find acrylic stamps in the dollar bin at the craft stores, why not pick-up a few! But, when I want to purchase "award winning, quality rubber stamps that will last a lifetime ", my pick is Stampin' Up! Thanks for visiting. As always, I welcome your comments!!! Have a great day!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Acetate Card













Have you seen Acetate Cards?

They are designed using an acetate sheet for the card base. My card is stamped with the Carte' Postale stamp set using Stazon Ink. (Stazon works best for non-porous materials) Whisper White is adhered inside and lined up with the Soft Sky & Blue Bayou cardstock which is adhered on the top of the card. The image on the top of the card is stamped with Blue Bayou. All supplies (except acetate) Stampin' Up! Have a great day!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Getting In the Holiday Spirit!


Why do people dress up their animals? The answer is "I really don't know"! My only excuse today was I was "bored" and didn't want to do the things I should have been doing. Also... it was fun! I think they look a bit annoyed with me...what do you think? We needed to get into the holiday spirit around here!!!



I also have a card to share with you today. I used the Baroque Motifs stamp set, one of my favorites. The background paper is River Rock & Wintergreen designer paper. The Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon is from the holiday mini catalog (still available at 1/2 price till the end of the month). I used one of the Ice Rhinestone Brads, the Scallop Punch, Tab Punch (punched twice from Purely Pomegranate & adhered 2 together to make the circle behind the scallop) & the Large Oval Punch. Ink is Always Artichoke. All products Stampin' Up! Have a great day. Thanks for visiting.







Sunday, December 16, 2007

More Sharing!




Hello Bloggers! Yesterday I got my copy of the brand spankin' new Stampin' Up! Spring & Summer Collection catalog. Many fun, new products including rub-ons, microbeads in a variety of fun colors, felt flowers, new punches, along with MANY new stamp sets. And there is much more! You can get your new catty on January 1st! Another distraction for an addicted stamping fanatic! Well, certainly there are worse addictions, right??? At least mine keeps me home.

Today I am sharing a couple more ideas from my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator web site. Still too cold around here to create my own cards, power was up and running and guess what, off again. At lease we are fortunate to have a generator so I can do my surfing. Today's samples use Fun & Fast Notes and A Tree for All Seasons. Hope you enjoy these ideas, and create something beautiful today!!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Happy Friday Christmas Showcase!








Happy Friday Everyone! Today I am sharing ideas I got direct from my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Web Site! Aren't these cards fabulous! They were designed by fellow demonstrators and are available for Demonstrators to share with their customers! I am so happy to share them with you! The top, left card uses the Doodle This & Warm Words stamp sets. Top right uses Tags For All & several of the Stampin' Up! punches (It is a gift card holder). Third card uses Jolliest Time of Year & Warm Words. The Last card uses Baroque Motifs, Weathered background stamp & Elegant Notes. I hope these ideas help to inspire you to create something beautiful this week-end. Have a safe, wonderful, weekend. Happy Stamping!





Thursday, December 13, 2007

Our Frozen World!










Get a load of this!!!








We got "walloped" with ice Monday night! I have been spending a lot of time the past few days looking out the windows at our frozen world. On Tuesday, the only brake from the eery silence was the sound of cracking branches followed by crashing tree limbs. Tens of thousands of homes left without power. We were so very blessed to have our power restored late on Wednesday night, but again Today we had several hours without power. Tonight I am so fortunate to be sitting in my warm home. It may be days before everyone has their power restored.

My prayers are for all those less fortunate than myself. You know what they say, you don't appreciate what you have until it is gone.

Monday, December 10, 2007

More Gift Ideas...& The Retired List!!!






More gift iteas...these are Post It Note holders made from acrylic picture frames. I have a template for the calendar if anyone wants the file e-mailed, just let me know!

The New Stampin'Up! catalog comes out January 1st, and you know what that means...they need to make room for the new items. The retired stamp list is available at stampinup.com. The retired accessory list came out today and is as follows. If there is anything you want to order before it is gone, just give me a call!






Stampin' Up! - Retired Accessories List

Retired wheels and accessories are available while supplies last, so make sure you place your orders no later than January 1. If you are interested in an item, please let me know & I will check current availability.

Item #Product Description
109198Accents & Elements Borders & Blossoms
109199Accents & Elements Little Reminders 2
109197Accents & Elements Tagged
100700Album Leather Post Black 8-1/2x11
105385Album Linen Post Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11
104520Album Linen Post Natural 8-1/2x11
104517Album Linen Post Navy 8-1/2x11
105382Album Linen Post Real Red 8-1/2x11
105392Album Linen Ring Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11
104510Album Linen Ring Natural 8-1/2x11
104513Album Linen Ring Navy 8-1/2x11
105388Album Linen Ring Real Red 8-1/2x11
105067Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment I
105068Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment II
108798Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Confetti White
107246Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Kraft
105747Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large
105748Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large Divided
105744Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Small
105749Boxes Stamp & Supply Jumbo
105734Boxes Stamp & Supply Large
105746Boxes Stamp & Supply Medium
105745Boxes Stamp & Supply Small
101052Brayer Attachment Foam
107293Cards & Envelopes Greeting Very Vanilla Medium
109149Designer Series Paper Brocade Background
109161Designer Series Paper Cerise
109162Designer Series Paper Charbon
109155Designer Series Paper Creepy Crawley
109152Designer Series Paper Darling Doodles
109150Designer Series Paper Dashing
108503Designer Series Paper Petals & Paisleys
109156Designer Series Paper Linen Prints
109147Designer Series Paper Notations No. 2
109148Designer Series Paper Outlaw
109158Designer Series Paper Uptown
109157Designer Series Paper Wintergreen
107285Envelopes Open End Very Vanilla Large
107284Envelopes Open End Whisper White Large
107296Envelopes Shimmery White Medium
107287Envelopes Square Vellum Large
107310Envelopes Square Very Vanilla Mini
107294Envelopes Vellum Medium
107290Envelopes Very Vanilla Large
107291Envelopes Whisper White Large
101016Eyelet Tool Kit
105317Eyelets Bold Brights II
105379Eyelets Silver
105315Eyelets Soft Subtles II
107282Fancy Fibers Bella
107283Fancy Fibers Elizabeth
103352Stampin' Glitter Romantic Red
103349Stampin' Glitter Silver Shine
106650Greeting Glue
102620Liquid Glue
103145Page Protectors Post 8-1/2x11
104523Page Protectors Ring 8-1/2x11
103598Paper Vellum 12x12
105543Pastel Refills Bold Brights
105544Pastel Refills Earth Elements
105547Pastel Refills Neutrals
105545Pastel Refills Rich Regals
105546Pastel Refills Soft Subtles
105962Perfect Layers Tool
104184Post Extenders
106522Punch Spring Bouquet Flower
109722Simply Scrappin' Creative License Hostess Level 1
109611Simply Scrappin' Happy Me Hostess Level 3
109596Simply Scrappin' Out & About
109626Simply Scrappin' Primary Colors
109649Simply Scrappin' Round Up
109635Simply Scrappin' Secret Garden
109663Simply Scrappin' Winter Bright
107415Simply Sent Friendship Shapes
109230Simply Sent Happy Day
105580Spectrum Pad Blue Frost
101492Spectrum Pad Celebration
105579Spectrum Pad Cotton Candy
101336Spectrum Pad Pumpkin Patch
100000Spectrum Pad Un-inked
103953Stamp-a-ma-jig Imaging Sheets Refill
104432Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Clear Embossing
101460Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill W. White
102391Stampin' Around Ink Refill Clear Embossing
103017Stampin' Around Ink Refill Whisper White
103151Stampin' Emboss Powder Hologram Highlights
105677Stampin' Kids Pad Bear Brown
105676Stampin' Kids Pad Beetle Black
105675Stampin' Kids Pad Boxcar Blue
105674Stampin' Kids Pad Gumball Green
105673Stampin' Kids Pad Poppin' Purple
105672Stampin' Kids Pad Princess Pink
105671Stampin' Kids Pad Robin Red
105670Stampin' Kids Pad Yahoo Yellow
103174Stampin' Pastel Applicators
100852Stampin' Pastel Erasers
100081Stampin' Write Marker Going Gray
100945StazOn Ink Refill Timber Brown
103088StazOn Pad Timber Brown
107235Tag Sheets Bold Brights
107239Tag Sheets Confetti White & Kraft
107236Tag Sheets Earth Elements
107240Tag Sheets Kraft
107237Tag Sheets Rich Regals
107238Tag Sheets Soft Subtles
100894Watercolor Brush Flat
101551Watercolor Brush Medium
101331Watercolor Brush Small
105395Wire Works Metallic
105652Wrapping Paper Whisper White
Stampin' Around wheels
100360 Acorns
109812All about Birthdays*
109690All about Christmas*
109812All about Gratitude*
109676Autumn Dots
104070 Bloomin'
107466 Bodacious*
105750 Bouquet*
107481Butterflies & Blossoms
104065Fishy
100267Happy Jacks
107563Ho Ho Ho
104312Hot to Dot
104279Leaf Prints
106062Leaves Awash*
107479Rough around the Edges*
101927Snowman Fun
107465Speckled*
105521Spooky Skyline*
108979Spotted*
107480True Hearts
105033Wings & Things
* Jumbo Stampin' Around wheels

I sure hate to see some of these wheels being retired...but they must make room for the new items January 1st! Can't wait to see the new catalog!!!






Saturday, December 8, 2007

Send Someone a Cup of Tea!

For that special someone that is far from home, how about sending them a cup of tea!

This card is made with a piece of cardstock measuring 11 x 4. Score every 2 3/4 " (3 score lines). The tea bag holder is cut diagonal from the last section, and folded & adhered across the bottom. The sentiment is from Hugs & Wishes, Snowmen from Tags for All...I used a marker over the snowmen on the tag stamp and colored with markers & my blender pen. (By the way...this stamp set is on sale for $24.76 and is only available until Dec. 15th.) I used Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, & Whisper White cardstock. 5/8 Red Grosgrain ribbon. All supplies Stampin' Up!

Sentiment reads:
On Christmas day at half past three.
have yourself a cup of tea.
I'll think of you, you'll think of me.
Sitting around the Christmas tree!

Send some warm wishes to someone you love. Happy Stamping!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Snow Inspired!









Our first snow!!! How beautiful...that is, if you are looking out the window of your toasty warm home, sipping on a fresh cup of coffee.

This beautiful scene has inspired my card creations. I visited SplitCoastStampers today and decided to try their "ways to use it challenge" .

Their challence was to use tin somewhere on your card. They suggested using aluminum foil if you didn't have any tin. You all know me, love a challenge on a budget:). I came up with these two cards. The first card uses the Perfect Presentations Hostess set, Purely Pomegranate cardstock, ink, & satin ribbon, and Pretty in Pink card base. I also used the 2 way glue pen & dazzling diamonds on the snowman, silver cord, & Small & Large Oval Punches. The sentiment is from Warm Words.

The 2nd card uses the Season of Joy set, Black & Purely Pomegranate ink, Whisper White, Black, & Purely Pomegranate cardstock. I used my Cuttlebug embossing folder with aluminum foil...LOVE THE EFFECT!!! Finished card off with more satin Purely Pomegranate ribbon. All supplies (except Cuttlebug embossing folder & aluminum foil) are Stampin' Up! NOTE: It's not too late to get your Satin Ribbon with the Wrapping Up the Holidays promotion. Contact me today to get yours!!!

The challenges at Splitcoast Stampers are a great way to learn new techniques and go a bit out of your element and have some great creative fun.

Happy Stamping!








Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Tags, Tags, Tags

The tree is trimmed, now it is time to finish the shopping & wrap the gifts!

These fun Christmas tags were inspired by a very talented artist, Sharon Johnson.

I used a few of her little techniques to make these tags special. She used the Tab Punch on the top of tags, & she used the Horizontal Slot Punch and slipped the Word Window Punch through the slot. The top was adorned by a brad. Just these few little techniques brought the projects up a notch! Also, I stamped some of the images with Certainly Celery, removed ink from a portion of the image & used a Real Red marker to color in, making a 2-color image. I like how the black cardstock makes the layers POP! All of these tags were made with the Perfect Presentation Level 2 Hostess set. You could use any holiday stamp set to create your own distinctive tags.

I hope you are inspired to make your packages special by adding that extra touch. Happy Stamping!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

The retired stamp list is now available at stampinup.com.
If you have a favorite being retired, you have until December 30th to place your order. Also, the retiredwheels & accessories list will be available December 10th.










I am a bit behind posting because...Look at the new stamp set I received as a gift from Stampin' Up!
Each current, demonstrator received this "Brand New" stamp set as a Thank You for our contributions to Stampin' Up! What is even better...you can earn this stamp set FREE. It is a Level 3 Hostess set in the upcoming Spring-Summer Collection. I think it is "so awsome"!
I have had fun playing with my new set. I made these 2 cards. One of them is a "Money Holder" card. I have also included a picture of the inside. All products used are, as usual, Stampin' Up! Have a great week!