Christmas Decorations

Our tree - a bit tilted, but nonetheless it is standing and decorated. :)

Stockings hung with care and mantle decorations.

I love snowmen. This little guy was given to me by my DH a couple years ago.

This snowman was given to me by my best friend Carla. It sits in the middle of my mantle decorations. It is really sparkly IRL.

Well, those are just a couple of my Christmas decorations. Just thought I would share some of what we put up. I won't be posting again til after Christmas, so I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!! If you are traveling, may you have safe travels as well.

Quick and Easy Gift - Notecards

Since I have been super behind on gift/card making this year (ok, this is every year *wink*), these were the gifts that I made for the girl's teachers this year. I took Whisper White card stock and added a piece of patterned paper edge. Before adhering the patterned paper, I punched a circle in the center with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch. Then I stamped the circle in the turquoise and the monogram in Chocolate Chip (both are from Papertrey Ink) - Ambassador Monogram and Borders and Corners Monogram. I boxed them up with envelopes in the clear boxes that Papertrey Ink offers as well. I figured that the teachers would be able to use these as thank yous or 'just because'.

Supplies -
Stamps: Ambassador Monogram, Borders and Corners Monogram (Papertrey Ink)
CS: WW, Basic Grey Papers
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Other: 1 3/8" Circle Punch (SU!), envelopes (not shown), clear boxes (not shown)

November Stamp Club Projects

These are the projects that my club made for November. I had meant to post these awhile ago, but with Christmas coming up - I've been super busy trying to get things done. All while still not accomplishing much it seems! :)

This first card uses the Figures of Speech set (which is retiring at the end of the year) and Snow Flurries. I love this color combo as well - the soft blue and green are my favorite colors. I did DTP (direct to paper) on the WW square with the Soft Sky ink pad.

Supplies:
Stamps: Figures of Speech, Snow Flurries
CS: Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, WW, Soft Sky Designer Series Paper
Ink: StazOn Black, Certainly Celery, Soft Sky
Other: Markers - Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Yoyo Yellow, Ballet Blue, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

This card was inspired by a couple I saw on SCS. I really like how this one turned out. Not sure I'd have the patience to make a whole lot of these though - a good deal of cutting pieces for this one. :) I did DTP to the main stamped image using the Old Olive stamp pad.

Supplies:
Stamps: Peaceful Wishes
CS: Rose Red, Old Olive, VV, Dashing Designer Series Paper
Ink: Old Olive
Other: Markers - Rose Red & Old Olive, Cream Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

This one I used a sketch challenge over on SCS. I don't remember which one though - sorry. This set was one that I just HAD to have, but haven't used it much. I love the images in it though and hope to get more use out of it. I did DTP on the stamped greeting piece with the Bordering Blue stamp pad.

Supplies:
Stamps: Festive Favorites
CS: Elegant Eggplant, Bordering Blue, WW
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Bordering Blue, StazOn Black
Other: Markers - Bashful Blue, Bordering Blue, Elegant Eggplant, Glorious Green, Real Red, Only Orange, 1/16" Circle Punch, Silver Brads, Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon

Floral Friend

I made this for a swap on Go. Be Creative. I really like how this turned out. I finally got the pictures off of my camera and will have my stamp club cards to post tomorrow.

For this card, I took the Chocolate Chip stamp pad and rubbed it on the edges of the card base and also on the edges of the flower piece. I sponged the Chocolate Chip on the 'friend' piece for a softer look. I stamped the tiny flower on the main card with Sage Shadow. The inside was first stamped off in Chocolate Chip and then stamped onto the card for a lighter center. The main flower image is also popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Supplies:
Stamps: Text Boxed (Papertrey Ink)
CS: Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip, VV, Outlaw Designer Series Paper
Ink: Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip
Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Large & Small Oval Punches (SU), Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Build a Brad (SU), 1" Circle Punch (for center of the brad), Stamping Sponge

I've Been Tagged Again...

I've been tagged by Vicki aka SCS - Basement Stamper (Stamped Smiles) and Toni (Toni's Adventures in Stamping & Scrapbooking).

The rules of the game: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.

Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

Seven things about me that I am sure that you didn't know and probably wish that you hadn't heard!!!!!

1. I'm afraid to be on a bridge that goes over water. My fear of going over the bridge and drowning inside my car is getting better, but still there.

2. I have to crack my neck at least once a day. It isn't painful at all - although the sound of it makes people think it is.

3. I love driving around at Christmas time to look at the different house decorations.

4. I'm a portion eater - I eat the items on my plate one at a time (ie: all my corn, then all my rice, then all the chicken - I don't mix the foods together either).

5. I don't balance my checkbook. Heck, I don't even right down in my checkbook register until usually 2-3 months after the fact.

6. I detest running. When I played volleyball in college, we had to run 3 miles under 30 minutes. Well, I had to run it twice because I didn't succeed the first time. The second time had me on the ground - made it just under the wire, but also was near vomitting too. I DETEST running!

7. I've had 2 broken bones my whole life. I broke my thumb in middle school by shutting it in a car door. I broke my middle toe by kicking at my younger sister - missed her, but landed square on the edge of the door (tried shutting her out of my room and kicking her at the same time).

Now, it is my turn to tag 7 random people....

Korin - Inky Doodle
Alison - Alison's Angelic Whispers
Karrie - Burnin' Rubber...rubber stamps that is
Ashley - Ashley's Creative Corner
Laura - Lu-La's Corner
Susan - SusieStampALot
Allison - Stampin' When I Can

And YOU!

Thank U

Ok - I'm going to try this again. I was in the middle of posting this last night when my laptop decided to shut down on me. I hope something isn't wrong with my laptop - if so, I'll be devastated!! I can't live without it! :)

I'm part of a Challenge Team over at Purple Faerie Paper Crafts. This was the card that I created for our last challenge.

All Supplies are SU!

Stamps: True Friend
CS: Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, VV, Apple Cider Designer Paper
Ink: Really Rust, Close to Cocoa
Other: Markers - Really Rust & Close to Cocoa, Crop-a-Dile, Jumbo Eyelets, Vintage Brads, 1/16" Circle Punch, Stamping Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Things have been super hectic lately (as I'm sure everyone is dealing with). I have more projects to share, but need to get them off of my camera first.

Free Set - Time Well Spent
Blogger's Challenge (Nov. 16)

SU! surprised its Demonstrators by sending us this free stamp set. It is called Time Well Spent and is super cute! I needed some cards, so I decided to use this set. The Blogger's Challenge this past week was a color combo - Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Brocade Blue. We could also use a neutral color. I've been busy and haven't been able to participate in the past couple challenges, but was determined to do this one. I took the Old Olive pad and did the Direct to Paper (DTP) around the edges of the card.

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Players for their creations!!

All Supplies SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Time Well Spent
CS: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Brocade Blue, VV
Ink: StazOn Black, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Brocade Blue
Other: Blender Pen, Prima Flowers, Orange Brad, Cutter Bee Piercer, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dot

A Muse Blog Candy (Erika's Blog)

You'll want to stop over at Erika's blog for a chance at A Muse blog candy. I have been wanting these alpha stamps of theirs for some time. Something about the polka dots I suppose - I just think they are too cute!!

Any way - be sure to go post and be entered for a chance to win them. While you are there, check out Erika's work. She has super cute designs posted.

I'll be back, hopefully tomorrow, with a card/project to post. I went cropping this past Saturday, but as with all my cropping adventures....I do more talking, shopping, browsing, etc than actual cropping. I don't mind though - I just love getting away and being with friends!! Oh yeah - it didn't help that I forgot things for 2 of the projects I brought to work on. Doh!!

Wow - a week already!

I can't believe a week has already gone by! I'm afraid to blink anymore - whenever I do, a day, week, month passes me by!! I have so many things to do and what seems to be not enough time. UGH!! I know - there are tons of us out there that feel this way.

I'm also heading out tomorrow for a 1-day crop with some girls from the Go. Be Creative message board!! I can't wait - it will be so much fun!! Now - if I accomplish one layout...I'll be thrilled!! I usually go to crops and do more talking than cropping, but I don't mind - I just love getting away and hangin' with friends!

Ok - so enough chatter, here is a card I made last week with some new stamps from a new stamp company. This is Hanna from HannaStamps. So far, they have this set (But I need it) and a holiday set (Tis the season). They have more coming out - as I said - it is a new company. The owner (Kristi Ferro) is great and is also the designer of these sets that depict her DD. So, be sure to check them out!! The site for HannaStamps is www.hannastamps.com, however, it isn't quite ready, so all traffic is rerouted to Kristi's blog.

Supplies:
Stamps: But I need it (HannaStamps)
CS: Bordering Blue, Close to Cocoa, WW, Basic Grey Mellow
Ink: StazOn Black, Bordering Blue
Other: Brown Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Gelly Glaze Pen (Sakura), various SU Markers

I paper pieced her dress and 2 of the shopping bags. I had stamped the greeting, but it was too light, so I went over it with the black glaze pen. I also did Direct to Paper with the Bordering Blue pad on the edges of the card.

Happy November 1st!!

I love Fall and our weather is finally starting to feel like it here! Also - Stampin' Up! has a paper special this month. I LOVE paper of all kinds!! I seem to collect more than I actually use it, but isn't that all part of the fun?!! What paper do I love more than Basic Grey?? Well, that would be SU! paper of course!! For this month, you too can enjoy SU! paper, which is on sale.

Paper Party Promotion

November 1 - 30, 2007
Join the fun this month as we throw a Paper Party --buy three, get one FREE!

Promotion Details:
Purchase any three Designer Series Papers and get the fourth one ($9.95 value!) FREE! No limits, no restrictions.

Tagged

I was tagged by Michelle and thought I would do it now, while it's on my mind or I'm sure to forget. :) I had to do the following:
1. Link to the person that tagged you. (*check!*)
2. Post 7 random/weird facts about yourself on your blog (cause we all want to know how weird you are!).
3. Tag 7 people at the end and link to their blog.
4. Leave comments on each blog that you tag so that they know!

Seven Random Facts:

1. I've lived on the same street for almost my whole life.
2. I'm messy - yep no organization whatsoever here! I would love to, but just thinking of organizing all my junk is too tiresome!!
3. I always notice expired tags on license plates. Not sure why, but I always point them out to whomever is in the car with me.
4. I'm a sports fanatic! I watch more sports on tv than my DH.
5. I like Spongebob Squarepants. :) Yep - kind of addicting when my kids watch it and I hear in the background.
6. I hate the noise that is made when you scratch over jeans with your nails. It can be likened to someone running their nails down a chalkboard - but that doesn't bother me. Go figure!
7. When I was a baby, I had to wear a brace from my waist to my feet to get my hips in alignment. Yep - have those purty pics at my mom's!

Now I'm supposed to tag 7 others, but those that I was going to tag have recently been tagged. So, if you want to play along and you haven't been tagged - then consider yourself tagged by me!!

Stamp Club Cards

Here are the cards that my stamp club made for October.

Supplies:
Stamp - Stem Stilhouettes (Holiday Mini Collection)
CS - Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate Chip, WW
Ink - Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate Chip
Other - Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Stamping Sponge

This card uses the CC136 over on SCS.

Supplies:
Stamp - Big on Christmas, Snow Flurries
CS - Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, WW
Ink - Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Going Gray, Glorious Green, Real Red, Only Orange
Other - Blender Pen, Photo Corner Punch

This one uses the SC146 over on SCS. This is also a CASE of steubner's card.

Supplies:
Stamp - True Friend (Holiday Mini Collection)
CS - Wild Wasabi, Confetti Cream, Apple Cider DSP
Ink - Wild Wasabi, Really Rust, River Rock
Other - Really Rust Marker, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Cutter Kit (for distressing), Stamping Sponge, Mat Pack/Piercer

Blessings for a Friend

I made this card for my friend. Her youngest child (son) just had his 3rd heart surgery. He is only 4yrs old and just the sweetest little boy. My Mackenzie and him are *sweethearts*. :) He says that she is his girlfriend. Anyway - the family has been going through a tough time and stressed over all this. He is home, but the recovery hasn't been as smooth this time around.

So, I made this card for her - just to let her know I was thinking of them. The inside has the full greeting from the set - Blessings brighten when we count them. I love this set. I think it is perfect for any occasion cards.

Now for the details - I used a sketch from SCS's sketch challenge - SC143. Definitely a fun sketch. Whenever I need a color combo, I usually will pull out my color wheel from SU!. However, with the new In Colors - they aren't on there, so I instead went to the Color Combo Website and loaded in the colors I was thinking of using. It then will give you TONS of color combinations to choose from.

All Supplies SU unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Stem Stilhouettes (Holiday Mini Collection)
CS: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi
Other: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon

Blogger Challenge (Oct. 12th)

You wouldn't believe it, but I actually had my challenge done this past Sunday. I was so excited that I finished it ahead of time and knew I would be posting it on time as well! Well, my week didn't go as planned - does it ever?? All 3 of my kids ended up getting sick - the 2 older ones missed school this past week. I even got a touch of it and just feel sluggish and blah all over.

So, here I am posting now - finally got enough energy and umph to do something today. The challenge this past week was to make an ornament. Well, I saw this type of ornament on Lisa's blog the other week and knew I wanted to try it. So, I went with it. You can find a Tutorial on this over at Lisa's blog, which can be found - here.

Supplies -
Designer Series Paper - SU! Retired (I believe it was called Holiday Thyme)
Green ribbon
Mega Scallop Circle Punch
Scorer

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Players for their Ornaments - you just might want to decorate your tree this year with some of these!! :)

Last One - Celebrate

This is the last card I made for WCMD. Another one for the Card Explosion category at GBC. I'm really liking the True Friend set by SU! and see it getting lots of use. :) This one uses the CC134 and SC144 over at SCS. Hope you had a great WCMD and were able to make a card or two.

Stamps: True Friend, Little Lady (Papertrey Ink)
CS: Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Shimmery White
Ink: Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip, River Rock
Other: Lg/Sm Oval Punches, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, RR Brads

Celebrate - True Friend

I just got this set from the SU! Holiday Collection Mini - True Friend. I love it! It was super easy to mount as well - why, because all the stamps in the Holiday Collection Mini are die-cut!! Woohoo!! Love it!! Another card for WCMD over at GBC. This was a generic category - Card Explosion.

Stamps: True Friend, Little Lady (Papertrey Ink)
CS: Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Really Rust, Shimmery White, Apple Cider Designer Paper
Ink: Wild Wasabi, River Rock
Other: Really Rust Marker, Various Ribbons, Round Tab Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Sakura Glitter Gel Pen

Christmas Jumpstart

Another card I made for WCMD. The challenge at GBC was called Christmas Jumpstart. To make a Christmas card(s) to get us started early on our cards. I can always use the extra time, as I'm always rushing at last minute.

Stamps: Big on Christmas (SU!)
CS: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Shimmery White
Ink: Blue Frost Spectrum Pad, StazOn Black
Other: Blue Ribbons, Snowflake Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Sakura Souffle Pens, Brayer

Little Lady Card

I made a couple cards Sat. for World Card Making Day. I participated in some challenges over at Go. Be Creative. I had plans to stamp all day, but it ended up being sporadic moments. That's ok though - I did get some completed.

Stamp: Little Lady (Papertrey Ink)
CS: Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate, Shimmery White, Basic Grey Stella Ruby
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate
Other: Various Ribbons, Round Tab Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch

Blogger's Challenge (Oct. 5th)

Woohoo! I'm actually posting the challenge on Friday!! I'll apologize now for the blurry picture - I don't know why I can't take decent pictures with my digital (HP Photosmart E327). If anyone has suggestions, I'm open to them. I can take other pictures just fine, but can not photograph my stamping projects.

Anyway - our challenge this week was to create something with Orange & Black. Well, of course, first to come to my mind was Halloween. But then again, I tried to do something different. I will say - this was truly a challenge for me! I just kept thinking Halloween.

All Supplies SU! Unless otherwise Noted
Stamps: Flannel BG, Take Three
CS: Basic Black, Only Orange, VV
Ink: Only Orange
Other: Photo Corner Punch, Only Orange & Basic Black - SU Markers, Orange Ribbon (non-SU), and Black Polka Dotted Ribbon (non-SU)

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Players ----->
We also have a new member to our group Mary Jo - she followed along with our challenges a couple times, but she is officially now a Blogger Player too!!

Image Challenge

Now isn't this just the cutest stamp?!?!! I was sent the greeting and the image for this card by Doodlepie from the Inky Antics message board. She mailed us these images and challenged us to make something using them - card, scrapbook page, 3d project, etc. I obviously did a card. :)
Stamps: Polar & Wally and Greeting by Inky Antics
CS: Close to Cocoa, Going Gray, Shimmery White, Basic Grey Infuse
Ink: Black, Close to Cocoa
Other: SU Large Oval Punch, Stamping Sponge, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Gray Velvet Ribbon (from one of Jody's Ribbon Shares)

Who doesn't Love a Good Challenge??

I love doing challenges! Whether it is a sketch, color, ways to use it - it doesn't matter. If it is a challenge, then I try my hardest to do it if time permits. Why do I love them? Well, it is very simple - most of the thought process is done for me! I'm all about getting things done quickly when I can. With 3 kids under my feet, my stamping time is limited. Every time I try to sit down to stamp - one, if not all of them, crowd around me and start taking things from my table. SO, I love challenges because the guesswork is done for me.

As for the card above - the sketch and the color choice were both challenges. The sketch came from a yahoo group I belong to. The color choice - to use Blush - came from the color challenge over on Inky Antics message board. Seriously - if you aren't a member of the IA message board - you are missing out on all the FUN!! So - be sure to stop by and say hello....we are a friendly bunch I promise!! :)

Stamps: Inky Antics - Snowcup & Snowflakes BG; Stampin' Up! - Snowfall (Greeting)
CS: Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, WW, Basic Grey Infuse
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Close to Cocoa
Other: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol

Blogger's Challenge (Sept. 28)

This week's Blogger's Challenge was to use Spectrum Pads. I used the Stampin' Up! Blue Frost Spectrum Pad for my card. Nothing special with it - just used it as a regular stamp pad. I had other ideas to do, but was already late getting my card posted, so I opted for the quick and easy. :)

All Supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Snowfall
CS: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, WW
Ink: Blue Frost Spectrum Pad
Other: 1/16" Circle Punch, Rhinestone Circle Brads (Ice)

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Girl's for their creations. I'm off to check them out now myself - I like to try to wait until I post mine before I check everyone's out. -------->

Lucky Me

For those that don't know - I'm an internet/online junkie! Well, one of the things I love is being a part of the message boards for particular stamp/scrap companies whose items I purchase.

Well - Inky Antics (IA) is a super great stamp company! I *love* their stamps - they have a style for everyone!! I met Jackie (Creative Director for IA) at a stamp convention this past weekend. I've *chatted* with her on the message board at IA and she is super sweet! There was a contest on the IA board this past week as well - it is called TAG. Well, guess what?!?!! I won!!! I am so excited - this is truly an *inky* week for me!! (The card that I submitted for the contest was posted earlier this week for the Blogger's Challenge. The contest winner is randomly drawn and my # was pulled.)

So, if you haven't checked out IA be sure to stop by. We would love to have you join the message board as well - it is free to do so and you'll probably see some people you already know over there. Go HERE to get to the board. Then you'll be able to take part in the TAG contests, color challenges, etc that go on over there!!

Well what did I win - you want to know??! The winner of the TAG contest gets to pick 1 stamp from the IA collection that they want. So, the stamp I'll be getting FREE for winning can be seen here --> Inky Antics. For some reason, I can't link the page with the stamp on it here, so if you go to the following links - Holiday---Season's Greetings---3rd page---4th image on the top called Holy Night. Isn't it an awesome stamp that will make perfect Christmas cards?!!!

So - want to get in on the next TAG contest? Then join the message board and come play!!

New Goodies

Well - I decided the other night to play with some new things I had recently received. I've had this GinaK stamp for some time, but it never saw ink. So, I pulled that out, along with my new Verve Visual greeting stamp and new Basic Grey paper. Isn't it Yummy?!?!! BG is my all time Favorite paper line, so of course I had to get it!

Blogger's Challenge (Sept. 21)

Better late than never I suppose! Here is my Blogger's Challenge card finally. This week we were to showcase embossing - of which there are numerous 'embossing' ways. I took the easy way and used my Cuttlebug and embossed the Close to Cocoa piece. I then took my SU Vanilla Craft pad across it to hit the raised portions. I also sponged all the edges with the Vanilla Craft pad.

This is a new stamp I just got today at a stamp convention I went to. I had to go because Jackie from Inky Antics was going to be there and I had to meet her. IA has a message board and Jackie 'chats' with us over there, so I felt like I 'knew' her. It was awesome to meet her - she is just too sweet. Ok - back to the card...the stamp is by Inky Antics. I used markers on it and then spritzed the stamp with water. I didn't recolor the stamp in between stamping - I did re-spritz the stamp though before stamping the next two times.

All Supplies SU! unless Otherwise Noted
Stamp - Inky Antics
CS - Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla
Ink - Vanilla Craft
Other - Ruby Red & Close to Cocoa Markers, Clear Button, Striped Ribbon (from a ribbon share with Jody), Glue Dots

Be sure to check out the other blogs for their embossed challenge items ------->

Blogger's Challenge (Sept. 14)

This week's challenge was to use something for inspiration and create a card based on that. I took a picture of my card next to what I used as inspiration. :) I needed a birthday card for my nephew, so I went with this. Simple, but that is what I was going for - it is going to a 4yr old boy mind you. :D

Supplies:

Stamps - A Muse
CS - WW, Basic Black, Certainly Celery DSP
Ink - Palette Noir, Certainly Celery
Other - Mega/Giga Scallop Oval Punches, Stampin Dimensionals, Markers, Stamping Sponge

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Players for their creations -------->

Blogger's Challenge (Sept. 7)

The challenge from last week was to CASE the card on pg.12 of the Holiday Mini. I was away last weekend and finally got a chance to work on the card. Of course, I made it very simple since I was already late with the challenge. I also needed a sympathy card, so I made this into one.

All supplies SU! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Warm Words (Retired)
CS: Blue Bayou, WW, Soft Sky DSP
Other: 1/16" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Not Quite Navy marker, Soft Sky Double-stitched ribbon, Glue Dots, Silk Flower (unknown)

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Players ---------->

Holiday Glitz Promotion
October 1 until supplies run out!

You and your customers can take advantage of this fantastic kit two different ways:
Purchase one of holiday stamp sets (below) and get the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for the special price of $24.95 each, OR
Purchase the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for $28.95 each with no additional purchase required.

Each Holiday Glitz card kit makes 15 cards and includes:
- Precut card stock and Designer Series paper (15)
- Whisper White Envelopes (15)
- Rhinestone brads (15)
- Real Red zigzag ribbon (15)
- Full-color instruction sheet (1)

Item Page # Stamp Set Price
109234 45 Snowfall $23.95
106786 36 The Snowflake Spot $20.95
109266 35 Big on Christmas $18.95
110359 5* Love & Joy $23.95

*Holiday Mini Collection 2007.

Blogger's Challenge (Aug. 31)

Our challenge this past week was to CASE the card on pg.92 of the catalog. The catalog sample is a pocket card, but I decided to just make it a regular card. Of course, this isn't what I particularly had in mind, but with my kids trying to grab everything I was using - I put it together in a hurry just so they would grab anymore. :)

Be sure to check out the other ideas --------------------->

All supplies SU unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: A Muse (Frog Prince & Beautiful Day)
CS: Almost Amethyst, True Thyme, WW, Rose Red & Almost Amethyst Sampler Designer Pack
Ink: StazOn Black, Always Artichoke
Other: Aqua Painter, Silver Brads, Sakura Glaze Pens (yellow crown & pink heart), 1 3/8" Square Punch

Blogger's Challenge (Aug. 24)

Edited: Ok, so I finally got a chance to do this challenge. After Mackenzie started to feel better, I started to feel sick on Sat. I'm still feeling blah - upset stomach and all. However, I was determined to get this done last night. This card uses all punches and only 1 stamp - the sentiment. I CASEd a card that my up-upline sent me for this challenge.

Don't forget - if you haven't already done so, be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Players for their creations (you can find the links to the right ------>).

All Supplies SU unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Beautiful Day (A Muse)
CS: Chocolate Chip, True Thyme, WW
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Other: Lg Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Spiral Punch, Brown Marker, White Gel Pen

I'll be posting my challenge card later today/tonight. Our challenge was to "Get Punchy" this week! Our focus on our projects was the use of punches. I have an idea in my head - just need to get a spare moment without having a sick child on my lap. :) My daughter (Mackenzie) has been sick since Monday. Poor thing didn't even get to have fun on her birthday (this past Wednesday) because she's been sick. Now she has a viral infection in her eye - started with this yesterday. So, on top of fighting the stomach flu - she now has this.

So, I've had lots of 'planning' time, but no real time to stamp. She seems to be doing better today, so I foresee some stamping in my near future! :D

Until then - be sure to check out the other Challenge Players (located in the sidebar to the right) for awesome uses of different punches!! Seriously - ideas I hadn't thought about and can't wait to try them out now!! I'm really thinking I need the Three for you Punch Box now after seeing the flower cards made with it!!

Stampin' Up!'s
Fall Frenzy Promotion

We're excited to announce our upcoming September sales promotion. From September 1-30, 2007, when customers spend $30 on regular priced merchandise, they qualify to purchase six of this fall's hottest stamp sets at 30 percent off!*

They'll get to choose from:

Item Page Number Description Discounted Price

105355 26 Bitty Boos Too $12.57
109284 29 Haunting Halloween $13.27
107383 30 Thoroughly Thankful $16.07
109373 108 Autumn Fest $16.77
109421 91 Elementary Essentials $19.57
110366 17 Stem Silhouettes** $22.37

*Purchase one of the six sets for every $30 spent, two for every $60 spent, etc.
**Holiday Mini Collection 2007

Blogger's Challenge (Aug. 17)

I didn't participate this week in the Bloggers Challenge. Mainly because I was still trying to get last week's finished, since I ran into some problems. However, this week was to find something that inspires us and create a project based on that inspiration. Still a great challenge to do another time though!

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Players located in the sidebar who did participate this week!! More awesome ideas to draw inspiration from.

Quick Card

I needed some Thank You and Thinking of You cards. I've been putting them off and decided to sit down and make them this weekend. I decided to use a basic, but very nice design. I just switched out the greeting for what I needed.

I stamped the small flower from Boraque Motifs on the Designer Paper (retired). I *love* the Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon - I need a new roll of it already!!

All Supplies SU! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Sincere Salutations
CS: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean (retired), Designer Series Paper (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean (retired)
Other: Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon

Blogger's Challenge (Aug. 10)

The challenge for last week was to alter an item. Well, the above picture is what I chose to alter. I got it from the Go. Be Creative store - it comes unassembled for easy altering. Of course, what I thought would take me just a couple days - has actually taken me longer. I don't know if it has been the warm weather we've been having or what, but my glue (Mod Podge) isn't drying!! I've even sat the pieces in front of a fan to help, but they remain *tacky*. Is this normal?? I don't think I've ever used Mod Podge before, so I'm not sure if this is supposed to happen. It seems to dry, but I've noticed that it sticks to whatever it is up against.

Anyway - the pieces have all been covered in paper (again from Go. Be Creative - this time from the August Kit of the Month). I need to add some paint and then put it all together. I'm hoping though that the pieces don't remain *tacky*. I'll be sure to post a completed picture when it is complete.

Be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Players listed in the sidebar.

Blog Candy Winner

Congratulations to the blog candy winner!! I used random.org to select the number, which was 6. So, post #6 came from -

foodpartyfun said...
Hi Karen. Congrats on the success of your blog!Pat

So Pat - be sure to email me at knk75 @ aol . com (minus the spaces) with your mailing addy, so I can get your goodies out in the mail to you. Thank you to everyone who posted and visit my blog!! I really do appreciate having you stop by if just for a minute.

Blog Candy

Well - I see where I am nearing 15000 hits and I haven't done blog candy in some time, so I thought it would be a great time for some now! I have the blog candy shown above and will see what else I have that I can add to it (I tend to hoard my goodies, so I'm sure there is more around here).

Thanks to everyone who continues to visit my little 'ol blog in the blog world!!

So, what do you have to do to get in on the blog candy you ask?? Send me all your money!! LOL No - really, just leave a comment on this post saying hello and you'll be entered. The winner will be randomly drawn.

Oops - forgot to put when I would do the drawing. All names (no duplicates though) left here on this post by midnight Thursday (8/9) EST will be entered into the drawing.

Sprinkler Fun

Goodness - this is my 3rd post tonight!! Yep - trying to make up for being such a slacker of late with posting to my blog.

This is a scrapbook page that I finally put together after having it in my head for awhile!! I used the July Kit - Cayenne Pepper - from Go. Be Creative. Love it - so much in it and love the papers!! The extras that I added were the smaller Primas, used my Cuttlebug with a Sizzlet alpahbet, and 3 vintage brads (from SU). I used a sketch from Becky Fleck's PageMaps.

You've got to check out the message board for GBC as well if you haven't! Lainey (the owner) posts ideas she's made using the current kit for inspiration, as well as, other ideas and all around FUN from the other members!!

Supplies Used:
Go. Be Creative - July Cayenne Pepper Kit
SU! - Photo Corner Punch, Cuttlebug with Sizzlet Alphabet, Chocolate Chip ink, Ruby Red ink (to die the 'S' chipboard from the kit), 3 Vintage Brads
Other - Prima Flowers

Ok - I'm done for the night...I promise! I need to head to bed or I won't make it in to work tomorrow!!

MissyB ATC Swap

I joined a MissyB Designs ATC swap over on the MissyB Yahoo group. I decided to use the 'You're Bugging Me' set. I also got out my Cuttlebug for the background. Isn't this butterfly just too cute?!! After coloring in the butterfly with my Aqua Painter, I outlined the inside of the wings with a blue Sparkle Sakura Gel Pen. The antenna were also traced with a black Sakura Gel Pen.

Stamps: You're Bugging Me (MissyB Designs)
CS: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, WW
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean
Other: Cuttlebug background, Coluzzle, Aqua Painter, Sakura Gel & Glitter Pens, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon

Blogger's Challenge (Aug. 3)

This was done for the Blogger Challenge this past Friday (8/3). Our challenge was to use the card on pg.165 of the SU! Fall/Winter Catalog and CASE it.

My card uses the Fabulous Flowers set - love it! I also used the Outlaw Designer Paper that I just received (from a friend - thanks Deedee)!! This paper is awesome and I'm so glad to have it. I paired it with the retired Cool Caribbean and the beautiful new Chocolate Tafetta ribbon.

Be sure to check out the other girls that participated in this challenge as well. You can find them in my sidebar to the right - Blogger Challenge Players.

All supplies SU! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Sincere Salutations
CS: Cool Caribbean, WW, Outlaw Designer Paper
Ink: Cool Caribbean, Chocolate Chip
Other: Chocolate Tafetta Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Stampin Dimensionals

Blogger's Challenge

I wasn't able to participate in this past week's Blogger's Challenge. I was going to try, so I didn't post sooner. However, as my week is turning out - it is going to be Friday again, so I figured I would just go for this week and pass on last week.

That said - the other Blogger Girls that did take on the challenge did an awesome job, so be sure to check out there blogs and leave them some praise too!! (You can find their blogs listed in my sidebar on the right.)

Blogger's Challenge (July 20)

Yes - I'm almost a week late in posting this - UGH! I had the card ready and thought I would post it while we were at the beach. That didn't happen and then just trying to catch up on everything else when we got back. So, I was determined to at least get it posted BEFORE tomorrow's challenge posting. :)

For last week's challenge we were to CASE the card on pg.97 (the one that used the Sassy Stems set). We could change the colors, stamp set, etc, but use the sketch for our card. So, this is what I came up with. I also used this for my stamp club this month as well - nothing like knocking out 2 tasks in 1. :D

All Supplies SU! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps - Oh, So Lovely (Hostess set), Warm Words
CS - Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, WW
Ink - Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, StazOn Black
Other - Slit Punch, Large Oval Punch, Double Stitched Wild Wasabi Ribbon, Signo White Pen, Mat Pack (for dot placement), Cutter Kit (for distressing the top & bottom edges of the Regal Rose CS), Stampin' Dimensionals, Aqua Painter

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge Chicks located in the sidebar on the right. Also be tuned for tomorrow's challenge card.

Blogger's Challenge

Well, it's Friday and yep...I'm just getting my Blogger's Challenge card in right under the wire! :) I've had this idea in my head all week, but just got a chance today to actually make the card.

This week, our challenge was to use any layout/stamps/ink/card stock and create a Christmas Themed Card - USING NON TRADITIONAL Christmas colors. I think I may have slightly *cheated* on the non-traditional colors part. I needed a *redish* color for my poinsettia (is that even spelled right??). So, I grabbed my pack of new In Colors and new I wanted to use the Soft Sky and Purely Pomegranate. I also added Chocolate Chip to the mix. I also sponged each layer of card stock with Chocolate Chip ink. I really like how this card turned out and it is easy to reproduce - may just need to use this as my Christmas cards this year (if I start now, so I'm not the week before Christmas without a card made!).

Be sure to check out the other Blogger's who took on this challenge located in the sidebar under Blogger's Challenge Players ------------>

All Supplies SU! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Doodle This, Baroque Motifs, Sincere Salutations
CS: Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Other: Vintage Brads, Stamping Sponge, Mat Pack (for brad placement), Stampin' Dimensionals, Stickles - Silver

Spabella Friend

Sorry this picture is blurry. I've yet to figure out my digital and it is truly driving me crazy!! For this card, I used the sketch that Julee posted on her blog - Poetic Artistry. She does Blogger Bingo and posts a sketch for extra numbers to be called. For every person that does the sketch and posts a comment for her with a link, she draws out an extra bingo number to be called that day then. Since Round 5 is a Blackout - we need lots of numbers to be called! :)

Anyway - I used an image that was sent to me by Sandy (WeLuvCardstcok). I colored her in using an Aqua Painter and the ink pads. I also used the new Brocade Designer Paper. The 'friend' stamp is from Card Greetings by Green Grass Stamps.

All Supplies SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Spabella (Stamping Bella), Card Greetings (Green Grass Stamps)
CS: WW, Barely Banana, Old Olive, Brocade Designer Paper
Ink: Black, Old Olive, Blush Blossom, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery
Other: Barely Banana Brads, Word Window Punch, Giga/Mega Oval Scalloped Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals, Aqua Painter, Stickles

Baroque Gift Exchange Set

One of the groups I'm on - I had signed up for a gift exchange. This time around we needed to decorate a tin for our partner and include goodies in it for her. So, this is the tin and items I made for my partner. I used a new 2007 stamp set from Stampin' Up! called Baroque Motifs. I didn't preorder this set at first, but after seeing so many awesome things done with it, I knew I just had to have it! I really love it and have been using it tons!

Onto the items above - I used the new Brocade Designer Paper on my projects as well. Included in the tin - a covered flower frame, notebook, heart tin, circle tin (included the new Rhinestone brads and Eggplant ribbon), and the paperclip. I also included a couple items that my partner had wished for - stampin' dimensionals, bone folder, and rose grosgrain ribbon.

Hope she likes this and the goodies - being that I was late in sending it to her.

Birthday Wishes

I'm finally getting a chance to post the many birthday cards that I received for my birthday (6/24). I've been super busy, but decided tonight I was going to start loading them! They are all so wonderful and really made my birthday SUPER special. Thank you so much to each and every one of you who sent me a card or birthday wishes!!

This card was received from Jan (Tweetybugshouse over on EBB) . Love the die cut flowers and button in the corner!!

This was a RAK I received from Sandy. I traded her some things for 2 Stamping Bella stamps!! Woohoo!!! :) This was the cute card that she sent with the stamps and numerous stamped Bella images. You can check out more of her work at Sandy & Kim's Creations.

Jane Bosi sent me this super cute birthday card. I love the pp, ribbon, and colors she used!! Check out her work on her blog Jane's Addiction. Thank you!!

Amanda sent me this BRAK as part of the Blogger RAK group. Is this just not the cutest card?!?!! The balloons have crystal effects on them to make them shiny! Too cute!! Be sure to stop by Amanda's blog Inkspirations.

This was another great card I received through the Blogger RAK group. Nancy used this cute Michael's stamp (yep - have it myself :) and scalloped punches (love them) and a cuttlebugged background (love that too). :) Don't let Nancy's blog name throw you - it is anything but a Creative Mess.

I have many more to post, but need to run out for a bit. I will try to get some more loaded tonight.

Blogger Challenge

A group of stampers and myself are going to be doing blog challenges. I know - I have tons on my plate already, but I've always wanted to do a challenge with other bloggers, so I joined them! :) Of course, today was our first challenge posting and I have TONS of other things I need to do (ie: laundry, cleaning, getting ready for vacation), but I did the challenge today in between everything. I still have TONS of birthday cards that I was showered with to post as well. I can't wait to show you all of the awesome cards that came for me!!!

Ok - now for the challenge. We were to take the sample (of the elephant) on pg.10 of the SU Fall-Winter Preview Brochure 2007 and CASE the layout. We could change the colors and stamp sets, but the layout was to remain the same. We'll be posting our samples on Fridays.

Here is my CASE of the layout -

Supplies Used SU! unless otherwise Noted:

Stamps: Pick a Petal, Sincere Salutations
CS: Orchid Opulence, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery, WW
Ink: Orchid Opulence, Pixie Pink
Other: Vintage Brad, Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, 1" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

This isn't the best image, but I'm still trying to figure out my digital. I got it awhile ago, but can't seem to get a good, clean image yet. The sentiment on the card says "Get Well Soon". I'm sending this to a friend whose been having some medical problems and thought this would help cheer her up.

Be sure to check out the other Bloggers who are taking part in the challenge -

Splendiferious Creations
Stamping with Sheryl
Stamp with Sarah
Snickerdoodle Dreams
Sunflower Studio
Faith Artistry
Basement Stamper
Toni's Adventures in Stamping & Scrapbooking
Stamp with Sue
The Technique Trail

More Catty Info - Ribbon

Here is some more information in regards to the new catty - this is about the Grosgrain Ribbon, since most of it was on the retiring list.

These are the ribbons that are *really* retiring...

Taupe
Chocolate
Tangerine
Maize
Apple Green
Hunter
Bluebird
French Blue
Light Orchid
Rose

And these are the ribbons that are still available, just repackaged (with current name in parenthesis):

Basic Black (black)
Whisper White (white)
Very Vanilla (cream)
More Mustard (mustard)
Apricot Appeal (apricot)
Pretty in Pink (light pink)
Real Red (red)
Bravo Burgundy (burgundy)
Elegant Eggplant (eggplant)
Night of Navy (navy)
Tempting Turquoise (turquoise)
Certainly Celery (celery)
Mellow Moss (spring moss)

New Catty Sightings

I've been trying to catch up on Aimee's post on SCS - she got her Fall/Winter Collection Catalog in the mail today - and she's been posting some highlights.I thought I'd share some with you (and also Lisa S (www.lisasomerville.blogspot.com) for posting this too):

New Sets:

Christmas Sets
Sports Themed Sets (Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Football, Golf, Tennis, Baseball)
School Sets
Lots of new Backgrounds
New Simply Sent Kits
Fly Fishing Set
Nautical Sets

Ribbon Update:

Double Stitched Ribbon In Colors only - 15 yds. for 8.95

Taffeta Ribbon 3/8" 10 yds. for 6.95
Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey, Mellow Moss,Bashful Blue,Pretty in Pink

Ribbon Colors 1/4" 15 yds. for $4.95
Basic Black, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie (new), More Mustard, Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Bravo Burgundy, Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue (new), Certainly Celery, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke (new)

Grosgrain 5/8"15 yds. for 7.95
Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Real Red ,Regal Rose ,Brocade Blue ,Certainly Celery ,Old Olive

Other great NEW stuff:

Textured Card Stock
35 Punches in the new catalog
New Designer Series Paper
New Kits
New Scrappin' Kits
New Brads
New Brass Templates

I'm so excited and hope that my catty arrives soon, so I can look through it all!! This is such an exciting time of year!!

All Star Turtle

Sorry it's been so long, since I last blogged. I was having internet issues for a few days. Then when I finally was able to get back online, I was forever clearing out the emails. Not to mention work and Madison's baseball games - I was swamped! I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel (at least I'm hoping!). I still have a few swaps I need to work on and get mailed. Anyway, enough about that - onto the artwork!!

I made this card for a swap I was in to use Inky Antics animals. I chose to make a girl card and a boy card. I used the Sporty Turtle (Clear Stamps) from Inky Antics for my boy card. I decided to have my swap cards donated to Keiki Cards. The person that hostessed the swap makes cards for Keiki Cards and we were able to donate our cards if we wanted to. I colored the turtle using Prismacolor Pencils. I also sponged Chocolate Chip around all the edges.

Supplies:
Stamps: Inky Antics (Sporty Turtle Clear Set)
CS: Morning Marigold, Ballet Blue, Chocolate Chip, WW
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue, Palette Noir Black
Other: Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon (from Jody's ribbon shares), Stamping Sponge, Prismacolor Pencils

We're a Blog RAKin'!!

This first RAK is from Janine Tinklenberg better known as JanTInk on SCS. Janine also blogs and if you haven't read her blog, well you are missing out BIG time! She is a riot and each post has me laughing and nodding my head in agreement with her. Be sure to check her blog out at Stamps, Paper, Scissors. I love this card - I've always liked this set, but never purchased it. The saying is perfect as well. Thanks so much Janine!!

Boy do I feel special!!! I received another Blogger RAK - this one from Michelle Madden. Michelle just recently joined the Blogger RAK ranks and I got this awesome card from her! Not sure if you can tell, but she did paper piercing in the upper right. The flower is paper pierced as well! Be sure to swing by Michelle's blog to see some more of her work - you can check it out here at Michelle Stamps. Thanks Michelle for sending this to me - LOVE it!!

Thanks to you both!!