I'm Back!

Ok, so I haven't posted in a long time, well alot has been going on! I'll brief you on that at a later date. Right now I just want to let you all know of a great sale & deal Stampin' Up! has.

10% off Retiring Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets and Free Shipping*

That's right, the list is out! Below is a list of stamp sets that are soon to be retired and they are all 10% off. As an added bonus Stampin' Up! is also offering FREE SHIPPING* on any orders over $70 from Dec. 9th - 23rd. Get out your wish list now! To receive orders by Christmas, Stampin' Up! Suggests that you place orders by Dec. 16th.

Here is the Retired List:
10% Off Dates: December 9th‐23rd, 2008
The bold price is the 10% OFF price.

107027 Ahoy, Matey $ 23.95 $ 21.56
109401 Baby Jesus Is Born $ 15.95 $ 14.36
109552 Beautiful Life $ 20.95 $ 18.86
111169 Big Birthday Candle $ 22.95 $ 20.66
109411 Brocade Basics $ 23.95 $ 21.56
109529 Bronc Buster $ 18.95 $ 17.06
109288 Bundled in Love $ 27.95 $ 25.16
110999 Bursting with Joy $ 18.95 $ 17.06
109527 Calendar Cues $ 10.95 $ 9.86
104421 Canvas $ 17.95 $ 16.16
111074 Classic Backgrounds $ 15.95 $ 14.36
108559 Crab & Company $ 27.95 $ 25.16
111076 Dad's Day $ 22.95 $ 20.66
109250 Dots Are Hot $ 23.95 $ 21.56
109365 Elegant Notes $ 20.95 $ 18.86
104383 Everyday Flexible Phrases $ 41.95 $ 37.76
109519 Everything Baby $ 17.95 $ 16.16
109343 Fabulous Flowers $ 22.95 $ 20.66
104769 Floral $ 17.95 $ 16.16
111085 Form & Function $ 17.95 $ 16.16
111339 Fruit Stand $ 18.95 $ 17.06
109240 Ginormous Flowers $ 28.95 $ 26.06
109262 Happiness $ 17.95 $ 16.16
110969 Hattitude $ 24.95 $ 22.46
109284 Haunting Halloween $ 18.95 $ 17.06
111001 Hi & Hello $ 15.95 $ 14.36
109308 It's All Good $ 12.95 $ 11.66
109453 Just Golf $ 12.95 $ 11.66
109451 Just Hockey $ 12.95 $ 11.66
109505 Keep Christmas $ 19.95 $ 17.96
111095 Kind Thoughts $ 25.95 $ 23.36
111341 Light unto My Path, A $ 18.95 $ 17.06
110376 Merry & Bright $ 14.95 $ 13.46
109345 Moose You $ 17.95 $ 16.16
109320 On the Fly $ 19.95 $ 17.96
107192 Paisley $ 17.95 $ 16.16
111103 Perfect Timing $ 12.95 $ 11.66
109393 Pictograms $ 13.95 $ 12.56
109491 Posy $ 17.95 $ 16.16
111119 Pretty Peony $ 36.95 $ 33.26
110972 Riot of Petals $ 17.95 $ 16.16
109292 Seasonal Whimsy $ 23.95 $ 21.56
111056 Seriously Sassy $ 23.95 $ 21.56
109483 Sleigh Bells Ring $ 15.95 $ 14.36
111123 So Cool $ 18.95 $ 17.06
111125 Spring Pictograms $ 13.95 $ 12.56
107173 Starstruck $ 10.95 $ 9.86
111022 Stemming From $ 15.95 $ 14.36
110998 Stitched $ 17.95 $ 16.16
104243 Summer by the Sea $ 28.95 $ 26.06
107133 Take Three $ 17.95 $ 16.16
111060 Text & Texture $ 25.95 $ 23.36
109475 Thanks for Everything $ 17.95 $ 16.16
107383 Thoroughly Thankful $ 22.95 $ 20.66
102744 Tree for All Seasons, A $ 12.95 $ 11.66
111179 Twill $ 17.95 $ 16.16
107123 Warm Words $ 20.95 $ 18.86
107159 Well-Worn Alphabet $ 41.95 $ 37.76
107157 Well-Worn Numbers $ 22.95 $ 20.66
109232 Winds of Grace $ 19.95 $ 17.96
109469 Wishing You Cheer $ 13.95 $ 12.56
109300 With Gratitude $ 22.95 $ 20.66
103875 Wonderful Words $ 20.95 $ 18.86
109467 Wondrous Gift $ 22.95 $ 20.66

Call or e-mail me to place your order, or go to My Stampin' Up! Website and click Shop Now to place your order on line. *Free shipping applies to orders over $70.00.

Have a great day!
Margie

STAMPIN' UP!'S, MAY SPECIAL'S

Get On Board with Chipboard!
Promotion Dates: May 1-31, 2008
Promotion Details:
Spend $35 on Stampin' Up! products and get 25 percent off any On Board items from the Spring-Summer Collection.
All On Board products (pages 178-179) qualify for this promotion.
Item # ............... Description .......................... 25% off
109181 . . . On Board Blossoms & Basics . . . . . . $11.21
109179 . . . On Board Ginormous Pieces . . . . . . $11.21
107925 . . . On Board Bitty Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.46
108495 . . . On Board 5" x 5" Art Journal . . . . . . $5.21
107065 . . . On Board Art Journal (5-3/4" x 8-3/4") . . . $7.13
107307 . . . On Board Accents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9.71
109182 . . . On Board Lots of Letters . . . . . . . . . . $9.71
109180 . . . On Board Simon Upper . . . . . . . . . . . $9.71
107306 . . . On Board Simon Lower . . . . . . . . . . . $9.71
109192 . . . On Board Clipboard (13" x 7-1/2") . . $11.96
109190 . . . On Board Clipboard (9" x 9") . . . . . . $5.96
109191 . . . On Board Clipboard (4-1/2" x 9") . . . $4.88
110713 . . . On Board Book Basics Large . . . . . . . $5.96
110712 . . . On Board Book Basics Small . . . . . . . $4.46

There is no limit to the number of discounted chipboard products a customer may purchase once the qualifying order of $35 has been reached.
Also during the month of May, buy a Cutting Mat, page 184 for $15.95, and get a Hobby Blade, also on page 184, for FREE! This is a $4.50 savings!
Customer order deadlines:
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 12.00 noon.

~ . ~ . ~Sending Happy Thoughts~ . ~ . ~ With our Simply Sent Card Kits

Start Simply

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with our

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Simply Sent Card Kits

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Featuring

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Sending Happy Thoughts

All of the pictures in this post show cards that I made with the 'Sending Happy Thoughts' card kit. Being a demonstrator, and having most of the supplies in these kits, I didn't buy them when they were first introduced. I'm so glad I've invested in them now, as they are so much fun and so easy to use.

If you are new to Stampin' Up!, or simply pressed for time, nothing will get you started faster than our Simply Sent kits. Each kit offers a fast, easy way to create cards for a variety of occasions. The die-cut rubber stamps, pre-cut materials, a variety of inks and supplies and a great instructions booklet will help you to start stamping beautiful cards in just seconds.

Each card kit comes packaged in a beautiful box which would also make a wonderful gift. When you open your card kit, you'll be able to start stamping immediately. I started with the step-by-step instructions and made the two cards pictured in the booklet. After making the two cards featured in the booklet, it was so easy to design and make my own creations.

If you are interest in any of the five Simply Sent Kits, that are featured in Stampin' Up!'s Spring / Summer collection, I am offering these kits at a 20% discount till the end of April. Contact me today with your order.

Stampin' Up!'s Free Whellin' Promotion

From March 18 through April 30, when you buy a preselected stamp set, you’ll receive the coordinating jumbo wheel absolutely FREE (an $8.50 value)! Listed below are the stamp sets and jumbo wheels included in each bundle. Contact me today to take advantage of this free wheelin' promotion!

#112848 'Wonderful You' bundle; Includes, Wonderful You stamp set & Stems & Silhouettes jumbo wheel FREE, Price $33.95.

#112851 'Life’s a Breeze' bundle; Includes, Life’s a Breeze stamp set & Something Fishy jumbo wheel FREE, Price $29.95.

#112850 'Pun Fun' bundle; Includes, Pun Fun stamp set & Sweet Stars jumbo wheel FREE, Price $30.95.

#112847 'Year after Year' bundle; Includes, Year after Year stamp set & See You Around jumbo wheel FREE, Price $30.95.

#112849 'Stitched Exotics' bundle; Includes Stitched Exotics stamp set & It’s Beautiful jumbo wheel FREE, Price $33.95.

#112853 'Enjoy Every Moment' bundle; Includes, Enjoy Every Moment stamp set & Daisy Dash jumbo wheel FREE, Price $29.95.

Boho Backgrounds, RAK

OK, so I go out to my mailbox last week and see this clear envelope, you all know which ones I am talking about, I have them too, but I've never sent a card using one. Well I got this one last week from a dear friend, and of course a great stamper.
I just love it! Thank you so much, Deah. I hope you don't mind me sharing it with the world!
As you can see, she used the Stampin' Up!, Boho Backgrounds stamp set along with the Scallop Circle punch, Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose and Very Vanilla card stock, a Regal Rose stamp pad, glitter and some lace and oh, what a beautiful card. Again Deah, thank you so much!!!

Easter Center Piece

This center piece was so much fun to make. I saw an idea similiar to this on Splitcoast. The first thing is to find a container. I used a clay flower pot and painted it with an acrylic paint, then lightly sprayed it with Krylon® latex enamel. I added a rub on from the Love & Happiness Rub On's in Stampin' Up's, Sale-A-Bration brochure. Using the 5 Petal Flower Punch and the Trio Flower Punch from the Three for you Punch Box, I punched out flowers using Prints Designer Series Paper. Taking a styrofoam ball, I added the flowers using dress pins. I pushed a small dowel up through the bottom center and tied on a few Double Stitched Ribbons. I placed the dowel into the pot and added Easter grass and jelly beans. Any questions, leave a comment and I'll get back to you!

Photo Holder, Using Rub Ons

I found these great photo holders at a local craft store and couldn't resist buying them. I knew Stampin' Up!'s Rub On's would make a wonderful addition to an all ready cute item. I used the Sale-A-Bration, Love & Happiness Rub On's.
Don't forget, Monday March 17th is the last day of Sale-A-Bration! There is still 1 day left to earn free stamps with every $50.00 spent.

A Light unto My Path

No, this is not the same layout, but it is close! I borrowed my friends Scor-Pal and Scor-It yesterday to see which one I like best. While visiting the Scor-Pal's website I saw a grid card done by Judy Jackson. It inspired me to try this with my new Stampin' Up! set, A Light unto My Path. I first scored around the outside of a So Safron card 1/2" from the edge. I also scored a 3 x 4" piece of Confetti White card stock in 1/2" intervals. Seeing how this was a sample I did not think I would be finishing, I used my Elegant Eggplant Ink to stamp the lighthouse. (I did cut it down a bit to fit the stamped image) I colored it using my Pure Color Pencils, roughed the edges, added some layered card stock, Grosgrain Ribbon and the saying at the bottom. I love how it turned out.

What do you think? Also, what scoring tool do you like best? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

Nursery Necessities, Baby Card

Another card using the same layout, this time with the Nursery Necessities Stamp Set. I'll give my card stock measurements on this one. Almost Amethyst, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" folded in half to make a card. Prints Designer Series Paper, 3" x 4 1/4", Rose Red, 2 1/2" x 3 1/4", Pumpkin Pie, 2 3/8" x 3 1/8" & 4 1/4" x 3/8", Whisper White, 2 1/4" x 3". Also a scrap of white for the saying punched out with the Word Window punch. Once again I used my Stampin' Write Markers along with the Almost Amethyst ink pad and then added two Vintage Brads. Oh yes, on this one I used my Ticket Corner punch on the layered pieces. Everything is by Stampin' Up! Thanks for looking!

Big Bold Birthday card

Ok, so here is yet another card using the same layout as the previous two post, only this one I used the Big Bold Birthday set. I started out with a Pumpkin Pie card and added Designer Series Paper. I hope to add one more card tomorrow using the same layout and will try and post the measurements as well. Thanks for looking and have a great day.

Close as a Memory, Sympathy Card

Here is another very quick and easy card that is very elegant. If you look at the card I posted on Friday, you'll see that they are basically the same, only they use different stamp sets and card stock. I used Close as a Memory stamp set and the Jumbo Watercolor Vine Wheel and Handle. Using a River Rock textured card, I added Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie and Confetti Cream Card stock for layering and stamping. Other accessories were River Rock Double-Stitched Ribbon, Stampin' Write Markers, Earth Elements Brads, Mellow Moss cartridge and Not Quite Navy ink pad. Have a great day and take time to make and then send a card.

Never Ending Joy

I think the set Never Ending Joy could be used for just about any kind of card, Easter, birthday, get well, sympathy, Mother's Day and I'm sure you could think of other occasions. The saying on this card came from the set, Holidays & Wishes. I started out with a Pretty in Pink card, added Gable Green Textured card stock and Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon. Coloring direct to the stamp with my Stampin' Write Markers, I stamped the image onto Whisper White card stock and then layered it onto Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip. I stamped the saying in Chocolate Chip and added Brads from the Bold Bright Collection. Needless to say, all products are from Stampin' Up!

Rub-Ons, Eastern Elegance

I started collecting teapots soon after I was married 34 years ago. When I saw these Rub-ons in the new Stampin' Up! catalog, I knew I would be trying them on a few of my plain jane pots. On this black teapot, I put the fine stitching all along the bottom, I then added the flower in the middle, adding a smaller flower to the lid. It was perfect having both black and white rub-ons to use.

Now on this green tea pot, I just added the flower burst in the center with two smaller bursts on each side. I have several of this style teapots, and will have to pull out a few more to do.

This white teapot I just picked up in a pottery store last week in Greenville, SC. I bought it with the intentions of giving it away after decorating it. It was only .89 cents and I only bought one. What was I thinking?

Hope you've enjoyed these samples. What fun it was designing them and very easy to apply. I'm looking for a pitcher to do next. Thanks for looking and leave me your comments. I would love to here what you think!

A Valentine Mini Photo Album

This is a mini photo album I made for my husband on Valentines Day last year. I used 3 1/2" coasters for the cover. All of the stamps and papers used are Stampin' Up! Many or should I say most of the sets used are now retired. The LOVE on the cover was a hostess appreciation set, "Love is a Great Thing". It is from the 2001 Winter Mini Supplement. This was one of my first Stampin' Up! sets and one of the many reasons I signed up that February to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I used Craft ink on white shrink plastic for the love, cut it apart and then used my embossing gun to shrink it.

All the other stamping is done with our Classic Ink pads or Stampin' Write Markers. After stamping the images or sayings, I covered them with the Versamark Pad and then with Clear Embossing powder. After heat embossing them it left a shiny finish which will protect them for many years to come.

To make the inside pages I used a 12 x 12 sheet of Basic Black card stock. I saw this technique on The Scrapbook Lounge, on TV Weekly.com Here is a direct link to the Maze Book technique.

You can see that I had pockets where I added special notes. The tabs for these notes are stamped images that I also did with shrink plastic.

Also used on many of the pages are Punches. These pictures were taken in those vintage photo booths that were everywhere in the 70's. You would go in the both, pull the curtain shut and get 4 photos for $1.00. As you can see, more shrink plastic!
On these pages I used the highlighting technique. I like doing this to help the eye be drawn to the main image. Punch out the image with a smaller punch then punch out a coordinating piece of card stock 1/8" bigger and then layer onto picture.

These were all pictures of me from larger 4 x 6 in prints. Again I used the 1 1/4" punch and then the 1 3/8" punch for layering.

On this last page, here's Me and Ted at Stampin' Up!'s Manager's Reception in Houston, Texas last year. He went to Leadership with me in January, 2007. We took in other sights of Texas while there which included the Alamo.

I hope you enjoyed this mini album and I hope you give it a try. The hardest part to this entire album was going through all the photos looking for pictures of me. I'm the photographer in our family and there weren't to many to choose from. I would love to here from you, and as always, would love to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to E-Mail me!

Nursery Necessities, Another Baby Card

Here is yet another card using the new Nursery Necessities stamp set and Nursery Letters jumbo wheel. The is also made from our Textured Bashful Blue card stock. I used Real Red & Whisper White card stock along with Apricot Appeal Textured card stock for layering and stamping. I used my Stampin' Write Markers for coloring in images. The star is done using Whisper White Craft ink, White Embossing Powder and then heat Embossed. I punched it out with the new Large Star Punch. Other punches used for this card were Round Tab, 3/4" Circle and the 3/16" Corner Rounder for making the scalloped edge. Stampin' Dimensionals and Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon were also used. I hope I didn't leave anything out, and as usual, feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Have fun stamping!!

Nursery Necessities, Baby Card

Once again I've been away. We were in South Carolina visiting our two sons Ted Jr. and Steve and their families. They live about 2 miles from each other and it is great that we can make one trip (640 miles) and visit both. We have 10 grandchildren and 5 live in South Carolina. Our girls live right here in West Chester and between them we have our other 5 grandchildren. I'm now back, and ready to stamp!

This card was made with yet another "new stamp set" from Stampin' Up!®. The set is Nursery Necessities and I also used a new jumbo wheel, Nursery Letters. I started out with a Bashful Blue Textured card stock and embossed the stars with Whisper White Craft ink and White Embossing Powder. I roller stamped the letters using a Bashful Blue Classic pad. I stamped the moon and boat using Stampin' Write Markers and then cut them out. On the moon I added stitching with a White Gel Pen. I added a strip of Whisper White card stock which I scalloped using a Corner Rounder Punch and then daubed the edges. On the 5/8" Brocade Blue Grosgrain I stamped the saying using a Whisper White Craft pad. I love the way this turned out. Any questions, feel free to ask!

Embrace Life, Card

I love the way this card turned out. I used a new set from Stampin' Up's!® Spring - Summer 2008 Collection called, Embrace Life. I used Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Basic Gray & Very Vanilla Card stocks. I stamped the card with Pretty in Pink & Whisper White. I used my Basic Gray pad to stamp the flowers & leaves. I used my blender pen to color in the images by lifting the color from my ink pads. The white is also from my Whisper White Craft Pad. I added Taffeta Ribbon to finish off the card. I love to here your thoughts on this one.

Have a Heart, Box with Flap

Another Happy Heart Day Project. This time I did a Valentine box. There is a great tutorial on Splitcoast which you can link to from here. 2-5-7-10 Box with Flap

As you can see, I first roller stamped a sheet of Pixie Pink Card stock using my Love Wheel with a Pink Passion ink cartridge. Stampin' Up! sells the un-inked cartridges and you just add a re-inker in the color of choice. You can basically have a cartridge in all of our 48 Colors, our In Colors & the Neutral colors if desired. I stamped the mouse with Basic Black on Whisper White Card stock & colored in with Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender Pen. I added Certainly Celery Card stock in my layering, scalloped the flaps using my corner rounder and added a Whisper White grosgrain ribbon to finish off the box. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Happy Heart Day, Party Favor

Whenever I think of elephants, peanuts always come to mind, so using these Circus Peanuts was just what I needed to make this valentine favor from the new Happy Heart Day stamp set. Using Whisper White, Real Red & Bordering Blue Card stock I stamped images with Basic Black and colored in using my Watercolor crayons and Aqua Painter. I also used Circle Punches, a Medium Flat 4 x 6 Cellophane Bag, Groovy Guava Double Stitched & 5/8 inch Real Red Grosgrain Ribbons. I also put Red Hots in the bag for added color.

Happy Heart Day

Today I stamped with a new Stampin' Up!® set, Happy Heart Day. I used Really Red, Whisper White & Bordering Blue Card stocks, along with the Basic Black Ink pad. I used my Water Color Crayons and Aqua Painter for coloring in. I added ribbon from the Jersey Ribbon Originals along with Black Gingham ribbon & a Black Brad. Once again, this is a new set from Stampin' Up!'s® Spring - Summer Collection, 2008.

A Beautiful Thing

Happy New Year! It has been awhile since I've posted, but I'm back and I hope to be adding new cards and projects on a regular basis again.

I've been stamping with new sets from the Stampin' Up!® Spring - Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog. Contact me for your copy! They are $5.00 or free when you set up a date for a workshop.

Both cards use A Beautiful Thing stamp set. I used Old Olive, Ruby Red & Whisper White Ink and Card stocks. After embossing with white powder I cut out the flower and added a ruby red brad. I punched out the saying with the Key Tag Punch, daubed it with Old Olive and added a Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad.

This is a 3 x 3 card that uses the same set, card stocks & techniques. I did add Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper and the saying is from Mark the Date.

More Christmas Cards

Today I'm adding two more stamped Christmas cards we've received. This first one is from Martha F. who is in my 3rd level down-line. She is a hobby demonstrator, buying for herself and sister. I think she did a great job using the All in the Family stamp set. As you can see from the card, they have four boys. I love, love love this card. Great job Martha!

Another of my 3rd level down-line, Valerie W. made this really cute card. She, too, is a hobby Demonstra- tor who buys for herself and family. She used the Snow jumbo wheel and one of my favorite sets, Merry & Bright, which were both featured in our Holiday Mini Catalog. Once again, this card shows simplicity but with the ribbon and glitter it adds elegance. Valerie, I give you 5 stars. Beautiful!

Christmas Cards from Family & Friends

I've had no time to stamp but have received some beautiful hand-stamped Christmas cards, so I'm sharing them with you. Debbi F. made this beautiful card. Using the Big on Christmas stamp set, she embossed the Noel with black embossing powder, colored it in and added the gold Zig Painty for an extra special touch. Another great addition is the striped paper from the Dashing Designer Series Paper. I also love how she made it into a tag. The finishing touch was punching out a piece of River Rock using the Small Oval Punch, folding it, and attaching with a gold brad. I love it, Deb!

This next card was made by Charlotte A. She used the Snowflake Spot and Many Merry Messages stamp sets with Whisper White, Bashful Blue, and Night of Navy card stocks. It was stamped using Night of Navy ink along with silver embossing. She also added silver organdy ribbon. I love the simplicity and elegance of this card. Great job, Charlotte!

Seasons of Joy, Decorated Tin

Here is another tin that will hold a gift card. Again it uses the Season of Joy stamp set. As you know, it was in the Holiday Mini catalog, which is no longer available so I apologize for using a retired set. I've had this set for 2 months, and this is the first time I've used it. Maybe Stampin' Up!® will put it in their Fall & Winter 2008 catalog next year.

Yesterday we spent the day at the Winterthur Mansion and gardens in Delaware. If you are visiting the area, or live close by, I recommend their Yuletide Tour. The tour along with the snow we are getting today, really put me in the Christmas mood. Also this past week we visited Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. We have a yearly membership here and they too are decorated for the Holiday Season. Both of these places are worth visiting. Check out their websites if you want to know more. Have a great week and Happy Stamping.

Season of Joy, Altered Altoid Tin

Today I played with some tins I have been saving for quite a few years. This one shows an Altoids tin. I used Dashing Designer Series Paper along with the Season of Joy stamp set and a few of our Punches to alter it.

On the inside I used Wild Wasabi card stock along with some tissue paper. I also used the Tags for All stamp set. These tins are perfect packaging for your holiday gift cards. I'm playing with a couple more and will try and finish them up tomorrow. If you need more details, E-mail me and I'll be sure to get back to you. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Office Accoutrement, Mini Notebook

This is a small composition style notebook, and they are great to cover, especially with our Office Accoutrement stamp set. I used So Saffron Card stock, but first stamped it with the Canvas background stamp using So Saffron Ink. Once again I used my Craft ink pads on the flower, leaves and saying and once again clear embossed them. This helps the outside of my books to look great for a long time. I also used Petal & Paisleys Designer Series paper on the spine. To adhere it to the note book, I ran everything through my Xyron® machine. If you use this, make sure you have your paper in the right spot the first time, because there is no second chance. I also have used Stampin' Up's!® Anywhere Glue Sticks, and they also work great. Thanks for looking and have a great week!

3 Cards using "Festive Favorites"

December has arrived and so did the cold here in the northeastern part of the USA. We live in southeastern Pennsylvania and cold for us is anything around 32 degrees. No snow yet, but calling for freezing rain tonight. Yesterday I stamped most of the afternoon and here are 3 cards I finished using the Festive Four stamp set. The card is Real Red and using my Real Red craft pad I stamped the Print Patterns stamp on the top half of the card. I added Clear Embossing Powder and Heat Embossed it. One of the things I remember as a child was our families Christmas Cards. It was so exciting seeing the many different cards and who sent them. I remember the cards that had raised embossed pictures or lettering and thought, wow the people who sent these must be rich! Well when you raise emboss on any card, it does add a little richness.

I stamped the 3 images using our Basic Black Classic ink on to Whisper White card stock. I cut each of them out and colored them in using my Stampin' Write Markers. I punched out the smaller images using Tag Punches. I used either the All Holidays or Holiday & Wishes stamp sets for the sayings. These too I embossed using a Craft pad and clear embossing powder.

To finish off each of the cards I added Stampin' Up'!® Ribbons. Other card stocks used were Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi. I would love to here from you, so tell me what you think and if I left something out, feel free to ask. Click to E-mail Me!

Bundle of Joy

Our neighbor's have a new little baby boy, Robert Marshall. He was born November 20th and is a real cutie pie. As you can see, I'm finally getting the card made. I used the Bundle of Joy stamp set with Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Barely Banana card stocks & Ink. I also used the Large Oval punch & Light Blue Gingham ribbon. Any questions, just e-mail me and I'll do my best to answer.

With Gratitude, Thanksgiving Card

It's been a busy week. Our son Steve, daughter-in-law Amanda and their 2 daughters, Evelyn and Amelia were up from Greenville, South Carolina for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We had a total of 17 for dinner. Unfortunately our other son Ted Jr., daughter-in-law Stephanie and their 3 children Jordan, Teddy & Baylee shown here in the picture did not make it up. They too live in Greenville, but due to a new job, was unable to take off. Stephanie also is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, very creative and a great stamper. She sent these Thanksgiving cards out to friends and family, which I think turned out beautiful! Since I have had no time to stamp, I'm adding the card to my blog. She used the With Gratitude stamp set, Sahara Sand & Pumpkin Pie Card Stocks, Always Artichoke Ink Pad, More Mustard & Pumpkin Pie Re-inkers with an Aqua Painter and then tied on some Black Gingham Ribbon. I hope you all had a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. I'm going to try and get some stamping in this coming week. Thanks for looking and if you have any questions, please e-mail me.

Glittering Candle, Peaceful Wishes

I love stamping on tissue paper and

applying the image to a candle. Here I used the Peaceful Wishes stamp set. I inked the pine sprig with my Always Artichoke Marker, because I only wanted to use half of the sprig. I used my Close to Cocoa & Chocolate Chip marker on the pine cone. After stamping on the tissue paper, I wrapped it around my candle and then used my Heat Tool to melt it to the candle. I rolled the candle on wax paper as I applied the heat, constantly rolling the candle so it didn't melt too fast or too much. As the tissue paper turns clear, you will know it is done. I then applied White Liquid Applique, which Stampin' Up!® no longer carries, but I think can be bought at your local craft store. While the applique is still wet, I sprinkled our Dazzling Diamonds glitter on it.

Big on Christmas, Noel

These next two posts use the Big on Christmas stamp set. On this one I used the Bright Bulbs roller stamp on Sahara Sand card stock. I inked it by rolling it in my Night of Navy Craft pad and then Clear Embossed. I then colored in with my Stampin' Write Markers. I did the same with N el on Night of Navy card stock only this time I used an old Blender Pen, dipping it in bleach and bleached out the letters. Be sure to pull the tip out of your Blender Pen and rinse thoroughly so it can be used again for bleaching, other wise it will fall apart. I stamped the O (ball) on Whisper White, colored in and then cut out and raised it onto the Night of Navy. I also used Real Red in my layering and used my Zig Painty on the edges of the layers and on the Christmas ball.

Big on Christmas, Let it Snow!

On these 2 cards I used my Basic Black Craft pad with Clear Embossing Powder, Real Red card stock, & the snowflakes from Wishing You Cheer stamp set. The one to the left uses Very Vanilla craft pad & card stock. I also bleached the SNOW, then added some color with my markers. The other one I colored in SN W using my White Gel Pen, the snowman face I stamped out on white, cut out and raised it on the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. I like the one to the left better because it has a vintage look to it. E-mail me with your comments or questions.

Three Thoughts, Simply Sent Cards

These Simply Sent Kits are wonderful. The one shown here is Three Thoughts. This kit has everything you need to create many beautiful cards. It has Chipboard pieces as well as self adhesive Die Cuts.

The kit also includes a 4 piece stamp set, More Mustard, Mellow Moss & Purely Pomegranate Stampin' Spots, Card Stock Assortment, Mini Glue Dots & 14 Whisper White Envelopes. If you have yet to play with Stampin' Up's!® Chipboard or the self adhesive Die Cuts, this would be a great kit to buy to see if you like them. I also used my White Gel Pen to accent the flowers on the one Mellow Moss card. Any questions please e-mail me, I would love to help you in any way I can.

Baby Cards, All in the Family

Here are two 3x3 cards I made with the All in the Family stamp set. The dots stamp is from my Happiness Background stamp. Ted, my DH, cut them apart and then made blocks for each one. I also used my Curvy Verses set and Circle & Scallop Punches. Have a great day!

All in the Famiy

I'm finally getting around to playing with 2 stamps sets that I have had for about a month. They are All in the Family & Family Accessories. It's fun adding heads, arms & legs to these bodies. I used Pretty in Pink, Whisper White & Certainly Celery Prints Designer Series Paper on the full size card and Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery, Whisper White & So Saffron PDSP on the 3x3 card. I also used Stampin' Write Markers, White Gel Pen, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle & Ticket Corner Punches. The Greetings are from Hug & Wishes and All Holidays. During November, 100 percent of the sales from the All in the Family stamp set will go to the Dave Abbott Family Fund. Dave Abbott was a General Manager who passed away from a rare blood disease. He leaves a wife and 3 children. If you were planning on buying this set, this is the month to do it. Any question or if I can be any help, e-mail me. Have a great weekend!

Christmas Card, The Snowflake Spot

I've seen a lot of wreaths made with The Snowflake Spot stamp set, so I had to do one too. Using a pencil, I first drew a faint circle in the center of the Very Vanilla card stock. I then stamped a snowflake at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 & 9:00 (o'clock, get the picture?) I then stamped 4 more in between each of these. I then stamped 8 more in between those 8, but I stamped each of these off once to get a lighter shade. I used Always Artichoke & Real Red ink pads & card stocks, Red grosgrain, the Ticket Corner & Oval Punches. It's hard to see, but I also used my Glue Pen and some Dazzling Diamonds on the wreath. I had fun making this card and it was quite easy.