Friday, December 31, 2010

Cheers to 2011 and to YOU!

We don't ever make New Year's cards, but the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set has this "Happy New Year" stamp, so it was begging us to use it!  And, of course, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to toast all of you and wish you a happy and healthy 2011!  We look forward to sharing creativity with you in the New Year and beyond!  The clinking champagne glasses image is from the Cheers to You set.  And, YES, there are a bunch of rhinestones on this card!  More like "BLING in the New Year!!"  The scallop oval frame and DSP oval inside were cut with the Bigz die in the Big Shot.  Holes were punched around the oval with a 1/4" punch and then the rhinestones were placed inside, leaving a slight Peach Parfait border.  The champagne was colored using a Peach Parfait classic ink pad and blender pen.  However you choose to celebrate, have fun and be safe - HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Holiday Mini Catalog Ends Soon!

It's always bittersweet when our mini catalogs transition.  It's exciting because that means that FUN, NEW STUFF is going to be available in the next one (Occasions mini catalog starts 1/4/11); but it also means that our favorites in the current one will no longer be available.  The images (large and small paisley hearts) used in this card are from the Paisley Prints set, which we received at Convention this past summer, and we admit was not initially one of our favorites.  However, it has grown on us, and we were hoping to use the leaf and tree images during the holidays (but those came and went in a hurry), and now the hearts would be ideal for Valentine's Day, so we thought ahead, since this set is only available through January 3rd.  The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.  It's tough to think about Valentine's Day already amidst the lingering Christmas decorations, but it will be here before we know it and gone in a hurry, so plan ahead!  

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

She's Having a Baby!


Our niece, April, and her husband Justin are expecting a baby girl in January!  This card was made for them, and was based on a card originally designed by our friend Kevin.  The stamped images are from a few sets - the bottle is from Tag Alongs (our annual Ronald McDonald House set from which $2 from the sale of each one goes to RMHC), the letters are from Monogram Sweet, the inside sentiment (except for congratulations) is from Full of Life, and the rest are from Baby Bundle.  We are thrilled for them and wish them all the best!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Time for Thanks

These quick & easy thank you notes were made with left over 3 1/2" square Candy Cane Christmas DSP scraps.  The wavy DSP on the bottom was cut using the Big Shot with the Tasteful Trim die.  The sentiment if from the Occasional Quotes level 3 hostess set and then punched with the large oval punch. 

Monday, December 27, 2010

Customer Appreciation Event


Reception Table

Luanne, Brenda, Kathie, & Cheryl

Tasha, Diane, Merna, Carolyn, Randi, & Stacy

Tasha, Stacy, Randi, & Diane



Tiffany, Diana, Bobbi, & Nancy

Tiffany, Judy, & Scot
We hosted a customer appreciation night on Monday, December 13th (yes, it's been a while), but it was so much fun!  We truly wish that ALL of our WONDERFUL customers/friends could've attended!  The photos above are from that evening, and we hope they had as much fun as we did!  We are so grateful for our amazing customers and their friendship!  We look forward to making this an annual tradition!  

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Merry Crittermas!

Although Christmas has officially come and gone (sniff, sniff), we wanted to share a couple of projects that were done using the Merry Crittermas stamp set, which is only available for a little more time in the Holiday mini catalog.  Kira made the treat holders above for the kids when we got together for our Christmas celebration last night.  The chocolates are wrapped with Celebrations DSP, and as you can see, the image on top is stamped with the Merry Crittermas set.   
The card shown above was sent to us from our friend Patty.  We think it would make a perfect Christmas thank you card, by just changing the sentiment.  The card is embossed with the Northern Flurry folder, the snowflakes are from the Northern Frost Decorative Strip die.  The rabbit image has a coating of glitter over the top of it.

We hope you and your families had an enjoyable and memorable Christmas!  We look forward to sharing ideas and creativity with you in the New Year!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas to All!

Scot reporting here...it is our tradition for my wife and I to host our families (those who are available) for Christmas Eve.  Well, last night, Kira presents me with this AMAZING gift!!!  The reason why it's so amazing is because it's the chorus from the song "Believe" by Josh Groban (from the movie Polar Express), and she knows that it is one of my favorites - I LOVE the message!  She used a cookie sheet that's painted black and adhered pieces of Jolly Holiday DSP to it.  The letters are die cut vinyl (that she had cut at the sign business where she works).  She has made so many wonderful holiday gifts for us that we cherish through the years.  I love, love, love it!  THANK YOU, Kira!!!

We wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of happiness, good health, and stamping good times with friends!!  And a SPECIAL THANK YOU to all of you who support us and share our love of stamping and crafting!!!

In case you can't read it in the photo, here are the words to the chorus of the song:

“Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that’s playing
There’s no time to waste
There’s so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just believe”

Monday, December 20, 2010

Happy Birthday Pocket Portfolio

Happy Birthday to Kira's husband, Mark, today!  This is the pocket portfolio that she made for him using the Celebrations DSP and lots of other fun stuff!  This is the same design as one that was posted a couple of weeks ago using the Autumn Spice DSP.  The outside is decorated with the DSP cut using the Top Note die for the Sizzix Big Shot.  The scallop envelope die was used for the inside pockets and the Tasteful Trim die was also used for the scalloped accents above and below the envelopes.  A variety of stamp sets and puches were used for the greetings and star accents.  We wish Mark a very Happy Birthday, and MANY MORE!

We apologize for our absence lately, but hopefully we'll soon be posting some fresh projects as soon as the "holiday rush" has passed.  We wish all of you and your families Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year!  And of course, happy stamping in the New Year too!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Ghiradelli Chocolate Holder

This idea came from Jill Hilliard, such an easy treat holder!  This was also a great use for our leftover scraps of Candy Cane DSP (which is unfortunately sold out).  As you can see, we tried a it a couple of different ways using each side of the paper, tilting the sentiment and spacing the ribbon holes differently.  The measurement is so easy and you can get 3 of them out of an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of cardstock, and save time by scoring the full sheet first.  Cut the full sheet into 9" x 8", score along the 8" side at 3 7/8" and 4 1/8", then cut on the 9" side into three 3" pieces.  The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Peace on Earth Card

This card is very similar to one that we recently posted; however, we used the embossed frame for the stamped image.  The "frame" was embossed using a thin wood oval frame and the Petals a Plenty embossing folder.  The pine tree is from the Lovely as a Tree set.  It was stamped in Wild Wasabi and then "thumped" with the Garden Green Stampin' Write marker.  The tree trunk was colored prior to stamping using an Early Espresso Stampin' Write marker.  We finished it off with a piece of 1/8" taffeta ribbon and a stamped sentiment from the Four the Holidays set inside.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Fancy Favor Christmas Boxes

Here's another Big Shot Club project we'll be doing in this week's workshop.  This month we are focusing mostly on the Sizzlits Decorative Strip dies, so we've decorated these fancy favor boxes with the Join In The Cheer Sizzlits Decorative Strip die (it wraps around the whole box).  We've added a couple stamped holly images from the Tags Til Christmas set .

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Big Shot Birthday

This is one of the cards that we'll be doing in Big Shot Club this week.  We used the Basic Birthday Sizzlits Decorative Strip die to create a "drop shadow" (Kira and her big graphic designer terms) with Pacific Point first and then Bashful Blue on top.  We thought it created a cool effect.  The Celebrations DSP at the bottom was cut using the Tasteful Trim die.  And how about the pinata, isn't a fun touch?!?!  This is an image from the Cumpleanos set, which is out of the Spanish Idea Book & Catalog. 

Friday, December 3, 2010

Save 20% on Great Holiday Bundles

This is another version of a card that was previously posted.  It includes the two items from the Contempo Christmas bundle, which can be purchased for 20% off during our ABC's of a Perfect Handmade Holiday promotion.  The two items are the Contempo Christmas stamp set and the Jolly Holiday designer series paper pack.  The card was cut out using the Movers & Shapers die and the elements on the front were done with the Tasteful Trim die, both for the Big Shot. 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Treat Portfolio

Although Thanksgiving is past, I (Scot) had to share this wonderful treat portfolio that Kira made and brought to McCall and I as a Thanksgiving host gift.  It can easily be adapted for other holidays to include the same delicious Ghiradelli chocolate squares and Starbucks VIA coffee, or whatever treats you decide on!  The Day of Gratitude stamp set and Autumn Spice DSP were used as the primary elements, along with a variety of other stamps and accessories. 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Scallop Circle Gift Card Holder

This gift card holder starts with a 6" x 12" piece of cardstock, and is then folded and cut using the Bigz Scallop Circle die.  After it's cut, it was embossed using a folder.  The sentiment on the front is from the Grateful Greetings set and punched with the tag punch.  They are an easy way to personalize a gift card!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Season of Joy Scrapbook Page

This is one of our Big Shot Club projects for December.  It uses the Northern Frost Sizzix Decorative Strip Die.  Before cutting the snowflakes, we adhered the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet to the Whisper White strip of cardstock.  After it was cut, we put the adhesive side in Dazzling Diamonds glitter (eventhough you can't see the sparkle of the snowflakes in the photo).  The Jolly Jingles jumbo Stampin' Around wheel was used in Real Red and the sentiment is from the level 3 Occasional Quotes hostess set.   

Monday, November 29, 2010

Bird Punch Poinsettia Card

This card idea was copied from a fellow demonstrator - our apologies to whoever it was, as we didn't note the blog where it was found.  Nonetheless, it was a very cool idea using the bird punch.  The outside Wild Wasabi and Real Red petals are the bird bodies and the inside Real Red petals are the bird wings.  We are always so amazed by all of the great ideas that people come up with using the various punches.  The sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set. 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

12 Days 'til Christmas Countdown Wall Hanging


Kira designed this great 12 days until Christmas countdown wall hanging using the scallop envelope die, Tags 'til Christmas and Word Play stamp sets, Deck the Halls DSP, and a variety of other great products (punches, ribbon, and texture plates, oh my!). 

Friday, November 26, 2010

Do Not Open 'til Christmas

What's in the box?  Holiday greetings, of course!  Here it is on Black Friday, and what better way to package up those great deals than in a beautiful handmade box.  Or, these are a perfect size for homemade treats - a stack of delicious cookies or yummy white chocolate popcorn!  The possibilities are endless.  We got this great idea from Chiaki Haverstick at stampingpro.com  She even listed directions for making the box, and our favorite part was that she made the lid using the scallop square die for the Big Shot!  Our box incorporates the Jolly Holiday DSP (which is currently available in a bundle with the Contempo Christmas stamp set for 20% off!) and the stamp is from the Tags 'til Christmas set.  You better get busy with your holiday preparations now, it's never too soon! 

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish you a day filled with special memories and reflections of all that you have to be THANKFUL for.  We are THANKFUL for YOU!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Grateful for Friends

These are a few cards received from our wonderful friends that we've met through the years since we were first introduced to Stampin' Up!  We are so grateful for these relationships that we've developed and it brings an abundance of joy to our lives.  Thank you to Patty, Diana, and Temple for the cards in the photo!  Thanks to all of our friends, both current and future, who share the creative spirit with us!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Jolly Old Saint Nick

This card was sent to us from our friend Patty, and we love it for it's retro simplicity!  It showcases the Jolly Old Saint Nick stamp set and a glass glitter outline.  The scallop oval frame was done using a Big Shot die. 

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Delightful Decorations Card

This card was designed by our grea frien Kevin, and uses the Delightful Decorations and Word Play (Tidings of Comfort & Joy sentiment) sets along with the ornament and dotted scallop ribbon punches.  The ornaments inside are popped up.  A couple of the ornaments are embellished with basic pearls and 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.  The colors used were Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive.

Friday, November 19, 2010

O' Christmas Tree

This card demonstrates a perfect use for all of those scraps of DSP!  This Christmas tree was designed using circles from the 1" punch.  Although the DSP is retired, any coordinating patterned papers will work.  The star at the top is a miscellaneous brad from our vast stash of embellishments (I'm sure all of you can relate).  The tree trunk was made using a punch from the word window with one rounded end snipped off.  Quick & easy!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Marker Thumping Technique Card

This card demonstrates the marker thumping technique.  The pine tree image was inked with the Crumb Cake pad and then randomly "thumped" with the brush tip of a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker and then stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.  This idea came from Max Conrad's blog.  The base panel of the card was embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper folder.  The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set, punched with the word window and then layered on a modern label.  Finishing touches include basic rhinestone jewels, 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon, and hemp twine.   

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Top Note Christmas Treat Holder

This idea came from our friend Kris, who had done something similar for Halloween at another Stampin' Up demonstrator's event (sorry, we don't know her name).  What a great way to package up a roll of ribbon and a container of buttons (as seen in the sample on the left above) to give to your stamping friends!  The Top Note dies were embossed with a Christmas folder.  The stamp is from the Sweet Season set and punched out with the 2 3/8" scallop circle punch and layered on a 2 1/2" circle.  A large cello bag holds the "goods" and is tied up with a piece of 1/8" taffeta ribbon. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Holiday Flurries

This card features the Northern Hearts (level 1 hostess set from the Holiday mini catalog) and Northern Flurry embossing folder, along with the top note die.  The card is a tri-fold, with the top note portion folding over the front.  The sentiment is from the Sincere Salutations set and punched out with the jumbo oval.  Basic rhinestone jewels are used as the perfect accent, giving the appearance of ice.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Naughty or Nice?

Well, according to one of our favorite stamps from the Tags 'til Christmas set, "even the naughty deserve something nice", it wouldn't matter.  This card design idea came from Patty Bennett's website, and is just a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cardstock scored at 4 1/4" and 8 3/4".  The word window punch is used to make the gift card holder.  We used sticky strip to attach the sides of the inside (or bottom) section; however, Patty's opened all the way up to reveal the sentiment.  The santa suit tag is another one of the great stamps in the Tags 'til Christmas set.  The saying "Some things must be believed to be seen" comes from the Just Believe stamp set.  The 2" scalloped square inside is from the scallop squares duo die from the Holiday mini catalog.  Eventhough this card says otherwise, we recommend maximizing the kindness you receive this holiday season by being nice! 

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Friends Forever

This card was created with the Just Believe stamp set.  The color scheme is clean and simple - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla.  The Top Note die and Square Lattice embossing folders add shape and texture.  We would have to guess that any friend would be happy to receive this card to let them know they are special.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Home for the Holidays

This awesome card was sent to us from one of our favorite stamping friends, Patty, from Nebraska!  What a great design, using layers of cardstock to create the door.  The wreath is from the Welcome Christmas stamp set.  We love it and hope you do too!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Give Thanks Scrapbook Pages

These are the other two pages that we'll be doing in our "Give Thanks" class on Sunday, 11/21.  These pages use LOTS of FUN STUFF...Autumn Spice Specialty DSP, Day of Gratitude and Grateful Greetings stamp sets, Tasteful Trim die, 2 1/2" circle punch, curly label punch, decorative label punch, 1" circle punch, and 5/8" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon.  The die-cut letters are not Stampin' Up, but are an Sizzlit strip die and cut with the Big Shot. 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Punched Christmas Tree Card

We are always amazed by the creative ideas that everyone comes up with using our various punches, and this one is definitely on our favorites list!  It shows the photo corners assembled in the shape of a Christmas tree and the word window for the tree trunk.  The two different sized photo corners make it perfect to create the graduated look of a Christmas tree.  The idea we originally saw used DSP instead of solid-colored cardstock for the photo corners, which is a great way to use up scraps!  Although the background DSP in this example is retired, any great holiday patterned DSP will do!  The ticket corner punch was also used on this card for the corners of the DSP and the Very Vanilla cardstock.  The Season's Greetings sentiment is from the Many Merry Messages stamp set.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

6"x6" Christmas Scrapbook Pages

These awesome 6"x6" Christmas scrapbook pages use the Celebrations DSP and lots of other fun stuff like the Tags 'til Christmas, Word Play, and Grateful Greetings stamp sets.  A variety of punches were used for the images.  We MAY be scheduling a class to do these, so let us know if you like them, and we'll see if we can fit them in to our schedule.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

'Tis the Season

We'll be making this card for Big Shot Club this week when we focus on the Movers & Shapers dies for the Big Shot.  The Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper, Old Olive, and Cherry Cobbler accents on the front were cut using the Tasteful Trim die.  The sentiment is from the Christmas Greeting stamp set.  The Cherry Cobbler ornament insert was rolled with the Christmas Chatter jumbo Stampin' Around wheel and then punched.   

Monday, November 8, 2010

Thankful Banner

This banner was made using the Sizzix Two Tags Bigz die.  The Broadsheet Alphabet and Day of Gratitude stamp sets, along with the Autumn Spice Specialty Design Series Paper, were used to decorate the tags.  This banner project will be offered in our "Give Thanks" class that will be offered on Sunday, November 21st.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Poinsettia Card

This card was inspired by a couple of ideas from fellow demonstrators Lynn Pratt and Dawn Olchefske (we love their creative and clean designs).  The poinsettia was stamped with Cherry Cobbler ink on a die-cut Cherry Cobbler circle using the leaf stamp from the French Foliage set.  The circle (which was cut with the Big Shot using the Bigz clear circle die) is layered on a piece of Very Vanilla embossed with the Petals-a-Plenty folder, and then layered on an Always Artichoke card.  The sentiment is from the Curly Cute set.  The poinsettia is accented with the basic pearls and the card is finished off with a piece of 1/8" Early Espresso taffeta ribbon.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Peaceful Season Tent Card

It's hard to believe that it's already time to be thinking about Christmas cards!  Wasn't it just Christmas a minute ago?!?!?  Where does the time go?!?!?  OK, this card features the Level 2 Hostess stamp set Peaceful Season.  We actually received this set along with a few other products as a FREE GIFT from Stampin' Up at Convention back in July!  It is certainly another one of the wonderful reasons why we love being affiliated with such an awesome company - they treat us so very well!  You can see from the photo that this is a tent card.  The circle was punched using the 2 1/2" circle punch.  The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla. 

Snowflake Wishes Thank You Card

Everyone needs to say "thank you" during the holiday season. The Snowflake Wishes bundle makes it easy! The die-cut image creates ...