Goin' Over The Edge

Valentine's Day projects using P.S. I Love You

2012-01-30T15:53:00.000-08:00

When it rains, it pours! First we found out from the guy who reads the water meter that our meter was spinning out of control last week. Turns out there was a big leak between the house and the meter. Fortunately, the leak was quickly located (by luck) at the front corner of our house. My hubby picked up the necessary pipe and asked our plumber neighbor to hook it up. All good there. It didn't even wreck our yard!

Then last night, I was in the bathroom getting ready to brush my teeth, I noticed water on the tile floor. I figured the kids must've been really messy while brushing their teeth and mopped up the mess. While doing that, something wet hit my head. Our skylight was leaking. I laid a towel on the tile floor, let my hubby know about it and he got up on the roof and fixed it today before I had to leave for class. Thank goodness it's not raining today!

We originally built our house 20 years ago, so I can't complain things are breaking down now. My hubby might tell you differently though. lol I just feel blessed I'm married to someone who can fix the problems! So onto my projects...

I'm posting this between classes (2) and clubs (2) today. So far, so good. I prepped seven Valentine's Day projects, including this twist container with Sweet Shop dsp (above), and a P.S. I Love You card that uses Everyday Enchantment dsp (an SAB free item you may select when you order $50). Four Hershey kisses fit well inside this 4" x 6" piece of specialty dsp. Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon holds the container closed at the top, while a little Sticky Strip and paper crimper keep the bottom securely closed.

This card is CASE'd from Connie Babbert here. I love the Pool Party and Lucky Limeade colors together. I used the Full Heart punch, corner punch, and Early Espresso ink too.

Have a wonderful day!

Take It to Heart with Monkey Challenge 93: Love!

2012-01-27T22:54:00.000-08:00

Love is in the air! I love this image from the Take It to Heart stamp set in the Occasions Mini. I stamped it in Calypso Coral ink, sponged it with Pool Party ink, and punched it out with the 1-1/4" circle punch, layering it on a 1-3/8" circle of Early Espresso, which is then layered on two Blossom punched flowers.

I'm crazy about the Everyday Enchantment dsp in the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog. This is just one of the fabulous patterned pieces, and best of all, you may choose it for FREE with a $50 order! Free is always the right price!!! I love those little Calypso Coral Baker's Twine bows too.

This close-up shows the embossed little hearts on the pennants, which were punched. Aren't they cute? To create this entire card, I used the A La Card Monkey Challenge #93: Love! + Sketch. I'm also adding this to Princess Shirley's Valentine Blog Hop! Now check to see Shirley's rockin' card here.

Anyone can join the fun, here is all you have to do.

1. Anything goes - It can be a card, or 3D project. It just has to be a Valentine.

2. Add the Hop to your Post, by using the code from Linky tools.

3. Add the cupid badge to your post with a link to Shirley's blog.

4. It has to be a new post.

Here's the sketch I used. I love that little kitty's face! It's the best. I hope you'll take time out to make a card using this sketch, then upload it to http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com and to Shirley's blog hop. I promised I'll drop by your blog to leave a nice comment!

Stamps: Take It to Heart, Fabulous Phrases;

Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Early Espresso;

Paper: Everyday Enchantment dsp, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Whisper White card stocks;

Accessories: Blossom punch, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches, Pennant punch, Adorning Edges, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Oval Scallop punch, dimensionals, Big Shot.

Available: General Contractor for your Home Improvements

2012-01-27T09:16:00.000-08:00

Here's the deal: My hubby, a general contractor of 17+ years, is out of work. He can build a house from the ground up, and has primarily worked on high-end homes. The guy has skills. You can view some of his work at http://blaisconstructioninc.com.
I'm looking to keep him busy. So if you have a question about how to do something around the house (or your hubby does), make a request and I'll have my hubby provide answers, or even make a video showing how to do it. He loves making videos! The cost: Free. Can't beat that.

Thanks!

New digital downloads from Oh Baby Photobook Template to Candy Conversations

2012-01-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

The easiest way to see what Stampin' Up! offers for digital downloads is by visiting our customer site at http://stampinup.com and clicking on Digital Designing. You'll see the digital downloads available are arranged by date (there are a only a handful each week). Don't forget that you get the Preferred Pricing when you shop through my Online Store here. Thanks!
Here's a direct link to this week's new digital downloads:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/MDS_Downloads_-_Jan_24.pdf

Sale-a-Bration is here!

2012-01-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

Our Sale-a-Bration Event is underway as of TODAY!!! If you don't have an SAB Mini, you can see all of the wonderful products you can earn for free by clicking on the graphic in the right column of this blog.

Just so you know, you'll get a pretty, reusable bag for any order/party of at least $150! (Does not apply to Online Orders, so email me with your order.) That's in addition to your free item at every $50 you order. Contact me today at ericandterry@comcast.net if you'd like to pick a date for your friends to get together for a couple hours of FUN!

A look at the Leadership bag and folio, as well as a Secret Stampin' Sister card

2012-01-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

This fabric looks so bright and refreshing - perfect for a Leadership 2012 bag! And it's a Sneak Peek at what you can expect from the new big catalog on June 1. Everyone at Leadership found the matching folio when we showed up to stamp the make & takes. Check out the tag - Shelli signed ALL of ours herself, and there's a bauble there that is so cute. Here's a photo of the folio open:

It's hard to tell with the pattern, but there are pockets on each panel, either from the side or a bottom pocket. I love it!

My American Ink group's Secret Stampin' Sister program is still underway. One of my downline has taken it upon herself to brighten my weeks with SSS cards. I don't have a SSS because I'm coordinating the whole thing, so this is really sweet. The SSS program ends on February 11 at our downline meeting with a gift valued at no more than $10. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

A handful of Leadership swaps; ice cold roads

2012-01-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

It's a new week and we're only a day away from when Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration Event begins! I started today by postponing my clubs from meeting today to next week because there are a few inches of snow and ice at the studio, and no running water. It's just not safe to drive there!

I was at Leadership Conference in San Antonio, TX, last Wednesday through Saturday, and it was great! I always get pumped to try so many new ideas. But I needed some rest first. I took a nap when I got home, then slept for 10 hours that night. On Sunday, I took to my computer, churning out emails to downline and customers for Opportuni-Tea events and so much more!

Half of my suitcase on the way home was filled with free stamps and paper, ribbon and buttons and more from Leadership. It's exciting just looking at all that stuff! As I was going through it today, I came across a handful of swaps. I didn't have time to make swaps for the conference, but one woman shared while we were waiting in line together, and another gave me three of hers when I sat next to her at lunch! Everyone was so sweet. So here are they:

This beautiful card was given to me by Mary Ellen Scheiber. It uses the Messages for Mom and Fresh Vintage (SAB set) stamps, along with embossing folders, rhinestones, and White Organza ribbon.

The card above and the two below were given to me by MaryAnn Hougendobler of Coppell, TX. The glimmer birds are amazing in real life.

MaryAnn said this card was inspired by the sample on page 183 of the big catalog. I love Mocha Morning Specialty dsp with the natural hemp. It's so pretty!

This card uses Raining Flowers, Best Friends Forever, and Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set). I love the Concord Crush color with Pear Pizzazz. I don't own the first two stamp sets (one of the reasons swapping is so wonderful), but love the combination above.

One of the neatest changes coming up: Stampin' Up! is reducing the big catalog size to 208 lighter-weight pages (from approx. 240), and reducing the COST to about half of what it is currently. Also, the 2012-2013 Catalog will go live on June 1, not July 1, as has been the case in the past. What does this mean for you? Well, it'll be alot easier to get a FREE catalog out of me, that's for sure! For now, though, if you'd like a free catalog, all you have to do is host a party with your friends. With a free item from the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog for every $50 you order (thru March 31), it's a great way to get anything from buttons and brads to ribbon and fabric for FREE. You can even have your party at my studio, once it thaws out.

It's Anything Goes for A La Card Monkey Challenge #92

2012-01-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

I love this week's sketch at A La Card Monkey! Grab some scraps from a couple of patterned papers (Everyday Enchantment dsp from Sale-a-Bration Mini) and add an image and you've got a birthday card, or whatever kind of card you need since the theme is "Anything Goes." I need lots of those, and so I'll be using this sketch again and again. For this card, I stamped the polar bear from Zoo Review in Jet Black StazOn, and used an aqua painter and ink pads to watercolor the image with Pool Party, Lucky Limeade and Sahara Sand inks.

Check out what Shirley did with this same sketch - http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com. Then sit down and grab a few things to make your own creation! Once you have that, link it to http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com and leave some nice comments. We'll do the same for you! Now here's the sketch:

Final day: American Ink swaps and make & take

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Michelle's make & take

American Ink swaps: From giftcard holder to valentines

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Brandy's Everyday Enchantment giftcard holder

Inside: 1/2 of a sealed Whisper White envelope to hold the giftcard.

Mary Ann's swap with Sweet Shop dsp, and red glimmer hearts

Kathy M's swap

Occasions Mini items highlight of swaps

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

All of the demonstrators in my American Ink group seem to be enjoying the great new products in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Below, are a few swaps and make & takes. More will be posted in the next couple of days, so come back soon!

Cindy's swap

Frankie's make & take

Frankie's swap with Take It to Heart stamp set

Kim's Tea Shoppe make & take

Sprinkled Expressions for new Valentine blog hop!

2012-01-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

This Valentine's card features a few new items available to you on January 24 in the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog - the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set, Everyday Enchantment dsp, and Everyday Enchantment ribbon (part of a ribbon and brad pack). Also featured on this card is the Occasions Mini embossing folder Adorning Accents. The hearts is just one of the three folders in the pack for $8.95.

Princess Shirley's Valentine Blog Hop starts TODAY! So add your valentine creation at http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com, and add this badge to your blog post. And don't forget to add the blog hop code so all of the projects show up on your blog too!

Timeless Treasures with the Attic Boutique dsp

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

I just started offering a free card class as an activity at an assisted care living facility near my home. This is one of the two cards I prepped. It uses Attic Boutique dsp, 3/8" Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon, 8mm pearls, and stamps from the Timeless Treasures set. My buddy, Shirley, and I each took a table. (thanks, Shirley, for your help!). A couple of the women at my table loved the ribbon and pearls and made their cards with those and the paper, and no stamps. They were very happy with the results and said they hope we come back next month!

Mouthwatering cherries with Sweet Shop Specialty dsp

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Have you smelled the new embossing powders in the Occasions Mini Catalog? There's cherry, melon and vanilla,and they complement the Mouthwatering stamp set. Of course the cherry stamp on the card was embossed with the cherry-scented powder. I first inked the stamp with markers and stamped it on Whisper White, then punched it with the 2" circle punch. I used a VersaMark pad to ink up the entire circle, then poured the Cherry-scented embossing powder on it, tapping off the excess before heating. It smelled great!

Stamps: Mouthwatering, Perfect Words;

Ink: Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, VersaMark;

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Sweet Shop Specialty dsp;

Accessories: Cherry-scented embossing powder, Modern Label Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Tasteful Trim die for the Big Shot, pearls, dimensionals, heat gun, sponge dauber.

You're My Type: Get Twitterpated!

2012-01-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

My club members will be making this card this month. It uses the new You're My Type stamp set, Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon, and Twitterpated dsp and button. All of these products are available in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I hosted an American Ink gathering yesterday. There were some fabulous swaps and make & takes. I'll be posting those this coming week!

It's nothing but love for Monkey Challenge #91

2012-01-13T20:50:00.000-08:00

I think these words just about say it all! I am loving the new P.S. I Love You stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog. There are so many terrific stamps in it.

Here's the full card, which uses Riding Hood Red pleated satin ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds in Cherry Cobbler, and a new label framelit. I think my hubby will love this for Valentine's Day! This card is for an A La Card Monkey Challenge #91: Bundle of Love + Sketch. Check out what Shirley made here, and then make your own card using the sketch below.

Stamps: P.S. I Love You;

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Everyday Enchantment;

Accessories: Riding Hood Red pleated satin ribbon, wide oval punch, dimensionals, label framelit, Dazzling Diamonds - Cherry Cobbler, Vintage Trinkets, 1" and 1-3/8" circle punches, hobby blade, Tasteful Trim die and Big Shot, full heart punch.

Gnome Sweet Gnome sprinkling happiness card

2012-01-12T22:17:00.000-08:00

It was fun to paper piece this little gnome's hat and apron with Cheery Treat dsp (hostess paper). The watering can, bunch of flowers, gnome and sentiment are all in the Gnome Sweet Gnome stamp set, featured in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This was one of the four cards I made for a class last week. I used an aqua painter and ink pads to color the images.
Stamps: Gnome Sweet Gnome;
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo;
Paper: Whisper White, Cheery Treat dsp, Melon Mambo;
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, aqua painter, Stampin' Dimensionals; Everyday Enchantment brad (SAB item); Old Olive Dotted Scallop Ribbon

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punched Secret Stampin' Sister card

2012-01-12T22:07:00.000-08:00

Here's another Secret Stampin' Sister card received this week. When you want a quick card, you can make fun flowers with the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch. The punch gives you different punched images. Then did you notice the Paper Doily Large Sizzlit die for the Big Shot? Pretty cool! This is a new product in the Occasions Mini Catalog, which started last week.

Dry erase photo frame and candy heart votive

2012-01-08T17:43:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling all kinds of crafty today! I made flubber, a candy heart Valentine decoration, and a photo frame dry erase board.

My daughter and I made the flubber using warm water, Borax, Elmer's glue and food coloring (she chose green). She loves it. It's feels cool - I think it'd be fun to use for Halloween. You know, when you have the kids stick their hands in things to feel what they might be. It'd feel like just about any organ. Oooh! I got the recipe off of Pinterest.com.

I picked up a couple of glass containers today and a bag of candy hearts. I don't have much in the way of Valentine's decorations, so I thought I'd make some. I set the smaller glass container in the bigger one, then poured the candy hearts around the outside. The last step is adding the candle. It's sitting on my washstand right now, but it'll be going to my studio with me tomorrow. I got this idea after watching "The Chew" on TV one day awhile ago. They used candy corn (must've been a Halloween show!).

I used a piece of 5" x 7" Beau Chateau dsp in an inexpensive photo frame as a message board for my family. Then I gathered up a strip of Candy Cane fabric to make a flower, added a big designer button, and hot glued it to the frame. I bought dry erase markers that I covered with Beau Chateau paper. You can see the black marker in the photo. Now it's really easy to get my message across. Ha! Another Pinterest idea.

I hope you've been enjoying your Sunday! I've got a busy week ahead. I really should be prepping for my clubs, a 10-card class, my downline meeting, and more. Soon....

Pop tab jewelry: A little bit of recycling and Stampin' Up!

2012-01-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do right now is to visit http://Pinterest.com for new craft ideas, recipes, home decor, etc. It's fun to see all of the great ideas everyone shares. I like to "pin" items to try, including items like Pop Tab Jewelry. The bracelet took 17 tabs (the model is my 11-year-old daughter, so it might take a few more for an adult). The necklace took 60 tabs. Both pieces use 1/8" taffeta ribbon from Stampin' Up! - Regal Rose and Old Olive. What a cool way to recycle!

Take It to Heart on Designer Cuts card

2012-01-08T00:05:00.000-08:00

I love this image from the Take It to Heart stamp set, so I paired that with other products from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

The design on the bottom front of the card is laser-cut (there are eight cards total, four each of two designs in each Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes Set). Blushing Bride envelopes are included in the set.

I created this card for a class featuring Occasions Mini products. Each one uses at least 3 things! Also on this card, I added a strip of Blushing Bride inside the card so that when it's closed, the color peeks through the holes. We used sticky strip to hold on the ribbon; hand-cut the first heart, then used the hearts framelit for the larger Regal Rose heart. There are a couple of new 8mm pearls on the card, as well. I finished it with a Tiny Tags saying and Early Espresso/Whisper White Baker's Twine.

I thought this card would be perfect for The Paper Players challenge, which is all about love. I think the boy and girl on the bike are so sweet!

Pin It

Love & Laughter for Monkey Challenge #90: New to You

2012-01-06T22:31:00.000-08:00

If you have something new you haven't used yet, pull it out for the A La Card Monkey Challenge #90: New to You + Sketch. I mounted this new Love & Laughter set from the Occasions Mini Catalog to use with new Attic Boutique dsp, also in the mini. There's some new Blushing Bride 3/8" pleated satin ribbon on the card too. I love this stuff! And it comes in three other colors - Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, and Baja Breeze.

My buddy, Shirley, also designed a card for this Monkey Challenge. Go here to see what she came up with. And while you're at it, check out the stuffed Stampin' Up! owls she's sewn. They're amazingly cute, and they're ready to be adopted!

Oh my, I love this happy bunny. He makes my heart sing! I keep hoping for snow, but for now we have fits of rain with mostly blue skies. See what an easy sketch it is? So you try it! Then upload your card to http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com and we'll leave you some nice comments!

Stamps: Love & Laughter;
Ink: Soft Suede, Regal Rose;
Paper: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Attic Boutique dsp, Very Vanilla;
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon; 3-1/2" Circle Die for the Big Shot; dimensionals

New Occasions Mini products featured on thank-you cards

2012-01-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

I love receiving cards in the mail. That's part of why we do what we do, right? Anyway, this week I received a couple of thank-you cards from my downline that use lots of great products from the new Occasions Mini Catalog.

Do you see what's new? There's a Labels Collection framelit, Mixed Bunch stamp set, and the Blossom Punch. There are also a couple of items from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration Mini, including the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack.

Secret Stampin' Sister program kicks off

2012-01-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

This card was sent by a Secret Stampin' Sister (SSS). I started the 6-week program for my American Ink downline this week. I think it's a great way to motivate people to use their stamps to create cards for their SSS, as well as a way to learn about a fellow stamper. From what I've heard, participants eagerly anticipate receiving cards! It's a good thing... and good mail.

My handmade gift: A stamp lamp with ruffled Spice Cake shade

2012-01-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

I got the idea to make a stamp lamp from my friend, Shirley. She has one in her craft room and I really like it. And while coming up with ideas to make for our American Ink gift exchange last month, I came across a ruffled lamp shade on Pinterest.com. I put the two together and came up with this lamp.

Shirley's hubby drilled the hole in the Ball canning lid for me, and put in the lighting unit, which was purchased at Lowe's. I added the Spice Cake fabric to the used lid (this particular lamp was a Christmas present for my friend Kim, who loves blues and browns, not to mention Spice Cake anything).

Here's the finished stamp lamp. I like the strings popping out from the ruffles. You can always finish the material edges if you don't. I basted down the middle of several 2-inch strips of Spice Cake fabric and tugged on the end strings to make the ruffles. Then, starting at the bottom, I used a hot glue gun to adhere the ruffles, making sure the seams didn't all line up for a more natural look.

I have a ton of retired Stampin' Up! sets in my studio, so I grabbed a couple of them to fill this quart-sized canning jar. You can always unscrew the lid if you want to use one of the stamps in the jar! lol I hope you like it! I still need to make one for myself.

Precious Butterflies on Beau Chateau

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is the last of the five cards from a recent Thank You 10-card class. It features Precious Butterflies (a hostess set), stamped in Crumb Cake and Regal Rose (stamped off once). The edges of the Very Vanilla and polka-dotted Beau Chateau paper were distressed with the Cutter Kit and sponged with Crumb Cake ink.

Sending many thanks with Every Little Bit

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was looking at the 12" x 12" Letters to Santa paper I still have and thought I'd use it for something other than Christmas cards, such as this thank-you card. I started with a Marina Mist card (the front's been run through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder), then added a square piece of the striped paper on top. I picked four images from the Every Little Bit stamp set, stamped them in four colors with matching Postage Stamp Punched squares, added a 1/8" taffeta bow and adhered each layered square with dimensionals.

Kidoodles thanks a bunch card

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Kidoodles is a great stamp set that gives you six images and sentiments. This is a quick and easy card that uses Just Eat Cake dsp, 1/8" Daffodil Delight taffeta, the Scallop Trim Border Punch, and aqua painters with ink pads - Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight and a little Blush Blossom for inside the ears.

Not So Seriously thank you

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Not So Seriously is a fun stamp set with crazy phrases like the one on this card. Inside the card, it says, "... It's a log bigger than my heart!" This card uses Domestic Goddess dsp, a Designer In Color Brad, and Calypso Coral ink and card stock.

Pursuit of Happiness with Timeless Portrait dsp

2012-01-01T18:39:00.000-08:00

It's always nice to have thank-you cards on hand... especially after Christmas. For the card above, I used a sentiment from the Pursuit of Happiness stamp set, layered on a Houndstooth-embossed black circle. The patterned paper is from the Timeless Portrait pack, and has both white and vanilla in it. I used the Ticket Corner Punch, along with 1/8" Basic Black taffeta.

P.S. I Love You gets me all Twitterpated for Monkey Challenge 89

2011-12-30T22:19:00.000-08:00

I love how this P.S. I Love You stamp set looks with the Twitterpated dsp. Both products are from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog. I used the sketch from the A La Card Monkey Challenge #89: A Fresh Start + Sketch. I went with "a new love" theme. Actually, this card will be perfect for my hubby for Valentine's Day - that's why I held off on any bling! lol

Why don't you visit Shirley's blog here to see what she came up with using the same sketch? Then ink up your stamps and submit a card at http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com. There's BLOG CANDY this week!

Stamps: P.S. I Love You;

Ink: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red;

Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Twitterpated dsp;

Accessories: 1/8" Baja Breeze taffeta, Modern Label Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, both sizes scallop circle punches, Stampin' Dimensionals.

More handmade Christmas gifts by American Ink team members

2011-12-29T10:23:00.000-08:00

I've been sharing photos of handmade items by my American Ink team. Here's another batch:

Kathy H's shadow box using upcoming Occasions Mini products

Heather's glass block lamp with Spice Cake dsp

Decorated box with covered coasters by Cindy M.

Spice Cake dsp origami ornament (Japanese Kusudama) by Barb.

There are so many great items you can make with Stampin' Up! products. If you have something you want to share, email me!

Team ornaments, treats, stationery and other handmade goodies

2011-12-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

Here are more photos of handmade gifts using primarily Stampin' Up! products from our American Ink Christmas party.

Pearl's box is as cute as the gift.

One of three ornaments Pearl made.

Mary Ann's embossed vellum votive.

Linda's stationery and dvd notepad holder.

Frankie's angel ornament, top note purse and Polar Party treat.

Cindy W.'s Polar Party treat and embossed foil tree.

More handmade American Ink gifts - flowers and more!

2011-12-27T18:59:00.000-08:00

Heather created an etched glass block using the MDS Christmas Lodge image.

Kathy M. made this paper flower centerpiece.

Kim's workshop tote (opened by Cindy W.). You can slip in different pieces of fabric or card stock in the plastic sides. The bag is large enough to carry totes of supplies for a workshop.

Michelle's fluffy balls of fabric

Santa and reindeer stocking stuffers; order Stocking Builder Punch now

2011-12-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

It's nice to have little things to tuck into stockings, or to give cashiers, your favorite baristas, or anybody else. I went to a stocking stuffer class by my friend and downline, Barb, a couple of weeks ago. We made two each of four different items, along with a box that could be used for anything from cards to goodies. I only have a couple items left that lasted long enough to take photos of. Above, the From Santa single stamp decorates a folded piece of Real Red card stock that uses the retired slit punch to hold in a roll of Lifesavers.

Here's the inside view. We used the Scallop Trim Border Punch both for decoration and to loop the 1/8" Real Red taffeta ribbon through so we could close it.

This reindeer head is made with the Holiday Stocking die for the Big Shot. We used the color spritzer on the head, the red nose is textured with polka dots, and the antlers are made with the Lattice die. We used the Medium Jewelry Punch and Tiny Tags set. This makes a great cover for a candy cane. My kids loved theirs!

Stocking Builder Punch (item 124095 for $16.95) will not carry on to the next Idea Book & Catalog, so if you'd like to get one, order it before January 3. You can do that through my online store here.

Merry Christmas to all!

2011-12-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

I feel so blessed with my stampin' friends, customers and downline. Stampin' Up! has brought so many wonderful people into my life. Some of you have been with me for years and are my best friends. I just want to take a minute today to express how grateful I am for each and every one of you. Thank you!

I'm sharing some Christmas cards I've received using SU! products (excuse the tape on them - I tape them to the trim in our livingroom and dining room).

Frostwood Lodge by Cheryl

Heard from the Heart by Beth

Snow Much Fun by Sherry

Snow Swirled card by Tracy

I wish you and your family a very blessed day!

Elephant Elebration stamp for Monkey Challenge #88

2011-12-23T23:31:00.000-08:00

Wisteria Wonder is a wonderful color! And now we have little purple hearts on brads. Well, we will in the new Occasions Mini that goes "live" in a couple of weeks. There are four designs of brads in the Sweet Shop Jelly Bean Brads.

Now that I've made plenty of Christmas cards, I saw this little elephant begging to be inked. It's a single stamp called Elebration. The polka-dotted Wisteria Wonder paper is from the Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper, also in the Occasions Mini. This particular pattern feels thicker with embossed dots.

I followed the sketch at A La Card Monkey:

Is that baby monkey adorable or what? Maybe that's what made me put down the big teacup stamp in favor for the elephant! So aren't you curious to see if Shirley Su used an animal too? Check out her card here.

Stamps: Elebration;

Ink: Basic Black, Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery;

Paper: Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Sweet Shop Specialty DSP;

Accessories: Sweet Shop Jelly Bean Brads, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, aqua painter, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Handmade Christmas gift ideas, Stampin' Up! style

2011-12-22T10:38:00.000-08:00

For years now, my American Ink team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators has had a Christmas party where it exchanges handmade gifts. This year, the gifts were outstanding!

Shirley Su! created this adorable owl with Spice Cake fabric. The owl was in a recipe-style box with coordinating Spice Cake designer series paper and antique brads.

A shadowbox similar to this one was created by Kathy H., a newer demo to our team. This is one she made for herself. You can see some upcoming Occasions Mini items used here - the Labels Collection framelit die, Paper Doily large Sizzlits die, and Designer Rosette Bigz XL die.

Jenn handmade all of these rosettes for this wreath, with a variety of SU! punches (Snowflake, Bird Builder, and Owl Builder, along with circles).

Sherry made this edible bouquet using snowflake decor elements on the vase, stitched felt, 1-1/4" grosgrain, the Perfect Pennants die for the Big Shot, a variety of punches (Snowflake, Ornament, circles), and the Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set. There's a piece of candy on every "stem" behind the decoration.

I'll share more homemade gifts later! Enjoy your day.

Something for Christmas card colored with markers

2011-12-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

Yet another quick card to pull together is this one made with the single stamp, Something for Christmas. I used this for a 10-card class. It uses the patterned paper from the Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' Kit in the Holiday Mini Catalog. It'll only be available to order thru January 3, 2012, so if you need some help with your Christmas scrapbooking, you'll want to order this! I used 4-1/4" of ruffled Lucky Limeade ribbon, and Cherry Cobbler/Early Espresso/Lucky Limeade markers to ink up the rubber.

Welcome Christmas blue and brown card

2011-12-20T10:26:00.000-08:00

After looking at this photo, I realized how "off" the left side of the layers were! So please ignore that. I was in a rush and trying to get photos and didn't have the time for a re-take. I love browns and blues together. This card is Early Espresso and Bashful Blue, and uses the Welcome Christmas stamp set. The sentiment is from Four the Holidays, and the patterned paper is from the Letters to Santa pack. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Jolly Bingo Bits quick Christmas card

2011-12-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

Whisper White card stock and a handful of ink pads make this card fun to make with the Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set. This is design 4 of 5 used for last week's 10-card Christmas class. I ran a square piece of white through the Snow Burst embossing folder and attached it to the card front with dimensionals. The sentiment - inside and out - is from the Christmas Greetings stamp set. The images were stamped and punched out with the 1" circle punch, and layered on 1-1/4" circles.

I'm adding this to Shirley Su's Winter Wednesday Christmas Blog Hop. You can join the fun by adding your card. Her site is http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com.

Snowflakes and Christmas Lodge quick cards

2011-12-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

Here are two more of the designs I used for my 10-card class last week. This Christmas Lodge card was made for an A La Card Monkey challenge November 25 (you can see the post by looking under that date on my blog). It's simple and pretty, with some embossing from the Petals a Plenty folder, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, and a white satin ribbon.

I CASE'd this idea from Diana Gibbs. I hadn't used the Serene Snowflakes set since last year, so it was time to ink it up. The colors are Real Red, Pool Party and Island Indigo, with a few sparkly rhinestones on snowflakes.

Reindeer punch art using owl builder punch

2011-12-17T17:06:00.000-08:00

I love the Owl Builder Punch. You can use it in so many ways and for so many occasions. I know you've probably seen the owl body turned into a ghost (upside down with white card stock), a penguin (black card stock with the ears cut off), and many other things. I think the reindeer is just as cute. All I cut off were the feet, then I used the branch from the Bird Builder Punch for the antlers. The eyes and nose are all on the owl punch.

I stuck Rudolph's head to a 1-3/4" Whisper White circle with dimensionals, then adhered that to a large scallop circle. The designer paper is from the Frostwood Lodge pack. I love those patterns! They remind me of warm, flannel shirts you wear only in the winter time. The Cherry Cobbler greeting is from Four the Holidays. I CASE'd this card from my friend and neighbor, Beth, and used it for a 10-card class last week. (Thanks Beth!)

I'm adding this card to Shirley's Winter Wednesday Christmas Blog Hop over at Look at My Cute Stuff. It's easy to play along! Just add your card, a link to Shirley's blog hop, and the badge above, and you're good to go!

Sweet Cake card for Monkey blog birthday challenge

2011-12-16T23:09:00.000-08:00

It's been a full - and productive - week for me. I had a stamp club, 10-card class, made a couple of homemade items for gifts, and put together gifts for the teachers and bus driver. I even got a bunch of things wrapped. That's a huge accomplishment for me, considering I am wrapping things on the eve of Christmas Eve normally!

As Stampin' Up! demonstrators, we get to see and order the next mini catalog items before everyone else. The next one is called the Occasions Mini Catalog, and it starts January 4. It's got a wide variety of products, but for this card, I focused on the Sweet Cake stamp set and Sweet Shop Specialty dsp.

Here's a close-up of the cupcake stamp, which comes with three different greetings - the birthday one on the card, Be My Valentine, and You're So Sweet.

This photo shows the Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I used the Early Espresso ink pad to ink up the entire stamp, then used a blender pen to wipe the brown ink off of the heart and cherry, and added color with a marker.

This card for my niece, Erika, who has a birthday in January. I used the sketch provided at A La Card Monkey:

Isn't that little piglet adorable in the red, rubber boots? It's a clean and simple sketch. I hope you'll take a peek at what Shirley Su! came up with over at http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com, then put together a card of your own and link it up at http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com. Have a great weekend!

Stamps:Sweet Cake;

Ink: Early Espresso, Calypso Coral;

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Sweet Shop Specialty dsp;

Accessories: Designer In Color Brads, paper piercer and mat pack, dimensionals, 5/8" Whisper White satin ribbon.

Join my stampin' team for only $125 December 13 or 14

2011-12-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled to be able to offer the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit (normally $175) for only $125 on December 13 and 14, 2011. This is a perfect early Christmas gift just for YOU!

I'm able to offer this special because I'm attending the SU! Leadership Conference next month.

What you need to know:

You pick either the Standard or Digital Starter Kit ($355 value);
You'll get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper February thru December of 2012! (Up to a $120 value!!!);
You'll save 30% on your first order of $150+ in the first 45 days;
You'll become a member of my American Ink team, and enjoy monthly get-togethers where we stamp and swap ideas and make new friends!
When you sign up online through my SU! website (http://therubberroom.stampinup.net) you'll be up and going in less than 30 minutes, and enjoy thousands of terrific stampin' ideas on our demonstrator-only website;
You'll be able to take advantage of a demonstrator-only preorder of Occasions Mini Catalog products AND earn Sale-a-Bration products at the same time!
There's no obligation to do anything except enjoy your kit and products.
If you'd like to continue receiving a discount on all of your orders, your first demonstrator sales quota of $300 wouldn't be due till March 31, 2012.

I hope this gets you as excited as I am! It's a fabulous deal, and it's only available for 2 days. So share this with your friends and family. And Happy Holidays to YOU!

A Beautiful Season for Monkey Challenge #86: Holidays and BLOG CANDY!

2011-12-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

I like natural and non-glittery Christmas cards, as well as the sparkly snowmen. This card follows a sketch on the A La Card Monkey blog. The bird image comes from the Beautiful Season stamp set, with the words from Petite Pairs. The big scallop circle came from the Perfect Pennants die for the Big Shot, and there's Hollyberry Bouquet dsp on the card too.

Visit Shirley's blog here to see what she came up with using the same sketch. Then create a card of your own using the sketch and link it to http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com. There's BLOG CANDY for this challenge - the Warmest of Wishes stamp set. Whoo hoo!!!

Stamps: Beautiful Season, Petite Pairs;

Ink: Basic Brown, Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Sahara Sand;

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Hollyberry Bouquet dsp (Holiday Mini);

Accessories: Basic Pearls, oval and oval scallop punches, Circles Die, Perfect Pennants die, Petals a Plenty embossing folder, 1/8" Real Red taffeta ribbon, aqua painter, dimensionals.

A Simple Sounding Joy card

2011-12-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Sounding Joy is such a pretty stamp set to use for Christmas cards. These colors are Whisper White, Bashful Blue and Riding Hood Red. It's a very simple card - just stamping, a couple of layers of card stock and ribbon - that I used for a 10-card class. I always try to have a mix of fun snowman cards and more serious religious cards to send out. I'm adding this card to Shirley's Winter Wednesday Blog Hop (basically it's for any Christmas project you might make) at Look at My Cute Stuff.

You have until next Tuesday to come up with something and add it to the Blog Hop! If you click the FOLLOW button, you might also win a cute little owl named Maggie that Shirley made herself. (BONUS!!!)

Kidoodles Christmas card

2011-12-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

This is a bright and cheery Christmas card using the Just Eat Cake dsp and the elf from Kidoodles. This was one of the designs for a 10-card class. The card stock colors used are Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, and Tangerine Tango. The decorative strip was made using the Tasteful Trim diecut for the Big Shot, then I added little dabs of Dazzling Details for added glitz.

The close-up shows the Dazzling Details on the elf's hat and under his feet. I used markers to color the image. Hope you have a fantastic day!

I'm adding this card to Shirley's Winter Wednesday Christmas Blog Hop! She's giving away an adorable stuffed owl (named Maggie) that she designer herself with Stampin' Up! fabric. It's FABULOUS!!! All you have to do is Follow Shirley's blog here.

Button Buddies snowman for Christmas card

2011-12-07T23:11:00.000-08:00

Button Buddies is one of my favorite stamp sets. I used an Old Olive button with Old Olive card stock for this card made at a recent 10-card class. It uses Early Espresso/Whisper White Baker's Twine, as well as a Designer Frame (I stamped the snowman first, then embossed the frame around him). The sentiment is from the Snow Much Fun stamp set. I CASE'd this card from Renee at Stamping for Sanity.

This card is going on Shirley Su's Winter Wednesday Blog Hop. She's giving away an absolutely adorable handcrafted owl (she designed it!) to a Follower. So create a Christmas project, upload it at http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com, then Follow Shirley's blog and you'll be that much closer to a new stuffed friend named Maggie. And we all need new friends, don't we?

Kindness Matters for Monkey Challenge #85

2011-12-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

I've taken care of all of my Christmas cards, so now it's time to focus on creating "Thank You" cards. This card is for A La Card Monkey Challenge #85: Thanks + Sketch. It uses the Kindness Matters stamp set, along with Beau Chateau designer series paper.

After coloring the Soft Suede image with Stampin' Pastels (Marina Mist and Regal Rose), I added some Dazzling Details to the inside of each wing.

Check out what Shirley Su! did over at Look at My Cute Stuff, then stamp a card and upload it to http:///alacardmonkey.blogspot.com. It's fun!

Stamps: Kindness Matters;

Ink: Soft Suede;

Paper: Beau Chateau, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Soft Suede;

Accessories: Neutral brads, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, 5/8" Certainly Celery satin ribbon, paper piercer and mat pack, dimensionals, Dazzling Details.

Another gift idea: Homemade crafters' scrub with MDS tag

2011-11-29T15:53:00.000-08:00

In my quest to make Christmas gifts for friends and family this year, I came across an easy "recipe" for a Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub here. It's for use on your hands and body, and especially good to remove ink and glue and other stuff that gets on our crafty hands. It's 100 percent natural and edible. You can't beat that! I added a ripped strip of Spice Cake fabric around the jar, a cheap spoon (10 cents) from a thrift store, and a tag I designed using My Digital Studio. The back is printed too - I'll have to add a photo of that later!

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 cup + 1 Tblsp oil (Sunflower, Safflower, Vegetable - your choice)

Mix and put it into either 2 pint jars or 4 half-pint jars. These keep well in sealed, sanitized glass containers for months. Just keep them out of direct sunlight.

My card was one picked for Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge!

2011-11-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

How cool is this? My Jolliest Time of Year card was picked on the Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge blog as one of the team's top picks. I'd added my card to the Stampin' Up! demonstrator gallery on Stampin' Connection, and received a comment from a demo saying I should enter it on the Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge, so I did!

Click here to read more about info on creating my winning card!

Christmas gift idea: Tile coasters with designer paper

2011-11-27T18:07:00.000-08:00

This could quite possibly be the easiest Christmas gift you could ever make. And it's inexpensive. I picked up some tumbled marble tiles at Home Depot. These are 4" square. I used a foam brush to cover the top of the washed (these always seem to be covered with a fine powder) tile with Mod Podge, placed a 3-3/4" square piece of Spice Cake designer series paper on top, and then added another layer of Mod Podge to seal the paper on the tile. Give that at least 15-20 minutes to dry, then spray a Clear Acrylic Coat on top (you can select from matte and glossy. I like the matte.). There are felt "feet" under each corner of the tile. You can get these at a Dollar Store. Or you could add a felt or cork square to the underside, if you have either of those on hand. That's it! I plan on wrapping these up with a pretty bow and presenting it to a friend.

Just a few days left to get quality SU! product for up to 60% off!

2011-11-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

There are some great stamp sets for 40% to 50% off: Every Little Bit, Winter Post, Perfect Punches, Many Merry Messages, Occasions Alphabet, and Flight of the Butterfly. Don't forget the Clearance Rack items too. You can view them all at http://www.stampinup.com. Remember that if you order through me (http://therubberroom.stampinup.net and then click SHOP NOW), you'll get the Preferred Pricing.

Punched owl party favor box for holiday goodies

2011-11-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

I'm loving that this is only Saturday. I feel like this has been a restful break already, and I get more time to do more crafting! Bonus!!!

As I was cruising blogs one day, I came across a cute owl box by Julie Davidson. The body is Basic Black card stock that's been run through the Party Favor Box die for the Big Shot. The feathers are Sahara Sand strips of card stock that have been punched with the Scallop Border Punch and sponged on the scallops. The feet and beak are Tangerine Tango card stock strips that have been punched with the Petite Pennants Builder. The whites of my eyes are bigger than Julie's. I used a 1-1/4" punch with a 1/2" Basic Black circle for the eye. This is such a simple and cute box to make. My daughter helped make several of these for a holiday bazaar. And my club members got to make this as a bonus project this month. I think it makes a terrific stocking stuff, or you could put goodies in it for a gift for your neighbors. Whatever you do with it, enjoy! And have an awesome day.

Christmas Lodge for Monkey Challenge 84

2011-11-25T20:48:00.000-08:00

I've been busy all day crafting with my daughter. I created home decor items while she painted things to hang on her newly redecorated walls in her room. So when it came time to create a card for Monkey Challenge #84: Anything Goes + Sketch, I opted to keep my card simple. And while I was at it, I thought this would be perfect for the inspiration challenge at http://handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com.

The lodge stamp is from Christmas Lodge, and the sentiment is from Holiday Happiness. Both were stamped in Early Espresso. I added glitter to the lodge's snowy roof and ground with a 2-way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I added a strip of flowers with the Petals A Plenty embossing folder, and also rounded opposite corners on the layers and the card. I hope you like it!

Here's the sketch I followed. Check out what Shirley came up with here, and then make your own card and link it to http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com. And while you're at it, enter your card into's Shirley's Winter Wednesday Blog Hop!

You need to add this badge, link your card on Shirley's blog - http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com - and add the blog hope code to your post!

Falling Leaves and a Thanksgiving to remember

2011-11-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the most relaxing Thanksgiving I can remember. Seriously, it was laid back and just... nice. Though I woke up early to put the turkey in the oven, my hubby had awakened a bit earlier and prepped it. I can't stand pulling those gizzard and neck parts out of the cavity. Blech. It makes me want to be a vegetarian every year! Anyway, I went back to bed for a couple more hours. It was heaven.

When I woke up the second time, I was able to lounge around in my pajamas and enjoy a couple cups of coffee while returning texts and emails of Thanksgiving greetings. I am grateful for all of you, my family and friends, my customers and downline, for all of our American soldiers serving our country and making sacrifices for us, and for good health and a warm home. By the time our guests arrived, everything was ready. I had caught a few minutes of "The Chew" (my newest favorite TV show) earlier in the week and saw how to carve a turkey. Those minutes paid off when I was able to carve our turkey perfectly! I wish I would've taken a photo of the drumsticks and meat on the platter. Yes, I am proud of myself! It took just minutes.

This photo cracks me up. Our cat, Frito, looked ready to pounce on Eric as Eric was sighting his rifle on the dining room floor yesterday evening. The cat never did pounce! Off in the corner, you can see cardboard boxes the kids have turned into a kitty condo for Frito.

Now for the stamping portion of the blog:

I made slight changes to this card I CASE'd from Heather Klump. The Woodgrain stamp was inked in Early Espresso and stamped on Pumpkin Pie card stock, with a knot of Early Espresso quilted ribbon and a scallop trim border-punched strip of Cherry Cobbler. Leaves from Falling Leaves were stamped in three colors and punched out and adhered with dimensionals.

Owl turned turkey for Thanksgiving favor

2011-11-25T20:20:00.000-08:00

I think the owl punch is fabulous! You can use it to make an owl (of course!), a penguin, ghost, and now a turkey. I'm sure I missed a few other things this terrific punch can do... but we'll explore that at a later date. This adorable favor uses the Two Tags die for the Big Shot. I ran it through the Square Lattice embossing folder before adding 1-1/4" wide Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon with a knot of natural hemp around it. It's just big enough to hold a treat - in this case, a fun size Hershey's chocolate bar. Also, instead of stamping "Happy Thanksgiving" as you see here, you could easily write a person's name and use this for a placecard. The turkey's tailfeathers are two flowers punches from the 5-petal flower punch. The beak and snood (the red thing that hangs down on a turkey) was made with Pumpkin Pie and Real Red card stock punched from the little heart on the owl punch. I CASE'd this favor from another blogger.

Quick Polar Party card for 10-card class

2011-11-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

I came up with this quick and easy Christmas card for a recent 10-card class. It uses the Polar Party stamps with Just Eat Cake dsp and Baja Breeze and Poppy Parade card stocks. I used markers to color the images.

Stampin' Up! is having a Holiday Extravaganza thru November 30. You can find great deals (20% to 60% off). Here's the link:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Online_X_flyer_US.pdf

Tips: Select me as your demonstrator for this preferred pricing. You may ONLY order these items ONLINE. My website is: http://therubberroom.stampinup.net, then you click on SHOP NOW at the top right of the screen under my info.

Please contact me if you need assistance or have any questions.

Order Online and Save 20% - TODAY ONLY!

2011-11-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

* These are the prices if you don't have a demo. If you do, then the Simply Scored is only $23.96 and the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are $13.56.

Remember, you need to order these items ONLINE through my Stampin' Up! store - http://TheRubberRoom.stampinup.net - in order to save the 20 percent on the two items above TODAY.

Here are other Online Extravaganza deals: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Online_X_flyer_US.pdf

Highlights from the link above include:

20% off Candy Wrapper Die
25% off My Digital Studio Digital Downloads
30% off 1/2" Scallop Dot Ribbon Bundle, Glimmer Brads Bundle, and some Decor Elements
40% off some stamp sets/bundles and Digital Downloads
50% off some stamp sets (incl. a couple of Christmas sets!) and fabric
60% off Deck the Halls and Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric

Tri-fold French Foliage card for a Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

My club members made this tri-fold card using Spice Cake dsp, Early Espresso quilted ribbon, and French Foliage stamps. The most important tip for this card is to only punch through one layer of paper at a time with the 1-3/8" square punch.

When you open the top flap, you see two leaves and more dsp.

Then there's room for your message when the card is open all of the way. The sentiment used here is from Grateful Greetings.

Measurements:

5-1/2" x 10-1/2" card stock body (score at 3-1/2" and 7-1/8")
5-1/2" x 2" (cut 2) pieces of designer series paper
5-1/2" x 2-1/4" (cut 2) pieces of card stock
13" ribbon
Scrap paper to stamp and punch with 1-1/4" square punch

Stamps: French Foliage, Grateful Greetings, Teeny Tiny Wishes;

Ink: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Most Mustard, Old Olive;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Early Espresso card stocks, Spice Cake dsp

Accessories: 1-3/8" square punch, 1-1/4" square punch, Early Espresso quilted ribbon, Modern Label Punch, dimensionals, Word Window Punch.

Gently Falling stamps used for Autumn card

2011-11-20T19:43:00.000-08:00

Club members made this Autumn card, which I CASE'd from Heather Klump. It uses patterned paper from Frostwood Lodge, quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon, and stamps from the Gently Falling set. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings.

Jolliest Time of the Year for Monkey 83: All Holidays!

2011-11-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

I pulled out the silver glimmer paper, clear rhinestone brads, and basic rhinestones for this week's A La Card Monkey Challenge 83: All Holidays + Sketch and Hand Stamped Sentiments. Lots of bling!

The monkey sketch shows three images across the front, but after cutting out one snowman from Jolliest Time of the Year, I opted for a couple of silver glimmer snowflakes! The buttons are from the Neutral and Brights packs, and the patterned paper on the front is from Timeless Portrait dsp. This was the first time I made an accordion rosette from silver glimmer paper. You can do it! It takes a little more persistence than the lighter-weight dsp, but it's worth it, I think.

Pop on over to Shirley Su's blog here to see what she created for this same sketch. Her mojo is rockin' this week. While you're at it, why not submit your card to her Winter Wednesday Blog Hop too? Two challenges with one card! What a deal.

Winter Wednesday Christmas Blog Hop... want to join the fun, here is all you have to do.

1. Add badge to post with link back to my blog.

2. Anything goes, it just has to be Christmas.

3. Has to be a new post.

4. Add the Hop to your Post

I love the sketch this week on A La Card Monkey. It's very clean and simple and, well, CUTE! So now it's your turn to try your hand at creating something following the sketch. Make a Christmas card! We all need those....

Stamps: Jolliest Time of the Year, Merry Christmas;

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, and Pumpkin Pie markers;

Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Basic Black, silver glimmer, Timeless Portrait dsp;

Accessories: Northern Frost decorative strip die for the Big Shot, clear rhinestones, Neutrals buttons, Brights buttons, basic rhinestones, Neutral watercolor crayons, Simply Scored, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Tombow Liquid Adhesive.

Last batch of American Ink team swaps

2011-11-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

By Barb

By Michelle

More team swaps and demos

2011-11-16T07:58:00.000-08:00

In addition to swapping cards, I ask for volunteers in my American Ink group to demonstrate different techniques and card ideas. Shirley demonstrated a technique where you use a sponge to apply Shimmer White Frost (or other Shimmer color) to a card front or layer that's been run through an embossing folder. It really brings out the texture AND adds a lovely shimmer. She used it on her swap that I posted yesterday.

Michelle demonstrated how her swing card (shown below) went together and how to cut it. And Frankie demonstrated how to cut and put together a triangle card (not pictured).

By Mary Ann

By Kim

By Heather

By Michelle

By Puddin'

There's always room in our group for YOU! If you'd like to join us, please email me at ericandterry@comcast.net. You can be my guest at an upcoming team meeting. All it takes to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is purchasing a Starter Kit.

A handful of swaps and make & takes from our American Ink team event

2011-11-15T22:02:00.000-08:00

We had our monthly American Ink team meeting last weekend, and there were some great swaps and make & takes. Lots of food goodies, too!

Our December event is our annual Christmas Party! I'm looking forward to it. We make handmade gifts, wrap them prettily, and choose numbers. We're having a brunch and holiday music too.

Shirley's swap

Frankie's swap

Mary Ann's make & take

Kim's make & take

Barb's winning entry uses Snow Much Fun

2011-11-14T10:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! For me, that means laundry, grocery shopping and cleaning. And I plan on having lunch with a friend, along with a little stamping.

I'd love to take credit for the card below, but it was made by my friend and downline, Barb. She entered this in my Merry Winter Spectacular Card Contest, taking home top honors. The jingle bells on the ribbon are adorable!

Here's what the card looks like closed. The sentiment is from the stamp set Many Merry Messages.

As you pull the ribbon to the right, the snowman panel on the left appears. Those Snow Much Fun stamps are so cute, and well-colored. It's definitely a "Wow" card.

Snow Much Fun and Timeless Portrait dsp

2011-11-13T09:59:00.000-08:00

I broke open my pack of Timeless Portrait dsp so I could play with new colors for my Snow Much Fun Christmas card. This card is Island Indigo, which is a first for me. Using a sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, I made this card for my American Ink team meeting swap. The sentiment is from Short & Sweet.

I'm also adding this card to Shirley's Christmas Blog Hop. It's amazing to think how close we are to Christmas - it's next month! Yikes.

How are you doing on your Christmas cards? I've got a 10-card class on Thursday at 6 p.m. if you need more. Email me by Tuesday at ericandterry@comcast.net. Thanks!

Welcome Home Christmas card for Monkey challenge

2011-11-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

This week for the A La Card Monkey Challenge 82: Anything Goes, I decided to go with the Welcome Home stamp set and Mocha Morning Specialty Paper. The paper is so elegant. The top design is flocked, and very soft. The card base is Soft Suede, and I used Glimmer Basics brads. Though the sketch called for words above the ribbon, I put them inside the card.

Check out Shirley's card at http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/, then make your own and place it on our Monkey Blog! I'm also adding my card to Shirley's Christmas Blog Hop. Weeks of fun and great Christmas ideas!

Here's the sketch:

Stamps: Welcome Home;
Ink: Jet Black StazOn;
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Basic Black, Mocha Morning Specialty Paper;
Accessories: Glimmer Basics brads, 1/8" Basic Black taffeta, 1-3/4" circle punch, scallop circle punch, paper piercer and mat pack.

Terrific Christmas cards for swaps and contest

2011-11-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

First, I'd like to thank everyone who has or is serving our country in the military! Happy Veterans Day. I know to many people it's a day off from work or school, but hopefully you'll take a moment to think of and thank those in the Armed Forces.

Now to stamping. The overall quality of the card swaps and Card Contest entries at my Merry Winter Spectacular was awesome! Enjoy them below. I have the creator's name under the photo if I have it. Thanks!

Linda's swap

Barb's swap

Linda's card contest entry

Beth's card contest entry

Heather's card contest entry

Mary Ann's card contest entry

Karen's swap

Marcia card contest entry

Fireplace and Merry Winter snowmen tops at Card Contest

2011-11-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

Karen (aka Puddin') won my Merry Winter Spectacular Card Contest with this fabulous fireplace card and the Stitched Stockings stamp set. She used the Simply Scored tool to make the brick look on the Cherry Cobbler fireplace, made the flames from the Bold Blossom Punch, and the logs from the Word Window Punch. The stockings are also punched, and sport sparkly rhinestones and Cherry Cobbler/Whisper White Baker's Twice. Karen gold-embossed "Season's Greetings" on the woodgrain strip (the mantle), and used the Eyelet Border Punch for trim.

Shirley took third place with her gorgeous Merry Winter card, which uses silver glimmer paper, along with Spice Cake dsp, a rosette and big button and medium jewelry tags. Shirley (aka Guadalupe) also took care of the food at my event, which featured her homemade enchiladas, a soft taco/burrito bar, and homemade authentic flan by Hal, Shirley's hubby. I've got a photo of that!

Barb was in the Top 3 of my Card Contest, but I didn't end up with her card at home, for some reason! When I do, I'll be sure to include it here. All of the entries were beautiful. I'll post more later.

Five Merry Winter Spectacular projects

2011-11-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

I planned a Merry Winter Spectacular around the Merry Winter stamp set, and 20 people signed up to attend the Sunday event. I send out a list of supplies for everything to bring, trying to keep it as short as possible. I pre-punched and ran as much through the Big Shot as possible. Everyone was able to complete everything in just two hours. The card above uses the 1-3/4" circle punch, Frostwood Lodge dsp, and the Pennants die and Petal Cone die for the Big Shot.

I host a Card Contest with prizes for the Top 3. Everyone present votes on their favorites. I'll post all of the contest entries in the next day or so. This card uses Hollyberry Bouquet dsp (the glittery red stripes are on 2 sheets in the pack), the 2" circle punch, little heart punch and 3/4" and 1" circle punches.

There's also swapping at the event, along with lunch. I asked my BFF Shirley to take charge of lunch, which was a Mexican taco bar with freshly made tortillas from Central Market. Shirley also made delicious enchiladas, and her hubby, Hal, made an incredibly authentic flan. Yum! The card above uses designer paper from the Christmas Scrappin' Kit in the Holiday Mini, along with the Pennant die (for the scallop circle), and 1-3/4" circle punch.

I love looking around and seeing so many women crafting. There's a nice buzz in the room that just makes me happy! I used the Pocket Pieces die for the Big Shot to make the gift card holder above. Everyone could select the embossing folder of their choice. The quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon acts as a belly band. You slide it down, insert the gift card and slide it back up.

And what would a Christmas event be without a stocking? Again, everyone could select whichever embossing folder they liked. I love the stitched felt pieces. We used every single stamp in the Merry Winter set to make all of these projects. And many women received a door prize too! It was a great day. Thanks again to everyone who attended!

Stamps: Merry Winter;

Ink: Basic Black pad and marker, Real Red pad and marker, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie marker;

Paper: Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede, Glimmer Red, Hollyberry Bouquet, Frostwood Lodge, Christmas Simply Scrappin' Kit.

Accessories: 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1-3/4" circle punch, 2" circle punch, variety of embossing folders, Pennants die, Petal Cone die, Stocking die, Pocket Pieces die, heart punch, ruffled Lucky Limeade ribbon, quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon, stitched felt, sponge dauber, dimensionals.

Snow Much Fun Christmas card with Frostwood Lodge dsp

2011-11-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

This Snow Much Fun card was one of my recent 10-card class projects. The snowman is stamped on a 2" circle I punched. The Christmas banner comes from the Pines & Poinsettias stamp set. We cut off some detail above the word. I pulled the Marina Mist and Cherry Cobbler colors from the Frostwood Lodge dsp, adding scallop dotted Marina Mist ribbon too. After coloring the image and putting the card together, I added Dazzling Details. I'm really diggin' that stuff. Squirt it exactly where you want it and let it dry for about 15 minutes and it adds glitter and dimension! Love it!!!

I want to say "Hi" to all the terrific people I met yesterday at the Eagles Holiday Bazaar. It was a fun day, hanging out with my friend Shirley, and meeting my new friend, Jayna, who makes fun necklaces out of Scrabble tiles. Hopefully some of you will be finding your way to my classes sometime soon! Have a wonderful Sunday. I'll be at the studio this afternoon for my Merry Winter Spectacular. I'm expecting a lot of people, so it should be fun!

Plant Hope thank-you card for Monkey Challenge #81

2011-11-04T23:56:00.000-07:00

Fall is officially here! I love it. And the colors in the Spice Cake dsp remind me of the season, which is why I picked that paper to use with the Plant Hope bonsai plant. I used Pool Party ruffled ribbon with a designer brad to hold the extended Word Window for the sentiment. I ran a strip of Early Espresso card stock through the Tasteful Trim die for the big scallop, and added a few pearls. The plant was inked with markers, then I used an aqua painter and More Mustard pad to color the pot.

You can see the sketch I used below. Check out what Shirley did over on http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/. Then create your own card using the sketch and upload it to http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com/. It's fun!

Tutorial: How to Extend the Word Window Punch

2011-11-04T23:50:00.000-07:00

In just a few easy steps, I can show you how you can use the same punch to make an extended length tag. Here, I folded a strip of Very Vanilla card stock.

Insert the folded card stock into the punch, but not all the way.

This is what you end up with. Just straighten out the tag and stamp on it.

Here's the difference. I needed a longer Word Window for "A Note of Thanks," so this worked out perfectly!

Tidings of Joy watercolored card

2011-11-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, this was one of the cards for my last 10-card class. It has a lot of coloring! That's not normal for a "quick" card. In hindsight, I should've done the Spotlighting with a Punch technique, so only a small circle of the image would need colored. This was also the first card I made, so I was trying out different colors on the main Tidings of Joy image. I liked my coloring job on the second card, but it's on a display board at my studio. I hope you enjoy your Friday! Check back tonight for a new A La Card Monkey challenge!

Easy Events mistletoe fun

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here's another card from my latest 10-card class. It uses one stamp - the mistletoe witih "merry christmas" from the Easy Events set. I CASE'd the design from A New Ink on Life blog, changing the colors and adding designer paper.

The Sounding Joy with silver glimmer

2011-11-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

I love this card! It uses The Sounding Joy stamp set (in the Holiday Mini), along with Cherry Cobbler, silver glimmer paper, and Crumb Cake card stock and ribbon. I CASE'd it from Jen Sannes at http://www.simpleandsincere.com/. Isn't it lovely? My customers got to make two of this card at my latest stamp-a-stack, and I have Red Hat Ladies coming to the studio tomorrow morning to make it.

Halloween fun! No stamping here...

2011-11-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

I've had a fun couple last days... not only preparing for Halloween, but enjoying the festivities that surround the holiday. Above, my boy works on his detailed pumpkin design. He was happy to enjoy the roasted pumpkin seeds I made.

When we were shopping for Halloween costumes Saturday, I picked up this Ollie the Ostrich outfit. It has a cooling fan that runs on AA batteries and keeps the ostrich inflated. It's so cute! My girl was a pirate at two different Halloween parties, and went out last night in our neighborhood with her dad's cowboy hat and Ollie.

No black cat for Halloween. This is our orange tabby kitty, Frito. Doesn't he look cute (and innocent)? He's only 8 months old.

Three more quick and easy cards for Christmas

2011-10-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

I CASE'd this pretty card, though I can't recall from where. It's Very Vanilla with the mistletoe stamp from Easy Events (I mounted the image on the wood block separately from the sentiment). The greeting is from Four the Holidays. New products on this card from the Holiday Mini are the stitched vanilla velvet ribbon, and the Snow Burst embossing folder (on a separate piece of vanilla card stock).

I CASE'd this card from Lisa Young, simplifying it by leaving off a layer or two. It uses the Bright Hopes stamp set in the Holiday Mini, along with the Postage Stamp Punch, Decorative Label Punch and basic rhinestones.

This Rich Razzleberry card features the Stitched Stockings stamp set, along with the Stocking Builder Punch and a tag sentiment from Grateful Greetings. I used all of the bigger patterned pieces for my customers, so my card is pieced together with a couple of patterned scraps. There's Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the card too.

It's taken me awhile to post all five of the cards from my last 10-card class. I still have club cards to show you!

Origami diamond fold card with Ain't Love Grand stamp

2011-10-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

My club members got to make this origami diamond fold card, which uses Cheery Treat dsp and the Up, Up & Away and Ain't Love Grand stamp sets. The paper and second stamp set are hostess items anyone may select with a $150 order! The new scoring tool (in the Holiday Mini) makes this card so simple. The top flap inserts into the front diamond shape, and the Concord Crush knot of ribbon holds the whole card closed.

Here's the inside of the card. We stamped the hot air balloon in Basic Gray ink, and punched a circle out of patterned paper in the same Cheery Treat dsp pack for added interest. I colored the hearts with a Melon Mambo marker.

This is a closer view of the inside. This card uses an 11" x 11" piece of patterned paper, folded in half and then scored. Here's a video so you can see it being made: http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/dare-to-get-dirty-origami-diamond-fold.html

Lots of little Jolly Bingo Bits for Monkey Challenge #80

2011-10-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty happy with the way this card turned out. I started with Just Eat Cake dsp layered on a Baja Breeze card, then, using the A La Card Monkey Sketch Challenge #80 (see at the bottom of this post), I stamped nine of the images from Jolly Bingo Bits and layered them on a 3-3/8" square of Poppy Parade card stock. They're so cute! The sentiment is from Beautiful Season.

In addition to Dazzling Diamond glitter, I used a red Sharpie to color these small rhinestones for berries on the holly. What do you think?

Now go visit Shirley's blog here, then create a card using the sketch below and upload it to the A La Card Monkey blog. Just have fun! You can pick any occasion.

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits, Beautiful Season;

Ink: Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze;

Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Just Eat Cake dsp;

Accessories: Poppy Parade ribbon, basic rhinestones, red Sharpie, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 1-inch square punch, large oval punch, dimensionals.

Pines & Poinsettias snowflake embossed card

2011-10-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

I'm always looking for simple and striking card ideas, so when I saw a card like this Pines and Poinsettias one by Becky Johnson, I had to CASE it (Copy and Share Everything). The body is Early Espresso, and it's been run through the Northern Flurry embossing folder in the Big Shot. I used a strip of the quilted Cherry Cobbler ribbon, as well one stamp from the Pines and Poinsettias stamp set. Both items are in the Holiday Mini. The greeting is from the Petite Pairs stamp set. This was another 10-card class project.

Tags til Christmas card for 10-card class

2011-10-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

I came across this card design by Meghan Nishi, I used Not Quite Navy and Cajun Craze pads, as well as 1/8" Early Espresso taffeta and a different greeting - mine is from Grateful Greetings. The ornaments are from the Tags til Christmas stamp set. I love the musical notes wheeled for the background!

Jolly Bingo Bits for Monkey Challenge 79: Holiday Cheer

2011-10-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

We're back to making holiday cards at A La Card Monkey with Challenge #79: Holiday Cheer + Sketch. I turned to my Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set, as well as Tiny Tags. The designer paper is from the Holly Berry Bouquet pack in the Holiday Mini. I used the Postage Stamp Punch and the Square Scallop Punch for the squares, primarily because my regular 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" square punches are at the studio for another project.

Check out what Shirley Su! came up with for the challenge here, then create your own Holiday Cheer and upload it at http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com/.

All dots for Scaredy Cat card

2011-10-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

I brought this Scaredy Cat card as a make & take to Shirley's Halloween event last weekend. It was a blast! There were 9 or 10 make & takes, lots of candy for the 3d items, and great Halloween decorations (always!!!).

I like the simplicity of the card. It uses a couple pieces of Frightful Sight dsp, along with a couple of circle punches, a sentiment from Wicked Cool, black ink and 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, and a Brights glimmer brad. This is my submission into Shirley's Monday Monster Mash Halloween Countdown. I believe this is week 11 of the 12-week blog hop! That's crazy!!! So you have this week and next to submit your Halloween creation for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $25 from the Holiday Mini!

There are rules for this Blog Hop, including: Use at least 80 percent Stampin' Up! product (current or retired) on your Halloween card, scrapbook page or 3d item, add the badge above to your blog post, and add a link to http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/. Simple, huh? Now go create!

Jenn's Frankenstein Top Note treat bag for Halloween fun!

2011-10-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Jenn brought all the punched Old Olive, Basic Black and Whisper White card stock needed to make this Halloween Frankie treat. She started with a black bag, and added the sponged Top Note (die for the Big Shot, which you can get FREE this month when you buy the Starter Kit!). The scars and smile were added with a black marker, and we used a white gel pen to add highlights to the eyes. Cute! This project is going into Shirley's Halloween Countdown blog hop. Read more here:

There are some easy rules to follow for Shirley's blog hop - mainly that you should primarily use Stampin' Up! current or retired product for your creation (80 percent SU! is okay), and you need to add your Halloween project to the blog hop, with a link back to http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/.

Kim's Out on a Limb "eeek!" card

2011-10-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Kim stamped this cute Out on a Limb card, using Spooky Bingo Bits for the little spider web and the "eeek!" I love the simple layout - it's one you could use for any occasion. And this card is for Shirley's Monday Monster Mash Halloween Countdown.

Here are the rules:

1. It has to be Halloween - a card or 3D item.
2. It does not have to be 100%; SU 80% is ok.

3. Yes, using retired Stampin' Up! stuff is OK.

4. Use the Monster Mash Badge/Graphic in your post and a link back to http://lookatmystuff.blogspot.com/.

5. Add your card to the blog hop then put the code on your post.

6. You can enter as many times as you like, just has to be a new card and post.

The Blog Hop is every Monday for 12 weeks. Shirley is picking a favorite every week for 12 weeks and then out of the 12, picking a Grand Prize winner. The Prize is $25.00 in cool stuff from the Holiday Mini. The winner will be announced on Halloween.

Teresa's Petal Cone die Halloween treat

2011-10-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

One of my club members came up with this cute Halloween treat for a recent Halloween event that Shirley hosted last Saturday. Teresa used the Petal Cone die for the Big Shot, cutting off the tip. We stamped the spider from the Piece of Poison all over the box, added candy and closed the top. I love the addition of the plastic spider. The "Trick or Treat" stamps is also from Piece of Poison. This fun project is being entered into Shirley's Monday Monster Mash Halloween Countdown.

Here are the rules:

1. It has to be Halloween - a card or 3D item.
2. It does not have to be 100% SU!; 80% is ok.

3. Using retired Stampin' Up! stuff is OK.

4. Use my Monster Mash Badge/Graphic in your post and a link back to http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/
5. Add your card to the blog hop, then put the code on your post.
6. You can enter as many times as you like. It just has to be a new card and post.

The Blog Hop is every Monday for 12 weeks. Shirley is picking a favorite every week for 12 weeks, and then out of the 12, she'll pick a Grand Prize winner. The Prize is $25.00 in new cool stuff from the Holiday Mini. The winner will be announced on Halloween.

Dark & Dreary for Monkey Challenge 78: Spooky Cute!

2011-10-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

My card for this week's A La Card Monkey Challenge 78: Spooky Cute + Sketch starts with Mocha Morning Specialty Paper (this piece is flocked and sooo soft) and the raven from the Dark & Dreary stamp set. I figured since I was going with flocking I should also bling it up a bit with some chunky champagne glitter. The monkey sketch also showed a tab with an embellishment, so I heat embossed words from Wicked Cool and added a glimmer brad from the basics container - champagne colored also.

Pop on over to Shirley's blog to see what she came up with using the sketch below. You can visit her at http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/. Then you can create your own Spooky Cute card and upload it on our A La Card Monkey blog! I can't wait!!!

I'm adding this card to Shirley's Monday Monster Mash Halloween Countdown. We're only a couple of weeks away from Halloween, so we've got to make every day count, right?

There's a Grand Prize involved with Shirley's blog hop. Here are the rules:

1. It must be a Halloween item - card, scrapbook page, or 3d item.

2. It should be at least 80 percent Stampin' Up!.

3. Retired Stampin' Up! counts.

4. Use the badge in your post, as well as a link to http://loookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com.

5. Add your card to the Blog Hop, then add the code to your post.

6. Enter as many times as you wish, though it needs to be a new creation and new post.

Autumn and Christmas cards, and a birthday swap

2011-10-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Barb's Gently Falling swap

These cards round out the rest of our American Ink team swaps for the month of October. We have fun swapping card and 3d ideas, sharing business tips, stamping techniques, and stamping cards! The $100 in FREE product special runs through October 31 and you can sign up online through my Stampin' Up! website here - http://therubberroom.stampinup/. You get to customize your $175 kit with whatever stamp sets and colors you prefer! Please contact me if you need more information or assistance. That's why I'm here!

Kim's Leaves of a Tree

The Sounding Joy stamp set

Kathie's Christmas Lodge swap

Ginette's Sincere Salutations and Fun Flowers swap

All kinds of Halloween fun at American Ink team event

2011-10-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

My American Ink monthly team get-togethers are fun - we swap, we stamp make & takes, and enjoy good food and each other's company. Even our team members who live out of state have the opportunity to participate in our swaps!

I know I posted most of the make & takes yesterday, but today I'm featuring Frankie's. She created this adorable "eek-a-boo" card with Spooky Bingo Bits and Teeny Tiny Wishes. This card also features some Frightful Sight dsp and the Pinking Hearts Border Punch.

Now onto the swaps: (These are just the Halloween ones!)

Terry's Haunted Forest with Pick Your Poison dsp

Dark & Dreary treat holder

Inside the treat holder is a little brown bag that holds two Smarties.

Heather A.'s House of Haunted and Wicked Cool card

Lynn's House of Haunts card with glittery bats and spiders.

Frankie's Halloween treat

Jenn's Howl-o-ween Creeps penny spinner card

Puddin's Scaredy Cat swap

Tomorrow I'll post the rest of the swaps - fall and winter cards. If you're interested in joining my American Ink team, we'd love to have you! There's a great special this month. When you buy the Starter Kit, you get $100 in product FREE (this can even be the Big Shot machine!). Click on the tab above for more details. Hope you have a wonderful day!

American Ink make & takes range from Halloween treat to Snow Much Fun

2011-10-12T18:04:00.000-07:00

Barb brought this yummy polka-dotted Pumpkin Pie Top Note treat holder as a make & take to our American Ink team meeting. Unfortunately, the Hershey Nuggets inside (3 of them) didn't last long enough for this photo! We used the Out on a Limb stamp set and scallop circle punch with dimensionals.

Heather, one of our adopted demos, brought this elegant Contempo Christmas make & take, embossed with the Northern Flurry folder and Big Shot, and some rhinestones for bling.

Kim's make & take makes good use of Spice Cake dsp and punches. The only thing stamped is the Sincere Salutation thanks.

I believe another guest demo, Joelle, brought this make & take. It uses the Snow Much Fun stamp set and Dazzling Details.

Christmas cards and more...

2011-10-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

Today are the Christmas and other cards that were entered into my Card Contest at my Scaredy Cat Spectacular. Yesterday, you saw the Halloween cards.

Karen (aka Puddin') - Snow Much Fun stamp set

Marcia - Christmas Lodge stamp set

Marcia - Field Flowers and French Foliage stamp sets

Marcia - Trendy Trees stamp set

Mary Ann

A bunch of Halloween cards from my Card Contest

2011-10-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

Heather's card was the most popular - winning First Place - at my Scaredy Cat Spectacular. I love how she used the oval punch to make the pumpkins. This was her swap too.

Second place in my Card Contest went to Shirley Su! for her awesome Scaredy Cat card. There's lot of shimmer and shine with this baby.

Third place went to my newest recruit, Jessica. She did a fabulous job with her Card Contest entry. All of the top three stampers chose some fabulous Stampin' Up! product. It was great fun! I can't wait for my Merry Winter Spectacular on November 6!!!

Here are the other Card Contest entries:

Angie Tonkin

Jennifer Buchanan

All Halloween at Shirley Su's

2011-10-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

My friend, Shirley, had a Halloween class about a week ago where we made two Halloween cards and a 3d decoration with a crow. It was so much fun! Of course the food is always spectacular - Shirley and her friend, Deanna - had been baking like crazy. There were cookies, cupcakes, and caramel apples, as well as homemade dip with a kick and more! The card above uses the Piece of Poison stamp set with Pick Your Poison dsp and one of the big designer buttons.

I love all of the details on the card above! It uses Out on a Limb and Warmest of Wishes stamp sets, along with retired set Fang-tastic. Of course the paper is from the Frightful Sight pack. For the owl, we created his wings using a Scallop Border Punch on a black strip of card stock, then took an oval punch to that. We cut the oval in half and curved each side for wings.

Let me introduce you to my new friend, Blacky. He's got a lot going for him! In addition to his custom Frightful Sight hat, complete with a feather and "Boo" tag (from Tiny Tags and hanging with a Vintage Trinket), he sports an antique brad and a brim of chunky black glitter. Ever the fashionista, Blacky also sports an accordion folded neck ring - also with glitter - and a taffeta bow that proudly holds his shiny silver key (it's turned sideways so it's hard to see).

Here's an overall photo of Blacky. He's standing on a black spool that I've wrapped with ribbon, and which is hot-glued to a 2-1/4" square block of wood that I've covered with Frightful Sight dsp. There's another accordion medallion (made with the Simply Scored tool) with two scallop circles that have been crumpled and adorned with glitter to look like flowers. The entire decoration stands only about 7 inches tall. It looks fabulous in my entry way! Thanks Shirley! To see more of Shirley's stuff, click here.

Frankie's disco dancing Howl-o-ween Creeps

2011-10-08T21:15:00.000-07:00

One of my downline, Frankie, made this super cute card for Shirley's Monday Monster Mash Halloween Countdown, and with only a few hours to spare! How cute are these Howl-o-ween Creeps disco dancing under a glittery disco ball? The little webs and spider came from Spooky Bingo Bits. I love this card and all of the details!

Here are the rules:

1. It has to be Halloween - a card or 3D item.

2. It does not have to be 100% SU!; 80% is ok.

3. Yes, using Retired is OK...

4. Use the Monster Mash Badge/Graphic in your post and a link back to my blog.

5. Add your card to the blog hop then put the code on your post.

6. You can enter as many times as you like, just has to be a new card and post.

You can read more info on Frankie's card on her Stampin' Up! website - http://craftystamper.stampinup.net/.

Don't forget to visit Shirley's blog Monday to enter your own project! There are only a few weeks left before a Grand Prize winner is chosen!!!

Haunted Forest for sketch challenge, blog hop

2011-10-07T23:41:00.000-07:00

This is the third challenge I've been able to do this week, so I'm happy. I like the simplicity of this sketch, offered at Try Stampin' On Tuesday. I used Jet Black StazOn on the Haunted Forest stamp, using a 1" punched circle to sponge Pumpkin Pie ink around to make the moon. The strips are from the Pick Your Poison dsp and quick accents packs. You can see the sketch here:

I'm adding this card to Shirley's Monday Monster Mash Halloween Countdown blog hop. Click on the link to see the rules. There's a $25 prize Shirley's giving out at the end of the countdown. There's still a bit of time to add your creation to both challenges!

Stamps: Haunted Forest;

Ink: Jet Black StazOn pad;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Pick Your Poison dsp;

Accessories: 2" circle punch, dimensionals, 1/4" Basic Black grosgrain, Pick Your Poison quick accents, sponge, 1" circle punch.