Creating framed art with stamps and punches

 

Temperatures are dropping here, so a penguin in hat and scarf doesn't seem so far fetched! I paper pieced the little guy's clothing for a special project I made for my American Ink team Christmas party gift exchange.

 



Here's the finished project. I've seen so many framed art pieces and have been wanting to make one. I used Candlelight Christmas Specialty dsp, along with a handful of punches (scallop square, 1-3/8" square, wide oval, 1-3/8" circle, mitten builder, and tag), and the Scallop Squares Duo die for the Big Shot. The colors are pulled from the dsp - Early Espresso, Red Red and Old Olive. Stamp sets used include Joyous Celebrations, No Peeking, Tags til Christmas, Word Play, Delightful Decorations, and Snow Much Fun. To add some bling, there are Brights glimmer brads on the mittens, a rhinestone on the Noel ornament, and Dazzling Diamonds glitter on several of the images.

I'll share photos of the party tomorrow! You'll love the gifts (and probably want to make them for yourself!).

Deck the halls in style with a paper cone wreath

Hello! Either you hopped here from Kim Ryden's blog or you're starting here. It doesn't matter. What matters is you made it!

I had no idea what I was getting into by making a wreath from scratch. That said, it was pretty cool. I rolled up yesterday's ad inserts to make the body of the wreath (below). After heavily taping it for support (I suggest masking tape or painter's tape), I started making cones (above) out of scallop circles, using a die for the Big Shot.

Before I show you the finished product, I'll tell you WHY I made this paper cone wreath - because the Stylin' Stampin' Squad is featuring holiday projects for our hop, which starts today! Well, that and I wanted a new wreath for my studio.

 

I decided to use a few patterns from two Festival of Prints pads I have, along with First Edition dsp (my favorite!). I used a hot glue gun to hold the cones together, then again to adhere the cones to the wreath. Be prepared - you'll need a few hundred scallop circles. Yep. That's what I said. A few hundred. Maybe four.

This project has its ugly stages too. Here's one where I just started adhering the cones above to the wreath. Start on top of the wreath as it lays flat, then fill in the middle and the sides.

 

Now before you ask, I didn't measure anything. To get off to a good start, I Googled "paper cone wreath" and found a lady who had photos of her wreath. I think she said she used 12-15 glue sticks. It's easy to lose count!

 



Ta da! The finished project. Now go and see what everybody else has created for their holiday projects! Don't forget to leave comments. We all love those! Next on this hop is Justin and his fabulous projects.

 

 



Blog Hop Participants:

1. Shellie G. of Creative Electica
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
4. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps-A-Lot
5. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
6. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
7. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
8. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
9. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
10. Terry B of Goin' Over the Edge  YOU ARE HERE!
11. Justin K of JK Cards
12. Heidi B of Stuck on Stampin'
13. Jennifer B of NW Stamper

Upcycling has never been so sweet!

 

I've been upcycling items a lot lately, including giving these jars a new life. I've seen lots of dessert bar ideas on Pinterest and thought why not combine a "candy" bar with upcycling?

 

 

There is Stampin' Up! product on these - namely the now retired chalkboard labels. I love everything chalkboard!

 

 

I washed and removed labels from salsa, alfredo sauce, pickles and more, then glued on porcelain knobs I purchased from a craft store, and painted the "new" lids a satin red. I rubbed on the vinyl chalkboard labels and that was it!

 

 

For this frappucino bottle, I decided not to add a knob and to instead add some Real Red and Basic Black card stock with the silver glimmer buckle.

 

For now, these jars are sitting on my kitchen island. But they'll have a special place on a table at my studio for my American Ink Christmas party coming up!

Great gift idea: Order print products by Dec. 6

Festive Framable

Make sure to check out today's new downloads and all their holiday goodness. (PDF) We have a festive framable, a Christmas photocard, a kit packed with cool bows and tags, and our Happy Hour Ensemble to help get your holiday parties started (or any party for that matter). We also have a cute coloring swatchbook that would make a great present for a kid in your life. 

Christmas postcard

 Once you pick up your new downloads, get busy making your final holiday orders. You need to order your print products by December 6 to get them by December 24 (or by December 10 for Second-Day Air/ December 11 for Next-Day Air).

Happy Hour ensemble

Coloring swatchbook
 

Holiday Wrap Kit

Get the Ornamental Elegance Kit while supplies last!

The ornament on the cover of our Holiday Catalog is such a hit that we are making it available to you -- just in time to deck the halls with terrific trimmings you've made yourself! This fun project has been simplified so that you can quickly and easily achieve the same results. In addition to the kit, all you need is a glue gun, scissors, and adhesive. (Anywhere Glue Sticks [104045] are perfect for assembly.) Want greeting or place cards to go with those ornaments? The Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (W 128048 C 128051) gives you perfect coordination. Fancy a little sparkle and shine? Sprinkle on our Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023)!

You can create 10 heirloom ornaments--or stunning tags to attach to a special neighbor gift with this kit.

The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $14.95 and includes:

• Die-Cut Cardstock Elements
• Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
• Natural Linen Thread
• Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Order these now thru my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net so you will have plenty of time to make them for Christmas gifting -- or for your family tree! Available while supplies last.

Add a treat or gift and be good to go with your Christmas presents!

All of the cuteness without all of the work!

Available November 29-January 2

Around the holidays, we are always looking for cute ways to package little treats and gifts for co-workers, teachers, neighbors, and friends. At 20% savings, holiday packaging bundles are an affordable and adorable solution. Simply add a treat or gift and assemble.

These holiday packaging bundles don't require any stamping, cutting, or creating!
 
Trimmings & Tags Bundle
Item 132769
$13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes

• Gusseted Cellophane Bags (25 bags; 5" x 3" x 11-1/2")
• Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags (25 double-sided tags; 4-1/2" x 3-1/8")
• Cherry Cobbler 1/4" Sweater Trim (10 yards)

Petite Treats Bundle
Item 132770
$13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes

• Glassine Bags with die-cut edges (10 bags; 3" x 5" x 1-1/2")
• Handmade Holidays Stitched Felt (8 pieces)
• Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (10 yards)

You may order these items through my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net or email me with your order at ericandterry@comcast.net. I hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Stocking Stuffer idea #8: Two Tags Snow Festival treat

 

No stamping with this quick stocking stuffer AND it offers a sweet treat.

 

 

I used the Two Tags die for the Big Shot for this adorable treat in Baja Breeze. There's a 1-1/8" strip of Snow Festival dsp wrapped around the tags, which were scored 3/4" at the bottom and adhered to each other before adding the treat - Junior Mints. For the owl image, I simply used the 1-1/4" circle punch on some Snow Festival dsp and layered it on a Cherry Cobbler 1-3/8" circle. Stitched white grosgrain holds the tags together, thanks to the 1" circles punched at the top. Remember the Halloween treat I made here?

 

Today's the last day of November. It's been a terrific month. I'm grateful for you, dear blog reader. You make sharing photos and stories online FUN for me. And I hope it's fun for you. I've enjoyed sharing what I'm thankful for every day this month. I count my blessings all the time - and they include you. So thank you! :-)

 

My talented friend, Fallynn, posing with Santa after setting up Tuesday.

 

It's my last day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at A Victorian Country Christmas, though the women I'm sharing the booth with will be there through the weekend. The show ends Sunday at 6 p.m. The hours Friday and Saturday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Our booth is in the Showplex by the theater and the wine garden (booth #596). So please come visit! I forgot to mention how wonderful it was seeing Sherry and Cheryl at the booth on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to seeing them at my American Ink Christmas Party!

Stocking Stuffer idea #7: Stitched felt sticky note holder

 

There's just over a month to order the Handmade Holiday stitched felt ornaments that are in the Holiday Catalog. I've gone through several packs!

 

 

I used the last of my felt ornaments on sticky note holders that are my stocking stuffer idea for today. The holder is 3-1/4" x 6-3/4" Gumball Green card stock, with a 3" x 3" square of Snow Festival dsp on top.

 

Today, I'm grateful for music. It makes me happy! Right now I'm enjoying singing along to my Adele CD while driving my van back and forth to Puyallup.

 

 

Here's a look at the booth I'm sharing with three friends at A Victorian Country Christmas, which ends Sunday. We offer a wide variety of handmade goodies!

 

 

Today was the first day of the show. There was a steady flow of foot traffic. I loved chatting with Janie and Flo - thanks for visiting! I was kept busy moving things around as items have been purchased.

 

 

I sold out of my hot cocoa packets today! I also sold lots of hand-stamped cards, stocking stuffers, and chocolate frames.

 

 

In this shot, you can see the gorgeous, fresh cedar boughs Kim cut for us from trees on her mini farm. Our booth is directly across from the entrance to the theater. It was fun listening to the show today - a mix of music and comedy. I hope you'll be able to attend!

 

 

How cute does Barb look with Santa? I took this photo after setting up the booth Tuesday. Barb was nice enough to help us out. When I arrived at the booth today, a few elves had been added around Santa.











Stocking Stuffer idea #6: A glimmery hot cocoa packet

 

Have you seen a glimmer brad in the middle of a silver glimmer snowflake? It's gorgeous! Especially with Crumb Cake and Pretty in Pink card stock behind it.

 

 

This stocking stuffer idea is a tasty one - when you pull up on the Pretty in Pink bow, up comes a hot chocolate packet with mini marshmellows. All you need to do is add hot water. I forgot to get a photo of the cocoa packet pulled up, and they are now in my booth (#596) at A Victorian Country Christmas in the Showplex, which starts tomorrow.

 

The ice skates are from the Warmest of Wishes stamp set in the Holiday Catalog. The sentiment is from Bootiful Occasions. I used Polka Dots and Northern Flurry embossing folders, as well as the snowflake die to create this.

 

Today, I'm grateful for hot cocoa with marshmellows on a cold winter night! Yum!

 

 

Before I forget - it's the last day of Stampin' Up!'s Online Extravaganza! Here are the last of the Door Busters!

 

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
7	118941	Clear Block Bundle (Blocks A-I)	$66.95	$53.56
7	120279	Clear Block Storage Caddy	$16.95	$13.56
175	109127	Stack & Store Caddy	$34.95	$27.96

Please visit my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net to see all of the discounted products, place your order, or to view this PDF.

 

Stocking Stuffer idea #5: Snowman popcorn cover

 

This stocking stuffer idea can be a great last-minute gift, or a craft you can either prep or take finished for a kid's class. It's a snowman microwave popcorn cover. To make it a "bigger" gift, just add a movie gift card to the back with a note you write directly on the snowman! It's a great gift for someone like the mail carrier or a neighbor. And it's easy to keep a couple on hand so you can reciprocate those unexpected gifts too.

 

 

For the Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival last month, I made bat and snowman popcorn covers. They were popular! Some feedback I received included making up kits so, for example, a grandma could have a craft to do with her grandkids. So that's exactly what I've done for A Victorian Country Christmas, which starts this Wednesday, Nov. 28, and continues through the weekend. Each kit includes a full sample - with popcorn - along with buttons, ribbons, punched pieces and the card stock needed for the hat and body.

Today, I'm grateful for new friends - like Carrol and Fallynn. They bring all kinds of new hope and possibilities with them. I'm happy I'll get to see them today while we're setting up our booth! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Stocking Stuffer idea #4: A gift card holder (or two)

 

Gift cards will never go out of style. So why not create special gift card holders for them? I used a Crumb Cake envelope, scored it in half and cut the flap on the score line, and ran it through the Northern Flurry embossing folder.

 

 

The left side of the flap is sealed. I used a label framelit stamped with a More Merry Messages for inside. There's room for the recipient's name and yours! Open the flap on the right to insert the gift card.

 

 

All of these gift card holders use the mitten punch, Festival of Prints pad, and Cherry Cobber/Whisper White baker's twine. I made a few "Happy Birthday," and "thinking of you" holders too. All of the stamps are from Teeny, Tiny Wishes and punched with the Word Window.

 

 

This Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler gift card holder is a blast from the past. I used it as a project last year and still had a few cut in my scrap box! It uses the Snow Much Fun stamp set, along with a few punches.

 

 

Inside, there's a Whisper White envelope that's been sealed shut and the ends cut off. The envelope ends hold two cards - one for the gift card (not shown in front), and the other one stamped, with space for a short note.

 

Today, I'm grateful for our rescued pets. They provide us with unconditional love, funny antics, and even aggravation. But it's all worth it. I was talking to my Dad last night. He lives in a college town and rural farming area. Every summer and winter a few students "drop off" their pets in the country and return home. My Dad now has 7 dogs and at least 11 cats/kittens at his home. He said this past summer someone dropped off 7 cats. They live outside (though they can go into the detached garage to get relief from the cold temperatures). One of the seven was pregnant and had kittens recently, so they were moved into the house until the kittens are old enough to be spayed/neutered and fend for themselves. Fortunately, my Dad's girlfriend works at a vet clinic and gets reduced fees for services. Cindy takes the cats in to the clinic to get neutered or spayed as she can catch them. So please take time to spay and neuter your pets. And remember to love them as much as they love you.

 

 

Stocking Stuffer idea #3: A fun owl treat peppermint patty

As a kid, my Christmas stocking always had certain items in it - an orange (they were hard to come by in the winter where I lived), a book of Lifesavers candy, a small gift, and a chocolate treat of some kind. This punch art owl treat fits the bill for chocolate. I used a peppermint patty, but you could pick any treat!

I used the 2-1/2" circle punch for the front and back of the owl, as well as for his Fancy Fan Folder-embossed tummy. The eyes are 3/4" and 1" circle punches (the 1" circle was also used to make the ears), and the heart is the Small Heart punch. The beak uses the end of the Pennant Builder punch.

My little owls will be on sale at A Victorian Country Christmas. I can't believe I set up the booth on Tuesday already!

Today, I'm thankful for my extended family, which has helped shape me into the person I am now.

Stocking Stuffer idea #2: Tea bag holders

 

Polka dots and Scentsational Season stamps make me happy! So what better way to use both than to make some tea bag holders?

 

 

Do you see the name on the tea bag? Ginger Snappish! I love that. I think it goes really well with the gingerbread man AND the mug with steam images. I didn't even have to cut these out - I used the Holiday Collection framelits (and the Window Collection Framelits for the solid card stock layer).

Today, I'm thankful for the slow, easy days of vacation time with my family.

Stamps: Scentsational Season, Tea Shoppe;
Ink: Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake;
Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Polka Dot Parade dsp, Crumb Cake;
Accessories: Framelits - Holiday Collection and Windows Collection, 1/8" Early Espresso and Marina Mist taffeta ribbons, 1/8" hole punch, dimensionals.

Stocking Stuffer idea #1: Covered notepads

 

It's beginning to look a lot more like Christmas! One of my projects today is a great stocking stuff - covered notepads. I used Candlelight Christmas Specialty dsp, along with the Blossom Punch and 3/4" circle punch on the ones you see here.

 

 

Each notepad is individually packaged, with my name and blog address on the back. These are just the red ones. I've got green ones, striped ones, and brown ones, as well as four covered with Comfort Cafe dsp.

 

 

I think this brown snowflake notepad is my fave. I always keep a notebook in my purse to jot down ideas as I think of them.

I hope you have a wonderful day! Today, I'm thankful for my new Stampin' Up! paper trimmer. It's nice! I used it for cutting and scoring several projects today. Love it!

If you'd like to order the paper trimmer or any other SU! project, please visit my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I love the rich, beautiful colors of fall, the nip of cold in the air, the tastes and smells of pumpkin pie, cinnamon and sugar treats, and turkey. Today, Thanksgiving, is just a wonderful reminder of all of the blessings we have in our lives.

 

 

I was so excited to see two cards in the mailbox yesterday. I love hand-stamped cards! I am grateful for my friends Brandy and Stephanie. Brandy, also one of my Stampin' Up! downline, made the gorgeous card above.

 

 

Stephanie made this beautiful card. She's one of my Card Club members.

 

I wish you all a wonderful day, with much love and many blessings for your family and friends.

Make a Mitten Christmas card with First Edition dsp

 

The days are getting colder - and wetter - here in the Pacific Northwest. There was all kinds of flooding, sink holes and fallen trees around the state last night. And there's more rain and wind today. It makes me want to grab a blanket and take a nap!

 

 

I put together this mitten card as a make and take for some demonstrator friends of mine. I CASE'd a card I saw on Pinterest by Lisa Arvidson. My card uses a Crumb Cake base, with layers of First Edition dsp and Basic Black card stock. The striped paper is from the Howlstooth & Scaringbone dsp pack, with Tasteful Trim scallops stamped with a design from the Make a Mitten stamp set (in the Holiday Catalog). I used the Fancy Fan Folder to emboss the 2-1/2" Basic Black circle behind the punched mittens, which were inked with Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake markers. Each mitten has a Basic Glimmer Brad (black) on it and they're attached together with white baker's twine. The knot is out of Cherry Cobbler seam binding.

 

I hope you're warm and dry! Today, I'm thankful for our home.