I almost got a cavity from this theme challenge card...

This card is so sweet, I almost got a cavity making it! I started with Pretty in Pink card stock and added hearts from the 3 Hearts Punch to the left side. To the right, I used a piece of Patterned Love dsp (part of the Filled With Love Bundle thru January 24) with a strip of Whisper White that's been punched with the Pinking Hearts Border Punch and adhered with dimensionals. But wait! There's the Full Heart that's been punched out of white card stock that's been run through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, and there's the word "heart" in the sentiment, which is from Blowing Kisses.

Nature Walk card for Technostamper challenge...

I used this card as one of the five for my Thank You Card Stamp-a-Stack yesterday. And I followed Mary Jo's Technostamper sketch below to do it witih the new Nature Walk stamp set (coming up in the Occasions Mini January 4) and Botanicals Gazette dsp. I didn't make my card square because I didn't have enough envelopes for all 15 women to make two of this card. Inside, I used the thank-you verse from the God Bless set.

I used Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive markers to ink up the flowers, and an Early Espresso pad for the bee. Add a couple of punches (circles - 1-1/4" and 1-3/8") and dimensionals and that's it. I'll take photos of the other four thank-you cards and post those tomorrow.

Greeting Card Kids square card for 411 sketch...

I used more Springtime Vintage dsp for this square card sketch at Stamping 411. That paper is in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog, which starts January 4. The card is Very Vanilla and there are layers of Rose Red card stock. I used this girl stamp from Greeting Card Kids and watercolored it, adding a sentiment from All Holidays. It's my second square card in two days.

Guess what? The Stamping 411 operators selected my card for their showcase! Whoo hoo!!!



Working With New Stuff In The Same Space For WOYWW For The Last Time in 2010...

It's been a lovely relaxing break at home with my family for almost a week now. Though my desk doesn't look organized - I received some new Stampin' Up! stuff recently - I did take time to empty out a couple of large cabinets. I'm donating one huge box of paper, stamps, ribbons, brads and more to my daughter's school when it's back in session next week. The art docent loves it. I hauled out lots to recycle and some to the garbage. When I put back what was left, I had one empty cabinet! So I'm gifting that to my hubby in the hopes that he'll take all of his junk from the dining room and hide it properly. lol

So back to my desk. I missed sharing last week because I had too many projects to complete. But Julia at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ and others from around the world share their crafting spaces for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW). It's worth a snoop. You never know what you might find!

The card I created above is shown in the post below. Thanks for stopping by!

Vintage paper meets Time Treasures for sketch challenge...

I love the square sketch featured on Mojo Monday this week. I opened up a new package of Springtime Vintage dsp (coming up in the Occasions Mini Catalog January 4) and my Timeless Treasures stamp set. I used a Very Vanilla card base and pulled the other solids - Always Artichoke and Not Quite Navy - from the paper. And the pearls? Vintage almost requires pearls. I had a tiny pearl over the "i" in "antique," but it was just too much.

So let me know what you think!

Filled with Love color challenge card...

 I had fun playing with the colors I chose this week, as well as Mary Jo's sketch challenge at http://technostamper.blogspot.com/ (see sketch below). I started with a Whisper White card and added a piece of Real Red card stock that was embossed with the Framed Tulips folder in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog. The strip of Old Olive is punched using the Pinking Hearts Border to go along with the Filled with Love stamp set, which is part of a special offer thru January 24 (buy the stamp set and coordinating Love Patterns dsp and get a pack of Bitty Buttons for free). I stamped the big heart in Marina Mist and added a punched heart, a bitty button and some chunky red glitter with some Tombow Liquid Adhesive.

Thank-you Cards with Engraved Greetings...

Whenever possible, I like to include a thank-you note in my customers' orders. These are just 3" x 3" notes with Real Red card stock, a piece of Candy Cane Christmas dsp, and the Thank You stamp from Engraved Greetings in Real Red ink. The button is just there to hold the note closed. :-)

Punch snowman treat/gift tag/ornament...

My club members got to make this cute little punch snowman on Monday. The body is one circle each of Whisper White at 1", 1-3/8", and 1-3/4" sponged with Bashful Blue ink. We used Black Flourish Designer Jewels (in the Holiday Mini) for the eyes, and freehand cut the nose from Tangerine Tango card stock. The Chocolate Chip arms are two legs of a snowflake (from the snowflake punch). I cut a 1" x 3/4" piece of Basic Black for the top of the hat, and the brim is a Word Window punch. To finish, I looped silver tinsel around his neck to mimic a festive scarf. Now you can hang him on a tree, add him to a present (there's room for to/from on his hind end), or you can add a peppermint patty to his backside and add another 1-3/4" sponged piece of white card stock for a little treat. I borrowed this idea from here.

Jolly Old Saint Nick embossed penny spinner card...

Penny spinner cards are a favorite of mine. I borrowed this idea from Patti, changing it up a bit. It uses the snowman from Jolly Old Saint Nick, stamped in Basic Black and punched out with the 1-3/4" circle punch. It's layered on a Brushed Silver scallop circle and colored with Sahara Sand and Marina Mist markers. The sentiment is from the Just Believe stamp set.

To make the spinning mechanism: stick one dimensional in the middle of the back of the scallop circle, then a penny. Add two dimensionals stuck to each other to that penny and add another penny. That's it! I made the "track" with the Word Window Punch. You want one penny inside the track - insert the bottom first through the track, then "pop" the top through. Roll the scallop circle back and forth over the track to get it spinning freely.

I embossed a 5-1/4" x 2-1/2" piece of Whisper White with the Northern Flurry embossing folder, adding basic rhinestones to the center of the snowflakes. This was one of the cards made by my clubs this month.

Now my family and I are off to shop for holiday food baskets for our community at the grocery store down the hill. I love involving my kids so they appreciate what they have! Blessings to you and your family.

Love card made with Filled with Love stamps...

Club members will be making this card today, in honor of the FREE Bitty Button special going on right now (free pack of Bitty Buttons when you purchase the Filled with Love stamp set and coordinating dsp - see details in a post below). I pulled these colors from my Color Coach - Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Pear Pizzazz. I CASE'd this from Ashley at Design with Ink, adding a pearl in the middle of the hearts in the "O." Hope you have a great day!

Sketch challenge with new paper and pompom trim...

Sweet Stitches is the pretty new paper used on this 3" x 6" Daffodil Delight card. It's available to Stampin' Up! demonstrators only right now, but everyone may order it and anything else from the Occasions Mini Catalog on January 4. I used Melon Mambo pompom trim - also in that mini - to mimic the scallops in the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge shown below. I didn't get the stamp set that coordinates with the paper, so I pulled out the sewing machine stamp and saying from the Puns from the Past set. The big green designer button is from the Candy Cane pack in the Holiday Mini. My club members will get to make this card today.

Come to Bethlehem in Baja Breeze...

Come to Bethlehem has been one of my favorite Christmas stamp sets this year. I borrowed this idea from another demonstrator and changed the color to Baja Breeze, using a strip of dsp from the Elegant Soiree pack. This was an easy and elegant card to do for my Christmas card stamp-a-stack.

Holiday Lineup reindeer with a glimmer brad nose...

This was one of the cards we made at a Christmas card stamp-a-stack. It uses a small piece of Jolly Holiday dsp layered on Cherry Cobbler, with the reindeer from Holiday Lineup stamped in Early Espresso. I used Soft Suede to color in the middle reindeer and made him Rudolph by adding a red glimmer brad through his nose. The sentiment is from Four the Holidays.

Starting Dec. 17 you can get FREE Bitty Buttons...

From December 17, 2010 through January 24, 2011, get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $4.95 value--when you purchase an exclusive Filled with Love Bundle. Click on the flyer to see what the stamp set and paper look like, along with two projects you can make with the products.

You'll receive the Filled with Love stamp set and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack, along with your FREE package of Bitty Buttons.

Wood-mount Bundle: $32.90 (Item 124380)

Clear-mount Bundle: $26.90 (Item 124381)

If you already have the stamp set, you may order the exclusive Love Patterns Designer Paper Pack alone for $9.95 (Item 124156). There is no limit, and Bitty Buttons aren't included.

To order, click http://therubberroom.stampinup.net/.

Sporty digital downloads for My Digital Studio...

Item 124215 Extreme Snowboard Stamp Brush $0.95

Item 124218 Extreme Surfboard Stamp Brush $0.95

Item 124217 Extreme Skateboard Stamp Brush $0.95

Item 124219 Extreme Dirt Bike Stamp Brush $0.95

Item 124216 Extreme Guitar Stamp Brush $0.95

Item 123991 Style Beautiful Stamp Brush Set $3.95

Item 123992 Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper $4.95

Item 123990 Elements of Style Stamp Brush Set $3.95

Item 123989 Teahouse Stamp Brush $1.95

Item 123988 Charming Stamp Brush Set $3.95

Our latest digital downloads are here--and more are on the way for the month of December! If you would like to view our complete list of My Digital Studio download offerings, click here and then on Digital Crafting.

Countryside truck in Newsprint for sketch challenge...

I made this square card with circles (I used 1-1/4" punched pieces of Newsprint dsp) for a sketch challenge. I thought of my dad when making this card with the truck from the Countryside stamp set. He loves old cars and old stuff, in general. I did add some Pear Pizzazz green to the apples in the back of the truck, as well as to the grass blades underneath. The sentiment is from the Live, Laugh, Love stamp set.

My desk is full of Christmas cards ready to mail...

Every week, crafters from around the world join in on Julia's What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday to snoop at what others are doing. This week, I'm plugging away at filling in all of the Christmas cards I've been making since August. Below, I'm sharing the full-card swaps some of my downline brought to our annual Christmas party. Have a wonderful week!

This is my Dasher card with Jolly Holiday dsp and glitter.

Kim used Serene Snowflakes and two Big Shot dies for her swap

Michelle used Come to Bethlehem stamps

Karen used Jolly Old Saint Nick



A Christmas table and hanging holiday cutters

I'm finally able to use my computer to post again, and it feels good. My laptop wouldn't go online. I'm sure the problem started when my daughter downloaded a game she wanted to play. I was at my hubby's computer reading troubleshooting info out loud while he pushed the buttons on my computer. We fixed it! It's so nice. You don't realize what's on your computer until you can't access it.

 

There were a couple of photos that didn't make it into previous posts, so here they are! This is a 4-foot table set up in my studio with a variety of handmade items, including Christmas cards, appetizer plates with decor elements on them, metal snowflake tealights on mirrors, and punched cardinals clipped onto tree branches with mini clothespins. The SNOW word is made of wood. I bought it recently at a craft fair at the pavilion. It holds a votive candle behind the snowman.

Here's the project I copied out of the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog. I used Jolly Holiday dsp with cookie cutters, ribbon and a dowel. I hung this across the coat rack at the studio. It looks much better in person!

So this week is all about filling out Christmas cards and getting them into the mail. I hope your week is productive! Check back later today and tomorrow for cards I'm planning to make using a couple of sketch challenges.

Kim sews a Deck the Halls fabric pillow...

Kim and I exchanged gifts yesterday. I can't believe she made this gorgeous pillow! Who knew she even sews? This photo doesn't do the pillow justice. The crochet trim looks amazing on it, as do the buttons on each corner. I love the vintage look and feels of the fabrics. Do you see the scallop squares Kim cut with the Big Shot? Thanks, Kim! I love, love, love this.

Our American Ink Christmas Village & Design-a-House Contest...





Our American Ink team's Christmas village held all the entries for the Design-a-House Contest. You could tell there were countless hours put into the construction and details on each and every house. They were amazing! Everyone received a prize for their efforts. Prizes included a few items from the Occasions Mini Catalog, numerous hostess sets, a punch, fabric, and smooch spritz.

 

1st place: Pearl's musical house. It had a red flameless tealight inside that lit up the windows. Pearl made the fence too.





My neighbor, Beth, created a church for the village. My son helped make pews and an altar inside, and added two flameless tealights. He also created the angel (in his own likeness, I might add), as well as a snowman for outside and a Santa Claus.

Side view of  Beth little church. The side window featured a stained glass look.

Part 2: Design-a-House Christmas village...

Santa's dropping down the chimney of Sherry's house

Frankie's hardware store

My son, Chase, created the lake with SU! card stock

Fabulous handmade Christmas gifts...





Barb opened the gift I made - a ribbon wreath.



Michelle made this festive sign

My gift is the clock Pearl embellished.

Karen shows off what Frankie made - a flip book, a flower pin and an ornament made with the milk carton die with a flameless candle inside.

Kim shows off the rustic star with removable magnetic pieces covered with Deck the Halls dsp and made by Patty.

Our American Ink team had its annual Christmas party today, and it was so much fun! The brunch buffet was delicious, with everyone contributing. Then we had our gift exchange. You can see most of the fabulous gifts above! Several gifts were "stolen."

After the gift exchange, everyone voted for their top three favorites in our Design-a-House contest. I'll share those photos tomorrow. They're terrific too! Everyone who entered received a prize.