Simple and effective catalog markers

 

I mentioned Bonnie's catalog markers the other day. Bonnie is a brand new demonstrator who's shown a lot of initiative with this swap and her Tea Shoppe make and take. I love that!

 

There are three different markers shown in the photo. You can embellish them with anything you want. I love my simple one on the right - it's about 8 inches of elastic, sewn to ribbon and fabric that have been sewn together.

 

I've had a full day with two clubs - one this morning, and another at 7 tonight - and look forward to a 10-card class tomorrow morning. Everyone needs their Christmas cards!

 

Today I am thankful for people's ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Our group make and takes cover Christmas to birthdays

Barb A.'s make and take



My studio was packed with talented Stampin' Up! demonstrators Saturday for our monthly American Ink group gathering. I've always asked for volunteers to bring make & takes for everybody, and have never been disappointed. We had a total of six make & takes, including mine, which I'll show later. Anybody who doesn't bring a make & take is asked to bring food. We had an amazing buffet - everything from a taco ring (thanks Barb B.) and taco bites (thanks Barb A.) to Pumpkin Crunch bars (thanks Puddin') and salad (thanks Debi), plus many more goodies.

Bonnie's make and take - she sewed the pockets for us!

The pocket holds a couple of tea bags.

I have to say something about this Tea Shoppe make & take. One of our newest members, Bonnie, not only brought this for everybody to make, but she also had sewn the pockets and ribbon for us, and provided the tea. On top of that, she swapped catalog markers that she made using elastic, ribbon and fabric. I'll show you those later.

 

I just get excited when I see people like Bonnie and Barb B. jumping in and participating in our demo meetings. They add a good energy to our group!

Kim's make and take

Mary Ann's make and take

Tori's make and take

Tori is a guest demo from Texas. Her hubby is serving in the military, which reminds me - I am so thankful for all of the people who have served, are serving, or are planning to serve in our Armed Forces. Thank you for our freedom! And Happy Veterans Day.

Fun and fabulous swaps at our American Ink gathering

Puddin's swap

Today has already been so much fun! My studio was filled with my talented downline, great swaps, fabulous make and takes, and some terrific-tasting food. for a few hours. To top it off, the sun is shining and life is very good!

Kathy H. swap

Barb A.'s swap

Kim's swap

Bernie's swap

Ginette's swap

Frankie's swap

Tori's swap (guest demo)

I'll post the half dozen make and takes tomorrow. I was excited to be asked back to the Montclair Park Holiday Bazaar, which took place Thursday for the second year in a row. It's my favorite bazaar because 1) it's free; 2) it's about half a mile from my home; 3) they provide a shuttle for us, as well as food and drink! I've never been treated better as a vendor.

 

Here's the goody bag each vendor received. It has a big candy cane, candies, Post-It Note pads and a pen in it.

 

 

The lobby is decked out for Christmas, and Christmas music is played all day long (the bazaar was 10-3). What's cool is that this bazaar is organized primarily for the residents of the assisted living center and staff to shop, though the public is welcome too.

 





 

This was my table, which took me about 5 minutes to set up. I loved being by the window. I sold all kinds of things - from stocking stuffers to handmade cards, In Case of Emergency frames and more. It was a fun day!

 



My table was next to ladies calling themselves the Knit Wits. They had beautiful kid sweaters and hats, owls, slippers and hats for cheap! It was great running into my fellow Lion Club member Bev (on the left). The lady on the right is a resident of Montclair Park. Yarn is donated to the Knit Wits who then sell whatever knitted items they can. They donate the money to charity and give whatever doesn't sell to Kitsap Community Resources for people who need these items.

Today I'm grateful for being able to donate my time, money and talents to a variety of charities year 'round, along with my hubby and kids. Helping others really makes life worthwhile.

Mixed Blossoms thank-you card

I LOVE receiving handmade cards in the mail. My friend and downline, Barb, made this lovely card for me. The colors and little pennants just POP. Of course the Mixed Blossoms punch and coordinating stamp set, Mixed Bunch, were used for this, along with Summer Smooches dsp. Thanks, Barb. I love it!

Today, I'm grateful for good health and the ability to exercise.

I've added a 10-card Christmas class at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20. If you're interested in attending, please email me at ericandterry@comcast.net by Nov. 18.

Also, you've got the opportunity to check out our Stampin' Up! demonstrator magazine, Stampin' Success. Just click here! And remember that YOU can receive a FREE collection of 10 ink pads when you buy the Starter Kit for only $99 plus tax. You get to pick $125 in Stampin' Up! product (anything you want!) for only $99 plus tax AND you get the FREE collection of ink pads. It's an awesome deal. You can sign up on my website at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net. Take care!

Hostess gift challenge for Stylin' Stampin' Squad blog hop

 

Autumn leaves - especially those from an oak tree - may not be found blue in nature, but I took creative license so I could use Baja Breeze with Soft Suede and Summer Starfruit as the focal point on a special hostess gift.

 

 

This month, the Stylin' Stampin' Squad has a grateful theme, with a challenge of a hostess thank-you gift. I'm always up for a challenge! What you see in the photo below is actually what I gave a hostess - a 2-pocket pouch, complete with an incentive stamps and M&Ms, and a card with a Post-It Note for my note inside of the card so my hostess could reuse it. As for what I'm grateful for today? Nature and all its beauty. I'm saying "Thanks" for different things every day this month on my blog.

 





Here's a free tutorial on How to Make a Two-Pocket Pouch: http://goinovertheedge.blogspot.com/2011/07/two-pocket-pouch-tutorial.html. Mine uses one 12" x 12" sheet of Birds of a Feather dsp, along with Summer Starfruit ribbon. I purposely kept my hostess gift simple. I like to make things that a hostess (a potential recruit) looks at and says, "I can do that!"

Here's a complete list of everyone on the blog hop. Click the graphic at the bottom to go on to the next website. We love comments too! So don't be shy about leaving one. Have a wonderful day! I've got a holiday bazaar today from 10-3 and then a 10-card Christmas class tonight at 7.

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. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
6. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
7. Patricia T. of Sunnyone Stampin'
8. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
9. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
10. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
11. Nancy B of Momma B Stampin'
12. Terry B of Goin' Over the Edge (YOU ARE HERE!)

Santa petal cone favor and the new SU! trimmer

 

How cute is that Santa face? It's so much fun making people and animals and other things with punches. This Santa uses these punches:  largest scallop circle punch (beard), bird builder (mustache), cupcake builder (eyes and nose), and the oval scallop (face and hat rim).

 

 

The ball on Santa's hat is from the Itty Bitty Punch pack, and Santa's body is made using the Petal Cone Die for the Big Shot (two petal cones). Finally, the sentiment is from Tags til Christmas, and it's punched out with the scallop square punch. This was a project at my American Ink Rewards event Sunday. I saw one of these on Pinterest by SU! demo Kay Sha, and then saw my blogging buddy Debbie Henderson with one on her blog. There are slight variations among the three. My Santa was filled with kisses!



Now for the Stampin' Up! Trimmer features and why you NEED one:

• An extra-wide 6-1/4" cutting base and an extended 14-1/2" ruler
  • The extra-wide cutting base provides a large work area and is marked in 1/4" (4 mm) increments, allowing for small measurements.
  • The right-side grid helps you measure and cut very thin strips.
  • The extended cutting arm has a stabilizing leg to provide a sturdy and steady cutting surface for longer cuts.
  • When fully extended, the extended cutting arm sits flush with the trimmer base, providing more accurate and consistent measurements across the entire surface.
  • The cutting base and track include a full ruler, incorporating measurements down to 1/16" and grid lines that mark each quarter inch.
  • All rulers and measurements on the base are printed under a plastic cover so your measurements won't wear off.
  • The base has nonskid feet, which keeps the Stampin' Trimmer securely in place on your work area.
  
  
• A full 12" cutting and scoring track
  • The extra-long cutting track has space at the top and bottom so you don't have to take the cutting and scoring blades out when you're not using them.
  • The track gives you enough space to cut or score a full 12" (30.5 cm) without having to remove or switch out handles.
  • The cutting track locks in place for secure storage or transport.
  • The track includes an insertion point for cutting and scoring blade handles so you can easily insert handles into the cutting track.
  
  
• Specially designed handles and cutting track to ensure straight cuts
  • The hook on the scoring and cutting blade handles keeps the handles stable so the cuts are as straight as possible.
  • Handles come in two colors: dark for cutting, light for scoring.
  • The precision tip on the cutting blade allows you to pinpoint precisely where you're cutting.
  • The point on the side of each handle shows you where the blade will cut, making it easy to see exactly where your cuts and scores will begin.
  
  
• Storage compartment under base
  • The storage compartment holds scoring and cutting tools such as a Bone Folder, Simply Scored Stylus, extra scoring and cutting blades, and even business cards.
  • Separate compartments within the storage compartment keep your tools organized, and the clear cover makes it easy to see what you've stored.

You may order the Stampin' Trimmer anytime through my Online Store here or by emailing me at ericandterry@comcast.net. It's Item 126889 and costs $29.95.

Today, I'm grateful for having the opportunity to vote. :-)

Love the embossed look of Natural Composition wallet

 

It's been awhile since I've made a photo wallet, and it's just as fun as I remember! I used Raspberry Ripple card stock and Natural Composition Specialty Paper for my wallet. I love the embossed look of the composition paper. The Crumb Cake snowman image is from Tags til Christmas.

 



Here's the wallet inside. There's room for journaling on the Very Vanilla pieces, and three places for photos (or maybe one photo, a gift card and a sentiment?). This was one of the projects the achievers in my American Ink group made Sunday at their rewards event.

Today, I'm thankful for being able to love my job - that of a Stampin' up! demonstrator. Have a wonderful day!

Oh, and don't forget to check back tomorrow because the Stylin' Stampin' Squad is at it again with a great blog hop featuring great hostess gifts!

I'm looking forward to a Scentsational Season!

 

There's nothing like a Christmas tree to get you in the festive spirit! I used a Holiday Collection Framelit to die-cut this tree shape, then added some Old Olive paper from Polka Dot Parade dsp behind it and stamped a Daffodil Delight star from the Scentsational Season stamp set, which coordinates with the framelits.

 



I stamped the "christmas cheer" from Sweet Essentials first and then embossed the card front in Perfect Polka Dots before adding a knot of 1/8" Old Olive taffeta ribbon. This was one of the three projects Courtney and her friends made at her party. I showed you the red/white/blue Joyous Celebrations card yesterday, and here's the third:

 

I saw this Christmas Deer card on Pinterest, designed by Patti Chesky. It's a Crumb Cake card with a strip of Cherry Cobbler card stock and some crochet trim. The sentiment is from Petite Pairs. I love the use of the Fancy Fan Folder on the card front, as well as the tiny bird on the antlers.

 

I'm looking forward to my holiday bazaar Thursday at an assisted care facility about half a mile from my home. The residents and staff are wonderful, and really provide a good experience for vendors. I'm thankful there are wonderful places like this that truly appreciate our elderly, and care for them with love.

We're getting into that time of year for Joyous Celebrations

 I love the simplicity and shine on this Island Indigo and Real Red Christmas card. I CASE'd it from our Stampin' Up! demonstrator magazine, Stampin' Success. The front is embossed with the Chevron folder, there's a knot of stitched white grosgrain, and a scallop border punched strip of Silver Glimmer paper. The oval and word stamps are from the Joyous Celebrations stamp set in the Holiday Catalog. The rhinestones add bling too.

 

I changed up the colors for a 10-card class, using Early Espresso and Old Olive as the main colors, with a strip of Champagne Glimmer paper. I also used the white jersey trim instead of ribbon. The deer is in the Joyous Celebrations stamp set too, along with many other cute images.

 

I'm still giving thanks every day for the many blessings in my life. Yesterday, I was grateful for those people who are talented enough to produce a fun animated movie like Wreck It Ralph. Yep, that's what we went to see. My daughter has been wanting to go for months. It was fun! It had a lot of funny lines, and a great overall message. Today, I'm grateful for food in our cupboards. It's really the simple things that make life special! I hope you enjoy your day.

 

 

 

With a new month comes a new ink-redible special! Buy the Starter Kit for $99 plus tax anytime between November 1 - December 16, 2012 and receive a FREE collection of Classic Stampin' Pads. You can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals. That's why it's ink-redible!!! It's so easy to buy the Starter Kit - you can do it all on my website at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net - in just minutes. There are no strings attached. Just buy up to $125 of high-quality product for only $99 plus tax and enjoy! Merry Christmas to you!!!

You still have till November 5 to enjoy a few FREE digital downloads, 50% off ALL digital kits and look at the mega blogging on MyDigitalStudio.net all week.

This special is to get the word out about My Digital Studio's awesome design program, content, and print products!

Get Your FREE Downloads: (132557 Enjoy Everything Kit , 132562 A Split Second Designer Template Pages and 132558 Days in December Kit-Updated 10/29/12) via my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net.

Friends provide many more than just one Happy Hour

 

When I first saw the Happy Hour stamp set in the annual catalog, I remember thinking to my self, "Self, that is so cute! I love that little umbrella, the straws, and tiny fruit pieces."

 

 

Though I am grateful every day, now that we're officially in the month of Thanksgiving, my family is taking every day this month to verbalize what we are thankful for. Yesterday, it was simply for family. Today, it's for friends. I made this card for my friend, Jules. I love the colors, the embossing and bling, and the banner. After making Halloween cards for weeks, I had fun changing up the color palette.

 

I spent a few hours at my studio yesterday with Isabelle (my dog), cleaning and rearranging furniture for upcoming events. I removed the Halloween decorations and put up Thanksgiving and Christmas ones. It feels fuller now that I've put up a couple more tables. It was looking kinda empty since a lot of furniture is still in Kim's van, waiting for A Victorian Country Christmas show at the end of this month.

 

I hope your day is enjoyable, and that you're able to appreciate the many blessings in your life.

 

Stamps: Happy Hour;

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red pads;

Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Summer Smooches dsp;

Accessories: Ruffled Lucky Limeade ribbon, rhinestones, Argyle Embossing Folder, Chevron Embossing Folder, Label Framelits, wide oval punch, dimensionals.

Bringing in November with Christmas cards

 

I love the images in the Winter Memories stamp set in the Holiday Catalog. They're detailed enough you can color them in, or just add spots of color as I did on the card above. The strip of designer paper is from the Candlelight Christmas Specialty pack. These are a few designs from a recent 10-card class.

 

 

This Gumball Green card uses Chock Full of Cheer stamps with Be of Good Cheer dsp.

 

 

This Crumb Cake card has a 2-inch piece of Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations Card Stock, a Night of Navy layer from the Apothecary Accents Framelits and the little bird from the Four Seasons hostess set. I CASE'd this one from Diana Gibbs.

 



 

And back to Winter Memories! The sentiment and image are from that stamp set. This is a Bashful Blue with Marina Mist banner, touches of Rose Red and Bashful Blue on the image and a Label Framelit shape.

 

Though I have plenty to do in the next few days, I spent most of a rainy yesterday baking apple muffins and apple crisps for neighbors. The kids only had a half day of school, and they took the goodies door to door with Halloween cards. It was a nice way to spend a day.

 

 

With a new month comes a new ink-redible special! Buy the Starter Kit for $99 plus tax anytime between November 1 - December 16, 2012 and receive a FREE collection of Classic Stampin' Pads. You can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals. That's why it's ink-redible!!! It's so easy to buy the Starter Kit - you can do it all on my website at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net - in just minutes. There are no strings attached. Just buy up to $125 of high-quality product for only $99 plus tax and enjoy! Merry Christmas to you!!!

 

 

You still have till November 5 to enjoy a few FREE digital downloads, 50% off ALL digital kits and look at the mega blogging on MyDigitalStudio.net all week.

This special is to get the word out about My Digital Studio's awesome design program, content, and print products!

Get Your FREE Downloads: (132557 Enjoy Everything Kit , 132562 A Split Second Designer Template Pages and 132558 Days in December Kit-Updated 10/29/12) via my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net.

Here's a list of ALL of the Digital Designer Kits you can save 50% off on:

Item	Designer Kit	Retail Value	Sale Price 50% Off
130861	Afternoon Daydream Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129928	Afternoon Tea II Kit	$9.95	$4.97
119839	Always Elegant Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129358	Attic Boutique Kit	$9.95	$4.97
122175	Autumn Spice Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127600	Autumn Traditions Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130969	Bandstand Kit	$7.95	$3.97
130970	Be of Good Cheer Kit	$7.95	$3.97
123728	Celebrations Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130982	Chevron Punch Kit	$7.95	$3.97
123956	Christmas Cheer Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
120880	Christmas Cocoa II Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127362	Convention 2011 Digital Photo Kit	$9.95	$4.97
128876	Day in the Life Kit	$14.95	$7.47
130059	Fifty Nifty Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130062	File it Fun Kit	$7.95	$3.97
131228	Friendship Preserves Kit	$3.95	$1.97
128875	Frosty Days II Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129924	Get it Done Kit	$5.95	$2.97
129870	Good Times II Kit	$7.95	$3.97
118465	Happy Birthday Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
128872	Holiday Harmony Kit	$7.95	$3.97
127773	Holly Berry Bouquet	$9.95	$4.97
118466	Hoppy Memories Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
128999	It's all Me Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130850	Joyful Times Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124230	Just Add Cake Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
124446	Leadership 2011 Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124568	Leadership 2011 Digital Photo Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124443	Love Birds Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131231	Lovely Little Labels Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129359	Mixed Bunch Kit	$7.95	$3.97
119978	My Sweet Pea Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
132264	Neon Notes Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129898	New Heights Kit	$7.95	$3.97
122174	Nite Owl Digital Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129340	Number One Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129360	On the Go Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124463	One Great Year Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131360	Ornament Keepsakes Kit	$6.95	$3.47
127599	Party Animal Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131226	Picture This Kit	$4.95	$2.47
130851	Pinwheels on Parade Kit	$7.95	$3.97
126027	Playful Polka Dots Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131227	Providences of Provinces Kit	$7.95	$3.97
130983	Raspberry Splash Kit	$7.95	$3.97
118869	Recipes By Design Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127163	Red, White, and Blue Digital Kit	$5.95	$2.97
130060	Season By Season Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127587	Sending Glad Tidings Designer Tags Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129605	Special Delivery Bright Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129606	Special Delivery Subtle Kit	$7.95	$3.97
127759	Spice Cake Kit	$5.95	$2.97
130852	Spring Break II Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129608	Spring Fever Kit	$7.95	$3.97
130076	Summer Happiness Kit	$9.95	$4.97
118464	Summer Home Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
129601	Summer Smooches Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124229	Sunset Serenade Digital Kit	$5.95	$2.97
129339	Sweet Shop Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129882	Tea Time II Digital Kit	$7.95	$3.97
132190	That's a Wrap Kit	$7.95	$3.97
127431	Tickets & Tags Kit	$9.95	$4.97
125757	Tickets & Tokens II Digital Kit	$7.95	$3.97
131217	Topsy-Turvey Celebration Kit	$9.95	$4.97
121071	Travel Journal Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
126022	Travel Log Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129332	Twitterpated Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129607	Walk in the Park Kit	$9.95	$4.97
132567	Winter Wonders Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127609	Wicked Fun Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131218	Wonderfall Kit	$7.95	$3.97
120881	Write Stuff II Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
128883	You're My Sunshine Kit	$7.95	$3.97

 

I hope you have a wonderful day! I'm meeting with friends this morning to go over details of our booth at A Victorian Country Christmas, which is at the end of the month.

 

We have a WINNER of blog hop $50 SU! gift certificate!!!

 

Happy Halloween!

 

First, I have to share this fun photo I got off of Pinterest. Of course the cat isn't real, but what a great photo opp!

 

 

We enjoyed some fun family bonding last night after dinner. Three of us were ready to start carving into our pumpkins, and my son wanted to do his homework. His dad and I talked him into postponing homework (he's an excellent student and I'd made an early dinner) - seriously? lol Our pumpkins are in the photo at the top of this post. My hubby, ever the artist, really worked knives and peelers and a zester to achieve his carving on the left. My carving is on the far right. Here's a photo of what I was shooting for:

 

 

I think it's cute, simple and pretty traditional. I kept my carving quick because I got the slimy job on picking pumpkin seeds out of the pumpkin innards to clean and roast them for a snack! I'll be doing that tonight. I did make my first apple pie of the fall yesterday. I had a 30-pound box of apples delivered to me a couple of days ago by a Lions Club member. I purchased the apples to support a summer camp for kids with diabetes. Yum!

 





 

Now for the WINNER of The Great Pumpkin Blog Hop and a $50 Stampin' Up! gift certificate...

 

 

Shannon Angel!

 

It was incredible to see how many entries into the drawing there were. Some of you had 13-15 entries each! (Shannon was one of those.) Amazing!!! Thanks to all of you who participated in my 13-week blog hop. I had a blast, and feel as though I've eeked every ounce of fun from Halloween 2012 as I could!

Check out my Halloween Fun class cards and treats

I can't believe Halloween is tomorrow! I am picking up some pumpkins to carve today (it's never too late), and will roast the pumpkin seeds. I've also got prepping and freezing apple pies on my list. I bought 30 pounds to support a camp for kids with diabetes and the big box arrived yesterday. Of course, Big Storm Sandy is still all over the news. I hope you're safe and warm and doing okay if you're in any of the states affected by Sandy.

 

I adore this little favor, made with the Two Tags die for the Big Shot. and Googly Ghouls. I CASE'd this from SU! demo Michelle Last. This one is holding a clear stamping block, but it's perfect for any kind of little boxed candy. We used Junior Mints at my class.

 

 

This card is all about the Howlstooth & Scaringbone dsp, Wicked Cool stamps and Jack of all Trades witch's hat. I used the 2" circle punch for the cauldron. Of course my gals had to make the cute bat that covers microwave popcorn, and the last card with Frankie, the witch and mummy was CASE'd.

 

Today is the last day of 13 weeks for The Great Pumpkin Blog Hop. Check back tomorrow to see the winner of the $50 Stampin' Up! gift certificate! And thanks for playing along!