New toys - and the craft room is open again!

After a couple weeks of house guests, I have my craft room back :-) We have guests coming tonight but with DD#2 gone until Sunday we can use her room for them. The guests are my sister (upline), her husband and son - so we HAVE to have somewhere to stamp :-)

I got some new toys in the last month or so and have not had time to play with them. Loved getting into them this morning and trying my hand at some ideas.

The first is the Technique Tuesday for February - crimped diamond.



Doesn't the crimping make a nice background?
Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz
Stamp Sets: Punch Potpourri, Perfect Punches
Tools: Crimper, Two Step Bird Punch, Large Oval Punch

The next card uses some of the items from the current special offer Filled With Love


Card Stock: Pretty in Pink, Sahara Sand, Wild Wasabi, Designer Series Paper Patterns Love, Very Vanilla
Stamp Sets: Filled With Love, A Word for You
Ink: Wild Wasabi
Tools: Full Heart Punch, Small Heart Punch


Then I opened up some of my pre-order items for the Mini Occasions catalog (starts Jan 4)and played with the Red Glitter Paper.
Stamp Set: Blowing Kisses
Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, DSP Patterns Love, Red Glitter Paper
Tools: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Corner Round Punch, Heart to Heart Punch (Smallest heart only), Small Heart Punch
Ink: Basic Gray



Card Stock: Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, DSP Patterns Love, Red Glitter Paper
Stamp Set: Filled With Love
Tools: Small Heart Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Modern Label Punch, Ticket Corner Punch

Another new stamp that I have is a personalized trade mark stamp. I love it! Makes the card look professional.

I have more to play with later today but have to run some errands first. Glad it is warmer but the damp makes it feel cold in the house. The snow is almost all gone and looks more like a fall day outside.

2010 in review

Some of my favorite SU activities and projects of 2010.


Of course - the highlight would have to be the Milwaukee Regional with my sister/upline. We really should have had someone take our picture together :-( - next time!

My first club made it through the whole year and almost all are signing up again! This is one of my favorite cards that we made.

I had several workshops here in my home - a favorite was the kids mini-scrapbook workshop. The kids were all so proud of their work!

My favorite workshop was the mirror workshop. Everyone was so creative it is hard to pick my favorite.

Technique Tuesday is a favorite of many of my customers. Again it is hard to choose a favorite - so I have chosen 2 :-)

Above is the Black Magic technique - love it! I really need to use it more. A New Year's resolution??

Below is the Faux Tearing technique - so easy and so versatile! You can have a Designer Series Paper look to match any combination of colors.

And my personal favorite project was the guest book for DD#1's wedding. This is one of my favorite pages.

And my favorite tutorial http://marystutorials.blogspot.com/2010/08/this-is-tutorial-for-my-modification-of.html

It is my own personal take on the popular pinwheel design.

Looking forward to 2011 - two clubs have formed and the Mini-Occasions catalog and Sale-a-bration have so many wonderful things I don't know where to start!

Peace and Happiness to all of you in 2011! Thank you for following my blog and your comments!

A Multitude of Angels

This month I am leading Children's Worship at our church. This is a special 'class' for the 4 year old and Kindergarten children to help them understand how and why we worship. What a great month to do this as it is all Advent related.
Yesterday we talked about angels and their importance in the Christmas story. The snow and disrupted routines (plus DH helping instead of DD) proved for a very active group.

Here are all 4 children (we usually have 6 but a couple did not make it) with their angels. I used Stampin Up Designer Label, 1 3/4 scallop circle and 1 3/8 inch circle punches to make the face and hair. The wings are silver waffle paper and the halo-hanger is the silver tinsel trim. The kids decorated the angel skirts before we assembled them.


Each child has a different personality shining through. Miss Suzy has 2 older live-wire brothers and 2 cousins (who are also in this class) who get her charged up. DH is another energizer for her so she was bubbling yesterday.


Miss Emelia is the rule follower. She informed us she makes hearts much better than she used to because she did not put a point at the bottom before.


Master Ryan was wound tight yesterday. He also was energized by DH and the fact that their routine was disrupted by Daddy coming to church early to shovel the parking lot.


Master Kyle was the creative one. He realized the angel cone skirt made a perfect party hat.

What a joy to spend 20-30 minutes with these children on Sunday morning.

December Club

December Club met today and even though we were small in number we made some great cards and had a lot of fun.

This card is CASEd from a swap I got and I have done it with another club only in Certainly Celery. There wasn't any Melon Mambo ribbon so I had to dye my own - what fun!

Card Stock: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White, Vellum Card Stock

Stamp Set: Because I Care

Ink: Basic Black, Pearlized Smooch Accent, Melon Mambo

Tools: Scallop Border punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval punch

Ribbon: Organza ribbon dyed using the Melon Mambo ink pad

This is my favorite. It is a pop-up card and the colors just look so good together.
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Tools: Scallop Corner punch, Ornament Punch

Ribbon: 5/8 inch Satin Very Vanilla, 1/2 inch Seam Binding Cherry Cobbler

Inside:

Stamp Set: Christmas Message

Tools: Decorative Label Punch, Ticket Corner Punch

This one is similar to the Real Red ornaments from the November group. I currently have two clubs running and it does simplify things when I use the same method but I get tired of the same card so usually chnage up the colors, shapes etc.

Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Vellum Paper

Ink: Whisper White Craft, Not Quite Navy

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations, After Thought

Tools: Decorative Label punch, Big Shot and Polka Dot Embossing Folder

Ribbon: 3/8 inch taffeta Whisper White

This is the little luminary we made. It uses a battery operated tealight. The hostess used the snowflake punch for hers and some of the guests used the ornament punch. They were all cute!
Card Stock: Poppy Parade, Vellum paper
Tools: Desired Punch (Snowflake, Large Heart, Heart to Heart, Curly Label, Scallop Circle, Scallop Square) - whatever you like.

I'm already looking forward to our January club workshops. Both clubs will meet the end of January and we are all looking forward to Sale-a-bration!

November Club

The November Club focused on vellum. This began with a request from the hostess to CASE a swap I received (but don't know who it was from because I don't have it any more).

Stamp Set : Because I Care
Card Stock: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White, Vellum Card Stock
Embellishment: 5/8 inch satin ribbon Certainly Celery
Tools: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Border Punch
Ink: Basic Black, Moonlight Smooch


Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations
Card Stock: Real Red, Whisper White, Vellum paper
Embellishments: 3/8 inch taffeta ribbon Real Red, gold thread
Tools: Ornament Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder


An easy little luminary.

Card Stock: Pacific Point
Tools: Snowflake Punch
I also provided a battery operated tealight as a gift to everyone.


I showed this card as another example of what can be done with vellum and everyone loved it so much they wanted to make one - so since they were such good students and got done so quickly with the other projects we did this 'bonus' card.
(The vellum here looks purple - hard to get a good photo.)
Stamp Set: Simply Said
Card Stock: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White, Vellum card stock
Ink: Basic Black
Tools: Stylus, Photo Corner Punch
Embellishments: 1/8 inch taffeta ribbon Daffodil Delight

If you like these vellum ideas, you won't want to miss my Technique Tuesday on December 14 - Vitalized Vellum. For more details see my calendar

Now, off to finish up the directions for the December club cards!

New Tutorial - GIft Card Holders

Check out my new tutorial for some holiday Gift Card Holders.

Christmas Cardinal Card Set

Still time to sign up!

Christmas Gift Set

*****Dates set - See below*****

This is a cute set that makes a great gift. I will be selling these in three different ways: The striped paper may vary but all designs have the same colors and coordinate with the card stock and stamped image.

Workshop - $15.00 for everything to make the folder, 4 matching cards, and envelopes-
November 20 9:00 a.m. - noon

Kits - $12.00 - includes everything except adhesives, tools (punches etc) and the image. I cannot sell the image but am offering the Cardinal Christmas stamp set at a 10% discount when purchased with this kit. Or you can use any stamp set you have that you like. Complete step by step instructions included.

Completed Set - $20.00 - I will make a complete set for you - folder, 4 cards and envelopes Please give me two weeks' notice if you need this by a particular date.

Pop-Up Card

Happy Sunday! What a beautiful crisp fall day here in the midwest.


Today I am showing you a card I made for a dear friend who has been hospitalized for several weeks. She is hoping to get home before Thanksgiving and I thought this card might perk her up. It sure perked me up making it. I had been in a sort of slump - mainly because I have been traveling so much lately. This card was just what I needed to get my hands on my 'toys' and get those creative juices flowing again.

I also experimented with a new idea I had for ribbon. I like the way the woven ribbon looks but think I would like it more if I used a ribbon that is wider than the holes and would actually gather some in the woven areas. I will have to play with that some more.

The sentiment on the inside 'pops-up' when you open the card. I used a tutorial at Split Coast Stampers.
Card Stock: Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers
Ink:Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi Markers, Wild Wasabi ink pad
Ribbon: 1/8 inch taffeta Whisper White
Punch:Round Corner punch

Holiday Shares

I have posted a new item on the Shares and Swaps page. You won't want to miss these.

******Holiday Mini Sampler******


Paper Sampler - $6.00
Autumn Spice (six 6 x 6 inch squares)
Candy Cane Christmas (six 6 x 6 inch squares)
Deck the Halls (six 6 x 6 inch squares)
Waffle Paper (9 inch length of each of the 4 colors - gold, silver, black and espresso)

Ribbon and Fiber Sampler - $5.00
Seam Binding - 1 yard of each - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla
Black Lace Trim - 1 yard
Tinsel Trim - 1 yard of each- silver and clear

(If I would need to mail these to you - postage would be in addition to the cost of the sampler)

Handmade Holiday promotion modified

The handmade holiday promotion has been modified. The Decorative label punch in the Tags til Christmas is currently backordered. If you order that package the stamp set will ship now and the punch will be shipped when it becomes available.
Another option for that bundle is to order the Ornament punch instead of the Decorative label punch.

Handmade Holiday Promotion

From October 19 through December 16, Stampin Up is offering some of the Christmas products at a great 20% savings. A great time to plan your Christmas cards and other projects.

Vintage Christmas Card Bundle
Bells and Boughs Stamp Set
Deck the Halls Designer Paper
Bundle Price:
Wood Mount - $23.92
Clear Mount - $19.92

Contempo Christmas Card Bundle
Contempo Christmas Stamp Set
Jolly Holiday Designer Paper
Bundle Price:
Wood Mount - $20.72
Clear Mount - $17.52

Tags till Christmas Bundle
Tags till Christmas Stamp Set
Decorative Label Punch
Bundle Price:
Wood Mount - $38.32
Clear Mount - $31.92

Gift Packaging Bundle
Gifted Stamp Set
Mini Lunch Bags
Bundle Price:
Wood Mount - $26.32
Clear Mount - $19.92

Simply Adorned Gift Bundle
Charming Stamp Set
Simply Adorned 1 x 1 1/4 inch charm
Simply Adorned 24" chain
Bundle Price $39.88

Frame Gift Bundle
Definitely Decorative Chunky Frame
Small Chocolate Chip Dotted Flourish Decor Elements
Bundle Price: $19.92


Contact me today to get started on your handmade holiday.

Shelf Sitter mini scrapbook

I made this shelf sitter for my husband's brother and wife as a housewarming gift. I used some retired designer series paper but you could use any of the current papers as well.

This is a non-SU stamp that I have. The Dusty Durango ribbon and Boho Blossoms worked well with the Fall Flowers DSP (even though the DSP has Really Rust in it - I was out of that retired paper)
I added photos DH's brother and sister-in-law and their son ......
followed by their darling daughters. Aren't they the cutest kids!
And this was on the end of the scrapbook.
But wait - I wasn't done there! It's reversible!

This side is has a Christmas theme. I used a retired Simply Scrappin kit to complete this side.

I used the City of David stamp set (retired) to depict the Christmas story across the pages.

I was going to give it to them and offer to add pictures from their first Christmas in their new home but I just couldn't stop creating. I got more photos downloaded (love Facebook albums) and printed then punched out ornaments of everyone including the 3 older children and spouses to complete the WHOLE family.

Wish I would have taken photos with the ornaments but we were rushed to get on the road for the 2+hr drive. My sister-in -law loved it!

Pumpkin Kit available

Isn't this a cute pumpkin? Would you like to make some of your own? I am offering kits - paper, ribbon and instructions - so you can!
And they can be collapsed for storing the rest of the year!

The papers in each kit may vary but all will be in the 'orange and/or mustard family'. These are very simple. You will need a hole punch (a Crop-a-dile works best but a regular hole punch will work). Optional tools are an oval punch and a crimper.

Here are two that I made (the tea box is there for size perspective). The larger one is from the 12 inch strips and the smaller from the 6 inch strips. If you don't live locally, you would also need to add postage and that would depend on size, etc.

6 inch strips - (approx 4 inch diameter and 3 inches high) - $1.50
8 inch strips - (approx 5 inch diameter and 4 inches high) - $2.50
10 inch strips - (approx 7 inch diameter and 5 inches high) - $3.50
12 inch strips - (approx 8 inch diameter and 6 inches high) - $4.50

If you would like a kit(s) - Email Mary

Congrats Jill - blog candy

Congratulations to Jill on winning the blog candy.

Fifty 6 x 6 sheets of DSP - current and retired - are packaged and ready for you. Hope you enjoy them!

Blog Candy winner and Technique for November

The winner of the blog candy is Jill - lucky # 7 - thanks to everyone who posted a comment.

Congratulations Jill!

This is a new technique I tried called Faux Tearing. If is really fun! I will be featuring this technique at the Technique Tuesday in November.
Stamp Set - Fast and Fabulous, Herb Expressions
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso

This one really looks like torn paper, doesn't it. It is just ink and stamps on the whisper white card stock.
Stamp Set: French Foliage, Herb Expression
Card Stock:Tangy Tangerine, Whisper White, Early Espresso
Ink: More Mustard, Tangy Tangerine, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Almost Artichoke
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, Brayer
Ribbon: 1/4 inch taffeta Early Espresso

This is the card we will make at the Technique Tuesday in November - Check out my calendar page for details
Stamp Set: French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock:Tangy Tangerine, Whisper White, Early Espresso
Ink: More Mustard, Tangy Tangerine, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Almost Artichoke
Tools: Word Window Punch,Modern Label Punch, Brayer
Ribbon: 1/4 inch taffeta Early Espresso

This is the technique I am thinking of doing in December - vitalized vellum. For the two cards I used the same technique with Cherry Cobbler ink but one is placed on the card ink side up and the other is ink side down. Interesting! Which do you like better? I like the one on the right myself in person - they look a little different in the photo.

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations, Christmas Greetings
Card Stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Vellum cardstock
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White craft ink
Tools: Ornament Punch, Scallop Edge Punch