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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Very Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I usually don't send Thanksgiving cards because my Christmas ones go out within a week after the holiday.  But this year, we are so thankful for all the prayers, blessings and good health that we have received this year, I felt compelled to send out some form of thank you card to my family and friends.

Here's the card that many of my family should be receiving. 


My son helped make these (TEN of them!) - so we had a little assembly line going.  He did a great job sponging the edges, don't you think?





I just used a small craft knife to make some slits for the ribbon.  I just loved the Orchard Harvest paper -- the colors just scream 'Thanksgiving' to me.  I mounted the card onto a More Mustard base.

And here's the mess of my kitchen island as we made these cards.  It was a lot of fun making them with help!  Notice the Notre Dame cup?!  We were busy cheering them!


Card Recipe

Stamps:  Seasonal Sayings
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Orchard Harvest DSP, Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Other:  Apothecary Accents, Chocolate Ribbon (retired), craft knife, dimensionals, sponges, rhinestones on hand

Wishing you all a very lovely, happy, and relaxing Thanksgiving.  Thanks for stopping by!

~ Deb

Saturday, November 17, 2012

There's a Sale A-Comin'!!!


What great timing!  These will make great Christmas gifts for a friend (or for yourself)!

Had your eye on a BIG SHOT system or the Scoring Diagonal plate?  It'll be 20% off on Monday only!

How about all the clear blocks for your stamps and storage to boot?  Those will be 20% off on Wednesday only!

Other select Christmas (and other) stamps, punches, and embellishments will be on sale November 19th through 28th. 

No minimum orders -- just click through my 'shop now' link above and you can have them all -- STARTS MONDAY!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Celebrating Confirmation

My nephew, God son, just made his Confirmation.  I've had his gift for a few weeks now, but wasn't quite sure how to package it.  Then I saw THIS tutorial on how to make a double-pocket card -- PERFECT!

I, of course, adjusted all the sizes and things to fit what I had on hand.  The color for Confirmation is RED as a symbol of receiving the Holy Spirit.  So the predominant color is Real Red.  I also chose Crumb Cake as an earthly-tone to represent the climate the Saints lived in 2,000 years ago--and the dirt that was washed off their feet by those that followed them.  The blue is like the sky--where the heavens lie.  Hemp twine reminded me of the simple vestments and ropes the Apostles wore.  I inked all the edges to give it an aged look, and soften the brightness of the colors.

Here's the card by itself:



And here's the card with the goodies inside (a prayer card, and the medallion necklace for St. James the Greater). I had to custom make a tag to hold the chain -- small punched holes and short slits worked wonderfully to hold it all in place. The tiny tags (solid one is behind the '4 You' one) added just a simple sentiment to the front.

  

Stamps:  Speckle Roll (retired), Tiny Tags
Paper:  Whisper White CS, Crumb Cake, Read Red, Bashful Blue, Real Red Polka Parade
Ink: Soft Suede
Punches:  Tiny tag, 1/16" hole punch
Other: Sponge, Hemp twine, Simply Scored Table, heavy-duty double-sided tape

Friday, November 9, 2012

In Memory...

I am currently praying for someone who lost her husband this past summer.  I don't know the circumstances, nor do I know exactly how she is coping.  But I do know she needs prayers.  And so I've been sending her prayers every week for the last couple of months.

This is the latest card I made for her - ironic that the sun is a bit bright to show you the details, and the colors sort of washed out.  But the image matches the sentiment.

I used my Scoring Table (my new toy) to add a little detail.  I also double-sponged a background in the orange (mustard) and gumball green, to give it more of a warmth and autumnal feeling.

I hope she is comforted by the words and the knowledge that she has so many here that love her dearly.


Stamps:  Love & Sympathy
Colors:  More Mustard, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink:  More Mustard, Gumball Green, Basic Black
Techniques:  sponging, dry embossing (Scoring)
Tools:  Ticket punch, stamp-off (to lighten the background image)

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Christmas in Waldo Canyon

Our St. Clare's Quilt Circle has decided to make heirloom Christmas decorative items for those who lost their homes in the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Here's the table runner I made for one of those families - I made it simple enough and traditional colors to go with most homes for Christmas.  It was nice to change up the creative juices a bit as well as make something for someone in need.


Monday, November 5, 2012

Changing Creative Media

I did some quilting this weekend -- I'll have to take some pix and show you the very fun potholders I made for our upcoming Quilter's Boutique.  I enjoyed sitting with my boys while I stitched and they read.  It was a really nice evening of 'togetherness'.  The cats even enjoyed the quiet time, curled up in their laps. 

Later today, my Stampin' Up order is coming in from the big one-day stamp sale we had last week. I cannot wait to play with my new goodies!  By the way, Stampin' Up said typically they sell about 14,000 stamp sets in a day, but on Monday, they sold 193,000!  Thank you to all my customers -- as I earned two accessories from the upcoming Spring Catalog!!  You know I'll be sharing that with you!

So happy Monday to you - and I hope you've carved out some time to vote tomorrow.  It's such a privilege to vote--and a right that women fought for with their lives years ago.  Let's not have their efforts be in vain.  VOTE - and then at least you'll have the right to complain when things don't go your way!  :) 

Saturday, November 3, 2012

New Kit Available!

Stampin' Up just announced this new kit -- great for all sorts of occasions!

Fancy Friends Card Kit

Isn't it cute?  I think this is SUCH a great kit for gift ideas!  The price is $15.95 and it includes everything you need to make six cards.  Want to make more?  You can add on a pack of 8 note cards & envelopes for only $5.95!

The kit is called Fancy Friends and the item number is 132319.  I absolutely love it.  What a great kit for the beginner stamper!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Pumpkin Creations

It's a tradition to carve our pumpkins *on* Halloween because they are at their best for all to see!  We actually cleaned out the pumpkins on the 30th this year because school got in the way of having time to do it all before going out trick-or-treating.

So this year, my oldest son decided to try his hand at an owl design.  It was one of those glow designs -- where you chisel off the rind, but leave the soft pulp behind.  He had help from his Daddy with the sharp chisels and drill bits to get the eyes out.  But I think it turned out awesome!


This one was created by my youngest, who did it all by himself!  He took his pumpkin and design across the street to his friend's house and carved it there!  He calls this "Cosmo Cat".



I always seem to choose those dastardly advanced ones.  And then start it an hour before I have to be somewhere.  Good thing Troy let me use his chisels on pumpkins (and not wood!) - because I think it did just a fabulous job!  I got the design from X-Acto, but I changed it up a bit of course.  I don't have the patience to transfer the design.  I tend to use it as a guide and draw it in as I remember it.  Maybe that's how I can call it my own, I suppose.  :)



There's a Lego knight standing in front, to the right.  My boys chose the frightened ("freaked out") face for him.  I suppose I'd be too if I had that thing flying over me!  

Hope you had a fun Halloween!!



Happy Halloween!

This is my last Halloween idea for 2012.  It's so simple - and so cute!  I wish I remembered to take pictures of all of them.  This is just one of the many I made--very easy and assembly-line oriented to make for and send to all my nieces and nephews.



Supplies for this are: 
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Basic Black and Very Vanilla CS, Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper
Stamps:  Googly Ghouls
Ink:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories:  Googly Eyes, Silver Mini Brads
Other:  Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, square punch (to make banner ends), 1/8" circle punch (for brads), dimensionals
 
Even the picture looks creepy!! 

I hope you have a wonderful Halloween celebration - and enjoy the creativity of the costumes, decorations and yummy treats! 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Who's That Peeking in My Window?

We're coming up on the last few days to get those Halloween cards made!  Many of mine are arriving on rather wet doorsteps -- to many of my family and friends in the wake of this horrific storm!!  We are keeping you in our prayers -- particularly overnight when it's hard to stay calm and get a nice, peaceful rest.  Stay safe.

In the meantime -- take a look-see at this latest CASE'd card.  I have since colored in these freakish ghoulies and added a few googly eyes for effect.  But it was a fabulously fun card to assemble!  It's still available in the Holiday catalog, and I've made so many different types of cards with this single set.  I just love it -- as do my boys!  Any time I can get them crafting is a great day indeed!


For this creation, I used the 1 1/4" square punch, and used the postage stamp punch for the border edge and window edges.  The spider web was dry embossed, and everything is raised up with strategically placed dimensionals.  I used Lucky Limeade twine for the drop-in spider (ain't he cute?).


Googly Ghouls
1/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon
So I'm going to be switching gears after Halloween to some degree.  I still have cards to make for various events, but I'm going to work on some quilting projects for Christmas gifts.  I am looking forward to sharing those with you soon!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Sell-a-Stamp Spooktacular!


Sell-a-Stamp Spooktacular! 
All Stamps 15% Off
One Day Only!!

Don't miss this ONE DAY EVENT and receive 15% off almost every stamp set we sell!!


Sell-a-Stamp Spooktacular!!
Just Announced!! 

This Monday, October 29th, Stampin' Up! is having an amazing event!!!!!  Almost all stamps will be 15% off!!!!!  Here are the details:
  • Starting at 12:00 AM (MT) and ending at 11:50 PM (MT), almost every stamp we sell will be 15% off.
This means all stamps in the current catalogs including:
    • Background stamps
    • Personalized name stamps
    • Cookie press stamps
    • Single-image stamps - MORE IMAGES HAVE BEEN ADDED!! 
This promotion DOES NOT include:
    • Hostess sets
    • Bundled stamp sets (already discounted 15% in Holiday catalog) 
    • Digital stamp brush sets
There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can orderPlus, I can win prizes for the number of stamp sets I sell!  So, let's do this together!! 
You can place your order directly ONLINEon Monday

OR
 
EMAIL ME your order this weekend
 and I will place your order for you on Monday! 


Start making your wish list now!  With a minimum $150 order, you can make it a party and earn hostess benefits!
Please let me know if you have any questions!!!!!  
You can place your order HERE on Monday, October 29th!

 

Those stamp sets you have been wanting but waiting to purchase or maybe make great Christmas gifts - THEY'RE ON SALE ON MONDAY!!