Christmas Collage and Vintage Christmas Card Bundle

I just love this background stamp in the Holiday mini, Christmas Collage. So much stuff you can do with this stamp. It isn't just a background stamp! For example, in this card, I would call it the main image.

I used the circle area in the stamp to spotlight an image from another set, Welcome Christmas. Love the images from this set too - reminds me of childhood! This card was inspired by the combination of genesis's and ponygirl40's work on SCS.

I loaded the collage stamp with Versamark and Chocolate Chip ink, stamped, and clear embossed. I then sponged with Always Artichoke and More Mustard ink, spritzed with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, and distressed the edges. The highlighted image and sentiment were embossed in gold on DSP. You can click on the image to see it more magnified and check out the details.

Stamps: Christmas Collage, Welcome Christmas, Snow Swirled; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP; Ink: Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Versamark; Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Gold embossing powder, Sponges, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Cherry Cobbler seam binding.

The above card ties in with the Vintage Christmas card bundle, part of the ABCs of the Perfect Handmade Holiday promotion, running through December 16. Purchase both the Bells & Boughs stamp set and Deck the Halls designer series paper for 20% off, $19.92 clear-mount or $23.92 wood-mount.

The Deck the Halls paper is my favorite!! Here is a sample card made with the promo bundle.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp-A-Stack Cards

Good Morning, Everyone!

I thought I would share some of the cards we made at the Stamp-A-Stack earlier this month. This card was a CASE of a layout in the Holiday mini a couple years back.

Love that silhouette bird image, and super easy to put together!

Stamps: Holidays & Wishes; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Bella Rose DSP; Ink: Old Olive; Accessories: Real Red ribbon, Button, Linen thread, Scallop Circle die, Bird w/ Leaves & Flower, Big Shot.

The ornament card was a big hit!

Stamps: Tags Til Christmas, Sincere Salutations; Paper: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Merry Moments DSP; Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso; Accessories: Rhinestone jewel, Early Espresso ribbon, Silver cord, Ornament punch, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Topnote die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

But I think this one was the favorite of the night.

I love me-self a glittery, snowy hill scene! I won't tell you how much glitter was in the house! :) Thank goodness Hubby loves his new Roomba (his, because he won't let me touch it!).

Stamps: Paisley Prints, Sweet Season; Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Whisper White; Ink: Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy, Versamark; Accessories: White embossing powder, Two-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Always Artichoke ribbon, Wide Oval punch, Decorative Label punch, Crop-o-dile, Texture Plates Kit #4, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Do The Math - Best Starter Kit Deal Ever!

Ok, by now you've all heard that the Starter Kits for joining Stampin' Up are HALF PRICE until Tuesday, November 30. I borrowed this breakdown from fellow demo Lyssa Zwolanek. It is truly outstanding deal! There is no obligation to sell - buy it for yourself - or as a Christmas gift!

Here’s what is in the CUSTOMIZABLE Standard Kit and the value of each:

1. Any $33.95 or lower Stamp Set

2. Any $28.95 or lower Stamp Set

3. Any $18.95 or lower Stamp Set

4. Any $9.95 or lower Stamp Set

Before we go on, note that the $87.50 kit cost has already paid for the 4 sets above valued at $91.80. That means EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE IS FREE!!!!!!

5. $19.95 Brights Patterns Designer Series paper stack (OR color of your choice) FREE

6. $16.95 Stampin’ Scrub® FREE

7. $8.95 Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon (OR ribbon at the same or lower price) FREE

8. $8.95 VersaMark® pad (OR ink pad at the same or lower price) FREE

9. $8.50 Card stock 8-1/2" x 11" (Whisper White OR color of your choice) FREE

10. $7.95 Small Chocolate Songbird Tile Décor Elements® (OR Décor Elements item at the same or lower price) FREE

11. $6.95 Assorted color card stock 8-1/2" x 11" (Getting Started OR assortment of your choice) FREE

12. $6.95 Clear Block C (OR clear block at the same or lower price) FREE

13. $6.95 SNAIL Adhesive® (OR adhesive at the same or lower price) FREE

14. $6.50 Fast Flowers Stampin’ Around® wheel (OR standard wheel of your choice) FREE

15. $5.95 Stampin’ Around Self Inking Handle (standard) FREE

16. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

17. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

18. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

19. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

20. $5.25 Uninked Cartridge (standard) FREE

21. $4.50 Stampin’ Mist® (OR StazOn® Cleaner) FREE

22. $3.95 Stampin’ Dimensionals® FREE

23. $3.50 Stampin’ Write® marker (color of your choice) FREE

24. $3.50 Stampin’ Write® marker (color of your choice) FREE

25. $3.32 Blender pen (single) FREE

26. $2.95 Marina Mist Classic Ink Refill (OR color of your choice) FREE

27. $1.95 Décor Elements Applicator Tool FREE

28. $1.17 Stamping sponge (single) FREE

29. Catalogs ($29.95 for 8), business forms, and other printed materials to get your business off to a great start! FREE

And were you thinking about getting My Digital Studio, maybe for Christmas? Here’s what is in the CUSTOMIZABLE Digital + Kit and the value of each:

1. $79.95 My Digital Studio™ software* (see description of this product below)

2. $8.50 Card stock 8-1/2" x 11" (Whisper White OR color of your choice)

Before we go on, note that the $87.50 kit cost has paid for the My Digital Studio software & card stock above. That means EVERYTHING BELOW THIS LINE IS FREE!!!!!!

3. Any $26.95 or lower Stamp Set FREE

4. Any $18.95 or lower Stamp Set FREE

5. Any $7.95 or lower Stamp Set FREE

6. $16.95 Stampin’ Scrub® FREE

7. $8.95 Brights Designer buttons FREE

8. $7.95 Small Chocolate Songbird Tile Décor Elements® (OR Décor Elements item at the same or lower price) FREE

9. $6.95 Clear Block C (OR clear block at the same or lower price) FREE

10. $6.95 Assorted color card stock 8-1/2" x 11" (Getting Started OR assortment of your choice) FREE

11. $6.95 SNAIL Adhesive® (OR adhesive at the same or lower price FREE

12. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

13. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

14. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

15. $5.95 Classic Stampin’ Pad® (color of your choice) FREE

16. $4.95 Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (OR ribbon at the same or lower price) FREE

17. $4.95 Glue Dots® FREE

18. $4.50 Stampin’ Mist® (OR StazOn® Cleaner) FREE

19. $3.95 Stampin’ Dimensionals® FREE

20. $3.50 Stampin’ Write® marker (color of your choice) FREE

21. $3.50 Stampin’ Write® marker (color of your choice) FREE

22. $1.95 Décor Elements Applicator Tool FREE 23. Catalogs ($29.95 for 8), business forms, and other printed materials to get your business off to a great start! FREE

Seen enough? Call me today--(845) 235-7391--and I'll get you hooked up and answer any questions you have about being a hobby or business demo, our low quarterly minimums, and what happens if you don't decide to stick with it. Or, if you're already convinced, just go to my demo website and click on Join Now. My authorization password is join1team and the whole process will only take you about twenty minutes total if you already know what you want in your kit. Isn't it exciting to get so much fantastic stamping stuff for SO cheap!!!

Don't delay - this deal ends TUESDAY!

Saturday Challenges

Another ColourQ challenge card...

I used an old Mojo Monday sketch, #116, and I was also inspired by a card by Cici510 on Splitcoaststampers.

For this card, I was trying to focus on snowflakes and mittens for a generic winter card, rather than specifically a Christmas card. I used various Designer Series Paper and my Circle Scissors Plus to create the circles. I also bleached a piece of More Mustard cardstock so that the snowflakes would pop more when I stamped tone-on-tone (same color cardstock and ink).

I loved the mittens in the inspirational picture, so I used the mitten stamp in Scandinavian Season and embossed with Mustard embossing powder (retired). I also used the flocked snowflake from Christmas Cocoa DSP, which doesn't show up in the pic, but fun to feel!

Stamps: Scandinavian Season, Serene Snowflakes; Paper: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Deck the Halls DSP, Christmas Cocoa DSP; Ink: More Mustard, Versamark; Accessories: Bleach, Mustard embossing powder, Linen thread, Circle Scissors Plus, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Dimensionals.

And this week's Mojo Monday and Friday Mashup challenge...

This card was inspired by my blogging buddy Dany, who introduced me to the idea of inking a stamp with ink and shimmer paint in the same image.

Stamps: Sincere Snowflakes, Warmest Regards; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Whisper White, Deck the Halls DSP; Night & Day DSP; Ink: Cherry Cobbler marker; Accessories: Platinum shimmer paint, Sponge dauber, Rhinestone jewels, Filigree brad, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Modern Label punch, Large Oval punch, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Countdown to Christmas: Welcome Christmas WOW #2

Four weeks to go... I know you ladies are all out spending money on Black Friday, and not reading blogs, but did you enjoy your Turkey Day? This is the big push now. Finish up those cards (or get started?) and get them in the mail. If you are a late-starter, it isn't too late to order your supplies. But get a-move on, huh? :D If you need a quick and easy way to make multiple cards, My Digital Studio is the way to go! And don't forget MDS is 50% off right now!!

This is the second card for the Fancy Christmas card swap. Some lovely vintage paper, cracked glass, silky seam binding, and a bit of zig-zag stitching... yummy!

A close-up on the cracked glass.

Stamps: Welcome Christmas; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP; Ink: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler; Accessories: Sponge, Clear embossing powder, Always Artichoke seam binding, Circle Scissors Plus, Scallop Circle #2 die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.
Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for? I'm thankful for health, safety, exercise (endorphins are legal and free!), time to stamp... But most of all, thankful for time with family...

This is a scrapbook page, one of the make & takes from the Baltimore Regionals, showing our family camping along the Hudson River over Labor Day weekend. I love getting away to camp with the family, which does not happen nearly enough!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude; Paper: Old Olive, Cajun Crazy, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink: Old Olive, Cajun Craze; Accessories: Old Olive ribbon, Decorative Label punch.

So, what's on your table this Thanksgiving Day? I created a little Mayflower pilgrim ship for my daughter, who is just learning about the meaning of Thanksgiving. More table art for the SU-Only Challenge.

The template for this ship was created by Brenda Quintana, and the one made by Julia Aston was my inspiration.

Stamps: Woodgrain BG, Holidays & Wishes; Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede marker; Ink: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Rope twine, Wooden skewer, Topnote die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanksgiving Pumpkins, Turkey, and Bears... Oh My!

I saw the inspiration challenge on Stampin' Celebration,

which reminded me of the white craft pumpkins I bought to decorate for Halloween. Well, my Halloween spirit is gone, so onto Thanksgiving in the nick of time.

My daughter is having too much fun carrying the pumpkins and turkey around, so I didn't want to alter them too much. How about a matching card? Am I inspiring myself?

I was also drawn to the upper left picture, like Rochelle, but hopefully my card isn't too much of a CASE. I cut strips of Crumb Cake cardstock and sponged the edges and used direct-to-paper with Soft Suede ink on the "wood planks".

Edit to add: this project won top 3 on Stampin' Celebration - yay!

Stamps: Holiday Best; Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Autumn Traditions DSP; Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede marker; Accessories: Raffia, Wide Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Small Oval punch, Crop-o-dile, Sponges, Leaves #2 die, Big Shot.

And another project... I saw a picture of some pilgrim and indian bears, created by Charity Lawson for the Portland Regionals Workshop WOW. Oh my gosh, I had to make some! I love decorating the house with seasonal Build-a-Bears, and it had been a while. For the sake of my daughter, right? ;)

I used the Scallop Edge punch for the grass (punch, shift a half scallop, punch again), sponged it, and also sponged the clouds with Whisper White Craft ink. This scene card is going right up on the white board.

Stamps: Season of Friendship; Paper: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Certainly Celery; Ink: Early Espresso, Old Olive, Whisper White craft; Accessories: Sponges, Scallop Edge punch, Corner Rounder punch, Early Espresso ribbon, Hemp twine, Bear die, Beary Essentials die, Beary Love die, Birds & Blooms Sizzlit, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Clean And Simple Birthday and Contempo Christmas Sample

I don't do Clean and Simple (CAS) very often. I was playing along with one of the Virtual Stamp Night challenges on Splitcoaststampers, and these are sooooo easy! I also used a previous Color Round Up challenge for color inspiration. ETA: This card was picked as one of the CAS favorites for week ending 11/21/10 over at Splitcoaststampers - Thanks!!

Stamps: French Foliage, Warmest Regards; Paper: Whisper White, River Rock, Always Artichoke, More Mustard; Ink: River Rock, Always Artichoke, More Mustard; Accessories: Always Artichoke ribbon, Square punches.

Don't forget about the ABCs of the Perfect Handmade Holiday promotion, currently running through December 16. Today I would like to highlight the Contempo Christmas card bundle. Purchase both the Contempo Christmas stamp set and Jolly Holiday designer series paper, and receive 20% off the bundle. That's paper and stamps, ready for card-creating, for $17.52 clear-mount or $20.72 wood-mount.

Here is a sample created with the Contempo Christmas bundle.

Thanks for stopping by!

Online Spectacular Begins!!

The Online Spectacular is here! Check out all the deals, up to 50% off! The flyer with all the details is found here. To shop online, go to my demonstrator website, and click "shop now".

Some selected deals include 50% off:

• My Digital Studio™
• Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric
• Deck the Halls Designer Fabric
• Sweet Shoppe Alphabet Wood-Mount Bundle
• Sweet Shoppe Alphabet Clear-Mount Bundle

Other deals include:

• Selected Big Shots dies at 30-40% off
• Holiday Decor Elements at 40% off
• Stamp set bundles and accessories at 30% off
• Selected digital downloads at 20-40% off

Things to remember:

• Discounted products (except My Digital Downloads) are available on all order types (customer, demonstrator, workshop, and online).
• In order to receive free shipping, orders must be $150 or more before tax and shipping.
• Free shipping is available for qualifying online or demonstrator orders only. Other order types will not qualify for this promotional offer.

Everybody loves a bargain! Thanks for stopping by!

ColourQ Challenge

I got some new stamps today, so I thought I would sit down with the ColourQ challenge and ink them up. ETA: This card was crowned ColourQ Courtier!

Ok, this set isn't new, but it is new to me. I have been wanting it forever, and I can't wait to make some winter cards with it.

I was following a Michelle Zindorf tutorial, and I had some issues, but I forged ahead.

The stamped-off tree images look like poop, and the embossed leaves at the bottom didn't resist sponging very well. Hubby didn't like it at all.

So here is the improved card, I hope. TIP: If you want to take a layer off your card, try sliding dental floss under the layer. It is a staple in my craft room!

I brayered at an angle with More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie. I also brayered the bottom with Old Olive. And then I stamped. At least it came out cleaner.

This card also satisfies a couple Virtual Stamp Night challenges from last weekend over at SplitCoastStampers, things you see in the sky (trees) and using silver and stitching. I thought this card would also fit in well for the challenge over at Stampin' Celebration.

The layout of the background is called Color Blocking. Here's a closer look at the stitching.

Do you like the second card better?

Stamps: Season of Friendship; Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Sweet Pea DSP, Autumn Vine DSP; Ink: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso; Accessories: Brayer, Silver brads, Coluzzle, Scallop Circle die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Countdown To Christmas: Friday Mashup And Welcome Christmas WOW #1

Five weeks to go... and the countdown continues. That sounds scary, but it is still plenty of time... I hope. I haven't started anything for myself yet!!

Time for another Friday Mashup. This week is an inspiration challenge, SNOWMEN!

A Cute Christmas stamp set reminds me of the classic Burl Ives Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer cartoon, especially using it for an outdoor scene.

I've done the window scene a few times, but I always feel something is missing. So I thought I would give curtains a try, especially since we have coordinating fabric. Love that! I also stained a wooden skewer with Chocolate Chip ink to coordinate. Wow, it is really hard to get a decent, in-focus photograph of this card! ETA: This card was picked as one of the favorites for week ending 11/21/10 over at Splitcoaststampers - Thanks!!

Fortuitously, this card also satisfies the ColorLab, Stamping 411, and Pals Paper Arts challenges this week. Below is a close-up of the glittery snow.

Stamps: A Cute Christmas; Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede; Ink: Black Stazon, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Real Red, So Saffron; Accessories: Aquapainter, Two-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Sponges, Post-it notes, Word Window punch, Designer Label punch, Linen thread, Candy Cane Christmas fabric, Wooden skewer, Kit #4 texturz plate, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

And the card above was inspired by this card I put together for a Fancy Christmas card swap. I've been on a glittery snow scene kick lately, as anyone at my Stamp-a-Stack knows... who didn't go home with a glittery face?

I brayered the main panel with Bashful Blue and Night of Navy, used So Saffron and a sponge dauber for the sun, and then stamped and quartered the main panel. And here is a close-up of the bling.

I'm a sucker for the window scenes!

Stamps: Welcome Christmas, Lovely as a Tree; Paper: Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy DSP, More Mustard DSP; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy; Accessories: Two-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Sponge dauber, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Bitty button, Linen thread, Brayer, Post-it notes, Kit #4 texturz plate, Big Shot.
Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Gratitude

Using the Mojo Monday sketch and an earlier Color Round Up challenge, I put together a thank you note.

I also used a French Foliage sample from the Holiday Mini as beginning inspiration. Love this vintage-y set!

Stamps: French Foliage, Day of Gratitude, Woodgrain BG; Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP; Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive, Sahara Sand; Accessories: Vintage brad, Old Olive ribbon, Scallop Trim punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Scallop Circle #2 die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanksgiving Nuggets

I had so much fun making Halloween nugget boxes, I decided to give some Thanksgiving ones a try. Maybe you would like to make these cute little quickies for the Thanksgiving dinner table? These little creations also satisfy the challenge over at SU-Only Challenges, Thanksgiving table art.

These are two petal card punches glued together to create a little nugget box (a Hershey's nugget fits inside), and then just decorate with punch art. Any type of punch art that fits would do. Do you have other ideas??

Turkey: Paper: Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Whisper White, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Petal Card punch, Circle punches, Small Oval punch, Boho Blossom punch, Crop-o-dile, Basic Black marker.

Pumpkin: Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake; Ink: Pumpkin Pie; Accessories: Sponge, Petal Card punch, Small Oval punch, Dimensional.

The idea for these guys came from Christy Fulk. Thanks for stopping by!

Biking Buddies

On the subject of biking buddies, one spends a lot of time with bikemates, driving to races, taking all day treks, etc. Here is a photo of my buddy Ralph riding with me on the D&H canal a couple weeks ago.

We were (sort of) pioneering the trail, had to get off and ride the road at several points, and even a little hike-a-bike. It was a great adventure!

Now onto making a card or two for (male) biking friends... I say to Hubby, "I can't put any ribbon or stitching or anything on this, can I?" He responds, "Well, if you can stitch the bike tread..." Now we're talking! Actually, he said bike thread, but he's a foreigner. We'll let that slide.

I used Mojo Monday sketch #70 as a starting point.

I'm imagining the patterned paper is a sand pit (I have cyclocross on the mind), and the front wheel of my little tricycle is slipping and sliding around. :D

Stamps: Pedaling Past; Paper: Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Travel Journal DSP; Ink: Black Stazon, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie; Accessories: Aquapainter, Platinum Shimmer Paint, Sponge dauber, Gadget Gears die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!