Nutz about Stamping

How do the holidays inspire your cards?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is wide open! This fun challenge below has me ask: how do the holidays inspire your cards? For me, it is my home decor.

A few years ago I bought this gorgeous paper mâché reindeer with a huge red velvet bow and I set it beside my fireplace every year. The Dashing Deer bundle was an instant 'gotta have it' for me because the reindeer stamps reminded me of my home decor deer. 

Here's some exciting news: Dashing Deer is on sale and available while supplies last! Click on the image below to order it at my online store:

Dashing Deer Clear-Mount Bundle
$50.25

So when I saw this challenge I knew I needed to use Dashing Deer. But I chose to use a different paper for my deer die-cut: Sparkle Glimmer paper!

And as I had several bits of the Festive Farmhouse designer paper around I decided to use some of this appear on my card. 

Festive Farmhouse 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

Here's my card; don't miss the Falling Softly embossed layer - a nice final visual touch. Why not try my layout to make your cards this year? 

To see other cards created using this fun inspiration challenge, click here. 

Here's how to deck the halls with colorful baubles

If you love to color, I have a really colorful Christmas card for you to try today! Deck the halls and everything else with beautiful baubles, bursting with color and delight!

Grab your Stampin' Blends and let's get started. First here's the Beautiful Baubles stamp set, in case you want to order it at my online store:

Beautiful Baubles Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

Then dust off your Stampin' Blends: Pool Party and Highland Heather. 

Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

 

Remember when you color with your Stampin' Blends you need to stamp your images with StazOn Jet Black ink so the ink doesn't run when you color. 

Finally, follow my instructions under the card photo and wow your friends and family with this gorgeous Christmas card:

 

Beautiful Baubles Christmas Card

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Beautiful Baubles (147765)

Inks:  Black Memento Pad (132708), Versamark  (102283)

Paper:  Highland Heather (146986), Pool Party (122924), Whisper White (100730)

Other:  Silver 3/8” Metallic-Edge Ribbon (144213), Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush (141897), Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack (147276), Pool Party Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack (144605), Mini Glue Dots (103683) Snail (104332), Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements: 

• Highland Heather: 8 ½” x 5 ½”; scored at 4 ¼” 
• Pool Party: 4 x 3 ½”
• Whisper White:  3 ¾” x 3 ¼”
• Ribbon:  8”

Instructions: 

1. Fold the Highland Heather card stock in half to form the card base.
2. Use the Dark Highland Heather Blends marker and colour the strip of white ribbon. Use long strokes with the brush tip.   Set it aside to dry.
3. Stamp the large ornament and the ornament string, with Black Memento Ink, on the white cardstock. 
4. Stamp the small snowflake image, with Versamark ink on the card base. 
5. Stamp the saying, with Black Memento Ink on the right hand side of the card base.
6. Color in the ornament with all four Blends markers, leaving some areas white.
7. Attach the colored ornament to the Pool Party mat and then to the front of the card with dimensionals.
8. Add some Wink of Stella to parts of the ornament.
9. Tie the ribbon into a bow and attach it with glue dots.

You don't want to miss Stampin' Up!s year end sale

I am so excited to announce Stampin' Up!s year end sale event, now on! You don't want to miss out on these discounted items (see photos below)

Stock up and save on Stampin’ Up! clearance products.  Up to 60% off PLUS many items on the Holiday Catalog Retiring List have been discounted, some up to 40% off.

Discounted products are only available while supplies last so please don’t wait to order your favorites. Click here to head to my online store if you see your favorites on sale in my photos below:

And there's more:

The Fine Details:

• Promotion Dates: December 10, 2015-January 4, 2016.
• No minimum purchase required.
• No refunds or exchanges on Year-End Sale items.
• Items offered during the Year-End Sale are while supplies last.
• Year-End Sale & clearance items may be combined on your order with other Stampin’ Up! products.

I love hearing from you!  Please leave me your questions or comments below.

This simple Christmas card will guarantee a happy smile

One of my favorite Christmas stamp sets is Cookie Cutter Christmas because it is so much fun to craft with. Creating these delightful characters will brighten even your coldest winter days. 

This simple Christmas card will guarantee a happy smile from anyone who receive it. And it is easy to create using your Big Shot and the Cookie Cutter Builder punch.

Here are some of the products I used - you can click on any of these photos to link over to my online store and place your Christmas card products order:

Cookie Cutter Christmas Photopolymer Stamp Set
$21.00

Cookie Cutter Builder Punch
$18.00

Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

Cherry Cobbler Dark Stampin' Blends Marker
$4.50

Festive Farmhouse 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

Cookie Cutter Christmas reindeer

Stamp sets: Cookie Cutter Christmas (142043), Merry Christmas to All (147702), Banners for You (141770)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Stampin' Blends: Cherry Cobbler Dark (144575); Crumb Cake Combo pack (144601)

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Very Vanilla: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 4" x 2 1/2"; 2" x 3"
          Cherry Cobbler: 2 1/2" square
          Mossy Meadow: 2" square; 1/2" x 5 1/2"
          Festive Farmhouse (147820): 5 1/2" x 1"

Other: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Layering Circles framelits (141705), Bunch of Banners framelits (141488), Cookie Cutter Builder punch (140396), Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive, Softly Falling embossing folder (139672)

Watch my video to see step-by-step how to make the card - and don't miss a second card idea at the end and additional tips along the way!

See a creative way to stamp words

Today I am excited to share something I discovered - a creative way to stamp words! I discovered this almost by accident as I was designing and creating the card below. 

Here's the story behind the design:

I loved the designer series paper pattern and wanted to feature it as a main layer for my card. So I cut and adhered it to my card base. I was thinking about an image for the front of my card and decided to use a solid Whisper White deer from the Detailed Deer thinlits pack. 

Detailed Deer Thinlits Dies
$34.00

I wanted my die-cut deer to stand out from the designer paper pattern so created a couple of layers (Whisper White and Shaded Spruce) to make that happen. 

Then I got stuck. I didn't want just the plain deer on the card front. I wanted to add a phrase. I looked through my Christmas stamps and spotted the Merry Christmas to All stamps:

Merry Christmas To All Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

And that's when it hit me. I would try stamping right on the deer! Here's my card and I can honestly say I love it! I featured this card at my November Crafternoon class and my customers loved it too!

Give my idea a try using the instructions under my card photo:

 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Merry Christmas to All (147702)
• Card Stock – Shaded Spruce (146981), Whisper White (100730)
• Ink: Shaded Spruce (147088)
• Misc. – SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Big Shot (143263), Detailed Deer Thinlits (147915), Magnetic Platform (130658), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Under the Mistletoe designer series paper (146921)

Measurements: 
Shaded Spruce: 2 1/4” x 3 1/4”; 2 3/8” x 3 3/8”
Whisper White: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”; 2 1/2” x 3 1/2”; 4” x 3” (deer); 3 1/2” x 1/4” (banner)
Under the Mistletoe: 4” x 5 1/4”

Instructions:

1. Fold Whisper White card stock in half to create card base. 
2. Using SNAIL adhesive, adhere Under the Mistletoe layer to Whisper White card base.
3. Layer larger Shaded Spruce and Whisper White layers and adhere using SNAIL. 
4. Cut banner ends to Whisper White strip. Adhere to Shaded Spruce layer and then adhere final Shaded Spruce layer on top. 
5. Diecut Whisper White deer. Using Shaded Spruce ink, stamp ‘Merry’ onto deer body. Adhere deer image to card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals. 

If you want to place an order at my Online Store, click the link below - don't miss all the items on year-end clearance!

Are you looking for an amazing business opportunity?

Do you LOVE stamping, scrapbooking or paper crafting? Have you thought of owning a business and adding income to your family? This is a great time to join Stampin' Up!

 

Here's why:

• TWO new catalogs will be released in January but as a demonstrator you can pre-order from them this month AND save 20% on this order
  
  
• Anything you buy for yourself to craft with counts towards your quarterly minimum ($300). Join now and your first quarterly minimum is not due until March 31st! You can spend a bit each month or wait until March 31^st and make one large purchase
  
  
• Anything friends or family buy from you counts towards your quarterly minimum. You can earn additional commission dollars on purchased products!
  
  
• Buy from yourself and it counts too – Birthday, Christmas, Wedding presents, etc.
  
  
• Our products make great stocking stuffers. All these products count towards your quarterly sales requirement
  
  
• Buy products to make gifts to sell and it can be a write-off on taxes plus add extra income for your family
  
  
• Our biggest sale of the year, Sale-a-bration, runs from Jan 3 – March 31^st. Anyone (including you!) who purchases $50 in products get a free set of stamps from the Sale-a-bration mini catalog (photo above). Sales are huge during Sale-a-bration so this is a great time to join Stampin' Up!
  
  
• The Occasions catalog promotion dates run from January 4 - March 31st. I have had a sneek peek at this catalog and know you will be WOWED by the new products coming our way!
  
  
• Stampin' Up! has an amazing promotion for Stampin' Up! demonstrators who join between now and December 31st: pre-order Occasions Mini catalog products in December and you can qualify to get FREE Sale-a-bration mini catalog products!

Do you have additional questions for me about the Stampin' Up! business opportunity? Contact me at: [email protected] and I am happy to chat with you.

You need to see what does Santa does in his spare time

Have you ever wondered what Santa is doing in his spare time? Well, here are some snapshots! 

This hilarious So Santa stamp set pokes fun at Santa and will make everyone smile when they get this card. Don't you love the phrases too? If you have friends and family who live in a warm climate, why not create this beach-y card to them? And I love that the paper isn't Christmas either - it's such a fun way to partner with the surfing Santa. 

Click below to place an order for these products over at my online store: 

You can make a bunch of these tropical Santa cards in just minutes - see a full set of instructions below.

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – So Santa (147824 wood, 147821 clear)
• Card Stock – Whisper White (100730); Shaded Spruce (146981)
• Stamp Pads – Tuxedo Black Memento (132708)
• Misc. – Tropical Escape 6”x6” Designer Series Paper (146916); Neutrals Stampin’ Write Markers (147158); Subtles Stampin’ Write Markers (147156); Brights Stampin’ Write Markers (147157); Regals Stampin’ Write Markers (147155); 2” Circle Punch (133782); 2 ¼” Circle Punch (143720); Clear Wink of Stella (141897); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

 

Measurements:  

• Whisper White (base): 5 ½” x 8 ½”, scored at 4 ¼”
• Whisper White – 3” x 3”
• Shaded Spruce – 3 pieces @ 3 ½” x 3 ½” 
• Designer Paper – 3 different patterns @ 3 ½” x 3 ½” 

 

Instructions:

1. Stamp the beachy Santa on Whisper White cardstock scrap using Memento ink. Color in the image as follows:
   a. Blushing Bride for flesh
   b. Granny Apple Green for alternating stripes on surfboard, one straw and background of shorts
   c. Shaded Spruce for alternating stripes on surfboard, one straw and leaves on shorts
   d. Mango Melody for flowers on shorts and umbrella in pineapple
   e. Crumb Cake for pineapple and sand and star fish
2. Punch out the Santa image using the 2” Circle Punch.
3. Punch out one each of the designer papers using the 2” Circle Punch.
4. Punch out three 2 ¼” circles from Shaded Spruce cardstock using the punch.
5. Adhere the designer paper circles to the Shaded Spruce circles. Adhere the circles to the center of the card base, slightly overlapping them as shown.
6. Adhere the Santa image over two of the circles as shown using Dimensionals.
7. Stamp the greeting under the Santa image using Memento ink.
8. Add Wink of Stella to the tufts of hair, mustache and beard of Santa. 

Behind the scenes of a card map challenge

Today I want to share my behind the scenes thinking of this Paper Craft Crew card map challenge:

 

The map seems simple right? So I thought it would be easy to create a card following this map to share with you. And then my eye fell on two left-over diecut deer that were sitting on my table. 

Because I cannot throw anything out. I am pretty good at throwing out leftover bits of tiny paper but there were these two Night of Navy Dashing Deer that I was going to use on a card and then changed my mind so I had set them aside for 'future use'. Normally this situation would result in these bits sitting around for months but I decided to use them for this card map challenge. 

Decision time: where to put the deer? I had a leftover strip of Twinkle Twinkle designer paper so that would be the strip for the left-hand side of my card. Hm, but where to put the deer? I decided to use them as a focal point on my card, sitting right on top of the scalloped circles. 

At that point my card was quick to finish. I added a second strip of Twinkle Twinkle paper for the banner - it's the back side of the Night of Navy pattern I had already used. 

After I added the banner and popped up the deer on the scalloped circles I was left with two dilemmas: what would I do for the red circle and what about a phrase for my card? Not all cards need phrases on the front but I wanted this one to have a phrase. So I set about looking for a phrase and had a brain wave. The Flourishing Phrases stamp set has a very tiny 'hello' stamp and I wanted to make a card for to mail to my son (I write him a letter every week) and the two just blended into one idea. 

This card wouldn't be a Christmas card, it would be a 'hello' card and I would write my letter inside!

Here's my finished card - what do you think? Add a comment under this post to tell me - does it look Christmasy or does it pass for a friendship card idea? 

Have you seen signs of Santa's amazing helpers?

The Signs of Santa bundle is such a happy set - with those quirky images that are fun to color. And the set even has an official North Pole seal!

You know you have seen signs of Santa's amazing helpers with today's project - one of the elf images is featured on a super cute, and very easy to make, gift bag and tag. 

What would you pop inside this bag and give to someone special? I love the size of these Santa's Gift bags - they fit nicely onto a Christmas tree branch, inside a stocking hung by the fireplace or sitting on a place setting at the dinner table. There are so many ideas for these fun bags - why not start with this one below?

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Signs of Santa Bundle (149967)
• Card Stock – Garden Green (102584); Whisper White (100730)
• Stamp Pads – Memento Black Ink (132708)
• Misc. – Santa’s Workshop Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (147809);  Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (133324); Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372); Layerying Circles Framelits (141705); Poppy Parade 1/2” Textured Weave Ribbon (147813); Whisper White Solid Baker’s Twine (124262); Dimensionals (104430); 

 

Measurements:  

• Garden Green: 2” x 4 3/4” Scrap for Scallop circle
• Whisper White: Scrap for Stitched Circle
• DSP: 2” x 3 1/2”                
• Die cut the elf and pole

 

Instructions:

1. Punch one end of the 2” x 4 3/4 piece of Garden Green cardstock with the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch.
2. Attach the Santa Workshop polka dot paper to the punched layer and set aside
3. Die cut the elf and pole from the Santa Workshop DSP and then stamp the North Pole onto the pole with the Memento Black Ink.
4. Attach the Whisper White stitched circle to the Garden Green Scalloped Circle and then add the elf and pole.
5. Use Dimensionals to attach the completed circle to the tag.
6. Tie a bow with the Poppy Parade Ribbon and add to the top of the tag with 2 Glue Dots
7. Attach the Whisper White Bakers Twine to the top of the tag.
8. Here I have used the tag on the Santa Bags (147812) but this tag can also be used on any other bag or wrapped gift or even as the focal point of a card.

Do you have a crammed wish list this year?

Do you secretly wish that your friends and family would "surprise" you with some fabulous stamping, scrapbooking and paper crafting products under your Christmas tree this year? Is your wish list crammed with items you see in our catalogs? 

Ho, ho, ho - I am Santa's lil helper this year!

I have the perfect idea for you. I have developed a Christmas Wish List that will allow you to point out some specific items that you would love to unwrap on Christmas Day.

  

Here's how my Christmas Wish List works:

1. Download the Wish List document (see link below) and fill it with the items you wish to receive.
   
   
2. Return your wish list to me by email ([email protected])
   
   
3. At the bottom of the list you will see that I have asked for the names and email addresses of those people you wish me to contact with your Wish List. I will contact the people on your list and share your wishes with them.
   
   
4. If all goes well you will find some fun stamping, scrapbooking and paper crafting goodies under your Christmas tree!
   
   
5. And for those gift givers who are undecided, I also offer gift certificates for any amount.

 

Contact me at [email protected] if you have questions. Let the surprises begin!

 

How to create a Merry Christmas to All layered effect

In today's video I am going to show you how to create a beautiful Merry Christmas to All layered effect for a Christmas card. You can then use this technique for other card ideas using any word thinlits you have at home. I was inspired for this card idea by a card on page 4 of the Holiday Catalog - my card below is my own twist on this technique. 

This Christmas card layout is perfect for using large patterned holiday paper as a layer on top of that will soften and draw the eye forward.

Here are some of the products I used to make my card - click on any of these small photos to place an order at my online store: 

Merry Christmas Thinlits Dies
$28.00

Festive Farmhouse 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Festive Farmhouse Cotton Twine
$8.00

 

If you'd like to see more Merry Christmas to All card ideas, let me know in the comments section under this blog post - I'd love to hear from you! 

Merry Christmas to All layered effect

Stamp set: Merry Christmas to All bundle (147912)

Ink: Mossy Meadow, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand

Paper and Cutting Dimensions:
          Cherry Cobbler: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2; 4" x 2"; 5" x 1 1/2"
          Mossy Meadow: 5" x 1 1/2"
          Festive Farmhouse (147820): 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
          Very Vanilla: 5" x 2 1/2"
          Vellum Cardstock (101856): 4 3/4" x 3"

Other: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Take Your Pick Tool (144107), Festive Farmhouse Cotton Twine (147888, Cherry Cobbler), SNAIL adhesive.

 

Watch the video below to learn how to create this layered effect and to see what I created for the inside of the card as well. 

Learn how to make your own Santa gift bags

This time of year is so much fun! Making Christmas cards is one of my favorite things to do but I also love making gift bags and tags. 

What if I told you that you could learn how to make your own Santa gift bags? And they are super easy to make? 

First, start with our fabulous Santa's bags:

Santa's Bags
$10.00

Then add a stamp set, some permanent ink and a few bright colored markers:

Making Christmas Bright Photopolymer Stamp Set
$21.00

Jet Black Stāzon Ink Pad
$10.00

Create a fun tag using your punches:

Scalloped Tag Topper Punch
$23.00

Banner Triple Punch
$23.00

 

And make yourself one super cute Santa gift bag! (don't miss the instructions below)

Making Christmas Bright Santa Gift Bag

 

• Stamp Sets – Making Christmas Bright (148046)
• Card Stock – Garden Green (102584); Whisper White (100730);
• Stamp Pads – StazOn Jet Black ink (141406); Garden Green (147089); Real Red (147084); Daffodil Delight (147094)
• Misc. – Silver Foil Sheets (132178); Santa’s Bags (147812); Regals Stampin’ Write Markers – Real Red & Garden Green (147155); Brights Stampin’ Write Markers – Daffodil Delight (147157); Wink of Stella Glitter Brush (141897); Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (133324); Banner Triple Punch (138292); Christmas Bulb Builder Punch (148013); Everyday Label Punch (144668); All is Bright Paper Clips (147893); Garden Green Baker’s Twine (147814); Dimensionals (104430); Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Measurements:  

• Garden Green Card Stock: 4” x 2”
• Whisper White Card Stock: scraps (label & bulbs)
• Silver Foil Sheets: scraps (bulb ends)

Instructions:

1. Stamp light strings on Santa’s Bag using Memento Black ink.
2. Color light bulbs on bag using the fine-tip end of Real Red, Garden Green and Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Markers. 
3. Punch one end of the Garden Green cardstock with the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch and the other end with the Banner Triple Punch to create tag base.
4. Stamp “May Your Christmas be” in Memento ink on scrap Whisper White card stock.  Stamp “Bright” using Real Red ink.  Punch out with Everyday Label Punch.
5. Adhere label to tag using Dimensionals.
6. Adhere a piece of Garden Green Baker’s Twine to front of tag using Mini Glue Dots to create string for lights.
7. Stamp bulbs on scrap Whisper White card stock using Real Red, Garden Green and Daffodil Delight stamp pads.  Color stamp images with Wink of Stella.  Punch out using Christmas Bulb Builder Punch.  
8. Punch out ends of light bulbs from scrap Silver Foil Sheets using Christmas Bulb Builder Punch.  Tip: A ½” wide strip will fit in the punch perfectly without wasting extra paper.
9. Adhere bulb ends to bulbs using Mini Glue Dots.
10. Adhere bulbs to tag using Dimensionals.
11. Cut an 8” piece of Garden Green Baker’s Twine and tie to top of tag.
12. Finish tag by adding a star from the All is Bright Paper Clips on the Whisper White label.