LAST OF THE WINTER PROJECTS!!

You have no idea how hard it has been for me to finish with my Winter projects!!  But I really think I am done -- all my gifts have been wrapped with Stampin' Up! Festive Designer Kraft Paper and decorated with my previously shown name tags and ribbon.  Also, I'm done with all my Christmas and December birthday cards.  I may do some treat boxes (time permitting) to fill with chocolate; as my family has grown to love these little treat boxes on the dinner table.  I am so excited because Friday morning I can open my two UPS boxes from Stampin' Up with all new product from the Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration (if you were a demonstrator you could have gotten yours a month early also)!!  I promised myself not to open any new product until I was done creating for the holidays -- and I did it!!

So here are my final winter projects:

Perfect birthday card for my brother-in-law!!

Inside of card.

A little Christmas Grinch punch card that took a long time.  Thank goodness I only made 3 of these for 3 special people!!

Inside of Grinch -- yes they were naughty for opening before Christmas!!

This is what you do when you run out of Polka Dot Tag a Bag Gift Bags -- make your own with the new Festive Designer Kraft Paper!!

And this is how they turned out (bottom 2 gift bags) -- just as pretty as the top one!!

And my favorite stamp set this year:  Visions of Santa!  I loved this set because Santa looks just like my husband (right down to the hair on his chest -- LOL)!!

Inside -- I love how he dances over the sentiment!!

Merry Christmas to all of you who have continually visited my blog throughout the year and took time to leave me a comment and give me inspiration!!

Until next year,
Sandi

"The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.'" -- Luke 2:10-11

I LOVE MY STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCT!!

WooHoo, I'm finally back!!  Have I told you lately how much I could use about 12 extra hours in my day??  Yep, it wouldn't be holiday time if our time wasn't spread a little thin.  I would prefer to be spreading a little "thin" body-wise, but maybe that will come with all the extra work required getting ready for the holidays!!  Hey, a person can dream!!

I went to Stampin' Up's! kick-off event for the new Occasions and Sale-A-Bration Catalogs this week and was WOWed beyond belief.  Wait until you see the new products coming out in January -- sorry, I can't ruin the surprise and show you anything right now, but stay tuned!!

So today I have a little mixture of some things I have been doing lately.  Enjoy, and I hope it gives you some inspiration to get your fingers inky while enjoying the holidays!

Yep, here's my Frosty treat boxes!!  He's all decked out in new SU product to hold tons of candy in each box.  The boxes are a lot larger than they look in this picture.  All the boxes were made with the cardboard included in the packaging of Stampin' Up's! Designer Paper.

Using "A Little Smile" single stamp and Blendabilities.  I love these guys, they make everybody smile! 

Simple birthday card using my favorite Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set and Bloom With Hope Hostess Stamp Set.

Having so much fun with Project Life!!  These pages use Seasonal Snapshot Project Life Card Collection, Day to Day Project Life Stamp Set, and the Epic Day This and That Journal.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"  --  Luke 2:14 

ALL WRAPPED UP WITH STAMPIN' UP!

Brrrrr, it's getting way too cold here in Michigan!!!  Now I know why people go south for the winter when they are retired.  It's just not good for our bones -- they need to be kept at a steady 75-80 degrees 24/7, and without humidity!!  Just like I store my craft supplies and albums -- we are both worth preserving!!  But you didn't come here to read about my creaking bones, so I'm going to show you some awesome and SIMPLE projects to give gifts that won't take you hours to create.  The majority of these ideas were done either at Creative Convention or gifts I received at Creative Retreat (designed by Ronda Wade and Tamie Ackerson).  But all of them are adorable in person.

Easy-Peasy way to make pocket holders for those gift certificates!!  We made these at Creative Convention using:  Polka Dot Tag a Bag Gift Bags, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack, Good Greetings Hostess Stamp Set, and the Under the Tree Tag a Bag Accessory Kit.

Gift bags also made at Creative Convention using:  Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack, Good Greetings Hostess Stamp Set, and the Under the Tree Tag a Bag Accessory Kit

I made these gift boxes for my stamping group using the new Gift Box Punch Board, Under the Tree Specialty Designer Series Paper, Note Tag Punch, Merry Everything Stamp Set, Burlap Ribbon, and Sweater Trim Ribbon (on Clearance Rack).

My pillow gifts from Ronda Wade and Tamie Ackerson at Creative Retreat using:  Under the Tree Specialty Designer Series Paper, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (Project Life Journaling Pen inside), Polka Dot Tag a Bag Gift Bags (Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack inside), Star Framelits Dies, Tree Punch, Cherry Cobbler 1" Sheer Linen Ribbon, and Clothespins.

More pillow gifts from Creative Retreat!!  I love how easy it is to just add a few embellishments to the Tiny Treat Boxes and Decorative Window Gift Boxes to make WOW packaging!!

I hope I've given you some good ideas on how easy it is to create awesome packaging for your holiday gifts.

Until next time,
Sandi

"As I have loved you . . . you also love one another."  -- John 13:34

SNOWFLAKES AND LEAVES

I went to our monthly RubberQueens' meeting last night and learned a lot, created a lot, laughed a lot, and won a lot!!!  I actually participated in the swap last night for the first time in probably a year.  I forgot how much fun it is to "receive" such creative cards from the artistic RubberQueens.  (I'll show you pictures in my next post.)  I admit I am a little prejudice when it comes to the RubberQueens, but I am always in awe of their talents. I have a few more fall cards I made at the Creative Convention shoebox swap to show you today and a 3-D snowflake I made based on Stephanie Zimmerman-Berg's demonstration last night.

I don't know who made this, but it was brought by one of the RubberQueens last night for the WOW table.  I loved it, and this picture does not do it justice.  (Made with Stampin' Up's! Burlap Ribbon.)

Most people call this a star, but I think it looks like a snowflake.  This was my first try making this, and it was so easy and fun to make.  I will be making more in different sizes -- this one is about a 14" diameter, using  the All is Calm Speciality Designer Series Paper.

Download a PDF to make the 3-D Snowflake above.

Until next time,
Sandi

"With God all things are possible."  --  Mark 10:27

FALL IS IN THE AIR!!

I'm taking a break from posting projects I did at Creative Convention so I could show you some Fall cards before it starts snowing!!  First, I want to show you this great little video on Project Life.  I love, love that Stampin' Up! has partnered with Becky Higgins to bring you the authentic Project Life products, now in exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors and designs. If you’ve somehow missed the Project Life craze and are wondering what it’s all about, we’ll fill you in: it’s a super simple, totally affordable way to get your photos into albums and a creative yet easy way to get your photos into albums.  You just slip your photos into Photo Pocket Pages and add designed cards. It’s a back-to-basics approach to documenting your life. In a nutshell, it’s all about spending more time making memories and less time scrapbooking them.  Watch the video to see how easy it is and write/call me if you have questions, need help, or would like to get together in a class setting to share the fun!!  To purchase Product Life by Stampin' Up! products, click here. 

Now let's take a look at what I made at the last RubberQueen's meeting.  All of the projects used Blackberry Bliss, Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow, and Champagne Card Stock along with the Autumn Accents Bigz Die for the leaves, etc.; and strings pulled from the Burlap Ribbon:



Used the new Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlit Die, on Page 11, of the Holiday Catalog.

Used the new Kraft Grid Journal.

Used Woodgrain Embossing Folder.

 

Used "Thumping Technique" on the Seasonally Scattered Stamp Set.

And last, but not least, here is a special card I made for a very special little girl in my life who was told she was cured from a life-threatening infection.  She went through 10 weeks of hospital trips and multiple tests, along with wearing a pic line to administer daily antibiotics:



Inside of card.

Until next time,

Sandi

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress."  --  Psalm 18:2

OODLES OF ORNAMENTAL PINE

Yes, I'm still posting pictures of cards made at Creative Convention!!  Today I'm featuring the Ornamental Pine Stamp Set with the All is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper.  This is such a fabulous stamp set, with beautiful sentiments -- one of my very favorites!!  Here is what I came up with:

 

On this card I used paper from the Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack for the background layer and a watercolor wash on the oval Whisper White Card Stock.

Again, I used the watercolor wash on the Whisper White Card Stock.

I hope these cards give you some inspiration so you want to go get your fingers inky!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"How Precious is Your love, O God!  We take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."  -- Psalm 36:8

WONDROUS WREATH IS WONDERFUL!!

Is everybody gearing up for SNOW???  I can't believe we had flakes on the ground already the first couple of days of October.  I am sooooo not ready for this weather.  Actually, I should stop talking about it because I am aging myself.  Instead I should be writing about how much fun it is going to be sledding, skiing, making snowmen and angels in the snow, and let's not forget about the snow forts.  Okay, now I feel like I just built a bridge in Alaska.  Now I just need to get a new snow suit (mine is about 40 years old) -- oops, there I go again, aging myself.  Either way, I feel much better now that I have an agenda for all the snow coming this year again.

And speaking of snow, how about looking at some Wondrous Wreath Stamp Set cards?  I love this set because it has the matching Framelits that you can buy with it in a bundle, saving 15% -- WOWZER!!  Here are a few I made for Creative Convention combining the stamp set with the Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack:

Until next time,
Sandi

"For I am the Lord, thy God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" 

--  Isaiah 41:13

CREATIVE CONVENTION 3: BEAUTY OF THE SEASON

Today I have another installment of cards I made for Creative Convention, and for which I am offering as a product-based class.  These cards feature the Beauty of the Season Stamp Set and Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack -- two of my favorite products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Here are some sample designs that are simple, easy, and fun; yet beautiful and elegant:

This Christmas Cardinal is beautiful all on its own without any color.  Here I have embossed it with Black Embossing Powder, on White Vellum Cardstock, before layering it on the beautiful designer paper.

Here I have added a watercolor wash on the White Cardstock than stamped directly on the watercolor.  I used the Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Blendabilities Assortments and White Gel Pen to color the image.

Again, I used the same Blendabilities to color.

I love how this card turned out by stamping directly on the designer paper.

And of course, a Blue Jay is perfect with this stamp!!  I stamped directly on the new All is Calm Designer Washi Tape and then colored with Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, and Night of Navy Blendabilities Assortments; using the White Gel Pen and Project Life Black Journaling Pen to finish.

I hope you like my ideas on how you can use your designer series paper to really add dimension and make a WOW card without adding bulk, which would require extra postage when mailing your cards.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."  --  Psalm 56:3

2014 CREATIVE CONVENTION: PART 2 CHRISTMAS BAUBLE

What an awesome week I have had!!  My great-granddaughter was born on Sunday and I went to the hospital yesterday to meet her.  Here is her picture when she was about 12 hours old:

Introducing Evelyn Marie-Kay, born 9-21-2014, weighing in at 7 lbs. 9 oz.  Mommy (aka, my granddaughter) can't stop looking at her!!

I could show you the other 50 pictures, but I am sure you came here to see some more projects I did for my presentation at 2014 Creative Convention.  This group of pictures feature the Christmas Bauble Stamp Set and Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack.  My samples are all very quick class cards, using the designer paper on each (note:  some are stamped directly on the designer paper because I love this technique).

 

Until next time,
Sandi

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." --  Matthew 12:28

CREATIVE CONVENTION -- PART 1

Well, I am finally back from a long vacation and very excited to show you all the creative projects I made for my presentation at Ronda Wade's 2014 Creative Convention, along with tons of swaps and Ronda's make and takes.  So you will probably be seeing posts from this event right up until Christmas.  I truly believe we have some of the most talented stampers in Ronda's RubberQueen group -- I hope you feel the same!!

Jumping right in, today I am showing Christmas tags and one of my 3-D projects.  (Because I have so many pictures, I kept the pictures small.  Please right-click on the picture and select "open in new window" and then click on the picture after it is loaded to see actual size.):


Gift Tag class featuring Mingle All the Way Stamp Set, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack, Scallop and Angled Tag Punches, and Festive Designer Kraft Paper on easel board.



Gift Tag box made with recycled Paper Pumpkin mailing box and Trim the Tree DSP Paper Pack.



Inside of Gift Tag box.

 

Horizontal measurements for long middle of box:  9 1/4" x 4"; scored at 1/2" - 2" -31/2" using heavy card board from DSP packaging.  Fold on score lines like teepee; adhere Sticky Strip to bottom of both sides; pinch together teepee; and adhere to middle center of box.



Vertical measurements for short divider in gift tag box (cut 6 3/8" x 4" strip of heavy card board backing from DSP packaging; score on long side at 1/2" - 2" - 3 1/2" and cut in half so you have 3 1/16" inch long strips.  Fold like a teepee and adhere Sticky Strip to bottom of  both sides, on both pieces.  Pinch each teepee together, and adhere vertically to inside center of short side of box.

Christmas table candle centerpiece; featuring Beauty of the Season and Ornamental Pine Stamp Sets, Frosted Sequins Embellishments, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Pack, and Paper Pumpkin blue tissue packaging.



Close-up.

Close-up showing Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.

Close-up showing strips of designer paper rolled on pencil and spritzed.

Until next time,
Sandi

"When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.  And you will be blessed."  -- Luke 14:13-14