Cheers to You~

It's New Year's Eve and I thought this would be an appropriate card to showcase this morning. It's a tad early for a celebratory drink, but hey, maybe this is a Mimosa! LOL

The image is another one of the fun images in the soon to be released Hanna Stamps Valentine set; available on January 4th. Keeping things simple, yet, elegant, this card was created using minimal supplies. The circle was cut with a Nestabilitie circle die and the edges were embossed. The clinking glasses image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and quickly dunked it into clear embossing powder and heat set. Ink was picked up from Ranger's Distress Ink Antique Linen with a blender pen and applied to the image to create the liquid inside the glasses. A touch of Crystal Effects applied to the glasses gives them a shiny appearance. The circle was edged with a Sharpie Gold marker before setting a gold eyelet into the top of the circle.

To create the card base, run a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Natural White through the Cuttlebug with the Congrats embossing folder. Attach to a black mat. Wrap a length of delicious gold ribbon (unknown source, recycling package ribbon from a gift) around this matted panel, add corner eyelets, and adhere to a brushed gold base with dimensional foam. Attach completed circle image with gold cording.

As we end this year and begin another, I would like to take this time to wish you a safe, happy, and healthy new year.

Thanks for dropping by!

V.~

Long Lasting Lipstick~

Here's a little sneak peek of an upcoming set from Hanna Stamps, perfect for Valentine's Day! I'll be sharing examples over the next couple of days in anticipation of the release on January 4th.

When I saw these lips in the set, the first thing that jumped into my mind was inchies. I've never done them before, but I saw this card in my head immediately and sat down (well stood at, actually) my counter to put it together.

The luscious lips are just one of a multitude of accessory stamps in the set. They are stamped in Colorbox Rouge ink and quickly dunked into clear EP and embossed, so they are a bit shiny in real life. The images are mounted on black for contrast, and then mounted again on a Pixie Pink rectangle. A bit of sheer May Arts ribbon and the sentiment stamped directly on the white base and this quick and fun Valentine card is done!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Hanna's Valentine set © Hanna Stamps, Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Rouge, Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU! Basic Black, SU! Pixie Pink, Accessories: May Arts white sheer dotted ribbon, Clear EP, Dimensionals

Featured Stamper Sunday?? or is it Saturday??

It's Sunday across the states, but for now here it is still Saturday night. I found Bethie's Featured Stamper Challenge early and decided to play while trying to stay awake until it's time to pick up Morgan from a party.

For those of you who are new to the Featured Stamper Challenge, it's a Splitcoaststampers Sunday Challenge presented by Beth Silaika aka MyPrecious on SCS. She selects a stamper each week and highlights their gallery. Those who choose to participate select a card or project from the FS gallery and CASE it, basically recreating the card. However, in this case, the object is to change something about the original card.

This week Beth posted early and I played at 10pm on a Saturday night while waiting up for Morgan. I selected this card, changed the colors and sentiment placement, but kept the layout the same.

Happy Sunday, I mean Saturday night!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: A little Birdie, Ink: Black, Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Purely Pomegranate, White, Cutie Pie DP, Accessories: Bashful mini brads, Bashful Grosgrain, Silver Cord (retired), Oval punch, 1/16th punch, Crystal Effects, Distressing tool, Dimensionals

Love Ya Valentines!

I'm done with making holiday cards, all the decorations have been boxed up for next year, and I am ready to begin 2008!

C.C. Designs of All That Scraps has 2 new Valentine Little Bit Kits about to be released; Love Ya Lots and Love Ya Much, they will be available on January 4th. Yesterday afternoon I played and made 30 valentines, 6 each of 5 designs. There are 6 images and sentiments between the 2 sets and I am showing 5 of the images here; the cute love birds have a longer format and didn't work with this small layout. All C.C. Designs stamps may be purchased 3 different ways: Plain rubber, EZ Mount attached, or Wood Block. I've been using them with EZ Mount and the impressions are wonderful.

Whenever I make a set of cards I try and unify them in one way or another, this set shares the same layout, image size varies a tad, ribbon, mini brads, and glitter. All images were stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia and quickly watercolored in with reinkers and a watercolor brush. Now I know many of you stress over watercoloring, creating shadows, and the like, and sometimes it's just not necessary to get so involved in watercoloring simple images. I like the casual feel of a quick lay down of color with these images, bits of white showing, and *gasp* even going outside the lines! As always, click on the picture to show the enlarged photo of the project.

As Brett informed me he would rather take Transformer or Star Wars valentines this year, I will gift these to my good friend who is a kindergarten teacher to hand out to her students.

Happy Saturday!

V.~

Supplies:Stamps: Love Ya' Lots, Love Ya' Much © C.C. Designs by All That Scraps, Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia, Paper: Assorted SU! card stock, Neenah Solar White, patterned papers by pebblesinc and Bo Bunny, Accessories: Asst. Grosgrain ribbons, Asst Mini brads, Dimensionals

Want a chance to win....

A Perfect Summer's Day?

Go here and enter the contest. One lucky winner will win a soon to be released Thomas Kinkade stamp. Just looking at this image takes one's mind off the cool weather.

Good Luck!

V.~

p.s. the holiday aftermath has taken over the household, throw in a 3 day soccer tournament, and there isn't much time left for creating. Hopefully by the weekend I'll be able to share something new and fun with you all.

Christmas Greetings!

We've just returned from a wonderful dinner with Jay's parents and sister. Grandpa asked me to take a picture of the centerpiece and I thought I share it with you.

And a favorite Christmas bedtime story to share. I've several copies of this book and I just finished reading one of them to Brett:

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas', when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that ST. NICHOLAS soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the crest of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
Laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT."

Penguin Challenge~

Since the last DD challenge using Elzybell's was so much fun, a bunch of the group decided it would be grand to do a similar challenge every month, changing the requirements each time.

This month, it was the following:

Challenge Focus: Penguins (your main image must be or include a penguin)

Required Element: "Ice" - anything icy - glitter, crystals, etc.

Restricted Element: No use of the color BLUE anywhere on your project or card.

I have a few penquin stamps, but they are all on the smallish size, so my friend Sue offered up her retired SU! Penguin Paradise set. What a fun set! I chose the hula penguin and gussied her up in pink, orange, and green. Stickles were applied everywhere there was coloring on the image. She's matted and framed on an orange scallop circle and mounted to the card with dimensionals. For fun I added the sparkly fish jumping off to the side. Patterned paper is Baby Girl by Basic Grey, striped grosgrain ribbon is May Arts, white brads by American Crafts, and the sparkly bottom is Terrifically Tacky Tape, available at Scor-Pal, and is dusted with Dazzling Diamonds. I stamped "celebrate" from SU!'s soon to be released set Celebrate Everything in Regal Rose directly on the patterned paper. Other supplies are Neenah Solar White, and SU! Pumpkin Pie card stocks. The finished card is 5" x 5."

Be sure to peruse the gallery at Splitcoaststampers and see all the entries. Use the keyword: DCP1207, in the search catagory.


V.~

Jumbo Lucky~

This time of year I tend to fall back on layouts I've done before, I just don't have much spare time to fiddle with a new layout, do you?

This JUMBO card at 6 x 6 is based on the card I did previously with the same everything, just jumbo sized. As the pseudo room mom for Brett's class we collected donations for the teacher's gift for the holidays. I made this card for all the kids to sign to accompany the gift.

It differs just slightly, other than size, to the original one here. I used round scallop and circle Nestabilities dies, Crystal Effects on the candy cane, different side ribbon, white brads, and the sentiment is more generic with a happy holidays greeting. Oh, added a couple of snowflakes, too.

The stamps for this card may be found at All That Scraps.

Now, how to get almost 30 kids to sign it in secret before Friday....

V.~

Two more...

pics to warm up those are having a white winter wonderland. We woke up to rain this morning so the sunshine from yesterday is gone. I snapped these pics yesterday at the same time I was shooting the cymbidium pictured below.

The first photo is a tangelo, or minneola; a wonderful, almost seedless citrus. A cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine, I believe. Delicious and Brett's favorite.

The lemons are Meyer lemons and are from a potted tree that I rescued from my grandmother's property before her house was sold when she passed away. It's a constant reminder of her when I look out and see it in the yard. It almost didn't survive, Riley, our pooch, gnawed it down to the stump when she was a pup. It's now planted in the ground and doing wonderful.

V.~

p.s. the next post will be a card, I promise!

Busy days!

After a couple of busy, busy days stamping (for Jay's office, teacher cards and gifts, etc.) , I went out into the backyard this afternoon and one of my cymbidiums had bloomed. They are such fussy free plants with such long lasting and beautiful blooms. I thought I'd share it with you and bring you a bit of nature's color tonight.

Our Tree

Just for fun I thought I'd share our tree with you. I LOVE an overly ornamented tree, as long as there is some sort of rhyme or reason to it.

Our tree is loaded with memories, each ornament, except the 2 dozen plain red balls and white lights, has a story behind it. Every year from birth on, we give our children an ornament and date it. I started this because when I moved out of the house I had nothing, not a single ornament, or the funds to purchase any, so my first tree was a lonely sort of thing with some bread dough ornaments I quickly made. They lasted just that year as I couldn't afford the sealer to make them last any longer. My mom also started this when my oldest son was born, now they bring them an ornament from their travels each year . So probably 70 percent of the ornaments you see here belong to my kids and will leave with them when they have a family of their own. I get Jay a fishing related ornament every year, too and there are ornaments from friends, in addition to the ones the kids have made through the years at school or camp. I just love all of them! I've been on the lookout for the perfect topper for years, but haven't located one yet, so for now it's a red bow. I will know the topper when I find it, it will speak to me.

The tree skirt which you can't see, is handmade and there is a felt appliqué designating each year with a holiday image of one sort or another. This was a something my mom started on their tree and I remember making the appliqués for their tree skirt. I have never been able to get my own kids interested in this though, so it remains up to me. Don't tell anyone I am a few years behind! LOL As you can see we simplified our wrapping, we used to be all ribbons and bows, not anymore, a label on the top allows for stacking and is just easier. I also have such a problem with all the paper waste, but that is another column.

The truck you can see on the right belonged to Jay when he was a little boy. It was made for him when he was little by his grandfather. The stuffed bear on the truck was made by my grandmother although his snow cap disappeared somewhere over the years.

For many years we purchased a tree, but in our dry, and sometimes hot December weather, made for a very brittle tree by Christmas. So we went artificial a few years ago. I miss the tree hunt and the pine smell, but the ease of pulling it out of the garage and having it prelit are a bonus.

Lastly, an online friend of mine, Bev, recently suggested a "Cross One Thing Off Your List" campaign. I don't know about you, but I love the holiday time and at the same time think otherwise. So, this year, I am crossing off holiday baking. The cards are done and in the mail today, the gifts are mostly all done, many left to be wrapped, but the baking is my least favorite thing to do, so that is getting the axe this year. What will you cross off?

Who knew a post about a tree could get so long! LOL

Happy Happy Holidays!

Hanna's Tags

Here's another fun project idea using Hanna Stamps Perfect Package set. I also used the snowflake from 'Tis the Season, and For You from another brand new set called Things Hanna Would Say. This is a fun version of a pocket card that folds at the bottom of the card and is secured under the button. The pocket is small and perfectly sized for gift cards or tags as you see here. The finished card will fit in a standard A2 envelope as it is 4.25 x 5.5.

I'll come back and post deets in a bit, it's movie night and I'm late for the show!

ETA: the deets:

Supplies for card:
1- 4.25 x 11 inch piece of card stock.
Your choice of papers and embellishments.
Corner rounder and Circle punches
Stamps and ink *wink*

Score the card stock at 1.5" and again at 5.5" I use a wonderful tool for all my scoring needs, the Scor-Pal, I just LOVE it! Fold on each score, creating a small pocket on inside bottom. This area is held together by the ribbon that wraps around the card, no need for staples or sticky strip unless you want that to be part of your design.

The card stays closed by tucking the front flap under the button embellishment. After decorating the front portion of the card, place the button so that the top edge of the pocket tucks under the button. Not so tight that you have to really bend the card to open and close it, just enough to keep it comfortably closed.

The tags on the inside were stamped with the tag image, from Hanna's Perfect Package set, onto Chatterbox patterned paper. The sentiment is also from a new release called Things Hanna Would Say; over 25 sentiments that are perfectly sized. After stamping the tags were cut out and hole punched. The image was quickly colored with reinkers and a watercolor brush. Stickles were applied on the bow and ribbon and a silver cord tied to each tag.

For Hanna herself, she's colored the same way, with reinkers and a watercolor brush. She's matted on Night of Navy. Taking a cue from Debbie Olson, I notched the image layer to make room for the bow on the left side. The completed image is mounted to the card with dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

V.~

Supplies:
Stamps: Perfect Package, Tis the Season, Things Hanna Would Say © Hanna Stamps
Ink: Versafine Onxy Black, SU! Bashful Blue
Paper: SU! Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Neenah Solar White, Chatterbox DP
Accessories: Reinkers: Certainly Celery, Brocade Blue, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, SW marker: Ruby Red, Clear Button, Asst. circle punches, Grosgrain ribbon, Corner Rounder, White brads (American Crafts), Striped Grosgrain (May Arts), Stickles, Dimensionals

Wanna little sneak peek???

Hanna Stamps! Gift Giving set is just about to be released on Friday, the 14th, and here is a little sneak peek of the main image from this fun set. In addition to Hanna wrapping a gift, there are many fun accessory stamps; bows, boxes, scissors, tape, etc. The sentiment is also from the set.

After making 30 Christmas cards and 8 Christmas gift bags earlier today, I just didn't want to think Christmas cards anymore. So when I played with this set tonight ( I promised Kristi I would play today!) I decided to go in a fun birthday direction. After inking Hanna with Versafine Onyx Black, I colored her with reinkers and a watercolor brush on Neenah Solar White card stock. The base card is corner rounded to coordinate with the rounded edge of the patterned paper. The image is matted on black and again on pomegranate before attaching to the base card. Pomegranate ribbon is threaded through the layers and secured with a knot. Should I tell you a little secret? When you goof and smudge the edge of the completed image, do you toss it? Sometimes I do if there isn't a way to salvage it, but in this case, the Circle of Friendship came to the rescue. Looks intentional, doesn't it?! It's actually covering up a caramel smudge. *wink* The layout inspiration is from Anna's (Sweet Miss Daisy) blog. I flipped the sketch on its side to accommodate Hanna, hope that's okay Miss Anna!

V.~

Supplies:
Stamps: Gift Giving Set © Hanna Stamps, Circle of Friendship © SU!
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: SU! Brocade Blue, Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black, Neenah Solar White, SU! Darling Doodles DSP
Accessories: Reinkers: Brocade, Olive, Pomegranate, Blush, Pretty in Pink, Watercolor brush, Circle punch, Corner rounder, Pomegranate ribbon, Dimensionals

Late Delivery~

My morning paper, that is. Disrupts my routine something fierce when the paper doesn't arrive on time. It's not like we have the weather that so many parts of the country are experiencing. No rain, clouds, or snow today in our part of Cali. Just cold weather, but no paper second time this week. How can I start my day without reading the comics to get me going? LOL

Anyway, I decided that I'd better get a start on my Christmas cards for this year and this morning was as good a time as any. So at 6:45 I started cutting the card stock to make this card. Remember in my pillow box tag post I mentioned that I might incorporate that tag into my card this year, as I had still not thought much about or designed our card this year? Well, this is what I came up with this morning. Very simple, clean, and easy to mass produce. I completed 20 in about 2.5 hours (in between making lunches, dropping off at school, etc. ) and will go through my stash for any additional cards I need to send out. I've made a number of onesey twosey cards that I've posted here that I will send out as well. We've cut back on our card sending, so I am hoping that 30 or so cards will see us through this year, otherwise I'll make some more of these quickie cards.

So, now the addressing part.....

V.~

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Warmest Regards (retired), Merry & Bright
Ink: SU! Soft Sky, Always Artichoke
Paper: SU! Soft Sky! Whisper White, Wintergreen Designer Series Paper
Accessories: 1 3/8" circle punch, Silver cord, White grosgrain, Distressing tool, Mat pak and piercing tool, Dimensionals

Joy for Mech~

Here's my project this afternoon, a "JOY" chipboard banner for my girlfriend, Mechelle. She and her family celebrate Hanukkah and I thought the Wintergreen Designer Series Paper was perfect for this project. We always try and make each other's holiday gifts; I've received gorgeous beaded snowflake ornaments for a couple of years and hope that is her plan again this year. I'd love to have a collection of these on our tree, each one a memory of my friendship with her.

Anyway, I cut plain ole chipboard to 4" by 6" and notched the ends. Then I covered both sides with various Wintergreen papers before adding Bazzill letters, buttons, rhinestone brads, ribbons, and Jumbo eyelets.

Now as I look at the picture, I think it needs something above the "o" to balance that section out, so I need to figure out what to put there or move the "o" up a tad.

I hope she likes it!

V.~

59 cent bag, embellished~

I had someone ask me what they would use the tags for that I posted earlier in the pillow box. Without visibly scratching my head in wonder, I told them that you can use them as gift tags for gifts, bags, boxes, etc.

So, that in mind, I have 3 small gifts I needed to get packaged for the holidays. Now, these gifts are for men (admin from Morgan's hs who have been very helpful with a situation that was happening there), so no girlie bags or things of that nature. Inside are small bags of See's Candy milk chocolate balls, wrapped in red and gold foil. YUMMY, although the dark chocolate ones are my personal favorite. I recreated the tags I made earlier, only using the scraps of SU!'s Dashing Designer Paper instead of Wintergreen and hemp for the tie. The bags are from Target and perfectly match the papers, plus I love that they have subtle stripe in them. I embellished the bags using coordinating Dashing papers, buttons, and a Jumbo eyelet set into the bag to thread the tag. Each bag is a little different from the others, but all use the same components. I think these are the perfect way to say thanks and happy holidays~

V.~

Supplies:
Stamps: Warmest Regards (retired)
Ink: SU! Old Olive
Paper: Real Red, River Rock, Dashing DP
Accessories: Target gift bags, Red buttons, hemp, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/4" hand held circle punch, 1/8" hand held circle punch, Red grosgrain, Mat pak and piercing tool, Crop a dile, Jumbo eyelets, Mini glue dots, Dimensionals

Silhouette Set

My mom asked me if I would make a set of cards for a dear friend as a birthday present. Mom shopped and shopped the other day trying to find *the right* gift and came home empty handed. I don't know about you, but usually when I am out looking for a gift for a dear friend it must speak to me and tell me that it would be something the recipient would love. You know it must *look just like them,* so to speak. Exception to this rule is if it's for my kids, nieces or nephew, then it's gotta be something from their long wish lists. Anyway, mom said she should have called me first as her friend loves to receive and use the handmade cards I have made for her in the past.

Since pastels are her favorite I used 6 pastel type colors from SU! card stock and made 2 of each card; Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, Soft Sky, Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom, and So Saffron. I wanted to tie the set together visually so I kept the layout the same down to the ribbon and sentiment placement, although I varied the sentiments using SU!'s Warmest Regards set. The only thing that is different in each color set is the silhouette images. I love the monochromatic look with the touch of chocolate. Simply elegant, just like the birthday gal~

Morgan is off to Winter Formal tonight with one of her best buds and his sister's group of friends. An informal Mexican dinner at their home before heading off to SDSU's Montezuma Hall for the dance. Unfortunately the rain is pouring down, I hope they arrive safe and dry. At least we didn't spend the $ to have her hair done! I keep reminding her she's 14 and has a number of years left in high school to experience all the different formals and dances. So we shopped simply and perfectly for a 14 year old attending her first Winter Formal. I'd post a picture of her but she would be mortified!

V.~

Stamps: Stem Silhouettes, Garden Silhouettes, Happy Harmony, Warmest Regards
Inks: Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, Soft Sky, Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip
Paper: same as above plus Very Vanilla
Accessories: May Arts dotted sheer ribbon, Slot punch, Distressing tool, Dimensionals

Inspired ............

By a Target comforter set. It's raining, I've not much to do today, (well other than the holiday cards I've been putting off and another small commissioned project), so I decided to check out the Inspiration Challenge over on SCS. I've played in a couple of these, but usually Saturday morning I just don't have time to stamp....today I did. Before 9am.

Now I've been reading the forums over there on SCS and many blog readers just don't care for all the details of how to make the card, just basic recipe information. What's your opinion?

So, in keeping with a short format this morning, I wanted the images to be strong, so chalk inks are the ink I chose. They stamp very crisp and opaque. I brought out the feeling of the bedding with the striped paper, the leaf image, and the circles and flowers.

Stamps: SU! All the Best (retired), Shapes and Shadows (retired), Amazing to Zany
Inks: ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink Chesnut Roan, Azure, VersaMagic Pixie Dust, Aloe Vera
Paper: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Making Memories Patterned Paper
Accessories: May Arts Dotted Sheer, Making Memories Distressing tool, Dimensionals

Enjoy your day, and thanks for stopping by!

Please let me know your opinion about all the chatter, do you like it or not?

V.~

Michelle asks....

Michelle said...

I wanted to ask how you get your pictures to come out so clear and showing all your details? Mine always seem to come out dark. What setting do you use on your camera?

Michelle, I am pretty much a photo novice, but I have a really great camera. I use the Canon Digital Rebel, generally speaking I use the auto focus setting, but sometimes use the Macro setting.
I take my pictures using 2 OTT lights that flank each side of the project. I just display whatever project I am shooting on 2 pieces of white card stock. Then I edit it all through Photoshop. Rarely, and I mean rarely, do I adjust anything there other than resizing the picture and adding a watermark.

I hope this helps a little.

V.~

Last of the gifts ~

Last of the Stamp Nite gifts for guests; a stamped clear pillow box with 4 general purpose holiday tags inside, all feature snippets of Wintergreen Designer Paper. This tag is my favorite of the bunch, it looks like an ornament when hanging by the silver cording. I am strongly thinking of incorporating this into my still yet to be designed Christmas card for this year.

Clear pillow boxes can be found at numerous online sites, I purchased these at Clear Bags. It's also the same source for the A2 clear boxes and mini card boxes I have featured on projects around here before. They offer quite a selection of wonderful things, even though the site is a bit muddled to browse.

So, tonight is the last of 4 consecutive nights of soccer games at the high school. Add Brett's minimum days every day this week for conferences, prepping for Stamp Nite, and the days have been way out of the ordinary. Tomorrow is Stamp Nite, then Winter Formal is Saturday, I may breathe again on Sunday.

V.~

Supplies for tag shown: Stamps: SU! Warmest Regard (retired), Inks: Always Artichoke, Paper: Soft Sky, Wintergreen DP, Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle punch, White grosgrain, Mat Pak and Piercing tool, Tag corner punch, 1/8" Circle punch, Silver cording
Supplies for box: Stamps: The Snowflake Spot, Inks: StazOn White, Accessories: Clear pillow box

Mini Note Pads ~

Thanks to my friends, Mish and Pine, for the idea for these mini note pads for another gift for my Stamp Nite guests Friday night. I purchased mini legal pads at my local office supply store and asked them to lop them in half lengthwise, finished size is 2.5" x 8." I covered them in Soft Sky and Wintergreen papers, embellished with stamped images, ribbon, and a button. Perfect for that list making we all do this time of year!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Merry & Bright, AYC1, Ink: StazOn Timber Brown, Paper: Soft Sky, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Wintergreen, Accessories: Soft Sky Stitched ribbon, Button, Label punch, Scallop punch, Circle punches, Stickles

Party Favor Treat Tins

Little treat tins decorated with patterned paper, ribbon, punches and stamps. Filled with the seasonal favorite, M&M's! These will be one of the gifts for all Stamp Nite guests Friday night. I purchased the Wilton Favor Tins at Michaels in the wedding aisle (be sure to use your coupon to get them for a reasonable price!).

Another busy day here, hope yours is less so!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: SU! Perfect Presentation, Ink: SU! Real Red, Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Dashing DP, Accessories: Wilton Favor Tins, SU! Scallop punch, Circle punchs, Microbeads, Crystal Effects, Artichoke grosgrain, Glue dot, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip M&M's

Chocolate Treat Slider ~

Another project for Friday's Stamp Nite. This is the second project of 4 that they will be making. There's a Hershey bar inside that slides out when you pull the ribbon at the top. Initially I got the instructions from a challenge on SCS, however, changed up a few things from the instructions: I altered the paper size to fit the Hershey bar, used Sticky Strip to close the bottom and run it through the crimper, and Jumbo Eyelets to provide reinforcement to the punched holes.

Snowflakes from SU!'s The Snowflake Spot are stamped in Craft White on Real Red card stock, the decorative band is attached, and then the whole thing is scored, folded, and secured with Sticky Strip. The image panel is pretty simple, the tree from Perfect Presentation is stamped in Old Olive, matted on Real Red, and matted again on Elegant Eggplant. Dimensionals are used to elevate the image. A gingham ribbon flag accents the image.

Have a SWEET day!

V.~

Building a Brad....

Nope, not that kind of Brad, but a brad that you can customize with designer papers or stamped images. These are really cool and a fun way to add customized spunk to a card or project. Officially called Build a Brad, it consists of 2 parts, the naked brad (sigh) and the dome sticker, just add whatever you choose for your decoration and use a 1/2" punch to punch out your design. I adhered the image with a dot of Crystal Effects before placing the dome sticker over the top. I definitely see more BaBs in my future. They are available through SU! in the current Idea Book & Catalog. I wanted to showcase them for one of my Stamp Nite projects coming up on Friday, so this is the card I created. I used the striped paper from Dashing, the one side that isn't particularly Christmas-like, and created this untraditional holiday color combination around that striped piece. I LOVE this color combination of River Rock, Elegant Eggplant, and Old Olive and think it makes for a wonderful card for the holidays.

Tree and snowflake image are from SU! Perfect Presentation, sentiment from So Many Sayings, both sets are hostess sets in the current SU! catalog. I kept the card simple and easy to duplicate for mass production assembly, both requirements for me and holiday card making.

A little pierced ground, delicious vanilla taffeta ribbon, and this card is finished.

I've created several other projects for Stamp Nite and will feature them during this upcoming week.

Happy December 1st!

V.~


Supplies not mentioned above: Mat pak and piercing tool, Dimensionals, Distressing tool, Stamp a majig