3-D Advent Calendar

This project has kept me busy!  You see, I meet each month with a fun bunch of ladies....my Stamp Club.  For this holiday season, I wanted to have them create something really different....we usually do cards and/or small 3-D projects.  This year, we created this Advent Calendar. 

Although I used as much as I could from Stampin'Up!, there really isn't much here.  SU really does offer many fabulous products....but, in my continued effort to use much of my "stash," this is what I came up with.  The focal point (inside) background of this calendar, was with 1 piece of scrapbook paper that I found in a store (non SU).  Since I needed quite a few of this particular design, it was the way for me to go! 

The Letter to Santa was computer generated on River Rock Cardstock, sponged and distressed.  The embossing folder used was a non-SU, but it just works perfectly for that little "letter," don't you think? 

This calendar came completely flat and needed to be totally assembled...we used Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue (Item #110755)....GREAT stuff!  The drawers are made of chipboard and also were flat....so they needed to be painted inside and on the base and wrapped with paper.  The numbers are also chipboard and were painted and added with Mini Glue Dots.  All paper was added using the fabulous SU Glue Sticks....not sure what makes them so special, other than the shape, but they really are the best and worked perfectly for this project!  All DSP was applied using our Glue Sticks.

I had loads of fun designing this project and all the ladies loved it.....and now we each have this wonderful keepsake to share with our families for years to come.  It did involve quite a bit of time, but was so worth the effort!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Note:  No supplies listed, as much is non-SU or has been retired.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

It's Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas!

OK....I'm back!  First a power outage then no computer!  Life has certainly been crazy lately......and I've been really wanting to share this one with you.  I am happy with the way this one came out....I made this last month for a small shoe box swap that I participated in.

As you can see, I've used the new-this-year-set, Merry and Type.  Truthfully, this set didn't catch my eye until I saw some really, really wonderfully beautiful samples with it!  It's a fabulous set!!  For this version, the stamped image was embossed using Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder over Versamark.  The white areas on the ornaments was "colored in" using the new Dazzling Details.  This stuff is so cool....it dries surprisingly quickly and is a bit more subtle than Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, but oh, so pretty!....you can find it in the Holiday Mini and it's really an inexpensive "must have" to add to your card creations.   Oh, and the extra little touch of the Basic Rhinestone in the center of the middle ornament just sets everything off, don't you think?!

Stamps:  Merry and Type

Inks:  Versamark

CS:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler

Big Shot:  Perfect Details Texturz Plate

Misc:  White Gel Pen, Cherry Cobbler EP, Dazzling Details, Basic Rhinestones, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting today! 

Christmas is Coming!

The Christmas season is almost here!  Are you ready?  I know that I certainly am not.....not even close.  BUT, I am trying to come up with my Christmas card design.  It's certainly time, don't you think?   It's another card (as promised in my last post!) in Wild Wasabi and Cherry Cobbler.  I just love this color combination!!

Actually, this is a sample of a recent swap I participated in last month.  It wasn't a large one....this time, I only needed 11 of them....easy!  Lots of little details....and steps....

As you can see, I used the wonderful Snowburst Embossing Folder.  Over top, is a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock that was embossed with one of the new Designer Frame embossing folders (it's a set of two).  I really enjoy using this embossing folder....it works perfectly with the Wide Oval Punch, which is how the white oval was created for the inside.   No need to cut out an oval....Stampin'Up! has made it easy for us....the Whisper White oval was simply punched from a scrap.  This really sets off the punched stocking that is the focal point.  The Stitched Stocking stamp set and Stocking Builder Punch (both from the Holiday Mini Catalog) made the creation of this stocking so easy!  And check out the sparkly toe and heal....from Silver Glimmer Paper, also from the Holiday Mini.  Add in a bit of Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine and a Basic Rhinestone....and of course, a greeting and it's complete!

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Petite Pairs

Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi

CS:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Silver Glimmer Paper

Big Shot:  Snowburst EF, Designer Frame EF

Punches:  Wide Oval, Word Window, Modern Label, Stocking Builder, Corner Rounder

Misc:  Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Multi-Purpose Adhesive (to adhere bow), Basic Rhinestone

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Final Edition of My GoDiva Swap

WOW!  New Jersey weather has always been unpredictable, but this last week we had an unprecedented snowstorm on October 29.  We only had about 6 inches of that really heavy-wet-type snow, but not far from here they had a foot or more.  The biggest problem with the snow was that many of our trees have yet to loose their leaves!  Seeing the ground covered with snow and the trees above the snow with still-green leaves was quite the site!

So, the result of the heavy snow and all the leaves still on their branches was way to much weight for the trees to bare, so limbs...and trees!....came crashing down everywhere!  Meaning, that many wires came down with the branches.  So, we, along with so, so many of our neighbors, had no power for a few days!  Some neighborhoods looked like war zones.  Having no electric or heat....and of course, no internet!,  for a few days sure makes you appreciate some of the little things in life!  You haven't lived until you've cooked had to cook a meatloaf on your gas grill!  LOL  But, slowly, things are returning to normal around here....but all those broken trees will be around to remind us of this last storm for a very long time! 

Now that my power is back, I can freely use my computer (was conserving the battery on my laptop for emergencies!), and post my final Go Diva Swap from last month.  I must have been in a red and green mood, because if you notice, that is what my last post, this post, and even the next one (coming soon!) all were made of!  This card is a fairly simple, basic layout, all dressed up.....

The Whisper White background layer was impressed with that wonderful, new Snowburst Embossing Folder and layered onto Wild Wasabi....it's a definite must add to your collection item!  Across the center is a layer of Wild Wasabi that was cut with the fabulous Lace Ribbon Border Punch....but what really sets it all off is that scrumptious Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon that lays across the border!....doesn't that ribbon just make this card looks so amazing?!!   The focal centerpiece layers are on Dimensionals and check out that little Basic Rhinestone in place of the dot over the "i" in King.  I am really happy with this card, even if it isn't clever and innovative!  Instead, maybe it's a bit classy and traditional?

Stamps:  The Sounding Joy

Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi

CS:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi

Big Shot:  Snowburst EF

Misc:  Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig (It's a MUST for proper placement of these 2 stamps!!)

Thanks so much for stopping by today and visiting!

Another Almost GoDiva Swap

Are you ready for Fall?  I am....it's my favorite season!....Unfortunately, I think we're pretty much skipping that around here......seems we're in for a Nor'easter and if all the predictions are right, at least 6" of snow tomorrow!  Here in northern NJ, I don't EVER remember getting any substantial amount of snow before Halloween!  

So, with snow on its way, this card definitely seems appropriate....and this is another of my recent, almost GoDiva swaps.  Truthfully, this one is my favorite, but I found I didn't have enough Basic Rhinestones to complete 30 of these....and without the rhinestones, it just didn't have the same pizazz!  Gotta have some bling!  And those bows would have taken a lot of time....as lovely and luscious as that quilted ribbon is, it's a bit of a bear to tie nicely and neatly into compact little bows!  But, OH, it's just so pretty....and adds a touch of class to just about any card you add it to!

What do you think?  Isn't this set lovely?  I just love the scroll-y type greetings that come with this set.  Gorgeous!!  Remember, this is a current Holiday Mini set...only available for a short time!

Stamps:  The Sounding Joy
Inks:  Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler
CS:  Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler
Big Shot:  Northern Flurry EF
Misc:  Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin Ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

A Holiday Swap....Almost!

Oh!  My goodness....where has the time gone?!  It seems like just a short time ago I made my last post.....but it was a few weeks ago!  Thank you so much for your patience.  I HAVE been stamping....I just haven't had time to post!  So...in an effort to remedy that, here's my first of a few posts.....

This card was actually a sample I made up for a recent swap.  It wasn't my final sample, but I still kinda like it.  Non-traditional colors....I love the unexpected, don't you?  This wonderful set, The Sounding Joy, is available now from the Holiday Mini.  It's just so pretty!....and to me, it speaks of what Christmas really is about. 

So, the background words, which are really the real words to "Joy to the World," were stamped in Baja Breeze onto a circle of Whisper White....the circle was created with the Big Shot and the Clear Circle die.  As you can see, it was then stamped over top with the greeting, also from the same set, and embossed with Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder....that stuff is just so pretty!  And can you see the Large Snowflake peaking out?  Also created with the Big Shot.  This was all highlighted with those awesome Basic Rhinestones (can you tell that I just love them?!!).  And the impressed background was made using the fabulous new Snow Burst Embossing Folder.   It's kind of like the Square Lattice EF in a way....the cardstock takes on this wonderfully supple feel after a spin through the Big Shot; it truly changes the texture of the cardstock.  But as you can plainly see, only a portion of the Baja Breeze layer was impressed.

This was all set off with my favorite ribbon....White Taffeta and a touch of the Cherry Cobbler & White Baker's Twine and topped with another Basic Rhinestone.  This card is pretty....in large part because of that beautiful set, but, it just didn't "send me!"  So, after creating this, I was back to the drawing board!  Please come back tomorrow and see my next pre-swap sample.

Stamps:  The Sounding Joy

Inks:  Baja Breeze, Versamark

CS:  Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Big Shot:  Clear Circle Die, Snowflake Die, Snow Burst EF

Misc:  White Taffeta Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting today!

A Little Pink Duck

Remember that last little duckie card?....the one that was a Baby Challenge card, but turned out to be a perfect for a little boy?  Only problem with that was that I needed a card for a new little baby GIRL!  So, this is what I finally came up with! 

Basically, the duck in the center of this card was created the same as the duck from the boy card, but then I needed to add in some frilly things.....and make it pink!!  I think the pink duck works, don't you?!!  This is a real girly-girl card. 

Here's how I made it:
(Some non-SU stuff here, as well as some retired SU!)
-There's a layer of impressed cardstock layered over the same color card base.
-The white strip was punched on both top and bottom.
-The little holes were covered by the tiniest Basic Pearls, which were colored using one of my Copic Markers.
-The little duckie was colored in using the same Copic Marker.
-The hat and umbrella were "colored in" using Dazzling Diamonds.
-The beak and polka dots were colored in using my old Pixie Pink marker.

Sure hope the new Mom likes this little card!

Stamps: Easy Events, Short & Sweet
Inks:  Basic Black
CS:  Mauve Mist*, Whisper White
Big Shot:  Non-SU Embossing Folder, Circles Die
Misc:  Copic Markers, Modern Label Punch, Pink Gingham Ribbon*, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Punch, Basic Pearls, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Dimensionals, Pixie Pink Marker*
*Retired SU (Remember I'm trying to use up some of the many things I have in my stash that are no longer current!!)

Thanks for stopping by today!  (Sorry it's been so long...I've missed you!)

More from Toni

Here's another of Toni's Stamp Camp projects that I made last week while visiting (and helping!).  This one is just so cute....and I don't think that the photo really does it justice! (You can read more about my visit here and you'll see another of the projects, too!)

Toni had everything prepared for this one.  She used the wonderful Fancy Favor Die and cut it out using textured Crumb Cake.  Then the curvy top was trimmed off.  And I don't know anyone else who has mastered the Direct-to-Paper (DTP) technique quite like Toni....she is definitely the Queen in my book!  You can see this basket has a 2-tone look....Toni used Crumb Cake ink and colored it using the DTP technique.  That textured cardstock really looks amazing with this technique! 

She also slit the basket from the top down to allow for the weaving.  For the weaving, we simply did basic weaving with strips of Crumb Cake CS.  That's it!  Each portion was adhered at the top with Sticky Strip....or you could use Mini Glue Dots, which is what I used.

The handle....well, it was simply adhered using 2 Gold Brads on each side....Toni also did DTP on that strip as well!

The second photo shows the close up of the little tag (you can click on it to make it a little larger).  This set really didn't do a thing for me when I saw it in the Holiday Mini....it's called Gift Givers and each stamp image coordinates with one of our punches.  I think I've fallin in love with it after this project....it's just so stinkin' cute!!  As you can see, this turkey image works with the Curly Label Punch.  (One lady at Toni's class liked the set so much she purchased it AND every single punch that coordinates with it!!  WOW!)  On our basket, we simply colored in the image with markers.   The second photo gives a better close up of all the details.  This was really fun....can't you just see it on your Thanksgiving table?!!

Stamps:  Gift Givers

Inks:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

CS:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake -- textured AND smooth

Big Shot:  Fancy Favor Die Mover & Shaper (Curly Label shape)

Markers:  Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red

Misc:  Dimensionals, Gold Brads, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Curly Label Punch 

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting today!

Just for Baby

You've heard me say that I've been a member of various online stamping groups.  One of them sends out Challenges each week, and although I really don't participate too often, I do try whenever I can.  Recently, there was a baby card challenge.  Well, I need a baby card....the daughter of a good friend of mine had a baby girl.  So, I thought this would be a GOOD thing to participate in!

Well, as much fun as I had making the card....it did NOT turn into a baby girl card!  I LOVE blue and yellow together...

yellow and pink, well, not so much!  So, that's how this evolved into what it is.  And it's just so cute, don't you think?!!  Baby cards are sweet and such fun to make...after all, new babies are sweet and fun, too!

As with many of my cards, this is a basic, classic layout....all dressed up with lots of details.  One of my favorite new things is to make the base of the card a color (in this case Bashful Blue) with a impressed layer in the same color over top....that way, the inside of the card has a nice clean look to it.  The corners are all rounded.  And that cute little duckie?...well, it's from the new Easy Events, a set we all received at Convention in July.  Here's he's paper-pieced....in other words, I stamped him 3 times:  1 time on the Whisper White background paper, 1 time on Daffodil Delight, and finally a last time on Bashful Blue.  Then I cut out the body of the duck stamped in Daffodil Delight, and the umbrella top out of Bashful Blue and layered them both onto the white stamped background.  The little sailor hat and the dots in the umbrella are "colored" in with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, which also outlines the waves.  The duck bill was simply colored by using my Pumpkin Pie marker.  And one of those cute little tiny Mini Brads (the new ones) was used for his eye. 

The plaid background was a technique we learned at Convention....you can't see it on screen, but there's a lot of texture going on here.  I inked up my new Stripes EF and put it through the Big Shot....then re-inked it and put the same paper back in but turning it 90 degrees first.  Cool?!!...Huh?!!

Since there was so much going on, the saying is not layered, but the outlined letter and brackets were colored in with my Bashful Blue marker.  Oh, and check out the inside....a plain and simple inside just wouldn't do!  My Challenge Partner should be receiving this in the mail in today or maybe Monday....sure hope she likes it!

And as an added bonus, this card qualifies for the Challenge over at Hand-Stamped Sentiments.  There's some fabulous entries this week!  Be sure to check them out.

Stamps:  Easy Events, Word Play, Full of Life

Inks:  Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Basic Gray (for greeting inside), Daffodil Yellow (inside card)

CS:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue

Punches:  Corner Rounder, Extra Large Oval, Scallop Border (inside card), 1 3/4" Circle, 2 3/8" Scallop

Big Shot:  Perfect Polka Dots EF, Stripes EF, Circles (used for the Daffodil Delight circle layer), Scallop Squares Duo

Misc:  Bashful Blue Grosgrin Ribbon, White Baker's Twine, Silver Mini Brad, Paper Piercer (to make hole), Pumkin Pie Marker, Bashful Blue Marker, Mini Glue Dots (to hold bow on)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Stampin' with Friends

Did I ever tell you that the BEST part of being a Stampin'Up! demonstrator is the friends you make along the way?  I've met...and stamped....with people from all walks of life, from all over the country. SU has given me the opportunity to make friends with those that have been/are customers, as well as sister demonstrators...people I would never have met any other way!

So, why am I sharing this?  Well, last week, I traveled down to my son and daughter-in-law's new home.  You see, I have a bit of time off while the store I work in is being renovated (compliments of flooding caused by Hurricane Irene!) and my son began a new job this past Tuesday, but had some time off in between jobs.  So, down to Virginia I went!  I got to see his home all settled for the first time....they did a great job and it looks like it's going to be a very happy home.

I went down last Wednesday and Dan (my son) and I had a few projects and visited all of Thursday and Friday.  But when Saturday came along, I figured it was time for me to get out of their hair and give my DIL a bit of time to herself....so I visited with my friend and sister demo, Toni Tessler, who lives about an hour away.  Toni was hosting a Stamp Camp, and I told her I would come and help.  In return, she had all the projects ready for me to make as well.  Cute ideas!  AND I, of course, had some time to visit after everyone left and all was quiet.  Oh...and at the end of the day, I visited with another sister demo/friend, Jeannette!  See?  It really IS great to be a SU Demo!  (Want to join in the fun?  Contact me and see how.)

This photo here is one of the projects I helped with.  This adorable idea was featured at Convention this past July, and Toni adapted and redesigned it to fit a Fall theme.  The box itself is the Box #2 Bigz Die and then the box is "wrapped" with a piece of textured Cajun Craze CS and some of that wonderful Wide Grosgrain in Old Olive....only Toni didn't realize that the Old Olive has been retired.  But things could easily be changed out to what is currently available in the catalog.  The Triple Treat Flower is used on the front....don't you just love it?!!....remember, it's one of those single stamps available for purchase.  It was inked in Old Olive and then stamped off lightly once before stamping on the Natural Ivory CS.  And the best part?  The saying....Toni took the Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel and peeled the rubber off of the hard plastic wheel...then cut it apart to use all the different sayings and images as separate stamps.  Ingenious!!  They each work marvelously well with our clear blocks.  Wouldn't this make a fabulous little treat box at your Thanksgiving table?!!

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Triple Treat Flower, Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel

Inks:  Old Olive, Cajun Craze

CS:  Old Olive, Natural Ivory, Cajun Craze, Cajun Craze Textured

Big Shot:  Box #2 Bigz Die

Punches:  1 1/4" Round, 5-Petal Flower, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle

Misc:  Sticky Strip (to hold everything together!), 1 1/4" Striped Wide Grosgrain in Old Olive (retired), Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by and visiting today!