Happy Holidays!....and TWO Challenges

WHEW! Can you believe we've made it through Christmas? I hope you had a wonderful, fabulous day and spent it with those you love. Of course the holidays are not over, but once Christmas is behind us, it's a bit quieter and more relaxing....at least for me! You see, I've been working retail this past season....and even though retail-wise, it wasn't the best year, I still needed to put in some hours. Then, of course, preparing for Christmas......and yesterday, I had most of my family over. We had 23 in all! Now, I don't have a very large house....far from it! So, it was quite chaotic......but, it was the first Christmas my Mom spent with all of us in a long, long time! She loved it!

Last year I never had the opportunity to send out my Christmas cards, so I had them left for this year....but was short about 25. OK....that was doable! So, last Sunday, I came up with this little card. BUT, I really have to admit that the stamps are not SU. I found them discounted recently when I stopped in to my local stamp/scrapbook store...."local" is 35 minutes away. They are by Penny Black; and this card was inspired by one the store had on display.....I fell in love with it and time was at a premium! The papers and accessories ARE all SU!

Stamps: Joyous (Penny Black)

Inks: Chalk Inks (retired from SU line)

CS: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Old Olive

Misc: Real Red Narrow Grosgrain, Corner Rounder (retired), Perfect Impressions Texturz Plate, Big Shot

This second sample is for MaryJo's Challenge from last Monday! I just haven't had the time to participate in so long and really wanted to play with this new set, which I think is just perfect for this sketch! The set is called Vintage Vogue and will be available for purchase on January 5.....AND you can purchase it on either wooden blocks like always.....OR unmounted so you can use it with acrylic blocks and save tons of storage room! How great is that?!! Silly me, I forgot that when I ordered the set and purchased it in the traditional wooden block form....but you can bet that I'll definitely be purchasing some unmounted sets as well! As for MJ's sketch, you can see it here; and you'll also see that I've taken some liberties with the sketch. But, I like the way it worked out.....AND I just LOVE this set! It's a little like one of my other favorite sets, Charming!*

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Inks: Melon Mambo, Basic Gray

CS: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Basic Gray

Misc: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Scallop Trim Border Punch (SAB....available for YOU to earn, January 5-March 31, 2010)

Please note: ALL materials used to create this sample are from SU!

*GREAT NEWS: Charming, which has been featured in the Holiday Mini, will continue to be available until the end of April....I think it will work nicely with this new set, don't you?!!

Thanks for stopping by today.....and enjoy the remainder of your holiday season. Be safe.....be happy!

Just a Quick Thank You

Yes, I know we're in the middle of the Christmas season, but that means that Thank You cards are going to be needed soon! Actually, I already need some, which is why this beauty has been created.

If you have visited this blog before, you know that one of my very favorite stamp sets from the Holiday Mini is Charming, and I'm so very sad to say good by to this set. I probably will hang onto it because it creates the most lovely cards....and then hopefully, it will be available again in the new catalog this summer!

This is a simple layout that features the new border punch, Scallop Trim Border, which you can soon earn during Sale-a-Bration, which begins on January 5. I love how it adds just a bit of softness to the Bordering Blue and Night of Navy.

Well, that's it for now. Have to run and complete my entry for Mary Jo's Challenge.....haven't participated in so long! Thanks for stopping by and visiting.

Stamps: Charming, Thank you Kindly

Inks: Silver Metallic, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy

CS: Whisper White, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy

Misc: White Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Please note: ALL materials used to create this sample are from SU.

Christmas Gifts

A couple of weeks ago, I met with the ladies in my Stamp Club and gave them each a little package of goodies that I created. This first photo shows the box that contained everything. These gable boxes were once sold by SU, so of course, I have a few remaining in my stash! The greeting is from Many Merry Messages....I'm in love with this stamp....it's probably the reason I purchased the set a couple of years ago! The bird in the corner is NOT an SU stamp, but one I couldn't resist last year when visiting a stamp store. The wide ribbon is also from last year's collection, although is currently available in various other colors.

While on a trip to the Christmas Tree Shoppe, I found this cute little frame in the bargain bin. It is just the cutest! And the color works perfectly with last year's In Color, Riding Hood Red. So, just a bit of DSP from the Merry Moments collection, a bit of Riding Hood Red CS, and a stamped image (non SU....rec'd it at CHA last summer from the Hero Arts booth) and it came together nicely! I used my Chocolate Chip and my Garden Green markers to "ink" up the image and then the Blender Pen to "color" in the pine cone. Then I stamped over the image again in Versamark and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, which gave it a rich and polished look. (If you click on the image, you can view the detail.) Although this image is not from the SU line, this technique can easily be used for many images in the SU line!

This next gift is first shown without the wrapping.....it started out as a simple glass holder purchased off of the clearance rack in Ikea a few months back. I'm almost embarassed to tell you how much I bought them for....but, I'll share anyway: $.25! Can you believe it?!! I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but I bought a bunch and knew that one day they would be made into something spectacluar. So, with some etching cream, a punch, and a gold pen, this simple glass holder was transformed into a votive holder.

I have to admit that the punch is from Martha Stewart, but I purchased it because it closely resembles the Jumbo Snowflake Punch in the SU collection, which unfortunately, was way too big for this project. I simply punched a few snowflakes out of computer paper and used a bit of glue from the Anywhere Glue Stick to adhere them. Then I glopped on the etching cream. I've etched glass before and always followed the directions with various results. This time around my little glass projects came out much better and more evenly.....I left the etching cream on for about 30-40 minutes. Then I washed off the etching cream and glued on paper. The only issue was that the rim around the top wasn't as even as I had hoped, but the Ziggy Gold Paint Pen (retired) did the trick! Add in a sparkly red votive from the Christmas Tree Shoppe and the project was done.

Below are all the gifts together and how they looked when placed inside the gable box. The little tin was wrapped with some retired DSP and I added in some home-made toffee. Check out this post for more info on this gift.

With a bit of creativity, some time, and just a few dollars, I think the gifts came out pretty well....and I'm pretty certain my ladies liked them!

Getting Ready for Christmas

Hi.....it's been awhile, hasn't it?!! Life just kind of took over and there just wasn't enough time for everything! Sorry I haven't posted in so long. With my Mom just getting settled, a new job....in retail!....and getting ready for Christmas....well, life has been hectic! Although I haven't posted in some time, I have not forgotten you!

So, here we are, just 5 days away from the big day....are YOU ready? I am almost there! House is decorated, tree is up, gifts are purchased, wrapped and under the tree......baking is done. Now, I just need to get ready for the clan to come on Christmas day....not sure how many are coming. It will likely be somewhere between 18-25 people! Always chaotic, but oh, so much fun! And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way! I just LOVE having my family all together for the holidays. My siblings (most of them) will be here with their spouses and kids and Mom will be here for the festivities as well. Can't wait.

In the last few weeks, I've also been making some Christmas items. The first I want to share are some ornaments. Now, this idea has been around for the last few years, but I only just tried them myself recently. They are so pretty....if I may say so!....so sparkly and glittery. You KNOW I'm not really a glitter gal, but I happen to have some in my stash....most has retired, so this was a fabulous way to use a bit of it and really show it off!

Don't you just LOVE them? I used clear glass ornaments purchased last year at one of the craft stores around here.....but I couldn't find the same ones again this year. Probably looked too late! Anyway, these two are my favorites of all I made.

The blue ornament has one of our rub ons....from the Icicles collection. They are just so pretty....and perfect for embellishing and creating your own ornaments! The blue glitter is kind of iridescent...but sadly, this glitter has retired. The red ornament showcases the Flurry collection from the SU Home Decor line. These images are much more bold than the rub ons and look fabulous against the glittered glass ball....but many of them are really LARGE....too large for the balls I had!

OK, so by now you are probably wondering HOW to create these...right?!! These are so much less tedious and much quicker than I expected....which is why it took me so long to try them! You'll need the following:

-a clear glass "ball" These come in various shapes, so, any shape you choose...round is easiest to work with.

-re-inker

-glitter

-funnel or scrap cardstock

-rubber glove, if you don't want to wear your ink!

-a disposable cup

While making these I learned that if you closely match the re-inker to your glitter, you'll end up with a richer color. If you contrast it, you can "muddy" the glitter color, but it will still come out. For instance, I used gold glitter, but used Pretty in Pink re-inker....this seemed to tame the gold and give it a softer, slightly pinkish cast. Pretty. On another, I used Sahara Sand re-inker and gold glitter.....(don't know what I was thinking!), and the end result was kind of a garish gold. It still worked, but I like the softer gold so much better!

OK, what you'll want to do, is remove the topper from the ball....you know the part that has the loop for the hanger....and set aside. Now pour about 15 drops of re-inker into your clear ball. Carefully, swirl around until the entire inside is covered with color....you may need to add a couple more drops of ink. Then carefully add in up to 1/2 tsp of glitter....it's best to add just a bit at a time, because you cannot reuse the extra glitter from these projects. The easiest way to add the glitter is with a funnel.....I didn't have one that was small enough to fit into the opening, so I used some scrap cardstock to create my own funnel.....Very Vanilla or Whisper White are the easiest to work with for this! Place a finger over the opening and gently shake until all surfaces are coated with glitter....add a bit more glitter as needed.

Here's the important part.....although you are technically done, you need to let the inside of the ball dry. So you need to place it upside down in a disposable cup, so that any extra ink doesn't puddle and settle at the bottom of your ball. Let dry overnight and decorate as desired. Although it doesn't seem possible that the glitter will stay put as the ink dries, it does! I was given a glitter ball 2 years ago by my upline and it is still lovely and perfect as it was the day I received it!

Have fun making your ornaments! And thanks for stopping by.

Techno Lunchtime Challenge #96

Here's another fun sketch by MJ this week. For my version, I turned it on its side and used the Scallop Edge Punch instead of the Ticket Punch for the corners. When I looked on my shelf at the stamp sets I own, it seemed like Season of Joy would work perfectly for this layout. Layered against the Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, I believe I was right, don't you?

As you can see, my embossed background is two-toned.....first I brayered the embossing folder with White Craft ink and ran it thought the Big Shot. I'm just loving this look....and it's so simple to do!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. You can see MaryJo's sketch and the other participants by clicking here.

Stamps: Season of Joy

Inks: White Craft, Old Olive

CS: Whisper White, Old Olive, Real Red

Misc: Big Shot, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, 3/4" round Punch, Gold Mini Brads, Paper Piercer, Scallop Edge Punch, Brayer, Wide Old Olive Grosgrain

Please note: ALL materials used to create this sample are from SU and are currently available.

Blog Challenge #s 125 & 126....Kind of!

Well, I tried to combine the last two Challenges into one sample....not sure if this really qualifies for either one! You see, last week (Challenge #125) we were to choose a technique and create. After looking over some ideas, I decided to use the Faux Cloisonne technique. BUT my hubby had just recycled all my magazines and those that I had kept aside for this very purpose have disappeared as well. So, I turned to my DSP scrap pile....there seems to be PLENTY of that in my stamp room! I chose this blue print DSP, which has been retired for at least 4 or 5 years. It's such a pretty print, but honestly, the DSP from SU has certainly come a long, long way! This is so much thinner than what I've become accustomed to using. However, for this purpose, it really worked well,

For the Faux Cloisonne look, you simply emboss an open type image onto a magazine page and cut out. The glossy page showing through is what gives it that unique enamel look. Well, on my leaves, the print shows through and gives it a really interesting look, but it doesn't have that shiny look that a magazine page would have given. It's the technique, but different. Does it work? Hmmm.....not sure.....I think it does, but it's not really a true representation of that technique. Using a larger piece of matching DSP in the background helped pull it all together. Oh, and since I photographed this sample against a couple of sheets of Basic Black CS, you really cannot see that the card base of this sample is layered onto Night of Navy, which works well with the DSP....it gives an extra richness to the overall look!

That brings us to the second Challenge, Number 126, which is to create a Fall look. Do shades of blue count? There's leaves and the greeting, but blue? Again, not so sure. But this is what I made to share. If nothing else, it is different! I'm happy with the clean and uncluttered look achieved with this card. So even if I didn't quite meet the Challenges, hopefully you still enjoyed stopping by today!

Stamps: Lovely Leaves (Holiday Mini), Holiday Best (Hostess Level 1)

Inks: Night of Navy, Gold Encore

CS: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Brocade Blue

Misc: Gold Emboss Powder, Gold Cord (retired type), Key Punch (retired), DSP (retired)

Please note: ALL materials used to create this card are from SU!, although some items have retired.

Monday Lunchtime Challenge #95

Yes, I realize it's now late Saturday night.....and this was due days ago! Ahh....life does have a way of taking over my stamp life sometimes! Yes, I disappeared on you again.....if you have been reading this blog for the last year, you may remember that my Dad passed away some months back and that I've been working on having Mom move back here to New Jersey from Florida. Well, today she arrived! It's been a very long 10 months....and loads and loads of work, tons of phone calls and coordinating, but she sold her house and arrived today! My siblings and I have found a wonderful, beautiful senior community with a very active senior life! AND it's only about 1/2 hour away from most of us.....Tuesday, the moving van should arrive from Florida and she'll be moving in. I am so excited for her....perhaps more excited than she is!

Anyway, achieving everything to this point seems to have taken over my life! And that left me with not a lot of time for stamping and/or blogging. I truly have a new respect for those that have walked in those shoes before me.......and if you are one of them, you KNOW the enormity of what has been achieved so far and the countless hours it has taken. Hopefully, the transition into her new home will go smoothly and life will be a bit easier around here....and for her as well! I'm happy to have her nearby to celebrate the upcoming holiday season with us all!

So....onto my card for you! After all, isn't that really why you stopped by?!! This is my take on MaryJo's sketch #95 from this past Monday. I really am very happy with the way this came out, but when I looked back at the sketch (I didn't print it...DUH!!), only then did I realize that it isn't exactly the same as the sketch. BUT, regardless, this is my take on it! You can see MJ's original sketch here.

This sample features all SU materials that can currently be purchased in the catalog or the fabulous Holiday Mini. Don't you just love that DSP?.....it's from the Merry Moments collection. Now, I have to admit that it took me a bit of time to warm up to Chocolate Chip being used for the Christmas season....but, I have finally come out of my red & green Christmas comfort zone! If you've been in any of your local stores, you'll see that most are already decked out for the holidays....and the new trend this year is BROWNS!

For the color combo on this sample, I took my cue from the DSP.....so the greeting was stamped onto Very Vanilla CS, with just a smidgen of Rose Red showing and layered onto Certainly Celery CS. Finished off with the wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon....well, what can I say?!! I'm in love with these colors!

Thanks so much for your continued patience with me....AND for stopping by and visiting! Hope you'll stop by again soon.

Stamps: Four the Holidays

Inks: Chocolate Chip

CS: Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Rose Red

Misc: Merry Moments DSP, Wide Chocolate Chip DSP, Scallop Edge Punch

PLEASE NOTE: ALL materials used to create this card are from SU!

Thinking of Christmas

The leaves are off of the trees....or at least mostly. There's definitely a chill in the air....it's certainly feeling a lot more wintery.....and you know what that means, don't you? Christmas will soon be here! In anticipation of the upcoming season, I recently participated in a Christmas/Holiday swap. This first card was what I almost submitted. I liked it, but something was just a little off....not to mention that it was a LOT of work and I needed to make 28 of these....quickly! By the time, I finally came up with this, time was limited.

So, I reworked the card and tweaked away and this is what I submitted. Truthfully, I am much happier with it! I really wasn't sure about a brown ornament....but you know what? They are everywhere! Who would have thought that brown ornaments would be so popular this year?!!

Here's the info:

Version #1

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Warm Words

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Glorious Green, Certainly Celery, Real Red

CS: Whisper White, Real Red, Certainly Celery

Misc: 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Silver Cord, Ornament Punch, Modern Label Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Scallop Square Die

Version #2

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Warm Words

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery

CS: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Silver Metallic

Punches: Ornament, Modern Label, 3/4" Circle, 1" Circle

Misc: 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Big Shot, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Scallop Square Die, Movers & Shakers Die, Mistletoe Originals Ribbon

PLEASE NOTE: ALL materials used to create both of these samples are from SU!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Please come back and visit soon!

Lunchtime Challenge #94

I love MaryJo's sketch this week! It actually is one of those tried and true, basic layouts that I seem to go back to time and time again. So, I guess you could say that this week was an easy challenge! You can see MJ's sketch here.

For my sample this week, I used Kraft...it is just so perfect for Fall-themed cards, although it looks great all through the year! As you can see, that's the basic in this card. It has been paired with Not Quite Navy and Dusty Durango cardstock. Maybe not quite your traditional Fall colors, but don't you think that the Not Quite Navy gives the leaves and card a special little "punch" of color?

The leaves were simply stamped in Soft Suede and sponged in More Mustard, highlighted with some Dusty Durango and just a bit of Not Quite Navy. They have both been curled and manipulated to more closely resemble real leaves and then popped up on Dimensionals. Oh, and that Not Quite Navy panel has been textured in the Big Shot....not sure you can tell!

Thanks for stopping by today....hope you enjoyed your visit!

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Full of Life

Inks: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Dusty Durango, Not Quite Navy

CS: Kraft, Dusty Durango, Not Quite Navy

Misc: Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Paper Piercer & Template, Copper Mini Brads (retired formerly from the Vintage Collection), Cutter Kit (for distressing), Big Shot, Texturz Plate (Kit #4)

Please note: All materials used to create this sample are from SU!

Fall is Here!

Hope you had a fun and safe Halloween....and received lots of chocolate! Now that holiday is behind us, it's time to look forward to the next one....Thanksgiving! Not sure about you, but this really is my very favorite time of the year. In fact, my hubby and I take an annual trip to see the leaves....they are so gorgeous in this area in the Fall. Today is the day....we'll be leaving soon and although the day is kind of dreary, and the foliage really is past its prime, I'm still hoping that it will be worth the trip. If nothing else, it will be nice to just have a few hours away from all the everyday stresses!

So, in honor of the season, and because you just may not want to pack up those pumpkins just yet, here's a sample for the season! This is actually very much inspired by one of my stamping "buddies," Margaret. She made these punched pumpkins....which I just love, don't you?!! You can see her original version here. Margaret used a different die for her leaves and vines, but since I don't have that one, I used what I have around....little bits of the Tulipe die and a punch, which is actually not from SU, but a discontinued Martha Stewart punch. Unlike Margaret's sample, I've used cardstock for the Top Note die and stamped with the Sanded background stamp.....and added a layer of ribbon. One thing that is so very important to the pumpkins is that the edges of each circle or oval must be sponged....it gives it definition and adds so much to them!

What do you think? Isn't this fun?!! Be sure to check out Margaret's sample...and take a look around her blog while you are there....she's a very talented, and creative lady! Thanks for stopping by today.

Stamps: Sanded, All Holidays

Inks: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

CS: Natural Ivory, Old Olive, Kraft, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip

Misc: Sponge Dauber, Stitched Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Tulipe Die, Big Shot, Martha Stewart punch