Cookie Time!

Finally... a picture of my cookie jar.  It's not even remotely close to being full.  In fact, it's looking rather empty - even though there are probably 4 dozen cookies in it!

The jar itself came from Wal-Mart.  It was less than $20 (before tax) and it is enormous.  I've added one of the Decor Elements to the front - Christmas Countdown.  I used the small version ($23.95) and it fit perfectly on my jar.  The numbers were rubbed onto some Whisper White cardstock, and matted with Real Red cardstock.  

After I added my Decor Element, I stamped snowflakes all over the jar using white Staz-On ink.  You can only see the small ones (and a hint of a big one on the right side) but there are large and small snowflakes around the entire jar.  Which snowflakes you ask?  The ones from the Country Living Holiday Stampin' kit.  They are very traditional snowflakes, which are my favourite kind.  I'm not big on the more modern versions.

Tomorrow's Mom and Me stamping.  I'll post pics for all to see!

Happy stamping!

Not Christmas, but cute just the same

Sorry, no Christmas photos today.  I made cookies, and was going to take a picture of my cookie jar but... we ate a lot of cookies and the jar looks pretty pathetic when it's almost empty!

So, for this evening I'm going to give you card samples from a retired Simply Sent kit.  I've made the cards up, and will give them to a relative for Christmas.  The main card is created using Kraft paper, while the background cardstock is Real Red, Old Olive, and More Mustard.  The inks are the same.

The stamp set was exclusive to the kit.  I still have the set and am willing to sell it - please e-mail me if you're interested!

Happy stamping!

A Christmas card from 2007...

I'm currently going through iPhoto, looking for my 150 photos that I want to upload to Kodak before the end of the week (150 photos for $15!), when I found this picture.  The card was made last year, for my son's kindergarten teacher.  

It's big!  A full sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock, folded in half.  You can see the brads in the top - there are additional sheets of white cardstock on the inside, so that each child in the class could print their name.  The card has also been scored just below the brads - can't have the kids destroying the card before it gets to the teacher!

The stamps are from It's Snow Time, a retired set but not one that I will easily part with.  The sentiment came from Hugs and Wishes (current).  The base of the card is Brilliant Blue, and the snow was created using Bashful Blue.  

I'm in the process of trying to put up some Christmas decor in my house, as well as finish my Christmas cards.  I'll post some fun pics of current projects once I take them, and they actually come out well!!!  I've got pictures in my iPhoto, but they are either too washed out, or too dark.  I can hardly wait to get my hands on my new digital camera on Christmas morning!

Enjoy!

Super Cute Snowmen!

As much as I love making cards, I also love looking at and putting together other stamping projects that aren't cards.  These two projects are super cute, and easy to put together.

The first snowman is actually from the retired set It's Snow Time.  It's one of the sets that I cannot bear to part with because I really do love it.  I received this candy holder at our Regional Meeting last September.  It's super easy to make, and can hold just about any small candies.  I would love to be able to give credit to the person that made it but... I can't.  Why?  I can't find this little guy in my house right now.  I have a strong suspicion that Michelle took off with it and it's hiding somewhere.  If I find it, I'll add the creator's name to my blog.

I love the Tic-Tac cover in this project.  The snowman featured here is from Wishing You Cheer, a very cute and inexpensive Christmas set.  This sample came from Laura Robinson, at our last Mega-Meeting in September.  It's too cute!!!

Enjoy!

Clamming around at the Stack

For those of you that have been following my posts over the last couple of days, you'll know that this is the third Stamp-A-Stack card that I'm posting.  I'm going to post a couple of photos of it to ensure that you see how it was constructed.  Full credit for this card goes to Jennifer Tinline - I love this card!!

The main background is Real Red.  This caused me quite a bit of consternation in the days leading up to the Stamp-a-Stack as the paper was on backorder, and I wasn't sure if it was going to arrive in time!!  In the end, I did have the paper and was infinitely grateful that it showed up!  I used Baja Breeze for the inside, as well as some Baja Breeze Prints Designer Series Paper for the front panel.  Mr. Christmas Clam was stamped in Basic Black, on some wonderful Shimmery White paper.  He's layered on Real Red and Chocolate Chip cardstock.  A piece of Real Red grosgrain ribbon adds a nice touch.  He was coloured using markers and blender pens.

Until tomorrow... happy stamping!  

More Stamping & Stacking

Bonjour again!

Welcome to the second of the of the cards that we made at our Christmas stamp-a-stack.  This one is super easy!!! 

All of the stamps on this card come from the Snow Swirled set.  I have used Old Olive as the main card base, and then added layers of Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White.  The largest snowflake is stamped using Elegant Eggplant ink, while the second largest snowflake and the sentiment were stamped in Night of Navy.  The smallest snowflake was stamped in Old Olive.  

It's difficult to see, but there are some Dazzling Diamonds in the centres of the snowflakes.

Enjoy! 

Stamp-A-Stacking

Hi all!  Wow - it's been 10 days since I've posted anything.  Having a stamp-a-stack and getting a nasty cold will do that to you.  I'm feeling pretty under the weather this afternoon, but this doesn't require a lot of movement on my part, and Michelle is currently engrossed in Cinderella.

These cards are one of the designs that we had at our Stamp-A-Stack.  It's a little more complicated that some of the other cards that were there, but everyone seemed to like the cards.  The stamps used are both current hostess sets - Best Yet and Deer Friends.  I've also used some Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper, and some Riding Hood Red & Baja Breeze cardstock and ribbon.

The card is designed and punched in such a way that when you open up the card, you can still see the deer/tree as they are adhered to the inside of the card.  

Stay tuned for tomorrow when you'll get to see another one of our stack cards.  And you really will because I'm about to write tomorrow's post!

A wonderful RAK!

I recently received this RAK card from a demonstrator (Laura Robinson) who is three levels above me in my Stampin' Up! demonstrator line.  I LOVE the c0lours on the card, and I love the opening!!!  She used her Big Shot and Top Note Bigz die to cut the More Mustard cardstock, and then added an image from the Flowers for all Seasons set, and a sentiment from the Garden Whimsy set.  The best part of all?  Laura used her Curvy Label punch to punch out the image, co-ordinating it with the card!! 

Thanks Laura for a gorgeous card!!!  I love it!

A Fall Flair Thank-You

I was at a fun workshop a week ago, and we made this nice fall Thank-You card using the very cool chalkboard technique.  

Because we're in the middle of the fall, I thought that I would try the chalkboard technique on Chocolate Chip cardstock, using Whisper White craft ink and some Earth Elements paper.  I love the look of the colour on the Chocolate Chip cardstock!!!  My only regret is that I don't have the Very Vanilla craft ink as it would have looked stunning against the cardstock.  I need to add that to my list of "needs".

The stamps used on the card are from the Fall Flair hostess set, and the sentiment is from Wonderful words (stamped in Chocolate Chip).  I added a little bit of hemp twine to help with the rustic feel of the card.

Enjoy!!

Birthday Party Invite - Hallowe'en Style!

One of my friends sent me these really cute pictures the other day.  Her daughter's birthday is on Hallowe'en, and they wanted to make some invitations to her upcoming party.

Karen and Emily used the Batty for You stamp set, along with some black embossing powder to make the images on the front of the invite.   They added some very cool Hallowe'een paper, and a great sentiment on the front of the card.  

On the inside, they added another Batty for You image, and all of the party particulars.  I love how the invite opens from bottom to top!  

Very cute invitations!!!  Thanks for sharing Karen and Emily!!!

Happy stamping everyone!

One of my Favourite Friends

So... who is one of my favourite friends?  Why it's the crab from Crab & Company!  

This cute card is for the friend of one of my boys.  Joshie's birthday party is coming up fast, and he needs a cute card because he's a pretty cute kid!  I hope he likes this one - the crab spins!!!  He reminds me a bit of Mr. Krabbs from SpongeBob.  He's even attached to pennies.  For those of you that have ever watched the mighty Sponge, you'll know that Mr. Krabbs is obsessed with the almighty buck.  

Crab & Company is one of the sets that is on sale this month.  He's a great set to have because he comes with a Santa hat and Christmas sentiments too!

Happy stamping - and spinning!

Christmas Stamp-A-Stack - the time is near!

We will be hosting our annual Christmas Stamp-A-Stack on Saturday, November 15th.  It will be held at the Winchester Golf Club (east side of Brooklin) from 1-4pm.  

You'll be making 12 cards - 2 each of 6 designs - all for only $25.  All of your paper is precut and instructions and supplies are provided.  We'll also have door prizes!

Registration is first come, first served, and space is limited.  To secure your registration, please pay your entrance fee as soon as possible - it's the only way that we can guarantee your spot!  Registration closes on October 27th to ensure that we have enough supplies ordered and prepared for our stampers.

*NEW*  Have a friend that I haven't met attend the event, and I'll chop $5 off your registration fee.  Sign up 2 and I'll chop $10.  Bring 5 and you get in for free!

Last year's Christmas stamp-a-stack was a lot of fun (see photo above for one of last year's cards).  We hope that you can join us for this year's stack!  Please e-mail me at littleinklings@rogers.com or call at 905-655-9347 to secure your spot!

It's Birthday Central in Stampingland

I've spent my evening making fairly simple cards because I'm in the middle of prime birthday season.  It seems as though a lot of our family/friend birthdays fall in a fairly short period of time, and this is it!

My sister's birthday is near the end of October.  Her card was created using the Party Hearty set (currently on sale at 20% off if you spend $20!), and the On Your Birthday sentiment set.  Colours you ask?  Tangerine Tango and Pacific Point.  The hats were stamped off once before being stamped on the card because Pacific Point is quite a strong colour and I didn't want them to overwhelm the card.  

 

My mom's birthday is this weekend.  I saw a version of this card at our recent Mega-Meeting, and thought that I would recreate the swirls and flowers from Priceless.  I added some striped grosgrain ribbon, a sentiment from On Your Birthday, and some Dazzling Diamonds for good measure.  Colours on this card are Bashful Blue and Pixie Pink.

Tomorrow's card features one of my favourite friends... watch for it!

Happy Stamping!

Tile Workshop - November 17th

I just finished writing and sending my October newsletter.  Most of the info is the same as my last blog entry but... I've added something.  My November class will be a tile workshop.  The cost is $10 for one set of tiles, or $15 for two sets of tiles.  Included in the cost is the box for your tiles - we'll make these while they are drying.  If you purchase a background stamp at the workshop, I will waive the workshop fee for one set of tiles!  

The date is Monday, November 17th.  The place is my house!  You can sign up for one of two sessions - 9:15am, or 7:30pm.  

If you're interested in coming to this class, please e-mail or call ASAP to secure your spot.  Space is limited!

Happy stamping!

Going Back in Time

When I set out to scrap on Friday evening, I realized that I didn't have any of my 2007 pictures matched with paper and ready to go.  I did however, have pictures from 1986!  When I ran out of photos a  year ago (and didn't want to start the crazy A-Z album) I went back in time a bit.  The book that these pages are in contains photos that are at least 20 years old.  

The object of this book is simply to get everything down, with names to the faces.  I haven't been going quite as crazy as I have in my other ongoing project, and consequently I'm not loving these pages as much.  However, I do have a permanent record now of my friends, and I won't lose any of the pictures along the way.  

Just wait until they discover though that their high school faces are actually posted on the Net...

Oooo... spooky...

The other two projects that were completed by my stamp clubs this week were Hallowe'en projects.   I love the spooky season, which is why I caved 2 days ago and decorated my house with lots of orange, black and purple.  I had tried to just put up the fall decor, but it was trapped inside the big orange/black bin, and Michelle wanted it all up.  How could I say no?

I don't know of anyone that sends Hallowe'en cards, so instead of making cards, we played with paper and treats.  I love the first project because the treat bag holds just enough treats (I've put a few in here, but the bags can certainly hold more than this!).   All of the Designer Paper on these two projects is from Ghostly Greetings.  The stamp set is Batty for You, and I've added some Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and Old Olive cardstock to round things out.  Anyhow, the paper for the top of the bags is a 5"x 5" square, with an oval cut in the centre of the paper.  The bags are the Clear Translucent medium envelopes from page 167 in the Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalogue.  50 of these envelopes are $5.95, and they can fit cards as well as treats!  You fill the bags, seal them up, and staple on your paper.  I have then added the Bad to the Bone skull for something fun on the top.

This cute little dude is a bookmark that has been wrapped around an orange TicTac box.  Easy to make, easy to give out, and fun for all!  The Pumpkin Pie cardstock is 7 7/8" x 1 1/2" and the Ghostly Greetings paper has been cut at 7 5/8" x 1 1/4".  The length dimensions are important to ensure that your container is wrapped properly.  Glue them together, and let them dry!!!  Once they are completely dry, cut a notch at 1 1/4" from the top, and another at 1/2" from the bottom.  Make sure they are on opposite sides of the bookmark otherwise you won't be able to hook them together!!  Wrap the bookmark around and hook them together.  Add a cute dude to the top, and you're done!

 

Even though it's a bit early... Happy Hallowe'en!

Christmas Planner Class - registration ends soon!!

The dates or my Christmas planner class are fast approaching.  I still have spots for both the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning class, but these are disappearing quickly!

Class times are as follows: Tuesday, October 14th at 7:30pm OR Wednesday, October 15th at 9:15am.   The cost of the class is $15, and it includes your tin, and all necessary papers, ribbon and accessories to complete your planner (don't worry - your calendar won't be purple!).

If you want to come to either class, please e-mail me at littleinklings@rogers.com or call me at 905-655-9347 to reserve your spot.

Registration closes on October 1st, so make sure you register ASAP!

Enjoy!

An extremely cute (and easy!) baby card

Today's offering is a card that my stamp club will be creating this week.  I saw the original on Corrine Sommerville's blog, and LOVED it!  So, I thought that it would be a good card for my stamp club to have fun with.  

I have used Pink Pirouette paper for the body of this card (as well as the sentiment), along with Bella Rose paper for inside the scallop.  The sentiment is from Say It with Scallops.  This set is this year's Ronald McDonald House set for 2008-2009.  Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of each set to Ronald McDonald House Charities.  The sentiment is embossed using White embossing powder, and has been punched using the new square scallop punch.  I have also inked the edges of the square, and added some Stampin' Dimensionals to the back.

The 2" circle at the top was cut out using my CM circle cutters (I know!  They're not SU!  But I've had them for three years now...).  I also punched a small hole on each side of the semi-circle, and fed some Whisper White grosgrain ribbon through.  

What a cute card!!!  And sooooo easy to make.

Just as an FYI... my Monday stamp club for the next group is completely full.  The Thursday group has 5 confirmed members, and 2 "I'm almost sure" members.  So, there's really only one for sure spot left.  If you want it, let me know.  Quickly!  The next round of stamp club begins in late November, but you definitely want to confirm your spot now.

Happy stamping!

Big Shot Scallop Circle Cards

I was trolling through some of my favourite blogs last week and came across Scallop cards in Corrine Somerville's blog.  She had made some scallop style cards using her Big Shot, so I just had to give it a try!  I made 4 of them on Friday evening, of which I've already posted one (Michelle's birthday card).  Here's the second!

I made two of these cards, with slightly different colour combinations for the centre flowers.  Corrine has a great demonstration on her blog on how to cut these cards, but here's the basics.  Take a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock and cut it in half.  Fold one half in two, and line it up with the scallop die ($23.95) for the Big Shot.  The key is to ensure that 5-6 of the scallops are visible, on the edge with the fold (ie. don't cover the entire scallop die with your cardstock).  You can then run the die through the Big Shot and it easily cuts through both layers.  This card was made using Not Quite Navy cardstock.  

Using my Creative Memories circle cutters, I cut a 3 1/2" circle for the centre of the card using one of the papers in the Maine Blueberry DSP.  Corrine has this on one of her blog cards and I loved the look.  The flowers on my card were cut using the Flower Layers die ($18.95).  I cut the flowers three times, in Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Bashful Blue, and ended up with three full sets of flowers that I could then layer in a multitude of colour combinations.  A half pearl from the Pretties kit was added to the centre, and I added some Old Olive ribbon to the top.  I haven't added any sentiments to the card because... I'm not sure who's getting it.  When I made this card I was really just playing with my Big Shot, and having fun.  There's lots more that could be added - if I find the time...

The full list of available Sizzix dies will be available in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalogue on October 1st.   The dies and Big Shot are available NOW!  If you would like to purchase any of the dies, or the Big Shot itself, give me a call, drop me an e-mail, or try our convenient Online Ordering!!!

Happy stamping!

The last load o' boxes

Thanks to everyone who came to one of my box classes this week.  I had oodles of fun, and I'm really happy that everyone came away with some fun boxes.

I spent my entire day cleaning my kitchen yesterday, so I didn't do a lick of stamping, or even tidying in my stampy area.  This afternoon I decided to tidy up.  However...  that meant that I had to finish all of the boxes that had been cut but not made.  So, I put together another 10 boxes this afternoon, and filled them with cards and envelopes for my hostesses.  8 of the boxes were like the ones already posted (either the exact same, or different patterns of the same designer paper). 

These two are different in that I completely went away from the colours on the other boxes.

 This purse uses Summer Picnic paper, with a sprinkle of Real Red, and Bashful Blue cardstock.  

I really like how this one turned out.  The base is Not Quite Navy, and the top is made using Maine Blueberry DSP.  The flower, leaves, and swirls came from Stitched Exotics, and the sentiment is from Thank You Kindly.  Ink you ask?  Bashful Blue and Not Quite Navy.

I'm off to pick up kids from school.  This evening I'm hoping to make Michelle's birthday card.  I can't believe that she turns 3 tomorrow!!!

Happy stamping!