Weekly Deals December 31st thru January 6th

Just a quick post to share the weekly deals!!! There are some great ones!   You can combine these deals, with clearance items and items that you want from the Holiday Catalog (which ends January 2nd, 2014).  When your total comes to $150.00 you will get $25.00 in free product!  

The new OCCASIONS Catalog begins on January 3rd, 2014

I'm off to make finger foods for our annual New Year's Eve party....well...the kiddos party.  They LOVE having a few friends over, eating, playing, and hopefully stay out of trouble!

  

BACK HOME!!!

WOW!  What a whirlwind of a trip!  California to Idaho and back in THREE DAYS....1300 MILES!!!!  It was great to see our son Erik graduation from Northwest Lineman College!!! NOW TO FIND A JOB!!! It took my oldest son almost eighteen months and a some rejections to finally get hired as an apprentice power lineman....TIME WILL TELL!! 

Needless to say...I was a bit tired when I got home and I still needed to wrap presents...so that's what I did ALL DAY ON SUNDAY...

I transformed my workshop into my wrapping place and got started!  

After about five hours I was finished...

NOW TO GET THEM IN THE HOUSE!!!  Do you think it would be bad to get my kids involved in bringing them in??

I had to work ALL DAY yesterday...I am very part time at a local doctors office...about four hours a day...YESTERDAY I WORKED TWELVE HOURS....so a girlfriend (the FULL-TIME employee) that I work with could leave to see her grandchildren for Christmas.  My WONDERFUL husband had dinner ready and waiting for me when I got home...I AM BLESSED!!!

I am back at it today though with a post!  It's a simple one....but a nice last minute gift!  I am filling some with fudge and some with cookies.  This was fast and EASY....which this time of year I LOVE!!!  Simply take a Decorative Window Gift box and wrap it with Delicate Details Lace Tape.  It would also be really cute with washi tape.  I added some Basic Pearls to a circle punched piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock...I will ad a tag...(from a previous post)...fill it and give it away! 

Last...I wanted to share a gift that I made for my monthly workshop gals!  I had so much fun getting together and creating with them!  I found this poem on a site that I follow...and for the life of me I can't find it to share with you.  You can see from above how crazy my room is now....

Well...it's Christmas Eve and I still have manicotti to make!!  ENJOY YOUR DAY!

THE LAST of the August Christmas SWAP

 Here are the last four cards from the SWAP!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Envelope Liner Framlits!!!  They add so much to your cards!!!

Not sure what's coming tomorrow...but we are on our way home from Idaho!  Hope my son has a fire going!!!  I be stampin with you soon! 

MORE from the August Christmas SWAP

Here are four additional cards from the August Christmas SWAP that I participated in.  I was interesting to me how so many chose the same color theme.  Similar...but so different!  

 I will be sharing the last four cards from the SWAP tomorrow...so be sure to TUNE IN TOMORROW!!! Enjoy your day!!!

August Christmas SWAP

Back in August I participated in a Christmas SWAP with some fellow Stampin Up demonstrators.  I love SWAP's...they give you new ideas...and it's always FUN to get a package in the mail!!!  The only rule was that it had to be made with product from the Holiday Catalog.  To the left is the card that I made and shared with nine other ladies.  This was my first time using WASHI TAPE...I couldn't believe how nice it is to work with.  The polka dots were made with sponge daubers.  I love the Natural Trim and the new Candy Dots and Brad Bases. 

This card was made by another demonstrator...she used the same stamp set, but came up with such a different look.  Unfortunately...I didn't put the names of the other demonstrators with my pictures....NEXT SWAP I WILL BE MORE ORGANIZED!

Come back tomorrow to see what a few other ladies came up with!!!

MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

I gave my ladies the option of choosing from these two cards at my last workshop.  For this first card I embossed the VELLUM with the Northern Flurry embossing folder....below I simply embossed Whisper White cardstock with the same folder.  I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to each of them.  I really LOVE the Pool Party, Real Read and White combination of colors.  Give these colors a try and see what you come up with!

My favorite of the two cards is the Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...just because I LOVE THE SENTIMENT!  Both cards a clean and simple, but VERY FESTIVE. 

I'm leaving in the morning for Idaho...my son Erik is graduating from Northwest Lineman school.  He is following in his father's and big brother's footsteps.  Anyway...we are making a whirlwind of a trip...driving from California on Thursday...graduation on Friday...and back to California on Saturday!  Praying for safe travels and happy kids!!!  For the next few days I will be sharing some cards from a Christmas SWAP that I did back in August. 

Hope you'll stop by and check them out!!!

WEEKLY DEALS December 17-23

JOY

I have to admit that I didn't think that I would really ever use the Bird Builder Punch....but I bought it to have for my ladies to use at my scrapbooking retreats.  It turns out that I really love the punch and use it quite often.  Looking forward to spring...I have lots of ideas swimming around in that head of mine!  For today's card I embossed my Pool Party cardstock with the Northern Flurry embossing folder.  I then used my 2-way glue pen to add some Dazzling Diamond glitter to my snowflakes.  I inked my JOY from the, A Banner Christmas stamp set, in Real Red ink.  I then punched the birds, in Whisper White cardstock, with the Bird Builder punch...added some more Dazzling Diamonds.  The branch and leaves were punched in Old Olive from the same punch.  I add a little bling to the bottom of the JOY banner and VIOLA...a SIMPLY ELEGANT card!!!

DAZZLING DIAMONDS

 Is this not a BEAUTIFUL card!!! Lovely as a tree is one of my FAVORITE stamp sets!  I stamped it in Early Espresso on Whisper White cardstock...heat dried it to speed things up a bit and then sponged Island Indigo and Pool Party ink around the trees, leaving the ground white for the snowy look.  I then inked over the entire image with VersaMark and heat embossed heat and stick powder all over.  I quickly sprinkled Dazzling Diamond glitter over the entire thing and heat embossed it again.  THE GLITTER DOES NOT COME OFF!!!
I mounted the image on a Basic Gray card base and then used the Apothecary Accents framlits to cut a mat out of Island Indigo cardstock...added a silver bow and the Peace on Earth sentiment from the Calm Christmas stamp set.

The inside of the card was created using the piece that was left from the mat from the outside of the card.  I stamped the sentiment from the Calm Christmas stamp set in VersaMark and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  I finished if off by piercing around the shaped cardstock with the Essentials Paper Piercing Pack. 


I got the inspiration for this card from another Stampin Up demonstrator whose blog I LOVE...http://www.monicas-passions.blogspot.com/

This is the card that inspired me! 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!!! I hope you are all ready for Christmas and relaxing by now...hehehe...is that even possible!  ENJOY THIS BLESSED DAY!!!

KISSMAS TREES

Another quick post today...still baking and a decorating to be done...I AM SO BEHIND!!!  We made these at my workshop last week and I am making them for my daughters class....SUPER FUN to make!  I wish I could say that I am CLEVER enough to come up with this on my own....but I didn't!  I found the instructions at QbeesQuest.com...here is a link to those instructions: 

http://qbeesquest.blogspot.com/2013/09/hersheys-christmas-tree-tutorial-updated.htm

I hope you give it a try...they are fun to make and so cute!  My ladies loved them and everyone who sees them wants one... 

I wanted to make these trees with my younger kids to give to their class mates, but I wanted something a little smaller...with less candy...for the expense out!  With two classes with about a total of 60 students, it was going take 550 kisses and 120 nuggets...so by making it smaller I cut the candy cost in half!  I will share my measurements as soon as I get them typed up...but if you need them ahead of time...just shoot me an email!!  

Thanks for stopping in this busy time of year!  Have a terrific day!!!

TAGS...TAGS...TAGS

Just a quick post today as it is Saturday the 14th of December and I am JUST NOW starting my Christmas baking!!!  Christmas has really come up fast this year....it must be an aging thing!  Just wanted to share a few ideas for Christmas tags for your packages.  

FUN and SIMPLE to make....seems to be my MOTTO lately!!!! 

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!

STAMPING CANDLES

At my workshop this past Monday I wanted to demonstrate how to make these really cute candles.  All you need is stamps, ink, tissue paper, wax paper and a heat gun!  I think my ladies had a lot of fun making them.  They make great gifts!

To make these candles, you stamp on a piece of white tissue paper and trim it as close to the stamped image as possible.  You then place it on your candle....cut a piece of wax paper and put it on top of the stamped image (make it a long piece of wax paper so you can hold the ends) and pull it firmly against the candle.  Then you simply use your heat gun to melt the stamped image into your candle!!  SUPER EASY...SUPER CUTE!!!

I used votive size candles for my workshop...but here is a large candle that I did the same thing just used different stamps, added some washi tape and ribbon!  The washi tape sticks great to the candles...below are a couple of candles that were made just with washi tape....EVEN EASIER!!!!!!! 

GIVE IT A TRY!!!  LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK  BY POSTING A COMMENT OR EMAILING ME!  

I THINK YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!! 

BELIEVE

So here is another card that I made with the Everything Eleanore background stamp, the More Merry Messages stamp set and the Snowflake Soiree stamp set!  The colors I chose are Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White and Silver.  I LOVE how the Silver Foil paper embosses....I MUST get some of the Gold Foil paper!!! 

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles." ~Author Unknown

ENJOY YOUR DAY and THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!!!

 

PEACE ON EARTH

Last night was my monthly workshop!!! We had a blast!!! We made two cards, a candle, and a Kissmas Tree...this is one of the cards!

I used the Calm Christmas stamp set from the Holiday Catalog...(you only have until 1-2-14 to order from it).  I heat embossed the dove with white embossing powder on Night of Nave cardstock.  The base of my card is Whisper White.  On top of the Night of Navy layer I added a strip of Silver Foil paper that I had dry embossed with the Stripes embossing folder.  I stamped the Peace on Earth (from the same stamp set) in Night of Navy, punched it with the Extra Large Oval Punch and then punch another oval in the Night of Navy and stretched it behind the Whisper White oval.  I wrapped the White Organza ribbon around it for a little elegance and stamped the sentiment that comes with the set on the inside "Wishing you a calm & blessed Christmas filled with the true peace of Christ the Lord".

Clearance Blitz and Weekly Deals

 

Stampin’ Up! has just announced A SPECTACULAR CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ and it’s going on right now!!!

What does this mean?

It means that they have put a bunch of products into the Clearance Rack at amazing prices – at up to 80% off!!!

BUT HURRY - RUN DON’T WALK to the online store where you will find them as soon as you can because

 these items are literally available ONLY WHILST STOCKS LAST!

 

CLICK ON 24 ONLINE SHOPPING AND THEN ON CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ TO SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE!!!

Treat yourself – buy items for papercrafting friends, family & teachers for holiday gifts – but HURRY – if there is anything you want snap it up fast to avoid disappointment!

In addition to the Clearance Rack Blitz...THERE ARE NEW WEEKLY DEALS!!!

CLICK ON 24 HOUR ONLINE SHOPPING AND THE WEEKLY DEALS TO PURCHASE ANY OF THESE ITEMS!

My 2013 Advent Calendar

My kids were very excited to get started (and catch up) with their candy treasures.  I love how my advent calendar turned out.  I do not love how the photo turned out!  I really wanted to hang in in the window of my entry way, but it isn't photo friendly.  I hung each bag on hemp twine using miniature clothespins which I decorated with Real Read cardstock and Rhinestone Basic Jewels.  

This close up photo shows the detail.  I used the Morning Post Numbers stamp set for the numbers.  I stamped the border on Real Red cardstock with VersaMark and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.  Numbers one through nine I cut with the circle punch after stamping on Whisper White paper, backed it with Pool Party and then adhered it to the Real Red cardstock that was embossed and then cut with the Deco Labels Framlit Collection.  Numbers 10 thru 24 I fussy cut and then adhered to my punched circles with dimensionals.  I made the bags out of Crumb Cake cardstock and added Pool Party designer paper from the Subtles paper stack.  I realized since I was going to hang this in a window and not on a wall, I would need the back to be decorated so I added some designer paper from the Polka Dot Parade set.  I also stamped a snowflake in Pool Party ink and added a little bling.  I think next year I will have my husband make me a wooden box to hang it in...so that I can hang it on a wall...MAYBE...guess I have time to decide! 

 
To make the bag I cut my cardstock to measure 4 x 8 and scored it at 1/2, 1, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 7 and 7 1/2 inches lengthwise.  I turned it ninety degrees and scored it at at the 1 inch mark.  The designer paper measures
2 1/4 X 2 3/4 and is adhered to the front and the back of the back.  I used the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punches for the numbers.  

It was simple and fun to make and BEST YET...my kids LOVE it....even the big ones that are still at home!!

I hope you like it!  Stop by again tomorrow for some more INSPIRATION!!!  Have a WONDERFUL day!!

LOVE & JOY

I LOVE Christmas.  It is my FAVORITE time of year!!!  It brings me so much JOY!  That brings me to today's post!  I used the Love & Joy stamp set from the Holiday Catalog.  I stamped it on Whisper White card stock and then cut it into a partial circle with my Circle Framelits.  Again I used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to dry emboss my Old Olive layer, mounted it on Real Red card stock and then onto a Whisper White card base.  I added the 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon as a simple, but cute touch.

Then inside of my card was stamped with the More Merry Messages set, which is a carryover set.  I use this set alot!!!!  I also added a strip of the Polka Dot Parade designer paper (a great way to use those scraps!!) and spiffed it up a bit with a few rhinestones!  Simple card to make...quick and easy!  This color combination is also one of my favorites!

Well I'm headed home from Modesto tonight...gotta beat the snow!  I will be finishing that Advent Calendar I promised to share...and getting ready for my Monday workshop!  Hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!!

I love that you continue to stop by!  If you like what I do, PLEASE tell your friends about my blog....I REALLY want to build my followers!!!

Thanks a bunch!!

Darla

Prince of Peace

Today I am in Modesto helping my mom for a couple of days.  I have to get back quickly because it is suppose to snow and don't know how to put the cables (they don't call them chains) on my new car yet...so I have to BEAT the snow (and then have a lesson) hehehe.
My card to day is made with the Christmas Star Clear Mount stamp.  I stamped it with VersaMark and heat embossed it with silver embossing powder.  I then cut it out scored down the middle of each point, folded it slightly and mounted it to Night of Navy card stock which I had already dry embossed with the Perfect Polka Dot folder.  I attached it with several dimensionals to give it more depth.  I then spritzed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.  THe words are from More Merry Messages which I stamped in Night of Nave ink...just on a rectangle piece of Whisper White.  I then used my 3/4" circle punch for the Night of Navy circle and the 1" circle punch for the Brushed Silver. I attached the silver to the back and the blue to the front of the sentiment and topped it with a Rhinestone.

On the inside of my card I stamped another star with Smoky Slate ink and stamped the sentiment over it in Night of Navy.  The sentiment is the Prince of Peace Clear Mount Stamp.  I love both of these stamps and want to play with them some more.  I gal in my group entered our monthly challenge using the star and stamped off the paper...it was really neat...so I think I will try it and share it with you!  Have to wait until I get back in town!

I hope you find some time to CREATE today!  Thanks for popping in and have a BEAUTIFUL DAY!
            Darla
                   

Merry Christmas

When I fist saw the Expressions Thinlits Dies in the holiday catalog...I thought I would never use them....they look so small.  I ordered the set anyway and just ADORE them!  Look how big it is...this is a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card.  This was such a simple card to make, but so cute.   After cutting the Merry out with my thinlit (you end up with the word to use on another card) in Whisper White cardstock, I mounted it on Brushed Silver cardstock.  Once mounted I added some 3/4" Chevron Ribbon and synched it with an antique brad.  I stamped Christmas by just inking the word on a Merry Christmas stamp from the More Merry Message stamp set using my Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker, added a few Rhinestones and mounted it on a Cherry Cobbler cardstock base.  SIMPLE...FUN...QUICK to make...you realize CHRISTMAS IS IN TWENTY-ONE DAYS!!!

HAVE A SUPER DAY and COME BACK TOMORROW!!

Thanks a bunch!!

Darla

WEEKLY DEALS 12- 3 thru 12-9

Just a quick share.....this weeks  

WEEKLY DEALS

If you see anything you like...just click on online shopping (side bar) and then go to weekly deals!  Have a great day!

1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch Price: $15.95 $11.96	Fun Flowers Bigz L Die Price: $32.95 $24.71	Hearts Collection Framelits Dies Price: $26.95 $20.21	Merry Minis Punch Pack Price: $16.95 $12.71
Paper Doily Sizzlits Die Price: $21.95 $16.46	Think Back Photobook Templates - Digital Download Price: $19.95 $11.97	Wisteria Wonder 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Price: $8.95 $6.71

Advent Calendar 2013

I am so excited about this years Advent Calendar!  I have been working on my shop...trying to organize it and find a better way to display things...and while doing so I had this idea for an Advent Calendar.  Last year I made my first one...ever...we never had one growing up...so I never thought to have one.  I had a blast making it...and LOVE how it turned out!  Here's a picture of it.

I spent yesterday executing my plan...I came up with my very own design...right down to making the little bag.  I am super excited about how I am going to display it...in my window.  I'm a little behind...  I should have worked on it during the holiday...but I was having quality time with my family....(sure enjoyed having most of my adult kids home for a few days)  Here is a sneak peek.  I LOVE that it is so simple.  I will finish it and show you it on display in the next couple of days!  

You're gonna want to make one so I will share my dimensions (which I figured out all on my own...YIPPEE!!!) with you when I publish the FINAL PROJECT!
  

I have four kids still at home so it has to be big enough to hold at least four goodies...five if I want to include the HUBBY...he needs a treat too!   I think I just might make one for gift to a friend with a new baby...and a couple to donate to my old churches bazaar!  Hope you like it as much as I do!  

Be sure to check back for a look at the final project and some directions!!!  Hope your day is a HAPPY one!! 

 

Thanks a bunch!!

Darla