Friend Card

I'm trying to take advantage of some extra time that I have this week to work on projects. I made this card yesterday and I think it's the first card of this size that I have ever made. It is 3 1/4" x 6 1/2" and fits into the Stampin' Up! Small Open-End Envelopes. I used a new stamp set, new ribbon and new paper that will be available on January 5th when the Occasions Mini Catalog is released. Can you even stand the wait? There's some great stuff in there, so you'll want a copy!

Stamps: With All My Heart, Teeny Tiny wishes
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Versamark
Paper: Very Vanilla & Pretty in Pink Cardstock, Sending Love Specialty Paper
Accessories & Tools: 5/8" Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon, Pretties Kit (Cream Halfback Pearls), Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Daimonds Glitter, Modern Lable Punch, Heat Tool, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sweet Cupcake SSSC50

Happy Monday! I hope that you all enjoyed the long holiday weekend. My family and I had a wonderful Christmas. It wasn't much of a "White Christmas" due to the lack of cooperation from Mother Nature, but it was still a nice day.

My card today is for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge from yesterday. I haven't used this set in a while and I thought it was great for Karen's card sketch. I love this new Specialty Paper! It's funny, I can remember a time when I hardly ever used Designer Series Papers on my projects, but now I don't know what I ever did without them. They add so much to my projects. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Ink: Black StazOn, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana & Chocolate Chip
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana & Chocolate Chip CS, Watercolor Paper, Sending Love Specialty Paper
Accessories & Tools: Aqua Painters, Crystal Effects, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Scallop Edge Punch, 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip & So Saffron Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Soft Subtles Buttons (retired)

Christmas Jam

This is my second post for today, so be sure to scroll down to see the first one.

We had tons of black raspberries on our property this summer, so I decided to make jam. It was the first time I'd made jam and it came out great! (smiles) I ended up making two batches and then later in the summer, I made peach jam as well. We gave these as teacher gifts and I will be putting some in gift baskets also. The box was made using the Scallop Envelope Die and it was really easy to make.

Stamps: Season of Joy
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla & Chocolate Chip CS, Merry Moments DSP
Accessories & Tools: Scallop Envelope Die, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

Candy Cane Bath Salts

This project uses the same box pattern that I used for yesterday's project, only this time the bottle is filled with Candy Cane Bath Salts. It's peppermint-scented, but Candy Cane Bath Salts sounds much more festive than calling it peppermint bath salts, don't you think?

Candy Cane Bath Salts Recipe:
4 C. Epsom Salts
2 C. Coarse Sea Salt or Kosher Salt
A few drops of red food coloring
A few drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Put everything into a plastic container and shake well.

You'll want to use a disposable plastic container, as the peppermint oil tends to remain in the container, so you don't want something that you use for food or anything like that. I've had people ask me about the food coloring turning skin red or pink. Only 3 to 4 drops are used, so you don't need to worry about that. These make great teacher gifts and they're also the perfect item for a gift basket. OK, I'm off to work on the next project!

Stamps: Season of Joy
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White & Soft Suede CS, Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper
Accessories & Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Soft Suede 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, 4 oz. bottle (non-Stampin' Up!)

A Little Hot Cocoa for the Holidays

It's pretty cold right now in New England and hot cocoa is a favorite treat. The template for this project is from Andrea Walford. The bottles are the perfect size as they hold just enough cocoa mix for a single cup of hot cocoa. I made several of these to go in gift baskets with some other items that I will post later.

Stamps: Season of Joy
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Chocolate chip, Very Vanilla & Real Red CS, Merry Moments DSP
Accessories & Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, 5/8" Real REd Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, 4 oz. Bottles (non-Stampin' Up!)

Home Sweet Hive SSSC49

It's Sunday, which means that it's time for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. I mentioned in my post yesterday how busy last week was for me. I didn't have a chance to do Karen's challenge from last week, so I'm glad I have some time to stamp this morning.

I don't use this stamp set enough and it's really cute. I misplaced my Aqua Painters, so I used a paintbrush for watercoloring this. It's difficult to tell from the photo, but there is glitter on the bumble bee wings and the honey dripping from the jar. Enjoy!

Stamps: Just Buzzin' By
Ink: Black StazOn, Barely Banana, So Saffron, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Blush Blossom
Paper: Whisper White & So Saffron Cardstock, Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper, Watercolor Paper
Accessories & Tools: 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Paintbrush (non-Stampin' Up!)

Wandering Words Christmas Card

Wow! What a busy week! I had every intention of posting projects throughout the week, but time just got away from me. I have so many things to do before Christmas and as always, there is never enough time. At least I have this card to share with you today. When my upline Christina came to do training with us this fall, she brought a card like this one with her and I absolutely fell in love with it! The blue patterned paper was actually created by brayering some Bride Specialty Paper with Ballet Blue ink. It's difficult to see in the photos, but the white portions of the paper are a pearl foil. If you haven't seen this paper in real life, you HAVE to. It's gorgeous!

Stamps: Wandering Words, Serene Snowflakes

Ink: Ballet Blue

Paper: Whisper White & Ballet Blue Cardstock, Bride Specialty Paper

Accessories & Tools: Pretties Kit (halfback white pearls), Brayer

12 Days of Holiday Sales!

From now through December 22nd, Stampin' Up! ® is offering fantastic deals on select Sizzix dies and accessories! You can click here to see what's on sale.
Although the sale runs through December 22nd, Christmas orders must be placed by December 15th and can be placed through my website.

Christmas Paint Can

Here's another project from last year. This paint can was one of the projects from a Christmas treats class that I offered. It's kind of difficult to see from the angle of the photo, but there is a die-cut snowflake on the lid.

Stamps: Deer Friends
Ink: Baja Breeze
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White & Baja Breeze CS, Ski Slope Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Basic Black, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie Markers, Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle & Scallop Edge Punches, 5/8" Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Snowflake #2 Die, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Coluzzle, Blender Pens
Other: Red Button, Red Shredded Paper (both non-Stampin' Up!)

New Toys!

Winter has finally arrived here in New England. It began snowing last night and the forecast is calling for it to continue throughout the day today. The kids are excited because it's the first "Snow Day" of the year (I have to say, I'm pretty excited also).

Christmas came early for me yesterday, when Mr. Brown delivered some new Stampin' Up! goodies! I ordered some basic supplies, but I ordered some of the products from the new Occasions Mini Catalog as well. There are so many great new products in this mini catalog and I can't wait to share them with you!

One of the mini catalog items is a Mini Milk Carton Die. I had to try it out before I used anything else, so I made this Valentine's Day milk Carton. I also used a new stamp set, one of the new punches, and some new Specialty Designer Series Paper to make this project. Isn't it cute!? It's tiny and I love it. The bottom photo with the candy gives you an idea of its size. It can be filled with almost anything and decorated for any occasion.

The best part is...

the recipient doesn't have to destroy the milk carton to get to the treat inside!

Before securing the box, I simply cut it in two and the band that goes around the box keeps the top in place.

Stamps: With All My Heart
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Paper: Real Red, Pretty in Pink & Very Vanilla CS, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle & Pinking Hearts Border Punches, Pretties Kit (Cream, Medium Halfback Pearl), 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Crop-a-dile

Happy Bearthday SSSC47

So I decided to take a little break from Christmas projects yesterday to do this card for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. This is my first time doing her challenge and it was fun. I did my card as a square card, but it could just as easily be done as a rectangular card.


Stamps: Beary Best Friends, Beary Nice Wishes
Inks: Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Close to Cocoa
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay & Soft Suede CS, Thoroughly Modern DSP
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Blender Pens, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blender Pens, Choclate Chip Marker

Christmas Gift Card Holder

Outside

Inside

Here's a card that I made a few months ago. When I first saw this die I didn't know what to think. Now that I've used it, I think it's great! (That seems to happen a lot with me) I had so much fun making this and you have to admit, it is a pretty cool presentation for a gift card. It's perfect for anyone who gives lots of gift cards.

Stamps: Christmas Punch, Season of Joy, Fun & Fast Notes

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Summer Sun

Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Chocloate Chip & Very Vanilla Cardstock, Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Look Here die, 5/8" Choclate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Curly Lable Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Choloate Chip, Real Red & Garden Green Markers, Aqua Painter, Sticky Strip Stampin' Dimensionals

Holiday Treasures Tree

Here's another Christmas card from last year. The accessories in the Pretties Kit are beautiful and they can add a touch of elegance to any project. I really enjoy using them on my projects.




Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes
Inks: Basic Brown, Old Olive & Ruby Red
Paper: Ruby Red, Old Olive & Whisper White CS, Holiday Treasures DSP
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Pretties Kit, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Punch Pals Tree Card

I'm trying to post lots of samples so that my new blog doesn't look too empty, so you may see a few (OK, maybe even lots) of older projects mixed in with new ones. This is a card that I did last year with one of my stamp clubs. I really miss Baja Breeze and I love this color combo.

Stamps: Punch Pals
Inks: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy & Whisper White CS, Ski Slope DSP & Patterns Pack DSP (Not Quite Navy)
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Coluzzle, 1/8" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, Scallop Circle & Ticket Corner Punches, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

Yum!

Here's some cocoa to go with yesterday's card. I saw these cocoa holders last year on a couple of blogs (can't remember which ones, sorry) and I decided to give it a try. These are so stinkin' cute! I think I'm going to have to make them for everyone on my Christmas list.



Stamps: Snow Buddies
Inks: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Melon Mambo & Bermuda Bay CS, Thoroughly Modern DSP
Accessories: Clear Rhinestone Brads, Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Ribbon, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, Jumbo Snowflake Punch, Circle Scissor Plus, Large Cellophane Bags, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals

Snow Buddies Card

I don't know what it is, but I just love square cards. Maybe it's because they're just a little different. This was a card that I recently did as a share.


Stamps: Snow Buddies
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo & Whisper White CS, Thoroughly Modern DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo & Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Jumbo Snowflake Punch, Basic Black Marker, Dimensionals & Blender Pens

At last!

I've finally joined the blogging world! This will be my special place to share my love of papercrafting (and a few other things too). Thanks to so many people who have encouraged me to give this a try, especially my teammate Jill. (Thanks Jill!) I'm looking forward to this new adventure. I'll be back later with a photo; I promise. :o)