Nov 22, 2010 | Bingo, Christmas, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010, Punch Art |
Fran and Joyce
I have more cookie swaps to share from our demonstrator meeting. Getting together with a group of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators is always fun. We all get to share our ideas and creativity with one another.
These two ideas are from Fran – she came the furthest to attend the meeting and we were so glad for her to join us – and also from Joyce – she is one of the demonstrators that comes with me to the Ronald McDonald House each month.
Fran made these cute little fall themed boxes for her cookie swap. She used the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper and the matching Day of Gratitude stamp set to decorate the front of the boxes. Both of these are in the Stampin’ Up! Holiday mini catalog. Some punches and a variety of ribbon finished off these cute boxes.
Here is a picture of the whole group of them.
The colors that she used are Cajun Craze, Old Olive, More Mustard and Early Espresso.
The boxes had different colors and types of ribbon tied to the top.
Joyce decorated some plain white paper bags for her cookie swap.
Can you guess what she used to made this fun tree? The designer paper is the Holly Jolly paper from the big catalog and she punched out different pieces using the Photo Corners Extra-Large punch. Very creative!
The greeting is from Many Merry Messages. Any guesses on what stamp set that tree stand is from? It is the Aviary set – don’t you love using a set designed for something else in a new way. To top the tree use a tiny little star. Stampin’ Up! has several sets with tiny stars to choose from.
Joyce mixed up the different patterns of papers on each of the trees so every bag is a little bit different.
I hope you are enjoying all the ideas. I still have lots more to share so check making in the coming days …..
Are you checking your Bingo Cards carefully? I did a recap of all the pieces called so far for Round 6 yesterday – so check if you have Bingo – I’m quite sure there is a winner out there some where…..
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
And now for today’s piece – Here is piece #19 –the bird from Season of Friendship stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip).
If you have Bingo – 5 in a row – make sure to email me.
Nov 21, 2010 | Bingo, Christmas, Designer Series Paper, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010 |
Last weekend I had a demonstrator meeting for my downline, sidelines and any other demos in the area that needed a place to meet with other demonstrators. It was so much fun! There were 17 of us total – a full house. As part of the meeting we did a cookie swap and everyone made cookies packaged in Stampin’ Up! style way. All the swaps were great and I’ll be sharing them a couple a day over the next few days. I’ll give you the stamp sets/colors for each project but I don’t have instructions since I didn’t make them. I also took pictures of almost everyone at the meeting so I’m going to mix those in with these posts too. I’m looking forward to having my next meeting in January – details will be posted later on my PAWS group site on Stampin’ Connection.
Stephanie and Laree
Laree made this cute box using the Fancy Favor Die and the Holly Jolly Designer Series Paper. The box was embossed with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder. Laree used the designer paper to create a ruffled lining for the box. The stamp set is Tags til Christmas – a popular one for many projects that night.
A cello bag has cookies inside – she also included the recipe – but I don’t have that right here with me so I’ll have to add that later.
Here is the whole pile of Laree’s swaps. All with different patterns from the paper pack – Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Very Vanilla. The boxes were Crumb Cake. Every box looks just as cute as the next one.
Stephanie brought Snowballs – at least I think that’s what these cookies are called and certainly what they look like. I still have to give all the cookies a try – I figured we would have a selection this week for Thanksgiving if I saved them (or at least most of them) to share.
Stephanie used cello bags and made snowflake tags. She used Bashful Blue and Whisper White.
The Northern Flurry embossing folder dressed up the front of the tag.
I was very glad to have Stephanie join us – we just met not too long ago.
Are you checking your Bingo Cards carefully? I’m going to recap the pieces for you – so check if you have Bingo – I’m looking for a winner!
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
Pieces for Round 6 called so far:
#1 – the crown from Tiny Tags stamp set (stamped in Poppy Parade)
#2 – the flower from Because I Care stamp set (stamped in Concord Crush)
#3 – the Heart from Cute by the Inch stamp set (stamped in Poppy Parade).
#4 -the snowflake from Season of Friendship stamp set (stamped in Concord Crush)
#5 – the teddy bear from Family Accessories stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip)
#6 – the tiny cupcake from Itty Bitty Bits stamp set (stamped in Poppy Parade).
#7 –the word CREATE from the Charming stamp set (stamped in Peach Parfait).
#8 – the sunflower from the Cute by the Inch stamp set (stamped in Peach Parfait).
#9 – the leaves from the Season of Friendship stamp set (stamped in Pear Pizzazz).
#10 – the heart from the Things I Love stamp set (stamped in Poppy Parade).
#11 – the dog bone from Friends Fur-ever stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip).
#12 – the gift box from Family Accessories stamp set (stamped in Pear Pizzazz).
#13 – the cupcake block from Cute by the Inch stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip).
#14 – the sparkle/jack from Hello Again stamp set (stamped in Concord Crush).
#15 – the cat from All in the Family stamp set (stamped in Peach Parfait).
#16 – the owl from Cute by the Inch stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip).
#17 – the furniture from Loads of Love Accessories stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip).
And now for today’s piece – Here is piece #18 –the butterfly from Flight of the Butterfly stamp set (stamped in Concord Grape).
If you have Bingo – 5 in a row – make sure to email me.
Nov 20, 2010 | Big Shot, Bingo, Fabric, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010 |
Earlier this month I held a Holiday Gift making class. It was a lot of fun and everyone that came left with finished gifts! Some were teacher or friend gifts, some were mom or grandma gifts, and some were just for themselves. One of the projects was a set of Fabric Ornaments using the new Stampin’ Up! Fabric that is in the Holiday Mini Catalog. There are two different packages to choose from and both have matching button assortments to coordinate. They also coordinate with Designer Paper packs and Stampin’ Up! stamp sets. It is so easy to make a whole set of matching projects including the packaging and cards!
Stampin' Up! Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons
Stampin' Up! Deck the Halls Designer Fabric
My samples today use the Candy Cane collection. The colors in this collection are Garden Green, Real Red, Baja Breeze and Blushing Bride.
Stampin' Up! Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons
- Stampin’ Up! Candy Cane Designer Fabric
We made Fabric Ornaments by cutting the fabric with the Big Shot – I used the Scallop Circles #2 Die and two layers of each pattern. The great thing about the Big Shot is you can cut all six layers at the same time – so it is just one pass through the Big Shot for all the fabric for all three ornaments. I did cut the batting one layer at a time because it is thick.
To make the ornaments layer two small scallops of fabric with a small scallop batting in between and put a stitch in each scallop with some thread and a needle.
Then add a button on the top and one of the large scallop fabric pieces on the back. Choose a different fabric for the large scallop than what you used for the small one. Sew the button through the small layered scallop and the large scallop.
Next layer the large scallop batting and some ribbon for a hanger – I used Real Red Grosgrain for these – and then the last large fabric scallop. Again put a stitch in each scallop with some needle and thread all the way around. You may want to go twice over the part where the handle is to make it secure.
That’s it. I did them in sets of three mixing the three fabric patterns from the package. I also made a set using the Deck the Halls fabric and buttons.
I actually gave this set away as a prize for my Pokeeno group so I decided to create a coordinating box to hold them. I used Real Red card stock and the Candy Candy Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper that matches with the fabric.
The panels are stamped with snow flakes and then the paper is punched with the Ornament punch and I added one on each side.
I measured the box to be just the right size to fit the ornaments inside. I use my Grid paper when I create a box. I lay the item I want to fit in side on my paper and draw a box around it. Then figure how high I want the sides to be and draw those lines on the paper.
Then I make a lid which is slightly bigger just a fraction so the lid will slide over the base.
I hope you like the project and you should try the fabric – I’m not much of a sewer but I do like the fabric and have used it several times on non-sewing projects.
No Bingo winner yet – so here we go again…
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
And now for today’s piece – Here is piece #17 –the furniture from Loads of Love Accessories stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip).
Make sure you send me an email when you get your 5 in a row.
Nov 18, 2010 | Big Shot, Bingo, Cards, Christmas, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010, In Colors, Valentine's Day |
In the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini Catalog Stampin’ Up! introduced a new crafting option with the Big Shot machine. They are called Letterpress Plates and let you create an inked debossed impression. I demonstrated these at my meeting Saturday night and had three cards for everyone to make. Here are a few of my notes:
There are four Letterpress Plates
#120980 Trick or Treat
#120983 Lots of Love
#120981 Joyful Season
#120982 Northern Trim
What you need to use your Letterpress Plates:
- Letterpress plate
- Craft ink – pad or spot
- Brayer – optional
- Paper – watercolor paper is best – porous, card stock and textured card stock also work
- One cutting pad – newer is better, no lines
- Multipurpose platform on Tab 1
- Baby wipes
Build sandwich on a flat surface like this – Multipurpose Platform on Tab 1, a shim if needed, LetterPress Plate, Card stock (it works better to use dotto and secure to the bottom of the cutting pad), cutting pad. I tried some other combination’s but this one worked the best. I also think that the bigger plates are thicker – or seem to be than the smaller ones.
Use dotto to adhere paper to cutting pad so it doesn’t slide or move. There are several ways to ink your Letterpress Plate.
- Use a full size Craft Ink pad and apply directly to the plate.
- Use a brayer and apply ink from either the ink pad or an ink palette create with a refill.
- Use a Craft Ink spot
- Ink areas with mulitple colors using the ink spots
- Ink only portions of the plate using ink spots – the uninked portion still debosses
- Use VersaMark ink on all or portions of the plate
I found that for my Big Shot it worked well for me to use a cardboard shim underneath – I used the thin card board that comes in the package of Designer Series paper.
Here are the cards that I created:
This first one used the Northern Trim Letterpress Plate.
I used Watercolor paper and a full sized Craft Ink pad. I filled an uninked pad with Wild Wasabi Craft ink and we used it directly on the pad to get it inked up. 
To finish the card the watercolor paper was layered on a piece of Bashful Blue card stock and adhered to the front of a Wild Wasabi card base. The base was stamped with the Northern Hearts hostess stamp set which matches this Letterpress plate.
The card was finished with pearls in the center of the flowers, a Bashful Blue punched snowflake and “merry” in the center on Whisper White card stock.
You can’t see it in this picture but I finished the card by spraying the whole thing with a mixture of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint mixed with Rubbing Alcohol – it adds a fine shimmer to the whole card – you just can’t see it in the picture.
For this next card I used the Joyful Season Letterpress Plate.
I used Confetti White card stock and Craft Ink spots in Real Red and Old Olive to ink the plate.
The card is very simple – just layered the piece on a Real Red card base. You could dress it up more with ribbon/buttons/etc. But we had a lot to do at the meeting so I kept this one very basic.
The third card used the Lots of Love Letterpress Plate. This one turned out to be my favorite.
The card stock is Blushing Bride and I inked the plate first with a VersaMark pad and then used a Craft Ink spot in Chocolate Chip to ink only the large LOVE. I saw this technique on a video that another demonstrator had created – I think I saw it on Stampin’ Connection. The plate is much larger than the card it is about 8″ x 6″ – so you can position your paper to where you want it on the plate.
To finish the card I tied a piece of the Blushing Bride ribbon around the card stock and then layered it on a Chocolate Chip card base. I punched some hearts using the Heart to Heart punch out of the Blushing Bride Designer Series paper (it is in the In Color stack). I sponged these a little bit on the edges and popped them up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
From what I heard this was everyone’s favorite of the three. I do like how the VersaMark makes the debossed words pop.
I hope you learned something about using the Letterpress Plates.
I have heard several people are close – needing only one more piece in multiple rows – maybe today will be the day we have a winner.
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
And now for today’s piece – Here is piece #15 –the cat from All in the Family stamp set (stamped in Peach Parfait). 
Anybody have Bingo? Make sure you send me an email when you get your 5 in a row.
Nov 16, 2010 | Big Shot, Bingo, Christmas, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010, UDI Color Challenge |
Today is Tuesday and it is time for another Utah Diva’s Color Challenge. Here is our inspiration for this week:
These colors were easy for me to work with – in fact I had already a made a project on Saturday that used three of these four colors for my swap at the demonstrator meeting I had at my house Saturday. I had the best time Saturday night – there were 17 demonstrators at my house (well one isn’t official yet but will be signing up with the new promotion that started on Monday – see more about it by clicking the special on my right hand side bar – an Amazing Offer from Stampin’ Up!). Since I basically had something already created with these colors I just made a slight modification to add the missing color for the challenge. And wah-lah (is that how you would spell that?)…..
For the meeting we had a Cookie Swap – and the cookies had to be packaged in a Stampin’ Up! style container – bag, box, or whatever creative idea everyone could come up with. And let me tell you the ideas that everyone brought were awesome and the cookies look good – I’ve tried a couple already – Yum! Yum! I’ll be sharing all the ideas with you so check back.
But to start with here was my idea (well slightly modified). It is the new little paper sacks from the Holiday Mini – I ran the bags through the Big Shot with the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. It you don’t want the impression to be too deep (as in you don’t want it to tear your bag) then open the Multi-Purpose Platform so there are no tabs – just the platform – it still leaves the embossed impression but not quite as deep. Then I used a sponge dauber and the Frost White Shimmer Paint to add some shimmer to the snowflakes.
At the bottom of the bag I added a piece of the Candy Cane Christmas Specialty Designer Series paper. I used the Baja Breeze print with the snow flakes. Then I stamped the snowman tag from Tags til Christmas stamp set – I used Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla card stock. It is punched out with the 1-3/4″ Circle punch and sponged on the edges with Soft Suede ink. I used the Baja Breeze Stampin’ Write marker to color in his scarf and hat. For the UDI Color Challenge I added the large Scallop Circle punched out of Not Quite Navy card stock to the back of the snowman circle. I didn’t have that on my original bags for the Cookie swap.
At the top of the bag I punched two holes with my Crop-A-Dile and tied some Very Vanilla Seam Binding through it to hold the bag shut. I added a tag from the Tags til Christmas stamp set. I inked the whole thing with Baja Breeze ink and then used Stampin’ Write Markers in Soft Suede and Not Quite Navy to color in some of the words. It is stamped on Very Vanilla card stock – punched out with the Scallop Square punch and the edges are lightly sponged. Add a hole in the corner with the 1/16″ circle punch and some crochet thread to tie the tag to the bag.
Here are my original bags for the Cookie Swap – just slightly different. These bags are similar to the one I made for the Royal Blog Tour – I just used a different stamp set for these.
Oh – do you want to know what I had in my bags for the cookie exchange?
They are called Homemade Heath Bars – here is the recipe:
Line a cookie sheet with foil. Cover bottom with saltine crackers. Melt 2 sticks real butter and 1 cup brown sugar. Boil for 5 minutes. Pour over crackers. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Cover top with milk chocolate morsels (about 12 oz). When softened, spread with knife and allow to cool and harden; break into pieces. A Note: soak butter/sugar pot immediately (or suffer the consequences!)
Now it is your turn to play with these colors – then go to the UDI blog and add your creation to the linky section. These are perfect winter colors or spa colors!
Stampin’ Up! Supplies:
- Card stock: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy
- Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy
- Stamp sets: Tags til Christmas
- Accessories: Mini Lunch Sacks, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Crop-A-Dile, 1/16″ Circle punch, 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/4″ circle punch, Scallop Square punch, Stampin’ Sponge, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Frost White Shimmer Paint
To order Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project click here.
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
And now for today’s piece – Here is piece #13 –the cupcake block from Cute by the Inch stamp set (stamped in Chocolate Chip). 
Anybody have Bingo? Make sure you send me an email when you get your 5 in a row.
Nov 14, 2010 | Bingo, Cards, Christmas, class, Holiday Mini Catalog 2010 |
November 2010 Class Reminder
Holiday Stamp-A-Stack class
We will make four different Christmas Cards and you will be making 4 of each with envelopes.
I also have a slight change to the date – the evening class will be THURSDAY NIGHT at 6 not Friday. I will still have a Friday morning class at 10. Because we are making a large number of cards the class fee is higher.
This will hopefully help you get a stack of cards that you can have ready to send out to friends and family.
6:00 pm on Thursday Nov. 18th
And
10:00 am on Friday Nov. 19th
Come join me for this class and get a jump start on your Christmas cards.
The class fee is $25.
Please bring snail adhesive and paper snips.
RSVP by November 16th so I can have materials ready for you.
Last night I had a downline/demonstrator meeting at my house – it was so much fun and the swaps were awesome, the make&takes wonderful and I was so thankful for everyone that helped me and everyone that came. I’ll be sharing more about the make&takes and swaps next week. I spent the day getting ready for the meeting and it was late when we were done so my post today is late – but here is the next Bingo piece…………
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
And now for today’s piece – Here is piece #12 –the gift box from Family Accessories stamp set (stamped in Pear Pizzazz). 
Anybody have Bingo? Make sure you send me an email when you get your 5 in a row.
Fran made these cute little fall themed boxes for her cookie swap. She used the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper and the matching Day of Gratitude stamp set to decorate the front of the boxes. Both of these are in the Stampin’ Up! Holiday mini catalog. Some punches and a variety of ribbon finished off these cute boxes.
The colors that she used are Cajun Craze, Old Olive, More Mustard and Early Espresso.
Can you guess what she used to made this fun tree? The designer paper is the Holly Jolly paper from the big catalog and she punched out different pieces using the Photo Corners Extra-Large punch. Very creative!
Joyce mixed up the different patterns of papers on each of the trees so every bag is a little bit different.
It’s BINGO TIME! We are playing Round 6 of Monika’s Blog Bingo. I have now filled group 7 and won’t be taking any more names right now – I”ll be taking a Bingo break after group 7 plays – I may play again in the future so I hope you will continue to visit my blog. See this POST for more details on how to play and the previous winners.
