Hi all!  I am so excited about this project.  It was something that I started thinking about more than a year ago.  What I started with then was not coming together so I set it aside.  I described the project to my stamp club and they wanted to make one so I tried to order more of the kit online – out of stock – every place I looked in the US was out of stock – for almost a year!  So we never made the project.  Then this year rolled around and Dawn asked me to be a designer for the Ustamp with Dawn & Friends I heart the Holidays class.  And I remembered this project and proposed it to Dawn as one of my class projects – she said yes.  So now I was committed to getting this project done.

But most of a year had passed so the Designer Paper I was using was retired.  My 3d tree using the Big Shot die was also retired.  So I started from square one.  And the frames were now in stock again – things were looking up.  I ordered the Letters from Santa Designer Paper and Quick Accents and got to work.  For the shadow box center I decided I wanted it to look like the inside of a home at Christmas – I made a cross-stitch stocking (actually I’ve made 5) and it had a scene with a fire place, mantel with stockings, a tree, a window, etc.  So this was my “model” for my project.  Then convention came and they showed us the new Holiday Mini catalog – oh my gosh!  There was a stocking stamp set and a matching punch!  I had to have it for this project so I begged Dawn to let me finish my project after the deadline so I could order, receive and create my project and include these new products from the Holiday Mini catalog – she said yes!  And by the way if you are in the US – check out page 3 of the Holiday Mini – that’s me!

So are you ready to see it?  My stamp club will be making these – luckily the frames were in stock and I ordered a bunch.  They may run out soon since all the Ustamp subscribers are ordering them up right now so they can make this project.  If you are a member of the class you can get a full step-by-step tutorial for my project – plus about 40 others – there are some awesome projects on there – visit the site here to join.

Ok – so now are you ready?

I wish you could see it in person – it is one of my all time favorite projects (I still love my Build a Bear Sleeping Bags!).  The tree turned out so well.  I went through several different attempts at creating a 3-d tree and finally settled on this one and I love it!

The little tiny jingle bells are in the new Holiday Mini and so are the Mica Flakes which are the snow in the window.  And I was so surprised at how big the jar of Mica Flakes was – I thought it would be small like our embossing powders – but no this guy is huge – about the size of 3 button containers.

This was my first project for the class and I have one more that will post later.

And now for some more Ustamp class news – I will be designing for the next class too!

I am super super excited to announce that Early Bird Registration is now open for  UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! Paper Parade – Early Fall 2011!!

WOOHOO!!!!!!!

UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! has implemented a new FAST AND EASY way for everyone to join as a member and you no longer need to wait for Opening Day to receive and invite!!

BIG YAY on that one!!

 What do you think of the new banner…I LOVE IT of course…hope you do too!!  

Are YOU a Paper LOVER?? Who isn’t, right??!!

Paper Parade will be focusing on showcasing Stampin’ Up! Paper from the USA/Canada 2011 – 2012 Idea Book & Catalog as well as the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog!! 

This is a HUGE Challenge to cover all the papers in 40+ projects…but all the Designers are way excited and are more than up for the challenge!! Keeping in mind that the most important element is the AWESOMENESS of the project, each Designer is working MAGIC with the Stampin’ Up! Papers!!

Since our focus this round is PAPER and not just the upcoming Holiday Season, we  have a VAST VARIETY of FANTASTIC Projects!!

Come join us and take advantage of the Early Bird Savings!! ONLY $19.99

Click the blinkie below to start the payment/signup process….it’s E*A*S*Y*!! 

The Paper Parade website is OPEN NOW,

so you will not need to wait for an invite on Opening Day!!

Remember, with the implementation of the new payment process allows YOU to enter the website as soon as you make your payment!! Woohoo!!

Hope you join us…I will “see” you over at the Paper Parade Website!!