A Word For You

Are you having a good day?  

Mine has barely begun.  I usually post at night, but last night was too crazy, so when I got up at 5:30 this morning, I nabbed my camera, went down to my stamping area, snagged the card I made last night, and began to take pictures of it to share with you this morning!  

I saw a similar card on Robin Merriman's blog and liked it a lot, so I CASEd it (the highest form of card flattery).  I wanted to tweak this little baby into a Christmas card somehow.  I couldn't quite figure it out with these colors and then - of all things - I dreamed about this card and (lo and behold!) came up with a way to create a Christmas card out of this design  - at least in my sleep. 

I don't know for certain sure that it will work -- it was, after all, a dream; however, I'll give it a whirl when I get home from work today.

The base of the card is Crumb Cake with a layer of the Comfort Cafe DSP ripped and sponged with Crumb Cake Ink.  Then it's topped with a layer of Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock that I embossed with the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder and my Big Shot.  The bottom was also torn and sponged with the Crumb Cake ink.  The sentiment is from A Word For You stamp set.

I used the Flower punch with the First Edition DSP, topped with four layers of the Crumb Cake Tulle that was cut out with the Flower Framelits, next to smallest size.  I punched the 1-1/4" Scallop Punch and inserted an Antique Brad in the middle.  I tied a bit of Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon around the middle and called it good.

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Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

Are you familiar with this song?  It's from the Sound of Music and is sung by Maria in the musical.

Here is a picture of one of my favorite things:

Yep!  The order from Stamper's Club has arrived . . . full of goodies for us to enjoy, use and share.  'Cuz one of the best things about papercrafting and making cards is that we give them away to be enjoyed by others!!

 Here's another favorite thing!  I love this card I CASEd from Carol Hartley.  I remember her name so well because Hartley is my sister's name now.  It's a great name - you might say it's one of my favorite things.

It goes very well with the theme of butterflies that I had going on yesterday, too.  You can see that post right here.

Butterflies are one of my mom's favorite things.  

What I used:

Stamp set - Kindness Matters; Big Shot; Stripes Embossing Folder; Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, and Very Vanilla; Ink - Midnight Muse; Stampin' Sponge; Victoria Crochet Trim; SNAIL adhesive.

What are some of your favorite things?

Another of my favs is when you sign up for my free newsletter.  You can do that right here.

Shopping online is a favorite thing of mine.  You can shop my online store 24/7.

Thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Video Tutorial - Illuminating My World

Oh, yeah!!  It's Wednesday . . . I've got a video for you!

I really love the Illuminate Glimmer Watermark ink.  It makes for some beautiful effects.  You can sponge with it, stamp with it, emboss with it . . . so versatile.  

 I used the Illuminate ink on all the projects and on Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red and the Very Vanilla.  

 I wanted to see how it would look on all the colors - boy!  I was just thrilled with it!  This is a really great ink.

The cards are so pretty with the butterflies and pearls. 

 I closed this "card purse" with some velcro that I got at the Office Supply store.  It holds six cards with envelopes.  It's going to be a Christmas present.

 I think the bow at the top with the faceted button detail adds a perfect finishing touch, don't you?

This is going to be a present that anyone would love to get -- well, maybe not a guy, but any gal would!

What I used:
Stamp Set - Elements of Style; Ink - Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Ink and Early Espresso; Card stock - Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Champagne Glimmer Paper; Basic Pearl Jewels; Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon; Vintage Faceted Designer Button; 1/2" Circle Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch; Glue Dots; SNAIL adhesive; Simply Scored Scoring Tool; Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine; Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; Stampin' Trimmer; Paper Snips;  Non-Stampin' Up! - Piece of Velcro and Post-It Notes.

Whatcha think?  I think I can hardly wait to gift it so I can see how much it's liked.  I KNOW it's gonna be a hit present.  

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Shopping at my online store is super duper easy, and there are so many online deals that just can't be beat right now.  

Over the weekend, we went as a family to a museum and had such a great time together.  Here's a pic:

My in-laws and our younger son.  We had a great time together.

Well, thanks so much for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Really Rich Ribbon Stuff

Ever have people do something in front of you and you go . . . "Ooooooh.  That's so cool.  I'll take a bunch of pictures so I remember that."  You take the picture and then it stays on the camera forever, and you forget all about it until one day . . . you look through the pictures on your camera and are amazed at this super cool thing on there that you had totally forgotten?

Yeah?

I've had that happen, too.  In fact, here are a few pictures of just that --

 I went to Stampin' Up!'s convention this summer and they shared a technique where you punch out an image or use the die cuts . . . 

 and then you lay ribbon down in the area that has been cut/punched out.  

 It makes for some wonderful texture and adds such beautiful color and "wow" to a card.  You can use any color or ribbon . . . 

 You can see that a variety of ribbons were used on this card.

And then in the airport on the way home, I met a fellow stamper who still had "swaps" left.  Guess what she had done on her swaps and had had no idea at all that they would be showcasing this very thing at convention?  You guessed it!!

How cool is that?  

I am going to be making this on Saturday with the people who have signed up to make Christmas cards.  I can't wait -- we're going to have so much fun.  Whoo Hoo!!

Yeah . . . I enjoy making cards with my friends that much!!!

I also enjoy hearing from you.  You can sign up for my free newsletter right here.  I will send you a free PDF right away as a thank you.

You can shop for lots of ribbon and other Stampin' Up! stuff at my online store.  

Thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Giving Gifts for the Holidays

     Want to make the holidays really special? Then plan to make your gifts this year. 

     Making gifts allows you to give unique and personal gifts with a handmade touch. “It’s the thought that counts” or so the saying goes. And it’s never more true than when the gift is homemade. Why? Because you can make it special and just for the recipient. 
     And while you are making it, guess what you’re doing? Thinking about the person that you are making it for! Need some ideas of what you could make? Try some of these:

 * a box of handstamped cards - like this cute one:

* a scrapbook ready for pictures

* a finished scrapbook (great for grandparents!)

*  journals & notebooks

*  personalized stationery

*  customized office supplies (folders, paper clips, notepads, etc.)

*  a calendar

*  a stamped scarf

* decorated photo frame (with or without a handstamped insert)

* an ornament
* a wreath

... and so much more!

So grab a cup of cocoa, put on some seasonal music, and create your own handcrafted holidays!

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free PDF thank you.  It's great sharing ideas and videos with 

you.  You'll get tips and latest craft news.

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Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

A Serene Scene

 What a serene scene!  Don't you just want to go there and gaze out over the water?

I love the ink-to-paper technique that I CASEd from Michelle Zindorf to create this beautiful card.

The step-by-step instructions can be found right here.

Sign up for my free newsletter right here. You'll get a free PDF as a thank you.  

Shopping for crafting goodies is done on my online store.  Thank you.

And thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope this is a wonderful holiday for you.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about this beloved US holiday:

In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is commonly, but not universally, traced to a poorly documented 1621 celebration at Plymouth.  The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest.

In later years, religious thanksgiving services were declared by civil leaders who planned a thanksgiving celebration and fast in 1623. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival like this did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.

In these modern days, every year, the President of the United States will "pardon" a turkey, which spares the bird's life and ensures that it will spend the duration of its life roaming freely on farmland.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm gonna give lots of thanks when you sign up for my free newsletter right here. I'll send you a free PDF as a thank you.  I love sharing ideas and videos with you.  You'll enjoy all the tips and latest news.

Shopping for these goodies is easy.  Just go to my online store.

Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Spreading the Ink

Oh, yeah!!  It's Wednesday . . . I've got a video for you!

These are a couple of fantastic cards.  I really hope you enjoy this video with these great techniques that showcase one of my favorite all-time things . . . the framelits!!!  

We shot my video just yesterday - running late because it was such a busy weekend, we couldn't do the video shoot on Sunday like we usually do.  

Like usual, you CAN sign up for my free newsletter right here.    I will send you a free PDF as a great big thank you.

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Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Givin' Thanks

Yessiree, Bob!  It's been quite a day . . . .

. . .  and I'm givin' thanks that it is over!!

 Have you ever had a day like that?  So much to do . . . . so little time . . . 

Come to think of it . . . probably everyone has days like that most of the time!  

**Sigh**

Well, my friend Tammy Ceja Potts (I met her at Convention last year - lucky me!) posted this card on Facebook, and I really liked it, so I did a version of it with Stamper's Club.  Everyone super enjoyed it 'cuz it was easy and fallish, yet had some real nice style. 

To age the leaves, all you do is crumple them up.  After that, flatten them out as best you can, and then dab the leaves with the ink pad.  The ink just goes on the "raised" parts from the crinkling.  Great technique.

What I used:

Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, and Summer Starfruit Card Stock; 

Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper ($10.95 - 126898);

Neutrals Designer Buttons ($8.95 - 119743);

Punches - Small Oval ($12.95 - 120908) and 1" Circle ($12.95 - 119868);

Linen Thread ($4.50 - 104199);

Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock ($6.95 - 127848);

Woodgrain Embossing Folder ($7.95 - 127821);

Autumn Accents Bigz Die ($21.95 - 127812); 

Stamp Set - Full of Blessings $23.95 wood 128078) or ($17.95 - clear 128081);

Ink - Early Espresso;

and of course our trusty Big Shot.
 

I'm gonna give lots of thanks when you sign up for my free newsletter right here. I'll send you a free PDF as a thank you.  I love sharing ideas and videos with you.  You'll enjoy all the tips and latest news.

Shopping for these goodies is easy.  Just go to my online store.

Thanks so much for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Some Sassy Salutations

Are you feeling Sassy?

My hubby played guitar in our local high school's rendition of Hairspray this weekend and last week.  I went to see it today - WOW!  It was fantastic!!  And that lead character?  She was super sassy!!!

I'm sassy, too!  I'm feeling myself some Sassy Salutations, that's for sure!!  LOL

 Whenever I'm blocked as to what to create, I fall back on the great "layering" technique.  It never fails me.

 Love the bright, cheery colors contrasted with the Black and White.  How cute is that?  I CASEd this from a card I saw on Splitcoast Stampers - but I can't remember for the life of me the name.  I'll try to go back and find out and edit it in.

Again - easy card with the Sassy Salutations stamp set.  So cute with the Snow Festival Designer Tags.  I love, love, love those tags.  I've had them in about four projects at this point.  They make card making an absolute BREEZE.  

What I used:
Feel Better Card -
Card stock - Basic Black, Old Olive, and Whisper White; Brights Designer Series Patterened  Paper Pack;
Boho Blossoms Punch; VersaMark Ink and Basic Black ink; Dazzling Diamonds Embossing Powder; Heat Tool; Basic Rhinestone Jewels; Little Leaves Sizzlit; Big Shot.

Merry Christmas Card -
Card Stock - Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler; Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags; Ink - Cherry Cobbler; Ribbon - Crumb Cake 3/8" Taffeta.

You can shop my online store 24/7 - that means in your jammies, too.

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Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Cards and Other Stuff That Talks!

With Talking Tag, you can send a gift that is uniquely you. Talking Tag is a message label you can attach to cards, invitations, gifts . . . anything! Personalize birthday cards, Christmas gifts or even record quick instructions for a project. Now your pictures really can say a thousand words!

How to Buy Talking Tags:

Buy 'em by the sheet! You get 10 tags for just $7.95 (item 129723).

What do you think this card would say?

How to record a voice message:

1. Download the FREE TalkingTagT App on you smartphone from talkingtag.mobi, iTunes® or Google PlayT.
2. Adhere the message tag to your card or gift.
3. Open TalkingTagT App and scan the code.
4. Record your message (recording starts immediately, so make sure you're ready!).

You'll have the opportunity to listen, re-record, cancel, or confirm your message after you've completed recording it. Each label allows up to 60 seconds of a greeting, song, or product message.

To play the message, recipients will need to download the app and scan the code.  Messages are saved for two years, so they can listen to it over and over.

What a cool idea!!  I can't wait to give these a try.  Will they ever stop comin' up with this fun stuff?  I sure hope not.  Shop my online store 24/7 to get these tags.

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Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Picture This . . .

Picture this:  a crackling fireplace, steam from a cup of cocoa, and flannel pajamas . . . don't those make you long for the comfort of warmth and to curl up and take a long nap?  

Without a doubt, there's a chilliness in the air today here in northern Ohio.  I don't think it got over 39 degrees.  You know, there's a quiet joy felt within the warm refuge from the outside chill.

When it comes to Christmas cards, during the class we had last Saturday, we're bringing warmth into the cards we're sending.  These cards are more than just cards.  They're glowing with a silver glimmer.  These cards are going to warm the recipients with a glow of holiday memories, past and present.

We used the fabulous Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit and created these glimmery cards.  The kits has two of these beautiful "top notes" and we used both!!  Greetings of the Season provided the perfect sentiment on the front of our cards.  I love the variety of sentiments in that set.  I CASEd this last card from Tara McCormack.  What I used: Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit, Ink - Basic Gray, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler; Greetings of the Season Stamp Set, Silver and Champagne Glimmer Papers, Rhinestone Jewels, Extra-Large Oval Punch and Decorative Label Punch, Big Shot, Snowflakes Bigz Die.

Have you had weather that has let you stay warm today?  If so, I'm very jealous.  I LOVE summer and can hardly wait for it to come around again.  

Hope these Christmas cards are able to give you some ideas.  That's one of the reasons I enjoy blog hopping -- lots and lots of great ideas.

Get creative today, okay?
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Thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Faux Fossilized - Video Tutorial - Autumn Accents

Oh, yeah!!  It's Wednesday . . . I've got a video for you!

Using the Faux Fossilized technique to create rich, colorful leaves with a touch of shimmer to make fall home decor look incredible.  

I decorated a candle that is now our table centerpiece (and getting lots of attention from people who come over - thank you very much!) and a great card.

Every single leaf in the candle holder was done using the fauz fossilized technique - of course, the glimmer leaves were just glimmer!!  See all the "bubbles" in the leaf at the top?  That's the technique shining through.  So pretty.  Everyone really likes it.

Here's a closer look . . .  

 Love it!!  And then the card . . . 

 I think it's the perfect fall card.  These items would make a lovely hostess gift during the fall season, don't you?

So glad to have these videos to mark the mid-week for me.  I sure could use it.

What I used:  Pillar candle, Plastic Page Protector, Pencil, Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Ribbon - Always Artichoke 1/2" Seam Binding; Naturals Designer Buttons; Champagne Glimmer Paper, Stamp Sets - Kindness Matters, Everything Eleanor, board from a glimmer paper pack, Inks - Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Stampin' Sponges, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Paper-Piercing Tool, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, 3" Circle Original Die, Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies, Linen Thread, Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals.

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Thanks so very much for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

So Much Left Over - Merry Moments

When is the last time you had fun with some friends?  I hope it was recently.

Well, some friends came over to my house for a class on Saturday, and we had a blast making Christmas cards, talking, eating, listening to music . . . .

 And here are two of the cards that we made.  

 We made sure there was a lot of sparkle . . . 'cuz that's cool with the holidays.

And we used the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' kit to make all of our cards.  The only thing that wasn't from the kit was the stamp set and ink, Glimmer paper, Rhinestone Jewels and Baker's Twine.  Okay, okay . . . the punches weren't either, but that's it!!

What I used:
Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit, Ink - Illusions, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Old Olive, StazOn Black, Cherry Cobbler, Greetings of the Season and Frosty Friends Stamp Sets, Cherry Cobbler  Baker's Twine, Silver Glimmer Paper, Rhinestone Jewels, Extra-Large Oval Punch and Decorative Label Punch, Stampin' Sponges, Holiday Embossing Folder, Big Shot, and Blender Pens.

We had lots and lots of paper and die cuts left in the Scrappin' Kit for many other cards.  It was amazing to make so many projects and STILL have so much great stuff left.  Can't wait to use it up!!

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Thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!