One for the Money

This is a fun way to give someone a "non present." I really like how simple this gift card holder is to make and you could easily adapt it for birthdays and other occasions as well.

Start out with a piece of card stock that measures 4-1/2 x 7" and score it twice to create the pocket and the cover. The fold lines should be at 2-1/2 at one end, then 1-1/2 at the other. Use a bone folder to get a nice crease and secure the pocket with Sticky Strip to make sure it can handle the stress of a gift card.

I secured a ribbon on the back to tie it shut and decorated the flaps with patterned paper. The front also features the ornament stamp from Delightful Decorations. It has a coordinating punch too...so easy!

Happy Hanukkah, and Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy being with your families and have a WONDERFUL holiday season!!!

Glitter and Shine, you are MINE

These are fun...take some clear glass ornaments and transform them into sparkly little beauties. Just put 20 or more drops of any ink color you wish inside the ornament and turn it over to let it coat the inside and drip any excess out. Then add a teaspoon or so of Dazzling Diamonds to bring out the BLING! Just make sure you shake the glitter inside to prevent clumping. You can also take this idea up a notch and add rub ons or Decor Elements on the outside on the ornament. I tried several colors and LOVE them all!


102023 Dazzling Diamonds $4.50 

Back into Groove

I developed these pictures last week and put them to good use with my newest sketch, yay me! To see more pages done with this sketch and/or to use it and share, look at THIS. Actually I think this was another form of procrastination, but it was nice to take my time with a page and I'm pretty stisfied with the outcome. One page down...4 million 200 seventy-seven to go! hahaha

Journaling says:
September 2009
Natalie cried after her right ear was pierced.
...but she left the store smiling!

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps: Cheep Talk, Jumble Alphabet

Paper: Windsor Knot DSP, Pink Flamingo DSP, Orchid Opulence, Pacific Point

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: White gen pen, Sizzix BIGZ Flower Dasies #2, Scalloped Border Punch, Perforating Tool, Corduroy Buttons, 1/16" hole Punch, Corner Rounder, white acrylic paint

Techniques: machine stitching

Making Holiday Plans

The holiday season can be overwhelming, and without my multitude of lists I would be LOST! Every year I tote around my shopping list, a list of who to send cards to, and a list of those who shall receive chocolaty goodness from my kitchen! I also tend to keep my Christmas stamps and any receipts with my lists. This helps me stay on top of things...or so I delude myself to believe! lol

Originally I carried an envelope around with all my lists and such, but since that's not very crafty I made myself a little "pocket folio" one year that's held up pretty well. It was super simple, made from an 8-1/2x11" sheet of cardstock decorated with pretty papers, and it has been well loved!

This year I've decided to make a new one. I saw a version done with a standard manila file folder sometime in December last year, so I knew that's what I'd be doing in 2009.The photo above is the front when it's all tied closed. Below is how it looks when it's opened up.
The design is really simple and easy to duplicate. Mine is a letter sized manila folder with a center tab. I opened it up, scored and folded the bottom up 4". Then scored each side at 4-1/4" to create the additional panels with pockets. I decorated most of it with Designer Series Paper sandwiching in some ribbon so the whole thing can be tied shut. Of course I've also included some fun stamped images! For more details on the colors and products used to make this organizer, visit my website.

My First MDS Project

I've been dabbling with digi scrapping for almost two years now and even though I still have a deep love for true paper crafting, I just HAD to get myself a copy of My Digital Studio, from Stampin' Up! As a demonstrator I went through a certification process so I could learn about it and have the knowledge to help others. It's so easy to use; I can see myself doing many projects with it. Some all digital and a few hybrid things.
As part of my certification I had to create something using the software, so I decided to make a 2010 calendar. It's not only practical, but it came together quickly. The elements available are so easy to drop in and there are even templates you can use to help you with your layout. Here's a screen shot:


It's the lead in page for the month of June. The pictures folder is on the left side and I just dropped my photo in, selected some "stamped" images, and added a ribbon. The small preview images along the bottom are all the pages of the calendar, and you can simply click on any of them if you need to make an edit. This image below is the calendar page itself that coordinates with the one above.


There are designer papers to use as well and I incorporated them into several of my other pages, but I didn't want every page to be "the same." I'm super excited to get it. The printing/shipping service is really fast. I uploaded it for printing on Saturday evening and it'll be here tomorrow. I can't wait to hang it in my kitchen!

Want to know more about My Digital Studio? Watch the video on my website! There are also two great promos this month that include My Digital Studio:

• Get 50% off My Digital Studio when you host a workshop totaling $400 or more
• Spend $50 on anything in the Gift Giving Guide and receive a free Decor Element ($16.95 value)
  

Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

This weekend I'm hosting a Stamp-a-Stack!

Miss Procrastinator Extraordinaire That I am, the cards were just barely completed yesterday and photographed! *whew* We'll be doing the cards in multiples which is why I call it a stamp-a-stack. There are three designs and everyone makes 4 of each...leaving with a dozen cards ready to go postal!

This first one uses the chalking technique. The trees were stamped in Craft White and then using daubers I added the different colored chalks.


This one is the "bling" card! lol How can you stamp those gorgeous snowflakes and not think about Dazling Diamonds!? You should see it sparkle in person, it's wonderful!


The last card might be my favorite. The bottom section isn't stamped, it's patterned paper with flocking...so neat, I had to use it on a card!!! It's very simple, and I'm in LOVE with this Designer Series Paper!

Contact me to RSVP:

Sunday October 18, 2009
2:00 PM
Frisco, TX
(214) 354-7685

Cool Crisp October

It's here alright...just wish it would stop raining! Uggg I have a few fun Halloweenish things to share.
I could have posted this one last month, but I didn't want it to be lonely! It needed friends, yeah that's it!
I did this little candle for Stamper's Club last month and tonight we'll be making 2 other super cute things that I'm sharing with you now.

Stampin' Supplies:
INK - Black Craft
STAMPS - From the Crypt
PAPER - Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant
OTHER - Black Gingham and 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cord, 1" Circle Punch, Curly Label Punch


I originally saw these spiders on a crafting website...or two...and multiple blogs..I think everyone did them last year, except ME! lol
I made one as an example for Stamper's Club tonight. Sydney loved it and she made the one and then added a little pink bow she made all by herself! I also promised the girls they'll get to make up a bunch too. 19 for Sydney's class, another 23 for Natalie. That'll work, they actually come together so quick once you punch all the pieces! They'll be fun to give to their friends at school!

Stampin' Supplies:
INK - White Gel Pen
PAPER - Basic Black, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
OTHER - Scallop Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Photo Corners Punch


This last item is a Halloween treat bag. I did the cracked glass technique over the center image. Love doing that technique. You basically coat the entire surface with VersaMark and then clear embossing powder. A minimum of 3 coats, I did 4. Pop it in the freezer a few minutes, then CRACK!
This bag is perfect to "boo" a neighbor with! You can easily fit a few treats inside and for fun add a note and a ghost picture for them to hang on the door. Never been "booed" before? I put directions below...

Stampin' Supplies:
STAMPS - Twick or Tweet
INK - VersaMark, StazOn, Close To Cocoa and Creamy Caramel Marker
PAPER - Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
OTHER - Fancy Favor Bigz Die, Clear Embossing Powder


How to "boo" your neighbors:
Some people refer to it as "Haunting" but it's just a fun surprise gift that is left on someone's door without them knowing who left it! Print out the poem below or make up your own, gather a few treats, and make a little sign that simply says "BOO" on it, or a cute little ghost picture with "BOO." Then put them all in a little treat bag or basket and leave them on someone's porch - don't get caught!

Here's one version of the poem that comes with a "printable:"

<<BOO!>>

Keep an eye on nearby front doors to see how far and fast it spreads by Halloween.
,
Sally

Ho Ho Ho

I did another Christmas card and am in the designing phases for several more to come...workshop on the 18th!!! Click HERE for more info! :) This one is for my Friday night Stampers Club and was inspired by a card from my downline Laura. It's so simple and stunning at the same time. I just had to share it!!! I adore this reindeer stamp and it looks AWESOME gold embossed. Running paper through my Big Shot in the Impressions Folder was AMAZING, can you really tell how deeply embossed the flowers are?


Stampin' Supplies:
INK - VersaMark, Real Red (envelope)
STAMPS - Dasher, Best Yet (envelope)
PAPER - Whisper White, Real Red
OTHER - Sizzix Petals-a-plenty embossing folder, Gold EP, 5/8" Real Red grosgrain ribbon

Visit my website for prices and how to order:
sally.stampinup.net

AND one more thing...
The DEAL of the week is back!

...and September has left the building

September is one of the busiest months we have around here. Around the first the kids were still getting acclimated to school life (as was I), we had to run out and get additional school supplies based on the teachers needs for certain classes...middle school is still somewhat of an anomaly. Anyhow we get that under our belts and it's party planning central!!!

Two of our three girls were born in September and one of them shares her b-day with my husband. There is also a niece and one of my three brother-in-laws named David (yes I have 3 BIL's named David)! lol In addition to our girls having parties there was a "Roe family" celebration, and I also have couple of dear friends that invited us out to celebrate them as well! September is exhausting!!! I always try to photograph the cards that I make, but I was lucky to make cards this month let alone capture everything that crossed my craft table.
My 5 year-old's party invite was made with the fun stamp set called Pony Party. Sadly I gave them all away thinking I would whip up one more "perfect" one to post here and save for the scrapbook...it hasn't happened yet! BUT I did make a cute card for her that coordinates...too bad I didn't use my Stamp-a-Ma-jig to get the party hat centered just right, but it is a pretty pony nonetheless!

STAMPIN' SUPPLIES
PAPER: Taken with Teal, Pink Passion, Summer Sun, Whisper White
INK: Encore Gold, Black StazOn, Bermuda Bay, Pixie Pink
STAMPS: Friends Rock, Medallion, Pony Party
OTHER: Aqua Painter

My daughter Sydney's party invite was inspired by my need to use up some things that I can no longer order or demonstrate with. I had this cute paper lying around that I knew I could work around and I came up with this sparkly creation that was easy to duplicate. Sadly I never followed though and gave her a card with her gift, but in my own defense I did endure a sleepover with EIGHT eight year-old girls which included a mini pedicure for each of them...good thing I had my 12 year old assistant! :) Sorry about the crooked photo....I'm a mess!

STAMPIN' SUPPLIES
PAPER: Misc patterned paper, Pink Pirouette, Apricot Appeal, Pink Passion
INK: Lavender Lace
STAMPS: Seriously Sassy
OTHER: Scallop Edge Punch, Crystal Effects and glitter (I mixed them on a paper plate and painted it on with a paint brush)

The card I made for my husband was fun to do. I love to distress things, and I really went to town edging this paper! I also busted out with my paper crimper, I should use it more often!


STAMPIN' SUPPLIES
PAPER: Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Autumn Meadows DSP
INK: Chocolate Chip
OTHER: Distress Tool, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Hemp Twine, Paper Crimper

Santa Made Me Do It!

It's been so long since I posted it's almost Christmas! lol
OK, well not really, but I've decided it's time to start playing with Holiday stamps and colors. It'll be here before we know it! This is just one of the cute projects we'll be making this month at my Stamper's Club and at Ladies Night. Aside from the card stock, everything I used is only available in the new Holiday Mini Catalog, LOVE that ribbon and the new Ornament Punch is sooo cool! If you didn't get your own copy of the mini, click below for an electronic version!

2009 Holiday Mini Catalog

STAMPIN' SUPPLIES
PAPER: Old Olive, Night of Navy, Rose Red, Whisper White
INK: Old Olive, Night of Navy Craft
STAMPS: Delightful Decorations, Four the Holidays
OTHER: Clear EP, Sleigh Bells Ribbon, Ornament Punch

One For the Road

We're gearing up for our annual trip to the beach, and I have just a few things to share before I go! First this page I did inspired by a Scrapbooks Etc. sketch but I changed the photo placement and opted for a BIG title instead of a tiny one under the pictures. I still really like the original sketch, but I just didn't have the right combo of pictures at my fingertips. The bracket was made using the Big Shot. I used the Bigz Top Note Die twice and then did the polished stone technique to create the marbled look to the paper. Check out this tutorial I did for more info on this awesome technique:
Polished Stone

Stampin' Supplies:
INK - Encore Ultimate Metallic Gold, Real Red Craft
STAMPS - Medallion, Varsity Alphabet
PAPER - Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Glossy White, Flamingo Designer Series Paper
OTHER - Bigz Top Note, Assorted Pink and Red reinkers, Rubbing Alcohol, Cotton Balls, Clear Acrylic Sealer

Next I have a special treat. This month the SU! promotions are all about kids and we have a brand new Decor Elements item I had to buy myself!!! It's a growth chart you adhere right on the wall. I'm totally squeemish about marking the wall with my daughters height, but I have a couple of creative ideas on how to get around that.

1. I can use stickers and mark the date on them. This way I can even do one color for one child and another color for the other and track them both!
2. My other idea is just to take a photo each time of them in front of the chart. Since I am a scrapper, I can easily see the potential for cute layouts with the chart as the backdrop!

Here's the skinny on how to get your hands on one, it's just too cute!

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE the UPS man!?

Isn't this the cutest!? I think I might have to scrap it when I get a print! I was even a little surprised he let me take the picture. He is such a nice guy to appease the crazy Stampin' Up! lady! Yes, I mean me. ha ha ha
He brought me more catalogs and my last workshop order...YAY two packages in one day!!! So if you're in my stamper's club, HEADS UP, orders are in!

Well, you might remember we are painting the exterior of our house. You can actually see the purty color we choose in my last post below! :) My husband started this two weekends ago but with all the rain we had right after, the project got stalled. Last weekend I moved on to interior reorganization (closets) because we've also been trying to agree on the outside trim color before we move forward. Yesterday I painted a sample area and we've agreed that one was NOT it! lol
Anyway, my craftin' hasn't been plentiful...but I do have a layout in the works. Nothing is taped down yet, but I'm pretty sold on the layout...just need to add journaling and some finishing touches. But it will have to wait...I'm on my way out to enjoy the sunshine with my girls at the pool.
TTFN

Well I did one...

I've only just scratched the surface using the Medallion stamp. I managed to play with it just once, stamping the image in Rose Red. I hadn't originally planed on a whimsical look, but after I cut the image in half the card just took on a life of its own! Anyway I have a scrapbook page brewing in my head that I hope to find time to start on this weekend!!!


Stampin' Supplies:
INK - Rose Red, Perfect Plum
PAPER - Rose Red, Summer Sun, Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Pale Plum
STAMPS - Medallion, Great Friend
OTHER - White Gel Pen, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Also...it's FRIDAY! I've posted a new DPS for sketch number 200 over on Splitcoast:

SBSC200 Gallery

So Sexy...

I just cracked open a box from Utah yesterday, and I have a new love! Meet Medallion, she's from Stampin' Up! of course and also Shelli's Signature Collection. I can't wait to get a few moments after the laundry is done and dinner is over to make something GRAND! Stay tuned...



P.S. The LAST deal of the week was posted yesterday. Until July 31st get this fun punch for just $10.99—that's more than 30% off the regular price of $15.95!

Visit my website to see more promotions, have you seen the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit? sally.stampinup.net