While searching for something a little different to make, I came across this card made with an envelope. I made it a gift card holder and you will, too, if you attend my card class on December 4th. Again I used my retired SU snowflake stamp set. It is amazing how just one stamp set can be used for so many projects.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. And actually, the friends are more like family, too. It is now time to work on my Christmas list of "things to do to get ready for Christmas". I have already started my shopping. We will put the tree up during the week. And today I plan on working on my Christmas cards. The photo shows four samples I made a while back. On these cards I used Dazzling Diamonds on a couple and Stickles on the others. The Dazzling Diamonds is what I will use--which is pretty funny because anyone who knows me, knows that I do not like working with glitter! It just looks so much prettier. The colors are Marina Mist and White and the Northern Flurries embossing folder has just the right amount of embossed area. I used my Cricut to cut out the word "joy" for the one card. I have about 50 cards to make and send, so I better get busy. When I am finished with the cards, the wrapping and baking begins! Have a great day.
Today's cold weather makes you think a little more about preparing for Christmas. It was 60 degrees yesterday and right now it is 27--winter is coming! Today I am sharing a couple of the Christmas favors I plan on making in the next class. Both of these favors are made using retired SU print paper teamed up with real red cardstock and touches of always artichoke. One item that I have and rarely use is the uni-ball Signo white gel pen on page 195 of the IB&C. It is the perfect way to add creative touches to your projects--as shown with the dots on the scallop circle. I am leaving it on my counter as a reminder that I should use it! Well, off to Costco for the rest of the Thanksgiving needs. Enjoy your day and keep warm!
Well, I must say, I think I finally used enough Chocolate Chip & Cherry Cobbler cardstock to last me for a while--lol! But isn't this card pretty? I embossed the Very Vanilla cardstock squares--after punching out the squares. I then arranged the 12 squares needed for the Top Note die and adhered them to a piece of cardstock. After running it through the Big Shot I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink, made a little tag and tied it with twine. And now I have a pretty thank you card to send to someone special. Tomorrow the Cricut group is here, so time to go clean up the scrap room. Have a great weekend and find yourself a little stampin' time.
So I fell in love with some cardstock at Archivers a couple of weeks ago and in a previous post, there is a picture of the tags made with that cardstock. Last night I wanted to make a few more tags using the Archivers cardstock, but I did not have any. So, I decided to recreate that paper using Stampin' Up supplies already on hand. These are the tags I made using only SU "stuff": Crumb Cake cardstock and Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip cardstock and ink; a retired SU stamp set and Big Shot dies and embossing folder. I did use something that is not SU--the rhinestones--but I do love rhinestones. At any rate, it is very easy to make some beautiful pattern cardstock using the stamps, cardstock and ink you already own. Have a great day!
Thru November 30th, Stampin' Up is offering this sign up special. I can't say that I know anyone interested, but I wanted to put this out there as you never know who might be reading my blog. For $87.50, you get supplies which are worth far more than that. Geez, if I wasn't a demo, I would sign up to take advantage of the pricing and the 30% discount on my first order as a demonstrator. LOL! Hope you can find yourself a little stampin' time.
We made some very pretty tags at the Tags & Favor class yesterday. As a matter of fact, the tags were so lovely that instead of putting the tags into a Stampin' Up cellophane bag and adding a topper as a little gift for someone (the original plan), we filled the bags with candy and added the topper to that. Now the ladies can use the tags or the tags can be put in their file for future reference. And, they still went home with a little gift for someone! I planned these particular tags and favor around a single sheet of cardstock I purchased at Archivers and with the idea of using a variety of tools--my Big Shot, Cricut, dies, punches, embossing folders, stamps and SU ink and cardstock. But my inspiration cardstock only used three colors: Cherry Cobbler (which I just love), Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake. The color combination is just beautiful. We also made Thanksgiving match boxes and we finished up the class making those darling little Thanksgiving bags. If you live in the area, feel free to register for one of my classes. Both beginners and seasoned crafters attend these classes, but we all learn something and go away feeling refreshed and wanting to create even more! 
After using the little bags from Archivers for my Thanksgiving favors, I went back on Saturday to purchase more--but they were sold out. I put my name on the waiting list and when more little brown bags come in, Archivers will give me a call. The good news is that I did find similar bags at M's. The bags are a bit longer and a little heavier weight. I made this Christmas favor using one of their bags. This particular bag holds three Hershey miniatures. I stamped the snowflakes using a retired SU set. And isn't the candy cane favor cute? This was an idea I cased from Paper Trey, using their stamps and dies. The ideas for Christmas/holiday favors or little hostess gifts are endless. I could stay down in my scraproom for the rest of the day being creative. But, we are having some beautiful summer-like weather here, so I am going out to enjoy it. Have a great day!
Yesterday I went to Archivers and I was inspired--inspired to spend a lot of money! And you all know that I am trying to use things I already have before purchasing more "stuff". I did buy a few items though and two of them are pictured in this post. Two things really caught my eye. The first was the 
Kraft cardstock printed with Christmas/Winter themes. The minute I saw it, I knew that I "needed" it to make tags for my Favors & Tags class. I also "needed" these little Kraft bags that Archivers is selling. And last night, using these little bags, I made the majority of the favors I will be putting on the Thanksgiving table. There are two miniature Hershey bars in each bag which will give you an idea as to the size of the bag. So, I did buy a few items, but they are items I will be using within the next couple of weeks. And to walk out of Archivers without using my 30% off coupon was a very good thing. Have a great day and don't forget to turn your clocks back!
While shopping yesterday, I noticed that Christmas merchandise was everywhere. I realized that I hadn't finished my Thanksgiving cards and yet the holiday push is already on. Last night while I watched Dancing with the Stars and the election results, I worked on my Thanksgiving cards. The color combination of Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard and Very Vanilla works well for the Thanksgiving theme. As you all know, I love ribbon on my cards. Well, rhinestones are a close second as my favorite embellishments. So when I found that I even had mustard-colored rhinestones, I was more than happy to add them to the card on the left. I have a few more Thanksgiving cards to make and as I make them, I will think about the special people for whom I am making these cards--blessings in my life. And I will be thankful for those people.
A couple of days ago I was reading an article that mentioned clear embossing powder--a product that I haven't used in quite some time. So out came the clear embossing powder and my heat gun and in no time at all I created two cards.
The images were first stamped using Versamark, sprinkled with the clear embossing powder and then set with the heat gun. It is a little difficult to see on these photos, but using the clear embossing powder gives the images a s
hiny finish. Once again I used the Just Believe stamp set (which I think is so pretty) for the image. The sentiment is from the Thank You Kindly set, although I could have used the "thank you" from the Just Believe set. Using Autumn colors, the Peach Parfait teamed up nicely with both Perfect Plum and Chocolate Chip. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' time.
