Jolliest Time of the Year.

Of all the display cards I have out when I have a class or club this is Mary's favourite of the year. I stamped the Santa image from the Jolliest Time of the Year stamp set with black Staz On, coloured him with Stampin Write markers and then I pressed a Versamark Watermark ink pad all over and heat embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I then paired the image with the sentiment from the Just Believe stamp set which I think works perfectly with a Santa image. I then added a few snowflakes from the Northern Frost Decorative Strip and embossed the card with the Northern Flurry embossing folder, both in the Holiday Mini!

Congratulations to Helene who has won the draw for the Champagne glass glitter.

Tags Til Christmas....

I so love all my ornament stamps, I bought all the sets that have an image that can be used with the ornament punch (Delightful Decorations, Contempo Christmas and Tags Til Christmas) because I just can't get enough. This card is a more elegant card where I paired the Tags Til Christmas ornament with the Holly Jolly image (from the Bright Christmas stamp set in the Holiday Mini), the Deck the Halls Designer Paper and the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. The Gold brads and Vanilla Taffeta ribbon embellish this card perfectly.

I will be placing my next order, next weekend (Sunday the 5th) so if there is anything you want please be sure to get your orders in before then. I will be paying extra to expedite this order for you all so it should be in before/by December 10th.

I have been brainstorming some super Christmas gift idea's for the people in your life. Don't forget to buy yourself something for under the tree (I do this every year, complete with wrapping and a Love Santa gift tag! I love getting stamping stuff for Christmas). Let me know if any items you order are for Christmas gifts and I will gift wrap those items for you!

Gift idea's for Crafty Girls:

• Build A Bear stamps (page 85)
• Friends Rock stamp set (page 86) I'm getting Mary this and I know she will love it!
• Stampin Spots (page 194)
• Notecards (page 71)

Gift idea's for Crafty Boys:

• Greetings Earthling stamp set (page 81)
• Make a Monster (Page 95)
• Stampin Spots (Page 194)
• Notecards (page 71)

Teacher Gifts:

• Simply Sent notecard kits (page 182 to 183) Make them for your teacher! I especially love Sweet Hello!
• Teachers Pet stamp set (page 95) and a Classic ink pad

Crafty Friends and Family:

• Simply Scrappin Love Birds (page 178) I LOVE the samples on this page and anyone who makes cards or scrapbooks would have fun with this!
• Embellishments (page 186 and 187) Package some buttons or Antique brads in pillow box to make a super cute giftie!
• Getting Started Stampin Spots with Matching paper (Page 165) A new stamper would love this!

The non Crafty:

• From the Kitchen of (page 134) Anyone who love to share there recipe's would love this....and it's practically user proof. Throw in a Black Staz on and a package of Index cards and this makes a cute gift. Instead of giving away the stamp set, make several packs as gifts for several people.
• Simply Adorned (page 189) Make someone a custom piece of jewellery
• Calendars (page 170) There is still time to order one of the fabulous calendars and decorate it for someone.

For Yourself:

• A Big Shot die like Two Tags (page 206) or Scallop Square (page 207)
• I Heart Hearts stamp set (Just in time to use for Valentine's Day!)
• Stampin Write Markers (page 194) I don't know if I could survive without mine!
• A stamp set or product out of the Holiday Mini you have been wanting (it ends January 3rd)

Snow Swirled...

Snow Swirled might be an older stamp set but every card I make with it always turns out beautiful. This is a quick card I made by embossing the tree with silver and although they are hard to see in this scan, there are tiny pearls on each of the snowflakes in the tree. The corners were punched with the ticket corner punch and I used the Northern Flurry embossing folder on the wite background. The cardstock colours I used on this card were Night of Navy, Whisper White and Brushed Silver.

Post a comment (don't forget to leave your name) letting me know which stamp sets you are using to create your Christmas cards and I will do a draw on Monday morning for a jar of Champagne Glass Glitter in the Holiday Mini!

A Cute Christmas....

Aren't little animals cute at Christmas! If you love cute sets and you love to colour than this is the set for you. It's in the Holiday Mini and it's on page 39. Don't forget the Holiday Mini s DONE on January 3rd. Through the rush of Christmas , don't forget to order your favourites before they are gone. Some sets might make it into the new catalogue in July but some will be gone for good! Alos on this card is a snowflake cut from the Sizzix Northern Frost Decorative Strip (page 38 in the Holiday Mini), Candy Cane Christmas Designer Paper (page 33 in the Holiday Mini) and a Rhinestone Jewel.

I tried to post infor about the Holiday Online Spectacular but I couldn't get onto Blogger this morning so I am sorry this is late. There is a fabulous sale online right now! Click HERE to see everything on sale. If you place an online order through my website and your order is over $200 you get free shipping! You also get a Level 1 Hostess set and $20 in Free merchandise as hostess benefits.

I can order the sale item if you prefer not to order online or do not have a credit card. I will place orders for this sale on Friday so if you wish to order please get your order and payment to me before then. If you would like me to send you a PDF of sale items send me a quick e-mail at s-pdavid@sympatico.ca

Some of my favourite sale items right now are:

• 50% off Designer Fabrics
• 40 % off Simply Said Bundle
• 30% off Matchbox Bigz XL die
• 30% off Hodgepodge Hardware

"It's Not a Card Class" Christmas Class

To the left is one of the Gift card holders we will be making at my next class. You just pull up on Rudolph to slide out a pocket where you insert the gift card.

There are only a few spaces left so sign up soon. I am changing the starting time to 9 am because I know people have lots of stuff to do. If you were planning on coming at 10 that is still ok too! This class will take approximately three hours to do because there is so much involved so please be sure you have enough time to finish the class before you sign up.

"It's Not a Card Class" Christmas Class
Saturday December 4th, 9 a.m.

At this class we will be making basically anything but a card. We will be making:

• Tin of gift tags x2
• 4 Gift Card Holders
• Notecards and a box (perfect gift for teachers!) x2
• Gift Bags x 2
• Treat Holders x 4

The cost for this class is $35 (free with a $65 purchase that day!)

Tomorrow is the beginning of the Online Spectacular. So far the only details they have posted is that there will be free shipping on Online Orders over $200, 50% off fabric and 50% off My Digital Studio. The rest of the sale will be posted tomorrow. Be sure to check out my Stampin Up Website tomorrow for all the details (I will also be posting the details here and mailing out the details to all the customers on my mailing list!)

Day of Gratitude...

Sometimes it's fun to take a stamp set that has nothing to do with Christmas and use it to make a Christmas card. In this instance I used the large medallian image from the Days of Gratitude stamp set in the Holiday Mini to create a Christmas wreath.

To make the wreath I stamped the image with Versamark Watermark and gold embossed the image on Olive and Vanilla Cardstock respectively. I then punched the center with a 1" Circle punch. I then used the 2 3/4 Scallop Circle punch to complete the wreath. Topping each wreath off with a Real Red Taffeta ribbon bow completes that "Wreath" look.

Be sure to check out my blog on Monday for news on the Online Extravaganza. Last year there were fabulous, fabulous deals to be had while supplies last. So far I have no details on the sale so you will all have to wait until Monday. Those of you on my e-mail list will get an e-mail about it Monday morning because I don't want you to miss out on it.

Home for Christmas

Unless you LOVE colouring I know this may not be everyone's cup of tea for a stamp set but this "Home for Christmas" image is so wonderful I think it's worth the time to make a couple of cards with this set each year. I love the classic old fashioned look this image has and of course it pairs wonderfully with my favourite "Seasons Greetings" stamp from the Curly Cute stamp set and the Deck the Halls Designer Paper. I am pretty sure I posted this before but the easiest way to colour and not make it feel time consuming is when you are doing something else, like watching tv (not driving though :0)

There is still room in this Saturdays Christmas Vacation card class. You don't want to miss this class...it is FABULOUS and FUN (if I do say so myself!)

I had Mary draw a name this morning to win the free pack of Pearl Jewels and the winner is Alice! Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who shared their favourite embellishments!

Curly Cute Christmas

Since this "Seasons Greetings" stamp from the Curly Cute stamp set is my favourite right now, I have used it on a lot of cards I post on my blog. For this card I kept it super simple. I used the Baja and Real red glitter cardstock from Candy Cane Christmas Designer Paper. I also used one of my many already cut out snowflakes (from The Northern Frost Decorative Strip) I covered the snowflake with Dazzling Diamonds glitter and placed a rhinestone jewel in the middle. I then wrapped pearl jewels around the rhinestone (hard to see in the picture) This is also my sample for my Stampers Club homework which I hope my Sunday club has done! Hint Hint!

Below is a picture of what a pack of Pearl Jewels look like. You get A LOT of pearls for only $6.50. I think they are the funnest thing in the catalogue and have been using the pearls and the rhinestones on everything! Tell me what your favourite accessory is in the catalogue (or Holiday Mini) and I will enter you into a draw to win a new pack of Pearl Jewels! You have until Tuesday morning!

Greeting Card Kids....

Greeting Card kids is such a great stamp set if you love to colour (even if you don't this card only took a couple of minutes to colour) I think colouring is intimidating to a lot of people but it's super easy with Stampin Write Markers because of the two tips on the markers, fine and brush.

If you are planning on mass creating a card that needs colouring, what I do is first cut out cardstock the size I will need for the stamp. I then mass stamp the image. Next I sit in front of the tv with a tray and colour each image, doing one colour at a time. For example I would take the Marina Mist marker and colour the hat and coat on each image. I find it easier to do that kind of work when I am watching tv!

Supplies used on this Card:

• Greeting Card Kids stamp set
• Curly Cute stamp set
• Northern Frost Decorative Strip (page 38, Holiday Mini)
• Dotted Scallop ribbon Border Punch
• Marina Mist, Bashful Blue and Whisper White Cardstock
• Black Staz On
• Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Blush Blossom and Poppy Parade Stampin Write Markers
• Rhinestone brad
• Rhinestone Jewel
• Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Dasher....

Dasher is a favourite and no matter what you do with him I think he makes a card look good! Last year Dasher was easily my best selling stamp, followed by the Snow Swirled stamp set. This year my best selling stamp set has been Bells and Boughs, from the Holiday mini catalogue (followed by Snow Swirled yet again...is there anyone who doesn't have this set yet?)

I think my favourite part of this card is the Seasons Greetings sentiment from the Curly Cute stamp set (click HERE to see the whole set). I can't believe I overlooked this stamp set in the catalogue until recently. It's so fabulous and I know I will get a lot of use out of it all year!

Supplies Used on This Card:

• Dasher Stamp
• Curly Cute Stamp Set
• Jolly Holiday Designer Paper
• Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso cardstock
• Early Espresso Classic In
• Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (Mini Catalogue, page 21)
• Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

A Night of Navy Card

I promised a blue card yesterday so I made this quick card yesterday to fulfill that promise. I used the Sweet Snowglobe stamp for the main image, colouring the tree and the house inside with a Always Artichoke and Night of Navy Marker before stamping. I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter for the snow.

Also used on this card were the Ticket Corner Punch, Northern Frost embossing folder, Bright Christmas stamp set ("Winter Wonderland), White Craft ink and White embossing powder.

Embossing with white embossing powder is about the only way to get a true white image on darker cardstock. When embossing words it is important to use a light touch when inking and stamping. Too much pressure will cause the ink to smoosh out, making the words run together and smaller letter like "o" to come out as a solid circle.

I had Mary do a draw for the Sweet Treat cups and the winner is Debbie. Congratulations Debbie.

Contempo Christmas

I think you all may begin to notice a trend in most of the Christmas cards that I will be posting. Almost all of them seem to include the colour Cherry Cobbler which is now my favourite go to colour for Christmas (it use to be Real Red, which I still enjoy but has lost some of it's magic now that a new colour has caught my eye!) Of course it helps that Jolly Holiday and Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper has this colour in it. I think I am going to have to spend some time this week making cards without this colour...it will be a challange for me. I will try to post something blue tomorrow!

I made this card using the Contempo Christmas bundle on sale right now. This bundle includes the Contempo Christmas stamp set and Jolly Holiday Designer Paper. The price for the Clear Mount Bundle is $21.96, for Wood mount Bundle it is $25.96. To finish off the card I used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks for all the comments on Sunday's card. To answer your questions we will be making a Treat Cup shaker card in my Christmas Vacation card class on Saturday November 20th. The two I posted were my "rejects" for the class even though I think they are super cute.

Sweet Snowglobe

I am loving my Sweet Snowglobe stamp from the Holiday Mini, especially because the size of the snowglobe is the perfect fit for our Sweet Treat cups. Together they make the cutest little shaker card filled with glitter and beads. What I did was replace the image inside the snowglobe with the snowman from a Cute Christmas stamp set the Holiday Mini. These cards were both made with the colours of Whisper White, Baja Breeze and Real Red. To finish off the cards I used a snowflake from Sizzix Northern Frost die and a Real Red Glimmer brad (all in the Holiday Mini)

Post a comment and you could win a package of Treat Cups and 1/4 oz package of Dazzling Diamonds glitter to help you get started in making your own shaker cards. Post your comments before Thursday morning and I will post the winner.

Bells and Boughs

I know it's Halloween but I am all out of Halloween projects to show! I hope you all have a happy Halloween. This is going to be the coldest Halloween I can remember so it looks like it's going to be winter coats over halloween costumes tonight!

Bells and Boughs has been an instant stamp hit as soon as the Holiday Mini was released This is a super simple card to make and easy to reproduce if you love to colour. This card was coloured with markers and make with the colours of Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla. To embellish I used Very Vanilla Satin ribbon (super elegant for Christmas cards) and some Champagne shimmer paint (page 195) for the centers of the Poinsettia. I also used a sponge dauber to add some crumb cake ink around the main image. The Merry and Bright sentiment is from the Bright Christmas stamp set in the Holiday mini.

Aviary...

Here is a card I made with the super cute Aviary stamp set. Although I bought this set over a month ago this is the first card I made with it because I have been so immersed in Fall, Halloween and Christmas. I think it will be an odd thing to see a card or project on here that isn't Christmas for the next two months because I have not even looked at any of my stamps that aren't for Christmas.

Products used on this card:

• Aviary Stamp set
• A Word for You stamp set
• Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Blushing Bride Cardstock
• Crumb Cake and Early Espresso Classic Ink
• 1 1/4, 1 3/8 Circle Punch
• 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch
• In Colours Patterns Designer Paper
• Basic Pearls Jewels

Upcoming Classes

To the left is one of the cards we will be making in my Christmas Vacation class on November 20th. This card class is full of fun images and fun colours. There are only a few spaces left so please sign up soon! This card was made with the Cute Christmas stamp set and Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery colours.

Below is a list of my upcoming classes!

Christmas Vacation Card Class
Saturday November 20th, 10 am.

Cute and fun is the theme of this Christmas card class. Lots of cute images and fun colours will be used at this Christmas card class. This is a 10 card class (2 each of 5 design)

Class fee is $30 or FREE if you place a *$65 order the day of the class.
*before shipping and tax.

"It's Not a Card Class" Christmas Class
Saturday December 4th, 10am.

At this class we will be making basically anything but a card. We will be making:

• Tin of gift tags x2
• 4 gift card holders
• Notecards and a box (perfect gift for a teacher) x2
• giftbags x2
• treat holders x 4

The cost for this class is $35 (free with a $65 purchase that day!)

Last Minute Christmas Card Class

Saturday December 11th, 10am

This is a great card class for those of you who know already that you are going to need more cards then you have to time to design and make. Still lots of time to mail them out and there great to have when someone sends you a card and your forgot to mail them one (doesn't this happen every year to me! I'm so disorganzied come December) This will be a 10 card class (5 designs, 2 of each card)

COST: Instead of a the normal $25/$30 fee I would like all attendees to bring the following three items as class payment:

• a donation for the All Heart Pet Rescue ( dog food, toys, treats etc)
• a donation for the Food Bank
• one new unwrapped toy (not for Mary...to donate...LOL!)

Thank You Card Class

Thursday December 30th, 10 am.

I thought it would be nice to end this year with a thank you card class. The cards in this class will be notecard size and of course you can use different sentiments on your cards. This class will be 20 card class (4 each of 5 designs) Class fee will be $25.

Handmade Holiday - An Addition...

Because the Handmade holiday bundles have been so popular, Stampin Up is adding a second Tags Til Christmas Bundle. Since the original Tags Till Christmas Bundle includes the Decorative Label punch which is now on backorder they are offering a second bundle which inlcudes the Tags til Christmas stamp set (the ornament stamp being featured in todays cards) and the Ornament punch.

This Bundle # 2 will be offered at the same price, $49.52 for the wood mounted Tags Til Christmas stamp set and Ornament punch and $41.52 for the Clear Mount stamp set and ornament punch.

The original bundle with the Decorative Label punch is still available only the punch might now be shipped right aways (they are expecting several shipments of these punches in the next few weeks!)

• Here is a card I made in several colours so you can see how much a card can change depending on the colour. I find it more fun to stamp card like these because I get bored easily stamping the exact same things over and over again.
• 
  Supplies Used on these cards:
  Tags til Christmas stamp set
• Bright Christmas stamp set
• Baroque Motifs stamp set
• Old Olive Classic Ink
• Black Staz On
• Rhinestones
• Whisper White cardstock
• Old Olive Taffeta ribbon
• Sizzix Top Note die (Old Olive layer was hand cut!)
• Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy or Rich Razzleberry Classic ink/cardstock

Congratulations to Irene who came the closest to guessing the amount of candy in the jar. The correct # was 44.

Spooky Spider

This cute jar was made using the Decor Elements Spooky Spider in the Definitely Decorative Catalogue (click on my website and then onto products to view or ask me for a catalogue if you want to see them all) I took this $5 jar and sponged the inside with White Staz On ink to make it look more opaque. It took two minute to rub the Vinyl on and tie the black lace around the top and I was done! All that was left was filling it with CANDY!

Post a guess at how much candy is inside this jar and the person who gets the closest will win this jar and all the YUMMY candy inside. You have until Saturday morning to take a guess. To give you a little hint the number of pieces of candy inside the jar is in between 20 and 80!

How to Post: Click on the title of this post (Spooky Spiders) and it will take you to a new page. Scroll down and you will see a spot to post your comment. Don’t forget to post your name!

Handmade Holiday

It's hard to believe, but the holidays are right around the corner. The ABCs of the Perfect Handmade Holiday will help you prepare for the holidays without all the stress. From October 19-December 16, 2010, we'll be offering you holiday bundles perfect for creating Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging, and Cherished gifts--all at 20 percent off!

Stamp Set Bundles

Bundle Description	Wood-Mount Bundle Item	Wood-Mount Bundle Sale Price	Clear-Mount Bundle Item	Clear-Mount Bundle Sale Price
Vintage Christmas Card Bundle Bells & Boughs Set Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper	124067	$29.96	124068	$24.36
Contempo Christmas Card Bundle Contempo Christmas Set Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper	124071	$25.96	124072	$21.96
Tags til Christmas Bundle Tags til Christmas Set Decorative Label Punch	124077	$49.52	124078	$41.52
Gift Packaging Bundle Gifted Set Mini Lunch Sacks	124083	$31.92	124084	$24.72
Simply Adorned Gift Bundle Charming Set Simply Adorned 1" x 1-1/4" Charm Simply Adorned 24" Chain	124076	$52.32	---	---

Non-Stamp Set Bundle

Bundle Description	Bundle Item	Bundle Sale Price
Frame Gift Bundle Definitely Decorative Chunky Frame Small Chocolate Chip Dotted Flourish Décor Elements	124075	$23.12

Leaf Lines....

Although there are no leaves left on any of the trees (isn't amazing how northern Ontario changes from full colour to absolutely nothing) I though I should post this card I made awhile ago since soon I will be posting Christmas, Christmas and more Christmas!

For this card I used the Leaf Lines stamp set and yes, I did carefully cut out the Oak Leaves! Fun stuff! You all know how I love to cut! The colours I used on this card were Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Old Olive and Very Vanilla. To finish the card off I used a 1/8 Taffeta ribbon in Earl Espresso.

I have been in full Christmas mode cutting all the cards and pieces pieces those of you coming to my Saturday and Monday "It's a Wonderful Life" Christmas card classes will get to play with. I am so thrilled with the cards and I know you all will be too! Be sure to check my blog tomorrow for a new Holiday Promotion Bundles starting tomorrow and ending on December 16th!