Blessings Jar

Here's another jar we're keeping each week at

our Wednesday Women Group meetings.

Each week we write on a notecard something that

happened in the week since we last met that we

count as a blessing or to simply praise God for

his grace. 

At the end of the year or beginning of next year, we'll

take all of our cards out and read them to remember

all the wonderful things in our lives throughout 2013.

Christmas Jar

Okay, so I know it's January and Christmas was

just a little over a month ago, but

check out this Christmas Jar. 

 

We decided in our Wednesday Women

Group that we would all pitch in some change and bills each

week that we meet throughout the year and at Christmastime

this year bless one person or family with our jar full

of money.

 

You bless someone or family with the jar anonymously in

whatever way the Lord leads you and make someone's

Christmas a little brighter and their hearts warmer. 

 

The idea comes from the story told in the book "Christmas Jars" written by

Jason F. Wright.  The cover of the book is shown below and can

be found at many major booksellers.

 

 

Paper Pumpkin

Introducing My Paper Pumpkin! It's a Magical Paper Escape Every Month!

 

Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!

I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .
I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.
I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:
All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!
Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy!

Here's what you'll find when you open your Try-It Kit box:

Afraid of commitment? Too much pun'kin for you to handle? You can try me and I'll visit just once

(But I know you'll want me to come back every month.)

 

• I'm $16.95 (plus shipping).

• I've got all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create beautiful projects.

• I'm all cut, measured, and ready—with instructions included. (Don't worry, I'm easy.)

Here's the finshed journal:

 

If you decide you like the Try-It Kit and want to join, here's another example of what will come to your door:

 

 

 

And the finished project:

 

What an incredible way to be creative on a budget and take the guesswork out of color matching and designing when your brain is stumped!  These kits have everything you need to create beautiful handmade professional-looking projects.  And best of all, they get delivered straight to your door each month!  What are you waiting for?  Sign up today!!!

 

Stamp Pad Color Block Card

Here's a fun technique Shelli demonstrated this year

at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership convention.

 

You take one of Stampin' Up!'s ink pads (these cards show the old felt pad style),

turn it upside down and place directly onto the front of your card. 

Press on the upside down ink pad, concentrating more on the corners and

the edges than the center.  When you lift the ink pad, you'll have a

little white space to stamp your image and sentiment. 

 

The splatters were done using the Color Spritzer Tool

(found on page 179 of the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog) 

with a Basic Black marker.

 

 

This is Lucky Limeade color.

 

This is Wisteria Wonder color.

 

The Stamp Set is Oh, Hello #130733 from the Spring Catalog.

 

What a fun and simple card!  You could make several in no time

at all and have them on hand for when the time comes that you need one.

 

Valentine's Day Heart-Shaped Box

Happy Wednesday!  What a beautiful day we're having here

in North Texas.  70 degrees and sunny!  What a nice change from the cold!

 

I want to share with you today one of our projects from last

night's Stamp Club meeting.  Hard to believe Valentine's Day is

just a few weeks away!

 

I got the directions for making this box here.  She gives

EXCELLENT step-by-step instructions, way better than I

could do, so be sure and check out her site.

 

I, of course, changed the design to fit my taste, and here's what I came up with:

 

These are the same box, just with different ribbon at the top.  One uses Pool Party

Seam Binding Ribbon and one uses Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon.

The sides are embossed with the Hearts embossing folder from the Adorning Accents

Folders set on page 188 of Stampin' Up!'s 2012-2013 Annual Catalog.

When you untie the ribbon, the flaps open up so you gain access to the goods!

Close-up of the details.  This is one of the Designer Builder brads from the

Spring Catalog.  Love them!

 

Stamp sets used:  Itty Bitty Bits #120060, That's the Ticket #128075, Hearts a Flutter Bundle with the Framelits #131097

Paper used:  Real Red, Very Vanilla, More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper #129309

All Dressed Up Birthday Card

Hello, crafty ladies!  I know I haven't posted in a week. 

No, I haven't been hiding under a rock!

 

Here is a little card we made last night at our

downline meeting as a make & take.

 

When I first saw the All Dressed Up stamp set

and Framelits in the Spring Catalog, I didn't think

they were all that neat ... until I went to Leadership and

saw them being demonstrated.

 

 

Now I'm in LOVE!!!  These are so cute and versatile!

 

The patterned paper is the Tea For Two Designer Series Paper,

found in the Spring catalog also, and a flower cut from the

5/8" Flower Trim for the belt on the dress.

 

How many ways can you think of to use these little dies?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leadership Swap #2 - Chalkboard Card

 Keeping this one simple ... this is my attempt at the chalkboard look.

I used Basic Black cardstock, used some white Staz-On ink

and sponged a few "eraser" marks, then stamped the sentiments in

Versamark ink and embossed with a 50/50 mixture of

white embossing powder and clear embossing powder. 

I wanted the white to get diluted a little bit and not be so white,

so I mixed with the clear embossing powder. 

 

 

After you're all embossed and beautiful, then just take the white gel pen

and make a border and some doodles around the heart.  I used the Polka Dot Parade

Designer Series Paper and Pool Party paper for the flags and cut the hearts with the

Hearts Framelits and Big Shot.

 

The base cardstock is the Naturals White cardstock.

Leadership Swap #1

Here's one of my swaps for Leadership...

It has the Bloomin' Marvelous stamp from the Sale-A-Bration catalog,

the Sycamore Street Designer Series paper from Sale-A-Bration,

and the Madison Avenue stamp set for the inside of the

flower and the flower stem.  Don't you love those names??

 

I used the new paper-piercing pack from the Spring catalog to

pierce holes around the flower, which was punched using the Blossom punch

from the annual catalog.  (The same punch I used for the snowflake

stamp in a previous post.)

 

 

Below is a closeup of the flower.  I stamped it in Pool Party ink with the Mixed Bunch stamp set.

The inside of the flower is Rich Razzleberry and so is the cardstock.  The stem is stamped with Summer Starfruit ink, which at first I thought I didn't really care for, but is now one of my faves!!

And, of course, what flower isn't complete without some bling?  This again is the mondo rhinestones found in the Spring catalog.

 

 

DVD Case Notepad

Check out this gift I received from Sharon Armstrong, one of my uplines.

It's a DVD case that holds a notepad! She used My Digital Studio

to create an insert that has my name and the Leadership 2013

title and some other fun sayings.

 

 

 

When you open it up, there's a pocket on the left side for receipts

and a notepad on the right for me to take some notes

at the Leadership convention. 

And best of all, Sharon wrote her own little special note to me!  :)

 

Is this not the cutest thing?  I love it!  Thanks, Sharon!!!

Snowflake Gift Tag

I just loved the single stamps that Stampin' Up! offered over the holidays!

This little snowflake stamp actually coordinates with a flower punch! 

It's the Blossom Punch in the annual catalog.  Isn't that clever?

 

This is a little gift tag we made at our last Stamp Club.  I like

doing the tone-on-tone look.

 

 

It's also got the mondo rhinestones found in the new Spring catalog. 

Those things are fun!

 

I'm off to pack and get ready for Leadership in Orlando! 

I leave early Wednesday morning. Woo hoo! 

I'm so excited, I can't hardly stand it.  I'll be sure and post pics!

 

Explosion Box Christmas Gift

Happy New Year!!  I know, I'm 7 days into the year, but today is the day
I start my resolution to blog more.  I am making a committment to put crafting
and blogging on my calendar in pen so I always make time for what's important! 
I mean, a girl's gotta have priorities!

 

 

Here are a few pictures of the explosion box gift I made for my stepson
as his Christmas gift.  He's 16, has a car, a job, and just recently found out,
a new girlfriend!  Scary times. {Sigh}

 

But I digress.  This is just a one-layer box to house gift cards and cash
in each pocket on each side.

 

Here's a picture of the closed box.  It's got a "to-from" tag on top that opens.

 

 

And then when you take the lid off ...  BAM!!! 

 

 

Here are the four individual sides: 

I like that I positioned Mr. Franklin as if he was glaring at you,
like he's saying, "don't spend me all in one place."  Hahaha!

 



The Spring Catalog is LIVE!!! 2 Valentine's deals!

Today is the day the Spring Catalog goes live!  Do you have your wish list ready? 

There are soooo many cute things in this catalog!

View the Spring Catalog Online (Flash)
Spring Catalog PDF
Stampin' Supplies PDF
Spanish Flyer PDF

PLUS . . . TWO NEW STAMPIN' UP! VALENTINE PROMOTIONS!

From January 3 through January 21, Stampin' Up! is offering two valentine deals!
 

DEAL #1: MY LITTLE VALENTINE STAMP SET EXCLUSIVE. Get the Sealed with Love Simply Sent Kit FREE ($7.95 value, pictured below) when you purchase the brand-new My Little Valentine Set ($9.95). This four-piece set was created exclusively for this promotion and will not be available again after January 21! No limit!
The My Little Valentine Stamp Set is only available in clear-mount. Stamp images shown below:

Item	Description	Price
132242	My Little Valentine (English; clear-mount)	$9.95
132245	Enamorados (Spanish; clear-mount)	$9.95
132248	Mon petit amour (French; clear-mount)	$9.95

DEAL #2 VALENTINE TREAT BUNDLE. This special bundle offer contains the brand-new Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp (coordinates with the Stampin' Up! Full Heart Punch, #119883 which is NOT included in the bundle) and a package of 1" x 8" cellophane bags. No limit on the number of bundles you can order! The Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp and bundle deal are ONLY available through Jan. 21. To get the bundle pricing, use item #132771.

Bundle Item	Description	Retail Value	Special Bundle Price
132771	Valentine Treat Bundle Includes the Happy Valentine Heart Single Stamp (clear-mount) and 1" x 8" cellophane bags	$7.45	$5.95

 

 

Get yours today and start crafting something from the heart for your special Valentine!