Stamp with Elissa

Have you made or bought your Christmas cards yet?

Big thanks to Jamie, MariAnn, Cheryl, Becky, & Henriette for bring lots of enthusiasm & fun to my "Twelve Days of Christmas" class yesterday!  We each made twelve beautiful, unique cards similar to the one shown above. 

If you haven't made or purchased your Christmas cards yet, now is the time to get started.  Here are some great options:

• Purchase the "Twelve Days of Christmas" kit to re-create the cards from yesterday's class.  Just $25 for local pick-up or $30 if you need it mailed.  You'll need to provide your own Christmas greeting stamps or rub-ons for the inside, but I'll discount the kit $5 if you purchase an appropriate greeting set from me at the same time.  Must be ordered from me by phone or email no later than 8pm Eastern time on Monday Nov 16th.
• Try our Holiday Photo Card Kit to create your own hand-crafted photo cards, or create your own design with one of our many holiday-themed stamp sets.  Order online anytime, or local customers can add their order to my current workshop order (call or email me by 8pm tomorrow).
• If you just CAN'T find the time to make your own cards this year, you can still send that hand-crafted look by purchasing finished cards from me.  I do not accept online or phone orders, but I will have a large selection of cards & gift packaging available at the Holiday Bazaar on December 5th. 

Regardless of the option you choose, I hope you have a GREAT time with your holiday cards this year--   Call, email, or shop online now to get started!

Cupcake Birthday Thank-You Card

These are the thank-you notes that I made for my daughter's second birthday--If you gave her a gift, they'll be in your mailbox shortly!  I liked that they were easy to make, have a gender-neutral color scheme, and really do look cute if I do say so myself! 

Here's the supply list:

• Stamps:  Wagon Full of Fun (only available through June 30th), Sincere Salutations
• Ink:  Basic Black (Craft & Classic); Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, & Bashful Blue markers.
• Paper:  Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, & Naturals White card stock; retired Designer Series paper*.
• Tools & Accessories:  Black embossing powder, embossing heat tool, powder pals, & embossing buddy; retired Sale-A-Bration 2009 Ribbon Bundle*.

*Suggested alternatives for the retired items I used:

• Designer Series Paper:  So Saffron Patterns DSP, Sweet Slumber Specialty Paper, Jackpot DSP, Washington Apple DSP, Flock Together DSP, Tea Party DSP, or Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin' Kit.
• Ribbon Bundle:  5/8" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon.

I did also do a couple of these cards using rub-ons instead of the "thanks so much" stamp for the greeting.  Depending on the color of the rub-on, you can put it in the same spot as the stamp or try it right across the ribbon.  Give it a try on your own cards, then post a comment or email me with a photo or a link!

Last Week to Purchase Retirng Stamps & Accessories

Stampin' Up! is retiring dozens of stamp sets and accessories on January 18th, most likely never to be seen again.  Plus, items from our Holiday Mini Catalog also disappear after January 18th, with only a select few making it into next year's Fall-Winter Catalog. 

If you have a wish list from your last workshop, or if you've just fallen in love with something from our Holiday Mini, please don't miss your chance to buy your favorites before they're gone!

To shop retiring stamp sets, you can browse the Alphabetical List, the List by Page Number, or the Online Ordering Page.

The retiring accessories are only available while supplies last.  Here's the current list:
Last updated January 13, 8:05am (MT)

Item #	Product Description	Availability
111377	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN
112012	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE
112088	ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE
102782	ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12	Not Available
104188	ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6
105384	ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*
104516	ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6
105381	ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*	Not Available
103977	BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*
103978	BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS
103981	BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
105446	BUTTONS RICH REGALS
105445	BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES
103604	DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12
102174	DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11
112465	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY	Not Available
112462	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH
112463	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS
112040	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA
112470	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU
112460	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA
112469	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES
112458	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY
112459	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY
112466	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD
112149	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER
112467	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK	Not Available
111355	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC
112039	DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT
112963	ELEMENTOS PARA TARJETAS DIAS FESTIVOS HECHOS A MANO SIMPLY SENT
106523	ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER
104104	ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI	Not Available
107298	ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM
110695	ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL
109115	ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL
103372	METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE
107925	ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*
109190	ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*
109180	ON BOARD SIMON UPPER
112086	ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL
107923	PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25	Not Available
104942	PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE	Not Available
104943	PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE
107273	PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE
104389	PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*
100391	PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE	Not Available
104830	RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL
104829	RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE
104828	RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK
104831	RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS
109037	RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH
110282	RUB ON ANCHORED
111806	RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS
111805	RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS
111417	RUB ON WORD FLURRIES
110283	RUB ONS TAKE NOTE
112193	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH
112186	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA
112068	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME	Not Available
112043	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET
112061	SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT	Not Available
112016	SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY
109868	SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES
103647	STAMPIN STORE MINI
105813	WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II
	Retiring Wheels
107212	MATEYS MAP
106749	BRIGHT BULBS
109672	BRONCO	Not Available
104100	MAKING TRACKS
108978	SANDY SHELLS	Not Available
110332	SNOW
101233	SNOWFLAKE
109694	SWEET STARS
111249	TAKE A NUMBER

*This item is discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

Don't miss out--Place your order today!

Teacher Gifts: Decorated Cocoa Packets

I made these super-cute decorated cocoa packets this evening as gifts for my daughter's teachers at her daycare center.  For the background, I simply cut Top Notes in Ruby Red card stock using my Big Shot, then scored them at approximately 3/4" and 1" from each end so that they'd wrap around the cocoa packets.  Then I used Riding Hood Red wide striped grosgrain ribbon as a "belly band", gluing down the loose ends at the front center so that they'd be hidden under the center medallion.  The main center accent was made with the Season of Cheer Rub-Ons onto a Mellow Moss 1-3/8" circle punch, then layered onto Always Artichoke & punched out with our Scallop Circle Punch.  Finally I wrote out the "to" and "from" using our White Gel Pen.

You only have a few days left to make your own cute stocking stuffers using Stampin' Up! products, so please call or email me right away if you need ideas.  Happy Stamping!

Snowflake Votive Candle Holder

As promised, here is another project sample from the gift ensemble that I created for my demo group's White Elephant Swap last Friday.  This particular item is a clear glass votive candle holder that I purchased from a craft store, then decorated with snowflakes from the Season of Cheer Rub-Ons.  It was quick & easy to make, but it looks great and makes a nice gift.  (Would have made a perfect stocking stuffer for my mom, or maybe a teacher gift, if I hadn't already given it away in this swap.)

If you'd like to order the rub-ons to recreate this project, don't forget to check out our current Free Shipping promotion & other great specials that I talked about in last Tuesday's post. 

Happy Shopping, & Happy Stamping!

What exactly is a "White Elephant"???

Well, I actually *do* know what a "white elephant" swap is, although I'm used to calling it a "Yankee Swap."  (And for the record, I hadn't heard of a Yankee Swap either until I moved to New Enland in 2001.)  But for those who don't know, this type of swap involves small wrapped gift items of whatever theme the host desires.  Everyone draws a number, and you take turns choosing a gift from the pile.  Each person has the choice of keeping the gift they chose or stealing a gift from someone else in the group.  The exact rules vary a bit from one group to the next, but it's generally the most fun if there is a LOT of stealing involved!

Anyways, the reason I even bring this up is that our local Demonstrator Group is doing a White Elephant Swap this Friday night as part of our annual Christmas Party.  We each have to bring three hand-stamped items in a hand-stamped container, preferably made with exclusively Stampin' Up! products.  Tonight I'm showing you the first of the items that I made, and I'll share the rest with you over the next few days.

This "3-D Top Note Candy Bag Card" is a shameless copy of the one designed by Andrea Walford and posted to her blog earlier this month.  I obviously changed the stamp set, and I used rub-ons instead of a stamp for the greeting on the inside of the card.  Plus I decided to use a cello bag instead of a paper one, but the efffect is still pretty much the same. 

Here's a photo of the inside:

 

And here's the full supply list in case you'd like to re-create it:

• Stamps:  Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories
• Ink:  Basic Brown, Ruby Red, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
• Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Naturals White
• Tools & Accessories:  Sizzix Big Shot, Top Note Bigs Die, Word Window Punch, Cello Bag, Sticky Strip, Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, AquaPainters, Season of Cheer Rub-Ons

Be sure to check back to my blog over the next few days to see the rest of the items I created!

Last Day to Save 20% on Rub-Ons!

In all your excitement about the Holiday Extravaganza Sale (which ends Monday December 1st), don't forget that the 20% Off Rub-Ons Sale ends TONIGHT November 30th at 11:59pm Central Time. 

Just spend $20 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, and you'll receive 20% off any & all rub-ons.  Don't miss out!

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Many of the Holiday Extravaganza Bundles appear as "sold out" online, but I can still order some of them through my Demonstrator Ordering System.  If you are having trouble ordering, please call or email me ASAP so that I can help you out.  If you leave me a message, please be sure to provide your credit card info (name, card number, billing address, & expiration date) or provide your cell phone number so that I can call you back.  Thanks!

Scrapbooking Saturday: Ornament Swap

 

I sat down today to scrap some holiday pictures from Christmas 2007.  This particular set is from the annual Ornament Swap hosted by the Young Adults Group at our old church in New Hampshire.  We do a traditional "Yankee Swap", which involves a lot of "stealing" gifts from each other--which is always good for a lot of laughs!

This layout uses some of my favorite new products, including the Big Shot die cut machine, Ski Slope Designer Series Paper, and Season of Cheer Rub-Ons (on sale for 20% off this month).  Plus I used my secret weapon, the now-retired Scrapbooking Paper-Saving Template, to create a great layout with minimal paper waste. 

Without further ado, here is the full supply list for this layout:

• Stamps:  Fun & Fast Notes, Whimsical Alphabet Lower (retired)
• Ink:  Basic Black & Chocolate Chip ink pads; Real Red, Old Olive, Ballet Blue, Chocolate Chip, & Summer Sun markers
• Paper:  Real Red, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, & Confetti White card stock; Ski Slope Designer Series Paper
• Tools & Accessories:  Sizzix Big Shot die-cut machine, Snowflake #2 Bigz Die, Top Note Bigz Die, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Season of Cheer Rub-Ons.

If you'd like to get your hands on the Scrapbooking Paper-Saving Template, please email me.  I'll be giving it away to anyone who attends my December Scrapbooking Class, as well as to anyone who orders $75 or more in scrapbooking products between now and the end of December.  Supplies are limited, so contact me today!

Save 20% Off Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons

 

Rub on some cheer in honor of Stampin' Up!'s 20th Anniversary!

Now through November 30th, get 20% off all Rub-Ons when you spend $20 on Stampin’ Up! products.  For only $8.76 per package (regularly $10.95), you can get any of Stampin’ Up!’s fun and unique Rub-Ons that can be used on cards, scrapbook pages, gift items, & home decor.

Shop our full collection of Rub-Ons now, and place your order today!

Art Made Easy with Rub-Ons

Alright, I admit it.  I've been a bit squeamish when it comes to venturing out into the world of stamped 3D art pieces & home decor. This project actually started out at my upline's Team Day about 2 years ago, and it didn't get finished until just this week!

The base of this project is an 8x10 framed canvas, which you can pick up inexpensively at any art supply store.  (Just be sure not to venture down their stamping or scrapbooking aisles, because Stampin' Up! products are WAY better than whatever you might find in a store!)  The background was created with 2" squares of our Oxford Designer Series Paper, which retired a while back.  This was as far as I ever got with the project originally, and I honestly can't even remember what the piece was supposed to look at when it was finished. 

So, fast forward to this week, when I came across the canvas and decided that I either needed to finish it or donate it to my church's yard sale.  It dawned on me that this would be the perfect opportunity to play with my rub-ons, so I pulled out the "Love & Happiness" set (also retired) and got to work.

The result is what you see here, although I don't think the digital photo really does it justice.  It only took me about 10-15 minutes to complete, and I think it's nice enough to display in my home or even give as a gift to a friend.

If you haven't yet tried rub-ons for yourself, I encourage you to order some and just "play" like I did here.  I promise that you won't be disappointed!