Day Of Gratitude

Remarkable Holiday Madness Blog Tour - Day 6

This is not my original idea, and I apologize that I do not know who first came up with because I would like to give her/him all the credit the idea.  I tweaked it a little bit, but basically it's a complete Stamp-lift (like shoplift, but nicer and not illegal).  I wanted to add it because I think it's important to know that it's OK to copy other people's idea....I've often told you that I rarely have my own original creations.  They all stem from something I've already seen, or a combination of ideas.  You CAN be creative...just start Stamp-lifting!

It's super simple to recreate, which is why I chose it, but it has a very detailed look about it.  Your friends will think you spent more time on it than you did.  You will notice that I did the 'brush tip marker matting' technique on the punched out sentiment.  I love to mat my projects and SU hasn't come up with mat punch (yet) for the new XL Decorative Label punch (Holiday Mini page 25).  To help this show up I just run the brush end of the Stampin' Write Marker (IB&C) along the edge of the punched out shape.  This helps it stand out even if you don't use Stampin' Dimensionals to lift it like I did here.  The two pieces of card stock are from the Autumn Spice DSP again.  The ribbon is over the seam where they meet and cinched up with Linen Thread that is wrapped around it and knotted before using it to 'sew' on the button (also from the Holiday Mini).  The leaves are from the Sizzix die Leaves #2 (IB&C page 213) which I then used a sponge to highlight the edges, and then shaped them a bit with my fingers to give the dimension.  They are also on with Stampin' Dimensionals.

 Enjoy the rest of today's ideas.  Hope you come back tomorrow for the last day of the tour.

A Bag Of Friendship

Remarkable Holiday Madness Blog Tour - Day 5  

Here's what you'll need for today's project.  OK, yes email me for a full list.  I just didn't want to type it all today.   You will also not see as much detail in this post, there is just way too much in this fun little book.  It may not seem like a "Holiday" related project but, since I think it makes a fun gift for someone during the holidays, I hope it's OK that I included it today.  This idea as a Holiday book would be easy to personalize by someone's name, a family tradition, etc., after all you can make it as large or as small as you want...just keep adding decorated bags with more letter tags!  (see below)

The book is made with the Mini Lunch Sacks & Autumn Spice DSP from the Holiday Mini catalog (page 12). The Define Your Life stamp set (IB&C Page 161) definitions with each letter worked great!  It kept the look consistent and made it so EZ to tie in the letter to the adjoining page!   I hope you like it!

 Everything you see is made with Stampin' Up! products - the adhesives, ribbons, paper, card stock, diecut letters, definitions, punches, glossy, glittery, or fuzzy, finishes, etc etc etc...why would I use anything else?  Stampin' Up! has all I need to create wonderful Holiday Gifts this year!  (OK, the big rings are from an office supply store). 

Here are a few photos to show the how the letters pull out of the bags, and a few finished pages too.

 Now....who am I going to give this to? 

See you tomorrow for more fun....enjoy the rest of today's ideas!

Design-a-House

Remarkable Holiday Madness Blog Tour - Day 4

I knew immediately that I wanted to play with the new Decor Accents Design-a-House from the Holiday Mini Catalog (page 37).  I can't believe it only costs $5.95!!  What A Bargain!!!

I have seen many beautiful designs by other Stampin' Up! demonstrators - many gingerbread houses and haunted houses that would knock you out with their creativity.  Well, because I do not want to even try to compete with theirs (Hey, I have feelings ya know LOL), I decided to make a replica of my house, sorta.

I  used the Deck The Halls fabric from the Holiday Mini, like yesterday's nite lite sample, for the door, roof & chimney.  The 'siding' is made from the 1/2" Seam Binding (Mini page 21).  The window trim & other white trims are made from fun foam bought at a local craft show.  The land is from a foam core poster board that I cut with my Hobby Blade (IB&C page 199) then used a mix of ink pads (Pear Pizazz, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, & Always Artichoke) I just rubbed the pads directly onto the board to make it look like grass....my real grass isn't all one beautiful color either. Pine cone trees from the tree outside my daughters apartment and the sidewalk is made a sheet of Deck The Halls Designer Series Paper (Mini page 18) - add in some 'moss' with my Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker (IB&C page 169).  

Want to see the inside?    Great, come on in- my alter ego is waiting on the sofa to greet you!    Oh, and check out that cute little door knob.........it comes in kit!  How Cool Is That?

 Wall paper from Deck the Halls DSP, Drapery from the matching material, photo, and a chandelier too (made from the snowflake punch, and 2 Basic Pearl halves combine to make that center drop, and you can't see it, but the Basic Rhinestones are the bulbs, both from the Jewels (IB&C page 188).  OK....there are too many products to keep typing them all out - but all of the furniture, including the 'glass' table are made with Stampin' Up! products, punches, and Big Shot dies.  The 'homeowner' is from a retired set and the copy of the IB&C on the table...printed from my computer (reduced in size of course)  Here's the rest of the house.....

One thing you may not know is that the Decor Accents Design-a-House also comes with patterns!  This makes designing your house so EZ.  I am only showing a small part of the patterns.  You can't see all the pieces, and I want to point out that there are separate window patterns for the windows (and all windows) that you see in this photo.  Stampin' Up! really thought this kit through! Love It!

Off to work on more projects . . . see you tomorrow!  Until then, enjoy the rest of today's tour.

Light Up Your Day - with Fabric!

Remarkable Holiday Madness Blog Tour - Day 3

When I first heard about the fabric that was added to our product line I was excited, and nervous.  I am a crafter.  I love stampin' but I also love sewing, quilting, needle work, you name it!  I have dabbled in almost all things craft. However, how could I use this new product line in my business without dragging my sewing machine to a hostess party? Well....I often carry a quilting square given to me as a thank you gift from Stampin' Up! employees at the warehouse (I'm not the only one who got one).  But today's tour shows one of my first fabric projects . . . and tomorrow you'll see my 'house' of fabric!

 I started with this little night light I bought a long while back in the discount section of a local store.  I had every intention of changing the cover but never could find the right look . . .

Well....when I saw the fun fabric from the Holiday Mini Catalog, Deck the Halls (page 16) I was sure I was going love the style (I love 'old world' stuff).  So here's what I did with it.

I use the pink cowboy fabric as my pattern and the adhesive, my favorite heavy duty guy - Stick Strip (IB&C page 197).  I put the tape on the edges of the fabric.  The Crochet ribbon (Victoria - IB&C page 190) & 1/8" Taffeta (page 191) were added afterward with mini glue dots.  It's been over a month and it's holding up without any problems!  I love it and I think it goes with my plans for a French Country makeover in my bathroom!

What do you think?

I hope you will continue the tour and stop back here tomorrow to see what's next!

BINGO!

 RemARKable Holiday Madness Blog Tour - Day 2

I love this fun Bingo Card (Holiday Mini Catalog page 30) stamp and I have seen some adorable cards created with it, however . . . 

       . . .  I wanted to stay true to what it is....a Game!  So I thought about what events this could be customized for and I created just a few of them for you.  There were a variety stamp sets and colors used to create them so if you are interested please email/call me for that information.

A Birthday Party - I chose a child's version, but it could be adjusted for every age and every party (as long as your guests are not 'too cool' to have fun!)

 

A Valentine Party for kids or adults with this version:

Plus I like the little hearts I punched out to cover the squares!

 
For the customized cards you would need to make drawing squares of each symbol, or letter, in the game and just draw them out of a box (OH....I just thought of a fun idea for the box too...not time, gotta post for this tour. I'll post it later).
...but if you do a Christmas Bingo (shown below), why not just use the wood mount version of the stamps set Jolly Bingo Bits (Holiday Mini Catalog page 29) and draw them out the box!

 Some other ideas for this game:  If the word has less than 5 letters you could add a symbol like the I did in the Love sample, or squeeze letters together in one square like A-N-I-MA-LS.

Plants- with different plants in each square, great for a garden club party or meeting.
Religion - People or events (Jesus has two s's you could put a symbol of heart or a cross with the 2nd one), or put a scripture reference in each square and if you have that you read the scripture to the class.
Teaching tool, like the Animals example above with photos on the squares.
Personalize to your family's favorite place or events with the word PLACE at the top or you last name, like SMITH.  This is a great game for family night fun! 
Names: 5 letters is perfect like Diane,or more than 5 double up on letters like SH-A-R-O-N.  If it has double letters put them together in one square like B-O-BB-Y (symbol).

I think you get the idea....this stamp has E-N-D-LE-SS possibilities!  I'd love to have you share your ideas with me...drop me an email with a photo and I will share you sample on my blog showing everyone how creative YOU are!

I hope you enjoy today's tour....see you back here tomorrow!

Roll Out The Christmas Trees!

WOHOO!  Another Blog Tour Begins!

This will be a first for me, posting 7 consecutive days in a row.  WAIT!  Oh No!  Don't faint!  Do need some water?  Get back in your chair, now, are you OK?  Good...let's get started then . . .

Since the theme is Holiday Madness, I decided to start out with something simple, but fun.   These little trees range from 5 inches to slightly more than 9 inches.  The Paper is from the Holiday Mini Catalog, page 33, Specialty Designer Series Paper - Candy Cane Christmas. 

I don't know if you can tell, but the red dots on the tallest tree have glittered centers.  This is part of the paper as you can see the bottom photo.  I just punched them out with the flower shape from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (Idea Book & Catalog [IB&C] page 201).  I glued them on with Mini Glue Dots (IB&C page 197).  The star (XL punch IB&C page 203) is made of Brushed Gold card stock (IB&C page 170) & the Snowflake (XL punch IB&C page 200) from Real Red card stock (page 166).  The ribbon is 1/8" Taffeta in Real Red, I used glue dots to hold down the 'curl' in strategic areas.  The 'garland' is actually only touching the paper in the back where it's held in place with Mini Glue Dots (don't you love those little things?)  It's the Silver Tinsel Trim from the Holiday Mini Catalog, page 21)

The photo below shows how what I did to get the little flowers....you can get a LOT of flowers from one piece...I barely used three rows with very, very, little waste - seriously, you can punch out EVERY full dot!  WOW!  I did curl the edges of the flowers too.

Hope you enjoyed this simple and quick project(s)  for you Holiday decorating.  Click the link below to move through the other RemARKable Demonstrator blogs until you get back home to me.  Watch for my next blog tomorrow!

Circle of Thanks

I have a dear friend, John Hill, who I have known for over 30 years.  He has owned a Chemdry Carpet Cleaning franchise for even longer than that.  He recently went to my daughter's apartment and cleaned her whole place as a favor to us.  I decided that cookies and cake were not a good idea (His wife, Beth, watches his weight LOL).   So, I created 100+ little Thank You notes for him to leave at his clients house after he cleans for them.  He deserves more, but if he likes them I will keep supplied for as long as I can.  He is one wonderful friend and I hope he likes them....

So, If you want/need to have any of your carpets or rugs cleaned, please call my friend, John.

Chemdry Of Oak Hills

248 476-5559

Maybe he'll leave you one of these little cards.

If you want to learn how to make these great 

little note cards, email or call me!

Workshop Sample

Just a quick share of the Halloween card that everyone is making at my September workshops. 

It's a ton of fun and uses the Big Shot Top Note Die, Grateful Greetings stamps set, Bitty Bat Large & Decorative Label XL punches, Smooch Spritz Silver Foil, Pear Pizazz 1/2" stitched-poly ribbon (although some are using this in the color Concord Crush), Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper and card stock in Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, & Pear Pizazz.

Everyone is lovin' that Smooch Spitz!  

Can you blame them?