Sneak Peek Week: Going Global Masculine Card

Here's another sneak peek and another make and take from the Stampin' Up! OnStage event in November. I can't remember what the original card was supposed to look like. I took the pieces home and did my own thing.

We used the embossing folder like a stamp! We put the Sahara Sand ink pad directly to the embossing folder, put the Sahara Sand cardstock inside and pressed down to transfer the image from the embossing folder to the cardstock. We did not actually put the embossing folder through the Big Shot, like I did on this Fancy Fan card. Then I added a few stamped images from the Going Global stamp set to complete the background.

Even if you don't get this stamp set, the #140581 Going Places Designer Paper Stack will be a must-have for creating masculine cards in the new year. Since it's a 6" x 6" stack, you can choose from 24 patterns (12 double-sided designs) without breaking the bank.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: #140748 Going Global stamp set, Shara Sand ink & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Lost Lagoon ink, Basic Black ink, #140581 Going Places Designer Paper Stack, #138289 World Traveler Embossing Folder, Neutral Designer Sequins, 2-1/2" Circle Punch


Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!  
 

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!

Pocket Sketch Challenge #3: Occasions Catalog Sneak Peek Grateful Bunch Card

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the last Pocket Sketch Challenge! My favorite is LeAnne's glitzy birthday card. Congratulations! LeAnne will receive the Pocket Full of Sketches #2 book for for free!

It's time for another chance to win! I have a new sketch and a new challenge for you this week. And once again, I had fun playing with new products and made a new card just so I could show off some brand new products from the Occasions Catalog.

I stamped and cut out a few extra leaves to fill out the bottom of this flower stem. Since the color of the extra leaves looked a little different, I cut out a couple more to place over the stamped leaves at the top to make it less obvious that I added the extra leaves on the bottom.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:  #140691 Grateful Bunch stamp set, Blackberry Bliss marker & cardstock, Old Olive ink & cardstock, Hello Honey ink & cardstock, Calypso Coral ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, #141022 Wildflower Fields Designer Paper (SAB), Subtles Candy Dots, #140612 Blossom Bunch Punch

Save 15% when you buy Grateful Bunch stamp set and Blossom Bunch Punch together! Use Item #140801.

Play along for your chance to win a free Pocket Full of Sketches #2 Book (or get it FREE when you order $40 or more from my Online Store in December 2015) Here's this week's layout:

You can use the layout to inspire you, but if you would like the convenience to using the same cutting measurements that I did, you'll need the following pieces (colors refer to my card above for reference):

• 4-1/4" x 11" Blackberry Bliss cardstock
• 2" x 4" Old Olive cardsdtock
• 2" x 1-1/2" Designer Paper
• 1/2" x 2-3/4" Whisper White cardstock

Now it's your turn! Create a card or project inspired by this layout and add a direct link to your post below. Be sure to share my sketch challenge graphic and link back to this post so your friends know how to play along too! Link up by next Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 11:55 pm. I'll select my favorite entry and that person will win a free copy of the Pocket Full of Sketches #2 book!

Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime! 

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!

Sneak Peek Week: Bloomin' Heart Wedding Card

At the On Stage Event in November, demonstrators were the first see the Occasions Catalog an the first to play with some of the new products. This heart was one of our four make and takes. We die cut the heart and stamped the coordinating flowers from the Bloomin' Love stamp set. I added the heart to this card at home. Since I didn't buy the Bloomin' Love stamp set, I added a greeting from the B.Y.O.P. stamp set to create this card that can be used for a wedding.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: #140643 Bloomin' Love, #137159 B.Y.O.P.
Ink: #131172 Blushing Bride, #126976 Sahara Sand
Car1dstock:  #131198 Blushing Bride (4-1/4" x 11"), #121043 Sahara Sand (3-1/2" x 4-3/4"), #100730 Whisper White (3-3/4" x 5")
Accessories: #140548 Love Blossoms Designer Paper Stack, #119246 Rhinestones, #140621 Bloomin' Heart Thinlits, #140603 Big Shot Die Brush, #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals


Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!

Sneak Peek Week: Party Wishes Birthday Card

Welcome to Sneak Peek Week! I've got new card ideas to share with you all week until the Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-bration promotion start on January 5th. Did you get your catalog in the mail yet?

The very first product suite featured in the 2016 Occasions Catalog is the Party Wishes suite. You're going to love this fun designer paper stack -- with 48 (!!) 12" x 12" sheets. The Party Wishes stamp set has a coordinating mini punch pack and an embossing folder -- all of which I used on this card.

 

I stamped the candles in Mint Macaron and then punched them out with the Party Punch Pack. 

TIP: Use the Fine Tip Glue Pen is a great way to adhere these tiny pieces to your projects.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

• Stamps: Party Wishes (Clear:140961; Wood: 140561)
• Paper: 
• 138337 Mint Macaron (4” x 11”)
• 100730 Whisper White cardstock (3” x 3 ¾” + scraps)
• 140552 It’s My Party Designer Series Paper Stack (2½” x 4”)
• Ink:  131173 Crushed Curry, 126948 Melon Mambo, 138326 Mint Macaron
• Other: 140592 Confetti Embossing Folder, 140608 Party Punch Pack, 140555 Baker’s Twine Combo Pack, 138399 Silver Sequin Trim, 104430 Stampin’ Dimensionals, 103683 Glue Dots

Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!  
 

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!

Merry Christmas!! & Flurry of Wishes Emboss Resist Card

It's Christmas Eve...well, actually, technically I think it's Christmas morning! I just finished playing Santa for my four darlings and before I get a few winks of sleep, I wanted to post real quick to say Merry Christmas!! I know that I will spend my day playing with the kids, making yummy food, and enjoying family time. I hope you get to spend time with the people you love this Christmas!

Here's one very last Christmas card for you. I was planning to do a video, but just ran out of time.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Flurry of wishes stamp set, Bermuda Bay ink & cardstock, Shimmer White cardstock, Versamark ink pad, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Heat tool, AquaPainter, Snow Flurry Punch, Rhinestones, Iced Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

I was inspired by a card that my mom did with her stamp club last month and made this up while I was there for Thanksgiving.

The technique is called Emboss Resist. I embossed the large snowflake in Whisper White embossing powder on Shimmer White cardstock and then used the AquaPainter to watercolor over it. The photo doesn't do it justice! It's gorgeous in person! See More Emboss Resist projects.

A little bit of housekeeping:

• Sneak Peek Week starts on Saturday, December 26th. Watch for new samples from the new Occasions Catalog every day! 
• I am skipping this week with the Pocket Sketch Challenge. Watch for the new challenge and announcement of last week's winner next Wednesday, December 30th.
• Thank you to everyone who has placed an order this month! I haven't had a chance to make up thank you's yet, but it's next on my list after my swaps, so watch for your free Sketch Book in the mail around the new year if you ordered $40 or more in December. (It's not too late to get yours free if you haven't placed your order yet!)
• Stampin' Up! added a few items to the Year End Sale earlier this week. Check it out.
• I've had a few people ask about my MDS Calendar. I'm a little behind, but still planning to make and send them for 2016. If you received the Occasions and Sale-a-bration Catalogs from me, you'll get a calendar too!

Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime! 

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!

Two More Christmas Cards: Stampin' Up! Dove of Peace & Peaceful Pines

Just a couple more Christmas cards to share and then I'll get into the rest of the Occasions Catalog Sneak Peeks!  I love these beautiful cards from Stampin' Up! and could not let Christmas pass without posting them! Did you finish all your Christmas cards and get them mailed yet?

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Dove of Peace stamp, Basic Black ink, Cherry Cobbler ink & cardstock, Old Olive ink & cardstock, Sahara Sand ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Circle Collection Framelits, Square Pillow Box Thinlit Dies (leaves), Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Triple Banner Winter Wonderland Embellishments, Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Filter Paper, AquaPainter

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Peaceful Pines stamp set, Whisper White craft ink & thick cardstock, Lost Lagoon, Old Olive ink & cardstock, Soft Suede ink, Delightful Dijon ink pad, Winter Wonderland Designer Vellum Stack, Perfect Pines Frameilts, Sleigh Ride Edgelets, Whisper White Baker's Twine, AquaPainter, Stampin' Dimensionals

Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!  
 

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!

Festival of Trees Christmas Card + Sketch Challenge Reminder

I made this card back in May and Christmas seemed so far away. I'm excited to finally be launching the Sketch Book and sharing it with all of you before Christmas. I created this card with one of the layouts from the book; it's the second layout in my Pocket Sketch Challenge. Participate in the challenge by making a card with the same layout and you could win the sketch book for FREE! (Or get it free when you place a $40+ order in my Online Store this month!)

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Festival of Tree stamp set, Petite Pairs stamp set, Cherry Cobbler ink & cardstock, Garden Green ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Gold Foil cardstock, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Tree Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Gold Ribbon

Time is running out to participate in this week's challenge! Make sure to post your card by Tuesday night! Here is the layout.

Click here to see the measurements that I used for this layout and enter your card for a chance to win a free Sketch Book. So far there are NO entries, so your chances are looking good!!

Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime! 

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!

Control Freaks Blog Tour: Occasions Catalog & Sale-a-bration Sneak Peeks

Are you ready for some sneak peeks!? I'm so excited to participate in this month's Control Freaks Blog tour because we are showcasing projects featuring the 2016 Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog Sneak Peeks! Whether you came from Mary Brown's blog or you are just joining the fun, you're in for a treat! Make sure to hop all the way through the tour to check out what we've created with all the great new products that will be available when the Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-bration promotion start January 5, 2016.

I have heard from many of you that your catalogs are starting to arrive in the mail. If you ordered from me in 2015, I have selected and paid for you to receive a catalog from Stampin' Up!. If you are not already working with another demonstrator and would like to receive copies of the catalog, please contact me!


I've been having fun playing with some new products that I received at the Founder's Circle Retreat in September. Check out this beautiful stamp set and designer paper!

Birthday Bouquet Designer Paper (#140557) + Birthday Blooms Stamp Set (#140658)

It's fitting that my first project was inspired by a swap I received at Founder's Circle. I love the simple gift card holder that Patty Bennett swapped. I updated for spring with the new goodies we got. You could tuck a small treat (like a cookie or some chocolates) in the front pocket and the note in the back.

It's super simple! I used the Kraft Tag a Bag Gift Bags (#138315) and folded the bottom up -- approximately 3" from the bottom. I wrapped a 1-1/2" x 10" piece designer paper around the bag and used the Handheld Stapler (#139083) to secure it in place. The card in the back is 4" x 4-1/4". I punched the top corners with the Curvy Corners Trio Punch (#139683). Check out this close-up! The new Wink of Stella (#141897) added a pretty shimmer to the watercolored flower image.

I used the same stamp set and designer paper to create these little gifts for my team who attended the On Stage event in November. On Stage is the training event for Demonstrators. We got to be the first to see the catalog and use the new products. It was so fun! I'm already looking forward to the next event in April.

I picked up these mini memo books at the dollar store. To pretty them up, I cut out two pieces of cardstock to cover the front and back covers. Then I wrapped a piece of designer paper around the binding. Be sure to use a strong adhesive so it doesn't pop off!

That's all I have for you tonight, but be sure to come back and visit for lots more Occasions Catalog Sneak Peeks in the coming week! For now, it's time to continue on with the tour and head over to see what awesomeness my friend Dawn Olchefske has created for you this month!

Stampin' Up! Supply Lists:

Kraft Gift Bag Pouch

Birthday Blooms stamp set (#140658), Basic Black Archival ink pad, Watermelon Wonder ink & cardstock, Mossy Meadow ink, Whisper White cardstock, Birthday Bouquet Designer Paper (#140557), Kraft Tag a Bag Gift Bags (#138315), Handheld Stapler (#139083), 2" Circle Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Wink of Stella Glitter Brush - Clear (#141897), Curvy Corners Trio Punch (#139683), Stampin' Dimensionals

Mini Notebook

Birthday Blooms stamp set (#140658), Mint Macaron ink & cardstock, Early Espresso ink & cardstock, Blushing Bride ink & cardstock, Sahara Sand ink, Whisper White cardstock, Birthday Bouquet Designer Paper (#140557), 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

12 Days of Christmas Teacher Gifts

Whew! I made it through another year of 12 Days of Christmas teacher gifts! It always seems like a fun idea when I first start, but by the end, I've packaged over 75 small gifts! Our elementary school teachers get one small surprise every day for the last 12 days of school before winter break. We included a couple specials (gym, music, art) teachers here and there and on the last day, all of the specials teachers plus all of my son's middle school teachers get something. It reminds me of pillow gifts on Stampin' Up! incentive trips. It doesn't matter if it's a small treat, just the anticipation and surprise makes it so fun! And it was worth all the work! I think the teachers really enjoyed it!

I didn't get pictures of everything as they went out the door. There were a couple that were not stamped in any way (gasp!). But here are photos of some of the 12 gifts.

I love this quick fold-over bags! I used the 135503 Polka Dot Bags (Reg: $3.95; SALE: $1.58)  in the Year End Sale. A pack of 10 is on sale for $1.58! Just fold the bottom up and staple it on each side to create a pocket. Make sure to pick up a package of the gorgeous 39597 Holidays Fancy Foil Paper (Reg: $11; SALE: $7.70) too. It's on sale until it runs out! I tucked cocoa in the big pocket and a couple chocolates in the small pocket.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: 140392 Versatile Christmas stamp set, 135859 Tree Punch, 119850 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 118874 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 139597 Holidays Fancy Foil Paper (Reg: $11; SALE: $7.70), 135503 Polka Dot Bags (Reg: $3.95; SALE: $1.58), 133787 Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, 139683 Curvy Corners Trio Punch

The biggest help in my early morning scramble (I tried to avoid it, but it was inevitable) was creating tags ahead of time with the Oh What Fun Tag Kit in the Holiday Catalog. And I happened to have two kits on hand! I didn't have the coordinating stamp set, so I used stamps I already had. Once I finished the tags, all I had to do was the rest of the packaging and clip on a tag and I was done!

Oh What Fun Tag Kit, #139602, Reg: $21; SALE: $14.70

Check out this video from Stampin' Up! to learn more about that Oh What Fun Tag Kit:
It's probably too late to order and receive the tag kit before Christmas this year (unless you live in Utah or a close shipping zone), but order it now and tuck it away for next year. It's on sale while supplies last! Woo hoo!

Additional Stampin' Up! Supplies: 139882 Holly Jolly Greetings stamp set, 133770 Gusseted Cello bag, 114319 Organza Ribbon 

I made up the Baker's Box and simply clipped on the tag. This box held a small jar candle. For the tags, I added a few pieces: the punched circle and tree are not part of the tag it.

Additional Stampin' Up! Supplies: 139821 Happy Scenes stamp set, 133785 2" Circle Punch, 135859 Tree Punch, 133764 Clothespins, 139279 Baker's Box Thinlits

There were candies in these mini mason jars. I decorated with stamped filter paper (#133706, Natural Filter Paper, Reg: $2.95  SALE: $1.19) I used the holly stamp from the November 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit.

 Additional Stampin' Up! Supplies: 139819 To You & Yours stamp set, (#133706, Natural Filter Paper, Reg: $2.95  SALE: $1.19), 133787 Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, 119868 1" Circle Punch

I used last year's November Paper Pumpkin kit to create tags for the box of chocolate and I used this year's November Paper Pumpkin kit to create these fry boxes (132966) with peppermint candies. Learn More.

I love these little notebooks! I cut down a junior size memo pad (approximately 5" x 7") so that it would fit into a clear mount stamp case (#119105). I decorated the cover and added coordinating paper to the top of the notepad. I'll make another one with new stuff and post a video so you can see it better!

Additional Stampin' Up! Supplies: 119105 Standard Stamp Cases, 124094 1" Square Punch, 133787 Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, 139586 Into the Woods Designer Paper (Reg: $11; SALE: $7.70), 138187 Schoolhouse Designer Paper, 119860 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 119854 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (retired alphabet stamp sets)

Other gifts included a retired Christmas Tag Stamp Kit, a decorated travel cup, and a gift certificates.

Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime! 

Year-End Sale!
Save up to 60% on Holiday Catalog Favorites + More!
View Sale Items
View Holiday Catalog Retiring Items (.pdf) 

Use Hostess Code R69ZAJ9C to get a FREE Sketch Book when you order $40 or more in December 2015.

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to "opt-in" to contact with me,  your demonstrator, so that I know who/where to send your free kit!