ONLY 23 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas is right around the corner!  Are you ready?  It's time to finish up those cards you've been working on, wrap the gifts, decorate the house and bake some yummy cookies!  Whew!  Probably not all in one day, though. LOL!  Here's a few fun card ideas for you!

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More Christmas Bling!

As promised, here are a couple more of the cards I have made and are offering for sale this Christmas.  They are available as individuals for $2.50 each plus shipping or in sets of 10 matching cards for $23 plus shipping.  Contact me for more details and more designs if you are interested.
**Note:  The design for the snowflake card was CASED from someone, but I don't remember where I found it.  If it's yours, please let me know!  :)

Christmas is Coming!

Well, I'm finally posting some of the beautiful Christmas cards made for the sale at church!  We raised $786 for families in need in the community with the sale of our cards!  An additional $750 was donated by Thrivent Financial, giving us a total of $1536.   More cards are continuing to sell, raising the total in the fund each week.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  The money will surely be put to good use.

Now, here are a couple of my favorite cards . . .I do LOVE snowflakes!  Check back soon for more Christmas bling!

12 TIPS FOR TERRIFIC CARDS

12 TIPS FOR TERRIFIC CARDS!

1. Be clean! Keep your hands and work surface clean. Keep your tools clean and free of smudges (ink pads, markers, etc.).

2. Be smudge-free! Make sure your ink is completely dry before closing your card. If you do have smudges on your card, try to remove them with a white eraser like Stampin’ Up! Pastel eraser. If that doesn’t work, re-do it. It’s only paper!

3. Bling! Add something special to your card, but don’t overdo--clean and simple is beautiful. A little bling goes a long way!

4. Be sharp! Make sure your cutting tool is sharp and not fraying the edges of your paper. Use a sharp scissors for cutting ribbon so it does not fray.

5. Little things mean a lot! Cut ribbon at a pretty angle when finishing your card. Be sure to line up your edges so your images are straight and even. Blush the edges of cardstock to create depth and interest. Need help with blushing? Just ask!

6. Quality shows! Always use high quality cardstock (80 lb. paper is ideal). Your paper should have a nice, smooth surface to accept the ink. If your image doesn’t seem dark enough, your paper may be the problem. Envelope quality matters, too. The difference will show in your finished product.

7. Image is everything! Be sure your stamped image is sharp and clean. If not, re-do it. It’s only paper! If you consistently get a poor image, check your stamp and your paper to determine where the problem is. If the stamp is damaged, don’t use it. If the problem is your paper, you need a better quality cardstock.

8. Detail! Detail the inside of your card. Include an extra layer, blush the edges, stamp an image that coordinates with the front of your card, etc., but avoid lots of shapes or busy lines. Place your sentiment just slightly above center for the best presentation.

9. Decorate! Decorate your envelope to match your card. Keep it simple, though. Do not put anything on the outside of the envelope that might get caught in postal machines.

10. Be Postal friendly! If you are using buttons or brads, be sure they will not poke through your envelope in the mail. If they might poke through or prevent the envelope from lying flat, include a piece of bubble wrap inside your envelope to protect the card and get it safely through the post office machines.

11. Final look! Take a final look at your project when complete. If it doesn’t meet the above criteria and have a professional look, make changes!

12. Break out! Do all of your cards have a similar look? Break out of your comfort zone and try a different technique!

Your extra effort will show in your beautiful, professional-looking card!

Back to School

Sorry it's been so long since I posted anything, but I've been kind of meeting myself coming and going.  Today I take my son back to Mizzou for another school year.  Tomorrow the local schools start and my other son begins high school! 

Yesterday the group Circles of Care Ministry stamped cards at church and we created some lovely designs to send out to congregation members who need a smile.  Some of the cards will be available for sale.  We are getting ready to launch our Christmas card marathon.  We will make sets of 10 Christmas card sets to sell at our fall sale.  Proceeds go to help those in need in our congregation and the local community.  I will post some of these designs in the near future!

See you soon!

More Goodies to Share!

Here are some more of my new favorites.  I'd love to know which ones YOU like the best!  If you have a favorite, tell me!

Happy Bird-day!  This is one of the really fun cards!  I sent it to my Aunt Phyllis for her birthday.  It uses such fun, bright colors!  Can you pick them out?

Base:  _____?
Textured layer:  _____?  Embossing Folder:  ____?
Stamped images on:  _____?
Designer Paper:  _____?
Ribbon:  _____?

This should be a super easy quiz.  If you couldn't answer any of these questions, you need to spend more time with your catalog!

This is a lovely but simple wedding card made with Woodland Walk Designer Paper.  I plan to do lots more with this lovely paper.  It just has a beautiful, peaceful feeling about it.  This design just looked like a bride's boquet to me.

This is a fun, bold card!

 

Hee hee!  This card started out to be my masculine card!!!  Can you believe how it turned out?  It just goes to prove that the card really does create itself.  You are just the tool! 

And I have saved my favorite for last!  I know, I know, lots of them are my "favorite," but although this card is super simple, the colors and the message just pop for me!  I hope you enlarge the image on your screen so you get the full effect.  This is the outside. . .

. . . and this is the inside.  What a wonderful mesage!  It would be great for graduation or new job or any encouragement for a major step in life.  Hey, you know. . . what about a wedding?  Hmmm.  Think about it.  Why do wedding cards have to be all bride and groomy?  This would be a great message for a new couple starting their life together!  Just imagine the possibilities . . .

I hope you've enjoyed all the new cards.  Goodnight for now.  Be sure to tell me which card(s) your favorite!

A Few New Cards For You

The Key to My Heart is Love!

Because I Care

(totally CASED)

Because I Care
with Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper in an easel card.  I also used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and the Scallop Trim Border Punch.   Oh, yeah!  The flower is the Simple Flower Embosslit, and the buttons are the Brights Designer Buttons.  I just love all the cool new buttons and brads!  I think a little *bling* can just make a project!

Just for You

Cute by the Inch with Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper, Concord Crush, Pumpkin Pie & Whisper White paper, Brights Designer buttons, and  Peach Parfait 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon.

Tip:  Pumpkin Pie and Peach Parfait are perfect complements to each other!

A couple more cards CASED from the catalog!

 This thank-you uses Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy and Blueberry Crisp Designer Paper.  The flowers were made from Punched Posies and the stems are from the Two-Step Bird Punch.  Oh how I just LOVE that Blueberry Crisp DP!  I think I'll create an entire class around it.  The "Thanks" is from the Perfect Punches set and the button is again from the Brights Designer Buttons.  I have used those a lot!!!

Vacation

Hi!  I'm on vacation in the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Tennessee visiting with all my family.  There are 62 of us in all!  Only a few didn't make it for the reunion vacation.  Just spent the entire afternoon stamping with my Aunt Phyllis.  LOTS OF FUN!!!  We have made some darling cards to share.  Will post them when I get home.  Check back next week!  :)

Today was the kick-off for the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!  What a fun time we had working with the new colors and stamp sets!  I finally got my Big Shot, so that was a fun new toy also!  Woo Hoo!  Everyone left with lots of goodies:  Designer Paper, Stamps, Coupons, Paper Samples, and their own personal Make & Takes.

I am extending my special hostess offer to you . . .  If you host a workshop before August 31, in addition to all your other hostess gifts, I will also give you a FREE Color Coach!  (minimum sales of $200)  You need never be intimidated or confused by color again.  The new Color Coach is filled with helpful combinations.

Here is one of the cards I showcased.  This is made from the beautiful Level 1 Hostess Set, Because I Care.

This is another one of my samples I showcased.  This card uses the Level 1 Hostess Set, It's The Thought, from the Summer Mini-Catalog.  Note the cute little coffee cup at the top.  That is from the Itty Bitty Bits set, punched out with the small circle from the Punch Pack, and mounted on one of the Bitty Buttons. 

NEWSPRINT DP SNEAK PEEK

Here is one more sneak peek of a card made with the new Newsprint Designer Paper, Cherry Cobler Textured, Crumb Cake and Basic Black.  It is simple, yet fun and works well for masculine birthdays.  The owl is from It's The Thought Hostess Set, Happy Birthday is from Fundamental Phrases, and 4 You is from the Tiny Tags Set.  I used Early Espresso ink to add a little dimension and "age" to the lighter portions of the card.  I would love to hear what you think about this card and the others I have posted here.  Please send me any comments you may have!  The feedback is very helpful.

ANOTHER SNEAK PEEK

Here is one more sneak peek from the "Cute by the Inch" set and the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper.  I was trying to find a way to use this super busy pattern without overwhelming the card.  I used Marina Mist as the base and layered on Early Espresso, then Poppy Parade.  Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso were used for the "friends" sentiment.  Hmmmm . . . it kind of grows on you . . . Well, at least it's different.  What do you think?  Has anyone else come up with some cute cards using that DSP?  If so, please post a link here.  I'd love to see them!

CUTE BY THE INCH--SNEAK PEEK!

Here is one more.  This card is made using the Level 2 Hostess Set "Cute by the Inch."  Lots of darling 1" square images to use in that set.  The cardstock is Marina Mist, Whisper White, and Basic Black.  I love to use punches!  Here I used the Scallop Square Punch and the 1 1/4" Square Punch.  Oh, yeah, the ribbon is Marina Mist also!  Super easy to put together and great for men or women!

ENJOY THE JOURNEY--SNEAK PEEK!

OK, here is one of the cards I made using the Level 1 Hostess Set "It's the Thought" from the Summer Mini-Catalog.  The cardstock is Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White and Concord Crush.  I also used the Perfect Punches set and the Happy Graduation stamp.  The turtles were colored with markers and that piece of ribbon is 1/2" Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon that is, unfortunately, not returning in the new catalog.

COORDINATING COLORS

One of the most common problems stampers seem to have is figuring out how to coordinate colors.  I have added a COLOR LAB button on the right for you to use. You can go there and select SU colors and it will show you different combinations for those colors. It is fun to play with. Once you have a color combo you like you can save it to the database and by clicking on the star rating and you can vote for that combination.

Another wonderful tool is the new Color Coach that will be available in the new catalog July 1.  It offers some very helpful information on coordinating colors for your projects.  Be sure to include that item on your first order from the new Idea Book & Catalog!

Thanks for the link info, Mary!

A-N-T-I-C-I-P-A-T-I-O-N . . .

.  .  .  IT'S MAKIN' ME WAIT.  .  .  Anyone remember that song?  They used it in a ketchup commercial, I think.  Hee hee!  Well, I have some darling cards just sitting here waiting to share with you.  I just need to photograph them!!  My plan is to feature all the new colors by the time I have my open house on July 1.  I just get so sidetracked looking at all the wonderful blogs out there!  I also spent a long time today re-organizing and labeling my supplies.  Check back soon .  .  .

Today I am working on reorganizing my Stampin' Stuff!  Retiring items need to be relocated and new items take their place.  I have some of the new stamps and paper already (the advantage of being a demonstrator) and am creating some lovely samples to share.  I will post them soon!

MAKING CARDS FROM SCRAPS!

I just LOVE this card that I CASED from Anne Laflamme @  http://www.carteatout.blogspot.com/. My version was designed entirely from scraps in my scrap box. You can't see some of the detail well because, again, this was a scan and not an actual photo.  The Pretty in Pink foreground paper is textured and the gift bags are raised at a bit of an angle so the top is raised a little more than the bottom.  I did this by layering the bags over one another and placing only 2 dimensionals on the bottom corners of each bag.  With the tissue behind it, the effect was perfect!  This was one of the cards I used in my class Making Great Cards From Scraps!  I love it when I make a great card from scraps.  Think about it:  Scraps are something you might have thrown away!  What a great way to recycle!

HELPFUL TIP: To make good use of your scraps, simply choose a stamp set you would like to use. Then sift through your scraps and pull out small pieces that look good together. Think about one large image on your card and using the smaller pieces for dimension and interest, or utilize your designer paper for background and interest. Combining smooth and textured paper also creates interest in your card. You choose the stamp and let the card create itself. Enjoy!

YAY!  MY ORDER FROM THE NEW CATALOG IS ON ITS WAY!  I can't wait to work with it to create projects for my open house on July 1.  I am a little concerned that a couple of items are on backorder and I had definately planned to use those items for projects.  Keeping my fingers crossed they get here in time!

Very Thankful Set

OK here is the image of the darling thank-you card made with the Very Thankful set.  What a cute little turtle!  The image isn't perfectly clear because I scanned it, instead of actually photographing it.  The strips are textured with a Stampin' Up! Texture Plate.  I used Old Olive, Basic Black and Whisper White paper; and Watercolor pencils and an Aqua Painter with Old Olive ink to color the turtle.  The circle is punched through the front layers of the card and the turtle is actually adhered to the inside of the card.  I wanted to make it fun!  The accessories are also Stampin' Up!

I am now trying to finish making my son's Thank You's for his Confirmation gifts.  He still has to write in them after I finish my part!  I am making good use of the Very Thankful set, that's for sure!  It is such a darling set.  If you don't have it, be sure to order it before it's gone forever.  As soon as I finish these, I am on to working on fun projects for the OPEN HOUSE!  YAY!  If you are in the O'Fallon, Missouri, area, please stop by.  Email me for details! 

I wanted to show you the Very Thankful card, but am having trouble uploading it.  Maybe tomorrow I'll have more luck.  Too tired to work with it anymore tonight. 

New Catalog

I have the new catalog!!!  Come to my open house on July 1 for more details about the great new products, colors, punches, etc., from the new Idea Book & Catalog!  Pre-order your catalog TODAY for a 50% discount!

I am new at this blog-thing, so it will be a while before everything here is smooth.  Please feel free to leave comments or email me with any suggestions you may have for me to make this site better for you.  I will try to get some of my recent cards posted soon.  If you are in the St. Charles/O'Fallon area, the next class is Monday, June 7, focusing on making great cards from SCRAPS!  E-mail me if you are interested in joining us.  I look forward to hearing from you soon!

LAST CHANCE ITEMS!

The Last Chance Items are now available!  Hurry and order your favorites before they are gone forever!  They are available until June 30 ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
LAST CHANCE ITEMS

This is a fun card I made for a birthday with a long-since retired set.

This is one of the cards I made using the Morning Soft stamp set from Stampin' Up!  It is one of my favorite "thinking of you" cards.

First Post

Please bear with me. This site is under construction. Come back in a week or so to see what I have done!