Merry Christmas Quilt Card

I still have several Christmas cards to show you. One of these cards is what I call a Christmas Quilt Card because I have used the SU square punch to arrange 12 different squares. I used the Holiday Treasures DSP - all 12 of designs! (This card is a variation of a card I made on my October 3rd post). The squares are adhered on a Chocolate Chip cardstock and then layered on a Real Red cardstock. The sentiment "A Very Merry Christmas" comes from the Punches Three set; and is stamped using the Real Red ink. I hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!

A Very Merry Christmas!

Six more days to go before Christmas - are you ready? Well, if you ask me, I am not so ready….. It has been crazy busy the last couple weeks… what with the girls, their school projects, and their after school activities. I have been up late a few nights also… working on my projects! Last night, the children’s choir at church had their concert (my oldest daughter plays the flute)! The children have practiced and worked hard… I thought I’d give them some treats (for all 22 of them!) See my picture. I used Kay’s milk carton creation; and gosh, when all those cardstock and ribbons and stamps were assembled, they sure looked delectable and hard to resist! The name tags were made using MS Word (font: Dauphin) and punched out with the small SU oval punch.





For my middle daughter’s giveaways, I bought twenty big Hershey bars and wrapped them in bright non-SU Christmas giftwrap. The red/blue/yellow/green giftwrap was for the boys; the pastel colored giftwrap was for the girls. (Do you recognize the poinsettia tags from my previous post? I love how the SU colors match even non-SU material). I am proud to say that my daughter’s classmate got giddy with what they received; some did not wait for dismissal and ate their bars at lunchtime! Hahaha. Here is how they look:







I know, I know. I’m tooting my own horn because I feel so proud of myself… For having survived the flurry of activities that come before my kids’ school winter break. Imagine, between yesterday and today, I gave away 22 carton treats for the choir kids, 20 wrapped big Hershey bars for my daughter’s second grade class, and 10 holiday treat boxes for ten different teachers.

The directions on how to make holiday treat boxes are on my friend Kay’s blog. Check it out. Really simple but comes out truly great! In my case I put round-shaped brownies inside cellophane bags. You can also put other things in there….

Look at my boxes below - aren't they pretty?

So am I done yet? Nope! I still have 10 holiday treat boxes to make for my neighbors, and a variety of monogram cards to stamp for my husband's family! You might think I'm crazy or something for putting myself thru this. But you know what, I'm actually having FUN! It's my favorite time of the year... Christmas ... when I can share what I have to people I care about... and sharing all these goodies made from Stampin' Up materials sure makes me feel great! And to hear the compliments from friends - that's simply priceless!


Thanks for stopping by...

Poinsettia Gift Tags

I'm getting ready for another holiday faire tomorrow. These tags are a sample of what we're selling. (The inspiration actually comes from my friend Kay; check out her blog. But I gave it my own spin...) I have used SU's 5-petal punch for the flowers and leaves; real red and pink pirouette cardstock for the flowers and old olive for the leaves. The rectangular tags are kiwi kiss and whisper white cardstock. If you look closely, I have attached yellow rhinestone crystals in the middle of the flowers. These crystals give the tags a lot more dazzle! I have used a non-SU stamp for the "To" and "From". Well, you probably will not like to tear out your gifts if they come with tags like these! Hihihi. Have a great day!

Christmas Giftcard Holder

I was at Ralphs this morning, shopping for tomato sauce and chocolate muffins, when I walked down the card aisle. A cute little yellow purse caught my eye - it was a gift card holder by American Greetings! It was being sold for $1.99. I scrutinized it and decided right there that I will make a giftcard holder the minute I came home! So I did. I tried to copy the one I saw - ugh, I did not like how it turned out. What was I to do? Well, I went online and searched on one of my favorite stampers' blog, ChicNScratch. And I found the one I like, click here to see the original. I updated it a bit and made it Christmassy. My finished giftcard holder measured 3" x 3.5" x 0.5". Just right to fit a giftcard! Like it?

Christmas Cards Part 3

My best selling card over this past weekend's Holiday Faire is one using non traditional colors. When we think of Christmas and/or the holidays, we think in reds and greens OR blues and silvers. Hahaha, not me! I have applied my favorite color combination (have you guessed it yet?) to Christmas cards.... and here is what I made! The base cardstock is Close to Cocoa with a hint of Pretty in Pink. The Christmas tree comes from the Snow Swirled set and is stamped in Close to Cocoa ink... The pink Swarovski rhinestones add so much sparkle and beauty to the card, that I myself can't stop looking at it! The sentiment "Season's Greetings" is from the same set, adorned with clear but smaller Swarovski rhinestones, and punched out using the large oval punch. I then layered it to a rectangular Close to Cocoa cardstock and used foam tape so it kinda pops up. A nice chocolate ribbon finishes the card...

Christmas Cards Part2

Another easy-peasy Christmas card! My base is an SU whisper white cardstock, layered onto a Purely Pomegranate cardstock. Purely Pomegranate is a retired color (ink, cardstock) but I love to use it, especially for Christmas Cards. With the SU 1 3/4" circle punch, I punched the front to make my window. Then I stamped the Holy Family image (from the set Seasons of Simple Grace) with purely pomegranate ink - on the inside of the card. Just make sure when you stamp, that the image can be seen thru the window! The matching double stitched ribbon is from Michaels. (Amazing that I can find colors to match SU stuff). The sentiment is also from the same set. Lastly I cut a strip of kiwi green from the Holiday Treasures DSP and adhered it to the cardfront to break the monochromatic colors. (The inspiration behind this card is from Patty Bennett's Oct 26 post).

You like how the card turned out? I do, and I am so glad I have a religious-themed Christmas card. Even gladder that SU sells these kind of stamps! After all, Jesus is the reason for the season!

Come back tomorrow for more Christmas cards!

Christmas Cards Part 1

When you drop by the Irvine Holiday Faire, you will see this card. (Click here to learn more about the Faire.) I have been making several Christmas cards, and I will try to feature each one on my blog. The card I'm showing here is easy to make. Although I'm not a fan of SU Baja Breeze, I love how this card turned out. I cut the Baja Breeze cardstock to measure 4.25" by 11", and folded it in half. Then I cut a smaller size of Baja Breeze DSP as my card front. The strip of chocolate chip polka dots comes from the Bella Rose DSP - don't you just love that DSP? The snowflakes are my favorite part - they're from SU Big Felt Flurries! I ran my two way glue pen on the snowflakes and dabbed SU dazzling diamonds ... and voila, instant glittery snowflakes! The pictures don't do justice. These wonderful snowflakes sparkle like crazy! I added filigree brads on the snowflake center. I have to admit, this is a one-stamp card. The "Merry Christmas" sentiment comes from the "Holiday & Wishes" set - I used Close to Cocoa ink and punched it out with the Large Oval Punch. There you go! (BTW, the inspiration from this card comes from Dawn Griffith's Oct 27 blog post).

Happy Halloween

My 11 yo daughter had a Halloween party for her Girl Scouts troop. And this is what I made for the girls. I wrapped big Hershey bars in SU Halloween DSP, cut a strip of cardstock, and adhered scallop circle tags stamped with images from the Batty For You set. I told you Batty For You is so useful! Hahaha, especially when I had 18 pieces (yes, gulp!) to make ....

Halloween Treats, Anyone?

My three year old son goes to preschool. His class will trick-or-treat nearby a senior center tomorrow... and I thought, isn't that sweet that the seniors light up because of the children and their colorful costumes? I will tag along and take pictures! So for his classmates, I have made some goody bags to give away ... His Montessori teacher discourages candies. So I have found a candy alternative!

Well, first of all, I cut small pieces of SU Whisper White and stamped images from the retired Booglie Eyes set... There's a witch, a Frankenstein, a ghost, and a mummy! Kids my son's age love to color anything... I figure I can't go wrong with these! Then I put them in a 4x6 clear goody bag with 3 crayons. The goody bags are from Michael's and the crayons are from good ol' Target. (y'know, 48 to 64 pieces of crayons are $4 and under... can't go wrong with that!) I also slipped in a Halloween sticker square that I found at Target. Lastly, for the topper, I cut SU cardstock into 4x4 squares, scored them at 2", folded them, and stapled them onto the goody bag! As my piece de resistance, I used SU's Batty For You set and the scallop circle punch. Gotta love SU's Batty for You set! It's really so handy and useful for occasions like this! (I also could have used SU Big Shot with the Top Notz Die... ugh, it's on my wish list, hahahah). And voila, I have my colorful and fun goody bags!

Of course, my two older daughters went, "whoa, that's pretty, mom! what about us?" Hahaha, which means tonight, I am gonna be working on theirs! You'll have to check back tomorrow and see!

O Christmas Tree

In the mood for Christmas yet? I am. The past week, I've been stamping nothing but Christmas themed cards. I have to get ready for the Holiday Faire - it's only 3 weeks away. And it's my excuse to stamp! LOL!

This card I'm showing today is simple. The base cardstock is SU whisper white and layered on it is Old Olive designer paper. (Which reminds me, I'm out of Old Olive DSP). The organza ribbon is from Michaels. The image comes from SU Deer Friends set, a Level 2 Hostess set, and it says "O Christmas Tree". I adhered a yellow (citrine) Swarovski rhinestone at my tree topper! I love how this turned out.... For Christmas, I love putting glitter and rhinestones on most of my cards.... And if you want to know where I buy my rhinestones at a great price, just email me. The price you pay for acrylic rhinestones at Michaels or Joanns is similar to what you'll pay from my source BUT you get the real deal (and in different colors too)! Can't top that!

Thanks for looking!

Scrap Day

Happy Friday! Whenever I stamp, I end up with lots of scrap paper… you know, those itty bitty pieces of cardstock and DSPs that I don’t seem to know what ever project I can use them on coz well, they’re itty bitty…. Does that ever happen to you? Yesterday I was on a roll… and made two cards that used a lot of my scraps. Yayy for me! While the sketches are not my original designs, I have to say that these sketches are very versatile. Just substitute the DSPs or cardstocks of your choice, scrap or not, and there… you get a new card!

Thankful

I've been juggling so many things lately.... The girls have their homework and their school projects plus their afterschool activities. There are days when I feel like I'm on the road 5 to 6 hours a day. Then our house is being remodeled... the fun part is seeing the progress. The not-so-fun part is staying on top of what the contractor needs, which includes deciding on every little detail like we make sure the lumberyard will deliver, that the workers cover the naked roof when it starts raining, that the windows are either single-hung or double hung. Then there are my volunteer duties (I will not list them out, hehe.) Then there's the Irvine Holiday Faire on November 7 and 8..... That means I have to make the cards I need to sell....

Yet despite all these, I'm still thankful that I'm here - happy and well and able to STAMP. Not as much as I like, but I've managed to get something done. I always remind myself that I'm blessed and that each new day brings a lot of good things. (Smile).

I have created two cards that kinda sums up how I feel. The first one is a black and white combo. It's rather simple ... but I know there are those of us who like monochromes once in a while.

Stamp: SU Friendship Blooms, Lots of Thoughts (Sale-a-bration 2008)

Paper: SU Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: SU Basic Black

Others: 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punchers, black stitched ribbon from Michaels.

The second card is kinda monochromatic too, but more reflective of Fall and Thanksgiving. My base is SU Kiwi Kiss - this color is a bit softer than the Old Olive. I was actually tempted to use Old Olive, then I thought that maybe I should branch out. LOL. The leaf image is from Denami Design. It's an old rubber stamp that I've had for years and years; and I bring it out whenever Fall comes around. The leaf was smudged with four different inkpads - can you guess what they are?

Stamp: SU Artfully Asian (sentiment), Denami Design Leaf (image)

Paper: SU Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: SU Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive

Others: Organza ribbon from Michaels.

Thanks for looking!

Little Pumpkin

Just look at this ADORABLE pumpkin! Wouldn’t it be fun to give this out as treats to your children, to your friends, or your officemates? Fill them up with your favorite candy or eraser or chocolate kisses… and voila! You have an instant treat!

I used Stampin' Up cardstock in pumpkin pie and chocolate chip; stamped the green leaf from Denami Design (it's an old stamp from years ago); and added silver brads to hold my pumpkin in place. No adhesive required. If you want to purchase a kit that makes 10 pumpkins, please feel free to email me.

Elzybell

When I saw this ice skater girl from A Muse Stamp, I had to have this! LOL! There are not too many cute girl skater rubber stamps out there..... And besides, my oldest daughter skates, so this card is for her.... This is the first time I used SU's Dazzling Diamonds... I have to admit, I must have poured a lot on that dress because it sparkles like crazy! Just right though, for a figure skater on ice!

Paper: Stampin' Up cardstock in Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; SU Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Close to Cocoa; Pretty in Pink marker

Stamp: Elzybell (A Muse Stamps); Snowmen and Snowflakes (Hero Arts); SU Warm Words

Punches: Scallop Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

Others: Dazzling Diamonds, White Gel pen, Brown grosgrain ribbon (Michael's)

So Many Scallops

Back in June, when Patty Bennett (see her blog here) gave me a Prints Pack Designer Series paper, I created my first set of 3" by 6" cards. And you remember the So Many Scallops set from last February's Sale-a-bration? I used the "So Sweet of You" and "Happy Birthday" stamps. I especially loved how the Real Red came out - it looks so vibrant and festive!

Halloween Accordion Card

Oh the cards I can make with Stampin' Up's BATTY UP FOR YOU stamps! Hi, you are looking at my version of a Handmade Accordion Card for Halloween. When folded, this card measures 3" by 6"; and when spread out, it measures 3" by 11" - lots of room for you to add messages/sentiments or even tiny pictures everywhere! The main cardstock is Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie. The designer series papers (DSP) are from SU's Ghostly Greetings set. The belly band (the one used to close the card) is made from Stampin' Up Basic Black cardstock and was punched with the Scallop Edge Punch. The scallop flower is also Pumpkin Pie layed with Basic Black; used 2 different SU circle punches. The stamped bat is from SU's Batty For You while the sentiment "Happy Boo To You" is from SU's retired BOOGLIE EYES. Again, this card measure size 3” by 6” when folded

Halloween Lollipop Covers

Hi, you are looking at my version of 10 Handmade Halloween Lollipop Covers. Each fabulous cover holds a standard size flat lollipop and measures approximately 3" by 3". I used Stampin' Up cardstock in Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White and Basic Black. The scalloped center image is from Stampin' Up's BATTY FOR YOU with the pumpkin and the words "You Light Up The Place with that Smile on your Face" around it. I used 4 different SU punches: the scallop circle, the 1 3/8" circle, the 1/1/4" circle, and the slit punch. Inside the lollipop cover, I stamped "Happy Boo To You" from SU's retired Booglie Eyes set.

Cupcake Thank you

Thank you cards. I used the "Simple Birthday Thanks" SU Stamp for this lovely thank you notes to fill in. Used "Chocolate Chip", "Whisper White" and "Pretty in Pink" paper as well as good quality pink rhinestones to sprinkle-stud the cupcake. The cherry top (colored with SU watercolor pencil and blender pens) was glazed with crystal effects glue to give that fresh look too.

Frankenstein Cards

ARE YOU READY FOR HALLOWEEN?!? Hi! This is my version of the ever popular Frankenstein monster! You are looking at a LOT of 4 Handmade Greeting Cards. I used Stampin' Up Old Olive for the face, DCWV cardstock in Purple for the hair, and SU Basic Black and Whisper White for the eyes. I also used SU's 1 inch circle punch. The bolts hanging out from Frankie's head were cut by me from Basic Black cardstock. The eyelids and nose are attached with foam tape so the card got a 3-D effect!
In accordance with Stampin’ Up’s Angel Policy, I have used the appropriate stamp as signature on the back of the cards.

Mummy Cards

Hi! This is my version of the Mummy ! You are looking at a LOT of 4 Handmade Greeting Cards. I used Stampin' Up Whisper White for the body of the card, hand-shredded whisper white cardstock and smudged them with Close to Cocoa ink, and applied double sided tape to make the strips look like a mummy! I purposedly made the strips uneven to make this mummy look worn and old.... I also used SU's 1 inch circle punch for the eyes, in whisper white and basic black!

Friendship Cards

The background paper is pieced and carefully balanced in color and shapes! The stamped images are stamps by Stampin Up. These cards are so Adorable it can be a nice give away for friends, simply as a gift or just because cards!! The inside of the card is blank where you may write any sentiments you may wish. The colors of this card are hot pink, celery green, and white. This 3-dimensional card measures 5.5 x 4.25 inches. Layers of stampin up paper are very secured!! Each individual cards with envelopes are in a clear re-sealable cellophane bag. Only the finest paper-crafting materials are used, including 100 lb. heavyweight cover stock, Stampin' Up! Ink.