Sparkle!

There goes "Sheree" from In Style Stamps again... sparkling all over the place! he. I love this image because I can so see it along with some body soaps and lotions and such. I am SO using Sheree next time I need a teacher gift!

I used a bit of bling I found in the Target $$ Spot. Everything else is Stampin' Up!. Speaking of SU!... check back often as there are some sensational projects coming soon to my Stamp CAMPS. Not to mention the 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog to be released oh-so-soon... sqeeeeeeal! And did you know the RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST is to be released January 5th?! Chya! So if you aren't on my email list, be sure to check here for all the big announcements!

Be sure to "sparkle" today!

Meet Pam and her little pal, Buster!

Here is yet another adorable image from In Style Stamps. This is "Pam and Buster" and they are ready for some fresh (warm) air! I just love these little pals because they remind me of me and my sweet little Vicki. Sometimes I have to remind myself she is "just a dog." Although I am sure I could never quite convince HER of that, he.

I also used Stampin' Up!'s new "sneak peak" stamp set... "Love You Much" along with the coordinating Heart to Heart punch. SQUEAL! I love it when they coordinate stamp sets with punches! It makes embellishing so fast... easy... and affordable! Just look how cute those sweet little hearts look all lined up in a role! My verse is from "Curvy Verses." This is one of my absolute favorite verse sets because it fits perfectly anywhere and I don't have to worry with if it is straight or not. (LOVE that!)

Be sure to take advantage of the Valentine Bundle from Stampin' Up! before it's too late! Once the new 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog is released, these items will no longer be available in bundle form. Save some $$ NOW and get it while you can! Email me to place your order.

Want to know more about In Style Stamps? Just click on the "Guest Designer" icon to the right. I have one more week to star as Guest Designer for this cool little stamp company. So stay tuned to see what next week's image brings!

Valentine Bundle Exclusive Offer

Check it out! This is my big Monday announcement! Check out this adorable Valentine Bundle being offered by Stampin' Up! for 20% off! PLUS if you order through me by today you will save an EXTRA 10% by paying NO SHIPPIN' AND HANDLING!!! Now is the time to stock up on those favorite colors of card stock, ink refills, envelopes and all your consumable items. NO SHIPPING AND HANDLING! Whoo hoo! Order this bundle now and you can come to the January Stamp CAMP for FREE! That's another $10 savings! I might as well put on a red suit! he he he...

Promotion details:Get ready for Valentine's Day with the exclusive Love You Much Bundle (item 115405). The Love You Much Bundle includes the following:

Retail Value
Love You Much stamp set
$25.95
Candy Lane Designer Series paper (Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla)
$9.95
Heart To Heart punch
$15.95


Bundle Retail Value
$51.85


Love You Much Bundle (20% off; item 115405)
$41.48



OH! And don't forget that when you order $20 you can save 20% off any Fall/Winter Samper stamp set. Here are your choices...


Item #
Description
Retail Value
111564
Flight of the Butterfly
$31.95
111676
Puns from the Past
$27.95
111660
Just Jawing
$25.95
111624
Dreams du Jour
$18.95
111700
Thank You Kindly
$13.95
111714
Wow Flowers
$12.95
112955
Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)
$12.95
111600
Bella's Bloom
$12.95

So just to recap...

10% off ALL retiring stamp sets
20% off sets from the Sampler Catalog (when you spend $20)
FREE Shipping
Love You Much Bundle sneak peek 20% off!

Call or email me today! You don't want to miss out!

Calling all creative cats!

Jump on over to Spellbinders website for their recently posted call for a NEW DESIGN TEAM. Be sure to check out their "candy offering" as well. You gotta have a blog. So if you don't have your own blog... he he he... leave them a comment and tell them how much you'd like for me to win... bwaha ha ha ha... I'm so silly!

BTW, I applied for Spellbinders DT. Wish me well! (biting nails and bouncing up and down. wink.)

Introducing...

SHEREE! (from In Style Stamps, of course!) Doesn't she look perfectly "relaxed" and enjoying herself?! Well, let me tell ya! After making this card, I think I need to be exactly where she is! sigh. My printer is giving me fits. My blender pen is SHOT. I can't find one of my FAV hole punches. What is the deal?! Just one of those days, ya know. All after having hurried the teacher gifts together this morning, wrapping a ton of gifts, helped with the 4th grade Christmas party (I got to "man" the chocolate fountain.... but didn't even get any!) and now have extra kids to deal with (uh hum, I mean "watch over") for the rest of the evening. he.

Sound like I'm complaining? I'm not. I love crazy busy days like this, especially when I know I am serving others. But... a little time out for me would be nice this evening. Ah, that tub is looking mighty fine. Anyone want to come clean it for me first. sigh. he.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A SNEAK PEAK OF THE NEW STAMPIN' UP! VALENTINE BUNDLE! COMING SOON... VERY SOON! And you can order this bundle for 20% OFF when you get your order to me by Monday, December 22. Be sure to check back here very very soon... AND LOOK IN THE RIGHT HAND SIDE BAR FOR THAT SNEAK PEAK. YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!

A Challenge of Happiness

You may think Suzie Q is happy because she's been shopping. Nope! She's so happy because she has been sharing her GIFTS OF HAPPINESS.

I have to admit it... I'm a people pleaser... sort of. he. I just want everyone to be happy... within reason, that is. Death, severe illness, poverty... of course those aren't things to be happy about. And I would certainly never ask those sufferers to "look on the bright side." But when there are things in our lives that can be changed, dealt with appropriately, or simple done away with... well, by all means HAVE A HAPPY HEART while you deal with it!

TAKE MY CHALLENGE... There's always someone else dealing with much more severe heaviness than we. And besides, we never know just who our Happiness is going to serve. wink. My challenge is NOT THE SKETCH CHALLENGE. My challenge is that you create a "card of happiness" to send to someone you believe needs a bit of "happy" in their life right now. UPLOAD YOUR CARD IN A COMMENT TO MY BLOG. This way I know you are really taking part in the challenge. Then get that card in the mail. Do it NOW and don't put it off. It would be so fun to see a ton of "happy" in my comments and know all that "happy" is being shared with others.

Time is crazy right now, I know. So if you don't get around to sending a bit of "happy," that's okay. Leave a comment anyway and I promise you will put some happy in my day. Hope your day is filled with GIFTS OF HAPPINESS!

The sketch for my Suzie Q card was inspired by the Splitcoast Stampers Challenge #207. Suzie Q is an image available from In Style Stamps (see the "Guest Designer" button in to the right.) The hearts on Suzie's card are from the preview stamp set called "Love You Much" by Stampin' Up!. Those same hearts were punched with the preview Heart to Heart punch.

Snow?

Well, tons of things were canceled in our area last night because the weather was calling for lots of "snowbursts." But alas... NOTHING! Arg! Not that I want snow. We had to cancel the Cub Scout Christmas party for which I had a ton of fun stuff planned. RRRggg! Hopefully we will have a grand turnout next Monday and all the little guys and gals will have a blast.

Suzie's Smile Strikes Again!

Yes! Suzie Q has a smile that is simply contagious! I especially want to wear that kind of smile this time of year. Things are really getting crazy now, huh?! I don't even have my Christmas cards mailed yet!! IKES! And you should see my desk! Actually, if you look closely, Suzie almost had her hair washed... I have no clue how that little watermark got on her hair! arg. But my desk is a mess! And speaking of hair! Gotta run to the stylist!!!

Suzie Q, of course, is one of the premiere images from In Style Stamps. You can find out more about In Style to the right of my blog. You will see a "Guest Designer" (that's me! he.) button. Just click on that and you'll go right to the site!

Everything else used to create this card (other than the Prima flowers and C-bug embossing folder) is offered by Stampin' Up!. I used the stampin' sponges and Creamy Carmel to highlight my card. Suzie Q is highlighted with a Creamy Carmel marker (the brush tip, that is.) Isn't the Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon just yummy?! And how about that BIG SHOT?! You got one yet? Better get it soon... there is SO MUCH you can do with it! Just look at those cute little flowers at the bottom of my card!

Let me know what ya think! Leave a comment and say HI!

Guest Designer

Me! A GUEST DESIGNER! I'm so excited!!! In Style Stamps has invited me to be the very first Guest Designer for this new and sassy stamp company and I'm SO EXCITED! (he. I already said that, huh?) You gotta check out the images being released as we speak. These gals are sweet, sassy, retro, and I just think they are adorable! Tell me what you think (about my card AND In Style Stamps!)

I thought I'd be taking a break from the blog over the holidays but this gal (her name is "Suzie Q," BTW) and her sassy friends are just too much fun not to play with them! Check back to see more of Suzie Q's creations. Each Friday for the next four Fridays, I will be guest designing for In Style with a new image. Keep your sassy eyes posted!

Thanks In Style Stamps!

For this card I used...
SKI SLOPE DSP by Stampin' Up!
BUTTON BOUQUET by Stampin' Up!
CHOCOLATE GROSGRAIN RIBBON by Stampin' Up!
all card stocks and inks by Stampin' Up!

Another Yummy!

Do you have ANY idea how long it's taken me to find a Chocolate Chip recipe that is actually GOOD?! FOREVER! That's how long. Hm! Seriously though, even as a little girl, I didn't like my mom's chocolate chip cookies because they just never turned out plump or gooey or soft. I've tried every package recipe... every different kind of pan... every type of butter or margarine... you NAME it!

So this is it! Finally! I found this recipe on the package of the Land O Lakes Butter. I hope you enjoy them as much as my sweet little cookie monsters do!

Chewy Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies

4.1/4 C all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
1.1/2 C Land O Lakes Butter, softened
1.1/4 C sugar
1.1/4 C firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 TBsp vanilla
1 pkg (2C) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (I use MILK Chocolate.)

Oven at 375 (mine is hot so it goes on 350.) Combine first three. Set aside. Combine next five in seperate bowl. Mix with first three. Add chips. Drop dough by 1/4 cupfuls, 2" apart onto ungreased cookie sheet (I make mine a bit smaller and I use the Airbake sheets.) Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or golden brown.

Makes about 4 dozen.

Virtually Yummy!

Yes, this was VERY VERY yummy! Let me just tell you why I had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day... my little sweetheart of daughter was sick so we had to miss celebrating with my family like we always do... and I came down with a migraine. Ya.

But wait! (There's always more, huh?) Dean had planned to cook a rotisserie chicken (he makes the BEST) and I had planned to make all the "fixin's." We had decided we would just have our very first Thanksgiving at home and enjoy being together.

That was... until my migraine came. O... M... it was a bad one. I tried everything I usally do to get them to at least settle where I can just "handle it." This one was determined to stick around. When this happens (which isn't very often since I've learned how to control them,) I am usually out of commission until the next day. So you can imagine my disappointment having gotten it so early in the day.

And this is why my Thanksgiving Day was so wonderful... my dearest and most amazing husband jumped in and started making our Thanksgiving dinner. AAAAAAND... he took a break (well, okay... I actually begged because I was on the verge of calling 911) to massage my arm (which is one of the ways I have learned to control my migraines.)

He had no idea how to alter my Aunt Imagene's (Imie, that is) recipe for Stuffing Casserole. Would you believe he looked at her recipe (for an army, BTW. you know how good-ole country cookin' is) and created HIS OWN. Can you believe it?!!! Ya. Me neither. He really is an amazing guy. And it was so delicious!

It's been awhile since I've shared a recipe on my blog so I thought I would wrap up the Virtual Workshop with some yummies. (My migraine actually was GONE by 6:00... just in time to help finish up dinner and feast... well, okay... PIG OUT.) Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!


Dean's Version of Imie's Stuffing Casserole

2 chicken quarters
1 can cream of chicken
1 can golden mushroom
1 box of chicken flavored Stove Top Stuffing
2 stalks of celery, sliced
minced onion
butter

Boil chicken pieces. Saute celery and minced onion in butter. After chicken has boiled, pull from bone. Save broth for later. Mix chickent and sauteed veggies with soups and stuffing. Now is when you might want to add some of the broth to give moistness. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or golden brown.

Keepsake Calendar Album

I saved the best for last. I LOVE this KEEPSAKE CALENDAR ALBUM! It is fairly quick to put together and is super duper easy. I said "fairly quick" because, let's face it, IT'S A TWELVE TO FOURTEEN PAGE ALBUM you're putting together. The finished product is oh-so-cute and keepable. Your loved ones will cherish this gift for years to come.

As you can see I've bound mine but they work great in 6x6 albums as well. Any office supply store will bind them for very little expense. I used a home binding tool such as the Zutter Bind It All.

You can request the CALENDAR KIT by emailing me with your order. Keep in mind there will be no orders for kits taken after THIS SUNDAY, November 30th. When you email me, just ask for the CALENDAR KIT. You can make a request for specific Designer Series Paper (find these on pages 168-171 of the Idea Book and Catalog.) I have several DSPs but if I do not have the one you request I will ask for your second choice. These Keepsake Calendar Kits are only $15. Everything in the kit will be precut for you.

If you'd like to just jump in and start making these calendars now... here are some instructions to help you along. THE ENTIRE CALENDAR USES ONLY ONE PIECE OF DSP! Isn't that fantastic?! And with the calendar itself only costing $2 from Wal M, you can save a bundle on Christmas gifts!



Keepsake Calendar Album

Supplies:
Designer Series Paper
Coordinating 12x12 Card Stock (2 of one color and 1ea of 2 other colors, ie. red, red, blue, and green)
12x12 Cutter (a MUST for this project!)
Ribbon and Embellishments (will vary depending on how much you wish to decorate.)
6x6 store bought calendar

Optional...
as I said, you can have your calendar bound and hole punched at your local office supply store. OR, you can use a home binding tool and the Cropadile (to hole punch the hanging area.)

1. Remove staples from 6x6 calendar. Cut pages in half.

2. The first cut is at 6". Set one 6 x 12 piece aside.

3. Trim this piece to 5.1/2 x 6. Set the 6 x 6.1/2 piece aside. Trim 1/2" off of the 5.1/2 x 6 and save for later.

4. With 5.1/2 x 5.1/2 piece in cutter, CUT OUT center leaving a 1" border.

5. With the piece that was cut out, cut it corner to corner. Set aside.

6. Going back to the 6 x 6.1/2, cut it at 2.1/2 x 6.

7. Tear the 2.1/2 x 6 piece down the center.

8. Cut remaining piece to create a 4 x 4 piece and a 2 x 4 piece.

9. Cut the 2 x 4 piece into 1" squares and set aside. Cut the 4 x 4 piece into 2" squares and cut them corner to corner.

10. Going back the other piece of 6 x 12, repeat step 3, 4, and 5.

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11. With the remaining 6 x 6.1/2, make three more cuts... one at 2.1/2, one at 2, and one at one. (I apologize. My picture only shows two cuts at this point. You will need the extra piece so please follow the written instructions. From #11 you should end up with one 2.1/2 x 6 piece, one 2 x 6 piece, and two 1 x 6 pieces.)

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12. Cut all colored card stock pieces to 6x6. Now you are ready to assemble and decorate. This is up to your personal preference. My Virtual Workshop will end my posts for this years blogging.

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If I have time, I plan to post picture of my own personal Keepsake Calendars which I plan to give as gifts. So check back from time to time if you need inspiration on how to decorate your pages.

Bookmark Cards

This card can actually be found on page 56 of the Idea Book and Catalog. In the catty (catalog) it is made with the "Always" stamp set. (loooooove that set! really neeeeeeed that set! he.) These little paper clip bookmarks make great gifts and this is the perfect card to showcase the bookmark. It's always fun to give books as Christmas gifts (especially those "treasured Christmas stories" type of books) and to accompany the gift book, you will want to give a cherished bookmark.

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These BOOKMARK CARDS come in kits with all supplies needed (except adhesive... you will want to be sure you have Stampin' Dimensionals for this project) to create 5 Bookmark Cards. The cost of these kits is only $10. Remember I will only take orders for the Virtual Workshop Kits THROUGH SUNDAY.

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Check out another version of this card seen below. I love showering my childrens' teachers with little gifts all year long. (No, I'm not kissing up. he. I just REALLY like to stamp. You know THAT is true, huh?!) Most teachers love to read so this would be a great little thank you card.

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OH! And did I mention I used the stamp set "Holiday Blitz?" Well, I did... because... it's the perfect set for these adorable little bookmarks. I really like the idea of the "tie" image in the set and create a card with it for good ole DAD.

Here are your super easy instructions for making this cute little bookmark card. Enjoy! Our VIRTUAL WORKSHOP is almost over.

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Bookmark Card

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Supplies:

Card Stock (several coordinating colors)

Ribbon (about 12")

Scallop Circle Punch

1.1/4 and 1.3/8 Circle Punches

(other circle punches if you have smaller image as seen in my samples)

Dimensionals (these are a MUST for this project!)

Hobby Blade

Jumbo Paper Clips (can be found at any variety store)

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I also used my Crafter's Tool Kit to punch tiny holes around my scallop. This is a great look but not neccessary to recreate.

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1. Start with a regular size card (5.1/2 x 8.1/2)

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2. Stamp front of card with a decorative background. (I used Baroque Motif... it goes with ANYTHING.)

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3. Punch all circles needed for your card. (see photo of how mine lay out for this sample.)

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4. Apply Dimensionals to BOTH SIDES of paper clip.

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5. Press focal image of bookmark to paper clip. Press remaining scallop to the back of the focal image.

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6. The mat for your bookmark measures (color #1) 2 x 4.3/4 and (color #2) 2.1/4 x 5. Layer these.

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7. Using 12x12 cutter or a ruler and hobby blade, cut a slit in the mat big enough to nestle bookmark.

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8. Apply Dimensionals to mat.

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9. Tie ribbon around mat and bookmark.

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10.Adhere to card.

Triangle Box

This is a classic gift box. I learned how to make it years ago... forgot all about it... saw it last weekend... and fell in love with it all over again. That is what's so great about rubber stamping; the ideas are ENDLESS.

Kits for this project are available with all supplies needed (except adhesive) to create TEN boxes for just $10. When ordering these adorable boxes, be sure to ask for the TRIANGLE BOXES. Again, this is another project that goes beyond Christmas. It's perfect for teacher once school is back in session or gift to someone who's already given you the prefect gift.

And remember... when you place a Stampin' Up! order of $50 OR request $50 in Vritual Workshop Kits, you can pick any kit you like for FREE as my thank you.

Some of the things I like most about this box is the size. (Two can be made from only one sheet of 8.1/2 x 11.) And there is NO ADHESIVE holding the box together. Isn't that cool?! Saves us a bit in the tape department. wink. Well, let's get on with the instructions.

Triangle Box

Supplies:
Card Stock (one sheet of 8.1/2 x 11 and scraps of two other colors)
Ribbon (about 15")
12x12 Cutter and score tool
1/8" Hole Punch

My favorite way to decorate these boxes is to use the Stampin' Up! wheels on them. Wheels make projects super duper fast and easy. On this box, I used the "Snowflake" wheel. For the focal image, I used the stamp set "Holiday Blitz." This set is so perfect for gift giving because the images can be punched with any of the circle punches. Again, this makes for a fast project to put together.

1. Trim card stock to 4 x 10.
2. Wheel over entire card stock (one side.)
3. Score center at 5".
4. Pencil mark both ends at the center (2".)
5. Score from pencil mark to each side of scored center line. (see photo of how this will end up looking. I traced with a pencil over all of my scored areas so you can better see how the finished scoring will look.
6. Fold at center scored line, bringing outside scored areas together.
7. Using the Hole Punch, punch each side of box. To do this, bring the sides together and punch BOTH at the same time. (see photo)
8. Thread ribbon through all four punched holes.
9. Decorate as desired.

I also used the "Full of Life" stamp set and cut it out with my Coluzzle. You can see this in the photos as well. I then used the 3/4" Circle Punch to punch out little snowflakes from "Holiday Blitz."

Fancy Candy Wrapper

This fancy little candy bar wrapper is so adorable! And by now you probably have guessed I love giving (and getting) gift cards. So the more ideas I have for dressing up my gift cards, the better! This wrapper is perfect for including a little green or plastic.

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Kits for this project contain all supplies needed (except adhesive) to create 6 wrappers. When you email to order these kits be sure to ask for the CANDY WRAPPER Kits. You pay only $10 per kit.

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Have I mentioned that when you purchase $50 in Stampin' Up! catalog product OR $50 in my Virtual Workshop Kits, you can choose any VW Kit for FREE? Ya! FREE!

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Check out how easy this adorable wrapper is to create...

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Fancy Candy Wrapper

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Supplies:

Designer Series Paper

Coordinating Card Stock (measuring 2 x 5.1/2)

Neutral Card Stock (Whisper White, Very Vanilla, etc.)

Ribbon (about 12")

Sticky Strip

Paper Crimper

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2 Hershey Candy Bars (one for you to eat while you're stamping, he)

1. Apply Sticky Strip to three side of the wrapper (two shorter sides and one of the longer.)

2. Wrap around candy bar with the shorter sides to the ENDS of the candy bar.

3. Crimp both ends of the wrapper.

4. Crimp coordinating card stock. Wrap around candy bar and adhere.

5. Decorate as desired.

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NOTE: I used the "Cute and Curly" stamp set. I also used the coordinating punch. For the center oval piece, I used the MIDDLE SIZE OVAL PUNCH. The ends stick out from the curly punched piece and I think that is oh-so-cute.

Cream Container

This container is perfect for little trinket items and/or candy. Again, another super easy project. Trust me, I avoided this one FOREVER when I first started stamping. I never could figure it out on my own. Once someone showed me how to make it... just try and stop me now, he.

Kits are available for this project. To order, just email me and ask for the CREAM CONTAINER Kits. Each kit contians everything you need (except adhesive) to create 10 containers. You pay only $10 per kit.

I used the "Cute and Curly" stamp set along with the "Snowflake" wheel. I trimmed the oval center of my focal image but used the Curly Punch directly over my Cute and Curly image. I just love how this punch not only coordinates with this set but with so many other images in the catalog. Just WAIT til you see what SU! has for you coming this Valentine's Day! Hmmm... punches perhaps?

In my instructions for this project, some photos include the project stamped and some unstamped. I hope this doesn't confuse anyone. I simply began taking pictures before I remembered to FIRST stamp my vellum card stock. Remember, as with any of the projects you see here during my VIRTUAL WORKSHOP, you can email me if you have questions regarding the "how to's." I am here to serve you.


Cream Container
Supplies:
Vellum CARD STOCK (not paper)
Neutrals Card Stock (Whisper White, Very Vanilla, that sort of color)
Ribbon (about 12")
Paper Crimper
1/8 Hole Punch
Sticky Strip

1. Cut Vellum into quarters (4.1/4 x 5.1/2 each)
2. Wheel one entire quarter of vellum with choice of Stampin' Up! wheel. Allow to dry.
3. Apply Sticky Strip to one of the longer side and one of the shorter sides (NOT all four sides.)
4. Create a circular tube by bringing both 5.1/2 sides together and adhere.
5. Pinch the end with Sticky Strip to seal.
6. Run this end through the paper crimper but only about 1/2".
7. Fill container with gift and/or goodies.
8. Pinch opposite end in opposite direction but DO NOT USE ADHESIVE. This way the container can be opened with ripping thus to be used for a future gift.
9. Run this end through the paper crimper.
10. Punch center of THIS end with the hole punch.
11.Run ribbon through hole and tie. If using a greeting tag, be sure to add tag before you tie ribbon.