Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #4

I hope you are enjoying all the sneak peeks of the new Occasions Mini Catalog items. I have a few new things to share with you today. First, the Sending Love Designer Paper is amazing. Swoon! It is a tad more expensive than some of the other Designer Papers, but it has glitter. For those of you who know me, I love the look of glitter without the mess. This is the perfect fix. The glitter is in the paper. It doesn't come off. I am in love with it. All the papers are beatiful, especially the one on this card.

Second, not only do we have a brand new Occasions Mini Catalog to drool over, but Sale-A-Bration begins January 5th. What is Sale-A-Bration you ask? Well Sale-A-Bration a way to earn free products. For every $50 you spend, you earn a free Sale-A-Bration product of your choice. You can also earn free products by hosting a workshop of at least $300. If you'd like to book a workshop or place a $50 order to get your free Sale-A-Bration products, call us today!

So you ask, why is Sale-A-Bration so important? Well you earn free products. This year Stampin' Up! has some cute stamps, Designer Series Paper, and even an amazing punch (which they have already said will appear in the next 2010-1011 Catalog...this is unheard of and never done before.) On top of that, if you don't like the choices they give you, you can pick selected stamp sets out of the main catalog.

Anyway, back to the card. I used the Scallop Trim Border punch, which is a Sale-A-Bration choice. I love it so much! Dare I say, it might replace my Scallop Edge Border. Hard to tell!



Paper: Pretty in Pink, Sending Love Designer Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Stamps: Three Little Words
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

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Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #3

Welcome everyone! Today's card is also using the Fox & Friends set, but I mixed it up and used a new punch that will be in the Occasions mini catalog. Woot Woot! The punch is called the Pinking Heart border. It is the new line of punches being released by Stampin' Up. The idea behind this new punch design is easier storage (they lock shut for a sleek profile that can be stacked), there is a larger handle for easier punching leverage, and some multiple step punches for layering and precision. I am a big fan of some of the new designs! I also am happy to see Stampin' Up come out with more border punches! Yippee! Enjoy!



Paper: So Saffron, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray
Ink: So Saffron, Basic Black
Stamps: Fox & Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch

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Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #2

Hi everyone. Today's sneaky peek is from the set Fox & Friends. I think this set would be perfect for baby shower invites and thank you cards or even a child's birthday card. Personally, I think it was just too darn cute to pass up, so I didn't.

I also wanted to give a quick shout to Kiley, one of our stampin' group members. She has been pushing me to use some different color combos... so I did. So this ones for you!



Paper: Bashful Blue, Dusty Durango, Always Artichoke
Ink: Dusty Durango, Always Artichoke
Stamps: Fox & Friends, Family Phrases
Accessories: 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon, Pokey tool, Mat Pack, Silver brad

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Occasions Mini Catalog Sneaky Peek #1

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Having winter break from school has given me the opportunity to get the creative juices flowing and given me ample time to work in the craft room. Thankfully my Occasions Mini Catalog preorder showed up just before Christmas. Yippee! It's like it was waiting for me.

So, needless to say, I have over a dozen cards/projects created for our next Stamp Group, but don't know what to pick. I know we can't possibly make them all in a night, so I am going to have quite a few posts on the blog sharing some of my favorite creations. I am very excited because some of these sets are to die for. I just love them! I have a feeling you will too!

Most of the cards have something to do with Valentine's Day because that's what our January class will be all about, but you may want to keep a pen and paper handy so you can start writing out your wish list. You are going to need it. I hope you enjoy and get inspired for your own projects.

Without further ado, Sneaky Peek #1- Wooden Valentine...



Paper: Creamy Caramel CS, Lovely Lilac CS, Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Orchid Opulence
Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Woodgrain Background, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grossgrain Ribbon

Okay, so let me first say that I bought the clear mount I {Heart} Hearts set, and I LOVE it! I am thinking of converting completly to clear mount. I like that it is much easier to see where you are placing an image and second the price is better. Second, this was the first opportunity I had to use my Woodgrain background stamp. It is adorable and I love that one of the hearts had a woodgrain effect as well. So there you go. You're first sneaky peek. I promise in future posts I won't have this much to say. Thanks for stopping by!Check back in soon for more sneaky peaks!

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Chenille Blanket

While Amanda has been working on a few projects, I have been working on one of my own. We have been seeing more and more people making quilts using their Big Shot. You use the dies to cut your fabric shapes. I love quilting but I also like making Chenille blankets and scarfs. It's such an easy technique and the finished project is beautiful. I love giving them as gifts.

You will cut 5 layers of fabric in the measurement you choose for your project. This is a lap blanket measuring 46" x 48". Pin all 5 layers together using curved safety pins. These are great for basting and holding your project together.

To make a pattern in the chenille I cut coordinating fabric and layered them, using the Scallop Circle and Scallop Circle # 2 dies using the Big Shot.





Once you have all of your layers together, you sew on the diagonal of your fabric. You need to sew on the diagonal in order for your fabric to fray. I sewed every half inch starting in the center of the project. This is time consuming but well worth the wait. Once you are all done sewing your project you cut two of the layers of your fabric between each sew line. Now turn your project over and cut two layers of fabric between the sew lines on this side. Be very careful you do not want to cut that center layer. This is what holds the whole thing together. There are tools available to cut your layers, but I have found a good sharp sewing scissors works just a well.





Now throw your project into the wash machine with a towel. Then throw it all into the dryer. The towel helps rub against the fabric to help fray the edges. The more you wash it the better it looks. Now I had no idea when I started what this was going to look like when it was done, but I am pleased with it. I hope you like it too! Just another great use for our Big Shots!

A Gift for my Students

I really wanted to do something nice for my students for the holidays, but with 50+ students not a lot comes to mind that is economical. I decided on making each of them a bookmark since lots of them are hard core readers.

Here's the whole flower pot full of them. Believe it or not, I needed to refill it twice.





Here is a shot of a single bookmark. Nothing overly fantastic about it, but I think it is the simplicity and heart that make these amazing gifts. I am so happy with the way they turned out.

Bags, Bags, Bags

I have been on a sewing rampage since late October. I found a really cute post on a blog about these reuseable grocery bags. I bought the pattern and my little heart has been sewing away. I figured this would be an adorable and inexpensive homemade Christmas present. The trouble was that I loved the first set so much that I couldn't keep my mouth shut about it and I told my mom and sister (two of the recipents.) Oh no! The fabric was so cool and I found about a million more people to make them for. So I went back to sewing once more.







Not only that, but I made them a small personalized notepad for the front pocket. So it could be for grocery lists or just things you don't want to forget. I know I need that. I'm so forgetful, just ask my husband. Anyway, now I've wrapped them all up and given them away (except 2 for me), but I hope to make more and possibly sell them. They rock!

Better Late Than Never

Well it has been a long time since we have posted anything and we apologize, so we hope that this is better late than never. I wanted to share some cute bags I made to house gift cards this year. I actually found this idea from Amy Celona. I used the Big Shot and the Top Note die to create the sides of the bag and a small white craft bag in the center. As if it wasn't cool enough to get a gift card, now you get a sweet little bag too! You lucky duckies!