Halloween Treat Bags

This Halloween I figured I would get my tush in gear early and I made these cute little goodies bags for our nephews and a few special neighbor kids. They were so simple and easy to make and required supplies I already had on hand. Look what a little preplanning will do.

May Card Class Projects

Our first project was a gift bag with a velum pocket on the front for your card. These would be great to use anytime. Amanda used the new Pedaling Past stamp set that is available in the Summer Mini Catalog. These sets will be available until August 31st.



Our second project was a Graduation Gift Card. You could put money inside or a gift card to their favorite place. What Graduate wouldn't like this.




And for our last project a Happy Birthday Bookmark Card. This was a fun project, but almost everyone forgot that we had to leave an opening for the bookmark to slide into and taped closed where the papers came together. If you are going to make these, don't forget ONLY use adhesive along the sides and the top and bottom of the card.

March Card Class Projects

We had a good time making our cards and sour cream containers. Not everyone sends out Easter cards but we wanted to make at least one. We created this using a very hot card technique the easel card. These seem like they are complicated to make, but actually they are very easy. Of course the more layers you have it can become time consuming. We also used the chocolate bunny stamp. When you use tone on tone with the Chocolate Chip card stock and in it really looks like a chocolate bunny. We added a little dimension by clear heat embossing the bunny.

Sour Cream Container

Our second project for the night the Sour Cream Container. These are so simple, but so fun. We filled them with candy so someone will receive a sweet little treat. These can be really dressed up to use as party favors, wedding favors, Halloween Treats. The list is endless.

Fundraiser Basket- Cards in Bloom

Last weekend we had a fundraiser at school. We had restaurants donate food, silent auction items, and presentations of student work. Overall, the day was a success. I donated this Cards in Bloom pot to the silent auction. I have admired many of these that I have seen online before and thought I'd give it a try. It was a simple and easy item for me to donate. Most of the cards I had on hand, so the most difficult part was attaching the small clothes pins to the floral stakes. Easy peasey!

Valentine Mini Mailbox

I was walking through Target the other day to get a new black printer ink, when my little eyes spied the Mini Mailboxes in the Dollar Spot. I bought some white ones last year to make for my sister's baby shower, but I thought I would pick up another and try a Valentine one this time.

I am seriously in love with the Sending Love Designer Paper, so I decided to put some of that on my Mini Mailboxes. I love that the glitter is built right into the paper. It gives my project a little glitz without the mess. So cute! Easy to make and the hardest part is deciding who to give them too!





Once I decide the lucky recipents of these lovely mailboxes, I will fill them with treats and make a tag to go over the flag. You never know the treasures that Target's Dollar Spot may provide.

Paper: Sending Love Designer Paper (#117153)
Ink: None
Stamps: None
Accessories: Real Red Grosgrain ribbon

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January Card Class

This month we focused on Valentine cards and treat holders. With all the new beautiful stamps available for this time of year, how could we not take advantage of it?

Our first card was a little involved, sorry Wendy. It is using Loads of Love, which I am sorry to say I have owned for 3 years, but never used until now. I think it is an adorable set, but I never know how to use it.



Our second card is a simple heart card, using the new I {Heart} Hearts. I love this set and it is by far one of my new favorites. I purchased the clear mounted set and I must admit that I really like them.



Our last project is courtesy of Splitcoast Stampers. It is a matchbook candy holder. I loved this adorable way to give one piece of chocolate. I need to keep a check on my sweets so this is a cute way to feed a sweet tooth without going overboard. What a "sweet" gift for a child, co-worker, or teacher.





Keep your eyes peeled soon to You Tube for our tutorials for this month.

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!

November Card Class

For our November Card Class Amanda concentrated on Holiday cards. The Silver Serene Snowflakes Card is absolutely beautiful. Yet it is not complicated and it is easy to mass produce. To see the video's for all of these cards, take a stroll over to the right hand side of the screen, Scroll down and click on Our YouTube Videos.


The Snow Swirled Holiday Wreath Card, Well Amanda was thinking outside of the box on this one. Using a Snow Flake Stamp to make a Wreath. It's elegant and again not complicated. I would not have any problems making these for my holiday cards.


And last but not least is the Delightful Decorations Suspension Card. I love the way the little ornament moves when you open the card.

October Card Class

This month we decided to focus on fall and gift giving cards/projects.  Our first project is the Tea Bag Holder Card.  This is such an easy project that anyone would love to get.  Teacher gifts, thinking of you gift, or a secret santa project for the upcoming holidays...the possiblities are endless!

We used the Simply Said stamp set and the Thoroughly Modern DSP to create this little gem. Just add your favorite tea packet and you have a perfect little gift on hand for all your family and friends. View our You Tube tutorial for the Tea Bag holder Part 1 and Part 2.

The second project we did this month was our focus on the Waterfall card technique. View our You Tube tutorial Part 1 and Part 2. You can also find another tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers. For this card we used the Bright Blessings Jumbo Stampin' Wheel and Falling Leaves stamp set. This is a sweet little card that can be used for lots of occassions.

The last project we did was a Thanksgiving card using Baroque Motifs, Autumn Days, and Teeny Tiny Wishes. View our You Tube tutorial. This card could be modified to use for any holiday or special occassion. I love how the flourish and small flower can be used to make custom designer background paper.

To join our Monthly Workshop classes or receive our Workshop by Mail projects and directions, contact us at simplystampin4u@new.rr.com

Stampin’ Up! Deals of the Week 2

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. If you are interested in ordering any or all of these products please go to http://simplystampin4u.stampinup.net and order online 24/7, or you can call 729-1142 or email me simplystampin4u@new.rr.com with your order

Sizzix Flower Burst Embosslits Die 114515

Reg price $11.95  Sale price $5.99

With a little effort, this burst of sunshine will add volume and dimension to any project. The modern flower has an Eastern influence, and would look stunning used with the Eastern Blooms stamp set.

Use a Sizzix Big Shot machine, standard cutting pads, and multi-purpose platform with this die

2-1/4" x 2-1/2".  Chemically-etched die that includes negative and positive images for cutting and embossing at the same time.  Stampin' Up! exclusive die

Perfect Setting Sizzix Bigz XL Die 115961

Reg Price $42.95 Sale Price $25.99

A perfect event needs a perfect setting. We've got you covered with our Perfect Setting Bigz XL die. With it, you can create cupcake holders and napkin rings from card stock, Designer Series paper, or other material. The cupcake holder is designed to hold a standard-size cupcake. This design is part of Shelli’s Signature Collection.  Can cut through multiple sheets of card stock, Texture Cuts wood sheets, window sheets, Décor Elements sheets, and more.  Use with Sizzix Big Shot machine and extended cutting pads. Die size: 6" x 13-3/4".

Pop-Up 3 Tier Cake Sizzix Bigz Die

Reg Price $39.95 Sale Price $25.49

Bigz Three Tier Cake pop-up die. Great for uses in decorating or making 3 dimensional cards.  Can cut through multiple sheets of card stock, Texture Cuts wood sheets, Window sheets, Décor Elements sheets, and more.  Use with Sizzix Big Shot machine and extended cutting pads.

Stampin’ Up! Deals of the Week is back!

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. If you are interested in ordering any or all of the punches please go to http://simplystampin4u.stampinup.net and order online 24/7, or you can call 729-1142 or email me simplystampin4u@new.rr.com with your order

Week 1 Deals of the Week
Thursday, October 1 – 11, 2009
Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest, dimension, and color to your cards, tags, and scrapbook pages. You can glue punched shapes directly onto your projects or layer a sheet of card stock that has been punched over a coordinating card stock for a reverse effect.

Item 109183 The Trio Flower punch will give you three identical flowers with each punch! Special Price $10.99 plus shipping and handling.

Item 109041 The 5-Petal Flower punch coordinates with the In the Spotlight and Ginormous Flowers stamp sets. It also coordinates with the On Board Blossoms & Basics and Cutie Pie Designer Series paper.  Special Price $10.99 plus shipping and handling.

Item 110709 The My Way punch looks fantastic on projects where you want to direct attention to a small detail.  Special Price $11.99 plus shipping and handling.

Video Tutorial Simplystampin4u Sweet Centers Lollipop, Upsy Daisy Card and Pumpkin Patch Card.

Were trying something new.  Well at least for us this is very new teritory.  We have a few customers that live out of state, but wanted to join our monthly card classes.  How is this possible when they can't be present?  We decided to video tape the tutorials for our cards.  Anyone wanting to join us now will receive all of the dimensions, ingredients and supplies to make their cards.  Then all they have to do is watch the video on YouTube.
If you are interested in joining our group, just send us an email to simplystampin4u@new.rr.com for more information.
Click on each of the links below the photos to view the Tutorials

Sweet Centers Lollipop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmpzY-hYBXs

Pumpkin Patch Card - Masking Technique

Part One  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHUQh8zHk

    Part Two  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8UkBGerKdY

Upsy Daisy Card - Heat Embossing Technique

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LCcnwPVgIE

Sweet Centers

How about sending a card like this to the little ghouls and goblins on your list. I love the Sweet Treat Cups. Use your imagination and fill them with whatever you like. Of course I used Candy Corn, because it's traditional for Halloween. My husband’s favorite candy! When you slide out the message you can retrieve your treat from the inside of the card!

Anniversary Card

I have been a complete slacker about anything related to crafting lately. School just started again and things have been hectic. I have been wanting to post this for a while now and feel like I just never have time. My 5 year anniversary was on August 21st and this is the card my wonderful mother made for us. She used the Cottage Wall DS and it turned out beautifully. She says this is the best card she's ever made. I think it was wonderful and I will treasure it forever. She even used our wedding picture in the card. How sweet!

View Master Card

I have my creative Mojo going now. I am obsessed with the Crystal Effects right now. It just adds such elegance to projects. I purchased the Wedding Sweet stamp set because of this stamp. Oh I am sure that one of these days I will incorporate something else from the set with this one, but don't you just love the look of this. This is also my second attempt at a View Master card.
I guess the more I practice the better I will get at it.

Wedding Card

In an earlier post Amanda had said we were at a wedding last weekend. My neice Alicia was married. The wedding was beautiful. It took place at the Payne Art Center in the gardens. I have to say next to Amanda's wedding at Smith Park it was one of the most beautiful outdoor weddings I have ever been to.

This is the card that I made for Alicia and Craig. I was very proud of this card, and I do have to stay the photo does not do the card justice.

It was very simple. I embossed my card stock with the Manhattan Flower embossing folder. Then I filled in all of the petals with Crystal Effects. It was beautiful.