Monday, January 28, 2013

A Very Busy November Workshop

Let's get it started!!! Because December is such a busy month, our November workshop is our final workshop for 2012.  I decided we'd make two cards, one gift card holder and a notepad.

I cased the idea for this notepad from Holly Krautkremer (Stampin' Up Demonstrator).  The notepads were purchased from Michaels. 



Some of the gals gave there notepad as a gift.  I made several as appreciation gifts to family and friends.  Wow were they a hit!  I wish I had made more.  If you would like the directions for this project, send your request to sjsmith20@frontier.com and I'll e-mail them to you.  Thanks Holly for sharing this cute design!

Stamp set:  French Foliage, Netting stamp sets
Paper:  River Rock, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze card stock
Ink:  More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze Classic stampin' pad
Tools:  Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Argyle TIEF
Embellishments:  1/2" Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon 1/2" Tangerine Tango Scallop Dots Ribbon, Linen Thread, Designer Brushed Bronze Buttons, Sticky Strip, 4" x 8" memo pad

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The twist fold card has become very popular.  Not only is it a greeting card but you can enclose either a gift card, check or cash.  I found this one on Sandi Maciver's Blog and just knew my gals would love it.

This cute little snowman is from the No Peeking stamp set and was perfect for the holidays.  But you can make it for any occasion.

Stamp set:  No Peeking
Paper:  Be of Good Cheer DSP, Primrose Petals, Very Vanilla card stock
Ink:  Gumball Green and various markers
Tools:  Big Shot, Simply Scored, Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, Scallop Circle Punch, Handheld Hole Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip
Embellishments:  Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

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In our holiday catalog, Stampin' Up introduced bundling coordinating products together for a discount.  I used the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and Framelits Dies to make this beautiful card, and by purchasing them together I saved 15%!
  
Stamp sets:  Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages
Paper:  Be of Good Cheer DSP, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green and Very Vanilla card stock
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green Classic stampin' pads
Tools:  Big Shot, 1" Circle Punch, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool, Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies
Embellishments:  Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, Regals Designer Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals, glue dots

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Our final card features two folded Christmas trees.  I found the directions to make these trees on Connie Babbert's Blog and then tweaked them so I could use the 3 1/2" circle die.

 
Stamp set:  More Merry Messages
Paper:  Be of Good Cheer DSP, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip card stock
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler Classic stampin' pad
Tools:  Big Shot, 3 1/2" circle die, Snow Burst TIEF (oops retired)
Embellishments:  Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

As usual it was a fun night full of laughs and fellowship.  Debbie Abfall was our hostess and she served us a delicious dinner.  Thanks Debbie for all your help and support.




Sunday, January 27, 2013

October Workshop (Yup, still catching up)

The beautiful fall colors, a cozy fire, the smell of fall all around us.  What a great time to make a card using the French Foliage stamp set and the Triple Stamping Technique.


To do this technique you need to temporarily attach three squares to the card stock.  Stamp the leaves all over, and then emboss it with the Square Lattice TIEF. Now remove the three squares and mount them on Early Espresso card stock.  Next match them to their original location on the card and attach.  Finish the card by attaching to Cajun Craze card stock and then add two leaves, ribbon, and a Natural Designer Button tied with Linen Thread.

This is one of my favorite cards and can be used for many occasions.  The Triple Stamping Technique looks great using stamp sets with flowers, stars and snowflakes.  I hope you'll make one.

Stamp Set:  French Foliage, Seasonal Sentiments (retired)
Paper:  Natural White, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze card stock
Ink:  Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, More Mustard Classic Stampin' Pads
Tools:  Big Shot, Dotto Dots Dispenser
Embellishments:  Square Lattice TIEF, Natural Designer Button, Linen Thread, ribbon

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Stampin' Up's Holiday Catalog was packed with many beautiful products that make it easy and fun for us to create beautiful cards, scrapbook pages and home decor.



Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

This simple and easy to make card featured the new Snow Flurry Bigz Die and the Elegant Lacy Brocade TIEF.  The snowflakes were made with red glimmer paper that made the card sparkle!

Stamp set:  Greetings of the season
Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Red Glimmer Paper card stock
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' pad
Tools:  Big Shot, Large Oval Punch, Lacy Brocade TIEF, Bigz Snow Flurry Die

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Right from the pages of the Holiday Catalog is our next card featuring the Frosty Friends stamp set.

We haven't had much snow this year but these little snow men just can't help but put a smile on your face.  It seems like just yesterday I was making snow angels and snow men in my mom and dad's backyard.  I hope you have many special memories too. 

Stamp set:  Frosty Friends, Greetings of the Season
Paper:  Pool Party, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White card stock
Ink:  Black Stazon and assorted colors of markers
Embellishments:  Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine

A big thank you goes out to Maureen Bruce for hostessing the October Workshop.  She used her hostess rewards to earn her BIG SHOT and some goodies to use with it.  Thanks Maureen for all your help and support!




  

Elephants never forget!

But I guess I do, I haven't posted for MONTHS!  But I'm back, and today I'm going to share with you cards and projects we've made over the past few months.  A little late, but I hope you'll enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them.

In September we moved to a new location, Trinity Lutheran Church in Arkdale.  It provides us with plenty of room to spread out, great lighting and access to a kitchen.

Here are the cards and projects we made.



Fall is harvest time and what better card then one made using the new Perfectly Preserved Stamp Set and the Orchard Harvest DSP.

Stamp Sets:  Perfectly Preserved, Itty Bitty Banners
Papers:  Orchard Harvest DSP, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla Card Stock
Ink:  More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad
Tools:  Big Shot, Windows Frames Framelits, Woodgrain TIEF, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Small Oval Punch
Embellishments:  Designer Natural Buttons, Early Espresso Bakers Twine
 
Our next card featured the Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric and Stampin' Up's new Jumbo Sticky Rounds.

 
Everyone knows I don't like to sew.  I was really excited to show everyone how easy it is to make the rosette for this card.  The Jumbo Sticky Rounds make it easy and fun to complete.  Just twist and turn and twist and turn and . . . . WOW, what a cool looking card!

Stamp Set:  Perfectly Penned
Paper:  Orchard Harvest DSP, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla Card Stock
Ink:  Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad
Tools:  Big Shot, Fancy Fan TIEF, Sizzlits Little Leaf, Jumbo Sticky Rounds, Orchard Harvest Designer Fabric, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Stampin' Pierce Mat

This cute Post-It holder was a hit with everyone!


With the holidays right around the corner, the Scentsational Season Stamp Set and Festival of Prints DSP was perfect for this project.  This would make a great gift for anyone.  I like to keep one in my purse.

Stamp Set:  Scentsational Season
Paper:  Festival of Prints DSP Stack, Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla, Star Fruit Card Stock
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Embellishments:  Framelits Windows Frame Collection, Framelits Holliday Collection, Big Shot, stampin' dimensionals, Staples gel mini pens, Staples sticky notes

Karen Sherrell was our hostess for the September workshop.  I made her this fall wreath as a thank you gift.


I used the Orchard Harvest DSP, Big Shot, #2 scallop and Autumn Accents dies to make the wreath.  She can either hang it on the wall or use it as a center piece.  Thanks Karen for a delicious dinner and all your support and help.






 
  







 





 

  

Monday, August 20, 2012

August Workshop

Its been such a hot summer its kind of hard to get excited about the holidays yet.  But then my Stampin' Up holiday catalog arrived and I'm ready to rock.  Filled with all kinds of coordinated products makes it easy and fun to create cards, gifts, scrapbook pages and so much more.  Yup, I'm excited about the coming holiday months.  So let the fun begin!


We started off our August workshop with a cute scary kitty card.  The colors and designs of the Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper will remind you of a witch's wardrobe, but versatile for other projects.

Stamp set:  Frightening Feline, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Halloween Frights (retired)
Paper:  Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla Card Stock
Ink:  Versamark
Tools:  3 1/2" Circle Original Die, 3" Circle Die, Big Shot, Heat Tool, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch
Embellishments:  Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder, 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon, Designer Ribbon Slides

And of course what would Halloween be without some kind of a cool trick or treat project.  I cased this handsome fellow from Stampin' Up rep Angie Kennedy Juda at angie@mychicnscratch.com.  She has a wonderful blog and many great ideas.



Wouldn't you love this Frankenstein Box filled with your favorite Halloween goodies?  Yummy!

Paper:  Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, Whisper White Card Stock
Ink:  Black Marker
Tools:  1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Simply Scored, Circle Hand Held Punch
Embellishments:  Sticky Strip, 20 gauge wire, pliers


Our next card features the "Scentsational Season" stamp set and the Holiday Collection Framelits Dies.  The die is designed to frame around the stamped images from the stamp set, so you can see where to cut the images.

Stamp set:  Scentsational Season, More Merry Messages
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla Card Stock, Festival of Prints DSP
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip
Tools:  Festive Paper-Piercing Mate, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Framelits Label Collection, Framelits Holiday Collection
Embellishments:  Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Neutrals Designer Buttons



Our final card features our newest no mess "toast to champagne" glitter paper.  The tree has been stamped with Versa Mark and then embossed with Iridescent Ice.

Stamp set:  Evergreen
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Versa Mark
Tools:  Big Shot, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Apothecary Accents Framelits Die, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder
Embellishments:  Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder

Sue Bartels was our hostess serving a scrumptious light dinner.  I surprised her with a fall wreathe as her hostess gift.  The wreathe was made from the Wonderfall stamp set and Autumn Accents Bigz Die.  Sue can hang the wreath on the wall or use it as a center piece.  Unfortunately I failed to take a picture to share with you.

Thanks for stopping by,

Susie


 

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Happy Birthday Haley and Jayden

This weekend our grandchildren, Haley and Jayden will be visiting.  We'll be celebrating Haley's 9th birthday and Jayden's 6th.    It was so easy to make their birthday cards this year.  Haley loves boots so the new Bootiful Occasions stamp set was perfect for her card.


Stamp set:  Bootiful Occasions
Paper:  Floral District DSP, Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Perfect Plum and Whisper White Card Stock
Ink:  Melon Mambo
Misc:  Brights Designer Buttons, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Scallop Edge Border Punch, White Bakers Twine, Chevron Embossing Folder

Jayden loves trucks, diggers and playing in the dirt so what could be better then the stamp set I Dig You!



Stamp set:  I Dig You
Paper:  Old Olive, Marina Mist, Whisper White Card Stock, DSP
Ink:  Cajun Craze and Marina Mist
Misc:  Word Window Punch, 3" Circle Bigz Die, Chevron Embossing Folder

I better hurry and wrap their presents!
 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

July Workshop

Its been a hot, hotter, hottest summer so far, but that didn't stop us from stampin' up a storm at our July workshop.  Beth Griffith was our hostess serving up some delicious BBQ, summer salad and yummy in my tummy Texas sheet cake.

My son, Jason, and his wife Hasha are visiting from Texas.  Hasha loves stamping and was more then glad to help out.  In fact, Hasha made this beautiful hostess gift!!


Here's what she used to make this awesome canvas wall hanging.

Paper:  Floral District DSP, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo and Whisper White

Ink:  Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:  Big Shot, Fun Flower Bigz L Die, Fancy Fan Folder, Blossom Petals Builder Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Brights Designer Buttons, Basic Pearls, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Summer Smooches Brads, Crystal Effects,  Hot glue gun and a couple of days.

Thank you Hasha for making this amazing hostess gift!! Everyone loved it!

Our first card featured the Serene Silhouettes stamp set and can be used for so many different occasions.  I love all the warm cozy colors.


Stamp sets:  Serene Silhouettes, Itty Bitty Banners, Papillon Potpourri
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink:  Soft Suede, Pool Party
Accessories:  Sponge Dauber, Butterfly Punch, Chevron Embossing Folder, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Natural Designer Buttons, very vanilla envelopes, linen thread, sponge dauber

Our second card also used the Comfort Cafe DSP.  Its kind of growing on me! 


The new stamp set Blooming with Kindness is very versatile.  You can choose from five different greetings.

Stamp sets:  Blooming with Kindness, Papillon Potpouri
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink:  Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Buttery Fly Punch, Edgelits Finishing Touches, Midnight Muse Satin Stitched Ribbon, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, White Bakers Twine, very vanilla envelopes

Our final card was made with my all-time favorite background stamp, Pleasant Poppies.  When I see red and orange poppies in my mom's garden it reminds me of my childhood, and I want to run through the rows in her garden.  OK, maybe I can't run any more.  But poppies just make me SMILE!


Stamp sets:  Pleasant Poppies, Sweet Essentials
Paper:  Whisper White, Early Espresso, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Brads, Dimensionals, stamping sponges

Thanks for stopping by,

Susie


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Celebrating America

Wayne and I joined together to celebrate America with my star spangled card and his beautiful handcrafted patriotic pen.


The Wall Street II Pen is smooth, sleek and stylish with its chrome and satin finish.  It fits comfortably in your hand and would make a great gift for anyone.  The box elder and maple blank is dyed brilliant red and blue and then precision laser-cut.  Wayne carefully added all 50 stars and each stripe to the blank and then carefully turns on his mini lathe, sands and applies finish.

My card was much easier to make.

Paper:  Real Red, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Big Top Birthday DSP (retired)
Ink:  Real Red
Accessories:  Big Shot, Stars #2 Die (retired)

Thanks for stopping by.  God Bless America!

Wayne and Susie Smith

If you would like more information about Wayne's handcrafted pens, email him at logcabin.pensmith@facebook.com