This is a great project – especially for kids.  This tree ornament opens up to reveal a picture inside!  What a prefect gift for grandparents, aunts and uncles.  This project uses the scallop square die as the foundation.  This is another project you will make at my Holiday Gift Giving class on Sunday, Oct 25.  RSVP!

Gobble – Gobble – will be what your guests want to do when you have these cute little place holders sitting on your Thanksgiving table!  I saw this cute treat idea at Cherie Manderscheids Demos Galore event (Thanks Cherie!)  Using the sweet treat cups and scallops #2 die and a few other punches – these are easy to make and will be the talk of the table!  Give me a call if you want more details. 

Here’s another fun Pumpkin Box – I saw the idea (sorry don’t remember where) and just had to make one. . . . are you ready to hear which die I used?  The pillow box!   Yes, we’ve made some fun things with this die.  You use 3 of them to make this box!  Sorry you missed my Big Shot Night this week – or you could already have one of these at home!  The eyes are 2 circle punches. . . . the nose is a free hand triangle.   The mouth – a punch of course!  It is 3 of the photo corner punches put together! 

Here’s a quick and easy banner for the upcoming holiday season.  It uses the Two Tags Die which you will need this holiday season for those gift tags.  I also used the Simple Letters Alphabet and the Sweet Season stamp set (p 29).  These items go so well together.  What you can’t see so well is the shimmer paint touch I added – if you haven’t yet ordered some of this – you really need to get it!  There are so many ways to use it!  Join me for my Holiday Stamp Camp on Sunday October 25. This is a brand new add to my calendar – register early!  Here is how this event will go;

• 1-3pm 12 Holiday Cards – Cost $20.   Receive $10 off your class fee with a $50 order (perfect for ordering supplies for your holiday cards!)
• 3:30pm-5:30pm  Holiday Gift Giving ideas – Cost is $20.  Receive $10 off your class fee with a $50 order
  • 5 projects which will include;  Merry banner, Journal, Gift card holder and more!

More about the 2 Tags Die – you get 2 different tags on this die – you can see them both here.  One is designed that you could fold in half – I think this tag would look great with a chocolate or candy cane inside!

Looking forward to seeing you at class!

Here’s a quick and easy Halloween decoration.  Isn’t it boootiful!       I used the Scallop square die and the Serif Essentials alphabet.  The finishing touches from the Eat, Drink and be Scary stamp set.   Give me a call if you are interested in making this quick and easy banner!

Do you belong to Twitter or Facebook?  If you do, look for me and follow my posts.  I am "stampinbj" on both of these social networking sites. 

Are you checking the weekly specials from Stampin’ Up!  There are some fantastic deals out there!  This weeks specials are;

• Perfect Setting Die – Sale $25.99
• Flower Burst Embosslet Die – Sale $5.99
• Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Die – $25.49

   

The vote is in. . . this month’s Club Projects were a hit!  Check this out! 

JOY card - I highly recommend the ornament punch and the coordinating stamp set and rub ons!  If you need ideas, come and check out my display boards – I garantee you’ll love what you see!  Colors on this card are; Rich Razzelberry and Old Olive.  The background usesthe finial press embossing folder.  The "J" and "Y" are from the Serif Essential Sizzix Alphabet, ornament punch, Sincere Salutations greeting punched out with large oval punch, gold cord (limited time in Holiday Mini – strongly recommend it!), jumbo eyelet and narrow grosgrain ribbon.  What a fun holiday card!

Witch Hat - this fun creation came from a great friend I met at Founders Circle.  It is actually a treat box with a brim attached – your special trick or treaters will love it!  Notice the great striped grosgrain ribbon – It frays so well – and adds tons of character to this project!  You’ll be surprised at how quickly this project goes together!  Love it!

Top Note – Lovely as a tree - if you saw this card in person, you would just say – WOW!  The trees are "frosted" with shimmer paint!  I love the shimmer paint in the Holiday Mini Catalog (get it while it lasts!).  The shimmer paint comes in champagne, white and platinum.  For this project, I used a window sheet with the negative image of the top note die.  Sponged the background.  Mixed the Frost White shimmer paint with night of navy reinker and sponge daubered it on the tree stamp.  The result is – Fantastic!!!!  Stop by and see this one in person – better yet, make sure you get your shimmer paint before the Holiday Mini catalog is over!

Christmas Pines - This is a very fun level 1 hostess set (get yours free by hosting a show or gathering orders for a catalog show!).  Check out the white background of this card which I received from a great demonstrator at Founders Circle!  Do you see that I used an embossing folder but there is an oval in the middle that remains flat?  This is an easy and fun technique – I’d love to show you how to do it! 

One of my great customers – Betsy Trondson is off to to walk in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society marathon this weekend.  Remember the Stamp a stack fundraiser we did back in August?  We had a great group – and raised a little money for Betsy – well actually for Leukemia and Lymphome research. 

While Betsy is walking this weekend (keep her in your prayers), she has a little fundraising and a little time left.  She is hosting a Stamp a stack on Sunday, Nov 8 from 1-4pm at my home.  10 cards for $20 PLUS I will donate 20% of all orders that day.  I hope you will consider supporting this great cause! 

I have been thinking of this witch for weeks – even had the papers cut!  My friend Sandy and John are here for a night and after we set up for club tomorrow night, we played just a little bit.  It’s fun to play with Stampin’ Up! friends?

The witch uses the Bag in Scallops die, 1 3/4" circle die (face), 2 5/16" neutral brads embossed in green galore, word window punch (nose), scallop circle die (skirt), texturz plate on skirt, ribbon slide from hodgepodge hardware for belt, oval punches for arms, boho blossoms for hands, wide oval for broom wrapped around a twig, and a strip of DSP for the hat!  Ain’t she cute!!!!!

So, the playing didn’t stop there. . . . . we went from a witch to angelic.  Check out this angel!  We used some of the same dies, punches and embellishments!  She is shining in shimmery paint and embossed polka dots!

Then, I thought I could improve the reindeer with our new sweet treat cups. . . . and yup!   Cinnamon candies worked great in the cup for Rudolph’s nose! 

So, what do you think!  Did we do it or what? 

I have to say that I have the BEARY Best Customers and Blog readers!  I have heard from many of you checking in on my absence of posting.  I Love you guys! 

So, here’s the scoop;

Founders Circle - Sept 16-20  OMG, This was the beary best Stampin’ Up! trip ever!  The details of the planning, the fabulous location (St. George Utah) and the best demonstrators – and new friends I made.  It was the PERFECT experience.  I wish that each of you could have enjoyed it with me. 

Peters Annual Booya - Sept 26 – Jim and I hosted about 150 friends for our annual paty on the 26th.  It was a very fun event but, it takes a lot of work to get ready. . . so, I missed posting for a couple of days.  Then on Monday, my sister in law had a brain aneuysm.  She is doing OK, though she is still in the hospital (prayers appreciated). 

Influenza - most of you know that in my "other" job, I manage the employee health department for a large health system.  With seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccinations and illness ramping up, I am working long hours.  Oh, I can’t wait for the day that I can stamp, demonstrate and be creative all day long – everyday! 

So, hang in there. . . I’m still here.  I just might not be posting as frequently as I used to!  But, I’ll be back!!!!   

Stampin’ Up! Announced 2 new specials – AND to make it even more exciting – a new special each week throughout October!  Make sure you check back for the next special on October 12.

First Deal!   Punches - one of my favorites!

 #109183  Trio Flower punch (reg. price $15.95)  SALE price $10.99

#109041  5-Petal Flower punch (reg. price $15.95) SALE price $10.99