Here's some inspiration for today. . . . a few last minute Christmas ideas.   Let's start with Rudolph. . . . . a little cutie pie he is.

He is Early Espresso cardstock wrapped around a candy bar.  Be sure and secure with sticky strip (the woman's form of duck tape).  I love the antlers made from the snowflake punch.  I actually taped 2 pieces of cardstock together so they are a little sturdier.  The Red Glimmer paper is a perfect accent for his nose!!!!   Oh, and the bow tie!   Gotta love the striped ribbon.  OK, here's the scoop the red ribbon and red glimmer paper will be well used for upcoming Valentines projects so, get it now!!

And then there's Frosty.  You're gonna be surprised when you read on and see how he is made.  He doesn't photograph well in all of his white color but, you see enough to get the idea.  He is made from an envelope that has been sealed and has an end cut off to make a pouch.  In the pouch, I have slipped a package of hot chocolate – a perfect winter treat after you make your snowman!   The hat obviously uses the top note and of course the holly is from the stocking accents die.   Nummy!

OK, want to make these guys?  Well tonight my downline is getting together for a little Christmas celebration and these are 2 of the projects they will be making.  Oh, and if you want a sweeter deal, for TWO DAYS ONLY, I can offer the starter kit for $125!   As a leadership attendee at Stampin' Up!, I can give away the starter kit for that price!  What a great Christmas gift to yourself – you'll be in on Sale-a-Bration and the Occasions Mini catalog.  Think of how long your mini catalog list is – this IS a better deal!!!!   And Stampin' Up! will send you a gift every month that you submit an order for the next year!   Gotta love the gift that keeps on giving!   Now, don't you deserve it?  Have you shopped for yourself yet?   What better of a sale can you get than $350 worth of Stampin' Up! for only $125?  Call me ASAP if you want in on this deal or want to come and check out the fun with my downline tonight!

Blessings!

Have you ever been sooo excited about a gift that you have picked out – or better yet made for someone?   The packaging of this gift becomes sooo very important – everything has to be perfect!   I'm sure you can relate to what I am saying.   Here's 2 cute gift tags that are debuting at my hostess club tonight.

Aren't they just cute!   Imagine them on your package – or better yet, make up a set and put them in a cute package for a co-worker or neighbor gift!   Secret Santa's would love them too!   The best part?  They are small enough that you can make them with your scraps!

I obviously used the 2 tags die from the main Idea Book & Catalog.  The holiday decorations are made from the Stocking Accents die in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I see lots of uses for this little die.   And you only have a few weeks left to get it!  

Another fun project planned for tomorrow!

Blessings!

Have you seen the inexpensive (4 for $2.95)  little gift boxes in the Holiday Mini Catalog?  They are a quality weight but, then would you expect something different from Stampin' Up!?

This little treat will be made by anyone attending my hostess clubs this week. (yea! – oh, and it might not be the only treat!)  I decorated this little guy with a little of our Letters to Santa DSP, Punched a window in the top of the box with the 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, added a window decorated with snowflakes stamped in white Staz On ink, and of course the perfect little greeting from the Sweet Season stamp set.  Inside I have tucked a little almond covered pretzel bag – a favorite with some of my friends and neighbors. 

So cute and simple!!!!   If you don't want to create a window, how about using some of the Stitched Felt designs from the Holiday Mini Catalog (p 30). 

Need more holiday ideas?   Make sure you check back tomorrow. . . . another cute one on the way.  Oh, and just a quick note:

• There is always room for a visitor or new club member to my hostess clubs – Tuesday or Wednesday evening this week!  A perfect time to check out what you can do for holiday gifts!
• Chicks, Chocolate & Cards is Thursday night – this week!   Spots still available!
• January schedule out VERY soon – let me know if you are wanting a certain class!

Blessings!

Sorry for the longer than normal pause in my postings. . . . but, you'll be happy to know that I have been VERY busy in my stampin' spot creating more projects to share with you.   Each day this week, you'll see something simple that you too could create to add that personal (and in most cases very simple) handmade touch to the holidays.  Oh, and if you literally have no time, check out my display at MDK studio here in Hastings.  There is a well stocked rack of ready to go items that are perfect for stocking stuffers, teacher & neighbor gifts, secret santa's and perhaps even a treat for you!  

It's really rather simple.  I used containers from a popular drink – but really, you could use any type of container.  I added some DSP, punches, tags and a few other fun embellishments.  Filled with a favorite treat and that's it!  These were popular at my last craft sale (sold out) and last I knew there were a few at MDK.  I have 12 more ready to go! 

Blessings!

I've been busy the last few weeks getting ready for craft shows. . . . you will LOVE the creative inspiration that you'll see!  Here's one of my newest projects.   Like it? 

It's one of many that you'll see at my show – AND you'll have the opportunity to make this at my Holiday Gift giving workshop on Saturday, November 26 – 9am!  I have a couple of spots left.  Let me know if you want one of them.   Hope you are enjoying the holiday helpers. . . . make sure you let me know what you think.

If you want to stop by the craft fair, it's at Kenwood Trail Middle School in Lakeville. 

Blessings!

On Tuesday, BJ's stampin' spot will be filled with all the fixings for banner making!   You'll make the Joy banner seen HERE. and this fun all winter season banner.

I have a couple of spots left in the class and will be prepping tonight – so RSVP if you want one of the spots!   Cost is $18. 

It's been a weekend of creating – after the advent calendar class yesterday – stay tuned for more cute stuff in the next few days.  Oh and 1 week from the BJ's birthday surprise – make sure you check my website next Sunday!

Blessings!
 

I was experimenting with ideas for my Holiday Gift Class and this idea was born – isn't he cute!

I used the Petal Cone Die for the box on the bottom – just like I did here.  With a little felt secured to the top with sticky strip and then tied with bakers twine – he can easily be filled with a holiday treat for neighbors, friends and co-workers!  What do you think of this guy?  Should he be part of my holiday gift class?

Let the voting (via comments) begin!

Blessings!

I had a few ideas that I wanted to experiment with. . . . one of which was I wanted a bigger snowman to put on my door. . . while this guy didn't make the cut for my door, I thought I would share him with you!

At just over 12 inches tall – he might be just right for you!   I used the 3 1/2", 3" and circles die.  For the Hat, I used a portion of the smallest pennant from the pennant die.  He is cute. . . . don't you think?

Blessings!

Here's a little hint – get your glimmer paper now!   On page 41 of the mini catalog, you will find silver and red glimmer paper.  Now, we have had the great quality glimmer paper forever – now we have it in silver!   Do you wish you had it in other colors?   Hmmmm – I will show you how to make that happen!   One of my customers mentioned to me that she wanted glimmer paper in other colors and asked me if it could be colored. . . . I tried a stamp pad but, that didn't work to well but, without giving up, I used a re-inker!   Yep – it's the bomb!!!!   Here's how.   

Choose your color of re-inker – you want to go MUCH darker than you think you will need.  You'll also need an aqua painter, paper towel and if you are impatient like me, an embossing gun (of course ours is the best!).  Unlike water coloring, you will want to use plenty of pressure on your aqua painter to spread out the color.  Our quality glimmer paper performs super fantastic with when it gets wet.

When you are done coloring your entire piece of glimmer paper – blot it gently on the paper towel.  I say gently because you don't want to blot off the entire amount of color.  Then – if you are patient set aside to dry – if you're like me, take your embossing gun and dry it – only takes a few seconds.  It's pretty cool – no warping of the paper, etc!!! Thanks to the great quality glimmer paper.  An voila!  you have glimmer paper – in this case blue!   Here's the card I did at my workshops this week!

Isn't it cute!!!!!  Here's what I used on this card;

Cardstock & Ink;  Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush DSP & Ink, Wild Wasabi DSP, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Black ink, Real Red Marker, Peach Parfait Marker, Silver Glimmer paper, Whisper White cardstock

Punches:  2 1/2" circle punch (tree and glimmer paper), Jewelry Tag punch (tree base), 1 " circle punch (greeting), Scallop edge punch

Stamp Set:  Merry Winter

Enjoy & Blessings today and always!

Wouldn't this look great on your tree or as a tag to top off a special package?

I used the Simply Scored tool to make it – scoring every 1/2".  Love the little extra scalloped edge.  I'm busy in my stampin' spot creating ideas for upcoming classes.  Make sure you reserve your spot!   Today is the holiday card buffet and my guests should be arriving shortly – can't wait for the fun to begin!

Blessings!