If you haven't heard me say yet – the Holiday Mini is the BOMB!!!!  I mean supercalifigilisticexpgaligocious (?sp!)  It's the bestest!  Customers should be receiving their copy shortly – and if you don't have it by the end of the month, let me know!   There is SOOOO much super duper stuff in there that you are going to need several months just to get it all!  (or have a show – or join my hostess club so that you get lots of opportunities!)

Today's inspiration is actually a Definately Decorative piece that is in that Mini catalog as a Halloween decoration – complete with bats, spiders, "Happy Halloween" and such.  Well, I put up the tree limb portion for now and added a few flowers for a semi fall motif.

It is sized just perfectly to fit on a door.  And boy do I have plans for this tree limb!   Come October, I'll put up the "intended" Halloween vinyl pieces that come with the set.  After Halloween will come some late fall/Thanksgiving decorations.  Of course in December there will be snowflakes and holiday things – how about a stocking hanging from that tree limb (don't you wish we had a stocking die?).   Oh, I think the possibilities will be endless. 

Jim is off to Mayo today (by himself, mind you) for the  year and a half post heart surgery checkup.  A few tests and then the Dr. visit this afternoon.  We think the appointment should go well.  I am back over to my friends in Lakeville (16071 Hyland Ave) for a show.  I'll be doing a demonstration tonight at 7pm – don't miss it! 

Here's a little funny for you. . . last May, I purchased Twins tickets for Sunday's game for Jim and I – a date sort of.  Well, he has made other plans so I told him he should sell the tickets.  Handed him the tickets on Monday night and he promptly lost them.  He has been looking for those tickets for days.  Been through the garbage, cleaned his desk (no small accomplishment) and wracked his brain trying to find them.  Yes, there was even the thought that I didn't really give them to him.  Well, he finally found them this morning after 4 days of looking. . . . do you think this is a sign of age?  So, now we have Twins tickets – and he still doesn't want to go. . . so now to figure out what to do.

I'm sure some of you can relate to this little story. . . and hope it brought a smile to your face.  Enjoy your day – and BLESSINGS! 

Remember the awesome Halloween Decor class last year?  We ended up having several classes to accomodate everyone?  Well, here's a sneak peak of a Halloween Decor class for this year. . . . .

Isn't it cute?  The stamp set I used is a sneak peak from the Holiday Mini Catalog!  It's called "Out on a Limb".  So, don't delay in RSVP'ing for this class. . . remember last year was a full house!  Thursday, September 29 at 6:30pm. So, reserve the date and check back after Sept 1 to see the details! 

Other Updates!

Whew!  it was a great few days at the fair!  I loved meeting everyone and am excited for new club members, hostesses and class attendees!  Friday of this week I will be at the Pierce County Fair – in the round barn, so come and check it out!   I'll have some new projects – (hint- I received my pre-order products from the Holiday mini!). 

I'm busy putting the last touches on my outline for my MDS (My Digital Studio) class tonight. . . and getting ready for Big Shot class and Downline meeting later this week.   It will be a busy one! 

Have you ordered your ribbon shares yet?  I have group 3 done and am working on group 4, so let me know!  Check them out on my Product Shares page; 

Plus, I'm working on an announcement. . . but, I can't quite tell you the news just yet. . . . Stay tuned though!

Blessings!

There is nothing more precious than time spent with your kids being creative.  I have some great memories of crafting with my mom (oh I miss her so).  The downside was the "snippets" that ended up on the floor – my mom always made me pick them up!  With Valentines day coming up, are you thinking of a project or two that you'd like to be creating with your child?  Check out my Mom & Me Valentine class. . . you'll make 25 Valentines with your child – and leave all the snippets behind for me to pick up! 

Here are 4 of the 5 Valentines we will be making. . . . the kids will LOVE them!   You'll go home with 25 Valentines and envelopes. (no snippets!), 5 each of 5 designs.  I will have everything cut and ready to go for you. . . . nothing but great mom and kid time!

I still have a couple of openings left. . . so RSVP now if you want them!

Blessings to all!

Are you feelin' the love?  With this banner as a reminder you might be.  Those of you who visit my studio know that I try to make a seasonal banner – and I'm sharing this one – I "love" it!  Haha. 

The color scheme really makes this banner stand out – Basic Black and Real Red.  Here's what I used to make this banner;

• Basic Black 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon  115615 p 191
• Scallop Square Die (a must have) 115950 p 207
• Pinking Hearts Border punch 117649 p 201
• Real Red Designer Series paper
• Glimmer paper from Occasions Mini Catalog 121790 p 7
• Full Heart Punch 119883 p 203
• Victoria 5/8" ribbon 118481 p 190
• Serif Essentials Alphabet 113464 p 207

So, are you feelin' the "love" yet?  Leave me a comment – it's like sending a little "love" my way. . . I'd "love" to know what you think!

I'm tempting you with the nugget first (aka the first pic).  Haha – this Valentine treat holder holds 3 nuggets and is oh so cute!  The Top Note die (113463 p 207) is used to make this nugget holder that your family and friends will love for Valentines treats.  Simple to make and very easy on the eyes!  Notice the touch of bling on the small heart on the front – (a girls best friend you know!)   Here's the specifics of what I used;

• Top note die cut from cardstock and designer series paper – I used the pretty in pink paper that is part of the "Filled with Love" special. 
• I wrapped the nuggets in real red designer series paper that comes from the same special (1" x 3").  These are secured onto the cardstock with just a bit of snail adhesive
• The belly band is 1/2" x 8 1/2"
• The pretty in pink heart on the front is from the Filled with Love stamp set (part of the Filled with Love special) and punched with the Full heart punch (119883 p 202).  The real red scalloped outline you see behind the heart is the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslet (117332 p 215).  The small red heart is from the Owl punch

Enjoy!

Here is the fall banner that adorns my fireplace in my stampin' space.  Don't you love it?  We are at peak color season right now at my area in Minnesota and the colors are absolutely stunning!   Here is a close up of one of the pennants.

Of course I used my Big Shot to create all of the pieces.  Here are some details;

• pennant die 113483 (p208).  Wait till you see what I do with this die closer to Christmas!  :)  The fabric is from WM
• scallop squares duo die 120903 (Holiday Mini Catalog p 17) – I used the larger of the 2 scallop squares
• Serif Essentials Alphabet 113464 (p 207) – I know this die set is an investment.  Think about the multiple applications that it can be used for – scrapbooking, home decor, fabric, cards, etc – that's where you will see the value
• Leaves were cut form felt or fleece and are from the leaves #2 die 113459 (p 213)

I am excited to get out and enjoy the fall colors this weekend – Monday is 6 weeks post surgery for me so, I am thinking I can at least start walking a bit more!   I love the fall and already have some great pics.  Jim and I took the grandkids to the pumpkin patch this week – that is always a ton of fun!

Check out my fall line up of classes!  I think this is the BEST line up of holiday classes ever!!!!!   Yep – all for you.  Lovin' what I do.  My calendar is updated but, you will see some updates posted here to highlight the fabulous line-up! 

By popular demand, I have added a class on Sept 29!  Register now as this class is over half filled already! 

Everyone LOVED the Trick or Treat pumpkins and the Haunted House - and you can make your own versions now too by coming to this class!  Just to tempt you a bit more, here is what you will go home with;

Products included in the class fee are the Spooky Things Decor Elements, Black Flourish Designer Jewels and Design a House.  That's $30 worth of products!  PLUS you'll have enough of the Spooky Things Decor Elements to have fun doing some additional decorating in your home!   Your family will love it!

Cost of the class is $35.  Wednesday September 29 at 6:30pm.  You will need to bring 3 pumpkins to decorate – any size or color you choose!  Remember, I only have a few spots left so register early.  Deadline is Sept 22!

It's Haunted!!!!   OMG!   This was soooooo much fun to make – and easy enough for you to copy!  It's called Design-a-House Decor accents from the Holiday Mini Catalog (p 37).

First, I have to tell you that I was kept in suspense and couldn't wait to get my hands on this house!  It was presented on stage at convention but, we couldn't get it until Sept 1!.  OK, I was at my computer bright and early sending off my order.  Once the order arrived, I created this immediately!  One of the reasons I was so excited about this (besides that I like decorating for the holidays) is that it reminds me of my childhood.  My grandma (the one who turns 100 this year) always created Christmas villages from hardened frosting that she had on display in her front window.  I could spend hours looking at it as a child and playing with the small figurines she had around it.  I also recall that my Grandma loved to decorate for other holidays – one Halloween she had a party that involved us walking to her basement in the dark over a cardboard that snapped and crackled with each step (we were walking on macaroni!). 

Now, for the house.  I was wondering how it would go together and was very surprised at the simplicity of it all.  The house came with awesome instructions.  I put it together, put it in my newly emptied Stampin' Up! box and with a little black spray paint and drizzled dazzeling diamonds, I was set!  Wondering about the dazzeling diamonds?  While the spray paint was wet, I dropped or drizzled a light layer of dazzeling diamonds over the house to give it the irridescent look.  Easy peasy. 

Next, the decorating;  I used the bat punch again with the Wicked Fun specialty paper (117400 p 172)  (told you that you would want this – wait till you see one of the next projects!)  I strung them on some linen thread.  Covered the windows with vellum cardstock.  Used the greeting from the Grateful Greetings stamp set (116511 p 27 of big catalog), a little DSP and ribbon, cotton ball in the chimney and I was set!   I was soooo excited with the finished product!  Aren't you?  Let me know if you would be interested in a Halloween decorating class – I think I have plenty of things to put together for the class!

I paired the house with a shadow box frame that uses the definately decorative elements left over form the pumpkins I posted yesterday.  What do you think of this?

Pretty cute, huh?  OK, off to do some more creating!  See ya soon!

Aren't they cute!   Stampin' Up! is much MORE than just cardmaking and scrapbooking!  These pumpkins were the hit of the show last weekend at Woodbury Days.  Want to know how to make them in 10 minutes?  Easy peasy.  Purchase the Spooky Things Decor Elements and Black Flourish Designer Jewels from page 8 in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  Add them to your pumpkins – any color(s) will do.  I purchased mine at a local craft store (it's OK to use your coupon on these! ). 

Decor Elements – Spooky Things are available in black (120909) or Dark Gray (122296) and sell for $14.95.

Black Flourish Designer Jewels (120987)  already have the adhesive attached to them!  Only $4.95!  I used 2 sheets. 

Check out the tree in the background. . . it is the perfect compliment!  The tree has bats and leaves strung around it. . . easy and cute!  Just imgine what guests to your home will say when they see your display!  You'll be the envy of your friends!

To create the leaves, I used the Leaves #2 sizzix die (113459) wtih pumpkin pie patterned paper from the Brights Designer Series Paper Pack (117155 p 175), texturized with an embossing folder and spritzed with the log cabin smootch spritz (p195),  The bats were punched with the new bat punch and the Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper (117400).   I know – you are thinking – why would I want a bat punch?  Here are two great reasons;

• Check back in a few days for my "to die for project" with bats!
• Think outside the box – here are two of our punches with the bat punch behind it – see how the shape of the punch is highlighted with this punch?

Pretty clever huh?  One of my downline gave me this tip and I love it!

See you in a couple of days! 

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx?dbwsdemoid=61023&email=STAMPINBJ@COMCAST.NET&phone=6514374440

ohhhh lalala!!!!!   Check out this sneak peak of the Holiday Mini Catalog starting Sept 1!!!! 

I am VERY excited about this exciting addition to the Stampin' Up! product line.  The opportunities are tremendous with the coordinating designer series paper and fabric.   Watch my calendar for additional classes coming this fall that focus on fabrics – now, you say, I'm not a sewer – DON"T worry.  Jump on the "I'm excited!" bandwagon as I will show you FABULOUS projects that will make lovely gifts and home decor items for your upcoming holiday season!   Trust me!  

Remember to watch my website for upcoming classes!