Ok, I know it's been a bit since I posted.  Believe me, I have started several times!   Had a BLAST at convention.  TONS of ideas.  If you are havin' a party in the near future, looking for wedding favors or have a sweet tooth – this post is for you!

Yum Yum!   Don't you love what you can do with paper, sizzix die cuts, embossing folders and a little creativity?  LOVE it!   Check out the house. . . . seen it before?    Nope – sneak peak of what is coming in the awesome Holiday Mini catalog!    This house reminds me sooo much of ones my grandma used to make – of course her's were made of hardened frosting and she had an entire village – I am excited about this one. . . . can't wait for my pre-order to arrive!

My oldest grandson turned 6 and I had to come up with the appropriate wrapping for his new game. . . so I took my Big Shot Box frog and expanded it. . . . It was toadally a fun thing to make!  I had to create the box in a size to fit the game and beyond that with the circle scissors plus, I was set!  

Now, I think the game was the hit of the present – but, I did notice the frog made it to the shelf to observe the remainder of the activities!

He turned 6 years old – and is a great, inquisitive and active kid.  He got to go with his dad to Texas for a week of dog training so, I think the game came in handy!

If you want to learn more about the Circle Scissors Plus – give me a call!

BJ

What do you think of the door banner you'll see on arriving at the Peters house?  Do you think spring has sprung!   I do – and am sooo ready!   As you know, the Stampin' Up! cruise is in April this year – so my vacation is 33 days away!    Not that I'm excited or anything!

OK, back to the spring banner. . . I know that you've heard that I have had a great time with the scallop square die and some quilting (SU style! – easy!).   This banner is easy peasy if you have some basic sewing skills.  The Big shot cuts 8 layers of fabric at a time – and you sew all of the layers at once!  I used these die's;

• Scallop square
• scallop oval
• Flower (clear)
• Blossom party (center of flowers)

Other items I used are fun buttons (they've got to be fun!), scraps of fabric (the blue, flowers and the back I used fabric scraps).  I purchased the multi-colored striped fabric and the ric rac. 

This is the last week to purchase your Big Shot while getting 2 FREE Sale-a-Bration items!!!!    You see the value to your papercrafting and home decor projects. . . how much longer can you not have yours?

I am loving the Occastions Mini Catalog.  get a load of this VERY cute box shown at our recent Stampin' Up! leadership conference.  It uses 2 of the chipboard hearts (On Board Heart Book – $4.95!)and the new jumbo flower punch and the sweet pea felt flowers.  A perfect gift for valentines day for that someone special.  Here's another sample using the book – a great gift for Valentines Day that is quick and easy!

If you haven't yet checked out the Occasions Mini Catalog, click on the link in the left sidebar.   You won't be disappointed! 

You'll also see and make some awesome ideas at my upcoming events!

• Jan 18 Stampin' Up! class – just 4U!
• Jan 20 Chicks, Chocolate and Cards!
• Jan 21 Scrapbooking Club
• Jan 23 North Starz Get Together
• Jan 24 Fun with Fabrics
• Jan 25 Big Shot Box class
• Jan 30 Birthday Card Bonanza

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!

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 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

   

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? 

In case you missed it, here is the "thanks for coming" gift from my Open House last weekend.   Aren’t they cute?  I used the Bag with Scallops die and just did the front and back (sides come with the box but, I didn’t use them).   Of course the color is Rich Razzleberry which is one of my favorite new colors! 

I punched the window out with a 1 3/8" punch and put a window sheet behind stamped with a sentiment from Matchbox Messages in white staz on.  The finishing touches were added with a white gel pen - I’m sure you’ve heard me say our gel pens are awesome!  Make sure that you put one on your next order. 

Ah yes, the great ribbon!  I have lengths of the ribbon available – if you haven’t yet purchased yours, make sure you call.  Rich Razzleberry has been the "hottest" and I just got some in!  I know it will be gone quickly.