Remember this guy?  He was a hit last year when my friend Sandy and I made the 12 months of big shot boxes.  I thought this guy was very fitting to put back on my blog as I posted about the Big Shot Bundle yesterday.  Plus he uses the Top Note die which is part of the bundle and seriously a must have in my book!    So, enjoy this guy – hopefully he inspires you somehow. 

So, yesterday perhaps you read on facebook that I was tired of my wireless internet going out and needing to be reset.  After resetting it 6 times before noon on Tuesday, I was off to buy a new router . . . when to my fav electronics store and bought the one they recommended.  Came home – did the set up according exactly to the instructions (I was trying to work and I figured if I exactly followed the instructions, it would take less time!).  When it prompted me to insert the set up disk I did – COMPUTER CRASH!!!!!   BIg time.  Call the store back – yes maam we did hear about some faulty CD's in that router!  Ugh – went to the local Big Box store and bought a router there -set up was a charm. . .  .. BUT, now my computer is messed up!!!!   I hope by the time you read this that perhaps someone took pity on my and helped me do a restore.  

In other news, as some of you know, I have been on a bit of a journey to get in better shape and loose a few pounds.  Fifteen pounds so far!  I have found that my body likes working out at 5:30am 3 times a week at a class offered by my local Y.  The Y started a new session of classes this week and I noticed that they added a 5:30am Boot camp on the opposite days.  I thought – hmm that sounds like a good idea.  Well, let me tell you that I am 50 years old and this body doesn't do some of those things anymore!  I am actually wondering if I will be able to walk when you ready this!   I can almost hear all of you laughing now!  

Oh well. . . . Have a great day!   Many blessings to you.

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!

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! 

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? 

Well, if you have been watching my schedule and looking to see me at the Dakota County Fair - you will not find me.  While I could speculate as to why the fair cancelled my booth the night before I was to go there, the result is the same.  But, you are soooo in luck!   You can catch me Saturday at the Pierce County Fair in Ellsworth Wisconsin AND of course there is my Open House this week!  Make sure you RSVP for either Thursday and Saturday – I have been busy making the gifts you will be receiving! 

This card is one posted on the Stampin’ Up! website – the demonstrator portion.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  There is a talented pool of fellow demonstrators!  Many of you often ask how I get my ideas. . . Stampin’ Up! provides a plethora of ideas and I am never at a shortage!  You could have this resource at your fingertips PLUS get a discount on your Stampin’ Up! supplies for an $85 investment this month!  Ask me for more details.