November Paper Pumpkin!

I wasn't kidding- yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, was amazing. This was my facebook post, after midnight last night (or this morning, rather...)
"Thanksgiving 2015 = 260 Photos. 4 tables, 26 chairs, 1 ham, 2 turkeys, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, homemade stuffing, sweet potato casserole, rainbow jello, cranberries, great-grandma's "pudding", homemade rolls, stuffed mushrooms & a veggie tray. 37 people for dessert- oreo pies, apple pie, peach pie, key lime pie, pecan pie, banana cream pie, lemon meringue pie, pumpkin pies, apple streusel pie, caramel apple cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake, heath bar pie, mint oreo pie, snickerdoodle cheesecake, salted caramel cheesecake, pb/graham cracker pie. A lovely, full day (6am-9pm) of happy family time and great memories made! I feel extremely blessed and so thankful for these people in my life, and many more."
Along with this family picture, the dining room, three of my parents four kids, cousins playing, two of my dad's siblings and their spouses, and a whole lotta dessert! 

But that's not what you're here for. Here are the newest Paper Pumpkin creations I put together late last night while waiting to make sure my furnace was in fact, going to heat the house up all the way before going to bed. (someone {me} turned it off to not waste heat while loading up the van to-grandmothers-house-we-go on Wednesday...so it was ten degrees colder than usual when we got home, and when it's 28* outside, ten degrees makes a difference! So last night I was very thankful for hot chocolate, extra blankets, warm socks and forced heating throughout my house! And this morning I was thankful for the chance to sleep in!!!)
These are the two designs the Paper Pumpkin kit comes with, but I envision trimming the printed cards in half to make even more projects!

 The mistletoe is die cut, and you add the cute white pearls to this one...

 And the holly leaves are also die cut, and there are red pearls for this one!

There will be lots more projects made from this kit- count on it!

And if you're thinking Black Friday deals, be sure and click HERE to review the Online Extravaganza sale!!

A Day of Thanks

I think celebrating Thanksgiving is a wonderful thing. We start off the long, dark season by gathering with those we love, and being grateful for whatever we may be blessed with.
This year, for my family, we will be at my parents house sharing an abundant dinner with many relatives, and even a neighbor family who are strangers to most of the people coming. I love that about my parents- they have always been generous with everything they have. I remember the year I was 6, my dad invited a co-worker, a single man, to join us for Thanksgiving. I don't remember much about him, but he had on a cowboy hat and my then-4 year old brother was amazed and overjoyed a cowboy came to dinner!

So what am I thankful for this year?
First and always I am thankful for my family. My children, my husband, my parents, my in-laws, all of our siblings and nieces and nephews and the characters they are and the personality and color they bring to our world.
I am grateful for my testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ, and for the strength I find in Him and in His gospel.
I am thankful for my friends, as I mentioned yesterday. My life has changed over the last few months and I don't see my friends as much as I would like, so right now I am missing them rather a lot. But thanks to facebook and text, we all check in on each other and that helps. And the fact that they do check up on me, proves their worth as truly good friends. I am also thankful that my children have good friends who love them too!
This year we are comfortable. No, we're not in a house, no, we don't have a garage...(or a craft room- giggle!) our cars are getting older and our computer is too... But this year we are not stressing about how to pay for the every day things. We just had some unexpected car repairs and it didn't send us into a panic. I am extremely grateful for that.
I am thankful for my kids schools and teachers who love them. I am thankful my children are learning to play instruments. I am thankful for neighbors who keep an eye out for us. I am thankful for autumn and the beauty that literally surrounds us, and the sunsets we have been enjoying.
I am thankful I have multiple cameras with which to capture the beautiful world, my family and friends, any time, anywhere! I am thankful for the creative outlets I have discovered and for the joy that my scrapbooks and cards bring to others. I am thankful for my small business that keeps me creating and for this blog that makes me feel obligated to create (in a good way!) and for each of your comments!!
Truly. I feel so lucky this thanksgiving season, and so full of gratitude!
I sincerely hope that you too are surrounded by loved ones, wherever you are today.

Today I am sharing a Thanksgiving-y card with you. I used the latest sketch from the Nacho Average Challenge blog, and I turned it, and added a spot for a greeting. I loved the collagey look of the first sample and more or less replicated it for my own design. I also used the October Paper Pumpkin stamps for my collage.

Supplies:
Stamps: October 2015 Paper Pumpkin
Ink: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Mossy Meadow
Paper: Mossy Meadow, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede & Very Vanilla card stocks
Accessories: Big Shot, Woodland Embossing Folder, Oval Punch, Dimensionals

And!!! I tried something new with the embossing folder...!! I smashed the Soft Suede ink pad right against one side til it was sufficiently brown, then I ran the card stock thru and look- a colored background!!! I gotta try this some more before the Holiday Mini ends...!

Falling Leaves

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States so I am taking a small break from Christmas cards to observe that a little better.
This card is made for a friend. Typically when people list the things they are thankful for, they list their friends. I can think of more than a few people I could send this to, and I am extremely grateful for the good friends in my life.

Today I used the Retro Sketch as my starting point. I don't think I've used this set for autumn yet, so it was time I did! And I seriously love that wood grain DP- what better way to use it than with a tree?

Supplies:
Stamps: Sprinkles of Life
Ink: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry marker, Mossy Meadow marker
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Mossy Meadow & Whisper White card stocks, Into the Woods DP
Accessories: Into The Woods ribbon, Classy Designer Buttons, Old Olive Bakers Twine, Tree Builder Punch, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Jingle All The Way!

I'm going to be totally honest here...I love this fun stamp and die bundle...but my brain does not know how to make it work! I have seen probably hundreds of ideas between blogs and Pinterest and I love almost all of them...I just can't quite figure it out! Last time I used it I admitted to literally wrestling with it, and this time was no different. So after multiple tries, I think I got it figured out. And that means a bunch of photos for today's post because odds are good I will forget by the time I teach anyone else!
First, the pretty finished product, to show that it really is worth it, if you can make it work, haha! (also, I used a sketch from the Viva La Verve blog for this one)

Supplies:
Stamps: Jingle All The Way
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cucumber Crush, Real Red card stocks, Home For Christmas DP
Accessories: Real Red 1/8 Inch Striped Ribbon, Big Shot, Sleigh Ride Edgelits Dies

I mean seriously- that is a really, pretty, perfectly "Christmas"y card!
So here's how I made it...
First, I cut a 3x2.5 rectangle out of Cucumber Crush card stock, and two of the same size out of Very Vanilla card stock.

I ran the die and Cucumber card stock thru the Big Shot and adhered it to the Vanilla mat.

Then I ran the second Vanilla piece thru the Big Shot, and adhered it, making a three layered focal point to the card.

Finally I stamped the fun words!

Then, brilliantly, after putting on the Dimensionals, I realized it would look even better matted on the Real Red card stock...ahem.... And, of course, it DOES!

So again...see how worth it is, making the dies work for you? hahaha....

And that puts us close to the end of the Christmas Card class samples...!

White Christmas Card!

and today we're back to the Christmas Card class...! haha!
Today's card is simple, but it also puts the Big Shot to good use! It also uses the most recent Freshly Made sketch, along with the TGIF Challenge blog, which said "White Christmas"...I think this qualifies. And the whole card is made with one sheet of cardstock!

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Scenes
Ink: Memento Black, Watermelon Wonder marker
Paper: Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Big Shot, Brick Wall embossing folder, Hearth & Home framelits dies, Dimensionals

Don't forget the Online Extravaganza began this morning, and today there is a flash sale!! Check out the PDF list HERE!

And while you're shopping, check out the Holiday Mini retiring list so you don't miss out on any of those great products either!
See that list HERE.

Hello!

Yep, even a Sunday post this week!
I haven't had much stamping time lately, and what I have had has been spent working towards a Christmas Card class. Today I thought I'd switch gears and do a little more autumn before December starts! This afternoon I am planning to write some thank you notes, so of course I'll need to replenish that stash just a bit too!
This card design comes from wanting to play along with the NAC color challenge before time was up, and I also used a sketch from the Viva La Verve blog. And I completely switched things up with a stamp set I haven't paid much attention to in what feels like forever, but is really probably just a matter of weeks... haha! The fern is stamped off in Old Olive, for the lighter shade, and then I inked it with Early Espresso, stamped first on my scratch paper, then twice on the card panel for the two shades. I like that method!
And again with the lighting!! I have got to be done stamping earlier in the day!

Supplies:
Stamps: Butterfly Basics, Six Sided Sampler
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Early Espresso card stocks, Into The Woods DP
Accessories: Into The Woods ribbon, Butterflies dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals, stapler

Week Long Stamp Sale!!! - Begins Monday!

It's almost time for our annual Online Extravaganza!
Everybody loves a discount, and you won't want to miss out!

Details:

• Sale prices available from November 23-30
• 24 hour flash sale (specific items only) on Monday Nov 23 and Monday Nov 30
• Past Paper Pumpkin kits available for Subscribers AND Non-Subscribers!!
  *Paper Pumpkin refill kits do not include stamps or ink

Click HERE to download the PDF of sale items and start making your wishlists!
Then give me a call, shoot me an email or go to www.stampinup.com and select me as your demonstrator to place an online order yourself!

Remember- stamps make great holiday gifts! Do you have a crafter you're shopping for? Punches and embellishments fit nicely inside stockings! Do you get to put things under the tree for YOU? Know any one who would appreciate a ready-to-create Paper Pumpkin box under the tree? Keep that in mind while creating your wish list! *grin
Don't forget to check out the Holiday Mini retiring list while you're shopping too! See that list HERE.

Silent Night

Today's card was one of those I literally wrestled with. I tried several different things trying to make the sketch work and make a card I liked. I also wanted a way to let class attendees use some pretty DP, without knowing how many people plan to attend, haha! After trying multiple things (sponging...negative space...) I ended up altering the sketch, which you can find HERE, and switching the word and die cut pieces completely! But I think I'm happy with it like this.
*and pardon the weird lighting...the sun was already setting by the time I was home and able to photograph the card!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Jingle All The Way
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy card stock,
Accessories: Sleigh Ride Edgelits Die, Big Shot, Dimensionals

A November Page

Late post today...I meant to post this morning but life had other plans for my day. So here we are!

This is the November calendar top for my inlaws Christmas gift. It's simple, but it lets the photos shine and I think has a very autumny look. I like layering the words with two colors to add a bit of pop and this phrase fit so nicely!

Supplies:
MDS (all retired): Wonderfall punches, Wonderfall DP, Wonderfall stamps
Colors: Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry

Holiday Mini Retiring List!

Here's something new Stampin' Up! is doing- offering a Retiring List for all catalogs now, not just the main Idea Book & Catalog! That means today I am sharing that list with you, so you have a last chance to order the fun supplies before they're gone forever!

You can click the link and go HERE, because I can't get the chart layout to work in Blogger! *wink

And yes, many of these items will be featured in my Christmas Card class, so watch for dates on that!

Music Box for Christmas

This set is seriously SO much fun! It was high on my to-get list as soon as the Mini came out and I am SO glad I got it!! As soon as I saw this ballarina image I knew exactly who was getting a card with it, and I finally got to create it!
I used the latest sketch from the TGIF challenge blog, and possibly my favorite current Christmas-y accessory- the white Glitter Ribbon! I'm pretty sure this will be part of my Christmas Card class. I love it! And the pink falling snow!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sparkly Seasons
Ink: Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Blushing Bride Marker
Paper: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Basic Gray card stocks
Accessories: White Glitter Ribbon, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Nutcracker Ornament!

Happy Monday to you! I got more stamping done this weekend, including Christmas cards for me upcoming class! Yeay!!!
Today's card uses the Mojo Monday sketch from last week, so I'm linking late, but I saw exactly how to make it work so I went ahead and used it! Love when that works out!! I colored the ornament image with Blender Pens and a stack of ink pads. Also- I love that candy cane striped vellum!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sparkly Seasons
Ink: Memento Black, Real Red, Pacific Point, Always Artichoke, Delightful Dijon, Smoky Slate, Blushing Bride
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White &; Always Artichoke card stocks, Holidays Fancy Foil Vellum
Accessories: Blender Pens, Big Shot, Seasonal Frame Thinlits dies, Banners dies, Dimensionals

and another shot so you can see the shine on the vellum:

Pretty, huh?
Well be sure to keep coming back this week to see the rest of my creations!

May Calendar Page

I was determined to post something every day this week, and look- I made it!! (just barely...haha, this is a quick post!)
Today's calendar page is suuuper simple, but I really like how it turned out. I think the colors work well together and the images I used do too. I didn't get quite everyone on this page, but the May birthdays boys and girl are there...! That's important, right? haha....

Supplies:
MDS: Hip & Handsome overlay (background pattern), So Happy For You stamp set,
colors: Pistachio Pudding, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Spider Web Doilies: Alternate Uses

Remember I shared the Spider Web doily used as a large snowflake? Here are a bunch more ideas, including a snowflake!! :)

 

More CITM!

Nothing new from *me today, but I do have these four fabulous cards other demonstrators have made and sent me! Seriously, I love this!

Calendar Pages

Happy Tuesday! Look at that- two posts in a row of stuff *I created!
Today I'm featuring a two-fer. Readers from the last few holiday seasons will know I make a calendar for my parents, and for my in-laws as Christmas gifts. For my in-laws I just show off my own family, because there is just no way to fit in everyone. No way. haha... For my parents however, I fit in as many family members as I can each month, from my parents down. This means I get to make two different calendars!
Last year I was smart enough to "recycle" a page, just swapped out the photos. I noticed when I was putting together one of these pages that I had about the same number of photos for the other's October page- and so here we have it! I did resize photos to make them fit correctly, but the page itself remained exactly the same! I used THIS page as the inspiration for the layout.

A Snowy Card!

I got to stamp a little this weekend!! That means a post today, and I have others planned for this week too! Hooray!
For this card, I used the latest Freshly Made sketch.
I only had two people attend my Halloween card class -not a surprising fact, but I did wonder what I was going to do with 25 spider web doilies...! Well, I flipped it over and stuck it on cool blue card stock and asked my son if it looked like a snowflake. He said "yeah, that's a pretty snowflake! But...it also looks a little like a spider web..." hee hee hee! Of course I had to give a try! What do you think?? The snowman and the embossed 'snow' helps for sure.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sparkly Seasons
Ink: Memento Black ink, Pool Party marker, Tangelo Twist marker
Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White, Pool Party
Accessories: Spider Web Doilies, Big Shot, Snow Flurries embossing folder, Wide Oval Punch

Fall, Winter & Christmas

Things are really crazy so there isn't a lot of stamping time for me right now. However, I've gotten these beautiful cards in the mail from other talented demonstrators that I can share!

Blog Hop: Simply Steppin' It Up!

Hello again! Welcome to our blog hop, which also means welcome to a new month! November is here already!!

So for today, I kept it a 100% November-y card! Leaves, and a thank you! Sounds perfect to me! I also used the latest from Freshly Made Sketches as my starting point. This is one thing I love about sketches- it makes it so easy to step it up or keep it simple!

I started by keeping it super simple, cute, sweet and totally mailable!! I just changed up the colors of the leaves and the direction they are falling!

Supplies: 

Stamps: Seasonal Snapshot 2015, Work of Art

Ink: Delightful Dijon, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze

Paper: Delightful Dijon, Very Vanilla card stocks

Then to step it up, I punched the leaves out with my Hexagon punch, inked up the edges and popped them up on Dimensionals! Still all the same cute, sweet and mailable with just a touch more personality. And you could make tons of these too! 

Supplies: 

Stamps: Seasonal Snapshot 2015, Work of Art

Ink: Delightful Dijon, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze

Paper: Delightful Dijon, Very Vanilla card stocks

Accessories: Hexagon Punch, Dimensionals

Now hop on over to Cheryl's blog and see what she's created! Then continue thru the hop for more inspiration, and leave us your thoughts too! We all love comments on our work!