It's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas!

Did you have a good Thanksgiving??? Did you count your blessings?? Well, I counted YOU as one of MY blessings - thank you for dropping by and paying attention to my artistic endeavors. :D

This is one of the cards from my very last card class, Christmas Card Class. Every card for this class had embossing powder involved. LOL! It was a shiny, sparkly, powdery place for a while!

This is the HOLY TRIPTYCH set again; the Lovely Lilac card was rolled with the So Swirly Jumbo Stampin' Around wheel in Lovely Lilac. The two side panels - it's a gate fold card - were then embossed with silver embossing powder; the middle panel is black EP on Almost Amethyst, and layered on top of brushed silver card stock. Yes, you DO see my favorite ticket corner punch there again. :D The inside is black embossed two of the sayings from MANY MERRY MESSAGES.

Think outside your color box for making your Christmas cards - and let me know what you're stamping!!!!!!!!!!!! :) Have a wonderful day!

QUICK post!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight is my LAST CLASS of the year! :) It's called IT'S A WRAP, appropriately. :D But I digress; I have been baking this afternoon, and did the class this morning, and people are on their way - and I'm not ready! I need a nap. LOL!

Isn't this a pretty card?? I'm very fond of it, if I do say so myself. :D This is the Stampin' Around standard wheel SOFT HOLLY, rolled in Garden Green. The berries are colored with a Real Red Stampin' Write marker. That's naturals white card stock, mounted onto Garden Green, and the card is Real Red. The center is embossed in gold; it's a stamp from the Level 1 Hostess Set PUNCHES THREE, and punched out with the new scallop square punch. (Have I mentioned I love our punches??? :D) The inside has a verse from MANY MERRY MESSAGES.

What are YOU stamping?????????????????

Two MORE seasonal quick cards!

I'm so glad y'all are enjoying the cards! :)

This week MIGHT be a little sparce; my best friend from college is coming to spend the week with us, and I'm still working. :D SO, it's gonna be busy - but I can't WAIT to have some fun with her, too....

ANYWAY. Here we go!

SUPER quick and easy. Colors: kraft, Ruby Red, Garden Green. Stamp set: HOLIDAYS & WISHES on front, MANY MERRY MESSAGES inside. Standard Stampin' Around wheel in Garden Green: Soft Holly. We used a Ruby Red Stampin' Write marker to color in the berries. The "poinsettia" is two of the 5 petal flower punches, offset and adhered together; the centers are three gold brads. Of course, you see that we used the ticket corner punch on the greeting. ;)

Of all the cards I've done this year, this one seems to have grabbed the most attention. It's fun, isn't it? :D Other demos have been doing these trees with the circle scallop punch, but I wanted to have something take up more of the room on the front of the card.

Colors: Riding Hood Red, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White. Stamp sets: MANY MERRY MESSAGES, BOHO BACKGROUNDS. Other accessories used: Scallop circle die, Big Shot, white embossing powder, sponge, paper snips, dimensionals. Isn't it FUN!?!?!??! The tree makes a GREAT gift tag all by itself; I'll have to remember to take a photo of the tag! :)

Enjoy the card designs, everyone - I hope they inspire you to even bigger and better creations!! Because you ARE stamping, aren't you??????????? :)

(Don't forget! If you want to purchase ANY of the "ingredients" for ANY of the creations on my blog, I can certainly help you out! :D CONTACT ME!!!!

Two more cards from the Seasonal Quick Card Class!

Ahhhh, the power of a monochromatic card. :) This card is all Whisper White, with brushed gold/gold embossing. Isn't it beautiful? I was inspired by another demonstrator, who did several cards with this color scheme and set. I REALLY like this card!

It's HOLY TRIPTYCH. The standard Stampin' Around wheel is BAROQUE BORDER. The "noel" is from MANY MERRY MESSAGES. Stamp, emboss, and punch. :D That's all there is to this one!

This one's pretty much the same, but with Brilliant Blue and silver. the jumbo Stampin' Around wheel is, appropriately, called SNOW. :D The stamp is from a Level 1 Hostess set, PUNCHES THREE. That's the square scallop punch - new with this Idea Book & Catalog, and SO cool!!!. That is ALL there is to this card. SOOOOOO super simple!!!!

You REALLY do want to try out some of these color combos for next year, if you've already got your cards done for this year. If you HAVEN'T, it's not too late! CONTACT ME for supply information, or go to MY WEBSITE and hit the SHOP NOW button to get them all for yourself!!! :) For PETE'S SAKE, would you please stamp something and let me know it?!?!? :D

Thanksgiving card ideas!

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted the cards from the SEASONAL QUICK CARDS class! Well, we did four Christmas and one Thanksgiving - and this one is it. :) SUPER fast and easy, too - you could put several of these together this weekend and get them in the mail on Monday, no sweat!

The background is plastic wrap and Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, and metallic gold inks. I usually tell my stampers, "If it doesn't move, you can either stamp ON it or WITH it!" :) Just use the plastic wrap like you would a sponge!

The saying is from HOLIDAYS & WISHES. The leaves are cut with the Big Shot, and just crumpled up and straightened out a bit. They're adhered in one small spot onto the front of the card, and the saying is stamped in Pumpkin Pie and sponged with a little of the gold ink, then put onto the card with dimensionals. The ribbon is our kraft taffeta; when I ran out, we used Chocolate Chip - but it unbalanced the card somewhat.

Here's another idea, also using leaves cut with the Big Shot - but I also used the negative space - what was left when the leaves were cut out - to stipple Really Rust ink onto Very Vanilla card stock, so the leaves would mute it a bit. The half-scallop is also cut with the Big Shot; the "celebrate" is from CELEBRATE EVERYTHING, and the scarecrow with the cute little crow is from the Holiday Mini, HAPPY BLESSINGS. When I was doing my Hostess Appreciation Luncheon, I did a few too many - to be on the safe side! - of the scarecrows, and wanted to use them. :) The leaves are also left over from a demonstration I did; they're actually cut out from the More Mustard selection in the current Level 1 Hostess Paper Pack. (Did you know that you can get rewards for your order of $150 or more ONLINE, too??? It's AWESOME!!!)

Cute cards, aren't they? Super-simple, and fun to do. :) You NEED a Big Shot, I'm telling you! I've got a new die coming, and I can't WAIT to start showing you some awesome stuff with it....

Gotta jet! So much to do, so little time to do it in...! :D

Have you missed me? :)

The craft fair wasn't that great, but that's OK. :) Amy and I are going to do a shopping day at my house on the Friday after Thanksgiving. If you're local and would like to come, EMAIL ME for more information and directions!!! We'd LOVE to have you come!!

So, anyway. :) Here's today's share!

This is one of the cards from this month's Advanced Techniques Class. This is snakeskin, something I learned from Technique Junkies. It's a GREAT background! I don't know how well you can see it, but there are lines on the background that make it look like snakeskin or lizard skin. The background ink colors are Brocade Blue, Bordering Blue, and Night of Navy. The stamp set is WINDS OF GRACE.

What are YOU stamping? I'd love to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home & Hearth

Good afternoon! Today's share is last night's class, HOME & HEARTH. Except for the vinyl snowflakes we diecut on the Big Shot, this is everything! :)

I really wish I could show this to you in person. It's really simple, but so striking! That's a Decor Element saying; we painted canvases with gold metallic paint, then CAREFULLY put each and every letter onto the canvas - it's not taught enough to just rub on like a wall would be! Next, we put chocolate taffeta ribbon all the way around it. Next, we cut enough to tie a bow in the center and drpe to the edges for the hanger; the ends of it are held to the canvas frame with upholstery tacks. Finally, we used Tombow Multi to put down the hay. I just LOVE using the Decor Elements for things like this - they're SO versatile!!!

Isn't this BEAUTIFUL???? It's made with the stamp set from the COUNTRY LIVING HOLDAY COLLECTION stamp set; this collection is a GREAT buy!!!! Email me to find out more - or go to MY WEBSITE, hit the SHOP NOW button, and click on SPECIALS!

ANYWAY. We used white Stazon ink to stamp the snowflakes on the blue vase - which I found at BIG LOTS for $2!!! The ribbon and cording around the neck are also from the HOLIDAY COLLECTION. The big snowflake, we stamped in white craft ink and embossed with white embossing powder, then punched out with the circle scallop punch. Simple, fast, EASY, and very inexpensive!

Both of these were made with the circle punches; the snowman uses the 1-3/4", 1-3/8", and the 1". The angel uses the 1-3/4" and the 1". Aren't they ADORABLE????

OK, that's it for today! I have classes to prep and a craft fair to get ready for!! :D Now, it's your turn! What are YOU stamping????? Don't forget! You can send people to MY WEBSITE to order Christmas gifts for you, or have them contact me - if you're local, I'll wrap them for your purchasers for FREE! Or, go to MY WEBSITE to purchase your gift-crafting supplies! It's easy and fast - just click SHOP NOW.

Happy Fall!

Good afternoon!! I decided it's time to show you things from the fall stamp camp - tonight is HOME AND HEARTH, things for Christmas. I went way over budget for the fall stamp camp, and it was a GREAT time. The above are vellum "tube" candle covers. We added color to the vellum with sponges, and cut the leaves with the Big Shot. Added natural hemp, and the candles are electric tealights.

We made these cute napkin rings completely out of card stock. The turkeys are made just with the scallop circle punch and free-handing the waddles and beaks. I just love them - they're so cute! :D Colors are kind of off - I forgot to change the white balance on my camera. The colors are Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, and Ruby Red.

This was the ultimate piece for the night; it's a shadow box, 14x16. :) The leaves are from Hobby Lobby, but the saying is a Decor Element. I LOVE this piece! It's a great heirloom piece, to pass down to other family members - or you can gut the whole thing, peel off the Decor Element pieces, and use it for something else!

This is the card we made: pumpkin is cut with my Big Shot, stamped and inked; the Mellow Moss is rolled with the Fall Harvest standard Stampin' Around! wheel, and we used the moss gingham ribbon as an accent. Isn't it cute??.

OK, off to finish tomorrow's class pieces. :D Have a WONDERFUL evening - and be SURE to STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

Other two layouts :)

Hi, everyone! So sorry - I wish one of you could come be my assistant for a couple of days. I'm so worn out - and not done yet! LOL!

Here are those other two layouts. I'm going to make these posts short and sweet, so I can at least share with you SOMETHING!!!

Colors are Not Quite Navy, Whisper White. Of course, I used the ticket corner punch; the snowflakes are some Sizzlets dies cut with my Big Shot, and there's a crystal from the inside of a clear rhinestone brad from a Pretties Kit adhered to the center of each snowflake with our Tombow Multi Adhesive.

This layout was done with lots of punches and the Coluzzle! The colors are Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, and Elegant Eggplant. We used the Coluzzle to cut out the photo mats. The edges (both sides, but you can't see the left-hand edge. Dumb scanner!) were done with the scallop edge punch. The small ovals are oval punches. We used three different sized handheld punches to create the border strips. It was simple and fun!

OK, got to run again - miles to go before I'm done! :D Have a WONDERFUL day - and please, take the time to stamp SOMEthing - I'm feeling like I'm doing it all by myself! :D

I'm still here!

Just BUSY! This is usually my busiest month, and it's definitely been true so far. PHEW!!!

I will post those other two layouts later, but I wanted to share this video with you. This is Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up!®'s CEO, showing some great place settings made using the Big Shot and other accessories. If you'd like to know more about the items she used for all these great table favors, email me!

How time flies!!!

Working, working, working! SO much to do, so little time to do it!! :)

Two quick shares today, from the Scrapbooking class last week.

This is a new set for me, CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES. It's still ON SALE for two more days - CLICK HERE to check out the specials going on! The background is Very Vanilla, and the photo mats are Regal Rose. I embossed the balloons AND the outline of the cupcakes, and then colored in the cupcake, cut it out, and put it on dimensionals. Super easy!

Here's another easy one, but I love the colors! The leaves are vellum that we sponged Earth Elements colors onto, crinkled, and cut with my Big Shot. They're mounted onto Very Vanilla, which was matted onto Chocolate Chip. The background is Garden Green that we rolled with the FALL HARVEST Stampin' Around wheel. Again, super easy!!

OK, off to work on class planning. :D Have a WONDERFUL day - and for goodness' sake, take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a BEAUTIFUL Sunday afternoon!

I'm soooooooooooo tired. :) I can't wait for Tuesday to get here; I get to sleep in! :D

ANYWAY! Ann, I checked with my hostesses, to get their permission to share the Blessings Mix with you. I try to keep EVERYTHING that I do and serve for my hostesses ONLY for them, because it's their special thank-you from me. But each one said I could share with you - I have THE best group of stampers in the world, I tell you! :D

Here is the actual text from the insert. Enjoy!!

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix
Each item in this mix symbolizes a blessing we enjoy:
Bugles - cornucopia. We are blessed with so much!
Pretzels - prayer. We are blessed with the freedom to worship!
Candy Corn - food. It was scarce the first year of settlement, but God provided!
Dried Fruit - bountiful harvest. We harvest now, and save for the future!
Peanuts - future harvest. We know God will provide tomorrow’s needs, too.

Another new item from the inspiration station!

Psalm 100 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, and these two verses are two of my favorites in the chapter.

It might have been more "professional" if I'd typed it out in a fancy font, but I really like the fact that it's in my own handwriting. I used a Chocolate Chip and Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker to write it out.

I used the negative from die cutting the maple leaves on my Big Shot to dry emboss the leaves along the side of a piece of Creamy Caramel. I used my finger with a little bit of Close to Cocoa ink to edge the leaves.

Isn't it pretty? :D I'd love to see what you're creating! You ARE taking the time to STAMP, aren't you???

The Inspiration Station!

Hi, everyone! Here's the fresh, new look of the Inspiration Station!

For the rest of the week, I'll be sharing at least one of the new projects here! :)

First, there was a question on one of the comments from last week that I want to answer. :)

Hi Lori,This is my first time visiting your blog. What did you use to clean off the ornaments before you adhered the rub-ons?Stampin' Smiles from Ear to Ear, Ann :)

Ann, I used rubbing alcohol or an alcohol pad. It's the simplest, easiest way to do it. The alcohol pads are really convenient; you can find them with the diabetic supplies at most superstores. :)

OK. On to a new project!

Both of these ideas came from fellow demonstrators; I can't wait to show you some winter/Christmas takes on these! :D

The pumpkin is made with the large circle punch and the five-petal flower punch. It's SUPER-cute!!!

The Frankenstein face you've seen here before; this one is smaller, and it contains a standard-sized Hershey's chocolate bar.

The thing that makes him really incredible is the sponging on his nose and eyelids, and the white reflections in his eyes. He's FUN, isn't he???

Stay tuned for more show-n-tell! :) Have a wonderful day - and PLEASE, take the time to stamp something!!

What a party!

If you weren't invited to this year's Hostess Appreciation Luncheon, I sure hope you'll host a party this coming year so you can come!!!! :) Here are some photos of what you missed!

These are the table favors, drying and getting ready to be filled. :D

And to the right is what they looked like in-place. You can see that each person's name was on them, so everyone knew where to sit. The criss-cross boxes are filled with Thanksgiving Blessing Mix. All the attendees received the templates for all the boxes we made, as well as a punch guide template - and it was all in a folder I rolled and signed with my thanks!

Here's what each place setting looked like....

And what the whole table looked like!

I make everything for lunch from scratch, ladies! You get treated like royalty! :) This year's menu:
Oven-fried chicken breasts
Carrots
Green bean casserole
Cranberry Jello salad
Corn spoon bread
Spinach salad
Chocolate caramel tart
Mint iced tea, water, two types of coffee







And now, the projects we did!

(Mini pizza box, Votive tealight holder, Birthday in a Box)

The Inspiration Station was totally refreshed, with LOTS of new samples that I'm going to try to show you in the next few days. :) Music, stamping, friends, prizes - did I tell you that the prize value averaged $20 each this year, and EVERYONE ATTENDING RECEIVED ONE????

I had a wonderful time; I have the BEST stampers in the world, I guarantee it!!!! :) This year's is over, so planning begins for next year. Will YOU be here???? I sure hope so!!! Contact me to find out how to get invited!!!

Good morning! I decided to pop in quickly and show you this cute card even closer. :)

It was sent to me by the closest person in Stampin' Up! I have to a support group; she's my up-up-upline, Karen Titus. I just thought this card was cute, simple to do, and HYSTERICAL!!!

Inside, it has the face of the racoon punched out and matted just like the front. Too funny! Thank you, Karen, if you ever stumble across this blog. :D I enjoy getting cards from her when I have good sales. She's way up north, so I've never even met the woman - but it's nice to know someone's noticing!! :)

OK, I'm off to work some more. Saturday is the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon; it's too late to get in on THIS year's, but it's not too late to get your party scheduled so you can come NEXT year!!! :) I can't wait to hear from you!

Have a GREAT day - and take the time to stamp something!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew, I've been BUSY!!!!!

See the new slideshow over on the right??? I'm going to do these once a month, to show you the cards and 3D items people gift me. :) If you want to be seen, send me something! :D

IF you aren't there, it means the something you gave me didn't make it to my basket. I promise to do better on being organized! :D

This guy is a gift certificate holder! :D I made him, super-simple, to hold a donation Kenn and I are giving from our HPP business for Encore Theatre Company's fundraiser. It's always a Halloween-themed "ball", so I went with the flow. :)

OK, I'm gonna run - still doing bunches and bunches of stuff!!! Have a WONDERFUL week - and make the time to stamp something. You're gonna fall over when you see all I've been doing!! :D

Happy Monday!!!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend!!! I spent it with a head cold. :) But I'm also working on big things for the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon this coming Saturday - you'll see things from that NEXT week. :D I'm not spilling the beans!!!

What I WILL do is share. :D

I made this matching card and box/bag for a dear friend for her birthday - Hi, Jan! :)

The paper is wonderful - it's the Holiday Treasures designer series paper from the Idea Book & Catalog. Jan LOVES flowers, but doesn't care much for Christmas. :D This paper has a subtle snowflake on it, but the flowers are gorgeous. So, I decided to use the paper. :D

Here's the tutorial for the treat box, from Di's blog. I've made a couple of them, actually - here's one I did for my Tennessee Stamper's Retreat Secret Sister.

Aren't they fun??? They're a great size, hold lots of chocolate ;D, and are super-simple.

Think CHRISTMAS GIFTS, everyone - they're made from card stock, so they're sturdy, and would be a great way to package a hostess gift, etc. Thanks, Di, for the great tutorial! :)

OK, I'm off - LOTS to do today!!! - but I really want to hear from you! What are you stamping???? You ARE stamping, aren't you???? ;)

Be watching for BLOG CANDY on November 1!!!! I can't wait! :D

Rub-On Revelation Class!

Hi, everyone! Quick projects for a beautiful Friday afternoon! :D Today's share is from Tuesday's Rub-On Revelation. It was SO much fun!!!!

We did CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS - some of the smaller letters/words didn't want to go on to some of them too well. Be SURE you clean the glass - we learned by experience. :) But they're SO fun - a new dimension for those re-inker-dyed ornaments!

We also made BOXES for them, with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive scallop envelope die. That's the holiday designer series paper from the Idea Book. The medallions are punches, but the images are all rub-ons!!! SO fast and fun!!!

To order YOUR rub-ons, go to my official site and press the SHOP NOW button at the top. Go to EMBELLISHMENTS; at the bottom of that page is the RUB-ONS!!! :D Don't forget to check out all the FABULOUS specials going on now, too!

Have a wonderful weekend! Take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

It's MONDAY - have you stamped today? :D

Hi, everyone! Quick card for you from last month's Christmas Card Class!

It's a very contemporary color combination; the designer series paper is from the HOLIDAY TREASURES pack. The chocolate chip strip is cardstock; the "snow" is a Jumbo Stampin'

Around wheel done in chocolate chip. The snowflake is the new IN COLOR, Baja Breeze, cut with the Big Shot and a Sizzlets die. There's a gold brad in the middle of the snowflake, for a little sparkle and texture. SUPER simple!

OK, since that was a really quick share, here's another from that class!

The stamped image is from BIG ON CHRISTMAS; we colored it in with Satmpin' Write markers. I need to get a new Real Red; someone colored too hard with it, and split the brush.

Anyway. We sponged or stippled white ink through the negative space left when we cut out snowflakes with the Big Shot. It's so soft, it looks like fleece in real life!

OK, I need to get busy. :D I have miles to go, and time is FLYING by today!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be SURE and take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!! :)