Our Tree....

This is what our tree looked like before the kids woke up. I'm still learning how to use the new camera I received as a gift from my parents. I needed a new camera only because my first digital camera had the small screen on the back...new screen is 2.8" and I can actually see if I've taken a decent picture or not. It's great! I hope you and loved ones had a wonderful Christmas!

A request from a fellow stamping addict...

This is the other style Gift Certificate (GC) holder I made for this Holiday Season. I have a short story about GC's this year. One of my stamping buddies gave her sons my name so they could purchase their Mom a GC...actually they each bought one for her! One son picked up his GC and not 20 minutes later his brother called and purchased one for their Mom. I made each GC a different theme and got the nicest email about how much she like what I did...Thanks L...enjoy!

Gift Certificates....

Just a quick entry.....It's been a banner year for Gift Certificates (GC) for me. I made this GC holder in a jiffy. (click on the images to enlarge) I used a sheet of 8.5 x 11 CS, scored at 3.5" from each end. I used Mono Multi glue on the back of the GC, allowed the glue to dry, on the GC, before adhering GC to holder...makes a temporary bond...it's removable! Kind of like a "sticky note". I made another design using Kraft CS and Peaceful Wishes stamp set, but forgot to take a pic.

I used:

Naturals CS
The Snowflake Spot stamp set
Ink Pads in Purely Pomegranate, Always Artichoke and River Rock
Tied it all together with Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon (still 50% off until 12/31)

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!

Ellen

Taking a break...

***Holiday Greetings***

Obviously, I've been bad about updating my blog. I need to take a break from blogging until January. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Health and Happiness in the New Year!
Ellen

2 Punches in one!

Step 1: Punch CS using the Scallop punch
Step 2: Apply temporary adhesive to scallop shape...I used Mono Multi
Step 3: Adhere scallop shape, adhesive side down to a piece of scrap paper (text weight) near the edge of paper.

Step 4: Insert scrap paper with scallop shape attached into the Scallop Punch.
Step 5: Rotate paper so the punch lines up as shown above.
Step 6: Punch!
Step 7: Peel scrap paper off newly punched scallop....you're done! Now create a card using this new twist on a familiar punch.

Too Cool!

Two different versions using the same Scallop punch, temporary adhesive and scrap paper! You won't believe how easy it is! Stay tuned for a mini tutorial.

OMGosh!

Only TriState Stampers can relate (sympathize) when they see these photos. I dropped 1/3 of my pieces for our challenge. You can see the ground was wet...and the worse part...I didn't know I dropped them and walked all over them. I wanted to cry!

Cuttlebugged...

Although I love all my Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories....I do love my Cuttlebug. I don't like to cover up the embossed design so I punched a hole with the Horizontal Slot punch and added some Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon....tired of seeing it yet? I layered the white panel on pink background paper and then onto a Celery card base. Very similar card to the one for my DD, posted a few days ago. The stamped tag uses PP ink and a stamp from the Holiday Mini catalog.

Thanks for stopping by!
Ellen

more Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon...

These 2, very simple cards were "kicked up a notch" with the addition of the Satin Ribbon. (Click image to enlarge). You only need about 7 or 8 inches of ribbon to create the embellishment shown here. Simply tie a loose knot in the ribbon and tuck the ends under the front panel. Score and glue it all together to create a "spine" in the left side of the card. Really simple. I stamped the greeting and the holly leaf/berry from this set on the layer inside the card. An easy card to mass produce.

Card base: Purely Pomegranate CS, Very Vanilla , scrap of background paper from my stash
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Stamp Set: Sleigh Ride
Ribbon: Purely Pomegranate Satin (it's 1/2 price for a few more days)

Now I get it....

...why my Sr. Center classes are so well attended...besides the low cost....everything is pre-cut! Just stamp and assemble. I bought the Holiday Tag Bundle and used it for this version of a Holiday card. If you take a peek at my previous post...Dec. 6 (Tip of the Day), you will notice I used the same pre-cut pieces from the Holiday Tag Bundle for both cards. I've got more ideas up my sleeve and some are not Holiday...hee hee. IMO, this card is actually prettier in real life...my photo kind of washes out the Soft Sky ink and Designer Paper.

We got snow!

For Delaware, even a little snow puts everything into a tale spin. Supermarkets/grocery stores are mobbed with people buying "the essentials"...area schools opened 2 hours late...I guess it's for the best, but kinda makes you scratch your head. I took a few shots of the "Winter Wonderland" from my front door. I do love to look at the snow, just hate to drive in it. This was our first experience with our DD driving to school on any slick roads...scary, but she did fine. Our neighborhood streets were covered, but the main roads were clear. Big sigh of relief when she walked in the door....whew!

Last Year's card...

I found one of last year's cards in my stash. I made several versions but used all the same supplies. As memory serves me:

Whisper White card base
Brocade Blue CS
Bashful Blue CS
Snowflake Jumbo Wheel
Snowflurries stamp set
Snowflake Punch
1-3/8 circle punch
non-SU bling (gem)
Sponges

Thanks for looking!
Ellen

Tip of the day...

Completed card with not visible hint of missing pieces in the layers under the white layer.
I didn't add the beautiful ribbon that came in the "Bundle"...not enough caffeine this morning. I will use the Red Zig Zag ribbon for another project. Stay tuned...more cards using the Holiday Tag Bundle in the next few days.

Carefully punched layers that will be hidden under the stamped image.
Now I have lots of embellishments for future projects.

This is what you would see under the stamped image. You'd never know it from looking at the completed card, in the first photo.

Warning! Don't ever take my cards apart...LOL I hate to waste beautiful CS or paper under a layer. My tip.....grab a few punches and punch away.
I bought some of the Holiday Tag Bundles to help ease my Holiday Stress Level (aka HSL). The Bundle has pre-cut items to help you make 15 cards! You simply need to add a card base. I have loaded up (OK, hoarded) on these kits...great for Make and Takes and class projects.

More Purely Pomegranate...

Ribbon! Can you tell how much I love this ribbon?! And the cardstock and ink pad never leave my site. I just can't keep from using them...a lot! This simple, yet elegant card was a snap to make. Here are the "ingredients":

Purely Pomegranate Cardstock base, ink pad and satin ribbon.
Holiday Harmony Designer Series Paper (stripes)
Stamp sets: Sleigh Ride and Baroque Motif

I stamped the scene from Sleigh Ride on a scrap of pink patterned paper and kind of like the result. (Click to enlarge)

Thanks for stopping by,
Ellen

Girlie/Shabby card...

I created this card for my DD....she loves the color pink and anything shabby-chic. In my feeble attempt to make this card look "shabby", it now looks dirty. I sponged Certainly Celery ink on the Cuttlebugged snowflakes to emphasis them...not a good idea. The tree was made with simple origami shapes glued together. I used some fun/funky yarn on the fold of the card and my favorite embellishment...a pink rhinestone brad at the top of the tree.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!
Ellen

I love Snowmen!

Isn't he the cutest?! This card is 3 x 6 but is now pictured a little smaller. (I'm "editing-challenged" but will be getting a handle on that soon). I didn't post this card (I created for the Sr Center) before today because I thought this could be my card for Holiday Season 2007. I remembered I sent a snowflake themed card last year. I wanted something a little different this year. Less than 3 weeks til Christmas and I'm still working on my cards....urg! Too many distractions. Let's just say, I love the In Color, Purely Pomegranate! Have you seen the Satin Ribbon in PP...it's so rich and elegant. (See the cards in my previous post) It's currently on sale for 50% off.

Card base: Textured CS similar to Certainly Celery
Designer Paper: Certainly Celery
Stamp Set: Punch Pals
Punches: Scallop, 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 circles
Ink: Basic Black

Stampin Up Retirement List is here!

Stampin Up has published their Retirement List...all items will be available until Dec. 31st.

Click here for The Retirement List



A list of retiring accessories will be available on 12/10/07....stay tuned!

More Paper Crafting...

Same layout as the previous post except I used different self adhesive die-cuts. The card on the left: actually the round die-cut is a little offset to the left...doesn't look it from the angle I took the photo. The blanks on the card on the right will be filled in when I decide who I will send it to.

Thanks for stopping by...

Paper Crafting...

Greetings Stampers!

I've been so bogged down with other things right now...not too much time to stamp. With the Holidays quickly approaching, I think I may have to take the quick way out this year. Paper crafting! I absolutely love this card...as usual...it is prettier in real life (aka IRL). I used some of the Stampin Up products available at special prices. Click here to see the offer and note... it's for a limited time and only available while supplies last.

Card base: Purely Pomegranate CS
Layer: River Rock CS
Ribbon: Purely Pomegranate Satin...yummy! best part...it's 50% off right now!
Embellishment: From the Hand Selected Accents and Elements: Self Adhesive Die-cut CS with the words "Believe" and "ingredients" pre-printed in coordinating colors.

No stamping on the card front...I will do some stamping on the inside for the greeting and decorate the envie a bit, too. No naked envies for me.

Sleep deprived...

OK, went to bed at 1:00 am...got up at 5:00 am....did a little Black Friday Shopping. Needless to say, I'm beat. I can't figure out how to add a photo here...it only allows me to add this link to the NEWEST Stampin' Up! special...some great values. Contact me if you would like to place an order. Limited quantities available...

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/US_Wrapping_Flyer_1107.pdf

But Ellen...?

OK, You've asked a very good question about Camp Happiness (scroll down to Nov 13). Several of you have contacted me asking if I used all the stamped images (in the photo that resembles a quilt) to create the cards pictured. Nope, we did not! This photo shows all the "leftover" pieces. Lots of them to use for more cards. ...ignore the baggie at the top of the photo...that's for another project. I hope that makes it a little more clear...I'm off to make some more cards while I'm thinking about it. Thanks for asking and I hope I cleared that up for everyone.

Enjoy your weekend!

Club assignment

At our recent club meeting, we were giving an assignment. Create a 6x6 card with 9 elements on it. This is what I came up with. I had the background paper left over from a Sr. Center Class, so I used it for inspiration. I choose Hung Up on the Holidays set, Real Red, Handsome Hunter and Always Artichoke ink pads. The card base is a color similar to Old Olive but not the same quality. I popped the center square (could it be Paul Lynde...showing my age...heehee) up using Dimensionals and added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to give more emphasis to the ornament.

Stamp and Wack =]

These.....

Become these.....

Thanks to my sideline, Pam...I held a fun class yesterday. Thanks for sharing your idea Pam! Each lady got to make 6 cards (click image in enlarge) and take home the Happiness stamp. We used all 6 In Colors to create the cards...ink pads and coordinating CS, along with the Darling Doodles Designer Series paper. Little pieces of coordinating ribbon finished off the greeting to complete the cards.These stamped images were "Stamped and Wacked" to create the cards. In other words...stamp and cut the image apart. It was a little like doing a puzzle...fun! We stamped each image on the coordinating CS and Ink Pad and then again on Whisper White CS. I have a ton of leftover peices to create more cards with....I'll post and show you on another day....have a good one!

Cracked Glass Technique

This was a raffle prize I won at Pennie's Downline meeting, last month. Isn't it pretty! (Click image to enlarge) Pennie used the Cracked Glass Technique to create the flower image from Artfully Asian stamp set. Basically, you stamp and color your image...then cover it with Versamark "ink". Emboss several layers of Glassy Glaze Enamel, let cool or put into the freezer...now for the fun part...snap and crack the embossed piece. You can sponge ink into the cracks to accentuate them. Another fun thing Pennie did was replace the original cover of the note pad. Simply remove the spiral wire, cut CS to fit, punch the holes in the CS and "re-coil" and embellish...sounds like I need to do a tutorial...lol Thank you Pennie!

Simplicity

I love simplicity. This 3 x 3 Love Note is an example of a simple Make and Take. At a recent Workshop/Party, I had a group of ladies, new to stamping. This card gave them a chance to make a simple card, with just a few supplies. We used Real Red ink and note with the "All About U" stamp set. It's so versatile! The matching envelope is the perfect size to slip these little babies into. FYI...Stampin Up envelopes are yummy! They feel like butter!

The Love Notes are great to:

Give to your "special someone"...tucked in a briefcase or luggage.
Use as a gift enclosure...when you don't want a entire card.
Great for children's Valentines.
Hang from the handles of a gift bag, with a pretty length of ribbon.
The possibilities are endless!