Goodbye October :(

Really, where did October go? Hmmmmm. A trip to Orlando. A wedding reception, even low-key, was a lot of work, school, school, and oh yeah, school. The house infected with assorted illnesses. Pumpkin Carving. Halloween. A trip to see my Grandma. A Craft Fair. Oh that's where it went!

I also had some fun workshops this month. This is what my hostess treat was. (I also give many other little things and perks):

It's a gift card holder. The original inspiration/design was by a demonstrator named Jill Hillier. You can see her versions here. I made mine using the I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit. I also creatively used punches. Most of the attendees were new this month, so I wanted to show them quick and easy ways to get started. The large brown circle was created using two round tab punches. I also showed off my Crop-a-dile, which is always a hit. Oh, yeah, I also made my own Velcro tabs by using the larger circle punch on my Crop-a-dile on my roll of adhesive Velcro! An audible WOW! was heard each time I demonstrated it.

Here is a card everyone made also:



I wish I was this good on my own, but I ran out of mojo when planning. The need to get a great idea in a short period of time, was certainly a downer. I started surfing splitcoast to get a good color combo and came across this card by Monika aka buzsy. I changed it up a bit and went with it. All of my other ideas ran into problems...how to clean stamps repeatedly in a crowd, ran out of paper, thought I was missing a punch that doesn't exist.... It was a long night of planning. I really like this card, though, for it's use all year round!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, A Note of Thanks
Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Confetti White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Round corner punch, white 1/4 grosgrain ribbon, filigree brad, 1/16 handheld punch, paper snips, scallop edge punch.

The other project we made was the Candy Bar Wrapper Ornaments I posted about here.

Well, I'm off to bed. Happy Stamping!

More Flutterby Fun!

Welcome to all the folks I met at Waverly Beach in Menasha for the Newspapers in Education Craft Show!

Last weekend, when I had time to play just for me, I used all of my Flitting By Decor elements in less than 3 hours, including the car. Decor elements are so fun and easy to play with. I kept singing rub-a-dub-dub, as I rubbed. I found these smaller pieces easier than the application of the word and definition "create" on the wall.

There is my entire ensemble! I only have one image left, more green dots and loops. These are all items I have bought just for this purpose, but finally, had an opportunity to alter.

Here's a close up of the write on board--

I found this clear dry erase board and immediately thought it was perfect for decor' elements. I added them to the front. Although now that I am thinking about it, I should have done it on the back side. Opps. It'll still work. I plan to hang this in the stamp room wall for those messages... and notes to self.

Here is a close up of the canisters.
I bought these canisters for less than $8 last summer. I have been waiting for inspiration to strike, but until the butterflies, nothing. I may add more pizazz later, but for now, I like them. You can see the old design (a prince in white and a swirl). I have no idea what I am going to do with them, but they will look cute in my stamping sanctuary.

Here is a close-up of the plates:

These plates were unfinished, probably for ceramics at Bargain Bills near Rice Lake, WI. They were cheap and all I could think was "alter it, alter it." These are not made for eating, so they are perfect as a wall decoration.

Finally, I added some elements to a large mug, a smaller mug, and a glass vase. I plan to add some elements with the coordinating stamp set, Flight of the Butterfly. One will be a gift for someone special, one for a door prize (actually, it was one at the NIE Craft Fair), and one, who knows!

I love each one, but I especially love this view of the clear vase, where the elements are 3D and compliment each other.

Happy creating!

Look What I Did!

PHASE 2 is here! I love these Decor' Elements. They add a bit of pizazz to a boring anything. Plus, they are easy to use.

Here is what I did on Sunday...I think Bubba is rubbing off on me!

First, the blank canvas (before I washed it):

I have a new Toyota Yaris, bought this summer. It was bit boring...

Next, I ....

cut around one of my new decor' elements: Flitting by.

I rubbed the grid paper backing to release the vinyl to the transfer paper and then rubbed away on the vinyl to transfer it. Here is how it looks:Cute, but not quite enough. These are designed for TWO STEP DECORATING, so I went all out. I added each element one at a time in the same manner.

Drumroll....

I just love these butterflies. They coordinate with the stamp set, Flight of the Butterfly, and I can't wait to make a full ensemble of coordinating products!

Christmas Photo Card...Sara and Bubba Style!

As I wrote before, I participated in many swaps in September. One was a Christmas Photo Swap. When I designed the card, I was in love with my Big Shot (and still am). I wanted something simple. Anyone who is making photo cards needs a quick idea.

Drumroll!!!

Stamps: Bold Snowflakes Jumbo Wheel, Heard from the Heart

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink

Accessories: White Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot and Top Note Bigz Die, White Embossing Powder, Powder Pal, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch

I used White Craft ink in my uninked cartridge over the red paper. I then put the paper through the Big Shot to cut the frame out. I then inked and embossed white snowflakes on Real Red and then punched out the parts I liked using my 1 1/4 inch circle punch. I layered this circle on whisper white and added it to the frame. I tied a small knot around around the frame. The one I took pictures of was my worst bow! I sent the others to the swap. Finally, I added my picture to the frame (I had to trim a little) on a matte.

On the inside, I embossed the White Craft Ink with White embossing powder to so the sentiment popped!

On a side note, the picture is of my husband, Bubba, me, and the guys we take care of and that live with us. We are each wearing a Santa hat of the team of our choice: The Wisconsin Badgers (Go Big Red), the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, and, of course, the Raiders. We intended to send this picture as last year's Christmas picture, but never did. Maybe this year!

Decorative Flair!

The beauty of Stampin' Up! Designer Series paper is the options available. At Convention, I won the very first door prize drawing! Part of my amazing gift was the new HAIKU paper. This is a perfect paper for me-- warm, bright colors, and soft organic patterns.

Here's two items I created with the paper:

One is a hat box I bought at Goodwill for $2.00. I traced the top and added a layer of coordinating paper around the band. For a bit of extra, I added 5/8" chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon.

The other object is a candy canister I had around for about a year! Opps! I never really knew what I wanted to do with it. I added some accents..using my coluzzle. The circle idea came from a card we made at convention that I have since lost so I can't share it. I changed the design a bit. I covered the wooden lid with an orange piece of the Haiku paper. I added a tag of More Mustard using my coluzzle and covered half of it in the green Haiku paper. The Bloom saying is from Bella's bloom, the free stamp set I won and the larger flower is from Eastern Blooms. I added some dimension by using brads in the flower center. The ribbon is Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon. I also used my cropadile to add a jumbo brad.

I use these at workshops and to decorate my living room. Soon, Christmas will replace them and I will put them back in my stamp room!

Have a great fall weekend!

How to Make a Bookmark...Fancy

I'm exhausted. Really. This last weekend knocked me out. I am back to work and that is going full force. After I finish a long day like today, I relax by picking up a book. I read a lot, especially during the week, when I am away from my stamping studio. On the weekends, stamping is my stress reliever.

My photos for this project don't do it justice.

Here it is:

Stamps: Dreams du Jour

Paper: Whisper White, Patterns Night of Navy Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Brown

Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Filigree Brads, Paper Snips, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Chocolate Chip Double Stitched Ribbon, Aquapainter

At convention, Brent Steele showed us a variety of bookmark ideas and we made one at our make-n-take using chipboard. I wanted to be different and use the stuff I owned, so I started with the beautiful ribbon.

Hodgepodge Hardware frames come with two rounds ends for brads. To cut one off, I used my craft and rubber scissors. With one quick snip, the offending part was off! I use mini glue dots to adhere the Patterns paper to the frame and a brad and a filigree do-hicky to secure the frame to the ribbon. I use an aquapainter to paint the butterfly.

Here is a picture from a convention board that shows the ones demonstrated on the main stage:

Happy Stamping!

Chocolate Flair

For those of you not involved in my daily life, this is a big week. I am away at a training that I really wanted to go to for work (teacher), so I am in ORLANDO, of all places. Yep. On my computer. I am exhausted from the noise of the airport. I am playing calming music in my quiet room...ahhhh.

I get back to Neenah in time (hopefully, crossing fingers) for my wedding reception. Bubba and I are doing things a little differently and hosting a low-key tailgate party. There will be "The Bubba," a very detailed and special burger, brats, hot dogs and all the fixin's. We did include a few important things like favors for all our guests, as we love the folks that love us. In August, at a vendor expo, I met the perfect person to create our favors: Diana Navis, Chocolatier. Diana has her own local business called Chocolate Flair. Visit her website here. Her stuff is amazing! We hired her immediately and she is currently making our favors.


I had to add a bit of me to them...so my Big Shot came to the rescue. My sister, her sister-in-law, and I spent about 4 hours stamping a topper to match my invites. Thanks, girls, for your help.
Anyway, I don't have a picture of that. What I do have is a picture of the thank-you notes that Diana commissioned. She picked out a card from my convention swaps. I changed it up a bit with the stamp set, but kept the color combo and the layout.

Stamps: Eastern Elegance, Kind Thoughts

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Tempting Turquoise 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon, 3/4 circle punch, Very Vanilla envelopes, Old Olive Brads

Enjoy!

A Meeting Make-n-Take

I get to go to a meeting today! Yipeee! Ok, it's my favorite kind of meeting..DINNER AND STAMPING with my upline's Sandy's group! Go Causing Inky Antics! and GUESS WHAT?

DID YOU GUESS?

Sandy asked me to be a featured demonstrator and lead the make-n-take! It means I got to play with a new project. I had an idea immediately when the email came through, but then had to figure out what I had supplies for at least 12, and maybe more, stampers. Luckily, I had help.

As part of a challenge on Splitcoast Stampers, I was introduced to an idea by Diana Gibbs, called a Kit Kat holder. If you are a reader of my blog, you've seen a version of them for my Halloween tree.

Enough making you wait...

Stamps: Snow Burst, Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper: 6 x 4” piece of Riding Hood Red Patterns Designer Series Paper, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Kit Kat or other small candy bar, Paper Crimper, 1 inch Circle Punch, 1 ¼ inch Circle Punch, 1 3/8 inch Circle Punch, 5/8” Striped Riding Hood Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Elastic Cord, 1/8 Handheld Circle Punch, Craft and Rubber Scissors, Paper Snips, SNAIL, Dimensionals

Can you tell, the image is a peppermint? Thanks, Nancy, for the idea! I wanted the entire ornament to look like old-fashioned candy.