DELIGHTFUL DECORATIONS IN BERMUDA/OLD OLIVE...

This is another Jenni card!  She came up with this color combo when we were brainstorming cards for one of our Christmas Card classes.  We used it in this Gift Card Holder.  Then she decided to make a standard card with the same elements as well.  I added the little "loop" elements to it.  Not the usual Christmas color combo, but I like it!  Enjoy!

BERMUDA/OLD OLIVE ORNAMENTS SUPPLIES:

• Stamps – Delightful Decorations (#116517, $21.95), Warm Words (#115108, #21.95)
  
• Cardstock – Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, Confetti White, Whisper White
  
• Ink – Bermuda Bay, Old Olive Classic,
• Punches – Ornament (#116794, $15.95) 
• Ribbon – Silver Elastic Cord (#109866, $4.95) 
• Accessories – Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Silver Brads

Marie

JEN'S CHRISTMAS CARDS...

More Christmas decorating today.  The tree is actually up now!  No lights (takes 2 people and I was on my own today) or ornaments, but the tree is physically up.  And I unpacked 5 more boxes.  Yes, I have way too much stuff!  Now all that is left is the tree ornaments (too many boxes to count of those) and my gnomins (Christmas elves).

A few people have asked about the Christmas cards my daughters were making on our lovely afternoon in my Stampin' Studio that was unfortunately cut short by the nor'easter.  So I thought I would share one of the cards Jenni is sending out.  She is doing Joy Fold Cards from the Big on Christmas set.  I will try and get some photos of the other ones she is sending as well.  Enjoy!

HAPPY JOY FOLD SUPPLIES:

• Stamps – Big on Christmas (#116578, $19.95), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (#114996, $14.95)
  
• Card stock – Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Whisper White
  
• Ink – Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry Classic, Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green & Soft Suede Markers
• Punches – Ticket Corner (#107214, $6.95)
• Accessories – Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Marie

PATTERNED PINES AT LAST...

It's been a very long weekend!  I have spent the better part of the last two days packing up the Thanksgiving/Fall decorations and unpacking Christmas boxes and decorating and we haven't even started the tree yet!  I officially have WAY too much Christmas stuff!  I did manage to weed out one boxful to donate, but I really need to learn to let go of a lot more. Too much for my tiny house!  Too attached to let go - I need to work on that...

After all that work, I decided I needed to make a quick, simple card tonight.  While looking over my Christmas sets, I realized I had never even inked up my Patterned Pines set yet!  Well, of course, I needed to remedy that right away!  I will have to use this set again soon to make up for ignoring it all this time.  Especially since it is only available through January 4!

PATTERNED PINES AT LAST SUPPLIES:

• Stamps – Patterned Pines (Hostess Level I), All Holidays (#114916, $34.95)
  
• Card stock – Real Red Textured Scallop Square
• Real Red Textured 5.25" x 10.5", scored @ 5.25"
• Merry Moments DSP 5" x 5"
  
• Old Olive 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" 
• Very Vanilla 3 5/8" x 3 5/8" 
• Ink – Real Red, Garden Green & Old Olive Markers
  
• Ribbon – Sleigh Bells (#116795, $7.95), Linen Thread (#104199, $4.50)
  
• Accessories – Real Red Button
• Tools – Big Shot, Scallop Square Die
  

Marie 

CHRISTMAS ELF PUNCH ART CARD REDEUX...

Indecision, indecision!  Sigh...  In the light of a new day, I have yet again decided to play with the elf hat!  I think this is probably version 11 or 12 for me, but it is the third option I am showing you.  You can see the original versions with a free punch art tutorial here:  ELF PUNCH ART CARDS.

Originally, I had the Santa style hat, but in Olive.  I decided I really don't like the "fur" trim style as that is Santa-y, not Elf-y.  So I tried the red pointed brim, but it still didn't look right to me.  So today I played some more and decided on this one.  I think it's my favorite so far, but that doesn't necessarily mean I won't be playing with it yet again tomorrow!  ;)

For this one, I used the Wide Oval Punch and then nipped a piece out with the Large Oval Punch.  Then I placed the brim where I wanted it and trimmed off the Olive portion that showed below the brim.  The points lost a little of their glitter balls while taking them apart, so I will have to redo them when I decide on a final version.  Okay, which one do YOU like so far???

Marie

CHRISTMAS ELF PUNCH ART CARDS...

Well, I last night after our Thanksgiving dinner, we made our annual pilgrimage to Best Buy to wait overnight for the Black Friday specials.  Yes, for the last 6 years, we have been one of those crazy fools you see on the news!  Since our kids were old enough that they wanted electronics for their Christmas gift, or we needed a new TV or computer and lacked the funds to pay full price, we have been braving the elements in our pursuits.  However, this one was the worst!  Around midnight it started HAILING and thunder-storming (only scattered showers predicted).  UGH!  My darling hubby held our place in line and sent my daughters and I to the car to wait it out - my hero.  Around 3 AM, we rejoined him under a tent people had put up and continued our wait.  Although we got what we wanted (a GPS for hubby, a flip camcorder for DD and a camcorder for me to record videos for all of you among this years desires and 2 FREE digital frames to show my creations off at workshops and craft shows), I'm not sure it was worth it this year.  It will have to be AWFUL good to get us out again next year! 

After a few more stores and recovering with a quick nap, Jen and I were off to the big Christmas Craft show that we wait all year for.  I was able to accomplish a few more gifts and then drag myself home -- and I do mean DRAG!  But, despite all that I finally finished work on a project for everyone...

So, here is my Black Friday Special for all of you and it won't cost you a dime - the card so many of you have been requesting and waiting for (though I'm not sure why it's been singled out).  As previously communicated, I decided not to sell these as tutorials for now due to time constraints, etc.  I may in the future sell a tutorial here or there as it would certainly help to defray the costs of keeping up my blog, but for now I am sharing this FREE mini tutorial with all of you.  I ended up doing two different hats for the elves - you choose which one you like better!  I hope you enjoy it!

CHRISTMAS ELF SUPPLIES:

• Card stock – Real Red Textured, Whisper White, Blush Blossom, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip Textured, Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Merry Moments DSP, To the Nines Specialty DSP
  
• Ink – Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Classic, White Signo Gel Pen, Stampin' Write Markers (Basic Black, Real Red, Olive Green)
• Punches – Wide Oval (#112082, $15.95), Scallop Oval (#114889, $15.95), Large Oval (#107305, $15.95), Small Oval (#107304, $15.95), Word Window (#105090, $15.95), Modern Label (#116630, $15.95), Curly Label (112208, $15.95), 1 3/8" Square (#103375, $15.95),  1 1/4" Square (#104400, $15.95), 3/4" Square (retired), Ornament (#116794, $15.95), Scallop Circle (#109043, $15.95), 1/2” Circle (#104390, $5.95), Boho Blossoms (#110711, $15.95), 5-Petal (#109041, $15.95), Butterfly (#116629, $15.95), Large Star (#110710, $15.95), Star (#109045, $10.95), Trio Flower (#109183, $15.95), Crop-a-Dile (#108362, $29.95)
• Accessories – Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen, Sponge Dauber, Crystal Effects, Supernova Fine Stampin' Glitter
  

PUNCH DIRECTIONS:  For all "double punches", the first punch is shown on the left of the strip, the second punch (done over the first) is shown on the right with the resulting punched piece shown below it.  Many of the punches are done as partial punches "on the edge" with the Santa's Nice-o-Meter card.

• Elf Hat – Cut or punch one curly label from Old Olive as pictured.  For the Brim, cut a small portion with the Large Oval Punch as shown.  Then punch around that cut with the Scallop Oval so that the Brim looks as shown.  Use the smallest Boho Blossom flower for the pom pom.  
• Elf Hat 2nd Version – For the Brim on this hat, punch two Large Stars from Real Red Textured.  Cut some points of stars off as show and adhere one star point under the right side star as pictured.  Stick onto post-it and use to trim brim with the Large Oval Punch as pictured on the right side.  For bells on the points, dot some Crystal Effects and cover with Olive Supernova Fine Glitter.  For pom pom, punch one Trio Flower from Real Read.
• Face – Punch one Ornament (head) and one 1/2" Circle (nose) from Blush Blossom.  For eyes, punch two Whisper White and two Basic Black 3/8" holes with Crop-a-Dile.  Adhere black onto white offset so white is showing below black.  For ears, cut out 2 petals from a 5-Petal punch
• Collar –Punch three Stars from Real Red.  Cut off two opposite tips from one of them.  Glue one tip from the uncut two stars underneath either side of the cut edges of the cut star.
• Body – Wide Oval Punch from Old Olive 
• Arms – Punch approx. 2/3 of  the Small Oval from Old Olive.  Punch above and around with the Wide Oval punch so the resulting punched piece looks as the one shown.  For the hands, punch two 1/2' Circles from Blush Blossom.  When arranging the arms and packages, you may trim the sleeve if needed.  You can also use a Horizontal Slot punched piece layered under the circle for thumbs, if desired.
• Legs – Modern Label punched from Old Olive and cut in half.
• Socks – One Word Window punched from Whisper White and cut in half and then striped with markers.
• Shoes  – One Butterfly punch from Chocolate Chip Textured, cut in half.  Then use the 1/2" Circle to punch approximately one half of a punch on outer sides of cut tops as pictured.  (Thank you stampinmutt for this tip!).
• Presents  – Punch two 1 3/8" Squares, one 1 1/4" Square and two 3/4" Squares of your desired DSP or Card stock.  For the bows, punch portions of the three different Boho Blossoms by punching them "on the edge:" of the paper.  For the ribbon, nip small pieces of cardstock with the same size Square punch as the gift square.

Arrange all pieces on your completed card base before adhering.  You will have to play with him quite a bit to get him to fit on a standard A2 card.  His head looks better when not sat as low on his shoulders (more elongated), but he wouldn't fit then.  If doing a larger card, he would fit and look great!

Marie

HAPPY TURKEY DAY...

I hope that all of you have a Blessed Thanksgiving!  I am so thankful for everyone I have in my life and everything I have been given!  That includes all of you who take a moment to visit me everyday.  I enjoy sharing my life and my passion with all of you.  I pray that you and your family and friends have a wonderful day today and everyday.  Much love!

God Bless,
Marie

DAHLIA FOLD GRATEFUL TURKEY...

Today I devoted some time, in between baking, shopping and preparing for Thanksgiving, to learning how to add some suggested items to my blog.  I FINALLY figured out how to add a way to subscribe via email.  I know many of you were waiting for that!  Also, since I decided not to sell my tutorials right now and just share them with all of you, several people suggested adding a Tip Jar to my blog (with a temporary graphic for now), so I finally was able to do that as well.  Hopefully these new features are operating correctly.  If you have any other suggestions to improve my blog, please let me know.  I welcome your input and comments!  I am working now on a new header and template, but that may take a while!

Well I couldn't let the season go by without getting in one more card with two of my favorite techniques that I've done this fall.  I just really NEEDED to use my Faux Copper Embossed Paper and my Dahlia Fold Turkey again.  I used the Mojo Monday 114 Sketch for this this card (bottom pic), although my final result is a little different.  If it wasn't for the sketch, I probably would have centered the turkey, but he's still cute all the same!   :o)  Hope you enjoy seeing Tom again!

GRATEFUL TURKEY SUPPLIES:

• Stamps – Grateful Greetings (#116511, $36.95), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (#114996, $14.95)
• Card stock –  Always Artichoke, Really Rust, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip Textured,
• Ink – Really Rust, Close to Cocoa Classic, Versamark
• Ribbon - Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
  
• Punches – Scallop Circle (#109043, $15.95), 1⅜” Circle (#104401, $15.95), ¾” Circle (#107217, $10.95), Boho Blossoms (#110711, $15.95), Crop-a-Dile (#108362, $29.95), Ticket Corner (#107214, $6.95), Scallop Edge (#112091, $15.95), ¾” Square (retired)
  
• Tools – Finial Press Embossing Folder (#115963, $7.95)

Marie

TALL SLIM CHRISTMAS TREAT BOXES...

Long, long day!  I hate cleaning the house!  I like it clean, but I don't like doing it.  Someday I will have someone who comes in once every week or two to do it for me.  Someday...  Then, of course, I spent a long time going through all the fantastic sale products and deciding what I would be ordering.  Lots of fun stuff coming my way! 

Today I have one of the boxes I designed for my Wrappin' Up Christmas Class to share with you.  I wanted a box that was a little bigger than the usual boxes - one that you could actually fit lots of candy, etc. in.   I came up with this cute box that is 6" tall and 1 1/2" Square.  You can really fit a lot in there!  I have also done it as a 5" high box.  I kept the decoration of the box simple so that we could finish it in time with the other projects we had to make.  I hope you all enjoy my box!

TALL SLIM BOX SUPPLIES:

• Stamps – Cold & Cuddly (#116523, $27.95), Grateful Greetings (#116511, $36.95)
• Card stock – Real Red Textured, Garden Green, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Whisper White Merry Moments DSP, Window Sheet
  
• Ink – Garden Green, Real Red Classic, Markers (Basic Black, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue, Garden Green),
  
• Punches –  Wide Oval (#112082, $15.95), Horizontal Slot (#105089, $5.95), Scallop Circle (#109043, $15.95), 1⅜” Circle (#104401, $15.95), 5-Petal Flower (#109041, $15.95), Tag (#105934, $15.95), Small Tag (#108264, $15.95), Corner Rounder (#109047, $6.95)
  
• Ribbon – Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon
• Accessories – Sticky Strip™, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Earth Elements Brad
  
• Tools – Scoring tool, bone folder

DIRECTIONS:
1.  Cut cardstock to 10” x 6 ½”.
2.  In Landscape position, score your cardstock at ½”, 2” and 8 ½”.
3.  Turn your cardstock to Portrait position (be careful it is turned the same way as the pictured template) and score at ½”, 2”, 3 ½”, and 5”.
4.  Cut away all the Xed out portions of the box.  Cut on all dotted lines to make the tabs.
5.  Prefold all score lines.
6.  Use the Corner Rounder on the 2 corners of each tab (8 tabs total).  
7.  Using the Wide Oval Punch, punch in the center of the panel just below the long tab.
8.  Adhere 2 ½” x 1 ½” window sheet to the inside of the box to cover the punch opening.
9.  If desired, add strips of DSP (1-2” x 6 ½”) to each end of the center panels as shown.
10.  Use a bone folder to fold all fold lines crisply.
11. Apply Stick Strip to the back of your long tab and assemble the box by bringing the two ends together and securing with the adhesive just applied.
12. Fold in side tabs on the bottom and apply Stick Strip to the final tab to secure box.

Marie

HOLIDAY ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA HAS BEGUN...

The Holiday Online Extravaganza Has Begun!

Save 30-50% on over 40 products and product bundles.  Unbelievable deals!  Don't miss out on your chance pick up some FABULOUS DEALS today!

CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING NOW!

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle (French available) Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle (French & Spanish available) Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French available) Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle (French available) Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle (Also in French) Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Small Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Small Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle (French & Spanish available) For All You Do stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle (also available in French) Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle (French & Spanish available) Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

What is the Holiday Extravaganza sale?

• The sale is a limited-time, 30-50% discount on select product bundles from today, November 23, through November 30.
• Be sure to click on my demonstrator link to shop through my website for preferred pricing.
• The Distribution Center will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, 2009, for the US Thanksgiving holiday. No orders will ship on those days.

CLICK HERE and then choose SHOP NOW on the right lower portion of the site.  Then you will see the HUGE SALE banner - click on that! 

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help you in any way! 

Marie

RUDOLPH GETS A GIRLFRIEND, Reindeer Poop and Magic Reindeer Punch Art Bag Toppers...

Earlier this month, I posted my REINDEER POOP TOPPER.  Well, Rudolph was getting lonely, so I had to make him a girlfriend - Clarice!  So now you have Reindeer Poop for the boys and Magic Reindeer Food for the girls.  A match made in Heaven.... or at least the North Pole!

Please see the REINDEER POOP link above for info on the Reindeer Poop as well as a photo of the rear of the bags with the poem stamped and attached

MAGIC REINDEER FOOD POEM:

Be sure to take this magic food,

and sprinkle on the lawn.

On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel

miles before the dawn.

The smell of oats and sparkling path

will guide them on their way.

And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts

next morn on Christmas Day!

MAGIC REINDEER FOOD MIX (fills several bags):

• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup red or green sugar crystals or candy sprinkles or mini colored chips or a mix of all!
• A little Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
  

MAGIC REINDEER FOOD SUPPLIES:

• Stamps – Winter Post (#111780, $26.95)
  
• Card stock – Chocolate Chip Textured, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White, Basic Black
  
• Ink – Creamy Caramel Classic, White Signo Gel Pen
• Ribbon – Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
• Punches – 1" Circle (#109046, $10.95), 3/4" Circle (#107217, $10.95)
• Accessories – Sticky Strip (#$104294, $6.95), Small Flat Cellophane Bags (#103104, $3.95/50), Poem printed on business cards and cut to fit back
• Tools - Big Shot, Top Note Die, Tulipe Die, (portion of - cut 2 of these and glue together for strength!),

Marie