Craftin' While Cruisin'

This past week, my family and I went on a wonderful cruise!  We had such an amazing time relaxing, playing, eating and even crafting!  Allison and I spent some mother/daughter time together in a jewelry making class as well as a card making and paper crafting class.  What could be better than craftin' while I'm cruisin'?  (I was even able to get the boys to join me for the paper crafting class!)

We created boxes, cards and even did a little paper folding.  The folding technique I learned will make the following projects.  (Don't worry - I'll share the folding technique soon!)

I think these trees would look amazing using Stampin' Up!'s designer papers.  I'm going to be giving it a try!

No matter where you are or what you're doing, there's always time to create!!

Happy Stamping!

Ornamental Elegance Kit

I'm SO excited that Stampin' Up! has created a kit for this amazing ornament! (This is the ornament that is on the front of the Holiday catalog.)  I have made several of these ornaments and it's not that it's necessarily hard, it's just time consuming!  But now since there is a kit, putting this beautiful ornament together will be so quick!  (that kind of rhymes!)

Stampin' Up! has simplified this fun project so that you can quickly and easily achieve the same results. In addition to the kit, all you need is a glue gun, scissors, and adhesive. (Our Anywhere Glue Sticks [104045] are perfect for assembly.) 

Want greeting or place cards to go with those ornaments? The Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (W 128048 C 128051) gives you perfect coordination. Fancy a little sparkle and shine? Sprinkle on our Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023)!

The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $14.95 and includes:

• Die-Cut Cardstock Elements
• Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
• Natural Linen Thread
• Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons 
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Christmas Decor - Loop Tree

I've got another type of tree I wanted to share with you today - a Loop Tree (don't know if that's the name for it, but that's what I'm calling it!).  

This tree was also lots of fun to make and is easily put together while watching t.v. or listening to Christmas music.  (The tree topper and the styrofoam tree form are from Wal-Mart.)

The strips of paper on the bottom of the tree measure 3/4" X 6".  I used the Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper for this tree.  At about the fourth row from the bottom, I shortened the length of the strip just a little bit to 3/4" X 5".  Towards the top, the strips got even smaller until the strips at the top were 1/2" X 4" (give or take a little).  It's something you can play with and see what you like.

Again, I used a green styrofoam tree and pins to attach the paper strips to the tree.  A friend of mine found some really pretty pins with a round, colored "ball" on the end and when she attached her strips to the tree, she let the pin head show and it looks like ornaments all around!  I love that idea!

Merry Christmas and happy stamping!

Christmas Decor - Wreath

I resisted making this beautiful wreath when my friend and fellow demonstrator, Cindy, showed it to me.  It looked way too time consuming (and you know I'm a quick and simple kind of crafter).  Well, Cindy kept assuring me that it will 'go much faster than you think'.  So, I decided to give it a try and I'm sure glad I did!  It really does go much faster than you think it will!

Are you ready to give it a try?  Here's what you'll need for the wreath:

• Wire Wreath Form (I purchased mine from Hobby Lobby for about $2.47 and that's without the coupon! Score!!)
• Clothespins (I purchased mine from Wal-Mart.  I used about 61 clothespins for this wreath.)
• Designer Paper (I used the Snow Festival Designer Paper for this one.  Any designer paper will work.  I can't wait to make a Valentine's one, too!)
• Liquid Tombow Glue

First, place the wreath form flat on the table. (The form's "hump" should be on the top.)  Begin clipping the clothespins to the wreath as shown below:  The clothespins actually have two "holes" and the wire fits perfectly inside each.  If the clothespins move or flop, you need to flip the form over.

Second, cut your designer paper into strips to fit on the clothespins.  I cut mine to 3/8" X 2 7/8".  It might also help to figure out which paper you want on which clothespin and as you cut, keep the different designs in separate piles.  I decided on 5 different patterns for this wreath - owl paper, green stars, ornaments, snowflake and Cherry Cobbler.  Simply glue the strips onto the clothespins using the Tombow liquid glue.

That's it!  Once you've glued the strips of paper on the clothespins, you're pretty much done!  You can add any kind of ornament or decoration onto the front.  Be creative!  I chose to make the ornament that is on the front of the Holiday Catalog. The ornament isn't hard but it is time consuming.  There are lots of different videos and tutorials on Youtube on how to make the ornament, if you're interested.  I decided not to do my own video on this ornament since there are so many out there already.

Now, I'm off to work on more Christmas decor items!  "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Happy Stamping & Creating!

Halloween Painter's Tray

It's the first day of October and I'm so excited about Halloween! I personally think that Halloween is the perfect time for creativity- whether that be through pumpkin carving, sending out cards, decorating caramel apples, or making Halloween costumes for the kids! Normally I am the one who is managing all the Halloween crafts and decorations. However, this year I received this INCREDIBLE and festive tray as a bonus for recruiting in August!

Look at how adorable this is!!

The best part about it is that it can be made with items that are easily found around the house- and of course some precious Stampin' Up! paper and embellishments! Plus, it can be adapted for any holiday- Valentine's Day, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day. With December approaching, I am already putting together some Stampin' Up! holiday paper for a Christmas tray! 

Witches and Goblins and Spooks Oh My how this tray is SO cute!

Happy Stamping!

Jumbo Sticky Rounds

One of the many fun things to do at convention is get to try out new product!  I hadn't used the Jumbo Sticky Rounds before and I was able to get a hands on tutorial with them.

The Sticky Rounds are great for creating adorable flower rosettes with strips of fabric or ribbon.  It's just a twist and stick approach - so easy!

Once you've finished creating the size rosette you'd like, simply cut off any excess adhesive and stick it to your project!  The possibilities are endless!  Wouldn't these look adorable on a gift bag?

The Jumbo Sticky Rounds can be found on page 31 of the Holiday Catalog (item# 127852) that will begin on August 1st!  Do you have your copy?  Contact me today to get one!

Happy Stamping and Creating!

Stamping on Candles

Did you know you can actually stamp on candles?  You can even add pictures on them as well!
Want to know how?

Well, this Wednesday (May 16th) at 1pm, I will be sending all my newsletter subscribers an exclusive video on how to do stamp on candles.  Personalized candles make great gifts and each one is a one-of-a-kind creation. 


Here's a sample using stamping (for the words) and a picture.  

Are you on my mailing list?  Be sure to get signed up today!  Simply add your email address to the box on the upper-left of this page or click the "Newsletter" tab at the top.


Exclusive videos are just one of many perks my newsletter subscribers receive!


Happy stamping and creating!

Create Blocks

Are you a clear mount stamp stamper or a wood mount stamper?  There's definitely pros and cons to each.  I prefer clear mount but I have a large number of wood mount stamps still around and I've decided that I'm going to start converting some of the wood mount stamp sets to clear (how to do that will be an entirely different blog post).

Nevertheless, as I'm taking the stamp off the wood block, guess what I have an over abundance of?  Right!  Wood Blocks!

My awesome upline, Sharon, shared a fantastic project with me that uses these little wood blocks.  Here's what I've created:

 Is that not the cutest??  You can "create" any word you'd like and it makes a great display on a table or desk.  I simply cut the paper to fit the block, adhered with Sticky Strip and then decorated it with letters and embellishments!  It's an easy way to use up any paper scraps - and heavens knows I have a lot of little scrap pieces around!

Happy Stamping and Creating!