Happy Halloween!

I've held off on posting this card until today as my boys love to sit with me and look at blogs and I didn't want them to see their Halloween card! This was yet another one of the cards all over Splitcoast this year, done using the Big Shot Top Note Die which is exclusive to SU. I had to make 7 of these, two for my boys, four for my two nephews and two neices, and one more for my display board. It is amazing how fast you get at a card when you have a little assembly line going! I couldn't use the Frankenstein card as my sister-in-law comes to many of my classes and she called dibs on that card for the kids:) I hope that you and your families have a safe, and spooky Halloween!

Where's that sound coming from?

The other morning we woke up to wind and rain. Sean and I ended up in that slow mode after breakfast. The boys had eaten and went upstairs to play trains in Lucas' room while Sean and I sat together watching the news in silence! (this doesn't happen often in our house:). Anyway, the silence started to get to us and we realized that there had been very little noise coming from upstairs so Sean decided that he should go and have a look. I know that any of you with kids are moaning now as we all know that silence means trouble! As Sean was going up the stairs he could hear a buzzing sound coming from our bathroom, but both of the boys were now back in Lucas' room looking very guilty. Sean found the noise coming from his bathroom drawer. When he opened the drawer he was greeted by his hair clippers (still on) and a pile of hair! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! The boys have their preschool photos next week! Anyway, I managed to snap a picture of Joe's head with his bald spot, but Lucas has evaded photographing! It is a bit of a sore spot with him! Sean was a little upset with me after my comment, "now we're going to have to shave off all your hair... do you want to look like like your father?!"

I finally get to share!

I held my final Christmas Stamp-a-Stack lastnight that contained this card so I can finally post it! I got the idea from Tracy Graven's post on Splitcoast Stampers. This card was done using the Jolliest Time of Year stamp set, which I absolutely adore! It takes you back to being a kid when you get to colour in an image using the Stampin' Write Markers! We did Santa's cheeks with the Aqua Painter to make them appear a bit softer. The Hardware was the leftovers of my Pewter Hodgepodge from the last catalogue, but the Silver Hodgepodge has a ribbon slide that works perfectly as well. If you don't have any hardware, another option that we found was to use the silver cardstock (very sturdy) and to use the double rectangle punch to create your own buckle! Santa's buttons are just done with three brads to match the buckle! The grosgrain ribbon really added to the belt look!

43 of the 2-5-7-10 Frankenstein boxes!

Don't ask what I was thinking when I started this little project, it was obviously one of my many moments of insanity! Today, both of my boys have their Halloween parties at Preschool! (this is what happens when your kids are 17 months apart and in back to back school grades). I saw these adorable little boxes on Dannie Graves website and decided that this was the little gift I would make for their classmates. I let the boys decide on which colour green they would have. Joe chose Kiwi Kiss and Lucas chose Green Galore, and then off we went! Joe was my little puncher and did noses and eyes until his little hands were sore. I even put my hubby to work on the assembly line; after I did the scoring he sat and folded all of the boxes for me (gotta love this guy:) It really only took about 5 hours start to finish and the majority I did while sitting on the couch at night with Sean. The funny part will come tomorrow when I show you how appropriate the little Frankenstein hair is for my boys right now!

Gift Card Holders

I wanted to come up with a card for my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack that could be used as a gift card holder and decided to make one that would fit the open ended envelopes in the catalogue. The top card was done using the Bella Rose DSP and the coordinating buttons and the second card was using the Haiku DSP! I loved using the scallop border punch on the inside of the card and the Stamp-a-ma-jig with the All Scallops set is perfect for adding a little detail to the scallops. The Heard from the Heart stamp set is the perfect size for these gift card holders and the variety of sayings covers pretty much any event during the year.

Just in Time for Christmas!

Okay, it's not just in time... you've got a ton of time left, but like I said, we're going to be organized this year! I've decided to do another Stationery Box Class. This is the one that I made for my aunt for her birthday. I will admit that I LOVE the colours in the Autumn Vine DSP in the Holiday Mini. (I am such a fall person). The cards that we will make as part of the Stationery Box will not be quite so fall oriented as the ones in these pictures. (teehee) Each box will contain 4 3x3 cards and envelopes, 6 regular sized cards and envelopes, and 6 gift tags. Although the box will have a place to store a pen and stamps, they will not be supplied. This make a perfect gift, and from the response of the people I've made them for they are very well received. You will complete one box in class and have enough supplies left to make 2 more Stationery Boxes with all the included cards and envelopes.

Stationery Box Class

November 12 , 2008

7-10pm

$40

Cost includes:

• one package of DSP ($11.75 value)
• 6 pieces of 12 x 12 paper ($2.69 value)
• 12 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 paper (your colour choices to coordinate with DSP) ($3.25 value)
• 18 jumbo eyelets ($3.53 value)
• 1/2 package of natural twine ($1.48 value)
• Sticky Strip ($8.75 value)
• 12 mini square envelopes ($2.69 value)
• 18 medium WW envelopes ($3.49 value)

*note the cost of the class is less than the cost of purchsaing these supplies individually with tax and shipping so the class is essentially free

Take Flight Now!

The first two people in Canada to place orders of $100 or more through my online ordering (click on the SHOP NOW link on the top right corner), will receive the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set from me for FREE ($37.95 value). I'll update this post as the orders are placed. I used the Flight of the Butterfly set (not the two I'm giving away, they're new:) to case this card. Only problem was that the computer did an update and restarted itself while the card was on the screen and now I have no idea who did the original, if it was you, please email me and I'll give you credit.

Card Organizer Class was a blast!

The card organizer class was a blast, and as the ladies soon realized, the most difficult part was picking which sides of their Designer Series Paper to use. Two ladies chose the Urban Garden Paper, another chose Green Tea, and finally there was one of the Junior Varsity. I chose to do my third card organizer with the Maine Blueberry DSP. We decided that these are definitely a gift worthy project, and it was a great way to get the chance to play with the Big Shot and chipboard. Another finishing touch that the ladies loved was making their pocket labels with the Scalloped Envelope Big Shot die. It was an adorable finishing touch.

Time to Host a Workshop

From now until November 3oth, if you host a workshop, or place an order of $460 or more, you can choose any stamp set from the Fall/ Winter Sampler for free! I love this set called Flight of the Butterfly! It is hard to see in the photo, but two of the butterflies are popped up on dimensionals. This is a great stamp set for both cardmaking and scrapbooking alike.

3-D Bella Blossoms

I have really struggled with the large flower from Bella Blossoms. I love the flower, but was not really keen on stamping it in one colour, or colouring it with markers. It is such a beautiful flower and I felt like it lacked depth when stamped that way. I found many samples on Splitcoast done using this technique and decided to give it a whirl. It involves sponging the edges of each separate layer of the flower to make them stand out, and progressively adding dimensionals to make them more realistic. I really like the final effect although I'm not really sure about the colour combo. I was going to do this carrd for technique club, but my ladies basically stage a revolt when they have to cut out flowers that don't have matching punches:) This card definitely requires some cutting as the flower was stamped three times and the leaves twice. I've since done another samples of this card and stamped the flower four times to get the final petals in the top center of the card.

My Birthday is comin' up soon!

As you can tell from the photo, it's definitely not my birthday coming up... but this is my two year old's favourite phrase. He has changed his mind about two million times as to what type of birthday he wants, but has now settled on a Thomas the Train party. I made this little invite using Pacific Point and Real Red and the train track was done using my Big Shot and popped up on dimensionals. The Real Red DSP is from the hostess rewards Prints Package.

Last Chance to Register for October Christmas Stamp-a-Stack

Tomorrow night is the first Christmas Stamp-a-Stack of the season and today is the last day to register. (that is if you want me to precut your cards for you:) These are some samples of the 10 cards that you can choose from to complete. There are children's cards, religious cards and gift card holders to choose as well if they interest you. You will do three each of 5 different cards. This is also a great get together opportunity for a "girls' night". Contact me to schedule your own Christmas Stamp-a-Stack night for you and your friends!

Perks to Joining Club

On top of the obvious hostess benefits and free classes that you receive for joining a club, I made each of my club members one of these books to keep track of their new techniques. Each person's is personalized with a chipboard letter (for their name), covered in DSP and sanded to give the edges the finishing touch. I think that it is the teacher part of me that needs everyone to have a finished little book at the end of club to look back on.

Rock n' Roll with Technique Club

Well, lastnight was Technique Club and we were learning the Rock and Roll Technique.

The first card was done using the Eastern Blooms stamp set as well as the Haiku DSP, and the second card was done using Stitched Exotics with the Old Olive DSP. On both cards the Rock and Roll Flowers were done using the Apricot Appeal ink as well as Tangerine Tango.

Final Card! (at least for today)

This was the final card that I did for the cardmaking class lastnight. I've been dying to use this stamp set, With Gratitude. After walking the dogs with my dad the other day, I had all the inspiration that I needed. The colours in the forest around my house are truly starting to change. This is another card that several different sentiments could be stamped on. I think that was part of my goal lastnight, that people could go home with as many different occasions covered as possible. I had a blast and it was a happy distraction from everyday life right now! Thank you ladies!

Versatile Card

THis is yet another card from yesterday's event that I decided was a great card to make in that it could have a ton of different sentiments and the card was still fitting. I always struggle with appropriate Sympathy cards so I had purchased the Close as a Memory set from the current catalogue. I love the flowers in this set; they are perfect for stamping with markers. This was made using the Maine Blueberry DSP and when both pieces of the DSP are reversed on the card you get a completely different mood which is much more festive. You have also probably noticed that I am becoming an addict of the taffeta ribbon. I love how soft it looks in comparison to the gros grain for cards like this.

The Search for a "masculine" card

I am always trying to make a card that is suitable for the males in my life, and this seems near impossible with the number of floral stamps that are in my basement. I came across this card on Wendy Janson's blog the other day and I loved it so much that I decided to make it part of my card making event! Who can't use a supply of male cards ready to go:) I also decided that I love this Prestwick DSP. The colour combos on the back side are perfect as well.

Halloween Approaching Fast!

Boy do I have a lot of cards to post today! I have been making cards like crazy at night for the past few weeks. Joe is still having seizures so Sean and I have been nervous about getting far from home. We're both going a little stir crazy I think so I go down to "play" at night and Sean has been completing household projects like they're going out of style! I had my World Cardmaking Day Event lastnight and the Frankenstein card was one of the options for the final card. Both the Frankenstein card and the Mummy card are all over Splitcoast Stampers right now! The final card was the result of the Brayering Technique that we learnt at Technique Club last month. I decided to make use of the practice pages I had done and turn them into some Halloween cards! Enjoy!

Marker Club Technique

The technique this month for Marker Club was Stamping with Markers! After I saw the tutorial for this adorable 3x3 notecard box on Splitcoast, I knew that I had to do this special little project. Marker Club is a perfect opportunity to learn a new skill and then make a fabulous make-n-take! I did have to adjust this tutorial slightly as the new Scallop Border punch is so much quicker than using the corner rounder to get the edge on the box top. I have requested that one of my awesome stampers send me photos of her completed box as I was in awe of her colour choices. (You'll understand why when I tell you more about her when I post the photos!) I couldn't take pics lastnight as the lighting in my basement at night is horrific! This is a great gift idea and after taking hours to make my original box (my husband sat and laughed at my stupid mistakes), I'm down to an hour, start to finish for the box and 9 notecards. I let my stampers choose their set and DSP and then away they went. You can make a theme for the box or just general sentiment cards. This would make an awesome hostess gift or present for a teacher (wink, wink)! If you're up for a November class let me know and I'll add it to my list; this would solve the Christmas present issue for those hard to buy for people!

Holiday Mini Ordering Starts Today!

I don't know about you, but I've been counting days until this mini catty was available for ordering. By clicking on the image you will be taken directly to the Holiday Mini brochure. For any of my customers who haven't received this brochure from me yet, drop me a line and I can send one out to you:) Somehow the online copy never quite cuts it for me; I need something to put my Post It Notes in:) This mini has the most adorable Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's Day Stamp Sets. There are also some gorgeous new Designer Series Papers! I'm in love with the Autumn Vine one. There are also the most beautiful holiday decorations in here. Finally, for those of you who haven't seen it yet, this Mini also has the Big Shot brochure in it. It is the final pages of the catty. Happy Browsing!