Countdown to Christmas Calendar

I'm very excited to share today's project with you! It's another sneak peek at a couple of the fabulous products that will soon be available. A new die for the Big Shot, and you know how much I Love my Big Shot, an adorable stamp set and finally a One Inch Square Punch! Are you ready?

I pretty much squealed when I saw this sample and these products in the Holiday Mini Catalog. They went at the top of my Wish List. We are so fortunate as Demonstrators, to have the opportunity to pre-order items so we can prepare our samples and have them ready when the mini catalogs are released.

This project features several new products in the mini. The new Peekaboo Frames Bigz Die, the 25 & Counting Stamp Set & coordinating One Inch Square Punch and if you look closely, you'll see the new Mini Jingle Bells. I used the Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper from the current catalog, but you know there is going to be Christmas DSP in the mini. Not just one series, but two! Oh yeah, you're gonna Love it!

I've used lots of other products on this project too, and I'm not going to list them all today. If you have a question about something you see, just leave me a comment. I'll be happy to answer any questions any one may have. One I know you're going to want to know is what size frame. This is a 12x12 Scrapbook Page frame that I found at my local craft store. I mounted my project on a piece of chipboard, and did not put the glass back in, so you can "peek" under the frames.

Here's a closeup of some of the details.

And how I completed day 25.

Thanks so much for your kind words about my Rosette Tutorial. I hope you have as much making them as I did, and Thanks today for stopping by!
dd

Scallop Square Fabric Purse

I have been seeing these purses all around different blogs, and on other Demonstrators websites. I actually bought fabric back in the Fall, and never got around to making one. The fabric I had was browns & golds, very pretty, but very fallish. I can sew, but didn't have the confidence to try this on my own, so I went to my sister, who can "sew with her eyes closed", and she helped me. She had this adorable fabric in her stash, and was so kind to let me use it. I Love it! It's so springy & cheerful. They are really easy, and after watching my sister, I know I can do it on my own.

You may be asking yourself what this has to do with Stampin' Up! Well, the squares were cut with the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Die. I was able to cut 9 layers of fabric at one time! You need 54 squares, so I only had to run it through 6 times. Sure beats cutting them by hand!

I'm anxious to try different sizes. Wouldn't they be adorable with just 4 squares for little girls? You could make a smaller bag with 6 squares too. I think this would make an adorable diaper bag. I didn't add pockets to the inside, but it would be so easy to do. My mind is just racing with all of the possibilities!

Here is a close-up of the closure & the inside.

Thanks for stopping by!
dd

Fancy Favor Box Luminary

This is one of the projects that we did in my last class. I saw something similar to this on another blog, done with metal sheets, and thought, why not just use metallic cardstock. This Red is not Stampin' Up! However, we do have Brushed Gold & Silver Metallic Cardstock that would work beautifully for this project. Because I used cardstock, I can't use a real candle, so I have a battery operated tea light inside. I love the way they "flicker" to make it look as though a real candle is burning.

First I cut the Fancy Favor Box with my Big Shot. Then I used the Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder. This is a bit tricky. Place the folder over the straight end of the box and run it through the Big Shot. Trim a 1/2" off the tab end of the box so the folder will meet in the middle. Make sure you keep the same side of the folder on top as the first side. Learn from my mistakes ;0. Run through the Big Shot. I used my Anywhere Hole Punch from the tool kit that we used to carry. You could use your Paper Piercing Tool and wiggle it around to make the hole a little bigger. Then use Sticky Strip to adhere the side and bottom.

These would make adorable table decorations for bridal or baby showers, or even weddings. You could add a handle, ribbons, flowers...the possibilities are endless!

Thanks for stopping by today. Enjoy your weekend!

dd

A Little Sneak Peek

Good Morning!
We had our Stampin' Up! meeting on Saturday. We did what is called a "Shoebox Swap". We each designed a card, and cut enough supplies for 12 people to make our card. After we finished with the business part of the meeting, we went around the room, and each gave a brief explanation of how we made our card. Then we each moved one chair to the left. We had about 10 minutes to make that card, and when time was up, we moved to the next chair to the left. It was really a fun, and relaxing way to get to make several cards, and still get to visit with our stampin' friends. As usual, all of the cards we made were beautiful. I thought I would share the one I made for the swap first, and then in the next few days, I will share the others.

I'm not really supposed to be showing things from the new catalog that is going to be released on July 1, but it seems as though several other people already have...so there is no BIG surprise! I tried to be so good when we got our Sneak Peek, and only order a couple of things...and I was...but after Saturday's meeting...I turned back to my old ways and placed another order for ALL of the new In Colors! I just couldn't help myself. If you know me well, you know I LOVE all colors, and I LOVE combining them in fun different ways...I can't wait to get that order.

Anyway, here is the card that I put together for the swap on Saturday. This is the new stamp set, available July 1, 2009, Autumn Days. It's the silliest thing, but I really like this pheasant, and I have a thing for leaves too. I chose this set for the swap because I thought not too many Demonstrators would probably buy this one, and this way, they would at least have a sample to show to their customers.

This set just felt like fall to me, so I used fall colors. Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Ruby Red, and Very Vanilla. The pheasant was stamped in Close to Cocoa, and the sentiment in More Mustard Classic Ink. The sentiment is from the current stamp set Trendy Trees, and was layered using the Wide Oval, Large Oval, and 1-1/4" Circle Punch. I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but the More Mustard layer was textured by running through the Big Shot using the Distressed Texturz Plate. The ribbon is the 1" Chocolate Chip Stitched Grosgrain, tied with Linen Thread.

Ah, it's good to be back! Thanks for visiting, I appreciate your dedication. Have a Great week!

dd

Dotted Swiss

Today's card uses the Big Shot and the Texturz Plates. The Texturz Plates are used to create subtle patterns and designs to give your projects the perfect background. This is the Dotted Swiss background, that comes with the set Backgrounds 1. Each set contains 3 double-sided plates, giving you 6 different backgrounds. You also need the Multipurpose Platform, that comes with your Big Shot, an Impressions Pad, and Silicone Rubber each sold separately. These items are all listed in the big catalog starting on page 193.

The stamp set used is from the Occasions Mini, Oval All, and coordinates with the new Scallop Oval Punch, also in the mini. Look how nicely it layers on the Wide Oval Punch! You can also use the Small Oval Punch and layer it inside the new Scallop Oval Punch.

Remember, with every $40 you spend in Occasions Mini merchandise, you can choose an item from the "Under $10" page for FREE! That means if you spend $80 on merchandise from the Occasions Mini~ you get 2 items FREE! and so on and so on...Contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks for checking in and have a wonderful weekend!

dd

Manhattan Flower

Oh, it's good to be back!

After the crop on Sunday, I just had to spend some time in my craft room yesterday sorting everything that I had packed up to take with me. I also got to sit down and finish a couple of the projects that I started but didn't have everything I needed to complete them on Sunday.

This card is very simple, yet very elegant, and very easy. I made it using the Manhattan Flower Die. Remember the brass templates, stylist, light table, and great amount of patience you needed to achieve the dry embossed look? Well, put all that stuff away! Now you can create that same embossed look with one simple step. The Manhattan Flower Die is a Textured Impressions Die used with the Big Shot. It is basically a heavy plastic folder. Just choose your cardstock, put it in the folder, run it through the Big Shot, and viola! You now have a beautiful embossed piece you can use for a card, or an embellishment for a scrapbook page. This particular die also coordinates with the Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set. Check out that little flower. That is one of the Fleurettes, they are crocheted flowers and come in an assortment of 12. The Thinking of You is from the Trendy Trees Stamp Set. I have a very cute card to share with you using that set...how about tomorrow.

Today is the LAST DAY FOR SALE-A-BRATION! Please contact me, or order online early if you want to take advantage and earn FREE Sale-a-Bration products. Again, remember, if you order online, you will receive a free 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog.

Thank you so much for visiting. I will be back tomorrow with another card to share with you!

dd

A Little Something For You

Today's project is simple but cute. This is the Bigz Top Note Die. I like the way this looks like the flap of an envelope. Oh...how cute would this be stamped on the flap of an envelope!

The stamp is from the Sale-a-Bration set Yummy. This is one stamp, and it was designed to fit the Top Note Die perfectly. I used my Stamp-a-ma-Jig to get it positioned just right. The paper is from the Designer Series Paper Delicate Dots, also one of the Sale-a-Bration choices, as is the So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by today!

dd

One Catalog A Year!

I am excited to announce that Stampin' Up! has decided to go back to one catalog a year. I am very happy with their decision. Personally, as a Demonstrator, I always felt like 6 months was too short of a selling time for all of the new product that was introduced. About the time I felt like I had a good amount of display projects, it was time for the new catalog. Which meant retiring stamp sets, etc., that I could no longer use for workshops and classes. Now, I have an entire year! I feel much better about that. This change will take place beginning with the new catalog in July 2009. There will also be 3 mini catalogs a year, each running for 4 months. Another very exciting announcement is that they are going to introduce a small selection of Hostess sets in each mini. This means there will be new sets each mini that you can earn for FREE. I just LOVE this Company ~ They really do listen and respect our opinions.

And now today's project. This is a cute Scallop Card that I created with...you guessed it...my Big Shot. I guess I already said that this week would be Big Shot week. Anyway...this is the Bigz Scallop Circle Die. I cut two of them (at the same time!) and scored the top one so the card would open nicely.

Notice the Eyelet Border ~ I wasn't kidding when I said that everything may need this! This cute little bird paper is from the Designer Series Paper Good Morning Sunshine, and the large eyelet is from the Designer Hardware Hooray. I did not "set" this eyelet in my card. I used my Crop-a-Dile to flatten the eyelet part, and then just fed the ribbon through the hole and tied a knot. Then I used a glue dot to adhere it to the top of the card. I stamped the little bird from the Cheep Talk Stamp Set inside with the sentiment.

As you read this, Scott & I are on our way to Florida to visit my parents. But, no worries, I am actually organized, and have several posts already prepared for the time that we will be gone.

I will do my best to bring sunny & warm home with me!

dd

Box #2

Today's project features the new Bigz XL Big Shot Die Box #2. I have used several new items on this cute little box. Check out that scallop! This is the new Eyelet Border Punch. It looks like real eyelet, but it is actually punched from Whisper White Cardstock. I'm thinking everything is going to need an eyelet border. :) And just look at that perfectly cut and embossed flower. This was created with the new Cherry Blossom Embosslit Die. Have I told you how much I LOVE my Big Shot! I think I probably have, numerous times!

I was a bit hesitant to purchase one, because I have never been big on "die cuts". I guess my mind was stuck in the past, when a die cut was just a flat piece of cardstock cut into a simple shape. Well, they've come a long way! I truly do love my Big Shot, and I do use it all the time. It has been well worth the investment. This week is pretty much dedicated to projects using the Big Shot and some of the new products available. As I mentioned before, if you are considering adding the Big Shot to your "must have" tools, now is the time to do just that. During Sale-a-Bration, you can earn FREE product with a qualifying purchase. If you were to order the Big Shot Starter Kit, which includes everything you need to get you started, you would earn 4 FREE Sale-a-Bration items! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Here is a picture of the box opened, so you can see how perfect it is for a sweet little treat. Check back tomorrow for another Big Shot project.

I forgot to mention, that when you cut this, it is all one piece, all scored and ready to fold and decorate. No assembly required! Very quick & simple.

Have a Great week!

dd

Cheep Talk

I hope you don't mind, but I thought it was time for the snow to go away. It's very sunny here today...but cold! I don't know about you, but I am ready for some warmer temps.

I got interrupted yesterday in the middle of preparing the post for my blog. I scheduled it to post at 8:00 pm thinking that would give me plenty of time to get back to it and finish it. HA! Obviously, that didn't happen...now I am actually a project ahead!

I Love today's project. This is the Cheep Talk Stamp Set. It is so stinkin' cute. There are two little birds, this one, and the other one I will show you on Monday. So, if you don't have a catalog, you'll have to pop back by to meet him. I also love this trendy color combination. Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip. I used half of a Top Note Die, and the Ribbon is the 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain.

Thanks for stopping in to visit today! Have a spectacular weekend.

dd

Decorative Accents

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Some of you may be enjoying one extra day with today being President's Day. I wonder how often we have Friday the 13th, Valentine's Day, and President's Day all in the same weekend!

I didn't get to play this weekend, but I do have the card that I made last week to share with you. This is the other new Bigz Decorative Accents die for the Big Shot.

It's almost too big, but I was determined to use it on a card, so I offset it a bit and trimmed it to fit. I layered the Wide Oval Punch and the Large Oval Punch for the sentiment. The words "So Kind" are from the Priceless set. This is still one of my favorite sets. You can see it on page 121 of the catalog. The cardstock colors are Pretty in Pink and Rose Red. The printed paper is from the Designer Series Paper Raspberry Tart. And you know me, no card is complete without ribbon!

As I looked at my card when I thought I was finished, I decided it needed something else, it was just a little too plain. I started looking through all of my embellishments, and it came to me. I haven't used my Pretties Kit in a while. Voila! The addition of the small half pearls was perfect!

Remember when I told you that Makayla made a card too, while I was working the other day. Well, I got her permission to share that card with you. She got out my display boards, and picked a card to "copy". She has her own supplies, and picked her paper and cut it with scissors. I did help her straighten a couple of the cuts. She did all of the stamping and assembly by herself. Here is her card, and the one she used to copy.

I hope you enjoyed today's project. Thank you so much for visiting!

dd

I Do...

Well, actually I DID get a couple of projects done. I was feeling a bit icky yesterday, and had Makayla, so I'm surprised I got anything done. I was anxious to use my new dies for my Big Shot, so I set Makayla up at her table, and I worked at mine. She was happy, and made a card and painted. Of course, she had to have her turn at the Big Shot too. That's how easy it is! Even a 5 year old can do it. Her favorite was the biggest Scallop Circle, she used it to cut out pictures she had colored.

I made one card, which I'll share tomorrow, and a 12x12 Scrapbook page.

This is my son Jeremy's wedding invitation (which I made with the help of Heather and her mom and sister) and one of my favorite pictures from their wedding. The letters were cut with the Serif Essentials Alphabet. They are the perfect size for scrapbooking. Also perfect for putting a monogram on a card. The swirl is one of the new Bigz Decorative Accents Dies. I love the way it coordinates with the Designer Series Paper Raspberry Tart. I added Half Pearls from the Pretties Kit as accents, to coordinate with the beaded embroidery on Heather's dress.

Jeremy & Heather were married in June 2008, this is the first page that I have done for their wedding book. This has really inspired me to do more. I have around 500 pictures...maybe I can get them done for their 1st anniversary...oooh good idea!

Have a Happy & Loveable Valentines Day!

dd
By the way, I'm feeling much better today :)

Sunny & 82 Degrees!

Well, at least that's what the weather was like on Marco Island...

I just returned from a very quick trip to Marco Island. My sister and her husband are building a house down there, and she needed to go down to finalize some things. She invited me to go with her so she wouldn't have to travel alone. I didn't even hesitate to give her an answer...yes I'll go! We left Wednesday morning...in spite of the 12 inches of snow that fell here Tuesday night...and returned Thursday night. Like I said, it was very quick, but beautiful. We managed to work in a walk on the beach Tuesday evening, and one hour by the pool before we had to leave Thursday.

I do have a project to share from the last class. I had seen these adorable cones on a couple of other blogs, and just had to do them. This is created using the Big Shot Scallop Circle Die. So simple, just add some Sticky Strip, fold into a cone shape, add a sweet treat and you're done!

The stamp and printed paper are both from the Love You Much Bundle. Tomorrow is the last day to purchase this special bundle at the discounted price. Contact me today, if you are interested in taking advantage of this great offer. These items are available individually, in the new catalog.

I have some catching up to do around here...I wasn't even gone for 48 hours! How do things get so out of control?

Thanks for visiting today!

dd

Designer Hardware

Look at these new Giant brads & eyelets. The one I used here says "Friends Forever", and is from the Hooray Assortment. There are two assortments, and they can be found on page 175 in the new catalog. They are just too adorable. Each package has the recommended setting for the Crop-a-Dile. Be sure to use those settings. If you look closely at my sample, I thought I had my Crop-a-Dile set properly, and when I put the brad in I dented the front. So, once again, you can learn from my mistakes.

How about this little Bag With Scallops? It's new from SU too! This would be so cute to present your Sweeties with a sweet little Valentine treat. It's one of the new Bigz XL Dies for the Big Shot. I told you I would be in trouble with all of the new Sizzix items. This is only one of over a dozen new things that I want...just have to have! This little bag measures approximately 3-7/8 inches tall, by 1-3/4 inches wide at the bottom. Even though the Bigz XL Dies are 12 inches long, this bag can be cut from 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock. It's a close fit, but it does work. You would be able to cut 2 from 12 x 12 cardstock.

More great news! All of the Sizzix items are now included in the Idea Book & Catalog.

As always, thanks for visiting! Have a lovely weekend. I have class Sunday, so how about a look at some of those projects on Monday.

dd

Embosslits

What are embosslits you ask? Well, they are really cool dies for the Big Shot, that actually cut & emboss your shape at the same time. How cool is that! This little folder die is the new Sweetest Stem Embosslit Die. It coordinates with the Sweetest Stems Stamp Set too! All you have to do is put your paper inside, fold, run through your Big Shot, and you have the cutest little embellishment for a card or scrapbook page. I have always loved the look of dry embossing, but it is an extra step, and takes more time. Sometimes, if you're like me, you don't always have that extra time to take that extra step. With these cute little Embosslits, the embossing and cutting are all done in one step. It is also a great way to use up some of those scraps that we just can't seem to part with. See the catalog for other Embosslit Dies.

Take note of the Thank You sentiment. This is another really great product that SU has added to the catalog. On the very last page, they have added a section called Under $10.00. There are 2 Mini Note Kits, and 8 stamps that are sold Individually. Brilliant SU! So now, if you buy a floral set, for example, and it doesn't come with a sentiment, you can choose the saying of your choice, and basically customize your set to fit your needs.

If you would like to see all of the other new products and own your very own copy of the New 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog, just let me know. I will get yours to you as soon as possible.

Do you like my new picture?

dd

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a great New Year's Eve! We went to my sisters, shot pool, played card games, and had a really fun time.

I also hope you are not tired of looking at samples using the Love You Much Bundle. I really like this stamp set, the Designer Series Papers and the coordinating Heart to Heart Punch. This is another image from the Love You Much Stamp Set. I stamped it with Black Stazon, and used the Blender Pens and Riding Hood Red Ink to color in the letters. When I stamped the image, the flower was black, so I used a button from the Button Bouquet Assortment, and added a Red Brad for the center.

If you like this stamp set, printed papers and punch as much as I do, you can save 20% if you order the Love You Much Bundle before January 31, 2009. Contact me today, if you want to take advantage of this great offer!

Thanks for stopping by today, and again Happy New Year!

dd

Friend to Friend

Here is another card made using the Love You Much Bundle. Again, I used the Big Shot Top Note Die to cut the card. I then cut another Top Note from the Pink Mini Dot from the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, cut it and layered on the top half of the card to hide the fold. I stamped the Heart image in Riding Hood Red Ink, twice. Once on Pirouette Pink and once on Riding Hood Red, cut them out by hand and layered them. I used the Word Window Punch for the Friend to Friend sentiment, sponged the edges, and added a Red Brad from the Bold Basics assortment. To finish it up, I tied it with Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon.

I have one more card from the Love You Much Bundle to share with you tomorrow.

Be safe this New Year's Eve, and I will see you in the new year!

dd

Hugs & Kisses

Just a quick post today before I head to work. Here is another card made using the Love You Much Bundle. This card was cut with the Big Shot Top Note Die. The trick is to fold your cardstock, and place it just below the cutting line on the die to create the card. I stamped the scallop Hugs & Kisses image twice. Once on Riding Hood Red, and once on Pirouette Pink, punched it out and layered it. The hearts in the corner where punched out of the Designer Series Paper Candy Lane with the Heart to Heart Punch that comes in the bundle.

I have another card to share with you tomorrow. Be sure to stop by!

Thank you so much for taking the time to check in.

dd

Snowflakes in October

Isn't this card beautiful! This is one of the cards that was made at our all night stamping event. It is 3 Dimensional. There are two layers of Night of Navy cardstock, with an oval cut out of the top layer. The sides are scored and folded and just the flaps are glued together. The snowflakes were cut with the Snowflakes Set #2 Die for the Big Shot. Look at the close up to see how pretty they are when covered with Stampin' Glitter. Two of the snowflakes are attached to Silver Cord and hang in the opening, the other is mounted behind them on the back layer of cardstock.

The swirl is from the Baroque Motifs set, and the Merry Christmas sentiment is from the Holidays & Wishes set. They were both embossed with Stampin' Silver Embossing Powder.

I have Jazzercise this morning, and a bunch of errands to run after that. My plan is to get a gift wrap project done to share with you tomorrow. It's another 6:00am day tomorrow at Pier 1, so I need to get as much done today as possible. There is one great thing about starting at six though, I get done early too, so the rest of the day is "my" time!

Enjoy "your" time today...see you tomorrow!

dd

Big Shot Ornament

I know I said I would share a couple of cards today, but I got the 3-D Circle Ornament Die for my Big Shot and just had to try it out. These are so simple! The large ornament was done with the Big Shot, and the small ones I made last year with the Scallop Circle Punch. The picture was a little boring with just the one ornament.

The Big Shot Die has 4 circles that you cut all at one time, and it puts the scoring lines on for you. The Double Sided Designer Series Paper, Ski Slope is what I used here, makes coordinating your papers a snap! On the large ornament, I strung the Silver Cord through the center before I attached the last circle. I used my Pretties Kit to make them a little more "pretty".

If you don't have a Big Shot...I know where you can get one! Or, you can order the Star Bright Designer Series Paper Ornaments Kit featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog. This kit includes enough components to make 54 stars, 6 paper strip globes, and up to 25 paper circle globes, depending on the size. The one here is pretty large, I used 20 circles. You can make them smaller. The kit also includes 12 Styled Silver Brads, and 10 yards of Silver Elastic Cord. You could also use this kit to make really cute package & tag embellishments!

You can see the entire Holiday Mini Catalog by visiting my website.

Thanks for stopping by!

dd