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Archive for the ‘christmas’ Category:
Card Portfolio: Handmade Gifts in an Hour
Looking for a fun family stamping project to do with your kids this week? Need a gift for grandma or a long-distance cousin? Here’s a fun and useful gift idea: a Card Portfolio with matching monogrammed notecards!
Merry Christmas to you from me! Here’s a free pdf Project Tutorial for this fun & simple project.
Other good news — be sure to check the Clearance Rack on my Online Store to see if the punches you’ll need are still available on Clearance prices!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Scallop Circle Punch
- 1-3/8″ Circle Punch
- 1-1/4″ Circle Punch
Be sure to pick out some fun Designer Series Paper (see here for choices) and some coordinating ribbon!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Subscribe to the comments for this postStocking Punch: Get It While You Can!
It’s been my “go to” punch this holiday season, and while many of us assumed that it would carry over into the next Stampin’ Up! catalog, it was announced today that the Stocking Builder Punch (see it online) will go the way of other past Mini Catalog items on January 3rd.
Don’t miss your chance to order this punch! I’ll go out on a limb here and guess that the matching stamp set will also retire on January 3rd — Stitched Stockings (see it online). Think of possibilities… Father’s Day (love the argyle), Baby projects (check out the bootie idea)… Here are three projects that I shared on my blog using the punch. Click for the original posts:
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Got 5 minutes? Stamp A Card
With the whirlwind of holidays, I find myself looking forward to relaxing with family. Fun things at our house? Stamping, of course! Here’s a simple Christmas Lodge card that’s easy to collect supplies for, plus a breeze to stamp.
This was one of my Christmas Card Class projects in this fall — if you haven’t signed up for my All-Occasions Card Class (yes, you have to be here in Central Illinois…) you can check out details here.
Or for more Express Stamping project ideas (quick & simple), you can check my blog.
Supplies: Christmas Lodge stamp set, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper, Corner Rounder Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink Pad, Garden Green Classic Ink Pad, Garden Green Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Jewel Rhinestones
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Cold Snap: Warm Wishes for a Gift Giver
Need a last minute teacher gift? Sunday School kids treats? Here’s another version of the Cocoa Packet Slider that I posted recently (check here for directions).
The stamp set is Gift Givers from the Holiday Mini Catalog (check it out). There’s one stamp for each holiday. There are a couple of fun techniques on this card:
Check out the little jacket & hat! They’re made from Designer Series Paper. For this Paper Piecing technique, just stamp the image on the DSP and cut out. Apply the little pieces to your stamped image.
Check out the snowflake background! It’s the Reverse Texturz Technique using the Big Shot and a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. This one is the Snow Burst folder from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Check the Video Tutorial on this technique for detailed ‘how-to’.
Like the Scallop Circle Punch and the 1-3/8″ Circle Punch here? They’re both on the Clearance Rack, along with nearly 200 other new products, for up to 80% off. Be sure to shop early for best selection.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Build-Your-Own Christmas Party
This past Friday night we held the LovenStampfuls Demonstrator Group Christmas party. This year, instead of just getting together for stamping, we decided to hold a “Build-Your-Own” Christmas Party. Fun! Parties with stamped favors, nametags, banners and more are fun, and getting new ideas for all those party pieces is even better!
So instead of a normal card swap or gift swap like we’ve done in the past, we held a “build-your-own” party, where everyone brought a different piece of the party. All those favors, nametags and place cards came together to make a great display.
We always have a great time together, whether we’re stamping, sharing or snacking.
If you’re interested in learning more about joining my demonstrator family, drop me an email.
Actually for only 2 days, December 13th and 14th, you can take advantage of a VERY special offer for new demonstrators.
For these 2 days, the Demonstrator Starter Kits will be $50 off, or only $125! You’ll receive the full Starter Kit (check out the contents), which means the discount on stamping supplies is OVER 60% off.
PLUS, beginning in February, you’ll receive another new demonstrator perk — one FREE package of Designer Series Paper EVERY month in 2012! That’s like getting an extra $110+ free in the upcoming year.
Are you thinking of a Christmas present for yourself? Or a friend? This is a GREAT special. And there are tons of great demonstrator perks (check them out).
As a demonstrator, you can order for yourself at a discount (plus pre-order the new Occasions and Sale-A-Bration supplies now!). Or you might want to hold an occasional party or take orders from friends. Or you might even consider building a business that will pay for your stamping hobby or even a few family bills each month.
Be sure to see the full list of benefits on my website, check out my list of frequently asked questions, then email me with any questions, or go ahead and sign up (click ‘join now’ in the left column)– the discount is available on December 13th and 14th only!
I’d love to have you join our Demonstrator Family 
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Merry Milk Cartons: 6 panel gift boxes
You’ve seen the Mini Milk Carton Die for the Big Shot, right? (see it online) Did you know you can 
make it ‘merry’? At the Stampin’ Up! Convention last summer, they showed us how to take two of the milk carton die cut pieces, trim them to 3 panels each, then put them together. (Here’s a shot of how that looked on stage)
I made a Christmas version of the box as my Hostess Gift at several workshops in November, using the Pines and Poinsettias stamp set (see it online) and the Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper (see it online) from the Holiday Mini Catalog.
This is a great stamp set for using with Stampin’ Write Markers. Just use the brush tip of the markers to add as many colors as you want to the stamp, then stamp onto your card stock.
The tag is created with the Decorative Label Punch, which I use ALL the time (see more ideas on my blog).
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Merry & Type: Simple Christmas Cards
HOW many days til Christmas? Eek! Only 19? Okay, I’m breathing… I’m breathing… It will all come together, right? Ha. Just kidding, I’m actually feeling pretty good about holiday preparations this year. But if you are looking for a quick Christmas card to make, here’s one with the Merry & Type stamp set (see it online) that is a breeze.
What’s fun about this card? I love the ‘retro’ feel of it, plus the greetings included in the stamp set are wonderful. There is actually a Collection called “Letters to Santa” that includes this stamp set and some other fun supplies (see it online). The Decorative Label Punch is a great match, and the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder is a style that goes with a variety of themes.
Colors here? Lucky Limeade, Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip, with Naturals Ivory as the neutral card stock for stamping (see it online).
Are you making more than one of the same card? Here’s a tip for you: Once you have your prototype ready, make the pieces in assembly-line style, rather than one at a time. So for this card, you’d stamp all the greetings for 10 cards, then punch all 10 of the pieces. You’d stamp 10 ornaments, put mats on 10 ornaments, assemble all 10… etc. You get the idea. This way you’ll accomplish more in the time you have…which means more time to go back to the drawing board and do more creating!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Homemade & To Die For… Holiday Treats
Do you have a favorite Christmas Cookie recipe at your house? Our favorite is Pepparkokkar cookies. They’re a Swedish gingerbread that doesn’t taste much like gingerbread, more cardamom and cloves. But yum, they’re great! Plus it’s fun to think about my great great great… grandmothers making these long ago. They’re hard to roll, so when we were growing up, my dad always had the job of rolling out the dough for our family cookie-baking days. All around, lots of fun memories.
Why not share your fun cookies with friends or family this season? And even better, you can dress them up in their holiday best with a hand-stamped tag and box to go along. The Homemade single stamp (see it online) is perfect for this job.
You can dress it up with an extra layer or two. Here’s what I used:
- Homemade Stamp
- 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (see it online)
- 1-3/4″ Circle Punch (see it online)
- Dazzling Details Glitter Glue (see it online)
- Cherry Cobbler/White Baker’s Twine (see it online)
The box I used is from the Kraft Gift Boxes (see them online). They’re a terrific size, and fun to decorate. Be sure to check out the ideas I’ve posted on my blog for these little boxes.
***TOOL TIP:*** And even better, the Homemade stamp is a super-flexible one. I know it doesn’t look it, with that greeting in the center, but you can use this stamp WITHOUT the center. Yes! I know, it’s pretty cool. I have a Video Tutorial about how to do this, from last summer.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Merry & Type: A Cocoa Slider Packet
I’ve been a demonstrator for nearly 10 years. Boy, the time sure flies when you’re having fun! I pulled this Cocoa Slider Packet design from the recesses of my stamping brain…I remember demonstrating this project when I first started! Here’s an updated version though: with the Merry & Type stamp set (see it online) and the Peekaboo Frames Die for the Big Shot (see it online).
Know what’s cool about this little holiday treat? It moves! When you pull the ribbon end, an inner panel with the treat (cocoa) slides out to the side. And the Peekaboo frame opens, too, revealing a message from the Merry & Type stamp set inside.
I know! Isn’t it fun? Sometimes I can’t believe that I haven’t made one of these for 7-8 years. Definitely an ‘oldie but goodie’ kind of project. Want to learn how to make these? Here are the directions:
Start with a ½ sheet of Very Vanilla card stock and a ‘slider’ piece cut to fit your cocoa packet—about 3 ¾ x 5 ½”.- Place the slider and cocoa in the packet and use Sticky Strip to make a flat tube.
- Remove the cocoa. With the slider still inside, punch through all layers at one end, about ½” from the edge. Pull the slider out and flip it left/right and insert back into the packet so the holes line up.
- String a ribbon through all the holes at once, then add cocoa packet back and push slider & cocoa into packet. Tie at end to hold cocoa in place.
Add a cocoa packet, a tea bag or a hot apple cider and you have a perfect holiday neighbor gift! Or keep the packet flat by using it to hold a Gift Card for birthdays!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
25 and Counting… aka, the 12 Days of Christmas
Last year we made a variety of simple “thinking of you” gifts for my daughter’s elementary school teacher in the days leading up to Christmas, and they were a big hit. So this year, we decided to do the same. With the new 25 and Counting stamp set (see it online) from the Holiday Mini Catalog, these are a snap to label!
25 gifts for Advent seems like a lot, so we’re abbreviating them to the 12 Days of Christmas. And it’s convenient that there are 12 school days in December before holiday vacation begins!
The day for each bag is stamped on a 2-1/2″ Circle Punch piece. We used the Soft Holly Stampin Around Wheel (see it online) to decorate a plan white lunch bag, then added the gift and tied it closed with the tag and a piece of matching Ruffled Ribbon.
Need a quick gift packaging idea? You certainly don’t have to make 25 of these, or even 12. They’re a fun packaging solution for any occasion! Gotta love the Stampin’ Around Wheels! (learn more online) Or check out more ideas for boxes & bags from my blog!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
