Keep Christmas Wreath Gift TAg

Here is another Quick and Pretty tag using the same stamp set, Keep Christmas. So easy, that I just kept stamping and embossing until I had 32. That's when the cardstock ran out without cutting into another sheet. It is a fold-over tag, book style. I left some of them without punching the hole, knowing that we don't always want to tie our tags on to our packages.

If you don't have the Craft ink, you can use Versamark and Classic ink.

The challege is that you have to clean the stamp off each time before you use the Versamark. The technique: Cover the clean stamp with Versa Mark and then with the colored Classic ink, stamp the image and emboss with clear or Iridescent embossing powder. The image is not a bright, but it can be done if you are making just a few. This process also deposits some Versamark on your Classic ink pad. A little bit doesn't hurt.

There will be tags using other sets - promise! But, I'm probably not done with this one yet. I love the candle arrangement stamp, too.

Card stock: Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Glorious Green Craft
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, red gingham ribbon, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

Keep Christmas Gift Tags 2

Here's another version of Scrooge and Tiny Tim from the Keep Christmas stamp set. Colors are Bravo Burgundy and Apricot Appeal. The light colored, my favorite, uses the corner rounder punch, Bravo Burgundy Craft Ink and clear embossing powder while the other uses Versamark and gold embossing powder.

For a fast tag or card, this can't be beat. It is almost embarrassing how fast these were to make - less than an hour to cut the card stock and make 18.

Keep Christmas Gift Tags

This first two, from the set Keep Christmas, has been a lot of fun. It has taken me the better part of two days to make 18 of them, mostly because I kept experimenting with colors and form. I intended to make just 10, but it is so easy to get carried away - especially when playing.

Both tags are embossed in black. The lamps glitter with Crystal Effects and clear glitter. Scrooge's trousers and top hat are watercolored. His coat in the right one is also watercolored. The rest of the coloring is done with markers.

The cardstock for the tag on the left is Bordering Blue, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White.

The tag on the right is a fold over tag, book style, using Naturals White cardstock.

I know these colors aren't truly Dickensonian, but it was the combo that I liked the best of the several I tried.

Tomorrow's tag will show the same stamp, but will be a quick tag to make.

This is a delightful set. I will probably use the rest of it as well - a candle arangement and a wreath, along with a Dickens quote. I haven't planned that far ahead yet. If you are a stamper, you know that what we plan isn't always the final product, is it?

Christmas Gift Tags

I'm challenging myself to make gift tags for both the church bazaar and for gifts. Ideally, I will make a new set each day. Realistically, I'll aim for three times a week. My goal is to make 12 different tags., some very simple and some more complex. If I make this announcement, that might be what I need to keep me on track. You think? Let's see how it goes. Here's the first one.

Online Ordering is Here

Did you know that you can now order Stampin' Up! products at 3 a.m. if you wish? Just click on "My Stampin' Up! website on the right column" under the Contact Me heading and it will take you to that website. Then, click on "order now" and place your order. It will be sent directly to you and the sale credited to me. A nice arrangement for both of us, especially if you don't live close to me.

A Light Unto My Path

This stamp set, A Light Unto My Path, is destined to become a classic. At least in my personal stamp "wardrobe". I've used it for such a variety of reasons, from Sympathy to Friendship. The colors in this particular one are last year's In-Colors and so are retired. I'll have to start making more cards with current cardstock and colors. But, I did want to share it with you.

A Light Unto My Path is a two stamp set. The sentiment is the Scripture verse. "Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105"

I've also used a secular sentiment about lighthouses that is not Stampin' Up! when that seemed more appropriate to the occasion.

Cards for the Troops

As many of you know, I have been actively collecting and making cards for the troops. My fellow Demonstrators and stampers have been very, very generous in providing hundreds of card fronts and full cards. Some arrive with envelopes, which is especially welcome.

The cards are sent to our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and the wounded warriors hospital in Germany. Some have messages written in them to the troops and those go directly to Chaplains to distribute to those men and women who don't receive as much mail. Or - they may be put in the goodie boxes sent to the troops.

Most of the cards are left blank so that they can be made available for our troops to use to send to their friends and loved ones. Of course, we need envelopes for those, so that is why we appreciate donations.

Here are some of the cards that we have made in multiples of 10-20-30, depending on how much card stock and designer paper we have available. These are all made with retired papers, so I won't list those. The patriotic stamps are among my favorites but will be available only until January. I'm sorry to see them retire, but maybe there will be something just as nice to replace them. Let's hope so.

You can check the website of the organization I work with at: http://www.supportamericasarmedforces.com/. It is an excellent non-profit organization that was started by a Mom in the community where I used to live when her son was deployed in Iraq. If you look at the website, you will see how it has grown and the many, many people it serves. Amazing!

Here are some of the cards that we have made.

Covered Notebooks

I need a little notebook for phone numbers to keep by my phone. It seems everyone has a home number, a work number, a cell phone number.... well, you get the idea.

This is one of those little 8/$1.00 spiral notebooks that come on sale occasionally. When I get the Trio punch, I'll add a bouquet or two of Perfect Plum to the side strip. I used the Friendship stamp from Think Happy Thoughts because most of my phone calls are with family and friends. The Designer Paper, Parisian Summer, is lovely and much prettier than shows in the photo. It looks washed out here, probably because it is so subtle.

The second notebook is one that I tore off the wire binding and used the Crop-a-dile to punch holes in the top. The alphabet is Brushstroke Alphabet, which is retired, but I still like it.

Here's Frankie!

He looks a bit distressed,don't you think? Maybe he needs a pal.
That's not difficult to do.
It takes longer to get the supplies out than it does to make him.

I copied this from someone but don't remember who. If it is you, let me know and I'll be most happy to give you credit. I wish I could have thought him up, but I didn't.

Card Stock: Old Olive , Perfect Plum, Basic Black, Whisper White
Punches: small oval, 1 1/4 inch circle, 3/4" circle
Black marker, white Signo pen, Dimensional (nose), paper snips and adhesive

My Swap

Somehow this got lost in the first post, so I'll try again. I told you I am new at blogging! For some reason, the photo and info were placed in the Welcome, so if you click there, you will see the same card but with blue brads. The card recipe is listed there, too. It was a fun card to make, but I won't be mass producing it - too many steps. I made 10 and that was plenty! I really do like the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, though, and will be posting some more creations using it.
The scallop punch is so much fun to use - you can produce a tremendous variety of effects with it. It will be a staple in my punch wardrobe - along with the circles and squares. Here are just two examples. You will be seeing more in future posts.

Punchy Owl

copyright Stampin' Up! Card design by Betty Vene McConnell. Owl design by Sharon Field.

Isn't he cute? The owl, that is. I'm not crazy over bats, especially after having one in my house for a couple of days. Not a welcome house guest!
The owl, made completely from punches, was designed by Sharon Field, who graciously gave permission to post my card with him as the focal point. Thank you, Sharon.

The bat is from Batty for You. I just colored him with Pumpkin Pie marker. Some glitter on the moon might add a bit of a bling.

Julie Alberda's Swap

Julie has created this elegant Sympathy card by embossing Beautiful Borders with black EP and then coloring the images. See the beauty of her shading of the leaves and flowers? Of course, the ink colors and the cardstock were made for each other.

Stamps: Beautiful Borders

Ink: StazOn Black, Versamark

CS: Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Very Vanilla

Access: 1/4" Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Earth Elements buttons, Linen thread, Black EP,

Markers in Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, and Always Artichoke

Sarah Beddow's Swap

Here is Sarah's lovely card. The scan doesn't do it justice. Can you see that the grasses have been embossed to create the effect of the flowers hiding in a field of grasses? She has distressed and sponged two edges. She's used the Silhouette color scheme on p. 10 - that's why it is an Idea Book as well as a catalog.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Define Your Life

CS: Sahara Sand, Sage Shadow, Basic Gray

Ink: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Versamark, White pigment ink

Acc: Clear EP, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware

Joanne Travis's Swap

An elegant card using a beautiful stamp and delightful Designer Paper. The silver Hodgepodge Hardware is a great touch.

Stamps: A Rose is a Rose

Ink: Pale Plum and Perfect Plum

CS: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Parisian Summer Designer Paper

Accessories: Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Apricot grosgrain ribbon

Janice Massa's Swap

Look how Janice used the scallop punch differently from the way that I did. She punched both layers and then made a peek-a-boo effect. I like it! The rhinestone brad gives it a real bling. Her background on glossy white is polished stone for a nice effect.

Sharon Graham's Swap

Sharon is my upline. Our demo group, Inkellectuals, had a worskhop and swap last week. Sharon's card shows off some fun images created with the new Big Shot.
Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette. NQ Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Bella Rose Designer paper
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, NQ Navy
Accessories: Big Shot, Dies: Birds & Blooms, Top Note, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, Gold Brads

Welcome to my blog

I'm excited to be joining the world of blogging and to share with you

Here is my swap at our recent Inkellectuals demo workshop. Don't you just love the new In Colors? Some cards used the blue brads and others the red ones. I prefer the red ones.


All images copyright Stampin' Up! Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
CS: Pink Pirouette, Pacific Point, Red Riding Hood, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Scallop punch, pink glass mixed beads, Haklogram Highlights EP, Crystal Effects, Bright Bold (red) or Soft Subtles (blue) brads, Dimensionals