Valentine Candy Wrapper

This is another project we are going to make at our January club meeting.  I {heart} this Bigz L Die Candy Wrapper that is in the holiday mini.  This die cuts and scores the paper for the perfect wrapper for any holiday or birthday.  I made one without a texture impressions folder and one with the square lattice texture.  I used two different ways to tie the ends.  Cute, huh?

Close-ups

without texture

with texture

back without texture

back with texture

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: love you much

Paper: cherry cobbler, jolly holiday, very vanilla

Ink: cherry cobbler

Accessories: square lattice impressions folder, off white grosgrain ribbon (other), off white brads (other), dimensionals

Punches: scallop circle, heart to heart, 1' circle

Techniques: 3d

Snowman Box

This is another top note project I have been wanting to make for awhile.  The snowman design is from Tammy Beaver.  I love all the top note characters she has made and hope to make all of them by the end of next year.

The box is a die for the Big Shot called Fancy Favor.  Love it!

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: none

Paper: whisper white, black, cherry cobbler, Orange (other)

Ink: marina mist

Accessories: fancy favor die, top note die, clear rhinestone brad

Punches: scallop circle, 1" circle, 3/4" circle, snowflake (other)

Techniques:big shot, 3D

Staying with the snowman theme, I took this picture while we were at my parents.  I love this little snowman my parents have on their deck.  I was playing with textures in Photoshop Elements to change the look.

Straight out of camera (SOOC)

Textures

I used textures from Rita at her CoffeeShop Blog and a texture from Jerry Jones at ShowHouseCreations Blog.  I like how they brightened the snowman's face.  I lowered the opacity on the textures, so they don't show a lot.

His & Hers Valentine

I made one of these cards a long time ago, and knew I wanted to show my club members how to make them for special occasions.  Since Christmas is over and New Year's Eve is this week, I thought I better start preparing for Valentine's Day.  This would get Valentine's Day on their minds and they can start planning their projects.

I started making the "hers" lunch bag valentine card, but knew I better make a "his" one too.  With all the boys in my house, I am more apt to use the "his" one.  I guess I can use the "hers" for teacher gifts.

Here are the close-ups of the individual cards.

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: I {heart} hearts, filled with love

Paper: melon mambo, whisper white, cherry cobbler

Ink: melon mambo, cherry cobbler

Accessories: rhinestones, 5/8" organza ribbon, dimensionals

Punches: ticket corner small, scallop trim border

Techniques: basic stamping

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: I {heart} hearts, textured jumbo wheel, filled with love

Paper: crumb cake, cherry cobbler, chocolate chip

Ink: cherry cobbler, chocolate chip

Accessories: chocolate ribbon (retired), antique brass brads, dimensionals

Punches: ticket corner punch small, 1 3/8" x 5/8" oval, 1 3/4" x 7/8" oval

Techniques: basic stamping

This is why is is called a lunch bag card.  I used a ordinary paper lunch bag to put inside it to hold a gift card.

Cute, huh?

Details: Valentine's Day is the second biggest holiday for sending cards, and during the Filled with Love promotion, you can get an exclusive package of Designer Series Paper perfect for creating cards for family, friends, classmates, and more!


From December 17, 2010 through January 24, 2011, get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $4.95 value--when you purchase an exclusive Filled with Love Bundle. See details below.

Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
Filled with Love Bundle Contains the Filled with Love Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124380	$32.90	124381	$26.90
Lleno de Amor Bundle Contains the Lleno de Amor Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124382	$32.90	124383	$26.90
Plein d'amour Bundle Contains the Plein d'amour Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124384	$32.90	124385	$26.90
Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (non-bundled) 12 sheets total: three 12" x 12" sheets of two double-sided designs in Real Red and Pretty in Pink	124156	$9.95	---	---

*Featured on p. 43 of the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog

 Things to Remember:

• You must use the promotional bundle item number to receive the free buttons.
• You can also purchase the exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack alone for $9.95 (item 124156). There is no limit to the number of packs of Love Patterns Designer Series Paper that you can purchase. See the flyer for more information. Free Bitty Buttons are not included with the purchase of only the paper pack.
• This promotion has no limits. You will receive a free package of Bitty Buttons for every bundle you purchase.
• The Filled with Love Bundles include the Filled with Love Set from the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog. Although the Holiday Mini sales period ends January 3, 2011, this stamp set will continue to be available for purchase through January 24, 2011

Start planning your Valentine's projects today.

Click flyer to enlarge.

I will show you some projects with this set soon.

Playing with Actions

I have taken a couple of online classes regarding action with Amanda from Everyday Elements.  I need a lot more practice and I need to review my class materials and tutorials.  I decided to take the time to play with a picture I took of Tanner on Christmas day.  This is his new buddy "Spike".  It is a pillow.  It is a pet.  It is a pillow pet.  I have heard him say that so many times.  LOL!

The first picture is straight of out the camera (SOOC).  

This picture is using Deep 1 & 2 Actions from Amanda at Everyday Elements.

 This is after I used the two deep cleans and added AMP Berries & Cream Action from Amy McMaster.

 This is after I used the two deep cleans from Amanda and added Coffeeshop Simply Vintage from Rita

Oh!  If I had more time or slept less, I could play more.

Which one do you like?

So Blessed

First, the boys got Lego Rock Band for Christmas and I am as addicted as they are to playing it.  LOL!  They can talk me into playing any time.  If they play without me, I ask them why they didn't ask....hee hee!  Even Grandma Burmeister rocked the house with us on Christmas Day.

I want to show you the handmade Christmas cards I received this year.  I love, love, love when I go to my mailbox and see the cards waiting to be opened.  I can't wait to see what my friends and family have taken the time the create.  I am so blessed to have all of you who follow my blog in my life.  I have made some great friendships, since I started blogging.

I can't find a couple of cards, so if I find them I will post them later.  Some of the cards didn't make it back to my desk, because I would take them to show the boys.  Our house needs a drastic Fly Lady hot spot treatment.

Barb Walker

Beverly Pettis

Cheri Ball (my cousin)

Jen ten Bensel

Lori Tecler

Lynn Mercurio

Pat Silvia

Sharli Frederickson

My Hedgehog is from Jeanne Tomshack.

Love it!

  

I need to create January club projects this week, so I will post them when I can.  Rock Band is calling...LOL!

Have a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

I want to wish all of you who celebrate this wonderful season a very Merry Christmas.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Flurry of Thanks

I decided to make some thank you cards, because we encourage our boys to write thank yous to everyone who give them Christmas presents.  I made a card very similar to this one at Kim's last year.  I love using a 6 x 6 piece of paper for the card base.  Score it at 3 inches and you have a 3 x 6 card that fits right into the small office envelopes.  I got four card bases out of one 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock.  I used irridescent ice on the snowflake and remembered how much I love that product.

I used Night of Navy craft ink and sprinkled irridescent ice over it.  Then I set it with my heat gun. Love it!  Don't ya love how the stamp fits perfectly in this punch?  You know, I do!

You can see it sparkle just a little on the close-up.  Oh, how pretty it makes this snowflake glitter.

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: simple snowflake, all holidays

Paper: blue (other), whisper white, night of navy

Ink: night of navy craft, night of navy classic

Accessories: rhinestone brad

Punches: modern label, word window, snowflake

Techniques: embossing

This is my last post for a little while.  I have a lot of things to get ready for the holidays, so I am taking a little vacation from my blog.  I hope to see you back here soon.

Many Tags

This is another stamp set my friend, Kim keeps telling me I need to buy.  We made a bunch of these at her house last week, and I love them.  I needed tags for gifts, and this is such a cute and easy way to make them.  There are just a few weeks left to purchase this set from the holiday mini, but if you have My Digital Studio I have great news for you.  It is one of the newer downloads you can purchase for just $5.95.  Looks like I will be getting this set after all.  YAY!  For more of the newest downloads see below.

Oh, I keep forgetting to mention....if you request my newsletter, don't forget to enter your email address.  My newsletter is electronic.  I need the email address of Susan B.  Please send it to clearlyinspired@gmail.com and I will add you to my list.  Thank you!

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: tags til christmas

Paper: whisper white

Ink: marina mist, cherry cobbler, old olive

Accessories: silver cord, old olive marker, early expresso marker

Punches: decorative label, ornament xl, 1 3/4" circle

Multi-fold Ornament

This is another great ornament I made at Kim's.  It is made out of a 6 x 6 piece of designer series paper.  It has so many folds to it, I hope I can make another one some time.  She might have to teach me again....LOL! The designer series paper I used is called Deck the Halls in the holiday mini catalog.  Only a few weeks left to order it.

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: none

Paper: Deck the halls

Ink: none

Accessories: kraft ribbon (retired), crystal (retired)

Punches: none

Techniques: 3d

Aerial View

Oh, Baby!  It's cold outside!  We are definitely in the winter season now, so I thought this card would be perfect for today.  This is another project I made a Kim's.  It is so cute!  I love the aerial view of the snowman looking up to the sky....great idea!

Materials used are stampin’ up! Unless noted

Stamps: teeny tiny wishes, retired snowflake

Paper: crumb cake, whisper white, pumpkin pie, black

Ink: bashful blue, real read

Accessories: real red ribbon, circles #2 bigz die

Punches: snowflake, 1/4" circle

Techniques: big shot

Snowflake Ornament

I went to Kim's last night and made the cutest projects.  This is a snowflake ornament we made with thick window sheets and the oval bigz die for the Big Shot.  I love how the lights shine behind the ornament.  Look at that glitter!

The snowflake punch was punched out of the Big Shot multipurpose adhesive sheets and put on the window sheet.  Then we covered it with glitter and added a rhinestone.  Love it!

Manhattan Three-Fold

I made a simple, but elegant card at my friend, Kim's a while ago with the Manhattan Flower Impressions Folder.  It was so simple, but I loved it.  I decided to create another one.  When I made the first one below, I decided to have a little more fun and play with my white ink pads.

This was was made by using the Manhattan embossing folder and lightly swiping the impression with white pigment ink.  I only wanted to pick up the embossed flowers.  I topped off the card with a thank you sentiment from Because I Care (hostess level 1 set) and whisper white organza ribbon.  Oh, I almost forgot I  spritzed it with the vanilla shimmer smooch.  Pretty!  You might be able to see the shimmer, if you click on the picture to enlarge it.

For this one, I decided to use a heavy amount of whisper white pigment ink all over the card.  A little different look, but still just as pretty!  All the other materials are the same.  More smooch!  I love that word.

For the last one, I played with my white staz-on pad.  It is a thicker ink, so the image looks painted.  Oh, to pick my favorite....I don't think I can.  I like them all!

Which one do you like best?  My hubby and boys liked the second one.  I had them vote separately, so they wouldn't know which one was chosen, and they still all picked the same.

Move Quickly

Every year my hubby tells me he needs Christmas cards for his employees a couple days before Christmas.  This year, I remembered early...YAY!  In addition, he adds, "nothing fancy".  He knows they will throw them away, once they get home.  So......I decided to use retired SU cardstock and stamp set.

The end of the year is a time when people reflect upon the entire year.  I am not the exception.  That is another reason I decided to use what I have on hand.  Out with the old and in with the new.  The new year will bring new stamp sets and paper with the occasions mini.  I can't wait!

I named this post Move Quickly, because I used the Movers & Shapers dies to make the scallop oval in the front of the card.  This die set is a "quick" way to make a card, especially when you have the scallop oval punch.  You know I do!  To spice up the front of the card I used the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder. 

Tomorrow I continue my quick card series with a thank you card I made with the Manhattan Flower Impressions Folder.  See you then!

Single Layer with a Pop

Boy, I had a busy and FUN weekend!  Friday, I went shopping with my mom and sister all day.  That night I had club, and I always have fun stamping with my club members.  Saturday morning, the boys had tennis practice for two hours and then we went shopping again.  My sister had to leave Saturday afternoon, so my mom and I hung out for the rest of the day.  Sunday morning was mass and then my parents left.  The rest of the day was spent cleaning and doing laundry.  I did watch a couple of movies in between those two things.  I love Netflix and instant download.  I saw Becket and Bounty Hunter.  Both were good, but totally different.

As you can see I didn't have much time to stamp over the weekend.  My father-in-law had surgery on Friday and he is home already.  I needed a fast card, so I decided to make some single layer cards.  I added dimensionals to the image or the sentiment to give the a POP.

My hubby thought I bought the little band-aids and put them on the card.  No, silly!  That is a stamp from the Wellness Wishes stamp set.  I am glad he thought it looked like a band-aid.

This set was Trendy Trees.

Gift Card Purse Tutorial

Here is the video I made for the gift card purse I posted earlier this week.  I had fun making this one.  I was in a goofy mood the day I made it, so I laugh at little things.  ENJOY!

Announcements:

CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER OUT OF STOCK

The Candy Cane Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 120809) is out of stock and no longer available to order. Don't forget our other beautiful holiday paper selections--Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (item 117159) from the Idea Book & Catalog, and Deck The Halls Designer Series Paper (item 120810) from the Holiday Mini.

NEW DIGITAL DOWNLOADS FOR MY DIGITAL STUDIO Our latest batch of digital downloads is here--and more are on the way for the month of December! If you would like to view our complete list of My Digital Studio download offerings, go to the customer homepage, click on Store, then Digital Crafting. Item  Description  Image  Price  122178  CD/DVD Label Pack    $1.95  122180  Year in Review Digital Kit    $9.95  123964  Glimmer Brads    $3.95  123960  Candy Cane Designer Buttons    $2.95 WATERCOLOR WONDER CRAYONS NOW AVAILABLE! Great news! The Watercolor Wonder Crayons are now available for purchase. The Watercolor Wonder Crayons were delayed due to a relocation of our supplier. We now have inventory and you can start ordering today! When you receive your Watercolor Wonder Crayons, you may notice that some of the crayon sleeves feature old artwork on them. This does not affect the quality of the crayons; we simply need to deplete inventory of crayons with the old artwork before we use crayons featuring the new artwork. Use the following item numbers to purchase your Watercolor Wonder Crayons: 120949 New Color Kit 119802 Subtles 119803 Regals 119804 Brights 119805 Neutrals Thanks for your patience!