Tomorrow, tomorrow

I love ya, tomorrow
You're always a day away!!

Yes, that's right ... tomorrow, Dec. 1, the official retirement list will be released. I am sooo excited. I'll send it out to my mailing list as soon as I receive it -- if you aren't on my list and want the email be sure to click on my email in the right hand margin and let me know you want it.

until then ... happy stampin'
Susan

I can't believe it

That's right ... December 1 the Stampin' Up! Retirement list is released. I can't believe it's only 3 days away. I have a love/hate relationship with retirement lists. It's exciting to see what's leaving, because it means so many more new stamp sets will be in the new catalog ... yet, I hate seeing my favorite sets go.

If you are on my customer list, watch for a special email coming in the next week. If you are not on my customer list and would like to me, send me an email. My email addy is to the right in the margin.

happy stampin'
Susan

A Christmas Plethora

Ha, ha, I just had to use that title ... what I'm really going to show is probably not technically considered a plethora but humor me! These are the most recent cards I've made. I'm a little disappointed in the adhesive I'm using - it's something new by EK success - but it's not sticking as well as it should and I'm having to go back and re glue some areas.

Before we go on to the cards, I have to take care of a bit of business. The SU! Paper Party Promotion ends Friday!! If you want Designer Papers while they are on sale ... now is the time to order. When you buy 3 packs you get the 4th FREE. It's a good deal - and I'm guessing some of these papers will not be available after Jan. 1 when the new catalog comes out. Also, when you order you can take advantage of the other great specials from SU! that are current. Satin ribbon is BOGO. There is a stamp set perfect for making your Christmas gift tags discounted 25% and more. Go to www.stampinup.com to see the entire list of current Specials.

Now ... on to more fun things. I thought I should show you the cards I've been working on. So, this is the whole bunch together:





This is a close up of one with green flowers.

And the last one has a chipboard star. I am going to go back and stitch in a few places around the star so it won't pop off the card when it's opened. I just have to find my needle and thread. That could take a while!

That's all for today!

Happy Stampin'

Susan

Here is a funny trailer for the Mock U Tv movie about Scrapbooking. For each video sold $1 goes to support Autism research. Check it out here: http://www.mockutv.com/preview.htm

Happy Monday!

Good Monday morning! I have so enjoyed the Thanksgiving break. I had extra time off from work, hubby was home for 5 days in a row, and we got our tree up! Tonight is decorating night. Our kids didn't want to decorate the tree until they could all be here, and with the holiday work schedules for our 2 teenagers, that meant we had to wait until tonight. I suppose I should cook something they all like {hmmm ... is that even possible?} and let them have a tree decorating party.

I also ordered a new digital SLR camera over the weekend. I'm sooo excited!! When I hit the submit button for the order, I had a moment of panic. Oh no! What if I shouldn't spend the money for a new camera? Is it too expensive? Is it even a good camera? Well, I'm happy to say, I got over those feelings quickly enough, lol! It's supposed to arrive next week, and I'll be sure to post when my baby gets here. Wanna see, isn't it lovely?

Now for today's share:

all images ©SU! 1990-2007
card design by Lauren McCray

The stamp set is Season of Joy, and it is only available until the end of this week! It is in the Holiday Mini Catalog, which will end on Nov. 30. Also ... did you notice the Chocolate Satin Ribbon? Yummie. The Satin ribbon is BOGO right now. I already put in my order!

I've been steadily working on more Christmas cards. I'll try to photograph today, but it's quite cloudy outside now and the forecast is for rain all day. I'm so happy for any rain ... it's so dry here. Creeks are dry, the lake levels are unbelieveably low ... it's been an extreme hot and dry summer. We desperately need rain -- so I'm really happy for it to rain ALL DAY. If I can't get a good photo today, I'll try again tomorrow.

happy stampin'

Susan

I am the stuffing ... or, am I stuffed?

You Are The Stuffing

You're complicated and complex, yet all your pieces fit together. People miss you if you're gone - but they're not sure why.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

We've rounded the bend and are heading straight into the holiday season now! I only have a few more Christmas cards to make and then I can drop them into the mail. I'm waiting on photographs of our kids before I can mail to family. I hope those photos arrive early this coming week.

Today's card share is nice and simple, but looks gorgeous! I've never made Christmas cards on Kraft cardstock, but I think it deserves a try after finding this card:

all images © SU! 1990-2007

card design by Lynsay Mahon

The printed paper is Dashing ... and is on sale until Nov. 30. If you don't receive my emails, you need to go check out Stampin' Up! online for the great sale that's going on now in addition to the Paper Party Promotion. There is a BOGO on satin ribbon from the Holiday Mini catalog that I just couldn't pass up! If you don't have a SU demo, email me {link on the right side bar} and I'll get you taken care of asap!

Now, I'm off to put up our Christmas Tree ... ahem, rather finish cleaning the den to make room for a Christmas tree! LOL!

happy stampin'
Susan

Holy Cow, I did it!

Yep ... I really did it!! I made the decorations just like I saw in the store. I'm still missing bows for the tree tops -- I don't really know how to tie a nice bow ... volunteers, anyone?? The store sample didn't have lights, but I think I am going to add white lights too. You can't really see the trees at night unless the overhead light is on, and I don't like that much light going on ... kwim?





Ok, so here they are on my fireplace ... likey?? The buckets are a really cool metallic red color. They also came in green. The trees are 4' alpine trees - like little Charlie Brown ones looking pitiful until you decorate them. A lady in line behind me at the store actually laughed at the trees and asked,"What in the world are you going to do with that pitiful thing?" Huh, the nerve!

A close up of that adorable little bear with his snow buddy.

And, this is just a close shot of the flowers ... no big deal. The poinsettias are actually a garland, so I just wrapped them around the tree and wired them in a few strategic places.

I purchased all the supplies at AC Moore on sale. Most of the supplies were 40% off, but the metal bucket and trees were 50%.

If you were wondering, NO, I didn't finish cleaning my house. But I did get the fireplace and sitting area cleaned and swept so I could make my bear trees! That's a start. I still have Friday and Saturday to clean. As soon as we get things clean enough we'll make a huge mess getting the big tree and decorations down from the attic. I also managed to wrap a few presents today. Nothing much, just some fun stuff, but we have our first gifts wrapped and awaiting a tree.

happy stampin'

Susan

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to go ahead and wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are able to spend the day with people you love. Our holiday will be small this year, but that's ok. We'll have plenty of turkey left over for sandwiches!

Here are a couple of card shares for today. I don't know what my plans are for the next couple of days, so I wanted to be sure to leave several cards today. First, a shot of the 24 cards I recently completed. The paper is Dashing Designer Paper {on sale in November}, and the stamp sets are In the Spotlight and Priceless. I also used several punches, brads, etc. I may add a touch of glitter to the snow blossom punch, but I'm not sure yet. I am just glad they are done!

These will be the cards we send to family members -- hopefully with a photo of our 3 kids included. Using the Scor-Pal really helped me speed the process along. It did take me longer than I expected to finish them, but now they are done and I can start thinking about the next card design. I hope to make about 50 cards for Christmas mailing.

The next card was made by my good friend Steph. She used a die cut for the JOY lettering {edit from Steph: Abigail alphabet dies from QuicKutz}. I love the epoxy button and ribbon -- isn't that a fantastic touch?? Go Girlfriend! In case is it hard to see, the card is red, black and white ... the off white ugly behind is my table cover.

Finally, a card from the past. It was really hard to photograph, and this is the best I came out with ... but at least you can get the idea. It is a clear card made from a transparency sheet. I think they are pretty cool cards, but it's all in the eye of the beholder!

and the inside greeting ...

If I can get a better photo later, I'll replace these. I'm not sure I can do any better, but I'll keep trying. Now it's off to clean the house. Believe me, that's a really big job! I want to get it clean so we can start decorating for Christmas this weekend. If I get my project finished {mentioned yesterday} I'll post photos of that as well. It's an ambitious project for me because I have very minimal decorating savvy. I can tell you it involves 2 alpine trees, buckets, stuffed animals, floral supplies and ribbon - oh my goodness!! Wish me luck!!

happy stampin'

Susan

Snowflakes falling

all images copyright SU! 1990-2007

The Snowfall stamp set is beautiful stamped in Blue Bayou. I don't know about you, but I wish Blue Bayou would be added to the SU catalog permanently! It is currently one of the In Colors for 2007-08 and is scheduled to retire on July 1, 2008. I think it's a great shade of blue ... much better than Brocade! Or at least, that's my opinion.

Anyway, I'm suposed to be talking about the card ... see how the snowflake is cut out so symmetrically? Those curves were made with the 1 1/4" circle punch. I wish I had thought of that!



How are you coming on your Christmas cards? I just finished up the first 24 tonight. I think it has taken me 3 nights to complete the cards. I suppose I could have finished last night, but I ran out of large eyelets, so I had to make a quick trip to my LSS today.



I hope y'all have a happy Thanksgiving. I gotta pick up my turkey tomorrow {already cooked, of course!}. And we have some serious house cleaning to do before we can put up any Christmas decorations. I also have a new project to work on because I got inspired at AC Moore this afternoon!



happy stampin'

Susan

Big on Christmas

I am happy to report that I worked steadily on Christmas cards over the weekend. Maybe I'm slow ... actually, I'm sure that I am slow ... so far I am almost done with 2 dozen Criss Cross Cards. It is taking a bit longer than I planned ... but that's ok, because I really, really wanted to make this style card for the holidays. I will need more than 2 dozen cards, so after this batch I am going to move on to something more simple. I'm just not sure what that will be yet.



For today's share I chose this Big on Christmas set. Love this card ... I especially love the wide grosgrain tied around the bottom! What do you think? And, don't forget to stamp your envelopes if you are using opaque ones! Stamping an envelope adds a nice touch and give the recipient a taste of what's inside.

all images © SU! 1990-2007

That's all for today - be sure to check in again soon. I need to play a little PAY IT FORWARD game this week.

happy stampin,

Susan

bummer ...

I just heard from my sister. She was in a car accident this past Thursday. The ER checked her out ok, but she's been in pain all weekend, so today she went to her doctor. He found a broken bone in her shoulder. The head pain is normal for a concussion, so the dr. wasn't concerned about that. Also, last night a tooth broke, and 2 fillings fell out of different teeth - so she's now on the way to the dentist. Besides her car being totalled, she is not cleared to fly down for Thanksgiving -- and that's probably a good thing so she can rest and heal, but we're going to miss her. bummer.

Expressionistic card

all images © SU! 1990-2007

The technique is from the Technique Junkies newsletter and is called Expressionistic Watercolor, I think. {if that's not right, can someone message me w/ the correct name? Thanks.}

Can you say super easy? Easy, yet yields gorgeous results! Sorry to report that both the Paint Prints stamp set and the sentiment stamp are retired SU. But You could substitute another flower and sentiment and get the same fab result.

The actual technique instructs you to use a spectrum pad, but it works well with a one color pad too. I prefer to use a cardstock that is a bit heavier, so this card was made using Confetti White. The extra thickness helps the card hold up better when you spritz it with water.

happy stampin'
Susan

another Perfect Presentation

all images ©SU! 1990-2007

card designed by Angie Tieman

I am beginning to love this stamp set. It recently became mine ... although I have decided to make my Christmas cards with In the Spotlight ... I think I am going to be forced to make at least a few cards and gift tags with this set too, lol!

happy stampin'

Susan

Simply Scrappin' kit cards

Two years ago {wow} my stampers made Christmas cards using a Simply Scrappin' kit. We were able to make 60 cards from one kit and a pack of assorted cardstock! Amazing! While that kit has since retired, there are some awesome kits and designer papers that will make beautiful cards this holiday season.

These particular cards are very simple, minimal stamping, some ribbon and stickers. Since we were making 60 cards in one sitting, there wasn't time for adding a lot of bling and special techniques. However, it is an impressive way to get a lot of cards finished and ready to mail! And, may I add ... what a fun girlfriend party that could be ... making cards, snacking and playing holiday music all afternoon ...

all images ©SU! 1990-2007

I hope to seriously start working on my cards this weekend. I've decided to use Dashing Designer Paper because I love the bold dots, and the colors are perfect for Christmas. And ... since Designer papers are on sale during the month of November, I can order plenty of paper for my cards!!! Hopefully I will get enough work done over the weekend that I can share some of my Christmas cards here on the blog Monday.



The other news around home is that my oldest son is flying up to DC today to visit with my sister and brother in law. He is going to see Neil Young in concert tonight and is so psyched about it. Neil is his number 1 pick to see in concert.

The bad news is that my sister won't be able to go to the concert with them. She was involved in a car accident yesterday and while she is ok, she is very sore and bruised. She is going to stay home and rest while they rock with Neil. Saturday they have a trip planned to the Annie Leibovitz exhibit - awesome, and the perfect accompaniment to a Neil Young concert, don't you think?

My son will fly back in on Sunday - short trip, but so worth it! Please pray for safe travel - the weather is going to be great - but mom still worries a bit, that's ok, right?



Happy stampin'
Susan

Holiday Tag Team

all images © SU! 1990-2007

Card design by Cindy Ewertz

What a cute little snowman chatting with a bluebird! This card uses Holiday Tag Team, Lovely as a Tree and a sentiment set. Stamp the snowmen, mask them and then stamp the trees. Easy peasy!

happy stampin'

Susan

Christmas Card share

I think it's time to seriously start sharing Christmas card ideas. If you have a wonderful card please send a link to me and I'll post it here. Today's card uses Perfect Presentation by Stampin' Up! I really like the use of color and the faux patchwork effect.

all images © SU! 1990-2007

card design by M. Carolina Buchting

Also, just in time for holiday gift giving, Amuse stamps is offering a pdf downloadable calendar file for only $3. The best part is that all proceeds will go directly to the Scleroderma Research Foundation.

Once downloaded, you can stamp or customize the 4" calendar pages anyway you like, and they fit perfectly in a CD case, or you can have the pages bound. There are some samples on the Amuse site, and I can see the ideas swirling around my head! If you would like to see the samples and read more about the Amuse calendar, CLICK HERE.

happy stampin'

Susan

Holiday Showcase

The gallery for the SCS Holiday Showcase can be found HERE. You are able to access all the tutorials and artwork for each project. Today's project uses glass ornaments - very pretty!

I think the link from yesterday will not take you to the exact spot online ... oops ... anyway, those bows are cute. Yesterday's project is a treat box -- I don't think it was up yet when I visited the site ... guess I was an eager beaver.

happy stampin'
Susan

Great things happening online this week

Splitcoaststampers.com is celebrating early with TWO WEEKS of Holiday Projects. Beginning today, a new project will be posted each day through Nov. 23, to help you get ready for the holidays.

Today's project is Paper Bows. You can view all the finished projects in the Paper Bow Gallery. You can even submit your own paper bow creations to share. Some of the bows are amazingly beautiful!

happy stampin'

Susan

for Joan

Here's one for my best buddy Joan :

all images © SU! 1990-2007

happy stampin'
Susan

Want a sneak peek??

all images © SU! 1990-2007

This is one of the projects for Friday night Stamp Camp. It's a Starburst Gift Card Holder. And, not too hard to make, but looks absolutely FABULOUS! It's all done with punches! I wish the photo showed all the details, but I'll fill in and you can put your imagination to work. The card base is shimmery white, so it has a nice sheen. The Starburst is punched from shimmery white with mulberry paper behind. I embossed a silver brad with irridescent ice which gave a nice gleam.

I'll post our other 3 projects after Friday night ... I can't spoil all the surprises now can I?

happy stampin,

Susan

Simply Beautiful

Today's share is not a new layout, but I didn't see where I had posted it before. So, if it is a repeat, please forgive! This is my daughter and her BFF. They are the two most beautiful girls! I know all moms feel that way, so I guess it's ok to indulge myself too.

The photo is printed on textured cardstock. I was just playing around and wanted to see how a photo would look ... not bad. I changed it to a black & white photo, and the cardstock is sort of an aged ivory, so it's a nice combination. The photo is not waterproof as I unfortunately found out. But I covered the waterspot with a prima flower and voila! beautiful again!

Their names are reversed, Ellen is on the left, Erin on the right. But I put Erin's name first because it is shorter and it worked better visually, kwim? The color of the letter stickers was also too bold, so I sponged them with chocolate chip ink and it toned down the color enough to work on this page. Great, because I have too many alpha stickers anyway. I don't use them often, preferring to stamp letters as often as I am able!

The prima flowers have crystal effects and glitter in the centers, but it doesn't show up well here. You need to see it IRL. Call me, lol!

The supplies are all from Club Scrap, even the primas -- oops, except for the letter stickers, they are Marcella by K. The kit is appropriately named, Simply Beautiful.

happy stampin'

Susan

Stamper Share

images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! Sample by Beate Johns

One of the most consistently awesome stampers that I am aware of, is Beate Johns. She makes the most beautiful cards ... like the one above. Please note that the Designer Paper is from the Fall Flower pack {on sale}. The sets used in this card are:

• STEM SILHOUETTES STAMP SET
• ALL IN A ROW STAMP SET
• LINEN STAMP SET

images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! Sample by Beate Johns.

Another card by Beate, also using Designer Paper {which is on sale - woot!}. And - that is faux stitching around the card ... it's a stamp, aha! The stamp sets here are:

• ARTFULLY ASIAN STAMP SET
• ALL IN A ROW STAMP SET

You can visit Beate at her blog: Fresh & Fun where Sketch Challenges are posted every Friday. And scrapbook pages are posted on Sundays.



happy stampin'

Susan

It's a PARTY!!

It's November and time for a Paper Party! Stampin' Up! Designer papers are on special for the entire month. Buy 3 packs and get the 4th pack FREE! Load up on those papers you love. And, when you visit the Stampin' Up! home page, you can download free instructions for 5 different projects made using Designer papers. Isn't that nifty?

Call me if you want to take advantage of this great sale. Also - through Saturday {Nov. 3} you can order the Holiday set Wishing You at a 20% discount. You can order papers and a stamp set that will make adorable Christmas cards all on sale! I'll have an order going in Saturday evening, so don't delay.

happy stampin'
Susan

another amazing share'o the day

I just learned something amazing today. Lisa Sommerville, who is an uber-talented stamper, posted this great news ... images in the TAGS FOR ALL stamp set fit perfectly on address labels for instant, self-adhesive gift tags!! Take a looksie at this:






Another brainiac, StampinwithTara posted,

"Just checked my stash, and it appears that the remaining labels in the set will ALL fit onto the Avery #8096 or #6490 Diskette labels.But, I can't be 100% sure, as I do not own the stamp set (I know that the printed images aren't always 100% accurate compared to the actual stamp). But, I took a label and stuck it over the images in the mini (the labels I have are the removable type) and they all fit inside the label."

I love it when a stamp set is versatile and so very useful. How quickly could you make gift tags? Wouldn't tags look great embossed too? woo-hoo. I just had to share this news with you today ... hope it is useful for you!

happy stampin'

Susan