Too Cool Stamping

Christmas Gift Ideas From Carmen

I'm always looking for small, easy-to-make gifts for the holidays, and Carmen DeBruce brought all kinds of goodies to show us at our last Demo Meeting.  These are fantastic little gifts for co-workers, your child's teacher, casual friends, and even as holiday party favors! 

We've already seen a few days ago the cute little Paper Bag Cocoa Holder she made.  Now here are more  awesome gifts she shared...

Tea Bag Holder

 

You can stick a tea bag in the little pocket on the right that's lined with the Daffodil Delight Eyelet Border Punch trim.  Carmen used the Just Believe set and bright colors...remember that your gifts for the holidays don't have to be holiday-themed! 

Find the tutorial on making the Tea Bag Holder at the Rubber Redneck blog.  The one shown on that site was made as a "Get Well" gift...what a thoughtful idea!

Hand Sanitizer Holders
Oh, I love this one—a hand sanitizer gift package!  I'm going to HAVE to make some of these!  This is the perfect gift for all the nurses that have been taking care of my loved ones recently!

I've seen two different styles of packaging for hand sanitizers, this one has the larger one that foams when dispensed.  It was purchased from Bath & Body Works. You can find a helpful tutorial by Natasha Zandbergen from Inking Out of The Box: Hand Sanitizer. 

There is also another version for the smaller, liquid ones that you can also purchase at Bath & Body Works (or just use the generic versons).  Here is a nice tutorial done by Erica Cerwin at Pink Buckaroo Designs: Mini Hand Sanitizer Holder.

Carmen decorated hers with the Winter Post deer stamp, 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, and Christmas Cocoa retired DSP. 

 

Bag of Tags

Who doesn't need gift tags when it's time to wrap the presents?  Carmen put together this handy little cello bag of tags with a cute holiday topper. 

The Tags Til Christmas stamp set makes it amazingly easy to make quick tags—just stamp and punch with the coordinating punches!  Carmen added some gold cord to each for hanging.  Place them all in a Small Cello Bag (these are SO handy for all kinds of treat bags).

Carmen made a topper for the cello bag out of the Jolly Holiday DSP, cut with the Top Note Die.  The "to/from" stamp is also from Tags Till Christmas and it's punched with the Decorative Label Punch. 

SAVE ON THIS! Don't forget that you can still get the Tags Til Christmas & Decorative Label Punch in a Tags Til Christmas Holiday Bundle at 20% off until December 16!

Tags Flip-Style Holder

 

This unassuming, card-size package holds a surprise gift inside...

   

Flip open the flaps on the top and bottom, then open the flaps on the sides, and you've unwrapped a whole pocket-full of coordinating holiday gift tags!  It's a spectacular presentation that keeps your tags neatly organized and ready to use.

Carmen used the tutorial from another Carmen at the Stamping Addiction blog: Tag Holder.  She gives all the steps and measurements there, and it's much easier to create than it may appear. 

Project supplies used: Tags Til Christmas stamp set, Decorative Label Punch, Chocolate Chip & Crumb Cake card stock, Chocolate Chip and Real Red ink, Large 1-3/4" Oval Punch, Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel, and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding.

Thanks for all the fun gift ideas, Carmen!

Angie

 

 

More Too Cool Demo Christmas Card Ideas

My downline has a wealth of creative ideas, and I love seeing what they have made each month.  Between the sharing of our projects, doing some fun make & takes, and trying out some new techniques, our Demo Meetings are packed with fun!  Best of all, we all leave with LOTS of creative inspiration! 

Last Chance For 50% off Starter Kit

YOU could be a part of our next meeting, coming up December 13th, when you purchase the Simply Amazing 50% off Starter Kit for only $87.50.  Take a test run of all the benefits of being a demonstrator, with no penalties, and keep the more than $300 worth of stamping supplies you customize in your kit!  Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of this unbelievable deal—don't miss out!

As a related woohoo shout-out...congratulations to my stamping friend Kari Heitmann who signed up yesterday with this fabulous Starter Kit offer!  I'm so excited to have you as a part of my team, Kari!

More Awesome Demo Christmas Cards

Michelle Hoover shared this beautiful card created with the items in the Vintage Christmas Card Bundle: Bells & Boughs stamp set and Deck The Halls Designer Paper.  Don't forget to check out ALL of the Holiday Bundles, priced at 20% off, to save on your cardmaking and holiday gift items!

The Cherry Cobbler background is embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.  She used the Always Artichoke Seam Binding for a coordinated bow.  The eye-catching sparkle trim around the circle is Champagne Glass Glitter, adhered with Tombow Multipurpose White Glue.

Darla Eigenschink created this lovely card with a too cool Ornament Punch window.  I love how she paired it with the Earth stamp from the Peaceful Season Hostess stamp set.  "Peace on Earth" is stamped on a pattern from the Deck The Halls paper.  The card front is wrapped up with Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon. 

Michelle also made this pretty Serene Snowflakes card.  She did some fun layered stamping here, starting with Soft Suede on the background, then embossed in white over the top.  The largest snowflake is stamped with Soft Suede on Whisper White, then cut out and popped up with a Basic Pearl in the center.  She trimmed the card with a lovely combination of Victoria Crochet Trim over a Deck The Halls Fabric ruffle. 

Did you know you can get either the Candy Cane Christmas Fabric or Deck The Halls Fabric for 50% off with the Online Spectacular that ends tomorrow?!  It's a great time to try the fabric (and we'll be seeing more in upcoming Minis!). 

Speaking of fabric, Michelle used a circle scallop of the Deck The Halls Fabric here to create a soft, textured layer under the gold embossed poinsettias from the Bells & Boughs set. 

When you order the fabric, be sure to order Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets for easy application onto papercrafts.  Michelle applied on the fabric on an Adhesive Sheet before running it through the Big Shot with the Circle Scallop Die.  Once it's die-cut, just peel off the backing and it's ready to adhere to your card stock.  This is especially great for intricately cut dies—much easier than trying to use SNAIL or 2-way Glue to attach complex shapes! 

The background is another pattern from Deck The Halls paper, so this project is another example of something you can make with the Vintage Christmas Card Bundle items.

  

Michelle tried a new embossing technique with this card—glitter embossing!  She stamped the ornament from the Tags Til Christmas set with VersaMark, then sprinkled a mixture of Silver Galaxy Fine Glitter and Silver Embossing Powder before heating with the Heat Tool.  Look how sparkly it is!!!  And, I love that she accented the ornament with Basic Rhinestones even more of a bling-factor! 

She used Candy Cane Christmas DSP for the background, along with a Garden Green Dotted Scallop Trim Border.

Darla showed us a wintery card created with the Northern Flurry Impressions Folder lightly sponged with Night of Navy.  She used some of the retired Bride DSP inked with Night of Navy, tied with Organza Ribbon for contrast.

Michelle said that this card was very popular at her recent events!  How can you go wrong with the traditional looking Santa from the Jolly Old Saint Nick set?!  She colored his face with a Blushing Bride (or Blush Blossom, they still have this "retired" color in the marker for skin-tones) marker, then it looks like she add Positively Pink Watercolor Crayon for the cheeks.  Using the 2-Way Glue Pen, she applied Dazzling Diamonds to the fluffy parts of the santa hat—love it!

Other supplies used: Jolly Holiday DSP, Circle Scissor Plus, Circle Scallop Die, Dotted Scallop Trim Border, 1-3/4" Oval Punch, and Oval Scallop Punch.

Here's one more from Michelle.  I like the simple "candy cane" color combination!  The ornaments from the Tree Trimmings set are stamped in Real Red, then the image was covered with 2-Way Glue Pen adhesive and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds. 

Other supplies: Vintage Wallpaper emobssed background, Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch. 

Whew!  A lot of beautiful cards!  Love all the ideas!  Thanks for sharing with us!

Angie

Some Too Cool CASEing Fun!

You know I'm all about CASEing (Copy And Share Everything) and it's highly encouraged in the stamping community!  Here are some of the fantastic ideas that I thought would be great to CASE for holiday cards...

My downline, Michelle Hoover, created this sparkly card with the Dryer Sheet Technique.  Have you ever tried this one?  It's perfect for wintery cards!  It's hard to see in this photo, but the entire front of Michelle's card has a soft, glittery texture that looks like lightly falling snow.

You can check out the link above for the complete instructions, but here is the "Cliff Notes" version:

• Stamp a bold image that will go underneath your dryer sheet.  (Here, Michelle used the Lovely As A Tree image stamped multiple times, with a sentiment from Sincere Salutations)
• Use spray adhesive over the top of your stamped card stock, or run it through a Xyron machine.
• Apply a used dryer sheet over the adhesive, burnish down, and trim off the excess.
• Sprinkle on Dazzling Diamonds and rub it into the dryer sheet.  The glitter will stick to the adhesive between the loose fibers of the sheet. 

My friend Peggy Tassler created this pretty ornament card with lots of layers and textures.  The idea was CASEd from Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty. 

The larger Crumb Cake pieces are embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and the Polka Dot Impressions Folder, and then lightly sponged with Rich Razzleberry ink.  She used an ornament stamp from Delightful Decorations that was punched out with the Ornament Punch.  She used some white satin ribbon, but the 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon or 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon would work well for the bow, too.

I love the accent on the top left corner created by threading Linen Thread through the holes made by the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch.  (Mary Fish has a quick tutorial on that technique at the link above.) 

I like all the punched layers used on the sentiment: Decorative Label Punch, Oval Scallop Punch, Modern Label Punch. 

Most of all, I'm completely envious of Peggy's handwriting!  She didn't have a greeting to fit, so she wrote it herself—isn't her handwriting amazing!  She could have her own font! 

Here is an elegant Christmas card that was created by Michelle Hoover using the Snow Swirled set embossed in gold and layered on Brushed Gold card stock.  The background is dry embossed with the Petals-A-Plenty Impressions Folder. 

This pretty Tree Trimmings ornament card was also created by Michelle last year.  It was her card that motivated me to purchase the Fine Red Gallaxy Glitter and make my Tree Trimmings Heat & Stick Glitter Card.  Yes, I had to wait a whole year before trying that technique with that specific stamp set, but it was worth it!  Thanks for the inspiration, Michelle!

Michelle also created this cute card last year using the Jolliest Time of the Year stamp set and watercoloring.  I love the Santa suit background, don't you?!  I've also seen a soda pop tab used for the buckle.  I keep wanting to CASE this one, but haven't gotten around to it yet...

I've Been CASEd!

Speaking of CASEing, I was SO excited to recently find out that I've have several of my cards CASEd—how flattering!  I hear about customers using an idea I shared at a workshop or Club, but many times I'm the one CASEing the idea to show to them.  It's pretty cool when stampers use my original design on their projects—it's a first for me!  (The first ones of many, I hope!) 

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Carmen DeBruce CASEd my Petals-A-Plenty Poinsettia shown at the right.

 

Connie Heisey, who is a demonstrator that recently earned the highest Stampin' Up! promotion of Senior Advisor (only a couple people have reached that level EVER!) CASEd me!  She featured this card on her Stamp With Connie blog.  You can see how to make my card, shown at the right, on my Poppin' Pastels Christmas Collage Card post.

 

Here's another CASE that I found on my demonstrator site created by Kellie Anyn Paxton.  My card to the right wasn't completely original, I CASEd the owl and the moon, but I added the textured background, scalloped rooftop and rhinestone stars that Kellie also used.  Find out all the project details at my Night Owl Silhouette post.

I'd love to see YOUR projects (so I can CASE them, of course)!  Share with me by emailing me a photo of your holiday project!  If it's OK with you, I may share your project on an upcoming blog!

Angie

 

Candy Cane Christmas Mini Notebook

Before the Candy Cane Christmas DSP runs out (Stampin' Up! says their inventory is nearly depleted), I wanted to show you another cute project that my friend Carmen DeBruce did featuring that pretty, sparkly paper...

It's a mini notebook that's bound with the Zutter Bind-It-All.  (That binding machine is on my Holiday Wish List!  I wish Stampin' Up! carried it!)  The cover is stamped with A Cute Christmas, colored with markers and highlighted with Dazzling Diamonds.  The stamped piece is layered on a Scallop Square Duo die-cut.

The inside is created with index cards and tabs made with the Round Tab Punch.  What a fun way to get organized for the holidays!

Here is the back cover with a better shot of the pretty 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon tied to the wire binding.

Carmen CASEd this awesome project from Lynn Put.  You can find her example using the Season of Joy stamp set on The Queen's Scene blog: Christmas Shopping List.  Or, for complete instructions, check out the Bind-It-All Address Book at Beate John's blog.

PLEASE NOTE: If you like the Candy Cane Christmas paper, get it fast!  Due to it's overwhelming popularity, Stampin' Up! has nearly depleted it's inventory of this limited-time paper, and they will not be ordering more.  Order yours online NOW before it runs out!

More Congratulations For My Demo Team!

Woohoo for my Too Cool Demo Team members who have signed up recruits with the Simply Amazing 50% Off Starter Kit Special!

• Congratulations to Michelle Hoover, who has signed on her 7th demonstrator this week!  Whoa-nelly!  We welcome Jennifer Quinn to the Stampin' Up! team!
• Congratulations to Darla Eigenschink, who has recruited her first downline EVER!  Welcome to the Stampin' Up! team, Amy Slattery!

There are only a few more days to take advantage of this AWESOME & UNBELIEVABLE offer!  Only $87.50 gives you more than $300 in stamping supplies, plus business supplies, and demonstrator benefits for as long as you want to remain active.  Remember, there is no requirement after purchasing the Kit; you can keep the supplies and drop with NO penalty. 

Learn about the benefits of Joining My Team, then sign up using the password "toocool" before November 30th.  Still unsure?  Contact me and let's chat about it!

Angie

Time-Saving Tips For The Hard-To-Buy-For Person

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!  Many of you may already be back home from shopping the Black Friday sales all night and early this morning—hope you found lots of great deals!  I slept in.  Ahhhh.

I admit that I'm not always the best at shopping for gifts.  Love to give them; don't love to buy them.  I never know what they want, and they don't give very good ideas (especially true for my parents, whose favorite line is, "we don't need anything!")  Or, I know exactly what they want, but it's more than I'm willing to spend. 

Any of you have that problem?  Well, here are a couple of suggestions to resolve it...

#1) The Christmas Wish List

Have your friends and family fill out a Christmas Wish List.  Some may find it tacky, or lacking the holiday surprise element—I call it practical!  I would rather be confident that the recipient will LOVE the purchase I make for him or her.  The whole idea is to make them happy, right?  And, the shopping process goes so much more smoothly when I know I'm looking for a specific thing.  We're all happy!  It's a win-win! 

What's on your Holiday Wish List?  So what about you?  Are you difficult to buy for?  Are you getting what you REALLY want for Christmas?  Why not make it easier on your loved ones by filling out your own Holiday Wish List—filled with stamping supplies from Stampin' Up!, of course! 

Here's a link to my printable Holiday Wish List that you can complete and give to your family & friends.  They contact me before December 15th, and I'll take care of the rest—I'll even wrap the presents, and throw in a surprise stocking stuffer (because you still need a little surprise!).  The best part is that you will receive all the fun stamping goodies you've been drooling over all year long!   

#2) The Gift Card

I used to think that gift cards were the lazy-man's Christmas present...the easy way out.  If it's the thought that counted...the gift card wasn't worth very much. But these days, I think it just makes sense! 

Maybe you don't know the recipient very well, or maybe not at all if your gift is for a white elephant exchange.  Or, you know what the recipient's interests are, but don't know much about those items.  For example, if they love electronics, you may be clueless (like me) about the best choice for them.  (Just like my husband wouldn't have a clue about what stamping supplies to get me!)  If you can get them to work on #1 above, you're all set...otherwise, the gift card comes in mighty handy!

Another issue is that many of the most sought-after holiday purchases are expensive, making it nearly impossible to purchase on your own.  Sometimes you can gather up the siblings, or several friends, and pool your money together to get the big gift.  But, then you run into some of the people not contributing the same amount as you (it shouldn't matter, but you know dang well it does!).  Here's where the gift card is the way to go! 

Dress Up Your Gift Card

If it's really the thought that counts, earn some "thoughtful" points with your gift card by wrapping it up in a pretty paper presentation!  Here's an awesome idea that Carmen DeBruce brought to our November demo meeting.

  

It's it the cutest present?!!!!  Carmen CASEd the idea from Vicki Webb.  You can see all the details, including measurements, on her It's A Stamp Thing blog: Present Gift Card Holder.

The Candy Cane Christmas Designer Paper is featured here in all it's glittery delight!  I love the non-traditional color combination of Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabl, Real Red and Blushing Bride—it's both wintery and refreshing!

PLEASE NOTE: If you like this paper, get it fast!  We just received word that, due to it's overwhelming popularity, Stampin' Up! has nearly depleted it's inventory of this limited-time paper, and they will not be ordering more.  Order yours online NOW before it runs out!

My favorite part of this gift card holder is the cool bow created with oval punches.  First punch with the smaller 1-3/8" Oval Punch out of card stock, then align the 1-3/4" Oval Punch over the hole and punch again. 

The Snowflake punchout is topped with a faux button, which is created with the 3/4" Circle Punch.  Two 1/8" punches make the button holes, which are threaded with a skinny strip of card stock.  What a terrific way to trim the package! 

I LOVE that the "present" design would work well for ANY occasion—it's so versatile!  I can see it in different colors and styles to fit birthdays, kids' birthdays, weddings, showers, and so much more!

I plan on making several of these this holiday season!  And, I know they'll be fighting over my cute package at my white elephant exchange!  Oh yeah!  :-) 

Too Cool Stamping Gift Card

And speaking of of gift cards, don't forget about your stamping friends this holiday season!  Why not set them up with a stamping shopping spree by giving them a Too Cool Stamping Gift Card...well, it's more of an old-fashioned paper Gift Certificate, but it's spendable money none-the-less!  Available in any denomination!  Contact me to order!  Oh, and I have plenty of ideas for cute gift certificate envelopes, too!

Happy shopping!

Angie 

So Thankful & Carmen's Cocoa Holder

I'm SO thankful today! 

• Thankful that my dad's surgery went very well last week, and that he seems to be recovering quickly without any major complications!  This is a big one!  Every since his initial surgery for colon cancer back in 2006, he has had non-stop problems and complications.  My dad is a rare and special case, apparently, and this latest surgical report is making the rounds among interested doctors at Parkview.  Making medical history wasn't how he planned to spend his 15 minutes of fame, let me tell ya...

• Thankful that my 88-year-old grandma is recovering nicely from an emergency surgery on Monday.  I will forgive her for her morphine-induced response to me telling her I loved her..."I'll try to love you, too," she said.

• Thankful that my Lucky-dog is feeling better after he had some minor surgery that left him very moany-groany for two days while I was at the hospital with my dad.  Now he's wearing an inflatable donut around his head like a life preserver, so he doesn't pull stitches out.  He's so embarrassed about it, he wouldn't even look at the camera.  He looks quite pathetic...and ready to go sailing!

• Thankful that my uncle is doing well after his surgery last week and that his prognosis is good.

• Thankful that they figured out my cousin has gall stones and that she is having surgery today to take care of her agony.  Her and my grandma will be spending Thanksgiving Day at the same hospital. 

It's really been an amazing and unbelievable week of hospitals and surgeries and recovering for my family, but thankfully everything seems to be going in a positive direction.  It makes me appreciate my health, and realize all the times I take my family's and friends' good health for granted.  You'd think I would've learned this lesson well in 2007 when both my mom and dad were being treated for cancer at the same time.  I guess I still need a few reminders sometimes. 

Congratulations & Welcome!

I'm also thankful that I currently have a flexible job that allows me the opportunity to put my family first.  With the help of the awesome promotions, online ordering, and marketing resources from Stampin' Up!, I've been able to continue to run my business even though I'm out of the office so much.  And lots of excitement has been happening over the past week...

• Michelle Hoover, one of my downline, has signed up 6 (and possibly one more) recruits this week with the Simply Amazing 50% Off Starter Kit Special!  Woohoo and congratulations to Michelle!  And, welcome to Nancy McAfee, Traci Stewart, Terri Kinsey, Denise Thompson, Lisa Vevia, and Helen Warmkessel! 

• Two fabulous customers of mine have also taken advantage of that awesome Starter Kit deal this week!  I'd like to welcome Jen Wilcoxson and Connie Forrester to my Too Cool Demo Team!  I'm very excited to be working with them!  Don't wait to get your Starter Kit for only $87.50—offer ends November 30th.

• Many of my customers have taken advantage of the Online Spectacular that's going on now through November 30th.  You can find dozens of products at 20-50% off!  Plus, all orders of $150 or more get FREE shipping, in addition to Hostess Benefits!  It's a great time to pick up some holiday stamping gifts! 

Finally, Bring On The Projects!

I'm also thankful for my loyal readers who have been patiently waiting for new project ideas while I've been unable to keep up my consistent blogging routine.  Gosh, I've missed sharing with you! 

I'm SO thankful that my Demo Team and Stamp Club members have shared some outstanding projects with me recently, so that I can share them with you!   It's killing me that I've not had time to do stamping! 

Anyway, without any further ado...

  

This project was created by my downline and mad-stamper Carmen DeBruce.  (I know she CASEd somebody, and I wrote the link down, but do you think I can find that right now?  Heh.  I'll update later).

She took a lunch bag, folded it in half, decorated the front, and added a packet of hot cocoa mix to pocket created by the bag opening!  Isn't that TOO cute?!!!  What a nice little treat to give to co-workers, teachers, or friends this holiday season to let them know you're thinking about them.  You could also use the pocket for other sweet treats, or even a gift card! 

I really love the monochromatic color scheme using Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Crumb Cake to match the paper sack.  She randomly stamped with the Serene Snowflakes set on the bag and the focal piece.  The sponging around the edges softens the brightness of the Vanilla card stock.  The sentiment (retired Berry Christmas) is punched with the Word Window Punch, then layered on a Soft Suede Modern Label punch.  The ribbon (retired) closure is attached under the Vanilla piece, which is popped up with Dimensionals. 

Inside, Carmen stamped a couple more snowflakes, than added a sentiment is from Sweet Season.  She used the 1-3/4" Oval Punch to take a nip out of the bag to make it easier to pull the cocoa packet out.

Thanks for your patience, my dear readers!  I'd love to hear what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving Holiday!  Please leave your comments below!

Angie

 

Online Spectacular—Save 20-50%, Plus FREE Shipping!

Get out your holiday Wish Lists!  Stampin' Up! is pulling out all the holiday stops this week! 

Not only can you still purchase the Simply Amazing 50% off Starter Kit, but now they have announced a one-week Online Spectacular event where you can purchase select items for 20% to 50% off!

And, that's not all!  You'll receive FREE SHIPPING for any online order over $150—plus, Hostess Benefits!  Whoa!  That is fantastic! 

There are dozens of items on sale now through November 30th!  You'll find everything from Rhinestone Brads and stamp & accessory bundles, to Big Shot dies and Designer Fabrics (only $4.88).  You can even purchase the My Digital Studio papercrafting software for 50% off! 

• See a PDF of the Online Spectacular Products List.
• Browse ALL the discounted products as you Shop online.
• See the 50% Off Products.
• See the 40% Off Products.
• See the 30% Off Products.
• See Digital Downloads at 20-40% Off.

What an awesome way to start the holiday shopping season!  I love Stampin' Up!

Angie

 

 

Deck The Halls Never-Ending Card

Whew!  I have had two crazy weeks of events, so my days and nights have been filled with prepping and packing and stamping and reorganizing and doing it all over again. Eight events in 14 days!  It's been like a mini-stamping marathon!  Originally I had 10 events scheduled (what was I thinking?), but a workshop and the Deer Ridge Stamp & Scrap were both canceled, which ended up being a good thing.  Especially since my dad has been in the hospital during most of that time with a very serious health issue, and is awaiting a major surgery on coming this Thursday. (Prayers are welcome and appreciated.)

Finally, I have some time to show you more projects, and I have so many to show you!  And, so much to tell you about, including the Simply Amazing 50% Off Starter Kit promotion!  I made time to blog about that because it is SO AWESOME, you'd be crazy to pass it up!  See all the details on my previous post: Holy Wow—50% off Starter Kit! 

Now, on with a fun holiday project...

I recently had a request to do a Never-Ending Card workshop using the Deck The Halls Designer Series Paper. Have you seen a Never-Ending Card before?  It's is definitely a WOW kinda card.  It opens and opens and opens until you're back to the front of the card again. 

You can see a tutorial of this awesome project at Dawn Griffith's blog: Never-Ending Card Tutorial. You can also another version of a Never-Ending card that I made using Friends Never Fade and Greenhouse Gala DSP here. 

Deck The Halls Card Front - Along with Deck The Halls paper, I used coordinating vintage Christmas stamp sets including Bells & Boughs, Christmas Collage, Tags Til Christmas, and the Peaceful Season Hostess set on this version.  The front of the card features the bells stamped in StazOn and watercolored with Classic Ink and Blender Pens.  I punched them out with the 1-3/4" Circle, then layered on the 2-3/8" Circle Scallop.

Deck The Halls Card Page 2 - These stamps were also from the Bells & Boughs set.  I stamped the poinsettias in Crumb Cake, then stamped them again in Cherry Cobbler onto scrap card stock and cut them out to pop up over the lighter-colored flowers. 

Deck The Halls Card Page 3 - The Cherry Cobbler pieces are stamped with the Christmas Collage background stamp that's inked in the same color for a tone-on-tone water-marked look.  I used one of the Tags Til Christmas stamps colored in markers for the focal point, punched with the coordinating Decorative Label Punch (you know this is a Holiday Bundle that is on special for 20% off right now, right?).  The "love you" words are from the Fabulous Phrases set.

Deck The Halls Card Page 4 - On the last page, I left a little room to sign the card and stamped a pretty holly branch from the Peaceful Season Hostess set. 

One more flip, and you are back to the beginning!

Here are the basic instructions, but refer to the video link above for the complete tutorial:

• Cut (4) 3x6" pieces of card stock
• Score each piece lengthwise at the 1-1/2" mark
• Score each piece on the short ends, 1-1/2" in from each end
• Use your Bone Folder to fold on all score lines
• Lay two piece side-by-side to make a 6" square
• Add SNAIL adhesive to the ONLY the square sections in the four corners of this 6" square
• Lay the remaining two pieces across the first two— one pair goes one direction, the pair on top goes the other direction (see the video)
• Go through all the "openings," using your Bone Folder to crease the folds better (the video...)

You'll need Designer Series Paper or card stock to cover the following sections:

• (8) 1-1/4" square pieces
• (8) 2-3/4" square pieces
• (8) 1-1/4" x 2-3/4" pieces

I never get tired of the Never-Ending Card!  Would you and your friends like to make this card at your workshop?  I'll show you how easy it is, and you'll have an amazing card to give to some special this holiday season!  Check out my Calendar of Events to see which dates are still open (look for the light tan color-coding) before Christmas, then contact me today!

Angie

 

Holy Wow! 50% Off SU Starter Kits!

Are you frickin' kidding me?!!  Talk about TOO COOL!

Stampin' Up! has announced an UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING, never-before-seen offer for new demonstrators—50% off the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit!  It's too good to pass up!

From November 15 through November 30, 2010, new recruits can purchase the Standard or Digital+ Starter Kits for only $87.50—that is 50% off the regular price of $175 for over $310 worth of paper or digital crafting and business supplies! 

That's right, this is a FULL Starter Kit, not a scaled-down version at a special price!  It's like getting all those stamping goodies for 72% off the retail price!  Awesomeness! 

Whether you're interested in a fun, new, flexible income, or you simply want an automatic 20% discount on all of your stamp purchases...don't miss this fantastic opportunity to sign up!

• The Starter Kits can be customized to your preferences.  View kit contents here.
• Starter Kits ship FREE.
• Take 30% off your first $150+ Stampin' Up! product order (placed within 45 days).
• Save 20% on all other orders, with the opportunity to earn up to 40% using volume rebates.
• Stampin' Up! provides fantastic learning tools, video tutorials, and tons of resources on the Stampin' Up! demo site, in the monthly magazine, and at demo-only events.
• Learn about the Demonstrator Benefits including the Compensation Table.
• There is a $300 sales minimum per quarter to remain an active demonstrator.
• There is no penalty for dropping.  You keep the kit and everything you purchased at a discount.  You'll enjoy full demonstrator privileges through March 31, 2011 (including Sale-A-Bration!)
• Plus, you'll be a part of my Too Cool Demo Team, which meets monthly to share ideas, resources, and tips.  It's a great group of ladies, and together, we will help you be as successful as you want to be!

Find out more about why YOU should be a demonstrator on my Join My Team page!

Ready To Join My Team At This Amazing Price?

Starting November 15, you can sign up online by clicking the "Join Now" button and using my password: toocool.

Still Have Questions?

Let's discuss your questions and concerns.  If you love stamping, then trust me, there are no excuses this time!  This deal is too good to pass up!  Let's find a way to make it work for you!  Contact me today.

This crazy-awesome offer is only good through November 30, so don't miss out!

Because I Care One-Sheet Wonder Card Tote

Darla Eigenschink, my downline and friend, brought a beautiful card set to our October Demo Meeting that I've been meaning to share with you.  It's made with the Because I Care Level 1 Hostess Set and the project is CASEd from Chiaki Haverstick.

I've shown Chiaki's complete set to the right.  You can see complete details and a tutorial on making the box and cards at her Stamps, Ink, Paper...Create! blog: Because I Care One-Sheet Wonder.

Below are pictures of Darla's project created from Chiaki's tutorial:

I love the Baja Breeze and Basic Black color combination of this project!  It's simple and very elegant!  The Pear Pizzazz leaves provide a beautiful accent color, as well.

This is the tote that holds all the cards.  The background is random stamped hydrangeas in black, all stamped on one sheet of card stock, then cut up to use on the projects.  It's a One-Sheet Wonder project, which actually uses two sheets of stamped images to complete all the projects. 

The Baja Breeze layer is dry embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.  The top flower is watercolored with Baja Breeze, and it has beautiful, popped up cut-outs on the flower.

 

 

 

 

Click to enlarge the photo below to see the dimensional details!  It takes a bit of extra work for details like that, but it really adds so much to the finished project—love it!

The tote is designed to hold six cards plus envelopes.  Here are the three card designs that Darla created from the tutorial:

  

Each one of these cards is simple in design, and quick to make, but it's the combination of the cards in the set that makes the project special.  There's just something about a matching set of cards that makes me want to clap my hands together and squeal!  (I'm sure some of you have seen me do this!)  I love seeing a whole color-coordinated card set!  EEEeeee!  That's what makes it special for the recipient, too!

What a Fabulous Gift Idea!

What an awesome gift idea for family-members or friends this holiday season!  You know those $5 or $10 gift exchanges?  It's so hard to think of something cool to give at those price ranges!  What about a card set that they can use throughout the year!  You could even complete the set by adding some postage stamps and a decorated pen.  How fun will it be to see people fighting over your gift in the White Elephant exchange this year?!  Oh, they will, too!  Try it and see for yourself!

Angie