Sweet Stocking!

My final MDS holiday idea is probably my favorite.  Of course this is an idea that I copied from Martha Inchlay from Heather Summers MDS class.  I loved this idea so much that within minutes of seeing this I was online ordering the stocking punch so that I could create it!  REALLY I WAS!!!!  Then my computer crashed and well you know the rest :)  This little stocking couldn't be more fun and easy too!!!! 

To create it, I used and 8.5 x 11 base and made the stocking big enough to cover the entire page.  Once you have one designed you do an 'add duplicate page mirrored' to get the reverse image.  I printed them on iron on transfers.  Follow the directions on your transfer and iron it onto your fabric. 

Then it's just a quick run through the sewing machine, in my case I asked my mom for help.  She did it in a couple of minutes.  When it would have taken me much much much longer.  They're so cute!!!!  Logan wants to make one for the dog :)  This one I'll fill with chocolates, fun pens and markers and maybe a gift card or two for Logan's teacher for Christmas.  I'm so excited!!!  Tomorrow I have my Christmas gift card holder class.  This class is always popular and it's become quite the tradition!  I think this is the 3rd year I'm holding it.  I'll have those projects to show you next week. 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Coloring Cards

If you have small children you're probably like me and have stacks of half colored coloring books, crayons in the couches and drawings on the wall.  I learned this on Heather Summer's online MDS class.  She did the class with her friend Martha and they're both MDS geniuses!!!  Martha showed these fun coloring pages for kids.  So cute and they're all done in MDS with punches!!!  The punches are all color filled with white and you add a black mat to them and they look like coloring sheets!!  How fun!!!! 

I have 4 per page, once they're printed I'll mount them on cards and let the kids color them.  Isn't that a cute Christmas card for grandparents, friends, teachers, etc.  I think it's such a cute idea!!!!  After the kids color them I'll make sure to post the 'finished' cards.  The angel and bear are on both sheets-you can't have enough angels and bears on Christmas!!!  Update on the laptop drama....I have my laptop back, thank goodness!!!!!  All is good! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Logan's Joke Book

Yesterday I showed you Megan's Christmas Swatchbook.  Today is Logan's.  I thought long and hard about what kind of book Logan might like.  Then as it happens it became clear!  A JOKE BOOK!!  Logan is always telling jokes, most of which he makes up and they don't make any sense at all.  So I created a joke book with over 50 kid jokes for him. 

The pages are all super simple.  I used a swatchbook template and just changed out some of the DSP that I didn't like and added a few splatters.  That's it!!!!  All together this swatchbook only took about 30 minutes and the majority of that was typing the jokes and looking them up online.

If this joke book is a hit with him, I can always go back and plug in new jokes and have 'Logan's Book Of Jokes' edition 2 printed.  Super easy and fast!! 

Still no word on my computer returning home to me so tomorrow's post is still up in the air.  Check back though you never know :)  Thanks for hanging in there with me through my MDS crisis :)  Monday was the first day it was gone and the first day that I hadn't used MDS in weeks!!!  It was serious with drawl!  I just didn't know what to do with myself after the kids were in bed.  That's my MDS time!  Hopefully we'll return to normal soon :)

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Swatch Book Gifts!

So I've run into a few bumps in the road this week with my blog.  I'm hoping to keep posting as usual BUT if for some reason I can't here's what going on.  My laptop had to be taken in to get fixed yesterday.  It has a virus and is not functioning properly as you can image :(  I use MDS on my laptop!!!!  So you can only imagine my loss!!!  I backed up my MDS files that I just couldn't loose, so hopefully I won't loose anything but you never know.  I'm praying that my MDS files come out unharmed in this whole thing.  I won't get my computer back until this afternoon at the earliest but it might be Wednesday before I see it again.  So until I get it back I do have a couple things to show you.  I was able to get some pictures saved from the swatchbooks that I'm making for Logan and Megan this Christmas. 

 

Of course this is Megan's swatchbook :)  The swatchbooks are the prefect size for kids and they're so affordable to print!  Plus they're really durable so the kids aren't going to 'wreck' it in one day.  Megan has an ABC book.  So obviously each page has a different letter and picture to go with it. 

The pages are all really simple.  This book is for a 2 year old so the pages don't need to be elaborate or complicated.  The main thing is that Megan understands that L is for Lion, etc.  I had originally planned to show you Logan and Megan's swatch books together but instead I'll have to split it into 2 days and hope that I can get my computer back today :)  And HOPE HOPE HOPE that no important files were lost. 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!!

MDS Christmas Kick Off!!!

It's my Christmas MDS kick off week!!!  I'm really excited for this week, I'm going to show you 5 different fun projects you can do in MDS and use for the holidays!  Today's first project is one that was inspired by something I saw in a magazine.  It was a cardboard Santa that everyday until Christmas you put a cotton ball on his beard, when his beard was full it would be Christmas!!!!  I created this one specifically with Megan in mind.  She's not old enough to understand some of our other advent calendars but this one, though she might not fully understand, she'd for sure have fun!!!  So everyday starting December 1st we'll glue a cotton ball to Santa's beard.  The Santa is made of circle punches.  Fun and easy right!?!?!  I hope you like today's project.  Keep checking back all week I have LOTS more to share!!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Dear Santa...

Isn't this a sweet page!  I'm having so much fun with MDS, but we're headed into the crunch time!!!  I'm trying to get all my MDS projects done by December 1 so I can send them off to print to get them back before Christmas.  That means I've been working like a mad stamper!!!!  So (you had to know this was coming:) Next week is MDS week!!!!  Everyday I'll be sharing a new fun MDS project that I've done for the holidays!  I can't wait!  I hope you're excited!!!!  I AM!!!  Today's page is such a cute page and was inspired by Heather Summers!  I'm having so much fun in her Christmas MDS class!  SOOOO many great ideas!  Some of which you'll see next week ;)  She did a page similar to this and I just loved it had to recreate one for myself!!!  If you like this page make sure you head over to the MDS site and like and comment on my picture.  Thanks!!!!  Join me next week for my MDS Christmas Week!!!! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!! 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I hope you're spending today with loved ones!!! I had a project ready to go up today but I'm unable to load pictures onto my blog for some reason. I'll look into it and hopefully have something to show you tomorrow. Until then have a safe and happy holiday!!!!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Jolly Penguin

This card is so cute!!!  I just love all the little friends in the No Peeking Stamp Set.  But the Penguin has to be my favorite :)  He's just so cute!!!  Yesterday while stamping, I needed some inspiration, we've all been there.  So I thought I'd give the color challenge from Kimberly Van Diepen's Facebook page a try.  It's a fun combo, Gumball Green, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede and White.  While I used all the colors you can see that Gumball Green took center stage here :) 

I used a rhinestone for the top of the little penguins hat and everything else was cut out and then glued to the bottom (the one stamped in black) penguin.  For the greeting I used a trick that Heather Summers had on her blog and punch out the O in Jolly.  So cute!!!  I used some Dazzling Details to add some sparkle to it!  That's it.  A fun color challenge! A fun card!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Thankful For.....

Today's project is all about being thankful.  I made this cute little double pocket card, it's currently on our refrigerator.  There are tags in the pockets and especially this week we're encouraging Logan to think about the things that he's thankful for.  Every time he thinks of something he can grab a tag, write it down and put it back in the pocket.  Then on Thanksgiving at dinner we'll read through all the tags and count our blessings.  Cute right!?!! 

The turkey is simple and was put together really fast.  His tail feathers are scallop circles cut into quarters then stuck on-kind of randomly there was really to rhyme or reason to how I did it.  His body is the circle punch and his wings are the scallop oval punch trimmed.  He's pretty cute!  If you haven't checked out the Holiday Extravaganza make sure you do!  There are some great items for sale some 50% off!!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Address Yourself

Can you believe it!?!!? Today begins the ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!! There are three 20% off doorbusters for today only!!! Plus don't forget the other amazing sales some up to 50% off!!!!! WhoooHoo!!! For all the details on the Online Extravaganza check out Friday's post. To see all the sales see the PDF here. For today's project I have a fun one!!! Used MDS (of course!) to create some custom return address labels for our Christmas cards this year. I'm going to print these on the full sticky sheets from Avery and cut them out. Super fun, easy and a quick way to personalize your envelopes! Love it!!!! Don't forget to check out the HUGE sales today, remember the sale is for only 10 days.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Online Extravaganza!!!!!

We're just a couple days away from Stampin' Up! biggest online sale of the year.  Skip the lines and crowds this year and shop from SU for your holiday gift giving!  You can save up to 50% off!!!!!   The Extravaganza begins on Monday November 18 and runs through Wednesday November 28.  So during these 10 days only, you can get incredible discounts-up to 50 percent-on some of your favorite products!  In addition, there will be three products 20 percent off for 24-hours only on both the first and last days of Online Extravaganza-our very own doorbusters! Woot!  Wanna know what's on sale?  Who wouldn't?!  You can check out the PDF with all the sales but remember the sales doesn't start until MONDAY!!!!  All orders placed online at MY website will receive a free gift mailed to them!!!  Whoohooo!!! Orders over $150 will receive hostess benefits!! Double Whooohoo!!!!!  What are you waiting for, go start your wishlist and prepare for the best Holiday Extravaganza yet!!!!! 

Festive Pumpkin

Thanksgiving is less than a week away.  I have the perfect table decoration for you!  Isn't so sweet!!!  I used the rosette die to make 6 rosettes of different sizes then stacked them.  How fun!!!!  The stem is just DSP rolled up and the leaves are cut out of some leftover felt that I had lying around.  It's so cute and fun!!!  This post is super quick! There's just so much to do!  I'll be back later today though with all the details for this years Holiday Extravaganza!!!!  Can't wait!!!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

NEW Products!!!

Two new products announced this morning from SU!!!  The first Talking Tags!!!  Doesn't that sound interesting!! 

With Talking Tag, you can send a gift that is uniquely you. Talking Tag is a message label you can attach to cards, invitations, gifts . . . anything! Personalize birthday cards, Christmas gifts or even record quick instructions for a project. Now your pictures really can say a thousand words!

How to send a voice message:

1. Download the FREE TalkingTagT App on you smartphone from talkingtag.mobi, iTunes® or Google PlayT.
2. Adhere the message tag to your card or gift.
3. Open TalkingTagT App and scan the code.
4. Record your message (recording starts immediately, so make sure your ready!).

You get 10 tags for just $7.95 (item 129723).  For more on the tags check out the video.

 

The next new product is an embossing machine.  Due to Stampin' Up!'s partnership with Sizzix, we are pleased to be able to offer a test run of the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine in our North American markets. We have 4,000 available to be sold only while supplies last. If this product test goes well, we may offer the Texture Boutique again in the future.

 

The Texture Boutique works with Textured Impressions Embossing Folders to transform ordinary cardstock, paper, metallic foil, or vellum into an embossed, textured masterpiece. This machine embosses only; it does not die cut. Because this is a product test, the Texture Boutique is not branded with the Stampin' Up! logo. It comes in Sizzix packaging and is the same color and design that is sold in stores.  For more on this product see this video. 

Texture Boutique Bundle
Item 132700
$39.95 (a $45.85 value)
Includes

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 Pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim
• Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive
• Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder-Stampin' Up! exclusive

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine
Item 132657
$29.95
Includes

• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine, 1 pair of Standard Embossing Pads, 1 Mylar Shim

I hope you enjoy these fun new products!!!!  Check back soon for more details on this years Holiday Extravaganza Sale!!!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

 

Ornament Page

My Digital Studio to the rescue!  I am in full MDS drive this holiday season!!  I'm doing lots of Christmas gifts, home decor, advent calendars, and so much more in MDS this year!!!  I just love it all so so so much!!!  And since I'm actually pretty caught up on my scrapbooking-I know HUGE shock right! Since I'm so far ahead of myself, I'm prepping some pages for this year.  So this page I filled in with pictures from Christmas last year, but after Christmas this year I'll be able to remove those photos and plug in this years pictures.  Easy peasy!  So how am I caught up on scrapbooking, well I've been doing at least on page a night after the kids are in bed.  Now don't get me wrong I'm only caught up with 2012.  I did a 2011 scrapbook last year, but anything before that still has yet to be scrapbooked :)  So 'caught up' might be the wrong phrase :) 

 

Looking at my page you might notice a few things: Why does she always do 8.5x11 pages? Well I love the size of the 8.5x11 I think it's my favorite and our family albums are all this size so generally when I'm creating a scrapbook page it's for our album so it's the 8.5x11 size. 

 

Or maybe you'll ask yourself: Why don't the words go all the way to the edge of the page.  Well when I scrapbook I scrapbook with the bleed areas 'on'.  I always extend cardstock and other non-essentials off past the bleed area but words, pictures, the important stuff I design in the bleed area.  So the were the words end on the right is where my bleed area began.  In the picture it does look a little odd, but once it's in the book it will look perfect! 

 

I used lots of the October downloads for this page, I used the Winter Wonders and Ornament Keepsakes kits.  If you like this page, and I hope you do, please head over the MDS site and 'like' and comment on it there.  If you downloaded any October downloads make sure you enter their weekly contest as well! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Falling Leaves

Fall has official hit New Mexico.  Up until last weekend we had been enjoying 70 degree and some 80 degree weather.  Then this weekend hit and fall no wait winter is here.  When I took look Logan to school yesterday it was 24 degrees!!!!  24!!!!!!!  I'm not a fan of cold weather, so I usually dread winter :(  But the good thing about it though is that you can stay inside and stamp the cold days away :) 

This card is easy and a great card to mass produce, you could whip a ton of these up in no time :)  I don't think I've ever, ever, ever, EVER used Tangerine Tango.  I think I have 1 sheet of Tangerine Tango CS, but I feel a change coming on :)  I think I just might love it!  I love this card. I love the bright Turquoise and Tangerine ink with the textured dots!  It's just comforting, don't you think?! So fun!!!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Pure Happiness!!!

The Stylin' Snowfolk set in the catalog was put on my wishlist as soon as the catalog was released.  I loved that set and had so many ideas running through my head.  BUT as it often happens this set kept getting pushed to the bottom of my wishlist and was never bought :(  When SU announced their huge stamp sale a couple weeks ago I knew immediately that this was the time to finally get this set!!!  And I'm so glad I did!!!  THIS is the card I wanted to make.  I had this card in my head from the moment I saw this set.  I wanted to have his carrot nose straight up with the huge smile, just lost in pure bliss with the new freshly falling snow.  How adorable is he??!!!  LOVE HIM!!!!!!

The snowman is stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock and I used White Craft ink reiners to 'paint' him.  I dropped a few drops of the white reinker into the lid of my pad and used a blender pen to paint him.  I love the boldness of the white against the Crumb Cake background.  The snowflakes are just done with the reinkers and blender pens.  To finish him I spritz the card with shimmer spray, because no winter card is complete without shimmer spray :)  This set is so much fun and now I regret not getting it sooner.  You'll see lots more from this set!!!!

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Bonus Saturday Post!!!!

I know I don't normally share on Saturday but this week I'm feeling it!!!  So here's just a few more highlights from this weeks demo meeting.  This was the amazing make and take.  I just adore this make and take and could see doing this craft with kids!!!!  The little cow is a fun topper for the skinny cello bags and in the cello bag are the milk straws that they sell everywhere.  Logan loves these little straws :)  How stinkin' cute right!!!  This month's swap was done by LaRee.  Thanks LaRee I love it!!!!!

Next is Amber's demo, I just loved this idea so much I had to share.  Perhaps someday I'll make my own but until then let's just admire Amber's :)  She turned our brads into earrings.  Isn't that super smart!!  She took the prongs on the back off then glued earring backs to them.  So fun!!!!  LOVE IT!!!!!  I hope you've enjoyed my fun bonus post.  I'll be back Monday with some more really fun projects!!!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Blog Hop!! Santa-tizers!!

 

It's time for our wonderful blog hop!!!  This month is going to be really fun we're doing either Thanksgiving or Christmas projects.  You'll have to hop through to see what everyone did!  I know I can't wait to get hoppin'!  If you've already started welcome and you've just left Cassie's blog to see mine.  Isn't Cassie great!?  I know I'm always inspired by her!  My project today is an MDS hybrid project inspired by Martha Inchley.  She and Heather Summers are doing another AMAZING MDS class, this was one of the projects that I just loved!!!! To start you'll need to create lots of fun little belly bands, I have a Santa, gingerbread man, elf, and snowman.  This is just an 8.5 x 11 sheet I printed it at home (I was in a rush to get it done :), but you could also have it professionally printed.  If I make more of these I will have them printed professionally.  I'm ok with a few being done at home, but it's not the best print quality and it uses so much ink!  Before you go further into the post please note that I glued the snowmans label on upside down!!!! AHHHHH!!!!  I'm such a goof!!!!  I will fix that before giving it away.  I wish I could blame someone else for that silly mistake but sadly I only have myself and my lack of common sense to blame for that, so when looking at the snowman just imagine it's right side up :)  THANKS!

 

I found these little pocket hand sanitizers at Target, but as you probably know you can get them anywhere.  I bought them specifically with their lid colors in mind, so that each one would coordinate with the label.  Dan was with me when I bought them and he asked me what flavors I got, well naturally I replied "I don't know I didn't buy them for the flavors I needed specific lid colors."  He naturally rolled his eyes and kept walking :)  But look how great great all the lids coordinate!  Mission accomplished! 

 

Before creating your label make sure you measure how tall you need your label to be.  I think for these I made them 2.5 inches tall.  But make sure you measure.  Then once they're printed I used sticky strip on the ends and glued them to the bottles.  So super easy and you could create a ton of them in no time.  Yep there's my upside down snowman----MUST FIX IT!!!

Now that we know how to make them, let's create a list of who to give them to.  They would make great gifts for co-workers, teachers, friends, family, customers, downline, upline, your friendly UPS man, your mailman, stocking stuffers, bank tellers, grocery store clerks, anyone with hands!!!!  I think of all of them the elf is my favorite.  You could also bundle them up and give them as a whole gift set!  CUTE!!!! 

Now it's time to move on in the blog hop.  Next up is Kim!  She's fun, talented and you'll love her project!!!! 

 

Here's a lineup of the blog hop in case you've gotten lost along the way. 

Kim Madrid

Nichole Gonzales Jaramillo

Kay Jantz

Liz Kay

Carmelita Wasson

Cassie Rogers

Ruth Norton-YOU ARE HERE!!!!

The Punch Swap

It is no secret that I'm a fan of all projects featuring punches!  So you can only image how happy I was to have a punch swap for out monthly meeting this month!!!  I showed you my swap on Tuesday, here's what I got back.  They're all great!!!!

 

First up is Kim M and her stinkin' cute little penguin!!!  I love love love his sparkling red top hat!!!  The googlie eyes are a fun addition too!!!

LaRee did this one.  How fun is that little turkey!!!  He's so cute!!!

This one is Kay's card. The Santa is so cute!!!  Love this card. 

Proving that great minds think alike, here's Angela's card.  I can't decide if I like the champagne or silver glimmer paper better-love them both!!!! 

This is Cassie's card.  The gingerbread men are so cute and I love the gumdrop buttons!!!!

This one is from our newest member, Kathy.  I just love this card!  Punches make me happy!

This one is Vickie's card.  I can't even begin to describe how cute this is!!!!  Maybe this is what my elf looks like from the waist down :)

Finally, Amber's card.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this card.  It's simple and stunning!!!  LOVE IT!!!!

 

There were amazing demos and make and takes at the meeting last night as well.  I'll share those next week :)  Tomorrow is our blog hop make sure to check back to see more amazing creations from the ladies in our group!!!

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Ele-FUN!

Finally, you can see the final card from my punch class.  I think that punch classes are defiantly one of my favorite classes to do.  The cards look so complicated but are actually super easy.  Punches, though sometimes small, are easy and fun to work with and they make amazing cards.  The final card is a sweet elephant birthday card.  It's so sweet and cute!!!!  Every piece of the elephant is sponged in white in.  Sponging really makes a difference!  The grass was one of the cutest final touches, it's made from the scallop edge punch, then you simply 'snip' the scallop edges to create a fun grassy border.  So CUTE!!!!  Tomorrow I'll have the swaps I got from our meeting last night and on Friday it's our blog hop!!!!  So excited!!!  Make sure you check back on both days!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!!

ELF!

How adorable is this card!!!?!!  I LOVE IT!!!!  This card serves 2 purposes.  This is the third card that my guests at my punch class got to make-you'll see the final card tomorrow.  And this card is also my card for our card swap at our meeting tonight.  The theme tonight at our meeting is punches or big shot.  Isn't that a great theme-I can't wait to see the fantastic cards!  The little elf is made with only a few punches too, he's super easy and super cute!!!! 

His head and hat are both the ornament punch, his ears are the blossom builder punch, his eyes, nose and pom pom on top of his head is the 1/2 inch circle punch, the black of his eyes are the circle punch from the itty bitty punch pack, and finally the brim of his hat is the modern label punch.  Super easy!!!  LOVE IT!!!!!  His face, ears and nose are lightly sponged in Crumb Cake just to give a little texture, that and the Pink Pirouette was 'too pink' without the sponging.  I'll have lots of other great swaps to show you later this week.  Also for my US friends it's election day!  If you haven't already voted make sure you do.  We are fortunate to have the right to vote, so go vote!  Happy Election Day! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Getting Punchy

First off, sorry for the wonky looking colors on my photos.  I've turned into quite the procrastinator and I don't like it!!!  I used to be such a planner!!!  Anyway, the cards are cute and I hope you still get that from the photos.  These are 2 cards that my guests got to make at my punch class over the weekend.  We made 3 Christmas cards and 1 Birthday card.  You'll see the other 2 soon :)  I loved all the cards.  I think this was my favorite punch class that I've ever done.  I'm pretty sure that most of the ideas came from Pintrest, either directly copied or just inspired from.  Though I can't be positive on that, I've been researching 'punched creations' for a few weeks now all over! The first card is a fun festive pine cone.  We used the bird and branch punch and the pine cone is made up of 15 of the birds wings.  That's it seriously!  Amazing huh?!!! 

The next one is a fun string of lights, made from the OWL PUNCH!!!  No joke!  How stinkin' adorable right!  Just trim off his feet and ears, punch a 'vest' and you have the two pieces you need for your owl punch.  So stinkin' cute!!!  I just love it.  I might add some Crystal Effects or glitter to the bulbs you know to make it sparkle a little more :)  That's all from me, I put 2 kids to bed last night with runny noses and coughs let's hope they're feeling better today! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!