"LOVE YOU MUCH" BUNDLE - TWO MORE CARDS

After what seems like too long since I stamped, I finally got to play with the Love You Much bundle again! Don't look too closely at the coloring on this first card as I didn't do a very good job. It's kind of hard to tell, but the little bird is adhered on a Stampin' Dimensional, and the punched heart also has a Dimensional under it. I used the Crop-a-Dile to punch the holes for the ribbon. The second card is my favorite! It took a bit more time to create, but it's loaded with texture and dimension! The naked eye can't tell, but I used Cuttlebug's "Swiss Dots" embossing folder on the dotted background ("Candy Lane") designer paper and then swiped the raised dots with Close to Cocoa ink. I used two other embossing folders . . . "Heart Blocks" on the Top Note die cut and "Script" on the Scallop Circle die cut. The triangle fold medallion was created with the Candy Lane designer paper, and it is very dimensional! In the center of the medallion, I used a felt flower and a jumbo flower brad (from SU) as a finishing touch.

RILEY SAYS "THANKS!"

My husband's cousin bought a set of Christmas cards from me, so this is the "thank you" card that I made for him. SU products used to create this card include Snowflake die, Big Shot, Scallop Edge punch, White Uniball Gel Pen, Wonderful Words stamp set, Basic Brown ink, Basic Black ink, 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, and Kraft, Real Red, and Whisper White card stock. Non-SU products include Prismacolor markers, glittery felt, Quickie Glue pen, and the Riley stamp.

2009 JOURNALS

For the past few years, I've enjoyed hosting my family on Christmas Day. We have our "gifts and meal" celebration earlier in December at my parents' home, and on the 25th we just kick back and enjoy the time together. This is probably my most favorite event during the Christmas holiday! Each year, I try to have a little something for each family (parents, grandmother, sister, and niece). I have pretty much run out of time to do anything elaborate this year, so I decided to give journals. I found these at Hobby Lobby and thought they seemed perfect since I hope the journals will be used to record thoughts, blessings, worries, photographs, inspiring articles, song lyrics, etc.--whatever source of media inspires and "speaks" to them--throughout the year. This time next year, I think each family will enjoy perusing the year's worth of entries! The only stamping that I did for the journals was the monogram tags. I used the Damask Monogram JustRite stamp set, SU Brushed Gold and Basic Black card stock, SU's 1-3/4" Circle punch, one of the Marvy Scallop circle punches, Prismacolor Metallic Gold marker (for the gold dots on the scallop circle), and some ribbon that my grandmother gave me! I just hope they put these journals to good use! I even made one for myself! ;-)

DECOR ELEMENTS - FRAMED MONOGRAM

This is a framed Decor Elements monogram that I made for a friend who has a new home and a birthday today. I put the Decor Elements vinyl on the glass and then created a designer paper background behind the glass. What I most like about this project is that the paper can be changed at any time to coordinate with the home decor or a holiday!

FROGS & FLIES & MY "PRE-HISTORIC" TALENT

Since we're all in the midst of the holiday rush, I thought I'd share a non-holiday card today. One of the first Stampin' Up! stamp sets that I fell in love with--and I mean that I REALLY loved--was "Frogs & Flies." This set had retired by the time I first heard of SU, but I saw some projects created with it and had to have it. And so began my quest to find it. In the five or so years that I've been a SU addict, this is one of the most expensive stamp sets that I've ever purchased since I was determined to snipe it from other ebayers who were trying to win it. Actually, it was my husband who had to do the sniping since I just couldn't take the stress--again. I had already lost a couple of auctions for this set and, since they don't come along every day, I had to confess to my husband that the sky was almost the limit and that we MUST win this auction! While digging in my stamp room (in the process of cleaning out and re-arranging things), I unearthed this card that I made a couple of years ago. Isn't this the cutest image with the most appropriate quote? If I were making this card today, I would definitely add more color to the stamped image and try to make the water look more like a pond than a wet mountain. LOL! BTW, the photo corners were created from a square of card stock that had been punched with one of the square punches and then cut in half. It's so much easier now to just use SU's Photo Corner punch! Sometimes I think it would be awesome if SU would release a catalog--if only for a short period of time--filled with some of the BEST stamp sets that have long been retired.

BIRD SILHOUETTE

This is a card that I made for another demonstrator. I used Sizzix dies to cut all of the shapes except for the "curly label" shape (which was created with a punch) that is stamped and embossed with "thank you." I apologize for the quality of the picture.

NEW CATALOG "SNEAK PEEK"

For this card, I used a brand new stamp set, "Just Buzzin' By." This set will be in SU's new (Spring/Summer) catalog. Do you remember when I showed you sometime ago (on my blog) how to use the leftover rubber from the die cut stamps as a window template for shading? Well, that's what I used to create the shading around the hive. Afterward, I sponged the edges of the card stock with More Mustard and Chocolate Chip ink. I stamped the hive image twice--once on the Vanilla card stock and again on More Mustard card stock so I could cut out "Hive Sweet Hive" so it would stand out on the finished card. My plan was to tie the honey pot on (as a tag), but I decided to just use Stampin' Dimensionals, which worked perfectly! Notice how the honey drips look wet? I used Crystal Effects for that! I started to not order this set, but I'm glad I did because the images are really easy to use!! Also, as I was making this card--not knowing exactly where I was going with the design--this stamp set just seemed to have the perfect choice of images. You can't say that about every stamp set, but it's definitely true for this one!

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

Still need to crank out some Christmas cards? This is a very easy design, and all you need are some scraps of designer paper and ribbon! I should have taken the time to make the tag more narrow and shorter, but it is what it is. ;-)

BIRTHDAY ENSEMBLE

How cute is this???? I went to a demo meeting in Concord last night, and my upline, Cassy, presented me with this birthday ensemble. It's a box of cake mix and a can of frosting! What a great idea--and a useful gift if I can make myself undecorate it!

"12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS"

As children get older, their "wants" get bigger and more pricey. This year, my son and my nephew got their "BIG" Christmas gift on Black Friday, which kind of spoils the surprise of getting it at Christmas. We had no choice, really, as Chadrick needed to choose his guitar. He's a lot like his mother in that he knows what he wants! He's quite particular, though, because he wouldn't play a guitar if it wasn't what he wanted. Yes, he has us dancing in the palm of his hand! Ha! But . . . if we're going to spend the $$$, we might as well get what he wants, right? To add some fun to Christmas, my sister and I decided that we'd put together a basket of gifts that our sons could open during the last twelve days before Christmas, and this is Chadrick's basket. I still have four gifts to wrap (gotta get 'em first), but the basket is nearly complete. Each gift has a number tag tied to it, and the number indicates the date that the gift is to be opened. There's no stamping involved . . . just gift wrap and the tags created with the Cricut. It's been my experience that no matter how old you get, there's still excitement at Christmas. Sometimes we have to get a little more creative to keep that excitement, but it's all worth it!

HOLIDAY STAMP CAMP BONUS PROJECTS

These are the two bonus projects that attendees at my Holiday Stamp Camp got to make! The triangle "Santa" is actually a box--a nice size, too--that can also be hung on the tree as a decoration! The other project shown here is a money holder. I would like to get a LOT of these! Hee! Hee!

GLITTERED ORNAMENT

The fur on this ornament reminds me of a troll. When my nieces were little, it seemed that they had trolls everywhere--white hair, pink hair, every color of hair--and LOTS of hair! The idea to adorn glittered ornaments with fur came from my downline, Michelle. She had some GORGEOUS glittered ornaments, which inspired me to make my own! I also used some rub-ons on this ornament, but most of mine just have the troll hair.

A COOL CHRISTMAS WISH

Recently, my demo friends and I had a "Wow" Christmas card swap. Judy shared a card--and a technique--that looked pretty much like this sample, only she did a better job of gradating the blues--mine looks like one shade of blue. When I decided to copy her design, I added the sentiment, which is adhered w/Stampin' Dimensionals, and my club members got to make this card last month. I don't know that I would have reached for the Pacific Point color for a holiday card, but I love the bright white moon and the glitter! Of course, you can NEVER go wrong with "Lovely as a Tree!" I can remember someone telling me a few years ago what an awesome stamp set that was, but it didn't look all that awesome to me . . . it was just a stamp set with trees! How wrong I was! Since I've been a SU customer and demo, I cannot recall a more classic and useful stamp set than this one!

A HANDY HOLIDAY CARD LIST

Here's a useful item . . . a holiday card list! There are even some verses that you may wish to use on your cards!

SPEAKING OF THE "LOVE YOU MUCH" BUNDLE . . .

This is a Valentine card that I created using the "Love You Much" bundle which includes a gorgeous pack of Candy Lane designer series paper, the Love You Much stamp set, and the Heart to Heart punch. This bundle of products will be available at a 20% discount from December 23 through January 31, but demonstrators were able to go ahead and purchase the bundle. Naturally, I had to play with it! On this card, you can see some of the bundled products!

CALENDAR CARD

What a fun project and a useful gift! This is a card that will fit in a regular A2 envelope. Of course, these can be decorated in a number of ways, but I kept mine simple since it was the first one I made. I plan to make a few more of these to send instead of (or with) a Christmas card. SU products used include Chocolate Chip card stock, Chocolate Chip Poly Twill ribbon (retired), "Afternoon Tea" designer paper (retired, but still gorgeous), and punched hearts from a BRAND NEW punch that will be available in SU's Spring/Summer catalog. It will be part of a bundle available sometime this month (sorry, I should have done my homework before working on this post), but I know that it's called the "Love You Much" Bundle. Using the three punched hearts surely made this a quick project, and I love the variety of shapes and sizes of the three hearts!

A SUNFLOWER FOR MAMAW

My sweet, sweet grandmother will be 89 y/o on Wednesday, and this is the card that I'll put in the mail for her tomorrow. She is very special to me, and I hope she'll like this card. I used a brand new Spellbinders die (Sunflower Set Two) for the main image, and I sponged the cut pieces with More Mustard, Old Olive, and Close to Cocoa ink. I even tied a pretty Natural Hemp Twine bow! It amazes how most of my customers really dislike the hemp twine, but I love it! What better way to add a natural accent to a project??? I'd be lost if SU discontinued it. Well . . . maybe not lost, but I'd be disappointed. If you have an extra birthday card lying around and would like to help shower my grandmother with birthday wishes, contact me for her address! I know she'd love to find a mailbox full of greetings. I just wish I'd thought of this sooner.

MR. TWIGSTER TRIANGLE BOX

It's that time of year . . . the "most wonderful time of the year" . . . time to bring out the holiday tunes and work a bit faster on those holiday projects! Those who attend my Holiday Stamp Camp will get to make a triangle box, but it's not this design . . . it's even cuter!

MORE FELT FLURRIES

How's this for an easy Christmas card? These little "flurries" are the best, and I have my
downline to thank for talking me into buying them. Thanks Michelle!! The felt flurries can be found in the Holiday mini catalog--in two sizes. Believe it or not, the ones that I used on this card are the little ones. Best of all, you get 69 snowflakes in this package, and they're not nearly as little as you'd think they'd be! BTW, the big white snowflake is a die cut from the Sizzix Snowflake #2 die.

"VILLAGE CHRISTMAS" CRACKED GLASS

"Village Christmas" has always been my favorite Thomas Kinkade work of art, so I was thrilled to be able to purchase this stamp a year or so ago. There's a "sister" picture to this one, but I can't recall the name of it. It's the view from the other end of the street. Anyway, there's just something about the vintage feel of this picture that calls to me, and to see it in all its glory in a gallery is stunning! Chadrick was quite young when I used to drag him into the gallery at Carolina Place mall. As I tried to study all of the detail in the art, Chadrick's little hands would just twist the light button and have the best time making the lights brighter, dimmer, brighter, dimmer. If you've never visited a Thomas Kinkade gallery, you really should put it on your list of things to do. I don't recommend that you abuse the dimmer switches, though--the gallery personnel really don't like that. Anyway . . . as you can imagine, this image would be quite challenging to color, so I mostly enjoy it in its monochromatic glory. Today, I decided to try a cracked glass technique, but I didn't get as many "cracks" as I would have liked. If you click on the picture, a larger view will open so you can better see the technique. SU products used to create this card include the Big Shot and Top Note die, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon (retired, but still gorgeous), Glassy Glaze embossing powder, VersaMark ink, Chocolate Chip ink, and Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla card stock.

FUN WITH "LITTLE FELT FLURRIES"

Quick Card - a card that can be created without a lot of effort, time, or frustration.

Yep! This one is definitely a quick card! I used the Big Shot and the Scallop Circle die to create the card, a Coluzzle was used to cut the designer paper circle and, of course, the most dazzling of all . . . those adorable felt flurries! This may very well be one of the holiday designs that I use for my Christmas cards this year! BTW, this card fits a regular A2 envelope, and I used the "Little Felt Flurries" found in the Holiday mini catalog. Even though these are the little ones, they're not as little as you'd think! They're a perfect size for cards, boxes, gift bags, tags, etc., and you get a BUNCH of these beautiful flurries! If you'd like to order some, just visit my SU web site at www.regina.stampinup.net, and click on the "Shop Now" button in the top right corner!

SOMETIMES IT'S BEST TO LEAVE WELL-ENOUGH ALONE

Yesterday, I was working on some designs for my Friday workshop. This was one of them; however, I thought the card needed something. I think it was an omen that the ribbon kept falling off. I have NEVER had ribbon fall off a card before when adhered with a glue dot! I'm still not sure what a good fix would have been, but this is no longer a project for the workshop! Maybe a red bow would have been all it needed.

JINGLE ALL THE WAY WITH DECOR ELEMENTS

How do you like this project? I purchased the Jingle all the Way Decor Elements from SU, and I had a hard time deciding how to use them because there are SO MANY choices! I finally--late last night--decided to create a holiday frame, but I didn't want it to be so busy that all elements got overlooked. Ah ha! It occurred to me to use Holiday Treasures designer paper for the presence of texture and color. On the front of the glass, I applied the Decor Elements vinyl (a bit crooked--ARGH!!!) and also the pieced Poinsettia. The striped ribbon wraps around the glass. I guess you could say this is a "on the glass, behind the glass, outside of the glass" framed project! LOL! My friend, Karin, recently purchased the Sizzix Poinsettia die and since she doesn't have her Big Shot yet (she's in my Big Shot layaway club), she let ME borrow it!!!! How awesome! I wonder how she'll like what I did with it?

HOLIDAY STAMP CAMP

Does this look like a project line-up that will jump-start a variety of your holiday creating??? What you can't see are the two BONUS projects that I have planned! I'm really excited about this stamp camp! I have two card designs planned, and my bonus projects are gift-related so this is truly an event that provides ideas and instructions for many of your holiday creative needs! The stamp camp will be held on December 7th, sign-up deadline is November 23rd, and the fee is $27. If you're unable to attend the stamp camp and would like to have the completed projects, the cost is $37. Make plans to join me!!!

ANOTHER CRICUT CARD

I took the Cricut to work with me again today and made this card to send to my niece. I actually needed to send her a thank you card and, since she's pregnant, I thought she'd enjoy getting "a wee note" in the shape of a baby carriage. I think this is my favorite "Wild Card" cartridge creation yet!

MINI MAGAZINE HOLDER

Shhh . . . I'm supposed to be getting ready to go to the shop, and I should have 30 minutes behind me by now of trying to coax my thin hair into doing something nice, but I wanted to get this project posted to my blog. First things first, you know . . . I have priorities! Anyway, this is a mini magazine holder (in case you can't tell). I've been seeing these things everywhere and was anxious to make one, but I was disappointed about not liking to make it. I'm sure you've had those projects before . . . you love the end result, but they're just not fun to make? Maybe I should try another one before I make my final decision. I didn't make this for anyone in particular . . . it's just one of those "gotta make at least one to see how it's done" kind of projects. I guess I should get on with the shampoo now.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

I started out to create a card with this stamp without coloring the image, but one thing led to another and the next thing I knew, I had the markers out! Ha! Believe it or not, this image is NOT difficult to color! For added interest, I decided to add some Flower Soft to the snowy "puffs" on the tree and also on the wreath. I'm including a close-up picture so you can see the detail. I think it turned out really well! BTW, the Flower Soft is not a SU product. SU products used to create this card include "Home for Christmas" stamp set, Creamy Caramel, Riding Hood Red, Handsome Hunter, and Very Vanilla card stock, Rope Twine (holiday mini catalog), Chocolate Chip Craft ink, Clear embossing powder, heat tool, and assorted markers.

ORNAMENT CARDS

These two cards were created with the Cricut and the Big Shot. The ornaments were cut with the Cricut, and the embossing on the silver card stock (by SU) was created with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and the Big Shot. SU products used to create these cards include Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, Real Red, and Basic Grey card stock, silver brad, silver elastic cord, Scallop Edge punch, 5/8" Bravo Burgundy and Real Red grosgrain ribbon, and "Hugs & Wishes" stamp set.

IT'S THE WILDEST THING!

I had to work at the shop today, so I took my Cricut with me and had a blast! Since my "Wild Card" cartridge arrived yesterday, I was anxious to play with it. This is a card that I made to send to my grandmother for the birthday money she gave me. It's kind of hard to tell, but the layered flowers are actually the front of the card and the "many thanks" sentiment is glued to one of the flower petals. The cartridge that I was using, Wild Card, has various card designs and includes a coordinating envelope for every card. How sweet is that???? I love the grassy cuts on this envelope and probably should have cut them again from a different paper, but it was taking a bit of time to learn as I went along so this card and envelope will just have to do.

ANOTHER "SNOW SWIRLED" CARD

I love the stamp set . . . the designer paper . . . and the shape of this card, but what does it need????

SNOW SWIRLED

This is a recent creation with "Snow Swirled." The designer paper that I used is from the Ski Slope collection (AWESOME designs!!!!). I really like the Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip colors together, and that felt ribbon is the PERFECT addition to add warmth to Winter projects! If you'd like to get it for your projects, it's the Alpine Originals ribbon in the Holiday mini catalog! The designer paper is also in the mini catalog!

NOTEBOOK DECORATED WITH DIE CUT VINYL

My husband got this notebook to give to his niece, Lara, who is 13 or 14 y/o. She loves pink and really wanted one of those Dell notebooks with a decorative cover, but the price just wasn't right. So . . . I used my handy dandy Big Shot to cut the vinyl elements that I applied to this notebook! SU products used, other than the Big Shot, were Serif Essentials alphabet dies, the bird from the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits dies, and the Swirly decorative strip die. The flowers were cut with the Sizzix Paper Sculpting Daisy die, and I used a Spellbinders die to cut the butterflies. I used SU's white gel pen to dot the center of the flowers. I hope Lara loves her decorated notebook!

MR. TWIGSTER'S MAILBOX

I could really use your comments on this project! The glittery snowflakes, which were die cut from foam, are much prettier than they appear in the picture, but what do you think of this project--overall? SU products used include the Big Shot die cut machine, Sizzix Originals Snowflake die, Sizzix Sizzlits Snowflake die, Sizzix Join in the Cheer die, Mr. Twigster stamp set, 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches, and the scallop circle punch.

WHO'S BEEN SENDING "PINK" SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES TO MY HEAD?

I just noticed that for the past week, all but two of my project posts have involved the color PINK!!! Someone has hooked me to a "paint the world pink" subliminal message machine or something! I'm not complaining . . . I love the color . . . I just thought it was interesting that I've used it so much lately. I even used it earlier this week to design this card for an upcoming stamp-a-stack!

HAVE A SWEET DAY!

This is another Scallop Envelope box created by cutting four envelopes with the Sizzix Scallop Envelope die. The embellishment on the box is what I am featuring today! It was created with the Scallop Circle punch and makes a great embellishment for a gift! For the box and embellishment, I used SU's "Holiday Treasures" designer paper. The stamps featured in the picture are from the "Crazy for Cupcakes" stamp set which is on sale right now. Cupcakes!! Get your cupcakes!!!

PAINT CAN GIFT FOR BABY

One of my customers is expecting a grandson anytime now, and I decorated this paint can and filled it with little goodies for Aiden (the baby). Isn't that a pretty name? Debbie, if you're reading this, best of wishes to Aiden and his mommy!

SUNFLOWER DIVA

Shhhh . . . don't tell anyone, but I used contraband to make this card. I don't know what it is about these long-legged ladies, but I just love them! I used SU markers to color the stamped image and then added glittery highlights and clouds with assorted colors of Stickles. As long as her legs are, I thought it would be cute to have her head up in the clouds! The embossed dotted background was created with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, which I ran through the Big Shot die cut machine.

I JUST CAN'T PUT THE CUPCAKES DOWN!!!!

I guess cupcakes (stamps) are like chips . . . you can't stop at just one! I used a mix of holiday papers (ha!) on this card. Other SU products used include Chunky Essentials glitter, Old Olive brads, Old Olive ribbon, and the distressing tool from the Cutter Kit.

HOLIDAY SHIRT GIFT CARD HOLDER

Can you tell that I'm working on project designs for my Holiday Stamp Camp? I think this will be one of them! I just love this "shirt!" The white "t-shirt" pulls out of the pocket, and a gift card is attached to it.

STILL CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES!

And here's another one! This little stamp set is quite easy to design with! Best of all . . . it's on sale now!

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES

Looks delicious, huh?

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Each year, when October rolls around, I like to do something to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month. My sister is a breast cancer survivor! It's been almost 22 years since she faced the battle, and I guarantee you that she has not forgotten the fear or reality of that life-changing event. Can you imagine being 24 years old, with a 4-year-old daughter and a 6-month-old baby girl and being told that you have breast cancer????? With any form of cancer, the word most spoken is HOPE, understandably. For my breast cancer awareness card this year, I decided to incorporate that word in my design. I hope my sister knows how special she is to me and that I, too, have not forgotten what she had to endure. I can't possibly imagine what it was like for her, but I celebrate each day that I have her in my life!

"MUMMY, I WANT CANDY!"

You've probably seen "mummy" creations--they're rather popular this year for Halloween--and that's what prompted me to create this "mummy" treat box. It's really an easy project, although it can take a bit of time to make. Sponging ink on the edges of the card stock strips is what takes the longest, but it's an important detail, I think.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT BETTY!

Betty is my great-aunt, and she has always been special to me. Her daughter, Teresa, was my best friend all through the school years. You may remember reading about the "good cousin/bad cousin?" Well, Teresa was the bad cousin. No, she wasn't that kind of bad . . . she was the fun kind of bad. Have you ever heard "A friend will help you move, but your best friend will help you move a body"? That's the kind of friendship that Teresa and I had. Fortunately, I never had to move any bodies for her; nor she for me! Anyway, Aunt Betty has a birthday on Wednesday, so I made this card for her. She was always an excellent cook--chicken pie and gingerbread were her specialties as far as I was concerned. Teresa and I used to accuse my sister of faking illnessess just so she'd get to leave school early and camp out on Aunt Betty's sofa and enjoy warm, homemade gingerbread! Aunt Betty even named her chicken pie recipe "Regina's Famous Chicken Pie" in a local homemaker's club cookbook. Chadrick couldn't believe that with my cooking skills I managed to have a recipe named after me, so I told him it wasn't named after me because I wrote the recipe but because I LOVED the way Aunt Betty made it! No matter how many times I follow that recipe, I'm convinced that it's Betty's special pan and a sprinkle of love from her hand that makes her chicken pies so much tastier than mine. Anyway, I'm sending Betty some special cupcakes, sprinkled with SU's Fine Cosmos glitter! Happy Birthday, Aunt Betty!!!

THE ONE AND ONLY SPIDER

Why is he the "one and only," you ask? Because he was a pain to make! A couple of days ago, I saw some similar spiders made with Peppermint Pattie's between the scallops. They were adorable, but I wanted my spider to have a box between the scallops so he could hold any kind of small candy. I decided to use punches to create the "box," but I'm not pleased with it because it was difficult to get the sides to stay in place. My advice, if you wish to make a spider box, is to just make a regular box--not from punches. The sides will be stronger, and it will last longer. Punches used to create this spider include Photo Corner, Scallop Circle, Key Tag, 1/2" Circle, and 1/4" Circle.