FORMAL FLURRIES

When I first saw Stampin' Up!'s Snowflake Showcase products, I told myself that I would not get any of them.  I had already purchased (what seems like) the entire Holiday catalog and, besides . . . we don't get nearly enough much snow in North Carolina.

But then . . . darn it all . . . I began to see so many gorgeous creations.

And today I could hardly get anything done because I kept watching for the UPS guy to bring my snowflakes!  I'm pretty sure I was one of his last stops, but at least those beauties arrived.

I don't know how others feel about so much black on a Christmas card, but I just knew (in my mind) that the Black Foil was going to look really nice with the snowflakes.  For this first creation using my new Snowfall Thinlits and the Snow is Glistening stamp set, I incorporated the following Stampin' Up! products:

Cardstock:  Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Specialty:  Sparkle Glimmer Paper, Black Foil Sheets, Champagne Foil Sheets, Joyous Noel Glimmer Paper

Ink:  VersaMark

Sizzix:  Tufted embossing folder

Accessories:  Stampin' Dimensionals, 1" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Whisper White organza ribbon, Silver & White twine, Heat Tool, Black embossing powder

If you're a Demonstrator who hasn't yet preordered any of the Snowflake Showcase products, I know that I shouldn't pass judgment but . . . what are you waiting for???  If you're a customer, set a reminder NOW so you won't forget to place your order on November 1st.  The Snowflake Showcase products will be available ONLY during the month of November and ONLY while supplies last.  Of course, I would really appreciate it if you place your order with me.

This (kinda small and hard to see) is the SNOWFLAKE SHOWCASE that will be available to order on November 1st:

SURPRISE DIORAMA CARD

I was flattered the other night when my mother said that our cousin had called to request that I make a special card for her to give to her Pastor.  I didn't know about Pastor Appreciation Day but, after looking online, I learned that it was this past Sunday, October 14th.  I also learned that some celebrate Pastor Appreciation all during the month of October, so maybe this card won't be a late one after all.  Since time was of the essence, I was in a bit of a rush to get creative.  I couldn't think of any stamps in my room that were religious (other than Christmas or Easter) and, truth be told, I just didn't have available space on my countertop to break out one of the electronic cutters to cut a cross or something else religious that I still had no idea how I would use.  Soooooo . . . I decided to make a sweet card with a Fall theme.  Not just any card.  This would be one of my favorites . . . a Surprise Diorama card . . . with a floating die-cut leaf.

Now I ask you . . . how FUN would it be to receive this card?  Yes, I know that the photo isn't great, and it may be difficult to see that sparkly die-cut leaf that I cut from Stampin' Up!'s Joyous Noel Glimmer Paper.  That glimmer paper is so gorgeous, and it cuts like a dream.  When I first cut the two leaves (the solid one from Mint Macaron cardstock and the glimmery detailed leaf on top), I didn't think about sandwiching the oh, so thin fishing line between the two cuts, so I ended up cutting another detailed glimmery leaf to hide the attachment of the fishing line on the back of the leaf.  This also gave more weight/stability to the floating leaf.  The "Blessings" fabric ribbon is something that I found in my stash, and I adhered that small cut to a torn piece of Vellum cardstock so it wouldn't get lost on that (retired) Petals & Paisleys designer paper.  On the opposite panel, you'll notice that it doesn't look very well attached.  I had planned to leave it removeable so it would be easy for my cousin to write a note/sign the card, but I later decided to go ahead and adhere that layer since the card opens and lays almost flat.

The front of the card is a low-key "looks-nice-but-wait-until-you-see-the-inside" with a Vellum leafy stem (Mayflowers Framelits), glimmery leaf (Seasonal Layers Thinlits), Linen Thread, and "grateful" die-cut sentiment (Seasonal Frame Thinlits, retired).  You'll notice that the front of the card isn't as wide as the inside diorama panel, but it worked out beautifully that when the card is closed, you only see the pretty designer paper along the right edge and none of the oval-shaped window (Stitched Shapes Framelits) on that panel.  Stroke of luck for me but, if you make one of these cards, make sure that the window will be covered by the card front.  ;-)  My card base was 5.5" x 12", and I scored it at 3.5", 7.25", 7.75", and 11.5".

The card lays nearly flat (depending on the bulk of embellishments) for mailing.  In the above photo, you can see that as the card opens, the back panel pops up to reveal the fun 3D diorama design.

I'm ready to make more of these fun cards but . . . first . . . I need to walk this one to the mailbox.

AUGUST CLASS SWAPS . . . VERTICAL STRETCH CARD

There's no time like the present to start playing catch-up on sharing photos of my class swaps.  I hate it when I get behind, but I just kept procrastinating taking photos of these lovely cards.  Why?  Because I would need to take two photos of each card, which meant double the amount of time to edit.  I know, I know . . . what a lame excuse!  So instead of taking the photos right away and gettin' the job done, I had these lovelies neatly stacked in front of my keyboard.  For two months.  

Our swap theme for August was the oh, so fun Vertical Stretch card, and I think my stampin' friends did a fantastic job!  And here they are [cue the drum roll]:

Aren't the swaps great?  The Vertical Stretch card is truly a fun one--and very easy to make!

PAPAW'S LUNCHBOX

When the family was cleaning out my grandmother's house (written about in this post), we each found enough "treasures" to fill (or overfill) our own homes.  If you've been through this process, then you already know that it takes a lot of time to process and integrate those precious findings into your home--or change, purge, rearrange, etc. to make room for treasures that you want to see/enjoy on a daily basis.  I still have quite a lot to go through, but one item that has been sitting in my bedroom, waiting to get cleaned (now with extra dust)--an item that I walk past sooooooo many times during the day--is papaw's lunchbox.  

As we go through life, it's only natural that certain items trigger thoughts or memories of certain people in our lives.  Although there are several things that remind me of papaw, this lunchbox is near the top.  I can remember seeing him walk in or out the door with this silver box.  It shows scratches and wear even after I scrubbed it, but I love its rustic, industrial look.  And I love that it makes me think of papaw.  I can picture him with his denim overalls and plaid shirt, lunchbox in hand.  What has me a bit perplexed, though, is why I would remember him with this lunchbox.  He left for work before the sun came up, so maybe I remember him coming home from work.  If that's the case, then can you imagine that the last thing he'd want to deal with or entertain after working hard all day is a grandchild(ren)? 

I haven't decided yet how this lunchbox will be displayed or used in my home, but I'm grateful for this little treasure because of the special things, times, and the man that it reminds me of.  

"BRING ON THE PRESENTS" CARD + ENVELOPE

Aunt Betty has a birthday next week, so I worked on a card for her today.  I wanted to do something really special, but I was lacking creative ideas.  I think that happens to everyone, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it.  Getting a birthday card on time--or before her special day--will probably seem miraculous enough.  

The card that I made features Stampin' Up!'s Bring on the Presents stamp set.  I first created the envelope, and using the Stamparatus was soooooooo very helpful!  It's difficult to tell in the photo, but I drew the shape of a tag appearing to be tucked under the bow, which is where I wrote the address.  Do you decorate your envelopes?  I think it's such a fun thing to do, although mine aren't always worth mentioning.

The photo is really awful, but just know that I tried so hard to get a better one.  I must have taken 25 photos with a variety of backgrounds and lighting, and they were all terrible.

Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include:

Cardstock:  Thick Whisper White, Pool Party, Basic Black

Stamp Sets:  Bring on the Presents, Dragonfly Dreams, Around the Corner

Ink:  Pool Party, Memento Tuxedo Black

Stampin' Blends:  Pool Party

Accessories:  Corrugated Elements, Glitter Enamel Dots, Watercolor Paper, retired washi tape, Aqua Painter

MY FIRST SAW-CUT STOCKING

A couple of weeks ago, I asked my husband if "we" had a scroll saw.  I was hoping that we had one that I could try but, since that didn't pan out, I asked him to buy one.  After he and my son gave some instruction and pointers on how to use it, I started practicing some cuts.  Mostly, I worked on cutting a straight line and some curves before going straight to the challenge of cutting a stocking.  I still need lots of practice--am a bit too skilled at breaking blades--but I have so many things that I want to cut!  I'm excited to share my decorated stocking . . . 

After sanding and staining the wood, I used the following Chalk Couture products to decorate it:

Garden Herb Chalkology Paste

Candy Apple Red Chalkology Paste

Shimmer Silver Couture Ink

The Adventure Begins Chalk Transfer

Mini Holiday Icons Chalk Transfer

Mistletoe Chalk Transfer (not currently available)

It's difficult to see the shimmer on the snowflake and the text, but the Shimmer Silver Couture Ink looks so nice!

Want to know more about the Chalk Couture products?  Check out the following links:

My Chalk Couture Store

Facebook

Décor Creations Blog

"PAINTED HARVEST" & WOOL APPLIQUE

I don't get to visit aunt Betty as often as I'd like but, each time that I visit, she asks if I have finished my quilt yet.  It's getting embarrassing to tell her that I have not finished it since I started the (10 month) Block of the Month project almost four years ago.  In my defense, I have been taking my time (that's obvious) and using the contents of each month's kit but designing some of the blocks to something meaningful to me.  If I'm not mistaken, I only have one block left to complete.   

Anyway . . . it occurred to me that I should whip up a little wool appliqué project to send to aunt Betty as proof that I really do know how to use a needle and thread.  Following is a photo of the framed project and card that are going in the mail to her.  Won't she be surprised?