"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

"Now bring us some figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer"

For today's MISM project, I wanted to try an svg cut file that I recently downloaded.  I just got my Silhouette Cameo about a month ago and haven't found the time to use it as much as I'd like but, as I looked at all of the images available to me, there was one that stood out . . . figgy pudding.  Surprisingly (and thankfully, too), it was so easy to add a duplicate of the darkest shape, which I welded to the top of the existing shape to form the base for this shaped card.  My only other addition to the cut file was the shaped layer for the inside of the card so that a handwritten note would be visible.  In no time, my card layers were perfectly cut and ready for assembly.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, and Old Olive card stock, "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set, Word Window and Modern Label punches, Cherry Cobbler Baker's twine, and Crystal Effects (on the berries).  This was truly a snappy card to make.  Waiting for the Crystal Effects to dry took the most amount of time.  Now, I have never had figgy pudding and didn't realize that it's more of a cake than a pudding but, if you'd like to try it, a recipe and a little bit of history was found HERE.

HOLIDAY 2012 BLOG BANNER

I know that it's not even December yet and you probably still have some leftover turkey and pumpkin pie in the 'fridge--assuming, of course, that you've made it back over the river and through the woods--but I was ready for a change and decided to go ahead and post my holiday blog banner.  There's a chance that I'll get tired of seeing this one and, if that should happen, I'll just design a new one!  As you may have already guessed, I used Stampin' Up!'s MDS2 software to design the banner and used the following digital content:

Designer Kits:  Home for the Holidays, Trim the Tree, Christmas Jingle, Joyful Times

Embellishments:  Timeless Taffeta Trimmings, Basic Pearls & Rhinestones, Mis-Stitched

Punch:  Lots of Tags

I'd love to know what you think about this new banner!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Last week, Julie made a pretty sympathy card for Freestyle Fridays using Stampin' Up!'s Bravo Burgundy and Naturals White card stock, challenging me to create something this week using the same colors.  Well, she is some kind of sneaky because I don't even own Naturals White card stock!  As a matter of fact, I didn't realize that it was still available from Stampin' Up!  So, for my card, I used Bravo Burgundy and Naturals Ivory card stock.  This card was difficult to photograph, and I wasn't able to get the lighting just right so my Naturals Ivory wouldn't look like Crumb Cake.  The other Stampin' Up! products used to complete this card include "Aviary" and "Blessings from Heaven" stamp sets, clear heart-shaped button, linen thread, antique brad, and the Simply Scored scoring tool to create the embossed lines.  This was definitely an interesting mission from Julie and, if you're not too tired from all of the "Black Friday" shopping, you might want to make a card using these colors--or the actual colors according to Julie's mission.  Obviously, I need to add a pack of Naturals White card stock to my next order.  ;-) 

SNOWFLAKE CARDS & BOX

Are you looking for a pretty little set of cards with a coordinating box to put them in? Look no further! This box and cards set makes a great gift for a special person this holiday season.

I think what is most striking about this set is the "quiet" colors with that splash of dazzle from the glittery snowflakes.  Actually, this ensemble reminds me of diamonds and suede.  Years ago, my mother had a suede coat that was very near the color of Soft Suede.   Heidi King did a fabulous job with this project, and her tutorial is posted today at Craft Project Central. 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I have been so focused on holiday cards lately, so I decided to make something Fall-ish for MISM.  It doesn't seem to matter how many years of stamping experience I gain, the same cycle repeats itself each year . . . Halloween comes and then BAM! . . . Thanksgiving and Fall get totally lost (erased, really) in my frenzy to work on Christmas projects.  For my card, I used Stampin' Up!'s "French Foliage" and "Moving Forward" stamp sets.  It's ridiculous how long I wanted "French Foliage" but kept bumping it off of my orders.  I {heart} this stamp set!!!!  The other Stampin' Up! products used to complete this card include Perfect Plum taffeta ribbon (gorgeous), Very Vanilla card stock, and Square Lattice embossing folder (this has got to be the most used embossing folder that I own).  I roughed the edges of the stamped layer, and it was adhered to the embossed layer with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Have a wonderful Monday, and a blessed Thanksgiving!

DOUBLE-SIDED BOX OF CARDS ON CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL TODAY

This double sided 3" x 3" box and cards is easy to assemble and makes a perfect little gift for the holidays!  Or you can also change it up for just about any occasion!  This box and cards is a great gift item!  The tutorial for this adorable project, which was designed and created by Laurie,  was posted to Craft Project Central today.

JULIE'S "FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" PROJECT

It's Julie's turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and it's obvious that she's been doing some embossing.  I'm pretty sure she used the floral stamp from Stampin' Up!'s "Blooming with Kindness" stamp set.  I really love that flower!  To see her project in full, let's hop on over to Julie's blog.  She's been having a stressful week.  She's in snowy Canada, and slow drivers are causing very long commutes for her.  Can you imagine a 25-minute drive to work that takes 2-1/2 hours????  I'm afraid you'd see my photo on the late night news with a crazed look on my face and a report about my temporary insanity--questioning that, of course.  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

WONDERFALL BOX & SET OF CARDS

The leaves are changing color and falling off the trees. The air is crisper and the smell of fall wafts through the air. Celebrate fall with this fun card set and coordinating card box, which was designed by Elaine Schader. 

The tutorial for this project was posted today at Craft Project Central, and it's not too late to get your subscription for the month. 

TO MARKET, TO MARKET, TAGGETY TAGS

A couple of months ago, one of my grandmother's quilting friends asked if I'd like to put some cards for sale in her quilt consignment shop, which will open on Black Friday.  I am so excited about the opportunity and have been busy making cards and also choosing some of the cards from my stash.  One of the things that I made for my spot in the shop was the "CARDS" banner that I shared last month, and I recently purchased an assortment of baskets to hold the cards.  The one thing that the baskets needed were identifying tags, and that's what I'm sharing today.  Except for the t-shirt and dress form dies, all other products used are from Stampin' Up!  I still need to price the cards, and I would like to make some non-card items (ornaments, card holders/containers, treat boxes, etc.) to offer, but I'm not sure that I'll find time for such a lofty goal.  I'm sure I will come up with other ideas once the shop opens, but I wanted to share my tags today. 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

What's black and white with a tiny splash of red?  Today's MISM project!  I recently got this stamp set (Stampin' Up!'s "Love and Laughter") and have been wanting to play with it.  I hardly ever have the opportunity to make a wedding or engagement card, but I really like the images in this set and feel that it's a keeper.  I couldn't decide on a color combo, but then it occurred to me that black ink on white card stock would suffice.  The only thing that I wish I had done differently is the ribbon, and I still might swap the white organdy for black satin.  The main images in this set definitely lend themselves to a simple color palette so, if you're like me and would like to have a stamp set on hand for that rare wedding/engagement opportunity, take a closer look at this one.  It's simply striking.