Just Can't Get Enough Chalkboards!

I have so much fun making cards using the Chalkboard Technique, they just seem to come together so easily! Last week I had the idea to revisit my Printer's Tray and update it with these pictures of Emma that I absolutely love.

My husband takes the best pictures of that kid with those horses. In these pictures she's riding Delta, who's one of Emma's favorite horses. She was happy to see that these were the pictures I put into this frame. I am planning to offer this as a class in March, but I was so happy with the way it turned out that I really wanted to share it! Thanks for stopping by to peek!

Got Scraps?

I've been on a mission to use up some of my stash that's been hanging around for awhile. This banner is one of those projects I started a couple of years back, and I take it out after the holidays each year, amazed that all the pieces are still together, and tell myself I'm going to finish it. Well today was the day this banner finally was completed enough to hang on my front door!

There are so many retired items on this baby, I can't even remember what they were all called! But lately I have been coming across cards with a scattering of pearls and jewels starting with a card on Sandi MacIver's blog recently and love, love the look of it. So I had to try it for myself:

New Stamp A Stack Club

I am excited to announce that I will be adding a new Stamp Club to my schedule! Here are the details:

It's a Day to Sale-abrate!

Sale-A-Bration 2013 starts today! See what you can get for FREE here! In the meantime I thought I would share a card I made this past weekend using my favorite SAB stamp set - Vintage Verses:

The Best Things

This weekend I worked to try and get a little ahead on projects for my upcoming classes. My February Stamp A Stack will focus on Chalkboard and Subway Art techniques. I really like this new stamp set called Feel Goods from the Spring Catalog and it lends itself to the chalkboard technique well. I also used the sweetest punch ever - the Bitty Butterfly. Here are some of the other supplies I used for this card: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Night of Navy Card Stock $6.95 per package Floral District Designer Series Paper $10.95 Whisper White Craft Pad $7.50 Stampin' Sponges $3.50 Bitty Butterfly Punch $15.95 Feel Goods Stamp Set $18. I'm off to get some things ready for serious football treats and the big game. Thanks for stopping by today!

January Stamp-A-Stack

My samples for January's SAS are finished and on display at Life's Memories and More. This month we'll be making a stack of Valentine's. The technique focus is Paper Piercing:

The piercing is a little hard to see from my photographs, but it really adds so much to the cards when you see them in person! Here are some close-ups:

Aren't these little pink clouds adorable??

Please don't look too closely at the frayed edges on that ribbon. My ribbon scissors look a bit like someone might have used them to snip some wire during our holiday preparations. I am waiting for my replacements to arrive! :)

Class will be this Thursday January 17th @ 6:30 in the play room at Life's Memories and More. The cost is $12 for 9 cards - 3 of each design. You can save your space by calling me at 413-388-3022 or Tanya at 413-283-4448. Stop by again tomorrow - I am working on samples for my Big Shot Valentine Class and can't wait to share them with you! Thanks for stopping by!

Beautiful Season

I wanted to share our family's holiday card with you. This year I find myself thinking a lot about the importance of quality time spent with family. This past week I have been focusing on spending time with Emma and preparing for the holiday ahead of time so we can really enjoy our time together on Christmas Day. As both a parent and a teacher, I am still having a little trouble wrapping my brain around the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook. I can't stop thinking about all those poor families spending the holiday without their children, and the children who were looking forward to this holiday season and the magic that Christmas brings. I am so grateful for the gift of my family every day. I know there are many teachers out there who question if they would be brave enough to lay down their own lives to protect the children they teach. I suspect that most probably would do it without a second thought. One thing I do know is that we will each hold our family just a little closer this Christmas. So from my family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas and hold your little ones tight :)

Holiday Houses

Have you visited Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack? I just checked and the sweet little houses are still there for only $2.39 each. I've really enjoyed decorating them this year with Emma and I'm seriously considering ordering a few more to tuck away for next year. For now, I'll share this year's fabulous creations:

This one came out so cute, we used lots from our stash and dipped some holiday berries into Mica Flakes from last year's catalog - I think this is my favorite part of this house!

On this second house, I used the Scalloped Tulle Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler to trim the roof. We used lots more from our stash. I still love this holiday paper!

Here's one Emma made to give her Dad for Christmas...shhh don't tell him!

A Little More Shabby-Chic

Have I mentioned that I love the look of Shabby-Chic? I think I am going to make it my stamping goal to be better at creating in this style for 2013. I just love the softness of the look, with surprise pops of bright color. While I decorate in traditional colors of red and green for the holidays, my daughter has chosen to decorate (at least for this year) her home in more neutral colors. This is her first holiday in her own apartment and I think these will look great on her tree!

As a parent you treasure the time spent watching your children grow, and do what you can to make sure they turn into well adjusted, successful adults, and wish them every success. But I have to say, it sure is bitter sweet to watch them go off on their own. This past year has not been the easiest for our family in so many ways. We are looking ahead to 2013, but in the meantime I am looking forward to the next few days of quality time with family, and we are truly grateful for the blessings we have!

Cute Christmas Cards

I know everyone's starting to think about Valentine's at this point, but I wanted to share this cute holiday card that I created for my daughter to give her co-workers and staff. I did once again use the retired Stocking Accents die to cut out the candy cane, and a sentiment from a retired stamp set, but once again I was able to use my new paper piercing pack to outline the label I cut out. This was a quick and easy card to mass produce. Who couldn't use a little quick and easy in the days leading up to Christmas, right?

Ornament Keepsake Card

I'm just about finished with all my holiday projects and thought I would share this monotone Christmas Card I recently made using my Holiday Ornament Die, and the coordinating Festive Paper Piercing Pack, both available in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini. I began by cutting my Very Vanilla Cardstock down the 11 x 4 1/4" and folding it in half. Next I centered an Ornament Die over the front (careful to open your card before cutting!)and ran it through my Big Shot. Next I used my paper piercer to outline the cut out - can you believe this is the first time I opened this piercing pack? Lastly I ran a scrap of Very Vanilla though my Norther Flurry Embossing Folder and used Dimensionals to attach it to the back of the cut out ornament. Easy Peasy and quick! Thanks for stopping by today! I'm off to make some Gingerbread Men!

Handmade Holiday Gifts

I have to admit that I'm kind of partial to handmade gifts. I love giving them away, but think that receiving one is fabulous too! When I'm giving one away, I can't think of anything better than putting it into a hand made gift bag, or in this case - box!

You can find basic instructions on how to create a box here at Splitcoast Stampers. I created this 7 x 7 box using a piece of 11 7/8" x 11 7/8" Cherry Cobbler Card Stock for the base, and a piece of 12x12 Candlelight DSP. Both the top and the bottom are scored at 2 1/2". With all the rush of getting ready for the upcoming holidays I know that writing and photographing a tutorial is a little more than I can handle today, but hope the measurements and attached link would be helpful. Thanks for stopping by today, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Shabby Chic

I have always said that one extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas would be so welcome! It's hard to believe the holiday is less than 2 weeks away. I haven't even finished making our Christmas Cards yet - I sure hope I can get them in the mail in time! Never mind all the baking, shopping and wrapping left to do!I have put the baking on hold since Emma and I have been sick for no less than 3 weeks - I hope we have a healthy holiday this year! Tonight I am meeting with my Stamp A Stack Card Club for our last 2012 meeting. I find that I am continually amazed by some of the shabby chic projects I find online, but I am never truly satisfied with my own attempts to re-create what I see. This morning I dug into my stash to find some old papers that might fit the bill, and went to work designing a couple of cards for my Stamp A Stack Club that meets tonight.

Here I used my Bingo Background Stamp inked with Soft Suede. I used the star from Jolly Bingo Bits inked in Lucky Limeade to fill in a few of the squares - how am I going to continue when this color retires?? Then I embellished with some pieces from retired Stocking Accents die, Silver Tinsel, Hat Pins and Ruffled Ribbon in Blushing Bride.

For this card I really dug deep into my stash, using some very old papers from My Mind's Eye, and various products from Stampin' Up! Not too bad for a rough attempt at this style, but I think I definitely need to add some more lace ribbon and chipboard pieces to really get the look I'm seeking.I think I may have found it with the color combinations though!

Snow Much Fun!

Being a regular customer definitely has it's perks! I've been working on planning this class for some time, and I'm excited to be offering it to my customers as a Thank You for a great year and to appreciate the new friends I've made through my Stampin' Up! business. This class takes place on Saturday December 1st @ 1:00. I am offering free shipping on orders over $50, so if you would like to get in a purchase to create more in time for the holiday, here's your opportunity! First up is a set of gift tags packaged to give away as a gift, and a coordinating gift box. Wouldn't this make a fun hostess gift to bring to your holiday party? The box is perfect for homemade goodies or small gifts.

Next we'll be making a set of holiday - or just winter - cards:

Snowmen are just about my favorite part of winter - second to snow days, of course! If you think you'd like to join this class next weekend, send me an email by Thursday and I'll give you the details and save your space! Hope to see you then!

Playing With MDS2

I recently purchased the latest edition of My Digital Studio, and have not been able to figure out where to start. Emma decided that she wanted to create a Christmas Card. so here's what she came up with. We will be ordering these from Stampin' Up! and embellishing them with glitter and ribbons as soon as they arrive! Now I'm feeling a little more confident about using this program and can't wait to start a new project. I'm thinking a swatch book of Emma's past year will make a great grandparents gift!

Fun Fall Treat Holders

We have a picky eater at my house and lately I've been unpacking lunch boxes in the evenings that are still full of lunch :( I'm trying a new route - packing lunches that are fun. Today's lunch held a granola bar inside of this cute little acorn. It was quick and easy using my Top Note Die. I'm thinking fun place setting favors at Thanksgiving here!