Come To Bethlehem Christmas Card

Did you know that if you need to mail Christmas cards to deployed soldiers you need to do it in the next week? It is hard to believe Christmas is that close!

1. Paper: Midnight Muse, Brushed Silver 2. Stamps: Come To Bethlehem 3. Ink: VersaMark with silver embossing powder 4. Other: Holiday Ornaments Framelits,Tasteful Trim Bigz XL, Basic Rhinestones, Midnight Muse 3/8" stitched satin ribbon, dimensionals, heat tool

Scentsational Season Christmas Tree

Today I am a little sad. I love going to the Warrior and Family Support Center to work with the wounded warriors. They are such a blessing to me. Their courage inspires me! However, today I won't get to go. I have a nasty cold and certainly do not want to expose any of them to the germs. I was to have taught the card class, which means that I am resposible for casing and/or designing the card designs, cutting out card packects for the class, and teaching any techniques that may not be known by our attendees. Fortunately, I am not indispensable. My partners in crime will take my designs and teach the class. Above is one of the cards.

Christmas Rush

This is really quick and easy card. 1. Paper: Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Chritmas Designer Series Paper ( I used a some I had left over from last year). 2. Ink: Always Artichoke 3. Stamps: Evergreen, Come To Bethlehem 4. Other: Chevron Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestone (colored), dimensionals

Great Sale

Click the ORDER NOW button aboveto take advantage of the sale. Dates: November 19-28, 2012 Details The Online Extravaganza promotion is our biggest online sale of the year! We want to make it easier for you to get all the wonderful Stampin'Up items you have been wanting. 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! The Fine Print • Discounts range between 20 and 50 percent--awesome! • Discounted products are available on all order types (customer, demonstrator, workshop, and online). • There's no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion. Sale on! • You can buy additional products from any of our current catalogs on the same order.

Christmas Card Rush

If you haven't made your Christmas cards yet time is running out. If you are as busy as me, everyday life keeps you trained on the present and doesn't give you much time to look to the future. So, to help you out I will post nothing but Christmas card ideas for the next several days. Hopefully, you will find some ideas that you will be able to use. Some of the cards were at regionals, some were given to me by friends and some were actually created by me.

Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Holy Triptych(retired) Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White,Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper Ink: VersaMark with white embossing powder Other: Basic Pearls, Petals-a-Plenty Embossong Folder, Dimensionals, Adorning Accents Edgelits

Dinoroar

I have 5 grandsons and the perfect stamp set with which to make cards for them is Dinoroar. Each one of them will get a different card made with this set, even the 18 yr. old.

Soft Suede and Wild Wasabi card stock, the stamp set, the Square Lattice foldes, snips, 2 small brads, inks and aqua painter and you are good to go.

I love to make cards, but don't mail enough of them. So, the question becomes, "What is the point?" Therefore, my new goal is to mail some each week. I wanted to start with my grandchildren who are out of state. I want them to know how much they are loved. The one below goes to my incredibly gifted granddaughter who will be a junior at Montana State this coming year.

I just the the Melon Mambo was just right for a young lady.

Double Stack Stamping

I am sure you have seen the simple technique of stack stamping if you have been checking out other demonstrators' blogs. I just had to try it for my last class. Wow! What wonderful results.

Cut Wild Wisteria cardstock 8 1/2"x 5 1/2". Score the long side at 4 1/4"and fold. Cut the first layer of Very Vanilla to measure 4 " x 5 1/4". Cut the second layer, Wild Wisteria card stock to measure 3 1/4" x4 1/2". Cut the third layer of Very Vanilla to measure 3" x 4 1/4". Use a small amount of adhesive to attach the smaller piece of Very Vanilla to the center of the larger one. Stamp the Very Vanilla pieces with the largest stamp form the Creative Elements stamp set using Wild Wisteria ink. Hint: Start in the center. The stamped images should flow from the center panel to the outer one. Now randomly stamp the flower from the same stamp set,making sure that some of these images overlap onto the bottom panel. Center and glue the smallest piece onto the smallest piece of Wild Wisteria. Using glue dots attach a 5 " piece of Wild Wisteria ribbon on the lower portion of this piece. Then center and attach this to the larger peice of Very Vanilla. making sure to align the images on the two stamped panels. Finall glue this to the card base. Punch out a Wild Wisteria scalloped oval. Stamp a sentiment onto a piece of Very Vanilla and cut it out with an oval punch which is slightly smaller than the scalloped oval. Glue them together and adhere then to the ribbon.

This gift, flip top box is so easy to make and can be decorated for any occassion or season.

Cut a piece of card stock 4 1/8” x 10 1/4”. With the long piece horizontal to the top of your scoring board, score at 3/4”, 4 3/4”, 5 1/2”, 9 1/2”, 10 1/4”. Turn the paper so that the short side is horizontal to the top of the scorer. Score at 3/4” and 3 3/8”. On the long sides cut each score line to the long vertical score line which runs down the 10 1/4”length of the paper. This will form tabs at each end and the middle of the card stock. Fold all tabs towards the center of the paper. Then flip the paper over, open it up and adhere stick strip to each small tab. Glue the small and middle tabs to the inside of the top long tab. Then adhere the bottom short tabs to the inside of the lower long tab. Cut a piece of patterned paper 8 1/2” x 2 “ to form a belly band. Decorate the top center of the belly band with a rosette or another three dimensional.

Gingerbread Man Christmas Card

Using the Label Collection Framelits adds such an extra pop to the cards

Form the card base by cutting a piece of Cherry Cobbler 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” and score the long side at 4 1/4”. Attach a 5 1/4” x 4” piece of Snow Festival Designer Series Paper to the card base. Die cut tag in Cherry Cobbler. Cut 1/8” from the base and round the corners. Run Gumball Green ribbon throw the hole in the tag and attach with glue dots. Use Label Collection framelits # 3 to cut a piece of Gardern Green. Center it and atach it to the red tag. Use Label Collection Framelits #2 to cut a piece of Whisper White. Sponge the edges with Cherry Cobbler ink. Stamp “Merry Christmas” (Teeny Tiny Wishes) at the bottom . Attach it to the green label Stamp the gingerbread man from the “Scentsational Seasons” stamp set onto a small piece of Very Vanilla card stock and then use the corresponding framelit from the Holiday Collection to cut it out. Cut a small 1/8” strip if Cherry Cobbler card stock to form a bow tie for the gingerbread man. Attach it with a glue dot. Attach the gingerbread man to Whisper White with dimensionals

Quick Card

If you need a quick card remember Sampin'Up's Designer Series Papers. The card below was made with Island Indigo, So Saffron, Pool Party card stock and Summer Smooches DSP. With the help of the Scallop Border punch and the Scallop Circle punch this card was made in about 10 minutes - and I am slow!

Tea Shoppe For You

This card was made for a friend of mine who made cookies for the Wounded Warriors at Fort Sam. I copied the bookmark design from a Stampin'Up design and placed it on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" embossed piece of Lucky Limeade. A 4" x 5 1/4" of Whisper White was adhered to the back for a not of thanks to her You can still order the Tea Shoppe stamp set!

Occasions Mini Stamp Sets Still Available If you love the sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog, you are in luck! Because of the short time period between the end of the Occasions Mini Catalog and the launch of the 2012-2013 annual catalog, we have decided to make the carryover stamp sets available early--starting today! The following stamp sets are available for purchase. Stamp Set Name, Item Number for Wood-Mount Clear-Mount respectively: Baby Prints 125470 125472, Love & Laughter 125475 125477, Bordering on Romance 125480 125482, Apothecary Art 125525 125527, Mixed Bunch 125535 125537, Tea Shoppe 125545 125547, Mouthwatering 125675 125677, Loving Thoughts 125843 125845, Salon de thé 125934 125936, Etiquetas florales -- 125941, Art floral 125964 125966

Fox & Friends Hello

I am amazed at the stamps that are being retired. For example, Fox & Friends is a stamp set that can be used not only on children's cards and scrapbook pages, but can also be used for a fun card for an adult or teen. It makes me wonder what will be in the new catalog in June. Will Stampin'Up be able to replace it with a set that is just as cute and fun?

1. Card Stock: Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, 2. Paper: Summer Smoochers Designer Paper 3. Stamp Sets: Fox & Friends (retiring), Happy Greetings (retired July 2011) 4. Punches: Scallop Edge Border, Bird Builder 5. Ink: Soft Suede

Sincere Salutations Birthday Card

So many stamps. So little time. You really need to pour over the Idea Book & Catalog 2011-2012. Stampin'Up is making huge changes to their catalog. As a result of this many, many stamps are being retired. Over the next couple of weeks I will be making cards using the stamps that are being retired as of May 31. On June 1st you will no longer be able to order them

Paper - Island Indigo and Baja Breeze Card Stock and Baja Breeze Designer Series Paper. Ink: So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black. Stamp Sets: Retiring Sincere Salutations (I cannot believe they are retiring this one!) and retired Potpourri Punch Punches: Bird Builder, Boho Blossom

Turtle & Co. Birthday Card

SOB! Turtle & Co stamp set is on the way out. It is among the many stamps on the retired list. It will only be available through the end of May. If you have a chid or grandchild that needs a birthday card I think the one below might meet your need. If you are a grandparent far away from your grandchild,it is the perfect way to send a birthday check or gift card. Remember, Turtle & Co. are on the retired lists. So, if you need this set just click on the shop now button and order from my online store.

You pull the Frog to slide out the Birthday message, which has pocket on the back w perfect for that gift card or check.

E-mail if you need instructions. I hope you find much joy in the day!

Bright Blossoms Thinking of You

Here is another example of how to use the items in the Summer Smooches Suite.

The card and the front of the envelope is cute, but the back of the envelope isn't too shabby

The diagonal scoring plate made this really easy. E-mail me if you would like the instructions. Have a Great Day!

Bright Blossoms Candy Pocket

I really like the Summer Smooches Suite. Each of the items in it is so much fun to play with. The candy pocket below is just one example. As some of you know, a few of my friends and I have started a ministry working with our wounded warriors. My beautician gave one of them who was spending the weekend at my home a free beauty make over. So, this will be her thank you gift.

If you would like the instructions on how to make this just e-mail me at sharonmassey@earthlink.net. Remember you can only get the items in the Summer Smooches Suite through the end of April. Go to the top of the page and order now. Materials used: Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper; Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Real Red, Garden Green Card Stock; Daffodil Delight Seam Binding

Zebra Joy Fold Card

A group of my friends and I go to the Warrior and Family Support Center to teach card making to our wounded warriors and their families. The Zebra card was one I designed especially for them. How much fun it was to make this card. It is another card that can go to a male or female of almost any age. The Joy Fold technique just gives it that little something extra.

Joy Fold Card Card Base – 4 ¼” x 8 ¼”. Scored and folded at 2 ¾”. (Black) 2 Side Panels – 4” x 2 ½” (Whisper White; Stamp Set - Plane & Simple)) Small Center Card fold – 6 ½” x 2 x ½” scored at 3 ¼” (Basic Black) Focal Image Matting – 2 1/8” x 3” ( Riding Hood Red) Focal Image – 1 7/8” x 2 ¾” (Whisper White; Stamp Set - Zoo Review) Matting for Sentiment Piece – Postage Stamp Punch (Riding Hood Red) Sentiment Piece – 1” Square Punch (Whisper White; Stamp Set - Fabulous Phrases) Inside Piece – 2 ¼” x 4 ½” (Whisper White)

Masculine Your My Type Card

I have a friend whose son is deployed in Afghanistan and has requested that when I teach a class I add some masculine cards. So, this one is for her.

The base is Soft Suede card stock cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4". The first layer is Baja Breeze cardstock cut at 3 3/4" x 5". The second layer is Very Vanilla, which was cut at 3 1.4" x 4 1/2" This layer was stamped with the A to Z stamp in soft suede ink. Linen Thread was wrapped around it several times and then tied in a knot. The type writer and sentiment, from the Your My Type stamp set, were stamped onto Very Vanilla and then cut out. This piece was attached with dimensionals. Don't forget to take a look at the fun Summer Smooches. Go to the the top of the page to order now.

Paper Doily Ballerina

I made this card for my friend Sue,because she and I have been known to dance in the front yard for my toddler grandson. It just cracks him up. The neighbors probably get a chuckle too as they look at two grannies dancing as they hum their own tune. The card base is Pool Party cut at 41/4" and scored at 51/2". The ballerina's circular border was cut from the outside edge of the doily. Her skirt was half of the inner circle of the doily. Her bodice,and feet were made with the Heart to Heart punch, The arms were made with large oval punch. The face,hair, and legs were hand cut. Her body was made fromBlushing Bride. Glimmer paper was used for the bodice, shoes,and earrings. The hair was cut from a scrap of Early Espresso. The banner was stamped from the Take It To Heart stamp set. Happiness form the Loving Thoughts set was stamped onto the banner and then it was cut out and adhered below the ballerina. The background of the ballerina's circle is Whisper White card stock that has been embossed with Perfect Polka Dots folder.

Skunk Candy Box

When I saw Danee Hoang's skunk on line I just had to try it. I am not sure that I used all of the same punches, but I think I got close. I then made a box that would hold two nuggets and attached the skunk to it.

Cut a piece of 3" x 5" Basic Black card stock. Place it on the Scoring Tool so that the 5" side is horizontal to the top ruler. Score at 1", 1 1/2", 3", 3 1/2". Turn the paper so that the 3" side is horizontal to the top ruler. Score at 1/2" and 2 1/2". Fold on crease lines using a bone folder or ruler edge, Cut off the side tabs on each side of the 1" x 2" rectangle and those of the small rectangle above it. Cut out the small side tabs between the two larger rectangles. You will be cutting up to the long score lines, but not past them. Punch out the following items: 1 black ornament, 3 of the second smallest petals from the petal punch in black., 3 of the smallest petals in the petal punch in white, 1 of the second smallest petals in white, 1 of the second largest petals in white, 1 –white 2” oval, 1 Pink Itty Bitty Circle, 1 colored Itty Bitty blossom, 1 black word window punch (Cut in half), 2 medium blossoms from the Boho Punch. Using a heart punch or the “Fashionable Heart” embosslit die cut a heart. Assemble skunk as shown in photo. Attach eyes and add small pearl to flower. Do not attach the tail until you hve glued the box together. Use sticky strip to attach box together. Do not close the box until you insert candy nuggets. Attach tail to the back of the box with a glue dot and add a small pearl to the center of the flower. Use glue dots to attach the 2 blossoms from the Boho Punch as feet to the bottom of the box. Please feel free to contact me if the instructions do not make sense to you. Have a wonderful day.

Mini Card & Envelope

Hear is the second project we did Saturday. This may have been the biggest success. Most of the ladies made multiples. The scallop envelope die makes this such an easy project that it just take a few minutes to make a variety of envelopes. The card with its color coordinated envelope is great to put on gifts, in lunch boxes, on desks, etc. and give a loved one a special surprise.

Mini Card and Envelope Use the “Scallop Envelope Die” to cut a piece of Designer Series Paper. Fold the resulting piece of paper on the fold lines to form an envelope. Attach small pieces of sticky strip to the bottom of the side folds. Make sure that the tape does not cover an area that will not be covered by the bottom flap. Also, make sure that the tape does not pass the inside edges of the side flap. Fold up the bottom flap of the envelope so that it will adhere to the sticky strip. Set the envelope aside. Score a piece of 4 x3 Whisper White cardstock to form a card base measuring 3 x 2 . Stamp a focal image and sentiment onto the white card stock measuring 1 5/8 x 2 5/8. Use pencils, markers, or ink pads and blender pens to color the image. Center and attach white cardstock to colored cardstock measuring 1 7/8 x 2 7/8. Place matted focal image in an embossing folder and run it through the Big Shot as directed. Center and attached embossed rectangle to the front of the card base.

Heart Framelit Card

I am so sorry if you were not able to come to our Stampin'Up event on Friday or Saturday. Friday 6 of us gathered to work on our scrapbooks. I love this time because you get to draw closer to your friends and are able to make new ones. The really dedicated scrappers stayed up into the wee hours. Then Saturday 16 of us gathered to make three projects. Several of you "regulars" really wanted to come, but just couldn't make it this time. So, as promised, I am putting the instructions here so you can make the projects at home. If the instructions are not clear and you have a question just e-mail or call me. I will upload 1 project a day through Tuesday.

This photo just doesn't do the card justice, because you cannot see the embossed stripes which give the card a rich look. Here are the instructions: All measurements are in inches. Cut a piece of Real Red card stock 4 1/4 x 11 and score at 5 1/2. Rub the embossing buddy across the front of your card base. Stamp the heart from the “You Are Loved” stamp set with VersaMark ink in the upper middle of the card front. Pour black embossing powder over the image and then remove it by pouring it onto a sheet of folded paper. Return the left over powder into its jar. Heat set the image on the card with the heat gun. Dry emboss the front of the card by placing it into the Stripes embossing folder and placing it on the Big Shot platform as directed. Place the heart template on top of the folder so the open heart is centered over the heat embossed heart that is on the card front. Place an acrylic plate over the centered template and run it through the Big Shot.5. Place sheet of 4x4 Basic Black card stock over two heart Framellits that have been temporarily adhered the an acrylic plate with Dotto. One heart is placed inside the other to form a heart frame when cut. Place the second acrylic block on top of the paper and run it through the Big Shot as directed. Remove the black heart and its frame. It helps to use a piercing tool to lift the edge of the paper so that it may be picked up more easily. Attach the heart frame over the embossed heart on the card by using dimensionals Using the instructions in steps 1 &2, heat emboss the love tag found in the “You Are Loved” stamp set. Use the 1 3/4 oval punch to punch out “love”. Cut 9” inches of black ribbon adhere around the bottom of the card using snail or other glue tape. Use glue dot to attach the oval “love” tag to the right side of the card.

Getting Ready for Regional

Tomorrow is the day. Four of my friends and I will head to San Antonio to attend Regional. It will be our first large Stampin'Up event. I just thought I would show you what I am taking for "SWAPS".

Thank goodness this was simple and didn't take a lot of time. I just used the Top Note Die and cut out the front and back cover from the blue DSP Paisley Petal and chip board. Then it was just a matter of cutting out the inside pages in Whisper White and stamping those pages with stamps from the set "Notes & Details". The Crop-A-Dile was able to chop a whole through all

of the material at one time. Then I used a loose leaf ring to hold the pages together. The final touch was to add some bows and my business card, which I created with My Digital Studio.