It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas……

and we are just one day after Thanksgiving!  But, as with most other parts of our life, we must plan ahead in order to be on time.  And nothing is more true than getting ready for Christmas.

In August I had a little Holiday Happenings workshop and we made four really cute Christmas projects using Stampin’ Up! paper, ribbon, die cuts, ink – all the good stuff.  And we made a gorgeous Fall Wreath (will be on another post). First up, a set of four 4”X4” ceramic coasters using Candlelight Christmas Designer Series Paper and fabric.  So very easy and inexpensive, but such a cute and useful gift.

Coaster supplies:  4”X4” ceramic tiles from big box store $.16 each- Hello!; Candlelight Christmas Designer Series Paper and coordinating fabric; Ornament Keepsakes Framelits, Scallop Oval Punch and Medium Oval Punch, Sentiment from retired stamp set, Gold Glimmer Paper, Linen Thread, Clear Acrylic spray; Real Red ink, Gumball Green, Whisper White and Real Red Cardstock, Big Shot.

Next, a Christmas Blessings Journal.  We covered a composition book with Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, embellished with Silver Glimmer Paper Snowflakes and even embellished a pen to match.  Easy peasy and Oh, so useful.   A journal of blessings for the entire year.  I know that mine will be full.  God blesses me with his grace every minute of every day.

 Blessings Journal Supplies: Composition book from big box store; Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper; More Merry Messages Stamp Set; Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler , Whisper White cardstock; Silver Glimmer Paper; Early Espresso Stamp Pad; Snow Flurry Bigz Die, Large Basic Pearl, Tasteful Trims Die, Big Shot.

Another very quick and easy project – a set of four cute, cute, cute notecards.  They measure 4”X4” (loving that size today) with matching envelopes.  I completely copied (very legal in Stampin’ Up! world) the terrific creation by uber-demonstrator Mary Fish.  You just can’t improve on perfection, I say.  Don’t you agree?

Scentsational Scents Supplies: Scentasational Season, Sweet Essentials, Tiny Tags and Fabulous Phrases Stamp Sets; Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight Cardstock; Regals Paper Pack; Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pacific Point Stamp Pads; Holiday Collection Framelit Dies; Gold and Cherry Cobbler brads; Real Red button; Basic Rhinestone; Tiny Tag Punch; Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine, Big Shot.

And finally, the prettiest Christmas Tree in the house!  It is a Rolled Christmas Tree using Be Of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, assorted buttons and cardstock embellishment- a project to exercise your creativity!  And, again, not my original idea- got this one from Pinterest.  I could just kiss the folks that started that site….Anyway, easy peasy again.  Here are very quick instructions: Cut 17 strips of DSP 2” wide and starting at 5-1/2 long (your bottom strip), decrease length of each strip by 1/4  with the last strip being 1-1/2 long X 2” wide.  (i.e. 5-1/2, 5-1/4, 5, 4-3/4….) Then apply Sticky Strip to one long end, wrap around a dowel and glue making a tube. Add another piece of Sticky Strip to the seam.  Glue your handcut and embossed trunk to the bottom center and start building your tree.  Adhere with more sticky strip.  Embellish as you wish and Voila!  Gorgeous!!!

Rolled Christmas Tree supplies:  8”X10” white canvas from big box store (2 for $4- love it!); Gumball Green Core’dinations Paper, Cherry Cobbler Cardstock; Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper; Silver Glimmer Paper; Simply Scored (for rosettes); Various buttons; Woodgrain Embossing Folder; Various circle punches; Wooden Dowel, Sticky Strip.

Whew- this could be my longest post ever- but I hope you enjoyed.  We had a wonderful day making these cute projects.  In fact, I have made several more of each for Christmas gifts this year.  What fun!

Blessings,

Diane

World Card-Making Day and Christmas Card, Treat and Gift Workshop

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Let’s get a head start on the holiday season and celebrate World Card-Making Day with handmade cards and gifts for those special folks in your life.

Please join Amy Miller and Diane Stader for an all day, come and go, card and gift workshop at the Barn at Fellowship Bible Church on October 2!  We will be there from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.  We will have four projects, plus bonus items, ready for you to make at the workshop or take home and make at your leisure.  You can choose one or all.

No experience – No problem.  We will be there to get you started.  Detailed instructions and supply lists will also be provided.

All supplies are premium high quality products from Stampin’ Up!

Christmas Cards – 12 cards and envelopes with decorated box: 4/2 each of 3 designs; $24 per set of 12; $12 per set of 6.

Note Card Gift Set – 8 all occasion cards to include Birthday, Congratulations, Thanks, Thinking of You, New Baby and more; Includes decorated box and envelopes. $16.00

What a Treat!!! – 5 different treat bag/boxes for the small gifts for students, teachers, etc. $6.25 per set includes candy.

Gift Tags – 6 Christmas gift tags with cute little box. $5.50 per set

All supplies, except adhesive, will be provided, cut and ready for stamping and assembly.  Bring your favorite scissors and premium glue sticks or a double-sided tape roller.

Snacks will be provided and door prize drawings held throughout the day.

We would love to know if you are planning to come and what projects you are interested in so we can make sure we have enough materials.  

Check out the photo for some of the projects we will be making.  More projects will be posted during the week.  Let us know what you think!  

Fun, Fellowship, Food – We hope you will join us!

Where:  The Barn at Fellowship Bible Church, 141 Pleasant Plains Rd, Jackson, TN 38305

Time:  9:30 am – 4:30 pm (come and go)

Blessings,

Diane

Technorati Tags: Christmas,Tags,SU!,Stampin’ Up!,Gifts,Workshop,Treat Bags

Happy New Year!!! and Merry Christmas! FS152 – Ann (Ardodd)

I know, I know, it has been a long time since I last posted.  It’s just been so busy- I just couldn’t get it all done. We were on vacation for three weeks and when we got back, we bought a new home and moved in- oh, the packing and unpacking!   At the same time I was trying to get my Cards for Kids Ministry started at church and hold a couple of Stampin’ Up! workshops and you know the work that goes into that.  Plus, and this is my favorite part, I was honored to be asked to lead a small group for our Women’s Bible Study and for Moms and More (young moms who are led by more mature moms).  I have absolutely every minute of it, but have missed staying in touch and sharing my humble creations.  My new home had to be altered a bit to accommodate my craft supplies, so I really didn’t get to unpack my stuff for a few weeks.  I was so excited when I finally got some ink and stamps out and made a few Christmas cards to demonstrate.

 

Ann, aka Ardod, is our very deserving Featured Stamper today on SCS and I chose to case this wonderful card.  I changed the image and the embossing folder but tried to keep it Clean And Simple- I love how it turned out and hope you do too.  I know you can’t see the embossing, but it is really striking with this great image.

 

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and celebrated the most precious gift of all, the birth of our Savior.

 

Blessings,

Diane

Stamps:  SU! Snow Swirled

Paper:  Whisper White

Ink:  Versamark

Embellishments:  Red Satin ribbon, Red Rhinestones

Tools:   Dimensionals, Oval Nestie, SU! Petals-A-Plenty EF, Silver EP, Heat Tool

LSC197 Peaceful Snow – We sold our house!!!

I know it’s been awhile since I posted and I have missed all of you.  We’ve been pretty busy, but a good busy.  We closed on our home in Nashville last week- what a blessing!  God is so good.  Now we can try and get back on our retirement budget without the expenses of a second home.  I have also been making card sets for my nieces and aunt for Christmas so that has kept me busy.  They are really turning out nicely and I will post photos when I finish the six sets.  Three down, three to go!

My day two card for PCP‘s 12 Days of Christmas (see below) was the random winner and I received a wonderful prize package from The Cat’s Pajamas.  I used the terrific and beautiful Elegant Christmas set for my card today.  Please visit Alma at The Cat’s Pajamas and check out their fantastic products.  These clear stamps are just awesome- great quality and impression.

I am a few days behind on Splitcoaststampers challenges but really wanted to participate in Friday’s Limited Supplies Challenge and use the snowflake and sentiment image from this new set.  There’s lots of blue and white but it really did turn out pretty.  I heat embossed the snowflake background with White Opaque, then brayered Bashful Blue on top of it (emboss resist).  Then sponged the blue heavy in the corners and filled in the snowflakes.  The sentiment is clear embossed in Brocade Blue.

Supplies:

Stamps:  The Cat’s Pajamas Elegant Christmas; Paper:  PTI White, Bashful Blue; Ink: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue; Accessories:  Brayer, Blue satin ribbon (Wal-Mart), White and Clear embossing powder, heat tool, Spray Adhesive, Dimensionals, Crystal glitter Versamark, Sponges.

I hope your week is off to a great start.

Blessings,

Diane

12 Days to Christmas – Day Two – Christmas Wishes

It’s Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas challenge on Paper Craft Planet and today we were to use a dove/turtle in our design.  Second day of Christmas- two turtle doves…..

Well, I really didn’t want to use a turtle immage and my dove stamp is a $1 Michaels stamp from a few years ago….but it’s kinda cute.  So I created a little scene and IRL this is so pretty.  However, it didn’t photo well- I thnk it’s the glitter.  I used my brand spankin’ new Fences set from The Salt Box and I know I’m gonna love the whole set.

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, PTI Believe, The Salt Box Fences, Michael’s $1 dove stamp; Paper:  Baja Breeze, PTI White; Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive, Summer Sun; Accessories: Rhinestone brads from the Pretties kit, CB Swiss Dots EF, Ultrafine glitter, Dimensionals.

Be sure to visit Paper Craft Planet– it’s a fun new site!

Hope your Saturday is peaceful….Blessings,

Diane

12 Days to Christmas – Day 1 – Paper Craft Planet/SCS IC156 Whimsy

This is Day One for the 12 Days to Christmas contest at Paper Craft Planet, a new hip and fast growing site for paper lovers.  Today our PCP creations were to include a bird or a tree- partridge in a pear tree, get it?  And the SCS IC challenge included some wonderful papers at Whimsy Press that complimented the sketch.  So I did a sorta rerun of a favorite sketch using one of my fave SU! sets- Always and created another unique Christmas card.  My bird looks like another recent card, but I loved it so I just had to use it again.

I took the day off today to rest up from the holiday.  Cooking, cleaning and visiting- it was wonderful and I hope to be back tomorrow with patter and pix.

Supplies:  Stamps:  SU! Always, PTI Believe; Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy, River Rock, SU! Bella Rose DSP; Ink: Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy; Accessories: Cuttlebug EF, White Embossing Powder, Versamark, Filigree brads, Red brad, Riding Hood Red GG ribbon, Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane

Krafty Basic Red – CC193

The SCS Color Challenge for this week is one of my all time favorites- Kraft, Basic Black and Real Red.  My card is fairly simple and I was determined to use the Old World Santa from PTI’s fantastic Believe set that was introduced last year.  I just love all the different images in this versatile set.  Also, I was excited to use my new Nesties again.

I just got a call from my dear friend Lisa – she’s coming to Jackson on business and will be stopping by to visit this afternoon.  What a great treat!  Can’t wait to catch up on all things Stampin’.  I’m also making my shopping list for Thanksgiving lunch here at my house next week.  My family – some 40 strong – will be coming over and I have a lot of cooking and baking to do- and just can’t wait!   I love having folks over and now that I have time, really enjoy cooking again.  I pulled out some old recipes and found a couple I’m going to try, plus I’m going to attempt Southern Living’s famous Hummingbird cake– my all time favorite.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Supplies used: Stamps:  PTI Believe; Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Garden Green, Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom; Accessories:  Nestabilities, CB Swiss Dots EF, Red/Black ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Ticket Corner Punch, Ultra Fine Glitter, SU! Markers.

Many Blessings,

Diane

Peaceful Pacific Gray, Certainly – CC192

Today’s color challenge was a puzzle to me and I didn’t know if I would be able to pull it together.  I have worked on it all morning and I must say, I am quite pleased with the results.  I used one of my SU! favorites, Always, and stamped the bird on Pacific Point with Versamark, then embossed in White opaque embossing powder.  Clear embossed the heart image on Certainly Celery.  Added some silver hardware and a computer generated sentiment to turn it into a holiday card.  I hope you like it.

I am much better today but still gonna take it easy.  It’s chilly outside so I’m staying in, but I am looking forward to Bible Study in the morning.  Hope all is well with all of you.

Supplies:  Stamps:  Always; Paper:  Pacific Point, Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, PTI White; Ink: Basic Gray, Versamark; Accessories:  Scallop edge punch, PTI Spring Moss ribbon, Silver HPH, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Dimensionals, Computer generated sentiment.

Blessings,

Diane

A Wish for Peace – CC191 Pretty Red Kisses

It is so beautiful here in West Tennessee- the trees are gorgeous and our street looks like a picture!  And I have the flu- so not fair.  I was going to get a flu shot after we voted on Tuesday but had a sore throat and decided it wouldn’t be a good idea.  Well, since then it has blossomed into a deep cough and achy bones and a little fever.  I don’t feel awful but am looking forward to getting rid of this stuff.

Anyway, I am trying to get back in the swing of things and work on some SCS challenges.  Monday I spent all day practicing the brayer color technique, so for Tuesday’s color challenge I decided to give it a try.  I layered Pretty in Pink and Riding Hood Red for the sky, then sponged some pink and Kiwi Kiss on the bottom edge of the sky.  Used three stamp sets and then added a little kiwi kiss Cuttlebug corner diecut to the bottom corner.  I like the color combo and love the new A Wish for Peace set from Stampin’ Up. 

Supplies used:  Stamps:  A Wish for Peace, Lovely as a Tree, PTI Believe; Paper: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, PTI White, Basic Black; Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black; Accessories:  Black brads, CB dies and embossing folder, Dimensionals;

Blessings,

Diane

Peace on Earth – CC183

Everything continues to go well with the sale of our house and I want to thank you for your encourgement and prayers.  The inspection is next and we are hopeful that it is soon and successful.

Today’s colors are very interesting- Going Gray, Riding Hood Red and Green Galore.  I really wasn’t sure how to make these work since Green Galore isn’t my favorite-unless- you think Christmas!  It’s never too early to work on holiday cards, so I pulled out a lot of brand spankin’ new stuff and got to work.  I used my very favorite sketch and am quite pleased with the result.

Supplies:  Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Inspired by Nature, Papertrey Ink Believe; Paper:  Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, SU! Bella Rose DSP; Ink: Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Green Galore; Accessories:  CB Forest Branches EF, Green gingham ribbon, Designer brads-Filigree, Basic Grey brad, Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane

Pomegrante Peace – CC178

I didn’t know that retirement could be so busy!  But, I am enjoying every minute of it.  The wedding is just over two weeks away and my sister and I are staying pretty busy with last minute details.  I am hosting a bridal shower this week for my niece Jill and working on the music for the ceremony and reception.   Hubby got fitted for his tux last week and I’ve got to find time to shop for my outfit.  I am also trying to get the boxes unpacked and pictures on the wall for the shower, so I haven’t had the time to do much stampin’.

The new Stampin’ Up catalog is on the way and I can’t wait to see all the new stuff.  So for the past few weeks we have been saying “goodbye” to the current In Colors since they won’t be available anymore.  I am looking forward to the new set of colors, but I did love these old ones and will miss working with them everyday.

Today the color challenge was another In Color farewell.  We could use any Neutral and any one or more of the six retiring colors.  I chose three of the colors to make this pretty Christmas card.

I sure hope your week is going well- we are trying to stay cool here in the South with temps every day in the mid-high nineties.

Supplies: Stamps: Penny Black Berry Branch, PTI Believe; Paper:  PTI White, Purely Pomegrante, Groovy Guava; Ink: Purely Pomegrante, Wild Wasabi; Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Versamark, Heat Tool, Paper Piercer and Dimensionals.

Blessings,

Diane

The Art of Julia – FS77 ArtyStamper – ssnotime45 Christmas in July

I know I’ve been AWOL for awhile and it’s good to be back, even if for just a few hours today.  We made our almost final move from Nashville to Jackson over the weekend so the house, once again, is full of boxes to unpack.  I am also hosting a bridal shower for my niece in two weeks- so there is a real reason to get most of the unpacking done quickly and put the house in order.  But,

I just had to participate in the Featured Stamper challenge this week.  Julia, aka artystamper, has long been one of my favorites.  Her gallery is awesome and she has been so supportive of me and always leaves such encouraging comments.  Here is the card I chose to case.  I changed the image and colors and used my Cuttlebug instead of the awesome scoring she has on her card.  I also decided to start on my Christmas cards and want to keep them simple so I won’t get overwhelmed, so this card also fits with Sharon’s (notimetostamp) Stamp Simply challenge last week.  Take a minute and browse through Julia’s gallery and Sharon’s blog– you will really be inspired.

Supplies:  Paper- PTI White, Real Red, Certainly Celery; Stamps- Petal Prints, PTI Believe; Ink- Real Red, Certainly Celery; Accessories- Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, SU! Markers, Making Memories green grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals.

Blessings to you,  Diane