Friday, November 25, 2016

Stay home & craft instead!

Black Friday. I think it started out just as a phrase to indicate the day when retail stores were indeed in the black - making money. It has turned into utter chaos! The fact that my sister can't even attend Thanksgiving dinner because she has to set up for shoppers to come in at 6:00 ON THANKSGIVING is RIDICULOUS. Yes, I admit to having been part of the madness at one point. I was pregnant with my firstborn and he revolted from the start. I believe it was the first time I actually had morning SICKNESS while pregnant. That was the last time I ever got up at zero dark thirty to get a good deal. That is why the internet was invented people! That and so you can stay home in your jammies and make fun things instead! Grab your stash of paper and enjoy this fun, quick & easy tutorial! 4 gifts out of ONE piece of 12x12 paper! You're welcome.



FYI, I really did TRY to make a printable template, but it was much easier to make a video. The measurements for cutting are: 3 1" strips from the bottom (cut 3" off each), then 4" for each gift card (there will be 3).

Scoring measurements: bottom of gift card holder 4 1/2", 3 1/4". 2" then flip it around and score at 1 3/4"

Let me know if you have any questions! Things always make sense in my head...not so much when I say them out loud. haha!


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Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Red Hot Product Review: Cheerful Tags Framelit Dies

I hope you will be celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends tomorrow! We are blessed to have had my sister and her husband move here to Houston from Hawaii this year. (I know. What were they thinking?!) We celebrated an early Thanksgiving dinner with them on Sunday because she works retail and will be working Thanksgiving Day. Don't worry, we will have our traditional dinner tomorrow as well. When we moved here 10 years ago, we found out that my mother-in-law's cousin lives nearby, and we have celebrated holidays with them ever since! (As long as we were all in town!) She is such a gracious host and we are so thankful that they have welcomed us with open arms! The last thing I would want to do is show up for dinner with empty arms, so I'll bring my famous sweet potato soufflĂ© and a handmade gift. It's really the least I could do! 

One of my favorite lines of Stampin' Up! products for packaging gifts are the awesome die-cuts! There are always so many extra pieces included to add dimension and detail! Watch this video to see how many fun pieces you get in the Cheerful Tags set! Then go ahead and order it (on sale until November 28th, or buy it in the bundle with the coordinating stamp set and get 10% off!) then get all your Christmas host & hostess gifts ready so you're never left empty-handed!



Product List
Cheerful Tags Framelits Dies
[141838]
$31.00
On sale until November 28th $21.70

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The MOST Wonderful Time of Year!

Usually, sentiment stamps don't necessarily tickle my fancy, and I usually don't use words like tickle and fancy, but there are always exceptions! The card I'm going to share with you today uses not one, but TWO amazing sentiment sets that really don't need any extra art! (Although, that doesn't mean they don't look fabulous with other sets too!) The best part is that the Tin of Tags stamp set is still 25% off until November 30th! So while you're submitting your online extravaganza order, don't forget that these sets are on sale as well! Even better, if you use the hostess code at the top of the page (YFDCJZXK) I'll send you a free gift! (As long as you allow me to contact you! Be sure to check the YES box!)

Here is the front of the card:
isn't that image gorgeous!?!?
and here is the inside!

I thought about making a stepped up version of this card, but I really like the simplicity of it! I also really LOVE that Emerald Envy for Christmas! And that little light bulb from the Tin of Tags set. SO CUTE! I stamped the string of stars image in Sahara Sand (probably my favorite neutral) to line up the lights in beautiful bold colors. (Which is simple to do with the photopolymer stamps!) There is nothing that says Christmas cheer quite like those big bright lights!

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Friday, November 18, 2016

Paper Pumpkin - October & November 2016

Well, I finally broke down and bought a new computer, and although I love it, I miss some of my old programs that don't work with Windows 10! You'll notice the case insert is slightly changed yet again. *sigh* You may have to test print a couple to get the size right. The good news is it will be staying like this for awhile. So go ahead and get comfortable. :)

Didn't you LOVE October's kit? I am a sucker for shaker cards! And that crackle stamp image!?!? To die for! I brought this kit along with me to a craft fair and it was a really fun make and take! Who doesn't love making a shaker card??? Mind blowing. 



The cards in the special edition box this month are SO adorable! I ended up buying 3 kits planning on giving them away as teacher gifts, but I'm SERIOUSLY tempted to keep them... hopefully the refill kits come out soon! They would make the PERFECT Christmas cards! Handmade and detailed, but surprisingly quick and easy! AHHH I love Paper Pumpkin!!!



Thursday, November 17, 2016

Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza 2016 starts MONDAY!

4 PAGES OF DEALS!!! That's how many items are on sale up to 40% off! There are even special bundles put together JUST for the occasion! Start making your list and checking it twice because these deals sell out fast!!!

Black Friday sales CAN be a little overwhelming, so I'm going to tell you exactly what you need to know. It helps to go in with a game plan. Look at this deal as if in two parts. There are 2 separate 24 hour deals happening on Monday the 21st & Monday the 28th. Split your wishlist into these days. That way you can save on shipping, and still take advantage of all the amazing deals! I recommend using 2 different colors of highlighters or making 2 separate lists for each order.  Also, I am offering a free gift with every purchase, so be sure to use the
hostess code: YFDCJZXK 
to get your free gift! (And YES if you place 2 separate orders, you WILL get 2 special gifts!)

1st order- MONDAY November 21st
Here is the first 24 hour sale happening on Monday! Notice those first 2 bundles?? They were put together exclusively for this sale! I'm telling you, you need one of every single one of these items! All of the above? CHECK!


Details:

 Now, go through this list and highlight/write down all the items you want that are marked with ** or ***. This means they are while supplies last only! You will want to add these to your FIRST order on the 21st. (And don't forget the hostess code if you want a free gift from me! I really want you to have one!!!)


Ok, now that you have all your "while supplies last" items written down, put it somewhere that you won't lose it!!! And set 5 alarms so you don't forget!

2nd order: Monday November 28th
Now go through the above list of discounted items and mark/write down anything that isn't as urgent. (Anything without a ** or ***) While there is a possibility these items could go on backorder, they are NOT while supplies last. Thank goodness! When you are done making note of those items  add any items from the following sale. (Honestly, if you don't have the magnetic platform, IT IS TIME!!!)


Details:

If you already have everything on the 2nd 24 hour sale, go ahead and just combine ALL your products onto one order. IF your total is over $150, DO NOT use the hostess code provided above. You will get more free product because of your awesome order!

I'm looking forward to shopping online with you next week! Let me know if you have any questions! Check back daily for projects using these products! Also, if you would like a printable copy of the sale products, sign up for my newsletter TODAY!

Happy shopping!!!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

10 Minute (Nice List) Tricks

Disclaimer: This wasn't the original "stepped up" card I had planned,  but I wanted to show you that it is VERY common to have an idea and end up going a completely different way with it, and it STILL works out! Sometimes you have to let go and let the card muse take over. You may even surprise yourself!

Shake it!

So here's the stepped up version. And yes, I got a little carried away, so you will notice stripes instead of a solid Cherry Cobbler card base. I also added those ADORABLE mini jingle bells (that really jingle!) But the main idea I had for "stepping up" this card remained the same, and that was turning it into a shaker card! 

Rather than add the Detailed Santa directly onto the card base, I stuck him on a window sheet and then bumped him up with foam adhesive strips which gave room for all those stars! Gotta love a shaker card! You can add sequins instead of the confetti, but I always love the option with the Confetti Stars (or Hearts!) Border Punch! I punched Whisper White, Real Red (to match the stripes!) silver foil and dazzling diamonds glimmer paper stars! I left a couple of the leftover curly-Q's from his beard in there too. I wouldn't add too many though or all the stars will get stuck in one place. 

Which version would you most likely make? The original 5 minute fix or this one with 10 minute tricks? If you prefer the tricks, you'll love this card I made with the Hearts punch. If you like them BOTH, then you'll want to make sure you subscribe to my newsletter by THIS FRIDAY to get a few more EXCLUSIVE card ideas sent right to your inbox! (I promise I never sell or give your email address to anyone, and I only use it for my monthly newsletter and an occasional amazing deal!)



Product List
Big Shot
[143263]
$110.00