Happy New Year's eve

Hi Stampers
I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year.  I hope that 2013 brings you much joy and even a little time to get crafty!  I thought that I would share with you a little project that I just finished for my mantle.  I actually saw an idea on Pinterest and made one for myself, usually I just peruse the ideas and never end up with enough time to make anything.  I feel like I'm off to a great start for the new year.  Let's get some crafting done!  whoohoo.

 



Here is a close up picture of the frames.

I just went around the house looking for some black frames that I had and then cut the paper to fit.  I used some old paper packs from CTMH called Silhouette, Creative Basics Silhouette, and the larger stripe is from Game On. I used the Cricut and AP cartridge to cut out the numbers from black cardstock at various sizes to fit the frames.  If I get a chance today I will make a banner that says "Happy".  I think I will re-arrange the rest of the mantle too, it needs something else. 
Happy New Years!

Here is an update. I was able to make the HAPPY banner using the Cricut AP cartridge cutting out the banner on black cardstock and then cutting it again 1/2" smaller out of the star paper from the Game On paper pack. Then I cut the starburst shape out of Bamboo cardstock and then again 1/2" smaller using the Colonial White cardstock. I used my Chocolate Alphabet stamps and stamped each letter on the colonial white starburst shape and the added three clear sparkles to each letter. The Colonial White is popped up with 3-D foam squares. I threaded them on black organza ribbon with a clear button between each letter. Here are the updated pictures.

 
 

Christmas Advent Calendar with boxes

Hi Stampers
I can't believe it, I actually finished my advent calendar before December 1st.  Wow, it was a large project but I'm so thrilled with the end results that I have to share it with you.  I used the CTMH Cubby and made my boxes out of the Kraft cardstock they have closed tops, because I have one very curious monkey and she would be peeking ahead if they didn't have a lid.

 



Here are the supplies that I used.
My Creations Cubby Z1804 - this baby is big.  Each box is 2 1/2" square.
Kraft paper cardstock Z1375 to make 2 1/2" square boxes with lids.
Pear and Partridge paper pack  X7162B (actually all I had was the bulk pack of the one sheet and the sampler pieces)
Old CTMH paper packs from 2008 Evensong, Evensong Creative Basics
Old 2010 Mistletoe assortment for the snowflake brads
Martha Stewart snowflake punch
Cranberry cardstock 1272
New England Ivy cardstock 1282
Cocoa cardstock X5642
Red Sparkles Z1326
Perfect Fit - Holidays B1412 for the circles
Glamour Lowercase Alpha D1522 for the numbers
Filigree Charms Z1269 for the center of the bow
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge for the "sqaure4" shape on the box fronts cut at 2 1/4"
3-D foam tape Z1151 numbers are raised.

Here is a close-up of the boxes.  The brads can be grabbed like a handle to get the box to slide out of the cubby.  The numbers are raised using 3-D foam tape.

Here is a close-up of the paper bow.  I cut it out by hand using the idea of the bow from the Cricut Artiste cartridge (I just couldn't cut it out that big, so I made my own template).



Now all I need to do is fill the boxes with little treats for my two kids.  I'm going to include some Holiday fun activities as well.
Happy Holidays to all!

Christmas Cards Workshop for October

I can't believe that it is October already.  That means that it is time for my Christmas Card workshop.  This month for my workshops and stamp clubs we will be making 4 Christmas Cards.  Here they are:

 

I used the Pear and Partridge Paper pack from the Autumn/Winter catalog.  Here is a closer look at each card:
Card #1 I used the S1210 October Stamp of the Month set for the ornament and the sentiment.  I used the Cricut Artiste Cartridge to cut out the ornament shape before stamping.  I also used the Artiste Cartridge to cut out the paper bow on top of the ornament.  I added red sparkles to the front of the ornament.

 

 

Card #2 I used stamp sets D1527 Perfect Fit - Frames for the stripe piece and B1412 Perfect Fit - Holidays for the sentiment.  The birds are from C1510 Merry and Bright stamp set.  I also want to thank www.cricutwithheart.blogspot.com for the card idea.  I used her design and then added the bird to my card.

 

Card #3 I used C1510 Merry and Bright stamp set for the wreath and the bird.  I want to thank Kandi Gallegos-Garcia for the wreath part of this card design.  Here is a link to her blog so you can check out her card - www.teojax.blogspot.com  The bird is raised up with 3-D foam tape and the eye has a black mini-sparkle.  I colored the flowers in using the new Cranberry alcohol markers Z2419 - you get 2 complimentary colors in the set.

Card #4 I used S1210 October Stamp of the month for the Mittens and the snowflake shape and B1412 Perfect fit - Holiday stamp set for the circle and the sentiment.  I also used the Cricut Artist to cut out the mittens and the snowflake shape.  What a huge time saver.

Over at the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Blog they are looking for Christmas Ideas this week.  So if you are getting ready to make your Christmas cards go ahead and see what everyone is creating there. 
Have a great month!

Big Card Challenge

I can't believe it I actually had time to complete two challenges today.  This week at H2H Blog they are doing the opposite of last week.  They are challenging you to make a BIG CARD, that would be anything other than the standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card size.
Here is my card, it is a 5" x 7" card:

 

 

I started with Vanilla Cream card base, then I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge and cut out the frame using Smokey Plum cardstock.  I also cut out the word "Love" using Black cardstock.  I was trying to use the scrapbook layout on page 77 of the new catalog as my inspiration.  I cut the two flag strips out of the La Belle Vie paper sampler.  For the background on my card base I first stamped the words image from Universal Backgrounds set using desert sand ink.  Then I went over the areas with the music notes stamp from Universal backgrounds using black ink.  Lastly I used the two butterflies from an old retired stamp set and inked them in blush and Smokey Plum.  The bird is from the older Wings stamp set.  I stamped it in black and then used chalk to color it in slightly.  Finally I decided I just had to add some bling, so I put on one black sparkle and two of the brownish/gold sparkles.

 

I don't usually stamp using so many layers, but I think I really like this BIG CARD!

Mini Card Challenge

Last week at Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog they had a Mini Card Challenge.  I was too busy to play last week, but I finally found some time today to play along while I was waiting for my laundry to dry. 

 

I used the Dakota paper sampler to make these cute 3" x 3" cards.  It's hard to tell but all the cards have a strip of coordinating paper on the inside of the cards so the scallop edge shows up more.  The stamp set is from the Cricut Artiste collection called Word Ballons.  Such a cute set.  I started with 3" x 3" card bases using the retired Grey Flanel paper and stamped the images on grey flannel cardstock as well.  I also edged all the pattern papers using black ink.  For accessories I added a crocheted flower dabbed with Barn red ink and a blue button with black waxy flax, black button brads, a white button with the black bakers twine, and three black sparkles.

 

It was fun to make these little cards, I will have to do that more often!

September Workshop and Club Projects

Hi Stampers
Here is a picture of the projects that we will be making at my monthly workshops and Hostess Clubs.  If you are interested in attending one, please contact me by email at debistampnfun@hotmail.com  all the evenings will start at 6:30 pm and are at my house.
Workshop night Tuesday, September 11th - That was fun ladies it was so nice to see you!
Workshop night Tuesday, September 18th - 2 spaces available
Hostess Stamp Club Friday, September 21st - Full
Workshop night Thursday, September 27th - Full

We will be making this cute Coffin Box that is cut from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge and the Mummy card using the Moonlight WOTG stamp set.  We are using the Kraft paper for the box and card base and the Moonlight paper pack.  I added just a little of the new Black Tulle Ribbon for fun.  We will be using the waterbrush pen to color in the mummy image with just a touch of shading using slate gray.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this month!

August Projects for Clubs and Workshops

Hi Stampers
I just wanted to show you what we are going to be making this month at the Stamp Club this Friday and at the one workshop that I'm doing this month on Thursday the 30th.

We will be using the new Flirty paper pack.  I just love the bright Raspberry color in this pack.  We will make a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card.  We will stamp Thanks on the pre-cut via Cricut Artiste cardstock using the new stamp set.  The flowers are cut out with the cricut too.
We will also be making the box as seen in the new Autumn/Winter catalog.  That is also cut out using the new Cricut Artiste.  Sorry, you will have to cut out the pumpkin with your good old-fashion scissors, but it's good for you.  The box is so cute and would be great for a table decoration at Thanksgiving.  I know summer is not even over yet, but I've got to plan ahead you know.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, if you have any questions just email me.

The Dog Days of Summer...

Good morning Stampers,
I can't believe that we are in the middle of August already.  Whew - Summer has sure gone by fast this year.  Pretty much does every year.  Over at Heart 2 Heart Blog this we they are having a Dog Days of Summer Challenge.  You can make anything that you want card, scrapbook page, papercraft item with an animal theme.  Extra credit is given if it includes a dog.

Here is my card:

I used the new Flirty paper pack from the new catalog.  I thought the bright colors reminded me of the beach.  For the dog and the Hello sentiment I used A Bow Wow stamp set A1126 only $6.95 love that doggie.  If you saw the first post I changed the coloring of the image.  I love it now.  I used the watercolor brush and Bamboo for the dog and goldrush for the crab.  I paper pieced the bow using the flirty raspberry card stock.  If I had the new cobic-like markers I would have used that, but they are on my wish list!  For the little crab friend I used the Under the Sea stamp set C1500.  Both sets are from the spring/summer idea book and are still available to order.  I added a little pearl to the card front also.  I also went back and added some liquid glass to the eyes and nose.  Much better now!

I hope that you are out enjoying the last weeks of summer - It's going to be getting HOT here in Oregon!

Scrap Challenge at H2H

This week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog they are doing a scraps challenge.  Now I could have easily used any number of paper packs because I pretty much have scraps of everything, but I wanted to use the new papers and all I have of this one is the Sampler for Consultants so I'm calling that scraps.  Here is my "Miss You" card:

I used the new Clementine Paper samples that I received plus some Twilight and Colonial White cardstock.  This card design is from the new "Make it from you heart" how to booklet that is in the Fall/Winter catalog.  Design #19.  These are 1 1/4" strips of paper.  I also used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartride to cut out the bracket squares.  Then I added the chocolate ribbon to down the centers.  A little Sorbet waxy flax and ta-da.  Simple but cute.

If you haven't seen the new catalog yet, email me.

I've Been Published!

I'm so very excited to say that I have been published in a very beautiful magazine called "Cards".  I'm on page 43 of the July issue.  I have been waiting a long time to be able to share my card, but now I can.  Here it is:

It is under their Style Challenge.  We needed to come up with a beach theme and use the three colors:  Light blue, Sandy Brown, and a coral color.  I used CTMH desert sand, sky blue and smoothie.  The surf boards and umbrella is from a retired set, but at that time I had not seen our new summer catalog so I didn't have anything else.  I used the pearl paint and the sprits bottle to add a little shimmer to the card front.

It just so happens that Heart 2 Heart Challenges was having a challenge anything relating to Water in July, but I wasn't allowed to post this until now so I'm going to have to add this to their challenge too.