SEASON OF SKI SLOPE JOY

This morning, I thought I would tackle Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try. I used the stamp set, Season of Joy and combined it with Ski Slope Designer Paper. I love the way Baja Breeze looks with Real Red and Old Olive! On the main image, the "falalalala", "&", snowflake, and tree were stamped separately, cut out, and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals. I also added some Diamond Stickles to the main image for a little bling. RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy
Paper: Ski Slope DP, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Real Red, Baja Breeze, and Old Olive
Embellishments: Real Red Brads, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Punches Plus Classy Brass Template & Paper Piercer, Designer Label Punch, 1/4", 3/4", and 1" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Diamond Stickles (non-SU)

MANCHESTER SEASON OF JOY

This sketch is Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try 11/15/08. I used an unusual combination, didn't I? ... Season of Joy stamp set with Manchester designer paper. Stampin' Up!'s Season of Joy has GOT to be one of the most brilliantly designed stamp sets I've ever owned ... one of my all-time favorites for sure! I really wanted to use this image with something that I'd never seen before, and something that wasn't so "obviously Christmas". Manchester DP with the colors of Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, and Very Vanilla seemed like the perfect choice.

Did you know that some of the elements of the Priceless Classy Brass Template also coordinate with the stamp set Season of Joy? That's how I was able to paper pierce the Always Artichoke CS circles behind the three snowflakes. The snowflakes are stamped in Baja Breeze ink onto Very Vanilla CS and a dew drop (non-SU) adorns the center.

The main image from Season of Joy is stamped in Always Artichoke Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla CS, then again with Baja Breeze Classic Ink onto another piece of Very Vanilla CS. The three Baja Breeze poinsettia images were punched out with the 1/2" Circle Punch and the snowflake in the center of the "O" was punched out with the 3/4" Circle Punch. All were popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals, and a dot of Diamond Stickles (non-SU) was placed in the centers. Always Artichoke Brads are the "O" in "SEASON" and the dot of the explanation point. The Baja Breeze "&" was also cut out and popped up on a Stampin' Dimensional.
RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy
Paper: Manchester DP, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Always Artichoke and Baja Breeze Classic Ink Pads, Versamark
Embellishments: Always Artichoke Brads, Diamond Stickles (non-SU), Dew Drops (non-SU)
Tools: Priceless Classy Brass Template, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for all the sweet comments you've been leaving lately! They mean so much to me! I can hardly wait to get home after work to see if there's any new comments waiting for me! Sounds like you really like the concept of iPICKS in my previous post ... I hope you've been inspired by those awesome projects as much as I have, and I've already begun creating next week's list! Have a FANTASTIC day!

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS42 TEXASGRAMMY

Today's Featured Stamper (FS42) on SCS is Beverly, TexasGrammy. I didn't have to look in Beverly's gallery for long before I knew exactly which card I wanted to case. THIS CARD of Beverly's caught my eye when it was posted last week.

Things I changed from Beverly's card: a) I used Real Red instead of Bravo Burgundy, b) I used Holiday Harmony DP for the background strips instead of Always Artichoke Prints DP, c) I used Season of Joy stamp set instead of Peaceful Wishes, d) I added X-mas Red Stickles in the center of the small flowers for a little Christmas bling.

This would be a great "mass assembly Christmas Card" ... super easy! Love the Real Red & Always Artichoke combo! The swirl stamp from the Season of Joy stamp set is stamped with Versamark on the Real Red card base. The swirl stamp from Season of Joy on the main image panel is stamped in Always Artichoke for the center image, then stamped off for the other two images. Some of the small poinsettia flowers are also stamped off with Real Red ink.
RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Always Artichoke, Real Red, and Whisper White CS, Holiday Harmony DP
Ink: Always Artichoke and Real Red Classic Ink Pads, Black Staz-On, Versamark
Embellishments: Real Red and Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon, X-mas Red Stickles
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

NOVEMBER STAMP CLASS PROJECTS

Today, I held my Christmas Stamp Classes. Here are the projects we made, along with the recipes. Within the next couple of days, I'll be posting a tutorial on how I organize for my classes...be sure to check back!

JOY CHRISTMAS CARD
This card is a CASE of Chat Wszelaki's card HERE, (nitestamper on SCS). For more of Chat's artwork, visit her blog, Me, My Stamps, and I. I love this card, and here I go again complaining about the way River Rock photographs! It is much prettier IRL! The River Rock background piece is dry embossed with the Snowflake Cuttlebug Folder, and Gold Stickles (non-SU) were added to the snowflakes and to the "j" dot snowflake. I rarely use non-SU products, especially in my classes, but couldn't resist the bling that Stickles adds for the Holidays!

RECIPE
Stamps: Big Deal Alphabet, Season of Joy
Paper: Always Artichoke, River Rock, Purely Pomegranate, Very Vanilla CS and Holiday Harmony DP
Ink: Always Artichoke, Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Brad, Gold Stickles (non-SU)
Tools: ½”, ¾”, 1” and 1 ¼” Circle Punches, Cuttlebug and Snowflake Embossing Folder, 1/16” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pop-Up Glue Dot, Sticky Strip
Original Artist: Chat Wszelaki (nitestamper on SCS)

SEASON OF JOY CHRISTMAS CARD
This card is a variation of THIS CARD that I designed last month. Instead of stamping the Poinsettia from the Season of Joy stamp set, we used the 5-Petal Flower Punch to make it, along with three Old Olive Brads. Simply punch two Real Red flowers and one Old Olive flower, adhere together (staggered), and roll the petals around a pen for dimension. We stamped the star on top of the tree, cut out, adhered to top of tree, and added X-mas Red Stickles (non-SU) for bling.
RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy
Paper: Dashing DP, Old Olive, River Rock, Real Red, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: River Rock, Real Red, and Old Olive Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive Brads, X-Mas Red Stickles (non-SU)
Tools: 5-Petal Flower Punch, Paper Piercing Tool for brad holes , Scissors for cutting out Christmas Tree and Star
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals/Foam Tape, Pop-Up Glue Dot, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots


CHRISTMAS FIVE-IN-ONE TEMPLATE BOX and CHRISTMAS PAPER BOW
This box and bow were considered two seperate projects. You can find the TUTORIAL for the FIVE-IN-ONE TEMPLATE BOX by Beate Johns HERE, and the TUTORIAL for the PAPER BOW by Jessica Crawford HERE. We made this super easy holiday packaging using a variety of Stampin' Up! Double Sided Papers from the Wintergreen and Dashing Designer Series Paper Packs. I'll never purchase another bow at a store again!Don't forget ...... the November Stampin' Up! Special .... buy THREE DP Packs, get ONE FREE !!!

RECIPE
Paper: Wintergreen and Dashing DP and coordinating solid CS
Supplies: Sticky Strip, Scissors, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Brads, 1/16" Circle Punch or Paper Piercing Tool , Five-in-One Template

MERRY & BRIGHT GIFT CARD HOLDER

This gift card holder is CASEd from Nancy Morgan's original HERE. Nancy is known as ncmorgan on SCS, and her blog is Paper Smiles. The snowman is colored in with markers and Blender Pen for the Wild Wasabi, then Dazzling Diamonds were added with a Two-Way Glue Pen.Walmart carries a gift card this season that matches the DP from the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit and the snowflakes from the Merry & Bright Stamp Set. I'm told that iTunes also has a cool gift card that coordinates well with this holder!
RECIPE
Stamps: Merry & Bright, Fundamental Phrases, All Holidays (“Merry Christmas” inside sentiment)
Paper: Whisper White Gift Cards & Envelopes (pg. 169, item #107312) Gift Cards measure 3 7/8” x 2 ¾”, Envelopes measure 4 ¼” x 3”. Wild Wasabi and Real Red CS, Winter Bright Simply Scrappin’ Kit
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Real Red Classic. Coloring in Snowman -- Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, and Blush Blossom Markers and Blender Pen with Wild Wasabi Ink Pad.
Embellishments: Red Gingham Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” Circle Punches, 1/8” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: 2-Way Glue Pen
Note: Use Glue Dots to temporarily adhere gift card inside.
Original Artist: Nancy Morgan

SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE 139

One of my favorite blogs, and bestest blogging friends, is Fran Sabad, Franticstampers. I've admired THIS CARD of Fran's since she posted it the end of August. I absolutely love this layout! I think it lends itself well to so many Stampin' Up! stamp sets. So I thought I would try to apply some of my stamp sets to it (which is also SCS Sketch Challenge 139).

Here's the Sketch 139:

SEASON OF JOY

This first card is very similar to Fran's card... just different colors, DP, ribbon, etc. The bling star on top of the Christmas tree was a Target $1 Spot find back in July. The center dots of the poinsettia were punched with a 1/8" circle punch (Old Olive CS) and adhered with Crystal Effects. The Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon was wrapped around the card, and stays in place with a few small pieces of Sticky Strip. The seam of the ribbon is hidden under the center horizontal CS panel. The bow is adhered with a glue dot.RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy (pg. 2-3 Holiday Mini 2007)
Paper: Dashing DP, Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla, and River Rock CS
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red, and River Rock Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Misc. Non-SU Star
Tools: 1/8" Handheld Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Crystal Effects, Glue Dot

PERFECT PRESENTATION
This next card turned out to be my favorite ... I'm LOVIN' the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit! Such fun colors for the holidays, reminding me of the colors you see in the movie, "The Grinch". The Pretty In Pink Star on top of the tree, the blue scallop circle, and the striped vertical strip are die-cut stickers from the Winter Bright SS Kit. The Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate Circles in the medallion are punched from the DP in the Winter Bright SS Kit.

RECIPE
Stamps: Perfect Presentation (Level 2 Hostess...pg. 20), "Merry Christmas" sentiment from All Holidays (pg. 143)
Paper: Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit (Bashful Blue, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty In Pink, Wild Wasabi)
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1/4", 3/4", 1" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Glue Dot

TRUE FRIEND
RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend (pg. 18 Holiday Mini '07)
Paper: Apple Cider DP (pg. 19 Holiday Mini '07), Really Rust, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Close To Cocoa, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pads, Versamark
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Brads
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, 1/16" Handheld Punch, 1", 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dot, Sticky Strip

SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE 146

This card is for yesterday's SCS Sketch Challenge (SC146). It did not turn out like I had originally envisioned ... not quite sure if I even like it ... for what it's worth, here it is. Don't ask me why, but I wanted to use Basic Black with Purely Pomegranate ... love the dramatic combination, but not sure if I love it for a Christmas card. What do you think?

The "Merry Christmas" sentiment was stamped in White Craft Ink. The rhinestones in the poinsettia centers are adhesive rhinestones from Michaels. The paper pierced panel of CS behind the main image is Rose Red, and the poinsettia images were stamped in Purely Pomegranate and raised with Stampin' Dimensionals.

RECIPE

Stamps: Season of Joy (pg. 2-3 2007 Holiday Mini), "Merry Christmas" sentiment from All Holidays (pg. 143)

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, and Rose Red CS, Holiday Harmony DP (pg. 12 2007 Holiday Mini

Ink: Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pads, White Craft Ink Pad

Embellishments: Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon (pg. 22 2007 Holiday Mini), Adhesive Rhinestones from Michaels

Tools: Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, Horizontal Slot Punch

Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS36 STAMPERTAMMY

Finally! .... a window of time to sit down and participate in a SCS challenge! Today's SCS Featured Stamper Challenge (FS36) is from the gallery of StamperTammy. Fun gallery to work in ... many wonderful choices ... so much talent! Here is StamperTammy's card that I chose to case. I kept the same layout, changed up the colors and main image.The bling in the centers of the poinsettias are basic craft store rhinestones that I glued on with Crystal Effects. The "O" in "SEASON" is a Light Blue Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad. The "O" in "JOY" was punched out of the Wintergreen DP with the 3/4" Circle Punch and mounted on a Stampin' Dimensional. RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy (pg. 7 & 8, '07 Holiday Mini)
Paper: Wintergreen DP, Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Soft Sky, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Always Artichoke Classic and Versamark
Embellishments: Light Blue Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad, Silver Elastic Cord (pg. 11, '07 Hoiday Mini), non-SU Rhinestones (poinsettia centers)
Tools: 3/4" Circle Punch
Supplies: Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS30 HEATHER

Today's Featured Stamper Challenge (FS30) features the gallery of Heather Pulvirenti, aka inglishrea on SCS. The idea is to view the featured stamper's gallery, case one of their cards and change at least two things about it. Here is Heather's GALLERY, her BLOG, and the HEATHER'S CARD I chose to case.

I can't believe I spent time making a Christmas card when I haven't even begun making Fall and Halloween cards! Their all in my head ... just need time to put them into action! I found these self-adhesive bling stars at the Michael's $1 bin the other day, and knew they would be perfect for the top of the Christmas Tree in the Season of Joy stamp set (pg. 2-3 of the Holiday Mini). When I found Heather's card, I knew it would be a great excuse to start using my Wintergreen DP that's been calling my name for several weeks!

Things I changed from Heather's card: a) Heather's card appears to be square .... mine is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, b) changed up some of the paper, c) used different ribbon, d) deleted the white tafetta ribbon ... tried to do it but couldn't get mine to look right!, e) used different ink colors ..... the more I look at it, the more different mine is! Oh well, mine is completely inspired by Heather's! RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy (pg. 2-3 Holiday Mini Catalog)
Paper: Soft Sky, Always Artichoke and Going Grey CS, Wintergreen DP
Ink: Always Artichoke
Embellishments: Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brads, Bling Star (non-SU)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch
Supplies: Foam Mounting Tape/Stampin' Dimensionals