Bird Punch Poinsettia

I saw how this poinsettia was made using the XL Two Step Bird Punch on the Stampin’ Connection by Debra Brown so wanted to give it a try. It was quick and easy, but now I had to come up with a use for it, right? I immediately think of a card…

If you could only see this up close you could appreciate all the Champagne Shimmer Paint I added to the flower and to the Whisper White Card Stock. It really shines!!

THEN I started thinking CRAFT SALES and how I could incorporate the beautiful bird punch poinsettia.

The top one is made from a recycled Starbucks Iced Coffee jar and the second one is made from a recycled Mandarin Orange can with a “pop top.” When I open the can I use a can opener that cuts from the outside leaving no sharp edges, therefore I can clean it, fill it from the bottom, and reseal it with Crystal Effects. Then the recipient can “pop” the original top to get to his/her treat. I’m sure I will play around with this idea a bit more and see what other ideas or embellishments I can make to them.

MENU:
CARD:
SS: A Cardinal Christmas
CS: Riding Hood Red, Garden Green, WW
INK: Stazon Jet Black
Accessories: Non SU corner punch

Poinsettia:
XL Two Step Bird Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch
CS: Riding Hood Red, Garden Green on some, Old Olive on one

Can:
CS: retired Christmas DSP
SS: Christmas Punch
Accessories: Retired Ribbon, Movers and Shapers Die, Big Shot

So For Now…

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Snowman Box

Making cards is my favorite thing to do, but I must admit I really enjoy making cute little boxes too.

These Santa Boxes were sold at our last craft sale. I love the great comments we have received from the ladies shopping there.

Here's a close up ...

Isn't he a fun little snowman!!

MENU:
SS: None
CS: WW, Basic Black, Only Orange (retired), Pink Pirouette, Real Red
INK: Basic Black Marker and white gel pen
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Leaf #2 Die, Big Shot, Heart to Heart Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, XL 2 Step Bird Punch

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

"Whoo, Whoo, I Love You"

What a fun way to say "I love you." The cutest little owls in town!!




MENU:
SS: Three Little Words
CS: Chocolate Chip, WW, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Peach Parfait (beaks), Old Olive
INK: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue
Accessories: 2 Step XL Owl Punch, 2 Step XL Bird Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge
Thanks To: Michelle

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Come To Bethlehem

All my growing up days I remember that the day after Thanksgiving we always decorated our Christmas tree and brought out all the decorations. My dad usually was hunting so it was just Mom and the four girls. We carried that tradition over to our own family as well. So I guess now that Thanksgiving is done it is time to share some more Christmas cards.



Perhaps you will see the perfect stamp set for making your own Christmas cards. It's never too late to start.


MENU:
SS: Come to Bethlehem
CS: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, WW
INK: Stazon Jet Black, Baja Breeze, Night of Navy
Accessories: Brayer, Photo Corner Punch, Sponge, Black Stickles (local craft store)

So For Now...

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pin It Now!

Autumn Days

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration yesterday, I know we sure did!
This beautiful fall card was made last month at Glenda's Stamp A Stack and I just love it! It is perfect "guy" card.



Colors Used: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, and More Mustard (the wheat stalks)

Thanks Glenda for a fun night out stamping!

Christi Pin It Now!

Voila` It’s Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Hope you have a BLESSED day!

MENU:

SS: Voila`, Voila` To Go, Teeny Tiny Wishes

CS: Old Olive, Rose Red, Basic Black, WW

INK: Close To Cocoa, Old Olive, Rose Red, Going Gray, Blush Blossom

Accessories: Aquapainter, Black Brads

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi

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Owl Thanksgiving

When I spotted this card idea I knew I had to give it a try since we several hunters in our family.

Thanks again to Lynda Lee for this cute idea!

MENU:
SS: Non SU Greeting
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, DSP Retired, Soft Suede, WW, Basic Black, Real Red
INK: Whisper White Craft
Accessories: White Gel Pen, XL Two Step Owl Punch, Word Window Punch, 3/4” square punch, Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder, Early Espresso 1/8” ribbon

So For Now…

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Christi

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Give Thanks

This is the Thanksgiving card that I made to give to our grandson, Tyler. I should have made this a 5x7 card so the Build a Bear would fit better, but after it was all done I kind of liked the look of him off the side of the card. Thank you to Barb R on the Stampin' Connection for this cute idea.

MENU:

SS: Holiday Best (retired Hostess SS), Season of Friendship
CS: Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue (retired), Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa (retired), WW, Pawsitively Prints DSP (retired), Basic Black
INK: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Ballet Blue, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: Bigz Bear Die, Bigz Beary Essentials, Beary Boy Sizzlit, Big Shot, Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Sponges, Thread

So For Now…

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Christi

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A Designer Christmas

Thank you to all who left a comment on my blog. There is still 8 more days to get in on the great deal for signing up to be a Stampin' Up Demonstrator at 1/2 the price. So the announcement you've all been waiting for... The winner to our blog candy is.... Linda White!! Linda you didn't leave your email address so I will wait for you to contact me.

This beautiful card is a good example of what you can do with the Designer Paper.


I 'smooshed' the entire front piece with Versa Mark and then heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice.

MENU:
SS: None
CS: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Deck The Halls DSP
Ink: Versa Mark
Accessories: Chantilly Crochet Trim, Iridescent Ice EP
Thanks To: Jackie Topa

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Brayered Embossing Folder Technique

This is the final technique we did at this months Technique Class and it is one that Glenda used recently at her Big Shot Class.
Brayering the Embossing Folder before embossing with the Big Shot really makes the snowflakes pop.



MENU:
SS: Perfect Punches
CS: Marina Mist, WW
INK: Marina Mist
Accessories: Northern Flurries EF, Big Shot, Brayer, Scallop Circle Punch, Dimensionals, WW Taffeta Ribbon

Today is the last day to get your name into a drawing for the blog candy I am giving away. Click HERE to see all the goodies you can win and all the details too.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Stamping on Candles Technique

Just a quick reminder that if you are in the Hudsonville MI area we would love to have you stop by our booth at the craft sale held in Hudsonville High School 5051 32nd Ave. Our booth is in the cafeteria. If you tell me you saw this blog posting I will put your name in the blog candy drawing. Hope to see you there.

This is the second technique that we learned at this months Technique Class...
How to stamp on candles... It really is easier than you think. We also made the cute little box that they fit into. What a fun hostess gift to bring to a gathering. We made this fall version at
class...



Colors used: Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

but I also made up this winter set using a variety of retired stamp sets and current stamp sets,

and this coffee themed set using the stamp set called Morning Cup and with this set I used our In Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, and Concord Crush.

The ladies were surprised at how easy it really was. In fact once you burn the candles down, the image is still there.

And don't forget about the blog candy I am giving away. You still have until Sunday, November 21st to leave a comment on my blog and your name goes in a drawing. Click HERE to see all the goodies that you could win.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Tag Punch Poinsettia Technique

SECRET SANTA STRIKES AGAIN!!! Check out my fun goody basket that was left at my front door last night when we were out.


She covered it all...plain, peanut, peanut butter, coconut, pretzel, dark and mini. Plus do you see the adorable card covered in M&M's and the chocolate flavored M&M lip balm? Yummy!! Thank you so much Secret Santa!

At this months Technique Class we made this cool poinsettia flower using the tag punches. This is a technique that Glenda taught us a LONG time ago at one of the classes I took from her and I thought I would resurrect it for this pretty Christmas card.



MENU:
SS: None
CS: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP
INK: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Deck The Halls Large Buttons, Extra Large and Large Tag Punches, Taffeta Ribbon. (I had to use some retired Mellow Moss ribbon because I have not yet purchased the Always Artichoke Seam Binding yet), Sponge, Two way glue pen
Thanks To: Patti Corriere

And don't forget about the blog candy I am giving away until Sunday, November 21st. Just leave a comment on my blog and your name goes in a drawing. Click HERE to see all the goodies you could win.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Fall Owl

Yesterday, when I looked at Glenda's blog (you can find her wonderful blog on the right side of my blog) she said that she had hit the 100,000 count of how many times people looked at her blog. WOW! that is just amazing!! So she decided to give away some blog candy. This got me thinking - "I wonder how many times my blog has been viewed. I knew I hit 3,000 a while back (and I should have done a blog candy then), so when I checked mine out I had just gone over the 5,000 count!! yeeha!! not bad for a beginner. So I am taking Glenda's lead - she is such a good leader!! and I am giving away some blog candy too! How do you win? All you need to do is leave a comment on my blog and your name will go in a drawing. I plan to draw a name on Sunday night Nov 21st and I will announce the winner on Monday's blog. Please leave an email address with your comment so I can contact you personally.

Right now Stampin' Up! is having an AMAZING deal for those of you who would sign up under me. Normally our Starter Kit is $175.00 which is a good deal because you get $310 value in product, but until November 30th you will get the same great Starter Kit for only $87.50!! I have never seen such a good deal! If you sign up with me I will put your name in the blog candy drawing 10 times. Who wouldn't want $310 worth of product for only $87.50??



Included in the blog candy: Silhouette Sentiments Clear Stamp Set, 5/8" ribbon pack in So Saffron and Certainly Celery, Basic Small Grommets, and Shades of Spring Designer Paper.

Here's a fun Fall Owl card to enjoy




Just couldn't help using my cute little owl for a Thanksgiving card. I just love this time of year, and all the colors of fall. Thanksgiving day when all the kids are home - well I guess we have to share now that they each have a spouse or girlfriend. But we have such wonderful memories of going to Dale's parents house every Thanksgiving, spending the day surrounded by the yummy food, family and football - ok, I only tollerated football, but we did enjoy just being together. I must say that I miss my in-laws especially on occasions like this.

MENU:
SS: Fabulous Phrases
CS: Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
INK: Chocolate Chip,
Accessories: Circle Punch, Oval Punch, XL 2 Step Owl Punch, XL 2 Step Bird Punch, Linen Thread, Dimensionals
Thanks To: Shelly Lloyd Smith

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Santa Bottle Topper

This coming Saturday (November 20th) is our final Craft Sale of this year. If you are in the general area of Hudsonville, MI you might like to join our city for it's annual Christmas parade that day which starts at 10:00 AM. The craft sale is in the Hudsonville High School on 32nd Ave and the parade route goes right past the high school. This is a HUGE Craft Sale that takes up both gymnasiums and the cafeteria including all the adjoining halls. Our booth will be in the cafeteria so we hope you will come see us. And let me know if you found this blog. I always like to meet those who follow my blog.

This is a new fun idea that I thought I would try selling at the Craft Sale... a fun bottle topper!
NO I am not selling the juice along with it - hopefully Dale and I can enjoy some sparkling grape juice after the craft sales are done.

Here is a close up of the tag

Isn't Santa a fun little tag to add to a hostess gift.

So For Now...

Hope to See You Saturday!!

Christi Pin It Now!

November Stamp A Stack part 3

The last two cards made at last weeks Stamp A Stack...

Card #7



MENU:
SS: Punch Pals
CS: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, WW
INK: Stazon Black,
Accessories: Markers, Spiral Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF,
Thanks to: ME!! yes! ME!! I actually designed this card!! yeeha!!

Card #8



MENU:
SS: Dasher, Bells and Boughs, Serene Snowflakes
CS: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, DSP: Love Letters
INK: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Wide Oval Punch
Thanks to:


So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

November Stamp A Stack part 2

Three more cards made at this months Stamp A Stack:

Card #4




MENU:
SS: Christmas Postcard
CS: Shimmer White, Rich Razzleberry
INK: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Big Shot, Aquapainter, Sponge
Thanks To: The Stampin' Connection


Card #5



MENU
SS: Peaceful Season (Hostess Level 2)
CS: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
INK: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Markers
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Dimensionals
Thanks to: Suzie Q

Card #6



MENU:
SS: Falling Leaves
CS: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, More Mustard
INK: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, More Mustard, Early Espresso
Accessories: Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Square Lattice EF, Big Shot, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Gold Brads, Dimensionals
Thanks to: Nancy Riley


So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Sunday Share

Each year our stamping group (the Red Hot Stampers) has a fun time for the holidays where we pick a name out of the 'hat' and then we play 'Secret Santa' to that person for the next month. At our next meeting we will reveal who we were Secret Santa to. Well I am Secret Santa to...oops!, you'll just have to wait and see, BUT...
Look what came in my mailbox yesterday...
I had a visit from MY Secret Santa!A beautiful card with some Dimensionals tucked inside.
Thank you Secret Santa!!

For my Sunday Share...

Click HERE to listen to a beautiful song by Brian Doerkson called CREATION CALLS.

Have a wonderful Sunday - celebrating the greatness of our God

Christi
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November Stamp A Stack part 1

What a great time we had again at this weeks Stamp A Stack Classes. Here are three of the cards we made this month. Each month we have been making more Christmas cards and next months class will be entirely Christmas cards. If you live in the Hudsonville MI area I hope you can take the time to join our fun group.

December's classes are: Saturday, Dec. 11th 10 AM, OR Tuesday, Dec. 14th 7 PM, OR Thursday, Dec. 16th 7 PM. Or how about trying one of the techniques classes. In December you can join us on Tuesday, Dec 7th 7 PM.

Card #1



MENU:
SS: Tags Til Christmas, Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: Garden Green, Real Red, WW, Crumb Cake, DSP: Candy Cane
INK: Garden Green, Real Red
Accessories: Ornament Punch, Designer Label Punch, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Silver Brads, Petals A Plenty EF, Big Shot
Thanks to: Lynn Pratt

Card #2




MENU:
SS: Just Believe
CS: WW, Pretty In Pink
INK: Pretty In Pink
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch , Elegant Lines EF, Movers and Shapers Die - Punch Windows, Big Shot, Basic Pearls, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Sponge, Dimensionals
Thanks to : Glenda Calkins

Card #3



MENU:
SS: Elizabeth, Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: Concord Crush, WW, Daffodil Delight
INK: Concord Crush
Accessories: Three Flower Punch (retired), Scallop Trim Border Punch, Concord Crush Ribbon, Basic Rhinestone
Thanks to: Dawn Derrick

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Warm Wishes

Another Christmas card to share...

I'm lovin' the cute little mittens!! Not lovin' the thought of the cold, cold, Michigan weather that causes us to wear these cute little mittens.




MENU:
SS: Many Merry Messages
CS: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP, Wood Sheets #116309
INK: Early Espresso, Old Olive
Accessories: Sponges, Wide Oval Punch, XL 2 Step Bird Punch, Glitter Brads (neutrals), Hemp Twine

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Thinking of You

This is another card we made at Glenda's Stamp A Stack class. A very easy card and it makes a great fall card using the Cajun Craze card stock. Change it up with pastels or brights and you have a whole new look for a whole new season.





So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Simply Amazing Deal

Some super exciting news today!!! For two weeks only Stampin' Up! is offering the starter kit at 50% off. You can choose the Standard Starter Kit or the Digital Starter Kit.

Click HERE to view the flyer.

The special is available from November 15-30. What a perfect time to sign up at this reduced rate.

Give me a call today and I will get you all ready to sign up!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Fall Friend

This is a card I made at one of Glenda's Stamp A Stacks. Isn't it pretty?! We first stamped the leaves over the card front using the French Foliage Stamp Set, then ran it through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I love the look it gave. We have done this technique on other cards, but each time it looks unique depending on what ink colors and stamps you use.



So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Merry Christmas

This is one of the MANY different Christmas cards I am making this year. Using the Designer paper you really can't get much easier than this, and it turned out so pretty.




MENU:
SS: Come To Bethlehem
CS: WW, Vellum, Candy Cane DSP
INK: Baja Breeze
Accessories: Northern Flurries EF, Big Shot, 5/8" WW Satin Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch
Thanks To: Jennifer

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Red Hot Challenges

Each month Glenda issues us Red Hot Stampers a Challenge. At last months meeting we tried out the new Letterpress Plates from the Holiday Mini. I wasn't feeling too creative so I decided to copy the card featured in the Holiday Mini, but then I realized "What a great idea" because we are always telling our customers that the catalog is your best source for layout ideas. I also read one demo's blog that she purposefully designs one of her Stamp A Stack cards each month right from the catalog to show the ladies what a wonderful resource it really is. So - here is my challenge card...


I wish I would have taken a picture of the Halloween card Glenda sent us using one of the Letterpress plates

Then look what I got in the mail the other day...

Another Red Hot Challenge from Glenda.
Isn't this a cute gift card holder? check out the inside...

Our Challenge this time is to make a gift card holder...

So I did!!



This time I pulled out my sewing machine for the stitching around the edges.

MENU:
SS: Peaceful Season
CS: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
INK: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Deck The Halls Big Designer Buttons (Holiday Mini), hemp Twine, Scallop Edge Border.
Thanks To: Lynn Pratt

So For Now...

Happy giving!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Sunday Share

Just wanted to share this amazing song with you about our AMAZING GOD!! Hope you all have a blessed Sunday.

Christi Pin It Now!

Flight of the Butterfly

Just the other day the kids and I found the biggest, fluffy-est, caterpillar that was a beautiful brown and orange color. I told Tyler that the more fluffy the caterpillar the harder the winter is projected to be. Not much after that Dale heard a projected winter weather forecast for Michigan and he heard that we are supposed to get 88 inches of snow this year when our average is 72 inches. I can only imagine that the beautiful caterpillar will be a gorgeous butterfly come next Spring.



So I thought it was time to pull out a stamp set that I haven't used in a while, and have a chance to use up some more retired Designer Paper

MENU:
SS: Flight of the Butterfly, Tiny Tags
CS: WW, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Sweet Pea DSP
INK: Soft Suede, So Saffron
Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Tiny Tag Punch, Border Punch, Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon (retired), Perfect Dot EF, Big Shot
Thanks To: Chat

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Teacher and Bus Driver Thank you's

You never need a special reason to say thank you to anyone, but how very important to say 'Thank you' to your child's teacher and bus driver for all they do, day in and day out, for all the kids.





Once again I borrowed some stamp sets from my friends to make these fun cards. Thanks Sue and Rachel!!

MENU:
SS: First Day, All Holidays, Every Little Bit
CS: Basic Black, WW, Real Red, Old Olive
INK: Basic Black, So Saffron, Real Red
Accessories: 1 1/4# Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Spiral Punch, Top Note Die, Big Shot, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals
I saw the bus card idea on the Stampin' Connection and then made one using the A+ for the teacher. I LOVE our Stampin' Connection - thank you to: Becky Roberts.

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

Thinking of You

Using up some more of my retired Designer Paper to make more Thinking of You' Cards for the shut ins at church.




MENU
SS: Trendy Trees, Teeny Tiny Words
CS: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Sweet Pea DSP, WW
INK: Old Olive, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Circles - silver brad (retired), 3/4" Circle Punch, 5/8" striped Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon
Thanks To: Kay

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!

HO HO HO

You may have seen this same idea on a previous post here, but since those all sold out at the first craft sale I thought I needed to use up the remainder of my accessories boxes. This time I chose a Christmas theme and thought how cute these would be hanging on the Christmas tree with a little treat in it.






The craft sales are going well with the first one being the best, by far (about double from the second one) Let's hope that the next craft sale will be just as good or better. There is no way I can make enough items to replace all that was sold so thanks to Sue and all her great ideas our tables should still be full.
Thanks To: Lynda Lee where I first saw the owl dressed like Santa

So For Now...

Happy Stamping!!

Christi Pin It Now!