Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Christmas Jingle SAS - Part 2

Here are 4 more cards from my Christmas Jingle Stamp-a-Stack. I love them all so it's hard to pick my favorite. Check back again tomorrow for more cards.

Until tomorrow...

Linda




Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Christmas Jingle SAS

I promised you all a close up of each of my cards for my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack (SAS). As I said in my original post, my inspirations for these cards came from two talented stampers, Erin and Jeanne. I think the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit is one of my all time favorite SU Christmas papers.

My basic supplies (along with the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit) for the collection of cards are: Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Old Olive; Stampin' Pads: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Real Red; Stamp Sets: Christmas Greetings, Tree Trimmings, Dasher and Four the Holidays; Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (Real Red, Chocolate Chip & Old Olive); 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (Old Olive & Chocolate Chip); Taffeta Ribbon (Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla); Brads (Old Olive, Real Red, Silver and Circle Fire Rhinestone); and White gel pen; Punches: Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circles and Modern Label.

I hope you enjoy these cards as much as I did making them.








Thanks for spending time on my blog -- let me know you were here. I'd love to hear what you think.

Linda

Monday, September 28, 2009

A Very Productive Weekend!

I found myself this past weekend with no commitments! My DH had to work on Saturday so I was all alone -- just me and my three dogs! I had coffee on the patio, read some of my book and went down to my workshop to complete my Christmas Jingle Stamp-a-Stack. Each participant will use one-half (2 sheets of DSP and 3 self-adhesive embellishment sheets per person) of the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit and get 30 cards. I managed to design 21 cards. I have two small pieces of the DSP left but no self-adhesive embellishments so I plan on using the Tree Trimming or Dasher stamp sets to make my last few cards.

Below are the 12 cards I designed this weekend.



Don't forget to stop back every day this week for close ups of each card. Please leave me a comment -- I love to hear from you. Thanks.

Linda

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Busy as one of Santa's Elves!



I can't believe it is September and I'm working on my annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack card designs! I always wait until late October, maybe even into November before I start designing. With my latest obsession for "getting organized," I've been trying to get things done long before they are needed. I'm a procrastinator and that's hard for me. I've posted pictures of what I've designed so far. The inspiration (CASEing) for these cards came from two very talented stampers. Check out their blogs: Erin and Jeanne. I've been following Erin's blog since I started and she directed me to Jeanne's blog for many of the designs for these cards. Isn't it great we can share what we love to do!!

These cards are for my annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack (which is my most popular event) where we make cards using a Simply Scrappin' Kit. I hope to have a total of 30 cards using half of the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit, coordinating stamps, and other DSP and cardstock to supplement.

Check back each day next week to see the cards in more detail. That's all for now. I'm going to my "workshop" to design more cards. Thanks for stopping by and come back soon.

Linda

Monday, September 7, 2009

September Stamp-a-Stack

It's that time again -- my two monthly SAS classes. I've had an enjoyable Labor Day weekend preparing for my classes. To have everything done by the 7th of the month is awesome. That gives me more time to "declutter" my house and maybe even tackle my stamping room!! I'm bound and determined to get everything purged, cleaned and organized by the end of the year because the next project will be painting the room after the holidays.

Anyway, here are the cards I created for this month. I love the Medallion stamp and couldn't wait to make a card. It's so simple yet looks classy! I cased this card here. I loved the colors she chose so I didn't change a thing. I inked the Medallion stamp with Crushed Curry and then used Dusty Durango ink using direct to stamp for the edges and a little in the center.

Supplies:
Stamps: Medallion, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango; Whisper White
Ink: Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango
Accessories: Dusty Durango Ribbon, Fire Rhinestone Circle Brad, Modern Label & Word Window punches, Stampin' Dimensionals


I finally broke down and got the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I've seen so many pretty cards and things made out of it that I had to have it! I was inspired by this card when creating my "thank you ... thank you ... thank you" card below.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Short & Sweet
Paper: Rich Razxleberry, Crushed Curry, Old Olive; Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry and Old Olive
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Ribbon

Thoughts & Prayers was one of the first stamp sets on my wish list when I saw the new catalog. I decided it was time to make a card with this beautiful tree. I cased it from here. When it's time to create my cards for my classes, I like to hop over to Splitcoaststampers and see what great ideas others have come up with!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Paper: Old Olive; Chocolate Chip; Confetti White
Ink: Old Olive and Chocolate Chip Markers; Chocolate Chip stamp pad
Accessories: Old Olive Ribbon, Top Note die and Perfect Details texturz plate

One of my favorite seasons is fall which brings us Halloween. I love Halloween. I think it's the colors and all the ghosts & gobblins I like. These last two cards are my own creation. I know, you can't believe it -- but I do sometimes have time to create my own designs. I love the "Twick or Tweet" stamp set in the Holiday Mini especially the skeleton and the little dog!! The sentiment says "It's Halloween ... enjoy every bite." I liked the design so much I made it in two different colors. I got the inspiration for the coloring on the second card here. I like them both. What do you think?

Supplies:
Stamps: Twick or Tweet
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Whisper White and Cast-a-Spell DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, Lavendar Lace and Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Old Olive & Basic Black Ribbon,Paper Piercing tool, 1 1/4 circle punch for moon, sponges, blender pen & Stampin' dimensionals


Thanks for stopping by. I love comments so feel free to leave one (or two)!!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Decluttering

Does it seem like the only time I post cards I make is in prep for my SAS? Now that I think about it that's true. I have a hard time finding time to stamp for fun. I just have too much stuff that doesn't have a home which makes me anxious and constantly trying to organize which just eats up my creative time. One day while surfing the net (I know, I could have been stamping) I came across this wonderful website Simply 101. The creator is Aby Garvey. I'd heard her speak at a CK Convention a few years ago and even purchased her book which I can't find! See, I'm totally disorganized!! She offers on-line workshops so I took one entitled "Help! I don't know where to Begin." It has changed my life. I have a LONG way to go but I now know that disorganization can make you very unhappy and frustrated in your life. I spend more time looking for something than doing all the time.

During the one week course, we were to commit to 15 minutes per day to declutter an area. You could do 30 minutes but the idea is not to get overwhelmed. My first 15 minutes I tackled my food cupboard. I figured it would be easy to decide what to toss -- if it's expired out it goes! Well, here is my before and after pictures.

Before

After

I took out 3 garbage bags of expired food which included food I put in an "overflow" closet. Most of the overflow was expired but I now had room to put everything into the main cupboard. My husband was so proud of me. I was pretty proud too.

The remainder of the week I took 15 minutes each day to organize my Tupperware cupboard and glasses/coffee mugs cupboard. I actually had 40 coffee mugs which I've slimmed down to 20. I do collect coffee mugs so I figure keeping 20 was good. Just these few places I've organized has made me feel better -- not as stressed. If you have clutter in your life too, I suggest you check out Aby's website, read her blog and take an on-line course. She has organizational tips for scrapbooking supplies which is what I really need to work on -- but I'm taking baby steps! I'll get there.

Have a great week.