Stamping with Michelle

Holiday Extravaganza Sale

Stampin' Up has just released a first-of-it's kind Holiday Extravaganza sale!  From now until December 1, you can get discounts of up to 50% off selected bundles of products.  I just took a look a the flyer, and these deals are fantastic!  The best way to view these specials is to go to my website and click on the "Shop Now" button at the top right of the screen.  From there, click on the link that says Holiday extravaganza.  You'll be able to view the items on special along with images of those products.  But hurry, these specials are only available while supplies last!

I hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Michelle

Deer Friends Scrapbook Pages

Last week, my scrapbooking club met, and these are the pages that we worked on:

Materials: Deer Friends, All Holidays
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter, Kraft Brown, Whisper White, and Kraft Brown DSP (Hostess packet)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Round Tab punch, 1/16" circle punch, Vintage brads, Chocolate Chip Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip Double Stitched Ribbon, Big Shot and Top Note Die

These pages use the hostess set Deer Friends.  That set has eight different Christmas images that are ideal for small focal points.  I used the 6x6 pieces of double sided background paper to anchor my photos and added a little bit of ribbon (gotta have the ribbon!) to punch it up a notch.

Scrapbooking Club meets on the Third Wednesday of the month.  Members agree to make a minimum purchase of $15 a month for ten months and then they get hostess benefits on one of those months.  Anybody is welcome to join us as a guest for free in any month.  If after that first night, you want to continue, you can join us each month for a $20 class fee or by also placing a $15 order.  You'll be the first in line when I have enough people to start a new hostess group.  We meet at my house in Auburn at 7:00pm, and if you plan to join us, just please let me know at least the day before so I can plan to have materials ready for you.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Gift Card Holder Tutorial

With the holidays around the corner,  I decide to put together a tutorial for a project that has been quite popular with my customers this fall.  I first created this project for a wedding gift that I needed back in September.  I don't recall where I first saw it, but after I finished, I was quite captivated by how simple it was but how elegant it became.  I decided that I would teach this in November and then create tutorial for everyone..so here it is!

First, so you can envision it, here is the finished sample:

You need to start with a half sheet of cardstock, cut the long way...so 4 1/4" x 11".  Then you score it at 3", 5 1/2", and 8" like this:

Stamp as desired.  Then you need to fold it in half and then fold it back on itself, creating a bit of a "W" with the inside of the "w" a little bit shorter than the outside edges:

Next, apply adhesive along the edges of one of the inside sides of the "W".  You can see where I have applied the sticky strip in this next photo:

Sticky Strip really works the best for a nice strong hold.  Be sure to only put it on the edges as shown, or you won't be able to slide your gift card in place!  Once you've adhered it together, it should look like this:

Next, you need to take the Word Window punch and punch an opening in the fold.  You want to line the edge of the punch up with the edge of the cardstock, and then slide the punch OFF the edge of the cardstock just a little bit.  I only punch about half the width of the punch as shown here:

Repeat on the opposite side in the same way.  Then you can use the 1/2" circle punch if you'd like and punch a small notch in the middle.  You could also use a square punch if you don't have the Word Window punch.  It should look something like this:

The gift card slides into the opening and then you can close the front and back cover.  Embellish the front and tie it with a ribbon to complete it.  Here is the finished sample again:

Also, here is the holder that I had originally made for the wedding gift:

And, you can see in this picture how the gift card slides right inside:

Have fun creating these little gift card holders.  If you like what you come up with, send me pictures, and I'd be happy to post them for everybody to enjoy.

Also, Stampin' Up! will be announcing a Holiday Extravaganza sale that runs from November 26-December 1.  Be sure to watch the website and your inboxes for the details.

Happy Stamping!
Michelle

Punch Pals Wreath Card

Your Christmas card making (or at least planning!) should be in full swing, but there's still time if you haven't gotten started yet.  Here is another of the cards that we will be making at my Stamp a Stack on Friday night.  I do still have space available if you would like to attend.  Please let me know by Wednesday.

Materials: Punch Pals, Big Deal Alphabet
Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Brushed Gold, and Whisper White
Ink: Always Artichoke and Versamark
Accessories: Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Gold Embossing powder, Scallop Circle Punch, 3/4" circle punch, Mini Glue Dots

I got this idea from a demonstrator only website that I belong to, and I thought it was just too cute!  I never would have thought to turn that stamp into a wreath!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Create a Calendar Class

I think one of the more exciting products offered in our Holiday Mini Catalog is the Create a Calendar.  As soon as I saw it, I knew that I wanted to offer a class around this product.  I've worked up a sample and I'm ready to announce the details.  But, first, here is the sample:

Materials:  Create a Calendar Kit, On Board Book Basics (Large), Jumbo Pewter Eyelets, Cropadile, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Natural Hemp, Clips Assortment

I will be holding this class on Wednesday, December 10 at 7:00pm.  The cost for this class is $20, and you may order supplies for additional calendars for $15 each.  These calendars would make fantastic gifts!  To reserve your spot, I must have your prepaid registration by Tuesday, November 25 so that I can make sure there is adequate time for supplies to arrive!

I am really excited about this class and I'm hoping to see you then!

Michelle

Christmas Holly

I know, I know...you probably really aren't quite ready to start thinking about Christmas, but now that we are into the middle of November, it is really time to start.  If you are thinking you'd like to stamp some of your Christmas cards, there is still time to order supplies and get them done.  Here is a quick and easy card that I may end up turning to this year!

Materials: Christmas Cardinal Set
Cardstock: Kraft brown, Ruby Red, and Confetti White
Ink: Mellow Mos, Always Artichoke, and Riding Hood Red
Accessories: 1/8" circle punch, Rope Twine

This card uses the Christmas Cardinal set found in the Holiday Mini Catalog, but I was pleased that I was able to design a card that didn't use the main image!  I stamped the holly first in the Mellow Moss ink and then added a few more sprigs in Always Artichoke.  It is a card that would work up quickly and the layers would be quick and easy to cut as well.

In other news, did you know that Stampin' Up products make wonderful gifts?  Stampin' Up! has put together a Holiday Gift Guide to help make your shopping easier.  This gift guide lists products that you can find for specific price ranges.  Once you have made your selections, you can place your order quickly and easily right through my website  You could even identify those products that you'd like to see under the tree with YOUR name on them and pass those ideas along to your loved ones.  And, of course, I do sell gift certificates in any denomination!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Snowman Christmas Card

This is one of the Christmas cards that we did at an earlier stamp a stack, and it proved quite popular, so I thought I would share it with you!

Materials: Deer Friends, All Holidays and Wanted
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Basic Black, Ballet Blue and Glossy White
Ink: Ballet Blue and Basic Black
Accessories:  Scallop Circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/16" circle punch, Scallop Border punch, Black Gingham ribbon

It is really a very simple card, but I like how striking the black, white and blue are together.  I got the inspiration from one of the lists that I belong to.  I've seen the 1/16" hole punch used to add a lacy effect to the scallops, but it is not something that I normally think of!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Final Christmas Card Stamp a Stack

I'm ready to announce the date of my final Christmas Card Stamp a Stack for this year!  It will be held on Friday, November 21 at 7:00pm.  As always the class fee is $30 with $15 going towards an order placed that night.  We will be making 15 cards, 3 each of 5 designs.  Here is one of those designs.

Materials: Punch Pals, Big Deal Alphabet
Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla and Brushed Gold
Ink: Always Artichoke and Versamark
Accessories: Gold embossing powder, Scallop Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle punch, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, Mini Glue dots

I didn't design this one myself, but I got the inspiration from another demonstrator on a list that I belong to.  I thought it was a fantastic idea and that you all would love it!  I'll be posting the other four samples to my website in the next day or two.

If you'd like to attend this class, please RSVP by Wednesday, November 19.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle