Di Hickman Card Sketch

Here's another fabulous card sketch from Di Hickman for you to play with!

What's Your Elf Name??

Your Elf Name Is...

Ditzy Mc Mini

What's Your Elf Name?

Elegant Angel

I have been having such fun using Designer Papers since Stampin' Up! has their DP bundle on special this month (psst -- only 2 more days left, buy 3 paper sets and get a 4th free!)

This pretty Christmas card uses the angel and the sentiment from "On Angel Wings", a retired SU! set, and two different DPs (Rose Red and Brocade Backgrounds). I stamped the angel on Very Vanilla cardstock in StazOn black and used Watercolor Wonder crayon to color in the angel's dress. White craft ink on the wings sprinkled with Dazzling Diamond glitter makes them very lustrous. The card is Elegant Eggplant cardstock.

All Wrapped Up!

Give Thanks

I am thankful for...

... the never-ending love and support of my husband even when I'm driving him crazy, the house is a wreck, and we've run out of milk (again!).

... my two sons who never fail to surprise & delight me with their antics

... my wonderful parents, my older brother & his wife, my younger sister, and my in-laws, for their love and support

... surprise moments like this morning when the boys climb into bed with us and start a tickle fight at 6:30 am, or yesterday when my youngest, on the changing table, said with a huge grin, "Mommy, my poop came out and played on the playground of my butt!"

... the iVillage South Beach Diet board, where I am a Community Leader -- it's made my 40s better than any decade before!!! :-)

... finding glimmers of success with my new Stampin' Up! business, and the crafters I've discovered through blogs & websites -- an amazingly generous community of artists & teachers

... finally finding a *really great* hair stylist who gives me awesome haircuts & highlights EVERY TIME!!!

... foot rubs every Sunday night

... the Couch 2 5K podcast!!!!!

... USTA tennis leagues

... cappuccino Soy Slender

Di Hickman Card Sketch

Here is another creative card diagram from Di Hickman's blog. May need to play with this one later -- I'm thinking Thanksgiving leaves & acorns, or Christmas ornaments. Choices, choices, choices!

Be Merry!

I've been working on improving some of my techniques by using Splitcoaststampers tutorials, which are absolutely fabulous. I created this Christmas card by cutting out an oval mask (using my Creative Memories cutting tools) and laying the oval hole over navy card stock. Using white craft ink, I stamped several different snowflakes from the Snowflake Spot and the little poinsettia from Season of Joy, added sparkles to the centers, and stamped "Be Merry" from Warm Words in white craft ink. The 3-D snowflake is from Michael's.

Countdown to Turkey Day!

This is one of my Thanksgiving cards I put together for friends and family. I've become a little over-enamored with the crinkled paper & torn paper techniques, LOL. The quote is "In everything give thanks", the pumpkin and leaf images are stamped in Basic Brown from SU!'s Autumn Apparitions, and the swirl in the background is from Baroque Motifs, stamped in Always Artichoke. I colored the pumpkin with 3 different watercolor pencils & used the Blender Pens to mix the colors. The stem is colored in with a blend of green & brown watercolor pencils and blended. The pretty brown houndstooth ribbon is from Michael's. I used the Mat Pack to prick holes in the corner of the card.

Nostalgic T-Shirt

My hubby is having fun designing t-shirts for the stamping diva community. Everyone should have one of these or the "Got Stamps?" shirt, don't you think?

Sneak Preview!

Nancy Morgan on her Paper Smiles blog posted a great pic of one of the new stamp sets from the Spring/Summer Collection Stampin' Up! catalog. Isn't it awesome! So versatile and clean looking, just my style. I can't wait to order it!

The Wishlist is Here!

It's that time of year when thoughts turn to Santa again. If Stampin' Up! products are on your wish list, click on StampMom Stampin' Up! Wishlist to create a list for family and friends and let StampMom take care of the rest! The list of retiring stamp sets comes out December 1st, so be sure to order your favorite stamp sets before they are gone for good.

In order to allow for Christmas delivery, Christmas orders should be placed no later than December 10th.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Card Sketch from Di Hickman

Here's a fun card sketch from designer Di Hickman for you to create. Let me know what you come up with!

SCS Weekend Sketch Challenge

This is the challenge from Splitcoast Stampers for the weekend. I'll be trying my hand at it -- you should too. And go check out the gallery to see what other crafty ladies have done with it!

Pretty Papers Special

Stock up for all your upcoming projects with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive double-sided Designer Series paper. We've got so many pretty patterned papers to choose from; you're sure to find the perfect patterns to help you show off your unique crafting style. Best of all, you'll get a FREE pack of double-sided Designer Series paper ($9.95 value) for every three packs you buy-no limits, no restrictions! Visit pages 170-173 of the Fall--Winter Collection 2007 to view our beautiful double-sided Designer Series paper. And be sure to download the patterns and instructions for all of the festive projects featured on our home page!

Contact me today to take advantage of this fantastic offer, and don't forget to mention the Paper Party promo code 111878!

November Class Schedule

Here's my November schedule!

Stamping 101
Monday Nov. 5, 10 am-noon and 6-7:30 pm at All Fired Up! Studio
Beginners class with overview of rubber stamping techniques, Stampin’ Up! products, and a card for you to make and take with you. FREE CLASS. Ages 8 and older welcome with parental supervision. RSVP by 11/4.

Holiday Whimsy Cardmaking Class I
Wednesday Nov. 7, 8-10 pm at All Fired Up! Studio
Thursday, Nov. 8, 9:30-11:30 am at StampMom’s Studio
Learn how to create a variety of fun and whimsical Christmas cards. Cost: $5 for materials. Ages 8 and older welcome with parental supervision. RSVP by 11/6.

Let It Snow! Cardmaking Class II
Monday Nov. 12, 9:30-11:30 am and 6-7:30 pm at All Fired Up! Studio
Wednesday Nov. 14, 8-10 pm at All Fired Up! Studio
Thursday, Nov. 15, 9:30-11:30 am at StampMom’s Studio
Learn how to create a variety of snow-inspired Christmas cards. Cost: $5 for materials. Ages 8 and older welcome with parental supervision. RSVP by 11/11.

Holiday Open House
Saturday Nov. 17, 1-5 pm
Falwell Jet Center
Start your holiday shopping, or just make up your own holiday wish list. Stampin’ Up!, Pampered Chef, and Mary Kay will all be represented. Includes demonstrations, free samples, refreshments, and a Stampin’ Up! Make & Take project.

Trees, Wreaths & Poinsettias Cardmaking Class III
Monday Nov. 19, 9:30-11:30 am and 6–7:30 pm at All Fired Up! Studio
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 8-10 pm at All Fired Up! Studio
Learn how to create a variety of Christmas cards inspired by nature. Cost: $5 for materials. Ages 8 and older welcome with parental supervision. RSVP by 11/18.

Mother/Daughter Cardmaking Class
Friday, Nov. 23, 2-4 pm at StampMom’s Studio
Monday Nov. 26, 6–7:30 pm at All Fired Up! Studio
Enjoy some creative fun with your daughter (or Mom!) making several holiday projects while the men stay home to watch post-Thanksgiving football! Cost: $5 for materials. Ages 8 and older welcome with parental supervision. RSVP by 11/21.