Last Minute Gifts Preparation

Today, I cleaned and purged from my stamp room, much to Bubba's relief. I feel much better tonight in here and have gotten some mojo back. Perhaps the mojo came back after a weekend of relaxation and reconnecting, but whatever the reason, I had some fun!

My picture is poor, but I am limited on time (and camera battery). The large candle uses rub-ons to accent the jar part. I love the chocolate chip double stitched ribbon, so I added it. I also added the small folder star as a tag, but slide it to the side for the picture. I found my Seasonal Sayings Hostess Simply Scrappin' it and altered a vanilla candle with it. I remembered my felt flurries. (Now that my room is clean, I can find things again). I layered them on top and added one on the belly band, but placed that accent to the back in my picture. The third project is a clear ornament I added a rub-on to. I used my rivet tool as a guide to roll up Real Red Patterns paper for the inside. The white bucket will hold hot chocolate and marshmallows and the rolled-up place mat for a fun warm up gift. I created the ornament tag using the Big Shot Snowflake and used die cut stickers from the Winter Fun Simply Scrappin' Kit.

My customers can make these four items plus two more at my Last Minute Gifts Stamp Camp next weekend. I am still accepting reservations, as I have room.

Here are the details:

3rd Annual Last Minute Gifts Stamp Camp!
Saturday, December 6
12-4 pm

Create 6 items useful for those last minute gifts! Create candles, ornaments, and more! All items are 3D and fun to create! Stamper's Fee is $20 and includes all supplies and treats. Email or call me to register. This is an open house style event, projects should take 2 hours for an experienced stamper and 3 for a new stamper. Come when it works best for you!

Big Shot Fun!

It's Black Friday and where am I? Another hotel room. Yep. Bubba got some respite time, so we used it on his favorite time of year....Black Friday. My husband is obsessed. He has been checking the Black Friday websites since Halloween, making and remaking a plan. Last night (Thanksgiving), he left at 11:30 to go shopping at a mall that opens at midnight. Yep. Not me, my husband. There is very little about our relationship that is traditional, but that's why I love him.

What I have I been doing? What every good stamper does...stamp! Well, play!

Yep, I came prepared. Actually, it was the stuff I packed to play with the last week at while away at work, but I finally got time to do it!

Do what? Well, I have been gathering supplies for weeks, maybe months. I have wanted to play with my Big Shot and the Snowflake #2 die (the big one!)

Here's what I did. I don't have enough stuff here (I miss my stamp room) to finish any projects with more embellishments, but simple is good. I used felt, paper bags, and...drum roll, silicone baking sheets! SO FUN!` I love snow, so these babies will be all over my house. I can envision using these as table confetti, added onto card fronts and scrapbook pages, ornaments and more! The luminaries are similar to what Shelli Gardner (SU! founder) showed us at Convention, which hooked me on wanting to buy a Big Shot! I plan to use these around the house...with those fake lights inside.

The blue snowflake is from a Silicone Baking sheet I found at Target. I thought it would be stiff enough for an ornament, but it's a bit floppy. But... the negative image creates a cute place mat!

For my customers, I have a special announcement. If you buy a Big Shot, or the Big Shot bundle (click on the link to right for more details), I will host a class in January and February (2 nights) to play with the materials and ideas that the Big Shot can accomplish! Plus, if your personal order is over $150, you get hostess benefits (free stamps and free stuff). Drop me an email or give me a call to set it up.

Five Pointed Stars

My fascination with paper folding continues as I've seen these stars since last fall. Stampin' Up! does have two ways to create them, a bigshot die, and a kit in the Holiday Mini Catalog. However, I wanted to try the way I learned as a Summer Day Camp Program Director. Unlike the German Paper Stars, I couldn't remember how!

Here are the stars I made last weekend:

I found a book that reminded me how and have created a tutorial that hopefully has posted itself to the side bar.

My nephew Tim and I spent some time during our weekend together making stuff out of the origami book. We made them first with the origami paper, and I made some with our patterns paper. Here is Tim and his Candy Cane:
Happy Stamping!

Why I Began Stamping...

A few years ago, I complained to colleague at work the cost of cards and she mentioned a stamp camp she was hosting. She had just become a demonstrator and was starting camps. I attended my first camp and was hooked from day 1! I placed over a $100 order that day and, well, things haven't been the same since.

I was buying a lot of commercially made cards in order to send them to my grandmother, who had moved into a nursing home. I always tried to send her one a week, but wasn't always successful. Here are some of the examples of those cards:


The bottom two of this photo are more recent, but the top left was one of the first I made at the stamp camps!

These are cards I made once I was a member of the stamp club...Oh I miss those nights of laughing!

Here are some of my early designs! WOW! I have come a long way since then.

These are ones I also made early on. My mom, sister, and I would get together and spend the day stamping for fun.

The reason I am in possession of these cards once again and the reason I didn't post last week is the same. I was with my Grandmother, Leone, who passed away last Thursday. We got a call on Monday to say her end was near, but she held on until Thursday morning. Her celebration of life was on Monday the 17th.

Going to Grandma and Grandpa's place on the farm was a big deal to me as a kid and once I was in college, I spent a lot of time with her on her farm and later at her condo in town. I loved being near her and she influenced my life greatly.

At her funeral, I spoke about the three things she taught me-- love, serenity, and acceptance. I will miss her greatly and think of her often.

Thanks for letting me share!

My Apologies

I won't have any new posts this week due to a family issue. I haven't been able to stamp anything new and take pictures, but I do have a new tutorial coming up next week. Stay tuned!

German Folded Star Ornaments

When I was a kid, I loved creating things, learning about things, experiencing things. Luckily, I had parents who supported that inquisitiveness inside of me. From 3rd Grade onward, I was a Girl Scout. I still am, as I am a Lifetime member. I really think that being a Cadette and Senior Girl Scout through middle school and high school saved me. I had an outlet for things I loved...kids, teaching, outdoors, camp, exploring. I spent a lot of time selling cookies, magazines, and babysitting to pay for trips called Wider Opportunities. These are multiple-day trips for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts, which have to be applied for. Payment was expensive, but I made it work, with the help of my family. One Wider Op I was lucky enough to attend was Catch the Foxfire Spirit. I spent 10 days in Pennsylvania touring Lancaster County, staying at a girls boarding school, and spending time at a restored Pennsylvania Dutch house at a Girl Scout Camp. I loved every minute. One of the things we learned was how to fold German Paper Stars. Ever since I've first seen double-sided paper, I've been thinking of them and finally, last weekend, I made them. WOWZER!
Our Ski Slope paper makes them look uber-cool, and the pretties kit added a little bling to the whole project. After a few tries, I finally figured out how to fold them and now have the method memorized again (after all these years). (Hang on, I just realized it was over 15 and less than 20 since I was there!) The best way to create these is to go to this website: How to Make German Paper Stars and follow her steps. She does a great job with showing it. After a while, you'll have it figured out. The learning curve is steep, so don't let the frustration get to you!

Happy Ornament-making!

Serving Up! Home Decor' Class

Whew! What a Friday! For a day off, I sure was busy! Check out one of the many things I created last week:

What's even better is that you can make them, too! Join me for this fun class! Create a unique holiday display piece for your home. At this class, we will create 4 inserts for a darling plate! Celebrate from November through February by switching out the insert each month. This would make a great gift. Class fee includes all materials, preparation, and me, Stampin' Up! demonstrator extraordinaire, to guide you through. Three class dates are available to make room for you and your supplies. Sign up a friend and get a special gift for both of you! Stamper's fee is $20 and due one week prior to the class.

Dates:
Sunday, November 16th 1-3 pm
Sunday, November 30th 1-3 pm
Friday, December 5th 7-9 pm

Email me to register at lilyinkpad@yahoo.com.