The Belt Theory

I just adore this pillow box.  It makes for a gorgeous package or a Christmas tree ornament.  The belly band is a ruffled strip of Deck the Halls fabric.  Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler markers were used to ink up the holly stamp from the Peaceful Season stamp set.  Cherry Cobbler seam binding and Clear Tinsel detail the belly band.  And for the finishing touch a bitty pennant with a greeting from the Bright Christmas stamp set.  There is something about adding text to a project that just makes me think things look complete.  I call that the "belt" theory.  What's that?  Well here it is according to moi.  You don't always wear a belt to hold up your pants.  You wear it because it formalizes your appearance--well for me the same is true with a bit of text.

Seeing the Entire Collection

Take a peek at the rest of my Candy Cane designer series paper and fabric Christmas tree ornament collection.  You can check back to a few earlier posts to see a couple other ornaments that I had made for this tree by clicking here or here.

Another Candy Cane fabric ornament

An accordion medallion ornament finished with a big button

The perfect tree topper - a five point star made with Candy Cane DSP edged with Silver Glass Glitter

Why is it so hard to take a picture of a tree?  This is the perfect tree for a narrow space.  I wish you could see it as it sparkles with lots of tinsel, rhinestone bling, and glitter.

Paper Wreath

There were many who made wonderful comments about my wreath which was hung in our booth at the Sacramento Scrapbook Expo.  I used two packages of Deck the Halls dsp to finish this wreath.  I think there are about 92 paper cones.  I quickly cut the cones using the Scallop Square die in my Big Shot.  The banner is made with Brushed Gold cardstock which I distressed big time.  Champagne Glass Glitter edges the banner which for me adds an amazing touch.  I am offering kits for the wreath which will include a FREE tutorial for $47 plus shipping (US only).  Or, you can attend a class to make the wreath on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. 

PDF tutorial for sale - click here to view the post

Special Details

We made this card at my last Technique Time! class.  This is one of those cards that is simple yet so, I mean soooo, pretty in person.  It has been blasted with champagne shimmer paint which makes it sparkle.  The Merry Christmas greeting tag on the card is my favorite image from the Bells and Boughs stamp set.  I added the tag after spritzing with the shimmer paint.  If you spritz vellum cardstock which has been stamped with Classic dye based ink it will bleed.  The center of the snowflake includes an antique brad which was wrapped with silver tinsel.  What do you think of this card?

Big BIG Stampin' Up! Sale

Click here to view the Spectacular Savings

This is so exciting, by clicking on the link above you can view the flyer.  By clicking here you can shop now right from your own home.  You will find the "Shop Now" button in the upper right corner of my website.  So you don't miss out, make sure to go to my online store and click "shop now" and save 30% to 40% to 50%. 

What a Deal!

Have you heard the word?  Well here is the scoop -- The Started Kit for joining Stampin' Up! is 50% off, but only for a short time, from right now until November 30, 2010.  You can purchase the Standard or Digital+ Starter Kits for only $87.50.  The regular price of $175 includes over $310 worth of paper or digital crafting and business supplies.  That's a lot of good stuff!

Email me today at ebeth9267@hotmail.com--and I'll answer any questions you have about being a hobby or business demonstrator.  This offer ends on November 30th at 11:59pm.

Candy Cane Ornaments - Part Two

I had mentioned in an earlier post that I would share more of my Candy Cane dsp, fabric, and big button inspired Christmas ornaments. In all I made about 45 ornaments to fill my six foot silver branch tree. I made three of the one I am showing today, one of each fabric pattern. What I did was to sandwich the Sizzix adhesive between a piece of cardstock and a piece of fabric. Once I did that I ran it through the Big Shot using the Candy Wrapper die. To add a bit of fluff I added the Merry tag embellished with the snowflake and bling.

Sleigh Ride

I didn't think I was a fan of the stamp set Merry Crittermas--but I am. Cute line art images are usually not my style, but every now and then I am drawn in by what others have done with them. My card was inspired by me very awesome friend, who is a fabulous stamper, Julie B. I am jazzed by the bright and fresh color combination of Real Red and Bashful Blue with touches of Pear Pizzaz. What is tricky to see is that the card base is on Shimmer White cardstock. That cardstock is the most gorgeous white paper on the planet. It is spendy, but worth it for Christmas and special occasions. The other detail that may not jump out at you is the shimmer paint that has been "buffed" on the snowflakes.

How Did You Do That?

I can't tell you how many people ask how I got the star inside the ornament. It was really simple--I just took off the topper, curled the arms of the star, and then popped it in. With a pencil I carefully uncurled the star and voila. The star was die cut using the Stars #2 die from Candy Cane designer series paper. The coordinating button is from the Holiday Mini Catalog. If you have not bought these big buttons, I say "get some, they are super fabulous." Another great must have item from the mini is the Silver Tinsel--it is very easy to work with and adds a great "wow" to your projects. Check back for more Candy Cane ornaments over the next few days.

Send in the Clowns

For the longest time I had a package of "nesting" paper mache boxes. I mean we're talking years, in fact I don't even remember where I bought them.  I do know I had the perfect plan for them, which I can't remember, but never got to it. But, last month while on our beach house vacation I finally found a cute use for them. I covered each of the boxes using the Candy Cane designer series paper from Stampin' Up! That was super easy to do, but they needed a focal point. So, I came up with the clown topper. The clear ball used for his head is a plastic ornament from Michaels (the topper is hiding in the hat). The red pom pom nose is also from Michaels, but the rest of the supplies used are from Stampin' Up!

Supplies for this project:
Candy Cane DSP
Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons
Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric
Silver Tinsel Trim
Silver Waffle Paper (top of the hat)
Basic Rhinestone Jewels
Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Blushing Bride & Basic Black cardstock (cheeks & eyes)

Bitty Buttons

Anywhere Gluestick
Hot Glue Gun

Final Inspection

Isn't this Candy Cane designer series paper inspired house the cutest? This house was in our booth in Sacramento and lots and lots of people had to pick it up and check it out. They were surprised to learn how easy they can be made with the Design-a-House kits from Stampin' Up! I wish all houses could come together and be finished as fast as these.

Last week we had our final inspection on our home. Hooray everything passed! I asked the inspector when our first inspection was and guess what........it was in February of 2004. It has taken almost eight years to add on 1000 square feet to our house. It has been worth the wait (although grout and a shower door in my bathroom would be nice--maybe I'll put that on my Christmas wish list).

Pretty in Pink

I think Christmas can wear pink really well. Who says it has to be red? This card is simply gorgeous. The stamp set from Stampin' Up! combined with pink, green, and kraft takes this card to the top of my "I love it" list. Thanks Julie B. for sharing it with me.

Supplies from Stampin' Up!
Peaceful Season stamp set
Pink Pirouette cardstock & marker
Garden Green cardstock & marker
Crumbo Cake cardstock
Scallop border punch
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Sacramento Scrapbook Expo Winner

And the winner of the $100 Stampin' Up! shopping spree is.............Betty W.

 

We had lots of fun this past weekend at the Sacramento Scrapbook Expo and we had an absolute great time chatting with paper craftersfrom all over Northern California. I was thrilled to hear how much people enjoyed looking at all the fabulous samples. There were four of us who have been busy making samples for the booth: Julie Beltramo from Hollister, Chari Brooks from Lincoln, Tami Waddell from Walnut Creek, and myself.

Bring on the Season

Are you getting ready? Are you stampin' and craftin' handmade cards, gifts, and even decorations? I am in a whirlwind of making some great stuff just for the holidays. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting some quick and simple projects and some over the top detailed goodies. Today's card is one that is a bit more quick and clean. Check below for a list of goodies used to create my card.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:
Always Artichoke cardstock & seam binding
Cherry Cobler, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla & Crumb Cake cardstock
Deck the Halls dsp
Bright Christmas stamp set
Cherry Cobler & Always Artichoke markers
Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder
Wide Oval punch
Lots of Tags sizzlets
Basic Rhinestones