Happy Howl-A-Ween!

Beware the creepy creatures that may show up at your door tonight, and have your treats ready so there are no TRICKS!  Hubby and I were so pleased to see some of you at our Halloween Open House yesterday.  Hope everyone can come next year for the THIRD Annual Przybylski Halloween festivities.  AND I have a gut feeling it might fall on my birthday in 2012. 

I used the Stampin’ Up Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp and made 4 batches of shortbread cookies for our open house.  The set is $16.95 and includes a solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images, two recipes, and tips for use.  We have enough cookies left for the Holiday Happenings Stamp Camp, so you can try this tasty treat!  The cookies were easy to make and very popular!  I have had to promise to make them for all our family gatherings.  I plan on repeating the pumpkins for Thanksgiving, using the snowflake image for Christmas and the heart image for Valentine’s Day.  This is the pumpkin image result:

Now let’s look at another Christmas stocking.  Everyone will do their own Christmas stocking at the Holiday Happenings Stamp Camp on Nov 4th and 5th, so be thinking about what color/embossing/DSP you would like to use. 

This is the stocking I did with granddaughter Angela in mind.  I used the Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper for the actual stocking, and the red glimmer paper for the trim.  Green felt was used for the holly and the rick rack, and the glimmer paper for holly berries.  This stocking is not as sturdy as some of the others as there is not a double layer of 80# cs, but it is perfect for hanging in front of the fireplace.

 

 

 

 

This is the “P is for Przybylski” stocking using Brilliant Blue (retired) and the marvelous silver glimmer paper.  I encourage you to purchase this glimmer paper.  The cost is $4.95 for 2 sheets of either red or silver.  However, if you want 1 sheet of each, I will do a swap so that you can purchase 1 sheet red and 1 sheet silver for $4.95.  These sheets are 12 X 12 and very sturdy card stock.  The P stocking is done very simply with only a bow and felt snowflake (Stitched Felt, p. 30 in the Holiday Mini) added.  Well, there is a silver center and rhinestone in to the center of the snowflake, but that’s it!  Less is more!

But wait, here we are talking about Christmas and it is not even Thanksgiving!  We need one more fall/Thanksgiving card, so we are going to do an easel card.  I don’t know if you are familiar with easel cards, so I am going to show you 4 views.  I must be truthful – this was my FIRST easel card and it took me 3 tries to adhere the correct portion of the card to the correct part of the easel.  However, the finished product is definitely worth the effort:

This easel card uses Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, Cajun Craze cs, and the “Leaves of a Tree” image found on page 43 of the Holiday Mini.  This stamp image is perfect for fall.  There are many leaves that are just outlined and can be colored in with Stampin’ Write Markers.  You start with cs 4 1/4” X 11” scored at 2” and 5 1/2”.  After scoring and folding into a triangle shape, you will have this:

 

The greeting cs measures measures 3-3/4 X 1-1/2” and is attached to the 2” section of the folded card base.  Use the raised greeting piece to hold up the vertical part of the card.  Note the color coordinated button with linen thread I adhered to the greeting piece.  Below is the card view from the back, and also the view lying flat and ready to slip into the envelope. The flat view looks crooked but that is because the card refused to lay perfectly flat due to the layers of paper.  Notice how the tree image decorates the envelope so nicely.  This is a perfect card for a loved one for Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well that’s all for today!  We still have 2 more Christmas cards to post, and 5 more stocking ideas, so make sure you keep checking the blog.  Better yet, fill out the subscribe area so you are notified when there is a post.  There is no cost and your name and URL are not shared with anyone.  I hope you can attend our Holiday Happenings Stamp Camp this coming weekend:  Friday November 4th from 3 to 9 PM and Saturday November 5th from 9 AM – 4 PM.  The cost will be $10.  Talk to you soon!  Rosemary

Christmas Treats

Paper crafting is so much fun!  This stocking is for little Willow – my great  granddaughter.  As you can see, it is filled with Christmas treats – a candy cane, holiday ornament, tree, and gingerbread man.   I cut 2 stockings with my trusty Big Shot and the Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die (Holiday Mini, p 24) – one of holiday green felt, and one of Old Olive card stock.  I used the Square Lattice embossing folder to provide a finished look to the back of the stocking and glued the green felt to the front of the olive stocking.  I die cut the trim from the wonderful red glimmer paper (Holiday Mini, p. 41) and adhered it to the stocking .  I attached the stitched felt wreath (Holiday Mini, p. 30) to the center of the stocking and added a red grosgrain bow and red glimmer “berries.”   Finally, I die cut red and white candy canes, a tree, and a holiday ornament (Holiday Mini, p. 24) and also a gingerbread man from a Sizzix die I purchased from Sizzix.com.   I cut the white candy cane apart and adhered pieces to the red cane, and embossed the ornament and the tree.  A silver glimmer top was added to the ornament, and Stickles to the tree.   The gingerbread man was decorated with Stickles and a die cut bow tie.  These treats were placed in the stocking and held in place with a bit of liquid adhesive.  A small piece of copper cording made an excellent hanger.  To mark this stocking just for Willow, I stamped a Stitched Stocking in Real Red , punched it out with the Stocking Building Punch (Holiday Mini, p. 34), added Willow’s name and attached it to the stocking with a snowflake and glue dots.  This may sound labor intensive, but it was really so much fun.  I cut out 8 stockings in one sitting as well as all the trim, etc.  We will be creating a stocking very similar to this at our Nov 4th and 5th Holiday Happenings Stamp Camp.   You can even personalize a stocking with die cut letters.  Just think of the stockings you can create – keepsakes for years to come!  More stockings to come – so stay tuned!

Hope to see you at the Halloween Open House on October 30th – 2 to 7 PM.  In the meantime, Happy Crafting!  Rosemary

I’m beginning to sparkle a lot like Christmas…

Just like “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go…,” I’m beginning to sparkle a lot like Christmas!  I have glitter in my hair, on my face, on my clothes, on the floor – just everywhere.  Poor 6-year old granddaughter Jailyn was over visiting,  she gave me a hug and suddenly her face was sparkling with glitter too!  Deb was over working on cards and she also began to sparkle.  I will forewarn those attending the November 4th and 5th Holiday Happenings Stamp Camp that you too will glimmer and sparkle!

Reason #1 why you will sparkle is the “Christmas Lodge” Stamp Set.  I loved this set the second I saw it in the holiday mini catalog (of course I loved most of what I saw).  So Christmas Lodge with a bit of Frostwood Lodge designer series paper and some glitter led to this:

Isn’t this card stunning?  It’s hard to make out the Dazzling Diamonds glitter, but I added the glimmer to give the sparkle of fresh fallen snow.  A small strip of the Cherry Cobbler DSP and the Cherry Cobbler cs layered under the tree panel add just enough color.  We’ve used an embossing folder, a border punch, a Teeny Tiny Wishes image, and the Garden Green and Chocolate Chip or Early Espresso markers.  Even the envelope shown in the background gives you the impression of a beautiful Christmas tree. 

So you’ve seen the first reason you will sparkle at the November Stamp Camp.  I will shared reason #2 in a day or 2.  Then it will be time for Christmas Stockings – card stock Christmas stockings!  I made 8 last weekend – each one different.  I love each and every one although granddaughter Jailyn states she doesn’t like the burgundy one.  I will be displaying these treasures on the blog before November 4th, so make sure you check back on the blog.

Oh yes – don’t forget our Halloween Open House on Sunday, October 30th from 2 – 7 PM.  Come and have a frightfully good time.  Happy crafting, Rosemary

Treat Bags

These are the little treat bags I mentioned in my last blog. They are simply too cute and so simple to make.  Stampin’ Up sells 50 -1” X 8” Cellophane Bags for $2.50 (page 11 in the Holiday Mini)!  We used M&M’s in these bags as they are so colorful and because Granddaughter Jailyn says EVERYONE likes M&M’s.  Granddaughter Kristen designed these using 2” Whisper White circles and 2 3/8” scallop circles.  You can color the treat toppers with markers or use watercolor pencils.  I recommend using Confetti White cs as the fibers in Confetti White can handle a blender pen easier than Whisper White.  These can be done for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or for any reason at all!

I love the Halloween Owl from “Warmest of Wishes” and of course the “Howl-o-ween” Creeps, but they are ALL cute.  The cellophane bags have a small strip of adhesive to close the bags.  I stapled the scallop circle on to the bag, and used glue dots to hold the circle topper in place.  Really easy to make and perfect for the upcoming holidays and children’s birthday parties!

This is a full length view of the treat bags.  Aren’t they colorful with the assorted M&M’s.  I’ve seen some with alternating orange and brown M&M’s, but I don’t have the patience for that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope you can attend our Fall Festival Stamp Camp this weekend so that YOU can make a colorful treat bag with the topper of your choosing!  $10 for 5 projects and we provide all paper, tools and accessories.  Friday, Oct 7th from 3 – 9 PM and Saturday Oct 8th from 9 AM – 4 PM.  533 Emerson Circle, Bolingbrook – 630-759-3089.

Don’t forget to check out the Clearance Rack in the Stampin’ Up store.  Some great deals are showing there.  Plan now to save the date for our Holiday Happenings Stamp Camp on November 4th and 5th.  One of our projects will be the Holiday Stocking shown on the cover of the Holiday Mini Catalog.  We have the Holiday Stocking Die shown on page 24 of the mini, as well as the Stocking Accents.  I’m sure there will be candy canes available to put in your stocking!  See you on Friday or Saturday!

 

 

It’s Fall Festival time

I forgot to mention that I purchased MDS (My Digital System) from Stampin’ Up last month.  I placed a $400 order which qualified for 1 item at 50% off.  Son Larry came over and walked me through our Halloween Open House invitation.  I had ordered the MDS Poison download to design the invitation.  It was so odd to design a card using this method.  However, it was a much faster way to do 60+ cards!!!

So let’s look at more projects for the October Fall Festival Stamp Camp this weekend!  This first card is a “do the one you want!”  You can choose either the wreath or the Halloween owl!  The basic card is the same and we will cut the DSP after you have decided which card you choose to do.  Both cards use images from “Warmest of Wishes” stamp set on page 5 of the Holiday Mini.   Will you go fall or Halloween?  I’ve shown 2 versions of the Fall Wreath card – one with the center cut out and one without.

       

Our fourth card is very fall and I think very striking.  I CAS’d the idea of the pears and the green checked paper, but changed the other cs colors, ribbon, and layering.  I used this image from the “Always Thankful” set on page 19 in the Holiday Mini.  I thought we might do the wheelbarrow with pumpkins next month.  Water coloring the pears and basket goes very quickly.  The DSP comes from the Frostwood Lodge set. 

So what’s left?  I promised 5 projects, but I still need to put #5 together.  We will each be doing a cellophane treat bag similar to the samples shown on page 11 of the Holiday Mini.  My Granddaughter Kristin designed bag toppers today for these little cuties.  We will use M&M’s or licorice to fill the treat bags.  I was discussing which candy to use with 6 year-old Granddaughter Jailyn and she informed me that “Gram, EVERYONE likes M&M’s.  As soon as Hubby Norb can load the bags with the little candies, we will take a picture and post it on this blog. 

Debbie and I hope to see you this weekend:  Friday October 7th, 3 PM to 11 PM – and – Saturday October 8th, 9 AM – 4 PM.  As always, all paper will be cut and scored, and all accessories will be supplied. 

Don’t forget to check out the Clearance Rack on Stampin’ UP – www.stampinup.com.  I received several orders today, but want to batch them together so no one gets stuck with the full postage.  So let me know if there is something you want.  Finally, several specials Stampin’ Up has right now.  Let me know if you are interested!

Join Stampin’ Up as a demonstrator and you will receive a FREE Big Shot – or $100 in free product!  If you have ever given any thought, please talk to me.  This is an excellent opportunity.  Even if you have a Big Shot, $100 in free product is a wonderful incentive. 

 

 

Is this not just the coolest thing?  My goal (now don’t laugh) is to make cookies for our Halloween Open House stamped with the pumpkin face!  Just make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash. The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly.  Item #12512 – includes solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images, two recipes, and tips for use – $16.95.

Buy Two Simply Sent Kits-Get a Free Stamp     

Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it’s easy to create cards for any occasion.  Check out the Simply Sent Kits on pages 192 & 193 of the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog

Brrrrrrrr…Fall is Here

Happy October crafters!  Have you noticed the leaves changing color?  Last  year I was fortunate to travel up to Door County during this time period and the colors were absolutely gorgeous!  This year I will be content to watch the local trees as they give us their red and oranges hues.  We have a few fall cards for the October and November Stamps Camps as well as a bit of Halloween and of course, Christmas.  Here’s a quick preview on cards 1 and 2.  I’m not going to add much color commentary as it is 11 PM and I am brain dead!

I love the 2-step stamping “Gently Falling” set in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  Deb designed this card using the maple leaf in (I think) Cajun Craze and More Mustard.  She was experimenting with several color combinations.  She has added Spice Cake DSP and Pool Party that has been embossed with the Stripes embossing folder.  This is a bi-fold card and it would not lay flat for the picture.  It is much more attractive than the picture! 

 

 

 

 

I love this Christmas card done in Wild Wasabi, Garden Green and Real Red.  I used a few inches of Holly Berry Bouquet DSP and the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder on the red card stock .  I just love the lace doily which came from the Flirtatious Specialty DSP.  The doilies are colored on one side and white on the reverse.  I created the stocking using the “Stitched Stockings” stamp set in the new Holiday Mini, and punched the stocking out with the Stocking Builder Punch.  I re-punched the toe, heel and top of the stocking in the red glimmer paper.  I thought this gave the stocking some added glimmer.  Of course a rhinestone in the center of this little snowflake provides the perfect finish!

Make sure you check out the Clearance Rack on www.stampin’up.com.  They have added some new items of which I ordered a bunch myself!  There is some nice ribbon, punches, and several of my favorite embosslits dies on clearance!  Let me know if you want to order any of these items, or you can order them yourself online.

I hope you can make it to the October Fall Festival Stamp Camp!  We will be doing 5 projects – 2 fall, 2 Christmas and 2 that you can do either for fall or Halloween.  The cost will be $10 which is a bargain for what you will be making!  Several of you have already notified me of which day you will be attending.  It is always a help if I know ahead of time – but not required.  Friday October 7th will be from 3 PM to 9 PM and Saturday October 8th will be from 9 AM to 4 PM.  Hope you can make it!