Holiday Home...Finally!

I'm finally getting caught up a little on my posting here.  I realized that I hadn't posted the samples of the cards we made at my Stamping Escape Class last month.  They were great cards made using the Holiday Home Bundle from the 2014 Holiday Catalog, and everyone loved them!

This first card is made using the Note Cards & Envelopes.  They are the perfect size for a quick thank-you, thinking of you, etc.  And, you get 20 of them in a package!  The idea was cased almost entirely from something I found on Pinterest.  It was pinned originally from www.scrapbookandcardstodaymag.typepad.com.

The Halloween card was an idea that one of my team members (Jen Wade) made for our September Shoebox Swap.  I adapted the Designer Series Paper to be smaller so that I could have enough from one package.  The little house is embossed with white embossing powder and then cut out using the coordinating Framelits dies.

Although it takes a little time, this fall house was colored in using the amazing Blendabilities markers from Stampin' Up!  I am amazed everytime that I use them at what great color blending they give.

This final card was super simple and would make a great Christmas card to send to friends and family!  The houses are stamped in Memento Ink Tuxedo Black onto Basic Gray and then cut out using the coordinating Framelits dies.  The moon is a 2-1/2" Circle punched from Hello Honey card stock, and the santa and sleigh were stamped onto it with the Tuxedo Black ink as well.  A strip of Lost Lagoon 3/8" Silky Taffeta Ribbon tied at the top add just the right touch to this card.

Hope you've enjoyed the card ideas....

Happy stamping!

Creative Hop!

Hello!  I was tagged by my friend, Boni, to participate in the Creative Hop.  Boni is the author of the blog Stampin' Sweet, and a challenge designer for My Pumpkin Challenge and a great stamper too!  Have you heard of the Creative Hop?  Not yet?  It's a way for us to tell you a little about ourselves and make some new friends as we go.  You can see Boni's post here with her answers to the questions.

Now it's my turn!

What am I working on now?

Balance!  It's the biggest challenge I've had lately and it's meant taking a step back and looking at everything I'm involved in and analyzing it all to see where it's importance lies.  Faith, family, friends  and creativity are all important to me.

That of course, has impacted my time in my stamping studio.  On the creative front, I've been working on the next Christmas Stamp-A-Stack class scheduled for the beginning of November.  I love Christmas and Christmas projects!  So I've been creating simple cards in various styles and colors that will appeal to my customers.  Can't wait to share some with you soon. 

How does my work differ than others in my genre?

I think that I'm a fairly simple stamper.  What I mean by that, is that I want to choose designs that are easy to follow and re-create.  If the layouts are too complicated, then others will find them too difficult and won't try making them on their own.  Teaching others how easy it is to be creative brings me joy and fulfillment.

Why do I create what I do?

I've always been a crafter, so using rubber stamps to craft with was an easy transition.  I tend to make cards, because a handmade card that is received in the mail (or in person) brings a smile to the recipients face.  It's something that I create that I can give away.

I remember as a little girl visiting my Grandma's house in the summers.  She was a crafter, and she was willing to help me learn to make things.  That's where I learned to make my own paper dolls and design my own paper doll clothes.  I guess you could say that was my first experience as a paper-crafter!

How does my creative process work?

The process I use starts with finding inspiration.  That inspiration can come from a magazine (and not necessarily a stamping one), from Pinterest or from stamping blogs.  I find it easier to start with an idea and then to make it my own using supplies that I have at my fingertips.  Using card sketch challenges is another way that I find creativity.  Monthly stamp club and monthly stamping classes force me to stay creative, seeking new project ideas for each one.

Thanks, Boni, for tagging me!  

A Simple Thank-You

Have you been looking for a simple thank-you card?  Here is an idea that you might like, using the Crumb Cake Note Cards & Envelopes you can make 20 of these by adding some designer series paper scraps (2-1/2" squares) a card stock accent, a little trim and a simple greeting.

Stamp Set:  Good Greetings (Hostess only through October 31st)

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake Note Cards & Envelopes, Mossy Meadow

Accessories:  Color Me Autumn Designer Series Paper, Venetian Trim, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sizzix Big-Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz die

Stock Up & Save Sale

Don't miss out on this BIG sale!  Get those basic supplies at 15% off and select stamp sets at 20% off.  Hurry though, because this sale ends on Monday, October 6th!

I'll be putting in an order on Monday.  So, if you want me to add items to it for you, please contact me soon!