Thursday, December 17, 2009

Beaded Christmas Pens

I made 45 beaded pens this week as a little Christmas gift for the teachers at Nicholas school. Just a fun little something to put in their mailboxes to let them know the PTA is thinking of them.

I mixed a few Red Mirco Beads with the Clear to give them a pepperminty look.
Edited To Add: So sorry, I thought my now most of the world had made these so I did not include any directions.
This is how I make them.
1. I use RSVP pens by Pentel. I like these because you can unscrew the bottom and roll a piece of paper around the ink stem (what is it called?) and tuck it into the pen. You can use Designer Series Paper or any stamped lightweight paper. Stamping on copy paper works best as cardstock is hard to roll that tight. You can type the persons name on the computer paper, print it and cut and roll into the barrel. This pen needs a piece of paper for the inside that is about 3-1/8" x 1". If using clear Micro Beads, you can put them right on the pen now and the name will show up perfectly.
2. Applying Micro Beads. I use long strips of Sticky Strip. It takes about 4-5 strips (about 3-1/2" long) to cover the entire clear part of the pen. Lay the tape on and cut it. Don't try to cut it in advance, it never works that way. Pour the beads in a tray, peel the red backing from the Sticky Strip and roll in the Micro Beads pressing hard and rolling until completely covered. You can sprinkle in a few other color beads, like I did with the red or you can sprinkle in glitter for a sparkly look. If you are wanting it to be clear to see the words you've inserted in the barrel, don't put too much color in there.
3. For these pens, I did something a little different. I inserted plain white computer paper into the barrel. I printed the teachers names on clear return address labels . Placed the clear label on the outside of the pen, then covered with Sticky Strip and rolled in Micro Beads. I did that for times sake. It was a lot quicker to print the labels that to type, measure and cut all the names. I was in a hurry :)
4. This technique although beautiful and unique is not real durable. The beads will wear off with use of the pens and the tape turns kind of black with the oils on your hands. It takes a lot of use for this to happen but it most likely will happen before the pen runs out of ink. AND...don't leave them anywhere the sun hits or in a hot car. The tape gets hot and the beads slide off or clump together. A hard lesson learned with 250 pens for an outdoor wedding. :(
I hope this answers all your questions. If not you can send me an e-mail. I'm not the expert on this, I've just made thousands!!


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

It's My Day on UStamp With Dawn & Friends

Well actually yesterday was but I had already posted for the day when I discovered it was my day!! That's the fun part is that you never know when your stuff will pop up!
Remember the Halloween Box I did for Fall UStamp? Here is a mini version for 3x3 cards and envelopes called the Birthday Box...clever, I know!

Wouldn't this be the perfect little gift packaging with a gift in the box and cards & envelopes in the drawer?
If you would like the pattern for this project, you can find it on UStamp. It's never too late to join, the site stays up long after it is over. The session running now is the Year-End Blow Out (also known as the rear-end blow out in my house! tee-hee)


Join in on the fun HERE!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Stamp Club Card Exchange

I am so proud of my Stamp Club girls! I challenged them to a Christmas card swap (then gave them no choice to back out Ü) and they totally rose to the occasion! In the end they were so proud of themselves and very pleased to have 7 new card samples to enjoy! Great job girls!
Season's Greetings by Perlene Lake

Delightful Decorations by Karen Johnson

Dasher by Annette Steidel

Holly Jolly by Becky Roberts

Let it Snow by Linda Knowles

I can't remember the name of this darling puppy stamp set stamped by Kristi Buxton.

Boat Loads of Love by Joyce Woychik.


Sunday, December 13, 2009

Stamp Club Gift Exchange

Here are a few photos from our Stamp Club gift exchange. The rules were that the gift was a $5 maximum because it is all about the wrap!!

Our lovely model, Annette, show off the beautiful gift packaging work by Joyce.

Our lovely model Kristi covers for the lovely Linda who is hiding behind her but showing off the beautiful gift packaging art by Perlene.

And...this is why our lovely model Linda hides behind people! Just kidding Linda, we love you!

Our lovely model Kristi is showing her darling gift from Annette.

Our lovely model Joyce shows off her clever gift packaging from Karen.

Our lovely model Kristi volunteers to show off her gift packaging for Perlene who couldn't make it Friday night. We hope you are feeling better Perlene, we miss you!

Our lovely model Karen shows the gift packaging from me :)

Here's the box made with Brocade Blue cardstock and the Simple Seasonal Thanks snowman.

Another picture of our lovely model Karen so you can see the beautiful Delightful Decorations gift bag to her right that was made by Linda for ME! Evidently when you hand the camera to others, the photos don't always turn out :) Maybe it was just me...just saying!


Saturday, December 12, 2009

12 Days of Holiday Sales Promotion

This is a great sale for anyone wanting or GETTING the Big Shot for Christmas! Or maybe you want to add to your Big Shot collection...this one is for YOU! The sale began on December 11th and ends Tuesday, December 22nd. BUT to be guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas, orders must be placed by December 15th.

Discounts range between 15-25% off on selected die-cuts & vinyl cutting material and there are NO LIMITS!!

For online orders, discounts will be reflected in the "regular price"; "catalog price" will show the non-discounted price.

You can view the sale HERE and place orders HERE , or you can click on each photo to see a larger image of the sale items.






All items for this sale are shown now, no additional items will be added during the sale.

Now onto a little stamping stuff. We had our Stamp Club Christmas card & gift exchange last night. I'll be showing you pictures over the next couple of days. It was so fun to see all their creations! Ü

I was looking for an idea for a little gift for each of the girls and came across this posting. I don't sew, I have never sewn but I knew I HAD to try this darling idea especially since this is made using the Baskets & Blooms die-cut and it is on sale through the 22nd for $31.96!!! That is a savings of $8.00 which is like free shipping!

I found this textured-embossed-like felt at the craft store where they sell all the other sheets of felt. It was so perfect for this project. I also added a few pieces from the new Sweet Pea felt pieces kit coming in January.
This was my swap card.
Cardstock: Real Red, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa DSP
Stamp Set: Jolliest Time of the Year, Christmas Punch (2nd level hostess)
Accessories: Big Shot (you soooooo NEED this baby!!), NEW Textured Polka Dots Impressions Folder (available in January), Top Note die-cut, Stampin' Write Markers in Real Red, Basic Black & Blush Blossom, Snowflake Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Zig Painty Pen, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and tiny pom poms.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Can It!

Bringing back an oldie but a goodies for Stamp Club this week. Gift wrapping in a can. I love the surprise on the face of the recipient when you hand them a can and they know they have to ruin it to open it! It's kind of a twisted joke! :)
This can was a can of Del Monte fruit. It can be done with ANY can that has a pop top opening. those squatty pineapple cans are darling for this!

1. Open the can from the bottom with a safety can opener. A safety can opener allows you to have the entire lid without it being sharp. You can't do this with a regular can opener.
2. Eat the contents. Wash and dry the can & lid.
3. Stuff the gift in the can. If using food or candy that is unwrapped, I suggest you put it in a bag. I don't know that the can and Crystal Effects will hurt you, but why take that chance?!
4. Add little drops of Crystal Effects to the rim of the lid and place onto the can. Turn right side up and set something heavy (like a book) on it for about 5 minutes until dry.
5. Decorate the can.
How darling is this?? Someone special gave this to me at my Open House. She said she got the idea from BFF's blog! Thank you!!


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

More You Know What Cards

Well looky there would ya...more Holiday Lineup cards accidentally came across my camera! This time pocket cards going the horizontal direction Ü.
They are looking at YOU, you know!!


Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla even though it looks white in the pix!
Stamp Set: well, Holiday Lineup of course!
Accessories: Marvy Oval and Scallop punches (shhh don't tell anyone it's not SU!), Various Stampin' Write Markers, Mistletoe Ribbon, Merry Moments DSP, Paper Piercing tool & mat, Corner Rounder

Sherrill DeGraff of Late Night Stampers fame awarded me with this Fabulous Blog Award. Thank you Sherrill!!
As I've shared here before, I don't pass these awards along. I simply won't pick and choose as I love too many blogs and bloggers. Please feel free to pick this award up and take it to you fabulous blog!


Sunday, December 6, 2009

Open House Photos

Lots of people came by, more than I expected, some I've never even met before which was great! Even some sent on secret spy missions from other demonstrators with instructions to take back the details :) It was all in fun, we all had a great time. Overall it was an awesome day and I think everyone enjoyed stamping, looking around and gathering their goodies.

Thank you to all of you who came out on such a freezing cold day!

Do you want to see the photos?Christmas card, tags, and a few packaging ideas.

Displays of new items coming in January, Sell-a-bration sneak peek and the Days-To-Remember Calendar idea.

My awesome husband and son set up a slide show of all the photos I've taken over the past couple of years of things I have stamped and events I have done...man, I've done a LOT of stamping!! Then they set it to Christmas music and it played on our TV all day. That was so cool!! They are the best...thank you guys, that was an awesome added touch and I appreciate your support and encouragement!

A few of the 2009 Edition 12 Days of Christmas samples.

Traveling Trio, Designer Desk Set, Milk Carton Container and Valentine's Box tutorials.

Purse-onally Perfect Purse Tutorial

Make N Take

Guests made a Christmas Card and the Bitty Box with Ornament tags.

Freebie gift packaging ideas.

A thank you stamp key chain and a 2010 Coupon Book for attending!

Benjamin made cupcakes for everyone.

Nicholas decorated with giant paper snowflakes...I found one taped to the mirror and another hanging from the shower curtain and one in the laundrey room...he was busy while I was getting ready :)!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Lineup Reindeer

I know you can't possible be tired of seeing Holiday Lineup cards yet...it's early December! This time it is with the adorable reindeer. Have I told you lately how much I love this stamp set?? Well, maybe you've noticed. :)
Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Merry Moments DSP
Stamp Set: Holiday Lineup, Delightful Decorations (center of the star), Four The Holidays
Accessories: Aqua Painter and Chocolate Chip ink pad, Real Red & Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, Star Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 5mm white pom pom


This Saturday is my Open House from 10-2. If you have not received an invitation and are in the Boise area and would like to attend, please feel free to come by. I would appreciate an e-mail at yasou@cableone.net just to make sure I have enough make n takes.

I have some sneak peeks from the new Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration things to show you!! Plus some fun Christmas gift giving ideas and packaging ideas.



Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Snowman Box Featured on UStamp

This is turning out to be a great day and it's only 9 am!!

I tuned into the first day of UStamp With Dawn and Friends Year-end Blowout to see that I am the first featured stamper! How exciting!!!


If you would like to have the pattern and instructions for this Snowman Tag Box and a new project every day this whole month, sign up for UStamp HERE!
It's so fun to tune in each day and see a new project with complete pdf instructions. The site stays up a long time after this session ends so you can have access to all these projects even after Christmas.
Read about UStamp and what it is all about HERE.
You know why you should join in the fun? Look who is on board for this session!!!
Dawn Rapsas - United States
Creative Crew Girls
Guest Designers This Session
Beth Cannarozzi
Betty Traciak
How could you resist that line-up??



Monday, November 30, 2009

It's All Christmas Now!

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday! We sure did! We had the best dinner ever...you know how some years it just turns out better than others? This was a great one!


First thing first though, because I have a lot to share with you today.

Today is the last day
of Stampin' Up!'s HUGE Online Extravaganza Sale. Click on the link to view all the fabulous bundles they are offering. Some really great deals if you are shopping for a stamper or scrapbooker or yourself. :)

I have pictures of all the items on sale in this posting. Go check them out then place your order HERE. You will receive your order in about one week...and a hand-stamped thank you card from me!
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I got to do a little stamping this weekend...very little as I was also setting up the tree and Christmas decorations and getting ready for my Open House this Saturday.

If you are in the Boise area and would like to stop by, please send me an e-mail so I have plenty of papers cut for you. :)

Snowman Tags
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Shimmery White
Stamp Set: Simple Seasonal Thanks
Accessories: Big Shot (you sooo need this!), Two Tags die-cut, Stampin' Write Markers-Old Olive, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie & Bashful Blue, Watercolor Crayon Bordering Blue and a Blender Pen for shading snowman, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Scalloped Snowman Tags
Cardstock: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Shimmery White
Stamp Set: Simple Seasonal Thanks
Accessories: Big Shot (you sooo need this!), Circles #2 and Scalloped Circles #2 die-cuts, Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, Stampin' Write Markers-Old Olive, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie, Watercolor Crayon Bordering Blue and a Blender Pen for shading snowman, Round Tab Punch, Crop-a-dile, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon
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The day before Thanksgiving we went to the Festival of Trees. It was gorgeous! Obviously we didn't get the tree we bought raffle tickets for...I just don't understand that!! :) The trees were absolutely beautiful and individually so unique if you took the time to look at them and see the story. I have chosen a couple of trees to share with you here.
This tree was the breast cancer tree with the theme 'It's Time For A Change', and seriously brought tears to my eyes. It was huge and surrounded by clocks. All kinds of clocks; clock ornaments, clock tree topper, clocks on the floor that had meaningful messages with them and as you can see a grandfather clock that was intertwined into the tree with bright pink ribbon. So beautiful and so well decorated.


There were a couple of tributes to Michael Jackson. This one was particularly well done and had a cute tree topper with his hat and glove.

Big Bird is a tree, bet you didn't know that! This was interesting because it was simply so tall! The feathers looks so real and it was put together so darling with all the little characters.
I'm thinking about decorating and donating a Stampin' Up! tree next year; wouldn't that be FUN??
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Don't forget today is the last day to order

Friday, November 27, 2009

Snowman Tags

I broke down and added the Simple Seasonal Thanks snowman to my order. I wasn't going to but I did...and look how cute these are!
Top Note die-cut layered and embossed. I cut out a part of the snowman to fit in the corner.
Cardstock: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Shimmery White
Stamp Set: Simple Seasonal Thanks, To/From is from Christmas Punch
Ink Pads: Staz On Jet Black
Accessories: Big Shot (you need this baby!!), Top Note die-cut, Embossing plate (swirly one Ü). Stampin' Write Markers in Pumpkin Pie, Real Red & Certainly Celery, Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Natural Rope Twine available in the Clearance Rack
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Look how darling this Traveling Trio is. This class was taught by Laura Haffke.
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Don't forget about the Huge Online Extravaganza SALE now through Monday November 30th!

All stamped images are copyright of Stampin' Up! 1990-2008. All samples have been created by Becky Roberts. They are shared for personal non-commercial use and inspiration only. Thanks for your support!