It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas……

and it isn’t even Thanksgiving!  But, as with most other parts of our life, we must plan ahead in order to be on time.  And nothing is more true than getting ready for Christmas.
In August I had a little Holiday Happenings workshop and we made four really cute Christmas projects using Stampin’ Up! paper, ribbon, die cuts, ink – all the good stuff.  And we made a gorgeous Fall Wreath (will be on another post). First up, a set of four 4”X4” ceramic coasters using Candlelight Christmas Designer Series Paper and fabric.  So very easy and inexpensive, but such a cute and useful gift.

Coaster supplies:  4”X4” ceramic tiles from big box store $.16 each- Hello!; Candlelight Christmas Designer Series Paper and coordinating fabric; Ornament Keepsakes Framelits, Scallop Oval Punch and Medium Oval Punch, Sentiment from retired stamp set, Gold Glimmer Paper, Linen Thread, Clear Acrylic spray; Real Red ink, Gumball Green, Whisper White and Real Red Cardstock, Big Shot.
Next, a Christmas Blessings Journal.  We covered a composition book with Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, embellished with Silver Glimmer Paper Snowflakes and even embellished a pen to match.  Easy peasy and Oh, so useful.   A journal of blessings for the entire year.  I know that mine will be full.  God blesses me with his grace every minute of every day.
 Blessings Journal Supplies: Composition book from big box store; Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper; More Merry Messages Stamp Set; Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler , Whisper White cardstock; Silver Glimmer Paper; Early Espresso Stamp Pad; Snow Flurry Bigz Die, Large Basic Pearl, Tasteful Trims Die, Big Shot.
Another very quick and easy project – a set of four cute, cute, cute notecards.  They measure 4”X4” (loving that size today) with matching envelopes.  I completely copied (very legal in Stampin’ Up! world) the terrific creation by uber-demonstrator Mary Fish.  You just can’t improve on perfection, I say.  Don’t you agree?

Scentsational Scents Supplies: Scentasational Season, Sweet Essentials, Tiny Tags and Fabulous Phrases Stamp Sets; Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight Cardstock; Regals Paper Pack; Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pacific Point Stamp Pads; Holiday Collection Framelit Dies; Gold and Cherry Cobbler brads; Real Red button; Basic Rhinestone; Tiny Tag Punch; Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine, Big Shot.
And finally, the prettiest Christmas Tree in the house!  It is a Rolled Christmas Tree using Be Of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, assorted buttons and cardstock embellishment- a project to exercise your creativity!  And, again, not my original idea- got this one from Pinterest.  I could just kiss the folks that started that site….Anyway, easy peasy again.  Here are very quick instructions: Cut 17 strips of DSP 2” wide and starting at 5-1/2 long (your bottom strip), decrease length of each strip by 1/4  with the last strip being 1-1/2 long X 2” wide.  (i.e. 5-1/2, 5-1/4, 5, 4-3/4….) Then apply Sticky Strip to one long end, wrap around a dowel and glue making a tube. Add another piece of Sticky Strip to the seam.  Glue your handcut and embossed trunk to the bottom center and start building your tree.  Adhere with more sticky strip.  Embellish as you wish and Voila!  Gorgeous!!!

Rolled Christmas Tree supplies:  8”X10” white canvas from big box store (2 for $4- love it!); Gumball Green Core’dinations Paper, Cherry Cobbler Cardstock; Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper; Silver Glimmer Paper; Simply Scored (for rosettes); Various buttons; Woodgrain Embossing Folder; Various circle punches; Wooden Dowel, Sticky Strip.
Whew- this could be my longest post ever- but I hope you enjoyed.  We had a wonderful day making these cute projects.  In fact, I have made several more of each for Christmas gifts this year.  What fun!
Blessings and I pray you all have a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving Holiday.
Diane

I’m in Love!!! with Stampin’ Up! fabric

Today was my first try with the gorgeous fabric from Stampin’ Up!’s Occasion Mini Sew Suite.  Actually this is my first try at doing something with our fabric at all.  I got both sets of Holiday fabric and admired it for months but didn’t actually attempt using it on a project.   Now I have two more great sets from the new mini.  Plus the buttons, brands and all accessories.  I even have the Big Shot dies to make cool fabric flowers.  I’ve studied samples made by my favorite stampers and fellow demonstrators, but just didn’t take the plunge….until today.

Shelli (Stampin’ Up! co-founder) has challenged us this month to try something new to celebrate the new year.  So I decided it was time to pull out my fabric and do something- start small and then I can work up to bigger projects.  So I did.  I took a small strip of the gorgeous garden pattern of Springtime Vintage, crinkled it and frayed it a little bit and accented my card.  And I am in love.  The sewing machine has been dusted and a corner of my dining table cleared.  So, watch out, I hope to be able to showcase this beautiful fabric along with other items from our Occasions Mini. 

I think this will be a great workshop make and take.  It’s fairly simple and I love, love the colors.

All supplies can be purchased on my Stampin’ Up! website:

Stamps: Button, Button (Occasions Mini), Trendy Trees

Paper: Rose Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Always Artichoke, Rose Red

Accessories: Circle punches- 1/2, 3/4, 1”; Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon, Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric, Springtime Vintage Designer Buttons, Regals Buttons, Antique Trinkets, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, SNAIL

We are getting ready for a little snow in West Tennessee.  It’s very exciting because just a few inches shuts down the town and it’s a wonderful time to be retired and enjoy being at home. 

Blessings,

Diane