THANKSGIVING HIGHLIGHTS

I spent Thanksgiving with my Darling Daughter (DD), Shannon, and her family. DH Larry had to work, but managed to snitch a few hors d-oeuvres before he headed off to work. I just wanted to share a few family photos with you to show what I am very thankful for.

This first is Shannon and her youngest son, Declan, who is 18 months old now, and happily running around and getting into absolutely everything that isn't nailed down... and even some things that ARE nailed down! hehe

This second photo is DD's oldest son, Zion, and his Mimi (that's what they call me. I love being a grandmother!!!)

I spent the night at Shannon's house so that we could wake up early (3:00AM! Yes, I said 3:00 AM!!) for our traditional Black Friday shopping excursion. Here is a picture of my van at the end of almost 12 hours of shopping!! The back seat was filled, as was the rest of the back of the van. There were presents from floor to ceiling. I also had a Christmas CD blasting out the holiday tunes, to help us stay awake and get in the "Holiday Spirit"!!! hehe

The day ended with a very exciting and truly memorable event... Zion lost his first tooth!! It's a little difficult, but can you see the space in the center of his bottom jaw? The Tooth Fairy came for a visit while we were all sleeping... and Zion was one very happy little 4-year old!!

I made this little tin for Zion a few weeks ago when his tooth first started feeling loose. I used the "fairy" from the stamp set "IF THE HALO FITS". OK... OK... I know she's not really a fairy. But I don't think Zion noticed at all. And the tin is just the perfect size to hold a tiny tooth and slide under a pillow to wait for a visit from the Tooth Fairy, don't you think?

Did you notice I used the new Curly Label Punch to create a label for the words? It sticks up JUST high enough to be seen, but not high enough to get caught up on anything. If you would like to order one of these tins for your child (or grandchild... or Godchild), just contact me and I would be happy to make one special for you!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!!

~ Alice

SNOWFLAKE CARD

This is one of the cards we made at the Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack held a few weekends ago. I have some pieces left over, so I decided to go ahead and make them up into cards. But I changed each one a little, so that each looked unique. It was lots of fun!

This first card uses one of the new Filigree Brads on top of the snowflake image from Stampin' Up!'s SNOW SWIRLED stamp set, along with some Rhinestone Brads in the centers of some of the Big Felt Flurries snowflakes. The Designer Series Paper (DSP) strip is from the Ski Slope collection in the Holiday Mini Catalog. The words are also from the SNOW SWIRLED stamp set.




All of the cards shown here use the same stamp set and DSP. The images are all on Whisper White cardstock which was mounted onto Sahara Sand card background. The card below also uses some of the pearls from the Pretties Kit in the Spring/Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog.





I think this last card is my favorite. I used the new Sizzix Sizzlits 4-pack die, SNOWFLAKES SET #2. Although I do not have the Sizzix Big Shot, it was easy to punch out the snowflake using my Cuttlebug Die Cutter.

This close-up below shows a bit better the Sizzix die cut snowflake punched out of Vellum Card Stock, covered with glue and then Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I firmly believe that a little glitter and bling makes any card more appealing, don't you? :-)




It's not too late to order the supplies you need to make your own Christmas cards to send to loved ones this year. Just contact me and I will help you pick a design (or two!) from the samples you have seen here on my blog -- or we can plan your own unique card design. Then we'll just fill out an order together, or you can go to my website here and place the order yourself, any time of the day... 24/7. Expedited delivery is available as we get closer to Christmas, but I would recommend placing your order by December 10 to assure timely delivery.

There are only 25 days left 'til Christmas!!

~ Alice

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA SALE

Click on the title of this post above and it will take you to the SU! flyer that shows all the bundles that are on sale.

Stampin' Up! is getting in the Holiday spirit by offering a variety of sale bundles at

20%-50% off regular retail price.

These products are only available while supplies last, so I suggest that you go to my website here RIGHT NOW!! In the upper right hand corner, underneath my name is a little block that says SHOP NOW. Just click on that, and you can place your order directly there. Your savings will be automatically figured, and, yes, I will get credit for the sale. SO GO NOW! Yes, RIGHT NOW! Supplies are limited!

The sale is only

November 26 - December 1.

Would you like some more Christmas Card Ideas?

Here is another sample of a card we made at the Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack. I used the Cuttlebug Snowflakes Folder to create the texture on the Whisper White CS. Don't you just love the way we colored the inside text with SU! markers to highlight the "true" meaning of Christmas?

Here is a simple little bag filled with Hershey's Kisses. Doesn't it look awesome dressed up with a little bit of Stampin' Up! cardstock, rubber stamps,and ribbon?!! Amy and I made these one afternoon while we were creating gift ideas in my studio. We got the idea from page 19 in the Holiday Mini Catalog. We changed a few things because we didn't have all the same supplies, but we were very happy with the results!

Here is a close-up. Notice the gold embossing on the little red tag, and the clear embossing with the Jumbo SWIRLY Roller Wheel on the base tag. I just fell in love with that GORGEOUS 1-1/4" Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon and the Rope Twine (page 23 in the Holiday Mini). I could go on and on and on... but I think you get the point. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE EVERYTHING in this mini. I can't wait for the NEW 2008/09 Idea Book & Catalog which will be released in about 7 weeks. I know... I know... Where does the time go?!?!?

Contact me if you would like the product list and directions for how to make this cute little gift idea... perfect for your babysitter, teacher or even your personal trainer! (Hmmmm, maybe we should think again on this gift for your trainer... hehe)

Stay tuned for more great ideas! :-)

~ Alice

We're making lots and lots of Christmas cards. Here are some more for you to see. Need more ideas? I have plenty of those! Just not enough time to post them all... hehe... I think you can figure out how to make these by looking at these photos. If you need any directions, or lists of supplies, just contact me. I will be happy to help you in any way I can! Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Up! is having a HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA SALE! They have been very hush-hush about the whole thing, but tomorrow (that's WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 26) we will have the scoop! So check out my Demonstrator Business Website for all the details. The information on how to save $$$ on your ordering during Thanksgiving Weekend ONLY by ordering online will be posted here on my blog and on my DBWS. Sign up for Blog Update Notification by subscribing to my blog. Just click on the box in the left column up above. Then you will automatically receive an e-mail telling you there has been an update for you to go see! (That way, you won't have to rely on my memory to send you information! And we all know about my memory!!! Or should I say, LACK of memory??? hehe)

Remember to check back here tomorrow!!! Very IMPORTANT!!! HUGE SALE!!!

~Alice

GypsyCrafter is moving on...

A few of the demonstrators with our Hawaii Ink group got together last week to say goodbye to our dear friend Kim (see her blog here), who is moving with her family to northern Florida. They are military, so I think they know how to go through moves better than us "normal" people. I mean... that's not to say that military people are not "normal"... I mean... ummmmm... well... you know what I'm trying to say, don't you? Military wives seem to know how to make friends easily and quickly, maybe because they know they don't have much time to get acquainted and settled in, and then it's time to pack up and move again.

<-- Whitney looks on as Kim opens the beautiful journal/scrapbook tin that she made for her "dear kind and wonderful friend" using the ALL HOLIDAYS stamp set, a DVD tin, and silver embossing powder. Only Whitney can create miracles with a few tools and accessories as gorgeous as this keepsake! You can go see Whitney's blog here.

Here Kim holds up the notepad holder that Lisa C. made for her using an On Board Clipboard. Hmmmm, maybe I should consider moving so that I can receive all these awesome Stampin' Up! gifts!?!?

And here is the card I made for Kim. It's really an ornament attached to a card front. On the back of the ornament there is a frame for a small photo to be inserted, thus creating not just a decoration, but a cherished memory. I can't take credit for the Origami tree. I found that on one of the gazillion blogs I peruse every day, but can't remember who to give the credit to. Sorry! When I remember, I will update here so you can all go get the directions from the original artist. I used some retired DSP to pull this all together, and slid it into place on the card front using the slit punch. Cute??










I know Kim, her DH (<-- that's Darling Husband for those of you new to blog-language),Paco, and their two daughters are excited about moving to a new place, with a new home and new friends. Kim will be in an area where there are no other Stampin' Up! demonstrators. That is... for now! Once she gets settled, Kim will be teaching classes, techniques and the love of card-making to all who want to learn. Then she'll have an entire downline of her own to nurture and instruct. Good luck, Kim. We'll miss you, but we know you'll keep in touch. Right? Good friends are never really gone, just re-located.


~Alice

Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack #1

I have been keeping all my Christmas card ideas hidden because I didn't want anyone who was attending my Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack this past Saturday to see any of the designs before they came to make them. But the event is over now, and it was a big success. Everyone who came made four cards each of five different designs, for a total of 20 cards and envelopes. We learned some new techniques, including "Faux Silk" which we used on this card. We also learned how to heat emboss using Gold Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool; and we used the Cuttlebug Die Cutting System and Nestabilities to create the large scalloped circle behind the "Peace Love Joy" focal sentiment. The design flourish was stamped with Handsome Hunter ink directly onto the tissue paper, which is crumpled up after the ink dries. Then just open up the tissue and adhere it to a piece of Handsome Hunter cardstock, mounted on a 1/4" larger Very Vanilla cardstock, which is in turn mounted onto the base card made of Handsome Hunter for this 5-1/4" square card. A length of gold elastic cord tied around the top layers finishes off this elegant Christmas card.

It's Never Too Late for Cute Pics of Grandchildren :-)

It's never too late for pictures of my grandsons -- even if Halloween was over two weeks ago... hehe Here is 4-1/2 year old Zion as "The Incredible Hulk"... hehe He's sooooooooooo scary!! (Do you see the little lion complete with tail in the background? How cute is he?!?!?




And here's a closer look at our "King of the Jungle" 18 month-old Declan, my youngest grandson.



Uh-oh... where is my lollipop? hehe





That's all for now. I just wanted to get these pics uploaded before it was Thanksgiving! See you again soon!



~Alice

Hello everyone. Sorry it's been over a week since I've updated. I really am trying so hard to update more regularly! But I went out of state to a family wedding last weekend, and have been super busy getting ready for my upcoming Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack this Saturday, Nov. 15. I don't want to show you anything we will be making -- it's a surprise!! :-)

But... I do have some cards for you. Don't you just love it when Christmas season rolls around and we make special cards to send to everyone we know? I know it's not really reasonable, but sometimes I want to make a unique card exclusively for each and every person I send cards to. I want them to know how very precious they are to me.

This card was designed with Thanksgiving in mind, but can be used for a "Thank You" card any time of the year. Can you see that I stamped the small single flower from EASTERN BLOOMS using VersaMark in the background? I love this technique of making a subtle, repetitive image to produce your own patterned background paper.

Can you see the shiny brown ink used for the words and filigree image above and below? I used Chocolate Chip Craft Ink to stamp, then covered it with Clear Embossing Powder and heat set it using my Heat Gun. It takes a few extra steps, but I think the result is worth the extra time, don't you?

OK... moving right along. We have another Thanksgiving/Thank You card. I used some of the Kraft Patterned Paper you can choose as a Hostess Reward with any qualifying workshop. Just contact me to schedule your own personal workshop, or Girls Night Out, to see how you can earn this paper packet or a stamp set for FREE!

The close-up shows the leaves which were created using WATERCOLOR WONDER CRAYONS. I colored directly onto the stamp, spritzed it with a very small amount of water, and stamped onto Watercolor Paper. I cut out each leaf and placed them with Stampin' Dimensionals on one of the stamps from CUTE AND CURLY, then punched it out using the corresponding CURLY LABEL PUNCH. I tied everything up with a little touch of NATURAL HEMP and had a few Thanksgiving cards to send to friends and family. Thanks for looking. Keep checking back for samples from my Christmas event this weekend. I think you'll be pleased at the new ideas you'll see!

~ Alice

CHRISTMAS CARD

This is the Christmas card that I designed for Amanda Coughlin's swap that I participated in last month. I don't know how I forgot to post it earlier, but 'tis the season... and the card making has begun! I really enjoyed watercoloing this image with my Aqua Painter using some Refill Inks and my Watercolor Wonder Crayons. This stamp is from Home for Christmas in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog. You can still place an order and get your supplies in time to produce your own hand-made Christmas cards this year. I can help you design your cards so that you have a beautiful message to mail to your friends and family -- and still have plenty of relaxing time to spend with your loved ones this holiday season. Just call me or e-mail me here.

I am hosting a Christmas Card Bazaar at my home on Saturday, November 15, 11AM - 4PM. We will make 4 each of 5 different designs, totalling 20 cards with envelopes. Louise has graciously volunteered (cough cough) to bring us some homemade Christmas cookie treats to keep our sugar level at a high. There will be Christmas carols playing in the background, and I promise not to sing along with Johhny Mathis (not too loud, anyway... hehe). But you need to R.S.V.P. by Nov. 3 so I can prepare a packet for you that includes ALL your pre-cut cardstock, Designer Series Paper swatches, ribbon and other embellishments. All you need to bring is your adhesive and $30 to cover the cost of supplies. C'mon now, where else can you get 20 cards for $1.50 each?!?! Space is limited, so call me today to save your spot!

Recipe for Home for Christmas card: Stamp Sets: Home for Christmas, Best Yet (Hostess Level 1); Inks: Black StazOn, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss; Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Bravo Burgundy, Parisian Summer DSP, Watercolor Paper; Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Silver Embossing Powder, Satin Ribbon Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla, Scallop Edge Punch, Hodgepodge Hardware Styled Vanilla, Aqua Painter, Designer Label Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Write Markers

I hope to hear from you SOON! :-)

~Alice

MATCHING COLORS

For those of you out there who would like to try a little something different for coloring in those fine-line drawings on some of Stampin' Up!'s stamp sets, you may want to try out COPIC MARKERS. They are alcohol based, which means that they are much easier to blend. There is also a colorless blender pen that can be used to blend lighter and darker colors for nice gradation. These markers may be purchased at various Internet storefronts. I would recommend ELLEN HUTSON or Eclectic Paperie.

Based on lots of feedback and color swatches with stampin' friends, the following Copic Colors are purely a suggested list that may compliment Stampin' Up! In Colors. The following color suggestions are completely subjective and open for interpretation, but I think you will be pleased:
Pink Pirouette -RV000
Tangerine Tango - YR18 or YR09
Kiwi Kiss - YG95, YG93 or YG03
Riding Hood Red - E07 or R37
Baja Breeze - BG72
Pacific Point B37 or B06

I hope this is helpful for those of you who would like to try a different technique for coloring. Copic Markers have been around for a long time, and are the preferred marker of most artists worldwide. Have fun!

~Alice