Merry Cafe

I know...Christmas was yesterday. But at our house we have several celebrations with different parts of our family. Today was our final Christmas celebration, so I have a final Christmas card to share with you - as well as a couple of other cards that use the cute set, Merry Cafe, and the coordinating Coffee Cup Framelits.

Merry Cafe and Painted Autumn Designer Series Paper (the DSP on the middle card) are retiring January 2nd and only available while supplies last.

You can cover a lot of holidays/seasons with this stamp set:

Look at all these gorgeous designs:

These cards were all made as part of a shoebox swap at a demo only event I attended. Unfortunately, I don't have the names of the demos who designed and brought each of these cards. If you're reading this post and one of these is your card, leave a comment and I'll add the credit.

Happy Halloween - Something Good To Eat

Happy Halloween! I have two cards for you today. I used elements from the Something Good To Eat Kit Paper Pumpkin kit on both of them. This kit is still available for purchase.

Supplies:

Stamps: Something Good To Eat; Jar of Love; Label Me Pretty

Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White 

DSP: Color Theory

Tools:  Everyday Jars Framelits, Pretty Label Punch

Accessories: Black Rhinestones, Baker's Twine (it was on the Clearance Rack when I made this card, but it appears to be gone now; you could substitute Thick Black Baker's Twine or a color of your choice)

This fall card features the stamp set Colorful Seasons. The leaves are done with the Rock and Roll technique. The banners are made with leftovers from the Something Good To Eat Paper Pumpkin kit and a strip of retired Close to Cocoa, which seemed to match the stripes. Other colors on this card are Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Garden Green, and Whisper White. I can't tell from the picture, but I think the sentiment is stamped in Early Espresso (or I could have used my retired Close to Cocoa ink pad - either would work).

If you ever need cardstock in retired colors, such as the Close to Cocoa used on this card, please let me know. I probably have some since I have just about every color since I became a demo in 2009. I also have some retired inks available, but the supply is more limited.

NC SU Demos Halloween/Fall Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's NC SU Demo's blog hop. The theme is Halloween and Fall. I'm glad to be back participating after a 3 month hiatus. Follow through the links to see lots of great ideas using some favorite Stampin' Up! supplies.

I have several projects for you today. I designed them all for the Cookie Cutter Stamp Camp I'm offering on October 8th. We'll also make some Christmas projects that day, but since they don't fit the theme of the blog hop, you'll have to come back another day to see those.

First up is a little Halloween treat. All of today's projects use the Cookie Cutter Halloween set and Cookie Cutter Builder Punch. Colors: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, and Whisper White.

I used the same vampire and a couple of his buddies to make this card. I don't send a lot of Halloween cards, but thought this 3.5 x 5 note card would be fun to send to a friend during October. The label is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. You could easily switch it out for the Happy Halloween stamp from that set if you want a Halloween card. The striped DSP is from the retired Regals DSP Stack but you could easily substitute the diagonal stripes or even polka dots from the current patterns.

I used my aqua painter to add a little color to the characters - very light Crumb Cake on the mummy since his white bandages have colored with age, Old Olive and Elegant Eggplant on the vampire, and a little Smoky Slate on the skeleton.

I found little 3x5 notepads in the office supply store and just had to do something with them. Here's what I came up with. I like to keep notepads somewhat simple because I don't want pieces falling off as I carry them around in my purse. NOTES was stamped with the Labeler alphabet set.

Here's a side view. You can see the notepad under the cover I made.

I've seen these cute little Cookie Cutter clips all over the place and had to make some. They are CASEd, but I've seen them so many places I don't even know who to credit with the original idea. Here are just a couple of the ones I made.

And the last project for today is a Fall card featuring that adorable scarecrow. The background was embossed using the Big Shot and Fiesta embossing folder.

I hope you've gotten some good ideas using this cute set and punch. Contact me if you'd like to come to the class on the 8th and make these projects (and more) for yourself. My downline is invited to come for free, so if you sign up under me, you can do so, too. There are lots of benefits to being a demonstrator. I'd love to talk about them with you.

Next up in the blog hop is Elaine Brown-Pelletier. Click the icon below to follow through to her blog. Or, click on any of the names below to see any of the blogs you may have missed.

Blog Hop Participants:

Elaine Brown-Pelletier -
  Tamra Davis
Jo Anne Hewins
  Melissa Kerman
Tracie Evans Langley
Laurie Meier
  Sue Root - You are here

Thoughtful Branches Halloween or Fall Card

Good news! The Thoughtful Branches bundle is still available! But only while supplies last. So don't delay, get yours today!

We made this card in stamp club last month. I CASEd it from Kim Jolley after I saw her card on Pinterest. Speaking of stamp club - a new round starts this month. Let me know if you'd like to join. You can see the other cards we made using this bundle here.

The pumpkin is made using the same die cut that made the flower on the card I showed you previously. It can also be the leaves on the top of a tree. The background is embossed with the Woodgrain embossing folder and then lightly sponged to highlight the trees. Although I added Happy Halloween, it could easily be a Fall card, as well - or birthday, thanks, or other occasion for that matter. Just change the words on the banner.

Some people preferred the pumpkin with the vine but not the leaves:

Here's the inside. Makes me want to run and jump into a big pile of leaves.

 

Stamps - Thoughtful Branches, And Many More, Timeless Textures (the little dots)

Cardstock - Soft Suede, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green

Ink - Soft Suede, Garden Green,  assorted Fall Colors

Big Shot - Woodgrain embossing folder, Beautiful Branches thinlits

Halloween Bag

I got to play around with the Gift Bag Punch Board this weekend. Whoa, is it cool! I was having so much fun, I'm not even sure how many of them I made. I've only decorated a few so far and this is one of them. We'll be making this bag at my upcoming classes (Saturday, 8/29, and Tuesday, 9/1).

I used the Howl-o-ween Stamp set and Boo to You Framelits, which are available as a bundle in the upcoming Holiday Catalog.

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Ink: Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie

The bag is held closed with a clothespin that has been covered with some Designer Series Paper (DSP).

Here's what the bag looks like open:

 Here are all the projects we'll be making at the upcoming classes. Contact me today to reserve your spot.

The Howl-o-ween stamp set and Boo to You framelits will be available when the new Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog goes live on September 1st!

Happy Halloween!

Hope you all have a fun Halloween!

Here's a mini card I made.  It's only 3" x 4".  The ghost is made with the Owl Punch.  The message comes from Tags 4 You and was punched with the Label Bracket Punch.

 I also used the same little ghost to make a treat by attaching it to a Reese's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup (those things are SO good!).  I made almost 30 of them, including a bunch for my stamp club stampers.

Halloween Treat Cup Card

Here's a Halloween card we made in club.  The stamp and the punch are from the Tags 4 You bundle.  The treat cup is filled with Reese's Pieces (yum!).  The stem is hand cut.

 We made this little trap door so the recipient can get the candy out without ruining the card.

 Here's the card with the door removed.

 Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Happy Stampin', Sue

Halloween Broom Treat

I've seen lots of brooms done in many ways, but this is my take on this fun Halloween treat idea.

The top is made with the Tags 4 You bundle (stamp set and punch).  Basic Black ink on Pumpkin Pie cardstock.

The broom bristles are made with a strip of Crushed Curry cardstock that I sponged with Soft Suede ink.  At about 1/8" or so intervals, cut along the long side of the strip to about 1/4" from the top (so that it all stays together).  Roll it around the sucker stick, adhering periodically with Sticky Strip.  Run a line of Tombo glue around the top of the Crushed Curry (where it's solid) and wrap with Linen Thread.

The size of the Crushed Curry cardstock will vary depending on what type of sucker is underneath.  This one has a Tootsie Pop and the strip was 6" x 2 1/4".

Happy Halloween!

This great card was designed by fellow demonstrator Deb Dodd.  We did a shoe box swap at our last team meeting and this was the card she brought for us to make.

I love how she used the doily from the Paper Doily Die in black to resemble a spider web!  And look how she had us stamp BOOOO on the Decorative Label punch and then cut it in half.  What a great look.

Hope you have a very Happy Halloween!  Boooo!

Googly Ghouls Trio

Here's the third card from the Halloween Card Kit.  Something must have happened when I saved the file because all of the images are crisp and solid on the card, but they don't really look it in the photo.  Sorry about that.  At least you can see it clearly enough to re-create it yourself.  Now to just find those Googly Eyes for the finishing touch!

Googly Ghouls Frankie

The characters in the Stampin' Up set Googly Ghouls are so adorable.  This card uses the Frankie (he's just too cute to call Frankenstein) stamp.  The strips along the bottom, which are kind of reminiscent of his scar, were made with the Tasteful Trims die.

This card and two others are available in a card kit.  You can see the details here.

Googly Ghouls Witch

I created three cards for a card kit and took the pictures before putting the Googly Eyes on them.  Now Halloween is approaching and I can't find the eyes.  Does that ever happen to you?  Luckily I think these cards are still cute without the Googly Eyes, but they'd be way cuter with them.  Hope they turn up soon!

When I posted about the card kit, I added a picture, but all three cards were in the same photo.  I've decided to post individual pictures so you can them better.  I'll be posting the other two soon.

It's not too late to get this kit.  You can see the details here.

Googly Ghouls Halloween Card Kit

I know it seems early to be thinking about Halloween, but it really isn't considering you need to order supplies and have time to make your projects.  Besides, I'm already working on Christmas projects and I know some of you are, too.  Be sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post to see information about Halloween Cardstock Assortments that I'm selling.

Googly Ghouls Halloween Card Kit

Get all the consumable supplies needed to make 2 of each of the cards shown here (6 cards total).  Googly Eyes are included, even though they are not shown on cards (for all characters except the bat).

Cost:  $8 (includes envelopes)

Shipping extra if kit needs mailed.

Additional supplies needed:  Classic Ink in Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive; Adhesive; and Googly Ghouls stamp set.  If you choose to color Frankie as I did in the Old Olive card, you will need an Old Olive marker and a Basic Black marker.  However, you can just stamp him with Old Olive as in the Pumpkin Pie card with three characters.

Since the Old Olive ribbon is retired, these kits will be available while supplies last.  So contact me today to order yours.  Yes, you can order more than one kit.

Because many of you are ready to move on to Holiday cards (I know because you've told me so), I am not planning to offer a separate Halloween class.  This is your take home class.  I'll send you a .pdf with pictures of each card and hints for assembly, but for the most part you should be able to figure it out by looking at the pictures and matching up the card parts.  Of course, if you have questions, please feel free to ask.

Halloween Cardstock Assortment Packs

The colors you need to make your Halloween projects.

  

Each assortment contains 24 sheets and sells for the same price as buying a pack of cardstock ($6.95 plus shipping and handling = $8.17)

Assortment 1:  6 sheets Basic Black, 6 sheets Pumpkin Pie, 6 sheets Whisper White, 3 sheets Elegant Eggplant and 3 sheets Old Olive

Assortment 2:  6 sheets each of Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive

Assortment 3:  9 sheets Basic Black, 9 sheets Pumpkin Pie, 3 sheets Elegant Eggplant and 3 sheets Old Olive

Just let me know which assortment(s) you'd like.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This box is made with the #2 box die for the Big Shot, Batty for you stamp set and a couple of punches.  Quick to make for giving out Halloween treats.

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Batty for You

This card uses Batty for You.  I just love the puns in that set.  Guess I'm corny that way :)

Once you have a design in mind, you can make some simple substitutions and have a different card. Don't need a Halloween card? See below for a some other options.

You could substitute the stamps with some of the others and make a thank you card -- the vampire with "Fangs for the memories"; the ghost with "The ghostess with the mostess" (if it was a thanks to someone for having you over); and maybe the pumpkin with "You light up the place with that smile on your face." Or maybe just three of the vampire. Then substitute the happy halloween with the thank you stamp from Teeny Tiny Wishess.

Use three of the pumpkin for a card to cheer up someone. Substitute friend to friend at the bottom.  That might look cute with Pumpking Pie Patterns Paper instead of Old Olive.  And, both colors come in the same pack (Brights).

Have you seen the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack in the recent Idea Book and Catalog (p. 175)?  You get 40 sheets of Designer Series Paper for $19.95.  You can get a pack in any of the color families.

How about three of the bats ("I'm batty for you") for an October anniversery?  Yes, Teeny Tiny Wishes has a happy anniversary stamp you can substitute at the bottom of the card.  Or, use friend to friend, thinking of you or even happy birthday or venture away from Teeny Tiny Wishes and try a sentiment from another set (such as i love you from Three Little Words).

See how you can get lots of different cards from just a set or two of stamps and one good idea?  I'm planning to make the above card (and the Medallion one in my previous post) at my class on Thursday.  Let me know if you'd like to come.  Also, I'm looking at adding another date for this class, so if you're interested, let me know.

To give credit where credit is due:  this card is a CASE of a card by Wendy Aungst that I saw on splitcoaststampers.

Halloween Medallion Card

This cool Halloween card uses the Medallion stamp and Batty for You.  I also used the new rhinestone jewels for the eyes.  Gives kind of a creepy effect.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes

The inspiration for this card came from two cards I saw on splitcoaststampers -- one by Lynn Pratt and one by Charlene Monroe.

Christmas Card Kit and New Class Offerings

In this post you'll find information about the Christmas Card Kit, Ornament Punch class (you won't believe all the things this punch can be used for), Fall Fun class and the Mother/Child class. Please note that these offerings have a response date, so please make sure to let me know soon.

FALL FUN CLASS

We will make fun, fall projects (a card using the new circle treat cups available in the Holiday Mini Catalog -- that's candy in that pumpkin, a little pumpkin basket and a spider treat -- plus a variation on this). I'll also have a few other ideas for using the treat cups and teach you a way to get the candy out without having to destroy your card. Thursday, Oct. 1, 10:00am and 7:00 pm. Cost: $7 (free for stamp club members). Please RSVP by Sept. 28.

If you would like more than one treat card (maybe you have more than one child you'd like to give them to), you can make additional ones the day of the class for $2.00 each. I also have a spider design if you don't want them all the same).

ORNAMENT PUNCH CLASS

Think an ornament punch is limited in its use? Think again. Yes, I'll show you lots of ideas for ornament cards. But also, you will see at least 8 different ways to use the new ornament punch. How about a fish? Or a flower? Although we won't use all of the ideas in the projects we make (we will use some, as in the acorn card shown), I will make sure you know how to create each of the ideas so you can try them at home. Saturday, October 17th at 10:00am Cost: $24 (includes Ornament Punch). Already have the ornament punch? Substitute any other punch (of equal or lesser value). Or, just take the class for $10 (no punch included). RSVP by 10/1 so that the punches can be here in time for the class.

MOTHER/CHILD CLASS (Halloween Treats)

We will make an assortment of Halloween treats, including the spider shown above. These will be fun for your kids to give to their friends -- if they don't eat them first LOL Wednesday, October 14th at 6:30pm. Cost: $10 per pair ($5.00/person). Please RSVP by 10/12.

I will have extra supplies available for purchase for some of the items we make if you would like to cut, punch and stamp extras (to assemble at home).

CHRISTMAS CARD KIT

It's not too early to start thinking about your Christmas cards.

Kit includes the consumable supplies needed to make 12 cards -- 4 each of 3 different designs (or 12 of one design). Cost: $15 Order by October 1.

Save time by letting me do the prep work! Card stock and Designer Series Paper will be cut to size. Santa background will be dry embossed using the Big Shot. That leaves the fun to you: stamp, color, punch and put together.

This kit uses The Jolliest Time of Year stamp set and was designed to use as few extra supplies as possible. This was to help those that have limited supplies. Those of you that have been at it awhile (and have built up your stash), feel free to embelish further with Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin' Glitter, Micro Beads, Crystal Effects, Embossing Powder or anything else in your aresenal of stamping fun. Card kit comes with all the consumable products (card stock, Designer Series Paper, silver brads and Stampin' Up Whisper White envelopes) to make 4 of each of the 3 cards (for a total of 12 cards). Cost: $15 Orders due Oct. 1 to be ready by 10/19 (possibly earlier depending on Stampin' Up).

Additional suppies used to complete these cards:

Jolliest Time of the Year stamp set ($20.95)
SNAIL adhesive ($6.95)
Basic Black Classic Stamp Pad ($5.95)
Garden Green Classic Stamp Pad ($5.95)
Corner Rounder & Ticket Corner Punches ($6.95 ea.) - you could use the same punch on all of the cards.
Stampin' Write Markers ($3.25 ea.): Basic Black, Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Only Orange, Yo Yo Yellow and Garden Green

Instead of markers, you could use colored pencils to color the cards.

Also, you can get a full set (12 cards) of only one design. You might do this if you would like to further minimize the additional supplies used (Santa only used 1 ink pad, 2 markers and the ticket corner punch), you want to send the same card to everyone on your list or you really love one of the designs more than the others.

If you have questions about supplies or alternate techniques, give me a call. I listed what I used to complete the cards. You may have other ideas (or supplies).

Purchase the card kit and The Jolliest Time of Year and, if you'd like, you can join me for free on Oct. 19th to make your cards (time to be announced based on participants schedules). At that time you can use my ink, markers and punches. Or, if you don't want to buy the stamps, you can make your cards on that date for an extra $5 (in addition to the $15 for the card kit).

If you're doing the punch class, too, would you like to assemble the Christmas card kit right after the class? It would save travel time. Let me know what you think.

Of course, you can also purchase more than one card kit if you need more than 12 cards. If you are not local, shipping will be extra (but only the actual amount postage costs me).

HALLOWEEN TREATS

If you would like unique Halloween treats for your child to take to classmates, I can help. For a fee, I can make these treats or I can prepare the supplies and you and your child can assemble them. Or, come to the Mother/Child class and learn to make them yourself.

GENERAL NOTES: Please remember to bring your basic tool kit to each class (except the Mother/Child classes). If you don't have a kit yet, at least bring adhesive. I'll be happy to order adhesive for you if you need it. I will be ordering supplies the night of October 1, so please be sure to RSVP on time.

CARDS FOR THE TROOPS: Wednesday, 9/30, at 6:30pm we will be making cards at St. Andrews UMC to send to the troops. We'd love to have you come help.

I will announce class locations closer to the date of each class. If you wish to take a class, but the time will not work for you, let me know. If there's enough interest, I can schedule another session.

If you have any questions, about the classes, products or anything else stamping related, please contact me. I'm here to help. Looking forward to seeing you at one or more events!