Happy New Year!!

Can you believe 2011 is almost gone and 2012 will be here?  It seems like it was just 2010 and we were getting ready for 2011.  The time sure flies!

Thank you to all my customers for your support this past year.  It's been a fun year filled with workshops and fun times together doing our Stamp-a-Stacks and I'm looking forward to another year this year, oh and don't forget those Clearance Rack Sales... love those!

With the passing of 2011 also comes the last few days of the Holiday Mini (ending January 3rd) but it also brings the Occasions Mini - available online January 4th!!  (You should already have your copy in the mail if you're on my mailing list.)

We have news about some carry-over items from the Holiday Mini that will be still be available and I believe they will be in the next catalog - but don't quote me on that one!  :)

You can see the carry-over items here. 

So my friends, I wish you a very Happy and Healthy 2012 and look forward to creating new and fun things with you this year.

Happy New Year!

Stamp a Stack - January 6, 2012

I'm looking forward to our next Stamp a Stack - our first one for 2012.  This will be a simple but beautiful card that can be used for so many occasions.  The sample shows Tangerine Tango and Whisper White for our colors.  If I can find some other dotted ribbon, I may make more than one color for the Stack.  I thought I had some Rich Razzleberry (retired) but it seems to be hiding from me.

Stamps Used:  Curly Cute (117014 w / 120510 c), Fifth Avenue Floral (113734 wood only available), Fabulous Florets (123025 w / 123027 c)

Happy Stamping!

~Donna

Christmas Survived!

Well we managed to make all of our Christmas gatherings and have a good time visiting with the family.

I have a couple more Christmas Cards that I want to show you and then... we'll move on to something new.  These just needed to be shared since I think they both came out so wonderfully.

This first one is made by Brittney.  I love how this turned out.  Berta made one very similar.

This one was made by Linda and I really love how it came out.  The funny thing with this card is she made it a 6" x 6" because she wanted sky above the tree and snow below but she didn't have an envelope to go with it.  She asked me to find a way to make an envelope for the card - not knowing of course that the card was for myself.  We finally managed to find an envelope (thank you Kristi!) and the next day when she gave me the card I just had to laugh out loud recognizing the envelope and all!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas spent with family and friends.  Next year will be here before we know it which means the beginning of a New Year filled with new stamps and products from Stampin' Up!  I can hardly wait to start playing with the Valentine's sets.

Thanks for peeking in!

~ Donna

While Supplies Last - Stocking Builder Punch

Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... I just found out that the Stocking Builder Punch (124095) from the 2011 Holiday Mini will not carry over into the next Idea Book and Catalog and that when the current supply is depleted - there won't be any more. 

So, if you don't already have it and have always wanted it, you'll want to order it very quickly!!!

I'm really surprised as this punch is just so versatile and has more uses than I've ever seen possible, at least in my mind.

Happy Tuesday!

~ Donna

Santa Gift Card Holder - Punch Art

For those last minute gift cards, I have the perfect little gift giver - Santa!

I found this adorable idea on Penny Thomas' blog.  She has some wonderful ideas there and I just couldn't help but CASE this one.  I did make a couple of changes in punches used but it looks good to me!

The really cute part about this, besides the adorable Santa that is, is that you make the card holder out of a white envelope. 

Recipe:

Paper: White Envelope; Cherry Cobbler - 4 X 2-1/2; Silver Glimmer Paper - 3-3/4 X 2-1/4; Old Olive - 3-1/2 X 2; Cherry Cobbler - 4-1/4 X 2-1/2 (to go inside the flap for you to attach the gift card with a glue dot); Whisper White scrap; Cherry Cobbler scrap; Pink Pirouette scrap; Silver Glimmer scrap; Basic Black scrap

Stamps: Four the Holidays (116921 wood only); Tags Til Christmas (120847 w / 121169 c)

Inks: Old Olive; Cherry Cobbler

Miscellaneous: Glue Dots; Scissors; Large Oval Punch (for his face); Wide Oval Punch (for his hat and rim of hat); Owl Builder Punch (for his eyes and nose and for the hat "puff"); Bird Builder Punch (the wings of the bird for his mustache); Ornament Punch (for his beard); Tombo Multi-Purpose Glue; Stampin' Dimensionals; Big Shot Machine; Snow Burst Embossing Folder; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; 1-3/8" Square Punch; 1-1/4" Square Punch; 1" Square Punch; Old Olive Polka Dot Ribbon - 15" long.

 

Something to remember when you punch out the bird wing for the mustache, turn the paper over so the emboss is the same on both sides of his mustache or you'll have one that's "backwards".

 

I hope you like this as much as I did.  Thank you to Penny for such great ideas!!

 

Only one more week until Christmas!!!

 

~ Donna

Sharing a Wonderful Company

I just have to take a minute to share with you the wonderful company I've just had the pleasure to deal with. 

I enjoy making cards for the soldiers as well as for others as gifts and although I love everything that's Stampin' Up! I simply needed to cut some costs somewhere and bulk envelopes seemed to be a great way to do so.  This company is the perfect solution.  Not only is the product good quality, but the cost can't be beat.  A group of us joined together to purchase a box of 1000 A2 envelopes and with shipping only spent $7.00 per 100.

The best thing... they arrived in TWO DAYS with just the basic economy shipping.  I placed the order on Wednesday, December 14th and they arrived today, December 16th.  I'm so excited!

So, here they are, LCI Paper.  They have so many beautiful things so enjoy looking around.

If you decide to try them out, I'm sure you'll be just as pleased as we are.

Thank You LCI Paper - You are awesome!

~ Donna

Clearance Rack Blitz!!

Dates: December 15, 2011-January 5, 2012

Details:
Nearly 200 new Clearance Rack items are being added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail--while supplies last!
Things to Remember

• Only demonstrator and online orders qualify for this promotion. Orders can include non-Clearance Rack items, as well.  IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE ORDERING ONLINE - EMAIL OR CALL ME and I CAN PLACE IT FOR YOU - the website seems overwhelmed with the blitz.
• The Clearance Rack Blitz includes old-body style punches.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards.
• Following the Clearance Rack Blitz sales period, some blitz items may remain in the clearance rack; others may be removed and reappear at an undesignated time in the future.
• Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last. There are no refunds or exchanges on Clearance Rack items.
• You may view Clearance Rack Blitz items in my Online Store.

As you choose your items, write the number and a quick description down so that you have them in case there is a hiccup in the system.  One of my best customers is having issues this morning ordering and rather than be frustrated, write them down and send it to me to order.  Email me at StampsWellWithOthers@gmail.com to have me order for you.  Just remember that they are only available while supplies last.

If you are a new customer, I'll need a way to contact you to place your order to receive payment.

Happy Sales Shopping!

Making Cards as Gifts

I've really enjoyed some great card making time this weekend and the last two days having some time off for shopping and creating as well.  I still need to make some more and I have a couple of birthdays coming up that I want to make something special for so that will be my next adventure.

Linda, don't let "you know who" see these... haha!

The brown and yellow cards still need sentiments on them or maybe just inside.  I haven't decided yet.  Could just be plain cards to use for notes.

It's always good to have a helper when your crafting, don't you think?  This is Moki.  She's usually very skittish, but she's warming up to being around us more and more.  Then there's somedays where she loves to just hang out with me no matter where I am.  As I type this, she's over on the cable box taking a nap about 2 feet away from me.

Ok, I'm off to create some more cards for my card gift-set and for the birthdays that will be here before I'm ready!

Have a great day!  It's raining in Phoenix and I'm loving every minute of it!

~ Donna

Mini Jingle Bells... hard to thread?

Ok, so I love the little Mini Jingle Bells (124116) but I get so frustrated trying to thread the bakers twine or anything else for that matter through that little mini opening.  So I put on my thinking cap and all of a sudden, I GOT IT!!!

Now, some of you young folk may not know what this is, but it is a "needle threader" found in sewing kits.  I don't know if they still come in them or not, but there was always in ones my Mom had.  Of course, when I was young, I didn't need that silly thing.  Now that my eyes squint... I need that thing! 

So off I ran to the sewing maching and there she was, just waiting for me!

The thin little wire goes through the bell opening, then the bakers twine goes through the thin wire.

Gently pull and the twine is now threaded through the bell!  Yah Hoo!

I may just buy some more of those cute little Mini Jingle Bells now that I don't feel like throwing them across the room!  hahaha!

Happy Threading!

Stamp a Stack - December 9th

I've just been having the best time off work the last couple of days getting ready for our Stamp-a-Stack and just enjoying being creative and making some cards here and there and even doing some organizing that was being put off.  Feels good!

So, on Friday, we have one last chance to make some last minute Christmas Cards...

We really hadn't planned on having a Stamp a Stack this month, but the girls were interested so here we go!  This one is quick and simple and has some pretty bling to it too.  Bling is always good at Christmas time.  Brings out the sparkle in everything.

In case you're wondering where did she get those sparkly red rhinestones, well, look no further than your Stampin' Up! rhinestones and a red Sharpie permanent marker.  I just LOVE being able to color these up to go with just about anything.  I wish our Stampin' Write markers would color them, but being water based they just wipe off.  Thankfully, Sharpie has a big variety of colors that work well.

Card Recipe:

Stamp Set:  Bright Hopes - from the Holiday Mini - 122690 (wood) / 122692 (clear)
Card Stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green and Whisper White
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green
Bling:  Basic Rhinestones 119246

So, there it is... looking forward to a good time with the girls on Friday Night.

Happy Wednesday!
~ Donna

"Cocoa" Cup

Ok, this is just so cute, I couldn't help myself but make it!  I received this from Tami White and her 12 Days of Holiday Helper Projects. 


I made a few changes in paper simply because I thought I had Frostwood Lodge, which is what she used, but apparently I've used all of mine... SO, I made it with Letters to Santa.  I love this little pup and plan to make some more. 

I do see another change though... no red backgrounds - the hat kind of disappears in there doesn't it!  haha...I also think "Cocoa" needs some ears.


Fill the cup with a Hot Cocoa Packet, a Peppermint Stick and some Hershey kisses.


What do you think of "Cocoa"?  Isn't he just adorable?


Happy Crafting!

Shelli on the TODAY show - Tomorrow... ha!

Shelli on TODAY show tomorrow!!  (December 6th)

Don’t forget to tune in or record Shelli Gardner’s TODAY Show appearance tomorrow during the fourth hour (check local listings for times). She’ll be talking about Stampin’ Up!’s annual participation in the show’s Holiday Toy Drive.

I'm looking forward to seeing this.  I actually have tomorrow off and plan to stamp the day away!!!

Happy Stamping!

Birthday Punch Kitty

Last week was another birthday in the office, this time it was Linda and she's our Cat Lady (between her house and mine we have way toooo many cats, but we love them!).  So I went in search of some cats that I could make from punches and came up with this one from several that I saw out there, so there really isnt any credit to give to any one person.  Isn't she a cutie!?

This card below was made by Linda for our boss Karen - the one received the Angry Birds card that I made last week.  Karen loves our owl creations and this one we particularly loved because she has a string of pearls and Karen wears pearls from time to time, usually as earrings though.

This card idea come from Diana Gibbs (Hi Di!).  I just love the things she creates and shares with us.  An amazing lady!

We call this card "The Barbara Bush Owl Card".  LOL  Must be the pearls!

I hope you enjoy our two cards today and come back real soon.

~ Donna