FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

Isn't this snowman just the cutest thing?  I've seen the idea for this gift box using the Big Shot Top Note die on several blogs I visit.  So, I'm not exactly sure who to give the original credit.  I used Angie Juda Kennedy's tutorial for the box.  You can check it out here.   

I needed some bags to put Christmas goodies in for my piano students. They have all been working hard on their Christmas songs this season. I just wanted to show my appreciation to each of them. I purchased some treat size bags of mini M&M's, small boxes of Nerds and different flavors of lip balm to put inside their goodie bags. I hope they like them! I guess I'll find out tomorrow night.

I ran Basic Black and Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot to form the snowman's face and hat.  The brim of the hat was rounded with a SU! corner rounder punch.  Next, I punched out the 5-Petal Flower punch twice on Real Red card stock and once on Garden Green card stock with Summer Sun card stock 1/4" circle punch (retired) circles to make the middle of the poinsettia.  I freehanded the nose and the "coal" pieces for the mouth.  The eyes were made using SU!'s large and small oval punches.  I used a sponge dauber with Pretty in Pink classic ink to create his rosy cheeks.  I also sponged Whisper White craft ink on his hat and nose to give him a more "frosty" look.   I think the rest is fairly self-explanatory.  If you have any questions, just give me a shout.

Well, that's all for me tonight.  My son wants to start a puzzle before he heads off to bed.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

WELCOME CHRISTMAS

Busy, busy, busy .............  Isn't it that way each Christmas season?  Tonight I wanted to create a fairly simplistic card - nothing too over the top.  And you know what?  I think I accomplished that.  I'm using a sketch from Diva Coffee Break Designs.  It's sketch #147 to be exact.  Here's the sketch layout.  I love playing along with their weekly challenges even

if I don't always complete them within the week.  Plus, I have some exciting news!  I was the picked as the Featured Artist for the Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge #155.  I was thrilled beyond words!  Okay, enough babbling and on with the card.  I added Stampin' Up!'s Chunky Glitter to my dove image.  I wasn't sure how it would look, but I was pleased with the results.  It just gives it a little somethin' somethin'.  You know what I mean?  To get the poinsettia on this card, I simply used my 5-Petal Flower punch and punched the flower out twice on Real Red card stock and added a dimensional to make it more pronounced.  I also punched the flower out once on Garden Green card stock and cut two of the petals off to get the leaves.  Look closely at the buttons at the top of the card.  Did you notice that I didn't actually thread the buttons with real thread?  I cut small strips of Whisper White card stock and threaded it through each button and attached the strips with mini glue dots on the back of the buttons.  It's so much easier!

Well, that's it for me tonight.  I'm going to check out ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.  I'm not sure what's being shown tonight, but I enjoy the Christmas shows.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!  If you have previously commented on my posts, I'd like to give you a great big thank you!  Comments are always welcome and so greatly appreciated!

Supplies:  Stamps - Gifts of Christmas, Heard from the Heart; Card Stock - Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White; Ink - Garden Green, Real Red Marker; Accessories - Playground Buttons (Red), White Chunky Essentials Stampin' Glitter, Earth Elements Brads, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Dimensionals, Paper Piercer, Mini Glue Dots

EMBRACEABLE YOU

I know!  I know!  Christmas is coming and I'm not posting a Christmas card.  Shame on me, but I just needed to take a break from Christmas cards for a while.  Today's card is actually a combination of two challenges!  Go, Lori, go!!!  And you know what's even more exciting for me?  This card was actually completed before the deadline.  Whoo!  Hoo!  (Sorry, I'm just so dang proud of myself.)  Okay, so here is the sketch layout that I used for the design of my card.  I found this challenge over at Diva Coffee Break Designs.  It is sketch challenge #155.  Here's the layout.

I also incorporated Splitcoast Stampers Inspiration Challenge IC208 from Saturday, November 28th, for my card.  I chose this purse as my inspiration for the color combination of my card - Cameo Coral, Real Red, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. 

I used my corner rounder punch on my panels to mimic the squares on the purse.  The corduroy buttons were an afterthought.  I actually had them laying out on my table and they fell out of their container and across my card.  After arranging them around a bit, I decided to add them.  How lucky is that?

Well, that's all for me this evening.  It's back to work for me tomorrow.  My four day weekend really spoiled me.  Hope all my American friends enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday.  I know I did! 

Thanks for peeking in on me today!

Supplies:  Stamps - Eastern Blooms, Embrace Life, Friends 24-7, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Friendly Words Jumbo Wheel; Paper - Very Vanilla, Real Red, Cameo Coral, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip; Ink- Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Soft Suede, SU! Markers - Soft Suede, Real Red, Cameo Coral; Accessories - Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Dimensionals, Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel 

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS

I wish you could see this card in real life. The colors are so much better. My husband tried to photograph it. I tried to photograph it and he even tried again. So I apologize for the picture, but I can't retake it. I already sent it to a retired co-worker whose health is declining. I hope it cheers him up to know that his old co-workers are thinking of him this holiday season.

I'm not really sure that this card went in the direction that I was hoping. Sometimes my cards just have a mind of their own. I just wanted to take a small break from making Christmas cards and focus on the holiday at hand - Thanksgiving. I just love this stamp set. I won it at the Cincinnati Stampin' Up! Regional in September. The leaves were stamped in Basic Brown ink and sponge daubers were used to color them in. I cut each one out, bent the leaves and added dimensionals to give them a more three dimensional look.

I'm going to make it a short post tonight as I need to clean house and prepare food for the next two days. We're off to my in-laws tomorrow and then dinner at my house on Friday.

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you share it with the ones you love! Thanks for peeking in on me today!

Christmas Wreath

There is nothing like a Christmas wreath on the front door to say, "Come on in and stay for a while!" Here's yet another 10 for $10 Christmas class card. Again, this is not my original idea. It came directly from the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website. We demonstrators know that there are all kinds of great ideas posted on the Demonstrator website and these ideas are a tremendous help!

Believer it or not the wreath wasn't even made with a Christmas stamp set. It was made using the Autumn Days stamp set pictured to the left! How clever is that?? It was made using the stamp to the left of the pine cones. Yes, the one with the berries on it. Just simply ink the stamp up and rotate your cardstock in a circle using Old Olive ink first, then Always Artichoke ink on the next layer and lastly Real Red ink on the top layer.

Tomorrow starts the beginning of Stampin' Up!'s ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA sale offered through November 30th. Be on the lookout for amazing discounts offered on wonderful Stampin' Up! products. For more information, check it out here on Monday morning.

That's all for me today. Thanks for peeking in on me!

Supplies: Stamps - Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper - Real Red, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Natural Ivory; Ink - Real Red, Always Artichoke, Old Olive; Accessories - Rel Red Polka Dot Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Gold Brads, Dimensionals

A Little Something For You

Warning: Long post. Be sure to scroll down to see the inside of this card.

Isn't this the coolest thing ever? Bet you didn't guess that it's not only a card but a gift card holder. Now before I go into all the details I have to give credit where credit is due. This gift card holder was created by my so brilliantly clever Stampin' Up! upline, Chrystal Amato. The only thing I did was change the striped paper slightly and the ribbon from Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon to Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon. This gift card holder is also a "CASE" (copy and share everything) of a "CASE". Chrystal's inspiration came from this gift card holder created by Gretchen Barron. Check Gretchen out on her blog. She's also very, incredibly talented.

All I did was cut a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock into and folded it in half. Next, using your Big Shot machine, line the score line of your card almost all the way to the top of the Scallop Square die design but not quite. If you line up the score line of your card past the top of the Scallop Square die you'll end up with two beautiful scallop squares. Not the look you're going for, trust me : ) Once you've got the edge where you want it just run the die through the Big Shot machine and voila'. You get this beautiful scalloped card. To get the oval cutout in the middle of the card you'll need to use the scallop oval punch. Just line up the punch with the middle of the card and slide it up as far as it will go from the bottom of the card and punch out the oval. You'll then adhere your second piece of cardstock right over the front. Yes, you'll cover up your pretty scallop oval, but don't worry. Flip the card over so you can see where you've punched out the first oval and line the punch up and punch again. You never want to try to punch through two pieces of heavy cardstock at the same time. This may break your punch.

So, do you want to see inside? Do you?? Do you?? Okay, here it is ........................... Super cool, huh? To make the pocket for the gift card you'll just run the patterned paper through the Big Shot using the Scallop Square die again and just adhere it to the sides and bottom of your card base. DO NOT place adhesive to the middle or to the top of your patterned paper. You won't have a gift card holder then : )

This was another card my guests made at the 10 for $10 Christmas card class I had at my house last week. This card was a big hit.

If you live in or near the Waverly area and would like to attend one of my classes, please email me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com. I'll be glad to send you information about my upcoming classes and would be thrilled to have you there.

Thanks for peeking in on me today! Have a great evening!

Supplies: All Stampin' Up! unless noted; Stamps - Christmas Punches; Paper - Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Old Olive DSP; SU! Markers- Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive; Accessories - Big Shot Machine, Scallop Square Die, Scallop Oval Punch, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Petal-A-Plenty Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Shop Stampin' Up! 24/7 here.

FROSTY AND FRIENDS

Here's another card that was created for my 10 for $10 Christmas card class last week. I cased my card from the ever so talented Jan Tink. You can view her card here. I kept her same color combinations and card layout. I just changed the color combination around and used a different stamp set. If you look closely (or click on the picture to enlarge) you can see I added Dazzling Diamond Glitter to the snow drift. I love that stuff. It shimmers just like diamonds. I guess that's how it got its name :~)


Have a great day and thanks for peeking in on me today! I'm a little under the weather but hope to be feeling better soon.


Supplies: Stamps - The More the Merrier, Happy Everything; Ink - Basic Black, Su! Markers - Old Olive, Real Red, Black, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie; Cardstock - Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Real Red, Whisper White; Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Eyelet Border Punch, Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribon, 1/16" Punch, Real Red Brad

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.

Shop Stampin' Up! 24/7 here.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AND A CHALLENGE TO BOOT

My, oh, my! Has it really been that long since my last post??? I've got a million excuses, but let me just give you the condensed version. I've been busy prepping for my 10 for $10 Christmas card class and dealing with the "Kiddie Crud". My class is now over and was a big success - thanks ladies! The "kiddie crud" is subsiding and life is getting back to normal. So on with the show!

The above card is one I created for my Christmas card class and also for the Pals Paper Arts PPA16 Challenge for this week. This week's challenge is a "Christmas Cheer" theme. Check it out here. This is the first time I've participated in the Pals Paper Arts Challenge and I'm pumped. From time to time I play along with challenges, but usually long after the challenge is over.

Well, that's it for me today. I'm going shopping with my little sister. Thanks for peeking in on me today. Oh, and a very "Happy Birthday" to my oldest brother, Eric. Love you big guy!

Supplies: Stamps - Winter Post, Snow Swirled; Paper - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Merry Moments DSP; Ink-Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive; Accessories - Mistletoe Ribbon, Big Shot Machine, Top Note Die, Dimensionals (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)

Shop Stampin' Up! here.

YOU KNOW DASHER AND DANCER AND PRANCER...........

Can you believe Christmas is less than two months away? That's totally insane. I have started shopping, though. Don't get too excited - I've only purchased two things. I'm far, far away from even putting a dent in Christmas shopping.

I just returned from my birthday dinner at Dakota's. I'm feeling very full and very blessed. Along with celebrating with my husband and son, my father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, sister, brother-in-law, baby nephew and my father were there with me. I love my family and I love spending time with them. I've had an awesome 40th birthday. The only way my birthday could have been better was if my mom and my son, Evan, were living to celebrate with me. I'm missing them terribly tonight. Perhaps, they are celebrating my birthday together in Heaven. I hope so!

I received some really great birthday cards today, too. I'm such a sap. I cried when I read almost every one of them. Well, with the exception of the card which had a baby on a potty chair on the front of the card. Just trust me. It wasn't sappy : ) I'm grateful for the 40 years I've had. I've been very fortunate to have had my health and such wonderful friends and family. Well, that's it for me tonight.

Thanks for peeking in on me! Have a great day!

Supplies: Stamp - Dasher; Paper - Garden Green, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Christmas Cocoa DSP; Ink - Chocolate Chip; Accessories - Big Shot Machine, Scallop Circle #2, Circle Scissors Plus, Paper Piercer, Eyelet Border Punch, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Fire Rhinestone Brads (Red), Filigree Designer Brad, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

10 for $10 Christmas Card Class

Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner? I know I can't. It'll be here before we know it. So, you better get a head start on those Christmas cards. Join me for a fun evening of camaraderie, stamping and Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit. We'll be creating 10 different Christmas cards including envelopes for only $10. Not an experienced stamper or have no experience at all? No problem! Come find out just how fun and easy creating handmade cards can be. Here's the what, where and whens:

What: 10 for $10 Christmas Card Class

Where: 2697 Pennington Road, Waverly

When: (Your choice) Thursday, November 12th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. or
Saturday, November 14th, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $10 for 10 different Christmas cards with envelopes.

RSVP By: Pre-payment will be due by Saturday, November 7th, to reserve your spot. This will allow me to purchase all the necessary supplies and pre-cut all card stock for the projects you will be making.

What to Bring: Your choice of adhesive and scissors. Adhesive will be available for purchase at class for $5.00.

To ensure a reserved spot, please be sure to include your class date preference when submitting your payment. Class space is limited, so be sure to sign up early!

If you have any questions or need directions, please feel free to email me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!

DEAL OF THE WEEK #3

Deals of the Week #3

Throughout October, get all-new Deals of the Week—with select products up to 50% off! See below for this week’s Deals of the Week:


Now through October 26, 9:50 AM (MT)

1/2" Library Clips
Regular Price: $6.95
Deal of the Week Price: $3.99

Basic Jumbo Grommets
Regular Price: $6.95
Deal of the Week Price: $4.49

Circle Designer Brads
Regular Price: $5.95
Deal of the Week Price: $3.99

Mini Library Clips
Regular Price: $12.95
Deal of the Week Price: $8.99


Visit my Online Store today to take advantage of these great offers! Shop Stampin' Up! 24/7 here.

TLC CLASS PROJECT #2 - FAUX CLOUDS

Here is another project my customers made at my Technique Lovers' Class last Thursday. If you've followed my blog, this card may look vaguely familiar from an earlier post. You can view it here. This card features the faux cloud technique. It's really easier than it looks and packs a big WOW factor. All you need is a scallop circle punch and a scrap piece of cardstock. Just punch out your scallop circle and cut it in half. This gives you a cloud template. What's that you say? You don't have this punch - oh, you just may have to get it. Not to worry though! Just freehand a cloud on some scrap cardstock and you've got yourself a cloud template. Next, you'll take a sponge or a sponge dauber and ink it up with some Bashful Blue Classic Ink. (I personally prefer the sponge dauber. It gives you a more muted effect.) Place your cloud template over your project and "swirl" your inked sponge in circular motions over the edge of your template. Ta Dah! You've got clouds! Just make sure to move your template around and in different angles to create the clouds. It's that easy! Now go out and make yourself some happy, little clouds! (I watched Bob Ross when I was a kid.)

That's it for me. Thanks for peeking in on me today!

(All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)
Supplies: Stamps - Branch Out, Sincere Salutations; Paper - Old Olive, Soft Suede, Whisper White; Ink - Soft Suede, Rose Red, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Bashful Blue; Accessories - Circle Scissors Plus, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch (cloud template), Scallop Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dotted Grosgrain Ribbon

TLC CLASS - PROJECT #1

I had so much fun with the ladies at my Technique Lovers' Class on Thursday. This is one of the projects that we made using the "kissing" technique. First, we used a brayer with So Saffron Classic Ink to cover the Medallion background stamp. We then inked up the "En Francais" background stamp with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink and then pressed the two stamps together (kissing) and voila'! That's all there is to it - easy peasy! My design idea for this card was taken right off the cover of the latest Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog with just a few minor tweaks. The lace border was punched out using the Eyelet Border punch from SU! This is a simple and quick card that would be very easy to mass produce.

I'll be back later with more pictures from the TLC class. As always, if you would like to join us for one of my classes, please e-mail me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com and I'll keep you updated on upcoming classes. And don't forget, you can always shop Stampin' Up! 24/7 here. You don't even have to get dressed up or leave your house : )

Thanks for peeking in on me today. Hope you all are having a great weekend. My husband and I celebrated our sixteenth wedding anniversary on Friday. My dear hubby took me to the Franklin Park Conservatory yesterday to see the Chihuly glass exhibit. It was very, very beautiful. He took a kazillion pictures which I'm sure we'll sit down and look at today.

Supplies: Stamps - Medallion Background, En Francais Background, Holidays and Wishes; Paper - Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, So Saffron; Ink - So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red; Accessories - Eyelet Border Punch

BE BACK SOON . . . . .

I've been busy prepping for my TLC class this week.  I have a great bunch of ladies coming over tonight to learn some new techniques.  Let's hope this yucky old rain holds off this evening.  I'll be back with some pictures of the class projects this weekend.

If you live in or near the Waverly area and would like to attend one of my stamping classes just send me an e-mail at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.  I'll make sure to send you information about upcoming classes.

Stampin' Up! - Deals of the Week #2

Here's Stampin' Up!'s Deal of the Week #2.  These dies work well with the Big Shot machine.  Don't delay, order now.  This offer is only good until Monday, October 19th at 9:50 a.m. MT.

Item #       Description                             Regular Price            Sale Price

115961      Perfect Setting Bigz XL Die       $42.95                          $25.99

   Item #      Description                              Regular Price           Sale Price

   114515      Flower Burst Embosslits              $11.95                         $5.99

Item #      Description                                 Regular Price           Sale Price

116760     Bigz XL Cake 3 Tier Die                  $39.95                         $25.49

Click here to visit my Online Store today to take advantage of these great offers!

HEARTFELT THANKS

With each catalog, Stampin' Up! designs an exclusive stamp set to help raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities.  For every purchase of this exclusive stamp set, Stampin' Up! donates a portion of the sales to RMHC.  Ronald McDonald House Charities is a charity that is near and dear to my heart.  (My husband and I spent four months on and off at the RMH in Columbus, Ohio during the hospitalization of our firstborn.)  So, when I saw the adorable set "Very Thankful" I just couldn't resist ordering it.  I'm "very thankful" that Stampin' Up! is involved in such a wonderful program. 

My card today features a stamp from this set.  I've used a blender pen and SU! Classic ink pads to color in the main image. 

 

Thanks for peeking in on me today! 

Supplies: Stamps - Very Thankful; Ink - Basic Brown, Sahara Sand, Real Red, Creamy Caramel, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Going Gray; Paper - Old Olive, Textured Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Tall Tales DSP; Accessories - Crop-A-Dile, Blender Pen, Natural Hemp Tiwne, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Playground Designer Buttons, Earth Elements Brad

WELCOME LITTLE ONE

I attended a baby shower for a young lady in my church congregation last night. (I say young because she's probably in her late 20's or early 30's. She's younger than me so that makes her young.) She'll be having her baby next Monday via C-Section. I had a wonderful time at our hostess',Vicki's, home. She's such a terrific person. Here's the card I made for the shower. If you haven't guessed, it's a girl! I used the instructions for making a tent topper card from Splitcoast Stampers. These cards are easy and are actually a lot of fun of fun to make.

Supplies: Stamps - Nursery Necessities, Cheep Talk; Ink - Melon Mambo, Basic Black, SU! Markers - Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry; Paper - Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White; Accessories -Sponges, White Gel Pen, Paper Piercer, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot machine, Circles #2 dies, Scallop Circle #2 dies

Order Stampin' Up! 24/7 here!

STAMPIN' UP! DEAL OF THE WEEK - PUNCHES

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. Check out this week's deal on Stampin' Up! punches here. Stampin' Up!'s Deal of the Week #1 ends on Monday, October 12th at 9:50 a.m. Don't forget to check back each Monday in October for an all new Deal of the Week!

Bird Nouveau

Okay, here's the scoop. I'm totally terrified of Stampin' Up!'s Soft Subtles color palette. Don't get me wrong. The colors are beautiful. I just tend to shy away from them. So, every now and then I try to push myself outside my comfort zone and let's just say my deodorant was working overtime this time around. You see I was sweating a little when I pulled out the Apricot Appeal and Sage Shadow card stock for this card. I'm not sure why the apricot looks a little banana colored in this photo. Perhaps, the saturation was tweaked a little too much on my photo editing program. You'll just have to trust me. It is truly apricot in real life. Even though it is hard to see, I embossed my bird with embossing powder to give it a little more dimension. By the way, I think the bird would be beautiful water colored in with bold colors. It would give it a little something, something. I also tried to do a little "faux embossing" by adding the tone on tone circles to the Sage Shadow section of the card. (The actual name of this technique is escaping me at the moment. Feel free to leave me a comment if you know the name of this technique.) The button is just a clear Stampin' Up! button with Designer Series Paper behind it. I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 103 for the layout of this card. That's it for me!



Thanks for peeking in on me today!



Supplies: Stamps - Very Thankful; Ink - Basic Black Craft Ink; Paper - Nouveau Chic DSP, Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow, Basic Black; Accessories - Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Eyelet Border Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Black Gingham Ribbon, Clear Button

INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW STAMPIN' UP! CLEARANCE RACK

Check out the all new Clearance Rack section of Stampin' Up!'s online store. Clearance rack items are retired, discounted Stampin' Up! items which are available online and only while supplies last. No short-term promotions here, folks! This is a permanent part of Stampin' Up!'s online store. Hurray! So, check out these drastically reduced products here before they are gone forever. Make sure you check out the Clearance Rack regularly as items will change often.

You will want to purchase the Clearance Rack items directly online as items sell out quickly. Items may sell out before you get your order to me and I have a change to place that order. So, what are you waiting for? Go check it out right now!

CHRISTMAS IN BERMUDA

Well, not actually Christmas "in" Bermuda - just Bermuda Bay ink. It got your attention though, didn't it? I know these are pretty non-traditional Christmas colors, but I thought I'd give them a try together. After talking to fellow demo, Lisa Curry, at the Cincinnati Stampin' Up! Regional I decided to try out the new Bermuda Bay In Color. (Hi, Lisa!) You see, we had a discussion on whether or not we've used this color yet. Well, I had not - until now.

I'm not sure you can see it in this image, but I've used the new Frost White Shimmer Paint from the new Holiday Mini Catalog to ink up my snowflakes. I love the sparkle of the Shimmer Paint. It is very pretty in real life. I've paired the Bermuda Bay with Soft Suede and added a clear rhinestone from the Pretties Kit for a little extra bling. I used the Pals Paper Art Simple Sketch for the layout of my card.

Well, that's it for me. For some reason, I have a monster headache today. Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for peeking in on me today.

Supplies: Stamps - Serene Snowflakes, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink - Soft Suede, Frost White Shimmer Paint;
Paper - Thoroughly Modern DSP, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede; Accessories - Clear Rhinestone from the Pretties Kit, Bermuda Bay 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Sponge Dauber, Paper Piercer

Shop Stampin' Up! here 24/7!

SEEING DOTS

Hurray for me! I actually made the deadline to play along with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge this week. It's a new world's record folks! If you're looking for a springboard to get your creative juices flowing then you should head over to the Mojo Monday blog. (After you check out my blog, of course.)

As I was coloring in my tree with my Stampin' Up! Marvelous Markers (love 'em), I was vaguely reminded of the giant swirled lollipops that you could buy as a child. I loved those things. It took days to eat them. What flavor were they? Cherry, maybe? Come to think of it, I don't remember them tasting all that great. Okay, enough already. Thanks for stopping by and checking in with me today. If you were kind enough to leave a comment, bless you. We bloggers love comments!

Supplies: Stamps - Trendy Trees; Ink - Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, SU! Markers - Old Olive, Real Red, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Basic Brown Journaler; Paper - Tall Tales DSP, Textured Old Olive, Textured Real Red, Textured Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White; Accessories - 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Vintage Brads

BLOG CANDY WINNER

I used the Random. org number generator to determine my blog candy winner. And the winner is ..................#3. Dee is the winner of my blog candy! I'll get this right over to you, Dee! Congratulations!

Don't forget to check back with me this week! I've got some cards to show you.

Thanks for stopping by!

BLOG CANDY TIME

Okay, it's finally that time. Time for me to post my blog candy. All you have to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of this post before Sunday, September 20th, at 6:00 p.m. (EST). One comment per person, please. (Smile!) I will randomly pick a comment from this posting. The winner will be posted on Monday, September 21st, and will need to email me his/her name and address. (So I can mail the goodies to you!) Good luck and don't forget to enter!

Blog Candy includes: Certainly Celery Ribbon, So Saffron Ribbon, Delicate Dots Designer Series Paper, Note of Thanks Mini Note Kit (includes double mounted stamp, 4 gift cards, 4 mini envelopes and 1 Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Ink Spot) and the Polka Dot Punches Stamp Set.

OH, BUMMER!

Okay, I admit it. I'm such a dip. I got all excited about my blog hits. Only thing is, I've noticed on other blogs I have visited that they seem to be having problems with their free blog counters. Mine is a free blog counter. So, I'm guessing that my hit counter is wrong. It looks like I've had more hits than I really and truly have had. You know what? It doesn't matter. I'm still going to give away some free blog candy. I have my blog candy ready to photograph. I'll get my darling husband to shoot the picture and then I'll upload it. Well, that will teach me for being so gullible.

Thanks for stopping by!

HOLY SMOKES! IS THIS THING REALLY WORKING?

Okay, either my blog counter is broke or I'm seeing things. I just looked down at it today and it says I have almost 11,900 hits!!! Can that really be right? Is someone pulling my leg? I was getting excited about having close to 2,000 hits. I'm truly blown away. Well, if my blog counter really is right then that calls for celebration. What do you think? Let me look around my scrap room and see if I can find a little BLOG CANDY. I'll be back later with a picture of the free goodies. After I post the goodies, I'll open up a FREE BLOG CANDY giveaway! Don't forget to check back.

WINGS OF FRIENDSHIP

I love the filigree look of this bird image from Stampin' Up!'s hostess set called "Wings of Friendship". It's rare for me to pull out any shade of purple while stamping, but I love the new "In Color" Rich Razzleberry paired with Old Olive. I do believe this is the first time I've ever used Orchid Opulence (the lavender color) on any project. But you know what? I like it! I colored in the image using brush tipped markers and pulled out my mat pack and paper piercer for the corners. I also added some Ice circle rhinestone brads just to add a little bling!

If you're lucky enough to have tomorrow off, please enjoy it! I know I'm looking forward to it! Thanks for visiting me today!

Supplies: Stamps-Wings of Friendship, Trendy Trees (sentiment); Paper-Cottage Walls DSP, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive Textured C/S, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White; Ink - SU! Markers-Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence; Accessories-Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads, Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Ribbon, Small Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)

Shop Stampin' Up! here 24/7.

GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT

While blog surfing, I came across this cute treat bag created by Jan Tink at Stamp, Paper, Scissors. Well, I sat down and tinkered with the measurements and this is my creation. I used the Sweet Centers stamp set from the new Stampin' Up! Mini catalog for this project. I also tried to replicate the look of the moon on my "Eek you're sweet" tag. (Although, my husband said, "Ohhhh, yeaaaaah, I think I see it." So, I guess it wasn't that obvious. Oh well! I stamped my main image in Whisper White craft ink and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I used my 1 5/8" circle punch to punch out the center to let the candy show through. I also pulled out my sponges and sponged the edges of the pouch for good measure!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Labor Day! Thanks for visiting me today.


Supplies: Stamps - SU's Sweet Centers; Paper - Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Summer Sun; Ink - Whisper White Craft Ink, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel; Accessories - Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Paper Piercer, White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch (All supplies are Stampin' UP! unless noted.)


Shop Stampin' Up here!

SMILING FACES

I'll be the first to admit it, I'm not the biggest Halloween fan. But for some reason I just couldn't resist these cute little pumpkins from the Twick or Tweet stamp set from the new Holiday Mini. The new mini is just packed full of wonderful stamp sets! I used the patterned paper from Stampin' Up!'s Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper pack. This paper is not typical Halloween. It's very fru-fru with pinks, blues and greens. For some reason I thought that these papers would look good "Halloween" style. I colored my pumpkins in using a blender pen and Really Rust and Only Orange US classic ink pads. The pumpkins image is stamped with black Stazon Ink to keep the black ink from smearing when water coloring the image in. I also sponged around my stamped image and the patterned paper to give them a more eery feel.

Thanks for peeking in on me today. Hope you are having a wonderful day! Feel free to leave me a comment if you like. I really do enjoy reading them.

Supplies: Stamps-Twick or Tweet, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper-Kaleidoscope DSP, Only Orange, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink-Jet Black Stazon, Only Orange, Really Rust, SU Markers-Green Galore, Summer Sun; Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (stars on the hat), Vintage Brads, Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponges, Blender Pens, Paper Piercer, Photo Corners Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch

THE NEW HOLIDAY MINI IS HERE!

Stampin' Up!'s new Holiday Mini is here! Starting today, September 1st, you can place an order out of our supplemental mini catalog. I love the products in this little catalog and I think you will too! It's packed with tons of holiday stamps, paper and ribbon. You can click on the picture of the Mini Catalog located in my sidebar at the left to download the catalog for your viewing pleasure or simply click here. Prefer to view it in hard copy? No problem! E-mail me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com with your name and address and I'll send you one in the mail. Check back later and I'll show you a card I made using a stamp set from the new Mini catalog!

SO GRATEFUL

Here's a sneak peek from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Mini Holiday Catalog that comes out on September 1st. Boy, are you going to love this mini catalog. Lots of great stuff in this one. This image is from the "Wandering Words" stamp set. There are three stamps in this set containing this fall stamp, a Christmas scene stamp and a Valentine theme stamp. I must admit I have a little trouble knowing what to do with these long stamps, but I'm going to try my best and figure them out.

I used my Big Shot machine with the texturz plate for the background. I just spritzed my cardstock with water and ran it through my machine to get a deeper impression. To make it stand out a little, I sponged over the embossing with More Mustard and Close to Cocoa Stampin' Up classic ink pads.

Can you believe autumn is just around the corner? Personally, it is my favorite time of year. Hope to post another sneak peek from the new mini catalog soon.

Thanks for checking in with me today.

Supplies: Stamps - SU's Wandering Words; Cardstock - Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Autumn Traditions DSP; Ink - More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, SU Markers - Soft Suede, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant, Ruby Red; Accessories - Sponges, Linen Thread, Paper Piercer, Playground Designer Series Buttons, Fire Circle Rhinestone Brads, Big Shot Machine, SU's Background 1 Texturz Plate, Dimensionals, Punches - 1/2" Circle, 3/4" Circle, Scallop Edge, Tag Corner

BACK FROM VACATION

Sorry I've been quiet. I've been busy the last few weeks trying to eek out every ounce of summer before it's over. Last week my family and I headed down to Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. We made it back late Saturday evening. Vacations are wonderful, but it's always nice to come back. It makes you appreciate home a little more. Below are some pictures my husband took on our trip. By the way, we did see a few sharks and numerous stingrays. (One shark was about eight feet away from me. Yes, I was in the water with it! Yikes!)

Picture of my sister-in-law, Ellen, my son, Connor, and me going shelling on Bowman's Beach at Sanibel, Florida.

Not sure why some of these guys are on one foot!

Sunset at Ft. Myers Beach - absolutely beautiful!

Picture of my husband, Dave, and me on our last night at Ft. Myers Beach. It was about 95 degrees and we were sweat balls. LOL!

I received a package of new Stampin' Up! goodies from the upcoming Mini Catalog while I was gone. Hope to play with my new stamp sets soon and get some cards posted!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me today!

HERE FOR YOU

Have you tried the poppin' pastels technique? It's been around for a while, but I've never tried it. It's a really cool technique. Just stamp your image using Versamark ink and then rub colored chalk over the image. I used the baroque image from the Friends 24-7 stamp set along with Old Olive and Rose Red chalk on this card to replicate the technique. Okay, maybe I'm easily amazed but I like this technique. (I already said that didn't I?) I also ran my Rose Red cardstock through the Big Shot machine using the polka-dot texturz plate and then sponged Very Vanilla craft ink over it to make the dots pop out a little. This was the first time I tried out the eyelet border punch too and I'm loving it! To be honest, I wasn't crazy about this punch at first, but now I don't see this thing collecting much dust.


Supplies: Stamps - Friends 24-7; Ink - Versamark, Soft Suede; Paper - Natural Ivory, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Rose Red Designer Series Paper; Accessories - Very Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware, Chalks, Sponges, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Big Shot Machine, Texturz Plate, Designer Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch

You're A Blast

Just playing around with another Mojo Monday sketch. I find sketches to be just the right springboard to get the creative juices flowing.

I used all retired Stampin' Up! Designer Series paper on this card. The rocket is taken from the stamp set "Pun Fun" and I separated the saying, "You're a blast!" from the rocket by using a Post-it note mask. The rocket was double stamped in Jet Black Staz-on ink once onto the Night of Navy cardstock and once onto watercolor paper to keep the black ink from bleeding into the water coloring. I used my blender pen and Stampin' Up! classic ink pads to color in the rocket. I tend to squeeze out too much water when using the aqua painters. The moon was created using a circle punch and then moving the punch down a bit and punching a partial "bite" out of the original circle.

Hope everyone is having a good week. The weekend's just around the corner! :)

Supplies: Stamps - Pun Fun; Ink - Jet Black Staz-On, Real Red, Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Bermuda Bay; Paper - Water Color Paper, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Crushed Curry, Real Red, retired DSP; Accessories - Scissors Circle Plus, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Small Star Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Blender Pen

Deal of the Week 5

Don't miss out on the final "Deal of the Week". This week's deal is the Heart to Heart Punch. Purchase it now through Friday, July 31st for $10.99, (originally $15.99). To shop on line click here. If you have any questions or would like to place an order directly through me, email me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.

P.S. My uncle passed away unexpectedly last week and this week my family is attending his funeral services. That's why I've been a little quiet. I hope to post something soon, but I haven't been creating lately. My heart just isn't into it right now.

DEAL OF THE WEEK 3

Now through Monday, July 27th at 9:50 a.m. Mountain Time, purchase the Vanilla Styled Hodgepodge Hardware for $18.99. That's a savings of over 30% off the regular price of $29.95. To find out more about this promotion, click on my "Deal of the Week" button. It's located to your right in my sidebar. You can contact me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com for more information.