Feb CLASS - "Bring Your Significant Other" Classes - 2 Dates Available

Hi again.....time to post about classes.

As my new CLASS SCHEDULE is to follow the pre-scheduled dates of every 2nd Sunday and the 3rd Thursday of each month, this means that this month, February's first class falls on VALENTINE's Day!

This got me thinking that this might be a great time to introduce a new concept for a class I have been shaping....ladies, bring your guy to class - and make it a date to have fun showing your 'significant other' what it is that has you fascinated about this craft AND let them have a chance to try it out with you!  NOW -  'significant other' is not the meant to mean only boyfriends, husbands this time....any one significant to you is welcome 'FREE' (one person free as quest) ....child, Mother, Aunt, Best Friend, etc.

However, from what I have seen,  men are starting slowly but surely to take an interest in scrapbooking, rubberstamping. Why?  I think the 'construction' and 'tools' appeals to them as it only a small leap from other activities they've encountered probably most of their lives. I know first-hand how it feels to have a real bon afide token 'construction worker' earnestly jump in and fashion a paper box - and loved it!  Other men are signing up seriously - as Demonstrators, in fact Stampin' Up! has just celebrated thier first "Father and Son" Demonstrator team - and I've met one who is local. Then there's Tim Holtz! But I've really been hearing about more men getting involved in the paper crafts.

And why not - makes sense, they may have an interest in photography - and scrapbooking can be as useful to them as it is to women.

So - bring a guy along for free for my first CO-ED CLASS!  But feel free to bring ANY 'significant other' for free this February!

CLASS SCHEDULE:
      Feb 14th : 1:00 pm, Sunday    and     Feb 18th:  6:30 pm, Thursday
      Both classes will have ' LOVE ' as the central theme, 6x6 scrapbook lay-out (1) and cards(2) and 1 mini-project.   Cost = $25 (significant other guest (1): free).

Due to project preparation - RSVP are required!  Thank You ")

NEW FREE Stampin' Up! PUNCHES! FREE PAPERS! Life is 'tweet'!

Hey - hello to all!  Time is just flying around here and its Tuesday already which means it's my blog time! :)

My daughter and I made these cards not long ago, and in fact, I have a special person in mind to give one of them to tomorrow.  We know lots of winter 'baby' folks, { including myself since it is officially February - and my birthday is looming!}.  But - a friend of mine, a great fella, HILTON turned 76 just a little while ago, and so I will present this card to him.  Its really a good card as the paper colours and birdcage are not overly feminine and lots of men enjoy birds - so all is good!

CARD DESIGN

Its a really simple card - layering, and multi-dimensional dots to boost the focal point of the birdcage up. Elements of repetition are at work to balance the design well....see, the stripes of the paper echo the straight lines of the birdcage while the circular shape of the scallop trim is repeated in the circles visible on the paper, and the roof of the birdcage. All the colours are made to co-ordinate, and the layered borders around the birdcage helps to make all the colours 'pop'.  A bit of ribbon finishes the whole effect! 

CARD SUPPLIES

The card is featuring more of the papers you can find in the Sweet Pea Designer Series Stack - there's plenty to satisfy any taste in this offering: 48 sheets, double-sided and the colours range from soft pinks, vanillas, blues and greens to deeper hues of brown, rose, teal, greens, etc. There are graphic designs {stripes, circles, dots, etc.} and cutesy trees and flowers and elegant butterflies - very versatile. 

AND check out one of the new punches!  This is available in both a border and a corner punch - so cool that we have come so far in just a few years that we all can make gorgeous designs with the tools at our fingertips!  The punch is: SCALLOP TRIM BORDER - and its FREE, FREE, FREE - with Sale-A-Bration!  WHooo-hoo - AND the matching SCALLOP TRIM CORNER PUNCH is available as a separate purchase - so you can use it towards your $65 purchase to enable you to take the border punch home free. 

  The stamp set for the bird in the cage is.....FREE!  LOL - more goodies from the SAB cataloque...this is a different stamp from the same set, HAPPY MOMENTS, which was featured in the previous post.

*Ribbon = regular Stampin Up! IDEA Cataloque

CONTACT ME IF YOU WISH TO ORDER SUPPLIES - OR WANT A FREE MINI-OCCASIONS CATALOGUE - AND SALE-A-BRATION BROCHURE.  

If you can't wait to view the exciting new additions to our collection - click on the LINKS to the right. 

cheers :)

The More Candles the Bigger the Wish! Card

Are you enjoying SALE-A-BRATION yet?  Well most of us are!!  Here's one more good reason to motivate you to take advantage of the benefits of SAB - its a lovely set of 6 expressions that cover a lot of ground for your cards now and in the future.  And paired with some pretty new papers...and you'll have a beautiful card to give to someone special - well, for those old enough to read! And if they can't - they're probably more interested in what else you have to give them, lol!

The stamp set is called WHIMSICAL WORDS and it can be yours for FREE  from our SAB catalogue if you purchase $65 worth of Stampin' Up! products ( regular IDEA Cataloque or our new Occasion Mini Cataloque), and for every additional $65 in your purchase - you may choose another FREE item from the SAB cataloque - so ok, that's that. Now let's look at the card...

First, we take some paper from the fabby "Sweet Pea" paper stack and our trusty TOP NOTE Big Shot Bigz Die. We're going to make a top note in the 'paper pieced' method, or sometimes known as 'paper quilted'.

Pick 4 patterns of the Sweet Pea papers, and cut them into small  2-1/2 x 2-1/2 squares and arrange them into a larger square in any order. Adhere this arrangement to a piece of larger white paper ( 5x5 inch). When you're done, place the sheet centered over the Top Note die. Line up the center lines in both direction to meet the "pointy" part of the Top Note - you're centered.  Run it through the Big Shot or your manual die-cutting machine. Set aside for the moment.

Next, grab a scrap of whisper white and stamp the expression - The more candles, the bigger the wish!  and  beside this stamp the 'cake' from the stamp set, "Happy Moments"  - one of the FREE stamp sets from the SAB cataloque. 

 Layer this over a slightly larger piece of cardstock, in my example, a piece of Melon Mambo cardstock - that very pretty pink. To rev it up, glue some pretty pink glitter over the little flowers of the cake!  PRETTY!

Now - take your prepared Top Note piece and top it with the greeting/cake piece. Together  they will decorate a card base { Melon Mambo with Whisper White layered on top} .... 

and, Voila!  A lovely, lovely card!

More Sweet Pea ....

Here is some more on Sweet Pea .....you can choose to go digital by adding to your digital software, see My Digital Software by Stampin' Up!  - OR - you can choose to do it the traditional way with papers, stamps, and the cutsey felt pieces.   You can combine the two for the 'hybrid' technique {half traditional embellishments on a digital card or scrapbook page}............any way you slice it - its a refreshing set!  Especially since we are all a little lagged out from doing Christmas themes - c'mon admit it! :)

That is not to say that I don't have Christmas scrapbooking to do - stay tuned! LOL!

cheers!

NEW Chipboard bOOks from SU Occasions Mini-Cataloque! SweeT!

Aren't these sweet?  The new CHIPBOARD 'ON BOARD' BOOKS {6.95 each}are fabulous!  Look at the one decorated and debuted at a Leaderhip Convention in the US - I love this!  Mini-albums are all the rage more than ever - and we have 3 NEW SHAPES!  

There is HEART Book (117236) SCALLOP CIRCLE Book (118306) and a fav of mine - BIRD Book (117238 )!!!

Each book comes in all natural, acid free chipboard and includes 8 die-cut shapes held together with a ball chain.  They are a good size too for decorating - ranging from 6 to 8 inches in width with the BIRD book slightly less than 4 inches at certain parts.

So go ahead and have fun making your own book and if you really want to pizzaz it up - try using the adorable SWEET PEA STITCHED FELT (117266) {see top image} and our designer papers - SWEET PEA  PAPER STACK (117161)  - yeah, we have a paper stack finally!    Or our just in time for Valentine Designer Series Paper - SENDING LOVE SPECIALTY (117153) shown in the second image above.

All of these are featured in the Occasions Mini-Cataloque - call me to order......and DON'T FORGET - SALE-A-BRATION IS ON!!!!   So if you order $65 in products - you'll be able to choose a stamp, punch or paper stack for FREE from our SAB Cataloque!    Hostesses - you can too if you hold a workshop with sales of $300!  And last but not least - especially - NEW RECRUITS - you will receive a 15% discount off of your Starter Kit (that's gooooood!) and a FREE stamp on top of your kit! 

Look - who wouldn't want to be a Demonstrator with Stampin' Up! when you can have a jammie party!

 We are going to have one locally too - in March I believe, so I must dig up some new cute ones!  My daughter will never agree to wear the same ones though - I bought us twin sweaters from the Gap with our own different coloured trims, but will she let us go out in them at the same time - noooooooo! Ha ha - why not I wonder :)

Cheers !

Cute and Crafty in Fabric - Spotlighting Talent in cyberspace and Tutorial to Alter Jam Jar

 I love it when I find the darling-est things and you have to admit even if you are a non-crafty person or even, dare I say it - a minimalist in the purest sense - that these are "cutesy" period.

So check out the talent I found today while surfing....you can learn how to make these 'bottlecap pincushions' at the blog of How About Orange...

And then, Hawaii is one of the best places I dream of moving to (seriously I do!)....and so one of their delightful talented crafters is here at Willy Nilly Waterlily and I just love, love her

" Bashful Blooming Cactus "  - wish I could post a pix of them but you can see on her blog - the trio of them on her banner.

MY TUTORIAL TO DECORATE A JAM JAR {decorate the lid!}

In my modest manner, I have used some fabric and a Big Shot Sizzlit Die of a flower to decorate the lid of a tiny jam jar - perfect for sorting and storing my buttons.

Begin with bare jar and Here is how I altered it:

a) cut a circle of fabric slightly larger than the lid and a circle of paper  the exact diameter of the top of the lid.

 b)cut a length of ribbon to wrap around the side of the lid - baste a row of thread to pull on and draw the ribbon edges snug around the lid...use some adhesive in spots before tying a knot in your threads to secure in place.

c) next wrap the fabric circle over the paper circle, baste the edges of the fabric circle like the step above for the ribbon, and snug the two together, secure and glue to the top of the lid - hiding the edges of the ribbon.

 

d) to decorate the top- I used my Big Shot and a small die from my Birds & Blooms Sizzlits 4-Pack- I chose the larger single flower in  co-ordinating orange paper (use pumpkin pie, or only orange or dusty durango)

e) finally, I secured the paper flower with a smaller fabric flower and a flower brad. [see top photo]....and displayed it on my shelf!  I plan to do this to more of these tiny jars - neat way to recycle.

Well...off to surf some more! Cheers!

Aren't they something else! Darn I wish I could knit at times like these!  Hope could be on the horizon as my daughter is learning as I speak, how to crochet!

In the meantime, I will want to t

Uhmmmm....I think I might....and BRIDES take note!.....

...actually try to make this - seriously!  I can't remember where or who made this, but I was searching for cupcake ideas when I received my Big Shot XL Perfect Setting Die....and well, as you can see its just too crazy and I am in the mood!.....So stayed tuned for that!

But speaking about the Perfect Setting XL Die  { #115961} which gives you a very pretty collar for cupcakes - and collars are now a popular item, when you see it in the baking section of Wilton - you know its made it! LOL!

 But - as perfect as this die is....Stampin' Up! introduced another XL Die in our recent Mini-Holiday Catalogue...its our ' TABLE SETTING ' XL Die {#116819} - and its great for us ladies who like to dress up our tables for dinner guests (even if that means just yourselves & why not!) because it includes a favourite item of mine - a place card! It also means you can make napkin rings and tags to dress up the aformentioned place card or rings - and some decorative elements to go a step further: a coil which you can fashion into pinecones or roses!  NOTE: the dies from the Mini-Holiday are still available for order - extended date for dies only!  Contact me if you would like to place an order. 

So TABLE SETTING will be in my collection - because I always, always try to make our table special even though its the two of us - because I feel we should celebrate our times together!  And I hope I am imparting a sense of importance - or - delight to my daughter so she in turn, will bring this same sensibility to her lifestyle and pass it on.  Let's not be blah- right? Right!

But BRIDES - there is another dimension in this for you because you are looking to dress up many tables and bring the sense of occasion that your wedding deserves - so take a good look at this....and SOON!  Why?  Because SALE-A-BRATION of course!

 By purchasing a XL Die from us - and a small item, to make the minimum $65 order to qualify for a FREE PRODUCT from the SAB catalogue!  Choose from the exciting products that you can use in other projects for  your wedding!  There are some exciting punches to embellish your invitations or decorations, a new embossing folder - polka dots!  Always sweet!  And an absolute must - our Embosslit Heart - well, there is so much!  Heart Treat Cups - make an exciting favor!  LOVE-ly stamps and papers, .....its not just Valentines!

So please - T-R-E-A-T  Y-O-U-R-S-E-L-F   to  SALE-A-BRATION  and maybe have some fun dreaming up luscious cupcakes!  Uhmmmmm! :)

**************************

XL Dies Product Description - these  6 x 13-3/4 x 5/8 inch, steel-ruled dies  are constructed with a steel rule blade set in ABS plastic/CARB compliant wood cases, and topped with long-lasting ejection foam {like flocking}. Weight 1.54 lbs.  **Require Extended Cutting Pads {#113478}. Use with BIG SHOT DIE-CUTTING/EMBOSSING MACHINE {#113439}. * Compatible with other die-cutting machines.  Comes with a 3 year warranty - these are meant to last and cut through a large variety of materials! Many designs are exclusive to Stampin' Up!

Trends - Fabric and Paper Crafters Unite!

A while back I was listening to a webcast from the blog of our grand dame of SU - Shelli Gardner -and in it, Shelli is speaking about the craft industry. I became curious when she was predicting that the Home Decor arena of SU would continue to grow. I thought "oh - I guess we are going to see the Definitely Decorative wall art (our Decor Elements line) expand."

Now I know we've probably seen our Decor Element selection of wall art double if not triple this past year - so I thought we'd see even more. That would mean more options, more creative projects to adorn my walls - my jars, and don't even get me started about glass etching ideas I have using the smaller Decor Elements (I am just waiting to etch a table top glass piece!).....and that was the extent of my thoughts.

Till now....

I don't know where I have been, but I've just seen the posts of others about different companies who have expanded into the fabric world - taking paper craft designs and transferring them to fabric!!! How fab!

Above is a quilt showing what I mean ...the squares are fabric from a well-known paper collection who I am not allowed to mention (sorry SU's rules, not mine) - and with our Big Shot and our Sans Seriff Alphabet Dies collection, I could sooooo easily make this! Therefore - if maybe Shelli was hinting - could it be in the future... one of our paper collections makes it into fabric?  Geez - think of the co-ordinating projects.....Oh boy! Puh-leeeze!

And then I found this funny-looking purse project someone has lovingly made  on etsy  - it reminds me of the cards, and punch art we make - so we could def'ly transfer our ideas into something with fabric .....so I hope SU does release matching fabric....since I like co-ordinating things - just sayin'! :)

Well that's got me thinking in a new way - hope it does for you too!

(see post in Fabric Arts on CraftJuice by ' swirlyarts ')

Pet Projects to Showcase on the Holidays

Alright - I just have to throw in a couple of photos of my pampered pooch - because that is what he is. And I know how I sound - just like other people I used to hear going on about their pets - but - that's ok because I am a convert, so bear with me!

However, being new pet owners - I knew we had to include Pepper in our decor, so here is what I came up with - you don't need the holiday theme like I've used for one of the projects - just adjust it to suit your own surroundings!

First - I created a feature wall - and chose the only spot left which was in plain view, a corner by our livingroom window. But I balanced the pictures so it works really well - and I am keeping it sans the one holiday photo/frame which I am sure will be replaced soon with something new.

My first project was to create a homage to our lil guy!  So I put this collage together - inside a shadowbox style frame. It's based on a scrapbook page design I saw in the archives of SU's library - but I made it my own with all the details. {Sorry - hard to take pics of something inside glass!}  It's titled "U R Priceless " and you can see the lettering on the outside of the frame and inside. The coin with the X wire over top is meant to mean 'no amount of money' could replace a pet - they're priceless. Lots of glue dots and dimensionals used here to elevate embellishments, and using the wire is an old fav technique of mine - esp. combined with beading. The chocolate frame, the green background - all work towards blending with our decor. So I love this - its a bit fussy, but it's great - here is one project you can think up lots of tiny details and it all works well!

My next project was to make a photo frame. I know we can buy them - but here's a cheaper alternative {the ones at the photo place were $5 and up - mine cost $2.00 at most. I use one of our IN COLOR cardstocks for the frame, So Suede. I wanted a 'home-grown' comfy look - so I stitched the cardstock backing (solid piece of paper) to the front frame (using a hobby knife I cut out a rectangle to frame photo) with some crochet thread in red and green. Finally - the tree! This was fun - layer 2 pieces of green cardstock and cut 2 of a loppy christmas tree outline you sketch on the back of  the cardstock.  Use 1 of the trees to cut stained-glass style into 3 parts - toss one aside. Use white craft ink, powder the trees to look like they're frosted with snow. Now using dimensional glue dots - position the two parts over the full tree frame and decorate your tree. I decided to punch out a heart which I 'tucked' behind one of the tree layers. And that is also now a fav project of mine!

Well - there is more but I must go for now - its movie day!  But not before I sneak in another pic of our cutie!

Here he is enduring our 'attention' - and then with his new christmas toy - oh, I feel a scrapbook page coming on!   HAPPY NEW YEAR !   OXOX

NEW-NEW-NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT STAMPIN' UP!!! :)

start thinking.....January 5th.....January 5th.....January 5th!

wHooT-Whooo!
For several past years, there has been an enthusiastic question  from demonstrators and customers alike  - when will SU offer a line of repositionable clear-mount stamps?  We heard you, and now ta-da! Our new "babies" to the SU line.....Clear Block Handles and Repositionable Rubber Stamp Sets - plus our regular Wood Handles ...remain!  Yay!!!

Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin′ Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option.

When?  Why it all begins January 5th!!!!

Our company's position to hold out till we had the best there is image quality in the stamping industry, AND  offering the ease-of-use and convenient storage in repositionable clear-mount stamps has paid off.....

Clear-Mount Features

• 
  
  Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
  
  Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
  
•  Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
•  Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
•  Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

SO HOW GREAT IS THAT! BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!!!   I know I will have a hard time knowing which option to go with - as I love both types, so I'll have to figure out some 'system' to my purchases - (such a hard problem to have, giggle)......I love the solid feel of wood - and the best part though, is I prefer rubber - and I don't have to give that up - I can still collect 'rubber' stamps but just not necessarily 'wooden' handles.....then with storage being 'easier' now with the new option - that means I can have twice as many stamp sets! :)

BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE! 

Introducing Our New PUNCH DESIGN!   dOUble WhOOt!!

If I spoke of new babies to our line of great products - well, then we've had twins!  We now will phase in our "new" punches with a terrific, slimmer body design :)

Here's the scoop from HQ's:
Starting with the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalogue and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches!  {think January 5th!}

 A few features of the new punch style:

•    Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
• Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
• Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
• Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
• New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use.
• Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Two-Step Bird punch in the Occasions Mini Catalogue
• Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
• larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use
• Available in an exclusive Stampin' Up! color

Part of Stampin' Up!'s commitment to providing demonstrators and customers with the very best crafting tools includes the belief in what we call continuous improvement. Essentially what this means is that even if something works very well, but we see a chance to improve it, we will work to make it even better. While new punch designs will be in the new body style, existing designs will remain in the existing body style for now.
{hey - I'll bring in the latest word every step of the way! wink}

News and Cues

Hello everyone!  Hope we are all finding a day here and there to rest - we are down sick with something, ugh! But we held off pretty good all year - "knock on wood"....so its good we can rest up now and for me in a day or two that means 're-grouping and re-organizing' that messy place that used to be my shiny craft studio!

But I also love cleaning up for the New Year - there is just something pleasant about the task!  I like to get some new fancy cleaning tool or supply item - then unleash the "Mrs Clean" in me!  This year, I bought a new vacuum, and went for a Dyson. I have to admit, I love the attachments!

Now - re-vamping my craft business is also on the agenda!  Here is some new developments ...I will be putting into action for the new year....starting with class scheduling. My intent here is for everyone to know when to expect classes each month and will know if they are free to attend (let's hope so! wink ), so....

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS TO BE HELD ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE!

1. Classes will be held twice each month: the 2nd Sunday of the month, 1 pm  {usually falls between the 8th-14th} and the 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm {usually falls between the 15th-21rst}.

*Please Note - Home or Office/Special Event Parties -  can be booked on any other date than the two above days.

2. Monthly Round-Up Stampin' Up! Order - I will place an order on the 30th of each month - anyone who may want to add to this order, just contact me with your details.

Orders still placed at any other time of the month, or after a class to achieve a free class, but this is just one more option. Sometimes we think of  last minute items we need or to take advantage of a new promotion. If you need to provide me with payment details, please contact me by the 29th or morning of the 30th, thank you.

3. New Blog Posts - expect to see a new blog post on the Tuesday of each week. I may post more often but you can always see new blogging on every Tuesday! Comments welcome! Ideas welcome - everyone is welcome, come to think of it!

4. Newsletter - this is a harder event to gauge, but I will experiment with a newsletter for every other month for now. I will be able to bring you news that is timely concerning Stampin' Up! and a craft project for free! Besides we seem to have a holiday every other month - or an  important event concerning our lives touches us whether its someone's engagement or birthday!  Please feel free to contact me with any questions - I'd love to hear ideas you'd like me to touch upon! :)

5. Contests/ Blog Candy - I would like to introduce my Comment & Blog Goodie Basket! You're all able to have a chance to win a Goodie Basket from moi! I shall have one ready for each Trimester - that will be in April, August and December!

For each trimester's Goodie Basket -  you will qualify 1 entry into the jar for: a)  each comment (on a different topic) on my blog,  b) for a suggestion for my blog or newsletter;

AND 2 entries for: c) anyone placing an order,  d) anyone attending a class, e) sending me a card using Stampin' Up! materials;

AND 3 entries for: f) for providing a new guest at a class/workshop ! 

So stay tuned! Try often - best way to have as many chances at winning!

A few guidelines:
1.No one person can win 2 Goodie Baskets in a row.
2. In the event that no one qualifies for the current Goodie Basket, the contents will be returned to my supply cupboard and incorporated into future Goodie Baskets, or Volunteer causes.

6. My new Telephone Contact Information - please contact the following telephone number to reach me at 416-806-6098.  It has come to pass that my land line was redundant, as almost 98 percent of my contacts are by email, and so I passed the decision to remove our land telephone and convert strictly to a cellular telephone. Your best option is to contact me by email at the following: bstampingbeehive@gmail.com as per usual, and telephone me as you need to as well at the above number. Thank You!

[ps - this may not be for everyone, but I must say, our household has become peaceful once again - as too many annoying calls came through every day - not for anyone at our home but mostly pesky companies sales pitches or worse, mistaken 'fax' machines tying up our line!!! But now we are back to blissful Sunday mornings!]

Well - there you have it!  All my latest developments in order to facilitate better service for you the customer, and/or follower - and kindred spirits!  Any questions, or if you'd like to come to a class - contact me!

Thank you - talk to you soon!
Beverly :) ......and one more smile, :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

....and I hope everyone is having a lovely, lovely holiday!  Since we celebrate our big affair on Christmas Eve, today I am in pajamas - which is my personal tradiition ...uhm-mmmm... soft new pj's, and floppin' about without a care in the world!  It's so great!  Now last night, we had a satisfying dinner (tummy aches after and all), and the lovely priviledge to have a 'family member' join us who is turning 76 soon but doesn't look a day over 60!  And as you'd probably suspect -  we even got the dog dressed up - bells and red velvet, fluff ...although he drew the line with the reindeer antlers or fancy barettes (darn!) except he's happy with his new toys, treats, etc., etc.  - and perhaps a little miffed that for once, he wasn't the ab-so-LUTE center of our universe!  Well - suffice to say, we're doing everything we can to have a very nice holiday ourselves.

And like many of you, we were rushed right up to yesterday - right down to the last min. Why is it always like that, lol! Ah well.:) 
One good reason for us was that on Monday, we shared our time and supplies with the families staying at Ronald McDonald House - and we created these really great Scrapbook-In-A-Box projects.  Due to security or unless I receive a family's permission, we can't share many of the photos I have. But here is a small photo and I've concealed the identiies of a special girl and her Mom - the lil crown and star indicate they're there! I put a silly hat on me to be equally unidentifiable - well, somewhat, lol! It's not my best look :) Anyways, anyone who made a box for the first time - was super-duper at it, terrific looking boxes! I caught one of the fathers looking at every move I was making - cutting, folding - and so I asked him if he was interested in trying - and he sure was!  He jumped in and was quite eagerly making his box!  And of course, it looked great! He loved all the little doo-dads and dedicated tools - maybe I ought to set up a table at Canadian Tire cuz that makes 2 men in a month that I've see going at this like crazy'!  Girls - make a note - get your hubby or fav guy in on this with you!  :)

Anyways, want to have your own party? Just throw some select stamps in a bucket and along with the rest of the supplies - its a great group activity!

Because of the range of ages at the RMH - this project was perfect because each family can work on one "all together", or a young person can work on one all of their own!  It doesn't matter what age is involved, because the very youngest can do what they do best -scribble  away! And using a pen or marker onto cardstock - which then can be added to the whole design - also they can help glue, put on snowflakes....its not hard. Actually, it can get a little 'sticky' when you want them to stop, ahem!  

Here's another version - the one I made at our Demonstrators Holiday Party  - and below it you'll see it open when you pop off the lid!  It falls open - and the center section can have even more surprises if you make a small folded tag!  A loving message for grandma? A perfect suggestion also came from one of the staff - its a box to hold a cupcake! 

You can go with any theme - put pictures, verses, stories - anything inside or on one or all of the 4 outer sides!  Use your imagination, but they are sooooo much fun to decorate!  My daughter is simply taken by them, and if she thinks they're cool - then that's great by me!

FUN WALL DECORATING - EASY AS CHRISTMAS PIE!

Before I go, I will show you what I have adorning our hall wall  [can we say that fast 10 times?].... I used Stampin' Up!'s Decor Elements on my wall!  They're temporary - and you can have some fun like I did!  By simply following the directions [and I suggest you do!] its a straightforward task. Here you can see the brown "FLOURISH FRAME" shape has both dots and a line border - so its momentarily a bit longer and with caution, but it works out fine in the end!

In addition,  I ordered 2 female classic stick figures and 1 dog figurine  from the "All IN THE FAMILY " section (pg 27 of our DEFINITELY DECORATIVE CATALOG  and placed them over the brown frame - and when I am finished with the holidays, off will come the lil hats!

In place of the stick figures - add words like 'Family' or 'ABC' ....well, you get the idea!

Well, I must go and take the lil guy out for his walk! 

So, once again,....

Merry Christmas and a safe holiday to you all!

Oxox

Beverly and family.

Keep on crafting!

Favourite Trick - Rings and Ribbons!

I hope I didn't mention this earlier this year but its worth it if I did, because this has to be one of my fav ways to dress up a card - using " rings and ribbons " !!!

It's simplicity is great but the fascination I get is from all the combinations I can make by using this technique!

All you do is punch out a ' ring '  - I use a die-cut that has concentric circles in one die, and choose the size I want. Then you 'embed' the ring half-way behind a layer of paper or tag, etc. This 'anchors' the ring by gluing down the hidden part of the ring, allowing you to loop some ribbon through the exposed portion of the ring. See close-up pictures.

It works great for just one ring & ribbon - and it looks scrumptious when you use a whole lotta rings and ribbons!

Give it a try!      

[Note - if you do not have ring die-cut to do this, try using a length of narrow ribbon to make a loop, or even create a circle and cut away or punch out the middle - I am sure there are even more ways to do this if you think on it!]

CLICK on pictures for larger views.                                                                                                  

Look at our 'contest' results - how many cards from half a kit?

I had a lotta fun Sat. at our local demonstrator's holiday get-together....and while I will post later about the fun things, here's one thing - a game where we divided into 2 teams, and each team had 1/2 a scrapbook kit and only 1 scissors, 1 glue and 1  paper scorer between us - talk about limited resources! Then within a time limit, we had to brainstorm about how to turn out the most 'cards'.

Well, on our team - which included a guy - yes, Paul is an avid crafter too!....and Christine who can calculate area's and figures like there is no tomorrow; puttered along before we found our stride and you can see our results!
 The other team objected out loud about their 'differences' and why they should win - but apparently, they divided the cards among themselves afterwards with better panache or something....because they won!

Well - anyways - point was, to brainstorm about coming up with something when you haven't a lot to start with in terms of tools, and only half of a kit.

I think you can see we all did pretty good - that is 36 + 52 cards from one kit!  So a total of 88 cards! 3 x 3 'cards' do count - because we have small envelopes, but I am going to use my share as tags.

Tips to keep Organized during busy times....

I don't know about you, but I dress up the strangest things in an effort to bring on the holiday mood - and this year is no different.

I was thinking of posting some notes as my brain is on overload with 'things to remember'...and I have this little note holder, so using some stamps and recipe cards, I made some simple blank notes which I can post reminders - and it looks kinda festive! And its working.....but I also have last year's idea out again ....

....my handy organizer for all my 'lists'  - this is the my sure-fire way to keep it together, or otherwise I would forget someone - somewhere - and that wouldn't do!

It's a simple red folder ( see picture) I made from one sheet of paper, a chipboard initial, and inside it stores my separate 'LISTS' which are labeled  using my Tab Punch and plain, co-ordinating papers..  I find it easy to locate and my lists are all together! No more frantic searches through drawers, fridge doors and scrap piles! :)