Carrie Stamps

{Christmas Wreath}

HI!  I have been wanting to share this with everyone for DAYS! 

I had my Stampin' Mania on the 8th and this is one of the items I shared. 

It is a wreath.  I made it with the cardboard pieces left over when your ribbon runs out.  Just pull off the plastic spool and save those round cardboard circles!  There are several different sizes and that just adds to the charm of the wreath. 

Here is how I created it. 

I covered one side with DSP, I used Cerise, Dashing, Winter Green and Apple Cider.  I used a Stampin' Up! glue stick to adhere the circle to a square piece of paper and then cut it out.  Since it is a nice circle I did not sand any of the edges, although you might want to do that. 

I then covered the backs with cardstock, again using the glue stick method.  I wanted cardstock on the back to make each circle a little sturdier. 

I arranged these into a circle, I needed a template to arrange mine so I traced a LARGE circle onto a 12x12 piece of cardboard and cut out a donut like shape to arrange mine circles on, so that I would have a nice wreath shaped circle.  To adhere the circle together and to the template I used sticky strip.   

Then I set to work on embellishing it.  I added some photos of my family decorating the tree this year.  I like using black and white photos, it gives it a classic look and you don't have to worry about colors in the photo's not matching.  So for a project like this I like black and white.  I was fun adding snowflakes that I had embossed with Iridescent Ice powder, rhinestones, buttons,ribbon and other stamped images.  

I really think this would make a fun gift for grandparents.  Although I have to keep this one for me, maybe I will make one for my Mom next year, when I accumulate more empty ribbon spools.  At the pace I use ribbon, that will not be long and I will be way ahead of the game for Christmas next year!  Yeah, nice thought! 

I also used one of my spare circles to create an ornament.  This was a lot of fun too.  I used my Build a Brads on the snowflakes, LOVE THEM!  As well as the Jumbo Eyelets.  They make the perfect whole for the ribbon, which is a must for an hanging this ornament.  It would be fun to make this a double sided ornament, so that you have a choice of which side you want to show when hanging.  Now, I am going to have to modify mine! 

I hope I have inspired you to use your rubber stamps and accessories to create gifts for your loved ones. That is one thing I really like about Paper Crafting, it is so versatile. 

Also, if you still have someone you need to shop for, it is not to late to order them some fun Stampin' Up! supplies to brighten their Christmas.  I will also gift wrap your order for you!  Or if you would like Santa to bring you some Stampin' Up! goodies, email me your wish list and who you would like me to contact on your behalf.  You could also give my contact information to your Santa and let them know I have your wish list.  I already have some wives and daughters that I know will have something they love under the tree this year!  My contact numbers are (208)853-7178 or (208)631-3127 or email me at [email protected]

Happy Stampin'

 

*My Christmas Card*

I did it!  I finally came up with MY Christmas card!  This is the card I will be sending out to my friends and family. 

I love this Moose from the Moose You Stamp Set!  Being the wife of a "GREAT OUTDOORS MAN" and living in Idaho, I have come to love wildlife.  So I was thrilled when this set came out and even more thrilled when my dear friend and downline gave it to me for my birthday! 

I knew before I started that I wanted to include a few things.... the moose, Dashing DSP, the "Merry Christmoose To You" saying, scallop circle punch and my new CUTTLEBUG embossed background.  This is the final result.  A big *THANK YOU* goes out to my friend Teneale and Tiena who came over and stamp Christmas cards too, cause if I did not set that time aside I would not have got as much as I did done (which was not that much, he he!)

So I have to tell you about the CUTTLEBUG!  I had been seeing these AWESOME dry embossed backgrounds all over the place and learned that they were from the CUTTLEBUG!  I knew I had to have one, I just love how well it coordinates with everything Stampin' Up!.  Then my customer, Kathy, got one and we played with it when we had Stamp Club at her house.  There was no going back then!  I had so much help from friends who tried to "hook me up" with coupons and in the end my friend Nicole gave me a 50% off coupon to Michael's and that is how I got my CUTTLEBUG. *Hugs to Nicole*  At this time I only have 1 embossing folder, but these swirls are very versatile!  So, watch for more creations with my cute little CUTTLEBUG. 

Now back to the card!  I need your advice!  Does it look like the moose is wearing earing's?  My husband thinks so, and since this card is from him too, I want to seriously think about this.  Because, they are NOT earnings, they are ornaments!  They are actually rhinestones that my friend Lisa gave me (she had thousands left over from her Christmas Cards last year, thanks girl!)  So please share your thoughts, comments and suggestions with me!  Bill (DH) thinks I should add more ornaments so that they do not look like earing's, I will try that!  Maybe I need another color of rhinestones too?  Hmm, help me out here!

   

stampin' supplies:

stamps: Moose You, Snow Flurries, Crab and Co.(will be available in the Spring/Summer Collection)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery Classic Pads and Basic Black Marker

Paper: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Dashing DSP

Accessories: Jumbo Circle Punches, Cutter Kit, Crystal Effects,Cuttlebug, demensionals 

Okay, just a little P.S.  Did you notice how many friends made this card possible!  I have to say how THANKFUL I am for all the friends I have made through stamping and being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!  I have to say it is the BEST perk of the job, many of these friends I would not have met otherwise.  So, I am sending a little love out to all my stampin' friends! 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

THE RETIRED LIST!!!

Today is the day!  Stampin' Up! Released the Retiring Stamp Set list.  It is a list of stamps sets that will no longer be available as of January 1st! 

Check out THE LIST!  Remember if there are any sets that you want you must order them before the end of December! 

This card is made with one of the retiring stamp sets that I love, It's Snow Time.  This card was one of my make and take projects at my *Party* Thursday night.  Our theme was Winter.  So I knew I wanted to use the Wintergreen DSP.  The card itself is Sage Shadow.  The snowman was stamped with basic black on whisper white cardstock and punched out with the 1-1/4" circle punch. 

Then I colored him with the Alway Artichoke and Certainly Celery markers as well as the Soft Sky pad and Aqua Painter.

He is mounted on a Always Artichoke 1-3/8" circle and then a Soft Sky Scalloped circle.  Then I popped that on top of my card. 

The sentiment is from the Hugs and Wishes stamp set, stamped in Always Artichoke. 

To embellish my card I used Silver Eyelets (on the left panel of DSP) and Soft Sky double stitched ribbon.

This was a fairly easy card to make!  Everyone always wants to know where I get my ideas and a lot of the are inspired by other cards.  I got the layout idea for this card from the past Holiday Mini Catalog (cant post a link to it as it is retired, but if you want a copy for ideas just email me).  So, look at what you have to inspire you when stamping.  Of course my blog is a GREAT place for your stamping inspiration.  What do you think, I would love to hear your comments on where you get your stamping inspiration!

Don't forget to place your "Retirement Order" before Dec.31st.  You can do so my email or by phone: (208)853-7178!

ALSO, if you want a great deal on your Retirement Order, you need to attend my *STAMPIN' MANIA* event. 

Stampin' Mania (Theme: Around the Tree)

Where: My House

When: Saturday 12/8/07

Time: 10am - 12pm

WHAT!:  Stampin' Demonstrations, Make and Take Project, LOTS of RAFFLED PRIZES, snacks, displays, a great special on Retiring Stamp sets! 

If you want to attend email me your favorite Christmas Memory or Tradition, we will share these through out the event, if I share yours, you will win a prize!

I hope to see you there!

Happy Stampin'

Carrie