Candy Wrapper Stocking Stuffer

Posted on by Josee

We had our first Halloween in our new house and the kids had a great time. My little one came home after Trick or Treating and said: "Mommy, I had alot of fun!" It was really cute and warmed my heart to hear the joy in her voice.

I'm really thankful that they all seem to be doing well in their new school/preschool and have made some great friends already!

My oldest actually went out with some friends instead of with us. I can't believe she's growing up so quickly…I told her to STOP getting older but unfortunetely she doesn't seem to be listening!

Now that Halloween is over…it's time for some serious Christmas making girls!!! Do you know what you're making for Christmas??? Make sure you plan early so you don't get overwelmed!

Here's an adorable project to inspire you….

 

With every new catalogue, it is fun to see what new products are available for the Big Shot. The Holiday Mini included a number of new products, including the super cute Candy Wrapper Bigz Die (120890). It will make a perfect stocking stuffer, table favour, or wrapping for a tiny gift this holiday season! It's important with this die that you read the instructions that come with it and fold along all the score lines before you put it together! It takes a minute to "get" the idea, but once you do, these go together in a snap!

Step by Step Directions

  1. Fold along all score lines, and ensure you fold them backward and forward. Assemble using Sticky strip to hold together and then twist.
  2. Stamp "Dec 25" on Whisper White in Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink and punch out with Decorative Label. Stamp "do not" greeting in Blushing Bride Classic Ink and punch out with 1 inch Circle Punch.
  3. Attach Dec 25th greeting to assembled box with SNAIL. Attach do not greeting with a Stampin' Dimensional.
  4. Run Northern Frost decorative strip through the Big Shot with a piece of Blushing Bride Cardstock. Set glimmer brad through centre of snowflake and attach with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Stampin' Up Supply List

  • Stamps: Tags Til Christmas (W120847/C121169)
  • Ink: Blushing Bride (119786), Cherry Cobbler (119669)Classic Ink
  • Paper: Cherry Cobbler (111348), Blushing Bride (119796), Whisper White Cardstock (100730)
  • Accessories: In Color Glimmer Brads (121005), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), SNAIL (104332), Sticky Strip (104294)
  • Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting System(113439), Candy Wrapper Bigz Die (120890), Northern Frost Decorative Strip (120901)

The Big Shot offers so many great little boxes that can add some style to your holidays. To order any of the supplies for this project you can shop online 24/7.

**To sign up for the 12 Weeks of Christmas emails – exclusive emails with Christmas projects sent right to your inbox- click here…you don't want to miss it!! Next one comes out on Wednesday!**

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Product of the Week: Spooky Spider Web Embossing Folder

Posted on by Josee

Create Halloween projects in a snap with the Spider Web Embossing Folder for the Big Shot (120889). It is perfect to create a card front, pieces on a scrapbook page, on a treat box and more! It coordinates with all of Stampin' Up's great Halloween sets, including the 1800s London Halloween Suite in the Holiday Mini Catalog!

Here's a cute project made with this folder – in the background, and then again on the panel on the card with Waffle Paper.

To add this spooky folder to your collection, you can click HERE to shop online 24/7 and have it shipped right to your door!

**To sign up for the 12 Weeks of Christmas emails – exclusive emails with Christmas projects sent right to your inbox- click here…you don't want to miss it!!**

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Technique Time: Watercoloring with Markers

Posted on by Josee

This week's technique features watercoloring with a Blender Pen and Stampin' Write Markers.

Stampin' Up Supply List

  • Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (111618), A Word for You (W117032/C120528)
  • Ink: Jet Black Staz-On (101406), Real Red Classic Ink (103133), Real Red (100052), Regal Rose (105108)and Soft Suede (120973) Stampin' Write Markers
  • Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Pink Pirouette (105118), Soft Suede (115318), Real Red (102482), Watercolor Paper (105019)
  • Accessories: Pretty in Pink 1 ¼ Striped Grosgrain (119775), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Blender Pens (102845)
  • Tools: Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Decorative Label Punch (120907), Paper Snips (103579)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

  • Real Red
    • 8.5 x 5.5
  • Very Vanilla
    • 4.25 x 5.5 piece for embossed piece
    • Scrap for stamped and punched greeting
  • Pink Pirouette
    • 2.5 x 3.5 Mat for image
    • Scrap for frame for greeting
  • Soft Suede
    • 2.25 x 3.25 Mat for image
  • Watercolor Paper
    • 2 x 3

Technique Directions

  1. Stamp image with Staz-On and then add "spots" of color as desired on image with markers.
  2. Move ink around on paper using blender pen to shade as desired.

Notes:

  • Using a marker with a blender pen gives you a more vibrant look than with other watercoloring techniques. It also offers more control with smaller images than using the Aquapainter with the markers to color.
  • To successfully use markers with blender pens, you must use Staz-On to ensure it is waterproof, and watercolor paper to ensure the paper doesn't pill.

Finishing Touches

  1. Take card base and fold in half.
  2. Run Very Vanilla mat through Big Shot with Polkadot Embossing folder and then attach to card base with SNAIL.
  3. Attach stamped image to Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette pieces with SNAIL.
  4. Fold small piece of ribbon and attach to back of stamped panel using SNAIL. Attach to entire card base with SNAIL.
  5. Stamp greeting in Real Red on Very Vanilla and then punch out with Decorative Label Punch.
  6. Punch a Decorative Label out of Pink Pirouette. Cut in half and trim off points on smaller side and then attach to back of stamped greeting with SNAIL. Attach to card base with Stampin Dimensionals.
  7. Add glitter to cupcakes using 2-way Glue Pen.

Get out your open line art images and give watercoloring with your blender pen and markers a try. There's lots of ways to watercolor and I'd be happy to share them with you and you can learn which ones you like best! Contact me to arrange a private class with your friends this fall.

 

**To sign up for the 12 Weeks of Christmas emails – exclusive emails with Christmas projects sent right to your inbox- click here…you don't want to miss it!!**… READ MORE “Technique Time: Watercoloring with Markers”

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Halloween Treat Bag

Posted on by Josee

One of the fun new products in the Holiday Mini are the Mini Lunch Sacs (121031). I'm sure you are thinking….a paper bag? These aren't just any old paper bag – they have a scallop edge done already for you, a reinforced bottom and are quite strong – perfect for filling up with LOTS of treats! As a bonus, these sacs go through the Big Shot with the embossing folders beautifully.

Step by Step Directions

  1. Take Mini Lunch Sac and run through the Big Shot with the Spider Web embossing folder. Face the flap towards the back of the folder, and it will emboss the entire bag. (Note: As this folder is quite detailed, you will have to be careful when you open the bag as you'll have to separate the two sides of the bag.)
  2. Fold over bag about ½ inch from the top. Find the middle scallop and punch holes (using large punch on Cropadile) just above the ones right next to it so you have two holes to thread your two Rich Razzleberry ribbons through. Tie a loose know so that you can get it open after to put in treats!
  3. Stamp image in Basic Grey Classic Ink on Watercolor Paper, and then punch out with 1 3/8 Circle Punch. Color in image with ink and blender pen. Stamp greeting in Rich Razzleberry towards the top of the circle. Sponge around edge with Rich Razzleberry.
  4. Punch a Large Scallop circle out of Old Olive cardstock. Attach stamped image with SNAIL. Punch a 2 ½ Circle out of Rich Razzleberry, attach scallop circle with SNAIL.
  5. Punch hole with Cropadile (small punch) and thread Lace Trim through hole. Tie knot with lace trim and trim with scissors. Attach to bag with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Stampin' Up Supply List

  • Stamps: Fang-tastic (W120853/C121178)
  • Ink: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Basic Grey (109120) Classic Ink
  • Paper: Old Olive (119334), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Watercolor Paper (105019)
  • Accessories: 1/8 Rich Razzleberry Taffeta (119259), 3/8 Rich Razzleberry Taffeta (119966), Raven ½ Lace Trim (120988), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Stampin Sponges (101610)
  • Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting System(113439), Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (120889), 2 ½ Circle Punch (120906), 2 3/8 Scallop Circle (118874), 1 3/8 Circle Punch (119860), Cropadile (108362)

So many possibilities with these Mini Lunch Sacs – Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day – perfect for all of your treats, stocking stuffers and more. To learn how to use the Big Shot for fun projects like this one, you can attend my monthly stamper's club and learn all kinds of fabulous techniques.

 

**To sign up for the 12 Weeks of Christmas emails – exclusive emails with Christmas projects sent right to your inbox- click here…you don't want to miss it!!**

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Off to Valerie’s meeting…

Posted on by Josee

This past weekend, I was invited to attend Valerie McCallum's meeting as the guest speaker. I was invited to speak to her girls and I shared my top 10 tips on being a dynamic, successful demonstrator. I was really honoured to have been asked and was happy to attend. I had so much fun, it was 3 hours away and I was lucky to bring my neighbour Amanda with me. We had a blast!

So, we drove to Brandon, MB and the morning was filled with chatting to the gils and then had a very yummy lunch, potluck style. After lunch we got to make a bunch of cards. I have to say that all the cards were so wonderful…those girls are talented! After the meeting, Amanda and I went to the Brandon craft show…I bought a new purse and a lovely coat rack that I'm actually going to use for the kids backpacks.

Here's an adorable frame that Valerie made using the Spooky Things Decor Elements and some candy corn.

Amanda and I doing our stamping!

Valerie and I

 

Here are some other lovely projects they had on display:

Do you see the little ghosts??? This is brilliant, she used the owl punch upside down! I love, love, love this!

This was probably my favourite project, it's the most adorable little scrapbook box.

 

**To sign up for the 12 Weeks of Christmas emails – exclusive emails with Christmas projects sent right to your inbox- click here…you don't want to miss it!!**

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