Saturday Sketch Challenge #235

Just a quickie post tonight... catching up on a few last minute Christmas cards for my last gatherings of the season, and the deadline for this sketch challenge at Stamping 411 is looming, so I'm just doing a pre-bedtime post. (PS. Since this is a Stampin' Up! only challenge, I just want to reassure you that, although this Santa stamp is from 2004, it is indeed SU :)

Merry Christmas all!

'Tis the season for... candy?

It would seem that all of the confectionary companies decided long ago that EVERY holiday needed to be drowned in sugar, and kids need to get enough candy to last them to the next holiday... Well, although I'm not a fan of too many treats (especially for the kiddos), I am a HUGE fun of adorable candy themed "stuff", and I am LOVING this Sweet Shoppe suite in the new Occasions Mini, and this SQSC18 sketch (flipped upside down), at Stampin' Queens was a perfect opportunity to take a break from Christmas cards and projects, and make some lollipops... and remember in my cupcake post last week, I said I'd unveil another scented embossing powder? These ones smell like Melon, and I SO wish I could send some Smell-O-Vision through the internet, because this one is AMAZING... smells exactly like some of my favorite candies and lipbalms when I was a kid! Also, if you take a close look at the Soft Suede at the edges, I used the Heart Pressed plate, without ink, to get a subtle imprint similar to the Textured Impressions.

Vanilla Cupcake... no REALLY!! Smell it ;)

I am SO glad my nephew had his birthday in December, so I had a reason to play with my favorite suite from the new Occasions Mini 2012. This cupcake card was the first of many yummy cards I'll be making with this Sweet Shop line, and also my first chance to try the SMELLY clear embossing powder... you heard me! The icing on this cupcake smells like vanilla... and you don't even have to scratch to sniff. Yum!!! And there are two other scents available, starting January 4th, but you'll have to wait till I make another card using one of them ;)

For this card I used the sketch over at Craft Project Central, for their Creating Pretty Cards Challenge #6.

Everyday Enchantment Advent Calendar

I got this advent kit a couple months ago, but since I wasn't head over heels for any of our current Christmas DSPs, and I didn't have enough of my favorite from last year, (Jolly Holiday, which is currently part of the Clearance Rack Blitz!), I decided to hold off until next year. That is, until I saw the upcoming Sale-a-Bration!!!! The Everyday Enchantment suite has my favorite DSP EVER (I may have mentioned that before ;), and although it's not technically a Christmas paper, the colors and the vintage feel were perfect for the look I wanted, so I went for it...

The advent calendar we'd been using in years past is a wooden one with each box having an ornament to hang on the tree. I really liked the way it worked, and I particularly love that there weren't treats involved. But the ornaments were starting to fall apart, and it was time to move on. So I brainstormed about how to recreate the ornament/tree idea, without having to screw knobs on or anything, and figured out that if I put a thin sheet of tin behind the tree, I could use magnets on the ornaments! So using Antique Brads, and Everyday Enchantment brads, I cut off the bendy things and used Mini-Dots to stick them to strong button magnets from the dollar store. Each day has one ornament in the box, and the star for the top sits in box 25 until Christmas morning. Here are some closeups...

Clearance Rack Blitz!!! Limited time, up to 80% off

Today Stampin' Up! added nearly 200 items to the Clearance Rack, and until January 5th, has dropped some of the prices even lower, to 80% off! To order online, click the button on the top right, and have it delivered directly to your door. Or, if I have enough orders to total $100+, I'll put in an order on the 5th... but don't forget, there are limited supplies, and what you want could be gone by then!

Sale-A-Bration and New Occasions Mini SNEAK PEEKS!!!!

I have seen the future, and it is BEAUTIFUL! The upcoming Occasions Mini is my favorite EVER, jam-packed with fabulous and FUN goodies, and the Sale-A-Bration 2012 has the most fabulous DSP I've ever seen, along with 2 gorgeous stamp sets and an embellishment pack that coordinate perfectly (among other great stuff, of course).

So without further ado, here is a sneak peek at Sale-a-Bration, along with a few things from the new mini. And I promise, more sneak peeks will be coming throughout the next week, so make sure you check back frequently :)

I used Mojo Monday's sketch for the card, and added the bookmarks for colourQ's "anything but a card" challenge, to make it a gift set, and to show you more sides of the DSP ;)

Isn't this stuff just incredible??? Anyway, here are the challenges I used...

Christmas tag night, and a comeback

The last weeks have had me prepping for a craft fair (which was unfortunately very low traffic), a Women's Group craft night at my friend's church (which was a big success... had so much fun!), and some personal calendar events... now I finally have time to sit down and breathe, (after I clean up the disaster zone I call home), and get started on Christmas for myself, and creating just for fun again. So expect to see more frequent posts from me, starting now. Especially after my Occasions Mini and Sale-a-Bration pre-orders come in next week ;) We aren't allowed to show you the catalogues or the products before the official release date, BUT we ARE allowed to show you creations MADE with those products... prepare to drool :)

Anyways, to get the blogging back on a roll, here's a picture of the birthday card I made for my Father-in-Law's 70th birthday. He's a very handy man, and loves spending time in his woodshop, so I thought this was perfect for him. I used last week's Stampin 411 sketch for it, but I missed the deadline for posting.

And the tags and stocking stuffers I made for the women's group.

Let's Celebrate, with Online Savings, and BLOG CANDY!!!

Well, today marked the beginning of Stampin' Up!'s INCREDIBLE Online Extravaganza (Nov. 21st-30th). When I got online and saw the amazing deals, I was blown away! But also a little sad that it was online only, and my customer's wouldn't be able to access it easily unless I had a DBWS (that' an official SU! Demonstrator website, where you can see my events, blog posts, and do your shopping, all at the same place). Sooo... I finally took the plunge and signed up! My site address is http://anjiirempel.stampinup.net/, so go check out my site, and the sale! Please realize that the site is still under construction, and will be for at least a week, until I have some downtime ;)

As for the Blog Candy, to celebrate my new site, I'm offering a drawing for a Classic ink pad (your choice of color) and an A La Carte stamp (also your choice). To be entered, either book a Hostess Party OR place an order on my new DBWS (doing both will get you TWO entries).

I'm also giving a secondary prize, which is a "ready to make" card kit. It will include a finished sample Christmas card to follow, and all of the pre-stamped and pre-cut pieces you'll need to complete 5 additional cards. Just add glue! To be entered for this one, sign up for my DBWS Newsletter (top right of the site), and follow this blog (leave a comment letting me know you've done these). For an extra entry, share the link to this post, on your own blog or Facebook, and copy the link in the comments. Entry closes 11:59pm, Nov. 30th, when the Online Extravaganza ends.

PS. Sorry to any international blog watchers, but due to shipping, the blog candy contest is only open to Canadian and US residents.

Christmas Medallion Wreath

I have to apologize for the LONG break between posts, but this month has been jam-packed with time consuming events, illnesses in the house, and other interruptions. The only crafting I've had a chance to do lately, is prep for an event on Thursday, where I'll be selling my wares, and even that has been extremely limited, to the point I'm beginning to panic :S

Anyways, one thing I made for the sale, which I may just have to keep for myself instead, is this wreath, using a combo of some fabulous new accessories (and the new Simply Scored), and some retired (but one of my uber-favorite) Christmas DSP from last year.

I still plan to make one with the amazing new Spice Cake DSP and embellishments, once things calm down, but since it's time for Christmas decorations to be going up, that one will have to wait till next Fall to adorn my wall... I'll still post it here as soon as I get it done though :)

Saturday Sketch Challenge 228

Wow! It's been a full two weeks since I posted anything... I apologize to any of my regulars (if I have any, that is... sometimes I feel invisible here, lol ;)

It has been a bit of a crazy month both personally, and craft related, and all of my creative efforts have been poured into prepping, rather than doing... scouring my brain, and the internet, for craft fair project ideas; searching stores for affordable, but quality items for embellishing and decorating; and making my supply lists as efficiently as possible...

Tonight I finally jump in headfirst into putting it all into action and hopefully having a successful, first craft fair :)

But in the meantime, I did have a chance to whip up a quick card, and play with a new paper-making technique for my nephew's birthday on Saturday, using the Stamping 411 sketch (which I'm submitting JUST in time... phew!).

For a friend...

This card is to honor a friend's incredible milestone, and I hope it's worthy! I used Just Add Ink's 90 Sketch Challenge for this one, and I absolutely adore the way the whole thing fell together...

And the sketch:

Sweet Birthday

I was just going through my latest pics, and realized I completely forgot to post my niece's 1st birthday card... the challenges I used are long expired now, but I thought I'd share it anyways ;)

Also, check out this fun blog candy on another blog, Melissa's Stampin' Voila

Mojo Monday 211 and Inkspirations 93

Today is my Dad's birthday, so I finally had a chance to use the lighthouse stamp I found, specifically for him last spring. Of course, shortly after that, Stampin' Up! released a set with one, but this is what I have ;)

The Mojo Monday sketch had a rectangle, just the right size (after flipping the sketch), and the Inkspirations color challenge was PERFECT for the lighthouse, and my dad's taste... although I swapped the Cherry Cobbler for Cajun Craze and Riding Hood Red ;)

And here are the sketches...

Free stamp set with 2 Simply Sent card kits!

This is a fabulous offer for all my class lovers, who love to make cards, but don't want to buy all the "stuff" or depend on their own creativity... easy peasy, but still personal, handmade cards, with a free stamp set. (No limit either... buy 4 sets, get 2 stamp sets... buy 6, get all 3 stamp sets!) Just throw in an ink pad and adhesive and you're good to go!

Here are the 3 Simply Sent sets and the 3 stamp sets, It's Your Day, Everyday Wishes, and You're Cherished, available. Please contact me directly to order though, as I don't have a SU website yet. Thanks!

A BIG SHOT deal for October!

Promotion Details: During the month of October, you can have the BIG SHOT for free (or choose up to $125 in products of your choice) when you purchase one of the starter kits and become a member of my team.

It's a perfect opportunity for a HOBBY STAMPER who loves our products to test drive the amazing discounts and perks of being a demonstrator. There's no commitment to sell and you will get the benefits until at least the last day of March 2012! Also, for those of you who already have a lot of the tools in the Starter Kit, you can get the Digital Kit instead, and get the My Digital Studio software, and a bunch of stuff to build your stash :)

DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS AMAZING DEAL

Taking Advantage of the Product Bonus

* Purchase a Starter Kit during the promotional period AND you will receive a Sizzix Big Shot Machine or $125 in Stampin' Up! products of their choice from any of our current catalogues.
* Click here to see the 2 different kits (They are semi-customizable as well)
* Once you pick and purchase a kit, you will be able to select your product bonus through the website approximately one hour after.
* Shipping is free on the kit AND on the bonus you choose! WOW
* Ensure that your free total comes as close as possible to $125 without going over since the Promotional Product Bonus order type will not allow items beyond $125 to be added to the order.
* You will have until November 30, 2011, to redeem your product bonus.
* You have the option to substitute a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder ($9.95 or less; see pages 218-219) for the Always Bird Décor Elements (p. 233) that comes standard in the Starter Kit.

As a member of my team, you will be able to take advantage of the demonstrator perks and privileges until at least March 31st, 2012….which includes Sale-A-Bration….our biggest sale of the year!

If you're interested, please contact me, and I'll help you get started.

Paris in the Fall

Just playing with some the beautiful new fall papers and stamps. I ended up with this sanded, linen postcard from Paris for the SUOnly 98, Pals Paper Arts 115 and Techno Stamper 195 challenges...

The SUO challenge was Leaves, PPAs was this fall picture below, and Techno Stamper's was this great sketch...

Birthday Pennants - Workshop Card #2

No challenges used here... just wanted to use all 5 new In Colors for my group who hasn't seen anything since our June class ;) The base here though, isn't Lucky Limeade, it's Pear Pizazz. The other card we'll be doing has the lime.

Creating Pretty Cards #4 (And Oct. Workshop card... yes ladies, it's coming soon!)

The lovely ladies at Craft Project Central have another challenge up, and as always, I love it!!! I was so excited that it had a prominent circle, which gave me the perfect chance to try my hand at this accordian flower (also called a medallion, or a lolly, on various blogs).

Here's the sketch:

Card Patterns Sketch 134 & SPCC Color Combo #119

I have a 2 year old boy's birthday party coming up this weekend, so I used the sketch at Card Patterns, and the colors at SPCC, which I think is my new favorite color combo (for now, lol)...

I had a little glitch with the greens, so it's not perfectly coordinated, but I think it still turned up pretty well... I don't have Lucky Limeade ink yet, so I used Pear Pizzaz, which is a good stand-in. BUT, I didn't realize until I was looking at the pictures I took, that the scrap I used for the green layer was actually Wild Wasabi, so now there are 3 different greens posing as one :P Oh well!

Here are the challenges:

Inkspirations #88 & Sunday Sketch and Stamp 74

I know I said my farewell to summer stamping already, but this color scheme from Inkspirations brought them back out for me... I should learn to never say never, especially when it's about something I love so much ;)

And the inspirations:

PaperWorks Co. #97 & SUO Challenge #28

Here's a cute, but simple, Fall card for StampinUpOnly's fall colors challenge, PaperWorks Co.'s sketch challenge and LateNightStampers fall challenge...

And here's the sketch...

Creating Pretty Cards #3 and Color Roundup #48

This color combo from Rubber Redneck was so far out of my comfort zone, I almost didn't try it, but I decided to give it a go and stretch myself. I did fall back on a sketch challenge from Craft Project Central I enjoyed earlier, and one of my favorite stamp sets though, to make it a little easier on myself ;)

And here are the challenges that inspired me:

JAI 86 & UDI Color Challenge 54

I haven't had a lot of time for crafting the last few weeks, so now that I'm jumping back in, I'm doing a bunch of challenges, just to play and get my mojo going again... so here's a random card, for the Just Add Ink sketch challenge and the Utah Divas International color challenge.

Here are the sketches: