It will be Christmas before you know it

I can't believe it's almost the middle of October.  Every year I plan to make handmade Christmas gifts and I always promise myself that I'll start in August.  Well, here we are again . . . October . . . and I'm just getting started.

At least I can be inspired by the amazing paper, stamps, and artwork in the new Holiday Gift Guide (products are available beginning Oct 15th)!

The October Stamp of the Month - Scandinavian Wishes - is the perfect way to create beautiful holiday cards.  This stamp can be yours for only $5.00 when you place a qualifying order of $50. (Available Oct 1 - Oct 31, 2013)

Dimensional Elements + Cricut = mini album

I recently took out some of the amazing products that came with my Cricut Artiste collection and created a mini album using the Dimensional Elements Album pages and some Close to My Heart papers that I had on hand.  It was easy to do using the matching Cricut cuts.  Here's my album.

There is one page for each season plus one for Christmas (or other holiday of your choice).

Dimensional Elements Album Pages (Z1791) $4.95

 


















Cricut Artiste (Z1790) $99.00

Honeycomb stamp set card

When I saw the new Spring/Summer papers I fell in love with Buzz and Bumble and the Honeycomb stamp set.

I found that it was quick to make this super easy card using one stamp set, two ink colors, and a card base.

I used Chocolate and Goldrush inks and randomly chose the different patterns available on the stamp set.  I did not fold the card before I stamped.  I started in the upper right corner making sure to stamp off the edge with the first two hexagon shapes so it would look random.  I kept stamping down toward the left all the way across what will be the back of the card when it's folded.  Then I stamped the sentiment in the lower right with Chocolate ink.

Products used:
Honeycomb stamp set $13.95 (C1537)
Chocolate Ink $5.25 (Z2111)
Goldrush ink $5.25 (Z2123)
Colonial White card base $14.95 - 50 cards and envelopes (X1410)

This stamp set also makes a great background or embellishments for your scrapbook pages.  Here is a page using Buzz and Bumble paper.  I plan to put pictures of my home improvements on this page.

Products:
Buzz and Bumble Workshop on the Go $29.95 (G1054)
Buzz and Bumble MyStickease  $4.95 (X7164C)
Honeycomb stamp set $13.95 (C1537)
Chocolate Ink $5.25 (Z2111)
Goldrush ink $5.25 (Z2123)
"HIVE" uses Varsity Alphabet stamp set with the letters trimmed closely.  $29.95 (E1023)
"Our" uses an older stamp set I had.  You could use markers or other stickers.

Thanks for stopping by.
Marilyn

Celebrate your Valentine with a scrapbook page

Who's your favorite Valentine?  Celebrate that relationship by creating a scrapbook page all about them.  This layout was created using the Buzz and Bumble Workshop on the Go kit.

Attach the photo to the top of the center flap.  Under the flap there is a space for hidden journaling.  Tell the story of how you met or why you are meant for each other.

Here is what comes in the kit.

Whooo's Your Valentine?

I love the new Treat Tubes that are included in the Whooo's Your Valentine kit.  They can be used to create lots of different themed projects.  I used the Whooo's Your Valentine kit to create gifts and favors for other holidays and occasions.

The Whooo's Your Valentine kit is available for $10 when you spend $35.  Adorable and easy to make.  The boxes come pre-cut.  Just decorate, fold, glue and fill with yummy goodness.  The kit includes an exclusive stamp set. It's available through January 31, 2013.

Valentine's Day Cards

Happy New Year!  I don't like to make New Year's 'resolutions' because I always feel destined to fail. So, this year I'm just going to set a new 'goal' . . .  Make more handmade cards!  Now, even if I only make one or two I can count myself as successful :-)  I'm starting with some lovely Valentine's Day cards.

 

This card uses the January 2013 Stamp of the Month "Happy Valentine's". The roses were stamped on white paper with black ink, then colored in using a Q-tip as a dauber (Cranberry and Garden Green inks). Then, I cut them out and adhered them to the black card.  The sentiment is stamped using Colonial White ink.

 

This card uses a similar technique, but the top rose is raised with pop dots and the card is accented with Cranberry ribbon.  

 

Finally, I made a small 3" x 3" gift tag.  The background roses are stamped with second generation Cranberry and then "Happy Valentine's Day" is stamped over them in black.