The First Gift of Christmas

The gift I am most grateful for was the FIRST gift of Christmas.

#sharethegift

Make Your Own Gift Boxes (and Tutorial)

Artwork by Josee S. 

Have you experienced frustration in finding small gift boxes that are the right size for your gifts? The Gift Box Punch Board from Stampin' Up! is the solution and can create boxes in various sizes up to 4" on each side!

To download the .pdf tutorial for the snowman-adorned box at the top, click here.

Invite Christmas JOY and Extravagant Ooops

Let's start with the "Ooops"...how did I NOT tell you about the Stampin' Up! Extravaganza sale here on my blog? Probably because I put it on my Creative Juice Facebook page and thought I had covered my bases >:p

And yes, today is the last day!! (Click on the image to shop in my store) 

Sorry for that...but to make up for it, let me tell be the FIRST to tell you that there will be a new year-end closeout sale on the Clearance Rack from December 5-January 5!  I may be late for one, but at least I'm early for the next one :D   Unfortunately, they don't overlap, but there are some awesome deals in both. And of course there are new weekly deals every Tuesday...they show up over in the right column --->

On to the Tuesday Tutorial! This is an ornament I created that could also double as a small wreath for your door:

The "wreath" is actually a candle dish from Ikea and has felt bumpers on the back, so it won't bang against your door. It's super easy to make, too! Download the tutorial here and invite some JOY into your house this Christmas season.

Ornamental Pine Christmas Wishes Card

Look no further for an elegant holiday card that is simple enough to mass produce for a long Christmas Card list! The color combination of Lost Lagoon and Pear Pizzaz is so festive, too. Simply click on the image to download a .pdf tutorial...

Original Card by Jackie B.

If you are averse to cutting out a lot of little ornaments, this video tip on my Creative Juice by Loni Facebook page will show you how to use your 1-1/4" circle punch to make it easy!

A Dusting of Diamonds and Non-Traditional Christmas Colors!

Getting ready for my last Christmas Card Class and I saw the Friday Mashup from last week, so I decided to use it as inspiration for one of the cards we'll be creating: It uses some non-traditional holiday colors (Island Indigo, Garden Green and Rich Razzleberry) but turned out pretty festive! I hope you can see the Faux Diamonds (or Diamond Dust technique) over the "Merry"...I've told you about this super easy sparkly technique before here and here.  Just can't get enough of it because the BLING sings to me!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

If you are in the Utah County area and would like to come to my Christmas Card Class this Saturday morning (November 15, 2014), please RSVP before Thursday night!

Four Feathers Thank You Card Tutorial

'Tis the Season for giving thanks, and this fun card is perfect because it can be used for men or women! With just a few products needed, you could create a stack of these to have on hand this month. Click on the picture to download a .pdf tutorial and let the feathers tickle your fancy!

(Original Card by Sharon Armstrong)

Welcoming Fall: A Good Reason to Send a Card

Do you think you need to wait for a special occasion to send a handmade card? Forget that! Don't the most delightful surprises come at the most UNEXPECTED times? You are always looking for a Valentine or Birthday card, but wouldn't it be more fun to get one of these...just because it's fall?

Original card by Janice O'Quinn Urke

I can't decide if I love this sweet autumnal greeting because of the rich texture or the little stamped leaves on the ground most...to create your own, download the .pdf tutorial by clicking on the card!

Hello Fall Treat Tutorial and Project Life GIVEAWAY!

There is a nip in the air with the changing of seasons, so it's fitting that we say HELLO to Fall with this cute little envelope that holds a Ghiradelli chocolate square or a gift card...or both! Click on the picture for a .pdf tutorial and make a bunch to share:

Original project by Susan Campfield

And in other news this morning, it's time for a PLxSU giveaway!

One lucky winner will win a complete Project Life by Stampin' Up! prize pack including every product available in the product line! You could also win one of 100 Project Life by Stampin' Up Card & Accessory Packs. Enter the giveaway here: http://bit.ly/1wDBAgt

If you aren't familiar with project life, it's the most awesome and simple memory keeping system ever!

Warm and Glowing Gratitude: Candle Wrap Tutorial

I love using my stampin' supplies to create home decor and this fall candle wrap makes me feel warm and positively glowing with gratitude for things like batteries, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and spectacularly colored autumn leaves!

To get the tutorial for this project, click on the picture for a .pdf to print. And if you need the supplies listed, you can order them in my online store here.

Since this is a battery-powered candle (and won't melt down) you can create a wrap for different seasons and enjoy the glow all year round!

P.S. The candles are on sale at Costco right now :)

Starburst: Merry & Bright

Ooops...I missed last week's Tuesday Tutorial, so I'll share two this week (kind of).

It was my pleasure to demonstrate the Starburst (or Sunburst) technique last week at Jill Olsen's Stamp Together in St. George and these are some of the cards I showed how to make:

Wanna know what's cool about these cards? I made 4 starbursts all at the same time by cutting a stack of 4 pieces of paper! I used the awesome tutorial by Sharon Cheng here. Seriously easy...go watch it now and remember the measurements for the DSP are 3"x4". The first card stock layer is 4-7/8" x 3-5/8", and the next layer is usually 5-1/4" x 4", then the card itself (a half sheet of 8.5" x 11" paper, folded in half). 

I cut the star with the Stars Framelits and Big Shot, then scored with my Simply Scored board (on the silver side) of the star from point to opposite indentation, on all points. Then just fold and mount on some Stampin' Dimensionals :) So shiny!

They are even sparklier in person!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

In case you can't get enough stars, check out the new Many Merry Stars Kit from the new Holiday Supplement...and the fun project ideas for this and other products on the Pinterest board HERE.

Christmas Card Buffet and Planning Guide

Sending warm wishes for the holidays? Now is the time to plan and prepare! 

 

(Click image to download planning guide)

Helping to make your holidays happier, I'm holding my first Christmas Card class 

next week in Spanish Fork, UT and you have two times to choose from: 

Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m. or Wednesday, October 15 at 10 a.m.

You'll create 4 different cards for $10* and I'll have everything prepared for you to stamp and assemble, all you need to bring are scissors and adhesive! 

*4 cards isn't enough? RSVP for two sets and save $2

Call or text me at 801-376-8685 to reserve your spot and one for a friend by October 12th

Tuesday Tutorial: Good the Last Bite

Motley Monsters DSP is seriously the cutest Halloween paper I've seen in a long time...freaky fun! It's really cute enough to eat (almost).

 Original Card by Kelly Acheson

 I love the CUTE side of Halloween, don't you? Print your Tuesday tutorial here!

Stamp, Shop & Save and Free Paper

Breaking news: I had planned a drop-in card class for World Card-Making Day this Saturday evening, but my husband's grandma passed away and we will be attending her funeral services instead. Check back tomorrow for other ways to celebrate WCMD with me and mark your calendar for my Christmas Card Buffet Oct. 14 @ 7 p.m. or Oct. 15 @ 10 a.m.

Stampin' Up! is helping you fill the mailboxes of those you love with beautiful handmade greeting cards by offering discounts on stamps, ink, envelopes and paper...all the essential elements for a great card (including the BIG NEWS stamp set that was featured in my Tuesday Tutorial yesterday).

TAKE NOTE: This special sale only lasts through October 6, 2014 so take advantage and stock up in my Stampin' Up! Store ASAP! If you place and order and use Hostess Code TMDTH6QN, you will have a chance to win the Good Greetings Stamp Set (also available when you host your own party in October, with a minimum $300 party)

If you are addicted to patterned paper, you may want to consider becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator this month because you will get to choose a free pack of SU! Designer Series Paper for the next 6 months! It's an awesome time to start a business and share creativity with your friends through the holidays and beyond...

And what do you get when you combine the Stamp, Stock and Save sale with the Pick-a-Pack-of-Paper promotion? A really cute card like this:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Tuesday Tutorial: Big News Birthday

Here's a hint for all you card crafters: Have you ever noticed that when you cut a piece of card stock in half to create a card, you are left with a piece to make ANOTHER card? 

And when you cut a piece of paper in quarters to layer on top of your creation, you have THREE (3) more quarters left over...

 (stick with me here)

...so as long as you are creating ONE card, why not make them in sets of FOUR?  

 Mind blowing, really. It's my job. 

Original Card by Kimberly Myers

So the hint applies here: People keep having birthdays, so you may as well make up 4 (or 8 or 12) 

of these polka-dot darlings so you are ready for the next month.

Stick a $10 bill in the card and voila: It's a gift, too!

Click here for the tutorial and tell me you love it. And as always, thank you for shopping for the supplies in my Stampin' Up! store :)

Tuesday Tutorial: Ghost in the Graveyard

Have you ever played Ghost in the Graveyard? Here's the game version on a card!

As I was putting this card together, I noticed that the Scalloped Tag Topper punch looked like a gravestone, so I sponged the edges to give it a stone look... then pull on the ribbon and a stack of Jack (o'lanterns) appears! I've made a printable tutorial so you can make one in your own stampin' studio :)

Don't forget that the Good Greetings stamp set is only available FREE to hostesses through October 31 with a $300 workshop..and I have just a few days left to host your own craft party :)

Tuesday Tutorial: Embossing Resist with Corner Garden

The Embossing Resist technique is one of my favorites, and this beautiful card showcases it monochromatically with one of my new go-to colors: Lost Lagoon (one of the new Stampin' Up! 2014-2016 In-Colors) Download this printable tutorial for the card below and try it at home.

Original card created by Kelly Acheson

Half-Price Paper Pumpkin...and a Free Gift?

Seriously, what are you WAITING for? This is better than a presidential invitation!

BUT WAIT! THAT'S NOT ALL!!
When you sign up by September 10th, you also get a FREE Framed Love Paper Pumpkin Kit:

We are betting that you'll love My Paper Pumpkin so much (and want to continue subscribing) that we are willing to give it to you {almost} free. I love getting that little red box in the mail each month and let me give you a little hint: If you love giving Halloween treats, you're not going to want to miss the September kit (which you have to pay for by September 10th anyway!).

How about another tip? If you host a $400 Stampin' Up! party, you get to choose a 1/2 price item: You *could* choose a 3, 6, or 12-month Paper Pumpkin prepaid subscription and get it 50% off for up to a whole year!!

C'mon and try it...I know you'll love it!

Tuesday Tutorial: Beautiful Bunch Belly Band Card

Isn't this a fun card to kick-off September?  I love making belly band cards with the Envelope Punch Board (they are SO QUICK AND EASY!) and this one was designed by my friend Kimberly Myers. I'm happy to be sharing it with you!

You can click on the photo or HERE for a printable .pdf tutorial. Go forth and create a wonderful September!

Shakin' It Up with the Owl Punch

Over on the Friday Mashup today, the challenge was to create a shaker card with an animal. The Owl Punch is still one of my favorite punches, so out he popped for a cameo appearance on this birthday card, along with a sentiment from the Good Greetings stamp set, which you can get FREE when you host a qualifying party before October 31st !

tams# 1153   Product List

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133679]	Crumb Cake 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [120953]	Basic Gray 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121044]	Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [127821]	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [133644]	Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad [126979]	1-3/4 Inch Circle Punch [119850]
Shaker Frames [124155]	Medium Window Sheets [114323]	2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment [133631]	Banner Punch [133519]	Good Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135017]	Owl Punch [118074]