Cap & Gown: A Gift for Grads

Today was a proud moment for a mother:

As my graduating senior had a few friends graduating with him, I came up with this fun gift which incorporated a few of his favorite things:

There must be an official name for the pocket than hangs off a bottle, but for today's purpose, we'll call it a pop-pocket, which I made from the Oval Accent Bigz die, the Big Shot and a few well placed score lines. For the owl, I added a few wings (with a scallop oval punch cut in half) to the owl punch (such a cutie) as well as a cap and tassel to dress him appropriately.

Project Recipe:

• Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White and Smoky Slate card stock.
• Accessories from Stampin' Up!: Big Shot (113439), Oval Accent Bigz Clear die (127005), Simply Scored (122334), Brights Brads (119740), Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine (123125 Punches: Owl Builder (118074), 1-1/4" Scallop Circle (127811), 1-1/4" Circle.
• Other: Curling Ribbon

With Braden after the ceremony. his dad and I were very grateful for reaching this Milestone! It's bittersweet to watch your babies grow up.

The End...or the Beginning?

"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from."  ~ T. S. Eliot

I took the Christmas tree and decor down this morning and my oldest daughter left to fly back to where she lives back east...and while it was a little sad to leave the holidays behind and say goodbye to one of my best friends, there were some things that perked me up: a clean living room and the knowledge that she is moving forward with her life and becoming a wonderful woman! I guess it's true that when you walk out of a room through one door, you are really walking into a new room and a new adventure!

The same is true when we transition from one "season" at Stampin' Up! into another: While we hate to say goodbye to some of our old favorites, we are delighted to say hello to fresh, new products! But before the Holiday Catalog exits, let me remind you that TODAY is the last chance to order a few stamps that you may want to snag before it's too late:

Too busy during the holidays to send cards? Well, if your weather is like ours in Utah today (-2 degrees this morning at 6 a.m.!!) then you could easily create cards from the Winter Memories stamp set (Holiday Catalog pg 19) like the one above created by the talented Pam Clyde!

Or looking forward, send a valentine, which is what we do, since we are the SpendLOVE's! This LOVEly card uses a unique color palette: Pool Party, Real Red and Calypso Coral and the Affection Collection stamp set (HC pg 35) and was made at Jill Olsen's stamp day in Dixie:

 

And WHOO could forget this cute little critter and the Owl Occasions stamp set (HC pg 13)? Dress him up for Christmas or Birthdays! While the Woodgrain Textured Embossing Folder (127821) will still be available for purchase in the new Spring Catalog, the Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock (127848) will not be...and see how realistic it looks when the white "core" shows through? WHOO "wood"n't want some of that in their craft stash?

Finally, if you need any Champagne Glimmer paper (127885) for upcoming projects, order it today too...for while I'm hoping it makes it into the next catalog coming out in July, it's not carried over into the Spring Catalog, as far as I can see....

And of course, new items have been added to the Clearance Rack at AMAZING prices (up to 80% off), so click the image below to start shopping before the Holiday Catalog and Clearance Rack Items are gone for good!

Angry Birds

I forgot to share these adorably simple little Owl treat bags we made clear back in July:

By "We" I mean my husband and I...we created 120 of them and filled them with goodies for the Late Night Stamper Reunion Party (the Owl is the mascot of the LNS)  He (my hubby) had fun making each owl with it's own personality (crossed eyes, goofy eyes, angry eyes) but after the first 50, he wasn't sure he ever wanted to see another bird :o

But look at how cute they are! Did you know that a group of owls is called a "Parliament"? 

All you need is some lunch bags, Designer Series Paper (I used the First Edition DSP # 121878),  a few circle punches, glue stick, scissors and stapler! Super simple, super cute.

BIG NEWS!

On Monday, October 29 we are kicking off a whole WEEK of celebration for Digital Scrapbooking day, but that's not all! On Monday ONLY, Stampin' Up! is having a Sell-a-Stamp Spooktacular! All stamps will be 15% off (excluding hostess sets and bundled products)!! Click or call to place your order on Monday, October 29th :)