Retro? Noel...

I know you all have been patiently waiting for some new things on here - fear not my fellow blog readers....I've got a lot to show you this week! While I've been working away in my stamp room, most of my creations have been given away or going to Splurge! in Denison to be sold. I've forgotten to take pictures of most of the items (ugh!) However, I did break out my camera and start snapping photos of my most recent items. Here is one that came together, somewhat by accident - I was at a total loss when this one started, but in the end....I think it's pretty stinkin' cute!

I used the Holiday Lounge paper - and I stared at it for quite a while, wondering what to do with it. I looked over my stamp collection, and thought that the Big on Christmas set would work well. So, I stamped the image, and held it up to the paper. Stared at it some more. Then decided what colors to use, and colored the Noel image with my markers (Ruby Red and Taken w/ Teal). I looked at it all some more...thinking...hmmmm...where is this going to take me? Glitter - yep, glitter - I {heart} glitter! (I know you secretly do too Karen! Especially on paisleys!) So, I added some glitter to the ornament image, decided that I needed to pull in some more of the red, so punched the scallop border. I turned the Noel image into a tag, rounded the corners and punched a slot in it....it was a good decision! The card was still missing something....so, I pulled out the Jolly Wheel - and that seemed to do the trick! There you have it!

Alright peeps - that's all for today....I do have something for you tomorrow tho, I PROMISE!!!!

Jen!

Holiday Extravaganza!!!

You do NOT want to miss this sale! Stampin' Up! is offering tons of great products at up to 50% off now thru November 30th! And, I'm going to sweeten the deal for you! If you place an order between now and November 30th via my website or email, I will put your name in a drawing for the Patterned Pines stamp set (Holiday Mini Hostess set) and a package of Christmas Cocoa DSP, and a spool of Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon! So, go to my website: http://jenarkfeld.stampinup.net/, and click on the SHOP NOW icon in the upper right corner and get your hands on some great deals!!!

Tin-sel!!!

Okay - I completely apologize for my absense! Geez, I log in here today, and see that this post was initially started on November 8th, and here I am 12 days later, finally with an opportunity to finish it. I recall when I started this post, I was falling asleep while I was typing, so, I gave it up....since then tho, I've had 2 Stamp Club meetings to prep for, my Christmas Stamp-A-Stack, Alex's birthday party, and now, I've done up several creations for a new gift shop that's opening in Denison, IA. I'm excited to be a part of that, the bad thing, I created, and created until I ran out of Snail! Eek, now I need to prep for Scrapbook club, and am hoping I can scrounge up some adhesive! Ok, well, here is the post that I initially had started......



Well, howdy all! I've got one of my favorite projects to show you today. I know that a lot of people ask for gift cards for the holidays, and it's probably the most popular gift to give and to receive. Yet, I always think - HOW BORING!!!! Well, not anymore. You just need to find some ways to jazz up that gift - and here's a nifty way:








This is a tin that Stampin' Up! Accents and Elements come in. You can also purchase these empty tins on my website, by clicking on the Shop Now icon in the upper right corner, then look for them on the clearance rack. Once they are gone, they are gone!




These are quite simple to make. I simply used rub-ons on the tin itself (last year my stamp club made these, except we heat embossed snowflakes on the tin - which was awesome!), made a cover from the Top Note die. That easily slips off to open the tin, and viola!

These were all made with retired paper and rub-ons, except for the rub-on on this ornament.

Isn't it more fun to give a gift card when your presentation is awesome??? I know the recipient really enjoys opening these.

FYI - these will be for sale at Chris Pridie's Gift Shop in Denison. Along with some for birthdays....too cha-cha for words (if I do say so myself!)

That's all for today peeps!

Jen

Gifts for giving...

Here's a nifty gift packaging idea - and *gasp* this one is NOT a Christmas project....I know, I know, I'm off the Christmas bandwagon for a day, maybe two. (I've also got Alex's birthday invites to concoct - well really just finish up - the plan has been formulated already) Then I'll be hopping right back on that Christmas wagon....I even about put some Christmas music on the other day. I couldn't stop signing - something I can't remember now, but I was in the mood for Christmas music! (I know Sandy, there is nothing wrong with listening to Christmas music all year round!!! )

Okay, back to our regularly irregular scheduled program....this gift package. Well, I got these coffee bags from Papertrey Ink, and needed a little something for my sister's birthday, whom I typically give money to, and then we go shopping, but I wanted a little extra "thing". So, I crafted up this coffee bag and filled it with some caramel corn (which has a story of it's own).

This was quite easy. It came with a window, so I traced the window onto some vellum cardstock, so I would know where to cut the window in my paper. Layered some paper up, stamped a could of images from the SU Circle Circus set (say that 5 times real fast!), and viola! Done. The bags are even lined so that they are food safe.

Hey - and just to toot my own horn. My post with the Cocoa jar in it (below) is going to be featured on the Yahoo Group - Stampin' Up! Late Night Stampers. Such an honor...I'm a bit in shock! So - picture it, I'm doing a little dance, buda belly and all!

Alright people - that's it for now....off to work on Alex's B-day invites!

Here is another simply, quick, inexpensive little Christmas project:

I purchased a glass jar from Wal-Mart, filled it with cocoa mix, and a cellophane bag full of marshmellows. Of course I decorated it first. Really quick and easy - just rubbed on some snowflake rub-ons in silver, tied a ribbon on the neck, then added the cute little tag. I punched the red snowflake, then added a bit of Platinum Shimmer paint to the edges. Glued it and the button to the tag with mini glue dots. The back of the tag has the directions written on it for the cocoa preparation. I did see in our grocery stores that there are some yummy flavored cocoa mixes out there. I haven't personally tried them - but they did sound good.

I think this is a great gift for teachers, grandparents that already have everything, secret santa gifts, etc.

That's it for today folks!!!

Halloween over, Christmas countdown begins!

So, now that Halloween is over, the Christmas rush shall begin. In my vow to not let the Christmas Chaos beckon my inner Scrooge, I'm starting on my Christmas projects and shopping earlier than normal. And since my dearest husband may still be combining thru December due to our wetter than normal fall, I may have to do most of the gift shopping myself. Normally Andy and I take a day and get all of our shopping done. We have a great day of shopping and a nice lunch out - I think both of us usually look forward to it. That may not happen this year..... So, here's a nifty little gift bad that I've already whipped up:


I know, I know - it's adorable isn't it??? I got the template from Papertrey Ink, and ran with it. It's a pretty good sized bag - the front and back take up an entire 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper (including the bottom and sides). I used Kraft paper as the base, then covered it with DSP from Merry Moments. The ribbon crazed person that I am actually broke out the twill tape to use in leiu of ribbon. *gasp* I actually love the look it gives here. The tree is from the Patterned Pines Hostess Set from Stampin' Up, and I punched it out with the Wide Oval punch. The scalloped oval is from my Nestabilities die set - which works well with the Big Shot! I think the Big Shot was probably my best purchase over the last year. I like the fact that you can cut and emboss with it, and it works with other dies - they do not have to be SU dies.


Here is a close up - isn't it stinkin' cute??? I just love those trees.