Bright & Beautiful by Stampin' Up!

Just how many days are there until Christmas?  I don't want to know....but I know it'll sneak up on me!

I mentioned yesterday that I've been working on Christmas Cards - and once in a while, I like to go out of the box on my color choices.  Red and green is great, but sometimes it's nice to go out on a whim.

This card does just that.  I've got the traditional red, but I added some pop with Melon Mambo and Coastal Cabana.  

What do you think?  Too crazy?  

I figured the name of the stamp set is Bright & Beautiful, I just as well let the colors be that way too!

***NEW! CRAFT CLASS: Embossing Paste***

Learn to create your own embossing paste, make your own stencils, and lots more!

New Online Class - Envelope Punch Board Class

Create 5 boxes! Not envelopes!  Using the EPB!

Click here for details!

Cheerful Christmas....in August!

Ahhh...I think I see routine FINALLY settling into my days.  I always thought I was a fly by the seat of my pants type of person, that I liked to be spontaneous.  

Not so much.  

Maybe spontaneous on a day when we don't have anything planned.  

And fly by the seat of my pants - that just as well fly itself out the window! (and I'll keep my pants - on!)

I'm finding that I crave a routine to my day.  After a summer of run here, run there, this Momma is GLAD school is back in session!  I'm tired of my head spinning circles like I'm the main character in The Exorcist!

So now that the kiddos are back in school, I can find some normalcy to my day. At least somewhat.  

And I hope that I can be here to inspire you more.  After all.....I'm not afraid to admit that I've been a blog slacker.  Cuz I have been.  Heck, my poor craft room looks like a tornado went thru.

But - that being said.....I have been creating Christmas Cards.  A lot of them too!

Let me tell you about today's card:

When I looked at the Nordic Noel paper in the Holiday Catalog it didn't jump out at me at first.  A lot of bold, vibrant papers and colors.  I'm kind of a subdued DSP kinda gal - especially for Christmas Cards.  But I ordered the paper, knowing I'd like the striped pattern at least!  Turns out, I'm pretty sure the paper I used on this card is my fave!  I didn't even notice it in the catalog.  

It's very Nordic to me.  Like making a visit to St. Olaf with Betty White or something.  It stood out to me, and I knew that it needed to be highlighted.  You can't really cut it apart much and get a feel for the pattern - at least in my mind.  

So I kept my sentiment simple - this one from Bright & Beautiful.  I added a little ornament from Cheerful Christmas that I embossed with White Em. Powder on Real Red Cardstock.  

In the end it's clean and simple and yet full of fun!

Thanks for popping in today....let's hope my life remains normal, and I'll be back tomorrow!

New Online Class - Envelope Punch Board Class

Create 5 boxes! Not envelopes!  Using the EPB!

Click here for details!

Creation Station - Kinda Eclectic, Altered Notepads

Welcome everyone!  This is The Creation Station, and we are here to inspire you; to fill you with oodles of ideas!

This week's assignment is to create something with the Kinda Eclectic Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!  We are also to make some altered notebooks, notepads, etc.

I went a little crazy, and created an entire gift ensemble.  I have thoughts of giving this to my son's teacher.  (I really need to create another set for the other son's teacher!)

Let's start out with the notepad.  Since it's back to school season (that's a season right?) I always stock up on my own supplies, they are on sale - why not!  I love these notepads that are 5x8" - perfect for doctoring up - and the cover takes just one sheet of cardstock.

I decided I was going to decorate some sticky notepads too, but was wanting something cute to put them in.....Guess what!  Our new (available August 28th!) Gift Box Punch Board to the rescue!  I created a box in the 3.25"x 3.25"x 2.25"  size.

It holds perfectly altered sticky notes!

But that's not all.....I also created some altered clothespins, and they fit in there perfectly too!  What's not to love?

Here are those sticky notes again.

Just think, lots of projects with just one stamp set, a little bit of cardstock and some designer series paper!

If you look closely, I even stamped the piece of cardstock that I attached the clothespins to.

Well....I'm sure you are looking for more inspiration - head over to Ilina's blog for some jaw dropping fun, or go back to Justin's blog to see his masterpieces!

***NEW! CRAFT CLASS: Embossing Paste***

Learn to create your own embossing paste, make your own stencils, and lots more!

New Online Class - Envelope Punch Board Class

Create 5 boxes! Not envelopes!  Using the EPB!

Click here for details!