Gift Bags can be fun for boys too!

Hey there friends!  I've got a simple gift bag to share with you today....

My son Will has a birthday party to attend tonight, so I needed a quick gift bag for the present.  I have a TON of plain gift bags on hand for this reason - all were purchased inexpensively in bulk.  All they need is some decoration and they are better than those store bought varieties.

I created this one using the retired Blue Ribbon stamp set.  It seriously took me about 20 minutes to create - which I didn't think was bad.  It makes me think I should create a bunch in this style to have on hand for future occasions!!!  This is about the 4th birthday party Will has gone to this year, and it would be better to have them on hand as opposed to making one at the last minute!  (Yes - I'm a procraftinator!) I'm sure I could make a bunch a lot faster if I were to mass produce - and it'd be easy to switch out the colors....(I used school colors for this one)

This gives you a better idea of scale in this picture.  The bag is 10x10" - it would also be great to cover in DSP!  

Don't forget to take your stamps and ink to other things - they aren't just for cards or scrapbooks....


Another Announcement!!!!

Watch my Website on TUESDAY 
- it's going to be TERRIFIC TUESDAY!!!

25% off of 25 stamps!!!!  

This is in conjunction with Stampin' Up's 25th Anniversary - the actual date is October 25th!!!  

I can't wait to see what those stamps will be!

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Snowflake are Falling!!!

Well....it's cold enough here to snow today!  But it won't (I hope!) - so, let's just call these new snowflakes good enough ok!!!  

Newly released Photopolymer Stamps:

Head on over to my online store to get yours today - and don't forget to use the hostess code so that you can be my next winner!


October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Great news - Shopping just got BETTER!

I'll be back  later with a Technical Tuesday post - but for now....read up on some great news from Stampin' Up!  Your shopping experience just became easier!!!

ENJOY AN IMPROVED ONLINE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE October 14, 2013Good news! On October 15 at 10:00 AM (MT) we'll be enhancing our ordering features for our online customers. Here are the new benefits: All orders will now go through a demonstrator. You're important to us, so we want all of the work we're doing to spread the word about Stampin' Up! to bring rewards for you. (If your customer has already selected you as her demonstrator, she won't have to repeat the process.) No more preferred pricing. Having two prices for each item confused customers, so we've simplified the process. Guest checkout. Customers who do not want to commit to creating an account will no longer be deterred from ordering. They can now check out as a guest. These customers are still required to select a demonstrator and they can select whether to pass on their contact information to you. New features for our shopping bag. Customers can now easily save bag contents. Also, when adding items to your bag, you can choose to go directly to the bag or continue shopping. We've also included a progress bar to guide customers through the ordering process. Enjoy more images. You asked for it--you got it. Additional product images are bigger and easier to view. Enhanced sorting. Now you can sort merchandise based on newest or oldest--a real plus when you want to see the latest MDS downloads. Sale prices are clearly marked. Items on sale are clearly marked without having to add them to your bag (as shown below). You can also sort products by the sales price (instead of according to the original price). Hostess code issues will prompt action. For instance, customers will be prompted if they enter a new hostess code after returning to a saved shopping bag that already had a hostess code present. And here's what customers will see if they enter a hostess code that is no longer valid. Contact preferences. Customers will be able to state whether they want to be contacted (by us or by a demonstrator) or not. (See the check box at the bottom of the screenshot below.)

And don't forget - The weekly specials for today are up - because the enhancement hasn't gone into effect yet - you aren't seeing the discounted price here!  

ARGYLE TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Price: $7.95	BASIC PEARLS JEWEL ACCENTS Price: $4.95	DECO LABELS COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Price: $24.95	IN COLOR DAHLIAS Price: $7.95
SOPHISTICATED SPOOKS ENSEMBLE - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $14.95	SWEET TREAT CUPS Price: $2.95

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Manic Monday - Quick Cards in under 10 minutes!

Hey there!  I'm back today with another Manic Monday Quick Card!  

This one was created just under ten minutes....if I wouldn't have chatted so much at the start and end of the video, it would be shorter!

FYI - I did add the faux stitching after I was finished with the video...thought it needed something, but I'd say this one still took less then 10 minutes with that!

Enjoy:



October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Silhouette Sunday....Gift Box Bliss!

Hey there everyone....I'm back today with another project made with my Silhouette! 

And since we are approaching the gift giving season, I thought I'd show you another project that I created for gift giving:

This box was created with Silhouette Design ID #28399.  I used Bermuda Bay card stock, and some coordinating Winter Frost DSP.  The bow was a leftover piece from the Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit. 

I stacked up some snowflakes from Festive Flurry, in Silver, Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay.  Topped them off with a Vintage Faceted Button and a Large Rhinestone.  

Added an Enjoy tag from Oh, Goodie and it was done.  This project was quick, and a breeze to put together.

You could decorate the back, but I left it pretty plain: 

Now it's time to announce the winner from last week's blog candy: 

SherryBee!!!

If you'll email me your mailing address, I'll get  your gifts off to you! (link is in the side bar) 

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Craft Project Central - Fall Gift Set

Julie has created a fabulous project for us over at Craft Project Central this month!  Head over there right away to subscribe to this month's projects, and you, too, can make something this adorable!  Leave Julie some kind words while you are there!

Pumpkin Spice Fall Appreciation Gift Set – Julie Beltramo – www.justjulieb30.blogspot.com 

This Fall Appreciation Gift Set is packed with all the writing essentials you’ll need, plus a super simple two-ingredient recipe for ‘The Best’ Pumpkin Spice Cookies - just right for the season! The six note cards, coordinating covered notepad, and Stampin’ Write Marker all fit into the two-pocket fold up tote. You’ll also get the instructions for making the Pumpkin Spice Cookies that fit just perfectly into the Stampin’ Up! Tag a Bag Gift Box.

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

More treats go from BLAH to HooRAH!!!

Today, I'm going to share with you the other treat packaging I did for a full size Snickers, Milky Way, or any in that size.

Here is the original project, cut with my Silhouette:

Now let me show you how to do this with the Envelope Punch Board:




Let me know what you think!  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Treats go from BLAH to HooRAH! in minutes!

Last week I shared with you these adorable packages for a single Peanut Butter Cup treat.  These here were made with my Silhouette. 
But I had so many people ask me if they could make them with the Envelope Punch Board.  Well....I had no idea.  So, I set out to figure it out.  

First off - YES!  It can be done.
No! I didn't figure it out on my first try.  It took about 15 tries.  But I have the determination of a duck....(that's a long story, but my mom will understand!)

So, I put together a little video for you, so you too can create these adorable packages!!! Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments tho, ok?





October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Craft Project Central - Polka Dot Gift Set

Here's a great set of note cards featured over at Craft Project Central today.  Regina created this gorgeous set, that includes a box and gift tag for giving away.  Be sure to head over to Craft Project Central to subscribe to October so that you can get the instructions for this project.  Leave Regina some kind words while you are there!

Polka Dot Card Set – Regina Andari – www.workinouttheinks.blogspot.com 

A set of blank greeting cards is always a great gift idea and is particularly a gift project worth considering for the upcoming Christmas holiday.  This ensemble includes assorted sentiments and a handy coordinating box for the cards.

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Weekly Deals!

This is my SECOND post today - if you are looking for today's Technical Tuesday post, scroll down!

Just announced - Tuesday's are getting better!  Not only are new digital downloads released on Tuesday's but now, Stampin' Up! is starting a Weekly Deals promotion!  Let's take a look at today's deals~~~

Please note that weekly deals will be offered while supplies last! The discount will appear in your shopping bag when you check out.

WEEKLY DEALS Show:   4  8  20  40  80  All      1    Sort By:   A-Z  Z-A  < Price  > Price  CHEVRON TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER Price: $7.95 ESSENTIALS PAPER-PIERCING PACK Price: $7.95 FESTIVE PAPER-PIERCING PACK Price: $7.95 PETITE CURLY LABEL PUNCH Price: $12.95 SQUARES COLLECTION FRAMELITS DIES Price: $26.95 TODAY & EVERYDAY DESIGNER PHOTOBOOK TEMPLATE - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $14.95

Don't forget to use the Hostess Code in your shopping bag, so that you are eligible to win this month's hostess rewards!

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Technical Tuesday! Scrappin' with the Studio!

I think I'm on a good mission folks!  If I keep up with this Technical Tuesday scrapping thing, I might just have a book made  before we know it! 

I almost didn't do my page last night, I was tired and grouchy - and you know I'm grouchy when I make it a point to tell my husband that I am.  He said to me, "Oh your a little B*#$&!?"  I said, "No, I'm grouchy, you better be nice or I will become B*#$&! !"  To me there is a big difference!

It was just a long day, and frankly, I just wanted to crawl into bed and close my eyes. The kiddos were driving me bonkers, it's harvest season, so I'm practically a single mom.  I couldn't get the things I wanted to work, to work....There was a mountain of laundry that needed to be done....you know..... all those things add up and make us grouchy! 

I opted to sit in the living room with my hubby and chat.  I grabbed my laptop and we chatted while I scrapped.  We also kinda got roped into The Blacklist.  I hadn't watched that yet - and it was good.  Kind of reminded me of Alias, which I used to love!  Anyway....during the commercials, I put this page together:

Seriously - during the commercials!  Now, how easy is that!   

If you'd like to try My Digital Studio - you can!  For Free!  For 30 days!  And if you simply do one page a week - well, in that 30 days you could have 4 pages done!  Go to my online shop to download the free trial version.

While you're there - be sure to check out today's new downloads!


October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Manic Monday! 10 minute Cards (or less!)

Hey there!  It is a Manic Monday here!  

I'm back with my series of quick and easy cards - made in 10 minutes or less.  

Today's card is easy, and actually takes quite a bit less than 10 minutes to create - probably more along the 5 minute mark!  Love that.  

Today, I thought it would help if I created a video to prove that this really does take a very limited amount of time to create. So, go ahead and watch how fast this one goes together:




October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.

Craft Project Central - Autumn Themed cards + Clear Topped Card Box

 Autumn Themed Boxed Cards Set  –  Jen Arkfeld

In this project make some cards that “match” the season.  Who wants a spring themed birthday card when they have a birthday in October?  You’ll craft some cards with rich fall colors for various occasions, plus a great box that’s perfect for gift giving – if you don’t decide to keep the cards for yourself!

Here's a peek at the cards included with your subscription this month.  Be sure to head over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to this month so you can get all of instructions for this month's projects!

 

October Hostess Code: 4CA6KX9D
Learn how to use the code here.