Pretties Kit Ornaments

Since last week was my final week babysitting a little girl for some friends, I wanted to make it special. Her family is moving to North Dakota just a few days before Christmas, so understandably they have not put up many decorations in their current home. I thought that together we could come up with something simple to do (easy enough for a 3 year old anyway!).

We got busy with her stamping Christmas images in Old Olive and Real Red onto Kraft and Whisper White 1 3/4" circles. Then we simply folded them in half and adhered them to one another accordion-style. When fully opened they resembled a sphere or ball. All that was left to do was take a hat pin from Stampin' Up!'s Pretties Kit, some beads, and some silver cording and voila! we had an ornament. She took her ornaments home before I could snap a picture of them but after she left, I got busy creating a few of my own. I used Snowfall Printed Window sheets, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP, and Merry Moments DSP. These were so easy, and I love the way they look.


Have you booked your January or February workshop yet? If you haven't already heard, Sale-a-bration is coming up in January and it is SU!'s biggest event of the year. Also being released in January is the Occasions Mini which is chock full of new product. I am talking new punches (and new punch design!) some amazing new embellishments and designer series paper (one new product is a huge 48 sheet stack!!), tools, and CLEAR STAMPS!!! Yes, that is right. Stampin' Up! has come out with clear stamps. They are made of the same rubber as before so you can be sure that the quality is there. I can't wait to show all of these exciting new products and the best way to see for yourself is to host your own workshop!!!

Don't forget that Stampin' Up! gift certificates are still available!! If you purchase a gift certificate for someone on your list, you will receive 20% off your next purchase!* To see more information on this Carried Away with Creativity exclusive promotion, click here!

*This promotion is available only through me. The 20% off must be redeemed separate from the gift certificate redemption.


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Recipe:
Stamps:None
Ink: None
Paper: Merry Moments DSP (115672), Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP (116770), Snowfall Printed Window Sheets (116805)
Accessories: Pretties Kit (109114), 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain (109034), Silver Elastic Cord (109866), Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Sticky Strip (104294), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403)

PPA20: A Color Challenge + PPA Blog Candy!!!

When I first saw the colors used for the Pals Paper Arts challenge for this week, I was a little stumped. This is not a typical combination for me! I kept working through it in my mind, and I am pleased with the final results.

The colors for this weeks challenge are Crushed Curry, Old Olive, and Soft Suede. In order to achieve some balance, I went with an old rule of thumb: when in doubt, use a lot of white!

Some tips:

• I created a background using the Circle Circus set in all three challenge colors. The square was cut up into even panels and matted onto Old Olive and Soft Suede.
• The sentiment probably doesn't look familiar to you. That is because it is a stamp that can be earned by booking a workshop through me! When I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for this card.
• The hardware is retired pewter hodgepodge. You can achieve a similar look with the Very Vanilla or Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware.

I hope you will play along at PPA!!! By participating you will become eligible to win some fabulous blog candy!!!




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Recipe:
Stamps: Circle Circus (115778), Incentive Stamp
Ink: Soft Suede (115657), Old Olive (102277), Crushed Curry (115659)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Old Olive (100702), Soft Suede (115318), Crushed Curry (115319)
Accessories: Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware- retired: substitute Styled Vanilla (112454) or Styled Silver (111325), Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115614), Dimensionals (104430), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826)

The gift that keeps giving: a Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate!

Now available at Carried Away with Creativity: Gift Certificates!!!

Reasons why a Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate is so perfect for giving:

• They are perfect for when you know the recipient would LOVE something Stampin' Up! but you just aren't sure what they already might have or want.
• Since Stampin' Up! carries a wide range of products (stamping, general crafts, and home decor) they are perfect for anyone on your shopping list!
  
• I can mail them directly to you or the recipient.
  
• They can be personalized with the colors and theme of your choice.
• Each gift certificate is made up of all Stampin' Up! materials and is embellished to match the theme.
  
• I keep a record of each gift certificate with the name of the recipient and amount in case it ever gets lost.
• Last minute shopping? No problem. I can send an E-card to let the recipient know that you have given them a gift certificate and that it has been dropped in the mail.
  
• The gift certificates are easy to redeem- only a simple call or email is necessary to place an order.
  
• Purchase a gift certificate through me and receive 20% off* your next order!
• Paypal & Money Orders accepted.
• Email or call me (509-280-8349) to order your gift certificates, and if you would like to be the lucky recipient of one, be sure to forward this information on to your friends and family!

***This promotion is available only through me. The 20% off must be redeemed separate from the gift certificate redemption.

PPA19: Holiday Photo Inspiration

Today at Pals Paper Arts, we are hosting a Holiday Photo Inspiration challenge using this photo:

I love this vintage look! When I think of a vintage Christmas, I think of a cozy warm fireplace with cute little hanging stockings. I took that idea and ran with it for my card!

Some tips:

• I cut pieces of Stampin' Up! wood sheets to assemble my fireplace.
• To create some extra dimension, I used the scallop edge punch on both sides of a 1" piece of Wood Sheet for the sides of the fireplace. It reminds me of decorative molding:).
• A Chocolate Chip SU marker was used to stain all of the wood pieces. Be sure to give this plenty of time to dry!
• A window sheet was cut to size and adhered behind the fireplace opening. The stockings were attached using glue dots directly on the window sheet. TIP: To create the stockings out of DSP, I simply printed off a couple stockings using MS Word clipart and adhered them to the DSP with Dotto Removable adhesive. This allowed me to cut them uniformly.
  
• A cute little rug was created using DSP and Coluzzle cutter with the oval template (retired). I created an extra layer of Old Olive and snipped it to look like fringe.
  
• Next I worked on starting my fire... Basic Black served as a backdrop and was attached directly onto the Very Vanilla card base. The Word Window punch was used to create logs from Chocolate Chip and the 5-Petal Flower punch was used to create the fire using More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie
• Next I started working on the mantel piece (I made sure to do this before I attached the wood fireplace). The mantel piece was created using the pine cone image from Autumn Days and a Stamp-a-ma-jig.
• Finally, I was able to attach the wood fireplace over the fire using dimensionals.

I hope this project has inspired you to create your own for this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge!


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Recipe:
Stamps: Autumn Days, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Old Olive (100079), Chocolate Chip (100071), Real Red (100052)
Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Old Olive (100702), Merry Moments DSP (115672), More Mustard (100946), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Basic Black (102851)
Accessories: Wood Sheets (116309), Window Sheets (114323), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Word Window Punch (105090), 5- Petal Flower Punch (109041), Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Sleigh Bells Ribbon (116795), Coluzzle Cutting System (retired), Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit (115696)

Christmas Treat Containers

One of my favorite hobbies (aside from stamping, of course!) is baking. So every Christmas I do a ton of it to give away to friends, family, neighbors, and a little for our own family :). I also try to create containers for the goodies to make it extra special. Today's post features a few from this year.

I was ecstatic to see that in the 2009-2010 IBC, Stampin' Up started offering adorable pre-cut and scored treat boxes (pg 159 -115690). These are especially nice because they are coated and are considered food-safe. Plus they are so adorable that you could leave them as is, or add just a few elements to dress them up. For my treat boxes, I simply added ribbon, gold cord, and tags (using sticky die cuts from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit- 115696).

Back in September, I purchased a bunch of specialty candy corn for some favors that I was making. I decided to save the boxes for filling with Christmas treats. I simply peeled off the labels, washed them out and embellished them with ribbon, buttons, and more Christmas Jingle SS elements. So easy!

Buy a Gift Receive a Gift- You'll love the convenience of our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! With gift ideas for kids, teens, neighbors, and more, it's your one-stop shop for all your holiday needs.

Plus, when you spend $50 on products in the guide, you'll get a Décor Elements for FREE (up to a $16.95 value)!

Booking January Workshops Now!!! Sale-a-bration is right around the corner (starts in January!) and my workshop calendar is filling up fast! Email me to book your workshop right away to take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year!

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Recipe:
Stamps: Berry Christmas (116509)
Ink: Real Red (103133)
Paper: Old Olive (100702), Chocolate Chip (102128), Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650), Merry Moments DSP (115672)
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Merry Details Sizzlit (116823), Jumbo Snowflake punch (116628), Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Elastic Gold Cord (109867), Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons (114339), Linen Thread (104119), Sleigh Bells Ribbon (116795), Treat Boxes (115690), Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit (115696), 1 1/4" Old Olive Striped Grosgrain (115618), 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115617)

PPA18: Keep it Simple, Sweetie!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Since it is Thursday, you should head on over to Pals Paper Arts to participate in today's challenge: KISS. KISS stands for "Keep it Simple, Sweetie". The guidelines for this challenge are:

• Clean with lots of 'white' space
• Simple Designs
• Minimum time to create
• Limited layers and embellishments

My card is definitely clean and simple. But hopefully there is a WOW factor in there, too.

Some tips:

• To create the wreath, I ran Old Olive through my Big Shot using the Little Leaves Sizzlit several times. I snipped off one set of leaves from each die cut.
• The berries were created using the dots from the Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit set. These were attached using mini glue dots and were coated with Dazzling Diamonds glitter with the help of a 2-way glue pen.
• 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon was tied in a bow and added with a glue dot.
• The sentiment, from Berry Christmas, was inked in Black StazOn, stamped onto a window sheet, and popped out using the Modern Label punch. I secured it with more glue dots on either side of the label. This piece is not flush with the card- it is slightly curved.

Be sure to upload your creation at Pals Paper Arts! You could be an Artist Pick!



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Recipe: Stamps: Berry Christmas (116509) Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406) Paper: Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Little Leaves Sizzlit (114511), Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits (114509), Mini Glue Dots (103683), 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (109034), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023), 2-way glue pen (100425), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Modern Label Punch (116630), Window Sheet (114323)

Holiday Banner

This past Saturday, I hosted a Home Decor and Gift class in my home. The attendees were given several projects to choose from for the class, and all of them chose to do the Ho Ho Ho banner from the Holiday Mini. I can see why. It is so darn cute!

What I loved so much about this product was that it was so easy and quick to create. My banner is almost identical to the one in the catalog- I thought it was so pretty as is, and thought "why mess with a good thing?".

Some tips:

• The banner was created using the Ho Ho Ho On Board (117613). I popped out just the large letters, and used my Crop-a-dile to make holes in the tops of each of them.
• Elastic Silver cording was used to string the letters onto some Old Olive Grosgrain.
• The shape elements were created using the Merry Details Sizzlit, the Jumbo Snowflake punch, and the Little Leaves Sizzlet.
• I dotted the center of each snowflake with a Clear Rhinestone Brad. To eliminate a little bulk, I snipped off the "prongs" on the brad and simply attached it using a mini glue dot.

The glitter on this banner is a must-see. The photos do not do it justice!!




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Recipe: Stamps: None Ink: None Paper: Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Chocolate Chip (102128) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Merry Details Sizzlet (116823), Little Leaves Sizzlet (114511), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Silver Elastic Cord (109866), 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon (109054), Crop-a-dile (108362), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Ho Ho Ho On Board (117613)