"Holiday Treat Box"

I love this box, isn't it gorgeous? It was so simple to make too! Here is the link to the directions. This is another project for my class Friday. Inside I put two packets of hot cocoa and a bundle of chocolate peppermint stix. I found the peppermint stix at Walgreens. (two boxes for $4) You can put what ever you want in the box too and make it different holidays. I have been out of the "stamping loop" for so long, I don't know the name of the stamp I used or the DP. Oh well, I am getting back in so I will be on top of my game again soon. I can't wait to share with you all the projects we are doing.
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: SU Scallop Border Punch, SU Scallop Circle, SU Circle Punches, Red Grosgrain Ribbon

"Notebook Gift Set"

I have a Christmas Gift class on Friday and this is one of the projects that we are making. This class is all "gifts" and no cards. It's everyone's favorite one of the year. This set is a notebook, beaded pen, and a giant paperclip book marker. I decided to not make all the projects with a Christmas theme, just in case they want to use it for something else. I only have one more class after this one and then I am done. I am hoping to find a place that I can teach a class in Iowa. Providing Taylor hasn't scooped them all up. LOL

Stamps: Eastern Blooms
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Notebook, RSVP Pen, Micro Beads, Tacky Tape, Heat Gun, Giant Paperclip, SU Scallop Punch, SU Circle Punches

"Trim A Tree"

This card I cased from the catalog. I love the layout and the colors. It's not a perfect match from the one in the catalog but it's close. This is another one of those layouts that could work for all occasions. Just use different stamped images and DP. This week I will be prepping for my Christmas Gifts class. No cards, just cool gifts. I can't wait to share what I make with you. I have lots of ideas, lets hope they all pan out. I am trying to not do the same items as last year since my class is the same people that take it every month. I try not to repeat the projects but sometimes I forget. So we will be doing lots of boxes, beaded pens, stationary gift sets, stamped candles, and candy treats. I can't wait. Although the card making is fun, this class seems to be more fun.
Stamps: Season Of Joy
Paper: Bashful Blue, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, SU DP
Ink: Old Olive, Ruby Red
Accessories: Dimensionals

"Medallion Christmas Wreath"

I LOVE this card. The colors are great together. This is another one I did in my class that I cased. It was super easy to make too. Stamp the medallion image on the right of the card, punched out the middle with the SU scallop punch, added some holly berries and punched the inside image with the scallop punch and adhered it to the inside of the card. The scallop piece is a separate piece attached to the top of the card. This card can also be used in different colors with a different image inside the card.
Stamps: Medallion
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Sahara Sand, Real Red
Accessories: Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Hand Held Circle Punch, SU Scallop Punch, SU Scallop Border Punch

"Wintergreen Wonderland"

This is another card I made for my class. I love love love this layout. It will work for any occasion. All you have to do is change the colors and the stamped background. And it is super easy. The possibilities are endless. It's weird, I have never bought a pack of sage shadow paper in the past 6 years that I have been stamping and in the last month, I have bought 2! It was just a color that I never liked or saw a reason for. But when trying to figure out what pattern paper to use for this card, my friend Carrie said that she had some extra Wintergreen pattern paper that has been long retired. It was perfect. So This card was born. This is also a layout that I borrowed from Mayra, who will be replacing me in my card making class. As you can see, her and I do have similar styles so my class is going to be just fine.
Stamps: Best Wishes & More, I don't know what the greeting is from, it is retired
Paper: Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Wintergreen DP (retired)
Ink: Sage Shadow
Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon

"Ornament Card"

It has been a whirlwind here at my house. I haven't had time to stamp much at all. I am trying to get things organized while Tony is gone to the academy. We are doing fine with out him so far, but as time passes I have a feeling it will be much harder. I did have a chance to stamp last week. I needed to prep for my stamp class. I only have two classes left. I am really going to miss it and hope that I can find a place to teach in Iowa. I told my class last week that I am leaving and that we found another instructor to replace me. When I was thinking about what to make for this class, I decided to channel my replacement. Turns out that we have similar styles so I think the girls will be happy. 4 of the 5 cards we did in the class are semi cases from Mayra, who will be replacing me. This was a fun card to make. I like to use "non traditional" Christmas colors to make it a little more fun. I don't own this set or the punch and am mad that I didn't order it. To be honest, I just looked at my catalog two weeks ago and never even looked at the mini. I have no idea what any of the new sets are called or which ones are the most popular. I have totally been out of the stamping loop for over a year. AGH!!! After stamping last week, I fell in love with it again and I can't wait to keep on stamping!
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Hung Up On The Holidays (middle ornament hanger)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, So Saffron
Accessories: SU Scallop Border Punch, Bling, SU Black Marker, Ruler

"We Are Finally Moving!!!"

We got the good news Thursday. Tony has accepted a position with a different agency in Des Moines, IA! With his current agency we weren't going to get back home, so he applied with a different one. He applied in July of 2008 and we just got the official offer Thursday. Woo Hoo!!! We have known since June that we were going to go to Des Moines but had to wait for the "official offer" Man, the government is slow. The good news is that we are only going to be 3 hours from home. I can't wait. It is going to be so nice to be within driving distance from friends and family. The girls are also excited to move. (well 2 out of 3 of them) Katie (14) is ready to leave today, Molly (7) just wants to live in a house with stairs and wanted to start packing when Tony told her we were moving, and Sarah (8) is absolutely devastated. She has a lot of anxiety and apprehension about the move. She will get over it, but for now I have to watch how I word things around her. (she's my OCD child, she likes things organized, she makes lists, and she likes routines) Moving is not part of her plan. The bad part of the deal is that Tony leaves this weekend for training for 6 months!! The girls and I will be here until the house sells. We are thinking between 4-5 months. It will be tough not having Tony around for 6 months but we are all willing to take that sacrifice in order to get back home.....well, almost home.

I would like to thank all of you for sticking with me while I have been gone. Life took over and I didn't stamp much. I still teach my class once a month but most of those projects were cards and stuff that I have already made so I didn't want to post them again. But I am going to get back into it soon. I miss it soooo much.

Oh one more thing. I have been working out with a personal trainer 3 days a week and I have lost 24.5 pounds in 12 weeks!!! I am a work out machine. I love it. I am at the gym 6 days a week. Three days with my trainer and three days of cardio. I have to be honest, it's hard but now I am starting to see results and I am so happy and proud of myself.

I am going to go for now, I just wanted to give you all an update. And thank you for your e-mails and for sticking around. I do miss you all! And I will be back!

Oh, and if any of you are from the Des Moines area, we are looking for a house to rent in Ankeny. We picked Ankeny cause we know several people that have lived there and loved it, we also heard great things about the schools and the softball programs for the girls.

"Princess Castle"

This is one of the stamp sets that Shelly got from her friend. I can't think of the name if it right now either. Anyway, I stamped the castle on the card, and colored it in, the roofs are stickled, which I don't think you can see in the scan. But it looks pretty in real life. I stamped the clouds on the card and then again on a separate piece of paper and cut them out and pop dotted them on top of the ones on the card. This isn't one of my favorite cards but it's cute. Great for a little princess.
Stamps: Stampin' Up
Paper: Pixie Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: Markers, Pop Dots, Square Punches