Watercolor Wonder

This card is actually a gift certificate one of hubby's coworkers purchased for his wife as a Christmas gift:

When my hubby told me he used my watercolor Wonder Crayons to actually paint the small portrait for the card, I was amazed! I thought he had used his "special" artist paints (for those of you who don't know, my hubby is a USMC combat artist; for more info on that, go here). With just Soft Subtles & Rich Regals crayons and a watercolor brush, he created the small portrait. (The small portrait is just a sample for the recipient. Hubby will paint a larger painting in oil of photos yet to be taken.)

Christmas Gifts

It's 12:30am and I just finished packaging hubby's gifts for coworkers/friends.

Inside, there's a container of homemade cocoa, homemade oreo fudge, and homemade no-bake chocolate peanut butter cookies. mmmmmm..........

I tied everything with silver cord and made special tags. For the cocoa containers, I used Starbucks frap bottles (ran through the dishwasher and decorated with SU papers/ribbon). FYI: SU satin ribbon is SO gorgeous. The pictures certainly do NOT do the ribbon justice.

I added snowflake ornaments that I personalized with the year. I also used the gifts tags I made here and attached them in little envelopes. I hope they like their treats!

Here's some close ups:

Boy birthday cards

I usually dread making cards for boys or men because I don't think I have many sets that are masculine. But the Voila chef with a bday cake seemed to work and the Outlaw paper was great, too! On the star card, I used Heat & Stick powder and brown flocking to create a fuzzy star. It's difficult to tell in the picture, but it feels so cool when you run your hand over it!

Mary Kay cards

A Mary Kay representative ordered a bunch of this card to give to her unit members. We placed a silver heart cookie cutter on top, placed it inside a cello bag & tied a wide celery grosgrain ribbon around it. I also attached little matching tags using the tag punches. Inside the card, it reads, you are the heart of our unit. On the back of the card, she had me attach a recipe called "Mary Kay Wham Bam Cookies"!

Supplies: Glossy White, Real Red, Wild Wasabi & Pretty in Pink cardstock; Real Red ink; Short & Sweet and Priceless stamp sets

Ornaments

I just love Christmas! I love to make things, and at this time of year, I have so many people to make things for! : )

I made the blue ornament by cutting apart an ornament garland I found at the Dollar Store. (It's so great because the ornament is plastic, but looks like a nice glass ball!) I used white stazon to stamp the snowflakes (they turned light blue) and a silver pen to write the person's name. I hot glued the silver top back on after slid a navy organdy ribbon through. Then I placed it inside a clear envelope and made a quick tag.

The silver tin ornament was given to me by a fellow stamper. Isn't it cool?? I need to make some of those, too.

Organization is on its way!

I have been working all afternoon on my office/craft room. This is what I've accomplished so far . . .More pictures will follow in a later post. I still have to go through one big box of things and organize the big IKEA shelves (the 16 cube shelf).

Stamped Presents

Tis the season . . . . . . to give gifts wrapped in Stampin' Up paper!


This is the stamped candle we made in our Christmas Gifts class last month.

Directions:
1. Stamp images on tissue paper (I used plain white).
2. Cut out images and lightly glue (I used SU glue stick) to candle.
3. Wrap candle & attached images with wax paper.
4. Using heat gun, work all the way around the candle until the images melt into the candle.
5. Peel off wax paper & you're finished!

Next month, we will be making a LOVE frame for Valentine's Day. If you would like to reserve a space in this class, please email me at kellybstampin@yahoo.com. (All of my classes are $15 and take place in my home in Fredericksburg.)

Bye - bye Letterpress & so many more. . .

2007 Retired List

Say goodbye to many of your favorite stamp sets. Click on the link above to check out the list in alphabetical order. Then, you can go to the online catalog to see images of the stamp sets here: online catalog.

If you have something on this list, please contact me ASAP so we can order it before it's gone forever!

My personal favorite that's being retired is Letterpress Alphabet. Here's a project I made with the set:
Supplies: retired Christmas designer series paper, Naturals Vanilla cardstock, Vintage Violet (retired) & Creamy Caramel ink, sponge, Vintage Violet stitched ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, Script background stamp, Letterpress Alpha (retiring( stamp, Small Script, All Year Cheer I & Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp sets, horizontal slot punch, frame

(This is a CASE from SCS member girl3boys0. You can see her project here.)

Christmas treats : )

I love Christmas! My favorite part of the holiday is making & giving gifts. . . . really it is! : )
I made up 6 of these to give to the nursery/child care workers who take care of my 3 children during my MOPS meeting. I covered pretzel rods in chocolate and several types of sprinkles, then packaged them in cello bags with a ribbon, snowflake ornament, and a simple tag.

Sorry about the picture quality. I need to find my special photo tent for taking pictures -- it got lost in the move back in Sept!

Birthday Card

I just love these petal cards! They're perfect for sticking a gift card inside.










Supplies: Real Red petal card, So Saffron designer series paper, Whisper White cardstock, Basic Black ink, spring bouquet & 1 1/4" circle punches, Hugs & Wishes stamp set.

Christmas card

In the next few days, I'll continue posting pictures of my Christmas cards from this year. Some of them may look familiar, as they were designed back in July for my Christmas in July open house.

Supplies: Wild Wasabi, Naturals White, & Whisper White cardstock; Certainly Celery & Rose Red designer series paper; vintage brads (silver diamond); Rose Red classic ink.

Free Make n' Take

At all of my December Open House events, we are making this gift card:I used textured Wild Wasabi & (regular) Whisper White cardstock, Real Red & Wild Wasabi ink; Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4" circle punch, and stampin' dimensionals.

It's a super simple & quick card to put with a gift this Christmas season. Stay tuned for more card and project ideas. . .

*F*I*N*A*L*L*Y a new post!!!

I'm so sorry it's taken more than 6 weeks to come back to this blog. A lot has been going on, but excuses aren't what you're here for, so without further adieu . . . .

Here's the Christmas card from the Christmas Cards in the Mail kit:


This card was "cased" from one of my monthly scrapbooking magazines and altered just a tad. The base of the card is made from creamy caramel, cut from an altered template of the cased card. I used the slit punch to create the scallops, the 1/2" circle punch for the red gumdrops, and the 3/4" circle punch for the center peppermint. Red gingham ribbon ties the card closed.

I'm preparing information on Round 3 of my Stamps in the Mail program, so come back for more details. By the way, the *N*E*W* Stampin' Up Spring/Summer collection is coming out SOON! If you'd like to preorder your copy, please post a comment here with your email address & I'll paypal you an invoice for $10. That includes shipping it to you. All books prepaid by December 20th will be received by the first week of January.

Christmas Stamps in the Mail

Just in the nick of time, I have created a package to make it super simple for you to make your own Christmas cards this year. I've done all the preparation for you in order to save you time this holiday season.

*I'll post a picture of the adorable gingerbread card next week.*

For $35, you will receive enough supplies to make 20 gingerbread cards:

• Color instruction sheet
  
• assortment of Creamy Caramel & Whisper White cardstock
• 1 gingerbread card template on chipboard
• SU slit punch
• SU 3/4" circle punch
• approx. 7 yards of red/white gingham ribbon
• 20 Whisper White envelopes
• 1 SU glue stick
• Prestamped greeting inserts (you'll have 2 options)
• Prestamped images from Stampin' Up's Snow Burst stamp set
• OPTIONAL: You may add one ink pad (color your choice) and the Snow Burst stamp set for only $25 more (You'll save 15% by not paying additional shipping/tax!)

If you'd like to sign up for this one time kit, leave a comment with your email address OR email me directly: kellybstampin@yahoo.com.

Payment must be received by November 12th.
All packages will be shipped priority by November 25th.

SPECIAL: For every person you refer who participates in this program, I will send you a free stamp in your kit. Just make sure they mention that you referred them so that I can send you your free stamp(s)!

Purchase this special Christmas
Stamps in the Mail kit today!
(paypal your payment to kellybstampin@yahoo.com)

Coasters

First of all . . . . I'M BACK!!!

I'm really working hard to get lots of samples ready to upload on this blog so that I don't go so long without blogging. Just be patient with me, though, as I'm moving NEXT WEEK into a new house.

Now, back to the stamping world of Kelly . . . .

I am working on projects for the last month of my Stamps In the Mail program, and decided I might have them make tile coasters. Even if they've made them before, I'm hoping to have a new "spin" on the idea with some interesting colors and designs.

Here's two coasters I (& a friend) stamped a long time ago . . .

Baby cards

It's inexcusable how long I've gone without blogging this month! My goal is to keep you up-to-date with new cards and projects several times a week. Ok, we'll see if that happens or not, right???

Retired sets for sale

Retired Stamp Sets for sale -- all have been gently used and have various degrees of staining. I will ship them Priority and will combine shipping when possible. I accept payment via paypal only. Thanks!

$4 Bold Blossom Greetings

$6 Little Layers Plus

$10 Shapes & Shadows (1 of2 available)

$6 Something to Celebrate

$6 Occasionally (only 2 mounted)

$6 Big Blossom

$2.50 Marigold Morning classic ink pad ('07 in color set)

$2.50 Cool Caribbean classic ink pad ('07 in color set)

$4 Garden Collage

$4 Cuddles & Tickles PENDING

$12 All Year Cheer I PENDING

$4 All I Have Seen GONE!!

$10 Tag Time GONE!!

$5 Botanical Garden GONE!!

$6 Geometric GONE!!

$12 Toile Blossoms GONE!!

$10 Shapes & Shadows GONE!! (1 of2 available)

$12 Island Blossoms GONE!!

$6 Linograph GONE!!

$4 Doodle That GONE!!

$6 Holiday Wishes GONE!!

$6 Natural Beauty GONE!!

$10 A Greeting for All Reasons GONE!!

$12 All-Year Cheer III GONE!!

$2 Party Fun stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$2 Pine Bough stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$2 Gifts Galore stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$2 Simply Shells stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$2 Bloomin' stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$2 Swirl Fun stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$3 Flitting By jumbo stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$3 Woodcut Holly jumbo stampin' around wheel GONE!!

$3 Poinsetta jumbo stampin' around wheel GONE!!

**If you spend more than $30, I'll even throw in some free (retired) SU designer series paper.

Finally, an update!

Hello all!

So sorry I've been absent from blogging this month. It's crazy how fast time flies. . . .

First of all, I will be posting some pictures and other things later today. I just need to get the camera and work on that.

Secondly, I have a bunch of retired stamp sets available, so I'm getting ready to post that.

OH -- the biggest reason why I haven't been blogging is that we've found a house, so I've been doing the "paperwork shuffle"! Those of you who have purchased or refinanced, know what I mean. I'm also in the midst of packing and getting rid of stuff, so my days are long and filled with sorting and resorting (because after I sort stuff, the kids come along and "un sort" it for me). What a joy! hee. . . hee. . .

Christmas Card Club

This year, I will be holding my annual Christmas Card Club on the 3rd Thursday of each month starting this month. (The above card was a make n' take from my Christmas in July Open House.) We will make 10 cards each month, 5 each of 2 different designs.

The classes are $15 each and will be held in my home. Please email me for more information: kellybstampin@yahoo.com.

These are the cards we will make this month:

(bleaching technique used with Frosty)

(quick & easy with designer series paper)

Christmas in July

Last Saturday, I had a Christmas in July Open House. We had a great time talking and stamping together, as well as browsing Christmas items together. It's never too early to start!

Here's some of the projects from that day. . . . .

1st birthday

I just can't believe my baby turned one year old Monday! This is the card I made for her:

Supplies: Rose Red, Basic Black cardstock; Cutie Pie designer series paper, on board number, pink gingham ribbon, rose red craft ink (to dye the "1") and stampin' dimensionals.

Very quick and easy card to put together.

Rockin' Girl Blogger!

WOW! I was nominated by fellow blogger & stamper Rita for the "Rockin' Girl Blogger" Award. How cool is that?! Thanks Rita! Make sure you check out her blog here. She always has great cards posted there.


By the way . . . I have space for 5 more people in my Stamps in the Mail program. If you'd like to sign up, please contact me via email ASAP: kellybstampin@yahoo.com. Go here for a hint of one of the two stamp sets you'll get in your kit. It's even more versatile than the set everyone received in Round One, and supplemented with a COOL set of words, it's perfect for Stamps in the Mail!

(See this post to get all the important details on Stamps in the Mail.)

Please forgive me!

Hello everyone. . . . . . . . No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. So sorry!

I haven't been blogging lately because I've just been so busy with other work. I wish I got paid to blog, then you'd see a LOT more here. :)

Anyway. . . . I'm working on a bunch of Christmas in July samples for my Open House this Saturday, so as soon as I get them photographed and in the computer, I'll upload here.

I'm also selling a TON of retired stamps from my personal collection, so stay tuned. Whatever doesn't sell at the Open House will be posted here.

Happy Stamping!

Conserving Ribbon

I decided to post a tutorial on how to conserve ribbon when making a lot of the same card. Some of you may know this trick, but to me, I discovered it yesterday! The main reason why I did this is because I had to make 10 cards for a customer, but only had enough ribbon for about 5. I had wanted to tie the ribbon all the way around the card. But I realized that if it was only on the front, I'd be able to have the same look with the help of some sticky strip (I LOVE that stuff!).

This card (that I posted yesterday) uses the technique. Here's the steps and I promise to add detail tutorial photos by tomorrow:

STEP ONE
Run a piece of sticky strip across the area you want your ribbon.
STEP TWO
Cut a small piece of ribbon (for a fake bow) and lay it VERTICALLY across the sticky strip.
STEP THREE
Lay a piece of ribbon across the entire piece of sticky strip HORIZONTALLY, and on top of the smaller piece.
STEP FOUR
Trim your edges & tie the (fake) bow.

Sarcastic Cards

My sister is pretty sarcastic, and requested some special cards recently. So these sayings are totally from her & the designs are by me.








DETAILS: All cards use various SU cardstocks as well as the new designer series prints paper. The sayings were printed on the computer.

Some buggy cards . . .

It's time for some cards . . . . FINALLY! : ) I made these cards for a pest control service. The lady is in a networking group with me and asked for me to make 20 thank you notes for her customers.

This card is my thank you to her. (I also stamped all of her envelopes with the ants like this one.)

Details: Bugs & Kisses stamp set; Real Red & Basic Black cardstock & watercolor paper; Basic Black ink; SAB set; Giga scallop & 1/16" punch; Creative Memories oval cutter; b&w gingham; dimensionals.


This is card #1:
Details: Bugs & Kisses stamp set; Blue Bayou, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, More Mustard cardstock; NIght of Navy & Wild Wasabi ink; crystal effects; "thank you" from Fave Teddy Bear; black organdy (thought I was using navy until I photographed it in good light!); crystal effects (on grasshopper's eye) dimensionals.



This is card #2: This card is almost a direct case from"ambouth" on SCS. Here's her card.
Details: Bugs & Kisses stamp set; Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Very Vanilla, Naturals Ivory; Cool Caribbean cardstock; Purely Pomegranate & Wild Wasabi ink; "thank you" from Favorite Greetings set; Dots wheel & close to cocoa ink cartridge; celery grosgrain; deckle scissors; dimensionals; sticky strip; crystal effects (on ladybug head).


This is the bag I packaged the 20 cards in. I just love this set.

Details: Bugs & Kisses stamp set; white lunch bag; Garden Green, Creamy Caramel & Sahara Sand ink; rectangle punch; yellow wide organdy.