My Friend Ella's Card

My close friend, and next door neighbor Ella needed a little help this weekend. Her Grandfather turned 80, and she wanted to make him a card. I was so excited that I was able to get my hands on a few of the German stamps, since he doesn't speak any English. This is what she came up with and I think it turned out pretty great....Don't you?

Let it Snow!!!

Ok, after living in the south for 12 years, I was excited to come to Germany. I missed the snow (I grew up in Ohio) and couldn't wait to help my kids make Snowmen and Snow Angels. Well, for some reason (maybe global warming?) we seem to be getting less and less snow. The week before Thanksgiving was still over 50 degrees! I guess I may just have to make my own. Good thing that the LNS challenge this week is all about snow. I created this cute little gift topper out of the snowflake sizzlets dies, some gold shimmer paint, and crystal effects. I used up another one of those pesky hat pins from the pretties kit as well as some of the pearls. I like the way it came out, except for the Crystal effects. I think I may have gotten a little heavy handed with it as the crystal effects kind of ran off the edges. Oh well, still not bad for my first attempt! What do you think?

Another LNS Challenge

The Late Night Stamper challenge for this past week, was to create something with snowmen, or snowflakes, or some form of snow on it. I have seen these types of cards all over the blogging world lately, and I absolutely love how the snowflakes frame the card. These are so simple to make too, with the Christmas Punch hostess set. The snowflakes fit perfectly into the Boho Blossoms punch, making it super easy to create as many as you need. The inside of the card was done on water color paper with the Big on Christmas stamp set. Hope you all enjoy this. It was so much fun to make! (and can I just say, it is always more enjoyable for me when I get to make something just for fun!!). It doesn't have a place to go as all my Christmas cards are already sent, but if you don't mind getting a card a bit late (the Military postal service is not known for being speedy) I would love to send it to you. Leave me a comment and I'll drop it in the mail!

Black Friday!!

Have you all shopped till you dropped? Since we are in Germany, there aren't many places that participate in black friday. We do get to go to the PX though, so that's where my friend Emily and I were at 0'dark thirty this morning. Why do we do this stuff? Is it really worth getting up at the crack of dawn to go spend our hard earned money on stuff that when we are awake will make us slap our head and say "What the @#$@$ is that!!!!" Oh well, it's all part of my Thanksgiving/Christmas tradition. I do have to say though, it does give me a much better appreciation for all Santa has to go through! This card was inspired by my shopping experience today. The punch santa was designed by the amazingly talented Ellen Kemper. Make sure you take a minute to check out her blog. It's unbelievable. Ok, Santa seems to have the right idea, so I think I'm going to go join him. Have a great weekend!

Are you all enjoying your Turkey?

Good morning all. I hope your Thanksgiving is going well, and that you have all the turkey you can stand. Personally, I'm in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove. We have about 35 people joining us for Thanksgiving dinner this year. It's really strange being in Germany and celebrating Thanksgiving. The Germans all have to go to work, and we lay around all day and hang out. We don't have to worry about the men watching football as the first game doesn't even come on until after 6pm here. We do get to watch the Macy's Parade though, because it comes on later as well. Enough, chit chat....on to my project.

This beautiful ornament was designed by the woman who runs the Remarkable Creations blog. I have had these hat pins for almost a year, and have not had any idea what to do with them! This ribbon ornament reminds me of the ribbon candy my grandfather always had at his house. It was super thin, and after you sucked on a it a minute you could cut your tongue, but it was always delicious. This will go on my tree tomorrow as it's tradition to put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving! Ok, time to baste the turkey! Enjoy yours, and I'll see you tomorrow.

It's Almost Christmas??

How in the world, do we as American's, always seem to forget about Thanksgiving? We skip over it every year and race headlong into Christmas. The stores decorate before we have even finished Halloween. Well, unfortunately I'm no different! I blame it on the fact that my decorations etc. are hand made and take time to create, but honestly....I love Christmas. It is probably one of my most favorite holidays. Food, presents, friends.....how could you ask for anything more? In honor of my forgetting Thanksgiving, I hosted a Christmas Tag Class.
The ladies all came and make 20+ tags in an afternoon. I told them I would be posting their lovely faces on my blog....so without further ado....here are my Tag Ladies :)

My Birthday Stick a Stack

This past weekend I had a class using one of the simply scrappin kits. Did you know that you could use these kits and turn them into really amazing cards? It only took 1/2 a kit to make 8 full size birthday cards and 4 3x3 gift cards. The ladies had a great time making these, and I had a lot of fun putting them together. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Holiday Extravaganza Sale at SU!

Wow!! Can you believe these amazing deals? Stampin' Up! has outdone themselves again this year with some great bundles. Remember you can only get them until November 30th. To place an order click on the bundle to be taken to my online store. Don't delay, deals are going fast!

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120976	Thank You Kindly Bundle (French) Tous mes remerciements stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120310	Heart to Heart Bundle (Spanish) Te Quiero Mucho stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120311	Heart to Heart Bundle (French) J’t'aime beaucoup stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1″ double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1″ double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers’ Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin’ Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″) Whisper White card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″) Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120312	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French) Profiter de chaque instant stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120313	Sock Monkey Bundle (French) Sing-chaussette stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne’s Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120314	Simply Said Bundle (French) Amitié stamp set Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Beary Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle For All You Do stamp set 5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120315	For All You Do Bundle (French) Merci pour tout stamp set 5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120316	For All You Do Bundle (Spanish) Por todo lo que haces stamp set 5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2″ striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin’ Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin’ Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120317	Fresh-Cut Bundle (French) Fraicheur exuise stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120318	Pendant Note Bundle (French) Adorable parc stamp set Pendant notes 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120319	Pendant Note Bundle (Spanish) Un dia en el parque stamp set Pendant notes 5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8″ Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

Happy Everything

Last week over at Late Night Stampers our design team challenge was to create a card for your favorite holiday. As you can imagine there were tons of Christmas cards submitted, as well as a few Valentine's and Thanksgiving cards. I of course wanted to be different. I couldn't figure out what holiday I wanted to create for. I can be pretty indecisive sometimes. Anyway, since I was playing with punch art on My Digital Studio, I thought I would see what I could come up with. Well, I came up with a lot.....so, you get my version of a Holiday card.......Happy Everything!

My Merry Christmoose :)

A few weeks ago I asked an extremely talented lady if she could figure out how to create a Moose from punches. (For those of you who don't know, my wonderful hubby is from Maine, and all his family still live there, so Moose are a big deal in our house!) Well, Ellen Kemper came through for me and created this adorable moose. This is actually her card, but I promise I will get one made and up soon! Make sure you swing over to Ellen's Blog as well and tell her how much you liked my Moose!!!!!!

Another Shoebox Card

Here is another shoebox swap we made last weekend at my upline's house. This one was designed by Elizabeth, my sideline. She wanted to the dryer sheet technique from Splitcoast, but we didn't like the way it looked, so we pulled the dryer sheet off of and lo and behold, we really liked that. It left the card all fuzzy. I haven't put a sentiment on it yet, any suggestions?

Voila' I made a card!

Last weekend we had a get together at my upline's house. It was our monthly meeting which is always a blast. One of the things we do at all our meetings is take a shoebox swap to make. This one is from my sideline Christina. It is an adorable Thanksgiving one. She made a ton of these to invite the single soldiers to her annual Thanksgiving dinner. I'm glad I only had to make one, cutting out the chef and turkey took forever. I do love the color combo on this though! What about you? are you sending invites for your Thanksgiving dinner?

Another AWAG Make N Take

This is the other Make N Take I demoed at the regional AWAG conference. I thought since we were focusing on thanking our volunteers, a thank you card was in order. I can't claim this creative idea though, Dawn Griffith came up with this one. If you would like to make your own, she has an awesome video tutorial here.

AWAG Candy Bars

Here is a quick project I used for a Make N Take at the regional AWAG conference. It holds a Hershey Chocolate Bar (chocolate is always a bonus). They are super simple to make. Just a piece of DSP wrapped around the bar and secured with snail, a coordinating piece of cardstock wrapped around as a belly band, a Rhinestone brad and one of my favorite things......a flower from the Pretties kit. Like I said, super simple and fast. The ladies at the conference seemed to enjoy them, and I enjoyed showing it to them. If you would like to make your own.......

Step 1: Cut a piece of DSP 6"x 8". Wrap it around the Hershey bar. (Make sure to put snail around all 4 sides of the DSP, so it looks like a square).

Step 2: Using the crimper crimp both ends of the DSP. The extra snail you put on the ends will make it a permanent seal. (Do NOT try to crimp without snail, they will come apart and your candy bar will drop out....I'm speaking from experience!)

Step 3: Cut a piece of Coordinating Cardstock 2" x 6". Punch a hole in the center and place 1 large rhinestone brad and one Large flower from the Pretties kit onto this piece of card stock. Wrap Cardstock around the candy bar and secure in place using sticky strip.

Step 4: Find someone worthy and give it to them to say thanks!!!

USTAMP Year End Blow Out: Register Today

You all know how excited I was about being chosen as a guest designer for USTAMP? Well, I'm not the only one. The other designers are absolutely incredible! I would absolutely hate for you to miss this opportunity! Dawn is offering an early bird special which ends TODAY!!! So, don't delay, I need all the moral support with me I can get. See the message from Dawn listed below for more information!


Come join us for a World Wide Stamping Event ONLINE!! Yep you can enjoy all the fun day or night in your Ball Gown, Jammies or anything in between!! Our UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! Year End Blowout event is going to be the best yet, so you won't want to miss out. New project tutorials shared everyday 31 projects...plus several double designer days!! A prize giveaway EVERYDAY, Live Chats with prizes, random prizes and so much more!! Connect around the world with like minded creative people who LOVE Stampin' Up! just like you and I do!!

You and anyone else that you think would be interested, are invited to join us for. We are featuring products from the 2009 - 2010 Catalog, the Occasions 2010 Mini and the 2010 Sell-a-bration catalog for this round of UStamp.

The Early Bird Pricing ends today, so hurry and join now :)

To join and also to find out more about UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! Year End Blowout 2009 go to ustampwithdawn.blogspot.com

Looking forward to sharing wonderful Stampin' Up! projects with all of you!!

Test Tube Thank You's

Several months ago I purchased a ton of these test tubes. Well, I'm down to my last few, so I thought I might as well use them up. These are quick and easy Thank You gifts for those people who always seem to enter our lives. They come in the form of baggers at the grocery store, bus drivers, bank tellers, waitresses etc. I keep a few of these in my purse to give out when one of those people goes out of their way to assist me. They are filled with bath salts and are just my way of saying "Thanks so much!"

AWAG Conference

This past weekend I had the opportunity to speak at an AWAG conference. AWAG is an organization made up of Military wives living in Europe. Most of these are big participants in the volunteer communities on their garrison. The topic for my speech was simple thank you gifts for your volunteers. I thought you might like to see the make n takes I provided as part of my class. The first one I am going to show you is a Reindeer treat bag. I've included a quick tutorial if you are interested in making one yourself. Someone shared the idea and poem on my Late Night Stampers group. I wish I could remember who it was, but as usual, I forgot to write it down. If this was your idea, please let me know so I can give you credit! Step 1: Using the big shot, cut out a top note die from Creamy Caramel. Then fold the die in Half as shown.

Step 2: Cut out two of the Scribbles Sizzlets using your big shot and Chocolate Chip Card Stock. Punch out the large swirl in the middle of the Die.

Step 3: Attach the swirls to the inside upper corners of the folded Top Note Die as shown.

These will make the Reindeer's Antlers.

Step 4: Punch out two 1/2" circles from Basic Black Cardstock and attach to the front of the folded Top Note Die. These are the Reindeer's eyes

Step 5: Using Sticky Strip, adhere one small cello bag filled with Hershey's kisses and the Reindeer Poem to the inside of the Top Note. Make sure that the cello bag's seam is facing the back of the Reindeer.

Step 6: Fold the Top Note over the cello bag and press firmly to seal (cello bag may be stapled closed prior to this step if desired).

Step 7: Cut out a small circle from a piece of Sticky Sheet. Peel off the white paper backing and press firmly into Red Chunky glitter. Then remove the red backing sheet and adhere to the front of your Reindeer. This is his nose.

TaDa! Now you have a simply and easy treat to give to friends, neighbors, bus drivers etc. Hope you enjoy it!!!