321 Stamp: Launching Creativity

Christmas Ideas - Stampcation Style

I cannot believe what a blog stranger I have been! I've been busy with classes and workshops and life in general. I had shared some great Halloween ideas from the wonderful Stampcation event that fellow demonstrator Linda Heller and Shantaie Fowler put on in late Sept. -- now it's time for their Christmas vingette. So many great ideas. I defintely need a white sparkly Christmas tree to decorate in all handmade paper ornaments.

The tree closer up:

On the little table by the tree, the Dear Santa set from the Holiday Mini makes a great keepsake for the milk and cookies left on Christmas eve. (I would love to have had this set when my kids were younger and have them stamp a note for Santa and then write inside -- those would be great keepsakes to add to a scrapbook and look back at when they're all grown up.)

Here are some ornaments made with the Big Shot snowflake die:

Love these and how the Pillow Box used vertically becomes a little pouch to hang on the tree and hold treats or a gift card. I love scavenger hunts to make the kids find their gifts and there could be clues inside of these! The first photo has a Pillow Box pouch and a Top Note die ornament.

Not sure if you can tell the finer details of this idea, but it's a garland made by simply stitching lots of punched paper circles together with a sewing machine.

Check out this amazing advent box.

There are lots of paper mache boxes like these in craft stores this time of year and they're pretty easy to cover with Stampin' Up's Deisgner Papers for a custom home decor item. (I like using our Glue Sticks when I'm covering paper mache, notebook covers, even metal with paper. Works great).

Hope these ideas have inspired you!

Stampin Up' Cookie Stamps

Stampin' Up has introduced a new product that I love -- silicone cookie stamps just in time for the holidays. The Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are item # 125152 and are $16.95 in the US. (Just check my online order link on the right to get your own set.) There are three designs (a snowflake, heart and jack-o-lantern) that easily snap on and off the wooden handle. I made the cookies with my daughter using the sugar cookie recipe that is included with the directions. There is also a shortbread cookie recipe included. I chilled the dough and also rolled the balls of dough in granulated sugar before baking and stamping and found that my stamp did not stick.

I've been researching other recipes that are good for cookie stamps as the secret is to have a dough that does not rise too much -- so that means no baking powder or other leavening agent. Having said that, I have heard about people having great results with cookies that rise more by stamping them AFTER they come out of the oven so you get the impression to stay in the warm cookie and not just "bake away" as it rises.

Here's a video from Stampin' Up that shows the cookie stamps in action.

 

I packaged some cookies up for a workshop hostess (hi Kym!) in one of the cute Kraft boxes from the Holiday Mini catalog (item # 124106 (4 boxes for $2.95) -- and then forgot to take a photo. The boxes are a very nice size and the cookies fit in perfectly. I put them inside one of our large cello bags first so they would stay fresh.

Enjoy stamping on cookies!

New My Digital Studio Hostess Offering

There is a great new hostess benefit option from Stampin' Up through December 31 -- a CD for My Digital Studio that is loaded with great Christmas Designs and projects. Here is a list of all you get.

This kit includes:

• 10 Designer Series Paper patterns
•  4 new punches exclusive to this ensemble
• 36 piece stamp brush set
•  a variety of embellishments
• 2 greeting card templates
•  1 postcard template
• templates for tags, labels, boxes, and a banner

And here is a video that shows many of the projects.

 

The CD is just $16 in "hostess dollars" in the United States -- and a minimum hostess workshop of $150 earns you $25 in hostess dollars so you can get this CD and more.

Host a workshop by December 31 and choose this great new digital crafting CD.

More on the Free Big Shot Die Cutting Machine Opportunity

I had to share this video from Stampin' Up con-founder Shelli Gardner with more information about the free Big Shot machine available this month when you become a demonstrator. Already have one? Then you can get $100 in free merchandise of your choice!

 

I've loved being a demonstrator for 14 years and I love supporting the 3-2-1 Stamp team of demonstrators. The benefits of signing up are incredible:

- 20% off of every order (and 30% off your first order over $150 in the first 45 days)

- The chance to get off to a fast start and earn more free stamp sets.

- A Starter Kit worth $345 that costs just $175 and the shipping is free (even for that free added Big Shot machine or $100 in bonus stamping goodies.)

- A low $300 minimum per quarter -- with no requirement to meet that until your first full quarter as a demonstrator. So for people who sign up in October, that means you only have to sell $300 total by end of March 2012.

- You can be your own best customer and it counts toward your minimum. Of course you can also hold workshops and classes and make this a part time or full time business -- it's your choice.

Click here to learn more and you can sign up right from that information page that you'll link to on my website. If you sign up online, you're going to then choose your free Big Shot or $100 in free product after you've signed up through a special link that Stampin' Up will email you. And of course email me if you have any questions.

Fall Holidays Inspiration

I promised some ideas from a great stamping event I attended in Orlando in late September. It was organized by fellow SU demonstrator Linda Heller and her amazing stamping friend Shantaie Fowler. So let the eye candy begin.... first, Halloween ideas -- I love how a tag from the Two Tags Big Shot Die becomes the background for each element of the Spooky banner (such a versatile die):

Now on to Thanksgiving and many things made with the amazing Spice Cake suite of products from Stampin' Up's Holiday mini catalog, which includes paper and matching fabric. Check out the whole table:

Look at this amazing tree. Shantaie made this and click here to see more info on her blog about it.

A beautiful wreath featuring Spice Cake Fabric rosettes...

Paper strip pumpkins from Spice Cake Designer Series Paper...

And what Thanksgiving table would not be prettier with these simple cream napkins dressed up with a simple strip of Spice Cake fabric sewn on and then a matching napkin "ring" made with the paper and buttons and a die cut leaf. (those giant buttons are also part of the Spice Cake suite and available in my online store.)

So many beautiful ideas for some fall crafting!

Stocking Becomes a Hobby Horse & How to get a FREE Big Shot Machine

Be sure to read on for another great Stocking Punch idea but first I had to share the amazing deal that Stampin' Up is offering in October. A FREE Big Shot Die Cutting machine for everyone who signs up as a demonstrator! Already have one? Then you can choose $100 in free product of your choice instead! Wow!

I've loved being a demonstrator for 14 years and I love supporting the 3-2-1 Stamp team of demonstrators. The benefits of signing up are incredible:

- 20% off of every order (and 30% off your first order over $150 in the first 45 days)

- The chance to get off to a fast start and earn more free stamp sets.

- A Starter Kit worth $345 that costs just $175 and the shipping is free (even for that free added Big Shot machine or $100 in bonus stamping goodies.)

- A low $300 minimum per quarter -- with no requirement to meet that until your first full quarter as a demonstrator. So for people who sign up in October, that means you only have to sell $300 total by end of March 2012.

- You can be your own best customer and it counts toward your minimum. Of course you can also hold workshops and classes and make this a part time or full time business -- it's your choice.

Click here to learn more and you can sign up right from that information page that you'll link to on my website. If you sign up online, you're going to then choose your free Big Shot or $100 in free product after you've signed up through a special link that Stampin' Up will email you. And of course email me if you have any questions.

Now onto the card....

Last post I shared a pretty girl baby card using the great Stitched Stocking stamp set and matching punch (which of course makes great, easy Christmas cards). Today it's time for a boy version. I first saw the stocking turned upside down to become a hobby horse in a version made by the amazing Jackie Topa.

My version rests on a card that measures 3 & 1/4" by 6 & 1/2" when folded -- a nice vertical size that fits inside our Open End Envelopes. The stick for my little hobby horse is a decorative toothpick that I bought at Cracker Barrell restaurants. Colors are Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso.

A few details to note: The mane on this little horse is some dotted ribbon that's ruffled along some Sticky Strip on the back side. 1/8" Marina Mist ribbon becomes a bridle. The cute ear is the stamped and punched out heel tidbit turned on end to be an ear! I drew on the dot for the eye with an Espresso marker. The doily was cut with the Perfect Pennants die and a white 1 & 3/4" circle provides some contrast. When I was done -- it still needed a little something and that's when I added the little Early Espresso Baker's Twine bow to the stick.I also love the little greeting from Perfect Pairs (again!) that was stamped in then punched out with the Pennant punch and mounted onto the coordinating scallop punched pennant in Espresso. Then look inside and the inside greeting gets the same treatment for a nice little surprise.

Next up is some creative inspiration from Stampcation (is that not a great name for a stamping retreat?!)