Invitations

When creating in bulk I like to keep it simple.  Although I did get a bit complicated here with these invites by making them as pocket cards.  But it was totally worth it.  As usual it's hard to tell in the photos, but the front Pink Passion piece has been run through the Texturz plates, so they're polka dot!

Supplies

Stamps: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: Pink Passion, Basic Black, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, SU! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, 1" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-a-dile, Sticky Strip

Clean Room!!!

My stamp room is well on it's way to being the cleanest it's ever been!!  My hubby is on vacation this week and the big project on the to do list was to clean out the basement.  Well, my stamp room is in the basement, so it was included in the big cleaning project.  My business supplies are all nice and organized on their shelves, my workshop and vendor event supplies are all neatly put away in the closet, and all the paper and ribbon scraps have been vacuumed up.  The only thing left to do it organize the top of one of my long storage unit.  Oh, and I'm going to shampoo the carpet.  The last thing on my to do list is to get messy in there again!!!!! 

Merry Snowflakes

I love this color combo!!!  You know I love mixing Real Red and Tempting Turquoise, so for the holiday season I threw in some Old Olive, too.  Don't you love it???  A little bit of advice: Don't attempt masking with this snowflake!  It's a pain in the rear to cut out!!!  But again, don't you love it???

Supplies

Stamps: Berry Christmas

Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive

Paper: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Fire Circle Rhinestone Brads

Technique: Masking

Simple Wreath

When you are mass producing Christmas cards (in a short time frame) it is best to keep them simple.  So a handful of my cards ending up being this simple this year.  And as easy (and quick) as they were to make they turned out to be some of my favorite cards.

Supplies
Stamps: Berry Christmas
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red
Paper: Whisper White
Accessories: Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, glue dot, glitter

Yesterday's Birthday Card

I didn't post this card yesterday because I wanted the recipient to receive it in the mail before seeing it on my blog. So you're seeing it a day late (not that you would've known that if I didn't tell you). Let me just tell you a few things you may not notice just by looking at the picture. The Certainly Celery piece was run through Texturz plates and the cupcake is on Stampin' Dimensionals. And I wanted to add a little ribbon, so I grabbed a paperclip to adhere it to my card.

Supplies

Stamps: Party Hearty

Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery

Paper: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, Stampin' Dimensionals, Word Window Punch,, Scallop Edge Punch, Chocolate Chip Polytwill Ribbon, paperclip

My First My Digital Studio Project

I redesigned my blog using the digital version of The Write Stuff. I haven't jumped completely into My Digital Studio yet, so it was fun to play with this kit and make a blog background and banner. If you already have a photo editing program (such as Photoshop Elements) you can order digital downloads to use with your program. I don't think that digital scrapbooking is my thing, but I do like to create graphics for use on my blog and just using a digital download was a great way to do it! So if you want to try out My Digital Studio without investing in the software price (which includes A LOT of stamps and kits) try purchasing a digital download. The downloads can be purchased at my website.

12 Days of Holidays Sale

Today is the start of the 12 Days of Holidays Sale.  From now until Dec. 22nd you can take advantage of these deals on Big Shot dies and materials.

Item	Page #	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
114515	195	Flower Burst Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
114516	195	Cherry Blossom Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115957	195	Thanks Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
114513	195	Sweetest Stem Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115952	195	Hi Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115951	197	Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits die	$74.95	$59.96
113446	197	Build a Flower #2 Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$19.95	$16.96
114509	197	Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$21.95	$18.66
113448	197	Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$19.95	$16.96
113457	198	Tulipe Bigz die	$21.95	$16.46
115954	198	Two Tags Bigz die	$21.95	$18.66
114524	199	Fringed Flower Bigz die	$19.95	$15.96
114523	199	Decorative Accents Bigz die	$19.95	$15.96
114534	199	Flower Bigz Clear die	$19.95	$15.96
113473	199	5-Point 3D Star Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113472	199	Circle 3D Ornament Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113470	199	Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113465	199	Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
115961	200	Perfect Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95	$32.21
113483	200	Pennant Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
113484	200	Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die	$39.95	$31.96
116760	201	Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
116759	201	Pop-Up 3D Ball Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
114890	201	Matchbox Bigz XL die	$42.95	$36.51
113458	202	Flower Layers Originals die	$15.95	$13.56
114336	158	Kraft Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114334	158	Dark Gray Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114337	158	Chocolate Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114335	158	White Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
118797	n/a	So Saffron Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118798	n/a	Rose Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118799	n/a	Taken With Teal Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118800	n/a	Pretty In Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118801	n/a	Bashful Blue Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118802	n/a	Real Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118803	n/a	Old Olive Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118804	n/a	Black Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118805	n/a	Night of Navy Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118806	n/a	Certainly Celery Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118807	n/a	Tempting Turquoise Décor Elements Sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118808	n/a	Clear Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118809	n/a	Pumpkin Pie Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118810	n/a	Pixie Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118812	n/a	Sahara Sand Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118813	n/a	Gable Green Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118814	n/a	Basic Gray Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118815	n/a	Chalkboard Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$14.95	$11.21

Final Donation Amount

I just have to update you guys one more time to let you know that the final amount the Dayton Direct Sales Network raised for Toys for Tots this month was $1738.70!!!!  I am so impressed with that I just had to share!  Thank you to everyone who came to the quarter auction and the bingo event to help out this wonderful cause!

Christmas Candy Bars

Here is another mass production gift. Tonight is the holiday party for the Dayton Direct Sales Network and anyone who wants to participate can bring a small item to put in each others stockings. These are what I will be putting in their stockings tonight. I wrapped chocolate bars in cardstock, which I ran through my Big Shot. Each one was wrapped with a band (also cut from the Big Shot) and a little stamped greeting was added. These went together fairly quickly (which was good since I made 26 of them!) and they are a great, inexpensive treat!

Supplies
Stamps: Berry Christmas
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy
Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch, Big Shot, SU! Perfect Details Texturz Plates, SU! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, SU! Table Setting Bigz XL die

Bingo!!!

We had a great Bingo event yesterday!!  Thank you to everyone who came.  We raised over $1200 for Toys for Tots and had piles and piles of toys that were donated!!!

Merry Candy Canes

I wanted to decorate a sweet treat for my Bingo guests (since they are so sweet to attend the event supporting Toys for Tots), so I thought about how I could cuten up some candy canes.  This was my first attempt.  I kind of liked the way the cardstock folded over the candy cane, but I didn't like how I couldn't straighten the  candy cane stick without the top part sticking out, so it was back to the drawing board.

This is the design I decided on.  They went together much easier, took a little less cardstock, and I didn't have a crooked candy cane.  Oh, and they went together really easily for mass production.

Supplies

Stamps: Berry Christmas

Ink: Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence, Gable Green, Real Red

Paper: Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence, Gable Green, Whisper White

Accessories: Slit Punch

TODAY Show Segment

If you missed Shelli's segment on The TODAY Show this morning here it is! 

Shelli on TODAY

Shelli on the Today Show

Shelli Gardner, CEO and co-founder of Stampin' Up! will appear on The TODAY Show this morning to present gifts for their annual toy drive!

From Stampin' Up! 

At Stampin' Up!, we believe in making a difference in the lives of others--whether they're our demonstrators, our employees, the people who use our products, or children in need of a way to express their creativity.

Since 2005, Stampin' Up! has been honored to participate in the TODAY Show's Annual Holiday Toy & Gift Drive. This year, Stampin' Up! will be donating over $150,000 worth of stamping and paper crafting products to the following organizations:

• Child S.H.A.R.E.
• A Place Called Home
• Alliance for Children's Rights
• Children's Hospital
• El Concilio Del Condado de Ventura
• St. Joseph Center
• Yolo Wayfarer Center Christian Mission
• Metro Atlanta Task Force on the Homeless
• ARC of Bergen and Passaic Counties
• Women in Need
• ARMS
• Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless
• Housing Works
• All Children's House Family Center
• Cathedral Community Cares
• Catholic Big Brothers and Sisters
• Dominican Women's Development Center
• Girls' Vacation Fund (Girls' Quest)
• Partnership with Children
• Project Sunshine
• Little Flower Children's Services of New York
• Domestic Violence Intervention Services
• Texas Head Start Association
• First Place School
• Friendship Project

Retiring Dormant Sets

Although the IB&C is not retiring there is a small retiring list.  These are stamp sets that are available on the dormant list (not featured in the IB&C) that will no longer be available after Jan. 4th.  So if any of these are on your wishlist get them before they are gone!!

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas