You've Been Boo'd Activity Kit - Part 1

I picked up the cutest thing at Hallmark today. It's a "You've Been Boo'd" Activity Kit. It includes 2 bags, 2 poems and 2 window signs. You add some treats to the bag and include the poem and the window sign. Then you sneak up to the door of a neighbour or friend, leave the bag, ring the bell and RUN!

Boo'd - Part 2

The person you boo'd can use the bag and poem to "boo" someone else.

Kind of like 'Pay it Forward'.

Boo'd - Part 3

Then they hang this sign on their door or window so others know that they have already been boo'd.

Great way to spread the Halloween spirit.

One important thing: don't add your name anywhere on the treat you leave - it's more fun to stay invisible!

In Colours

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

What an adorable card from the Hamilton Regional's Make n' Takes. The new Basic Gray is a hit for all of your craft projects. The Basic Gray ink pad adds flair.
Stamp Set: True Friend from the Holiday Mini. It's on my 'got to have it' list.

In Colours

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Another Make n' Take from Regionals. The scallop edge was made with the slit punch by repeating it across the edge of the Soft Sky cardstock.

Gotta love the versatility of the Stampin' Up punches!

The stamp set is: So Much

In Colours

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This is a 6x6" scrapbook page from the Hamilton Regional's Make n' Takes. It features: the new In-Colours (Soft Sky & Purely Pomegranate) plus the new Basic Gray, the In-Colours double stitch ribbon and the Rhinestone brads.
Stamp Set: True Friend from the Holiday Mini

Halloween Candy Jar

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Vellum can be added to a project to make glass images more realistic. The jar was stamped on vellum with Staz On black and then cut out. The candy corn was layered using the masking technique.

Witch Poem

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

"Oh, my"

Halloween Cowboy

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This card features the Cowboy Kid stamp set which is retired. The treat bag was made by separating the plys of kraft cardstock to give it a paper bag texture and then punching with the tag punch. The top edge of the bag was torn and a linen thread handle was added.

Treat Bag Idea

A treat bag idea perfect for the Booglie Eyes or Batty For You stamp sets.

1) The Poem

Monster Mash
Here's a special treat
For that spooky night
When you look into the moonlit sky
With eerie bats in flight.

It's one eye of newt
And some spider legs too
Wiggly worms and pumpkin teeth
Mixed up just for you!

2) Add a Tag

Ingredients: Eye of Newt, Spider Legs,
Wiggly Worms, Pumpkin Teeth.
(May also contain: Black Cat's Toes
and Caramelized Ghost Brains)

3) Put an assortment of candies in the bag to represent the ingredients listed above like candy corn, gummy worms, gum balls and black licorice.

Halloween Sentiments

Some Halloween sentiments for your scrapbooking and card making projects:

Ghoul Talk
-Make time for your ghoul friends
-Candy corn and jelly beans are vegetables
-You can never have too many shoes
-No toad kissing
-Hair belongs on spiders, not your chin
-Everybody picks a pumpkin that is pleasingly plump
-Don't wait for the invisible man ... he won't show up
-It's ghoul's night out

Monster Manners
-Only spook when spooken to
-Avoid biting when a simple hello will do
-Keep your spells to yourself
-Brush your fangs, no goblin your food and cover your mouth when coffin
-Mind your mummy
-Treat everybatty with respect
-Never serve your friends stakes or sandwitches
-Don't eat the trick-or-treaters

Make n' Take

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This pocket card was made with a sealed, kraft envelope by cutting off one end. The insert slips inside to contain your message. Another make n' take from the Hamilton Regionals.
It also features the new Mini Library Clips from the Holiday Mini.

Make n' Take

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This pocket card is made with unique folding to create an inside pocket to hold a gift card or any other surprise. The stamp set is "So Much". This was a make n' take from the Hamilton Regionals. The circle image was stamped with white staz on - I added white gel pen to make the faux stitching stand out.

Notice the jumbo eyelet in the centre of the flower.

Hamilton Regionals

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

These are projects made with the new Stampin' Up wrapping paper. The demonstrator who presented these projects at the Hamilton Regionals was Melissa Wigglesworth. She has an infectious energy and got a standing ovation for her love of collecting wrapping paper. Melissa was inspired to use this new product for a "Party in a Bag" and showed us how to think outside of the roll to use wrapping paper for all types of paper crafting projects. Now you can coordinate your gifts and accessories by using the wrapping paper as printed paper!
The paper is featured in the Holiday Mini and comes in 3 sets: Celebration (shown), Blizzard which has snowflake images and Purely Holiday which has a brocade tone.
Plus Stampin' Up has introduced 15/16" wide Satin Ribbon (available in Chocolate Chip & Purely Pomegranate) to add extra elegance.

Candy Flower

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

A 3D swap I received at the Hamilton Regionals. It was made with the PICK A PETAL stamp set. How cute is that?

What a fabulous idea for Valentine's Day or how about a bouquet of candy flowers for a sick friend?

See the photo below for a side view.

Candy Flower

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Here is another view so you can see how this sweet treat was made with Sugared Jube Jubes and a wooden skewer (no pointed ends please).

Water Bottle Hanger

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Here is an idea to present water with drink crystals to your guests.

Water Bottle Hanger

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

A close up of the Water Bottle Hanger. It uses designer series paper. The bottom was embellished with the Crimper Tool and the Slit Punch is used to hold the drink crystals in place.

Hamilton Regionals

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Here is another tidbit from the Hamilton Regional display boards. This is a pumpkin made with the large oval punch. The scroll and the sparkle give it extra pop.

Featured Product - CROP-A-DILE

Sorry CROP-A-DILE not Crocodile.

What is it?

• It's a silent eyelet setter
• Yes, now you can add eyelets to your craft projects without banging with a hammer.

• It's a heavy duty hole punch
• Punches 3/16" & 1/8" holes
• Punches easily through multiple layers of cardstock, chipboard, fabric, leather, tin and other thick materials.

• It's two tools in one!

Where can I get it?

• From a Stampin' Up Demonstrator.
• See Page 189 of the '07 Fall & Winter Catalogue.

See the project below that features this product with the new Jumbo eyelets.

Watch for future classes featuring this product (via e-mail invitation)

Hamilton Regionals

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This is a swap I received at the Hamilton Regionals (Artist: J. Cameron). What I loved about this card was:

• It uses the WANTED stamp set (which I don't have yet)
• The colour combination is gorgeous (Sage Shadow & Chocolate Chip)
• The fading technique used on the horse image
• My current favourite background stamp - SANDED
• The rivet in the top right corner and you may not be able to notice but the centre of the stars are dry embossed with the Crop-a-dile

Totally beautiful and perfect for a masculine card theme.

Hamilton Regionals

I attended the Hamilton Regionals from Stampin' Up today. This is a special event for demonstrators to learn new techniques and share ideas. I have added a few of them on my blog today. You will have to visit again to see other ideas and get tips. I will be sending out e-mail invitations to future classes that feature some of the tehniques and projects I learned today.

Happy Stampin'

Hamilton Regionals

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This is another dry embossed project on vellum that was posted on the display boards. The colour on the flowers was added from the back.

Hamilton Regionals

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

The green circles that make the witches brew are dry embossed circles accented with a white gel pen. The cauldron is part of an oval cut with a Coluzzle and accented with crystal effects. The legs of the cauldron and the handle of the stiring stick are made with the Word Window punch.

Hamilton Regionals

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This mummy was posted on the display boards. He was dry embossed from the back on a vellum, metal edge circle tag. Adorable!

Hamilton Regionals

Here is a swap I saw at Regionals.
I thought the use of Stampin' Up designer paper was very unique.

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Wedding Thank You

What do you think of this Thank You card for my niece's wedding?

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

'06 Christmas Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

'06 Christmas Cards

I have begun to think about Christmas card designs. To begin, I looked at my cards from 2006 and selected a few of my favourites to share with you. Similar layouts can be made with new stamp sets.
I may have a weakness for snowmen!

'06 Christmas Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

You can use the spectrum pads 'direct to paper' to create this type of background and then add cut out images popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

'06 Christmas Card

COLD PLAY

I love to mask with this set. It includes the sentiment "Let it Snow" which can easily be substituted for "Some Assembly Required".

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

'06 Christmas Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This card was case'd.

One of my favourites!

'06 Christmas Card

Using non-traditional colours for Christmas Cards really makes them stand out!

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

'06 Christmas Card

Watercolouring with cut out stamped embellishments.

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

'06 Christmas Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This card was made by cutting out an image from Designer Paper then colouring the petals in with a Versamarker and adding Embosssing Powder to accent. It doesn't show well on the photo but the flowers glitter.

'06 Christmas Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This 2006 card was made with Designer Paper that was stamped with the Cold Play circles using Versamark and then embossed.

Thought for the Day

"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice"

Spotlight on Chic Batik

Stamp and emboss an image using Versamark and clear embossing powder on Mulberry paper. After embossing the image, wet the paper and use stamping sponges or sponge daubers and your ink to dab colour on the paper. You can use Classic pads, ink refils or Watercolor Wonder Crayons. When applying colour to your project, choose 2 or 3 colours that work well together but are different enough to get a good contrast.
Note: Colours will lighten as they dry so it's best not to use colours that are too similar. If you select too many colours, you will end up with a muddy appearance.

As you apply the colour, be careful not to drag the ink across the paper, or it will tear.
You can repeat the process by stamping and embossing additional images on your mulberry paper and dyeing again. If you do this, dye with the lightest colour first and continue dyeing in progressively darker colours.

To finish, place the card stock between sheets of copy paper, and place a warm iron over it. As the embossing powder melts, it sticks to the copy paper instead of your project.
Many traditional batik patterns include bolder images.

See the Chic Batik card samples below.

Happy Stampin'

Dutch Pancake Recipe

Whenever my son has a friend over, they always ask for this for breakfast. It tastes more like french toast than pancakes. Maybe it will become one of your family favourites as well.

Dutch Pancakes
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

3 Eggs
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
pinch of salt

Place 1 tbsp. of butter or margarine in a 8x8" square, glass casserole dish. Heat the dish in the oven to melt the butter or margarine being careful not to let it burn.

Beat ingredients together. Put in the casserole once the butter or margarine is melted. Bake for 20 minutes.

Serve with syrup. Approx. 4 servings.

Note: To double the recipe, you need to make and bake 2 separate dishes.
Option: Add cinnamon to the ingredients.

Enjoy!

PHOTO TRICKS

Here are some photo tricks for you to try.

Click on the image to make it larger so that you can read the instructions.

My favourites are: Stretch Things Out and Make Buildings Fall.

These would make great scrapbook pages.

I can't wait to try them out!

Chic Batik Card with Bodacious Bouquet

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Chic Batik technique. This stamp set, Bodacious Bouquet, has not retired but is in pending status. I hope that means we will see it in the new Stampin' Up catalogue in January.

Chic Batik Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Chic Batik technique uses mulberry paper, ink pads and sponges and a variation of the embossing technique.

Pick a Petal - Ladybug

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Who can resist a ladybug? This card features Pick a Petal, gingham ribbon and black brads.

Red and black is always a hit.

Pick a Petal - Flower

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Pick a Petal is one of my favourites from the new Stampin' Up catalogue. I hand drew the stem with a marker but next time I would use Stem Sayings. The white gel pen was used for accents and stitching.

Happy Father's Day

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Thanks to my talented friend Bernice for this card and teaching me the shirt paper folding technique.

Golfer's Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up designer paper and some simple folds and you have a unique card. The golf tee was hand drawn and cut from Going Gray paper. The golf ball is a background stamp on white created with a circle punch.

Shirt Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

From the always artichoke bacground, you can see that I have added a Cuttlebug to my paper crafting 'toys'.

Spinner Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Here is another spinner card featuring Batty for You. This set is very versatile - when I first saw it I thought about how quick it could make treat bag toppers. The new scallop punch works well with these stamps. Click on the card for a closer look at the background which was spritzed with silver. See the other spinner card notes for "how to" information.

Spinner Card

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This spinner card features the Batty for You stamp set. If you click on the card, you can get a closer look at the pumpkin pie background that was spritzed with the gold Ziggy pen using the Color Spritzer Tool. This technique can also be done in silver and is wonderful on Christmas or Anniversary cards.

Booglie Mummy

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This card was case'd from a talented stamper. I love the mummy wrap background.

Booglie Eyes Gang

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This card was made using the masking technique so that the images could be layered in front of one another.

Swap for Regionals

Regionals Swap

This recipe card was made by printing the recipe onto whisper white paper.

The stamp set is Voila.

It also features the round tab punch.

The recipe is one you make and then put in the oven and forget it leaving you time to stamp :)

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

NOTE: If you want a closer look at the recipe, click on the image to make it larger.

Paper Piecing - Chocloate

Happy Birthday Paper Piecing with discontinued Stampin' Up designer series paper.

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Paper Piecing - Rose Red

Paper Piecing Happy Birthday featuring Prints Designer Series Paper in Rose Red and Eat Cake stamp set

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Happy Thanksgiving Pumpkin

Punches can be used to make various images. This pumpkin was made with the large oval punch. The edges of the oval shapes were accented with Pumpkin Pie by dragging the paper over the ink pad.

Images copyright 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!