Countdown to Christmas-Week 6

I can't believe we're half way done my Countdown to Christmas.  That means we're only about 6 weeks away from Christmas...yikes!

Today I have a special Mantle Message to share with you.  The one I originally did last year said Happy Holidays, but as it travelled to and from craft sales it got wrecked.  So, I had to make a new one and since I was making a new one, I decided to change it up a bit!

Isn't it cute?!?  I love the little Santa bellies between the words!

Each coaster is covered with Real Red cardstock.  The ones where the words are were stamped with one of the snowflakes from the Serene Snowflakes set in Real Red.  The letters are cut from the On Board Long Board and covered with Basic Black cardstock.  The Santa bellies are pretty straightforward and easy to figure out.

Now, as promised, here are my three little mummies from Halloween!

They totally were into their costumes and the whole night said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You" like they were half dead.  It was great!  They got a lot of comments on their costumes and they got a boatload of candy!

That's it for today!  Have an inspired day.

Autumn

So, what's your favorite season?  Mine is a toss up between Fall and Spring!  I love the crispness in the air during fall.  I love the smell of fall and all the beautiful colors!  But, spring is great because things start to grow again and color comes back after a long dreary winter.

I've just finished up my Mantle Message classes.  Phew, it's been a fun year of these classes, but I'm glad to move on!!!  The last one we did was Autumn.

Isn't it purty?  There is SO much texture in this project it's almost ridiculous!

Each of the coasters was covered with the Early Espresso Waffle Paper.  This paper comes in a two pack with Basic Black...stay tuned for some ideas for the black!

The letters were cut from the cork sheets, and I cut a boat load of leaves from Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive and Autumn Spice DSP.  Each of the leaves was scrunched and sponged before being stuck on.

I LOVE how this one turned out...and it looks AWESOME on my mantle!!!

Although the Mantle Message classes are officially done, I haven't posted all of them.  So, watch for the ones I haven't posted to show up in the next few weeks.  And, I have one surprise one that I did last week for a display, which I will share soon!

Have an inspired day!

Thankful

In my lastest Mantle Message class we did the word "Thankful" and used some great new product from the upcoming Holiday Mini.

We used the new Autumn Spice DSP...it's yummy in real life and a definite MUST HAVE for your collection!  We also used some of the new punches (look behind the 'k' for the punched pieces).  Here's some close-ups of the letters so you can see the detail.

I think the "a" and "l" were my favorites!  I had a group of 6 ladies over to make this project and I think they had a blast (expect for a small incident iwth a Cows Candy and another small incident with a Paper Piercer!!!).  The mess on the table kills me...I should have taken a before the class and during the class picture, but all I have is a during picture.

Have an inspired day!

Feeling Patriotic

Hello!  It's almost Canada Day.  The kids are looking forward to going to the fireworks and I'm looking forward to a day off!  *wink*  When Taylor was little he asked what Canada Day was and we told him that it's the day we celbrate Canada's birthday.  Ever since then, he sings Happy Birthday to Canada every year on Canada Day...and he has taught his brothers this too, so they all sing.  It's cute!

Anyway, today I'm going to share the latest Mantle Message I did.

I can't believe how many designs I tried before I settled on this one!  It's pretty simple, but perfect for Canada Day.  Like the rest of my Mante Messages, it's done on square coasters.  I alternated stamped white and plain red squares, and all of them have been sponged with Real Red ink on the edges.  The letters were done with Basic Black and cut with my beloved Big Shot.  The squares are joined together with Double Stitched Real Red Ribbon...get it while you can people.  As of July 1, there will be no more Double Stitched Ribbon in the catalogue!  Here's a closer look at the letters.

That's all for today! Happy Stampin' and have an inspired day!

The Horror...

Oh the horror!  Yesterday I dropped my laptop and it died.  Thankfully I didn't have a lot of important documents and stuff on my laptop...but I did lose my most up-to-date email list and some of the pictures of projects I was going to post on my blog.  On the bright side, I get a new laptop since the old one is not worth fixing.  Dell is building me a new one as we speak and Kevin tells me it will be faster, have more memory and the programs will be the most current ones out there (like Windows 7).  Now I really can't wait for the new Definitely Decorative Catalogue to come out so I can choose some new laptop decor!

Anyway, onward to some fun stamping stuff, right?

In my latest round of Mantle Messages, we did "Summer".  I had a full class that night and we had a blast!  My original sample had raw chipboard letters lightly sponged with Basic Gray ink.  I liked it, but the letters didn't pop.  My customers obviously thought the same way, because they asked if they could use another color for their letters.  Of course, I said yes...anxious to see what they would come up with!!!  The one I liked best was Very Vanilla, so I changed mine after they went home...lol!!!  Here's a look at the finished project.

The backround is Garden Green and is stamped with the grass image from "Inspired By Nature" with Garden Green ink.  The butterflies were cut and embossed with the Wings of Friendship Embosslit with Apricot Appeal and Cameo Coral cardstock.  The little ants are from the "Bugs & Kisses" stamp set and are stamped wtih Basic Black ink.  Each block is stuck to the next with Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon.

I love it!  Thanks for the inspiration guys!

Have an inspired day!

Think Spring

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...actually it's not that bad!  It's snowing, but warm.  It's just kind of an "ugh...more snow...I'm ready to be done with snow" kind of day!

A few weeks ago the Groundhog saw his shadow (at least around here he did!), which means 6 more weeks of winter.  Did you know that the Groundhog is right aobut 75-90% of the time?  The thought of 6 more weeks of winter really made me long for spring...or at least a chinook!  I love the smell of spring, seeing the trees start to bud, and watching everything come to life after a long winter of dormancy.  To me, spring just feels like a new start...it's refreshing!

February's Mantle Messages class was spring themed.  I had the girls questioning why we did spring...they're so excicted to display their projects, but it's too early!  Well, I did spring, becuase I needed to use some springy colors to break up the monotomy of winter and because next month we need to to Easter. Spring just fit into my Mantle Message schedule!

Anyway, here's a look at the project...

It's so long that it's hard to get a good picture of it!  This time around I chose to go a little different route!  We've been using chipboard coasters for the Mantle Messages, but I just got my Scallop Square Die and wanted to use it!  All the backgrounds are cut from On Board Longboard and Chocolate Chip cardstock with the Scallop Square die.  I *heart* that die!  I stamped the background with Chocolate Chip ink using the En Francais background stamp and then sponged around the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

The flowers are cut with the clear Flower Die using the Sweet Pea DSP in the Occasions Mini.  There's so many patterns to choose from in that DSP pack that it was hard to pick just 6!!!  I'm loving all the choices in that paper pack and really hope to see more like that in the new catalogue in July (hint, hint, hint...if anyone from Stampin' Up! is reading this!!!).  Each flower was sponged with a coordinating ink color.  Because there's so many patterns and colors to choose from in the paper pack, I let the class participants pick whatever design they wanted for their flowers.  They all turned out so different and so pretty.

The centers of the flowers are textured So Saffron cardstock punched with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch and then sponged around the edges with More Mustard ink.  And, in the centers I put the letters to spell spring.  The letters are cut with the Go Go Boots Alphabet from Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I think the letters are the only part not sponged on this project...besides the ribbon!

I wanted the ribbons joining the squares to look like leaves, so I put two pieces of Old Olive Striped Ribbon between each scallop square (they're attached to the backs of the chipboard squares and then a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock is put on to finish the backs).  I then tied a piece of Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain to each striped piece.  I think it achieves the look of leaves, and at the very least brightens it up a bit by adding some green to the mix!

I'm thrilled with the way this project turned out!  I think it's my favorite Mantle Message to date, and I can't wait to display it on my mantle!

Have an inspiring day!

Be Mine

Today I'm going to share my Valentine's Mantle Message with you.

Now, I think I should have put a blank square between the "be" and the "mine", and when the girls who came to the class did the project I had them do just that.  I haven't gotten around to changing mine yet though!

I used several products from the Occasions Mini for this project...Sending Love DSP, Pretty In Pink & Real Red Corduroy Buttons, Satin Ribbon, Pinking Hearts Border Punch and the little heart punch.

Here's a closer look at it..

Well, that's it for today!  Tomorrow I will have two posts...a scrapbook page and a simple card for you. 

Let It Snow

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! As I type this it's snowing outside. It's a pretty snow this time. You know, the kind of snow that swirls gently down from the sky. The big snowflakes that cover everything with a fluffy, white layer of snow. And, as much my arms are already hurting just thinking about having to shovel more snow, I can't help but enjoy the beauty of it this morning! I'm excited that we're going to have a white Christmas this year...we've had lots of brown Christmases in the last 10 years!

Anyway, on to the project today! I have the latest Mantle Messages project...Let it Snow!

Supplies: Calendar Alphabet & Numbers and Best Wishes & More stamp sets; Bashful Blue & Brocade Blue Classic ink; Whisper White Craft ink; Brocade Blue Stampin' Write Marker; Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black & Pumpkin Pie cardstock; Punches-1 3/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 3/4" Square, Word Window, Jumbo Snowflake; Big Shot Dies-SU Simple Alphabet & Snowflakes #2; Ribbon-Bashful Blue Taffeta, Bashful Blue Double-Stitched; Dazzling Diamonds glitter; Stampin' Sponges; chipboard coasters

I went back to the chipboard coasters for the base of this project. They are covered with Bashful Blue cardstock which was stamped with the snowflake from Best Wishes & More in Whisper White Craft ink. To create the snow, I tore some Whisper White cardstock and glued it along the bottom of the covered coasters. I also put some Dazzling Diamonds along the tear to create that "snow sparkling in the sun" look.

Here's a close up of the cute, but mischievous, little snowman! He's made with circle punches, which were sponged with Bashful Blue ink. The nose is cut freehand from Pumpkin Pie cardstock. The buttons, eyes and mouth were punched with the Crop-A-Dile from Basic Black cardstock and the hat was also punched from Basic Black cardstock (3/4" Square & Word Window). His arms are my favorite part! I used the Jumbo Snowflake punch for them and punched it out of Close to Cocoa cardstock.

And, the pile of snowballs! I love the pile of snowballs! I used the 1/2" Circle for them and they are also sponged with Bashful Blue ink. The mischievous part is the one that he is throwing! So cute!

The letters were cut with the Big Shot from Brocade Blue cardstock. I used the SU Simple Letters Alphabet dies for the letters and the Snowflakes Set #2 Sizzlit dies for the O. I freehand cut a "splat" of snow...that snowman is trouble, throwing his snowballs...and stuck it on the N. And, the W has a piece of Bashful Blue ribbon tied around it.

The coasters are held together with pieces of Bashful Blue Double-Stitched ribbon.

Any of the products (except the coasters) I used for this project can be ordered through my website or by contacting me.

Until next time my friends! Have a wonderful day!

Mantle Message-Happy Holidays

Here's the next installment of the Mantle Messages class. I'm offering this class on November 30 for anyone interested. Please click the "Upcoming Classes & Events" button in the left column and you will see more information for this class on my calendar.

On to the project...

You'll see that I did this one differently from the BOO one before! This one looks like a bunch of tags joined together. I kept it simple so that the emphasis would be on the 3D ornaments and the shimmer all over the background. Here's some more pictures.

If you are interested in taking this class, please contact me to reserve your spot. Hope to see you on the 30th!

Until next time my friends.

Boo

Today I have a super cute Halloween Project for you! This project is the first of my Mantle Messages classes. I hope to do a Mantle Message class each month featuring a seasonal word or saying. Mantle Messages are a perfect addition to your home decor for any season!

This is the Halloween Mantle Message Project for the October 23 class. Isn't it stinkin' cute?

This is a closer look at the "B". Check out that yummy black chunky glitter! Love it! I also changed the ribbon a bit. I took a scrap of the Black Gingham Ribbon, colored it with my Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker and, voila, it's orange and black halloween gingham!


I did a Jack-O-Lantern for one of the o's. It's made from punches and a scrap of ribbon for the stem. So cute!

The second O is also covered with that yummy chunky glitter. A cute little addition to this O, is the little spider hanging from it. His body is popped up with a Stampin' dimensional. Now, I'm totally not a spider person (I get my 7 year-old to squish them if I find one in the house!), but I think he's pretty cute!

If you'd like to make one of these Halloween Mantle Messages for your house, let me know! I'm offering a class on Friday, October 23 at 7:30. The fee for this class is $15 and if you're a Catalogue Club member you can take this class for $12. Email me to reserve your spot.