Ghirardelli Box

I personally am not one for Ghirardelli chocolates, but I know many people who are. There is a tutorial on SCS to make these boxes. The tutorial fits 4 Ghirardelli chocolates. For the craft fair, I altered the size of the box to fit 3 chocolates. 1) to make the bag stretch and get more projects. 2) because 3 pieces is one serving size.

My cardstock was 3-3/4" wide scored at 3/4" & 3" by 7-1/2" tall scored at 2", 2-3/4", 4-3/4", 5-1/2". I cut of the excess cardstock next to the top and front flap. It is held together with a little bit of sticky strip on the sides. I wrapped a band 3/4" wide around the box to hold the front flap down. The front flap slips out from behind the band.

The stamped label is attached to the band. It is stamped from the Level 1 Hostess Set "Holiday Best". I inked the image in Chocolate Chip. Then using a que-tip, took off the chocolate ink where I wanted it to be red. Using a Stampin' Write Marker I colored in the red portion. I "huffed" on the stamp to wet the ink and then stamped it onto Very Vanilla. It is punched out with the large oval punch. I attached a strip of Wide Grosgrain Ribbon to the sides inside the box.

Snowman Soup

Snowman Soup is always a favorite of mine do make as small gifts for people. It is perfect for co-workers, neighbors, or your child's teacher. The basic idea is to give someone all the makings of the perfect cup of cocoa. You need the cocoa packet, some mini marshmallows, a couple hershey kisses and a candy cane to stir it all with.

Some people put it all in a mug as a cute little present. In my experience everyone has more holiday mugs than they will ever need. So I wanted to do something a little different. I saw a few pictures on SCS where people made little boxes to hold their items. This could work for me. I got out my Box #2 Big Shot Die and tried it out. Worked like a charm. To help the cocoa packet fit a little better I cut a small portion of the left tab off. I also punched a hole in the tab to stand the candy cane into. I made 18 of these for the craft fair last weekend and they were gone within a few hours.

TIP WHEN USING THE BIG SHOT: It will cut through thick layers and this will allow you to multiple sheets of cardstock into the machine at once. However, when cutting with a die that has fold lines, DO NOT put too many sheets of cardstock in. The part of the die that puts in the fold lines will cut through your layers of cardstock if there are too many. Hard lesson learned.

The image on the front is from the Hostess Level 3 Stamp Set "The More The Merrier". I colored it in with some Stampin' Write Markers. The tag I printed on my computer onto Whisper White Cardstock. The whole package is tied up with some Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

There are several variations for the poem. The one I used is...

When it’s so cold that,
You holler and whoop.
It’s time to bring out,
The Snowman Soup!

Pour the packet in a mug,
Add the snowballs too.
Throw in the kisses
From the snowman to you.

Now add some hot water,
Stir with the peppermint stick.
If you want to warm up,
This will do the trick.

Build-A-Bear Desk Set

I made a few of these for the craft fair. I started with an 8x10 acrylic photo frame. It stands up and are cheep at most big box stores. The bear, mat for the post-its, and designer paper are all behind the acrylic. The cork, calendar w/mat and post-its themselves are on the top of the frame.

The Big Shot is capable of cutting many things. In this case, I cut the cork with the scallop circle Big Shot Die. Of course the Build-A-Bear is made with the Big Shot also. The bear is dressed in Pawsitively DSP. I attached the pen with a little bit of velcro.

Christmas Matchbox

Yet another project I did for the craft fair. This time I used the Matchbox Die for the Big Shot. It is super simple. You just run the cardstock through the die, fold on the marks and the box is ready to go. You don't even have to tape it down. 4 Hershey nugget pieces fit into it perfectly. I put clear acetate around the box so the nuggets slide in and out. I then wrapped the box with some Gold Elastic cord. The tag is from the Christmas Punch Hostess Set. Then puched out with the Curly Label Punch. These were quick and simple to make and who doesn't love chocolate gifts.

Peppermint Patty Tins

Here is another item I had at the craft fair this past weekend. I had these tins left over from my baby shower a year ago. They fit 12 of these peppermints in them. I chose to only put in 6 and lift them up with a little tissue paper.

I stamped the image on both the colored cardstock (Gable galore and Tempting turquoise) and then in a color onto Whisper White. I punched out the white one and layered it onto the colored one. I put one on each side of the peppermint patty. Tied a length of grosgrain ribbon around the tin. The tag is from the "Two Tags" Big Shot Die. I stamped the To: / From: on the inside of the tag.

Stamp set: Sweet Season

Ink/Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Gable Galore

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Two Tags Die

December 2009 Card Kit

CARD KIT OF THE MONTH- December 2009
Featured Set: “A Happy Heart” and Featured Accessory: Basic Small Grommets

In this kit, you'll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design shown above - so you will receive all of the consumable supplies that you need to create 12 cards total.

You will also receive 2 additional full color samples of "alternative" cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit, as well as step by step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs.

Card Kit Price is just $15--that's 12 cards, plus envelopes for just $15!

Each month, the card kit also features both a Stamp Set of the Month and an Accessory of the Month. If you purchase the card kit, you may also purchase these items at 15% off!

December Featured Products:

A Happy Heart Stamp Set ($22.95) $19.51 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Basic Small Grommets ($6.95) $5.91 with the purchase of the Card Kit

What else will you need? See the list below for items that were used to create the cards in this kit. If you already have everything--just buy the card kit and you are ready to create!

If you don't have everything--place a product order with your kit (don't forget about the discount on the "featured products!")

Or--you can use the card kit to create your own designs using other stamps and inks that you already have--the choice is yours!

Orders for the Card Kits must be received by December 10th. You will receive your kits by the end of the month.

Call or email me today to order:
Kathleen Brill-Myrice
Fa_stamper@sbcglobal.net

Please Note: I am glad to ship kits directly to you! If the kit needs to be shipped, there will be an extra $3 shipping charge.

Products you will need to complete cards as shown:

Basic Black Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Real Red Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker ($5.95)
In Color Stampin’ Write Markers ($17.95)
Neutral Stampin’ Write Markers ($10.95)
Mat Pack ($9.95)
Paper Piercing Tool ($3.50)
A Happy Heart Stamp Set ($22.95) $19.51 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Basic Small Grommets ($6.95) $5.91 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Stampin’ Dimensionals ($3.95)
SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)
Bone Folder ($6.95)
Paper Snips ($9.95)

Dormant Stamps Retiring

Dormant Stamp Sets Discontinuing on January 4, 2010
For those who may not know. Stampin' Up! has promissed that any stamp set in the main Idea Book & Catalog will be available for at least one year. There were many stamp sets that were in the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and then placed on the dormant list when the 2009-2010 IB&C came out. It is now time to say goodbye. The following stamp sets will be discontinued on January 4, 2010.
You can view the images for these stamp sets by typing in the item number in the online store or contacting me. I will email you a file with the entire dormant list.

You can order these stamps online 24/7 at My Stampin' Up! Website. www.fastamper.stampinup.net
While you are there check out the Clearance Rack. Several new items have been recently added.

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

Kids items for the craft fair

Here are a couple of things I made for kid gifts. I original thought of the pencil pouch to give to the kids in my daughters Kindergarden class. When I decided to do the craft fair I figured I would try and sell them. Who knows? Maybe I will catch the eye of a teacher or room mother.

I worked out the dimentions so I could get 4 pouches out of one sheet of cardstock. I had to cut the bottom portion so it folded over instead of up. They are 8-1/2" tall. I used a bit of sticky strip and the crimper at the bottom. The DSP is retired (great chance to use up some scraps). The red band in the middle wraps all the way around to help hold the thing shut. The pencils fit tight and put a lot of stress on the side that it taped shut. The tag is from the hostess level 2 stamp set.

The other project for the craft fair is a little Build-A-Bear Coloring Set. There are 8 sheets of primary color cardstock with the plain images on them. I also included a small box of 4 crayons. The tag was made with the Two Tags Big Shot Die. I put the small embossed paw print on the tag and left the rest blank for people to write what they want to on there.

I have been working almost non-stop on things for this event. I am exhausted already. It runs for two days. Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from noon-5. If you are in the Lawton area you should stop by. I am in the back corner by the food. (Where the band normally sets up for ceremonies)

Craft Fair Items

I am participating in a craft fair this week on the army post. I have been working hard the last couple weeks planning and making items. Here are a few of the things I have done. They are great for stocking stuffers, coworker gifts or just anyone you are thinking of this time of year.

The spare reindeer noses are red M&M's and the grinch pills are green M&M's. The elf pillows are little mints. I put them into little bags I got at the store. The topper is from the "Two Tags" Big Shot Die. The images are from "Holiday Lineup". The Grinch is a few simple punches. They are on the scallop circle punch.

Anyone in the Lawton area this weekend should come by Reinhart Gym and see my booth. I hope to show more of my items this week, but have been busy just getting them done.

Online Holiday Extravaganza

It's time to jump start your holiday shopping. Stampin' Up! is having a SUPER SALE this week. From now thru November 30th Stampin' Up! has discounted many wonderful products from stamp sets, to accessories and even Decor Elements. Items are discounted from 30 to 50% off. There are too many to list here, so check out my online store for specific items on sale. You can place our order online 24/7 or contact me with any questions or assistance in placing an order.

Stampin' Up! is still offering the Gift Giving Guide Promotion. For every $50 worth of products from the gift giving guide you order, you can selecet a Decor Element ($16.95 value) for FREE! The Gift Giving Guide Promotion runs thru Jan. 4th.

View the entire Gift Giving Guide at my Stampin' Up! Website.

I am CERTIFIED!!

It is official. I completed all of my training and requirements to be a certified demonstrator for My Digital Studio. Stampin' Up! just posted the list and sent us all our decal to put on our websites. Mine is on the right below my family picture and short bio.
I am eagerly waiting now for my other gifts. I will receive a little pin to wear, new downloads from the next MDS release, and an embelishment from the upcoming Occassions Mini.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!! Be sure to watch this website on Dec. 1st for some information on NEW Product lines Stampin' Up! is coming out with.

For those in the Lawton area I will have a booth at the Fort Sill Christkindlmarkt on Dec 5-6th. Mention my website for a gift (while supplies last). I will also be giving demonstrations of My Digital Studio and the Big Shot.
I have been working feverishly on handmade items to sell at the Craft Fair. I will post some of them soon. I will also have a large selection of retired stamp sets for sale that weekend.

Holiday Gift Giving Guide Promotion

Dates: November 1, 2009-January 4, 2010

Details: You'll love the convenience of our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! With gift ideas for kids, teens, neighbors, and more, it's your one-stop shop for all your holiday needs.

Plus, when you spend $50 on products in the guide, you'll get a Décor Elements for FREE (up to a $16.95 value)!

DOWNLOAD the Gift Giving Guide HERE.
DOWNLOAD the Decor Elements/Definitely Decorative Catalog HERE.

Things to Remember:

There is no limit to the number of free Décor Elements you can earn. For every $50 purchased from the Gift-Giving Guide, you will receive a free Décor Element valued at $16.95 or less.
If you qualifies for two free Décor Elements you cannot combine the value of the two Décor Elements and buy one more expensive Décor Element. You must choose two Décor Elements valued up to $16.95 each.

You can order 24/7 online at My Stampin' Up! Website. Upon spending $50 in qualifying merchandise, you may enter the Décor Element of your choice. If you forget to enter your free Décor Element Online Ordering will prompt you to add your free item.
The promotion runs until Monday, January 4, 2010

November Card Kit--

Featured Set: “Le Jardin Botanique” and Featured Accessory: Chocolate Corduroy Buttons

In this kit, you'll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design shown above - so you will receive all of the consumable supplies that you need to create 12 cards total.

You will also receive 2 additional full color samples of "alternative" cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit, as well as step by step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs.

Card Kit Price is just $15--that's 12 cards, plus envelopes for just $15!

Each month, the card kit also features both a Stamp Set of the Month and an Accessory of the Month. If you purchase the card kit, you may also purchase these items at 15% off!

November Featured Products:
Le Jardin Botanique Stamp Set ($25.95) $22.06 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons ($9.95) $8.46 with the purchase of the Card Kit

What else will you need? See the list below for items that were used to create the cards in this kit. If you already have everything--just buy the card kit and you are ready to create!

If you don't have everything--place a product order with your kit (don't forget about the discount on the "featured products!")

Or--you can use the card kit to create your own designs using other stamps and inks that you already have--the choice is yours!

Orders for the Card Kits must be received by November 10th. You will receive your kits by the end of the month.

Call or email me today to order:
Kathleen Brill-Myrice
Fa_stamper@sbcglobal.net

Please Note: I am glad to ship kits directly to you! If the kit needs to be shipped, there will be an extra $3 shipping charge.

Products you will need to complete cards as shown:
Basic Brown Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
More Mustard Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Mellow Moss Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Always Artichoke Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Wide Oval Punch ($15.95)
Large Oval Punch ($15.95)
1” Circle Punch ($10.95)
Stampin’ Sponges ($3.50)
Aqua Painters ($16.95)
Le Jardin Botanique Stamp Set ($25.95) $22.06 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons ($9.95) $8.46 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Stampin’ Dimensionals ($3.95)
SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)
Mini Glue Dots ($4.95)
Bone Folder ($6.95)
Paper Snips ($9.95)

All Stampin' Up! products can be ordered online 24/7 at My Stampin' Up! Website. In order to receive the special price for the featured products, you must order directly from Kathleen (NOT ONLINE). Card Kits can only be ordered from Kathleen. The card kits are not available directly from Stampin' Up!

More Photos by Lily

It took me a few more days to post these. I was debating what else to put on the pages. I didn't want much to take away from the photos, but it needed something. So here are three more pages from My Digital Studio. Each of these started as a photo template. I put in my pictures, add my text and put in a few stamped images. DONE! Super easy.
If you live in the Lawton, OK area and want to see a demonstration on this software please contact me. You can also earn My Digital Studio for half price with a qualifying workshop in November. Contact me today to book your fun event.

Deal of the Week #4--Party Time

For the final deal of the week, it is time to think about your next child's party. If it is Princess or Pirate Stampin' Up! has you covered.

Pirate Party Kit----Item #116213
Regular Price: $15.95
Deal of the Week Price: $9.99
Hoist the Jolly Roger and get ready to have a swashbuckling good time! Gather your little buccaneer and his or her mateys for a pirate party of the finest sort, complete with invitations, decorations, and eye patches to create and wear.

This kit contains products you need to create party invitations and decorations for eight guests.

■ Contains products to create invitations, eye patches, banner, treasure boxes, and food toppers for eight

■ Coordinates with our Pirate Time stamp set and Pirate personalized name stamp

Princess Party Kit ---Item #116214
Regular Price: $15.95
Deal of the Week Price: $9.99
You can make your princess's fantasies come true with our Princess Party kit. Your little princess and seven of her ladies-in-waiting can celebrate a splendid happily-ever-after complete with invitations, decorations, and dazzling crowns to create and wear.

■ Contains products to create invitations, crowns, purse boxes, banner, and food toppers for eight

■ Coordinates with the Princess Time stamp set and Princess personalized name stamp

Deal of the Week #4 is good until Saturday evening. Contact me with questions about the Deal of the Week or any Stampin' Up! products. Place an order 24/7 online by clicking "shop now" at My Stampin' Up! Website.

Photos by Lily

My kids think it is fun to "borrow" my camera and take pictures. She was only 4 years old when my daughter took my camera this particular day. She walked around the backyard taking pictures of our dog and the dogs of each neighbor.

I used My Digital Studio for this layout. I started with a photo template. Originally the space I now have my title in was at the bottom of the page. I thought the ladybugs from "Garden Whimsy" would be a cute symbol after her name. Since the pictures were all taken outdoors I thought the other bugs from teh stamp set would be cute too. I stamped "medalion" and put it behind the pictures. I also turned it somewhat opaque so it blended into the background.

More layouts of Photos by Lily to come soon.

Progressive page with My Digital Studio

A progressive page generally starts as a smaller sized layout. That smaller layout is taken and put onto a larger layout. My Digital Studio has Five different layout sizes available. 5x5, 8x8, 8.5x11, 11x8.5, and 12x12. The most traditional progressive page would be to start with a 6x6, layer in onto an 8.5x11, then layer that onto a 12x12. Since My Digital Studio doesn't come with a 6x6, I started with a 5x5.

The 5x5 was simple to put together. It came as a Designer Template with my School Days II download the other day. I added the photo and put in my text below the photo in the predetermined place. I saved this project as a jpg so I could insert it into a second project.

For the Progressive part I did layer it onto an 8.5x11 and then a 12x12. I created a new 12x12 project. I made a cardstock layer of 8.5x11, then I added a photo box and resized it to be 5x5. I inserted the original smaller layout into the photo box. On the second page of the album I started with a full 12x12 background and copied the objects from the first page to the next.

I moved the objects so they were more suited to the 12x12 finished size and added several new elements. Many of the objects are stamps. The stars were resized and made different colors. The numbers at the bottom of the page is a stamp over and over. The letters above the ribbon is a stamp, as well is the sissors. There is some stitching between the two right side photos. This is found in the embelishments section. I added the text "The Learning Tree" and stamped the tree from yet another stamp set.

When you do traditional scrapbooking you adhere all of your objects to the page. If you start with a smaller page and progressively make it larger you are constricted to where objects are already adhered. With My Digital Studio you can easily move the objects around as necessary. I was able to move the tree and Title over to make more room for the extra photos. It is hard to tell, but the original 5x5 and large star were also moved to make room.

I have done all of my requirements for becoming a certified demonstrator for My Digital Studio. The program is so user friendly Iwas able to learn most of it's capabilities by experimentation. I did learn some shortcuts for lineing up objects and moving more thanone thing at a time. I also learned all about making interactive projects and movies. I have some big thoughts in mind for what I can make with this new knowledge. Trust me you will be thrilled with a purchase of this software. I used to go through photos and say, "someday I will get around to scrapbooking that". Now I look for photos that I have not scrapbooked yet. I think I am going to work on a slideshow of first year photos of my children next.

Please contact me with any questions about My Digital Studio or other Stampin' Up! products. As always, you can place an order 24/7 by click on "shop now" in the upper right corner of My Stampin' Up! Website.

Bonus to New Downloads Available

How do you like the new header? A little more suited for October.
I am working on becoming a Certified My Digital Studio Demonstrator. I was following along with the webinar training video and came across something new. When I downloaded all the new digital contents available now, I saw a new designer template. The designer templates are pre-made photo albums or cards. All you have to do is add pictures and a little text to finish them.

The bonus was a new template using the new Designer Series Paper I downloaded to the program. Here it is. All I did was add the photo and a few short words in the lower right corner to remember the event. It is my husband and daughter at the Father/Daughter dance at church right before her deployed for Iraq. I looked through the program and found a few photo album pages and several cards. Each download came with something extra I wasn't expecting.


Thank You Stampin' Up! for the bonus.

Night & Day

One of the new Digital Downloads available for My Digital Studio is "Night & Day Designer Series Paper". It contains all black and white designer papers. One of the papers reminded me of a chalk board that was not cleaned off all the way. What a cute background for a back to school layout. I also used several images from the School Days II download. The dots around the photos are also from School Days II. This download will come in handy for years to come. Now I just need to find the photos that belong here.

Deal of the Week #3

It's Monday again, time for a new Deal of the Week. These items are on special until next Monday morning. They can all be found on page 179 of the Idea Book & Catalog. They are a wonderful way to dress up your holiday cards this year.
114348 -- Basic Jumbo grommets $4.49

Custom designed, these large grommets add some real spunk! These grommets can even frame small images for real art appeal. ■ Colors: Basic Black, Silver, Very Vanilla and Whisper White ■ 5 each for a total of 20 pieces

109857 -- Mini Library clips $8.99

Let your inner librarian run wild when you clip a tag to a project with one of our adorable Mini Library Clips. These clips are 1/4" x 1/2" and each package contains 12 each of 4 colors (Black, Silver, Antique Brass, and Pewter).

112571 -- Circle Designer brads $3.99

These high-quality cast brads are so easy to use and come in custom Stampin' Up! designs. They're finished in our Styled Silver, and can be used separately or with our Hodgepodge Hardware.■ Assortments include 16 pieces; 8 each of 2 sizes (1/2" and 3/4")

112581-- 1/2" Library clip $3.99

Let your inner librarian run wild when you clip a tag to a project with one of our adorable Mini Library Clips. These clips to add the right touch to your projects. ■ Contains 24 pieces■ 8 each of 3 colors: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White■ Powder finish■ 1/2" x 3/4"

You can order these, or other Stampin' Up! products online 24/7 at My Stampin' Up! Website. Click on shop now in the upper right corner. There is no limit to the number of "Deals of the Week" you can purchase. As always, purchase more than $150 in Stampin' Up! product and you will also receive Hostess Benifits.

New Digital Downloads

Stampin' Up! has released their first set of new downloads for My Digital Studio. Just in time for October events, there are two great sets of Designer Papers and a Halloween/Fall Stamp Set. There are also some great stamp sets to work on those School Days projects.

Here is one project I already put together with the Cast-A-Spell Designer Series Paper and the "Pumpkin Patch" Stamp Set. I also used the "Eat, Drink & Be Scary" Stamp Set.

All of the New Digital Downloads are available at My Stampin' Up! Website. As an added bonus, there is no tax or shipping on the downloads. You can only get the downloads by placing an online order. Be sure to download them to the computer you have My Digital Studio installed on. If you have any questions about My Digital Studio or other Stampin' Up! products, please contact me or leave a comment here.

Item # Product Name Price
118114 Cast A Spell Designer Series paper - digital download $4.95
118115 Night & Day Designer Series paper - digital download $4.95
118124 Medallion stamp brush set - digital download $1.95
118126 Circle Circus stamp brush set - digital download $5.95
118116 School Days II stamp brush set - digital download $9.95
118121 Great Moments II stamp brush set - digital download $9.95
118122 Pumpkin Patch stamp brush set - digital download $5.95