Friday, December 31, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEARS - HAPPY STAMPING

As World Grows Another Year...Hard to believe we're leaving 2010 behind us, but at the stroke of midnight tonight a new and exciting year will be unfolding.  Tomorrow will be a day to embark on those annual resolutions and thoughts of self-improvement and to reflect on the year just past.

When I look back at my stamping life in 2010 here are some of the things I've reflected on:

  • I think of all my fantastic customers who have kept me a float doing what I love.  You're all so awesome and I hope you'll come back next year for more exciting times.
  • I think of all the great stampers I've had the pleasure to meet and to correspond with. 
  • I think of  all the great blogs I've had the pleasure of visiting and the awesome projects that I've seen displayed.  Thank you Chandra and Julie for expanding all our horizons.
  • All the fun I had designing my many projects for UStamp and working with Dawn Raspas to create some wonderful stamping times.  Thanks Dawn you gave me some great opportunities to test my mettle and to participate in your wonderful series.  Also a big hug to all of my friends on UStamp and to all the awesome designers who work so hard to bring about a successful event...........you are my heros!  A particular thanks to Betty Traciuk who works so hard behind the scenes to make this event move along.  Betty was always there to answer my many questions and help me through when I was had doubts or was stuck............. you are the one girl!  Thank you.
  • Being able to participate with all the great gals on the Inkspirations Blog Hop.  That was fun and I so enjoyed being a part of your wonderful tour.  Makeesha Byl thanks so much I love this group!
  • Participating in the Royal Blog Hop tour and winning a great blog candy prize from Jennifer Blomquist! I loved hunting for clues and visiting all the fantastic sites.  This tour really rocked. Whoo Hoo that was fun!  Can't wait to sign up for the next one.
  • Participating with Late Nite Stampers and in particular Sherill Graf who is so inspiring!
  • Being a member of the Langley Colourful Impressions Group..........you ladies rock!  A big salute to Kristina Koch for all her wonderful events and helpfulness over the year.  You sure know how to have fun, teach us new stamping tricks and keep us informed.  Take a bow Kristina, you deserve it.
  • Recruiting two great gals in the 10,000 Recruits Promotion on Stampin' Up.  Wow you ladies came through in the nick of time and I am so thrilled to have you as part of my "Penny Token's Stampin' Girls"..............Janis and Lorraine, you are both awesome and I hope I can be an inspiring leader too!  Good luck with your upcoming workshops!
  • I think of how fantastic the feeling was to hit 10,000 visitors to my blog...........I cried that was so much fun and so exciting watching the visitor count rise through the help of Stampin' Connection and UStamp.
  • I think of my wonderful friend Sheri Lee who inspires me and gives me such happiness in my stamping world.  Sheri you are just the best friend and I truly love all your phenomenal creations and talent, not to mention your friendship which I value immensely.  Thanks Sheri you made my year .....again!
  • I think of all the changes that Stampin' Up has made over the past year, and just to name a few the color rennovations, punch modifications, catalogue changes, the addition of so many new and wonderful products, DBWs, MDS, Stampin Connection and more.  Thanks Shelly Gardiner.
Although there are so many more things I'd like to share I think I'll end this post with a New Years Poem by Joanne Fuchs.  I think it says it all!  Happy New Years Everyone!

Happy New Year Wish


My Happy New Year wish for you
Is for your best year yet,
A year where life is peaceful,
And what you want, you get.


A year in which you cherish
The past year’s memories,
And live your life each new day,
Full of bright expectancies.


I wish for you a holiday
With happiness galore;
And when it’s done, I wish you
Happy New Year, and many more.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Great Canadian Butter Tarts

I don't know a Canadian whose face doesn't light up when you mention Butter Tarts.  It's a tradition and one that fits right in with Christmas baking and goodies.  My family adores butter tarts and can't wait to sink their teeth into these holiday marvels. 

In the past I've purchased frozen tart shells which I bought either at Costco (80 frozen 3" shells) or Safeway (30 frozen 3" shells), not because I'm lazy, but because I found it more efficient to use frozen shells when I'm making huge batches of these holiday favourites.  So, imagine my surprise when I couldn't find any frozen tart shells in California! There just aren't any to be found.  I've been to Costco, Marie Calendars, VONs, Ralphs, Jensens, Trader Joes............ you name it.  No frozen tart shells.  In fact, when I asked if anyone had tart shells most of the store staff generally gave me a pretty puzzled look and some even pointed to filled "quiche" shells.  Sorry mates not the right thing!  My American friends just don't know what they are missing!

Well, I just have to make butter tarts for Christmas and I can't let this bump get in the way, so I had decided to pull out my favourite "from scratch" pastry recipe and make the tart shells that way. As I was about to get on with this job my friend Margo (who is my newest hero) suggested I try "Pillsbury Pie Crusts".  She uses them all the time, and swears they are just the best!  I have to admit I hadn't really thought about using a refrigerated pie crust, but I thought what the heck I'll give it a try.  Well let me tell you that other than the tart crusts turning out just a tad flakier than what we're used to, using the pie crust worked.  Thank You Pilsbury Dough Boy!  I should have known!  Anyway if you decide to make thebutter tarts this way, there are 2 crusts in a box and you'll get six 4" tart shells from each crust.  Thought I'd share my recipe and some pictures of my finished tarts.  My husband is happy and so am I.  If you decide to try them out let me know how you made out. 

Canadian Butter Tarts

Ingredients:
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup soft margarine (room temperature not microwave softened)
1 cup golden brown sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
½ cup raisins (I soak mine in hot water for 20 minutes to soften)
½ cup finely chopped walnuts (put ½ cup in Ziploc bag and crush with a mallet)
1 tsp vanilla
1 pastry recipe or frozen tart shells

Mix first 7 ingredients together and fill tart shells 2/3 full. Bake in a hot oven 400 degrees for 16 minutes or until tart shells are golden brown and butter tart mixture is browned.
Note if using frozen tart shells: Bake in a hot oven 450 degrees for 8 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350 F and bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Hot out of the oven.............Yumm and it smells so good!

These are so sweet and tasty.  This recipe will make 12-15 tarts.  Better make a second batch, they go fast!
I told you he was happy! 

Stampin' Up! - Filled with Love Promotion Dec 17 to Jan 24, 2011


I know Christmas isn't even over yet, but I don't want you to miss out on this great event called the "Filled with Love Promotion".  In case you didn't already know, Valentine's Day is considered the second biggest holiday for sending cards.  This Filled with Love Promotion which runs from December 17th to January 24th will help you complete all your card projects in plenty of time for the big day.  During this event you can get an exclusive package of Designer Series Paper perfect for creating cards for family, friends, classmates, and more! Also as part of this promotion you can get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $6.50 value--when you purchase an exclusive "Filled with Love Bundle." To find out more about what is offered in this great promotion click here.  My on-line store is open 24/7 for your shopping convenience.  If you have any questions regarding this promotion just email me I'd be happy to help you out.

Sorry I Haven't been Posting............

I've been absent for a while and feeling very guilty about it, wondering if it's procrastination or lack of inspiration.  For me I think it's just that overload time of year and trying to keep my priorities right........ family and friends first, then doing the things I love to do.

I've found that between working on house renos, shopping, running the golf group, shuffleboard, attending the annual Christmas Carol singalong, and other events, time has just flown by. For example, last week I wrote in my blog that I'd be updating my gift creations for the Inkspirations Blog hop, but you guessed it....NOT.  There's been no time to even haul out a stamp let alone get stamping time in.  And for whatever reason it always seems to be past midnight when I've finally got time.  "Who am I kidding?"   Last night I  told my husband I'd just love to put the world on "suspended animation" for about three days. I think that would be enough time for me to get it "all done".  But so far I just haven't been able to manage that feat!

So if you've wondered where I've been, why I haven't posted or why I've let you down, I truly apologize and will try to make up for it.  And, even though I know many of you are probably feeling the same, I know others are accomplishing so much!  I truly admire and salute all those amazing ladies who are baking, paper crafting and getting it done, and then blog posting to keep the rest of us in the picture.  You're all my heros and my inspiration!  You really are!  Okay I'm off to the kitchen to bake butter tarts for our open house tomorrow.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Inspirations Blog Tour

Hi everyone!  Hope you've had fun visiting all the sites on the Inkspirations Wishing You Christmas Cheer Christmas Gift Blog Tour.  I am so excited to be able to participate and invite you to check out my Christmas projects too.

The Inkspirations Team is so talented and this is such an honour to be a participant of their very first blog tour. The tour begins at  http://www.inkspirations-challenges.blogspot.com/ and the first awesome site is Makeesha Byl's.  She starts the tour off with an awesome gift idea.  Here's a full ist of the other sites you can visit:



Senior Inkspirations Design Team

Keesha - http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au//
Cindy - http://cindymajor.typepad.com/encre_papier_ciseaux/
Kristy - http://kirstyscardnscrap.wordpress.com//
Renee - http://www.reneevs.blogspot.com/

Design Team
Brandi - http://www.brandiwiggins.com//
Carrie - http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com//
Helen - http://h2designs.blogspot.com//
Ilina - http://ilinacrouse.blogspot.com//
Lee-Ann - http://www.leeannebarry.com//
Marisa - http://rosemary-reflections.blogspot.com/

The Blog Tour Participants
Julie LeBlanc - kewlstamps-n-more.blogspot.com
Jess Doyle - jesscraft.blogspot.com
Jasmin Owsley - http://www.wildflowerscraps.com/
Gardenia Pepworth - http://alittlelessuseless.wordpress.com//
Denise Willerton - http://www.chezmoicreations.blogspot.com/
Nicole Derendorf - http://stampingdownunder.wordpress.com//
Andrea Lowcock - http://andrealowcock.wordpress.com/
Belinda Tubby - http://stampinbuzz.com/
Karyn Schultz - http://karynscraftingobsession.blogspot.com/
Rebekah Stevens - http://wecraftalot.blogspot.com/
Kim Badelt - http://kimsstampingspot.blogspot.com//
Deb Speijers - http://www.stampandscrapwithdeb.com/
Maureen Rauchfuss - http://crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/
Karen G - http://cardsbykareng.blogspot.com/
Tracey - http://www.photovidal.blogspot.com/
Heather Pilz - StampPaperScissorsInk.com
Penny Hanuszak - http://pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.com/
Louise Ryan - http://stamp2it.com/

So to begin, here is a card I designed for UStamp that I'd like to share with you.  This gate fold card features the Jolly Jingles Jumbo Wheel embossed in Silver. The beautiful Tempting Turquoise cardstock really showcases this color.  Don't you think?  I will be adding some more projects as the day progresses.  Hope you enjoy this starter.
Jolly Jingles Jumbo Roller and small stamp from Tags Til Christmas. 

Matching Envelope


Once you've viewed my Christmas Stamp Camp projects the next stop on the blog hop is Louise Ryan who has a couple of last minute gift ideas to share with you.  Have fun and thanks for stopping by.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Welcome Christmas Silhouette Card -Christmas Stamp a Stack Cards

One of my truly awesome stamping buddies Sheri, visited me last Sunday and we had a fun afternoon and evening of cardmaking and sharing.   We had such a great time and we made some awesome projects together, including this one.  Sheri had brought several stamp sets with her and when I saw the "Welcome Christmas" (118736 W/120597 A pg. 37 2010/2011 IB&C) set I just knew we had to make something with it.  I've seen so many fabulous cards featuring this 5 piece set, and hers hadn't even seen ink yet! 

It was a must do project from the start.  Once we decided we were going to do a split window pane using the children playing stamp it didn't take us long to come up with the rest of the design and colours.  Sheri's a master when it comes to color selection so when she suggested we sponge the sky in Crumb Cake, stamp the trees from Lovely as a Tree (115026 pg 114), in Chocolate Chip and the children in Early Espresso, I was game.  And, look how lovely this grading of colour turned out. 
I used Close to Cocoa for the card base and added a layer of Cherry Cobbler that had been run through the Big Shot machine in the Finial Press Textured Embossing Folder (115963).   The images were stamped on a 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 piece of Whisper White Card Stock, cut into 4 squares and then glued in window pane fashion onto a square piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock. This was mounted using dimensionals to the Cherry Cobbler layer.  The Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon is mounted on a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock that has been punched with the Eyelet Border punch. 


All in all this was a pretty easy card that packs a really powerful punch.  Thanks Sheri for playing along with me on this one!  What do you think?  Isn't it beautiful! 

Delightful Decorations Movers and Shapers Card - Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

This summer I've really used my Big Shot a lot and one of my favourite Big Shot die cuts has been the  Magnetic Movers and Shapers Curly Label  (114506 pg. 208 IB&C).  It's very easy to use and adds a beautiful window design to a card front.   There are also two accompanying sets that can be used with this set.  The one I ordered is called Holiday Windows (116821 pg. 208) and it has an ornament, a dove, a circle and a curly label die shape.  This set is absolutely perfect for the holiday season and I think will add some real versatility to my cards.

Initially I was planning on using it to make a card with a window in the front corner, but let me tell you all that changed in a flash when I happened across a video tutorial on  Glenda Caulkins blog site .  She demonstrates some unique and interesting ways to use the Movers and Shapers magnetic die cuts not only for this card project, but for others.  She's awesome! 

I was intrigued by her floating ornament card and as soon as I saw it I shamelessly wanted to CASE it.  My intention was to use the Candy Cane Christmas Specialty DSP from the Holiday Mini catalogue (SOLD OUT) along with the Merry Crittermas Stamp set I had on order.  Imagine my disappointment when the stamp set arrived but not the DSP. I was fortunate to get my order in just before it sold out but  the last I checked, it's still in transit. Oh well, my fingers are crossed it'll arrive this week and then I'll make this card again and post it for you.

Okay, so not to be defeated and because I was dying to make this card, I rummaged through my scrap DSP and found some retired SU paper that looked like it would work, and I teamed it up with Creamy Caramel and Real Red Cardstock.  I loved the simplicity of this card, the few supplies required and how quick it was to make.  It kind of reminds me of Hansel and Gretel and/or gingerbread houses....what do you think?  Here's a view of the full card from a couple of different angles. 

The trick to making this card is to ensure that the fold is centered on the die cut and the Big Shot plate only covers to the fold line when you run it through the machine.  If you watch the video tutorial it is self explanatory. 
.

The sentiment which is from the retired Christmas Punch stamp set is stamped in Early Espresso on the inside of the card.  I initially stamped the sentiment on a post it note and used that to make sure of the placement before stamping to ensure the sentiment didn't show when the card front was closed.  That worked perfectly.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Snowflake Card - Christmas Stamp a Stack Card 2

Here is the second card in my series of Christmas Stamp a Stack cards.  I chose a simple layout to showcase the Snowflake die cut.

This card begins with a Whisper White card base that has been layered with  Real Red.  If you look closely you'll see that the Real Red layer has been texture embossed, to provide some detail.

The large snowflake has been punched out with the Stampin' Up! Snowflake die cut and then run through the Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Dazzling Diamonds were added using the 2-way glue pen, to make the snowflake come alive.  

A second snowflake has been punched and again texturized in Real Red, and then layered on with dimensionals.

To complete this card I've stamped the December 25th stamp in Real Red on Whisper White cardstock.  This stamp is again one that I love and can't stop using even though it's from the retired Spotlight on Christmas stamp set.  A small red rhinestone finishes it off.  Here is the full card.  Here's a view of the full card.  Hope you like it. 

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Time Is Running Out - Starter Kit and Online Spectacular Promotions End Today

Today is the LAST DAY for the simply AMAZING deal on the Starter Kit & the Online Spectacular!! These specials end at 11:00pm tonight so don't delay!


Deal Number One - Do You Fit Any of These Catagories? If So I'd love to have you  Join My Team

Hobby Demonstrator:
A Hobby Demonstrator is someone who basically purchases the starter kit, and uses the discount for her own purchases and occasionally for family and friends who might ask about it. She is not a demonstrator to earn money for her family, and simply loves the products and wants the discount.   
Short-Term Demonstrator:
These crafty ladies sign up for the starter kit, and demonstrate for a pre-determined length of time. Their goal is often to earn enough money on the side to finance a major purchase, help her family through a rough financial time, or to fill the gap between employment periods. She may or may not continue as a demonstrator after this time period is through, and she can join for as little as a few months if she chooses.

Casual Business Demonstrator:
A Business Demonstrator is someone who demonstrates to make a bit of cash on the side or to earn her stampsets for free or at a major discount. She might have a club that meets her quarterly minimums, and might do the occasional workshop, but only chooses to devote one or two nights a month to her demonstrating.

Career Demonstrator:
This is a Demonstrator who runs several clubs a month, and several events. She has an active downline, and works to help them succeed. Her goal is to earn a signficant income from stamping, and while she still may have a 9-5 job outside of stamping, she also does workshops and classes for her customers on a regular basis, as well as attends SU! events. She plans to stay a demonstrator long-term, and wants to move up the career ladder.


For $107.50, there are 2 kits to choose from...a digital scrapbooking & more kit or the standard starter kit. There is no shipping & no HST!!  Can you believe that????  That alone is a good reason to take advantage of these truly spectacular savings.  So don't miss the boat! 

If you want to take advantage of this special offer, click on my Stampin Up button and then click on "Start Your Own Business", click on "JOIN NOW". My recruitment password is "stampendous". Don't forget to send me an email at pennyhanuszak@telus.net to let me know you signed up and I'll help you get started.

Deal Two: Online Spectacular Specials 
For items on the Online Spectacular list, you can place your order online ($200 gets you free shipping) or call or email me to place your order today. There are some GREAT deals, including the MY Digital Studio for 50% off!! Visit my online store to see the complete list of discounted items

Patterned Pines Christmas - Christmas Stamp A Stack

I absolutely love making Christmas cards - don't you?  If you're like me you probably surf through a lot of blog sites looking for that perfect card or ideas that you can incorporate into your own design.   Often I spend more time surfing than stamping.............easy to do!  Anyway, after looking at many, many, wonderful sites I decided on the cards I would make for my Stamp a Stack Class.  So, over the next four or five days, I'm going to share my ideas and cards.  Hope you enjoy!

My first card I want to share with you is made with a retired set called Patterned Pines. I wanted to simulate a crisp walk in the forest while it's snowing. I chose the Patterned Pines set even though I know it isn't current because my customers and I love it.  I also know that some of my customers who purchased it last year didn't get an opportunity to really ink it up.  Here was their chance.

I used Whisper White for the card base, layered with Chocolate Chip.  Because I love background texture I ran this layer through the Big Shot using the Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (115963 pg.214), before adhering to the card base. To me, that little bit of texture around the main image seems to make everything look more interesting and pulls it together.  And of course, being a texture person I just want to reach out and touch it.  What do you think?

For the next layer of the card, I stamped the trees from the Patterned Pines Stamp Set (retired) in Olive Green ink on a 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 piece of Whisper White cs.  I then cut around the pines with my scissors, leaving a little big of white mid way up the trees to simulate snow drifts and just a little edge around the trees to give depth.  To finish off this piece I took my two-way glue pen and ran it along the top drifts (between the trees) and then squiggled it through  and below the pines. And you know what's coming next, right?  Yes, Dazzling Diamonds...........I had to add a little bling!!! 

I wanted just a tiny little sentiment that wouldn't over-power the front of this card so I chose the "merry christmas!" sentiment from the Merry Crittermas  Stamp Set (121181(A)/120855(W) pg. 39 2010/11 Holiday Mini Catalogue), and stamped it in Early Expresso.I know I'll use this sentiment over and over again on my cards and tags, because it's just so teeny and perfect!  

To finish off this card I wanted a snowy background in a mid-blue, so I chose Baja Breeze (retired).  At first I was going to stamp snowflakes on the card stock, but then I went through my paper scraps and luckily found a small piece of Baja Breeze DSP that worked perfectly.  I punched out a larger snowflake (non SU) in Whisper White and sprinkled it with Dazzling Diamonds and then mounted it with dimensionals in the top corner. A red button was glued in the center.  The finishing touch, is a piece of 5/8" of real red grossgrain ribbon tied with a tuxedo bow. The ribbon was added to this card layer before it was mounted to the chocolate chip layer.  And here is the finished card.  What do you think? 


Please come back tomorrow to see the next card in my series of Christmas Stamp A Stack Cards.  See you then!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Sneak Peak - Christmas Stamp a Stack Class




Here`s a sneak peak at my Christmas Stamp a Stack cards...................they were so much fun to do.  Starting tomorrow, I`ll be posting pictures of each card along with the recipe for making them, so stay tuned and come back daily for a visit! 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Wonderful Presents from Wonderful Friends

What a great week this has been for surprises!  On Friday when I picked up my mail I was so excited to see a parcel from my friend and fellow stamper, Kathryn Mangelsdorf who lives in Woodside, South Austrialia. She'd already given me a heads up that something was coming, but not what or why, so the excitement was building as I rushed home to open the package. Here's a peak:

Love that fold over withthe butterfly and button.............too cute!
Just to give a little background before I show you what I received, I met  Kathryn on UStamp With Dawn and Friends during the first session that I signed up for.  Kathryn's become one of the shining lights in terms of her fantastic tutorials and designs and I so look forward to chatting with her on the open chat line.  During our chat's we've gotten to know each other a little more personally and Kathryn shared that she had tragically lost members of her family to breast cancer.  Since Kathryn is not one to sit back and do nothing, she decided to sponsor a Breast Cancer fund raiser called "Kathryn's Girls Afternoon", and it's become a great annual event.

As you'll know from my earlier posts I am a big supporter of Breast Cancer and have been involved in the Walk for Life events here in Abbotsford, so when I heard she was doing it again this year I wanted to jump in and help out too.  I spent a few hours going through my stack of Stampin' Up! card swap fronts to find ones that would make "good sellers" and made them into full cards, packaging them in cello wrappers and sending them off with some breast cancer stickers and other goodies.  Kathryn was delighted to receive the package from me and sent me this wonderful appreciation gift, along with the fantastic news that the Kathryn's Girls Afternoon had raised $969.00+ for the Cancer Council as a result of their card sales and donations.  Isn't that fantastic???  

Congratulations Kathryn...........you go girl!  And thank's for the appreciation gift, which I'm now going to share.  Fabulous card, and love the chocolate bar wrapper so much!!!!
This is a Lindt Dark Chocolate Bar...........mmmmmmmmmmm yum!  hidden beneath this clever little cover.  I'm tempted to eat it cause I love dark chocolate, but I don't want to take it out of the wrapper!  Talk about diet control!

Isn't this card fabulous.  I think I'm going to case it for one of my Christmas designs. 

We ate the chocolate bar before I had time to take a photo
and it was delish.........................YUMMY!!!!
Okay my second surprise of the week came from our lovely neighbors Linda and Barry who arrived for my Wednesday night dinner party with a surprise hostess gift.  How thoughtful and how exciting!  They filled the bag with goodies that my mom, who was visiting, and I would enjoy during this snowy weather spell..........hot chocolate, winter tea, some great napkins and a to die for Milean's Demerara Butter Crunch White European Chocolate Bar (local choclatier). Yum, Yum!!!  What lovely gifts!


Now I have to tell you I would have been totally happy to have received just this gift bag........ and that's the truth.  I just found it totally awesome and couldn't take my eyes off it.  Isn't it amazing?



Here's a closeup of that deer.  He's so stunning..............covered in glitter (Dazzling Diamonds or Irridescent Ice Comes to mind) and I love the Baroque Motif styled swirls in the background in the gold and white.  Just beautiful.  Here's a closer view.


I also loved this little Tea Box with it's Jolly old snowman!  Isn't this a cute idea. 


Well now I have to go and spend some time in my studio seeing if I can use these ideas........................  see you!  Leave a comment and let me know what you think!











Saturday, November 27, 2010

Northern Flurry Spinner Card

Recently I've been looking at some cards that featured "spinner" designs and I thought it would be fun to try out this technique for a magical Christmas card.

Since I love snowflakes I decided to combine one of my favourite ones from a retired stamp set called Holiday Collection and the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Whisper White and Bashful Blue cardstocks provide the perfect winter backdrop for this design. 

Two snowflakes are stamped in Bashful Blue ink, punched out with the 1 3/4" circle punch, and glued together so the design is the same for both the inside and outside of the card.  Before I glued the circles together, I used a versamark pen to go over the design and dusted it with heat and stick powder, and then lightly heated the heat and stick powder with my heat gun and coated the snowflakes with dazzling diamonds.  I glued a piece of very fine fishing line, about six inches long, between the two snowflakes.  Some basic rhinestones completed the effect. 

Finished Card Front


Inside view of the card and sentiment

Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder


I really enjoy adding texture and embossing to cards and it's so easy to do using Stampin' Ups! fabulous Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.   I remember the days when I used to drag out my light box, brass stencils and embossing tools and work for what seemed like hours to create something unique and beautiful. Well let me tell you all that is a thing of the past.   Now, I simply slip a piece of cardstock or DSP into one of SU's textured impression folders and crank it through the Big Shot.  That's it.  Nothing could be easier and believe me it's pure magic when you see the results.  I love it!

When I was blog surfing earlier this week I came across a fabulous Christmas card designed by Glenda Calkins, using what she called "Faux Embossing Paste". This gal really does great video tutorials, so you'll want to take a peak at this one and check out her technque. Glenda used the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing folder for her card and I have to tell you for me it was love at first site! I liked the design and the color combo of the DSP and card stock she used and of course I loved the embossing.  I just knew I had to get busy and try it out myself.  I made a few minor changes in terms of the DSP and the sentiment but because I really loved the effect of the sanded embossed image on the DSP, I stayed with the same layout. Sanding the embossed image with a SU sanding block gives a distressed look fairly quickly and trust me it doesn't take away from the embossing. In fact, because the DSP double sided paper has a white core, it distresses really quickly and enhances the image.  Here is my card


Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die 120902      Price: $10.95
Create the wonderful tumult of snow storms on your winter projects with our Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. These impressions coordinate perfectly with the images in our Northern Hearts stamp set for an abundance of sensational snowflakes to blanket a card or scrapbook page.

■ Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
■ Folder measures 4-1/2" x 5-3/4"
■ Coordinates with Northern Hearts set
■ Use with standard Big Shot cutting pads and multipurpose platform

Thanks for dropping by today.  Let me know what you think............... did you like it?

Monday, November 22, 2010

9 Days Only - Get Spectacular On Line Savings Nov 22 - 30, 2010

During this one week only, you can get incredible discounts with up to 50 percent off.  You can save big on some of your favourite products, as well as qualify for FREE SHIPPING on online orders of $200 or more.


Just click here to see all the bargains and download the PDF.  My online shopping site is available 24/7 simply click on my Shop Now button to visit the on-line catalogue.  Once you're there click on ONLINE SPECTACULAR and you're ready to shop!

Have fun and if you have any questions simply contact me at pennyhanuszak@telus.net, I'll be happy to help you out. 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Birthday Wishes

Today I thought I'd take a break from all the Christmas and Fall posts and share a whimsical little Birthday Card I recently made for my good friend Carol.  I originally made this card which was designed by Maureen Pollock a local Stampin' Up demonstrator, while attending a demo get together in Langley last Spring. Maureen always incorporates such great detail in her cards and this one is no exception. I loved how feminine and light this card is and I've remade it several times for other  occasions, including Thinking of You, Thank You,  Mother's Day and sympathy cards.  By changing out cardstock colors and inks you can create some wonderful cards and make it in your own unique style.

The really fun thing about making this card is that you really have to bring out all your punches.  For instance, if you look closely you'll see that the clouds were sponged using a scallop circle punch outline as a mask.  As well on closer examination you'll see that the little picket fence is made by overlapping 2 jewelry tag medium punches for each fence slat. Isn't that clever?   The leaf from the 2-step bird punch was used to accent the stamped flower and vines which are from the very versatile Vintage Vogue stamp set. And finally, the darling butterflies on this card front are made using the Embosslits Beautiful Wings die cut. 

Closeup of the Fence Details















The Top Note Die is perfect for embellishing the inside of the card, and easily show cases the 3 Vintage Vogue flowers and the Perfect Polkadots embossing. 

Hope you like this card.  Enjoy!  

I Won Some Blog Candy on Royal Blog Tour..... Yippee!!!!

One of my favourite things to do is look at other stamper's blogs and what better way to indulge myself than to go on a blog tour.  Well that's exactly what I did from Nov 5 - 8, I visited the 70 sites that were featured on the Royal Blog Tour.  All of the projects were simply awesome and the blog sites were so inspiring.  I just had a ball!  Of course, while I was blog hopping I made sure I left comments on each and every site, as they were so deserving and who doesn't like to get some positive feedback. 

Some of the sites offered Blog Candy and although I would have left a comment anyway, I made sure I followed their special instructions and left a comment for them.  When the tour finished I went onto their site to see if I had won any of the fabulous prizes that had been offered, but much to my disappointment I didn't win anything.  Then, about 3 days after the RBT was over I received a note from Jennifer Blomquist who is the author of North West Stamper blog saying I had won her Northern Hearts Card Candy.  WOW!  You can't imagine my excitement, I was so thrilled.  And as if that wasn't enough, I was even more thrilled when a parcel arrived a few days later with this beautiful box and set of card embellishments (not to mention the chocolate - did I mention Ghiradelli?) spilled forth.  Her set was even more beautiful in real life and the cute little box that held everything is just exquisitely crafted.  Jennifer's blog is chock- a-blok full of wonderful projects and I hope you'll check out her site at http://www.nwstamper.com/, it's well worth the trip.   Thanks Jennifer you really made my day with this great project!!!


Even though the Royal Blog Tour is over for now and all the prizes have been won, there is still an opportuity to visit the blog sites as they are still available for viewing.  They are so worthwhile visiting.  I know I am going to be going back and visiting them again because there were so many special seasonal projects that I am interested in looking at again, and maybe trying my hand at.  Have fun and enjoy the tour!




Happy St. Patty's Day!

Rainbows, a Pot of Gold, Leprechauns green beer and shenanigans are all part of celebrating St. Patty's Day on March 17th. I have a sma...