Christmas In July Workshops

Everyone loves to get a jump on making their Christmas Cards and because of this I decided to hold a "Christmas in July" stamp-a-stack workshop to help get things rolling. I actually offered this class on July 10th at my home and again on July 13th in Vernon, BC. What fun we had. Each participant made 4 of 4 different card designs in a 31/2 hour class. Whew!!! That was a lot to accomplish. Want to see what we made: 

Here are the 4 Christmas Card Designs.

Each of the cards has it's own unique feel and utilizes a number of punches and stamp sets from the new 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalogue.  Here are the individual cards and a brief description.

Christmas Ornament Card:  Sahara Sand cardstock stamped with Christmas Collage, Baroque Motifs and mounted on Cherry Cobbler.  The new Lace Ribbon Border Punch adds a decorative design.  The ornament is from the Delightful Decorations Stamp set and punched out with the Ornament Punch. 

The Vernon class used River Rock cardstock in place of the Sahara Sand and the edges were sponged in Cherry Cobbler.  The combo really worked.

The second card design was inspired by a design on page 21 of the IB&C which features the Snow Much Fun Stamp Set from page 35 of the catalogue.  I love this new set and so did everyone in the class.   I've also provided the details for this card in my earlier post entitled Inspiration in Action Case Contest.

Here's a closeup view of the Snowmall layering and the inside of the card.  The layering makes the snowman look so fat and jolly and brings some life to the card too!

The third card featuring two adorable penquins in the snow is based on punch art using the Owl Builder Punch (118074) page 213 IB&C.   What fun this was.   To position all the little parts of this punch art like the eye balls and nose, we used a tip I found on one of the blogs (sorry if it's your blog please let me know so I can give you credit here) whereby you use a toothpick dipped in melted bees wax to pick up all the little pieces.  This worked like a charm and made it both easy to glue and position these small little pieces.   The card is layered on Whisper White cardstock.  A piece of Baja Breeze is embossed with the Northern Flurries Embossing Folder and the sentiment is from the "Sincere Salutations" stamp set. 

And finally, the fourth card which also uses one of my all time favourite seasonal stamps "Holiday Lineup" is designed to look like these happy little snowmen are all huddled outside a window on a cold frosty day.  Lots of colouring with markers here but the design is super simple to recreate and is all about stamp placement.

I still have some class sets left so if you are interested in making the stamp a stack or a class just featuring one of each of the 4 designs then give me a call, I'd be happy to arrange a date and time.

INSPIRATION IN ACTION CASE CONTEST - SNOW FUN

Gretchen Barron recently held a unique and fun contest on her site, challenging stampers to sellect a project from the new Idea Book and Catalogue and to make it their own.  I was very excited about this challenge, and thought wow, I can do that!  And I have, only I was too late to enter into Gretchen's contest because I was out of town duringher time frame. 

The project that inspired me is on page 21 of the catalogue and is made with the Snow Much Fun Set. I loved this set from the moment I laid eyes on it and when I saw the sample in the new Idea Book and Catalogue, I just knew I had to recreate it and make it mine!

Okay so here's my version and the changes that I made to this card's design and set up.

I liked the warm homespun color combo in the sample card and decided to go for the same look.  My card started with a base of Confetti Cream (102835) cardstock and the image and sentiment were stamped on this too.  I chose Soft Suede (115318) for the first layer of the card and embossed it with the Framed Tulips Embossing folder......... I know it's a stretch but on this card the tulips look like little Christmas lights.  Okay so I have a big imagination......try squinting.  I'm sure you'll see what I mean. 

For my next layer and the one behind the sentiment I used Real Red (102482) cardstock.  I liked the look of the ribbon on the original card so decided to do the same and used 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain.  I also liked the way the Bigz Die Square scallop from the Scallop Squares Duo (120903) looked so retained that element but I wanted to change up the image by adding the cute little snowball and bird. All images were stamped in Chocolate Chip and colored with markers.  I used a Crumb Cake marker to create a shadow effect around the image.  Once I finished colouring this image I stamped a second one, repeated the coloring then cut it out and mounted it on dimensionals over the original snowman.  When I was cutting around the second image, I omitted the boots, arms, ends of the scarf and tassel on the hat, they show through from the original image and by piecing in this way you get a lot of dimension.  I used one of the sentiment stamps from the Snow Fun set and punched it out with the Modern Label (119849) punch and then mounted it on a strip of Real Red cardstock which was about an 1/8" wider.  I hand cut the points on each side of the sentiment and then mounted the label with dimensionals onto the ribbon.  Finally, I adhered Dazzling Diamonds with 2-way glue pen to the hat brim, snowballs and ground to give a shimmery effect. 

I was so pleased with this little guy and wanted to share how easy this card was to make, that I added him as one of the cards in my Christmas in July SAS workshops on July 10th and 13th.  Lot of ooooohs and awhs here....he was a big hit!  Hope you enjoyed this card as much as I do. I'd love to hear your comments. 

More Things to Celebrate July 1st!

The count down is over and all the excitement of Christmas morning can begin, because the brand new Idea Book and Catalogue for 2011-2012 was launched at 12:00 noon today!  I'm always impressed with the Stampin' Up! Catalogues and spend hours pouring over them looking at all the new and fabulous products and the outstanding ideas that are offered, but this year, let me tell you I just won't be able to put it down.  My head is pounding with ideas and I can't wait for my new In Colour stamps, papers and inks to arrive on Monday.  I'll be standing in the street waiting for my UPS guy and counting the minutes.  My husband won't see me for at least 2 days when it arrives .......... trust me!!!

I know when you check it out you're going to be excited too.  So on with the show............. drop by my website or click on the catalogue image on my side bar to view the PDF copy.  If you need a wish list form let me know, otherwise when you're ready to order just give me a call, drop me an email, or use my online ordering button by clicking here or on my right sidebar.

All my regular customers who order frequently receive a copy of this catalogue and all minis free.  Call me to find out how you can join that special list.  The new catalogue ($11.95 value) will also be available at my Open House - Catalogue Launch on:

Event:                2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalogue Open House

When:                Sunday July 10th from 12:00 to 2:30pm

Where:               Abbotsford, BC  (a map and directions will be given out following RSVP)

RSVP:                Call me to reserve your Make N' Take, get your door prize draw tickets

                          and other goodies.  Phone:  778-880-1296 or email me at:

                          pennyhanuszak@telus.net 

Hope to see you there......................... space is limited so don't delay on the RSVP, do it today!

Penny 



Start the 2011-2012 Catalogue Year Off With Our Starter Kit Special

$119 Starter Kit + Free Project Kit!
During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $119! This limited time Starter Kit—valued at $205—comes with the following high-quality products:

• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
• Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
• Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
• Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock
• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
• Note Cards (20)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Blender Pen (1)
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies

*Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue!

Changes Coming..............Dates to Remember

Well, it's the end of another month and heading into one of the most exciting times of the year!  National Scrapbooking Month is officially over at midnight tonight and along with it Stampin' Up's amazing 30% Off discount on a variety of scrapbook products ends too.   But don't be sad, we'll still be doing scrapbooking and Stampin' Up! will still have some amazing promotions heading your way.

In fact, tomorrow June 1st will be super exciting as the "Last Chance Item Lists of Supplies and Accessories will be posted", and so begins the count down to July 1st when the 2011/2012 Idea Book and Catalogue is launched.   Check in daily on my shop now button because the lists will be updated daily.