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.

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.

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. 

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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.

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. 

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!