Sunday, January 10, 2016

Catalogue Case Inspiration

It's the first Sunday in January 2016 and I'm welcoming the New Year in with a major cold.  

Believe me it's not the ideal way to feel when you really want to be "getting at it" and starting on new projects.  In fact, I started the day feeling pretty crummy after a very sleepless night.  

My day began slowly with me taking it easy, savouring my morning cuppa and blog surfing for a while to check out what everyone's doing with the new products from the Occasions and Sale-A-Bration catalogues 

While I was doing that I stumbled across a post that truly inspired me, got my creative juices flowing again and sent me on a "journey of inspiration".  In fact, after a half an hour or so of "oohing", "awing" and writing comments, I'd forgotten how really awful I felt at the start of the day.

Now, I'm feeling excited!  Truly excited, and inspired!  The excitement began with a snapshot from the last page of the Occasion's catalogue and led me to a blog hop and a challenge site that are new to me.  I want to share these with you so you can catch my excitement too!  Okay drum roll please................

I'm going to start with the blog hop:  It's called Caseing the Catty Sunday Night Blog Hop and features a group of amazingly talented stampers from Australia and New Zealand called the Creative Crew.  These gals are truly awesome and love to share their talents and tips!

So here's the information you need.  Every Sunday night at 7pm (AEST), the CTC Crew will share their great ideas and inspiration from the latest Stampin' Up! ® Catalogues by either directly CASEing (Copy and Share Everything) or using a sketch/layout, colour combo or embellishment as a springboard for their own creations.  Their first hop of the year CTC61 started today and features projects from the Handmade from the Heart - Occasions Spring and SAB catalogues and can be found here. 
Stampin' Up!s 2016 Handmade from the Heart Occasions Catalogue PDF Copy 

 
Stampin' Up!s Sale-A-Bration 2016 PDF Copy

This group also holds a monthly challenge that you can join in and the winners are announced monthly.  I'll be adding this button to my sidebar, to make it easier for you to find.  Why?  Because I know I'll be checking them out and I know you're going to be thoroughly impressed with this group too!  
CASEing the Catty Sunday Blog Hop
My second discovery today is a challenge site called The Colour Tree Challenge (TCTC) which is hosted by Bronwyn Eastley and her downline De Arn Foley. 

I've long been a fan of Bronwyn, and her sample for the CASEing the Catty Sunday blog hop led me back to her blog where I discovered she is launching this weekly challenge.  Knowing her talents, The Colour Tree Challenge promises to be a wonderful place to hang out too!  

Okay here are the details you need to know:  Every Sunday night at 7pm (AEDT), they'll be hosting a weekly colour challenge where you can ... Ink Up and Link Up for a chance to be one of the TCTC Top 3 Picks! And as if that's not enough, once a month the design team will pick a winner from the weekly Top 3 Picks, who will join them as a Guest Designer in an upcoming challenge.  Whoo Hoo!!! Game on!

I'll be adding this button to my sidebar for easy access too!
TCT Challenges

Here is the Colour Tree's first colour challenge of the year.  I know I'm going to be joining in......how about you?
TCTC #1 Challenge
Okay folks that's it for now as I'm off to look at my stamp sets and decide what I want to create for this challenge which closes on January 16th (AEDT).  

In the meantime if you visit these blogs I hope you'll come back and let me know what you think, what excited you, and what you're going to create! 

HAPPY STAMPING 2016
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

OCCASIONS AND SALE-A-BRATION START TODAY!!!

Wow, the most wonderful sales events of the season for Stampin' Up! start today. The Occasions - Made from the Heart Catalogue and the Sale-a-bration Catalogues are now available for you to view and order from.  

Although I've permanently updated my side bar with the PDF links for these catalogues.  I thought I would make it easy and add them here.  I know you're going to love all the new products.  My wish list is long and I know yours will be too!  

Occasions 2016 - Made from the Heart
Sales Period from January 5th through May 31st, 2016:

English Version PDF

French Version
 Sale-A-Bration - Earn Free Products!
January 5th through March 31st, 2016

English Version
French Version
Happy Stamping Everyone!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

4 FREE Sale-A-Bration 2016 Products - Instantly

Great News Stampers! 

Stampin' Up! is offering a 3-month prepaid subscription during Sale-A-Bration (January 5-March 31, 2016)! If you're new to stamping, looking for some quick and easy card making ideas and kits, or wanting to give an awesome gift to someone you love, then a prepaid 3-Month Paper Pumpkin subscription might be just the ticket for you! 

Place your order for a 3-Month Prepaid Subscription using order #137859 on my on-line store for just $69 Canadian.  This 3-month paid subscription will instantly qualify you for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item! 

Want to qualify for even more FREE stuff?  How about taking it to the next level by purchasing a 12-month prepaid subscription during the Sale-A-Bration time period (ends March 31) for just $275.40 CAD (use order #
137861 ). 

Your purchase of a 12-month prepaid subscription, earns you an instant savings of $24 off the normal subscription price. And even better, you'll automatically be eligible for Stampin’ Rewards, and qualify for 4 FREE Sale-A-Bration items! It doesn't get any better than that. 
Shop!

Here's the Sale-A-Bration Deal: 

For every $60 you spend (before tax and shipping), you get a FREE Sale-A-Bration product. That means it's the perfect time to purchase those products you've had your eye on while earning more products for free.

The Fine Print:  

  • Pages 4-15 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure show products available throughout the entire Sale-A-Bration sales period (January 5-March 31 2016); 
  • Pages 16-19 show limited-time products available only until February 15.*  
  • Watch for another batch of limited-time products coming February 16!* Based on inventory, availability may be temporarily extended.
Host!
Need another excuse to get together with friends? Just host a qualifying party with at least $330 in sales during Sale-A-Bration and you'll earn $35 more in Stampin' Rewards! You can even apply your Stampin' Rewards toward a Starter Kit and become a demonstrator yourself!  Ask me about virtual catalogue parties or "You Host Your Home" get-to-gethers. 

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Countdown to Midnight..............On Line Extravaganza Sale!

Just a note to see if you're ready for Stampin' Up!s yearly On Line Extravaganza???  The clock is ticking and it's only hours away now. 

In my opinion this is probably by far one of Stampin' Up!s biggest and best sales of the year.  So don't miss out it starts at midnight tonight!

Here's What You Need to know:

  • The On Line Extravaganza runs from November 23-30, 2015.
  • You can save up to 50 percent on select products during this super week-long sales event!
  • To make it even better, there will be flash sales that last 24 hours on November 23 and November 30, the first and last days of Online Extravaganza. 
  • Online Extravaganza savings are only available while supplies last, so get them while you can!
See the Savings Now!  Click on this link to view the items on sale:
Check out the savings on this PDF then get your list ready so you can log on and put those orders in before they are sold out.

Shop Online - Click Here then click on the Shopping Button to go to my on-line store, to place your order. 



Want to know what's on my wish list:
  •  Buy 3 select Designer Series Paper, and Get 1 Free ....... yippee!!!!
      • 138445 Everyday Chic DSP
      • 138446 Bohemian DSP
      • English Garden DSP
      • Farmer's Market DSP
      • Sweet Li'l Things DSP
      • Merry Moments DSP
      • Timeless Elegance DSP
      • Schoolhouse DSP 
Happy Stamping!  
Penny Tokens Stamping Spot

Thursday, October 15, 2015

The Wacky Watercooler October Holiday Round-Up


Here we go again! Last month's Wacky Watercooler Stamping blog hop "Let's Mix It Up", was such a super success, we’ve  decided to do it again with our October Holiday Round-up.   What fun..... it's a "free for all".  Holidays, Holidays, Holidays!  

This blog hop which lasts from tonight through Saturday night, will feature products from both the Holiday and Annual catalogues.  You're bound to see lots of Thanksgiving (US), Halloween, and Christmas Holiday projects, so grab a cup of coffee or whatever's your pleasure, and make sure you visit all the sites on the hop.

If you started at the beginning of the blog hop you'll have arrived here from the very talented Jean Fitch's blog.  Aren't her projects awesome?  I always love reading her posts as they are so funny and informative. 


For your entertainment this month, I've completed two spooky Halloween Projects and a Christmas card project with a twist, which I hope you'll enjoy.  

My First Project:
My first project is a spooky OWL Halloween card that was inspired by this poem:


A great big OWL
in a great big TREE
on a night so DARK
you could hardly SEE
was watching the LIGHTS
in the deep RAVINE
where the WITCHES danced
on HALLOWEEN 
Okay, so I know there isn't a ravine or any witches in my card, but you have to admit that OWL with the great big eyes is pretty spooky
I saw a card made with a double window frame die cut on either Pinterest or Youtube and that inspiration, was the beginning of this card.  With a little bit of trial and error I was able to place the cutting mats just so and run the Hearth and Home framelit through the Big Shot twice to create this enlarged window frame.  Then, I turned the window frame on it's side and adhered it with dimensionals to the card front. 
 
Can't you just hear those wings batting against the window pane and the WHOO!  WHOO! of the owl as he struggles to see what's going on inside the haunted house? 

Supplies:
 
Stamp Sets:  Howl-o-ween Treat
Card Stock:
Tangelo Twist, Very Vanilla, Happy Haunting DSP
Ink:
Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:
Hearth and Home Thinlet Dies, Boo To You Framelit Dies, Dazzling Details, Basic Big Shot, Trimmer, Large Google Eyes (Non- SU)


My Second Project:


Halloween is such a great holiday occasion! Even though our years of having lots of trick or treaters, making costumes, going to Halloween parties have dwindled away, I still get caught up in the spookiness of the season.  I love hauling out my precious collection of Halloween decor to set the stage for that special night. 

I've wanted to make a Halloween Banner for my fireplace for some time now, so when I saw the Howl-o-Ween Treat stamp set, I knew a banner was in the making!  I had so much fun pulling this together, and hope you enjoy it too.  
Unfortunately I couldn't get an adequate picture showing how great this banner really looks strung out across the mantle.  I think I've reached the point where i need to replace my camera with one that captures a panorama view.
 
 
 

The banner consists of these four elements repeating across the length of the banner.  It measured 5 feet in length.
I absolutely love the Howl-o-ween Treat Stamp set.  It's one of the best Halloween sets I've ever owned.
This is the reverse side of the banner. I finish it off with strips of cardstock laid over the string and secured with the hot glue gun.  This ensures the individual banners will not droop or fall off. 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Howl-o-ween Treat, Dictionary Background Stamp
Card Stock: Tangelo Twist, Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry, Happy Haunting DSP

Black Glimmer Paper
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Momento Tuxedo Black, 

Accessories:Trimmer, Big Shot, Crop-o-dile and Large Silver Eyelets, Boo To You Framelit Dies, Lots of Layers Framelit Dies, Dazzling Details, Basic Rhinestones, Spider Web TIEF (R), Large Polka Dot TIEF, SERIF Essentials Alphabet Dies (R), Glue Gun, Dazzling Details

My Third Project:
I'm not a big scrapbooker, but I have been making great use of the Project Life Card Collections, so for my third and final project, I wanted to share an alternative way to use the Project Life Hello December 2015 Photopolymer Bundle   If you are pressed for time this kit is a perfect option for getting all your Christmas cards, tags or scrapbook pages finished in a jiffy.  

I'm always looking for small hostess gifts so when I saw the Card Pouch tutorial by Cindy Lawrence on Split Coast Stampers, I was inspired to make one of my own.  I changed up Cindy's measurements and will be doing a tutorial on this project with all the details later this month.

Here is the front of the cad pouch.  I used a full sized card from the Project Life set and cut it down to size for the front of the holder. 
This is the inside of the pouch

This side of the pouch holds the 4 note cards.  The note cards are blank on the inside so they can be used for a thank you or just a note.

This side of the pouch holds the envelopes.  Although I haven't included a picture here, I made the individual envelopes with my Envelope Punch board and the Real Red Envelope Paper.
 
These cards are so simple to make.  For these four I used the smallest cards from the Project Life Card Collection and matched the colouring and pictures for a set.  They are mounted on layers of Mint Macaron and Real Red cardstock and the card base is Very Vanilla.  I used dazzling diamonds on the pine bows and trees to add just a hint of sparkle.
 
 
 
 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Wonderland, Project Life Hello December 2015 Photopolymer
Card Stock:  Mint Macaron, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Real Red Envelope Paper
Ink:  Real Red, Mint Macaron
Accessories:  Project Life Hello December 2015Card Collection (from the Photopolymer Bundle), Dazzling Details, Trimmer, Big Shot, Real Red Ribbon, Envelope Punch Board

The End:
I hope you're having fun on the blog hop today and that my creations have been an inspiration for you.  Let me know if you have any questions about the projects I made, I'd be happy to respond.

Now it's time to jump over to Debbie Spano's amazing blog where I know she'll enchant you with her great creations.  You can either click on her name or on the Next button below to connect with her. 

http://www.ddstampin.com/


https://jlfstudio.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/wacky-watercooler-blog-hop-october-holiday-round-up/


http://wackywatercoolerstamping.blogspot.ca/2015/10/the-wacky-watercooler-october-holiday.html

 Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stamping Spot 

Monday, October 5, 2015

WWC36 -- Special 3-D Challenge

The challenge over at the Watercooler Wednesday challenge site this week is all about 3-D.  I hope you'll take some time to go and check out all the entries from the design team and participants because they are simply awesome! 

We were meeting our nephew and his new bride for lunch today and I needed to make a card and gift holder for the cheque we were giving them.  

With the 3-D challenge in mind, I decided to make a floral gift bag using the Mini Treat Bag Thinlet Dies and a matching card.  

Here is what I made:

This is the Mini Treat Bag and the reverse side of the insert card. Unfortunately because of the black surface I took the pictures on, you can't see the outline of the insert card, but trust me it's there. 

I had to slip a piece of cardstock over the middle of this note card as I'd already written on it prior to remembering to take a picture.  The Whisper White note card measures 3 3/4 by 4 and is attached to a piece of basic black cardstock measuring 4" x 4 1/4.  When you turn this card over to the black side I've  attached a  3"x3"' envelope to hold the cheque (see above pictures).  

Although it's difficult to see in the above picture, I've layered tulle in between the DSP flower layers for some added sparkle.  The "for you" was cut out in Black Glimmer paper.  The mini treat bag and leaves were run through the Big Shot with the Lovely and Lacy TIEF for some dimension. 

Here is the matching card that went with this gift:


Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, For The New Two Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black
Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Black Glimmer Paper, Retired SU DSP
Accessories:  Trimmer, Big Shot, Glue Gun, White Sparkly Tulle, Silver Sequins, Tom Bow Glue, Silver Accent piece.  Flower Frenzy Bigz Die (R)
Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot 

Zany Birthday FMS#628

Well another week has flown by and there's a promise of Spring between the rain drops.  I'm thrilled to see all the cherry trees sta...