A Passion for Stamps

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Tree, Thoughts & Prayers Decor Elements (wall vinyl)



Hi stamp enthusiasts!

Are you a rubber stamping or scrapbooking enthusiast?  Do you share my passion for new ideas for making Stampin' Up! cards, scrapbook pages,  gift items?  Would you like to learn new stamping card or scrapbook techniques or tips to using crafting tools?  Would you like to stay on top of the classes I offer?  Maybe you have papercrafting questions you would like some answers to?  

If you answered YES to any of the above, then you will love my monthly A Passion For Stamps Newsletter that I send out to customers on my e-mail list!  The newletter includes everything I've already mentioned plus so much more-all of which are exclusive to my subscribers! 

Here are some of the features of the newsletter that as a subscriber,  you will receive every month:

• a CARD project (or two) 
• a SCRAPBOOK PAGE
• a TECHNIQUE (or two)
• a 3-D, HOME DECOR  OR GIFT project (or two)
  

**THE ABOVE ITEMS ALL INCLUDE A PHOTO, SUPPLY LIST, AND STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS!

• a Tool Tip (or several)
• a Featured Product of the Month
  
• New Product information
  
• Stampin' Up! News & Promotions
• My Upcoming Classes and Events
• Exclusive Specials, Discounts or Coupons
  
• Important Links
• Customer Q&A
  

It's truly a newsletter worth receiving and--it's FREE!  It's a way to keep my customers informed and to offer things I don't offer anywhere else.

If this sounds good to you,  now is the perfect time to subscribe to insure that you will receive my October Newsletter which will be coming out in the next few days!

TO SUBSCRIBE TO A PASSION FOR STAMPS NEWSLETTER:

Just add your e-mail address to the JOIN OUR CUSTOMER MAILING LIST BOX on the left sidebar! Enjoy!  Until next time...

Passionate About Stamping,

Only 24 Hours Till the "12 Weeks of Christmas" Begins!

In 24 hours,  subscribers to my Customer Newsletter will receive their FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD IDEA-the first of 12 FREE  Christmas card, Gift and Gift Bags/Tags project ideas that I will send via email over the next 12 weeks!  If you would like to receive these ideas, simply enter your email address to the left in the box Join My Customer Mailing List.

 

 

2011-12 Weeks of Christmas Ideas is almost here!

I am happy to say I will once again be providing a gift of 12 weeks of Christmas Holiday Project ideas this year! Starting October 5, each week on Wednesday, I will send out exclusively to my SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, an e-mail with either a card, gift, or bag & tag idea-complete with photo, supply list and instructions! At the end of 12 weeks you will have 12 great holiday ideas! And--it's free! So if you are not currently a subscriber, click on "Join My Mailing List" at the top left of this blog. You can sign up anytime and you will receive ideas from that point forward, but to receive all 12 ideas, you must be signed up before October 5! Be on the lookout for the first email the afternoon of Otober 5th-ONLY to my email subscribers! Have a great day!

 

 

Mistletoe Market Craft Fair In Franklin NJ is back again!

Just a quick post to let you know that I will once again have my Stamp Table at the Mistletoe Market Craft Fair! I hope you will be able to come out and join in the FUN! More info at a later date! Please mark this date on YOUR calendar now...

DATE:  November 6, 2010

TIME: 10 - 4:00 P.M.

LOCATION:  First Presbyterian Church, 11 Main Street, Franklin, NJ 07416

C0me and visit us! Do your Christmas Shopping at your one-stop Christmas Shopping Fair!

More info to follow...

National Salute of 21 guns for Presidents Day

Courage Tile: I make these tiles and sell them individually or in sets of 4.  I also sell them at Craft Fairs. This is made with the Courage Set (115330 $19.95) found on page 67 of the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog. It's a two stamp set; in addition to this stamp there is a word stamp that reads "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality that guarantees all others.-Winston Churchill" It's a great set! If you are interested in purchasing this stamp set, you can order it from my website www.stampwithdeb.stampinup.net. If you are interested in purchasing the tiles, and/or the coordinating stamped box that holds four of them, email deb@debbiestamps.com for more information.

Today is Presidents Day.  Our son is in the United State Coast Guard, so we receive Coast Guard feed updates.

It's interesting to learn that Coast Guard members on Coast Guard Island (CA) will fire the national salute of 21 guns today at noon in honor of Presidents Day.  The salute takes about a minute and 45 seconds to complete.  The Coast Guard warns surrounding communities that there will be loud noise produced by the blank rounds when fired.

This is a time honored naval tradition which dates back centuries, when it was customary for a ship entering a friendly port to discharge its cannon to demonstrate that they were unloaded.

The following information is provided by the United States Navy with the issuance of new regulations on 24 May 1842. Those regulations laid out the specifics:

"When the President of the United States shall visit a vessel of the navy, he shall be received with the following honors: The yards shall be manned, all the officers shall be on deck in full uniform, the full guard shall be paraded and present arms, the music shall play a march, and a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired. He shall receive the same honors when he leaves the ship."
"Upon the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, the colors shall be hoisted at sunrise, and all the vessels of the navy shall, when in port, be dressed, and so continue until the colors are hauled down at sunset, if the state of the weather and other circumstances will allow it. At sunrise, at meridian, and at sunset, a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired from every vessel in commission mounting six guns and upwards."
"On the twenty-second day of February, the anniversary of the birth of Washington, a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired at meridian from every vessel of the navy in commission mounting six guns and upwards."

To read more go to: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq40-1.htm

Other occasions when the salute is fired are in honor of the national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President, ex-President, and President-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect, on Washington’s Birthday, and the Fourth of July.

It's nice to know the history behind the traditions of our armed forces especially how it relates to Presidents Day. Have a nice day!

What we stamped at January Jamboree!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new products in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration brochure, don't you?

The Last weekend of January I held my first annual January Jamboree class....didn't come? Here's what we made:

  ...a Love You card, sympathy card, Friend Mini Milk Carton

and a Birthday all-in-one treat box!

I created this floral sympathy card using the Faux Silk Technique(the bumpy white textured cardstock) -one of my favorite techniques:

Notice the new Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)? This is one of the FREE products you can get right now during our Sale-A-Bration event with an order of at least $50! There is also a matching corner punch too! (available for purchase in Occasion Mini Catalog) Don't you just love the silk ribbons? and now they come in different colors!

Here is the same card showing the scallop punch used on the top and on the side. Which do you prefer?

This card also utilized the Big Shot die cut machine, and Polka Dot background (hard to see), the new Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Papers! Isn't this so bright and cheerful? I could have used hearts, but just had to try the new floral punch!

 

The new Mini Milk Carton Die used with the Big Shot Machine is SO adorable! Here it is featured with the NEW Vintage Vogue stamp set, Sending Love Specialty DS papers and a rhinestone brad and grosgrain ribbon to finish it off! So many great NEW products!

The last project was this pretty Birthday box showing both sides of the designer papers, and using different bow designs and button colors. Can't really tell from the photo, but the Specialty paper is glittered! Oh, so chic!

 

Here the box is opened-the lid is attached-VERY cool! Fill it with Hersey's kisses or whatever you like, and it's the perfect gift for a Birthday--or Valentine's Day!

So--don't you wish you came to January Jamboree?

I'd love to hear what you think of these projects...and all the wonderful new products Stampin' Up! came out with!

Be sure to check out my future classes and events on the Calendar to the right....

or, visit my website to view events and to shop for any of these products 24-7!

Come back and see me tomorrow,

My new venture-Handpainted & Personalized Snowbaby Ornaments!

I'm sorry I've been away from my blog for so long...lot's has been happening! I had several fall/Christmas craft shows, holiday stamp classes, meetings for various things, church duties, and my dad also had a stroke right before Thanksgiving...he is doing much better now, in a facility where he is receiving Physical Therapy for his right side, where the majority of the damage occurred.

I've been making and selling personalized Glass Ornaments for the holidays! I sold some of these last year at Craft Fairs, and received orders for more this year. If you follow me on Facebook, you know I posted yesterday that I'd share some photos of the SnowBaby Christmas Ornaments I've been making and fulfilling orders for this holiday season. I hand paint the faces, and personalize the ribbon on the hat with the name of the child, year and/or First Christmas, etc.  I also offer a beautiful coordinating holiday keepsake box with the child's name and year, to help identify and organize this ornament, and facilitate safe storage for years to come!

Here are some photos of recent ones I've made:

 
 

 Baby Boy & Baby Girl Glass Ball Ornaments;

Faces are hand-painted; tags for the year are provided, and can also be added to the ribbon if requested. The cheeks have a hint of color and will sparkle from the iridescent ice glitter when touched by the lights from your tree.

These are the coordinating keepsake boxes to store your treasured ornaments for years to come!  The interlocking closure is made with Designer Series Papers.  Each box has the name of the child on the front,  as it appears on the ribbon on the ornament. A gorgeous white silk ribbon and tag saying a "A Gift for you-Merry Christmas"finishes off the packaging!

The box is filled with a festive paper filling to protect the ornament during storage.

 

 Close-up view of the top of the box featuring the lovely white silk ribbon and bow, and the tag-to give it a finished look!

This close-up view shows how beautifully it is packaged and ready for gift-giving!

Here is a close-up of the ornament:

I will be taking orders for this product, as well as At Home Class Kits, Finished Product, and Retired Stamps which will all be available for purchase fom my new online store, Passionstamper's Boutique- which will open in early January 2010! 

Please email me if you are interested in more information about this product. If you would like to place an order for these lovely ornaments for Christmas 2010, please place your order(s) early in the year, as these are now in high demand!

Details such as ordering, personalization, price, shipping etc. will be will be available online on my new blog Passionstamper's Boutique and orders can be placed starting on January 3, 2010, when a link to the new site will be provided.

Be on the lookout for a Winter Storm Online Holiday Sale tomorrow afternoon in lieu of a Holiday Open House, should we receive the storm now being predicted!

Classes for 2009 have now ended. I will be resuming them in January 2010. Please visit this site again soon for updates to my class schedule.

You can also shop the Stampin' Up! ONLINE store 24/7! Now thru 12/22 you can get some deals on Sizzix Dies! I hope you are enjoying these last days before Christmas arrives! Please contact me should you have any questions and I'll be happy to assist you!

Four-piece Chocolate Nugget Box Gifts from Stampin' Up! Matchbook Die!

Well I'm getting ready for the 2009 Mistletoe Market Craft Fair at my church this Saturday October 24 from 10-3...if you happen to be in the Northern New Jersey area, specifically Sussex County, come and look us up! Go here for the website of the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin for it's location and phone number. This is our third annual event. Be sure to stop at my table to shop and chat, do a Make & Take, and don't forget to ask me for a door prize slip-I'm giving away a set of ten Christmas Cards to one lucky winner! There will be other drawings too during the day, and great food brewing in the kitchen, so come and get a head start on that holiday shopping!

I've been getting my projects ready for the Craft Fair, and working on 3-D projects. If you've been following my posts the past few days you know that I'm hooked on the Big Shot™ Die-Cut machine from Stampin' Up!, so I pulled out my Bigz XL Matchbook Die that arrived awhile ago. I've been anxious to play with it, but just hadn't been able to find the time, so it was fun giving it a try. I came up with this *sweet* little 4-piece Hershey's Nugget gift box:

 

The photo is a bit fuzzy, as I was up late working on this last night, (and I was seeing fuzzy myself by the time I took this photo), but I did a great job NOT getting a glare from the clear window sheet cover, didn't I? If I didn't tell you, you wouldn't even know it was there, would you? It's almost invisible! But it is there, a simple wrap around cover... I wanted folks to be able to see what was inside, because if you have ever done Craft Fair events, I'm sure you've experienced little children who just LOVE opening things...they are so curious and inquisitive, so they just HAVE to find out what's inside boxes when they have lids on them, and it's always when you are busy helping someone else too! I think since I'm covering the nuggets with such pretty paper and leaving the shiny edges of the candy wrappers exposed, that it's nice to show off the inside with clear packaging.

I used the Holiday Lounge Designer Series paper from Stampin' Up! (of course) and just love all their double sided-papers! You can see the Hershey's candies are wrapped in both sides of the paper (four fit PERFECTLY inside this completed matchbox!)

The die makes a little box, the wrap around lid, plus three tags, one of which is shown here. The DSP actually has little starry snowflakes on it, although you can't tell because I photographed this straight on, standing up so you could see the candies and the tag. I decided to try the Snowfall printed clear Window sheet over the white tag to carryover the snowflake theme.

Here is a rundown of how to make this project:

1. First I laid out my DSP over the box on the die; then I covered the lid with a piece of window sheet, and laid down the Snowflake window sheet over the tags, ran it through the Big Shot™.

2. Next I covered the tags with white cardstock and ran it through the machine again.

3. I stamped the greeting with ink on the white tag, then layered the snowflake tag over the white tag, so the words are visible through the snowflake window tag.

4. I assembled the box and lid according to the directions that come with the die.

5. Cover the chocolates with strips of the same designer paper.

6. I used Taken With Teal layered over a wider strip of Silver Metallic cardstock for the belly band, punched a hole in the tag and pulled the silver cord through the tie before tying the bow. 

I will make some of these, but then I'll switch to other colors and DSP for variety.

These are fun to make, go together pretty quickly and are easy-the result is SWEET elegance, so I'm sure they will sell well at the Craft show.

I hope you've enjoyed this mini tutorial...if you would like to order the supplies to make these, just email me and I'd be happy to let you know what you need!  If you would like some other project ideas check out some here.  Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know what you think of this project-and if you make some, I'd love to see it!

Have a great stampin' day!

Thanksgiving Stamped Hostess Gift

Thanksgiving is approaching and it's one of my favorite times of the year! It's a day when our family members are all home together to share in the holiday feast. It conjures up scents of turkey & stuffing roasting in the oven, and the house is filled with the aroma of baked pies and other goodies...I can feel the warmth of the kitchen with candles lit just thinking about it! It happens to be my son's favorite day too....all the food, relatives, followed by football game. (This year, my birthday also happens to fall on Thanksgiving-November 27th!)

It may be the last Thanksgiving we can all be together--as our son is seriously considering joining the Coast Guard, so he can follow up on his education in the Law Enforcement field, as well as obtain knowledge and experience while serving his country. He is currently in college but this will probably be his last semester, as he will most likely be going to Boot Camp next year. Thanksgiving is my son's favorite holiday-so this one will be very special for us all, as we may not be able to all be together for the next one.

This time of year also brings to mind the many blessings we have to be thankful for. As I work on projects for craft fairs this fall, I make sure I also have a few for Thanksgiving. I love the concept of a Thanksgiving Blessing Mix which makes an excellent little gift to bring to the hostess when you visit family on Thanksgiving Day! Two years ago, Stampin' Up! partnered with Country Living magazine which featured a spread in their magazine for Thanksgiving decorating. I loved the stamp set that was featured that year, and even used one of the sayings in this year's blessing mix that I put together for Thanksgiving. Last time I made the blessing mix with everything in a cello bag and topper. This time I wanted to do something a little different, so I found this cute little jar to decorate and fill:

If you follow my blog, you know I am sucker for punch art, so I knew I wanted to use punches to make my turkey. I got the idea for the turkey design from a card I saw (made by Cynthia Stember) mentioned here on Patty Bennett's blog and just expanded on it. The feathers were made with half a scallop punch on various colored cardstocks, then sponged around the edges. I used dimensionals between every layer so the turkey really pops out and attached the whole thing with Pop Up Glue Dots. (the dimension is hard to see in this photo-but the turkey really stands out nicely!)  I made the pumpkin with three small punched ovals and pumpkin pie cardstock and attached with dimensionals...

I hand drew the cornucopia on cocoa cardstock that I first stamped with Aida Cloth (a retired SU background stamp) and added a 1 3/4" chocolate chip circle behind the turkey for dimension. The bow was added with a glue dot to the top of the cornucopia.

I used the Coluzzle to make the large circle behind it all with More Mustard cardstock.

I cut a strip of Autumn Vine Designer Series paper and attached that to the jar.
This paper is so pretty and is double-sided, so it shows on the inside of the jar, too!

I printed the Thanksgiving Blessing Mix from my computer onto mustard cardstock, then used the slot punch to attach it to the back of the jar with (retired) SU ribbon.

This is the Thanksgiving Blessing Mix-I added all these ingredients to cello bags which were then sealed and placed inside the jar.

I cut a circle for the top of the jar, again using the Coluzzle, and added the saying. and sponged the edges.

I finished off with a ribbon around the top.

Here is the same designer series paper used in the above jar, but in reverse.  It was fun to change the papers and accessories for a different look.

These jars were a good seller at the Misteltoe Market Craft Event at the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin NJ that I just participated in this past weekend. (I've been busy for awhile getting ready for this fair-that's why I haven't been posting to the blog lately). I had some half-finished jars that I didn't bring with me, that I wished I had completed!  I am offering those I have left for sale to my local customers or to anyone who is willing to pick them up. Contact me at 973-827-2893 if you are interested in purchasing this lovely Thanksgiving hostess gift. The jars make a great home decor item that can be refilled every year! Offer good only while supplies last....

This year, Country living is partnering with Stampin' Up! once again-not for Thanksgiving projects, but for Christmas ones! I'll save that for my next post!

TURKEY POOP

Another project I offered at the Mistletoe Market Craft Fair this year was Turkey Poop-very similar to what I did last year, but simplified:

Do you really want to put a smile on a loved one's face? I highly recommend this humorous alternative to the more serious hostess gift above-it really makes a great gag gift! These are quick and easy to throw together and would be adorable at the place setting of your guests this Thanksgiving...

At the craft fair, two elderly ladies stopped by my table; this item caught their eye-and as they read it they suddenly burst out laughing and just kept looking at each other, laughed some more until tears were running down their faces!

Sometimes the simplest things bring the most pleasure....let me know if you would like to purchase any!

CUSTOM MESSAGE TILES

I wished I had made more of this cook serving up the turkey...but all the tiles my daughter and I have made so far, are "one of a kind".  I knew this one would be snatched up...and I was right! (there was a glare when I took the picture)

I will not be making more of this design this year, but next fall I plan to make a bunch of these.

I will be selling Message Tiles all year long in my online store...soon! My daughter Kelley helps me make these and has come up with some adorable ones! Each set includes the frame and Dry Erase Marker which is conveniently attached to the top of the tile for easy accessibility.

I have a few of these that we use around the house. When I first put one in the foyer, my nineteen year old son left me a note on it that said: "Mom-this is stupid". Well for something so stupid, need I tell you who now uses these more than any other family member to leave us messages? You guessed it! I have one in the foyer and one in the kitchen-they really come in handy...and it's easy to use-just erase with a tissue!

If you have any particular themes you are interested in, please let me know and I will try to accomodate your personal interests. I also make these up as wedding gifts. If you are in the Hardyston NJ area, come and visit me at the Wallkill Valley High School annual Booster Club Holiday Craft Fair on December 6 if you would like to purchase these as Christmas gifts, as I will have some there for sale.

Thanks for visiting!

Sizzix Big Shot-Halloween Basket

With only a few days to spare before Halloween, I can finally share this adorable little halloween basket I made with the Sizzix Big Shot Baskets & Blooms Die!

If you haven't heard, Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix and now has some terrific exclusive dies as well as the Big Shot machine! I can't believe how easy this machine is to use and the cute projects that can be made with this product! This is the basket I made:

I had so much leftover Creepy Crawly Designer Series Papers from last year (I LOVE this paper) that I decided to use some of it for this project. The stamp set-Batty for You,  is a carryover from last year and I just love this little set too...so I was thrilled to be able to continue using it this Halloween for my projects!

I used this as a Hostess Gift during October, but it is a great little basket to fill and give to your favorite Trick or Treaters too, by varying the stamps used...or how about making one for a friend, spouse or co-worker? Just change out the papers and stamps, and this idea can be duplicated for any holiday or occasion during the year. The infinite possibilities.....

If you have any baskets you have made with this die, I'd love to see them!

If you have no clue what the Sizzix is (I didn't really know what it could do until SU! started offering it) you can learn all about it, how to use the Sizzix Big Shot and the 50 different surfaces that are acceptable for use with the Sizzix by clicking HERE. You can even shop online now...from this link! (but that news is for another post!)

It's GREAT to be back to blogging again! I've missed you! I welcome your comments!

Thanks for looking,

Decorating on a budget-Stampin' Up! introduces Decor Elements, affordable WALL ART!

I've been so excited about a new product that Stampin' Up! is introducing to expand their Definitely Decorative product line called Decor Elements-self-adhesive vinyl images that can be used to decorate WALLS, MIRRORS, GLASS, METAL, and many other smooth surfaces! At a time when folks in the USA are faced with higher prices for heating oil and gas  consumption, which has also driven up the costs for many other things (as basic as FOOD),  Stampin' Up! has come through with a product that enables those who need to be able to decorate their homes on a budget, or still want to give lovely gifts at a bargain price-much more affordable than what others offer! Stampin' Up! is presenting a wonderful alternative to other similar, yet much higher priced products! The images coordinate with Stampin' Up! stamp sets, which provide the perfect harmony for home decorating or  gift-giving to those who may not be interested in traditional rubber stamping or scrapbooking crafts.

What exactly does this new product look like ? In the photo above, the Long-Stem Silhouette is featured as WALL ART in chocolate, and a smaller version in the HOME frame, in white! Currently these colors and Kraft are available in these colors and images, letters, words and designs. This is Phase 1 of this product...Stampin' Up! already has two more phases they will be unveiling in the coming months...WAHOO!

I found an interesting article written about Stampin' Up!'s new product line HERE. Great News travels FAST! See what others are saying...

I've added a link to my left sidebar called "Decor Elements"; just click on it and you will be able to view the beautiful new brochure Stampin' Up! has provided that explains more about this wonderful new product! I've also provided a link with instructions for applying these self-adhesive vinyl images to walls and other hard surfaces, as well as a video you can watch.

To watch it now, click on this photo:

SO-DID YOU WATCH THE VIDEO? What did you think? Do you think you can use some of these new images to decorate your home? It seems easy enough to apply, doesn't it?

I will be using the CREATE expression in my stamp studio Long-Stemmed Silhouette and the word FAMILY, in my living room-I'll post those photos when I get them on the walls!

Would you like a hard copy of the Decor Elements Brochure? Do you have any questions about this new product?  Feel free to post them here and I'll do my best to provide you with the answers..

If you are within a reasonable distance from where I live which is the Sussex County NJ area, I would love to show you this new product! Look for upcoming classes OR host your own Home Decor Elements party (or book a regular stamping/scrapbooking party) so you and your friends can see how wonderful it is to create with Stampin' Up! products and how easy it is to apply these lovely Decor Elements designs in your home! Would you be interested in inviting your friends over for this new type of party so they can see this awesome product? If this interests you, or you have questions about any of our products, please contact me for more information via email or by phone: 973-827-2893 .

Can't wait to hear your reactions to the new Decor Elements! Don't forget to leave me a comment...

CARD & BOX USING RETIRING STAMPS

I pulled out a stamp set called All Through the Year which will be retired from Stampin' Up!'s 2008 Spring-Summer Collection after August 10. I really love the Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper which is two sided so I used the cherries from All Through the Year with it and came up with a card and this matching 2-4-6-8 box:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I am really going to miss the set and I'm sure the paper will probably be on the Retired Accessories List coming out on July 21....

The "gift package" was made simply by folding over the top of the designer paper to reveal the design on the other side of this two-sided decorative paper! Then I wrapped the ribbon around it, tied it in a bow (can't do bows? See this post HERE for bow tying help!) and attached it to the Real Red cardstock with SNAIL Adhesive.

I think it would be helpful to do a tutorial or two showing how to get that sparkling cherries affect on both the card and box using Heat and Stick powder (makes a great embelllishment), and how to make a 2-4-6-8 box! But it's very late so that will have to wait till another day! Don't forget to check back again soon!

Happy Stampin'!

Boatload of Love Box in the Bag-a downline gift!

I really enjoy making these Box in a Bag projects (and this is what it is called, because there really IS a box in the bottom of the bag-see the photo below as proof!). To learn more about these, read THIS POST.

Here is another one I made as a gift (shhhhhhh!) for Jan (one of my first level downline) who has been an inspiring leader to her team, a supportive downline member, and most importantly-a dear friend for many years. I hope she doesn't see this before she receives it in the mail! Even if she does, what's IN it will still be a surprise (so I'm not telling you what I'm putting in it!) I'd love to hear your suggestions though!

 

                                                    IMAGES © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I had so much fun making this one! I try to make gifts with nautical themes for my downline, because our team name is S.O.S. Team (for S.aving O.verwhelmed S.tampers)..I use images of lighthouses, beachy ocean, tropical, fish (starfish), and boat type images such as life rings and anchors. Sooooo....having explained that, you'll understand why I had to have the Boatloads of Love stamp set  from Stampin' UP! (love that Boat with the life rings and anchor!). As I was going thru my vast assortment of Designer Series papers, I knew as soon as I saw this Cutie Pie paper that this was THE one I wanted to use and the ideas just flowed from that point on... (Its amazing how different the colors and designs are in this package!) I love it when that happens...

Here is the INSIDE-as you can clearly see, there IS a box on the inside at the bottom which explains the name of this project:

Pretty cool, huh? Ok-on to some of the details up close:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

The boat is watercolored with Aqua Painters and Classic Ink Pads on Watercolor Paper, then cut out and added above the scalloped edged bottom. The boat, life rings and anchor are all stamped again, tediously cut out and raised with Stampin' Dimensionals and Crystal Effects for a fun 3-D effect.

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

 The clouds are stamped in White Craft ink and embossed. I painted the chipboard letters with white acrylic paint, then used the aqua painter and reinkers to color them blue. The Life rings, anchor and clouds as well as the On Board Lots of Letters Chipboard are all finished off with Crystal Effects to make them "pop".

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I LOVE embellishments and this time I need something more nautical....so here is what I came up with...
I used Textured Wild Wasabi Cardstock and the Round Tab punch, then added eyelets with the Crop-o-dile and looped (retired) Bella Fancy Fibers loosely thru them, knotting them at the ends.  I decided to made the nautical knot with roping (instead of using ribbon) to add to the seafaring touch! 

I am pleased with how this project it turned out!  So--what do you think?

I truly had so much fun making this..I should have made two! As difficult as it will be to give this one-of-a-kind creation away, it was made with love, for someone I admire who is very deserving of special recognition-in case Jan doesn't realize it, she has been a loyal, caring friend and I just want her to know how much I have appreciated our friendship over the years.

Here are the supplies I used to make this project:

Stamps: Boatload of Love
Ink: Wild Wasabi, White Craft, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue,Versamark Pad, Black StazOn
Paper: Cutie Pie Designer Series, Bashful Blue, TEXTURED Wild Wasabi, Watercolor
Accessories: Crop-o-Dile, Eyelets, 1/4" Circle Punch, Round Tab punch, Crystal Effects, On Board Lots of Letters, Sanding Block, Ballet Blue Ink Refill, White EP, Heat Tool, Aqua Painter, Slit Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, SNAIL adhesive, (retired) Bella Fancy Fibers

Non-SU: white acrylic paint, roping

To view all Stampin' Up! products used in this project, visit the Stampin' Up! ONLINE CATALOG. Just click on the photo link on the left sidebar. Fortunately for me, the Boatload of Love stamp set is NOT on the retirement list!!!  It's a great set!

I'd love to hear your comments...don't forget my BLOG CANDY posted awhile ago will EXPIRE at midnight on June 29! Follow the instructions in THIS POST to be in the drawing to win this awesome Stampin' Up! candy I'm giving away at 9:00 a.m. EST on JUNE 30!

Happy Stampin'!

Here's my Box in a Bag for a Birthday Gift!

Check out this adorable "box in a bag"! Or...is it a bag in a box? (I saw this posted both ways so I'm not sure which is correct-I'm going with Box in a Bag.) These were created by Paula Goff:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

When I saw these, I knew I had to give it a try and make one!

NOTE ADDED NOVEMBER 2 2008: I just learned that the credit for the Box in a Bag creation actually goes to one of my INKredible Impressions (my upline Tina's Stampin' Up! group) friends from Arizona-none other than Diana Gibbs, an awesome stamping gal! Diana won a contest with Stampin' Up! for this creation! She wrote a terrific tutorial which you can find HERE.

Pat, a good friend of mine, had a birthday last week, so I thought this was an adorable way to package up a gift! Paula asked that we share our creations, so I will be sending mine to her. I noticed others have already sent her some and she has posted them on her site here. You can find the tutorial here.

I had just been talking to Pat earlier and she said she loves the colors aqua and apricot together, so can you guess which Stampin' Up paper I used? If you guessed Bali Breeze Designer Series papers, you are correct! To coordinate with the paper, I chose Apricot, Pumpkin and Taken with Teal. I also decided that the colors were perfect to use the Flower Fusion as accents with aqua Rhinestone Brads in the center. It just occurred to me that I used a bunch of punches again (I always seem to use them in most of my projects!)

Do you know which punch was used to make the scalloped base? The Slit punch! It's really very cool!

The photo didn't come out great, even after editing, because the colors just don't seem as pretty as they were in person...and I wished I had taken a photo BEFORE I stuffed the gift inside...but here is my Birthday Box in a Bag:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

 

So-what do you think? My friend Pat LOVED it! She couldn't believe I made it...she thinks I have the patience of a saint-but I told her these are SO EASY and quick to put together! Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps: NONE (?!)
Ink: NONE(?!)
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal
Accessories: Bali Breeze Designer Series paper, Flower Fusion, Aqua Rhinestone Brads, Large & Small Tag Punches, Round Tab Punch, 1 16" Circle Punch, Slit punch, grosgrain ribbons, Teal Stampin' Write Marker

All of these products can be found in the 2008 Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer Collection. You can view the ONLINE CATALOG HERE.  Email me  if you are interested in purchasing any of these products...

Now it's YOUR turn! Give it a try! I'd love to see YOUR creations! Send me your photos and I'll showcase yours here! Or leave a link here in the comment section when you make your own!

HAPPY STAMPIN'!

2007 Mistletoe Market Craft & Home Consultant Show

I took a break from posting while I prepared for this first annual craft fair at the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin, NJ 07416 this past Saturday....

I haven't done a craft fair in awhile,so this year I decided to give it a try! The day started out with SNOW! The first snowflakes of the season came down on Friday night into Saturday morning-how appropriate for the holiday show!

There were about 40 vendors there with quite a variety of crafts,gifts and  products...Of course I was there with my Stampin' Up! table-here is a photo of half of my table (I must have been interrupted and never took a picture of the rest of the table!)

Here are some of the items that were great sellers:

Christmas Fudge-These were made with beautiful new Stampin' Up! Designer Wrapping papers found in our Holiday Mini Collection-so easy to make! The tags were made using both the Mini Tag & the Tag Punches and some of the `1/4" ribbons and also the new Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon which I just love! The poem is perfect for those last-minute procrastinators...these were very popular and I almost sold out of them! We will be making these at my December Stocking Stuffers & Last-Minute Gifts class-they make great stocking stuffers, too...if you are in the Hardyston NJ area, you may want to check this class out-but hurry..sign-ups for this weekend's classes end this Wednesday. There are later classes in the month in case you can't make it to this one.

Apple Spice Nugget Box-Closed

Nugget Box-opened

This was another hit-these were intended as nice little hostess gifts to give at Thanksgiving...I will definitely need to make some holiday themed nugget boxes for my upcoming craft fair at the Wallkill Valley High School Holiday Craft & Gift Show on December 1 in Hardyston NJ! This is also another featured item at my December Stocking Stuffers & Last-Minute Gifts Class!

Clear Magnets in a Tin-closed

Tins-opened; inside are four clear fridge magnets-a cute way to hold papers and artwork on your fridge! These were actually designed by my 14-year old daughter who decided to help out! These papers are retired from last year...but I like them so much-I was glad to have some leftover to use for this project. We will be making these at our November Holiday Gifts & Home Decor Classes using Stampin Up! current Designer Series papers

Tomorrow, I'll show you some other items I made for the Mistletoe Market Craft Fair.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of these projects..I love feedback-it lets me know there are actually folks out there READING this blog!

I will tell you more about the Mistletoe Market later and will provide you with a link to the First Presbyterian Church and next year's craft fair dates etc. so if you are a crafter or a Home Consultant in the Northern New Jersey area, you can sign-up to participate in our event too!