Stampin' with Kristin

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week 12

You thought I forgot, didn't you?  Life just kinda got away from me this past weekend.  You'll read more about it in tomorrow's blog post with my Saturday Christmas cards.  But, I didn't forget.  Wanna do a happy dance with me?  I came up with 12 different projects over these past 12 weeks!  I hope you've enjoyed the inspiration.  To be honest, I had no idea what many of the projects would be when I started.  In fact, today's project was inspired by a photo I spotted on Facebook on Sunday night!  My friend (and customer), Kacey Crawford, posted a picture of AMAZING "cone trees" that her mother had made.  It was a fun assortment of eight gorgeous "trees" that her mother had made using materials that were just laying around - feathers, twine, fibers, cotton, metalic garland, etc.  I'm sure you have some things around your house, too.  When I saw the photo, I knew IMMEDIATELY that I wanted to make my own! 

I restricted my supplies to just a limited assortment of Stampin' Up! supplies.  But, you could make them out of just about anything, really.  Kacey mentioned that the base of her mom's cones were cereal boxes.  Keeping mine SU, I used the heavyweight cardstock that comes in each and every pack of Designer Series Paper.  I know you have some of that laying around!  I used Sticky Strip to adhere the cone shape.  And, no, I'm sorry I don't have dimensions or measurements.  I just rolled it into a cone shape that I liked.  For two of my trees, I wrapped some Gumball Green and Whisper White Sweater trim around them.  Before wrapping the sweater trim, I adhered a single strip of Sticky Strip from the top to the bottom to help hold the trim in place, but I'm not sure if I even needed it!

For the green tree, I poked some Brights and Neutrals glimmer brads right through the base of the tree.  For the white tree, I punched some stars out of Silver Glimmer Paper and adhered them to the tree with glue dots.  Tombo Multi-purpose liquid adhesive may have been a better bet.  The silver glimmer tree is just that - silver glimmer paper.

I challenge you to have fun with them.  They'd make a great decoration or holiday table centerpiece!

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week 11

Today's project is super fun and super easy to make!  It would also be a fantastic project for you and your kids!  I love using little wooden signs for seasonal decor - they don't require you to put a nail in the wall, they're not fragile, and they store easily!  I actually have a wide assortment of this sort of decor all over my house at Christmas.  You can even see a second sign poking out of the right side of the picture below.

To make this home decor piece, I took a scrap piece of wood and painted it white.  My father cut this piece for me.  But, if you don't own a saw or have a father/husband/boyfriend/neighbor with the tools, your local home improvement store will cut your wood to your specified lengths for free! 

I then decided on a phrase and cut the letters using my Big Shot and some Pool Party Core'dinations Card Stock (yes, a Spring Catalog Sneak Peek).  Now, may I suggest that if you choose to make a similar project you choose your phrase BEFORE you cut your wood!  I adhered the letters to the wood using Tombo Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive.

To finish the project, I stamped some snowflakes from the Snowflake Soiree Stamp Set in Versamark Ink and heat embossed them using some Silver Embossing Powder.  Yes, you can heat emboss on the wood!  As a final embellishment, I adhered rhinestones to the middle of each flake.

Something I didn't do here, but have done previously, is coat the entire project using Mod Podge.  I did that on this project - HERE - that I gave as a gift last Christmas.

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week 10

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here, but it certainly doesn't feel like it!  It was close to 70 degrees here in New Jersey today.  Yuck!  But, that's not stopping my holiday prep!  I successfully mailed out 160 Christmas Cards this morning.  I'm sure I'll be sending more out as I remember people I may have accidentally forgotten or whose address I'm still trying to hunt down.  I'll be honest about that.  I love getting the bulk of those out the door - it allows me to stamp for fun for the rest of the month!  I don't know about you, but I don't feel like I can stamp for fun until I get those need-to-do projects off of my list.

When I first saw the Watercolor Winter Stamp Set, I immediately thought of all kinds of non-card projects that I wanted to make.  One of my Christmas sets of China (yes, one of) is the traditional Lenox Holiday pattern.  And the holly in this stamp set coordinates beautifully!  I can imagine menus and place cards and invitations....and candles!  An entire coordinated Christmas dinner table!

It's been years since I've made one of these candles - and they're super easy!  Here's what you do...

- Cut a piece of white tissue paper the size of your candle. 
- Stamp your images on the tissue paper.  For my holly candle I actually used my Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green Markers, along with my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, to create the coordinating holly.  For the pointsettia candle, I simply stamped in Cherry Cobbler.  I "stamped off" the solid layer of the images for both candles.
- When you've completed your stamping, lay the tissue paper around the candle. 
- Next, wrap a layer of waxed paper around the candle - covering the tissue.  I like to keep my waxed paper a little longer so that I have a handle. 
- Using your heat tool (on the low setting), move the heat tool all over the candle like you would if you were heat embossing.  You'll see the candle start to look moist as the top layer of wax begins to melt.  At that point, move on.  You don't want it getting too melted.
- When the entire candle has been heated, gently remove the waxed paper.  Sometimes I'll "touch up" the candle over any spots where the tissue didn't melt into the wax or to smooth any rough edges.  I simply hit those spots again with the heat tool (again, on low).
- Then embellish!  I tied some Cherry Cobbler Seam binding around the tall candle.  I dotted the middles of the flowers using some Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details.

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week 9

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend.  I know I did!  I started decorating, put up a couple of Christmas trees, relaxed, shopped, visited with family, supported local businesses, and even had a stamp-a-stack!  I feel like we can FINALLY start diving into the Christmas holiday season. 

This week's project was inspired by one of my friends, Cindy Lawrence.  I spotted it on her Facebook page a couple of weeks ago.  It was supposed to be last week's project, but I ran out of time.  But I was determined to get it complete for you this week so you can start counting down, too!

I made a pair of simple 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" boxes out of Gumball Green Card Stock.  Each one was made using a sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" card stock.  I simply scored every 2-1/2" inches to form the sides, top, and bottom.  I adhered some Snow Festival Designer Series Paper to each side.  I cut a white layer using my Labels Collection Framelits for each side.  And, I cut numbers using my Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die (I'm really loving that die set).

In order to get all combinations of dates for your countdown, you'll want to adhere the following numbers to each block:
Block 1 - 0,1,2,3,4,5
Block 2 - 0,1,2,6,7,8

In the Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die, the 6 and the 9 are identical.  I decided I wanted a combination of "00" for Christmas Day, so I chose to include 0 on both blocks.  If your 6 and 9 are not interchangable, you may need to swap out a 0 for a 9.

I love the blocks because they're quick, easy to make, and they don't take up a lot of space!   They can sit on your desk at work or on a shelf in your home.  To the blocks, you could even omit the DSP.

Don't forget - there are only three days left of the Online Extravaganza!  You can save up to 50% on some of your favorite Stampin' Up! products!

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2012 Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week One

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week 8

Have you checked out the Online Extravaganza?  There are LOTS of great deals to be found including what you'll need to make this week's project - My Digital Studio!  This summer Stampin' Up! introduced MDS2 - a new and improved My Digital Studio with LOTS more options.  I'd been dragging my feet and hadn't downloaded it - mostly because I couldn't get to my computer!  The computer where I use MDS is in my Craft Room which is rarely seen by anyone because it's a disaster.  However, a couple of weeks ago I cleaned it out! 

ANYWAY, I decided to first download the free 30-day trial.  I was working on a project that I'll be sharing with you at the beginning of 2013.  However, I was THRILLED when I saw that MDS2 would be 50% off during the Online Extravaganza!!!  WOO HOO!!!  I have BIG plans for Christmas Gifts this year that feature MDS.  For YEARS I've been wanting to make a "Top Hits Cookbook" for my family members featuring some of the recipes I've discovered and loved throughout 2012.  With MDS templates, I might actually get it done this year!  There are all sorts of print options with MDS from Tags, Cards, Hard-Cover Albums, Soft-Cover Albums, Calendars, Swatch Books, Notebooks, and more!  Several years ago I used MDS for a few Christmas gifts.  Mike and I gave our parents each a copy of our wedding album which we created in MDS.  I've also made my Christmas cards with MDS. 

If you're running out of time and haven't gotten a chance to design and make your cards, you can QUICKLY create adorable cards, upload them, and get them professionally printed!

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week 7

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK?  It's the earliest Thanksgiving can ever fall - which means that the official Christmas Shopping Season is longer than ever!  I officially started my Christmas shopping over the weekend.

I'm in love with today's projects.  The Santa Favor Box was created last year.  I saw them over on my friend, Heather Summers' blog.  I made a couple dozen of them to give as little gifts to co-workers last year.  I filled them with some homemade snacks.  They were CRAZY popular.

The Angel Favor Box was inspired by a project my friend, Ronda Wade, posted on Facebook.  Her angel was a bit different.  She didn't use the Petal Cone Die.  She had her angel "mounted" on a Fancy Favor Box.  She also used glimmer paper instead of Vellum Card Stock for the wings.  This little angel could also be glued to the front of a card.  My Die Cut Divas made the angel last week.  They LOVED it.

I thought I might start a tradition of featuring a new holiday favor box using the Petal Cone Box.  Hold me accountable next year, okay?

Here's how I made the Angel:
- Assemble the Petal Cone "box" out of Whisper White Card Stock.  Set aside.
- Cut out an additional "triangle" using the Petal Cone Die (121810).  Trim off the tab and the half circle.  Emboss the angel using an embossing folder of your choice.  I used the Vintage Wallpaper Folder (120175).
- Cut out two wings from Vellum Cardstock (101856) using the Elegant Bird Bigz Die (125593).  Glue the wings to the back of the embossed triangle.
- The face was made using a variety of punches:  The face was punched out of Very Vanilla using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch (119861).  The hair was punched out of Soft Suede using the Owl Builder Punch (118074).  I actually cut the owl in half from the bottom to the top.  I glued the pieces to the back of the face and trimmed off any excess.  The bangs were also made using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch.  I snipped them with my Paper Snips.
- I drew her facial features using my Basic Gray and Riding Hood Red markers.
- I punched her halo out of Silver Glimmer Paper using the Large Oval Punch (119855). 
- I glue-dotted the halo to the back of her head, glue dotted her face to the top of the triangle, and then used Snail to adhere the angel to the petal cone box!

Here are the ingredients/tools for Santa:
- Boho Blossom Punch (silver glimmer "puff" on top)
- 1-3/4" Circle Punch (bottom of the hat)
- Large Oval Punch (face)
- Cupcake Builder Punch (eyes)
- 1/2" Circle Punch (nose and mouth)
- Bird Builder Punch (moustache)
- His beard was embossed using a folder that's now retired.  But I think there are plenty of current folders that would work!
- Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Basic Black, and Pink Pirouette Card Stock
- Silver Glimmer Paper
- White Gel Pen

Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week 6

Wow!  Can you believe we're already halfway through my Twelve Weeks of Christmas Series?  I apologize that I'm a day late in getting this to you.  But, I focused on cleaning my craft room this weekend.  Can you relate?

I spotted the idea for this week's project on Pinterest weeks (if not months) ago!  I think it's a super fun gift package idea.  And it's super inexpensive!  I took an empty toilet paper roll, wrapped a large scrap of Designer Series Paper around the tube, and adhered it with some Sticky Strip.  Finally, I wrapped some cello wrap and tied the ends with some Sweater Trim. 

Now, my first thought was that these would be great for packaging candy.  UM - we're using TOILET PAPER ROLLS.  Empty ones.  Empty ones that have been in a bathroom.  SO, while I like the size of the toilet paper roll, I thought that maybe a paper towel roll might better.  But, I'd think that the toilet paper rolls would be just fine for small, non-edible gifts!

2012 Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week Five

Have you heard?  All stamp sets (excluding hostess sets and bundles) are 15% off today (Monday, October 29, 2012) only!  And when I say "All Stamps", that includes today's fabulous gift idea that showcases the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps!  I just LOVE them.  And, did you see the packaging options in the Holiday Catalog?  Don't you think a Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamp Set (and cookies) would be an awesome hostess gift idea?  How about a teacher's gift?  The bus driver?  The list goes on and on during the holidays!  And today is the day to stock up!!!  The Sweet Pressed sets include the handle and a variety of silicone "stamps".  These stamps are super easy to pop on and off the handle.  And, they go right in the dishwasher!  I packaged my set up using the Gusseted Cellophane Bags in the Holiday Catalog (127850).  I tied them up using some of the Cherry Cobbler Tulle and embellished with the Handmade Holidays Stitched Felt ornaments.

I also packaged up some Gingerbread Cookies in the Season of Sweets Designer Kit - displayed on page 15 of the Holiday Catalog.  Actually, I shouldn't say "I"!  My husband packaged them up for the Holiday Open House last weekend.  The designer kit comes with foodsafe cellophane bags, clear stickers to secure the bags, and then 2 sheets of stickers to decorate the treat envelopes.

2012 Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week Four

You may have caught a sneak peek of this week's project in the open house pictures I posted yesterday.  I'm pretty excited about this project.  My college roommate inspired this project (and she doesn't even know it)!  She had pinned a non-SU version of this project on Pinterest awhile back and I've been wanting to make one ever since.

The idea behind this "12 Days of Christmas" project is that you write an activity on each card (tucked inside of each day's pocket) for you and your family to do together in the 12 days leading up to Christmas - Christmas Caroling, Baking Cookies, Reading the Christmas Story, or something like that.  Granted, if you're like me, and you don't have kids, you could write a romantic activity for you and your spouse/significant other to do together each night during the busy holiday season leading up to Christmas.  I was joking with some of the women at my open house that you could write up ideas inspired by the popular Fifty Shades of Grey books!  He he!  Some women were thinking of ideas like "Go Out to Dinner".  That's the best part - you can make it whatever YOU want! 

I am offering a class where you can make this project!  And, I'm offering a long distance kit option as well!  Neither class includes the frame.  The finished project is 12x16 and is mounted on a sturdy canvas panel (included in the class fee).  It doesn't even really need to be framed!

The in-person class includes everything you'll need to complete the project, including adhesive!

The long distance option does not include stamps, ink, or adhesive.  But, you will receive all of the pre-cut letters, numbers, other punched/die-cut elements, and embellishments to complete your project.  I'll include instructions and photos that correspond to each pocket.  If you have other questions about this class, please don't hesitate to shoot me an email ([email protected]).

In Person Class Date/Time:  Thursday, November 29, 2012 - 6:30pm
In Person Class Fee:  $35
Long Distance Kits Will Be Mailed on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 after registration closes
Long Distance Class Fee:  $40 (includes shipping)

Please use the registration form below or e-mail me to register if you'd prefer to pay offline.

Sell Tickets through Eventbrite

2012 Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week Three

Today's project idea is a fabulous gift packaging idea for a small piece of jewelry or other small gift.  Shelli shared this project idea with us on the Southern Caribbean cruise back in 2010.  I've been saving empty Glue Dot rolls and wanting to make one of these since then! 

Unfortunately, I don't have measurements for these.  I actually used the empty glue dot roll as the template.  I traced and measured. 

I'm excited to announce that you can make an adorable box like this in my Gift Packaging Class next month!  Stay tuned for more details around that class.

2012 Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week Two

I've been anxious to share today's project with you for weeks.  I know this ornament is ALL OVER the internet, but it seems appropriate to share it with you now because it's part of the October promotion for Stampin' Up! 

I'll be honest, these ornaments aren't exactly something you can churn out quickly.  The first one, the one that's on the cover of the Holiday Catalog, took me an hour and a half to create!  It took 30 separate stamped and scored ornaments!  But, it's totally worth it.  In fact, I love it so much that I'm in the process of creating an entire Christmas tree full of these ornaments!  My tree is shaping up nicely.  It'll be on display at my open house in two weeks.  Today I wanted to share with you two of the ornaments I've made so far.

To make the ornaments, I stamped three ornaments for each section.  I scored each ornament down the middle then glued the halves to each other to create the section.  I then adhered them to a circle that I'd cut from card stock.  There are so many different variations.  My favorite so far is second one with the glittery snowflake. 

Don't you think these would be fantastic gift tags on a gift for that special someone?  I love using holiday ornaments as gift tags.  This would be perfect!

This month, when you purchase the Ornament Keepsakes Bundle (w-128048 or c-128051) on pages 3 of the Holiday Catalog with the Candlelight Designer Series Paper (126901) on page 4, you get the coordinating Festive Paper-Piercing Pack (127857) on page 30 of the Holiday Catalog absolutely FREE! 

2012 Twelve Weeks of Christmas - Week One

Can you believe it?  There are only twelve weeks until Christmas!  Yes, I know - Halloween isn't here yet.  We just started October.  BUT, I know so many of you start planning your Christmas projects early.  Every Monday for the next twelve weeks I will be bringing you fabulous projects to get you ready for Christmas.  I haven't designed them all yet, but I'm planning on them being holiday gifts, decor, and gift wrap-related projects.  I'm planning to incorporate promotions and introduce classes around the weekly projects.  You won't want to miss a single one!  You can subscribe to my special Twelve Weeks of Christmas projects and I will deliver each project to your inbox on Monday mornings!

I'm SO excited about today's project.  It was inspired by an assortment of projects I've received, seen on Facebook, or spotted on Pinterest!  Christmas tag and card kits have been around for years.  I even received one as a gift a few years ago.  It's such a useful gift!  I think what truly inspired me to make today's project was a similar fall-themed card kit made by one of the Artisan Design Team Members, Jeanna Bohanon.  She featured the Orchard Harvest DSP and the Perfectly Preserved Stamp Set and coordinating framelits.  It was gorgeous!  On the same day I spotted some adorable gift tags on Pinterest.  So, with all of those ideas floating around in my head, I dropped everything on Saturday and came up with this!  It was SO MUCH FUN to create!  Each and every stamped element in this kit is actually heat embossed.  Wouldn't this be a fabulous one-of-a-kind teacher's gift?  What's in the kit? 
- 12 Gift Tags heat embossed with a variety of Christmas sentiments
- 21 Heat Embossed stamped/punched pieces
- Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
- Whisper White Baker's Twine
- 8 3x3 Love Notes
- 8 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" pieces of DSP
- 12 coordinating buttons/dahlias
- Anywhere Glue Stick

You may be wondering if I'd offer this as a class!  Well, I've decided to offer a similar project as a class!  Click here for all of the class details.

I thought you may enjoy seeing some close-up pictures of the various elements in the kit including some finished tag samples.  Keep scrolling!