A Very Coaster Christmas

Back in November, Super-Stamper Melanie Robson taught us PhillyInkers* how to stamp on marble tiles to make coasters. I absolutely loved this project, so I decided to make a whole bunch of coasters to sell at the Circle of Hope Art Shop in early December. After much success with the coasters at the Art Shop, I decided to make coasters for people on our Christmas list. After all, I had signed the Buy Handmade pledge, saying that I would give handmade gifts this year.

If you are interested in purchasing some coasters or learning how to make your own coasters, please e-mail me at alison@shilohstamps.com.





* = The PhillyInkers are a fantabulous group of Stampin' Up demonstrators based in the Philadelphia region. We are all part of Claire Lawrence's downline. Every month we get together to share business ideas and do some stamping together. You can find links to many PhillyInkers blogs in the Favorite Stampin' Links list at the right. Let me know if you would like to sit in on one of our meetings sometime. Our next meeting is January 14th, and it will be in NJ.

Last Day for 20% off retiring stamp sets and accessories

Since I'm flying to TX tomorrow, today is the last day of my 20% off Retiring Stamp Sets and Accessories special. Let me know asap if you would like to place an order.

Here's a link to Retiring Stamp Sets in alphabetical order.
Here's a link to Retiring Stamp Sets in catalog page order.

Below is a list of Retiring Accessories, including wheels. S0ld Out items are in red.

Accents & Elements Borders & Blossoms
Accents & Elements Little Reminders 2
Accents & Elements Tagged
Album Leather Post Black 8-1/2x11
Album Linen Post Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11
Album Linen Post Natural 8-1/2x11
Album Linen Post Navy 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Album Linen Post Real Red 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Album Linen Ring Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Album Linen Ring Natural 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Album Linen Ring Navy 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Album Linen Ring Real Red 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment I
Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment II - SOLD OUT
Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Confetti White
Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Kraft
Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large
Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large Divided
Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Small
Boxes Stamp & Supply Jumbo
Boxes Stamp & Supply Large
Boxes Stamp & Supply Medium
Boxes Stamp & Supply Small
Brayer Attachment Foam - SOLD OUT
Cards & Envelopes Greeting Very Vanilla Medium
Designer Series Paper Brocade Background
Designer Series Paper Cerise
Designer Series Paper Charbon
Designer Series Paper Creepy Crawley
Designer Series Paper Darling Doodles - SOLD OUT
Designer Series Paper Dashing - SOLD OUT
Designer Series Paper Petals & Paisleys
Designer Series Paper Linen Prints
Designer Series Paper Notations No. 2
Designer Series Paper Outlaw - SOLD OUT
Designer Series Paper Uptown
Designer Series Paper Wintergreen - SOLD OUT
Envelopes Open End Very Vanilla Large
Envelopes Open End Whisper White Large
Envelopes Shimmery White Medium - SOLD OUT
Envelopes Square Vellum Large
Envelopes Square Very Vanilla Mini - SOLD OUT
Envelopes Vellum Medium
Envelopes Very Vanilla Large
Envelopes Whisper White Large
Eyelet Tool Kit - SOLD OUT
Eyelets Bold Brights II - SOLD OUT
Eyelets Silver
Eyelets Soft Subtles II - SOLD OUT
Fancy Fibers Bella
Fancy Fibers Elizabeth
Stampin' Glitter Romantic Red
Stampin' Glitter Silver Shine
Greeting Glue
Liquid Glue - SOLD OUT
Page Protectors Post 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Page Protectors Ring 8-1/2x11 - SOLD OUT
Paper Vellum 12x12 - SOLD OUT
Pastel Refills Bold Brights - SOLD OUT
Pastel Refills Earth Elements - SOLD OUT
Pastel Refills Neutrals - SOLD OUT
Pastel Refills Rich Regals - SOLD OUT
Pastel Refills Soft Subtles - SOLD OUT
Perfect Layers Tool
Post Extenders - SOLD OUT
Punch Spring Bouquet Flower - SOLD OUT
Simply Scrappin' Out & About
Simply Scrappin' Primary Colors
Simply Scrappin' Round Up
Simply Scrappin' Secret Garden
Simply Scrappin' Winter Bright
Simply Sent Friendship Shapes
Simply Sent Happy Day
Spectrum Pad Blue Frost - SOLD OUT
Spectrum Pad Celebration - SOLD OUT
Spectrum Pad Cotton Candy - SOLD OUT
Spectrum Pad Pumpkin PatchSpectrum Pad Un-inked - SOLD OUT
Stamp-a-ma-jig Imaging Sheets Refill
Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Clear Embossing - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Whisper White
Stampin' Around Ink Refill Clear Embossing - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Around Ink Refill Whisper White - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Emboss Powder Hologram Highlights - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Bear Brown - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Beetle Black - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Boxcar Blue - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Gumball Green - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Poppin' Purple - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Princess Pink - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Robin Red - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Kids Pad Yahoo Yellow - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Pastel Applicators - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Pastel Erasers - SOLD OUT
Stampin' Write Marker Going Gray
StazOn Ink Refill Timber Brown - SOLD OUT
StazOn Pad Timber Brown
Tag Sheets Bold Brights
Tag Sheets Confetti White & Kraft
Tag Sheets Earth ElementsTag Sheets Kraft
Tag Sheets Rich Regals
Tag Sheets Soft Subtles - SOLD OUT
Watercolor Brush Flat
Watercolor Brush Medium
Watercolor Brush Small
Wire Works Metallic
Wrapping Paper Whisper White - SOLD OUT

Stampin' Around Wheels:
Acorns
All about Birthdays - SOLD OUT
All about Christmas - SOLD OUT
All about Gratitude - SOLD OUT
Autumn Dots
Bloomin'
Bodacious
Bouquet
Butterflies & Blossoms
Fishy
Happy Jacks
Ho Ho Ho
Hot to Dot
Leaf Prints
Leaves Awash
Rough around the Edges - SOLD OUT
Snowman Fun - SOLD OUT
Speckled - SOLD OUT
Spooky Skyline
Spotted
True Hearts
Wings & Things

Box of Gift Tags

I made this little box of gift tags for our friends Steve and Julie. They hosted a party last week, after returning from several weeks in India. They had lots of people over to look at their pictures, sample some Chai and curry, and welcome them home. It was lots of fun hearing about their travels.

These tags use the frame from Holy Triptych, sentiments from Star-Studded Season, and Holiday Harmony designer series paper. I also used Purely Pomegranate and Chocolate Chip paper as backgrounds. The tags are tied with gold elastic cord. I love how the satin ribbon gives these tags an elegant touch. Although these stamp sets are no longer available, the ribbon is for sale Buy One Get One as part of the Wrapping Up the Holidays promotion, which has been extended until December 31.

Wrapping Up the Holidays Extended!

Stampin' Up announced today that due to demand, they will be extending the Wrapping Up the Holidays promotion. That means that Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon I used to wrap Tiffany's gift is still Buy One, Get One free until the end of December! Here are all the products featured in this promotion.

• 112409 Holiday Tag Bundle $4.95



• 110380 Tags for All Stamp Set*(20% off) $24.76



• 110264 Designer Gift cards* (30% off) $4.55



• 109862 Chocolate Chip satin ribbon* Buy 1, get 1 free!**



• 109863 Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon* Buy 1, get 1 free!**



• 112410 Tin 3-Pack $9.95110147 Celebration wrapping paper* $17.95



• 110228 Hand Selected Accents & Elements (25% off) $8.21

Click here for the full-size flyer.

Gift Wrapping Fun

My satin ribbon arrived the other day, and I think it's so elegant! Here's a gift I wrapped for new demonstrator Tiffany King, using the Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon, the On Board trimmings snowflake as a gift tag/ornament, and the Holiday Harmony paper as a belly band around the gift. Isn't it lovely? This didn't take very long to make, either. Us PhillyInkers are having a brunch over at Claire's tomorrow, so I'm hoping to bring some special gifts along. Here's the first one!

On Sunday, I'm having a Gift-Tag Making Drop-In. We'll drink egg nog, make some creative gift tags, and play with some stamps from the catalog. If you stop by, you'll also receive a voucher for a Spring-Summer Collection catalog when I receive them. Hope to see you Sunday!

Christmas Shopping

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Are you distributing a wish list to your friends and family? I've been collecting wish list from my family, but I have to confess that I haven't bought any presents yet! Now I took the Buy Handmade Pledge, so I plan to give everyone on my list a handmade gift this year. I plan to do some shopping at Circle of Hope Art Show this weekend.

If you have crafters on your gift list, you may want to check out Stampin' Up's 5 Fantastic Gifts Under $25. I personally would love to have Paper Trimmer they feature in this lift of suggested gifts. If you would like to receive some Stampin' Up products this year, e-mail me at alison@shilohstamps.com for a Stampin' Wish List to pass on to the Santas in your life. In order to receive Stampin' gifts in time for Christmas, be sure to order no later than December 14.

Are you planning on special gift wrap and tags this year? Stampin' Up is Wrapping Up the Holidays with a special holiday promotion. The Satin ribbon from the Holiday Mini is Buy One, Get One free throught this promotion. I ordered a roll of Purely Pomegranate and a roll of Chocolate Chip. You can also buy empty Accents and Elements tins. People are enjoying making special gift card holders by 'altering' these tins. Click here for some ideas using the products in this promotion.

Also, don't forget that I'm offering 20% off all the retiring stamp sets. Now might be a good time to make sure you get those sets before they are no longer available.

Tree Trimming fun

On Friday afternoon, my new recruit Tiffany King led her first Stampin' party, a Tree Trimming for the staff at Eastern University's Campolo School for Social Change. (Tiffany's an alum of Eastern's MA in Community Development program; I went to Palmer Seminary, part of Eastern U.) Here's Tiffany and I with some of the ornaments we created. Each of the 15 party attendees received a bag of supplies that they used to make ornaments, cards, and gift tags. We especially enjoyed using the On Board Trimmings from the Holiday Mini, Designer Series paper, and embossing with the heat tool.



















Friday evening, I hosted another Trim-a-Tree class at my home. Participants received a craft keeper full of supplies to make 20 ornaments. They also used the On Board Trimmings set, Designer Series paper, dazzling diamonds glitter, and some grosgrain ribbon.


I will also be selling some of these ornaments at the Circle of Hope Art Shop this weekend. Stop by and do some holiday shopping!


Jon and I are finally going to get our tree this weekend, and I look forward to decorating a full-size, live tree together. For our first 3 Christmases together, we lived in a little 1BR apartment and our small fake tree took over our "dining room". It will be fun to have the smell of pine in our Living Room!

Make way for the Spring-Summer Collection - Retiring Stamp Sets are 20% off

Stampin' Up just announced the List of Retiring stamp sets from the Fall-Winter Collection. Follow the link for the list in alphabetical order or listed by page number. I will be offering 20% off any retiring stamp sets until December 23. Stamp sets make great Christmas gifts! If you have stamp sets on your holiday wish list, fill out a Shiloh Stamps Wish List. Your loved ones can then contact me to place an order. Contact me at alison@shilohstamps.com if you would like to start a wish list or place an order.

my Thanksgiving table

This year, we hosted Thanksgiving in our home. We were joined by my parents, Jon's mom and aunt, and Jon's sis and her hubby. It was truly a grand time. We had plenty of time for feasting and laughing, but we also got lots of projects done.

• Jon's mom and aunt and I made these placecards and napkin rings together. The placecards use Old Olive, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip cardstock with the Best Friends alphabet. On the back of each placecard, we stamped the pumpkin from Year After Year, and watercolored it using the Aqua Painter. The napkin rings use the Apple Cider designer series paper for the ring (only available until Nov 30) and the Thouroughly Thankful stamp set inside the scallop punch medallion.



• My dad and Jon put together 2 new bookcases by our fireplace. They look great.


• The ladies and I had a recipe swap, and we used the What's for Dinner? stamp set to make our recipe cards.


• Yesterday, Jon made shelves for our antique pantry. He cut them using his new circular saw. Fun with power tools!
  

COH Art Shop 2007

Circle of Hope is having another Art Shop this year, and I have decided to participate! There will be 75+ artists selling ceramics, hip t-shirts, handbags, photography, soaps, chocolate, and all sorts of other great goodies. I'm going to have a card-making station, and I will be selling some handmade goods as well. Right now, my plans include cards (of course), coasters, Christmas ornaments, gift tags, and who knows what else. My bro-in-law Jeff may be selling some monsters at my booth, if he gets into mass production mode. I'm also thrilled to announce that I will be sharing my booth with photographer David Difuntorum. He'll be selling some of his fabulous prints. So is there anything you're interesting in buying at the Art Shop this year? Leave a comment to let me know what you're shopping for.

The Circle of Hope Art Shop would be a great place to buy some gifts this holiday, especially if you're into supporting local artisans and buying handmade stuff. I took the Buy Handmade pledge, and I plan to give everyone on my list at least 1 homemade gift this year. I'll keep you posted on how that turns out. Are you buying handmade this year?

Pumpkin Ornament for Trim-a-Tree class

Here's another ornament I made today. It's a pumpkin lantern, made with 12 6"x1" strips of Designer Series paper. Would you like to make this ornament for your home or tree? E-mail me at events@shilohstamps.com to RSVP for the Shiloh Stamps Trim-a-Tree class.

This ornament uses the Certainly Celery designer series paper. Did you know that all the designer series papers are on sale this month? It's Buy Three, Get One free. Contact me at alison@shilohstamps.com today to place an order.

Why I Love Stampin' Classes

Since I became an SU demonstrator in May, I have attended quite a few stamping classes - Philadelphia Regionals, Fall Fest with Tina's INKredible Impressions, and Kristin's Thankful Banner class. Not to mention, we PhillyInkers stamp every time we get together. The best part about attending a stamping class is that someone else has already purchased the supplies, designed the project, and cut all the paper in advance. If I choose, I can just assemble the project. Of course, I can always make changes and modifications, but someone has already given me a framework.

On November 29+30, I am offering a Trim-a-Tree class. We will make 4 ornaments together, and you will receive chipboard to make 20 ornaments. These ornaments are super-simple to make, and they would also make fabulous gifts or gift tags. We'll be using the On Board trimmings chipboard set (from the Holiday Mini catalog), Dazzling Diamonds glitter, designer series paper, and that fabulous new elastic cord. Here's a link to some fabulous samples of chipboard ornaments that use the On Board trimmings.

As a bonus, the first person to register and mention this Stampin' Classes blog post will receive 6 sheets of holiday Designer Series paper. Materials fee for this class is $20. Contact me at events@shilohstamps.com to register ASAP.

Note: The Thankful banner pictured above uses the On Board Garland chipboard and Apple Cider designer series paper from the Holiday Mini catalog. It also uses the Wild Wasabi twill tape from the Jersey ribbon orginals set.

Designer Series Paper is on sale!

Stampin' Up has announced another great special this month - Buy 3, Get 1 free on all Designer Series Papers. I have really enjoyed using this paper for cards, 3-D projects, Christmas ornaments, scrapbooking, and all sorts of other things. If you click designer paper in my link list on the right, you'll see all the blog posts that inlcude designer series paper.

Here's a link that shows a large swatch of each of the papers.

Here's a link to some project ideas that use the Designer Series papers.

Here's a link to a list of colors that coordinate with our Designer Series Papers.

BLUYS - Stampin' for a Cause

Six stampers gathered at Amy's house tonight to make Christmas cards for friends of Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services (BLUYS). Here's Amy with the elegant (and super-simple!) card she designed using the Season of Joy stamp set. The card uses a Purely Pomegranate background, with Always Artichoke layered on top. The swirl across the tree is Encore silver ink, and the star atop the tree sparkles with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Isn't it lovely?

We're talking about doing another Stampin' for a Cause night in January. Check the Shiloh Stamps calendar for updates soon.

Stampin' For a Cause

I've always been a do-gooder, so it's no surprise that I've been doing some charitable things with my new stamping business. In September, I hosted two Shoebox Swaps for Soldiers. We made cards for Angel Stampers for Soldiers. Now our cards are posted in their online gallery. Click here for the gallery. Type shilohstamps into the search box, and you'll see our cards.

Last week, I did a card-making class for Operation Shoebox. We made over 30 cards to send in care packages to soldiers overseas.

Tomorrow night, we'll be making Christmas cards for Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services (BLUYS). They're a youth ministry in my neighborhood. Super-stamper Amy is on their board, and she's designed a lovely card that uses the Season of Joy stamp set from the Holiday Mini collection. E-mail me at events@shilohstamps.com if you would like to participate in the Stampin' for a Cause night.

I have also used my stamping to benefit last weekend's Lupus Loop. Every person on our team (Nathan's Knights) who raised $100+ will receive some free Shiloh Stamps greeting cards. We've been walking and running the Lupus Loop for 4 years now in memory of our friend Nathan and in honor of our friend Karen. If you would like to contribute, please click my donor page.

Do you have an idea for our next Stampin' For a Cause? I'm looking for our next project to be in February sometime. I'm thinking about Keiki Cards. They send cards to terminally ill kids. What do you think?

Jon's Birthday Special - stamps at 40% off!

Jon's birthday is tomorrow, and I'm in the mood to celebrate. Stampin' Up is offering the Wishing You Cheer stamp set at 20% until November 3, and I'm going to increase the savings to 40% for my blog readers. That means the set, regularly priced at $13.95 is now $8.37. It includes 4 stamps that would be perfect for holiday cards, gift tags, and ornaments.

If you would like to order this set, please e-mail me at alison@shilohstamps.com by tomorrow. Please include "Jon's birthday special" in your subject line.

Philadelphia Regionals pics

I went to the Stampin' Up Regional Convention in Philadelphia back in September, and I realized the only info I posted about the conference was pre-conference. Click here for my pre-conference post.

Here are some samples of projects we made at Regionals. I have to confess... I didn't love the projects. I felt rushed during our crafting time and some of the projects were way too complex. However, the speakers were inspiring and full of great ideas. In fact, one of the sessions inspired my recent paper piercing and Dry Embossing class. (I'll be posting samples from that class soon, too).

The True Friend is You Friend card uses the True Friend set from the Holiday Mini on the new Basic Gray paper. (It's a darker gray than Going Gray). I do like how the gray looks with the Purely Pomegranate ribbon.

The Thanks card is an example of a way to complex project. It uses kraft paper, textured cardstock, eyelets, double-stitched ribbon, linen thread, and a button. Way too much happening, for my taste.

Stay tuned for pictures of the display boards!

Holiday Glitz Promotion

It seems like ever since I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator, they have offered at least one special per month. I enjoy the way they are featuring new products and trying to simplify card-making with kits. Starting October 1, SU is offering the Holiday Glitz kit to simplify holiday card-making.

Take advantage of this fantastic kit two different ways:

1. Purchase one of holiday stamp sets (below) and get the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for the special price of $24.95 each, or
2. Purchase the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for $28.95 each with no additional purchase required.

Each Holiday Glitz card kit makes 15 cards and includes:

• Precut card stock (real red and wild wasabi) and soft sky Designer Series paper (15)
• Whisper White Envelopes (15)
• Rhinestone brads (15)
• Real Red zigzag ribbon (15)
• Full-color instruction sheet (1)
  • Instruction Sheet 1
  • Instruction Sheet 2
    

Item	Page #	Stamp Set	Price
109234	45	Snowfall	$23.95
106786	36	The Snowflake Spot	$20.95
109266	35	Big on Christmas	$18.95
110359	5*	Love & Joy	$23.95

*Holiday Mini Collection 2007.

from Craft Critique: Stampin Up On Board Chipboard

Here's a great article from Craft Critique about SU's chipboard products. I'm doing a Trim-a-Tree class Nov. 29-30 that will feature the On Board Trimmings chipboard set. Participants will get the supplies to make 20 Christmas ornaments. Check out my google calendar in the margin for more information.Craft Critique: Stampin Up On Board Chipboard

These images of ornaments are from Stampin' Up's Holiday Mini catalog.

Leafy goodness

When Jon and I were doing our wedding registry and picking out gifts we'd like to receive, we quickly noticed a pattern - Jon loved anything that was blue or chrome or both; I loved many things green or vine-patterned or both. Well I'm not suprised that Jon loved the blue sparkly snowflake card from Christmas in August stamp camp, while I'm very drawn to all the leafy images and earth tones of autumn. Here are two earthy leafy cards I've made this week. Above, I used the Sidekick Sayings set on Chocolate Chip cardstock with Wild Wasabi accents - I love that green! Sidekick Sayings is a hostess set I received with a recent order. It's lots of fun, so I'm sure I'll be posting more samples soon.

Note: This card is a new trendy size 3"x6". This size is perfect for 12"x12" cardstock. You can make 4 cards out of 1 sheet!
Above is another leafy card using the Stem Silhouettes stamp set from the Holiday Mini catalog. This set was part of the Fall Frenzy promotion. I stamped the leafy images using Versamark ink on glossy cardstock. Then I brayered over the images with So Saffron ink. I love the Sun Print look it creates. I layered it on Really Rust cardstock, tied some hemp twine around it, and put it on a Bravo Burgundy cardfront. Super-simple!

Good for You, Gina and Christy!

I have lots of congratulating to do lately. My sister, the fabulous stage actress, recently won 2 Arizoni Awards for her role as The Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical. Now she's touring the country with Tomas and the Library Lady. Check out their tour blog at http://www.talltour.org/tour/

Also, our friend Christy just got engaged. Yippee! So I sent these cards to Gina and Christy. They use designer series paper in the background, the Good for You stamp from the Figures of Speech stamp set, the scallop punch (my favorite!), the paper piercing tool, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (applied with the 2-way glue pen), and some organdy ribbon. Super-simple!

Sympathy card with Scripture

A friend mine lost both her parents within a month of one another, so I made her this sympathy card using the Elegant Inspirations set on some retired designer series paper. This is actually a scrap of paper left over from the mug I made a few weeks back. My MIL bought this set back in June, and she let me borrow it for a while before I passed it on to her. I stamped a page full of scripture verses, and I've just been using them as I need them. On the inside, I stamped an image from the God's Blessings set in whisper white craft ink, so it would show up on the Chocolate Chip cardstock. It says, "May God's love heal your sorrow, and may His peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories." I didn't scan it since I wrote on the inside before I thought to scan it. Using the patterned paper makes card-making go so quickly! Sorry for the poor quality image. My scanner doesn't do as well with cards that are more 3-D with ribbon and such.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the INKredible Impressions Fall Fest, led by Super-Demonstrator Tina Rosenkrans. I have to meet at Claire's house at 6:15am in order to be in northern NJ by 8:30-eeks! Fall Fest is a day full of stamping fun and business ideas. Stampin' Up's demonstrator of the year Ronda Wade will be there to inspire us all. I look forward to sharing all about it!

Simply Sent Kits - 20% off plus free shipping

To commemorate World Card-Making Day (Oct. 6), Stampin' Up is offering 20% off their Simply Sent kits from today until October 8. To sweeten the deal, I'm offering free shipping as well. Here are some samples using one of the kits. Contact me at alison@shilohstamps.com to place an order
Super-stamper Erica made these cards using supplies from the Friendship Shapes Simply Sent card kit. Aren't they cute? In the first card, Erica used only supplies that are included the kit:

• Cameo Coral, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White cardstock
• stamps
• Cameo Coral stampin' spot
• Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon

This kit also includes:

• 4 piece die-cut stamp set (that means no trimming for you)
• Bashful Blue Stampin' Spot
• Certainly Celery Stampin' Spot
• light blue gingham ribbon
• stampin' dimensionals
• glue dots
• 12 whisper white envelopes

That means you get all the ingredients for making a minimum of 10 cards for $34.36 (regular price is $42.95).
Erica made this Certainly Celery card as one of her swaps at the Stampin' Up Regional Convention in Philadelphia. The background is Certainly Celery, from the Simply Sent kit, and Erica used Whisper White craft ink on Basic Black cardstock in the middle of this card. Then she stamped another image from the kit in Basic Black on the Certainly Celery background. I love the whimsical style of this card.

Here are some samples using the other Simply Sent kits, which include:

• Happy Day - great for birthdays, includes a cute snowflake, includes supplies to make 20 cards!

• Sending Happy Thoughts - a lovely flower and hip colors
• Simple Delights - an ornate motif in Anna Griffin style
• Three Thoughts - Happy Birthday, thanks, and thinking of you

Are you a Shiloh Stamps Frequent Stamper?

Recently, those who have participated in my stamping classes received a Frequent Stamper card and a schedule of my upcoming classes. Click on this image to view a larger sample of the paper piercing and embossing techniques I used on this card.

Hostess Gift for Susanne

This weekend, we visited our friends Jason and Susanne in Lancaster. They were having a House Concert/CD Release party for Jay's band Living Fables. You can download their CD through Musicblaster here.

Since we were staying overnight (and we flaked on Susanne's birthday earlier in the summer), I made her a set homemade notecards and a matching folder.

I used some double-sided Designer Series paper to make the folder and the coordinating cards.

The Much Appreciated card features Paper Piercing in the corners, and the Birthday hugs and wishes card features dry embossing. These are 2 techniques I'll be teaching at my upcoming class on October 19 + 20. Click those dates on my Google calendar to the right for more info.

Jason and Susanne have 2 precious little girls who are very creative, so I brought along the Stampin' Kids Tattoo Kit for them to play with. It was a big hit! They were covered head to toe in tattoos by the end of the evening.