Happy Birthday to Mom

Today is my mom's birthday, and here's the card I mailed her today. Let's see if she sees it on the blog before it arrives in her mailbox. I mailed the same card to my my mom-in-law, whose birthday was the 21st. My mom and my mom-in-law both requested stampin' goodies for their birthdays this year, so my mom got tons of stamp sets, courtesy of my dad. My mom-in-law got some punches and some stamps and some things for her new house.

Sorry for the blurry picture of this card. I was playing with the camera on my new phone, and it looks like I don't quite have it down yet. The card uses In The Spotlight (a retired hostess set) and a new celebrate set. It's hard to tell in this picture, but I used paper piercing in the corners and there's a brad in the middle of the starburst image. There's also a piece of grosgrain ribbon going across the middle of the card.

Coaster-Rama report

Coaster-Rama went very well the past couple nights. Here's a sampling of some of the coaster creations. Above is a coaster I made with the new Time Well Spent hostess set. This might be a birthday or Valentine's gift, I haven't decided yet.


Kim made this lovely set of coasters using a retired stamp set called Batik. She spent lots of time mapping out the design on paper, and then came up with a perfect coordinated and symmetrical finished product - lovely!










Amy made these coasters using a combination of Time Well Spent and a retired hostess set. I love how she stamped a flower behind the sentiment using a light yellow ink. It really ties the whole image together. All class attendees received some satin ribbon to tie up their coasters, since they make a lovely gift. Although this ribbon was available by the spool in December, the chocolate chip satin ribbon is still available as part of the Theater ribbon originals collection.














I made this pirate coaster for Jon to commemorate his pirate birthday party we had last November. It uses a stamp set called Ahoy Matey.













I made this coaster tonight, as I was inspired by one of Tiffany King's designs. It uses one of my favorite stamp sets - Baroque Motifs.

Cutting Up with the Coluzzle

Do you have any crafting supplies that you're not quite sure how to use? or you don't bother to take the time to use them? I don't own a coluzze, but I have to confess that I've never really learned how to use it properly. Here's a link to the recent Craft Critique review of the Coluzzle cutting system.

http://www.craftcritique.com/2008/01/cutting-up-with-coluzzle.html

I have to say I see its usefulness, but I just haven't taken the time to figure it out. I could have used the coluzzle when I was cutting circles for these cards I made for Angel Stampers for Soldiers. (ok, I can't find the picture right now, but I'll post it when I find it) I cut the circles the way my mom taught me - trace something round, and then cut it out. It's ok, but not perfect. Now see the Coluzzle is supposed to make cutting cirlces (and ovals!) much easier, since it's a stencil of graduated circles and ovals. You put your paper under the stencil and you use the special swiveling blade to cut around the stencil. It takes some practice, but I think I could get used to it. For a picture of the coluzzle, click here. If you'd like to order a coluzzle, send me an e-mail at alison@shilohstamps.com.

Have you used the coluzzle? What do you think of it?

Coaster-Rama

Is making homemade gifts one of your New Year's Resolutions? This Christmas, I made tile coasters for lots of people on our list. Here's a picture of some of the coasters we made. For more samples of Shiloh Stamps coasters, scroll down to my Very Coaster Christmas blog post.

On January 23 and 24, I will be hosting Coaster-Rama (see google calendar in the sidebar for times). Come make some coasters - the best-selling Shiloh Stamps holiday item. (I sold MANY of these coasters at the Circle of Hope Art Shop back in December.

$15 materials fee includes supplies to make 2 coasters and a $5 coupon towards stampin' supplies from Stampin' Up's new Spring-Summer Collection. Additional coaster supplies can be purchased for $1/coaster. RSVP to events@shilohstamps.com by January 16. Additionally, all Shiloh Stamps class attendees receive 10% off stampin' orders placed at classes. Remember to bring your Frequent Stamper Card!

Stay tuned for more details about Stamp and Scrap University on February 23! Shiloh Stamps Frequent Stampers will receive a stamp on their Frequent Stamper card for each session they attend.

Super-Fast Christmas Thank-You cards

Growing up in the Handy household, (yes, that's my maiden name) writing thank-you notes was part of our holiday tradition. Although I sometimes resented this practice as a kid, I have grown to value this tradition as an adult. I have tried to find ways to stay on top of thank-you notes as my dear husband and I establish our holiday traditions. This year, I think I figured it out. I packed a little card-making kit in my carry-on bag as we travelled to TX for Christmas. In a quart-size Ziploc bag, I included:

• 10 Really Red pre-cut cards - I cut the cardstock at home, since TSA doesn't like scissors and paper trimmers on the plane
• 10 Very Vanilla envelopes
• 10 pre-cut pieces of Designer Series paper, Cerise and Dashing (now retired, this was a great way to use up my scraps!)
• 10 pre-cut Christmas sentiments from the now-retired Perfect Presentation hostess set
• 10 pre-cut pieces of Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon
• my mini-stapler
• bone folder
• 1 sheet of dimensionals
• SNAIL

When we had a weather delay leaving TX, I was able to make my Christmas thank-you notes at the airport. It was like having my very own Simply Sent kit! I folded all the cards, then adhered designer paper to the front of each card, using my SNAIL. Then I stapled on some ribbon and added a sentiment using dimensionals. Super-fast and cute to boot! This may become a Shiloh Stamps holiday tradition. That is, if we travel every year...

I also made a similar card-making kit for my Little Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters. She's a crafty gal, so I made her a card-making kit. Inside the pretty box, I put a stamp set, a mini-stamp pad, some dimensionals, pre-cut cards, envelopes, and lots of ribbon. I also included a sample card to give her some ideas. The next day, she presented me with a lovely handmade card!

Also, here's a picture of Gary (my bro-in-law), Jon, me, and my sis in the Santa hats my mom made us. We were all in TX for Christmas together this year, which is a rare treat. Gina's and Gary's have stars, since they are stars of the stage. You might remember from an earlier post that Gina won an Arizoni award for her role in Seussical with Childsplay and Gary was selected to attend an international conference on theater for young audiences. My mom must have taken the Buy Handmade pledge, too, since she made us Santa hats and aprons - fun!

PS - Sorry I haven't been updating the blog lately, although Jon did figure out how to make the page wider (nice, huh?). I've been working on getting my new Stampin' Up Demonstrator Business website up and running. Have you had a chance to check it out yet? You can view it at shilohstamps.stampinup.net. I haven't decided if I want to keep it or not, since it's not free like blogger. Let me know if you feel like it's worth paying for after the 2-3 month free trial period.

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