Thursday, December 29, 2011

Let's Get Tuit!

 

Sorry for this long post.  There's a funny story I have to share.

During the Online Extravaganza I took the plunge into digital scrapbooking and purchased My Digital Studio.  I've been procrastinating even trying it.  This sale was a great push to get myself started.  Now, I don't think it's ever going to be my favorite way to scrap.  But if someone asks me about how it works, I'll be able to explain it like I really mean it.

I knew right away what I wanted to create for my first project.  I don't want to start male-bashing right now.  But bear with me for a moment.  I love my husband dearly, but there are some things that he procrastinates on.  For example, a light bulb went out on our ceiling fan the night before one of my classes and I asked him to change it.  For me to change the bulb, I would have to carry a ladder from the basement, etc.  For him, it's a simple step up on a chair.

One weeknight evening I could tell that Randy was feeling a bit restless.  The weather was cold and rainy, so he didn't want to take his usual walk.  Just like I do with the kids, I suggested a few activities to occupy his time.  He didn't want to fold laundry or clean up toys, so my next suggestion was for him to clean the bathroom sink drain.  Yucky, I know.  But it's one of those things that needs to be done now and then.  His immediate reaction was, "I'll wait and do it over the weekend."

That answer didn't go over very well with me.  I was doing the dishes at the time.  So, I told him, "What if I decided to wait and do the dishes on the weekend?"  The kitchen would be a mess and I wouldn't be able to cook.  He'd probably like that because it would mean take-out pizza or even worse, McDonald's.  Randy had nothing to say after that.

That night the bathroom drain didn't get cleaned out.  A week later, one of the towel racks fell off the wall.  The racks are original to the house, dating back to the late '40s.  There is a teeny, tiny screw on the bottom of the end of each hook that holds the racks to the wall - about the size that's used in eye glasses.  It was close to bedtime when the rack fell down.  I asked Randy if he would re-attach it to the wall.  Our conversation went like this:

          Randy: "Not right now."
          me: "Why not?"
          Randy: "It's late."
          me: "So?"
          Randy: "Well, I'd have to go down to the basement to get a screwdriver."
          me: "So?"
          Randy: "I'll do it this weekend."
          me: "That means we'll not have a towel rack for a few days."
          Randy: "Yes, that's right."
          me: "I supposed you need a 'Round TUIT,"

I laughed my head off and Randy laughed with me.  As I predicted the next morning the kids were using the broken towel rack like a sword.  All I had to do was give Randy a look and he knew he needed to get around to repairing it.


I chose my designer series paper, added a round punch, filled it with color, added a text box with the  "TUIT," and embellished it with some stitching and brads.  Next, I saved it as a JPEG file and uploaded it to the Snapfish web site.  About a week later, Randy's Round TUIT mug arrived.  It was the last present that he opened on Christmas day.  He appreciated it.

Last year's mug had this photo on it of Clarice.  I was at a stamping event and Annika left a black sharpie marker in the living room.  Randy was unsure how to clean the marker off of Clarice's face, so he took a few photos and left me to clean her off after I got home.  Check out those black teeth!
Mary Kay eye make-up remover took the sharpie marker right off Clarice's face.


Randy took his Round TUIT mug to work on Tuesday.  I hardly heard from him all day.  I thought it was because he knew I was busy with the kids.  After he got home he told me that he was busy all day.  I told him it was because he had a "Round TUIT" with him, LOL!

My Occasions Mini items arrived last week. I've been dreaming about what to do with it all.  Hopefully, I'll have some items to show you over the next few weeks.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Friday, December 23, 2011

One More from the Stocking Builder Punch

I thought I had posted this card before, but I can't find it on here.  Sorry if it's a repeat.  ... I made this card as a sample right after I got my Stocking Builder punch from Janet.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Netting background stamp!  It makes the card look like a warm flannel blanket.  I tried stamping the Netting stamp with Pretty in Pink ink on Pretty in Pink card stock and it was just too much pink.  I know of three women who are pregnant, but they were all "diagnosed" with having boy babies.  So, I'll have to hold onto this card until the next girl comes along.

Stamps: Netting, Petite Pairs
Paper:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Subtles Patterned designer series paper
Ink: Pretty in Pink, versamark
Accessories: white embossing powder,  heat tool, scallop oval punch, large oval punch, white baker's twine, mini clothespins, mat pack, paper piercing tool, Stampin' dimensionals, and the Stocking Builder punch

Tonight Randy and I are going to his work Christmas party.  We've got a $10 gift exchange.  They all play that game where you draw numbers and pass around the gifts, stealing from each other.  We decided this year to give a $10 gift card.  I was going to make a Stocking gift card holder, but didn't have time.  Plus, I ended up having to make a few more quick Christmas cards this afternoon.  (How could that happen???)  So this is what I made:


It's very simple and elegant, don't you think?  You could change the sentiment to create a completely different card.

Stamps: Christmas Greetings
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Simply Scored, Bird Builder punch, sponge, Stampin' dimensionals

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Doggone it!

I was a bit surprised when I read the announcement from Stampin' Up! earlier this week about the Stocking Punch.  Here's what they had to say: 

December 20, 2011
Our occasion-specific mini catalogs allow us the opportunity to share the latest seasonal products.  We often carry over a few select products from our mini catalogs into the following Idea Book & Catalog. This time, however, we have decided not to carry over the Stocking Builder Punch (item 124095) from the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog into the next Idea Book & Catalog. Instead we will offer other great designs in its place--not to mention a trendy, new design planned for next holiday season.  Once the current inventory of this punch has been depleted, it will no longer be available for purchase.

I was lucky enough to acquire this punch for free a few months ago from one of my uplines, Janet Wakeland.  I entered a contest for free merchandise and won. The last time I remember winning a contest was when I was about 13 years old.  I won a case of motor oil.  So I was tickled to win this one!

By the time I got the punch, I had already seen many different items being crafted from this little guy.  Well, as soon as I pulled it out of the packaging, I saw a dog!  Yes, a dog! And here is my creation:

Here's the original dog that I made in a dog house, but I never got the inspiration to finish him on a card.  I used the Well Worn dsp for the dog house and his collar.

 And here is a visual of what punch pieces I used to created the dog:

To add a little bit of trivia, I researched the etymology of the phrase, "Doggone it," and here  it is. I am using it as a play on words, of course.


Stamps: none
Paper: Very Vanilla, River Rock, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Basic Black, Frostwood Lodge dsp
Ink: Early Espresso, River Rock, Basic Black marker
Accessories: Stocking Builder punch, Bird Builder punch, Owl Builder punch, Cupcake Builder punch (for the circles on the card), Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, My Digital Studio (for sentiment), Big Shot, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you haven't already purchased the Stocking Builder punch, act now because once it's gone, it's gone for good!

I wish all of you a very merry Christmas!

Susan

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Two Christmas Vendor Fairs

Brr!!!  It's getting that time of year - cold!  I really wish we'd get some snow soon.  That always gets me in the mood for Christmas.  Randy took the girls this afternoon to a Christmas party at the VFW.  They're supposed to see Santa Claus and get a toy.  I really don't do the "Santa thing" with them, so it'll be interesting to hear what they say after they get home.  I can't remember ever taking them to see Santa.

I spent the last two Saturdays staffing a booth at two different vendor fairs.  Here's a photo of me and my newest downline, Kim, at the booth:
We were cold that day, too!

The Magic Reindeer Food idea came from Sarah Wills.

Santa Hershey Bars idea came from Kerry's Paper Crafts.

These are Sixlets placed in the 1 x 8 cello bags with a Santa punch art head.  I've seen this idea several places.
The next few photos are of the Stocking Gift Card holders.  I've seen a few different versions of this one.  I chose to create the version that I learned from Terri Brennan. I didn't take a photo of the inside.  Basically, you adhere a 2 x 1 3/4" piece of card stock scored at 3/4" to the top inside back portion of the stocking, fold it down, and attach the top trim of the stocking. I made the button from the Sweet Buttons embosslit die and covered it with Crystal Effects, then attached another button behind it with a dimensional to give it a 3-D look, then adhered the button with a few glue dots.  This held the trim down. 




These gift card holders were a big seller! What I had left over, I sold to a few customers.
The last one is what I called my "man" version because of the colors.
I want to thank Kim for being at the first vendor fair with me.  She stayed all day long.  It was a good experience for both of us. Plus, we got to know each other a bit more.  I'd also like to thank my stamping friend Kim who let me borrow some Longaberger baskets and to Diane who let me borrow her card display stand.

Now that these two vendor fairs are over, I can finally start getting my house ready for Christmas.  I've still got shopping and baking to do, too!  Randy and the girls are supposed to come home with the Christmas tree this afternoon.  The smell of a real tree along with some festive music always gets me in the Christmas spirit.  What gets your in the "mood" for Christmas?

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Friday, December 2, 2011





Do you know Stampin’ Up!’s Statement of the Heart?
To love what we do
and share what we love
as we help others enjoy creativity
and worthwhile accomplishments
. . . in this we make a difference!
Does that sound kind of corny?  Rubber stamping making a difference?  And yet, as a company, Stampin’ Up! makes a difference in many ways.

Next week, Shelli Gardner, CEO of Stampin’ Up!, will appear on the TODAY Show as part of the Holiday Toy Drive.  Amazingly, this year SU! has donated over $500,000 worth of stamping and rubber crafting products to more than a dozen charities.  You’re probably aware of Stampin’ Up!’s participation in the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Shelli is scheduled to appear on the TODAY Show on Tuesday, December 6.  Watch if you can, or check out Shelli’s blog for news about her appearance.


I have witnessed how a simple handmade card has made a difference for many.  Will you send someone a handmade card today?