As the Year Draws to an End

I am reminded of all the reasons I am thankful. I have been blessed with a thoughtful and supportive husband, beautiful children, and a healthy family. There is nothing more I could ask for. I'm not one who makes New Year resolutions, but it is my daily endeavor to become a better wife, mother, and friend and to be more Christ-like.

Start the new year out by telling someone how important they are to you. Write a note, make a phone call, send an email.

To my family, friends, and readers: Thank you. I am blessed because you are in my life. Here's to another year.

BOLO - Occasions Blog Hop

Be On the Look Out! I'm participating in a blog hop hosted by Stampin' Addicts. Be sure to come back and see what I create. The hop will run from noon on January 1 through midnight on January 3. You won't believe all of the great things coming!

Ugh!

December was crazy! I'm glad it's almost over. For the family and friends who follow me, my mother is doing much better. She came home from the hospital yesterday. I took a long nap yesterday afternoon and slept well last night. I think I'm back on track.

For everyone else, be sure to stop by later this week. I'm participating in a blog hop on Stampin' Addicts that showcases the newest must-haves from Stampin' Up! The new mini catalog begins next week. My open crafting day (scheduled for Saturday) will go on as planned, so if you want to come, it's not too late to sign up.

Taking a day off...

I had planned to spend the day crafting today but had a few unexpected plans. First, a friend of the family had an emergency appendectomy yesterday and my mother and I went to see her in the hospital this morning. She's in high school and was feeling pretty down. After we left the hospital, we went to Johnny Cace's for lunch. Oh, why did they take Cace's away from Tyler? It leaves me feeling distraught! When I got home I changed into the comfy clothes and planned to craft this evening. As it turned out, I didn't get to do that either. Roy and I went on a date tonight. He got to pick the movie. I really thought that "Have You Heard About the Morgans" opened November 20 (I got it confused with "Blind Side" which I also want to see). Roy picked "Old Dogs" because I really had no interest in "2012". It was funny. I laughed. But I would never pick it on my own and I don't really care to see it again. The next movie is mine. There are a lot coming out soon that I want to see.

That was the long way around to say that I will have some creations tomorrow. I need to make some samples and have just the projects in mind. Until then...

After Thanksgiving Sale!

If you are out fighting the crazy crowd this morning racking up amazing deals, then bless you! I'm not. I tried that one year and it's just not worth it to me! I'm not cut out for it. However, in the back of my mind I always think of the deals I've missed. I want to get the deals, but I don't want to pay the price. If you are like me, I have the perfect deal for you! I'm hosting an After Thanksgiving Sale. It's not like Black Friday because it's good from now until 8:00 Monday night. That way you can combine it with any of the Holiday Extravaganza items. Wait, it's BETTER than Black Friday because I don't have limited supplies! Everyone gets a special goodie! No standing in line and no running out of the good stuff!

Here's the deal:

My Black Friday Email-a-Thon will begin right now and will run until 8:00 on Monday night. (Remember that you can order Holiday Extravaganza until 11:50 p.m. on Monday night via my website, but to participate in my sale and get your extra goodies, you must order through me.) When you email me (heathercarnes@sbcglobal.net) I will email you back with the promotion offer that you received and the total amount due. So please make sure your order is complete when you email it to me. You won't be able to add to your order after you received your promotion. *** Please note that you cannot receive this offer on my Stampin' Up! website or from any other demonstrator. This is my gift to you as a thank you for your support.

***In your email please be sure to include the item number, description, quantity and price. To qualify for the Email-A-Thon, a minimum merchandise total purchase of $30.00 is required. Once we hit 10 orders, I will start from the top of the list again with email 1. All orders will ship to me and payment must be received in order for me to place your individual order.

1st email - FREE Shipping
2nd email - FREE adhesive package (SNAIL refill and dimensionals - value $8.45)
3rd email - FREE Class of your choice - up to $15.00 value
4th email - FREE Classic Ink Pad (value $5.95)
5th email - FREE two markers (any colors) value $6.50
6th email - FREE medium envelopes - value $6.50
7th email - Free level 1 Hostess Set
8th email - FREE 8.5x11 single color paper pack - value $5.50
9th email - FREE Designer brads - value $5.95
10th email - FREE Ribbon - value $6.95 or less

Thanksgiving Blessings

I have so much to be thankful for. I am surrounded by family this Thanksgiving season, God is in control, and God has blessed us so completely this past year. God is good all the time! May your day be filled with conversation, laughter, and memories. Blessings to you.

Don't let the Holiday Extravaganza Pass You By!

There are only five days left to take advantage of the awesome deals in the Holiday Extravaganza. If you haven't had a chance to check out my demonstrator website that details all of the specials, I've converted them into a table for you, but try as I may - I can't make the picture larger than that! If you'd like a copy emailed to you, drop me a line or leave a message and I can send one speeding your way. The deals are amazing with everything 30-50% off! I'll be placing another order, so let me know if you are interested. Don't forget to check back on Friday for my Black Friday specials. They are only available from me.

What's on your wish list?

I spent a little time surfing the internet today and looking at the Black Friday ads. I have an idea of what I will buy a few people for Christmas this year (strictly online, definitely not going out on Friday!). Part of my shopping list includes some of the specials Stampin' Up is featuring in the Holiday Extravaganza this year. I'm even picking out a few of my favorite things for myself. I'm starting to have customers call me about their orders ... don't wait too late. The specials are only available for a limited time. Go to my demonstrator website to check out the deals. Oh, and Black Friday sales? Be sure to check here on my blog for my own version of Black Friday. I can't wait for you to see what I have planned!

Holiday Extravaganza Is Here!

Oh my goodness! Last year the holiday extravaganza was really good. I bought several items and my customers were excited and able to place orders for items that had been on their wish lists. This year I'm completely blown away by the deals. Speechless. Do you know how hard it is to make me speechless? :)

Stampin' Up has really outdone themselves this time. I got up early this morning to make a quick post about the great specials, but I just couldn't address them all. I had to quickly email my customers and head to work. Now that I'm home for the night, I have to take the time to give you the lowdown on what Stampin' Up has put on the table. It's as good as Thanksgiving dinner!

The deets:
* This is a limited time offer. It only lasts one week - November 23 through November 30.
* Stampin' Up is guaranteeing the special pricing for the entire week on all items except for the Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle. That item is available in limited quantities only.
* You can order through my demonstrator website or by calling me to place an order. You can also see all of the items there or on the Stampin' Up website.

Now for the fun part. Last year there were several great deals. This year, Stampin' Up is offering 38 - yes, THIRTY EIGHT! - bundles and 15 single items. Wow! Check out the list below for a complete list of items available.

Coming tomorrow!

Holiday Extravaganza is one of my favorite times if the Stampin' Up year - and it starts tomorrow! Check back tomorrow morning and you'll see the limited time specials offered by Stampin' Up! SU slashes prices on stamping supplies and accessories. Last year, I was able to buy some awesome punch bundles at a deep discount. I have no clue what the bundles or supplies will be, but I know that they will be great deals. I hope you are as excited as I am about this amazing opportunity! See you tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Feast Place Cards

I love, love, LOVE this project! Last week a notice was sent home that two parents were needed to set up for the Thanksgiving feast and make place cards. I replied that I couldn't set up, but that I could make place cards for the children's lunch. On Tuesday after work I got an email asking me to make place cards and have them at school on Thursday morning. Since Wednesday is a church night, I decided to go ahead and make them Tuesday night. I had no clue what to do, but knew that it had to be juvenile-themed rather than adult-elegant. I kept thinking that I didn't have a turkey stamp when all of a sudden it hit me to create a turkey. I've seen turkeys made in this style and I even made a similar turkey from oval punches designed by my upline.

The evolution of this turkey was a bit of a challenge. I kept thinking of things to use to create the face (Boho Blossoms punch) and feet (Jumbo Snowflake punch), but I didn't own those particular punches (proof that you should get one of everything just in case!). I finally found an old gingerbread punch that my mother bough me years ago because I decorate in gingerbread men/women/houses at Christmas. It came in very handy as I used the legs for the turkey gobble. Everything else is Stampin' Up.

I cut the 12x12 cardstock into 4x6 inch pieces. I scored them at 3 inches and folded them to create a little tent. The body of the turkey is popped up off the feathers. The turkey head is popped up off the body. The names were computer generated.

Supplies I used:
Chocolate chip cardstock, 12x12 (#107102, $7.50)
Dusty durango cardstock (#115321, $5.50)
Whisper white cardstock (#100730, $7.50)
More mustard cardstock (#1000946, $5.50) - beak
Ruby red cardstock (#102030, $5.50) - turkey gobble
More mustard Stampin' pad (#103162, $5.95)
Ruby red Stampin' pad (#102259, $5.95)
Dusty durango Stampin' pad (#115654, $5.95)
Close to cocoa Stampin' write marker (#100072, $3.25)
1 3/8" circle punch (#104401, $15.95)
3/4" circle punch (#107217, $10.95)
1/4" circle punch (retired) (cut in halves for the eyes)
Pick a Petal stamp set (#115042, $29.95)
non-SU gingerbread man punch (legs only)
Stampin' dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)

I sent the place cards to school yesterday. The homeroom mother and the teacher seemed to like them. I think they are so much cuter in person! Thanks for looking.

3-D Ornament Punch Card

I had so much fun with this card! I originally thought I would not do a Christmas card since we are meeting again this Saturday, but I couldn't help myself! The dimensional ornament was not my idea, but I can't remember and can't find my inspiration. I know I marked it, but it's just not jumping out at me right now. If I'm talking about you, drop me a line and I will be happy to give proper credit.

One reason I like the card is because of the color combo I used. I never - and I mean NEVER - use mellow moss or bravo burgundy. They just aren't in my go-to color stacks. I think the combination for the Christmas card turned out quite lovely.

The main reason I love this card is because I finally used my shimmer paint on the card! I bought my spray bottle and the alcohol a couple of weeks ago, but I just hadn't had the opportunity to mix the paint and try it out. I can't believe the effect! My card class members just about had a fit! They fell in love with the possibilities here. :)

The supplies I used for this card are:
Mellow moss cardstock (#102898, $5.50)
Bravo burgundy cardstock (#105123, $5.50)
Christmas Cocoa DSP (#116770, $9.95)
Versamark pad (#102283, $7.50)
Silver Stampin' emboss powder (#109131, $4.75)
Heat tool (#100005, $29.95)
Many Merry Messages (#116586, $34.95)
Silver elastic cord (#109866, $4.95)
Champagne mist shimmer paint (#116806, $5.95)
Ornament punch (#116794, $15.95)
Stampin' dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)

Thank you vase

Hello! What beautiful fall weather we are having! It's November and 50 degrees - it's darn near winter here in Texas. :)

If you missed the stamping night tonight, you missed this card. I thought it really turned out well. I love the textures from all of the textures plates. The ornament punch has so many uses! For this card, I snipped the pointy end off and made a short, fat vase. You could also narrow the wide curves to make a skinnier vase. What else can you do with that punch?


This card featured the following supplies:
Kraft cardstock (#102125, $7.50)
Ruby red cardstock (#102030, $5.50)
Chocolate chip cardstock (#102128, $5.50)
Very vanilla (#101650, $7.50)
Autumn Days (#115452, $23.95)
Teeny tiny wishes (#115370, $36.95)
Word window punch (#105090, $15.95)
Ornament punch (#116794, $15.95)
Always artichoke stampin' pad (#105219, $5.95)
Autumn Traditions DSP (#115668, $9.95)
Texturz Plates Kit #4 (#114531, $9.95) - I used the Distressed plate
1/16" Circle punch (#101227, $8.95)
Linen tread (#104199, $4.50)
Stampin' sponge (#101610, $3.50)

Thankful, grateful, appreciative

I love autumn. I love the colors and I love Thanksgiving. November and December are my favorite holiday months of the entire year. This card is a sneak peek for my November Bring a Friend Stamping Night tonight at my house.

In this card, I used the following supplies:
Dusty durango cardstock (#115321, $5.50)
Crushed curry cardstock (#115319, $5.50)
Very vanilla cardstock (#101650, $7.50)
Autumn traditions DSP (#115668, $9.95)
Sanded (#109294, $17.95)
Soft suede Stampin' pad (#115657, $5.95)
In colors Stampin' write marker set (#116329, $17.95) - I used crushed curry and dusty durango out of the set)
Stampin' sponges (#101610, $3.50)
Soft Suede polka-dot grosgrain ribbon (#115612, $9.95) - this is double sided and I used the non-printed side (so versatile!)

In Honor of My Grandfather

I don't have a crafting post today. Instead I just want to honor my grandfather again. His name is Thomas - but I've called him "D" all my life. I was the first grandchild and everyone I knew called him "Uncle T" but I couldn't say "T". The name D stuck and that's how everyone knows him today. Thank you to all of the veterans. Your sacrifice is great.

It's a Berry Christmas

Here's another card I made this last weekend. I think it looks a little like a window with a curtain valance above. The little bird is popped up on dimensionals.

Supplies I used for this card:
Real red cardstock (#102482, $5.50)
Close to Cocoa cardstock (#101341, $5.50)
Christmas Cocoa DSP (#------, $9.95)
Whisper white (#102851, $7.50)
Real red grosgrain ribbon (#109034, $4.95)
Close to cocoa stampin' pad (#103139, $5.95)
Green galore stampin' pad (#102122, $5.95)
Gable green stampin' pad (#101673, $5.95)
Glorious green stampin' pad (#103040, $5.95)
Real red stampin' pad (#103133, $5.95)
Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
Scallop edge punch (#112091, $15.95)

Blessings and Autumn Days pheasant

To all the veterans - both retired and active service, at home and abroad - thank you. I appreciate your sacrifice. To the families of veterans, your sacrifice and support is so important. Thank you. I'm participating in my first blog hop on Saturday. It is in honor of Operation Write Home, a blog that sends mail to military members around the world and whose main mission is to provide them with homemade cards to send to their loved ones. Keep checking back. I'll have a few special creations to share in my little corner of cyberspace. After the blog hop, my cards will be sent to Operation Write Home and mailed to military heroes around the world. Are you interested? Be sure to check out their blog and find out how you can get involved.

This card is very much out of my comfort zone! The sketch is very different than one I would normally make. Roy really liked this card and a some of the details I included. It is one of the few masculine cards that I've made lately. I need to make more of these!

Supplies I used for this card:
Soft suede cardstock
Very vanilla cardstock
Crushed curry cardstock
Rich razzleberry cardstock
Autumn Traditions DSP
Crushed curry stamp pad
Soft suede stamp pad
Dusty durango stamp pad
Brads
Paper piercing tool and Mat pack

You only live once

Here is another card that I created last weekend. It doesn't really look how I envisioned it, but I think I like it.

The items I used are:
Very vanilla cardstock
Basic black cardstock
Watercolor paper
Basic black stamp pad
Melon mambo stamp pad
Crushed curry stamp pad
Aquapainter
Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

I spent the afternoon today downstairs in the scrapbook room. I'll be showing you these cards throughout the next several days. The first was quick and easy and used a new toy - the Movers & Shakers die!
To make this card I used:
Whisper white cardstock
Melon mambo cardstock
Christmas Punch stamp set
Movers & Shakers die
Curly Label punch
Green galore stamp pad
Whisper white grosgrain ribbon

This card uses the Movers & Shakers die with my Big Shot.The die has a magnetic piece (one that exactly matches and coordinates with the curly label punch) that attaches to the larger die. It makes that curly label punch place-able anywhere you want on the card. It's great to have that flexibility! Do you know what's even better? I got my Movers & Shakers die for $10! It is regular $42.95, but when you place a workshop order of $250 or more, you can choose any item in the Holiday Mini for only $10. What item do you want? Contact me if you'd like to hostess a party (your home or mine) or have a book party (collect orders - and your free gifts!).

MDS Christmas Album

Happy Sunday (though I'm pretty late to be saying that!). I didn't post earlier, so I wanted to give you something I haven't shown yet. I'm working on an album that covers the past year starting at Thanksgiving and going through this Thanksgiving when I hope to be finished with the entire album. I'm going to print it and give it to my father for Christmas this year. It will be my first album to print, but I received in the mail the MDS card I had printed. It is amazing! The quality is fabulous, the cardstock thick, and the colors true. Here is one of the pages that will be in the album.

Grandfriends' Day and One of My Favorite Fall Cards

Today was Grandfriends' Day at Eliza's school. Every year my mother makes a point to be there and this year was no exception. There is always Muffins with Grandfriends, followed by the musical presentation, followed by the classroom tours and the book fair. My mother never goes to Muffins because the grandparents who do don't get seats in the gym (or they have to sit really far away). The musical program always features each lower school class singing, the middle school and upper school choirs, and is fabulous. The fine arts program really rocks! This year the second graders learned Psalm 100 to recite today. Here is Eliza in her classroom just after reciting her Psalm 100. Unfortunately, I can't get this thing right side up. Sorry!


I was going back through some of my all-time favorite creations and I found this card. It uses the Loads of Love stamp set that is absolutely precious and so versatile! Even though I made this card last year and used a DSP that is now retired, isn't it great how Stampin' Up! offers us great papers year after year? I've used the set for Valentine's Day, Christmas, and just a nice masculine card. I love all the things you can do with it!

Traveling Veterans' Memorial Wall

Not crafting related but life related. On Wednesday of this week, the Traveling Veterans' Memorial Wall made its way to Wood County. The truck carrying the wall is traveling around the country to celebrate veterans from all wars throught American history. Hawkins ISD was the first stop as it made its way to all the schools in the county. We are a small district (about 750 students) and we occupy a single property with three separate school campuses. Each campus turned out to line the street. The truck was escorted by county sheriff trucks, local fire trucks, local police, and a volunteer veteran motorcycle group. On hand were the oldest living veterans in the county serving as the grand marshals of the "parade". The elementary sang "America" and there was a brief presentation by the city mayor. The entire procession lasted less than 30 minutes, but it was moving. If you are interested, the wall is set up at the Mineola Civic Center until Saturday and is free to all who wish to visit.

Special Decor Elements Offer

I promised yesterday that I would offer a special Decor Elements bonus. If you attend my November Bring a Friend night on Monday, November 16, you will be able to make a project using Decor Elements that I will not feature at any other class. It will be fast and easy so you can see just how simple it is to include these in your home decorating and crafting. Best of all, the project will be FREE!

And I have an even better special than that! If you bring a new (to me) customer to the Bring a Friend night, you will get 10% off your order on that night. How can it get better than that? Be sure to RSVP and let me know you are bringing a guest so I can have all of the supplies cut and ready for you.

Check out my calendar on my demonstrator website and see the classes coming up. Reserve your spot today!

Holiday Gift Ideas

Do you need holiday gift ideas? Do you need help designing cards or gifts, choosing colors, selecting stamp sets, or creating with limited supplies? That is what I'm here for! Look at the Stampin' Up! Holiday Extravaganza Gift-Giving Guide. I can help you with any of those things. Be sure to download that guide on the right - it's four pages long and packed with great ideas. Then you can call me for assistance OR login/create your personal account at my SU store. I want to help you give gifts that people will remember all year long!

Don't forget that for every $50 you spend in the Holiday Extravaganza Gift-Giving Guide (not including taxes/shipping) you will get a FREE Decor Element (up to $16.95 value) from Stampin' Up! as your gift! This gift does not apply to merchandise that is not in the gift-giving guide. You have a ton of Decor Elements to choose from in many colors to match all the rooms in your house. You can safely apply these to most walls as well as books, photo albums, glass jars, wooden boxes, and many other creative spots. Be sure to check your surface first, but then have fun decorating your world! Find the Decor Elements collection here. Check in tomorrow for a surprise announcement related to this special offer that you can only get from me!

My Digital Studio card

Several weeks ago, I signed up to complete the certification course for My Digital Studio. Stampin' Up! has provided all demonstrators with an awesome opportunity to learn more about the digital program and receive great training so we can best serve our customers' needs. I thought I would not be able to complete the training in time because I've been so busy with work and my dissertation. However, I decided that I couldn't let the limited time opportunity pass and I'm so glad I didn't! I learned so much.

I am definitely NOT a digital scrapping person. Can you believe that? As much as I'm glued to my computer, I never thought I'd enjoy the digital version. Now, don't get me wrong - I love the feel of that premium SU cardstock in my hands and the effects of that rubber on the paper. I don't think I'll ever get over that. But the digital tools are so much fun too! The final part of the training was to create a project. Here is the card I created. I've ordered it and can't wait for it to arrive in the mail. It's only November and I'm already having anxiety spells. What am I going to do when Crushed Curry is discontinued next summer? I know that there will be six awesome new colors, but I will definitely have withdrawal pains. I'm going to start stockpiling now. :)

Wow. Just wow!

OK. I said the other day that I had a new go-to in my crafting supplies. Let me just say that I am blown away. This new toy is absolutely amazing. I'm nearly speechless. Don't get excited, I said nearly! I had put off ordering the matchbox die because, honestly, I just wasn't sure that I'd get enough use out of it to justify the cost - and I do have to watch my crafting budget. Not to mention, have you seen how many folds it has? It has to take at least 3 hours and an engineering degree to assemble, right? If I knew then what I know now, it would have been on my FIRST order! Look at this sweet little number.



Oh my goodness! This box was easy peasy lemon breezy to put together! I seriously had it assembled in about 2 minutes the first time - and that was scrupulously following the directions. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this box! It holds four Hershey's nuggets (the kind with almonds, of course) perfectly. It can also hold small gifts, jewelry, embellishments, and other surprises. I wrapped the nuggets in coordinating designer series paper and voila! Perfect tiny gift to go. The box is made of a base (bottom and sides) and a sleeve that slides onto the box. The die even comes with three shapes that perfectly correlate with a stamp set.

Supplies I used:
Not quite navy cardstock (#100059, $5.50)
Autumn Meadows designer series paper (#------, $9.95)
Not quite navy stampin' pad (#103008, $5.95)
Not quite navy stampin write marker (#100059, $3.25)
Pumpkin pie stampin' write marker (#105115, $3.25)
Old olive stampin' write marker (#100079, $3.25)
Matchbox die (#114890, $42.95)
Don't forget that you will need the extended cutting pads for this die.

Old Frankie with a new twist

I took some cards that I made last year and added a little twist to them. I loved these Frankie cards (not my original idea, but I don't know where I first saw them) but I needed something that could hold a gift card. I used the idea for the gift card insert from an awesome blog I read every day, Song of My Heart Stampers, and you can see my inspiration HERE. Isn't that so cute?!?!

So, here is the card I made with the addition of that awesome gift card slot.



Supplies I used include:
Old olive cardstock (#100702, $5.50)
Perfect plum cardstock (#101889, $5.50)
Whisper white cardstock (#100730, $7.50)
Basic black cardstock (#102851, $7.50)
Top note die (#113463, $21.95)
1" circle punch (#109046, $10.95)
Tasty Sweet stamp set (#111698, $19.95)
Really rust stampin' write marker (#100073, $3.25)
Pumpkin pie stampin' write marker (#105115, $3.25)
Summer sun stampin' write marker (#100077, $3.25)
Basic black stampin' write marker (#100082, $3.25)
Word window punch (#105090, $15.95)

Stampin' Addicts - Join the Fun!

I've found a new place for fun and inspiration. Stampin Addicts is an online community of stampers crazy for Stampin’ Up. Started last February, SA now has some 3000+ members and a growing SU-focused gallery.

To push the gallery to the 10,000 mark and beyond, SA is hosting a Great Gallery Gussy Up and Giveaway.

Upload your Stampin Up projects (current or retired) to the SA gallery by November 8. One lucky uploader will be randomly selected to win Sweet Season, a So Shelli favorite on page 29 of the IBC. (Run get your catalog right now check out the set. What?! You don't have a catalog? Geez Louise, email me and I'll get one to you right away!)

Not a member of SA yet? Signing up is easy and free. Tell them Heather (hcarnes) sent you! You won't believe the crafty wonderfulness you'll see and the great people you'll meet.

Need a quick card?

Last night (as she was going to bed), Eliza told me that she and some of her friends wanted to give everyone in the class a Halloween card. Could I make cards for her? This was in addition to the crafts I still had to come up with, design, make, and pack for her party today. I needed something quick! So I pulled out a die that is quickly becoming a new staple in my crafting arsenal. The other supplies you probably have. Play around with those layers and make them fit what you need.



I used these supplies:
Only Orange cardstock (#102837, $5.50)
Old Olive cardstock (#100702, $5.50)
Very Vanilla cardstock (#101650, $7.50)
Scallop circle punch (#109043, $15.95)
1 3/8" circle punch (#104401, $15.95)
1 1/4" circle punch (#104403, $15.95)
1" circle punch (#109046, 10.95)
Stampin' Up! Exclusive Die - Two Tags (#115954, $21.95)
I used a retired stamp from the Tiny Tags set because my first choice - Batty For You - was missing in action.
Batty For You (#116576, $23.95)

Keep your eyes peeled - I'm going to do a blog blitz in November. You'll see a lot of gift ideas, scrapbooking, and new cards. I will also do another Black Friday sales blitz where you can get amazing deals and FREE stuff! I'm so excited about that, I can hardly wait!

Last Deal of the Week - Best one yet!

The last October Deal of the Week has been announced and it is the adorable Pirate and Princess party kits shown on pages 74-75 and 174-175! Until October 31st, you can get these kits—no limits—for just $9.99 instead of $15.95 each. These are an awesome option to throw together a great party in a snap!

And they’re not just for kids and birthdays—think bridal showers or baby showers, girl’s night out, guy’s game night, or even a fun theme for your next home party group meeting.

Oh, and what about a “birthday in a box” for your favorite college student away from home?

Each kit includes a clever craft for eight, party favors, cupcake toppers, banners, invitations and envelopes. The only thing you need is adhesive—everything else including ribbon for the banners, elastic cord for the pirate eye patches, even toothpicks, comes included in the kit!

Imagine a fabulous party with no hassle—just pure enjoyment. Call me today and order a couple of kits to have on hand or to give as gifts. I’m stocking up! I'm picturing a baby shower for someone having their first girl soon!

Are your Christmas cards ready to mail yet?

Well, mine aren't addressed and stamped, but they are designed and I have some made. How about you?

It's about time to get your Christmas cards ready for mailing! This year you can create beautiful handmade cards that will make your friends and family positively glow knowing how much you care. This class will use the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrapping Kit. You will make 30 cards and 2 6x6 scrapbook pages (family portraits, you Christmas tree, your children or grandchildren opening gifts - what pictures will you use?) using 1/2 the kit. If you'd like to make more you can purchase another kit and get double the supplies.

I will provide you with all of the supplies to make the cards and the envelopes. You will need to bring your own adhesive and paper trimmer. You will have 1/4 sheet of card stock, 1/2 sheet patterned paper and a couple of die cuts left over to use on other projects.

The cost of the class is $35 (30 cards and 2 6x6 scrapbook pages plus all of your leftover supplies). I will place the order for all of the supplies on Wednesday, November 11. Your reservation is your payment for the class. If you are unable to attend the class, you can still make the cards! I will give you the kit with all supplies cut and pictures of the assembled cards.

I'm really looking forward to this class - the cards are so cute! Won't you join me?

Stampin Up! Deal of the Week!

If you know me, you know that I'm a sucker for anything metal! I'm still hoarding some of the aged bronze Hodgepodge Hardware that retired - what was that? - two years ago? So what is the deal of the week now? METAL!!! Woo hoo! Remember that there is no limit to the number of items you can order and NO minimum purchase. The easiest way to order the deal of the week is through my personal Stampin' Up! website.

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Special Price
114348	179	Basic jumbo grommets	$6.95	$4.49
109857	179	Mini Library clips	$12.95	$8.99
112571	179	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$3.99
112581	179	½” Library clips	$6.95	$3.99

Bring a Friend Stamping Night

I really love these cards! These are the cards from my October Bring a Friend Stamping night. What, you weren't here? Then you need to bring one of your friends next time! We'd love to have new stamping friends join us.

The first card showcases a new (at least to my stamping group) technique. I used household bleach to stamp the flourish from Baroque Motifs onto chocolate chip cardstock. It bleached the cardstock out and looks almost like kraft in those areas. I had a lot of fun with this one.

Stamps: autumn harvest, baroque motifs

Paper: chocolate chip, dusty durango, very vanilla

Ink: chocolate chip craft, pumpkin pie, dusty durango, more mustard, summer sun, old olive, garden green

Accessories: clear embossing powder, heat gun, blender pens, 5/8" chocolate chip grosgrain, distressing tool

Techniques: bleaching, distressing, heat embossing

The second card is my take on the popular quilted top note card. It's a bit trickier than it looks. I had to use my 2 way glue pen to re-attach tiny slivers of paper from the edges.

Stamps: holiday best

Paper: autumn meadows, rich razzleberry, very vanilla, soft suede

Ink: rich razzleberry

Accessories: big shot, top note die, wide oval punch, sponges, rich razzleberry polka dot ribbon, brads

The last card is one I absolutely LOVE! I very rarely make a clean and simple card, but I would put this one into that category. I adore that flocked paper! It is gorgeous!!!

Stamps: delightful decorations

Paper: whisper white, real red, christmas cocoa dsp

Ink: white craft

Accessories: white embossing powder, white taffeta ribbon, ornament punch

Techniques: heat embossing

Cover Tyler Pink

Eliza was able to go to the Cover Tyler Pink on the square yesterday. They had pink fire trucks and the firemen were wearing pink gear! They even made the fountain downtown pink! She had tons of fun.

Have you tried digital creating?

Starting today, seven new My Digital Downloads are available for purchase and use with your My Digital Studio software or other design applications. Several of these images are just in time for Halloween! If you want to see My Digital Studio, be sure to contact me. I'll even let you try out my copy - have laptop, will travel! (No surprise to those who know me!) Once you try it, you will be hooked. It's not just for scrapbooking! If you already own a software program and are not in the market to buy another one, these downloads will work with other programs!

The easiest way to shop is at http://www.heathercarnes.stampinup.net/

Item # -- Product Name -- Price
118114 -- Cast A Spell Designer Series paper - digital download -- $4.95
118115 -- Night & Day Designer Series paper - digital download -- $4.95
118124 -- Medallion stamp brush set - digital download -- $1.95
118126 -- Circle Circus stamp brush set - digital download -- $5.95
118116 -- School Days II stamp brush set - digital download -- $9.95
118121 -- Great Moments II stamp brush set - digital download -- $9.95
118122 -- Pumpkin Patch stamp brush set - digital download -- $5.95

Scripture Book

My mother has a friend who will be leaving the country tomorrow to go to work in the middle east for a couple of weeks. She wanted a small gift for him to take so I decided to make a tiny chipboard book filled with scriptures. I knew the day was coming quickly, but so many other things crowded out my crafting time. I ended up staying up until about 1:45 this morning finishing the book. I could have added more verses, but overall, I'm pleased with the outcome. Personally, I would add more ribbon and hardware, but I tried to walk a fine line of embellished and masculine.

Supplies for the entire project:
Paper: Autumn Meadows DSP, very vanilla, bermuda bay, crushed curry, close to cocoa
Ink: basic brown, bermuda bay, crushed curry, versamark
Stamps: SU Strength and Refuge, Our Daily Bread Designs
Ribbon: chocolate chip taffeta, crushed curry polka dot
Big Shot accessories: Big Shot, top note die, scalloped circles #2, scalloped envelope, birds & blooms, sweetest stem, texturz perfect details, texturz kit #4, texturz backgrounds 1
Accessories: 2 way glue pen, sticky strip, dazzling diamonds, glassy glaze, pastels, crystal effects, hodgepodge hardware, photo corner punch, 1/16" punch, Bind It All
Techniques: cracked glass, sanding, sponging

Album cover

First page

Sweetest stem and top note peek-a-boo page (there is a sentiment hidden behind the flap!).

I Sing for Joy page with pastel bird on flower branch (I've never done my pastels with Versamark before. I know, I was doing it the hard way! I love, love, love the look of this - especially with the thick layer of crystal effects over it! It really does deepen the colors and provide a nice finish.)

Cracked glass

Resist emboss and scallop envelope page with hidden card

Everything beautiful page with pastel flowers (covered in crystal effects and very pretty, IMO)

Birds & Blooms dove

Last page

Super cute notes and matching box and Ellie

I have been in the mood to make something all week long but I didn't have time. I took some time tonight to make a little 3x3 box. I filled it with six tiny note cards that coordinate with the box.

Stamps: Best Yet

Paper: rich razzleberry, crushed curry, melon mambo, whisper white, razzleberry lemonade

Ink: rich razzleberry, crushed curry, melon mambo

Accessories: big shot, birds & blooms, two tags, crushed curry corduroy buttons, linen thread, 1" circle punch, wide oval punch, texturz plates, in color markers, crushed curry polka dot ribbon, melon mambo polka dot ribbon, pretties

Techniques: big shot, dry embossing

Finally, this has nothing to do with crafting, but we got a new puppy yesterday. I actually brought this one home. EG named her Ellie so we'd have three E girls. She has a crate where I plan to keep her while we are at school and work. She is supposed to sleep there at night, too. I went to my room earlier tonight and found Gracie and Ellie on my bed asleep.

Happy Birthday, Gracie

Today is Gracie's third birthday. Unfortunately, I'm sick so we didn't get to do as much as we had planned. However, we had Heath, Robin, Andrew, Thomas, Isabelle, David, and Kate for lunch. After lunch we had a little cake and opened a couple of gifts. We'll have the real party next Saturday - which is actually Heath's birthday.

I made Gracie's birthday invitations this year. We will have a small party at our house next week. I really struggled over what her invites should look like. I don't really have a theme picked out. She loves princesses, so I thought I'd pull out the old Perfect Princess stamp set and use that. For colors, I had to go with pink and purple. Gracie will put her hands on her hips, and tell you that "pink and puh-pull" are her favorite colors. Imagine her swinging her hips with each syllable. :)

Stamps: perfect princess

Paper: rich razzleberry, crushed curry, razzleberry lemonade, whisper white

Ink: rich razzleberry

Accessories: crushed curry polka dot grosgrain, top note die, 2-way glue pen, dazzling diamonds, dimensionals

Techniques: big shot

Sunday night stamping

I went downstairs tonight to make some of the cards for my Bring-a-Friend stamping night this week. I ended up making one card that will work and one that won't.

This card will be one we make at the class later in the week. It uses two of the new in-colors (dusty durango and crushed curry) as well as chocolate chip and old olive. The stamp set is Trendy Trees. I also used the scallop punch, the stampamajig, and chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon. The technique I applied to this card is masking so that the trees would not blend together.

This card just sort of happened. I was looking through all of my stamp sets and pulled this one out. The colors had been ringing through my mind and I wanted a card that made me feel late-summery. This is a retired hostess set - one that I always loved but never used very much - called Garden Silhouettes. The colors are certainly celery, mambo mango, chocolate chip, and whisper white. I stamped in chocolate chip, then again in mambo mango. I cut out the mambo mango flowers, covered them in dazzling diamonds (with the help of a 2-way glue pen), and popped them up with dimensionals. I added a little scrap of chocolate chip ribbon. It made a very simple and clean card.

I'll post more cards as the week goes on. Hopefully more for my class so I can get those finished and ready!

Got inspiration?

I rely heavily on "borrowing", whether it's a color combination, a scrapbook sketch, or just generally a mood, I love looking at other people's art and seeing how I can make it my own. I found a blog of a fellow SU demo who has a lot of SUO (Stampin' Up! only) projects. Her blog is called Stamp Journey and is sure to give you some inspiration along the way!

Autumn Days Birthday MM103

I was super-productive today so I decided to reward myself with a little time downstairs in the scrapbook room. I found the Mojo Monday Sketch 103 and fell in love with it! I made a card that opens at the top and combined a lot of things I don't use very often.

Stamps: Autumn Days, Upsy Daisy
Inks: rich razzleberry, soft suede
Papers: soft suede, rich razzleberry, taste of textiles, very vanilla
Accessories: clear button, natural hemp, glassy glaze

I have a card party coming up!

Happy Labor Day! I hope you've had a nice and relaxing day. We've had a good day with family. We made slaw burgers, home-baked beans, and homemade custard ice cream. It was all so yummy! I'll post the recipe below.

I will be hosting a Bring-a-Friend Stampin' Night at my house on Thursday, September 17. I've altered the format a bit. Rather than making 12 cards (2 each of 6 designs), we will make 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs). This will allow us to get off work, stamp a few fun cards, and get home early enough to relax! The cost is $9. If you place a $20 order, your class is free. If you can't place an order or don't need anything right now, just make sure you come for the class! Your friends will love getting your creations in the mail! Call me or e-mail me to RSVP.

Vanilla Custard (I quadruple this recipe to fill a 5 qt ice cream maker)

3 large egg yolks, slightly beaten (12 large egg yolks, slightly beaten)
1/2 cup sugar (2 cups sugar)
1 cup milk (4 cups milk)
1/4 teaspoon salt (4 teaspoons salt)
2 cups heavy whipping cream (8 cups heavy whipping cream)
1 tablespoon vanilla (1/4 cup vanilla)

Mix egg yolks, sugar, milk, whipping cream, and salt. Heat VERY slowly (this took me over an hour to do) until it is almost boiling stirring constantly. Do NOT boil! The mixture will become very thick and will begin to coat your spoon. Pour into a chilled bowl and refrigerate 2-3 hours until the mixture is at room temperature. Stir occasionally. Stir in vanilla. Pour into ice cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.

Enjoy!

School and Scrapping Updates

Wow. I've been absolutely swamped during the past month! I defended my proposal on August 12 and it passed! Woo hoo!!! I'm so excited. Now on to all the other things that will lead to the next step. :/

School started back almost immediately after my defense. Actually, I went to work the day after. School is hectic, but I think we are starting to get into a groove. I have a lot to do. I'm adjuncting at TJC (did I mention that?) and it's very busy trying to keep up with my school and my work, and that too.

On the other hand, I scrapbooked last week. I was actually a hostess on SCS for the August 09 VSBN. I completed my page as well as a few others. It was so much fun. I remjmbered why I love doing it so much.

I've never hosted a VSBN before and I've really had a good time preparing for it. It was so hard to come up with a sample because I rely on all of you so much to cheat!

I used (more than!) three of my favorite things:
* a sketch (I used Pencil Lines #126 for this and made a coordinating facing page)
* metal (brads, in this case)
* ribbon
* Pretties kit
* chipboard
The technique I don't use enough is heat embossing. I love it but just don't do it as often as I should!

I sponge-dyed the pretties flower with crushed curry and then sponged the tips with melon mambo for dimension and gradation.

Stamps: baroque motifs, circle circus

Paper: whisper white, razzleberry lemonade dsp

Ink: versamark, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, crushed curry, soft suede

Accessories: crushed curry polka dot ribbon, melon mambo polka dot ribbon, flower designer brads, another SU designer brad that wasn't in the correct container so I don't remember which it is offhand!, embossing powder,on board batch of blooms chipboard

Techniques: sanding, heat embossing, sponging

This page is for Jennifer's challenge in the August 09 VSBN. My name acrostic is:
H - hectic
E - encouraging
A - attitude
T - thankful
H - honest
E - enigma
R - ready to graduate
I got finished and realized that I forgot to do any kissing! Durn. :) Well, other than the first picture. Let's agree there is no STAMP kissing!

Paper: kraft, bermuda bay, soft suede, textured white, Tiding/Winterming, Fruitcake, Basic Grey

Ink: bermuda bay, soft suede

Accessories: pretties kit, big shot, serif essentials, assorted buttons

These pages are for the August 2009 VSBM. I used the Pencil Lines sketch 150. There is a flower on the right page that is a little hard to see. I made it with the You make Me Happy set and used "you make the world special just by being in it" as the stem. The journaling says: Two baby brothers. Pesky, Always in my business. Warts. "Dogging" me. Successful. Honorable. I wouldn't trade them for the world!

Stamps: jumble alphabet, you make me happy

Paper: bashful blue, whisper white, to the nines specialty designer paper

Ink: close to cocoa, bashful blue

Accessories: dimensionals, two way glue pen, dazzling diamonds

These pages are for the August 2009 VSBN, "Color My World". I used one of my favorite colors, ruby red, and some paper I've been hoarding for too long.

I've recently began a love affair with taking photos of nature. I think there are so many beautiful things around us that I take for granted too often. You are going to think I'm weird, but I even like dead trees - I think they are full of grace and character.

So I pulled out my nature photos and combined them with all the beautiful colors I could pull in. The layout for the left page is sketch #14 from Pencil Lines. The right page is a fairly generic layout I've used before with some tying elements to the sketch.

There are two hidden journaling tabs on the left and one on the right. Each journaling tab is secured with a rhinestone brad. From left to right they read:

(with a hidden photo I couldn't fit on the page!) I have recently become enamored with taking nature photos. I love the colors and amazing intricacies found in nature, clean and unblemished, pure and holy.

I think this is a fabulous picture. Eva Grace and I were at the Children's Park in Tyler. The photo was not staged, but it is reminiscent of Picasso's Hand with Flowers.

The final journaling tab is a Stampabilities stamp with the Bible verse: "For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. Psalm 96:4"

Stamps: Stampabilities, Psalm 96:4

Paper: ruby red, very vanilla, so saffron, bashful blue, mellow moss, MME tan/red stripes, wild asparagus maroon floral

Ink: mellow moss, bashful blue, soft suede

Accessories: pretties kit, so saffron grosgrain ribbon, bazzill flowers

Techniques: hidden journaling

Getting stressed

I am getting more and more stressed. I am scheduled to defend my dissertation prospectus/proposal on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. A few days ago I thought, Well, I either know it or I don't. I've done a million presentations and this one is no different. But it is. Now I don't know if my powerpoint outline is too much or too little. Did I even put the right points in it? What should I expect?

My mother thinks I should drive down today and spend the night so I can work and rest and relax beforehand. I probably don't need to spend the extra money but the getting away doesn't sound so bad. Especially as stressed as I am now. I don't need to be ugly and I'm afraid I going to get that way later today.

As for post 10 a.m. tomorrow - I plan to reward myself. Some may choose to engage in illegal activity or to get drunk. I plan to hit the scrapbook room and play for quite a few hours. It will be nice to get a few pages done and lose myself in creative ventures rather than technical. After all, I have pictures of an event I'd love to get recorded from last weekend.