Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wow, where does time go?  It seems like it was only last week that I was shopping for Christmas presents.  And now we will be welcoming 2013 in a few days.

Despite the holiday craziness, coupled with the traveling that we were doing, I managed to make Christmas cards to give to family members, wrap my family's presents, give it to them, attend the family Christmas Eve dinner at my uncle's house, host a Christmas Eve dinner two hours later at our house, and watch my son open his presents on Christmas morning, and travel.  Whew.  Just thinking about it makes me exhausted!

I will post the Christmas card I made for family members tomorrow.  I had forgotten my camera at  home, so I was not able to snap a quick photo.

For now, just some interesting thoughts on gift-giving:
1.  I searched all over for a Discovery Farm cloth book for my son, and finally found it online.  I ordered it and it was delivered just in time for the holidays.  It was going to be one of his presents, in addition to an Octo-tune, and three other books.  In addition to that, he also received plenty of gifts from family and friends.  His Dad and I loved all the gifts.  He was more interested in the wrapping paper.

2.  My niece is also my husband's goddaughter, and because we were so busy with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, ended up buying her present at the last minute.  On the way to the store, I was anxiously praying that there will be something left to buy that she will like (many years ago, I learned the hard way that shopping on Christmas Eve leaves you with very slim pickings).  I finally decided on a Minnie Mouse dress-up toy and an AquaDoodle (can  you believe I almost typed Aqua Painter?  Wink, wink).  I was in and out of the store in 20 minutes flat (sooner if the line had not been that long), and she squealed with delight as soon as she opened her presents.  It looks like I hit the jackpot on that one.

Lessons learned over the holidays:
1.  To take joy in the simple things, like my son.
2.  Sometimes, you can get lucky, even at the last minute, like I did with my niece's presents.
3.  The best presents we can give to each other are the intangible ones, like time, love, and kindness.

Thanks everyone, for looking, and I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed holidays!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Yesterday was my Mom's 63rd birthday.

We celebrated her birthday last Saturday, with a catered dinner with family.  Preparing for the party was definitely hard work, but I'm glad Mom had a blast.

I baked her a cake.  Only a few people know this, but before I got into paper-crafting, I loved to bake.  I still love to bake, but I don't love the clean-up that comes with it.  With paper-crafting, I still get the creative satisfaction, with a lot less clean-up (although my husband will disagree, especially if I'm working on a big project).

I don't have a photo of the cake because I was hoping to snap a quick one during the party, and of course, we got so busy chatting with everyone and playing with the babies (my Mom's side of the family had been really blessed with little ones this year), that the cake was gone before I knew it.

I also made these for the guests:

I've been itching to use the It's a Wrap Occasions stamp set (Wood:  123590; Clear:  123592) since I got it several months ago.  It's going to be one of my favorite stamp sets -- I have a feeling you'll be seeing more of these wrapped nuggets in the future. ;)

I have to say, I really love how it stamps crisply and cleanly on Whisper White cardstock (100730) in Riding Hood Red ink (126968).  I used the Top Note Bigz die (113463) on my Big Shot (113439), and voila -- an instant topper!  I added a flower (from the Button Buddies stamp set -- Wood:  122735; Clear:  122737) stamped on Whisper White cardstock (still using the same Riding Hood Red ink) and punched out with the 1-3/4 scallop circle punch (119854).

The sentiment is from A Word For You stamp set (Wood:  117032; Clear:  120528).

I made 28 of these treat bags for our guests to take home.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!

P. S.  All the products I listed above (aside from the candy and the treat bag) are available at my Stampin' Up! store.

Christmas Treats

Christmas is only two weeks away, and I wanted to show my co-workers how much I appreciate all the nice things they did for me all year with a little gift.

I made little treat tubes using 1x8 cellophane bags (124134) and filled them with candy.  I then sealed the tops of the bags using toppers made using the 25 and Counting stamp set (Wood:  123792; Clear:  123794).  I stamped the images using Cherry Cobbler (126966), Riding Hood Red (126968), Garden Green (126973), and Always Artichoke (126972) classic ink pads on scraps of Whisper White cardstock (100730).  I used my 1 inch square punch (124094) to punch out the images and then adhered them on a base of Cherry Cobbler (119685), Riding Hood Red (111348), Garden Green (102584), and Always Artichoke (105119) cardstock.

Here's a closer look at the treat tubes and their toppers:

I will put these treat tubes on tall clear vases and leave them at each co-worker's desk on Dec. 20th (I am off on Dec. 21st).  I think these treat tubes will make nice presents, and I hope my co-workers will like them!

All of the products I used for these treat tubes (except for the clear vases and the candy) are available at my Stampin' Up! store.

Thank you for looking, and have a great day! :)

P. S.  While I was making these tubes, I was thinking of my 2-1/2 year old niece, who is just learning to say what Santa says on Christmas.  When prompted, she will say, "Ho! Ho! Ho!  Merry Christmas!" and then giggle, and that puts a smile on my face. :)

C is for Celebrate!

The holidays are coming, and I'm in a festive mood.  I'm also in the mood to make a monogram card.

I wanted to make a purple card, so I used Wisteria Wonder cardstock (122922) as my base.  I layered over that a mat of First Edition Specialty DSP (121878).  

I created the "window" for my monogram by punching a 1-3/8 circle on the First Edition Specialty DSP using the 1-3/8 circle punch (119860), adhering the mat on the card base using Snail adhesive (104332), and then punching a slightly smaller circle on the Wisteria Wonder using the 1-1/4 inch circle punch (119861).  This creates a nice border of Wisteria Wonder around my monogram "window."

I stamped "C" using the Broadsheet Alphabet stamp set (Wood:  118724; Clear:  127796) in Elegant Eggplant (126969) on Whisper White cardstock (100730), which I also punched out using the 1-1/4 inch circle punch (119861).  I adhered the circle on the inside of my card for a nice contrast.

Here's a closer look at the monogram.

I stamped the "celebrate" sentiment using the Fabulous Phrases stamp set (Wood: 117002; Clear:  120501) on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock (100730), also in Elegant Eggplant (126969).  I placed an Elegant Eggplant brad (from the 3/16 Regals brads, 119737) and then trimmed one end of the cardstock to create interest.  I then popped it up using Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

All of these products are available for purchase at my Stampin' Up! store.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!

Mojo Monday 270

I am back to playing at Mojo Monday -- and I just realized that I missed the deadline to upload my photo via their linky by 2 whole hours.  I did have my card made and ready by Friday, but I just did not get to a computer until now.

Last Friday, my mom and I took my son to his pediatrician for a well-baby visit, and he got 3 of his shots done.  I've never liked needles, and I'm scared of shots myself so it's always tough for me to take him to his doctor's appointments.  I have to tough it out each time, though, because I want to support him and be there for him.  Boy, being a mommy is not easy. :)

He napped on Friday after the doctor's, so I managed to make this card.

This is based on the sketch here:

I had gone through my stash of cards several days ago, and I realized that I was running low on everyday cards.  I love this sketch because it was perfect for the "Hello" sentiment from Lacy and Lovely (Wood:  122885; Clear:  122887), stamped in Marina Mist (126962) on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock (100730).

I used the Festival of Prints DSP (126904).  This paper stack is certainly awesome for holiday cards, but I'm happy to say that it works out well for an everyday card, too.  I placed a late order for this baby, and I wanted to be able to use the DSP long after the holidays.  I punched one edge of the DSP using the Scallop Trim border punch (118402).  It's one of my favorite punches.

I used Marina Mist cardstock (119682) for the base,  and Early Espresso cardstock (119686) for the mat.  For a nice pop of color, I made flowers using Daffodil Delight cardstock (119683), cut using the Floral Fusion Sizzlits (115969)  and the Big Shot (113439).  The flowers were held together using Early Espresso brad (3/16 Neutrals brads, 119737).  I ran a Daffodil Delight 1/4 inch Stitched Grosgrain ribbon (126872) over the DSP.

All of the products I used for this card is available for purchase at my Stampin' Up! store.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!

P. S.  A new Mojo Monday sketch will be up tomorrow, and I hope I can get my card in before the linky closes next Sunday. :)

With Sympathy (SCS 409)

Several weeks ago, when I decided to return to blogging and paper-crafting, I decided that I will try to be more active in card-making by joining challenges.

I picked the SCS Card Sketch challenge, and I used this sketch (SCS 409):

This is my take on the sketch:

Unfortunately, I needed a sympathy card for a colleague who lost his parent.  I hope I'll need fewer of this card in the future.

The card was made with Very Vanilla cardstock (101650) base, layered with a strip of Crumb Cake cardstock (120953), layered with Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon (126847).  I used the Love and Sympathy stamp set (Wood:  122795; Clear:  122797) for the image, inked using Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' pad (126975).  The sentiment "With Sympathy" was from the Loving Thoughts stamp set (Wood:  125843; Clear:  125845) using Midnight Muse Classic Stampin' pad (126860).

All these products are available for purchase at my Stampin' Up! store.  

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!

Thank You Cards

Our son received presents from family and friends for his baptism, and so I whipped up this quick and simple Thank You card for everyone's thoughtfulness.

The card base is made from Pool Party cardstock (122924).  Whisper White cardstock (100730) was used as a mat.  I scored the Whisper White with three lines above the sentiment to create a subtle texture using the Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334).

I used my Circle Circus stamp set (Wood:  115778; Clear:  127784) to stamp 4 circle images in Pacific Point (126951) and Early Espresso (126974) Classic stamp pads.  The images were punched using 1-1/4 circle punch (119861) and popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).  The sentiment "Thank You", which was stamped in Pacific Point (126951), is from the Lacy and Lovely stamp set (Wood:  122885; Clear:  122887).

I have to say, I loved Circle Circus and Lacy and Lovely!  I can't believe I waited almost a year before I got the Circle Circus (I'm glad it carried over from last year's catalog), and how I was on the fence with the Lacy and Lovely.  I'm so happy I finally gave in and bought these two sets.  They are so versatile.  I can use them for masculine and feminine cards for all occasions.

These products are available for purchase at my Stampin' Up! store.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day! :)

Baptism Favors

My son is now 6 months old, and we just got him baptized a few weeks ago, when my Dad was visiting us.  After the ceremony, we celebrated his baptism with a luncheon at a restaurant with family and friends.

Everything (except for the candy inside the box) was handmade by me.  I made 91 of these favors especially for the event.

What?  91???  Was I crazy?  Not really. :)  I wanted to make sure I had enough favors for each guest.  I did not want them to miss out on the yummy treats, and I wanted to thank them for coming to the baptism.

The favors were very easy to make.  I used my Big Shot (113439) and Stampin' Up!'s Pillow Box die (retired) to cut Window Sheets (114323).  I assembled the pillow box and held it securely with Sticky Strip (104294).

The belly band was made with 3/4 inch Marina Mist cardstock (119682), which was crimped using the Paper Crimper (retired) and trimmed to fit snugly around the middle of the box.  I stamped "thanks" from the very versatile Fabulous Phrases stamp set (Wood:  117002; Clear:  120501) using Early Espresso ink pad (126974) on Whisper White cardstock (100730).  I punched out the sentiment with the Large Oval punch (119855) and layered it over Early Espresso cardstock (119686) that was punched out using the Scallop Oval punch (119856).  The ovals were popped up using Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Quick tips on making a lot favor boxes:
1.  Have all the "components" pre-cut and ready to go.
2.  Assemble each "component" step-by-step.  I finished all the boxes first (left one flap open so I could fill them with the goodies).  I crimped all the belly bands, stamped all the sentiments, and layered my ovals.
3.  I used a measuring spoon to get equal amounts of each color into the box, and laid it carefully flat after I've sealed the flap to prevent the treats from mixing into each other (and ruining the effect I was aiming for).

I really enjoyed making these favor boxes.  All products (except for the retired items) are available for purchase from my Stampin' Up store.  Please click on the link on the top right corner of the page to shop now.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day! :)
    

Stampin' Up Does It Again!

Doesn't it seem like it was only yesterday that Stampin' Up! offered all of their stamps for 15% off?  (Yes, I'm sorry, I did not get to post that on my blog...but I did remind all of my customers, and most of them took advantage of the sale, with my FREE shipping promotion.  Whew.).

I know I ordered several stamp sets...and I'm just now "playing" with them*. :)

And now, Stampin' Up! announces Online Extravaganza, where from November 19-28, popular items are 20 to 50% off!  Yup -- you read it right -- 50% off!!! 

And there are even 24-hour "doorbusters" -- including a Big Shot, the doctors' bag, and the clear block bundle!  The sale prices for these doorbusters are good for 24 hours only!

Details here.

There is no minimum purchase for this sale.  That means buy 1, or all, and you get the sale price!

It can't get any better than that...or wait a minute!  It can!  Combined with my exclusive FREE SHIPPING for the month of November offer -- and you got yourself an awesome deal!

-----
*P. S.  I've been making some cards and will be sharing them on my blog hopefully sometime next week.  Thanks for your patience, and thanks for looking! :)

Giving Thanks = Free Shipping!!!

In anticipation of Thanksgiving, which is right around the corner, and in celebration of my return to the blogging and papercrafting world, I am offering FREE SHIPPING for all Stampin' Up orders placed through me for the whole month of November.

That's right!  That means from November 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012, you'll only pay for your order, and the tax.  I'll pay for the shipping.  That's big savings, right there! :)

This offer is exclusive to orders made through me (not through my store).  Please e-mail me your orders at stampedbyc(at)gmail(dot)com to avail of this offer.

Don't have a catalog?  Download your FREE Annual 2012-2013 catalog here.  And download the FREE Holiday catalog here.

Again, this offer is exclusive to orders placed through me via e-mail.  From November 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012, please e-mail me your orders to get FREE SHIPPING!

Happy shopping!

It's Been a While...

...since my last post.  And I missed blogging very much.  I had some personal issues that I needed to take care of, but I am hoping that I am slowly getting back on my feet (and back to blogging, and papercrafting).

Maybe later, I will be able to share it with all of you.  For right now, I just want to say thank you for everyone's support, kind words, and understanding.  I appreciate each and everyone of you.

Happy Wednesday! :)

Mojo Monday 238 and An Update

Hello, everyone!

Thank you for being very patient with me.  I had been away for several weeks, because of health reasons.  I am now okay, but I'm waiting for some lab test results.  Hopefully, everything will be okay after that (fingers and toes crossed).

I am still taking it slowly, but I am very excited to get back to the swing of things.

I've missed several Mojo Mondays, and I'm planning to catch up with them soon.  In the meantime, here is my take on this week's Mojo Monday.

This card is based on a sketch designed by Mary Fish:

I used the following products from Stampin' Up:
Medallion stamp (Wood:  115223)
Petite Pairs stamp set (Wood:  122495; Clear:  122497)
Very Vanilla card stock (101650)
Early Espresso card stock (119686)
Chocolate Chip classic stamp pad (100908)
So Saffron classic stamp pad (105213)
Large Tag punch (119876)
1 3/4 Scallop Circle punch (119854)
1 3/8 Circle punch (119860)
Snail adhesive (104332)
Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

All these products are available here.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!

Summer Smooches is Here!

It's April 1st, and today is the first day that the Stampin' Up Summer Smooches suite is available to customers.

Here are some of the products in the suite:

The suite includes:
1.  Bright Blossoms clear/wood mount stamp set
2.  Daffodil Delight 1/2 inch seam binding ribbon
3.  Petite Purse Bigz L die for the Big Shot
4.  Summer Smooches decor stencil
5.  Summer Smooches designer fabric
6.  Summer Smooches DSP
7.  Summer Smooches fabric brads
8.  Summer Smooches photobook template - available as a digital download for My Design Studio

These products are going to be part of the main Stampin' Up 2013-2014 catalog.

I ordered the stamp set, the purse die, and the DSP and I will have to wait until the end of the day on Tuesday to get it.  I can't wait!

If you want to order these products, you can find them here.  Click on "Shop Now" to get started!

Thanks for looking!

Stampin' Up Second Order

Quick post today.

Since it's almost the end of the month, I decided to take my husband up on his offer to buy me some Stampin' Up products.

I placed an order a couple of days ago, and I'm excitedly waiting for my stuff to arrive.  It will probably take at least a week for my order to get here.

It's a big order (slightly less than my first one), but don't worry, I did not ask my husband to pay for all of my stuff.  I paid for a portion of my order with money I've been saving for "fun stuff." :)

I can't wait to get my order and start creating! :D

If you want to share in my excitement by placing your own Stampin' Up order, please click here.  Click on "Shop Now" on the upper right hand corner of the page (when the new page opens up).

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Eventful

The past few days were very eventful for my husband and I.

Last Wednesday, we found out that the house that we'd rented in the past was for sale.  We really loved that house, and since buying a house had been at the back of our minds, we decided to go for it.

Last Thursday, we contacted an agent, a mortgage broker, and made arrangements to view the house.

Last Friday was my lab tests, and after I recovered, we met with our brand new agent to draw the papers to make the offer.

Last Saturday, we went to our childbirth class, and we got a phone call from our agent.  Unfortunately, it was not good news.  It turns out that we made the offer a few hours too late -- the seller had accepted an offer on Friday afternoon (during my blood tests).

Since it was a whirlwind thing, I was not hit by the disappointment until Sunday afternoon, when I started thinking about the house and where our baby's room will be... :(

Our agent offered to look for other houses in the area, but we really just made a quick decision to buy because it was THE house that we wanted for so long...

For right now, my husband and I are benching the idea of buying a house and focusing on getting ready for our baby, who is due to arrive in 9 weeks.

I made this card because I keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that we will still have a chance at the house (somehow).

I made the flowers using a 1 inch circle punch.  I punched 8 pieces of 1-inch circles, folded them into threes, and glued them together to make a flower.  Pretty neat, huh?

I used these products from Stampin' Up:

Faith in Nature stamp set (Hostess, Wood:  122490; Clear:  122492)

Calypso Coral classic ink pad (122939)

Pool Party card stock (122924)

Island Indigo card stock (122923

Whisper White card stock (100730)

Everyday Enchantment DSP (Sale-a-bration:  126154) 

Textured Impressions Stripes embossing folder (123128)

1" Circle punch (119868)

Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755) to attach each petal, forming the flower

Glue Dots (103683) to attach the flowers

Snail adhesive (104332)

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) to pop up the sentiment

You can buy all these products here.  Click on "Shop Now" on the upper right corner to start shopping.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!