Five for Thanks...

My post title today is ambitious: I'm assuming that I will actually be making five projects before the weekend is out. Let's stay positive and say that this will definitely be happening. The inimitable Julee Tilman put out five Thank You/Gratitude challenges on Black Friday and was nice enough to give us the weekend to complete them. I'm adding my completed projects to this post as they get completed, so please check back today and tomorrow to see if I managed to do them all!
You can scroll down to view details of each project, or click the links below to view each one.

VSNOV09A * VSNOV09B * VSNOV09C * VSNOV09D * VSNOV09E

Color Challenge - VSNOV09A

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

First up was a color challenge using Turquoise, Olive, Black and White. I'm out of Old Olive so substituted Kiwi Kiss. No sketch to work off of for this one, so I did a simple card, creating background paper with a stamp and an embossing folder. For just a little extra touch, I sponged the edges of all my elements to give it a smoky look.
BEAN NOTES: Verve Grateful Elegance and Waltzing Mouse Vintage Labels No. 1 Stamps; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, and Kiwi Kiss Classic Dye Ink; SU Whisper White, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, and Kiwi Kiss Cardstock; Cuttlebug Moroccan Screen Embossing Folder; Big Shot; White Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Black Brads (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Sponge Dauber

Sketch - VSNOV09B

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

My second card turned out to be quick and easy due to the fun sketch provided by a few of Julee's fabulous design team members. I substituted these pretty leaf images for the rectangles and went for my favorite color combo (which would be any kind of blue and brown!) I used a Stampin' Up rub-on for my sentiment (which sometimes feels like cheating, but they are SO convenient) and finished off with a little white gel pen.
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Turning a New Leaf Stamp; Stampin' Up Chit Chat Rub Ons; Making Memories Chloe's Closet Designer Paper; SU Baja Breeze, Whisper White, and Chocolate Chip Cardstock; Blue/Green Brads (generic); White Signo Uni-ball Gel Pen
HAPPY BEANS: Crop-A-Dile Chomper

Embellishments - VSNOV09C

To view an image up-close, please click on the photo.

This challenge was, well, challenging as we had to create something using a combination of embellishments that started with a particular letter, in this case V-E-R-V-E. Alas, I wasn't able to use all of the letters, as I didn't have a second "V." What I did have was "V-ellum," "E-mbossing," "R-ibbon," and "Eco-Friendly," (as in re-cycled paper and ribbon from another card!) I tried embossing on vellum for the first time and was quite pleased with the results. Here I used Basic Black and black embossing powder, which gave my blossom an interesting slick effect. I created my own designer paper with the same stamp for a cohesive look.
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Fifth Avenue Floral and Papertrey Ink Big & Bold Wishes Stamps; Vellum (generic); SU Kiwi Kiss, Perfect Plum, and Basic Black Classic Dye Ink; SU Whisper White Craft Ink; Copic Sketch Markers; SU Stampin' Write Markers (Old Olive and Kiwi Kiss); SU Whisper White and Old Olive Cardstock; Eggplant Textured Cardstock (generic); Paper Shapers 1-3/4" Circle Punch; White Organza Ribbon (generic) HAPPY BEANS: SU Basic Black Craft Ink; Black Embossing Powder (generic); Microbeads (generic)

Mini Pizza Box - VSNOV09D

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

So, it looks like I might be able to pull off all 5 challenges, as I just completed number 4, but I shouldn't count my chickies... I know that this was a "thankful" set of challenges, but I really needed to make a gift box for my lovely sister-in-law, and this wonderful mini pizza box tutorial from Jen del Muro had me hard at work on one for Christmas. For this project, I relied mostly on paper, cutting out images from designer paper and zipping cardstock through my Big Shot.
BEAN NOTES: Taylored Expressions Holiday Wonder Stamp; Stampin' Up Melon Mambo Classic Dye Ink; Jolly by Golly Designer Paper; SU Melon Mambo Designer Series Paper; SU Soft Sky, Regal Rose, Whisper White, and Old Olive Cardstock; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Signo White Uni-ball Gel Pen; White Grosgrain Ribbon (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Tim Holtz Faded Jeans Distress Stickles

Gift Card Holder - VSNOV09E

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

Yay! I finished up my fifth project just as Sunday wound to a close. The fifth challenge was to create a gift card holder and Julee's team provided some great tutorials. I especially liked this pop-up gift card tutorial and thought I'd make my own version. This is a super quick little way to really make a gift card special. For mine, I chose to stick to white and turquoise for a clean and simple look. I made use of a snowflake punch (using both the positive and negative) to decorate both outside and in. A bit of scoring and a gemstone finished off my sweet little card holder.
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Holiday Button Bits Stamp; Stampin' Up Basic Gray and Tempting Turquoise Classic Dye Ink; SU Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise Cardstock; Martha Stewart Snowflake and Simple Scallop Punches; Scor-Pal; SU Word Window and w-1/4" Circle; White Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Punches
HAPPY BEANS: Clear Gemstone (generic)

Sending You...

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

I've enjoyed participating in the Color Throwdown of late, so I thought I'd make one last card before the Thanksgiving festivities begin. I like the big bold colors for this week's challenge, and so I wanted to pair them with a big and bold card. For this one, I decided to let the sentiment remain the focal point. I wanted a very even coverage of ink, so I stamped a polka-dot background with Stampin' Up Craft pigment ink (Bean Tip: If your ink looks light or off-color, just heat set for a quick dry and you'll be left with vibrant, rich color.) I added a little lacy canopy and used two different ribbons tied together to add a little bit of "oomf" to my otherwise simple card. To help keep the ribbons together, I used the "stay-put" ribbon technique (see sidebar for a tutorial).
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Big & Bold Wishes and Polka Dot Basics II Stamps; Stampin' Up Elegant Eggplant Craft Ink; SU Old Olive, Dusty Durango, and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Eggplant Textured Cardstock (generic); Clear Gemstones (generic); Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Kate's Paperie Light Green Organza and Purple Satin Ribbon

A Joyful Season...

To view an image up-close, please click on the photo.

I was having a bluesy Tuesday, so I thought I'd perk up a little with one of the card sketches over at 2 Sketches 4 You. (Nothing like creating to make some sunshine!) This week's is from the very talented Kazan and I chose to make a Christmas card to add to my growing stash. For some reason, I hemmed and hawed over this sketch until, finally, the elements came together for what I hope is a bright, pretty card.
First, I disassembled the various parts of the "JOY" image and paper-pieced the sweet bird, holly, and ribbon, adding a little bling and flock for good measure. For the sentiment, I used markers to highlight the scripted words, a technique I just love for it's subtle bit of something special. Finally, I added a big, happy satin bow and a single red button to finish off this festive card. Now I have a smile on my face!
BEAN NOTES: Taylored Expressions Wings of Joy Stamps; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Stampin' Write Markers (Real Red, Brocade Blue, and Old Olive); Memento Tuxedo Black Marker; Stampin' Up Riding Hood Red Classic Dye Ink; Jolly by Golly Designer Paper; SU Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Real Red, and Old Olive Cardstock; Quickutz Large Polka Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Red Button (generic); Paper Shapers 1-3/4" Circle and 2" Scalloped Circle Punches; Clear Gemstones (generic); White Fun Flock; Ranger Diamond and Christmas Red Stickles; Signo Uni-ball Gel Pen; EK Success Dotted Scallop Punch; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Kate's Paperie Red No. 53 Satin Ribbon; Crop-A-Dile Chomper Corner Rounder

Classic Navy for All Occasions...

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

I know that with the holidays coming up, I will need to have many thank you cards on-hand. This week's Mojo Monday sketch presented a perfect opportunity to get going on those, and I really loved the sketch because I thought it would make for a quick card (I wasn't disappointed as this one took about a half hour). For this card, I stamped my background stamp with white craft ink on navy cardstock, using a heat tool to speed up the drying process. The lovely butteryfly/bloom image looked nice and crisp stamped in Night of Navy ink on white paper, and I didn't want to detract from that with anything else. I popped up the top element to add a little dimension and finished off with a simple bow. I chose not to add an additional sentiment as I felt this card would be appropriate for many occasions...not just as a thank you!
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) Verites terrestres and Tres Chic Stamps; Whisper White Craft Ink; Night of Navy Classic Dye Ink; Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, and Whisper White Cardstock; Kate's Paperie Silver No. 28 Grosgrain Ribbon; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Martha Stewart Cornice Punch

Warm Winter Wishes...

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

I haven't had a chance to do the Color Throwdown in a while, and I thought I'd give it a whirl today. I chose not to use the optional Olive, but instead stuck with the chocolate, cream, and dark red. For this clean and simple card, I created a little nest for my cute red winter chick, complete with Stickle berries. The sentiment is embossed in clear embossing powder and Real Red Craft Ink. For some dimension and interest, I ran my Close to Cocoa paper through the Big Shot with this nice stripey embossing folder.
HAPPY BEANS: Papertrey Ink Holiday Button Bits Stamp; Stampin' Up Real Red Craft Ink; Clear Filigree Embossing Powder; SU Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, and Close to Cocoa Cardstock; Quickutz Stripes Embossing Folder; Big Shot; SU Birds and Blooms Sizzlit Die
HAPPY BEANS: Martha Stewart Branches Punch; Ranger Christmas Red Stickles

I just wanted to remind you that December 1 marks the third installment of the Holiday Hop! The theme is Christmas/Winter, and it's sure to be a day filled with wonderful ideas and inspiration. Thanks for visiting!

Bobbing For Apples...

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

Margaret Moody has come up with another fabulous sketch for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. I got out my square punch and punched out four apples from this darling Stampin' Up designer paper. For my background, I thought I'd make my own designer paper with the matching apple stamp. Using a marker, I colored in the little seeds on the punched apples for a little contrast. I thought the green apple could speak for itself, so I left the rest of the card clean and simple.
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) Tart & Tangy and Designer Label Punch Stamps; Real Red Classic Dye Ink; Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper; Old Olive, Basic Black, and Whisper White Cardstock; 1-1/8" and 1-1/4" Square Punches; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Stampin' Write Marker (Black)

The Toast of the Town...

To view an image up-close, please click on the photo.

I'm (finally!) done with my Thanksgiving cards, so it's time to replenish my cache of celebratory cards. Today I felt like doing some coloring and waded through my stash for a good image. For this card, I eventually chose these two cute little mice and colored them in with markers. For some added dimension, I double-stamped the image and popped out just the foreground. This week's Mojo Sketch is nice and easy, and I created my "toasty" sentiment on my computer before adding a little red button. Aren't these little critters sweet?
BEAN NOTES: Penny Black Micey Day Clear Stamp; Stampin' Up Basic Black Classic Dye Ink; SU Stampin' Write Markers (Real Red, Basic Gray, Bordering Blue, Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Blush Blossom); DCWV All-Occasion Designer Paper; SU Riding Hood Red, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, and Whisper White Cardstock; Cuttlebug Herringbone Embossing Folder; Big Shot; SU So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon; Red Eyelets (generic); Crop-A-Dile; Foam Dimensional Squares; Red Button (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Computer; Printer

Home for the Holidays...

To view an image up-close, please click on the photo.

Julee Tilman and her design team Divas are doing a fun Project Parade this month. The challenge is to showcase how to package holiday goodies. Since we live so far away from our loved ones, putting together packages of cookies and edible treats isn't going to work for us. So this year, I decided instead to pack up some homemade greeting cards as gifts. Each box of "goodies" contains a half-dozen cards for each recipient to send out to their own friends and family throughout the year. I included a mix of cards, from Thank You to Get Well, Happy Birthday to Anniversary, all done up in these cute little boxes.
The boxes are actually recycled acetate boxes from other stamp sets I've purchased throughout the year. I removed the manufacturer's wrapping and added some festive designer paper. I cut out a circle window to frame my little button-embellished images and finished each off with a simple, pretty ribbon.

Have a Holly Holly Christmas
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Holiday Button Bits and Stampin' Up Christmas Punch Stamps; SU Real Red and Basic Black Classic Dye Ink; SU Stampin' Write Marker (Real Red); DCWV Christmas Stack Designer Paper; SU Bleu Bayou and Whisper White Cardstock; Red Organza Ribbon (generic); EK Success Circle Scissor; SU Curly Label Punch; Ranger Crystal Stickles; Foam Dimensionsl Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Red Button (generic)

A Gift for You
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Holiday Button Bits and Stampin' Up Christmas Punch Stamps; SU Wild Wasabi and Melon Mambo Classic Dye Ink; DCWV Christmas Stack Designer Paper; SU Melon Mambo and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Kate's Paperie Champagne Satin Ribbon; EK Success Circle Scissor; SU Scallop Oval Punch
HAPPY BEANS: Dark Pink Buttons (generic)

A Merry Little Christmas
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Holiday Button Bits and Stampin' Up Christmas Punch Stamps; StazOn Jet Black Ink; SU Bleu Bayou Classic Dye Ink; DCWV Christmas Stack Designer Paper; SU Certainly Celery and Whisper White Cardstock; SU Certainly Celery Ribbon; EK Success Circle Scissor; SU Wide Oval Punch; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Light, Dark Blue and Light Green Buttons (generic)

Gobble, Gobble (It's a Thanksgiving Hop!)...

Welcome to the Holiday Hop!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the hectic holidays can make for some harried times. A group of Stampin' Up demonstrators hope to help ease the creative burden with a little holiday inspiration! From rubber stamps, designer paper, to embellishments, and much more, Stampin' Up! has a lot to offer. TIP: Save the date on your calendar for the next hop...Christmas/Winter!

Thanksgiving/Fall – (Today!)

Christmas/Winter – December 1, 2009

Hop How-To

Click on any of the sites listed below. You can also follow the full Holiday Hop from start to finish by clicking the “next blog” or “previous blog” graphic at the end of this post.

To view an image up-close, please click on the photo.

For my hop project, I decided to focus on one of my favorite color combinations (Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Really Rust, and More Mustard) and pair it with a special Thanksgiving card. The holidays have been hard for our family the past few years as we seem to keep moving farther and farther away from our loved ones as my husband changes jobs. I thought I would share a bit of our holiday celebration across the miles in this nifty recipe "card" that is as easy as 1-2-3.

To begin, I took three sturdy white envelopes (regular A2, in this case) and adhered the flaps together, covering each panel in Texturz-embossed cardstock. I added my own designer paper by stamping the leaf image from Darling Dots in my chosen colors.

For the inside, I covered the backside of each envelope with a snippet of Autumn Vine Designer Series Paper and kept the rest of it simple, with only a stamped image signaling each of my three courses, courtesy of the From the Kitchen Of stamp set.

Then, I added my recipes, choosing a bread, side dish, and dessert -- I figure no one will really need a main course recipe, as it IS Turkey Day! To finish off, I added a pretty Sage Shadow bow and the apropo greeting. We'll certainly be giving thanks for all we have to be thankful for...won't you?

BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up**) From the Kitchen Of, Darling Dots, and Holiday Best Stamps; Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Really Rust, and More Mustard Classic Dye Ink; Autumn Vine Designer Series Paper; Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Really Rust, and More Mustard Cardstock; Sage Shadow Grosgrain Ribbon; Sizzix Texturz Small Dots Embossing Plate; Big Shot; 1-1/4" Circle and 1-1/2" Scallop Circle Punches; Wide Oval Punch; Pigma Micron Brown Fine-Point Drawing Pen

HAPPY BEANS: Favorite Family Recipes!

**If you would like to order these or any other current Stampin' Up products, please feel free to contact me HERE.

Now hop on over to the Margaret Moody's blog and get those creative juices going! Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Kris (Kween Bee Kreations)
2. Carla (Carla's Scraps)
3. Linda (Stampin' Seasons)
4. Mary (Stampin' Pretty)
5. Trish (Soul Stamper)
6. Jill (Stamping Heart)
7. Liz (DIY Paper Creations)
8. Kim (Stamp, Scrap, Get Kreative)
9. Kalshelia (Stampin' Fabulousity)
10. Regina (The Stampin' Bean)
11. Margaret (Margaret Moody)
12. Debbie (Stampin' Sunshine)
13. Ann (The Stampin' Schach)
14. Gina (Cards by Gina)
15. Lourdes (Cozy Crafty Corner)

Birthday in B/W...

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

I always have a hard time coming up with masculine cards that aren't "cutesy" or over-the-top "guy." My husband's uncle is having a birthday this month and I thought I'd try to make him a card that might suit him. For this card, I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch and decided to stick with a black and white theme.
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Party Punch Stamp; SU Basic Black Classic Dye Ink; Making Memories Wedding Designer Paper; SU Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock; White Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Quickutz Retro Diamonds Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Black Eyelet (generic); Crop-A-Dile; Black Brads (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: SU Designer Label Punch

She Did It!...

To view the image up-close, please click on the photo.

I just love it when good things happen to good people. My fab mom-in-law, Susan (Nana's Stamp Pad), entered her very first card-making contest, sponsored by World Card Making Day. You may recall some of her work that I've showcased here on TSB. Well, she called me yesterday with the news that, out of hundreds and hundreds of entries, SHE WON! Her adorable card was a winner in the "Thank You" category, and, if contest rules didn't prevent me from showing off her card, I would do it right here. So, instead, I'm posting the congratulatory card I made for her.
I used Taylor's Friday challenge sketch and created a card using this lovely star image. I combined Rich Razzleberry and Basic Gray, along with a star-embossed background and a little ribbon finish, for what I hoped would make for an elegant kudos to one so-very talented lady!
BEAN NOTES: Waltzing Mouse Seasons of Love and Taylored Expressions A Year of Sweet Sentiments Stamps; Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry Classic Dye Ink; SU Rich Razzleberry Designer Series Paper; SU Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White Cardstock; DCWV Basic Gray Textured Cardstock; Silver Organza Ribbon (generic); Pewter Brads (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Cuttlbug Stars Embossing Folder; Big Shot

Mark Your Calendars!...

It's almost time for another Holiday Hop! If you missed the Halloween Hop, be sure to check out the next round of hopping. Mark your calendars for the next hop featuring Stampin' Up with a bevy of fun projects sure to inspire you for the upcoming holidays.
Thanksgiving/Fall -- November 10, 2009
Christmas/Winter -- December 1, 2009