ALTERED NOTEBOOKS

So Thanksgiving is over and I can now start obsessing about Christmas!  First, I would like to share an altered notebook that my daughter Olivia made with a little help from me.  She is a girl scout and for their Christmas party they are suppose to bring a handmade gift to exchange, well this is right up our alley!!  It took us less than 20 mins start to finish and she did almost all the work and is only 8 years old...so anyone can make this!!!  We kept it simple, added a little pen with coordinating paper and tied it up with a bow.  So easy!!

The great part for me is we used all retired products.  A great way to get rid of some of my stash!!

FILLED BLESSING MIX JARS

Thought I would drop by and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and share my blessing jars filled with their goodies.  I must say, they were a big hit with the teachers and office staff.

ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA

Check out the deals here.

Visit my on-line store to order www.denisetracy.stampinup.net

BLESSING MIX

Last year I saw versions of blessing mix floating around the internet and thought it was such a cute idea, so this year I am giving it to my girls' teachers and a few other special people. Blessing mix is basically a snack mix in which each of the ingredients have a special meaning.  Below you will see the recipe I used.  Most mixes I found on the internet used Hershey kisses instead of chocolate chips, but the kisses just seemed a little big for the mix, so I changed them to chocolate chips.

I had a lot of fun making the little 3x3 card to include with the jar.  Inside the card you will find the poem describing the mix.  For the card, I started out by punching three ovals, one X-large and two large.  I them ran them through the Big Shot with two different embossing folders.  First, the Elegant Bouguet and then the Stripes.  I didn't plan on using two folders, but I wasn't happy with the look of the elegant bouguet, so I ran them through the stripes and loved the combo.  Next I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.  The stem is just cut out by hand and the small chocolate chip vine is a thin piece of card stock.  I added a button and the greeting from the Teenty Tiny Wishes.  The DSP is Spice Cake.  I attached the card to the ribbon(retired) with one of the new Mini Clothspins.

Now, I just need to buy the ingredients a couple days before Thanksgiving, mix it up and fill the jars.  Later,  I will post another picture of the jars filled with the mix.  For now, I am just happy to be a little ahead of the game!!

SUMMER SPLASH BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS

My daughter has a birthday coming up at the end of the month and I turned to Color Throwdown for a little color inspiration.  To me these colors scream beach fun!  She wanted to have a party at the beach and since we live in Hawaii this is possible ... even in November.  This card combines a few techniques that I have been wanting to try and it took a little longer to make then I had originally planned, but you know how that goes...I started out simple and then added and added and added.  Thank goodness I only had to make ten!! 

This is really a hybrid card, the inside was done with My Digital Studio.  I don't have a lot of alphabet or number stamps, so I love printing out words or number and then punching them out, or as in the inside of this card, I enlarged the number 6 to the size I wanted and then added a circle and just printed it out on cardstock.  It was the perfect background for my vellum paper.  I know you can do this with other software, but with My Digital Studio, I got to use Stampin Up colors to make sure they matched my project perfectly.

The rosette is attached to a belly band that can be slipped off to reveal the party info inside.  I also stamped the outside of the envelope with the same image for a little added touch.

Stamp Set:  Summer Splash (retired)

HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS

Most years I try not to celebrate Christmas until after Thanksgiving, which does mean running around crazy trying to get everything done in a few weeks...but I really love Thanksgiving!  It just might be my favorite Holiday.  But while looking for card supplies for the next two challenges, I was drawn to this Christmas Paper. Yes, it is retired from last year, but I still love it and I bought a lot of it last year, so I will be using it on some of my holiday projects.

To make this card I combined this weeks Mojo Monday with the challenge at The Paper Players.  The Paper Players challenge was a bit tricky for me because I don't normally use more than one designer series paper on a card, but using the Mojo sketch I think it turned out really cute. 

What do you think?

Stamp Sets: Festive & Fun

Punches:1 3/4" Scallop circle and Snowflake

Ribbon:Real Red and Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain

DSP: Candy Cane Christmas (retired)

Embellishments:  Big Designer Buttons Candy Cane (retired)

Markers:  Baja Breeze, garden green, wild wasabi, blush blossom, real red

Big Shot and Clear Circle Die

WITH LOVE AND CARING CARD

Combining the inkspirations challenge and last weeks mojomonday challenge I came up with a 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 square card.  I must admit, I am not a big fan of purple, but I decided to take on this challenge and see if I could come up with a card I would be happy to send to someone to let them know they are in my thoughts. 

What do you think??  I hope the bright colors will brighten the recipient's day!

About the card: 

Stamp Sets: En Francais, Thanks for Caring

Punches: Decorative Label, Large Oval (1 3/4 x 7/8), Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Trim Corner 

Embellishments: Rhinestone, Flower Designer Brad

Designer Series Paper: Razzelberry Lemonade (retired)

MASCULINE BIRTHDAY

My card today was created using the Paper Pals Arts Challenge for my color, Create with Connie and Mary for my layout and Our Creative Corner for my masculine theme.  I am really enjoying how these challenges are coming together, giving me inspiration and challenging me to work outside my comfort zone.  Hope you enjoy!

 
Stamp set: Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess)
Designer Series Paper: Mocha Morning Specialty
Ribbon:  Soft Suede polka dot flipped over (retired)

BIRTHDAY FLOWER

The card I created today combines two challenges the Color Throwdown and Freshly Made Sketches.  Hope you enjoy!