HAPPY NEEWOLLAH!

Neewollah is Halloween spelled backwards!  Neewollah is a fun family event (TONIGHT) held at our church where kids of all ages can dress up, receive lots of candy, have their photos taken, play games, get their faces painted, go on a hayride, eat hot dogs - and of course, gather more candy!

A happy Halloween to all the Sunshine Girls...  JUNE, DIANE, DANELLE, TERI, DENISE, MARCI, JENNIFER, KRYSTAL AND RHONDA! 

If anyone out on the World Wide Web would like to be a Sunshine Girl with us, click on Join My Team above, and we will warmly welcome you.  (But, no ghosts or goblins, please!)

IT'S A SUNSHINE WEEK! (Card 5 of 5)

I've loved featuring some of the Sunshine Girls and their cards this week. This last one, made by June Allen, a Sunshine Girl since October 2006, reminds us that Christmas is coming!  I really like the shimmering dove.

June joined me as a demonstrator just two months after I started.  It was such an encouragement and blessing to me.  Thanks, June, for your friendship and your steadfast influence.  It's no wonder we have longevity in the Sunshine Girls - with leaders like you setting the example. 

 
 

IT'S A SUNSHINE WEEK! (Card 4 of 5)

The variety of cards made by the Sunshine Girls are as different as the girls themselves. Teri Michael, a Sunshine Girl since August 2007, is a SAHM with two little ones. This bear dressed in a cape is what she recently used for a birthday party announcement.  It also works well for a Halloween costume party card. Tomorrow, June will show you a pretty Christmas dove.

 

Thanks, Teri, for showing us yet another way to use our bear.  Looks like he's getting ready to jump up and fly away.  You always think of fun kid stuff.  Must be the kid in you, you sweet thing!

 
  

IT'S A SUNSHINE WEEK! (Card 3 of 5)

It's pouring rain and very cold here in Vancouver today, but there's sunshine in our hearts!  Why?  Because several of the Sunshine Girls are being featured here on Polka Dots and Paper this week.  Today's card was made by Diane Allen, a demonstrator since April 2007.  Come back tomorrow and see Teri's bear bandit - just in time for Halloween!

This view reveals shine on the tree obtained by using the Frost White Shimmer Paint.

  

On a regular basis, Diane effortly churns out original card designs.  We love seeing what she'll make next.  She's happy to be a Sunshine Girl - and we're happy she is too.

 

IT'S A SUNSHINE WEEK! (Card 2 of 5)

This week, five of the Sunshine Girls are being featured on Polka Dots and Paper!  Today's whimsical card was made by Danelle Hansen, a Sunshine Girl since October 2007.  Check back tomorrow for a card by Diane.

Danelle, the Sunshine Girls know you have a special love for scrapbooking, but we're so glad you make cards too!  Love ya lots!

 
  

IT'S A SUNSHINE WEEK! (Card 1 of 5)

This week, five of the Sunshine Girls are in the spotlight on Polka Dots and Paper!  Join my team and receive the friendship benefits offered to every new demonstrator in our group. Today's card and matching envelope was designed by Denise Hebert, a Sunshine Girl since May 2009.  Check back Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to see the artistic expressions of Danelle, Diane, Tricia and June! 

 

 

Great job, Denise!  The Rub-On looks beautiful as the inside greeting.  Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful Christmas cheer... both with your cards and with your sweet spirit.

 

AN ASIAN MOTIF IN FALL COLORS...

When designing a card, even simple ones like this, I try to carry out the theme by using similar motif elements.  This card, for example, has an Asian style to it... The vase, the embossed square, the single blooms, the corners, and even the proverb. 

To make a vase, punch a 1-3/8" circle.  With the same circle punch, take a "bite" out of the edge to make the mouth of the vase.  Then slice the bottom edge off.  To give your vase more of a dimensional look, use a Dimensional behind it.

(You can get a better look at the embossed square in this photo.)  Also note... Use an odd number of items, like 3 flowers rather than 2 or 4.  I only used 1 flower on the envelope.  An uneven number again.

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Sets #113734 Fifth Avenue Floral, #115324 Kind & Caring Thoughts (Hostess Set); Stamp Pad # 101179 Basic Black; Stampin' Write Markers #116329 Dusty Durango, #105113 Always Artichoke; Textured Card Stock #115719 Dusty Durango; Card Stock #101650 Very Vanilla, #105119 Always Artichoke; Punches #104401 1-3/8" Circle, #107214 Ticket Corner; Embellishment #113144 Rhinestone Brad Clear; Embossing #100663 Stylus; Envelope #107300 Medium Very Vanilla; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.  Confucius

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW.

AND WINTER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER...

The combination of the silver card stock, silver elastic cord, silver eyelets (in two treatments), and a silver stamped greeting, give this card a shimmery winter glow. 

Some of my stampers really liked the idea of using the Snowflake Punch with an eyelet, positioned only on the front of the card (not punched through to the inside).  Here's how to make the surface-only snowflakes pictured above... 1) punch a 1/8" hole in card stock, 2) center the snowflake punch around the hole as shown below, and punch out, 3) set an eyelet in the loose snowflake, 4) use a glue dot to position the snowflake on the card front.

 

Supplies & Accessories: Stamp Set #115370 Teeny Tiny Wishes; Stamp Pad #101039 Encore Silver; Textured Card Stock #108693 Whisper White, #108696 Night of Navy; Card Stock #100712 Brushed Silver, #100867 Night of Navy; Patterned Designer Series Paper #112151 Bashful Blue; Embellishment #105319 Eyelets Silver; Ribbon #109866 Elastic Cord Silver; Punches #116628 Jumbo Snowflake, #116630 Modern Label; Big Shot #114512 Stampin' Up! Backgrounds Texturz Plate; Adhesives #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals, #103683 Mini Glue Dots. 

Let it snow!

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW!

SPECIAL FRIENDSHIPS MEAN THE WORLD TO ME...

The gold elastic cord and gold eyelet combination add a touch of glitz and shine to this holiday card...

Ummmm... I love using the textured card stock.  When making a special card for a special friend (one who means the world to me), I always use textured papers. 

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Set #114308 Wings of Friendship (Hostess Set); Stamp Pad #101179 Basic Black; Textured Card Stock #108698 Real Red, #108693 Sahara Sand; Card Stock #100730 Whisper White; Designer Series Paper #115676 Holiday Lounge; Embellishment #105319 Eyelets Gold; Ribbon #109867 Elastic Cord Gold; Punches #113692 Eyelet Border, #116794 Ornament; Tool #108362 Crop-A-Dile; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

My stamping studio is bustling with activity... There are still lots of FALL cards being made, but now we're making HOLIDAY cards too. 

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW.  

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CARDS...

Occasionally, I make a card that hits-the-spot with my local stampers... This is one of those!  Why?  It's simple.  It's timeless.  It's season appropriate.  It's event generic.  And... The little 3-D flowers embellished with the tiny pearls are  f a b u l o u s ly   s w e e t, and turned this ordinary card into a little masterpiece...

 

 
 

HERE'S HOW:  1. Punch the little flower from Card Stock.  2. Place each punched flower on the Mat Pack foam.  3. Press center of flower with large end of the Stylus Tool.  (It bends like magic.)  4. Adhere the flower to the card with a dab of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  5. Position a Pearl in the center.  ALSO:  To add dimension to the vase, sponge a shadow on one side.

 

One tiny little note from me to you... I used a retired punch (the Trio Flower) to make this card, but when I made the discovery, I tried the same technique with the Boho Blossoms Punch, and it worked just the same.  I intended to change out the flowers, but... Oh well...

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Supplies & Accessories: Stamp Set 116948-W or 120453-C Just Believe; Textured Card Stock 121076 Always Artichoke; Card Stock #100946 More Mustard, #101650 Very Vanilla; Stampin' Pad #105219 Always Artichoke; Punches #119847 Ornament, #119858 Boho Blossoms; Tools #105826 Mat Pack, 100663 Stylus, #101610 Stamping Sponge; Embellishment 119247 Basic Pearls; Adhesives #110755 Multipurpose Liquid Glue, #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals. 

If you haven't purchased the ORNAMENT PUNCH, you should put it on your wish list, especially with the Holidays coming.  There are so many things you can use it for - even to make an ORNAMENT.