Did you get lots of Christmas shopping done this weekend? Are your packages all wrapped and stacked in, under and around the tree?
FYI... Even though my shopping isn't finished, I DID get my decorations all up for the Christmas Tour of Homes. Next step is to take photos and post them. And then I'll start MY Christmas shopping!!
Supples & Accessories: Stamp Sets #111776 Season of Friendship, #115024 Loads of Love Accessories; Stamp Pads #103139 Close To Cocoa, #101406 StazOn Jet Black; Textured Card Stock #108698 Real Red, Glorious Green; Card Stock #100730 Whisper White; Color Coordination #101879 Watercolor Pencils; Applicator #102845 Blender Pens; Punch #107215 Tag Corner; Ribbon #109034 1/4" Grosgrain Real Red.
LAST DAY: YOU MAY STILL SAVE 30% - 40% - 50% BY ORDERING ONLINE AT THE HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA EVENT! LOG ON TO www.lindaswebsite.stampinup.netAND GET SOME GREAT SHOPPING DONE!
I have LOTS to do today! These green tubs are filled with all my Christmas decorations. My strategy is all plotted out. Between today and Monday, I'll empty them and deck my halls (decorate my house) in order to join the 2009 very much anticipated Christmas Tour of Homes!
(Oops, I just noticed that the typing on the Nut Crackers label is a little high. Mr. Monk would have to stop everything and change it. Not me. I'm only a little neurotic.) By now, 93.5% of readers will have hit escape, but I'll continue today's blog for the remaining 6.5% of you.
Here's my 3-Step Plan to maximize my efficiency... 1) Remove every single non-Christmas decor object in the six target areas of my house. 2) Start spreading Christmas magic here and there. I can't remember from one year to the next where things go and have to start from creative scratch every single time! 3) I don't even know what #3 could or should be, so better quit talking and just get busy since time is running out!
All I do know is this... IF I'm successful in emptying all 15 tubs, and IF I don't run out of steam, and IF everything finds a place, and IF I get all my bows made, I'll be ready to take photos by Sunday evening... Well, perhaps Monday... Tuesday at the absolute latest... Because house cleaner gal is coming on Wednesday... Stamp Club is here on Thursday... Three stamping events here on Friday... Christmas Luncheon on Saturday... What. Was. I. Thinking?
Click below to watch Meghan Carter from askthedecorator.com make a Christmas bow.
You are cordially invited to attend the 2009 Christmas Tour of Homes on Monday, December 14th... But if you want to stop by early and take a sneak peek, I'll be ready by... Well... Hummm.... I'll keep you posted!
You still have 3 days to SAVE BIG at the HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA SALE! I would love to send you my beautiful RIPPLED RIBBONS flyer - just for making a purchase. Go to www.lindaswebsite.stampinup.net.
Thanks for dropping by today. Best wishes to you as we officially enter the holiday season... Love, Linda
Turkey and pumpkin pie are on my mind today... But I wanted to show you this simple Christmas card made with aluminum foil, because it turned out so pretty...
HERE'S HOW: 1) Carefully adhere regular aluminum foil to a piece of card stock with an Anywhere Glue Stick. 2) Emboss with a Textured Impression Embossing Folder. 3) Trim to desired size. 4) To get the angles as shown on this card, make a square, then simply cut it in half, from corner to opposite corner. 5) Adhere to card.
Check out the BIG SALE information below... Special Offer: Everyone who makes a purchase from me (HOLIDAYEXTRAVAGANZA) will also receive a full-color flyer with step-by-step instructions on how to make RIPPLEDRIBBONS!
Happy Thanksgiving Week! Thanks to all of you who emailed me about the Christmas Wreath card posted on November 19th. Here's a variation for you...
The Stampin' Up! BIG SHOT DIES and Stampin' Up! PUNCHES made this a very quick and easy card to make!
Supplies & Accessories: Stamp Set #115370 Teeny Tiny Wishes; Stamp Pad #105219 Always Artichoke; Textured Card Stock #108697 Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive; Card Stock #101650 Very Vanilla; Patterns Designer Series Paper #112154 Certainly Celery; Big Shot #113469 Bigz Dies Scallop Circle-2, 114511 Sizzlits Dies Little Leaves; Tool 112530 Circle Scissor Plus; Punches #116630 Modern Label, #104403 1-1/4" Circle, #109046 1" Circle, #109047 3/16" Corner Rounder; Embellishments #106955 Brads Old Olive; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.
Tomorrow I'll be posting a card made with ALUMINUM FOIL!
(I post something brand new every Monday through Friday... Subscribe to Polka Dots and Paper by entering your email address in the SUBSCRIBE box, just under my Email Me button at the left, and you'll automatically receive a daily update!)
Are YOU the hostess for this year's Thanksgiving dinner? Is your menu all planned? What about your table place settings? Take a look at this BEFORE and AFTER picture...
A splash of Stampin' Up! color turns DULL into DELIGHTFUL. And I did this, start to finish, in twenty minutes!
Personalize the table setting with a place card...
A simple ribbon tied around the napkin adds a festive touch...
Patterns Designer Series Paper and Die Cut Leaves under this inexpensive plate, dress it up...
And guests of any age love a candy treat...
I was asked to set a table for eight at a Christmas Luncheon on December 5th at my church. The above place setting is SIMPLE. The Christmas luncheon table will be SUBLIME!I can't wait to show you pictures on Monday, December 7th.
Now, don't forget... If you shop at my Stampin' Up! Store today through November 30th, you'll receive a wonderful color flyer with step-by-step directions on how to makeRIPPLED RIBBONSshown on the card in last Friday's post!
Don't forget the BIG HOLIDAY ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA that starts on Monday! Amazing discounts!! If you have questions simply email me at [email protected] - or phone me at 360-936-2030 - or txt me at 360-936-2030. Order Online from me between November 23-30, and you'll also receive the RIPPLE RIBBON flyer (see below) directly from me. Love ya! Linda
One of my favorite things is a beautiful quilt. I love quilts made with either fabrics or papers. (You may click on my This & That button to see pictures of some of the fabric quilts I've made.) This quilted card turned out even better after I added the RIPPLED RIBBON.
You've seen the "quilted" Top Note dozens of times... Me too - and love them all. Here are some simple steps in case you've never tried it: 1) Cut squares in 1"x1" blocks. 2) Line up first row, using scotch tape on back side to secure quilt blocks in place. 3) Make sure the edge is perfectly straight before adding row two. You might need to trim edge, not with scissors but with a paper cutter. 4) Add remainder of rows, using same steps, with scotch tape on back and trimming as you go. 5) Lay your quilted square, right side down, on the Top Note Die, making sure top and bottom points are centered on quilt seam.
And yes, there's a method to making your ribbon in evenly spaced ripples. To all my customers, both home and away, who order online with me during the great Holiday Extravaganza November 23-30, I will send you a one-page full color, step-by-step flyer on RIBBON RIPPLES. (Aren't they perfectly fabulous!)
Visit my Stampin' Up! Store and take advantage of amazing discounts 24/7 all during Thanksgiving Week! BIG SALE - GREAT PRICES! Click on the Stampin' Up! Store button above, then click on SHOP NOW at the top of the page. If you have questions or need my input just email, phone or txt me. My email is [email protected] and my cell/txt is 360-936-2030. You are making this creative journey a delight. Thank you.
(MFEO: Made For Each Other!) Here's my very best Christmas decorating tip... I go to Costco (perhaps it's called Sam's Club in your area), and purchase several rolls of Christmas ribbon with wire edges for around $7 each. I make pretty bows and put them on EVERYTHING... On wreaths, garlands, the mantle, trees, anything that's not breathing. Bows are economical and FLAMBOYANT! I'll show you photos of my house as soon as I'm finished decorating. Today's card has a teeny-tiny-itsy-bitsy bow...
CHRISTMAS WREATH: 1) Use the Bigz Die Scallop Circle-2 to cut the wreath. 2) Cut a small circle out of the center with the Circle Scissor Plus. 3) Use the Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty to emboss the design on the wreath. 4) Decorate with brads or pretties of your choice.
I made this little bow just like I make big bows - even though I needed elf-size fingers. I'll have a HOW TO MAKE A BOW VIDEO for you next week.
Supplies & Accessories: Stamp Set #115108 Warm Words; Stamp Pad #101179 Basic Black; Textured Card Stock #108698 Real Red; Card Stock #105125 Certainly Celery, #100730 Whisper White; Patterns Designer Series Paper #112154 Certainly Celery; Big Shot Bigz Die Scallop Circle #2, #116824 Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty; Tool #112530 Circle Scissor Plus; Punch #112091 Scallop Edge; Embellishment #106957 Brads Red; Ribbon #104827 Gingham Red; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.
NEXT WEEK'S Polka Dots and Paper lineup will include Thanksgiving, Christmas and Bow Making as I continue to prepare for the Christmas Tour of Homes! I'm planning to be all decked out by December 1st. ....Check out the BIG SALE below!
November 23-30, 2009: Online Extravaganza! Visit my Stampin' Up! Store and take advantage of amazing discounts 24/7 all during Thanksgiving Week! BIG SALE - GREAT PRICES! If you have questions or need expert input, email, phone or txt me... I'm here for you!
Last year, here in the Pacific Northwest, we had a ton of snow. (Click on my This & That button to see a photo of my home in the snow.) It's not likely we'll see that much snow again this year, because snow in this region is the exception rather than the rule. We'll just have to enjoy snow scenes on the nightly news or in photos. While making plans for the events of the season, the Holiday Lounge Designer Series Paper caught my attention. I chose the Snowflake Sizzlit that most closely matched the snow on the paper, and cut a simple "pointed" tree, tying everything together.
Supplies & Accessories: Stamp Set #116921 Four the Holidays; Stamp Pad #101179 Basic Black; Textured Card Stock #108696 Taken with Teal; Card Stock #100730 Whisper White, #105328 Sahara Sand; Designer Series Paper #115676 Holiday Lounge; Big Shot #113449 Sizzlits 4-Pack Dies Snowflake Set 2.
Whether it snows or not... at your home or mine... I'd like to invite you to become a new customer or a new demonstrator with me. For both, there are lots of benefits... You'll receive the INSIDE SCOOP on many topics. I have patterns and kits and ideas galore to share. As we look forward to the NEW YEAR, don't hesitate to contact me with questions or comments about JOINING MY TEAM. I love new beginnings. January is just that! Have you thought about becoming a demonstrator - but want to make sure you have a leader that can adequately support you via long distance? You can trust me to do that. Email and we'll chat. Just you and me at[email protected].
You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store or at my Polka Dots Store. Click on either of the round buttons, top right. Better yet, I can assist you in a personal phone call. Pick up the phone and dial 360-936-2030.
My Christmas plans are in the works and most details are already on several categorized lists, typed of course, because I'm nuts about organizing! This card reminds me of several things that need to be done sooner rather than later. Completing my handmade cards is an obvious one... Decorating the tree is another... And what sweet treats I'll be getting for the kiddies...
This card is soooooo FUN... If I need some nourishment, I can crack open the Sweet Treat Cup and help myself to the chocolate covered raisins! Life is good! Email me and I'll gladly assist you in placing an order for these darling Cups. They have such pizazz and make cute Christmas gifts!
By-the-way, I heard from 14 gals who chose card #1 on the November 10th "Forty Four Days and Counting" post. Most liked it best due to the Lovely As a Tree Stamp Set! Me too!
Tomorrow I'll share a card with an outdoor snow theme - and also show you a photo of my home in last year's snow storm. I'm already dropping hints to my husband about hanging the outside Christmas lights. But I can't check it off my list until they are actually illuminated.
You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store or at my Polka Dots Store. Click on either of the round buttons, top right. There's still plenty of time to make some strategic and creative purchases for the holidays.
