November Christmas Stamp A Stack Cards

We've got one more round of Christmas Stamp-A-Stack Cards!

Tuesday, Nov. 29th from 6:30-9:30pm

Make 12 cards, (6 cards of the 2 designs shown) with 12 envelopes and a complete bolt of Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon for $25. 


Creative Tuesday's Location: 1000 Winton Road North. Rochester, 14609

Pre-pay registration is due by Monday, Nov. 14. Feel free to use the secure PayPal link below or mail your payment to Amy Rist. 38 Cliffordale Park Rochester, 14609. 

For addt' info about November's Creative Tuesday & Make it a Digital Christmas: Click here

For addt'l info about the next Stamp Shoppe: Click here

It's Good To Be The Hostess!

NEW PROMOTION!!!  STAMPIN' UP! HOSTESS REWARDS BONUS

Dates: November 1-December 15, 2011

Details:  Host a stamping party or place an order of $350 or more (excluding tax and shipping) and receive an additional $35 in free Stampin' Up! products. This is in addition to all the other benefits you would normally receive as Stampin' Up! Hostess Rewards.  Addt'l details on hostess benefits.

IMPORTANT FYI:   On-line orders through my "shop now" Stampin' Up! on-line shopping cart do NOT qualify.  In order to earn the additional $35 in rewards, your ORDER MUST BE PLACED HERE.  I will contact you by email with your total and arrange for payment by credit card.

Visit my online calendar here to see what open dates are available for you to host a your stamping get together - let's get you some FREE loot for your holiday decorating, gifts and projects!

Wait - hang on, darlin', there's more!

STARTER KIT OFFER EXTENDED THROUGH NOV. 11. 
Get a FREE Big Shot or $100 in your choice of products as a BONUS with the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit. The $175 Starter Kit and Product Bonus are valued to $440 and include FREE SHIPPING!
That's a 60% savings!
STAMPIN' UP! STARTER KIT PROMOTION DETAILS! 

One Layer Wonder!

Today's Idea of the Day is perfect for getting the job done quickly and easily.  Kristin Roberts, a sweet member of my team created this fantastic One Layer Wonder card and she's rockin' my favorite stamp set from the Holiday Mini, Gently Falling!

Kristin makes this card work with a nice combination of two-step stamping and then a little POP!  She cut out the maple leaf, used dimensionals to raise the image then added a touch of shimmery glitter to the veining of the leaf and wowza - it's ready to roll!  Thanks for sharing, Kristin.  You're the 'bee's knees'!

Savvy Savings Tip: The Gently Falling Stamp Set gives you quite a bang for your buck!  The set comes with two complete leaf images; the outlines and the middle or interior of the leaf.  I have used the set together as intended, as a two step, yet the outline images are crisp clean and beautiful.  They look wonderful on their own.  The interior of the leaf looks lovely in a neutral or light colored ink as a subtle compliment.

Visit my web store for more information or to place an order today!

You Inspire Me...

Today's Idea of the Day is a card that I made for my Mom using some of my fav fall pieces from the Holiday Mini.  I'm crazy for the Spice Cake Designer Paper.  The colors are out of this world! Crisp, fresh and rather unpredictable.  I may never have chosen to pair So Saffron, Soft Suede and Pool Party - but it works and works beautifully.

Supply List:
Card Stock: So Saffron, Pool Party & Whisper White
Designer Paper: Spice Cake
Ink: Classic Soft Suede, So Saffron & More Mustard
Stamp Sets: Gently Falling & Perfect Words (*Exclusive Hostess Benefit)
Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border & Modern Label
Addt'l Tidbits: Basic Rhinestones, SNAIL Adhesive & Dimensionals

Would you like to earn any of the products  for FREE?
Click here for NEW Hostess benefits available through December 15th only!

The making of a pretty pleated paper rosette!

Today's Idea of the Day: Working Smarter Not Harder!

I used to make the pretty pleated paper rosettes (say THAT 10 times, fast!) by cutting my paper and then carefully and painstakingly folding, creasing with a bone folder and then folding again... You get the idea - it took me FOREVER.  And in all honesty, I was always hoping that my results were a bit better. 

Now, I have the pretty and beautifully put together rosettes that I was hoping for.  That's all because of the new Simply Scored!  Love her!

First, here are the directions for making the paper rosettes, complete with pictures. Keep on reading for more info about Simply Scored.

Let's get started...
1) Cut card stock or Designer Series paper to 12" x 3/4".

2) Score strip every 1/4" (the entire length) with Simply Scored and then accordion fold the score lines.

3) Adhere ends of card stock together (Sticky Strip has the best results)

4) Holding the card stock with two hands, twist one edge of the strip into the center as shown to create a flower shape.

5) Adhere a punched circle to the flower center on one or both sides to hold shape in place.

Design Tip:

Experiment with different sizes and score intervals to create the desired shape of your flower.

Now (drum roll please...!)Introducing Stampin' Up!'s original scoring tool--designed exclusively by and for Stampin' Up!
With etched grooves every 1/8" and the ability to score card stock up to 12" x 12", the Simply Scored scoring tool helps you create perfectly measured score marks. 

Features of the Simply Scored Scoring Tool

• Comes with a high-quality stylus instead of a plastic bone folder.
• Stylus is ergonomically shaped and features a comfort grip.
• The high-quality metal tips on each end of the stylus--they come in two sizes--glide smoothly over your paper.
• Features a unique set of place markers that let you mark your score lines when creating multiple projects with the same score lines.
• Includes three place markers.
• Additional place markers may be purchased
• Includes a hidden storage compartment in the back of the base to hold your scoring tools.
  (I keep extra place markers & lip gloss in mine!)
• Accommodates card stock up to 12" x 12".

The Nitty Gritty or Product Details:Item 122334; $29.95

• Simply Scored includes
• 1 scoring board
• 1 stylus
• 3 place markers
• Dimensions of scoring board: 15-1/8" x 13-1/4" x 1"
• Additional products available:
• Simply Scored Stylus
• Item 125624; $4.50
• Simply Scored Place Markers (pack of 6)
• Item 125625; $2.50

To order the Simply Scored Board, please visit my online store.  Happy Scoring & pretty pleated paper flower making!!

A little 'spooky' for the walls!

Today's Idea of the Day is all about decorating for the holidays! In honor of Halloween here's a fun Decor Elements idea...

Stampin' Up!'s Decor Elements are so stinkin' easy to use!  Short of adding to brick or fabric, you can adorn just about anything... wall, mirrors, plates, gift bags, day planners, notebooks, journals and on and on. 

A couple of things to know:

1. Decor Elements will not harm your walls or surfaces in any way.  Put them up (or on) and enjoy until you're done enjoying.  Gently peel the vinyl art off and things are just as before. 
2. Once you are done enjoying your art and then remove the pieces, they're ready to be tossed.

Stay tuned over the next several weeks for additional ideas for incorporating Decor Elements with the Holidays.  This is a fun, creative and very easy way to present 'one of a kind' gifts to your fav peeps and to decorate for the upcoming festivities of the season!

Click here to view the many Decor Elements artwork pieces online!

A Sunny Thank You

This card was fun to make - plain and simple...  The combo of the playful font, the colorful Calypso Coral ribbon and the polka dots just made this plain 'ole fun!!

Measuring 5x5 this little ditty is a wonderful handful of bliss and features two big, bold background stamps; Sunflower & Distressed Dots.

A quick stamping tip?  When layering stamp over stamp as I did with the polka dots over the sunflower, it's a good idea to stamp with the lighter color first and then go darker. 

Click here for another look at layer stamping with the Friends 24-7 bird

Supply List:
Stamps: Sunflower (#123606) & Distressed Dots (#122815) - both of these only come in wood mount & Perfectly Penned, see below...

             

Ink: Classic Calypso Coral & Chocolate Chip

Card Stock: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral & Chocolate Chip

Punches: Scallop Trim Border & Boho Blossoms

Sassy Extras: Basics Glimmer Brads, Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, Calypso Coral 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive & Mini Glue Dots.

To purchase any of the freatured products from today's
Idea of the Day, please click here to visit my online store

Look for a new Idea of the Day, everyday through December 10th right here on my blog or on my DotDesigns Facebook page.

Have a great day!!

Paper Pumpkins!

Today's Idea of the Day is fun and easy!  I also really did the concept of these sweeties basue they can work for Halloween and then carry right through for Thanksgiving or Harvest decorating.

Here's your guide:
1.Cut strips of Cajun Craze Textured Card Stock. Stack 12 to 14 strips, and punch holes in both ends using Crop-A-Dile. Secure strips together on one end using a Jumbo Brad, and fan out into circle shape. To form into sphere, secure other end of strips together using second  Jumbo Brad.

2. Gently dampen or spray thin strips of Old Olive Card Stock with water, and wrap around dowel or Stampin' Write Marker. Allow to dry, then remove from dowel.

3.Cut leaves from Spice Cake Designer Series Paper using Big Shot and Leaves #2 Originals Die. Adhere leaf and curly stem from previous step to top of each pumpkin using Stampin' Dimensionals.

4. Stamp leaf image three times in Old Olive ink on Whisper White Card Stock. Cut out, and adhere one to larger leaf on top of each pumpkin using Stampin' Dimensionals.
5. Thread Linen Thread through three Old Olive Designer Buttons, and adhere one to top of each pumpkin.
6. Place pumpkins in a basket or on your mantle as a fun seasonal touch!

Supply List:
Stamps: Day of Gratitude Set

Paper
Whisper White Card Stock
Cajun Craze Textured Card Stock
Spice Cake Designer Series Paper
Paper or card stock
Ink
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories & Tools
Linen Thread
Brights Designer Buttons
Neutrals 5/16" Jumbo Brads
Stampin' Dimensionals
Crimper
Crop-A-Dile
Big Shot
Leaves #2 Originals Die
Spray bottle with water (or your sink & fingers!)

To order any of the supplies to make your paper pumpkins, visit my online store today!

Re-Purposing Vintage Pieces for your Home

Idea of the Day: Re-Purpose and prop out with paper!

I really dig the creative opportunities that we have when taking an old vintage piece and revamping it to completely fit you & your style. Frames are a nice traditional way to capture memories, but why not jump right out of the box?!  This old wood tray is the perfect example. 

I like to take vintage pieces and move them around our home based on the season or how I'm feeling. There are two places that I personally go to grab vintage items.  If you're in the Greater Rochester area, I suggest Rehouse on  East Main in the city & The Shops on West Ridge (aka Craft Antique Co-Op) in Greece. You've got to a bit of searching & looking in both places, but that's the fun of it!

Once I have my base vintage piece, I'll focus on the pictures and and meaningful things that I want to doll it up with.  As in the photo above, it's easy to embellish and compliment the photos using dates, punched pieces, brads, buttons, ribbon or whatever 'floats your boat!'  I particularly love the addition of the linen thread and buttons as they speak beautifully to the feel of the vintage style, and add great texture & color. 

Today's Idea of the Day is made possible because of the following super cool Stampin' Up! accessories:
Linen Thread
Metallic Brads
Big Designer Buttons
Pearl Basic Jewels
Vintage Trinkets
Eyelet Border Punch
Jewelry Tag Punch
1/16" Circle Punch
1/2" Circle Punch
Big Shot
Alphabet Simple Numbers Bigz Die
Bitty Box & Envelope Bigz XL Die
Crochet Threads
Mini clothespins

Please visit my online web store to order any of the Stampin' Up! products features in today's post

One Sassy Witch!

Today's Idea of the Day is borrowed from Heather, a 2011 Stampin' Up! Artisan Winner.  This is so fun and cool!!

There are a few neat components that I'd like to show you.

1. Heather uses the new Simply Scored Tool to create the Rosette on the top.

2. There's a lot of subtle texture going on from the Snow Burst Embossing Folder (#124096). You'll find it in the topper that's holder those little witch legs, in center of the rosette and on the witches shoes.

3. The basic jewels are a sparkly accent to the rosette.  Easy to apply and quick!

4. Awesome Value Alert!  The 1"x8" cello bags (#124134) come in a set of 50 for only $2.50 and are used as the witches legs.

5. Creative A-Ha!!  Heather used the new Stocking Builder Punch (#124095) and transformed a holiday stocking to the witches super sassy shoes with a couple of simple snips.

6. My fav punch is the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (#119275).  Heather punched a piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock, then bunched it a bit to create the ruffled look on the boot.  Ooh lala! A few more snips from the same punch makes the front boot strap accessory.  LOVE!!

To order any of the above items, please visit my online store