Stampin with the Goddess

Big Shot Christmas Treats

Now that my Christmas cards are done and in the mail, I've started shifting my attention to gifts for the holidays.  This weekend, it was treat holders.  These little cuties will hold candies (homemade candy if I can squeeze in the time!) for the secretaries at work, neighbors, and other friends.

The top container is a red metal bucket that I picked up at the Target Dollar Spot.  The snowflakes were cut from the bulk vinyl that Stampin' Up! sells and uses the snowflakes Sizzlits and my Big Shot machine.

The net two holders also use dies and the Big Shot machine- Top Note and the Pillow Box.

 

The purse-like tote was created by cutting two Ruby Red pieces with the Top Notes Bigz die and one Top Notes cut from the Holiday Treasures Designer Series paper, which I then cut in half and glued onto the bottom of each of the Ruby Red pieces.  Next, I attached the Top Note pieces to a small gift bag (3 1/2" wide, cut down, that I bought at Michaels)  The handle is simply punched with the Word Window punch.  To the front, I added a snowflake, again cut with the Sizzlits die and a small blue rhinestone brad from the Ice Rhinestone brads set.  The gift tag was created with the Curly Label bundle, using Kiwi Kiss classic ink on Very Vanilla card stock and layered over a second piece punched from Baha Breeze card stock.  The entire tote was then held together with a piece of Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon. 

While I would love to take credit for this little purse-like tote, it is shamelessly CASED (though tweaked a bit to make it "mine") from Patty Bennett at Patty's Stamping Spot.

 

My last treat holder was very similar to the one I shared with you on Thanksgiving.  I created a pillow box punched from Very Vanilla card stock.  A piece of wide striped grosgrain ribbon (only available a bit longer from the Holiday Mini Catalog) was tied around the end to help hold the pillow box closed.  I wrapped a piece of the Holiday Treasures Designer Series paper around the box and finished with a gift tag created with the Curly Label Bundle.

Lastly, don't forget that tomorrow, Monday, December 15 is the last day Stampin' Up! recommends placing your order for Christmas arrivals.  If the Big Shot is on your wish list, give Santa another gentle reminder and have him (or her) stop by my website to order your gift.  With the current FREE shipping promotion, the Big Shot bundle about $20 less expensive!

Stampin' Up! Announces Retiring Stamps AND a Sale!

Today Stampin' Up! has released their latest retirement list.  These stamps will only be available through the end of the current catalog period and after that, they're gone!  In addition, for the first time ever, from now until December 23, all of the retiring stamps are 10% off!  On top of that, when you place an order of $70 or more, you will receive FREE shipping!  How great is this.  Don't wait, order advantage of these two great offers and stock up on great stamp sets just in time for Christmas.  Finally, don't forget that you can take advantage of both of these great promotions online 24/7 by clicking "Shop Now" at www.stampingoddess.stampinup.net.

Retired List Pricing

10% Off Dates: December 9‐23, 2008

Item #	Description	US Regular Price	10% OFF
107027	Ahoy, Matey	$         23.95	$    21.56
109401	Baby Jesus Is Born	$         15.95	$    14.36
109552	Beautiful Life	$         20.95	$    18.86
111169	Big Birthday Candle	$         22.95	$    20.66
109411	Brocade Basics	$         23.95	$    21.56
109529	Bronc Buster	$         18.95	$    17.06
109288	Bundled in Love	$         27.95	$    25.16
110999	BurstingwithJoy	$         18.95	$    17.06
109527	Calendar Cues	$         10.95	$       9.86
104421	Canvas	$         17.95	$    16.16
111074	Classic Backgrounds	$         15.95	$    14.36
108559	Crab & Company	$         27.95	$    25.16
111076	Dad's Day	$         22.95	$    20.66
109250	Dots Are Hot	$         23.95	$    21.56
109365	Elegant Notes	$         20.95	$    18.86
104383	Everyday Flexible Phrases	$         41.95	$    37.76
109519	Everything Baby	$         17.95	$    16.16
109343	Fabulous Flowers	$         22.95	$    20.66
104769	Floral	$         17.95	$    16.16
111085	Form & Function	$         17.95	$    16.16
111339	Fruit Stand	$         18.95	$    17.06
109240	Ginormous Flowers	$         28.95	$    26.06
109262	Happiness	$         17.95	$    16.16
110969	Hattitude	$         24.95	$    22.46
109284	Haunting Halloween	$         18.95	$    17.06
111001	Hi& Hello	$         15.95	$    14.36
109308	It's All Good	$         12.95	$    11.66
109453	Just Golf	$         12.95	$    11.66
109451	Just Hockey	$         12.95	$    11.66
109505	Keep Christmas	$         19.95	$    17.96
111095	Kind Thoughts	$         25.95	$    23.36
111341	Light unto My Path, A	$         18.95	$    17.06
110376	Merry & Bright	$         14.95	$    13.46
109345	Moose You	$         17.95	$    16.16
109320	On the Fly	$         19.95	$    17.96
107192	Paisley	$         17.95	$    16.16
111103	Perfect Timing	$         12.95	$    11.66
109393	Pictograms	$         13.95	$    12.56
109491	Posy	$         17.95	$    16.16
111119	Pretty Peony	$         36.95	$    33.26
110972	RiotofPetals	$         17.95	$    16.16
109292	Seasonal Whimsy	$         23.95	$    21.56

111056	Seriously Sassy	$         23.95	$      21.56
109483	Sleigh Bells Ring	$          15.95	$      14.36
111123	So Cool	$         18.95	$      17.06
111125	Spring Pictograms	$         13.95	$      12.56
107173	Starstruck	$          10.95	$        9.86
111022	Stemming From	$         15.95	$      14.36
110998	Stitched	$          17.95	$      16.16
104243	SummerbytheSea	$         28.95	$      26.06
107133	Take Three	$          17.95	$      16.16
111060	Text & Texture	$          25.95	$      23.36
109475	Thanks for Everything	$          17.95	$      16.16
107383	Thoroughly Thankful	$          22.95	$      20.66
102744	TreeforAllSeasons,A	$         12.95	$      11.66
111179	Twill	$          17.95	$      16.16
107123	Warm Words	$         20.95	$      18.86
107159	Well-Worn Alphabet	$          41.95	$      37.76
107157	Well-Worn Numbers	$          22.95	$      20.66
109232	Winds of Grace	$          19.95	$      17.96
109469	Wishing You Cheer	$          13.95	$      12.56
109300	With Gratitude	$          22.95	$      20.66
103875	Wonderful Words	$          20.95	$      18.86
109467	Wondrous Gift	$          22.95	$      20.66

FREE Stamps

Yes, you heard that right, I'm giving away a FREE hostess exclusive, new, unmounted stamp set to one lucky readers.  How can you get these stamps you ask?  Well read further.... 

While I'm tolling away on my 80 Christmas cards, I'd like to give someone a FREE hostess set- Punches Three.  This is a Level 1 hostess set from the Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog and can be your absolutely FREE.  From now through Monday, December 8 everyone who places an online order of $50 or more through my Stampin Up! website will be entered into a drawing for this FREE set.  On Tuesday morning I'll put everyone's name in a hat and will pick a winner and send this new stamp set to them.  Good luck!

 

Coming Up For Air

Just coming up for a quick breath of fresh air!  I've been buried in my stamping room diligently working on my Christmas cards.  It's the same every year: I vow to start early like maybe August or September.  Come September or October I actually decide what stamps I want to use and vow to start working as soon as the stamps and supplies come in.  Then I get caught up in fall soccer, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the next thing I know it's December and panic sets in.  I have 80 cards to make and no time! 

Well this year was no different, other than last week I actually set aside some to start working on my cards, but ended up spending all of my extra time working on getting packets together for last Saturday's Stamp-A-Stack at Teresa's house.  So much for good intentions. 

So Sunday of this week I finally sat down and started to working on my cards.  With any luck I'll have them ready to mail by Sunday!

So here's my card for this year.  Now looking at this, you might ask yourself how I can possibly get 80 of these puppies cranked out in a week's time, only working on them in the evenings.  First let me assure you that I am not staying up until all hours of the night working- I need my beauty sleep!

No, instead, it's all broken down into step, assembly line style.  On Sunday I cut the Riding Hood Red card stock and stamped the backgrounds.  On Monday the Confetti Cream pieces were cut and the cardinals all stamped.  Tuesday and Wednesday I colored the cardinals and tore the Confetti Cream piece and cut the Always Artichoke card stock.  Tonight I glued the Confetti Cream pieces to the Always Artichoke pieces and tore them as well.  Later I will tie the Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon around the card fronts.  Tomorrow I work on the Merry Christmas medallions.  I'm leaving the insides until Saturday because I haven't decided if I want to add a family photo or not (I'm still toying with how to incorporate the annual Christmas photo into this card design).

Saturday or Sunday I'll get hubby and the two boys to sit around the table to sign all of the cards (this is one of their favorite activities of the holidays LOL!)  Addressing is easy because I have my Christmas card list stored as a file in Word and simply print address labels and return address labels.  Voila- 80 hand stamped Christmas cards ready to be mailed.

Truly, I've learned over the years that the real secret is breaking the projects into a bunch of simple parts and like any other mass productions, all of the little steps quickly add up to the big project in no time.

Speaking of Christmas cards, if you are hand stamping your holiday cards this year, leave a link to creation as a comment and share your masterpieces with my other readers!

Lastly, while I'm tolling away on my cards, I'd like to give someone a FREE hostess set- Punches Three.  This is a Level 1 hostess set from the Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog and can be your absolutely FREE.  From now through Monday, December 8 everyone who places an online order of $50 or more through my Stampin Up! website will be entered into a drawing for this FREE set.  On Tuesday morning I'll put everyone's name in a hat and will pick a winner and send this new stamp set to them.  Good luck!

December Card Kit- Crazy for Cupcakes & Bead Duos

CARD KIT OF THE MONTH

December 2008

 

It's card kit time again!   You will LOVE this stamp set and these cards!

 

In this kit, you'll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design shown above - so you will receive all of the consumable supplies that you need to create 12 cards total.

You will also receive 2 additional full color samples of "alternative" cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit, as well as step by step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs.

Card Kit Price is just $20--that's 12 cards, plus envelopes for just $20!

Each month, the card kit also features both a Stamp Set of the Month and an Accessory of the Month. If you purchase the card kit, you may also purchase these items at 20% off!

December Featured Products:

·    Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set ($23.95) $19.16 with the purchase of the Card Kit

·    Red Bead Duo ($9.95) $7.96 with the purchase of the Card Kit

Special Note: You'll want to be sure to get

Crystal

Effects to go along with this card kit! It plays a big part in making the cupcakes look real with the lacquered look it gives. Here's a close up to see what I mean:

 

What else will you need?  See the list below for items that were used to create the cards in this kit.  If you already have everything--just buy the card kit and you are ready to create!

If you don't have everything--place a product order with your kit (don't forget about the discount on the "featured products!") 

 

Or--you can use the card kit to create your own designs using other stamps and inks that you already have--the choice is yours!

Orders for the Card Kits must be received by December 10th. You will receive your kits by the end of the month.

Products you will need to complete cards as shown:

• Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker ($3.95)
• So Saffron Stampin’ Write Marker ($3.95)
• Close to CocoaStampin’ Write Marker ($3.95)
• Blender Pens ($9.95)
• Baja Breeze Classic Ink Refill ($2.75)
• So Saffron Classic Inkpad ($5.25)
• Jet Black StazOn Inkpad ($7.95)

• CrystalEffects ($6.25)

Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set ($23.95) $19.16 with the purchase of the Card Kit

Red Bead Duo ($9.95) $7.96 with the purchase of the Card Kit

• Stampin’ Dimensionals ($3.95)
• SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)
• Paper Snips ($9.95)

 

December Card Kit

To order the card kit and the stamp set and any of the add-on items, drop me an email at colleen@stampingoddess.com