Skipping Fall?

Even though it's early October, it seems that Mother Nature is in a hurry to show off her powers of sudden change.  Two days ago I was wearing sandals & shorts.  Today?  At approximately 10:00 a.m., it's a whopping 43*.  It isn't permanent for now, but since we sampled this yesterday, I'm personally done with this.  However ... it feels like Christmas is close, so turn on the Christmas music and stamp!

The latest stencils release from A Colorful Life is filled with Christmas spirit!

This card features the new 6" X 9" 'Faded Poinsettia' stencil.  Since this is a large stencil, you can position it in different ways depending on the viewpoint you prefer.

Embossed sentiments can add an extra touch of elegance!  The layers are matted with lovely metallic gold card stock to pull it all together.  

Hope you've found a bit of inspiration to start up your next stamping session!  See you again, soon.

Inky (((hugs))),

Christmas in July Hop & Sale!

Welcome to a special Christmas in July Blog Hop featuring Christmas stamps by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!   One lucky commenter will win a $50 gift code to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps shop!  The deadline for leaving comments on the hop is 11:59 PM, July 31.   
You'll find our complete blog hop list shared below my card. 

There's more fun!  We're also kicking off the Christmas in July Sale starting today, July 24 - July 31!  
Save 25% on all Christmas stamps during this sale.  No code necessary.

Click here to shop now!

Since it's 100% natural for me to be instantly attracted to florals, the beautiful Christmas Poinsettia set (SNS-18-062) called my name right away.  

Even though Copic markers cause problems with heat embossing, that became a non-issue by positioning the poinsettia stamp on my Misti.  I left the stamp in place after stamping the with Memento Gray Flannel ink.  Then I colored the poinsettia and when it was finished, I placed the colored image right back into the Misti in the same spot it had been earlier.  Next I inked it up the cleaned stamp with VersaMark, applied anti-static powder to the image card stock, and stamped directly atop the colored image.  Then it was ready for embossing.  Ta-dah!

Remember to check out even more Christmas inspiration from each of our blog hop participants.  Best wishes on winning the $50 gift code to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps shop!

Sweet 'n Sassy Blog
Julee Tilman
Bev Gerard   (Thanks for being here!)
Ceal Pritchett
Dina Kowal
Gayle Bond
Giovana Smith
Jane Bosi
Jeanne Streiff
Julie Cassell
Lee Ann Barrett
Lyn Tomlin
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stephanie Serrano

Joy and a Moose!

My craftiness urges want to be as busy as most this season, but a little snag has jumped into my life that interferes a bit with what I would 'like' to be doing.  Even so, when I can add up little bits of good time in my stampy zone, I'm learning to keep a project "in progress" across days if needed and just relish completion when it happens.  Get it while the getting is good?   ;)

Jeanne's Free for All F4A356 challenge this week is to use wood.  Well, I don't care too much for stamping with wood, so I immediately thought of my Hardwood background stamp ... and that led right into an earthy look, which quickly drew me to the moose that I adore in the Jolly Friends stamp set.  There.  All settled!

  
Some of you may know that deep inside I yearn to be a CAS stamper.  That is not as easy as it sounds in my opinion.  I love dimension, and more than 1 layer ... and sometimes bling, and dies, and ... I could keep going.
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Anyway ... as long as I have another package of Stampin' Dimensionals handy, I'm usually a happy stamper.   Oh ... and Glimmer Paper.  I do love me some Glimmer Paper!  For my Joyful Moose, it's 'red'.   Have a Joyful day m'friends!

Inky (((hugs))),

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Product List

Jolly Friends Photopolymer Stamp Set [142112] $17.00	Wondrous Wreath Photopolymer Stamp Set [135047] $26.00	Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set [133035] $15.00	Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies [135851] $25.00
1/8" Circle Handheld Punch [134365] $9.00	This Christmas Designer Series Specialty Paper [141628] $13.00	Red Glimmer Paper [121790] $5.00	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $4.00
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953] $8.00	Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102584] $8.00	Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115318] $8.00
Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [126973] $6.50	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978] $6.50

In a Hurry?

Sometimes a stamper needs or wants whatever it is as soon as possible.    That certainly describes me ... and perhaps it describes you or someone you know.  

Upon receiving my latest box from Stampin' Up!, I emailed a customer who has been awaiting a product resolution.  "I have it!" was the point of my email to her.  So, she texted to arrange picking it up on her way home from work.  Yay!

Whoa!  What to do to make it just a little bit special ... and do it in a hurry?!

I first tried a 6"X6" paper stack ... but needed more length to surround this embossing folder.  So, a 3" wide length of designer series paper with just a 1" pieced strip in the back created a quick & colorful belly band.  My roll of holiday red tulle caught my eye when I quickly glanced around the studio, and that took mere seconds to tie.  The length already cut happened to fit just great!  (Good mojo?  The Christmas "force" was with me?)  Yes, and yes!

The tag was also super-quick.  The detailed ornament layer was cut from Mint Macaron and a circle of Real Red was cut to layer behind.  Topped that off with a looped strip of 1/8" Gold Ribbon then tucked it beneath the bow.  Done with time to spare!  

Inky (((huggss))),

Happy Birthday in Heaven to my darling Daddy.

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Product List

Delicate Ornament Thinlits Dies [139667] $29.00	Big Shot Platform [142802] $26.00	Gold 1/8" Ribbon [134583] $5.00	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $4.00
Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00

Savor the Anticipation!

This card came about simply because I wanted to stamp/create something and decided to  participate in a challenge.  I needed a creative break with paper, ink, and goodies, with no other particular goal in mind.  (Wouldn't it be grand if every day was so simple?!)

I love the way the Christmas Pines bundle (stamps and thinlits) work so easily with the Pine Bough embossing folder and the Presents and Pinecones designer papers.  The coordination really made this come together in a virtual 'snap'!

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Even though the pictures appear to show a golden color to the pinecones, they're actually cut from the rich Copper Foil Sheets found in the Holiday Catalog.  And yes, Gold and Silver Foil sheets are available in the annual catalog.  That shine is a splendid texture contrast!

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As I started grocery shopping this week for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I realized that this really is the beginning of a 'season of joy' ... joy and thanks.  I rarely have my children and grands altogether on one day at one joint meal, and for me, that is one of a few limited times per year that really touches my innermost heart.  So naturally, I've come to savor the anticipation.  Come to think of it, I should write that as one of my Tex's Tips: Savor the Anticipation!  Hope you're entering a time of anticipation of joys to come as well!

Inky (((hugs))),

Product List

Christmas Pines Photopolymer Bundle [143496] $54.75	Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set [142049] $35.00	Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies [141851] $26.00	Pine Bough Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [141831] $7.50
Copper Foil Sheets [142020] $4.00	Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper [141986] $11.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $6.50	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00	Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141415] $8.00	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Big Shot Die Brush [140603] $11.00	Big Shot Platform [142802] $26.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00