Digital Christmas Card

Hi stampers!  I LOVE MDS our digital scrapping software but have to admit I haven't done anything with it but scrapbook pages...and you can do SO much more with it.  Well, I did a slide show for our wedding but that's different:-)

MDS is a great way to papercraft if your time (or space or budget) is limited!  AND you don't have to worry about wasting paper and supplies when your projects don't quite turn out the way you had planned!  It's also great to use in conjunction WITH traditional papercrafting supplies!

So I was playing around with it the other day and made my first ever digital card!  I have some pictures from our wedding that I just love and I thought they would make great cards!  Now, I won't be printing and sending these as I have about a gajillion Christmas cards around here that I need to get sent out but I made this one for all my online and blog friends!  I hope you enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays and happy stamping!

Filled With Love

Hi stampers!  I know it's almost Christmas but you know SU is always thinking ahead!  Right now and until January 24th you can get a special pack of red and pink DSP and some FREE bitty buttons! And those teeny buttons are SO CUTE!!!!   All you need to do is purchase the Filled with Love bundle that comes with the filled with love stamp set, the DSP, and the bitty buttons.  You can get clear or wood mount, your choice.  This stamp set should retire when the Holiday Mini catalog goes away in a few weeks but they are making it available until the 24th!  It's perfect for getting a head start on all those Valentine's for your sweethearts!  Mine should arrive in a few days!  The paper is also perfect since it's red and pink!  Contact me today with questions or more information or click on the shop now button! Here are the images for the stamp set and the paper:

 Happy stamping!

Glitzy challenge!

I played along with Pals Paper Arts this week for their color challenge!  I thought it was gorgeous with all the gold, white, ivory and silver.

So, this color combo made me think immediately of the Rejoicing in Christmas set.  There hasn't been a religious set in a while that I've loved until this one came around in the mini.  I thought it would look fab embossed in gold.  The details are hard to see in the picture but it's very sparkly in real life as I used the shimmery white paper for the background.  And on one, I sponged the edges of the main image with shimmer paint (very subtle) and then the other one I ran some of the smooch accent ink around for a more bold effect.  I also added a gold shimmer brad...LOVE those!  It's a simple card but sort of elegant...I like it and hope you do too!

Stampin supplies
Stamps: Rejoicing in Christmas
Paper: shimmery white, very vanilla, whisper white
Ink:  versamark, crumb cake
Accessories: shimmer paint, smooch accent ink, glimmer brads, very vanilla seam binding, petals a plenty embossing folder, gold embossing powder, decorative label punch

Happy stamping!

Let it snow (not really)

Hi stampers!  Well, we've officially had our first snow (it's pretty but other than that, YUCK!) so I thought I'd post a Christmas card with a snow theme!  We went to Chicago on Saturday and the snow and ice slowed us up quite a bit!  Anyway, here is the card:

Supplies:
Stamps: Four the Holidays
Paper: crumb cake, baja breeze, blushing bride
Ink: white craft, baja breeze
Accessories:  Smooch accent ink, snowflake #2, northern flurries decorative strip, glimmer brads

It was pretty easy to make.  I did sponge the crumb cake background with white craft ink (and the big snowflake a bit too) and also hilighted some of the edges with the smooch pearlized accent ink for some shimmer.  The big snowflake is the #2 snowflake die and the pink one is from the northern flurries decorative strip, I LOVE that die!  I also ADORE the glimmer brads and that's a baja breeze glimmer brad there in the center.  And that's it, simple but pretty card!  Hope you enjoyed it and are staying warm!

Happy stamping!

Up for a challenge?

Hi stampers!  Quick post today of a card I made for the week's color challenge over on splitcoast stampers!  I'm trying to do more challenges and I encourage you to as well.  I loved the colors this week!  They are soooo "holiday".  So here is my Santa card in Old olive, real red, and river rock:

I used Jolly Old Saint Nick, Bright Christmas, and Serene Snowflakes.  I also added some dazzling diamonds, vanilla satin ribbon and the dotted scalloped punch.  They sentiment didn't turn out quite as bright as I wanted but I kind of like the subtle effect afterall.  Hope you like it!

And don't forget, you have until midnight Utah time to take advantage of the HUGE online sale on my website.  Place an order of $150 or more and get free shipping as well!  Also the last day to sign up as a demo for HALF the cost!  Gotta get to work!

Happy stamping!

HUGE deal! Get HALF off the starter kit!

Until the end of the month, you can join SU for HALF PRICE!  Check out the deal here .  And you get FREE shipping!  It's a great deal even if you don't want to be a demonstrator!  You can simply buy the starter kit and never buy another thing...but of course you'll want to!  It's great to get all the perks that come with being a demo though!  You get a 20% discount on all of the products in our catalogs (and on your first order of $150 within the first 45 days of signing up you get 30%!) or 20% commission if you're selling!  Also, get the chance to see all the catalogs early and get to order a month earlier than the general public!  There is a fantastic magazine demos receive as well as an online forum for ideas and discussion.  SO, if you've ever been on the fence, NOW IS THE TIME!  Please email me if you have any questions!  And I'll leave you with a quick card just for fun!

This was a card for the recent color challenge over on splitcoast!  Pear pizazz, baja breeze and perfect plum!

Gotta go get the laundry!

Happy stamping!

Clean and Simple

So clean and simple is not usually my thing.  The more bling and stuff I can fit on a card the better!  Well, I loved the color combo clean and simple challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers last night so I decided to play along.  Now, it's not that I don't LIKE CAS cards, I just tend to go overboard on stuff.  And I took a break from my holiday craze too.  I have a good friend in need of a sympathy card so that's what I made. 

This card actually hit two challenges: the color challenge (crumb cake, a soft pink...I used blushing bride, old olive, marina mist which was optional, and white) can you say love????? And then another challenge had you use a senitment as your main focal point and I thought the sympathy quote from Occasional Quotes would be perfect AND it fits perfect on the scalloped rectangle clearlit! 

 Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Occasional Quote (hostess)
Paper:  Crumb cake, whisper white, old olive, blushing bride, marina mist
Ink:  Old olive
Accessories:  white gel pen, punch pack, rectangle clearlit


I really like the way it turned out.  As for the white border I just used my white gel pen and free handed it.  Hope you like it!

Happy stamping!

An apology...and day 13

Hi stampers...so 13 IS an unlucky number!  I must apologize because I had an automatic post all set for last Saturday and day 13 of the 13 days of Halloween...or at least I thought I did.  I hadn't logged on until today and I see that it didn't post!  I'm so sorry, we went out of town for a Halloween party and I just assumed it worked all hunky-dory.  Ugh!  Anyway, sooo sorry.  So I'll post my project here...only a little late.  The good news:  I looked online and found my tree WAAAYYY on clearance if you want to pick one of the little boogers up (and be careful...it's covered in glitter and SHEDS everywhere!!!!!  Ask the clerk to wrap it up separate if you buy anything else...don't ask me how I know to suggest that).

Anyway here is the project which was inspired by the amazing and talented Kimberly VanDiepen.  You can visit her blog here.  I really love her work and she's just too cute!  So here is my spooky tree and cones:

 There is a great tutorial on Kimberly's blog on how to make these but they were super easy.  All they are is a 6 x 6 square of DSP that you cut in half corner to corner so you end up with a triangle.  I added some ribbon with sticky strip and then rolled them up and adhered them with more sticky strip.  Then, I just stamped some embellishments and prettied them up a bit.  I really love this!!!!  Thanks Kimberly for the idea and video.

Hope you liked my slightly late project.  But just think, now you have a whole year to work on yours for next year an you can save about $20 on the tree:-)

I'll leave you with a picture of Jon and I at my friends Halloween party.  He was a cowboy (with crazy hair) and I was a gypsy...even though everyone though I (and my best friend...we coordinated) was a pirate (clearly not a pirate, hehe).  And I'm proud to say we stayed up way past 10:00...a feat which we did not manage at the party last year, lol!  Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Happy stamping!

13 Days of Halloween - Days 12

Hi stampers!  I'm back with day 12 and I have a fabulous project for you today.  I found a super spooky and cool candleabra at Target a while back but didn't get it because I didn't NEED it.  But then I found this great idea on a blog from a fellow demo (you can see her fab blog here). I just had to order the nit owl DSP after I saw her candles.  NOW, before I get any hate mail about the dangers of paper and adhesives and flames these will NEVER be lit and are for decoration only!  My dad AND step dad were both firemen before they retired so I'm an expert on fire safety!  :-)  So here are my candles. 

They were easy to make and I just used plain white candles.  I simply trimmed the DSP to fit the candle (making sure I had the image I wanted well centered).  I then ruffled some waffle paper (love that stuff) on the back on both the top and bottom.  The part that took the longest was the glitter.  I used some crystal effects and just piped a thin line across each edge and sprinkled on the silver glass glitter and let it dry for a long while.  After it was dry, it was just a matter of a couple of strips of sticky strip to adhere to the candle. 

I just love them!  They are so spooky with the black and white and the hint of the silver glitter!  They worked perfect with the candle holder too!  I just love the black dangly crystals! 

Hope you like it.  See you tomorrow with my final project...it's almost time for one of my favorite holidays!  I'm all decked out in 80's style stuff for work today...sadly I'll probably just look goofy since I'll probably be the only one dressed up...

Happy stamping!

13 Days of Halloween - Days 7-11:-)

Hi stampers!  Soooo, life has gotten in the way of all the fun stuff again!  I hate when that happens!  Work was crazy last week and I worked a ton of hours so my blogging suffered and I've been trying to get caught up on a lot of things this week!  Anyway, I have days 7-11 share today so the descriptions of the projects will be brief.  If you should have any questions, please email me at Mindy.Backes@gmail.com and I'll answer any questions you may have!  So....here goes! 

Day 7:

Here are some cute little treats I made.  This is the matchbox die and it creates a little box and slider that holds 4 hershey's nuggets just perfect.  I went a step further and glued a small strip of DSP to each nugget with 2 glue dots.  So easy.  The papers are wicked fun and the nite owl DSP.

Day 8

Here are some more simple treats.  This time I used the mini milk carton die.  I just love the big shot!  I wanted some super easy treats so all I did was cut out the carton and run the Haunting Hill jumbo wheel over it.  I slapped a bat that I punched out on it and added some ribbon and D-U-N!  Now, I could have made these a lot fancier but they look cute this way too (although how cute would the little kids from Fang-Tastic look on these?).  I had one sparkly bat left from the black paper I embossed with II EP so one treat is special and sparkly! 

Day 9

Spooky spots!  This is a cute little card I whipped up that I based off of a treat box I saw another demo had made.  I loved the design but didn't have the die so I said that would make a great card!  It's a bit out of my comfort zone with the offset layers but I love it.  And I love the details.  The lace is pinned down with one of our shimmer brads, I LOVE them!  Stamp sets are Dark & Dreary and the paper is also Wicked Fun.  As you can see, it has a sparkly bat as well!

Day 10


Who says the glass glitter is just for Christmas?  Not me!  In this card I used more of the Wicked Fun DSP (can you tell I LOVE it) and this is one of the pages that is flocked...some of the big black dots are fuzzy, how fun!  The main image here is actually cut out from the Midnight musings wheel.  I love that you can use the wheels to do a border OR use any part of them you like!  I think the glitter is just perfect for this project as well....sparkly AND spooky!

Day 11

Here I have another home decor project using the Decor Element pumpkin faces.  This is super easy.  I simply got a glass craft block from my local craft store and frosted the front panel (you don't HAVE to do this but you can clearly see the lights inside if you don't, so I prefer to use etching cream to make it less see-thru).  I stuck some orange lights inside and then applied my pumpkin face to the outside.  Tie some ribbon on for a stem and leaves and plug er in!  So cute.  I also think this would be super spooky with purple lights inside and the DE that has the from the crypt design!  Sadly, I don't have that DE!  Hope you like my pumpkin!

Whew, did I overwhelm you?  Sorry!  But I have two SUPER projects left Friday and Saturday.  They are my two faves!  So make sure to check back!  See you soon and happy stamping!

13 Days of Halloween - Day 6

Hi stampers!  It's day 6 today and I have a super cute project for you.  It's inspired by an example in the mini catalog. I love how our catalogs are more than just that, they have WONDERFUL ideas and inspiration in them!   I actually made this project (the insert that is) twice.  Here is the first version.  

So why did I make two versions???  Because I loved it in the mini catalog and I didn't have the DSP they had used to make it.  So, I improvised and this is how it turned out.  Not bad, instead of the DSP I just used white CS and used one of the bat decor elements images in the upper right corner.  I loved how they used the swirly image from the set Baroque Motifs....I NEVER would have thought to use it for Halloween but it totally worked.  My colors here are pumpkin pie, basic black and pear pizzaz.  Unfortunately in this version (the second)

I used old olive by accident instead.  For some reason I keep forgetting about my in colors this year!  I was bummed that I messed up but it still looks ok (even though I prefer the pear) and I didn't want to waste this piece of DSP since I had cut it and stamped on it already.

So how did I make it?  It was so easy.  I first applied my Happy Halloween decor element on the FRONT of the glass in the frame.  Putting it on the front is important as it would be backwards on the inside.  Next, I simply cut the DSP to the size of the frame (8 x 10 in this case) and then stamped on it.  The DSP is from the Nite Owl pack in the holiday mini.  I made sure I cut it so that the fence on the bottom and the tree would show. 

As you can see in the pic, I have it up by my DE pumpkins and it looks totally cool and spooky!  Hope you enjoyed today's project.  I have to work late every night but today this week and all day Saturday (booooo) so I hope to have time to share more projects with you...I'll try hard!!!!  Thanks for looking and happy stamping!

SALE - Get a headstart on your holiday projects!

Hi stampers!  Starting today, SU is offering some new bundles at discounted prices on holiday themed stamps and papers!  There are some great things out the holiday mini!  You can click on over the the SU customer site to check them out...all you have to do is click right HERE . 

If you see something you like make sure you click on over to MY WEBSITE so that you get the best pricing and the best shipping.  My site can be found HERE. 


Happy shopping:-)

13 Days of Halloween - Day 5

Hi Stampers!  It's day 5 here!  Today, I have an extra special project to share from my friend Michelle.  The other day she and her adorable daughter gave me a Halloween treat at Turbo kick class.  It's a hand sanitizer in a cute little holder.  I'm pretty sure there are many tutorials out there for them.  I know Kimberly VanDiepen has one on her blog here.  It's shaped a bit different but the same idea.  So here is Michelle's treat.

How stinking cute is that???  And it has marshmallow scented hand sanitizer in it!  The little witch is from the Fang-tastic stamp set in the Holiday Mini.  I hope you enjoyed seeing it as much as I did getting it!  It was just so cute I had to share it with you.  See you soon and happy stamping!

13 Days of Halloween - Day 4

Hey stampers, I better get crackin' here!  Not too many days before H-ween and I promised 13 days of projects!  No worries, I'm gonna do it!  So, here is tonight's (it will be quick as it's late and I need to get to bed!).  Today I have a pumpkin for you. 

Isn't he cute?  He was so easy to make and didn't take long at all.  The longest part was waiting for the glue to dry!  All I did was to cover 4 decor elements blocks (they are MDF type blocks 3 x 3 square and come 4 to a set) with pumpkin pie textured card stock cut into 3 x 3 squares.  And you only need to cover the front, sides, and top since you can't see the back, bottom, or middle!  It takes 10 total.  I used the tombow multi glue for this.  It has one end with a flat applicator and then you spread it around and stick the paper on the block.  Easy as pie.  I also glued the blocks together after I got all the paper on and then tied the ribbon around the whole thing.  Here is what it looked like before I started (don't mind that there are only three blocks, I got the idea to take this pic after I'd made Mr. Pumpkin and it looks like I broke into this set of blocks and only used one, whoops...time to order more!).

Those ugly brown things, those are the blocks.  Cool huh?

Next, I applied my decor element pumpkin face and I was almost done!  All I did then was add a "stem" with brown ribbon and cut a few very thin strips of old olive.  I wrapped them around my paper piercer and glued them on as little curly tendrils.  This pumpkin is great....it won't get old and moldy and mushy AND no one will smash it in the street:-) 

Hope you enjoyed the project!  See you soon and happy stamping!

13 Days of Halloween - Day 3

Hey Stampers!  It's day 3 of 13 Days of Halloween!  I can't beleive it's October 10th already!  Um and that it's like 90 degrees today either!  I mean, hey I'm all about warm weather BUT 80 and 90 is a bit much for me!  I love fall and when it's like 70 out...plus I kind of said good bye to all my summer clothes and want to wear all my cute fall stuff now!  Oh and the super cute jacket I bought yesterday!!!!  But anyway, back to the stamping!


Today's project is another "grown-up" halloween card.  I loved this card as soon as I saw it on Twila Mooneyham's blog!  I call it Halloween vintage!  I never would have thought of making my Halloween cards vintage but I love it!  It's sophisticated yet spooky!  I also loved how she used the label punch to frame the main focal point.  Here it is:

Stampin' Supplies: 

Stamps:  From the Crypt, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Wicked cool
Paper, whisper white, very vanilla, old olive, basic black
Ink:  Basic black, basic gray, old olive
Accessories:  Raven lace trim, designer label punch, basic rhinestones

Hope you enjoy it!  Happy stamping and see you soon!

13 Days of Halloween - Day 2

Hi stampers!  I'm back for the second day of 12 Days of Halloween.  Check out today's SUPER awesome project.  It's a haunted house....just lookie:

Isn't it just the cutest thing ever????  I made it using the design-a-house from the Holiday Mini catalog and the great part is that they are under $6!!!!  It's made of a sturdy white chip board and comes flat.  All you have to do it bend it up and use some sticky strip to glue it together.  I was afraid it would be hard but it had really clear directions and was super easy!  It also has a great template so that you can cut paper to glue to it as I did with the roof and the wicked fun DSP.  The tombow multi liquid glue is fab for this project!

Now, for all the other little details....it does come with a little door knob but I used a glitter brad instead.  I also spray painted it black.  The windows are just daffodil delight that I stamped on and then glued to the inside.  The medallion on the front is just a strip of DSP folded every quarter of an inch accordion style and then folded in on itself!  And those bats!  Now that idea came from the SU guru herself, Shelli!  Simply ink up some basic black CS with versamark and then heat emboss the whole thing with iridescent ice embossing powder and you have instant glitter paper.  I just punched them out with the bat punch.  Finally, the chimney has some waffle paper smoke coming out of it and I used some more tombow glue to adhere some chunky black glitter on the edge. 

I kind of want to do more with it but don't want it to be toooo busy.  But really, there are SOOOOO many things you could do here!  And I can't wait to make a Christmas or gingerbread house and a Valentine's house!!!!  Anyway, that's the project for today.  I'll leave you with the other views of it.  Hope you liked it!  Happy stamping...or building as the case may be:-)

13 Days of Halloween - Day 1

Hi stampers!  Of course we know the 12 days of Christmas but before that you have to have 13 days of Halloween!  Why thirteen you ask?  Well, 13 is a creepy, spooky number....there is that movie 13 Ghosts (one of the FEW scary movies I have seen, unfortunately, LOL)...and it just sounded cool, haha.  Plus, I love Halloween and have been having fun making cards and also decorations for the house!  Anyway check back often to see all of my cool Halloween cards and other projects.  I've shown you a couple already, like my spooky frame and white pumpkins with our decor elements! 

So, I have a card for you today.  The basic idea was inspired by a card I saw on the Stampin Up demo site.  I was amazed how the demo got the skull to be white....she simply masked over it with a post it note that had been punched from a circle and then sponged away.  Pull away the mask and the skull is creepy white!  PURE GENIUS!!!!  I also used the waffle paper as a ruffled accent.  I just love this card, it's more of a sophisticated grown-up spooky card!  The deets will be listed under the photo.  Enjoy and check back often for the other 12 super spooky projects!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: From the crypt, sanded background, grateful greetings
Paper, Rich razzleberry, whisper white, pear pizzazz, wicked fun DSP
Ink:  Staz-on, pear pizzazz, rich razzleberry
Accessories:  Rhinestones, basic black striped grosgrain ribbon, waffle paper asst #2

Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

Clearance Rack Blitz!

Hey stampers!  Exciting stuff going on over on my demo web site!!!!  SU is doing a clearance rack blitz today through the 18th!  They will be posting over 200 retired items to the clearance rack at ROCK BOTTOM prices!!!  These are items NOT found in the current catalogs!  So hurry on over to my store and check it out!  Get your favorites or things you missed out on the first time around at discount prices!  There are rub ons, inks, papers, DSPs, chipboard, buttons and lots more!  Now, I THINK new items will be added over the next few weeks, so check back often BUT BE AWARE some of these items might sell out quick and are on a first come first serve basis!!!!  Please email or call if you have any questions.  Shop the clearance rack now!

I'll try to be back with a pretty project soon!  Happy shopping....and stamping:-)

Waffles anyone?

Just kidding!  But you can get some waffle paper from my online store!  But what is waffle paper you ask?  Well it's pretty cool!  It's kind of like crepe paper so it's thin and a little wrinkley (I know, it's not a real word but I think it's a good stamping word).  For only $9.95 you can get two rolls that have about 5 yards of 8" wide paper.  It's available in two color collections; one has black and brown and the other silver and gold.  It's so much fun!

So what can you do with it?  Lots!!!!  My favorite thing to do with it is to ruffle it on the back of a punched out circle like this:

Isn't it great?  It ruffles and molds so easy!  On this next card I did the same thing but went a step further and added some of the glass glitter as well:

Fab!!!!!  All you need it about a one inch strip (you may need more than one depending on how much you ruffle and how big your circle is).  You can also run it through the big shot in an embossing folder.  You can see that on page 10 of the Holiday Mini Catalog.  The cute little witch card has the spider web design embossed on it!  You can also ruffle it along the edge of a piece of cardstock much like you would ribbon! 

That's it for today, I just wanted to do a little product showcase.  Order some today and see what you can come up with! 

Happy stamping!

Hey Pumpkin!

Hey stampers!  A quick post today.  Check out what I made in about 10 minutes:

These were so fast to make and I just love them!  I saw the idea from many pictures at SU convention this year!  All it took where some white pumpkins (mine are fake so I can use year after year) and the spooky decor elements from the mini catalog.  All you do is rub them on!  So simple and so spooky!  Hope you like them!  Happy stamping!

Fang-Tastic

So it's no secret, I LOVE Halloween (and most things fall for that matter)!  So, of course I love making Halloween cards.  When I saw the Fang-Tastic set in the new Holiday Mini I was in love with the little witch and vampire.  They are so cute, perfect for kid friendly and non-spooky cards!  The cute little sentiments are adorable too.  I thought this set would go PERFECTLY with the wheel from last year with the little cute graveyard scene. 

I wanted to use it in my Fall Frenzy class but I used it last year so I don't like to repeat....so I have a card today that we will not be making Saturday but I wanted to share it since I think it's so cute and very easy! 

By the way, there is still room for you in my Fall Frenzy on Saturday.  You'll make 4 projects (2 of each) for only $10 and you'll have TONS of fun!  I'll have some specials and retired merchandise for sale as well!  Email or call me if you want to join us!  Or stop by from 1-2 for FREE for my Fun Fall Open House and make a free card!

So here is the card.  I just colored and cut out my little vampire and stuck him on the little scene.  I think not coloring it makes him "pop" better.  The black panel is run through the big shot with the web folder.  I also used a new in-color for this card that is perfect for Halloween - Pear Pizzazz.  Don't you just love that pear ribbon??? 

Supplies:
Stamps: Fang-tastic, haunting hill (wheel)
Paper:  Pear pizzazz, basic black, whisper white
Ink:  Basic black, rich razzleberry, pear pizzazz, basic gray
Accessories:  spider web embossing folder, pear ribbon, decorative label punch

Hope you liked it, thanks for looking!  Don't forget to leave me some love!
Happy Stamping!

Swap Snowman

Morning stampers!  I told you I'd be back with my Holiday Mini swap card so here he is:

Isn't he just the cutest little guy?  I loved this snowman from the "Jolly Old Saint Nick" set and just had to have him!  The set it very vintage but cute with this guy, a Santa head, another full Santa and then some snowflakes and a sentiment.  I also used the winter wonderland greeting from "Bright Christmas" and the Merry stamp from the Tiny tags set.

This layout is a bit out of the box for me with the ribbon the way it is and I based the layout loosely on a card I had previously made.  There is a lot of sponging going on here to give it that vintage feel.  The "snow" is the new silver glass glitter and I used crystal effects to glue it on.  The snowman's buttons are also our new adhesive pearls.  Finally my new trick is to use the tombow multi glue in the green and white bottle to make the sentiment "wavy".  You just bend your paper back and forth a bit to get it molded how you want it and then stick it down with a couple of dots of glue and hold for a minute.  It really stays put!  Anyway, hope you and all those swappers who got one of my cards liked it!!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick, Bright Christmas, Tiny Tags
Paper: watercolor, very vanilla, riding hood red, baja breeze, crumb cake, soft suede
Ink: soft suede, crumb cake, baja breeze
Accessories:  Pearls, silver glass glitter, crystal effects, marina mist striped grosgrain ribbon, jewelry tag punch, linen thread, dimensionals

Online Shopping....Finally!

Hi Stampers!  So I finally took the plunge and signed up for a demo website where you can shop 24-7 with me...which if you know me shopping 24-7 is right up my alley!  So, anytime you'd like to place an order you can simply visit my site and shop until your heart is content!

Click here to visit

I'll also be posting my classes there as well and you can see I have a few events scheduled already!  I'll be back this weekend to blog about them but my fall open house and Fall Frenzy class will be September 18th and I'll have some Christmas classes coming up as well. 

Please note that anytime you place a qualifying order on my website ($150 and up) you WILL GET the hostess benefits meaning FREE stuff!  Now, you can still order directly through me should you choose, that's totally fine too!  The online ordering is just quick and easy and you don't have to wait if I'm out of town or away from my computer!  You can have it sent directly to you as well!  Now go check out my site!!!!

And I'll leave you with a pretty card I made last weekend that uses the new Christmas Collage stamp, Bright Christmas stamp set, and glass glitter from the new Holiday mini catalog.  Oh, and I almost forgot the new label punch as well!  You can order from the Holiday Mini NOW! 

Isn't it just FAB????? 

Happy stamping!

Wicked Simple!

Hey stampers!  I have a really quick Halloween card for you today.  I got to stamp for a while on Sunday and after Jon went to bed I stayed up to stamp a little more...well I wasn't very motivated and knew I was short on time so after looking at some cards I had already made, I found a layout that was totally simple and could fit to the card I wanted to make....I just turned it on it's side!

I used the wicked cool stamp set that I just got and I love it, it's cute and only slightly spooky!  I also went with a basic color combo of black, pumpkin and basic gray.  I also used my new color spritzer tool...it's fun!  The spider web background was embossed with the folder that comes out TOMORROW!  I also sprayed it with the silver shimmer spray for a bit of bling!  Oh, and the main image was stamped on a piece of white CS cut out with the new clearlit scallop rectangle, so cute!  Hope you like it!

Supplies~
Cardstock: Whisper white, basic black, basic gray, pumpkin pie
Ink:  Basic black and gray
Accessories:  clearlit rectangle, pumpkin pie grosgrain ribbon, silver smooch spray

Happy stamping!

Messy Mindy

So I had a swap due this weekend for the AWESOME Holiday Mini that comes out on the first.  I guess I work better under pressure because I finished right under the wire last weekend so I could get to the PO to ship them last week.  Not that I actually HAD much time to work on them in the past few weeks with football starting anyway!  BUT swaps are always a challenge for me...why???  Because I suck (or tend to think I suck) at designing cards, I'm usually a serial case-er!  I should do more swaps (but can't really afford it with the supplies and postage, haha) because it realllllly pushes me to get creative.  The card I ended up with amazed me, I was pretty proud of it (just call me Jan Tink, YILM)!  I'll show it another time, once I know the swaps have gone out!  I designed it late one night and it took a good couple of hours.  And here is what happened to my poor desk in the aftermath....

Now, it's probably looked worse but still, there was stuff everywhere!  Anyway it kind of got the juices flowing and so I was able to stamp today and came up with this little gem:

I just love the Jolly Old Saint Nick set and you can get it on the first!  The holly jolly Christmas is from the set called "bright Christmas".  The glass glitter is also in the mini and it's fab!!!!  So vintage and really adds that extra something!  I'm using a lot of it!  I'm also practicing my water coloring and think I'm doing a bit better!  Anyway that's about it for tonight, hope you enjoy the card!  I'll list the supplies here:

Stamps:  Bright Christmas, Jolly Old Saint Nick
Paper: watercolor, always artichoke, cherry cobbler, crumb cake
Ink: crumb cake, artichoke, cherry cobbler, garden green, riding hood red
Accessories:  Crochet trim, crystal effects (to glue the glitter), champagne glass glitter,scallop trim border punch

Christmas a little early

Hi stampers!  How quickly time flies, it was Halloween yesterday (here on my blog) and it's Christmas today!  I've been making some Christmas cards ever since I got my Holiday Mini Catalog pre-order...although I SHOULD be making Halloween and fall themed cards first I suppose...but where is the fun in that?  I mean Hallmark ornaments have been out since July (and YES, I did buy a few already, hehe).  This card uses probably what is my favorite set out of the whole mini called "Jolly Old Saint Nick".  I just LOVE the vintage feel of the santas and snowman in this set!  They are so cute and cheery! 

I lightly colored in the Santa with some inks and a bender pen and then I added a dot of two way glue and dazzling diamonds.  I also wheeled the bottom of the card with the "Jolly Jingles" wheel.  I really like the color combo of real red and pink, I used the new in-color "blushing bride" here.  I was on the fence about it but have found I really like it and it's great for vintage/retro Christmas stuff!

So here is my cheerful chubby guy:

Supply list
Stamps:  Jolly Old Saint Nick & Jolly Jingles wheel
Paper: Real red, whisper white, baja breeze, garden green, blushing bride
Ink:  Real red, baja breeze, staz on, blushing bride
Accessories: dazzling diamonds, decorative label punch, dotted scallop border punch, real red taffeta ribbon

And tonight I'm sitting down to plan my classes for the next few months so be on the lookout for the dates and times.  It's been really hard to find times with my work schedule and football getting into full swing but I'll do my best to fit it all in!!!  I'll be holding an exciting open house in a few weeks where you can place orders AND get lots of retired stamps and merchandise for great deals....and even have the chance to get retired stamp sets FREE with the purchase of a new stamp set!  I'll post the deets soon!  I'll also be having my annual Fall Frenzy and a few Christmas themed classes!

Until next time....happy stamping!

A little batty

Hey stampers! I have a sneak peek for you today from an upcoming class (time and date still to be determined) that I'll be holding in the next month or so which will be based around Halloween (which you all know is one of my fave holidays) and Thanksgiving. Yes, it's almost time for my annual FALL FRENZY!

So, here is one of the projects that we will be making:
OMG, aren't these little guys just the cutest???? And if you didn't need the mini milk carton die and bat punch before you sure do now...at least I did....I just HAD to order the bat punch after seeing these! These were on display at convention and I saw pictures of them and knew I had to make some. I plan to fill them with candy:-) The tag is inked with markers and is from the "Grateful Greetings" stamp set. My only complaint is that this set is only available in wood mount and not clear...but I still had to get it after it came back from last fall's mini! The colors here are tangerine tango, pumpkin pie, old olive, and rich razzleberry and I think they are just PERFECT for all things spooky!!!!!!!! You can look for me using that combo a LOT! I hope you enjoy the "eye candy" today and if you want to make your own be on the lookout for details on my Fall Frenzy class coming soon! Happy stamping!

Quick post

So out internet wasn't working Friday night and after a long phone call with comcast we had to get a repairman out...on Sunday...well Jon got it working Friday night, great! So we canceled the appointment which was totally inconvenient on Sunday morning anyway...any time 7-10, really? So we went to church and all and now last night it's out again...guess we should have kept that appointment. So with football practice starting two-a-days today I'm sitting at Panera using their internet before I have to go back for night practice (remind me to take my bug spray!!!!). So this will be a quick post and hopefully sometime between 1 and 4 tomorrow I'll have my internet back! So here are a couple of cards using stamps and supplies from the upcoming holiday mini. I hope to be back later this week with more as well!

Rejoicing in Christmas - finally a religious set that I like again!



This little chubby cute as pie snowman (and card) is the very reason I just had to have this set called Jolly Old Saint Nick!
And a Halloween one....sorry for no supplies, if you have a question just ask:-) All of these cards will be in the mini catalog and PLEASE let me know if you'd like one!