For the November challenge we were to make an easel card using Letters to Santa DSP or 3 of these colors: riding hood red, old olive, marina mist, early espresso, blushing bride and whisper white.

I've never made an easel card before! I decided to try to keep it simple and use a few different punches.

Join us for this challenge by following SCS's tutorial on easel cards!

Supplies
Stamps: Curly Cute, Delightful Decorations 
Paper: Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Whisper White 
Ink: Marina Mist, Early Espresso 
Accessories: Ornament Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Petals A Plenty Impression Folder 

~ Amanda

It's that time again! For this November Creative Crew challenge we were to make a tall card and case'd a card from the IB&C. I case'd the card on page 108.
I've changed the following from the card on page 108:
- instead of punched circles I used the new Snow Burst to create the textured bottom
- stamp set

Supplies
Stamps: Christmas Lodge, Teeny Tiny Wishes 
Paper: Pool Party, Old Olive, Whisper White 
Ink: Early Espresso, Pool Party 
Accessories: Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Big Shot, Snow Burst Impressions Folder

~ Amanda

 Head on over to MyDigitalStudio.net today to celebrate Digital Scrapbooking day - FOR 4 DAYS! This event includes free never seen before downloads, blog posts and the announcement of the 2011 My Digital Studio Contest winners.

~ Amanda

For the SCS's Creative Crew Catalogue Focus this month our challenge is to use Glitter! I'm in short supply of all things glittery but came across a bottle of Gold Spritz Spray! And it works so well to create stars on a black sky for a Halloween card!

The clouds were punched out with the Petite Pennant Punch. I spritzed the card base with the Gold Spritz Spray after running it through the Big Shot with the Spider Web Embossing Folder.

Supplies
Stamps: Out On A Limb, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Gold Spritz, Early Espresso, Stazon Black, Stampin' Write Markers: Daffodil Delight , Soft Suede, Blush Blossom
Paper: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Petite Pennants Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Word Window Punch, Big Shot, Spider Web Embossing Folder

~ Amanda

Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occasion.
Buy any two of the following Simply Sent Kits:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	122375	Simply Sent Great Day	$15.95
193	122377	Simply Sent Everyday Elegance	$14.95
193	122376	Simply Sent Sweet Moments	$16.95

And get a FREE coordinating stamp set:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	123682	It's Your Day	$10.95
192	124685	Es tu día (Spanish It's Your day)	$10.95
192	124800	C'est ta fête (French It's Your Day)	$10.95
193	123686	Everyday Wishes	$11.95
193	123684	You're Cherished	$10.95
193	124865	Chérissons les anges (French You're Cherished)	$10.95

Purchase your Simply Sent Kits online here or email me to order yours today!



~Amanda

For October's Creative Crew Scrapbooking Focus Challenge it was anything goes as long as it included a photo and was giftable! I've had this 5x7 acrylic frame for awhile just waiting for the right project. Start with a piece of card stock, add a photo, insert it in the frame, then embellish the outside of it with some ribbon and pearls. This would make a wonderful addition to any desk!

Supplies
Stamps: Falling Leaves, Thanks You Kindly
Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso
Paper: Soft Suede, Old Olive, First Edition Desginer Series Paper
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Pearls, Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, 5x7 Acrylic frame

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are a brand-new product that will appeal to crafters and non-crafters, alike-not to mention kids!

The easy-to-use cookie stamp has a solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images: a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake.

Just make your favourite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash. The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly.

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps Item# 125152 $20.95

 ~ Amanda

This month's Creative Crew DSP focus was to use any holiday themed Designer Series Paper on our project. Started with a 5x7 canvas, adhered a piece of the Spice Cake DSP to it with a piece of the Big Shot Multi-purpose Adhesive Sheet. The leaves were stamped onto pieces of Spice Cake DSP and First Edition DSP, then embossed with the new Pewter Embossing powder. The leaves were then attached with the new mini cloths pins onto Hemp Twine.

Supplies
Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Woodgrain, Falling Leaves
Ink: Versamark, Soft Suede
Paper: Soft Suede, Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, First Edition Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Mini Cloths Pins, Pewter Embossing Powder, Hemp Twine, Sticy Strip, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Big Shot Multi-purpose Adhesive Sheets

~ Amanda

I have never heard of the term Steampunk before! Very challenging to sit down and create a scrapbook pages using that theme. I had to do some major research first and came across a few layouts that I mixed together to create this one. Since I was unsure if my ideas would work I turned to My Digital Studio so that way if I made a mistake I could just undo!


Supplies all from My Digital Studio
Stamps: Convention 2011, Artistic Etchings, Cheerful Treat, Various Overlays
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Grey, Basic Black, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Lace, Antique Brads, Pearls, Fun Flower Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch

~ Amanda

My nephew turned 5 last week! He is growing up so fast! This card is case'd from someone but unfortuantely I forgot to write down which blog I saw it on, thank you for this adorable idea! I had no idea what to make for him, but Punch Art to the rescue! At this age though I doubt he really paid any attention to the card, he passed it to his father to open while he went to attack the present!

Supplies
Stamps: none!
Ink: none!
Paper: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Petite Pennants Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Cirle Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Timeless Type Sizzlit Die

~ Amanda

Looking for some crafty inspiration? Check out the Creative Crew Gallery for September at Splitcoast stampers! And make sure to post your own project over there for everyone to see!

The Challenge is to use this sketch and make something using a holiday theme! I had this cute frame in my stash waiting for the right moment. The glass is behind the whole project, I wanted to be able to open the flap to see the Christmas Tree!


Supplies
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Stampin' Write Markers: Early Espresso, Real Red, Garden Green
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Real Red Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Real Red Satin Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestones, Big Shot, Peekaboo Frames, Texturz Plates

~ Amanda

I love the Holiday Mini and I'm sure you will too! There are so many new products that I know you'll find the perfect one just for you! Something like the new Simply Scored, Stocking Builder Punch or the 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon!


Place your order online today or contact me to host a workshop!

~ Amanda

Stampin’ Up! invites YOU to participate in our digital design contest using Stampin’ Up!’s My Digital Studio digital artwork! Let the Contest Begin!

• It’s open to all demonstrators and customers who have access to My Digital Studio in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada (excluding Quebec). Demonstrators and customers will be judged separately; ten finalists—five customers and five demonstrators—will be chosen by Stampin’ Up! judges, and the public will choose six winners--three customers and three demonstrators--via online voting.
• Submit your entry to MDSContest@stampinup.com. To enter the contest you will need to design one digital card and one single-page layout using ONLY My Digital Studio product. Submit all samples along with your full name, address, daytime phone number, and demonstrator ID number (if applicable). Include a photo release form (if applicable).
• Finalists will receive $100 US/$125 CAN in FREE My Digital Studio digital downloads from Stampin’ Up! and winners will receive $400 US/$500 CAN in free downloads! Winnings will not be combined. For example, if you are a winner you will not get the finalists’ prize plus the winners’ prize. Winners and finalists will also receive a digital pin for their DBWS site (for demonstrators), personal blog, or Facebook page.

Want to know more? Head over to the MyDigitalStudio.net for more details.
~ Amanda

For the next few months I have the pleasure to be part of Splitcoaststampers Stampin' Up! Creative Crew! I'm so looking forward to these challenges and I hope you can play along with us each month. Check back here on my blog to see my projects and make sure to swing by the Creative Crew gallery to view everyone's submissions! And please feel free to play along!
September Catalogue Focus: Domestic Goddess Product Suite.
I made this gift ensemble base on the colour scheme in the Domestic Goddess Suite. In the box are some homemade chocolate chip cookies and in the clear mug is some Chai Chocolate Tea to enjoy with the cookies!

Stamps: Raining Flowers, Sincere Salutations, It's Your Day
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Basic Grey, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White Craft Ink
Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Basic Grey, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Daffodil Delight Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Itty Bitty Punch, Dotted Ribbon Punch, Glue Dots, Antique Brads, Kraft Gift Box, Cellophane bag, White Bakers Twine, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Fun Flowers Die, Designer Frames Impressions Folder, Polka Dot Impressions Folder

~ Amanda

Today is my last 3D item and the last of 10 projects I submitted for Stampin' Up!'s Artisan Award. This is a mini scrapbook using a clear mount case, the Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper and a few nature stamps. There are lots of photos for this one!


Supplies
Stamps: Nature Silhouettes, Lovely As A Tree, Sincere Salutations, Short and Sweet, Glorious and Free, Woodgrain Background
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Versamark Pad, Stampin' Write Markers: Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla, Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper, Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Textured, Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Whisper White, White Vellum Paper
Accessories: Two Step Bird Punch, Word Window Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Round Tab Punch, Photo Corners Punch, Regals Designer Buttons, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Natural Hemp Twine, Very Vanilla ¼" Grosgrain Ribbon, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool

~ Amanda

This is the first of two 3D items of my non-winning Artisan Award entry. 3D items are really hard for me! You might remember this tin from Valentine's 2011 - I filled it with candy for my sweetheart husband. I probably should have filled it with chocolate and candy for the judges!


I must confess that I spent a lot of time looking at the display boards at Convention for any of my projects that I sent in to be considered for the Artisan Award. While I was at Convention last month I spied about 5 cards! Whoot! But late last week I was scrolling through the many, many pictures I took and found this one:
Can you see my Heart Tin? Not sure how I missed that one! But it's there!

Supplies
Stamps: All Holidays
Ink: Stazon Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Real Red, Always Artichoke Textured, First Edition Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Real Red 5/8” Satin Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots, Pearls Basic Jewels, Antique Brad, Mini Vintage Tags, Boho Blossoms Punch, Big Shot, Fun Flowers Big XL Die, Little Leaves Sizzlet Die, Lattice Bigz Die, Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Heart Tin

~ Amanda

This is the last scrapbook page for my non-winning Artisan Award entry. Do you see the texture on the leaves? I used the woodgrain looking Texturz Plates and Versamark with the Big Shot to create the texture on the leaves. Looks very neat in person!

Supplies
Stamps: none
Ink: Verasamark, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
Paper: Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Buttons, Glue Dots, Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet, Linen Thread, Printer, Big Shot, Timeless Type Alphabet Sizzlit, Leaves #2 die, Texturz Plates

~ Amanda

From August 1 to 31, 2011 you will get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when they buy three!


Things to Remember

• There is no limit to the number of free packages of Designer Series Paper you can earn.
• Designer Series Paper ordered in Hostess free does not qualify for this promotion.
• Specialty Designer Series Paper, Patterns Designer Series Paper Stacks and Hostess Designer Series Paper are not part of this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer.

~ Amanda

Need some ideas? Wondering what those display boards were like at Convention? Head on over to my From Where I Stamp Facebook Page to view these lovely photos. The past week since arriving home from Convention I have been slowly shifting through some of my pictures. So hopefully I'll be able to post them all!

~ Amanda

Sorry about the quality of the card picture. I was in a rush to get to the baby shower, no surprise there I'm usually running late! And this is the best photo of the 6 I took. Anyways you get the idea. The card and diaper cake were made for my sister in law who is having her first baby! Exciting!!

When I saw a diaper cake online months ago I knew I had to make one for Cindy. I used 66 diapers, one pack of baby wipes, 2 receiving blankets, four face cloths, baker's twine, and one adorable teddy bear! It took about 1.5 hours or one Twilight movie to complete it.


Supplies
Stamps: Fox and Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Certainly Celery, Soft Suede
Paper: Certainly Celery, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Accessories: 1-1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Petite Pennants Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crimper, Sticky Strip. Big Shot, Top Note Die, Baker's Twine (on the cake)

~ Amanda

You mean it's all over already?! Those days sure go by quickly when they are filled with swaps, stamping, new friends, classes, new product and free stuff! Arrived home late last night after an all day of travel. But it was great to see my husband and my mother at the airport. After our long drive home from Toronto to Kingston my husband sent me on ahead into the house. This is what I found:
This was another of my swaps - 16 of these were finished in the wee hours last Monday night. I waited on my delayed shipment of new paper and the new stamp until Monday afternoon so that meant Monday night was spent preparing 32 swaps.

Supplies
Stamps: Up, Up & Away
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Sahara Sand
Paper: Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, First Edition DSP, Textured Whisper White
Accessories: Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Big Shot, Two Tags Die, Polka Dot Impressions Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals

~ Amanda

An early day today for the first time Convention attendees breakfast. Then off to classes. By the time I was seated in my Make 'n Take session right before lunch I felt like I needed to nap right there! After lunch I participated in Lyssa's CQS swap, so cool! All the cards were fabulous! General session was right after that. Shelli and her daughter presented some ideas for upcoming workshops. It was a blast! We were all laughing so hard!!!

After General Session this afternoon I had a lot of free time! Time to put up my feet, digest some of the 850 photos taken thus far, then venture out into Salt Lake City for dinner and a walk to the beautiful and peaceful Temple Square.

Here is one of my swaps I made for Convention. As of lunch today I have done all my swaps! So many beautiful cards are now packed ready to head home to share with my customers and to use for inspiration. Being Canadian I just had to make a stamp to tell everyone where I'm from. Thanks to everyone who complimented me on my card, it's great to hear!

Supplies
Stamps: Glorious and Free
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Read Red
Paper: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Square Lattice Impressions Folder, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder

Whew! A very busy day today: Opening Session, 2 wonderful classes (one about My Digital Studio), a free pack of Holiday Mini Catalogues, free Simply Sent card kit, afternoon session, Awards night, after party, display boards and so much more!


You are all going to love the Holiday Mini Catalogue. We were given peaks at projects! This afternoon I was able to play around with some of the new product and see the beautiful paper and fabrics.

Found 3 more cards of mine on the display boards! That makes 5 in total. I think I've taken pics of all the display boards but I'm too tired to post them tonight. Anywho, my fabric postcard is the middle project on the top row - the one with the heart with ruffles:

My tree card is the middle of the top row in the next photo:
The next card (top right corner of the photo) was my submission to one of Stampin' Up!'s monthly demonstrator contests:
Now it's time for bed, I think I've started to drift off a little sitting here in the hotel lobby! Better get back to my room soon before I start to snore!