Lily's Ink Pad

More Leadership Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:18:00 +0000

After spending all day talking stamping and building our businessess, we go to our hotel rooms to talk more stamping! My roommates were fabulous, so much so they made these fabulous gifts:

From Linda- a birdhouse, a tea packet, a calender, and card.

From Laura, a bag of goodies, a heart of M&M's, and a lovely petite pocket card. Mine was a bit different, but my pictures didn't turn out, so here's Barbara's.

From Barbara--a journal, (mine is blue with an S), a frame (mine is green with an S), and a gift card. So lovely and useful!

In fact, Stampin' Up! was also very generous as usual. It is so fun to listen for hints of goodies coming our way!

First, there was the special gift from Shelli--

and the chocolates made by a Stampin' Up! Home Office Member in a cute pouch up at the top of the frame. AND the stuff in the make-n-take packet---a whole roll of So Saffron Ribbon, a whole package of baker's twine, a Blossom Builders Kits and half a pack of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper. CRAZY! So much extra to play with at home!

Plus, during sessions we got a Sale-a-bration CD, two more rolls of ribbon, a pack of rhinestones, a pack of peals, a pack of large pearls, Loving Thoughts stamp set, and a brand new stamp set called Everything Eleanor which will be in the next Catalog! How cool is that? Plus, we got the Mixed Bunch stamp set with Make-n-takes. Ahh, I am blessed in riches!

Just another set of reasons to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

Happy Stamping!

Sale-a-bration Starts Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:42:00 +0000

and what better way to celebrate than with a cool project:

This frame uses the Sale-a-bration Exclusive Paper called Everyday Enchantment and boy is it lovely! I already own multiple packs (I had to!) I used the new Hearts Embosslit to punch out a variety of hearts from this paper and then placed them on a polka dotted background. I thought of adding more embellishments, but I just couldn't. There wasn't any way to do it without making my hearts fade. I added Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon attached with a loop and a brad from the Every Day Enchantment Brad Pack. They coordinate perfectly and I love them together!

Sale-a-bration runs from today until March 31, 2012. However, start planning your orders early to get all the great products. You can choose from exclusive Sale-a-bration products like the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper or Brad and Ribbon Pack or Fresh Vintage Stamp Set. Sprinkled Expressions Stamp Set Elementary Elegance Stamp Set, or Outlined Occasions stamp set are exclusive to this promotion. Plus, you could get a Brights Designer Series Buttons, Flirtatious Designer Fabric, Designer Frames Embossing Folders, Triple Treat Flower Stamp, Kindness Matters Stamp Set, Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Kit, In Color Cardstock, From Your Teacher STamp Set, Stripes Embossing Folder, Language of Friendship Stamp Set, or Home Sweet Home Decor Element FREE from the current catalog. If Digital Designing is your thing, you can get the One Big Sale-a-bration CD or Piece of Cake Ensemble CD also. All items can be seen by visiting my Promotions page.

If you want to see these in person, check out the Stampin' Addicts Sale-a-bration Blog Hop this weekend, Friday, January 27th to Sunday, January 29th. There are 18 stops on this hop, so you should be able to get a good look at the products in action!

Happy Stamping!

What Kept Me Busy- This Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:01:00 +0000

Stampin' Up!'s LEADERSHIP Conference

I left to Milwaukee Tuesday. Bubba drove and we stayed in a hotel. I took at 5 am shuttle to the airport and got to San Antonio about 11:30. I slept most of the way. Good thing, I was gonna need it!

I found the hotel room, dropped off my stuff, and hike the four blocks to the Convention Center to meet up with my friends. I found Barbara, Linda, and Laura right away. They sent me to get my Leadership bag (one the first and most anticipated gifts of any Stampin' Up! event). I was so excited I walked right past my other friends- Tara, Desiree, Sarah, and Trish! I caught up to them and hugs all around. How fun!

Here is the bag:

And here is the special gift from Shelli we got at our make-n-take spot:

It's a little notebook holder--how cute!

Here is a pic of Laura, Barbara, and Linda, my roommates.

These clotheslines were set up in the make-n-take room. Such a fun way to display a large amount of amazing projects! Here is a close up of a just a few of them:

That is just a teaser. I am not kidding. Stampin' Up! has an amazing way to inspire!

After a great lunch downtown at the Riverwalk at a Mexican Restaurant, we headed back to the Convention Center to view the exhibits. Again, more ideas that my brain can comprehend. Here are some good ones:

Beautiful, huh?

Here are Barbara and Laura in front of two displays.

This is what being a Stampin' Up! is all about--relationships.

Happy Stamping!

What's been keeping me busy--SWAPS!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:50:00 +0000

Like this one! As usual, I procrastinated and got myself all worked up and busy. No matter how well I try to plan, I still end up doing swaps until the moment I leave. This card is a perfect example. I designed this one before Christmas break and then finished up the bows Monday night. Crazy!

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Basic Black
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories: Blossom Punch, 1/8" Daffodil Delight Ribbon, Pool Party Seam Binding, Scallop Edge Punch, Tasteful Trims Bigz XL die, Finial Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

I made this for my friend Lyssa's Quality Card Swap at Leadership. I actually swap it Friday, so I am sharing early. Let's just keep that between us ;) My inspiration came from a pillow I saw on Pinterest (be careful, that site is dangerous), with these colors. I loved it and wanted to recreate it.

The flowers were stamped in white ink and then embossed. I love the look. I also used my embossing folder only on 2/3 of the Pool Party layer. That way, I could emboss welcome on the card front. I chose Welcome because it seems as though I rarely make welcome cards, but welcoming someone to the area or my group or my school, seems like a good idea.

Happy Stamping!

Packed For Dad's Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:08:00 +0000

I designed this card for a swap and thought I would use it for the Blog hop, then had too many projects for that, so I saved it. Today seems like a good day to share it.

Stamps: Packed for Dad
Paper: River Rock, Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Regals Designer Series Paper Pack
Ink: Night of Navy, Marina Mist marker, Bashful Blue Marker, River Rock Marker, Night of Navy Marker
Accessories: Silver Smooch Paint, paper piercing tool, mini silver brads

I wanted a way to feature this stamp, but not put the image right in the center. I decided to place it on the left side and add the designer series paper for balance. I love the smooch- easy to apply, and the saying fit perfectly!

Happy Stamping!

A Fru Fru Blossom Card

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:42:00 +0000

When I saw that there was a new flower punch with a coordinating stamp set, I had to have it. I hate cutting and I love punches so this seemed perfect. Then, my fru fru side took over and I envisioned a fancy-schmancy card. Here's what came out of that:

Stamps: Mixed Bunch
Paper: Pool Party, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Pool Party, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: In Color Polka Dot Designer Brads, Regals Brads, Aquapainter, Pool Party Seam Binding, Oval Frame Bigz Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 3/4" Circle Punch

I feel as though I went overboard, but it was actually pretty easy since I could punch the flowers. The leaves are the third flower image cut into pairs for leaves. I used my aquapainter to add pool party to the Rose Red flower and to soften the other Rose Red flower, as well as color my leaves. The hardest part was running the cardstock through the Big Shot, but, again, I love it!

Happy Stamping!

Ice Pop in January

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:00:00 +0000

What happened? I was so ready for January, I had a week off of work, and then POW--school and stamping and my blog took a hit! CRAZY! But, I have been stamping, so I have projects to show! The Occasions Mini Catalog is live starting this week. When I first went through my advanced copy, I pictured this card in my head:

Stamps: Mouthwatering, Sweet Cake
Paper: Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Peach Parfait, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Brights Brads, Paper Piercing Tool

Unfortunately, my watermark covers up a cute detail on this card. But, if you look closely, you'll see the arch line impression that the new embossing folder leaves. These are pretty cool--a thin strip just for an accent on a card! How cool! 3 for the price of one!

I really needed a bright spot during the dreary winter we've had--no snow and lots of clouds. This card just makes me smile!

Happy Stamping!

2012 Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

You found it! Be ready for an amazing set of projects featuring Stampin' Up's amazing new stamps, papers, accessories, and images in the Occasions Mini Catalog. My stampin' friends at Stampin' Addicts have each chosen one area to focus our creativity.

As you click from blog to blog, you'll see an array of great ideas--so have your wish list handy! If you get lost along the way click on the banner above to go a thread listing all stops.

When I first saw the stamps I am featuring today, I thought, "Oh the possibilities!" These are an economical way of getting a whole bunch of images all at once, like a stamp set in one stamp! Called Packed for Everything, you can buy these four stamps in a bundle or individually. I, of course, seeing a deal, went for the while shabang.

Packed for Dad caught my eye first. I pictured a suitcase full with these items tumbling out. So, I made this:

For the card, I just made a tool belt and added the nails, the hammer, and the handle of the jack knife. I added some details with my Early Espresso Marker, my superb cutting skills, and the denim ribbon. I felt like I was back in art class, making a project for my own dad. See my suitcase? Here's the inside:

I love this! I used the Matchbox die and my Big Shot. I just trimmed one section of the cover so it would slip inside the top. I carefully placed two glue dots to hold the top on. I used folded sections of window sheet to layer my stuff. I was thrilled with how it turned out. Then, I showed it to my husband Bubba who bursted my bubble. "Why is all that stuff in a suitcase?," he said. Missed the whole point. However, I am sure my stamping friends know why :)

My second set of cards came from the Packed for Baby stamp. I love buying gifts for baby showers, so decided I needed mini gift cards to add to the package instead of large cards. These stamps are perfect for 3x3's!

I made the full image one first. I simply colored using Bashful Blue, So Saffron, and Certainly Celery Markers. I then trimmed and added a bit of matting. Cute and easy. The other one took a bit more time, but was still pretty easy and cute! I used my 1 3/8" Square Punch for the quilt and used my trusty White Signo Pen to hand-draw the stitches. I used my paper snips to trim the images, some dimensionals to make them pop (as always), and I now have a cute set of cards!

Finally, I used the last two stamps--Packed for Mom, and Packed for Birthday for two very different looking cards:

Wisteria Wonder is a color I adore and I thought the polka dots in the purse looked like my Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Ribbon, so I just needed two other colors. I went with Black to make the Wisteria Wonder pop and Pear Parfait to mellow the whole card down. I used my markers to marker just the part of the stamp I wanted and punched out my colored image with the 1 3/8" Square Punch. You have to be careful, but it does work.

The Birthday Card features a bright palette of colors- Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, and Daffodil Delight. I wanted to brighten up a dreary Wisconsin winter day with a fiesta attitude. I used the whole image from the stamp on this one. The Celebrate stamp comes from the Sale-a-bration Mini-Catalog that starts towards the end of January. If you bought these stamps as a bundle, with a couple packs of paper, a punch, and some markers, you'd have everything you need to make a variety of cards plus you could earn the Outlined Occasions stamp set for FREE. Be sure to check with your demonstrator about ordering!

Well my time is up and I hope you've been inspired. Now that you saw my projects, you click onward to the next site by Lisa featuring at Add Ink and Stamp. Or, you can go backwards and see Carmen's projects featuring Send me Soaring at Stamping Addiction. Or, you can use these cute buttons:

Happy Stamping!

Best of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Twenty-Eleven has been a great year for me as far as stamping. I have created some fun and amazing cards. Plus, I've been able to be consistent as to my stamping--almost daily. Ahhh. Today's post is a top 12 of this year. Here are my favorite cards and projects from 2011.

#12 Clare's Birthday Invite--One of my goals this year was to stamp and use what I stamped. For this birthday invite, I got to make my neice's first birthday special with everything bright and cheerful I could think of:

#11 Vintage Love Letter Card
This one I am proud of because I combined patterns I wouldn't normally use, plus I used the bird cage image from Nature's walk, not something found outdoors. But, I love the vintage feel:

#10 Hope and Strength
I love the use of chalkboard on this butterfly, and well, the whole card:

#9 I spy:
I thought I was so creative with this one! What a fun way to add some interaction to a birthday card!

#8 Best Wishes in Browns

I had so many new toys to play with on this one--and it worked!

#7 Quilted Elegance:

I am still in awe of this card--from the stitches I added with the Jumbo Wheel to the colors, I love it.

#6 A tisket, a tasket, a cool homemade basket

#5 Happy Birthday, Mom!
I snuck in three projects with one picture in this one. I just loved using the In Stitches Suite from the 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog. Perfect for my mom:

#4 Robot Rainbow:

I just love the colors on this one. I miss that robot set!

#3: Gingerbread House:
This was spinning in my head for so long, that I was glad to finally have it come out and meet it's amazing-ness. This is my kind of gingerbread--not too messy!

#2: Spice Cake Quilted Card
I was channeling pure Stampin' Up! joy on this one. You know, they designed this Designer Series paper just for me:)

#1 Princess Crown

This is still my favorite project from this year. It's an idea all my own and I really went out of comfort zone to make it--pink!

Just Around the Corner...

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:18:00 +0000

I know I wrote this just last week. But January 2012 is just around the corner! How'd that happen? I plan and plan and work and work for Christmas and always forget January. Eeeeeeekkkk! I decided I needed some organization, so I created this yearly calender for my computer tonight. My mojo has been hiding. I've been scrapbooking a belated Christmas present on My Digital Studio and needed a break.

Also, I am working on a set of FABULOUS projects for this weekend's Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop Sponsored by Stampin' Addicts. Yesireeee, my FABULOUS set of demonstrator friends are creating AMAZING projects using new products that will be availble in January! WHOO HOO! Be sure to check out my Blog on December 30th after noon, and you'll get to see a whole bunch of FABULOUSITY.

Happy Stamping!

Merry Christmas to You!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:14:00 +0000

My family is the greatest gift in my life. Last night at Mattson Christmas affirmed that. Love surrounded me, Bubba, and Don. Plus, watching the kids open their gifts--I hit a home run with each one! Anyway, here is our Christmas letter.

Hi all! [When you see RED that’s me....Dr. Truth, Bubba.}

2011. Really, what can I say? We’ve had another year of marital bliss around here. Although, “here” has changed to our Shawano house. Last June, Bubba and Don set up shop at N6684 Chicawatha. The Neenah house is up for sale. Anyone want a great little house? Living 24/7 with Bubba has been an adjustment by both of us [mostly by me], but we are surviving. I’d say thriving. I love coming home to warm suppers [Warm? How about AWESOME suppers] and his hugs after a long day of my 13^th year at Menominee Indian Middle School. I’m sure he loves me making coffee each morning [Can “barely” hear her leave--which reminds me quit slamming the door in the morning] at 6 as I leave. Speaking of my job, I still love the kids and teaching math. Middle schoolers can be a challenge, but most of the time I just laugh.

Bubba spent the fall coaching football [it’s a pretty loose definition of coaching] for the Menominee Eagles High School Team. He loved every minute of it, obsessed every night about the kids, and how they could improve. His photography business [again, a loose definition of business here] is booming with weddings and babies and his favorite subject Clare.

Speaking of Clare, I think most of our spare time has been spent with the Kohls family. Nathan and Tim are now taller than me [really not much of an accomplishment] as they hit 8^th and 7^th grades respectively. Conversations with them have transformed into real topics and I enjoyed my time at the Shack with them this Deer Season [from what I heard they had to haul along a grocery store to keep these two fed]. We’ve cheered Tim on in Football [he came out to our HS practice one day and really inspired the team] and Nathan on in Tae Kwon Do [don’t get in his way....I’ve seen him in action and I go wide around him from now on]. Clare, still steals our heart, with her cuteness and smarts [smart enough to know who her favorite Unka is]. She bellows “Bubba!” or “Auntie” when we are out of her sight, but no one gets more love than Don [it’s sickening frankly....dude gets TONS of hugs, kisses, and big love from that kid].

We also lost Ron this year. First, he was too ill to live with us, needing more nursing care. He passed away in early November. We honored him in simple service and burial along with his family. Bubba and I think of him often and still tell Ron stories regularly. We miss him. [More than I ever thought possible. Thankfully I have a ton of photos of him making goofy faces. And so many great memories, stories, and laughs. He was an original and one of the best people I knew]

As 2011 wraps up, we are looking forward to a quiet [insert air quotes here around quiet] 2012 up here in the Northwoods. Wishing you all love, laughter, and health, [and a RAIDERS Super Bowl run]

Wishing you all love and happiness,

Merry Christmas to us!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:21:00 +0000

One of my favorite things (among many) about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is showing folks how easy and rearding it is be creative. And this year, Bubba and I have been the lucky recipient of some of that creativity this holiday season:

The stocking card is from my cousin Tracy who sewed two die cuts together to make a cute pocket card! The green tag pulls out to give a message from her family--so cool! The green one came from my Aunt Linnea--a simple, yet striking card using some cute DSP! Finally, my mom sent me the blue and red one. She got her inspiration from the Idea Book and Catalog. One day in November, she called for advice on how to make those snowflakes pop! I recommended White Craft Ink and Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and Voila! her cards look great!

Happy Stamping!

2012 is Just Around the Corner!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

As I realized that my next set of lesson plans start January 3rd, 2012, I wondered how it could be 2012 so soon. When I was a kid, that date seemed so far away! Crazy! I'm ahead this month a bit and am posting my January Computer Desktop Calender. I needed to get it done, as it came out of an idea that didn't pan out for a Christmas present (which, yes, I am wayyyyyy behind on!)

I went with the Domestic Goddess Digital Download--thinking of January White sales, the sunny winter days of January here in Wisconsin, and the fact that I'll get to see some Texan sun while at Stampin' Up!'s leadership event! Of course, to complement, those cold winter days outside, we need some hot coffee inside! Happy Stamping!

Stampy Presents are the Best!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:15:00 +0000

I had to share one of the presents I got already this year-- from my cousin and downline Amy:

It's a set of cards using the Big Top Die Cuts! So fun! At convention Sarah Douglass (Shelli's daughter) showed us how to make a whole bunch of cards using this set.

Amy ran with the idea and had a class. I guess I'm the proud recipient of her extra work! So fun!

Happy Stamping!

Tags and Wrapping! Oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:43:00 +0000

Bubba thinks I went overboard, but I whipped up these tags today for my Mattson Family Christmas presents. I think he'd prefer if we just unloaded the gifts in a big pile and let folks pick them! But, I like these:

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits Paper: Real Red, Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi, Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Two Tags Bigz Die, Big Shot, Dimensionals

After a morning of finishing swaps for the upcoming (and AMAZING) Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration, I needed something quick and easy. Hopefully, I can wrap everything up before bed tonight, so I can make sure I have everyone covered!

Happy Stamping!

Shop the Blitz

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:15:00 +0000

First of all- It's a Clearance Rack Blitz at Stampin Up! Check out the great deals at my website: www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net

Here are some of my favorite products on sale:

1. Stampin' Pastels for 5.99! Chalkboard technique anyone? Remember this card?

I used pastels to make it!

2. OLD Style (black) PUNCHES! for 9.59! This is awesome! They work great, but store a bit differently. Here is one of my favorite punch art projects for this time of year:

3. Big Designer Buttons--Candy Cane Lane and Deck the Halls for $1.79! Such fun! Here is one of my favorite projects using these:

There's more--Designer Series Paper, Big Shot Dies, Rub-on, tools, and ribbon! Oh my!

Happy Shopping!

Let it snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:50:00 +0000

I could really use a Snow Day. Until we are lucky enough to get snow, I'll have to dream of snow with this ornament we are making at my December events:

Isn't he cute? He's cuter in person, but not bad in the photo.
Stamps: Let it Snow
Paper: Medium Window Sheet
Ink: Stazon Black, White Craft Ink, Markers
Accessories: 3" Bigz Circle, Big Shot, Blender pen, Mica Flakes, Assorted Ribbon

I just stamped him on the window sheet and colored with markers. To get the white body, I used a blender pen and my White Craft Ink Pad.

I used some old and some new window sheets on this one. I found out that the old window sheets had issues--the ink would pool up. On the new ones, it worked fine. So, make sure you use quality window sheets on this one!

Happy Stamping!

Tile-o-rama

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:50:00 +0000

In the spirit of trying to use up stuff I've stashed, I brought out tiles for my ladies to stamp last week. We made a variety using whatever stamps felt right. Me, I stuck to spring ideas:

These three use my go-to set Elements of Style and a variety of craft ink. Fun and easy. This set uses Nature Walk:

and finally, these use Greenhouse Garden.

Fun, fun, fun! Happy Stamping!

Deck the Halls!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I might just resort to decking the halls this year--not much room for a tree now that we moved up north to the Shawano House. But boy, I love my ornaments when they hang on a tree! It's my favorite part of Christmas. This year, I tried out a new version of glitter ornaments:

In this one, I used Not Quite Navy reinker and Baja Breeze Glass Glitter on this one. The chunks certainly became chunks--almost like ice cubes inside! The snowflake comes from the Northern Lights Decorative Strip Die. I just cut out a White Decor Element Sheet. To make a good cut, make sure the Decor Element side is towards the die, not the acrylic plate. It just cuts nicer and makes a better snowflake.

This one uses Garden Green reinker with Dazzling Diamonds. Love it! I'm sure I'll make more, but these got me going for now!

Stampin Celebrations--3D style

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:40:00 +0000

I'll do anything for a night of stamping with friends, like design projects the night before! When Nancy emailed to see if we were meeting this month, I was suprised. Usually my groups like December off. However, she had a great request--tags! Instead of cards, they made a bunch of each of these:

Stamps: Tags 'Til Christmas, Stitched Stockings
Paper: Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Real Red, Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede
Accessories: Mini Tag Punch, Tag Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Stocking Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Punch, Baker's Twine, Dazzling Details, Silver Brads, Crop-a-dile

We just stamped, punched, and voila! Cute tags for Christmas presents!

And there was more--ornaments and tiles, but y'all will have to wait to see those!

December 5th?

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:42:00 +0000

How'd that happen? Last I knew December was just around the corner! Last week was a bit crazy--I spent Monday and Tuesday making these:

Wednesday and Thursday, I printed recipe cards, slept, put gift baskets together, wrapped presents, and yes, slept. The dreaded cold hit me last week as I prepared for my cousin's annual cookie swap! Luckily, the cold hit after I baked. I had to make 12 sets of 12 cookies--that's a lot of cookies. I envisioned a dual pack of brown and white cookies, kind of candy cane looking. Instead, my cookies came out such different sizes, I grouped them separately in our large cello bags. Yes, these are flat, I just made the bottom wider when I added the first cookie, and then added the other 5. I handed out six of each.
In the middle, Bubba decided to "help":

He calls his creative. I added red sugar to see what would happen, and we determined more is better. Bubba determined WAYY more is better.

I needed one more recipe card so I designed this one on My Digital Studio and printed them up:

Pretty cool? Huh? I even gave my sister retired ribbon to add her recipe card to her bags. They looked like this in the end:

She used the Crop-a-dile to cut through the layers to tie the bow while I played with Clare, who joined Bubba, Don, and I on the trip. She sure added some joy to the weekend--and a bit of throwing up due to the flu. I loved being able to be Santa to that part of my family--the Mattson's, enjoy time at my cousin Amy's house, and get some sleep as Bubba drove there and back! Thanks, Bubba!

Hoping your holidays let you have as much Stampin' fun as mine!

December Is Just Around the Corner...

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:44:00 +0000

and here is the calender! I have been using My Digital Studio a lot lately on Christmas presents, but I can't share those quite yet, so here is December's calender.

I went simple with my layout. I enjoyed playing with the new calender settings. You have choices in adding lines, the width of the lines, the font of everything, the colors of everything. Plus, you can adjust the size of the whole thing. I went with tall and thin. That way, I can convince myself there is more time in December than there is!

Happy Stamping!

A Snowman Trick Card

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:23:00 +0000

It's Black Friday and I am snugly in my warm house. My husband, on the other hand, has been up all night to hit the sales. He loves Black Friday as if it was a real holiday. Me, I stay out of all stores and shopping areas at all possible. In fact, later today, I'm headed to the deer shack with my nephews and dad. Time to get away from it all!

First up, this cute little snowman card:

Wait, it gets even better:

I'm not including a card recipe today as I totally cased this fabulous idea from Becky Roberts at Inking Idaho. Check out her blog post for all the details.

Happy Stamping!

A Christmas Recipe in Time for Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:21:00 +0000

My sister is a planner, so the fact that she has her recipe ready for the Cookie Swap the first weekend in December is no surprise. The fact that I have it typed and ready to add to her candy bags is amazing. Of course, I had to use My Digital Studio:

Cute, huh? I tried to go Old World as that is more her style.

Speaking of downloads, check out the online extravaganza if you have been thinking about buying My Digital Studio, because you can get a bundle of downloads with the express version. Lily Ink Pad's Online Store

Happy Stamping!

Stocking Up On Gift Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Some ideas are just too perfect to not make! I end up giving a variety of gift cards (especially to teenagers) at Christmas so I needed a cute way to deliver. Check these out:

They can hang on a tree or they can be given as is! Check out the inside:

Stamps: None
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper
Ink: None
Accessories: Big Shot, Stocking Die, Word Window Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Simply Scored, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Jingle Bells, Baker's Twine, Crop-a-dile, Northern Frost Die

With the busy-ness of my life, I didn't come up with all on my own, I used a great resource Stampin' Up! Demonstrators have access to called Stampin' Connection. I found Linda's samples, went to her blog, and found this great tutorial.

Happy Stamping!