Gold Dipped Awesomeness! TGIFC34

It's certainly crunch time with Christmas just days away!  I have been done with shopping for a week or so now but wanted to make something for my husbands aunts, uncles and siblings.  I honestly wanted to make tins of cookies, but I'm so "cookied out" that I figured I'd pass.

 

Plus, our cruise is 5 weeks away - I can't afford it! haha!

 

So I decided to make boxes of homemade chocolates.  Waaaaay healthier, right?

 

 

 

I had a fun time decorating the boxes too.  Strips of red and gold give it the holiday glitz paired with the never boring Gorgeous Grunge splatter!  :)  The snowflakes were a hit this year for me and I was surprised to find 5 left!

  

 

My favorite part of the box though it definitely this "gold dipped" sentiment.  Looks like I have a new technique to play around with!  Reminds me of my Dipped Gingersnap Cookies.  Oh man... maybe I will make them after all!  Best cookies ever!

 

 

I'm also playing along with TGIF Challenges - it's been quite some time.  Happy to play along this week.  Head on over and see the talented stampers "Holly Jolly" ideas.

 

 

Have a blessed week and if I don't post before Friday - MERRY CHRISTMAS!! JESUS IS BORN!

 

 

 

A Birthday Card for Judy - GDP015

I made this card last week for my dear friend, customer & "temporary beach house neighbor", Judy.  Judy tagged along with a friend to my stamp class about 7 months ago.  She reminded me so much of my mom and we became friends right away.  Then one day I was outside with the boys and I noticed a new family moving in to the beach rental next door.  It was Judy's daughter!  Judy spent 4 days out of the week babysitting her grandkids and we would hang out in the driveway while the boys rode their bikes and drew with chalk.  Of course we talked stamps!  I'm happy to have her as a friend! 

 

So since I wanted to wait to post this until she actually got her birthday card (her birthday is today!) I was happy to see that the new challenge over at the Global Design Project site is "celebrate".  I haven't played along in awhile because of our move, but I couldn't resist this fun theme.  Heck, I might play twice.

 

I'm loving this new set called "Number Of Years.  It comes with matching framelits which makes cutting the numbers out a breeze. 

 

It's been rainy here lately and I haven't been getting good indoor pictures.  I wish you could see this card in person.  The sentiment says "The number of years the world has been a better place because you're in it." - Cute, right??

 

A little lace doily, a Watermelon Wonder flower, twine... and oh yeah, that pretty sparkly Pool Party ribbon you see? - that'll be available Jan 5th too!  So many awesome products coming out soon!

 

I sure hope you like this card Ms. Judy  -  we miss you so!

 

And for the rest of you... thanks for stopping by! Head on over to the GDP site and see all of the other fantastic celebration ideas!

 

-Holly

Precision Plate Review

 

One of the items on the Weekly Deals this week is the Precision Plate.  I'll be honest and say that I hadn't tried it out until last Tuesday and I've had it since September!  Gosh, I could kick myself when I buy things I think I "need" and don't use and then I pass stamps up and think "I should've bought that set!"... ah well, you live and learn!

So the Precision Base Plate not only cuts the intricate thinlits like the butterfly and ornament thinlits, but it removes the bumps that you see when you cut the thinlits using the standard or magnetic platforms.

If you aren't sure what the bumps look like, take a look at the hello thinlit I cut using the magnetic platform:

 

Now, take a look closely at this next Hello thinlit.  I cut this one using the precision plate - no bumps! 

 

It really does make the card look better!

 

And here's my other trick.  When you cut your thinlit out, plan ahead.  Here I cut the word out of a 1" strip.  The negative look is one of my favorite techniques with thinlits! 

 

So there you have it - my review on the Precision Plate.

 

I meant to post this earlier, but life happens.  You only have until 11:59 Mountain time tonight to order this on the weekly deal!  And remember, lots of new items added to the end of the year clearance! :)

 

Happy Monday!

-Holly

 

 

Oh and PS - If you placed an order through me yesterday and chose no contact (by accident or on purpose) - THANK YOU FOR ORDERING!!!!!

In the Meadow - Freshly Made Sketches 216 for Dad

 

My dad has been hunting his whole life.  I remember many years watching him bring home his game with a huge grin on his face.  I was so happy for him when he sent this text.  Sorry to anyone who is offended by this, but I see it as a way of the Lord providing for us.  Venison stew - yum!

 

This Tuesday my dad sent me this picture:

 

So, I wanted to make my dad a card.  I just received a new set with my pre-order called In the Meadow.  It will be available January 5th.  This set spoke to me for two reasons - the mountain range and the two deer.  The set is so peaceful and the sketchy drawings are perfect.  I can't wait for you to see the whole thing!  Here is the original stamped image of the two deer (c)Stampin' Up!:

 

 

 Since I wanted to make this custom for my dad, I took my Early Espresso marker and colored only the larger deer.  After I stamped it, I filled in the missing outline of the deer and added the antlers.  I watercolored the antlers with Soft Suede like I did for the body of the deer.

 

 

I am beyond thrilled with the way it turned out. Just how I had it in my mind! :)  The sketch/layout is from Freshly Made Sketches - I love this simpled layered look! 

 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by (again) today!  I hope you found some inspiration here today to think outside the box!  SU! gives us many great stamp sets - sometimes it is fun to add to them!

 

Blessings!

-Holly

 

Year-End Sale Starts Today - My Favorites!

It's that time of year!  Stampin' Up! has added a ton of items back on the clearance rack for this end of year sale! 

 

The items included on this sale are 'while supplies last' so get them before they're gone!  These items will only go through January 4th, so you will not be able to order them when the new catalog and Sale-a-Bration (SAB) starts January 5th.

 

 

If you are ordering, please use hostess code MT6QVMVQ.  If you are placing an order of $150 or more, please skip the code (the hostess rewards will be yours!).

 

Here are some of my favorite items on the list!

 

 

Angled Tag Topper Punch - $13.77

Chalkboard Banner Simply Created Kit - $7.99

*I have used mine AT LEAST 5x - birthdays & holidays* 

 

 

Polka Dot Tag-a-Bag Gift Bags - $1.58 for 10!!

These are great for party favors and goodies!

 

 

 

 

But I think the best deal out there is the twine and ribbon!! Twine as low as $1.19 for 25 yards?!

YES PLEASE!

 

Let's get shopping on some stocking stuffers, shall we?

 

See you tomorrow for a look at Weekly Deal item you won't want to miss out on!

 

Happy Stampin!

-Holly

 

 

It's Raining Wink of Stella

It's a rainy day here in Minnesota.  I had to send some packages in the mail and I was looking through my card stash to find a card to send.  I came across this card that I made awhile back for one of my Stamp n' Snack nights.  And I remembered that I ordered Wink of Stella about a week or two before we moved and I have not had the chance to use it.  Wink of Stella is a brush tipped pen that you simple use to add a shimmer to your cards.

 

So I want to show you how I changed this card in just a few seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

By the way... Stampin' Up! may or may not be carrying Wink of Stella now... Something to think about :)

 

WINK WINK!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Check by tomorrow for (another) sneak peek at an upcoming catalog item!

 

-Holly

 

Creation Station Blog Hop - Winter Wonderland Christmas

 

I'm am so excited to share with you some exciting news for my 200th post!!  If you came from Denita's site, thanks for stopping by my blog.   I did not see myself with three small boys actually keeping up with a blog and making it to 200 posts but here I am and now I am on a new design team!

 

Let's just say, I am so honored to be among the talented ladies on this team (two who are SU artisans might I add). :)  I took a break from 3 other blog hops earlier this fall because we recently moved from Rhode Island to Minnesota.  We still aren't settled into our house (living with in-laws) but I've found time to stamp again and was recently asked to join this awesome Creation Station design team.  I thought I'd take the offer - haha!  Thank you Jen and Dena for having faith in me!  I'm so excited to join you all!  And thank you to my followers/subscribers and fans for encouraging me to get to 200!

 

This month's theme is obviously Christmas!  I did not have either of the Christmas sets that you may see others using on this hop, but I did have the Winter Wonderland vellum so I wanted to focus on that.  Here is what I came up with:

 

 

The pack comes in two colors: black on vellum and gold on vellum.  The gold is certainly easier to use on cards in my opinion, so I wanted to go out of my comfort zone (and color pallet) and use the black/vellum sheets.  This color combo certainly isn't Christmas-y, but the cookies are the distraction!

 

 

A little ink sponged on the wooden snowflake is a quick way to add color.

 

 

For the card, I wanted to add the same vellum that I used for the treat bag and overlay the Wonderland pine tree image.  Love the way that turned out!

 

Here's a close up of the inside detail.

 

The sentiment is a mix of the PL Seasonal Snapshot 2015 set and the White Christmas set.

 

I NEED to know what that calligraphy font is... or SU needs an alphabet set with it.  #justsayin'

 

 

So there you have it!  I sure hope you enjoyed these projects and were inspired.  I'm excited to be on this new team and can't wait to show you some new catalog goodies next month!  Make sure you make your way around the hop to check out all the talent.  You can head back to Denita or onto Jennifer.  Just click the buttons below.

 

Happy Sunday to you!

-Holly