StampersPad

Grandson Special

This little tractor is going with us when we visit with our wee grandson who just LOVEs tractors, diggers and all mighty machines.  (Don't tell him but we bought him his own digger so he can help his Papa with yard work.) 

I totally cased this idea from Marie Shaughnessy who makes the most amazing punch art creations.  Not a stamp on this card!!!  I can't believe it myself.  Punches: seat - large heart punch, blue body - large tag punch, smoke stack - word window, steering wheel - 1/2 " circle punch trimmed,  Large wheel - scalloped circle punch (punched twice to make treads), large yellow wheel and small black wheel - 1" punch, small yellow circle - 1/2" punch, wheel axel - slot punch, lightbulbs - flower punch (cut apart), smoke - round scallop punch and oval punch.   Other touches were done with a black and a white pen.  The brads are from my hodgepodge hardware kit.  This is so much fun when you get going.  I hope you give it a try.

Have a terrific day,

Nana Linda

Joy to the World...

Merry Christmas to all my stamping friends! 

Wishing you a wonderful day with family and friends!

 

Linda
 

 

Lovely as a Tree

We are so lucky to live in a community that's surrounded by forest parkland.  Every day my puppy and I are ever so glad to be able to walk through the local woods enjoying the other dogs, their owners and the quite of the trees.  Maybe that's why I pulled out this stamp set "Lovely as a Tree" to create some last minute Christmas cards.  OK, at this point I guess they're New Years Cards but you know ... better late than never.

Quick but stunning IRL, this Night of Navy and White card glitters with Irridesent Ice embossing powder and dazzling diamonds.  This was another card in my Stamp-A-Stack class and I decided to create a few quick ones tonight to post tomorrow.

Even faster to produce this one layer card is created with the same stamp set and again stamped in craft White ink and embossed with Irridesent Ice ep.  You can't see it in this photo but this card's really sparkly and pretty for a quick card.  One of the ladies at my stamp-a-stack really enjoyed the tree image and inspired me to create this super quick card.    (Sorry I didn't get a shot of the inside)

I hope your day tomorrow is full of joy and family delight.  Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

Linda

Friday Feature Stamp Set - Delightful Decorations

I can't believe how much fun I've been having this year with my Christmas cards.  Instead of mass producing cards for everyone I've been playing a bit more with my layouts and creating different versions of similar cards.  Check out the results below.

This is a slightly different card layout that displays nicely as an easle.  Below you can see the message underneath.

I love the colour combination in this Chistmas Cocoa designer paper. It has great impact and I probably wouldn't have chosen them without looking at this paper first.  The stamps used in this card are:  Delightful Decorations page 24 of the holday Mini (available until January 4th)  and Many Merry Messages page 33 of the current Idea Book and Catalogue 2009-2010. 

Below is another arrangement of the same card...

And finally another Chistmas Cocoa card.  This time in a 4-1/4 x 5- 1/2 " presentation.

This Delightful Decoration stamp set ,  #116517, is a real treat to work with especially using a coordinating punch that eliminates all the nasty effort of cutting out the ornaments.  Ornament Punch #116794, page 25 of the Holiday Mini. 

I'm only getting my cards mailed out today... A little late, maybe, but I've had a good time with them.  I've a few more samples to show  you yet another day.  So, if you're like me and a bit behind, fear not. It's never too late to have fun making holiday cards.  A couple of years ago I sent out "New Years" cards.  Keeping in contact is the aim so I was happy just to give my best wishes to all.

Enjoy the snow and merriment of the season,

Linda

 

Starring You

Here's a scrap map challenge for those of you who enjoy a nudge to get your juices flowing.  Often I push myself to try a different layout, colour scheme or technique in order just get going. 

Our Grandson spent his birthday morning watching an antique tractor parade.  It couldn't have been more fun for him.  At two he's just in love with all Mighty Machines as you can see by these photos.  (Yes, I did notice my spelling mistake - that star got me I think... anyway, as you will notice in the next photo I totally changed my title.)

I always used dotto when I put my pages together so it's easy to move items about.  Too funny I know but I'm a very hands-on scrapper.  My final page is another version again.  Check back later for a peek.  I'll be sure to post it in the album on the side of my blog.  My scrap club gave this one a try, and everyone came up with something just a little different.

Why don't you give this layout a try and let us see what you come up with.   I'll post your version if you play along. 

Have a fantastic day!

Linda
 

Snow for Santa

Snow storms postponed our Stamp-A-Stack the other day but this Santa's all too happy to take advantage of the day off.  I finally started my shopping... Yes, I said started.  Even I can't believe it, usually I've completed all but a few things by the end of summer.  This has been an unusual year in so many ways so I don't mind being behind a bit. 

Here's a peek at one of our Stamp-a-Stack cards.   See, Santa's enjoying the snow too!

 

Watercoloured and coated with glitter, Santa's just having a ball.   Make like Santa and have a wonderful winter day!

Linda 

Celebration Time...

Don't you just love the crazy way December grabs us and makes us take a long look at how we spend our days, hours and minutes?  If you're stressed about cleaning, shopping and baking I highly recommend taking shortcuts on all the above and spending as much of your time as you can enjoying friends and family and just let the rest go.   

Along with many Stampin' Up! demonstrators I'm lucky to have already enjoyed some festive celebrations of friendship.  One might think that in beginning a craft business there would be a built in competitive nature to it.  But one of the most surprising gifts I've received since joining Stampin' Up! is a wide circle of fellow demonstrators who willingly share class ideas, tools and even lend a hand at larger events. In that spirit my good friend, Sherida Giddings, invited her me along with several other "orphan" demonstor friends to participate in her Christmas Party.  Below you can see some samples of hand stamped gifts exchanged at this occasion.  Enjoy!  I certainly did!

How amazing is this gift bag!!! Who wouldn't want to give or receive a gift in a bag as beautiful as this one created by a fellow demonstrator?  If you created this beautiful gift bag (or any other item below) please email me, linda@StampersPad ,and I'll make sure you get proper credit.

 
And this handmade Advent Calendar created by is ready for your daily surprise.  (A love note, a daily family event, a treasure hunt clue or bible verse.)  The list of things is only limited by your imagination and you are an imaginative group.  Any suggestions would be terrific! 

With stamping on glass and wood to draw you into the eyes of this snowy fellow I think the crafty demonstrator who created this decore element really extended her creative genious.  I can't wait to try this project.

One of four beautifully hand stamped, marble tile, coasters by Carol Ringuette.

Looking hand painted but beautifully stamped candle created by a fellow demonstrator.  Did you know we could stamp candles? 

Now here's a great idea-  A Christmas table setting in a box!  How cool is that for a gift?  In includes: Napkin rings,  knife rests, wrapped chocolates and place name holders.  All this in a matching designer box created by France Gaudreau who also created some beautiful luminaries for the occasion. 

To enjoy the season in a more relaxed way, why don't you gather friends or family around and create some handmade gifts.  Here's a way to reduce stress and enjoy time with the ones you care about while cutting down on shopping time.  Couldn't be better for everyone on your list!

Go gently into this month of joy and enjoy!

Linda
 
 

  

Thankful For...

As part of a large, extended, family I am lucky enough to always be able to hold a fresh faced baby and enjoy the advice and experience of those who are a step ahead of me in our journey.  I'm so thankful that Mom and Dad raised us to treasure and look after each other and that we still gather together at each season and holiday.  The photos on this page are from our Canadian Thanksgiving celebration this year and as you can see a terrific time was had by all.  As usual there was a centerpiece competition and the team effort that we enjoyed the most was the one that had to be on a table outside.  Fireworks and flags was their fall theme???

Who won the competition?, you ask.   Why all of us, of course!

Happy Thanksgiving to my American Friends.  The rest of us - just enjoy the fact that we don't have any white stuff on the ground yet and get your Christmas lights up, will ya!

Have a great day,

Linda  
NOTE: While We've been away visiting our grandon and family I put my posts on auto delivery but It seems there's been a glitch in this process.  Of I planned this article for the American Thanksgiving weekend.  Hopefully I've fixed the trouble and posts will more timely in the future.