Happy New Year!

I hope you had a great holiday season with family and friends.  I want to wish all of you a happy and healthy 2013!  We have been visiting with family and friends, eating good food, and relaxing.  We are truly blessed to have such special people in our lives.  Be sure to come back soon -- I will be posting on a regular basis starting January 2nd.  Happy New Year!

 

Merry Christmas!

I have been designing Christmas cards and teaching classes featuring holiday cards since July -- yes, you heard me right -- July!  So, you would think I have had all of my cards stamped and ready to go, right?  Oh, how I wish that were true!  (They will get mailed this week!)

I had lots of ideas running around in my noggin' for my card this year, but I decided that what the world needs most of all right now is peace.  So, I wanted to feature the Peace on Earth stamp from the Greetings of the Season stamp set (page 8 of the Holiday Mini catalog) with the beautiful snowflakes from the Snowflake Soiree stamp set (page 5 of the Holiday Mini catalog).  I hope you like it!

Close-up of snowflakes stamped with Illuminate ink.  It is hard to photograph, but it is really pretty in real life!

Here are the supplies I used for this card:
Stamps:
Greetings of the Season  (#128030 $15.95 wood mount, #128033 $11.95 clear mount)
Snowflake Soiree (#127922 $29.95 wood mount, #127925 $21.95 clear mount)
More Merry Messages (#126400 $32.95 wood mount, #126402 $24.95 clear mount)
Paper:
Whisper White
Night of Navy
Ink:
Night of Navy
Versa Mark (for embossing)
Illuminate
Accessories:
Embossing Buddy
Silver Embossing Powder
Heat Tool
Stampin' Dimensionals
Apothecary Accents Framelits
Lacy Brocade Textured Embossing Folder
Basic Rhinestones

It is Christmas Eve, and I hope you are ready for a wonderful holiday with family and friends.  Be sure to remember the reason for the season.  May God bless you with peace, health and happiness in the new year.  We attended church this evening and heard our niece sing with the Childrens' Choir, then visited with dear neighbors.  Tomorrow will be a day of cooking and fun, followed by another day of family fun on Wednesday.  Hug the ones you love, and make those memories.  (You will want to scrapbook them in January! lol)  Merry Christmas!

 

We even had a white Christmas eve!  

The Power of a Card

My heart is heavy for the people of Newtown.  The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school will continue to affect the families, friends, first-responders, and community for a very long time.  I learned that the Post Office has provided an address for notes of condolence, and I wanted to share it with you, my stamping friends.  Cards can be mailed to:

Message of Condolence

PO Box 3700

Newtown, CT  06470   

 

 

I will be mailing a hand-made card tomorrow, and I encourage you to do the same.  The people of Newtown need to feel our love and support during this difficult time.  And, be sure to hug your loved ones extra tight and tell them you love them.  Life is precious.  Please keep the people of Newtown in your thoughts and prayers. 

 

Blessings to each of you.

Clearance Rack Blitz

Over 300 new Clearance Rack items have been added to the Online Store at discounts up to 80 percent off retail-only while supplies last! And for the first time ever, stamps are included at up to 40% off.  Hurry over to my online store http://nancyamato.stampinup.net  --  these items are only available while supplies last!  Great deals, just in time for last-minute holiday shopping.  Woohoo!
Happy Shopping!

Happy Holidays from Stampin' Up!

You cannot watch this video without a smile on your face!  This is why I love being a demo for such a fun company!

I'll be back later with some more info about the last two projects from my "It's A Wrap" class.  Until then, have a great day!

Happy 12-12-12!

I hope today is lucky for you!  I will be placing a Stampin' Up! order tonight, and I would like to offer you a special deal -- 12% off your order -- just for today.  Simply email me your order by 10 PM (EST) with your payment information and I will place your order for you.  Local orders (Baltimore area) will be available for pick-up once they arrive.  Out-of-town orders will be shipped directly to you from Stampin' Up!  (Contact me for more information about direct shipping cost.)

Happy 12-12-12!  Have a great day!

Gift-Wrapping Made Easy!

Hello!  I am so excited about this special product from Stampin' Up! -- just in time to wrap those special gifts for family, friends, and neighbors.  I know I will be using these to wrap Christmas cookies next week.  I will be baking my cookies this week for a cookie exchange with my hubby's family.   

 

 

Here is what you get with each bundle:

Trimmings & Tags Bundle
Item 132769
$13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes

• Gusseted Cellophane Bags (25 bags; 5" x 3" x 11-1/2")
• Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags (25 double-sided tags; 4-1/2" x 3-1/8")
• Cherry Cobbler 1/4" Sweater Trim (10 yards)

Petite Treats Bundle
Item 132770
$13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes

• Glassine Bags with die-cut edges (10 bags; 3" x 5" x 1-1/2")
• Handmade Holidays Stitched Felt (8 pieces)
• Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (10 yards)

Don't delay....order yours today on my website http://nancyamato.stampinup.net.  Also, a BIG thank you for your interest and comments about the RemARKable Stampers Stamp of the Month Blog Tour.  Our next blog tour will be held on Sunday, January 13.  Mark your calendars and join us as we show you projects using the HEARTS A FLUTTER stamp set -- perfect for Valentine's Day.  I can't wait!

RemARKable Stamp of the Month Blog Tour: Affection Collection

Welcome to another RemARKable Stamp of the Month Blog Tour!  Aren't all of these ideas amazing?  I love the vintage look you can create with the Affection Collection stamp set.  Most of you know I love to make cards look old by sponging Crumb Cake ink and distressing the edges of card stock.  So, I wanted to challenge myself to not use my crumb cake ink, and I like the way this card turned out.  I hope you do, too! 

My color inspiration came from my desk....I had a piece of Elegant Eggplant already out, so it became the color I chose.  (Some call it laziness, I call it serendipity!  lol)  I love the way it coordinates with Wisteria Wonder.  I used pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder to heat emboss on Whisper White card stock, then used one of the Window Frame Collection Framelits to cut it out.  I wanted to stagger the layers of the framelits for a different look.  I cut the next size framelit with Elegant Eggplant, then stamped the "curvy" parts with Elegant Eggplant ink.

The word "always" is stamped in Elegant Eggplant ink and cut out with the smallest of the framelits.  This is layered onto a Large Oval punch out made with Elegant Eggplant card stock, then attached to the embossed layer with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The embossed layer is attached to the large Elegant Eggplant layer, then the entire element is attached to the front of the card with more Stampin' Dimensionals. 

I stamped the corners of the inside panel and the corners of the envelope with Elegant Eggplant ink.  I embossed the flap of the envelope with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The word "love" was stamped with Elegant Eggplant ink, punched out with the Extra-Large Oval punch, and layered onto inside panel with Stampin' Dimensionals. 

Supply List and Measurements:
Stamps:
Affection Collection (#127946 $29.95 wood mount, #127949 $21.95 clear mount)

Card stock:
Elegant Eggplant (1 piece cut at 5 1/2 x 8 1/2", folded into a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4" card plus scraps for cutting framelits and punching)
Wisteria Wonder (2 pieces cut at 5 1/4 x 4", emboss one of them with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder)
Whisper White (1 piece cut at 5 x 3 3/4" for inside of card plus scraps for stamping and cutting with framelits and punches)
Ink:
Elegant Eggplant
VersaMark (for heat embossing)
Accessories:
Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon
Antique Brads
Glue Dots
Stampin' Dimensionals
Big Shot
Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Window Frames Collection Framelits
Embossing Buddy
Heat Tool
Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder
Large Oval Punch
Extra-Large Oval Punch

Have fun on the tour!  Click below to see what Missy has created! 

(Update:  This link takes you to Missy's Stampin' Up! website.  You can get directly to her post by clicking on this link:  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/missybolinger/blog  Enjoy!) 

It's Almost Time for the RemARKable Stamp of The Month Blog Tour!

Just a quick reminder to stop back tomorrow for the RemARKable Stamp of the Month Blog Tour!  Our posts will go live just after midnight -- I cannot wait to see what everyone has created with the Affection Collection stamp set!

Get ready to be inspired by how versatile this great set is.  And, just a reminder -- it is available in the Holiday Mini Catalog (page 35) until January 2, 2013.  Get it while you can!

Stocking Gift Bag

Hello!  Time is always in short supply this time of year, right?  But, you can still make a "home-made" gift bag by decorating the front of a pre-purchased gift bag. 

I bought a package of kraft-style gift bags from the store and jazzed them up with some cute Christmas stockings and a raffia bow.  Cut the stocking using your Sizzix Big Shot machine and the Holiday Stocking Bigz Die (#124098, $32.95).  I used Real Red card stock for the stocking and some scraps of Candlelight Christmas Designer Series Paper (#126901, $12.95) for the cuff, heel, and toe.  Very Vanilla card stock was transformed into a beautiful snowflake with the Snow Flurry Bigz Die (#127813, $21.95).  I only used the 2 smaller snowflakes and saved the large one for another project.  I added one of our Large Pearl Basic Jewels (#125577, $4.95, 40 in a pack) to the center and attached the snowflake to the stocking with a Stampin' Dimensional (#104430, $3.95, 300 per pack). 

 

A little Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (#110755, $3.95) on the back of the stocking was all I needed to adhere the stocking to the bag.  A quick bow made from some raffia decorates the handle of the gift bag and you are DONE!  See -- quick and easy!  Just add some tissue paper and your gift. 



Have a great day!  Oh -- quick reminder -- another RemARKable Stampers blog tour is coming this Sunday, December 9th!  Be sure to stop back and see all kinds of wonderful ideas using the Affection Collection stamp set. 

Cute and Easy Gift Box with a Paper Bow

 

 

This cute little box with a paper bow is so easy to make and is just perfect for wrapping gifts and cookies.  The Kraft Gift Box (#124106, $2.95, 4 boxes) can be found on page 161 of the 2012-2013 Catalog.  These Kraft Gift Boxes measure 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2" and are food-safe. 

 

Here are the dimensions for cutting card stock:

Cherry Cobbler

1 piece cut at 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 (box)

4 pieces cut at 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 (box)

1 piece cut at 1 x 8 1/4 (bow)

1 piece cut at 1 x 7 1/4 (bow)

1 piece cut at 1 x 5 1/4 (bow)

1 piece cut at 5/8 x 4 (bow)



1 piece cut at 1 3/4 x 2 1/4 (card)
Whisper White
1 piece cut at 3 x 3 (box)
4 pieces cut at 2 x 2 (box)
1 piece cut at 2 x 3, folded to a 2 x 1 1/5 card

Use Cherry Cobbler ink to randomly stamp images from the Delicate Doilies stamp set on the Whisper White box pieces.  Layer them onto the Cherry Cobbler pieces, then adhere to the Kraft Gift Box.  Stamp the mini card with the No Peeking stamp set using Cherry Cobbler ink.  Layer onto remaining piece of Cherry Cobbler, punch a hole in the top left corner, and thread some White Baker's Twine through the hole.

The paper bow is easy to make!  Use a bone folder to gently break down the fibers of the 3 largest    strips of Cherry Cobbler.  Make a loop by attaching the 1 x 8 1/4 strip end-to-end (I used Sticky Strip).  Do the same with the 1 x 7 1/4 strip.  Notch the edges of the 1 x 5 1/4 piece.  Stack the smaller loop on top of the larger loop, then stack onto the notched strip.  Pinch the center to make loops, then wrap with the 5/8 x 4 strip of Cherry Cobbler.  Use a little Tombow Multipurpose glue to secure the layers of the bow together. 

You can embellish the bow with a Vintage Faceted Designer Button (I used the largest one and tied some White Baker's Twine through the button holes).  Use a glue dot to attach the button to the bow, then attach to the top of the decorated box.   

Wrap Baker's Twine around the bow, and attach to mini card.  There you have it -- a cute little box to give a gift to someone special!  You can order all of these items on my Stampin' Up! website:  http://nancyamato.stampinup.net.   

Wine Bottle Tag

Here is a quick and easy way to personalize a bottle of wine for friends and family this holiday season.  I used Night of Navy card stock and the Oval Accent Bigz Clear die to cut two fancy tags (one for the front and one for the back).  I stamped snowflakes from the Snowflake Soiree stamp set with Illuminate ink all over the two tags in a random pattern.  Make sure you give the Illuminate ink a little time to dry before you assemble the tag.  Ink the "Merry" stamp from Snowflake Soiree in Night of Navy ink, then punch out with the Extra-Large Oval Punch.  Stamp the small snowflake in Illuminate ink over top of the Merry image.  Here is a close-up to show the detail of the Illuminate ink on the oval:

 
Set this aside to dry.  Use the Decorative Label punch and Night of Navy card stock to punch a layer for the oval cut-out.  Next, use my FAVORITE sparkly paper of all time, Silver Glimmer Paper, and the Window Frames Collection Framelits to cut a layer for the Decorative Label cut-out.  It is just so sparkly and really adds some holiday bling! 

Attach the Extra-Large Oval to the Night of Navy Decorative Label, the use Stampin' Dimensionals to attach this to the Silver Glimmer Paper.  Use Stampin' Dimensionals to attach to the front of the Oval Accent tag.  Cut a piece of Whisper White 5/8" Organza ribbon and attach to back of tag.  Adhere the back of the front tag to the back of the back tag.  Add to a favorite bottle of wine and enjoy! 
   

It's A Wrap class!

I had a fun weekend stamping with some great ladies at my "It's A Wrap" class.  Here are the projects we made, all in one photo:

(The wine was not included in the class -- it was just used to show how to hang the wine bottle tag.  lol)  From left to right:  "Joy" gift card holder, decorated gift bag with raffia, gift box with a paper bow, wine bottle tag, and gift bag and topper made with a piece of 12 x 12" Designer Series Paper. 

I will write more about each of these projects this week, so stop back soon!