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This is a twist on a techniques I saw demonstrated a while ago on TV by Carol Duval, I think? Basically, an open line image is stamped on vellum first with Staz-On and allowed to dry. Then the image is flipped over (to prevent smearing…remember, Staz-On and Alcohol do not play well together!) and markers are used to created squiggles and smears of color randomly on the image from the “wrong side” (you’ll want to leave blank space between the squiggles.) An Aqua-Painter filled with alcohol is used to dot, brush and blend the colors together. Keep in mind that you’re going for a very random tie-died look here and that it’s O.K. if the ink goes outside the lines, the image will eventually be cut out. Allow the vellum to dry, if the vellum curls simply lay it flat under a heavy book to flatten. Cut the image out and attach to your card front, embellish as desired.

In the sample here, I used Pink Passion, Green Galore and Lavender Lace and Blush Blossom markers. I used the same technique described to create the background.

And I mean that both literally and figuratively. As you may know by now, I was in charge of this year’s Trunk-or-Treat for the kids’ school and everything is always under control until the last 2 or 3 days…then it all seems to snowball on me! Last minute forms turned in…necessitating last minute changes to the pizza order…well, you get the idea. My point here is that I left my own “trunk” theme until the last minute and well, when you are a stamper every problem becomes an opportunity to “play”….so I dug out my stamps, stamp pads, punches, card stock and glues dots and just like *magic* I had a miniature carnival for my trunk! I hot glued felt to make bean bags for the “Pumpkin Toss” and those were stamped with a pumpkin face and Staz-On. Then I wrapped bowling pins in gauze (yes, I keep plenty of both on hand…because you just never know!) and used the glue dots to hold the gauze in place. I used the punches to make faces for my little “mummies” and voila’ I had “Bowling for Mummies”! We also offered a “Pick-a-Pop” for the toddlers and a Webkins raffle….needless to say we had a VERY popular trunk!
Now, you may never need to make a face for your bowling pins, but remember to drag out those punches the next time you need to whip up a card or a gift tag….you just never know what will happen when you get a little “punchy”!

Holiday card making doesn’t have to be a huge production…with a little planning you can add your personal touch to the holidays and show all those around you just how much you care. Here is a basic time line to help make the process easier, whether you’re making 10 cards or 100 (keep in mind this could also apply to invitations for parties, weddings & showers!)

Things to Consider:
• Crafter know thyself! This should be a stress reducing not a stress inducing activity! If making holiday cards is going to drive you to start popping bourbon balls, then just don’t do it!
• Keep it simple! The more cards you make the easier they should be. Adding one extra step when you’re making 5 cards is no biggie…but when you’re making 50, it adds hours to the process! Try to keep each card to less then 7 steps.
• Don’t fret that your cards are too simple…get the basic design done and leave a minor embellishment to add if time permits….try not to sweat the small stuff!
• Work assembly-line style, do all the cutting, then all the punching, all the coloring, then all the gluing, etc. This not only speeds the process but breaks it into smaller, more manageable chunks.
• Delegate! Even Santa has helpers…have the kids stamp envelopes and ask your husband to print out address labels…everyone can pitch in!
• Don’t wait for huge chunks of free time to work on this project (it may never come along!) Simply gather all the supplies in one area or in one container (to avoid search & rescue missions) and be ready to go on a moments notice. You can accomplish quite a bit in the 15 minutes it takes for water to boil or while your on hold with the insurance company! Watching T.V. is another ideal time to sit and work on a portion of your cards….little by little you can get them done!
• Finally, remember that every card doesn’t have to be identical. Just as each of your friends is unique, so should their card be….a unique reflection of your heartfelt feelings for them.

6-8 Weeks Prior to the Event:
• Make a card list (or two! Some crafters make cards only for family members or close friends to cut down on the work load)
• Decide on a basic design (including size, color, and sentiment…I’m always happy to help with this stage, check out my website for class times or call to set-up a one-on-one session)
• Compare your supplies on hand to your list of supplies needed
• Make a list of supplies to purchase and contact your friendly Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator. Don’t forget extra adhesive…now is not the time to run out!

4-5 Weeks Prior:
• Purchase supplies including envelopes, address labels and postage
• Arrange supplies in one area or container so everything can be accessed quickly and easily as time permits
• Start creating your cards, working assembly-line style
• Address and stamp envelopes (you can save time here by using the computer)

2-3 Weeks Prior:
• Finish creating cards (now is the time to add those additional embellishments to certain cards to personalize them)
• Double check these against your original list as you slip your cards into the envelopes
• Mail your cards

Now sit back and relax with a steaming cup of cocoa and just enjoy the holiday season…you deserve it!

To print a PDF version of these tips, click here: Cards by the Carton Tip Sheet

…everything becomes an opportunity to stamp and use your stamping supplies!  I was in charge of the school’s Trunk-or-Treat again this year (and by this I don’t mean I ran a committee…I mean I WAS the committee!)  After collecting the fees and all the prizes (top 4 decorated cars/trunks get prizes with the top car receiving a “Best in Show” award) I couldn’t very well hand out plain ‘ol gift cards and gift certificates and a carboard box filled with Halloween decorations.  There’s that ancient saying, “If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail”…well, if you are a stamper than if it doesn’t move, STAMP IT!  (If it does move, stamp it faster!)  So I took, this collection of unadorned items and turned them into things I was proud to give away!   Of course, I donated an item or two myself…the now infamous Peeps in a Jar and some gift certificates got a coordinating look with some Designer Series Paper.  The tall envelope was created using a standard envelope that’s been crimped and had the end  snipped off for the bottom.  I then took another envelope (same size), cut it in half, decorated it and used it as the topper.

This box from Staples was the only thing I found strong enough and large enough to hold all the Halloween items that were donated by one family…it’s almost a Halloween Party in a Box!  I hated to leave it plain so I stamped the images from the Batty for You set and punched them out and glued them randomly all over the sides of the box.  Finally I covered the printed labels with the words from the Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper.

The top two prizes were dining gift cards and a gift certificate…small items but with a large dollar amount and I wanted the wrapping to reflect that.  I created a special envelope for the gift certificate complete with a medallion and google eyes.  The gift cards went into a 2-5-7-10 box that was decorated with…what else, more DSP and the Batty for You set.  Between the ticket sales, glow stick sales and a Webkins® raffle we made a little over $600 for the school last night!  Not too bad for a one woman show.

Not very stamping related I’m afraid, but bear with me for a minute. You see, my good buddy and occasional muse, MJ Weston has gone and “tagged” me tonight and well, “mature me” took a look at the dining room table covered in stamping supplies (another creative bender, I’m afraid) and the computer desk covered in bright orange paper (Trunk-or-Treat forms….yeah, I’m in charge of that AGAIN this year!) and the piles of laundry in the garage and said, “Ahhhhh, don’t EVEN think about it, Girly! You’ve got plenty to do around here….(blah, blah, blah!) After that “irresponsible/fun-loving me just tuned her out…She can be SUCH a drag sometimes! So, I plopped my little self down (and yes, I am getting littler…it’s official…according to the doctor today I’ve lost 23 pounds!!! Yipppeee!!!) and started playing TAG.

Here’s the ’sitch (that’s situation for any of you who don’t happen to watch Kim Possible on Disney Channel with your ‘tween every week): MJ tagged me (thanks, Doll! You know I’m always ready to play!) and Kristina tagged her and she was tagged by- Stacey of “The Queen’s Creations” who was tagged by Erin at Inky Smiles who was tagged by Mary Demuth (www.relevantblog.blogspot.com) who originally started the game. Basically, it’s an experiment to see how many degrees we can separate (kind of like Kevin Bacon, only it’s blog relevant). How many people can one blog potentially reach? What we do is list out 10, 20 and 30 years ago and what we were doing at that time. Then you “tag” some other bloggers and go back and comment on Relevant Blog and let her know.
SOOOO here goes-

• 10 years ago: Wow! That is quite a busy time….Chris (DH), Alyssa (DD) and I had moved from our condo in Safety Harbor, Florida to our current home in Tarpon Springs back in April (while I was 7 months pregnant!) and we are still unpacking and getting settled. Kira was born in July so now she’s 3 months old. I have been planning Kira’s baptism, taking the girls to playgroup and have just begun a new addiction – scrapbooking!
• 20 years ago: My senior year of high school at Countryside High…active in Drama Club and Chorus…I have a part in EVERY production this year (are you surprised?) I have a car and a PTJ (part time job) so my time is my own as long as my grades are good…took my SATs, applied to colleges…I’m going to football games and Prom and I’m active in my Youth Group….basically, it’s a very good year!

• 30 years ago: YIKES! Only 7 years old…just moved to Florida from Wisconsin last year! Spend my days going to Sandy Lane Elementary, riding my bike, going to the movies ( I’ve gone to see Star Wars 5 times, already!)….and this year I think I’ll be Princess Leia for Halloween!

Now, The question is WHO to tag? Well….I’ll tag…..

Amanda Coughlin (She’s usually in the mood to play!)

Amy Celona (Will she be too busy to come out and play????)

Kimberly Morris (Is it still snowing???)

Vicki Allgaier (Come out & play, Vicki!)

Rebecca Mayse (’Becca…Where are you???)

So many projects, so little time! I have been blessed recently with this deluge of creative inspiration and I finally have the space to work in (now that “THE LAB” has been overhauled) but of course, now I have no time to play! Isn’t that always the way? Be careful what you wish for and all that jazz…

In between science projects, cheerleading, doctor’s appointments, lunch duty and Trunk-or-Treat, I am literally stealing moments to stamp out some of these ideas before I explode! Example: Fill pot with water and put on stove to boil, race to THE LAB and crank out a project before said pot boils over, run back to kitchen, relieved to see that pot has NOT boiled over (yeah!) Space Cadet Sam forgot to turn stove on (ooops!) Oh well, I never claimed to be Betty Crocker….Carol Duval’s evil twin maybe….but Betty? Never!

Now back to this little project…I’m looking for cute, inexpensive (read this as cheap!) Christmas gifts this year and thought this might work…Floating picture frames jazzed up with stamping! I stamped on the glass with Staz-On and added to the doodles with Sharpie on the opposite side….giving this a very dimensional look. It’s hard to see from the photo but it also says “cherish” across the bottom. Admittedly, the photo I have in the frame is not ideal, but it’s the only one I could find on short notice…you get the idea…now, go stamp out the ordinary!

This one’s an oldie but a goodie and just perfect for all the little ghouls and goblins who may come knocking on your door this All Hallows Eve…Simply cut a piece of cardstock in half so that it measures 5.5″ x 8.5″. Now, stamp as desired (here I used the Batty For You set.) Score the cardstock at 2″ and 4.25″ (this way the center section is the largest) and use a circle punch to punch half way thru the top of the center section (this gives you the notch…making it easier to add and remove your treats!) Apply adhesive to the back flap and crimp the bottom to complete. Yes, I went a little overboard adding a belly band of Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper and a medallion complete with google eyes…but it was so easy! Now, what to fill these with, you ask? Well, how about:

• pencils
• individually wrapped licorice
• peppermint sticks
• seasonal straws
• pixie sticks
• fast food coupons
• glow sticks
• slap bracelets

• really anything long, skinny & flat!

If you stamp the card stock all at once, then cut it , then score, etc. This project really does go fast! Yes, I speak from experience….and yes, I will be making 70 of these for Wednesday! Happy Halloween!

Missing in action….who? Me? I’ve been in the middle of a major redesign of my stamp area and I’m almost done….I promise lots of pictures when I’m through! For now though, here is one of the cards we made at the Holiday Stamp-A-Stack. Simple enough that you could easily complete 20 or more of these! Really! It’s all about organization…and I assure you, I am the worst student in that department….LOL!

Boy, did I open a can of worms….Linda Hansen showed this technique at Regionals and I assumed it was common knowledge by now! Not wanting to seem stingy with a *new* use for one of our punches (adds to the value!!!) I created a podcast showing how to make a "Faux Jumbo Circle" with SU!’s Tab Punch:

Note: During the recording I mention that the punch/cardstock should be rotated 45 degrees…obviously, this is a mistake and either the punch or the paper needs to be rotated 90 degrees to achieve the jumbo circle effect…I apologize for any confusion.

Update: 7/24/08 – This video tutorial is now available here and on YouTube to make viewing easier for everyone

Last week I was working hard to get ready for the Stampin’ Up! Regional Seminar in Orlando and to complete my very first podcast…so hard, in fact that I didn’t notice that some things on my blog weren’t working properly! After much detective work (and a great deal of help from my extremely patient webmistress, Amy!) we found the problem (an i-d-10-t error….namely ME!) Amy has got my FeedBurner account re-set up and working now, but unfortunately….if you signed up before it didn’t count….So, I’m encouraging everyone who stops by to sign up (or re-sign up as the case may be!) There may be a Halloween Treat in it for one lucky subscriber (hint, hint!)