OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG RIBBON SHARE OFFER...

The Occasions Mini Catalog will go live on January 4, 2012.  There are some absolutely gorgeous new ribbons including a new Pleated Satin Ribbon and new colors of the Bakers Twine and Seam Binding.  Do you NEED them ALL?  I am offering a "share" of all the new ribbons in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Each person will receive 35 full yards of ribbon (that's 105 feet!) for a fraction of the cost of buying a roll of each ribbon yourself.

Each participant will receive the following ribbons (updated with picture Jan.4):

• 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon:  (2 yards each of Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze)  Due to thickness of this ribbon, it will be wrapped with special rubber bands and bagged.
• Baker's Twine:  (5 yards each of Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder)
• 1/2" Seam Binding:  (2 yards of Pool Party)

Cost for all 35 yards of ribbon is: $19.00 (this includes shipping).  Insurance against loss or damage is an additional $1.80, if desired.

How Does a Ribbon Share Work?

I gather people together who would like the new ribbons in groups of five.  If you are interested in receiving one of the new ribbons described below, you would EMAIL ME at YourStampTeacher@gmail.com to reserve your spot.  Please include the following information in your email:

1. Name
2. Mailing Address
3. Which share(s) you would like to reserve (see all choices HERE)
4. Email address to send the Paypal invoice to
5. If you would like insurance

When emailing me, be sure to include YOUR PAYPAL EMAIL ADDRESS, your name, address and phone #.  I will confirm with you when I have a group of 5 people to share ribbon and email you a PayPal invoice.  After payment is received, I will place the order with Stampin' Up! (beginning January 4) and upon receipt divide and package it up and mail the ribbon shares out to you.  Please note it could take 10 days to two weeks for this process plus shipping time to you.  All orders will be shipped USPS 1st class mail in a bubble envelope.

SHIPPING:
All orders will be shipped USPS 1st class mail in a bubble envelope.  If you would like to participate in multiple shares, shipping can be combined for a lower overall shipping cost.  Please check out the Product Shares page and contact me for a shipping quote.  Insurance against loss or damage is an additional $1.80, if desired.

Please note:  Per Stampin' Up! policy, all product shares are only available to US residents and military families with APO/FPO addresses.

Please contact me at YourStampTeacher@gmail.com if you have any questions.

CARRYOVER LIST FROM THE HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG ANNOUNCED...

Some of the fantastic products featured in the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog will continue to be available after the Mini ends on Tuesday, January 3.  The products pictured above will continue to be available until at least June 30, 2012.  There are also a few products from the Holiday Mini that will also be included in the Occasions Mini Catalog that begins January 4, 2012, so they are not included in the CarryOver PDF.  These products include:

• Simply Scored Scoring Tool
• Simply Scored Place Markers
• Simply Scored Stylus
• Kraft Gift Box
• Sweet Pressed Holidays Cookie Stamps

Any other products from the Holiday Mini Catalog will no longer be available after January 3.  A few stamp sets may be picked up in new Idea Book & Catalog that debuts in July.  As explained previously, the Stocking Builder Punch will NOT be carried over.  Because of this, it is highly unlikely that the Stitched Stocking stamp set will return in the new IB&C.  Don't miss out on any of your favorites--order by Tuesday, January 3!

• Stocking Builder Punch (#124095, $16.95)
• Stitched Stocking stamp set CLEAR (#123784, $19.95)
• Stitched Stocking stamp set WOOD (#123782, $27.95)

RED HOT DEALS - Save up to 80% off on retired Stampin' Up! products including 40% off old body-style punches, 60% off Big Shot Dies and so much more!  Be sure to check out my Clearance Rack for these great deals!

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

STAMPIN' REWARDS -  Anytime you place a product order with me of $150 or more, you earn your choice of FREE Stampin' Up! products including hostess stamp sets. Check out my Stampin' Rewards page for full information on these two programs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!...

Merry Christmas!

May your season be BLESSED with all things bright & beautiful.

Wishing you and your loved ones a fabulous and safe holiday!  Enjoy the day and each other!  Happy Holidays!

1 DAY 'TIL CHRISTMAS WRAP IT UP COUNTDOWN, Family Gift Card Christmas Stockings...

Today I am busy preparing all the last minute details for our Christmas dinner tomorrow and a Fondue Feast tonight for Christmas Eve.  All while still dealing with acute bronchitis following almost two weeks of the flu.  Ugh! 

Every year I give the girls and hubby lots of $5 & $10 gift cards to all their favorite places as part of their stocking stuffers.  This year I made some cute little stockings to hold all their gift cards.  And I ended up making one for myself, too, so that I could used them all as family decorations for the future holidays.  With the Holiday Stocking Die, these were so cute and easy to make!  I kept them really simple and I had them all done in less than a couple of hours.

The names are written with a Sneak Peek product coming in the Occasions Mini Catalog on January 4--Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details!  It's FABULOUS!  Be sure to give your Dazzling Details at least 24 hours to dry as it is a thick coat when writing names with it.  Enjoy!

DAD'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Garden Green, Frostwood Lodge DSP
• Ribbon – Early Espresso 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon (#124104, $7.95)
• Accessories – Winter Wishes Stitched Felt (#124108, $9.95), Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (coming Jan. 4), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sticky Strip
• Tools – Big Shot, Holiday Stocking Die (#123131, $42.95)

Here is a close-up of the poinsettia.  I pinched each petal of the flower together to give it shape and separated each layer with a Stampin' Dimensional.  The centers are pearls colored with a Sharpie marker.

JEN'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Garden Green, Silver Glimmer Paper, Red Glimmer Paper
• Ribbon – Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon (#124105, $7.95)
• Accessories – Basic Pearl Jewels Accents (#119247, $4.95), Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (coming Jan. 4), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sticky Strip
• Punches – 5-Petal (#119880, $16.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Holiday Stocking Die (#123131, $42.95)

COLLEEN'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Cherry Cobbler, Frostwood Lodge DSP
• Ribbon – Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon (#124105, $7.95)
• Accessories – Winter Wishes Stitched Felt (#124108, $9.95), Basic Rhinestones Jewels Accents (#119246, $4.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sticky Strip
• Tools – Big Shot, Holiday Stocking Die (#123131, $42.95)

MOM'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White
• Ribbon – Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (#119251, $5.95)
• Accessories – Winter Wishes Stitched Felt (#124108, $9.95), Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (coming Jan. 4), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sticky Strip
• Punches – Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (#119275, $15.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Holiday Stocking Die (#123131, $42.95), Snow Burst Embossing Folder (#124096, $7.95)

STOCKING BUILDER PUNCH WILL NOT BE CARRIED OVER!!!...

Stampin' Up!'s occasion-specific mini catalogs allow for the opportunity to share the latest seasonal products with our customers, and often products are carried over from our mini catalogs into the following Idea Book & Catalog.  This is especially true of our tools such as Punches and Big Shot Dies.  This time, however, Stampin' Up! has decided NOT to carry over the Stocking Builder Punch (#124095, $16.95) from the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog into the next Idea Book & Catalog.  Instead they will offer other great designs in its place--not to mention a trendy, new design planned for next holiday season.

Once the current inventory of this punch has been depleted, the Stocking Builder Punch will no longer be available for purchase. I wanted to be sure to let you know since I know many of you LOVE punches and I didn't want you to miss out on this cutie.  It's not just for Stockings!  There are so many projects you could make with it--you can use it to make horses, ice skates, hobby horses, unicorns, baby socks, reindeer, and more!

I hope many Stampin' Up! stockings will adorn cards and brighten holiday projects this season and for many more to come!

CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ UP TO 80% OFF FABULOUS RETIRED STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS...

From December 15, 2011, through January 5, 2012, nearly 200 products are being added to the Clearance Rack in my Online Store--with some discounted up to 80%!  Visit my Online Store to take advantage of these HUGE savings!!!

Some of the fabulous deals include many current punches (old-style body), retired punches, Big Shot Dies, albums, beautiful ribbons and one of my old favorites--Pom Pom Trim.  You won't want to miss out on these fantastic deals--while supplies last only!

Promotion Details:

• Only online orders qualify for this promotion. Orders can include non-Clearance Rack items, as well.
• The Clearance Rack Blitz includes old-body style punches.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• Qualifying Clearance Rack orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards and my Loyalty Reward Program.
• Clearance Rack Blitz items are only available while supplies last.  There are no refunds or exchanges on Clearance Rack items.
• You may view Clearance Rack Blitz items in my Online Store.
• Deadline:  Thursday, January 5, 2012; 11:50 PM (MT)

Please note: Within the Online Store, in the Clearance Rack Blitz category, there will be some identical punches that have two different item numbers; this is because we are using inventory from both our American and our European warehouses. We will indicate which punches this affects in the product description.

9 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS WRAP IT UP COUNTDOWN, Glittery Metal Snowflake Ornament...

Today I have a cute snowflake ornament for you!  It is made with Aluminum Roof Flashing which you can purchase in rolls from your local hardware store.  This makes it durable and will last for many Christmases to come. The nice thing is that it is that you can bend it which makes it useful for lots of great gift ideas.  Check back tomorrow for another gift idea with the metal snowflakes.

The ornament is double-sided with snowflakes that I embossed on both sides with Iridescent Ice for extra durability.  Then I added a small Filigree piece (from our Filigree Brad sets) and a turquoise Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad.  There is a quick tutorial for making the snowflakes following the recipe.  Enjoy decorating your tree with some of these glittery ornaments!

GLITTERY SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Silver Glimmer Paper
• Ink – VersaMark
• Ribbon – Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta (#119257, $5.95)
• Accessories – Filigree Designer Brads (#112577, $5.95), Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads (#109111, $10.95), Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (#101930, $4.75), Crystal Effects (#101055, #6.25), Aluminum Roof Flashing
• Tools – Big Shot, Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die (#120901, $21.95), Snowflake #2 Die (#113460, #15.95), Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (#120805, $14.95), Heat Tool, Bone Folder, Craft & Rubber Scissors

GLITTERY SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT DIRECTIONS:
1.  Cut your Silver Glimmer Paper and Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to size (I used 3-7/8" x 4-1/4" for the Snowflakes #2 Die).

2.  Remove the printed paper backer from the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet.  Align and adhere to the back of the Silver Glimmer Paper.

3.  Use a bone folder to burnish and secure the adhesive fully. 

4.  Peel the white paper backing from the adhesive sheet.  Align and adhere to the aluminum flashing (whichever side is the wrong or blemished side if applies).

5.  Cut the roof flashing to fit the Glimmer Paper with our Craft & Rubber Scissors or tin snips.

6.  When running through the Big Shot, I used a medium weight cardboard shim (may vary with your machine).  This makes for a tight sandwich, but should go through fine.  I rolled it though slowly back and forth 3-4 times to be sure to cut well through the three layers.

7.  Carefully poke out the inside cuts with scissor tips.

8.  To safely clean-up any metal shavings, use packing tape on the die and cutting pads.  Clean up the area carefully.  Trust me...you don't want a metal splinter!

9.  For each snowflake, I added a Northern Frost snowflake and a Filigree piece and then a Rhinestone Brad.  I then gently bent out each arm of the snowflake so that it arced away from the center.

10.  Then I used Crystal Effects to glue the snowflakes together with the silver backs together--off-setting one snowflake so that the arms fall in between the others.  This way the snowflake will appear as shown above with the glittery side in front and the silver side showing behind it.  Allow to dry overnight and then add ribbon.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

STAMPIN' REWARDS -  Anytime you place a product order with me of $150 or more, you earn your choice of FREE Stampin' Up! products including hostess stamp sets. Check out my Stampin' Rewards page for full information on these two programs.

10 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS WRAP IT UP COUNTDOWN, Winter Snow Jar Candle...

Today I have a cute, inexpensive gift idea to share with you -- a decorated jar candle!  I decided to go with a Winter theme rather than a Christmas theme.  That way it can be used for a much longer season.  I purchased an jar candle and removed the label.  Then I created a sleeve for the candle with My Digital Studio.  Basically I just added four layers of the stamp in four colors (Going Gray, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy and Marina Mist) and offset each just a bit, so that each color shows as a shadow.  Then I printed it out on vellum and adhered it to the jar.  Next time, I would probably just adhere the ends of the sleeve to the jar, so that the tape wouldn't show under the sleeve.  I added plenty of Jewels for a little bling.

I used the Snow Much Fun Stamp Set for the jar top.  I used the same technique with Dazzling Details that I used in my Shimmery Snowman Card.  I kept the design flat since it will be opened frequently.  Then I added a couple of snowflakes cut with the Northern Frost Die (with Jewels added, of course!) for the hang tag.  Hope you enjoy this fun project!

WINTER SNOW JAR CANDLE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Snow Much Fun (W#122560 $27.95, C#122562 $19.95)
• Stamp Brush Sets (MDS) – Snow (#128881, $1.95)
• Card Stock – Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Vellum, Silver Glimmer Paper
• Ink – Basic Black Craft, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue & Pumpkin Pie Marker, Marina Mist Refill
• Ribbon – Very Vanilla 3/8" Taffeta, Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain  (#120929, $4.95), White Baker's Twine (colored Bashful Blue - #124262, $2.95)
• Accessories – Dazzling Details (#124117, $2.50), Basic Rhinestones Jewels Accents (#119246, $4.95)
• Punches – 2-1/2" Circle (#120906, $16.95), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle (#118874, $16.95), 1-3/4" Circle (#119850, $16.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Circles #2 Die (#114526, $15.95), Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die (#120901, $21.95)

11 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS WRAP IT UP COUNTDOWN, Christmas Hexagon Milk Carton Box Tutorial...

Today I have a cute box to show you!  It is perfect for wrapping that special little gift you want to give.  It is made with the Mini Milk Carton Die and was presented at Convention this past summer.  I love finding different uses for our dies!  This box is great because it gives you more room than the Milk Carton itself.  A FREE tutorial on the box is at the end of the post.

I kept the design for this one pretty simple with just a Rosette for decoration.  I threaded the Baker's Twine through a button and then tied Mini Jingle Bells to ends.

Here is another version.  I kept this one fairly simple as well.  I embossed the Milk Carton Die Cuts with the Snow Burst Embossing Folder AFTER crisply folding all the score lines.  Then I added panels of Frostwood Lodge DSP and an easy tag.

HEXAGON CHRISTMAS MILK CARTON BOX SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Grateful Greetings (#116511, $36.95)
• Card Stock – Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Garden Green, Frostwood Lodge DSP
• Ink – Cherry Cobbler Classic, Cherry Cobbler Marker
• Ribbon – Cherry Cobbler/White Baker's Twine (#123125, $2.95)
• Accessories – Holly Berry Bouquet Buttons (#123636, $8.95), Mini Jingle Bells (#124116, $2.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Deck the Hall Buttons (retired - only $3.59 in my Clearance Rack)
• Punches – Lace Ribbon Border (#122362, $19.95), 3/4" Circle (#119873, $10.95), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle (#118873, $16.95), Large Tag (#119876, $15.95), Extra Large Tag (#119866, $16.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Mini Milk Carton Die (#117310, $22.95), Simply Scored Tool (#122334, $29.95)

HEXAGON MILK CARTON BOX DIRECTIONS:
1.  Cut out 2 Milk Carton Die Cuts.

2.  Cut off one end panel (NON-TAB) from each one of the Milk Carton Die Cuts as shown.

3.  Use Simply Scored Scoring Tool to score the tops of the unscored tops to match the scored one.  Sorry, I forgot to photograph this step.

4.  Fold all score lines and use a bone folder to make folds crisp.

5.  Apply Sticky Strip to the OUTSIDE/RIGHT SIDE side tab of each Die Cut (shown on left die cut).  Apply Sticky Strip to INSIDE/WRONG SIDE of the ends of all three bottom tabs of one die cut and two of the three bottom tabs on the other die cut (as shown in the right die cut pictured).

6.  Remove Sticky Strip liner of one side tab and use to adhere one Milk Carton to the underneath of the non-tab end panel of the other.

7.  Remove Sticky Strip liner of the other side tab and adhere to the underneath of the other non-tab end panel forming a tube as pictured.

8.  To form the bottom, remove the Sticky Strip from the bottom tab that will be OPPOSITE the bottom tab with no Sticky Strip.  Fold in the non-Sticky Strip tab first and then fold it's opposite tab down so that they line up as pictured.

9.  Remove the Sticky Strip from two opposite bottom tabs and fold one in and then the other, again lining them up with each other as pictured.

10.  Remove Sticky Strip from the last pair of bottom tabs and fold one in and then the other being sure to line them up with each other as pictured.

11.  Turn over.  Pinch together a peak of the top and using the 1/8" side of the Crop-a-Dile, punch a hole about half-way in from the outer edge.  Repeat in each peak all the way around.

12.  Beginning at your front panel, thread the Baker's Twine through each peak all the way around ending at the same panel you began in.

13.  Your top will look like this when done.  Tighten and tie a bow or slip on a button like my sample above.  Decorate as desired.