Mini Dragon flies

And here is another card using the same products as yesterday, but showcasing the MINI dragon flies and the Bokeh stamp from Dragonfly Dreams.  Love the Texture this stamp adds to a card!

I used the Misti and stamped, then moved about a 1/2 inch and stamped again.  Sahara Sand ink on Sweet Sugarplum card stock.  The Designer paper was cut 4X2, just enough to peek behind the Mini Dragonflies. 
The colors in this Designer paper are Blushing Bride, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Sweet Sugarplum and Very Vanilla.  The is also a 12X12 cardstock pack available in Blushing Bride, Soft Sky and Sahara Sand.  PERFECT for all the scrapbookers out there looking for coordinating 12X12 paper!!   Check out page 51 in the Occasions catalog.  Pick your catty up January 2nd or 3rd.  RSVP at my website below!!

Mini's were cut from Blushing Bride card stock, I sponged some Sweet Sugarplum and added Wink of Stella.

And here is a close up of the sentiment.  4 Sentiments in this set that can be combined or stand alone!!



Dragon Fly Dreams Bundle  144728 Photoploymer Stamps and Thinlit Dies  $46.75
Falling In Love Designer paper  142788  $11.00

Available to order January 4th





This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE  and this code will close Sunday Jan. 8th at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Dragonfly Dreams

This Stamp Set caught my eye the first time I looked thru the Spring Catty.  Clear Wink of Stella really adds the shimmer and sheerness a Dragonfly wing needs.  And the Bokeh Designer paper is amazing!!  So amazing I pre-ordered 2 packs so I could share some with everyone who orders when the catalog goes live January 4th!!  And the BEST part.......it is Sale-a-bration!!! 

Spend $50 in product and CHOOSE a FREE item!!  I will be holding my Open House Monday and Tuesday January 2nd and 3rd.  3-6pm.  Stop by make a card and pick up your catalogs!!  Please rsvp on my website so I know how many to prepare for!!   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Close up showing the Wink of Stella.

Dragon Fly Dreams Bundle  144728 Photoploymer Stamps and Thinlit Dies  $46.75
Falling In Love Designer paper  142788  $11.00

Available to order January 4th


This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

20 to go.......

I finished 20 Snowflake cards tonight and re-purposed 40 Swaps!  Woo Hoo only 20 more to go and I have the 100 cards ready to donate to Harvesters!! 

I only had Ivory card bases, so decided to stamp Perfect Plum, Pool Party and Soft Sky Snowflakes.  I used the Sending Smiles sentiment again because it just FITS!!  And added 2 Rhinestones to the Large Flakes for some Sparkle.  Everyone deserves a little Sparkle in their life!

Flurry of Wishes  139732 Photopolymer $21.00

Matching punch  139680  $18.00

Greatest Greetings  140703 Wood $33.00,  140706 Clear  $25.00






This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Crunch Time

The Deadline for Harvesters cards is fast approaching and I had only designed a few cards.  And trust me these designs needed to be simplified for MASS production.  Here are my First 25.

 I love saving my Salad containers to hold projects!!

 I used Retired LOST LAGOON card stock for the Background.  Stamped a Tree from Sheltering Tree in Black Stazon ink and a Sentiment from Greatest Greetings.  The Snow Swoosh is from Sheltering Tree and the Snowflakes are from Pretty Pines, both stamped in Whisper White Craft ink.

These took me about 2 hours to complete start to finish.  Time to move on to the Snowflake card......

Ingredients:

Sheltering Tree  137163 Photopolymer $25.00

Greatest Greetings  140703 Wood $33.00,  140706 Clear  $25.00

Christmas Pines  142049 Photopolymer $35.00  or BUNDLE with Framelits  143496 $54.75

This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

DIY Christmas Project

Don't try this at home!!  Seriously I should have consulted my Friend Diney the Professional Quilter, Sewing GURU!  But I did not, I went wild and thought I can do this.  How hard could it possibly be to make a BOWL Holder?  How hard is it to Thread a Sewing machine and Wind a Bobbin after not using this machine for 7 years?  HARD!!  Thank Goodness for YOU TUBE!!

Here is my sweet Cotton Bowl Holder with Hot Tater batting I'm sure, purchased in Bishop Hill Illinois last summer. 

Here is what I learned:

Consult the tutorial on YOUTUBE(there are a bunch of them) BEFORE!!!

BEFORE you buy your Fabric.

BEFORE you BUY your Batting.  "HOT TATER" batting is not available at WalMart....just saying!!

Know the TRUE purpose of the Bowl Holder.....it is meant to be placed IN the microwave with the bowl of food you are heating up!!!  ☹  I had NO idea!!  I have been heating and then retrieving my hot bowl using the Bowl Holder to wrangle my HOT bowl out of the Microwave like a POT HOLDER!!!  These things need to come with instructions!!

Well needless to say my Finished projects are GLORIFIED POT HOLDERS!!  DO NOT use these in the Microwave, I'm sure they will CATCH on FIRE!!  I am not even sure if FLEECE should even be an option for this project.

But in the words of TIM GUNN, I made it work!!!  Sad sorry pot holders, but hey they are ROYAL Pot Holders. 

 My 2 Royal Best Friends will hopefully understand and get a GOOD LAUGH today when we meet for lunch and exchange gifts!!  They do not stand up like a Bowl holder, they just sag.  At least I have the words going the same direction on both sides of the project.

This Bowl from Bed, Bath and Beyond is what started this whole mess!  The Yellow sticker inside says:  "Handles Stay Cool, Microwave safe!!"   There is always a Positive in every situation........sometimes you just have to look for the Yellow sticker!! 


Back to card making tomorrow.......something I KNOW how to do!!





This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone is having a Fabulous Christmas!  Here is last Christmas card using the Smoosh technique, it may be called something else but this is what I call it.  You never get the same result twice!  This card is a bit darker than I expected.  I used a Perfect Plum card base.....I mean Purple is my color and I have refrained from using Perfect Plum on a Christmas card until the last Day!!!

 I embossed Snow Flakes in White and Silver on a Whisper White panel.  I also embossed the sentiment in Black so it would not run during the Smooshing!!  All stamps are from the Flurry of Wishes stamp set in the Big catalog.  You can never have enough Snowflakes!!

And here is where the Smooshing magic happens.  Take a window sheet as large or larger than your card front and randomly add ink from your ink pads.  I used Pool Party, Island Indigo and Perfect Plum.  Spritz the window sheet with water and then Smoosh your card front into the spritzed inks.  Smoosh and twirl and swirl around.  Need more color REPEAT.  I needed a bit more Pool Party and less Perfect Plum, but the Pool Party does not show up very well when inking the window sheet......so you get what you get! My advise, start with light colors and then add more dark if needed.  I inked the card edges with Island Indigo.

The embossed Flakes resist the ink so they stand out!! This could be called Emboss Resist with a Smoosh!  I added some Silver Metallic Thread for some extra Sparkle. 

And for all my papercrafting friends LOOK at this picture from the Christmas Eve service at my Church.  Crown Pointe Church   PAPER chains......how awesome are these!!  These were the only stage decorations and with the changing Light colors were BEAUTIFUL!! 

Creative people everywhere we turn, Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful Creative New Year!!

Ingredients:

Flurry of Wishes  139732 Photopolymer $21.00

Matching punch  139680  $18.00
Silver Metallic Thread  138402 


This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Christmas Past

I looked thru my Family Photo albums last night and wanted to share some Christmas Past.  Missing my Family this Holiday and always!!

This is my Dad, Earl and Mom, Margaret.  Their First Christmas together at my Grand parents farm, My Dad looks scared!!  1953, They were married May 9, 1954.

These were our stockings.....yes Grandma's white stockings.  Always an Apple, Orange and maybe a Big Hershey bar.  Kevin had some Farm animals.  1958, Kevin was 3.

I was almost 2, looks like I got a Baby Doll and a bed.  My Dad made that Bed, played with it for YEARS!!

Kevin 1959 on the Rocking Horse, this was a BIG DEAL!!  When we moved Dad to Galesburg and sold the House we gave this to Good Will.  It was still in pretty good shape. 

See the Cedar Tree in the background.  I remember going to the Farm and Grandpa Willhouse cutting down a Cedar Tree from the Pasture.  They were very Prickly and hard to decorate.  Never had to worry about us playing too close to the Tree....

Kevin and Me at the Kids Table 1959, pretty sure I received this table and a Tea Set.  Aunt DODO was supervising!!

Merry Christmas to ALL and enjoy your Family and Memories!!!

Winter Birds

Winter Birds are always on my mind.  My Father fed the Birds religiously growing up in Illinois.  Dad was very concerned about every living thing.  I guess that is where I get this strange Bird concern.  Trust me I don't really like Birds.......my parents had 2 maybe 3 parakeets growing up and they allowed the Birds to fly out and about.  TERRIFIED me, but no one ever cared that I was terrified, brush it off, don't be a baby!  So I went to my room when the cage door was open.
I guess I should thank my parents for forcing me to READ, I read every book in sight in my room hiding from a parakeet!

But in Winter, especially the wild and stormy days of winter, I do worry how these small frail creatures can survive in such conditions.  Our Home in New Windsor had two Pine trees in front of the House, these were Havens for the Winter Birds.  Dad had a Bird Feeder hanging near each tree and you could watch Birds while doing dishes or sitting in front of the Picture window. 

Dad had Bird books and would squeal with enjoyment when a new Bird appeared!! 
So it is only fitting that my Bedroom has a Huge Blue Spruce right outside the window.  I hear the Birds every morning and during this past storm they were huddled in safety in this tree.  SO glad I can provide them some shelter from the storm.

I used two stamp sets on this card.  Christmas Pines and Best Birds.  If you want a fabulous all Occasion stamp set BEST BIRDS is the one!!  Birds for ALL Seasons!! 

The card base is Smoky Slate.  Branches stamped in Black Stazon, then water colored with Garden Green and Early Expresso.  Pines stamped in Garden Green.  Snow Flakes are from Christmas Pines stamped in White Craft ink.

I stamped the Bird in Night of Navy on Very Vanilla card stock.  I then used the NEW WATERCOLOR pencils coming January 4th.  LOVE THEM!!  I used Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight and Early Expresso.  Colored lightly in circles and then blended with the Aqua Painter.  The Night of Navy Bled into my coloring, just as I had planned!!!  I used a Sponge to darken the edges of the Bird.  Popped him up on the Branch for a very Nice WINTER card.  I'm not sure if this Bird is a REAL Bird, I guess I need to look for Dad's Bird book and try to color an Authentic Bird!!


Christmas Pines 142049 $35.00 Photopolymer or Bundle with Thinlits 143496 $54.75

Best Birds  and Birds & Blooms Thinlits Bundle  142315 $43.00

This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Winter Trees

All my Christmas cards have been mailed and time to start working on the 100 Cards I am donating to Harvesters.  A few ideas have been running thru my mind and this one came out first.  Remember the Red and Grey Tree card a few weeks ago....this is similar using "Sheltering Tree". 

I stamped the Tree twice in Stazon Black using the Misti so I could get a nice dark tree.  I then added the Sentiment and somehow offset it a bit, but it still looks good.  The Pool Party card base was then sponged with Marina Mist and Perfect Plum.  I used the new Sponge Brayer on page 180 of the Annual catalog.  If you roll on the ink pad lightly, then on your paper the shading is very subtle.  I did not clean the sponge in between colors.

 I then used Whisper White Craft ink and added some of the Snow drifts and the Grunge from Gorgeous Grunge.  In person it looks like Wind is blowing over this card......really it does!!

Sorry for the shadow, I think that is my Head!!  LOL.......Thankfully none of this Blowing Snowing weather is coming our way in the next few days!

Sheltering Tree  137163  $25.00  Photopolymer

Gorgeous Grunge  130514 Wood $25.00,  130517 Clear $18.00

Sponge Brayers  141714  $8.00  2 handles, 4 sponges

Whisper White Craft ink  101731 $8.00






This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

So Detailed......

Today I am combining a NEW Thinlit Die coming January 4th with the "This Christmas" Designer paper for a super simple card. 

When you see this "Falling in Love" product Suite in the Ocassions catalog ......well you will FALL IN LOVE!!  This suite is designed for Weddings, Anniversaries and All things LOVE!  Scrapbook papers in 12X12 patterns and Solids.  I will be showing much more in January, but could not resist trying out this Detailed Floral Thinlit and it cut like butter!!  Roll thru the Bigshot length wise a few times back and forth. 

 I rounded the corners on the Designer paper so it would not show under the edge of this cut out.  All the Dies(3) in this set cut with edges....these edges can be folded to create a Belly Band or to fit in between layers.  The more I show the more sense this will make!  Stay tuned!

I decided to POP us this edge and also POP us the Sentiment Banner to anchor the other edge.  Which allows this to Float on the Cherry Cobbler card front!! 

So Detailed Thinlits  Coming January 4th

This Christmas Designer paper  141628 $13.00  24 12X12 sheets

Banners for Christmas 142806 $26.00  Photopolymer

Bunch of Banners Framelits  141488 $27.00

This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net

Bokeh Christmas

 I saw a Christmas card using this Serene Scenery paper stack pattern and it was stunning.  Did not save it, so this is my version.  LOVE this paper for Christmas.  A few Pine Branches from the Pretty Pines Bundle.  And a Dazzling Diamonds Ornament from the Merry Tags Framelits.  Just a few of MY Favorite things!!

 Always Artichoke card base with an edge of Greeting from Merry Medley.  1/4 Natural Trim and Gold Thread make a glittery hanger.

 Flipped this paper to the opposite side and embossed with the Pine Bough embossing folder.  Added some Pretty Pines.  Paper Pieced this Merry Tag with a Copper Foil Reindeer and Dazzling Diamond Trees.  Copper Thread ties it all together.

Sentiment from Merriest Wishes was stamped in Always Artichoke on Old Olive.

Merriest Wishes Bundle  143519 Wood $47.50,  143520 Clear $40.50  Or Clear stamp set is ONSALE 142066 $17.00  and Framelits 141835 $12.50!!!!!  $29.50!!!! if you purchase separately!

Pretty Pines Bundle 143496 Photopolymer 143496 $54.75

Merry Medley 142148 Wood $20.00,  142152 Clear $15.00 ON SALE $12.75 I buy the clear and use the stamp case as my block!!  Ink up the stamp while it is stuck in the case and PRESS paper to the stamp from the top.  Use a clear block or Bone folder to smooth over your paper!!

Serene Scenery Paper stack  141642  $10.00

Pine Bough embossing folder 141831 $7.50  ON SALE $6.00

1/4 Natural Trim  141484 $7.00  Gold
Gold Metallic thread   138401 $3.00
Copper Metallic Thread 141696 $3.00
Copper Foil Sheets  142020 $4.00  2 12X12 sheets
Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper  135315 $5.00  2 12X12 sheets



This is the NEW HOSTESS CODE HW3KMPGJ and this code will close Saturday Dec. 31st at 6 PM.
If your order is $150 or more DO NOT use the code.  You have qualified for your own Hostess Benefits and can redeem them at the time of your order.  Check out the Hostess only sets on pages 198-201 of the catalog.  The only way to earn these stamps is to have a $150 or more order.  Use your Hostess $$ to purchase the exclusive Hostess sets or purchase other catalog items.

Shop 24/7 at :   www.kathyswanson.stampinup.net