KAPOW! (KKC08)

I've been a long time admirer of Carrie's, and have wanted to play along with her challenges since the start. However, this happened, that happened etc. etc. etc....and my first Kapow Challenge is today! Thanks for the inspiration Carrie....love the photo, love the challenge, hope you all love my card as much as I do! ;o)

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Baja Breeze CS and Classic Ink, Whisper White CS, Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink, Take it to Heart Stamp Set, Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, Stampin' Dimensionals, Simply Scored Scoring Tool.

The Girl's "To Do" Boards

Morning everyone! As promised Tuesday, here are the "To Do" boards I made for my nieces for Christmas. The bottom 2 were made for my 6 and 2 year old nieces, and have the SU! clothes pins on a ribbon, as I didn't want them to have tacks on their boards, for fear of swallowing them, or poking themselves. They also got stamped coloring pages (and playdoh...but you'll have to come back in Jan to see that!) instead of a gift card on their boards. Otherwise, the three boards are pretty similar, just swapping out different patterns of DSP and some different punches and papers, to create individualized boards.

I'm thinking of running a class on making these, let me know if you'd be interested!

Nathan's "To Do" Board

Morning Everyone! Are you ready to start seeing some of the home made Christmas presents we gave out this year? Come on back Thursday to see the girls version of the "To Do" boards. I'm hoping my Nephew will enjoy using this board to keep on track in his up coming first year of University. He can write assignments and other homework things on the to do chalkboard, and keep track of all the notes and photos and ticket stubs on the cork board!

Don't you just love the "Chore Chart"? It's a Stampin' Up! Decor Element (pg 230 in the current catty) I used the larger size here (11x4 1/2"), but there is also a smaller version, measuring 9 1/2x3 1/2" available. The rest of the meaterials used here are retired Stampin' Up! products, and some are non-SU! so I won't post a list of ingredients. Hope you enjoy them, I know the kids did (well...the PARENTS did for sure! LOL!)

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 25 '11...or 9th....

So, this was the gift Donna created for all of the Artful*Inkers team members. I got to open it on my give out day, but saved it to share till today, so I wouldn't ruin others' surprises. Thanks Donna, I enjoyed it all in the am of the 9th! ;o)

Hope you are all having a fantastic Christmas Day with your families!
Hugs,
Robbyn

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 24 '11

Check out this beauty created by Artful*Inker Team Member, Deb. When you untie the ribbon, the top pops off, and out pours all those yummy treats! Love it! Thanks Deb!!!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 23 '11

Ooooh! This gorgeous package was created by Artful*Inkers Team Member Janessa. I just love all of it's inner secret hiding places! Thanks Janessa! (also the front green frame opens to reveal the message "Even the naughty deserve something nice!" from the Tags til Christmas stamp set, but I forgot to photograph it, sorry!)

the 1st opening can be used as your card to write your holiday message. Un-velcro (think I just made that word up!) the right side "flap" and you reveal....

The gift! Thanks again Janessa, this is so fun!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 22, '11

This creation is the 2nd gift from Tania. She and her daughter take this challenge on together and love to get 2 sets of gifts to open together each day...such smart girls! Share the Stampin' Up! love, is what I say! It's such a great ornament, I'm going to have to get directions from her...I can see these being made for future Christmas gifts!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 21 '11

This treat was created by Artful*Inkers team mate Brenda. Don't you love how cute it is?!? I've bought some Christmas colored jelly beans, and can't wait to try this idea myself! Thanks Brenda!!!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 20, '11

Todays treat was created by Diane.It smells so heavenly, and I LOVE that Spice Cake Fabric! Thanks Diane!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 19 '11

Eeeks! Love this box, and if you hurry to my Stampin' Up! Website, you can order it (until supplies last!) in the Clearance section!!! Today's gift is from Artful*Inkers Team Member Ruth. It's craft goodness and sweet goodness all wrapped up into one package. Thanks Ruth, I'm sure it'll ALL be gone quickly!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 18 '11

Hi everyone! Today's gift was made by Artful*Inkers Team Mate Sandra. Remember....our effort was in the packaging OR the gift. I think I am most excited about opening this gift since the packaging is so fantastically simple! Be back later to post the innards! :o)

Oh! I was right! Check out this super pretty purse!

And there were treats inside of my gorgeous purse! It's a never ending cycle of goodness! Sort of like TurDuckEn. But much better.

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 17 '11

This beauty was made by Artful*Inkers Team member Kirsha. I absolutely LOVE it, think I'll be CASE-ing in the future! Thanks Kirsha!!!

If you can't read the poem, it says:
Snowman Kisses
He's cute, smiley and
full of good wishes.
He wants to give you
these snowman kisses!
xo

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 16 '11

Super sweet, right? Todays creation was made by Artful*Inkers Team member, Dusty. Love the embossed texture to the centre panel, and the scallop edged border punch to the outer edges! And the sweet treats and gift tags are fantastic! Thanks Dusty!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 15 '11

This bag of yumminess was created by Artful*Inkers team member, Brenda. A treat I will be sure to enjoy! Thanks Brenda!!!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 14 '11

LOVE this packaging! So cute that it's decorated on the inside too! Kiddos got an extra special treat this am (that's a slice of chocolate orange tucked in there) of their fave chocolate! My treat was the decal on the inside ornament, I haven't seen that set IRL, so really appreciated it! This was created by Artful*Inkers team member Samantha, thanks Samantha!

Sorry...no Artful Inkers Christmas Countdown Swap Today...

It got lost in the mail, and is on the way. Hope to have it to show you within a week! In the meantime, let me show you what I am working on today...

These cards were made for a friend who was hosting a silent auction at her work. I figured thank you cards are just what is needed in January, so went that route instead of Christmas. Today, I am copying myself and making a bunch of these for Christmas gifts, but will swap out the label punch shape and the Thank You stamp for a Circle Punch, a Scallop Circle Punch and the recipients initials. I'm also going to vary the colors a bit...rumor has it "Tangerine Tango" is the "IT" color for 2012. Seriously. Check THIS post out!!! Way to be ahead of the trend Stampin' Up! I'll show you all some completed gifts AFTER the holidays!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Whisper White CS, Craft Ink, Embossing Powder, Basic Black CS, Tempting Turquoise CS and Classic Ink, Elegant Thank You Stamp, Decorative Label Extra Large Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 12 '11

This fancy was made by Dion from Cambridge! (Last year I think I called her Dion from Guelph which is why the =) is there, LOL! Thanks Dion...can't wait till after school time so kiddies and I can enjoy a cup of Snowman Soup! (I'll make them their own cups, they don't have to share mine, hee hee)

In case you can't read the attached poem, it says...

Here's a little Snowman Soup,
Complete with stirring stick.
Add hot water and sip it slow,
To keep you warm, it'll do the trick!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 11 '11

Totally cute, right? This was made by Artful*Inkers Team Mate Tania Green and was filled with yumm-o Hershey's kisses. Better believe I am protecting those from my bad doggies!!! LOL!

Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swaps, Dec. 10 '11

OMGoodness, this incredible cutie was created by Artful*Inkers team member, Kim Morrow. I totally loved it (for the 90 seconds I owned it, but more on that later...) The candle inside was (note: past tense) a battery operated one, so no potential for fires, but it flickered like a real candle to give a very warm sweet glow to the whole project. I so proudly put it on my front hall table, figuring I'd enjoy it while I got ready for work this morning.

Sadly, it was not to be. I turned my back for 30 seconds (literally, that's it) and my dumb dogS ate the entire thing! I'm not even joking, and you'd have to know my dogs to understand that they will be fine after that. They have stomachs of steel. (Not sure if you recall THIS post or not) However, we are still not on speaking terms, and I continue to mentally rehearse my adoption advertisements for them....grrr.....

Artful*Inkers 2011 Christmas Countdown Swaps

Morning everyone! Today is the first post of the Art*ful Inkers Christmas Countdown Swap (if you want to check out last years swap, start HERE and move forward to the 25th). This year, we are playing the "17 Days of Christmas", as we had 17 people sign up. Here is post one, and moving forward you will see the rest of the teams gifts day by day. Hope you enjoy following us along!

This is my gift. I think you'll recognize that little face from here and here I did tel you I LOVED that mustache! LOL! To give some perspective on the size, that's a 750 ml bottle of hand sanitizer!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Many Mustaches, 25 & Counting, Holiday Happiness, 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Square Punch, 1" Square Punch, Stripes Textured Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler CS and Classic Ink, Blushing Bride CS, Whisper White CS and Craft Ink, Regal Rose Classic Ink, Versa Mark Ink, Gold Embossing Powder, Basic Rhinestones.

JOY Banner

Eeeks! I loooove this! It's been so fun to create and decorate with! Have to thank my friend Val for lending me her (retired) 3D 5 Point Star Die for the Big Shot so I could play with it and make it! (hint...hopefully in the next week or 2 I'll have another fun project to share with you showing this retired die off...depending on if I can get over my CHICKEN FACTOR or not... :o) Anyway....I have this hanging in my front hall, sorry about the weird angle of the photo, but it's hard to shoot towards a mirror without a flash or other weird background image showing up! The second photo shows a close up of the embossing, but I'm not sure if I like it embossed or not. The un-embossed version gives a much cleaner seam, but the embossed version gives a little extra texture. Anyway you make it, I must say, I do love it!

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
3D 5 Point Star Die (retired), Cherry Cobbler CS, and textured CS, Old Olive Textured CS, Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' Kit, Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Simply Scored, Timeless Type Medium Sizzlits Die, 1 1/4" Circle Medium Die, Sticky Strip, 2 Way Glue Pen, fishing line from my crafty stash.

Snowman Paint Roller Ornaments

Hello friends! The idea for these little cutie Snowmen came from the Lowe's "Creative Ideas for Home and Garden" Mag. Aren't they adorable? The snow man body is made from a mini foam paint roller! L'il C and I had a blast making these together! (hers is the pink one, mine is the brown one)

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
Brads and Ribbons are retired, Basic Black CS, Early Espresso CS, Cherry Cobbler CS, Always Artichoke CS, Linen Thread, Mini Jingle Bells, Bird Builder Punch (arms), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (holly berries), Silver Gel Pen from my crafty stash, paint rollers from my local dollar store....sorry Lowe's I picked the mag up on the way out of the store, and didn't read it and fall in love with it until I was home! ;o)

Santa Paintbrush Ornament

Good Morning! Is this guy stinkin' cute or what?!? I was in Lowe's the other day, and picked up their new freebie mag (obvi trying to lure the women in, and I say "Good job, Lowe's! You got me!!!" ;o) called "Lowe's Creative Ideas for Home and Garden". This little Santa Brush was in it, but of course I had to adapt it to SU! LOL! Come on back Sunday to see another super sweet ornament CASEd from the Lowe's mag!

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
Many Mustaches Stamp Set, Crumb Cake CS, Whisper White CS, Soft Suede Classic Ink (stamped off once), Scallop Trim Border Punch, Paper Snips and Tombo Glue, the Pom Poms, googly eyes, and fishing wire are from my crafty stash, paint brush is from local dollar store (Sorry Lowe's...you had the mag at the exit and I picked it up when I was paying and leaving, and didn't read it until I got home...too late to go back and buy your brushes...)

Christmas Gift Calendars

Morning all! My upline, Donna was the original creator of this design for the 2010 Artful*Inkers Christmas Countdown Swap. I've had mine hanging on my fridge all year, and wanted to make some to give as thank you gifts this year. Changed the colors and the DSP, otherwise kept things pretty much the same. Love 'em, thanks Donna!

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
Flirtatious Specialty DSP, Wisteria wonder Classic Ink, Etchings Stamp Set, Calendar from a friend...sorry don't know the source, magnet on the back from my local dollar store

Christmas Lane Stamp a Stack

Good Morning friends! If you are joining Deb and I today for the Christmas Lane Stamp a Stack, these are the cards and the card holders you will be making. I just love all that yummy Quilted Satin Ribbon, all the sweet little jingle bells and mini brads, and the rustic bakers twine. I can't wait for the fun to begin!

My Christmas Journal

Hey friends! Here is this years Christmas Journal. I like to keep a notebook in my purse at all times for those notes and scrap papers you need. I also like to keep a notebook of Christmas gifts bought, to be bought, things to make, chores to do etc. etc. etc. around this time of year. Last years Christmas journal is a bit worn and my "random purse notebook" is a disaster, so I made this to use for both purposes and must say I am loving that texture!

I've used the Petals Aplenty Embossing folder on the Not Quite Navy Card Stock, rubbed the Versa Mark on it, and heat embossed with the Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. The Cajun Craze has that yummy torn edge and has been sponged with Early Espresso Classic Ink. The More Mustard was stamped with the (new for me, and I'm loving it!) Netting Background Stamp in Early Espresso and the whole thing was sponged around the edges with that color too.

This here is a notebook to use for Christmas, and all year long too!

ps-I intentionally did NOT stamp anything on the front indicating it was my Christmas Notebook to keep those little curious eyeballs away! ;o)

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Not Quite Navy CS, More Mustard CS, Cajun Craze CS, Eary Espresso Classic Ink, Versa Mark Ink, Sponge, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Petals Aplenty Embossing Folder, Netting Background Stamp