Landon’s Christmas Thank You’s

Today, I thought I would share with you an idea for you if your kids are too young to sit down and make a card! Being in the creative business, I've been trying to expose Landon to creativity early on. Finger Painting has been the point of interest!

ALY'S HELPFUL HINTS:

• I gave Landon a piece of Finger Paint Paper, Red and Green Finger Paint, and let him have at it! After the paper had dried, I cut it into 4" x 5 1/4" pieces so that they would fit on the front of a card.
• If you get the large Finger Paint Paper, you're able to get 8 cards out of one sheet, so you don't have to worry about having your kids paint to many multiplies.
• I added the greetings from "Family Phrases" Stamp Set, the hand print is a retired stamp set that I couldn't resist.

WHAT TO ORDER

Glorious Green Cardstock (101697), Real Red Classic Ink (103133), Whisper White Cardstock (100730), Family Phrases Stamp Set (114960)

TO ORDER STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS ONLINE 24/7 CLICK HERE!

Don't Forget!

• To register for the Valentine's (and more!) Class – Click Here!
  
• To register for the Winter Memories Scrapbooking Class – Click Here!
  
• To order your retiring stamp sets before their gone forever on January 4th – Click Here for the listing!
  
• To place your qualifying order for a FREE Decor Element until January 4th Only – Click Here!

Bringing Back an Old Favorite

I shared this "Letters to Santa" journal last year, but I just pulled it out for Landon's 1st Christmas Letter to Santa and had to share it with all of you again! I know that he can't write in it this year, but I wanted it to be an album from his very 1st Christmas on, so will be writing a letter for him this year. My idea is that each year a letter will be written on the right hand page and then on the left hand page facing it will be his Christmas Photo with Santa — so it will serve as a wonderfully unique scrapbook.

ALY'S HELPFUL HINTS:

• The Designer Papers and Red Ribbon are all retired as I had made this little book last year. But you can easily re-create the book with current Designer Series Papers, such as the "Merry Moments" Designer Series Paper. While we don't have the Red Color of 1 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon any longer, you could substitute that for the Chocolate or Olive with ease.
• This book was part of an "Online Holiday Extravaganza" that I did last year, and a part of that was tutorial offerings for BOTH Demonstrators and Customers!!! For not just tips but full photo step-by-step instructions (over 30 step by step photos!!!!!) on how to create this book, use the link below!

Purchase the Step-By-Step Photo Tutorial for just $2.50 (discounted because it contains retired DSP's and Ribbon):

Did you know that we have some retired products available in our Clearance Store? Both the Felt Flurries and Old Saint Nick RubOns that I used on this journal are available again at a VERY discounted price, check it out!

WHAT TO ORDER:

Christmas Designer Series Paper of Choice such as Merry Moments (115672), Naturals Ivory Cardstock (101849), Kraft Cardstock (102025), Old Olive Cardstock (100702), Chocolate Chip Classic Ink (100908), Little Felt Flurries (113697), Old Saint Nick RubOns (102844), Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware (111325), Vintage Brads (109109), Mini Library Clips (109857), Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets (108431), Button of choice such as Button Latte (114333), Striped Grosgrain Ribbon of Choice such as Old Olive 1 1/4 (115618), Chocolate Chip 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (111849), Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (109054), Twill Tape (105245), Linen Thread (101499), 5" x 5" Art Journal (108495), Spiral Punch (108341), Designer Label Punch (107590), Photo Corners Punch (109042), Crop-A-Dile (108362), Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (110755) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

TO ORDER STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS ONLINE 24/7 CLICK HERE!

Don't Forget!

• To register for the Valentine's (and more!) Class – Click Here!
  
• To register for the Winter Memories Scrapbooking Class – Click Here!
  
• To order your retiring stamp sets before their gone forever on January 4th – Click Here for the listing!
  
• To register for the Birthday Card Class – Click Here!
  
• To place your qualifying order for a FREE Decor Element until January 4th Only – Click Here!

ANNOUNCING LARGE ON BOARD CHIPBOARD WINNER….. MICHELE CARLSON!!
Congratulations!!! E-mail me by December 27th to claim your prize!!!

Inspiration on my DBWS!

Have you been to my Demonstrator Business Website (DBWS) recently? If not, be sure to stop on by! In addition to all of the samples that I share on my blog, there are more samples and inspiration on my DBWS! Here's a look at one of the more recent uploads:

ALY'S HELPFUL HINTS:

• The Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die is used in a unique way in this project – as a card holder! I love how this project shows the versatility of this die and how it's not just for weddings or other events when a favor is needed.
• This whole set was created with the "Christmas Jingle" Simply Scrappin' Kit, the same kit that you may remember from my Scrapbooking Christmas Memories Kit. Whenever you're in need for quick and easy gifts and projects, these Simply Scrappin' Kits are the perfect way to save time, money and effort!
• All of the cards shown here are 6" x 3" cards, which are the perfect sized card to create when using these kits as the kits come with 12" x 12" cardstock, and by creating this size card you get 4 cards to a sheet of paper without any waste! This card is a Stampin' Up! created size, and you'll find our Exclusively sized envelopes in the Idea Book & Catalog or in our Online Store!

WHAT TO ORDER:

Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit (115696), Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (111367), Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die (115965) and Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439)

You'll also find a full calender of events on my DBWS!! And, the Calender of Events Page allows you to subscribe to it's feed for automatic updates. Click Here to access this feature now!

My DBWS works in connection with this Blog, so don't forget to give it a visit today at www.alystamps.stampinup.net!

Don't Forget!

• To register for the Valentine's (and more!) Class – Click Here!
  
• To register for the Winter Memories Scrapbooking Class – Click Here!
  
• To order your retiring stamp sets before their gone forever on January 4th – Click Here for the listing!
  
• To register for the Birthday Card Class – Click Here!
  
• To place your qualifying order for a FREE Decor Element until January 4th Only – Click Here!

LAST DAY TO ENTER the FREE Give-Away!!!!
I am giving away one package of Large On Board Chipboard to one lucky Blog Reader!! All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog under any post from now through December 23rd and you'll be entered to win!!!

Razzleberry Blush Winter Post

I received this beautiful card in the mail from one of my downline, Fern Legters. Didn't she do a fabulous job!? I just love how she's combined Blush Blossom with Rich Razzleberry. I hardly ever pull out Blush Blossom, it's so refreshing to see!

ALY'S HELPFUL HINTS:

• The Top Note Die makes a wonderful backdrop for collage stamping – and this stamp set, Winter Post, is the perfect stamp set for such a task! With it's odds and ends pieces, it takes the guesswork out of this technique and lends itself to a fabulous Vintage look!
• Blush Blossom is a wonderful color to pull into this rich toned card – it balances out the deep tones that Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede bring to the card – a great balance!
• Of course, Stampin' Up! has designed a punch to coordinate with this "Dec. 25" Stamp — pair it with the Designer Label Punch and you won't have to cut!

WHAT TO ORDER:

Winter Post Stamp Set (111780), Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439), Stampin' Up! Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Rich Razzleberry Cardstock (115316), Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink (115658), Soft Suede Classic Ink (115657), Blush Blossom Classic Ink (102609), Designer Label Punch (107590) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

A Cardinal Christmas

I received this beautiful Christmas Card in the mail the other day from a customer, Jeanne Gage. Didn't she do a fabulous job with this cardinal?! It's so striking.

ALY'S HELPFUL HINTS:

• The Scallop Oval Punch was designed to coordinate with both the Small and Large Oval Punches for flawless layering! The word "joy" is shown here with the Large Oval Punch.
• Jeanne showed a fabulous example of how you don't always have to watercolor to get such a richly colored image! She used Stampin' Write Markers and it came out beautifully. I love how bold the colors are.
• Sponging is a fabulous way to add a bit of extra somethin' somethin' to any project — the sponging done on this card really takes it to the next level!
• Ribbon doesn't always have to have a knot or bow attached to it – here, it's simply used as another layer. So for those of you who curse ribbon tying – no worries, it doesn't mean you have to do without!

WHAT TO ORDER:

A Cardinal Christmas Stamp Set (111760), Mellow Moss Cardstock (102898), Mellow Moss Stampin' Write Marker (100038), Mellow Moss Classic Inkpad (102774), Ruby Red Cardstock (102030), Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker (100075), Summer Sun Stampin' Write Marker (100077), Chocolate Chip Classic Inkpad (100908), Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon (109065), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Large Oval Punch (107305), Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439) and Top Note Bigz Die (113463)

Family Update & New Digital Downloads!

Hi Everyone!

I apologize for my lack of exciting posts recently — we had a new addition to our family born, baby Jackson Donald Huels, my newest nephew, has joined the world! He came a week early and a bit unexpected, so I've been busy helping out with my other nephew while his parents focus on the newest clan member.

So I'll get stamping soon! Maybe even later today, but for now, I'm just going to let you know about our newest Digital Downloads and remind you about a Christmas Scrapbooking opportunity!

New Images Available for My Digital Studio!

Not ready for the New Year? No problem! You can get ready with the two new digital downloads now available for My Digital Studio. The Calendar Grid Basic kit gives you several options for your calendar’s foundation, while the Calendar Basics kit will help you decorate your calendar in style!

Here's a look at the Calendar Basics Digital Kit:

I think this kit is just darling!!! It's going to make calender creating even easier – I think I might re-do Landon's 2010 Calendar! And I'm so exciting because I received this Digital Download for FREE as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Christmas Gift from Stampin' Up!!! I just love Demonstrator perks!

Don't Forget the Scrapbook Your Christmas Memories Kit!

This kit is to help you to scrapbook your Christmas Memories. Make the album as a special keepsake for yourself, or as a wonderful gift for a family member! If creating this as a gift, you don't even have to worry about the photos – just create the pages and let the recipient add in his/her own photos. This is a fabulous gift giving solution that you'll be able to create in just one evening! This kit directs you in creating 20 scrapbook pages/ 11 layouts, but you'll have plenty of leftovers and can keep on going with just some additional page protectors to add into the album.

To view complete details on this kit offering, Click Here!

Are You a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator? NEW Price Slash!!!! You can purchase a file containing full colored photos and step by step instructions for this entire album! Originally priced at $18 for this 16-page, 33-photo file, I've just reduced the price to just $15! Click the "Buy Now" Link below to do so!

Magnet Christmas Gifts

Last week, I had my Christmas Party for my customers. I gave everyone that was there one of these Calendar Magnets for 2010 to put on their fridge!

ALY'S HELPFUL HINTS:

• I orderd the magnets through a Print Company, so there isn't much instruction to give you for those!
• The gift tag does use a retired stamp set, so unlike me, I know! But this is one of the very few that I have hung onto over the years, knowing that if would come in handy some day for something like this! The set was called "Business Memos"
• To get two colors on the note card without watercoloring, I did a technique I call Paper Piecing. I stamped the image twice – once on Old Olive and once on Real Red – then I cut out just the gift from the Real Red Cardstock with Paper Snips and attached it over top of the other stamped piece with a Stampin' Dimensional.

WHAT TO ORDER:

Stamp Set of Your Choice (used here, Retired Business Memos) – Comparable Set "Taking Care of Business" (115090), Whisper White Cardstock (100730), Basic Black Classic Ink (101179), Old Olive Cardstock (100702), Real Red Cardstock (102482), Real Red 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (110714) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

TO ORDER STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS ONLINE 24/7 CLICK HERE!

Don't Forget!

• To order your retiring stamp sets before their gone forever on January 4th – Click Here for the listing!
  
• To register for the Birthday Card Class – Click Here!
  
• To place your qualifying order for a FREE Decor Element – Click Here!
• To order your December Card Kit of the Month – Click Here! – DEADLINE is TODAY!
  

That's right! All December Card Kit of the Month orders are due TODAY!!! Here's a reminder of one of the fabulous designs: