SFYTT OVAL PUNCH PUMPKINS

Here is the third card I created for Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try. I am so pleased with the way this design turned out ... (if I do say so myself!) If you're a regular reader, you know I don't always love what I create. Thanks to many wonderful readers who leave such nice comments about my work, I have gotten more confident. This is probably one of my all-time favorite cards I've ever created ... I'm such an Autumn kind of person ... love all the colors!

This card uses the new Autumn Vine Designer Paper from the current '08 Holiday Mini Catalog ... YUMMY!!!! The pumpkins are created using the Small and Large Oval Punches with the middle layer raised on dimensionals. The stem of the pumpkins was created from Sage Shadow 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, and the vine was created by wrapping a sliver of Sage Shadow cardstock around a pen to give it the curl. There are many raised layers to this card ... even the main designer paper panels backed in Chocolate Chip CS are raised. Natural Hemp Twine was tied through the Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets.RECIPE
Stamps: Holidays & Wishes
Paper: Autumn Vine Designer Series Paper, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Sage Shadow, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Embellishments: Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Natural Hemp Twine, Sage Shadow 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Crop-A-Dile
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

RAKS FROM DOTTIE K AND WENDY BOND

I received my FIRST Christmas card a few days ago, and it was a HAND STAMPED one too!!! ... from Dottie Kinnear. I've crowned Dottie as the "QUEEN OF CHRISTMAS"! I think she's had her holiday shopping done since ... ummm ... October?! Dottie also sends e-mails to me with her helpful holiday planning tips! I tell ya', the girl's got it together!

I love the Bashful Blue paired with the Real Red and Wild Wasabi on Dottie's card! The snowglobe main image has 3-D snow and lots of bling that the photo just didn't pick up.
This next beauty came all the way from Canada from my friend, Wendy Bond. Wendy is also known as joelysmom on SCS. You gotta see her gallery ..... talent galore! I just love the way she used the Fall Flowers DP, the brads in the corners, ... and her ribbon is tied PERFECTLY!
Here's a close up photo of Wendy's unique and genius use of the Round Tab Punch ...Thank you Dottie and Wendy! Your handstamped creations are so meaningful to me!

HOLIDAY MINI THANKFUL GARLAND

The minute I saw the THANKFUL GARLAND in the 2007 Holiday Mini Catalog, I knew I HAD to duplicate it! With some helpful advice from Jan Tink (see her garland HERE), and a few changes to accomodate my available supplies ... ta da !!! Jan created a gorgeous "NOEL" garland from the same On Board Garland Greetings. I've got big plans to case that one too! The catalog even makes suggestions for "JOY" and "JOYFUL" garlands. HERE is a "JOY" garland on Fran Sabad's blog, using embossing powders and glitter. The possibilities with the On Board Garland Greetings chipboard assortment are endless!

I had high hopes of offering this project as a class, but after the amount of time I spent completing mine, that idea was immediately scratched! I love the end result, and know I will enjoy displaying the garland in my home during the Thanksgiving holidays for years to come!

Differences between my garland and the catalog's version:

a) I used Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon to hang my letters, versus the catalog's Jersey Ribbon Originals,

b) the brads on the letter "H" in the catalog look colored (but not sure) ... I used Antique Brass Brads,

c) the catalog's version used All In a Row stamp set on the Close To Cocoa panel of the letter "U" ... I chose Antique Brass Brads. (does anyone else out there have "All In A Row Phobia"? ... I get so frustrated stamping that set straight, and have not mastered the stamp-a-ma-jig ... but will someday!),

d) there are some words on the leaf chipboard located on the letter "L"of the catalog's version.... my chipboard leaf is slightly different, and chose not to include the words.

If you would like to complete this project, your KEY TOOL is an exacto knife! Notice that all the the letters except the "A" and the "U" use the NEGATIVE to the letter. In order to cover them with designer paper, place the right side of the negative chipboard piece to the wrong side of the DP, trace with a pencil, and use an exacto knife to cut it out. Your cutting doesn't have to be perfect because you will use the sanding block to rough up the edges for a distressed look. I did buy a fine sanding sponge at the craft store that I was able to cut into small sections in order to sand the hard-to-reach areas. The cutting and sanding is what took the majority of the time in creating the garland ... the embellishments are fairly simple.

RECIPE

Stamps: True Friend (pg. 18 '07 Holiday Mini)

Paper: Apple Cider DP (pg. 19 '07 Holiday Mini), Really Rust, Very Vanilla, River Rock and Close to Cocoa CS

Ink: Really Rust

Embellishments: On Board Garland Greetings (pg. 9 '07 Holiday Mini), Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, River Rock Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Really Rust Buttons, Antique Brass Brads, Natural Hemp Twine

Tools: Exacto Knife, Crop-A-Dile

Supplies: 2-Way Glue Pen, Sanding Block, Fine Sponge Sandpaper (non-SU)