Oh Christmas Tree!

I think I found my new favorite project EVER!!  Check out this Christmas Tree Luminaria:

Isn't it FANTASTIC???    I can't take credit for it - I cased the project from fellow SU Demonstrator Lisa Young.  She has a tutorial on her blog here:  http://www.addinkandstamp.blogspot.com/.  It was a little time consuming to make and I used most of my sticky pearls but I just LOVE how it turned out.  Of course the little LED tea light is inside and looks great flickering in the dark.  I think I better stock up on vellum paper and pearls - I see 10 (or 20) more of these little trees in my future!

Have a fun Halloween!

Tam

Next Stop ... Christmas!

OK - so the school Halloween parties are tomorrow.  All the treats, cards and teacher gifts are packed and ready to distribute!  Halloween down - Christmas to go! 

I just realized I haven't posted my favorite Christmas card yet so here goes ...

I just LOVE this card!  It's so clean and simple and of course it uses my new favorite color - Cherry Cobbler. 

That's it for me today.  My back was better this morning but of course I had to over-do it with cleaning, laundry, deliveries and last minute "black and orange day" shopping so I'm hurting again.  Being horizontal is the best way for me to get relief so I'm off for a date with my pillow.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Tam

Shhhhh ....

Shhhhhh - don't tell my husband I was stamping today!  I have done a real number on my back and I'm supposed to be pretty much horizontal for a few days.  Stamping really agrivates it but I just HAD to go down for 30 minutes to make this ADORABLE card!!!  I have all my Halloween treats ready to go to school on Friday but no card to go with them!  AND I'm not even sure this card counts as "stamping" since 99% of it is punching.  One little stamp does not count as "stamping" - at least that's my justification ... I have to go ice my back now ... remember mum's the word!

Have a pain-free day!

Tam

C.A.S.E.

Happy Monday! 

Today's project has me absolutely giddy :)  I can't take credit for it though, as it is a C.A.S.E.  "Case" in the crafting world stands for "Copy And Share Everything".  Why re-invent the wheel?  This project was posted by "Irflemming" on our "Stamping Connection" site that all Demonstrators have access to.  There are currently 127,000 projects posted by demonstrators all over Canada and the U.S.  That's a LOT of projects to inspire a gal!! I made 30 of my peppermint bat treats (on a previous post) but wanted to give the girls' teachers a little something extra.  Here they are - don't you just LOVE them??  The hand sanitizers are from Bath & Body Works.  I had never been into that store before I hunted one down to buy these little babies.  Suffice it to say I've already been back once and suspect I'll spend a few dollars there in the near future!  But I digress ... here is the project:

The tags are made from the "Two Tags" Big Shot Die.

Have a fun day!

Tam

Tags Along Birthday

Happy Sunday!  What a great day!  There is nothing I love more than a cold, snowy (or rainy) Sunday.  It makes my heart smile!  It brings up happy memories of when I was a kid - I would spend these days doing my paint-by-numbers or coloring or doing puzzles.  When I was in University on Sundays I would go to the library to study until 2:00 p.m. then come home and hit the couch to "watch" football with my Dad.  Of course I was either knitting, crochetting or cross stitching but Pa was watching the game - the fire would be on and we would just "be".  I just loved it.  Sundays are family days.  When I was a kid we would come and go during the week but we were ALWAYS home together for Sunday dinner.  Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy (mom did - and still does - make the BEST gravy!) and of course mom would always make a dessert.  Ah, cold, gloomy Sundays.  They're the best!

I managed to hobble down to my craft room for half an hour this morning (despite Craig's nagging NOT TO STAMP today) - I have done a real number on my back and can't stand - or sit - for long.  It feel like my spine just can't support my weight and I end up "walking" at a 90 degree angle if I'm not careful.  I have no idea what I did but I had to go to the chiropractor Friday and although I took it easy yesterday, I was standing all afternoon at a Mother / Daughter Stamp-a-stack (thanks Wendy - I had a really nice, relaxing day!) and I think that just threw my back into spasms.  OK - so enough rambling, have to go re-medicate myself and lie down - on with my project!  I have a birthday party booking for a FANTASTIC soon-to-be-10-year-old-stamper and I promised to send her a few project ideas.  Here is one of them - I just love this Tags Along set - I have been using it more than any other lately (a close second is the Just Believe set!).  I'm sure the girls will love the pink and brown together ... and of course the glitter!

Hope you have a memory filled family Sunday :)


Tam





Glitter Ball Tutorial

Wednesday - the weekend is in sight!  I'm excited for it to come - I'm taking my Stamp-a-stack on the road!  One of my oldest friends (we were BFF's in High School) is having a mother/daughter SAS at her house - it's going to be a blast!  I love crafting with 7-12 year olds.  They have a real knack for creativity and are almost ALWAYS better at 2-step stamping than adults.  They really are fun to craft with.

Every year around this time I have requests for instructions on how to make my contest winning "Glitter Balls".  Well, you asked for it, you got it!

 ** Before starting, ensure that the inside of your ornament is free of dust particles.  Any dust inside the ornament will keep the ink from properly coating it.

1.       Add 25 drops of reinker to your ornament.  If you use the large, 83 mm (3.26 inch) ornament you add 45 drops of reinker.   I find that the Rich Regal reinkers are thicker than the Soft Subtle reinkers so a few more drops of the darker colors may be required.  The color combinations you can make by simply changing the color of your reinker are amazing!  You get a completely different look if you use, for example, the Handsome Hunter reinker (retired) with the Celery Fine Cosmo Glitter than you do if you use the Certainly Celery reinker with the Celery Fine Cosmo Glitter.   

2.       SLOWLY and evenly roll / twirl the ornament so that the ink coats the inside of the ornament.  As the ink gets closer to the top of the ornment you want to make sure you are either over a sink, a bowl or paper towel in the event that the ink drips out.  It is not necessary to ink the very top of the ornament as that is covered by the “lid” of the ornament and won’t be seen.

3.        Using a small funnel pour in a generous amount of glitter (I pour in all I have!)

4.       Place your finger over the opening of the ornaments and shake until the glitter coats the entire inside of the ornament.  Once coated, you pour out any excess glitter back into your container and it’s ready to use for your next ornament.

5.       Apply your rub on.   I find snowflake images the easiest (and most forgiving) image to use.  Larger images and/or phrases can be difficult to apply to the round surface.  It CAN be done but it takes a lot of time and effort to get the image/phrase straight and it often puckers.

6.        Attach a punched label with elastic cord and package for giving!

Once you make one of these ornaments you won’t be able to stop – they really are addictive!  Have fun!!

Winging it!

Happy Tuesday! 

Another day of "winging it" - I had lots of stamping planned for my morning but now Rebecca is home with a cold so ... out with the schedule and in with winging it! I did manage to get a card together for my Sister-in-Law Jocelyn.  Today is her birthday - of course now I have to hand deliver it as it was only finished 10 minutes ago!  I love this little set - I should use it more - it's so fun!  The photo looks like there is glitter on it - there isn't.  I used craft ink to stamp the images and then put clear embossing powder over it.  With the sentiment I used versamark all over the punched piece and clear embossed it too.  Love it!  Very fall-ish (new word for the day)

Hope your day goes as planned - if not, wing it!

Tam

I love stamping!

Sorry to disappoint - I don't have a project for you today.  I just felt like blogging ... I'm in a great mood today.  Why?  May sound silly ... but because I LOVE stamping!!!  I had the BEST time today at my annual Stamp-a-Stack.  It's my favorite event of the year.  I had a great group of friends (some high school friends, some I just met today for the first time) come over, chat and make Christmas cards.  Everything went so smoothly!  Some were done in an hour and a half and all were done in under the 3 hours - there was even time to shop through the catalogue.  I got to share my favorite Christmas projects with everyone and generally just relax and have fun.  Once everyone left I did a quick clean up (except for the trail of glitter .... Craig DID mention that this year you gals were a LITTLE haphazard with the glitter!) then headed to Old Navy with Rebecca to buy here some new jeans .. and 2 shirts ... and 4 tops for me ... well everyone KNOWS girls like to shop (and spend money) when they're in a good mood, don't they??!!

It was a great day Ladies - Thank You!  I hope to stamp with you all again very soon!


Tam

Christmas Ornament Luminaria

Happy Wednesday!  How's this for a fun project??  Don't you just LOVE it???!!!  I can't take credit for this one, though.  I found it on "Stampin' Connection" which is like Facebook for Stampin' Up demonstrators where demonstrators from across Canada and the USA post photos of their cards and projects.  I fell in love with this one created by Sariela Bordner.  She was inspired by the Glade candles - I was inspired by her!  It took about 20 minutes to put together and has an LED tea light candle inside.  (The kids think I'm a genius!)  I think I just might have to have a class on this project - they would make a great little gift for friends or teachers!

I have to go color in my Sesame Street coloring book now - Alicia is home sick so crafting and chores are on the back burner today. 
Enjoy your day!

Tam

As Promised ...

Where did the day go????  Last thing I knew it was 9:30 a.m.!!!  Just a quick one today - I have to get Alicia to bed (and me!!).  As promised, here are the photo cubes I made - I LOVE them!!!!  They are so quick and easy ... a feel a new addiction coming on ....

Have a good night all!

Change of Plans

Change of plans for today's post.  I finished my Christmas photo cubes last night but I also updated my Calendar Countdown so I thought I'd post that and save the cubes for tomorrow.  I love how quick and easy this calendar is to make and the girls just LOVE changing the numbers every day.  Here's my countdown to Halloween:

Have a Happy Thanksgiving - "see" you tomorrow

Tam

Photo Cube

Happy Thanksgiving!  What a beautiful day!  I can't wait to go to Mom's for the turkey and fixin's along with a walk along the river, the girls jumping in the leaves and a nice long visit with my brother and sister-in-law.  I love Thanksgiving!!

Last night I went down to my craft room to finish cutting paper for my upcoming parties and ended up crafting "just for fun".  I've had such a crazy schedule this month that I wanted to unwind by doing something I wanted to do rather than I had to do.  Here is a fun little project - the photo cube.  I've been meaning to make this for about 2 months now - I LOVE it!  I also made 3 Christmas cubes - just need to add a few decorations - stay tuned for that project tomorrow.  Until then, thanks for looking in and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Tam

Halloween Treat Bags ... Again ...

Heidi Ho Stampers!  I'm happy to say that I survived last week (making dinner for 11, a birthday lunch and dessert, a family birthday party for 10 and a children's bowling birthay party for 6, doctors appointments, meetings, baking cakes and wrapping presents), and am back in the crafting world ... actually I should say the BLOGGING world as it seems in and amongst the list of activities above all I've done all week is craft .. I just haven't had anything to actually SHOW you ... it was just more (LOTS more) of the same projects I've already posted.  What did I do, I hear you cry?  Wellllll:

I finished my 80 Invitations (that I hand out to potential customers)
I finished my 50 Thank You Treats (that I hand out to people who give me good service)
I finished 45 Baby Thank You Cards (that I'm using in a draw)
I finished 50 Baby Shower Favours (that I'm using for a draw and for hand outs)
I finished cutting templates for the 250 that will be made at my Stamp-a-Stack next weekend
I finished cutting templates for the 117 cards that will be made at upcoming Hostess pasrties
I finished making 30 Halloween Treats for the teachers at the girls' school
I finished making 40 Halloween Treat bags for Alicia's class
I finished making 25 Halloween Treat bags for Rebecca's class

OK - now that's I 've made a list of all I did last week it explains my overwhelming urge to collapse in a heap ... ALAS!  There is no time for THAT!  Onward and upward!  Still more paper to cut, more cards to design ... oh and I have to feed the kids ... note to self ...

Ready for my newest project?  Here are the treat bags I made for Rebecca's class.  The spider web embossing folder embosses through both sides of the bag - a really neat effect.  I used retired DSP and a little spider punch I bought a few years back (in my pre-Stampin' Up! days) along with the Batty for You set.  Hope you like it (personally I'll be glad to see them go ... Craig is after me to give him back his "cave" ... gotta shift my stuff from his zone!)
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Clearance Rack Blitz

 

Wow!  Check out the latest promotion from Stampin Up!  I can guarantee items will FLY off the shelves at these prices so you have to act NOW if you want to scoop some great deals (Christmas presents anyone??!!)
 
Now, from October 5–18, Stampin' Up! will be adding over two hundred more discontinued items--some at up to 80 percent off--to help them make room in the Distribution Center for new products!

Things to know about the Clearance Rack Blitz:

• Orders for Clearance Rack items can ONLY be made through my on-line store at www.tamarabertram.stampinup.net. 
• Qualifying orders are eligible for hostess benefits
• All discontinued items are available only while supplies last.
• All sales of discontinued items are final.
• You can order from the Clearance rack AND from the current catalogues all on one order - you aren't restricted to ordering only Clearance rack items.  Top up your order for all your Christmas projects ($200 or more) and you will qualify for a minimum or a Level 1 hostess set and $20 in free product!

Come see all the new items in the Clearance Rack and share them with your friends. These are all discontinued items and are only available in my Online Store!

Happy Shopping!


Tamara - 780-637-9770

Alicia's Birthday Card

Yes, I SHOULD be getting the house and food ready for the 12 guests coming for dinner tonight but when a girl's gotta stamp and girl's gotta stamp!  I figured I should probably make Alicia a birthday card BEFORE her actual birthday ... most years I make it the day OF her birthday!  To stick with the ladybug theme of her party I decided on a ladybug penny spinner card.  Of course I had to have lots of bling - little girls LOVE bling!

Have a sunny day!

Tam

Birthday Banner

Happy Saturday!

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy am I in the house on such a FABULOUS day?????????????????  Well, you moms know how it is - things to do!  I am crazy busy for the next week and have to get a grip on a few things.  Time to prioritize Tam!  So, I have now put away the 30 Halloween Treat packs I decided to make for all the teachers and support staff at the girls' school and focus on the immediate future.  First and foremost is Alicia's birthday on Tuesday!  I now have all the kids confirmed as coming so I need to work on the loot bags - this year I've decided to "get a grip" and NOT make all the treats inside.  My new mantra "the dollar store is my friend".  I have treats dotted all over the house - some are in the bedroom closet, some in the front closet, some in my craft room, some in bags with birthday presents, some in bag with Christmas presents.  First task:  locate all the treats!  Second task:  decorate the bags in a ladybug theme!  Third task:  FILL the bags!  Fourth task:  HIDE the bags!  Sixth task:  locate all presents purchased for the big day, decide who is giving what, wrap and label.  I need to order the cake for Tuesday (ice cream DQ cake - just have to get them to write on it and draw a ladybug).  Tuesday is the big day - I volunteered to read to both girls' classes (it's Read-In week) - then I take Alicia and her friend to "Froston Pizza" and "Dairy Queens" for lunch and dessert.  After dinner the grandparents (and visiting Uncle) are over for presents and cake.  Thursday afternoon is the party with her friends - we're going bowling.  Need to purchase plates, forks, etc.  Oh - and we have to make our ladybug cake for the party.  Every year the girls help me make and decorate their own cake - it's lots of fun ... and lots of mess ... but they love it so ....

ANYWAAAAAY - less typing and more posting .... got things to do!  Here is the great Birthday Banner I made for Alicia.  I bought the Birthday Banner kit from the IBC and whipped it together in about 10 minutes.  I love it!

Enjoy the weekend!  Hopefully I 'll have more projects tomorrow (oh ya, have to go design my cards for my Technique Class on Friday!) ... it's hard being me!


Tam