Final Table

I set up my final Swing Choir table yesterday.  The only request was that the table be red and gold.  I think it really came together!  I created the ornament wreath yesterday morning on a whim and I'm sure glad I did!  I love the way it sparkles when the lights are down and the candles are lit.  The red dishes, I borrowed from my sister-in-law and the rest I already had.  This has been such a fun event every year - I'm happy to have been a part of it!

The end of an era

For the past 6 years I've been decorating at least one table for our local high school's Swing Choir Christmas dinner/production.  Through the years I've decorated as many as 3 tables in a year.  The dinner is a fundraiser for the group and each student hosts a table which includes selling 8 tickets and decorating a table.  Six years ago I volunteered to help decorate a friend's table and have been doing it ever since.  This year it comes to an end as I'll be decorating my last table for her beautiful daughter who will be graduating this spring.  (As a side note - it started with her oldest daughter who graduated 2 years ago.)  I'll be sure to post pictures of the final table but here's a quick look back on a few tables from the past.

A Handmade Holiday...

I had the best of intentions this year to make all my Christmas gifts.  As I look at the calendar and the list of projects to complete I've come to the realization that not everyone will receive a handmade gift.  This is not the end of the world but I have already started planning for next year!  I WILL have a Christmas where all my gifts are handmade.  In an effort to achieve this, I've signed up for a few classes (this way I know projects will actually be started and completed).  The photo above is one of my projects for next year.  I haven't decided who will receive this super cute clutch but I have a few ladies in mind...

I'll post pictures of this year's handmade gifts after Christmas - no peeking here!

Stockings

I love paper crafting but I do sew on occasion as well.  This is my latest project.  My sister-in-law and I took a quilting class recently at the Quilting Bee in Spokane.  This is a Buggy Barn pattern and my favorite way to create a quilt!  I'm making table runners from this pattern and will post the finished project soon (they're going to be Christmas gifts).

Grateful

One of the two cards we made at a workshop in October (the other card didn't make it home...).  I am absolutely IN LOVE with the Spice Cake DSP it's so versatile.  It's in the holiday mini so I stocked up for the future. (wink)

I {heart} Coffee!

The coffee sleeve was workshop make and take from a few weeks ago.  The sleeve is a no-sew project and makes the perfect gift for teachers, coaches, book club members and more!  The mug warmer I made for the hostess of a dinner party I attended on Saturday (I included Starbucks hot chocolate mixes in the mug too).  It's almost a no-sew; I stitched in the ribbon but the rest was all done with Stampin' Up's fabric adhesive roll.

Christmas Cards

I did it again and let time slip away!  Life has been busy but fun-filled with family & friends.  I was able to squeeze in one last class before the end of the year.  There is a quick pic. of the cards we made last night.  All of the designs are from Stampin' Up catalogs - we have fabulous designers at the home office!

Spice Cake

I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since my last post!  I thought I would post a couple of the cards from my last class.  I LOVE the Spice Cake DSP in the Holiday Mini so I knew it was a must use!  As always, we had a fabulous class.  And I won't wait 2 months to post again!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Because you always need a birthday card -we'll be making all 5 of these cards at my Sept. card class!  Fun, Fun!!!

May Page of the Month - Polka Dots & Stripes

I realize the title says May Page of the Month and it's almost the end of July.  But here it is better late than never! (smile)



cheers!

This is one of many projects I'm working on this weekend.  This is an example of a "goodie bag" for a client whose hosting a bridal shower.  I wanted something that was easy reproduce but was still fun and coordinated with the theme of the shower.  Once the design is approved I'll be making 20 or so of these cuties!

Open House

A couple Sundays ago I was a vendor at an Events Trade Show in Ellensburg, WA and I thought it would be fun to share part of my booth.  I had a great time - got to see old freinds and meet new people.  I even received 3 on site orders for custom made peices (pictures to come).  All in all it was a fun day! 

The NEW 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

It's here - and let me just say it was worth the wait!  This year's catalog is full of old favorites and new must haves.  Click on the image above (or to the right) to download your copy today.  If you'd like a hard copy please contact me through my website http://www.dhammond.stampinup.net/

Happy Shopping!

Make & Take (Mojo194)

I have a workshop tonight for a lovely group of women.  This is one of the cards they will be making tonight (they requested 2 cards - this isn't their first time at the rodeo).  I used this week's mojo monday sketch and tweaked it just a little - I love how fun this card turned out and may have to use it again at another workshop!

Card Recipe:

Paper - Play Date DSP, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron & Whisper White Card Stock

Ink - Chocolate Chip

Stamps - Birthday Bliss

Embellishments - Basic Rhinestones, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (Early Espresso), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, 1" circle punch

Big Shot - Square Lattice Embossing Folder

June Card Class Cont.

Here are 3 of the 5 cards we made on Sunday - the basic theme is having a backgroung stamp.  They are fun and simple - which is just the way I like my stamping. (One card is in post below and the other didn't make it cleanly out of class - it happens)

You'll find a very similar version of this card in the Summer Mini Catalog - perfect when the creative juices aren't working at full capacity.

The basic layout for this card is in this month's Stampin' Success - Stampin' Up really does make being a Demonstrator easy!

June Card Class

Sneak peek at one of the cards we'll be making next Sunday at my monthly stamp class.

This card has a super cute inside but that's "secret" - ok not really I just couldn't get a picture of it without the card falling over (a little windy here today).  All of the class cards will have this color scheme - pear pizzaz, pumpkin pie, pacific point, daffodil delight, melon mambo.  I'll post all the cards next Sunday. (smile)

April Page of the Month

Here is April's page of the month scrapbook design.  I needed a little color this month and have been on a flower kick with all my paper crafting.  Hopefully this is just enough to spring to get you through this gray weather we've been having.  Have fun picking out the pictures you'd like to highlight with the simple yet fun design. 

It's National Scrapbooking Month!

May is National Scrapbooking Month and Stampin' Up wants to help you celebrate!  Click here to see SU's special offer - you'll want to take advantage of this one for sure!

Mother's Day & Spring Cards

Here are just a couple of the cards for we made in my class last Saturday.  It was lots of fun!

Color Throwdown #138

This week's Color Throwdown is navy, white and a color of your choice.  I love navy as a neutral - in cards and clothing - it's a great alternative to black!  So this challege was right up my alley.  One of my favorite DSPs from the Occasions Mini is the Springtime Vintage DSP and I couldn't resist using it in this challenge.  I added the accents of baja breeze and so saffron to bring it all together.  I used this card in my monthly stamp class yesterday and it was a huge hit!

Happy Easter!

I've neglected by blog recently... but I have been busy with projects!  These cute little Easter baskets (made using the Fancy Favor Big Shot die) were great fun to make at my Easter Class in March. 

PPA86 - Embossing

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge is embossing.  I finally ordered the square lattice embossing folder and it arrived on Friday - perfect timing!  Last night after I spent the day cutting paper and putting kits together for my upcoming classes, workshops, & scrapbook club I sat down and stamped just for me.  While I spend lots of time in my craftroom I don't always have the luxury of just stamping "for the fun of it".  I had been using the Sweet Summer sale-a-bration stamp set early in the day to create super cute mini Easter baskets (pictures to come).  That's when the idea for this card popped into my head.  I love how "happy" the card turned out.  I have the perfect someone in mind to be the recipient of this card and I can't wait to give it to her. 

Butterfly Bliss

Here are two of the three cards we made at a "mom's night out" class last night.  It was great fun! Stamps, wine, good food and great conversation - a good time was had by all!  I love the new Springtime Vintage DSP and it pairs perfectly the Bliss butterfly.  The layout is simple enough for a beginner but has enough "little" details to please any paper crafter.