Tile Coasters

So every year for Christmas I make my family and Duane's family something "home-made". Some years this list has grown to include friends and co-workers, depending on the scope of the project. This year I decided I wanted to do something with stamping, and since I waited until the last minute (like the night of the 23rd - eek), it ended up only being family.

Since I have an 'in' in the tile business, I had Duane cut some larger pieces of limestone into 4x4 square which work out nicely to be a coaster. You can also purchase the tiles from Lowe's or Home Depot, just make sure you use the unglazed version, otherwise the ink won't stay.

I used Craft Ink which doesn't dry as fast, and works better on surfaces other than paper. Once I stamped the image, I coated them with a layer of clear embossing powder. Tap off the excess powder and then pop in the oven. Yep - you read right, the oven. Bake them at 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes, or until all of the inked images appear shiny and embosseed.

Take them out of the oven, and allow to cool. Then I put a layer of cork on the back so that the coaster doesn't scratch the surface of whatever it happens to be sitting on. This cork I found at Hobby Lobby, and came in a large roll. I cut it to 3.5x3.5 so that they fit nicely on the back of the coaster.

Tie them all together with a pretty ribbon and you have a great home-made gift that is already packaged! I was really happy with the way they turned out, and was able to use my Stampin' Up! stuff in a 3-d practical way!

Let me know if you would be interested in doing a tile coaster class. Even without the monogram, they would make a great gift, and something that you could just have on hand if you needed a 'quick' gift for something!

Tile Recipe:

Stamp Set: Friendship Blooms (Retired)

Ink: CRAFT: Old Olive, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel

Other: Limestone Tiles

Christmas Thank-yous!

Hello again! I'm going to get up on my soapbox for a paragraph, and then will show you my great thank-yous that I made the other night watching The Biggest Loser (one of my favorite shows). One of my all time pet peeves is not sending thank-you notes. I realize that during this time of electronics, e-mail, text messaging and instant messaging that the handwritten card is a thing of the past. I also think that with all those other 'easy' forms of communication, it should be easy to get a "Hey, thanks for the ________", even if it is electronic. I still like to send a handwritten card. My mom always made us sit down and write out our thank you cards before the holiday break was over. Even though I don't get holiday breaks anymore (what's up with that anyway), and it has been over for at least a week, I did get my thank-you's finished, and will be sent out tomorrow. Here they are:

They are super simple to make, and easy to reproduce many of - depending on how much thanks you need to send out! Although I used a retired stamp set, I think the sentiments are just great and seemed fitting for the occasion. I mixed it up a little using the same template, used different papers make them a little different.
Hope you enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe:
Stamp Set: Lots of Thoughts (retired)
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Alpine Felt Ribbon, Dimensionals, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer, Ski Slope Designer paper

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Blowout Sale and Retiring Accessories

Who doesn't love a sale?! Well, Stampin' Up! is putting on a great sale, with items up to 50% off! Now is the time and take a look to see if there is anything that is a must-have!!

Here is the think to check out the Blow-out Sale here. Some of the items on this list aren't in the current catalog - they are still trying to sell some retired items. A reminder of what those items are can be found here.

Retiring stamp sets can be found here in alphabetical order, and here in numerical order.

And now, onto the retired accessories. These items are going quickly, so if you are interested in purchasing anything, please let me know!!!

111377 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN
112012 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE
112088 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE
102782ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12
104188ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6
105384 ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*
104516 ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6
105381 ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*
103977 BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*
103978 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS
103981 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
105446 BUTTONS RICH REGALS
105445 BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES
103604 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12
102174 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11
112465 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY
112462 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH
112463 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS
112040 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA
112470 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU
112460 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA
112469 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES
112458 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY
112459 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY
112466 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD
112149 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER
112467 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK
111355 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC
112039 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT
112963 ELEMENTOS PARA TARJETAS DIAS FESTIVOS HECHOS A MANO SIMPLY SENT
106523 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER
104104 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI
107298 ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM
110695 ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL
109115 ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL
103372 METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE
107925 ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*
109190 ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*
109180 ON BOARD SIMON UPPER
112086 ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL
107923 PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25
104942 PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE
104943 PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE
107273 PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE
104389 PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*
100391PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE
104830 RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL
104829 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE
104828 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK
104831 RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS
109037 RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH
110282 RUB ON ANCHORED
111806 RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS
111805 RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS
111417 RUB ON WORD FLURRIES
110283 RUB ONS TAKE NOTE
112193 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH
112186 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA
112068 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME
112043 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET
112061 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT
112016 SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY
109868 SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES
103647 STAMPIN STORE MINI
105813 WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II
Retiring Wheels
107212 MATEYS MAP
106749 BRIGHT BULBS
109672 BRONCO
104100 MAKING TRACKS
108978 SANDY SHELLS
110332 SNOW
101233 SNOWFLAKE
109694 SWEET STARS
111249 TAKE A NUMBER

Items in red are no longer available
*Items in blue are discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

Let me know if you want to order anything before they are gone!

Christmas (a little late)

Okay, I know, I know, Christmas is over, but I never got my Christmas cards posted, so I wanted to do that real fast before we moved onto Valentine's! I decided to do 4 different styles of cards this year, for a couple of reasons. One, I didn't want to run out of supplies for any one project; Two, I couldn't decide on a single stamp set or design to go with, and Three, I love a little variety. So, real quick....

This is my old school card using the fabulous set in the Holiday Mini, Winter Post. I found myself using this set a lot, and just loved the classic-ness of it!

Pretty straightforward card, with a few layers. Sponged (of course) around the edge of the Baja Breeze layer and around the layer with the skaters on it. The torn Chocolate Chip gives the bottom of the card a little interest underneath the Ski Slope Designer Paper (that I just LOVE). Add some Chocolate Chip Grossgrain Ribbon and pop the sentiment up on dimensionals, and done!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Winter Post

Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grossgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Ski Slope DSP

Techniques: Sponging, Tearing

The next three cards I used the Big on Christmas set. When I saw it in the last catalog, I just knew I would have to use it for my Christmas cards!

The first card's base is Kraft with a layer of Chocolate Chip that has been stamped with a snowflake (from Winter Post) with Versamark to give it a little dimension, and a little sponging. I scalloped the bottom of this layer with the Scallop Edge Punch. If you have not yet bought this punch - it is a must have! Makes scalloping SO SO much easier. I colored in the message with the Stamp and Write Markers, added a little Blue Bayou ribbon (retired) and using the Photo Corner Punch and dimensionals made the center section pop!

I just love the little snowman face, and with all the snow we have had around here, this card defintely says it right!

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Winter Post, Big on Christmas

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou, Only Orange, Basic Black, Real Red, Glorious Green, Versamark

Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Blue Bayou

Accessories: Blue Bayou Ribbon, Dimensionals, Photo Corner Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer

Techniques: Sponging

The next card uses the Big on Christmas set with one of the other sentiments. This one has a much brighter color scheme, and I think turned out real modern. The Designer Paper is Winter Brights and is now retired, but makes wonderful winter colors!

The edge of the sentiment is again sponged (I think I must have been on a kick!). Not sure if you can tell in the photo, but I stamped the sentiment in Versamark and then used Silver Emobossing Powder to edge the words, and then colored them in with my Stamp and Write Markers to match the Designer Paper which is layered behind. The sentiment is also propped up on dimensionals, which I like to call "up on blocks". Makes me laugh everytime! :) Can you believe I didn't use ribbon? Me neither.....

Card Recipe:

Stamp Set: Big on Christmas

Ink: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink

Cardstock: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Dimensionals

Techniques: Embossing

The last one turned out a little fuzzy in the picture (my bad), but overall turned out pretty cute.

This is the last sentiment in the Big on Christmas set, and also happens to be the name of one of my good friend's son! And, come to think of it, I don't even think I sent her this one.....You can check out here blog here if you want!

Back to the card. The sentiment is again colored with the Stamp and Write Markers and "up on blocks" in addition to sponging (did I sponge on EVERY card...geesh!) the bottom layer is on Real Rust and I used the big background stamp Sanded to give it a little texture. On the piece of Ruby Red on the side, the ornaments are Versamarked on there, with some (non-SU) eyelets. There is also some Very Vanilla Ribbon that runs behind the sentiment.

Card Recipe:

Stamp Set: Big on Christmas, Sanded

Ink: Really Rust, Versamark, Old Olive, Ruby Red, More Mustard

Cardstock: Ruby Red, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive

Accessories: Very Vanilla Ribbon, Dimensionals, (non-SU) eyelets

Techniques: Sponging

And lastly, here is a photo of all 40 that I made: