Frankie and Friends

Are these not just the cutest things ever? My friend Gretchen Barron is offering these and the whole gang in an online kit to go.

Everything is cut and ready to go! If you don't own a Big Shot with Top Note die cut but LOVE the Top Note...then this is for YOU! You can order them through Gretchen here.

These were so fun and easy to whip together. I made all 6 in one evening!

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OK folks, gotta do a little bragging for a minute on my Benjamin. He is 13 years old and a fan of Duff on Ace of Cakes. He decided he was going to make cakes this summer and enrolled in Course 1 of the Wilton cake decorating class. Now he has completed Course 2 and take a look at this!!! Did you get that part about him being 13 years old??? I'm so proud!

Learning the basket weave.


Putting leaves between all his beautiful Royal Icing flowers.

Isn't that beautiful? Too bad I can't frame the cake ...oh ya, but I CAN scrapbook it with My Digital Studio which is available October 1st.
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Congratulations Pam Warden!
You are the winner of a free pass to the Holiday session of UStamp!!! Please contact me for the details.

Starting TOMORROW!

My all new 2009 12 Days of Christmas is set to run October 1-12 right here!

Just like last year, no detailed descriptions will be given.
Just like last year the complete tutorial of all 12 days will be released on the 12th.
And just like last year the cost will be $12.95 because you are getting 12 projects!!

More UStamp Coming Your Way!

Edited to Add: Sorry, I didn't place the link to sign up with UStamp, it's there now and also can be found here. And, I forgot to add that that the contest for a FREE pass to the Holiday UStamp closes tomorrow Sept. 28th at 10 am.

If you've been following my blog, you know I was asked to be a Guest Designer for UStamp. Below is the project that I designed exclusive for UStamp .

What is UStamp so many of you have asked... it's an online Stampin' Up! class run by Dawn Rapsas (Stampin' Up! #1 Demonstrator of the Year, 2009) and her friends from all the countries Stampin' Up! has demonstrators in; Germany, France, England, Australia and New Zealand. Every day for 28 days, you get a new project complete with pdf instructional tutorial and colored photos. (All projects are shown in all languages with the proper measurements for that country's language). Plus they offer prizes, you can chat on line with the designers, a photo album so you can see what others have made with the projects shared each day, an organized swap, etc. It's very fun!!

And now for the big announcement...........I've been invited back!! Yeah me!! This time I am a Creative Crew Girl and I will be designing 2 projects exclusively for UStamp members!

Join today to get in on the "Special Pricing" of only $19.99. You will want to hurry because pricing increases to $24.99 on October 1st. Join HERE.

UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Holiday 09 will open bright and early Friday, October 16th and will wrap up Friday, November 13th. You are getting a GREAT value with this event because we have 28 days Plus 1 EXTRA day for good luck, of amazing creative holiday fun!!

You want to join me?? UStamp is offering a FREE tuition for me to give away!! Valerie Durham was my winner of a paid tuition for the Fall session and you could be next!!
All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me why YOU should win. Please leave your contact information. Last time some of you had the correct answers to the questions I asked but there was no way for me to contact you.
If you have already paid and are a winner, no worries, your money will be refunded.

9/29 The contest is now closed. I have a winner!!! Just waiting on Dawn to let me know when I can announce it. Thank You to all who left comments. That was AMAZING!!
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Also, a reminder that my 12 Days of Christmas is set to run October 1-12 right here on this blog!!

• Just like last year, no detailed descriptions will be given.
• Just like last year the complete tutorial of all 12 days will be released of the 12th.
• And just like last year the cost will be $12.95 because you are getting 12 projects!!

Welcome Aboard The Holiday Mini Catty Cruise

Welcome Maties to the Holiday Mini Catty Cruise! If you've arrived from the beautiful Brooke Stockmans' blog, Designs By Brooke, which was totally awesome!...you've reached the end of the Holiday Mini Catty Cruise. Wasn't that fun sailing from east coast to west? Our Captain is so clever! If you've just happened upon the cruise, click on the port hole at the end of this post and it will take you to the next port so you can sail all the way through!

I've chosen to showcase Wandering Words from the new Holiday Mini Catalog.

First up is the darling Valentine's Day stamp from the set, or maybe it is just for love not for the Holiday. I can think of a lot of times I may use this stamp! I paired it with a quick matching treat for a cute little gift. You gotta have a matching mailbox!!

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Night & Day Specialty DSP

Stamp Set: Wandering Words

Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers-Old Olive, Going Gray, Basic Black, Real Red. Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Heart to Heart Punch

I really don't have a pattern for this. I basically wrapped cardstock around 2 stacked Hershey Nuggets. Then I slid a piece of cardstock through the tunnel and traced the front and back opening. Place a little flag on the side with a brad and you're done!

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Moving on to the fall season, I made a couple of tags. I think I'll attach these to some pumpkin bread for friends. The Big Shot (you need this!) makes creating so easy!!

Cardstock: Old Olive, Whisper White, Rose Red

Stamp Set: Wandering Words

Accessories: Big Shot (you need this!), Top Note die-cut, Tall Tales DSP, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Scalloped Circle Punch, Stampin' Write Markers-Rose Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Brilliant Blue. Jumbo eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

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Merry Christmas!

I {♥} Christmas and this is my favorite stamp from this set!! And...have you seen the Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Holiday Mini catalog called Christmas Cocoa? Ooooh, it's so beautiful!! Some of the pages are flocked with beautiful texture...look at this box!

I made a gift box and a matching card. The gift box is actually one of the three gift boxes I will be featuring in my all new 12 Days of Christmas tutorial. Starting October 1st, I'll have a new feature everyday for 12 days then the tutorial will be released for sale.

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa DSP

Stamp Set: Wandering Words

Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers- Chocolate Chip & Real Red. Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Two Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

The top of the box has the image embossed with Chocolate Chip Craft ink pad and Clear Embossing Powder.
Look at this gorgeous paper!!!!!! I didn't even stamp on it because it is so beautiful. I wish you could touch it!

Thank you for cruising through Inking Idaho. I hope you enjoyed what you saw here and were inspired to create something with the new Wandering Words stamp set and Christmas Cocoa DSP.

Now, you're setting sail for the furthest point east to visit the lovely Kriss Huels at Stamp with Kriss. Enjoy!

Framed Pumpkins

Not framed like in trouble! Framed like in the Big Shot Oval Frame die-cut!

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black

Stamp Set: Autumn Harvest

Accessories: Oval Frame die-cut, Big Shot (you NEED this cool thing!!), Cast-a-Spell DSP, Night & Day specialty DSP, Stampin' Write Markers Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie and Apricot Appeal all slightly shaded with Really Rust Watercolor Crayon and a Blender Pen, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and lots of dimensionals.

Don't forget THIS FRIDAY is the Catty Cruise Blog Hop.

We will be cruising through all ports of the Mini Catalog. It's set up pretty neat this time, all stewards will be sailing east coast to west coast depending on the blog address! You'll be glad to know, here in Idaho... I'll be your last stop...hmmmph! I already complained to the captain and told her I should set up at Starbucks in the mid west then I wouldn't be last!! :)

I will be giving you a sneaky peeky at one of my new projects that will be in the all NEW 12 Days Of Christmas tutorial released on the 12th of October. Remember last years 12 Days of Christmas that I ran from October 1-12? Well I'm doing it again for a second year with all new projects! It's shaping up to be pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself!

Remember just like last year, this tutorial will be $12.95 and includes 12 projects.

And, I have big announcement coming up soon...but I can't tell you today!

Not Too Scary!!

Cardstock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Stamp Set: Autumn Harvest, Eat Drink & Be Scary
Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Blender Pen, Black Gingham Ribbon, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Scalloped Circle Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Cast-A-Spell DSP and Night & Day Specialty DSP

They're Looking At You

Aren't these cute? I made these several years ago when the oval punches were new and thought it was time to make a new batch for October thank you notes. They are just card front postcard style notes from a quarter sheet of cardstock.

Cardstock: Old Olive, Basic Black and Whisper White

Stamp Set: Hostess level 1 Holiday Best

Accessories: Large and Small Oval Punches, Basic Black 1/3" Grosgrain Ribbon, Cast-a-Spell DSP

Cynthia Stevenson shared her Traveling Trio with me. She made it from the Cool Kids Simply Scrappin' kit and Crushed Curry Cardstock. I think this is absolutely darling and a great idea for a school girl!

I love to see the versatility of this pattern done with all the different designer series papers and themes!

September Stamp Club Projects

Lots of Halloween treats for Friday night's Stamp Club!

If you are in the Boise, ID area and would like to join one of my stamp clubs, please let me know.

Sweet Treat Cup With A Sliding Door

I've been having fun exploring all the possibilities of things you can do with the new Treat Cups, but the one thing that kept bothering me is the recipient would have to rip the thing apart to eat the candy. So today I got busy and came up with a solution... for this one at least.

My 3x3 card with sliding door, to remove the candy without tearing the thing apart!

You will need:

1. Cut cardstock to 3" x 6" and folded in half for the base of the card.

2. Slider door cardstock is 2" x 2-5/8" Punch a Round Tab and fold it in half, stamp with Sweet Treats from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

3. Stamped and cut out image from Sweet centers stamp set. Punch center with 1-3/4" Circle Punch.

4. Treat cup

5. Attach Round Tab to the edge of the slider door.

6. Place 4 Mini Glue Dots to the rim of the Treat cup facing the focal image, NOT THE BACK WHERE THE PEEL AND STICK PAPER IS. Insert Treat Cup into the punched hole of the main image.

YOU WILL NOT BE REMOVING THE PEEL AND STICK PAPER AT ALL FOR THIS PROJECT.

7. Turn the main image over, place 4 Mini Glue Dots on the very edge of all 4 corners of the main image.

8. Lay the slider door on top just to see that the Mini Glue Dots are not in the way of the movement of the door, but do not attach.

9. Lay the main image on top of the card and trace the circle opening onto the card base.

10. Punch with 1-3/4" hole. Depending on where you place the image (mine is towards the top) the punch may not reach all the way. It is off such a fraction that it doesn't seem to show or matter to the function of the project.

11. Carefully place the image with Treat Cup attached on to the card base. NOTE: It is more important to align your image so that it is straight then it is to cover the hole exactly.

12. Fill with Candy

13. Insert the slider door between the image and the card base.

14. Embellish with a Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon and enjoy!

Super Exciting News!! and the Pumpkin Basket How-To

Here is a little sneaky peeky to the Super Exciting News!!!

Today I am the guest designer for UStamp and here is a smidgen of the project exclusively for UStamp!

This is my first time ever with UStamp. For those of you who are not familiar with UStamp, here is Dawn in her own words:

We come together because of our love of Stampin' Up! products, but we leave with so much more. Did you ever think that your heart could be touched by so many you never even met?? Us neither!! But that is exactly what happens every time, and THAT my friends is what makes US so special!!

When you join us, expect to feel connected, be inspired, have fun and lots of laughs in our chat room open 24/7, maybe even win a prize!! Our Design Teams ROCK!!

Our "Dream Team", "Creative Crew" and "Guest Designers" are Stampin' Up! Demonstrators from each country that Stampin' Up! is open for business. The United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, France and the United Kingdom are all on board for our Fall 09 event!! We will be celebrating the exciting New Stampin' Up! Catalog release and the FABULOUS NEW Holiday Mini catalog, so will NOT you want to miss this event!!

UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Fall 09 will open bright and early Friday, September 4th and will wrap up Friday, October 2nd. You are getting an even GREATER value with this event because I have added 4 MORE days!! YES!! 28 days of amazing creative fun!! New projects/video every day!! Tons of Chats, Lots of Prizes, Gallery Sharing, of course the highly requested "Creative Swap", and a few surprises too!!

Attention International Friends... All project dimensions will be available in both CM and Inches!! Every Project PDF will be translated and available in French, German and Spanish!!

It's not too late to register for UStamp Fall Session. You can still see the first 6 days that have already 'aired'.

Register HERE today, at http://www.ustampwithdawn.blogspot.com/ and you too can create this project!!

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Yesterday I received a TON of e-mail asking for the little pumpkin basket directions. It's always funny to me to see what catches people's attention! Here we go...

1. Cut cardstock to 2-1/4" x 5-3/4".

2. Score along the bottom at 1".

3. Score the length at 1-3/4", 2-3/4", 4-1/2" and 5-1/2"

4. Cut on the score lines up to the intersecting score line at a slight angle (to avoid any overlap and it 's cleaner look). Cut off the little piece at the end as shown in the photo.

5. Punch 5 ovals with the Wide Oval Punch, sponge the edges for added depth. I used Pumpkin Pie cardstock and ink.

6. Handle is 6" x 1/2".

7. Apply SNAIL adhesive to back of the center punched oval and start layering the ovals on the left and right sides alternately.
8. Bottom view is what the back looks like when complete

9. Fold the box and secure with Sticky Strip.

10. Attach pumpkins to the front and back of the box.

11. Hand cut little stems and stamp leaves if desired.

12. Attach handle with a brad.

Punchin' Pumpkins

The card is heavily based on the idea I got from this wonderful person :) and I made a little gift basket to match!

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Cast a Spell DSP
Stamp Set: Camp Out, Sweet Centers (words), Autumn Harvest (leaf)
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die-cut, Polka Dot Embossing Plate, Basic Black Grosgrain, 1-1/4", 1-3/8" Circle Punches and Scalloped Circle Punch, Oval Punch for the bears Halloween Costume, Wide Oval Punch for pumpkin basket, Stampin' Sponge with Pumpkin Pie ink

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This is what happens to dogs on drugs!

Pretty funny, huh?! Poor Sarah tore her claw while playing ball and we made a visit to the Pet Emergency Room on Labor Day. She is fine, just really sleepy from her medicine. They gave her a bright orange bandage that makes it look a lot worse than it really is. She snores really loud on pain meds!!!

Halloween Treats

Working on a few Halloween Treats and some stamp club ideas...

This M&M matchbook wrapper was an idea I borrowed from Kristine Memmott. I told her I was gonna copy it, so it's OK...even though she didn't answer me! :)

1. Cut Basic Black cardstock to 3" x 8-5/8". Score at 1", 5" and 5-3/8".

2. Fold on the score lines, insert the M&M's and punch two 1/4" circles into the bottom area.

3. Insert ribbon and tie OR staple and skip the ribbon entirely!

4. Decorate the cover as desired...or in this case with Cast A Spell DSP, Batty For you and Smarty Pants stamp sets.

This idea came from Nichole Heady

1. Use Stampin' Up!'s 3x3 envelopes and small cello bags.

2. Cut the bags to 3" tall.

3. Punch stars in the envelopes...clear through the whole thing! Stamp with Yoyo Yellow and Itty Bitty Backgrounds.

4. Insert bags into the envelopes and fill with Candy Corn. Lick the envelope closed.

5. Punch with two holes, insert ribbon and decorate. I used Batty For You stamp set.

Thank You Tags

A friend of mine is a representative for another direct sales company and asked me to make her some small tags that she can tie on the bags of her customer orders. This is what I came up with!

Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Stamp Set: Taking Care of Business
Accessories: Old Olive DSP, Lots of Circle & Oval Punches :), Flat pearls from the Pretties Kit, Butterfly Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch

This darling Halloween Milk Carton Container was made by Mickey at Stampin' With The Stars. Thank you for sharing Mickey!!

And thank you to Scrapmum for the blogging award!