Mother Nature hates cookies!!

Not really!!!  But it seems like it!!  Why does she keep snowing on my cookie session?  Anyway, for the safety of the ladies (and with their agreement, of course) , I have postponed this session to Sunday, Jan 3 at 2 PM.  The ladies didn't really want to risk riding in the snowy icy mix and I was worried about them parking once they got here.   sooooo we are rescheduled.  If this date is now good for you, contact me by Saturday to hold a seat for you.  Details on my Stampin Up! website.
Peggy
www.peggyouten.stampinup.net

Stampin session change of date/time

The cookie tasting and recipe holder stampin session has been changed to noon on Thursday.  Please contact me immediately if you are interested in participating. 

Peggy

YOUR INVITED!!

Hope yo'al had a wonderful holiday!!  We had a great holiday...so far!

I am holding a stampin session this Wednesday night  (Dec 30 at 6:30).
Since  the cookie swap had to be cancelled I decided to hostess  a cookie
TASTING session.  Each person brings one batch of their cookies and we each
try one another's cookies. Of course, I would want you to each bring your
recipe (actually emailing it to me ahead would be really great!) and then we would
make the recipe holder I had planned for the cookie swap...complete with
each person's recipe.  Anyone interested?  I can seat 8 folks..first come
(registered), first served as they say!  Materials fee for the recipe holder
is $10.  Let me know by Tuesday at 6 PM please.

You will have the advantage of seeing some of the new products from the next
mini catalog that is in effect on Jan 5th  AND the new Saleabration
offerings - they are wonderful!!!  Let's play!!

Merry Christmas!!

Hi all!! 
It is 2:15 am and we have just finished making three pies, a jello mold, and assorted cookie recipes for our holiday celebration.  That may not seem like a big deal to some folks but this is really the first time since I found out I am diabetic that I have been willing to really throw myself into making holiday cookies.  It felt so good to do something I have always enjoyed, but recently avoided ... it was especially great because the boys helped me with the process.  I do enjoy my family times.  I can hit the hay now...knowing that the guys will not pop out of bed at the crack of dawn.  I will get to sleep in.  We had a lovely Chirstmas eve church service - the lady behind me (a total stranger) and I had a hoot of a time while we waited an hour for the service to begin.  At our church, ya gotta get there early ...or you stand!  The packages are under the tree and the shrimp and scallops are on their way to thawing out for our holiday dinner.  The only thing I wanted to accomplish tonight, and didn't, was to comb the dog - he was thrilled I didn't get to that task!!  He hates being combed!  But it is on my list for tomorrow afternoon!!  Don't tell him though!  Before I go to bed, I wanted to take a minute to say I wish you all wonderful joy and a sense of  peace.  I hope your families are near you this holiday and that you are enjoying health and, if not prosperity, than at least a comfortable life.  I appreciate all of you who visit my blog, whether you come only once or visit on a regular basis.  I encourage  you to join us at my stampin sessions where you will meet some great ladies.  Thank you for your friendship.
Merry Christmas!!
Peggy

Holiday Tag #10

I think this is such a fun little tag!!!  The embossed ornament top and hook make it look real and the 3D cup of green m&m's completes the effect.  We used a perforator on the back of the tag so the back could be opened to give you access to the candy without destroying the tag.  Are you ready for Santa?

In case you couldn't tell, I wrote this post BEFORE I did the one for yesterday.  Yes - this is the same project ...but using M& M's instead.  Gotta tell you...even though the York packages were a bit too poofy, they were easier to handle than the M& M's!  Can't wait to try the gummy worms I have!!

Peggy

merry christmas to my coworkers!

Hi all,   I'm not quite sure what is going on with blogspot but I don't seem to be able to post in the same formats I did before ... so I apologize if this comes out oddly.  Hopefully, all you care about is getting the idea and not so much how well aligned the page is.
You are seeing one of about 65 of these I have made ..only need about 20 more and I'll be done!!  But my coworkers seem to be enjoying them a lot as my Christmas card so I am glad to do the labor.
The task would have been easier if York hadn't gone to mylar packaging instead of the old wrap around papers of yesteryear.  It takes a bit of scrunching to get the peppermint patty in the cup - and I even had to pierce a small hole in some of the packages that seem particularly fat from excess air in the pouch.  But, from the reactions I am getting, I don't think folks are waiting very long to eat their treat so I don't think the mini hole will cause them to go stale too quickly!  The base brilliant blue card is a non-SU die from sizzix - those of you who know me know I have LOTS of sizzix dies from way before SU began to carry them.  I love my sizzix and I use it often and well.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday.  I expect to be posting throughout the holidays so when you get a free minute stop in to see what I'm up to!!  Joy and blessings on all.
Peggy

Holiday Tag # 9

Hi all

Isn't this lovely?!?!  The bird is a sizzlit die cut and the green branches are from the snowflake punch and DSP.  The eye of the bird is a jeweled brad.  Nice!  This was inspired by Rosemarie Diehl's wine bottle tag.

Today, much to my amazement, our schools were closed...a true blessing!!  I was able to get out and get some holiday prep done and I am really enjoying chatting with folks in lines at stores.  For some reason, this year, everyone has been a good deal friendlier than we have seen some years.   It's really nice!  Amazement, upon amazement..we are closed tomorrow too!!!!  Wonder if we will have to go in for just one day on Wednesday?  Time will tell.  For now, I am just enjoying the ride!!! Hope you are too!!  Don't forget to get to me PDQ if you want to take advantage of the reduced price of many Big Shot products.  The sale ends tomorrow.  The current mini is on its way out too on Jan 4th...then comes Sale-a-bration!!  Save that cash you receive in holiday envelopes..you will see great stuff in the new mini!   And the Sale-a-bration rewards are incredible.  Such variety!

Peggy  david.outen@verizon.net  410-256-6772

Holiday tag #8

If you visit me often, you have already seen this project.  I think it is my favorite.  Probably because I made many changes to the original version I had found on the web.  There is a Hershey bar inside the chocolate chip c/s and m&m's in the cup.  Fun!

Peggy

Holiday tag # 7

This is a nifty money holder tag (the money fits in the pocket where the scallop is) that has been seen many places on the web.  The one thing I did not understand about this project is that the gift part was left open on the top.  Folks said it was made to hang on the tree but I didn't like the possibility that when you hang the ornament and the gift wrap on the tree, the gift box might slide off.  Soooo I did mine with the opening on the bottom and the ornament fits in the gift sleeve from the bottom.  The gold loop hanger comes out the top of the gift and when you hang it on the tree, the two parts surely will stay together.  neato!  This is one of those projects that could easily be made larger, too.

Peggy

Holiday Tag #6

Hi all

Ellen Kemper made  tag like this but her method was sponging the stripes.  I did not want my ladies to have to go home with red fingertips so I made a plastic quilting template model and had the ladies trace it onto a post it note to from a mask.  They they brayed over the mask...quick...easy...clean..and then punched out the circle.  looks de-lish!!

Peggy

Holiday Tag #5

Hi all

The special part about this tag is that the saffron base was cut twice using the square die to make a rectangle instead of a square.  The twig arms are from a snowflake punch.  This tag was inspired by a card by Kay Sha's.  Simple and sweet!    

Peggy

Holiday tags #4

Hi all

If you are a punch person, you will enjoy this tag ...a trio of circles, a curly label, a horizontal slot, and  a segment of a small scallop circle punch (non Stampin' Up!).  If you saw me in church you would know this is a self portrait!

Peggy

Holiday Tags #3

HI all

Here is another tag from Angie Kennedy Juda.  Some reindeer don't captivate me, but this little guy is so cheery and dear that he makes me smile.  Cute!

Peggy

Holiday tags #2

Hi all

This project is from Angie Kennedy Juda, a great stamper.  I am not usually a bird person but this little guy cheers me each time I use him.  And there is something homey about the kraft cardstock.  Love it!

Peggy

Holiday tags, #1

Hi all
Thanks for your patience as I have had to handle the many demands on my time.  I wish I could say they were all the fun details of Christmas prep...but in fact, lots of the demands were the every day kind that happen when you work and have a family. 
Today I am posting a project inspired by a bag made by Julie Bettencourt.  I loved it, so I worked it into my tag class.  Lots of die cuts and punches...I love those things!! 
I have nine more projects from the tags class to show you over the next week or so.  Be sure to visit often!
I'd love to serve you by helping you place your holiday wish order. Remember there is a great sale on Decor elemments and Big Shot items...take advantage of these short term deals.
Peggy

Reindeer chocolate

Hi all

Tonight I am sharing a sneak peek at one of my Holiday tags!  This doesn't look like a tag to you??  Well, I like to add an extra little treat to my packages when I can and this is a double treat - the M & M's in the clear cup AND the Hershey bar inside the close to cocoa cardstock wrapper. There are a wide variety of versions of this treat on the internet and I have no idea who started the trend.  I worked a bit of my own preferences into this version.  Hope you like it!!  Do you want to join us at the class on Sunday to make one of these?  Contact me today!!

By the way, folks are telling me that they are trying to post to my blog but are being unsuccessful.  If that happens to you, please email me and let me know.  The more I know about the glitches the easier it will be to figure out. 

Peggy

david.outen@verizon .net

Tree in a box times two

Hi stampers.  Wanted to pop in tonight to share the tree in a box project that my gals did on Sunday.  I was really pleased with the outcomes.  Someone had warned me that assembling these trees was a nightmare but we did not find that to be so.  I guess deifferent strokes for different strokes.  Even with our shakes and arthritis we were able to assemble the trees fairly easily.  Can you tell that we used bakers red and white twine as the garland?  The decorations are sticky backed rhinestones.  I love the way the mirror sets off the tree.  I think the eyelet border makes a nice trim for the wall behind the tree.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of the box "tied up with a bow".  I'll try to remember to do that tomorrow and post the picture.  Hope this puts you in the Christmas mood!!

Want to remind you to contact me if you want to attend the Tag making session next Sunday.  The projects will be as great as the company.  Join us!

Soon Stampin' Up! will be announcing some specials (I don't even know the details yet) - be sure to check back later this week!!

Peggy

Tags tags tags!!!

Hi all
This year I have been doing a fundraiser for the marching band - selling wooden momento roses at concerts and the school plays. This has taken a lot of sitting and when the show is in progress of course, there are not many customers. I hate wasting my time, so each time I have gone to sell the roses, I took along some stampin projects - mostly these tags, which we will offer to anyone who comes to the package wrapping table at Barnes and Noble in White Marsh in December. I know these are "old school" but they are soo popular and cute that I decided to whip up a bunch again this year. Hope they motivate folks to drop a donation in the jar!
Peggy

Simple..simple...simple!!!

I know this is hard to see exactly what this is (I am a stamper, not a photographer!) but it is a shadow box full of bells with a decor element attached to the glass. so quick... so easy ...but fabulous!! Who should I give this too??

Peggy

Fun Christmas decoration!

Hi all
I made this little treat while my ladies stamped last Sunday..I love it and it was soo easy. I die cut the three scallop squares from some white chipboard (have no idea where I got that!) on my Big Shot; layered the DSP (retired); Die cut the letters and attached to the DSP; punched holes in the four corners of each square; attached bells with jump rings; joined the squares with jump rings; tied a bow from SUP ribbon and attached to the top. Great little present for a coworker or friend. Nighty Night
Peggy

Xmas Stamp a StackPart 4 Project 5

Hi Stampers!!
For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get these goofy pictures to show up as I planned, but at least this time they are in order - if not where I want them!! Grr!! Anybody want to give me some posting tips? I could definitely use them!!!

This is my religious card - I like to include at least one. The stamp set is Holy Triptych and so I tried to make a triptych. I used the scallop bag die to cut the white (4x6) card stock (scored at 2 and 4" and folded before cutting). The images are stamped in Stazon and highlighted in the new shimmer paint. The night of navy c/s is stamped with versamark and iridescent ice EP. The card has a folded white base that also opens. The pictures don't do it justice.
I am watching the Ravens and gotta admit, although I am not a big football fan, I am getting distracted, so I'd better close before I lose what I have input! Nighty Night
Peggy

dormant stamps to be discontinued - buy them soon!

Dormant Stamp Sets Discontinued on January 4, 2010

December 2, 2009

As promised, many of the stamp sets currently on the Stampin Up! dormant list have been available for a year and now it is time to say goodbye. The following stamp sets will be discontinued on January 4, 2010.

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas

If any of these stamp sets are on your wish list, make sure to purchase them before they are gone for good!

Xmas stamp a stack, Pt 4, Project 4

Hi Stampers
This is a bit unconventional, but I like it. The trees, word set, and star are popped up on dimentionals. Can you tell I love to use my Big Shot? The scalloped circle, the regular circle, the modern label layer. Yep! I use my Big Shot a lot!!

Want to remind you that now is a great time to book your Sell a bration workshop. The free rewards for customers, hostess and new recruits is a wow! this year ..you will want to get in on the goodies!! Remember too that we will have a new mini catalog to sweeten the pot for customers and hostesses!!

Peggy

Xmas Stamp a Stack, Pt 4, Project 3

Hi Stampers!!
I know, I know, I need to work on my faces!! My angel looks a little scary!! She is just a serious singer!!!
Have you figured out that this little gal is made from three ornament punches? Too clever!! Not me!! I got the idea from Sandi MacIver. She made the cutest little angel ornaments, but I wanted my gals to have a chance to make one at my stamp a stack ...so voila' she is on a card. Sandy used a knife to cut the slit for her "hair" but I used the slot punch - quick! I outlined her with small piercings but some of the gals forgot to do that before they mounted the folded white card base ..uh oh! problem!! NOPE!!! I just had them dot around the angel dear with a white gel pen instead. The gals get a little worried when they"goof" but to me those little oops! are an opporutnity for creativity. Do you recognize the bashful blue strip at the bottom? It is NOT a border punch.. instead it is from the Perfect Setting die. Handy, huh? The wings were made from some retired vellum. She could easily be used in lots of holiday projects. Give it a try!!
Peggy