Free Online Class from Jessica Sprague: Holidays in Hand

With all the upcoming To-Dos" of the Holidays--be it Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa (or even Thanksgiving which is just three weeks away...gasp!)--we can forget the real reason why we celebrate. 

Through this free online class, Jessica Sprague will show us how to focus on the most important aspects of our celebrations as we experience them this year and how to capture our stories of "Christmases Past."

Jessica is an amazing photographer and digital/hybrid scrapbooker who teaches others how to do what she does. She has a team of talented people who offer many great online classes ranging from Photography to Digital/Hybrid Scrapbooking to Photoshop Techniques.

I had the opportunity to participate in one of her free classes last November called Stories in Hand.  I will tell you more about it in tomorrow's post.  It was a great class that gave me a cute binder filled with hundreds of questions that sparked memories of the stories I have to tell.  

Follow the instructions at Holidays in Hand and register for this awesome class (I know it will be!).  Prepare to experience your Holidays in a way you never have before and keep them in hand.

A Beautiful Giveaway: Handmade Jewelry

While visiting my favorite mommy blog, SimpleMom, I discovered a beautiful giveaway.  She loves these simple yet feminine pieces made by Lisa Leonard.

Lisa has been making jewelry since high school, but decided to turn her craft into a small business so she could stay home with her two precious boys.  Many of us have done that as well (or are looking to do that very thing now) through various outlets:  marketing our talents, joining a direct sales company, freelancing and consulting, etc.

I am inspired reading stories of other moms who take initiative to earn a living doing what they love and be home with their children.  Not all of us have that option nor desire it, and that's okay.  We all have a different purpose for which we were created.  

Check out Lisa's beautiful, handcrafted jewelry.  She is giving away three $50 gift certificates to use at her online store.  All you need to do is click on the link I've provided above and follow the instructions in SimpleMom's post.

Unique Card

I made the following today for a card swap with fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. It was rather simple, and good thing too, because I procrastinated and had to make 10. It took me a couple hours to complete. Not bad! You will find the product list and instructions below. Also, this card was inspired by my upline, Judy Christensen. I made a similar birthday card at one of her workshops. Thanks Judy for all the great ideas!!

Here is a picture of the inside.

All products used are Stampin' Up:

Big Shot
Textured Impressions Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder
Bigz Top Note
1 3/8" Circle Punch
Crop-a-dile (1/8" punch)
Melon Mambo card stock (8.5 x 11)
Whisper White card stock (8.5 x 11)
Melon Mambo marker
Define Your Life stamp set (Unique)
Bermuda Bay Grosgrain Ribbon (14" long)
Hemp Twine (3" long)
Mono Adhesive

The Melon Mambo card stock was cut lengthwise so the card could be opened to the right, as shown. Follow the directions on the insert with the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder (except you will need to use Tab 1 on the Multipurpose Platform not Tab 2 as instructed).

Cut the Whisper White card stock into 4 pieces (each 4.25" x 5.5"). I stacked three pieces on the Bigz Top Note die to save time, since I was making so many. It worked! Adhere die cut to inside of card with Mono adhesive.

Use the Melon Mambo marker to color the word "unique" then stamp on a 2" strip of Whisper White and punch out with the 1 3/8" circle punch. Use the Crop-a-dile to punch a 1/8" hole at the top of the circle.

Wrap Bermuda Bay ribbon around the top left side of card and tie a square knot. Next, tie the Hemp twine around the Bermuda Bay ribbon close to the knot. Trim excess on ribbon and twine. Voila! You now have a card for almost any occasion.

If you do not have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and would like to purchase these products (or any others) to make your family, friends, neighbors, etc. feel special with a handmade card, then email me with your contact information and I will be happy to help you.

Happy Crafting!