Can you believe that Stampin’ Up! is kicking off a “Twelve Days of Holiday Sales” promotion just in time for Christmas? Now is the time to “stuff those stockings” with one of those special Big Shot dies that you have been wanting. I have put a little bug in my husband’s ear about the Basket and Blooms die. Which one have you been “die-ing” to buy? At 15 – 25% off, why not buy several? But hurry…orders must be placed by December 15th for arrival by Christmas! However, the sale does run until Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 11:50 P.M. MT!
Check out this list:

(Item Number) 114515
Flower Burst Embosslits Die
Regularly $11.95 Discounted Price $8.96

114516
Cherry Blossom Embosslits die
Regularly $11.95 Discounted Price $8.96

115957
Thanks Embosslits die
Regularly $11.95 Discounted Price $8.96

114513
Sweetest Stem Embosslits die
Regularly $11.95 Discounted Price $8.96

115952
Hi Embosslits die
Regularly $11.95 Discounted Price $8.96

115951
Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits die
Regularly $74.95 Discounted Price $59.96

113446
Build a Flower #2 Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $16.96

114509
Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits 4-Pack die
Regularly $21.95 Discounted Price $18.66

113448
Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $16.96

113457
Tulipe Bigz die
Regularly $21.95 Discounted Price $16.46

115954
Two Tags Bigz die
Regularly $21.95 Discounted Price $18.66

114524
Fringed Flower Bigz die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $15.96

114523
Decorative Accents Bigz die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $15.96

114534
Flower Bigz Clear die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $15.96

113473
5-Point 3D Star Bigz die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $16.96

113472
Circle 3D Ornament Bigz die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $16.96

113470
Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $16.96

113465
Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz die
Regularly $19.95 Discounted Price $16.96

115961
Perfect Setting Bigz XL die
Regularly $42.95 Discounted Price $32.21

113483
Pennant Bigz XL die
Regularly $39.95 Discounted Price $29.96

113484
Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die
Regularly $39.95 Discounted Price $31.96

116760
Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die
Regularly $39.95 Discounted Price $29.96

116759
Pop-Up 3D Ball Bigz XL die
Regularly $39.95 Discounted Price $29.96

114890
Matchbox Bigz XL Die
Regularly $42.95 Discounted Price $36.56

113458
Flower Layers Originals Die
Regularly $15.95 Discounted Price $13.56

What’s that you say? You don’t have a Big Shot? You can’t take advantage of this fabulous sale? Order your Big Shot from me today (Item Number 113439, $99.95) and receive your choice of any Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (Elegant Bouquet, Finial Press, Manhattan Flower) as my gift to you. These items are found on Page 195 of the Idea Book and Catalog. After placing your online order for the Big Shot, simply email me the item of your choice, and I will order it for you. Your free item will ship separately from your Stampin’ Up! order, and will arrive mid-January! This offer ends December 22! (US orders only, please!)

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the PPA’s delightful! And delightful it truly is! This week, Pals Paper Arts is hosting a color challenge. Plus, one lucky participant will be randomly selected as our blog candy winner! I will be the first to admit that Crushed Curry, Old Olive and Soft Suede did present a challenge to me. This was because I was bound and determined to create a Christmas card using these three “fall” colors! And you know what..Dasher looks pretty dapper decked out in Soft Suede. Plus, don’t you love the Perfect Polka Dots embossing on the Old Olive card stock? This new Textured Impressions Folder should be at the top of everyone’s “Wish List”! Of course, you know me…I love my border punches. The new Scallop Trim Border Punch has already worked its way to the top of my “go-to” list!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

• Dasher is the star of today’s card! Inked in Soft Suede and stamped onto Very Vanilla, he is sporting a spritzing of Soft Suede, courtesy of the Color Spritzer Tool and a Soft Suede Stampin‘ Write Marker! Opposite rounded corners on the matting enhance the swirls of his antler’s. No matter how you look at it…Dasher is one dapper deer!
• Create “card chemistry”! Tie together the design elements of your creations. The polka dots of the Soft Suede Grosgrain Ribbon mesh perfectly with the Perfect Polka Dots embossed background.
• Dare to be different! Instead of just layering the Jumbo Snowflakes, interweave their extensions. Although the Crushed Curry snowflake serves as the second layer, its “arms” are brought to the forefront for color balance. The Greetings sentiment is notched at one end for variety. Of course, distressing and matting are the finishing touches!
• MacGyver it! Just like the extremely resourceful television hero of the late ’80’s, if you don’t have what you need, create it yourself. Although I did not use a Swiss army knife and duct tape, I did pry up the prongs of a Circle Fire Brad to release the rhinestone which graces the snowflake. And the “Greetings” sentiment actually comes from the “Season’s Greetings” stamp from Four the Holidays. I have really great luck inking up the entire sentiment then taping off the section that I do not want to use! That’s almost like using duct tape, isn’t it?
• Embrace the new! Notice the Crushed Curry border. The new Scallop Trim Border Punch, featured in the Sale-a-bration brochure is a “keeper”, in my book. It imparts a delicate look without going over the top!

Please Click Here to Order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7!
Stamp Sets: Dasher (116816), Four the Holidays (116921); Ink: Soft Suede (115657); Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Crushed Curry (115319), Soft Suede (115318), Old Olive (100702), Brushed Gold (102935); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335—Occasions Mini: available January 5th), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402—Sale-a-bration: available January 5th), Corner Rounder (109047), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628); Glitz and Glam: Circle Fire Brad (109110), Soft Suede Grosgrain Ribbon (115612)

Amidst the Iowa blizzard today, I stayed warm and comfy, with Missy the Boxer at my feet. Our mission was to create our Mojo Monday card. Since I love the holidays, I opted to create yet another holiday card, this time using Bridesmaid Specialty Paper. Yes…you read me right…Bridesmaid Specialty Paper! Its Vanilla and Pearl foil were the perfect backdrop for Brushed Gold and Bravo Burgundy, resulting in an elegant card with no extra fuss! What could be easier?

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

• It’s Tool Time! Using the right tools always makes the job easier. The Circle Scissors Plus is a “must-have” when creating circular layouts such as this! To create perfect circles with no waste, cut your circles while standing, and use a little SNAIL adhesive to hold your paper in place. I always set my size, then cut a sample out of newspaper first, just to make certain I have the right fit! To perfectly place the “Dove” image from the Gifts of Christmas stamp set, the Stamp-a-ma-jig does the trick!
• Encore! Encore! What is better for distressing the edges of an elegant card than Gold Encore? The edges of the Bravo Burgundy circles were distressed with gold, while the Very Vanilla circles were distressed with both Gold Encore and Bravo Burgundy.
• Sometimes bigger is better! In this case, an over-sized Bravo Burgundy bow made from 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon adds a decadent touch!
• Bring the bling! A misting of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint is the perfect finishing touch! However, be careful when misting stamped images, as they could blur! Easy bling is achieved with Brushed Gold card stock. Why didn’t I buy this sooner?

Missy and I hope that you enjoyed our Mojo card. It probably took us a little longer than usual to create. First, we got sidetracked by a Lifetime movie. Then we needed a snack. Then we had to check our email and blog-hop for awhile. Then we needed another snack. Then we got sidetracked by another movie. Then we had to check our email again. Then we had to snack…Oh, you get the picture! I had better be back in school tomorrow…I probably gained ten pounds today! So, if you have any questions about today’s card, don’t hesitate to email me! And, of course, your comments are always appreciated! Coming up tomorrow: The Pals Paper Arts Challenge! Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7!

Stamp Set: Gifts of Christmas (115372); Inks: Gold Encore (101017), Bravo Burgundy (105214); Paper: Bridesmaid Specialty Paper (116479), Very Vanilla (101650), Bravo Burgundy (105123), Brushed Gold (102935); Tools: Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Big Shot (113439), Stampin‘ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335—Occasions Mini available January 5), Sponge Daubers (102892); Blitz and Bling: Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806—Holiday Mini), Bravo Burgundy 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109053)