The Crazy 4 Challenges challenge was a simple one this week. With the focus on snow, the challenge was to incorporate snowflakes and/or snowmen into the project. I opted for both in this card that requires no stamping! Punches, punches and more punches make quick work of this sweet little card, featuring a “snowmom” and her “snowbabe” touching their carrot noses in what I have entitled a “Snowman Kiss”.

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

• Feeling a little punchy? The “Snowmom’s” curves are provided by the 1-3/4″, 1-3/8″ and 1″ Circle Punches. The “Snowtot” is formed from the 1″, 3/4″ and 1/2″ Circle Punches. The buttons and Mom’s eye were formed with the Crop-A-Dile, and Baby’s eye and Mom’s mouth were formed from the 1/16″ Punch. Tombow Adhesive did the trick in adhering these small pieces!
• Even “snowmoms” need a little make-up! Her “blush” and Baby’s rosy cheeks were achieved with a Blender Pen and Pretty in Pink Stampin’ Pastels.
• Free-style once in awhile! The snowhills were cut free-handed from Very Vanilla card stock and distressed with Soft Suede. The carrot noses were snipped from Dusty Durango, and lined with a Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker.
• Double your pleasure, double your fun! The Designer Labels were punched from Old Olive and Real Red card stock. The Real Red label was cut horizontally and layered behind the Old Olive one.
• Rub-a-dub-dub! The “Winter Wishes” sentiment is courtesy of Chit Chat Rub-Ons! How easy is that?
• Sneak -a-peek! Did you notice the adorable Chocolate Chip Epoxy Brad? It will be available in the Occasion Mini on January 5th!

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

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)