Winners?

I am cleaning my stamping room, sending cards to "From Our Hearts" to distribute to deployed military in  Afghanistan and Iraq. I am enjoying my family and friends during the holidays. I am spending way too much time on Facebook and SplitCoastStampers. And loving every minute of it!

I don't want you to enter this contest, because I would like to win. But if you enter, and you win, I expect you to come craft with me in my clean stamping room, using your Fiskars scissors. Good luck!

Ultimate Scissors Collection Giveaway / Sewing and Quilting | Fiskars

www2.fiskars.com


Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Scrapbook page

I may not share them too often, but I do like to make pages using the MDS software (My Digital Studio).

And when I need a Christmas newsletter, and I need it FAST, this is the perfect solution!

I dropped a couple pictures in and altered one of the pre-designed pages, typed up the highlights of the year, and in under an hour, I was printing a newsletter sharing the good news of December 22 for my Christmas cards.  And you thought I was just slow in getting those cards mailed, didn't you!  No, I was saving them for a wedding picture.

Little did I know, the Cook County Courthouse will not allow anyone to bring in a camera or any kind of recording device. Of course, everyone has a camera on their phone and so some pictures were taken. But not nice ones that I want to scrap!  So some casual shots of the couple, our gorgeous daughter and the new puppy, all combine to star in our Christmas newsletter.
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I hope you are enjoying your loved ones this holiday.  Peace to you, and best wishes for the New Year.
Dee Tollaksen

Beautiful Couple

Can you read the glasses? Bride and Groom! Fresh back from the Courthouse, officially married and looking very happy!  Congratulations to my son Steve and his new bride, Danielle.

Happy New Year Calendar

Does anyone read the words? I write some here, but I'm betting that most of you just pop in, peek at the project and go on your merry way. Maybe if I mention your name.. . what? Oh, I can't remember your name!  I have never had a great memory for details, so it is no surprise that I have begun forgetting calendar items and borrowed items. Really? This DVD is still in our player? Since 4 months ago when I borrowed it from my friend? Yikes!!

When my upline (5 levels up, actually) presented us with this calendar project, I knew she was thinking of me.  Stampin' Up! is offering these DVD cases for those of you who want to strip your rubber off your wood blocks and store it neatly. Of course, someone figured out a great project with the cases.

Just slide a decorated cover into the sleeve on the case, and stick a calendar and some post it notes inside, decorate a pen and Voila! You have a purse sized office that may (or may not) help you remember where you should be and when!

I made a few of these for all my little nephews and nieces, with gift cards stashed inside instead of calendars. And a bigger post it pad, maybe they will use it for Scout memos or homework assignments.

This may be the last post for 2010. My son is going to the courthouse Wednesday to get MARRIED. OMG. Then he will share the holidays with us and his friends and new family, then he is off to . . . Afghanistan. Please pray every day for the safety of all our Armed Forces protecting our freedom.

Happy Holidays!
Dee Tollaksen

Holiday Collage

Finally, I can post my holiday project.  I gave one of these as my "stamped gift item" at a dinner last night and I didn't want to spoil the surprise by posting first!

A few months ago Connie Tumm brought a collage similar to this when I attended a local convention alternative.  As intrigued as I was, it took a holiday version on her blog to motivate me.  It took a while to put the first one together, but once I got all the little squares designed (or copied) it goes pretty quick to assemble multiple versions.

I am hosting a class this Saturday if you are free, or we can schedule a class at your convenience, if Saturday doesn't work in your calendar.

Connie has made these for other events, high school graduation/college departure, and similar topics.  So beautiful in person, these make gorgeous gifts!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS

How cute is this?! Teresa took a very clean and simple layout and made it so festive! Every white snowflake has it's own little brad, the base card is stamped and the sentiment matches the clean and simple theme by only stating part of the phrase. Love it!

We had a full house for the stamping day and everyone was charged with bringing a  "ten minute card." Designing a card that anyone can re-create in 10 minutes is quite a challenge, so Teresa did a great job of staying within the rules and bringing a fabulous card!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS

We are nearly to the end of the Shoebox Swap Samples! One of my BFFs from our  Stampin' Up! demonstrator group designed this beauty. Sue is one of those designers who you can count on to bring an excellent project, bring a smile and be right on time or else completely forget that she had somewhere to go.

The Big Shot impression folders are practically mandatory when making a card these days! No card seems complete without some dry embossed texture! The snowflakes are the star of this card. I love the skinny ribbon, just the little bit of ribbon and rhinestones make this card sparkle. Of course, a funny blue snowman can't help but make you smile!

I hope you're inspired to make a bunch or at least a few hand-stamped Christmas cards this year.

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

Holiday Shoebox Swap Share

Good Heavens, what a wonderful, busy life we lead! The Holidays surely keep us hopping! This was a wonderful weekend of cold, snow, parties, football, crafting and friends old and new!  Love it!

This gorgeous card was brought to the shoebox swap by Pamela, a gorgeous snowy embossed ink and garland ribbon combination on top of brushed silver cardstock. What a gorgeous card, and it works for Christmas, or any snowy event. Beautiful!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS20

Look at all these happy snowmen! Love that the birds are visiting and he supports them on his stick arms! Cute!

Pam brought us this darling card, spotlighting one happy snow dude. Perfect balance of blue and white, with a pretty ribbon and scallop layers.

Love it!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS19

Vintage style is such a popular trend right now, and Natalie did a great job of matching the card details to the stamp style. I appreciate that this can easily be used as a Christmas card, but could also be a get well card or  a thank you or an invite, really, so versatile!  Can you see the bit of shimmer shine on the snowflakes? And the lace ribbon is the perfect detail.  Gorgeous!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS18

When Stampin' Up! gives us awesome products, a card designer like Jamie takes them and makes the most of them.

This card uses four different samples of the special Designer Series Paper that was offered for a limited time in the mini catalog. It has it's own glitter and shine built-in! So beautiful. And the cheerful stamp is the perfect combination. A bit of punched border and a shot of ribbon, some Dazzling Diamonds, and a gorgeous card is created.  Always something special from Jamie!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS18

Dasher appears again, in a completely different style of card. Linda highlights him in layered boxes with loads of subtle bling. Is that a known style? Subtle bling? He has a red nose, like his cousin Rudolph; he has some hardware brads in the corners, he has a layer of gold under his cherry layer. Then there is the sweetest little bow and the base has been textured using the poinsettia embossing folder.

Very well designed, a beautiful traditional color Christmas card.  I hope you are being inspired! If you think making your own Christmas cards for everyone on your list is just too big a task, mark your calendar to join us next year and have a wonderful day making all these different and beautiful holiday cards!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen
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HSSS17

Recently, my stamping group was having a discussion on neutral colors and remarking on how Crumb Cake (Kraft) has become THE neutral base color for cards.  Just a couple years ago it was an infrequent visitor to the work table, but now it is the base color for the majority of our cards. Funny how trends change!

Laura is one of my top favorite designers. Her cards are always gorgeous!  I love the little smidge of border under the tiles of DSP, and of course the card has been textured using an embossing folder.

We learned that the die cut snowflakes are perfectly adhered when you use the sheet adhesive Stampin' Up! has recently added to our catalog of glue options. It is in the mini catalog and works great when die cutting fine detailed snowflakes!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS16

Jumping from Christmas to Valentine's Day, I bring you this darling card made by Kimberlee.

I love that she made a "paper ribbon" using a border punch and  embossing folder. It is a unique layout, which is always nice! 

Kimberlee is a repeat stamper at our shoeboxes, and I'm so glad to have met her and become friends.  Stamping together is a great way to make new friends and to share time with your existing friends!  Love it!

Happy Stamping!

Dee Tollaksen

HSSS17

The weather outside is frightful, but these trees are so delightful, when we have a Big Shot and stamps and ink, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Kelly brought this cutie to the shoebox swap, and I love all the details: the paisley trees, the teeny pretty bow, the embossed layer that has also been punched with a border punch, and the monochrome design.  Love it!

Hope you're staying warm, enjoying the onslaught of winter here in Chicagoland!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS16

Have you been using the sumptuous satin ribbon that Stampin' Up! offers?

Katie brought this lovely card to the Holiday Shoebox Swap. While it is a darling tree with the matching swirly-Q and sentiment in the same stamp set, I think the detail that makes it all fabulous is the ribbon. If you are mailing your cards, it is important that they fit in the envelope and don't add so much bulk or weight that the post office demands extra postage, right? So this one is a winner, with the great satin ribbon and designer series paper adding interest and beauty but not too much bulk or weight.

Love it, Katie. Thanks for bringing it to the swap!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS15

When Stampin' Up! offered their collection of individual stamps, it was a low-key sort of offering. There is a section of the catalog that is devoted to single stamps, whereas the vast majority of our stamps are sold in sets of similar theme stamps. These guys are especially beautiful, affordable and useful.

Kathy designed this Dasher card to highlight the beautiful stamp. There is texture, bling, color and it even follows the rule of three, but all the brain registers is:  DASHER  how gorgeous is that deer!!

If you're looking for a design to reproduce for all your friends and family, this card is a good candidate.  Thanks Kathy, for sharing it with us!

Happy Stamping,
Dee Tollaksen

HSSS14

Yikes!  I got a little busy and neglected to post! And I have so many GORGEOUS cards to share!  Sorry to leave you hangin'!

It seems like no card is complete without an embossed base layer. I don't know how we made cards before we brought the Big Shot into our lives. You can use your other products, that you bought at a local store, it's OK, but please use an embossing folder and add a layer of texture!  It really makes the card!

Julie brought this beauty to the swap: it has color rubbed onto the embossed cardstock, the edges of the stamped image have been distressed and we made a bow from Stampin' Up! fabric to really jazz it up! And the final texture element is a bit of pearl bling added to the leaves. What a stunner!

I'll try to be more diligent about getting these swap cards posted. They are all marvelous and Christmas is coming, you need to see all of these!

Happy Stamping!
Dee Tollaksen