M (Monday) is for.... MPP!

I am always in awe of the ladies who blog every single day!

Each day of the week seems to have an alliterative theme... You know like, "Wacky Wednesday", "Freebie Friday" etc.

I wish I had the gumption to do the blog every day... I just don't! 

I started blogging about this time last year because I was no longer working and I was B-O-R-E-D at home. I do it because I enjoy cooking and sharing yummy recipes! I blog because I like showing off what we have made with Stampin' Up! supplies, and show that YOU can make it too!

I'm not technologically advanced enough to add all of those fancy doo-dads to my blog. 

All in all, it's a pretty simple and straightforward endeavor! 

I write on there to share with everyone and to "keep in touch" with those that are far away. If I get a new reader or Stampin' Up! customer along the way - that is wonderful! But really, I just do it to keep busy.

So, as I get ready to begin a second year of this blog, thank you for being a loyal reader/customer/friend!

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So what does "M" in Monday stand for?

Today it stands for MPP - My Paper Pumpkin! MPP is a monthly craft kit that Stamping Up offers. Sometimes you make cards. Other times you get to try your hand at various paper projects!

Each monthly kit cost $19.95, shipping and handling fee included.

The kit contains everything you need: paper, ink, rubber stamps, embellishments, etc. You'll receive a clear block with your first kit so that you can use it and all subsequent kits.

You can buy a pre-paid subscription or pay by the month! You can stop your subscription anytime, and you can even pause the  monthly delivery (for whatever reason).

I have been very pleased with all kits that I have received since I subscribed back in June. What is even more fun these days is, the last two months I have assembled my kit with a friend (or friends)! I'm hoping that our MPP group continues to grow, because it is so much fun to get together to assemble your kits!

For more information, to subscribe, or to purchase a pre-paid subscription (it makes a great gift!) please follow this link:

https://mypaperpumpkin.com/en/

If you choose to subscribe, I would be thrilled if you listed me as your demonstrator!

What I like about MPP is that you don't have to be a rubberstamper or even a crafter to complete each kit! Everything you need is in that little red box! SU! even has a video online if you prefer watching over reading instructions.

Anyhoo... the kit that arrived in December was called "All Shook Up":

The kit included everything you need to make nine of the really cute shaker cards shown!

Upon opening the box, before I even removed the supplies for the shaker cards, I saw that Stampin' Up! included a free gift!  I guess, because it was Christmas time? Aren't they wonderful?!

Cool beans! Essentials Paper Piercing pack!

Nancy, Patty, and I had lots of fun putting these cards together!

I even have some stars and sequins left over so I can embellish a little more if I so choose!

There is a card we found on Pinterest made with the leftover "negative space" of the confetti stars:

This card was made by Demonstrator  Carrie Rhoads. She even used the star sheet as a stencil and sponged coordinating ink colors through the open spaces! See those samples by visiting her website:

http://www.carriestamps.com/

Patty even sent me this picture once she got home:

Look closely, and you will see that she used her extras to embellish the outsides a little more. Also, she cut the star sheet down and added a piece to the inside of each card. LOVE IT!

Besides these nine cards, I know I will get plenty of use for the stamp set that came with the kit:

Can't wait to see what we get next month!

Whatever it may be I'm sure it will be delightful!

Hope you join our little get together!

Second Christmas card punch class!

Besides this week's stamp clubs, this was the last class I offered before Christmas.

Although all final cards were my creations, they were each inspired by photos I found on the Internet: Pinterest, SplitCoaststampers.com, Stamping Up's Stampin' connection, etc.

A "punch class" consists of three cards made primarily of punched shapes. I use punches and sometimes framelits for the Big Shot to get the shapes. There is very little stamping involved.

Class participants follow my model to create three cards. Envelopes are included. Classes are usually "themed" and cost $8 ($10 for the un-assembled "kit to go)".

Here are three last-minute Christmas cards:

#1

Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Garden Green, and Whisper White cardstocks. Ornaments and tree shapes punched from the Trim the Tree DSP paper stack (Holiday catalog), Dazzling Diamonds glimmer paper (stars)

Punches: itty-bitty punch pack - Christmas (retired), Confetti Star punch (Holiday catalog)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Stamps: Greetings of the Season (retired)

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#2

The Confetti Star punch was used once again for this card!

It gets its name from the confetti it produces once it punches out all those little different-sized stars! Makes a bunch, so make sure you have a container handy to store them!

For this card I used some of the confetti from the first two cards to decorate the inside:

But, I also kept some to use as confetti inside the card. 

We all have that one friend that loves to put confetti in their Christmas card, forcing you to knowingly open their card over a trashcan (I'm talking to YOU, Terri S.!) Well, you know what they say about payback....  

Here are the details for the card:

Paper: Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White cardstocks, Silver glimmer paper paper

Punches: 1 3/4" circle, Confetti Star punch

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Stamps: Bright and Beautiful (Holiday catalog)

Other: 1/8" Silver ribbon

#3

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze,  Riding Hood Red, Blush Blossom, Whisper White cardstocks and retired Christmas DSP

Punches: 3/4" circle, extra-large oval, retired Boho Blossoms and Modern Label punches, Mustache and Wondrous  Wreath framelits

Ink: White gel pen, Pink Pirouhette (for sponging), Old Olive

Other: Frosted Sequin embellishments (Holiday catalog), Brights Candy dots, non-SU emboss folder (a gift from my friend Nancy M & her sister Susan S)

You can always purchase these featured items and more by visiting my online store and clicking on "shop" in the upper right-hand corner.

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/dandyspandy/

Don't forget to check out the "Year-end Closeout" sale while you're there!