Loft Stamping Highlights

Get ready for goodies--I went to the Loft!!

As Kiran knows, "the Loft" is my aunt and upline's HUGE creative corner.  More than a corner, it really is a fancy, specialty-made stamping space that, to me, is luxury itself.  And my aunt/upline is even more addicted to Stampin' Up! than I am...she made Founder's Circle for the first time this year, which means she is one of the top 100 demonstrators!!  She says I need a downline to make this happen...Kiran, are you ready to sign up yet?  Anyone else?

The great thing about the Loft is that it is always filled with the latest and greatest of Stampin' Up!'s releases...so today you're getting a real treat with this sneak peek from the Holiday Mini.  It goes live on Wednesday, and I know I can't wait!  It's jam-packed with great things, and as a demonstrator I was able to pre-order for myself, as was my aunt.  On to today's holiday trio of fun.

First up is this great little treat box, which was a snap to create with the Big Shot and the new Candy Wrapper die.  Kiran, you are going to LOVE this when you get it!  And it's a perfect size, since you can get two candy wrappers out of each sheet of 8.5x11" paper with minimal scraps.  I made this one from Bashful Blue, then wrapped it with Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding, which is also new in the Holiday Mini.  (I almost never buy the ribbon, but I love this stuff.  It will be in my next order!)

The snowflake is adorable, and also really easy with the Big Shot, using the Northern Frost decorative strip die.  One pass through produced eight different snowflakes that have a little shine, since I used Brushed Silver cardstock.  This die is a must-have if, like me, you love snow and how beautiful it makes everything look.

The finishing touch is the Basic Rhinestone I stuck in the middle of the snowflakes.  What a steal!  You get 150 of these gems for $4.95--if that's not the best deal in the Idea Book and Catalog, I don't know what is!

Next up is the card that I made to coordinate with the little candy wrapper.  This card is also made with a Bashful Blue base, and allowed me to use up more of those great snowflakes from the Northern Frost die.  The sparkly pops of red are new Glimmer Brads from the Holiday Mini...and I'm going to have to have some of these too!

The kids with the sled remind me of growing up, and they're in my favorite new holiday set from the big catalog, Welcome Christmas.  I really like the silhouette images of these kids, as well as of the tree decorating.  The finishing touch for this card is the sentiment, from the set Four the Holidays and inked up in Cherry Cobbler.

Finally, credit for this card goes to Mary Kay Molnar.  The base is Cherry Cobbler, upon which she layered a piece of Brushed Silver that had been embossed using the Big Shot and the new Northern Flurry embossing folder.  Like all the embossing folders, it is beautiful and easy--I recommend it, and might even have another card made with it to show you later (hint, hint).  The bow, at which clearly Mary Kay is more skilled than I, was tied up using that Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding.  Love it!

The finishing touch on this card ties the whole set together, and it was so simply done!  (One of the great things about visiting your upline is that you always learn new tricks and techniques).  It's just a mini glue dot that was placed in the center of the snowflakes, and then sprinkled with Fine Galaxy glitter.  I've never tried that, but it looked so easy and beautiful that I'll have to work that in to my repertoire.

Whew!  What a whirlwind of stamping fun...as always, when I visit the Loft.  Be sure to stay tuned for more great holiday ideas...over the next few months, that is.  I'm going back to "normal" stamping for the moment.  And more importantly, be sure to check out the new Holiday Mini on Wednesday.  You will LOVE it and I will be happy to share more of its contents with you and your friends.  Just email me to book a party.

Cheers!
~Melanie

Candy Wrapper
Paper: Bashful Blue, Brushed Silver
Extras: Big Shot, Candy Wrapper die, Northern Frost decorative strip die, Cherry Cobbler 1/2" seam binding, Basic Rhinestones

Card 1
Stamps: Four the Holidays, Welcome Christmas
Ink: Versamark, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Bashful Blue, Brushed Silver
Extras: Big Shot, Northern Frost decorative strip die, In-Color Glimmer Brads, Basic Rhinestones

Card 2
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Silver
Extras: Big Shot, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Mini Glue Dots, Fine Galaxy Glitter, Cherry Cobbler 1/2" seam binding