Gingerbread Man Spa Basket

Gingerbread Man Spa Basket

When I saw these adorable gift baskets at the store I instantly thought of Tayllar and all her little friends. Little girls love purses... and fun smelling bath stuff, these were perfect! The gift basket had some delicious smelling gingerbread lotions and body washes that I knew the girls would love. I had to add a few ribbons and touches to give it that spa basket feel... I created some paper curls and put under the bath accessories and tied lots of ribbons and bows on all the pieces to dress it up. The little gingerbread man on the right was actually supposed to be a gift card holder... however I created a small Christmas card to slip in there. The entire basket has been sprayed with silver glitter for some extra dazzle.

Yappy Holidays!

Yappy Holidays!
Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

In wrapping up my holiday shopping, I have yet to pick up something for all the "kids" in our family. My parents and in-laws all have dogs and cats, traditionally at Christmas Kita exchanges gifts with all the other kids in the family, in our family pets are spoiled and treated very much like the children. I thought a fun dog themed holiday card would be a great way to wrap up a pet gift. I have yet to assemble the gift but will hopefully have a chance to upload photos over the weekend once it is complete.

Project Details

Stamps: Happy Everything, Yappy Day, Punch Pals, Holiday Hedgehogs

Ink: Timber Stazon, Creamy Caramel, Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa

Cardstock: Rose Red and Certainly Celery Prints Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Certainly Celery

Other: Marvy Uchida Square/ Scalloped Square Giga/Mega Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Ivory Ribbon with Gold Edging (May Arts), Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Celery Brads

Simple Pleasures!

Simple Pleasures

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Here is another design inspired by Queen Kat Designs December Newsletter. As I mentioned in the previous posts I will be featuring dog (maybe a few cat shhh don't tell kita) themed cards all week so be sure to check back for more.

Your Turn!! These sketches have been so much fun... I hope you get a chance to play! If you create something using either of these sketches be sure to come back and post a link so we can see your fabulous creations.

To visit Queen Kat Designs... click here.

Project Details

Stamps: Yappy Day!
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Rose Red and Certainly Celery Prints Designer Series Paper
Ink: Timber Stazon, River Rock, Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa
Other: Slit Punch, 1/4' Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Rose Red Brads, Marvy Uchida Giga Scalloped Oval and Mega Oval Punches, Pomegranate and Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon.



More Card Details
Using some Certainly Celery Prints Designer Series Paper I cut out a piece to create some grass around the hydrant. I cut out small drops using Soft Sky cardstock and created a "Puddle" using the small oval punch. Card is 4"x4"

Who Let the Dogs Out!

Bone Sweet Bone! Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

It's my dog's birthday this week! We don't know exactly when she was born aside from the month of December... so we just pick a week and celebrate. Kita has been such an amazing pet.. I could not imagine life without her. She is a black lab and greyhound mix... we adopted her from our local pet shelter about 6.5 years ago. She is such a mild mannered and well behaved dog... a little crazy at times but its to be expected . She loves "babies" like most little girls, she totes them all over the house... and sleeps with them too. In honor of her birthday, I will be posting doggie themed cards with my new stamp set... Yappy Day!

Today's cards were inspired by a newsletter I received in my email last night... from Queen Kat Designs. I have no idea how I got on the mailing list but I was tickled to see the sketches so I decided to give them a try. I have tried to find a link to the sketches online and have not been successful... I need to contact the writer and see if I can get some better links and information on how to find more of her fun sketches. There were 3 sketches featured in her December Newsletter.... to visit her blog, click here.

Project Details

Stamps: Yappy Day

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, River Rock, Certainly Celery Rose Red and Soft Sky Prints Designer Series Paper

Ink: Timber Stazon, Close to Cocoa Creamy Caramel Stampin Write Markers

Other: Marvy Uchida Scalloped Giga Punch, Marvy Uchida Mega Circle Punch, Word Window Punch (SU), Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

More Card Details

The card is 4"x4". I punched out the circles to create the background paper using the 1 3/8" circle punch and various colors of Prints Designer Series Paper. Dog bones were then stamped over the patterned paper using Timber Brown Stazon.

Perfect Presentation

Perfect Presentation

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This is a fairly new stamp set for me, first time using it. I used some ribbon and scrapbook paper I picked up at the scrapbook store from my Black Friday shopping spree. The scrapbook paper is "frosty frame up" from Reminisce. I love their pagers for scrapbooking, and even more excited about how fabulous this paper works for cards.with. I love the color combination on this particular piece of paper, I wouldn't have thought of these colors for a Christmas card but I am lovin' it, the fact that it matches well with the SU colors is another fun bonus.

Project Details

Stamps: Perfect Presentation

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou, Old Olive, Real Red

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Frosty Frame Up from Reminisce

Other: Red Grosgrain Ribbon (SU), Soft Sky double stitched ribbon (SU), Olive Organdy Ribbon (American Crafts), Misc Brads, Word Window Punch, 1/4" circle punch.

To Grandmother's House We Go!!

Just for Grandma!
Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

I decided, at the last minute, to create a card for Grandma. Thanksgiving dinner is something she and I take turns hosting and work together to make a fabulous family tradition. Last year she was deathly ill and we did not have the opportunity to get together, I am so blessed and thankful to be able to share today with her.

Project Details

Stamps: Thankful Season

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke

Ink: Too many to count :)

Other: Marvy Uchida Giga Punches, Large Oval Punch (SU), Olive and Mustard Grosgrain Ribbon, Copper Cording, White Glitter (unknown)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

We are going to my grandparents house for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow afternoon. I made a special coconut cream pie for my grandpa. I wanted to dress up the pie, gift style. I used a store purchased graham cracker crust... I removed the store lable and covered it with cardstock, designer paper, ribbons etc and then adhered it to the top of the pie cover... and a card to match.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

For those of you traveling... travel safely.

Project Details

Stamps: Holidays and Wishes

Cardstock: Four Seasons Designer Series Paper, Bravo Burgundy, Sahara Sand

Other: Burgundy Organdy Ribbon, Cream Organdy Ribbon (May Arts), Gold Cording, Key Tag Punch, Vintage Brads (SU)

Today's Designer Challenge.... Only Words

Designer Challenge.... Only Words!!

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

I created this card to match the gift set shown here. I elected not to use any images in designing this beautiful gift set Designing a card to match was not easy, I seldom create anything that doesn't have more than words.

This brings me to Today's Designer Challenge... create a holiday themed card using only words. You can see in the card above I used a very softly patterned designer paper but aside from that there aren't really any images other than the sentiment. What can you do with only words? Please be sure to post a link to show us where we can find your card!! When posting your challenge cards on your blogs and galleries, please link back to the original challenge so others can play along too.

Gift Makeover... for the Teachers!

Gift Set Make Over

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

As some of you already know... I am a total Flybaby! I don't know where I would be without the Holiday Cruising Missions, definitely not ready for Christmas by December 1st (this was my goal). My Christmas shopping is winding down with only a few gifts to purchase to complete ALL of my holiday shopping, I am so excited to have everything done early.

In planning for holiday shopping, I always include a little something for the kid's teachers. This year I picked out this little lotion set shown above. I removed the shrink wrap packaging and began looking for ways to spice this up..... to turn a lotion set into a pamper yourself spa set. I love all the varieties of lotions etc that you can get around this time of year.... but I hate the gift packaging.

I began by looking at each of the pieces individually. I tied various pieces of ribbon around each piece and added "a gift for you" tag to the shower gel. I took a piece of Purely Pomegranate Designer Series Paper and cut it to fit the front panel of the tin, added some layers of paper.. faux paper piercing... and a cute little "Merry Christmas" tag. After putting all the accessorised products back in the packaging I realized that it needed a pretty bow around the tin to balance all the fun ribbons up top... I used the Satin Ribbon from Stampin' Up! with some scraps of Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, silver cording and some organdy ribbon from May Arts.

Everything was starting to come together but it was still missing something... I kept the card board insert because I liked the presentation but you could see some of the white cardboard despite all the ribbon. I created some paper filling using my Table Top Cutter and a few scraps of the designer paper... I cut thin strips and curled them around a pencil.

Final Touches... I used some left over Halloween body glitter over the entire package to add a little glitz and dazzle. I am tickled with the way this project turned out, so tickled in fact that I have decided to make one for myself :)

The coordinating card is not as stunning as the gift... but coordinates using the same designer paper as the tin, the same tag and ribbon (body glitter too). I was surprised at how cute the card turned out using only words and no stamped images (see today's challenge). As much as I love the way this one turned out I think I will spice up the other two with a different look for each.... one down... two to go!



Project Details

Stamps: Holidays and Wishes

Cardstock: Rose Red Designer Paper, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink: Purely Pomegranate and Chocolate Chip

Other: Scalloped Circle Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Key Tag Punch, Spotted Organdy Ribbon (May Arts), Satin Ribbon (SU), Silver and Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon (SU), Silver Cording (SU)

Holiday Hedgehogs.... Be Merry!

Be Merry

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

I love creating cards with sketches, but it has been a while since I created anything. This card was designed based on SC#150, for more details about this sketch click here. To see what others have created using this sketch, visit the gallery by clicking here.

Project Details

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Warm Words, Holiday Hedgehogs, Background Basics
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Mellow Moss, Real Red, Whisper White and Bordering Blue
Other: White spotted Organdy Ribbon (May Arts), Silver Cording, White Glitter (unknown), Silver Brads, 1/4" circle punch and Large Oval Punch.

More Project Details

To create the background paper I stamped the holly from Background Basics and then colored in the images with marker. The hedgehogs were stamped and colored on a scrap of paper, cut out and popped up in front of the trees

Holiday Hedgehogs.. Skaters Pond

Holiday Hedgehogs

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

I borrowed this set from a very good friend of mine, I loved this set but decided not to keep it when it retired. (Now having second thoughts) I love the skating hedgehog and wanted to create a pond for him to skate on. My mom loves the Lovely as a Tree stamp set and hates that we don't use it more than we do for stamping... so mom... here ya go :).

I am doing one of a kind Christmas cards this year for all of my family and friends so check back for more holiday fun.

Project Details

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Punch Pals, Holiday Hedgehogs, Background Basics

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Mellow Moss, Real Red and Bordering Blue

Other: Red Grosgrain Ribbon, White spotted Organdy Ribbon (May Arts), Silver Cording, White Glitter (unknown), Silver Brads, Giga Scalloped Circle and Circle punch (Marvy Uchida), 1/4" circle punch.

Martha Stewart Christmas Wreath

My Martha Stewart Christmas Wreath

I have already begun decorating for the holidays... my husband could just die lol, he thought having a tree up and decorated the day after Thanksgiving was bad. The tree has been up for a week already, mostly because I wanted to have some holiday decorations up for the Holiday Hooha class last weekend.


In searching for the prefect holiday decorations, I stumbled upon some beautiful decorations at our local Kmart. I have had a Martha Stewart Victorian tree for years, but my bows were starting to show their age so I decided to replace them... keeping the same beautiful gold color scheme. I also wanted a matching wreath for my front door... but found nothing that I liked. So I decided to make something myself, my mom and I had a blast playing and creating.


So I bought this Martha Stewart wreath...... we pulled off the bow and left everything else on the wreath.

I purchased it because of its simplicity... it was definitely something mom and I could work with, I loved the faux snow tipped sprigs. We then proceeded to purchase some of the glittered shatter proof bulbs to match those we had purchased for the tree... some matching ribbons, some very glitzy swirly twigs and went home to create a wreath.

Here is what we came up with.. I am so excited about how it turned out. We had so much fun that we created a matching garland. Everything used to create this wreath is Martha Stewart and was found at Kmart.

Retired Stamp Set Sale... Updated!!

Updated list of retired stamp sets... Alphabetically listed (ty ty Gina). This will make shopping and updates so much faster.

A Little Love $ 8.00
A Quiet Life $17.00
All I Have Seen $8.00
All Mixed Up $25.00 New UM
All Natural $10.00
All the Best $15.00
Aloha $23.00
Along the Same Lines $16.00
Alphabet Soup $8.00
Alphabuilders
Artifacts $18.00
Baby Talk $18.00
Because Of You $13.00
Big Blossom $8.00
Bitty Blossoms $12.00
Bold Butterlfy $23.00
Buds and Blossoms $15.00
Buggies and Booties $15.00
Burst Into Bloom $5.00
Business Boosters $10.00
Buttons Bows and Twinkletoes $23.oo
By Definition $ 12.00
Celebrate in Style $15.00
Cool Cat $10.00
Crazy Numbers $13.00
Cute as a Bug $11.00
Delight in Life $ 8.00
Dots and Daisies $12.00
Faith and Hope $15.00
Fall Whimsy $9.00
Favorite Teddy Bear $24.00
Festive Four $5.00
Fishy Friends $15.00
Fresh Fruits $22.00
Friend are Like Flowers $14.00
Frolicking Frogs $22.00
Fun Filled $8.00
Garden Collage $8.00
Happy Harmony $8.00 partially mounted
Haunts and Howls $25.00
I'm Here $20.00
In the Wild $15.00
Island Blossoms $23.00
Its a Party $15.00
Just Beakause (never been used, mounted) $20.00
Just For Fun $$16.00
Just Jeans $12.00
Ladybug Picnic $18.00
Laundry Notes $17.00
Laundry Notes (UM) $19.00
Lexicon of Love $8.00
Little Hellos $10.00
Little Layers $13.00
Little Layers II $12.00
Little Shapes $3.00
Love Without End $13.00
Love Ya Bunches $8.00
Loving Hearts $15.00
Merry $16.00
Mixed Bouquet $24.00
Mon Ami $11.00
Natural Beauty $16.00
Nature's Secret $24.00
Nice and Narrow $15.00 (small circle missing)
Occasionally $10.00
Oh, My Word $15.00
Olive You $12.00
On Gossamer Wings $24.00
Paris in Spring $20.00
Petal Prints $23.00
Petal Pushers $20.00
Phrase Starters II $15.00
Play on Words $14.00
Polka-Dot Posies $15.00
Power Up $16.00 never been used, mounted
Pretty Princess $15.00
Quick and Cute $10.00
Send a Celebration $8.00
Sew Seasonal $18.00
Shapes and Shadows $22.00
Sheltering Tree $16.00
Simple Sayings $12.00
Simple Shapes $14.00
Sketch an Event $12.00
Smorgasborders $8.00
Soft Swirls $12.00
Sparkling Summer $20.00
Sparling Season $15.00
Spring Fling $5.00
Spring Garden $15.00
Sweet of You $14.00
Sweet On You $7.00
Tags so Much $10.00
The World Over mounted, use once $12.00 (specify mounted when purchasing)
Tiny Talk $6.00
Totally Cool $15.00 *missing corner stamp
Toucan of My Love $16.00
Toy Box $25.00 1 stamp used one time
Travel Time $24.00
Trick or Treat $5.00
Very Punny $10.00 Beth
Winged Things $18.00
Wising You the Best $6.00
Wonderful Words II $15.00
Word Play $20.00 (includes coordinating wheel confetti)

Blowout Shipments Update!!

This post includes the most recently updated information as of 11/07 for shipments. Please email me with any questions you have, kylamaestas@msn.com . Please post or email when your products arrive.

To track your package please visit http://www.usps.com/ and refer to the delivery confirmation number found below.

Shipment 10/30
Karen Quattlebaum #03071790000154452901
Bobbie L #03071790000154452918
Cathrine A #03071790000154452932
Luella N #03071790000154452949
Diana G #03071790000154459894
Nicole G #03071790000154452925 (insurance ref # 13072390000005783893)*

Shipment 11/07
Linda G # 03061070000371022295
Sue Ann F # 03061070000371022288
MaryAnn M # 03061070000371022271
Becky E (UPS) # 1Z64W3126869599236

Shipment 11/08

Jen (shipped please check email)
Donna (shipped please check email)
Odile # 1Z64W3126869718008 (UPS)
Amanda # 1Z64W3126803050272 (UPS)
Marianna # 03061070000371023070

If your paypal payment has cleared and your name is not on the list above, please do not panic. My life has been absolutely crazy the last few days, although I have been unable to post, shipments continue to go out. Please email me if you have any questions. Thanks!!

Wondrous Gift of Gold

Wondrous Gift of Gold

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

I received some new organdy ribbon in the mail and couldn't wait the play. The organdy ribbon has a beautiful metallic gold on the outer edge of the ribbon, so pretty. The ornaments for the tree are 1/4" circles, I used the end of a q-tip to put a small amount of Encore! gold ink and then sprinkled Iridescent Ice embossing powder over the top and heat set. I also used the Encore! ink and embossing powder for the sentiment.

Project Details

Stamps: Wondrous Gifts, Many Merry Messages

Ink: Versmark, Encore! Gold

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss, Bravo Burgundy

Other: Organdy Ribbon (May Arts), Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Embossing Powder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Technique: Curled Paper Ribbons

Technique Tip: To create the curled paper ribbons, cut cardstock in 1 centimeter strips. Gently tie a knot or bow being careful not to tear the cardstock. Wrap the ends around a small round object (I use the paper piercing tool for my small ribbon curls, curled around the tip), pinch cardstock carefully around the object to secure the shape, and carefully release the paper.

Wondrous Gift!

Wondrous Gifts

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

This is one of the first stamp sets to make my wish list after the release of the new Fall and Winter Collection. I thought it would make the most elegant Christmas Cards. It also happens to be one of the featured sets for the Holiday Hooha class. I created an elegant card for the class and then another variation with all the trimmings.

Project Details

Stamps: Many Merry Messages, Wondrous Gift

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky

Ink: Versmark, Blue Bayou, Whisper White Craft

Other: Silver Brads, 1/4" Circle Punch, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Ivory Narrow Organdy Ribbon, Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cording. liquid applique (snow)

Technique: Heat Embossing with Classic Ink

Technique Tip: To emboss with classic ink, begin by inking stamp with versamark ink, for best results you want a think layer of versmark. Then in the stamp with classic ink. Heat set as you normally would. You can re-ink with just classic ink several times before having to re-apply versamark.

Festive Favorites... All Decked Out!

All Decked Out for the Holidays

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

I had so much fun playing with the Festive Favorites stamp set that I decided to include a few more layers and extras. I added a few extra snowmen, some paper curly ribbons and some extra liquid applique for snow. This card is definitely more my style, keeping it simple is something I have a hard time with... this seems more like me (lots of details and lost of glitter).

Project Details
Stamps: Festive Favorites

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou and Soft Sky
Ink: Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky
Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Black and White Polka-dot Ribbon (May Arts), 1/4" Circle Punch, Liquid Applique, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.

Tag-A-Palooza Craze!

Tag-A-Palooza Craze!!

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

Here are some of the sample tags that I created when designing the Tag-A-Palooza class. In creating this class I wanted to give my customers a few ways to participate.. there are 3 different ways to play (just make tags, tags and a punch, or the whole tag-a-palooza including tags, punch and a stamp set). The girls registering for the whole Tag-A-Palooza will be invited to my home a few minutes before the start of class to create 2 of the tags shown above.... I haven't picked the two tags yet... cause they are all too stinkin' cute.

Add your two cents!! Which two tags would you like to make if you were attending?

Off to the Hospital: My son is having surgery today, so I am off to the hospital in a few minutes. I would like to take a second to thank all of you who have sent emails... thoughts... and prayers. They are greatly appreciated.

More To Come! I am hoping to find some stamping time this evening or tomorrow to continue planning cards for the Holiday Hooha class. Check back for more fun and stamping... and thanks for stopping by!

Project Details

Stamps: Punch Pals
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky and Very Vanilla, Soft Sky Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky
Other: Black Polka-dot Ribbon (May Arts), White Polka-dot Ribbon (May Arts) Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cording, Silver Brads, Variety of Sizzix Dies (various tags), Variety of Stampin Up! Punches (details will be included in the word document)

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

I love Halloween, and am excited to see all the cute Halloween costumes tonight. We are planning to have lots of fun tonight. Here is a quick card I threw together using a left over tag from the Halloween Hooha projects, you can find more information about those projects by here. Hafe a fun and safe Halloween.

**My son is having surgery tomorrow so I will not be posting any new updates for the retired stamp set blowout until Friday at least. I will also not be shipping anymore packages until Friday due to tomorrow's events. Thank you for understanding!

Project Details

Stamps: Web Wishes, Booglie Eyes

Cardstock: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant

Other: 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Marvy Uchida scalloped and circle punch, Silver Brads, Pumpkin Celery and Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Polka0dot Ribbon (May Arts), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, White Gel Pen

Holiday Hooha... Many Magical Moments

Many Magical Moments

Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!

The holiday hooha class is just around the corner... I received all the stamps and goodies for this month's class today. Most of the demonstrators I know design their projects before they order their supplies... I have a more backward way of thinking. I pick the colors, supplies and stamp sets and then I design the projects when they get here. I tend to see a stamp set and instantly start seeing cards, color combination etc..

Here is the card designed for the girls who picked the Festive Favorites stamp set. I tried to keep the card fun, and simple since the girls have only a few hours to create 20 of these. I am hoping to design a few samples to show using this set, check back throughout the week to see more fun samples with this set as well as the hooha sets for this month.

Project Details

Stamps: Festive Favorites
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou and Soft Sky

Ink: Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky

Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Purely Pomagranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Black and White Polka-dot Ribbon (May Arts), 1/4" Circle Punch, Liquid Applique, Iredescent Ice Embossing Powder.