It's all about Christmas!

After about a year of thinking about and searching for somewhere to hold classes, I finally am in business! It's not that there were not a lot of places that I could rent. The problem was the cost of renting space was so high, that I could not figure out how to do it in order to keep the cost of a class reasonable and not lose money on it.

When I started a new job earlier this year at a motel/dining room complex, I immediately thought that The Salish Sea room would be perfect for holding classes! So, in October I finally had enough names on my e-mail list to offer a class. I was thrilled to get six responses!! OK, one was my Mom. This is my tables all set up, waiting for stampers. The lighting looks a bit green and dark here, but it really wasn't! The windows at the end look out onto the ocean. It was starting to get dark and I can't wait until the days get longer and we have that gorgeous view to inspire us! I was going to take pictures of the group once they got started, but I got so engrossed in everything I totally forgot!

One thing I had been hearing from the stampers I've met here is that they want to learn techniques. So I designed four cards, two of them Christmas themed, using embossing folders. I demonstrated two embossing techniques: Inlaid Embossing and the Bisque Technique. I also showed them how to use an Embosslit. Everyone said they loved the projects and were excited that they learned new techniques. Here is what they made:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Confetti Cream
Ink: Garden Green, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Stamps: Bells & Boughs, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Delightful Decorations, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Tools: Ornament Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, sponge
Other: Mini Jingles Bells, Crumb Cake seam binding, Frostwood Lodge DSP, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Tombow multi-purpose glue, Wood Sheets

For November's class, I decided to make it All About Christmas. I designed a card, a treat holder and an assortment of gift tags. It was a smaller group this time - only three - but we had lots of fun! This is the card we did, using the paper piecing technique for the snowman's body:

I call him the Flannel Snowman because the Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper makes me think of flannel shirts! Here's what I used to make this:
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Black, markers in Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Pool Party, Black
Stamps: Snow Much Fun
Tools: Decorative Label Punch, Paper Snips
Other: Frostwood Lodge DSP

Of course I had to use the Bigz L Die, Holiday Stocking, and the 1" x 8" cello bags to make a treat holder. The cuff, toe and heel are cut from the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP using the glitter polka dots. The monogram 'G' was done with my brand new set of Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlets. I used the Top Note and Two Tags dies for the gift cards. They are totally CASE'D from all the talented Stampin Up demos who graciously share their work on our demo-only web site.

These projects used:
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler (are you noticing a theme here with the Cherry Cobbler? I love this cardstock and it is the perfect Christmas red!), Naturals Ivory
Ink: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke
Stamps: Christmas Postcard, Bells & Boughs, Four Frames
Tools: Big Shot, Holiday Stocking Die, Two Tags Die, Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlets, Round Tab Punch, Crop-a-Dile, sponge
Other: Antique Brads, Crochet Trim, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP, 1" X 8" cello bags, Tombow multi-purpose glue

Just a note here about the Timeless Type Alphabet set. I have been wanting an alphabet set for a looooong time! Last year, Stampin Up decided to spoil its demos some more by giving us an extra discount on one item in our birthday month. My birthday was in October and I jumped at the chance to finally get an alphabet set!! I'm now busy researching ideas for using it in a class.

Well! This was a super-long post. I guess that's what happens when I don't post regularly. I hope some of my ideas inspire you to get working on your Christmas projects!