Spooky Banner Class - Part I

Last weekend we had a great Banner Class - making SPOOKY Halloween banners using the Banner kit from Stampin' Up!  We decided to change it up a bit from the way it was in the catalog. Here are the ladies making the images that would later be added to the banners.

Amber, Veta and Ginny creating!

They spritzed the different canvas banners with black and orange reinker in alcohol - using the templates that came with the kit.  Here are a few of them waiting to be assembled.

The rosette table was a hit, as the ladies folded and hot glued six rosettes for their banners.  It went so much more smoothly because we used Stampin' Ups! silicone pads.

Sarah, Kandi, Kendra and Kathy hot glue gunning away!

Here's the banner part way through the process - strung on black ribbon with little vanilla, black and orange ribbons tied by each grommet.  Then we added the rosettes and letters that we had sponged with the letter stencils. 

Stop back tomorrow to see our completed project and each individual banner up close.  ~Maureen

Appreciation Lunch gift!

Today's my last post regarding this year's downline luncheon. First a couple pictures of those of us who were there.  I think it's everyone that attended (except Toni - who had to leave early and didn't get in the pictures :( - sorry Toni) -

Heidi, Kathy B, Me, Kathy S and Julie

Heidi, Lyn, Julie, Lois and Me

We took several pics and had to get Julie in a bunch of them, as she was moving out of town right after this picture ( I mean literally right after) - but she promises to make it back often - hopefully all our quarterly meetings!!  We'll miss seeing you every month Julie- but are so excited for your new adventure - can't wait to hear all about it.

I forgot to mention what we ate, as we were so busy I didn't get a picture - but I ordered family platters from Daphne's Greek restaurant so we indulged with warm pita break, gyros, grilled chicken, rice pilaf, greek salad, and taziki sauce.  Plus I made a greek pasta salad and we got some tabouli - it was so fresh and good and pretty healthy.  Then for dessert I put out a make your own sundae spread and the ladies did just that - made their own and ate them - it was all very Yummy!!!  A special thanks to my daughter Jenee who was our food runner for all these hungry ladies - thanks hon!!

So here's the little gift that welcomed each of them to the table.  I am a coffee fanatic (as many of you know) so I wanted to do something with the Perfect Blend set - and I thought what better gift than a package of "Espresso" twine :)   The little tag is very simple with paper-piecing for the band around the cup, and the perfect saying for the day.  I decorated a little clothespin with some DSP to match my color scheme for the day and a cute tiny flower with a pearl center.  It's my new go-to way to close a package or attach a tag - because the gift recipient can re-use it in many ways - clip papers together, close a back of chips, add a magnet to the back to clip a picture and hang on the fridge - the uses are endless.  So ladies, just know, I really do appreciate all of you and your friendships!!  ~Maureen

CSL gifts - Part IV

Another round of great gifts -

Here are the beautiful hand-stamped coasters that Kathy B received in the gift exchange from Laura.  Kathy had to leave early so was not in the picture!

Kathy S got this beautiful tea set and hand stamped card and bag from Elaine.

Here is Kathy W. with her decorated coffee thermal mug and beautiful hand-made package and card from Kathy B.

See you tomorrow  ~Maureen

CSL gifts Part II

Here are some more of our great exchange gifts from our party -

Here is Darlene modeling her beautiful scarf from Delores.

And Delores with her decorated card box from Diane.

And Diane with her lovely apothecary jar from Kathy S.

 Tomorrow - a few more :)   ~Maureen

Downline Christmas Party

Yesterday was our annual Crazy Stamping Lady Christmas Party and as usual we had a great time.  Several of our regulars couldn't make it due to a family death; family illnesses and illness of one of the ladies - so our group was a little small - but those of us who were there made the best of it.  So for today I'm going to share a few pictures of all the goodies we had to eat - everyone brought something, and the food was WONDERFUL!!

Looks Yummy Huh!

More goodies!

Virginia, Theresa, Lois and Annette working on their project.

Kathy and Theresa.

Kathy, Heidi and Bobbie (Kathy in the background)

Elaine, Bobbie, Sandy, Kathy and Diane working away!

Virginia and Heidi getting the perfect embellishments!

 

And here is our final project - a rolled paper Christmas tree - this was mine, but each lady had an assortment of papers to roll and could add whatever embellishments they wanted.  If they send me pictures - I'll post their final projects!  The paper sizes are all 1 1/2" top to bottom rolled around a pencil and taped closed - the lengths were   4 1/2", 4", 3 1/2", 3", 2 1/2", 2", 1 1/2", 1" and 3/4" from bottom to top; but you could adjust for any size.  I think they turned out so cute - we put them on a paint can lid as the frame.  Let me know what you think! 

I'll be adding more pictures of some of the great Secret Sister gifts we exchanged through out the week so be sure to check back!  Thanks for stopping by.  ~Maureen