I've been working on bookmarks this week.  I used the Inspired by Nature stamp set, Stampin' Write markers to color the rubber before stamping, Early Espresso, Old Olive, and Naturals White card stock, a jumbo eyelet, and Early Espresso ribbon on this one:

For this one I used Crumb Cake and Naturals White card stock, Bermuda Bay DSP from a retired Prints Pack, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, an embossing folder, Basic pearls, a jumbo grommet, and Bermuda Bay ribbon.

On this one I used the Your a Gem and the retired Knobbly Gnomes stamp set, Stampin' Write markers to color the gnome, Night of Navy, Riding Hood Red, and Natural White card stock, the Square Lattice embossing folder, and a miniature art hook to hold the red and blue ribbon.

Welcome to the 15th stop on VC_Rocks July Blog hop!  VC_Rocks is a great group of women who love stamping, scrapbooking, and Stampin' Up!  If you're hopping along in order, you arrived here from Angela's blog.  If not, and you would like to see more of our creativity, continue hopping from the link at the end of this post.  You can also find a list of all the participating blogs on the VC_Rocks blog.
Our theme this month is ABC -- Anything But a Card.  My project is a Card Keeper Portfolio made from a template by Stampin' Up!  These are fun to make and great for giving a set of assorted hand made cards as a gift.  The first photo shows the keeper closed by tying the Very Vanilla ribbon into a bow.  The design on the front was case'd from a card posted on SCS by Janine Tinklenberg.

The next photo shows the card keeper open with a few cards inside.

Supply list:  Nature Walk and Sincere Salutations stamp sets; Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry, Marina Mist, and Old Olive card stock; Very Vanilla and Old Olive ribbon; brads; Stampin' Write markers.

Thanks for stopping by.  The next stop on the hop is the blog of Mary Jo Price-Williams.  Enjoy!

A cone made from the Sending Love DSP will hold sweet treats or other goodies for your Valentine. Just be sure to roll it so that nothing falls out the pointy end and use a strong glue or Sticky Strip to hold it together. This one has a few of SU's red and pink corduroy brads as accents.

Happy New Year! If you make New Year resolutions or begin a new year by organizing, this little post it note holder just might come in handy. It was made with the Delicate Dots DSP and ribbon from last year's Sale-a-bration. Tie the ribbon and it's ready to drop into your purse. Use seasonal paper and it makes a great little gift, stocking stuffer, or party favor. My friend Connie (Hi Connie!) substituted a pair of flip flops for the flower and gave one to each woman at their family beach vacation last year. Untie the ribbon and jot down a quick note with the attached pencil.

Speaking of Sale-a-bration, this year's SAB begins on Tuesday, January 5 and runs through March 31. Unfamiliar with SAB? It's a favorite Stampin' Up! annual event with 3 easy ways to get great SU products free. First, for every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping) you receive one item of your choice from the SAB brochure free. Second, host a workshop and if sales are $300 or more (before tax and shipping) chose one free item from the SAB brochure. (This is in addition to all the other great hostess benefits!) Third, become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator during Sale-a-bration and choose a free stamp set from the Idea Book and Catalog. If you haven't received an SAB brochure, let me know and I'll make sure you get one.

January 5th is also the first day to order from the new Occasions mini catalog. I'll show you a project made with one of the new stamp sets in my next post.

Are you finishing up last minute Christmas gifts? If so, here's one you can do in a hurry. Pick up some tumbled tiles at your local home improvement store to make a set of coasters. Stamp with StazOn ink and if you do any coloring, use permanent markers. I like to cover the back with cork cut from a sheet of rolled cork you can find at your local craft store.

If you have a Big Shot, you can create all sorts of little gifts. This key ring was made by gluing DSP on both sides of a thick piece of chipboard and cutting it out with my Big Shot. Add some embellishments, a few coats of Crystal Effects or Modge Podge to protect it, a key ring, and you're finished.

There are so many things that can be stamped besides cards. It is common knowledge among stampers that some of us will stamp anything that doesn't move! I don't think that describes me but I do hope to share with you a few non-card items that you might want to make for Christmas gifts. One of my favorite things to make is Christmas ornaments. My sister Sarah and I have been exchanging handmade ornaments for many, many years. The ornament below was made with the Changing Seasons retired stamp set to create the snowy scene inside. I've also made them with Santas, snowmen, candle stamps and more. Any image that will fit inside the ornament could be used. These make great gifts but you'll probably want to make an extra to keep for your own tree!