Thank You!

I just wanted to thank you for coming to my blog yesterday. Welcome to the new subscribers and followers, I appreciate your interest. I hope to post something about once a week, as soon as I get caught up from the blog frenzy and CHA.

You still have until Midnight Central time tonight to enter to win all 11 die templates. Be sure to visit Keri's blog today, Pink Lemonade, and Sally Lynn's Inky Heart on Saturday!

Thinking warm thoughts,
Beth

Spellbinders Sneak Peek Day 11

Welcome to Cookies for Breakfast! Get some coffee and your wish list, I think you’re going to need it. Today there will be a drawing for Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three and the previously revealed die templates during Spellbinders’ 5 Year Anniversary Celebration. Each day an additional die template is added to the daily giveaway list for a grand total of 16 dies on the 16th day of reveals! I wish I was eligible to enter, ‘cuz I want them all!

Commenting on this post is certainly welcome but does not enter you into the contest. This contest is sponsored directly by Spellbinders Paper Arts. Please read the post to find directions for entering the contest. If you have any questions, please e-mail ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us. Don’t forget to visit these talented ladies’ blog sites for the remaining sneak peeks! And you still have until 11:59 pm CST on January 15th to enter for Wendy Weixler’s give-away at Wickedly Wonderful Creations.

Jan. 16 Keri Lee Sereika Pink Lemonade

Jan. 17 Sally Lynn MacDonald Inky Heart

Jan. 18 Donya Schroeder Puckish

Jan. 19 Linda Duke Linda's Works of Heart

Jan. 20 Trudee Sauer Follow Your Bliss

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on Spellbinders Blog. Go check it out at Spellbinder's Blog.

Introducing Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three. What a cool die template Labels Three is, and it is so versatile. It has a unique shape as a label, as well as lending itself to use with circles and squares. I can see using Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three in layers and different sizes, as a frame with a shape cut from the center of it, and cutting this shape opening onto cards, and using it as a cover for a mini album, and so many other projects.

Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three
MSRP $24.99


Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three is another ‘must have’ for to your wish list. Is yours as long as mine? Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three is like a circle and a fancy square wrapped up in one, I mean 6! The largest size die cut is 3 5/8” square(ish) and the measurements step down in 1/2” increments. The smallest size is 1 1/8”. Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three will retail for $24.99.(Hint: “Labels Three" should be the subject of the email when you enter at the link for today’s giveaway, see rule #2 below.)

When this die template arrived at my door, I dropped everything, grabbed some scrap paper and got busy. I kept thinking of how many different ways I could use this die template, and how much I wanted to tell everyone about it, but I was sworn to secrecy, until now.

When I get a new die template I start cutting and playing with the different sizes and combinations. I did just that, and tossed the results in a pile. Then I looked at the pile and hey, look at that! I could do this faster this way and yes, that’s what I’m going to do! I think of this project as a quick but impressive card, you could make several in practically no time.

Supplies used:
S4-189 Labels Three
S4-149 Double Ended Tags ( I used the medium sized tag)
Worldwin Treasures Deep Blue cardstock
Worldwin Treasures Natural
Basic Grey Boxer – Bowling Shoes pattern cardstock
Wide Ribbon from my stash, it matched the Natural cardstock
Brads
Adhesive
Sentiment stamp from Inkadinkado
Clearsnap Colorbox Alabaster chalk ink


Cut Deep Blue cardstock to 9 ½ x 6 ½” and fold it in half. This is the base for the card.

Cut Bowing Shoes patterned cardstock to 4 ½ x 6 ¼”.Cut Natural cardstock to 4 ¼ x 6”. Adhere wide ribbon to center, and secure on the back side.

Make two piles of your Labels Three die templates; the first pile should have die numbers 1, 3, 5, and the second with die numbers 2, 4, 6.

Here’s a little thing I do with tape. I use regular household tape to keep dies from moving. Normally tape is too sticky and can damage paper, especially when it’s run through the Wizard. I take a small piece of tape, touch it to my clothes so it picks up tiny fibers, then I use it on my papers. It retains enough sticky to hold the dies, but lifts off the paper without harming it. I use the tape over and over until all the sticky is gone.



Cut a piece of Deep Blue cardstock about 4 x 4”. Place the pile with numbers 2, 4,6 cut side down. Arrange the dies so they are straight and centered. Tape them down with one of those special pieces of tape. Place the whole piece die side down onto the Spacer Plate (either the white plastic or new black magnet spacer plate will work).

Cut a piece of Deep Blue to 1x3”, the size of the S3-149 Double Ended Tag, and add those to the spacer plate as well. The sandwich for cutting in the Wizard is White Master Mat, Spacer Plate, die template with the cut side up, White Master Mat.

Feed the sandwich through the Wizard. Remove the spacer plate, place the die templates, with the cut side facing up, onto the bottom White Master Mat, cover the dies with the Tan Embossing Mat and White Master Mat, and feed the sandwich again.

Remove the tape slowly from the dies and paper and set them aside.

Take the second pile of dies with numbers 1,3,5 and line them up the same way on the patterned paper. Cut/emboss in the Wizard.

On the ribbon covered Natural cardstock, stack the medallion from the bottom, start with the largest blue, largest pattern, second blue, second pattern, and so on, turning each die cut 90 degrees from the one below it.

Stamp a sentiment on the Double Ended Tag and attach it to the Natural cardstock with brads.

Use adhesive to attach Natural piece to patterned piece, then to Deep Blue, each with about 1/8” all the way around.



This note card shows the versatility of the die template. I did nothing fancy, just layered the different sizes, and added a stamped Circle Nestability to the center. See how nicely the Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three works with squares and circles? I just love this die template!

I used Worldwin Cardstock, Just Rite Stampers, and Prima patterned paper on this card.



My last project is a star book made with Spellbinders S4-189 Labels Three. I googled "star book" for instructions. It’s a little reminder book so I can remember my goals this year. New Year’s resolutions are so commitment oriented, and well, I always mess them up. Goals are much more attainable, and the word ‘resolutions’ was too long to fit on the booklet!

The trick to making a star book is to fold the paper, then align it so the fold is inside the cut lines of the die template. Cut/emboss this way, and the folded paper allows for a double die cut. I did this for all the paper inside the book. The covers are chipboard covered in cardstock. The cover letters and numbers are rub-ons from Making Memories, the cardstock is from Worldwin, and the pattern paper is from Basic Grey. I did the inside text and my own photos on Photoshop Elements.

My goals? OK, I’ll tell you, now you’ll have to remind me: Keep on Running, Eat Right, Read More, Manage Time Wisely, and Make More Art.

The Wizard is so easy to use, and Spellbinders’ Die Templates work in all other consumer die cutting machines too! Check out these videos to actually see how easy it is to get professional looking projects with Spellbinders. Spellbinders Videos

Now, for all the details on the BIG CONTEST!

Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Sneak Peek Party Drawing Information

Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each of the 16 Spellbinders Sneak Peek Blog reveals as stated in the “Rules”. This name will be drawn to receive the die being revealed and any other dies listed as a part of said blog give-away. These entries must follow all rules stated below to be valid for the drawing.

Entrants visiting all 16 Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peeks Blog reveals and correctly entering their information into the 16 separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a full set of all 28 NEW RELEASE dies debuting at the Winter Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim, California, on January 25-28, 2009!

Rules

Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peek die give away must adhere to all of the following rules:

1. Participant must click on the provided link on Reveal blog to enter each individual drawing on sneak peeks between January 5 and January 20, 2009.

2. Participant must type in the subject line the name of the die being revealed.

3. Participant must send their entry for this blog before 12:00 midnight Central Standard Time on January 16, 2009.

4. Participant is only allowed to enter each of the 16 Spellbinders sneak peek blog give away drawings one time per sneak peek. Participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry, no exceptions. Please consider whether you will have access to the same email address from January 5th through the 20th and plan accordingly.

5. Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawings.

Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peek Grand Prize drawing, must enter the drawing from all of the 16 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.

Please note:

*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.

*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.

*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communications other than to contact the winner.

*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage and sign up for their newsletter.

If you have questions regarding the contest, please send an e-mail to ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us

Thank you for your interest and contest entries, my drawing is now closed, be sure to visit the other talented ladies' blogs and enter there.

For more Spellbinders product release information go to Spellbinders Paper Arts.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I’d love to know what you think about Labels Three, feel free to leave a comment on my blog. Please understand that your comment is not an entry into the contest. To enter the contest, scroll back up to the “click here” and follow the instructions. Have a wonderful day, stay warm, and have some cookies! I made them just for us! (Its part of my Eat Right goal! LOL)

Beth

It all starts today!!!

Oh how exciting this Spellbinder's 5th Anniversary Party is! It starts today with Debbie Olson's blog and continues for 15 more days. Here are the official rules, and here is the schedule:

Jan. 5 Debbie Olson

Jan. 6 Michelle Wooderson

Jan. 7 Holly Craft

Jan. 8 Sherry Cheever

Jan. 9 Heidi Blankenship

Jan. 10 Becca Feeken

Jan. 11 Jennifer Ellefson

Jan. 12 Sharon Harnist

Jan. 13 Jeni Calkins

Jan. 14 Wendy Weixler

Jan. 15 Beth Pingry - right here!

Jan. 16 Keri Lee Sereika

Jan. 17 Sally Lynn MacDonald
Jan. 18 Donya Schroeder

Jan. 19 Linda Duke

Get your wish list ready and good luck on the prizes!!

Here we go again!

Spellbinders is at it again! Its their 5th anniversary and they're practically giving away the farm! Starting next Monday the sneak peeks at the new release die templates are starting. Just like last summer, visit the blog, send the email from the link to register to win the die. But this time you will win not just that day's die template, but each die that has been show up to that day. So every day the prize package gets bigger. If you go to each designated blog on the designated day, and enter to win, you will be entered for the jumbo prize. Here are the official details.

See that tiny little sneak peek die template at the above link? I'm doing that one! And its super cool and fun and so versatile! I can't stop playing with it! But you'll have to wait until January 15 when I get to reveal it. I've been playing with the other new die templates too, and when I first got them I thought, hmmmm, this is interesting. I grabbed some scrap paper, started cutting and embossing, and DING DING DING, how cool is this? So very cool! You all will love these new releases, and the artwork too!

No cookies for breakfast today, I had leftover pizza. Cindy had a bite too, but now she's back upstairs by her daddy. He's been home for almost 2 weeks on vacation and she couldn't be happier. Me, I'm about ready to throw everyone out. These vacations bust up my routine and nothing gets done. I'm ready for work and school when I can finally dig out of the holiday decor, laundry and clutter. And I'm soooooo done with this weather! And 2008. OK, so it's ending on a better note than where it started, but I'm ready for 2009. Enough venting.

Here's to a great 2009 with lots more cookies, artwork and Cindy stories!

Cindy says Happy Holidays!

Spellbinders DT contest!

Spellbinders is on the hunt for their 2009 Design Team! All the details are on the blog there!

I'm back from Florida and wondering why I live in the frozen tundra. Its 4 degrees, with a -15 windchill, the garage door was frozen shut, and the salt I put on the driveway blew away. I had to drive Sparky and Spunky to their bus stops. I think its time to move to the Caribbean. But first I have to clean up the house. The boy's bathroom is almost done being retiled. When its done I can ride the vacuum around upstairs and tackle the dust and clutter downstairs. And someone is going to have to decorate the Christmas tree before Santa comes. Yikes, that 's next week, I better get going! This morning, I think I'll have fudge for breakfast!

Eye Candy for Breakfast!

Just a quick post to say head on over to Tim Holtz's blog. He's at it again this year, with the 12 tags of Christmas. I love his work, his products, and him! I've had the opportunity to take a few classes from him and have learned so much. He's got tutorials and giveaways each day.

Keep checking in at the new Spellbinder's Blog, that's were I have been posting tutorials on the Wizard. I'll be back with some Cindy photo stories, just as soon as I get back from Florida. I'm going with my BFF "Dude". I have no idea how the name Dude started, but that's what we call each other. Her mom, Jude-a-babe, and her BFF are tagging along. I can call her mom Jude-a-babe because Dude and I go wayyyyy back, way back to like 2nd grade, all throught grade school, high school, bridesmaids, children, up to now. I'll be sure to say hello to the sunshine and 78 degree weather for you all.

Back at the homestead, we've got about 2 inches of snow and more in the forecast, chilly cold wind, and one high energy Cindy who does not approve of the weather. Bull Terriers are not built for snow, although they do love a good romp around in it. That is until we get about 3 inches of snow, then we have to shovel a path for her to walk along, so she can take care of Cindy things outside without gettin her entire underside cold. And we have to keep the patio shoveled so she doesn't bring snow in on her feet. She likes comes in the house to finish the romping, running, and ball playing, around the sofa, nearly missing the Christmas tree, sliding on the wood floor, rebounding off the nice furniture... Good times, good times.

Cake for Breakfast today!

I'm serving up some cake for breakfast today. If you like the cake I posted earlier, run on over to the new Spellbinders blog and get the recipe. In today's Savvy Saturday post I've written out the directions and included some additional photos.

Happy Saturday!
Beth

New Spellbinders News

Yes, that's right, I've got new news! Spellbinders has a new website! You can find it from the old web address, which was www. spellbinders.us, or the new address, www. spellbinderspaperarts.com . Take a look-see around. There's more coming, and a few things to change and add. We've worked hard to make it more user friendly and attractive, I hope you like it.

Who wants a free Spellbinders Die Template? Be sure to enter a comment, your email address wont' show up online, and we won't sell it or use it, unless we need contact you when you win. To navigate to the Blog, go to Show and Tell, then Blog. Or just click here.

Guess who's writing it? Go ahead, guess! That's right, me! I'll be sharing some of my own artwork and and highlighting Design Team artwork to show off techniques, projects and other fun stuff. See the cake there? I made it (cue hair flipping). I'll be sharing how I made it soon, first we have to go over the basics, so keep checking in!

And I'll keep posting here, I have a ton of hilarious Cindy stories and pictures, and I'll be doing some artwork too.

Storing My Spellbinders Dies

I keep my current dies in a metal CD box from Target. I put each die on a magnet, that keeps it from rubbing up against another die and keeps the parts together on the Nestabilities and Shapeabilities. If there are several parts to a die I also put them in a ziplock type craft or sandwich bag. The magnets are from my dad, he's a realtor and gives out 5x7 magnets with yearly calendars and Bears schedules on them. I've been able to grab stacks of outdated magnets at the end of the year.

I keep similar dies together in categories. I just recently added to the categories when the new dies came last week. Now, I change my mind like the weather here in Chicago, but today I'm using the following:

Borders & Frames
Labels & Tags
Flowers & Nature
Food & Drink
Butterflies & Birds
Seasons
Feminine
Masculine
Accessories ~ another word for Misc.
Geometric (Includes Nestabilities by shape)

The 12" border dies will hang out at the end of the box for now.The categories are separated by a thick piece of chipboard. On each magnet I have the die's identification information. For my Design Team work I have to make a note of each product used. It's so much easier for me to have that at my fingertips than to look it up later. I put the SKU, the die name, the type of die, and the number of pieces it has. For the regular die user, knowing which SKUs you own will keep you from buying duplicates of dies that look similar.
For dies that look very similar, and I'm talking to you, Mr. Nestability, I write on the back side of the die and also mark that on the label. I tried to remain consistant with the pen color. For the small Nestabilities, I used a red Sharpie marker, for the large, a purple. See the little scribbles?
That helps me put the sets back together when I've got dies spread all over the table. Just be careful that when you are wielding Sharpies, you are not wearing your favorite jeans. And be sure not to drop said Sharpie point down onto said favorite jeans. I'm just sayin'.
I am careful to put the dies back in their bags and in their categories so I can find them again, but I can't say that for the rest of my art supplies. We will not be addressing the organization or lack thereof in my scrapbook room.

I do need to thank Cindy for keeping my feet warm while I type. You see, its raining out. Cindy doesn't like rain and hides in the basement from it. She gravitated to the area under my desk, so we put a dog bed there. Now I have a foot warmer and I always know where she is during bad weather. Ok, sometimes she gets tired of the dog bed and sneaks onto the couch. She's all about the cozy. But she would rather be outside playing.

All Treats, No Tricks!

Spunky and Sparky celebrated and ate candy with their friends, we hosted a sleepover of Spunky's 3 buddies. Wow, talk about a haul of candy! There was a wicked candy trading session upstairs, away from the sensitive schnoz of Cindy. I bought 2 bags of mini's, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and a combo of Snickers, Milky Way, Twix and Nestle Crunch. Then we ate them. Then I bought a bag of Nestle Crunch, because I don't like them anymore, and I did not let anyone open the bag. Then I caved and bought one more bag of Skittles and Starburst on Halloween day. We don't have a lot of trick or treaters here so I had to buy something that takes a while to chew, unlike the chocolate stuff that gets inhaled. Trust me, I only eat chocolate for its medicinal purposes.

On Halloween I got the best treat of all, my Spellbinders dies came! Yippee, I've been as anxious as the rest of the world, but I already had 7 prototype dies I got in June, unlike the rest of you. But you know how you have tons of scrapbook supplies, then you get this brilliant idea that requires that one thing you don't have?

So yesterday I released those dies into the wild, or the dining room table, that is. Yes, I do have a dedicated scrapbook room. At the moment, its all I can do to shovel a path to the computer desk. The work desk, um, there's no room to work on it right now. I need about 2 weeks worth of time standing still to overhaul the room. Anyhoo, the point of this is to say I'll be sharing how I have my dies stored. I'll take some pictures and get that up this week.

Sorry about the lack of artwork, I can't post recent stuff until I get the OK from the boss. A lot has been pulled for company use, and they get first dibs. I have not been creating regularly for a long time, but I finally feel so much better health wise. I expect to do more personal stuff to post here, bear with me.

AND in honor of Digital Scrapbook weekend, I have been doing my part for the economy at my favorite stores. One of my goals is to keep learning PSE, do more hybrid and all digi stuff, and eventually make my own kits. Can someone come over here and tag all my photos and digi stuff? It's rather tedious and I just don't have the attention span for it.