Remember to RSVP for the World Cardmaking Day Open House on October 3, and the Witching Decor and Season To Season Wreath classes by Friday!

Don't live near me to take the classes but want to make the kits?  Order them directly from my Stampin' Up! Online Store.  Don't forget the coordinating stamp sets and inks...and that these orders qualify for Nancy's Stamping Rewards tokens!

Note:  Stampin' Up! has warned that the quantity of Witching Decor kits is dwindling and once they're gone, they won't be restocked.  Place your order ASAP!

Paper Pumpkin's iconic red box will be going pink in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Not only that, but for each current and new subscriber's box that ships in October, Stampin' Up! will donate $1.00 to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.

One more opportunity in October for you to indulge your love of stamping and do some good in our world!  Not a subscriber yet?  Click here to sign up by October 10!

Stampin' Up! has 2 great projects to help you decorate for the coming months.  I will be offering classes the week of October 5 and beyond for you to assemble one or more of these.  You will purchase the kit, and I will provide the coordinating stamp sets and inks.  Scroll down to see pictures and videos of these projects, and then purchase your kit(s) on my website.  I will work with you to find a day and time to get your projects put together.

Please note:  kits must be purchased by September 25 to arrive in time.  Stampin' Up! has also let us know that the Witching Decor kit is going to sell out, probably this week.  Don't delay - let me know you're interested ASAP!

Stop in on Saturday, October 3, and make some cards to be used by staff at the Banner Thunderbird Pediatric Oncology Unit.  These cards are sent to the families of patients who pass away, both at that time and at the child's next birthday.  While the subject is sad, just think of how nice it will be for the staff to have handmade cards for this.

Above are four designs I've prepared so far...more will be added!   As always, I've tried to use a variety of materials and techniques.  

I've already got at least 7 people signed up...join in the fun!  This event is free, but I would appreciate an RSVP if you're planning on coming so I have enough materials prepped and snacks on hand.

World Cardmaking Day Open House
Saturday, October 3
10 am to 3 pm at Nancy's House
RSVP by September 25

For each of my monthly classes I strive to have a variety of styles and techniques.  Here's what we made in September's class:

This cute card is from Connie Babbert, and features the You're Sublime stamp set, Schoolhouse DSP and the White Perfect Accents.  So glossy and fun!

10/3  World Cardmaking Day
10 am - 3 pm Nancy's Craft Room, Scottsdale.
Drop in during this Open House to make some cards to be used by the staff at Banner Children's Thunderbird Pediatric Oncology Unit. Free, but RSVP appreciated by Friday, September 25.  

10/5-7 Season to Season Wreath ($30) and/or Witching Hat ($28) Décor Project Kits (HC pg. 6-7, pictures below)
Time TBD
RSVP and prepayment required by Friday, September 25.
Super-cute and super-fun!  Your prepayment purchases the kit, and I'll supply the coordinating stamp sets and inks so you can stamp, assemble, and take home ready-for-the-season decorations!  You can choose to do one or both projects.  Exact dates and times will be determined with participants - lots of flexibility here!  

10/13 Monthly Card Class
6:30 - 9:00 pm  Ellen's House in Peoria
$20 - all supplies provided
RSVP by noon on Sunday, October 11

10/14 Monthly Card Class
9:30 am - Noon
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, October 11

10/15 Monthly Card Class
6:30 - 9:00 pm
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, October 11

This fun fold card was another that we made in my August card class.  CASE'd from Sharon Burkert, this card combines patterns from the Pretty Petals DSP Stack with the great 2-step flower images from Wild About Flowers.  The sentiment is from the Cottage Greetings stamp set, and the ribbon is Calypso Coral Seam Binding.

Want to make great cards like this one?  Sign up for my September class and don't miss a thing!

Monthly Card Class - make 5 projects with a variety of techniques

Tuesday, September 15
6:30 - 9:00 pm
$20 - all supplies provided
Ellen's House in Peoria
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Wednesday, September 16
9:30 am - noon
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Thursday, September 17
6:30 - 9:00 pm
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Cottage Greetings Card Kit Class
Monday, September 21
9:00 am - ????
$22 - all supplies provided
RSVP and prepayment by noon on Sunday, September 13. 

This class will use the Cottage Greetings Card Kit to make 15 + 2 bonus cards.  3 will be the original kit designs, all the rest will be unique variations.

Since we are making 17 cards the class will run long (perhaps 5 hours?). However, you will have full instructions and supplies in your class packet, so you may stamp your sentiments and images and complete assembly at home.

Prepayment will be required so that I can order a kit for each person.  To pay by credit card or PayPal click on this link.  Checks should be payable to Nancy Hoetker and mailed to: 12083 E Wethersfield Dr, Scottsdale 85259.

This design that I used as one of the projects in my August class features the lovely, soft rose images on the Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper.  I cut it into rectangles and everyone filled in their large roses with Pink Pirouette or Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Markers.  Each piece of DSP had a different set of roses in a different location, which made each card unique.  

Two strips of Basic Black card stock were trimmed to asymmetric points and added to the Very Vanilla card base.  Then the DSP panels were mounted on Very Vanilla mats and added to the card with Dimensionals.  Attendees had their choice of sentiment from A Dozen Thoughts or Bravo!, and 3 pearls were added as embellishment.

Monthly Card Class - make 5 projects with a variety of techniques

Tuesday, September 15
6:30 - 9:00 pm
$20 - all supplies provided
Ellen's House in Peoria
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Wednesday, September 16
9:30 am - noon
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Thursday, September 17
6:30 - 9:00 pm
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Cottage Greetings Card Kit Class
Monday, September 21
9:00 am - ????
$22 - all supplies provided
RSVP and prepayment by noon on Sunday, September 13. 

This class will use the Cottage Greetings Card Kit to make 15 + 2 bonus cards.  3 will be the original kit designs, all the rest will be unique variations.

Since we are making 17 cards the class will run long (perhaps 5 hours?). However, you will have full instructions and supplies in your class packet, so you may stamp your sentiments and images and complete assembly at home.

Prepayment will be required so that I can order a kit for each person.  To pay by credit card or PayPal click on this link.  Checks should be payable to Nancy Hoetker and mailed to: 12083 E Wethersfield Dr, Scottsdale 85259.

Right now, first-time Paper Pumpkin subscribers can skip to savings with 50% off the first two months! Go to PaperPumpkin.com and use promo code “HALFOFF” by September 10. And each month, you’ll enjoy a fully designed project kit delivered right to your door with stamps, ink, and paper—everything cut and ready to go.

After your first two months, you’ll want to keep the creativity coming for just $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included). 

We guarantee you’ll love it, and you can cancel or suspend your membership at any time so there’s nothing holding you back. 

(For first-time subscribers only, not valid on prepaid subscriptions. Discount applied to one kit per month for the first two months of a new subscription. Offer ends September 10, 2015 at 11:50 PM (MT).)

Sign up at PaperPumpkin.com by September 10 with promo code HALFOFF!

This card, CASE'd from Joanne James, is so beautiful in person and was a big hit at my August Card Class.  The flower from You've Got This is stamped on Vellum Card Stock in VersaMark, then heat embossed with Silver Embossing Powder.  Then we used a Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Write Marker to add color to the bottom of each petal, using a Blender Pen to pull that color to the rest of the petal.  A Smoky Slate marker was used for the stem, leaves and flower center. 

The background "hatch mark" stamp was inked in Soft Sky and stamped on a panel of Soft Sky Card Stock.  The sentiment was stamped in VersaMark and embossed with Silver.  Soft Sky Seam Binding Ribbon was wrapped around and finished with a bow, and then the panel was attached to a Soft Sky card base with Dimensionals.  The vellum flower was added with Glue Dots.

Monthly Card Class - make 5 projects with a variety of techniques

Tuesday, September 15
6:30 - 9:00 pm
$20 - all supplies provided
Ellen's House in Peoria
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Wednesday, September 16
9:30 am - noon
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Thursday, September 17
6:30 - 9:00 pm
$20 - all supplies provided
Nancy's Craft Room in Scottsdale
RSVP by noon on Sunday, September 13

Cottage Greetings Card Kit Class
Monday, September 21
9:00 am - ????
$22 - all supplies provided
RSVP and prepayment by noon on Sunday, September 13. 

This class will use the Cottage Greetings Card Kit to make 15 + 2 bonus cards.  3 will be the original kit designs, all the rest will be unique variations.

Since we are making 17 cards the class will run long (perhaps 5 hours?). However, you will have full instructions and supplies in your class packet, so you may stamp your sentiments and images and complete assembly at home.

Prepayment will be required so that I can order a kit for each person.  To pay by credit card or PayPal click on this link.  Checks should be payable to Nancy Hoetker and mailed to: 12083 E Wethersfield Dr, Scottsdale 85259.

Before I knew about rubber stamping and paper crafting, I knew how to bake.  I enjoy cooking of all kinds, but I love to bake.  

Cakes, yes, especially if they don't need to be frosted or decorated (though I did finally take a class on that last fall).  Cookies, absolutely - I have favorite recipes for "everyday" cookies like oatmeal and chocolate chip, as well as all our Christmas cookie plate must-haves.  Pies - I devoted one steamy, un-airconditioned midwest summer (before kids) to learning all about making pastry crusts and great pies.  

But bread...I think I was the only kid in elementary school who used part of her Scholastic Book Fair money to purchase a bread baking cookbook, which I read and re-read countless times.  Only occasionally did I actually make bread while growing up...in fact, the only time I can really remember doing it was on a snow day (after shoveling the driveway and sidewalk, of course).  Through the years since then I've had good runs of baking different kinds of bread.  

One of the things I missed the most about having my kitchen torn up this summer was no baking.  So while it still isn't complete, I've been able to use it for several weeks now.  In addition to cooking dinner, I've put my new ovens through their paces, trying brownies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and three loaves of bread:

I'm very happy with the new kitchen.  The ovens are great, the layout works really well, and the organization of my ingredients and tools is just what I was hoping for.  

If you've read this far, thanks for allowing me to digress from paper crafting and show you what else I've been up to recently!