Those of you that are new to my blog might not have heard of our 12 Weeks of Christmas event that we run for our email newsletter subscribers every year. Every week, for 12 weeks we release an exclusive tutorial for a different Christmas project. Each tutorial includes a downloadable pdf handout and a video tutorial. 

This is our third year running it, and we started on September 25th – so we’re into our fifth week now.  For the first four weeks we focused on cards, for the next four weeks (including the one that just passed), we’re focusing on gift ideas, and then the final four weeks is tags and packaging. Just to give you an idea of what we’ve been sharing so far, here’s a snapshot of the last 5 weeks of projects.

Week 1: Embossed Snowflake Card – this project featured dry and heat embossing.

Week 2:  Merry Christmas Snowflake Card – in this project you learn how to put together a stunning card using die cut or punched elements

Week 3: Cracked Glass Christmas Card – this project featured the Cracked Glass heat embossing technique, and also showed you how to embed glass glitter into the cracked glass.

Week 4:  Poinsettia Card – this project is a shaped card which includes tons of gorgeous detail.

Week 5: Christmas File Folder Mini Album – this cute little album is approximately 4 1/2″ x 7″ high and features four pockets, each with a tag insert.

So there you have it.  That’s what we’ve done so far……and did I mention it’s FREE to sign up for our email newsletter?  All you have to do is fill out the form on the right hand side bar of the blog (www.andreawalford.com OR www.papercrafterslibrary.com) and then make sure you check your email to confirm your subscription.

Here’s the catch – the video portion of the tutorials are available for a LIMITED TIME only – generally only ONE week until the next project is released.  After that, the videos get moved into Paper Crafter’s Library and are only accessible to members)  So if you sign up right now, today, you’ll only be able to access the Week 5 tutorial – which is the mini album (but you can still get the pdfs of the other projects).  BUT, you’ll still get 7 more weeks of fantastic video tutorials.

When you sign up for our email newsletter, in addition to all the great free project ideas, you’re also going to be the first to hear about any new project kits or tutorials we are releasing in our Sunny Stampin’ Store, and you’ll also be first to receive any coupons or special offers.

So there you have it – if you’re looking for a weekly dose of Christmas inspiration, don’t miss out on our FREE 12 Weeks of Christmas event.

There’s a ton of reasons our Paper Crafter’s Library members rave about their memberships.   Here’s what a few of them have to say:

Thank you for this opportunity to use the Club 52 as being a member of the Papercrafters Library.  This is the best tutorial site I have ever seen.  Your clear pronunciation of each word and production of the whole videos is received very thankfully. Ilove being part of the Paper Crafter’s Library ~ Kay~

What a FABULOUS site! I love it! You and your sister are so talented! Thanks for sharing and all your hard work and time you put into it! . ~Linda~

Thank you for your fabulous site!  I love it, and it’s my “go to” site of all time!! ~Gloria~

 Not only do we have TONS of videos (almost 700!),  not only do we add new videos 4-5 days a week, not only do members get to enjoy our current and future online classes for free (i.e. Club 52 – our year long technique club), but now……

As a Paper Crafter’s Library member you will ALSO have access to the digital tutorial version of ALL of the project kits we currently have in the Sunny Stampin’ Store!  Yep, you heard that right. 

And today, we’ve posted the first one – Blitzen Holiday Planner in a DVD Tin tutorial! 

Here’s a picture of the front of the DVD tin:

The picture below shows you what the inside of the tin looks like.  On the inside cover there are three decorated envelopes which you can use to store your receipts, as well as a little pencil.  On the right side of the tin, an accordion insert pulls out with 5 pockets in all – three on the front (which you see below) and two at the back which you see in the third picture.  The tin is decorated with products from the Bo Bunny Blitzen Collection,

The pockets are perfectly sized to hold our holiday planner inserts.  The inserts themselves are sold in a bundle of 5 for $5 and include the following:

• a 15 month calendar from Oct. 2011 until December 2012 – allowing you to plan this year’s AND next year’s holiday
• A Gift buying list, where you can put the person’s name, your gift idea, the budgeted $ amount and a check-mark box
• A Stocking Stuffer list – where you can write the person’s name and the stocking stuffer ideas you have
• a Christmas Card list – where you can put the person’s name, address and a little “sent” check-mark box
• a Menu planner – where you can write down your menu ideas for any holiday gatherings

So there you have it, one more reason to become a member!

I am so sorry……..I feel like I have to say that to all of you – my wonderful readers.  I feel like I’ve let you guys down and I feel bad about it. Despite my best intentions, I just haven’t been able to balance it all - I feel like I’ve been “dropping balls” left right and center. I thought that once summer was over, things would get better.  Unfortunately it hasn’t really worked out that way. I’ve had more work than I can sanely handle, and I’ve been struggling.  As a result, the blog has really suffered.  Our goal when we started this blog was to aim for 4-5 posts a day….sorry, meant to say a week. I think we’ve been lucky to get to one a week

I’d like to say things are going to get better soon, and we’re certainly working on getting there, so please hang in there! 

Today I wanted to show you all a cute coffin-shaped treat box I created for Halloween. I had a lot of fun with the Mummy on top.  I created his eyes using a series of circle punches and a red marker to give him blood-shot eyes.  I wrapped him using cheese cloth.  I bought the cheese cloth at a fabric store and then cut it into one inch strips and wrapped it around him.  To glue the mummy to the coffin box top I used Fabri-tac adhesive.

Here’s a list of the supplies.

Stamps: Wicked Cool (Stampin’ Up!)
Ink: Colorbox Frost White Pigment Ink (Clearsnap); Riding Hood Red Stampin’ Write marker (or any other red marker, Signo White gel pen (Stampin’ Up!)
Paper: Basic Black CS, Blushing Bride CS, Whisper White CS (Stampin’ Up!)
Accessories: bone folder, Tombow Mono-Multi-Liquid glue, stamping sponge, ½” circle punch, ¾” circle punch, dotto adhesive (Stampin’ Up!); Fabri-tac (Beacon); ¼” hole punch, cheesecloth (other); Glitter Spiders (Jolee’s Boutique); acrylic graph ruler (Martha Stewart)

There is a video tutorial and pdf handout on Paper Crafter’s Library for members.

I don’t know about you all, but I just love Halloween.  We’re not one of those families that go all out and decorate our house for Halloween or throw Halloween parties, but we enjoy taking the kids out trick or Treating, and I enjoy creating all sorts of nifty Halloween projects.  We’ve got a whole bunch of them planned over the next few weeks.  Today’s card is a quick and easy one using the supplies listed below.  I have to say, Stampin’ Up!’s spider paper from the Frightful Sight collection is just too cute!  When I saw it, I immediately knew that it would go perfectly with my glittered spider stickers from Jolee’s Boutique.

Stamps: 2009 Halloween Tags (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry CS, Cajun Craze CS, Basic Black CS, Whisper White CS;  Frightful Sight DP (Stampin’ Up!)
Accessories: Limitless Layers 1 ¾” Circles die set (Papertrey Ink); Glitter Spiders (Jolees boutique); 1 ¾” circle punch (Stampin’ Up!); Craft Thread (Michael’s)