Stampin' Dolce: A farewell from the 2015|16 Artisan Design Team

I just told my husband that I had to go and write my final Stamin' Up! Artisan Design Team blog post. He couldn't believe that the end was here. He was also a little sad for me ... the end to a dream come true. Can you believe that I have been on the team for nearly 2 and a half years!!!

I can not put into words the gratitude that I feel for the opportunity to serve on this team. It has pushed me creatively and has enriched my blog and business offering in ways that I could never of imaged. I have made lifelong friends from around the world - most that I have never met. We chat online with each other, we know about one another's families, we share our lives and, most of all, we love and support one another. Stampin' Up! is a magical thing ... it does all of this. I have so many customers and demonstrators that have become my dear friends over the last 10 years.

December is my time to spoil my customers. I wrap up my annual stamp clubs with a Christmas party for each club and I have Christmas party for my demonstrator team. Of course I do the party decor Krista style! Here is a window into the party prep for my December events ...

The paper "bag stars" ... I had intentions of doing a tutorial or video but it so did not happen. I have been in the schools this week doing Christmas projects and cards with over 300 kids!!!!! (plus three adult night classes and the blog). I was inspired to create these with Glassine Gift Bags from The SITS girls blog! Check them out - I promise that they have a pin worthy tutorial so that you can create your own!

You may have spied that one of the paper bag stars is not stamped - this was a trial run. I used some retired bags from Stampin' Up!. It was too pretty not to share!

Before I glued my paper bags together I stamped the center of each one, front and back, with the Frosted Medallions stamp set using Basic Black Archival Ink. Just give it some dry time before you glue. I love this ink for the rich black image that is stamps but it does not dry instantly. I left mine for about 30 minutes while I stamped the matching banner.

I love me a candy table! I head to Bulk Barn Canada (a bulk shopping store that has the best candy selection ever) to purchase coordinating candy. I could not throw red candy into this mix! gasp! it just does not work people!

Each guest gets a little treat to take home. I made these little favors by cutting a 12x12 piece of Designer Series Paper into strips measuring 9-1/2" x 2-1/2". Score the strip at 2", 5", 6-1/2". Fold along the score lines.

I added four Hershey's kisses to a 2" x 8" Stampin' Up! Cello bag. I needed to trim it a bit but I just tucked it into the treat fold before I closed it and stapled it shut.

For my over the top napkin rings, I stamped the Frosted Medallions stamp set on Glassine Gift Bags (just like I did to create the paper bag star). After the ink sat a bit, I added some ribbon and sequin trim with glue dots. To finish it, I stamped the Celebrate from the It's a Celebration stamp set and cut it with the Duet Banner Punch.

I found the PERFECT napkins to tuck inside at IKEA. Talk about winning the crafting lottery!!!

I used White Stampin' Chalk Marker to write the Christmas Carol words on a piece of Basic Black cardstock that I slipped into the beautiful frame. I stamped some medallions with Smoky Slate ink and punched them. A quick zip through the sewing machine and I had the cutest little garland.

Gift bags also match - of course! The perfect finishing touch are the Christmas Trinkets Embellishments ... these are currently 50% OFF!!! (item 141997 = $5.25 CAD).

You are going to die over the center piece that I created for this party ... you will have to come back on Friday, December 16th to see it. I will be sharing it for the Fancy Friday Blog Hop. This hop comes to you the last Friday of each month (one week early in November & December because of the holidays). The Fancy Friday design team is comprised of amazing past and present Artisan Design Team Bloggers! You do not want to miss it!

A special thank-you to Kimberly VanDiepen for introducing me on the hop over the last year. I have been a KVD fan since I became a demonstrator. She was one of those designers that I was so scared to meet ... and now I can say that we are friends! pinch me!

Up next on the blog hop is the beautiful Marisa Gunn!

Marissa - I am so glad that we have become friends this year.

You are a beautiful and talented spirit. You never disappoint and impress me each time!