Elegant Thank You

Well, I am a little behind but I have finally made my Holiday thank you notes. I was inspired by another stamper to use the Elegant Thank You stamp that is available on the inside back cover of the catalog. I also used some expired DSP (still trying to stop my hoarding habits)! The card is Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla and the DSP.

An Easel Card

I have been seeing these cards and wanted to make one for myself. It was not very hard and I had just gotten some new toys so I thought...why not! I used Old Olive for the card, layered with Rich Razzleberry and then a piece of the new Sweet Pea DSP that is in the new occasions mini. The butterflies were are from the new embosslit die called Beautiful Wings. If you haven't tried one of these little beauties yet, well what are you waiting for? They cut and emboss all in one step! The sentiment following the butterfly is again from the Flight of the Butterfly set. Then the sentiment on the bottom of the card is one from the essential Teeny Tiny Wishes. Note the butterfly antennae...they are from the Pretties Kit.

Taking Flight

This card is also an easy one. I used Whisper White for the3 card and the only ink I used was Rich Razzleberry & White craft. I used the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and matched it with rich Razzleberry& Crushed Curry cardstocks. I love the butterflies and the new butterfly punch that matches form the Flight of the Butterfly set. I love the vellum cardstock and I stamped it and laid it over a razzleberry butterfly for a 3D effect.

Lattice Card

I finally got around to using my lattice die cut with the Big Shot to make a card. I used some retired DSP and used the colors of the DSP to make the card. It is always a challenge for me to use the Cameo Coral but I think I did it justice with this card. The colors I used were Very Vanilla, Really Rust, and Cameo Coral. I added a touch of the In Color ribbon and some punches. For this card I tried to use up scraps I had. What do you think?

Hello Card

This is a cute, bright card that is not hard to make at all. You know me, easy-peasy and simple to do. This card features a little bird (birds are all the rage this year) and some pleated ribbon.

Stamps:
Cheep Talk
Ink:
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad
Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad
Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write marker
Crushed Curry Stampin' Write marker
Soft Suede Stampin' Write marker
Paper:
Bermuda Bay card stock
Old Olive card stock
Soft Suede card stock
Whisper White card stock
Accessories
Rich Razzleberry 1/2" polka-dot grosgrain ribbon
Stampin' Dimensionals
Crystal Effects
Sizzix Big Shot
Join in the Cheer Sizzlits Decorative Strip die
Backgrounds 1 Texturz Texture Plates
Staples

Sweet Pea Scrapbook Page

Wow! Have you seen the new Sweet Pea designer papers and the felt sweet pea embellishments. They are so sweet! Ihave made cards with them and yesterday I made a new card using the Sweet Pea DSP. Today I am posting a sample from Stampin' Up! featuring both. This little scrapbook page is so cute.

Sweet Pea page (8-1/2" x 8-1/2")
Stamps: LITTLE ANGEL STAMP

Paper:
Card Stock Old Olive 8 1/2X11
Card Stock Chocolate Chip 8 1/2X11
SWEET PEA DESIGNER SERIES PAPER STACK
Ink:
Stampin Write Marker Chocolate Chip
Classic Stampin Pad Chocolate Chip
Accessories:
BUTTONS LATTE
RIBBON ORIGINALS MASTERPIECE
InstructionsSweet Pea page (8-1/2" x 8-1/2")

1. Adhere photo to Chocolate Chip page.

2. Adhere flower Sweet Pea Designer Series paper (1-3/4" x 5") to page.

3. Adhere Pumpkin Pie polka-dot Sweet Pea Designer Series paper (2-1/2" x 2-1/2") to page.

4. Stamp “Sweet pea” in Chocolate Chip ink on Old Olive card stock (2-1/2" x 2-1/2"), and adhere to page. Tie crochet thread through Latte Designer button, and adhere to page.

5. Adhere So Saffron polka-dot Designer Series paper (2-1/2" x 2-1/2") to page. Adhere thin strip of Old Olive card stock to page. Adhere Sweet Pea stitched felt to page using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

6. Journal on page using Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write marker.

7. Tie Chocolate Chip Masterpiece Ribbon Originals around page.

Keeping Christmas in our Hearts

It's never too early to be thinking about Christmas! So, this year I have decided that I will post a Christmas project/card every 25th of the month. Today is 1/25 so here is my first post.

This is a great card made by one of Stampin' Up's Artisan winners this past year. Enjoy!

Stamps:
Four the Holidays
Ink:
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper:
Old Olive card stock
Soft Suede card stock
Very Vanilla card stock
Merry Moments Designer Series paper
Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series paper
Accessories:
Mistletoe Ribbon Originals
Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware
Stampin' Dimensionals
Mini Glue Dots
Circle Scissor Plus
Small Oval punch
1/2" Circle punch
Sizzix Big Shot
Join in the Cheer Sizzlits Decorative Strip die
Perfect Details Texturz Texture Plates
Sponge Daubers

Refrigerator Magnets

I don't know why, but I have always been attracted to refrigerator magnets. Maybe it's the magnetism to the refrigerator?? Anyway, I needed another post for today so I am posting a quicky but goodie. This one involves of course, refrigerator magnets!

I have some little friends and 2 grandchildren so I wanted to make them some personalized magnets. How much fun for them to hang their artwork on the fridge with their own magnet? This is a simple project using a stamp set ( I used Lovely Letters) ink, cardstock and punches. I glued it all together using my trusty Crystal Effects.

Valentine Card

More details: Color scheme is Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Old Olive and Very Vanilla. I sprayed the background with Champagne Mist (shimmer paint/alcohol mist), which doesn't show up at all in this photo (scan?). It's very shimmery in person! The image was punched out with the wide oval punch and the "mat" underneath is created using the Designer Label Punch. Simply punch out two of them and tape them together one above the other, butting up the edges.

Helping Out with the Haitian Relief

I have always known that Stampin' Up! was a great company but today just reinforced that feeling again. As you know, on January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0+ earthquake hit Haiti. It left hundreds of thousands of people dead, homeless and suffering. I for one want to help anyway that I can and in the wake of the world's financial crisis Stampin' Up! is offering a win-win way to help. Check out their blurb here:

Stampin′ Up! demonstrators have a long history of making a difference in the lives of others--especially when disaster strikes and the need is greatest. So it was not surprising that so many demonstrators have contacted us in the past week asking what the plan is for helping to provide relief for those who continue to suffer from the effects of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12.

Here is the plan:

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set you sell (or buy) will be donated American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

You can see this stamp set on this flyer by clicking here. Just drop me a line or click here to order on my website.

A Window Box Card

I am just loving this Vintage Vogue stamp set. I got it in the new clear mounts and I am loving those too! Today I am showing you a card that I made that is what I am calling a Window Box card. The card stands on its own and does not open, it just stands on your desk or mantle looking pretty. I pulled out some colors that I have neglected lately...Sage Shadow, Bravo Burgundy and Pretty in Pink. The card uses the same amount of cardstock as a regular card, it is just cut differently. I guess you would write your message on the back of the white side. It also folds flat for mailing!

Masculine Birthday Card

Well, I am so ADD that my brains skips around all the time. It is actually surprising that I ever get anything finished! Anyway, I always have an annual Birthday Card class and this year will be no exception. I don't have the date yet, but I am working on my cards. This is one of the masculine cards we will be making. I tend to think that they are the hardest, so here is one out of the way. Stay tuned for the dates!

Another Valentine project

Today I am showcasing this quick and easy little box that I made using the Scalloped Square die from Stampin' Up! of course. I punched it out using the Pretty in Pink textured cardstock. Then I scored it like a tic-tac-toe board on every 3rd scallop. On the 4 corners, I scored from the score line diagnally to the edge. Then just punch a little hole in the 4 corners for the ribbon. I creased it and added the ribbon, tied a bow and added candy. What a great project for a friend!

We made this at my first Big Shot class that is going on for the months of Jan, Feb, and March. I broke down the cost of a Big Shot with some accessories over a 3 month period so that you could get it without breaking the bank and earn lots of FREE Sale-a-Bration goodies. Contact me for more information if you are interested in this. For only 3 payments of $57 you get $238 worth of products/services!

Vintage Vogue box

I love the Vintage look especially the more Vintage I become! Actually, I have always been drawn to antiques and old stuff. So, this new set called Vintage Vogue was one of the first things on my order from the new Occasions mini. I also got the matching wheel to go with it. Today I am showing the 1st project I made using it. I used Very Vanilla to make this great little box. I wheeled it using the Vintage wheel and Ballet Blue ink. Then I pulled out my handy Color Wheel to decide what colors I wanted to use to go with it. It called for chocolate chip and Cameo Coral. So here it is. I added a little library clip, some rhinestones and the ribbon for embellishments.

If you like this project, this is one that we will be making at my next $15 Hostess club. Come join the fun and get FREE Sale-a-Bration products. My next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7 p.m.

My Valentine Star

Ok, here is another die that I have had forever and never used. I finally pulled it out during the 2010 Snow Jam last week! This is the the 5-Point Star die that Stampin' Up! sells. I used tag board covered with DSP and cut the five points out. Then I used my Tombow multi-purpose glue and put it all together. This star is 9" wide when assembled! I embellished it with the Chocolate Chip satin ribbon and a Pretty in Pink button. I plan to hang it over my dinner table where we do most of our stamping. Being a Texas gal I don't know why I haven't made a slew of these already!

Valentine Match Box

I don't know why I waited so long to make this little box. I have had the die for about 3 months! Anyway, I pulled it out for the gals at my $15 Hostess Club and this is what we made. We added 4 nuggets and a sentiment. It was quick, easy and fun. This is one of the extra long dies and you will need to order the extended cutting pads if you use it.

Remember, now is the perfect time to load up on accessories, dies, essential adhesives etc... during Sale-a-Bration. You can get FREE things for every $50 you order. I know I am personally stocking up on adhesives and cardstock now. I mean, why not when you can choose from over 61 FREE items/stamp sets! Jump over to my website now and see what all the HYPE is about.

As a side note, some of you know that I don't always post in "real time." That means I post ahead. What a life saver since I figured out how to do this. So, I said that to let you know that I am driving to New Orleans or Nawlins for the natives. I will try to post a picture or 2 while I am there. Any suggestions on great places to eat??!!

My Brown-Eyed Susan

I saw a "ribbon" challenge on a website and thought I might do the challenge just for myself. So, I made a card that uses no stamps...just ribbons. The card is whisper white, layered with Old Olive then an old DSP that I liked. Next I cut and folded ribbons to make a flower. The corduroy button in the middle was my idea of it being a Brown-Eyed Susan. I love these flowers because they are perennial and bright!

Open House project

Today I am posting one of the Open House projects stampers made on Monday. This is a "party" box. It is little and made to be filled with goodies for a party or it could be used as wedding favor, place setting etc...

I made mine to be a Valentine goody box. The cool thing is that it does not use much cardstock at all. In fact, it is made using a quarter sheet of cardstock. You can see a video done by Patti Lee by clicking on her name. This is where I learned how to do it. After we made it and tied up one side, we loaded it with hugs and kisses candies, tied the 2nd side and voila!

A Top Note Box

If you have the Big Shot, the Top Note is one of those dies that is multi-purpose. I have seen lots of things done with it and I am posting about one I did recently with it. I made a box using it as the top and bottom for a pretty little box. My box was Very Vanilla and I used a retired DSP for the paper background. I then stamped the rose with Regal Rose and Rose Red and the leaves with Mellos Moss and Always Artichoke. I stamped the rose 3 times and cut out different sections each time. I added a little diamonds to the edge and layered it up using dimensionals. I think it turned out nicely. Now, what to put in it?? Send me any thoughts you have on filling it.

Happiness Always card

Today I am posting a card I made with a fellow demonstrator (Hi Millie!) in December. We try to get together once a month to challenge one another and share some ideas. I like her ideas because she is always over the top. She likes my ideas because mine are always so simple!

On this card we used tempting turquoise as the base, next layer is chocolate chip, another tempting turquoise and then a Kraft stamped with chocolate using the En Francois set. We used one of the new clear sets from the Occasions mini called I (heart) Hearts to stamp the hearts. The sentiment is also new from Sale-a-Bration called Whimsical Words. The little tag was stamped from the set called Teeny Tiny Wishes (a must have for all your phrases)! We added ribbon, bows and buttons to finish it off. Thanks to Millie for this great card!

Another Sweet Pea Card

Here is the promised Sweet Pea card from yesterday. As you can see it is the same layout with just a minor color change and I used different pieces of the felt. The Sweet Pea felt flowers come with 52 stitched pieces all for only $7.95. The colors used are chocolate chip, very vanilla, old olive, rose red, and pretty in pink. You can see them on page 32 of the Occasions mini. Remember, you can order anytime 24/7 here on my website.

Sweet Pea Felt Flowers

One of the new things in the Occasions mini this time is these cute felt flowers. I am always drawn to the accessories that really dress up a card or scrapbook page without too much work! My style is very simple and these are right up my alley. I made a couple of quick cards with them and I am posting one today and one tomorrow.

Stampin' Up! and Country Living have done it again!

Well, they have done it again. Stampin' Up! and Country Living magazine have joined forces to come up with a great new stamp set and accessories to help you pull off just the thing for your next dinner party or ladies night out. You can create special cards, invitations or whatever you imagine with this fun set of 3 stamp set. And the price is right at just $19.95. You can order it and just a few other things here on my website and earn a FREE Sale-a-Bration goodie while you are at it.

Open House Rescheduled!

Sorry, but Old Man Weather is not cooperating with my plan to have the Open House here tomorrow. I am going to post some photo's...folks from the North/Midwest, please laugh all you want! School was closed today for most of the north part of Georgia because we have no snow equipment and the temperature is not expected to get above freezing until Monday! Anyway, I tried to go out and we almost slid into the intersection in front of our neighborhood. Wherever there is concrete or a bridge it is solid ice and re-freezing rapidly. Safety first is my motto! We turned around and went home.

All that to say that I have rescheduled for Monday evening, 6:30-9:00. It is still drop-in style. Bring a friend or 2 and join in the festivities!

Just for You gift box

Check out this cute project done by Stampin' Up! I have added the supply list used for your enjoyment and CASEability. Enjoy.

Just for You neighbor gift Stamps Good Neighbors* Teeny Tiny Wishes Paper Kraft card stock Old Olive card stock Whisper White card stock Welcome Neighbor Designer Series paper pad* Ink Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad Accessories Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon Linen thread Stampin' Dimensionals 1/16" Circle punch 1-1/4" Circle punch Sizzix Big Shot Mini Milk Carton Bigz L die**

A Happy Hello

Look at this cute card made by demonstrator Mary Jo Albirght. She was one of the artisan award winners last year. I love looking at their monthly submissions for inspiration and ideas. One day I hope to be an artisan winner!

Stamps

• Cheep Talk

Ink

• Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad
• Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad
• Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write marker
• Crushed Curry Stampin' Write marker
• Soft Suede Stampin' Write marker

Paper

• Bermuda Bay card stock
• Old Olive card stock
• Soft Suede card stock
• Whisper White card stock

Accessories

• Rich Razzleberry 1/2" polka-dot grosgrain ribbon
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Crystal Effects
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Join in the Cheer Sizzlits Decorative Strip die
• Backgrounds 1 Texturz Texture Plates
• Staples
  

Using Your Clear Mount Stamps

Today I am posting a video done by Stampin' Up! showing you how to use your new clear mount stamps. I found it very informative and I know you will too! Click here to see the video.

Let the Sale-a-bration Begin!

Finally, I can post all the great stuff about Sale-a-Bration. The sale starts today, January 5th and goes until March 31st! That is 3 months to save and earn FREE stuff. Not only can you earn stamp sets, but this year you can also get one of the newly designed punches for FREE. All you have to do is order $50 worth of merchandise from me on Saturday, on my website or at your own party and start choosing your FREE stuff!

Coinciding with Sale-a-Bration is the new Occasions mini. It offers lots of new things not the least of which is...clear mounts for your stamps! Check out tomorrow's post on how to mount and use the new stamps!

Another Sale-a-Bration Sample

Here is the next SAB sample I made using the Happy Moments set. Tomorrow is the BIG start of Sale-a- Bration. I will have all the details in tomorrow's post plus links to see the new mini and the SAB catalog. Sorry, no pre-posting. You will just have to wait!

Don't forget...My Big Sale-a-Bration Open House will be on Saturday, January 9th at 10 AM. Stop by for a make-n-take, a chance for a door prize and some yummy treats.

Sale-a-Bration is almost here!

Demonstrators were only allowed to pre-purchase one sale-a-bration stamp set this year and I chose the new set called Happy Moments. It is a set of 7 images/words. I have made 2 samples with this set. For this sample I used the In Colors .I will post one today and one tomorrow. Check back soon for more details on Sale-a-Bration.

I Can See Clearly Now

Over the past few years, there has been a huge demand from customers and demonstrators alike for a line of repositionable clear-mount stamps. Well, you asked for it, and now you have it! Starting with the stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-a-Bration Brochure, Stampin' Up! will offer their exclusive stamped images in both wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option.

The new clear-mount stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering ease-of-use and storability that the clear-mount stamps offer. I am loving the fact that they will be stored in DVD-like cases and will fit in much smaller spaces! Here are some more features that will make you smile!

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
• Optional label images on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy

The Occasions Mini Catalog will be out January 5th along with the beginning of the Sale-a-Bration. Don't spend all your holiday cash before you get a chance to see all the new goodies from Stampin' Up!.

Be on the lookout for all the details on the 5th here on my blog. Also, remember my Open House on the 9th at 10 a.m.

Happy New Year!

Well, it is that time again. Time to set new resolutions, new goals and new ideals for ourselves. I am going to try to blog daily with more of my own samples. I am also going to try to do a home party or 2 this year! I would also like to make some money at this hobby.

This card was made using the stamp A Brand New Year in the holiday mini that will expire on the 4th of Janurary. I makes a simple yet lovely statement. The background was done using the Swirly jumbo roller. The colors are whisper white, Rich Razzleberry, and Crushed Curry. I totally CASED this card from The Stamper.