Thinking of You Card

Happy New Year's Eve! How are you doing? Have you had a wonderful holiday season? Making resolutions for 2013? I have some goals, but I don't like "making resolutions"; it never seems to stick when I do that. :D

ANYWAY. I'm here with a quick share; this year is going out as crazily as it came in; we were gone 12 hours on Sunday, and I'm not gonna be home much today, either. Kenn and I are opening a show with our Lebanon group, S.P.A.M. (Sunnyside Performing Arts Ministry) on Thursday. Watch for more details! So it's gonna be a GOOD but busy week. :)

Wow. Talk about rabbit trails. LOL Let me see if I can tell you about this card before it happens again!

We did this card for my sister's party in Texas. The card stock colors are Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, and Crumb Cake. We took a Crumb Cake ink pad and made the background quickly and painlessly; the "thinking of you" from TEENY TINY WISHES is stamped in Cajun Craze, and the tree is stamped with Garden Green. How easy was that?!?!?!

OK, I'm outta here. I need to design thank-you cards, desperately - so that will be happening this week. I've placed my pre-order for the new Occasions Mini, and also for Sale-a-bration!!!! Are you excited about them?!?!!? I so cannot wait to get my new toys, and there's SO much more I want! :D

Have a WONDERFUL day! Be sure and take the time to stamp SOMEthing! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Noel Notes

Good Friday Morning! How are you this cold morning? :D

A quick share today; do you remember me showing you this from our Christmas Stamp Camp? Well, here's another use! :)

My sister's name is Noel; in this case, it made this an easy gift - I could use a Christmas stamp in a non-traditional Christmas way! :) She absolutely LOVED it! Because I finished it in Texas, I had limited resources - but I did have the scallop edge punch. So, I punched a super-thin strip of Cajun Craze and crinkled it around the edge of the "thanks" punch. It took some doing - the card stock was super stiff for such a small circle! - but I beat it. :D

I just have to share another photo of my beautiful niece. :D She doesn't smile too much when there's a camera around; she knows she's going to get flashed in the eyes. :D But I managed to get this one.

My sweet girl! (I miss her, SO much. I don't miss the work. :D LOL!)

OK, I'm outta here. Have a wonderful day, and be sure to take the time to stamp something!!!!

I'm back! :)

So sorry I seemed to disappear - taking care of Naomi didn't seem to leave much in my daily allotment of brain cells. :D I'm glad you're still here!!!

I'm sharing another challenge scrapbook page with you today. :) I DO have some other things to share, so enjoy this today while I get photos where they need to be, etc. :) It's a bit busier than I normally design, but it was ICE! at Gaylord. So fun! :D

Have a wonderful day! Be sure and STAMP something today! Are you ready for Christmas? :D

I'm leavin', on a jet plane!

Happy Monday! Do you realize that three weeks from today is Christmas Eve?!? :D

I'm on my way to take care of this beautiful little doll for two weeks. This is another challenge layout, and I had a blast deciding which ones of my sister's shared photos to use. :D

I'm outta here. I just wanted you to know that, even with everything else on my mind, YOU were there, too! :D Have a wonderful day, and be sure to make the time to stamp SOMEthing!

Christmas Stamp Camp, LAST PROJECT!

Good Wednesday Morning! Are you having a good week? Getting LOTS accomplished? :D

Today's is a straight CASE of a project I saw on Pinterest. :D Debbie Henderson is the original designer. The only things I changed were that my new leaf die hadn't arrived, so I had to use my retired one, and the nose is small because it's the heart on the OWL punch. :D I'd like a bigger one, but didn't have one available to use. :D Maybe a circle next time...

OK, I'm outta here! :D Have a wonderful day! Be sure to take the time to STAMP something!!!!

Friday - MDS Share!

Happy Friday! After such a short work week last week, I'm sure your week has felt super-long. Got big plans this weekend? Coming to the open house? :D Coming to tell me to have a great trip? Or perhaps bringing me a cute ornament to replace the ones my suicidal Christmas tree took out with it?
:D

Anyway! This is a page I did for a SUDSOL challenge; it was a SUPER-easy sketch. I really love this one - and the DSP, while retired IRL, lives on forever after I've downloaded it from Stampin' Up! :D

I just wanted to share something quick and easy; will do the same for Monday, too, because I'll be traveling. My sister is hosting a party next Saturday, and I can't wait to meet her friends and introduce them to Stampin' Up! I sent her some samples, and she's loving them! :D

OK, I'm outta here! SOOOOOOOO much to do! I hope I'll get to see you Sunday! And regardless, be sure you make the time to STAMP something!

Christmas Stamp Camp, take 3! :D

Good Monday Morning! Goodness, it's been BUSY around here - more and more to do as the open house and my departure draw near! PHEW. :D

Today you're seeing the card and envelope we made; the card is a custom size, to fit the word - so the envelope had to be, too. It didn't take me too much time to figure it out at all, with the Simply Scored; I started off with an idea of what I needed to do from a measurement template, and tweaked it to perfectly fit out cards. :)

OK, I'm outta here!!! You won't BELIEVE how busy I am. WHEW. Say a prayer or two for me, will ya? :D Have a WONDERFUL day! Don't forget to go STAMP something!!!!

Hostess Stamp Camp, Take 2!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Are you still full from yesterday? Are your festivities continuing today? Are you decorating for Christmas this weekend, or are you already done? :)

Today's ORIGINAL idea came from this blog; I say "original" like that because I had to figure out the measurements for myself. Hers is in metric, but the conversion of the numbers doesn't work out correctly. So, I did it. :D

I mean, isn't it ADORABLE?!?!? And you can do the note paper stamping either way, too. :)

OK, outta here quickly. SOOOO much to do still! I hope you're coming to the open house! :)

Have a wonderful weekend! Be sure to make the time to STAMP something!

Christmas Stamp Camp, Take 1

Tomorrow is THANKSGIVING. And I want you to know: I'm so thankful for you! :) Thank you for finding me, for sticking around even when I'm not here, and for the encouragement you give me. I definitely count YOU in my blessings!

So. This was one of the projects we did at the Christmas stamp camp last week; we did four total projects, and you'll get to see them. I'll give you websites, too. We had a wonderful time, and part of the true value in taking these classes is so I can help with working out directions, etc. Some of these aren't so easy to figure out.... :D

Here's the link to this one. It's a really cool, no-cutting bag. Seriously. NO CUTTING. It's pretty awesome. :D

OK, I'm outta here - baking for tomorrow AND the open house. I hope your Thanksgiving is time spent with family or friends, that you're warm, safe, and fed, and that you know you're loved beyond all measure by the One Who created you.

Hostess Appreciation Luncheon 2012

Happy Monday! WHEW, what a weekend! I have lots to show you; if you're here from Life's Little Pleasures, WELCOME! In case you're HERE, wondering why they'd be coming from my review blog, you'll see in a moment. :D

Today, I'm going to show you the invitation and things we did for the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon. This year has been pretty quiet, business-wise; with our photo business going so much, and travel, I've depended largely on my hostess club for business. Some of you have ordered, too - THANK YOU! And then there are the people who had catalog parties - THANK YOU,  TOO!!! :D I couldn't do this without everyone who is involved somehow. And I love what I do! :D

So. This picture is the table set for lunch. There's LOTS of room, if you would like to join us next year! :D

And this is the invitation they received, telling them the details for this year's luncheon.

And this....


is MY place setting at the table!

(Napkins are from Hobby Lobby, if anyone's wondering! :D )


The menu will unfold over at my review blog, as listed above, during this week - and perhaps the next, partially. :D But today's post is my review of the table favor's recipe. If you want it, just go HERE!

Meanwhile, here's a photo of my table favor. Kenn got to eat it during Saturday night's Oregon game.... :D


Let's see. You know, I'm not going to post the projects we did. We didn't ink a stamp,  but they were great. One was to help manage their supplies, and one was a 3D gift-type thing. I think they were both well-received.

Here are my wonderful girls. THANK YOU, LADIES!!!

ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA 2012!!!!

Dates: November 19-28, 2012

Details

The Online Extravaganza promotion is our biggest online sale of the year! We want to make it easier for you to shop during a time when lots of people are doing their holiday shopping, but not necessarily holding Stampin' Up! parties.

So during these 10 days only, you can get incredible discounts-up to 50 percent-on some of your favorite products! Just go to MY BUSINESS SITE and click on the SHOP NOW button on the top right!

In addition, there will be three products 20 percent off for 24-hours only on both the first and last days of Online Extravaganza-our very own doorbusters! Woot!

Monday, November 19, midnight - 11:50 PM (MT)

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
181	125586	Simply Scored Diagonal Plate	$11.95	$9.56
186	113439	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine	$99.95	$79.96
186	113474	Big Shot Doctor's Bag	$69.95	$55.96

Wednesday, November 28, midnight - 11:50 PM (MT)

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
7	118941	Clear Block Bundle (Blocks A-I)	$66.95	$53.56
7	120279	Clear Block Storage Caddy	$16.95	$13.56
175	109127	Stack & Store Caddy	$34.95	$27.96

• Discounts range between 20 and 50 percent--awesome!
• Discounted products are available on all order types (customer, workshop, and online).
• There's no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion. Sale on!
• For product bundles, you need to use the bundle item numbers provided. If you use individual item numbers, you won't get the discount--bummer.
• You can buy additional products from any of our current catalogs on the same order. 

Rhoda/Stilger Annual Christmas Open House!
Sunday, December 2
3:30 - 6:00 p.m.If you've never been here for our Open House, you need to come. Many of our friends make it one of their annual family events. Yes, your whole family is invited! No, you don't need to bring anything. :) Just come and enjoy the beginning of the season with us. And you MUST eat! :D (I'll be getting on a plane the very next day to go take care of my niece for 2 weeks! :D ) I really, REALLY hope you'll come. There's nothing to do with stamping, I promise. :D

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! 

Last Hostess Club Project! :)

Good Friday Morning!

Are you glad Friday's here? Me, I'm just glad to finally know what day of the week it is! :D Wednesday seemed like Monday - I asked Kenn if he was going to watch Monday Night Football! - and Thursday seemed like Tuesday - and you don't wanna hear the story about that one. :D

So, anyway. :D For almost any party I do, we do two cards and a 3D project. And the sour cream container is one of the easiest EVER.

You can't really tell in this photo, but the ink on the tag is the Illuminate Pad that's in the holiday mini; it's got lots of shimmer in it! But we also used the ink on the vellum with a starburst sort of stamp from DELIGHTFUL DECORATIONS. It adds a subtle bit of BLING - I promise, these look much fancier in real life. :D

I'm going to warn you: I don't know what this blog will look like for the next month or so. I'm going to attempt to continue dutifully, but people! it's almost open house! Do you know what kind of days I'm having?!?!? :D And the day after open house, I fly away for two weeks. And for those two weeks, you MAY get pictures of my niece! :D

OK, I'm outta here. Have a WONDERFUL weekend - and take the time to STAMP something! Are you done with your Christmas cards???? :D

Second Hostess Club Project!

Hey, y'all! A really quick post today - AUGH!!!!!!! Time FLIES!!!!!!!! :D Are you planning to come to my open house on the 2nd?

Anyway. :D You probably recognize most of this card - it's the one I won the contest with from Chattanooga Regionals, just done in Cherry Cobbler instead of Midnight Muse.

I really do love the COME TO BETHLEHEM set! I know you see it a lot from me, but it's so easy to make a great card with it! :)

As always, if you have any questions, zip 'em to me! :D I'm off to get into another project - now, YOU go stamp something! :D

Happy Fall!

Hello! What a BEAUTIFUL weekend it was here! Did you have a good weekend? Did you take time to stamp? Kenn and I finished up NINE DOZEN CHRISTMAS CARDS Friday night. My November is scaring me, I have so much to do - but not that! :D

This is one of the projects we did for our hostess club last week. I saw something like it on a blog, and decided to modify it to make ME happy. :D Isn't it pretty?

Barb: the woodgrain piece is dragged with versamark after running through for the texture, then heat embossed with clear EP.

Colors are Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, More Mustard, and Very Vanilla.

I just really like this card! :D

OK, I'm off - too much to do to sit still. :D Have a WONDERFUL day - and be sure to MAKE the time to stamp something!! :)

Have you gotten your free downloads yet???

Seriously. FREE. Usable with any scrapbooking software or MY DIGITAL STUDIO. Heck, while you're there, download MDS2 for a free 30-day trial! You're going to LOVE it, I tell you!!! :D

Here's another page I made for a challenge, using MDS. I love my book!!! (Oh, and this one won me a prize, too! :D )

Digital Scrapbooking Week Continues!

This is another challenge page! :) But I want you to know you can still get your free downloads, and get the discount on the digital scrapbooking kits! Go to my business site, and click on the SHOP NOW button! :)

Have a WONDERFUL day! SCRAP something! :D

Two pages using the FREE DOWNLOADS!!!

If you haven't gotten your free downloads yet, go check out http://mydigitalstudio.net! THREE FREE DOWNLOADS, and they're usable with MDS OR any other scrapbooking software! These took me maybe five minutes each - I love MY DIGITAL STUDIO!! :)

Don't forget: you can click on the pictures and see them in a larger size. :) To check out ALL the specials today - and ALL STAMPS ARE ON SALE FOR 15% OFF! - check out this blog post!

HAPPY DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY!!!!

Good Monday Morning! Today's THE day - big goings-on at Stampin' Up!
Please be sure and go through my business site - just click the SHOP NOW button on the top right-hand corner!
First, ALL STAMPS ARE ON SALE FOR 15% OFF!!!!!!!! TODAY ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it's a contest, so PLEASE, if you've been wanting a stamp set, GET IT! :D I've NEVER seen Stampin' Up! do this huge of a sale before. So get busy! :D
Here are the details:

Sell-A-Stamp Spooktacular For one day only, you will get 15 percent off almost every stamp we sell! The goal is to sell more stamps in a single day than ever before! Starting at 12:00 AM (MT) and ending at 11:50 PM (MT), almost every stamp we sell will be 15 percent off. This means all stamps in the current catalogs including Background stamps Personalized name stamps Incentive stamp sets from the supply list Cookie press stamps Single-image stamps This DOES NOT include Hostess sets Bundled stamp sets Digital stamp brush sets There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can order. Seriously! This is an AWESOME sale - in my 11 years with Stampin' Up!, I've NEVER seen them put all of the stamps on sale at one time!!!!!!! You can place your order yourself; please make sure you go through my business site, so you get the discounts you deserve, and I can get the credit for your purchase. :) Just cl;ick on the SHOP NOW button on the top right. Or, you can call or email me to place your order with your credit card. I won't be available from 5 - 9:30 p.m., however. 615-497-4532, poohisstampin@aol.com Please don't miss out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This chart should help with figuring out what your savings will be. :) Original            Sale Price               Price 6.95                 5.91 7.95                 6.76 8.95                 7.61 9.95                 8.46 10.95               9.31 11.95              10.16 12.95              11.01 13.95              11.86 14.95              12.71 15.95              13.56 16.95              14.41 17.95              15.26 18.95              16.11 19.95              16.96 20.95              17.81 21.95              18.66 22.95              19.51 23.95              20.36 24.95              21.21 25.95              22.06 26.95              22.91 27.95              23.76 28.95              24.61 29.95              25.46 30.95              26.31 31.95              27.16 32.95              28.01 33.95              28.86 34.95              29.71 35.95              30.56 36.95              31.41 37.95              32.26 38.95              33.11 39.95              33.96 40.95              34.81 41.95              35.66 42.95              36.51 43.95              37.36 44.95              38.21 45.95              39.06 46.95              39.91

Secondly, ALL DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING KITS ARE 50% OFF THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I'll be back later, to show you a page I designed with the FREE DOWNLOADS!!!!)
See the list of kits below.

Item	Designer Kit	Retail Value	Sale Price 50% Off
130861	Afternoon Daydream Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129928	Afternoon Tea II Kit	$9.95	$4.97
119839	Always Elegant Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129358	Attic Boutique Kit	$9.95	$4.97
122175	Autumn Spice Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127600	Autumn Traditions Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130969	Bandstand Kit	$7.95	$3.97
130970	Be of Good Cheer Kit	$7.95	$3.97
123728	Celebrations Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130982	Chevron Punch Kit	$7.95	$3.97
123956	Christmas Cheer Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
120880	Christmas Cocoa II Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127362	Convention 2011 Digital Photo Kit	$9.95	$4.97
128876	Day in the Life Kit	$14.95	$7.47
130059	Fifty Nifty Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130062	File it Fun Kit	$7.95	$3.97
131228	Friendship Preserves Kit	$3.95	$1.97
128875	Frosty Days II Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129924	Get it Done Kit	$5.95	$2.97
129870	Good Times II Kit	$7.95	$3.97
118465	Happy Birthday Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
128872	Holiday Harmony Kit	$7.95	$3.97
127773	Holly Berry Bouquet	$9.95	$4.97
118466	Hoppy Memories Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
128999	It's all Me Kit	$9.95	$4.97
130850	Joyful Times Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124230	Just Add Cake Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
124446	Leadership 2011 Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124568	Leadership 2011 Digital Photo Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124443	Love Birds Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131231	Lovely Little Labels Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129359	Mixed Bunch Kit	$7.95	$3.97
119978	My Sweet Pea Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
132264	Neon Notes Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129898	New Heights Kit	$7.95	$3.97
122174	Nite Owl Digital Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129340	Number One Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129360	On the Go Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124463	One Great Year Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131360	Ornament Keepsakes Kit	$6.95	$3.47
127599	Party Animal Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131226	Picture This Kit	$4.95	$2.47
130851	Pinwheels on Parade Kit	$7.95	$3.97
126027	Playful Polka Dots Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131227	Providences of Provinces Kit	$7.95	$3.97
130983	Raspberry Splash Kit	$7.95	$3.97
118869	Recipes By Design Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127163	Red, White, and Blue Digital Kit	$5.95	$2.97
130060	Season By Season Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127587	Sending Glad Tidings Designer Tags Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129605	Special Delivery Bright Kit	$7.95	$3.97
129606	Special Delivery Subtle Kit	$7.95	$3.97
127759	Spice Cake Kit	$5.95	$2.97
130852	Spring Break II Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129608	Spring Fever Kit	$7.95	$3.97
130076	Summer Happiness Kit	$9.95	$4.97
118464	Summer Home Digital Kit	$14.95	$7.47
129601	Summer Smooches Kit	$9.95	$4.97
124229	Sunset Serenade Digital Kit	$5.95	$2.97
129339	Sweet Shop Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129882	Tea Time II Digital Kit	$7.95	$3.97
132190	That's a Wrap Kit	$7.95	$3.97
127431	Tickets & Tags Kit	$9.95	$4.97
125757	Tickets & Tokens II Digital Kit	$7.95	$3.97
131217	Topsy-Turvey Celebration Kit	$9.95	$4.97
121071	Travel Journal Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
126022	Travel Log Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129332	Twitterpated Kit	$9.95	$4.97
129607	Walk in the Park Kit	$9.95	$4.97
132567	Winter Wonders Kit	$9.95	$4.97
127609	Wicked Fun Kit	$9.95	$4.97
131218	Wonderfall Kit	$7.95	$3.97
120881	Write Stuff II Digital Kit	$9.95	$4.97
128883	You're My Sunshine Kit	$7.95	$3.97

It's beginning to look a LOT like...

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's RIGHT! There's a tree up on the sun porch!!!!! :D Because of how soon our open house is this year (Dec. 2; I hope it's already on your calendar!!), we start early. The main common room - my studio - won't be decorated until after Thanksgiving, but the rest of the downstairs will be done by then. Mom does a room a week! :D I'm LOVING sitting at my desk,, seeing the beautiful trees out in the yard and the decorations inside! :D

So, I had to take this Christmas card's photo on the tree. I mean, it's THERE. :D

This is a card I did with a scrap from today's 12 Weeks of Christmas project. I'd REALLY love to know if you liked that video or not!

Anyway. Here's the recipe! :)

Card stock: Real Red, Gumball Green, Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Versamark

Stamp sets: Greetings of the Season, Scentsational Season

Accessories: Fancy Favor Bigz Die, Big Shot, silver embossing powder, heat tool, basic rhinestone, SNAIL

See?? Think outside the box when you're creating - and think about challenging yourself to using only a card base plus already-punched, scrap pieces to create a beautiful card! :D (Ink, too - just no new pieces of CS cut! :D )

OK, I'm outta here. SO much to do, I'm goin' crazy! :D Have a WONDERFUL weekend, and be sure to take the time to STAMP something! Christmas is on its way! :D

Another CASE Challenge!

Good Wednesday afternoon! I've got to tell you, the weather outside my window is completely distracting me. What a glorious day!

So, this post will be short and sweet. :D

Today's another SUDSOL CASE (copy and steal everything!) challenge; it's also from our Stampin' Up!® demonstrators' magazine, so I can't show you the original. But mine's not too far away this time. :D

 The detail on the star is further down the page here, so you can see what I did. :D But here's the "recipe"; if you have any questions, ask! :D

Stamp sets: Evergreen, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Card Stock: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi

Ink: Whisper White, Versamark

 Accessories: Heat tool, white embossing powder, Wild Wasabi embossing powder, basic Rhinestones, Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit (DSP), Big Shot, Top Note Die, platinum embossing powder, small oval punch, 1/16" circle punch, Cherry Cobbler baker's twine, corner rounder, SNAIL, dimensionals

It's so much fun to do something unexpected; I've gotten several comments on how great the Wild Wasabi EP looks on the Night of Navy card stock. :D That's what I love about colored embossing powder; it holds its color on any color card stock!

OK, I'm outta here. You know, I still love stampin' after all these years - look how wordy this post is. :D

Have a WONDERFUL day! Be sure and take the time to STAMP something! :D

CASE Challenge from SUDSOL

Good afternoon, my friends! Did you have a good weekend? I must say, I am certainly keeping busy!!! :) PHEW.

Ginny asked about SUDSOL, and what it stood for. It's Stampin' Up! Demonstrators Sharing OnLine. :) SUDSOL. It's a group for demonstrators only, who share business tips and challenge each other and help each other. :)

Last week's challenge was of a card found in our demonstrators' magazine, Stampin' Success. So, I can't show you the card. But trust me, it was rather boring. I didn't like the original, and I'm not overly-thrilled with my version. :D But it's sparkly, and I like that. :D

 

So, I used Midnight Muse as the background - I really like that color. :) I put the brushed silver and gold through embossing folders, to get the feeling of different paper - here's a close-up of them. I think one of the things I REALLY didn't like about the original was its simplicity. I mean, I like simplicity, but not THAT much. :D And y'all know me by now - I need to have SOME texture on it. This gave that, plus a little bit of depth. No flatness here! :D

 The background is spritzed with Gold Glow and some Frost White I mixed up. Then there's the rhinestone "star" at the top of the "tree". :D And that "Greetings of the Season"? I really love the beautiful word images in this set. I hope it makes it into the new Idea Book for next year, too!!! :)

OK,I'm outta here. I hope you have a WONDERFUL day! And that you are making the time to STAMP something!!! :)

Friday is just for you today! :)

Good Friday Morning! Are you having a great day? Do you have big plans for this weekend? It's going to be GLORIOUS weather here in middle Tennessee. The trees are lovely, the sun is shining, and the sky has been truly BLUE. :)

Today's card is one I designed especially for you. I wanted to do something to show you how the new Illuminate pad works. I made sure my music staff roller was completely cleaned off, then inked it up in the Illuminate pad and rolled it on that Midnight Muse. Think Frost White Shimmer Paint meets VersaMark - it's a soft, shimmery white. It didn't quite have enough sparkle for me, though, so I used a spritzer with alcohol and Frost White Shimmer Paint in it to add just a bit more shimmer.

NOTE: That "tidings of comfort & joy" is from the WORD PLAY set, which is one of the stamp sets that Stampin' Up! is selling per stamp right now. It's such a fun stamp set! If you don't have a lot of money to invest in the whole set, I'd highly recommend taking a look at getting a few of the stamps from it while you can get them "piecemeal". :)

Here's the "recipe". If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!

Card stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, Brushed Gold

Ink: Illuminate, VersaMark

Stamp set: Word Play

Accessories: corner rounder, dimensionals, Music Notes standard wheel and handle, heat tool, gold embossing powder, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Delights

That hardest part of anything I use it on is waiting for Dazzling Delights (or Crystal Effects!!!) to dry without putting my finger into it. :D

OK, I'm outta here. I guess I was kind of wordy today! LOL I would love to hear from you about the 12 Weeks projects I've shown so far this year in your email; please let me know what you think. :) I feel like I'm whistling in the dark. :D

Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Take the time to STAMP something - the holiday season starts NOW! :D

Did you miss me? :)

Hi, y'all! Sorry I didn't show up on Monday; between being sick and incredibly BUSY, I just didn't get a chance to blog. I do apologize, but every now and then, one needs to breathe. :)

Are you on my email list? If not, leave me a comment with your email address, and I'll add you in; this Friday, I'll be sending out the third in the TWELVE WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS emails. I'm HOPING to do video, if I can stop coughing long enough to tape it. :D If not, it'll be another picture tutorial - but I can't wait to share it. :)

Today's card is another SUDSOL challenge card; this challenge was to take a designated card from the Idea Book and change it up a bit if you wanted - or straight CASE it. Mine? Except for the layout, TOTALLY different. :D

Card stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Brushed Gold

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Stamp set: Greetings of the Season

Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, white gel pen, corner rounder, Be of Good Cheer DSP, 1-3/8" square punch (to dovetail the ribbon), Dimensionals

It's definitely different from what I normally would do, but I like it. :D

OK, I'm outta here. Trying to pace myself; so much to do, only so much air my lungs will take in at this moment. :D Have a WONDERFUL day, and be sure to make the time to STAMP something!

Faux Mother-of-Pearl

It's FRIDAY!!! And it's only two day's until Kenn's birthday! (If you want to leave a comment to wish him a Happy Birthday, I'll pass them on!:D) Happy Birthday, Love!

Anyway. :D This isn't HIS card. It's another challenge card from SUDSOL, on a technique - they pick it, you do it and design your card around it. And I really like how this came out!

Card stock: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Wistful Wisteria

Stamp set: Easy Events

Ink: Black Stazon, Wistful Wisteria

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, dimensionals, Frost White Shimmer Paint (Yes, it's that time of year when you should ALL invest in another bottle of that stuff! It's wonderful!), brayer, Wistful Wisteria and Elegant Eggplant Stampin' Write Markers

And I designed our Christmas card this week. :D It's gonna take some time to crank them out - but when doesn't it!?!??! :D

OK, I'm outta here. have a WONDERFUL day, and be sure to TAKE the time to stamp something! ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

Last Monday

Good Wednesday morning! How are you today? I have to go to my doctor's today; I cannot tell you how much I despise going. Not looking forward to it, but it's a necessary evil if I want to continue to get my medications. And MAYBE she'll help me with this awful cough!

ANYWAY. :D If you missed the free night last Monday, you missed a lot. You can go check out my review blog today for the second item I made; Monday's review was for the first. :D

We had a great time. We ate, and chatted, and checked out all the samples I brought back from Chattanooga, and looked at the cards I've made recently, and then we made this card - and I gave a handout for it, too!

The color's a TINY bit off - it's always hard with Very Vanilla and my monitor. :D The other colors are Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, and More Mustard.

It was a fun, relaxing evening together.

I hope you can come to the next class;you can always check out my online calendar to see my schedule. And I'd LOVE to do a girls' night out with your group, or have a private class with you, or even have a party - just pick a couple of nights where nothing's showing on that calendar, and let me know! :)

OK, I'm outta here. Have a WONDERFUL day, and be sure to make the time to STAMP something!

Another Sketch Challenge Card!

Good Monday Morning!

Gravy, has my weekend been SLAMMED with stuff. And I'm coughing, STILL, and UGH. :D

Anyway. Today's share is a card that I did for a SUDSOL challenge; it was a sketch, and this is what I came up with.

Card stock: Pacific Point, Whisper White

Ink: Pacific Point, VersaMark

Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Chock Full-O Cheer

Accessories: Silver glimmer paper, 1-3/8" square punch, 1-3/4" circle punch, 2;1/2" scallop circle punch, white embossing powder, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Smoosh Spritz, basic rhinestones, Dimensionals

If you have ANY questions on how or what I did, please don't hesitate to ask! And YES, Ginny, that lovely Silver Glimmer Paper *is* a Stampin' Up! product. :D It's VERY sparkly!!

Have a WONDERFUL day! Be sure and make the time to STAMP something!!

Decorating Canned Gifts

Good Friday Morning! Goodness, how did we get to the first Friday in October already?!??!?!

Today, I'm doing a crossover post; if you didn't know, I started a review blog a few months back. Today's post is a review of this lemon curd; if you're interested, or just curious :D, please go check out Life's Little Pleasures! :) (Punches, DSP, and twine are © Stampin' Up!®)

Do you see what I did?!?!? Using the big shot and the scallop circle die, I cut that fabric for the lid insert in 30 seconds. And you can cut 5? 10? at a time. It will depend on your fabric thickness and what types of fiber you use. My mom got a fabric remnant box at a garage sale; I picked out the ones I wanted to use, and we passed on the rest of the remnants to someone else. But I got like 200 or so lid inserts from just a few remnants!

The label's just as easy. Because the curd needs to be refrigerated, none of the adhesives will easily stick to the jar. So, I used the decorative label punch and the modern label punch, with Whisper White card stock and Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper for the label. I hand-wrote the name of the contents, and the date of its making, onto the label and put them together with some SNAIL. I punched a 1/8" hole on either side, and used Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine to go through and tie the label on the back of the jar.

SUPER easy, and that was just without any planning. You could DEFINITELY get coordinating Stampin' Up! fabric and DSP for ALL your gifts. These would also make great merchandise for a fall bazaar, if you have things to sell!

OK, I'm OUTTA here. :D Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Be sure to take the time to STAMP something! :)

The Design That Didn't Make It

Good Wednesday! :) Hope you're having a great week! :) This post should be short and sweet compared to Monday's. :D

So. I haven't shown you the original swap design that I had almost done before I realized the stamp set was discontinued. And this isn't it, either. :D This is what I tried, to salvage ALL the card stock I had cut already! But I didn't like it ENOUGH to do a professional demo swap, you know?

Anyway. :D Here's the recipe; if you have ANY questions about how I did anything, please don't hesitate to ask!

Card stock: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft, Cajun Craze, Garden Green, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake

Stamp sets: Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Accessories: Big Shot, Woodgrain texturz folder, modern label punch, sponges, dimensionals, clear embossing powder, heat tool, SNAIL

That's it! :D Have a WONDERFUL day! Take the time to stamp something!!!!

Ink Pad Maintenance

Good Monday Morning! How was your weekend? Mine was JAM-packed. Again. :D

Today I want to talk about something that I'm concerned about. Not WORRIED, per se, but I don't think it gets enough attention. And that's your ink pad maintenance.

Granted, your ink pads will last a LONG time. Especially the NEW ones; all you'll need to do is ink them once in a while. But you DO need to do that.

Currently, I'm seeing very few people purchase the re-inker when they purchase a new stamp pad. I usually hear, "I'll do it later" - and I'm guilty of that. I mean, that IS another $2.95 I can spend on something else. (Usually DIMENSIONALS, right, Mary?? :D)

But when Stampin' Up! does their color shift - and they WILL be doing one soon, I have a feeling! - you don't want to be stuck without your favorite color. AND the color batches change over time; unless they go back to the original formulas on purpose, which they did several years ago, you really can't tell too often how much they drift away from the original color. But OH, do they! For instance, the Real Red had become more pink than red, and you couldn't see it until the new formula of either card stock or ink arrived at your house.

I can't suggest this enough: if you have a favorite color of ink, purchase the re-inker at the same time as your stamp pad!

Re-inking is SUPER easy. And I have pictures to help you! :D
First, make sure you use the same color re-inker as your stamp pad. This one is Sahara Sand; the first re-inker I grabbed was Basic Black. SO not good! So double-check. Better safe than sorry! :D

 Now, open your pad and squeeze some drops of ink onto your pad. Don't forget the edges; they'll dry out faster than the middle of your pad. Even if it doesn't seem to be absorbing at first, let is sit. Then try one more drop where it didn't seem to be absorbing; you might be surprised at how quickly it gets sucked in this time! :D It takes a bit of priming, especially on the old pads. The new foam ones, I haven't had one dry out enough to have to re-ink yet.


 I remember the first time I ever re-inked my pads. It was maybe three or four years after I'd started stamping; I thought my images were still inked beautifully. :D Imagine my surprise when I stamped after re-inking!!!!

Now, another thing you can do to maintain your older pads, AND keep them from drying out too quickly, is  - well, see this little thread? It's acting like a wick, to bring ink from your pad out to where the air can dry it. And it looks messy, and if you're trying to use your pad to put ink directly on your paper, it can cause a little problem. So let's get rid of it.

Seriously. Just take your paper snips and cut it off. Or anything you cut string or ribbon with.

If you want, you can clean your pad case with a damp paper towel, I don't worry about the insides of my cases - and sometimes, not even the outside! :D I watercolor, and know that I can "clean" the case and use the ink when I do so.

 OK. I'm glad I got that off my chest. :D If you take care of your tools, they'll last you a long, long time - and you can use that money it would take to replace them for other fun things. Like GLITTER! (Right, Amy?!?! :D)

I'm OUTTA here! Have a wonderful day! Be SURE to take the time to STAMP something - QUICK! We're headed for CHRISTMAS!!!!! :D

SUDSOL Sketch Challenge Entry

Good FRIDAY Morning! Have you had a good week? I got notified today that the things I ordered for my prize are on their way here. I'm so excited! LOL!

Today, I'm showing off the card I made to meet the sketch challenge with SUDSOL this week. I really, really like it!

Now, I will tell you this: the red glitter paper scallop isn't securely stuck down. I'm out of Tombow Multi, so until I get it, there's not a lot that will make it stay down. But I really like this card!

Here's the "recipe" - if you have ANY questions about what I used, or what I did, please let me know!

Card stock: Whisper White, Real Red, Early Espresso, Silver Glitter Paper, Red Glitter Paper

Stamp sets: Lovely as a Tree, Come to Bethlehem

Ink: Whisper White craft, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker, 3/4" circle punch, white embossing powder, Embossing Buddy, heat tool, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details, Snail, Dimensionals

The card's on an easel, and it's at my eye level, so the top of the card is slanting away - that's why it seems a bit fuzzy in focus. :)

OK, I'm OUTTA here! It's going to be a busy, wonderful weekend here - hope it is for you, too!!! And don't forget to make the time to stamp SOMEthing!

New Stamp Set

Good Wednesday Morning! Are you loving the weather?!?!?!?! I am. :D Cool and crisp, and suddenly I'm getting a hankering for soups and cozy PJs. :D

So, I got this brand-spankin'-new stamp set this weekend; you might have seen it in the Holiday Mini. :) It's SEASONAL SAYINGS, from page 34.

And I'm working on another post, and I see my scrap paper, and I think, "I need to make a fall card with these colors."

And here it is. Just for you. :)

Card stock: Whisper White, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy

Ink: Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy

Stamp sets: SEASONAL SAYINGS, LOVELY AS A TREE

That's IT. Nothing special, nothing else. :) What do you think?

OK, I'm outta here! Have a WONDERFUL day!!! And be SURE to make the time to STAMP something!

Well, you'll never believe it!

As my dear friend and professor, Dr. Marsha Ellis-Smith, would say, "Well, slap me naked and hide my clothes!" :D Why? Let me tell you the story. :D

Saturday was the Chattanooga Regional Stampin' Up! Demonstrators Convention; it was a one-day seminar for demos and their guests; we get to stamp, learn some fun things, get fun prizes, and meet with other demos from the region.

As most of you know, I was gone most of this week; because of that, I wanted to get my swaps done for the group I'm online with (I know I've mentioned SUDSOL before; it stands for STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATORS SHARING ONLINE.) before we left for our trip. I did one design, and got 20 cards almost done before I realized: I'd designed it with a stamp set that was retired, and I'd not pulled it out of my collection! AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, back to the drawing board. And the above is what I came up with. (It's pretty ME, right? Christmas and both heat and Big Shot embossing? :D)

So, back to Regional. There's a basket where you can put your swap cards; they post them for everyone to see, and I'm not sure what else they do with them.

Except pick a winner for design.

The person who was choosing couldn't choose just one. She chose two.

AND I WAS ONE OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so danged excited! Ladies (and gentlemen!), you can now tell everyone that YOUR Stampin' Up! demonstrator is an award-winning designer. Yup, got a prize and everything.

I still am in shock, but can't wipe the smile off my face. :) It was a total fluke that I put a card front in the basket. I did another design for general swapping, and swapped them all out before I could put one into the basket. There are so many people at Regionals, and this was my second-choice design - I expected NOTHING. :D

So. I'm gonna go work on what I want for my Christmas cards, because that's what I'm going to use my prize for. How incredibly blessed am I?!?!??!?!

Have a WONDERFUL day! And be SURE to make the time to STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

Happy Fall!

It's another beautiful Monday morning! :D Are you ready for your week? Can you BELIEVE it's the last week in September?!?! I can't.

I went to a Stampin' Up! regional get-together this weekend; once I've got my head on straight, I'll probably be showing things from it to you. However, I'm trying to get ahead with my posting right now, so it might be a little bit before I actually get to the recent things. :D

Do you remember the card I posted on the 12th? The one we did with the hostesses, that had the leaves from LOVELY AS A TREE on it? Well, I had the card stock cut for one more card, and decided to show you how versatile that little layout could be. :) I flipped the card, so it's now a horizontal layout, and embossed the Soft Suede with the Perfect Polka Dots (I seem to be using that one quite a bit, don't I?) for some texture. The pear basket stamp is from the ALWAYS THANKFUL stamp set. I just used my Aqua Painters to color it, same as the other one. I centered the image on this one, versus placing it in the bottom right corner - but otherwise, the card's the same thing!

Can you tell I'm ready for fall? :D

OK, I'm outta here. SO much to do, and never enough time to do it in. :D Have a WONDERFUL day, and be SURE to make the time to STAMP something!

Be Well, Mary!

I hate saying goodbye. Don't you? One of my favorite songs is Boyz2Men's "It's So Hard" - you can listen to it by clicking on the title, if you don't know it. (I love a capella music, anyway. :D)

ANYWAY. Earlier this month, it was time to say goodbye to a dear friend and a great customer, Mary. She retired and moved to Iowa to be nearer her son and his family. And I'm SO glad she was able to do that; they're great people! :) But I miss Mary.

This was my little gift for her; I didn't spend a lot of time fancying up the topper, because those are the In Color dahlias, and I wanted her to feel free to take that tag apart and use them. :D

So, you see here another use for those great gusseted bags that are in the Holiday Mini. They're really nice bags; I was impressed with them! They're not going to tear or break easily, so you can load them up if you want. :)

OK, I'm outta here. Have a WONDERFUL weekend, and be SURE to make the time to stamp SOMETHING! And don't forget the ribbon special going on this month! If you want to take advantage of it, order now!!!!!

Trick or Treat!

Happy Wednesday! Are you having a good week? :) I really hope so - and that this weather sticks around. No more HOT days, please!!!!! :) (It IS the middle of September; surely it's got to be closer to fall weather, right?!?!?)

This little project is something we did at our hostess party. I wanted something that was super easy to do; some of my friends make treat packages for their office mates, and I wanted to show that it didn't take a LOT to make something really cute. :D

So that ghost? The owl punch, turned upside-down and with the feet trimmed off. Yup. that easy. Googlie eyes - and you can't beat the deal on them, just $2.50 per package! - finish off the ghost. We used the "Happy Halloween" stamp from TEENY TINY WISHES and embossed it with black embossing powder on Tangerine Tango card stock. We punched a hole through and used stitched Early Espresso ribbon to tie the bag closed. We have some wonderful fall ribbon; you can use whatever strikes your fancy. :D I didn't tie a bow, just a single knot, so it was easy to get into the candy apple for the person I gave it to. :D

I'll show you Friday what I gave Mary as a parting gift. She left over a week ago. MISS YOU, MARY!!!!!

OK, I'm outta here. :) Have a wonderful day! Be sure to make the time to stamp something!

Sixteen YEARS!

 Good Monday Morning!

Well, we made it. Kenn and I, that is. :) Made it to celebrating SIXTEEN YEARS together. In some ways, it seems like just yesterday that we were saying, "I do." In others, not so much. :D

ANYWAY. Because of everything going on around here (I'm in Missouri when you read this!), I decided to use MY DIGITAL STUDIO to make my card.

Seriously. You need to try this program out. You can do so for FREE for 30 days; check out the button on the sidebar there! It's SO easy to manipulate things, to design whatever YOU want. The words on the front are from various digital greeting sets I've purchased; I just mixed and matched and moved until I got what *I* wanted.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, our wedding colors were black, white, and red. :D (VERY me!!! :D)

For the inside, I used two stamps in MDS, then typed my message. It really couldn't be any easier! I printed off both the front and the inside, and matted them - I did use the retired ticket corner punch above, but YOU know it's one of my favorite tools of all time!

I used the  Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder on the very front of the card, to give it just a bit of texture.

So, now you've seen my anniversary card for Kenn. :D And know that we're working on year #17. And my wedding colors. If you've been around for a while, you might even know me better than I know myself... :D

Have a WONDERFUL day! Be sure and take the time to stamp something!