Good morning!

How are you today?? (Aren't you surprised to see me so early??? :D) Today's Bible Study day, so I thought I'd TRY and get this out to you before I left. :)

Today's share is from the last Advanced Techniques; there's a second card, too, that came from my first attempt at the technique. :D It's a Technique Junkies technique called SPRAY AWAY.


The colors on this are Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, and Pumpkin Pie. My circle still wasn't perfect on the second attempt - my mask didn't stay where I put it too well! And I can't outline a perfect circle, either. LOL!



The next photo is the inside of this card; I really like the "Grateful Greetings" saying!




And if you keep scrolling....















You'll eventually see the outside AND inside of the other card I made a "mistake" on. Of course, there ARE no mistakes in stamping, only opportunities for embellishment - or, in this case, for a whole new idea to be born! :D


OK, I'm off! Lots to do before I leave. :) Have a WONDERFUL day, my friends, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!!

Fabric and the Big Shot

Well, I thought about not posting this today, and posting something else for you, but Kenn took the battery from my camera - so you're stuck. LOL!!

Dies we used for the coasters were the scallop square, the snowflake, and the scallop circle. For the headband flower, we used the scallops #2 die.


(My mom modeled for me! :D )


Leave me some love! I'll miss you - but I KNOW you're going to enjoy having some fresh blood in here. :D

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!! BE BLESSED~!

Another tag and card set!

Are you enjoying these? I had a great time! This set was one of the favorites; I think it's because of the color combo - Marina Mist and Whisper White.


Aren't they pretty? For the inside of the card, we used a stamp from Occasional Quotes, my favorite level 3 hostess-only stamp set. We heat-embossed it in white. And I don't know if you caught it, but the Whisper White mat on the card was run through the Big Shot with a Texturz plate. We used the following, too: corner rounder, scallop edge punch, Big Shot, scallop square die.

I'm off! So much to do, so little time to do it in! :D Have a WONDERFUL day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!

Here I am, as promised!

Allison, you made me laugh out loud! :D Amy and I didn't talk too much about art, but we DID talk about her upcoming hostess party (when I get back from Oregon). :D

ANYWAY. :D I promised I'd post today. And here it is - this is one of the sets we made Saturday at the Ronald McDonald House class - class fee included the stamp set, $2 of which goes to RMH charity.

Colors are Very Vanilla, Tempting Turquoise, and Chocolate Chip. We used Stampin' Write markers on every card front, so we didn't have the TO - FROM info in the image. :) This was a fun set to make; that's the large polka dot texturz plate on both colored card stocks on the card, and only on the Chocolate Chip on the tag.

The tag's large enough that, if your gift bag was a smaller one, you could use it as the central image! This stamp set is SO cute! I had a blast designing for it - and you'll be seeing the results this week. :)

I'm warning you right now: I'm not sure if I'm going to have EVERY day I'm gone filled with a guest poster - if you'd like to do a guest blog spot, please let me know - and get it to me ASAP! :D But I will have posts running while I'm gone. I will be answering emails, so if you need me, please don't hesitate to contact me. I start my travels a week from Thursday - I'm just giving you heads-up. :D

OK, I'm off! Tonight's class is Big Shot & Fabric! :) The sewing machine's out, people!!! Look out! :D Have a wonderful day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!

Sorry, guys!

It's been a REALLY hectic week, and I'm totally wiped out today - but HEY, I'm HERE. :) (I guess I'm feeling my age a day early! :D )

So, today I'll share both November and December, encourage you to enter the FOURTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST - and there are some really great entries so far!!! - and then MONDAY we'll start back to the cards and 3D items you seem to love so much. :D

Here's November!

I ♥ my Big Shot! :D Do you SEE how simple, how uninked, but how STUNNING this layout is? All thanks to that wonderful machine! We used Texturz plates on the background, and the leaves die for - what else?!? - the leaves. Rich colors and texture, space for lots of photos or even lots of journaling. LOVE it!

And finally, December!

(Oops! The light cast a shadow! :D )
Yes, I did pull out the Iridescent Ice embossing powder for this one. I love Christmas!!! I think this is the first time I've really mentioned it, but it's coming FAST. :D

Anyway. That's LOVELY AS A TREE, *still* not retired! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!! The ornament punch with some of my favorite DSP, and voila! a really fun, subdued page for any holiday photos!

OK. I'm DONE. :) Have a WONDERFUL weekend, STAY COOL - big heat advisories out, neighbors, so BE CAREFUL! - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something! Don't forget the contest!!!

Today's OCTOBER!

:D Here you go!

Stamp set is THE MORE THE MERRIER, a level 2 hostess-only set. Don't you love the punch art crow? I got the idea for him HERE! Card stock for background is Dusty Durango, a retiring IN COLOR.

Don't forget to enter the FOURTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST! I'm off to teach a class - wish you were here! :D Have a great evening, and don't forget to STAMP something!!!!!!!

Welcome to the the JULY layout!

I think you'll like this one. :D Short and sweet - and we'll get through these pages soon, I promise. :D

I've received my first birthday card for the challenge! I'm so excited to see what YOU are going to send - and just email me for my address, or you can email me a picture, if you wish. But it IS my birthday.... :D

Isn't this awesome??? Whisper White and Real Red card stocks compliment the Night of Navy ink we used with the Red, White, & Blue Jumbo Stampin' Around wheel from the Summer Mini. SUPER fast and easy!

Speaking of ink. :D The re-inkers for the retired colors are going FAST - I had to let a customer know last night that I couldn't get everything she wanted! If you want something from the retired accessories, PLEASE place your order at my business site - just click ORDER NOW at the top right! I want you to get what you want - and I can't WAIT to start showing you new things from the new Idea Book & Catalog. :) Open House is on July 3 - be SURE to come!

OK, I'm off - Birthday Quick Card Class tonight, and we're going to have a blast! :D Have a wonderful day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!

Ohhhhhhhh, so you're not SCRAPPERS, huh?

I think I feel a challenge in JULY coming up. :D IF we can fit it in between all the other stuff going on in July! :D

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST!!!!

SO, you're not commenting cuz "They're nice, but I don't scrap"? OK, well, we'll get through this series, and we'll get on with it. But I AM gonna show you the rest of these pages, because I really like this little book. :D

This is completely done - except for the month punch - with the TAILOR MADE Simply Scrappin' Kit. I LOVE the die cuts that come in that kit. Did you know they're repositionable for 24 hours, and then become permanently adhered? COOL, let me tell ya! :D

The color's just a TINY bit off, but oh, well. :D You really don't care, because they're scrapbook pages, right? :D

I'm off for another stupid-busy weekend. :D Have a WONDERFUL weekend, my friends, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!

Are you HATING me?!?!

No comments, no NOTHIN'! :::sniff::::

Here's today's share: May, a two-page layout!


Isn't it pretty? That's So Saffron, with the All a-flutter from the Summer Mini stamped and embossed on the background; we used Only Orange Stampin' Pastels to color in the butterflies. Then we just added a scallop circle flower. SUPER simple, and SO cool. One of the girls decided she didn't want the butterflies, so she just made a couple more flowers. It was cute, too!

Don't forget to enter the FOURTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST; scroll down TWO posts to see it! I really hope for some great entries again this year! :)

I've also posted links to the RETIRED STUFF LISTS. Be SURE and get what you want before it's gone!!!!

OK, I'm outta here. Please pray for Kenn; his back has seized up, and he's in some bad pain. I need him to heal! :)

Thank you! Have a wonderful day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!

Ahhhhhhhh, lazy days. :)

Here's two more scrapbook pages for you! Remember: these are designed to be fast and easy! So, they are! :D

Card stock: So Saffron, Whisper White, Creamy Caramel, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue

Ink: So Saffron

Additional stamp set: Country Morning (level 1 hostess-only!)

Additional punches: round tab, small oval, large oval, hole.








Card stock: Old Olive, Whisper White

Additional supply: Island Oasis DSP (Summer Mini)


That's IT!!!

Tomorrow, I'll announce the annual birthday card contest rules, and it's the day the RETIRING STAMPS and SUPPLIES lists come out! LOTS of news, so be SURE to tune in tomorrow! :D Have a wonderful evening, and be sure to just RELAX. :)

Surprise! :D

Thought you'd catch me sleeping, right? Actually, I wish I was. Kenn's working a super-long day today, and working from morning tomorrow to morning Saturday. And MY schedule's busy tomorrow, too, so I thought I'd take this quiet moment to go ahead and do Friday's post for you. :)

Continuing with our 6x6 layouts. I really love February's! (Appropriate, right? :D)


Yes, that's texturz plating on the Real Red background! Pretty, huh! A simple full heart punch from the BRIDE SPECIALTY DSP and the month round out the page. SUPER easy!

(Please note: if you're just tuning in to these scrapbook pages, please scroll down for the basic info from the start of the book! :) )

We only did frames or matting on I think ONE of the layouts; that way, if we had multiple smaller photos to put down, we weren't SET in the way the page HAS to lay out.

Here's March - again, SUPER simple!

Texture is the fastest way to get a page FILLED. We used the crimper on the Green Galore strip, fastened it to the Gable Green Background, and punched the Glorious Green shamrock with one of the hearts from the hearts trio punch. Again, how EASY can I make it?!?!? :D It's a fresh page, and easy to dress up if you wanna!

OK, I'm off. Last Friday of teaching, for a while, at least. :) Much to do afterward!!!

Have a WONDERFUL Memorial Day weekend, dear ones! Monday SHOULD be April and August, I think. :)

Now, then. Be SURE to enjoy your family and friends, be thankful for those who defend our country and our freedoms - and take the time to STAMP something! :)

I did promise, and here I am! :D

So! We did a class and did a 20-page 6x6 album that covered a year. I'm going to start showing you that album; when the month is a one page piece, I'll show you TWO. Where it's a two-page layout, I'll show you one month. :) Deal?

Here's the first one: the title page. Now, remember: you can always dress it up, but we did this album in EXACTLY 2.5 hours!


We used Sahara Sand ink and card stock; the months are the FULL CALENDAR stamp set - and they and the modern label punch are the consistent pieces on the book. The DSP is from ISLAND OASIS (Summer Mini).








Here's JANUARY!


Whisper White and Bashful Blue make this page cool and crisp, just like a wintery day! :) The stamp is from the level 2 hostess set, CHRISTMAS PUNCH - only available for another month, y'all!!!!! The "January" is stamped with Not Quite Navy. Quick, simple page - but definitely ready for one or several photos!

OK, I'm off. Tonight is the awards night and fine arts display for our school, and Kenn's working - so I get to "represent". :D Tomorrow morning, I'll be off to take photos for them of their last day. And if I get WET, someone's gonna HEAR about it!!!!

Have a wonderful day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!

You DID miss me! :D

Thanks to everyone who left comments - I had over 130 hits in the last 24 hours, so I know you're paying attention, too! :D THANK YOU! I feel much better! LOL!

Today, as promised, are all four 6x6 scrapbook layouts from last week's class. :) It took me a while to get the photos edited. Sorry I'm a bit late today!

This one is meant to be a "missing you" type of page - whether the person is still in this world, or has departed, you can miss someone terribly (as I KNOW some of you know!). So, I wanted to have a place to acknowledge that feeling!

You may notice that all four of these layouts have something in common: at least one of the colors used on them is being retired. Remember that I can only guarantee you'll be able to get the retiring colors until the end of May - once the retiring list hits, first come, first served - and it goes QUICKLY! Get your orders in!!!!

This one is Bordering Blue (from now on, an R in parentheses will mean retiring!)(R) and Whisper White, with a little Creamy Caramel (R) thrown in for distressing.

Next!I really like this one for its simplicity. :) Oh, in case you haven't heard: only Basic Black, Whisper White, and Very Vanilla will be available in full-sized craft pads when the new Idea Book & Catalog comes out. This is made with a Real Red craft pad; the spots will still be available, but if there are ANY colors you want in full-size, get them by May 31 to be sure to get them! :)

So, the card stock is Creamy Caramel (R), Real Red, and Whisper White. Medallion stamp!

Next!
Here, new meets old! :D AWASH WITH FLOWERS is the IB&C SNEAK PEEK STAMP SET, available ONLY through April 30, until the new book comes out in July! Want it? GET IT - go to my business site and order!!!! Just click on SHOP NOW on the top right corner!

Colors are Cameo Coral (R), Summer Sun (R), and Whisper White. That's a Chocolate Chip corduroy button in the middle of that Flower Layers #3 flower! I really like this one - but it would definitely need the right photos. Maybe sepia! That would look awesome!

And here's the final one!
This is my mom's favorite. :) It's Dusty Durango (R), Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla. That's the Fifth Avenue Floral rose back there; the borders are the eyelet lace punch. I really like that punch! It really adds just the right touch to this, don't you think? :)

OK, I'm outta here. I still need to clean up that mess I showed you yesterday, and get BUSY! :) I hope you have a WONDERFUL day, and keep leaving me comments. I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading them! :D

PLEASE, for your own sake! Take the time to STAMP something! :D Be blessed!

I'm BACK! Did you miss me?? :D

No comments the WHOLE time I was gone?!? You didn't miss me? I'm sad! ;)

It was QUITE the trip. I'm wiped out - especially since I came home yesterday and dove right into doing our FOOD FRENZY class! This is what I face cleaning up today:


We had a GREAT time! We had Papa John's pizza - a veggie and a meat pizza! :D - and brownies, still warm from the oven, with a Ghiardelli caramel square. Yummmmmmmm. Sounds like lunch.... :D

Anyway. I'm going to show you ALL the projects we did last night, because I've deprived you of my brilliance for so long.... (If you could hear me laughing, you'd HAVE to join in! :D )

Here we go!
It's a mini pizza box! Measuring 2"x2"x1", it's perfect to put a little treat in. But this one doesn't hold a treat. This class was not only about stamping things that could HOLD food, but that LOOKED like food. So, the inside is designed to be an invitation for...

a PIZZA PARTY!

Isn't this too cute for words? It also qualifies for punch art, because the whole thing is done with punches! :) When you lift on the pizza, the "invitation paper" accordian folds out to reveal all the pertinent details. :) It was fun!


The next project:



Using test tubes in stamping opens so much potential! :) This stamp set is from the SUMMER MINI, which starts MAY 1 - this Saturday!!! It's called SWEET SCOOPS. :) We put sprinkles and toffee topping in the tubes. Just the cutest little gift, or table favor at a birthday party! :D


OK. On to the next project!

We put contact paper on the INSIDE of this fancy favor bag, so that it could be wiped out if needed, and reused. The DSP is from the SUMMER MINI, as well! It's cheerful and fun, and I love polka dots. :D Let me see if I can find my Summer Mini, so I can tell you its name - I'm telling you, I didn't even go upstairs once from the time we came home until after the class! :D
Aha! Here it is! It's ISLAND OASIS. You're really going to love using all the products from the Summer Mini! :) I can't wait to continue showing you fun things!

Anyway. That's a Build-a-Brad in the center of the flower. They're fun to use - but I don't think too many of my customers have discovered them yet. You can stamp or punch out any image that's 1/2", and make your own brad with it! FUN!


Now, on to the last project - and I think everyone's favorite, even though it was a last- minute add! I wasn't going to do 4, but decided we just had to do this one. :D



This is the front.....


This is the back....



See?? It's a Ghiardelli square hanger! Made with the petal fold card die, we used the SENDING LOVE DSP that's going away with the Occasions Mini on Friday. If you haven't placed your order yet, and want something from it, PLEASE make sure to do so in time! Once things are gone, they're gone!


And here's a photo of the butterfly detail, while it's lying on the counter:

We just used a staple in the middle, where the body would be. The modern label punch with the saying from TEENY TINY WISHES just finishes it off, don't you think?!?!

OK. I hope to hear from you! :) Tell me which project is YOUR favorite!

Tomorrow, I'll show you all four of the 6x6 scrapbook layouts from last week! You won't want to miss it - I did some unusual color combos for me! :D

Have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!!

Rusty, just like me! :D

Hi, everyone! It's still Tuesday morning, so I'm doing well today! LOL!

Today's card is another from the last Advanced Techniques class; we had a great time, and I really enjoyed this one. It's another from Pat at TECHNIQUE JUNKIES; please be sure to tell her I sent you! :)

Card stock: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede

Ink: Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla, Silver Encore, Basic Brown

Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Accessories: stipple brush, full heart and modern label punches, and more I can't tell you about! :)

It's a lot of fun, and I can see lots of Western-type applications with this. I put "Happy Retirement" on the card because I thought it was funny. Get it? The card looks aged, and like it's been through a lot...?? :D

OK, I'm outta here - tonight is SCRAPBOOKING! I can't wait - it's gonna be fun! I hope YOU are taking the time to STAMP something, too....

Spritzed Stone

Hi, y'all! Time is rolling quickly to tonight's mini open house; we've got two fun projects to do! I hope you can drop by. :)

ANYWAY. Here's the next sample; it's Spritzed Stone from Technique Junkies. (It's SO worth the subscription price!)

Card stock: Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Versamark

Stamp sets: Celebrate Everything, Tart & Tangy

Accessories: Real Red & Only Orange Stampin' Write Markers, clear embossing powder, white embossing powder, embossing buddy, heat tool, and secret accessory. :)

This was a fun technique, and I love the card!

OK, I'm off to burn a little more time before the open house. :) I hope you are coming - and WE will definitely take the time to STAMP something! Will you?

The beach is calling my name...!

Oh, how I wish I could go to my beach today - but I chatted with a friend, and she said it's very wet this morning. :D I still love my beach in the rain, though!

ANYWAY. This is my favorite card from the Technicolor Watercolor Class; I think you'll know why. :D

I purchased a watercolor techniques tutorial from Sandi MacIver JUST for this technique. It's simply lovely, and so peaceful.

Card stock: Whisper White, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Creamy Caramel, Versamark

Stamp set: A Rose is a Rose (saying)

Accessories: Aqua Painters, Earth Elements, Rich Regals, and Neutral Watercolor Wonder Crayons, embossing buddy, white embossing powder, heat tool

Have a WONDERFUL Easter weekend, my friends. Enjoy your time with family, and celebrating the RESURRECTION! Be BLESSED - and still take a few moments to STAMP something! :)

OK, OK!!

LIFE! :) Can someone stop the world from spinning for just a bit? I need a break! LOL!

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to post yesterday - it was just one of THOSE days. So, to make up for it, I'll post all four of the layouts from last month's scrapbooking class. Will that put me back in your good graces? :D Part of it's been not being able to find the surfaces necessary to take photos - what a MESS around here! I'm working on it, however. :D

I'm also going to apologize right now for my scanner. If someone wants to bless me with a GOOD all-in-one, I'd be so grateful! LOL!!!!!!!! The scanner bed is 11.68 inches - so it cuts off 12"-long items. And let's not talk about anything wide.... :D SORRY!!!!!

Here's the first one!

Isn't it FUN? That paper pack is the FREE one you can get with Sale-a-bration going on; it's ONLY through the end of the month, so I'd be SURE to place your order now, or book your party in the next week or so!!! With every $50 you purchase, you get something awesome for FREE - and if you are the hostess, for every $300 your party hits, you get another FREE item! That's on TOP of the already awesome benefits! :D

Anyway. The only other products we used were Bermuda Bay and Whisper White card stocks, SU! Timeless Type Alpha Sizzlits Dies, and a 2-way glue pen. Fast, easy, and so cute!

Next!

Again, super-simple, cute, and will give those special photos a real boost! That's the BRIDE Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP). We also used a brayer, Real Red ink, Frost White Shimmer Paint, large heart punch, Real Red and Basic Black card stocks, and dimensionals.

The third one!


How SIMPLE is this? But it's REALLY cute in person - and SO simple! Another with no ink! :D Just Rich Razzleberry and Very Vanilla card stocks, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, and the scallop square die and scallop oval punch. I'm thinking little girl's tea party photos, or Easter dress, or or or!

Final one - and it was a LOT of fun, but the most work of the night! :D

SO fun to do! Let's see. We used Not Quite Navy, Blush Blossom, and Very Vanilla card stocks. We used Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Creamy Caramel, and Blush Blossom ink. We used the eyelet border punch, the crimper, the SU! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, and the Petal Card Die. There's a pocket behind that heart, for extra pictures OR journaling, and we used the Heart to Heart punch to make the pull for it.

So, there you go! Lots of ideas that will transfer to cards, or grow for larger scrapbooking ideas - or maybe it's a color combo that you want to do some home decor items with. Whatever it is, I hope you got inspired today! :D

Have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to Monday!

Wow. What a weekend! LOL! Life never stops, does it?! Faster and faster....

Saturday was the first GREAT GIFTS class, and it was APPLIQUE WITH THE BIG SHOT. We had a BLAST!

Here's one of the items we made!

We also made an apron that kind of matches. I can't tell you how fun this is - and now we're planning to make tote bags with my nieces and older nephew when they come back through.

To make that go easier - I mean, there will be SIX of them, plus Mommy! - I'm going to go ahead and do their names. My sister and brother-in-law are so smart! When they started having children, they chose a color for each one - so my oldest niece is red, the next one blue, the next one yellow, and so forth. That way, they can get items in each individual color, and know at a glance whose they are! So, each name will be in their colors! I'm going to pre-cut some of the appliques to help the little girls out a bit. I've got to come up with a boy's design, which is NOT going to be easy for me, but I'll do it! :D

OK, I'm off. I'm designing today! :D The studio's an absolute DISASTER, so it needs to get cleaned up a bit, AND I need to do Bible study homework. EEK! Where's my day speeding to?!?!? :D

Have a WONDERFUL day! Be SURE to take the time to STAMP something - and enjoy this beautiful spring day!!!

Happy Friday!

This is gonna be a quick one - it's my day to teach! And then a doctor's appointment. UGH. ANYWAY. :D

Here's your sample - from last month's Advanced Techniques! Yup, it's a Techniques Junkies technique, called Jenny's Coat.


Card stock: Whisper White, Basic Gray

Ink: VersaMark, Whisper White craft, Lovely Lilac (inside), Basic Black

Stamp sets: Medallion, Well Scripted, Define Your Life

Accessories: Clear embossing powder, embossing buddy, heat tool, Frost White shimmer paint, white embossing powder, brayer, Hostess Paper Pack III

This was a FUN technique! Be sure and tell Pat I sent ya! :D

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