Christmas in July???

Abso-dang-lutely!! Especially when it is made with supplies we received FREE during the last session of Convention!! Huzzah, baby!! We received the new hostess "Peace on Earth" set from the Holiday Mini (which will be available on September 1), some MUI-lovely patterned paper called "Deck the Halls", a jar of silver "Glass Glitter" (which I didn't actually use on this card) and a Cherry Cobbler ink pad! I SOOO love it when someone says "FREE" don't you???

Jan and I stamped our last time together until next year on Monday night (sniff, sniff!). We both decided to play with the faboo stuff!! She even let me borrow her gold Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink! I am SOOO getting this stuff in ALL the colors now! LOVE it!! (Jan and I WILL be doing some "virtual" stamping together ... you will hafta stay tuned for that!)!

Have a wonderful weekend. We are having a family reunion tomorrow. SOOO excited to have my big brother and his wife here with us for the weekend. He bought her a BUNCH of stuff to play with and take home (he actually had ME but it for her, and she was SOOOO surprised when "we" gave it to her after they arrived yesterday. She got a Cricut Expression (with two cartrdiges - Designer's Calendar and Everyday Paper Dolls), and a Gypsy! Cool, eh? We will be playing today, that's for sure!!

Stamps: Peaceful Season
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls dsp
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Gold Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink, Double Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Circle Scissor (to round the edges on the sentiment panel), gold brad, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Blackboards to Share...

Every year during Convention, my friends and I each pick a day to be our day for surprises (since there are four of us and four days of Convention this works out rather conveniently!). So every day is full of presents ... darling altered gifts and treats and drinks to admire and munch and drink throughout the day. Pretty darn cool, eh?

Having come straight from a 4-day river trip into Convention week, I was a bit overwhelmed on what to do this year. Not because I didn't have any ideas, but because I didn't have any TIME!! My husband was very baffled by me last week. My "day" to bring presents and treats was Saturday (the last day of Convention). I got up VERY early to work on what I had planned to bring. But, not early enough!! As it was I ended up coming home for a little over an hour after the morning session so I could finish my projects. My husband was talking to me on the phone and said, "Let me get this straight ... you LEFT a stamping convention to go home and STAMP??!!??" I'm not sayin' it made any sense, but that is exactly what I did!!

This was the biggest/bestest part of what I did (I filled a little plastic test tube with goodies and tied it up with ribbon and - what else? - a butterfly ... I was too far behind to alter anything else, but I did bring them a pack of gum and a water bottle, too!). Remember the old ATC chipboard books that SU used to sell? These be they ... I altered an idea I had seen where two long-tall pieces of chipboard were covered in patterned paper and chalkboard Decor Elements sheets and made into little sandwich-board-style stands. They were joined at the top with a couple of jumbo eyelets and some ribbon. I decided to leave these little ATC books intact so that my friends could fill 'em up with photos or notes .... stinkin' ca-YOOT, eh??? (and, of course, I can't resist that new Butterfly Prints stamp set ... it has fast become a classic/fave of mine!).


And because I have been asked about my trip, here is a photo of me and my sweetheart. I can't decide if my hair looks like Pebbles Flintstone's or Sarah Palin's ... probably a cross between the two - which is kinda scary (the only thing missin' is a little dino bone in the pony tail to hold it all together)!! It was a wonderful trip with good friends and beautiful scenery ... something we enjoy doing as often as we can get the opportunity.


My daughter took this panoramic photo along the way ... GAWJUS, right??? (If ya click on it it will get much mo' biggah and you can appreciate it more!) I really enjoy being out of doors (and was happy to find on this trip that if I buy expensive-enough sunscreen that I will NOT have an allergic reaction - don't ask ...). I'm thrilled that we live close enough to such glorious places that we can enjoy them without having to drive TOO far away!!


Jan and I stamped as much as we could while she was here (although I have to admit that sometimes I just WATCHED her stamp 'cause I was too tired to think ... that woman is a MACHINE, baby!! She can stamp through ANY amount of sleepiness, pretty much!) I have a purdiful card to share with you, so stay tuned ...

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Cute By the Inch
Paper: Play Date DSP, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Chalkboard Decor Elements Sheets, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Accessories: 1 1/4" Square Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty BItty Punch (circle), 1/4" Circle Punch, Butterfly Punch, Silver Brads, Eyelet Border Punch, 5/8" Old Olive and Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon

Already?????

Where on EARTH has the past week gone??? My BFF, Jan (as in Tink) got here last Tuesday so that we could go to Convention together and play ... and she will be leaving already on Tuesday morning. We have laughed, stamped, eaten good food, eaten CHOCOLATE, laughed, stamped and eaten some MORE!! Can't believe it has gone so quickly.

This is the second card I swapped with my Freaky Friends ... and I almost didn't get 'er done!! Although I KNEW that we were supposed to swap last Thursday at lunch in the Gathering Place), I hadn't had the chance to get started on these until Thursday morning. I had everything cut out and embossed, but took my materials to the back of the Main Stage room and sat on the floor ... in a DRESS no less ... and stamped, cut, pierced and pearlized theses babies almost right up 'til the very last moment!! I had SOOO many people stop and ask if they could take my picture (they thought it was funny that I was stamping in the back of the room in the near-dark!). I am happy to report that many of them also took pix of this card (with my earlier-posted butterfly one) because they liked it as well. Just glad that I got 'em done!!

So here is a pic of the "Tink 'n 'Bell" Tag Team!! Ain't we just the ca-YOOT-est??? (I look seriously wiped out in this photo, actually. After spending several days on the river, then coming home and doing a stamping/eating/non-sleeping marathon for days, it was getting harder and harder to look "daisy fresh", kwim??? (Jan, on the other hand, looks FABOO!!!) Thanks for coming and hanging with me and my homegirls, friend!! Can't wait to do it again NEXT year!!

Stamps: Teahouse, Elizabeth, Fantastic Phrases
Paper: Cookie Crumb, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Modern Label Punch, Large Oval Punch, Pearl Stickers, 5-Petal Flower Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, BItty Circle Punch, Ribbon Trim Border Punch, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Piercing Tool, Dimensionals

Convention Greetings!

I have been in the Cyber Black Hole ... aka SU Convention! (Between stamping swaps, eating, visiting friends, eating, stamping more stuff, visiting some more ... and oh, yeah - going to "classes" - I kinda forget about CyberLand. Actually, I don't FORGET, I'm just too dang exhausted to do anything by the time I get a few minutes!!!

I got to meet up with my Freaky Friends yesterday - aka the Control Freaks. There were 12 of us who got together for lunch and swapping. LOVE it!! These women are not only extremely talented, but beautiful inside and out!! I am truly blessed to be able to associate with them!

Front row: Dannie Graves, Wendy Weixler, Lorri Heiling, LeeAnn Greff, Cindee Wilkinson
Back row: Dawn Olchefske, Robin Spinner, Jan Tinklenberg, Connie Babbert, Steph Leider, Gretchen Barron, Patty Bennett

Here is the one of the cards I made for my "Freak Swappin'" friends. I have really been getting into lotsa white lately!

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Inspired by Nature
Paper: Pear PIzzazz, Whisper White, Poppy Parade
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Poppy Parade, Basic Black
Accessories: Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Pop-Up Glue Dots

This picture just shows why I love Stampin' Up ... my bff's! These are my original Stampin' Up buddies - Shellee and Cheryl. They truly are wonderful and amazing and beautiful and talented. I am sooo lucky to have them as part of my life. (And they are ALWAYS on hand to help me justify my addiction!!) Love you, girls!!

And here is a list of Artisan Award Finalists. Several of my good friends are on this list!! (And even though I am NOT on the list, I am SOOO proud of these wonderfully talented women and feel they are all well deserving!)

Deborah Paise
Cindy Beach
Heidi King
Melissa Riker
Sandra Farrell
Lynsay Mahon
Beth Prout
Ellen Raymond
Amy O'Neil
Jennifer Thomas
Ilina Crouse
Ashely Van Camp
Ann M. Fitton
Jan Tinklenberg
Deborah Pippin
Rochelle Gould
Staci Lynch
Amy Bollman
Mary Bieber
Lynn Pratt
Jennifer Picard
Jennifer Diercks

Freakin' Summertime Fun!

Summertime ... and the stampin' is eaaaaaasss-yyyyy .... AND I'M the FIRST STOP this month!! YAY!! If you are following along our amazing tour, you just came from the FABOO projects made by Melanie Schulenberg (she is the caboose!). Awesome, right?

LOOKIE MY OWLIES!! Isn't this little ol' owl punch just DA BOMB??!!?? I {{{HEART}}} IT!! What, you ask, do owls have to do with summer? Well, I just spent this past weekend floating down the Green River with some friends. We have been doing river trips for YEARS. One of my FAVE things about these river trips is the wildlife ... and the BIRDS!!! I have seen some of the most AMAZING birds up-close-and-personal over the years. Bald eagles, Osprey, owls ... more birds than I can possibly list. Sooooo wonderful!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Wonderfully Worn
Paper: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Little Leaves Sizzlits Die, Two-Step Owl Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Bitty Punch (circle), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Bitty Buttons, Pop-Up Glue Dots







My second card is a really citrus-y money holder. I hope Tart and Tangy never retires. It fits well with soo many things!








See the inside? (And before anyone says anything about how they would like to receive this card because of the BEAUTIFUL $50 bill ... STOP!! I NEVER have cash ... my daughter owed me $$ for an iPod we got, and happened to have cash from a job she recently did, so she paid me with BIG money. That's why I had it ...)

Stamps: Tart and Tangy, Fabulous Phrases, Perfect Punches
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Accessories: 1 1/4", 1", 3/4" and 1/2" Circle Punches, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots

And last, but certainly not LEAST ... I made a couple of quick and fun little inserts for my Simply Adorned charm to wear at Convention later this week. I think it is soo much fun to be able to change up your jewelry according to your mood, don't you??

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Friends Never Fade, Fabulous Phrases (again?? YUP!)
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Early Espresso, Basic Black
Accessories: Pearls and Rhinestones, Simply Adorned Charm

Next stop? The super great projects from Lisa Martz. Check it out!!

Sad, But True ...

... I NEED more RIBBON (I'm sadly WITHOUT very much NEW stuff ... not that I have a whole box full of OTHER ribbon or anything!!) But, I digress ...

Don'tcha just LOVE these little birdies??? I think this is a MUI-FUN idea for a wedding card, don't you? Thanks to my good friend Terri Honz, for the inspiration for this ... here is a link to her adorable birdie card:

Happy Together by Terri Honz

By the time most of you are reading this, I will be floating/canoeing/braving-the-white water on a river trip we are taking with a bunch of our friends. We have been on sooo many rivers together and had sooo many wonderful adventures! This year we are headed down the Green River just before Flaming Gorge (The Gates of Lodore) ...

And I am gearing up for Convention!! YAY!! I actually have more fun with the social aspects of Convention than anything else (had to prove to the fam that all y'all were REAL!!)! Can't wait!!

AND ... tune in late Monday if ya wanna get a jump start on the Control Freaks Blog Tour for July ... "In the Good Ol' Summertime" is our theme ...

Stamps: Aviary, Fabulous Phrases (my new all-time FAVE)
Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride
Ink: Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Small Oval Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Ticket Corner Punch

And Yet Even MORE New-ness!!

I had to unexpectedly fill in last Friday as the Free for All Challenge hostess over on SCS ... and even though I was trying to create in a hurry and get a post done on the fly, I had this card in my head before I even started. Masculine cards always seem to be a struggle (and maybe that's 'cause I always be frilly, flowerly, girlie kinds of things ... ya think??) ...

I have also been trying to challenge myself lately to step out of my layout box ... I seem to always keep going back to the same ol'-same ol' layouts that I have done about a zillion times over. I thought that adding the different sized panels across the top behind the main image would be kinda fun, so there ya go!! I called my challenge "Show Us What Ya Got!" Basically, it was to pull out something that you had bought to craft with that was still sittin' around in the package, unused!

I am getting MUI-MUI excited for Convention!! My BFF, Jan (as in JanTink ... yeahyeahyeah ... I'm a namedropper!) is going to be here on Tuesday and stay with me for a week!! Much crafting and laughing and eating of the chocolates is gonna be happening next week, that's for sure!! And I will also get time to hang out with my other BFF's at Convention ... the girls who taught me EVERYthing I know and got me started in this crazy addiction (a BIG shout out to Shellee, Cheryl and Chairl! We've been hanging at Convention together since I started this whole crazy deal ... and this will be my 5th Convention!!)! I see a trip to Cheesecake Factory in my very near future ...

Stamps: Out West, Fabulous Phrases, Wonderfully Worn
Paper: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Accessories: Square Lattice Textured Impressions Foder, Linen Thread, Large Oval Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Distressing Tool, Paper Piercing Tool

You KNOW How I Feel ...

... about BUTTERFLIES. So it should be NO SURPRISE to ANYone that this new set from SU called "Butterfly Prints" was on my first order from the new catty!! MORE butterflies that coordinate with the Butterfly Punch (which saves me the hassle of having to cut them myself!!)!!

This is one of those easy, clean-and-simple cards that can be put together quickly. And this embossing folder (okay, okay .. Textured Impressions folder!) is SMASHING (oh, I AM punny!!). I really love when you can emboss an image that is kind of an accent and doesn't cover the WHOLE piece of cardstock with a repetitive pattern, kwim?

I need another day in my weekend ... anyone know where I can GET one???
Stamps: Butterfly Prints
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Poppy Parade, Basic Black
Accessories: Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Butterfly Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Bitty Punch Pack (to created the hole on the fold to put the ribbon through), Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots

New STUFF!!

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE living right across town from SU Headquarters??? I NEVER have to expedite my orders ... and my new catalog order got here yesterday!! EVERYthing is AWESOME!!

I made this for the Ways to Use It Challenge yesterday - WT278 - Sunshine Yellow. The challenge was to incorporate some yellow into what we made. NO PROBLEMO!!

There is nothing that I got that I am not totally happy with!! I hope to be sharing many of my new things with you over the next several weeks. Speaking of which ... do ya think I used enough new stuff on this card or WHAT???

Thanks for stopping by and have a WONDERFUL weekend!! Hug those you love ...

Stamps: Notably Ornate
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Corner Rounder Punch, Modern Label Punch, Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Pearls, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Simple Friendship Giftcard Holder

I just recently realized that there were a few cards I never shared with you! I was asked to submit several cards to Cardmaker Magazine for an Interactive Card book that they were publishing (it actually came out in April - hooray for me!!). Only one of the samples I made actually made it into the book, but this one was published in their online magazine supplement - July 2010 issue.

I love the look of these little giftcard holders. And they are oh-so-easy to make! The card is made from a 4" x 12" piece of cardstock that is scored at 4", 6" and 8" along the 12" side. The score at 4" and 8" are folded in "valleys", while the score at 6" is folded as a "mountain" ... I taped the inside of underside of the "mountain" closed, then used the Word Window punch to create the opening for the gift card (lay the giftcard over the "flap" you have created with the "mountain" fold, then use a pencil to mark the cardstock just above and below the giftcard. Use these markings to create the slot for the giftcard with the Word Window punch.

Stamps: Simple Friendship, Matchbox Messages
Paper: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose; Barely Banana, Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink Markers
Accessories: Word Window Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Scallop Border Punch, 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Brad (from Vintage Brads), Sewing Machine

Ice Scream, You Scream ...

... we all scream for ICE CREAM!! We have made homemade ice cream TWICE since Friday ... I always forget how incredibly yummy it is! Hence, this card ...

I seem to be on a roll with my Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon, too! (Sadly, it is now officially "retired" ... but that doesn't mean I can't use up what I have left, right??)

As a kid I always DREAMED of having an ice cream cone that was big and tall like this (I think a three-scoop max is about the tallest one I ever had). Not that this would be practical ... or possible ... as we all know that it would just fall over, right?? It DOES look luscious, though ...

Toodles!!

Stamps: Sweet Scoops, Print Pattern (an oldie but goodie!)
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Real Red
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Large Oval Nestabilities, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Summer Melons

says "Summer" to me like watermelons ('cept maybe fireworks and American flags!). I created this card for the Free for All challenge over on SCS yesterday (F4A19 - Gold Star - to incorporate gold AND a star somewhere). This freakin' card took me nearly all day .... worked on it, then walked away ... came back, then walked away. I had THE hardest time trying to get some "gold" in with my watermelons!! Shessh!! (As it is, my "gold" is actually "yellow", but that was the best I could do!)

So ... in honor of summer and long weekends (since it IS the July 4th holiday weekend for all us Americans!) ... gotta go get me some watermelon this weekend, that's for SURE!!

Happy Independence Day (and Happy Canada Day to my friends up north!)

Stamps: Season by Season
Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White, Basic Black, Garden Green, Melon Mambo
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Top Note Die, Circle Scissor, Cricut Preserves Cartridge, Large Star Punch, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon, Paper Piercing Tool, Sizzix Birthday Embossing Folder, Wide Oval Punch

I {{{HEART}}} My Apple!!

I used to be a PC Diehard ... I am still quite the computer geek with PC's as well (neighbors callin' me all the time to ask for help with stuff!). That was before I decided to leave the "dark side" and come into the light ... Mac's are just DA BOMB, baby!! (And I'm getting to be a bit of an Apple Geek, too!).

Anyway, the reason I have this weird card (which is very similar to one I made for my dad on Memorial Day) is because I needed one to take with me to the Apple Store along with two dozen donuts. Why, you ask, was I taking two dozen donuts and a card to the Apple Store? Long story short, my son's Mac got fried when copious amounts of something liquidy ended up all over the outside/inside of it. He sent it off to be repaired, but when he found out it was going to cost $755 to repair it he just had them return it to him (he is, after all, a poor-starving student!!). I told him I would go into the Apple Store and talk to the manager and see if he could do anything to help. Basically, he offered to waive the $100 labor fee, then take 20% off the balance. Not too bad, eh? I made an appointment at the "Genius Bar" and my son and I showed up there a couple of days later with the dead Mac. Once he got signed in I went to drool over the iPods and iPads. A few minutes later my son came up to me and said, "I LOVE Apple!" When I asked him what happened he said that the Genius talked to the manager again and they decided to fix his Mac fro FREE since we are good customers (I just bought a new Mac with the Apple Care Protection Plan, which I guess makes them all happy!). We BOTH walked out of there grinning. BIG TIME!! So, that is what I was doing there earlier this evening with this goofy card and two dozen donuts ... the manager looked pretty danged happy (and I made sure to address the thank you card to the manager and HIS supervisor!)!!

So that's that ...

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White, Pattern Pack III, Crumb Cake
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Cricut (I downloaded an "Apple" and used SCAL to cut it out with my Cricut), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder, Small Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Pop-Up Glue Dots, rhinestone stickers