Wickedly Wonderful Creations

Wishful Thinkin' ...

2012-01-31T08:25:00.003-07:00

See this flower??? It's the hope that Spring will come ... eventually (and I know it's a little early to be wishing it here already!!) Since I have been in California the past few days I have been enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures. And it's GREEN here!! Oh man, do I love how alive everything looks!!

I am headed back over to Disneyland today with my sister in law (she flew in last night just to come to Disneyland with me ... how COOL is THAT??)!

Stamps: For All You Do
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Berry Blossom DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Stripes Textured Impressions Folder, Daisies #2 Bigz Die, Wide (Large) Oval Punch, In Color Polka Dot Brad, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Pearl Stickers

Chocolate Cake???

2012-01-29T07:33:00.005-07:00

What on EARTH does this post have to do with chocolate cake, you ask??? Well .... I was the Free for All challenge hostess over on Splitcoast last Friday. I was wracking my brain trying to come up with an idea. Did a little Google-ing (don'tcha just LOVE Google??). After much research (okay, well maybe not THAT much) I discovered that Friday was National Chocolate Cake Day!! What??? They have a HOLIDAY for that???? AWESOME!!
Anyway ... back to my card ... the challenge was to use Chocolate Chip (aka brown) and Crumb Cake (aka Kraft) somewhere in your creation. Hence, "Chocolate Cake" cards were the order of the day. So there ya have it!

I am sitting in a hotel room with some of my Besties (YAY!!) about a block from Disneyland (where I spend a good chunk of my day yesterday!). We are all talking, laughing and typing (gotta check your email and do your blog update, right??). We're all getting ready to head over to the Convention Center for CHA in a couple of hours (Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show). Sooooo fun!! It's where we get to see what all the crafty vendors are planning to be releasing for sale over the next six months!! CRAFTY HEAVEN!!! Such a fun day ahead!!

TTFN!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green DSP, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Fun Flowers Bigz Die, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Word Window Punch, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Pear Pizzazz Pleated Satin Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Pearl Basics, Whisper White Baker's Twine, So Saffron (Subtles) Button

Can You Tell?

2012-01-26T23:53:00.006-07:00

Can you tell from this photo that the young man in the picture is my son??!!? He is the one of my kids that looks the most like me (and since everyone is always telling me how good lookin' he is, I take that as a compliment!)! Jan and I have been having SOOO much fun making samples and videos for "Tink & Bell's Digital Scrapbook Club"! We are loving all the positive feedback, and we're feeling really happy with what we have done so far! The whole purpose of this club was to get people jazzed about MDS ... AND to get them to actually take the darn disc out of the box (or at least PLAY a bit with the program). So far, so good!

I had a GREAT time creating the "braided" ribbon trim around the large circle. It's stuff like this that really makes doing the digital crafting thing fun for me!

In looking at this photo I realized that I have a LOT of recent photos with just me and my oldest son in them (Devan); and I have a LOT of recent pictures of me with my daughter (Amelia). What I DON'T have are a lot of recent pictures of me and my boy-in-the-middle, Garrett.!! MUST remedy that the next few times Garrett and I are in the same room!!)!

Getting ready and MUI-excited to head out to CHA for the weekend!! I think my favorite part of the whole event is hanging out with all of my crafty friends (and taking photos with them so that I can prove to my kids, yet again, that all my internet friends really DO exist!!

Ta-ta and have a lovely Friday!

Inspired by Belleek Pottery

2012-01-25T00:00:00.003-07:00

So ... I soooooo loved the Technique Lover's Challenge over on SCS this week. It's basically a challenge that many of us have done before. That is, inking up an embossing folder before running it through your embossing machine with cardstock in it. The point of this challenge, however, was to create a light-neutral-monochromatic-type of look (that's a LOT of words!!).

I tried River Rock, Sahara Sand and Crumb Cake ink on this before finally settling on the Crumb Cake. It turned out a bit darker than I had planned, but I still like the outcome anyway!!

My brain feels like mushy oatmeal!! I am in the process of switching our accounting software at work from an entirely Windows-based program to an entirely Mac-based program. I feel like I need to just open up the top of my head and let someone with more knowledge about what I am doing just pour the info in! (I keep hearing "I'm a Little Teapot" in my head now!!) Hopefully I will do better with it at work today than I did on Monday and yesterday ... onward and upward!!

Speaking of which ... I am CHA-Anaheim bound this weekend (and y'all KNOW that means a trip to DISNEYLAND in there somewhere!)! The rest of the fam is staying home with the dog ... I will take LOTS of pictures for them, though. And I may even be persuaded to bring them home a goodie or something!! Can't WAIT to hang out with my super-cool crafty friends!! GOOD TIMES!!

Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake
Accessories: Large Heart Punch, Boho Blossom Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Victoria Crochet Trim, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Striped Textured Impressions Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Pearl Basics

Heart Wreath Class!!

2012-01-22T08:44:00.003-07:00

Okay ... because I am totally and certifiably crazy ... I am offering a class to make the heart wreath I posted for the Control Freaks Blog Tour (I am going to be cutting out scalloped circles forEVER!!)!

If you'd like to join me (and live close enough to come!), please RSVP ASAP!! (There are only 10 slots available, so act FAST!!)
Saturday, February 4, 2012
10:00 a.m.
$25 (includes all supplies, precut and ready to assemble)

FUNFUNFUN!

Don't Go Freakin' My Heart ...

2012-01-19T17:50:00.011-07:00

... you couldn't if you tried!! Welcome to this month's Control Freak's Blog Tour!! If you have been traveling around the tour already, then you should've just arrived from the blog of my BFF, JanTink! She is really making me want that Sweet Cake stamp set!! (and I swore I wasn't gonna get it!!) Our theme this month is "Love Is In the Air" ... and it most certainly is with the Freaks!!

I am SOOOO in love with this wreath (is it bad to love something you make??)!! I used the Scallop Circle #2 die and cut about a GAZILLION of them out of red felt. Then I folded each circle into quarters and put a straight pin through the bottom of the folded piece and stuck it into the wreath form. It was really easy and didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would!!

Stamps: NONE!!
Paper: NONE!!
Ink: NONE!!
Accessories: Styrofoam Wreath Form, 1 yd. Red Felt, Scallop Circles #2 Bigz Die, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Straight Pins

I used the Designer Cuts Card Set to make this clean and simple kinda card (which, I have to say, is NOT easy for me!). I cut the front of the card off of itself and trimmed it down to fit on the front of the Basic Black cardstock here. There's really not a lot going on with this, but I like it all the same (the little bit of glittery red coming through the laser cut heart looks really pretty in real life, I must say!).

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Designer Cuts Card Set, Basic Black, Real Red Glitter Paper,
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Small Oval Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, 5/8" Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

And here is a bit of a non-traditional color combo for a Valentine (trying to step outta the box a bit!). This is one of those cards that starts off looking MUCH MO' DIFFERENT in your head! Too bad we can't just send the image in our heads to our wireless printers, eh?

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Calypso Coral, Basic Black, Whisper White, Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, Domestic Goddess Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Heart to Heart Punch, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die, Rhinestone Basics, Everyday Enchantment Calypso Coral Ribbon (from the upcoming SAB catalog), Dimensionals

Now go check out what Yvette Ashe has to show you (and let me tell ya, the heart-shaped potholders she created are suh-WEET!!)

Dinkin' Around With MDS ...

2012-01-17T04:09:00.007-07:00

There are SOOO many downloads available from SU for My Digital Studio. The catalog just keeps gettin' biggah and biggah!!! I have been printing out the pages so that I can have my own hard copy to peruse. I FINALLY put all the pages in a binder. And I FINALLY made this fun page to slide into the outside front cover ... I've been having waaayyyy too much fun with MDS lately!

AND DON'T FORGET!!! If you haven't signed up to be a part of Tink & Bell's Digital Scrapbooking Club, it's never too late!! Click on the graphic below for details ...

And stay tuned for later this week (the evening of the 19th) ... Control Freaks are busy making some AWESOME things to inspire you for Valentine's Day. You won't wanna miss it!!

Love you ...

2012-01-15T00:01:00.005-07:00

Made this card for my teenage daughter ... with all the nagging that goes on when you have a teenager in the house, it is nice to remind them once in a while that you love them. Just sayin' ...

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Sweet Shop DSP (LOVE this stuff!)
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Tiny Tag Punch, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Zva Creative Pearl Flourish, MFT Rolled Roses Die, Pearl Basics, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, White Felt

AND DON'T FORGET!!! If you haven't signed up to be a part of Tink & Bell's Digital Scrapbooking Club, it's never too late!! We launch TOMORROW!! Click on the graphic below for details ...

Punch Art Giraffe for Jacob

2012-01-12T00:32:00.006-07:00

A while back I saw the ca-YOOT-est punch art giraffe on Pinterest (my new favorite addiction/guilty pleasure). Sadly, I never followed the link to who made it, so I can't give credit where credit is due (if it was YOU, let me know and I'll give you proper kudos!) ...

But I hafta say that I LOVE THIS LITTLE GUY!! (I added knobbly knees to mine!). Love it when you can make something kinda stinkin' adorable out of PUNCHES!! This is for my little cousin, Jacob ... he turned 3 this week ... I miss my babies being little!! I honestly have NO IDEA where the time went!! Sigh ...

Stamps: Up, Up & Away
Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Whisper White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Domestic Goddess DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch (retired), 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch (Retired), Itty Bitty Circle Punch, Double Circle Punch (Retired), Word Window Punch, Sponge, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Soft Suede 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Don't forget to take a peek at Tink & Bell's Digital Scrapbooking Club!!!! We launch next Monday ... soooo excited!!

Tink & Bell's Digital Scrapbooking Club!!!

2012-01-10T03:18:00.012-07:00

Without further adieu (and a day later than I had promised), I am sooooo excited to FINALLY announce:

YAY!! HOORAY!! APPLAUSE!! JOY!! HAPPINESS!!

Jan (the infamous JanTink for those of you who are wondering!) and I have been working on this FOREVER and are happy to announce our collaborative effort ... an AWESOME digital scrapbooking club!! We will officially be launching the Club on Monday, January 16, 2012 (that's next Monday, friends!). We have soooo many fantasmical and wonderful things and ideas we can't WAIT to share with all y'all ...

Memberships are available in two different terms: 1-year membership and 6-month. The cost is only $45 for 1-year membership and $25 for 6-month membership.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!!

And just in case y'all think I FORGOT how to make a CARD ... here is my first birthday card of the year. I STILL struggle with the whole "Dude Card" thing ... but my uncle was really excited to receive this, so it pretty much made my day!

Stamps: Countryside, Vintage Labels
Paper: Sahara Sand, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Watercolor, Not Quite Navy Patterned DSP
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Black Stazon
Accessories: Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, Circle Scissor, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Photo Corners Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat, Linen Thread, Neutrals Button

2012 MDS Family Calendar - Part 3

2012-01-08T08:06:00.011-07:00

As promised, here are the last four pages of my 2012 Family Calendar. I love it when you get that sense of accomplishment after you've made something that you feel has turned out close to what you had envisioned!! Technology has made this project so easy and fun ... we've come a long way, baby!!

SEPTEMBER - This month contains several more pictures taken during our family's "apple-pressing day" in Alpine (with another Heather-Summers-inspired layout). We had a hard time finding a day that would work this year in October, so we were pushed to November ... it was c-c-c-COLD!! Doesn't matter, though ... we enjoyed ourselves, anyway!

OCTOBER - These were pictures I took at our Thanksgiving Day feast!! (Notice my nephews' "Novembeards"??) My cute niece, Melissa, looks soooo adorably pregnant ... hard to believe she still had FOUR weeks to go by the looks of that baby bump!! (Not sure what I woulda done with the inspiration I grabbed from Heather Summers' creations ... I was feeling stale and she breathed some new life into me!!)

NOVEMBER - The Weixlers are an extremely musical bunch. Every year on the second Sunday in December we have a family music program. It is such a wonderful event ... and everyone brings LOTS of delicious goodies (I traditionally bring caramel popcorn ... which my husband reminds me makes a MESS to clean up afterwords, but I don't care as everyone gobbles it up!)

DECEMBER - More singing, a Christmas Nativity, family and FOOD on Christmas Eve ... I am so blessed to have such an amazing family ...

In answer to another question I received about my calendars ... I DO bind my own. I decided several years back that it would be cheaper to just bite the bullet and buy a binding machine, as the cost of binding these babies at Kinko's was getting a little ridiculous ... my binding machine paid for itself by the second time I used it!! I purchased it online from Digital Finishing Group. Here is a link to the machine I have:

DFG PC250 Binding Machine

Sadly, they don't have pricing listed, so you have to call for a quote. I seem to recall paying something like $120 (it was for sure less than $150!). Not sure what their prices are like now, but this has been a very trusty little machine ... haven't had a moment's trouble with it. It is very reliable.

EXCITING NEWS!!! I have a REALLY AWESOME announcement to share with y'all tomorrow, so be sure to come back ... the only hint I can give you is that my BFF JanTink and I have put our heads together (which could be dangerous, RIGHT??)

2012 MDS Family Calendar - Part 2

2012-01-06T00:32:00.015-07:00

Here are the next four months for my 2012 Family Calendar. I am always surprised at how quickly I can put things together in MDS ... which, I have to say, is kinda embarrassing since I just wanted to NOT LIKE MDS when I first heard in announced at Convention a couple of years ago. I have enjoyed playing with it soooo much!! I am still really into "tactile" scrapbooking, but for creating calendars and cookbooks it is a DREAM!!

MAY - An Ode to Amelia ... LOVE the picture of my daughter standing on the rocks on the shores of Bear Lake!! The picture of she and I was taken at arms' length while we were doing the 52-mile ride around the lake on our bikes!! Sooo long and tiring, but so much satisfaction when we FINISHED!! And the picture of Amelia and her dad in the airplane is actually her favorite ...

JUNE - Can you say ORANGE??? This is more fun at Bear Lake ... can't even COUNT the HOURS and HOURS we have spent on the large expanse of lawn behind our family condo there playing croquet ... it wouldn't be a Weixler Summer without it!!

JULY - Disneyland Memories ... we soooo enjoyed our trip to Disneyland this past fall. I couldn't have done a calendar WITHOUT it!! (and who DOESN'T love Mickey Mouse?? If you DON'T, don't tell me ... I don't wanna know!!)

AUGUST - Another page inspired by Heather Summers ... one of our MOST FUNNEST family traditions is pressing apples into juice in the fall. It's a TON of work, but as my grandmother used to say "many hands make light work" ... and tons of happy, smiling memories, too!

I was asked to share one of the actual "calendar" pages with you, so here it is ... I actually create these in WordPerfect (I am a diehard-never-change-to-Word Girl!). I do it this way mostly because it is always the way I have done it and it works for me ... so why change, right??

And ALSO because I have been asked (which I KNEW I would be, but was too lazy to get off my backside when I was typing up my post yesterday to check!) ... the printer I ended up with was an HP Photosmart 7510. I actually bought a Brother printer first (can't really remember which one, but it was AWFUL!). I ended up taking it back (my regular sales guy was not there the day I brought the Brother ... the guy who helped me seemed kinda clueless, so I'm not sure why I took his advice!). My regular Staples Dude (whom I have known for years ... thanks, Jimmy!) was there when I returned the Brother and was VERY helpful and knowledgeable. I really liked this printer because I saw absolutely NO banding when I printed (the little "lines" you get with every printer head pass), and I made it through all the calendars on the starter cartridges and one set of XL cartridges, which is pretty much incredible! The colors are rich and vibrant ... they look very clean and professional!

2012 MDS Family Calendar - Part 1

2012-01-05T07:17:00.014-07:00

Years and years and YEARS ago I started buying calendars for my husband's family and writing all of the family birthdays and anniversaries on them. I started buying calendars from Current (remember them??), but I found more economically-priced calendars and started doing that ... and as the family grew it took me more and more time to write in all those events on every single calendar.

So, what's a girl to do?? Make her own calendars, of course!! I have made more of these than I can count over the years (one of the most fun of which included pictures from my husband's and his siblings' childhood). I have really enjoyed making them over the years. And the calendars for the past few years have been made using MDS. I think this year's has been my favorite so far! I FINALLY found a printer I like (and let me tell ya, that was NO easy task!), and I am SUPER pleased with how well they printed out!! (I am up to making 14 calendars with over 100 events on them).

So, I'm going to share the pages I made with you ... The picture above is for January ... don'tha just LOVE the picture of my daughter toasting me and the camera??

FEBRUARY - This is probably one of my favorite pages ... I just love all that yellow (this layout was inspired by the ever-talented Heather Summers).

MARCH - We took these pictures when we were up at a church youth conference over the summer. I realized I had NO pictures of my husband with his sister ... ever ... so I TOOK one!!

APRIL - Here are some more pictures from our big family New Year's Eve party. We eat a LOT of food and play a LOT of games!! Good times!!

I have a bunch more to show ya, so stay tuned over the next few days to see!! :)

More Fun With Connie and Mary!

2012-01-03T00:00:00.003-07:00

I'm so excited to announce that I will once again be a guest designer for Create with Connie and Mary for their Occasions Edition 2012! We will be featuring the fabulous products not only in the Occasions Mini but also the incredible SAB brochure. One of my FAVE things in the Occasions Mini is the Tea Shoppe stamp set ... and this is a sneak peek for my project to come!

I am the first guest designer being announced on the Create with Connie and Mary site, and from now through January 14th you can subscribe to the Occasions Edition 2012 for only $29.95...that's $5 off their regular 6 week subscription price of $34.95. All of the projects designed for the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition 2012 are exclusive and will not be seen anywhere else. So...if you want to see that SUPER COOL project I have planned, join today!

Also...check back on the Create with Connie and Mary website each day from now through January 14th for exciting announcements! You won't want to miss it!!

Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Paper: Concord Crush, Whisper White, Sweet Shop DSP
Ink: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Scallop Circles #2 Bigz Die, Circle Scissor, 1" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Fleurettes, Pearl Basics and Large Pearl Basics

Thumper

2011-12-31T04:19:00.004-07:00

Where on EARTH has the year gone?? Could it possibly be that Christmas has ALREADY come and gone once again?? And here it is, New Year's Eve ...

I have to say that I am really proud of myself ... I set a goal for the year to send birthday/anniversary cards to everyone on the Weixler side of the family this year, and I did it!! That's over 100 cards!!! It's been so fun watching the reactions of those I love ... there hasn't been a single family gathering this year where I haven't been thanked (multiple times!) for the cards have been sending out all year ... and it's also very rewarding to know that I am actually DOING something with the things I create (not to mention that I have been creating with more of a "purpose" this year, as many of my cards have been made with someone specific that I love in mind).

Which brings me to Thumper ... I made this little card for my cute little cousin, Elisabeth. She turned 6 yesterday! I vaguely remember being 6 ...

It was wonderful having my brother and sister-in-law with us over Christmas. They went home on Thursday, and I have to say I miss them already. It's great having them here when they get the chance to come!

Happy New Year, my friends!! The Annual Family New Year's Party has been moved to MY house this year (thanks in part to my niece, Melissa, giving birth to her first baby on Tuesday ... welcome, welcome Baby Barrett!!)! Gotta get BUSY!

Stamps: Family Phrases
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cricut Disney Classics, Bigz Scallop Square Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Folder, Blushing Bride Ruffled Ribbon, Black Ribbon, 1 1/4" and 1" Circle Punches

Triple Treat Birthday

2011-12-27T09:17:00.003-07:00

We had a wonderful holiday with family (and I have eaten WAY too much!)!! Spent half the day yesterday shopping (spent WAY too much!), and plan to spend the day with my brother and sister-in-law helping my mom take down her Christmas decorations and going to lunch! With all of us (including two of my three kids) we should have it all done in a jiffy!!

My OTHER sister-in-law is having a birthday today, so I pulled this card together this morning before I am going to get ready for my day. I really like how you can layer the stamped image on itself with all these nifty punches! Cool, eh??

I also used the Color Challenge over on SCS as inspiration to start (Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Whisper White), as well as this card by my good friend, Chat (nitestamper):

Chat's Triple Treat Flower

Too bad I hafta go back to reality and my job tomorrow ... sigh ...

Stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Create a Cupcake
Paper: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Regals Patterned Paper
Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Fancy Flower Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Rhinestone Basics

2011-12-25T04:27:00.011-07:00

Merry Christmas, Friends!!! I have a couple of little gift card holders to share with you. I found myself in need of a couple of these on December 23. Soooo, despite the fact that I was running around like a proverbial chicken-with-my-head-cut-off, I was happy that I had a chance to sit down for a bit and create something.

And I am also really happy that this gave me an excuse to use my layered poinsettia die one more time (that's TWICE in the week since I got it!. I was a little hesitant to put gold smooch on these red leaves, but I really love how they turned out!!

I was able to squeeze two gift cards on the inside ...

Stamps: Petitie Pairs
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP (retired)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Gold Smooch
Accessories: Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die, Martha Stewart Fir Branch Punch, Corner Rounder, Word Window Punch, Simply Scored, Pearl Basics, Velcro Dot

I have probably had this little Cuttlebug embossing/cut tree for at LEAST four years. And it has NEVER seen the light of day ... I KNEW when I got it that I was goon NEED It at some point, so I was very happy that I had it on hand!! PHEW!!! Instead of closing this gift card holder with a Velcro dot, I decided a belly band was in order ...

I didn't even ATTEMPT to try to match colors to this crazy-over-the-top-too-bright iTunes card for my nephew ... at least it's KINDA red ...

Stamps: Small Script
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Merry Moments DSP (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Cuttlebug Christmas Trees Die, Decorator Label Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Medium Oval Punch, Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Word Window Punch, Simply Scored

These gift card holders were created by using a 4.25" x 10" piece of cardstock scored along the 10" side at 3", 4", 5" and 8" ...

Here's wishing you the happiest of holidays. May your new year be blessed with continued love and time with family and friends!! Now, it's time to get up and see what Santa brought!!

Holly Berry Noel

2011-12-23T12:42:00.003-07:00

In the hustle and bustle to get things done, I made this card with a new little background stamp/embossing folder I got yesterday ... It is so cool how the embossing folder outlines the images from the background stamp, don'tcha think?

I seriously need to get some sleep!! So many projects, so little time!! (Went to bed at 12:30 a.m. and woke up at 3:46 a.m. ... decided not to fight the wheels in my head and just got up to finish some things.) I finished some cookbooks for my kids (pretty sure they are not gonna read this, so I feel safe in posting it), made five pair of PJ pants, setup and loaded a Kindle for a friend, and did a couple of loads of laundry ... I think I need a nap!!

Soooo excited that my brother and sister-in-law are flying in late tonight ... hope I can get all my wrapping done before then!!

The elves are gonna be up late tonight!!

Stamps: Sizzix/Hero Arts Holly Background Stamp
Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold
Ink: Sahara Sand, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Sizzix/Hero Arts Holly Textured Impressions Folder, Martha Stewart Holly Punch, Large and Small Oval Punches, Gold Elastic Cord, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Gold and Illuminate Smooch

910 Lucky Pennies!

2011-12-21T00:13:00.004-07:00

It's that time of year again. I feel kinda like the Dunkin' Donuts man (some of you may remember the commercial where the guy who baked the Dunkin' Donuts had to get up at all hours of the night ... "Time to make the donuts!"). The Sunday before Christmas we have set aside to make the most yummy ginger cookies for our Christmas neighbor gifts. These cookies are also known as Lucky Pennies (I have posted this recipe for the past two years here, and the recipe is at the bottom of this post). They fill our house with the most WONDERFUL smells!! It takes 3-4 hours of rolling dough in sugar and baking, stacking and packaging our cookies to get the job done ... and lots of laughter and Christmas-movie-watching also takes place. Good times ...

53 bags with 17 cookies ... and we had about 9 left over. That makes 910, right?? That is a LOT of cookies ... SEE??? They are one of my all-time favorite cookies, and since my dad told me they were HIS all-time favorite Christmas treat a couple of years before he died, making them brings up all kinds of happy memories of my dad and family togetherness in years past. Truly a wonderful Christmas tradition!!

Stamps: Sweet Season
Paper: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Merry Moments DSP (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Two Tags Bigz Die, Wide (Extra Large) Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Decorator Label Punch, Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder Punch, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Basics, Cello Bag, Snowflake Ornament

And for those of you who DON'T know about the Dunkin' Donuts man ...

Lucky Pennies

2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. salt
3/4 C. (1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened)
1 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 C. molasses
1 large egg
granulated sugar (for coating cookies)

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt. In a separate large bowl, use a wooden spoon to cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the molasses and egg and mix until well blended. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until combined. Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 1 to 2 hours or until firm enough to roll into balls.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Use a teaspoon to scoop the dough out of the bowl, then roll it with your fingertips into balls that are about one-inch in diameter. Roll the balls in a shallow bowl of granulated sugar. Place the balls on an ungreased baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between the cookies. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes or until the cookies are crinkled and set.

Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat until all the dough is used. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month and at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Special note: This is a recipe that does NOT double/triple very well. If you want to make LOTS of them, you should make a separate batch of dough each time.

We are getting sooo close to Christmas and I have soooo much still to do (I'm sure most of you can relate). Putting the nose back to the grindstone ...

Sneaky Peeky Freaky Fun!!

2011-12-19T17:15:00.013-07:00

Welcome, welcome to this month's Control Freaks Blog Tour where we are giving you a few sneak peeks at what is coming up in both the Occasions Mini AND Sale-a-Bration Catalog!! If you are following the Tour around, you should have just come from the blog of my BFF, JanTink! She blows me away pretty much All. The. Time!

As we still have several months of winter chill in this neck of the woods, I decided to make a fun little item that you can share with a friend ... the teacups in the new Tea Shoppe set just spoke to me ... stinkin' ADORABLE!! So, I decided to make a little hot chocolate kit!!

Wait for it ...

Wait for it ...

TA-DA!!! Lookie what is inside!! Not only some hot chocolate (which, I am sad to say, I only had samples of "generic" stuff that came in little packets ... all my yummy gourmet stuff comes in canisters!), but some mini marshmallows and peppermint bits t'boot!! (Thanks for the inspiration, Kim!) I had way too much fun making this!!

Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Paper: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Pear PIzzazz
Accessories: Simply Scored, Modern Label Punch, Small Oval Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Pearl Basics, Pear Pizzazz Ruffled Ribbon, Test Tubes

Moving on ... I made this card for my aunt for her birthday. I haven't done any "painting" with reinkers and a blender pen in AGES!! I almost forgot how much FUN it is!! And I LOVELOVELOVE how we have a die, embossing folder AND stamped images that all coordinate together (I am saving the stamped image that goes with this lovely curvy edge for another day!). C'mon SPRING!!

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Elementary Elegance
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Pear PIzzazz, Black Stazon
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Pear Pizzazz Ruffled Ribbon, Pearl Basics, Dimensionals

One more to share with ya ... I swore I wasn't gonna get this set ... but it kept calling me from the closed pages of my Occasions Mini ... "Wendy ... you KNOW you want to!! Just DO IT!!" So I did! And I also think I am kinda hooked on the ruffled ribbon ... SOOOO PURDY!!

Stamps: Love & Laughter
Paper: Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink: Blushing Bride, Pearl Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Blushing Bride Ruffled Ribbon, Rhinestone Basics

Now it's time to visiting one of my Freaky Friends who is brand new to the Blog Tour this month (although I've been swapping with her for YEARS and she is AWESOME!!). Yvette Ashe!!

Family Christmas Card & Wishes for Spencer

2011-12-18T06:33:00.017-07:00

It is finally SAFE for me to post my Family Christmas Card (you notice I used "initial caps" when I typed that out?? I felt it deserved it since it took soooo stinkin' long to finish these!!)

I had envisioned making a quilt card quite a while ago (and to be honest, after having made THE pop-up Christmas tree a couple of years ago, I feel like everything that follows it up falls a bit short!). What I HADN'T envisioned was cutting/punching out 33 individual quilt pieces for each card ... not to mention the two mats, five pieces for the stocking, the punched corner, the twine, the bell, the ribbon and SEWING ... not to mention embossing!!). I actually enjoy making something that I know will go to all of my dear sweet friends and family ... lots of work, but there is love in every piece and my family and friends are WORTH it!!

Here is the inside. I decided to do our greeting auf Deutsch (in German) this year. Since my husband's family has such a rich German heritage (and since, let's face it, after making cards for so many years I was starting to get stale!), I decided German greetings would do very nicely. So there ya have it ...

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Marina Mist, Pear PIzazz, Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge DSP, Letters to Santa DSP, Silver Glitter Paper
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 3/4" Square Punch (sooo sad this is retired), Photo Corner Punch (sad that THIS is retired, too!), 3/4" Circle Punch, Build a Stocking Punch, Petals a Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribon, Jingle Bell, Sewing Machine

And this was our second year volunteering for Spencer's Wishes. My dear friends, Phil and Pam Roundy, organize this event every year in honor of their sweet little boy, Spencer, who passed away from brain cancer at the tender age of 10 just over 11 years ago. In keeping with a list of Christmas wishes that they found in Spencer's room after his passing, they try to "help Santa deliver presents to children" by sponsoring a wonderful event every December complete with pizza, music, a magician, SANTA, and a $100 shopping spree for each of the 100 children who are invited to attend (each child is nominated ... all of the children have had a tough year in one way or another, and this is to help them put some joy back into their lives). This is me with my new buddy, Zane (and Santa, of course!).

Last year, my daughter Amelia and I went. We had such an AMAZING experience that we convinced my two sons, Devan and Garrett, as well as Amelia's friend, Merin (one of my other daughters!) to join us. Smiles, laughter and love ruled the day ...

Here is Santa getting ready to count the crowd down to releasing our purple balloons to Spencer. Purple was his favorite color. It was also the favorite color of his best friend, Susie, who succumbed to leukemia prior to Spencer's passing. He had purposely released a purple balloon after having received a large bouquet of brightly-colored balloons. When his daddy asked him why he let it go he said, "Because purple is Susie's favorite color. I'm sending this to her in Heaven, where I am sure she will find it!" Chokes me up even TYPING that!!

And there they go .... "THANK YOU , SPENCER!!"

Birthday Poinsettia

2011-12-16T00:00:00.002-07:00

Ohmygoodness!! Isn't this poinsettia die DELICIOUS??? Seriously, I would have to say that it is probably one of my all-time FAVORITE Spellbinders dies ... EVER!! (And that's sayin' a LOT because I was on their Design Team for nearly a year and a half and I accumulated mui-MANY dies during that time!).

It was once again my turn to serve as hostess for the Free for All Challenge over on Splitcoast today. I chose "Winter Flowers" as my theme. Basically, I wanted to be able to have something to perk me up out of the cold, gray doldrums ...

Bwahahahahaha!! This has got to be one of my all-time favorite movies!! And that dumb phrase has been rockin' my brain for DAYS!! "It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be gray, and it's gonna last you for the rest of your life!!" If we could just get some SNOW to push this yucky, gray, chewable air outta here then it would be GREAT!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Petite Pairs
Paper: Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold
Ink: Gold Encore
Accessories: Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia, Corner Rounder Punch, Pearl Basics, PTI Gold Ribbon

Mirror, Mirror ...

2011-12-12T07:40:00.004-07:00

I haven't done the mirror/reflection technique in a looooonnnnnggg time!! And ya notice how this card mirrors/reflects my blog design?? I actually thought about doing this card long before I redid my blog "digs" ... finally got around to making it, thanks to VSN (Virtual Stamp Night) over on SCS (Splitcoaststampers).

I have been to four Christmas parties in four days!!! SOOOO much goodness to eat!! Here's where the fit of my pants starts to reflect the parties I have been to ... off to exercise this morning!!

Happy Wintry Monday!!

Stamps: Welcome Christmas, Lovely as a Tree, Many Merry Messages
Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Northern Flurries Die, Rhinestone Basics, Pop-Up Glue Dots

It's the Most Wonderful Time ...

2011-12-10T05:32:00.002-07:00

... of the year!! And as we are all hustling/bustling/running around I think it is all-too-easy to lose sight of what we are doing and why we are doing it! This year I feel a bit more reflective than usual ... I'm just grateful to have a healthy family close by, a warm house to live in (it has been sooooo cold in Salt Lake City this week!), and a pretty Christmas tree to look at ...

Made this card a while back and just never got around to posting it ... I have a WONDERFUL stash of new goodies that I got on my Occasions Mini/Sale-a-Bration preorder ... and I NEED to create some more stuff with it!! FINALLY finished my Christmas cards and got them in the mail on Thursday ... I will be posting a pic of that in a few days (gotta wait for the fam and friends to get 'em in the mail before they see them here!).

Shopping, wrapping, crafting, baking ... somehow or another it always gets done, so this year I've chosen not to stress about it!!

Stamps: Hello Doily, Always Elegant
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Very Vanilla
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Versamark
Accessories: Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Pearl Stickers, Lace Trim, Clear Embossing Powder

Mothers and Daughters

2011-12-07T06:23:00.004-07:00

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holidays (have GOT to get my Christmas cards out the door!), I thought I'd share an MDS layout I did a couple of months ago ...

My dear, sweet mom has been struggling with health issues the past couple of years. We have made manyMANY trips to the doctor's office (several DIFFERENT doctors, actually) and the hospital. Darn heart wouldn't cooperate!! The wonderful doctors who have been caring for her were FINALLY able to get her heart in a happy place after placing a pacemaker about 6 weeks ago. HOORAY!! She has been doing soooo much better ... and just in time for the holidays!!!

While she was in having an ablation a couple of months ago, I made this layout ... I realized when my dad died a couple of years ago that I had hardly ANY pictures of the two of us together (at least any where I was over 10 years old!). I have made a concerted effort to take pictures of me and my mom together since then ... and this is one of my favorites, taken last Christmas Day. Doesn't she look beautiful and happy??? Love you, Mom ... so grateful to have you as part of my life!!

NOW ... back to the Christmas Card Pile ... I'm getting closer!!

Gnomeo, Gnomeo ... (aka Occasions Mini Sneak Peek!)

2011-12-05T00:00:00.001-07:00

I have to admit that when I saw some of the new things in the upcoming Stampin' Up Occasions Mini Catalog that I was a little underwhelmed ... but I think I musta just blown through it too fast!! And the LAST thing on my "wish list" was the little Gnome Sweet Gnome stamp set. So, what was on my preview order?? And what was the FIRST set I created something with??? The picture pretty much says it all ...

I made this card for my nephew's 18th birthday (Happy Birthday, Crayton!). The more I have looked at this little Gnomeo dudes, the more I am liking them!! (against my own better judgement, I might add!!). It's still hard for me to believe that people actually BUY these little gnome-y statues and put 'em in their gardens ...

I am getting really close on finishing up my Christmas cards. Hope to have them in the mail by Tuesday (and I'll be sharing them with you a few days after that ... I'd like for the recipients to actually see them in person first, before actually seeing them on my blog!! --- which is assuming that any of the recipients actually READ the darn thing!!)

Stamps: Gnome Sweet Gnome; Up, Up & Away
Paper: Early Espresso, Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Stazon Black
Accessories: Dotted Ribbon Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Linen Thread, Silver Brads, Large and Small Tag Punch, Dimensionals

Quick Little Tags

2011-12-02T07:16:00.007-07:00

My sister-in-law asked me last night if I would do some tags for her holiday neighbor gifts. The scary part is that she already has her neighbor gifts DONE!! WHAT??!!??? It was only the first of December yesterday!! HOLYCOW!!!
So this is what I came up with ...

And here it is close up ....

These were pretty quick and easy ... now if only MY neighbor gifts could be even STARTED!!! Sheesh!!

Stamps: Season of Joy
Paper: Whisper White, Garden Green, Real Red, Early Espresso, Frostwood Lodge DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Two Tags Bigz Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Snowflake Punch, Rhinestone Basics, Silver Cord

A Little Wisdom ...

2011-11-30T08:35:00.007-07:00

... from the immortal words of Winston Churchill. How is it that some people can inspire us continually with all the amazingly wonderful things they said (or say)? I wish I had something this profound to share!!

I saw a similar layout SOMEwhere and decided I liked the criss-cross pattern of the strips (I may have seen it on CardMaps??). You know we are always on the hunt for fresh, new ideas ... glad I was able to find something a little different ...

Been trying to get all my Christmas decorating done. Seems I am surrounded by Grinch-types who are too busy/have better things to do than decorate trees this year. I have another tree to put up in my basement this weekend ... hoping to find some elves to help me decorate it!! I will be headed over to my mom's later today to help her put up a little Christmas cheer. Just get me some good ol' Christmas tunes to play while I do it and I'm rarin' to go!!

Stamps: Occasional Quotes
Paper: Mocha Morning DSP, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Circle Cutter, Fleurettes, Antique Brads, Crocheted Trim, Dimensionals

MDS ... Disney Style!!

2011-11-28T06:53:00.010-07:00

Y'all KNOW how much of a DisneyFreak I am ... so it didn't take me long to settle in and create some scrapbook layouts in MDS (My Digital Studio) of our resent excursion to SoCal. I actually did these layouts a few days after I got back. I just haven't had a chance to share them until now!!

I love this layout of my daughter and her BFF, Merin. They have literally been best buds since the day they were born. The fun part is that they will be roomies in college next year as they head out into the big, scary world! So glad they will have each other to share this adventure with! (Aren't they beautiful??!??)

Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here!!! I did the photo-on-photo technique with this layout of our whole group (with Minnie!) as well. You basically select the photo and then add a punch to the layout and fill it with the same photo ... you hafta do a little tweaking to get the size and positioning just right, but I love the look, don't you??

I knew as soon as I saw this fence in California Adventure that I was gonna make the kids pose for the photo at the top of this page at some point ... we had such a great time and were so busy running back and forth that I didn't get around to it until the last day we were there ... so glad I took the time to make them pose!

I also enjoy using photos as the "frame" or border around a page ... I have done this with photo-and-paper scrapbook pages as well as doing it digitally. I am one who really likes to tell a story with photos on a page, so this is one of those ... Manohman, I'd go back tomorrow if I could!!! Such a fun place!!

I did a LOT of shopping over the weekend ... a LOT of cooking (did a Thanksgiving dinner for my side of the fam since we were with my hubby's family on Thanksgiving Day), and did a LOT of decorating ... now if I could just get my Christmas cards finished!!

Black & White Christmas

2011-11-26T07:26:00.005-07:00

This is a card I made in a hurry on Thanksgiving ... I realized the night before that I was scheduled to be the "Free for All" challenge hostess over on SCS for Black Friday. Since I usually post the night before, I knew I was gonna hafta put something together QUICK-LIKE, so that I could go and stand in line with the OTHER crazy Black Friday shoppers ....

Sooo.... this is what I came up with!! My challenge was to create a card to herald in the season (Christmasy or wintry!) that featured black. Pretty quick and easy!

Hafta say that my shopping excursion(s) went well for the most part. Started at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday ... shopped 'til about 2:30 a.m. ... went home and slept 'til 5:00 a.m. .... shopped until 10:00 a.m. ... went home and TRIED to nap a little - not very well ... then headed out again with my daughter at about 5:30. Got home by about 9:00 ...

I DO hate those people who lurk at the sides or rush up frpm the back of the line as soon as the doors are opened ... seriously??? C'mom, people ... it's only a stinkin' crock pot!! I just don't understand how some people feel they are "entitled" to do whatever they want while the rest of us patiently and happily waited in line while we visited. I had my daughter and her two friends with me. The three of them sing quite well and continued to serenade us with Christmas songs AND the occasional Rhianna/Adele tunes. That is UNTIL the rude lady behind them asked them to STOP because their loud singing was preventing her and her friend from hearing each other talk!!! WHAT??!!??? The girls were actually facing ME (and the new friends I had made while we were standing there), and we could all hear each other JUST FINE!!! It is at moments like this that I wish I were more quick-witted ... thought of SEVERAL snappy comebacks for this lady ... of course they didn't come to me until MUCH later, though!! I actually leaned over to the girls about five minutes later and suggested that they start up again ... but LOUDER!!! They were too chicken to do so. So this is for the rude ladies behind my daughter and her lovely friends .... "GET A LIFE, YA GRINCH!!" (Okay, not very clever, funny, or snappy ... but it is how she made me feel!!) I was able to score a few items that I was seeking along the way (although I did not get ONE single Cricut cartridge at the Roberts sale ... they were $9.99 each and the wall was picked CLEAN by the time I got in the door about 57 seconds after it opened. That was a frenzy of crafty locusts, I tell ya!!). All in all, not a bad day, and MOST of the people I encountered were pleasant, helpful and happy. I slept like a BRICK last night, though!!

Have a terrific weekend!!

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Petite Pairs
Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray
Accessories: Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die, Silver Cord, Curvy Label Punch, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Folder, Rhinestone Basics

Thanks & Gratitude

2011-11-24T07:20:00.004-07:00

Just stopping by for a brief moment to express my thanks and gratitude for my many blessings ... my family, my faith, my friends, a safe roof overhead, a job, plenty to eat, clothing to wear ... all the things that we take for granted on a daily basis ...

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!!

Stamps: Gently Falling, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Sponges, Antique Brads

Online Extravaganza!!!

2011-11-21T07:05:00.015-07:00

Stamin' Up! is having their Online Extravaganza!! It's the annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season and begins TODAY ... and will run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011. While this promotion is perfect for online orders during an especially busy time of year, you can also contact me to order for you.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PDF OF ALL ITEMS ON SALE!!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW!!

In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT] - TODAY!!)

122334 - Simply Scored - Sale Price $23.96
125152 - Sweet Press Cookie Stamp - Sale Price $13.96

Don't miss it!! (I hafta admit I was one of my first customers today ... some AWESOME deals going on!!)

Simply Freakin' Awesome!!

2011-11-19T17:57:00.012-07:00

Welcome to the November Control Freaks Blog Tour! We're excited to share some projects we have done for ya with the "KISS" theme ... and NO, I DON'T mean "rock 'n roll!!" (Sorry Jan ... couldn't resist using this smiley ... how often DOES one get to use a Kiss Rock Band Smiley??)

K - Keep; I - It; S - Simple; S - Stamper ... projects that can be easily duplicated or produced en masse. You should have just come from the blog of Dawn Olchefske ... she is making me regret that I haven't got the "Hand-Penned Holidays" stamp set ... yet ...

I hafta admit that my palms have been getting sweaty just THINKING about this month's theme ... simple I AIN'T (just ask my hubby!)!! I am a self-professed layer/ embellishment/fussy cutting GEEK. But, being up for a challenge I dug right in with this card. I haven't done a lot of fall stamping this year, which is kinda surprising since I {{heart}} this time of year! This card is a 3" square. It DOES have more than a couple of layers, but it is pretty basic (and where in the HECK is my ribbon??? GASP!!). Kinda hard to tell from the photo, but the top leaf is gold embossed ...

Stamps: French Foliage, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Brushed Gold
Ink: Early Espresso, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Versamark
Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Small Oval Punch, Regals Cajun Craze Button

Next up, I turned my thoughts to Christmas. I have always been drawn to cards that are mostly white or vanilla ... I used my Simply Scored tool to create the little embossed border lines on the sentiment strip ... I didn't even hafta color this, except for the little holly berries, which I then dressed up with a little bit of Dazzling Details glitter glue ...

Stamps: Bells and Boughs, Petite Pairs
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Simply Scored Tool, Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon, Dazzling Details glitter glue, Dimensionals

And last of all ... I kinda did this one a little less simple ... I TRIED ... REALLY I did!! The idea in my head was VERY simple. And it really wasn't all that difficult to put together, either (did you know that the Snowflake Punch has little hash marks on the front end and on the side to mark the halfway point?? I didn't!! It made centering these snowflakes in the squares pretty easy!). AND I SPONGED!! Something I rarely do, for some reason!! I like how the sponging helps pop the score lines up, though ...

Stamps: Grateful Greetings
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Frostwood Lodge, DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Snowflake Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Simply Scored Tool, 3/8" Twill Tape, Winter Wishes Stitched Felt, Dimensionals

Next up is the incomparable Connie Babbert ... she does up Red, White and Blue - WINTER style!! LOVE it!!

Apples, Apples, APPLES!!

2011-11-17T06:06:00.026-07:00

But just a sec .... before I show you all photos from the Annual Weixler Family Alpine Apple Pressing Day, I thought I'd share this card with you (NOT an apple ... but a pear IS close!). I used JanTink's Double-Up Background Technique to get the coolio embossed/colored/patterned background strip with the houndstooth pattern... excellente'!!

Stamps: Faith in Nature, Fabulous Phrases, Woodgrain Background, Aida Background
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Eearly Espresso, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Peach Parfait
Ink: Black Stazon, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Peach Parfait, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches, Small Oval Punch (retired), Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Folder, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Mini Clothespin, Dimensionals

Pressing apple juice is a tradition that started with my husband, his brothers and his dad when they were young. They had an old-fashioned crank-type gizmo that they would put the apples in to press the juice (in fact, it is STILL stored in my garage!). On a good day they could squeeze out about a gallon of juice (and it was a LOT of work, I tell ya!!) The first step in the process as we now do it is to grind the apples into bits ...

Then, we put the ground up apples in burlap that is placed in a square frame. Once the frame is full, the burlap is folded over and removed from the frame. These "apple packets" are then stacked between wood pallets, six deep, and placed in our apple press.

A word about the press ... my brilliantly smart and talented brother in law, Jerry, designed and built this thing. As of last year, he added a "turbo boost" to the thing which makes it go MUCH faster than it used to. It really is amazing to watch. We can get about six gallons out of a single press (which takes about two minutes).

Here we see the juices flowing (and my son, Devan). You gotta be ready with the tub and strainer. All of the juice is strained as it comes off the press ...

Then, the tub is carried over to a table where many of us wait to strain it again and put it in the bottles ... we have three tubs that are continually rotating through the process. Busybusybusy!!

I am sure this is not quite as sanitary as pasteurization, but we haven't had any problems, so it seems to work pretty well. All of the juice is frozen until it is ready for consumption ...

There is a lot of laughter, many hugs and much visiting and eating happening (we have the most AWESOME tailgate party somewhere in the middle of the process ... LOTS of good food ... and of course, oatmeal butterscotch cookies made by my sister-in-law, Diann. They are deLISH!!). This is me with my darling niece, Melissa. She is due to have her first baby (a boy!) next month. We are all SOOO excited!!

This year, we weren't able to get as many empty bottles as we usually do, so we only did about 370 gallons ... (I really shouldn't say "only", as it is STILL an amazing feat!)!!

We also filled this giant "vat" thing ... not sure what to call it. I think we put between 75 and 80 gallons in it. So overall, it was about a 450-gallon day!! Not bad, eh?

And we can't EVEN touch that stuff that pretends to be apple juice that you buy in the store ... compared to what we make (which pretty much tastes like bitin' an apple), that stuff is watered-down and nasty!! (at least in our opinion!)

So now I have a happy freezer full of delicious juice to last us for the coming year. This is one of our favorite family traditions ... come rain or come shine, we wouldn't miss it!!

Coral Birthday Wishes

2011-11-14T06:57:00.004-07:00

Getting ready to get back into the work-a-day week and thought I'd drop a quick post ...

STILL loving me this stamp set!! I seem to have several sets that are just a great "go-to", and this is one of them ... Fabulous Florets ... {{HEART}} it!!

Apple pressing was a success. We weren't able to get as many empty bottles as usual, so we did about 370 gallons of bottled juice, and then we did about an additional 75 gallons, which were stored in this huge vat-sorta thing (I have a picture of that, too!). I'll be sharing some photos in my next post. It was cold, to be sure, but we only got a little bit of rain on our heads (which turned to snow!). Good times ... PLUS, I brought home a bunch of extra apples (and a few Asian pears) so that I can make something with them!! YUM!! Used the Asian pears already in a salad last night ...

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Print Pattern, French Script, Occasional Quotes
Paper: Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Whisper White Watercolor Crayon
Accessories: Oval Cutter, Eyelet Border Punch, Bitty Buttons & Punch, Pearl Stickers, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Thankful for Veterans ...

2011-11-12T06:27:00.007-07:00

Being that Thanksgiving is fast approaching (at least for us folks in the US of A), AND also being that yesterday was Veteran's Day (TOTALY spaced it until I had driven clear across town to pick up my son and brought him clear across town to the Drivers License Division office only to find the parking lot EMPTY, the doors CLOSED and the lights OFF!! HATE it when I do stuff like that!), I figured that this was an appropriate card to post this morning ... (I always love red, white and blue together ... especially when there is a little kraft (aka Crumb Cake) thrown in!!). Thankyouthankyou to all the unselfish and brave souls who are Veterans (or who are married to Veterans, chlldren/siblings/parents of Veterans!).

It is currently raining, but we are all going to be headed out soon to press apples for juice. We're trying to sneak it in between this storm and the one schedule for this afternoon (with SNOW!). We also only plan on doing about 350 gallons this year, so we should be done a bit earlier than usual. Such a GREAT family tradition!!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy Patterned Paper, Real Red Glitter DSP
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Spellbinders Stars, Word Window Punch, Pretty Postage Punch, Button, Linen Thread, Real Red Striped Gingham Ribbon, Stripes Textured Impressions Folder, Dimensionals

Love Me Some Purple!!

2011-11-10T23:57:00.003-07:00

I have always liked purple ... ever since I was a little girl. I had seen a card (somewhere ... can't for the life of me remember where!) that used these three purples together. I love how they look against the clean white ...

We are gearing up for the annual Weixler Family Apple Pressing Party on Saturday. This has been a tradition since my husband was a young boy. HIs father had a small, hand-crack apple press, and they used to get a couple of gallons out of that thing. Fast forward to present day ... some years back my VERY brilliant brother in law designed and made a hydraulic press to make the process better. With the help of many hands running the apples through the shredder, stacking them in palettes and loading them in to the press ... straining, filling and capping off the bottles we have got to the point where we can do over 500 gallons in a day. That's right ... it's NOT a typo ... 500 GALLONS!! We are awesome!! It's gonna be cold, wet and possibly snowy on Saturday ... hopefully, that won't hamper the process TOO much!!

Wish me luck (as y'all KNOW how I feel about COLD!!!)

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: You Embossing Folder, Scallop Border Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Silver Cord, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Daisy Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Baby, Oh Baby!

2011-11-08T04:23:00.003-07:00

Who doesn't love the feel of a warm, snuggly quilt? (Especially when it's COOOOOLD outside??!!??) That was the inspiration for this baby card ... to make a paper quilt!

I've been wracking and wracking my brain trying to come up with ANY ideas for a family Christmas card this year ... I'm thinking I may have to do something "quilty" ... hmmmm .... not quite sure, but I gotta do SOMEthing pretty soon, or else I'm going to run out of time!! YIKES!! (I am forever going to be haunted by the pop-up Christmas tree card I did a couple of years ago ... I mean ... REALLY ... how does one top a POP-UP CHRISTMAS TREE?? I DO have a reputation to uphold, don'tcha know??!!??) If any of you have any ideas/links to cards that are particularly unique, amazing or different (not to mention AWESOME!!), I'd certainly appreciate the inspiration!!

Stamps: Letter It
Paper: Garden Green and Elegant Eggplant Patterned DSP, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Egglant
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Eyelet Border Punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Star Punch, Fluerettes, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Pretty in Pink Button, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Sewing Machine, Dimensionals

Welcome Winter?

2011-11-06T08:42:00.003-07:00

When I woke up yesterday morning there was snow on the ground ... and it was still snowing ... brrrrr!!! Don't get me wrong ... I LIKE snow. It's actually very pretty!! And skiing is fun ... so is building a snowman ... or having a great snowball fight ... making snow angels ... I actually quite love how it looks and changes our landscape.

However ...

I do NOT like to be cold!! Which it seems that I am from about October to June!! If we could just figure out a way for it to be warm AND have snow at the same time, then I'd be good to go!! Guess there's not much chance of that ... but I'm really not quite ready to switch gears to winter. Although, I DO hafta admit that I have already started listening to Christmas music (something which I fall into right after Halloween every year ... I love holiday music, and listening to it for only one month is just NOT long enough for me!!).

Anywho ... winter has absolutely NOTHING to do with this card ... this is, however, probably my favorite stamp set from this year's catalog. Kinda hard to make an UGLY card with it!! So, there ya have it ...

Utah has really strange seasonal changes. Most of the time we just SLAM from one season into another. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if it were 70 degrees next weekend after our weekend of snow this go 'round ...

Happy Sunday!

Stamps: Flower Fest, Petitie Pairs
Paper: Concord Crush, Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder, Wisteria Wonder DSP
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Lacy Ribbon Border Punch, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Dimensionals

Where'd THAT Come From??

2011-11-04T04:36:00.005-06:00

I have been a Stampin' Up Demo for about six years (and I was a VERY loyal customer for at least 3 years before I "signed up"). I LOVE looking through the catalog when it first comes out every year. It is SOOO exciting to see all the new goodies. And, being a demo, I am forEVER looking through the catalog for customers to check prices, current status and availability and products they want all the time. Which basically means that I should KNOW what's in there, pretty much ... right???

This set is one of those ones that just kinda snuck up on me ... from outta NOWHERE!! It actually showed up in LAST year's catalog ... so WHY did it take me until about four months ago to even realize it EXISTED??? Where in the heck have I BEEN??? I think I noticed a card that someone had done and thought, "Oooooooo, pretty!! Wonder where they got THAT stamp set??" DUH!!! I'm sure that this has NEVER happened to ANY of you, right??? (Okay, this is the part where I am actually hinting/begging for validation ... did ya catch that??)

Went to the high school last night to help out with the dinner/auction they have every year to help raise money for the choir so that they can take a trip (to Seattle, no less!) in the spring. Not only did the teacher ask me to be the auctioneer for the live auction (go figure!!), but I am now the proud owner of a George Foreman Grill from the silent auction (got it for $38!)!! Now I just gotta figure out WHERE I'm gonna PUT it!! Anyone wanna come over and grill somethin'??

Stamps: Uncharted Territory, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Watercolor Paper, First Edition DSP, Spice Cake DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Island Indigo, More Mustard, Soft Suede
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Neutrals Button, Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon, Paper Distressing Tool

Yo, Dude!!

2011-11-02T04:58:00.006-06:00

Who ordered the cold weather??? It was actually trying to SNOW in my backyard yesterday!! WHAT??!!?? Soooo not ready for this ... "Batten Down the Hatches!" ... or so they say, right?? (at least I'm not on the East Coast where not only have they had SNOW, but tons of power outages as well!)

Doing just a quick fly-by with a "dude" card ... this patterned paper is my new fave ... Mocha Morning!! Gotta love it, Baby!! And the cowboy hat and boots make for a great "dude" card!!

I came home from work yesterday (sooo not my day to work, but we are prepping for a huge art show this weekend and I had a LOT of art to catalog/tag!), and did ... absolutely ... NOTHING!!! Surfed the 'net, bought the new Michael Buble' Christmas album on iTunes (SWOOOOON!!), surfed the 'net some more ... ate some MORE leftover Halloween candy, read a little bit of a book ... I feel kinda guilty, 'cause there is still laundry to do, filing to do, messes to clean up ... some days ya just GOTTA!!

Stamps: Out West, Family Reunion
Paper: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Mocha Morning DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Linen Thread, Star Punch, Small Silver Brads, Oval Nestabilities

Boo to YOU!!

2011-10-31T08:48:00.017-06:00

Happy Halloween, Friends!! I soooo {{{heart}}} this crazy holiday!!! I'm not sure I'm EVER gonna outgrow it!!

First, I need to apologize for my absence ... the past week has been rather chaotic. Upon returning home from our Disneyland Adventure, I not only had to get back to the office to catch up on some things, but we also took my mom in for a pacemaker last Tuesday. She has been struggling with heart problems for nearly two years. We are very hopeful that this will solve most of her issues. Between running back and forth to the hospital, her place, work, school for the kids, AND our Annual Halloween Carnival (have been in charge of this with my friend, Holly for at LEAST 12 years ... maybe longer!), I didn't seem to have a spare second!! Hence, the delay in putting up the late-but-promised tutorial.

I posted this little treat box on my blog for the last Control Freaks Blog Tour. It is really quite easy and quick to make. Thanks to my BFF, Deb Felts, for her inspiration and permission to share this with you!

It uses one 6 x 6 inch piece of cardstock, scored in thirds tic-tac-toe style, at 2 and 4 inches, so its overall size is approximately two inches. This photo shows you where you need to score your paper. It actually works best with patterned paper, as it is not a s thick as cardstock, and folds much cleaner and easier.

All of the horizontal and vertical lines are folded peak-style, while the diagonal score lines are folded valley style, as in this photo...VERY easy! Add a 2"x4" piece of patterned paper, folded at 2" along the 4" side and adhere to back of box. I added the little tag from the Two Tags Bigz die and a Scalloped Circle Punch to the 2" x 4" patterned paper piece on this one. I used a Velcro dot to close the box.

I had planned to use some "current" SU patterned paper, but the only Halloween stuff I had this year was printed out on white cardstock using MDS ... which means the cardstock was a little too thick. Soooo ... I once again recycled some of my OLD SU patterned paper ... as well as the wonderful bat punch that was only current for ONE year, and the "Boo" sentiment from Best of Fiends (one of my bestest, most favoritist Halloween stamp sets EVER!!).

We celebrated Halloween a little early here ... had all my kids under one roof yesterday, so we had our traditional beef stew Halloween Dinner, as well as had the kids carve some pumpkins.

Devan's "Happy Face" ...

Garrett during the creative process ...

Amelia and her "Totoro" pumpkin (she has a love for ALL things Animae!!)

Have a Spookalicious Day!!

Stamps: Best of Fiends
Paper: Basic Black, Creepy Crawly DSP (retired), Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Simply Scored, Two Tags Bigz Die, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Decorative Label Punch, Bitty Bat Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Rhinestone Basics, Chocolate Kisses

Shifting Gears ...

2011-10-25T06:19:00.003-06:00

Why is it sooooo danged hard to recover from a vacation??? You workworkwork in getting ready to go ... then you playplayplay while you are gone. Coming back home it seems you are almost more tired from all the playing you did than you were from all the work it took to get there!! Why is that??? Sigh .... Our trip was fantastic!! Disneyland ALWAYS makes me happy!! It's totally/nearly IMPOSSIBLE not to have a good time in the Happiest Place On Earth. But, I digress ...

I created the pleated strip for this card by cutting out a piece of DSP (patterned paper) that was 1" x 12". Then, I scored at alternating intervals of 1" and 1/2". (Score your first vertical line at 1"; then at 1 1/2"; then at 2 1/2"; then at 3, etc.). Then, just fan-fold the strip of paper until it is as wide as your card front. Trim to fit. You can add a strip if you would like to make a horizontal or larger square card. Easy peasy ...

I should have the little treat box tutorial for you by the end of the week. Between catching up at work and having my mom headed in to the hospital today to have a pacemaker put in (FINALLY!), my week is a bit on the over-done side. We are quite confident that Mom's health should take a definite upswing after today's procedure. Sooo happy for modern science/medicine and those patient enough to learn how to perform such procedures.

TTFN!

Stamps: Cherish Friendship, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Watercolor, First Edition DSP, Striped Patterned Paper
Ink: Stazon Black, SU Watercolor Pencisl
Accessories: Circle Scissor, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Library Clip, Small Black Brads, Dimensionals

Fire! Fire! Fire!!

2011-10-21T23:54:00.004-06:00

While you are reading this, I am still in Disneyland enjoying some time with Mickey and the gang with my family and friends!! (I totally LOVE that place!!)

Just thought I'd post this little fireman card I did for my cousin last week. William turned 5 ... what a great age!! I remember being 5, albeit barely!! Couldn't resist adding the fire hydrant ... and there IS a fire engine on the inside, but I didn't get the chance to take a photo of it, as I was in a hurry to get it in an envelope before the mailman came!

I'll be back home in a couple of days and back to the regular ol' grind!!

TTFN!!

Stamps: Family Phrases, Peachy Keen Faces
Paper: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Blush Blossom, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Basic Gray, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cricut Everyday Paper Dolls, George and Basic Shapes, Bold Brights Button, Word Window Punch, Bricked Embossing Folder, Silver Brad, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Bows & Boxes & Bags ... & FREAKS!!

2011-10-19T18:00:00.001-06:00

Welcome Friends!! It's Freaky Tour Time again ... and I'm REALLY excited to be able to share a couple of things with you. You should have just come from the fantabulous blog of Patty Bennett ... the things that girl comes up with are ALWAYS amazing!! (and if you DIDN'T come from Patty's blog, no worries ... just keep hopping around the Blog Tour 'til you come back to her!)

First I'd like to share this wintry cookie bag ... I just look at this and think BRrrrrrr!!! Winter is a-comin' ... and this would be a fun way to top off a treat bag for your friends and neighbors. Daisies at Christmas??? Why not?? And the new Cookie Stamps are FUNFUNFUN!!! My darling daughter made up these delicious shortbread cookies for me to use for my project ... she is the BESTEST!! (Love you, Amelia!!) I love how the Whisper White and Very Vanilla compliment each other and the wonderfully-sparkly Glitter Paper! This little bag holds three cookies, so just enough for sharing!

Stamps: NONE
Paper: Silver Glitter Paper, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Ink: NONE
Accessories: Daisies #2 Bigz Die, Scallop Border Punch, Antique Brad, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon

Next is a little "surprise" box/bag. I was thinking that this would be a GREAT little gift for your kids to give their friends ... or for sharing with coworkers. It's a quick and easy little fold up of a 6"x6" piece of paper (thanks to the inspiration from my friend, Deb Felts!). I will be sharing some instructions with you next week, so stay tuned for that!!

Peek-a-boo!! I am totally {{heart}}ing (is that a word??) the new little Peek-a-Boo Frames die. I've been using it in a lot of things ... it just makes me smile!! This is the little wreath stamp from 25 and Counting (day 12) ...

AND ... you can fit THREE chocolate kisses inside!!! YAY!!! Any time you can add chocolate to a gift is good, right???

Stamps: 25 and Counting
Paper: Frostwood Lodge DSP, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Garden Green
Accessories: Northern Frost Decorative Strip Strip Die, Peek-a-Boo Frames Bigz Die, Scallop Circle Punch, Red Glimmer Brad, Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon, Velcro Closure

That's pretty much it ... take a hop, skip and a jump on over to beautiful blog of my beautiful friend, Cindy Major. I love her style ... her creativity always blows my doors off!!

Richard's Bowtie

2011-10-18T05:47:00.009-06:00

Here is the card I did for the second challenge I hosted last week on SCS ... the Free for All challenge. Seems there are challenges to do just about EVERYwhere these days ... which his great! Sometimes when the MoJo has taken a hike it is nice to have a sketch or an inspiration photo or an idea to help spark those creative juices, right? What I do find, however, is that many times I am just making a card to fit whatever challenge i may be doing with no recipient in mind. Soooo .... that is where my challenge last week filled in the gaps. "Cards with Character" ... my challenge was to have the crafty peeps make a card with a specific person in mind that head an element or two that directly reflected something about that person's character ... their favorite colors, a hobby, something they collect. For my sample I used my brother in law, Richard, as inspiration.

It was Richard's birthday last week, so I needed something that wouldn't be too girly (you KNOW how I have often lamented that I struggle with the "dude-card" thing, right?). Anywho ... Richard is a bowtie-wearing, riding-a-unicycle-to-work-everyday-come-rain-or-shine lawyer. AND a really amazingly wonderful and fantastic guy. Check this out:

Unicycling Lawyer

A few years back there was a Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS featuring this little origami shirts. They are sooo fun to make. Here is the one I did at the time with teeny-tiny shirts:

Dad's Many Shirts

Here are the basic instructions for making one (as copied from the Resources section on SCS):

If you want to make a smaller shirt that would fit on a normal sized card, use a piece of designer paper measuring 4¼” x 5 ½”.
Step 1 and 2: fold as directed.
Step 3: Fold back the top edge by ½”.
Step 4: Fold the corners in so that the corners meet at the center fold ½” down from the top folded edge.
Step 5: These folds will make the sleeves. Measure up 1 ½” from the bottom of the paper in the center (where the edges of the paper meet). From that point, make the triangles folding outward as shown.
Step 6: Fold the bottom edge up and wedge it under the collar flaps before creasing it. The front of the shirt from the top of the shoulders to the bottom is approximately 2 ¼”.

And for those of you who are VISUAL learners, here's a photo of the step-by-step process ... fun, right?? To change the size of the shirt, just add/subtract from the 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" size listed above in proportionate increments (for example, add/subtract 1/2" from both the width and height.)

That's pretty much it! Be sure to tune back in on the 20th - Thursday (or for those of you who can't wait, the posts should be up by the evening of the 19th) for the Control Freaks Blog Tour. Always fun to see what the Freaks are doing!!

We are hitting the road tomorrow for Disneyland!! YAYHOORAYYIPPEE!! I sooooo need some FUN happening!!

Stamps: Create a Cupcake
Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Spice Cake
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Soft Suede Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Small Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Circle Cutter, Stripes Textured Impressions Folder, Bitty Buttons and Punch, Dimensionals

Circle of Butterflies

2011-10-16T04:55:00.005-06:00

I love being able to hostess challenges over on SCS. In addition to the F4A challenge last Friday, I was ALSO a hostess for the "Hope You Can Cling To" challenge on Thursday ... in honor of breast cancer awareness they are doing a different challenge every day during the month of October. And there are a TON of AWESOME prizes, too!! LOVE "free", don't you??

So.... this is the sample I made for the HYCCT Challenge ... "Butterflies of Hope" ... not surprising that I picked butterflies as my "theme" for this challenge, is it?? Since they have long symbolized hope and renewal, I figured that they were a perfect fit!!

I TOTALLY struggled putting this together ... y'know when ya have an idea stuck in your head and it chooses to STAY stuck?? I couldn't quite get the idea to transfer from the brain to the paper. BUT, I DO love this paper!! I think I'm going to have to order another package already!! (Spice Cake ... YUM!!)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend ... manohman, I wish I had one more day of weekend ... BUT, we ARE going to Disneyland this week (we leave on Wednesday), so at least I have THAT to look forward to!! YAY!! LONG drive, but SOOO worth it!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Spice Cake DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: MFT Decorative Doily Dienamic Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Small Oval Punch, Pearl Stickers, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Button, Pop-Up Glue Dots

See??? I TOLD Ya!!

2011-10-12T23:52:00.005-06:00

FINALLY!! SUCCESS!! TA-DA!! My darling daughter had a FEW brief minutes to help me get this tutorial filmed ... and I have to apologize for the funky lighting ... it was late, so we had to just do it with no natural light. AND the back of my head keeps creepin' its way into the video ... the price one pays for FREE labor (thanks, Amelia!!). It's really kind of a lame "trick" ... but it DID make cutting out nearly 50 of the balloons from "Up, Up & Away" a bit more bearable ... (good thing I had another balloon card in my arsenal to share with ya!!)

(I hope you are not all saying, "What??!!?? That's IT??)

Stamps: Up, Up and Away
Paper: Baja Breeeze, Sweet Slumber DSP, Basic Black, Whsiper White, Baja Breeze
Ink: Baja Breeze Riding Hood Red, Basic Black
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Circle Scissor, Black Polka Dot Scalloped Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Dimensionals

A Flower for Fall

2011-10-12T08:21:00.004-06:00

Good help is SOOOO hard to find ... especially when it's FREE ... especially when it's your teenage daughter who seems to be too-too busy ALLTHETIME!! Sigh ... since same-said teenage daughter is ALSO my film crew, suffice it to say that she didn't have any time to help me ... again ... and I really only need about five minutes!! Which means it will be TOMORROW ... I may have to recruit the husband ... but one way or another, my hot-air-balloon shortcut trick will be here!!

In the mean time ... here's a card with a more fall-looking color scheme. I love this time of year, although it has been much colder the past few days than I would like it to be!! Oh well ... what's a girl to do? I need to get my camera outside and start taking some pictures. LOVE the colors, that's for sure!!

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, Designer Patterned Paper
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Blossom Petals Punch, Curly Label Punch, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Pearl Stickers, Locket Charm, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Princess Emma

2011-10-10T00:00:00.001-06:00

My little niece turned three over the weekend ... and I have to say that there is almost nothing CUTER that a little three year old!! Emma is enamored with EVERYthing princess-y ... her favorite movie is "The Princess and the Frog" ... and she got a myriad of princess-y-type presents for her birthday!!

She was so excited when she opened this card ... I didn't even tell her what was in it, but as she saw the corner of the sun's rays she said, "It's a CROWN!!" (Goes to show that she has a one-track mind right now!) She was VERY excited when I told her the princess on the front was her ... she had to run out and show her mommy ... "This is ME!!" Made me all kinds of happy ... :)

I'm still working on the balloon/punch-trick video. My videographer (aka my teenage daughter) had too much homework to do and not enough time to be my film crew ... which means it will hafta wait another day ... but it IS coming!!

Stamps: Up, Up & Away
Paper: Sarah DSP (retired), Concord Grape Patterned Paper, Pear Pizzazz Patterned Paper, Rich Regals Patterned Paper, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Brushed Silver, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Blush Blossom, Whisper White
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Once Upon a Princess, Create a Critter and Celebrate With Flourish Cricut Cartridges, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, D'Vine Swirl Embossing Folder, Silver Cord, Basic Rhinestones, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Sherbet Button, Eyelet Lace Border Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Hot Air Balloons & Clouds

2011-10-09T08:35:00.004-06:00

This is the card I did for the most recent Control Freak Swap ... many of you many NOT know that the Control Freaks started as, and continue to be, a swap group. Our Blog Tour is relatively new, since the group has been around for several years, but the Blog Tour is only a couple of years old. Cool, eh?

The inspiration for this card came from my good friend, Kim Smith (a stampin' WIZARD, in my opinion!). The cloudy sky was created with the scallop circle punch and a sponge ... then the wheat field was one of the images from Nature Walk. Ink it, then stamp it three times (before reinking it) in different places to give it the appearance of depth ... do this several times ... thanks for the great idea, Kim!!

I also lamented the fact that we do NOT have a balloon punch while I was making 23 of these babies ... then I came up with a stroke of GENIUS. I found a way to cut the balloons out a little more quickly ... but you're gonna hafta wait 'til I show ya. I'll film something later today and try to have it up for you by tomorrow. LOVE when I can find things that create a bit of a short cut when it comes to cutting ... YAY!!

Sooooo ... stay tuned ...

Stamps: Up, Up & Away, Nature Walk
Paper: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Stripes Textured Impressions Folder, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Dimensionals

Fruits & Veggies!!

2011-10-06T10:51:00.014-06:00

I am FINALLY able to share with you the project I started on World Cardmaking Day last Saturday (lest you think I was a SLACKER and didn't create ANYthing!!). My BFF, Cheryl, came over and we cut out LOTS of fruits and veggies with my trusty ol' Cricut (we were each making four sets of cards ... and I ended up adding two more fruits after she left!). So ... that makes 32 cards!! I'm so proud of me!! Aren't these stinkin' ADORABLE??? I got the idea from Ally Egaas HERE.

Cherries and pears ...

I had SOOO much fun creating these. I mean, who DOESN'T love cute fruits and veggies, right??? (If you happen to be someone who doesn't like 'em, don't tell me ... I don't wanna know!!)

Avocados and pumpkins ...

I know I am FOR SURE gonna give one set to my sweet mother-in-law. It was her birthday last week ... she turned 81 and she doesn't look a day over 60!! I actually gave her a card and a hug that day, but couldn't figure out what to give her as an actual gift. That is what inspired this whole project to begin with ...

Apples and grapes ...

I kind of got carried away, too!! It was MUCH harder than I expected to choose background patterned papers to go with each fruit or veggie (not to mention the ribbon!! Soooo glad I recently did a ribbon exchange with my upline/sideline and had a bunch of new stuff to choose from!)!!

Lemons and plums ...

I struggled the most with my cute little lemon (one of my FAVES in the set) ... trying to find patterned paper almost stumped me ... until I dug into my new Christmas stash!! YEP!! The cute gingham is from Frostwood Lodge, friends!!

Ta-DAAAA!!! I am really happy with how these turned out! It's going to be FUN to give them away as gifts ...

Stamps: Petitie Pairs (Sending Many Thanks/Happy Birthday Wishes), Watercolor Trio (Birthday Wishes/Thanks So Much), Just Believe (Just for You), Sincere Salutations (Thinking of You), Vintage Labels (For You), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Get Well Wishes)
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Cherry Cobbler, Elegant Eggplant, Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Concord Crush, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Autumn Spice DSP, Frostwood Lodge DSP, Mocha Morning DSP (now THAT'S what I call a LIST!!)
Accessories: Cricut Preserves and Everyday Paper Dolls Cartridges, Wide Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler More Mustard and Old Olive Scallop Dots Ribbon, Perfect Plum, Riding Hood Red, and So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Dimensionals, Sewing Machine

Hello, Baby!!

2011-10-04T08:22:00.003-06:00

I really need to stock up on more of these ... baby cards, I mean. I make cards ALL THE STINKIN' TIME ... but I seem to forget about doing these ... until, of course, I actually NEED one! So, there ya have it ...

Today is overcast and rainy ... which I guess means that fall is actually on its way. I love fall ... it's probably my favorite time of year. The only thing I DON'T like about it is that winter is right behind it!! Sigh ... the colors are starting to change. I am actually looking forward to that part the most. I need to get out and take some pictures, too.

I actually have a day off today ... an actual-honest-to-goodness day off ... no errands I have to run, no appointments I have to be to ... WONDERFUL!! Think I'm gonna STAMP somethin'!!

Stamps: Animal Stories, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Nursery Necessities
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Pacific Point
Accessories: Marina Mist Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Photo Corners Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Circle Cutter, Bashful Blue Buttons, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, 3/4" and 1" Circle Punch, Clips Assortment, Pop-Up Glue Dots

THIS is What 560 Looks Like!!!

2011-10-02T07:15:00.006-06:00

Remember when I was tellin' ya last month how I was doing wedding invites for my BFF's daughter?? (which would make HER a BFF, too??) Remember how I showed ya how to do the "Hokey Pokey" with your FOOT while you were punching 560 belly bands (each band punched SEVEN times ... TIMES 560 = 3,920!!)??? Well, here is what I made ...

The bride and groom wanted to keep it relatively "clean and simple" (in the groom's words - NOT GIRLY!) ... this really doesn't look like much ... but it IS made out of two pieces (one of which I had to created a little tab for so that we could fold it up and close it up) ... and when you do each step 560 times it takes FOR.EV.ER!!

Here is what they looked like all boxed up ... such a happy sight!!! HOURS-HOURS-HOURS of labor/love went into these babies!! So happy they are done ... and so excited for Hannah and TJ!! It's almost here!! Next weekend!! YAY AND HOORAY!!

Figured this would be as good a thing as any to share with you for World Card Making Day (even though I'm posting it a day later!). I have some cute card sets I started working on yesterday (which makes THEM my OFFICIAL WCMD project!). I will post 'em when I get 'em done!).

Tschüss!

Stamps: NONE
Paper: Grey (unknown - bought at XPedX), Night of Navy
Ink: NONE
Accessories: EK Success Tulips Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder

Red, Red Rose

2011-09-30T07:50:00.006-06:00

This is a set that I LOVE! And it has been oh-so-neglected for oh-so LONG!! Y'know how it is when a new stamp set comes out? Ya use it and use it and use it ... then put it away for "later" ... and it gathers dust ... and MORE dust ... and MORE DUST???

I figured it was time to dust this baby off!! "Fifth Avenue Floral" ... remember how we all went GA-GA when this thing came out??? Sooo many beautiful ways to use it, too!! This popped-up version takes a little time, as you hafta cut it out several times and pretty much cut it all apart to create the layers.

I've been trying to decide what my "style" or "look" is ... y'know how some people create stuff and you can spot it in a "lineup" right away? Looking at my stuff I have decided a few things:

I LOVE to add a three-dimensional image

I LOVE to put a piece of ribbon on there ... almost ALWAYS it ends up horizontal ... (which, oddly, I DIDN'T do on this card ... but I put a strip of horizontal cardstock, which is essentially the same "feel" right??)

I LOVE to put sentiments in an oval or circle ...

This card pretty much says it ... and I have a LOT of cards that do the same. GOTTA try to change it up, I guess!!

Weekend starts TONIGHT!! YAY!!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Short & Sweet
Paper: Real Red, Barely Banana, Cherry Cobbler, Patterns DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner and Border Punches, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Itty Bitty Buttons, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Large Oval Punch

Sunshine and Rainbows ... and BIRTHDAYS!!

2011-09-28T09:24:00.004-06:00

Do you remember turning 8? Boy, I sure do!! I got a new, beautiful dress ... white with a blue satin ribbon sash. It was beautiful!! (Okay, it was actually a hand-me-down from my cousin ... and I didn't get it "for" my birthday, but I sure did LOVE it!)

It was kind of a big deal for me turning 8 ... it was the year I was baptized. And let me tell ya, it was a BIG FREAKIN' DEAL!!! Birthdays when you are a kid are super special ... the parties, the cake, the presents ... seems to have lost it's charm now that I have gone WAYYYY into the double digits!! Parts of me still feel like I'm an 8-year-old little girl, though. I still get a thrill watching Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons; still LOVE the Merry Go Round; still LOVE a huge bouquet of brightly colored balloons; still LOVE a big ol' chocolate cake ... aahhhhhhh ... some things will NEVER change!!

This is a card I made for my sweet little cousin, Kate. She is turning 8 this week. And it's a BIG FREAKIN' DEAL!! It's so fun to watch children and see the joy in their faces over such little things ... we could all take a lesson from them, couldn't we??

Have a marvelous day!!

Stamps: Petite Pairs
Paper: MANY Miscellaneous Retired DSP's from SU, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Cricut Celebrate with Flourish AND Everyday Paperdolls, MFT Rainbow Die, Large Oval Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Large Oval Punch, Rhinestone Basics, Sherbet Button, Purple Gingham Ribbon, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat, Dimensionals

FAMILY FRAME KITS!!!

2011-09-26T06:03:00.009-06:00

Okay, okay ... because you ASKED, I've decided to break down and DELIVER!!! Kits for making this FAMLY FRAME are now available!! Here are the deets:

$25 - includes all parts/pieces - cut out, punched, embossed and stamped - needed to complete the Family Frame (of course you will need to provide your own family photo ... which is what goes in the "blank" black square!). You will also receive some instructions and a photo of the finished project to use as a template. This price INCLUDES shipping.

$35 - includes everything listed above, but also INCLUDES the FRAME!!

If you are interested, use the link on the sidebar to the left to email me with your order. Please be sure to include your PayPal email address so that I can send ya an invoice. That's pretty much it. Easy peasy, right??

And now ... I made this card with a set that was oft-overlooked in the catalog last year by me. UNTIL I saw a WONDERFUL card done by someone else that pretty much enabled me ... or brainwashed me ... into knowing that I MUST have it!! Funny how that happens ALL THE TIME, right??? Sheesh!!

Stamps: Happiness Shared, Watercolor Trio
Paper: Early Espresso, Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, First Edition DSP
Ink: Basic Black Craft, Early Espresso, Watercolor Wonder Crayons
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Oval Cutter, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Pearl Stickers, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Savoring the Moment ...

2011-09-24T05:57:00.004-06:00

As I was walking out of Marie Callender's with my mom yesterday after a little lunch (we always stop for a bite to eat after she goes to the doctor ... Marie Callendar's is right on our way!), I noticed a little patch of flowers along the sidewalk. Purples, yellows, oranges ... it made me realize that we don't have much more time to enjoy them before we are into the cold grayness of winter. There are things I love about winter (freshly fallen snow, the holidays, curling up in front of the fireplace with a good book), but being COLD is not one of them!!

I am trying to appreciate more and more the time I get to spend with my mom as well. Gone are the days of her putting my hair up in rollers on Saturday night for church on Sunday morning ... long sessions of trying on dance costumes she was making for me for the umpteenth time to make sure they were going to fit ... shopping trips for new school clothes ... coming home to the smell of beef and homemade noodles and mashed potatoes (starchonstarch .... soooooo good!). I am amazed at how quickly the years have passed, But I am totally grateful that I have the opportunity to pay her back, in any small way I can, and take care of her some for all the years she has taken care of me ... physically, emotionally, spiritually. She has always been the greatest example of selflessness of anyone I have ever known. While doctor's visits and trips to the hospital are NO fun, being together with my mom is a priceless gift. I am so happy to have her as part of my life. Love you, Mom ... (I know she will never actually see this, as she practically doesn't even know/care how to turn a computer ON, but it feels good to acknowledge my gratitude for her, anyway).

Enjoy the weekend, friends!!

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Lots of Thoughts
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Pink Pirouette, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet Punch, Large Oval Punch, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Assorted SU Buttons, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Bring On the Butterflies!!

2011-09-22T05:58:00.005-06:00

For many of you, the fact that I have a "thing" about butterflies is no secret. And for those of you who don't really know that ... check out the link on my sidebar to the right (the one that says "for details ....). I just love 'em!!

WIth that in mind, I have a couple of cards to share ... and a sad little story. First off is this crazy spend-way-too-much-time-with a-Stamp-a-Ma-Jig card. Even when I use a 'Jig I can STILL screw it up!! (Those butterflies are DEFINITELY strategically placed so as to hide my GOOFS!!) I seem to also have a "thing" lately for Crumb Cake (aka Kraft) cardstock. It pretty much goes well with EVERYthing!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Poppy Parade, Indigo Island, Wild Wasabi, Concord Crush, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Itty Bitty Circle Punch, Rhinestone Stickers, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Square Nestabilities, Pop-Up Glue Dots

And this one is an exercise in layers ... I've been seeing a lot of similar types of cards floating around for the past few months ... I REALLY like this idea. In fact, I just may hafta try it again!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP
Ink: Perfect Plum
Accessories: MS Double Loops Border Punch, EK Success Diamond Lace and Dotted Wave Edger Punches, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Little Leaves Sizzlets Die, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Pearl Stickers

And now ... my sad story. As you can see, I use the Beautiful Wings Embosslits die ... a LOT!! Well, while I (well, actually my daughter) was cutting out some butterflies for the class I did last weekend, the die fell on the floor. Now, mind you, my floor is fully carpeted. Guess what?? The die just plain ol' BROKE!! Right at the hinges!! Do you KNOW how hard it is to use an Embosslits die in a Big Shot when the two sides are not physically connected??? Good thing my daughter was almost done!!

The good news to this story is that I called Stampin' Up on Tuesday and another one should be arriving here today ... YAY!! MORE butterflies!!

Weekend is almost here ... DOUBLE yay!! This has been a long week ... my mom spent about a day and a half in the hospital (no worries, she is back home recovering and resting), which means that I ALSO spent a day and a half in the hospital. Sooo happy that we live close enough together that I am able to help her out when she needs it!!

Falling Leaves ... and Freaks!

2011-09-19T18:08:00.033-06:00

It's time for my FAVORITE time of year ... FALL!! And the Freaks are doin' it in style, baby!! You should have just come from the splendiferous blog of Gretchen Barron ... WOWZA!! Her style is sooo wonderful, don'tcha think??

For any of you have are regular followers here, you know I've been playing a LOT with framed art ... particularly ones that have letters on blocks in them, like this one!! Being such a "FREAK" about Halloween, I KNEW I was gonna create this quite some time ago. And given my blog name, it's pretty appropriate, don'tcha think??

Lookie my Witchipoo!!! I {{heart}} witches!!

And this broomstick makes me all kinds of happy ... the broom bristles are actually created with the owl punch (shut UP!) and the new Simply Scored tool. Saw this idea somewhere else a while back and just HAD to make one of my own!! And the Candy Corn Witch??? Nichole Bair did an awesome swap recently with that great idea in there!! LOVE it!!

Stamps: Dark and Dreary, Wicked Cool, House of Haunts (Bats were created with Spooky Bingo Bits in MDS)
Paper: Frightful Sight DSP (printed from MDS), Cajun Craze, Old Olive, More Mustard Whisper White, Regals Patterned Paper, Basic Black
Ink: Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Basic Black, White Gel Pen
Accessories: Serif Essentials Bigz Dies, Spiderweb, Perfect Polka Dots and Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folders, Wide (Large) Oval Punch, 1" Square Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Rhinestone Basics, Old Olive Scalloped Ribbon, Whisper White Bakers' Twine, Linen Thread, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, 11"x14" Picture Frame

Thanks to my good friend, Kim Smith, for loaning me some fun stamps to play with (I am woefully understocked when it comes to fall/Halloween stamps this year ... WEIRD!! I'm gonna hafta FIX that!!) Hugs, Kimmie!!

After making this card with my "borrowed" stamps, methinks they are gonna find their way into my own private stash VERY soon! (Don't worry, Kimmie ... I WILL give yours back ... eventually!)

Stamps: Gently Falling, Petite Pairs
Paper: Very Vanilla
Ink: Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Peach Parfait, More Mustard, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Accessories: Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Pearl Basics, Dimensionals, Sponges

And last, but not least ... a medallion for the fall. More thanks to Kim (again!!) for teaching me how to make these medallions. Not as hard as you would think. Actually kinda fun!!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Paper: More Mustard, Pool Party, Spice Cake DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Simply Scored Tool, Lace Trim, Triple Layer Blossom Punch, More Mustard Button, Linen Thread, Stripes and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folders, Early Espresso Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Next?? Go check out Connie Babbert!! She is a stampin' GENIUS!!!

Cupcakes and Birthdays ...

2011-09-18T10:29:00.005-06:00

Who DOESN'T love 'em a good ol' cupcake??? Seriously??!!?? I can eat just about any ol' kind of cupcake and be happy!! So, there ya have it ...

I really like how this card turned out ... the only really tricky part was the ding-dang linen thread that the banners are hanging on ... getting them to be the right lengths when they are taped behind the little banner flags is tricky ... but perseverance pays off!!

Stamps: Create a Cupcake, Sweet Shoppe Lower Alphabet
Paper: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, SU Cottage Wall DSP (Retired)
Ink: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Early Espresso
Accessories: Build a Banner Punch, Create a Cupcake Punch, Diamond Lace Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Happy Birthday Embossing Folder, Pearl Stickers, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls, Pop-Up Glue Dots

AND ... just a quick reminder that the Control Freaks Blog Tour is a-comin' ... be sure to check back on Tuesday to see what the Freaks are up to (hinthinthint ... the Tour is usually up and running the night before, so if you're restless, check back MONDAY night!!)

Guilty ... Again ...

2011-09-16T00:00:00.001-06:00

If you can indulge me one more day ... I couldn't help myself!!! I've had soooo many things staring me in the face just BEGGING to be used, and this little stamp set is one of those things. Another case of "rubbahdultery" ... I know, I know ... it's not Stampin' Up, but the paper and ribbon are!! As are the punches and embossing folder ...

I knew as soon as I had seen this image that I HAD to make an anniversary card out of it ... just couldn't HELP myself!! This is some retired (OLD) DSP of Stampin' Up's called Chocolate Chip ... I lovelovelove this!! My friend, Cheryl, says it reminds her of Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" ... you know the scene where she is at the polo match in the brown/cream polka dot dress?? I {{heart}} that movie!!

Looks like I'm gonna hafta find my craft room under the piles of paper/stamps/punches and ribbon. I'm having a class here on Saturday morning and MUST have some room for my friends to CREATE!!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!

Stamps: Rain or Shine by Unity
Paper: Chocolate Chip DSP (retired), Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Oval Cutter, Brown Pearl Stickers, Dimensionals

Winnie the Pooh

2011-09-14T06:42:00.006-06:00

I have always had a soft spot for Winnie the Pooh ... I cannot count the times or hours my kids spent watching the Pooh cartoons when they were little ... we ALL have a bit of a soft spot for Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, Roo and the Gang! Which is why this card makes me happy ...

I have written here before how I often neglect some of my other "toys" because I am primarily a Stampin'-Up-Only kinda gal ... many demos are ... but that does not mean I do not like/have/use OTHER stuff (what my BFF Jan would call "rubbahdultery"). And in this case it is not actually stamps, anyway. I really like being able to combine stamps, diecuts, ribbons, and embellishments to come up with a finished product. It also helps me to feel justified for spending all the CASHOLA I have for all the nifty cool toys ... er, TOOLS ... I own!! AND I have been dipping into my AMPLE stash of retired (old??) patterned/designer papers ... makes me happy. So there ya have it ...

This is for my little cousin, Sarah. She is turning 5 this week. I remember being 5 ... I loved wearing dresses and playing with dolls. (I guess I have to admit that I STILL do!) I miss my kids being little ... sigh ...

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Basic Black, More Mustard, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Patterned Paper (retired)
Ink: Basic Black, White Gel Pen
Accessories: Cricut Pooh & Friends and Robotz (for the font) Cartridges, 1" Square Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Daisy Punch, Rich Regals Buttons, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Large and Small Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Safari Fun-ness!!

2011-09-12T00:00:00.002-06:00

First and foremost ... ta-da-ta-da-ta-da-TA-DA-TA-DA!!! I FINALLY finished making the wedding announcements on Saturday!! Yippy Skippy!! HOOOORAAYYY!!! Hallelujah!! ManyManyMany thanks to Becky (mother of the bride), Hannah (the bride), TJ (the Groom), Denise (the Groom's Mother), Kacie (the Bride's Friend), Whitney (the Groom's Sister) and Amelia (the card-designer's daughter - as in MY daughter!!) for helping me assemble all the parts I had been making the last two weeks. I had between 6 and 8 slaves, er, I mean HELPERS for NINE HOURS on Saturday helping assemble the darn things. SOOO happy we were able to get 'em done!! I will post a photo of what we made in another week ... I promised Becky I wouldn't post anything until they had a chance to mail them out and people had a chance to actually get 'em first (I am pretty sure most of those 560 people don't even know this blog evem EXISTS, but I wouldn't wanna ruin ANYone's surprise!!)

Soooooooooo .... I FINALLY got to make a card today ... Just. For. FUN!!! I've been thinking about this card for DAYS (saw something similar on another blog, but can't find the link now!), but haven't had two seconds to make it. It was so much fun to create just for the sake of creating ... and I'm sending this to my little cousin, Joshua. He is turning 3 years old. Happy Birthday, Little Man!!!

Stamps: Up, Up & Away
Paper: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White, Sarah DSP (retired), Good Morning Sunshine DSP (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Create a Critter and Celebrate With Flourish Cricut Cartridges, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Pumpkin Pie Button, Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Notched Corner Punch, Dimensionals

A Case of the Sillies ...

2011-09-10T04:49:00.007-06:00

I have been working on a HUGE batch of wedding announcements for almost two weeks ... what do I mean by HUGE?? Try 560 on for size ... I think I am going a little bit BONKERS ... but I'll get to that in a minute ...

I needed to make 8 cards for a swap I am doing with my upline/sideline and some of our friendies that we have been hanging out with at Stampin' Up Convention the past couple of years. Trying to squeeze that in between the wedding invites AND a book review I had to do last Thursday for my book group ("The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" - READ IT!!) ... not to mention the GAZILLION hours I had to spend at work this week getting stuff ready for our accountant so we could file corporate taxes ... but I digress .... AGAIN ....

So this is the card I came up with for the swap ... which was inspired by the LAST card I posted here on my blog ... similar, but different, I guess ... but, I am STILL getting off track ...

I was chatting with my Besties on the Dirty Dozen chat thread on Splitcoast this past week ... telling them that I had punched SOOO many dang belly bands for these wedding invites that my hand/wrist/arm had had it and I had reverted to punching the buggers out with my FOOT!!! Seriously!!! I was goaded with many comments along the lines of "Boy, would I like to see THAT!!" Hence, the Case of the Sillies took over and I made this dorky video ... which I HONESTLY can't believe I wasted 10 minutes of my life on ... but I guess I needed a break!!! Enjoy ...

Stamps: Christmas Lodge, , FrameIt, Petite Pairs
Paper: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: Island Indigo, Early Espresso
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Snow Burst Textured Impressions Folder, Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die, Rhinestone Basics. Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Dimensionals

Come Join Me!!

2011-09-08T04:34:00.005-06:00

For any of you that are in Salt Lake (or locations close by!) ... I am having a class on Saturday, September 17, and would LOVE to have you come!!! Let me know by THIS Sunday if you'd like to join in the fun!! (Please note: the "blank" spot in the frame is where you can put a photo of your fam!!)

Create with Connie & Mary

2011-09-07T01:05:00.005-06:00

I'm am soooo excited to announce that I have once again been asked to be a Special Guest Designer for my two good friends (and fellow Control Freaks) Connie Babbert and Mary Brown. They have a wonderful website called, appropriately "Create with Connie and Mary", and they are currently warming up to offer y'all their Holiday 2011 Edition of super-wonderful and faBOO projects! Check it out:

Create with Connie and Mary

The project I will be creating for them is using the stamp set I used on this card - Christmas Lodge (my project will be offered on their website during week 5 ... October 16-22). Can I tell ya how much I LOVE this stamp set???? Seriously!! It's GOJUS!!! There will be a LOT of great projects in this Holiday 2011 Edition. You will NOT be disappointed, that's for sure!! And if you sign up NOW, you will receive the Early Bird price of $29.95 (which is $5 of the regular subscription price).

(And I can't BELIEVE it's only the first week of September and I have ALREADY created a Christmas card!!!! Yeee-IKESS!!)

Stamps: Christmas Lodge, Petite Pairs
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Snow Burst Textured Impressions Folder, Circle Scissor, Snowflake #2 Originals Die, Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die, Rhinestone Basics, Word Window Punch, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon

Flowers for Labor Day

2011-09-05T06:25:00.006-06:00

Looking back at my last few blog posts I see I have been using (a) a LOT of red, white and blue and (b) all my cards are for DUDES!! Sooooo .... I guess it was time to throw some flowers back into the mix!!

This card is ALMOST red, white and blue ... sorta ... 'cept it's purple ... I have been loving my Crumb Cake lately, too (that sounds like it SHOULD be some yummy food, doesn't it??). At least this way it has fewer calories!!

I have been workingworkingworking on some wedding invite stuff for a dear friend of mine (actually, they are for her daughter ... who is ALSO a dear friend of mine ... I have known her since the day she was born!). I am making 560 criss-cross pockets with belly bands ... and I am going absolutely BONKERS!!! I will be MUI-HAPPY when these critters are OUTTA here!! Guess I should quit typing and get back to work!! Sheesh!!

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Tiny Tags
Paper: Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush, In Color Patterned Paper, Sweet Slumber DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush
Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Pearly Swirly Stickers (unknown), Tag Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Strippin' ....

2011-09-02T06:26:00.005-06:00

Hehehehe!! I KNEW that post title would get your attention!!! (I really shouldn't be typin' these things up when I should be sleepin' instead!!

I hate when I get in a rut ... you KNOW what I'm talkin' about ... when everything you make seems to look the SAME as everything else you make??? I've really been making an effort lately to try and shake up my layouts ... I seem to revert back to a similar looking layout all the time. Which is what inspired this card. I used this as my sample for the Free for All challenge I hosted over on SCS today ... Crossing Strips. Pull out all those paper strips you have been saving in your scrap pile ... c'mon, now!! I KNOW you have 'em!! Pieces you just can't BEAR to throw out 'cause you MIGHT be able to USE 'em?? Go for it. Remember when Egon tells the other "Ghostbusters" not to cross the streams??? Fuhgetaboudit!!! CROSS 'EM!!

The challenge is basically to use paper strips and cross them over each other to create some sort of pattern for your card ... I think this one may stretch some WAAYYYY out of the zone, but that's what I'm hoping for. There are already some really fun and creative ideas showing up in the gallery. Check it out!

Crossing Strips F4A80 Challenge Gallery

I'm giving this to my nephew, Dan. He's turning the big 3-0 tomorrow ... I remember 30 ... sorta ... maybe ...

Stamps: Family Reunion
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Rich Regals Patterned Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Limited Edition DSP
Accessories: Large and Small Star Punches, Wide (Large) Oval Punch, Stripes Textured Impressions Folder, Rich Regals Button, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Paper Crimper, Small Silver Brads, Paper PIercing Tool/Mat, Dimensionals

NewNewNEW!!

2011-08-31T03:45:00.009-06:00

Get ready, Friendies!! Tomorrow the Holiday Mini catty makes its debut ... and there is a LOT of good new stuff in there!! This card is COVERED in NEW ... Pines & Poinsettias Stamp Set; Peek-a-Boo Frames Bigz Die; Frosted Cottage DSP; 1" Square Punch, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon; Snow Burst Textured Impressions Folder, Dazzling Details Glitter Glue ...

I went a little PUNCH CRAZY on this baby, too!! Dare I say I used SEVEN PUNCHES??? (Not to mention that the "Peek-a-Boo Frame" Bigz Die is a punch, of sorts, too!!) It's a good thing I didn't hafta buy all of those at once!! Sheesh!!

See the little pinecone inside??? I added a little bit of the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter Glue to the berries on the images - inside the card and out. Sometimes ya goes to have a little bit o' bling!!

I did this card for the most recent Control Freaks Swap (featuring stuff from the Holiday Mini). We have been a swap group for YEARS (the Blog Tour is a more recent addition to our group ... we are first and foremost a swap group, though!). I realized, early on, that I wasn't gonna have enough Early Espresso cardstock to finish all the bases for the swap, so here is the alternative I came up with using Cherry Cobbler as the base piece instead. It helped me stretch out the ribbon, too, since I was able to use the Cherry Cobbler AND the Early Espresso cardstock to complete all 32 of the cards I created.

I have been frantically creating some pocket envelope setups for my friend's daughter for her wedding invitations (Hi, Hannah!). 560 of them!! NOPE!! That is NOT a typo!! 560!! And we're trying to finish them in a week!! AAaaaaaackkkk!!! No pressure ... I guess the best part is that I got to watch/listen to "Funny Girl" while we were cutting and folding last night (thanks to Becky, Hannah's mom and my BFF, for the gift of these movies for my birthday!). I {{heart}} Barbra Streisand!!! Such a GREAT movie. I've you've never seen it, you SHOULD!! Tonight I'm gonna watch/listen to the sequel, "Funny Lady" (both movies are based on the life of the legendary Fanny Brice). Classic!! Good thing Hannah and Becky are helping me cut, fold, emboss, punch and score!!

Stamps: Pines and Poinsettias, Petite Pairs
Paper: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Frosted Cottage DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Peek-a-Boo Frames Bigz Die, Snow Burst Textured Impression Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Postage Stamp Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1" Square Punch, Snowflake Punch, Basic Rhinestone, Cherry Cobbler/Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon, Dazzling Details Glitter Glue, Dimensionals

ONE Last One!!

2011-08-29T06:53:00.008-06:00

Couldn't resist making ONE last "nautically-themed" card before this stuff is put on the officially-retired list! (Not that I'm NOT gonna use any of it after today!!) My brother in law's birthday is today, and he loves to sail, so I figured this was a perfect match!!

My favorite treatment of this little sailboat has always been to paper piece it. I love how I can change up the color of the sails each and every time, and still have them coming out looking great!!

Stamps: Sail Away, Bring on the Cake
Paper: Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Nautical Expedition DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Corduroy Button (can't resist using these, even though they retired FOREVER ago!), Large (Wide) Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Had a WONDERFUL birthday weekend!! After my hubby flew up to Bear Lake on Saturday, he decided he'd better get the plane back home, since thunderstorms were on their way (which means he didn't stay with us ... big frowny face!). BUT, when we arrived back home yesterday - the house was clean; there was a two-layer chocolate cake frosted on a pretty plate on the kitchen counter; a dinner of grilled salmon with fresh veggie relish, a garden-fresh salad, delicious cubes of watermelon and honeydew, roasted garlic bread AND, if that weren't enough, HOMEMADE blackberry/raspberry ice cream made with berries from our own garden!! Do I have the BEST husband or WHAT???!!??? Additionally, my aunt and uncle came over with the most BEAUTIFUL basket full of WONDERFUL German goodies (Ritter Sport chocolate bar, German cookies, etc.), some sparkling apple cider, our Oma's FAVORITE dish cloths from Switzerland, a gorgeous scented candle jelly bellies, pistachios, a great new paring knife ... OHMYGOSH!! There was sooo much great stuff in there!!! ANNNNDDDDD ...

My darling son brought me a baseball cap (LOVE those things!!) and a box of chocolates from our favorite little neighborhood chocolate shop (where he also happens to work). Notice the EMPTY box??? (Sorry 'bout that ... I had a hard time waiting to eat them until I could get a photo ... an empty box is as good as I could manage!!) Best. Birthday. EVER!!!

We Barely Knew Ye ...

2011-08-28T04:41:00.004-06:00

Here we are with only a few days left in August .... where on Earth DID the summer go??? Kids are back in school, schedules are returning to normal, and the SU Summer Mini Catalog will be replaced in a few days by the Holiday Mini.

I was soooo loving all the nautically-themed stuff in this Summer Mini. And I was soooooo hoping that it would make the transition to the the BIG Catalog ... which it didn't ... sigh ... I just hafta console myself with all the wonderful new stuff in the Big Catty and the Holiday Mini (of which there is MUCH!).

Stamps: Open Sea, Perfect Punches
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Nautical Expedition DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Beveled Window Pane, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribobn, Wide Oval Punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder, Ticket Corner Punch, Vintage Brad, Pop-Up Glue Dots

We've been having a GREAT time during our last summer fling up at our family condo on Bear Lake. All the girls had a manicure/pedicure party yesterday afternoon (my toenails are now sporting a fresh new coat of "A Grape Fit" nail polish ... not sure what is on my fingernails!) My hubby flew our plane up yesterday, and my daughter and I both took rides out over the lake. The weather was gorgeous ... here we are after landing (and my hair look like we were riding with the canopy open ... which we WEREN'T ... one of the things I love about a mini vacay at the beach ... hair and makeup are secondary ...

Here is a picture I took as we flew over the condo. The little speck I am pointing to on the beach is actually my niece and my nephew (we zoomed in and checked)! Kinda cool that the ended up in the photo!! (You may hafta click on the photo to see where I circled our condo and my speck-of-a-niece-and-nephew!) Ahhhhh, Summer ... we barely knew ye ...

Up, Up & Away

2011-08-26T00:00:00.001-06:00

I was soooo very happy when I saw these SMASHING hot air balloons when I got my first look at the 2011-12 IBC. I think the ONLY thing this set needs is a cool punch to cut them out (although, I am a self-confessed fussy cuttin' JUNKIE, so .... whatever ....)

I needed a card for my nephew's birthday ... once again I took a little inspiration from the awesome Mary Brown (and a card I created a while back for the Dirty Dozen gallery - and I can't show that one to ya!!). Here is a link to Mary's fun balloons:

Mary's Up, Up & Away

I am really proud of myself! I decided this year that I was going to send out birthday and anniversary cards to everyone on my husband's side of the family. We are all quite close and do a lot of things together as a family. Total number of cards by the end of the year??? 100!! Total I have done so far??? ALL OF 'EM!! (Not sure how many that is, but considering I am just finishing out August, I'm doing pretty darn good!)

We are headed out for one last summer fling to Bear Lake. I {{heart}} our summer excursions up there!! Considering that this weekend is my birthday, I am TOTALLY excited to get outta Dodge!! (If you don't' get the reference, look it up!!) AND, I'm gonna be 27!! (again!) YAY!!

Stamps: Up, Up & Away
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Rich Regals Patterned Paper, First Edition DSP, Crumb Cake
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Circle Cutter, Simply Scored, Mini Silver Brads, Dimensionals

CASE-ing a GENIUS!!

2011-08-24T08:24:00.004-06:00

When I first starting stamping way-back-when, I was pretty awful (and it didn't take me long to realize I had a LOT to learn!!). Along came Splitcoaststampers ... at least it was new to ME when I joined it back in the day! The gallery was a virtual cornucopia of beautifulness ... and I saw sooo many things that I fell in love with that I was CASE-ing stuff - EXACTLY - all the time!! Not only would I CASE things (for those of you who don't know, CASE means Copy And Share with Everyone), I would then make FOUR of each to place in my "stash" of cards.

As time went on, I started to find my own style. After a while, I would only use other peoples' creations to help INSPIRE me to make something slightly SIMILAR. Most of the time, I'm just wingin' it on my own. HOWEVER ...

Once in a while I come across something sooo wonderful ... sooooo GENIUS .... that I just can't help myself!!! While I still don't ever copy something EXACTLY, I sometimes come pretty close. Case-in-point with this card (which I sent to my aunt and uncle for their anniversary). One of my fellow Control Freaks, Mary Brown, is one such Stampin' Genius. I swear, I can't tell you how MANY times I have come across a card in SCS's gallery or the gallery on Stampin' Connection that I just LOVE ... and it turns out to be Mary's!! She is pretty much BRiLLIANT!! Soooo ... in order to give credit where credit is due, here is a link to Mary's BEAUTIFUL card (on which I based the card I am posting today):

Mary's Field Flowers

I know, I KNOW!! AMAZING, right???? I {{heart}} you, Mary Brown!!

Stamps: Hello Doily, Field Flowers, Occasional Quotes
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink: Crumb Cake, Basic Black Craft
Accessories: Very Vanilla Seam Binding, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Basic Pearls

Scott & Jessica

2011-08-22T04:21:00.003-06:00

This is a wedding announcement I did up for one of my online friendies, Jessica. I have met some of the neatest people and made some of the bestest friends online. I know it sounds strange, but it's true!! Jessica and I met through my blog ... amazing how small technology makes the world ... very cool.

She wanted something simple and elegant. Since she lives in Indiana and I live in Utah, we connected via Skype. Another piece of technology that I absolutely LOVE!! We were able to talk, laugh AND see what we were talking about as we planned out what to do. Made it sooo easy. This is what we came up with ... I just mailed them out to her last Thursday (which means she should be getting them today or tomorrow). I sure hope she likes them once she sees them in person!! The white paper has a pearly sheen to it. I wish it photographed better ... it really is purdy!! She is actually going to use her calligraphy skills and write out everything for the insides ... TIMES EIGHTY!! I can't WAIT to see how that comes out. I think anything done by hand any more sure beats stuff printed out on the computer ... makes things so special and unique!!

Last week I made 121 cards and a pair of earrings ... sheesh!! My stamp table is SMOKIN'!! To top it off, I have a friend who phoned me over the weekend and asked (begged??) me for help with her daughter's wedding announcements ... 500 OF 'EM!! I have a feeling I'm gonna be busybusybusy for the next couple of weeks, as she would like them done by Labor Day!!! YIKES!! "Calgon, TAKE ME AWAY!!" (If you are too young to remember that, then you are gonna hafta look it up on youtube, 'cause I ain't EVEN gonna explain it!! It makes me feel OLD!!)

Stamps: None!
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Pearlized White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (on printer)
Accessories: Emily's Bouquet Embossing Folder, Marvy Scallop Corner Punch, Pearl Stickers, Whisper White, Satin/Organza Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Freakin' Into the Holidays!!

2011-08-19T18:36:00.021-06:00

Welcome to the Control Freaks Holiday Mini Blog Tour!! You should just come from the MUI-FABOO blog of JanTink. I'm in LOVE with her Halloween Treat bag!! AWESOME!!

I cannot BELIEVE that the holidays are a-sneakin' up on us ALREADY!!! I'm still just starting to get into Spring!! (Even though Summer is nearly over!!) Sigh ...

My first card is made with a set that I think is gonna be an oh-so-favorite of mine ... Christmas Lodge!! OHMY!! LOVELOVELOVE those images, friends!! I see myself using this one over and over and OVER again!!! (C'mon ... you KNOW you want one!!)

Stamps: Christmas Lodge, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Frostwood Lodge DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Accessories: Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Pearl Stickers, Word Window Punch, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Paper Piercing Tool

And ... OHMYGOSH ... A TEENAGER!!! Bwahahaha!!! Look closer ... EARRINGS!!! I {{heart}} making jewelry. In fact, before getting into stamping BIG TIME, I was into making jewelry BIG TIME. I even have been known to teach a class or two at the local bead store. When I saw the pinecone image from Pines & Poinsettias I KNEW I was gonna hafta Shrinky-Dink me a pair of earrings ... so I DID!! And isn't my darling daughter BEAUTIFUL???? I think so!!

Here is a close up ....

Stamps: Pines & Poinsettias
Paper: NONE!
Ink: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Shrink Plastic, Earrings Findings, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Acrylic Sealer

And last, but certainly not least ... a little bit o' Fall. I {{heart}} Fall, too!! The colors are awesome ... the FOOD is awesome ... the smells are AWESOME ... it's the BEST!!

Stamps: Warmest of Wishes, Grateful Greetings, Woodgrain Background
Paper: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Old Olive
Accessories: 2 1/2" Scallop Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Circle Punch, Circle Cutter, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Antique Brads, 3/8" Twill, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, 1" and 3/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Dimensionals, Sewing Machine

NOW ... you NEED to go and check out what the ever-amazing Gretchen Barron has created (oohhhh soooooo ca-YOOT!!)!!

Trying to Hold On ...

2011-08-17T01:06:00.007-06:00

... to a little bit of Spring!! Holy sa-MOKES!! The kids will all be headed back to school next week. UNFAIR that spring and summer went a-screamin' by ... especially because we didn't really even start to warm up around here 'til JULY!! (This is what I wish I were doing this week ... I LOVES me a good river trip!!)

I took another stab at creating a card using the Paper Punch Flowers tutorial I did a few months back. I think is forever gonna be one of my mostest FAVORITE embellishments to make myself. If only the paper roses could will the real flowers to stick around for another two or three months!!!

In about another week I will be caught up on all the things that I kept putting off while I was running around and doing fun things with the kids from church ... wouldn't trade ANY of the experiences I have had with them this summer ... but I WILL be glad when I feel like I am a little more in control of my life instead of it being in control of ME!!

Stamps: Easter Blossoms
Paper: Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo
Accessories: Fancy Flower Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Decorator Label Punch, Paper Crimper, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Folder, Glue Dots

Poppies & Miracles

2011-08-15T04:17:00.006-06:00

Whew!! What a week! Girls' Camp last week was AWESOME!! We all had such a good time! When I got home on Friday I think even my HAIR was tired, but it was all worth it! (Isn't this a GREAT photo??? LOVE these girls!!) I'm STILL trying to catch up on all the sleep I missed!

I spend the better part of the weekend creating things for the August Dirty Dozen Gallery over on SCS. Six months gone already!! WHOOSH!! Can't believe this was my last official month in the Dirt Pile. Time sure went FAST. I still feel sooo honored to have been asked. SUPER cool! I hadn't created a THING for the gallery before I left for camp, so I was stamp-stamp-stampin' all week. If you wanna see what I made, be sure to join the Fan Club over on SCS. Lots cool perks if ya do!!

The sentiment on this card has long been a favorite of mine ... I have used this stamp many, many times!! And I kinda used the embossing folder BACKwards on this, but I like how it turned out! And thanks to my friend Deb (Deb Felts) for inspiring me on this one. We were Skype-stamping one day and she showed me her lovely dishes ... LOVED the color scheme and flowers, so this is what was created as a result!!!

I guess I'll hafta clean the disaster I created in my craft room ... maybe ... today ... or maybe not ...

Stamps: Word Collection by Stamp Oasis
Paper: Marina Mist, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla
Ink: Marina Mist, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Large Oval Nestabilities, Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, MS Butterfly Punch, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Pearl Stickers

Last, But NOT Least ...

2011-08-12T00:00:00.001-06:00

Here is the last thing I have to share with you that I made to take up to my girls at camp. I had posted earlier HERE that I learned how to make this grrrEAT little boxes uses the milk carton Bigz die at Convention. They are WAY. TOO. COOL!!! My daughter actually said she thought I should make these for camp once she saw the one I had made earlier. Knowing that they would probably take more time than I had, I KNEW I was gonna do 'em anyway!!

Our theme for camp this year is "STAR" ... Stand for Truth And Righteous. That is what inspired these boxes. (And once again I was happy to be able use up some of my retired, yet much-beloved retired SU DSP - this time it was last year's "Sweet Pea" ... LOVE the stuff!)!!

I am going to be heading back home from camp today ... I am sure tired, but happy to have had the experience. Have I mentioned before that I LOVE going to girls camp????

Stamps: Workshop Words
Paper: Sweet Pea DSP (retired), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Gold Metallic Paper
Ink: Gold Encore
Accessories: Bigz Milk Carton Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch, So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Wide (Large) Oval Punch, Silver Thread, Starburst Candies (hidden on the inside!!), Large Star Punch

Secret Sister Nugget Purses!!

2011-08-10T00:00:00.001-06:00

Aren't these just the ca-YOOT-est???? I fell in love with them when I saw them on Mary Fish's blog. Quick, easy, and oh-so-adorable!!! These were actually the LAST thing I made for my girls at camp for their Secret Sister clothesline ... couldn't resist "whipping up a batch" to give to them. LOVELOVELOVE these!!

I'm still up in the mountains enjoying the fresh air and the fun times with the girls (and my friends who are also up helping out ... AND my daughter, too!). No phone, no computers, no tv's ... it's sooooo nice to get back to basics once in a while!! Another one of the many reasons I love camping ...

I have one more project to share that I made for camp. Tune in Friday to check it out!!

Stamps: None
Paper: Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Berry Blossom DSP
Ink: None
Accessories: Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Bitty Flower Punch, Ice Rhinestone Brad, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Hershey's Nuggets

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho ...

2011-08-08T00:54:00.005-06:00

... It's off to camp I go!! One of the highlights of my summer every year (at least most summers when I am blessed enough to go!) is when I get to go to our church girls' camp. I love the girls, I love the outdoors ... there's pretty much nothing about it that I don't enjoy.

One of the tasks that I really enjoy preparing for camp is the "Secret Sister" line. Basically, it is a clothesline hung in camp that has a ziploc baggie with each girl's name on it. All the girls draw names on the first day, and then they become "secret sisters" to one another for the remainder of camp ... they put treats, little handmade gifts and nice notes to each other in them through the week. I usually start the ball rolling by putting something fun in everyone's bag when I hang the line on the first day. I kept seeing so many cute things all year, that this year I went a little overboard and did several things ... and this is the first one.

I cut these cute little purses out with my Cricut ... saw the Forever Young cartridge last year and couldn't wait to make these. The flowers on these were made with the Daisies #2 Bigz Die ... and the best part about them is that they are attached to a clip so the girls can wear them in their hair, put them on their book bag or purse, or hang them from a necklace. Cool, eh??

And don't these just look like a garden all tucked together in this box??? I am sooo happy about how they turned out. The BEST part is that I used up a bunch of old patterned paper that I have had FOREVER ... AND I used a bunch of retired SU cardstock for the flowers. It's great to find something fun AND useful to do with supplies that seem to gather dust!! (And I should mention here that these are full of Dove chocolates!!)

I have a couple of other posts scheduled to show up this week while I am at camp. If you check back you will be able to see what else I made for the girls!! (And did I mention that I am in charge of all the food/cooking this week??? CRAZY lots of prep for that .... sooooo glad the shopping/packing are behind me!!)

Stamps: None
Paper: Unknown Patterned Paper, Retired SU cardstock
Ink: None (printed the names out with my computer/printer)
Accessories: Daisies #2 Bigz Die, Corduroy Buttons, Forever Young Cricut Cartridge, Decorative Label Punch, Dimensionals

Purples, Greens & Punches

2011-08-05T07:23:00.007-06:00

Okay ... to be fair I guess this is actually just one purple and one green ... but I DID use more than one punch!! I {{heart}} this Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet punch!! What fun!!

I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off!! I head out Monday for our church girl's camp ... I'm in charge of the food and some of the crafty stuff (go figure!!), and I have sooooo much to do!! I am also in charge of the "Secret Sister" line ... something I have done for more years than I can count. Basically, we hang up a clothes line in camp with a large ziploc baggie for each girl with their name on it. They all draw names who will become their "secret sister" for the week. They make little crafty things, write notes and leave treats in the baggies for each other. I always start the week off with something for each of them. This year I kinda got carried away and made them a few things ... I will be sharing those next week while I am gone (gotta pre-schedule those blog posts!!).

Enjoy your weekend!!

Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Whisper White, 2011 In Color Patterned Paper
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet Punch, Decorator Label Punch, 1/2" and 1/4" Circle Punches, Build a Brad, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Pearl Stickers, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Dare to Get Dirty - Origami Diamond Fold

2011-08-03T00:00:00.003-06:00

YAY!!! I am finally official enough to be a hostess for the "Dare to Get Dirty" Challenge over on SCS!! What fun!!

I chose to do a "funky fold" ... I LOVES me a good ol' funky fold!! I saw the cutest little card at Stampin' Up Convention with this same fun fold ... and I dissected it and made one of my own!!! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-HEART-HEART-HEART this!! I wanted to share it with all y'all ... so I did my own little video tutorial for it (don't worry ... it's easy, quick AND fun!!). Check it out!!

Cool, right??? You really SHOULD try this!! Here is what it looks like with one flap open ...

And here it is TOTALLY open!!! I am DEFINITELY gonna be makin' me some more of these!!! Soooooooo fun! And it feels kinda "new" to me, so it will take me a while to get bored with it!

Stamps: Button Buddies, Precious Butterflies
Paper: Rich Regals Patterned Paper, Calypso Coral, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches, Oval Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Scallop Circle Punch, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Rich Regals Button, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Double-Up Background Technique

2011-08-01T06:55:00.008-06:00

This is the part of summer that I have hit "Crazy Overdrive" ... I will be swimming through it for two more weeks ... and then, HOPEFULLY, life will start returning to some sorta "normal" ... whatever in the heck THAT is!!

This is "Dare to Get Dirty" week over on SCS. FUNFUNFUN!!! Girls from the Dirty Dozen (past and present) are hostessing challenges every day. COOL!!! I am hostessing a challenge on Wednesday, but I volunteered to make a sample for this cool technique shared with us by my dear friend, Jan (as in JanTink ... I'm such a name-dropper, right???). It is MUI-awesome!! Check out her quick little tutorial here:

Jan's Double-Up Background Tutorial

Stamps: Fruit and Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Aida Cloth Background
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Large Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 5/8" Circle Punch, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Folder, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat, Cherry Cobbler Polka Dot Grosgrain, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Rich Regals Button, Decorator Label Punch, Scallop Square Bigz Die

Had a WONDERFUL weekend with our church youth group up at Mill Hollow (just above Kamas, Utah). It was beautiful!! The kids were FUN, and the scenery was gorgeous!!

Here is a photo of me and my best friend ... we have been married for over 26 years, and it just gets better and better.

We went on a sunrise hike Saturday morning. Lots of the kids opted to stay in bed and sleep ... but here are the ones that braved the early hour and hiked to watch the sun rise ...

Sooooo worth the effort!!

Happy Monday!!

Butterfly Flutterby ...

2011-07-28T08:25:00.004-06:00

This STILL has to be one of my most favoritest butterfly dies ... EVER!! In fact, I have used it sooo much that I actually wore it out and had to get another one!! (I know, right??? Didn't even know that was possible!!)

White-on-white is also one of my favorite things to do on a card ... it always looks so clean and elegant.

Got a fun weekend planned. We are doing a lot of fun things and a service project with the youth from our church. I love hanging out with teenagers (but why is it that OTHER peoples' teenagers always seem to like me more than my own???)! Teheheehee!

Stamps: Short and Sweet
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Bride DSP, Vellum
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: Quickutz Monarch Butterfly Die, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folder, Marvy Double Scallop Corner Punch, Small Oval Punch, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon

CHOCOLATE-Y Framed Art

2011-07-26T06:35:00.011-06:00

Can you stand yet ANOTHER framed art "quilty square" thing?? I am still waiting for a friend of mine to take a picture of the"Family Frame" we made during our showbox swap at Convention using the Mocha Morning paper. But, while I have been waiting, I decided to make this gift for some friends of mine ...

They moved into our neighborhood about 8 years ago to open a little chocolate shop a couple of blocks from my house. We live int the oldest residential neighborhood in Salt Lake, which is why we are one one of the ONLY ones that still has zoning for business establishments amongst the houses (which I LOVE!). Their little chocolate shop has been such a wonderful little community gathering spot. Such a great place!!

They long-ago outgrew their space. Finally, they were able to secure a building that had housed the most wonderful little grocery/meat market that had been there for over 80 years. Sadly, the owner (who was in his 80's) died a few years ago. The building has sat depressingly empty since then.

UNTL NOW!! As of last Friday, the store reopened as the new location for our neighborhood's little chocolate shop!! HOORAY!! (and it is also fun to note that my son #2 happens to work there ... as do many of the kids from the neighborhood). I decided to make this little frame as a sort of "new store" warming gift. My kids thought I was kinda weird for doing it (what do THEY know??!!??), but I don't think so ...

And the BEST part is that the little shop is now even CLOSER to my house!! (Instead of being 2 1/2 block away, it is now only 1 1/2 blocks). And it is UPHILL ... which means I have to EXERCISE to get there ... which means I am justified in buying pretty much ANYthing I want since I have earned it with the "hike" up the hill ... and did I mention that they make the most DELICIOUS milkshakes, sundaes AND FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE??? See????

Have a great day!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Lacy Ribbon Border Punch, Small Oval Punch, Create a Cupcake Punch, Scallop Square Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Slit Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Fluerettes, In Color Polka Dot Brads, Rhinestone Stickers, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon, Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots and Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Folders, Embosslits Scalloped Heart of Hearts Die, Old Olive Button, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Plantin Schoolbook Cricut Cartridge (you could use the Serif Essentials Bigz Die ... I don't own that ... and Jan took hers back to Michigan!!)

Mojo On Vacation ...

2011-07-24T07:58:00.004-06:00

I have tried NUMEROUS times over the past week to sit down and create something ... and most of the time I just end up sitting there and staring into the abyss. This could also be known as Convention Lag, perhaps?? It seems I just CAN'T seem to get the creative juices flowing!! My brain is just on spin cycle ...

Talked to Jan(Tink) yesterday. I do believe she went back home with all of HER Mojo ... and I do believe she must've taken MINE with her!! She has been CRANKIN' out cards!! I am hoping to get something going today ...

This is a birthday card I made for my cousin a little while back (when I HAD some creativity still going!!). I love to make my own patterned paper. I made the black and white background on this using the "Style Beautiful" set. I {{heart}} the lovely swirly images in that set!! It took a Stamp-a-Ma-Jig and a little patience, but I like how it turned out!

Hopefully I will be able to get jump started today ... anyone wanna come over and play??

OH!! Before I totally forget ... Happy Pioneer Day to all my friends here in Utah!!! Tomorrow we will be celebrating with a HUGE neighborhood/community breakfast and a parade (best of ALL?? It's a HOLIDAY so I can stay home from work!!)!!

Stamps: Style Beautiful, Create a Cupcake
Paper: Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Black Stazon, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Nestabilities Labels Four, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Marvy Double Scallop Corner Punch, Pearl Stickers, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

A New Favorite ...

2011-07-22T07:18:00.003-06:00

I think that "Field Flowers" is fast-becoming one of my new favorite sets. I've always been a little bit of a softie for two-step stamps, anyway. But this one is a keeper!!

This fun fold is called a Center Step Card. I've been seeing them around a lot lately (saw MANYMANYMANY at Convention!), but I hadn't tried one 'til I made this. Here is a link to a tutorial on SCS if you wanna check it out:

Center Step Instructions

I need to rob a bank ... or inherit some money from a long-lost relative ... or win the lottery OR Publisher's Clearing House (I guess it would help if I enter EITHER!) ... there are SERIOUSLY a lot of fun goodies I want/need in the new SU catalog! And the Holiday Mini that is coming out soon?? Fuhgeddaboudit!! I thought about trying to sell one of my kids ... but then dismissed the idea 'cause I think that might be a hard sell ... think I am just gonna hafta go through my stash of stamps and find some more to add to my "for sale" list ... that might cover what I have ALREADY bought!! Sheesh!

Stamps: Field Flowers, Petite Pairs
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, In Color Patterned DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Buttons, Dimensionals

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Sweet Little Blossom Box ...

2011-07-21T00:00:00.000-06:00

... at least that's how it would APPEAR!! This is made using the new Blossom Box Die. It is kind of a fussy little die ... okay ... it's REALLY fussy!! Actually, once you figure out if you need to add a little shim to the die sandwich or not, it isn't so bad. There IS, after all, a little tutorial video that SU did to show you how to do it. You really DO need to make sure that all the creases are done completely ... and that you are patient ... and that you practice with scraps of stuff that you don't care about ... hehehehe!

Actually, now that I have successfully completed making one, it wouldn't be too bad to make another one. I think this is stinkin' ca-YOOT!!! Jan left this morning ... sigh ... as did all the stamps and toys she brought with her!! (Hahahaha!! Don't worry, Jan ... I don't just love your for your stampin' stuff!!) I decided that this needed one of my paper-punch roses as an embellishment, too. I think I likey ... but I am pretty sure I'm not gonna make 100 of these any time soon!!

I think I need a nap ... or two ... or three!! Convention is the BEST (wouldn't miss it) ... but after prepping my house for company for a week, playing at Convention, and then trying to get back into a regular schedule, I'm pretty whooped. Soooo worth it, though!! Can't wait for next summer already!!

Stamps: Petite Pairs
Paper: Elegant Eggplant Rich Regals Patterned DSP, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Blossom Box Die, Decorative Label Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch (to mount flower on), Blossom Builders Punch (for leaves), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewel, Linen Thread

Touring Through Summer With the Freaks!

2011-07-19T18:00:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the Control Freaks Mid-Summer Tour!! We were originally gonna just have this Tour be all about Christmas in July ... and then those of us who got together during SU Convention last week and swapped thought it would be a PITY and a CRYING SHAME if we didn't share at least SOME of the gorgamalicious swaps we had created. Hence, this is a Summer MishMash ... but it's ALL good!! You should just come from the blog of our Freak Mama, Lisa Martz!! She is the BESTEST, don'tcha think??

Can I say I {{heart}} this set??? For some reason it just speaks to me ... those little bitty shoe prints just make my heart happy. So, I knew as soon as I saw it that it was GOING to be MINE!!! (And during Convention I discovered numerous other sets that will also have to join the Stamp Collective at my house!)

Stamps: Daring Adventure
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Night of Navy Denim Ribbon, Vintage Brad, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Folder, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals

I also HAD to have this adorably darling baby/nursery set called "Little Additions" ... such fun!! And mui-many thanks to Jason Casper for loaning me his Scallop Circle #2 die during Convention ... I was madly rushing to complete these swaps and realized I NEEDED the ding-dang scallop circle that I didn't have!!! He was kind enough to bring his for me the next day ... and as badly as I wanted to keep it for myself, I DID return it to its rightful owner. You rock, Dude!!

Stamps: Little Additions
Paper: Marina Mist, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Nursery Nest DSP
Ink: Marina Mist, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Scallop Circle #2 Die, Small Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Rhinestone Basics Jewel Sticker, Dimesionals

One of the most ca-YOOT-est and basically adorable things we saw demo'd at Convention was this little treat box (shown by Brian PIlling ...). It was so fun that I decided to put my own twist on it (thanks to Jan and her stash of Letters to Santa DSP!) It is used making the ... wait for it ... Mini Milk Carton Die!!! OHMYGOSHAMAZING!! All you hafta do is cut out two of 'em, then cut off one panel from the end of each of 'em (the panel on the end withOUT the tab). Then just tape 'em together, string some Baker's Twine through the top and embellish to your heart's content. VOILA!!! (Insert choir of angels singing here!!)

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Letters to Santa DSP, Whisper White, Old Olive, Real Red
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Mini MIlk Carton Die, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Northern Frost Sizzlet Strip Die, Jewelry Tag Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon, Whisper White Baker's Twine (and a little silver sewing thread)

I have been SOOO happy to have my BFF, Jan, staying with me this past week with her chocolate and stamp sets and DSP (bwahahaha!! JK, girlfriend!). I really have enjoyed having her here (we have stamped, eaten chocolate and laughed ourselves to the silly point of tears) ... and having her here for a bonus/extra two days has been FAB!! Loves ya, girl!! Come again ANY time!

And now? On to the Freakishly Fabulous Blog of Lorri Heiling ... here swaps were INCREDIBLY CLEVER!! Check 'em out ...

SU Convention - Days 3 & 4

2011-07-16T23:53:00.021-06:00

HolySMOKES!!! I can't even believe I am still awake (it is just about midnight as I type this). I should be snoozin' ... which I will be shortly, but not before I share the a bit of what I've been doing the past two days.

First off, I never showed you one of the mui-FANTABULOUS projects we did in our Make & Takes ... it is a lovely card box. Lots of steps ... but the end result was sooo great!!! The M&T projects were TOP NOTCH this year!!! Amazingamazingamazing!!!

Yesterday at Convention was great!! Learned a lot of new stuff, saw a lot of new stuff, and hooked up with some great friends. This is a pic of me and my dear-sweet-wonderful BFF, Lydia Fiedler!! She is our Dirty Dozen Mama over on SCS. I cannot believe how much this woman makes me smile. I swear, I feel like I have known her forEVER!! A bunch of us went to dinner after meetings yesterday, then headed back to the Salt Palace for a class (which was fun, but I was honestly too tired to create, so I did a lot of visiting ... I know, I know ... so many of you would be SHOCKED to see that I talk as much as I actually do, right???) But, I digress ... I do LOVE this chick, though!

And these CUPCAKES!! Shut UP!!!! There were a few tables LOADED DOWN with 'em when we showed up to our class last night. YUMYUMYUMYUMYUMMMO!!! Cupcakes just make me happy!!

Today was wonderful and bittersweet at the same time. First, let me say that Jan and I stayed up 'til 2:00 a.m. (Note ... does "punch drunk" mean anything to any of you?? We were laughing until we were crying at THE dumbest stuff!!) and then woke again just after 6:00 a.m. so that we could finish our Control Freak swaps. (Note ... there is NOTHIN' that is too good for our Freaky friends!). I was even an hour late getting to the Convention Center this morning as I was finishing my swaps. Found a great parking place right on the street in front of the Convention Center, where parking is free for two hours on Saturday. Got so wrapped up in what I was doing that I forgot to go out and move the car ... which means I got a ticket!! Crap!!! But, I digress ... again ...

Our Freak Swap/Lunch Date was amazing. I can honestly say that I was near tears when I saw all the beautiful creations that everyone had brought to share. And not just because the swaps were so lovely, but that the women who created them are so lovely ... their inner beauty just shines in everything they do. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazingly awesome group of women. Love ya, girls!!

And what could be mo' bettah than Spencer Willis singin' "The Candy Man" with his four adorable children??? What a treat that was for everyone!! And the kids didn't seem a BIT nervous OR phased by their newly-found celebrity! Awesome!!

The theme this year was "Grow" ... I swear, I love this company. They are so people-oriented. I always learn so many things I can not only apply to my SU business, but just to my life in general. Lots of inspiration and just genuine good ol' warm fuzzy feelings. I have made some of THE most amazing friendships due to my involvement with SU. Lifetime friends ... people I can turn to when I need help ... with virtually ANYthing. What's not to love about a company that does this for so many people?? Okay ... enough gushing ...

And last, but certainly NOT least ... remember that FAMILY frame I posted a while back HERE?? My BFF Cheryl and I decided to do it as our shoebox swap project that we did with some of our bestest friendies. This is the one I designed using the new luscious Berry Blossom dsp. Isn't it just deLISH??? (The "blank" square is gonna have a family photo in it.) I also did one with the Mocha Morning dsp ... will get a photo of that one and share it with ya soon.

Had a wonderfullygreatterrificfantasticexhaustingexhileratinglyGREAT time this past few days. Now I think I am gonna gets me some SLEEP!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs (sentiment), Field Flowers (sentiment)
Paper: Berry Blossom DSP, Early Espresso, Wisteria Wonder, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Sans Serif Alphabet Dies, Scribbles & Swirls Embosslits Die, Decorator Label Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Petal Card Punch, Triple Heart Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Boho Blossom Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder

More From Stampin' Up Convention - Day 2

2011-07-15T05:51:00.008-06:00

Can hair really BE tired??? Yes, I think it can!!! I know it is exhiliratingly exhausting every single year I go to Convention, but I seem to forget just HOW tired we all get my 9:00 p.m.!! What a whirlwind!!

Sooo much fun stuff was seen/heard/done yesterday!! Most exciting of which (besides seeing more of my besties!) was having SU reveal the Holiday Mini during General Sessoin??? HOLYCOWHOLYCOWHOLYCOW!! I am still feeling BROKE after the new catalog release, but I hafta say that this is one of the BEST Mini Catalogs I have EVER seen!!! I-WANT-IT-ALL!!! Stamps, dies, RIBBON and a lovely new scoreboard only scratch the surface of what was in there!! A COOKIE STAMPS!!! Are you SERIOUS??? So freakin' ca-YOOT!! I am thinking I may need to sell one of my kids ... but in this economy that could be tricky, since they ARE past that cute little toddler stage (can you say 23, 20 and 17??)!! Think I may be SOL (sorry-outta-luck!) on that one. Hmmm.... could give it a try ... anyone interested???

Here is a photo of me and some of my SCS/FB friendies!!! Soooo stinkin' fun to meet them in person!!! And I'm STILL happy with the fact that Mindy and I can have a conversation while looking each other in the eye (and we don't even hafta sit down to do it!!)!! We were commenting to each other last night how we have been running into each other EVERYwhere since Convention started. I think we decided it was because we are on the same eye level and don't hafta look UP as we pass each other by!!! Love ya, girl!!

AND can I tell you how incredibly COOL Jacque Craig is??? HOLYCOWHOLYCOWHOLYCOW!!!! (I said that already, didn't I??). She is the creator of Craft Project Central (I blog hopped with them last month). Anywho, when we did get a chance to meet up we had a lovely visit. AND she brought me a box of chocolate-covered MACADAMIA NUTS all the way from Hawaii!!! NOWAY!!! Such a lovely, thoughtful gesture (and she gave me a beautiful swap card, too!). Can I just say that stampin' peeps are the BESTEST???? Having SUCH a great time!!!

One more card to share with ya ... you'll be seeing some with new product comin' up soon ... I PROMISE!!

Stamps: Everything Nice
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, La Creme DSP by DCWV
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Blossom Petals Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Arched Lattice Border Punch, Decorator Label Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Black Organza Ribbon, Large Pearl Sticker

Well, it's off to the races again!!! More fun-filled adventures ahead today!!