Volcanoes

The highlight of the trip had to have been the volcanoes! How spectacular they are! While there, we couldn't help but delight in the majesty of our God! How incredible are His works. As my husband so wonderfully put it, "He has given us an amazing playground!" Here are some pics of our trip to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Here is a shot of Kilauea. It is still an active volcano, and you can see the steam from it in this picture. The road around the volcano was actually closed the day we went there because the sulfur in the air was too dangerous to be around. But we still got to see it, and experience the vastness of it. Incredible! We were way up on top, above the crater itself in this photo.
We kept driving and stopping at different lookout points, this being one of them. We could actually see people hiking down on the crater and thought, "wow, that would be cool!" Then we realized we could go down there too, so off we went!
Back and forth down the side of a cliff, the side of the volcano... down to the crater we went. Here's a pic of the path we traveled on.... it sure doesn't show how steep the climb was! It took about 15 minutes to make it to the bottom.
Yes, we made it! What an incredible experience to stand on the cap of a volcano! It was awesome!!!! The red spot on the map shown HERE is where we were standing for these photos below.
Here is a look up at where we had started, (and where we had to hike back up again!) Needless to say it took us a little longer than 15 minutes to make it back up the more than 400 ft cliff! Here is my FAVORITE picture from our trip.... I will be getting this printed in an 8 x 10 and framing it for our home! This was taken in front of the Kilauea Caldera. You can click on it to make it bigger.....
What a blessing to have spent the week with the love of my life! He is so amazing! And it was incredible to see the awesomeness of God this week. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts... that's what the Bible declares. And in all the wonder and majesty this week, it was proven to be true all over again! How GREAT is our GOD!

Although not nearly as inspiring as all creation, here are a few ideas to spark your creativity!

This cute basket was made with the basket die for our Big Shot. The paper is actually our cardstock weight 2-sided designer series paper! So cool! I was so jealous... it was filled with chocolate!!!!
And this cute little box was also done with a box die and the same paper.... CUTE CUTE CUTE!
Thanks for stopping by today! See you tomorrow w/ more pics from my trip!

Hawaii Spoils!

Yes, we were SPOILED ROTTEN in Hawaii.....

Here are some of the fun gifts we received in our rooms:

His and her bags! I think my big shot will fit in mine! :)

A fun weaved box filled with...... A NEW STAMP SET FROM THE NEXT CATALOG, and also stamp pads, a marker, set of brads and sticky strip!!!! (We used them on our make and take projects). Sorry, you can only see the outside! We can't give you a sneak peek of the set since it's not available yet :( sorry! You'll just have to wait!
A sarong..... (they gave them away in different colors).
What a cool package! Clever ways to wrap things, don't you think....
Here's all the munchies that were inside. Perfect for the traveling we did on the island! You can NEVER have too many macadamia nuts (especially ones covered in CHOCOLATE!) :)And as a send off gift our last night, we got a hand made silver necklace, packaged in a Stampin' Up! box. What a special way to always remind us of the fun we had in Hawaii....
Here are a few more of the sights we took in around the resort:

The weather was FABULOUS... in the 80's and sunny! Everywhere we went there was a perfect setting for a backdrop. (And the pictures really don't do it justice!)

Here is one of the many waterfalls at the resort. The resort was so HUGE there were trams to take you from one place to another, and even a boat if you'd rather travel on the water!
Here's our little friend Gieko the Gecko.... He hung around the pool bar almost everyday (how do I know that.... HMMMMMM I'm not sure :)

And lastly, some BIG SHOT ideas for you..... My friend Jackie sent out a Cute Card Alert, so I went running with my camera to another table during breakfast to see these little cuties!
Both of these cards were made with the Top Note die for the Big Shot. Just fold the paper in half BEFORE running it through the machine. So adorable!!!!

So much to share.... so keep coming back for more beautiful shots from my trip, and more fun stamping ideas too!

Aloha!

Home from Hawaii

Ok, I am finally somewhat alive again!!!!

We had an amazing trip to Hawaii, and I wanted to share a few pics with you. I'll try to share more over the course of the next few days.

Here we are upon arriving in Hawaii after our 11 hour trip (that was just in plane rides, not waiting time in the airports!) We arriveda and were greeted with Aloha and fresh made leis. And then Stampin' Up! had shuttles waiting to take us to the resort.

Here are pics of our room.... Very nice and roomy!!!!

As you can see, we had a balcony which had an amazing view...... And later on the evening of our arrival, Stampin' Up! had a fabulous welcome reception for us around one of the MANY pools at the resort. Nice way to end a long day of travel.

Here I am with my buddies Sandy and Barb. We hung out quite a bit this trip... you'll see more pics of them in the next few days!
And some of our demonstrator friends weren't able to attend this year, but they were there in spirit.... and even in other ways! Below is our friend Patty Bennett.... Barb carried "flat Patty" around with her and showed how she enjoyed Hawaii! Aloha Patty! I think you had several drinks on the island! :)
And here are a couple of fun ideas I saw.... These are accordian folded and use our big shot.... LOVE THEM! You will be making ideas like these at my upcoming Big Shot Classes!

So, ALOHA for now and MAHALO (thank you) for stopping by today!

Raspberry Tart... SO SWEET! -- the complete project

Well, here is the third and final part to this project.

I found an acrylic file/bill keeper that has a magnet on the back... would be great on your refrigerator or file cabinet....

I took the raspberry tart DSP and lined the front and inside of the file compartments with different prints.THEN..... and here is the cool part.....

Are you ready.....

Can you stand it......

Ok, here is all of the pieces put together!

This is a special date & card organizer.... The dated cards are for you to write down dates to remember... like family & friends' birthdays and anniversaries. Then, you store your cards in the front pocket... handy to send out. The notebook is actually an address book so you have the addresses handy to send out your cards!!!! :)

Isn't this awesome! Pretty clever, if I do say so myself.... Ok, I have to toot my own horn here, because it isn't very often I actually have an idea of my own..... :)

I hope you enjoyed this project! I might offer this as a PDF or kit in the mail in the near future... let me know if you'd be interested by leaving me a comment.

Raspberry Tart... SO SWEET! Part 2

Here is part 2 of my raspberry tart project.....

I used my big shot and the top note die to create a fun book. The inside is die cut white cardstock for the pages. I covered the cardboard that comes in the DSP paper pack w/ the raspberry tart paper, then ran it through my big shot. I then used my bind-it-all to create the binding and finished it off with some fun ribbon accents.....

It created a fun little notebook....

THEN, I created the fun file folder pages... one for every month of the year, dated with the number of days of each month....

The rounded tab punch works fabulous to create the tabs along the top, don't you think???

Now, what in the world am I going to do with these two things, and the cards from yesterday???? Well, check back tomorrow to see the completed project!

Raspberry Tart... SO SWEET! Part 1

The Raspberry Tart DSP and Sweet Stems stamp set are a match made in heaven.... and the coordinating embosslit is the icing on the cake!!! Here are 4 cards I made with the paper/set/die for the big shot. Let me know what you think!

They all use the same colors.... Rose Red, Old Olive & Cameo Coral.

and I just had to make a coordinating envelope for each card by using the DSP to cover the envelope flap!

Love our border punches.... so easy to create the scallop edge!

And the embosslits for the Big Shot emboss and die cut at the same time!!!

This is part one of a project that I made.... check back tomorrow for part 2!

Balsa Wood???? What will they think of NEXT!

I totally love my BIG SHOT! I can't believe how many of you have purchased one and have been loving it too! They are flying off the shelves at Stampin' Up! And with cool ideas like this, I can see why.

This project uses the Top Note Die to cut through balsa wood! And the flowers are from our New Decor Elements line! They are vinyl rub-ons that you can use to create fabulous items for your home.

So, just when you think you've thought of everything you can do with your big shot... think again!

Still Taking Orders

For my craft kits. CLICK HERE to see what is available....

Please note: I will be in Hawaii from March 22-28 and will contact you when I return to confirm that I received your order. Orders will be processed as quickly as possible upon my return and will be sent priority mail.

Watch for some fun new kit ideas to come when I return! :)

Blessings and ALOHA!

My Baby????

Is this really my baby... ALL GROWN UP???

Ok, I have to say he is the handsomest!!!! Yes, I do have to say so!!!!

Here is my oldest son Jake with his date for the snowcoming dance last night.... Of course, I had to stay up LATE to wait for him to get home (even tho I had to leave at 5:45 this morning for the airport for our flight to Hawaii!) I couldn't go to bed without finding out how his night went, and to say our good-byes :( Where does the time go??? Now I know how my mother felt.

March Club Projects

The ladies gathered here tonight for our FREE club class. This month we learned the grid technique.... here are a couple of the projects they made.

Doesn't this technique add cool texture and dimension???? This card uses the NEW scallop oval punch too... coming out April 1 in the occasions mini catalog!

And this one uses the REVERSE side of the grid.... Making another cool texture too!

You can make great projects, and learn cool new techniques every month too! You can come and check us out... We meet the 3rd Friday of the month. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Fifth Avenue comes to GREENVILLE!

Well, whenever I say "Fifth Ave." I think of class and elegance... well, here in the little town of Greenville, class and elegance aren't quite Fifth Ave style, but we have our moments :)

Here is one of Stampin' Up!'s new sets.... yes, Fifth Ave Floral. I had to do a little playing so here is what I've come up with so far.

This card uses baha breeze, kiwi kiss and basic gray ink/paper. I used the manhattan flower texture plate to create the design on the kiwi cardstock. Another reason to own that big shot!!!!

The following card, I first stamped the flowers from the set in regal rose and pink pirouette ink, on the pink pirouette cardstock. Then I used the texture plate again, this time on the front of the pink pirouette card. The greeting is from a NEW SET coming in the Occasions Mini Catalog....Called Oval All (which I love even more cuz I got it for 40% OFF with my demonstrator discount!!!) And the scallop oval punch is also new too....in the mini catalog!

And lastly, after using the texture die on chocolate chip cardstock, I used my 2-way glue pen and applied our chocolate glitter to the embossed flowers. Again, used the new set.... and the card and scallop oval punch are out of cameo coral.

Here's a close up....

Thanks for stopping by today. Oh, and watch for some great info on my SUPER-SIZED SALE that I'll be offering this week while I am in HAWAII!!!!!