Mini Madness! Day 30---CHALLENGE COMPLETED!

YIPPEE! I DID IT!!!! I MEAN, I ACTUALLY DID IT!!!!

I am so excited! I posted 30 projects made with items from the Occasions Mini Catalog!!!

Here is my last post for this challenge.......
It uses the Great Friend Set and Matchbox Die from the mini catalog. Of course, the BIG SHOT too! The butterfly is cut from the hostess pack designer paper using the butterflies die. I used the scallop die, cutting off the bottom portion, to attach to a basic box. Here is a side view....

And, in honor of my victory celebration....CHOCOLATE!!!! Kinda look like celebration candles! :)

I'd like to thank ALL OF YOU who have followed my mini madness posts! I am honored that you came here to share your comments with me!!!!

BUT REMEMBER.... I AM GIVING AWAY BLOG CANDY (Stampin' Up! Goodies!!!) To enter the drawing.... POST A COMMENT TO ANY OF THE MINI MADNESS POSTS.... You can be entered for each post you comment to.... for a total of 30 entries! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to submit your comments. Check back here tomorrow to see if you are one of the lucky winners!

Thanks again for your support. It has been so much fun!

Mini Madness! Day 29

Only one day to go of the mini madness challenge!!! I am seeing the finish line!

Today I made a fun hinged card using 2 sets from the mini catalog... Great Friend and Matchbox Messages along with the walk in the park designer paper and matchbox die... for the hidden message... see below.
The gray inside is actually just a 5-1/2 x 4-1/4 piece of cardstock. The large silver brad on the side is what allows the top to hinge open. Simply glue down the Walk in the Park designer paper to the bottom of the gray cardstock. And the hidden message is revealed when it's opened!

These are a ton of fun to make. I think you'll see more with this technique in the future!

Mini Madness! Day 28

There is nothing better than using the BIG SHOT to make something chocolatey!

Today, I used some paper from the hostess prints pack set and ran it through my big shot with the scallop die. Then I scored it about 2-1/8 inches in from 2 sides..... punched a hole in the top for some ribbon and viola! A chocolate holder!
I used Oval All and the scallop oval punch from the mini catalog for this mini madness project.
Here's a side view of the lovely chocolate! I am sure some kisses would fit inside if you'd rather mix it up a bit.

I think I'll be making lots of these! The ladies at my party last night loved them!

Mini Madness! Day 27

This mini madness card is actually a make and take for my workshop tonight. It uses the Great Friend stamp set and Walk in the Park designer paper from the occasions mini catalog.
First, I stamped the butterfly in cameo coral, then masked it to stamp the leaves in kiwi kiss. That way the green ink doesn't get all over my pretty butterfly!

I have some openings in May if you want to do a party and make fun projects like this! Watch tomorrow for another demo project that I'm doing tonight.

Senior Prom

No, Not MINE!

But last night was Greenville's Prom, and here is one handsome man--My son Jake, and his beautiful date, Melia. They were stunning when they came in, all dressed and ready to go!
One step closer to graduation....

They had a great time, and will remember it forever....

Thanks for letting me share another milestone.... :)

Mini Madness! Day 26

Mini Madness day 26..... I am really on the home stretch! Well, I've shown you so many great ideas (25 to be exact!) using items from the mini catalog, so for today's mini madness project, I thought you might need a place to write down all the things you now want to purchase!

This is a wishlist pad using the top note die for the big shot. I stamped the Upsy Daisy flowers in not quite navy ink on baha breeze cardstock. I also used Oval All stamp set and the new Scallop Oval punch from the mini catalog.
This will be part of the blog candy I give away to one of the lucky winners on May 1!

See you tomorrow!

Mini Madness! Day 25

Get (or GIVE) the PERFECT gift for Mother's Day..... I have something EVERY MOM will LOVE!

For today's mini madness challenge, I used the Walk in the Park designer paper, and chose to pair it with the Fifth Avenue Floral set. I used cameo coral and basic gray cardstock, and even pulled out (and dusted off) the blush blossom stamp pad to add some nice faint flowers in the background. If you click on the image it gets larger.....
And the perfect gift.... it's on the INSIDE! Don't forget you can purchase gift certificates at any time, and in any amount! Get one like this for Mother's Day!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you need a gift certificate for Mother's Day, or any occasion.... Oh, and give your hubby my number so he can get one for YOU!

Crafters Choose Stampin' Up! 9 Years Running!

While surfing the web today, I came across this article. It's about how for 9 years we have been selected as the best in the industry! Not only for our products, but for our business opportunity.
Well, I've always known it, and I'm always telling you about it, now the world knows it!

Get on board today.... the 3-easy-payment plan is still available! :)

April Stamp Club Projects

This month club members made projects using the MASKING TECHNIQUE.... creating masks to cover up images, then stamp additional images to make them appear behind the first one.

This card uses the God's Beauty hostess set (have a party and you can get it for free...like this month's club hostess did!)
This card we used the reverse part of the mask to sponge ink, then stamp the image over the sponged area. It uses the Fifth Avenue Floral set.

And lastly, this one (which was from one of my mini madness challenge posts) used the Great Friend stamp set. We sponged ink inside the square mask and stamped the leaves along the edge. Then we removed the mask and stamped the other images.

All of the ladies received a full color direction handout via email of this technique and the projects we made! This is a special perk of being in my club.

Want to come check us out???? CLICK HERE for more information, and to join my club... you can join at any time!

Do you have 5 friends who would like to start their own club? I will bring the club class to your location! Contact me for info.

Mini Madness! Day 24

My friend Kim Smith is an awesome stamper, and this project is one of those that prove it! She sent this to me, and it fits into my mini madness challenge!
Kim used the Fifth Avenue Floral set (LOVE IT!) with the coordinating texture folder for the big shot. The corduroy buttons/brad are fabulous accents. The scallop oval punch is from the occasions mini catalog.

Using the circle scissors makes cutting just the right sized circle a sinch! They layer perfectly on a scallop punched out with the scallop #2 die.

Thanks Kim, for such awesome inspiration!

Mini Madness! Day 23

Is it day 23 already!?!? I am telling you, the time has FLOWN doing this mini madness challenge. That's a good thing, and a bad all together! It's good to have a feeling of being on the home stretch, and it's also sad to think another month is here and gone! WOW!
For this card, one color is needed... baha breeze! I used the big shot with the scallop envelope die, and the set is Great Friend from the occasions mini catalog.... so is the Walk In The Park designer paper. I dyed one of the flowers from the pretties kit with baha ink to match the paper. I think it turned out pretty cute... how about you?

Mini Madness! Day 22

A SMARTie Idea!

My friend Barb Mullikin posted these cute ideas and I just had to case her! :) Thanks Barb!

For today's Mini Madness project, I used the Walk in the Park DSP (where better to see butterflies than in a park?!?!) with my butterflies die for the big shot.
FUN FUN FUN! I made a ton of these for the Earth Day festival I did in Greenville MI this past weekend. I think I only had 3 left. They were a big hit (and not just with the kiddos!) I
think they would be fabulous for a women's ministry event.... How about a theme where we talk about how God takes us as we are, like a catapillar, and transforms us into something beautiful like a butterfly?

How are you seeing yourself today... are you a catapillar or a butterfly? I am a butterfly! With the love of JESUS, you can be too! Spread your wings and SOAR in the Lord!

Blessings in Christ to you today!

Mini Madness! Day 21

Well, I don't know what my intentions were when I began this mini madness project! I just knew I wanted to make a circle book with pockets.... what for???? I don't know! Many of my ideas start that way.... just do it, and a use will come!
I used the scallop oval punch and oval all set from the occasions mini catalog. The paper is the awesome textured cardstock weight DSP called parisian breeze (I've got a cool rolodex idea in the works with this paper too!)

I used my circle scissors to cut out several pages from DSP and coordinating cardstock to create the inside pages, and bound it together with my bind-it-all.

I thought it would be nice to use this as a gift and put certificates in it.... like one to a coffee place, local stores, etc. All I had on hand was my Stampin' Up! gift cards that I've earned for FREE!

If you have a fun idea, share it with me in the comments (it will also enter you into my blog candy drawing!)

Mini Madness! Day 20

Stick it to 'em!

With a Hershey's Stick! :)

Dark chocolate is my favorite! And these little sticks are almost guilt free! I like them because they are different and fun. And for today's mini madness challenge, I am showing you a fun way to give one to a friend.
I used the Great Friend set from the occasions mini catalog. The background is embossed with the texture plates and the Big Shot. The card the candy is on is 3 x 6 sized and fits into our open ended envelopes.... shown decorated to match of course!

Too cute, and fun!

Have a 'SWEET' day!

Blog Award....

Wow! I am truly touched that Carin has chosen me to receive the "Exalting Christ Blog Award". What an honor to be used by the Lord, and to have Him touch the lives of others through what I do! This is by far the highest honor one can receive!

Diane Noble is the great lady who introduced the new blog award. In her words, "it is given to bloggers who consistently exalt the name of Christ on their blogs. What a joy to see crafters blend their passion for Christ and papercrafting. This award is given to bloggers who share Christ through their posts or through the design of their artwork. We are commanded in Scripture to be 'salt and light' sharing the Good News of Jesus no matter where we are (Matthew 5:13-16). This award is just a way members of Women to Women: Sharing Jesus can say thanks for exalting Christ with us!"


Rules:

Post the blog award in a regular post on your blog with the explanation, including the original link to WTW and the rules for passing the award along

1. Name five people (more or less is fine!) to whom you want to offer this award and link to their blogs. The blogs need to obviously exalt Christ in some manner.
2. Contact the bloggers you have named to let them know they can pick up their blog award from you.
3. Invite them to permanently display the WTW blog badge and/or the award on their blogs. The badge can be obtained on the WTW site.


So, my recipients are:
1. Diane Stader has a beautiful blog, and her love of Jesus is evident in the faith that she shares there.
2. Sue Craig uses her stamping to share her faith with others, and even has a card ministry to share the love of Jesus with others.
3. KellyJean Gettelfinger has an amazing talent for stamping and scrapbooking and a true love of the Lord.
4. Lori Craig shares much of her faith in Jesus through the beautiful cards displaying the promises of God. She also share much on SCS divine design challenges.

Thank you ladies, for proclaiming JESUS to the nations! I know there are many more of you out there... and to be honest, I never really thought about seeking out those who are sharing Jesus through their love of stamping/papercrafting. It just comes as natural to me as breathing, and it was amazing to see others feeling the same way.

May God continue to work through the talents and gifts of these ladies, and the countless other who share His name in all they create! In Christ be the Glory FOREVER!!!!

Mini Madness! Day 19

I am sharing a couple cards that my friend Kim Smith shared with me using the new basic gray courdory buttons from the mini catalog for this mini madness challenge project.
Aren't these GORGEOUS!!!!! I think this will be one of my new favorite sets.

More time for stamping????

Ok, this isn't REALLY stamping related, but I MUST share this with you!

I do not like to cook. Ok, I REALLY do not like to cook. Seriously, I HATE TO COOK! I don't like thinking about it, planning meals, making lists, grocery shopping, unloading groceries, prepping, cooking, clean up..... You get my point! :)

It seems like so much time goes into the 'eating process', don't you agree?

Well, I am a strange person in that even though I am not fond of cooking (I am trying to change my mind about how I 'feel' about cooking :) I ALWAYS plan a menu each week. I have found that by doing this, I am less irritable when it comes to cooking (even though it may not sound like it:) There is nothing worse than waking up to face the day and having no clue what I am feeding the family. It weighs on my mind, lingering as I try to be creative. So, I make a menu each week (usually on Sunday) and see what's on sale (or in my freezer), then pull out the recipes and calendar to see what recipes work best for what is going on in our lives that week.

Well, bear with me here.... this is where the more time for stamping comes in!

I came across this blog from one of my co-workers that has totally changed my life! (ok, so I might be a little dramatic, but it has helped me tremendously!)

It's done by a lady who was committed to using her crock pot every day for a year... and she did it and posted all of her recipes on her blog. And tons of readers have posted their's a well.

The blog is www.crockpot365.blogspot.com. I LOVE IT!!!! Every recipe I've made is fabulous! And I plan a recipe from this blog for every night of the week. Usually add a salad and viola.... dinner! So in the morning I look at my menu, pop the stuff in the crock by 9 and I am good to go for the rest of the day! Stamping and creativity flowing with no worries for dinner! I got a new crockpot, and let me say, they beat the old ones hands down! (mine was 20 yrs old---oops, just dated myself there, didn't I?

If you are like me, you will LOVE LOVE LOVE this revelation! Make sure to share how it's changed your life by commenting on this post. (and send me what you create in all that free time!)

I am going to put a link to this blog in my sidebar under the "inside look at me" section so you can find it later!

Yes, I'll be back online later with something stamped.... now, back to meal planning my week!

Mini Madness! Day 18

What little girl woudn't love to get these cute chapsticks for a gift! Today's mini madness challenge uses the matchbox die and new printed window sheets from the mini catalog! I love using the outside of a metal edge tage to create a fun embellishment!
18 days and going strong! I can't believe I've made it this far! I am committed!!!!

Mini Madness! Day 17

Daaaisy, Daaaisy, give me your answer do! I'm half craaazy, all for the love of you........

Remember that song? It's all I could think of as I was using my Daisy Die for this Mini Madness Challenge project.
I used the Oval All set, Walk in the Park designer paper and scallop oval punch from the mini catalog to create this fun card! Of course I used the Big Shot alot too.... Punched out lots of daisies to layer for the flower and then used the dot texture plate to do the white background.

Daisies are my favorite flower (white ones, with a yellow roses to be exact!) No, it's not my birthday, but if you feel so inclined to send me some, I sure wouldn't mind :)

Ok, I MUST get going! Today I have to finish prepping my booth for the Greenville Community Center Earth Day event that is from 12-9 tomorrw! I'll have some cool stuff to share, so stop by! I look forward to seeing you there!

Mini Madness! Day 16

Ok, when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, nothing soothes the nerves like.... CHOCOLATE! Ok, maybe it doesn't, but it's still a good reason to have some!

I am over the hump for my Mini Madness Challenge, and I am so happy to say that I have made it 16 days in a row! WOO HOO FOR ME!!! (If only I had this stamina when it came to exercising.... maybe if I added chocolate...........)

I went back to my new Oval All set from the mini catalog for this little treat! (I also used the tiny flower from the Priceless set for the background.)
The pattern for this little guy is 4 x 8-3/4, score along the 8-3/4 side at 1-1/2, 4-1/2 and 5-3/4

And the inside holds......

A mini Hershey bar!!! (In an emergency, you could probably snatch it out from the side, and replace it later.)

I have over 100 comments so far for the BLOG CANDY GIVE AWAY! Have you left one yet? You can't win if you don't post! I look forward to hearing from you!

Love those KITS!

I have had SO MANY ORDERS for my kits, and I want to thank all of you for your fabulous comments about them. I am so glad that you are loving them, and it is a blessing to share them with you.

I've had many people request that I make available the PDF documents for the LOFTY THOUGHTS and SIMPLY CARDS kits, so in response, I am glad to say they are now an option to purchase!

To see all the kits I have available right now CLICK HERE! Options are listed under the post for each kit.

I have some new ones in the works, so make sure to subscribe to my blog so you get an update when they are ready.

Mini Madness! Day 15 -- AND Quarter Queen Projects

Here is the project my Quarter Queens got to make at our event the other night. It's a mini magazine file for cards!
They made 2 each of the cards below. We used designer paper as the main focus for this project (especially cool since it will be on SALE next month!)

This one uses the simple flower embosslit for the big shot.

All the cards used just a greeting stamp. This card used 2 punches.... and, since it used the scallop oval punch from the occasions mini catalog, this card qualifies for my MINI MADNESS CHALLENGE :) Bonus! (don't forget to post a comment to win BLOG CANDY!) It also used a polka dot texture plate for the big shot.

And finally, a very quick and easy card with gold brads.

Watch for an upcoming class in May where you can make one of these mini magazine holders and cards too!

QUARTER QUEENS!!!!

Last night I had the priviledge of hosting my second Quarter Queen event here in my home. I LOVE this event! I look foward to it every time and love to pamper my top achievers! These ladies earned this night of dinner and stamping, and I absolutely LOVE each one of them.
Back row: Veronica, Loretta, Yolanda, Shellie, Tonya, Penny
Front row: Marcia, Becky, Tonya, Me, Kristina

Here is the setup for the event. I just had it in my upstairs (all they guys were gone so this was perfect!)
I set up a special place for each of the ladies, with gifts at each spot.

This idea for a bag tag came from my dear friend Patty. I had to make one for me too (with a D of course!)

This is made by stacking 3 of the matchbox dies together (shoot, I should have saved this one for tomorrows mini madness challenge!)

Inside I filled it with paper clips, rubber bands and post it notes.

It was a fiesta night and I gave each of the ladies a cactus glass and made a personalized glass charm for each of them.

Dinner was a hit! I made them Chicken Burrito Casserole, Chips/Salsa and Dump Cake. (recipes below)

And of course, they had a special stamping project to make! (you'll have to check back tomorrow for that!)

Thank you ladies for all you do, and I look forward to the next one in 3 months!

RECIPES:

Chicken Burrito Casserole

5 Chicken Breasts (cooked and diced)

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 15oz Can Hormel Chili with No Beans

1/2 Cup Chicken Broth

1 8oz package Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese

4 Burrito Sized Flour Tortillas

Sour cream and shredded lettuce

Combine first 5 ingredients and mix well.

Grease bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Place a layer of tortillas in bottom (helps to cut them into strips).

Top with 1/2 the chicken mixture.

Top with 1/3 cheese.

Repeat layer, ending with tortillas and top with cheese.

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes. Let set 5 minutes before serving.

Top with lettuce and sour cream.

DUMP CAKE

2 cans cherry pie filling

1 can crushed pineapple in juice (UNDRAINED)

1 box yellow cake mix

1-1/3 stick butter

In 9x13 baking dish, dump cherry pie filling and spread evenly in dish.

Dump can of pineapple and spread evenly.

Dump yellow cake mix on top, spreading evenly.

Dot with thin pieces of butter (make sure it's good and covered)

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until top is bubly and turning golden.

Serve warm topped with whip cream.

Mini Madness! Day 14

Today's mini madness challenge project is actually a card I am demonstrating at Theresa's workshop tonight. I am showing them how to do a masking technique.
I cut a 3 x 3 square out of a piece of scrap paper using my 12" paper cutter. Then I laid it over my white cardstock and sponged baha breeze ink over it and stamped the leaves image in pacific point.

Then I removed the mask and stamped the butterfly and words in pacific point. The stamp set is Great Friend for the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I think Theresa and her friends will love it... what do you think?

Do you have a party scheduled??? Well why not! Call me today so we can make cool things at your party!

Mini Madness! Day 13

Whew, I am just getting this Mini Madness Challenge in under the wire! I was so busy having fun making cool things for my Quarter Queen Event that I had to make this project at 9:30 tonight!
This card uses the Oval All set and Scallop Oval Punch from the Occasions mini. It also uses the Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die for the BIG SHOT. Super cute and super easy!

Check back tomorrow and I will post pictures of my Quarter Queen event (and another mini sample, of course :)

Mini Madness! Day 12

I had a 'bright idea' for my Mini Madness Challenge. Ok, at first it was a bright idea, and luckily you didn't see the first attempt at this project!
I used a nite light I found at the dollar store. And, in my first attempt, I thought I could put words on it.... and, it was OK, but not good enough to let you see :) So, after having to WORK at taking the rub ons off (that sounds weird), I decided to just use the small images from the Summer Love Rub-ons in the mini catalog.

This little light is for my stamp room. I'd like to find more with a SMOOTH surface (this one has grooves.... to make it look like a shell). I'll chock this one up to experience! But it was fun!

Mini Madness! Day 11

Is it ONLY day 11 in my Mini Madness Challenge!?!?!?!? Who came up with this idea, anyway.... Oh, it was ME! What was I thinking! :)

Seriously, it's been ALOT of FUN coming up with these ideas.... and here is my latest. I cleaned out the stash closet... Come on... you know the one... be honest... YOU HAVE ONE! The place where you store all those hundreds of items you purchased in bulk since you KNEW you'd use them! Well, I dug into mine and found this cute jar. LOVE IT! Especially since it's filled with CHOCOLATE! :)
This project uses the Great Friend set, Matchbox Messages die and Walk in the Park designer paper. Now.... who shall be the lucky recipient?????

Blessings!

Mini Madness! Day 10 -- FAITHFUL Reminders

This is a SUPER EASY project that I did for my refrigerator. And what's awesome about it, is the promise that reminds me that JESUS is always here for me! And on today, Good Friday, it reminds me of the salvation he won for me on the cross... All that he suffered and endured for ME! What a wondrous gift...... Have you received it???? I hope so! :)

I had this same magnet on my fridge, but with 2007-07 in colors and ribbon.... I figured this Mini Madness Challenge was the perfect time to give it a little spruce up!
This magnetic memo boards is actually a photo holder. I got them at Wal-Mart in a 2-pack for just a couple bucks.... what a bargain! I used the new Walk in the Park paper and Great Friend set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Don't forget! Leave your comments to my MINI MADNESS posts.... I am giving away BLOG CANDY..... and to more than one person.... but you have to leave comments to be entered.