Baby Blossoms.... Ok, I know this makes 3!

Yes, yet another card with this beautiful set!

The Springtime Vintage paper is sure to be one of your favorites.  And NEW BAHA BREEZE GLASS GLITTER is the Bomb!  Add a glimmer brad and all you can say is FABULOUS!

YES, I know it's Christmas..... That's Jesus' birthday!  So happy Birthday Wishes for a wonderful Christmas!  Hope you are enjoying the season!

Baby Blossoms Card.... yes, card #2!

Like I said yesterday, I was PLAYING!

I was determined to use this set over and over to make some fun projects, and I think you'll be delighted with what I came up with (YES, THESE ARE ALL MY ORIGINAL IDEAS WITH THIS SET!)  It's too new to copy/tweek someone else's ideas (lol)!

Let me warn you right now.... You are going to FALL IN LOVE WITH the new Springtime Vintage designer series paper, so stock up on the following colors of cardstock to go with it.....Not Quite Navy, Baha Breeze, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, River Rock, Very Vanilla and Always Artichoke.

The little polka dot frame is a stamp from the set.... so totally cute!  And the Wide Oval Punch works perfectly to create a focal point within the frame.

Beautiful.... Did you know that's what you are?  You are beautiful in the eyes of the Lord!!!  I think I need to send this card to my friend to remind her how beautiful she is to God... and to me!  Take time to tell someone they are beautiful.... they can never hear it enough!

Baby Blossoms Card Idea

Baby Blossoms???? What's that... you say?
Well, it's a stamp set from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog, and here is a sneak peek.....

This set makes BEAUTIFUL cards!  I used the NEW Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper and Rose Red Seam Binding..... The polka dots background is made with the BIG SHOT which if you don't have one, you'll want to get one during Sale-A-Bration--Jan 25-March 31--So you can earn 2 free SAB items with your big shot purchase!

I also used 2 punches... the Designer Label and Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border.

Watch for more fun ideas using this set.... I had some fun stamping tonight!  You'll want to see all the new items FIRST HAND.... Let's schedule a fun girls' night out for you and your friends after the new year!

French Foliage Card Idea

This card is not my original idea.... but as soon as I saw it, I memorized it and HAD to recreate it.

It uses the French Foliage stamp set from the Holiday Mini catalog..... And the Cherry Cobbler and Pear Pizza paper and ink are AMAZING together!

I thought the "Imagine the Possibilities" greeting was the PERFECT sentiment considering the FABULOUS STARTER KIT SPECIAL going on right now!  What can you imagine you could do for you and your family as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?  Joining with the HALF PRICE starter kit could mean HUGE OPPORTUNITIES for you!  Let's talk about what that means!

Bells & Boughs Stair Step Christmas Card

Ok, I know I am going to hear it for this one after yesterday's post about how I don't make things that are complicated.  Well, this isn't 'complicated' but it is VERY PUTSY!

The Bells & Boughs set from the Holiday Mini Catalog is so elegant!  I stamped them with Stazon ink and watercolored them with Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke ink and an aquapainter.  The ruffle is our gold Waffle Paper.

Once in awhile I have to do a work of heART!  While this was fun to do ONCE, I don't think I'd make 50 of them or anything! lol!  Lots of cutting, but worth the results!

Quilt Top Note Die

Now, I know you are going to think this was WAY to complicated, but you should know me better than to think I'd do something complicated! lol!

I took a piece of white cardstock and attached 1-1/4" squares of Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper to it (just cover the whole piece).  Then, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Top Note Die.  Super easy!

The background piece it textured with the big shot using the lattice embossing folder.

Because I care.... Hmmmm, I am sure you've had someone tell you about something hard they are going through.  Wouldn't they love to get a handmade card from you letting you know that you care and are praying for them?  You are praying for them aren't you? That's the best gift you can give someone.

Matchbox Die for Big Shot

I don't know what life was like before the Big Shot!
Especially when it comes to making fun little boxes... No more measuring, scoring, cutting....  Just crank and go!

This little box (which we made at my last Too Stinkin' Cute Class) uses the Greenhouse Gala designer series paper.  Stampin' Up! used this paper on samples on the front of one of our Stampin' Success Magazines (our monthly demonstrator newsletters) and I loved the colors.  They are so yummy!

The little tag on top is actually from the same die.  There's three different tags included in the die.  What a value!  And I know you LOVE the shimmery brad (from the Holiday Mini Catalog!)  I'm kind of addicted to them.  Once I got over the fact that I cannot hoard them!  You know what I mean... you have that pretty paper, or in this case, shimmery brad, and you open it up and just look at it.  You don't want to use them because they will be gone!  Well, that's why you have me! You can always get more, silly!

Inside, I wrapped some Hershey nuggets with some paper strips (1x3).  LOVE THEM!

What friend do you know that would love a little pick me up like this....?  Don't you think you should make her one today?

French Foliage Card Idea... Masculine

The French Foliage set is in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  What a beautiful set.
I wanted to make a simple guy card, and here's what I came up with.... Let me know what you think!

I stamped some of our Gold Waffle Paper (from the mini) with black Stazon ink. (Stazon works best because it dries fast and is permanent).  And I layered the stamped waffle paper on Old Olive cardstock.

I also stamped the leaves on Brushed Gold Cardstock and cut them out.  (Yeah, I CUT them out....Not like me, I know!)

The greeting is stamped on brushed gold and punched out with the Word Window punch and layered on to a black piece punched with the Modern Label punch.... All the gold is really shimmery.  Kinda cool!

The waffle paper comes in a 2-pack... with a roll of gold and a roll of silver.
Fall is definitely my favorite time of year.  I love how God takes nature and turns it into his canvas.  We have the best artwork.... Divine artwork!

Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper-NO Stamping!

Whew!
You must have wondered where I've been!
Well, let's just say that sometimes life happens, and God makes us take a break....

But, I am back, and have been having fun in my stamp room.

The Holiday Mini Catalog is FABULOUS (in case you didn't already know that) and this Deck the Halls paper is BEAUTIFUL!  These cards are made from one of the sheets in the package...

I just cut out parts of the paper to use on the card fronts.  Super easy!

Here's some upclose pics:
This one uses some of our crocheted ribbon.

Just a little vanilla taffeta ribbon for this one.

More vanilla taffeta...

And the 5-petal punch (to make the poinsettia and the leaves.)  Add 3 clear rhinestone brads and viola!

The card bases are Cherry Cobbler... I am finding it really hard to use another red for Christmas.  This one is so beautiful!

2-step owl punch.... He's a HOOT!

I just couldn't resist!

Here is a pocket card we made a conventional!
The curly label punch makes a great 'pull' for the insert.

Again, we used some more Quick Accents from the Nursery Suite Collection.

FUN FUN FUN!  If you don't have the owl punch yet, just you wait!  (You can even make it into a penguin out of it... yeah, really!)

2 step envelope punch

Ok, this punch was NOT on my original list of must haves!  (notice I said 'original' list---it now is!)

This punch actually cuts and scores at the same time!  Totally cool!

It creates cute envelopes for accents (and even more fun ways to use it thanks to Susan Gardner showing us her demonstration at conventional!--You'll have to wait to see those!)

See you next time!

Stampin' Up! Aviary Make & Take

At the coventional I spoke at a week ago, we made some wonderful make and takes.  Here is one of them using the new Aviary stamp set.  The designer of this card is Connie Tumm.  It was so nice to come and have everything pre-cut and ready to make.  As a customer, you get that treat all the time, but as a demonstrator, not so much...

I'll be posting more fun make and takes from this fabulous event!'

Conventional Highlights

What an absolute honor to be invited as a guest speaker to my friends' team training event this past weekend in Chicago.  Connie Sylvester and Susan Gardner, two of my absolute favorite demonstrator friends, invited me to share information on what I do to create a fabulous workshop experience for my hostesses and guests.  They had 80 ladies join us, and did a phenomenal job at putting on this event!

Connie and I:

Susan and I:

My friend Beverly and I arrived in Chicago on Saturday afternoon and were blessed to have dinner with Pam Morgan, VP of Demonstrator Relations at Stampin' Up!  We joined Pam, and 6 other demonstrators for a fabulous dinner.... the BEST either of us had ever had!

Pam and Beverly:

Sunday evening we were treated to a FABULOUS stamp camp where we made an awesome project. (pictures of that coming soon!)

Sunday/Monday shared my presentation, and we were delighted to have Pam share a special message from Shelli Gardner (owner of SU!) as well as demonstrations of items coming out in the next Holiday Mini Catalog.  What a treat to have her there as one of us... just hanging out and chatting for the weekend!

Here are a few pictures of the gifts they made for us.  Susan made me this Simply Adorned Necklace/charm.  It is so beautiful!

And here are a couple of the gifts for Pam. This is an adorable sampler frame.

And a personalized stationery set made from a 3 dimensional acrylic frame.

I'll be posting more pics of our FABULOUS make and takes, as well as the incredible swaps I got.  These ladies are amazing stampers!

Stampin' Up! Aviary and Elegant Lines

I have had several people ask me how these girls earned the Quarter Queen event.
Well, they can come in one of two ways: 1) Submit $400+ in sales for each month of the quarter, or 2) sponsor a new demonstrator. 

Here is another one of the cards they made, using the new Aviary stamp set.... I really think this set is going to be a big hit!  It's nice to have something other than flowers for a change, and this set fits the bill!  Oh, and check out the new Elegant Lines embossing folder for the big shot... a MUST have... trust me!  We also used the new punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack that coordinates with the clear Bitty Buttons... Neat customizeable buttons!

Queen Deanne and Queen Shellie had so much fun.  Aren't they lovely in their crowns????

Thanks for stopping by today.... more projects to come......

Two-Step Owl Punch and Quarter Queen Event

This is by FAR my FAVORITE event for my downline!

I treat them to dinner and stamping, and this month, 7 ladies earned my Quarter Queen event.  I am so proud of all of them!

When they arrived, I had a couple gifts waiting for them at their seats....

A magnetic dry/erase board-you can get these magnetic photo holders in 2 packs at discount stores.  They have clear fronts that you can write on and wipe off.

And a milkbox with CHOCOLATE inside!!!  I love the big shot... it makes cute things like this easily!

The Two-Step owl punch is SO FABULOUS!  I love using him, and think it will be a new addiction!

Here are my beautiful quarter queens:

Back Row: Loretta Kavanagh, Beverly Brownell, Beth Jansen
Front Row:  Veronica Grimm, Shellie Ashley, Deanne Fell
Missing:  Debbie Bartak (we missed you girl!)

Oh, we had a yummy dinner.... chicken salads and strawberry shortcake.  Here is the recipe for the salad girls :)

Salad:
Lettuce (I used premade bag salad)
Chicken (I used a precooked rotisserie from the deli and cut it up)
Grapes
Bacon (again, precooked in the dressings section)
Sunflower Seeds
Mozarella Cheese

Dressing:
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup splenda (or sugar)
1 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp poppy seeds

Toss salad ingredients together.  Combine Dressing ingredients in a shaker container.  Pour dressing over salad and enjoy!
Stop back over the next few days to see what they got to make :)

Stampin' Up! Sweet Scoops Card Idea

The new mini catalog is a fabulous new set from the Summer Mini Catalog.  I mean, who doesn't LOVE ice cream? And this ice cream is 100% fat & calorie FREE!  Woo Hoo!

This card was really fun to make!  I used the Wide Oval Punch to punch out a rose red oval, and cut it in half (actually, just above half) and then snipped off the bottom to create a bowl for my icecream.  The little highlights on the bowl are added with a White Gel Pen.

I used Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Rose Red and Pretty in Pink, and Soft Suede for ink and cardstock.  This card was really fun to make.

I hope you are enjoying your Memorial Weekend, and enjoying some yummy ice cream!  We are having BEAUTIFUL weather here in Michigan, and I am spending the day today in my Bible, and thanking God for the countless sacrifices that were made by our Men and Women in service to our country.  Take the time today to pray for our soldiers.  We have no idea the pain, fear, agony, stress and terror they face every day so we can sit at home, in our comfy houses, enjoying a bowl of ice cream with a nice breeze blowing through.  May God Bless them all and the United States of America!