Hoppy Easter!

We've had a very productive weekend. We have a huge christmas village that we put up on the plant ledge in our foyer and since I'm afraid of hights I'm at my husbands mercy to take it down. So this weekend we packed up the the village as well as the valentine's decorations. At the same time I put out the easter decorations so I'm definately embracing the easter season as the snow slowly is melting away. When I saw this weeks Stamping 411 challenge, I thought "What a great challenge!"



One of my favorite stamp sets from the mini catalog is Chocolate Bunny, maybe because it reminds me of my favorite food group, chocolate! I started with a piece of Orchid Opulence for the cardbase. I used the Shades of Spring DSP (the green strip kind of reminds me of grass) and matted it on a piece of So Saffron cardstock. A piece of Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon was wrapped around the DSP and tied in a knot before adhering it to the cardbase. Then I stamped the Chocolate Bunny on Close to Cocoa cardstock with Chocolate Chip ink before cutting it out with Paper Snips. The easter eggs wer cut out of the same DSP pack with the small oval punch. The bunny is mounted with dimensionals so it pops.

Finally, the greating is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and stamped with Chocolate Chip ink.


Nice and simple and sure to get you ready for spring. Have a great week!

Country Living Cards à la Carte

Once again, Stampin' Up! has partnered with Country Living magazine to bring you the Country Living Cards a la Carte stationery kit (Item number 119113). This beautiful French country kit contains:



* Dinner Party Stamp Set (set of 3)

* Ballet Blue Classic Stampin' Spot

* Preprinted stationery (24 - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" sheets: 4 each of 6 designs)

* Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (12)



Use this kit for letters, invitations, or a special dinner menu - there are so many possibilities!

In addition, Country Living is offering Stampin' Up! customers a special deal: get 10 issues of Country Living magazine for just $10! For just $1 an issue, you'll receive great craft projects, articles on collecting, makeover features, receipes, and entertaining ideas -- all delivered to your home each month. Click here to learn more and feel free to contact me with any questions!

Stamp-a-Stack Cards

What a crazy week! After a great stamp-a-stack on Sunday we celebrated Aidan's 5th Birthday on Monday by going bowling. We've been none stop since then and I'm getting ready for a workshop this weekend along with Aidan's birthday party for his friends (can you say 23 kids in a bounce room)! I wanted to post the cards we made at this months class since they were a big hit.

Stamp Set: Whimsical Words (SAB)
Other: 2 Step Bird Punch

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue

Stamp Set: Things I Love

Stamp Set: Happy Moments (SAB)

Other: Finial Press Embossing Folder

I'm going to try to start posting our class projects the week before class to give everyone an idea of what fun we'll be having so stay tuned.

Have a great weekend!

A Valentine for my Valentine!

So I've had a running joke leading up to valentines. I've made lots of valentines this year, for family, Aidan, Aidan's class, and general workshops but I had not made a valentine for my sweetheart yet. I think it's because a lot of valentine's are pink and pretty and I was getting stuck trying to think of a manly, romatic card. Well I love Gretchen Barron's designs and the Takin' it to the Top projects she does every week. I had seen this post on her blog last month and loved it so I decided to CASE it and put my own manly spin on it.

I used the Sending Love DSP, the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die, I {Heart} Hearts, and Well Scripted stamp sets, along with the fabulous new 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon.

What do you think?? I think he'll love it!

Hope you have a very special valentine's day and if you're looking for something to do there's still time to sign up for Stamp-a-stack this Sunday!

Blizzard 2010

Like most of the Mid-Atlantic region we have had an unusual amount of snow this year and this weekend was a whopper. We spent the whole day Saturday shoveling to try to keep up with the snow, we ended up with over 2 feet. It's hard to picture that much snow, pictures really tell the story.


Aidan of course had a blast playing in the snow and helped shovel with his dust pan.

Anyway, with all the snow it did leave me plenty of time to participate in this weeks Stamping 411 challenge.


For this weeks challenge I decided to make a pretty simple card use the new Butterflies Embosslits that just been sitting on my desk crying to be used and got the colors directly from the Sweet Pea Designer Paper pack (how great is it to have so many different patterns of paper in one set). I also used the Perfect Polka Dot Texture folder and the Silver Hodgepodge hardware.

To top it off, do you notice the butterfly bling? I used the rhinstones from the new Easter Egg decorating kit to properly decorate these beauties.


So cheery and happy. Have a safe week as we all try to get back to our normal routines (but more snow is forcast for Tuesday).

A Special Bird Valentine

Good morning!

So I mentioned in my last post about the valentine's Aidan and I worked on this weekend and I wanted to make sure I showed them. Aidan loves the Big Shot and really wanted to try out the new Bird Punch from the mini catalog so we ended up making these valentine's for Aidan's Jr. Kindergarten teachers. He picked out all the colors and helped make all the pieces.

We had a great time, you have to try out the new punches!

Beary Best Valentine

Happy Sunday from snowy Virginia! We enjoyed another snowfall this weekend and when it was all done we ended up with over 7" of snow. We loved staying inside and watching the snow fall and after digging out we enjoyed playing in the snow (Aidan made is first snow angel and had a blast). After a week break I'm back to valentine's and today's creation for the Stamping 411 challenge uses the stamp sets from the Build a Bear Collection.

The card starts with a base of Ballet Blue cardstock. Then I took a piece Real Red Cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (love the texture!). Then I wrapped a piece of Brocade Blue 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon around the Real Red cardstock before placing 2 Vintage brads through the ribbon.

The stamped images are from the Beary Best Friends stamp set that are stamped in Basic Black in and the greating is from the Beary Best Wishes set and was colored in with Stampin' Write markers before stamping. I just took the plunge and got some of the SU! watercolor crayons so this was my first time using them along with a blender pen.

I used the Bearly Lovely Sizzlit die to cut out the pieces for the love heart that the 2 bears are sharing.

This is going to be Aidan's valentine this year and I think he'll love it. He's just getting introduced to build-a-bears and today he and I spent time decorating some of the die cut bears so stay tuned, I'll be posting pictures of our beary great creations later this week.

Enjoy!

It's Time for Another Sketch Challenge

What a crazy weekend! After spending Saturday driving up to NJ for a birthday party and then driving home it was nice to just relax today and hang out. For this weeks Stamping 411 challenge I wanted to take a break from Valentine's which have been my theme lately and loved the cute little characters in the in new Picinic Parade Hostess set and decided to try them out. The great thing about the new clear mount stamps is that I was able to place all the stamps to make the main stamped image on one clear block and ink and stamp them all at once (how easy it that??)

The card base is Soft Suede and I used the Welcome Neighbor DSP mounted on Old Olive cardstock along the left hand side. I used a blender pen and Stampin' Pastels to color in the stamped images before matting them on Ballet Blue cardstock. The greeting is punched out with the Oval Punch and then matted on a Crushed Curry Oval Scallop punch piece. Finally, I tied a nice big bow with Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon and mounted to the card with glue dots.


Niced and light! This stamp set so cute and fun to make different scenes with all the available images. Have a great week and enjoy!

Aidan's Class Valentine's

As soon as I saw the Sweet Centers stamp set and Treat Cups in the Holiday Mini catalog I knew exactly what I wanted to do for Aidan's class valentines. Aidan loves to make special gifts for his friends and loves lollipops so I decided to create a heart version with our treat cups. I used Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette from last years In Colors since they're perfect for Valentine's (and I need to use up some of my retired stash).


After stamping the image I cut each heart out with Paper Snips and used the 1 3/4" circle punch to punch the center. I created a template for the larger heart to add to the back and cut them out as well. Unfortunately after I did this I found that the treat cups weren't completely hidden by the front heart so I had to do a little trimming before filling the cups with Valentine's M&M's. You can't tell from the picture but I also took the heart stamp from the Sprinkles Stamp set and stamped the back since you can never have too many hearts on a valentine! I took a lollipop stick and used Sticky Strip to attach the hearts to the stick before tying a bow with the great striped grosgrain ribbon.

These took much longer than I originally thought (especially since I had to make 20 of them) but Aidan loves them and is soo excited to give them to his friends.

Enjoy and have a great day!

Haitian Disaster Relief

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. Stampin' Up! has just announced a special opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this earthquake. From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relif and Dvelopment Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

I {Heart} Hearts - clear-mount (block D recommended), Item #118571, $18.95
I {Heart} Hearts - wood-mount , Item #117010 , $26.95

This is just one small thing you can do to make a difference in the lives of people who are suffering.

Please contact me if you would like participate in this worthwhile cause.

Feeling the Love

What a crazy week! I feel like I have not had a chance to catch my breath since the holidays. I've been busy all week making valentines with the new heart sweet treat cups for an order for my mom and her friends (mom loves to order custom cards to give as gifts and has now gotten her friends hooked, which I love!) For this weeks Stamping 411 challenge I decided to take a break from the treat cups but still wanted to make another card perfect for valentine's day.

This weeks entry starts with a cardbase of Real Red. I used the Sending Love Speciality Designer Paper for the diagonal pieces and flipped the cut from the challenge (I think it was my left sided brain kicking in) which is mounted on a piece of Pretty in Pink Cardstock. The main image is a piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock mounted on Chocolate Chip. I stamped the dotted outline heart from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set in Chocolate Chip and then the floral heart in Pretty in Pink around the edges (I love all the different hearts available in this stamp set). The greeting is from the Whimsical Words stamp set (one of the free SAB sets this year) in Real Red.

The card is finished with Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon.

Nice and simple, Gotta love it!

I'm continuing to use the clear mounted stamps and so far I'm really like them, in fact there were sets from the mini I purchase with wood blocks that I wish I had purchased in clear mount. The blocks are so nice to work with and still stamp nice clean images that we've come to expect from Stampin' Up! If you haven't had a chance to try them out make sure to come to an upcoming event so you can try them for your self.

Have a great week!

SAS Projects

Just wanted to post some of the projects from last weekends Stamp-a-Stack. We loved the new SAB items and the clear mounted stamps were definately a hit!


Stamp Set: Three Little Words
Other: Sweet Pea DSP, Scallop Trim Border Punch (SAB Item)


Stamp Set: Vintage Labels (SAB Item)
Other: Thoroughly Modern DSP

Stamp Sets: Sweetheart, Love You Much, Sprinkles
Other: Heart Treat Cups, Heart Punch

Hope you enjoyed these fun projects and stay tuned to what's coming up for next months SAS.

New Stampin' Up! Punch Design

As part of Stampin' Up!'s commitment to providing customers with the very best crafting tools, starting with the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a fabulous new body style for our punches!

A few features of the new punch style:

* Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
* Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
* Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
* Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
* New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use.
* Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Two-Step Bird punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog - CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!!
* Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
* Larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use

While new punch designs will be in the new body style, existing designs will remain in the existing body style for now.

Want to learn all about our FABULOUS new punches??? Come check them at our next stamp-a-stack or schedule and in-home workshop and I can personally show you and your friends these great new tools.

Please contact me with any questions.

Sending a Little Love Your Way

With the holiday break rapidly approaching and end I'm starting to feel the excitement for the release of the new Occassions Mini Catalog. I've loved playing with a sampling of of products from the new catalog and know that you'll love them as well. For this weeks Stamping 411 Challenge I was definately feeling in a mood for Valentines.

I started with a base of Chocolate Chip Cardstock and then topped that with a Very Vanilla Cardstock followed up with the new Sending Love Speciality Designer Paper. I love that one side of each piece of designer paper has glitter on it, the funny thing is that I love the pattern I used, which doesn't have glitter, and it makes me feel a little bad about covering it up so I'll just have to use the other side for another project. Anyways, then I took one of the heart stamps from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and
stamped on Very Vanilla, once with Pretty in Pink Ink and again with Chocolate Chip Ink. Each of the hearts were cut out with the Paper Snips. The middle heart uses the new Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit Die (love that the raised designs are mini hearts) and is cut out of Pretty in Pink cardstock. I wrapped a piece of the new Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon around the middle of the designer paper and tied a knot. The three large hearts are adhered in a line along the left hand side and I added a small heart (also from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and punched out with the new Small Heart Punch (you have to try out the new design of our punches, love it!) and popped up with a dimensional.

Finally, the greating is from the Well Scripted stamp set and is stamped with Chocolate Chip ink and then punched out with the Curly Label Punch.


I really liked how this card turn out, in fact if you like this card this will be one of the cards we make at Stamp-a-stack next week on January 10 so make sure to RSVP to reserve your space.

Hope you have a great week!

Sale-a-Bration and the Occassions Mini Catalog are Here!

I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday and start to the new year!

With the new year comes Stampin' UP!s most exciting sale of the year....SALE-A-BRATION!! Starting Tuesday, and running through March 31, 2009 this is your opportunity to year stamping goodies for free. Every $50 spent earns you one free item and there is no limit to how much you can year. Want to earn even more, host a qualifying workshop during this promotion and you can year additional items for free (on top of our great hostess benefits). Thinking of becoming a demonstrator...you can earn a free stamp set (any value) for free on top of all the great items in the starter kit...contact me for all the details.

Tuesday also marks the release of this years Occassions Mini Catalog. There are so many great new items, you have to check it out. Some highlights are clear mounted stamps, a new punch design, and a new Big Shot die, just to name a few.

There have been some delays in the mailings of these catalogs so if you want to start browsing now, just click on the links to the right. Can't wait to play with the new items, make sure to RSVP for this months Stamp-a-Stack, to be held on January 10 at 2:00 PM so you can be one of the first to try them out.

Please e-mail with any questions!

Digging out from our Snowy Weekend!

I can't believe how long it's been since my last post. I've been swamped with work, christmas preparations and activties and have found little time for stamping. Like the rest of the east coast we were treated to a major winter storm, just in time to ensure we have a white christmas. Saturday and spent the day with our annual christmas cookie baking (8 different types of cookies that get delivered to all the neighbors and coworkers) but today I set aside time to stamp and love this weeks Stamping 411 Challenge.

Since I've wrapped up my christmas cards for this year I couldn't help but break out my Occasions Mini catalog preview items (I love that as a demonstrator we get a whole month to play with the great new items before they are officially available for sale). I started with the Vintage Vogue Stamp set and the Stending Love Speciality Designer Paper (each sheet has glitter on one side which is fantastic).

The card base is Chocolate Chip and I used Chocolate Chip ink and the Very Vogue Jumbo Stampin' Around wheel along the bottom. Then I matted piece of the DSP on Pretty in Pink cardstock. The stamped image I colored in with various Stampin' Write markers and then matted it on Old Olive cardstock. I wrapped a piece of 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon (new in the upcoming Occasions Mini catalog) before adhering it to the card. The greating is stamped with Chocolate Chip ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and then punched out with the Modern Label Punch and tucked under the piece of Pretty in Pink cardstock. Last I stamped the small flower image with Real Red ink and cut out the flower with Paper Snips and used a Stampin' Dimensional to pop-up the flower.

I've decided that I liked this card so much that I decided to use it for a swap I'm currently in so I hope everyone will love it as much as I do. The new items from the upcoming mini catalog are fabulous and can't wait to share it with all of you, they definately are making me look forward to spring, once we dig out of all this snow.

Hope you have a great week and have a Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas Sale Starts Today!

Starting today throught December 22 don't miss this great opportunity to pick up some great products to go with our Big Shot. You can even get them in time to put under the christmas tree, you just need to place your order by December 15 in order to arrive in time for Christmas. The discounts range between 15-25 percent and there you don't need to by anything else to pick up these great deals. Check out the SU' Store website for all details and don't forget to order off my website to ensure you get the lowest prices:

Item Description Regular Price Discounted Price
114515 Flower Burst Embosslits die $11.95 $8.96
114516 Cherry Blossom Embosslits die $11.95 $8.96
115957 Thanks Embosslits die $11.95 $8.96
114513 Sweetest Stem Embosslits die $11.95 $8.96
115952 Hi Embosslits die $11.95 $8.96
115951 Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits die $74.95 $59.96
113446 Build a Flower #2 Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die $19.95 $16.96
114509 Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits 4-Pack die $21.95 $18.66
113448 Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die $19.95 $16.96
113457 Tulipe Bigz die $21.95 $16.46
115954 Two Tags Bigz die $21.95 $18.66
114524 Fringed Flower Bigz die $19.95 $15.96
114523 Decorative Accents Bigz die $19.95 $15.96
114534 Flower Bigz Clear die $19.95 $15.96
113473 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die $19.95 $15.96
113472 Circle 3D Ornament Bigz die $19.95 $16.96
113470 Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die $19.95 $16.96
113465 Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz die $19.95 $16.96
115961 Perfect Setting Bigz XL die $42.95 $32.21
113483 Pennant Bigz XL die $39.95 $29.96
113484 Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die $39.95 $31.96
116760 Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die $39.95 $29.96
116759 Pop-Up 3D Ball Bigz XL die $39.95 $29.96
114890 Matchbox Bigz XL die $42.95 $36.51
113458 Flower Layers Originals die $15.95 $13.56
114336 Kraft Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2) $12.95 $10.36
114334 Dark Gray Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2) $12.95 $10.36
114337 Chocolate Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2) $12.95 $10.36
114335 White Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2) $12.95 $10.36
118797 So Saffron Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118798 Rose Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118799 Taken With Teal Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118800 Pretty In Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118801 Bashful Blue Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118802 Real Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118803 Old Olive Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118804 Black Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118805 Night of Navy Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118806 Certainly Celery Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118807 Tempting Turquoise Décor Elements Sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118808 Clear Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118809 Pumpkin Pie Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118810 Pixie Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118812 Sahara Sand Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118813 Gable Green Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118814 Basic Gray Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $12.95 $9.71
118815 Chalkboard Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2) $14.95 $11.21

Hope you enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.

Happy holidays!

A Snow Swirled Christmas Sketch Challenge

Happy Tuesday! What a weekend, it’s officially feeling like winter here with our unexpected snow fall on Saturday. We got the last of our outdoor decorations up on Sunday and Aidan took the opportunity to play in the snow, what fun. I participated in a Vendor Open House in my development last week and my neighbor purchases a bundle of Christmas cards but asked me to stamp a greeting on the inside so I had the Snow Swirled stamp set out on my desk and figured I might as well you is for this weeks Stamping 411 challenge as well.

The card base is Old Olive and I cut it at 4 ¼ x 11 before folding in half (I don’t use this layout nearly enough). The decorative strip uses a piece of the Merry Moments DSP that is matted on a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock that I used the Eyelet Border Punch on both sides. The main image is the tree from the Snow Swirled Stamp Set stamped with Old Olive ink on Very Vanilla Cardstock. I stamped the stars in Real Red and then added Dazzling Diamonds to each star with my Two Way Glue Pen. This image is then matted on a piece of Chocolate Chip Textured Cardstock before adhering it to the card.

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the right embellishment and then I saw I had an extra snowflake cut out with the Snowflake punch from last weeks challenge so I decided to use that. I sprayed the snowflake with some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint spray I created before using a Clear Rhinestone Brad to attach the snowflake to the card. Finally the greeting is from the same set using Chocolate Chip ink.

I love how this card turned out and I think it has just the right amount of sparkle that anyone would love to receive.

Enjoy and have a great week!

Easy Stencil Ornaments

I’ve been a busy bee this week trying to complete all my holiday gifts as well as getting ready for our last stamp-a-stack this Sunday. A while back Stampin’ Up! posted a great video for demonstrators that showed an awesome card using our new Décor Stencils and I instantly fell in love and new we would have to try this great technique. Below is one of the cards we’ll be making but you have to attend to get all the details.




There is still time to RSVP so contact me to reserve your spot!

Dormant Stamp Sets Discontinued on January 4, 2010

Just announcement, several of the stamps sets currently on our dormant list have been available for a year and now it is time to say goodbye.

The following stamp sets will be discontinued on January 4, 2010.

Item Number Stamp Set
113407 Back Woods
114492 Beautiful Baby
114486 Birthday Wish
113200 Branch Out
114496 Celebrations
113732 Central Park
113206 Classic Sketches
113226 Classy & Fabulous
114498 Flowers in Silhouette
113405 Font of You
113216 For the Bride
114494 Forever
109425 Friend by Definition
114488 Fun Flowers
113716 Garden Greetings
114490 Glad Friends
111580 Grand Soiree
113242 Hit the Road
113710 Lexicon of Leaves
113236 Man's Best Friend
114423 Ocean Commotion
113728 Playful Petals
109276 Polka Dot
111544 Putt Putt
113240 Quilt Quips
113754 Really Retro
113403 Sip by Sip
113726 Sweet Stems
113250 That's Funny
113688 Wonderful Watercolors
114028 Para la novia
114032 Acuarelas Maravillosas

If any of these stamp sets are on your wish list, make sure to purchase them before they are gone for good!