The Bird.

Not that kind of bird, you silly! The kind of bird that sits on a branch and sings so pretty. Like the Cardinals that grace us daily with their beauty, and send my boys running to the window, "Look mom, your favorite ar-di-nal." That would be Alex, who doesn't use a "c", "p" or "t" at the beginning of the words that need them. It takes me a while to figure out when he wants a piece of "oast" in the morning for breakfast. But he's cute, and this just adds to his cuteness. Although, he scares my favorite bird off on a daily basis, I love them, and I love the look of this bird on a branch. So peaceful. So tranquil. Ahhhh, like a warm day in the spring. I'm ready for a warm day in the spring. And I can't believe it. Usually I really like winter. But, I can't be out playing in the snow much this winter, as it's too cold to take Aubrie out. Will loves to play out in the snow (like me!) but won't go out by himself. And Alex doesn't like to go out without Andy. So, we're usually all cooped up in our house, growling at each other by, well 8:30 in the morn! Oh well, spring days will come soon enough.


Let's take another look at this card. Hmmm. What's missing. Umm. Color. Oh. And DSP. Yep. And a button or two. How about that! I did it. Almost a single layer card. But I had to go and throw that ribbon in there. And some dimensionals. They are popping up the card front. But, how about that textured paper? It's kinda rocking this card wouldn't ya say?

So clean. Very simple. So elegant really.....swoon. I think I'm in love!

Feel free to comment. I'd love it if you would.....

Are you ReADy? Cuz it's time....

It's one of the funnest times of the year in my book! SALE-A-BRATION! How could you not love it? Earning free stamp sets and accessories - it makes my heart go pitter patter! There are three great ways to earn FREE products:

1. Spend $50 and earn one FREE Sale-A-Bration product of your choice.
2. Host a workshop of at least $300 and earn one FREE Sale-A-Bration product in ADDITION to the awesome hostess benefits.
3. Join my Stampin' Up! team during Sale-A-Bration and get 15% off your Starter Kit. PLUS!, get a bonus bundle filled with over $50 in FREE products!

Speaking of joining my team,

WELCOME JEANNA BAXTER!!!!

Jeanna joined my team this morning. She's taking advantage of the wonderful deal on the Starter Kit - it's 15% off! Plus an additional $50 in free goodies! This is a great time to become a demonstrator!!!

I would like to take a brief minute to tell you why I LOVE this opportunity. First off, I was in a dead end job that I didn't really LOVE. It was a paycheck. I did love the people that I worked with, but the earning and growth potential was nill. Then came the day that our babysitter announced that she was moving away. Her sister was going to take over, so all was fine. Until the day came that her sister decided that she WASN'T going to take over. I had two weeks to find a sitter. I called numerous sitters - 18 to be exact. They were all full, and the one that thought she MIGHT be able to SQUEEZE in both boys (Aubrie wasn't in the picture yet) was going to cost more than what I made. SO, we took a pencil to our finances, and wow - Stampin' Up! was going to bail us out. With a little more Stampin' Up! work, and eliminating daycare expenses, lunch expenses, travel expenses, things were going to be just fine! And they were/are! Now I enjoy my kids (most days!), get to see them grow, and was able to see the day when Aubrie first crawled, when she first stood, etc. These were things that I missed when my boys were in daycare.

But almost more than that, I really love the relationships that I've made with some of my customers. They are more than just customers, they are friends. And I even feel that I've helped form friendships among my customers. I've got 3 different groups of girls that meet every month, and I SO look forward to seeing them every time. It's great to get together with people that have the same interests as I do. We laugh - sometimes so much that we cry, or snort!

Stampin' Up! is more than a JOB - it is truly an opportunity! Where else can you do something that you REALLY LOVE to do? Now I get to go to a job when I want and I love to do it! I also can grow my business to the level I want - it's not a dead end job.

Want to learn more? Contact me!

Back to Sale-A-Bration....

I love helping YOU earn free products, so contact me, and we can set up a workshop for you and your friends. Don't know anyone that likes to paper craft? It's not big deal - there are so many people out there that THINK they don't like to craft, but once they get their fingers a little inky, they discover that it's quite easy and so much fun. Contact me and we'll get a workshop set up for you. I have just a couple of dates left, so do hurry!

I'll be back later with some projects for you to ohhh and aahhhh over.....things are looking a little better around here. Alex is off the couch, but looks about 5 pounds lighter today! My poor little buddy! Guilty, I will confess that it was kinda nice having him sick Sunday and Monday - the house was much quieter than normal. This was his first time with the stomach flu and he was a pretty good little patient.

TTFN!

Winner Day!

At the last minute, Kathy pulled in with the correct answer to my mysterious card in this post.

Kathy said: The paper strip that the flower magnet is on is really covered metal. :)

She is RIGHT - I covered a small piece of metal sheeting with DSP, and voila - I could stick my magnet onto the card!

Kathy, I will get your prize package into the mail for you - it's sure to contain glitter, so don't let Karen near it!


I would write more, but, after spending all night up with a sick child, who not only kept us up all night, but also christened our bed, I'm just not feeling very witty, or much like sharing today.... so, I'll go back to my routine of helping the crying baby on minute, then helping my poor buddy with his duties, and repeat!

Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Cupcake Celebration!

Helloooo!! Is anybody there??? I think my comment button is broken? Did anybody read this post where I'm giving away blog candy for a correct answer...
or how about this post where I introduced my Monthly Card Kits....

For those of you that did order card kits, I'm in the process of packing them up, and will get them in the mail at the end of the week! Hope you'll love them, and would love to have you post pics back here to the ol' bloggo!

On with today's program....back to my fave stamp set - Crazy for Cupcakes....I heard on the Nate Berkus show the other day that cupcakes could get pushed out this winter by tarts. Seriously, tarts? I don't know that you could cute up tarts they way you can cupcakes. I'm just gonna pretend that lady didn't ever say that. Speaking of the Nate Berkus show....I don't watch a lot of TV - usually because I can't stand the excess noise anymore (there was a time when I'd have to have the TV on FOR noise, then I had 3 kids....)...I stumbled onto the Nate Berkus show one afternoon, and HOLY COW! This guy has some FAB ideas, seriously FAB! I am really tempted to take some pics of my house and send them to him to get a little bit of major help! I just don't know which room I'd start with. I wonder if he'd come and do a whole house makeover. Cuz I really need it. There was one time when I considered myself a good decorator. Then I had 3 kids. And they brought with them mountains of toys. And laundry. All I can say is, my poor house! Someday it will be glorious again! When the toys go away!

Back on track....Crazy for Cupcakes....it is one of my faves, and I love it colored brightly, I love it colored softly....here, I'm going for BRIGHT! I picked the colors up from a Moxie Fab Color Challenge over on the Moxie Fab Blog . I think I love the way Tangerine and Rose Red just go together so well. Bright, but not overly bright. Just fun.



I really like this card for the fact that I've paired some Jackie O houndstooth with the whimsical cupcake stand. Class and whimsy....ah, such joy!

So, let's celebrate folks. How about by using that little comment button below there. Yah, that one. Just click on it, type in a fun comment. It's not so hard. You'll feel so much better when you do!!!

Adios!

Grandma's Garden

Doesn't this water pump just take you back? Probably before my time in all actuality, but I just love the images in the stamp set, Countryside. And, they pair so well with the print from the new DSP in the Mini - Springtime Vintage. This particular pattern in actually my favorite - it's already about gone *gasp*!

Oh - and the Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding ribbon - ummm, to die for! And in Baja Breeze too!!! It's so easy to work with even I can tie a real bow with it. Who'd a thought??

The Vintage Brads seem to go with this stamp set and paper like bread with peanut butter and jelly!

Thanks for popping in today people!

Oh - and don't forget about my Card Kit of the month - see Saturday's post.

Til next time....

Stuck on my Card...

You remember the other day when I mentioned that the new Fun Flowers die was getting a lot of playtime in my craft room?? Well, it seriously does!!! My other dies are going to start a protest, I swear!!! Here I've used it again...and this card does double duty...not only is that a cute little flower, but it's also a magnet. Really - it is! Wanna know how I got it to stick to the card? I dunno if I should reveal my little secret???



Let's play a little game, shall we?



Alright... You look at my pics, and leave me a comment tellling me how YOU think I attached it. Of all the correct answers, I will pick one to win a little blog candy!!!

So, get to commenting peeps!!! The answer and winner will be announced on Sunday!

NEW! Monthly Card Kits!!!

I have had several people ask if I could do a Stamp Club by mail. Well, yes and no.... My monthly stamp clubs do some projects that are a little more intricate than what I can do via mail. I like my clubs to be hands on, and where I can really devote my attention. However, what I can do are simpler (but not too simple) cards by mail. So, for the next 12 months, I will offer a card kit each month. Here are some of the details:

• Each kit will debut on the 15th of the month. I will take orders on kits for 10 days, then will close orders. All kits will be sent out First Class Mail by the 1st of the next month.
• Each kit will contain all of the supplies needed to complete 8 cards (2 of each design), cut and scored.
• If a card has an item that needs to be die cut or embossed, I will do that for you.
• For any item that needs to be punched, you will need to punch yourself. Punches are not included in the kit.
• Each kit will be centered around one stamp set, not included.
• All embellishment items will be included except glitter. ie: ribbon, buttons
• Step by step instructions will be included for each card.
• A list of items that are needed will be listed in case you need to order them - such as stamp sets, punches, ink pads, etc.

So, without further ado:

Here is this month's card kit:

This kit revolves around the Stamp Set - Valentine Defined

Helpful items:

Full Heart Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, 1 3/4" Oval punch; 3/4" Circle punch, Modern Label Punch

Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake Stamp Pads

Black Marker
Sticky Strip, Glue Dots

Price $20 +shipping

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Bright Fun!

Here is a super QUICK card to oogle over. Really, there is not much to it. I cut the zig-zags out of felt. (Remember what I said about felt earlier in the week!) I attached it with Tombow glue, but you want to be sure to let the glue dry first, then apply the felt. Otherwise the felt soaks up the glue, and you'll have an icky looking mess. Then I attached buttons with more spots of Tombow. Stamp your sentiment and voila! DONE!

Cute, simple, bright!

Gotta go peeps....wait for a big post tomorrow.... must run to put the finishing touches on it!

Ta-ta!

Stampin' Up! - New Digital Downloads for My Digital Studio

Stampin' Up! - New Digital Downloads for My Digital Studio

New Digital Downloads for My Digital Studio

January 11, 2011

Our latest digital downloads are here--and more are on the way for the month of January! If you would like to view our complete list of My Digital Studio download offerings, go to the customer homepage, click on Store, then Digital Crafting.

124034
Pink Pirouette Patterns Designer Series Paper

$1.95

124032
Rose Red Patterns Designer Series Paper

$1.95

124037
Wild Wasabi Patterns Designer Series Paper

$1.95

124035
So Saffron Patterns Designer Series Paper

$1.95

124024
Letterpress Alphabet Stamp Brush

$1.95

124025
Lots of Love Stamp Brush

$1.95

124026
Valentine Defined Stamp Brush Set

$5.95

124029
Be My Valentine Stamp Brush

$1.95

124020
Seam Binding II Ribbon Pack

$3.95

124488
Extra Postage Stamp Brush Set

$3.95

124491
Motorcycle Stamp Brush

$1.95

124492
Printed Petals Stamp Brush Set

$3.95

125157
Chat Room Good Thoughts Stamp Brush Set

$5.95

124541
Chat Room Celebrate Stamp Brush Set

$5.95

Stampin' Up! has been adding SO many new digital downloads - and this program is a blast to use! Wanna learn more about My Digital Studio - come to my free class this Saturday!

Saturday, January 15th, 2 pm - 4pm

Denison Municipal Utilities Meeting Room

If you already have My Digital Studio loaded on a laptop, bring your laptop so that you can follow along.

Crafty day!

I had a baby shower to attend over the weekend. While shopping for the shower, I just could not find anything that spoke to me. Mind you, we do live in a small town with very limited shopping, and I wasn't up for a drive to "the city". So, how about altering some plain onesies and barettes to match?? Perfect!


You've seen the Fun Flowers Die in the new Occasions Mini, right?? This new die has seen so much playtime in my craft room, the other dies are getting jealous! Here I used some felt for the flower. I got my felt from Papertrey Ink. One thing about felt is that you want to use good quality felt. Don't even bother with those felt sheets that you can buy at the craft dept of your big box store. They won't cut nicely, they'll fray, and there isn't any stability to them. This felt from Papertrey Ink is thick, it holds it's shape, and cuts like buttah! Plus there are some great colors to choose from, and is already sized to fit thru the BIG SHOT.

I kept this barette super simple - just because the flower on the shirt was pretty bold. These little circles are part of the Fun Flowers Die - and made a perfect size for the petite barette!

These flowers are from a retired set of Felt Flowers that Stampin' Up! carried a few years back. This made for a real cheery onesie.

The back side of the barettes have three little holes so that I could literally sew the flowers right onto the barette. I thought this was important so that a little one didn't choke on a button that may have come loose. I used button thread to sew them on since it's a lot more sturdy.

More of those Felt Flowers. I'm now wishing I would have hoarded more of these gems!

I think this one is adorable! Here I used the Beautiful Butterflies die, and the center of the butterfly is one of those felt flowers again. Be still my beating heart! Doesn't it just make you smile. FYI - I did sew (with my sewing machine, but could be done by hand) down the bottom butterfly. I stratigically placed the stitches so that the green butterfly would cover up the stitching. I just didn't want the butterfly to go flapping off the shirt - or to get really wonked up in the wash!

And isn't this barette too cute? I cut a scallop circle (with the BIG SHOT!) and swirled it into a flower, then sewed it onto the barette. Isn't it sweet???

These are even cute on bigger girl t's. I bought Aubrie a little white t that the big box that was CHEAP! ($3) and added the flower from the first onesie - I can't wait til she's big enough to model it for me. I couldn't find any long sleeve t's or I'd have done one up for her to wear now!

If you would like to see how easy it is to make these, or to see more of what fun things you can make with the BIG SHOT, please contact me! I can even help you earn a BIG SHOT FREE!!!! Contact me today!

me again....with some cool clips...

Howdy folks - this will be super quick today. But, for the record, I'm here! I'm posting again!

This is one of my latest creations that I'm loving to make, to give, etc.


I turned a simple group of clothespins into a Days of the Week clippies. What's the big deal? Well - I think they are great organizing tool. Do you keep, err, try to keep, a weekly menu like me? These clippies are great for that. Just clip in your recipe cards, and you are good to go - or at least a note telling which cookbook and page the recipe can be found on! And you could easily step this system up a notch. Put all of your favorite meals onto note cards, keep them in a box together, and rotate them. When you are doing your menu planning, pull out 7 cards, and there your menu planning is done. This way you aren't getting stuck eating the same ol' same ol'. Keeps things interesting.

What else can they be used for? Well, got places to go? Clip it up. Got paperwork that needs to get back to school? Clip it up.



These clips use scraps of DSP from way back. (a great way to use up some of those scraps), some grey taffeta ribbon, and those rustic looking Mini Vintage Tags. So easy, and super cute!

Alrighty....onward! Go craft some up....