Last day for summer mini order!!

This was one of my favorite cards made this summer.  I love the ice cream...it just feels so summer.  It's not too late to order the the stamp set...get it today before it's retired!

We will also be making this card tonight at the Stamp-a-stack.

Not just for 4th of July

This card was made using the July 4th stamp set out of the Summer mini catalog.  The stars are great for boy and girl birthday...Stars also work well for baby theme cards.  Color scheme plays a large roll in the feel of the card.  Based on color scheme alone a card can feel more masculine or feminine, adult or child.  Think about who you are making your card for when choosing your colors.

This is a card we will be making at the Stamp-a-Stack Tuesday.  There's still time to register.

Stamp-a-stack tomorrow...not too late to RSVP

Summer Stamp-a-stack

Tuesday August 31st

6:30pm-8:30pm

Make 12 cards for $15

All supplies included.  Just come stamp and have a good time.

To crop or not to crop?

I was recently going through some old pictures.  As I was looking at them I realized that what I enjoyed looking at was more than the people in the photo, it was also the background. 

This picture of me sitting on my dad's lap is a perfect example.  When I saw it I immediately was drawn to the kitchen I grew up in.  I scanned the shelves in the cabinet noticing the Tupperware tumblers that we drank out of, the beautiful blue glass jars lining the counter (that I wasn't allowed to play with).  And of course the Wonder Woman place mat...all great memories. 

So what's my point?  Simple.  If this were a picture of my daughter sitting on my husbands lap that I was getting ready to scrapbook, I would crop out everything but the people.  I would pay no attention to what at that moment is simply a messy background.  But to those viewing the photo 30 years later, the messy background is just a fun to look at and brings back just as many memories as the people in the photo.

My answer to the scrapbooker's question of to crop or not to crop is....NOT to crop.  At least don't crop them all!  One day your child will look at your scrapbook and say something as silly as "I loved that place mat."  And isn't that the purpose of scrapbooks...documenting our life to spark the great memories later?

individual shots of watercolor kids

ok, so you've seen this one before.

Isn't she cute with her bright orange dress and her handmade valentine...I love her.  I also love that this card uses the square scallop die that is in the Holiday Mini (it might be my new favorite)

off to school...how sweet, do you think he's carrying her books?  I love this pattern of the prints designer paper.  I think it gives a great old fashion feel that really works with this stamp set.

Love this...these images fit perfectly into this square and it really makes the focal image pop.  As I was coloring the image I thought...I want purple tights :)

You have until August 31st to order this great kit...contact me today!!

Watercolor Card Kit

I'm offering the Watercolor card kit using the new Greeting Card Kids stamp set until August 31st.

Kit cost $15 and includes paper and accessories to make 8 cards and directions.

What you need to complete these cards are: stamp set, stazon ink in black or brown, aqua pen or paint brush, ink pads (pumpkin pie, real red, rich razzleberry, old olive)

With this kit you get to play with so many fun new things, the stamp set, brights buttons, brights brads, brights designer paper, water color paper!  It's a great deal.

If you need it shipped please add $5 for shipping.

Celebrate Summer with a Stamp-a-stack

So everyone is lamenting the end of summer because school has started...but it's not over yet people!!!

To Celebrate what is left of summer I'm having a Summer Stamp-a-Stack!

We will make 12 cards using products from the Summer mini, this will be the last chance to order the products from the Summer Mini catalog...so don't miss it!

Summer Stamp-a-Stack
August 31st at 6:30
My house

Cost is $15 if you prepay...$18 the night of the event.

gratitude...a sneak peak

There are several things on this card from the new holiday mini that will be available September 1st. The stamp set is beautiful. The coordinating designer paper is wow!! It's actually the weight of card stock and has texture as well as the design. As you can see for this card I used the designer paper as the focal point of the card.

And last but not least the square scalloped die for the big shot...I'm in love!

I got some new stuff...

When I first looked at the catalog this stamp set jumped out at me. It's

called greeting card kids. I love it. I used the aqua pen and the ink pads to water color it...I still need practice doing that. The pumpkin polka dot paper is from the brights prints stack of paper and the button is from the brights button collection. I was never a big fan of the brights collection before the color renovation, but now it's one of my favorites!!!

Oh and the sentiment is a sneak peak from the Holiday mini....check tomorrow for another sneak peak.

Ever have a card you don't love....

Then you add this and change that ... then you love it!!! That's how I was with this card. I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Butterfly, fly away

A little more bling on this butterfly...love it! I used the paper piercer to free hand a design to look like it was flying. The background was a little plain so I used the elegant lines embossing folder. It has the same fluttery feel that the embossing on the butterfly has.

Today's seems very funeralish

I think the card is beautiful, but with the black and the pearls is makes me think of a funeral. This card is so simple, but the elegant ribbon and the adhesive pearls really make this card go from blah to wow. Have I told you how much I love the self adhesive rhinestones and pearls...LOVE THEM!!

Wedding Thank You

It's not really but that's what it makes me think of. I love the texture of the wallpaper embossing folder with the black satin ribbon...wow! The cardstock is rose red and pink pirouette.

a little faux stitching

This flower is from apple blossom level two stamp set. I used the same flower for the background as I did for the focal point. Added some faux stitching (free hand paper piercing then use white gel pen to make the stitching). I thought it needed a little something else so I added a few paper buttons with twine and bling!!

I love the self adhesive rhinestones. I would say that so far they are my most favorite thing in the new catalog...what's yours?

Printed Petals

I love this flower from the Printed Petals stamp set...it's so easy to cut out!! I used a build a brad for the center but you could easily use a circle punch, or button. so cute!!

August Hostess Special

What a great time to have a workshop...contact me today to schedule yours!

My first stamp set out of the new catalog

had to be "Morning Cup" I've been waiting for a new coffee/tea stamp set since they retired "like it a latte". The sentiments in this set are great "a morning without coffee is like sleep" How true!!

You should also know that this is my first clear mount set. Yes you heard correct I have made the switch to acrylic blocks and clear mount stamp sets. Why would someone who claimed just a month ago that she would never switch, switch?

1. You can see what you are stamping and where you are stamping.
2. They are so much easier to store
3. They are CHEAPER!!!
4. Stampin' UP! is now selling a very cool case to hold your acrylic blocks.

But I knew most of that before, what sold me was when I used them at a fellow demonstrator's house. I was wowed by how easy they were. Now I'm still not sure how I'm going to work some of my stamp-a-stacks. I"m worried I won't have enough blocks but I'll figure that out soon enough.

The moral of this story is if you are thinking about whether you want something or not, or if you'd like it...play with someone else's before you make your decision.

Medallion...so unloved

colors: cherry cobbler, elegant eggplant, crumb cake

I fell in love with the medallion background set as soon as I saw it in last years catalog. I wanted it so bad, kept seeing beautiful sample made with it but still didn't order it. Finally I ordered it, but I ordered it at the same time I place a big order from one of the mini catalog. All my samples we made with the mini catalog stamp sets and I forgot all about this beautiful stamp.

Sometimes when we get new things we forget about the great old things we have. What stamp sets do you have that you love, and maybe you haven't used in awhile?

Another level one hostess set

Top card uses Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze and Old Olive

Bottom card uses Bashful Blue, Bravo Burgandy and Old Olive

Here are a couple cards made with the Level one Birthday Bakery set. I love the phrase "if you are what you eat...eat something cute"

What a fun papercrafting day!!

Saturday from 9-9 I hosted a scrapbooking/paper crafting day. There were 12 ladies, good food and door prizes. We had a lot of fun. I even got to get some stamping done!!

Here are a couple of the cards I made. I used the Because I Care hostess set. Love the words and the Hydrangea is so easy to color.

I really love the level one Hostess sets in the catalog this year...which is your favorite?