Bashful Blue Birthdays

Here are two more variations on card supplies I had...

Supplies:
Stamps: Punch Potpourri, Upsy Daisy, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake
Paper: Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Masculine Birthday Cards

Just in case I haven't mentioned (giggle) that I had a big event in October and had a lot of left over cut card supplies, let me re-iterate. I had plenty of extra left overs but used all the bases that applied to my Christmas cards from the left over pile. But I still had the same extra focal pieces. So, see this card?

I used that same bit for the focal image and created these cards:

Supplies:
Stamps: Uncharted Territory, Upsy Daisy, Thoughts & Prayers, Sentimental Journey (retired), Happiness is A Journey (retired)
Ink: Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi
Paper: Bashful Blue, Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Neutral Brads, Mat Pack

A new theme!

Yep, Christmas is over. Did you enjoy yours? I hope so. We had a lovely Christmas and it wasn't stormy for travel, yeay!

One of the gifts I was working on was a stack of birthday cards for my MIL. My husband is the youngest of a large family and each of his siblings have their own family and some of them are old enough for their own family, etc. The point is, from his parents down the family is over 100 people strong. Really. And his parents send a birthday card to each and every member of this family. So I wanted to help make a dent in that! *grin

Unfortunately (for them) I only got 35 done. Fortunately for you, that means a couple new things to see! We'll start with these:

This uses Pear Pizzaz as the base, the DP and the marker color for the tray the cupcakes are on. I did one almost the same with Blushing Bride, but that photo won't load right now...

Merry Christmas!

To anyone reading my blog today, I wish you a wonderful Christmas day and a peaceful holiday season! I'm off enjoying these angelic-looking sweethearts and the magic the season brings.

Teacher Gifts

Soooo my life is incredibly busy and seems to just be more busy each day, rather than slowing down. So it was very, very last minute that I got teacher gifts done. Liiiike, 1am the night before the last day of school for the season? Yup. So here's what I put together for the two female teachers: A bundle of cards in a gift sack, with a few hershey's kisses in there too.

and here's what I did for the male teacher: homemade caramel corn in a bucket. (do men like stacks of cards??)

The kicker? After staying up til 1 to make sure these were done, and feeling guilty for not doing something for the bus driver (at my son's request)...we woke up to no power. My husband got online with his phone to discover that originally the buses had been cancelled, but now school in our whole district was cancelled. We got a SNOW DAY!!! We never get snow days!! But, its been snowing since before I woke up Monday morning. This is about 730 Tuesday morning:

Still going...

These cards use current focal images but retired DP. But here's a few more ideas if you're like me and still working on cards!

Have a Cherry Cobbler Christmas...

What can I say, that song is in my head! *smile*

This card was super quick to whip up becuase the DP is the back of one of those cards below, already cut into strips!

Supplies:

Stamps: Dasher, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake card stocks, Deck the Halls DP

Accessories: Regals Brads

A different sheet...

I apologize for the absence, I have been very busy with the normal holiday happenings on top of the rest of life, and am still not quite done with Christmas cards! I am very seriously thinking of doing the few Christmas cards a month next year. Better yet, if I get a new computer before then I can whip up a cute style or two or three on My Digital Studio software, select how many I need and hit PRINT. Then they're done! ....that'd be really nice.... *grin

So here is the same idea I showed last week, just using a different sheet of DP!

Quick, easy, and beautiful!

Easiest card ever!

I am still working on my Christmas cards! Are you? So last night I got 18 more done and these are by far the easiest cards EVER.

I started with three card-sized pieces (1 1/2 sheets) of Crumb Cake card stock and this sheet of the Deck the Halls DP from the mini.

 and here's the result:

SOOO easy and I think absolutely beautiful! Yeay!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Come to Bethlehem, Holidays & Wishes (retired)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Crumb Cake card stock, Deck the Halls DP

Three favorite colors!

These use my newest favorite color combination and they all are based on Julee's Mojo Monday sketch from two Mondays ago, (some come a little closer to the sketch than others...) My favorite is the first one. *love!

Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Decorations
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla card stock, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Ornament Punch, Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, Regals Brads, twine

 Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Decorations
Ink: Always Artichoke
Paper: Always Artichoke & Very Vanilla card stocks, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Ornament punch, Crochet ribbon, Vintage Trinkets

Supplies:
Stamps: Dasher, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla card stocks, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Oval punch, Early Espresso taffeta ribbon

Christmas Sketch!

Its been a while! Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? We had a wonderful day and a long weekend. Now its time for the Christmas rush! I'm certainly not ready to mail out my Christmas cards so I took some time yesterday and played with this week's sketch from Jen's SSFYTT and made this:

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Always Artichoke, Basic Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Bitty Buttons, Blender Pens, Mini Glue Dots

Its similar to others I'm making this year, and I am loving the vintage look.

Anyway, hopefully with the need for Christmas cards, I'll be posting more again!

Pride & Prejudice for Christmas!

Doesn't that sound lovely?
The Cinema Challenge (from at least two weeks ago...) was to make a card based on the movie Pride & Prejudice - a favorite movie around here. I need Christmas cards right now, so here is a happy combined theme! altho, looking at it, it doesn't so much say CHRISTMAS... but that's ok. I am very happy with it.

This card was a quick one, thanks to the magic of DP- designer paper. I wanted something elegant and period-looking and my new Deck the Halls DP was perfect...it even had this awesome focal image I snipped out from another sheet!

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Victoria crochet lace, Mini Vintage Tags, Neutral Buttons

Sneak Peek 3

This is the end of the sneak peeks. This is my very favorite card for the year. I LOVE this sweet stamp set and I LOVE this elegant, traditional DP. Perfect, perfect.

One thing I'm doing a little different this year is offering more than one accessory option per card. I'm doing a stamp-a-stack which means people will take home four of this card design (and all six of them) but can choose to use this fabulous teeny button brad, or a teeny safety pin, and in three metallic colors. I think all of the cards will be like that. Choices, choices, but only on the accessory. *wink*

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Very Vanilla & Always Artichoke card stocks, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Victoria crochet lace, Vintage Trinkets, Blender Pens

Thinking about that opportunity...

I just wanted to re-iterate some things on this awesome chance you have to become a demonstrator... To begin with, you can choose either this starter kit:

Standard Starter Kit

found on page 8 of the current Idea Book & Catalog

3 wood-mount stamp sets

1 clear-mount stamp set, with 1 clear block

1 stampin' around wheel, ink cartridge and handle

1 ink refill

2 card stock packs

1 Patterns DP stack

4 classic ink pads

1 Versamark ink pad

2 Stampin' Write markers

Ribbon

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Scrub

Stampin' Mist

Stamping Sponges

SNAIL adhesive

Blender Pen

Decor Element piece & applicator

8 Catalogs

Business supplies, forms and tools

Or, you can choose to get this starter kit:

Digital + Starter Kit:

found on page 8 of the current Idea Book & Catalog

My Digital Studio Software

2 wood-mount stamp sets

1 clear-mount stamp set, with clear block

2 card stock packs

4 classic ink pads

2 Stampin' Write markers

Buttons

Ribbon

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Scrub

Stampin' Mist

Mini Glue Dots

SNAIL adhesive
Decor Element piece & applicator

8 Catalogs

Business supplies, forms and tools

FOR ONLY $87.50!!!

Something you should know...there is no penalty for dropping your demonstratorship after your first quarter. So you could sign up to get all those supplies for such a deal. But be warned, you may find you love your discount...or you love your events...or you have enough friends to help keep you "in business"...!

Ready to try it?

A gift!!

Every once in a great while I realize someone's birthday is coming, rather than looking at the date and thinking "oh, its ___ birthday today!" And, even more rare is being inspired to come up with some kind of cute gift or at least packaging... So looky what I made for my friend this week!!

Fun, huh? The card was already made, and I'd bought her a candy bar, but wasn't sure if she'd be home when I stopped by. So I decorated this little bag to sort of coordinate. Meaning I used the same stamp set... and the card uses Crumb Cake card stock which is similar to the brown paper bag.

I put some crinkled, shredded, red paper in the bottom of the bag, stuck the candy bar in, and put the card in an envelope also inside the bag... and closed it like this:

I thought it turned out pretty nice, and she was happy. and that's the point. *grin*

Card Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Basic Black card stocks, Newsprint DP
Accessories: Paper Daisies, Black grosgrain ribbon, Neutral Buttons,

Sack Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Ink: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler
Accessoriess: Scallop Edge Punch, retired Cranberry Crisp ribbon

Sneak Peek 2

Sorry for the delay. Just when I think life might possibly calm down, something happens to convince me that is never actually going to happen. I really need to quit looking forward to that day! haha!

Anyway, here's another Christmas card we'll be making next week!

Clean and simple, but I like it.

Supplies:
Stamps: Dasher, Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Jumbo Brads, 1 3/8 inch circle punch

Opportunity!!

Wow. This is awesome. I know some of you are interested because you ask the right questions. Consider this an early Christmas present. Or an early kick-start on your New Years Resolution to save money- with a discount, or EARN money with a home business!!! What ever it is you're looking for, check out this opportunity!

What do you call it when you get over $310 in crafting and business supplies for only $87.50? You call it an amazing deal and an amazing opportunity! From November 15-30 you can purchase either the Standard or Digital+ Starter Kits at 50% off!

You also get these benefits of being a new Stampin' Up! demonstrator:

• Earn income while sharing creativity
• Enjoy access to unlimited creative ideas
• Opportunity to earn free products and incentive trips
• Receive two free months subscription with your own business website!

Christmas Cards Sneak Peek!

I finally got some stamp time in! I put together my plans for the Christmas Card Class, so here's a little sneaky-peek! Two others are more or less already on here on the blog, and oh...I'll show you the others soon! tee hee! This one uses a few things from the Holiday Mini! So fun!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Old Olive & Very Vanilla card stocks, Deck the Halls DP
Accessories: Glimmer Brads Brights

Veterans Day

Today I am extremely grateful to our servicemen and women, and their families. We do have family members, past and present, serving our country and I don't think words can express my gratitude for the sacrifice they are willing to offer.

I recently found this incredible organization: Operation Write Home. They have the ability and resources to do something I once attempted, and totally flopped. Any of us card makers who have a surplus of hand crafted cards just sitting in our houses can send them to the wonderful people at Operation Write Home. They organize the cards and ship them overseas to military heroes everywhere. The service men and women can use these blank cards and mail them home to their loved ones. I can't even tell you how happy I am to participate in this!

I have mentioned before that I am a cub scout leader. Last weeks meeting was on Election Day and today is Veteran's Day. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, coupled with two days this month set aside to remind us of our patriotism, we had the boys write Hero letters- all of which can be found on the Operation Write Home website.

I am sending as many cards as I can fit in a shipping box, and 18 letters from local kids, across the world to brighten the day of our servicemen and their families.

Happy Veterans Day.
and Thank You.

Thankful

Happy November! My family and I will begin our Thankful Can later this evening. In anticipation, I've been thinking about some things. And my favorite stranger-blog belongs to Meg who the other day posted a give-away if you left a comment with the positive thoughts you tell yourself when times are hard. I commented that I try to keep my faith in God and remind myself that so far, it could always be worse. And minutes after posting that comment I remembered something else.

It seems to me that sometimes we don't know why we're going thru a trial until we find a friend going thru the same thing. Have you noticed that people are put in your path who have already made it through whatever you're experiencing? I have. So maybe when we are struggling it is simply so we can help someone else later. Even if that help is "only" sympathy and a listening ear, it helps me knowing that someone made it through to the other side, and I can too. So today I am thankful for trials that make me a better person and allow me to help others.

On that note, here's a thank you card I made to kick off November.

Supplies:
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Old Olive, More Mustard, Early Espresso
Paper: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Early Espresso taffeta ribbon

Note Cards

Thanksgiving is coming. Last November our family did a Thankful Can where we drew out something to be thankful for each day. My kids have already asked when we're going to start that again! Yeay! So here are four quick note cards I put together (in Becky's style) last night for them to use when they need to send a thank you to someone this month. I loved the rich autumny colors. And its nice and chilly here to remind us that autumn has arrived!

Supplies:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Grunge Rock
Ink: More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Perfect Plum
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories: Always Artichoke seam binding

Pumpkin Patch Pages

I am on a roll! Hooray for craft time! I did a couple more pages last night! This is one of our little traditions and this is the first time we went. 'Bout time I get it scrapped! *grin These are pretty simple, but I wanted the focus on the photos.

Supplies:
Stamps: Just Perfect Alphabet
Ink: Peach Parfait
Paper: So Saffron & Peach Parfait card stock, Sunny Garden DP
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch

A Challenging Challenge...

Saturday night there was an online virtual scrapbook night that I wanted to participate in. It was a family day, so I had to wait until my kids were in bed, and then I was tired and didn't get very much done. The only challenge I participated in was a sketch challenge. Its the kind where the challenge is very specific and you are supposed to follow it, right? Sooo this is my page:

and HERE's what is missing!

Goodness. And the really silly thing is, I had to work hard to get that thick ribbon on there and cut (with the lousy scissors I could find) and then had to use mini glue dots to attach the photos over the ribbon because it was so thick. ....niiice...

made me laugh. Oh well, it didn't qualify for the challenge, but I have one more page done! LOL! So yeay for that!

Supplies:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Old Olive, Sahara Sand & Real Red card stocks, retired DP
Accessories: Spiral Punch, retired brads, retired ribbon

Variations on Cards

In September I had 4 card events in a 15 day period. I am pretty sure that is a record for me and my little buisness! I loved it, but that meant I needed to use the same (or at least similar) ideas over and over. Some of these events were up in the air as far as attendance. That's a challenge in an of itself. I needed to provide 'enough' but not too many of each sample. Consequently, I have a nice stack of card kits ready to go!

While trying to tidy up my crafting space I decided to use those kits but differently than the original. Here's my first set! What do you think?

Original:

Variations:

A gift idea for you

Last year my big Christmas gift was the My Digital Studio software. Interested? This year Stampin' Up! is gifting all of us reduced printing prices...

...Permanently!

I so wish my computer was fixed! I miss being able to scrapbook anywhere, not to mention anytime! I've become a bit of a laptop junkie, so how convenient to be scrapbooking while sitting in front of the tv! Right now I've got a borrowed laptop, which is great for everything else, but alas, no MDS.

Therefore I must direct you to my sidebar. Down the side where it says "find my stamps" you can find all the pages (and a card!) I've done with my MDS.

If you want to get the gifts you want for the holidays (or any time!) write up your Stampin' Up! wish list and pass it on to your husband and mom and anyone else shopping for you. And if you're one of those who shop for your own Christmas gifts, place an order any time for your own copy of My Digital Software $79.95 (plus tax & shipping). Wrap it for yourself or get going and have completed scrapbooks ready for Christmas gifts!

*Contact me for the updated printing price list!

Birthday Colors!

I actually went to my desk and got two pages put together. Suuuper simple pages, just gluing down some 6x6 chunks of very old DP and buttons, but hey, two more for the books! YEAY!!

Supplies:
Stamps: NONE
Ink: Pure Poppy Marker
Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise card stocks, two very old simply scrappin' kits...
Accessories: retired Buttons

These pictures are from this summer, of my son's birthday. It seems I use a lot of red and turq with him but those have consistently been his favorite colors so there you go. It was nice to get some craft time. Hope you can get some time too!

School Page #3

I promise I have other photos to scrapbook, but this is what I have done. The good news is now there are three copies of the first day of school and it IS time to move past it, lol!

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Just Perfect Alphabet
Ink: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Newsprint DP, More Mustard & Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Spiral Punch, Blender Pens, Watercolor Wonder Crayons

a bit of October

I forgot to schedule any posts over the weekend! Here is another card that uses a sketch for World Card Making Day. I kept it very simple...

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Watercolor Crayons, Blender Pens, Wide Oval Punch, Black grosgrain ribbon


I don't have too many people to send Halloween cards to, usually I just do a lot of October pages. But I really love this Greeting Card Kids set and had to play with this image too!

Time in Green...

I think everytime I've used this set I've done blue or brown. This time I went with green. I used a fabulous sketch provided for World Card Making day found HERE. I love to use this set for masculine cards. And its the best thing I have for large circles! Can you see the gears on the greeting part?

Supplies:
Stamps: Sense of Time
Ink: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke, Whisper White card stocks, Pear Pizzazz hostess DP pack
Accessories: Artichoke seam binding, Silver brads, Mat Pack

Thankful Thank You's

I needed to make a cute and quick thank you cards so this is what I came up with.

Supplies:
Stamps: Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Old Olive, Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla card stocks
Accessories: Mat Pack, Bold Brights Brads

Perfect for this lovely autumn weather that has finally reached us! At the moment we are being pounded with hail...but that's better than the 90* weather we've had for a month!

Great ideas...

You know, every time Stampin' Up! offers a new bonus for signing up to be a demonstrator someone asks me to give them reasons. This time, with the super cute tote as a free gift, I've had two ask. So here's a fun perk: Ideas. Unlimited ideas. See this card?

It is completely based on a card I found on the demonstrator site as a possible workshop idea! My only modification was putting on a vanilla base, and making it full card size, instead of the cute 3x3 they designed. I love it!

Stampin' Up! has monthly workshop suggestions with a full list of what you need to make the projects, and it often has a time frame, like, "this card will take under ten minutes", "this page under 15", so that you can plan your workshop accordingly.

Want more reasons to join? Here's what I think...

- Having this as a business MAKES me craft. It MAKES me take time out for myself to do something I truly enjoy. As a mom I tend to forget that. I'm lucky enough to have a supportive husband who lets me spend some time crafting, and I justify it by calling it business.

- Classes and workshops give me a chance to teach people a fun and fairly quick way to be creative. I get to hang out with grown ups for a while and enjoy some fun girl time!

- I already addressed unlimited ideas, but I'm not kidding. Stampin' Up! offers all kinds of ideas online and in our monthly magazine. There is also a demonstrator website bursting with stamp ideas.

- Training. Stampin' Up! spotlights techniques and tools (both online and in the magazine) so that you actually knwo what you're doing with that cool new product you just bought. Stampin' Up! offers business training on all aspects of the home business. Plus, Stampin' Up! offers awesome group training with a yearly Convention and regular, smaller Regional trainings. I have attended one of each and wish I was able to do more. They are so. much. fun. and so inspiring, for all levels of your life.

- I get a discount on my crafting supplies and am able to spend "my" money on scrapbooking instead of "family" money. Its also taught me to be pretty good at keeping to a budget and keeping track of where I am financially. I have been fortunate enough to not need this income, but its a wonderful thing to know that I could do more if I choose, or if I do need to.

So. If you are ready to have these fun perks in your life, and have the chance to run your own business, and get this super cute craft tote bag,

let me know and we'll complete your paperwork before October 18th!

World Card Making Day!

Oh yes, that is today! Are you doing anything exciting to celebrate? I am! This evening I am holding a Card Buffet! Never heard of that? It means I put out kits of cards (usually left overs from workshop make & takes or card class extras, and you come make which ever ones you like, as many as you like for a set price each. You're here as long as you need to do the cards you want and that's it! Once each kit is gone, its gone, so its the kind of thing you don't want to be late to. Which means, if you're local, be here at 6pm! We'll have it wrapped up at 8 so that everyone can be home for bedtime and there will be yummy treats too!

Here is a sampling of a few super quick cards we did last Saturday, and the extras will be available tonight!

grrreat!

Its high time I post something new, don't you think? Well, except for five of you out there, this is new! This card was suggested by a friend and comes from the class my niece hosted last Saturday. Its the most boyish card we did that afternoon and I think my son would love it.

Supplies:
Stamps: Under the Stars
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Night of Navy
Paper: More Mustard, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake

I've quit thinking my life is ever going to calm down, I am just trying to figure it all out the way it is! LOL!

Scrapping School!

Its funny that even knowing I have like a decade worth of photos to scrap, and how very daunting the idea is, it is *so satisfying* to scrapbook current events!!! Half of the point of scrapbooking is to have fun and enjoy these memories. I am having fun catching up on the excitement of September 2010. So that is what I am doing in the little spare time I can find! Yeay! These pages are nearly identical, and were for my September scrapbook class. I wanted to use this adorable pair of school children on a back-to-school page, and I also thought this map DP was perfect for a school theme. I'm just undecided on how to go about a title. And I thought I'd share them un-titled, since you need something new to look at!

Supplies:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White card stocks, Newsprint DP
Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Blender Pens, Bold Bright button assortment

Simple Blessings

A year or two ago I was doing posts counting my blessings in the month of November, which later turned into Thankful Thursday themed posts. Why we forget to count our blessings I am not sure, but I am certainly guilty of it. So today I am thankful for my family who are my greatest blessings.

I am also thankful for a suddenly booming business, or at least one that is keeping me very busy. This card will be part of an upcoming event...or two... It is very straightforward and simple, but I am pleased with it. I used some new DP with a new In-Color and new things are always a fun change.

Supplies:

Stamps: Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Paper: Peach Parfait & Very Vanilla card stocks, Sunny Garden DP

Rock & Roll

This is my favorite technique. It's fun, and I love the look. I have a class coming up where the ladies wanted to learn a few new things. I don't know if this one is new to them, but its easy and we're going to do it! *grin

All you do is pick two coordinating ink colors, ink your stamp just like normal with the paler shade, but then roll the edges in the darker color and voila~

a very pretty effect! Yeay!

And this particular card I left greeting-free, until I need to use it. Hence the empty space at the bottom.

Supplies: Stamps: Vintage Vogue Ink: Old Olive, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White card stocks