Punched Valentine

This fun, punched card was completely inspired by the second card in THIS post Dawn McVey shared. I just adjusted it to fit the supplies I have!
We'll be making this at my Valentines class, which was rescheduled for this week. If you want to attend, just let me know! I mentioned on my flyer that some of these Valentine cards could be used as wedding or anniversary cards as well. This one I think, would fit a romantic anniversary, even with the pink!

 and a side shot to show the popped-up hearts (on dimensionals)

Supplies:
Paper: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Timeless Portrait DP
Accessories: Heart to Heart Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Dimensionals

Workshop Project #3

This was the card I demonstrated at my workshop. I showed stamping with markers, the Rock & Roll technique and the Basic Pearls!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron & Peach Parfait, and the markers
Paper: Whisper White & Pear Pizazz card stocks
Accessories: Basic Pearls, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, White grosgrain ribbon

and a detail shot.....

Workshop Project #2

This card was my make & take project. Now you really wish you were there, don't you? *smile* We used a hostess-only stamp set, and the Sale-A-Bration exclusive Everyday Enchantment DP. Its a quick and simple card, but its pretty! (it was even inspired by THIS sketch!) To color the pear we used the pen side of the markers and just scribbled to fill it in. I liked the idea of shading this pear. What do you think?

Supplies:
Stamps: Faith In Nature
Ink: Early Espresso, Peach Parfait & Pear Pizazz markers
Paper: Very Vanilla card stock, Everyday Enchantment DP
Accessories: Peach Parfait twill ribbon, Clear Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Sale-A-Bration & Winners!

Have you seen the new Sale-A-Bration brochure?? It's on the side bar ---> if you didn't get one! (contact me if you did not get one but wanted one!) I've shown off projects with the stamp set HERE and the new DP too, and am excited to get a few other things soon!! (I'll be placing my order tonight, if you want to save on shipping, let me know!)

Important points about Sale-A-Bration:

• For every $50 order you place, you choose a Sale-A-Bration item for FREE!
• For hosting a $150 workshop, you get a FREE tote bag!
• For hosting a $400 workshop, you get a FREE hostess bundle, including the stamp set and DP I've already featured!
• If you sign up to become a demonstrator, you can join for only $125 and! You can choose to recieve a FREE digital download or a FREE package of DP every month for the rest of the year!

And to kick off the Sale-a-brating, my daughter stayed home from school today with a cold, so I had her help draw winners for my giveaway! I put the names in one cup and the prizes in the other and had her choose one from each at a time.

• Carolee- Thank You Cards bundle!
• Yvette- Birthday Cards bundle!
• frenchhornet- Ribbon & Glitter!
• azgirl- Free $10 Class!

Thank you so much for all of your comments, they really do brighten my day! As always, please let me know when you are ready to host your own workshop, attend a class or place an order!

Workshop Project #1

So I had my annual Sale-A-Bration workshop on Saturday! We had a lot of fun, and if you missed out, I am sorry! (want to host your own? Let me know -really!) This is the scrapbook page I demonstrated.

Supplies:
Stamps: Just Perfect ABC
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: So Saffron & Whisper White card stock, Just Add Cake DP
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Mat Pack, Printed Brads

Points to note:
- While the group of photos all tell a story, the photo that becomes the focal point could summarize the whole story. The kids built this fort out of boxes and had a great time doing so. Look how proud he is! So I have matted it and added a punched accent to emphasize that part of the story.
- The question came out wondering why I used a bit of ABC themed DP on this page that has nothing to do with school. Well, the green on the letter paper pulls the green in the building and grass, and building a fort out of boxes is something we usually only get to do when we're little so that ABC strip works just fine.
- The Printed brad is actually Calypso Coral, and there is no coral in the DP on the page. There is Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait tho...and with the smaller patterns where its just a little more difficult to see the exact shades, the brad coordinates without actually matching. Also the polka-dot look works well with the circles in the two strips of DP. Cool, huh?
- Finally, if you are going to scrapbook, an alphabet set is definitely worth the investment! In fact, I have several! haha

A new scrapbooker!

One of my son's possible requirements in working on his cub scout award is to create or add to a den or pack scrapbook. When I was a cub leader I took pictures of our field trips and let the boys take turns gluing the pictures down and they all contributed to the journaling. I have no idea what has happened to that binder since then, so I had my son scrapbook his own scout events and add them to his own scrapbook. I printed off photos and taught him the basics of scrapbooking (color choices, using sketches to help plan a layout, cropping photos, pulled out any and all scouty/campy stickers, stamps, papers (and I've acquired a lot in the years my husband has worked for the BSA, and having had a son) and turned him loose!

He was so proud of his work! He got 5 pages done towards his own book, and towards his award, and he had a lot of fun doing it!

As you can see, he came up with his own color and supply choices and put things together in his own way. This first page however, uses a sketch he found HERE, done in his own way!

Awards earned at a Pack Meeting...

Supplies:

Tempting Turquoise card stock, Misc DP, ladybug stickers, frame

First Pinewood Derby!
Supplies:
Stamps: Scouts At Play (LONG retired)
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Real Red & Basic Black card stocks

Outdoor Flag Ceremony
Supplies:

Old Olive textured card stock, misc flag DP, misc flag stickers

CAS SAB LOL!

have an abbreviation! haha! Translation? "clean and simple, sale a bration, laughing out loud!"

This card uses the Clean & Simple 173 sketch. Once again I had to use the Calypso Coral color with the Fresh Vintage stamp set. I didn't even use the coordinating DSP so that makes me laugh even more. Instead of a strip of any DP, I stamped the bigger flower image across the bottom.

Don't forget to scroll down and check out my giveaway! *grin

Supplies:

Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade markers

Paper: Calypso Coral, Whisper White card stocks

Blog-aversary #4 ! (giveaway!)

(sorry this didn't post on the 19th...I was sick most of the day, darn winter!)

On January 19th, 2008 I started this blog. (that first post has been deleted because apparently I upload far too many photos....! See HERE.) Since that day I've created a private family blog, a photography blog, a food blog, a personal journal blog, and my son now has a private blog too. No, I have not come up with a way to combine any of these, so for now, this is where it is. *giggle (hence the problem with far too many photos!)

In honor of my 4 year blogging, *ahem*....obsession? I am going to give away four gifts to four readers!

- a bundle of four thank you cards, thanking you for reading my blog!
- a bundle of four birthday cards to celebrate with!
- a bundle of four fun accessories (glitter & ribbons) I no longer use with my business
- the chance to attend one of my $10 monthly card or scrapbook classes for FREE! (if you live too far away, I will make the projects and mail them to you!) *more expensive classes excluded

4 Thank You Cards



4 Birthday Cards



1 Glitter, 3 Ribbons

All you have to do is leave a comment, because comments totally make my day! If you want to spread the word I always welcome more readers, hee hee! In four days (on the 24th!) I will choose four random winners! Happy blog-aversary to me!

Mojo, Punches & DP!

Today I had a chance to sit down and make a bunch of cards. These two used the latest two Mojo Monday sketches, and the same Blossom Bouquet Punch, and two pieces of DP each! LOL! Really that was just a funny coincidence.

This first one uses the Mojo Monday 224 sketch and the Sale-A-Bration Everyday Enchantment DP. I love the quilt-y look of the pattern I used as the card front. ...funny that everything on here is current but the stamped sentiment...oh well!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Cuts (retired)
Ink: Pool Party
Paper: Very Vanilla & Pool Party card stocks, Everyday Enchantment DP
Accessories: Peach Parfait stitched-poly ribbon, Blossom Bouquet Punch, In Color Printed brads


And this one uses Mojo 223 and is 100% current!

Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Baja Breeze
Paper: Whisper White, So Saffron & Baja Breeze card stock, Just Add Cake DP
Accessories: Basic Black grosgrain ribbon, Clear Buttons, Subtles Designer Buttons, Designer Label Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, Blossom Bouquet Punch, Mini Glue Dots

Unique Idea

So here are the first pages I completed for 2012! I scrapbooked photos of our family making a fresh pumpkin pie a year ago, and decided to include the recipe! I've never done something like that before but I thought it would be a fun touch to this layout. For the lined paper, I used the lined sheet from the Just Add Cake DP, and the retired spiral punch. Very simple page, but hey, I've got it scrapped!

 a little detail...

Supplies:
Ink: Chocolate Chip marker
Paper: Pumpkin Pie card stock, Just Add Cake DP, Autumn Spice DP (retired)
Accessories: Spiral Punch (retired)

If you are really interested in the recipe, you can find it HERE. *grin

Scrapbooking!

I set a goal to get some scrapbooking done and have hardly had a chance to do so! This layout was actually 95% done last year so I'm not counting it for this year's goals. It is a really simple layout but that allows the photos to be the focus. The photos are actually of Christmas 2010, lest you think I am *always* on top of the latest photos being scrapped, haha!

Supplies:
Stamps: Delightful Decorations
Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red
Paper: Always Artichoke & Real Red card stocks
Accessories: Real Red thin taffeta ribbon, Ornament Punch

Pretty Clean & Simple

I love these stripes but they almost have an 80's feel to them...haha! Maybe its the pale pink with it, I don't know, but I love them anyway! This is my interpretation of the Clean & Simple sketch #172. Not sure if I *love* the flower the way I stamped it, but it works. I used that Sale-A-Bration stamp set again, for the center there. hee hee!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Whisper White & Blushing Bride card stocks, Just Add Cake DP
Accessories: Fancy Flower Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, White grosgrain ribbon

Sale-A-Bration Once Again!

I can't say I care if you're tired of this stamp and DP, LOL, because I really love the combination and can't seem to get enough of it! For this card I used the Stamping 411 sketch #235. I love how fresh and springy these colors are! And I liked flipping the flowery image upside down like this! I do think I may need new words tho, simply because I am bored with the ones I own....hmm....

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party markers
Paper: Whisper White & Pool Party card stock, Everyday Enchantment DP
Accessories: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Designer Label Punch

Newly Retired Items!

The supplies on this card only retired at the beginning of this month, and with such pretty autumny colors make a perfect Thank You card, any time of year! I used Jen's SSFYTT sketch for January for the layout. The night I put together this project I was all about the DP and the punches...can you tell? It's a simple card and the DP really makes it what it is.

Supplies:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: More Mustard & Very Vanilla card stocks, Spice Cake DP (retired)
Accessories: Fancy Flower Punch, Early Espresso quilted satin ribbon (retired)

Retired & Pretty!

This card uses the Stamping 411 sketch #237. It is made of a whole lotta retired products. In fact only the ink, card stock and one stamp are current. Anyway, since I'm the crazy room mother in my son's class, I have information liiiike the teacher's birthday, which is this week! ha! Last year I happened to be helping in my daughter's class on her teacher's birthday and the room mother came in ready to celebrate! I am not quite that ambitious, nor can I quite afford what she put together, but I can certainly bring by a little treat and a card, and have the class sing to her, so that is what this is! She also says her favorite color is burgundy...and this paper pack had a lot of burgundy, not to mention this flower pattern is SO pretty! And then I had to pull out my retired Saffron ribbon...and a retired greeting made from a pretty script...! That's okay, I want to use up my stash and this is how that happens best!

and because I used Burgundy card stock, I had to put a layer on the inside and may as well decorate that too!

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Warmest Regards (retired)
Ink: So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla card stocks, Parisian Summer DP (retired!)
Accessories: So Saffron twill ribbon (retired!)

Bright Birthday Card!

My daughter had a birthday party to attend and asked me to make a card. This is what I put together, just ink and paper! 

Supplies:

Stamps: Patterned Party

Ink: Indigo Island, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Whisper White card stocks

You know what's most interesting about this, is its the first time I've cut into the Calypso Coral card stock! It is similar to other retired colors, such as Groovy Guava, which I loved, but this one just hasn't struck me in any mood. Today I think it made for a fun, happy card!

Pretty Mojo!

This card uses the Mojo 222 sketch and the new SAB products that I shared yesterday. And I love how this card turned out!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Upsy Daisy
Ink: Soft Suede, Poppy Parade
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and Poppy Parade card stock, Everyday Enchantment DP
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Neutral Buttons, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots

I sent it to my bff for her birthday, and realized that we have been celebrating birthdays together for 23 years now. That floors me. Yep, we have been friends since we were very little, and still are. We live a few hours apart but manage to keep in touch online and with the phone. This is us, November of 2010 at her baby shower....

Sale-A-Bration Products!

One of my favorite things about being a demonstrator is the chance to see the new products first, and sometimes I get to participate in the preorders! This time I got this brand new stamp set and this very pretty designer paper! The stamp set was wrapped up and put under the Christmas tree, and I finally got to play with them! I have more plans so expect to see these supplies more in coming weeks!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Vintage
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party Markers
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder, Everyday Enchantment DP
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, little circle punch

and a closeup for the dimension and detail...

Pretty huh?!

New Year, New Products, New Challenges!

Yes, all of that!

Happy 2012 to each of you! If your goals include things like getting those photos printed and in albums, or sending birthday cards to loved ones, or earning some income for your family – I can help with all of that!

Stampin’ Up! started the year off with the new Occasions Mini catalog! It is full of both pretty and fun new stamps, accessories and tools! I’ve linked it on the sidebar of my blog and my wish list just keeps growing! You can get the great products in this mini until April 30th!

The most exciting part of a new Stampin’ Up! year is that Sale-A-Bration begins January 24th!! That means that for every $50 you spend, you get to choose something for free. Of the 20 free options, 8 are Sale-A-Bration exclusive, and the other free choices are items in the catalog. This brochure will be linked on my blog sidebar on the 24th.

Don’t forget the other benefits of Sale-A-Bration: hostesses earn a free, super cute totebag (shown on page 3 of the brochure) for a $150 or more workshop. For a $400 workshop, hostesses can earn a free hostess bundle!
New recruits (those starting a new Stampin’ Up! business) can sign up for only $125! In addition to the awesome starter kit, signing up during Sale-A-Bration allows you to choose to get a free Designer paper pack or free digital download every month for the rest of the year!

Finally, with a new year I have a new plan for my own events! I hope to hold three events in my home each month, and look forward to running a workshop for you at your home any time you’re ready! Mark your calendars, my January events will be posted soon!

Don’t forget, if you LIKE my facebook page, you’ll get updates about my events and blog posts, right in your newsfeed!

Finally, if you have set a goal to do more scrapbooking, or if you would like to do more scrapbooking and need more photos, I have an idea for that too! Did you know I also have a photography blog? I have shared a challenge to help take more photos in 2012, and will be sharing topics each month to photograph. Feel free to join me HERE!

Thank You Notes!

I just adore the note card idea that Becky shares from time to time. They are the perfect way for my kids to write thank you notes, now that they are no longer interested in stamping their own cards. I put together a bunch of these today so that my kids could send thank you's for the Christmas gifts they received. I wanted to keep a wintery-Christmasy kind of feel, and yet wanted them to fit now that Christmas is over. The stamped image is very retired but I think its the cutest snowman ever and I won't part with it! I also used three different kinds of retired ribbon, and ran out of the stitched blue one! Hooray for clearing out old supplies!

Supplies:
Stamps: Holiday Tag Team (retired!)
Ink: Basic Gray, various Markers
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, misc retired ribbon