With all my heart......

HI Stampers!!!

long time, no chat, huh?  sorry about that.....my life has been so hectic lately that i can't seem to catch a minute.  the hubby brike his ankle the night before thanksgiving and had surgery and is now laid up at home for 16-18 weeks....i thought that might give me a little more time to myself....NOT!!!!!  what i didn't realize that i was going to take on his responsibilities as well as my normal stuff........i really need to get a pool boy or a gardener.  do you think my hubby would go for that since we live in western pennsylvania, it is winter, and we don't have a pool!!!  i could have them do the "manly" stuff around here.  you know, carry the laundry up two flights of stairs to be put away.....push my dishwasher around (yes - we still are in the stone age of portable dishwashers.....but i would give it up for anything- i hate to do dishes!).......oh yeah and then the really manly stuff like keep the sidewalks shoveled, take out the garbage.....you get the picture?  lol!!!

well....anyway - i have a little eye candy for you today. 

i started with the mojo monday sketch for a little....ok - a lot - of inspiration ;)

things to note about this little cutie - i used the lots of love letterpress plate on the background with pretty in pink craft ink.  i bough tthis a long time ago and this was the first time i was able to use it....i gotta say - i am lovin the letterpress plates!  glimmer brads - oh my - what's not to love about them????  i paper pieced the little dress - talk about fussy cutting - but i like the look in the end.  i think these little greeting card kids are adorable....and i gotta say - faces usually don't do it for me at all on stamps....but i really was drawn to this set.  bitty buttons - how cute are they???

be on the lookout - i have a stamp camp brewing using the new cupcake stamp set and punch as well as soon product shares!!!

My Sweet Valentine.....

Do, Do, Dooo......

Now, go back and read that title again, singing "My Sweet Caroline....." with my words.....

No?  ok....

Today is my daughter's Valentine exchange at her preschool, she was so excited today!  She wanted to buy premade Valentine's from the store that were Toy Story - I Know!!!!!  Right!??!??!?  Well, I let her - but we disguised them in these:

LOL!!!!  I was so proud of her, she hand wrote each child's name on the front and wrote from her on the back.  (She writes too big to put the to and from on the front where it goes :) )  Hey, she's 4!  you know?

The two buckets are for her two teachers.  They are filled with a bag of Lindor Truffles.....Oh sweet Mother of chocolates!!!!  You know I appreciate you when the truffles have been pried out of my hands to give to you :)  hehehe!!!  I got the buckets half off at a dollar spot after Christmas.....Hello red Christmas stuff on sale that can be used for Valentine's Day!!!  {luv} it!  But they had an ugly wrinkled up red bow tied on the front, so I had to take care of that!  I cut it right off!!  There were two holes already in the bucket so I threaded some vanilla satin ribbon through and tied a nice, new, beautiful, satinny, smooth, luxurious (getting the picture that I love the new satin ribbon????) bow.  I put the truffles into a large cello bag and tied it shut with the same (I won't go into the details....)satin ribbon.  I made a tag by cutting a heart with the new embosslit, Stampin' Up Heart of Hearts, and my big shot and backed it with a heart cut from one of the heart sizzlets.  The stamped heart was the three heart stamp from I (Heart) Hearts and it coordinates with the Heart to Heart punch.  I put a small rhinestone brad through that heart and adhered it to the die cut heart with a stampin' dimensional.

I used the same heart dies to make the kid's valentine clips for their treat bags.  I started by puttting their candy treats and my daughter's valentine in a new glassine bag from the Occasions Mini.....I love these!!!  The clips are made from clothes pins that I picked up at a dollar store.  I covered the front of the clothes pin with the sending love specialty designer series paper.  I then adhered the heart to the clothes pin with mini glue dots.  Their names were added by taking strips of very vanilla and stamping the neames with my calendar alphabet and number stamp set.  I adhered them to the heart my layering dimensionals in the middle and gluing the ends to the heart with tombo mono multi.

I then added a magent to the back, with the thought that the parents could put them on the refridgerator and clip their school papers or artwork to them.

What do youthink of these?  I am happy with them....they were easy but cute.  I think ;)

I {heart} ruffles!!

Not on my clothes, mind you....but on my paper crafts!!

Remember THIS card? Well....I was super excited when Janet Wakeland asked me to do some samples for a display board at DIVA Days because of this card. I belong to a focus group under her called Dreambuilders and there is a sub group with in that group called DIVAS. She was hosting a diva meeting and since I live so far away from her, I usually do DIVA long distance. So, she asked me to create some samples and ship them to her for a board....how awesome is that!?!!?!??! It probably wouldn't be so exciting for most of you...but it was for me!! It was my first little publishing, in my mind. And for doing it, she rewarded me with free goodies - does it get any better????

Anyway...the first card I made to send in was a valentine. I absolutely love the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set, so I had to pull it out for a sample!  I was so inspired by Cindy Major's card here, but changed things up a little bit.

Did you see that Christmas designer series paper??? You didn't? Look closer....the vanilla with real red polka dots?? See it now? It is from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit. Don't go stashing your Christmas goodies away - they will move right in on Valentine's day. :) The horizontal panels are very vanilla matted with basic black. The bottom one, I stamped with the medallion background stamp in basic black classic ink. The top panel was accented with a curly label punch in real red folded in half and clipped on with a clip from the clip assortment accented with a piece of black gingham ribbon.

ooo....Back to the bottom panel....Did you see that ribbon??? Oh yes, we carry that in the current catalog. Don't recognize it?? Really???? It is the 5/8" real red grosgrain ribbon! Oh yes it is!! I threaded a piece of red sewing thread in a needle and basted right down the center. (basting is just a very simple up and down stitch that runs in a line - easy peasy!!) I pulled the thread to gather the ribbon and voila! Gathered ribbon in any of our ribbon colors! {luv} it!

Now to my little heart cluster - The scallop circle is actually cut with the big shot and the exclusive pennant XL die from Stampin' Up!. The real red circle was punched with the 1 3/4 inch circle punch. Matts nicely together, huh? I then stamped the dotted heart from I {heart} Hearts in basic black onto very vanilla. And since we have the option to get clear mounted rubber now....I was easily able to stamp the filigree heart ( from the same set) with out using a stamp a ma jig. I am in love!! the other little punched hearts are from the heart trio punch.

Are you wondering about my dimension???? You know I can't do a card without tons of stampin' dimensionals.....well, what do you think of all of this dimension, baby?

I would love to know what you think of this card - I had a ton of fun putting it together!!

I can't put down the.....

New Sending Love Designer Series Specialty Paper!!!! Every sheet of it is absolutely divine!!! There is glitter around every corner :) And you all know how I feel about glittah!!!!

My sketch inspiration today came from mojo monday#120.

Instead of a scalloped circle in the upper corner....I decided to cut out a flower that is on the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper!!! It was already glittered - perfect! I also accented the flower center with a brand new Red Corduroy Button matted with a scrap of basic black card stock that I added glitter to. It was so easy to bling up my flower center. I used versamark ink on basic black card stock and then heat and stick powder, I heated that just until shiny and topped it off with black glitter from the cosmo glitter collection. yummo!!

A little side note for you.....don't be afraid of elevating some layers. I adhered the flower center with regular snail adhesive and then rolled up a pop up glue dot for under each of the flower petals. Nothing happened to me.....you will be fine....just do it.....every body's doin' it ;) lol!!

The card base is very vanilla. All of the designer series paper is Sending Love. I matted them with basic black card stock. I also used the mat pack and paper piercer to line up the holes for my black brads, from the vintage brads collection. My sentiment banner "XOXOXO" is from Fundamental Phrases - an essential sentiment set to have in a stamp collection, in my opinion. I use it so often. I crinkled it up a bit and adhered it down in places with stampin' dimensionals so the wavy part would stay up :)

OOOooooo ..... did you see the brand new edge punch??? It is the scallop border edge punch - and you can get it for FREE!!!! That's right - FREE BABY!!!!! It is one of the many Sale A Bration Items that you can choose absolutely free with a $50 purchase ( American). I punched a strip of basic black and glittered it up the same way I did the flower center.

Picture this.....a part Italian girl - not near as much as Emeril - but just as passionate as he is about his "BAM!" I am stretching my fingers out to you and yelling "BLING!!!!" hehehe!!

I would love to know what you think of this creation of mine - I really enjoyed making it - Like I said I can't put down the new stuff....you just wait until you get your hands on it too :)

RemARKable LOVE Blog Tour - Day 3

Wowza, huh!??!?!?!? There are some really great ideas on this tour....I hope you aren't missing any of them. It is the "LOVE" tour and that can be interpreted in many ways - things you love, valentine's love, marriage and the straight out "love" theme. I focused on the straight out "love" theme for this one. Don't get me wrong...I could have easily said it was things I loved that are coming out in the next mini.....because it is!!

Well!??!?!?!?!

I really do love it! I did not put anything on the inside - i am still debating what I will do with this one - hubby's valentine, anniversary, wedding - who knows??? The card base is actually kraft - but you can't tell that all in the picture - the 1/16th inch border of card base didn't show up much ;) I was going to use more kraft on the card front but I kept leaning towards the chocolate chip - can you blame me? It is chocolate chip, for pete's sake!!!! lol!

The designer series paper is coming in the mini, Sending love Specialty Paper - and it is "Special" let me tell you!!! It is glittered and blingy all over!!!! delish! I made my own shabby lace by using the eyelet edge punch and folding it up in small sections. My scallop circle was made the "old fashioned way" - you know before we had the big shot scallop circle dies - with a corner rounder. None of the sizes of scallop circle dies I had were exactly the size I needed, so I made my own with the circle scissor plus and the 3/16th inch corner rounder. The birds are punched from a brand new punch, 2 step bird punch - lOVE IT!!!! I stamped the wings with the same heart stamp I used for the pink heart in the background - I {love} Hearts. This set is so awesome!!! After I punched the birds, I ran them through the big shot with my finial press embossing folder. All sponging is done with creamy caramel. The bow was made from chocolate chip taffeta ribbon.

Oh and did I mention D.I.M.E.N.S.I.O.N.???? I think I used like 32 stampin dimensionals on this card! I {luv} dimensionals!

I would love to know what you think of these love birds. If you have enjoyed the projects on my blog, I invite you to stop back - I have loved having you. Now - before you go - Click on the icon below and spread your love throughout the rest of the tour! :)

Blogger's Chalenge

Happy Valentine's Day (eve)!!!

Today's Blogger's Challenge was to make something Valentine's. That is perfect....we are headed out to a Valentine Party for a play group we belong to this morning. We were to bring along a little valentine for the kiddos to exchange. It is going to be all toddlers there so I didn't really know what type of candy to give since it is a variety of ages, mostly 3 and under. So I bought some store mass produced valentines that had little red heart lollipops in them. The store valentine's went in the trash...I only wanted the lollipops.

I made them super simple since they were going to three year olds....lol!

I wanted to incorporate the Sale A Bration set, polka dot punches...I LOVE anything that goes with punches!!! I stamped the heart in whisper white craft ink and punched it out with my full heart punch. The sentiment is from Holidays and Wishes. The main panel is kraft, and I swiped the edges with the whisper white craft ink pad. The background is whisper white and I used the new eyelet border punch along the bottom.....I sure love that new punch!

Wanna see what I did with the back? VERY easy! I punched two holes with my crop a dile and slipped the lollipop stick through .....I didn't want the heart on the front to compete with the heart lollipop..... :)

**sorry for the poor pictures...I don't have time to edit this morning :)

How sweet it is

...to be among new rubbah!!! I pulled out me sweet stems stamp set, which you will receive as part of your stamp camp fee at the end of February, and used it in a different way...at least I think I did....lol!

Here is my card for you today:

Isn't it sweet? I think so, if I may say so myself.....

The main image panel was made by stamping the stem of one of the sweet stems flowers in close to cocoa. I put the little hearts on the tops as "flowers." They were punched with my heart to heart punch. I mounted them up on stampin' dimensionals. All of the designer series paper is candy lane. All edges were sponged with close to cocoa and a stampin' sponge. Did you notice the ribbon? It is the riding hood striped grosgrain, but I sponged it with close to cocoa to tone down the white stripes....you like? And then there are two brand spankin' new chocolate chip corduroy buttons (these are actually brads...but they are in the button collection :) ) in the top corner.....Oh how I lOVE these!!!!! I will be putting together a "share" with the new accessories very soon...be sure to keep on the look out!

Here is a different angle to see the dimension and those beauties!!!

Sweet little birdie

HI All!

I have made the sweetest little birdie......speaking of birds.....I had 12 robins in my cherry tree two days ago!!! Do they not realize we have a foot of snow...they should be on the beaches of Florida??!??!?!?!? Anyway.....I digress......

Now before I get into this card.....BE FOREWARNED!!!!!! THE SIZZLET DIES AREN'T DESIGNED TO CUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN PAPER OR CARD STOCK......I DID THIS AT MY OWN RISK...AND IF YOU DO IT TOO....YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.... :)

Isn't that bird the sweetest?? The card base is pink pirouette. I stamped it with En Francais background in pink pirouette. I sponged the edges with riding hood red. The top corner is stamped with the flourish from Baroque Motifs in chocolate chip. My sentiment is from Holidays and Wishes. The designer series paper is Candy Lane. I tore and rolled at the top edge a bit. I then tied a simple knot with the striped pink pirouette grosgrain ribbon.

Now for that bird.....remember, I said that cutting CORK is not an approved material for sizzlets....I cut thin cork with my bird die in the birds and blooms sizzlet set. I adhered the wing down with tombow mono multi glue and then punched out his eye with my 1/8th inch handheld punch. Before adhering the little guy down to my card, I put a piece of chocolate chip card stock behind his eye.

Want a closer look at his cuteness????

The card is very simple...I didn't want to take away from the bird.....what do you think?

I am in love......

with the Love You Much Bundle!! I think the images are so cute and the paper....well....I LOVE that...and the punch...what is not to love about a sweet heart to heart punch?!??!?!?

My little one has a fascination with Toy Story and Toy Story 2 so I had a little stamp time this morning....lol! (Good thing I bought tons of Disney movies before she was born for myself....she has since claimed them all for herself!) I sure hope I have, or can buy, the next movie that she wants to get into....hehehehe!!!!

This card has a lot going on...but I had a ton of fun making it!!!

The base is close to cocoa. I stamped Bella Toile background in chocolate chip. All of the edges in this card are sponged with chocolate chip. I then took a strip of the designer series paper from Candy Lane and stamped it with the three heart trio in chocolate chip randomly. The scallop panel is a stamp from the Love You Much stamp set stamped twice in chocolate chip, once onto pink pirouette and once onto white confetti. I punched the pink layer out with my scallop circle punch and the white layer with the 1 1/4 inch circle punch. The two heart are from the heart to heart punch, the littlest one adhered down with a half of a stampin dimensional. The main image is also from the Love You Much set. I stamped it in basic brown classic ink because I wanted to color it. I colored it with graduating color.....if you registered for the stamp camp on Friday, you will learn, or review, how to color images this way. I punched a flower from the three for you punch in riding hood red and adhered it down over the stamped flower. I then accented the center with a flat back pearl. I wanted to give a little more balance to the layout so I adhered three more flat back pearls from the pretties kit with mini glue dots on the lower left hand corner of the ds.

What do you think? I would love to hear from you....

Until later - Happy Stampin'!

Blogger's Challenge - week 81

HI Stampers!

This week we were to use designer series paper. I knew right away that I wanted to use the items in my Love You Much bundle - I love the Candy Lane designer series paper...it is so yummy!!!!! I wanted to use an assortment of the paper and really wanted to do another quilt card like I made HERE and HERE but I thought that maybe you were tired of that type of card....I love it though!! So anyway, lots of ideas ran through my head and I decided on a technique that my upline, Pam, shared with me. Thanks Pam!!! I am very pleased with the results!

Here is a closer look at some of the details:

The buttons are retiring....so sad....I just ordered a ton of them....lol!!!! Better stock up!!

I can't get into too lengthy of a post today...my little one has walking pneumonia and her steroids have kicked in big time...if you know what I mean! ;) Now I have an understanding when they say athletes are on "the juice." LOL!!!! I am not sure I can keep up with her today...but I am giving it my all! My hubby better watch out when he gets home...I am likely to punch out for the day...that will be our little secret! ;)

I would love to hear what you think of this card.....

I am ready to throw a HOLY fit.....

....if Season of Friendship doesn't make it into the new catalog!!! Please...please...please let it be in the new cattie!!!!!! {fingers crossed, staying away from black cats, turning my head when I see a ladder, throwing salt over my shoulder any chance I get......}

This card is for last week's Blogger's Challenge - 80 - to use baja breeze - LOVE IT!, use chocolate chip - LOVE IT!, and to use any red - LOVE IT!!!! I did not have a second to create last week to have this done on time, but the second I had a free minute last night...I pumped this card out! I absolutely love it, and I hope you do too!!!

The main image is the tree from Season of Friendship - I'm telling you.....it will get ugly if this tree does not make it into the new catalog!!! lol!!! I stamped it in chocolate chip ink. The little hearts are from the new punch, heart to heart, that is available in the new bundle - don't miss out on getting it for a discount!!! I adhered them down with my 2 way glue pen and then accented them with dazzling diamonds - love the bling!!! I stamped the little bird from Season of Friendship in baja breeze and mounted him up on a stampin' dimensional. The real red designer series paper is from the patterns pack in the level one hostess pack. I scalloped the bottom with my scallop edge punch. That entire panel was matted with chocolate chip and then in baja breeze. The 5/8th inch real red grosgrain ribbon was tied around all three panels. My sentiment is from Short and Sweet. I punched it with the word window punch and then tied it around the ribbon with linen thread. I liked the "dangly" look but wanted it more controlled. I adhered it to the ribbon with a mini glue dot up by the linen thread hole. The entire panel is mounted up on stampin' dimensionals.

I am not sure if you can see the bling in these pictures or not...but they are so sparkly in real life! Here is a closer look at that :)

Ok...Time to let the cat out of the Bag!!!!

LOL!! If you didn't see earlier today...this is my second post for the day....be sure to scroll down for some Christmas goodies!

Even though Christmas is in three days....it is NOT too early to think about Valentine's Day.....

You have the opportunity to purchase a brand new-never released before bundle at a 20% discount!! I know...I had to pinch myself too!! lol! I have been having so much fun with this bundle in secret in my studio...now I can shout about it! hint: Remember those adorable little hearts on the chest of my gingerbread men???? Oh yeah....they came from a brand new punch in this bundle!!!! Can you believe it????? Here are the details:

Oh my......isn't is sweet????? I stamp set, coordinating punch, and coordinating designer series paper???? Oh my!!! This bundle price is only available until January 31st. Click HERE to download the flyer.

Here is a card I whipped up in no time...thanks to the entire kit! One of the stamps lines up perfectly with the new Heart to Heart punch! I {luv} that!

Card base is close to cocoa. I stamped the birds from Love You Much in chocolate chip. The designer series paper is from Candy Lane Designer Series paper - isn't it divine???? The sentiment is from All Holidays, stamped in riding hood red on very vanilla. I punched it with the 1 inch circle punch before putting it behind a piece of styled silver hodgepodge hardware. And that row of hearts.....You guessed it! I stamped the trio heart stamp and punched it out with the new heart to heart punch and adhered them down randomly and with stampin' dimensionals. I'll give you a "bird's eye" view....lol!

Just a reminder - tomorrow is the last day to save 10% off retiring stamp sets and get the free shipping on orders of $70 or more as well as the first day you can order this wonderful bundle!!!