Sweet little baby girl!!!

This week's Blogger's Challenge was either to do a patriotic card or a baby card....it's Labor Day weekend...get it? hehehe!!

I had a very long over due baby gift to get made for a friend of the family that had her baby in the beginning of June.....and I just now got her gift made!!! ARGH!!!!! My summer has consumed me. I did get to see her though.....what a beauty!! She is so precious! Want to know what the best part of not having her gift done when I got to see her the first time...I'll get to see her again!!! So Grandma of Alexis.....If you are reading this....don't look if you don't want to see it here first! lol!!!



And those of you who will cringe at the sight of a little non Stampin Up ribbons and retired Stampin Up designer series paper...I apologize....I did make up for it by using the BIG SHOT!!!!
The tin was covered in printed paper from a retired Sell-A-Bration simply scrapping kit, Just Delightful. I absolutely love the patterned paper in this kit!!! I think it is gorgeous!

The name tag on the front was made with the exclusive top note die for the Big Shot. I cut it out twice, once in pink pirouette and once in whisper white. I cut the perforated edge off of the whisper white to create a mat with pink pirouette. I then used my ABC Alphabet Lower stamp set and aligned her name with the stamp a ma jig using regal rose ink. Sweet....simple...baby love. I accented that with a moon and star from Nursery Necessities. The star was inked with so saffron and punched with the large star punch. The moon was stamped with pink pirouette and cut out. I mounted it up on stampin dimensionals. I then cut a slit in my name panel to thread ribbon through it and around the can. I used my hobby blade and cutting mat for this. I had these ribbons in my stash and they matched perfectly!!! So soft......

The "lollipops" were accented with Nursery Necessities as well. I really love this stamp set!!!

Now for the lid of the memory can:



If you can't read it on the picture, it reads:

Baby books are great ideas
But sometimes life gets busy.
Living with a little one
Can put you in a tizzy.
Milestones pass too fast at times
To find the proper page.
So, jot a note of each event
With date and baby's age like
"Took three steps on May 10,
or Teething in December."
Drop the note in this memory can
so you're sure to remember!

This isn't my original writing...{blush}....I found it online and have no idea the original creator.

I printed it out accented it with 1 inch circle punches of pink pirouette.


And for the "notes".....I covered a journal. It was covered with patterned paper from the same simply scrappin' kit. I accented it with a moon from Nursery Necessities and stars punched with the star punch in regal rose.

I sure hope Alexis's mommy can put this to good use....I should have made myself one. I thought I could at least keep up with my daughter's scrapbook...but sure enough...I'm behind! lol!!!

Let me know what you think....Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!!!

I'm crazy about....

....CUPCAKES!!!!!!

When I first saw the stamp set, Crazy for Cupcakes, in the new Idea Book and Catalog....I knew it would be mine...on my first order!!! I have been waiting for Stampin' Up! to give us a really awesome line art cupcake set. You know what??? They didn't even ask me! lol!!! They must have known.....

Well...Kristina has issued another color challenge {#20}...and as soon as I saw the colors...I thought....CUPCAKE!!!!!!

Now I have a stack on my desk of unmounted stamps that I won't even go into....it is embarrassing how many I have sitting unmounted....ininked.....all lonely!!! Actually, I have a stack on my desk...on my floor....in a box....with a fox....( this is starting to sound like a Dr. Suess book )....I don't really have them with a fox...but the other locations are legit! You get the picture....lol!!! Anyway...with all these brand spankin new sets laying around...I just had to use my new Crazy for Cupcakes! And thank you Stampin' Up!....the new ones are all die cut!!! I was stamping with in seconds! Getting a little off track here, huh? sorry ;)

Here are the colors:
Beautiful, huh?

chocolate chip, regal rose, pirouette pink, certainly celery, very vanilla

What's not to love about these colors?????

Here is what I came up with at 5:00 AM!!! What is wrong with me....I should have been sleeping!!! God knows I won't be getting a nap today....my little one won't let that happen. She is a non napper...just ask her how she feels about taking a nap...she is not interested. lol!!!


sorry about that aweful shadow on the left......the celery layer is at the edge of the card base.
My base is chocolate chip. I stamped the top edge with the larger dots from Itty Bitty Backgrounds in chocolate chip ink. Next I took a celery panel and wheeled the new cupcakes wheel in certainly celery ink on a diagonal. I then accented each cupcake and the circle confetti with my white gel pen. I wanted to pull some of that new luscious pink pirouette from my main image panels to the celery layer...so I punched 1/4 inch circles and adhered them with tombo mono multi glue...all lined up in a row like cupcakes on a tray....lol!!!! Just kiddin'....I really didn't mean for them to look like cupcakes...I just like things of three lined up...lol!!!

So on for those two regal rose strips....I tor the bottom edges and rolled them up, kinda like those blower things at parties, for dimension.

Now the fun part...the main panel:

I stamped the cupcake and sentiment with basic brown on very vanilla. I colored in the image with a blender pen and ink refills. Here is where I cheated the color challenge a little...I had to do the liner in grey...I don't know why....I just wanted it that way....sorry if I offended any of you die hard challengers....I really am!

Did you notice the flame??? I colored it in with summer sun and then made a very light glow around it before putting dazzling diamonds on it with my 2 way glue pen. And the "sprinkles"....Aren't they darling? I colored in the rectangle ones in with chocolate chip...who doesn't love plain, regular chocolate jimmies???? And for the circle ones...I pulled out my beloved bead dou in pink that I have been hoarding and adhered some two toned pink beads with tombo mono multi. Why would a person hoard beads???? I don't know....you get tons of them in a pack....and I used a whole 7 here....And to look at the package...The naked eye wouldn't even realize that there were 7 missing....I need to stop hoarding!!!! And you know what???? If I bring my self to completely empty a container of beads...7 at a time....I can order more!!! Why aren't all of you holding me to my New Year's resolution to stop hoarding awesome stampin' supplies???? Come on....I needed you....

Anyway...that panel was matted with chocolate chip ad then pink pirouette. I mounted that up on, none other than, stampin' dimensionals!

What do you think??? Let me know...I am in need of comfort now...I used 7 beads after all!!!

Blogger's Challenge - week 61

Well.....Today's eye candy is inspired by the blogger's challenge. It is a color challenge this week. We were to use chocolate chip, ruby red, more mustard and old olive. And since my new baby arrived this week, the Big Shot, I had to use it today too.

Wanna know something?? And those of you that know me personally know that I am. not. a. night owl!!! However, I was up until 1:30 playing in my stamping room!!! That Big Shot may kill me!!! This morning I am paying for it.....The little one doesn't really care what time I went to bed. As a matter of fact, she gets up pretty much at the same time even if she were to have went to bed at 1:30..... I will need lots of coke zero and tea today...lol!!!!

Well, enough feeling sorry for myself. Here is the card for the day:

The base is more mustard (check). I stamped it along the bottom with Upsey Daisy. This set is one of the sets on sale in Stampin' Up!'s "Never Seen Before Sale," be sure to click on the flyer on my side bar. There are some must have sets on that list!!!

My main panel was vanilla and ruby red (check) cut from the exclusive top note die in the Big Shot. Did I mention....I {luv} my new Big Shot. I really do.....

I stamped the Upsey Daisy in chocolate chip (check) and then sponged More mustard and ruby red all over in varying depths. The sentiment is also from Upsey Daisy, it was stamped in Chocolate chip.

Now for the ribbon treatment. I layed my ribbon over the main panel where I wanted it to come through and made two little pencil marks. I then took my cutting mat and hobby blade and cut a little slit in it. Thread the old olive (check) 5/8 inch grosgrain ribbon through.....adhere main panel with stampin dimensionals....tie knot. Done!

Ok...so let's have a recap - chocolate chip (check), more mustard (check), ruby red (check), old olive (check).

Wondering what all the (check)-ing is all about??? Well, my little one wanted "Honey my Bee" (The Bee Movie to the rest of the world....) for her birthday and "Krist and Bridgette" (as she calls them...she says Bridgette very well....but she combines the Kris/Kristen that the rest of us call him into her own nick name.) totally came through with it along with a polar bear that she asked for...where did that come from???? I think she already knows that Kris always knows someone that knows someone that can hook you up with weird things like a polar bear. lol!!! Well....I can tell you it has been played here every day since August 2nd at least 4 times a day. I think we had a break through yesterday though. She was looking at her Barbi Mariposa movie and when "Honey my Bee" was over she said can we put this movie in while holding up her book!!! I jumped right up to go to the Barbi movie. Wow...I really got off track, huh??? Any way...during The Bee Movie ( a very funny movie, by the way!) , when Barry gets ready to go out with the pollen jocks for the first time, until this day...he has never been outside of the hive. The bees all line up military style and go over their check list, like "stinger...check" - things like that, and each bee says "check" and it comes to Barry (main bee in the movie, voice by Jerry Seinfeld - hilarious!!!) and he says "Scared out of my shorts....CHECK!!!" It is a funny part of the movie. But as I type all of this....I am thinking you had to be here to see it! So.....since I can recite The Bee Movie.....when I have a list now....like in the grocery store...I am like....bread - check!....milk - check!.....cereal - check!...You get the picture. Ok....I have rambled enough!!!!!

Let me know what you think of the challenge card (check) ....see I can't help myself!!!!! LOL!!!!!

I have been hit....

...with the Big Shot!!! I will spare you the song..... I did get to play a little last night...and let me tell you....this is my favorite cutting system that I own! The others are going into the sale bin!

Wanna see what I made last night...I cranked it out in no time at all!!! {pun intended....cranked it out...lol!!!} That just came to me! Ok, enough of my dumb jokes......

The card base is kiwi kiss....sooooo yummy!!!! See that die cut center??? That is the new top note die!!! I love this die....you will be seeing quite a bit of it! (That was your warning....)

Anyway, i cut the top note in two colors, riding hood red and confetti white. The die is designed to give you a perforated edge...which is lovely all by itself....but I cut the edge off of the confetti white one and matted them together. Oh my....my heart is racing!!! The only stamping I did here was the sentiment, from Upsy Daisy in chocolate chip, and the flourish leaves, from Stitched Exotics in kiwi kiss. The flower were all die cut, from the birds and blooms sizzlet die set in the starter kit using bella rose designer series paper. I did, however, use my boho blossom punch for the 2 flower centers on the polka dot kiwi kiss flower to change it up a little. Don't the dies and punch work well together? I think they do. Two of the flowers were mounted up on stampin dimensionals...of course {wink, wink}. Oh yeah...the polka dot chocolate chip panel is also from bella rose designer series paper. That is one beautiful collection of paper!!!!

If you are looking for ways to speed up your paper crafting...the Big Shot is definitely for you.

It took me longer to layout the flowers than to cut out and stamp this entire card. I was able to do two entire cards before my husband said "are you done in there yet????" I will show you my other one tomorrow....and if I get a chance to sneak up there again today....I will not hold out on you....I'll post it! I owe you a few posts for the lack of posting lately....don't think I didn't notice! lol!!!

Witching you.....

.....a card to look at before my big shot arrives today!!!! If you didn't see yesterday's post on the big shot...be sure to scroll down right after this post.

I took inspiration for this card from a sketch challenge. I have been wanting to make up some Halloween cards before my order came from the new catalog because I figured I would forget all about the stamps and goodies I already own to play with the new. Do you do that???? And really, I didn't even order that many new stamps. I'm just anxious to play with anything new....

The scalloped circle was made by cutting on an odd number of the coluzzle circles and using my 3/16th corner rounder to scallop the edges. There are scallop circle dies coming the big shot, so I won't have to do this any more.....but you all know I will probably still do it on occasion....I can't imagine not using my corner rounder to pretty something up.....

The card base is lavender lace. No, that is not a new color....it is in the soft subtles family. lol!!! I just don't pull it out very much. The witch kitty is from Haunting Halloween. It was stamped onto confetti white and water colored with ink refills and an aquapainter. She was cut out with the coluzzle as well leaving the hat stick out of the circle. I like to do this technique with circles and ovals. Give it a try.

The sentiment is also from the same set. I punched it out with the oval punch and matted it onto a 1 1/4 circle punch of pumpkin pie and a 1 3/8 circle of lavender lace. I accented the circles and scallop circle with simply making dots with my basic black stampin' write journaler. In the upper right corner....I decided that I needed to pull some pumpkin pie from the lower corner...so what is the easiest way to do that? Brad washers! See my tutorial HERE on how to make these.

Did you notice the bling on that basic black panel? It was so hard to capture on film....but trust me, in real life - it is super sparkly!! I stamped the star/dot from Haunting Halloween in basic black craft ink and embossed it with irredescent ice embossing powder and the heat tool.

That about sums it up for this little kitty....My order is due in today with my big shot...hopefully my little one will cooperate enough for me to get to play. Oh why, oh why doesn't she take naps any more????? I think it is a conspiracy that her daddy and she have against me....no down time for me! lol!!!

Hit me with your "Big Shot"......

Why don't you hit me with your "Big Shot?"

Hit me with your "Big Shot".....Fire away!!!!!!

Well...it should be hit me with your best shot....but you know how it is.....

Would you have guessed that my big shot is being delivered tomorrow!?!??!? And I wouldn't want to be UPS if it doesn't come......lol!!!

So I thought I would show you the list of materials you can cut with the Big Shot:

Brass (.055)
Light weight steel
Aluminum (.016)
Tin (.008)
Aircraft plywood (1/64")
Basswood (1/16")
Balsa (3/32")
Paperwood
Mat board (adhesive or none)
Chipboard
Fabric
Silicone
Foam with chipboard (.1)
Corrugated pad
Adhesive-backed cork
Fine sandpaper (.00)
Strene
Extra thick template plastic
Template plastic
Plastic canvas (7 mesh)
Bubble wrap
Sheet foam
Friendly (jewelry) plastic
100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax)
Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber
Ruffleboard
Static cling vinyl
Warm & natural batting
Fusible fleece
Quilt batting
Adhesive and non-adhesive flexible magnet
Heat n' shrink plastic
Adhesive and non-adhesive felt
Pop-up sponge
Shiny self-adhesive and non-adhesive paper
Iron-on fabric
Poly foam adhesive and non adhesive
3-D illusionary plastic
Glow in the dark adhesive and non adhesive
Suede paper
Funky fur
Personal Embossing Plastic (PEP)
Shaggy plush felt
Canvas
Vinyl flooring
Shelf lining
Placement
Embossing rubber
Thin leather
Gasket material

Now that's a lot of stuff!!!!

And as for card stock and designer series paper, you can cut multiple sheets at a time!! Can I get a Whoop whoop!!!!? Or as Lauren would say - a "hoo hoo!"

Want to see a teaser of some projects made with the Big Shot?

You can make a coordinating outfit in a matter of minutes! I can see my little girl getting a new outfit from me real soon.....and as far as tote bags go.....we all need one of them!!!

Blogger's Challenge - week 60!

Happy Birthday!!! - That is this week's blogger's challenge! It also is Bridgette's birthday today - Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

This is the card I made for her. She loves horses, has one of her own that she enjoys riding any free chance she gets. It would be a peaceful thing to ride through trails taking in the beauty of nature....if I weren't afraid to ride the horse!! lol!!! So, for me, it wouldn't be so peaceful...but you get the picture! ;)

The main image is stamped with black craft ink and embossed with black embossing powder on glossy card stock. I masked the "moon" and sponged the night sky with baja breeze, not quite navy and night of navy.

Did you notice the concho type medallion in the corner?

It is made by layering a black punch from the snow blossom punch, a 1/2 inch punch out of baja breeze and finally a star brad from the styled silver hodgepodge hardware. I {heart} the new hardware!!!! It is so much more fun to work with than the retired hardware....I {love} the detailed pieces in the new collection!!!! Any way....did you notice the "enamel look" of the star? I did that by putting a tiny bit (I mean tiny...I applied it with a straight pin) of crystal effects into the star. I then took my straight pin and added color from my night of navy reinker to the crystal effects and stirred it around until the color was consistent and spread it out into the star. I set it aside to dry. (I actually did this after it was in the card....so it was a one time shot....I would recommend doing this and standing your brad straight up in a corkboard or stiff foam until it dries)

Here's a closer look at the beautiful details of the hardware.....love it!

Happy stampin' ya'll!

Another sweet monkey love......

I really do love this stamp set, Sock Monkey, I must say. When I first saw it, I was there is no way I'd order that....the more times I would look at it I would think well, it is kind of cute. And then when placing my order.....I had to have it! I fell in love....sweet monkey love!

This was the initial way I had in mind to color this little guy...after watercoloring, of course! lol! Sock monkeys look like a bunch of tiny dots in real life, right? He is paper pieced with confetti cream for his hands, feet and face.

The bananas were colored with white craft ink and a blender pen. I matted that layer onto very vanilla and then made a scalloped panel out of the new In Color - Tangerine Tango!!! hint: I made that layer using the brand new scalloped edge punch. It is not perfect, I know...but I am working on perfecting it! I used the 1/8th handheld circle punch to thread my vanilla taffeta ribbon through...tied a simple knot...and voila--monkey love! Did I mention that the card base is kraft?

well....my order is in!

The tension has surpassed! I was finally able to give Stampin' Up! my right arm for my first order....I have no self control for stampin' supplies!

Now I sit and wait.....for UPS to bring it to me. Hopefully it won't be two and a half weeks like the first day of retirement and preorders......Please - don't be that long! I could have paid for expedited shipping....but I would rather spend that extra money on more stamps other than higher shipping amounts. In two days when my stampin' buddies get their expedited orders and are using new stuff...I will kick myself.

Well, off to do more studying of the new catalog! Who needs clean laundry???? lol!

The tension is mounting!!!!!

The new catalog goes live at noon today - MOUNTAIN TIME!!!!! Come on Stampin' Up! Don't you know that is 2:00 pm here????? This is like torture!!! I am ordering my big shot and accessories today!!!! I need new stuff!

If you picked up your copy of the Idea Book and Catalog from me - what do you think? Each catalog blows the other one's away, in my opinion! I look and drool...look and drool....wish and dream....pine over each page thinking of ideas of what I would do with each set! I do not have a problem! You won't get me to admit anything! lol!!! I have so many stamp camp ideas rolling around in my little head and stamp club things I want to do....so many ideas, so little time! Sleep is underrated, right?

Stay tuned -
I am working on ribbon share information and a club where you can earn you Big Shot over a 4 month period and earn extra freebies!!!!!

OH MY......My ordering is yearning to be entered in the computer!

NOTE: Check out all of the new links on the left hand side of my blog! Never Seen Before Sale, a Recruiting Special and after the New Idea Book and Catalog goes live - you will be able to access it right from here! (Just click on the picture)

I have also included a link to my favorite Stampin Up Color Combo Chart!!!!!

Click on the links below to access retirement lists and sale flyers:

Retirement list - Alphabetical
Retirement List - Numerical

Retired Accessories List

Sale on Selected Retiring Accessories


Kits for sale:

Bracelets to Go

Finally!!!

They're here!!!!





If you are a club member...feel free to contact me to get your copy before clubs next week!!!

Our copies aren't spiral bound....this is a picture from Convention - Convention goers are spiral bound already! :)

oooo....let the previews resume!!!!

Today's card comes straight from a Simply Sent Card Element Kit called Flower Power. It coordinates with the stamp set Wow Flowers. Both will be available in the upcoming 2008/2009 Fall Winter Idea Book and Catalog. Oh how I can't wait to get my paws on it!!!!!

Now back to what a Simply Sent Card Element Kit is.....

Well, I can only tell you what this kit is....I haven't seen any others. It comes with enough supplies to create six cards, three designs - two of each. This is one of the recommended designs. But you know....I couldn't totally stick with the recommended designs...so you will see some "strayed" designs coming in other days. The card stock bases are textured card stock....oh Stampin' Up! how we long to be able to buy textured card stock in 8 1/2 x 11.....please....... And the kit comes with double sides designer paper and all the accessories to complete the cards...this kit came with mustard brads, mustard and olive buttons, and white and mustard grosgrain ribbon.

I did stamp this card with the sentiment "happy birthday" from Wow Flowers in elegant eggplant. oh yeah....another "stray" from Stampin' Up! design.....the ribbon was recommended to be in a row, where it is, but stapled to the card. Instead, i adhered one side down with sticky tape and put a single knot on the other end and adhered that down with mini glue dots.

See those adornments??? Those are the adhesive die cuts that are in the kit too!!!! Makes card making super easy!!!!! Quick Too!!!!!

What do you think?

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!

You guys won't believe what was just released at Convention yesterday!!! I wasn't there, but my upline called me to confirm that the rumors were true.....hi Pam! :)

Stampin' Up! has joined up with Sizzix!!!! We will be now carrying an exclusive die cutting system and Stampin' Up! exclusive dies that coordinate with our stamp sets!!!!! How unbelievable is this????? From what I understand customers will be able to order these things beginning September 2.

Wait until you see the dies....oh my!!! Some of my favorites are scalloped circles (larger than our punches!!!!), border dies, a little scalloped envelope die that puts the score lines right on your cut out, pennant dies....and too many more to even remember off hand.

I know that this will be a definite must for card makers and scrap bookers alike!!! I can't wait to get my new lot of goodies!!!!! And you want to know what?????? Our system cuts any other dies already on the market!!!! And with the steel dies you can cut multiple sheets of card stock at a time....and oh yeah....you can cut 50 different materials with this system!!

Oh...I am too excited about this!!!

Can I get a woop woop???? (Or a "hoo hoo" as my daughter says!!! lol)

Give me some "monkey" love.......

Some Sock Monkey love, that is!!! Get your minds out of the gutters!!!!! How could you not love this little guy?

Don't you just love that little sock monkey??? It will be available in the upcoming 2008/2009 Fall & Winter Idea Book and Catalog. I knew as soon as I saw it...I wanted to watercolor it, of course, and another coloring technique I will show you another time.....

There are so many new things on this card.....let's see....

first off - all of the stamps are from from Sock Monkey....so cute!!!

And some new In Colors....the card base is Baja Breeze and those mats around the monkey and the sentiment circle are Riding Hood Red - all to die for!!!!

ooo.....and the designer series paper....the chocolate chip with white polka dots.....oh my....that is from Bella Rose Designer Series Paper - A MUST HAVE!!!!

did you see that scalloped edge??? Yes....that is the scalloped edge punch at work!!!! ANOTHER MUST HAVE!!!!!

I threw in a few oldies, but goodies too! The close to cocoa mat, very vanilla (sentiment panel) and watercolor paper.....and of course the aquapainter and ink refills to watercolor with....most of the refills were the new in colors....delish!!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Heart!!!

Today's post has been brought to you by the number 3!

Today is my little girl's third birthday......I can't believe it!!!!

We are off eating her birthday breakfast with Elmo...I hope she enjoys that! We had to buy a breakfast character meal because it was the only meal that guaranteed that Elmo would be there....so breakfast it is! Last year we had an Elmo party...we should have done the same this year since we are spending her birthday at Sesame Place...but she wanted a Hello Kitty party! What is it with her and Hello Kitty???? That is what her "Big Girl Room" had to be when we converted her crib to a full bed...Hello Kitty! Let me tell you...it wasn't easy to decorate a Hello Kitty bedroom on a "non - collector" budget! But we are mustering through it! So anyway...she wanted a Hello Kitty party...so in the middle of our Sesame Street week...we have Hello Kitty! oh well!

We took presents with us for her to open on her birthday and her card....had to be Hello Kitty, right??? Well...I wanted to stamp her card....but came up empty with finding hello Kitty rubber stamps that you could make a card with.....so I turned to scrapbooking supplies. If seeing something on my blog that isn't totally Stampin'Up! makes you sad...turn your eyes away! There are Stampin' Up! things on here...but there are other things as well. lol!!

Close up of the balloons:

They were cut with one of my many die cut systems....lol! the "3" is from Stampin' Up!'s chipboard set- Lots of letters. I covered it with Tombo Mono Multi and chunky glitter from the spring mini catalog (retired...). The balloon strings are silver embroidery floss. I have been doing counted cross stitch for as long as I can remember, so there isn't a shortage of stitchin' supplies around here!

The sentiment is from Hugs and Wishes.

The Kitty is a Sticker, I adhered it to white card stock and cut it out...popped it up onto pop up glue dots...voila!

My accents at the bottom are flowers from the Three For You punch accented with black brads. I lined them up with my mat pack and piercer.

3 balloons, number 3, 3 flowers, 3 brads.....my little girl is 3!!!

Blogger's Challenge - Week 57 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Merry Christmas (in July) to all of you!!!! This weeks' Blogger's Challenge was Christmas in July. if you haven't seen my Christmas Eve post...be sure to scroll down and check it out too!

Today's post uses the same box as yesterday but I made a set of three ornaments for our Pastor at church. There has been alot of talk among demonstrators on what they hope makes the new catalog from the past mini catalogs....on the top of my list from last years' Holiday Mini Catalog in Holy Tryptich and the Christmas sentiment- the name escapes me!!!! anyone remember what it was called???? It has a lot of beautiful Holiday sentiments......had a star stamp......oh well....it will come back to me...or I will have to go upstairs and see. Near and Far, Follow His Star....is that it?

Here is the ensemble:

closer look at the gift box:

Anyway....The ornaments are stamped on white chipboard coasters and I watercolored them with my aquapainter and ink refills. and all of them were "blinged" up with a 2 way glue pen and dazzling diamonds.

close ups of the ornaments:

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!

It's Christmas (in July) Eve!!!!!!

Isn't that a scary thing to think about?!??!?!? Christmas! It will be here before we know it, Christmas will be here!!! Oh My.....I first have to focus on my little one's birthday....one thing at a time, right?



Well....my Blogger's Challenge this week was Christmas in July!!!! I wanted to show you a few things, but today....a gift box.




I am super short on time, so I will post the recipe:
card stock: real red, always artichoke, very vanilla
stamps: wonderous tree, many merry messages
ink: versamark, mellow moss, always artichoke
accessories: photo corner punch, gold brads, star punch, zig painty pen, mellow moss taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

Retiring accessories list has arrived!!!!

Here is a list of retiring accessories-they are available only "while supplies last."

I will update with SOLD OUT as I know of the unavailable product.

109200 Accents & Elements Build A Flower SOLD OUT

110718 Accents & Elements Lucky Star

110719 Accents & Elements Messenger

103158 Acrylic Graph & Grid

108638 Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color

108642 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou

108643 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava

108637 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color

108640 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock

108639 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky

108641 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi SOLD OUT

108644 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate SOLD OUT

103975 Card Stock Brushed Copper SOLD OUT

108694 Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color

107312 Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White

107292 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White

109116 Notes & Envelopes Long Notes

109118 Notes & Envelopes Love Notes

109117 Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes* SOLD OUT

110729 Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes

109119 Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes

109018 Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou SOLD OUT

109019 Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava

109017 Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate SOLD OUT

109016 Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock SOLD OUT

109015 Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky

109020 Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi SOLD OUT

109013 Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou

109012 Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava

109011 Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate

109010 Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock

109009 Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky

109014 Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi

110751 Designer Series Paper Azure*

110749 Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss

109154 Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie

110699 Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep* SOLD OUT

109160 Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers SOLD OUT

109159 Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*

110697 Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom

110479 Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*

109151 Designer Series Paper Le Jardin

110748 Designer Series Paper Notebook*

110750 Designer Series Paper Olive Press

109153 Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints* SOLD OUT

109175 Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst* SOLD OUT

109177 Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke

110696 Designer Series Paper Prints Bali Breeze

109173 Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou SOLD OUT

109174 Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue

109178 Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery

109169 Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa* SOLD OUT

109168 Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava* SOLD OUT

109171 Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac

109172 Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard SOLD OUT

109176 Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive

109170 Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie SOLD OUT

109164 Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*

109167 Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red

109166 Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron

109165 Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky SOLD OUT

109163 Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise SOLD OUT

110698 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Break

110273 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Fling* SOLD OUT

110271 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Silhouettes

110272 Designer Series Paper Prints Western Sky

107299 Envelope Confetti Cream Medium

105320 Eyelets Basic SOLD OUT

100375 Eyelets Bold Brights SOLD OUT

100381 Eyelets Earth Elements SOLD OUT

107233 Eyelets Fresh Favorites I

107234 Eyelets Fresh Favorites II

105316 Eyelets Rich Regals

100378 Eyelets Soft Subtles SOLD OUT

105515 Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter SOLD OUT

105531 Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass SOLD OUT

105532 Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper SOLD OUT

101120 Metallic Art Pencils

107307 On Board Accents

109181 On Board Blossoms & Basic

109179 On Board Ginormous Pieces

107306 On Board Simon Lower

102678 Paper Mulberry White SOLD OUT

109227 Punch Box Three For You SOLD OUT

102686 Punch Handheld Rectangle

100271 Pure Color Pencils

109060 Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou SOLD OUT

109063 Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava SOLD OUT

109061 Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate SOLD OUT

109062 Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*

109059 Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky SOLD OUT

109058 Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi SOLD OUT

109189 Ribbon Originals Beachfront*

109187 Ribbon Originals District*

109188 Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale

109185 Ribbon Originals Jersey*

109184 Ribbon Originals Sherbert

109186 Ribbon Originals Theater

110716 Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*

110281 Rub-Ons Cherished Memories* SOLD OUT

110284 Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*

110285 Rub-Ons Urban West*

110557 Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend

109610 Simply Scrappin' Confetti SOLD OUT

110572 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy

110567 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl

109597 Simply Scrappin' Home Again

110562 Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage

109648 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy

109627 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl SOLD OUT

110587 Simply Scrappin' Summer Days

110577 Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot

111184 Simply Sent Friendly Notes

109228 Simply Sent Simple Delights SOLD OUT

109229 Simply Sent Three Thoughts SOLD OUT

106662 Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field

107561 Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals

109681 Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog

109678 Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses

107482 Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad SOLD OUT

109680 Stampin'Around Wheel Meow

109677 Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe SOLD OUT

106610 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline

107467 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday

109571 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby

109570 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends

109569 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party

108423 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte SOLD OUT

107468 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike

108980 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals

107464 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture SOLD OUT

111261 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots

109554 Stampin' Color Index Labels SOLD OUT

109553 Stampin' Color Index Labels (French)

106694 Stampin' Kids Markers

102673 Zig Painty Pen

WHAT!???!?!??!!

This Retirement just keeps getting better and better!!!

The actual Accessory Retirement list isn't released until Monday....but......Stampin Up! has issued a SALE ON SELECTED RETIRING ACCESSORIES!!!!!!

Click here to see the flyer

If you want to order any of this...I recommend ordering with me this weekend. I will be placing an order first thing Monday Morning when the sale begins. Everything retiring is on a first come, first served basis.....don't lose out on your favorites!!!!

Another peek for the camp on Sunday...

This is one of my favorites for Sunday's Card Camp.....

ooo.....I can't wait until Sunday!!!!

Could that be the Double Stitched Blue Bayou Ribbon that is NO LONGER AVAILABLE?!?!??!?!

SOLD OUT!

Hello!

If you are in my clubs.....I had previously said if you were wanting In Color accessories...don't wait. Well....Stampin Up! has released today that the Blue Bayou and Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon has already SOLD OUT. ARGH!!!! The accessory retirement list isn't even out yet!!!!! I wanted more of that for my stock......boooo hooooo!!!!

OMGosh!!!!!! I can't believe it!!!

My new stuff is finally here!!!

Lauren started yelling...."PPS....PPS!!!" Her lingo for Ups! lol!

And he brought three boxes to my door!!! I ordered a bunch of other stuff as well, but I will only show you the new goodies!

First off.....I earned 6 sets from the catalog from a while back based on sales (Thank You to everyone of you that placed an order with me!!!!) with Stampin Up! I wanted to wait and see the new stamps before I made my final decision. Wanna see it?

If you want to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator so you can earn free stamps...give me a call!

Next for the long awaited sneak peek stuff! Now I didn't order everything I was able to....so you might get another peek before the new catalog actually gets here! (I know....I am thinking the same thing you are thinking....."Why didn't she just order it all????....I know....I KNOW!.....)

Can you believe I only ordered two new stamp sets???? (and one - sock monkey - was on my free earned order....) my main concern was getting the new In Colors....GORGEOUS!!!....and that scalloped edge punch!!! The new Designer Series Paper - Bella Rose - and the Simply Sent Card Kit.....Those were icing on the cake!!! Or as Sock Monkey would put it....Peel on the banana!

Here is a closer look at the ink pads.....

Now...what to do???? I NEED to get ready for the camp on Sunday.....but I WANT to play with my new stuff!!!! If you are signed up for the camp on Sunday - I will bring my new stuff for you to get a sneak peek - up close! YUMMY!!!!!!!

WHERE IS HE????????

Where is UPS?????
I am supposed to get my sneak peek order today! he better get here soon......I NEED to get my paws on new stuff!!!!!!

Oh my.....Where does my time go????

Well.....I have been so busy for well over a month now...as I am sure the rest of you have been too! I'm sure it isn't just me that summer takes a toll on! I have a stamp camp on Sunday so this week...I am prepping for that when I can sneak off for a minute! I do have my samples all worked out...that is a life saver, let me tell you! however...Let the cutting begin!!!!

So, today I have prepped one card and bagged it up for the "camper's" packets when they arrive. And I thought you might enjoy the sneak peek of what we are going to do.......

Is that some blingy hardware over there?????? OH MY!!!!! I can't get enough! I can't wait for the "camper's" to see this!

Blogger's Challenge - Week 55

Well....I have been super busy and have been neglecting my Blogger's Challenge Group....I'm sorry.....

This week's challenge was to use bugs or insects. Hmmm..... I don't have any bug sets.....I do have Priceless that has a butterfly....OH! I have the level 2 hostess level stamp set Infinite Goodness. I have been wanting to bling up those dragon fly wings for some time now!

Here it is:

I used a rather simple layout for two reasons. 1. time - I don't have any, remember? lol! and 2. I am putting together a gift set for a hostess for tonight...yes tonight. But I didn't just finish this...I did have it done for Friday...just not enough time to post it.....sorry faithful blog readers... :( The reason for the simple layout is I am making different cards with the same set by just rotating the layout - I wanted the hostess to see it isn't hard to change the look of a card by just rotating. Sound silly? I hope not!

Wanna see that bling a little closer?

Well folks....gotta dash! I truly appreciate you coming by my place to take a peek at what I am up to....and I love the kind comments you leave when you are here :)

Oh yeah.....my preorder from the new catalog is coming this Tuesday.....I will post you some pictures. I can't promise I will do it Tuesday - I might not take the time to photograph it before I tear into it!!! LOL!!! Can I say----Scalloped Border Punch????? I need to say no more! :)

Happy Stampin' Ya'all!

Going to miss my Bali Breeze!

I made up a gift bag and coordinating card last night with the Bali Breeze designer series paper. It is a pretty safe bet to say it will retire since it has the current year's In Colors in it. Make sure you stock up before it is gone....I sure am going to! I have eyed the large flower design on one of the sides for a while now. It really is a big pattern to use for card making, in my opinion. But what if you cut it apart? Hmmm...........

Wanna see?

I really like it...do you?

Here is a closer look at the card:

The sentiment (which is the only thing stamped here) "for you" is from Fresh Cuts. It was available last month as a sneak peek but won't be available now until the release of the new Idea Book and Catalog in August.

Did you see the bling on that flower????? I used the 2 way glue pen and fine cosmo glitter to outline it. I then used a five petal punched flower, some flower fusion felt flowers and a rhinestone brad (ice rhinestone brads) to dress up the center. I love it! :)

I must say, I don't think the pictures do it justice for how sparkly it really is...not to toot my own horn :)

recipe:

stamps: fresh cuts

card stock: tempting turquoise, purely pomegranate

accessories: bali breeze ds paper, pomegranate double stitched ribbon, 2 way glue pen, fine cosmo glitter, flower fusion, ice rhinestone brads, 5 petal punch, stampin dimensionals

So sad to see you go.......

I will really miss both the designer series patterned paper and the stamp set used on this card. The paper is porcelain prints and the stamp set is wild rose. I think the single stemmed rose in this set is absolutely gorgeous!

I have to be very quick today....my little one has her first dentist appointment today and we are totally playing it up! I was deathly afraid of the dentist when I was little....still not to keen on one...hence my yucky teeth. I know it is something I just need to get over....but I can't. One day I will just build the courage and I will have to spend a medium fortune in my mouth....i am past a small fortune...lol! So anyway....it is very important to my husband and I that she not be afraid...so we have been talking this up big time...after she and I will go to buy a toy of her choice and to lunch together. I will have a small fortune in today, huh? wow....I sure got side tracked.....

Back to this card. I submitted it for a contest a while back. The layout is extremely simple but I did a few neat things with the center image. I cut the white panel with my colluzle cutter on an even number ring (don't know which one...I don't have the card in my position, I sent it in...remember? lol) I cut the blue bayou oval on an odd number ring. The reason I know that is if you cut an "odd number" circle or oval, you can scallop it with your 3/16th inch corner rounder- making a scalloped oval. The black mat wasn't cut with my colluzle though.....

Have any guesses what I used?

It is a Stampin' Up! product.......

know yet?

Is comes in two sizes....

any guesses?

Wanna see it up close?

Know yet?

I used the large oval punch to line around the oval! The colluzle made the mat bigger than I wanted so I experimented a little.....you should try it!

Did you guess the oval punch???? Be honest! hehehe!!!

Anyway...gotta dash! Don't forget to check out the bling!!! Fine Cosmo Glitter at its finest! I kill myself!! LOL!!! Fine glitter at its finest...get it? hehe!!!

Want some news for the weekend????

Well......Stampin' Up! has released some info to the demonstrators and I thought I would release it to you! :)

1. All new set sin the next Idea Book and Catalog will be die cut!!! Yes...you heard me! DIE CUT!!!!! punch out, mount and get stamping in minutes!

2. Hodgepodge Hardware is 25 % off, while supplies last! wow!!!

3. decor elements are now available for you to purchase...click on the photo on my side bar to view the brochure....they are really nice!

4. Oh yeah...did I mention that I have seen some new stuff from the Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog??? That will have to remain a teaser! hehehe!!!!

I will be away all weekend...so thing will be a little quiet around the blog.

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe!

Happy Birthday America!!!!!

Sorry...So Sorry.....

That I haven't posted in like forever! I have been overwhelmed with life lately! We will be away all weekend and I am trying to get ready to go today and tomorrow....pair that with my usual life appointments....and I am on overload! I'm sorry that the blog is what has suffered!

My grandma fell about two weeks ago and had to have surgery on her shoulder....yikes! Well, they put her in transitional care and I thought she could use something to brighten her room up a bit. What could a girl stamp that would brighten up a room a bit???? Hmmm...... Well....I actually stamped an accessory to what could brighten her room up a bit.

Intrigued yet?

I will also give you a little tutorial on what the accessory is.....now do I have your attention? lol!

Well....I will show you her card first! You will have to wait for the "cute" stuff! hehehe!!!

I will apologize right off....the lighting in her room stunk and I don't have it in me to edit photos right now...sorry!

The base is purely pomegranate...I will sure miss these In Colors this year! :( (Speaking of that....you only have until August 10th to get anything in the catalog with the current In Colors - ink pads, refills, card stock, ribbons, designer series paper, simply scrappin kits....I don't think I missed anything. Anyway...I read another demo say she sold 6 reinkers of last year's In Colors on Ebay for $99.00!!!!! Now - that's 16.50 worth of reinker for $99.00!!!! So...stock up now...don't depend on Ebay for retired In Colors.) Sure got off track, huh?

The main image is whisper white. I stamped the large butterfly from Garden Whimsey flying off of the panel in purely pomegranate and then again on a scrap of whisper white. I then took the tulip, also from Garden Whimsey, and inked it up with stampin' write markers in pretty in pink and old olive. Then I rolled the edges of the flower only in purely pomegranate and stamped twice randomly before reinking in the same way. I stamped "Get Well Soon" from Sincere Salutations in basic grey. I matted that onto old olive. I took that matted piece and matted it with a larger mat along the bottom in basic grey. I tied a piece of double stitched purely pomegranate ribbon around the matt along that bottom. I mounted that up on....no other than stampin dimensionals! lol!

Now for the fun part - cut out the butterfly on your scrap and adhere the butterfly body with mini glue dots to the body in the main image and fluff up your wings. Oh, don't forget to add dazzling diamonds with a 2 way glue pen first!!! A person recovering from surgery needs bling, right????? LOL!!!!

Now...If I still have your undivided attention....I will show you the accessory! hehehe!!!

I bought her a small potted flower and I thought it needed some bling! I made her two plant spokes to coordinate with her card....see them?

These were super easy! Stamp your images on whisper white...here, the large butterfly and snail from garden Whimsey and cut them out. Now, you must add bling...every plant needs bling! Dazzling diamonds with a 2 way glue pen will do! hehehe!!! Lay them face down, after the glue dries, and put a pop up glue dot in the center. Take a piece of thin wire...here some old floral wire I had laying around...and make a little loop on one end. Lay that loop in the glue dot. I then used a punched flower from my boho blossoms punch to hold it all together. Press firmly on the flower punch to adhere it all together. Poke in your flower pot...and you are all set!

See how the back of the spoke looked?

Did you enjoy this? My grandma sure did...she has been telling every nurse that come in "Did you see my flowers? My grandaughter made that for me? See the matching card?...." I'm glad it brightened up her day...it would get awfully gloomy laying in a hospital room for two weeks now having nothing to look at other than the foot board of her bed and a tv. yuck!