September 13, 2008

SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY

Okay all, I have been neglecting Scrapbook Saturday the last couple of weeks and need to make up for that - LOL! So, this week I will be sharing pages on both Saturday AND Sunday! Besides, it gives me a chance to share the incredibly yummy September kit from the Coconut Scrapshop, it is fabulous!!! It features papers from Mollie and Mac which are just gorgeous and the quality of the paper is really fantastic!! I have had a ball playing with it all and I am excited to share some of it with you today! If you are interested in learning more about Jen's wonderful kits (and let me tell ya, for the price they are PACKED full of goodies!) please head on over to the Coconut Scrapshop and check it out!! Also, sign up on the message board and come on over and chat and upload some of your favorite projects - we are a friendly group of gals who love to invite new members....and it's FREE!!!! There are some exciting things coming up over the next few weeks at the Coconut hangout but you can only play along if you are a member - so what are you waiting for???!!! Oh, you want to know about my pages! Okay, let me share and then get on over there! And, if you don't live in the U.S. no worries, we have lots of members from other countries as far away as Malaysia and it's really fun to learn and hear about other places and see other styles! Okay, nuff said!!! You will notice the pages I have posted here are not the traditional 12x12 that I normally post. Well, this kit features a fabulous clear scroll album that is brand new from Maya Road and I just had to play with it!!! So, I am making a special album about my own childhood and having quite a good time doing so!! I am not done yet with the whole thing, but I do have about eight pages completed, so I thought I would share these two today, two more tomorrow, and some more next weekend! The first page that you see above is actually the cover of the whole album but I wanted to share it as well even though there are no pics on it because I thought the SU! chipboard looks wonderful with all that stamping from the Fresh Cuts set, the gorgeous lace, and the paper from the kit! And, as you can see, I added several punched flowers with some bling, which really makes for an eye-catching cover. The second page is actually my mom holding me in Germany when I was two months old. The journaling is hidden away in a little pocket I made because it is personal to me, but at the same time can still be shared - KWIM? I used my Jumbo Eyelets, my punches, and my Build-a-Brads to add some nice accents to this page as well as the Top Note Die Cut from my Big Shot - just love it, it adds a lot, I think! I love the shape of this album and I am excited to share it with you - so make sure you pop on over tomorrow to see the next two pages!! Until then - toodles!

September 12, 2008

STAMP SOMETHING INSPIRATION CHALLENGE

Happy Friday all!! Whoohoo!! I am super excited today because it is time for another Stamp Something Challenge and my good and fabulously talented friend Melissa is sponsoring this week's challenge with an awesome inspiration challenge!! Love this piece - it is gorgeous!!! I decided after drooling all over the picture (seriously, is that not the cutest bag EVER??!!!) that I would focus on the colors, stripes, and polka dots and make a fun card using my new Just Jawing set - I love it, it makes me smile!! So this is what I came up with! I hope you like it, it was a really fun card to make and I know EXACTLY who this is going to *wink* - it's perfect for her! Now that you have seen the beautiful inpiration piece (I gotta get one!) make sure you pop on over to the Stamp Something site and check out what the rest of the gals did - it's a crime there is that much talent in one place, lol!!! And, make sure you upload your take on this to the site and get entered into the drawing - whoohoo!!!! Gotta love it! So, today I am finishing up DT work for Coconuts (can't wait to share!) and packing for a weekend away with one of my best friends!! Liz and I have known each other FOREVER and she is currently stationed in Norfolk Virginia so obviously I don't see her too much. Well, she found out this week that she is going to be in Monterey CA (three hours from me!) for the next two weeks so I am going down to spend the weekend with her (well 1.5 days because Tony has to go out of town) so I am excited!! And believe me, after this week, I NEED the break - not a good week, folks!!! But anyway, I will leave you with the recipe and yes, there will be posts all weekend so don't worry *wink* I wouldn't want you to forget about me - HAH!!! Have a fabulous weekend - I am leaving straight from Kayla's soccer game tomorrow morning - whoohoo!!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red card stock, Real Red Patterns Print DSP
Inks - Basic Black, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
Stamps - Just Jawing
Accessories - Basic Black narrow grosgrain ribbon, Large Scallop for the Big Shot, Real Red and Black brads, stampin' dimensionals

September 11, 2008

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS, I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

*****THIS POST TO REMAIN ON TOP UNTIL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS*****

Hi All!!! I have a story I would like to share with you because it touched me and I know you will want to help as well!! No, I don't want money, I am not asking for your firstborn, or anything crazy like that!! So, here is the deal: yesterday I stopped in for a Starbucks after my doctor's appt, and the nice gentleman in there spotted my charm bracelet and told me that I should check out the shop next door since it has a huge selection of charms and to let them know Matt sent me - so I did!! The store is called Girls Too, is totally fabulous, and perfect for young girls who like hair things, accessories, and fun jewelry, all designed with a tween in mind. The owner came out to greet me, and I immediately thought how nice is she, what a great smile, she is as sweet as can be!! So, we were talking and laughing and looking through the charms and I found what I wanted and asked her if she could put them on for me. She took my bracelet and noticed that I had one for scrapbooking and another for stamping and asked me if I liked to do crafting. So, I launched into my spiel about Stampin' Up! and how fun it is, but I noticed how quiet she got so I asked her what was wrong! Well, this cheerful and smiling woman teared up and stated, "I love to scrapbook and had a whole studio in my home, but my house burned to the ground in the Humboldt fire so we lost everything - every album,every photo, all my supplies, everything". Seems they called her at work and told her they had to evacuate but since her home was the closest to the fire that had started that morning while she was at work, it was too late to get anything out of the house. Thankfully, none of her family was hurt, but they indeed lost everything and I really felt for her!! So, why am I telling you this? Well, I know that as a scrapbooker and stamper I probably have more supplies than I could possibly use in a lifetime and I suspect many of you do too! So, I would like to ask all of you to put as much as you can into a $9.80 flat rate priority box (because it holds paper) and send me whatever you think you can spare from your stash. This woman had a sizzix machine, quickcuts, cuttlebug dies, you name it, she had it!! So, I am going to go through my room, donate my Big Kick to her along with two dies I have two of, and provide her with papers, scissors, ribbons, embellishments, some retired sets, etc. How about it - anyone want to help out? I guess the way I look at it is this: if it was me, I would be devastated that my craft room was completely destroyed - I can replace a couch, but not my scrapbooks! So, I would like to help out in the best way a scrappin' and stampin' gal can! If you are interested in helping out, I would like to have all the boxes to me by next Friday, the 12th of September so that I may take it all to her on that Saturday - and no, she has no idea that I am doing this!! Please email me at lilstamper@yahoo.com if you want to help out and I will send you my address. Thanks so much - I just know that crafters as a whole have the biggest hearts and I just want to do my part!! Smooches to all of you!!!!

TAMARA'S SKETCH CHALLENGE

Okay ladies, it's that time of the week again where we get to take a peek at another fabulous sketch from Tamara!! When I first got the sketch, I kept looking at it and had no idea what I was going to do. Well, after several false starts, lots of wasted snail, and a few poor abused pieces of paper, this is what I came up with - and I actually like it!! I am in love with this stamp set and was excited to receive it at Convention because I don't think I would have bought it on my own, and wow! I would have missed out! It's called Inspired by Nature and it is a beautiful stamp all on its own! So, here is my take this week - make sure you hop on over to Tamara's site and check out what the rest of the DT did! And, why not give it a shot yourself? Just upload your link to the site so we can all come and check it out!! I have lots of DT stuff to catch up on today and another workshop to prepare for so I will be in my studio all day - whoohoo!! I like this kind of work *wink* I will leave you with the recipe for this card, and then I am off to catch up on your wonderful blogs before I roll my sleeves up and get to workin'!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Regal Rose, So saffron, Whisper White card stock
Inks - Regal Rose, So Saffron, Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Stamps - Inspired by Nature
Accessories - Regal Rose narrow grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive brads, Corner Ticket Punch, mini glue dots, liquid glue, dazzling diamonds, (flowers cut using the Big Shot Birds and Blooms Die)

September 10, 2008

UPSY DAISY WORKSHOP CARD

Hi all!! Well, my card class went great (don't worry Anna, the flowers were together, I was just too lazy to change it on my sample :-))! We had a lot of fun, they each made six different cards, and it felt so good to have a group of gals to stamp with!! These ladies are fabulous too, I really enjoy their company!! So, here is a card that I made for my workshop last weekend - I just love this stamp set!! And, isn't that dp yummy? I am loving all the new in-colors and patterns in this catty, they are all wonderful! And, everything looks great with Kraft - heehee! So, today I am doing a workshop all afternoon and neet to go finish the last minute stuff before I take off! I feel like a traveling salesman as many times as I have packed up my stuff in the last week - lol!! But, it's all good, I am having a blast!! And, getting to meet all kinds of new people too! So, here is the recipe and I will be back tomorrow to show you the card I did for Tamara's sketch this week - till then!! Toodles!!
Card Recipe:
Papers - Ridiging Hood Red, Kraft, Whisper White card stock, Riding Hood Red Patterns Designer Series paper
Inks - Riding Hood Red, Old Olive classic stampin' pads, Old Olive stampin' write markers
Stamps - Upsy Daisy
Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Riding Hood Red Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Old Olive narrow grosgrain ribbon, vintage brad, mini glue dots

September 9, 2008

MONKEYING AROUND

Hi all!! Whew!! Yesterday was a bad day for me, and I am so glad it's over! I have not had such a horrible day in a long time, and hope not to repeat it for awhile! Without going into detail, let's just say that living too close to family is not always such a wonderful thing....uggghhhh!!!! Here is hoping for a better day today! So, I am teaching my card class tonight and wanted to share with you this cute little monkey card we are going to be making!! I was not planning on using this set, but when several of the gals at the workshop on Saturday(who signed up for this class) were going crazy for this set in the catty, well, I have to demo it, don't I?? *wink* They are such a fun group, I am looking forward to tonight! So, I am off to have coffee with my SIL, then finish up last minute things for tonight and oh, of course, play with my new rubbah that came yesterday - I got my Holiday Mini preorder - yeah, baby!!! So, I will be sharing some samples of the new stamps very soon!! Enjoy your day, I'll be back with something new tomorrow!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Bashful Blue, Bayou Blue, Real Red, Whisper White card stock, Summer Picnic Designer Series paper
Inks - Brown Stazon, Old Olive, Bayou Blue, Real Red Stampin' Classic Stampin' pads, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker
Stamps - Sock Monkey
Accessories - Small Oval Punch, Old Olive Brad, Stampin' Dimensionals, Bashful Blue narrow grosgrain ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Blender Pen
****I have to tell you, the boxes of stuff started to arrive yesterday and my postal lady is amazed at the story when I told her why she (poor soul) would have to schlep all these boxes to my postal box daily - LOL! Thanks to all of you - I will giving them all to her early next week as she is leaving to go out of town for the weekend (according to her dh) so that will give me time to put it in some semblance of order, make a card, put everyone's name in it, and get it over there!!! Smooches to you all - I {heart} you and your generosity!!!!****

September 8, 2008

WORKSHOP HOSTESS GIFT

Hi all!! I hope you had a fabulous weekend!! Mine was super busy but really fun!! I had a workshop on Saturday and the gals were a lot of fun to stamp with, I was sorry to see it end!! The good thing is, a lot of them are coming to my class tomorrow night - whoohoo! So, this little box holds four 3x3 cards and envies. It is what I gave my hostess this past weekend for doing a workshop. She loved it, which made me happy - I always want my hostesses to feel like they are special because well, they are! I love making these cute little boxes, they are a lot of fun, and there is so much you can do with them! I used the new Say it With Scallops stamp set that perfectly matches the new Square Scallop Punch we have. And, what is great about his set is Stampin' Up! donates $2 for each of these sets sold to the Ronald McDonald House Foundation - makes you want one, doesn't it??!! Besides, look how cute it is!!! Here is a picture from the side so you can get a better idea of what it looks like! I just love this Bella Rose dp, and think it makes for a pretty box for any occasion really!! I think this is one of my favorites of the new lines of paper that came out - I cannot seem to get enough of using it - so pretty, makes every project look good! And, here is a pic of the box with the four cards that I made and placed inside the box, and yes, they are 3x3 cards with matching envies! Aren't they cute??!! Okay, maybe I am not supposed to say that, but I really liked the way they turned out - lol!!! So, today I am cutting kits for my card class tomorrow, which I am excited about because I have eight gals coming!! It will be fun to have a group to stamp with, I just love the social interaction!!! So, off to the stamp room I go!!! I will leave you the recipe below, and if you have any questions, in the words of Roxy, just hollah!!! And, if you want to host a workshop for me, send me an email and we will get you all set up(for the local gals who follow my blog; I know how some of you will respond if I don't put in this disclaimer *wink*)Toodles!
Recipe:
Paper - Riding Hood Red, Pirouette Pink, Chocolate Chip card stock, Bella Rose Designer Series paper
Inks - Riding Hood Red classic stampin' Ink
Stamps - Say it With Scallops
Accessories - Red Sticky Tape, Square Scallop Punch, Chocolate Chip, Pretty Pink narrow grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Pretty in Pink Brads, Ticket Corner Punch

September 7, 2008

A WORKSHOP CARD - LOOK AT THE BLING!

Hi all!! Thanks again for your truly overwhelming and generous response to my call for help, I love ya for it!! So, today I want to share with you a card I made during my workshop yesterday using our new cupcake stamps - they ladies loved it! I am so liking this set, I see many possibilities with this - and, it cupcakes, what's not to like? *wink*. And, isn't that new designer paper yummy enough to eat? I totally love polka dots so this is right up my alley!! And, the bling is actually dazzling diamonds applied with liquid glue, doesn't it look purty??!! Not something I normally do in a workshop but hey, they LOVED it!! And, I think cupcakes need sparkles, don't you agree? So, I will leave you with the recipe, I am off to cut cards for my card class - gotta make them a wow too, lol!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!! I have another fun workshop card to share tomorrow! Toodles!


Card Recipe:
Paper - Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White card stock, Sweet Always Designer Series Paper
Inks - Pixie Pink, Basic Black Classic Stampin' ink, Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard Stampin' Write markers
Stamps - Crazy for Cupcakes
Accessories - Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink narrow grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, liquid glue, dazzling diamonds, large oval punch, Wide Oval Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, mini glue dots