IT'S A MINI BUT A GOODIE

Happy Friday everyone!!! This week really flew by, I can't believe it is already the long weekend! Tony and I are going away for a much needed couples weekend and we are really looking forward to it! We really don't get very much time alone with two teens - they do their own stuff, but still need us around to take them, give them money, remind them of homework, chores, etc.  You get the picture, lol! So, I am excited but have TONS to do today before we leave!  However, I did not want to leave without sharing a cute little mini layout  I recently did at a workshop.  I like to teach 6x6 layouts because if they have never scrapbooked before, it does not seem so overwhelming, and I usually show them how they can "grow" the layout into a 12x12 *wink*  The base of this layout is the new in-color Island Indigo, and I love the deep, rich blue of this color! The accent colors are River Rock and Cherry Cobbler with some Timeless Portrait patterned paper used with the Lace Border Punch.  I love using this punch with patterned paper, it always comes out looking so very pretty!  That fabulous, giant stamp in the corner is called Hello Doily, and is fast becoming a favorite for me! The sentiment is from the stamp set Language of Friendship, a beautiful set that allows you to use our punches on everything stamp in there! I used the Decorative Label Punch and popped it up on dimensionals over a piece of Victorian Lace ribbon - total YUM! The pretty border on the Cherry Cobbler strip was made using the Scallop border punch, and adds some softness to the layout.  Simple, but pretty, right??! I love doing 6x6 layouts, they are quick, and you usually can create an album in a small amount of time.  Love that! So, if you want to have any of these products, all you have to do is go to my online store and shop  your heart out! Or, you can contact me and I will be happy to take your order! Now, I am off to get ready for my weekend with the love of my life! I hope you all enjoy the long weekend! Don't forget, all next week I will be doing Product Spotlights featuring projects using all New Holiday Mini items so make sure you check in and see them! I would love to know you stopped by, so leave me a comment :-) Happy Stamping!!
Layout Recipe:
Paper - Island Indigo, River Rock, Cherry Cobbler, Naturals White card stock, Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper
Inks - Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler classic inks
Stamps - Hello Doily, Language of Friendship (sentiment)
Tools - Lace Border Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Corner Rounder, Designer Label Punch, Dimensionals
Accessories - Designer Buttons, Victorian Lace ribbon

A LITTLE BIT OF SPICE

Good morning everyone!!!!  WHOOHOOO!! Today is an exciting day! Why you ask?  Because today is the FIRST DAY OF THE NEW HOLIDAY MINI!!!!!  I am in LOVE with this mini - it has soooo many fabulous new products in it, I just squeal with joy each and every time I go through it - and believe, me, I look at it a lot, LOL!!!  If you don't have a copy of this fabulous mini and want one of your very own, contact me and I will get one out to you right away! In the meantime, if you click the image in my right sidebar, it will take you right to  my site and the mini products :-) You DO NOT want to miss out on seeing all the fall and holiday goodness available!

I thought you might want to see some of these products today, so I am sharing a wonderful little gift set I made using the Spice Cake product Suite - soooooo YUMMY!!!!!!  The color combination of Soft Suede, More Mustard, and Pool Party are just amazing together - I can't seem to get enough of playing with this paper, lol!!! I made a card and gift box for someone special who needs a little lift so I hope she likes it as much as I do.  The box was made using one of the new products available in the mini - four Kraft gift boxes in one pack for only $2.95 - this is a GREAT deal!  I decorated the outside of the box and the inside flaps with the yummy new Spice Cake Designer series paper.  Then, I wrapped a piece of Pool Party ruffled ribbon around the box and tied a bow in front.  Honestly, it does not need anything else, the paper is so beautiful it can stand on it's own :-) So, I saved my embellishing for the top of the box!

Here is a close-up of the top of the box! I used Pool Party card stock to cover the top - this blends so nicely with the patterned paper, I just love it! I then added two punched pieces of patterned paper using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch - soooo pretty! I then added an accordion flower made from another piece of Spice Cake, and decorated the top with two punched circles of card stock and a pretty Soft Sued button with a linen thread bow threaded through it.  With my love for banners, I could not resist adding one so I stamped the sentiment from the Happy Greetings Stamp Set, sponged it with More Mustard classic ink, and added a cute little vintage brad!  I just love this box, and I know I am now hooked on making them, so stand by for more of these little cuties, lol!! Now, on to the card!

I used the same colors on the card, adding a Soft Suede base. The More Mustard layer I ran through the Big Shot using the Houndstooth embossing folder, and then sponged it all over with More Mustard ink. All my papers were distressing using our distressing tool - great tool that I use a lot! The image is from one of our new Holiday Mini stamp sets called Always Thankful - beautiful images in this set! I used my stampin' markers to color the image, stamped it, then spritzed it with some water to give it a nice watercolor feel! And, that beautiful fabric on the side is from our new Spice Cake fabric selection, which is absolutely beautiful!! The sentiment is another one from the Happy Greetings set, which can be found in the main catalog. Honestly, it has the best sayings, I use this one a lot! I made another banner (I know, I know, heeehee) using Naturals Ivory card stock, then used my Mat Pack to add some texture along the top.  It is held on the card using one of our cute little mini library clips - aren't they just so fun??! I had a ball making this gift set, which will be filled with some goodies and delivered to my friend today! And, I am loving the holiday mini so much that I will be doing a Product Spotlight each day of the rest of this week and into next week to show off all of this holiday goodness!! I know this is a long post, but I had a lot so show you so if you stuck through it all, you ROCK!!! And, if you can't wait to get your hands on these fun and fabulous products, head on over to my online store and they will be on their way to you soon! Or, you may contact me and I will put your order in for you!  I will leave you with the recipe, and I will be back tomorrow with another fabulous project from our new mini catalog! Until then, I hope you find time to be creative!
Gift Set Recipe:
Paper - Pool Party, Soft Suede, More Mustard, Naturals Ivory card stock, Spice Cake Designer Series paper
Inks - Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard, Always Artichoke classic pads and markers
Stamps - Everyday Greetings, Always Thankful
Tools - Dotted Scalloped ribbon border punch, 1 1/4 inch and 1 inch circle punches, Curly Label punch, Big Shot, Houndstooth embossing folder, distressing tool, Mat Pack, Paper piercer
Accessories - Spice Cake fabric, designer buttons, vintage brads, Pool Party ruffled ribbon, linen thread, mini library clips, Kraft Gift Box

SWEETS FOR THE SWEET

Good morning all!!! It has been a busy, busy week here at the Hobson household as the kids started back to school, my husband went back to work, and I went back to stamping, lol!!! I needed a few days off to catch  my breath, and try to process all of the things that have happened in the last few weeks.  The medical scare with my husband was a total reality check to me that we are getting older and that we need to make sure we take good care of ourselves so we can be around to play with grand kids (no, none yet, my kids are not old enough, lol!) and also have that fun adult time together when the kids are all grown and living their own lives!  So, there has been a lot of reflection and changes to make things healthier around here and I think it is good for all of us! And, now I am back to stamping and it feels good!!!  I had a couple of workshops this past weekend and I wanted to share the cute little hostess gift that I demonstrated and then gave to my hostess! I made this cute little candy holder using the fun new Big Shot die called the Petite Pocket Die - isn't it just so cute??!! The card stock is the new in-color Pool Party, and it is just fun, totally reminds me of summer! The accent color is made using the Calypso Coral in-color, another fun color! Heck, I like them all *wink*  After cutting out the pocket, I ran it through the Big Shot again using the Stripes embossing folder.  Since it already has all the score lines, it was a snap to put it together, allowing me to concentrate on my pretty accents, which is ALWAYS my favorite part, lol! The Calypso Coral card stock is punched along both edges using the Eyelet Border punch and then made into a belly band that can slide off and on, but for this project just stays right where it is, lol!  Those fun candy treats are made using the Sweets for the Sweet stamp set - I just stamped them in Daffodil Delight and Pink Pirouette, added some of the new Dazzling Details (available TOMORROW with the new Holiday Mini!!!!), and then punched out using the 1 inch Circle Punch!  The ribbon along the bottom is the yummy Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon with the sentiment stamped in Calypso Coral classic ink, then punched out using the Small Oval Punch. And, of course I added a rhinestone - bling is good with everything *wink*

Here is a close-up of the actual candy sticks and tag - I got them at a local candy store we have downtown - you know, the kind that has all the old fashioned candy that we all love so much?? That is one of the good things of living in a small town, you still have these kinds of places - just love it!  The Petite Pocket is actually big enough to hold three of these candy treats so there are lots of different things you could use as little gifts to put a smile on someones face! I wrapped the three candy sticks in Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, then added a sentiment from the Clearly For You stamp set because I wanted one small enough to not overwhelm the rest of the project :-) I punched it out using the Jewelry Tag punch, which is perfect size for small tags like this.  It is tied on using Whisper White twine.  I presented this cute little treat to my hostess when I was done putting it together and she just loved it! It makes ME smile when I can make someone else happy with something I made with my own hands - it beats buying something by a long mile!!! If YOU like the products you see here, all of them can be purchased in my online store, including all the new FABULOUS HOLIDAY MINI products!!  Or, you can contact me and I will be happy to place your order for you :-)  I hope you all have a fabulous day - mine will be filled with stamping so I just know it will be a great one!!! I will be back tomorrow with another fun project to share so until then, Happy Stamping!!
Candy Treat Recipe:
Paper - Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Whisper White card stock
Inks - Calypso Coral, Island Indigo classic inks
Stamps - Sweets for the Sweet, Clearly for You (sentiment only)
Tools - Big Shot, XL Petite Pocket Die, Stripes Embossing Folder, Eyelet Border Punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Small Oval Punch, 1 inch Circle Punch
Accessories - Island Indigo and Calypso Coral Ruffled ribbons, Whisper White twine, Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Details(available in the Holiday Mini)

PRETTY DOILIES

Good morning all! It is a beautiful day here in Northern California so I will have to be spending some time outside today in the pool :-) I love days like this - a little breeze, warm but not blazing hot, and not a cloud in the sky - makes me smile!!! I finally got my stamp room clean and back to normal - I am one of those people who cannot create unless everything is clean and back where it belongs.  Drives me crazy! So, I will definitely be getting some creative time in today as well!!! My husband is still home - he took the whole week off to get used to a new routine and to get caught up on some much needed rest! It has been nice to have him home, but hard to keep to my regular routine, lol! I usually hang out in my stamp room all day long, but I feel bad doing that when he is home, I feel I should be spending that time with him! But, I DID tell him that today he might get ignored somewhat while I try and get back to business *wink*

Today I want to share with you a fun card I made using the Delicate Doilies stamp set - love it! I never thought much about doilies, I just associated them with elderly people and as decorations on the arms of chairs, heehee! So, when this set first came out, I was not blown away.  But, then of course I saw some amazing things done with it and thought - WOW! I am missing out, and now I just love to play with it! Isn't that always the way??  I love this color combo too, fun and bright, which I love! The base of the card is Calypso Coral, a new yummy in-color that quickly captured MY attention because I am a huge fan of anything in the orange family :-) I paired it with Baja Breeze, and though it might be hard for you to see here, I stamped the background using the new Netting Background stamp, another new favorite of mine. The pretty lace was made using the Lace Border punch, soooo pretty! The doilies are stamped in Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, and Calypso Coral classic inks, and then punched out using my circle and Scallop circle punches. Every other one is popped up on a dimensional to give the card some depth.  Then, I had to add some rhinestones because I just think they were needed, lol! The last touch on this card was adding a bit of the super cute ruffled ribbon in Calypso Coral - this ribbon comes in all the new in-colors and is so very pretty I tend to hoard it, heehee! Don't you just love it??!  This card makes me happy, and it was super fun to make! I actually did this card in a workshop, although it is a little more involved than I would normally do.  However, they are a group of seasoned stampers and they had no problems at all :-) I will leave you with the recipe and if you would like any of the items featured here, you can purchase them all in my online store or by contacting me with your order.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and have time to be creative!!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Calypso Coral, Baja Breeze, Whisper White card stock
Inks - Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight classic inks
Stamps - Delicate Doilies, Netting background stamp
Tools - Small Oval Punch, 1 3/4 inch, 1 3/8, 1 1/4  inch circle punches, 1 3/4 inch Scallop Circle punch, Lace Border punch, dimensionals
Accessories - Rhinestones, Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL

Hi all!!! I wanted to take the time out to tell all of you who have called, emailed, sent cards etc. that I TRULY appreciate you all as does my family - it is so heartwarming to know how many really care!! Thanks from the bottom of my heart <3.  Things are slowly getting back to normal around here - I actually am cleaning my stamp room today from the mess I left it in last week after my workshops and classes - I never do this, but well, it was NOT a normal week! So, I am hopeful that once it is clean (was going to do this yesterday but watched movies all day with my husband instead) I will feel like doing some stamping :-) I have two events this weekend to prep for, and I need to make some things for my daughter's bathroom walls since we just painted it and bought new stuff for it.  She now wants some nice pretties on the wall and THAT I can do *wink*

  I thought I would share a cute workshop project I made for one of my events last week - it is a corner bookmark and just sooo fun to make and looks pretty too! I have to make some "cool" looking ones for my daughter and her best friend because they both want one, lol!  I made this one using the Timeless Portrait Designer Series paper along with the Elements of Style stamp set, one of my very favorites from the catalog! I paired the DSP with Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist - love this combo!! We punched along the bottom using the Scallop Trim border punch, and then added some pretty Victoria Lace ribbon as well! the back of the bookmark has a pocket built into it that allows it to slide right over the pages of the book or magazine you are reading to save your place for those moments you get interrupted, lol!

Here is a picture of the bookmark holding my place in the Summer Mini (which goes away at the end of this month), just to give you an idea of how it works!  I think it is so cute and fun, what a great way to pretty up something practical! For my demonstration project and hostess gift, I decided to make a card that went along with the bookmark, so that if anyone wanted to give a bookmark as a gift, they had a cool way to present the gift and a card all in one! I used the same color combination for the card, adding in the Basic Black card stock for the base of the card and the bookmark placeholder. I also used a different stamp set for the sentiment.  It is called Precious Butterflies, and it my absolute favorite hostess stamp set - you can only purchase this one if you host a workshop and believe me, it is soooo worth it! Just a beautiful set chock full of gorgeous butterfly images!!! Check it out - so stinkin' pretty!!!! I used some of the new yummy Cherry Cobbler scalloped polka dot ribbon - oh my!!! Love this ribbon, and it comes in eight fabulous colors (and yes, I have them all, heehee!)  What is so fun about this card is the middle triangle piece - see how it is shaped like the bookmark and popped off the page a bit? Well, that is so you can slide the bookmark right over it and give the card to someone with the bookmark included! Clever, right?! 

So, let me share a picture of the card with the bookmark attached.  See how pretty it all looks when you put it together? I think there are lots of people out there who would appreciate this little gift - I know I have given them out, and never had anything but smiles from them, lol! My workshop gals loved it, and the hostess was thrilled that she got to keep the card with her bookmark although she DID tell me that she was NOT giving hers away, LOL!  All of these items that you see here can be purchased in my online store or by placing an order with me! You can contact me and I will be happy to place your order and answer any questions you might have.  Also, if you would like to book a workshop where I come over and stamp with you and your friends, I would love to do that as well!!! It is always fun to get together with friends and make pretty things :-) I love it!! Now, I am off to finish putting my stamp room back together, finishing up the laundry, and then I have to pick up the kiddos from school - no rest for the wicked, right??! Have a fabulous day and I will be back tomorrow with something fun I made in one of my other events! Until then, I hope you have time to create - go stamp something!!!

Card/Bookmark Recipe:

Paper - Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla card stock, Timeless Portrait Designer Series paper

Inks- Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist classic stampin' pads

Stamps - Precious Butterflies, Elements of Style

Tools - Scallop Trim Border punch, 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 inch circle punches, 1 3/4 inch Scallop Circle punch, Large Oval punch

Accessories - Victoria Lace ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Polka Dot ribbon, Basic Pearl

VERY SCARY WEEK FULL OF EMOTION

Good morning!  I realize it has been over a week since I posted last, but it was an extremely stressful and emotional week in our house.  First, my son had oral surgery to have his wisdom teeth taken out. He had a really bad reaction to the anesthesia, and had a seizure, and lost consciousness. Well, naturally I freaked out because I was with him when it happened.  I immediately called the doctor, got Tyler on the couch with the help of my daughter, and got him conscious again.  Then, he started to lose consciousness again and so I put a cool, wet towel on his head and this seemed to really help. I had the doctor on the phone with me for about 30 minutes as we talked with Tyler to ensure he really was okay, or if he needed to go to the emergency room.  Once I got some water into him, kept the cool towel on his head, he was fine, but WOW! very scary moments for mom and sister, who was with me, and thankfully was helping me with him.  I stayed up with him over night , waking him every hour to change his bandages in his mouth (not fun at all!) and then every four hours to give him his medicine to keep the pain down.  Needless to say, I was exhausted by the next morning, only catching a few hours of sleep in between taking care of Tyler.  At about 7:30am the next morning, I head my husband yell my name out in a panic.  After seeing him, I rushed him to the emergency room where he was admitted - for the next three days, it was test after test for him as we realized a very serious thing had happened.  Out of respect for him, I will not discuss this in detail, but it was a very real and frightening experience for all of us, including his parents and siblings who came to the hospital to see him.  I think I aged ten years this past week.  Tony is my best friend, and the love of my life - I cannot imagine life without him.  I am sooo thankful he is home now, with no lasting effects of what happened.  We have had to make some changes here in the Hobson family, but nothing we can't handle.  Thankfully, things seem pretty much back to normal for all of us as the kids started school this morning, and Tony went in for a quick doctor's appt before he too will head back for work on Wednesday.  As you probably realize, I have not been doing any creating this past ten days or so, but I plan on changing that today.  I need to go to my happy place for a little while today - it really does make a difference for me! So, I will have something creative and fun to share tomorrow, but I wanted to let you all know that we are doing much better! For those of you who have been calling, and have helped out this last week, I cannot tell you how much it has meant - my love and hugs go out to all of you!!! I hope you all have a wonderful day, and remember to hug your loved ones and let them know how much you love them!  Be back tomorrow!

PRETTY FLOWERS MAKE ME SMILE

Good morning all!! WOW! We are having a gorgeous day today here - lots of sunshine and a nice, soft breeze - days like this make me happy :-)  I will be in the craft room most of the day though as I have two classes, two workshops, and club this weekend, lol! Nothing like getting it all in on one weekend! But, with us leaving here in the next week I had to fit it all in so I will be nice and busy - just the way I like it *wink* I wanted to share a card today that I made using our new stamp set called Fabulous Florets.  It is so very pretty and I just love the sentiment! I wanted to make a pretty spring/summer card because I am soooo ready for them, lol! I decided a Peach Parfait base would get me on the right track......was I right??  I love this color, so yummy! I embossed it using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder - loooove it! The images are stamped in Pear Pizazz and Marina Mist, and I added some Basic Black cardstock in there to give it some pop! The ribbon is the oh so fun Pear Pizazz twill ribbon.  The sentiment is awesome, isn't it? I just love this saying, it just makes me happy! Again, I added a small pop of black with the brads.  I love how this card turned out - simple but happy, right??!  That's what I am all about lately :-)  If you like what you see here and would like to have some of these products to be in YOUR crafty space, you can shop online with me or contact me and place an order that way! I know that I am lovin' everything in this new summer mini - I don't know how they do it, each one that comes out is better than the last, and I just have loved them all! Soooo, I am off to run a few errands and then back to the crafting table for me, lol! I have TONS of cardstock to cut, and one more design layout to do for my scrappy gals coming over this weekend! I just love my life :-) Take care, have a wonderful day, and happy stampin'!!!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, Basic Black cardstock
Inks - Marina Mist, Pear Pizazz classic inks
Stamps - Fabulous Florets
Tools - Ticket Corner Punch, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder
Accessories - Pear Pizazz twill ribbon, black brads