Sweet Stems Gift Set Complete

Thanks to the ladies who attended my card class Tuesday evening. I enjoyed chatting with you all:)

For those of you who didn't make it, here's the complete Sweet Stems gift set that we made, including the A-2 card box. All six of the cards we each made fit snuggly in the gift box. This makes an adorable hand-made set to give as a gift.

Interested in making a box for yourself? Check out the splitcoast tutorial here. So simple and a really great size for cards.

Sweet Stems meets Raspberry Tart

Finding time to play with my stamps has definitely been a challenge, lately. Here's a card set that I made with the Sweet Stems stamp set and Raspberry Tart dsp. Isn't it pretty? I love how the stamps coordinate with the paper. And the colors are so pretty! I used a variety of card sizes, for interest. I literally had only a few minutes to work on these cards, but creating them was a cinch since everything coordinated. My biggest challenge was deciding which paper patterns to use! Stay tuned for a coordinating notepad + box to top off this cute set.

Baby Girl Thank-You's

Here's the thank you cards that I sent for gifts I received for Isabella. I was so blessed to have 2 showers given for me. We really received many nice things.

As for the cards, the elephant is from one of my all time favorite sets: Wild About You. I stamped her in Regal Rose and then cut her out.

I used Regal Rose cardstock. This is getting to be one of my new favorite colors:) I've used it LOTS in Isabella's scrapbook, so far.

And the dsp paper is Sweet Always. So pretty. I have the Always stamp set on my wish list. Hopefully I will get that soon.

I also used the scallop border punch, some ribbon, and buttons + the 'thank you' greeting across the top to complete the project. Time consuming cards, but so pretty.

The NEW 2009 Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog is here!

Yes, the new catalog is here! You can download a copy by clicking on the thumbnail catalog picture. Keep in mind that it may be slow and take a little time at this point. OR click on the 'shop 24/7' link on the right and quickly view some of the new products.

My personal thoughts on the new book:

-Love the fresh color combo suggestions & great samples displayed throughout the catalog; worthwhile inspiration:)

-Love the Style Watch lines: Manhattan, Sweet Bella, Retro Fresh. I love the colors suggested for these lines and most all of the images.

-Some cool new accessories including Sizzix dies (I love Beautiful Butterflies), decor elements, punches, corduroy buttons, clips, hardware, canvas cuts, new chipboard, and my favorite= Fleurettes crocheted flowers.

-Of course lots of new sets....I love Good Friend and Cheep Talk- two really cute bold image sets featuring adorable, retro-look birds. Lots of flowers, as usual; a sophisticated new line= Manhattan. A couple of good inspirational sets/greetings (Thoughts & Prayers, Le Jardin Botanique)

-Pretty, Pretty Designer papers including some new textured & glossy, a great masculine pkg (To the Nines), and a sweet watercolor-look paper (Tea Party). Also, Raspberry Tart coordinates with the Sweet Stems set and there's a few other pkg that coordinate with sets as well.

-New Simply Scrappin' sets. These are such a great value for the price. Petal Party is bright and cheery and is great for general use, Tailor Made is a nice masculine set; I also like Sweet Nothings and I love Sunshine Garden (So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, and Old Olive)-great color combos, versatile ds paper, and die cuts for the general theme.

It's always fun and exciting to look through a new catalog and this one is no exception. I think I've combed through mine several times:) I'm trying to cut back on my wish list. Try to think about specific uses for any set that catches your eye, and do the same for accessories. SU has the most high quality cardstock that I've seen anywhere. And with matching inks and papers, it's easy to coordinate and perfectly match things up for your projects.

Love You Much Promotion

The Love You Much promotion includes the following items:

Love You Much stamp set
$25.95
Candy Lane Designer Series paper (Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla)
$9.95
Heart To Heart punch
$15.95


(Bundle Retail Value $51.85)

Love You Much Bundle (20% off; item 115405) $41.48

Isabella Has Arrived!

Isabella Faith Bishop

December 18, 2008

8lb,12oz

21" long

Isn't she beautifuL?

Mr. Twigster Card Kit

Here's a card kit that I'm currently offering, featuring the Mr. Twigster stamp set of 4. It's really a cute little set and very simple to use. If you're interested, please contact me. Here's what the card kit contains:
Mr. Twigster stamp set (4)

Cardstock and supplies for 8 cards (2 ea of 4 designs)

1 pack of Ski Slope DS paper-12 sheets)

Full color step-by-step instructions w/pictures

TOTAL COST: $35

To complete this kit, you will need the following items, which are NOT included: black stamp pad & colored pencils. I can add one or both of these items to your order and also offer you a 10% discount on those items. Some of you have used my SU pure color pencils, which are very soft and SO easy to use. This would be a great opportunity to take advantage of purchasing that set at a discount.

Email me with questions or to purchase.

Country Living Holiday Collection

The December 2008 issue of Country Living magazine will feature an exclusive SU stampin' kit. This kit has everything you need to create beautiful ornaments with a handmade feel and you can order it through me. The kit includes:

Holiday Collection stamp set (six stamps)
Four 12" x 12" sheets of die-cut chipboard
Eight 12" x 12" sheets of die-cut Designer Series paper (2 ea. of 4 double-sided designs)
Four 12" x 12" sheets of Designer Series paper (2 ea. of 2 double-sided designs)
Two 12" x 12" sheets of Whisper White card stock
25 yds. Silver Metallic cord
10 yds. 3/8" Whisper White taffeta ribbon
Pretties Kit brads (20)
Stampin' Dimensionals
Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (1/2 oz.)
Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive
Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Spot
Old Olive Craft Stampin' Spot
Uninked Stampin' Spot
Whisper White Craft Ink refill

This is an AWESOME deal, at $49.95, and will only be available while supplies last. Email me to order yours today.

Christmas Cards from Workshop

missing: Snowman, Tree, Reindeer card

Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures uploaded and posted. I came down with the flu Sunday evening (I hope no one else caught it) and it kept me down for several days. I know there were several ladies who stamped and planned to put the cards together at home. Hopefully these pictures will help serve as visuals in addition to your instructions. The cards are basically in order beginning with card 1, and as you can see, they're not labeled, so you'll have to count through them. I'm missing the 'snowman, tree, reindeer card' b/cause I gave it away as a sample before taking the picture...sorry. I think the instructions should be clear enough on that one.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything else.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE FOR DETAILS.

Again, thanks to all of you for participating this year. It was fun seeing you all and getting a chance to chat. I wish it would have worked out for me to have found a large room. I know it was a little tight with so many ladies. I probably should have moved a couple of tables downstairs. I hope it wasn't a big issue for anyone. Congratulations on getting such a great head-start on Christmas:)

Holiday Fun-Filled Card Stamping Event!

Hey ladies! It's not too early to think about Christmas! It will be here in only a few short months! I know you will all be incredibly busy, so don't procrastinate on your cards this year. Join me for a fun-filled holiday card stamping workshop!
When: Sunday, October 26
Where: TBA
Time: 2-5pm
Cost: $25
Details: Enjoy making 18-20 Christmas and holiday cards of varying sizes, designs, and colors, and use a variety of simple techniques. Full instructions and personal guidance will be available, if needed. No experience necessary, so invite a friend or two! Holiday ambiance including music and light refreshments will also be included.
RSVP: with payment by October 12th to reserve your seat. Last minute additions may be allowed, space permitting.
**SPECIAL OFFER** Place an order ithrough me of $30 or more with your RSVP/payment and receive $5 off the workshop fee!
Stay tuned to my blog for postings of more workshop cards!

Flower Power Simply Sent Card Kit

For those of you who purchased the Flower Power Simply Sent card elements kit, here are the additional card designs which I included as an optional add-on. This is such a great kit, especially for fall. I love the rich colors, and the self adhesive elements make it so versatile. If you purchased the coordinating stamp set, Wow Flowers, you'll receive even more options for cardmaking. Email me for more details.

Card #1

Card #2

Card #3

Card #4

Card #5

Voila! A Recipe Name Frame!

In addition to recipe books and boxes, the Voila set is perfect for personalized kitchen wall decor! I made this frame for my mother-in-law who is redecorating her kitchen with the adorable chef theme. I think it will fit in perfectly plus add some homemade charm.

Unfortunately, I was dealing with a bad glare when I took these pictures. I used alphabet stamps for the letters in the name as well as the word 'kitchen.' The clothing on the chef is pieced with various printed paper designs. Images from the stamp set "From the kitchen of" were added to the right side of the frame. A little ribbon and some hardware complete the project! I hope she likes it!

Hokies Birthday Invite

My son, Zeb, is turning 11 on Tuesday! So hard to believe! We're having his party this weekend and here's the invites I made for his friends. I have yet to find Hokies or Tech stamps, so I used a sticker for this card. My SU circle punches provided the layers behind the sticker. I used Pumpkin Pie and Bravo Burgandy to represent the Tech colors. I didn't want to make the card too "fluffy" since it's for boys:) but I felt like it needed something at the bottom, so I used the word window punch on a piece of burgandy cardstock + a brad from the retired hodgepodge hardware.
And here's a picture of my favorite guys....having a blast at the Tech game on Saturday. This was a birthday treat for Zeb. Plus, it was Gabriel's very first football game! Notice his lack of Tech clothing...that was due to quite a "messy" accident right before the game started:)

Open House Make & Takes

Here are the two make & takes the ladies made at my Open House. They were both super simple and two different styles, but I loved the look of each. Both cards feature new INcolors, punches, & new DS papers.

The first one features the new, so pretty, Bella Rose DS paper, overlayed on Riding Hood Red cardstock. The bottom piece was scalloped using the new Scallop Edge punch. The stamp set used is Dreams du Jour. The pearl accent is from the Pretties kit. Markers were used to color bits of the stamped image in Old Olive and Pretty in Pink.The second card is clean and simple; not alot of fuss. It features the new Urban Garden DS paper--love the silhouettes, adhered to the new Baja Breeze cardstock. A single flower from Embrace Life was stamped tone-on-tone in Baja Breeze along the side. The greeting was stamped on the new Kiwi Kiss cardstock and punched with the Word Window punch. The color of the cardstock strip below the greeting is actually Not Quite Navy. I loved that I knew how to match this perfectly because in the new catalog, SU has added the names of coordinating colors for each pack of DS paper. So helpful!

Thanks for my Open House Support

Thanks to all of the ladies who attended my Open House last week. It was a fun evening for me and I hope you all enjoyed it as well. For those of you who missed it, here's some pictures of a couple of the items the attendees received. I made each person one of the new Sizzix die cut Baskets & Blooms totes. This adorable little bag was filled with fun goodies: brads, punched cardstock, ribbon, & chocolates.

The folders held all of the paperwork, including my current specials, card kits, classes, & of course an order form & wish list. I used a regular pocket folder and simply embellished the front with DS paper and Carousel notecards which were stamped with one of the new hostess sets: Live Like you Mean It.

Pretty Bella Blossoms

Here's a pretty card featuring the NEW Bella Blossoms stamp set. I love this set! It also coordinates perfectly with the Parisian Summer DS paper. A hat pin with pearls and beads from the Pretties Kit plus satin ribbon complete this card. The soft pink ink is one of the NEW INColors- Pink Pirouette; so sweet! I apologize for the poor lighting in this picture. It really doesn't do the colors justice, but I had to get it in the mail asap. This is an anniversary card for my parents who are celebrating 35 years of marriage this weekend!

Stamps: Bella Blossoms, Baroque Motifs

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Always Artichoke

DS Paper: Parisian Summer

Other: Pretties kit, satin ribbon

A Gift For You- Join Me For an Open House Event!

When: Tuesday, August 26th

Where: My House (email me for address)

Time: 6-9pm

Details: You will not want to miss this exciting evening of unveiling NEW catalog products! View BRAND NEW stamp sets, the new InColors, several patterns of Designer Series paper, exclusive Sizzix die cut projects, a Decor Elements sample, and lots of fun accessories! I will also have several card kits and class workshop projects showcased. Plus, you will have the opportunity to complete a make-and-take project! In addition, each guest will receive a complimentary gift for their attendance. Place an order this night and you will earn a discount coupon sheet for use each month! Please email me with your RSVP! I look forward to seeing you there!

Voila! My First Recipe Box! AND a Class Kit Offer!

This recipe box was a great project! So much fun! I was pretty pleased with how it turned out, especially considering it was my first attempt at an altered tin! I will definitely be making more of these in the future!

This box was made as a special gift for my sister-in-law, Amanda. I gave it to her at her first bridal shower on Saturday. Combined with some wooden spoons, measuring cups, and a cute matching chef pot holder set, this gift was complete! I used colors to match her kitchen decor: tempting turquoise, real red, & wild wasabi + a bit of more mustard, since it was in the ds paper. Instructions for this project can be found HERE on splitcoast. The paper is adhered and then sealed with modge podge. I did have a bit of trouble covering the top with paper, however. So, I covered some bare spots with circle punches and a food image. I thought it worked out. The inside is large enough to hold LOTS of recipes and great for keeping them organized.

Once your paper is cut and the chef image is pieced to your taste, this is simple to put together. If you're interested in making one of these yourself, I'm offering this project in a kit. EMAIL ME TO PURCHASE.
Recipe Kit Details:
You may choose to make a book (click HERE for sample) or a box.
Recipe Book $20-ORDER BY AUGUST 26th:
Includes SU On Board journal, your choice of ds paper (from my stock) and coordinating cardstock, some ribbon & a hardware embellishment. Also includes cardstock dividers for 6 recipe categories as well as tabs for tops and 6 blank cards for using the recipe stamp. You may also use the recipe card stamp to stamp on the pages, if you wish.
Recipe Box $25:
Includes Provo Craft white lunchtin, your choice of ds paper (from my stock) and coordinating cardstock, some ribbon & a hardware embellishment. Also includes cardstock dividers for 6 recipe categories as well as tabs for tops and 6 blank cards for using the recipe stamp.
NOTE: if you choose the box option, I will not be cutting the paper for the lid. You may do this on your own or choose to paint the top. It also looks great left plain or maybe decorated with some circle food image punches. Also, the ribbon included in your kit may not be enough to cover the entire handle of this box. Feel free to bring additional or add it later.
You can choose from a variety of colors and paper to personalize your own. You will also need to bring a sponge brush for application.
If you'd like to complete this in a class setting, I will be scheduling a date for sometime around the first part of September.EMAIL ME TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE OR TO ORDER A KIT!

Stampin' Up! New Catalog Sampler

If you haven't received your copy in the mail yet, click on the picture to view exciting new products in the Stampin' Up! catalog sampler. If you pre-ordered the new Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog, feel free to pick it up at my house anytime. I should have them by Monday, August 11. On that day, you will also be able to view the new catalog on-line by clicking on the picture on my sidebar (on the right).

ALSO, from August 11 through September 30, Stampin' Up! is providing never-before-seen savings on brand-new stamp sets: 15% off select new, die-cut stamp sets from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog--no additional purchase necessary. You can view select items by clicking on the picture below.




Contact me to place your order TODAY!

My Sweet Little One

Yes, that's my sweet little girl, due to arrive in December! Isn't she beautiful? This picture is especially personalized for Grandma and Grandpa in Ohio! Our ultrasound technician was kind enough to personalize pictures for each set of grandparents, Mom, Dad, and even big brothers!

I've really been wanting to make one of these adorable little bib cards, and I figured that this was a great occasion. I used my Marvy Ulchida Giga scallop punch, but I've also seen many ladies use the SU Classy Brass Template as well as the Nestabilities (which I'm still working on figuring out). I had also thought about using the carousel notecards, which would be larger. Anyway, I'm already loving playing around with pretty pink ideas! Such fun!

Stamps: Wild About You, By Ones and By Twos

Paper: Pretty in Pink
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Sage Shadow

Other: Marvy Giga Punch, paper piercing tool, satin ribbon

Anniversary Frame

Here's a fun, easy, meaningful gift idea. I embellished the mat inside this beautiful frame for my in-laws' anniversary gift. While cutting the swirls from Brocade Basics was tedius, the end result was worth it! What an elegant set! I wish I would have had time to embellish around the entire mat. However, sometimes simple is better. The best part of this gift is the lovely poem my husband wrote for his parents. I hope they will treasure the words and thoughts for years to come.

I used the Soft Sky DS prints paper as a background for the words. The pearl embellishments came from the Pretties kit. I would like to have used more, inlcuding the hat pin, but there wasn't enough room between the glass and mat.

I think this idea would work great for a variety of gift ocassions. You could even substitute the poem with a picture or wedding invitation.

Click on the picture to enlarge for details.

Stamps: Brocade Basics

Ink: Sage Shadow, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery

Paper: Soft Sky DS Prints, Whisper White

Other: Pretties kit pearls, ivory frame w/mat (Walmart)

Here Comes the Bride!

Yes, another invitation! This one is for my sister-in-law's bridal shower. She chose the "She's All That" stamp set for the invites. Her wedding colors are pink, black, & ivory, w/some white as well, which I'll be using as accents for the shower. This is my first draft of the invite and I wanted to get it posted so that she could check it out. Some of the black ink smudged above the bride's head, so I will have to be super careful when stamping the others. Also, I had planned to use sheer black ribbon, but purchased cord by mistake. I just happend to have a small piece of this sheer white w/black polka dots, so I decided to give it a shot. I like the overall effect, so I will probably try to find more of that. There's a small Swarovski Crystal in the center of the flowers the bride is carrying. I like this little touch of "bling." I case'd this card from "Sairabee" on Splitcoast, but changed the size, ribbon, & added the crystal instead of pearls. I also omitted the Swiss Dots embossing at the bottom of the card. I may end up adding that, as I just ordered this embossing folder, if mine arrives soon. I also might play around with the size of this card and/or the pieces on the card. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

A Fun Popsicle Card

This is the perfect summer card! Very unique (unless you've been surfing stampin' blogs). This card is simple and I think it's really cute. I was inspired by several blogs, but actually got the measurements from PattyStampinsSpot. The scallop circle punch was used to make the "bite" in the corner. These cards work great in a variety of colors or with different greetings.

Baby Shower Invites

These are the baby shower invites that I made for my sister's baby shower, which is scheduled for the end of July. I've made about 20 so far. I didn't turn the flash off for this pic, so it turned out a little bright. I may take another one, if I get a chance. I used the "By Ones & Twos" set from the Ocassions mini b/cause the sample card inspired me. I stamped the onesie 2x. Once onto white and once onto DS paper from the Baby Boy SS kit. I then popped the DS paper one up over the one on white. These cards were actually very time consuming b/cause of the scallops and the paper piercing along the top and around the circle scallop. There's alot of pieces that make up this card, but I was really pleased with the result.

Stamps: By Ones & Twos

Ink: Gable Green, Basic Black

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Barely Banana, Whisper White, & DS paper from Baby Boy SS kit

Other: Wild Wasabi striped ribbon, scallop and circle punches, paper piercing tool, corner rounder punch