Owls!!!

While Jason and I were enjoying watching The Help and having dinner at Red Lobster yesterday, the UPS man dropped of a box of goodies for me!    I love the owl punch, but I also wanted to try my hand at the larger, funkier owls as well.   I figured I could use the pillow box die for some cute holiday treats as well, so I didn't feel too bad about ordering it for the owls.  :)    I also got the woodgrain background stamp to replace the Woodland Walk designer paper from the past catalog.    I made my big owl first, but then decided he needed a matching card.   Aren't they adorable?  I used retired paper to test it out because the first attempt usually doesn't turn out.   I think this one actually did though!  

Card:
Stamps:  Woodgrain background, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Concord Crush
Paper: Hostess In Color stack (retired), Concord Crush, More Mustard, Whisper White
Tools:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, 1 3/4 scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, Owl builder punch

Owl Box:
Paper:  Hostess In Color stack (retired), Concord Crush, More Mustard, Whisper White, Basic Black
Tools:  Big Shot, Pillow Box die, 3/4 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, Blossom Petals Builder Punch, retired heart punch
Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones

Monkeys for The Paper Players

I needed more cards for kids, so I decided to pull out one of my favorite sets, Fox & Friends, and use it with this week's sketch from The Paper Players.   I added in a few things from my recent order and I think the old and new really worked great together on this card.   The Stripes embossing folder is great for just about any type of card and look at that super fun sentiment!  Isn't that the coolest font?  I love it!   

I also added in a special element, the number.   What's so special about a number you ask?   Well, that number symbolizes what I love about Stampin' Up! and being a demonstrator.    As some of you know, I was on the Creative Crew design team on Splitcoast Stampers during much of the summer.   I had the honor of working with some great ladies, but one of them became so much more.   Kathy from Stamping Still is now one of my great friends and I enjoy our emails so much.   She's all the way over in Australia, but that doesn't matter thanks to technology.   She has created some adorable cards that have the addition of numbers on them and I had once commented that I loved that special touch.   Unfortunately, I didn't have the dies needed to do that on my cards.   Well, one day I open my mailbox and guess what was in there?   A whole bag of numbers that she had cut for me and one of her beautiful cards!   I cried of course.   :)   That's why I love being a demonstrator.  It's not just about selling stamping supplies, it's all about the bonds of friendship.  

Now before I leave you, I'll share a picture from last night.   Someone totally took over my spot on the couch.     :)   He's such a silly boy!

Cupcakes & Cards class

Just a few highlights from my class today:

My Shirley Temple cupcakes.  I am not a cake decorator, but I think they turned out pretty cute.  :)   

Rebecca & Cindy with their awesome cards.   

If that looks fun, you should come to my next class!   Even better, I have a new stamper's group starting up on September 16th!    I still have a couple of spots open, so if you are interested, contact me today for all the details!    It's a great way to build up your supplies, plus you get the opportunity to earn hostess benefits!   

Cupcakes & Cards class

Tomorrow I'll be hosting a fun day out for some lovely ladies.   We'll be making 4 cards, including this one, and snacking on some cupcakes.  I'm making these yummy looking Shirley Temple Cupcakes with a matching drink!   :)    I'll post more pictures after I get my baking finished.  (Just don't expect them to look like the website; I am NOT a cake decorator.  I failed miserably at the one Wilton class that I took!)

And seriously, I'm going to CRY on September 1st when I can't use this set for classes!   I LOVE it so much!

Stamps:  Word Play, The Open Sea
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red
Paper:  Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Nautical Expedition designer paper
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
Tools:  Cutter Kit, sponges, 3/4 inch circle punch

Tutorial Time :)

During Convention, my awesome roommate, Jackie Topa, challenged me to work up a tutorial to add to my blog.   So...here it is!   Button Buddies is my favorite new stamp set, so I focused on it and the Brights collection.   The cards are designed to use for a stamp-a-stack or as a class.  Or if you just like the set, get it and make the cards for yourself!    The ink pads and markers are unique for each card so that you can easily set up stations.    All the measurements and directions are included.   But wait!  There's more!  Each of these cards also has a stepped up version and the measurements and instructions are included for those as well!   It's almost like getting two tutorials for the price of one.  :)  

So for $7.50 you get:
A picture of each card, both the simple and stepped up versions.
Measurements for each card.
A supply list for each card.

No materials are provided, just directions.  Please see my Stampin' Up! website to order.  :)

The .pdf will be sent out within 24 hours of purchase.   See my sidebar to get going!

Now that I'm finished, I can go stamp for fun!  This has been quite a bit of work.  :)

Labor of Love

For my last month as a designer on the Splitcoast Creative Crew, I decided to really go all out.   I had bookmarked this really awesome shadow box by Nancy Riley ages ago, but never thought I'd have the patience or skill to make one of my own.   Well...one day I was at the craft store browsing the frames and I saw this one.  It was on sale for around $3.50, so I figured if I got it and couldn't do it, no real harm.  :)    The challenge was to use 3 colors from the Pocketful of Posies paper, so I picked Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, and So Saffron.   It took a big of figuring out, but I sat down and sketched out ideas for each of my squares and then went to work.   By the end, I was having so much fun that I hated to see it complete.   So...I now have another frame, a larger frame, in my room waiting.  :)

Thanks for stopping by to visit!  

Halloween!

I thought I'd share my losing Halloween card today.   One of the benefits of being a demonstrator is an awesome monthly magazine called Stampin' Success.   It is filled with great articles and in the back, there's always a monthly contest.   I decided to submit a card last month and the challenge was Halloween.  I didn't win, but I did have fun making my card.   I love the little owl and hope he'll be knocking on my door for some candy.  :)    

This is a picture that was in the same folder as my Halloween card.   I'm not the only crafty creature in the house.   While I was away mailing my card to Stampin' Up!, Bandit decided to make himself a tutu.   Isn't it cute?  LOL   The bag was in our bedroom and I found the remaining part of it all the way across the house.  I'm guessing that there was a bit of freaking out once he got it stuck around him.   Silly boy.  He was happy to model it for me, so enjoy the fashion show.  

Button Buddies!

It's he cute?    I love this set!   In fact, I am going to have to buy more buttons because I've been using it so much! (Stay tuned for more information on why!)   This was one of my cards for the August Creative Crew challenge (still time to play along!) to use paper piercing on your card.   I used my paper piercing tool to create a little snail trail and then added some glitter to make it look a bit shiny and slimy just like a real snail trail!    :)    Gross, huh?   lol

Stamps:  Tiny Tags, Button Buddies
Ink:  Garden Green, Cajun Craze
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Neutrals designer paper stack, Whisper White
Accessories:  Regals buttons, Baker's Twine (white), Dazzling Diamonds
Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Paper Piercing Tool

Now...if you really like this set as much as I do, then you need to come to my next class!   Here are the details:

Button Buddies Class

Sep 03 
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM  (Central)

Love buttons?   The new Button Buddies stamp set is perfect for combining the fun of stamping with the cuteness of buttons.   Come join me in some crafty time where we'll make 4 cards using this awesome set.

Cost for the class is $15 for projects only, $35 for the clear-mount stamp set and half a package of buttons, or $45 for the wood-mount set and half a package of buttons.  Please RSVP by August 25th if you'd like to order the stamps/buttons or 3 days in advance if just completing the projects.    As always, please bring along your favorite adhesive and scissors.