I've been on Hiatus

Well, the last month has been quite a whirlwind for me, hence the reason I have not posted in a while. With preparing for classes, clubs, and vendor events I have been swamped. On top of that, add the fact we decided to rip up all of the carpet in our living room and tear down a wall and have the hardwoods refinished our house has been a disaster. We also went on an 8 day cruise during all of this chaos so the fact that I remembered I even had a blog was a plus! I hope to get back to posting real soon...stay tuned....

Watercolor Fun

This card features Bordering on Romance which is a carryover from the spring mini catalog. I have seen this set used on some very elaborate cards but I choose a rather simple layout for my last buffet. We did some watercoloring to soften the look of the card. I am not the best at watercoloring but sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone :) I have made three new stampin friends in the last week and I am so excited to share my passion for stampin with them. Feel free to contact me any time you have questions about stampin' and Stampin' Up! I will do my best to answer them, if I don't know the answer, I will find it and get back to you.

Froggy Birthday

How many of you recognize this little frog? Isn't he adorable? He comes in the Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set Moving Forward thiat is in the 2012 - 2013 IB&C. This is such a fun card, I found the layout on SCS and had to use it at my recent card buffet. The buffet was yesterday and I think we can all agree it was a lot of fun! Looking forward to the next one. Hope your having a good week!!

More Convention Pics

Advertisement

I have to say, I love this advertisement--too funny!!! My husband thought is was cute as well. We all need a good laugh sometimes, especially at ourselves! I am usually the first one to poke fun at myself because quite frankly, I am worth making fun of...LOL I hope you had a great weekend and are ready to face the new week. Remember, next weekend is a three day weekend, can you believe summer is over???

Meet Steele

My boy....Steele This is my heart...we adopted Steele from a local rescue and he had my heart the first day we met. When we got him his hair was shaved down to the skin and he had a big fluff of fur on the end of his tail which my husband called his firecracker. I have to admit, I knew he was a sweetheart, but I did not think he was the most handsome dog I had ever seen...lol Well, after the hair grew, so did his attractiveness, now he is commonly referred to as my handsome man. I also call him Joey the way he jumps straight up in the air every time I come home from work. He surely does not hide how he feels about his mommy. Just thought I would take a break from stampin' to share a little about myself! Hope your having a great day.

Punch Art Happy Birthday

Wow, how I love the way this card turned out!! The dazzling diamonds set this card off, and I am sad you cannot see it in this pic. This was my second punch art class and we had a lot of fun. Made a new stampin' friend during this class, which is always fabulous. I hope you are having a fantabulous day!! Blessings.....

Simply Thanks

A very simple thank you inspired by a special stampin friend - Lisa. This is a CASE of one of her swaps at Convention. I was never really crazy about the stamp set Easy Events until I got some awesome swaps! I am using at least two stamps from this set in my next card buffet. Hope you are having a great day!!!

Meet Anna.....

Totally off the topic of stamping, I know...but this is my Anna. Anna the bad girl! This is what Anna looks like after 1) it has rained 2) she has tracked an animal in the rain 3)she has begun to dig under the shed, in the rain, for the animal she has tracked. Thank goodness I found her when I did or she might have been completely covered in mud! She is a babe so we are hoping this neurotic behavior of chasing everything that moves will subside shortly....we hope.... Have a blessed day and may your pets not look like Anna today :)

Card Buffet Prep

Whoever said having a card buffet was easy lied! It is not easy but it is sooo worth it. I love being able to prepare ahead of time and then getting to spend time talking to my friends while they are stamping. I find this much more relaxing for my stampers and for me. They don't have to stress someone is waiting on the next stamp or punch and I don't have to stress for those that seem to be a little antsy to get the ball rolling. They come, pick the cards they want to make and take their time stampin'. It's a win win all around. This is the early stages of my next buffet. I have 7 out of the 8 cards designed already! Just waiting to get a final headcount before I start cutting the cardstock. If you always wanted to rubber stamp or get tired of paying way to much for store bought cards, give my buffet a try...or better yet, give Stampin' Up! a try!! Blessings :)

Framed Art for a friend

This frame turned out better then I could have ever hoped. I think the reason it turned out so well is because how special the person is I gave it to. One of the sweetest, kindest, best hug givin' people you could ever meet - Love you AR!!! I have been toying with the idea of posting some videos on You Tube of card making ideas etc. The experts say this is the best way to reach Gen Y's!! I will give it more thought and see if my hubby would set up his video camera for me one day and help me edit out all of my mistakes....lol He has to promise not to make fun of me too!! If you think this is a class you would like to see added to my class schedule, leave me a comment. Have a blessed day.

Feeling under the weather??

Well I sure do hate it when I need one of these cards but I think anyone who would receive this darling bandaid card would feel better instantly. I CASED this idea off SC but changed up the colors and added the wooden background. Hope you enjoy it and have a blessed day!!

Happy Birthday Circle Circus

Circle Circus is such a versatile set...I love it. If my memory serves me correctly, we made this card at a recent buffet. I am starting to run out of "new" cards to share with you so I better get to craftin' huh? Nah, I have plenty of cards to share with you, just don't always have the time to post them daily. One of these days I am going to make SU my full time job, praying for this day to come. Have a blessed day and happy stampin' my friends!!

Birthday Gift

Happy Saturday!!!!! A fabulous memo board from my Amazing Upline and great friend!!! Thanks Jennifer. This has since made it to my new craft room. I hope it inspires you to create!!!

I made this as a thank you for a friend (not saying who) because obviously I have not given it to her yet. It was a thank you for bringing a friend to a recent class I held. I love punch art, especially easy punch art!! Hope you have a froggy day!!!

Betsy's Blossoms

Another great card featuring Betsys Blossoms. I wasn't sure if I liked this set when I first saw it, but I am so glad I got it. I cased this layout from a fellow SU demonstrator, just can't put my hands on her card at this point in time. We swapped at Convention and her card was one of my favorite. I changed the colors and the DSP to make it my own. I got soooo many awesome card ideas from swapping at Convention, thanks ladies and gentlemen! Have a blessed day!!

Can you say Vacation??

Can you tell I am dreaming about a vacation? This is my hubby and me in Bermuda last year. Gotta love that natural curla and what it does when it is humid. We had a great time on this cruise and are soooo looking forward to our New England cruise in September.

Card Buffet Fun

Here is anothe card from a recent card buffet. I am so glad I got the idea and encouragement from my Upline - thanks Jennifer - to try my own buffet. They seem to fill up more than classes which is fine by me. They require more work behind the scenes but I can just mingle with my stampin' friends during the buffet. This card features Thoughts and Prayers - a go to stamp set for me when I need a sympathy or get well soon card. Have a great day!!

Hot Summer Days

Spent yesterdat at my place of employment - Fahrney-Keedy Home & Village 8th Annual Summer Festival. There were not a lot of people there but I still had a nice day with my upline. I would have posted pics but I forgot my camera, which is not unusual for me! This card is made with two items that were completely new to me - The Manhattan Flower EF and the new Stamp Set - So Sorry. I really like this set because it even has a stamp for the loss of a pet. Unfortunately we all need to send a card for that once in a while. I hope you like the card. Have a great day

Convention Swaps

CHeck out these awesome swaps I got at Convention this year. Thanks so much for sharing these awesome ideas with me!

Water Colored Florets

Fabulous Florets is one of my absolute all time favorite go to sets. This card features some water coloring with Stampin' Up!s amazing water color pens. This is such a fun and easy techniqe. So easy, even I can look like an artist. I found the color combo on our Color Coach, hope you like it! Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Petite Pairs Ink: Wild Wasabi and Perfect Plum Paper: Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Perfect Plum, and Whisper White Other: White Embossing powder, Pearl, Flower Garden Embossing Folder

Our newest edition....

I am not sure if I have ever posted any pictures of our two darling rescue babies. Here they are in all their glory lounging on the sofa. Anna is on the left and Steele is on the right. They have truly filled the void of missing our Lucy who went to be with the Lord in February. She was the love of our life and we still think about her every day. We are glad we were able to rescue two sweet babies and provide them what I can only hope is a better home than what they had. God Bless!

Stampin' Up! Convention 2012

This was my very first convention as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and boy did i have a great time. Thanks Jennifer, Carol, and Lisa for putting up with me for 5 days, I had a blast!

Workshop Fun

I had a great time yesterday with Ranee and her friends stampin'. We made a card and a nugget purse. Nugget purses are always a hit, great party favors and so easy to put together! I made this card about a week ago using some new toys! I hope you enjoy it, I love this stamp - Quint Essential Flower Stamps: Quint Essential Flower, Itty Bitty Banners Ink: Tangerine Tango, Primrose Petals Paper: Primrose Petals, Whisper White, Floral District DSP Other: Rhinestones, Scallop Circle Punches

Summer Card Buffet

I think everyone who attended my last Card Buffet had a great time and the table was full of stampers. This is the most involved one and my favorite. It features Pennant Parade (thanks Jennifer). I had a relatively new stamper there and she dove right into making this card. Well, time to wrap up my Workshop and get ready for my sideline gathering later this week. Blessings and thanks for stoppig by!!

Stamps:Pennant Parade, Itty Bitty Banners Ink: Regal Rose, Tempting Turquiose, Wild Wasabi Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi Other: Boho Blossoms Punch, Bitty Banners Framelits, Polka Dot EF, Bakers twine, brads

One Sheet Wonder

Here are the samples from my very first One Sheet Wonder class. I did not have a huge turn out BUT once others saw what a One Sheet Wonder involved and saw the samples, they were in LOVE! I can't wait to offer another one - this time for Christmas! Well, off to continue preparing for my workshop on Sunday :) Have a great weekend!!!! Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:Fabulous Florets, Quint Essential Flower and Various sentiment stamp sets Ink: Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight Paper: Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White Other: Grossgrain ribbon, various punches

Another Convention Swap - Aviary time

Here is my second favorite swap from Convention. It incorporates my favorite colors and one of my new favorite stamp sets. I have seen so many great ideas on SC using this set I just had to have it!!! It also seemed to be a hit at Convention for me too! Hope you like it and have a blessed day!!!

Stamps: Aviary, Betsy's Blossoms, and My Friend Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight Other: Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Pearl

Swaps - Convention 2012 Triple Time Stamping

I love this technique for stamping beautiful cards - Thanks Dawn Olchefske! I thought this would make a beautiful swap at this years Convention, and boy was I right!!! I hope you like it!

Stamps: French Foliage and Day of Gratitude Ink: Perfect Plum, Chocolate Chip, and Crumb Cake Paper: Whisper White, Perfect Plum Other: Perfect Plum 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Convention 2012

Wow, I cannot believe I have not posted in two months...well, actually I can believe it, because I have been SOOOO busy. I have had about 5 classes, Club, and preparing for Convention since my last post. Let me say, Convention was AWESOME. I am sooo glad I went and I had such a great time - thanks Jennifer, Lisa, and Carol!!! Here is a pic of me at the first day of Convention. I will be posting some of my swaps in the next few days.

Stationery Box

I had a lot of fun during this class. I offered it twice and it was a hit both times. I got the pattern for this box on SCS. I used the 2012 SAB DSP Everyday Enchantment. This would be a great gift for Christmas or Mother's Day or even a Wedding Gift. This gift box contains 4 cards, 4 mini cards, 4 tags, post it note pad and matching pen Stamps: Petite Pairs Ink: Pool Party Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP, Pool Party, Soft Suede Other: Butterfly Punch, SAB Ribbon, Pool Party Seam Binding Happy Memorial Day Everyone!!

Post it Note Purse

This post it note purse was inspired by a fellow SU demonstrator, I just cannot locate her name at this point in time. I cased the design but used my own colors etc. We made these cute little purses at my last Stamp Club gathering, each person's had their first initial on the front. Stamps: Baroque Motifs(retiring 5/31) Ink: Versa Mark Paper: Island Indigo and Twitterpated DSP Other: Whisper White Ribbon and other embellishments

Good Bye to Awash with Flowers

TGIF!!!!!!! This card uses one of my favorite retiring Stamp Sets - Awash with Flowers. Believe it or not I had never used this stamp set for Stamp Club, but we did during our last club meeting. We featured retiring stamp sets. This Z fold card is a new favorite of mine. Stamps: Awash with Flowers, Sincere Salutations and On Your Birthday (all retiring 5/31. Ink: Craft White and Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, Garden Green Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Dafodil Delight, Whisper White, Brights DSP Other: Oval Punch and Scallop Oval Punch, Dafodil Delight 1/4inch grossgrain ribbon

Free invite card customized with Smilebox

Happy Birthday Hostess style

This card looks like I stood 100 feet away beore taking the picture.  This was for a friend who almost shares a birthday with my husband.  I struggle with masculine cards that don't use Lovely as a Tree.  I was proud I could get away from that set for this card.  Love that set, just rely on it a lot! Stamps: Hostess Set - Happiest Birthday Wishes
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Marina Mist, Choc Chip, Very Vanilla and retired SU DSP
Other: Scallop Circle Punch and Decorative Label Punch and Choc Chip Gross Grain Ribbon

White Wedding

This is a card I made for a friend at church for her wedding.  I saw an all white card on SC a few months ago and I knew I wanted to do something very similar for the next wedding I attended.

Stamps: Fabulous Florets and Word Play
Ink: None
Paper: Whisper White
Other: Versamark; White embossing powder; pearls,

Welcome Back to Me!

Well, it has only been three and one half months since I have posted to my blog...not to shabby  (hanging my head in embarrassment;  I can't say I have not been stampin' because the would be a lie.  I have been averaging two - three classes per month along with my Stamp Club and some card making for local charities.  My craftin' has not stopped...just the posting.  We also had a very sad experience in February, we had to put our 10 year old Bichon Frise Lucy to sleep.  She was our baby girl and we will cherish all of our memories of her forever!  We have since adopted a little boy named Steele.  He is about 5 years old and is the most handsome apricot poodle.  We love him a lot, he chose us, we did not choose him and we could not be happier.  Steele has really helped to lessen the pain we feel from loosing our dear, sweet Lucy.

Well, to the stampin!  Above is a card I made for a dear friends birthday in March.  I was very pleased with how it turned out.

Stamps: Awash with Flowers; On Your Birthday
Ink: Night of Navy; Bashful Blue, Old Olive
Paper: Whisper White; Bashful Blue; Night of Navy
Other: Oval and Scallop Oval Punch; Pearls; Lace Border Punch; Ribbon; Framelits

Spring is Here!!!!

I wish spring was really here...but unfortunately, it is only Jan 31st and that means a few more months of cold weather for us Marylanders. Today it did feel like spring, I saw a thermostat that read 66 degrees - which made me think of this card with my favorite flower stamps!! Hope you like it - it was inspired by my AWESOME up-line!!!

Stamps:Awash with Flowers; Petite Phrases

Ink:Basic Black, Garden Green, Dafodil Delight

Paper:Whisper White, Garden Green, Dafodil Delight

Other: Beautiful Wings Emblosslits

Fresh Vintage

This is a card we made at Stamp Club the other week. It uses one of my new favorite stamps sets and some of my favorite colors. I was trying to show everyone how AWESOME the SAB catty is this year!!!

Stamps:Fresh Vintage ; Petite Phrases

Ink:Pool Party

Paper: Very Vanilla; Pool Party, Soft Suede and

Everyday Enchantment DSP

Other: Pearls, Edgelets and embossing folders

Its SALE A BRATION TIME!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it is that time of year again...time to SALE A BRATE -
It is a perfect time to start a new hobby or to kick start your creative juices. Whether you like to scrapbook, make hand made cards or home decor items, Stampin' Up has it all.
During this special time of year, January 24th - March 31st you earn a free item for every $50 you spend. If you host a workshop during Sale A Bration you earn a free tote with a $150 workshop and with a $400 workshop you earn a free hostess BUNDLE. This bundle includes three incredible items - EVERYTHING on pages 6 and 7 from the Sale A Bration Catalog. Contact me today to book a workshop. It's so easy, invite your friends to my house, make some awesome projects, eat some delicious snacks, and nothing for you to clean up...blessings always...

Medallion Birthday

This is not the best pic of this card....Another one from my buffet, a masculine birthday card using the Medallion Stamp. I love the versatility of this stamp you can give it a girly girl look, a manly man look or even a Christmas wreath look and it is always beau-ti-mus! Hope you enjoy this one

Stamps:Medallion; On Your Birthday

Ink:Night of Navy

Paper:Whisper White, Night of Navy, Going Grey(retired)

Other: Antique Brads

See you soon!

SALE A Bration Kick off

This card features items from this years SAB catty. Sale A Bration begins on Tuesday and runs until March 31. This card was from my card buffet and we also did a card using this set at Club earlier this week. I think this set will be as well loved as last years SAB Exclusive Bliss!!!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage(SAB) and Petite Pairs

Ink: Pool Party; Versa Mark

Paper: Pool Party; Calypso Coral, Lucy Limeade, and Whisper White; Every Day Enchantment DSP(SAB)

Other: Pearls

Thankful Butterflies

This is one of the cards we made at my card buffet on Saturday. I have wanted Flight of the Butterfly for a long time and when it was 50% off during Online Extravaganza I requested it for Christmas from my dear hubby!!

Stamps:Flight of the Butterfly

Ink: Tangerine Tango and Real Red

Paper: Tangerine Tango and Real Red; TT DSP

Other: WW ribbon

Tomorrow night is Stamp Club so I have some last minute things to finish up so I am all ready when my ladies get here. I'll post more cards from the buffet and/or club this weekend!

Blessings....

Did someone say Buffet???

I am sure someone I know is going to fall off their chair because I have actually UPDATED my blog. I think we all mean well when we start something new, like our New Year's Resolutions. We always start off strong and then we tend to get a little lazy. It's not for lack of ideas to blog about, it's just plain laziness. :)

I had my FIRST card buffet this past weekend and everyone loved it. I loved it too. I was able to mingle and chat with friends without having to instruct and be the center of attention (being the center of attention is something I dislike very much.) This is a glance at my buffet all set up and ready to go. There were 8 all occasion cards to choose from. I think there was at least one of each card made, which means I must have done an ok job on card designs. Thanks to my awesome up-line for letting me borrow some stamp sets and stamp pads. It's hard to have a buffet with clear stamp sets because you only have so many clear blocks!! God Bless until next time!!