Sunday, October 31, 2010

Holiday Stamp-a-stack #3




Holiday Stamp-a-stack #3

Nov 19
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Eastern )
My most popular events are back... Holiday Stamp-a-stacks! This is the third class in the series.

Come make 12 Christmas cards for $15! Space is limited. RSVP now to save your spot!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Clean and Simple


Here's a quick card using the Elegant Lines embossing folder, Baja Breeze Card Stock and Baja Breeze ink. Any butterfly from the Butterfly Prints Stamp set would work with this design. Or, you could substitute any flower and punch.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Clean and Simple


Very Vanilla Card Stock, 1 1/4 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Short 'n Sweet Stamp Set and Decor Wheel....

Choose your color and greeting and you have a clean and simple card in minutes!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Wicked Cool


Here's a CASE of one of Maureen's convention swaps. Color combo - Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Basic Black.

Stamp set - Wicked Cool

Monday, September 13, 2010

Halloween with the Big Shot


Another present from my friend, Lorena!

Frankie is made with the Sizzix Top Note Die, Round Tab Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch and 3/4" Circle Punch, Black Stampin' Write Marker and Uniball-Signo Gel Pen (White).

Sunday, September 12, 2010

NEW!! Artisan Card Class


















This is a NEW class! Are you interested in stepping it up a bit creatively? This class is for you! We will make 5 cards for $12! Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, October 6th.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Paisley Prints


Here's a quick card using one of my favorite, new stamp sets, Paisley Prints!

Color Combo - Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait

Wheel - Friendly Words

Wondering how this technique was achieved? Join us at Margaret's workshop on September 17th at 7 Pm at my house!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Just For You

It's funny how my card designs come about. This one was for my friend Terry's workshop. Terry said she wanted to learn how to "smootch" and how to "color spritz". I know my friend Jean would be there, who does not like to cut and who loves blue. My other friend Kerstin would also be there who likes the earthy colors and layers. I also knew that I would have at least one person new to stamping, so I wanted a card that was pretty easy, but interesting. And you thought it was just a card... I guess "JUST FOR YOU" really pertains here as it was made 'specially for my friends. :)

This all-0ccasion card features a color combination that I adapted from the Color Coach. The Color Coach called for Old Olive, Cajun Craze and Baja Breeze. I used Marina Mist instead of Baja Breeze with a little Vanilla Shimmer Smootch Spray.

The flowers are punched with the Fancy Flower Extra Large Punch and the Boho Blossoms Extra Large Punch. The leaves are punched with the 5-Petal Extra Large Punch and spritzed with the Color Spritzer. The greeting is punched with the 1 inch Circle Punch.

Accents - Antique Brad, Chatilly Lace
Greeting - Just for You from Tiny Tiny Wishes (my most used stamp set EVER)

Hope you like it!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Holiday Stamp-a-stack #1




Come join us on Friday, September 24th at 7 PM, OR, Sunday, September 26th at 2 PM, for the first of my holiday stamp-a-stack classes!

For only $15, you will make 12 cards (3 of each design)!

RSVP now to reserve your spot!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Back to School


My friend Lorena gave me this cute little box as a thank you for lending her one of my Sizzix dies. She put two pencils in the top of the ribbon like chopsticks. So cute!

Lorena used the take out box from the Candy Countdown Calendar kit. The kit includes 25 fast-fold boxes, die cuts, ribbon and twine -- perfect for an advent calendar or Christmas tree ornaments. The kit is now available in the NEW Holiday Mini Catalog on page 24!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Look who came to visit!


A surprise visitor arrived in my craft room last week!

My baby girl's going to high school....


My baby girl is a Freshman this year. I wanted to make her something special, so I made this little backpack and plan on filling it with gum and chocolate.

Sarah's favorite color is turquoise. I used Rich Razzleberry as the accent color.

Friday, August 20, 2010

I'm really, really tempted....


Another card from Sue.

Do you recognize the hat????

I'm really tempted to do a series of Owls with all of the Sock Monkey accessories.... but I think Judy would shoot me.

Just think:
- Owl Birthday
- Owl Baby
- Owl Graduate

What a HOOT!

The owl is one of our new punches! The punch creates all of the little pieces you need to create your cute little owl!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Always


Here's another card from Sue. Color combo - pretty in pink, crumb cake (the color formerly known as Kraft - yes that was a Prince reference), and bravo burgundy.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

It's orange and pretty and NOT a Sock Monkey....


Another card from my friend Sue's trip. I love it when my friends go on stamping vacations!

This card uses the Greenhouse Garden stamp set (113824, $25.95 wood-mount only), Peach Parfait and Daffodil Delight.

Love it!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Can you tell what punch this was made from?


My friend, Sue, spent a good part of the summer in Wisconsin and being the awesome stamper that she is, she went to several Stampin' Up workshops. She let me take pictures. Here is the first project.

Did you figure it out yet?

Scroll down for the answer....

















Butterfly punch!

Monkey Money????

What do you use to buy Sock Monkey stamps? Why, monkey money, of course!

My friend Judy left me an envelope titled, "Monkey Money". What a hoot!

Thanks a bunch, Jude! (ha! ha!)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Sock Monkey - Easter Bunny! (my favorite)


Color Combo - Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake
Technique - Markers
Ribbon - Pear Pizzazz Poly Twill Ribbon

This is my favorite Sock Monkey. What's yours?

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Sock Monkey - Thanks a Bunch!


Color Combo - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Technique - Markers
Punches - Designer Label Large, 1" Circle Medium, Eyelet Border
Embossing Folder - Square Lattice

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Sock Monkey - Pumpkin


Color Combo - Soft Suede, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie
Technique - Markers, Wheel
Ribbon - It's NOT a ribbon, it's a punch! How cute is that?
Wheel - Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sock Monkey - Graduate


Color Combo - Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze
Technique - Markers, Blender Pens
Ribbon - Poppy Parade Poly Twill

Monday, August 9, 2010

Sock Monkey - Birthday


Color Combo - Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Melon Mambo
Technique - Paper piecing

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sock Monkey - Santa


Color Combo - Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake
Technique - Paper piecing
Ribbon - Early Espresso 1/8" Tafetta

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Cleo hiking in the woods...


Cleo doesn't like to miss out on much, especially if Tom is involved. Here's a picture of Cleo geocaching in the woods!

Sock Monkey - Baby


Color Combo - Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight
Technique - Paper piecing
Designer Paper (on monkey) - Greenhouse Gala

Friday, August 6, 2010

Summer Stamp-a-stack - Clean and simple stamping!




Come make 12 cards for $15 at the end of the summer Stamp-a-stack! We will make 4 cards of three different designs. These cards are quick and easy with no cutting and only a teensy, weensy bit of coloring.

These cards are perfect for any occasion. Customize the inside with the greeting of your choice.

Email me to reserve your spot! Friday, August 27th. Register for the early start time, 6:00 pm, or the later start time, 8:00 pm.

Sock Monkey Card Box!

Stamps
Sock Monkey ($26.95, 111550)

Ink
Basic Black Classic Ink ($5.95, 111179)
Early Espresso Classic Ink ($5.95, 119670)
Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink ($5.95, 119669)

Paper
Cherry Cobbler Card Stock($6.95, 119685),
Early Espresso Card Stock($6.95, 119686),
Whisper White Card Stock ($8.50, 100730)
Crumb Cake Card Stock ($6.95, 120953)

Sizzix
Embossed with Square Lattice Embossing Folder( $7.95, 119976),
Sizzix Top Note Die ($21.95, 113463)
Big Shot ($99.95, 113439)

Accessories
Antique Brads($5.95, 117273)
1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Early Espresso ($9.95, 119961)
1/8" inch Tafetta Ribbon - Daffodil Delight ($5.95, 119254)
Blender Pens ($9.95, 102845)
Brayer ($12.50, 102395)
Stampin' Write Marker - Daffodil Delight ($3.50, 119677)
Stampin' Write Marker - Pear Pizzazz ($14.95, 119801 - full set of In Color markers)
Stampin' Write Marker - Cherry Cobbler ($3.50, 119681)

To create the texture on Monkey, brayer Early Espresso Ink onto the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. Emboss using the Big Shot!

This card uses the paper piecing technique. I stamped the monkey once on Whisper White card stock and again on Crumb Cake card stock. Then I brayered Early Espresso ink onto the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and embossed using the Big Shot! I cut out the monkey from the Crumb Cake and pieced it on top of the monkey stamped on the Whisper White card stock. Time consuming, but a really cool effect!

I colored the flower with Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler markers, and cut the flower very carefully. :) The monkey's mouth is colored with Cherry Cobbler Classic ink and a blender pen.

This was TONS of fun! Wait until you see the cards that fit inside!

Stay tuned....

Monday, August 2, 2010

It can only mean one thing....

when I wake up in the morning with Dimensionals stuck to my jammies......

my creative mo-jo-jo-j0 is starting to JIVE!

It's been a crazy, busy summer. This weekend was the first weekend I had time to play in a LONG time! I earned 6 free stamp sets this spring and after a lengthy debate I got the sock monkey stamp set and sock monkey accessories as two of my freebies. I made 8 sock monkey cards AND a sock monkey gift box to hold all of the cards. They are my FAV types of cards -- lots of cutting, coloring and layers. This weekend my FAV colors were Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso. I'm not usually much of a red girl (after all, who needs red when pink and green exist?), BUT this Cherry Cobbler color is very cool.

So, now that I've actually posted again, and I've pre-ordered some very fun things from the HOLIDAY MINI!!, now it's off to bed so I have a chance of getting up when my alarm goes off at its ungodly hour...

sooooo pictures of my sock monkeys will need to wait for another day.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Bargain Hunter Alert

Are you a bargain hunter, always looking for a good deal? During the month of June you can join Stampin' Up for only $99. For $99 you get....
- over $180 in retail value including 2 stamp sets and 1 single stamp (your choice at same/equal value as the ones in the kit), Clear Block C, two packs of card stock, 4 classic stamp pads, taffeta ribbon, NEW color coach, snail adhesive, 8 catalogs, and all the forms needed to get your business up and going!
- 30% off your first order
- 20% off all future orders
- opportunities to earn FREE stamp sets and other products
- opportunities to attend Convention each year
- opportunities to attend local Regional seminars (i.e. mini conventions)
- opportunities to earn FREE trips (e.g. Alaskan Cruise)
- a monthly magazine filled with LOTS of great ideas and fun projects
- access to a website filled with TONS of creative and business ideas
- membership on my team, Doodlers, Ink., a group of fun, inspired, stamping addicts who get together every other month to talk, play and share creative ideas. :)

If you decide you no longer want to be a demonstrator, you can stop any time.
There is NO time period commitment and NO obligation. To be an active demonstrator, you only need to meet a small quarterly minimum of $300, which includes any money you spend on products! If you join in June, your first $300 in sales/purchases isn't due until the end of September!

My goal is to help my team achieve the creative and/or business goals that THEY want to achieve. It is low pressure. If you just want to be a hobbyist, that's fine. If you want to build a business, that's fine too. You don't have to do what I do -- you can do what you can/want to do.

Whether you are are a hobbyist, looking to make a little extra money or looking to start a business, joining Stampin' Up may be just what you are looking for!

Feel free to email or call me. There's no pressure, just information. :) Ready to join? Log onto my website, click JOIN NOW, and enter the password, "doodles". You can log in just to get the information without committing to anything. :)

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Elements of Style


From my friend, Cindy, a glittery card using our fine Cosmo glitter and Elements of Style. The scallop oval is also a Sizzix die!

Friday, June 4, 2010

King of the Grill!



With the nice weather FINALLY here, it's time to barbeque! For Memorial Day, we had a picnic with family on Sunday and a picnic with friends on Monday.

It was nice to be outside. My niece and nephew call me Aunt Kiki. What's cooler than that?!?

Our friend, Dan, is the TRUE king of the grill. When he's grilling for a party, he'll be outside by 6 AM! We had the pleasure of his efforts on Monday.

This stamp set, King of the Grill, is perfect for Father's Day, a masculine birthday or any occasion for your favorite guy!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

On creativity...

When you create, do you feel that it is WRONG to copy? Do you feel a sense of guilt that you didn't come up with the idea all on your own?

Well, my friends, there is nothing wrong with copying an idea (as long as you don't promote it as your own). Through my glorious experience as a demo, I've had the opportunity to meet and be-friend women from all over the country... even several women in the top echelon of Stampin' Up demos. EVERY demonstrator that I know gets inspiration from other demos! In fact, we have a website FULL of ideas just for demos from which to copy ideas from. :)

Creativity requires time, which we don't always have a lot of to spare, so if you COPY an idea, embrace it, enjoy it and have FUN! It just feels good to make something with your own two hands, look at it and say, "I made that". Now tell the whispers in your head to shut up, so what if it wasn't your idea!

Happy Stampin'!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Love this card!



Here's another swap I received from my mail-in swap. I LOVE THIS CARD! When you pull the tab, the card folds up revealing a party invitation!

What a great idea for a summer party!

Want to learn how? Let me know!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Totally Tool and a simple technique


This card uses a technique called "Grounding". See the shading under the hammer? Ot's what grounds the hammer so it's not floating in air. This technique is often used under the wheels of a bike or car, or under a person or object. See p. 59 (the vehicles), p. 82 (the robot), p. 89 (the dog), p. 92 (the animals), p. 103 (the chair, flowerpot and basket) from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog for other examples.

All it takes is a little soft suede or basic gray ink and a blender pen and you'll be "grounding" like a pro. Give it a try and post your comments!

Monday, May 31, 2010

On a Pedestal


Another swap from my trip to Phoenix. (I told you it was a good trip!)...

Color combo - Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay

Don't you love how the cherry is tipped on the side? When we create, we often try to line things up perfectly. Next time you make a card, try something a little "tipsy" and let me know how it works out!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Do you remember the book about the Kangaroo with no pockets?


One of my favorite books when I was a kid was Katy No Pocket (I think that was the name). It was about a mother kangaroo who didn't have a pocket to carry her baby kangaroo. She wandered into the city, met a carpenter who gave her his carpenter apron, and then she had pockets galore to hold her baby and other little animals.

This kangaroo has a great pocket with lots of fun things to put in her pocket, including a baby kangaroo! I might need to break down and buy this set, Build-a-Roo ($25.96, set of 10), it brings back good memories. :) It's versatile enough to be used for many occasions - birthday, Valentine's Day, new baby, thank you, general love and friendship..... hmmm.... so many stamp sets, so little time. :)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Thoughts and Prayers


Here's another swap from my Leadership Convention in Phoenix. The stamp set, Thoughts and Prayers ($25.95, set of 8), is focused on comforting friends in time of sickness and loss, but the tree and flower stamps can be used for many occasions.

The layout of this card could be used with lots of stamp sets.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Wanted


My downline, Jenny, made this cute card for our demonstrator team swap.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

A little bit of magic...


This stamp set, A Little Bit of Magic, reminds me of the fairies I painted on Sarah's wall when she was little, whimsical and cute. I love the textured background made by the square lattice embossing folder ($7.95).

This is from a mail in swap. All products are from the Summer Mini.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

On creativity....


Do you ever find that your expectations of yourself are a little too high? Do you expect that every time you sit down you should be able to create a masterpiece? I was browsing blogs of some very talented demonstrators and I found that I had idea overload. When I sat down to design cards for some upcoming classes, nothing I made seemed good enough. I was in a creativity drought!

What to do? I asked myself what it was that I liked about the projects I had just seen. Layers, layers and more layers, unconventional sizes, layouts and texture.... So I started playing. The first card I made looked a lot like this one except instead of old olive, it was turquoise. I liked it for a day or so and then ripped off all of the layers and re-made the card on Old Olive card stock. I kept playing for a while longer and ended up with the cool butterfly card that is featured in my June 4th stamp-a-stack class!

To me creativity is about trying new things, persevering when you doubt yourself, the courage to make things you aren't sure are going to turnout, keeping your expectations reasonable and just PLAYING. :)