My Swap and an In-Color SALE!

Our monthly demo meeting is tonight. Yeah! I love these meetings. I know I've said that before. So our swap theme this month was masculine cards. These are always a challenge for me. I love using girly colors and ribbon and those don't go well on masculine cards, so I'm always struggling with this kind of card. But I think the card I finally did is very nice and I'm quite pleased. I used the Totally Tool set and paper pieced the saw with chocolate chip cs and shiny silver.



I just love this Baja Breeze CS. I'm going to be so sad to see it go in a couple of months. So now's the time to stock up on them. And to help you stock up on them I'm offering them at 15% off now-May 10. Call or email me your order of ANY In-Color products and I'll give you 15% off of them. That includes, ink pads, reinkers, cardstock, ribbon, DSP or simply scrappin kits with any of the colors in them (and there's a lot of them, see the list below). So don't wait stock up today!!!

DSP and Simply Scrappin Kits (SSK)

Rockabily Specialty DSP
Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP
Urban Garden DSP
Bella Rose DSP
Candy Lane DSP
Pink Pirouette DSP
Riding Hood Red DSP
Baja Breeze DSP
Kiwi Kiss DSP
Tangerine Tango DSP
Bella Birds DSP
Manchester DSP
Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Raspberry Tart DSP
Sweet Always DSP
Urban Oasis DSP
Washington Apple DSP
Walk in the Park DSP-mini catalog
Best Ever SSK
Hoppy Memories SSK
Sweet Nothings SSK
Sunshine Garden SSK
Love Stories SSK
Rock a Bye Girl SSK
2 Sweet SSK

Remember this special is only available through me. US residents only, sorry.


Supplies:
Stamp Sets-Totally Tool
Ink-Staz On
Cardstock-Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Parisian Breeze DSP, White, Baja Breeze, Brushed Silver
Accessories-dimensionals, 2-way glue, silver brads, 1/16 circle punch

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Color Challenge

Yeah, I finally got the chance to enter another one of Kristina's color challenges. Usually the timing is all wrong and I can't get my project done in time. But this time, since it's her 50th color challenge she gave a week to get projects done. Yippeeee! I personally wouldn't have put these colors together but I really like the way my card came out with them.

For the challenge we had to use brown, red, yellow turquoise and white. So I used, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White. I'm on a chipboard kick lately so I used some chipboard that I had. I think the package that it came from is retired. I don't even remember what it was called. But I didn't see it in the current SU catalog so I'm assuming it's retired.

Isn't it cute. Simple but still really cute.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Yoyo Yellow

Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Chocolate Chip, Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Accessories: Dimensionals, Real Red striped ribbon, eyelet border punch, sponge daubers, snail

Thanks for looking see you tomorrow!

Tutorial Tuesday-Mini Envelope Photo Album

Hello! Well it's Tuesday. Hope you had a good Monday. I'm busily trying to get my posts all lined up for the week and into next week. We're going out of town this Friday through the weekend so I'm trying to get everything done through then so that I don't leave you guys hangin'! So today I have a quick tutorial for you.
It's really cute and a great gift for Mom's or Grandmothers. Today we'll be making a mini envelope photo album. You can actually use any size envelopes for this but the mini ones that SU sells are so cute and it's the perfect size to fit in purses to have a mini brag book. I'm using 5 of the mini envelopes you can use as many or as few as you want. I've premade my photo mats. I don't have any pictures on mine yet. I might give this away as a gift so I left it blank. For the mini envelopes my mats are 3x3. 5 of those to go in the 5 envelopes. I'm using the Walk in the Park DSP from the mini.

To start making your album or brag book use 2 envelopes, with the flaps facing you-(this will be the front of the envelopes for this project) and glue the flap of one to the back of the other. There's a couple ways you can glue the flaps, you can lick them and let the glue that's already there do it's job, you can use snail, that's what I used, or for a stronger hold sticky strip works well too.

Keep gluing the envelopes together the same way, you'll end up with a line of envelopes.

Stick your photos in each envelope.

Depending on how many envelopes you use the way it gets folded may vary. Here's how I do it with 5 envelopes. The bottom 4 envelopes should make a M.

Fold it all together....

Add a belly band to hold it together and your done. Depending on who I give this to I will make a monogram tag for the front too.

Then when someone wants to see all your cute pictures you just pull it out of your purse. Slide the belly band off and in each envelope is a different mini scrapbook page.

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Over Night Swap Highlights

Friday night I was away at our groups Over The Top-Over Night Swap-Shoe Box Swap. This is the second year that we've done it and as always it was so much fun. I didn't get very much sleep 1.5 hours to be exact. But after sleeping the day away on Saturday when I got home, I'm much better now. Our swap was with over the top projects, and the way shoebox swaps work is that you make one project, bring supplies for everyone else to make that project. Then you pass the projects around and everyone gets to make every one's project. So here's what I brought home.

This was Jennifer's project. It's kind of like a menu/recipe book. Very cool, there's places inside for coupons, and menus, measurement charts, recipes. And I love that paper!! And how cute is the little chef!I paper pieced my little chef, isn't he just the cutest!!!!

This one was Amber's. The birds and leaves are a die from the big shot and the welcome is one of our home decor elements. I have this hanging on my front door.

This super cool box was Angela's project. I still need to put the drawer handles on all my drawers. Then I have to figure out what to put in them. The boxes are the perfect size for brads and eyelets. Or you could put it in the bedroom for earrings and necklaces. So many options!

This one was Pam's, so pretty. I love the gray and kiwi kiss together! I already have this hanging up too.

This one was Mindy's, it's like a spa box. I forget what she called it. But there's bath salts, and sugar scrubs, cuticle cream and of course chocolate!

This is Karen's project! A clock how creative! The daisies are a die for the big shot and I kept mine pretty simple. I really like it too, now where to I hang this???

This one was Corrina's. A coupon organizer. LOVE IT! I've already stocked it with coupons and I'm ready to head to the store!

This was Kim's, she asked us all to send in recipes for this. She printed them up and used the clear rolodex die for the big shot. How great. Now I'm going to have to get that die to add more to my book! Thanks Kim....

This was Michelle's project. Super cute. Perfect gift for a baby or bridal shower. Love the monogram letter too.

Sorry I don't have a picture of the project I took for everyone to make. Maybe I'll show you someday....

Thanks for looking see you tomorrow!

Lemon Cake

Last night I went to my over night shoe box swap with a group of demos. I'm actually still there-scheduled this post to go up this morning. For the swap I signed up to bring a dessert. So I made this yummy lemon cake. I've made it before and actually like 4 times in the past month. It's super yummy. It didn't rise as much as it normally does or should, but I think it will still taste great.
But to add a fun stamping touch to it. I made some lemon skewers.

Super cute, I just love them. They were really easy too. I used Yoyo Yellow craft ink, embossed with clear EP.

Make sure to check in on Monday for highlights from the swap.

Supplies

Stamp Set: Tart and Tangy

Cardstock: White, Barely Banana, Yoyo Yellow

Ink: Yoyo Yellow Craft ink

Accessories: 1 1/4, 1 3/8 and scallop circle punches, dimensionals, lollipop sticks, crop a dial

Thanks for looking, see you Monday!

Birthday Petal Card

Well it's Friday, I'll be leaving for my over night swap in just a few hours. Can't wait it will be a blast. Still loving the Walk in the Park DSP. I also got another new die for the big shot. I have been wanting this one for a while and now I have it!!! This one is the petal card die. It's so cute! The card inside is only about 2.5x2.5 so it's pretty small but so cute!! The 2 stamp sets that I used are from the $10 and under page on 208. You still have a few days to get some of them for free. If you spend $40 on stuff from the mini catalog you get one free and if you're a hostess and have workshop of $150 you get one too. And there's no limit, spend $80 get 2, or have a $300 and get 2 and so on.
Anyway, I'll keep this short so that I can get ready for tonight!!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Birthday Wish, Flowers in Silhouette

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Vanilla, So Saffron, Walk in the Park DSP

Ink: So Saffron

Accessories: Vanilla ribbon, dimensionals, snail, petal card die, big shot

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Mother's Day

Happy Thursday! This week is flying by. Which isn't such a good thing. Tomorrow my upline, downline and sidelines are meeting for an over night shoebox swap, we did it last year and it was so much fun. We stayed up way to late stamping amazing projects. So this year we're doing it again, and would you think that I'm ready--NOOOO. I'm further along then I thought I'd be by Thursday but still have lots to do. I'll get it done, I'll have lots to show you Monday from our swap.
Do you know that Mother's Day is less than a month away. I know! Where is this year going??? I got a box of goodies yesterday from Mr Brown. I think I must have a new driver. My last driver used to honk his horn when he drove up, this guy doesn't, he kind of sneaks up and leaves the box quietly, rings the doorbell and runs, he's gone by the time I get to the door. Maybe he's heard rumors about demonstrators overly anxious to get their new stuff. Who among us has not ran out the door in their socks to meet the UPS guy at his truck for the box. No, really, that's just me huh??
This card is featuring the Walk in the Park DSP from the mini. Isn't it just so pretty. And the pictures hardly do it justice you have to see this in real life to see how pretty it is. Since Mother's Day is sneaking up on us I thought I would make this a Mother's Day card.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: All Holidays
Ink: Cameo Coral
Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Basic Gray, Walk in the Park DSP, White
Accessories: Eyelet Border punch, corner rounder punch, Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, snail

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Window Sheets....again

So I am lovin this weather we're having. Yesterday was actually quite busy for Logan and I. Usually our days are spent at home, maybe a trip to the park, 2 blocks away. But usually it's a pretty uneventful life we lead. But yesterday was very eventful.

We had a 9am appointment at a preschool we're hoping to get Logan in this fall. So we got the tour and sat in on a few classes. We're now on the waiting list for the fall, hopefully things will work out.
We left the preschool a little after 10, I speed to get to the library for story time at 10:30 only to find out that there was no story time yesterday. Oh well, we pick out some new books.
Went to the park and had our picnic lunch that we packed.
Then the plan was to go to Ben and Jerry's for their free cone day, that was supposed to start at noon but since it was only 11:15, we went to Target. Found some sheets on sale, which we did need. Lots more things on sale that I don't need. Got the sheets.
About 11:50 we headed over to Ben and Jerry's, the whole time I'm promising Logan free ice cream. He's so excited and was especially good in the library and Target just for the ice cream. We get to B&J's and a note on the door says they won't be starting free cone day until 2pm---What???!!!?? Then why does your website say NOON! So, as much fun as it would have been to hang around for 2 hours in 80 degree weather we came home. Logan disappointed about no ice cream. But fortunately for us we had some at home and some cones. Now it wasn't B&J ice cream so it wasn't as good, but he doesn't know that, he was just super happy to get ice cream after nap time. So that was the most excitement we've had in one day in a while. Everything worked out and hopefully Logan will be able to get off the waiting list by the fall.

Ok, geez enough rambling, here's today's project....
How much are you loving the new window sheets? If you haven't had a chance to use them, I highly recommend it. They're so great!! This card is real simple. I've used a window sheet for the base of the card. I used mini glue dots to adhere it to the card. I stuck a piece of 5x3.75 CS on the inside to write on. I used the rub-ons from the hostess level 3 bundle on this card, there is no stamping here what so ever. The little cloud is a rub on that I cut out and so is the greeting.

Isn't it just super cute.

Supplies

Cardstock: White, Parisian Breeze Specialty, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Loop to Loop rubons, window sheets, mini glue dots, dimensionals, eyelet border punch, baja breeze stitched ribbon, paper snips

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Tutorial Tuesday-Cracked Glass Technique

It's time for another Tutorial Tuesday! Can you believe it's already April 21? Geez where does the time go. It was so nice yesterday, the weather was so warm (near 80's for a high) and just so much better then Friday and Saturday when it was yucky and cold and it even snowed, yep snow in NM in April. Can you believe it? Well hopefully that was the last of the cold weather, hopefully were on our way to warm/hot weather for good, well at least through October or so. I'd much rather be hot then cold. So here we go for today's tutorial.
Today I'm showing your cracked glass tutorial. It's really fun and a nice card but it's not a super quick card, you'll have to set aside some time to do this one. Here's what you'll need though, heat tool, Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder, your stamped image and versamark, oh and a freezer.

First cover your stamped image with Versamark, all over. Then cover it with the Glassy Glaze EP.

Heat it up.

Then wait until it cools, cover it again with another layer of versamark then glassy glaze EP. If you move fast enough you can put the EP on your image while it's still hot from heating it up. I don't like to work that fast. Sometimes other parts have cooled down and you end up with an uneven layer or EP. So I like to wait a few seconds for it to cool and then do the versamark. Plus I think it adheres better too.

Repeat your versamark, EP, heat up pattern 4-5 times. I did it 5 times for this card. Once your done heating your final layer of EP, stick it in the freezer. Yep, the freezer. I know it sounds strange and you may get questions from your husband about why we're storing our stamped images in the freezer. I can here it now

"Uh, do you know you have stamped stuff in here?"

"Yep!"

"Ok, why?"

"I'm making a card."

"In the freezer?"

"Yep."

"Okaaaaay...."

But it will only be in there a couple of minutes.

So while your image is in the freezer, now's a good time to assemble the rest of your card.

Take your image out of the freezer, it will be curled and should be completely cooled off and cold. Here's the fun part. Start bending and straightening your image and it will "crack" like glass.

Glue it to your card when you have the desired amount of cracks where you want them.

Neat huh!?!

Now on a side note. I've been having some issues with my email subscriber, so I'm looking into changing subscribers, when I do I'll let you know and you'll have to resubscribe if you prefer to get my post via email. It probably won't be until at least next week, maybe longer. If anyone knows of a good reliable service, I'd love to have some recommendations.

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Thank Ewe!

Well I had my first of 3 punch classes on Saturday, it was so much fun. We made a hippo, elephant, giraffe and skunk. All super cute! There's still time to sign up for the May 16th class, we'll be focusing on pets at that one!
I have a workshop this afternoon at Onate Elementary School. So I just have a really quick card for you today. I still need to finish getting ready!
This card is really nice for those times where you need to make a quick card. It's actually a card front, meaning it doesn't open, it's a 5.5x4.25 card. Where do I write my note then, you're asking? Well.....

Under the Basic Grey cardstock is a hidden mini envelope with a 3x3 piece of cardstock in it for your note! Cute right? Plus this card is great when you don't have a lot to say.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Pun Fun, Good Friend

Ink: Staz-on, Going Grey, Pixie Pink marker, Pretty in Pink

Cardstock: Basic Grey, White, Pixie Pink, Gable Green

Accessories: White Satin ribbon, Blender pens, dimensionals, mini 3x3 envelopes

Well back to workshop prep, see you tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday!

Trendy Trees Purse

Happy Saturday! Well we finally made it to the weekend. Today is my first of three punch class-yeah I'm excited about it, I love doing punch classes, they're always so much fun!
For today I have a really cute purse that I made. This isn't my original pattern or idea and I'm ashamed to say I don't know who's idea this is. I was going through a stack of papers I had printed with ideas on them and found this pattern with no name to credit. So I can't tell you who came up with it. But it's super cute and easy, and I'm glad they did! The purse is really simple for the base of it you need a piece of cardstock that is 3 x 8.5 score at 3.5 and 5. The pocket is 3 x 7 score at .5, 2, 5 and 6.5 then along the bottom at .5. Cut off the corners of the pocket, by that I mean cut along your .5 score line on the bottom to the 2 inch score line and on the other side to the 5 inch score line. Does that make sense? Then it goes together really quick and easy.

I used a little velcro to keep mine closed. It didn't want to stay closed and I wanted it to stay closed. This picture would have been a lot cuter if I had some yummy treats in it huh? But now brace yourself, I'm out of ghirardelli chocolates-----AHHHHHH-the horror!!!

BUT this pocket may be too big for the ghirardelli squares. A cello bag with some cookies might be cute though.

Supplies

Stamp Sets: Trendy Trees

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, White, Pacific Point, Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon, brads, sticky strip, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 inch circle punches, dimensionals, crop a dial, velcro

Thanks for looking, see you Monday!

Some Swaps I got

I did a mail swap this month. It's one that I do every other month? Maybe not that often. I'm actually not sure. Maybe it's quarterly? I don't know, when the email comes. I sign up for it, do it and get cards back. Oh well, it's been one of those weeks. You know. Well I got great cards back from this swap. So I thought I would share just a few. Some of them don't have names on the back so I'm not sure of who did them but the ones that do I'll make sure to credit! All the stamp sets used are from the mini catalog.

Sense of Time Stamp Set

by Beverly Carlen

This is a really pretty card in person. The black, grey and white look great together!

Wagon Full of Fun stamp set

by Rachel Yurkanin

Love this layout!

Great Friend stamp set

by Phyllis Johnson

This is the new DSP and ribbon and in the catalog, so pretty!

An Many Mower stamp set

by Edie Schimpf

Such a cute card. The lawn mower is cut out and dimensionals are used on it, very cute!

A Good Friend stamp set (this stamp set was the most popular by far that was used in this swap)

by ???

Also not sure if the ribbon goes on this card, when I opened my package the ribbon had come off and this was the only card that looked like it might go. But I maybe wrong. But it looks good doesn't it. One of my favorites! Love what she did with the brad to make the butterflies head and antenna-totally going to use that idea!!

Great Friend stamp set

by ???

Love those corduroy brads and the DSP.

Soft Summer stamp set

by Sandy ???

Love this card. Hard to tell in the picture but there's glitter on the flower, it looks really pretty in person. Love the cracked glass technique too...maybe that will be my tutorial next week?

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!

Owl Matchbox

I haven't used my big shot in a couple of days, I think it's started feeling a little forgotten. So I decided that today's project would feature the big shot! I'm using the Matchbox die, Forest Friends stamp set and window sheets all from the mini catalog. This box came out super cute and now all it needs is a little treat to go inside. Not sure what I'll do with it. I might save it for Logan. I'm planning on making him a different treat for everyday that I'm away at convention. Then he'll get to open a new treat everyday. Of course I have until August to get them made but it always helps to plan ahead. I have my plane tickets and am registered for convention, yeah!!! So come August 4th, I'll be on my way.
The scallop is one of the scallops from the pennate die. I used my 1 3/4 inch circle to punch the blue out and my 1 3/8 inch circle to punch the owl image out. The greeting is a rub on from the Bright Delights package.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Forest Friends

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Night of Navy, White, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Window sheets, Big Shot, Matchbox die, Pennate die, 1 3/4 and 1 3/8 die, dimensionals, Certainly Celery ribbon, paper piercer and mat, glue dots

Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow!