Tiles?...No It's Just Cardstock

Make sure you check out yesterday's post, there were 2 of them.  There's so many promotions this month and I don't want you to miss any of them!  There's also a new My Digital Studio upgrade if you own MDS.  This one is AMAZING!!!!  There's this new calendar option that is incredible, it will blow your mind!  I haven't had time to really get working on it but I can't wait until I get a little free time to start some calendars :)  Today's card was the card that I demoed at our meeting last week.  I saw this technique on Debbie's blog and loved it, I just had to show it to everyone!  It looks like it's stamped on tiles.  And it's so simple.  I forgot to take pictures before the meeting so I took them there.  The colors are a little off but you get the idea of the card. 

To get this look, use your Simply Scored tool and score every 1/2 inch in both directions.  Stamp your image, but don't press too hard, you don't want to stamp in the grooves.  When you're done, you're left with what looks like tiles.  So pretty!  I finished this card with some ruffled DSP on one side, and button with some ribbon.  I'm hoping to have some MDS time later today!   

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

So Many Promotions!!!

I was blown away when I saw all that Stampin' Up! was offering this month.  Have I mentioned lately how excited and happy I am to be a demonstrator?  Well I am!!  I LOVE SU!!!!  So let's get down to what going on! 

 First up a FREE BIG SHOT!!!!  THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO JOIN WITH STAMPIN' UP!!!!!! Sign up before October 31 and YOU'LL GET A FREE BIG SHOT!!!!! Yes you read that right a FREE Big Shot!! But wait already own a big shot?? Not to worry, you can choose either the big shot or a $100 FREE product bonus!!!! It's an incredible value!!! The starter kit is valued at $345, but it costs you only $175, plus when you add on the free $100 you're getting $445 of product for only $175! It's the best deal they've ever offered!!!! Still need some convincing, here's just a few of the added perks you'll get to being a demonstrator:

• 30% off your first order placed within 45 days
• 20% off all future orders (you can join only for the discount, soooo many people do-wait I did!!!!)
• Stampin' Connection-this is a demonstrator only website packed with samples, ideas and so much more ONLY for demonstrators!
• Plus soooo, sooo much more!!!

Remember there's no obligation to 'sell'. Some people join to save money, some join to make money, ALL have FUN! You can sign up anytime at my website If you're interested I'd love to talk to you more about this fantastic opportunity!!! This offer is only good through October 31st!!!

But wait, that's not the only thing going on this month!  Stampin' Up! has released the new Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps.  They're so very cool!!!  I love them!!!  I've used them, they're easy, cute and tasty!  YUM!  These will be avaiable through January 3, but you won't want to wait that long.  These make fantastic Chrismas or hostess gifts. 

Finally, another exciting promotion!  This month when you buy 2 Simply Sent Kits you get the coordinating stamp set FREE!  It's a great deal!  The Simply Sent kits are a great way to get started stamping or to add to your collection.  The cards come ready to be assembled with everything you need!  So quick and easy!  Stock up today, and get some free stamp sets while you're at it :)

Whew!  Well that's all for me today!  I hope you have a great day, if you have quesions on any of these promotions please let me know!!

Meeting Swaps

Hi!  I'm going to make this post super fast.  I'm typing this on Sunday night, Sunday morning we were up at 4:45am to get to the balloon fiesta, we're exhausted.  On top of that Logan's developed a fever and isn't feeling good. This whole weekend has been crazy!  You can get a FREE Big Shot, just for signing up to be a demonstrator!!!  So many fun announcements this weekend.  Depending on how Logan feels I'll try to be back later with a post with all the great info on the starter kit and all the other news.  Until then you can check it all out at my demonstrator website.  But I have some great swaps to show you from our meeting last week, the swap theme was masculine cards.  You can see my card here.  Enjoy!

 Kim Madrid

 Kay Jantz

 Becky MacMurry

 Stephanie

 Mindy Evans

 Pam N

 Nichole

Corrina Smith



 Angela Miranda Clark

 Michelle C

Amber Wilson

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

It's a Pennant Christmas

These little pennant Christmas trees are all over right now.  They're so cute, they're so easy and one of the best things they fold flat for mailing.  I don't know if you've noticed but it seems lately that even the slightest little bump in the envelope will get the card sent back to you for 'extra postage', it's very frustrating.  Especially with the holiday around the corner you don't want to have your cards returned to you for a couple cents.  Having said that, this card would require extra postage, not because of the pop up tree but because of the button.  But let's get down to the tree shall we.  I know for me, it's important to buy, or get free, stamp sets that you can use for more than one occasion.  So imagine my delight when I saw this little tree made from the pennant punch and set.  So cute!!! 

The tree is super simple.  You need to punch 3 of the scalloped pennants out and fold them in half vertically.  Adhere them together, attach to your card and your done!  It doesn't get any easier than that.  Plus this is an excellent way to use up all those scraps you have lying around, and you know you have them :)   Our demonstrator meeting was last night.  I'll have highlights for you next week as well as my 3 minute demo.  Until then have a great weekend!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Thinking of You

I had quite a productive day yesterday.  In spite of Megan's attempts to sabotage my work with her playing, I was able to get my swaps done for our demo meeting tonight, get my 3 minute demo done, got every card for my November 12 Christmas Card Stamp a Stack planned, and made my order for it, just need to submit it now, AND I got 90% of my prep work done for my Big Shot Class on Saturday.  Whew!  And my stamp desk is pretty clean!  So it was a good day!  But I suppose you're here to see a card right?  Isn't this one cute!?

The card is simple but has some definite WOW factors.  First I stamped the truck twice, once on some Baja Breeze DSP and the other on the vanilla piece.  I cut out the truck, in Baja Breeze and watercolored the bumper, dog, and shadow.  I used a black marker for the wheels.  I sponged some Not Quite Navy ink on the truck before attaching it to the card.  The tag is from the ever popular Two Tags Die.  Everything else is pretty simple.  I just love how the little dog is driving the truck, so cute!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Wisteria and Chocolate

I have the cutest little project for you today.  I saw it somewhere, I think on a blog.  But I can't find it now.  If it's your project please let me know so I can give you credit.  The idea of using the Two Tags die for a little box or treat holder isn't new, but I loved how the Pennant Punch was used for a little tag, so that's what I copied.  So cute!  I used the Berry Blossoms DSP.  There's really not much to tell about this project.  It's so simple, you could make a ton in no time, and you can customize it to ANY occasion!

The tag couldn't be easier.  I stamped the scalloped Pennant stamp twice, once on Wisteria Wonder CS then on White CS.  Punched it out, using both the scalloped pennant and the straight one.  I layered them and added a little flower from the Bitty Punch set.  A pearl to finish it and it's done.  It really couldn't be easier.  :)

Inside the box are 2 Ghirardelli Chocolate squares. Is there a better chocolate out there, I don't think so.  They're my favorite anyway, but only the dark chocolate, I'm not a milk chocolate fan.  The box is made with 2 of the rectangle tags from the Two Tags die.  There's a score line on the tags, you simply fold along that score line and adhere the bottom of the tags to each other.  I hope that all makes sense.  The Two Tags Die is one of my favorite dies.  I love it!  Time to work on my swaps for our monthly meeting tomorrow night. 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Ornate Blossom Birthday

I've been crafting like a mad woman, my messy house is proof that I've neglected every other chore in my life.  But I've had a really good time, I've made some really amazing projects, all of which I'll be showing you soon!  Today though I have a really cute card too!  I actually love this card, it's simple, pretty and so quick to make.  This card is pretty self explanatory but I'll go over a few things.  My challenge for this card was to use a stamp set that hasn't been used recently.  I think the last time I used this set was in May!  So it was due for some ink time.  I stamped the blossom twice, once in Crumb Cake and once in Pink Pirouette.  I cut out the pink one and used dimensionals to pop it up.  The DSP is from the Beau Chateau pack.  It's one of the patterns that I stocked up on during the buy 3 get one free sale last month.   

The greeting is from the Best Dad Ever set. I used  Crumb Cake to sponge around the edges.  And I finished it off with an embossed layer with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  I do think this is my all time favorite folder.  If you go back over my work, you'll see that I use it all the time :)  It's a simple card, I'm so pleased with it, hope you enjoy it too!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Hot Cocoa For 2

Good Monday morning to you!  Can you believe we're already on our last week of September?  I'm telling you Christmas is right around the corner!  I have a sweet (literally) gift idea for you today.  With Megan eating solids for a couple months now, I've been saving all these baby food jars, I have tons!  I knew I would do something with them, there were so many possibilities so I couldn't just throw them away, or recycle them.  I had to give them a new purpose in life!  This is one of the things I've been doing with them.  I think this is such a cute idea, too!!!!  I filled the jar about half full, well a little more than half, but not quite three quarters full, with some hot chocolate mix.  Then on top of that is marshmallows.  I plan to make a bunch of these and sell them at some craft shows later this year.  Aren't they cute.  I did measure it out, and there's enough mix in there for 2 mugs of hot cocoa.  So find someone to cuddle with, turn on a movie and mix up some hot cocoa for 2!!!

To cover the lid, I cut out a scallop circle from the spice cake fabric, laid it over the jar and tied it tight with some Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon.  The tag is so super simple!  I stamped the to/from stamp from the Sweet Season Set.  Punched it out with the Designer Label Punch and then sponged the edges with More Mustard and Pool Party.  It doesn't get any easier than that!  Now if you don't have access to baby food jars you can buy jars of similar size at craft stores or even your run of the mill, big box stores.  These little jars would be so cute for teachers, coworkers, neighbors, etc. Plus they're so affordable to make!  I love it, and now I think I'll go whip up some hot cocoa for me!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Logan's Pictures

I have a fun My Digital Studio Page to show you, but there's a funny story behind it.  The other day, I couldn't find my camera.  Of course I looked in all the likely places, it was no where to be found.  I did eventually find it in Logan's play corner.  When I turned on the camera, there was a whole bunch of pictures on there that I didn't take, so Logan must have.  He walked around the house while I was making dinner one day snapping pictures of the most random stuff.  He took a couple of Megan, so she knew what was going on :)  I had to put them in an MDS page, they were too cute not to share.  Even though we've had the 'Don't take Mommy's camera without asking next time' discussion.  Well that's it for me today, short and sweet! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

I Must Love This Set!

Do you think I love this set?  Ummm YES!!!!  I really didn't think I was going to like it, but I've found, and if you follow my blog, I've used it a LOT lately :)  I really love it and I keep seeing these fantastic cards done with it.  This is the same color combo from yesterday's post.  I love the look of Pool Party, More Mustard and Soft Suede.  By the way if anyone is keeping track, Soft Suede is my new favorite brown :)  This card was partly inspired by this card by Heather Summers.  I have lots, and LOTS of blogs that I like to check out, one that I never, ever miss is Heather Summers.  She's amazing and I love her style and all that she does!  If you haven't yet, and you have a minute. Check out her blog, you won't be disappointed. 

So I said this card was partly inspired by Heather's card.  I love her layout and how she folded over the DSP.  So I took some aspects of Heather's card and made it my own.  I LOVE this card.  I'm not entirely sure why I put the 'to my husband' greeting on this card.  I just thought it went well.  I'm sure I can come up with some reason to give Dan a card ;) To get the look of the leaves, I inked my leaves in Pool Party, rolled the edges in More Mustard, then stamped the outline image over it in Early Espresso.  I hope you have a great day.  I'm so busy working on some secret projects!  Well not really, but I can't show them to you just yet!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Thanksgiving Treat

So for some reason, perhaps because I truly enjoy this years selection of fall themed products, I seem to be crafting for Thanksgiving more than usual.  Usually I save my fall crafting for early Christmas projects.  I don't really craft tooo much for Halloween either.  But this year I've been doing lots of Thanksgiving themed treats.  Today's project being one of them.  In last month's Stampin' Success (a demonstrator only magazine), they had an article on these little treat boxes.  When I first started as a demo over 8 years ago, I remember making these at workshops.  They're so easy and so fast and sooooo cute!

This one turned out especially cute!  I filled it with candy corn and because I used vellum cardstock you can almost see them through the vellum, but it gives the illusion that the box is 'glowing' so fun!  Because it's filled with candy corn, it's also a little difficult to see the leaves and their colors stamped on the vellum.  For the leaves I stamped them in Pool Party, then rolled them in More Mustard, then stamped the line image in Soft Suede.  It makes a beautiful 3 toned leaf color.  Don't worry if you can't see the colors too well, I'll be making a card soon enough with it.  I loved the look of it so much :)

Finally, a little tag to finish it off.  I stamped the oval image from the Perfect Punches set and then added a Happy Thanksgiving greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes over it.  So cute!!!  I tied it with some Pool Party ribbon.  Remember I'm totally, completely, head over heels, crazy about that ruffled ribbon.  I NEED IT in ALL the colors!!!!  That's it for me today.  Dan had yesterday off and so he was 'around' all day yesterday, so I got nothing done! Oh well, it was fun to have him home and Megan had a fun playing with him.  But today I'll be playing catch-up :)

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Logan's Boat

One of the dozens, upon dozens of reasons I LOVE being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is getting a monthly magazine, made just for demonstrators.  It is always packed full of tips, ideas, techniques and more!  This sweet little boat was one of the creations in the October issue.  Theirs is a little different but the idea's the same.  It's so cute!  I could see these all lined up on the Thanksgiving table with every ones name.  And you could fill the boat with special yummy treats instead of crumpled up cardstock.  But do we really need MORE treats on Thanksgiving???? 

I added a tiny little scalloped border along the bottom there, I was hoping it would look a little like water, and I think it does, a little.  The sail on the boat is none other than my all time favorite DSP Spice Cake.  I just used my Soft Suede marker to write Logan's name.  I sponged around it and roughed it up a little.  As for the pole that the sail is on, in the magazine they used a dowel rod.  Well that's all fine and good, but I didn't have any on hand.  So mine is just some cardstock rolled up into a tube.  Super quick and simple.  What about you, will you have a fleet of boats on your thanksgiving table? 

A Very Merry Pink Christmas!

And pink it is!  I think I used every shade of pink that Stampin' Up! offers :)  Isn't this card the sweetest!?!  I'm loving this card!  Do you recognize that stamp set?  No, well it's in the Holiday Mini, it's the It's a Wrap Holidays set.  I just used my markers to color the center of the Very Merry one.  But let's back up a little and start with the beginning of this card.  As I was looking at my tower of stamp sets (the ones that aren't put away), some unused, never had the chance to kiss the ink, I thought today I'm going to use one of my new sets!  So out this one came.  Now I had a completely different vision here, but as I started to work on that vision, it didn't look good, it happens sometimes, so then I started this card.  I grabbed every pink marker I had, lined them up and started coloring.  The great thing with using your markers to color your stamps is that you can omit whatever you don't want stamped, which came in handy for this card. 

When I got to the bottom, I noticed I was going to have lots of room left over at the bottom of my cardstock.  What on earth do I do?  :) Well it didn't take long for me to break out my favorite (at least for today) border punch, The Scalloped Ribbon Border, I think that's the name of it.  But I do LOVE this punch :)  I used the same colors of cardstock that I used in ink and layered them in the same order.  After that, I realized I had to add that whole border to my card base, making sure to line everything up just perfectly. 

Now of course you could do this with any color.  Lots of blues would be really pretty for Christmas, or a stack of greens.  So pretty!  But for me, I love the pinks!  The colors used, in order, are: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo and Rose Red.  Accessories are pretty minimal on this card.  I didn't think it needed to much, an embossing folders, (of course the dots, you know they're my favorite!), and some Rose Red ribbon is all I added.  One last tip I'll add, make sure you use your Stamp a ma Jig, for perfect spacing and to line up your greetings perfectly :) 

Thanks for looking see you soon!!!