Peguin Friends

I had the BEST time at Scrapbook Weekend!!!!  Michelle does an amazing job!!! You can check out her blog for all upcoming dates.  I will have TONS to share about the weekend starting Wednesday.  But I will say that her theme was 'Winter Wonderland' and it was amazing!  Michelle had asked me a few weeks ago if I would make a few things for scrapbook weekend.  She generally emails me a picture of what she wants and I make it :)  She wanted these little penguins, they're the cutest aren't they!!!!  I'll list the supplies I used below. 

Here's all 25 of them ready to go :)  Here's what I used: Tree Punch-hat, Small Oval Punch-tummy and scarf, Pansy Punch-feet, 1 3/8 Circle Punch-body, Bird and Branch Punch-wings, 2 Inch Circle-head, Heart Framelits (3rd smallest)-black part of his head, Arrow Punch (small arrow)-beak.  I used the larger sequins on the top of his had to add a little sparkle.  They're just too cute!!!  Check back tomorrow for another fun item I made for Michelle for the weekend :)  Don't forget Wednesday will start my scrapbook weekend wrap up!!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Sparkling Wine

How stinkin' cute, pretty and sparkly are these glasses??!?!  EEEK!! I LOVE THEM!!!!  I've seen these all over Pintrest, I'm one of those people (if you haven't already figured it out) that says "I can make that for less than they're charging!" so I did!  I clicked some of the links on Pintrest for the glittered wine glasses, most of them took me to Etsy stores where people were charging $5+ per glass, plus shipping.....hmmmmmm I can do that cheaper!  I went to Target and picked up some wine glasses for only $1 each.  I already had the rest of the supplies so this project cost me a whopping $4. 

To make the glasses I covered the stems in Mod Podge then covered them in the Silver Glitter.  Let it dry, then cover with another coat, dry, and cover with another coat.  The glitter isn't going anywhere!  I know what you're thinking and yes you can wash them.  Don't put them in the dishwasher but you can hand wash them gently.  Finally for the charm on the bottom of the glass.  This was actually the hardest part.  I went to a couple 'box' stores and looked for loops or empty wine glass charms....nothing.....So I had to create my own.  I pulled out my jewelry supplies and used earring supplies (some silver pins, jump rings, beads) to create custom charms.  The snowflake charms in the Holiday Catalog worked perfectly!!!!  Last night was our demo meeting and Christmas Party.  We normally do our Christmas Party in December but have come to learn that December gets really busy and we don't have a lot of time.  We do a gift exchange where we each bring one gift and the gifts are exchanged white elephant style.  This is the gift I brought, love it!!!!  Make sure you head to my Facebook page and 'like' me.  I'll be leaving for my scrapbook weekend in just a few hours and I'll be doing LOTS of updates all weekend!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

12 Weeks Til Christmas Countdown: Week 6

We are halfway through the countdown!!!  Six weeks down, just six more weeks to go! I pulled out some colors I hardly ever, ever ever use for this card.  I have Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Crushed Curry.  I can't even remember the last time I used Cherry Cobbler or Always Artichoke :)  I've shared some pretty time consuming cards so I thought this week, I'd go the opposite direction, a card you can mass produce for the holidays!  I really like this card.  There's lots of fun texture between the dry embossing with both the dots (Always Artichoke) and the stars (Crushed Curry) and the heat embossing on the greeting.

This card is pretty straight forward.  This greeting is from the Merry Everything set in the Holiday Catalog, make sure to bundle it with the matching punch and save.  You can substitute the Christmas greeting for any of the other greetings.     

Remember to join me next week for week 7. If you've missed the past weeks click the links below.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3
Week 4

Week 5

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Hello PLxSU

I have a few more Project Life by Stampin' Up! (PLxSU) projects to share with you.  I have yet to use any of these cards in an actual scrapbook....probably never will :)  I really prefer MDS to scrapbook.  But I love the patterns and how quick and easy they are to use.  I whipped up these 3 cards in no time!  The Bermuda Bay one (on the far left) was the first one I did.  The card with the heart cut out is from the Everyday Adventures Accessory pack.  Then I found other patterns I liked in the Everyday Adventures kit and made my own with the heart framelits.  I added a quick greeting from the Perfect Pennants set.

The cards measure about 4.25x3.25, they're so cute!!!  I made one for Megan, Logan and Dan.  I'll leave the cards for them when I leave for the craft weekend.  Even though I'm only gone for a couple days the kids like the little notes.  Plus I got the kids each a little gift.  The cards are really simple, because usually the cards end up in the kids rooms, stuffed in drawers, books, and who knows where else.  The less to them the better!  This one I'll obviously give to Megan, my girly girl. 

The other two are by great 'guy' ones.  I don't think it will matter who gets which one.  These PLxSU cards are so great for projects like this.  I love the black and Bermuda Bay on this one.  It's very classic looking. 

I love all the patterns in this kit.  And I love that no matter what you choose they're all going to coordinate together.  Kind of like our DSP :)  As much as I love the other one, I think this Pear Pizzazz one is my favorite!  I love the triangles!!  

I also lined each card with a PLxSU card for a fun place to write a greeting.  I'm sure the kids and Dan don't really care, but I feel better knowing the inside is cute too!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Need Ideas

I've mentioned before that I have a lot of different notepads.  I have a class planning one (this one isn't fancy or cute, it's a legal pad that I sketch cards and ideas on).  I have notebooks that I keep lists of what I need to buy, what I want, etc.  I have a notebook specifically for scrapbook/craft weekends where I sketch projects I want to do and list all supplies so I know to pack it all.  I keep a notebook by my bed, because sometimes you have those late night ideas.  What I don't have is a small notebook that I can carry around when I'm out and about.  I drive around a lot.  The kids have to go to school and activities.  I have meetings and other errands.  So I'm out and about more than I would like.  Often while driving I have an idea, sparked by....almost anything but by the time I get home the kids have drained all energy and erased any memories of the day I've forgotten my idea(s).  So I grabbed some Project Life by Stampin' Up! cards, two pretty ones for a front and back and some journaling ones for the inside and boom, it's a custom notebook!  I used the Everyday Adventures Kit for this one. 

This is the perfect size to throw in my purse, it's about 4x3.  It sits in the bottom along with a change of clothes for Megan, because you NEVER know!  Now when I'm out and about I can jot down my ideas!  This will also work as a shopping list.  I'm always out thinking "Oh I have to remember to get _____" Then I get to the store and completely forget that super important thing I needed.  I guess this post reveals more about my horrible memory then a cute project!  Because all that inside this little notebook are journaling sheets from Project Life by Stampin' Up! I can easily add more when I need them, it's easy and quick and I don't have to think about a new notebook, just add to the existing one.  The less I have to think the better.....clearly.   :)

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Stamp Once, Use Twice

I have a stack, and I mean a huge stack of quick cards today!  I really love all of them and how they all came out!!  I found this technique here.  I thought this was such a cool way to double the use of your stamps.  Basically you stamp your image once then move it slightly (in any direction) and stamp again.  I stamped 4 pieces of cardstock, just 4.25-5.5, your standard card front.  I covered the entire sheet, then cut them diagonally and ended up with 8 cards.  Stamp once use twice.  So you're getting double the cards with half the effort!  AWESOME!!!!  *NOTE: I have two of every card....I had two of the Blackberry Bliss but sent one before snapping a picture.*

The Blackberry Bliss is my favorite.  I used the Dotty Angles set, I seriously LOVE those triangles, I think it's my favorite set.  I inked up the Blackberry Bliss and stamped then flipped my stamp so my triangles were headed in the opposite direction and stamped again WITHOUT reinking!!  That's what gives you the awesome shadow look.  For this Melon Mambo version I stamped it then moved it slightly up and stamped again. 

Because this stamp set is photopolymer it's completely clear, so lining up the triangles again and again is easy!  Photopolymer is growing on me.  I was not a fan when they were released but I'm starting to see the benefits :)  For the Hello Honey version I stamped and then moved it to the right. 

The Coastal Cabana version I also moved to the right.  Once they were done I trimmed them down a little, cut them diagonally and attached them to cards.  I added some glimmer paper, a butterfly and a greeting.  These cards are beautiful in person and so simple to make!!!  BIG week!  I leave for scrapbook weekend on Friday!!  EEEEK!!!  But first I have to pack, there's a LOT to pack and we have our demo meeting and Christmas party this week.  LOTS to do, but I'm so excited!!!!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween, it's not my favorite holiday but the kids enjoy it.  They'll be hopped up on candy for weeks now.  I wish I had a fun Halloween treat for you but sadly I don't.  I've been spending the week on huge projects, all of which you'll see in the next week-10 days.  I've also been busily preparing for the Winter Wonderland Scrapbook Weekend that starts in one week!!!  EEEEK!!!  I'm so excited and I'm planning some really amazing projects.  Check back Monday I'll have something fun to share I'm sure!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

12 Weeks Til Christmas Countdown: Week 5

Week 5!  I'm really, really loving this set Gentle Peace.  It's a wonderful set to use if you're a fan of Blendabilities.  I'm having a great time, just relaxing and spending some time coloring.  It's actually pretty therapeutic.  I colored this one pretty similar to the last one that I colored here.  I changed a few of the colors but for the most part kept them pretty similar.  So what did I change on this card???  I embossed some vellum with our star embossing folder.  I love this look, it tones down the brightness of the Crushed Curry so that it doesn't distract you from the main image.  I also used my markers to just color a small part of the sentiment.  I love this quick addition. 

But what really makes this card stand out is the glitter!!!  After I colored it I covered the entire image in Versa Mark and embossed it with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  The glitter is amazing!!!  It's so pretty in real life.  Capturing glitter on camera is not easy but you can get a good glimpse of the shine in this picture.  I love the look.  I hope you enjoyed this week on the countdown.

Remember to join me next week for week 6. If you've missed the past weeks click the links below.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3
Week 4

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Christmas Cards Round 2

Here's the final two cards from my stamp a stack.  This one is probably my favorite!  The red glimmer paper really sets this card apart and over the top!!!!  I did a card similar to this for a swap a couple months ago.  I LOVED it sooooo much I had to do it for my class!!! 

Finally, the last card.  I really love this card!  The simple embossing in the back really bring the card together I think.  I love to pop of DSP in the Christmas tree is so much fun!!!!  And of course there's a sparkly star on top!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Christmas Cards Round 1

Here are two of the four Christmas cards that we did at my Stamp a Stack.  I had such a good time (as I do at all my classes!) I hope everyone that attended had a good time as well!!!  The first one was pretty simple, lots of embossing though.  I love gold on black!  I think it's so striking and classic!  We used the Newborn King set and embossed it on black.  Added some Gold Bakers Twine, that pretty much finished the card.  Simple and beautiful!!!

The next card is so fun.  EVERY year I have to do a non traditional colored Christmas card.  Sometimes I do more than one, this year it was just one :)  But I love purple and pinks for Christmas!!!  Again this one is really easy, randomly stamp the stars and add a greeting and some ribbon.  Fun and quick!!!!  These are cards that you want to be able to make a ton of in not a lot of time so quick and cute is always the way to go!!!  I have two more to share tomorrow! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Tiny Treat Snowflake Boxes

I had my Christmas Card Stamp a Stack over the weekend.  By far this is the biggest class I do all year.  I start planning for this class in August, place a big order for supplies in September and then spend weeks cuttings.  Because of my schedule and the kids schedules I only have a couple hours a day to cut, and 600 cards is a lot to cut for!  You'll see all the cards tomorrow and Wednesday.  Today though I have the treat boxes everyone who attended my class received.  I always like to give small gifts to people for attending my classes.  Saturdays are a busy day no matter who you are, and I'm so grateful for my customers and friends who take a few hours out of their Saturday to come to my classes.  My business truly would not exist if it weren't for my wonderful guests who come every month...you guys are the best!!!  Every class I do a little box, they're normally just filled with candy.  As I'm typing this (a week before my class-how organized am I??!) I don't know what I'll fill these with.  Chocolate I'm sure :) 

This year my Stamp a Stack sold out, with a record number of people.  Last year I cut it off at 20, this year I decided to expand it to 30.  Every single spot was filled.  I was blown away!  I'm so glad that people look forward to this class, because though the prep is a lot of work, it's really my favorite class to prep.  But because I had a huge record number of guests :) I decided to go quick and simple with the boxes this time. 

I used our Tiny Treat Boxes from the Holiday Catalog.  These boxes are so great!!!  You get 25 boxes for less than $7, it's less than $.30 a box!!!!  But that's not even the best part.  The BEST part...they just fold together!  Not a scrap of adhesive, just fold and they practically assemble themselves!  Whooohooo!!!  I stamped them with the snowflakes from Endless Wishes from the Holiday catalog in white ink.  I love white and kraft together!!!  To finish them I added some Lost Lagoon Taffeta Ribbon and Snowflake from the All Is Calm Snowflake Embellishments, both from the Holiday Catalog, they're such cute little charms!  I'll share the cards over the next two days!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Cat On a Fence

Black cats and full moons, what else says Halloween is almost here?  This card actually came out pretty cute, I wasn't sure while it was coming together, and looking at it now I think I should have put the cat behind the fence and not on top, it kind of looks like it's floating :)  Next time.  Aside from the floating cat, this card is lots of fun.  I especially love the background with the stars and all the night colors.  I was really easy to do too!! 

I started with a piece of Island Indigo cardstock.  Then I punched out some stars, the color doesn't matter.  I used some temporary adhesive to hold them down, then I sponged Island Indigo ink over the entire piece of cardstock.  Then I sponged Night Of Navy over the top half.  Finally I sponged Blackberry Bliss over the very top.  Then I removed my stars.  I used a white gel pen to add some little dots for the farther away stars.  I love the look of the sky :)  Maybe that's why I didn't notice my cat was floating until I was editing the pictures :) 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

12 Weeks Til Christmas Countdown: Week 4

Week 4!  Can you believe how quickly these weeks are flying by!!!?!  Today's card is another card I just love!  I was inspired by this card by Martha.  I loved how peaceful this card is with just the little polar bear!  I did change mine up a little though.  I really wanted to 'frame' my bear.  I don't know why but I kept thinking of this card and it always had a silver frame.  So I went with it.  I made the frame by cutting a square that was about 3.5x3.5.  Then using my paper cutter I cut another square out of the center of the square.  The smaller square is about 2.5x2.5.  So I was left with a .5 inch frame.  If you have the square framelits you can do the same thing with the framelits.  I've had a hard time convincing myself that I need the square framelits because I can cut a square, I can cut a square out of a square see where I'm stuck :)

Now we have the frame, we need the polar bear.  I fussy cut him out. I know some people don't like to fussy cut, I actually do!  Weird?  Maybe, but I enjoy it! I used some All Is Calm DSP for the background and just cut some random hills for the polar bear.  To finish the card I added a greeting and some sequins.  It's really lovely in person and I think the frame brings everything together.   

Remember to join me next week for week 5. If you've missed the past weeks click the links below.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!