Dig my new necklace!

Isn't it glorious? :) It's a Simply Adorned 34" chain, and the 1-1/4"x1" charm. This is just the first insert I made for it. The DSP is in the Summer Mini, ISLAND OASIS.

I cut out the letter, which is from the LOVELY LETTERS ALPHA, after I stamped it in Real Red on Whisper White.

I'm really impressed with the quality of the jewelry; it's heavy, and very nicely made. The clasp that holds the locket mechanism is really tight, so it's not going to open up by accident and lose any insert I decide to put in.

If you've got your Summer Mini, you can see all the pieces of the Simply Adorned line on page 17. Remember: the whole Summer Mini goes LIVE on Saturday! I really need to get my stamps out and play - maybe Monday. This weekend's packed for me again!

I hope you're planning to take the time to stamp something - I'll be planning and scheming my next project! :)

You DID miss me! :D

Thanks to everyone who left comments - I had over 130 hits in the last 24 hours, so I know you're paying attention, too! :D THANK YOU! I feel much better! LOL!

Today, as promised, are all four 6x6 scrapbook layouts from last week's class. :) It took me a while to get the photos edited. Sorry I'm a bit late today!

This one is meant to be a "missing you" type of page - whether the person is still in this world, or has departed, you can miss someone terribly (as I KNOW some of you know!). So, I wanted to have a place to acknowledge that feeling!

You may notice that all four of these layouts have something in common: at least one of the colors used on them is being retired. Remember that I can only guarantee you'll be able to get the retiring colors until the end of May - once the retiring list hits, first come, first served - and it goes QUICKLY! Get your orders in!!!!

This one is Bordering Blue (from now on, an R in parentheses will mean retiring!)(R) and Whisper White, with a little Creamy Caramel (R) thrown in for distressing.

Next!I really like this one for its simplicity. :) Oh, in case you haven't heard: only Basic Black, Whisper White, and Very Vanilla will be available in full-sized craft pads when the new Idea Book & Catalog comes out. This is made with a Real Red craft pad; the spots will still be available, but if there are ANY colors you want in full-size, get them by May 31 to be sure to get them! :)

So, the card stock is Creamy Caramel (R), Real Red, and Whisper White. Medallion stamp!

Next!
Here, new meets old! :D AWASH WITH FLOWERS is the IB&C SNEAK PEEK STAMP SET, available ONLY through April 30, until the new book comes out in July! Want it? GET IT - go to my business site and order!!!! Just click on SHOP NOW on the top right corner!

Colors are Cameo Coral (R), Summer Sun (R), and Whisper White. That's a Chocolate Chip corduroy button in the middle of that Flower Layers #3 flower! I really like this one - but it would definitely need the right photos. Maybe sepia! That would look awesome!

And here's the final one!
This is my mom's favorite. :) It's Dusty Durango (R), Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla. That's the Fifth Avenue Floral rose back there; the borders are the eyelet lace punch. I really like that punch! It really adds just the right touch to this, don't you think? :)

OK, I'm outta here. I still need to clean up that mess I showed you yesterday, and get BUSY! :) I hope you have a WONDERFUL day, and keep leaving me comments. I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading them! :D

PLEASE, for your own sake! Take the time to STAMP something! :D Be blessed!

I'm BACK! Did you miss me?? :D

No comments the WHOLE time I was gone?!? You didn't miss me? I'm sad! ;)

It was QUITE the trip. I'm wiped out - especially since I came home yesterday and dove right into doing our FOOD FRENZY class! This is what I face cleaning up today:


We had a GREAT time! We had Papa John's pizza - a veggie and a meat pizza! :D - and brownies, still warm from the oven, with a Ghiardelli caramel square. Yummmmmmmm. Sounds like lunch.... :D

Anyway. I'm going to show you ALL the projects we did last night, because I've deprived you of my brilliance for so long.... (If you could hear me laughing, you'd HAVE to join in! :D )

Here we go!
It's a mini pizza box! Measuring 2"x2"x1", it's perfect to put a little treat in. But this one doesn't hold a treat. This class was not only about stamping things that could HOLD food, but that LOOKED like food. So, the inside is designed to be an invitation for...

a PIZZA PARTY!

Isn't this too cute for words? It also qualifies for punch art, because the whole thing is done with punches! :) When you lift on the pizza, the "invitation paper" accordian folds out to reveal all the pertinent details. :) It was fun!


The next project:



Using test tubes in stamping opens so much potential! :) This stamp set is from the SUMMER MINI, which starts MAY 1 - this Saturday!!! It's called SWEET SCOOPS. :) We put sprinkles and toffee topping in the tubes. Just the cutest little gift, or table favor at a birthday party! :D


OK. On to the next project!

We put contact paper on the INSIDE of this fancy favor bag, so that it could be wiped out if needed, and reused. The DSP is from the SUMMER MINI, as well! It's cheerful and fun, and I love polka dots. :D Let me see if I can find my Summer Mini, so I can tell you its name - I'm telling you, I didn't even go upstairs once from the time we came home until after the class! :D
Aha! Here it is! It's ISLAND OASIS. You're really going to love using all the products from the Summer Mini! :) I can't wait to continue showing you fun things!

Anyway. That's a Build-a-Brad in the center of the flower. They're fun to use - but I don't think too many of my customers have discovered them yet. You can stamp or punch out any image that's 1/2", and make your own brad with it! FUN!


Now, on to the last project - and I think everyone's favorite, even though it was a last- minute add! I wasn't going to do 4, but decided we just had to do this one. :D



This is the front.....


This is the back....



See?? It's a Ghiardelli square hanger! Made with the petal fold card die, we used the SENDING LOVE DSP that's going away with the Occasions Mini on Friday. If you haven't placed your order yet, and want something from it, PLEASE make sure to do so in time! Once things are gone, they're gone!


And here's a photo of the butterfly detail, while it's lying on the counter:

We just used a staple in the middle, where the body would be. The modern label punch with the saying from TEENY TINY WISHES just finishes it off, don't you think?!?!

OK. I hope to hear from you! :) Tell me which project is YOUR favorite!

Tomorrow, I'll show you all four of the 6x6 scrapbook layouts from last week! You won't want to miss it - I did some unusual color combos for me! :D

Have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!!

Time for a break....

Hey, y'all. I'm still here, just feeling overwhelmed. I'm going to take a break, and post again next week - I'll be out of town, but I'm hoping I can get my act together for preposting for Monday and Tuesday. :)

Here's the details for the next class; LMK if you can come!

FOOD FRENZY!
Tuesday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $20, and it includes a simple dinner!
RSVP Date: Wednesday, April 21
I got your attention, right? We all LOVE to eat. For this night, I'll get some pizza, make some brownies, and we'll stamp. We'll make FOOD-themed items, whether it's making something that looks like a food item, or making an item that holds a food item. Don't miss this one - it's going to be a blast! :D

Have a WONDERFUL week, and be sure to take the time to STAMP something! :)

Rusty, just like me! :D

Hi, everyone! It's still Tuesday morning, so I'm doing well today! LOL!

Today's card is another from the last Advanced Techniques class; we had a great time, and I really enjoyed this one. It's another from Pat at TECHNIQUE JUNKIES; please be sure to tell her I sent you! :)

Card stock: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede

Ink: Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla, Silver Encore, Basic Brown

Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Accessories: stipple brush, full heart and modern label punches, and more I can't tell you about! :)

It's a lot of fun, and I can see lots of Western-type applications with this. I put "Happy Retirement" on the card because I thought it was funny. Get it? The card looks aged, and like it's been through a lot...?? :D

OK, I'm outta here - tonight is SCRAPBOOKING! I can't wait - it's gonna be fun! I hope YOU are taking the time to STAMP something, too....

Sneak Peek from the Summer Mini!

Well, ONE stamp, anyway.... :D

My mom absolutely loves this color - Barely Banana. It's one of the colors that's going away with the new Idea Book, so I'm using it while it's still here! :)

Card stock: Whisper White, Barely Banana, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Stazon Jet Black; Pumpkin Pie, Cameo Coral, and Summer Sun Stampin' Write Markers

Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, All a Flutter (SUMMER MINI!)

Accessories: Big Shot (Yup! I♥MyBigShot!) :D, Manhattan Flower folder modern label punch, dimensionals

SO super easy - you just color and layer up! - and beautiful! :)

OK, I'm off - I still have a scrapbooking class for tomorrow to prep and Mom's gonna color my hair. :D Have a WONDERFUL day - and be sure to take the time to STAMP something!!!

Please stand by...!

We shot a wedding Saturday, and Kenn took my flash card and battery. I found another flash card, but NO BATTERY - he's out and about. :D As SOON as I can get a battery into my camera, I'm ready to tell you all about a card I made JUST FOR YOU. :D Stay tuned!

Spritzed Stone

Hi, y'all! Time is rolling quickly to tonight's mini open house; we've got two fun projects to do! I hope you can drop by. :)

ANYWAY. Here's the next sample; it's Spritzed Stone from Technique Junkies. (It's SO worth the subscription price!)

Card stock: Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Versamark

Stamp sets: Celebrate Everything, Tart & Tangy

Accessories: Real Red & Only Orange Stampin' Write Markers, clear embossing powder, white embossing powder, embossing buddy, heat tool, and secret accessory. :)

This was a fun technique, and I love the card!

OK, I'm off to burn a little more time before the open house. :) I hope you are coming - and WE will definitely take the time to STAMP something! Will you?

Just Brown Baggin' It!

Good morning! Here it is Wednesday already - phew! What a month it's been!

Today's share is from last night's advanced techniques class - we had a great time! You should think about joining us sometime! :D

The technique is from TECHNIQUE JUNKIES - be sure and tell Pat I said hi! :D

Card stock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Whisper White (the piece for the bag)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red

Stamp set: Nature's Silhouettes

And that's as far as I can take you! :D

Stay tuned this week for more samples! Also, if you're in the area, I'm having a MINI OPEN HOUSE on THURSDAY (4/15) from 4-7! Stop by and make something, place an order, and have a great time! :)

Gotta jet - so be SURE to take time to STAMP something today! :D

Good afternoon! :)

I thought I'd already posted this cute 3x3 card, but I've looked back for a month and can't find it - so here you go! :D

Card stock: Summer Sun, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Stazon Jet Black; Bordering Blue and Summer Sun Stampin' Write Markers

Stamp set: Just Buzzin' By

Accessories: large and scallop oval punches, ticket corner punch

SUPER simple, and soooo cute. I just love these bees! And I love the Summer Sun - I'll miss it, but I can't wait to start working with the new colors Stampin' Up! is treating us to! (I'll be putting up a link to the retiring colors and the new colors separate .pdfs in a minute!)

OK, I'm off to finish plans for tonight's ADVANCED TECHNIQUES class! Stay tuned for samples - it's gonna be an awesome class! Now, be sure to take the time to STAMP something - you know I am! :D

Awash with Flowers!

Hi, everyone! I've created a card just for you today - but I still hope you'll scroll down and read the first post from today. Then, think about submitting your own tomato story! :)

The only thing here I'm unsure whether will be in the new Idea Book & Catalog coming in July is the "A Note of Thanks" from KIND THANKS - but everything else is! :)

Card stock: Regal Rose, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, watercolor paper

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke

Stamp sets: Awash With Flowers - new IB&C sneak peek, available ONLY this month; see the widget in the right-hand column! - and Kind Thanks

Accessories: Rich Regals and Earth Elements Watercolor Crayons, acrylic blocks, spritzer bottle with water, dimensionals, scallop trim punch (looks crooked in the photo, but it's not! :) )

OK, I'm off. I'm TIRED! :) Have a WONDERFUL day - and be sure to take the time to STAMP something!

Have you found YOUR tomato?

Please note: I know this is not stamping-related, but we're really excited about this project. I will post a card later this afternoon, but first thing this morning is our launch for this whole idea. This is from Kenn's perspective, in case you have trouble at first. :D

So! Will you tell me about YOUR tomato?

Not long ago, I posted a story on Facebook about how God provided a small but tasty miracle for me in the Kroger parking lot. We received many great comments about the story, and Lori and I believe that many of you have similar stories to tell. (For your reference, if you have not heard the story, it has been posted at the end of this message.)

I feel that I need to "invest" this story of God's providence, and the dividend I am looking for is the testimony of His provision and blessing in your lives. I know that God has touched all of you at one time or another, and we want to hear about it!

Lori and I would like you, our friends, to send us your stories. We have opened up a separate email account for this purose; it's myfoundtomato@aol.com Please email your stories to us there. If you send your story, you are agreeing to allow us to use it for a book! We're going to see if we can find a publisher for this project.

I attend a men's group from our church that meets early Tuesday morning. We spend an hour together; we worship, praise God, and then listen to a testimony from one of the men who attends. This week it was our worship pastor, Pastor Wayne, who had just returned from Africa.

This year, Pastor Wayne has been encouraging us as a congregation to be "sensitive" to the daily miracles that God provides for us. To emphasize this, he told a remarkable story of such a miracle that happened on this trip to Africa . Then our missions pastor, Bruce, told us of a small "miracle" that he had witnessed this week as well. Both of these events could be classified as divine appointments.

I do believe that God is at work in our lives constantly and continually. In the rush and hurry of our lives, we often overlook these workings, or sometimes even put them in the "luck" column; when something "bad" happens to us we either blame our bad luck or blame Satan. We rarely see how God is using even our misfortunes for our good.

The photo above is from the Nashville Farmers Market. I think tomatoes are one of God's miracles! Imagine: a seed placed in the ground has all the instructions in it to produce these lovely fruits. The seed lies next to its neighbor, is nourished by the same earth, watered by the same rain or irrigation, and basks in the same sun as its neighbor - but soon it's a tomato, not a cucumber.

Anyway . Tuesday afternoon, after The Gate, Lori and I meet for a rare movie event (rare because movies cost money and we have very little!). After the movie, we decided to save money on the day by eating at home instead of eating out, as was our custom before poverty. I would grill hamburgers, and we had some precut French fries in the freezer. I asked Lori if we had a tomato, but she said no; tomatoes were hard to come by - and, if you came by them, they have been really expensive.

Lori and I went our separate ways, and I decided to run over to Krogers to see what a couple of dollars could buy in produce. I was thinking maybe a grilled zucchini, or something similar.... I parked the car in the Kroger lot and was calling Lori to let her know where I stopped, when I looked down.

There, right in front of me in the Kroger parking lot, was a tomato. A beautiful, ripe, pristine tomato, no dents, no bruises; so perfect I could use it in a photo shoot, and it was right there in front of me.

I picked up the tomato and looked around to see if I could find who may have dropped it. With no one even close, I returned it to the car and thanked God for this little but greatly-appreciated miracle.

Final Punch Art Card!

Hey, gang! Happy Friday! Hopefully I'll have my act together more next week. (Don't BET on it, though.... :D) WHEW. I need a vacation from life! LOL!

OK, here's the final punch art card, again thanks to Nancy Dawson at Creative Wishes. She TOTALLY rocks. :)

:D Isn't it ADORABLE? Nancy's had a lot more ink to the card, but I figured, with it being a punch art class.... :D The inside is stamped with the THINKING OF YOU from "Sincere Salutations".

Card stock: YoYo Yellow, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Handsome Hunter

Ink: Going Gray, Brilliant Blue (inside)

Accessories: Big Shot - I♥BigShot!!, 1-3/8" and 1-3/4" circle punches, Beautiful Butterfly Die, Build-a-Bear Boy Accessories Sizzlit, wide oval punch, small oval punch, snowflake punch, blender pen

This one just makes me smile. I think he's really adorable!

OK, I'm off. :) Have a WONDERFUL weekend - and be sure to take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!

Punch Art!!!

I LOVE using punches (and my Big Shot!!! :D ) to create works of art. Today's card is another sample from the LET'S GET PUNCHY 2! class Tuesday night. I have to thank a wonderful demonstrator, Nancy Dawson, for her great idea! Once I told her I would like to CASE her project, she gave me the punches she used for the car so I didn't have to figure it out all by myself! :) Check out her blog, Creative Wishes!


Card stock: Whisper White, YoYo Yellow, Bashful Blue, Glorious Green, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Brushed Silver, Basic Black, Going Gray

Ink: Going Gray, Glorious Green

Stamp set: Pendant Park

Punches: 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" square, word window, large and wide oval, 3/4", 1", and 1-1/4" circle, horizontal slot

Of course, my background is a bit different - after all, it WAS a punch class! :D - but Nancy, thank you so much for helping me out! (The last card I'll show you from the class was also inspired and instructed by Nancy!)

OK, I'm off. I have to battle pharmacy and coverage today - and I'm procratinating. Have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something! (P.S. If you need any of the punches to do the punch art you've seen the last two days, either contact me or go to my business site and click the SHOP NOW button on the top right! :) )

AUGH! LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!

Could someone please arrange for things to go smoothly for just a week? Just seven days in a row?!?!? Please?!?!?! :D

ANYWAY.

Here's the bulletin board:
Didn't it turn out beautifully?

LOTS of punches and the Big Shot - and of course, ALL the dies are ©Stampin' Up! - as are the colors. :)

Here's a close-up of that rose:

Isn't it pretty? We learned how to do it last night at the Getting Punchy 2! class! Here's what we made last night:

Isn't it pretty? We had a GREAT time! Here's a hint: the rose is made with the ORNAMENT punch!

OK, I'm off to try to de-stress a little bit. :) Have a WONDERFUL day - and take the time to stamp something.

I'm really OK! :)

Just with Easter and the family back through yesterday and today (longer than we'd planned!), and a class tonight, I'm overwhelmed. My allergies are driving me CRAZY, too, and I'm really tired of sneezing.

But enough complaining! I want you to know that Stampin' Up! is doing a COLOR RENOVATION! It's a real change - I'm losing some of my favorites, but I'm also going to be LOVING the new color families. If you'd like more information, please email me at poohisstampin@aol.com!

I'll be back tomorrow, once I have a chance to get some sleep and some rest. :) I promise! I have a bulletin board layout I did for my church's women's ministry to show you!

In the meantime: be sure to take the time to STAMP something! We have! :D

The beach is calling my name...!

Oh, how I wish I could go to my beach today - but I chatted with a friend, and she said it's very wet this morning. :D I still love my beach in the rain, though!

ANYWAY. This is my favorite card from the Technicolor Watercolor Class; I think you'll know why. :D

I purchased a watercolor techniques tutorial from Sandi MacIver JUST for this technique. It's simply lovely, and so peaceful.

Card stock: Whisper White, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Creamy Caramel, Versamark

Stamp set: A Rose is a Rose (saying)

Accessories: Aqua Painters, Earth Elements, Rich Regals, and Neutral Watercolor Wonder Crayons, embossing buddy, white embossing powder, heat tool

Have a WONDERFUL Easter weekend, my friends. Enjoy your time with family, and celebrating the RESURRECTION! Be BLESSED - and still take a few moments to STAMP something! :)

Just enjoying my Thursday! :)

I know, it's already afternoon - but it's such a pretty day, and I'm enjoying having nothing outside the house to do. :) I'm feeling pretty darned blessed today.

But enough about that. You don't come here for that - you go to my Proverbs 31 Wannabe blog for that! :D

Today's sample is from the Quick Cards Class again!

I was going to show you another card, but this one just matches the DAY so perfectly!:D

Card Stock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Pale Plum, Certainly Celery

Ink: Basic Gray, assorted Stampin' Write Markers

Stamp sets: Country Morning (level 1 hostess set!), Pendant Park

Accessories: Big Shot - YES, I love my Big Shot. Who's gonna make a big deal out of it, huh?!?!? :D - Petals-a-Plenty Texturz folder (still available!)

Super simple, SUPER springy! JUST enough coloring to relax one, but not enough to get fussy. :D

OK, I'm off to continue enjoying my day! :) I hope you enjoy yours, too - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something - I already have! :D