MDS Monday - Welcome to our Home

Woah. I had NO CLUE it had been so long since I posted. I'm sorry, y'all - life has been CRAZY. With so little time between Thanksgiving and the open house, I was pretty locked in. Then I got sick for a bit, then had company for Christmas and was sick at the same time, still sick... :) So I apologize for leaving you in the lurch, with no checking in, but we all have lives. :D

So, this was a sketch challenge. I'm not TOO crazy about it; I should have picked different colors for the background, but I'm not sure WHAT. Or different photos to show off - that teal and those pictures just isn't doing it for me. What do you think?!?!?

Can you believe the next post will be in 2014?!? Surreal. HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!!!! May it bring us all to a closer understanding of who we are in Christ!

MDS Monday - Farewell to the Ocean

Here we are at Monday again! :D We're less than three weeks to the open house - EEP!!!! - so let me get right to it. :D

This is another challenge page - the same as last week, to do black and white plus ONE color. So I chose Turquoise. I really like how this turned out; I like clean and simple, and if it gets to busy, it drives me crazy. :D This is perfect!

Seriously. If you're not playing with My Digital Studio, you're REALLY missing out. :)

Have a wonderful day! Be sure and make the time to stamp something!

Hostess Club Project #1

It's FRIDAY!!! :D Have you started working on your Christmas cards yet?? I need to do more. But I REALLY love this one - and it's super simple.

If you have ever considered being a part of a hostess club, it's a GREAT time to either join our existing club at my house, or start one of your own! We meet every other month, and everyone takes turns being hostess. We sign a pledge to purchase so much every time - it's a minimum, so everyone is guaranteed of a certain amount of a party each time, so it's fair. It's SO much fun, and guests are welcome! :) Please talk to me if you'd like to join in - or start a group of your own.

Anyway. We did this card as one of the projects. I just love the "merry" from the Expressions thinlits cut out with silver glimmer paper! The snowflakes are stamped with Illuminate ink - they're sparkly, shimmery, and just snowy. :D

OK, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful week! Be SURE and make the time to stamp something!

Another CASE challenge card!

Goodness, how can it be Wednesday already?! :D This year has flown by. It will be over before we know it!

So. Let me see if I can find the card in the IB&C this was CASED from...

(Wow. As I leaf through the book, I realize they focused on BANNERS - a LOT.)

Oh, wait. It was from the Stamper's Success, the demonstrator-only magazine we get. Sorry. If you come over, I can show it to you... :D

ANYWAY. I didn't have the stamp set they used, or the framelits, OR the designer series paper (let alone the twine and brads!) - but I used what I had, made what I needed, and I really like MY version better. :D It's a lot busier than I usually do, but it's a clean busy, which makes me like it. ROFL!

OK, I'm outta here. :D have a WONDERFUL day! Be sure to make the time to STAMP something- don't leave your Christmas cards until the last minute! :D

MDS Monday - My Two Peas

Happy Monday! Did you have a good weekend? I did - mine was so less busy than normal! I sat at my desk and watched leaves gall in the wind. Wow, the trees are almost naked again.

Anyway. :D I know I've done a page in the last couple of years that was similar to this one, but they're one of my favorite subjects. :D The challenge was to scrap a page in black and white and one color. :D So, I did!

OK, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful day! Be sure to stamp something today!

Yet another challenge card :D

Happy Friday!!! Are you glad it's here - or are you so busy anymore, the weekends go by in a blur? :)

Today's share is yet another challenge card, from last week when I was making all SORTS of cards. :D

The challenge was to take ONE color plus either Whisper White or Very Vanilla and do a complete fall card with it. So this is what I came up with!

Pumpkin Pie.One of my favorite fall colors. Paired that with the woodgrain embossing folder, which I applied ink to once I'd embossed it, the labels collection framelits, GENTLY FALLING - stamped and cut out, then mounted with dimensionals. To finish it all off, I used "Happy Thanksgiving" from TEENY TINY WISHES , embossed it with white embossing powder, and punched it out with the modern label punch. I really, really love this card. If you used two colors plus the Whisper White, it would be difficult to count the combos that would look great! :D

OK! I'm outta here! I hope you enjoy your weekend, whatever you do - and be sure to make the time to stamp something!

Vintage Technique

Welcome to Wednesday! How's your week going? Have you had a chance to stamp anything yet? You know, it's time to start working on Christmas cards... :D

This was another SUDSOL challenge - remember that SUDSOL stands for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators Sharing OnLine? :D It was to try this technique - so, I did. :D I actually like the way this came out - and I added a bit of the Torn Frames technique around the edges. Not TOO much, but enough that I think it helped the vintage feel.

The leaf and the "Give Thanks" are from the Best of Autumn stamp set; I really love it. This leaf is particularly pretty, IMHO. :D

So, what do YOU think of my card? :D Wish you could come see it in real life - it's got a tiny bit of sparkle to it, and the inside is pretty, too. :D

OK, I'm outta here. Have a wonderful day - and be SURE to MAKE the time to STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

MDS Monday - Celebrating Everyday Places

Welcome to Monday Morning! Did you have a good weekend? Planning on having a good week? :)

Today's share is yet another set of photos from our trip to Indiana last month; the challenge was to CASE (Copy And Steal Everything) a page in the Idea Book. Well, I sooooooooooo didn't like the page in the first place - it looked cluttered and - I don't know, smeary? :D So I changed the background color, took out one or two things from the middle of the page, and kept my lines clean. And now, I DO like my page. :D What do you think??

By the way, if you go to mydigitalstudio.net, we're in the middle of digital scrapbooking week; there's a sale each day, lots of different things to do, and more information that you can possibly process at one time. :D

Have a WONDERFUL day! Be sure and take the time to SCRAP something! :D

She Likes Me! :)

Happy Friday Morning! Sorry about flaking on you on Wednesday - by the time I realized I HADN'T posted something, it was time for me to leave for twelve hours. I just couldn't make it happen. Mea culpa.

Hey, do you remember this card I showed you last week? Well, Mary Jo chose it as one of her favorite entries! How stoked am I? :) I really enjoy Mary Jo's work - it's always beautiful! She's also a Christian, and a determined demonstrator. :D So, I had to enter again this week, of course. :D

I actually killed two birds with one stone: this is a card that we'll be doing at Monday's Christmas Quick Card Class - if anyone signs up for it! (If not, I'll be having another PJ day, thank you very much. :D )

Mary Jo's sketch had a sentiment in the bottom right corner, but since I used the tag for my sentiment, I put rhinestones on that bottom corner. It's really pretty IRL! I hope SOMEONE will sign up for the class, so I can do some more of these. :D

Go play along with her challenge! See what YOU can come up with! I'm going to go look at the other entries, now that I've designed my own. :D Have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and stamp SOMEthing!

Table Favor

Happy Wednesday! :) Are you having a good week? Getting lots accomplished? Loving on those around you? :)

Here's a way to love on someone - or decorate your table, or give them to visitors. It's a SUPER simple favor, done with my Big Shot - LOVE THAT THING!!! :D - alongside Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip card stock, and two dies. A little 2-way glue to stick the Expressions Thinlit diecut to the Top Note diecut, and two glue dots to hold down the Smarties, and voila'! SUPER easy, like I said!! :D These are tropical Smarties that I brought back from Indiana, just for a special meeting I held earlier in the month.

OK, I'm outta here! If you are celebrating Halloween, enjoy yourself and be safe. We'll see you back here in NOVEMBER - can you believe it?!?!? :D Have a wonderful day - go STAMP something!

MDS Monday - Country Kenny

Welcome to MDS Monday! Did you have a good weekend? I'm starting to be glad for Mondays - I get a bit of a chance to recooperate. :D

This was for a SUDSOL challenge using hexagons. :D One of my favorite tools on MY DIGITAL STUDIO is the grouping feature.; I did one row, then grouped that row and pasted, then grouped three full rows and put them where I wanted. Then all I had to do was fill in the corners! :)

OK, I'm outta here! :) Have a WONDERFUL day! And try MDS for 30 days for free. See if you don't love it!

Get Started on Your Thanksgiving Table!

It's FRIDAY! Have you had a good week? Big plans for the weekend?? I've got big plans - tomorrow's my Hostess-Only Appreciation Luncheon; the lovely, WONDERFUL women who have supported my business by hosting parties in the past year will come to my house, be treated to wonderful (if I do say so myself!) food, and we'll spend some time making exclusive projects that I'll never make anywhere else. :) Watch for pictures!

Anyway. :D

We're almost at the end of October, which means we're in full holiday swing: first Halloween, if you celebrate it, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Year's. PHEW. So why not get a head start while you can? This is a super-simple place card for your table; a little time now makes it super simple then!

I cut a piece of Baked Brown Sugar to 4"x4", and folded it in half. The Designer Series Paper is Polka Dot Parade; I love the colors in it, and I've used this paper for Christmas and Thanksgiving projects, so it's really versatile. :D The Pumpkin Pie piece I cut at 3.75"x1.75"; the Daffodil Delight piece is cut at 3.5"x1.5". The Very Vanilla (the ripples you see? those are reflections from the plastic covering my table!) is cut at 1"x3". I wrote my name on it with my Baked Brown Sugar Stampin' Write marker.

The leaf is from Gently Falling; I embossed it on Baked Brown Sugar with pewter EP and cut it out, Then, I crumpled it a bit and put some Baked Brown Sugar ink directly onto it. It's mounted onto the place card with a Dimensional.

Tada! :D You could do a lot of these if you needed to, in just a little bit of time. They will add a nice splash of color, too - but it's up to you to decide who has to sit next to Uncle Sy. :D

OK, I'm outta here! Lots to do! :D Have a WONDERFUL day, and be sure to make the time to stamp something.

Challenge Card!

Happy Wednesday! Are you having a good week? Mine's FLYING - busy, busy. :D

Today's share is a challenge card I did for Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Challenge. :) You can see the sketch and her team's cards at the link there.

This is a REALLY unusual color combo for me for a Christmas card, but I LOVE it. It's so elegant IRL! Yes, that card base is Smoky Slate! With some Whisper White card stock for the strip and the inside. That specialty Designer Series Paper is from the Holiday Mini, Winter Frost - well, it's beautiful paper, I must tell you. (There's so much from the Holiday Mini I want! AUGH!!!! :D )

The stamp set is a carry-over from last year's Holiday Mini, called Evergreen. And the snowflakes that are stamped and embossed with Iridescent Ice are from Festive Flurry, available in a bundle!

OK, peeps, I'm outta here. :) Still lots to do today! I hope you have a wonderful day, and make SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!! :)

LAST DAY to Join My Team for only $25!!!!

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Offer: New recruits can join Stampin' Up! for just $25!

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Business pack which includes
A box of annual catalogs
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Getting Started DVD
Customer Order Forms
Customer postcards
This promotion will concurrently be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and France.

First Workshop Perks

If your new recruit places her first workshop order of at least $150 within 30 days of her start date, she can:
choose any stamp set from the 2013-2014 annual catalog (redeemable with her first demonstrator order in December).*
receive 30% instant income on her first order and any eligible hostess benefits if she hosts her own event.

*This perk is only available to those who sign up between October 7-21; don't let your new recruits miss out!

MDS Monday - Fall in Indiana

Happy Monday! Did you have a good weekend?? Mine was SO busy - there's so much going on that I've had loooong TO DO lists every day. And it doesn't look like it's going to stop much....

ANYWAY. We had a wonderful time in Indiana, and I wanted to showcase a few of the photos I took. The corn was on the farm we stay at, and the pumpkins were at a pumpkin patch we went to. :) We had pretty wonderful weather, too!

I have to tell you, I purchased this digital kit JUST for doing this page. The background paper, the word stamp in the middle, the punch leaves, and the DSP filling in the leaves - all from the WONDERFALL KIT. You can download it for another digital scrapbooking program, if you've already got one. Go ahead, click on the link there. :D

OK, I'm outta here! The HOSTESS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON is this Saturday, and I've got LOTS to do! What would I do without my lists?!? :D Have a wonderful day! Be sure and make the time to stamp SOMEthing!!!

Thank You Card

Happy Friday!!!!

I don't know about you, but I always need thank-you cards. I need to do better about giving/sending them out - I am SO blessed by people!!

The square on this was masked off, then we rolled it and sponged it with Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie. Later, I decided to step it up a bit, and sponged some Versamark onto the square, using the mask, and then embossed it with clear EP. I really like it - it adds a little layer and some extra pop.

If you don't do much sponging, I'd like to encourage you to try it more. It really adds a lot of texture - as you've seen on EVERY non-MDS project the past two weeks - with little effort.

Phew. Can you BELIEVE there's only one more full week left in October?!?! WOW, is time flying!

OK, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and take the time to stamp SOMEthing! :)

Welcome to Wednesday! :)

This is the third project we did at the Hostess Club; I try to do two cards and a 3D project. When the girls saw this one, I even HEARD one of them say it was too complicated.

HA! Did I prove them wrong! :D

Stampin' Up!'s new card thinlits - go here to see them in action! - make this SO stinking easy. All of us at the party remember having to measure, score, cut - well, no more. The thinlits do it ALL!! All you have to do is fold and decorate. SO fun.

And I LOVE the fact that they've brought back the Encore gold and silver ink pads. Embossing with them gives a whole new richness to it!

OK, I'm outta here. :) If all went as expected, we're getting home today. :) So go stamp something! :D

MDS Monday - My Beautiful Mom

Good Monday Morning!

This is from the same challenge as last week's MDS Monday - the color challenge. I wanted to do something different; I don't do color blocking very often, but I like this. :)

I don't normally like doing just one photo on a page, but this one really works for me. :) I love my mom; she's my hero.

Again, if you're not using MY DIGITAL STUDIO, you're really missing out. And you can get a 30-day free full download to try it out!!! Go get it. :D

Today's Kenn's birthday. We're out of town to rest up. :) If you have a chance, wish him a happy birthday, would you? :D

And stamp something, will ya?! :D

Inspired Gratitude Card

I love this card. :) I know I was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest, but I didn't pin it. Odd, because I like to know where to attribute the inspiration. Oh, well. :)

This is another project we did for the Hostess Club get-together. It was such a great day! :) That's the Framed Tulip around the outside; the Antique Wallpaper one is retired now, but you can use any texture folder you wish!

OK, I'm outta here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me! And you can start your own hostess club any time you wish. :D Just let me know.

Have a wonderful weekend! Take the time to stamp something!

Owl Fancy Favor

Welcome to Wednesday! :)

Isn't this guy cute? I kind of CASEd him, but knew I wanted to use our Fancy Favor Box die as his base. All the other measurements are based from the box itself. No hand cutting for us - I LOVE MY BIG SHOT! :D

Also, I wanted to give a little more texture to his feathers; the card stock is Chocolate Chip, and we sponged with Early Espresso ink.

I didn't want to glitter his eyes, so we only did his beak. Oh, and we used the Tasteful Trim die for the "feathers".

I'd like to do something with his face piece, but this is what we did. Oh, we did this for the hostess club get-together. If you want to be a part, NOW is the time to sign up! Or get some of your friends together, and let's start your own hostess club!!!!

OK, I'm outta here. Have a wonderful day! Be SURE to make the time to STAMP something! :D

MDS Monday - Uncle Kenn Meets Isaiah

Happy Monday! Sorry about last week. The show is now OVER! :D And we're on the downhill slide to Christmas - can you believe it's already the end of the first full week of October???

This challenge was a color challenge: use Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, Gumball Green, Baked Brown Sugar, and Whisper White. I used MY DIGITAL STUDIO, of course. :) I will eventually get all these challenge pages printed into a book. I can't wait! :)

Anyway. This is the first time Kenn met our newest nephew. :) Pretty sweet!

Have a wonderful day! Be SURE to stamp (or scrap!) SOMETHING!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Friday!!! Have you got big plans for the weekend? I do! I have a show tonight and tomorrow night - if you want tickets for this or next weekend, get them NOW - last week's crowds were big, and I think it'll be bigger!! Oh, and a Stampin' Up! party Saturday morning - I so cannot wait to stamp these projects! You'll enjoy seeing them, but there's nothing like doing them together. :) If you want to place an order with our party, let me know - I'll get you the hostess ID number, and you can place it online and get it shipped to your door!!

ANYWAY. :D This card looks MUCH cuter IRL. :D It's very glittery from the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (PLEASE make sure you go through my business website to order, to make sure we all get the credit we're supposed to! :) ) And of course, the basic rhinestone on the tree. I had a great time putting together the tree from two scallop punches! I did score the lines for the Dazzling Details to lie between on my Scoring Tool. Super easy, super cute - it's 4" square!

OK, I'm outta here! Time to get busy! Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Be sure and make the time to stamp SOMETHING!!! :)

What a MESS!!!

Life. I feel like I'm dragging behind along on the pavement right now, while life speeds out of control. :) The studio is a mess, as you can see - the counter hasn't been cleaned off for a couple of months. Actually, I think it's only been cleaned off ONCE since I got home.

But I'm working on it. :) I have a Stampin' Up! party here Saturday morning; I'm going to make some brunch food, and I love the projects I've designed for it. I can't wait to stamp with some of my favorite people! Want to come? Let me know! It's at 10 a.m. at my house! (I made it a bit later than normal for a Saturday morning, because I have a show Friday night! :D )

Come stamp with me!!!!

MDS Monday - O Come Let Us Adore Him

Welcome to MDS MONDAY! :D Sorry about last week, y'all; I just totally, completely wore myself out and had to take every extra moment to rest. Now that the show's open, I *think* I'll be back to normal. :D (What IS "normal", anyway?!??!)

Today's share is one I came up with all by myself. :D I wanted to scrap this photo from ICE at Gaylord last year - but this scene never changes. I love it. I could spend a long time in here - even at zero degrees! :D

I love the main stamp set on this one - COME TO BETHLEHEM. It retired last year, but you can still get it to use in MDS!!!!! (Did you know you can use MDS downloads if  you already use another program?) So I got it Sunday night to use on this page. :)

OK, I'm outta here! I'm having a Stampin' Up! party on Saturday, if anyone wants to come - message me for details. :) And if you want info on getting tickets for CINDERELLA, message me, too - you've got four more shows!!!

Now, get out there and stamp something! :D

Ooops! Sorry!

I'm running out the door this morning to go on a 36-hour retreat with the ladies of my church. I'll be back Monday with an MDS project to share, I promise! :)

Have a wonderful weekend! And let me know if you find time to stamp SOMETHING! :D

Gently Falling in Candy Corn Colors!

Happy Wednesday! :) How are you today? Me, I'm trying to rest up for the next 10 days marathon - the show opens FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20! If you want ticket info, let me know! :)

So. I'm really getting into nail art, trying to see what I can do with my "limited canvas" - I mean, my nails break off if I look at them crosseyed. :D But I'm having fun now and again; I'm currently in color two of three colors for candy corn nails, and I already love them. :D There's just something fun about different colors on my nails. LOL!

I got inspired to do this card. It uses the Gently Falling stamp set and the Seasonal Sayings set. There aren't any card stock layers; it's just stamped onto Whisper White. I used VersaMark to do the saying in the corner; it's kind of hard to tell, but the words are in Early Espresso embossing powder, and the flourish around it's in gold. It looks really good in person. :) The leaves are stamped in Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie ink; I used my air blower (now also retired :D ) to put some Early Espresso ink on there. You can also see some gold from my Encore ink pad, dabbed on with plastic wrap - one of my favorite techniques for adding texture! :)

So, off I go to finish this manicure. :D I MAY post my review on Life's Little Pleasures Friday. I haven't decided yet. :D

Have a wonderful day! Get inspired, and go STAMP something!!!

MDS Monday - Seventeen Years

Welcome to Monday! :) Here's a quick and easy page, done using MY DIGITAL STUDIO!

Yup. Seventeen years. :) We still irk each other, we still growl. But each day we learn, we love, and we share the grace God's given us. God's good, and Kenn's a good man. :) I am blessed.

Now, go download your free 30-day trial of MDS! :D

Have a wonderful day! Stamp something, if you're not gonna go try it. :D

Welcome! card

Happy Friday! And tomorrow's my 17th anniversary - Happy Anniversary, Kenn! :D

Sorry about the photo quality sometimes - we're down a camera until it's fixed and back to us, so I'm borrowing my dad's camera sometimes. I'm grateful he has one! :D

I really, really like this card. It's simple but elegant, in my very humble opinion. :D The card stock colors are Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, and Burnt Brown Sugar. (It's not my old fave, Creamy Caramel, but it's not a bad color at all!) I used Versamark, and embossed the leaves from Gently Falling with gold and the saying with Early Espresso. The saying is from Occasions Alphabet.

There. You see? Simple and elegant. :)

Have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and make the time to stamp something!!!!

Another Condolence Card

Ahhh, me. These get SO difficult to do - seems like I'm having to make more sympathy cards lately, and I know it won't get better as I get older. :::sigh::: Oh, well. Perhaps receiving one can ease a little pain, and let someone know I care.

Anyway. :) I like how this turned out!

Yes, that is correct! Another fantabulous background with the Big Shot! That's the Antique Wallpaper embossing folder (recently retired!), and I took a bit of Very Vanilla ink on my finger and rubbed on top of the pattern. I really like the way it looks!

Then, I used the 7/8", 1-1/4", and 1-3/4" scallop circle punches to make the flower out of Modern Medley DSP, held together by a mini brad. I wrinkled each flower layer well, and in case you can't see it, I used two of each size.

The saying here and the two on the inside are from Blessings From Heaven. (I only link to the wood block stamps; if you want clear mount, be sure to look for them, too!) I heat embossed them using pewter embossing powder.

The colors of card stock are Very Vanilla, Going Gray, and Basic Black.

There! Now you can create your own card! :) I hope you do, but maybe not a sympathy card...

Have a wonderful day! Make the time to stamp SOMEthing!

MDS Monday - Fall Bucket List 2013

Welcome to LABOR DAY! Hopefully you've got the day off, and can enjoy some time with friends and family. :)

Be sure and click on the photo, to see its original size. I had a lot of fun creating this for our den; I framed it and hung it on the wall, so we can both see it and make sure we do things together during this incredibly busy season. :)

I can't tell you how much you're missing by not trying out MY DIGITAL STUDIO. I love to just doodle, figure out new things to do - I got the idea from Pinterest for this, but the things on the list weren't our kinds of things. THESE are. It's very personalized for just us - not kids, not my parents, not anyone who just wants to print it off. We haven't been to Indiana together for two years - and it's one of our favorite times of the year to visit. We're planning to go up and stay over Kenn's birthday, so it can just be our time to celebrate him. :) You get the idea!

Seriously. Go click on the link. Try it for 30 days - design and get your Christmas cards printed while you try it out. Then put it on your Christmas list for Santa!!!!! :D

OK, I'm outta here. CINDERELLA kicks into high gear; only two more Mondays after today until we open! EEK! :D Have a wonderful day - and be sure to make the time to stamp SOMEthing!

Live Simply

Happy Friday! I hope you're having a great week, and have things you're looking forward to during the long weekend. :)

Today's share is a card I designed for the open house when I first got home - I just got it photographed. :)

I think it's rather pretty! The card stock colors are Whisper White AND Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, and Burnt Brown Sugar. Ink colors are Burnt Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, and VersaMark. We used the Gently Falling and Trust God stamp sets, and embossed the saying in Early Espresso. The background was done with plastic wrap, one of my favorite all-time backgrounds - it's so easy, but so nice.

OK, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful weekend, and be sure to make the time to STAMP something! :) Don't miss MDS Monday - it's pretty cool! :D

Smile!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're having a great week - are you ready for August?!? I can't believe we're almost there already!!

Today's share is one from our last Hostess Club get-together. I had a blast with this one! :D

Isn't it CUTE? It's a 6"x6" piece of Window Sheet, scored with our new trimmer. We filled it with smiley-faced gumballs, and made a big smiley face to decorate it with. It's got a Word Window Punch in Daffodil Delight on it, too, so we can use it as a table favor. Is it not too fun???? I can see doing a boys' party with a softball theme, or a Halloween with jack-o-lanterns. I could go on and on!

OK, I'm outta here. If you want to be a part of a Hostess Club, please don't hesitate to contact me! Have a wonderful day - and be sure to make the time to STAMP something!

MDS Monday - Always & Forever and Dad

Good morning! I hope you'll forgive me for missing posting last week. I made a whirlwind trip to Indiana, and wore myself out with rehearsals on either end of it, too.

So, the challenge was to use a rainbow's worth of colors on the page. So, I did. All in one pile. :D And I did TWO pages for the challenge, so I'm putting them both here. :D

Aren't they handsome?!? :) MDS is so fun to work with - you really SHOULD check it out. You can download a full 30-day trial. Seriously. Why not? :)

OK, I'm outta here. Rehearsal tonight, and I don't feel like doing ANYTHING. :D Now, go stamp something. I need to!!!!

Christmas in July - gift box!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! :) I hope you're having a fantastic week, and have something this weekend you're really looking forward to. I'm resting! LOL

Today's share is from our Christmas in July stamp camp - as soon as I saw these boxes in the new Idea Book, I KNEW we'd be using them for at least one class. I love them!

I plan on putting food gifts in them, but they'd be great for LOTS of different types of gifts. They're easy to decorate up, and you can stamp on the boxes themselves before you fold them together. I think they're a great price, and they're really sturdy and great quality.

OK, I'm outta here! I hope you have a great weekend! Be sure and stamp SOMEthing, OK? :)

Memories Sympathy Card

Welcome to Wednesday!! :)

Today's another Spot-filling card; it's a sympathy card made with my new set, GENTLY FALLING, and stamps from BLESSINGS FROM HEAVEN.

I like this card in real life; it's very peaceful, and hopeful. I used the new Baked Brown Sugar and Garden Green, along with embossing the sayings in gold. Both card stocks and inks are those colors, plus a layer of Pistachio Pudding. PP looks a lot like our old Mint Melody, so I only like it in little doses. :D

 When it comes to sympathy cards, I encourage you to think outside the traditional colors box. It's a difficult time as it is; we can use color to encourage and uplift, too!

OK, I'm outta here! Have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to make the time to STAMP something! :)

MDS Monday! Open House Cookie Factory

Welcome to another Monday! :) I hope you had a great weekend, and looking forward to having a fantastic week. :)

Today's MDS Monday will take us to CHRISTMAS! :D

I have to tell you, I'm looking forward to Christmas even more this year. We're going to have lots of family here - and our season always kicks off with the open house. These pictures are from last year's cookie decorating day. :)

I'm collecting all of these challenge pages in one file; one of these days, I'm going to print up everything in a book. I can't wait to have it my hot little hands - but for now, I'm enjoying just doing them. Getting pages DONE is always a good thing! :) And I LOVE MDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It makes it SO easy! :)

OK, I'm outta here. Have a wonderful day - and be sure to stamp SOMEthing!!

Swallowtail for the Stamping Spot!

It's FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo, hoooooo! :D Had a good week? Looking forward to your weekend? I think I am... :D

Today's share is yet another in the "Filling the Spot!" - this one's using only the Swallowtail stamp.

My colors are Perfect Plum and Tangerine Tango and Whisper White.I embossed the butterfly with clear embossing powder after using Perfect Plum ink, then colored in with my Stampin' Write Markers. Fun, isn't it? Super simple, too! You could go all-out with coloring on this one; I love the details in it. We get a LOT of swallowtails in our back yard. :)

OK, I'm outta here! :D Have a wonderful weekend! Stamp something, will ya?!?!? :D

Get Well Card

Welcome to WEDNESDAY. :D I hope you're having a great week! Today is going to be a GREAT day; I don't have to go ANYWHERE. I'm staying HOME. :D Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. :D

Today's share is another "Filling the Spot!" card. :D This one's mine; I used one of the new stamp sets in the Idea Book, TAG IT, and the honeycomb embossing folder. I still love my Big Shot, y'all; how easy was this background, and the stamped image cut with the Chalk Talk framelits?!?!?

I used Whisper White and Pacific Point for card stock; the coloring on the stamps was with Pacific Point, Real Red, and Smoky Slate Stampin' Write Markers. :)

Someone asked me about why I used Dimensionals; I find that they work the very best at adhering anything to textured backgrounds. Almost any time I use an embossing folder, I'll either attach it to the card base with Dimensionals, or attach a stamped image/other piece with Dimensionals - or BOTH. :D My dear friend and customer, Mary (who I miss VERY much!!!!), asked me one time if Stampin' Up! called me to find out if something was wrong when I didn't put Dimensionals on my order. :D Nooooooooo - but maybe they SHOULD... :D (And another dear friend and customer, Kathy, told me how superior ours are to what's available elsewhere. I LOVE hearing that someone agrees with me!!!! :D )

OK, I'm outta here to enjoy my day! :D Have a wonderful day - and be sure to make the time to stamp something!!!

MDS Monday: Naomi

Good Monday Morning! :)

Here's a really quick page for you - and super simple to do. Isn't she a DOLL??? Her first birthday is coming up, and I can't believe how quickly time has flown, or how big she's gotten. She and her mommy and daddy will be here for Christmas! I can't WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Hope you have a wonderful day - and be SURE to make the time to stamp SOMEthing!

Another Amy Card!

Happy FRIDAY - the first in August!! Seriously. How did the year get to this point so fast?!??! I feel like the world is spinning, dragging me along! LOL!!!

Today's card is an Amy share - and I really like this one a lot! It's caught some attention in the Stamping Spot, too! :)

Isn't it great?!?! She used the stamp set, THE GREAT OUTDOORS, and TEENY TINY WISHES. I think she used Cajun Craze and Garden Green card stock, and assorted inks and Stampin' Write Markers. She distressed the two layers, too, which really adds to the rustic feel of the card.

I really love the way she cut out the images - I can't cut straight borders to save my life! :D

Oh, and the links to the stamp sets are for the wood-mount; be sure and check if you want the clear-mount instead! :)

OK, I'm outta here. It's been a really busy week, and we have another busy weekend coming up. :) Enjoy your time with friends and family - and be sure to make the time to stamp SOMETHING. With someone would be best! :D

Back to Filling the Gallery!

Good morning! How are you doing? How's your week going? Are you enjoying each moment? It's my goal - not that I manage to do it, but we're only promised this moment!

ANYWAY. :D

Today's share is a card I did, using my new set, GENTLY FALLING, and a greeting from TRUST GOD.

I really like this stamp set - but I earned it for free. :) I used Versamark and clear embossing powder with the outline stamps; it's pretty cool IRL. Card stock colors are Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla; ink colors are Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, and Early Espresso. Throw in a couple of punches, and there you have it. It's a fast, easy card! Hooray! :D

OK, I'm outta here! We're having a fundraiser tonight for a family at church - and I somehow ended up in charge of the bake sale. :D Please pray that we earn some good money for them - she had to stay in the hospital for over six weeks to be able to save her unborn baby, AND she's self-employed, so she wasn't making anything. Thanks! :)

Oh, and be SURE to MAKE the time to stamp SOMEthing! :D I'll see you in AUGUST!

MDS Monday: Street Theatre

One of the really fun things about our business is the types of things we get to shoot. This weekend, we did a senior photo shoot - and the photos turned out beautifully. Kenn did an INCREDIBLE job. :)

This MDS page is from a show I shot all by myself last year. I love MISS SAIGON, so I was thrilled to get to hear the whole show AND take photos. :)

So super simple! Picked my background colors, put the photos I wanted on the page where I wanted, matted and drop-shadowed them, put my title and bit of journaling on, used the Textured digital stamp, and BOOM. :D I love easy. :D

OK, I'm outta here! :) Have a wonderful day! Be sure and stamp SOMEthing.

Finally Friday! Collaboration for you!

Good Friday Morning!

We can now say I've blogged a whole week! :D Here's hoping it's a trend.

Today is one of the two cards Amy and I collaborated on. She brought her THOUGHTS & PRAYERS stamp set to use; I don't have it except for MY DIGITAL STUDIO, but I think it's a beautiful set. SO, she brought it to use!

She did everything - up to a point. My addition was the rhinestones at the base of each scallop. I think that extra bling is exactly what it needed! :D

We liked the color combination, because many times situations one might send this card for are thought to be dark. The Perfect Plum and Wisteria Wonder are subdued but not dismal! :)

OK, I'm outta here! We start rehearsals for ROGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA this weekend. Phew. :D

Have a wonderful day! Be sure and make the time to STAMP something!!!

Gallery Filling With Amy!

Good Wednesday Morning!

See? I said I'd be here, and here I am. :) Two in a row again! WOO, HOOO!!! :D

Some of you may not know that my friend, Amy, helps me out yearly by making cards (and, when I give her time to think, other things, too! :D ) to fill up my Stampin' Spot. We have decidedly different tastes and takes on everything, and I think it's great to get her creativity on display. :D Well, this year I didn't give her much time - she came over the day of my open house to stamp with me. :D She did cards, and I did cards, and we collaborated on cards - and honestly, the two collaborations turned out to be some of my faves of the day. :D

This one is ALL Amy. :)

Isn't it cute?? She did a great job, and brought her embossing folders - because I hate hounds tooth. :D But I love it on this card!!

Don't forget - you can click on any photo to see it in the size I uploaded it as.

If you have questions, please ask. If you want to know colors, I'll go look it up. :D As well as all the other important information. LOL

Have a wonderful day! Be sure and STAMP something - and let me know you're out there!!!

MDS Monday - Lights of the Pacific Ocean

Did you miss me!?!??! We've been back a month, and I swear. I sometimes wonder if I'm ever going to get into the groove again!!!

Anyway. :) I'm back, with a new MDS Monday share for you!

If you watch my personal page on Facebook, you've probably seen these two lighthouses quite often. :) These are both photos from last year's trip; the landscape one was selected for a gallery hanging last fall. (It's available to purchase! As a matter of fact, LOTS of our photos are!!)

The storm line you see on that photo was bringing in arctic air; it was SOOOOO stinkin' cold, I'd get out of the car, take a few photos, and get back in to get warm. :)

OK, I'm outta here. Have a WONDERFUL day, and be sure to look for me on Wednesday! Which is also CHRISTMAS IN JULY here at the studio; if you want to come to a class, email me at poohisstampin@aol.com NOW!

Now, go STAMP something!

Scrapping with KIDS: Final Post!

 HAPPY FRIDAY!

Have you had a wonderful week? Got big plans for the weekend??

This is my last Friday here for three more weeks. I will TRY to get a few posts scheduled before I leave VERY early Monday morning, but I simply can't promise - it's BUSY!!

This is also the last post to show you my sample scrapbook for my nieces and nephews. (Speaking of which, I have a NEW nephew, born Tuesday! I will be seeing the family just before we come home, and I CANNOT WAIT!!!;D ) And I think these are my two favorite ones. :D

The above is the third pocket insert. I really love doing faux tiles, and I will really, really miss the Pretty in Pink color. :( BUT, we have new ones to play with! :D When I get back, I have an open house scheduled for you to come stamp with a few new things and place orders - the new IDEA BOOK & CATALOG is LIVE today! I'll be changing the link as soon as I post this for you. :) Don't forget to check it out - or contact me to get your own book!!!

OK. I'm glad y'all enjoyed seeing my sample book; the kids did TOTALLY different things. :D They loved the Big Shot, so there were letters cut out, and butterflies - and lots of paper scraps. :D They enjoyed learning to emboss, too. :) Kids are WONDERFUL at stamping; let's get YOURS involved!

I am OUTTA here! Have a WONDERFUL weekend - and be SURE to MAKE the time to STAMP something!!!

Scrapping with KIDS: Two 2--page layouts

Happy Wednesday!!! How are you doing? Are you having a good week? It's speeding up here until when I head out again! :) AND until the new IDEA BOOK & CATALOG release THIS SATURDAY!!!!! If you're in middle Tennessee and want a book, please let me know you're coming and stop by between 5-7 p.m. this Friday evening to get yours! It's important that I know you're coming, because I have a limited number of Idea Books right now! I'll be hosting a NEW CATALOG OPEN HOUSE on Monday, June 24; if you want more details, please let me know! :)

OK, I'm outta here! Have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to make the time to STAMP something! :)

MDS Monday - My Love Affair

Good Monday Morning! Here's today's share. I can't help myself - and it's all Kenn's fault for introducing me to the Pacific Ocean! I'd been to the Atlantic, but it was so long ago that my love for the ocean was forgotten.

Have fun with your DSP, y'all! There's NOTHING on this layout that couldn't be duplicated with your supploes - and it's a great way to use up those assorted pieces of your designer series paper. :)

OK, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful day - and be SURE to take the time to stamp SOMEthing!

Scrapping with KIDS - post 2

Good Wednesday morning! Are you having a good week?

These are from the kids' paper bag scrapbook I made; the two-page layout  has the Petite Pocket on it (the one the phone booth is stamped on) for hidden journaling. That's such a fun die! (And how wonderful is it that my nieces and nephews love the Big Shot, too?!?! :D)

Again, we just had FUN sitting and creating for two hours a day, three days in a row. :) I love my family.

OK, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful day! Take the time to stamp - or SCRAP! - something!