It's PAPER PUMPKIN in the spotlight this week!

Welcome to MONDAY!!!!

Since we're leaving in the middle of last week (Sometimes, doing this scheduled blogging stuff is like a time-travel puzzle!!!!), I wanted to feature something that would be easy to show you - and BOY, is Paper Pumpkin gonna fit that bill - for you, too!!!

This is the kit, all put together MY WY, from June. DO YOU SEE HOW ADORABLE THIS IS?!?!??! I mean, look at that watermelon tissue paper inside the bag!!! Each bag comes with its own piece of that adorable tissue paper. I can eat my weight in watermelon, which is saying something! :D So give me something watermelon-themed as a CRAFT, and I am a VERY happy crafter. :D

Y'all, the kit comes with EVERYTHING you need to do the entire box - except continuing clear blocks. Your FIRST box will come with it, and from then on, that's the only thing you need to supply. I have six gift bags ready at a moment's notice, PLUS gift cards! Seriously. It doesn't get easier than Paper Pumpkin.

Don't like the way they did a project (Which I have felt a few times!)? Use the product to do your own thing! Not only does Stampin' Up!® put out a video to show how to put these together, but there are several demos who put out alternative ideas for each month's Paper Pumpkin.

If you're interested about learning more, or perhaps ordering - and there are discounts for paying for numbers of months in advance - just click on this sentence, and scroll to the bottom to Paper Pumpkin! (If you do order, please choose me as your demonstrator! :D)

OK, now back to packing and finishing my to-do lists. :D Have a wonderful day, and DO think about this Paper Pumpkin thing. It's a blast!

That Ol' Pencil Can!

Welcome to Friday! :) Sorry about the sporadic posting; working on the computer for a temp job means I don't feel like doing anything on the computer, period. :D

ANYWAY.

This pencil can is one that Amy originally did for me about four years ago. Since then, I just take off the decoration on the can when the new Idea Book comes out, and do something fresh and new!

That's the new MARITIME designer series paper around the can; the other side is a bold stripe, which I really like, too - but I just liked this side with the pencils better. And it fits into our decor in the studio better than the other side. :D (Don't forget! This month ONLY, it's buy 3 packs of DSP, get one FREE!!! AND go through my business link, to make sure both of us get the credit we deserve. :D Just click SHOP!)

Then there's some Bermuda Bay baker's twine wrapped around and tied in a little bow. (I really like the texture contrast!)

Finally, I stamped the conch shell from BY THE TIDE in Crisp Cantaloupe ink. I tore the image out of the Whisper White card stock, and sponged around the edges. I stuck the image on the can with a dimensional. Easy-peasy! :D

OK, I'm outta here! BUSY day today, then I get a day off before more craziness. :D Have a wonderful weekend - and be sure to make the time to stamp something!

New Filter Paper!

HAPPY FRIDAY! Have you had a good week? Ready for the weekend? I'm looking forward to tomorrow; I'm going to be spending the day with dear friends, and celebrating a baby on the way. :)

For some reason, I was on a vintage kick a couple of weeks ago. I really wanted to teach this flower at the Valentine's class - but this is on a different project, so I'll tell you about it - because I want you to try the product!! It's cool!!!

Card stock - Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Gold

Everything else! :D Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 2-3/8" scallop circle punch, 1-3/4" scallop circle punch, 1-1/4" scallop circle punch, creped filter paper, paper piercing tool, piercing mat, gold glitter brad, dimensionals, paper snips, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz

I really like this classy color combination!!

OK, I'm outta here. :D Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Be sure and make the time to stamp SOMEthing! :D

Valentine's Classes I didn't get to teach!

Happy Friday! :D How's your week been? Do you have big plans for the weekend? I do! It's gonna be BUSY! And I could really use some time to clean my studio.... :D

These two classes, the Simple Sophistication and Kids' Valentines, didn't get even one nibble. So I won't be sharing how to do them, or the supplies. I may keep them for another class, or they may be gone forever. I'm kinda sad, because the Simple Sophistication projects are really cool. But oh, well! I won't be offering any more classes before I leave Tennessee. I'm really hoping to offer a class or two wherever we settle in Oregon, perhaps at the library. :)

Anyway! I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend! Take some time to stamp something - I bet you've forgotten how FUN it can be! :D

Noel Notes

Good Friday Morning! How are you this cold morning? :D

A quick share today; do you remember me showing you this from our Christmas Stamp Camp? Well, here's another use! :)

My sister's name is Noel; in this case, it made this an easy gift - I could use a Christmas stamp in a non-traditional Christmas way! :) She absolutely LOVED it! Because I finished it in Texas, I had limited resources - but I did have the scallop edge punch. So, I punched a super-thin strip of Cajun Craze and crinkled it around the edge of the "thanks" punch. It took some doing - the card stock was super stiff for such a small circle! - but I beat it. :D

I just have to share another photo of my beautiful niece. :D She doesn't smile too much when there's a camera around; she knows she's going to get flashed in the eyes. :D But I managed to get this one.

My sweet girl! (I miss her, SO much. I don't miss the work. :D LOL!)

OK, I'm outta here. Have a wonderful day, and be sure to take the time to stamp something!!!!

Christmas Stamp Camp, LAST PROJECT!

Good Wednesday Morning! Are you having a good week? Getting LOTS accomplished? :D

Today's is a straight CASE of a project I saw on Pinterest. :D Debbie Henderson is the original designer. The only things I changed were that my new leaf die hadn't arrived, so I had to use my retired one, and the nose is small because it's the heart on the OWL punch. :D I'd like a bigger one, but didn't have one available to use. :D Maybe a circle next time...

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

Decorating Canned Gifts

Good Friday Morning! Goodness, how did we get to the first Friday in October already?!??!?!

Today, I'm doing a crossover post; if you didn't know, I started a review blog a few months back. Today's post is a review of this lemon curd; if you're interested, or just curious :D, please go check out Life's Little Pleasures! :) (Punches, DSP, and twine are © Stampin' Up!®)

Do you see what I did?!?!? Using the big shot and the scallop circle die, I cut that fabric for the lid insert in 30 seconds. And you can cut 5? 10? at a time. It will depend on your fabric thickness and what types of fiber you use. My mom got a fabric remnant box at a garage sale; I picked out the ones I wanted to use, and we passed on the rest of the remnants to someone else. But I got like 200 or so lid inserts from just a few remnants!

The label's just as easy. Because the curd needs to be refrigerated, none of the adhesives will easily stick to the jar. So, I used the decorative label punch and the modern label punch, with Whisper White card stock and Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper for the label. I hand-wrote the name of the contents, and the date of its making, onto the label and put them together with some SNAIL. I punched a 1/8" hole on either side, and used Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine to go through and tie the label on the back of the jar.

SUPER easy, and that was just without any planning. You could DEFINITELY get coordinating Stampin' Up! fabric and DSP for ALL your gifts. These would also make great merchandise for a fall bazaar, if you have things to sell!

OK, I'm OUTTA here. :D Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Be sure to take the time to STAMP something! :)

Shark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY LABOR DAY! I'm sorry this wasn't up first thing this morning; I honestly thought I'd preset a post, but I guess I just THOUGHT about it. Sheesh. :D

So, this is another birthday card, this time for my nephew, D. His birthday isn't until the 14th, so I feel pretty good about getting it all ready. :D The last I heard, he wanted to be a marine biologist, and loved sharks. (What 10-year-old-boy doesn't?!?! :D) So, this is specifically for him.

I have to admit, I had no clue where to start. So I searched for "punch art shark", and this is one I came up with - you can see her original here.

Of course I tweaked it a bit. ;D And I LOVE LOVE LOVE my background on this card. The color is Pool Party - what else?!? :D I took some plastic wrap and bunched it up - I've been teaching this easy technique for YEARS! - and used it to dab VersaMark onto my card stock. Then, I took Iridescent Ice embossing powder and poured it all over. After heating it, I used Shimmery White card stock to make "bubbles".

Tell me what you think! :D Punch art is so much fun - it's so fun to take something like oval and heart punches and make them into an animal! :D

OK, I'm outta here. Got to get busy so I have more stuff to show you! :D Have a WONDERFUL day! I hope you make the time to STAMP something today!!!!

Santa Basket!

Happy Wednesday! Have you enjoyed the CHRISTMAS IN JULY shares so far? This is the last one; that's right, there were FIVE projects for the night!

This basket is actually from Lisa Young, a fellow demonstrator. She's got lots of awesome projects! I modified some of the decor, but kept most of it the same. :)

The colors are easy: Real Red, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, and Basic Black card stocks. Super easy!

I used the new Snow Flurry Bigz die; I don't care much for the snowflakes on their own, but they're stunning when you stack them!

We did his eyes the old way; Lisa's used glitter brads for them, too. I love using the red one for his cherry nose, but I like his eyes my way. :) I do have to tell you: I cannot, for the life of me, cut his mustache the way she did. I like hers MUCH better! :)

OK, I'm outta here. :) Have a wonderful day, and be sure to make the time to stamp something!!!!

It was Christmas in July!

Good Monday Morning!

Can you BELIEVE how fast this year is going? This is my last post for July! We're on the downhill side of the year; before you know it, it will be time for our open house! (It's December 2 this year. Put it on your calendar and plan to come!)

Anyway. :D Last week was our CHRISTMAS IN JULY stamp camp. As you know, I'm backing way off of doing classes - but this was one that I simply had to do. :) And it was awesome; one of my dear friends from East Tennessee (Hi, Allison!) was in town for a work conference, and got to come. It was so fun to stamp with her again.

Today's share is one of my favorite projects from the class. I simply love it; I like banners. And this one is thin enough to be able to hang just about anywhere. Don't forget that the Holiday Mini goes live on Wednesday - if you want to order from it, you can do so either at my business site or by emailing me. :)

Those gingerbread are stamped with SCENTSATIONAL SEASON, and die cut with the Holiday Collection Framelits - which you can purchase as a bundle, and save 15%! They're then embossed with the new Early Espresso embossing powder. The spacers are paper beads; the letters are die cut with my birthday present to myself, the new Typeset Alpha. They're mounted onto Whisper White scallops - punched with the regular scallop circle punch from the large IB&C. Everything's strung on the Cherry Cobbler baker's twine. Fun to make, to look at, and to use! It would fit into a card envelope, if you wanted to give it to someone far away, too.... :)

OK, I'm outta here. More family coming in next week, so lots to procrastinate doing. :D Have a WONDERFUL day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!

Third Hostess Club Project

 Good Friday Morning! Do you have big plans for the weekend??? Going to stamp something? ;D

This is the last project I have to show you from the Hostess Club get-together; we made envelopes from designer series paper using the new diagonal score plate for the Simply Scored Scoring tool.

I absolutely love this plate! It made this project so simple! Four score lines, and a little adhesive, and voila! an envelope. :D

The diagonal plate comes with instructions on making envelopes; it tells you what size to cut your paper for several sizes of envelopes, and what score measurements are for each.

Now, for those of you who are also left-handed: When I first unpacked the score plate and put it on my Simply Scored Scoring tool, I was not happy with the way it MOVED; I don't score with my right hand, and when I did it with my left, it had to move from left to right - and the plate and DSP slipped. So I turned to my fellow demonstrators for help. Another leftie came to my aid; she told me to put the plate on the way it said, then turn it so the top was on the RIGHT, and the scoring would be more-or-less straight down. Worked like a charm; none of the three of us had a problem with it moving! :)

OK, I'm outta here. Going to friends' for dinner! Gotta make a dessert. :D Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Be sure and take the time to stamp SOMEthing!!!!

Party Favors Share #4

I'm gonna be up-front with you: I found this idea from Elisa Breckenridge, and knew I had to do it. :) I did change up some of the punches to be able to say I didn't *just* copy it, but it's pretty close. :D

It's Sahara Sand, Whisper White, and Rose Romance, all card stock. There are two Hershey's Nuggets in the bottom of the inside of this two-tag sheep.

I just LOVE this. She's so sweet, and I think any person would LOVE to see their name on this sweet little lamb. :) Can you imagine arriving at an Easter party where these little sweeties decorated the tables?!?! :)

OK, y'all. I'm off - today is going to be a BUSY day for me. We're having Kenn's discipleship group and their families over for dinner, and I'm doing all the sides. What was I thinking?!?!? :D

Have a WONDERFUL weekend! Be sure and MAKE the time to stamp something!!!

My New Creation!

Happy Fourth of July! :)

Today, I'm posting something that's only connected with Stampin' Up! in that I used Basic Black card stock in the project - but I absolutely LOVE this, and have to share it with you! :D

I saw a project on Pinterest that I really would love to do for a birthday party some day, but it will cost me a little bit for frames.

However, it really sparked me. :D

The base on this is one of those Febreeze bases with a flickering light in it; you put the scented shade around it, and it looks like a decorative votive candle thing.

Well, the sleeves are a little strong for my family, so I had this base lying around. Since I've cleaned out my studio, things don't lie around as much as they have in the past, and I told myself to either find a use or get rid of it.

Get rid of it?!?! That goes against every packrat instinct I have! :D Repurpose it is!

So, I printed out four of my vertical beach pictures from February's trip onto vellum card stock. I cut the Basic Black card stock to the correct length and width, then cut windows into it. I attached the vellum inside the windows with glue dots; I should have left a little more vellum around the edges for easier adhering, but that's a lesson learned for next time. :)

I love this. It's a quiet reminder of a wonderful trip, and my favorite place on Earth. Oh, and I got Volume 1 of my scrap book from the trip. You really need to stop by and see them both. :D

Have a WONDERFUL day, and be sure to make the time to stamp SOMEthing! :D

Party Favors Share #3

Good morning! Did you have a good weekend? Were you able to keep cool?? My GOODNESS, it's been HOT - and it's 91 degrees at 10:30 today. PHEW. Duck and cover - keep cool, y'all.

This is the third share from last month's class; it holds four Hershey's Nuggets side-by-side. It wasn't difficult at all, and we had a good time with it. :) Super easy, and would be quite the little discussion piece at a table. Also, you could easily put something besides chocolate in this little box. (Why you'd WANT to, I'm not sure, but you COULD.... :D )

Have you been crafting at ALL?? What are you making??? Want to come to a class? CHRISTMAS IN JULY is going to be on TUESDAY, JULY 24, at 6:30 here at the studio!!!! RSVP as soon as you know that you can come - the cost will be $25, and we'll be doing at least four projects, possibly five. :) I'm having a great time planning it! I hope you'll come!

Now, I'm off - we're canning pickles today, and it's time to put them in the jars. :D Have a wonderful day, and be sure to make the time to STAMP something!

Party Favors Share #2

Hi, everyone! I hope you've had a chance to look at your new Idea Books; there are so many great things in it! :)

Today, I'm sharing a project we did for the above class - and it's SO easy! It uses the Big Shot purse die, which only needs 1/2 piece of card stock. We used ribbon for the handle, but it actually cuts a handle, too!

There are SO many ways to use this die! I just love how girlie this one is, though; I love Melon Mambo. :D And that polka-dotted ribbon? Yum! :D

It's pretty self-explanatory, I think. If you have any questions, pipe right up! :D

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

Happy Birthday, Kathy!

I am privileged to share a birthday with a dear stamping friend, Kathy. We met together last week to celebrate - and had lunch and wonderful conversation. Kathy is one of the best laughers I know, and she has a beautiful heart. :)

ANYWAY. She isn't so much intrigued by cards, but by 3D projects. So this is a cupcake box (the cupcake I purchased was too big to fit in it!!!). The card is made to match it! Colors are Whisper White, Pool Party, and Island Indigo. Aren't they lovely? :D

OK,, I'm off again! :) Have a WONDERFUL day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!

Party Favors Class - share 1

If you didn't make it to stamp with us last Thursday evening, you really missed a fun time. This is one of the four projects we did; it's really a cute little container!I got the idea from this blog; hers is much more colorful, but I didn't have everything to directly copy hers! :D

That's Certainly Celery you see, with Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon - I really like the pop of color it adds here! The designer series paper is from Summer Smooches again; I think this is really cute. You could put lots of things inside of it, too!

OK, I'm outta here. Still celebrating my birthday. :D

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

3D MANIA!!!!

We had a great time Saturday, with FIVE projects that were anything but a card. Here's one of them - SO fun!!


There are several patterns on the Web for the shoe. We used Sahara Sand card stock, and embellished it with the red glitter paper from Stampin' Up! Is it not just too cute for words??? Imagine making these for a party favor - if you're a Red Hat member, try it with Concord Crush and the red glitter paper - AWESOME. :D Get even more glitzy with Basic Rhinestones and/or Pearls all over! :D The possibilities are endless!

OK, I'm off - it's Bible Study day! Have a WONDERFUL day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something. You'll feel better. :D

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!!!!

Happy Thursday! :)

Phew, is it busy around here! A workshop and a class to plan, a studio to clean, and lots of other stuff to do before I take off for a marriage retreat for the weekend. But I wanted to take a second and post something else new for you! :)

You know, I've shown you a lot of 3D stuff lately! I hope you're starting to think about the holidays, and how you can use some of these ideas for gifting and packaging! :)

Now, how cute is this bag??? It's a plain old brown lunch bag that I've cut down and sandwiched between two pieces of Glorious Green card stock. The handle is cut with the modern label punch. LOVE those Build-Bear dies, ladies and gentlemen! SO much fun to play with!!

Here's the "recipe". :)

Card stocks: Glorious Green, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black

Stamp set: Many Merry Messages

Ink: White craft, Going Gray for sponging

Accessories: Big Shot, Bear die, Beary Merry die, 1" circle punch, Beary Essentials die, dimensionals, Modern Label Punch

I'd LOVE to help you put together some fun items for your children! Please just email me or call me, or go to my website and click SHOP NOW. :) And NOW, please take the time to STAMP something!! :)