Fall is REALLY here!

Good morning, dear friend. How are you today? It's so good to know you're out there (even if you don't leave me a comment :D)!

Forgive me for not posting (or doing much of anything online!) yesterday; Dad had his back surgery, and I thought I'd have plenty of time while at the hospital to do so. I DID have lots of TIME - just no internet access. LOL!!! So, you get this beautiful post TODAY. :)

This has been "all the rage" among demonstrators lately (there's a wreath like it in one of the Idea Books this time, but I can't remember if it's the BIG one or the Holiday one, and don't feel like looking! LOL!!!!). It's a pretty wreath, don't you think? And you could do it in any size you had a form!

Mine is a 10" floral foam wreath that I picked up at a garage sale for 25 cents. :D (I LOVE bargains, don't you???) I took my BIG SHOT (Say it with me: I LOVE MY BIG SHOT!!! :D) and the leaves #2 die, and cut out a LOT of leaves in Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, and Creamy Caramel, and a few Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper.

Next, I took flat-headed straight pins and started sticking on the leaves. My fingertips are still sore, but I can take off those leaves really quickly and easily - and use both the wreath AND the leaves for something else, if I want! I started with the big flat, long leaves because I don't LIKE that one. :D Then, it was just a matter of filling up the wreath with the leaves turning every which way.

The DSP leaves are fastened with a touch of 2-Way Glue Pen, so the pin heads don't show. Then, I took some of the Whisper White satin ribbon and Chocolate Chip & Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbons and made my bow. It, too, is fastened with a straight pin onto the wreath!

The wreath is now hanging in the Inspiration Station corner, so those of you who come to my studio can oooh and aaaaah over it in PERSON the next time you come - until the Station starts to fill with CHRISTMAS things. :D

This was an EASY project. I stuck the leaves on while watching TV! You could use glue if you wanted, and crumple the leaves to make it look a little more natural - whatever YOU want your wreath to look like, DO IT. :) Super fun, super easy! If you do one, let me know! :)

OK, I'm off to finish cleaning the studio, and work on designs for this weekend. My work is NEVER done.... LOL! I LOVE WHAT I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful day, my friend - and please, take the time to stamp something!!!!!!!

Last night's WOW Box Class!

I want to thank my fellow demonstrators Yvonne and Kathleen for sharing this GREAT project and the basic tutorial! We had a GREAT time last night, and made the cutest boxes - well, take a look for yourself. :)


We also did a coordinating card with Elegant Eggplant; it was SO easy to do this box!!! If you're looking for a great gift, take a look at their tutorial. (You'll still be sorry you missed our class. :D)

Here's the recipe:

Card stock: Ruby Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip


Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Autumn Splendor

Inks: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Autumn Traditions DSP, dimensionals


We did the candles because I had them and because Yvonne's tutorial used them - but you could put LOTS of things into this incredibly clever little box!

I'm telling you, you're missing a LOT when you miss my classes. :D

So. Have a WONDERFUL weekend, and don't forget to take the time to stamp something!!! :D Look for blog candy next week! :)

Happy Fall, AGAIN! :D

Hi, everyone! It's LOOKING like fall out my window - leaves are starting to turn, and it is kinda gloomy, as it's been for almost two weeks. But the temperatures are still warm, and the hummingbirds are chasing around the back yard. :)

Thanks so much for the comments on yesterday's cards! I'm glad you liked them; I think everyone who had a chance to make them had fun, too. :)

Today, I'm going to show you ONE of the three cards from last night's FANCY FOLDS II class; it qualifies for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge this week, so it's going to be my SECOND entry. :D Three shots: the front, the card standing open, and a shot of the top down - it's a shutter card!

First, the recipe!

Card stock: More Mustard, Sahara Sand, Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, White craft

Stamp sets: Autumn Splendor, Simple Friendship, A Rose is a Rose

Accessories: Autumn Traditions DSP, heat tool, embossing buddy, white embossing powder, dimensionals

I really, really love how this one came together - and the way the three stamp sets' WORDS coordinated with the DSP and the leaf stamp!

Now, standing open:


And, finally, from an angle on top, so you can see how unique the fold is!

We had a really great time with class last night; this was the most difficult of all of them, just because of the decorating part. The actual CARD is surprisingly easy! :)

I'd love to hear what you think of this one. And be on the alert: I'll probably be posting blog candy soon, because the new counter just flipped over 10,000 hits! :) THANK YOU for being such a loyal follower (if you are); you keep me stampin'!! :)

Now, take the time to STAMP SOMETHING, would ya?!?!?

SO out of my comfort zone with this card!

Happy Thursday! It's still pouring outside most of the time - and LOTS of standing water! - but inside, I've got the fall decorations (which include LIGHTS this year, thanks to my mom! :D) and Christmas music playing while I design Christmas cards. It's pretty sweet. :D

ANYWAY. A dear friend of mine, Allison - HI, ALLISON! :D - pointed me to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge Blog today. FUN stuff! So, I decided to take a break from designing Christmas cards to work on this challenge. This card meets the challenge requirements, will take up today on this blog, AND be something I can send to Sherrill! :D Sweet!

But I'm not really comfortable with square cards. I'm used to doing proportions for the standard card or a round card. Or maybe a SMALL 3x3 square, which is quite easy to fill. :D



Here's the recipe!

Card stock: Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla

Ink: Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip Craft Ink

Stamp sets: AUTUMN SPLENDOR and TEENY TINY WISHES

Accessories: Chocolate Chip corduroy button, gold cord, heat tool, embossing buddy, clear embossing powder, dimensionals, pop-up glue dots, AUTUMN TRADITIONS designer series paper.

Be sure and tell me what you think! And if you do the challenge, please be sure to tell me where it is, so I can come look!!! Regardless, make sure you take the time to STAMP SOMETHING!!! :)

Yes, it's Wednesday. I checked... :D

Good afternoon, my friend! Sorry about being AWOL yesterday; it's been an odd week, and I started a new Bible study yesterday morning - it's going to be AWESOME, but it takes a bit to get into the swing of things again. :)

For those of you who are waiting on my newsletter: one of my dearest friends in the whole world lost her husband this week, so I'm trying to get ready to go be with her for the funeral. It may be the beginning of next week before I get it out. I'm sorry! I'll post this month's HOSTESS SPECIAL after the card today - it's a FANTASTIC special, so call me or email me with when you'd like to have your party!!!!!! SERIOUSLY. You'll want to host!!! (If you don't live nearby, you can still do a book party! Just email or call me!!!)

Anyway. :) Here's today's sample!


Card stock: Whisper White, Ruby Red, Basic Black

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Stamp set: Autumn Splendor - NEW IN HOLIDAY MINI!

Accessories: Big Shot (CHECK OUT THE GREAT NEW DIES IN THE HOLIDAY MINI!!!), Top Note Die, Autumn Traditions DSP

I REALLY like the clean lines of this card! It's an unusual color combination, but the leaf stamp coordinates SO well with the DSP!

Now, for that hostess special!!! Can't do it this month? It goes through NOVEMBER - but get on my calendar NOW, because I'm booking up. Seriously, if you look at my class schedule, you'll see - November will be difficult to get into!!! CALL OR EMAIL ME NOW!!


We're excited to bring you this sweet deal for hostesses September through November:

• Host a workshop totaling $250 or more and choose any one item* from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10!
  *Offer excludes hostess sets and My Digital Studio.

On October 1, when My Digital Studio is released to customers, this offer will become even sweeter:

• Host a workshop of at least $400 and get My Digital Studio for 50 percent off the retail price (retail price: $79.95; promotional price: $39.97)!

HOLEY MOLEY!!!!!!!!!!! DO YOU REALIZE WHAT A SWEET DEAL THIS IS?!?!? Besides an extra hostess set if your party qualifies, you also get these specials!!!!!!!!!!!! Do NOT delay - call me NOW!!! Plus, if you book and have your party before the Hostess Appreciation Luncheon on October 24, you get to come to that event for FREE - ONLY hostesses get invited. :)


I'm setting up the posts so the rest of the week will have something to show you. :) I hope you have a great weekend, and TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

It's only 120 Days until CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW. That's four months, ladies and gentlemen! Have you started planning gifts?

Today's two cards - don't worry, I DO have another 3D item coming up soon! :) - are from workshops this month. They're fun, and simple - there's one for those of us who don't like to color, and one for those of us who do. :D


Card stock: Sahara Sand, More Mustard, Whisper White, Soft Suede

Ink: More Mustard

Stamp set: Autumn Days (inside, Sincere Salutations)

Accessories: Autumn Traditions DSP, dimensionals (inside, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker)

See? Simple, yet elegant. Several people mentioned that this would make a good sympathy card, as well.






Card stock: YoYo Yellow, Real Red, Only Orange, Whisper White

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Stamp set: Just Buzzin' By

Accessories: Assorted Stampin' Write Markers, 1-1/4", 1-3/8". and scallop circle punches


Just a fun, summery, joyful card!!! So simple - and I love this stamp set; the bees are adorable!

OK. I'm off - my desk is a mess, and I'm procrastinating working on it. :D

Have a WONDERFUL day! Please be sure to take the time to stamp something!

3D Projects!

Good afternoon! :) So, only ONE person had a comment about yesterday's cards? Wow. I feel so lonely! :D

Today, I'm going to show you two 3D projects; the first is one that we did at a couple of workshops, the second is one I did to put into the Inspiration Station - and one like it might be making an appearance at an upcoming class! :)


Stamp set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Ruby Red

Accessories: small cello bag (YES, you can order them from me!!!), Autumn Traditions DSP, Big Shot - I LOVE MY BIG SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!, EXCLUSIVE Top Note die, scallop oval punch, wide oval, modern label punch

This is SO simple - it wouldn't take any time at all to do something like this for your child's class, or your Sunday school class, or even for table favors for a party!






Card stock: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Tall Tales DSP, scallop edge punch, scallop oval punch, wide oval punch, small oval punch, Sticky Strip

I just love this little box! It's the PERFECT size for chocolate - or for that little gift. It would also make a great party favor - instead of the elephants I punched out of the Tall Tales DSP, you could stamp or write each guest's name, then punch it out. SO cute, and versatile!

OK. I'm outta here - I can't believe it's Tuesday already! Where is the time flying?!?!? PLEASE leave me a comment, and let me know I'm not whistling in the dark again! LOL!

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