Guest Artist Amy Wilson

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow, at my house from 2 - 4:30 p.m., we're having our annual IDEA BOOK & CATALOG OPEN HOUSE! If you're local, please drop by! There will be a couple of snacks and stamping and new IBCs. :D If you're local and can't come, you can place an order with us to save shipping! Just let me know! If you'd like to place an order from ANYWHERE, please use this HOSTESS CODE where it asks! JMMZFCM6
Don't forget that you need to go through my business site to place your order - just click on this, then click on the SHOP NOW link on the top right corner. :) If you haven't perused the new IBC, click on the link at the top right of the blog. Yup, right over there... --->

Now, then. My dear friend, Amy, helps me out every year by designing cards for the Stamping Spot. She and I have very different tastes, and I like to give my customers other ideas than mine. It gives Amy a chance to get her hands on the IN COLORS early, as well as the IBC. :D And this is the first one I want to share with you. Isn't it fun? That crustacean has quite the antennae! :D

OK, I'm outta here - lots to do before I'm ready for tomorrow. Heck, I don't know if I WILL be ready for tomorrow! :D But I'm looking forward to sharing the new IBC with friends! :)

Have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and take the time to STAMP something! 

Sharing the NEW IN COLORS via MDS MONDAY! :D

HAPPY NEW IDEA BOOK & CATALOG DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (DON'T FORGET: the NEW IB&C OPEN HOUSE is Saturday from 2:00 - 4:30 at Lori's Stamping Studio! :) )

That's right! It's available for shopping starting this afternoon! :)

On my lovely page, above, you can see ALL FIVE of the new IN COLORS. Remember: each grouping is available for TWO years now. Here are their names:
Blackberry Bliss
Lost Lagoon
Tangelo Twist
Hello Honey
Moss Meadow

I was trying to figure out how to show them to you AND still do my MDS MONDAY, and voila! :D I think it's a fun page. (By the way, I got my birthday present early, so don't think you're late if you're still looking for the PERFECT thing.... :D) We're shooting a wedding the weekend of my birthday, and Kenn wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to learn the ins and out of my new camera and lens. :)

OK, I'm outta here! Kenn's gone to visit family, so I have lots of things I need to do around home while he's gone. :) Have a wonderful day, contact me if you have ANY questions, and be sure to make the time to stamp something! :)

Guest Poster: Laurie Gibson - Elements of Style

Be sure and visit Laurie's blog, too - she does FANTASTIC WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you SO much, Laurie, for helping me out!! :)

I was absolutely thrilled when the Elements of Style stamp set was published in the new Stampin' Up catalog! I loved this stamp set from the moment I saw it in the Occasions Mini catalog at the beginning of the year. This stamp set is perfect for so many occasions and so many styles. I usually use it as Vintage. But, today I decided to try it with my Many Marvelous Markers. They are so fun because they coordinate with every color of cardstock Stampin' Up carries. And, who doesn't love to color???? LOL - it takes me back to my childhood every time :)

So, I chose one of my many favorite color combinations of Daffodil Delight and Basic Black to come up with this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Elements of Style

Cardstock: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Daffodil Delight and Always Artichoke markers, Daffodil Delight 1 1/4-inch Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

I stamped the hummingbird in Black Stazon, cut him out and added him to the flowers using a dimensional. I also stamped the large image twice to add more flowers. To make the points on the ribbon, I folded the "tail" in half and cut at an angle toward the fold. It adds just enough variety to separate the card from the "norm" :)

I am so honored to have been invited by Lori to share with you today as her "guest blogger". I hope you have enjoyed my design. Feel free to copy the whole card or just use the stamp set or color combo to spark your creativity. It was fun. Thanks for stopping by.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT LAURIE'S BLOG!

Friday - and the last day to VOTE!

Good morning! How are you today? Are you feeling fine? :D Are you glad it's FRIDAY???

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CARD IN THE FOURTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST! PLEASE cast your vote - and remember, the votes have (for the most part, I've slipped on a couple!) been moderated so no one knows who's winning! :D

I can't wait for next week to get here! The first Hostess Club of the new Idea Book & Catalog happens on Monday, and the next Advanced Techniques class happens on Tuesday evening! I sooooo can't wait to get back with my stampin' buddies! :)

And can I tell you how GLAD I am that AUTUMN SPLENDOR and GRATEFUL GREETINGS made it into the new IB&C?!?! I LOVE this leaf stamp set - and I can't wait to do LOTS of things this fall with it. :D

Card stock: River Rock kinda N, Cajun Craze N, Early Espresso N

Ink: Cajun Craze N, Early Espresso N

Stamp sets: Autumn Splendor, Grateful Greetings - both kinda N

Accessories: Frost White shimmer paint, alcohol, spray bottle

The shimmer showed up SO much in the photo! :) It's a great card, and SUPER easy. Don't you just LOVE shimmer?!?!? :D

OK, I'm off - time to finish up this month's newsletter, and get cracking on designing! :) I sure hope we're going to get the chance to stamp together soon - don't forget that the big CHRISTMAS IN JULY STAMP CAMP is coming up on the 26th!! If you don't get my newsletter, WHY NOT? :D Email me! :) And meanwhile, be sure to enjoy your weekend, and take the time to STAMP something!

Good morning! :)

Are you surprised to see me so early? LOL!

Remember to go vote for your favorite birthday card in the FOURTH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST! I've only got SIX votes so far!!!!

I also told you that I'd send you to see the samples Amy made for me. If you click on this link to Amy's blog, I've pointed you right to her entry! :)

Now, then. I also promised you I'd show you another card with my new favorite quote stamp on it! :)


Isn't it FUN? I wish you could see it IRL; it's really bright and snazzy, very eye-catching.

Card stock: Cajun Craze N, Whisper White, Early Espresso N

Inks: Daffodil Delight N, Cajun Craze N, Old Olive, Early Espresso N

Stamp Set: Flowers Awash N

Accessories: dimensionals, 1-3/4" circle punch, 2-3/8" scallop circle punch N

It's so much fun to play with the NEW colors! I hope you're as excited as I am - I can't wait to show off new things to the Hostess Clubs this month. You don't have to be in a Hostess Club to be a hostess, however! I'd LOVE to stamp with you and your friends, either at your place or mine! The benefits are AWESOME - why not call or email me today and start earning some FREE STAMPS AND ACCESSORIES? PLUS, it's the only way you can get invited to the Hostess-ONLY Appreciation Luncheon in October! I've got testimonials if you want them - it's REALLY worth it to hostess JUST so you can come! :D

OK, I'm going to run. Miles to go before I sleep and all that. :D I hope you have a WONDERFUL day - and be SURE to take the time to STAMP something! :)