I've been BURIED!

I'm sorry. I know you miss me when I disappear - thank you to all of you wonderful friends who sent emails, worrying about me. I've been totally buried, worried about myself, and wondering if I'd ever get to the top of the stack again.
EVERY surface in my studio looked like this. And I do mean every. Look: there's household stuff, stamping stuff, clothing for one of my flood victim friends, photography business stuff - the empty spot here on this end of the table? That's where I picked up my camera from.
I'm VERY sorry. Not only did the flood disrupt our lives for a while, it's continuing to mess up scheduling - I've had to move a class to make room for the rescheduled photography class night, yaddayadda. I just haven't been able to keep up.
I feel like I'm getting there now, though! Had a scrapbooking class Saturday, a party last night and tonight, and an Advanced Techniques class tomorrow night. So I've got lots of things lined up to show you - just have to do the photography, the clean-up, and still a bit of designing. ;)
SO! Come back and see me tomorrow, and I'll start showing you some great things YOU can easily make - or maybe you'll want a class of your own! :D
THANK YOU for being faithful! Next month's the Annual Birthday Card Contest, and I promise the prize will be great. :)
Have a wonderful day! Take the time to stamp SOMEthing - you KNOW I am! :D

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today's quick tutorial is how to make a sparkly shamrock without a single stamp. :D I hope you have fun, and perhaps do a few of these! I may have to wear one to church tonight, if I can't find something green to wear. But I AM Irish - that should take care of it all, dang it! :D

Don't forget: you can see any of the photos at the size I uploaded them just by clicking on the photo!

All products are copyrighted by Stampin' Up!®. I'm not going to put the © on each image, but you have been told! :D

For this project, you will need:

• Green card stock of your choice - I'm using GLORIOUS GREEN.
• Heart punch - I'm using the Full Heart, but you can use the Heart To Heart, also.
• Oval punch - because I'm using the Full Heart Punch, I'm using the Wide Oval Punch.
• Paper snips, just in case.
• Adhesive
• Shimmer spray, made with alcohol and Frost White Shimmer Paint (Want to know more about how to use this? Get four people total, and have a private class for only $15 per person!)

Please note: I'm showing you how to do this by putting it together and then spraying the whole thing, but it will go better for you if you spray the pieces and let them dry, THEN put it together! (Voice of experience! :D )

Step 1:

Start by punching three hearts out.

I turn my punch upside-down, so I can see how close to the edge I am. :D








Step 2:

Using your oval punch, punch half of an oval from the side of your card stock. OK, so maybe it's not QUITE a half - see the photo for approximation! :D






Step 3:


Now, punch a stem shape by lining up more card stock from the area you just punched from. Take a look at the photo, and see what I'm talking about. :D It's really hard to describe in words!






Step 4:


Now, put the larger end of the stem piece back into the punch, and punch a little bit off. We're trying to make it look a little more natural! :D










So, these are the pieces you should have for your shamrock - see, it's not difficult, is it! :D







Step 5:


Now, adhere them together!

First, put the central heart at the top of the stem.





Then build up from there, until you have your shamrock completely together!




Awww, look! It's a shamrock! (Actually, it's a clover, but I can say whatever I wanna! :D)

Here we go! Are you ready for the final step?



Step 7:

Shake your shimmer spray well, and spray until you're in love with how much shimmer is on your shamrock!

Let dry.

OOOH and AAAH over your beautiful shamrock!

WHEW! They're easy to do, but not so easy to tell HOW to do! :D I hope the pictures helped! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask them! :) And if you need any of the supplies, you can email me, call me, or just place your order at my business site - just click the SHOP NOW button at the top! :)

For those of you who are praying for Ev: he was supposed to be let out of the hospital today, and they were hoping to at least start the trip back home today. Please keep praying for him - he's feeling better, but has a long road ahead of him. THANK YOU!!!

OK, I'm off - I'm gonna make SOMETHING green for tonight's snacks. :D I hope you have a WONDERFUL day - and especially make time to STAMP something! :D

Valentine's Challenge Day 8!

We're getting close, ladies and gentlemen! Only TWO more designs until Valentine's Day, only FOUR MORE DAYS! Have you made plans? Reservations? Threats? :D LOL!!

Anyway. Here's today's design for you!

Card stock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Ink: Melon Mambo, Whisper White craft (inside)

Stamp sets: I {Heart} Hearts, Well Scripted (inside)

Accessories: Big Shot, SU! Texturz Plates 1, Full Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Pinking Hearts Punch, Welcome Neighbor DSP Pad, Dimensionals, Small Square Glassine Envelopes

And here's the photo of the INSIDE....

(Don't forget that you can click on any photo for the full-sized image.)

Isn't the DSP FUN?!?!?! I *knew* I had to use it for one of the Valentine's cards - I mean, Melon Mambo AND hearts?!?!? :D

I know the texturz on the Whisper White hearts is hard to see, but I promise it's there! :)

I really enjoy using the pinking hearts punch to make lace; what a great and easy way to make something really girly! :D Don't forget that you have the great opportunity to order the I {Heart} Hearts set AND help the Haitian Relief Fund until February 28! All you have to do is go to my business site - click here, then click on the SHOP NOW button! - and order it - the item number is 117010 for wood-mounted, 118571 for clear-mount. Not only will you get a FANTASTIC stamp set, but you'll be pitching in to help, too!

OK, I'm off! Lots to do, lots of stamping going on, lots of Bible study to do, and lots to plan! :D Have a WONDERFUL day, and be SURE to take the time to STAMP SOMETHING! LEAVE ME A COMMENT OR SEND ME A PICTURE! :D

Valentine's Challenge Day 4

Good morning! Well, no one's leaving any comments on the Valentines in general, but I'm getting blog views, so I guess I'll settle for that. :D

Today's is kind of corny, but it was in my mind and wouldn't go away until it came out - it's a quick, easy, less-than-ten-minute card. :D


Card stock: Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Ruby Red

Ink: Barely Banana

Stamp set: NONE

Accessories: paper snips, Big Shot :D, SU! Timeless Type Jr. Alpha Sizzlits set

Seriously. That's ALL that's done to this card! I didn't stamp the inside, but I'd probably use the "love ya much" from Well Scripted if I did.

I free-handed the heart (ANYONE who knows me should be impressed with how well it came out!), then dragged the Barely Banana ink pad all over the card stock. To me, those candy hearts always look a little grunged. :D (Oh, I didn't tell you that that's what this is supposed to look like, did I. :D)

Then I just cut out the three die cuts - there are two hearts that come in the Sizzlit set!), and stuck them on with 2-way glue.

SO easy! You could do this with any pastel color, since they're ALL in those candy heart bags/boxes. :D

OK, lots to do today, and it's getting a bit overwhelming. :D Have a WONDERFUL day - but be SURE to take the time to STAMP something!!!