HUGE craft supply sale!!!!

I am in the process of cleaning out my office so that I have room for my next great adventure!!!!

I will be having a HUGE sale at my house this Wednesday night at 7pm. If you are local, I hope that you will be able to come!!! I want another chance to hang out with my sweet customers!!! Plus, I have so much stuff to get rid of and the prices are going to be amazing!!!!!

Anything that is not sold on Wednesday night, will be put up for sale on my blog!

 

ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE: I am so amazed by the number of you that I have heard from suring the past couple of days!!! I always knew that I loved you guys- but had no idea ow much you loved me. I have loved every last email and blog comment!!! And I am so glad that you understand why I am making this change. I just got back from a teaching sore where I bought craft supplies for my kiddos!!! Let the next adventure begin!!!

Play!

I have another digi page for you!!! Now if you are not a digi scrapper- you could always use the same sketch to make a layout with paper. Just a thought...

These are some more pictures that I took at the park last weekend. I am so proud of myself for scrapping these pics while I was still in love with them. Digi scrapping makes that a bit easier since I don't have to print the pictures first!

This page was made using a kit called On the Playground.

Hope you have an awesome weekend and take lots of photos to scrapbook!

Some Tough Decisions....

This may be a somewhat wordy post and so I apologize in advance. I have a lot to say!

I will be celebrating my 2 year anniversary as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator in just a couple of weeks. These past two years have been amazing!!! As most of you know, I was never a hobby demonstrator. From the time my starter kit arrived, I ran a business. Some of you reading this may recall my first class! I tought a baby album class and it lasted until the wee hours of the morning! I was a bit embarressed. But to my surprise- most of them came back for my second class. And I think they are all still great customers after 2 years and dozens of classes!

Also, in my first month as a demo, I got a booth at the Women's Expo in Glendale. This is a HUGE event. Boothes were not cheep! And I did not have much time at all to prepare. But I worked hard. And several of you helped me! I know someone out there remembers lugging tons of stuff for about a mile around the arena. And someone else remembers me driving home- bleeding. Literally. It was a long and hard weekend! But it was the start of an amzing business!

I have had the pleasure of traveling all over the state to do workshops and classes for friends. I have learned so much! Did you know that I only had one stamp set and one ink pad when I signed up to be a demo?! I have come a long way. I was a complete stamping novice 2 years ago- and today, I feel like I can call myself an artist. I have even been published a few times! I am proud of myself!

But building a business took time. And that meant that I gave up a good deal of time with my family and friends. I was talking to a downline yesterday and she said  "we are still friends." It struck me. We had been friends for years before I became a demo. But after I became a demo- she became my cusomer and later my downline. Now when I see her- it is to stamp or pick up an order. In many way we lost track of our friendship.

And my poor family.....in order to run my business, I needed to work Monday through Friday in my office. I needed to design class projects, do blog posts, paperwork, and place orders. And I couldn't do it with the kids around. So I made a tough decision to send them to a preschool/daycare facility. They love it there. And they are very happy kids. But then as my business really grew- I needed to do classes and workshops on the weekends. So I had to leave the kids with my hubby. Many times I felt like the kid's teachers saw my kids more than I did. I would often miss them and wish that I could be at home.

And that is where I am today. I was once a stay-at-home mom, who needed something ....more. And that is when I found Stampin' Up! Having something that was all mine, got me through some of the toughest times as a young mom of 4 babies. It gave me a break.

This past weekend, we took the kids to the park. My five year old, Kyler, was having a blast. And then he ran up to me and said  "Mommy, it is taking me a long time to grow up." I couldn't agree less! How did my "baby" get to be so big?! And why would I want to miss one more day that I don't have to? In just a few months he will be going to Kindergarden! Yikes!

I am the first to admit- I was not a great SAHM 2 years ago. The kids were a lot to handle on my own. I was tired and stressed and not very happy. But I would like to think that I am a different person now. A stronger person.

So with great fear, anxiety, and excitement- I have decided to go back to being a stay-at-home mom! Yikes!

So what does this mean for you? I will no longer be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Not even a hobbyist. At first I was going to keep my demo status for the discount. But then I started saying stuff to myself like "I'll just do a class every other month." or "I'll just keep my scrapbook clubs going." And I had to tell myself "no!" I LOVE papercrafting and stamping!!!! I am going to be very busy with my kids and when I do get some needed "mommy time" I want to feel free to make something for me. I don't want to have design something for a class or workshop. I want stamping and scrapbooking to be my get-a-way. Therefore, I will be contacting demo support in the next couple of days to end my career with Stampin' Up!

As for the blog- I am keeping it!!!! I love blogging! I love to hear from all of you. In many ways- we have become cyber friends. And I look foward to logging on each day. But you may see some changes. For one- you are going to see me using my favorite stamps and supplies. So this means- they may be retired and they may not even be by Stampin' Up!  Gasp! Although, I still think that Stampin' Up! has the BEST papercrafting supplies- I am not going to limit myself. If I see something I like- I just may get it!!! Another change, is that I may not be able to posts every day. I am not sure yet how much time I will be able to steal away to craft. We will just have to see!

One more thing for you- I am going to be selling LOTS and LOTS of my stamps and supplies here on my blog!!!! I am going to get rid of any set I no longer like or use. This will include current sets from the catalog. So it will be a good chance for you to get some discounted supplies!

Is anyone still reading this? If you are...then you must be one of my very devoted customers. I want to say one more time- that I have loved the past 2 years!!! You have all made me smile. I am starting to cry now so I know I need to end this ramble!

See you soon friends......

 

1 Fine Day

I am doing more and more digi scrapbooking!!! I don't really know a lot of the fancy tricks but I am learning a lot as I go. And I have started to get my pages printed at Costco. I just upload them and then pick them up a few hours later. But you do have to have a membership. There are other places online that print 12x12 but I have not tried them.

I made this layout using a kit from the Sweet Shoppe called Fly Catchin'. It has lots of bright and fun papers and buttons that I thought would work well for lots of pictures of my kiddos.

I just love that stiching!!! I don't even know how to sew! And isn't my boy handsome?!

Birdie Duo

I love the cards that I have to show you today, but I almost didn't post them. They are almost completly copied!!!! I found this card and I loved it so much that I made one just like it....

I decided that I liked this card so much that I should also make it in pink....

The DSP that I used for these cards (Maine Blueberry and Geogia Peach) is retired- but you could also make the card with Washington Apple Dsp. It has the same patterns but different colors. Hmmmmm....maybe I need to make one in that pattern too : )

Recipe:

Stamps: A Little Birdie Told Me

Paper: Maine Blueberry and Georgia Peach DSP, Pretty in Pinx Textured, Old Olive, Whisper White, Watercolor, Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Black Stazon, Regal Rose, Not Quite Navy

Other: Aquapainter, Old Olive Grosgrain, Old Olive Buttons, Bashful Blue Buttons, Linin Thread, Large Oval Punch

Flowers or Lollypops????

I am back!!!! It felt good to sit down last night and whip a card out! And I plan on spending plenty of time in my craft room tody so that I will have lots more to show for the rest of the week!

Since it had been a while since I had last stamped- I decided to check some of my favorite blogs and find somethign to CASE. It is the easiest way for me to get back in my groove. I fell in love with a card by Debbie Olsen. So here is my take on it...

I am just crazy about those buttons from the button bouquet pack!!! Do any of you ever watch that show Still Standing? I think it is on the Lifetime channel. On one of the shows, the mom decided to paint some lawn chairs to sell in a craft show. So she paint flowers on them and shows her kids and husband. They all say "wow, love the lollypops."  (By the way, there is a point to this random story.) This morning, I showed my son this card. I was really loving it was and was fishig for a commpliment. He said "I like the lollypops." Hmmmm. Lollypops. Flowers. Whatever you want to call them- I think they are cute.

And would you like to see something else that I made this week? It is not a stamped creation, but it is still crafty!

I have a baby shower to go to this weekend and this is going to be the center piece. It is my first diaper cake and I am quite proud!

Hope you have a creative day!!!

 

Recipe:

Stamps: Women of Life (Papertrey Ink)

Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Old Olive

Other: Button Bouquet, Ridinghood Red Striped Ribbon, circle punch, linin thread

Interuprting the Regularly Scheduled Program

So are wondering what happed to me yet??? I have been painting my Master Bathroom and Bedroom. It is quite the project!!! But I am happy to report that it is just about finished. Now I will be able to spend some time stamping!!! I will be back tomorrow!

Kind Words

I am sorry I didn't post on Friday. I had this card ready- but I forgot to photograph it. My weekend was so busy that I never got to update the blog. Anyway...here is a card that I cased from Jenn. I just love her work!!!

I sure do love that DSP!!!!! It's called Rasbery Tart and I think the colors are so pretty.

I can't wait to get back in my stamp room!!!!! Hope you have a creative day!

Recipe:

Stamps: Echoes of Kindness, Live Your Dream (retired)

Paper: Rasbery Tart, Whisper White, Rose Red

Ink: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red

Other: Rose Red and Cameo Coral Markers

Baby Boy Announcements

I have a sweet friend at my MOPS table who is due in April. She asked me to come up ith some ideas for announcements. Here are the first 2 that I came up with...

This set is called "By Ones and By Twos." It is retired- but it is the only baby stamp set that I own!!! I know lots of people did this card back when the stamp first came out and I am not sure who came up with it first, but I have always wanted to make one!!! And the Sale a Bration DSP works really nice for these baby boy cards. Here is a closer look...

The next one is a criss-cross pocket card. I like to use this type of card for announcements because it is so easy to put the details and a picture inside the pocket after the baby comes.

I really need to do some baking and work on my taxes today- but I have my fingers crossed that I will have enough time to make a couple more baby cards.

Recipe:

Stamps: By Ones and By Twos

Paper: Delicate Dots DSP, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue

Other: Soft Subtles brads, Crimper, Bashful Blue Striped Ribbon

Some Candy Lane Creations

I have a couple projects to show you today using the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper.

First, I have a 2 page scrapbook layout! I have a certain reader (you know who you are!) who is always asking for these 2 pagers. So this one is for you!!! It is the page that my scrapbook clubs made for February. Sorry I don't have pics of my cute kids in it yet. The layout has room for lots of 2x2 pictures!

Here is a close-up of the title (which I love!)...

And of course, I had to have a set of thos paper pieced birdies...

My favorite part of this whole layout is the color combo!!! It is Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Ridinghood Red and Pink Pirouette. It looks very pretty IRL!

Next I have a card for you using the new Sale a Bration set called "Yummy." That is my favorite word these days....so of course I had to have the set!!! And since it was FREE, can you blame me?!!! Don't forget to place your $50 order, so you can pick a free sale a bration set!!!! So here is the card...

I love how "girly" this card is! I think it would make a great wedding or bridal shower card! And do you see that super sweet flower?!!!

Yummy!!!! It's called a Fleurette and when I saw them in the new catty, I knew I had to have them. But they are so pretty that I have been hoarding them!!!  Mmmmm Mmmmmm Mmmmmm!!!

Ok I am off to tackle my large To Do list!

Recipe:

Love Scrapbook Layout

Stamps: Big Deal Alphabet, Love You Much

Paper: Candy Lane DSP, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Ridinghood Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ridinghood Red

Other: Heart to Heart Punch, Eyelet Punch, Circle Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch

 

Flower Card

Stamps: Yummy

Paper: Candy Lane DSP, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Top Note Die, Fleuettes, Ridinghood Red Tafetta Ribbon, Half Back Pearls (from the Pretties kit)

Starting Simple

I have been sick for over a week. And so it has been even longer than that since I have stamped!!! Yikes!!! When I take stamping breaks, I have a hard time getting back in the swing of things. This time was no different. And so I started with a very simple card.

Isn't that butterfly yummy??? I made it with my Big Shot Die Cut Machine!!! It is a die that just came out in this new catalog and when I saw it- I knew I needed it. But this is the first time I used it! But be prepared, you are going to see a lot of butterflies this spring on my blog! He is a close up....

I am off to try my hand at a few more cards while my creative juices are still flowing!

Recipe:

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly

Paper: Tea Party DSP, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Ink: Pretty in Pink

Other: Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Pretty in Pink Taffeta, Pretty in Pink button, Eyelet punch

Some Valentine's Digi Layouts

I am not feeling well, STILL, and decided to use this down time to try my hand at some digi scrapping. I am learning....

I used a kit called Heartstrings for both of these layouts.

I like how they turned out! But I have so many questions!!! Someday I will figure this out!!! Hope that you had a happy Valentine's Day!

I love you, Valentine!

I only have a minute (maybe less!) but I wanted to post the Valentine that I made for my sweet hubby. Then I have to go give it to him!!!

The stamp set is by Papertrey Ink and I colored it with my Copic markers. I also popped up the mailboxes and that looks really cool IRL.

I will update this post tomorrow with the recipe!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Card Makeover

Do you guys remember this card...

I made this and posted it back in January.

I needed a Valentine to send to a friend and this card came to mind. But I decided to add some extras to make it even more special. So what do you think of my card makeover?

Isn't that heart paper clip fun??? I made it with a standard paper clip and it was super easy. Click here for instructions from Kristina Werner.

I hope you all have your Valentine's Day cards ready for those special people!

Recipe:

Stamps: Love You Much, Holidays & Wishes

Paper: Candy Lane DSP, Very Vanilla, Kraft, Ridinghood Red, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Basic Black, Going Grey

Other: Button Bouquet, Twine, Ridinghood Red Taffeta, paper clip, blender pen, heart to heart punch

 

Big Shot Video

Check out the new Big Shot video on my website. Click HERE to view!

Echoes of Kindness

I LOVE free stamps! And the hostess sets in this catalog- are so awesome that I didn't even know where to start!!! I recently got the set Echoes of Kindness. It's such a pretty set! Here is the first card that I made...

Aren't those corduroy buttons yummy?! I think I am going to have to get hem in every color! The flower image was stamped on watercolor paper and I colored it with an aquapainter and ink pads.

I am still battling a cold right now so don't get too close to your computer screen right now as you may catch some of my germs!

Recipe:

Stamps: Echoes of Kindness

Paper: Candy Lane DSP, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Ridinghood Red, Going Gray

Other: Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttonf, chocolate chip grosgrain, ridinghood red taffeta, aquapainter, eyelet punch

Simple Valentine Treat

I have a confession. I have not stamped since last Thursday! Yikes!!!! I have been having terrible troubles with migraines. And now, on top of the migraine, I have come down with a cold.

Today I have a simple Valentine's Day treat to show you. I made a bunch of these to give to the gals at my MOPS table last week.

I just cut 2 top notes with my Big Shot Die Cut Machine and then attached them to a small treat bag. I had to cut the bag down. I think I got them at Target next to all the gift bags. Here is a side view...

The bags were filled with yummy candies. I ate all the left overs!!! I thought it might help the headache!

I am off to rest some more and hope to stamp again very soon!

Recipe:

Stamps: Hugs & Wishes

Paper: Candy Lane DSP, Kraft

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: small treat bag, Heart to Heart Punch, Word Window Punch, Pink Pirouette Striped Ribbon, Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Top Note Die

A Heavy Card

The card I have to show you today would not be a good card to put in the mail! It's very heavy!!! I used last weeks SFYTT from Jenn.

That patterned paper is soooo very yummy! It is thick and textured like cardstock. And the colors and patterns are so pretty!

I am sorry to make this so short, but I have a migraine and really want to go lie down for a while before the kids come home from school. Have a happy stamping day!

Recipe:

Stamps: NONE!

Paper: Parisan Breeze Specialty DSP, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Other: Circle Punches, Button Bouquet, Chocolate Chip Corduroy button, Flower FusionToo, silver brads, rub ons

Quick and Simple Valentine

I don't usually post on the weekends, but I thought I would show you this simple Valentine's Day card...

The stamp is actually a Papertrey stamp. In fact it is the bottom of the strawberry on the card I showed you a couple of days ago!

Recipe:

Stamps: My Puny Valentine

Paper: Sweet Always DSP, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Regal Rose

Other: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

Other new stamps

I did get more than just the Petal Pizzazz set from the new catalog! Today I have 2 cards to show you using some more of my new stuff...

I am not real crazy about this card just because it doesn't have any "stuff" on it. But I do love this 5th Avenue Floral set and can see using it on a scrapbook page in the very near future!!!

When I saw this set, Cheep Talk, in the catty- it went on my "Must Have" list!

Recipe:

The Little Things:

Stamps: 5th Avenue Floral, Full of Life

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze

 

Note of Thanks:

Stamps: Cheep Talk

Paper: Rasberry Tart DSP, Rose Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red

Other: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, and Summer Sun Markers, Rose Red brads

 

I have some more cards that I wanted to show you- but forgot to photograph so I will be back tomorrow with those. But now, I need to go lay down as I have a killer migrain!!!!

Happy Stamping!

Love You Berry Much

WARNING!!! I used non-Stampin' Up! stamps on this card. Crazy, huh?!!! I bought this stamper set from Papertrey last summer because I just loved the sentiments. Well, Since it is a Valentine's Day set- I decided I needed to pull it out for a couple quick cards for a customer. What do you think?

I also pulled out my nestabilities which I have not used in ages!!! They work perfectly in the Big Shot Die Cut Machine!!!

 

Happpy Stamping!!!

 

Recipe:

Stamps: My Punny Valentine (PTI)

Paper: Bella Rose DSP, Ridinghood Red, Whisper White

Ink: Ridinghood Red

Other: Nestabilities, Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Pink Pirouette Striped Ribbon

Happy Blog-aversary to me!

Who knew that blogging would be such a blast?! I am addicted! Just ask my hubby! I want to thank you for all your sweet comments. You all keep me motivated and I am so please with how many projects I have completed since I started my blog! So are you ready for a blast from the past? I thought I would show you my favorite projects from each month of the past year! Maybe they will re-inspire you!

February, 2008

March, 2008- My first card ever published!!!

April, 2008

May, 2008

June 2008 (Another card that was published!)

July, 2008

August 2008

September 2008

October 2008

November 2008

December 2008

January 2009

Can you tell how much fun I have been having this past year?!!! And my photoraphy sure has gotten much better!

Love ya!!!

Take Note

No Petal Pizzazz today!!!! I promise! In fact, today's project is one that I made before my new SU! goodies came. It is a cute little notebook! I got the directions from Kristina Werner. It is basically just a 3x11 piece of patterned paper and 2 7/8x11 pieces of copy paper. You fold them and add staples to hold it together. (as you can see, I had some issues with my stapler! But I was too tired at the time to try again!) Then decorate!

I used this fun image from the Eastern Elegance set and colored directly on the rubber with my Old Olive and Regal Rose markers. The DSP is retired : (

Recipe:

Stamps: Eastern Elegance

Paper: Murifield DSP, Regal Rose, Whisper White, copy paper

Other: Regal Rose and Old Olive Markers, Regal Rose Ribbon, Stapler

Can you stand one more???

I hope that you can stand one more card with the Petal Pizzazz stamp set. What can I say?! I am in love with the set! And this card is my favorite one yet!!! I CASAED another one from Jenn- but I added DSP, changed the colors, eliminated the sentiment one eliminted one layer on the flowers. Here is my verison...

Yum! I am just loving these colors together (Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant and Almost Amathyst). But I can't believe that I love this card so much even though it doesn't have any ribbon! It's a crime!!! But the card has so much demension (and those yummy half-back pearls from the Pretties kit) that it just didn't need anything else!

As I was taking pictures of this one- my light tent hit my daughter's cup of milk and milk went everywhere. The first thing I did was grab for the card! I stood in the path of the milk and saved the card!!! So you know the paper towel commercials that claim they can clean large messes with just one towel? Don't believe it!!! I used name-brand, high quality paper towels and it took 6 paper towels and 2 wash clothes to clean up a small cup of milk. (And there may still be milk on the floor- but I was so excited to blog that I left the scene of the crime!)

Ok- I am off to finish cleaning mup the milk before I take Laynee to the doctor. Have a happy stamping day!

Recipe:

Stamps: Petal Pizzazz

Paper: Tea Party, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Almost Amathyst

Other: Half-back pearls from the Pretties kit

Sale-A-Brate Good Times!

I am so excited because it is time for Sale-A-Bration!!! This is the biggest sale that Stampin up! has all year!!!

For every $50 in merchandise that you order from me during February and March, you will receive your choice of one of 4 stamps sets, a pack of patterned paper, or a ribbon bundle for FREE!!! Just click here to see the FREE merchandise that you can choose from!!! When you are ready to place your order- click here to be taken to my Stampin' Up! website. Then click on Shop Now in the top right corner.

Have you been thinking abot becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstratror so you can make some extra money or get supplies at a discount? Now is a GREAT time to join my team! You will get your starter kit at 15%, get to choose an additional stamp set of your choice from the catalog, and get free shipping. Wow!!! Click here for more info about becoming a demonstrator.