January 22, 2015

You might be looking at this picture going . . . what???  I thought this was a paper crafts blog!!  Well, it still is.  These awesome earrings were made from the embellishments in the Occasions catalog.  A couple of fish hook wires, a couple of minutes . . . and there you go . . . beautiful earrings!!

I have worn these several times since I made them and always get ask . . . where did you get your earrings . . . they are so cool!!

Yesterday was spent at the eye doctor and then in picking out new glasses for Hanna and myself.  We both got a totally different type of frame than we have right now so I hope that we both like them!!!  Like I told Hanna multiple times when I was trying on frames . . . I don't have to look at me, so what do you think they look like?

We also put the finishing touches on my leadership swap while we were eating lunch so look for it to be posted soon!!  I will be working on at least getting everything cut out and stamped today so I can start assembling them.

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 21, 2015

This is one of the swap cards I took to our stamping meeting on Saturday.  It is exactly the same layout and stamp set as the one I posted here, but just changed it up a bit.

Stamps:  Big Day

Cardstock:  Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Whisper White,

Best Year Ever DSP

Ink:  Black Stazon, Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, 

Calypso Coral, and Garden Green Markers

Accessories:  Large Scallop Edge Edgelit, Big Shot, Ornate Tag Topper Punch,

Best Year Ever Accessory Pack, Stampin Dimensionals

Today I am meeting Hanna in Iowa City and we are both going to get our eyes checked and then pick out new glasses.  We are hoping to squeeze in some lunch and maybe a little shopping before she heads back to Adel.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 20, 2015

Each time I use one of the Sale-a-Bration sets I think it is my favorite!!  This is one of the cards that we stamped at our meeting on Saturday and was designed by demonstrator friend, Nicole Slaubaugh.   Although this lotus blossom looks hard to do, it is really very easy since it is photopolymer and has tabs to help you line it up!!

Stamps:  Lotus Blossom, Gorgeous Grunge

Cardstock: Costal Cabana, Brushed Gold, Whisper White, Lullaby DSP

Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar

Accessories:  Artisan Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

This week is going to be one of those weeks where I want everything on the weekly deals!!  Check them out below and then let me know what you want!!

I had a great meeting my friends for lunch yesterday.  We met at noon and managed to visit though the lunch crowd, all afternoon, and part way through the supper crowd, finally leaving at 5:30.  It was great catching up, visiting, and laughing a ton!!

Today I am going to be thinking about my swap to take to Leadership next week and spending the day in my stamping room!!

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 19, 2015

One of the best things about Project Life memory keeping is the ease with which you can do it.  Now, I am not a scrapbooker by any means . . . I have all of these great ideas, but my photos sit in a box because I just don't ever get around to making the scrapbooks.  Not so much any more!!  I decided this year I was going to jump on the December Daily bandwagon and document our December memories.  It went together so easy!!  I have had this mostly done since New Year's Day . . . I just forgot to take pictures and post it!!

The covers of the small albums are so easy to stamp on and I think it adds a great touch.  The only thing I would do differently is when Stampin' Up! comes out with any special small albums I would order several in the beginning because they sold out so fast!!

Some days there just wasn't really anything special going on so I tried to capture some of the decor around the house.

This might have been my first Project Life project, but I can tell you . . . it won't be my last!!

Leave me a comment about my project and I will choose one of you to send something special to.

Today I am meeting some other retired teaching friends for lunch which usually lasts till supper!!  I do so enjoy visiting with them and catching up on all that is going on in our lives.

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 18, 2015

I love this stamp set and the sentiments in it because it so defines my life right now . . . Love Life.  I have always been a pretty positive person and have been pretty happy with my life but I must say I am loving retirement!!

Stamps:  Love Life

Cardstock:  Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink:  Black Memento Ink, Bermuda Bay Ink

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, and 

Bermuda Bay Blendabilities, Pearl Basic Jewels

This card comes from a You Tube video I watched that was highlighting all of the Sale-a-Bration Stamp sets.  I have a terrible habit of screen capturing ideas I like and unfortunately I forget to tag the original poster . . . sorry!!

Yesterday was spent with several other demonstrators stamping the day away!! We had a great time and I have a ton of new ideas to share at stamp classes!!  I can't wait for the next one to share some of the ideas!!

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 17, 2015

I love the Lotus Blossom stamp set that you can get as one of your Sale-a-Bration stamp sets for FREE!!  It looks way more difficult to do than it really is. This was my first attempt at a card with it and I can tell you I will be making many more before the next two months are over with. 

Stamps:  Lotus Blossom

Cardstock:  Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White

Ink:  Blackberry Bliss, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz

Today I am lucky enough to get to spend the day stamping with 17 other demonstrators.  My side-line Susie Wood has graciously adopted me into her group and we get together about four times a year and spend the day stamping and swapping ideas.  I know I will come home with my head spinning and tons of ideas!!

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 16, 2015

Here is another one of the cards everybody got to make this week at stamp nights.

Once again I found a similar card on Pinterest that was a one layer card, so I added a Tangerine Tango layer and here you go!! (the smudges on the card are not supposed to be there . . . must have had something on the lens . . . sorry)

Stamps:  Kinda Eclectic, Crazy About You

Cardstock:  Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry

Accessories:  Hello You Thinlits, Big Shot

I would like to think that my card is responsible for the sunshiny days we have been having lately!!!  I love the sunshine!!

I am off to Iowa City to do some shopping and just be out in the lovely warm and sunshiny weather!!

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 15, 2015

One of the things I really love about Stampin' Up! and stamping is that you can make a lot of things other than cards and scrapbook pages.  Last December when several demonstrator friends and I got together to see the Occasions catalog for the first time we tried something new.   Instead of swapping whole cards we swapped these 2.25" inch squares.   We really didn't have a particular theme in mind and several of us made Valentine squares.   There were quite a few red and black ones so I decided to make a few more yesterday and put them together in this sampler.  I LOVE the way it turned out!! I still have some more Valentine squares that were not red and black so will be making another one sometime soon.  

  

I am anxious to try this for several different holidays.  It is so easy to change out the 12 X 12 piece of scrapbook paper.  It only took me three or four trips to my local craft store to remember to get the frame!!

Let me know what you think!!

I am definitely looking forward to the warmer temperatures forecast for the next few days!!  

Today I am working on swaps for this weekend and I am thinking that it would be good to get out and get some fresh warmer air!!

Everyday is a gift . . . enjoy the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 14, 2015

I have had a lot of time to browse around Pinterest lately and here is another idea I saw on there.   Again it was a one layer card and I switched that up a bit. I wasn't too sure about the color combo till I got it done and everybody Monday night seemed to like it as well.

Stamps:  You Plus Me

Card stock:  Basic Black, Real red, Whisper White

Ink:  Calypso Coral, Black Stazon

Accessories:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Gold Sequin Trim, 

Stampin Dimensionals

Today I think I am going to finish up the Valentine's sampler that has squares several of us swapped out in early December.  I am really anxious to finish one of these up.  Hopefully I will have pictures for you tomorrow.

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 13, 2015

Here is another one of the cards everybody stamping last night got to make.  I saw one with the same basic design on Pinterest.  Since it was a one layer card I added a couple of other layers and here it is!!  Very simple, but yet one anybody would love to receive.

Stamps:  hello Life

Cardstock:  Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Card Stock Vellum

Ink:  Real Red, Black Stazon

Accessories:  Itty Bitty Accesnts Punch Pack, 

Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

I think everyone had a good time last night, despite the cold.  One more cold day and then we we may be home free!!  I know wishful thinking on my part!!

Today I need to figure out my swaps for a stamping meeting I am going to on Saturday and hopefully finishing up my December Daily scrapbook from Christmas.  About all that remains is the cover and the tittle page.

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 12, 2015

Today's card is one everybody get to make tonight at stamp night.  This is a layout I have used many times and is one of my favorites.  I also think that this Sale-a-Bration stamp set is my favorite this year!!

  

Stamps:  Big Day

Cardstock:  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, 

Birthday Bash DSP

Ink:  Black Stazon, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, 

Night of Navy and Smoky Slate Markers

Accessories:  Scallop Edge Border Punch, Ornate Tag Topper Punch, 

Best Year Ever Accessory Pack, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Big Shot

The card stock is all cut an everything is ready to load into the car for tonight's stamp night.  I think even the weather is going to cooperate!!  I may go to Iowa City a little earlier to do some window shopping and just walk around a little bit!!  I would love to have you join us tonight, so shoot me an email if you would like to come and make this card and five others.

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 10, 2015

Another technique we used Thursday night was Triple Time Stamping.  It looks much more difficult that it is.  The hardest part is keeping all of the pieces in order so you know how to adhere them all.  I definitely was trying to think spring on Thursday with the very cold temperatures.

Stamps:  Crazy About You

Cardstock:  Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Ink:  Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz

I love this time of the Stampin' Up! Year….almost more so than the release of the new catalog.  The new occasions catalog is great this year and I love all of the sets in the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  If you would like either of these two catalogs, shoot me an email and I will get you one right away.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 9, 2015

Despite the cold and snowy weather Stamp/Technique club met last night. One of the techniques we worked with was Magical Masking Tape.  It does make for some really neat backgrounds!!  I really like this tree that is in one of the new stamp sets in the Occasions catalog . . . Sheltering Tree.

Stamps:  Sheltering Tree

Cardstock:  Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink:  Real Red, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette, Black Stazon

Accessories:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack

It was certainly good to get out and get some fresh air yesterday!!  While it is nice not having to go anywhere when the weather is bad, it also can make you feel kind of penned in.  I would like to think when it warms up this weekend it will stay that way but I know that is probably wishful thinking on my part.

But . . . 

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

January 8, 2015

If you are like me and have been in a paper crafting funk lately, then Paper Pumpkin is just the thing to get you going again.  Here are the three cards that you could make with the January Kit, which contained everything (minus adhesive) you need to make 9 cards…three of each.  I actually completed all 9 cards in about 45 minutes yesterday afternoon.  

I absolutely love the bright colors that are in the confetti in these cards.  I already have several of these written in and ready to send out!!

Today I will be getting ready for the second round of our technique/stamp club meeting tonight.  Check back tomorrow to see one of the techniques we will be learning.

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

December 1, 2014

What does a ribbon-holic do with all of their retired, coordinated Stampin' Up! ribbon . . . they make ribbon trees, of course.  When Hanna and I were out shopping this weekend we saw some of these in one of the craft stores and decided we could make our own with the ribbon I had stockpiled in my craft room . . . and it would match all of the other things we had made!!

These are the ones I made.

These are the ones Hanna made.

And here is where we chose to display mine.  Hers are going to her apartment to find a home.

They really coordinate quite well with the banner and wreath we made last Christmas!!

Today I am starting a new project, called December Daily.  I am going to take a picture a day and journal and document the month of December using Project Life.

I will try to post pictures as I get them done!!

Everyday is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!