Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Three Ring Circus!

Alright - quick post for the day....sweet corn is ready in the field - and that means I have to prepare the kitchen for cutting and freezing. It's super cool out today - well and yesterday too. So, we turned the air off, and opened all of the windows - all of them!!! It's so nice to have fresh air wafting (is that a word?? Is now!) thru the house, and I have banana bread in the oven, so the house smells even better. But, I think because the windows are open, and it was too nice, the neighbor had to go and ruin my good fun. When I heard Will yell to me - "Hey mom, check out that big tractor with the huge tank!" - I knew it wasn't gonna be good. Sure enough, he pulled into the neighboring field of freshly baled alfalfa (which smelled good too!), and there he dumped what was in that tank - HOG $%!&.....yes - it does deserve the foul word - because it's foul!!!! I quickly slammed several windows shut, but was able to leave a few on the other side of the house open. Then - to make matters worse, it dawned on me that I have clothes out on the line. LOTS of clothes....I'm crossing my fingers and toes that they don't stink....UGH!!!! I LOVE living on the farm, REALLY LOVE IT - but it's things like this that are SO disappointing. Oh - yeah - did you guys want to see a card today??? You do? Okay - here you go:


This was super easy - ran the front portion thru the Big Shot with the Polka Dot Texturz plate, attached a snipet of ribbon, stamped and punched some circles and cut a few of the flowers out to give the big circle some extra umph....it was totally cased - from Designs by Brooke. She's got some really cute things on her blog!
Alright crew - that's it for today - I'm off to cut some corn!
Jen

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Sweet Sunday Sketch #28

Wow - it's been so long since I've done one of Karen's fabulous Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenges. It was good to do one again - however, with that being said - it was a tough one. Initially I wanted to pull out my Circle Circus set, but then I had seen that several other people had used that set - and of course I wanted to be different - so then I had to brainstorm a little more....then it dawned on my that I still had some of the AWESOME Snow Flurries from the last Holiday Mini catalog. ( I so wish they were back!!!) So, I started....

....and then...I looked and wasn't overly crazy about it.


I added some faux stitching....and still not jumping up and down.


Added some bling (aka Dazzling Diamonds) to the brad...and still not loving it. So, I may have to give this one another shot!!!! I think my problem is there is NO DSP and NO ribbon....and I'm all about that.....so, off to try round 2....

Thanks -
Jen

Monday, July 27, 2009

Last Deal of the Week!


This is it! The last deal of the week for July! And you are sure to love this great little gadget! The Heart to Heart punch. It's wonderful - three heart punches in one. The best thing about it, it coordinates with the Love You Much Stamp Set. So, you can stamp, then punch....or just punch in a multitude of colors!



If you can't pass up this deal - and you shouldn't - you can order it by simply going to my Stampin' Up! website and clicking on the SHOP NOW link in the upper right corner. It really couldn't be any easier!
That's all for today folks....
Jen

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Yes, another Christmas card!

Well, July is almost over, so I better keep whipping out the Christmas cards right??? When will the madness stop? Maybe (MAYBE) August 1st. However starting August 1st I can preorder from the upcoming Holiday Mini....danger is in the air!
Have I mentioned that one of my favorite stamp sets is Snow Swirled? I really truly love a good snow storm - so snowflakes are right up my alley. This time I heat embossed one of the images with white embossing powder, then punched and layered it with an Old Olive circle, and a Whisper White Scalloped Circle, which I edged with Old Olive ink to take some of the whiteness out of it.

This is not a typical card size, but it does fit into one of Stampin' Up's Open End Envelopes. And looky there - once AGAIN, I used the new polka dot ribbon! I'm going to have to buy this stuff in bulk!

I added a few snowflakes to the envelope, and because the envelope is Whisper White and seemed a little bright, I sponged some Very Vanilla to the edges of the envelope.
Anyone recognize the layout???
Thanks for stopping by today! See ya tomorrow!!!

Recipe:
Stamps: Snow Swirled
Paper: Merry Moments, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Old Olive (sponged on edge of scallop circle)
Accessories: silver brad, scallop circle punch, polka dot ribbon, white embossing powder

Saturday, July 25, 2009

BLOG CANDY WINNER!

Alright - my 3 year old Will did the official drawing for my "Comment for the Blog Candy Giveaway!" He drew out:

gocanucksgo !!! Congrats!

If you will send me an email with your name and address, I can get your shipment of goodies in the mail to you! Hope you enjoy!!!

Check back tomorrow for yet another Christmas card!

Jen

More Christmas in July!

Once again - I was inspired by Heather Nichols on this card. I had to make it twice until I got it just the way I wanted - but honestly, I really love it! It's clean, it's simple - it's MERRY, it's right up my alley!

I absolutely love this new 3/4 inch Polka dot ribbon. It's stitched on each edge, adding a little extra something. The nice thing about Stampin' Up's DSP is that it's double sided, therefore, when you open the flap of this card, it's also pretty, which is how I incorporated the Chocolate Chip color. I think this card lends a good spot to include a nice family photo. Might as well use all available space in your cards - who needs white space???I used the Lots of Labels die to back the inside sentiment. I tried to use the Old Olive color from the outside of the flap, but it just didn't look right, so I stuck with Choc. Chip. Seemed to flow better that way. The inside sentiment holds another importance - it covers up the joint of the ribbon.

I'll be back later with a winner for my blog candy! Stay tuned people!

Stamps: Snow Swirled
Paper: Kraft, Merry Moments, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink: Whisper White Craft, Choc. Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: Scallop Circle Die, Lots of Tags Die, Wide Oval Punch, Polka Dot Ribbon



Friday, July 24, 2009

So, I was blog surfing yesterday, and one of my favorite sites that I hadn't visited in quite a while is Heather Nichols blog Pine is Here. I just love her use of kraft paper - she's quite partial to it I would say. Everything she creates is stunning and her style is quite unique. After visiting her site for a while, I was quite inspired, and this is what I came up with:
For some reason, I always seem to fall in love with DSP right before or after it retires. I had not one but two packs of the Rockabilly Specialty DSP that I hadn't used much of....until this week.

I have to say that I think this card turned out stinkin' cute! I finally opened up my pack of Playground buttons and viola - thought cherries! Too sweet! I stamped a dainty little sentiment on the outside: sweet treats

...and on the inside...just for you. This will make an adorable card to go along with a jar of my homemade Rhubarb Jam - which happens to have cherries in it too. Or maybe I'll make a yummy cherry pie and give to someone....
Stop by tomorrow for another card that Heather inspired me to do!
TTFN
Jen
Recipe:
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Rockabilly DSP
Ink: White Craft, Old Olive
Accessories: Playground Buttons, Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Lots of Labels Die




Thursday, July 23, 2009

Bad to the Bone...

Super quick post today - off to spend some much needed time outside before it gets blazing hot (for once!) Here is a card I created with one of my new favorite sketches....
I think it's super cute - and I love doing this ribbon technique on Halloween cards. Always reminds me of witches hair. What do you think?
More later gators!
Jen

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

I think my subconscience is trying to tell me to go ahead and get my Christmas Cards done in July, cuz as soon as I opened this pack of patterned paper - I had to get to playing! I love it when paper does that to me - it just opens up and starts talking....besides, it had been SO long since my beloved set - Winter Post - had seen a droplet of ink. I just know that it was feeling like I'd shoved it off to neverland. I was more than happy to pull it out and start inking it up.And to make things better - I got to try out my new Jumbo Snowflake punch. Pretty cha-cha-cha, wouldn't you say? One thing I'm sure you can't see here - I embossed the Vanilla piece where I stamped the sentiment with a polka dot texturz plate. It just doesn't photograph very well. Next time I may try spritzing my paper first - that's suppose to help.

So, tell me - what is your favorite Christmas Stamp set? Doesn't have to be SU - just has to be your favorite! Remember - every comment gets you a chance for the blog candy!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Thoughts and Prayers Class details...

Okay - so here is a sneak peak at the cards that you can make at my Thoughts and Prayers class:

Thoughts and Prayers Class

You never seem to have the right card on hand at the right time, and they aren't fun to make when you HAVE to make them. That's right - Sympathy Cards. Stock yourself up with 6 cards, all tucked nicely in a card box. Also make an adorable tea bag holder - perfect for giving to someone under the weather.

You can take this class 3 ways:

Option 1: Take the class as described, everything is cut, all supplies are included. Go home with the finished projects. Class fee is $25.

Option 2: Same as Option 1, also includes the Thoughts and Prayers Stamp Set. This way, you go home and can make more projects. Class fee is $45.

Option 3: Same as Option 2, but take the class to go. Everything is ready for you to stamp and assemble, directions included! Class fee is $45.

Class is to be held July 30th - 6:30 pm

Deadline to sign up is July 23rd.

Email me to sign up (let me know what option you desire) or with any questions.

Door Prize Winner!

I drew the name out of the bag for my Open House Door prize winner - the winner is SUSAN KING! Congrats Susan! I'll stick your prize package in with your order! Included in your winnings is a package of 12x12 paper, 2 stamp sets, a roll of felt ribbon, a package of carousel notes, and a package of 6x6 patterned paper! Peel yourself off the floor, and enjoy your goodies!

And, remember, I told you that I will be giving away some blog candy at the end of this week? Here is a picture of that prize package:

Be sure to leave a comment on every post this week - every comment that you leave affords you a chance to win the blog candy!

And, now, onto the card of the day...I finally had the opportunity to do a sketch challenge - and I chose to participate in the Mojo Monday Sketch. It had been so long, I felt so out of practice! But this is what I came up with:

I used the Cottage Wall DSP, and it's funny how even tho the colors consist of Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, and Old Olive, I was able to pull in Pale Plum and Certainly Celery easily enough. I think it helped to soften the card quite a bit. This was the first time I stamped up this image in the Thoughts and Prayers set. I just wasn't overly crazy about the image, until Bonnie used in on the Make and Take card at my open house in lieu of the tree image. Boom! I was then in like with it! This will also be one of the cards in the Thoughts and Prayers class I'm doing next week - more on that this afternoon! So - stay tuned!

Jen

Recipe:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, SU markers: Old Olive, Razzleberry

Paper: Old Olive, Cottage Wall DSP, Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Accessories: Masterpiece Ribbon Originals, Big Shot Circles Die #2, Circle Cutter

Monday, July 20, 2009

Autumn Weather...

...that's what we've been having. So, it seems quite fitting to show you this new creation I've made:
Fall is after all my favorite season - so I love to make fall inspired cards. (yet - I'm still craving some super warm days to bask in the sun) I really like how this card turned out. I used the leaves from the Autumn Days set and "rock and rolled" them to give them a two toned look. My stamp club learned how to do this in their monthly sessions last week. It just gives a very real look to the leaves. The ribbon is from the Orchard Ribbon Originals set in the 2009-2010 IBC. Everything is brought together by the Autumn Traditions DSP.
I really set off the Scallop Circle with brads from the Vintage collections. I think it gives it a look of a Autumn Wreath. What do you think - do you like that added touch?
Remember - everytime you leave a comment this week, your name goes into a drawing for some blog candy!!! Might as well give it a try!
TTFN - Jen

Deal of the Week! Vol. 3

Wow - it's been too long since I've posted here. I'm sorry that I've neglected all of you blog followers. Please do not disown me. This week should be much better as it's not as crammed full of commotion! For those of you who made it to my open house - I so appreciate it! You are all wonderful people and customers - I love you all to pieces! It was a great time, and very successful. Thanks!

Now - onto this week's Deal of the Week:



This is a steal of a deal, I tell you! Do you realize how many pieces are in this Hardware set? And most of them coordinate with a punch. The hardware adds such a great element to you card or scrapbook page or even home decor! I know that I'll be snagging up a set at these reduced prices. Plus, the tin that they come in is adorable - and can be used later for another purpose. Such as, covering with paper, and tucking some yummy goodies in - or even a handmade card set.

Now, a note for those of you who weren't able to make it to my open house. I'm going to offer you a little added bonus! We like bonuses right? I will post some of my favorite new card designs over the next couple of days - if you leave a comment in each post, I will put your name in a hat for a "blog prize" (in lieu of door prize) or as some call it - some blog candy. So - watch for my new designs to pop up on this here blog and be sure to leave a comment. I will draw the name on Saturday. Which reminds me - I still need to draw my door prize name from my open house. I will do that and post back later today with: 1) the door prize winner; 2)a photo of the blog candy; and 3) one of my newest creations.

Thanks for stopping today - and be sure to check back later!

Jen

Monday, July 13, 2009

Open House!

I'm having an Open House July 17th and 18th to kick off the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog! Please be sure to come! For those of you who received an invite in the mail - PLEASE note that the month was printed incorrectly on the invitations - the open house is in JULY - not June! Sorry about that. I hope that everyone can make it. And, for those local blog followers that didn't get an invite in the mail - you are MORE than welcome to come - I'd love to meet each and every one of you. We will have door prizes, make and takes, goodies! It's sure to be a great time. I'll have lots of samples for you to see - from scrapbook pages to cards to gifts - come and get inspired!

When: July 17th: 5pm - 8pm
July 18th: 9am - Noon
Where: Denison Municipal Utilities meeting room
Broadway and S 7th St; Denison, IA
Why: To celebrate the new catalog of course!

Hope to see you there!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

It's a Circus alright!

I haven't had a whole lot of time to play with my new Circle Circus set yet. This month my Stamp Clubbers are doing 3-D cards and it just seemed fitting that a Circus of Circles be incorporated into a 3-D card. I think it turned out quite well if I do say so myself:

This is a diorama card - the technique was in the last issue of the Stampin' Success magazine that Stampin' Up! sends to its demonstrators. Isn 't this just AWESOME??? I'm in love. These cards look complicated - but in all actuality - they are quite easy. It's all about layering.
Yes - those are new In Colors. Have I mentioned at all that I LOVE these colors? I was a little dismayed at first - but how quickly I've made the jump into the river of In Colors. And that sweet Baha Breeze is already put away in my drawer - crying because it hasn't seen the light of day in almost a month.


The real nifty thing about this card - it does fold flat so that it can be mailed. But who wants to give something like this away?? Isn't it better to be hoarded and admired by the awe struck creator?
What do you think? Bet you wished you were in one of my Stamp Clubs right??? Leave me a comment!
Stay tuned for the other diorama card we created!
Jen

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Finally!

I know that you have all been sitting by your computers wondering where I have been! And I really thought that since I've been home for 3 days, I would have some uber stamp time - but no such luck! Today I was enthralled with computer problems (I thought that I was rid of those when I left my job - but I guess not! GEEZ!) So, that left me with two hours of fixing my laptop AND my desktop. And, while the desk is pulled away from the wall, I might as well clean really well behind there, and try and make sense of the gazillions of wires! Good Lord - why in the world can't there be just ONE wire to hook up a computer? Anywhoooo, I got it all straightened out, got the desk all spiffy clean, and as soon as I sat at my craft table, poof - it was like someone had left a whoopy cushion on my chair. Both boys we magically awakened. However, over the last few days, I have managed to get this done:


This was actually a quick project and I think it would make quite a cute little gift for friends and family. The only thing that was a bit time consuming was waiting for the craft ink to dry (I did use two coats of ink), and waiting for the crystal effects to take hold on the pinecones. I could have sped up both processes if I would have gotten "plugged in". Had my heat tool been plugged in and ready to go, I could have dried the craft ink in a jiffy; and, I could have broke out my hot glue gun to glue on the pinecones. Even the cutting of the pine branches didn't take all that long to do. FYI - I didn't even use a sponge to ink up the wooden frame - I went directly from the ink pad. The pinecones, I had picked those off a tree while we were camping over the weekend. I wanted to go back and get LOTS more. As it was, I only had Andy's pocket to put them in, and he wasn't up for making another venture to my new favorite tree! Initially, I had envisioned putting pinecones all the way around the frame, but in the end, I think it would have been too much. My Autumn Days stamp set is seeing more summer days than anything!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Stamps: Autumn Days, Many Merry Messages
Paper: Very Vanill, Sahara Sand, Retired DSP?
Ink: Craft Old Olive (for frame), Old Olive Marker, Soft Suede Marker
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds; Pinecones, Crystal Effects

Monday, July 6, 2009

Steal of a deal!

I love to get a great deal - and I have to say that this week's Stampin' Up! deal of the week is fantastic! Holy cow - check it out: (click to enlarge)


I know!!! - it's awesome isn't it??? $20 off the doctors bag. OMGoodness - I'm beside myself. I held back getting one of these cute little bags, but I have a feeling I can't pass this little deal up!

And check this out - this is just one of the cool things that you can do with the Big Shot once you pull it out of your sweet bag:
I used the nifty embossing folder to create the flowers on a piece of cardstock vellum, then adhered it to some of the gorgeous Bella Bleu DSP. The ribbon hides any glue that might show, although, I've found that if you use a glue stick with a light hand, you really don't see any glue thru the vellum. The sentiment inside was for a wedding. I've seen many cards like this on Splitcoast - I'm not sure who exactly gets the credit since I did CASE (Copy and Share Everything) it. But I do love it. It's quite elegant! Even more so in real life!

Okay folks - that's it for today - I'm in the process of a really cool project, and once my craft ink dries I should be able to photograph and show you all. Please - do hang by the edge of your seats - you won't want to miss the next blog-i-sode!

Ta-Ta!
Jen


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

You guys ROCK!

Don't you just love this new catalog??? It appears so! Just a reminder: I have the Gift Certificate Give Away going on! It's as follows:

The FIRST person to go to my Stampin' Up Website on July 1st and place an order ($25 or more before shipping and taxes) will receive a $30 gift certificate to use on their next order.
The FIFTH person to place an order ($25 minimum) on my website will receive a $20 gift certificate.
The TENTH person to place an order ($25 minimum) on my website will receive a $15 gift certificate.
All people who place online orders will have their names placed in "the hat" for a $40 gift certificate! This will be given away on July 31st!

Right now, I can tell you that Cindy Goslar is the winner of the first order prize! Way to go Cindy. The Fifth person is close - I'm just waiting to view my reports from Stampin' Up! to see what the actual time of the orders fell into place, and Tenth place is up for grabs right now. BUT - don't forget that all persons who place on order on my Website the month of July are eligible for a $40 GC!!!! Isn't that awesome????

Okay- besides that grand giveaway - I know that you all have been waiting for round two of my July 1st news! And some of you already know about my news - - NO, NO, I'm not pregnant again! Phew! for that ! At least for the time being! However - after lots of family conversations, I have decided to be a stay at home mom for a while. You see, we had this great, wonderful, day care provider for our kids. In fact, shortly after we started taking Will to her (Lisa), I knew I was in good hands to have another, and it wasn't long and Alex graced our lives. Well, Lisa, you see, baked great loaves of bread, made THEE best Chocolate Chip Cookies (thanks for the recipe Lisa!), and most importantly did a damn good job with our kids. She never kept secrets about what my kids were up to during the day - which I was most grateful for. It was always clear. Anyway - Lisa is moving away. I checked with MANY - as in 18 day care providers in our small town- and only one had an opening. ONE, with AN opening , well maybe, if we could be part time. Well, and if you can afford it. Because - in the end she charged more than I brought home, and then some. Not to mention what it costs to drive to work, eat lunch, blah, blah, blah. So, in the end, I'm going to raise my own children. Which - FYI - is what I've wanted to do all along. It's just now, the decision has been made. I know I'm going to love it. I'm somewhat of a homebody anyway. I love to garden, love to cook, and really love to spend time with my boys. But this also means, I will have much more time to devote to my Stampin' Up! biz. That also means that you can expect more classes, better service and more info from me. Plus LOTS of more ideas on this handy, dandy blog thing I've got going on. I can't wait to tuck my head in and proceed full charge ahead with this. It's so great to know that I've got Stampin' Up! to fall back on and what a great little business to have. I can set my own hours, I can be my own boss, and I can't get fired! What a great opportunity! I'm loving it!

Have I rambled on enough? Well - don't forget - go to my website to place your order - you might be the lucky winner!

TTFN!

Hey! Hey! It's July!!!

Boy - I have been waiting for this day for several weeks - and for more than one reason!


First off - the new catalog is live today! If you aren't a stamp club member and haven't yet reserved a copy of the catalog yet - please email me, and I will get a catalog to you! I'm in the process of delivering all stamp club member catalogs, so watch for those!


Secondly - Stampin' Up! is having a weekly special this month. Starting today, and then every Monday for the rest of the month, they will pick an item to be on sale! The rest of this week the item is:

July 1-5, 2009 Item #112091 Pg:187
Scallop Edge punch Reg. Price:$15.95 Sale Price:$10.99
Okay - after having some computer malfunctions this am - I'm going to wait to post my other announcements until this afternoon! Stay tuned People!