Friday, April 26, 2013

Tie a Yellow Ribbon....Blooming with Kindness


We recently made a card very similar to this one at a recent workshop I did.  I'll show that next week.  After so many gloomy days around here, I knew the gals would love this one that just screamed sunny days!  Plus it was simple enough for all of the newbie stampers that were there.

Are you ready for a new catalog to drool over?  OMGoodness - I've seen it, and I've drooled!  There are so many fun new products, I just am too anxious for it to go live on May 31st so I can have some new fun things to play with!!!

Until then, tho - you better be sure to grab up those things that you want before they are gone!


Click here to see a list of retired stamps.

Click here to see a list of retiring accessories (only available while supplies last).

You do have until June 3rd to purchase from the retired list - however, keep in mind that the accessories are only available while they last.  When they are gone....they are GONE!

What's the one thing that you MUST have before it retires?  Leave me a comment - I'd love to hear!


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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Papillion Potpourri - a one layer card!




So the other day, I created this card.  I had this great idea in my head.  I decided I should execute the idea while it was still fresh.  I got to work, stamped the butterflies and colored them.  Except - then I wasn't so sure I liked it!  Ahhhhh!!!  Dang it!  I stamped the sentiment in hopes of selling myself on it.  That didn't work either.  Hmmm....I thought and thought.  It was really the coloring that didn't look good.  How could I make it look better?  Or softer?  

Ding. Dong.  The bell rang.  Glitter!  Glitter is my solution.  I broke out the Two Way Glue Pen and added some Dazzling Diamonds to the butterflies.  Voila!  That did it!  I'm sold.  I'm very sold!!!  And what I love about this - it's so easy to "mass produce" for a package gift.




It just so happens that this week, the crew over at The Paper Players have a one layer card challenge.  I would guess that this fits the bill!!!



Supply List:





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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Stamp Case storage....a makeover!

So....my hubby recently went to a household auction with his buddy.  He bought several gardening items and a grease gun, and tooly type things for his farmer shop.  At the sale, they just threw all of the small goodies into a used, old drawer.  The drawer laid inside the garage for a few days, and I'd notice it everytime that I loaded up Aubrie into the van.  
Finally, one day I asked Andy what he was going to do with that drawer.....his response - "Oh, just put it out in the burn pile."  (remember we live on a large acreage, and in the back pasture, we have a brush pile where we throw all of our branches, and things like this drawer that will burn)  I asked him if I could salvage it for a shelf....and well, yeah, why wouldn't he let me???  I had already tested it to see if my stamp cases would fit in it, and they certainly did!!!


So, he and his buddy spray painted it for me.  I knew that they grease spot on the back wouldn't probably take the paint, and that was quite alright.  I had plans for that part anyway.  Turns out, after they painted and painted, it wouldn't really take paint anywhere - which I was completely fine with - I'm a antique lover - so things that are dinged up a bit, I'm good with!!!

But, next came the hard part - which paper to line the back with???


After some input from friends, I went with the blue pattern.  Since it was going on a red wall, I thought that it would POP a bit more.  Turns out, you won't see much of it anyway!!!


I used some Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, and the DSP comes from the Afternoon Daydream Simply Scrappin' kit (love this kit!)  I also used some of the stickers in that kit on the divider shelf.  I thought it jazzed it up a bit!
And I must add, those Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets made this task a BREEZE!


Here it is hung and ready to fill!!!


It didn't take me long to fill it - and it still didn't hold all of my stamp collection!  UGH!  I need another drawer!!!


Here's how it works into my craft room - and this is real life - a mess!  Yet, cleaner than normal.....maybe someday I'll have the ultimate craft room!  Maybe.


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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Natural Composition, add your own sunshine!


Oh my Dear Lord!!!  Would someone PLEASE! send me some sunshine!!!!  And warmer temps too.  It is seriously April 18th.  33 degrees, raining, possibly sleeting.  UGH!  It's making me slightly grouchy.  Well.  Don't ask my husband about that at all.  He's replace 'slightly' with 'overly'.  

On a good note - one day this week when is was a whopping 45 out, we finally managed to get the potatoes in the ground.  Alex (he's the 5 year old, and farming intern) was having a hay day.  I told him that we were going to go out and plant some things in the garden.  Before I could get my shoes and jacket on, he already had two holes dug for the spuds to go into!  So....if it doesn't ever get any warmer, we might at least have some potatoes....maybe!

Alright....let's talk about today's card!

I won't kid you - this is one that I CASED (copy and share everything) off of Pinterest.  mmmm.  I love Pinterest.  It's my new Google!  If you know me by now tho, you know when I CASE, I still try and change SOMETHING up.  That being said - I didn't change much on this card.  I lowered the banner to the center of the card.  The original one had the banner running across the top of the card.  

Anywhooooo.....

To create this, I just took some of the Natural Compositions Specialty paper (special b/c it's already embossed!) and wiped my Whisper White ink pad across the cardstock.  I was going for a smudgy, messy look.  In some areas, I wiped the ink back off to show the embossing underneath (emboss resist).
I think this really helps soften up this paper, b/c otherwise I consider the paper to be slighty earthy and a titch masculine.  

I also heat embossed the sentiment with Pewter Embossing Powder.  I think it helped it stand out a bunch.  


I am a bit smitten over this color combination!  It lends a chipper, sunny attitude to the card.  Did I mention I could use some sunshine???  

Okey doke.....that's it for today folks!  Hope you have a SUNNY filled day!!!  


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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Love and Laughter - A quick & easy card!


Howdy Folks!  I've got a super easy card to share with you today!  It's filled with heat embossed images, and with the weather we've been having - I love anything heat embossed!  It warms up my hands!!!!

So - here's how this one goes.  Start with a Whisper White Card base.  Randomly stamp the flower image from the Love and Laughter stamp set in Versamark all over the front of the card.  Sprinkle with Pool Party embossing powder, and heat them up.  Then....create a Basic Black panel, and a panel out of Silver Cardstock.  Stamp that with the dress image from the same stamp set and use White Embossing powder.  Glue the silver and black layers together and adhere to your card front.  Next, create a flag from a scrap of Pool Party, and stamp Congratulations in Stazon Black (it's my fave black ink!)  Now, take a black sharpie marker to some rhinestones and color them black.  Adhere them to your flag, attach the flag to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.  Lastly, punch a flower from the Itty Bitty Punches pack , adhere to the dress, and add one rhinestone to the center.

Such an easy card.  It's quick, and it's very mailable - not a lot of bulk here!  And - we're approaching Bridal Shower and Wedding time.  This card is perfect for any wedding.  The real beauty of it is that you can easily change up your embossing powder color to customize it for the bride to be.  Awesome, and personal!


Before I go - you've seen it -


This is such a great opportunity to either host a party or join my team!  I have 3 new people joining my team this week because they can't pass on this deal!  And it truly is a great time to join my team - here's a couple of reasons why:

  1. You are getting $30 extra worth of products in your starter kit - YOU get to choose those products! That's $155 worth of crafting supplies for $99!
  2. YOU can be your first hostess - invite your very best friends and family over and create together!  
    1. YOU earn the hostess benefits from that get together
    2. If your "party" reaches at least $350 in merchandise orders, YOU earn another EXTRA $30 in free merchandise! (for a total of $80 in freebies!) 
    3. Do the above in your first 45 days of joining my team, and you'll earn 30% on that order!
  3. You'll be connected with the Stamp Us Silly team on our Facebook page.  This is where we share ideas, thoughts, and brainstorm together.  It's proof positive that you are NOT alone in this.
  4. There is no risk, no commitment. 
  5. You choose how you want to run this business. If you simply want a discount on fantastic products - that's perfectly fine.  If you want to earn extra money - you can set your own hours and do it on your time!
  6. There are no penalties if you decide that it's not for you.  You get to KEEP all of the fantastic product that came in your starter kit!  All $155 worth of greatness!  It's yours to keep.
Don't let fear stand in your way.  We've all spent $99 on a new purse, jeans, SHOES - right!  Those things don't give you the pure joy, the satisfaction that this opportunity holds.  Being part of a great community, and sharing with others is what we are about and I am here to share this all with you!  I'm here to guide you and help you along the way.  

I'd love for you to come along on this journey with me!  So, contact me today to find the answers to any questions you may have - or if you are ready to join my fantastic team - SIMPLY CLICK HERE!


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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

more Pop Up Posies...just for you!



We are still in need of some sunshine and spring flowers here in Iowa!  I'm serious - I think Mother Nature has flipped her lid!  We have SNOW in the forecast for Thursday!  C'mon - that's April 18th!  We can't have snow on April 18th.  That's just crazy.  It was supposed to be 49 here today - I don't think it even made it into the 40s at all.  It was cold.  Usually about this time of year I can turn the heat off during the day....at this rate, we'll still be heating the house in June.  So much for global warming!  Tis' Iowa.  

I felt the need to once again create some of my own sunshine and flowers!  While I love this card, it just doesn't smell as good as real flowers.  (I've been burning a lilac candle just to mimic what I should be smelling!)


Wondering where the DSP is from?  That would be Epic Day!  Are you sick of me showing you all of this Fabulous DSP yet?  I just love it!  I have not been this head over heels over DSP in quite a while.  But I can't get enough of it - so I hope you don't mind.  I especially like this yellow pattern.  It IS sunshine.


At this time I'd like to Welcome Melissa Nowatzke to my team!  She took advantage of this great special offer.  I'd love to have YOU join my great team of Stamp Us Silly gals!  What questions do you have about being a demo?  Feel free to email me, or leave your question in the comments section!



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Monday, April 15, 2013

Wild about Washi! - and Epic Day!


Have you had a chance to play with any Washi Tape yet?  Oh, my goodness.  I love the stuff!

Here's the scoop on washi - it's a masking tape made with paper, and it's perfect for your crafting needs.  You can use it as adhesive or anytime that you need a fun decorative element.  One great thing about washi tape is that you can lift it up and reposition it, so it's perfect for projects where you want to experiment with placement.

Here, I used it, not only as a pattern paper divider, but also as banners.


I just love the designs in the washi tape.  You almost don't notice the numbers in the beige tape - here I've place it on top of Pool Party, which makes the numbers stand out a titch more and also make it look less beige.

Are you wild about Washi Tape?  You can get yourself some right here!

Before you go, you should really check out this offer!



Now is a great time to host a private class with you and your girlfriends!  Let me teach you how to create some new spring themed cards, some fresh decor for your home, or fun scrapbooking techniques.  We can do this either in a traditional setting, or completely online.  Be sure to ask me how!

Would you be interested in joining my team?  My team is growing, and I'd love to have you be the next lucky team member!  Maybe you want to join my team just for a discount, or maybe you'd like to make some extra money to pay off some bills, or go on a dream vacation!  The door is open for any of you!  Ask me how you can be the next Stamp Us Silly Team Member!

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Friday, April 12, 2013

Zipper Card - a Video Tutorial


So, last week, when I posted about my zipper cards in THIS POST, I had a lot of you ask how I did it.  Well - sometimes it's just easier to SHOW you - so I did!  Watch this video for a quick tutorial:





Wanted to add - I finished up my 3 day cleanse.  I am feeling better at the end of this - maybe because it's over - ha.  It helped me to drink my shakes with a straw - which I discovered probably a little late in the game.  The worst part was the way I felt for part of it.  On Day 3, I felt my blood sugar (I'm assuming) take a nose dive.  I was feeling terribly dizzy.  So, I ate a banana and that seemed to help immensely.  I think I will try and add a shake to my diet a couple of times a week.  But, maybe, more fruit in them, less veggies and I'd like to add some greek yogurt.  I'll keep the flax seed in them too. I figure if I'm getting fruit that way, it's better than none at all.  I did lose some weight - which I'm thrilled about.  However, I'll be curious to find out if that is just water weight, or if I can keep that off, and then hopefully more!!!
I am bummed that I didn't end up with mountains of energy like it claimed to provide.  Oh well....lesson learned.  Doubt I'll do this cleanse again.

Alrighty.....that's it for today peeps!

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

I'm needing some Pop Up Posies!!!


We've had a dark and cloudy, cold and rainy week here in Iowa!  It's gone from a sunny, 75 degree day on Monday to (currently) 32 and dreary.  We've had thuderstorms and lightning, and snow all in the span of 4 days!  Only in Iowa, I tell you!  So, yes!  I could go for some of these brightly colored flowers in real life!!!

I must say, this card was super easy to create - thanks to the Pop Up Posies Kit in the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog! (say that 5 times real fast! :)  )


I used the Everything Eleanor Stamp Set to create the background - with just Whisper White Ink.  I really like the way that pops against the Crumb Cake card.  To create the green flower, I used the "cupcake liners" from the kit and spritzed them with some homemade spritz using Old Olive.  (just take one of our empty spritz bottles and fill with rubbing alcohol, add 3-4 drops of reinker and shake it up!)  I spritzed a lot! to really get the color to show.  Then to hurry the drying process, I could have used my heat gun, but didn't - I set it on the legs of my chair right by the space heater that was warming me up!  (did I mention it's been cold and dreary here???)  That worked like a charm!  I was warm and the flowers were dry.  Then I snipped petals into it and scrunched a bunch.

I used our Basic Rhinestones and colored them with a turquoise Sharpie Marker.  Added a lot to the card and voila!  Easy Peasy!

Now - I don't think I've mentioned that I've been doing the Dr. Oz 3 day cleanse.  I'm on the last day.  I'm thankful it is the last day.  While the shakes that you make aren't horrible, I'm a bit tired of drinking my food. Why did I start the cleanse?  For a multitude of reasons.  This is a detox cleanse - suppose to rid you of toxins and such, renew your energy, and clean our your system.  I may be ridding my body of toxins.  But I have not had a renewed sense of energy at all.  Some have said that their mind was clear after the cleanse - I can't say that's the case for me either!! Maybe cuz my mind is so far gone.....who knows!!!  :)  And so far, it has not "cleaned me out" at all.
My bestie and I are doing this cleanse together.  She's decided that she can't drink the noon drink anymore.  It's got Kale, cucumbers, green apple, celery, lime, and pineapple.  Which doesn't sound all that bad - on their own.  I think the kale overpowers the whole thing.  I might just leave that out today.
We've both decided the breakfast drink is the best - raspberries, banana, flax, spinach and almond butter.  I forgot the almond butter the first day and think the drink is better without the butter.
Supper is blueberries, kale, mango, avocado, coconut water and cayenne pepper.  It's okay. But not my fave.
I was ready to throw in the towel early today, and just eat some real food.  But then I got on the scale.  I have lost 4 pounds in two days.  So, that's my motivation to stick out this last day.
In the end, what I think this "cleanse" has taught me is that I just need to eat more fruit.  I rarely eat fruit - because I'm too picky.  I really like strawberries.  But if I see a bad spot on them, I'm grossed out.  Apples.  Yeah, I like apples, just can't stand the skin.  Too chewy.  Bananas - love them, but they better not have a brown speck on them!!!
It's also taught me that I'm not cut out to be a vegetarian.  I'm looking forward to a juicy hamburger - but just half of one!!!  And my morning breakfast - one egg and a slice of toast!  So missing that.  I'm looking forward to Friday more than I have in years!!!  I'm a protein and carb loving gal.

Alright - enough rambling....time to go stamp!!!
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

My Lil' Aubrie Mae....




She turned THREE yesterday!  Yep - 3!  And that's a milestone year - it's the year Grandma and "the Aunts" take my kiddos to Build-A-Bear for their birthdays.  I wasn't sure how my little pumpkin would do, but from these pictures that my sister took, I think it was an exciting day for her.


Giving "Kitty Kat" a bath....


She's dressed in her fairy outfit and is already loved!  It says something that she's had to sleep with "Kitty Kat" since she came home.  She normally sleeps with a pig that she got for Christmas, and the first night, pig had to sleep on her dresser, not with her.  I had to assure her that there was room in bed for both her favorite animals!



She's my Sweetie Pie! 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Hey there friend.....it's an Epic Day!


Hey there!  I think I've finally found some MoJo again.  After our house was sick for. evah.  I couldn't get back into the swing of it.  I'd sit in my craft room and just stare at my stamps.  Nothing would click at all.  I was feeling like the mojo was really really lost.  We all have streaks like that, right?  Oh, I hope I'm not the only one.  

Sometimes I find that it helps to create, just for the sake of creating.  Not because I HAVE to.  Not because I have a class that needs to be planned.  Not because I have a card that needs made for someone specific.  Just to create because I love to.  And that's where this card came from - outta nowhere!


This uses some really basic pieces.  Stamps from the My Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit.  The Washi Tape!!! is Epic Day This and That kit.  And, the hexagon stickers - Epic Day This and That!  Let me just tell you - I'm a bit smitten with everything in that bundle.  Oh, yeah - there's a bundle.  But you better hustle and jump on it - it's 15% off, only until April 30th.  Sure.  You can buy the pieces separately  but I don't know why you'd want to.  In fact, I bought an extra kit for a little gal that's a friend of our family.  She's about to turn 12 and I think this kit is the perfect birthday present for a tween!  And a teen.  Heck, it's even perfect for someone that's not quite 40 yet!!!



I love how those hexagon stickers fit perfectly in the Honeycomb embossed details.  I only wish there was an entire sheet of hexie stickers!

So, when I looked back at my card, I set a stray scrap of doily on it, and really liked the look.  Well, I wasn't going to take the card apart to place the doily on it....just as well make another one.....


I'm not sure which one I like better.  I think I like the doily on there best.  It kind of softens up the grungy look.  Which one do you like best?


 I had to cut these hexies by hand - those stickers were MUCH easier!

Okey doke - I must hit the hay - we've got thunderstorms rolling in, and there isn't anything better than listening to a spring storm while falling asleep!!!  Just wish we had spring temps to go along with the storms.  Instead they are telling us there is a chance of S>N>O>W tomorrow.  Really.  ICK!  I'm ready for 75 now.

But - please be sure to tell me which card you like the best.  Doily or no doily????


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