UStamp with Dawn and Friends!

Hello!

I just wanted to share with you my special holiday project!  When Dawn came to me and asked me if I would like to be a guest designer for her UStamp with Dawn and Friends holiday event, I was just so excited!  This event is called I ♥ the Holidays and is just filled with all kinds of lovely goodness!

Here's a look at my project, which went up at midnight - I just love how it turned out!

The little book on the left is a Christmas Planner!  I've always been meaning to create one of these, but would always run out of time.  Nothing like being prepared for Christmas in August!  :)

The planner opens up, and there is a mini book inside, with folders for gift, meal, and decoration planning and journaling, as well as spaces for you to document special traditions and other notes.  There are also pockets inside for the card and tags!

If you'd like step-by-step instructions on how to make it, head on over to UStamp with Dawn and Friends!  You get over 40 amazing tutorials and project ideas from awesome designers.. well worth the price IMO!

Have a great night, and thanks for stopping by!

Kindness Matters

Hello!

Here is a card I created, using Stamping 411's sketch as a starting point:

I'm telling you, I just love the products in the new Idea Book & Catalog... those romantic/vintage images just appeal to me so!

I stamped the large doily background image onto First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper - isn't it pretty?  One of my new favorites!  I also love the half-doily image in the Kindness Matters stamp set (and that font?  Gorgeous!) - it fit so nicely in the large scallop die-cut from the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, which I cut from the Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper.

The focal area of the card was created by first embossing the Lucky Limeade cardstock with the Designer Frames embossing folder, then I tore around the embossed portion.  I cut out an oval using the Ovals Originals die, and stamped it with the trio of butterflies.  The butterflies were also stamped onto another piece of Very Vanilla, watercolored, and cut out.  I added them on top of the stamped oval with Stampin' Dimensionals to add more dimension:

It felt so good to make a card!  It's been way too long. :)

Well, I have to run for now, but thanks for stopping by!  Have a great night!

Kindness Matters card:
Stamps:  Kindness Matters and Hello, Doily background stamp
Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade
Paper:  Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette, and Very Vanilla cardstock, First Edition Specialty and Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Crumb Cake Designer Button, Pearl Basic Jewels, Linen Thread, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Set, Ovals Originals die, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponge

Memory Makers August Blog Bounce - Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Memory Makers Magazine Blog Bounce!  If you've been following along, you should have arrived from Lain's blog, but if not, you can start at the Memory Makers Magazine blog, or you can just continue on from here.

Our theme this month is all about the changes in our lives!  If there is one thing that is "constant" and predictable about life, it's change.  Some of you may know that Seth and I have been together for a long time.. 9-1/2 years this month, to be exact!  I thought it would be fun to create a page with a few different photos of us from over the years.  :)

I used a PageMap from this month, changing a few things here and there, but sticking close to the sketch.  I really love this sketch and can see myself using it for many different layouts!

It was a lot of fun to pull out some of our "older" photos, from before the digital camera age. :)  I did a lot of stamping and distressing on this page, and even misted some Vanilla Shimmer and Gold Glow Smooch Spritz!

The journaling reads:  "It's funny to see that even after 9-1/2 years together, we really haven't changed much physically.  Well, Fluffy looks cuter. :)  But our love is definitely much deeper. ♥"  (By the way, Fluffy is 7 years old; she joined our family in 2004.)

It felt so good to stamp after not doing so for a while!  Here's a close-up of my title area:

Don't you think that the Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper is just perfect for the theme?  I absolutely love this collection! :)

Ok, I have to run for now.  Your next stop on the blog bounce is Wendy's blog!  Enjoy the hop, and thanks for stopping by!

"Us" scrapbook page supplies (12" x 12"):

All supplies are by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Creative Elements, French Foliage

Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Pool Party, Island Indigo

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, and Pool Party cardstock, Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper

Accessories/Tools:  Vintage Type Rub-Ons (retired), Vanilla Shimmer and Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Basic Black Designer Button, Linen Thread, Old Olive 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, Mini Library Clip, Stampin' Sponges, Pearl Basic Jewels, Top Note Bigz die, Simple Letters Alphabet Bigz dies, Lots of Labels Sizzlits dies, Modern Label Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Big Shot

A few updates!

Hello!

Just a quick post for now, with some information on a few things!

I'm back from Convention!  Well, I've actually been back for a little over a week now, hehe, but I've been busy getting things together after being away.  I had so much fun at Convention!  Here's a picture of me and my roommates (yes I had 7 roommates!).. excuse our shiny faces!:

I love how half of us are looking at a different camera. :)

I'm currently accepting new members into my online stamp club!  This round will begin in September, and run through March 2012 (taking a break in December).  Space is limited, so contact me ASAP if you'd like a spot!

Stamp Club details:

• There are 6 members in each club, running September 2011-March 2012 (break in December).  The club minimum is $25/month in merchandise, plus TN sales tax (9.25%) and shipping.
• Each member has a month during the club to be the "hostess", which is drawn randomly after the club is full.  During her month, the "hostess" will receive and choose free product based on the club total (see catalog table here).  The hostess is welcome to collect orders from friends and family to increase her free goodies!
• Orders are due in to me by email by the 20th of each month, and the orders are placed on the 25th of each month.
• The orders are shipped to my home, then they are shipped out to each club member, along with a club project each month!  I hold private "online workshops" 1-2 times a month with the club members, to demonstrate techniques and during which we complete the club project together.
• Club members receive free catalogs through the duration of the club!  (2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog, plus mini catalogs)

If this sounds like something you are interested in, please email me!  Here's one of the club projects from this past round:

In other news, the gorgeous Holiday Mini catalog (my favorite Mini each year!) will be released September 1st!  If you are not currently receiving catalogs from me and would like to, especially this Mini, please email me and let me know!

Lastly... if you've been thinking about becoming a demonstrator, now is the perfect time!  Through July 31st, you can purchase a special starter kit for only $99, with free shipping!  Plus, you will receive a free Christmas Keepsake project kit, a $40 value (this ships with your first order)!  Here's a look at the gorgeous project kit:

If you would like more information about the club, the Holiday Mini catalog, joining as a demonstrator, or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Have a fabulous day!  Thanks for stopping by!

Memory Makers Magazine July Blog Bounce

Hello and welcome to my stop on the Memory Makers Magazine Blog Bounce!  If you've been following along, you should have arrived from Susan's blog, but if not, you can start at the Memory Makers Magazine blog, or you can just continue on from here.

This month we're all about the vacations!  If you know me, you know I don't get a chance to go on vacation very often, so when one comes along, I truly treasure it and try to soak it all in!

Last summer, I vacationed in Nags Head, North Carolina with my mom's side of the family (they live in Georgia).  We've never vacationed with them, so it was a nice treat.  We rented a house that was actually part of Corolla, NC (a little further south of Nags Head), but we spent a bit of time in Nags Head, and I just think of it as such. :)  I've traveled to Nags Head and Myrtle Beach with Seth's family a few times, so I'm fairly familiar with the whole area.  We stayed in a lovely house that was big enough for all of us (we had 21 of us there - not all are in the photo below).  The backyard butted up to the community's golf course, which had a beautiful lake.

Ok, on to my page!  :)  To create it, I used a PageMaps sketch Julie posted on the Memory Makers Magazine forum as a jumping-off point.  I didn't use the challenge color combo, as I was going for a more beachy look.  I loved the sketch though!

I love the look my grandmother has on her face.. too funny. :)

I used one of the die-cut sheets from the new Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper - the back side.  The other side of this particular sheet is Pumpkin Pie.  I layered some doily punch-outs from the Doily Triple Layer Punch, along with a Top Note die-cut.

I cut out a circle with my Circle Scissors Plus, then stamped along the edge with a couple stamps from the Delicate Doilies set.  Here's my journaling:

Well, I am off to Stampin' Up!'s Convention!  I still have some last minute things to take care of, of course!

Your next stop is Lisa Pace's blog.  Enjoy the hop, and thanks for stopping by!

Nags Head scrapbook page supplies (12"x12"):
All supplies are by Stampin' Up!
Stamps:  Delicate Doilies, Four Frames, Sanded background stamp (retired)
Ink:  VersaMark ink, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, and Island Indigo cardstock, Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper, Urban Garden Designer Series Paper (retired)
Accessories/Tools:  Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Baja Breeze Stampin' Write Marker, Decorative Label Punch, Doily Triple Layer Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Alphabet Soup On Board Chipboard Letters, Antique Brads, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Clips Assortment, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot, Circle Scissors Plus, Glass Mat

{friend to friend} card

Hello and happy Wednesday!

I have a card to share with you!  Yes, I indeed created a card! :)

I loved the Stamping 411 sketch this week, so I just had to break out my new SU! preorder goodies and play!  Here's my card:

Isn't that patterned paper just beautiful?  It's from the upcoming Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper pack.  I love the graphic feel of the papers, although I know I'm not usually a clean and graphic kind of person. :)

I cut a piece of the DSP and sewed it onto the Whisper White and textured Rich Razzleberry pieces.  I punched a strip of Whisper White using the upcoming Lace Ribbon Border Punch, and overlapped some Early Espresso Satin Ribbon along the top.  Some stamping for my main piece, and there you go!  Three pearls to the right of the stamped piece finish the card off nicely, I think.

Hope you liked my card!  Thanks for stopping by!

{friend to friend} card supplies:
Stamps:  Bliss (Sale-a-bration 2011), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, and Pear Pizzazz cardstock, Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper (available July 1st)
Accessories/Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels, Lace Ribbon Border Punch (available July 1st), Scallop Circle, Word Window and 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, sewing machine and white thread

Memory Makers Magazine June Blog Bounce - It's a Guy Thing!

Hello there and welcome to my stop on the Memory Makers Magazine Blog Bounce!  Our theme this month is "It's a Guy Thing", honoring the guys in our life.

You should have just come from Susan's blog, but if not, don't worry!  You can continue on from my blog, and continue your way on through.  The Memory Makers Magazine blog has a list of all the participants as well.

So as some of you may know, my fiancé Seth and I do not have any children yet, but we do have a furbaby, Fluffy. :)  She is definitely treated like she's our child!  I love watching the two of them interact and play - it's so sweet!

Something fun - this page uses a couple of items that will be in the new Idea Book & Catalog available on July 1st! See the fun new border punch?  Yay!  That's the Lace Ribbon Border Punch - it's a big one - and it's so pretty!  I trimmed the left side there to round out the doily.  I also used one of the new In Colors, Pool Party. My favorite color is blue, and it's the perfect shade of blue for me! :)

I stamped the background DSP with the flourish image from Elements of Style in VersaMark ink, then heat embossed with white Stampin' Emboss powder.  The piece of Pool Party cardstock was stamped with the ship log image from The Open Sea, then I distressed the edge using the tool in the Cutter Kit.  I then inked around the edge and sewed it to the background DSP, which is sewn onto the Crumb Cake textured cardstock.

I printed out a few of my favorite photos from a time when Seth and Fluffy were playing. :)  Lots of times we play around with her, taking in a deep breath, and acting like we're going to blow air at her fur.  She always tries to intercept that with a kiss. :D  Anyway, the small photos are about 2" x 3", and adhered to a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  The little leaf stamped in Crumb Cake from the French Foliage set (which will be in the new catalog, yay!) makes a great "masculine" accent.

Here's a close-up of the left side of the page:

The journaling on the shipping tag reads:  "Watching you with Fluffy is so heartwarming.  I know that when the time comes, you will be such a great father. :)  Love you!  xoxo ♥".  I wanted to let the pictures and journaling take center stage, so I did not add a title.  Plus, I think it's better without one, although I rarely leave off a title.. this might even be the first time!

Hope you liked my page!  I had so much fun making it.. think it was all of the blues!  hehe

Your next stop is the Memory Makers Magazine blog!  Hope you enjoyed the bounce, and thanks for stopping by!

June blog hop page supplies:
Stamps:  French Foliage, The Open Sea, Elements of Style
Ink:  VersaMark ink, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede
Paper:  Crumb Cake textured cardstock, Whisper White and Pool Party cardstock (available July 1st!), Autumn Meadows and Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Lace Ribbon Border Punch (available July 1st), Vintage Trinkets, Mini Library Clip, Neutral Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon, Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon (retired), Stampin' Sponges, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, sewing machine and thread, shipping tag