Christmas Fast Approaching!!

......and I'm not ready yet! Are you?! If you are one of those ultra organized people that was done with their shopping in August....well, I don't want to hear from you! :-) lol.

Life happens.....and it's been happening so much, I have had no time to sit down and actually post! :-) I'm not complaining one bit....just feel guilty that I haven't been able to post ideas for you to run with!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is almost here?! It's amazing to me how quickly time flies....simply amazing.

Ok. ok. Time for some new samples to get you ready for your Holiday card creating! :-)

This Christmas Card I made using the stamp set "Beautiful Season"....was really struck by the beauty of the image. Hope you find it as fun to color as I did! I had fun deciding how to layer the Sentiment too.....End up using "Four Frames" and the coordinating punch. Enjoy!!

Items Used:

Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Basic Black, Whisper White and Marina Mist cardstock. "Beautiful Season" and "Four Frames" stamp sets. Decorative Label, Large and Small Oval  punches. Houndstooth Embossing folder. Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper.

Colored the image using Stamp'in Write markers and Blender pen:

Certainly Celery, Pear Pizazz, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight

My Baby Sis!

She's certainly not a baby anymore, but thank goodness she's always my Sis!! Can't wait to get a picture of my middle sister, so I can design a page around her too! :-) I'd have to get her to sit still though, and that might be impossible with all the running she does with her kids! :-)

Again, this page was designed using the elements in 'My Digital Studio'.....an amazing, fun and easy program to navigate and create with! Check it out HERE and order your own!

My little Sis loves the outdoors, like the rest of my family, so this seemed an appropriate color and style to do with her picture!

Hope you get busy playing with your MDS program!

You don't have MDS???

BUY IT! You won't regret it! :-)

Holiday Mini is Here!!

It's wonderful, as usual!! This Holiday Mini is filled with the nostalgia of the Holidays.....it makes you want to get busy crafting and getting ready for your favorite time of year!

Click HERE to see the catalog! Enjoy the ideas and have fun planning your craft projects! Order today to make sure you have time to get those cards and projects done before the Holidays! :-)

The Open Sea!

LAST CHANCE to get this stamp set is August 31st from the Summer Mini Catalog!! Don't miss out on it! It's such a great grouping of designs! :-)

This card was made using the 'Open Sea' stamp set. The set is also available in MDS graphics too!!

Hope you enjoy the fun I had with it and it inspires you to get busy creating your own! :-)

Stampin' Up! suppies used:

Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Crumb Cake cardsock. Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Silver embossing powder, Crimper, 'Nautical Expedition' Designer Series Paper and Silver Eyelets.

More MDS Pages!

Between work and fighting with my Internet service, I have had little chance to photograph card designs and post lately! So sorry for the delay!
I will endeavor to post some later this week.....if my Internet cooperates! ;-)
In the meantime, here's a few more Scrapbook pages made with Stampin' Up!'s Digital Studio! Hope you are inspired and can see all the fun things you can do with it!

My Beautiful Daughter!

Our children sure have a way of stealing our hearts, don't they?! They may make us crazy with the testing of our patience, the talking back, the dis-obeying or just plain ignoring us......but we love them from the depths of our heart and wouldn't trade them for anything! We treasure the moments that they want to talk, want to cuddle, want to still hold our hand in public....knowing those days will come to an end as soon as they 'grow up.'

So, thats the lesson for the day......
Enjoy every moment! Even the ones that make you crazy and want to pull your hair out!! :-) 

Here's a scrapbook page done, with MDS, of my beautiful, wonderful daughter! I love her so much!!

Faith In Nature!

Take a look at one of the wonderful stamp sets you can get with your Hostess Benefits!

I love "Faith in Nature".....was so inspired to make a vintagy card with it!
Opened my new pack of In-Color cardstock and decided on "Peach Parfait!" What a yummy color!
Hope you like the outcome!

Stampin'Up! supplies used:

Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Peach Parfait cardstock. Peach Parfait, Basic Black and Crumb Cake Classic ink. Basic Black 1/8"Taffeta Ribbon, Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper, Matt Pack and Basic Black Stampin' Write marker.

Delightful Nephew!

I forget how much fun "My Digital Studio" is until I'm inspired by a photo and take time to play!!

I'm so enjoying my little nephew, Timothy. It's been a year since I've seen him and he's such a delight! A happy baby, he is! :-)

Thought I'd share some scrapbook pages I've had a few minutes to create. There are so many options to MDS.....scrapbook pages, cards, calendars, journals, flyers.....whatever you want to create! If you don't feel like you can create something from scatch, then just use the templates that are there for you!
It's great to be able to open your lap top on vacation and create your pages in your down time....or while watching TV!
CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Click on the image to see the catalog of images available for MDS or other programs.

                                                                             Enjoy!

New Hostess Benefits!!

Have you seen the new way you can use your Hostess Benefits towards stamps?!


I love the way it works! Once you have reached a qualifying purchase amount, you have $ to use towards your Hostess stamps! The value of the stamp sets are far more than the $ amount you spend on them......and there are many beautiful sets, digital pkgs and paper to choose from!

Hurry up and go look!! CLICK HERE to see the new HOSTESS SETS! Remember, you don't have to host a workshop to get your free stamps....just spend enough to qualify!
Have fun shopping!!

Sea Fairing B'day!

This is, by far, my favorite 'masculine' stamp set! Love it, Love it, Love it!! It has so many great elements...and great stamps to create your own background paper with too!

If you like it as much as I do, then you'll need to check out the Summer Mini Catalog and see all the matching paper and accessories that coordinate with the set. It's all wonderful!

Don't forget that it will no longer be available after August 31st....so Shop Soon! I'ts called "Open Sea."

I colored the image using a water brush after stamping the image on watercolor paper. The edges were distressed using a distressing tool and then by brushing color on the edges with a dauber.

                                                           Stampin' Up! Supplies used:

Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, and Very Vanilla, Watercolor paper, Hemp Twine, Matt Pack, Paper Piercer, Sponge Daubers, Aqua Painter, Crimper, Word Window Punch, Large Oval Punch, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Classic ink.

Father's Day Fun!

These days I am horribly late with getting mail out on time to any one! My poor Dad didn't get his Father's Day card until almost his Birthday..which was a couple days ago! Now, ask me if he's gotten his B'day card yet?! Ummmm.....the answer is no....because I haven't sent it yet! 
My little sister's Birthday is today and I haven't mailed her card either!!
See?? Just terrible these days.


As much as we all love 'real' mail, it is so much easier to get instantaneous e-mail and text messages. I don't know about you, but I miss receiving 'snail mail'....handwritten, thoughtful messages from friends and family. It makes my day! :-)

Here's my Father's Day card this year. Cute set! Hope you enjoy the simplicity. It's great for Birthday's as well! Maybe you'll do better than I did and next year you'll have yours ready and in the mail early! :-)

The set is called "Best Dad Ever."

Stampin' Up! supplies used:

Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango, Brocade Blue (retired), So Saffron and Whisper White cardstock, Stylus, Sticky Tape, Signo white gel pen, Kraft Corderoy buttons (in Clearance area), Tangerine Tango, Crumb Cake, Brocade Blue and So Saffron Stampin' Write markers. 

It's Here!!

The NEW Stampin' Up! catalog is here and open to order from!! :-) Whoo Hoo!! It's gorgeous! Great stamps, papers, and accessories sure to please everyone!!
My "want it now" list is HUGE!!
Enjoy perusing! Just click on the catalog below or on the right side bar to go directly to it!

There's also a Spanish catalog available to shop from with sentiments in Spanish and wonderful stamped images to reflect the culture of that country!! As you peruse the catalog, you'll see some of the stamp sets in several diferent languages....just take your pick! :-)

Vintage Embossing

Soooo.....how many of you own stamps that you HAD to have because you loved them so much, and are JUST now getting around to using them?!

Well, this is one of those stamp sets that I KNEW if I didn't get before the Mini Occasions ended, I'd regret it. Guess what? I am JUST now using it!! But I DO love it and think it's a perfect image for this card. I hope you agree and that it inspires you to dig out some stamps you haven't used yet! :-)

If you like it too, just wait.....we never know what stamps they will include from the Mini's into the BIG new Idea Book and Catalog due out in July!

You'll find that all the other items used in the card design are still available to order! So, don't fret. :)

This is the Designer Series Paper I used...."First Edition Newsprint"

This month is your last chance to get this paper as it's on the Retiring List!!! 

This is the NEW embossing folder, from the Summer Mini, called "Flower Garden." 

I used this embossing folder on the birdcage image to give it that 'quilted' look. It's called "Square Lattice"

Here's the card!

Stampin' Up items used:

Early Espresso, Pearly Pizazz, Very Vanilla, Pacific Point and Crumb Cake (formerly known as Kraft) cardstock, First Edition Newsprint DSP, Early Espresso Taffeta 1/4" ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, Flower Garden embossing folder, 3/4" Circle punch, Large Oval punch, Hemp twine, Jewelry Tag punch, Scallop Edge Border punch, and Pacific Point, Pearly Pizazz, Basic Black and Early Espresso Classic Ink.

It's Here!!

The End-of-the-Year Retirement Lists are here for Stampin' Up!!

Stamps
Paper
Ribbons
Scrapbooks
Wheels
Decorative Elements

Hurry Up and SHOP NOW before all the goodies are sold out!!!

Upsy Daisy 2!

Ever taken an old card design of your own and re-did it in some new colors? Well, this is one of those cards! It's fun because you can do it in so many color combinations and it takes on a different feel. I was going for a Summery, fresh and fun look!

Hope you enjoy the colors and brightness of the card with an oldie but goodie stamp set called "Upsy Daisy." GREAT set and easy to use!

Here's a great pack of paper called "Beyond the Garden", available in the Summer Mini through August 31st!

Stampin'Up items used:

Whisper White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Pacific Point cardstock, "Beyond the Garden" DSP, Scallop Trim Border punch, 1/2" Circle punch, Basic Black, Pacific Point and Craft Whisper White ink, and the White Gel Signo pen. 

Sweets Birthday!

I love this adorable ice cream cone stamp set called "Sweet Scoops"! If you missed it in the last mini catalog.....well, go ahead and cross your fingers that it will be included in the new 2011-2012 catalog due out in a couple of months! If you gotta have it now, then add it to your digital stamp sets from My Digital Studio...it's available in digital form there!

I made this card recently for a few Birthdays celebrated this month, of family members and friends! Wanted it cheerful and yummy.....so ice cream cones seemed fitting. Hope you enjoy the design and are inspired by it to go get creat'in!:-)

Stampin' Up supplies used:

Sweet Scoops stamp set (available in Digital for MDS only), Whisper White, Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango cardstock, Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin ribbon, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Pretty in Pink corduroy buttons (in various colors in the Clearance Rack too), Crimper and the Square Lattice embossing folder.  

Here is my heart.....

....put down on a Digital Scrapbook page!

My Digital Studio is sooooo fun and easy to use....you'll be amazed at what you can do with it in very little time. :-)

Sit in front of the TV with your laptop....watch your favorite shows and scrapbook while you watch! It's great use of your time!

Here's one I did of my daughter...she is my heart!

NEW!
My Digital Studio Express. Great for those not sure that they'd use the program very often, but want to have a great little program to use!

                                                       My Digital Studio Express 124483


                                                                       Price: $39.95

My Digital Studio is perfect for you—no matter your skill level or experience—because you can start from a blank canvas or use designer templates for inspiration.



This downloadable version comes with the full software and fresh, minimal digital content using Stampin’ Up!’s artwork, designs, and colors! Windows and Mac compatible.



Includes over $50 worth of content:

• 12 Designer Series paper patterns

• One 9-piece stamp brush set

• 81 embellishments

• 26 punches

• Five designer templates (24-page 11" x 8-1/2" photobook, 7" x 5" postcard, 5" x 7" postcard, 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" greeting card, 4" x 9-1/4" trifold card)

CLICK HERE for more options available with the My Digital Studio program.
New Downloads available often!

Thinking of You.....

On Mother's Day!

I am so blessed to have my Mother still with me. I can't imagine the day she won't be.....hoping that day never comes!
When I've had a bad day, or week, or month....I always know who I can call! She will listen and sometimes, if I'm ready to listen, will have some good advice to my dilemma, hardship or heartache. No matter what....she's always been there. She's ready to jump at a moments notice, no matter how inconvenient it might be for her, to be there for her children....and grandchildren.
She's my Mom.....and my friend.
Like friends, we can have disagreements, but they always are resolved and come back to the love and appreciation we have for each other. Forgiveness is always present.....no matter what.
It's a wonderful Mother to have such as this.
I am truly blessed with a great Mom....and Dad and Sisters.
My family isn't perfect......but it's an awesome one!! :-)

Make sure to tell your Moms how much they are loved and appreciated.....and try not to ever hold grudges. Just forgive, let go of it.....and go on. Focus on what's important in this life. We have a short time here on this earth.....lets enjoy our families while we have them with us!

Families come in many shapes and sizes.....Step-Mother's, Mother-in-Laws, God-Mothers, even ex Mother-in Laws.....many women may have crossed your path through your life and hold an important place in your heart. Don't forget to tell them this Sunday! :-)


This is my 'Mother's Day' card this year.....always late, but much time put into them! :-)
I used a vase of flowers found in a new set from the Summer Mini called 'On the Grow'. Adorable set!

Stampin' Up! supplies used:

Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper, Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie cardstock, Stampin' Write markers in Pear Pizazz, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pumpkin  Pie, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 'On the Grow' stamp set and Word Window punch.

Punch Owl Thanks!

Owls are so cute, dont you think?

I enjoyed piecing this owl together with the help of the Owl punch by Stampin' Up! It punches out every piece you need to complete the adorable little critter. Use solid cardstock, printed cardstock....even glitter cardstock! You'll have a great time creating all colors and styles of owls.

Do I have to mention how cute the pom pom 'ribbon' is! I am sure hoping to see it available in the new 2011-2012 catalog! I'll keep you all posted on that.

In the meantime......have fun creating!! :-)


Owl Punch:

Stampin' Up! supplies:

Play Date Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, Whisper White and Real Red cardstock, Old Olive striped grosgrain ribbon, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Hemp twine, Corderoy buttons, Two-Step Owl punch, Modern Label punch, Little Leaves Sizzlit die and Elegant Lines embossing folder.