Thursday, April 28, 2011

It's All Together Now

Whew! Another thing that I can check off the list. Mother's Day presents - check! I created packs of cards with envelopes. They are cards with the same layout, just different papers from the same DSP package. The button colors vary from card to card.

The package holding the cards is also decorated with a run of the Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel and tied neatly together with some Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon.

Here is a shot of the different DSP than I showed yesterday. Just scroll down for the supply list.

Love that stitching. I think I'm gonna break out that sewing machine more often. I might have to go shopping for different colors of thread first, though!

Thanks for stopping by for a quick peek and spending time with me today.

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Gray Thread, Mother's Day cards, and Muffins


I think that title sounds a little "off", don't you? I'm not gonna question it. I'm just gonna go with it.

Here's another one for you. Can you tell the difference between the two cards? These pictures remind me of those picture puzzles in the paper where you find the six differences between the pictures. Only in this one, hopefully, there's only one difference. If you find more than one, you are supposed to be polite and overlook it because it's just a handmade card, okay?

Give up? It's the button! In the top picture, the button is a Crumb Cake, and in the bottom picture, it's a Very Vanilla. In both the buttons, there is a little strip of Basic Gray card stock instead of thread.

Here's a close up of that for you. It's soooo much easier than threading with the real deal of thread. It coordinates better, too.

So I finally did some sewing with my sewing machine that I've had in my crafting area for three years without touching it - except the occasional dusting off. I talked about the sewing projects right here.

Well, I wanted to sew a bit on some cards and decided to do the sewing on sets of cards I'm making for my mom and my sweetie's mom for their Mother's Day presents. My problem? I only have gray thread! Okay. I'll admit it now -- I sewed every one of the costumes with gray thread. It was all I had! The men commented on the decorative sewing around their cuffs and collars. I didn't bother to tell them that it was because I only had gray thread. I had several spools of it. Why? I don't exactly remember. At least it was there and handy.

So -- I had to come up with cards for the moms that could coordinate with gray thread.

Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set; Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, and Crumb Cake card stock; Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper; Neutrals Collection Designer Buttons; Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon; Window and Modern Label punches; Stampin' Dimensionals; Gray thread.

I asked the younger teenager today if he would like me to make brownies or cookies. He said, "Muffins". Oh. That was a surprise.

"Chocolate Chip muffins or blueberry?"
"Both."
Well, I didn't have time to make both, but I did carve out some time to make these wonderful Chocolate Chip Muffins. The recipe won 2nd place in the Taste of Home's Quick Cooking magazine, March/April 2005 issue. Yeah, I've been making them for that long. It's a great recipe.

They have the most wonderful sprinkling of brown sugar and cinnamon on the top of them -- with some extra chocolate chips thrown in for good measure!

Oops! This one got left out of the sprinkles line! It still must have been tasty because it was among the first three that were eaten!

Here's the recipe if you're so inclined:
1/2 c. butter, softened (I used Crisco, butter flavored - taboo to some of you, I know, but it's quick and easy for me)
1 c. sugar (I used 1/2 c. sugar and 1/2 c. Splenda)
2 eggs (I used 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites)
1 cup plain yogurt (I used plain, fat-free yogurt)
1 t. vanilla
2 c. all-purpose flour (I use 1 c. unbleached all-purpose and 1 c. whole wheat)
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips

TOPPING:
1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. chopped walnuts (I leave this out -- I don't care for walnuts)
1 t. ground cinnamon

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add yogurt and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.
Combine the topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 1 dozen.

Enjoy! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

A New Record


This has, quite honestly, got to be a new record for me! I'm rarely ahead of the curve -- and here I already have my Mother's Day cards done!! Yay!! I saw a card that I CASEd on a free card making site today, only it had totally different colors and a bee on it instead of these colors and a butterfly. When I saw it, I thought, "Oh, perfect! I'll use a butterfly instead, too." Because it had the flowers with the "M-O-M" on them, and I've been looking for a great Mother's Day card to make for my mom and my hubby's mom. I've been loving the Paisley Petals DSP, too, and so I could totally see using that on this card right away.

Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Marina Mist card stock; Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper; Lovely Letters Alphabet stamp set; Marina Mist, Certainly Celery and Not Quite Navy Classic Inks; Big Shot; Elegant Lines Embossing Folder; Twine; Fancy Flower Extra-Large punch, 1-3/8" Large Circle Punch; Circles #2 Original Big Shot Die; Stampin' Sponges; 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon; Medium Whisper White Envelope; Stampin' Dimensionals; mini glue dots.

You can really see the detail on the butterfly in this shot. The Embossing folder adds such a nice dimension and texture.

Gotta keep the envelope from being naked! Hey -- it's all in the details.

I'm just happy that I've got something checked off on my list. Mother's Day card - check! Now I've just got to remember to mail it!!

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

To Harry London's I Go

Today, the older son and I made a very important stop to Harry London's near where I live. It's this beyond-fabulous choclate factory. They have merged with Fanny May, so some of the candies now have the Fanny May name on them. I try to stick with the ones that are purely Harry London. I don't really know why. It's just the principle of the thing.

They make these tasty buckeyes there.


I'm like a chocolate addict or something because I like to have some chocolate every day. I've been noshing on Hershey's, so when I bit into this oh-so-wonderful Harry London stuff today . . . MMMMmmmmmmmmm! Sheer heaven!!!

We got some Easter eggs for hiding tomorrow and some perfectly sinful mints for right away.


Thank heavens for living close to a chocolate place like Harry London's. It's got some really good tours, too. If you're in the area, hope you are able to stop in to the chocolate factory and take a tour.

We filled two 1/2 pound boxes with candy from their selection counter -- talk about too many choices! It was tough to decide, but we managed!

Here's a look at the beautiful box we got to give to my parents tomorrow when we go over to eat and spend time with them in the evening . . .
Isn't it pretty?

Here's a look at the box that we filled up and purchased for us at home. Of course, we had to eat some on the way home. I had two wonderful pieces: a coconut cluster and mint meltaway. Makes me wish I could do it all over again just thinking about it.
How sad. Our box is almost empty.

Here is the table with some of the candy laid out on it. Since we waited until the last minute, some of the candy was on sale. Score!! The boys are saving the candy that you see here for me to hide tomorrow. I like traditions like that.

Those peanut butter eggs have adorable little chick candy hand piped onto them. So, so cute!!

Hope you're able to get some candy that's as good ~~ as always, thanks for stopping by and sharing a bit of your day with me.

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Friday, April 22, 2011

It's a Wannabe!

The other day, I went to Michelle Zindorf's wonderful blog to see what she'd been up to and she had a similar card. It's just wonderful how she gives complete tutorials on everything that she has on her blog. She's amazing!! Just click Michelle Zindorf to get to her site and the tutorial. Hurry! Use her help to create now! Still here? Okay. That's fine.

This card is merely a wannabe, 'cause I'll never be able to do cards and use that brayer like Michelle does -- BUT -- I'm headed to a class that she's teaching in September!! SQUEAL!! I can hardly wait! I hope I'm able to soak up lots, and lots, and lots, and lots!!

Also this week, I've been obsessed with creating disciple wannabe costumes. Like this one from a Simplicity #4795.
I had to make this in a purple. It was incredible because the costume itself was only four pieces. Now, that's not so tough, but you've got to understand that I've had this new sewing machine for almost three years and never used it. Not once! I used to sew all my clothes. Amazing to think that I purchased this machine and haven't threaded it or anything.

This costume was McCall's #2339.

I had to make this costume in a medium blue shade -- minus the vest thing. I didn't have to make that at all. The purple costume was for Bartholomew. This blue was for Judas. We were doing the Living Last Supper at our church.

Everything went so well. The entire play was better than I had worried it would be. The men in the play worked so hard on their parts and made the evening memorable for everyone. They held the DiVinci pose afterward for everyone to take pictures afterward for a long time. The crowd went nuts and took picture after picture!

So that's it for my wannabe stuff for a while. Now that I know I can use this sewing machine, I want to do some projects for cards where I sew something. I can hardly wait! Until next time, thanks so much for stopping by.

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

My Mother's Day Wish List and Poem


Is it Mother's Day already? Just say it isn't so.

I cook, clean, carpool, go to work; so busy…on the go!

What relaxes me and brings me joy -- besides my family?

Stamping and creating . . . that's what really brings me glee!


I don't want a vacuum, a blender, or a toaster,

I don't want to take a trip to ride a roller coaster.

I don't want expensive perfumes, gems, or furs,

I don't even want you to buy a designer purse!


What I want for this Mother's Day, you can't get in a mall.

All you need to do is make a simple call!

For this year, my Mother's Day wish list is very small indeed.

Stamping and scrapbooking items – that is all I need!


Just call my Stampin' Up! demo, Julia, today.

She'll help you along, she'll make it all okay!

Just pick a few things from my short list below.

Julia will order it, wrap it, and package it up with a bow!


Can't decide what to buy? Are there too many choices for you?

A Stampin' Up! gift certificate would be wonderful too!

Thank you, honey. Thank you, dear . . .

You know I love stamping all through the year!


Item #_______ Description_____________________ Price $__________

Item #_______ Description_____________________ Price $__________

Item #_______ Description_____________________ Price $__________

Item #_______ Description_____________________ Price $__________

Item #_______ Description_____________________ Price $__________


Hello, husbands and loved ones!

Merchandise orders can be placed by either giving me a call or by ordering directly from my Stampin' Up Website. (Just click on the Shop Now button to get started.) Merchandise orders need to be placed by Noon on Wednesday, April 27th to be delivered in time for Mother's Day (however, you are able to expedite orders for an additional charge!).

Gift certificates are available in any denomination. Gift certificates may be used towards purchases or stamping event fees. They come in a fabulous stamped holder! Gift certificates may be ordered until Noon on Friday, May 6th.

This Mother's Day Wish List was a fantastic idea from a fellow SU! demo, Jane Hignite. Thanks for stopping by and hope it helps you get what you could really use for Mother's Day!!

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Clean and Simple


At times it's so hard for me to make cards for the boys to use.


They don't want frilly, sparkly, flowery . . . any of those things!

They want a clean and simple card that they can send without cringing.

Vintage Springtime DSP from the Occasions Mini Catalog, Not Quite Navy, River Rock and Whisper White card stock, Not Quite Navy classic ink, Elegant Thank you stamp, Stamping Sponge.

I spent about half an hour yesterday making a pile of these cards for the boys, husband and myself to use. These cards fit the bill. They're clean and simple. Sometimes that's the best kind of card. And lots of thank yous. After all -- seems like I need thank you cards more than anything else anyway. How about you?

Hope you have a fantastic day. Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

A Different Day

Went to visit colleges today with the older son. It was interesting and different. He asked on our way there if I was supposed to be going with him. I told him that every Junior/Senior he would see there would have one if not two parents or other adult with them. I was right! He commented on that right away!!

After all, if you're paying for it (or helping to pay for it), you want to see it, right? Right!

It was an impressive program.

I hope to have some stamping done later today. For now (sigh) I've got to get other work done!

Thanks for stopping by for now -- I'll try to post again later with a great project I've got in mind.

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Reaching for the Stars

Last night, my family attended a HUGE event. It was called "Reach for the Stars" and it was to benefit True North Ministry. One of my wonderful friends, Becky Retzer, is the director of this ministry. She sinks all she into it, and it shows. The event was absolutely fantastic.

Becky used her MDS for creating the invitations.

Becky used Sale-A-Bration items on the programs. Look at that great punched star and super cute button!

I loved it!!

This invitation was created with the MDS, punches, Stampin' Up! papers, and more! It glitters and shines.

There was a Reverse Auction, and we were able to purchase items that would benefit the ministry and also get a goodie for us to take home. I purchased some garden space and got a tasty jar of Pear Honey. I love how Becky used the ribbon here on this cute bag.
Becky's creativity blows me away! All the signs around the facility were created with Becky's MDS. I wish I could use my program half as well as Becky does. She's amazing.

Our older son did a video of the program and some of their latest projects. What a worthwhile cause. We felt so fortunate to be able to attend and support Becky and her ministry in a tangible way.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

I'm Ready for Summer - How About You?

I can hardly wait for summer to get here. I LOVE that time of year the very best. Lots of swimming, grilling out, hanging around with our boys. There's nothing like it.

I'm still on my water coloring kick, too. I got to use my brand new stamp sets that I ordered out of the new Summer Mini Catalog that will be available May 1 through August 31. This one is called Sunny Fun. As soon as I saw it, I thought, "I can water color with that one, for sure!!"

Sunny Fun stamp set, Aqua Pens, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White and Certainly Celery card stock, Certainly Celery. StazOn Black, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Pads, Certainly Celery 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Jewelry Tag Medium punch.


This card has the same wonderful stamp set, using a few different colors, along with the Define Your Life for the sentiment.

Decorator Label and Scallop Edge Punches, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White card stock, StazOn Black Ink Pad, Certainly Celery 1-1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sunny Fun and Define Your Life stamp sets.

We had Stamper's Club a couple of evenings ago, and it was an absolute blast. Those ladies were in rare form, teasing each other and making bad jokes. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. We've only got one more month to go and this group's Stamper's Club will be done. I'm gonna miss those chickies. We have such a great time together!

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Getting things Accomplished . . . I think

I'm crazy about the water color crayons - one of my favorite items that Stampin' Up! sells, and I think they are an underutilized item. When I'm gonna do a lot of coloring, there's nothing like them. I think they are better for shading than the markers. I'm a mess with the markers, but the crayons . . . baby, I'm set to go! I really feel like I do a good job with them. Just my opinion anyway, but they are, I think, easier to use than just about any other way to color.

What I used in these cards: Flower Fancy stamp set, Watercolor Wonder Crayons - brights, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Aqua Painters, Blender Pens, Wide Oval Punch, Whisper White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango and Real Red card stock, Black StazOn ink pad.

One of my downline and fellow stampers, the very talented Kim Bradfield, showed me how to use the StazOn Cleaner. I had not liked using the StazOn ink pad because it made a mess out of my stamps time and again. Kim was using that cleaner like it was nothing, and so I started to ask her about it; she really showed me a thing of two, and I've never been afraid of the StazOn since then. Kim says that she likes the StazOn black ink better than the Basic Black because it's a better black.

Well, it's another rainy day here in this lovely part of the country. Yesterday was so incredibly gorgeous, I thought, "Hey, spring is finally here! Yay!" And then all the rain today. I just keep telling myself that it's these April showers that will bring the May flowers.

I'm feeling so accomplished because I've just finished placing a Stampin' Up! order, figured out my next classes to be held at the end of May/beginning of June, and gone through my supplies. I've also got two classes scheduled for scrapbooking that will be held in May (National Scrapbook Month). It will be the third year that I've held a scrapbooking event in honor of the National Scrapbook Month. I seem to have more card makers as customers; however, I'll keep plugging away at it. I get plenty of pages done of my own, though, and that's a biggie. Our boys like to look at their scrapbooks a lot, so it's meaningful to get those scrapbook pages done.

For supper tonight, I'm fixing the Sixteen-Minute Burritos - also known as as Beef and Bean Burritos - again. Doesn't it look fantastic? The picture and recipe is from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. She's amazing. The last time I made them, I timed how long it took to make them. You guessed it! Exactly sixteen minutes. Amazing. It's pretty rare that I can find a recipe that truly takes as long as it says it takes to fix, but this one sure does. LOVE it. I feel like I'm eating restaurant food with this recipe, too. Super, super tasty. My husband is crazy about this dish.

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

It's That "Oh" Factor

Are you looking for that “oh” factor when you send a card or gift? Of course, that’s part of the beauty of handmade cards and gifts! Watercoloring creates beautiful and versatile projects that bring out the “oh’s” and “ah’s”. Sometimes, though, watercoloring gets overlooked as too hard, complicated or scary. Watercoloring is so much fun when doing cards and scrapbooks. It's easy and so striking. Another nice thing is that you don't have to worry about staying "in the lines" -- always a plus for me.

I made these invitations for a workshop/party that a great customer had during Sale-A-Bration. Whenever a customer gives me an invitation list of 20 or more, I create some handmade invitations and mail them out. This is a good challenge for me because this is going to be the first impression that some people will have of myself and Stampin' Up!, and I want it to be a positive one.

I used the Awash with Flowers stamp set, Thank you Kindly stamp set, Aqua Painters, Basic Black Classic Ink, Olive Olive Classic Ink, and Marina Mist Classic Ink, Watercolor paper, Old Olive, Night of Navy and Marina Mist Card Stocks, and Old Olive satin ribbon.

How to Watercolor:

· Begin with Watercolor Paper for best results.

· Select an ink, Watercolor Pencil, or Watercolor Wonder Crayon appropriate for your project.

· Stamp outline images using StazOn, Basic Black, Basic Brown, Basic Gray, or heat emboss with VersaMark or Craft ink to create images that won’t run when wet.

· Use ink refill or squeeze an ink pad to put ink on the inside cover of the ink pad. Dip an Aqua Painter in the ink and paint. Or color image with Watercolor Pencils or Watercolor Wonder Crayons and use an Aqua Painter to blend the colors.

· When using watercolor paper the color will go on more evenly if you wet the paper first then add the color.

· Allow watercolored image to dry then add to cards, 3-D items, scrapbook pages and more.

· To clean Aqua Painters squeeze the barrel and brush tip onto tissue, paper towel, or rag until clean.

Hope you'll consider giving Watercoloring a try!

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Meals in a Jar, Anyone? How about Dessert?

Our 4-H Club got together and created over 50 Meals in a Jar that we are selling, along with Desserts in a Jar. The members all took turns in an assembly-style line, putting items into the jars. Then they tied some beautiful ribbon (Stampin' Up!, of course -- what else is there?), along with recipe cards to each jar.
We had Beef Stroganoff, Beef Noodle Quick Dinner, Tuna Noodle Quick Dinner, Cheesy Ham and Potato Dinner all ready to go -- just to name a few.
We decorated the recipes by using some Card Stock behind them to help them have more weight and look nicer.
Some of the desserts were Chocolate Chip Cookies, Crazy Cake, and several types of brownies. They all worked so hard to put these together.
The 4-H Club members and their parents took turns taking care of our table at a Farmer's Share Breakfast being held in a nearby community in our county. They sold the "Meals" for $6 each and the "Desserts" for $5 each. The event was very well attended and lots of jars were sold.

It was lots of fun to make these together. It was also a great idea of other things to do with Stampin' Up! products -- they are for more than card making!!

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Spring is Blossoming

Stampin' Up! has a new promotion that is running from April 1-30, 2011.

Here are some details: Spring is Blossoming with Sneak Peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. You can get these brand-new products in one of two ways:

  • Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
  • Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE!

*Net sales before tax and shipping

Start planning your spring workshops now so you can get your hands on these exciting, new products in April--three months before the debut of the new Idea Book & Catalog!

Four Frames Stamp Set
W: item 123440 | $20.95
C: item 123442 | $15.95

Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper
item 122367 | $9.95

Please use these following bundle item numbers when entering the free stamp set and Designer Series Paper:

Item

Description

Price

125735

Four Frames Wood-Mount Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

FREE with qualifying workshop!

125736

Four Frames Clear-Mount Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

FREE with qualifying workshop!

Things to Remember

  • Orders may be placed on any order type (customer, workshop, or online).
  • You must spend $20 to be eligible to purchase the Four Frames stamp set and/or Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.
  • Both items can be purchased once the $20 minimum is met; there is a limit of five per product once the $20 minimum is met. Ordering another $20 of Stampin' Up! products resets the limit and allows you to purchase another five Designer Series Papers and/or stamp sets.

Hostess option

  • Orders must be placed on a workshop or customer order to qualify. Online orders are not eligible for this part of the promotion.
  • You will receive the Four Frames and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper FREE if you host a $350 workshop (net sales before tax and shipping).
  • I will use the special bundle item numbers above when ordering the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper as a reward for hosting a qualifying workshop.
  • There is a limit of one Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper per workshop.
  • Workshop must meet $350 minimum to be eligible for sneak peek products. Reward is for reaching the $350 level and is not incremental.
  • You may choose either the wood-mount or clear-mount set. Clear blocks are not included in the clear mount set.
What a great deal! What a wonderful promotion from Stampin' Up! Your gonna love getting the sneak peak on these great items. Let's get your workshop/party planned today!

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!
Julia