He's a CHUBBY bird.  I have a huge love affair for birds.  When I was at the Leadership Convention this past January, Shelli Gardner (our CEO and Co Founder of Stampin' up!) made a beautiful bird book that I couldn't take my eyes off of.  It was just pretty!  I wanted to replicate it as much as I could and make this a Gratitude Book for myself and my customers.  I taught this class last week and it was a blast.  It was a busy class, but a FUN class.  These little chipboard bird books are available in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  They are only $4.95!  Get OUT!  I used the beautiful Bella Bleu DSP on the front and back of the book.  The rest of the pages we painted with a Vintage White Acrylic paint.  The wing comes from the So Tweet Chipboard.  It's actually another bird, but used as a wing.  That was Shelli's brilliant idea.  So fun.  On the inside I used lots of punches, the Define Your Life stamp set, and the Galaxy Fine Glitter.  This is a NEW favorite product of mine.  I love it and it adds just the final touch to a project.  I also used  my FAVORITE wheel, Very Vintage.  Remember, I said that is just a must have for EVERY project.   That wheel has a special place on my desk because I use it all the time.  UGH! 

On to other news… I was very overwhelmed with responses to my last project I posted using the Glassine bags.  Many of you asked for a tutorial.  I am so sad to say that right now I am giving the ole' "Life Tutorial" to my dear kiddo's.  You know this tutorial…. respect, be kind, and love each other.   If time permits in the next week or so, I may write a tutorial and it will be FREE.  Between keeping the kids life normal, and my business on task… I had to bury the Super Woman CAPE for a little while.  Please know I appreciate all your extremely kind comments. It makes my day and especially on the days my dear sweet kids <rolling my eyeballs> are not being so kind to each other.  <sigh>

Have a fabulous week!  More fun things to share this week. 

Have you ever made something and been so excited about it you wanted to show everyone?  Today, I want to show you one of my projects I am super excited about.  I had a big stamp camp today and this was just ONE project they made.  We made a total of 3 and they were super busy stampers today and they did an awesome job!  I had two brand new stampers today and while I challenged them, they were SPECTACULAR!  I was so excited for them.  Let me share. 

This is a paper bag album made with the Glassine Bags.  I wrapped a piece of the Sweet Pea DSP around the bottom edge of 4 Glassine bags and then sewed a straight stitch along the edge so all the bags would stay together.  After that it was a free for all with embellishing.  Using the Friendly Words jumbo wheel, I wheeled the front cover and then added cardstock pieces on the inside of each Glassine Bag to give it more stability.  The ends are embellished with lots of punches.  I love using my punches and accessories to add wow to a project.  Of course there are lots of fun buttons, too. 

Today, this is my favorite project.  I will use this paper bag album to put pictures of my kids.  I can pop the pictures in the Glassine Bag pockets and journal on the cardstock.   I hope this inspires you to pull out your Glassine Bags and make something unique with them.  They are such a great product. 

Have a wonderful week!

I love the new Milk Carton die cut that's in the Spring Mini Occasions.  You can do so many cute things with it.  Today I had a workshop for a great friend of mine and her husband recently purchased the Milk Carton die for her.  So we decided to demonstrate the Milk Carton so she would know how to put it together.  I made two milk cartons and then put them in this cute little box.  While I thought for sure the two milk cartons would fit into the Box #2 Die Cut, not so.  The BEST thing about paper is you can make your own box!  I took a piece of Kraft cardstock measuring 7 x 5 1/4 and then scored all four sides at 1 3/4.  Fits two of those super cute milk cartons.  I added a few extras to finish the box.  I used the Chocolate Bunny and inked it with VersaMark and embossed it using Gold embossing powder.  I then punched it out with the 1 3/4 circle punch and adhered it onto the box. 

Here is the project they made at the workshop:

I will make a video of this project soon.  It's a little 3 x 3 card holder.  We used the Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry cardstock to make this project.  We also used the Beautiful Butterflies Die Cut.  The sentiment for the middle of the butterfly on the 3 x 3 card is Whimsical Words which you can receive FREE with any $50 order you place until the end of March. Who doesn't love Sale-a-Bration? 

Now it's time to finish up projects for next week.  I've been watching the foggy, snowy weather tonight.  Blech! It's a perfect weekend for stamping.  I hope you are stamping something pretty, too!

It's a big testing week for Brandon at school.  I am sure those of you in others states know what I am talking about.  Colorado has a state testing they do for third graders called CSAP.  It's a very important test, so Brandon tells me.  He's been a little nervous about it, but at the same time excited.  I give his teacher big kudos for this.  She really has the kids excited about the testing and constantly gives them the positive feedback they need to hear.  His teacher asked that we send a little "love" to our child by writing a little note that they could read prior to the test.  Of course I couldn't do just a NOTE!  How about a card with a note!   Okay, I got really carried away.  I have a card for tomorrow and another card for the following testing day.  I couldn't help it.  I kept thinking how it would make me feel and I wanted him to smile.  

Here is one card Brandon will receive:

I love these "Extreme" stamp sets in the catalog.  You can find them on page 80.  The Guitar was perfect for Brandon.  He loves Guitar Hero!  It's a pretty simple card, but honestly I didn't need to impress my sweet 8 year old.  The inside of the card is what will mean a ton.  I put a picture of Russ inside so that Brandon can keep it with him.  <smile>  So what else did I use on this card?  Below you will find a list of supplies:

Supplies: Scallop Square Sizzix Die Cut, Modern Label Punch, Extreme Elements stamp set, Extreme Guitar, Chocolate Chip and Real Red ink, Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Real Red cardstock, Gold Brads

I'm still learning the new computer.  Now that I have my photoshop for this computer I am really cooking with GAS!  The next two weeks are pretty busy here.  Classes and workshops for the next two weeks.  I have lots of class stuff to post soon.  I am a little giddy about my stamp camp coming up.  Fun projects.  Yippie!

Hope your week is fantastic! 

Despite all that fluffy white stuff in DC, my sweetheart made it home.  Phew!  I waited until the last minute to tell the kids.  Didn't want to disappoint them.  We are having a great time already and this weekend we have lots planned.  In other news, my PC was on the brink of crashing.  Since Russ was home we went computer shopping yesterday.  Ummm…. I took the plunge and bought a MacBook Pro.  Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!  It's a little bit of a learning curve but I am getting it.  Never mind it took a few hours to figure out how to post on my blog, upload a photo and much more.  I'm sure I haven't scratched the surface on what I need to learn.  However, I will have to gradually do it.  There is a lot of stamping that needs to take place.  

My share tonight is what I made for my kids teachers.  I got this amazing idea from Jen del Muro.  I loved the way she used the Glassine Envelopes.  Super cute and this idea can be changed for any holiday.  

I hope your weekend is filled with lots of love!  Happy Valentines Day!