Super busy in my stamp room lately! Jeez Louise!  I wanted to share a few fun cards with you!

This card was SUPER simple using the Christmas Cocoa Specilaty paper.  Love that Ornament punch and how easy it makes creating FAST cards.  I've also enjoyed the Four the Holidays stamp set.  Love the fonts of this stamp set. 

This card uses the Lattice Die Cut and I made it a stencil using the thick Window Sheets and then sponged around the area and stamped the Serene Snowflakes over it in Night of Navy ink.  Love these colors. 

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Okay, gotta run fast…. I have new stamps in the house and my 6 year old touched them before I did.  WHAT???? 

Have a super fabulous week!

 Big Smooches!

I swear I didn't think it was THAT long since I posted but evidently time passes faster than I realize.  I've had a great time with family over the holiday weekend and spent great time with my kiddo's.  Thanksgiving was awesome and I cooked.  The good news is everyone survived.  Then Russ and I had a CRAZY thought to go out on Black Friday!  The crazy part is we started at 2am.  WOW!  As I was standing in line at Old Navy in the cold I had a fleeting moment where I thought I was a complete idiot.  Once inside I confirmed it.  The fun part was doing the crazy shopping with my friend Cathy and Russ went his own way.  I have never laughed so hard.  Just watching all the crazy people was all the fun and being part of the crazy people will forever be a memory!  I wish I had brought my camera. 

Tonight we put our Christmas tree up.  I love putting Christmas music on and watching the kids put ornaments in places that almost make me jump out of my skin.  All the while telling them it looks FANTASTIC!  Do you do this?  I remember my mom every year putting the tree up.  It drove her CRAZY when we would put ornaments close together.  I knew she couldn't wait for us to go to bed so she could completely rearrange.  I didn't have the energy to rearrange our ornaments tonight.  There is a major bare spot that I can see and it will just have to be fixed at a later time.   

So how about some creations?

I have stamped!  I've actually been working on some Build a Bear projects I will share later this week.  Here are a few fun projects I worked on tonight!

I love that little Dasher stamp set.  He is super cute and inexpensive.  I used Serene Snowflakes all over the card and then used Christmas Greetings for the sentiment.  Of course no card is complete without a little ribbon and a few buttons.  Oh how I love buttons! Speaking of buttons, my MIL brought me a ton of VINTAGE buttons.  I squealed LOUDLY when I opened them up.  They are delightful!

Here is a close up of my Dasher!

Then I decided to pull out my Yuletide Christmas stamp set out.  Love this set!

I added a little ribbon, and some beads.  Oh my!  Just vintage pretty!  <squeal>

Last I had to make a birthday card and I wanted to add snowflakes for a winter birthday feel.  Does that even make sense? Oh anyhoo!

I LOVE Kraft paper! I LOVE buttons!  I LOVE Stampin' Up!  Seriously!  Love all their products.  I used the Serene Snowflakes and the Charming stamp set on this card.. 

Here it is close!

Love Kraft cardstock with Soft Suede cardstock.  It just screams PRETTY!

Lastly I will leave you with a peek of my kids and their cute santa hats.  I love this time of year!

Have a GREAT week!  Create lots!

My little boy called me from school this morning and made my heart ache, but also got me thinking.  He joined the school archery program two weeks ago.  It's a short, before school program that only lasted two weeks.  Brandon is not a huge sports fan however this program was super exciting for him.  Every morning getting up extra early getting ready for school and the program.  While he struggled with the program because of strength he kept going and truly enjoyed it.  This morning was the last day of the program.  His sweet teacher called me to talk to him because he was so sad after the morning archery events.  It seems that awards were handed out and Brandon came out with no awards.  He was just pitiful on the phone.  Heartbreaking for any mother to hear.  He was sad that he didn't get a ribbon.  Of course I put my "mommy" hat on quickly and explained to him that even though he walked away without a ribbon he did his very best and we are so proud of him and he should be proud of his accomplishments.  He worked HARD! 

I hope that with my business I am able to teach my children that while we work hard at what we do, it's not always easy.  I've been with Stampin' Up! 6 years and my success came after many many obstacles and failures along the way.  It wasn't until two years ago that I was given any award even though I have worked hard the last 6 years.    I tried to explain this to my little boy this morning, that even though we work hard for our accomplishments it doesn't mean we will always be rewarded for them.  It may take awhile to learn the skill of archery to become good at it.  Then with lots of hard work he will be GREAT at it. 

That is my morning dose of motherhood.  My boy did ask that I come eat lunch with him at school and of course I said yes.  He then asked for McDonalds.  How can I say no?  McDonalds cures everything. 

I do have something pretty to share.  This card was demonstrated at the Stamposium.  I used the lattice die cut and made a template using Thick Window Sheets.  I then sponge daubed around the template using Soft Suede.  I like the way it turned out.  I used the Serene Snowflakes stamp set with Soft Suede ink and stamped over the template.  That beautiful snowflake on the Designer paper is soft and fluffy and comes from the Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper.  It's stunning designer paper. 

I'm off to McDonalds and then to give my little boy a hug.  Have a fabulous weekend!

Have you ever started a card and NOTHING goes the way you want it too?  Hence the title of this card today!  Painful Santa.  I had plenty of ideas swirling through my head. I wanted to paper piece him using some of the beautiful pattern paper I have from Stampin’ Up!.  Each time I did it my Santa looked hideous.  So straight to the trash he went.  My friend Cathy was stamping with me and we laughed so hard at our creations because they were just that UGLY!  We kept telling ourselves, "How can two creative people create something so horrific?"  Well, we did.  After one hour of laughing at this crazy Santa we did come up with something we liked. 

This chubby cute Santa comes from the set Just Beclause (116640).  He is super cute and has loads of possibilities, except my brain was not working the way it should have the other night.  I also used the stamp set Four the Holidays (116921) for the sentiment at the bottom.  GREAT sentiment stamp set.  To create this card I used Black Craft ink to stamp the Santa and then clear embossed him on Kraft cardstock.  I colored him using a blender pen and inks.  I used my White Gel pen for the white on his beard and coat.  You will notice I used the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder (116824) on the side of the card along with my favorite Taffeta ribbon…Kraft!  Lastly I added some buttons from the Playground Designer Buttons (116313).  I love BUTTONS!!  It’s another fun kick I am on! 

I hope your Sunday brings a little sunshine to your day.  It’s not looking very sunshiney here in Colorado but I have hope!

This poor blog has been pretty neglected long enough.  No excuse except having fun.  I’ve been stamping alot, gabbing until my throat hurts and hugging so many special people over the last 4 days.  Founders Circle 2009 has been fabulous.  It was relaxing and a get away that was much needed.  I’ve always said the best part about this business and company has been the friendships formed and that is the truth.  I love being able to spend this special time with exceptional women.  I learn so much from each of them. 

I was lucky enough to attend with my downline Christy.  She lives around the corner from me in Colorado Springs.  I really enjoyed watching her reaction to all the pampering that Stampin’ Up! does at Founders Circle. It really is amazing.  We had a blast together!

We flew on a little bitty plane into St. George!  I shivered in my boots just thinking about getting on that plane.  I knew I had Christy to hold my hand even though she said she wouldn’t.  <sigh>  Here she is looking ready for flight!

The first day was really a day of seeing everyone arriving.  It’s so fun to watch the door for the next round of friends to come in.  Since we got there pretty early we had all day to graze on the good food and good candy!  I think I had lunch about 4x.  shhh…. don’t tell anyone!

Our first evening together we have a nice dinner with Shelli.  This dinner is always spectacular.  When we walked in the room you could hear all the Oooh’s and Ahhh’s.  It was beautiful.  The theme this year is Blooms, Gardens and Butterflies.  Very appropiate.  Here are some photos of the beautiful table decorations!

So many little details! I love it.

The next day was another day of relaxing and raiding the candy jars.  I attempted to do my make n takes and was so proud of myself that I completed ONE project.  Stop laughing!  This is a big DEAL.  It’s so rare I even get this much done. <smile>

That evening we got together as a big group and had dinner.  It was a great night spent with friends!

I have so many more photos to share!  I plan to share over the next few days.  I’m currently in Salt Lake for the Advisory Board retreat.  I have butterflies in my stomach!  I am so excited to be here yet a little nervous! 

Lastly, a project!  I know this is long overdue!

This card uses the Wandering Words stamp set from the Holiday Mini. Super cute stamp set!

Many more photos tomorrow!