The sun finally came out here in Pensacola and we were so HAPPY!  We spent the day at the beach and enjoyed so much of what Pensacola brings.  We enjoyed the beautiful white sands, the gorgeous ocean water, and the Blue Angels (Flight Demonstration Team) flying over our heads. Hearing the Blue Angels was just the top of the cake for me.  It really is the beautiful sound of FREEDOM!  Yesterday we toured the Naval Aviation Museum.  It had been almost 9 years since we had been there.  Brandon was just a baby.  Lots of memories inside that building for Russ and I. 

I decided to put together a simple layout using My Digital Studio showing a few pics of our day.  I don't use My Digital Studio as often as I should.  The program is quite easy.  Honestly, if I can use it… anyone can.  Stampin' Up! has added lots of new digital downloads recently!  If you are interested in these, please email me.  I can send you a document of the recent downloads. 

Here is my simple layout:

The layout makes me happy because it sums up the entire day.  I think Brandon will wear the face mask home with him.  He hasn't had it off his face for longer than a couple of hours since he got off the plane.  It's so funny! I have lots more pics to share but my Mother threatened she would not feed me the rest of my vacation if I posted a shot of her in her bikini.  <sigh>  A girl does have to eat!

Moving onto crafty things…

September 1st is a BIG day!  The Holiday Mini is going LIVE and it's one of the best in my book with so many beautiful products.  My card tonight has a few products I think you will enjoy!!!

The Designer Series paper is called Candy Cane Christmas.  It's such a fun designer paper with such a great color combination.  You have Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride and Real Red.  Awesome.  I used the stamp set called Merry Crittermas.  It's loaded with all kinds of cute animals.  I used my Blender Pen and ink pads to color the little guy in on Whisper White paper.  He was punched out using the Extra Large 2 1/2" Circle Punch.  Now that is ONE big CIRCLE punch! Woot! I also used the new Glitter Brads on it.  These are so fun.  Lastly, I used the Glass Glitter in Silver on his hat.  So fun. 

I hope you are enjoying your week.  We're not sure what our plan for tomorrow is but I know it will be fun.  Just being with my family is so worth it. 

XOXOXO

I hope you don't mind me sharing about my first workshop I held last night in my new Stampin' Room.  One of the greatest gifts I get from being a demonstrator is forming new friendships while teaching the art and beauty of rubber stamping.  Many of you asked how in the world did I get this workshop so fast?  It's actually a little blessing from two great demonstrators.  Our stamping world really is a small world. Both demonstrators, Debbie Keane and Lisa Freeman referred them to me when the hostess had inquired about finding classes or a demonstrator and they lived about 4 hours away. Last night as we sat at the workshop I was demonstrating a 6 x 6 scrapbook page and showing them how great our albums are.  I opened one of my scrapbook albums and there was a few layouts of Lisa and I.  Completely unplanned, but funny with the way this whole story goes.   The hostess and I laughed and it proved what I've said so many times before…. Friendships are formed in this great craft we call "Rubber Stamping!"  Thanks to Debbie and Lisa I have 6 new friends that enjoyed a night of stamping in my house. We plan to have many more fun nights of stamping together! Hopefully Debbie and Lisa will get to come up and stamp in my room too!

Here we are playing with stamps…

It felt GREAT to teach again.  Ahhhh…. This is what I LOVE!

Let me show you what we made last night. 

I first demonstrated how great the Big Shot is.  Who doesn't love the BIG SHOT? Seriously, it's the BEST. I wanted to show how the Two Tags Die Cut is fabulous and versatile.  Remember the last card I showed to you?  Remember I said I created that card with something in mind? I wanted to show many ways to use this die cut.  I showed the card, Birthday/Christmas Tags and then this little cutie:

I will share how to make the project above tomorrow.  It's fast and easy and great for party favors. 

Then my workshop guests made these two projects:

I love the bright colors of this scrapbook page.  The inspiration for the colors came from my Color Coach that Stampin' Up! has.  This is such a GREAT tool that everyone should purchase. If you struggle with color combinations, Get the "COACH!" -120148

Lastly, we made a Christmas Card.  It's that time to get busy on your Christmas cards.  There are tons of great stamp sets to choose from and this one is a fun, simple set to use.  It's called Welcome Christmas- 120597

It was a fantastic night and I can't wait until the next workshop…. Yes, we will be meeting again.  WHOO HOO!!!!

The rest of my weekend has been filled with enjoying my family and more organizing.  Today I took Russ to IKEA.  He was in a state of confusion because he didn't "get" the store set up.  He probably couldn't concentrate either because I was singing the entire time we were in the store.  What can I say?  The store just makes me happy! I did get a few goodies for my stamp room.  I'll share soon.  LOL!

Enjoy your week. 

Today was stamp-a-palooza at my palace!  I have been dying to really get my stamps out and see if I could actually stamp again.  Anything I have been doing lately has been quick and not much thought into them.  Today, it was MY day to put my Stampin' Hat on and see if the MoJo is still really there. 

Let's get right to it. 

The first one is a simple card but fun!

Both cards I am showing tonight are using products from the new Idea Book & Catalog and the New Holiday Mini.  If you are a current customer of mine you should be receiving these in your mail box VERY soon.  If not, please contact me!  You DO NOT want to miss this mini.  It's filled with amazing products!! 

I used Riding Hood Red cardstock for the base. The Designer Paper comes from the Level 1 Hostess stash!  WOW, this is the best paper pack yet.  They are 6 x 6 and great designs using the In Color.  This one used is the Blushing Bride.  So pretty. The sentiment I stamped is from Favorite Thoughts stamp set (120048) in the Summer Mini.  The crown image comes from Grunge Rock stamp set (120555). Other products used:

Linen Thread, Rich Regals Designer Buttons, Decorative Label punch (Holiday Mini)

Here is my "Couldn't stop adding stuff" card:

Surely you've made a card where you just don't think it's enough?  Here is mine!

Most of the products on this card are from the new Holiday Mini.  I made a double decker of ribbon on this card.  I wrapped it first with the wide ribbon and then took another piece of the same ribbon and made fluffy ribbon using my sewing machine.  This may look intimidating, but really… it's NOT.  Look at that BIG yummy button.  I like to leave them on my desk all over to just stare at.  Seriously I am over the top crazy about buttons.  And these big guys?  WOW. 

The supplies used: Decorative Label Punch, Deck the Halls DSP, Linen Thread, Big Designer Buttons, Scallop Border Punch, Christmas Collage Background stamp, Bright Christmas stamp set.  The Holiday Mini products will be available on Sept 1st.  WHOO HOO!

Tomorrow I think I will continue with my stampin' delight.  I have two swaps I need to figure out and it's time…. to pull… the GREAT Halloween Stamps out.  I'm not sure I can sleep tonight with all this excitement?

Thanks for stopping by today! Check out tomorrow's Boo-tiful project!

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. 

If you are looking for quick, fun, fast gift ideas just click on my shop now button.  Stampin' Up! has many great specials going on.  Check my website for more information.  Don't miss out on these great deals.   

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!