Busy busy here in my creative space.  I've been getting the last minute details together for the big night tomorrow.  Tonight I've been working on some Big Shot projects I can share this weekend. I love all of my die cuts and I sure know which ones I use more.  For instance, I love the Two Tags Die cut.  It's very versatile and can be used for more than just a tag.  Case in point…

I loved using this die cut as a piece to stamp my sentiment.  Here is the card a bit closer…

I used my Scallop Border Punch and added a double scalloped piece to this card.  Kinda fun and different.  Here is a side view.  I mean really, can we have too many views on a card?  My camera was being nice to me so I might as well blog about it. I do love this Favorite Thoughts stamp set from the Summer Mini.  Love the sentiments. 

Here are the supplies used for this card:

Stamps: Favorite Thoughts (120048), Cute by the Inch (Level 1 Hostess Set), Belle Wheel (121430)

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy and Vanilla

Accessories: Blueberry Crisp DSP (117392), Neutral Buttons (119743), Spritzer Tool (107066), Linen Thread (104199), Vanilla Taffeta (109071), Two Tags Sizzix Die Cut (115954), Scallop Border Punch

Okay, before I leave I want to clarify a few things from my video yesterday.  I've received a few questions about a couple things and I can't seem to keep up with all my email. <VERY SAD FACE!>  Well, I could answer you but my kids would be running around naked because of a back log of laundry.  YIKES! 

Here goes… The Scrapbooking Canvas on my wall, you can find a tutorial on Splitcoast.  You can also search on my blog for other close up views of different canvas that I've done. 

For those of you that are new to either Stampin' Up! or rubber stamping, please realize this stamp room is about 7 years in the making.  <smile>  7 years ago when I started my business and started stamping I worked in a very small room with ONE 6 ft table and made some U-G-L-Y cards in the beginning.  I can almost bet the recipients of my FIRST swap laughed and felt sorry for me. My point is that regardless of your space, if you keep it organized it can be your own little paradise.  I've collected a lot of great stampin' tools over the years and when they are out in the open and not in a drawer I use them.  The same with my embellishments… they are out to see and USE. 

Thank you so much for taking the tour and I will keep you posted on new changes that I make to it.  Believe it or not, I've already rearranged a shelf.  <sigh> 

I hope your weekend is spectacular.  I've got TONS of stamping to do.  I plan to turn my tunes up loudly, dance in my stamp room and STAMP, STAMP, STAMP!

As always, my life keeps me busy! I've been stamping… however my little family has been keeping me busy too!

There's home improvements:

…a special TOUR at the White House:

*I just love how my family can go from silly to formal in a split second.*

And of course… Organization!  It really seems like the "organization" process of "moving in" takes forever.  If you knew how many times I've  rearranged my stamp room you would laugh.  Nothing really works until you put it to the test.  When I start to create -it's a disaster.  I cannot find anything!!  This brings me to more organization and before I know it 2 am is here.  UGH! Seriously, my stamping time typically doesn't start until 9pm.  I work all day upstairs in the house decorating/organizing. Once those sweet chick's go to bed I climb downstairs to let my mind unwind.

In between the silly's and touring the Greater DC area I've had my personal pity parties.  These tend to come after I talk to my friends far away.  It's okay, really!  I'm still allowed more pity parties for a good two months.  <smile>  Pity parties are good for me.  They make me reflect on all the great things in my life when I think everything is in the toilet!   Russ is a great listener and knows when to answer with, "Yes Dear!" and not give advice-Just listen!

I finally have the next installment of the rest of my craft room.  Keep in mind this room will change many times over until I get it just "right!"  The room is big and I love it.  It's missing one important thing right now… PEOPLE!  Guess what?  It will have GOOD people in it on Saturday for my first workshop! I'm SUPER excited!!!!  There is room for LOTS and LOTS of stampers.  <wink> So… take a peek! 

The other day I shared a card I made for my son's first day of school.  Tonight I will share my daughters.  I wanted to go more girlie with hers but ended up using a different color combination that really wasn't girlie but I likey!

Here are the supplies used!  I hope your weekend is filled with lots of family time and stamping. 

Stamps: First Day (120051), Rough Type (120072), Extreme Elements (115181)

Ink: Early Espresso, VersaMark, Real Red

Cardstock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Kraft

Accessories: Go Go Boots Sizzlits, Big Shot, Modern Label Punch, Decorative Label Punch (Holiday Mini), Spiral Punch, Rhinestone accents, Brights Decorative Buttons, Play Date Quick Accents (117172)—->This is the self adhesive die cut's found on page 176 of the catalog—-->YOU will LOVE these!

The First Day of school is not far away and already I can tell my kids are excited yet hesitant.  This school year will bring a few changes.  While some of these may seem so trivial they are a pretty big deal at our house.  For instance, I told the kids they would be riding a BUS to school and they thought this was SO cool.  Who knew something so silly would get these two kids flippin' for school?  While they are excited about this I am not.  I'll save that rant for another day.  The other exciting thing is meeting new friends.  Seriously, I cannot WAIT for this.  The neighborhood I currently live in is either staying clear of us or maybe there just isn't any kids around?  We haven't figured this out.  ???  Anyways, I do know my kids are done with Summer and welcome the school year.  There are a few things they are hesitant about.  New teacher, expectations of the school, is the playground up to snuff?  You know, things "kids" think about!  Tonight my card is all about Brandon!  He'll be my little Fourth grader.  My card tonight will be a card I will slip in his backpack on his first day of school.  Just to let him know that I think he's going to be a cool Fourth grader. 

I'm still stickin' to my goal of using my Summer Mini products. I couldn't help but use a few other new tools.    Below you will find a list of supplies and tomorrow night I hope to share two things… Alexis card for her first day and a video showing the other half of the room.  The only thing holding me back from that video is more organization.  I need to just STOP!! 

Stamps: First Day (120051), Rough Type (120072), Sanded Background

Inks: Early Espresso

Cardstock: Real Red, Early Espresso, Marina Mist

Accessories: Curly Label Punch, Modern Label Punch, GoGo Boots Sizzlits, Vintage Tags, Cutter Tool Kit, Decorative Label Punch (Holiday Mini)

See you tomorrow!!

I have to laugh at myself!  I guess I was pretty tired because last night I was sitting in my bed cropping all my pictures AND having a conversation with my husband and fell FLAT asleep!  I guess I hit the three week mark where I run like the wind and my body said, "YOU ARE DONE!" 

I did make two projects to share with you that I really love.  I do feel like I've been robbed from my Summer Mini.  Not that it's ALL mine but I have many of the stamp sets that I just haven't had the time to play with and I am determined to use them this week to get my fill.  Then of course the NEW catalog stuff that I just can't stop using because it's so beautiful.  I tell ya, Stampin' Up! really does a number on me.  I love it ALL! 

The first card uses the Pedaling Past stamp set.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Pedaling Past (Summer Mini) 120069, Wonderfully Worn Background 118533

Ink; Basic Black 101179, Crumb Cake 121030

Cardstock: Crumb Cake 119686, Basic Black 121045, Very Vanilla 101650, Cherry Cobbler 119685

Designer Paper: Love Letter 117162

Accessories: Curly Label Punch 119851, 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Basic Black 115615 (SERIOUSLY MY FAV!), Corner Rounder 119871, Dimensionals 104430, Vintage Trinkets 118764

Here is basically the same layout but a different image and a different technique with the Ribbon. 

This set is called Timeless Treasures 120615.  Great set for the Antique lovers.  Both images are stamped with Basic Black ink and then I used the Wonderfully Worn Background stamp over it using Crumb Cake.  Here are the products used for this card:

Stamp Sets: Timeless Treasures 120615, Wonderfully Worn Background stamp 118533

Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler

Designer Series Paper: Love Letter

Accessories: Modern Label Punch 119849, 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Basic Black 115615, Antique Brads 117273, Dimensionals

I hope you're having a GREAT weekend.  My day will be spent putting some organization into our Living Room!  Oh Boy!

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!