I can't believe it!  I spent a good chunk of time in my stamp room today and didn't get a single thing stamped.  How does that happen? I braved the craziness in the stores this morning.  I really didn't have to buy anything but I so love to people watch.  I love to watch them get mad.  I think something is wrong with me.  LOL!  Seriously, there are some crazy peeps out there shopping.  Anyhoo, I ended up having lunch with my friend and came home to my stamp room.  I had great intentions to stamp the day away.  I got involved in a project and ended up not stamping anything new.  Tomorrow I am bound and determined to ink something!  I should warn Russ. 

Earlier this month I challenged my downline to construct and Design a House from our Decor Accents Line.  I love these little houses and the possibilities are endless with them.  They are so easy to put together, and your free to decorate the way you want.  They come flat but they are pre scored and there are directions to show you how to put it together.  The naked house looks like this:

I love that little door knob.  So cute. You can order this cute house in my On Line Store HERE. The number to order is:  #120911

Since I had challenged my downline I always like to participate too.  Here is my little house. While the embellishments took a little longer I was so excited with the final product. 

My house is the Stampin' Cafe.  So fun.  I loved creating it and I love seeing it in my stamp room. 

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Thank you to so many of you for giving tips on where to find the chandelier.  So many ideas. 

Here is hoping I create like a mad woman the rest of the weekend. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js15C0Al-U0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqIjz4PPHJg

I am also excited because my stamp room is ALMOST complete.  I just have a few last details and it's READY! It seems like it's taken forever but it wasn't the only room that needed help in this house.  In fact, over the weekend I finished Alexis room and we are both so excited about it.  She is only 7 and really wanted a big girl room.  The theme we went with is Rock n Roll.  SO up my Alley.  It really looks fun and we put up lots of Decor' Elements Guitars which are now retired.  They look fantastic on the wall and I really love how awesome our Decor' Elements go on so easy.  Alexis thinks it looks cool and that is all that matters.   I'll get some pictures for you. 

Tonight's creative piece is something I received in the mail and I have to share it.  I call this VERY happy mail!!!  This beautiful card was made from my downline Mary.  I just love her and LOVE this creation.  Thank you Mary!

I hope your week is going WELL and your stamping away! See you tomorrow!

For my Demonstrator event this past weekend our theme was Passport for Success.  All my demonstrators have a success story.  This book is meant to be motivational and inspirational when they just need that extra lift.  Don't we all need that?  I love quotes and have them all over my stamp room.  Some of the quotes are my own.  A famous one would be, "Get off your BUTT and WORK!" Or the other famous quote I like to use, "Put your big girl panties on and deal with it!"  I've said this to myself many times this year! 

Anyways, I want to share with you the inside of the book.  I hope you can copy and make your own Motivational Quote book or make a Travel book for your Summer Travels.  Even if you're having a Staycation, document it. We are always making MEMORIES!

We used all kinds of stamp sets and accessories on this book.  Here are a list of stamps that were used.  I will also include the accessories.  I would love to see your books!  Please share!

Stamp Sets:

Sentimental Journey (120075 Clear), (118513 Wood)

Chic Boutique (113744)

En Francis (109521)

Dream Gardens (114395)

Tropical Party (120081 Clear), (118515 Wood)

Sanded (109294)

Beware Pirates (THIS is one of MY FAV sets!) (115187)

July Fourth (120063 Clear), (118523 Wood)

Red, White & Blue Jumbo Wheel (118622)

Accessories:

Pumpkin Pie & Basic Black Wide Grosgrain ribbon, Frost Shimmer paint, Cutter Kit, Spritzer Tool, Staples, Large Star Punch, Antique, Silver & Gold Brads, Scallop Border Punch, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Gold EP, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch

I believe I got all the materials. 

Lastly, a quick card I made.  I am seriously using tons of paper that is ALREADY cut and ready to go and just adding a few stamp images to these cards.  Kinda fun!

Okay, off to do some more work.  Hope your day is FANTASTIC!!!!

een almost a month since I posted.  It's been a crazy mess around here.  All crazy in a good way.  I'm alive, busy and happy!  I have LOTS to share with you and this could end up to be a novel.  Sit back and read or go straight to the photos.

In the last 4 weeks I was able to spend extreme quality time with Russ on a beautiful Cruise that will go down as the VERY best ever in my book.  Not just the actual cruise line, ports and excursions but the quality time that I was able to spend with him which has been greatly lacking since December.  The entire 9 days was AWESOME!  

I also had lots of family come and visit us during the cruise, and after.  It's been the Van Diepen Hotel and we enjoyed it.  We had my Mom who watched my kiddo's during the cruise and then we had Russ' family come for my son's 9th birthday which was actually Mother's Day.  Isn't that a sweet Mother's Day gift!  I was tickled to celebrate both together. 

My Mother in Law stayed a week longer so that I could prep for a large demonstrator event here in Colorado Springs called Passport for Success.  This was my last event with my demonstrators and we had such a good time.  It was all weekend long and lots of laughs, tears and stamping occured.  My great friend and Advisory Board member Tara Bazata came down from Denver and spoke about Workshops and she was FABULOUS!!!  We all learned so much from her.  I babbled my stuff and then we stamped for four hours.  We made a fun project using the new Suitcase Chipboard.  Here is a picture of it:

I love these little Briefcases.  You can find them in the Summer Mini Catalog (118766)  and they are just fun to play with and so inexpensive.  Just 4.95!  

We used the new Mostly Vintage stencil (118877) on top of the Briefcase Chipboard and made it into a compass using the Rough Type Alphabet  (120072) for the letters.  Oh my word.  I loved this.    The book was trips around the world going to Hawaii, Asia, Paris, The Caribbean and lastly Washington, D.C.  Each page has lots of stamping and success quotes to keep them inspired and motivated.  I will post pics of the inside later.  All in all the event was amazing.  I know it's never easy to get away from family on a weekend and I respect all those that were able to come.  It meant so much to me. 

I made my friend Tara a card to thank her for coming.  Seriously, she was GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!!  This card doesn't do the Thank You's enough… but she get's it.  LOL!

Again, I used that awesome stencil.  On the bow you will notice a fun button from the Bitty Button collection (118761).  I used the new Punch Pack as well (118309). 

So, now that the demo event is over and all the family has left me I have been down in my stamp room contemplating how in the WORLD am I going to move all this stuff.  Yes, the Navy moves us.  However, as you know stampers… we collect A LOT of stuff.  I have started packing up a few things and then I have found some gems in my stamp room that I completely forgot about.  This prompted me to stamp away.  I have created 25 cards, 2 scrapbook pages and 2 projects in the last two days.  HOLY COW!  Guess What?  It's felt GREAT!  Yes, I will share all of them with you.  I think I could completely bore you to tears with all of them today, so here is a few sneak peeks of what I have worked on. 

Yes, I know the bird has a slight lift from the seat… but who cares.  He is chubby and cute.  The bike comes from Pedaling Past (120069) and the Birdie comes from Bouquet Bunch (120039).  The Sentiment is from the Rub On's Chit Chat.  You can find them in the Idea Book and Catalog.  Love, Love, Love these.  They are a must have!!!! The button is a Grandma button… It's an old vintage button that just screamed to be put on this card.

Since it's National Scrapbooking month I had to scrapbook.  I used the Just Write Designer Series Paper (115674).  Oh my WORD! This paper pack is the bomb.  Not only paper, but Die Cuts too.  So fun!  Of course a few buttons were added and I used Go Go Boots Sizzlits (113450) at the top of the layout for the title. The XOXOXOX was also the Chit Chat Rub On's. 

I have more to share tonight.  Yes, this may be a double post Wednesday.  I guess I do need to make up for my absence. 

I hope you have had a GREAT few weeks.  Thank you for always stopping by. 

Here are the colors to ponder!

While many of our favorite colors may be leaving, take a moment to really look at the new color collections.  One of my favorite things (and YOU know there are many!) is that this company keeps current with the ever so changing craft industry.  The new colors and renovation really do reflect that.  My advice for those who are sad to see some of your favorites leave… stock up on INK refills and cardstock.  Your ink pads will last you forever.  Grab the colors you cannot live without.  I will showcase some of my favorites that are leaving.  Bordering Blue has been one of my favorites for a long time.  We will be okay!  Baja Breeze is C'mon back!  Woot!

I do have a trickle of inspiration for you tonight.  Of course it uses Bordering Blue!  <sigh> Ha, can you imagine using the Crumb Cake Craft pad on this card too…. ohh la la!

Guess what?  One of my new favorite things to use is my Fine Galaxy Glitter (114286).  This comes in Black, Silver, Red, Gold and Champagne.  I use it with my 2-Way Glue pen and it's super easy!  On this card I roughed up the edge with my Cutter Kit and then slid my 2-Way Glue pen across the roughed edge.  Take your Fine Glitter and sprinkle a little winkle (bare with me… I'm in that kind of mood!) on the card.  DoNe!  I used the Elegant Trio stencil on this card.  The background stamp you see is from the set called Elements of Style that you can order on May 1st.  It's a beautiful set.  Speaking of beautiful stamp sets…. I have one that sits on my desk lately.  It's one of my old fav's and I have really been putting good use to it again.  Remember Define Your Life?

SUPER set!  I encourage you to pull it out and put it to use.  This style is very popular right now.  I love it. 

I hope your week is fabulous.  We had a snow day today.  I know!  Can you actually believe that? 

Big Smooches!

You know how much I love these stencils and I just needed a QUICK card tonight.  I pulled out my new favorite stencil and got started with the beautiful Tempting Turquoise and a sponge.  I used Kraft cardstock and stenciled my image.  Love how the Tempting Turquoise looks on the Kraft.  I used the Charming stamp set over the stencil.  I added a quick button and my favorite Linen Thread and there ya have it… a quick card.  Pull out those stencil's ladies.  They are quick, easy and gorgeous.  

Hope your week is going fantabulous.  

So here is the card we made:

I started the card by using Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  SO yummy!  On the Kraft cardstock I used the Folk Flowers stencil in the Spring Occasions Mini and used Rich Razzleberry ink and a sponge to create the pretty half flower from the stencil.  I made the stenciled area pretty dark.  Then I inked up the En Francis background stamp and stamped directly over the stencil.  Now the tip here:  Don't press the background stamp too hard.  I wanted that "oh my I didn't get a good impression" look.  <smile>  I attached this to the card base.  I added a little Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and stamped on it using the Razzle Dazzle Stamp set.  Oh I love this stamp set.  It's so pretty.  Love that it matches the stencil.  So now to the technique part——————>

Take a piece of any cardstock scrap.  For this card I trimmed it to 2 1/2 x 2 1/2.  Take a VersaMark pad and ink the entire piece of cardstock.  Pour Gold embossing powder over the entire cardstock piece and emboss.  Let cool a second.  VersaMark the entire piece again directly over the previous.  Do this up to three times.  On the third time, ink up your Razzle Dazzle stamp with Versamark.  Heat the Gold embossing powder on the cardstock so it's hot and then with your VERSAMARKED stamp, stamp directly into the hot embossing powder.  BAM! You have Faux Metal.  The more embossing powder layers you have the deeper the impression will be.  It's so fun and really a nice element to add to a card. 

I also added an embossed image of the Razzle Dazzle flower on the bottom left of the card too.  I added some Kraft Taffeta ribbon and of course used my Air Art Tool aka "blower" on the card using Rich Razzleberry marker.  I love my In Color markers.

Here a closer look of the card:

I'm off to bed.  It's a late night for me after a pretty adventures weekend.  The garage door broke, I didn't have the house keys and locked myself out of my house.  After calling the locksmith, $75 bill … I'm back in the house.  <smile>  Ahhh…. the stories and memories I am making for my kids. 

Have an amazing week!

Here is a card we did at my Demonstrator meeting on Saturday.  Boy did we have a GREAT time.  We did a total of 5 make n takes.  This card shows you a little sneak peek of a stamp set in the Holiday Mini Catalog called Wandering Words.  I have many more ideas for this set.  This is a simple card and easy to make dozens of. 

The leaf is a Sizzix Die Cut that I LOVE.  The leaves look real and if you bend and play with your cardstock enough you can really make the leaves look real.  I used the Sanded Background and my Favorite tool in the whole wide world… the Spritzer tool.  Such a fun tool. 

It’s a quick post tonight.  I had a house full of crazy stampers today and another one tomorrow.  It’s been a stamping frenzy here and that is exactly how I love it.  Life is good!

See you tomorrow with new Holiday Mini Samples.  I am cookin’ up something good! (in the stamp deptartment anyways!)

Happy Wednesday!

 Hello stamping friends!  Well, the LONG awaited video is here.  You should get a real kick out of this one.  The hardest part about making videos is not laughing through the whole thing.  After 5 takes, we did it.  My sweet friend Christy helped me with the video and if you knew her she is quite the crack up too.  So the two of us together makes a really fun filming team. 

The video is simple, nothing fancy!  It just shows you how I apply the stencil paste and then all the projects I have made with it.  Here is the picture of the project I am working on in the video.  It’s a special gift for convention.  I will post more details after convention once it’s complete.  This is just the front cover. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEVFuZFnVyk

Hope you enjoy!  Back to lots of swaps!!

I started this project with a 6×6 tile from Lowes.  They are usually around 88 cents a tile.  Here are the following products I used:

Glassy Glaze Page 188 (100477) 4.75 (approx 12 tiles per jar)

Vintage Ornaments 1 Stencils (117580) 14.95 (4 stencils per package)

Chocolate Chip 1 1/4 Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115617) 8.95 (butt load of ribbon)

Jumbo Brads Pewter (108432) 9.95 (60 per package) 

Pretties Kit (109114) 29.95 (Lots and Lots of pretties in there!)

Chocolate Chip CRAFT ink (101816) 7.50

Sponge Daubers

Stencil Paste

Christmas Greetings (115448)

Click HERE to find out how to make the tiles!

Adding Stencil Paste:

Once your tile is COMPLETELY cool, you will add the swirly stencil over the glazed ornament on your tile.  I use STENCIL EASE found at Hobby Lobby.  It’s a BIG tub for 8.99.  It’s like Cake Icing.  This will bring the cake decorator out in you.    Place the stencil onto the ornament and put the Stencil Paste onto the tile.  Let this dry anywhere from 1-2 hours.  Time varies.  Once this is dry, take another sponge dauber and lightly go over the dried stencil paste with a classic ink.   It’s so beautiful once they are complete.  Again, these are fast, easy and affordable.  If you need the supplies, just go to my Online Store by clicking on the right and punch in the numbers above for your convience. 

I’m also in the process of making a video of the stencil paste.  Very LONG overdue.  Don’t get too excited. My videos are nothing like the fancy ones you see else where.  LOL!  However, the goal is to show you how fun and easy the product is to use with our AMAZING stencils. 

Time for me to talk to my fake audience again.  I have 50 Stuffed Animals lined up ready to hear my convention speech.  They don’t talk back and just stare crazy at me.  Quite entertaining on my part. 

Have a fab day!