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. 

Good evening!  Now that things have settled down a bit, I finally got a chance today to make the video for the Valentine Box I shared with you a few weeks ago.   Thanks to my friend Christy (now AKA Snookie), she helped me out today.  Whoo Hoo!  Let's take a look back at the box:

This box was shown at the Phoenix Regional however just a bit smaller.  This box can hold 4 x 4 cards.  Love it.

Watch this video to learn how to make it.  Remember, if you subscribe to my blog in a reader you will have to go to my website to view the video!

I hope the video helps you make some cute Valentine Boxes.

Now, just a little update.  My little girl is doing great.  Thank you for all of the get well wishes.  It made her smile.  It's still healing but you wouldn't know she had a boo boo unless you asked her.  She is up and running (without scissors) again!

I have a new card to share.  I made this card at my Diva Night.  I will call this card the all-nighter.  It seriously took me all night to make it.  Has that ever happened to you? 

I used a couple of stamp sets for this card.  The main image comes from the stamp set Chic Boutique.  It's such a cute stamp set.  Very CHIC!  I added a few silver beads, gems and glitter.  This made it even more a CHIC card.  The background image comes from Friends 24-7.  GREAT set.  The stripes on the bottom of the card is called Solid Stripes.  You can find that stamp in the back of the New Mini Catalog.  I love it. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a  GREAT Thursday!

I'm hoping I can steal your heart for just a few minutes today!  This cute stamp set Love Bandit has me giggling every time I use it.   I just love all the images in the stamp set.  Check this card out:

I stamped the image using Basic Black Craft ink on Watercolor paper and then used Clear Embossing Powder over it.  The reason I used the Watercolor paper is the Die Cut image under the racoon comes from the DSP paper pack The Write Stuff and the texture of the Die Cut is just like that of watercolor paper.  I love the DSP The Write Stuff.  Not only do you get GREAT DSP but you also get great die cut images in the paper pack too.  It's great for scrapbooking and cards.  Love it!  I also used the stamp set I {heart} Hearts.  Again, this is the set that you can purhchase and $2 will go to help Haiti.  I just randomly stamped the three heart image using Chocolate Chip onto the Chocolate Chip cardstock. 

I have one more card to share with you tonight.  This card was made using a special stamp set, Sweetheart!  This set fits the new Heart Treat Cups (120435).  There are only limited quantities of these items for the first shipment out.  Get it quick! 

To make this card I first stamped the large scallop heart randomly onto the Chocolate Chip cardstock using Chocolate Chip ink.  Using the Full Heart Punch, I punched a bunch of hearts out of Kraft cardstock and snailed them directly into the stamped heart image.  The pattern paper comes from the SAB 2010 paper pack.  Super cute and it's Kraft.  Oh boy!  See the edge under the DSP?  That comes from a trimmed edge from the Fancy Favor Die Cut box.  Squeal!  Love that box and here is just another use for it.  The main focal point is the Heart Treat Cup.  I filled it with some chocolate jimmys.  I then added the sentiment from the stamp set and placed a button too.  Can't live without those buttons. 

I've been busy making lots of Valentines.  I am trying to redeem myself from the lack of Christmas cards I sent out.  Believe me, it wasn't for a lack of handmade Christmas cards…. they didn't get sent out because of a lack of writing in them.  <shaking my head> 

Lastly, I had a date tonight with these two cuties:

The kids and I went to see Walk with the Dinosaurs at the World Arena tonight.  WOW!  The kids and I had a blast.  My son sat the entire time just fasinated.  My daughter liked the show however it was all about the FOOD!  <sigh>

I hope you are having a great weekend.  I am thankful for some great time spent with the kids and time to stamp!  It feels GREAT!

It seems like time is just flying by lately.  I am finally back from a whirlwind, but WONDERFUL vacation.  I had a great time with my family in Florida and then headed to Phoenix for the BEST Leadership I have ever been too.  First, Phoenix is a GREAT city.  I loved the weather and everything about that place.  I also made some GREAT memories with my downline.  While it was pretty busy during the conference I loved spending time with so many demonstrators.  Being with my friends on the Advisory Board was delightful.  It's funny how in the beginning I really did not know many of these ladies and now I feel like they are my sisters.  Older of course.  ROFL!  I am sure I am going to hear about that one.  <smile>

To sum it up… GREAT time.  I do have pictures, but not many.  I was too busy gabbing.  Nothing unusual.    I am going to ask my sweet friends if I can borrow some of their pictures. 

Well, I do have a few fun things to share.  These are some of the swaps I have done recently. 

I used the set Garden from the Heart.  I also used the new Scallop Punch that you can get during Stampin' Up!'s fantastic Sale-a-Bration special going on NOW.  Wow there are alot of great stamps and accessories in that catalog.  I also used the stamp set Well Scripted (117072).  I love the elegance that each of the sentiments have.  Great set!

I thought this card was appropiate.    This is the Good Neighbors stamp set in the Sale-a-Bration brochure.  Isn't that the cutest set.  Love these little houses. 

Gotta run.  Getting ready for some fabulous ladies stampin' at my house. 

Three years ago I started my blog.  It was started to keep me sane during our last move and to keep all my dear customers inspired along my stamping journey! Today, I took a trip back to December 2006 to refresh my memories of that journey.  Seemed fitting for a Navy wife since three years is typical for a Navy family to move again.  I wanted to remind myself of our last journey since we will be making another journey soon enough.  Russ received orders to Washington, D.C.  and reports there in just a few weeks.  After much discussion and debate, Russ and I decided that the kids and I would stay put until the end of the school year and and then join him for the next adventure.  Decisions like this are never easy and many tears shed as I hate to keep are family apart.  However, I believe the kids are in the best place this school year and they are doing so well.  Don't get me wrong, I know the kids would do fine moving.  I also know they will do great finishing out the school year with their current teachers who I just adore.  This also gives me 5 months or so to figure out how I say good bye once again to some of the most fascinating people.  So many friends have been made in the three short years we have been in Colorado.  I have to admit a part of me is in TRUE denial that I even have to leave.  The thought makes my stomach hurt and brings me back to the day we moved in.  If you have read through this blog you would remember that I wasn't happy on that day.  I wondered how in the world I would ever survive it there.  My stamping adventure in Colorado has truly been the best yet.  It's the longest place I've ever had my business at one time.  It's the place where I have taught the most people.  Really GREAT people.  So, with that all being said…. I celebrate three great years having this blog.  I celebrate all my friends in Colorado that I plan to teach for another 5 months.  It will be 5 GREAT months of CeLeBrAtIoN! 

Speaking of celebrating, my sweet friend is getting ready to have a baby.  This baby is a miracle.  She had a terrible time getting pregnant and after many tests and trips to the doctor, she finally conceived.  Hence what I call the… miracle baby.  This sweet baby will be born in February.  Since I am down here in Florida I am unable to attend her baby shower.  Before I left I made a special gift for her I want to share. 

This is also a sneak peek of what's to come in the new Mini Catalog.  Whoo Hoo!  I used a stamp set called Fox & Friends.  There are 7 different animals that I just love.  This card also uses a new punch from the Mini Catalog and the Sale a Bration catalog.  Yippie.  Anyway, I made a few simple hand made Thank You cards that she can use after the baby is born.  The buttons I used are actually OLD, OLD, OLD vintage buttons from my husbands grandmother.  Very special buttons to me. I wanted the cards to be simple, elegant and a hint of vintage.  I think I created that look. 

I hope your Sunday afternoon is the best.  I am off to finish getting my Christmas cards finished.  I know, I know!  Better late than never, right?