The other day I asked if you had a stamp set that you haven't used in awhile. One that you were SO in love with but it's sat on your stamp room shelf being neglected. This really made me think about a few sitting on my own shelf.  Morning Cup was one of the first stamp sets I had to have when the new catalog came out.  I was so excited about having a coffee set.  Funny how this set has just collected dust.  I pulled this stamp set out last night and had a BLAST.  What's even better is I created a video making this card because I  had a Watercoloring Trick discovery.  Whooo Hoooo!!!  I was so excited at 11pm last night and no one was here to celebrate with.  WHAT a bummer!!  I shared my excitement with you on my Video!! I hope you don't mind. 

I challenge each of you to pull out that FAVORITE stamp set you HAD to purchase and stamp with it today.  Wipe the dust bunnies away and make it smile.

Here are the products I used for this card.  You can find all of them in my Online Store.  It's filled with FUN products just waiting for you to use. I loved pulling out my Watercolor Crayons, too!  Boy have I missed these guys!

Stamps: Morning Cup, Elizabeth

Ink: Stazon Ink Black, Crumb Cake

Cardstock: Confetti Cream, Watercolor Paper, Soft Suede,

Accessories: Finial Textured Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Punch, Neutral Buttons, Neutral Watercolor Crayons,      2 3/8 Scallop Circle punch, Aqua Painter, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Linen Thread

Here is the video! Enjoy and have a GREAT day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaOjQ_OL3lY

Are you looking for the Easter Blossoms Tutorial? Click HERE to download it today.  It will only be available for 30 days. 

I love this little butterfly in the Clearly for You stamp set.  So tiny and SO mighty!  I pulled out my little sewing machine and put a little zig zag stitch down the Victoria Lace.  A little stitching is fun to add to a card.   

1. Fold your Confetti Cream cardstock 4 1/4 x 11 in half. 

2. Place a 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 Springtime Vintage DSP at the top right of the card and cut a small "V" at the bottom.  You may have to trim your DSP slightly. 

3. Scallop Border a 1 1/4 x 4" Rose Red cardstock and adhere 2" from the bottom of the card. Stitch a 4 1/4" piece of Victoria Lace across the Rose Red cardstock. 

4. Wrap and tie Rose Red Seam Binding around the card just above the Victoria Lace. 

5. Using Basic Black ink, stamp the sentiment "For You" just below the Victoria Lace. 

6. Stamp the Butterfly using Basic Black ink onto Confetti Cream cardstock and punch the image using the 3/4" Circle punch.  Attach to one Mini Vintage Tag. Attach the tag to the Seam Binding using a Vintage Trinket Safety Pin.

You can get all the supplies to make this card in my Online Store!  I would love to see what you create with the Clearly for You stamp set! It's one of my favorite stamp sets in the Spring Mini Occasions.  What has been your favorite stamp set so far? 

Last BIG news——> Are you ready to stamp with me? Download the SUPPLY LIST and get your supplies so you are ready to stamp with me Wednesday, March 16th!  I will be sharing my Easter Blossoms Tutorial and you don't want to miss it!  This tutorial will include 4 cards with pictures, dimensions and instructions for the stationary holder for FREE.  If you place a $50 order between now and Wednesday, March 16th you will receive an exclusive video showing you tricks to help you make these fun cards  +6 more exclusive BONUS cards! WOWSER!! Don't forget Sale-a-Bration brings you even more rewards with FREE stamps!  Take advantage of this great opportunity, there are only a few weeks left. 

*P.S.-I'm so excited about this!

Visit my Online Store HERE!

Have a FABULOUS weekend!

XOXOXO

I know Spring is fast approaching because my eyes and nose tell me so.  Here in VA the birds are chirping and the little furry critters are coming out to play more and more. There are even buds on the trees just waiting to sprout. I've seen a bug or two! <NOT ready for those!> I love every season but Spring is FRESH.  It reminds me of the little mama birdies I see in the trees diligently building their FRESH nests.  My card tonight is all about Spring.  The Nature Walk stamp set is a beautiful set to start your spring cards.  The images are soft and I love the bird cage.  Bird cages are so trendy and the one in this set is gorgeous.  I can't wait to use it with Gold Embossing Powder.

For this card stamp the bird cage in Not Quite Navy very lightly and then stamp the bird in Early Espresso slightly on top of the bird cage.  Punch this image out using the Decorative Label Punch and mount this onto a Early Espresso 1 3/4 Circle Punch using dimensionals.  Stamp the sentiment "FRIEND" using Fabulous Phrases.  This is a great stamp set with many random words that I love.  I adore the font the most with this set!  Once the sentiment is stamped, use snips to cut a small banner. Use the Cutter Kit to roughen around the edges of the banner.  Remember, this is a GREAT tool to have in your stamp room.   Attach the banner using Mini Glue Dots as shown above.  Attach one Antique Brad to the right top corner of this element. 

The card base is Crumb Cake 4 1/4 x 11.  Cut the Not Quite Navy cardstock to 3 3/4 x 5 1/4.  Using the Scallop Trim Border Punch scallop the 3 3/4" end of the Not Quite Navy cardstock.  Attach a piece of Bontanical Gazette DSP measuring 3 3/4 x 4 3/4.  TIP: You could use less of the Not Quite Navy cardstock by only using a 3 3/4 x 2" piece to save paper.  I used a larger piece to make the card more sturdy.  Use a sewing machine and zig zag stitch  Crumb Cake Seam Binding and Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta ribbon across the card front.  Tie only the Marina Mist ribbon in the bow.  Finish the card by attaching the DSP to the card base with dimensionals as well as your stamped bird image.  Viola! Your Spring card is complete! Make sure you check my Online Store for many more Spring products.  Only 30 days left of Sale-a-Bration.  Get the FREE stamps while they are HOT!

Are you ready for Spring? Besides spring cleaning, what do you love about Spring?

XOXOXO

??? Makes you think!

I thought a lot about SNOW today and how sick of it I am.  Thinking that our schools didn't need to really call of school but the two hour sleep- in would have been perfect. 

Then my mom sent a text picture of her wearing flip flops.  Really Mom? I returned the favor with my favorite grumpy face via text! The one ONLY a Mother could love! Thank God we are allowed Grumpy Days! I had one!

If you've been thinking about Sale-a-Bration and not sure what to choose when you make that $50 purchase and have to pick a fun new toy from the Sale-a-Bration catalog… let me get you thinking…

This is what I call a double dippin' Sale-a-Bration card.  The Designer Series Paper Ice Cream Parlor is one of the great products you can receive for every $50 purchase.  I also used one of the FREE stamp sets! The sentiment came from the stamp set Punch Bunch! It's a hot item this Sale-a-Bration!  I sure hope this got you thinking today!

XOXOXO

I have a video for you tonight! Yea!  I wanted to show you how I did some of the elements on this CARD from yesterday.  It was so much easier than writing it all out. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so3Al4ruv4c

In other news…

Today was one of those days that just didn't go as planned.  Russ and I had planned to go shopping for a new ride for me.  All of a sudden he didn't feel well and ended up sleeping most of the day.  He even ran a high temp.  It was really crazy.  He took some medicine and started feeling better.  At least well enough to join us down in the stamp room to work on Valentines for the kids.  It was a family affair.  Here is the family in action:

Whatever it takes to get 60+ Valentines done, we can do it. 

Lastly, I wanted to share my chubby bird card. 

I love the Bontanical Gazette DSP and I just love the bird on this DSP.  So beautiful.  I wanted this image to be seen on this card so I cut the paper just right so the chubby bird could be seen.  The sentiment came from the Engraved Greetings stamp set.  This is a set that you can get for FREE when you spend $50.  It's in the back of the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  I love this set.  Love how it fits inside the Decorative Label punch.  I added some of the Crumb Cake Seam Binding and the Victoria Lace.  So pretty.  It's really a simple card with just a few sweet elements. 

I hope your weekend is amazing.  Looks like this weekend will be more laid back than planned.  It's okay. 

XOXOXO

The products used for this card: Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla cardstock and then….

VersaMark, Clear Embossing Powder, Neutral Buttons, Crumb Cake Seam Binding ribbon, Bliss Stamp Set, En Francis Background Stamp

Enjoy the video and I look forward to more of these videos that you can create along side me. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDhvYrIhxK8

If you want to see the wrinkles on my hands in High Definition just click on the button that says Watch on YouTube!

XOXOXO

Anyways, another way to cure a not so fab day is to stamp.  Tonight, I officially STAMPED!  WOOT! Once the stamp was in my hand it was all okay.  Although it's just a 3 x 3 card… ROFL!  I'm making a few 3 x 3 bundles for gifts to give to NEW "friendly" friends.  For instance, the pharmacy lady was super nice to me when I was so sick.  I wanted to thank her so I thought a few 3 x 3 cards would be easy and a fun gift. 

These are very vintage using all kinds of fun stamp sets and DSP.  I love the Fabulous Phrases in the new catalog.  WOW.  I also used the Love Note DSP.  WOW WEE!! 

Isn't that LACE gorgeous?  I love how easy it is to work with.  So many fun new toys. 

Okay, now for something totally fun and new!  The last few days I have been getting a few emails about business and life in general.  I thought it would be fun if I did a little Q & A.  Ask a question-Business or Personal and I will compile all the Questions together and then answer them in a video.  I will take Questions until Sunday, August 1st!  Just ask your question in the comments.  It will be easy for me to keep up with them there.  I will post the video on Monday!

Hope your Friday is Fabulous!

I love the new Milk Carton die cut that's in the Spring Mini Occasions.  You can do so many cute things with it.  Today I had a workshop for a great friend of mine and her husband recently purchased the Milk Carton die for her.  So we decided to demonstrate the Milk Carton so she would know how to put it together.  I made two milk cartons and then put them in this cute little box.  While I thought for sure the two milk cartons would fit into the Box #2 Die Cut, not so.  The BEST thing about paper is you can make your own box!  I took a piece of Kraft cardstock measuring 7 x 5 1/4 and then scored all four sides at 1 3/4.  Fits two of those super cute milk cartons.  I added a few extras to finish the box.  I used the Chocolate Bunny and inked it with VersaMark and embossed it using Gold embossing powder.  I then punched it out with the 1 3/4 circle punch and adhered it onto the box. 

Here is the project they made at the workshop:

I will make a video of this project soon.  It's a little 3 x 3 card holder.  We used the Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry cardstock to make this project.  We also used the Beautiful Butterflies Die Cut.  The sentiment for the middle of the butterfly on the 3 x 3 card is Whimsical Words which you can receive FREE with any $50 order you place until the end of March. Who doesn't love Sale-a-Bration? 

Now it's time to finish up projects for next week.  I've been watching the foggy, snowy weather tonight.  Blech! It's a perfect weekend for stamping.  I hope you are stamping something pretty, too!

This card reminds me of something very delicate.  Maybe it's the soft background which is brand new in the Occassions Mini Catalog?  It's called Fine Flourish and it's so beautiful.  Then when you pair it with these fun Butterflies I think it makes it even more delicate.  The butterflies are from a new Embosslits Die called Beautiful Wings by Stampin' Up!  So love it. Everything on this card is Very Vanilla except for one piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock piece.  I also used the Tiny Tags stamp set and Tiny Tag punch.  The border is from the new Sale-a-Bration punch called Scallop Trim Border.  You can make this fun border around your cardstock layers when you use the Scallop Trim Corner punch with that cool Border punch.  Yee Haw! Love it. 

These butterfly tags were made using that same new Embosslits.  I made these when I was home stamping with my mom.  Something I already miss.  My mom is so fun to stamp with.  She is a great stamper and we giggle together over our creations and boy can we make a MESS.  My dad would just walk by and shake his head and then look at us and acknowledge our "beautiful" creations. Even if it wasn't pretty, he said it was.  Kinda like when I was a teenager and I came out of my room with blue eyeshadow and stirrup pants.  He just said, "Beautiful".  ROFL.  And GET THIS… did you know those stirrup pants are back in style?  I am "totally" going to get some.  It's a must.  May help with my "I'm turning 40 soon, crisis!" 

I guess it's time for me to go to bed.  I'm babbling and my arm is killing me from all the stamping I have been doing lately. 

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.