Instead of doing the same ole treat I switched it up and created a little treat for Halloween.  My poor kids are so confused with the holidays right now.  Alexis does NOT understand why I am creating for Halloween so soon.  Brandon thinks Christmas is next month!  So funny!

Okay, here it is…

Ready to create? Watch my video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CjCQsmY1PI

Materials List:

Stamps: Wicked Fun

Ink: Basic Black

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Naturals Ivory, DSP Wicked Fun Specialty #117400

Accessories: Decorative Label punch (Holiday Mini), Glimmer Brads (SO fun, coming in the Holiday Mini), Markers: Tangerine Tango, Concord Crush, Basic Black, Vintage Trinkets, 1 1/4 Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Border Scallop punch, Chocolates at Costco…

In other news, I am trying to get my kids ready for school.  You know the drill- haircuts, school clothes and school supplies.  Tonight as I put my boy to bed we had a deep chat.  More like another life lesson.  I have to admit that I love bedtime because it seems to be the time my kids really open up and chat.  Probably because they don't want to go to bed! Tonight's conversation was so sweet.  It was all about making new friends.  He's nervous and misses his friends in Colorado.  I wiped away little tears tonight and shed my big tears later.  Again, this will all be water under the bridge soon.  Friends will be made and we will laugh about all this soon. With our other moves the kids were smaller and meeting new friends was all relative.  Now that they're a little older this is a HUGE issue.  I'm excited for the school year to start so they can meet new buddies.  I think the first day of school will be memories like their first day of Kindergarten.  Bittersweet.  I'll be nervous for them myself. 

Enjoy the video and we'll meet up again in a few days-possibly tomorrow if I can get myself together. 

First I want to share some techniques that we did last week in my stamp room.  There are so many techniques out there and you have probably seen all of these!  My customers really enjoyed them and a few of them  even made them do the famous, "Wow, Wee!"  I love hearing that.  <giggle!>

Brayer & Stencils:

We "tried" to use the brayer over the stencil, but honestly I thought the sponge and dauber worked better and looked better.  We ditched the brayer for this technique but we did come back to it for another one.  I love using the stencils.  They are so beautiful and I love to take the stencil and then stamp within the stencil.  The stencil acts as a mask.  I used my favorite stamp set Define Your Life. 

Emerging Color

This technique is so fun!  It really gives the WOWSER effect!

I used Glossy Cardstock from Stampin' Up!  Don't use photo paper!  It does not work.  Stamp the Medallion onto the Glossy Cardstock twice with two different colors.  Heat set with your Heat Tool.  Clean the Medallion stamp set and ink it up with VersaMark.  Stamp over the two previously stamped Medaillion images.  Pour Clear Embossing Powder over the image and heat.  Using a Brayer, brayer over the entire cardfront in a dark ink.  I used Not Quite Navy.  Wipe off excess ink from Embossed Image.  It's a beautiful, fun technique.  Embellish the card as you want.

I have two more techniques that I will share tomorrow.  Make sure to come back. 

Here are a few fun pics of our weekend.  Thanks for letting me share my family with you. 

Russ is back to his daily grind and we start our's tomorrow.  I miss him already but at the end of the week we will meet up again on a BIG BAD BOAT! We are leaving Friday for our Southern Caribbean Cruise!  YIPPIE! Russ has signed me up for a Zip line.  If you hear screaming from a far away island… it's ME!  I am SO not adventurous.  I like a pool, iPod and a chair.  That's it! Well, enough gabbing.  It's time for bed and another big day tomorrow. 

I hope you had a GREAT weekend. 

Good things come with patience!  I know this has been a highly requested tutorial and I have delivered at a snails pace.  Sometimes my little chaotic life gets in the way.  <sigh> 

I loved this class because I was able to show how you can use the Glassine Bags in a new fashion.  You can view the TUTORIAL  by clicking HERE!  I would love to see your modifications to this little book.  So please share a link so we can see!  The possibilities are endless!

Enjoy your Easter weekend!  Big Stampin' Hugs!

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!

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!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=28OzGjSljgc

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 can’t tell you how much I love Halloween stuff!  I just think there are so many fun things you can stamp for Halloween.  I know not everyone digs it as much as me, but one of my classes I did the end of September and beginning of October was my all time FAVORITE!  This class was not only fun, but has the most unique box.  My friend Christy and I get together monthly to work on a class series that we named "A Trip to…"  Each month we have researched our project and come up with what we think is fun and unique.  Christy is my box guru.  I can give the girl a sketch and she just goes a mile further than I could ever think.  This box is my all time favorite.  This class to go is one I think you will love making and has more possibilities than just a Tombstone!

This tombstone holds 4 cards and 4 envelopes.  It’s a fun gift for anyone.  It uses the Graveyard Gala and From the Crypt stamp set.  Two of my favorites this year in our catalog. 

Class to Go Kit:  $8.95

 This class has a 14 page PDF of instructions to make the box and 4 cards inside the box for $8.95.  If you would like to purchase this class to go, click the Buy Now button below!  I think you will enjoy this fun class!

Once you have purchased the class please allow up to 24 hours for me to send the PDF.  Most of the time I am very quick to get your PDF to you. 

Have a FABULOUS week!

Holy Cow!  It’s a MESS in my stamp room.  I have been a crazy woman getting ready for multiple events this past week.  I have a few things to show you today.  I have to admit that I’ve been happy as a lark since I am stamping.  When I stamp-I smile! 

Let me show you what I’m making to get my desk this messy! 

These are completely inspired by Shelli Gardner!  I love halloween and I love stamping halloween projects.  Last week when I was at the Advisory Board Retreat I was blessed with a wonderful dinner at Shelli’s home.  I am still speechless over the experience.  It really was amazing.  The best part I loved was Sterlings Dutch Oven dinner.  It was so yummy!  The other thing I loved was seeing the Halloween displays that Shelli had around her home.  It was heavenly for me.    Each of the Board members were given a beautiful bag of things Shelli loved.  I will covet this forever and ever.  Everything inside was amazing.  Once again, the best part was a Halloween ornament that was tied around the bag.  I love how Shelli stamps because it’s just my style.  So my little gum wrappers are completely inspired by her creativity.  I will make a video this week on how to make these great gum wrappers.  They are just so fun.

I haven’t used my fabulous Chunky Glitter in awhile.  I cut the stars using my Sizzix Die Cut Stars #2 (113461) and Long Board (114320).  Then I cut my black cardstock while I was cutting the chipboard.   I embossed the black cardstock using the From the Crypt stamp set (115460) and clear embossing powder.  I loved how this turned out.  The star is laying on top of an Oval Sizzix Die Cut (114525) and layered with Lovely Lilac cardstock.  I then embossed the Web Wheel (115666) onto the Lovely Lilac cardstock using Black Craft ink and Clear embossing powder.  I took the star and used Crystal Effects around the edges and dipped it into my Chunky Essentials Glitter (108797).  I let that dry a minute.  I made a yo yo (love that name) using the Cast a Spell DSP (115677) and then placed it onto the star and placed a banner over it using a Pop Up Glue Dot.  I used Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) for the sentiment on the banner. 

I will do a video on two techniques this week on how to make these cute Halloween treats for your kiddo’s.  I know mine love them.  Super simple too. 

I’m off to a big event this weekend.  We are Stampin’ for a Cure!  Each year myself and my demonstrators in the area do a big fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness.  My goal is to raise $4000 this weekend.  We have a ton planned.  Lots of stamping and lots of giveaways.  I can’t wait.  Wish us luck in our fight against breast cancer. 

Have a fabulous weekend. 

 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. 

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!

The texture really pops on this card.  Tonight I had my Big Shot School.  We do four projects and really use every type of die known to Sizzix.  I try to give my customers as much info in a couple hours as I can of all the great uses they can do with this fab machine.  One of the best dies I think is just a MUST have is the Top Note die cut.  You can make every animal face, body as well as boxes!  Another thing my friends learned tonight was a how to turn this great Top Note Die into a Medallion or Circle with cool Design!  Not really sure what to call this, but I like it.  All I did was cut the original Top Note and then continue to die cut the same top note by lining up the points and turning the Top Note each time.  I think I ran the same Top Note through 4-5 times until I got the desired look.  Really fun. 

Now, about that texture!  This new embossing folder is just the bomb!  It’s called Final Press.  This is a Stampin’ Up! exclusive and it’s so pretty.  Here is a quick run down on how I made this card:

1. Stamp Medallion stamp in the corner onto Kraft cardstock using Bashful Blue ink.  (WOW that looked so nice to me!!!) 

2. Using Final Press Embossing Folder, emboss Bashful Blue cardstock (2 x 5 1/2).  Wrap Bashful Blue Taffetta Ribbon around card and tie in a pretty bow. 

3. Using Circle #2 Die Cut, die cut large circle.  Run through Final Press Embossing Folder. 

4. Using Kraft cardstock, die cut using the Top Note die to get the Medallion looking thingy I did.  See dircetions above. 

5. Using Bashful Blue cardstock and Stampin’ Up! Thanks embosslit, die cut the Thanks embosslit and attach a silver brad on each side of Thanks.  Using Bashful Blue ink, lightly sponge over the embosslit and the Large Circle.  Attach all elements using dimensionals. 

Those were pretty brief instructions, but I hope you get to make one yourself.  You just have to touch that wonderful texture.  I love it. 

Continuing on the Medallion mission I’m on, here is another card I have for you!

This card I used the Medallion stamp with Old Olive ink on the Cottage Wall DSP.  You can see it but I did add a little sparkle of dazzling diamonds on the little circles.  So fun and bling blingie!  This card uses the Stampin’ Up! HI Embosslit and the New Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details Textruz Plate.  Another new fav of mine. 

You may not believe this but I seriously have about 4 more projects with this stamp coming your way.  I just finished a scrapbook page with it.  SAY it isn’t SO!

It’s off to bed for me now.  It’s been a crazy creative day.  This brain needs a little rest a roo!