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. 

This is a paper bag album made with the Glassine Bags.  I wrapped a piece of the Sweet Pea DSP around the bottom edge of 4 Glassine bags and then sewed a straight stitch along the edge so all the bags would stay together.  After that it was a free for all with embellishing.  Using the Friendly Words jumbo wheel, I wheeled the front cover and then added cardstock pieces on the inside of each Glassine Bag to give it more stability.  The ends are embellished with lots of punches.  I love using my punches and accessories to add wow to a project.  Of course there are lots of fun buttons, too. 

Today, this is my favorite project.  I will use this paper bag album to put pictures of my kids.  I can pop the pictures in the Glassine Bag pockets and journal on the cardstock.   I hope this inspires you to pull out your Glassine Bags and make something unique with them.  They are such a great product. 

Have a wonderful week!

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!

Here is one card Brandon will receive:

I love these "Extreme" stamp sets in the catalog.  You can find them on page 80.  The Guitar was perfect for Brandon.  He loves Guitar Hero!  It's a pretty simple card, but honestly I didn't need to impress my sweet 8 year old.  The inside of the card is what will mean a ton.  I put a picture of Russ inside so that Brandon can keep it with him.  <smile>  So what else did I use on this card?  Below you will find a list of supplies:

Supplies: Scallop Square Sizzix Die Cut, Modern Label Punch, Extreme Elements stamp set, Extreme Guitar, Chocolate Chip and Real Red ink, Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Real Red cardstock, Gold Brads

I'm still learning the new computer.  Now that I have my photoshop for this computer I am really cooking with GAS!  The next two weeks are pretty busy here.  Classes and workshops for the next two weeks.  I have lots of class stuff to post soon.  I am a little giddy about my stamp camp coming up.  Fun projects.  Yippie!

Hope your week is fantastic! 

My share tonight is what I made for my kids teachers.  I got this amazing idea from Jen del Muro.  I loved the way she used the Glassine Envelopes.  Super cute and this idea can be changed for any holiday.  

I hope your weekend is filled with lots of love!  Happy Valentines Day!

I've been busy the last few days getting my classes/workshops ready for the month.  Lots of stamping happening here.  I've also continued with my mission to make my honey a few Valentines.  One product I had on hand and have not played with NEAR enough are the Wood Sheets.  I used these in my club last month and I really liked them.  Check out this card:

I cut the wood sheets using the Clear Circle (114533) and the Chocolate Chip cardstock with the Scallop Circle (113468)  Die cut.  Before putting the Wood sheet onto the cardstock I stamped with Chocolate Chip ink using the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.  Then I used the Heart Punch and punched the heart so I could fit one of those cute Heart Treat Cups (120435) inside.  Fits PERFECT!  There is still time to get those awesome little cups.  I put some M&M's inside the Heart Treat Cup.  I tied a bow using Chocolate Chip Tafetta ribbon and then added a small tag using the Jewelry Tag punch and the new stamp set Tiny Tags (118091) .  I think I should make my kids something like this for Valentines.  Hmmmm…

Speaking of the kids!  Tonight we spent two hours working on Valentines.  I love, love the age of my kids right now.  They say the funniest things. My son told me tonight that he has a crush on two girls.  He was making their Valentines extra special.  Remember, he's in third grade!  What was funny was how he told me this crush was "serious" because he new the girls "MIDDLE" names.  Oh boy! That's SERIOUS!  <giggle> 

I hope your week is starting off great.  If you are snowed in, stamp something pretty. 

I'm completely focused on finishing up my mission for Russ with these Valentine cards.  Here is another one I finished. 

This card uses a lot of the Simply Scappin' Kit Love Sparkles.  I used the die cut stickers on the background of the Chocolate Chip Textured Cardstock and I loved how these stickers really stand out on the card in real life.  Hard to grasp it in the picture.  The Scallop Trim border punch is from Sale-a-Bration.  Love that punch.  I also added a Pink Corduroy button with linen thread because I felt it needed it.  LOL!

Pretty simple card.  It's what's on the inside that he will care about! <wink>

Have a FABULOUS DAY!

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!

My Alexis LOVES to play with Stampin' Up! boxes.  Believe me, there are plenty that make it through my door.  She loves to decorate them, and color them. She had a friend over on Sunday and her and the friend were playing with the boxes.  They were using their imagination and making a cool club house.  I thought it was awesome.  Just a few minutes later I heard screaming.  It was Alexis!  The friend was poking a hole through the box using CHILD SAFE scissors and Alexis was on the other end of the hole.  The scissors poked her eye.  OUCH!  The nurse in me FROZE!  (yes, I was a nurse prior to Stampin' Up!)  I could see blood in her eye and that scared me.  We dropped everything and went to the ER.  I am so thankful I had a girlfriend  working in the ER that night.  Not only did she make my little girl calm she made me calm.  I needed that. {I love you Lisa!}  Long story short, Alexis is going to be fine.  She did lacerate the sclera of the eye (white part of your eye).  It's still looks awful.  Her vision is fine.  Thank God!  All this craziness happened on Sunday!  Monday was a day of going to see an eye Dr. What a MESS!  Again, I am just thankful she is okay.  Poor Russ.  Nothing is worse than hearing the frenzy over a phone. I kept him in the know at all times but I know it still hurt not being here.  For me, his calming voice was like a GIANT prozac pill.  Of course, that is typically what he does for me.  <sigh>

That's a mouthfull of information tonight, wasn't it.  Guess what Alexis taught at school yesterday?  Scissor SAFTEY!  <smile>

So tonight I am sitting quietly in my stamp room listening to music being a little thankful for many of the stamping friends in my life.  One talked to me for hours during the day and the other in the wee hours of the morning.  Ahhhh…. Took my mind to other fun places.  

  Let me show you a few things I have created! 

Remember I am on a mission to send Russ lots of Valentine cards.  I am so proud of myself.  This card uses a few stamps and a Stencil!  I used the Love U stencils.  Did you know there are 7 stencils in this set?  WOW.  All for 14.95!  I love that. 

Look at all these stencils you get in the pack:

I just laid the stencil down on my Kraft cardstock and then used a Real Red Craft pad and a sponge dauber and colored inside the stencil.  Since I used Craft ink I let it dry for a little bit and then I started embellishing.  I stamped over the stencil with the Bella Toile background stamp set with Creamy Caramel ink to give the area a little something somthin'.  I likey!  I added other little embellishments like a button (big surprise!) and then a few of those fun chocolate brads.  yummo!  Don't forget to give it a little spritz with shimmer mist.  Love those Shimmer Paints!!!

Remember a few days ago I mentioned I was having my big Diva night?  I've been asked what this is all about.  It's a special night of stamping for demonstrators on my team that have worked really hard in the last quarter.  I make dinner for them (they survived, yeah) and then we stamp all night.  Those crazy ladies kept me up until 2:30am.  I made them each a little goodie bag with this tag attached.  I love my entire team.  They are VERY special! The designer paper on this tag came from the Simply Scrappin' Kit called Love Sparkles.  Fun Scrappin' kit!  I love the little gems that come from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit.  If you get bored you can put one on your cheek bone and pretend to be Lady Gaga for a moment.  Ahhhh… I digress. 

Well that's my news for this Tuesday night.  I've got a lot of stamping to get done since none was done the last two days.  It's time to get busy!

Have a great week.  If you have kids, teach them SCISSOR SAFTEY!!!! 

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.