Flowers Abound!

It truly is amazing what a person can do with the Big Shot, Stampin' Up!'s Flower Folds die, a hot glue gun, buttons and left over material. I must have made at least 25 of these before Christmas that I used as gifts for practically everyone! When all is said and done, you can either glue a hair pin to the back of the flower (for younger girls and women) to wear in their hair, or a broach pin (for women my age or older) to wear on their coats or sweaters. Mom lucked out this year, she got two; a black and white and a green and maroon. Lucky mom! She deserves one in every color, really.

Josie

Christmas Tile

My third post today is of this holiday tile I made for a friend. I used last year's ribbon because I have a ton of it. This is a small tile, 3" x 3", but with a bigger stencil of the ornament, it also looks great on a larger tile as well. These are simple to make, they only take a few minutes and are easy to mass produce. I think I'll do a class on these sometime within the next few weeks. Of course, we won't be using Christmas ornaments on our tiles, but none the less, it will be fun. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for looking!

Josie

Cards for Mom

Last Christmas, I sent my mom a box of handmade cards that she could use through out the year. She loved them, because it saved her money and time going to the store to purchase a card every time she needed one. (Mom is good at sending cards.) Well, she told me a few months ago that she needed more so I've been busy making her a new set of All Occasion greeting cards. Here's one from the bunch. It is a sympathy card. Unfortunately at her age shes needs these a lot. Sympathy and Birthday cards are what she uses most. So here you go, Mom. One of the many in the next batch you'll be getting soon.

Josie

Oooops! I Did it Again!

Okay, so it has been over a month since I've been here last. A friend ever so gently reminded me that I haven't updated my blog since Thanksgiving. I have been really busy with work and getting ready for the holidays that something had to go on the back burner, and unfortunately it was this. But it doesn't mean I haven't been creating, I just haven't posted it here.

The first thing I want to share is a little card set that I just recently made as a shower prize for a friend's baby shower. They are little 3 x 3 cards and a box. I used the Together Forever stamp set, Forever Flowers wheel and Fundamental Phrases. The paper is Kraft, Melon Mambo, and Whisper White. This was easy and fun to make and I hope you like it.

Josie

Thanksgiving Card

Okay, so I am feeling waaaaay guilty for not posting anything in such a long time. That doesn't mean I haven't been stamping and creating a lot of beautiful stuff. This is a card that was designed by a friend, Stacy, for a breast cancer awareness fundraiser that was held last month. Thanksgiving is only a week away, and before the holiday passed I thought I'd better get it on here.

Paper colors are Whisper White, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, and Soft Suede, and So Safron. Ink colors are Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Dusty Durango.

I used the Sanded background stamp on the Old Olive strip and the So Saffron was texturized using the Big Shot.

If you need any more information on this card, just drop me an email. Hopefully, my next post will be in the next week or so with all of my Christmas ideas for cards and gifts.

Take Care,

Josie

Medallion Stamp...Again!

I LOVE this stamp. I think it is sooooo beautiful and this gift set I made using it turned out really well. Don't you think so too? I can't take total credit for the design. My friend Holle made me a set of these cards a while ago. The only difference is she didn't cut out the medallion and use dimensionals to mount it on the card stock. She simply stamped the image on the card front. I also added the box with the half back pearl from Stampin' Up!'s Pretties kit. I made a set of these for my friend's 50th birthday, and I think it will be what some of my family members get for Christmas. Black was appropriate for her turning 50, agree? :) It was my turn to get back at her for when I turned 50 two years ago. I had everyone on staff at work wear black that day. It was fun. And of course we had a nice big cake decorated in black frosting with a huge 50 on it. Pay back is fun, especially when you are on the giving end!

If you have any questions about this card, send an email to the address under my photo. I'll be happy to answer them.

Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Holiday Mini Catalog is HERE!!!

Once again, I am behind the power curve. The new HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG is here. It went into effect on September 1st. It has some really awesome stuff in it. I want it all! I've posted both the catalog and the supply list (thus two photos of the catalog.) I really love the SERENE SNOWFLAKES stamp set and the CHRISTMAS COCOA SPECIALTY Designer Series Paper. I'll have a post with it soon. I am in the mood for some Christmas stamping and that is just what I've been doing. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the things I've made yet, but I will soon. So keep an eye out!

Josie :)

Medallion Wedding

I need a card for a wedding next weekend, and my Medallion stamp arrived this week sooooo.... this is what I came up with. The gold embossing and Very Vanilla card stock coordinate with the bride's wedding invitations. (They were vanilla colored and printed in gold ink.) I tried adding one of the hat pins from the Pretties Kit but the ribbon wasn't sturdy enough to hold it after I added all of the beads so I took it off. I figured it would just cost more to mail with the pin on it anyway.

Thanks for stopping by!

Josie

Trendy Earrings

Won't this add a twist to my sister's jewelry making? I got her started on making jewelry a few years ago and I created a monster. She refuses to get involved with stamping because she knows she'll become addicted to it, too. Well, this is the first pair of earrings I've made since I started stamping 2-1/2 years ago. I got the inspiration for them at Convention during one of the General Sessions. Why don't I ever think of this stuff? Anyway, they were really easy to make and if you want the directions, just shoot me an email. Hope you like them and thanks for stopping by.

Josie

This little Altoids tin...

This little Altoids tin was supposed to be my business card holder once I got it finished, but guess what? The business cards are a hair too long for it. Talk about the best laid plans...and I thought I'd be saving myself some money by not buying an expensive holder. It is just like me to not think things all the way through. So I had to quickly decide what I could do with this once I learned my cards wouldn't fit in it. It would make a cute little paper clip holder for my desk, don't you think?

It was so easy to do. I traced the top and bottom of the box on DSP and cut them out. I used sticky strip to adhere them to the tin. Then I cut a half inch strip to go around the bottom of the box, just below the hinges in the back. I again used stick strip to adhere this. I sanded the edges on the bottom with a sander. Then I used sticky strip to adhere the ribbon around the edges of the top. I cut out flowers from the dsp and stuck them on using dimensionals, added a pearl to the top one and used card stock for the leaves. I used the Tea Party dsp, almost amethyst card stock, rose 1/4" ribbon, dimensionals, sticky strip, and a pearl from the Petty's Kit. It will make a nice desk top accessory.

I still need a card holder for my business cards! I guess I'll have to get one of those expensive ones...darn. :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Friendship Card & One Convention Photo

Here is a photo of me sitting at one of the reserved demonstrator tables at Stampin' Up!'s home office in Riverton. I felt special because I've never been any where and found a reserved table for me! Stampin' Up! really treats its demonstrators like members of the family. Of all the direct sales companies I've ever worked for, I've never had one make me feel like I really matter, until I found Stampin' Up! It is nice to know that they aren't only concerned with what I can do for them. They are genuinely concerned with what they can do for me as a demonstrator too.

The other photo is of a card I made with the Wings of Friendship hostess set from Stampin' Up! I love this stamp set because there are so many things you can do with it. You can cut out the flowers and bird wing and pop them up, add glitter, or even color the bird, flowers and flourish different colors with the stampin' write markers for a totally different effect. Here I went totally monochromatic using the tone on tone technique. I used tempting turquoise and very vanilla paper and ink, along with a piece of very vanilla taffeta ribbon. I added a little dazzling diamonds glitter here and there and...voila! A beautiful card for my best friend.

I really like the tone on tone technique. It takes little thought and I think it looks so elegant. You know the old saying, less is more, and the older I get the more I believe that.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...

Josie

Back from Convention

I arrived back from convention Sunday evening after a week of fun and excitement in Salt Lake City, UT. This was my first Stampin Up! convention and definitely not my last! I've only been home a little over 24 hours and I have already marked next year's convention on my calendar.

Convention was a fun-filled learning experience where I forged new friendships that I know will last forever. I hardly knew the two ladies I traveled with at the start of our nine hour road trip from Colorado Springs, but by the end I felt like I'd known them forever. I also met and became friends with my 3rd room mate who is originally from Iceland but now lives in Hawaii.

Convention started with an early wake up on Wednesday so we could all get over to the convention center for the opening of Memento Mall. We waited in line for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours but once inside we learned it was definitely worth the wait. Later Wednesday afternoon we visited Stampin Up!'s Riverton campus for a self guided tour of the facility. Everyone was very kind and welcoming. On the way back to SLC we made a side trip to IKEA. I'd been to IKEA before when I was stationed in Germany in the 80's but hadn't been to one since. It brought back excellent memories and...great prices! Got a lot of nice organizational items for my stamping office.

Thursday morning started with another early wake up so we would get good seats for the Opening General Session of the convention. The excitement continued to escalate until the doors for the first general session finally opened at 7:45 a.m. to 3,000 pumped up women. As we made our way to our seats, music continued to play until Shelli Gardner made her first appearance on stage at 8:30. There was dancing in the aisles and much singing and laughter as we awaited her arrival. It was hard not to get caught up in all of the excitement

Friday and Saturday was much of the same and I was sad to see convention end on Saturday afternoon.

I got home about 6:00 p.m on Sunday evening and spent yesterday unpacking, catching up on laundry, working on my stamping business and getting some much needed sleep.

I've posted photos of the long line for Memento Mall. I'll post more photos as the week progresses.

Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Convention Swap and Gifts

I've never been to a Stampin' Up! Convention, but people tell me to go armed with gifts for room mates, swaps and business cards. So...these are what I came up with. I hope they're good enough and people will want to swap with me. I had fun making these, but I do detest remaking the same card over and over and over.

For the top note box I used retired dsp and cs and I hope that is okay. The color is pacific point and the dsp is Morning Sunshine. I have tons of retired paper that I need to get rid of. Of course I used the top note die for the Big Shot.

The card stock for the card is whisper white and regal rose (one of my favorite pinks). I used the Backgrounds 1 texturz plate for the background on the white and white satin ribbon. I think it is pretty and was quite pleased with myself that I thought this up all on my own.

Any questions? Please email me.

Thanks for looking.

Josie

The Bride and Groom

Mixed Feelings

Ican't believe time has flown by so quickly and that it has been more than 2 months since my last post. I find myself with mixed feelings because summer vacation is almost over for me as I go back to work in two weeks. We start school before Labor Day in Colorado. My feelings are mixed because I'm disappointed that I didn't get as much stamping done as planned, but I also feel proud that I've accomplished a great deal this summer.

I got out of school the second to last week of May. My mom arrived to help finish the final details for my daughter's wedding which took place on June 20th. She stayed with us for a month. Mom and I baked approximately 8 dozen of 13 different kinds of cookies for the wedding. Definitely a regional tradition for weddings. I hail from northeastern Ohio and cookies at weddings aren't usually done in Colorado. Everyone that attended enjoyed the "dessert bar" and the owners of the reception hall said they are seriously considering adding such a thing to their list of items provided. I told them I was definitely NOT INTERESTED in providing that service for them! :)

It rained the day of the wedding, but I believe it was my dad who passed away 5 years ago, crying for joy on his only granddaughter's ( his little princess) wedding day. The ceremony was beautiful, if I do say so myself. I haven't seen two people so deeply in love and passionate about each other in a long time. The date of the wedding would also have been my parent's 56th wedding anniversary and the officiant did a wonderful job in bringing us all to tears as he wove that event into his talk on this special day.

The week after the wedding was activity packed as I had 10 house guests staying with us. We did a lot of sight seeing locally and even managed to get in some white water rafting on the Arkansas River. That was something I had always wanted to do, and if it weren't for my young and adventurous niece and nephew, it probably wouldn't have happened. But feeling it was part of my duty to participate as a good host, my husband and I participated int he event. It was pretty scary at first getting the safety briefing. I even remember literally crying and saying "I don't want to do this!" But I caved to peer pressure and, let me tell you...I'd do it again in a heart beat!. In the photo, I am the one sitting in the second row in the middle between my husband and daughter, holding on tightly. I opted not to row. I am glad I had the option. My daughter almost fell out. The water was frigid, but it was a BLAST!

A week after company left, I flew home to Ohio for a week to spend with my sister and Mom who had just returned from Colorado. (We have a very close family connection.) I got to visit my other nephew's new child, Gino, who is only 4 months old. I can't get over how much he looks like his daddy and I cried when I held him. I got in a good rest after all of the other activities just in time to get home and...

redecorate my daughter's old bedroom. I turned it into my stamping room. If you've ever stripped wallpaper, and ripped up wall-to-wall carpeting, you know how much work it was to get started. It took about a week to complete from beginning to end. I repainted it, added a few of Stampin Up!'s home decore to the walls, got myself a flat screen tv and a new leather love seat. My hubby and I find ourselves fighting over who gets to watch tv in there at night. The love seat is for him to keep me company while I sit in my stamping chair.

It was only this week that I actually got to sit at my desk and make a few things which I'll post in another entry today. I wanted to let you guys know what my summer has been like and to apologize for neglecting this thing that I love...stamping.

Oh, and next week I'm going to Stampin' Up!'s convention in Utah. The week after I return I head back to work for another fun filled school year!

Josie

P.S. I've added some pics of the happy bride and groom and white water rafting.

Scalloped Card Box/Drawer

Some of you have emailed me asking for directions for the scalloped card box/drawer that is pictured in my Mother's Day gift set post using the Cheep Talk stamp set. Sorry it has taken me so long to do this. The end of the school year is almost here and I've been super busy with end of year activities and making wedding favors. But here they are, and if you have any questions feel free to email me again.

Card Stock You Will Need:

2 Pieces @ 6” x 6 5/8” – both scored at 1” and 5 5/8” (6 5/8” side). This will be the part the drawer slides into.

1 Piece @ 9 7/8” x 8 ½” – scored at 1”, 2”, 6 ½”,& 7 ½” (8 ½” side) - scored at 1”, 6 7/8” & 7 7/8” (9 7/8” side) This is the drawer

1. Score all your Card Stock as directed above. To orient you, the drawer is the 9 7/8” x 8 ½” piece. The box consists of the two 6 x 6 5/8” pieces. A half circle punch is used at one end of the drawer to add a small opening to pull out the drawer.

2. On the opposite side of the “half-circle”, you are going to punch the eyelet border using the eyelet border punch along the ENTIRE side! This will end up being the fold over part of the drawer. Using this punch upside right gives you the best punches possible and enables an easy clean up. Move the paper along until the scallops line up – the silver will show through.

Josie

Manhattan Flower Texturz Die

I don't know what I ever did before without the Big Shot. I love that thing! My husband gave it to me as a Christmas gift and it is one of the best things he has ever given me.

I also love all of the "stuff" that goes with it, especially the Manhattan Flower Texturz Die. I got the idea for these cards from another blog that I follow on occasion, but of course, I modified them.

I used the Oval All stamp set along with the scallop oval punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog to add the sentiments. These are stamped in black ink.

I got the ribbon from the same catalog; the 5/8" satin ribbon on page 17. I love that ribbon too! It is beautiful.

The pattern for the folder is an old "stand by" from a few years back. I sponged the folder flowers with ink, then I rubbed versa mark on them, sprinkled with a little Iridescent Ice, heat embossed with my heating tool and...voila! I don't like how the sentiment on the folder turned out...I should have removed it before photographing, but sometimes with my schedule, I'm lucky I even get something stamped and photographed, let alone on the blog.

I used paper and ink from the Soft Subtles family and vellum paper in the die.

I hope you like what I've done and...

Thank you for visiting my blog. :)

Josie

Cute Mother's Day Gift

Enough of the wedding stuff for awhile. It is time to take a break from getting ready for my daughter's wedding, although I still have about 40 wedding favors to complete. I was getting tired of the same color paper and ink (Perfect Plum) so I decided to take some time to make a gift for my mom for Mother's Day. Actually, I made two and used one as a shower prize for one of the games we played at the Bridal Shower last weekend. It is a boxed set of four cards using the Cheep Talk stamp set.

I have to admit that I cased the set from anotherStampin Up! demonstrator but modified each to suit me.

Hope you like what you see. If you want directions for anything, let me know. Just send me an email and I'd be happy to help you out if I can.

Thanks for stopping by!

Josie

More Wedding Stuff

Seems like lately all of my time is either working on wedding stuff or grading papers. Papers seem to reproduce in the dark. But I finally made it to the bottom of the stack and I won't have anymore for a few days. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, though. Only 3 1/2 weeks of school left, and I'll be finished for the summer. But I'm not counting the days or anything! ;)

My daughter's bridal shower was this past Sunday and everyone seemed to have a good time. I thought I'd show you the shower favors I made using the new window sheets, scallop oval punch, Oval All stamp set and satin ribbon in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I also used the Pillow Box die for the Big Shot and Perfect Plum Designer Paper. They turned out nicely, even if I do say so myself. I only made 25 of them and they were quick and easy, which was VERY nice! I filled them with the pastel colored M & M's that usually come out around Easter. So here's a picture of them. I hope you like them. If I can get a good photo of the banner I made for the shower, I'll post it tomorrow. Until then...

Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Wedding Plans

I know it has been a long time since my last post...almost a month. It isn't because I haven't been doing anything. I just recently finished making approximately 165 wedding invitations for my daughters June wedding. Of course, along with that came 165 response cards as well. They were finally mailed about a week ago and the responses are already coming back.

I had a lot of help with the invites and response cards towards the end. Both my daughter Jennifer AND her fiance Landon helped a great deal. We even had the best man here doing a little sponging as well. I knew there was a reason why I liked this guy Jennifer brought home almost 3 years ago. He was the first one that ever truly made a good impression.

Then last week was spring break at school so my sweet and wonderful husband took me to Hawaii for the week. We went to Oahu and Waikiki Beach. It was awesome and the weather was gorgeous. But my favorite part of Oahu was the north shore and snorkeling at Ma--HAMANA--HAMANA Bay(I don't remember the name...you know those Hawaiian names are hard to pronounce let alone remember). I'd never been snorkeling before and you know we are never too old to try new things. Sometimes the old body doesn't want to cooperate...you know how that goes. But we had an awesome time.

So, I guess I should post some pics of the trip and I will as soon as they are downloaded. To be honest, I'm surprised I'm even posting; it seems like I can't get enough sleep since returning. But I will post photos of the wedding invites. I am really pleased with how they turned out.

Here is what I used to make them:

STAMP SET: Baroque Motifs and Lovely Letters
PAPER: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Very Vanilla, and vellum for the words inside the invitation.
INK: Perfect Plum
ACCESSORIES: Ivory colored taffeta ribbon from Michael's, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/8 " Circle Punch and 1/16" Circle Punch
TECHNIQUES: Sponging on practically everything.

Springtime Priceless

This is a little springtime card I recently made for a shoe box swap that I will be attending. My friend, Kim, is being kind enough to allow me to attend her demo meetings, even though I'm not part of her down line. She lives close by and since my up line is no longer my up- line, Kim has been kind enough to help me out. The theme for Kim's demo meeting/swap is Spring and I thought this fit the bill. I love these colors together, especially the pink and green. I also really like this stamp set, especially the swirly part. Here is what I used to make this card.

STAMP SETS: Priceless and Happy Everything

PAPER: So Saffron, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White

INK: So Saffron, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, and Basic Black

ACCESSORIES: Dazzling Diamonds glitter, silver brad

Occasions Mini Catalog

Hey Everyone!

Guess what? You guys now have the opportunity to order from the Occasions Mini Catalog, even though it doesn't really come into effect until April 1. If you click on the pic of the catalog to the left, you will be able to download a limited amount of products in time to get ready for Easter. That is AWESOME if you ask me.

So, check it out and if you find anything you like, click on my Stampin' Up! link at the top of the page to place your order. Remember, for ANY on line order you can get a FREE Idea Book and Catalog. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!!!!!!!!

Have a great day and thank you for stopping by!

Josie

Spring Time Polka Dots

Here are two more cards I made recently. Sometimes I just impress myself!!! ;) What I really should be doing with my free time is finishing my daughters wedding invitations. They need to be mailed in two weeks. But if there is one thing I can't stand, it is mass producing the same card over and over and over and over and...! Know what I mean?

I love this stamp set and these colors together. The card on the left is going to be sent to my nephew and his wife. They are expecting their first baby any day now. The thing I like most about the Congrats stamp set is that it is versatile. The card on right will be going to a co-worker who will be retiring this year after 30 years of teaching...in the same school no less. I had the privilege of sharing a classroom with this gentleman when I was first hired at the same school. It was always a pleasure and honor to watch him teach as I arrived at the school with only 6 years of experience under my belt, and at the time he had 24. Talk about watching an expert at work and learning a lot of new tricks to the trade! Anyway, the dsp that goes with these stamp sets is adorable too.

Here is what I used.

STAMPS: Polka Dot Punches, Congrats

INK: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Delicate Dots DSP

PAPER: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, So Saffron

ACCESSORIES: So Saffron twill ribbon

Thanks for looking,

Josie

Crazy for Cupcakes Birthday Card

I've been hanging on to this photo for awhile and I don't know why. This is one of my favorite birthday stamp sets. We made it a few weeks ago at one of my workshops, and the ladies loved it.

This is what I used.

STAMP: Crazy for Cupcakes

INK: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pink Passion

PAPER: Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Whisper White, and Bella Rose DSP

ACCESSORIES: 5/8" chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, blender pens, dazzling diamonds glitter, horizontal slot punch.

Since chocolate chip is a very dark card stock, I used a piece of whisper white on the inside too. I just used the slit punch on the back half of the card and slid the white paper in so there would be a place to write.

Thanks for stopping by.

Josie

Priceless Gift Set

This is a gift set I made using the Priceless stamp set and Stampin'Up!'s in colors. They are little 3" by 3" cards that I cut out of Kraft card stock. The box is made from the same card stock, and the front, like the cards, is covered with a different color. I don't think the set looks too shabby, even if I do say so myself.

So here is everything I used.

Stamps: Priceless, Fresh Cuts

Paper: Kraft, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, and Whisper White

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, and Pink Pirouette.

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, and Pink Pioruette striped ribbon.

Hope you enjoy and thanks for visiting!

Josie

Spring Has Almost Sprung!

This is one of my favorite dies for the Big Shot. It is the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits Set. It is sooooo Spring-time-ey!!!

I also used the Sale-A-Bration Yummy stamp set. This would make an excellent Easter gift card holder, or even a cute holder for a springtime birthday gift.

If you need to know the exact dimensions, feel free to email me.

Have a wonderful day!

Josie

Another Valentine Idea

This is another Valentine idea. It can be used as either an M & M Candy (Fun Size) or gift card holder. Isn't it cute. I got this idea from another Stampin' Up! blogger/demonstrator. I think this is cute and simple.

STAMP SET: Love You Much

INK: Black, Pink Pirouette, and Kiwi Kiss for leaf.

PAPER: Whisper White and Pink Pirouette

ACCESSORIES: slit punch, Pink Pirouette stripped ribbon, scallop edge punch. Love You Much coordinating punch, blender pens.

DIRECTIONS: Cut a piece of whisper white card stock 8 1/2" x 4 1/4". Score at 3" & 6 1/4". Stamp the image using black ink, then use a blender pen to color in the word with pink pirouette.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Tres Chic Coasters

I know that this isn't a new idea, but I just love these coasters. And I get a lot of compliments on them too. I think I've made a set for everyone I know. They are the easiest thing to create, and very inexpensive. All you need is a set of 4 to 6 ceramic tiles that you can pick up at Lowe's or Home Depot. The next thing you need is black or brown Staz On ink and your stamp and have at it. I also bought some little round felt "thingies" that are sticky on one side to adhere to each of the corners on the reverse so the tile doesn't scratch the furniture. The Staz On ink doesn't wear off, even when the bottom of a cup or glass is wet, and it dries almost instantly after it has been stamped. They are perfect. Oh, the stamp I used is Stampin' Up!'s Tres Chic background stamp. Hope you like them!!

Yummy

Hey there!

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post and that's because I've been busy. I finally, after being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for 2 years, had my first workshop this past Saturday. This is a photo of my workshop door prize. It is a Kit Kat Bar wrapped in the Regal Rose DSP that is in the current Patterns Pack II that is a Level I hostess gift in the current catalog. I have to admit that I got this idea from my friend and trainer Kim . I went to one of her workshops in December and we did this with Christmas paper and stamp. So I thought, "Why not?" I also demonstrated this at my workshop. Of course I used the Yummy stamp set that is in the current Sale-A-Bration catalog, Regal Rose ink, Regal Rose Card Stock, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, and Stampin' Dimensionals. Oh...and don't forget the glitter; Dazzling Diamonds. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I can't remember what it is. I'm sure I'll remember as soon as I close out this post.

Until next time...

Josie

Love You Much Valentine Candle

Here is a Valentine candle I've recently made. I used the Love You Much stamp set with Riding Hood Red ink and striped ribbon. If you want directions on how to make one of these, send me an email. I'm giving slightly turned view of the candle so you can see the love birds and bow with flower better. This was quick and easy and that is why I like it.

Sale-A-Bration

WooooooHooooo! Sale-A-Bration starts today! I love Sale-A-Bration.

If you don't know what it is all about, here is the deal.

As a CUSTOMER, with every $50 you spend on StampinUp! product, you get one free item from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog. There is not limit on the number of free items you can earn.

When you HOST a workshop of at least $300 (before tax and shipping), you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward in addition to all of the regular hostess benefits!

During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who JOINS AS A DEMONSTRATOR can choose any stamp set-a value of up to $47.95-from our current Idea Book and Catalog. Plus, for a limited time, get 15% off the price of the Starter Kit!

What a deal, huh? Now you know why I LOVE SALE-A-BRATION!!!!

For more information, CLICK ON MY STAMPIN UP! LINK at the top of the page.

Now, here's a cute little set I made two weeks ago when I attended a workshop at my friend Kim's home. I hope she doesn't mind my posting it on my blog. If she does, I will remove it ASAP! But I just thought it was just too cute to not share. It uses the new Candy Lane DSP and the Love You Much Stamp Set which is in the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

Then the little yellow box is something I came up with one day last week. I took a sick day from work to go to a doctor's appointment, and while I was waiting around for the time to leave, I started playing in my stamp room. You could use it as a little gift box, or something like that.

For it I used the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set, Summer Sun card stock, along with Always Artichoke DSP from the Patterns Pack that was available at the end of last year. I also used the Sizzix Petal Card die and cut out five shapes for the box. It turned out okay. I'm not crazy about the colors. But if they were changed up, I think it would be a cute gift idea.

Anyway, that's what the pictures are. Until next time...

Happy Heart Valentine

Here's another cute little card I just recently made. Unfortunately, the DSP is retired, but I'm positive you could find a piece from the more recent Candy Lane DSP to substitute. I love this stamp set. I think it is sooooo cute.

Sorry about the shadow on the picture and if it isn't as clear as it could be. I am not a photographer, as you can very well see. Anyway, here's what I used to make this card.

STAMP SET: Happy Heart Day

PAPER: Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, and paper from Primary Colors Scrap Book Kit(Retired).

INK: Close to Cocoa

ACCESSORIES: Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Stampin Write markers in Pretty in Pink, Real Red, and Old Olive, Crimper

Valentine 3D

I know that it has been a long time since my last post, and if anyone out there is paying attention, I do apologize. Life has been busy. I went back to work after two wonderful weeks of Christmas Vacation and it has been non stop since. I did have today off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and finally got an opportunity to work on my stamping. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I needed to get something accomplished for my upcoming Stampin Up! party on Feb. 7. I've also been pretty busy working on Wedding Invitations for my daughter's wedding. I'm not anywhere near done with them, but a big part of them are started.

Anyway...

Sometimes I just impress myself!

Here's a cute little 3D project that can be used as either a gift card holder or as a pocket for a small cellophane bag of valentine conversation hearts for that special person in your life. It was sooo easy to make too. I used an 8 1/2" by 8 1/2" sheet of Kraft card stock and folded it so it formed a triangle. Then I folded the front of the triangle down so that the tip of the flap was approx. 1/2" from the bottom edge. Then, I folded the right side of the triangle in so that the top edge of the side was even with the top edge of flap. I repeated the same process with the left side. I pulled the left and right sides back, lifted the flap, and folded the sides back in. Then I folded the flap over the sides and.....voila....a little pocket to hold whatever special thing you want to give to your valentine. Isn't it adorable?

Here is what I used:

Stamps: Happy Heart Day, Occasions Collection

Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, and Pretty in Pink

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Versa Mark

Accessories: Chocolate Chip 1" double stitched grosgrain ribbon, Coluzzle, Sizzix Circles, Scallop #2, Stampin Write Markers: Real Red & Pretty in Pink , and stampin dimensionals.

Hopefully, I'll have more for you tomorrow. Until then...

Josie