Christmas in July

I love my Christmas in July event!  Every year for the past five years I have hosted this event.  Susan and I started to them together a three years ago.  Every year we decorate the house like it was Christmas, bake Christmas cookies, have hot cocoa, and play Christmas music.


This year we have 5 projects again.  We are offering a card, Tic Tac Holder, Santa Note Pad, Angel Nail File or Candy Holder, and a Gift Card Holder.  The reason there is a Question Mark on the gift card holder is because we are going to use product from the new Holiday Mini.   I am so excited for you to see the new Holiday Catalog because the product in there is unbelievable and I really would like to have it all!


If you are interested in attending our Christmas in July event, please contact me.  It will be held on July 28 at noon.   The cost is $15 for all 5 projects.  


Enjoy your day!

A Card from Joannie's

This is one of the cards that we made at Joannie's.  I saw this card on Stampin' Connection and CASE'd it but can not remember who originally made it.  But I loved it from the first moment I saw it.


The supplies that I used for this card were:


STAMP SET: Forever with You
PAPER:  Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe DSP
INK:  Midnight Muse
ACCESSORIES:  Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot, Pearls, Dimensionals, Summer Starfruit, Soft Suede, Midnight Muse and Gumball Green Markers


Starting to put together ideas for my swaps for convention.  I have a lot of ideas but I need to come up with a simple card that you can make a number of without losing your mind.  Well I am going to try to make a few samples today.  Enjoy your day!

Getting Ready for Baby

Most of you know that I will be a Grandma again in a few months.  So we are getting ready for this baby since it will be her first.  Of course a Baby Shower is essential and I am gearing up for it.  The first thing I need to do to get ready for this baby is to help with the Baby Shower.  So I am making the invitations.  I saw this idea on Debbie Henderson's blog.  As soon as I saw this card I knew I had to find a use for it.  I always thought I would make one for a shower card.   But when my daughter told me she was pregnant, I knew somehow I had to make this as an invitation.  Isn't it adorable?  I know it s a total CASE except I substituted the Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine instead of a button and I changed the color of the ribbon to Daffodil Delight.


The supplies that I used for this card were:


STAMP SET: Embellished Events
PAPER:  Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
INK:  Lucky Limeade
ACCESSORIES:  1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/4" Circle punch, Tasteful Trim Die, Big Shot, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch (RETIRED), Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine, 1-1/4" Daffodil Delight Ribbon (RETIRED), Dimensionals


I hope everyone enjoys the card.  It took me a little longer to put together than I originally thought but it is well worth the time.  I will have to post pictures after the shower.  I am getting excited about the shower but it is still a ways in the future.  I just needed to get started with the invitations.  I also have birth announcements to make for the newest grandson born last week and I need to start on my convention swaps.  Wow!  I guess I am going to be busy for the next few weeks!  Enjoy the day!

Joannie's Home Workshop

In the beginning of June, I had a workshop at one of my customer's homes.  She wanted to have a workshop as soon as the new catalog came out so she had the opportunity to purchase some of the new items.  I usually do 2 cards and something some small but three dimensional.  These small, cute candy holder fit the bill.  This is such a quick and easy way to spice up a candy bar .  What a fancy way to give someone a treat!  This is a great way to hand out treat for a classroom or an office occasion.


The supplies that I used for this project were:


STAMP SET:  Betsy's Blossoms
PAPER:  Gumball Green, Raspbery Ripple, Whisper White
INK:  Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals
ACCESSORIES:  Dimensionals, Two Tag Die, Big Shot, 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon


Everyone loved this project!  They even came up with more ways to use this simple project such as a napkin ring, dinner utensil holder, and name card at family or special events.  That is what is so great with stamping with friends.  I love the exchange of ideas with each other.  I think that exchange of ideas makes stamping a bonding experience with friends as well as a fun crafting time.  

Before I go,  I need to post another picture of my new little grandson.  Here he is with his older brother.  What cuties!  But today I am already gearing up for the next grandchild that should be arriving in September.  Enjoy your day!

Just a quick post showing you what I made for my customers when they attended my Open House.  I just wanted to make a quick and easy thank you for coming.  I made this cute little post-it note holder.  I wanted to show off  some new product also.   I cut it using the Two Tags Die and I used the "New" PRIMROSE PETALS In Color cardstock.  The DSP that I used on the cover was the FLORAL DISTRICT DSP.  Inside I stamped a sentiment and cute little butterflies.  On the other side I added a mini post-it.  I thought it was so cute! 

The supplies that I used for this project were:

STAMP SETS:  Make A Cake, Friendly Phrases

PAPER:  Primrose Petals, Whisper White, Floral District DSP

INK:  Primrose Petals, Baja Breeze

ACCESSORIES:  Two Tags Die, Big Shot, Mini Post-It (non SU )

I have a busy day today.  I have a graduation party to go to and a wedding. Sometimes everything just seems to happen all at once and this week has proved that.  Enjoy your day!

ACCESSORIES: Two Tags Die, Big Shot, Mini Post-It (non SU)

Big Brother!

Today Eli became a BIG BROTHER!!!!!!!!  I am not sure how happy he is right now but I am sure they will become great buddies.

I am posting a picture of me holding the new guy, Emmett.  Eli is checking him out in this picture.  He was ok until the little guy started to cry and then his eyes got real big.

I will not be posting the next couple of days.  I would like to take a few days to enjoy this new little bundle of joy.  I will be back soon. Enjoy the day!  I certainly will be enjoying the next few days!

Hostess Appreciation Project

 When I host my Hostess Appreciation Dinners, I always like to do a special project.  This year I decided to show my Hostess how to make Altered Clear Mount Cases.  I loved the Floral District Paper and decided use that to make the cases.  I think they turned out beautiful and so did they.  


 The second picture shows you what we did to the inside.  This case became a note pad and pen and also a post it pad.  The case really became a message center.   The supplies for this project were:


STAMP SET:  Lovely Letters
PAPER:  Floral District, Brights Designer Paper Pack (Rich Razzleberry), Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
INK:  Raspberry Ripple
ACCESSORIES:  Top Note Die, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Simply Scored, 2-3/8"Scallop Circle Punch,  1-3/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot


 There are so many things that you can do with this case.  The possibilities are endless.   It was another wonderful evening stamping with friends.  I can't wait to do it again next year.  Enjoy the day!

Hostess Appreciation Dinner

 This month I have had a lot going on with Hostess Appreciation Party, Technique Classes, Home Workshop, and Open House.  I tried to shove so much in just a few days because I wanted to make sure that I would not be busy when the baby comes. 


 This was the card we made at my Hostess Appreciation Dinner. Every year I have a dinner for the ladies that have hosted a workshop throughout the year.  I make or provide a meal and dessert for them.  Then we play with the new products, play a few games, hand out some prizes and receive the NEW catalog.  Well this year I had been so sick for 2 weeks that we decided not to play games but I still handed out a few prizes (like the prize patrol!).  Everyone felt they really wanted to check out the new catalog this year which helped take a load off my shoulders that night trying to get through everything.  And all my ladies could not wait until we did the Make and Takes.  I decided to make this card.  I CASED it from Vicki Burdick.  I changed some things around and made the flower a softer color.  The supplies that I used for this card were:


STAMP SETS:  Betsy's Blossoms, Itty Bitty Banners
PAPER:  Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Floral District DSP
INK:  Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Baja Breeze 
ACCESSORIES:  Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Pearl Jewels, Dimensionals, Baja Breeze Seam Binding


Everyone loved this card!  I loved it because of the softness of the colors of the card. Wait until you see the other project we made.  It was a very successful evening.  I have the most wonderful customers!   Go out and enjoy your day!

An Open House Thank You

 This is another one of the cute Make and Takes that my customers were able to make at my Open House last Sunday.  I will admit that I CASED this card from Patty Bennett.  What attracted me to this card was the color combination.  But I also like how the Perfectly Penned stamp set fits perfectly in the Lucky Limeade shape.  That helps to highlight the sentiment.  I changed the colors a bit and also added the Rhinestone Jewel.  The jewel gives this card a little bling which draws your eye straight to the sentiment.  I made the flowers Primrose Petals which softened the look of the flowers.  The supplies that  I used for this card were:


STAMP SETS:  Everything Eleanor, Perfectly Penned
PAPER:  Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Raspberry Ripple
INK:  Lucky Limeade, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Basic Black
ACCESSORIES:  Rhinestone Jewels, Dimensionals


 One of the reasons that I wanted to do this card for my Open House was the simplicity of it.  By simple, I mean that this card is Basically just stamping.  The only extra on this card is stamping the flower and then cutting the flower out and adding the rhinestone.  There are not a lot of fancy folds, techniques, or steps to make this card but the colors and design is what creates the impact.  Everyone loved this card.  


 The Open House went very well and I was happy how things turned out.  Another busy weekend with the family and the countdown has started for the arrival of my second grandchild.  My daughter is due this month with her second child.  We are all on pins and needles waiting.  And as you know I have a rough time waiting.  Enjoy your day!

Open House Make and Take

This is one of the Open House's Make and Take's.  I wanted to included all the new 2012-13 In Colors.  I did see this on someone's blog but forgot to write down their name and then could not find it again.  So if you let me know, I will give you credit.  


Each one of the In Colors is used in this card.  I thought it would be a great idea to use all the colors so that my customers could see each one of them.  The supplies that I used for this card were:


STAMP SETS:  Summer Smooches, Friendly Phrases
PAPER:  Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White
INK:  Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Primrose Petals
ACCESSORIES:  Rhinestone Jewels


I decided to make this card 3" x 3".  It is a cute little card that would be great for a thank you.  People seemed to like it.  The Rhinestone really completes the card.  That little bit of bling was the perfect touch to this card.  Another rainy day here.  I hope where you are the weather is better.  Enjoy the day!

June Technique Class - Card 3

This is the third and final card that we are making this month.  Check out the rounded corners on that card.  I will show you how to make them that large using a circle punch!  


 I stepped outside of my comfort zone with the color combination.  I am usually a pink and purple flower gal.  Although I like the Calypso Coral color, I rarely use it because I am not sure of what to mix it with.  But I am happy how it turned out.


Trying to get my stuff all put back after my Open House this weekend.  Why is it so easy to get out but so difficult to get everything back?  But we all had a wonderful time on Sunday, stamping, eating, and checking out new products.  That is what is really important.  


 Well another busy day.  I have a Technique Class today and then I am off and running with errands all day.  Although I will fit in a little shopping for the 2 new grandchildren that are arriving in the next few months. That is always enjoyable.  Enjoy your day!

June Technique Class- Card 2

  My customers are always complaining to me that we never seem to make enough Masculine Cards.  So I purposely decided I needed to make one for June.  Especially with Father's Day.  I decided to use the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set which you have a variety of sentiments to add to a card that has a masculine feel. 


 This month's  theme for the cards we are making is "Tips, Tricks, and New Products".  The New Product on this card is the DSP which is called COMFORT CAFE.  You are probably trying to figure out where the Tip or Trick is.  My hint to you is to look very closely at the sentiment.  I will show you how you can make the label with an item you might already own.


 I really love it when I can show people how they can use the products that they own in a different way.  I like it when you can use items in may different ways.  I always feel that you really get your money's worth when you can use a product in more ways than one.  Well I have another busy day today.  I need to clean up all my stamping supplies.  The past week I have been very busy with my Hostess Appreciation Dinner, Technique Class, a Home  Workshop, and my Open House.  I am not complaining but I will say, the one room on my house looks as though someone ransacked the room.  It is so bad.  So I really need to get in there and get things more organized.  So go out and enjoy your day!

Happy New Year!

 Well, Happy "NEW" Catalog year anyway!  TODAY is the first day that you can order from the "NEW" SU Catalog.  I am so excited for you to see the New 2012-13 Catalog.  There are so many new stamp sets, DSP, and other items which I am sure you are going to enjoy.  I had my Hostess Appreciation Party last night.  It was our own New Year Eve Party and we had such a great time.  We made 2 projects using some of the NEW products.  They could not wait until today when they could start ordering.

 I am hosting my ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE on Sunday @ 1-3 PM at my house.  Please feel free to drop in and check out the New Products as well as my sale on Retired products.  Any one who attends my Open House on Sunday will receive a FREE catalog.  If you would like to have the NEW Catalog and can not attend my Open House, please contact me and I will get one to you.

 I had to add these pictures of a budding Stampin' Up demo.  This is my grandson who is 17 months old.  While I was setting up my table for last night's event, he kept following me as I went from room to room getting the supplies I needed.  After a while, I realized he was not behind me and I did not know where he had gone.  While looking for him, I walked into the dining room and there he was, trying to use my supplies.  He looks as though he knows what he is doing!  I guess he has watched Grandma too much!