I made this little group of cards for a birthday gift for one of my girlfriends. I love their simplicity. The stamp set was a hostess set from the recently retired Spring-Summer '08 catalog (Stampin' Up!). The new catty has some great merchandise. Contact me if you want to take a look!

So, I haven't posted in a long while. Here are some reasons:

1. Avery's first birthday!

2. Getting pregnant and being

a. exhausted

b. totally nauseaus

3. Summertime- who wants to be in front of the computer when you can be outside playing? I have learned to relish the warm weather now that I live where white stuff comes down half the year.

4. Did I mention I am preggo and morning sick?

I will get back into it soon! Keep checking in!

OR, you can always subscribe to my blog and then new posts will be conveniently sent to your inbox.

Peace.

Statement of the Heart

"To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments . . . in this we make a difference!"

Stampin' Up!'s statement of the heart (their way of saying "mission statement") helps to guide and shape the company's future. I also use the statement of the heart to guide and shape the future of my Stampin' Up! business. Though I enjoy hosting workshops, I spend a lot of my time and energy creating gifts and cards and projects to share with my loved ones. I love seeing others explore their creativity as well.

If you are interested in hosting a workshop or learning more about a particular stamping technique, please feel free to call or email me. Also, be on the look out for upcoming events here at my home.

Happy Thursday everyone!

My First Splitcoast Challenge

I needed some inspiration this morning. I jumped on Splitcoast , went to the Challenges Forums and found SC178- today's layout challenge. I gave it a try using only scraps. It's not my best work- by far. But, it was fun to get involved in the challenges and to try to stay within someone else's creative parameters.

What I did . . .

Stamps: Hearfelt Thanks, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Wonderful Favorites

Paper: Mellow Moss, Cameo Coral, Pretty in Pink (mounted card front onto WW)

Ink: Mellow moss, pretty in pink, rose red

Accessories: flower brads (michael's)

Leave me a comment if ya dig it!

Oh-oh-oh The Sweetest Thing

. . . do do do do, do do do do, do do do do, do do do. The Sweetest Thing. Love that song. Don't you?
The name of the set I used for this cheerful card is "Sweet Thing." I didn't make it for anyone in particular. I was CASE-ing the last catty, Fall-Winter 2007. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to make the quote on the bottom look the way it does (otherwise, the image would be four lines long). I also used the SAMJ to get the letters into the boxes. To make the faux border above the baby layer, I just took the circle from the set and stamped it over and over in a row.

Recipe (all materials Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Sweet Thing, Best Friends Alpha lower, Seeing Spots
Paper: Gable Green, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Green Galore, Cameo Coral, Versamark
Accessories: SAMJ, corner rounder

A sign

Thank you to the driver in front of me for the friendly reminder. Really. No, really.

Moo, Baa, la la la

So, my little one is turning one next month. I can hardly believe it. The old cliche "they grow up so fast" really is true. It's almost sad. She is amazing and we love her so much.

I decided on a Farm birthday theme for a couple of reasons. First, she was a duck for halloween, she loves looking at ducks in our backyard, and my girlfriend, Diana, has been called upon to bake a 3D ducky cake. Second, I thought a "ducky" themed birthday party was too narrow in scope. Lastly, I love this set from A*Muse Art Stamps.

I know, I know. I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I should only use their products. But, I couldn't resist this set!

I made about 20 invitations for her birthday party. Happy Birthday!

Here's the recipe (all products Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Seeing Spots, In the Spotlight (retired hostess set), A*Muse Animal Wishes

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black

Accessories: 3/16" corner rounder, clear embossing powder, scallop circle punch, real red & basic black 1/4" grosgrain, white marvy pen, SU! Stampin' Write markers, black eyelets, CK font- handprint

Technique/tools: pocket card, bone folder, crop-a-dile, paper snips, sticky strip, SNAIL