Squeeze Your Creative Juice

Try Digital Designing with Stampin' Up! FREE!!!

2012-02-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! with you...and now you can try it FREE for 30 days!!!
If you are a new customer, you will need to create an account, then once you have "ordered" My Digital Studio, go into your account to download the 30-day trial here:

Since our last name is "Spendlove", we send Valentine cards (instead of Christmas Cards) and this year I created the cards using MDS. This is the front of the card and I used a new download you can purchase (and customize) for only $1.95 called "Be Mine Framable Designer Template" that has some great "Subway Art" images that I customized to create our card:

The cool thing is that you can print them on your own printer OR the professional print service (my favorite!!!) and when you use the professional print service, you can print in COLOR on the front, inside AND back...and my cards all came with envelopes! There is also bulk pricing, so the more you order, they less it costs to print :) Check out more about the print services here then go to my online store to order MDS FREE!

Freshly Made (FMS21) and a Heart Shaped Balloon

2012-02-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

Wanted to make a card with the "heart balloon" idea that we made at the Valentine Stamp camp, so I borrowed a layout from the Freshly Made Sketches blog and used Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride and Baja Breze along with the Balloon Basket from the Sweet Centers Stampin' Up! stamp set and large heart punch to create this sweet birthday card:

The clouds are created with the top of the cupcake punch! Must say I was pleased with the result :)

Valentine Stamp Camp

2012-02-06T13:30:00.000-07:00

I just loved this idea from SU! Leadership, so we'll be making it at the Valentine Stamp Camp THIS WEDNESDAY, February 8th in Spanish Fork! (Frame not included) We'll also be creating a Love Coupon Book you can customize for anyone and of course, a Valentine Card :)

TWO TIMES to choose from:
10 a.m. or 7 p.m.

Cost: $15. Bring scissors and adhesive. I'll provide the rest!

RSVP TODAY: 801-376-8685

Celebrate Good Times...and Great Stamping!

2012-01-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

January was a crazy busy month for me! From Stampin' Up! Leadership in San Antonio to Inventory at the Bookstore...I paddled non-stop to keep my head above water (but it was all fun!). I've been doing a little better at updating my Facebook Page ("Creative Juice by Loni Spendlove") because I can do that from my phone, so follow me there and I've shared samples and events and photos because it's easy.

SO I'm a little late, but Sale-a-Bration began last week! You can click on the link to the left to download the SAB brochure...and you'll notice there are no prices in it because you can only get the products in this catalog FREE!!!

Here are a few fun samples using the Everyday Enchantment products...you can earn ALL of the Everyday Enchantment products FREE (Stamps, Designer Series Paper, Buttons and Brads) when you host a qualifying workshop ~or~ earn them separately free with each $50 order :)

This last one is a gift bag project I showed at my January workshops! One of the best ways to earn FREE products during Sale-a-Bration is to host a workshop and my calendar is filling fast, so if you'd like to invite friends over to be creative together, call me and we can plan a fun party together: 801-376-8685!

Sale-a-Bration lasts through March, and online orders (and My Digital Studio orders!) can also qualify for SAB benefits, so feel free to click the "Shop Now" button which will take you to my website, where you can get the preferred pricing and all the benefits with your qualifying order!

Paper Doily Die Video

2012-01-09T13:37:00.002-07:00

Thought this would be helpful when you order your Paper Doily Die from the Occasions Mini Catalog!

2012-01-05T08:37:00.002-07:00

Tin Cans and Tasty Treats

2011-12-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

I had started this post a few weeks ago, but have been so busy at the bookstore I wasn't able to post before now...but don't fret! You can can gifts ANYTIME of the year :) This is just a sample of one way to decorate a tin can that contains an unexpected surprise...and read the whole post for a tasty treat that you can make quickly to put inside if you don't happen to have pearls or diamonds to put into the can (which happen to fit nicely, or gift cards, or other small gifts)

The easiest way to make these is to use a clean-edge can opener and open the bottom of the can, clean it out and take off the wrapper (so you can add your own). Once the can is dry, put your gift in and use a thin line of Crystal Effects (from Stampin' Up! of course!) around the edge of the lid you removed and press down to re-seal can. Add a decorative cover and voila! A canned gift!

Interestingly, the gals over at Our Best Bites were sharing the same idea this week and if you want to just print off a label, click on the picture below for a link to their post and a free printable :)

Now ONE MORE TREAT for you...this is my favorite Christmas Candy, but be WARNED! It is EXTREMELY ADDICTING:

Caramel Snowman Poop!

2 cups Butter

1 cup Honey

4 cups Sugar

1 cup Cream (I used whipping cream)

Combine all ingredients and cook, stirring frequently to soft ball stage. Pour over 2 large Tupperware bowls of popcorn, Chex or ~my favorite~ a large bag of puffed corn cereal (they sell it this time of year in a big bag at the grocery story, which reminds me to make some and then give it all away or else I would eat it all myself).

Friends & Family at Deseret Book

2011-12-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

Clearance Rack Blitz at Stampin' Up!: December 15-January 5th

2011-12-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

The Stockings Were Hung...

2011-12-07T17:44:00.001-07:00

If you are stuffing your stockings for the Christmas Season, a MUST HAVE item is the new Holiday Stocking Die for the Big Shot (Item 120498, $32.95). Look at the adorable quilt (shown at Jill Olsen's St. George stamp day in September) made with some of our exclusive fabric and the above mentioned die:

And the creative possibilities are endless with paper and fabric:

Jill even got creative and turned the stocking into a Witch Boot for this quilt (yes, I'm backtracking to Halloween for a moment...)

But wait! There are more fun ideas! Check out this adorable Rudolph treat holder we made at our Holiday Stamp Camp! Just turn the stocking over and use the heel and toe for his ears (his antlers are created from the Snowflake Die and he is embossed with the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder):

It's not too late to order for Christmas! Place an order on my website by December 14 for Christmas delivery!

Shop in your Pajamas!

2011-11-21T10:19:00.002-07:00

Online X Flyer US

Oh, Canada!

2011-11-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

Finally have a few moments to share what I did with my bonus when I reached my Stampin' Up! Milestone in March!

For months, I pondered what to do...get a new dining room set? Put it toward Baby Step #3 that we are working on? New clothes? Food storage? Finally, about July, it came to me! Why not use it to begin working on my Bucket List? And at the top of the list (since I was 11 years old and my mother brought me Anne of Green Gables) was to visit Prince Edward Island! Hello Green Gables:

So, in September, that is what I did! I took my husband and we flew into Boston, MA, rented a car and drove up through Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, across the Confederation Bridge to the Gentle Island and then back through Nova Scotia and back to Boston, where we flew home. It was a dream come true!

While I wish I could journal all of it here, I am going to create a scrapbook of the trip (using My Digital Studio, of course) and transfer the wonderful journal entries Cody kept along the way, too. Meanwhile, I want to share some of the highlights with you and thank you again for helping me reach that goal! My only regret is that I didn't lose 20 pounds and hit the tanning bed before taking any pictures :(

Did you know that the blueberry capital of the U.S. is in Cherryville, Maine?

On the north shore of P.E.I...warm Atlantic waters!

In the schoolroom where Lucy Maud Montgomery attended school:

Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

World-famous COWS ice cream, yummy even on a rainy day.

The ship Hector in Nova Scotia...made me grateful for my own Pilgrim ancestors and the sacrifices they made.

Rounding out my "literary tour" was Walden Pond and the Concord, MA home of Louisa May Alcott:

On the bridge in Concord where the Revolutionary War began:

It was a wonderful vacation (the first one we've been on together alone that wasn't work-related since our honeymoon!) and we made many marvelous memories. The only downside is that my kids say that now we can't sing "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" song because we *have* been to Boston in the fall! I guess it is a sacrifice we had to make :)

Doing the Belly-(band) Dance

2011-11-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all it takes to go from boring to WOW! is a little belly(band) dance!

For instance, take a kraft box and wrap a strip of Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper (DSP) around it and voila! A simply elegant gift without wrapping paper! A perfectly placed stamped tag always covers the seam perfectly, too.

By the way, this little box (from the Holiday Mini catalog) is the perfect size for giving a stack of cookies made with the new Cookie Press Stamps).

Consider the elegance of the belly-band as it dresses up a jar of homemade Apple Pie Filling:

And of course, a gate-fold card kept closed with the versatile and stylish belly-band wrap just piques interest as to what holiday message could be hiding within:

So if you find yourself needing a little "dancing" this holiday season, try the Belly-Band Dance...and then share a link in the comments showing off your own!

Calling all Digi-Divas!

2011-11-04T01:03:00.001-06:00

I'd love to see what you create, so leave a comment with a link to your Digital Creations made with Stampin' Up!'s MY DIGITAL STUDIO products.

And...

Stampin' Up! has introduced BULK PRICING for you to print your Holiday Greeting cards, gift tags and much, much more! Can't wait to see what you design!

Some Things are Worth Waiting For...

2011-11-03T17:32:00.000-06:00

I am so grateful my sister Mindi shared this beautiful video with me. This one is for my children...there are some things that are worth waiting for.

Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack Class

2011-11-02T13:58:00.000-06:00

If you love to send hand-stamped cards during the holidays, but don't have much time, I am here to help! Come to my Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack card class on

Saturday, November 12th at 10:30 a.m.

in Spanish Fork! I'll cut/prepare all the materials, you can come stamp and put the cards together in minutes! Create cards in multiples of 6 for $10...(2 each of 3 different designs or request them to be all the same of your favorite when you register!)

All you need to bring are your scissors and adhesive. I *highly* recommend SNAIL adhesive or Tombo Multipurpose glue...you can order them when you register if you need some.

Here are the designs! Christmas stocking:

Poinsettia:

Wisemen:

RSVP to loni@sfcn.org or 801-376-8685 ASAP so I can get the supplies ordered!

Cookie, Cookie, Who's Got the Cookie?

2011-10-24T12:33:00.000-06:00

I have a sweet tooth. My husband tells me I would feel better if I stopped eating sugar, but I think, "I feel great WHEN I eat sugar!" so giving up sugar just doesn't appeal to me. Nope. Nada. Not one iota.

But give me a way to combine stamping and sugar, and you have my attention. Thanks, Stampin' Up!, for giving me one more reason to love you: The new "Sweet Pressed" Cookie stamps are really fun, and require no ink, just sugar!

The cookie press comes with a solid wood handle and 3 interchangeable silicone "stamps" (jack-o-lantern face, snowflake and heart)

I'd love to show it to you in action...imagine hosting a "Cookie Exchange" and invited your friends to bring some of their favorite holiday cookies to share (along with their recipe) and we stamped a book for them to keep the recipes in like this:

Everyone goes home with cookies, recipes and learns how to use the Sweet Pressed Stamps!

To schedule a Cookie Exchange, call me: 801-376-8685 or to order the Sweet Pressed Stamps, visit my Stampin' Store

To Solve the "Bumpy" Mail Quandary

2011-10-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

What is a beautiful card without a little embellishment? The problem: It costs more to mail a card with a bow or brad! I've been willing to pay the few extra cents to have my cards hand-cancelled at the post office, but if you are looking for an alternate way to add ribbon to a card without the extra postage, let me suggest a flat bow (or "mailing bow" as some call them). Here's a quick tutorial for you today, using Stampin' Up!s satin ribbon and some SNAIL adhesive:

2011-10-07T17:45:00.003-06:00

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To create more fun projects for Halloween (and Thanksgiving and Christmas!), plan to come to the Holiday Stamp Camps: In Spanish Fork on Saturday, October 15 and in Hurricane on Saturday, October 22. RSVP today to reserve your spot: loni@sfcn.org or 801-376-8685!

BIG DEAL! Free Big Shot!

2011-10-03T12:42:00.002-06:00

What more do I need to say? Call me to today and I'll help you get started!801-376-8685

Do It for Yourself

2011-09-30T10:37:00.000-06:00

I laughed when they showed this "commercial" at convention...made funnier because IT'S SO TRUE! Convention is a gift I give myself every year and if you are ready to do something for yourself, I'd love to have you join my family of demonstrators!

Ask me how to earn your starter kit FREE :) !!

Bring on the BOO!

2011-09-26T15:04:00.001-06:00

I am so excited to share some BOO-tiful creations for the Holidays with you at one of our upcoming Holiday Stamp Camps...here is just a peek at one of the 6 projects you'll be creating:

There are six projects: 2 for Halloween, 2 for Thanksgiving and 2 for Christmas!
Tuition for the Stamp Camp is $35 and includes a SNAIL adhesive and all six projects!! But space is limited, so you'll need to RSVP for one of the events below ASAP:

Spanish Fork Holiday Stamp Camp
Saturday, October 15
1 p.m.
Down Spendlove Lane

Hurricane Holiday Stamp Camp
Saturday, October 22
2 p.m.
Hurricane Middle School Library

RSVP to loni@sfcn.org or 801-376-8685 as soon as you call your best friend to see if she wants to come with you!

A New Best Friend (in your Craft Room)!

2011-09-20T11:28:00.001-06:00

9/25 Update...Apparently I had the wrong link which prevented you from visiting my blog...I hope this fixes it! Sorry :)

Hello friends! Apologies for being quiet for so long...my husband and I went on a much needed vacation, thanks to Stampin' Up! and I promise I will share some photos soon from Prince Edward Island :)

Meanwhile, we are still without internet at my house :( so it makes it challenging to update often here. I try to update my Facebook Fan Page (Creative Juice by Loni Spendlove) more often as it is a little easier. In fact, I shared this video there this morning...thanks to fellow demonstrator Robin Feicht, you can discover your new best friend (and what is better than a best friend WITH CHOCOLATE?)

Need one? This fabulous tool is available in the Holiday Mini Catalog and you can order one on my website or schedule a workshop and you could get it FREE with your hostess dollars! My fall calendar is filling fast, so call 801-376-8685

Stamp-a-Short-Stack Card Class: "Easy Events"

2011-09-01T09:48:00.000-06:00

How cute is that snail? And so appropriate, too! It seems like I'm always slow in sending out my birthday cards, but I do get it done :) I love this new stamp set for every occasion called "Easy Events"

Come create some of your own adorable cards using the "Easy Events" stamp set at my Stamp-a-Stack class on Saturday, September 17th at 1 p.m. in Spanish Fork. For $10, you can create 6 sweet greeting cards (2 each of 3 different designs) including envelopes. I'll have all the supplies prepared for you, simply bring your scissors and SNAIL* adhesive!

Want more than 6 cards? Order a second (or third!) set when you register! Call today to reserve your spot: 801-376-8685

Pretty, Pretty Paper...more fun projects!

2011-08-25T19:10:00.001-06:00

I have to thank Kira and Patty for this adorable project from our Late Night Stamper Pre-Convention Stamp Camp...it showcases the "Beyond the Garden" Designer Series Paper, but could be made with ANY of Stampin' Up!'s fabulous DSP (did I mention that DSP is Buy 3, Get 1 Free through August 31st?)

Apologies if the pictures are dark, since we are still "sans technology" at our house, I couldn't edit them on my Mac first!

Here is the "purse" for the cards...the handle was punched with the new Lace Ribbon Border punch:

It is filled with 4 simple and beautiful cards:

It's amazing how a little paper can cheer you right up, and this DSP is all sunshine and butterflies to me!

Would you like to come to the Late Night Stamper Pre-Convention Events in 2012? Click here for details and to register :)

DSP is for PAPER

2011-08-16T17:54:00.000-06:00

As promised, here are some fun projects for you to use with Stampin' Up!s fabulous Designer Series Paper (DSP) and one more way to take advantage of the the BUY 3 GET ONE FREE August Special! Here is the first project:

and here is another fun DSP project that my 2010/11 Hostesses made at the Hostess Appreciation Party in July:

Stampin' Up! Supplies needed: DSP, Taffeta Ribbon, Fleurettes II, Antique Brads, Ink Refill, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensional.
Optional SU! Supplies: Jewelry Tag punch, stamps, ink.
Other Supplies: Small acrylic photo frame, post-it notes.

This super-easy project begins with DYING the fleurette (handmade, crocheted flower).

Place approx. 3-4 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Add a few drops of re-inker color and mix into the water.
Drop your flower/fleurette into the water and submerge for 30-45 seconds. Hint: The longer you leave it in, the darker the resulting color.
Remove fleurette and place on a stack of paper towels. Blot, allow to dry.

It's really that easy!

Instructions for the rest of the project:

Cut a piece of DSP the same size as your frame and slide it into the frame.
Place a line of sticky strip across the top (really the bottom) of the frame where your ribbon will be "pinched" or folded across. Note: The frame will be laid down horizontally instead of standing vertically like a frame.
Add an antique brad to your dried fleurette and attach with a Stampin' Dimensional.
Finish it off by adding a pad of post it notes.

Eat Ice Cream, Do Something Good!

2011-08-08T15:07:00.000-06:00

There are two wonderful reasons I support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Kayson (my son) and Gregory (my nephew). Most likely you know someone who lives with Type 1 Diabetes and it's complications...make your next Date night COUNT!! Click the "Buy Now" button to get your tickets today :)

If you can't attend the Desserts for Diabetes Fundraiser, you can still make a donation of any amount on my JDRF Walk Donation page:http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/loni

August Stampin' Up! Special

2011-08-01T14:55:00.000-06:00

Check back soon for fun projects with Designer Series Paper!

Guessing Jars: A Family Tradition

2011-08-01T13:45:00.000-06:00

A favorite tradition from our family reunions (on my dad's side) are the "Guessing Jars"! If you need a fun game that EVERYONE can participate in, this is it: Each family brings a container filled with something and we number each jar. Every person gets a piece of paper and numbers it with the number of jars that are on the table, then takes a guess at how many items are in each jar (or answer the related question on the jar/container)

Our family gets pretty creative: There have been piggy banks filled with loose change (guess how much $money is in the bank), pencil boxes filled with random school supplies (guess how many hours kids go to school each year) and even a package of Oreos (If Oreo cookies were laid side by side, how many would it take to cross the Golden Gate Bridge? Answer: 28,800)

But most of our "jars" are containers filled with candy, something like this:

This particular jar was one I created the Late Night Stampers Reunion Party at Stampin' Up! Convention and it is filled with taffy and rubber stamps! We wanted to start a new "family" tradition for the Reunion Party,and this fun game popped into my head. Here's a close-up of the sweet tag...I have to say I love these folded paper medallions and they are as addicting to make as the sugar in the taffy!

And of course, glitter makes everything cuter, so the edges are dusted with a little bling :)

Loni's Convention Report

2011-07-25T19:53:00.001-06:00

Sitting in the park at the library today (something good that has come from no internet at the house for the summer) enjoying music from a live band and the beautiful weather! Happily, I can also upload a few pictures from Convention and give you my report (finally!)

The theme at Stampin' Up! this year is "Come GROW with Us" and it was carried through our convention, too. This was the stage and the colors changed each day:

We started with High-Hat Fashion at the Kick-Off Party:

This stamper was a little bit country:

AND a little bit city:

We loved the "Product Park" where our products were beautifully showcased like this:

and where we learned from some talented demonstrators fun ways to use them, too:

The next morning, the fun begins with swapping! Here is Sue trading the cards we helped her finish at midnight the night before:

Opening theme song performers:

Then it was 3 days full of non-stop fun:

The good news for you is that YOU can be there with us next year when you join my Stampin' Family this month for only $99...and here is what you get:

Just go to my website and click "Join the Fun"...and my recruit password is stampwithme :) I'd love to have you come to convention 2012 in Salt Lake City with me!

Create Perfect Pennants with a Punch!

2011-07-19T18:44:00.000-06:00

My stampin' friends tell me all the time how much they love coordinating products (like ribbon that matches their ink or card stock) and PUNCHES are a big hit: like the new Pennant Punch that coordinates with the new Pennant Parade stamp set! No worries about cutting out your stamped images by hand...just PUNCH 'em! Now if you love the ease of punches, perhaps collecting them at a discount as a demonstrator would appeal to you...and the $99 kit through July 31st is a great opportunity to get started. My password to join through my website is stampwithme.

Of course, you can always host a party and get your crafting supplies free or at a discount, too. And if you just want to order, make sure you go through my website to get PREFERRED pricing.

When I am "connected" again, I'll share the card I made with the Pennants/Punch to swap at convention...this technology drought is harder than I expected :)

Baby, Ride Your Firebolt

2011-07-16T21:01:00.000-06:00

SU! Convention report coming soon, but meanwhile, this message from ~~BYU~~ Hogwarts:

Fruits & Flowers (Digitally) for You

2011-07-06T16:49:00.000-06:00

If you haven't had a chance to play with My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up, make it your summer creative goal!

A Free Designer Template As a "hurray" to the new catalog and beginning of a Stampin' Up! year, we're offering customers a FREE greeting card designer template! Download this adorable Fruit & Flowers 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" template for a quick glance at some mixing and matching of the new catalog content and the new 2011-2013 In Colors! Your free download will be available immediately if you already have an online ordering account, or within 24 hours when you create a new account.

Already an MDS user? Update Your MDS Color Palette with 2011-2013 In Colors FREE!

You can update your My Digital Studio color palette by downloading the latest 1.0.7 update to the software by going to "Check for Updates" in the Help menu of your My Digital Studio software or by installing from the Updates section of MyDigitalStudio.net. Once installed, the color palette in your software will be updated with this year's In Colors: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, and Wisteria Wonder. And be sure to check out the July 5 downloads for additional In Color downloads for purchase!

Did you know...the new Idea Book & Catalog has 26 NEW My Digital Studio downloads! The new downloads coordinate with your favorite traditional stamps, embellishments, and Designer Series Paper from the catalog. You can purchase all of this content as individual downloads or as four large DVD collections, priced at over a 10 percent discount from the individual download prices.

Root Beer Floats and Stampin' Up!

2011-07-02T15:56:00.000-06:00

Imagine cooling off with a frosty drink like this while looking through THIS:

Your dreams all come true at my New Catalog Reception on Saturday, July 9th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

860 E 1050 S, Spanish Fork, UT

Celebrate a new year/new Stampin' Up! catalog with a root beer float!

Shop my retired stamps and accessories 25-90 % off,

create a free summer theme make and take project,

win prizes in a catalog scavenger hunt,

join a club or just hang out with other crafty people!

Bring a friend and adhesive (to make cards, not glue your friend!)

How can YOU get a catalog FREE?

Host a party

Join a club

Download the .pdf (in left column)

Place a $100+ order anytime during the year!

Buy one for $10

Pulled the Plug

2011-07-02T14:55:00.000-06:00

Between computer, television and gaming systems, we felt that we were spending too much time in front of a screen at our house this summer, so we pulled the plug.

That's right, you heard me...pulled. the. plug.

It's only been about a week and it has been a blessing...and a curse.

Blessings: More time to finish projects, clean house, play games together, READ (yeah!), peace & quiet, less fighting and we choose (via dvd) which things we WILL watch together as a family.

Curses: Trying to keep up with my blog/website, can't print information from the internet or e-mail people in my address book, have to run to the library to use the computer, harder to stay connected.

We weighed the options, and while it's hard, it was "courageous parenting" (at least that's what I keep telling myself). Truth be told, it's been good for me, too. Who hasn't wasted hours in front of a computer and looked around and wondered where the time went?

So while we are trying this out, there will be less posts here than usual because it's hard to update at the library. But I can update my Facebook Fan Page, Creative Juice by Loni, so go ahead and "like" it: http://tinyurl.com/5w4bpgk

I hope you'll be courageous, too...turn off the technology, read a book, stamp a card, get a tan and reconnect with your family this summer!

Join the Club!

2011-06-21T13:08:00.000-06:00

Prepare to be amazed...

at what you can do with rubber stamps!

Join my NEW 2011-2012 Stamp Club and you'll learn a new technique (or two!)

each time we meet and a card showcasing what you learned to share with a friend!

Techniques included in this club:
• Stampin’ Mist Magic Resist
• Polished Stone with Smooch Spritz
• Vintage Clear-Mount Block Background
• Texture Transfer
• Joseph’s Coat
• Black Magic
• Sponged Stencil
• Faux Flocking
• Distressed Faux Fabric Flower
• Basic Pop-up
• Shadow Resist
• Watercolor Pencil Highlighting

Everyone who joins this club will create a Technique Notebook to keep for reference,

PLUS when you become a club member, you get the opportunity to serve once as hostess

(and receive hostess benefits) including

a NEW 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!

Ready, Set, FUN!

E-mail for more information or to join: loni@sfcn.org

Remember the Special Occasions

2011-06-14T08:49:00.000-06:00

When you participate in the CARD SWAP next Monday at my house, you can choose to create one of these fun Card Keepers for just $15:

With a pocket for cards and birthday list for every month of the year, you'll never forget a special occasion!

CARD SWAP MANIA!

2011-06-06T14:29:00.000-06:00

Card Swap MANIA (just like we do it at SU! Convention)

Monday, June 20, 2011

~12:00 NOON~

Here are the rules:

E-MAIL ME TO SIGN UP~ loni@sfcn.org!! Create 20 +1 (the extra card will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House) of the SAME card using supplies from Stampin' Up! (card stock, ink, stamps, accessories, etc). Include an envelope for each card. You can create Birthday or Wedding Cards for this swap and will receive 20 different cards in return!

If you are mailing your cards, include $5 for return postage or send $5 Paypal payment to loni@sfcn.org...all cards will be returned Priority Mail. Cards must be postmarked by June 15th (so we can swap them on the 20th). Late cards will be returned unopened (sorry!).

Mail to: Loni Spendlove, 860 E 1050 S, Spanish Fork, UT 84660

If you are coming to my house in Spanish Fork for the swap, bring something to share for our light potluck lunch! Last Names A-M bring a salad of any sort and Last Names N-Z bring dessert :) Please leave kids at home (babes-in-arms are welcome to attend with mom).

NEW: Create a CARD KEEPER book at the swap on June 20th for only $15. This fun spiral bound folder will help you track and remember up with all the special occasions in your life...request your Card Keeper Kit when you RSVP for the swap: loni@sfcn.org

You **can** use retiring supplies and can order on my website until June 13th to get your supplies in time to participate!

Q&A: New Stampin' Up! Catalog (2011-2012)

2011-06-06T13:08:00.001-06:00

Q: How do I get a copy of the new catalog?

A: It’s an annual phenomena, the new Idea Book & Catalog arrives and stampers around the world drop everything to pour through the pages to see all the new products and project samples. Husbands go hungry, kids are sent outside to play, and the laundry is ignored. It’s okay, we all do it! You sure don’t want to miss out on that!

Purchase
The 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog can be purchased online or with any order beginning July 1st. Better yet, contact me today to pre-order your reserved copy and you may even be able to have it in your hands on July 1st!

Host
Schedule a July workshop and you’ll be one of the first to receive the new Idea Book & Catalog, AND you’ll get it for free. Plus, you and your friends will have the fun of seeing and creating projects with the hottest new items!

Join
If you want to see the catalog before July 1st and you love the quality and creativity of Stampin’ Up! products, you may want to join my team! Stampin’ Up! demonstrators get lots of perks like being the first to see and order new products at a discount. Some demonstrators join as a hobby for the discount on products they love and some join to earn extra money doing something they enjoy.

The Starter Kit is one of the best-kept secrets in the catalog. Why? Because when you order the Starter Kit, you get over $300 of products and supplies for only $175, and with no commitments, you have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain. Some of the favorite benefits of being a demonstrator are obvious like the discount, earning income, access to tons of demonstrator-only resources online, and the monthly Stampin’ Success magazine. Other benefits, like the joy of amazing friendships and the sense of accomplishment that comes from sharing your creativity, are harder to measure, but every bit as valuable.

I’m sure you have lots of questions about becoming a demonstrator. I’m happy to answer them for you, without pressure, so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Get your hands on it!
The new Idea Book & Catalog will be here before you know it, so contact me today to pre-order a reserved copy, schedule your fun July workshop, or find out more about the joys of being part of the Stampin’ Up! family. Any option you choose will ensure that you have your hands on your new Idea Book & Catalog while it’s still hot off the presses!

Thank You Treat Box

2011-06-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

Here Comes the Sun(flowers)

2011-06-02T21:49:00.000-06:00

Finally! The sun has peeked through the clouds of La Nina and it has brightened my soul! I was so inspired by the light (and a card sent to me years ago by a demonstrator friend, Mindi B) that I pulled out the Love & Care stamp set from the Summer Mini catalog and my Stampin' Pastels for a little "Poppin' Pastels":

This technique is really fun and easy: Stamp with Versamark onto white card stock and then use sponge daubers to apply pastels (chalk) to the stamped image and watch the color POP! It's such a cheerful look, matching my optimistic attitude today. Oh, and the flowers embossed into the Early Espresso card stock is the new Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (also from Summer Mini). Enjoy the sunshine!

Time to Say Goodbye

2011-06-01T09:14:00.000-06:00

The end of a year is bittersweet...there are stamp sets I've loved a long time that will be leaving and it's hard to part with. But I love change, too...so I look forward to the new catalog arriving on July 1st!

You can click on the image above to access the retiring lists. Some of the accessories are discounted up to 40% off, but are only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. One point to make: SU! WILL still carry 12x12 card stock (even though it is listed on the Last Chance Accessory List), it's just being re-configured. Everything else is gone for good on June 30th! When you order through my website, you get PREFERRED PRICING!

G-RAD gifts!

2011-05-23T15:56:00.000-06:00

Well, it's that time of the year when halls of the schools ring with Pomp & Circumstance, and if you are looking for G-RAD-ical gifts for those graduates, here's an idea!

This notebook cover is created with an empty Clear Mount Stamp Case from Stampin' Up! (Item 119105, $4.95 for 4 of them!!) The cool thing is that they are CLEAR so you can use double sided paper and it slides in the cover like this:

You will need to cut down the Jr. Legal Pad to 7" x 4.25" to fit inside (Kinko's can do this with just two cuts on their industrial cutter). Then cover the top of the pad with coordinating Designer Series Paper (I used SU! Celebrations DSP). For the matching pen, use a scrap of DSP and a Pentel RSVP pen:

Super Simple. Super Fast. Totally Radical! My style of stamping! And think about all the other possibilities for creating a covered notebook that won't get ruined when you throw it in your purse: Birthdays, Thank Yous, Party favors, Craft Nights, Teacher Gifts, etc.

Take it and Run With it

2011-05-20T09:09:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I find I need a springboard to get my creative Mojo running...and it happened this morning when I checked out the Clean & Simple Sketch 141:

So I took the sketch and ran with it! I immediately thought of a new Hostess Set in the Summer Mini catalog (Love & Care) and combined it with the fabulous new Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (also from the Summer Mini). In an effort to bring a little spring color to our VERY WET and overcast spring here in Utah, I used the brightest colors I could think of: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise.

Have you ever tried the "Rock & Roll" technique? I stamped the flower in Daffodil Delight classic ink and rolled the stamp edges around in Melon Mambo ink, like this:

While you are here, let me invite you to join my Stampin' Up! Birthday/Wedding Card Swap! I'd love to see YOUR creativity!

Ditch the Scissors and Adhesive...

2011-05-17T07:30:00.000-06:00

Crop for a CURE!

2011-05-09T11:41:00.000-06:00

It's time for me to get some scrapbooking done, and I thought I'd invite a few friends over...what are you doing this Saturday? Let's combine a few good things and make a difference at the same time at the CROP FOR A CURE to benefit JDRF!

Here's the scoop: I'll host the crop at my house and there is NO CHARGE, but I would invite you to make a donation of any amount to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). You can donate at the crop or online here.

We'll crop from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. down Spendlove Lane in Spanish Fork!

****Bring your own card stock, photos, scissors, adhesive, etc!!****

You will have access to all my stamps, ink pads, Big Shot, dies, punches, etc. I will provide chocolate and prizes! You can leave for lunch or dinner or we can order it in (purchase your own). If you have extra scraps/embellishments/card stock/etc that you want to offer on the "Free for All" table, bring it along and we'll recycle it!

Space is limited, so please call to reserve your spot ASAP: 801-376-8685

Send a Little Hope

2011-05-03T18:24:00.000-06:00

Is there anyone whose life hasn't been touched by Breast Cancer? As part of the Make a Difference program at Stampin' Up!, we have partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the "Strength & Hope" campaign. I created my first card (and have already sent one) with this beautiful set based on a design I recently used for my Stamp-a-Stack Card Class:

I hope you can see this detail: Add a few drops of the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint to a hand sanitizer spray (the kind that looks like a fat pen which you can buy at the dollar store or Staples) and spray it over your card for a beautiful shimmer!

Hint: When you run out of hand-sanitizer spray, fill up your "spray pen" with rubbing alcohol and add more shimmer paint! These little spray pens give a perfect mist over a card and the alcohol content dries quickly so your card doesn't get too wet.

From May 1-August 31, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of each Strength & Hope stamp set and Digital Kit to BCRF. For more information (or to order your own set) click HERE. I'm sure you know a strong woman who would love a card created from this inspiring set!

Baskets & Bunnies...Easter is on It's Way!

2011-04-19T12:11:00.000-06:00

When I was demonstrating a cupcake gift at Helen's workshop last month, she suggested using the Perfect Setting Die and Big Shot to create an Easter Basket and I finally had a few minutes to try it out! The hardest part? Getting Smooch (the bunny) to slow down long enough to act as deliveryman!

I used the Scalloped Ribbon Border punch across the handle and added a few pearls and ribbons to dress it up. To create the bottom, I punched two scalloped circles (1 3/8"). On the first circle, cut into each scallop~just a smidge~and fold the edges up and push inside basket to create a "bottom" (adhere folded scallop edges to inside of basket with sticky strip) and then glue the second scallop circle to the bottom of the basket as a base.

I guess Easter is on it's way! The Easter Bunny visits our house on Saturday morning so that we can focus on the REAL meaning of Easter on Sunday:

What are some of your Easter traditions (spiritual or secular)? I'd love to read about your traditions in the comments!

Button, Button, I've got the buttons!

2011-04-18T10:23:00.000-06:00

When I saw these cute button bracelets on Jill Olsen's Blog, I knew I had to make one for my sister's birthday! Of course, her birthday was in February, but she just got it last weekend while I was visiting her house.

They are fun and easy to make with 30 Stampin' Up! buttons (10 each of three different sizes), a little stretchy cord on a needle and a crimping bead. Jill posted a video tutorial here. Need some buttons to make your own? Order them here!

Stamping Show and Tell

2011-04-11T14:23:00.000-06:00

At the Stitched Stampers quarterly meeting last week, we had a "Shoebox Swap" and "Show-and-Tell" so today I'm sharing some of the really cute ideas. However, I'm saving one **unbelievably adorable idea** for my April workshops, so if you want to make the CUTEST little spring project, you should call me ASAP to book a party!!!

We'll start with Pam's card: This lovely monochromatic card displays the versatility of brown!

Sally's card is next: The tip she shared is to start with a 3"x3" square of White card stock and using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, simply insert your card into the punch in the middle on all four sides, creating a perfect frame!

And to finish off today's fashion show, Hop the Easter Bunny presents some darling dotted Easter Milk Cartons in their stylish container, courtesy of Pam! (Hop had to be in the picture because those sweet little creatures showed up halfway through the swap, and they were the focus of attention from the moment they arrived!). I'll be happy to show you how to create these cute containers at YOUR party :)

Sign of Spring

2011-04-08T16:29:00.000-06:00

What is cuter than a baby bunny?

FOUR BABY BUNNIES!!!!

And watching my kids with the baby bunnies was even more precious...there is just something about a baby of any sort that reminds you of the great love of God and a deep gratitude for all of his breath-taking creations!

Spring Is Blossoming

2011-04-05T06:33:00.014-06:00

Enjoy a few more samples using the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper and Four Frames stamp set (part of the Spring is Blossoming April Promotion!) Did I mention that the Four Frames stamp set co-ordinates with the new XL Decorative Label punch? It makes creating these beautiful cards that much easier!

2011-04-01T11:01:00.000-06:00

SNEAK PEEK: You can be the first to get your hands on new products that won't be available again until the new Stampin' Up! catalog arrives in July!

Four Frames stamp set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper:

How can you get your own? This opportunity is only available April 1-30, 2011! Here's the deal:

Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE!

And here's my first simple sample (words from Grateful Greetings stamp set) :

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

2011-04-01T10:43:00.001-06:00

This "box" of chocolate is fat and calorie free :) Playing along with Clean & Simple Sketch 134 today...and I used the Eat Chocolate Stamp set (in Occasions Mini Catalog), Curly Cute stamp set (for greeting), an Early Espresso Ink Pad & Stampin' Write Marker and the Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper pack punched with the Scallop Square punch. To make it look good enough to eat, I added Crystal Effects to each piece of chocolate...yummy!

TIP: If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

A Milestone Reached

2011-03-29T14:41:00.000-06:00

WOW! I'm so very grateful right now...thanks to *YOU* (my dear, wonderful friends and customers!) I reached $200,000 in career sales with Stampin' Up! this week!!! It took me about 12 years to reach the first $100K and just 7 years to exceed this milestone. And guess what? I get a $2,000 bonus!! I just love what I do :)

Now I can't decide what to spend it on...a vacation with my husband? A new dining room set? A family trip? (Note that it's a VACATION when I go with my sweetheart and a TRIP if we take the kids: A bit of wisdom my father taught me)

So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for letting me be your creative coach and for thinking of me when you need supplies for scrapping, stamping, home decor, gifts and more. I recognize your loyalty (and God's hands) in this great blessing and want you to know I am humbled and grateful. I wish I could send you ALL a card, but this will have to do:

{Card created by Debbie Greuser...one of the dear demonstrators in my Stitched Stampers family}

If you would love being a part of my stampin' family and/or want to make a business out of sharing your creativity, you can join through March 31, 2011 for 15% off the Starter Kit AND get a Starter Kit Bonus Bundle (Color Coach, Simply Sent Card Kit and Stamp Set & Exclusive Punch!) FREE...Click Here for more information or to join today!
(P.S. My recruiting password is stampwithme)

Another Stamptacular Event!

2011-03-22T18:55:00.000-06:00

There is something miraculous in putting ink to paper. I remember the first time I watched someone stamp a card and was WOWed by the entire process! Twenty years later, I'm still amazed at what you can do with a piece of card stock and an ink pad. That's me, above, at the Stamptacular event held in St. George at the beginning of March.

When stampers get together, we really love swapping...Kristi and Sally, two of the demonstrators in my Stitched Stampers family, are shown above as they swap some of the cute gifts they made during the demonstrator meeting. Kristi later demonstrated the cute box she swapped using the Movers and Shapers die for the Big Shot (just the right size to hold a giant candy bar!):

Sally showed us how to create "One-Eyed-Monsters" (with a mint patty in the middle):

Later in the day, we added some customers...here is Jeni C (right) and her mom at the Stamp-a-Stack card class making the cupcake birthday cards! Mom loved the Big Shot (who wouldn't?)

Sometimes we get lost in the rhythm of stamping and you tune out the world! It's a great feeling to create something beautiful, and Murlynn and Stacy demonstrate the proper focus here:

Next is the Nevada contingency...a really fun group of ladies who came from Mesquite and Las Vegas with Kristi! They really exemplified that "Stamping is more fun with a friend" and we loved having them with us:

And finally, Anne, Shae and Tina create the card keeper...we'll be making this soon in Spanish Fork, so watch for that event TBA soon! Shae was one little creative gal who could draw beautifully :)

My only regret was that I didn't get a shot of Sue, the photographer...next time, next time...

Keepin' it simple...

2011-03-18T11:57:00.001-06:00

Another Friday and time for another Clean & Simple Sketch!

And here's my version:

All supplies from Stampin' Up! (of course!). Colors: Pacific Point, Pear Pizazz, Real Red and Whisper White. Balloons from the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set and greeting from the Full of Life stamp set. Designer Series Paper: Celebrations. Have a great weekend!

Prepare to be amazed...

2011-03-16T11:21:00.000-06:00

I can play the piano.

I'm not a concert pianist, but I can play the hymns at church and I can play some of the fun things I hear on the radio, too.

For the record...everything your mom told you about practicing is true: You WILL be glad she forced you to sit at the piano practicing scales while your friends ride their bikes past your window. It IS a life skill that you will be grateful for. And GUARANTEED, you WILL regret it if you give it up. THANKS, MOM for not letting me get away with it when I called you after you had baby #3 at the hospital on medication and tried to quit piano lessons!

As a college student, I continued to study piano with Lu Jennings (bless her soul in heaven, she was a wonderful and patient teacher), I still wasn't convinced that I would eventually be grateful for this talent. Then I had a nightmare/dream that I was attending an Air Supply Concert (I just gave away my age) and the pianist died onstage, but as they say in show business, "The Show Must Go On" ...so in my dream concert, they asked if anyone could play the piano: I raised my hand and was called up to play for remainder of the concert. The nightmare started when I looked at the music and there were 6 flats AND 7 sharps! For non-musical types, that wouldn't happen...unless you are Debussy, whose music I only tried to tackle ONCE.

Once in a while, I'll be playing the piano and think to myself, "This is really incredible that I can look at black dots on the paper and my right hand can play one thing while my left hand is playing different notes!" And then I usually mess up whatever I'm playing because I'm over-thinking it. Which is why I admire the talents of those who CAN play the piano beautifully, and this is a young man you will want to watch for: Josh Wright.

Remember the name.

And if you can read this, thank a music teacher:

Lucky You

2011-03-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

“I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work,

the more I have of it.” ~Thomas Jefferson

One of my favorite quotes from my sister (almost as profound as the honorable Mr. Jefferson) is, "I don't speak Whine-ese!" Of course, she was addressing her young daughter, but I think it would be an appropriate response for the current fad of "entitlement mentality" across the nation. And that's my soapbox for today, followed by a wee bit of creative luck (based on the Clean & Simple sketch 131):

My model today is Bernadette, the Stampin' Up! bear that I got at convention two years ago, and in case you can't read the small print on the tag, it says, "LUCKY YOU...and lucky me for knowing you." It's from the Afterthoughts stamp set (one you can choose free if you host a qualifying workshop!) and the shamrocks are from the Got Treats stamp set. The colors are Wild Wasabi and Certainly Celery, in fashion this week as we are about to celebrate St. Patty's Day!

I'm off to cut more card stock for my Stamp-a-Stack class tomorrow...may you make time to be creative over the weekend!

Plane & Simple

2011-03-09T13:23:00.001-07:00

Here's a sneak peek at one of the cards you can make this Saturday at the Stamp-a-Stack class:

It uses a wonderful masculine/vintage set from the Occasions Mini Catalog (Plane & Simple) and you can make it into a Thank You or Happy Birthday card instead of a Father's Day card! So if you are low on greeting cards, this is your opportunity to prepare for those special occasions in your life...We'll also be making Birthday Cards, Feminine Cards (Mother's Day, Thank You, etc) and Wedding cards!

Stamp-a-Stack Class

Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m.

Spanish Fork, UT 84660

Create 16 cards (4 each of 4 different designs) for just $20! Bring own scissors & adhesive.

Betcha can't stop with just one...

2011-03-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

I couldn't! This card sketch was so simple and fun that I couldn't just make ONE, so I created one for everyone who orders from my website in March :) Here is Clean & Simple Sketch #130:

And here are my cards

(love using the Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper, Ribbon and Buttons again!):

Don't forget that is the last month to earn Sale-a-Bration products free (like this paper or the ribbons and buttons...) with every $50 order you make!

Ice Cream Parlor...a fun "Sale-a-Bration"

2011-02-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

I'm combining lots of delightfully delicious things today: The Clean & Simple sketch #129, the Ice Cream Parlor Sale-a-Bration packs (that you can earn FREE!) and throwing in a little birthday scrapbook page, just for fun!

Let's jump dig right in with my take on today's C&S sketch:

When I saw this sketch, I immediately thought of the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents and Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon & Button Packs sitting on my stamp desk! There was even a self-adhesive scallop in the Accents to make it really super simple. I added a sentiment from the On a Pedestal stamp set and ta-da...it's done!

I also created this page for one of my daughter's birthday celebrations from the same Ribbon & Button pack. The Pacific Point Top Note shape (cut from the Big Shot) peeks out from under the pictures with the title for this page to say, "May all your wishes come true!". It's very bright and gives it a "Celebration" feel...which was perfect since I used the "Sale-a-Bration" offerings!

Want to know how you can get the paper, accents, ribbon and buttons FREE? You can choose them free when you order $50 from my website! I just love using free supplies...

10 Reasons to Join Stampin' Up!

2011-02-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

10 reasons to join my Stampin' Up! Family:

During Sale-a-Bration (through March 31st), our starter kits are 15% off...that's like getting more than $310 of amazing products for just $148.75! And if you need one more reason to join today, how about FREE BONUS PRODUCTS ($50 value):

While anytime is a great time to start your own Stampin' Up! business, I want to invite you to be part of my family today! The sooner you start, the more you can SALE-A-BRATE with your friends. My recruit password is "stampwithme" :)

Would you like to know more? Listen to an Opportunity Call from Stampin' Up! every Tuesday, February 22-May 31, at 11:00 AM (MT) and 4:00 PM (MT).
To attend this call, dial 1-866-640-4044 and, when prompted, enter the access code 500284#.

Sale-a-Bration Bliss

2011-02-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

bliss

[blis] –noun

1. supreme happiness; utter joy or contentment: wedded bliss.

2. Theology . the joy of heaven.

3. heaven; paradise: the road to eternal bliss.

4. Archaic . a cause of great joy or happiness.

5. my favorite Sale-a-Bration Stamp Set!

One of my favorite thing about the taffeta ribbon (shown here in Rich Razzleberry) is that you can fray the end and pick a strand from the middle of the ribbon, then pull it to gather the ribbon! Isn't that so feminine and pretty? PURE bliss, as far as I'm concerned :)

And here is Shannon West from Stampin' Up! showing you a few more ways to use this gorgeous stamp set:

Did I mention you can get this stamp set FREE??

Blog Chocolate Winner!

2011-02-11T14:00:00.003-07:00

Thanks to Random.org, comment #6 by Latricia is the winner of the BLOG CHOCOLATE prize! E-mail me with your mailing address, Latricia, and you'll get THIS:

And for some more chocolate valentine's inspiration, here's pure BLISS (those dark chocolate hearts co-ordinate beautifully with SU! Brushed Gold, Real Red and Whisper White card stock!):

My Fabulous Escape!

2011-02-09T13:59:00.001-07:00

When I moved into this house in 2005, my goal that first autumn when the kids went back to school was to stay home and catch up on their scrapbook albums. Scrapbooking is therapeutic for me and my children love looking through their books and sharing them with friends and family. Alas, I have finished very few pages or books since then!

So when my friend Beth said that she was planning a casual scrapbook retreat in Salt Lake City, I invited myself and my dear friend Kelli :) It was time to do something personal I wanted to do...that didn't have anything to do with my business.

When my husband went into emergency surgery for kidney stones the day before the retreat began, I rationalized: The funeral could wait until Monday, worst case scenario. Judge me, dear reader: I *did* get him situated at home (with painkillers) 2 full hours before I left!

AND even when Kelli had to drive 4 hours home during the middle of the retreat to open her son's mission call (he's going to Paraguay), then drive her daughter all the way to Park City the next morning, she CAME BACK the next morning.

We worked through the wee hours of the night/morning, laughed heartily at Beth's entertainment (she's a master storyteller!), bared our souls to one another, ate well (Buca di Beppo and Cafe Rio along with plenty of snacks), and even managed to squeeze in a little exercise. We passed the "I-finished-a-page" crown around, shared ideas and did whatever we wanted when we wanted (which explains why we don't have makeup or hair done...and possibly not many supporting undergarments...in many of the pictures above) Pure bliss! Thanks Beth, Kelli, Vicky, Jennifer, SaraJane, Helen & Nanette...you were just what I needed.

I finished over 50 pages and it felt so good! I'll try to share a few in the next week or so (when I'm not working).

P.S. Husband survived and even had Superbowl dinner ready when I came home! He's a keeper :)

P.P.S. Will announce Blog Chocolate Winner soon!

I'm That Friend...

2011-02-02T13:00:00.017-07:00

It won't come as any surprise that my favorite set from the new Occasions Mini Catalog is "Eat Chocolate" and here is the card I created for the Stitched Stampers Occasions Mini Swap (inspired by a Mojo Monday sketch):

I added a little Crystal Effects on the chocolate and now it looks good enough to eat!

Now if you are a local (Utah County)...have you tried "The Chocolate" (a dessert cafe) in Orem? We just discovered it a few months ago and I can definitely recommend skipping dinner and just going for dessert...

And since we are chatting about chocolate, may I recommend a good book?

This is a wonderful new cookbook by Annette Lyon (who also writes LDS Fiction) and I can say that she really makes chocolate fun! I got to visit with her when she came to sign books a few months ago in our Deseret Book Store (where I have worked for 5 years) and I was so excited when this came out!

My Great-Grandmother Charlotte Jane Cole Grey's biography was titled "I'd Rather Read a Recipe Than A Book". I think the fact that I like to read recipes AND books comes from both Charlotte and Montrue, her daughter (my Grandma) who worked for years at the Dixie College bookstore... the love of books & cooking run in the family!

Since "I'm That Friend (Who Has Chocolate)" here's a chance to win some BLOG ~~CANDY~~ CHOCOLATE! Leave a comment (or a recipe!) about your favorite chocolate indulgence and YOU COULD WIN a delicious chocolate treat AND the "It's All Good" stamp set (retired). Comment by midnight, February 8th and I'll announce the winner on the 9th!

If Your Man "Doesn't Do Pink"

2011-01-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

If it's a challenge to come up with a Valentine for your man who balks at pastel colors, I'm here to lend a little inspiration! My husband isn't afraid to wear an apron in the kitchen (he was grateful when I finally gave him a masculine version that reads "I TURN GRILLS ON") but he has a strange aversion to the color pink. And since women are more likely to be making cards and gifts for their husbands/boyfriends, we should show some respect for those men who enjoy receiving a hand-stamped valentine, but want to retain their man-card.

Here's a Not-Quite-Navy Explosion Card that we created at my Stamp Club last week:

All you need to do is add some photos or a message of love inside:

And here is a Tuxedo-Ready version using the new "Lots of Love" letterpress plate and Glimmer Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog:

One thing I love about the Glimmer paper is that NO SPARKLES rub off onto your fingers, clothes or face...but if you need it on your face, you can always use Dazzling Diamonds glitter :)

Don't forget to register for the Valentine's Stamp Camp by Monday, February 7th!

Love Birds (Valentine Stamp Camp!)

2011-01-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

These little flip albums always make me smile, and you can create this one at my Valentine Stamp Camp! Here's a peek inside...

It's the perfect size (6x6) to present to your own "Love Bird" for Valentines Day (with your pictures inside) AND we'll also be creating a CD cover so you can burn an album of all your love songs, too!

Friday, February 11 at 10 a.m.

Saturday, February 12 at 1 p.m.

Spanish Fork, UT

Cost: $20

Click Here to Reserve Your Spot!

Bring: scissors, paper trimmer (optional) and Adhesive

(Sticky Strip adhesive *strongly* recommended to keep your projects together...order when you register if you don't have any!)

The Stars are (RE-)Aligned!

2011-01-19T11:42:00.002-07:00

"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground" ~ Theodore Roosevelt

In the early 80's, one of my high school teachers read daily horoscopes (from the day previous) out loud to the class to see if the predictions truly were accurate. As members of the class "oohed" and "aahed" and nodded their heads in agreement that indeed, yesterday had been just as their horoscope had read...I, as the lone astrological skeptic, thought, "I could have fit yesterday into any of those generalities." Then the teacher revealed that he had actually "twisted the dial" and read the incorrect horoscope for everyone.

Well, it seems the stars have (re-)aligned, and just when
you got that Taurus Tattoo, you became an Aries! That's progress people...the earth tilts and suddenly the whole galaxy as we know it is put into a primordial spin. On the bright side, it is certainly going to help the tattoo-removal business. In case you need to go re-read today's horoscope, "here's your (new) sign":

Capricorn: January 20 to February 16
Aquarius: February 16 to March 11
Pisces: March 11 to April 18.
Aries: April 18 to May 13
Taurus: May 13 to June 21.
Gemini: June 21 to July 20
Cancer: July 20 to August 10
Leo: August 10 to September 16
Virgo: September 16 to October 30
Libra: October 30 to November 23
Scorpio: November 23 to November 29
Ophiuchus: November 29 to December 17
Sagittarius: December 17 to January 20

If you are disturbed by this shift in the galaxy, you are not alone! There are claims that perhaps this doesn't apply to the western world (we can choose our own reality!), or since we added that 13th constellation, we should add a 13th month to the year (poor Ophiuchus...he's been there all along and now he's finally getting some respect! Let's name the new month "Ophiember"), or (my favorite): Earth's movement does not determine astrological signs (Hello? Do they not understand the definition of Astrology?). But wait, there's more: Maybe it only applies to people born after 2009...

Most likely, it doesn't matter at all. Because if you are the type of person who won't get out of bed when your horoscope tells you it's a one-star day, you have bigger problems.

Bring on the Bling!

2011-01-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Art from the Heart

2011-01-10T14:41:00.000-07:00

Sharing a few cute Valentine Card Ideas from a recent Group Gathering with the demonstrators in my Stampin' Up! family...enjoy! Clockwise from top left: Pam, Kay, Me (I cased this card from another demonstrator and would give them credit if I could remember who!!), Sally (Approved by MEN for Valentines Day: NO PINK!!).

Did you know that Valentines Day is the holiday when people send the most cards (after Christmas)? If you didn't get your Holiday Cards sent, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! Don't miss the Stampin' Up! Filled with Love Promotion...the perfect choice to create art from the HEART, but only available until January 24th.

Hugs & Kisses: Clean & Simple 122

2011-01-07T13:17:00.002-07:00

Thank you, Clean & Simple, for another way to use some of my beloved designer series paper scraps! This is the sketch:

And here is my Valentine {{xoxo}}

One Great Year Scrapbook Class

2011-01-07T11:11:00.001-07:00

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to catch up on your Memory Albums (or to get ahead of the game in 2011), then you won't want to miss the "One Great Year" Scrapbook class! Using the One Great Year Simply Scrappin' Kit, you can create 24 6"x6" page layouts (or 12 double-sided 8.5x11" or 12"x12" pages~ for a total of 24 pages) AND finish them all in just a few hours, ready to add your photos each month! It would make a lovely gift, too :)

Tuesday, January 18th at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, January 19th at 9 a.m.

Down Spendlove Lane in Spanish Fork, UT

Cost: $25 (Bring scissors & adhesive)

**Receive 10% any Stampin' Up! Album ordered at the class!**

Filled with Love

2011-01-03T15:48:00.001-07:00

A few years ago, I was on a date with my husband and a few other friends when another set of couples exited the restaurant we were at and we overheard this conversation between the two men:

Man #1: "Hey, that football game is on next Saturday...do you want to come over and watch it?"
Man #2: "Um, isn't that Valentine's day? I don't think my wife would go for that."
Man #3: "Really? Is Valentine's on the 14th this year?"

Just in case you missed it, Valentine's *IS* on February 14th this year (and last year, and next year...and the year after that...) and I'm here to help you show your love in the most creative ways :)

Create beautiful cards and gifts with the Stampin' Up! Filled With Love promotion (click on image above for more details). Free Bitty Button Offer good only through January 24th!
Plan to attend my Spanish Fork Valentine Stamp Camp on Friday, February 11th (10 a.m.) or Saturday, February 12th (1 p.m.). SAMPLES COMING SOON! You'll create a fabulous "flip" album for your Love Bird and a beautiful card/CD cover for you to..."say I Love You with a song". The cost is only $20 and space is limited! RSVP today: 801-376-8685

2011: Looking forward...

2011-01-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

"Recycle" Christmas Cards: How To Make Boxes!

2010-12-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Obviously, I love to keep hand-crafted cards to remember and inspire me, but what do I do with all the "other" cards I get at Christmas time? I re-purpose them into gift boxes!

Here is how to do it in 8 easy steps:

Cut card in half along fold.
Using back half of card first, fold so long edges meet in middle (important to do this step first)
Open and fold short edges to meet in the middle.
Open and cut edges from short edges to the first fold.
Fold short "arms" into the inside of box.
Fold top edges of larger tab over the short arms and tape down to inside of box. This creates the BOTTOM of the box.
Repeat steps 1-6 for the TOP of the box using the front half of card, leaving a small space between edges when folding (this makes the top a bit bigger to fit over the bottom). Remember to keep the pretty side facing OUT when folding the box, so you can see the design!
Fit box together, place gift inside and add ribbon!

Joy in the Mailbox

2010-12-17T15:49:00.001-07:00

Truth be told, my favorite part of Christmas is getting the mail out of the mailbox! For the other eleven months of the year, there's not much to look forward to amongst the bills, credit card offers and mass-mailed advertisements. But during the holidays, people actually send real-live-honest-to-goodness-hand-signed-cards/letters, and what a treat it is! The whole family knows that it's Mom's prerogative to collect the mail, and to cross mom is risky business.

It's much better to hold a card in your hand than to get a message in your e-mail inbox that reads "So & So Sent You a Card". Really? That ranks right up there with a "Gift" on Facebook: completely, totally and utterly useless. What am I going to do with a virtual Ice Cream Cone? Sure there aren't any calories, but the sender didn't give any thought about what flavor I liked best or come with me to enjoy eating it together, which is what friendship is all about. Remember this, dear reader: The tangible will always trump the digitally simulated!

While I love hand-stamped cards the most, I do have a few criteria by which I judge exceptional holiday greetings:

First and foremost...don't just send a picture of your kids! While I'm sure that your children are the most talented, adorable, brilliant creatures to walk this planet, what I want to see is YOU. The parents. My friends. If I'm being totally candid, I want to see if the effects of gravity are working on you as much as they are on me, but most of all, it's YOUR face I want to see and smile back at.
Give me the dirt, but not the dump truck. I revel in reading the report of your past year, but one page is plenty. More than a page is like being forced to eat a whole chocolate cake...it started out sweet and delicious, but by the end you want to throw up.
To get the "Holy Grail" Merit of Christmas Greeting Cards (and get a place in the Christmas Album I keep from year to year), jot a personal note in your handwriting!

Before I continue, let me give a disclaimer: My own family has had an almost-20-year tradition of sending Thanksgiving cards. We would mass produce close to 180 hand-stamped cards early in the autumn, and getting them out FIRST seemed to remind people to return the greeting sometime during the ensuing holiday season. It also provided the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude for our friends and family, and it is certainly heart-felt appreciation. And occasionally, we don't have time to write a personal greeting in each, but sometimes we try.

Last year we decided that since our surname is "Spendlove", it would make sense to send VALENTINES! So we have switched to sending holiday greetings in February, and now our mailing list is MUCH smaller, as I don't feel the need to send someone a card who hasn't at least contacted me in the last year >:D

Now we get to the good part: Let me share some of the first hand-crafted cards I've received from my awesome friends so far this season!! (I'm sharing those who have used at least one Stampin' Up! product and will post more on my Stampin' Up! Facebook page as they arrive). Hope you'll send me one of yours, too!

Clockwise from top left: From Suzie, Bobbie, Lacy, Leara and Shelli.

Christmas Cottage

2010-12-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Despite a busy schedule at the bookstore, I did find time to build a house! This cute little Christmas Cottage was made using the Stampin' Up! Decor Accents Design-a-House and the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series Paper and some leftover batting for the snow covered roof:

It was really quite easy to make, and at $5.95 each, you could make a whole village! You could also make it into a cute Valentine decoration: "A House Filled with Love". After I finished this one, it was claimed by my daughter for her room. If you make one, send me a picture and I'll share it here on my blog!

P.S. You CAN still order Stampin' Up! online to be delivered by Christmas...all orders placed by December 15th will be picked and packaged in time for Christmas Eve Delivery! CLICK HERE to order.

Something To Read...

2010-12-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

It's been crazy busy at the bookstore recently...which is why I've been absent for a few weeks. It's like everyone looked at the calendar and said, "Holy Cow! Christmas is just around the corner! I better go shopping!" So click below for a little Christmas shopping help from me (Deseret Book Friends & Family coupons are good through December 16th!)

Remember the Victorian Christmas Mantra..."Something they WANT, Something they NEED, Something to WEAR and Something to READ"

Here are my suggestions for the "Something to Read" part...(you can also check to see what I'm reading by becoming my friends on Goodreads or see my bookshelf in the left column).

Divine Signatures (and how fortunate that this is one of the coupons for you, too!). The true stories in this new book will touch your heart as you read about the evidence of God's hand in the lives of people just like you and me. If you don't buy another book this year, this is the one you want! "In this unique book, Gerald N. Lund shows how having a correct idea of God's character, perfections, and attributes is essential to our ability to strengthen our faith and develop our testimony. He also reminds us of how much God loves His children and that He "delights" to bless us, especially when we are striving to do His will. As and example, Elder Lund introduces the idea of a "divine signature": "Sometimes blessings come in such an unusual manner and with such precise timing that they accomplish something in addition to blessing us. They so clearly confirm the reality of God's existence that they buoy us up in times of trials."

The Great & Terrible Series

"This thrilling series by national bestselling author Chris Stewart takes us from the beginning of time to the final hours of the last days. Filled with rumors of wars and political intrigues, deadly epidemics and economic disasters, uplifting twists and inspiring miracles, the volumes in The Great and Terrible series reveal the greatest secret of all: The children of God can defeat the adversary, for we have fought him before."

Of Pigs, Pearls & Prodigals: A Fresh Look at the Parables of Jesus This new book by John Bytheway is on my "To-Read" list. The thing that intrigues me the most about this book (besides the fact that John makes scripture study fun!) is that he includes a part for each parable that makes it relevant to my life today, which will enrich my study of the New Testament in 2011.

FOR KIDS:

The Great Plan of Happiness: With fun illustrations, this book simply explains to children where they came from, why they're here on earth, and where they go after death.

FOR TEENS:

HOW? Essential Skills for Living the Gospel If you were swimming in the ocean and discovered you were being pulled farther and farther away from land by a rip current, would you know how to get back to shore? There is a method - one that could save your life. Likewise, the authors of How? ask teenagers, "If you were caught up with friends in some activities you knew were wrong and you felt yourself being pulled away from the safety of the gospel shoe, caught up in a current of sin, would you know how to get beck?" Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "Once we ... understand the importance and meaning of a commandment, we need to learn how to do it." In this sequel to their bestselling book WHY?, John Hilton and Anthony Sweat answer more than 100 gospel questions, such as:

How Can I Increase My Faith in Jesus Christ

How Can I Know When I've Been Forgiven?

How Can I Know When the Holy Ghost Is Speaking to Me?

How Can I Stay Faithful When Life Is Hard?

How Can I Set Meaningful Personal Goals?

How Can I Find Answers In My Scriptures?

How Can I Resist and Overcome Pornography?

Holiday Grab-n-Go Open House!

2010-12-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Down "Santa Claus Lane" (860 E 1050 S, Spanish Fork)

Saturday, December 4th from 4-6 p.m.

Monday, December 6th from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Drop in for some Cocoa and Christmas Creativity! Create a card to "dress up" your gift cards, stamp inserts for a "Simply Adorned" charm, see some incredibly fast and unique gift ideas, greeting cards, home decor projects and much more! Bring a friend or send your spouse (...I'll be Santa's Helper if you e-mail me your wishlist and his e-mail or cell phone number :)) No Charge!

Welcome, Christmas!

2010-11-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and despite my best intentions to take a lot of pictures to share...I didn't. Instead I cooked turkey for my family at home, took a nap and went to a movie! It's a family tradition to see a movie on Thanksgiving Day, so we went to see Disney's Tangled. This is one movie you need to see, people~ it was darling and delightful, and I may have even shed a few tears. But if you know me, that's no surprise as I cry at Campbell's Soup commercials...

The day after turkey day found me alone at my house for a few hours (a mother's fantasy!!) so I took down my fall decor and started on the Christmas trimmings! What was usually a stressful event (with the whole family) was actually a peaceful and enjoyable evening spent with the music cranked up unwrapping each treasured ornament. I didn't actually put up the tree (that's the hubby's job), but the "seasonals" are out and I am actually looking forward to the holidays! Maybe that's because I slowed down long enough to "Welcome Christmas into my heart".

This sweet card is one we made at the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack a few weeks ago. This could be one of my new favorite color combinations: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Real Read and Marina Mist. And guess what? The stamp set used is Northern Hearts, a hostess level 1 set that you could choose free with a $150 order...and don't forget that shipping is FREE for two more days on a $150+ order during the Online Spectacular, where you can save up to 50% on some of our most popular items!

So if you are "Cyber Monday" shopping, be sure to check out some of the great gifts you can buy in your jammies at the computer! Here's a list of Stampin' Up! gift ideas for everyone on your list:

For the Quilter/Fabric Crafter: Designer Fabric Bundles (Half Price today!) Check out my apron made with the Candy Cane Christmas Fabic here
For the Scrapper: A Simply Scrappin' Kit or My Digital Studio (50% off during the Online Spectacular...unbelievable!) makes a gift they will appreciate! See some of my digital pages here
For the Decorator: Get a bundle of our luscious 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon for 40% off through November 30 or a piece of our vinyl Decor Elements to change the look of any room!
For your Best Friend (or Wife): A Simply Adorned charm with a personalized set of inserts (or pictures of their children!) says "I cared enough to stamp the very best!"
For the beginning crafter: A Simply Sent Card Kit, stamp set and ink pad makes paper crafting so easy, a caveman could do it! (and for less than 30 bucks!)
For Grandma/Grandpa: A personalized calendar or Birthday Calendar will bring a smile to their face all year long! Make one from scratch starting at $7.95 or make one with My Digital Studio that you bought for yourself :)
For your Husband: The Decor Accents Date Keeper helps keep track of the days, weeks or months until a special event (a vacation? your anniversary?) and can be personalized with stamps or photos!
For the kids: I don't know of a child who doesn't love to get creative with stamps and ink...and a few of our most popular sets for kids and teenagers are 30% through November 30th.

Spectacular Savings (through November 30th!)

2010-11-22T10:42:00.003-07:00

Spiritual Gifts

2010-11-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a sweet (spiritual) gift...from an adorable little girl with a great talent for teaching the Word of God!

"...and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6

Change Time, Change Batteries or "Learn from my mistake"

2010-11-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

A few Saturdays ago, we made and bottled Apple Pie Filling until 9:30 p.m. (see below for a great recipe given to me by my best friend, Kelli). We were pretty exhausted, the husband and I because you see, we had been up since 3 a.m. (a story for another time). But the last batch we made was beautiful! We cleaned up the canning kitchen (which is in our basement), mopped the floors and turned out the lights. As we were preparing for bed, one of the smoke detectors started chirping because the battery was almost dead.

This may be as good a time as any to explain that we had already removed 3 dead batteries (from the 5 total smoke detectors in our home) and had never replaced them. That annoying chirping when the battery dies ALWAYS starts in the middle of the night causing one to lose sleep waiting...for...the...next...beep!!! AARRGGHH! And of course, once one has had a good night's sleep, one never thinks to replace the battery, because that would require going to the store and buying some 9 volt batteries, which one never happens to have just laying around.

Back to the story: We promptly removed the battery from the second-to-last working smoke detector (ensuring an uninterrupted night of rest!), said our prayers (thanking God for safety and protection, of course...all the while He's shaking His head, I'm sure..) and went to sleep.

At 1 a.m., we awake to the blare (NOT a chirp or beep) of the last working smoke detector screaming that there is a problem! Remember the old movies about how to be safe in a fire? You are supposed to feel your door to see if it's hot, right? Who remembers that when the alarm is piercing your groggy brain? My husband flings open the door and 3 feet of smoke billows in on the ceiling. Suddenly I remember that I forgot to turn off the hot water bath with the last batch of Apple Pie Filling!!

We were lucky...the water had burned off and 3 bottles had burst, allowing the apples and sugar to start smoking and were able to get it out the door before it started to burn!

So take it from me, folks...when the time changes, CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS!!! And here's another little life lesson: Don't Google "smoking pot picture" if you are looking for an image of a burning pan in the kitchen...

Now to the good stuff! Here's the recipe for bottled Apple Pie Filling (thanks, Kelli!)

24 pounds (1/2 bushel) Apples, peeled, cored and sliced

Mix together: 5 c. water, 6 c. sugar, 12 T cornstarch and 3 T cinnamon. Heat and stir until clear (it will still be brown, but not opaque). Add sliced apples and stir just 'til hot. Pour into jars and process in hot water bath for 25 minutes (REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE STOVE WHEN FINISHED).

To make a pie: Pour into pie crust and bake 45 minutes at 425 degrees.

Royal Blog Tour: Peaceful Season

2010-11-04T21:00:00.017-06:00

Thanks for making the Royal Blog Tour a great success! While the tour is officially over, I'm leaving up the samples to inspire your holiday stamping :) Scroll to the bottom for Blog Candy Winner!

I've prepared some breathtaking samples using the *Exclusive* Level 2 Hostess Stamp Set, Peaceful Season from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog...it's not too late to contact your demonstrator to host a workshop to earn this set FREE (hint, hint)!

Have you seen the adorable mini gift bags in the Holiday Mini Catalog? Here is just one simple way to dress up some homemade caramel popcorn or a small gift:

I love this card created with the Big Shot, Scallop Square die and more of the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper that looks like a present on the outside...

...and when you open it up, you pull the greeting from a pocket on the inside of the card!

It could be both a card AND a gift if you glued a gift card on the insert :)

I wanted to share a home decor project, too, so here is a simple luminary using the Fancy Favor die, the new Decorative Label punch, some vellum and a battery-operated tea light from the dollar store!

Finally, a simple and elegant greeting you can create in seconds with the Northern Flurry embossing folder from the Holiday Mini Catalog (and one of the cards you can make at my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack on November 20th!). Isn't that Marina Mist blue beautiful?

BLOG CANDY!! Would you like to win a "Dasher" Instant Christmas Card Kit (just add ink!)?

You must do TWO (2) simple things to qualify:

1. E-mail me (loni@sfcn.org) with your name and e-mail address (so I can contact you if you win!) and

2. Leave a comment telling for which holiday you send the most cards (Christmas? Valentines? Birthdays? Other?)

November 9~THE TOUR IS OVER and the winner of Dasher Card Kit is (thanks to Random.org)...visitor #54:

ilchezhead said...: Great blog. I love the snowflake card and luminare. I send out the most cards at Christmas, by far. Approx 100. I didn't make them last year, but have started this year's. Thanks for sharing. Sandy

4 Things for Christmas

2010-11-01T13:50:00.000-06:00

As a mother of 4 teenagers, I'm beginning to consider the holiday season with a critical eye. As my children grew bigger, the gifts they wanted got smaller... and more expensive! I've watched as "receiving presents" became more important than "giving presents". We've tried a few things in recent years, including simply giving them money and taking them to the after Christmas sales (I loved this but hubby hated it). We have stopped giving gifts to one side of the family and instead take all the cousins/aunts/uncles shopping for a family in need (slowly growing in popularity with the kids). For my immediate family, I've really been pondering what we can do to make Christmas MEANINGFUL, JOYFUL and SIMPLE.

In the Victorian Era, there was a simple mantra for Christmas Giving:

"Something they WANT, Something they NEED,

Something to WEAR and Something to READ"

In thinking outside the box, I found a few thoughts about what children REALLY WANT for Christmas by authors Jo Robinson& Jean C. Staeheli of "Unplug the Christmas Machine":

A relaxed and loving time with the family. Children need relaxed attention. During the holidays, slow down and spend quality time with your kids.
Realistic expectations about gifts. Kids enjoy looking forward to gifts and then having their expectations met. The key is to manage their expectations. In this economy, it may be wise to focus on things you can make for each other and to talk to your children about what to reasonably expect.
An evenly paced holiday season. Note to self: Pace yourself! Reserve some nights at home for low-key fun with the family. The authors suggest starting the season later or stretching the celebration through to New Years Day.
Reliable family traditions. The things I remember most about Christmas as a child were caroling with my family on Christmas Eve, shopping with my cousin for gifts on Black Friday and the food (with me, it's always the food!). I am considering traditions I can continue or create this year with my older kids.

What do you think?

Spooky: Rule of 3's

2010-10-25T11:36:00.001-06:00

THREE is such a magic number: Like Charlie's Angels or the Three Musketeers. How about spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread? Faith, Hope & Charity? Harry, Ron & Hermoine or (for you "Wicked" fans like me:) Glinda, Elphaba and Fyero..."witch" brings us to the point today, this classic card sketch (Fall-to Layout #113 from Clean & Simple Stamping):

When in doubt, you can't go wrong with a simple trio of images like this!

Have I told you how much I love the new Spider Web embossing folder for the Big Shot? Besides using it on my card, I combined it with the Candy Wrapper Die to make the adorable gift below (can you see the little bat on the tag made with the bat punch? Too adorable!)

Here's a close up...

So to everyone, have a "Wicked" Halloween, and a safe one!

P.S. Don't forget to sign up for the Holiday Helper~12 days of creativity arriving in your inbox beginning November 1st :)

My Gift to You: Holiday Helper!

2010-10-21T07:43:00.000-06:00

If you "need a little Christmas, right this very minute" have I got a gift for you! Sign up to receive my Holiday Helper~12 Days of creative projects that will not only put you in the holiday mood, but help you enjoy a dazzling handcrafted season! With each mailing, you will receive not only a picture of the finished project, but you will also receive a complete supply list with a step-by-step tutorial that shows you exactly how to do the project.

Subscription is f*r*e*e and painless, Click on the image above and start getting your Holiday Helper on November 1st! If you are already receiving my newsletters, you will automatically receive all the Holiday Helpers, unless you notify me that you do not wish to receive them. If for any reason you wish to stop the Holiday Helper I have a link on every email page to unsubscribe. Why not click away?

Bubble, Bubble, Toil & Trouble

2010-10-13T19:59:00.001-06:00

TRY THIS AT HOME! Today's creativity comes from the kitchen :)

My teenage son came home from a sleepover a few months ago and said, "Mom! You *HAVE* to get the recipe for vanilla syrup from Josh's mom!!! CALL HER NOW!!! It's the best stuff I have EVER TASTED!!!" (No extra emphasis added)

"Well," says I, "if you like it so much, why don't YOU ask her for it?"

So he did. And we love it. AND it's easy. NOT TO MENTION that there is a cube of butter in the recipe.

Need I say more??

Without further ado, I present to you.....Kim's Vanilla Syrup:

Mix one cube of butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of buttermilk (yeah, more butter!) in saucepan and boil for one minute.

Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Pour over pancakes or waffles (or just spoon directly into mouth, if you can afford the calories...)

This would probably be about a million Weight Watchers points (so I try to pace myself), but if you need great recipes for that, go to my friend Lacy's Weight Watchers Recipe blog...she's reached her 10% goal and is still going strong!

And thanks, Kim, for contributing to my sugar obsession.

Wish Big

2010-10-11T09:45:00.000-06:00

I must be in sync with the gals over at Clean & Simple Stamping because this is the project I took to the cabin in Pine Valley to work on over the weekend:

These are my birthday cards for the demonstrators in my SU! family this year (sorry, ladies, if this spoils the surprise!!) and they just happened to follow the C&S Fall-to-Layout #111:

I am making these cards in lots of different colors, like the one below that showcases some of the 2010 In-Colors (Peach Parfait and Concord Crush). I wasn't sure they would look good together, but this just goes to show you that the hues in each color family prepared by SU! really *are* compatible with each other!!

Want to get one of these in your mailbox for your birthday? It's just one of the many reasons to join my Stampin' Up! family! While you are here looking around, let me remind you that the Clearance Rack Blitz only lasts a little longer, so click here to shop and save up to 80% on crafting supplies :)

Stock Your Creative Cupboards!

2010-10-06T22:43:00.002-06:00

Through October 18th, Stampin' Up! is having a BLITZ in the CLEARANCE RACK...up to 80% off retired product and only while supplies last! For preferred customer pricing, click HERE to go to my online store. EVERY BLITZ ORDER will also get a hand-stamped thank you from me (and don't forget that you can earn FREE Hostess Benefits when you order over $150!).

Seize the Opportunity!

2010-09-29T13:26:00.000-06:00

Host a fall workshop with me and choose a free stamp set from my "Bonus Basket" (in addition to the great hostess benefits). Dates are filling fast, so let's plan a fun party for you and your friends (day or evening times available!)

You are invited to attend my Group Gathering on Tuesday, October 5th (7 p.m.) in Spanish Fork, UT to peek into the life of a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator: RSVP by calling 801-376-8685. FREE!

And don't forget New Demonstrators earn the "Tote-ally Awesome" Craft Tote FREE when they join my Stampin' Family by October 18th. Ready to play? Click here and JOIN NOW (my recruiting password is stampwithme).

ROCK the WALK

2010-09-27T10:47:00.001-06:00

There are some in every crowd. The people who ROCK to their own beat. The ones who aren't afraid to show some STYLE (even bad style). Those who LEAD the pack...who make a DIFFERENCE. And WE WERE THOSE PEOPLE on Saturday at the Utah County JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes!!!

This boy is one of the main reasons we participate...our "Sexy Diabetic" as he calls himself (though the hair may get in the way of his true beauty):

And here is is brother and cousin who came dressed to ~~Kill~~ Support him:

This picture of my sisters (Mindi & Megan) and I would make our Mother Proud (Love you, Mom!):

ALMOST as proud as her son would make her dressed like this (yes, that is my brother Ryan and my son in the background, working the crowd on stage):

We are almost halfway to reaching our goal to raise $2,000 to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes...every dollar counts, so if you can help by donating even $5 or $10 HERE, you can get yourself an AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO of my family ROCKIN' the WALK! This photo is sure to be treasured for generations, so make your donation today :)

If you prefer to mail in a donation, write a check to "JDRF" and mail it to: Spendlove's Stamp Out Diabetes, 860 E 1050 S, Spanish Fork, UT 84660.

Our dream is to make Juvenile Diabetes OBSOLETE and we have chosen JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) as our charity of choice because they are the worldwide leader in research to find a cure. To find out more about JDRF, click here.

Sew Sweet Apron!

2010-09-23T08:52:00.001-06:00

What is sweeter than candy? This adorable ruffled apron made from Stampin' Up! Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric!! But I don't think it looks like Christmas, I think it looks more like Valentines :)

I followed the tutorial by Krista Maurer (found HERE) which she shared a few weeks ago on Good Things Utah. Our 100% cotton Designer Fabric (NEW in the Holiday Mini!) comes with 3 coordinating designs in large fat quarters (each piece measures approx. 28"x18") so I just sewed two 4" x 18" pieces together to get the 4"x36" strips called for, then added another piece of plain red fabric for the waist tie.

I stayed up from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. one night to finish it because it had been on my "to-do" list for 2 weeks, and I really wanted to get it done...for all you seamstresses out there, it would only take you an hour because it is pretty simple to create :) If you like this fabric, it is item #121715 ($9.95) and you can order it from my SU! website. Or try the "Deck the Halls" Designer Fabric assortment for a vintage Christmas look (#121716)

What can YOU create with Stampin' Up! fabric? Share a link to your creations in the comments!

Cards for the Blind

2010-09-13T14:28:00.003-06:00

(Sept. 18th: If you are visiting from Clean & Simple Stamping, Welcome! While this card isn't an exact replica of the FTL #108, it was such kismet that I had created it earlier in the week that when I saw the layout, I had to share!)

My friend, Sherrill Graff, asked for donations of birthday cards for the Blind Center in Las Vegas, so I pulled out some of my retired products and started playing. It seemed like a strange request, but when you are making cards for people who can't see (or don't see well), you start thinking with your other senses, like touch and smell. This is the favorite card I came up with:

I used the Scallop Circle Die and Finial Press embossing folder in the Big Shot to create the shape of the card and the texture on the front. Then I mixed a little orange-flavored Kool-Aid in with some clear embossing powder and embossed the orange image to create a "Scratch-n-Sniff Focal Point"...or would that be a "Fragrance Point"? Want to see more samples I created? "Like" my Facebook page and I've uploaded a few more samples there!

Tote-ally Tess

2010-09-10T10:40:00.003-06:00

Sometimes you just need to ignore the housework and do something fun. Which is where I found myself this morning...needing a little creative time. So here is my "Tote-ally Tess"/Poppy Parade version of the Clean & Simple Fall-to Layout #107:

And here is the FTL 107 sketch:

Recipe for my card (all Stampin' Up! Supplies): Tote-ally Tess stamp set, Poppy Parade, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzaz and Shimmery White card stock, Early Espresso Classic Ink Pad, In-Color Markers, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper, Pinking Hearts Border punch, Brights Designer Buttons, Linen Thread

Speaking of "Tote-Ally" cool...you can get a Greenhouse Gala Tote FREE when you join my Stampin' Up! family of demonstrators before October 18th! Click on the "Tote-ally Awesome" button in the right column for more details or call me: 801-376-8685. Want to see what it's like to be a demonstrator? Attend my Stitched Stampers Group Gathering on Tuesday, October 5th in Spanish Fork, Utah. Let me know if you can come!

Videos for My Digital Studio!

2010-09-02T09:57:00.001-06:00

If you have purchased (or have *considered* purchasing) the fabulous "My Digital Studio" software from Stampin' Up! then I have GREAT NEWS for you! There are now instructional videos available HERE to help you get the most of YOUR Digital Studio, and more will be added in the future, too! Once there, you will also notice the links on the left for MDS updates, new downloads and more.

Ready to get your own copy? Visit my website and click on "Shop Now"

Give a HOOT!

2010-08-30T09:04:00.000-06:00

I've been seeing owls everywhere lately: On jewelry, lunchboxes, t-shirts, grocery totes and even shoes! So it was a delightful surprise to see a new punch from Stampin' Up! in the 2010/2011 Idea Book and Catalog that follows this trendy guy:

As you can see, this amazing tool creates more than owls...if you click on any picture (above) you can go to my SU! website, then click on "SHOP NOW" to order your own Two-Step Owl Extra-Large Punch! One thing I love about it is how well it uses up all my scraps of card stock :)

Here are a few tips to remember when you are using this punch:

Hold your punch upside down while using it to ensure that you punch where you want to on your card stock
Keep your garbage nearby to sweep all the scraps into, but DON'T punch over your garbage or the little pieces are a bother to pick out!
Use your Paper Snips (catalog pg. 199) to pick up the teensy-tiny pieces with and build your owl: Just open the sharp tips a bit, slide them under the piece and close the tips to pick it up and place it where you want it.
The Multipurpose Liquid Glue (pg. 197) has a fine point that works best for owl-production :) I put the glue on my owl base and then lay the pieces on top of the glue with the paper snips!

Just to show you how well this punch "dresses up", I created this card with the Owl and Pinking Hearts Border punches, the Elegant Bouquet Big Shot Embossing Folder and the new Word Play stamp set:

Clean & Simple, Revisited

2010-08-27T12:14:00.001-06:00

Now that the kids are back in school, I had time to stamp for fun again! It was delightful and I am reminded how much I enjoy being creative.

Here is my creation showcasing some new colors and stamps:

Recipe (all Stampin' Up! supplies, of course): Marina Mist, Whisper White, Basic Black card stock, Basic Black and Versamark ink, Just Believe stamp set, Scallop Edge Border punch, Marina Mist Taffeta ribbon.

I followed the Clean & Simple Fall-To Layout #105 sketch: