Summer Lollies: Picture Perfect

I'm pretty excited about this fun project we are making today at the Big Shot Class! These "Lollies" or "Medallions" are created with the Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die (item 125594) and the Big Shot (obviously) and when I was trying to figure out what to put on them, my husband suggested pictures of the kids! And it turned out adorable (mostly because I have pretty adorable kids)! Of course, if you know my kids, you can see that these pictures were taken a LONG time ago~giggle~But the fun thing about this project is that you could switch out pictures anytime to keep it "fresh"...and these pretty poppies don't need watering!

I found the sugar shaker at Dollar Tree and it works perfectly for keeping the skewers in place :) then I "upcycled" some old magazine pages along with some scraps of card stock that match the new Patio Party Designer Series Paper (item 126916) to fill the shaker base. You could also fill it with candy or marbles or SPRINKLES!!!

Such fun, such fun...and if you missed the Big Shot Class today, I'll be teaching another one (3 new projects) in August, so watch for the announcement and register early :)

The Type 1 Mom Song

Today I wanted to share a day in the life of a mom with Type 1 Diabetes children...though my own son is now entering adulthood, I remember this and want to say "Good Job" to all the wonderful parents AND kids who work hard at keeping diabetes under control :)

Diagonal Fold Card Tutorial

Today I am sharing a fun card and envelope tutorial that uses the Simply Scored and Diagonal Plate from Stampin' Up! If you are visiting to see the long envelope tutorial, you can see it here...but stick around for a minute to see this fun fold card, too! We'll start with the card front:

 

The finished card is 4"x4" and opens like this:

To create this card, use a piece of 12"x4" card stock (I used Marina Mist). Score it at 4" and 8" on the Simply Scored, then put on your diagonal plate and score diagonally at from the top corner and at the 8" mark. Fold the straight score lines in toward the center of the card and then fold the triangle folds BACK away so that two folded edges meet in the center of the front of your card.

Cut your Designer Series Paper to 3.5" square and cut in half diagonally to put on the front of the card inside the scored diagonal areas. I used the Nursery Nest DSP which has been retired, but try any of our fun NEW Designer Series Paper and create your own!

Next, create a 3"x3" focal point (the baby feet on this sample) and when you are adhering it to the front of the card, ONLY use adhesive in the bottom left corner/triangle so that your card can open! For my focal point, I did the emboss resist technique with the Baby Prints stamp set: Stamp baby feet on white card stock using Versamark ink and emboss in white (or clear). Sponge ink over cooled, embossed image and wipe off the excess with a tissue: Voila! Your feet appear magically!

Of course, this card needs a special envelope, so I created a matching one with the Simply Scored tool and Diagonal Plate (for tutorial, click HERE): 

Your Business ~ Your Way

Starting a Stamping Business - Your Way

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be your own boss? To do something that you love while making money at the same time? Well, imagine a job where you ...

- can work alongside of your family and other activities.

-  can earn anywhere from extra money to a part-time or even a full-time income.

-  set your own goals.

-  get recognized for your hard work and accomplishments.

-  can get started right away ... you don’t need experience or a degree.

On top of that, you have access to lots of training opportunities - webinars, online videos, company events, and a monthly magazine to name just a few. Sounds like a dream job, doesn’t it? It’s actually very real ... when you’re a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  You get to have your own business with the support and backing of the Stampin’ Up! company and their quality products.

Now, Stampin’ Up! has made it even easier to start your own business - YOUR way - with a totally customizable Starter Kit for only $99! You can order up to $125 worth of Stampin’ Up! products for only $99 plus tax ... and your kit gets shipped to you for FREE! Your kit also automatically includes a Business Supplies Kit with catalogs, order forms, and other supplies to get you started. And during JUNE 2012 ONLY:

Check out my website for more details ... and if you’re ready, you can even sign up right online, too! Now is the perfect time to snatch up this opportunity to create the life that you want. YOUR WAY.

Scavenger Hunt Winner, Friendship Card & Recipe Share!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by Saturday for either the Hostess Appreciation Breakfast or "I Spy" Catalog Reception! As promised, here is the recipe for the Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast served at the breakfast (from allrecipes.com with a few modifications):

 Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 (21 ounce) cans apple pie filling (or 1 quart jar of homemade apple pie filling + 3 apples, peeled and sliced)
• 16-20 slices white bread
• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Directions

1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
2. Spread the sugar mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the sugar mixture. Layer the bread slices on top of the filling, pressing down as you go. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and vanilla. Slowly pour this mixture over the bread, making sure that it is completely absorbed. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
3. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Place covered pan into the oven and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 60 to 75 minutes. When done remove from oven and turn on broiler. Remove foil and drizzle maple syrup on top of the egg topping; broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the syrup begins to caramelize. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes, then cut into squares. Invert the pan onto a serving tray or baking sheet so the apple filling is on top. Serve hot.

This is the card we made at the Hostess Appreciation using the "Faux Diamonds" technique...can you see the glitter on the "yes, please" circle? It's pretty fabulous in person! The stamp set is one of my new favorites from the catalog called "From My Heart" on page 139 of the new SU! catalog:

If you missed the open house, contact me to Join a Club or schedule a party and get a new catalog FREE! And just for fun, here is the link to the "I Spy Catalog Scavenger Hunt" you can print off and play as you discover creative treasures in the fabulous new Stampin' Up! Catalog!

And congratulations to HEATHER ASH who won the Scavenger Hunt drawing and the "Bright Blossoms" stamp set!!!

I {Heart} My Hostesses!

Saturday morning is my annual Hostess Appreciation Breakfast and I'm so excited to show my fabulous hostess'  how much I sincerely love them for inviting me into their homes to share what I love with their friends! Here is the invite they received in the mail:

 

 This is the new "Floral District" Designer Series Paper...and it feels like summer!

THANK YOU to all my 2011-2012 hostesses and club members: Laura, Heather, Shelly, Heidi, Andrea, Cassie, Rita, Jeanna, Heather, Brenda, Jeni, Mari, Sarajane, Jen, Beth, Kami, Jamie, Whitney, Laura, Lorraine, Ashlie, Diana, Sariah, Charli, Laura, Yvonne, Thaleanna, Carol, Nan, Katee, Nancy, Bobbie, Julia, 

Stacy & Cheryl!

If you would like an invitation to this exclusive event next year, call me to schedule your workshop or join one of my clubs that will be starting in June/July! When you hold a party in June or July, you can also earn $115 FREE from the new catalog:

What are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and call me to schedule your party: 801-376-8685 or come to the "I Spy" Catalog Reception this Saturday from 2-5 p.m. in Spanish Fork!!

Long Envelope Tutorial

UPDATED 6/6/12: Thanks to Mary Fish of Stampin' Pretty, she let me know that the minimum envelope width for mailing is 3 1/2" and she suggested a few adjustments to the envelope measurements, which are now reflected in the following instructions!

When you cut a piece of 12x12 card stock into quarters, you can create FOUR 6x3 cards, like this one created from a new set called "Betsy's Blossoms"

And here is how to create a beautiful envelope to match! 

First, cut a piece of Designer Series Paper 7.5 "x8.5" (this sample created with the new Floral District DSP). With the 7.5" side along the top of your Simply Scored tool, score at 1 3/8" and 4 7/8" 

(red lines shown below) 

Hint: the Simply Scored tool has grooves and marks every 1/8 inch!

Turn the paper so the 8.5" is along the top of the Simply Scored tool and score at 1" and 7 1/8"

(Green lines shown below)

Now you can trim off each corner along the score marks (or use the 1 3/8" square punch...it works perfectly!)

Your envelope will now look like this:

Optional: Use the 1 3/8" circle punch and insert the top and bottom tab corners in the back to round the corners like this:

Now it looks like this:

Fold over the side pieces and adhere first, then the bottom flap folds up:

Voila! it fits your 6x3 card perfectly!

(Finished Envelope size is now 3.5" x 6 1/8")

If You Need Another Reason to Party...

 ...Extra rewards for hostessing a $450 party in June/July (along with sharing the fabulous new Stampin' Up! catalog with your friends:

Give me a call: 801-376-8685 and let's get the summer party started!

NEW! Firm Foam Ink Pads