A Shapely Birthday

I've needed to make birthday cards for my Stampin' Family, and the sketch over at Create with Connie & Mary inspired me to make this simple, shapely and cheerful greeting (with a little embossed bling on the birthday)!

Don't be afraid to take a sketch and turn it on it's side, like I did with this one:

Card Recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up!):

Stamps: Blue Ribbon (wood~131964 or clear~125981)
Ink: Bermuda Bay (131171) and Raspberry Ripple (126859)
Paper:  Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla card stock, Birthday Basics DSP(130145) 
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (131930), Heat Tool (129053), Big Shot (113439), Oval Accent Bigz Clear die (127055),  Ovals Collection framelits (129381), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch (118874), Occasions Paper Piercing Pack (129387), Paper Piercing Tool (126189) and Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199).  

As always, you can order supplies HERE and don't forget that Designer Series Paper (DSP) is Buy 3, Get 1 FREE this month and if you order on my website during July 2013, enter hostess code JF3KWJT7 because someone will be the "Mystery Hostess" and get some fun goodies this month!

I'm going to make a bunch of these cards with the other papers in the same pack and I'll post a picture on my FB Fan Page, if you want to see samples in varying colors and designs :)

God Bless the U.S.A.

In studying the Revolutionary War, I remember being deeply moved by a quote from Thomas Paine, who believed God had a hand in liberating America from the British, and penned these sentiments as he travelled alongside the Continental Army with George Washington for a time in 1776.

"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem to lightly; It is dearness only that gives every thing it value. Heaven knows how to put a proper rice upon it's goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." 

These words, beginning with, "These are the times that try men's souls..." were read to the army on December 23, 1775, three days before the Battle of Trenton in an attempt to inspire and bolster the souls of the rag tag band of soldiers. The battle was a turning point for "our team" and there is no doubt that God's influence was there. 

I feel that these times also try men's souls, but I am deeply patriotic and 100% convinced that God desired America to be free, but that freedom requires obedience to his laws. My prayer this Independence Day is that we understand that God will bless America, when we are true and faithful to irrevocable (and non-voteable) laws that He has set forth to protect and bless us. 

Card Recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up!)

Stamps: Chevron background stamp, Morning Post Alphabet

Ink: Real Red, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake

Paper: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake and Marina Mist card stock, Silver Glimmer paper

Accessories: Hearts Collection Framelits (125599) and Big Shot (113439), Cloudy Day embossing folder (Spring Catalog), Linen Thread,  Natural 7/16" Trim, Postage Stamp Punch (122344), stampin' sponges

Mom & Me Class: July 10th!

Kids love spending time with Mom (or Grandma!) and crafting together where you don't have to clean up the mess will make Mom happy too! This class will be for Moms and children ages 5-11 and you'll create these 3 projects together (sweets included!).  Cost: $10

Date: Wednesday, July 10

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Spanish Fork

RSVP by Tuesday, July 9th for directions

Give "Fourth" a Little Sparkle

Looking for a quick Independence Day favor? Try this!

Stampin' Up!'s 1"x8" cello bags are perfect for a few sparklers and dress it up with a label and shimmery star...it's festive and quick for your 4th of July celebration or a gift for a friend.

Project Recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up!) :

Stamps: Simply Stars, Label Love
Ink: Smoky Slate and Real Red ink pads
Paper: Midnight Muse & Whisper White card stock, Silver Glimmer Paper (124005)
Accessories: Artisan Label (130920), 7/8" Scallop Circle (129404) and small Star (retired) punches. 1"x8" Cello Bags (124134)




And for those of you with children, THIS is a genius sparkler safety tip: Use a large plastic cup as a Sparkler shield to keep little ones from getting burned!

Have a SAFE and happy 4th!

Jumping into July

It's a HOT month and we have HOT products and specials for you!

In case you missed the other Photopolymer (clear) stamp sets

 CLICK HERE

Feeling Pink Today

After a much needed vacation (where I pretty much did nothing and loved every moment of it), I'm back and have had a few fun minutes in my stamp room creating :) Today I was feeling PINK, so I jumped into the Create with Connie & Mary challenge! Here's sketch 257:

And here is my take on it:

Card Recipe (All Supplies from Stampin' Up! ~ Order Here):

Stamps: Remembering Your Birthday
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Pistachio Pudding
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette and Pistachio Pudding card stock, Tea Lace Paper Doilies (129399)
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Apothocary Accents Framelits (127003), Stripes Embossing Folder (123128) and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Decorative Label (120907) and Scallop Edge Border (119882) punches, White Organza Ribbon (114319) and Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246).

Dads & Grads: Blue Ribbon Days!

Quick share today! I used the Blue Ribbon stamp set to create a card for Dad:

And also a card for a Grad!

And here's a little tip on how to use your 2-3/8" Scallop circle punch to punch out the medallion without cutting off the ribbons: Just cut up the side of each ribbon first, then pull it out the top of the punch: 

Whoever thought that one up deserves a ribbon!

Bring on the Cake Class

Birthdays come just once a year, so wrap them up with cute cards & pretty packages!

Bring on the Cake Class

Create cards, gifts, bags & tags at this fun class on Thursday, June 27th at 10 a.m. OR 7 p.m. You'll also take home the Birthday Cake Stamp to keep for future creating! Remember to bring scissors & adhesive (SNAIL and Sticky Strip recommended). Cost: $18. 

Also at the class: LAST CHANCE for the BOGO (Buy One, Get One) sale of my retired items! When you buy any of my retired stamps and accessories before June 30, you will get the same $amount to spend in the NEW catalog (pay shipping and tax only on the new order)!

Register for the class by June 22nd:

UPDATE: I do have many retired sets listed in the "For Sale" tab above from previous years (the prices listed there are discounted and not the prices for the BOGO event). I will not have time to upload the newest retired sets until the beginning of July, and whatever is left will be discounted and therefore not available for the BOGO offer. 

The Greatest FUN on Earth: New Catalog Carnival!

Step right up and join the 

Greatest Fun on Earth 

this Saturday, June 8th at my 

New Catalog Carnival! 

Spin the wheel for a chance to win a prize!

(Make your own wheel with the instructions HERE)

Create a card:

SHOP the BOGO Sale:

Purchase my retired stamp sets and choose a set of equal value from the new catalog FREE

(plus tax & shipping)

PLUS Treats, Games, Prizes and a chance to pick up 

the new catalog!

All of the fun lasts from 2-5 p.m. at 

1637 Calpac Avenue in Spanish Fork, UT and is FREE!!!

 Bring a friend and discover how Stampin' Up! is the Greatest Fun on Earth :)

Isn't She Lovely? Isn't She Wonderful?

It's like Christmas morning when I get my hands on the new Stampin' Up! catalog...do you feel the same way? This beautiful new cover makes me grin every time I see it!! What's inside is just as freakin' awesome (as my kids say).  To flip through the catalog virtually, click on the picture above. To order from it, CLICK HERE!

Along with the new catalog comes a few other fun announcements! First, the new "Best of" set for June:

Second, a chance to grab some greeting stamps at a discount:

And finally, a few updates for My Digital Studio: Get the new colors FREE next time you have an internet connection and update your software:

Cap & Gown: A Gift for Grads

Today was a proud moment for a mother:

As my graduating senior had a few friends graduating with him, I came up with this fun gift which incorporated a few of his favorite things:

There must be an official name for the pocket than hangs off a bottle, but for today's purpose, we'll call it a pop-pocket, which I made from the Oval Accent Bigz die, the Big Shot and a few well placed score lines. For the owl, I added a few wings (with a scallop oval punch cut in half) to the owl punch (such a cutie) as well as a cap and tassel to dress him appropriately.

Project Recipe:

• Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White and Smoky Slate card stock.
• Accessories from Stampin' Up!: Big Shot (113439), Oval Accent Bigz Clear die (127005), Simply Scored (122334), Brights Brads (119740), Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine (123125 Punches: Owl Builder (118074), 1-1/4" Scallop Circle (127811), 1-1/4" Circle.
• Other: Curling Ribbon

With Braden after the ceremony. his dad and I were very grateful for reaching this Milestone! It's bittersweet to watch your babies grow up.

Save Your Spot and Farewell to Fabric

A friend recently told me that she doesn't read.

After staring at her with my mouth open for a few moments, I replied, "I know you CAN read. Do you mean you don't have TIME to read?"

"No," she replied. "I don't like to read books."

I seriously considered ending our friendship right then, but she is a delightful lady with a witty sense of humor and I decided that she was simply reading-challenged, and to be politically correct, I should treat her with kindness (and secretly some pity).

Reading is like breathing for me. I can't even go to the bathroom without something to read (seriously). This is a legitimate concern for me:

(picture from Nerd Girl Problems)

If you are in the middle of at least 3 different books at one time, you will see the value of this brilliant idea:

I had some material left over from the Late Night Stampers Reunion party last year and these were really fun to make (the secret is using a glue gun). For the front, take a long strip of fabric (about 3"x24". Tie a knot in one end and wind it up into a long twisted cord, keeping the print facing out. Glue the knot to the center of a felt flower and then spiral the cord around the center, gluing it down as you go.

 

The back is just two small hair bands, which allows it to fit different sizes of books :) Thread the ribbon through the bands and glue the ribbon ends between the layers of the felt flowers on the front. 

Project Recipe:

• Stampin' Up! Supplies: Summer Smooches fabric (125411), Buttons, Big Shot (113439), Fun Flowers Bigz L Die (121812), Ribbon. Click here to order any of these supplies.
• Other: Felt, hair bands, glue gun and glue.

I'll miss having fabric from Stampin' Up! but the good news for any of you fabric crafters is that the fabric is 40% off right now...while supplies last and through the end of May 2013! 

Husband Survival Kit

While I could list off a few excuses for being away for over a week, I think we'll just skip them and go straight to showing a few samples of things I created for the Boutique last weekend :)

One of the kits I made was this one:

Every man I showed it to asked if I had one with ALL "I'm Sorry" cards (LOL) So I'll share that one:

I just discovered that the Occasions Alphabet stamp set fits perfectly into the Four Frames set, which coordinates with the Decorative label punch (120907)! Well, duh...that makes easy cards when paired with some Designer Series Paper!

I am going to miss the Simply Scrappin' Kits when they retire at the end of the month because while they are perfect for creating amazing scrapbook pages, they also make fun cards. The birthday card above was created with pieces of the Razzleberry Splash kit (126930).

Obviously there are 5 cards in each kit, but that's all I have time to share today. I have extra kits left over and will get them listed on my FOR SALE page later, and next week I'll be sharing a video on how to make the box, so come back soon!

Yes, You MAY: My Digital Studio

This makes me happy! I've been needing to order some graduation announcements and print some scrapbooks, plus I've had my eye on a few swatchbook templates, so this is sale is like "Permission Granted!"

Creating with My Digital Studio is SO EASY: If you are a beginner, I suggest starting with a template and then personalizing it as you go. Here is an example of a template included in the Sunshine & Sprinkles Digital Ensemble from the Spring Catalog that I recently used for a bridal shower invitation (names/address have been blotted out to protect the innocent)

This is the front of the invite...all I did was change the name:

And this is the back of the template, which I did a little more personalization of:

I ordered them through Stampin' Up! and the quality is A.MAZ.ING and includes an envelope for each card...easy peasy!

Did I mention that the My Digital Studio Software is only $19.95???!!!!

It used to be $79.95, so the software is now 75% off and during this sale, the following is 25% off:

Digital content~includes: ALL ensemble, calendar, photobook, and swatchbook digital content.
Print products~include: ALL photobooks, swatchbooks, cards, tags, individual pages, and calendars.

To take advantage of this offer, click on the top picture or HERE to go to my online store.