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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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...

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!