G-RAD gifts!

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

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...

Crop for a CURE!

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

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!

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!