SU Convention: Check-In Day Recap

Happy Thursday! Convention is off to a great start! The new catalog is fabulous, of course, and full of new, must-have items! I'm sure you've been reading all about it over at Splitcoast, so I'll just show you a few of my favorite pictures from our tour of the Riverton headquarters

We toured a section called the Legends Museum that was full of little vignettes, including the areas where the Decor Elements brochure photos were taken. But here's what really got me...in this beautiful antique cabinet was one of my cards! Do you see the long card laying down flat, with the "Celebrate" on it? It is one of the cards I made last year when I won the Artisan Award! It was all I could do not to shout out, "I made that card! I made that card!" lol!

Loved this Christmas Advent calendar:

Loved this bird from the Always set! I hope this comes out in the next phase of the Decor Elemets!

Loved this bed and bedding!

Shabbylicious old doors with designer series paper applied to the panels:

Super cool wall dots:

Okay, this connection is so slow, that's it for now. But if you want to see even more pictures, you can check them out here.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Let me know if you have any questions about anything!

Maya Road Tree & Bird...for you

Happy Wednesday! I can't believe it's here already! Here's the other card I made for the Design Team try-outs for 2 Sketches 4 You. Don't you love that tree and bird by Maya Road?! I'm so bummed I didn't have time to make a card for Laura's Sketch this week. I guess I was a little preoccupied with trying to make around 100 swaps in two days! Ack! By the way, here's what your desk looks like after you do this (and you should see the floor too!):

Thanks for all your well wishes on my Convention send-off, I appreciate it! I'm taking computer and camera with me, so I'll do my best to keep you updated! Salt Lake City, here I come!

Have you stamped something today?

Come Play!

Come play! That's my problem right about now! I played way too much, and I'm not ready for Convention! Ack! I am getting super excited though, looking forward to meeting up with lots of you girls there, and I'll be posting daily updates here, so be sure and check back to live vicariously if you're not going! lol!

I'll post my swaps while I'm gone, but for today and tomorrow, I thought I'd post 2 (contraband) cards I made for design team tryouts for 2 Sketches 4 You. It was the first team I ever tried out for, and even though I didn't make it, I'm still glad I tried. Check out those who did make it here, there are some super cute cards!

This card is based on a sketch by Kazan, but I can't get the link to open right now to show you. I used the Pink Persimmon stamp set called Little Red Wagon. Just love these Dick and Jane images! Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

A Bunch of Boxes in Bags!

Yesterday was my Customer Appreciation Event and I had the BEST time! Having my house filled with laughter and friends is just the best feeling ever! I really am blessed to have such wonderful stamping friends, I don't know how I got so lucky!

Pictured here are some of the different versions of the "Box in a Bag" that the guests made. (Click here for the fabulous tutorial by Diana Gibbs.) It was so much fun going through all my paper and accessories preparing all the different packet projects for them. They got to use the new Border Scallop Punch on the bottom piece, although I really cut it too wide. I'm used to cutting strips wide when I used to use the Half Slit Punch to make scallops, and I forgot that's not necessary with the new border punch. Oh well, learning curve, right? All the paper is 2-sided, so they decided how to put it together and which side to use, and I think they all turned out super cute!







Let me know if you have any questions about any of the boxes. I'm up early (for me anyway, 7:30!) to try and start preparing myself for early Convention hours in a few days and to work on my swaps...fun, fun, fun! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Amy Butler...grow where you're planted

Happy Friday, again! I had to come back with a card, you know. I was waiting to finish some swaps I had to mail out with the new Sock Monkey set. I took some pictures, went and mailed them, etc. then came back and uploaded the pictures, no good! ugh! I didn't have the right close-up camera setting, so no Sock Monkey! (Ummm, the first time ever I have not made one for me! Doh!)

Which brings us to this card. This is the other card that I submitted to Paper Crafts that they didn't pick up. It's all from the Amy Butler Lotus line I purchased at Michael's, except for Stampin' Up Basic Gray cardstock, it goes very well together. I love the Amy Butler fabric tags!

Please don't look closely at my bad sewing! I used this cheap little machine I bought at Michael's, but I really think I need this Janome Mini. Everyone is getting one lately, I see. I have a Singer sewing machine, but I can never get the tension right for paper. Guess I should just try experimenting with it more. But it's not as small and cute as the Janome Mini...hmmmmm....

Okay, enough rambling. I still have lots to do to get ready for my Customer Appreciation Event on Sunday (What have I been doing all week? I DON'T KNOW!), plus an unreal amount of swaps to start on (yes, START on!) for Convention group swaps that I've already signed up for and committed to! Hee! Hee! (That's the sound of madness!) I really can't do anything until there's no time left and unbearable pressure is on me. Sigh. That's just me, I've come to accept it!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm glad y'all liked that Victorian house from yesterday too, it's nice that we have so much in common! *wink*

Have you stamped something today?

Tagged...

Happy Friday! Just a quick post to thank a few gals who tagged me this week! I admit I've been terrible about tagging in the past, I can't seem to keep up with it, so I thought I'd better thank them now!

Vickie over at Stamping Ever After and Marilyn over at Stamp with Marilyn passed on this Brillante Weblog award to me, thank you so much!

Jeani over Stampin' in Paradise also tagged me with the Facts Tag where you post 7 random things about yourself, thank you, Jeani! I did this once before last July, and it's harder than you think, so I'm going to cheat and repost the things I posted then. Feel free to skim over if you read it last year or skip entirely if you have better things to do! lol!

7 Random Things About Myself

1. I detest mustard. I hate the smell and freak out if it's anywhere near where I'm eating. If my husband comes home and kisses me, I can tell if he's eaten mustard sometime during the day. When I was a child I told my Mom I was going to run for President so I could outlaw mustard...she said I'd never get elected running on that platform.

2. I love Jane Austen, have read every one of her books at least a dozen times and watch every Austen-inspired movie every time it comes on t.v., even the hokey ones like Bride & Prejudice.

3. I was valedictorian of my high school class. Okay, it was a small class, 63 people, but still, right?

4. I don't have any children, but one super-perfect, precious dog named Nick. My Mom worried we'd end up one of those "weird couples who doesn't have children and gets a pet and gets all weird." I would have the tendency to dress him up and take his picture with Santa, but my husband reels me back in.

5. I don't cook. I bake. I can do it, follow a recipe and all, I just have no desire if there's no sugar involved. *wink* I force myself to cook about 3 times a month for husband's sake...it's always chili, spaghetti, or tuna casserole. Luckily, husband likes to cook and is a saint.

6. I seem to change careers every decade...my 20s retail manager...my 30s interior design & furniture sales...my 40s school teacher...my 50s ?

7. I'm not good at playing games. I'm competitive enough that I hate to lose, but I feel guilty and keep apologizing when I win. Either way, it's not pleasant.

Now to pass the tag on...I tag all the people on my blogroll to the right! And if you're reading this and not over there yet, consider yourself tagged too! *wink*

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Kazan's Sketch #5

Happy Thursday! I managed to motivate my lazy self into tackling Kazan's Sketch #5 over at 2 Sketches 4 You. I really love their sketches, and I don't think it's *just* because they have such awesome prize giveaways either! lol!

The good news: I didn't use Happiness Always again! The other* news (*not necessarily bad!): I finally caved and bought some Unity Stamps, the kit of the month called It's the Little Things. Dang, it's really cute! I've been loving a lot of their stamps and had been resisting, but this little owl put me over the edge. I hope I have some money left by August 11 when the new SU catalog kicks off! lol!

I did use the new SU Bella Rosa papers (I confess, I ordered two more packs of it!), I heart them so dearly! The ribbon is WAY old, from my favorite store ever, Rue No. 1, in Highland Park Village here in Dallas that closed a couple of years ago. Sad, sad day. Other notes: I did use the Border Scallop Punch to make the scallopy Kiwi Kiss square, and the tree image on the Pink Pirouette patterned paper does have glitter, but it didn't show up very well.

Okay, here's a little not-stamping related stuff if you want to turn the channel now...lol!

When I was in Missouri last week, I went and visited my grandparents in their tiny town. It's really the saddest little town you've ever seen. But one highlight is this Victorian home that a Kansas City couple bought and restored for their weekend home. I want to pick this home up and move it to Dallas so stinkin' badly! My grandpa did their electrical/rewiring for the house and helped with other projects over the last few years (did I mention he's 88?!), and he keeps an eye on it for them. He always takes me over and shows me their latest improvements. They've done a fabulous job with it.

Here's the outside. Don't you love that wrap-around porch? They found the coolest old fence and put it up since I was there last year.


This is my favorite room, probably because it's painted blue, but I LOVE this light fixture! They did the best job tracking down old fixtures and period furnishings.

This is the staircase looking down from the 2nd floor. It is so narrow, I practically fill up the width walking up it. Can you imagine maneuvering these stairs in clothes from 150 years ago?

Here's one more close up of the outside with the entrance gate of the fence. Sigh, just love it!

Okay, that's it for today! Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: A Little Bit of Happiness from Unity Stamps.
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Bella Rosa DSP.
Ink: Staz-On Brown, Kiwi Kiss.
Accessories: Border Scallop Punch, Aquapainter, Pure Color Pencils, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals, Ribbon unknown.

More Happiness Always & Birthday RAKs!

Happy Wednesday! Are you getting tired of Happiness Always yet?! I promise to cool it with this set now! lol! This is for a new hostess set swap with the Great Swap Girls...only 4 of us signed up, so I only ended up making 3 of these...it was a "little" great swap! lol! If it looks familiar, it's because it's a slight variation of this card I posted awhile back.

Besides using the new Happiness Always and Bella Rosa designer series paper, I used the Border Scallop Punch to make the scallop rectangle. I followed the talented and generous Mary Jo's tips you can see here. The rectangle was a little tricky. To make this size of 9 scallops long by 6 scallops high (I counted the corner one in both directions), I cut the Kiwi Kiss cardstock to 3 1/2" by 2 7/8". It took a little experimenting (and several rejected pieces!) to get it right. I think I'll start a little "cheat sheet" notebook of the various sizes, so I won't have to reinvent the wheel (and waste cardstock!) each time. Nestabilities would probably be easier, but this is cheaper in the long run, if you don't own them already.

Now I get to share some beautiful birthday RAKs I've been receiving. They were such a delightful surprise and made me so happy! I've decided I'm going to be better about sending out BRAKs, because it's such a wonderful feeling to receive them, I want to pass it on!

This is from my fabulous upline Jackie Ross. She never misses my birthday, I don't know how she keeps up! Don't you love this angel and scallop edge and how she did the ribbon?!


This next card is from the wonderful Pam Downs, who also happens to be a fellow Texan. She is just the sweetest, nicest girl you'll ever meet! This card is so bright and fun with the stars, I love it!


These next three cards are from girls who are all members of the Great Swap Girls. I feel so lucky to be in this group, they are the nicest, friendliest bunch, and super talented too! The first card is by Lisa Henke. She's a great stamper and scrapper and was in the Got Sketch class with me (except she actually made some layouts! lol!). I love how she did these big candles, and they are so glittery in real life!

This next card is so fun and is by the super sweet Mercy Kerin. Don't you love the bright colors and layout?! The cupcake on the black really pops, I've never done that before and love it!


Lastly, I received this beautiful card from the very talented Vera Schoeters. She used my favorite butterfly! You can't tell from the picture, but the cardstock she used is the Shimmery White, and it's just gorgeous!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my BRAKs! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Happiness Always Recipe
Stamps: Happiness Always
Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Bella Rosa DSP.
Ink: Brocade Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip.
Accessories: Border Scallop Punch, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, 5/8" Brocade Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Slot Punch, Vintage Brad, & Dimensionals.

Happiness Always...6 little butterflies...

Happy Tuesday! Almost forgot I made this little card for a group swap last week while at my mom's house. I mailed it from their little town post office, it was so quaint, wish I had my camera with me. It had old hardwood floors, white beadboarding, the old-timey brass mailboxes with little windows in them, it was so charming. And the best part: no line at all, unlike the Dallas post offices!

I used the new hostess set, Happiness Always, again. I just love this butterfly image! Have you been perusing the blogs with all the CHA sneak peeks? Well I did yesterday, and I saw a lot of butterflies and owls and even a few sock monkeys! *wink*

I also have to show you really quickly some wonderful blog candy I won and received from Enjoli over at Stamping Under the Sun. Isn't it fabulous?! She was so generous! She's in Hawaii, and I get so jealous just looking at her profile picture! She does great work, so be sure and check her out!


Well, I better get moving. I've been embarrassingly lazy and watched two movies on tv already! The best, Becoming Jane, about Jane Austen (my hero) that I've wanted to see forever. But I promised dh that I'd cook him dinner tonight (I know, I think that will be 4 times this summer!) so I'd better get moving!

Thanks for stopping by, and especially thank you to so many of you who visited my mom's blog and even left her comments! You are the bestest!! *cyber hugs*

Have you stamped something today!

Recipe
Stamps: Happiness Always
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White.
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Red Riding Hood, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze.
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Brads.

Discontinued Accessories!

Check out this list of retiring Stampin' Up! accessories, just in case there's something you can't live without, you know!

Item Number	Page #	Product Description	Availability
109200	177	Accents & Elements Build A Flower
110718	177	Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719	177	Accents & Elements Messenger
103158	184	Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638	163	Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi
108644	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate
103975	166	Card Stock Brushed Copper	Not Available
108694	163	Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312	167	Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292	167	Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116	167	Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118	167	Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117	167	Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*
110729	167	Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119	167	Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou
109019	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate
109016	163	Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock	Not Available
109015	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi	Not Available
109013	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010	163	Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751	171	Designer Series Paper Azure*
110696	169	Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
110749	169	Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154	169	Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699	168	Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*
109160	170	Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers
109159	169	Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697	169	Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479	168	Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151	170	Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748	170	Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750	171	Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153	170	Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*
109175	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*
109177	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
109173	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
109174	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa*
109168	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*
109171	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172	171	Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
109176	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie
109164	171	Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166	171	Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
109163	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise
110698	168	Designer Series Paper Spring Break
110273	169	Designer Series Paper Spring Fling*
110271	170	Designer Series Paper Spring Silhouettes
110272	170	Designer Series Paper Western Sky
107299	167	Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320	189	Eyelets Basic
100375	189	Eyelets Bold Brights
100381	189	Eyelets Earth Elements
107233	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316	189	Eyelets Rich Regals
100378	189	Eyelets Soft Subtles
105515	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter	Not Available
105531	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass
105532	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper
101120	183	Metallic Art Pencils
107307	179	On Board Accents
109181	178	On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306	179	On Board Simon Lower
102678	166	Mulberry Paper White	Not Available
109227	181	Punch Box Three For You
102686	180	Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271	183	Pure Color Pencils
109060	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou	Not Available
109063	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava	Not Available
109061	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
109062	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky
109058	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi
109189	190	Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187	190	Ribbon Originals District*
109188	190	Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185	190	Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184	190	Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186	190	Ribbon Originals Theater
110716	191	Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281	182	Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*
110284	182	Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285	182	Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557	174	Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610	174	Simply Scrappin' Confetti
110572	172	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567	173	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597	175	Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562	174	Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl	Not Available
110587	175	Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577	175	Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184	15	Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228	16	Simply Sent Simple Delights	Not Available
109229	16	Simply Sent Three Thoughts	Not Available
106662	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
109680	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe
106610	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte
107468	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture
111261	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554	193	Stampin' Color Index Labels
106694	194	Stampin' Kids Markers
101399	185	Stipple Brushes
102673	183	Zig Painty

*Items are 25% off and part of our discounted retiring accessories promotion, see the flier below or click here for more information. If you have any questions or would like to place an order, feel free to email me.

Happy 5th Birthday!

Happy Monday! Remember when I mentioned awhile back that Paper Crafts picked up one of my cards for the Jan/Feb 2009 issue? Well, this is one card I submitted that they didn't pick up, so thought I would go ahead and share it. It was for their "5th Birthday Celebration" call, since they will be 5 years old.

It has lots of contraband, including the yummy Cupcake paper by Basic Grey. I thought it was so cute, bummer they didn't go for it! It's a pocket card, the piece with the "5" pulls out; it's a Sticky Cut letter from SU, covered in SU Chunky Glitter. The "happy birthday" is a rub-on from SU also.

Some personal blah, blah, blah...
Back in Dallas now, it's good to be home. On the way back from the airport, dh took me to get my birthday present, this little iphone! We have to preorder it, though, doesn't seem to be in stock anywhere. Oh well, worth the wait. Then when we got to the house, he had a vase of flowers with my birthday card waiting for me! I'm thinking he really missed me! lol!

I also have to share (finally!) what I alluded to last week, the gift my mom gave me...a new lap quilt! What's really so special about it, though, is that the little print blocks are made up of my outfits that she sewed for me when I was little. It's so cool, I've seen all the photos of me wearing them, now I have this. And here's the kicker: she started it 35 years ago! Who knew she would get a quilting machine and start a successful business and finish it at the age of 60! Here's her new blog I started, with one post so far, but she made a new post (edited and uploaded photos and everything!) that's scheduled to post tomorrow. I'm so proud of her!



Well, guess I better get busy today. I just got finished catching up on 327 google reader entries. Yikes! I freak out when it gets over 100! Still need to unpack and start the laundry, fun stuff, plus work on my Convention swaps. Hope you have a great Monday! Thanks for stopping by!

Have you stamped something today?!

Scrapbook Sunday #17: The Party Was Over

Happy Sunday! And another Scrapbook Sunday, it's two in a row, a miracle! lol! I had this odd-ball picture laying around quite awhile that an old co-worker had given me, and I'd been wanting to scrap it. It was from an annual awards party from one of my old job, sales and interior design at Thomasville. This was a fun group, but there was always constant turnover among staff. I was there six years, probably a record for them. Just recently the family owners lost the Thomasville business, such a shame. Hence, the title has several meanings.

Well, I'm leaving for the airport soon. Time to return to dh and dd (dear dog!), I've missed them. I had such a good time with the folks, it's always so hard to leave though. Convention is coming up soon, and I still have a lot of swaps to work on, so that will keep me busy. And I'm inspired to start that painting I mentioned a few weeks ago! lol! Mom and dad are such great do-it-yourselfers, they're a good influence!

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Cardstock: Black 12x12 Stampin' Up!. Patterned papers & oval die-cut shape by Foo-fa-La.
Accessories: Border Scallop Punch, Basic Black marker, flat pearls by Stampin' Up!. Clear clock by Heidi Swapp. Rectangular journaling card by Jenni Bowlin. Chipboard letters from Joann's. Black rub-ons, can't remember, will check when I get home.

Summer Picnic Box in a Bag

Happy Saturday! Isn't this the cutest bag?! It's actually a little box in the base of the bag to give it the shape it has. Thanks so much to Diana Gibbs for posting this fabulous tutorial for the box in the bag. I'm having a Customer Appreciation Event on Sunday, July 27, and my guests will be making one of these.

The fun part is...they're all going to be different! It's also a kind of "retiring" party, so every guest will receive a project bag, and they'll all be using different embellishments, ribbons, and retiring paper. I can't wait to see how they all turn out! I'll definitely post pictures.

Thanks for all the birthday greetings and nice comments recently! Every year since I turned 40 I think I'll stop *celebrating* my birthday and keep it on the down low, but I can't seem to stop! lol! The birthday meal was great, and the second apple pie was even better than the first apple pie we had earlier in the week! (Different kind of apples, mom said.)

Oh, the movie we ended up seeing was Hancock, my nephew's pick. I actually loved it! I know a lot of critics said it had a weird plot twist half-way through that ruined it, but I actually really liked it. I happen to love science fiction, though, and don't even get me started on Will Smith, swoon. And I just realized also that I haven't been checking my gmail account, so if anyone emailed me there, sorry I haven't replied!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: none (!)
Cardstock: Summer Picnic DSP (retired), Real Red (box inside bag, not shown).
Ink: none
Accessories: Felt Flowers, Real Red buttons, Tab Punch, 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Border Scallop Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip.

Happiness Always: Laura's Sketch #4

Happy Friday! And Happy Birthday to me! I'm getting my specially requested dinner tonight...BBQ hamburgers and hotdogs from my dad and homemade macaroni and cheese from my mom. Yummmmy! And she made another apple pie! Doh!

Here's a freshly made card too! I worked on it off and on over the last few days. The design is based on Laura's Sketch #4 over at 2 Sketches 4 You. I took the picture outside on mom's little bench, and the quality turned out so nicely! I used my new Autumn Leaves buttons from Archiver's, love them!

We went back to the Outlet Mall this morning to make a few exchanges, and I've spent the rest of the afternoon setting up a blog for my mom's quilting business. How fun! Tonight and tomorrow I'm working on business cards for my dad's handy-man business. He's retired, but we want to keep him busy! lol!

Hope you're having a good Friday! Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: Happiness Always
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White.
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Red Riding Hood, Kiwi Kiss.
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Making Memories ribbon, Autumn Leaves button.

Sock Monkey: Thanks a Bunch

Happy Thursday! It's almost the weekend! Here's another Sock Monkey card for all you sock monkey lovers out there! I don't know how some people can hate him so much, he's soooo cute! *wink*

This is one of those cards that didn't turn out like planned. At one point I had stuck something by his hand with a glue dot then didn't like it so I pulled it off, which messed up the cardstock. This is why there is a brown bow stuck over his hand. lol! I do love those yummy new buttons and can't wait to get more! Is it August 11 yet?!

Oh, thanks for your movie tips! My nephew is 14 now (seems impossible!), and my sister said Wall-E wouldn't fly! How can that be?! I forgot about Kung Fu Panda, I really want to see that, but it probably won't fly either. It might end up being Hellboy or something! Not sure how my Mom will feel about that! lol!

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: Sock Monkey
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Red Riding Hood, Bella Rosa DSP.
Ink: Staz-On Brown.
Accessories: Pure Color Pencils, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Baja Breeze Button, Dimensionals.

Scallopy Happiness Always

Happy Wednesday! Running a little late getting this card posted today, was helping my dad work on his computer and some updates. I'm a Mac girl, and they have a pc, so it was a little like the blind leading the blind, but I did my best! Of course, it was at a SNAIL's pace, because this dial-up business is sooooo slow! Argh! I'm trying to keep up with my commenting on your blogs, but if I fall behind, please forgive me, and I'll catch up when I return to Dallas and have my blazing fast internet speed! lol! Ahhh, life in the country...

I made this card with the new level 3 hostess set Happiness Always. I was working on designs for a card swap with one of my yahoo groups, but decided against this one. Wasn't sure if I wanted to make all those ovals with the Coluzzle or not, I would need 33 cards for this swap. The card I settled on in similar to this, but I used the new Border Scallop Punch to make a scallop rectangle, although I don't think it ended up being any easier. If you're wondering how to do that, be sure and check out Mary Jo's tutorial here.

Shopping went okay yesterday...just okay, as I'm too darn pudgey and disgusted with myself! lol! I was telling my parents last night what a change from when I was a size 8 and everything looked good and I couldn't decide what to buy...to now when I'm praying please, Dear Lord, just let one thing look good for me to buy! Argh! Of course, I'm telling them this while we're eating homemade apple pie and ice cream! lol! My mom makes the BEST apple pie ever! It's all gone now. *sigh*

Tomorrow we're off to Mexico, MO, to visit my sister and nephew, and we'll probably take him to see a summer kids' movie. Any recommendations? What about Wall-E?

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: Happiness Always
Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Bella Rosa DSP.
Ink: Brocade Blue, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose.
Accessories: Coluzze Oval Cutter, Slit Punch, Piercing Tool & Mat, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals.

June Stamp Club Challenge Cards

Happy Tuesday! How is your week going? Getting lots of stamping done?! I worked on Convention swaps yesterday...using that new Scallop Border Punch until my hand ached! So I'll be taking a break today to go shopping at the outlet mall! lol!

I realized the other day I had never shown the challenge cards that my Stamp Club members made last month, and they are some of the best ever! I gave them each a Basic Black card, pieces of River Rock and Whisper White and 2 black brads. Those were the only colors they could use. This was a past color challenge over at Splitcoast, and I had made this card and really liked the challenge. Their cards turned out so fabulous!

This card is by Hoai Nguyen, I love the way she stamped the greeting in reverse image, so clever:




This card (outside and inside shown) is by Vina Nguyen, she's so creative and great at hand-lettering:


This card is by Andretta Lowry, love the black polka dot background, and she added some more brads for the beautiful flower centers:

This card is by Beverly Mohler, love her large scallop and circle, and the black image is embosssed and has great texture:

This card is by Lori Franklin, she used a Heidi Swapp mask to create this fabulous bird:

This card is by Michelva Evans, I love the striking simplicity of the swirls with the little bit of colorful ribbon behind it:

This card is by Beth Spinks, she added some pretty, colorful flowers and ribbons that turned out so lovely:

Okay, that's it for now. Hope you have a great day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?