Catalog Sampler

Good morning everyone! I am laughing at myself. When I pulled up my blog this morning to sign in I saw the date, Sunday, August 24. And I'm like nooo. I have been posting everyday! And then it hit me. I posted each picture last Sunday and didn't bother to change the date! I will try to do that today. And if not. Well, you will have new pictures to look at anyway and all of them will be from last Sunday!! LOL!!

Today's card is one that I did at my Becky's house last Sunday. I actually copied it from the Catalog Sampler. You get one of those when you place an order. The only thing I changed on this one is the flower. I can't rightly remember what they used but that was different. They also had different words. I liked the "blocking" style. I don't try that look very often. the circles along the side were dry embossed using my template from my Crafter's Tool Kit and a stylus. I did stamp the flower three times in different colors. I cut out the blue one and then punched the other two. The brown one has a brad in it. Enjoy your long weekend! We are off to Ouray! Can't wait to get out of town for a few days! See you on Monday!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Best Wishes; Paper- Bashful Blue, Old Olive, More Mustard, Close To Cocoa, Old Olive designer prints paper; Ink- Bashful Blue, Rose Red, Close To Cocoa; Accessories- Rose Red grosgrain, Crafter's Tool Kit, stylus, silver brad, scallop edge punch, circle punches, dimensionals

Sock Monkey Copy

Good Day all! I just kicked the kids out the door for lunch. And since I don't have lunch duty today I have a little more time to eat. Always a bonus!

So did the title catch some of you off guard? Those of you who know me know that I am not a fan of the new Sock Monkey stamp set. But when I saw the latest issue of the demonstrator Stampin' Success Magazine, there was a card that caught my eye. And the stamp set that they used for the sample was Sock Monkey. This was the layout of the card and I really liked that it was different than anything I had done before. Sometimes I feel like I get into a rut and my cards start to look the same. I was happy to try this layout with a stamp set of my choice! And here is what resulted! The greeting 'friend to friend' is from another stamp set and is stamped in white on the Tangerine Tango cardstock (I think it is kind of hard to read). Enjoy your day! Tomorrow's Friday and a long weekend is ahead! Hang in there! I know I am!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Flower Fancy, Pocket Silhouettes; Paper- Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point; Ink- Whisper White craft; Accessories- Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain, silver brad, circle punch, dimensionals

Sweethearts

Hello again! It's me posting from my desk at school. I have just a few minutes to chat with you while I eat my lunch.

Here's another card using the Best Wishes set. This set is so versatile and I hope that I have shown how versatile it is these past couple of days. It's hard to read the words on this card but they say "couldn't do without you". Isn't that sweet? It's a great anniversary card and a very easy one to make at that. I hope that you are inspired today! Have a great day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Best Wishes; Paper- Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Whisper White; Ink- Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette; Accessories- Riding Hood Red striped ribbon, dimensionals

Ready, Set, Snow?

Good Afternoon my blogging friends! It's really nice to be able to meet with you while I am scarfing down my lunch! I am really glad you can't see me!! Anyway, as you can tell, I am at school. It's another great day here and we seem to be rolling right along! I haven't graded their Bible tests yet but hopefully I will be overjoyed with their achievements!

Today's card is one that I did this past weekend at Becky's. This one of my new sets, Best Wishes. In this card I used the snowflake. I love snowflakes anyway but this one is especially cute! No, I am not quite ready for the snow but I certainly wouldn't mind cooler weather. This card also uses new ribbon! I am in love with the ribbon! I really can't get enough of it!! However, this ribbon is thicker than most so I opted to tie a knot using the linen thread instead of the ribbon. And yes, I did cut out the snowflake. I don't recommend doing this if you are making more than one. But doesn't it look so cute cut out? Well, I guess I better get back to my grading! Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Best Wishes; Paper- Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Ink- Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip; Accessories- Baja Breeze ribbon, silver brad, circle punch, scallop circle punch and border punch, dimensionals

Hawaii Papaya

Good Afternoon everyone! I am posting from my classroom! I am on my lunch break (if you can call it that). So, I will have to make this quick as I have a ton of stuff to do!

Anyway, this card was inspired by another card I saw on a blog somewhere. I finally got a chance to play with my new toys and this card showcases the new Hawaii Papaya designer paper and the new Best Wishes stamp set. This stamp set is one that can definitely be used year round. You will be seeing quite a few cards done with this set. Hope you are inspired as well! Enjoy your day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Best Wishes; Paper- Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Hawaii Papaya designer paper; Ink- Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango; Accessories- silver brad, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, dimensionals

Penny Black

Good Sunday Morning! I don't have much time to type this morning. I slept in (which is good for me) but I need to get ready because I am off to Becky's for a "play date" (as my son likes to call it). Today I really want to "play" with all my new toys!

Today's card was inspired by the latest Cards Magazine. This is a stamp from a company called Penny Black. That is the only thing on this card that is non-stampin' up. My friend Becky had just gotten it and let me be the FIRST to use it! Thanks, Becky! I just love the whimsical look of the flowers. It's a pretty simple card but it looks so clean and fresh. Have a great day and I will try to post tomorrow evening! Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe: Stamps- flower stamp from Penny Black, Hugs & Wishes; Paper- Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive; Ink- Basic Black, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie markers; Accessories- black brads, Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain, dimensionals

Breezy Thoughts

Good late morning! Can you tell that school has started? I am so thankful that we only had three days of it this week! That was about all I could handle. One of the evenings was filled with a coaches meeting then we met with our player's parents and then we had our school's back to school night - all in ONE night! Yes, I slept in till 9:30!! It felt sooooo good! Next week is a full week. Pray for me!! And, I am sure that you are not surprised by this, but I am behind in my grading. Already. I brought it home but of course I will wait until the last possible minute to do it. Remember that I received my box of NEW goodies. I got those on Wednesday. I opened everything up and then put it all back in the box. It stayed in there until I went to Becky's last night and started playing. But I was so stinkin' tired that I only got ONE card done! I am going back tomorrow to play some more when I will hopefully be more awake. It will be a great year, though! I have some really nice kiddos. I can't wait to get to know them a little better!

Today's card is one that I did last week. I got the idea from the recent Cards Magazine. I didn't do all the piercing that the other person did but I liked these colors together. And it's not too difficult to put together. Enjoy your day and your weekend! I will post again tomorrow!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Kind Thoughts; Paper- Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White; Ink- Baja Breeze, Basic Gray; Accessories- Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, circle punch, scallop circle punch, crafter's tool kit, dimensionals

Catalog Inspired

Good Morning my blogging friends! Well, today is the day that I start welcoming my students! I am not sure how many will show up as this is just a come and go and sometimes they just show up on the first day. But I do hope to meet many of them! I tested a new girl yesterday and she will be a part of our class as well. So that makes my numbers up to 22! I am excited about that! Anyway, tomorrow is my first official day and it is time to get my plans finalized!!

Today's card was inspired from the catalog. This card was one of the very first that I knew that I wanted to copy. I LOVE this layout! The card in the catalog used a hostess set. It is actually on the same page as the hostess plan, level one, I believe. Anyway, it was pretty easy to put together. I did cut out the butterfly (antenna and all) and pop it up. I hope that you get inspired as well! Have a great day!!

By the way... My huge stamp order has shipped and should be here tomorrow!!! I can't wait! My school kids might not get their teacher back for a while! :)

Card Recipe: Stamps- Kind Thoughts; Paper- Ruby Red, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White; Ink- Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Ruby Red; Accessories- Whisper White taffeta ribbon, silver brad, crafter's tool kit, corner rounder, spiral punch, dimensionals

Flight of the Butterfly

Good Monday morning!! I am going to warn you up front that I am pre-posting this (meaning I am actually writing this Sunday night) so if I get my today's and yesterday's mixed up you will know why. I thought that I would pre-post this because I will (plan to) be up early and to school. While I don't have students yet, I still have a few things to finish up before Wednesday. The middle schoolers will be there today and I would like to see them, too!

Today's card is one that I did last Sunday while playing at Becky's. I got inspired from the catalog again and came up with this. I really love the way this card turned out! It is one of my favorites! And, it is pretty simple which is always a bonus! This card is a 3 x 6 card. Again, if you don't have the new catalog be sure to find one somewhere!! It is FABULOUS!! Thanks for stopping by and have a super Monday!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Flight of the Butterfly; Paper- Close To Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Bella Rose designer paper; Ink- Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue, Close To Cocoa; Accessories- vintage brads, Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon, circle punch, corner rounder, dimensionals

Priceless Friendship

Good Sunday morning everyone! I have to say that yesterday's temperatures were fantastic! We didn't even turn on our air conditioner! WOW!! I am not sure about today. We haven't watched the news in a while (well, ever since the Olympics started). I slept in a little today as you might be able to tell from the late post. Boy it feels good!! I am sure that my tiredness comes from working but also from staying up late watching the Olympics! It has been so exciting!!

Today's card is one I did at Becky's last Sunday afternoon on one of our marathon stamping days. I am going over again today to get some more ready (I have almost used up what I worked on last week). I did get inspired from the catalog on this one. Don't know which page now and I don't have the catalog in front of me. I now realize that the greeting does not show up real well. It is a stamp from the Sweet Serendipity set. This card is a 3 x 6 card and will fit inside our small open end envelopes. I know that you can go a little larger than 3 x 6 and most people do but I like to cut my cardstock 6 x 6 because then you can get 4 cards from a 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock. Just my opinion. Have a great day and enjoy the last of your weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Eastern Blooms, Sweet Serendipity; Paper- Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Ink- Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Ruby Red; Accessories- Chocolate Chip taffeta, silver brads, dimensionals

Happy Days!

Good Morning! Boy, did I finally sleep really good last night! Oh, and it was soooo nice to sleep in this morning! The evenings are cooling down very nicely now. And I love sleeping under the blankets. Now I think I need to go take a nap :) And just think, this will be my life for a while now. Waiting for the weekends to come so I can sleep in!!

Today's card is the third card we did at stamp club this month. I just love the colors. This stamp set was one demonstrators received free at convention. It is really a cute set and I have some more cards to share with you using it. It is a pretty simple card to put together. The butterfly is a two-step stamp (I stamped the solid image first with Bashful Blue and then the flowers on top with Real Red). The butterfly is cut out and then popped up. I got this idea from the Art From The Heart CD that demonstrators can purchase. It has cards and scrapbook pages and projects that many other demonstrators made to help give us all some inspiration. I LOVE that CD and refer to it often. Can't have enough ideas! Have a great day and an even greater weekend!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Flight of the Butterfly; Paper- Bashful Blue, Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Summer Picnic designer paper; Ink- Real Red, Bashful Blue; Accessories- Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon, silver brads, dimensionals

Appealing Butterfly

Good Morning one and all! Well, it's finally Friday!! All our public schools start school on Monday! Our middle school (the school where I teach) starts Monday and then the rest (my kids) come on Wednesday. I am still in shock of how fast the summer flew by! But now I look forward to fall. Today I am choosing to have a cup of coffee, browse my favorite blogs, shower and then go in to finish up my classroom.

Today's card was inspired from the catalog (I don't have my catalog in front of me to tell you which page). If you STILL don't have a catalog you are crazy! You really need one!!! Anyway, I really like the way this card turned out and it was really simple. It is a real simple layout, nothing real fancy. I tend to be a ribbon-and-brads on every card type of stamper but not every card needs all that to be attractive. Anyway, I hope that you all are inspired today and have a great day! Remember it's FRIDAY!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Kind Thoughts; Paper- Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Bella Rose designer paper; Ink- Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip; Accessories- Apricot Appeal grosgrain, dimensionals

Eastern Pirouette

Good Morning everyone! I hope that you are all having a fantastic week! I am getting more and more excited for the new school year. My classroom is coming together nicely. I am almost ready for the students. Today is a class all day so no time to work on my room but I can look forward to dinner with friends!

As I look at the photo of this card I realize that it didn't photograph well at all! So sorry about that! I hope that you can still get the 'gist' of the card. It is a very simple and basic card but so very versatile. This is a card that I did with my stamp club. The top part of the card is a piece of Pink Pirouette printed paper from the Bella Rose collection. The main flower image was stamped with Pink Pirouette as well. And, of course, any greeting will do! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Eastern Blooms, Sincere Salutations; Paper- Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Bella Rose designer paper; Ink- Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette; Accessories- Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, silver brads, dimensionals

Eastern Serendipity

Good Morning my blogging friends! I actually typed this up last night. I needed to get an early start this morning - continental breakfast, staff meeting, catered lunch and then computer training. Yes, it's school time! But I am getting a massage this afternoon and I can hardly wait!

Today's card was inspired from the NEW Idea Book & Catalog - Fall/Winter Collection; page 98. What's that? You don't have a new catalog? Well, then! You really need to give me a call or find your demonstrator and get one! It is just fabulous!! I placed my HUGE order last night and now I am not so patiently waiting for the UPS truck to come down my driveway! Thankfully I have school to keep my mind off of the waiting. Anyway, this card was done using the new Eastern Blooms set that we demonstrators received at convention. Hope it gets you all inspired today! Have a great day! The weekend is almost here!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Eastern Blooms, Sweet Serendipity; Paper- Kraft, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Bella Rose designer paper; Ink- Chocolate Chip; Accessories- vintage brads, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, key tag punch, dimensionals

Live With Passion

Good Morning all!! I have to make this quick as I still need to finish getting ready and then head out! I have to pick up my friend and co-worker and then head to school but not before we get a nice cup of coffee to wake us up!! Today we have CPR and First Aid training. Then they give us lunch and we continue working in our classrooms. My seems to be coming along but there is still lots to do!

Last night I had my stamp club. What a FUN bunch of gals!! I just love them!! Hi Cinder, Linda, Judy, Jeannie, and Becky! I was so tired and yet they were so patient with me. And Becky, the hostess, made this super yummy graham cracker ice cream! YUM YUM!! Thank you so much stamp club gals!! So, today's card is one that we made last night and I think it was every one's favorite. I know it was mine. This stamp set was given to us at convention and I was so excited as it was on my list to purchase. Now I don't have to!! The card is pretty easy to put together. The flower stamp was inked using sponge daubers. It gives a softer look than inking with markers. Just another new technique we learned at convention! Thanks for stopping by and I will type at you again tomorrow! Have a great day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Inspired By Nature; Paper- Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Whisper White; Ink- Certainly Celery, Old Olive, More Mustard, Close To Cocoa, Basic Black; Accessories- Certainly Celery grosgrain, dimensionals

Eastern Tango

Hello Everyone! I hope that you haven't given up on me yet! I bet that you all can tell that school has started for me. Actually, today is our "official" day back so I will be going in shortly. This week is filled with meetings and getting our rooms ready. My students will come next Wednesday. At least our NEW and IMPROVED air conditioning system is done and seems to be working! We now have our OWN climate controlled rooms!! YEA!! Bring on the hot flashes!!

So, last night I was at Becky's for most of the afternoon and evening. We both got so much done! I needed to come up with projects for our stamp club and also get a jump start on cards for the blog. I got my club projects whipped up right away and then started on blog cards. I was so excited to have cards for this week and part of next!! So, keep coming back! You never know when I will get in the "groove"!

Today starts the official day that we all can order from the NEW Idea Book & Catalog (Fall/Winter Collection 2008). I am so excited!! We do have to wait until noon to start ordering because Stampin' Up! is getting their system ready (I hope they get it ready for system overload!). Anyway, today's card came from the new catalog. And, if you don't have a new catalog you really need to get one!! It is FANTASTIC!! Don't even ask me how BIG my first order is! At least my husband didn't faint. I was inspired by a card on page 190. This card was my least favorite of the bunch but it still is nice. Anyway, I hope that you get inspired and don't forget to get your new catalog! See you soon!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Eastern Blooms, Flight of the Butterfly; Paper- Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Summer Picnic designer paper; Ink- Tangerine Tango, Not Quite Navy; Accessories- Old Olive wide grosgrain, vintage brads, scallop border punch, dimensionals

Convention Swap #3!

Good Morning everyone!! I got back from convention yesterday afternoon and decided that I had better pre-post today's card. I have a lot to do and am getting an early start! Too bad none of it has to do with stamping!! No, I will be in my classroom working away to try and get everything organized and cleaned and ready for the 18th!

Convention was a SUPER BLAST!! I had some really awesome roommates! Thanks, Judy and Sherry!! And, our driver got us safely there and back (even when we were feeling "squirrelly" and "punchy"). Thanks, Emily!! And it was great to get to know Emily's roommate even better! Hi, Tammy!! I will be telling you much more about convention in the next few weeks. I can't share everything right now! There would be nothing to talk about later! So keep coming back!!

Today's card is my third and final card that I did for a swap for convention. I really love how this card turned out and it is really one of my very favorites. Yes, it did take a lot of time and was very tedious but I really like the finished product. I do hope that the layout inspires you as you all do not have to put in this much work to get a fantastic and beautiful card. Have a great start to your week and I will type at you again soon!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Stitched Exotics, Fundamental Phrases; Paper- Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla; Ink- Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss; Accessories- Crafter's tool kit, vintage brads, Kraft taffeta ribbon, photo corner punch, sponges, dimensionals

Thanks

Happy Sunday morning to all of you! Please pray for safe travels as my fellow stampers and I travel to our respective homes today. I can't wait to share everything with you all! So stay tuned!!

Today's card is my second swap card. Again, very simple and a little more masculine on this one. I broke out my Wanted set. We demonstrators got this set last year at convention. I haven't played with it much but I do really like it. I hope that you all find the layout and the card inspirational! Enjoy your day as the weekend comes to a close!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Wanted, Sanded background, Fundamental Phrases; Paper- Not Quite Navy, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Very Vanilla; Ink- Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black, Really Rust; Accessories- vintage brads, sponges, small star punch, dimensionals

Simply Said

Good morning all! Today is (or will be) the last day of convention. I will arrive home tomorrow and you can be sure that I will be exhausted! I have done this convention thing many times before and it is tiring! But I will have lots of things to show you and that will be great!

As promised, here is the first of three swap cards that I made for convention. I really like the way this turned out. I got the sketch from Splitcoast Stampers and the colors came from a pair of pajamas that I saw! You can get a color combination from almost anywhere! Anyway, it is a pretty simple card altogether. Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Simply Said; Paper- Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Whisper White; Ink- Tempting Turquoise, black StazOn, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery and Regal Rose markers; Accessories- Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon, gold brads, dimensionals

Happiness

Good Friday morning everyone! The weekend is finally here! AND it is already August!! I can hardly believe it!! Well, I am still at convention. I can't tell you exactly what's going on because it hasn't happened yet. But be sure that I will tell you everything when I get back!

Today's card comes from a sketch that I got somewhere. I can't remember where I get a lot of these sketches. When I see one I like I draw it on my paper and make a few cards with it. I really liked the way this card turned out! This sketch was perfect for this paper (or maybe the paper was perfect for this sketch). I am in love with this paper! The stamp I used on this card is from a new set called Heard From The Heart. And, it is a Stampin' Up! set! Enjoy!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Heard From The Heart; Paper- Very Vanilla and designer paper from CTMH; Ink- Basic Black; Accessories- prima flowers, black brads