scallop circle card

I have been internet-less since Wednesday night. I don't know what the issue is, but obviously there is something between my modem and the computer that is going out. I have reset the modem twice and the internet connection is restored - but not for long. Well ... hopefully this time it will stay connected.

This card is a circle scallop made using Nestabilities dies. I folded an A2 size piece cardstock and set it just inside one edge of the scallop. It's just like cutting a paper doll or snowflake ... you only need to make sure one edge remains uncut.



What do you think about the ribbon? My daughter isn't crazy about the ribbon. So should I replace it?

The large flower and sentiment are some of the new rub-ons from Stampin' Up. These are freebies until March 17 through the Sale-a-Bration mini catalog. I was very pleased at how well the image went on. I have experienced rub-ons that didn't want to release from the paper, but these are just great.

Supplies: SU: kraft and ruby red cardstock, rub-ons, grosgrain ribbon; dotted ribbon - unknown.

happy stampin'
Susan

Mini Album

Sharing the mini album we made Friday night at Stamp Camp. This is a really cute album that you can make for a variety of occasions. It comes together quickly too. The Scor-pal was a real help with making the cover, which helped speed our project along. We did everything but add photos.

First the cover -- made using a retired Island Blossoms Simply Scrappin' kit from Stampin' Up! You can make 4 mini albums from one Simply Scrappin' kit and still have a few pieces left over.

all images copyright SU! 1990-2008

This is the inside front page. You can see velcro dots on the right hand flap - the velcro keeps the album closed when not in use.




Next is a shot of another interior page. I made a pocket on the right hand page - just for fun and to change up the layouts. If you have memorabilia, it can go right in this pocket; or you could add journaling tags.



Finally, the last page. The small square on the right bottom is where I plan to date the album. I thought it would make a nice ending there.



I didn't photograph all the interior pages, I was afraid of boring you to death! But, I think you have an idea of how the pages look, and how versatile a mini album of this sort can be. Now ... off to find some photos!

happy stampin'
Susan

Merci

Sharing a Sale-a-Bration stamp set today called Merci. This is a wonderful sketch style stamp set that allows opportunity to color! I have seen many samples with this set using watercoloring and they are all gorgeous.

I just bought a few copic markers - my very first ones - and I have been dying to use them. I colored in this image and must say I am pretty happy with the result. It's going to take a while before I get really good with the markers, but the color is so even and nice even with an inexperienced hand like mine. If anyone knows of a chart that shows the coordination between copics and SU, please send me a link. It will save me time and stress trying to stand in Hobby Lobby and figure it out!

images © 1990-2008 SU!

There is a green ice rhinestone brad in the center of the flower - but it doesn't show up so well in the photo. The ribbon is misc. from Wal-mart I think. Everything else is Stampin' Up.

happy stampin'
Susan

bayside

This is the view from my sister's porch ... gorgeous, wouldn't you say? They have a house on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in southern Maryland. This is where I spent several days last week helping her {and my bro-in-law} pack up to prepare for remodeling. I love it here. I would move to southern Maryland in a skinny minute if I could have this view every day.

After we were exhausted packing, we headed back to D.C. for a little sightseeing. The highlight of our museum visits was the new wax museum ... ha, so much educational opportunity and we head for the wax museum. Anyway, it was fun as you can tell by this photo. My sister with Johny Depp. I think she has a crush.

Next we headed over to the National Portrait Gallery - in the rain - and Lane wanted his photo with the Stephen Colbert portrait. It's a funny story - if you watch the Colbert Report, you'll understand. His portrait hangs between the bathrooms.

I'll try to get a couple of photos from Friday's stamp camp posted next. I want to show the mini photo album the ladies made. If I had been thinking, I would have taken pictures of their versions too.

happy stampin'

Susan

busy, busy, busy

Somehow my brain was mistaken.
I seriously thought that after being at my sister's house for 4 1/2 days, I would return home without missing a beat and be totally and completely caught up with everything. hmmm ... that didnt' turn out to be the case. I'm sooo behind in everything! I don't know why. I was caught up when I left. Some weird time warp thing must be happening, because I have been going non-stop since Tuesday night and still haven't gotten around to some very important things. Like blogging, grocery shopping, uploading my photos, packing the supplies for stamp camp, and so on ...


So, in the interest of showing up here on my blog, I have 2 cards to share that are not mine. In fact, they are most likely way better than mine could ever be. So, really you are getting a bonus today.

top card by Elizabeth Shultz

images © SU 1990-2008

bottom card by Vicki Shultz

Finally, if you live anywhere near me, we are stamping on Friday night. Email me with the link in the right margin ----> and I will send you directions. We're making a card and a mini album. Both are cute, but the mini album is by far my favorite.

happy stampin'

Susan

Blog Candy

Hold your jaw, because it's going to drop when you see what Erica Martin has to give away on her blog. She is offering blog candy to raise awareness for Autism. Her son is autisitc, and he's a real cutie pie too. Read more about autism and the give away at her blog:

Stampin Mama

sharing

Hi everyone! No, I haven't completely disappeared, just enjoying some time with my sister & brother-in-law in D.C. My youngest son and I came up for a long weekend visit. We were packing up their house until this afternoon - tonight, resting and tomorrow hitting a few museums, or something equally exciting. We've also had some delicious food while here - Alberto's Italian tonight was especially tasty! We'll return to normal life on Tuesday!

Speaking of normal life -- my stamp camp is Friday night. If you're interested in attending send me an email for directons. Sale-a-bration is now in full swing. This is one of my favorite times to be a Stampin' Up demonstrator. Who doesn't like getting free goodies? Today's share showcases the new rub-ons from SU! There is no stamping on this card ... how do you like that idea? Well ... I am partial to stamps, but rub-ons are way cool too.

all images © SU! 1990-2008

Supplies used are:
CARD STOCK: CHOCOLATE CHIP, PUMPKIN PIE, WILD WASABI, BASHFUL BLUE
Accessories:
GLUE DOTS MINI , STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS, BUTTONS, GROSGRAIN CERTAINLY CELERY, RUB ONS LOVE & HAPPINESS (SAB)

happy stampin'

Susan

bye-bye

I'm leaving on a jet plane ...

Seriously, I am! I am going to visit my sister for a long weekend of packing to help them prepare for remodeling their home. My youngest son is traveling with me and I am really looking forward to this trip. If I get a chance I will post while we are gone, but I don't know how often I will have access to a computer. Take care!

happy stampin'

Susan

My sweet, sweet hubby

Left a valentine for me today. He gave me a Dove chocolate heart shaped box and a beautiful arrangement of flowers.

In the photo above, please take careful notice of the card. It's just under the flowers. He's so sweet, flowers, chocolate and a card! Ummm ... but there's something else you must know --- look at the card again - see how it's just white? Makes you wonder just a bit, doesn't it?

Well ... wonder no more. Here is a closer look at my romantic valentine index card! Yep, he wrote on an index card. hahaha.

Here is the conversation:

me: Hey - how nice, chocolate, flowers and a card!

him: thanks.

me: wait, is this an index card?

him: I bet you didn't know I make cards too.

me: Nope, I didn't.

him: Well, everyone's got to start somewhere!

So funny ... he's definietly a keeper! I think I'll tag this blog post as "gift ideas."

happy stampin'

Susan

Graduation '07 layout

Today's share is another layout made from the Club Scrap From the Heart kit. The photos are from my dd's graduation from high school. We homeschool, so the commencement program was followed by a reception for all the families in the church hall.


Sorry for the washed out faces in the photos. I'm not sure why that happened, but when I tried to correct it, the rest of the layout was too dark. So I just left it alone. Everything is Club Scrap except the graduation sticker. I found that at my lss.

Just to illustrate the journaling block I stamped one of the unmounted images after printing out the text. It helped to dress up the journaling block a bit.

Above is a closer shot of the heart shaped clip that came in the kit. I just tied the ribbon on and slid it on the side of her main photo. There was a lot of empty space on the photo, so the clip adds a bit of interest without distracting. It also serves to point to her face and direct your eye back to the main subject.

Thanks for looking. I hope you all have a wonderfully happy day. Stay healthy - my son has strep throat, so we're all cleaning surfaces and trying to hold our breath around him! yikes!

happy stampin'

Susan

Luv cards

I've been working on a few cards to donate to organizations in our local community. I kept them simple so I could make them quickly. I only added the green ribbon to one card because I wanted to see how it looked. I do think I like the card with ribbon better, but it's not practical for making a lot of cards - or for inserting them into envelopes, etc. KISS - Keep It Simple, right?




The above card is made using cardstock and ribbon from Stampin' Up and a cuttlebug folder.
"Adore" is a stamp from Club Scrap's From the Heart kit. I used a sponge to add color to the embossed image and to the lighter pink heart.

This is my favorite card. I think I like the contemporary look. Again, cardstock and ribbon are from Stampin' Up, embossing is a cuttlebug folder, and the heart image was cut using my Cricut. I LOVE that machine! It's so simple to cut images, and when you are cutting multiple images it's just so quick. Much better than using a hand held punch - not to mention I can size the cuts to fit my projects. I do {heart} my Cricut!

I do have more Valentine cards, but I didn't get a good photo, so I can't show them today. Most of the other cards I am donating are from swaps.

happy stampin'
Susan

Personalized stamp info

I've only received a tiny bit of harrassment about not posting the information on my new personalized monogram stamp. I thought it best to go ahead and post it today so you'll have all weekend to decide how much you really need a new stamp! There is a lot to see at the web site too - I'll link it just under the photo {and I recently edited the link for the correct website - if you went to the manufacturer site, try this one now. You can actually place an order here, plus they are still offering discounts}

Personalized stamp by PSA Essentials

30% off with free shipping for a limited time

I actually love this stamp! I just think it is so cool. My plan is to stamp the back of everything I make {along w/ any other required angel stamps} so anyone who finds a card or scrapbook page made by me will know it! I would like to order more versions of personalized stamps. I think one for books would be great, another one for return address and maybe just a fancy monogram to personalize card fronts for myself.

Anyway, now you've seen it. What do you think? If you order one, be sure to post it so I can take a look - I need more ideas!

happy stampin'

Susan

club scrap = love

Yes, I do love Club Scrap kits. They are yummie! The thing I like best about kits is that everything is coordinated - papers, ribbons, embellishments, etc. It all works together. If you find a good kit - like Club Scrap, or Simply Scrappin' by Stampin' Up - there will be enough variety in the kit so you're pages won't all look the same. Now, in my book that is a great value.

Last time I showed you my version of packing light. Really, there was nothing light about it -- just compacted into a small bundle of joy. lol! Today, I have a few photos of a layout that came from the same kit, which is Club Scrap's From the Heart special edition. I have many more sheets of paper and still have all the supplies for 20 cards, so you may be seeing this kit for a while!

The photos are from my daughter's 18th birthday. Club Scrap also gives you the name of fonts used in the design, so I was able to download 2 free fonts to make my title and journaling match the overall look of the page. Look for the LOVE charm {shown above} it is hanging from the top left photo.

I also bought the unmounted stamps that coordinate with this kit - yep, gotta have it all - which I used to stamp the crown and then adhere it to the title with a dimensional for emphasis. Here is a closer look at the crown:

Tricia {from CS} detailed this really cool distressing technique to use on the lighter weight paper in the kit. As she suggested, I used the technique on the border strip and on the title. It really changes the look of the paper, and sets a great mood for the layout. What do you think?

As for the kit itself, it is Valentine themed, but so versatile that I was able to use it for this birthday layout, a band concert page, and a graduation layout ... so far ... and yes, you will be seeing those pages over the next several posts. hehe.

I also have a really cool personalized monogram stamp that came in the mail yesterday that I want to share with you ... so stay tuned!!

happy stampin'

Susan

pack light

I don't go out to crops often - even though I should! One of my biggest problems is deciding what to take. I mean there are so many choices! This weekend, I carried the special edition Club Scrap kit with me, hoping to get a few things accomplished.

I intentionally packed light! See how well I did above ... one pizza box, one tote and one diet coke! Not bad, until you start unpacking it. Then you get an idea of just how much one pizza box and tote can actually hold:



Stamps, scissors, TWO petal point ink collections, ribbons, kit directions and ...

... and unmounted stamps, yummie papers, pretties from Stampin' Up, chipboard, card supplies for 20 cards, stickers, die cuts, adhesives ... whew ... there's a lot more not showing, but I think you get the idea.

Well ... I didn't have as much free time as I had expected, so I only worked on one layout, and didn't even get it finished! ugh. But that's ok because now I have even more resolve to use this kit ... and I have all my stuff together ready to work.

The tote I have is called the Totally Cool Tote by All My Memories. I bought it about 2 years ago and I love it! My best bud's daughter monogrammed it for me too - see the big "S" on the front pocket? I think you can find them at Hobby Lobby. It sits on my table {on a small lazy susan} and I can grab almost any tool I need by spinning it. The amount of tools and supplies it holds is amazing. Take a look at what was still left inside after I unpacked my most frequently used tools and adhesives:


Here is a photo from the other side. There is also a pocket in the bottom that holds a Silent Setter and other misc. tools that I don't reach for as frequently. Do you think I have enough stuff???

I ordered photos on Thursday, so I am expecting to receive approximately 105 photos in the mail soon - that should make me do some scrapbooking. Maybe they will come today - I may have a few extra minutes to scrap. {FYI - I ordered my photos through Snapfish.com for only .09 cents each What a great deal!}

happy stampin'

Susan

sneak peek

{mysteriously this post disappeared yesterday ... today I found it and brought it back}

This is one card we will make at Stamp Camp on Feb. 22. It's simple, but has a few nice touches which make all the difference. Brads add dimension, a Versamarker gives just enough depth without adding additional color and the peek of yellow in the flower gives it "pop." The card also utilizes a very undervalued resource: Kraft cardstock. Kraft is a great neutral, so it goes with almsot anything. I need to make an effort to use more Kraft cardstock in my paper projects.

all images copyright SU! 1990-2008

I am thinking ... but don't hold me to it yet ... that our other project will be a mini album. That would be a great way to let the girls see our Simply Scrappin' kits and what a value they are - plus give everyone a finished mini album that only needs photos added. We all have photos, right? I don't have a preview of the album yet ... I'm still mulling it over.

In case you are wondering how I am already ahead of myself ... and if you know me, you should wonder ... I'm planning a trip to visit my sister for a long weekend before stamp camp, so I know I have to be totally prepared or else I will end up having a meltdown when I return. I don't think anyone wants to come stamp with a blubbering mess named Susan.

If you live close enough to attend, please let me know. We love guests! All the ladies who come are such fun, so I can promise you will enjoy yourself. My email is to the right ----->

happy stampin'

Susan

Mr. Woodpecker

Shot from inside my house on a rainy Monday. It's Mr. Woodpecker eating from the suet feeder. I believe this is a red-bellied woodpecker - however, if that's not correct, please leave the correct name in comments so I'll know.

I didn't know if I could actually get a decent photo from inside. I took the picture through 2 glass doors - the regular door & the storm door - and it was raining. LOOK at the bill on that bird!





Now that I know I can photograph through the glass doors, I'll watch the feeder carefully and try to get a Cardinal! The birds absolutely love the suet feeders. I have two hanging in my backyard and one with no feed in my front yard. I need to buy some more food too.

happy {non}stampin' day
Susan

sweet

Just wanted to share a drawing by my 7 year old niece for my youngest son. Isn't that sweet?{she's actually my great-niece, but that makes me sound old, which I am not!}

more Sale-a-bration ideas

Another sample from Stampin' Up! using a Sale-a-bration set. The sets used are Merci - which is a great outline stamp set perfect for coloring; and Lots of Thoughts - sentiments for almost any occasion.

all images © SU! 1990-2008

I especially like the way the sentiments were used on this card. Stamp the words, then cut them apart and place them on your card or project. I think that adds a nice touch, and makes your stamps more versatile too!

happy stampin'

Susan

It's SAB time!

Sale-a-bration officially began today - Feb. 1! woo-hoo! This is my favorite time of the year with Stampin' Up because you have the opportunity to earn unlimited free stamp sets. This year, one of the choices is a set of rub-ons. SU is offering rub-ons for the very first time in their catalog, and I am glad for the opportunity to try them for free through SAB.

This is a sample mug created by SU to illustrate the various ways you can utilize rub-ons. Isn't that a darling idea?

The link to the right ---> is active, so you can click to view the SAB catalog online. Pick out a couple {or all 6} freebies, and then call a demonstrator with your order. My stampers will meet Friday, February 22 to make projects using SAB sets. If you are close enough, come on over and we'll all stamp together!

happy stampin'

Susan