Working on the bloggity today

I'm adding a few new links and reorganizing others. Trying to make the links easier to navigate. Take a look and feel free to make suggestions if you see things that should be changed/added/corrected.

More Blooms

Yes, that's right ... more Bloomin' Beautiful blossoms! The pot of hydrangeas is actually the image that made me "need" this stamp set. I love hydrangeas! I think they are so beautiful. I've been trying to grow one by my front porch for 3 years but it has struggled. The first year the poor thing was so tiny. Last year it suffered through a hard freeze and a terrible drought - even though I watered it almost daily, I thought it was not going to make it. This year, however, it is looking great so far! If the little bush ever looks good I'll take a picture of it and put it on the blog.

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

This card is made from a die cut from the lss. It is the same die that I made Mother's Day cards with the other week, I just flipped the circle opening to the bottom. The background is stamped with canvas - it's ok - and I tied the ribbon where the background stamp ended to cover up the line. The blooms are colored with copics.

happy stampin'
Susan

Happy Mail

I haven't felt well today - something going around I heard. So, while watching the movie Titanic I managed to scrap a layout. These photos are over one year old, but I'm just getting around to making a page with them!


The happy mail was from Lisa Bearnson, founding editor of Creating Keepsakes magazine. She had a contest on her blog, and I was one of ten winners. I received a huge box filled with goodies! And, there was a nice note attached to a tag with my initial that Lisa made. So cool!

all images copyright SU! 1990-2008

Here is a better look at the note that was included. Isn't Lisa sweet? I certainly think so.
I used mostly Stampin' Up supplies. The pattern paper, cardstock and stickers are SU! The chipboard letters are Heidi Swapp and the chipboard arrow is from my lss but I don't know the manufacturer. The tag is unknown -- because Lisa made it -- did I say that already??

One last mention ... do you see the sort of black arrow on the layout? I'll tell you all about my flocking incident later, but it involves that evil little arrow you see up there!

happy stampin'

Susan

Delighting in Ginger Blossoms

I thought you should have a break from my favorite stamp set! The designer paper Ginger Blossoms, by SU, is very versatile. I really love working with the paper because it's so beautiful - and the neatest thing is that the colors are not ones that I gravitate toward, so I'm making a few projects that are a little different for me!

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

This card was made with pieces left over from the Stamp Camp altered coaster project last week. I just salvaged what I could, trimmed it up and edged the pieces with black chalk ink by Colorbox. The delicious brown grosgrain ribbon is from Wal-mart.

I'm not really happy with the way I trimmed up the sentiment. I used the key tag punch then double matted it, but I think it would have looked better if it had been rectangular instead. Oh well!

happy stampin'
Susan

Bloomin' Red

Another very simple card made with my new favorite stamp set - Bloomin' Beautiful. I had already assembled this card was not very happy that it looked so plain - then I thought about adding a score line somewhere. After I used my Scor-pal to add 2 lines down the left side, the card looked a little better. It's amazing how something so simple can add so much.

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

I colored the bloom with my copics again. The designer paper is from the prints pack for Hostesses. I think I will add a small sentiment on the bottom right of the card and possibly ribbon - or maybe not.

happy stampin'
Susan

Sneaky, sneaky

all images © SU 1990-2008

Stampin' Up is offering a special in June that is a sneak peak into the Fall/Winter Idea Book and catalog. The picture above shows the new die-cut stamp set, Fresh Cuts and a new laser cut note card!

Hostesses can earn both the stamp set and the notecards FREE with a $400 workshop. Customers can purchase Fresh Cuts and add on the notecards for only $5 during June.

Contact me if you are interested in hosting a workshop or gathering a catalog order. Tomorrow, another card share is scheduled!

happy stampin'

Susan

Diagonal Grid Card

This week Diana, of Scor-pal, issued a challenge to make a Diagonal Grid card. This is my attempt. Just adding a scored grid makes a huge difference in a simple card. What I plan to do is add ribbon and a sentiment on a tag -- as soon as I know what I will use this card for! That will dress it up a bit more.

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

I colored the flower with copic markers. I have so much to learn about using them, but I can say my efforts are improving! The stamp set used is Bloomin' Beautiful from SU. It's my new favorite stamp set. I think it is just gorgeous!

happy stampin'
Susan

Stamp Camp

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

I had a blast at stamp camp this month! We had 8 ladies in all and it was fun. Four of us stayed late and scramped away. I think we spent almost 8 hours together!

We made 2 projects this month using 4" coasters. There are so many things you can do with coasters -- or chipboard. It is just perfect for altering into all sorts of items for your home. I think I want to make some magnets with inspirational messages for my next coaster project.

First we made this wall hanging:

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

Then this:

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

Here is a closer look at the wallhanging - I am lovin' the Define Your Life stamp set!

all images copyright SU 1990-2008

I will have a few more cards to post this week. During 8 hours with my peeps I managed to make about ... oh ... 3 cards! Now you know how lame I am!

happy stampin'

Susan

A good website

This is a good website to track your daily nutrition and get exercise tips: My Wellness 360. I have been tracking my meals almost daily at this site - you can read more at No More Truffles - and a bonus to the site is that you can actually earn money by using the site. It's a really neat idea.
happy stampin'
Susan

Attention Ladies!

Saturday is our Girls Day Out!

We will begin at 2pm and go until ... you are too tired to "scramp!" I am offering an optional project for $5. The project is an altered coaster wall-hanging, and it is really cute. If you would like to make the project please send me an email by Friday so I can have the supplies ready. I am sending an email out to my mailing list with a sample photo. If you're not on my list, my email is in the side bar ----> let me know you'd like to be added.

If you do not want to make the project, that's ok, just bring your supplies and craft away! The Girls Day Out is FREE - except that you should bring a snack and drink to share. We are going to have a wonderful day together - lots of fun!! Remember: Laughter is good medicine!

If you are still hanging in with us at supper time, we'll order take out and keep going. Please think about coming. Almost everyone has some type of project they've been meaning to work on - bring it with you and get something accomplished! All types of crafts are welcome - scrapbooking, stamping, knitting, beading - whatever! Just as long as it's not too messy or a fire hazard {lol!}.

See you Saturday, until then ...

happy stampin'
Susan

Information you may not need

Just a quick post to share my other blog with you:
No More Truffles
The reason you may not be interested in this blog is that it is a little something I started to help me as I struggle with losing weight. I put the link in my side bar, so if you want to stop by and offer any tips, or encouragement, feel free!

happy stampin,
Susan

Flower Power

A friend asked me to make a sign for donations to use at the band concert last night. First I made a sign using powerpoint - quick & easy, but not too attractive. I decided to put a little more effort into it and make a nice sign that would "attract" the eye and hopefully encourage people to donate.

Next I had to decide how to make that sign. I could use my handy dandy cricut, or dig through my drawers of endless suppplies. I remembered buying die cut blossoms from SU! recently for a stamp camp ... but just where did I put those leftovers? After some digging, I finally found the blossoms, and in the interest of time and patience, I used stickers for the letters instead of custom cutting them with my bug.

Here is the final result:

all images copyright SU! 1990-2008

Sorry for the ugly tub - I had to raise it up to get decent light for the photo. For some reason, I was thinking I could crop it out ... but it didn't quite work out. If I were a photoshop genius I could lasso the entire image and put it on a brilliant background - but again, no genius here!

Supplies: Die cut blossoms, rub-ons, striped ribbon: SU!; Letter stickers: Sharon Soneff; Ink: Colorbox chalk black; Light green bucket: Target $ spot; wooden skewers & paper fluff: Wal-mart.

happy stampin'

Susan

Happy Day Moms!

I hope all Moms - old, new & future - have a wonderful day today!

These are the cards my mother and mother-in-law will be receiving, along with an African Violet in the cutest little tea cup planter. Our moms don't really need anything material - but they need a lot of help from us for their daily living, so we decided to give them flowers this year.



I made the card on the left at my lss make'n take on Friday night. Here is a brief supply list: Cardstock: Bazzill, Fiskars punches, brad (?). The card on the right I made after I got home because, of course, I needed 2 for mother's day. The supplies are the same except the punches are from Martha Stewart, Stampin' Up and EK Success.

The ribbon is from my stash - white grosgrain, and the "MOM" stamp is an alphabet I picked up for 1/2 price at Hobby Lobby by Paper Studio. I don't even have a stamp that says, "Happy Mother's Day."

happy stampin'
Susan

oldie but goodie

This card was my hubby's Father's Day card last year. I'm sharing today because
1) I don't have any new photos of cards to share, and
2) He keeps it on his nightstand, so I see it almost every day.

It's not a real "fathery" type of card, but the layout is neat and classic. The colors are masculine, so it works for the purpose.

all images © SU! 1990-2008

Stamps: Carte Postale, wheel
Paper: Not quite navy, old olive, white
Ink: Not quite navy, old olive

I hope to have a mother's day card to share this weekend. I made one card at the local lss make'n take last night that I plan to use. I have to make one more. My bff and I had a blast at the lss just playing around and shopping - then we went to a Chinese buffet that was just delicious! What a great way to begin the weekend!

happy stampin'
Susan

Oh yeaaaa! I'm typing this from my brand-spankin' new Gateway laptop which just happens to be an awesome garnet red! woot!!

I also found a really neat-o link to share with you today courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens. They have ideas on the site for Mother's Day cards - and guess what? Stampin' Up! products make-up a lot of the cards! Yay! One sample is below:

all images copyright 1990-2008

Here is the link to see all the cards: BHG Mother's Day Cards. Enjoy looking at the samples ... I'm off to play with my new laptop some more!!

happy stampin'
Susan

Magnet Frame

This is a small magnetic frame I found at the dollar store last year. I haven't shared it on my blog yet, and since I haven't stamped in over a week ... I thought it would be a good time to share it!
The frame is wooden and was already distressed - which is the reason it caught my eye. I stamped the tulip boquet from Never-ending Joy, and tied a pink gingham ribbon around the frame. I think it turned out cute.

I suppose a small frame would make a nice mother's day gift - especially if you included a few other goodies with it {like chocolates!}. I haven't even started thinking about what we'll give our mothers this year. I guess I should get my act in gear!

Edited to add: Aged Copper, Antique Brass, and Pewter finishes of the Hodgepodge Hardware update: When the new Fall-Winter catalog debuts, these finishes will no longer be available; they will be retiring with the Spring-Summer Collection 2008.

happy stampin'
Susan

Chipboard ideas

Since SU! is offering all chipboard products at 25% off during May {with a qualifying order}, I thought I should share 2 ideas using chipboard.

The first is a mini book made using the On Board Book Basics Small, On Board Blossoms & Basics, and On Board Lots of Letters. Isn't it darling?

all images © SU! 1990-2008

The second idea is a journal using the On Board 5" x 5" Art Journal and On Board Lots of Letters.

Lest I lead you astray, chipboard is excellent for cards and scrapbook pages as well. It just happens that I have these two ideas to post today. Maybe I can get my self in gear and post a card and scrapbook layout this week using On Board products.

happy stampin'

Susan

Opinions anyone??

Sooooo ... I've been playing with the 'ol bloggity layout and header. What do you think?
happy stampin'
Susan

Quickie

I read Heather's blog regularly. I have to say, some posts are not for the faint at heart ... just a head's up. Anyway, today's post is wonderful. I wish I had written letters to my children. They are 19, 18 and 14 now - they grew up so fast. I can't even remember if they thought Donkey Bellies were funny. Shame on me.

Heather's Blog post today.

blessings,
Susan

Amazing May offers from SU!

Wow! I'm not sure what got into the wonderful folks at Stampin' Up! but they have an amazing array of deals this month. These deals are in addition to this news:

The Occasions Mini Collection 2008 has been extended through June 30.
The Spring-Summer Collection 2008 has been extended until August 10.

Check it out the deals:

For the entire month of May, join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator and get 20% off the Starter Kit, PLUS a free tin of Hodgepodge Hardware (p. 188) from the Spring-Summer Collection 2008 (a $27.95 value!).*

The Starter Kit (p. 209) comes complete with all the tools you'll need to start a successful business--$359 worth of stamping and business supplies for only $159! Construct your kit by selecting the nuts and bolts of your stamping supplies, and take your toolbox to the next level!

Download the Flyer Here

And this one:

Get On Board with Chipboard

Take an extra 25% off Stampin' Up!'s chipboard products!
For the month of May, when you spend $35 on any Stampin' Up! products, you'll get 25% off all On Board chipboard products from pages 178-179 of the Spring-Summer Collection 2008!

Download the Flyer Here

AND this one:

Cutting Combo Pack

During the month of May, buy a Cutting Mat and get a Hobby Blade for FREE!

If you want to take advantage of these great deals, and don't have a demo, email or call me. I'll be glad to take care of you! And - remember our Girls Day Out on May 17!

happy stampin'

Susan