Ain't it Pertie?

My blog has received a makeover! I stumbled across a blinkie during one of my endless blog surfing escapades and made a new friend! Of course, she probably thinks I am this crazy customer who won't leave her alone.... Veronica worked with me to make a new banner, signature and watermark for my blog as well as a few other changes my template wouldn't allow me to do without knowing how to manipulate it. She was so sweet and patient and helpful as I kept sending her samples and asking for changes, etc., until we found something reflective of my personality. I just love the color scheme and, of course, there had to be flowers and swirls! Take a moment to scroll down the right sidebar and you will see her blinkie under VK Design Co. Check it out! Veronica was truly wonderful to work with and I highly recommend her blogging services. Thanks again, Veronica!

Good Morning! I sat up late last night working on this project for my niece. It is still a little plain so I guess it is a work in progress. I think I will have to remove some flowers and add "bells and whistles", just not sure what yet. I liked the way the letters came out. They were so easy to do using chipboard covered with retired Berry Bliss DP. I need to figure out how to cover some of the other plain "space". Maybe some rub-ons? I will have to look through my stash. Otherwise, I used retired Rose Red Prints DP along with Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Purely Pomegranate. Any ideas are appreciated! Thanks for looking. Have a great day!

I got presents!

While we were away, I received a package from my Secret Sister. I love presents! The package contained the Celebrate card, the key finger (not sure what it is called, but hangs over the side of your purse so you can find your keys) and a bookmark made at Convention. There was also a package of jellybeans, but they didn't make it for the picture, LOL! Thank you so much Secret Sis! I sent a small package to my Secret Sister too and will be back later in the week with a picture of her goodies.

The other picture is of a beaded dragonfly that my daughter made for me. She loves to bead and has made scissor charms for me and beautiful ankle bracelets as well. The picture above really doesn't do the dragonfly justice. It is very pretty. Thanks so much sweetie! Just thought I would share.... Thanks for stopping by.

Steph

Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack

Tonight's class was the first of 4 Christmas card Stamp-A-Stacks. We made 5 each of 3 different designs. The stocking card was CASE'd from Fran Sabad. It is hard to see in the photo, but there are swirled images on the Real Red cardstock, which is the base of the card. The crease of the card is at the top of the stocking. Bella Rose designer paper, Old Olive and Whisper White card stock were also used. Faux stitching with the gel pen and paper piercer were used as well.


Next, the Lovely as a Tree set was used to make this second card. Night of Navy, Brocade Blue and Naturals White card stock were used. Night of Navy Classic ink as well as Craft ink were used. The sentiment and the main tree image were embossed with clear embossing powder.

The third card made tonight uses the Priceless set. Card stock used is Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White and Bella Rose Designer Paper. The sentiment comes from Warm Words (which is on the current dormant list). The idea for this card was CASE'd, but I can't quite read the designer's name on the sheet I printed out to give her credit. Her initials are JME. Sorry about that!

These cards were a lot of fun! My next class will be on September 15th. We will make a gift tote and 4 notecards. I will post a picture in the next few days of that class and the specifics. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

In an effort to get organized and gain some control in my life (I know, I know - but I can dream, can't I?) I have started making some Christmas cards. I placed an order recently for the new Big Shot (can't wait to play with that!) and some new Christmas stamps. However, due to the catalog changeover and busyness of SU!, my order only recently shipped and won't be here until Thursday. :( So, I could only work with the Christmas stamps that I have and I had to get creative since most of my sets are now retired. This wasn't too hard, but they are a little more plain than I would like. You know I have a hard time with simple... right Phyllis? Guess I will just have to keep stampin....

I know the lighting is horrible. Sorry about that.

The "Holiday Greetings" card uses Sincere Salutations and Baroque Motifs. The card stocks and inks used are Vanilla, Baroque Burgundy and Old Olive with accessories of gold brads and the photo corner punch.

The "Merry Christmas" card uses Loads of Love. All images were embossed with Black Craft Ink and clear powder, then colored in with the blender pen and ink. Card stock and ink colors used are Whisper White, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss with accessories of jumbo black brads on the wheels. On the inside, there are a few more Christmas trees.

The third card is embossed as well. Lovely as a Tree is the main set and the Christmas greeting is from Season's Greetings, which has retired but I felt the card needed a more elegant greeting than what I had available. The Whisper White is mounted on a quarter sheet of Night of Navy. There is also an embossed tree inside, again colored with the blender pen and ink. For the shadowed oval, I simply lightly stamped the tree several times, stamping off on scrap paper first to remove most of the ink. I then sponged lightly the remainder of the oval. I used the Coluzzle to make a template to use as a mask.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day.

Steph

Another Gift Tote

Isn't this cute? This little tote will hold about four cards and envelopes and makes an adorable gift. I CASE'd the idea from Leslie Miller's blog here. Her tote is very elegant and beautiful! I am going to make some baby gift thank you cards to put in my tote to give as a gift. I used some leftover scraps from the now retired Simply Scrappin Just 4 You (Level 3 hostess set, 2008 Spring-Summer Collection). The half-pearls are from the Pretties Kit and the base of the tote is Chocolate Chip.

Thanks for looking. Have a wonderful day!

Steph

We're Back!

We are back from vacation - had a WONDERFUL time! I miss being so close to the beach - just may have to do something about that one of these days.... In the meantime, I need to get stamping!

They're Here!!

The Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalogs have arrived! I am so excited! I LOVE IT!! You will too! You can purchase your catalog for $5.00 or receive one FREE by hostessing a party or placing a qualifying order.* Contact me to reserve your copy.
* Orders of $100.00, before shipping and tax, are qualifying orders.

Updated Retiring Accessories List

The retiring accessories list has been updated again. Please click here for the updated list.

This card was made using the retired, but well-loved, Button Bear set. Button Bear was actually the first stamp set I purchased way back when, 9 years ago. It is so versatile and great for a child's birthday card, which is exactly what I used it for tonight. We went to a birthday party and this is the card I made...The card stock used was a base of Wild Wasabi with a layer of Ballet Blue and Whisper White. Watercolor pencils and a Blender Pen were used to color the images. Thanks for taking the time to look. I am off to prepare some more for Monday's LeJardin Card Set class. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Steph