Petite Pairs Thumbprint Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Use Your Fingers! :)
I had done a few One Stamp Wonder videos in the past - trying to use only one stamp and then other supplies hanging out in the craft room that would serve as stamps.  Today I realized that one of the best supplies that I could use as a stamp was sitting at the end of my hand!  When was the last time you used your fingers directly in your stamping or other art projects?  I remember how much fun finger painting was - why did I ever stop????  Your fingers are there for a reason...use them :)

For today's card I only used one stamp - a greeting from Petite Pairs that I stamped using More Mustard.  I then inked my thumb with Bashful Blue ink and pressed it down onto the Whisper White card base!  I took a marker and drew in the tail feathers, legs, beak and eye.  I colored the tail feathers with a Bashful Blue marker and the beak with More Mustard.  So tweet :)  Both More Mustard and Bashful Blue are colors that are being discontinued as part of Stampin' Up!s color refresh.  Right now, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) are available only while supplies last.  Order your retiring colors NOW!  I hope you have a beautiful and creative weekend - how can you use your fingers to create a card?????

New Wood Mount Cases Coming Soon!!!!

Stampin' Up! is introducing new wood-mount stamp set packaging! These new cases are similar to our clear-mount boxes and fit perfectly on the shelf right next to them. They also have the images and stamp set name on the spine to make your search for the right set even easier.
Starting May 31 all wood-mount sets will come in this new packaging.  Empty cases will be available with the launch of the new catalog.  That means you can transfer all your old sets to these new boxes! There will even be a template for you to create your own label for your old stamp sets (available May 31). A pack of four half-size cases (3-3/4" x 5-1/2") will sell for $4.95 and a pack of four full-size cases (7-1/2" x 5-1/2") will be $6.95.
Get ready for all the exciting new products in the catalog--especially the new wood-mount boxes!

Make A Monster Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Who I Am Is A Question I Am Still Trying To Answer
Do you ever find that the way your are living your life does not seem to match up with the image you have of yourself?  I've been struggling with that very issue lately as Michael and I consider the idea of moving into the mountains.  For some, the decision would be a simple one.  For us (as with most of our decisions) it is not as simple.  We really want to think through it and consider what it would mean for us.  The idea of living in a more rural area definitely appeals to us.  And yes, the prospect also meets my need for space (as I mentioned yesterday).  We are pondering issues such as different weather, altitude, drive times, convenience.  Of course, the decision isn't as complex as it might have been many years back since now there are more supermarkets and necessities that have been brought to the areas we are looking at.  But it's not just the idea of moving that has my thoughts in a whirl.  It is also the question of who I am.  Am I a "mountain girl?"  I don't feel that I am a city girl and yet I live a bit like one...so am I a city girl?  Or, is the woman I feel I am on the inside the one that wants to break through and breathe in the mountains?  Yes, the question of who I am is one that I am still trying to answer!
For today's card I pulled out Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze - all colors that are being discontinued with Stampin' Up!s color refresh.  Beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) areavailable only while supplies last.  Order your retiring colors NOW!  I stamped the monster from Make A Monster onto Certainly Celery card stock, cut it out and adhered it to the Ivory Neutrals card with dimensionals.  Three circles were punched with the 1" circle punch and adhered to the card.  I then stamped the letters from the Simply Serif mini alphabet and punched them out with the Itty Bitty trio punch pack circle punch.  The word "happy" is from the happy birthday stamp in the From The Heart stamp set.  I hope you like it!

Bombs Away Birthday Photopolymer Stamp Set Is Available!

Just letting you know that Stampin' Up! has come out with another photopolymer stamp set!  Why might you want to give photopolymer stamps a try?

• They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 
• They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 
• Can you say sticky? (Don't worry; in a good way.) These stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks.
• They're age tested. They won't yellow or cloud up over time.  

The Bombs Away Birthday (Item #133411) photopolymer stamp set is available now!  Shop HERE to get yours today!

Papillon Potpourri Thank You Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  I Am Attracted To Space
The dictionary defines space as "a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied."  Lately I've been craving it!  Inside, outside, even in my card design - I am feeling a need for space.  We actually went to look at a house in the mountains the other day and what attracted me most was the view of the wide open expanse - the space - uncluttered, free.  Yes, I am continuing my journey with my cluttered living space and the need for space - not in terms of more room for my stuff - but in terms of that expanse - is what is driving me.  Right now, I am attracted to space!
For today's card I decided to leave lots of white space and play with some of the colors that will be retiring for Stampin' Up!s color refresh.  I began with a Whisper White card base and stamped the butterfly from Papillon Potpourri using River Rock ink.  The greeting from From My Heart was stamped using Bravo Burgundy.  Both River Rock and Bravo Burgundy are colors that are being discontinued with the color refresh.  Beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) are available only while supplies last.  Order your retiring colors NOW! 

Happy Birthday Book!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Make Something Special To Commemorate Someone Special!
Yesterday was Michael's 40th birthday and I decided to put together a small book to celebrate the day!  My first thought was to make the book a place where friends and family who were joining us for birthday dinner could share some words of wisdom on turning 40.  Then I decided to cast a wider net and send messages to friends and family who don't live in Denver or weren't going to be able to join us for the celebration.  They emailed me their thoughts and I printed them out and included them in the book.  Michael's mom came up with the idea of adding pictures to the inside of the book and she did a wonderful job of scanning and emailing some great photos (yes, those naked baby pictures too!).  The book was a big hit!  It made me realize how wonderful it can be to make something special to commemorate someone special :)

I'll Be Back Later Today...Or Tomorrow!

Taxes, drywall and car issues are taking up quite a bit of my concentration, time and energy these days!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and I hope to be back later today or tomorrow with a creative project for you!  One of these days I'll be able to share some before and after pics of our bathroom remodel...I am happy to report we have a main floor toilet again ;)