Four Ways Friday #5 - Season of Friendship

Today's Four Ways Friday focuses on the tree stamp in the Season of Friendship stamp set!  I turned the stamp around and around in my hand and came up with a few ideas that might surprise you!

This first card uses the tree stamp in a traditional way.  I stamped the tree in Soft Suede and added flowers that I punched using the Trio Flowers punch.  A touch of dazzling diamonds and white gel pen finishes the look.

For this second card, I used my Stampin' Write markers in Sage Shadow, Mellow Moss and Old Olive to color only certain branches of the tree and stamped them repeatedly at the bottom of the Very Vanilla card stock to make them look like grass!  I knew the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set would be a perfect match so I stamped the greeting and the butterfly from that set.  The butterfly was cut out and popped up on a dimensional...and, of course, I added a bit of dazzling diamonds (can you tell I am in love with dazzling diamonds?!).

For the third card, I decided to take advantage of the great geometric styling of the tree and stamped parts of the tree on top of one another to create this modern-looking background paper.  I stamped the tree in Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry.  The greeting comes from the Whimsical Words stamp set and was stamped in Rich Razzleberry.

This card is the surprise! :)  As I turned the stamp around and around in my hand, suddenly I saw fish heads!!!! (I know...my mind works in funny ways :)  I used my Stampin' Write markers to color the portion of the stamp that I wanted and then stamped onto the Very Vanilla card stock.  Add a few googley eyes and ta-da!  Fish heads! :)  I thought this sentiment from the Three Little Words stamp set fit these fish perfectly - they look like they belong together.

How else might you use the tree stamp?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  If you would like to purchase the Season of Friendship stamp set or any of the other products I featured in this week's Four Ways Friday, feel free to shop HERE now!  Have a great weekend!!!!

Tennis Ball Redux!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Find The Extraordinary In The Ordinary!

Today's creation comes from a little girl named Eliza who lives down the street!  We live close to a tennis court and there are always those great tennis players who hit the balls over the gated courts and leave them for us to gather (the dogs love it!).  Eliza and her friend decided to put the tennis balls to good use!  For a school project they decided to make them into characters.  I received this one as a gift and have named him Dunlop :)  (I have to admit to feeling a bit like Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away - as you may recall, he named his volleyball Wilson and it became his best friend!).  This tennis ball will sit on my desk as a constant reminder to find the extraordinary in the ordinary!!!!!!  What can you make extraordinary today?

Tissue Paper Boho Blossom

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You can't be afraid of stepping on toes if you want to go dancing - Lewis Freedman

I found today's quote while reading Kelly Rae Roberts' book Taking Flight (If you like to create, you need to get this book - it's wonderful!).  I wonder what the equivalent quote would be for the craft room?  You can't be afraid of getting inky fingers if you want to go crafting?  You can't be afraid of totally losing track of time if you want to go creating?  There are so many fears we need to be willing to let go of when we walk into the craft room...or if we're not willing to let go, we have to at least be willing to go into the craft room and do that which we fear to do!  As Sequichie Comingdeer, the Cherokee philosopher, so wisely said, The death of fear is in doing what you fear to do!

This card was inspired by the K&Company Forever Yours wedding album that I saw in an ad from Archiver's.  I drew the lines freehand with my Going Gray Stampin' Write marker.  The flowers were punched out of tissue paper using my Boho Blossoms punch (make sure your punch is nice and sharp so you can punch cleanly through the tissue paper - you might want to punch through heavy-duty aluminum foil a few times to sharpen your punch).  I adhered the flowers to the card with a tiny dot of Tombo Mono Multi-Adhesive and then, of course, I had to use my 2-way glue pen to add some Dazzling Diamonds to the center of the flowers!  The modern label punch in brushed silver creates the perfect background for the Teeny Tiny Wishes anniversary greeting which I punched out with my Word Window punch.  I stamped the greeting using Going Gray as well.  I hope you like it!  If you love Going Gray as much as I do, be sure to stock up on the ink/Stampin' Write markers now!  Going Gray will be retiring at the end of June 2010 as part of the color renovation.  Shop HERE to stock up now!

Tissue Paper Flower

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing. - Marc Chagall

When I saw this quote it really spoke to me...and I hope it speaks to you as well.  I can get so stuck in my head when I create - analyzing this and that.  Instead, when I just lead with my heart and create for the sake of creating, everything seems to come together.  I may not always be pleased with the end result, but I am always happy in my heart with the process I took to get there!  May you follow your heart in all that you do!

For today's card I decided to try making a tissue paper flower (I saw the technique on the SCS website) using my Scallop Circles #2 die for the Big Shot and some tissue paper I had lying around the house.  You can fold your tissue paper over and over and run it through the Big Shot once to get a whole pile of scallop circles!  I used about 8 layers for each of the scallop circles.  Stack the large circles together, punch a hole in the center with your Crop-o-dile, place a brad in the center and then crunch, scrunch, and mush (all technical terms :) until you get the look that you want.  Then use some ink and sponge the flower with colors of your choice.  I separately created the smaller layer and sponged it a darker color and then combined the two with a corduroy button brad.  I used my Very Vintage jumbo roller in Sahara Sand ink for the background.  The greeting is from Whimsical Words.  I hope you like it!  Now go try making a tissue paper flower on your own...but don't blame me if you get addicted ;)  If you can't live without the corduroy button brads or a Very Vintage wheel, feel free to shop HERE!

Scrap-Book!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Boldly Go Where You've Never Gone Before!

You Star Trek fans out there will know where today's lesson comes from :)  And for those of you who aren't Star Trek fans...don't worry...I'll fill you in!  At the beginning of Star Trek episodes, a voice informs us that the spaceship Enterprise will "boldly go where no man has gone before" (excuse the "man" part...that was before political correctness was in style!).  Anyway, today I decided to boldly go where I really hadn't ever gone before - into the galaxy of scrapbooking...or should I say scrap-BOOKing!  I am reading an amazing book called Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts and in the book she provides step-by-step directions for how to make these really fun vintage book photo frames.  So, here's the beginning of my project...now all it needs is to be jazzed up with some Stampin' Up! magic!!!!!  I'll be back later to show you the transformation!  Where can you boldly go where you have never gone before????

It's National Scrapbooking Month!

National Scrapbooking Month Promotion

May is National Scrapbooking Month--so Stampin' Up! is offering a special promotion for the month of May: purchase a qualifying scrapbooking stamp set or the My Digital Studio software and receive a FREE package of Designer brads--choose from four designs!

Qualifying products and Designer brads are listed below.  Click HERE to shop now!
Stamp sets

Page	Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
81	Extreme Elements	115181	$26.95	---	---
119	Framed with Love**	114389	$27.95	---	---
128	Certified**	113706	$27.95	---	---
129	Circle Circus	115778	$28.95	---	---
12*	Elements of Style	118611	$27.95	120045	$19.95
13*	Mementos	119910	$27.95	120105	$19.95
13*	Elements de style	119900	$27.95	120099	$19.95
14*	Rough Type	118659	$26.95	120072	$18.95
22*	Sentimental Journey	118513	$23.95	120075	$17.95
25*	First Day	118521	$23.95	120051	$17.95
25*	Camino a la Escuela	120152	$23.95	120154	$17.95

*From Summer Mini Catalog
**Last Chance stamp set! My Digital Studio software

Page	Description	Item	Price
32*	My Digital Studio	118108	$79.95

*From Summer Mini Catalog

Designer brads

Page	Description	Item	Retail Price	Price with Qualifying Purchase
179	Flower Designer brads	112579	$5.95	FREE
179	Filigree Designer brads	112577	$5.95	FREE
179	Circle Designer brads	112571	$5.95	FREE
179	Star Designer brads	112572	$5.95	FREE

Four Ways Friday #4 - Hemp Twine

Who knew twine could be so exciting?! :)  I thought I would see if I could come up with 4 different ways to use twine in paper craft projects...Let me know what you think!

For this card I used the twine in a pretty traditional way.  I first embossed a clear button with versamark and white embossing powder.  Don't you love that compass?  And the background images?  That's a little sneak peak at the new Sentimental Journey stamp set in the new summer mini catalog!  I used the hemp twine to "tie" the button and also wrapped and knotted some around the greeting layer on the card.

The texture of hemp twine can add a lot of dimension to your cards.  Here, I took the wrapping idea a step further and wrapped the twine around and around a piece of chipboard.  I used sticky strip on the back of the chipboard to hold the twine in place and popped that element up using dimensionals.

Hmmm, "around and around"...why not just go around and around with your twine to form a great center for a flower?!  I punched out a 1 1/4" circle of Kraft card stock and then covered it with sticky strip and then went around and around with the twine.  This card is a little crazy, I must admit, but it was a lot of fun to make :)

For the final project I decided to use the hemp twine to outline an image.  I stamped this adorable heart from the More The Merrier stamp set.  I used Tombo Mono Multi-Adhesive and drew a thin line of glue around the image and then adhered the hemp twine by following around the glued outline.  Of course, now that I had a contained space I needed to fill it with Crystal Effects!  I added some Dazzling Diamonds over the Crystal Effects to give this clean and simple card some bling!

Can you think of more ways to use hemp twine on your cards and scrapbook pages?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Embrace Life - Behind and In Front

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If You're There, Be There Mind And Body.  If Not, Consider Just Not Being There

Today's lesson came from a friend's facebook page and the message really resonated with me.  Life is too short for us to engage in activities with half a heart (or mind, or body).  If we aren't really "present" somewhere, then why are we there at all?  What would your life look like if you allowed yourself to say "no" or to walk away from situations where you are not "all there?"  What if we allowed ourselves to spend our precious moments only on those things that engaged our hearts, minds and bodies?  It can be easy, especially today, to do so much without really being there.  With technology it seems, we have grown to believe that we can talk, drive, eat, put on makeup, listen to music all at the same time with our attention divided all over the place.  By doing so, not only do we suffer, but so does the person we are pretending to listen to, the drivers we are half paying attention to, the artist who created the music to touch us...Today, what can you give your full attention to?  Today, if you can't be there mind and body will you consider just not being there?

Today's card was fun to create - just random stamping of the flower from the Embrace Life stamp set to create the background and focal image.  The greeting is from Kind & Caring Thoughts.  I added just a touch of glitter.  I hope you like it!

Simply Stamping...And A Little Bling :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  We Don't Need To Dress Up To Shine!

All the commercials on tv may make us feel otherwise, but we really are beautiful just as we are - no makeup, no fancy shoes, no latest trend.  You shine because you are who you are and you are the only you that there is...and that there ever will be!  There is no one else like you.  No one who can create what lives inside of you.  No one who can touch the world in the way that you can.  You aren't one in a million - you are one in infinity.  A special blend that will make a special mark on the world in your own special way.  You are precious.

Today's card is simply stamping...with just a touch of dazzling diamonds.  It can be so easy to get away from the basics and feel like we have to add layer upon layer or embellishment upon embellishment to make our cards special.  However, our cards, just like us, don't need to dress up to shine!  I hope you like it!

Stars Gone Wild!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  No One Is Useless.  Even The Worst Of Us Can Serve As A Poor Example

I can't remember when I first heard today's lesson, however it has stuck with me my entire life!  I think I first heard it when I was in a very depressed time in my life and wasn't quite sure what my purpose was on the planet...at least this quote gave me a purpose for awhile - sad, I know, but true.  I'm happy to say that I am no longer in that place in my life...however I'm not sure I can say the same thing for this card :(  I try not to judge my cards and rather just go with the flow.  I'm just having a really hard time liking this one.  I figure it must have a purpose though - and maybe part of its purpose is to show me what I don't want to do in the future :)

I used my star punches to create the stars and let some designer series paper serve as the background.  Maybe, somehow, this card will inspire you in a way I never thought possible!  Maybe there's hope!  Enjoy!!!! :)

Vintage Vogue Monogram Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Lie Down And Rest

I have to admit that I am not a big nap person.  As a matter of fact, I usually feel all hazy and weird if I take a nap in the middle of the day.  However, just because I'm not a nap person does not mean that I can't lay down and just rest.  I can close my eyes, or not.  Read a book, or not.  Sometimes it just feels good to slow down and allow yourself some moments of "nothing."

Today's card was designed for the 40th birthday of a friend of mine!  I made a whole set of cards and stamped envelopes for her as a gift.  I really love thinking of a person and what they mean to me and then trying to translate that into a stamped gift :)  I used the Vintage Vogue and Lovely Letters stamp sets.  I embossed the monogram letter and punched it out and then adhered it to a 1 1/4" circle punch and the scallop circle punch.  A bit of Bashful Blue satin ribbon finishes the look.  I hope you like it!

Four Ways Friday #4 - Ornament Punch

This week's Four Ways Friday focuses on the Ornament Punch.  When I first saw the punch in our Holiday Mini Catalog last year, I was concerned it would be a bit limiting.  After all, how many ornament cards was I really going to make?  Well, after pondering the punch for a bit and seeing some people use it for a fish and for a vase, I decided I had to have one! :)  If you decide the same thing, feel free to shop HERE for your punch!  The punch is still available!

This first project was one I posted earlier in the week.  When I saw an ornament punch rose created by Chera Wiest, I knew I had to make one!!!  Thanks Chera!!!!  You can find directions for how to make this great rose on Chera's blog.

For this second card, I punched out almost the entire ornament from Sage Shadow card stock.  I just did not punch a small part at the bottom.  I then used VersaMark and white embossing powder with my heat tool to put the Vintage Vogue stamped image onto the vase.  The flower stems from our new Awash With Flowers sneak peek set were stamped with Always Artichoke onto watercolor paper.  I used my aqua painter to watercolor the leaves with Certainly Celery ink.  The flowers were punched using the Boho Blossoms punch and the Trio Flower punch.  I added a few brads and a greeting from one of my all-time favorite sets, Short & Sweet.

My third card came to me after I punched out an ornament from watercolor paper.  As I turned it around and around in my hand, I decided it looked like an onion! :)  So, an onion it became...and a tomato too :)  I sponged the edges of the onion with More Mustard and created the green part by hand cutting a piece of Old Olive card stock that I had stamped with the Sanded background stamp.  The tomato leaves are a flower from the Boho Blossoms punch :)  The greeting is from the Bella's Blossoms stamp set.  I made the background look like a paper bag by crumpling a piece of Creamy Caramel card stock in my hand and then sponging over the top and the edges with Creamy Caramel ink - I think it looks pretty realistic!  Is it just me, or are you in the mood for a salad right now too?! :)

For the fourth card, I punched a load of ornaments from Summer Sun card stock and ran them all through the crimper.  I then sponged the edges with Summer Sun ink and began attaching them with Tombow Mono Multi-Adhesive to a 1 1/2" circle punch.  I punched and sponged a 1 1/2" circle for the center of the flower from Summer Sun card stock.  I also punched a 1 1/4" circle in Chocolate Chip and ran it through the Dot, Dot, Dot embossing folder to give it a little sunflower-like texture.  I sponged over the Chocolate Chip with Summer Sun ink.  The Bashful Blue background was spritzed with the spritzer tool and Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip ink.  I also stamped the background panel with a floral image from the Vintage Vogue stamp set.  Finally, the greeting flag was stamped, sponged and attached to the flower.  I hope you like this week's Four Ways Friday!  Check back next week for more ideas for how to use the same stamp or punch in 4 different ways!  Are you feeling like you can't live without an ornament punch now?  Don't worry - I totally understand :)  Feel free to Shop HERE now :)  The item number for the ornament punch is 116794.

Setting Up For My Stamp-A-Stack

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take A Peek Inside Someone Else's World

I don't know about you, but I love seeing pictures of how other people arrange their spaces for creative pursuits!  One of these days I may let you peek into my craft room...but for now, I wanted to give you a peek of how I set up for a Stamp-a-Stack.  I set up different "stations" for each card.  All of the card stock is pre-cut and pre-scored.  I have completed cards on small magnet boards so that people can look at the inspiration card while they are stamping.  Butcher paper on the table is a must :)  You may notice the candy in the background...stamping and sweets always seem to go together :)  I hope you like this peek into my world!  Do you have special ways you like to arrange your space for creative pursuits?  I'd love to hear what you do!

Ornament Punch Rose!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Learn How To Not Be What You Are

I know today's lesson sounds a little strange, but let me explain.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in who we are and how we are accustomed to doing things, we don't stop to take notice of what we are missing.  If our identity is wrapped up in our profession and we work 24/7, we can lose site of the fact that life is not a dress rehearsal - that we don't have all the time in the world - that one day, we will no longer be here.  So today, think about how you might learn how not to be what you are and instead spend some time just being :)

When I saw an ornament punch rose created by Chera Wiest, I knew I had to buy the ornament punch!!!  Thanks Chera!!!!  You can find directions for how to make this great rose on Chera's blog.  I love how versatile this ornament punch is...hmmmm, maybe that will have to be my next Four Ways Friday...4 different ways to use the ornament punch :)  So this is just a teaser :)  I do want to dedicate this special rose to my friend Judi!  She is such an inspiration...and her last name is Rose :)

Friends 24-7 - Stamp-a-Stack Card #5

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The Answer Must Come From Within

Today's lesson comes from Galloway's Book On Running.  He says these words in a section about helping someone else getting started with running.  The words apply in so many situations - not just when you are trying to support someone else to run.  Jeff Galloway goes on to say that it can be so easy to get up on the soap box when we have made a recent and powerful change in our own lives.  However, he reminds us that a person's motivation must come from within.  So how do you help someone tap into their own motivation?  You wait until they ask for your help or advice and then you listen to understand their goals.  Finally, you do what you can to support them and help them to succeed.  After all, the answer for them must come from within.

Today's card is the final card for my All Occasions Stamp-a-Stack.  The idea came from a card that I did for a prior Four Ways Friday using the Friends 24-7 stamp set.  I stamped the image in versamark and then pounced over it with chalks using sponge daubers.  I used the spritzer tool with the Close to Cocoa marker to add some "spritz," and then sponged the edges.  This makes a beautiful congratulations or anniversary card.  I hope you like it!  If you love Close to Cocoa and Cameo Coral, don't let the opportunity to stock up pass you by.  These colors will both be retiring at the end of June.  Shop HERE to stock up now!

Inspired By Nature - Stamp-a-Stack Card #4

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Stop And Listen To The Sounds Of Nature At Night

This may sound bizarre, but I love the sounds of earthworms at night!  Before last year, I never really realized that earthworms make noise at night.  However, after venturing out into the backyard garden after dark last year, I can to love the sound of the movement of the earth at night.  I also saw earthworms mating for the first time!  They twist around one another and disappear in an instant if they hear you coming near.  Pretty hysterical!  Who knew?!

This card is so much fun to make!  I used my markers to color directly on the Inspired By Nature stamp.  Then, I spritzed the stamp a couple of times with water I keep in a small spray bottle.  Then I stamped the image onto watercolor paper.  It really looks like a painting!  The image is so pretty I had a hard time covering it up, so I kept the greeting small.  I stamped the greetings on watercolor paper as well.  I hope you like it!  Some of the colors I used will be retiring at the end of June, so stock up now!  You can shop HERE any time, day or night!

Judi's Blog Candy!

Just wanted to leave a quick post to let you know about my friend Judi's blog candy.  Just hop on over to her site to leave a comment so you can enter to win!  Part of her blog candy is a Stampin' Up! stamp set - so check it out!

Sweet Island Floral Bouquet!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Watch Other People Create

I had a few people over to stamp for my All Occasions Stamp-a-Stack tonight and I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to sit and watch them create!  Watching people stretch their creative muscles and begin to move beyond the boundaries of a "set" project is an amazing thing!  I never get tired of watching other people in their creative process - it's peaceful and invigorating, all at the same time!

I apologize for not bringing Four Ways Friday to you today - I was so focused on preparing for my Stamp-a-Stack and I decided I didn't want to just throw something together for you at the last minute.  So, instead of Four Ways Friday, I thought I would share this bouquet with you :)  These lollipop flowers were made by running felt through the new Island Floral Bigz Die that will be out in the new Summer Mini Catalog!!!!  I am loving it already!  I will post the remaining Stamp-a-Stack cards over the weekend and Four Ways Friday will return next week - thanks for your understanding!  Have a beautiful day!

Animal Stories and Nursery Letters Wheel - Stamp-a-Stack Card #3

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Are Not Pavlov's Dog

Ivan Pavlov is famous for his studies with dogs.  The phrase "Pavlov's dog" is often used to describe someone who is merely reacting to a situation rather than thinking about it critically.  I realize that I developed quite a conditioned response to my cell phone ringing.  Phone rings - I answer.  Why do we do that?  It really is ridiculous!  Some people have this conditioned response no matter where they are - at the check-out in the grocery store, in the movies, even...gasp...in the public bathroom (and I have to admit to repeatedly flushing when someone takes a call into the bathroom - is no place sacred?!).  I am learning to recondition myself.  Just because my phone rings does not mean I need to change what I am doing in that moment.  As a matter of fact, it is more important for me to stay focused on my activity and take a break to check messages or return phone calls when I am ready.  Can you retrain yourself?

This is the 3rd card for my upcoming All Occasions Stamp-a-Stack.  I used the Nursery Letters jumbo wheel - if you haven't used a wheel in awhile, you're missing out!  I LOVE my wheels!  They are a great way to put together a quick card that looks fabulous - and they are also so fun to use!  I ran the wheel across my Bashful Blue classic ink pad and then across the card.  The giraffe was stamped with Almost Amethyst (I'm so going to miss this color when it is retired at the end of June...sniffle, sniffle).  I added some dazzling diamonds to his spots for a bit of bling :)  A touch of Bashful Blue satin ribbon and some Certainly Celery and Barely Banana card stock finish the giraffe.  The greeting, from Sincere Salutations, was stamped with Perfect Plum.  I hope you like it!  Don't forget to stock up on your color favorites before they retire at the end of June!  You can shop HERE at any time!

Sense Of Time - Stamp-A-Stack Card #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Give Credit Where Credit Is Due!

I try to do my best to let you know when I have been inspired by another artist and today's post is no exception!  Credit for this card goes to Kimberly Van Diepen!  Talk about a talented paper artist!!!  She is particularly amazing when it comes to making vintage-looking paper craft items.  Thank you so much for all of your inspiration Kimberly!!!!!  It can be so easy to overlook crediting people for their work - and such a sad oversight at that.  Why not give someone the credit they deserve?  If you do not give them credit you are putting yourself out there as something you are not.  If you do give them credit, you are letting them and the world know that they have been an inspiration to you and that you appreciate being able to share in the gift of their creativity.  Is there really a choice?  So please, give credit where credit is due.

I switched this card up just a little bit with regard to colors and stamping.  I did use the Sense of Time stamp set (I just got it and I LOVE it!) for the main clock image but I used the gears in the same stamp set for the background.  I pulled out my all time favorite Define Your Life stamp set for the sentiment.  This card would make a great Father's Day or masculine birthday card!  I hope you like it!  If so, let Kimberly know :)

Awash With Flowers! - Stamp-a-Stack Card #1

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If You Can't Be There In Person, Try A Virtual Connection

I remember the days when I had a friend who lived far away and, in order to feel like we were more "in touch," we used to fax letters to one another!  Now it is so easy to connect with friends and family who are far away.  Email or texting is a quick and easy way.  Lately though, I've been loving applications like Skype, iChat, and Oovoo - so that I can video conference with friends and family near and far!  My cousin even walked her laptop around her house so that I could see her home - it was amazing!  If you can't be there in person, try a virtual connection - it almost feels like being there!

Today's cards are for my upcoming Stamp-a-Stack.  I combined the Lovely Flowers hostess set paper with the brand new Awash With Flowers stamp set!  They work great together!  I'm really excited about the new stamp set - particularly in the cling stamps since it makes it so easy to do your 2-step stamping!  You can purchase this stamp set or get this stamp set FREE if you host a qualifying workshop - learn more HERE and click on "promotions."  This card is folded to form a pocket and the card insert slides in the top - this design was inspired by a card I saw that was made by Chi Nguyen - thanks Chi!!!!  I hope you like it!  Thanks for connecting with me virtually :)

Candy Bands - Spring!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Show Appreciation For The Kindness Of Others

I had a great run yesterday - my longest yet - 6.2 miles - and Buddy came along for the adventure!  However, later in the afternoon, I was visited by a splitting headache.  Unfortunately, I was not at home - I was at a hockey game with bright white ice and loud music...ugh!  Michael disappeared for a bit and when he came back he handed me something.  I looked into my hand and there were 2 ibuprofen tablets.  Without saying a word, he had gone to the medical room at the arena and had gotten the medication for me.  It was an amazingly kind act - something so unexpected and so appreciated.  I thanked him then and I thanked him again today for showing such kindness to me.  How can you show appreciation today for the kindness someone has paid you?

It's time for more candy bands for the candy dishes the tellers have at my bank!  April is the time when everything is waking up again outside - so how perfect to use the greeting from the Bella's Bloom stamp set!  The grass is from the Inspired by Nature stamp set and the butterflies were die cut using the Beautiful Butterflies die and the Beautiful Wings embosslit.  I sponged the edges with Glorious Green.  I hope you like them!

Dream Journal

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Donate Something!

It's easy to collect things for yourself and focus on sharing your precious time with those who are closest to you.  At the same time, it can be incredibly rewarding to donate something to others.  That "something" can be money, a thing, or your time.  Somehow, by donating something to others, we make room for something else to come into our lives.  For years I have donated time by reading newspapers for the visually impaired.  Today's technology allows me to record these readings at home and transfer the file to the Audio Information Network of Colorado where the reading can then be "published" to thousands of visually impaired individuals.  If you love crafting (and I have to assume you do, or else you probably wouldn't be at this blog!), maybe you can think of ways to donate your time or some craft supplies to a Boys and Girls Club in your area or another organization that helps bring the arts to children.  Even a quick trip to the Goodwill with some clothes you haven't worn in the past year can make a huge impact for someone else.  What can you donate today?  You'll be amazed at what you get in return!

This small journal was a donation for an environmental organization that my friend is working with.  They are having an auction on Earth Day, so I made this journal to accompany the "DREAM" sign that I posted last week.  Hopefully the auction will generate a lot of donations!  I used the Dreams du Jour stamp set and stamped with Jet Black Staz-On and colored with markers.  The flower was made from a flower die cut from fabric and a touch of Sweet Pea felt.  I hope you like it!

Four Ways Friday #3 - Baroque Motifs

Welcome to another Four Ways Friday, where I show you how to use one stamp set (and sometimes just one stamp) in four different ways!  This week's Four Ways Friday uses the Baroque Motifs stamp set.  This is an all-time favorite of mine!  The first card is a reminder that simple stamping can have a huge impact!

This is a small 3x3 card that was incredibly quick and simple to make.  Just stamp the flourish with Old Olive and then stamp the flower image and the greeting with Rose Red.  These 3x3 cards are great for accompanying gifts or for hiding in small places for your loved ones to find :)

This next card uses a few techniques.

 I began by stamping the flourish onto Whisper White card stock with VersaMark ink and then used clear embossing powder and my heat tool to emboss the flourish.  I then inked my brayer with Bashful Blue ink and brayered over the embossed stamping.  I sponged the edges of the panel with Chocolate Chip ink.  I then took a smaller Bashful Blue card stock panel and crumpled it up in my hand.  I flattened it back out and sponged the outer edges and used my sponge to gently go over all of the raised creases to give this panel an aged look.  The flower was made like the one from the last Four Ways Friday - just 4 or 5 scallop circle punches that were sponged with Basic Black ink and the crumpled until they were just right.  They were all connected using a rhinestone brad.  The greeting was stamped on a small piece of Whisper White card stock, sponged and made into a "flag."

This third card was made with the chalkboard technique.  I stamped the flower image multiple times with VersaMark onto the black card stock.  Then I took a sponge dauber with my Pumpkin Pie pastel pounced all over the VersaMark images.  I used the pastel eraser to clean up the edges and sprayed this panel with a fixative to eliminate any chance that the chalk dust would rub off the card stock.  The larger graphic image was stamped in Basic Black on Pumpkin Pie card stock and a brad was put in the middle.  I seem to be enjoying making flags these days, so I stamped the greeting onto Very Vanilla card stock and created a flag with sponged edges.  The black panel was mounted onto a Pumpkin Pie panel and then adhered to a Very Vanilla card base.

This final project is a reminder that your stamps are for a lot more than just cards!  I used a plain old paper lunch bag and stamped the flourish on both sides using Chocolate Chip ink (you could stamp the side panels too if you'd like!).  I then folded down the top a number of times and punched a whole in the center of the folds with my Crop-a-dile.  I used 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip to tie a knot as the closure.  I punched out a 1 3/4" circle and sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink and then used my spritzer tool to add a little "splatter."  I stamped the flourish at half strength onto the circle and used the Crop-a-dile to punch a whole in the top of the circle.  The greeting was stamped in full strength.  I attached the tag to the bag using gold elastic.

Let me know if you have any questions.  Also, if there is a set or stamp you would like to see featured in a future Four Ways Friday - just let me know!  I always love your input!

The New Color Collections - Coming In July!!!!!

Our Color Renovation happens in July!!!!!  I wanted to share the new color collections with you!  Here they are!  Let me know what you think!

Another Sweet Pea Birthday Card

I had to make another birthday card using the same design as the card I made earlier today!  I am really loving the Sweet Pea designer paper with Taken With Teal and Chocolate Chip - great for a masculine card.  I hope you like it!  Remember, Taken With Teal will be leaving come July 1st - stock up on this great color now!  Click HERE to shop :)

Loads of Sponging!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take A Holiday From Complaining

In his book, The Book of Jewish Values, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin shares that he and his wife try to periodically engage in a "complaining fast."  For a week at a time they try to refrain from "all whining and complaining."  By taking a holiday from complaining, we are guided to think more about what we are grateful for rather than focus on what we lack.  I began my holiday today...and I am already grateful!

Today's sketch challenge on SCS really inspired me!  I needed a belated birthday card for my cousin David and the sketch was a perfect beginning!  I sponged the Taken With Teal card with Chocolate Chip ink...and did the same with the Sweet Pea designer paper panels.  I die cut the letters for "belated" from Very Vanilla with the Big Shot and the Simple Letters Alphabet.  These letters got a sponge job too!  I stamped the "happy" (from Teeny Tiny Wishes) and "birthday" (from Upsy Daisy) in chocolate chip on Taken With Teal and yes, you guessed it, the sponge got them too!  I hope you like it!

ps  If you love Taken With Teal as much as I do, you'll want to stock up soon!  This is one of the colors that will be retiring with the Color Renovation beginning July 1!  Don't delay, stock up HERE now!

Color Renovation: Some Favorites Are Returning!

As part of Stampin' Up's! Color Renovation, some of your past IN COLOR favorites will be returning or sticking around as core colors in the new color collections.  Look who's coming back/sticking around:

• Melon Mambo
• Pacific Point
• Tangerine Tango
• River Rock
• Soft Suede
• Riding Hood Red
• Rich Razzleberry
• Wild Wasabi
• Pink Pirouette
• Baja Breeze

The other adorable thing is that Kraft is getting a new name...Crumb Cake!  How yummy is that?!  Along with the new name will come new products in the Crumb Cake color - including a stamp pad, marker, pastel and watercolor wonder crayon.  I can't wait for July!!!!!

IN COLORS will also be sticking around for 2 years starting in July!  While we will still get 5 new IN COLORS every year, they will now stay around for an extra year!!!!  Yeah!!!!  Let me know if you have any questions!

New Colors Are Coming!!!!

Wow!  What an exciting new announcement from Stampin' Up!  We are undergoing a Color Renovation!  Our new color collections will be available beginning with our July Idea Book & Catalog!  I'll be posting more information soon and I'll also be posting some card samples using the new colors.  You're going to love them!!!!!  We will also be saying a fond farewell to some of the colors we have had around for awhile.  If you are in love with some of these colors you'll want to snatch them up before July 1!  Here is the list of the retiring colors:

Heat Embossed Background Stamp - Bella Toile

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Change Your View

We moved a birdbath in the backyard and, by chance, I can now see the birdbath out of my office window when I am sitting at my computer (I'm watching it right now, as I type!).  It's not that I didn't look out my window before.  But now I am finding a whole new world to look at!  Yesterday the robins decided to have a celebration!  It was an amazing site to see!  How can you change your view today?

Today's color challenge on SCS was a lot of fun - soft suede, certainly celery, tempting turquoise and a neutral of choice...with the added challenge to use some crimping!  I had no idea how I was going to mix in the turquoise!  I stamped the Bella Toile in certainly celery craft ink and then heat embossed with my heat tool and clear embossing powder.  Then I used a sponge and sponged soft suede all over the embossed image and on the areas that were not embossed.  I ran the tempting turquoise through the crimper to make it look a bit like ribbon and then "gathered it" using glue dots to create the folds.  I even sponged a bit of soft suede to give it an aged/vintage look.  Finally, I used some gold alcohol ink to change the color of my silver rimmed tag.  The greeting was stamped and a little linen thread added for the finishing touch!  I hope you like it!

p.s.  Stampin' Up! is making a new product announcement at noon today!  Can't wait to hear what it is!!

Sitting and Staring...

Today's Lesson From The Office Next To The Craft Room:  Take A Break From Doing Taxes And Go Explore Outside!

No time in the craft room yet today...just sitting here in the office trying to get my taxes done.  Yes, I am a procrastinator when it comes to doing my taxes.  Not sure where I developed my dislike for doing them - maybe because it is the farthest thing from creating art! :)  So, I gave myself a break and went outside and explored a bit with the camera.  This little guy decided to watch me :)  There was also a small party at one of the bird baths...I wasn't invited...but I showed up anyway :)

Hopefully I'll be back in the craft room tomorrow...I'm still buried in papers and receipts and I have a date with Keifer Sutherland tonight...not really...just watching 24 :)  Have a great night!

Die Cut Fabric Sign #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Have More Endurance Than You Know!

I began my "wogging" adventure at the beginning of March and today I ran 5.3 miles!!!!  It is amazing to me how you can do something that you firmly believe you are not capable of!  Had you asked me a month ago if I would be running 5 miles in a month I would have told you you were nuts!  Now I know better :)  What do you believe you can't do today?  How can you use the next 30 days to get closer to that goal?  You really do have more endurance than you know!

I have been playing around a lot with fabric and interfacing (I didn't even know what interfacing was a couple of days ago!) and my Big Shot.  This project is 100% no sewing involved!  Can you believe it?!  This sign is getting donated to a friend's non-profit organization for a fund-raising auction.  Let's hope someone at the auction likes it!  (And, if I'm being honest, I actually made yesterday's sign for the auction...but I can't part with it since it was my first fabric sign :)  I am going to hang it in the craft room...or the bedroom - can't decide yet.  Shhhh, it will be our secret :)

Die Cut Fabric Sign

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Are An Artist!

There is a mystique associated with certain words and the word "ARTIST" is as "mystiquey" a word as I know!  Why is it so much easier to call oneself a "crafter" or a "hobbyist?"  When it comes to calling myself an "artist," I start to sweat!  Who me?  An ARTIST?!  And yet this is a word, an identity, that I want to own.  I want to try being an "artist" on for size and walk around to see if I can get comfortable with this identity.  It's not that I don't want to be a crafter or a hobbyist...I just don't want to call myself the "C" word or the "H" word if why I'm doing so is because I feel "less than" or "not good enough."  So today, I am an artist...and so are you!

I had a lot of fun playing with fabric to make this adorable DREAM sign.  It's amazing how you can use the Big Shot to die cut letters and shapes and put them together to make signs, purses, quilts...the possibilities are endless!!!!!  I hope you like this first sign...I have a feeling there will be many more to come!!!!  After all...that is what being an artist is all about :)

Four Ways Friday #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Enjoy A Massage

It had been ages since I had my last massage so yesterday turned out to be a real treat!  I was given a gift certificate for a 90-minute massage and I must say it was the perfect gift.  How often do we stop and allow ourselves to be pampered?  I kept telling myself I would get a massage "some day," but with the pace of life, my "some day" kept getting put off.  Until I received my gift.  My hope is that this will start a new healthy habit - one of treating my body as well as it treats me everyday!

Today's Four Ways Friday focuses on the Friends 24-7 stamp set.  I really love this set!!!!  For my first card I used the popping pastels technique.  I stamped the image in versamark and then pounced on the images using sponge daubers and my chalk pastels.  I added a little spritz with the spritzer tool.  Another great technique that I used on this card was running my white organza ribbon across my Cameo Coral ink pad numerous times in order to get Cameo Coral ribbon!  What a great way to get ribbon of whatever color you need!

This second card came together quickly!  I stamped the image on the base layer of the card.  One trick I used was to ink up the image and then spray it lightly with water before stamping.  I love the watercolor effect this creates.  I did the same for the image I stamped on the Confetti card stock.  I used my bone folder to break down the fibers in the card stock and peeled back the corners and one full layer of the Bravo Burgundy card stock for a sueded effect.  A few brads and the greeting complete the look.

The third card uses the same watercolor effect technique.  I stamped the image multiple times, using this technique of spraying water onto the stamp after inking it and then stamping onto the card.  I punched 5 flowers from the 5-petal flower punch and used my bone folder to loosen the fibers and then I scrunched and crunched until I liked how the flower looked.  A touch of ribbon and a rhinestone brad add a little elegance.

For the fourth card I decided to create a flower by stamping the image multiple times - each time creating a 90 degree angle from the stamped image that came before.  In this way I created a flower with 4 petals and then created a center for the flower using the scallop circle punch and the 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" circle punches.  A corduroy button brad in the corner along with some spritzer tool spattered color complete the card.

I hope you are inspired to use your Friends 24/7 stamp set in new and exciting ways!  I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you are enjoying Four Ways Fridays and if you would like to see this feature continued every Friday.  Also, if there is a stamp set you would like to see featured in a future Four Ways Friday, just let me know!  I'll do my best to respond to what you'd like to see!  Are you wishing you had the Friends 24/7 stamp set?  Feel free to click HERE to shop now! :)

Two-Step Into Spring Promotion

The Two-Step Into Spring Promotion begins today and runs through the month of April!  Here are the details:
Hostesses
Host a $350 workshop and receive the brand-new Two-Step Awash with Flowers stamp set FREE!

Item	Description
117062	Awash with Flowers (wood-mount)
120549	Awash with Flowers (clear-mount)

Customers
Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection.

Item	Description	Price
117062	Awash with Flowers (wood-mount)	$39.95
120549	Awash with Flowers (clear-mount)	$27.95

Plus, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20 percent off the retail price--no additional purchase necessary! Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:

Item	Page	Description	Discount Price
113824	94	Greenhouse Garden	$20.76
113734	98	Fifth Avenue Floral	$19.96
111578	101	Flower Fancy	$29.56
113258	112	Trendy Trees	$14.36

Things to Remember

• The Awash with Flowers stamp set is a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and will not be available again until the release of the new Idea Book & Catalog.

Hostess Promotion:

• You must place your order on a workshop, customer, or demonstrator order to qualify. Online orders are not eligible for this part of the promotion.
• There is a limit of one free Awash with Flowers stamp set per workshop; the reward is for reaching the $350 workshop level, and is not incremental.
• Qualifying hostesses may choose either the wood-mount or clear-mount set. Please note: Clear-mount blocks are not included with the clear-mount set (blocks C and H are recommended this set).

Customer Promotion:

• You may place your order on any order type (customer, demonstrator, workshop, or online).
• There are no limits, and there is no minimum purchase to qualify for the 20 percent off.
• The 20 percent off discount does not apply to the Awash with Flowers stamp set.

Click HERE to shop now or contact me to set up a workshop!

Metal Die Cutting

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Move Outside Your Comfort Zone!

I took my permission to make a mess seriously the other day and I have the inked up fingers and cuts to prove it!  I decided to have a little fun with my Big Shot and some metal flashing from the home improvement store.  Metal is quite a bit different from paper and I knew this meant moving outside my comfort zone...literally...die cut flashing is sharp!  I highly recommend wearing gloves if you're going to make a mess with metal!  I used alcohol inks to die the metal, but the dies I used were all Stampin' Up! exclusives!  I used the flower folds and the daisies #2 die.  Now I'm thinking of the artwork that I'm going to create that will incorporate these flowers...I sense more messes ahead!!!

Clear Embossed Stencil

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's OK To Make A Mess!

I keep telling myself that it's OK to make a mess and I'm waiting to accept that message with the energy of a child!!!!  I seem to look at the piles or messes I make in the craft room with a bit of disdain - like it's something I'm not supposed to do.  This attitude, I feel, is holding me back.  I remember as a child, the idea of making a mess was a joy!  Mud pies and puddles to jump in were the BEST!  I want to tap into that again - wish me luck making a mess!!!!!

Today's card was a ton of fun to make!  I began by sponging my stencil with versamark ink on whisper white card stock and then clear embossed.  I used my brayer to brayer on basic gray ink.  I touched up the brayering with some basic gray sponging.  The flower is 5 scallop circle punches that I sponged with bermuda bay and basic gray and then scrunched, crunched and softened with a bone folder and my fingers.  The center is a build-a-brad with an image from tiny tags stamped in basic gray onto so saffron and and then punched with a 3/4" circle punch.  I hope you like it!  There is only 1 day left of Sale-A-Bration!  Don't miss out!  Shop HERE now!

Beautiful Butterflies

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Strive For What You Believe You Cannot Do!

Almost 14 years ago, I ran a marathon.  Talk about a feeling of accomplishment!  I had never been a big runner, but one day I woke up and decided to set a marathon as my goal...and I did it!  Now, 14 years later, running a marathon feels like something totally out of reach.  Prior to March 6th, I hadn't run, wogged, jogged or did much of anything exercise-related in AGES!  My standby excuse here in Denver is that it's because of the altitude :)  Well, on March 6th, I got out of bed, went for my morning walk with Buddy and decided to wog instead (my word for a jog that looks a bit more like a walk with a little umph)!  I have not looked back since that morning and Buddy and I have continued to wog since then.  I actually jogged 4 miles the other day!  So now, I'm striving for what I would have believed a month ago I was not capable of doing.  I have looked at marathons in the fall and am setting my sights on a return to the Marine Corps Marathon in October!!!!!  I'm going to try to not get too excited...I had tried, after the last marathon, to train for another and ended up with an unrelated injury that made me hang up my running shoes for awhile.  I am praying for health as I start out on this new journey towards who I once was and who I want to be!  Wish me luck!!!!

Today's card began with sponging some butterfly silhouettes.  I used the background scrap as a stencil after running some chipboard through my Beautiful Butterflies die in the Big Shot.  I then stamped images from the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set with Blush Blossom and Crushed Curry.  I also stamped a Whimsical Words greeting onto the background with Crushed Curry stamped off once.  The greeting was stamped full-strength onto Whisper White card stock and then sponged around the edges.  I love the Ballet Blue butterfly (he is 2 layers - chipboard then the card stock) with the Crushed Curry embossed butterfly from my Beautiful Wings embosslit.  A dash of Dazzling Diamonds finished the look.  I hope you like it!  Don't forget, only a few days left until Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31st!  You still have time to place an order and get all of the great Sale-A-Bration benefits!  Click HERE to shop now!