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 ;)

Free Shipping!!!!!

Stampin' Up! is offering FREE shipping on EVERYTHING April 6-8 (excluding expedited orders)! That's right. There are no minimums or limits and all order types qualify (customer, demonstrator, workshop, online). Did we mention that the free shipping is on everything?  Place your order HERE NOW!

Free shipping starts: Saturday, April 6, 2013; 12:00 AM (MT)

Submit orders by:

• Phone: Monday, April 8, 2013; 6:50 PM (MT)
• OEX or online: Monday, April 8, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT)

Just Believe and Pursuit of Happiness Mini Book

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  I'm Learning More And More That It's The Inside That Counts
What you write inside a card or journal.  What you fill your home with.  The kind of person you are on the inside.  As I walk Buddy in the morning, I stare at homes and, at times, wish I could just move into a different one.  Of course, I pause and ask myself "Why?"  And the answer is always the same - I think that inside each one of those beautiful homes is a huge empty space - no clutter, no signs of life, just wide open space that you can breathe in.  Yes, I know, I'm delirious!  Each of those homes likely is filled with all kinds of stuff and all kinds of people and even if I did find one that was a big empty space, I have no doubt I would fall prey to filling it with all the stuff I wouldn't have the time or patience to sort through before moving!  I know that beneath all the clutter that I have created there is a gorgeous home waiting for me right here!  In this very office where I am typing this post - somewhere beneath all the papers, books, computer cords and knick knacks, there are some beautiful walls and a gorgeous wood floor.  Hmmm, maybe my home is like someone who is trapped in a heavy body.  Knowing inside that if my home could just lose the weight, it would be free and flowing and exploding with possibility!  I wonder if I could figure out a weight-loss regimen for my house?  Where do I begin?  Ah - the same as I would begin if I were dealing with body weight - start to become conscious of what I am putting in my body...start to become conscious of what I am bringing into my house.  Then I can start figuring out how to exercise - how to discipline myself to take this stuff and truly give it a workOUT!!!!!  Yes, I'm learning more and more that it's what's on the inside that really counts and I'm really to take a long hard look at that and keep working on it!  Wish me luck!!!

I decided to create another little mini book - this time using Basic Grey card stock and some silver glimmer paper!  I ran a small strip of the card stock through the Big Shot with the Chevron embossing folder to create some texture.  Next, I stamped the floral image from Just Believe and cut it out and added a bit of dazzling diamonds.  I am coming to the conclusion that I enjoy dazzling diamonds more than dazzling details because it dries more quickly with the use of 2-way glue.  I then punched out three butterflies from the Creped Filter paper.  Some punches work better than others - this one seemed to do okay and I like how this looks layered.  I just glued the three together in the center and glued it to the front of the mini book before adding the adhesive rhinestones.  The sentiment is from Pursuit of Happiness.  My next mini book is going to be one suggested by my friend Helen - a mini book to keep track of my journey with clutter!  Thanks for the idea Helen!  Hopefully I will create it over the weekend and be able to share it with you all next week!  Maybe I can even get my act together and create a video on how I've been making these mini books so that you can make one for yourself too!  Have a beautiful weekend!!!!!

Color Refresh - A Comparison Of Some Of The Shades of Blue

In case you are wondering how Soft Sky and Bermuda Bay compare to some of the colors that will be retiring (I'm gonna miss you Baja Breeze!), here is a quick sample using some of the incoming and outgoing colors...Let me know if you have questions about any of the other incoming colors!  Keep reading to find out more about Stampin' Up!s Color Refresh:

Beginning on April 4, 2013, all retiring/discontinued color products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last.  Order your retiring colors NOW!  And remember, free shipping is going on April 6-8, 2013, which would be a great time for you to get your favorites before they are gone! (Free shipping is for North America only.)

This and That

Your life is: Awesome. Quirky. Exciting. Perfectly messy. And happening really fast. So we're happy to introduce our newest product line that lets you capture it all on-the-go. This and That will debut in the 2013-2014 annual catalog, but we're giving you and everybody else the chance to get it now.  You can also... Enter to win a free trip!!!!!

Item	Description	Price
131268	Epic Day This and That Journal	$10.95
130814	Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper	$10.95
130133	Remember This and That Rotary Stamp	$5.95
131271	Epic Day This and That Designer Stickers	$4.95
131269	Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape	$4.95
133350	Epic Day This and That Bundle Includes the five This and That products listed above. Only available in a bundle until April 30.	$32.08 15% Off Retail Value!

Read On . . .

We're introducing the line with these five products, but we'll be adding more This

and That stuff as time goes on.
 

Bundle Dates: March 23-April 30 (remember the items that come in the bundle

will be available in May and in the new catalog, but we're

only offering the discounted bundled until April 30).  

 

Bundle ordering deadlines:  Phone: Tuesday, April 30, 2013; 6:50 PM (MT)

or online: Tuesday, April 30, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT)

 

Free Shipping On Everything For Three Days!!!!!

Stampin' Up! is offering FREE shipping on EVERYTHING April 6-8 (excluding expedited orders)! That's right. There are no minimums or limits and all order types qualify (customer, demonstrator, workshop, online). Did we mention that the free shipping is on everything?

Free shipping starts: Saturday, April 6, 2013; 12:00 AM (MT)

Submit orders by:

• Phone: Monday, April 8, 2013; 6:50 PM (MT)
• OEX or online: Monday, April 8, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT)

Nature Walk Mini Book

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  At Some Point, The Procrastination Must End!
Yup - it's that time of year - tax time!  And, once again, I have waited 'til I can't wait any longer to sit down and start working on my taxes.  Yes, I know I can get an extension, but I no longer allow myself to procrastinate that long!  So I consider getting my taxes to my accountant prior to the 15th progress! :)  Each year I vow to attempt to sit down and get taxes done at the beginning of the year...but somehow that vow is one that I have quite a hard time keeping!  Maybe next year????  I'm not sure I'd put money on that bet ;)  At some point, the procrastination must end!

I am still enjoying creating these mini books!  For the inside pages I use recycled printer paper.  Today I chose to begin with a piece of Always Artichoke card stock.  The paper is from the Festival of Prints stack (retired).  I then took a piece of Pink Pirouette card stock and scalloped the edge with the scallop edge punch.  I distressed the edges and then stamped with both the Nature Walk and Loving Thoughts stamp set.  The bird is also from Nature Walk, stamped with Baja Breeze onto Naturals Ivory card stock and cut out.  I used a few embellishments to dress up the cover - a neutrals button, vintage brad and a rosette I made out of Baja Breeze seam binding.  A bit of crochet trim finishes the look!  I hope you like it :)

Art Journal Pages

For today's art journal pages I used the Letter It stamp set and stamped onto tissue paper.  I then outlined the letters with a white gel pen.  Notice the retired Stampin' Up! rub-ons?!  Art journal pages are a great place to put retired products to good use!!!!

Pursuit of Happiness Mini Book

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Edit
This word is in the running to become my favorite word during this phase of my journey with clutter.  Our friend who is a realtor uses this word a lot when he advises people on how to set their homes up prior to putting them on the market.  Edit, pare down, eliminate, lighten - whatever word you use, the action is the same.  Take a look at what is around you and decide what stays and what goes.  It is a slow process for me, but in the grand scheme it's not that slow.  I figure it took me years to accumulate what surrounds me, so if it happens to take months to edit, so be it!  At least I'm on the journey!

Today I decided to create another mini book :)  Sometimes I love having cards on hand and other times I enjoy creating a little stack of these books to use or to give away as presents.  I seem to go in phases :)  I began with a piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock and the greeting from Pursuit of Happiness that I cut out using the Framelits Labels Collection.  I used both Early Espresso and Pretty In Pink card stock.  I also cut some strips of Brights designer series paper to adhere across the front of the book.  A few added embellishments and some pages sewn into the inside complete the mini book!  I hope you like it!

Print Poetry Mini Book

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Some Days You Are Up And Some Days You Are Down
By the time you are reading this I am hoping I will no longer be sitting on my couch feeling blah (which is where I am right now as I am typing this).  I've spent a lot of time on the couch today - mostly because my right ear feels like it is clogged.  I'm assuming it is a sinus issue and that it will go away - I was just hoping it wouldn't take all day to disappear!  Ugh!!!!  Yup, some days you're down and other days you're up...I think I'm ready for an up day!!!!! :)  If you are having a down day, I hope this little project perks you up!!!!!  (Ooh!  As I was scheduling this post I realized that it will post on April 1!  That's April Fool's Day!  I will definitely be off the couch for that! :)

I decided to make a little book today.  I love carrying these little books with me wherever I go - just to be able to capture thoughts and ideas.  It's also nice to keep one by the bed in case inspiration comes to you in your dreams!  I began with a piece of Early Espresso card stock that was cut down and folded in half.  Next I adhered a piece of Print Poetry designer paper to the cover.  I then layered a few pieces of card stock - Not Quite Navy and Naturals Ivory and knotted a piece of Crumb Cake seam binding around the card stock before adhering it to the book front.  I stamped one of the Four Frames images onto Soft Suede card stock and punched it out and did the same with one of the That's The Ticket images.  I then stamped the word "notes" using the Simply Serif alphabet set.  Finally, I punched some scallop circles with various sized punches, layered them together and added a vintage trinket brad in the center.  The pages inside the book are recycled printer paper pages that I inserted into the book by punching 3 holes through all of the layers and threading hemp twine through the holes as you would with a book signature.  I hope you like it!

More Art Journal Pages

I've really been enjoying exploring the freedom of art journaling!  It gives me a place to play with my Stampin' Up! products and other art supplies.  It also feels very "low risk" since it's just a journal and I'm not sending the pages anywhere (except, of course, sharing them with you).  At times I definitely get stuck and don't know what to do.  Other times I just go with it - at times I'll even walk away and come back and add something and then walk away again.  Yes, I enjoy the freedom.  I've been reading Clutter's Last Stand to try to help me with addressing the clutter in my home...this page was inspired by that reading.  I hope you like it!  I also hope you have a beautiful and peaceful weekend.  Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those of you celebrating those holidays this weekend!!!!!!

Easter Recycled Tape Roll Box

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  What Is Your Goal?
Yesterday I mentioned my fabulous swim lesson with Jackie.  Today I want to tell you how it began.  Jackie introduced herself and I got into the pool and then she looked at me and asked, "What is your goal?"  I stared back at her like a deer in headlights!  At the same time, I realized what an amazing question that was...one that I had given little thought to when I chose to take the swimming lesson.  I began to think about it then and there and the best I could come up with was to regain comfort and confidence in the water.  I know this goal will change - hopefully quickly - as I begin to regain that comfort and confidence.  What I absolutely recognize is the power of a question - particularly the question "What is your goal?"  I, like you, know all the research around goal setting and how it helps you achieve your goals if you actually set them.  So now I want to transfer this from the swimming pool into other areas of my life.  That thinking begins today!
Today's project is a "redux" of the tape roll box that I created for Valentine's Day!  I had some tape rolls left over and decided to dress up the box in Spring colors!  I used the Brights Collection designer series paper stack along with the Storybook Friends bunny rabbit (he is too cute!).  The Easter Wishes sentiment is from a retired set - I have a difficult time purchasing holiday sets just to get a new greeting, so I tend to hold onto the retired sets for when the holidays roll around.  Here are a few close ups:

Easter Toilet Paper Roll Treat Holder

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  I LOVE My Endorphins!!!!
It's amazing what a different a day and a few endorphins can make! :)  We rejoined the gym and I was finally able to take advantage of it after all of my travels.  As part of the new membership, we were given a choice of a few free one-on-one coaching sessions.  One of the ones I chose was swimming!  Mind you, I haven't really gone swimming in a million years!  (unless you count dipping my lower body in the ocean "swimming!").  So I was scared to death!  But the coach, Jackie, was wonderful and she had me do some different drills and explained why she was asking me to try certain things.  I loved engaging my body and my brain in exercise!!!!!!  The end result?  I absolutely want to take some more swimming lessons AND I LOVE MY ENDORPHINS!!!!!  It felt so good at the end of the swimming workout and I carried that feeling with me for the rest of the day and into the morning.  When you do something good for your body, it definitely rewards you!!!!!  How can you release some endorphins today????

Today I decided to revamp my Christmas toilet paper treat roll and give it an Easter makeover!  I used the Brights and In Color designer series paper to cover the roll.  I stamped tissue paper with the floral design from Elements of Style using Wisteria Wonder ink and then cut the tissue paper to create fringe.  A bit of baker's twine was used to create the look of pom-poms at the ends of the roll.  I stamped the adorable bunny from Storybook Friends and punched it out and then added a retired greeting.  I hope you like it!  You will see another makeover tomorrow, using some of these same items...hope you stop back to visit!

Art Journal Pages

I think I will let my pages be today's lesson from the craft room :)  Creativity knows no limits.  It is only the creator that can place or remove limits! :)  How can you remove some limits you have been placing on your own creativity?????

Spring Fabric Frenzy!!!!!!

For one week only, all of our beautiful Designer Fabric is 50 percent off!

• Promotion dates: Monday, March 25-Sunday, March 31, 2013
• Discounted fabric is available on all customer, demonstrator, workshop order, and online orders
• No minimum purchase required to receive the discount
• All items are limited quantity at the discounted price; the discount will be removed once the limit is reached

• Page	Item	Description	Discount	Retail Price	Sale Price
  170	126892	Essentials Designer Fabric	50%	$      29.95	$    14.98
  171	126893	Floral District Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  171	126894	Comfort Café Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  171	125411	Summer Smooches Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  171	125412	Twitterpated Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  171	122337	Timeless Portrait Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  171	122336	Beau Chateau Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  171	124066	Spice Cake Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  171	122335	Flirtatious Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  6*	129308	Tea for Two Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98
  13*	129307	More Amore Fabric	50%	$        9.95	$      4.98

   

Need ideas for how to use our fabric?  Check out this video!

Papaya Collage Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes I Feel Like My Life Is Missing A Speed
As I am continuing to wind down and settle back into life at home, I am beginning to wonder if my life is missing a speed.  I have "fast forward" down pretty well (and I'm not entirely proud of that, mind you).  I also seem to be able to go in slow motion.  Stop is working well too.  It's the "play" button that I seem to be having a bit of an issue with.  Just allowing my life to unfold at its own pace.  Maybe sometimes my "play" is slow motion...but that can get me a bit frustrated at times - Looking around at all that I have to do and not having the energy to do it.  Hmmm - might be the result of too much fast forward...I'm still trying to figure it out.  Hopefully this time at home will provide some lessons (and some answers) for me!  What speed do you tend to operate at?

It's beginning to feel like Spring here in Denver and the birds are out in multitudes!  That's what inspired this card :)  I stamped the bird from Papaya Collage using Soft Suede ink on Whisper White card stock and cut it out with paper snips.  I then ran a piece of Crumb Cake card stock through the Big Shot with the Vine Street embossing folder.  The panel was adhered to a Naturals Ivory card base.  The bird was popped up on a double layer of dimensionals.  Next I stamped the greeting from Made For You using Chocolate Chip ink and punched it out using a 1 1/4" circle punch.  I punched a 1 1/2" circle from Chocolate Chip card stock and layered the two circles together.  A neutrals button, some natural ribbon and a bit of linen thread finish the look :)  I hope you like it!

Letter It Hello Card

 

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes My Mind Feels As Cluttered As My Space!
I know it needs to happen - lightening my load; decluttering.  I look around at the piles (yes, they are still here!) and I know how much of my mind is cluttered with worry around what I'm going to do about all my clutter!  I haven't reached the level of needing to be on the tv show "Hoarders," but in my mind you wouldn't know that.  I am preoccupied by what fills my home and what I am going to do with it.  I just started reading Clutter's Last Stand and I'm hoping it will help me address my clutter issue in an effective and meaningful way.  Sometimes all I can do is just stand and look at the little piles that get created on the kitchen table, on the coffee table, on the craft table and in my office and I just become frozen!  I've watched some of the tv shows about clearing things out and know that I can just make three piles - toss, save and donate...but somehow knowing that is not connecting with doing it!  I obviously am in my own way for some reason and maybe figuring out that reason will help unlock my stalemate.  Yes, as you can see, sometimes my mind feels as cluttered as my space! :)

Today's card was quick and easy using the Letter It stamp set and the Print Poetry designer series paper stack!  I began with a Daffodil Delight card base and added a few strips of designer series paper.  Next I stamped the letters onto Whisper White card stock using Baja Breeze ink and cut them out with my paper snips.  The letters were then added to the card with dimensionals and a piece of Raspberry Ripple stitched ribbon was wrapped and knotted around the card.  I hope you like it and I hope you have peaceful, creative, and decluttered weekend! :)  Don't forget SALE-A-BRATION ENDS TODAY!!!!!!  Stock up on your adhesives and card stock and take advantage of getting a free Sale-a-Bration item with every $50 product purchase!  Shop HERE now :)

Pretty Petites Thank You Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  To walk inside yourself and meet no one for hours - this is what you must be able to attain. - Rainer Maria Rilke in Letters To A Young Poet
If you have been reading my blog this week, you know that I am finally trying to reconnect with myself after having been away from myself and into my work for the past month or so.  I am slowly "walking inside myself" - listening to my inner voice again, getting my fingers full of paint, losing myself in the creative process.  And...I LOVE IT!!!! :)  I will continue my walk and hope to lengthen my internal journey and artistic exploration from minutes to hours :)  How 'bout you?

Sale-a-Bration is almost over (it ends tomorrow, March 22nd)!  Don't miss your chance to get this adorable Pretty Petites stamp set for FREE with any $50 product purchase!!!!!  I stamped the outline image twice and the thank you image once using Lucky Limeade ink and then punched them out using the Petite Curly Label punch.  I punched a few blossoms using the Boho Blossoms punch and then stamped a few tiny flowers using Itty Bitty Bits and punched those flowers out as well.  The flowers were pieced together with dimensionals and adhered to the tiny labels.  I then cut a small slit on the spine of the card and threaded a piece of Summer Starfruit stitched ribbon through the slit and knotted it.  The labels were then adhered to the Crumb Cake card base with small pieces of dimensionals.  I hope you like it :)

Patterned Occasions Congrats Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Enjoy Your Civic Duty :)
On Monday I had the responsibility of showing up for jury duty!  Yes, I was actually excited about it - the chance to play my role in the justice system.  Unfortunately, my role ended up to be just showing up and then excused after 2 1/2 hours since all of the courtrooms had enough jurors.  Oh well, at least I got close to playing my part :)  Maybe next time!
Can you tell I love the Patterned Occasions stamp set? :)  I actually wasn't sure I was going to love it, but that's what I love about Sale-a-Bration!  With a $50 product purchase you can get a free item and you can use the opportunity to try something you might not otherwise select!  I stamped the jeans using Not Quite Navy ink and cut them out.  I then stamped the ticket from the That's The Ticket stamp set using More Mustard ink and punched it out with the ticket duo punch.  I wrote the "A+" on the little ticket with permanent ink.  Finally, I stamped the greeting using Real Red ink and punched it out with the oval punch.  Here's a close up:

The background piece of Not Quite Navy card stock was run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder and the adhered to a More Mustard card base.  I hope you like it!  To get your Patterned Occasions stamp set for free, shop HERE and spend $50 in product!  Don't forget, Sale-a-Bration ends March 22nd!

Patterned Occasions Get Well Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You May Encounter A Bump Or Two As You Try To Get Back To Where You Want To Be
I'm anxious to get back to a place of peace - back to my daily routines - of walks, and eating well, and time in the craft room.  Of course I also have a list of things that are trying to get in the way - jury duty, 2012 taxes, piles of paper crowding my out of my work spaces.  Yes, I may encounter a few bumps along the way as I try to get back to where I want to be.  I'm ready for the bumpy ride since I know I'm headed in the right direction!!!! :)

Don't forget, Sale-a-Bration ends March 22nd!  I love this adorable Patterned Occasions stamp set which you can get FREE with a $50 product purchase during Sale-a-Bration!!!!  For this card I stamped the elephant 3 times - twice with Basic Gray ink and a third time with Baja Breeze ink - all on Whisper White card stock.  I used my paper snips to cut out the elephants and then lined them up on an Island Indigo card base.  The middle elephant was popped up with dimensionals.  I stamped the greeting from Thoughts & Prayers and then adhered it to a piece of Certainly Celery card stock.  I then used a piece of Tangerine Tango ribbon from the Sale-a-Bration Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack (also available FREE with a $50 product purchase).  I adhered it to the card with sticky strip.  Finally a bright button with faux threading (I threaded the button with a thin strip of Melon Mambo card stock) was added using a glue dot.  I hope you like it!  Shop HERE for your Sale-a-Bration items now :)

Art Journal Pages

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Reconnect With Yourself Through Art.
So many miles, so many hotels, so many airplanes, so many hours away from the craft room.  This past weekend I needed time to reconnect with myself and I found the best way to do that was to create art.  I made a few cards (which I will share with you during the week), but I didn't start to reconnect until I took out my paints, oil pastels, tissue paper and stamps and let myself go wild!  If you are feeling like you have gotten away from yourself - if you are out of touch - reconnect with yourself through art!

Papillion Potpourri

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Listen and Respond
Today I reached a point of exhaustion.  It was mid-afternoon (I am typing this on Thursday evening) and it was a gorgeous day outside.  So I decided to listen to what my body was telling me and respond.  I went outside and decided to lay down on the wooden bench in the backyard and close my eyes.  I wasn't out there very long - just long enough to get a little cat nap and listen to the birds chirp and the squirrels scamper on the wooden fence.  It was a perfect way to listen to my body and give it some much-needed rest.

Today's card was inspired by the wonderful butterfly framed art that Helen sent me earlier this week!  I decided to stamp the butterflies from the Papillion Potpourri stamp set in Island Indigo and Calypso Coral on a Very Vanilla card base.  I then stamped one of the butterflies onto Calypso Coral card stock, punched it out and popped it up on half a dimensional.  I decided this card needed to greeting - I can always add one later, or just use it as a note to say "hello."  I hope you like it and I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing and creative weekend.  Listen and respond to what your body tells you :)

Frondly Creation!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Next time you think you don't have materials with which to create...think again!
Today I am sharing with you a photo of an amazing gift that was handed to me during my recent trip to Thailand. I still wish I could have brought the gift home, but I feared it would not survive the trip nor US customs! So I tried to take pictures that could provide a sense of this amazing creation made from palm fronds! The next time you begin to believe you are lacking materials to create, take a look again...there are art supplies all around you!!!! at the photo and think again....there are art supplies all around you!!!!

Scroll down for today's post

Somehow today's post posted on Saturday! So if you'd like to take a look please scroll down to Saturday's post! Hope you have a great day!

Madison Avenue and Petite Pairs Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's Nice To Know When The Universe Is Cooperating With You!
I finally spent a little time, in between work trips, in the craft room this weekend.  It was so nice to just sit and create a bit...even if the cat decided he wanted to try to sit on everything I was creating! :) Of course, just when I started relaxing, I went to use my new phone and a message popped up that said "No SIM Card."  Ugh!  This is not what you want to see on a day where a foot of snow was predicted and you are leaving soon for another work trip!  Well, the Universe decided to cooperate with me and, while I had to leave the house to go to the store to get a new SIM card, the foot of snow didn't materialize as originally planned.  Yes, a lot of snow fell, but since the roads were warm and the snow was wet, my path to the store was safe :)  It's nice to know when the Universe is cooperating with you!
Today's card is a simple way to put the Madison Avenue Sale-a-Bration set to some good use!  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped the patterned design in Early Espresso across the bottom of a Sahara Sand card base to create 2 separate rows.  I then stamped the smaller floral image in the centers with Bravo Burgundy and used a bit of silver Dazzling Details to give the centers some sparkle!  The sentiments from Petite Pairs was stamped using Early Espresso ink.  So simple!