Easter Card #2 - Chocolate Bunny

I can take absolutely no credit for this cute card!  I copied this card from fellow demonstrator Sharlene Mitchell - I just couldn't resist!  Thanks Sharlene!!!!  I stamped the Chocolate Bunny stamp in versamark on Chocolate Chip card stock and then embossed with clear embossing powder.  The flowers are from the Trio Flower punch and the greeting from the Well Scripted stamp set.  I hope you like this as much as I do!!!!

Easter Card #1

Isn't this card adorable????  I copied almost this entire card from a card created by fellow demonstrator Becky Roberts (thanks Becky!!!!) (Becky's card included a stamped chocolate bunny, a different greeting, and a different ribbon and was so cute)!  How clever to use the Wide Oval punch to punch out some Sweet Pea designer paper to make these adorable eggs!  You could go crazy decorating these punched eggs!  I hope you like it!

My Stampin' Up! Website

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room...Well, Really The Office:  Technology Is Cool!

I just read through instructions for how to have this blog replicate itself to my blog on my Stampin' Up! website at www.M.stampinup.net!  It took me a couple of tries and then "tada!"  Now it will automatically update here and on my SU! website!  How exciting!  Technology is cool :)  I'll be back in a bit to share a creation from the craft room...just had to share my excitement about the technology! :)

Embossed Anniversary Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Get A Breath of Fresh Air!

It is gorgeous outside today!  Warm and sunny - the birds are chirping and the squirrels are running around playing chase in the backyard.  Tomorrow, however, is going to be a different story!  They are predicting at least 4-8 inches of snow in the city!  How crazy!  So, given the beauty of today, I thought it was imperative to go outside to get a breath of fresh air!  OK, I admit it...I got more than one breath!  I actually took my work outside to the backyard and sat on the bench and read in the sun.  I even took the phone out there so I could conduct my conference call outside!  Have you been outside today?  Don't forget to get that breath of fresh air everyday...rain or shine...it really does boost your mood!

Today's card was quick and easy!  I needed to make an anniversary card for my aunt and uncle.  I grabbed the Always stamp set and stamped in versamark onto Very Vanilla card stock.  I embossed with gold embossing powder with my heat tool.  The greeting was stamped in Ruby Red and is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (LOVE this set - it has a greeting for everything!).  Finally, I decided the card needed a tiny bit more texture so I ran the bottom of the card through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  I embossed the flap of the envelope too!  I have to say that I love that Stampin' Up made these embossing folders a tad bit larger than the Cuttlebug embossing folders.  As a result you can emboss the entire flap of one of our medium envelopes!  It looks great!  Hope you like it!

Two Tags Easter Treat

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  "If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't."

Today's lesson comes from Michael Pollan's new book, Food Rules.  We went to a friend's house for dinner last night and they shared the book with us - it's now on my reading list!  I have read some of Pollan's other books, In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma and am becoming much more attuned to the belief that we are what we eat.  How often, these days, are we not even aware what it is that we are eating?  I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I need a scientific dictionary to understand some of the ingredients listed on food labels.  So today we signed up for Door To Door Organics and are going to continue to be more conscious of what we consume.  I like the idea of knowing more about what I'm putting into my body.

Today's treat was inspired by a swap I received from Connie Stewart (thanks Connie!).  The treat uses the 2 tags die in the Big Shot and it holds 3 Andes mints (maybe I need to find a healthier treat to fit inside these little containers!).  I used the Good Egg stamp set to stamp the inside and outside of the tag with Rich Razzleberry ink.  The greeting is from the same set.  The Boho Blossoms punch came in handy for creating the flower embellishment.  I hope you like it!

Punch Bunny Easter Treat

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Allow Your Body Time To Adjust

OK, I'll admit it...I slept until 9 a.m. this morning!  That is not my usual approach to the morning, but my body just wouldn't wake up!  It's funny how this happens to me when we adjust the clocks for Daylight Saving Time.  I think we expect that we will just turn the clock ahead one hour and our bodies will adjust as quickly as it takes us to adjust the clock!  Not so.  Our bodies have their own natural rhythm.  A rhythm that, I believe, is very tied to the sun and the moon - light and darkness.  Just because we can adjust the clock in an instant, does not mean our bodies will make the same quick change.  We need to allow our bodies time to adjust to the new time we are presenting them with.  Time to shift rhythm.  Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up a little earlier...I'll let my body decide.

Today's Easter treat was inspired by a punch bunny by Jami Sibley (thanks Jami!).  I believe her bunny was inspired by about 3 other people...so this bunny has come a long way on the creativity train! :)  He was a ton of fun to make (using the wide oval, small oval, word window and heart trio punches) and I thought he'd be adorable as a treat bag topper!  I ran my Top Note die through the Big Shot with both sahara sand textured card stock and then a smaller piece of green galore card stock for the grass.  Two yummy Ghirardelli chocolate square fit perfectly in our small cello bags.  I hope you like him! :)

A Random Act Of Kindness!!!!

Wow!  I had a surprise in my mail box today!!!!  Look at this gorgeous card that Judi sent me!  She is so talented and I feel so special to have received one of her creations!!!!  Thanks Judi!!!!  You can see more of Judi's beautiful work on her blog.  She has some blog candy that she is giving away this month, so be sure to pay her a visit!

Faux Designer Series Paper - Tart & Tangy

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Pass Along A Last Minute Invitation

Last night I cooked a big meal.  We realized, that if we didn't have company, we would be eating the same recipe for a week!  So, although it was already dinner time, we decided to give Michael's sister a call and invite her over for dinner.  I have to admit that I felt a bit guilty calling her so late to pass along the invite, but I ignored the guilt and called anyway.  I had to leave a message, but 30 minutes later she called back and said she and her boyfriend would be over!  I was so glad I had passed along the invitation - even though it was at the last minute.  We had a great time sitting and chatting.  So next time you want to pass along a last minute invite and are feeling a little guilty about it - swallow your pride and make the call - you'll be so glad you did!

Today's SCS challenge was to find inspiration from the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company.  I chose this fabric as my inspiration!  I stamped the background in barely banana with the Sanded background stamp and then used my markers to color the cherry stamp from tart & tangy and randomly stamped it all over the card stock.  The garden green card stock was punched with the eyelet border punch and then run through the crimper about 5 times to give it a lace feel.  I hope you like it!

A Thoughtful Day

Today's Lesson From My Home:  Find Your Moments Of Heaven Here On Earth

I went for my morning "wog" with Buddy this morning.  Our route takes us by a park near our house.  There is one corner of the park that sits up on a hill and from that vantage point you can see the snow-covered mountains in the distance.  As part of our morning ritual, we have begun to stop at that corner of the park and sit on the bench there and stare at the mountains in silence.  Today, I sat on the bench and Buddy sat down right in front of me (well, actually, right on my left foot) with his back pressing against my calf.  In that moment I felt I was experiencing a piece of Heaven here on earth.  Just thinking about it now makes me take in a deep breath...and exhale.  I want to be mindful of these moments, and try to look for them in my daily life.  Today I'm choosing to not head into the craft room.  Instead, I am heading back into the kitchen where my creating is about nourishing myself and my family tonight for dinner...baklava and vegetarian moussaka...the house smells divine!  Have a beautiful night!

Video: Dyed Sand Technique

Here is another technique I came up with...my creative mind has been very active these past few weeks! :)  Thought you'd enjoy this quick and easy technique that has a great WOW effect!  Enjoy!

Sneak Peek - Sweet Scoops!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Support Someone Else's Art!

My friend Mario Rivoli is an incredible artist! He has been creating since he was 5 years old!  He is an amazing assemblage artist and I am always wowed by his creations! We went to lunch the other day, and when we picked him up at his house we were given a tour of some of his latest creations. I fell in love with this amazing beaded flower arrangement - just gorgeous.

So...I bought it!!!!! It felt so good to support someone else's creative spirit by purchasing their work. There are a lot of ways we can support someone else's art - by our purchases, our comments, our encouragement. Who can you support today?

Today's challenge on SCS was to incorporate something new. One of my new things is obvious - the new Sweet Scoops stamp set that will be out in the summer mini catalog! Isn't it yummy?! :) I also tried a new technique that came to me in yet another dream!!!! I was dreaming about sand, and, as I was waking up, my creative mind thought, "Hey, I wonder if you can dye white sand with classic ink?" Well, the answer is an absolute YES! It also dries right away so you can get instant gratification! I may put together a quick video today to demo the technique. I adhered the sand to the card using heat and stick powder. I hope you like it!

Sale-A-Bration Birthday

Just wanted to share this quick card that we made at a workshop this week.  We used the Happy Moments set from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  The presents were stamped with Staz-On and then colored in using ink pads and an aqua painter.  Of course we had to add some dazzling diamonds :)  I got this Happy Moments stamp set for free since it is still Sale-A-Bration!!!!  Sale-A-Bration runs to the end of this month!  Don't miss this great opportunity to earn free, exclusive stamps, paper or punches when you make a $50 product purchase!  What are you waiting for?  Shop now! :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Follow Your Waking Dreams

Have you ever paid attention to what your internal voice is telling you upon awakening?  I listened very carefully yesterday morning when, upon awakening, I had a waking dream about heat embossing on fabric!  I had never thought of it before, and since I just started sewing last week, somehow the thought of embossing combined with the act of sewing in the middle of the night and I woke with the idea!!!  I love heat embossing on paper, so why not fabric?!  Listen to your waking dreams - you never know where they might take you!

Today's card uses my heat embossed fabric technique!  Scroll down to the next post to watch the how-to video.  I used the Charming stamp set and white craft  ink with gold embossing powder on my black fabric.  Before embossing the fabric, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Flower Folds die.  The flower was made with 4 of the smallest flowers cut from the die.  I also ran the black card stock through the Big Shot with the Finnial Press embossing folder.  I heat embossed the greeting in black on the brushed gold card stock.  I hope you like it!

Video: Heat Embossed Fabric

I woke up with a new technique in mind - heat embossed fabric!!!  Here's a video to show you how!  Let me know if you have any questions!  Enjoy!



Here is a package that I decorated with a combination heat embossed fabric and paper flower.  The possibilities are endless with this technique!

Judi's Blog Candy!

Judi is giving away more blog candy on March 25th!  Yeah!!!  Check out all the cool stuff she is giving away!

 Go check out her blog if you'd like to enter to win!

Quilted Furry Purse

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take On A Challenge!

Late in the afternoon yesterday I decided it was time to head back to the sewing machine.  I knew I could have started small - maybe a pillow cover or something simple for sewing project #2...but what fun would that be!  Instead I chose to challenge myself!  I had seen the rag quilted purse that Angie Juda had made and I had even watched her video on how to make it (before I learned how to sew) and I was so inspired I thought - What the heck!  I am soooooo proud of myself I am going to burst!  I have to admit that choosing to use a bulky furry fabric was probably not the best choice for a first purse, but it didn't stop me :)  I can't wait to use my purse today!  How can you challenge yourself today?

Decor Elements Auto!

This Afternoon's Lesson From Outside The Craft Room:  Why Create Small When You Can Create Big!

I am the kind of person who believes a car is meant to get you from here to there.  I have had my car since 1998 and I intend to have it until it won't have me anymore :)  My car and I have been through a lot!  She was stolen twice (can you believe it?!), but both times she found me again.  Since the repairs from when she was last stolen, the clear coat has begun to peel away.  I guess the body shop can never do as good of a job as the manufacturer.  I have thought about repainting the car, but I've been told that the car is worth less than the paint job would be...so, I figured, why not make her beautiful in some other way!  Today I ventured outside with my Ginormous Flowers decor elements and began working on her makeover :)  This is what I've done so far - it is already making me smile :)  I'm debating whether or not to cover her entirely, or to just focus on her problem areas.  I figured I would stop for the afternoon and take another look at her tomorrow, once I've stepped away for a bit.  Why create small when you can create big! :)  I hope you like her!

Featured Stamper Inspiration

Today's Featured Stamper on SCS was Vera Schoeters.  What a lot of inspiration her stamping provides!  I chose this card for my inspiration.  I used the ideas of the Warhol technique and the square shapes and went from there!  I hope you like it!  Thanks for the inspiration Vera and congratulations!

Stamp Free Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You've Gotta Just Get Through It

I don't know what was up with me yesterday.  I was in quite the cranky mood.  I can always use my default PMS excuse, but I think I was just experiencing a case of the blahs.  Nothing seemed to cheer me up - not a trip to our friend's store to visit the new puppy, not a trip to the fabric store to buy some supplies, not even horchata (have you tried this delicious rice, cinnamon and vanilla drink?  It's awesome!!!).  Sometimes you've just gotta get through it and recognize that at some point, like everything else, change will come.  I am here to attest to that!  Today is a new day and my crankiness has gone - yeah!  I've made it through!

Today's card has no stamping!  Blasphemy! :)  I used the Sending Love specialty designer series paper.  This stuff is gorgeous!  One side of each sheet has glitter on it!  Love it!  I also used the Big Shot to emboss the black panel with the finnial press embossing folder.  I used my daisies #2 die to die cut the black flower.  The pink flower was punched using the scallop circle punch.  Finally, I made the brad using our build-a-brads!  I love these too since you can use your 3/4" circle punch to punch out a piece of designer paper and then build your own brad to match your card!  The finishing touch was a piece of our luscious 5/8" black satin ribbon.  I hope you like it!  If you want to order any of the supplies used in today's card, stop by my on-line shopping site - open 24/7!

Faux Designer Series Paper

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Wog A Little

I used to run...well, maybe you could call it jogging.  I actually ran a marathon for my 30th birthday.  Now, it seems, walking has been challenging enough!  However, this morning, I decided to "wog" - that's my word for a walk/jog.  I have to say, it felt GREAT!  The dog liked it too!  He looked at me as if to say, "Wow!  You're really picking up the pace this morning!"  Why not try a little wog in place of your walk.  It may be just the pick-me-up you need!

Today's challenge on SCS was to find inspiration at the Ginko Papers website.  This card was inspired by a great little mod pear mini bag.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig and the pear from the Cheep Talk set to create some faux designer paper (measuring 2" x 5 1/2") that I attached to the inside edge of the card.  I used the sanded background stamp to give the so saffron card stock a little interest.  I layered a bunch of panels and popped them up on dimensionals.  I hope you like it!