SOCK MONKEY CASE!

I saw this card on another blog, and I loved it! So, I had to make it and share it with all of you. The scallop border punch is actually used to make a fancy bottom on the lamp (which is the designer label punch). The table is a small oval. I "frayed" some black grosgrain for the fringe on the rug. The wood floor is some retired DSP that I needed to use...... I think it is just too darling!

MY WONDERFUL, RELAXING DAY!

I got to spend all day today stamping with my downline and dear friend, Michelle. It was so relaxing and fun AND we made an awesome stationery box filled with goodies. Michelle shared some tiles she made with me, and she also made a little baby photo holder. I am so excited and just had to share all of the fun I had with you. Tomorrow it's back to reality and my hectic lifestyle, so I knew I had to get them all posted tonight. ENJOY!

STATIONERY BOX!

This was our big project for today. We had seen this pattern for a Stationery Box made by Joackie Topa, and we had wanted to make it since, so today was the day! You have a great box with a lid for beautiful presentation. When you take the lid off the front falls and there is a little note pad, ink pen and a pouch to put postage stamps in. The back of the box is divided into three separate parts. One is for regular-size cards; one for 3x3 cards and one for tags. You can see in the other photo the cards and tags we made. We made four 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 cards, four 3x3 cards and 4 tags. We decided we're definitely going to be making more of these to give as gifts not only at holidays but throughout the year!

BABY PHOTO HOLDER

This is a baby photo holder Michelle made while we were enjoying our stamping time together today. It all folds up for great presentation. When you open it, you have spots for three photos and then some journaling too. It is just too cute!

GORGEOUS COASTERS!

These are coasters that my dear friend, Michelle, made and shared with me. Now I am absolutely going to have to make some! She used StazOn ink to stamp her images, then used her SU! Pastels to add beautiful, soft color. They are so lovely in real life!

PUNCH PARTY CLUB!

Our first Punch Party Club get together is on August 26th, and I am so excited! I totally love how awesome Stampin' Up! punches are and how easy to use too. Plus, there are so many different things you can do with them. These are the four cards we'll be making at our first get together. We're going to use the five-petal punch to make a beautiful layered flower, and then add the key tag punch and make it layered to hold some ribbon. The round tab punch is going to be turned into a yummy cupcake. We'll be layering circles onto our scallop circle punch and using our scallop border punch to add some "ric rac". AND we'll use our scallop circle punch to make some flowers with! We truly are going to be getting punchy!! If you want to join us, you must place a minimum $25 order (which I'm sure won't be difficult with new punches available in our Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog, and so many other delicious stamps and accessories to play with). Don't forget to RSVP!!

GORGEOUS ALWAYS CARD!

I took a picture of this card a long time ago, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to share it!! Brenda, one of my hostess club members brought this card with her to class to show me what she had done. I was blown away! I love it when my customers share things they've made~~it makes me feel so proud. She has embossed the hearts and added beads and a little, tiny bow.... I love everything about this beautiful card! Thanks, Brenda, for sharing it with me (and everyone who visits my blog too ;o)

MORE HOLIDAY FUN!

Here is a peak at the cards we'll be making on August 14th, 2008 at the 5x The Holiday Fun Class. You will make two of each of these cards, for a total of 10 cards. Class fee is $20 and is payable at the time of registration. RSVP early because these classes fill quickly!

BIG CONVENTION NEWS!

There is a lot of chatter on the internet about news being announced at the Stampin' Up! Convention, and all of it is very exciting! I don't want to spoil anyone's first look at the new catalog, so I won't tell you what I've heard about stamp sets, accessories, etc.... BUT, I will share with all of you that yesterday's big announcement was that Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix, and they will even have several dies that are exclusive to Stampin' Up! and will coordinate with Stampin' Up! stamp sets and accessories! I can assure you that the catalog will be full of surprises that are as wonderful as this announcement was!!

Don't forget that if you pre-ordered a catalog, you can pick it up on August 10th, 2008 and do a little make-and-take project while you're here. August 10th will also be the beginning day for my big SALE! You can take advantage of great savings on the retired stamp sets and accessories, so mark your calendar and make plans to attend! Check out my calendar for details and don't forget to RSVP.

NEW STUFF!

With all the convention chatter going on, I have finally accepted the fact that I really do miss not being there; so I decided I had best treat myself to a little play time with my new catalog goodies. I got the idea to make a "female" sock monkey from antoher blog (I apologize that I don't remember whose blog it was to give you credit~~if it's yours, please let me know, so I can give credit where credit is due). After I got her all dressed up, I thought she definitely needed a bag, so I added that. Accessorizing her could have been an all-day event with shoes, a cell phone, perhaps some earrings.... With the help of friends, I did manage to limit my endeavors to a bag and hat. I used the new Sock Monkey and Wow Flowers stamp sets. I had lots of fun with these sets, and it makes me very anxious to see what other goodies will be in the new SU! catalog :o)

WHERE IN THE WORLD HAS CHRIS BEEN?

I know it has been a while since you have seen a new post from me, and I didn't mean to leave you all stranded! I had to paint and add a new "Decor Element" to the Rubber Room. This meant I needed to re-arrange and that meant lots of clutter that needed to be cleaned out, and that meant... I'm sure you get the idea--I took a little job and turned it into a three-day affair. Now I am excited to be back to stamping, and I have lots of new things to share with all of you. I will start by getting ready for my August classes and getting my samples posted for those. Hopefully by focusing on upcoming classes, I won't get sidetracked and be off playing with new stamp sets and papers and dreaming of getting the new catalog in my hands! I promise to be back soon with more creative posts--until then, keep your hands in the ink (wink, wink).

TECHNIQUE TUESDAY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

I am certain the gals signed up for my Techniques Tuesday class will be having a ball! These are the five cards we'll be making, plus they'll receive instructions and a sample too. The Fresh Cuts card uses the Crayon Resist Technique. The Punch Pals penguin card uses the Glitter Window technique. The Together Forever (blue flower) card uses the Faux Tearing technique. The Year After Year (heart) uses the Classic Ink watercolor technique. And, the Lovely As A Tree card uses the Brayer Resist Technique. Of course there are a few cards that use the new word set (available in the Stampin' Up! new catalog) Heard From The Heart. I can already tell that is going to be one of my favorite word sets!