RONNIE REALLY, REALLY ROCKS!!

Do you love my new Banner and look? My wonderful friend Veronica McCollum (I call her Ronnie ;o) created a little stamping gal that looks just like me, right down to my very own glasses! And I've got my little ink pad holder and Stampin' Mist and stamp.... She did an awesome job, and I am very excited about the new look. I think it's much easier to navigate with my brand-spankin' new "nav bar". I'm tellin' you, I love, love, love it!

Want her to create one for you? Well, you can visit her site HERE. While you're there check out all the services she offers and some of the blogs she's designed. You will be amazed and impressed.

Thank you so much, girlfriend, for sharing your creativity and talent to make me look good!

MY CALENDAR CLASS!

I had my calendar class this evening and look what these talented ladies came up with! I cut and prepped a desktop calendar for them and we all put them together at the same time. Then they all used their patterns and got to cut and prepare their entire desktop calendar from beginning to end. They did an AWESOME job; don't you think?

Brenda used Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and "accessorized" with her new Two-Step Bird Punch.

Denise used Rockabilly Designer Series Paper with the Just Jawin' Stamp Set and "accessorized" with some chunky glitter.

Laura used Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper and "accessorized" with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and the butterfly punch.

These ladies are so talented! Thank you, ladies, for letting me show you off~~you're the best!

SWEET PEA FRAMES!

We had our monthly demonstrator evening group get together last night, and had some BIG FUN! Linda brought these frames that she had purchased and painted white, and lots of Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper and punches and ribbon.... I haven't finished mine yet because I'm still debating on the butterfly I want to use. But, there were two gals who weren't able to be here, so Linda put their frames together for them, and I got a picture of them. I know those gals are going to be very happy to receive this little goody! I can't decide which one I like best, but I know that I really NEED to make more!

The Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper is awesome! It is such a huge stack of paper that you can really do a lot of different things with it. This paper is definitely not just for scrapbooking. Be sure to check it out in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog! Use the link on my left sidebar to get there from here.

SIGN UP AND PAY FOR CLASSES THE EASY WAY!

For your convenience I have just added a PayPal Button to my left side bar. This makes it easier than ever for you to sign up and pay for classes. Just click the drop down menu, choose the class you'd like to sign up for and pay with your PayPal account. Once I receive payment notification, I will sign you up for class.

If you have any questions about this service, please feel free to contact me.

I hope you will enjoy this quick and easy way to sign up and pay for classes!

WANT TO FOLLOW THE FUN?

Are you a big fan of the Rubber Room? Do you come here often for inspiration? Is the Rubber Room a spot you must stop at when you're blog hopping? Well, if that's the case, please become a Rubber Room Fun Follower. On the left hand side bar of my blog at the very bottom I have added a "Rubber Room Fun Followers" spot, and I would love to see you join me there.

To help celebrate the beginning of my blog "Followers", I will be offering some "blog candy". Become a Follower between now and Sunday, January 31st, and I will enter your name in a drawing for "blog candy".

It's easy to join, and it only takes a minute, so sign up, become a "Rubber Room Fun Follower" and be ready for lots and lots of fun!

WITH ALL MY HEART AND SCALLOP TRIM BORDER PUNCH!

I think the new Scallop Trim Border Punch is awesome! AND you can get it for FREE with any minimum $50 order during Sale-A-Bration. Click HERE for all the Sale-A-Bration details.

This is the Thank You card we will be making at my upcoming Quad Class on February 17th, 2010. Click HERE for complete class details.

For this card I used the new stamp set called With All My Heart. This stamp set is available in the current Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog. You can click HERE to view the entire Occasions Mini Catalog. I also used both the Scallop Trim Corner Punch and the Scallop Trim Border Punch. Of course, I added a little ribbon. This ribbon is the pink satin ribbon, which is also available in many different, and just as beautiful, colors in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Be sure to check out both the Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-a-Bration catalog for some terrific deals and to see tons of new products!

EXTRA LARGE TWO-STEP BIRD PUNCH!

Well, whomever came up with this punch idea is an absolute genius. Genius, I tell you!! This punch is so versatile that it will soon be honored with an entire class unto itself. Be sure to watch for details of that class. I guarantee you won't want to miss it! Already this little gal has attended many a play date, and she just never disappoints.

This is a card for my upcoming Quad Class, and it is so simple! I used the Sanded Background stamp, the sentiment from Close as a Memory and the Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch with a little Designer Series Paper thrown in there just for fun.

You can see all the class details by visiting my calendar. Use the "calendar" link on my left sidebar. While you're there be sure to check out all the Rubber Room happenings. I know you won't want to miss any of the fun!

WELLNESS WISHES!

When the new catalog came out in July, this was one of the stamp sets that I had to have. I really NEEDED to get this one in my hot little hands. The little dogie is so sad and pathetic looking that he just reminded me of my two boys when they were little and would get sick. Don't get me wrong, my boys are not sad and pathetic looking (well, okay, that's a matter of opinion, but I think they are extremely handsome :o) And not that I miss those days when they were sick at all; but those days were among the few time when the boys were quiet, wanted to be cuddled and could actually sit still long enough listen to a whole story. But, I digress (sorry).

The big news is that now you can get this stamp set FREE! This is one of the stamp sets you can get during Sale-A-Bration for FREE when you place a minimum $50 order. If you're not familiar with Sale-A-Bration, checkout the details by using the link on my left sidebar. Then get your Wish List together and contact me to place your order!

Back to this card. This is one of the four cards we are going to make at my upcoming Quad Class. You can see all the details for the class by clicking on my calendar on the left sidebar. If you have any questions, please contact me.

For this card I used two of my favorite accessories. Can you guess what they are? I use at least one punch and/or some ribbon on almost every single card I make. When I go to make a card, it's like I have so many addictions: making cards; using punches; adding ribbon..... I wonder if that's the equivalent of having multiple monkeys on my back...

ONE MORE BIRTHDAY BONANZA!

This is the third card we will be making at my Birthday Bonanza class on March 22, 2010 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Please check my calendar (on the left sidebar) for complete class details.

This card used the Trendy Trees stamp set, and Teeny Tiny Wishes. I also used the Word Window Punch and the Modern Label Punch to help show off my sentiment! After all, what's a card without a punch? We all know Stampin' Up! offers a wide range of punches, and they are all so awesome I have a difficult time deciding on a favorite. Well, I wouldn't want any of them to feel 'unloved' so I just use the heck out of all of them all the time!

The cardstock and ink colors are: Old Olive, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip. I wonder why Olive doesn't have a more "enticing" food name?? Why does it just get to be "old"?? I mean, really, we all love chocolate chip and anything that is preceded by the word "chocolate" is comforting and warm. Of course, Saffron is a bit more daring in the kitchen but offers all of the soothing warmth of chocolate. But "Old"? Why not "Oodles of Olive"? That would make me want to use lots of it all the time. Just surround myself with Oodles of Olive....

Okay, obviously my AAD (adult attention deficit) just kicked in. Guess now you all know one more little secret about me ;o) Perhaps more coffee this a.m. would help.

Oh, I know, I'll go make something else with Oodles of Olive!!

Enjoy a happy Saturday!

HAITI NEEDS OUR HELP!

Once again Stampin' Up! is steppin' up to help those in need. Stampin Up! has announced that we will be making a difference for the people in Haiti. From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set purchase will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other help for those in need.

As I am sure all of you are aware, Haiti has suffered devastating disaster as a result of recent earthquakes and their aftermaths. Anything we can do to help the people of Haiti to rebuild their lives and homes is appreciated. This is a little way you can help them and treat yourself at the same time.

You can contact me to place an order; use the "ordering online" button on my right sidebar to place on order on my website or click on the flyer on my left sidebar to see a flyer with all the details of this special.

I LOVE MY BIG SHOT!!

I "treated" myself to the Big Shot Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit and this is my first card with it. I used some bright colors to make it look really happy. This is also one of the cards we will be making at my Birthday Bonanza class on March 22nd. Be sure to check out my calendar (link on the left side bar) for class details!

EYELET BORDER PUNCH FLOWER!

I love my border punches, and this is a great little new "trick" for not only the eyelet border punch, but it also looks awesome with the Pinking Hearts Border Punch, which is currently available in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog! I added a button threaded with some linnen thread to make the "center" of my flower. The strip of DSP is from the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper, which is also available in the Occasions Mini Catalog!

This is a card that we will be making at my upcoming Quad Class. During the Quad Class you will make a birthday card, a sympathy card, a thank you card and a get well card. This is a great class to help you increase your "on-hand card stash" for all those times when you need a card on the spot! Class is scheduled for February 17th. Be sure to check my calendar for all the class details and RSVP soon, as class size is limited!

VINTAGE VOGUE!

This is one of the birthday cards we will be making at my upcoming Birthday Bonanza class. This is a great class to attend because you will make six birthday cards (two each of three different designs). You will be ready for all the birthdays on your calendar AND you'll have a great, fun night out making them!

Birthday Bonanza will be held on March 22nd. Check out my calendar for complete class details. Class space is limited, so RSVP early!

For this card I used the new Vintage Vogue stamp set currently available in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog. For the background I used the Belle Toille background stamp. And to accessorize, I used the Scallop Trim Border Punch, which you can get FREE during Sale-A-Bration (with a minimum $50 purchase).

DESKTOP CALENDAR!

I love these little desktop calendars. The little drawer in the front pulls out so you can put a little note pad and pen inside, and the calendar on top is so helpful with keeping me on track!

For this calendar I used some of the awesome paper in the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack that's currently available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I have fallen in love with the little Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Emosslit, also available currently in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog. These little butterflies look so cute on this calendar!! I used the greeting from the On Your Birthday stamp set, and masked the "happy birthday" part of it. I also used a Chocolate Chip cordurouy button for my drawer pull.

The Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog is overflowing with great products. If you don't have one yet, you can use the link on my left sidebar to view one. OR contact me, and I'll be happy to provide you with one. You definitely won't want to miss out on any of these products!

PILLOW BOX TEACUPS!

This was one of my favorite gifts this year, and it is a perfect gift for any tea lover! I put three die cut pillow boxes together to make my tea cup. Then I filled it with tea leaves (they smelled delish :o). I also added a few honey-filled straws and an adorable heart-shaped infuser for the tea leaves. My friend Lisa provided the goodies to put inside the cup, and I couldn't have done it without her. Thanks, Lisa!

WHITE STAZ ON LOVELY AS A TREE!

I had this clear acrylic box sitting around waiting to be "decorated" forever, so I decided this year would be the year! I needed a packaging idea for some body lotion, soap, and shower gel that I was giving as a gift, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally kiss this box goodbye! I inked the image from Lovely As A Tree with White Staz On and stamped it on the front of the box. Okay, that wasy almost too easy! I added some shredded paper, my gifts, tossed it into a cello bag and added a ribbon and a tag. One more gift down and the packaging idea worked out perfectly. Sometimes, you know, it's all about the "packaging". Presentation is important for things other than meals!!

MY SPICED NUTS MEET LOVELY AS A TREE!

Every year I make spiced nuts to give as holiday gifts. This is a photo of how I decided to package them this year. I used an empty can and wrapped it with Designer Series Paper and added a little tag on the front of the can. On the top of the can, I printed the spiced nut recipe and then stamped it with Lovely as a Tree. It was nice, easy way to package them, and they looked almost as good as they tasted??

BIG SHOT DAISIES #2

This is a little desktop stationery box with four cards to go inside. I decorated my box with the Big Shot Daisies #2 Die and a little Kiwi Cordurouy button. This is one of the gifts I made to use for hostesses and as a door prize for my new mini catty open house! I also will be using this same pattern for an upcoming Monogram card class I will having. If you want to make one, checkout my calendar and RSVP for the monogram class.

JUST JAWIN' NOTE HANGER

This year I had a couple of "tween" girls on my holiday gift list, so I decided to put together these little boards for them to hang in their room for notes. I used the Just Jawin' stamp set and then added some chunky glitter to give it a little bling. I used matching DSP to wrap around the inside of the pen and put a pen and some little squares for notes inside a pocket and attached it to the front of the board. They were very excited and thought these were "cool" What a compliment for someone who is sneaking up on fifty and has boys!

PERISIAN BREEZE CALENDAR!

This is one of the magnetic boxes from Stampin' Up! It is the perfect size to hold a little calendar. I decorated it with Parisian Breeze Designer Series Paper, covered a binder clip and added some ribbon to use for the calendar page holder and then I just attached the calendar pages to more Parisian Breeze Designer Series Paper. I put the calendar pages and the clip inside the box, added a bow and was ready to rock and roll. I have been using these as hostess gifts and door prizes, and the recipients seem to really enjoy them!

STATIONERY FOLDER!

Everyone in my family loves to get hand-made cards, and they really look forward to the holidays when I sort of "load them up". This is a stationery kit that I made with four cards to go inside and then it has a little note pad and pen inside also.