Make Your Own Embellishments

I am fortunate to live by a few fabulous papercrafting stores. One of those is Archiver's and you will pretty much find me there on most Friday nights browsing at the new goodies on the market. It is very tempting to purchase all these wonderful new and trendy embellishments. Don't get me wrong....some times I do. For us Stampin' Up! demonstrators, it kinda puts us between a rock and a hard place. Should we buy all these new items if we are not allowed to show them to our customers?

Well, I have a solution to this problem. Make your own embellishments using Stampin' Up! product. Stampin' Up! has grown by leaps and bounds in the embellishment category. Look at that gorgeous Pretties kit, Flower Fusion, chipboard, ribbons and list goes on and on.

This card is a perfect example of that philosophy.

I started with a Pale Plum base card. I used my True Friend stamp set for all the images on this card. The bottom of the base card is stamped with the three flower stamp using Pale Plum ink. I overstamped the entire card with my Sanded BG stamp using Pale Plum ink. The sentiment in the bottom right corner is stamped with Perfect Plum.

The focal image is created with the Poppin' Pastels technique. I stamped the image with Versamark and pounced my pastels with my sponge daubers. I added some paper piercing for some extra oomph!

The band in the center was created with my corner rounder punch and a 1/8" handheld punch. Add some Eggplant narrow grosgrain and we're almost finished!!!

Now for the embellishments. Add a half-back white pearl to the center of the flower. Oh, what a difference that made on this card. The embellishment hanging from the ribbon is cool, isn't it? I created it with a piece of my Hodgepodge pewter hardware, a larger white halfback pearl and a glue dot. Instant embellishment.......no guilt!!!!! All Stampin' Up!!!!

P.S. Remember to sign up for my mailing list if you already haven't done so......there's always some great stuff in there and LOTS of classes (most are available in a stamps by mail class too). The link is on the right sidebar of my blog!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

Want to be on my Mailing List?

Good morning! What are your plans for the morning? Well since you asked (LOL), I am going to put my March newsletter together.


Are you interested in joining my mailing list? Be among the first to hear of my class offerings (class by mail is always an option), latest specials and my tips and techniques. If I've piqued your interest, click on the link on the right side of my blog to join. It's FREE and it's fun!!!


I have a card ready to photograph and post.........and it's in my favorite color? Can you guess what color it is?


Until later..........

Occasions Sneak Peek

Can you believe this is my 200th post? Wow, how time flies when you're having so much fun!!

How about a sneak peek from the new Occasions mini catalog? This mini catalog starts this Saturday, March 1st. It is filled with gorgeous brand new stamp sets, silver Hodgepodge Hardware, luscious polytwill ribbon and so much more. I will post a link to the mini catalog on Saturday. Can you wait that long?

Anyway, as a demonstrator I am able to pre-order the goodies from the mini. I fell in love with this set as soon as I saw it. It is called "For Father". I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Black StazOn ink. DH has a pair of hiking boots this exact color (although they are more dingy now due to so much use). Although Chloe is a Golden Retriever rather than a Golden Lab, I still colored the puppy to resemble Chloe's coloring when we first adopted her.

The base card is Basic Black, followed by Basic Gray, followed by Bordering Blue (stamped with Sanded BG and heavily sponged) and finally a torn layer of Bravo Burgandy (stamped on the bottom with the line of dots from One of a Kind).

I added some twill and a pewter buckle from my Hodgepodge Hardware kit. I also added 4 matching pewter brads to each of the four corners of the focal image.

I was temped to add a sentiment but at the last minute decided not to. I can always add that before I give it to someone special!!!

I hope I have piqued your interest in seeing the Occasions mini. If you do not have a demonstrator and wish to place an order, I will be more than happy to help you. Just send me an email (available on the right side of my blog) to get your order placed!!!

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Put on Your Sunglasses

Whoa! This is one bright card. I try to do at least one of the stamp challenges on Splitcoast each week. This week I decided to participate in the Color Challenge. This week's colors are Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie and Certainly Celery.

To be completely honest, my first instinct was to grab one of my halloween sets. I resisted the urge and pulled out my beloved Garden Whimsy.

The base card is Whisper White followed by a layer of Pumpkin Pie and Orchid Opulence (wheeled with the Whimsy jumbo wheel and heavily sponged in Orchid Opulence ink). I created a band with Certainly Celery (stamped with Canvas in Certainly Celery ink). I used my Corner Rounder punch to create the scallops on the bottom. Each scallop is pierced and highlighted with my white gel pen. Of course, the edges are sponged too!

The focal image is very simple (didn't want to go too crazy on a card with crazy colors). I stamped the butterfly in Orchid Opulence and punched it out with one of my Marvy punches. C'mon Stampin' Up!......make us some larger scallop punches. The final embellishment is the new Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon.

I think the card came out cute in the end.......I don't think I will re-use this color combination again.......it's just not me!!! Off to watch the Oscars......what's up with all the icky hair this year? Heck, I could throw my hair in a ponytail and pull some bangs down......all I need is a fancy dress and George Clooney on my arm as my date!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!

Love You a Latte

Last night, I held my first ever Stamp Club meeting. We had SO much fun.......chit chattin' and giggling over so many different topics.

These are the two projects we made at Stamp Club. The first item is a cocoa packet, and the second is a matching greeting card to go with it.

Chocolate Chip has to be my "go to" color this year. I love it paired with Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Soft Sky, etc.... My favorite with it is by far, Pretty in Pink. Wowza!!!


Using the Berry Bliss Designer Paper makes these projects so easy to design. The focal image comes from my favorite stamp set, Pun Fun. As you can see, I omitted the saying on the cocoa packet using a little Scotch tape. Hey, sometimes you're giving a little gift to someone where that saying seems a little awkward. Anyway, using your reinkers and aquapainter on some watercolor paper and the focal image is done....easy peasy.

It's very hard to see in the photo, but the Pretty in Pink layer is stamped with Canvas. The stamps used to adorn the bottom and the medallion on the ribbon come from another great stamp set, One of a Kind (which also perfectly coordinates with the Berry Bliss DSP). I adore this card. It was actually a card I designed for a New Catalog Swap last month.

Well, it's another busy day here for me. I have to prepare my make-n-takes for a Scrapbooking and Cardmaking event in Chanhassen. Hopefully, I will lots of ladies who have a passion for papercrafting like I do.

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Make Your Own Butterfly

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I was playing with the Elegant Eggplant, River Rock and Very Vanilla color combination. I just LOVE these colors together.

The Elegant Eggplant layer is stamped with the Floral BG stamp. I embossed (which is very hard to see in this photo) the sentiment using Versamark and gold embossing powder.

The focal image (from Never-Ending Joy) was colored with markers directly on the stamp. One of the images in this stamp set is an opened tulip. I think it kinda resembles a butterfly. So, I added a little body and some antennae. Voila.....an instant butterfly. Cool, huh?

I finished up the card with some ribbon and a beautiful cream colored half-back pearl from the Pretties Kit.

Gotta love an easy card that looks this elegant.......oh, how I love my job!!!!

I have stamp club tonight....so I need to finish prepping for that!!!

Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Embracing Life....and a New Camera!!!!

My camera has been dying so I've been using DD's digital camera over the past couple of weeks to take pictures of my projects. DH has been researching cameras.....I always wanted a Digital Rebel, but I really want auto-focus rather than an SLR.....so we went with the Sony Cyber Shot. What a cool camera!!! As you can see, it takes such beautiful pictures!!!

Since it was so cold here in MN yesterday (today too), I decided to stay home, do laundry and stamp. See, there is an advantage to having the laundry room on the same level as my stamping studio. I get to stamp while the laundry is both washing and drying. I've got it all down to a science!!!

I was actually very productive yesterday. I finished up the second project for this week's stamp club. I will post the projects on Friday after the ladies have attended the meeting. I just love the surprise factor. I really love the way they turned out.....hopefully they will love them too!!!

Anyway, I made two cards using the colors of River Rock, Eggplant and Very Vanilla. This one uses some of the fabulous Ginger Blossom DSP. The focal image is from Embrace Life......is there anyone out there that does not like this stamp set? It's so pretty!!! I was so tempted to add some glitter to the blossoms, but I held back.

Oh well......I need to work out.....do some more laundry.......and stamp!!!!!! I will be back tomorrow with the sister card to this one.....same colors....different stamp set....totally different look!!!

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

"Run Out the Door" Birthday Card

How are all women alike? We all experience the "Crap! I need a birthday card" moment. Now this isn't so bad for us stampers. We just pull out our stash, make a mess that we swear we will clean up later and make the exact card that we need. See DH, there is a perfectly good reason for needing all the stuff I have stashed in the stamping studio.

This card is PERFECT for the throw together before I have to run out the door moment. It's simple.....but cute!!! I am trying to teach my stamping friends that come to my classes and read my blog, that making a simple yet beautiful card is PERFECT for any occasion. I think we all get hung up on those gorgeous cards that we see all the time on all these blogs we visit every day. Yes, they are fabulous to look at.....and I am so guilty of creating intricate cards more frequently than I should......but for most people, they get self-conscious about what they create because they are comparing themselves to what they see online. Heck, take a peek at the newest SU catalog. A lot of those cards are pretty easy to make because they focus on the KISS method.....keep it simple silly. So I want everyone to breathe and KISS when they make their cards. It will be beautiful!!!!!

I have to finish prepping for my club projects today! I will be back tomorrow with another stamped project....

Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

It's Working"

Yeah, Blogger is working again.

Here is the lighthouse card I was referring to.

It's a very simple 5"x5" card.

stamp sets: A Light Unto My Path, Circle of Friendship

paper: Blue Bayou, Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White

ink: Blue Bayou

accessories: silver brads, circle punches (1" and 1 1/4"), Blue Bayou double-stitched ribbon

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping Everyone!!

Lighthouses

I apologize for no pictures today. Blogger must be having a problem uploading photos.

Anyway, I will try throughout the day to upload the photo of my card using my brand new stamp set, A Light Unto My Path.

It's been a few years since Stampin' Up! carried a lighthouse set. My favorite is still the retired Coast to Coast, but this new one is pretty nice too!! In fact, as soon as I saw the new catalog, I yelled "finally". This lighthouse makes stamping go fast. There really is no coloring in......it's more of a solid stamp.....so the color you ink it up in is basically all you need.

The kids have off from school today.........so we plan on doing a little galavanting before regular after-school activities kick in......

Valentine's Day - What a Fun Evening!!

I am going to warn you now.....this post is going to be pretty long. I have lots of pictures to show.

Valentine's Day was awesome. Dennis and I made an incredible dinner for the family. He's always in charge of the grill.....so the grilled rib eyes and lobster were his responsibility. I was in charge of the twice baked potatoes, roasted asparagus, popovers and dessert. Let me tell you, last night's dinner was one of the best meals I've ever tasted. The kids even commented how fabulous everything tasted!!!

Aren't these flowers gorgeous? Dennis had them delivered to me yesterday afternoon!

The first card I am going to show you is the one DH made for me. I think it is gorgeous. Although he only stamps when he wants to make me a card, he shows such creativity when he does stamp. He likes all the details.....brads, background stamps, glitter, etc......




The monkey card is my Valentine to my incredible DH. I stamped them with Timber Brown StazOn and colored in with my pastels. I added some shadows with some markers. It's hard to see in the picture, but the chocolate chip cardstock is embossed with my new Stitched background stamp. It is completely gorgeous!!! The heart balloon is flocked.....so fun!!! I also used my Liquid Pearls to add something to each of the corners of the focal image.




The card with the pickup truck is for DS. You see, DS is driving age, and he keeps talking about pickup trucks. He loved his valentine although he did mention that the pickup truck is not the kind he wants to drive. Sorry kid, I don't have a stamp of a Ford F-150.


I did get to use my Designer Label punch on his card. I finally decided to bite the bullet and order that punch. I am SO glad I did.....it has lots of possibilities.










This card is DD's valentine. She loves all my funky ribbons. I had this ribbon leftover from last year's Winter Mini. In fact, this patterned paper was all from that mini as well.

I used the little lamb from Pun Fun for the focal image of this card. I used my aquapainters and markers to color in the image.

She just loved it!!!!

I have a big New Catalog Open House to finish getting ready for tomorrow. Lots of work to do. So, I will leave you for now.

I hope your Valentine's Day was a special as mine.

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day.....Bling Style!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Do you have any plans for the big event? When the kids were younger, we asked my parents to babysit so we could go out to dinner. For the last couple of Valentine's Days we either go out to dinner as a family or stay in and cook. Tonight we are staying in!!!

Tonight's menu includes grilled lobster and steaks, twice baked potatoes, roasted asparagus, popovers and angel food cake with strawberries for dessert. Yum!!!!

This card was another that I made yesterday in preparation for my New Catalog Open House. My goal for these cards was to show new product on a very do-able card. I didn't go overboard with all the "Patti-isms" that are usually on my cards.

The picture of this card does not do it justice. It is so sparkly thanks to that awesome new Cosmo glitter stack. Wow.....great colors in there!!! I love glitter, but it definitely gets everywhere. Does glitter ever "out" your stamping sessions? You know.....you're supposed to be doing laundry.....but you're stamping instead......glitter is on your face......before you know it, you're "out-ed". You can try the "Honey, the glitter must've been on the clothes I was washing today......that's why it's all over my face" trick. Hey, it might work!!!

I am lucky today......I have both stamping and laundry to do today.......

recipe: stamp sets: Friendship Blooms (SAB) paper: Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White ink: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate accessories: clear rhinestone brads (Pretties kit), corner rounder punch, heat & stick powder, cosmo glitter stack, celery grosgrain (narrow and 5/8"), keytag punch

Until tomorrow everyone......sending Valentine's hugs and Happy Stamping everyone!!!

How I Made My New Banner

I've had a couple of requests about how to make your own blog banner. Mine is very simple, but I plan on playing more once I have more time to dedicate to a really intricate banner.

Please note that I used Photoshop Elements 5.0 to make the banner.

1. Find a picture that you want to use as your background. Open that picture in your photo editing program.

2. In order to change the size of the photo to fit the width of the blog, I clicked on "Image"....click on "Resize"....click on "Canvas Size".....change the width to "1000 pixels" and the height to "260 pixels".....then click on "Ok"

3. Now that your photo is looking like a banner, I decided to change the opacity of the picture so my text would show up better. In order to do this, click on the picture itself. Over to the right column (under the Layer section), there is a field called "Opacity". I made the opacity of my picture 52%.

4. The final part of the banner making process is adding your text. Click on "Layer".....click on "New"......on the left side of the screen you need to click on the big "T" to specify that this layer is going to have text. Start typing the name of your blog.......you can easily change the font and font size to find the perfect title. You may need to move your text....click on the Move tool to do this.

5. Save the file as a .JPEG file and you are ready to load it into your blog.

If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them. Just send me an email. My email is plchesky@comcast.net.

If you make one......send me a link to your blog. I will add you to my blog links at the bottom of my blog. Feel free to add my blog to your list of links too!!!!!

Happy Banner Making everyone!!!! LOL!!!!

You Make Me Happy

First of all, I want to thank you for the kind words about my blog changes and also for the advice for my back pain. I am feeling much better today. I was able to stamp a little bit to start making some samples for my New Catalog Open House on Saturday.

The hardest part about making display items for me is keeping it simple. I always want to add more.....paper piercing.....doodle work.....more embellishments. This is my favorite display sample that I made today. It showcases the Sale-a-bration set, Friendship Blooms.

I really thought So Many Scallops would be my favorite SAB set, but it definitely is this one. I love the flourish and the flowers. There are so many possibilities.....keep it subdued...or bring on the bling (you'll see what I am talking about with tomorrow's post).

Well, it's time to start cleaning up the house.....ugh.......stamping is MORE fun!!!

recipe: stamps....Friendship Blooms paper....Choc Chip, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery ink....Choc Chip accessories....Love & Happiness Rub-Ons (SAB), Pretties Kit, sponges, 5/8" celery grosgrain ribbon

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!

Cha...Cha...Changes

So, what do you think of my blog's new makeover?

You see, I hurt my back......don't know how I hurt it, but it aches something fierce. So as I sit here on the bed with my heating pad (let me tell ya, it stinks to turn 40), I decided to make my own banner.

Now, I know that the banner has nothing to do with a heart, but I thought the photo was gorgeous. If anyone has a photo that you think would suit my blog, by all means I am open to suggestions.

Once I had the new banner, I decided that the color of the blog itself needed to change too. So, it's been a total overhaul.

Good news.....UPS just dropped off my two big 'ol boxes of BRAND NEW STUFF!!!! I need to make some samples for my New Catalog Open House on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed that this backache subsides for me to get some work done.....and in turn, more projects for me to post here. It's killing me not being able to stamp!!!! {insert 40 year old tantrum here}

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

Western Wishes

Can you believe that I haven't played with this stamp set since Convention? It's really not my style, but I decided to bite the bullet and challenge myself.

I was looking through my packs of designer papers and found this one from Berry Bliss. It is a white background with hints of cocoa and pink western stars. In other words, it was perfect for the birthday card I had in mind.

I started the card with the designer paper (cut to 3.75"x5"). I punched the upper corners with the Ticket Corner punch and heavily sponged with Close to Cocoa ink. I used the key tag punch to punch out an area in the lower right corner. I stamped the sentiment (from Hugs & Wishes) with Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. I wrapped this layer with some Pink Taffeta ribbon. Can you see the cool ornament placed over the knot? It's the small star medallion from the Wanted set stamped on the flip side of the designer paper that I punched with the key tag punch. I punched the medallion out with my 1/2" circle punch and mounted on a brown button (from the neutrals button pack) with a mini glue dot. Cool, huh? I also added three pewter brads to balance the card.

I finally used some flocking that I picked up at Archiver's a few weeks ago. I stamped the horse in Versamark on some Close to Cocoa cardstock. I sprinkled on some Heat & Stick powder and heated with my embossing gun just until melted. I sprinkled on some flocking and pressed it down with my fingertips. I pierced and sponged the edges of the focal image prior to adhering it to my card with dimensionals.

Like I said, cards with a western theme are not really my forte, but I really like how this one turned out.

I challenged myself today.......now I am challenging you.....make something in a style that's different than your "norm"......have fun and "make it work"!!!

Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

The Sight of Daffodils

None spotted here in MN, but I'm sure there is somewhere nice and springy where daffodils are blooming. We can only hope for an early spring to see these beauties!!

This card starts with a basecard of Rose Red stamped with my Floral BG stamp in Rose Red ink. The Always Artichoke layer is lightly stamped with Canvas BG stamp in Always Artichoke ink. I used my Always Artichoke marker to faux pierce the top and bottom edges.

The focal image (from Beautiful Life) is stamped using watercolor crayons and watercolor paper. I simply colored directly on the stamp, misted with water and stamped. Easy peasy. Since this is a two step stamp set, I used ink to stamp the line images. I used my crayon to draw in some grass so the flowers don't look like they are floating midair. I softened the crayon marks with my aquapainter. Using my Always Artichoke marker, I drew some dots to simulate paper piercing.

The sentiment is stamped on some vellum cardstock using Basic Black StazOn ink. I rounded the corners using my corner rounder punch. Since vellum is tricky to adhere without seeing the adhesive, I used a light green circle ice brad to attach it to my card. Voila....problem solved!!! I added some black gingham ribbon here and there......and my card is finished!!!!

So, any big plans for the weekend? Ours is looking pretty quiet...........love that kind of weekend!!!

Until tomorrow....happy stamping everyone!!!

Spring.....Where Are You?

Okay, I am officially tired of winter. Even though it's in the 20s this week in MN (a heat wave), I have seen the forecast for the weekend. Can we all say "brrrrrr"? Sunday's high is going to be zero. Ugh!!!

So, in spite of this weekend's forecast, I made a sunny and warm card. I decided to pull out a stamp set that has been sitting on my stamp shelf way too long without use. It's called Never Ending Joy. I bought it when it was in the Spring Mini catalog years ago.

I pulled out my watercolor crayons and colored right on the rubber. I used Apricot Appeal and Regal Rose for the tulips and Mellow Moss and Always Apricot for the greenery. After coloring, I misted the stamp with some water and stamped on Whisper White cardstock. I cut out the image using my Coluzzle and my oval template. I pierced around the oval using my piercing tool. I cut out a slightly larger oval (using the companion oval template) on Pretty in Pink cardstock.

The basecard is Barely Banana (my new favorite color for the spring) stamped with the Floral BG stamp in Apricot Appeal ink. Using my Coluzzle and oval template, I cut out a larger oval. I used my white gel pen to dot around the edges of this oval. I stamped the sentiment (also from Never Ending Joy) in Always Artichoke ink. The bottom corners of the basecard are punched with the corner rounder punch. I added two pearls from the Pretties kit to the bottom left corner of the card for some visual balance and elegance.

I love the elegance of this card.....

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

More Birthday Wishes

Whew! Are you getting tired of seeing all these birthday cards? I hope not!!! I don't know about you, but I seem to send out more birthday cards than any other kind of card.


It's for that reason that I schedule "Birthday Stamp-a-Stacks" a couple times a year. My latest Birthday Stamp-a-Stack will be happening both tomorrow and Friday night.


This card design here is for the ladies. The colors are really subtle......hints of moss and blush. The bit of pop comes from the glitter on the flower blossoms.


stamp sets: Embrace Life, Hugs & Wishes Paper: Mellow Moss, Whisper White, Blush Blossom, Basic Black Ink: Basic Black, Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss Accessories: Photo Corner punch, moss narrow grosgrain, dazzling diamonds


Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

That's what little girls are made of. When I think of girly things, I automatically think pink. So designing this little girl's birthday card was a no brainer. It all starts with pink!!

I had a big task yesterday. I needed to finish my designs for my Birthday Stamp-a-Stack. That meant designing and implementing THREE cards. Oh no....the pressure.

This card came together the easiest of the three designs. I had the "Simply Said" stamp set still sitting on my stamping desk from a presentation I did last week. I just happened to look down and see this particular image....and the card design popped into my head. Gotta love when that happens, right?

I will show you the remainder of the designs as the week goes on. There's still room for you at my Birthday Stamp-a-Stack if you would like to join us. Email me for more details!!!

stamps: Simply Said, Polka Dot, Celebrate Everything

paper: Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Versamark

accessories: markers, white embossing powder, white gel pen, pink gingham ribbon

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Are you ready for a birthday?

You're not? Say what? You're all out of birthday cards? You definitely need to come to my Birthday Stamp-a-Stack this week.

I am holding two sessions. The first is Thursday night at 6:30pm. The second session is Friday night at 7:00pm. If you are interested in attending, I would love for you to send me an email (can be found on the right side of my blog). We can also arrange a stamp class by mail if you do not live in the Twin Cities area.

During this fun-filled class, we will be making 12 birthday cards. There will be 4 designs, and you will be making 3 cards of each design. There is a design for men, women, boys and girls.

So no more excuses. You will have a card for everyone!!!

This design here is for the guys. I am really happy with this design.....the layout, the colors......it's definitely a "guy" card!!!

stamp sets: Lovely as a Tree, Weathered, Print Pattern

paper: Choc Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

ink: Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard

accessories: small oval punch, sponges, copper brad

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Go Giants.......Go Giants!!!

I know this isn't stamping related, but this girl from New York recently transplanted to Minnesota is

SO STINKING PROUD OF THE NEW YORK GIANTS!!!!!!

Way to go guys!!!!! The Chesky's were screaming for you....jumping up and down in excitement!!!

The Superbowl champion hats have been ordered from QVC.........now trying to regain composure and a normal heart rate to attempt sleep tonight!!!

Until tomorrow.......Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Sorry for not posting yesterday. It was definitely a day from H-E-double hockey sticks. Let's see......I had to take the van in to get an oil change. Well, it needed more than an oil change. We needed new tires, a wheel alignment and front brake pads. Can we all say CHA-CHING??? Then, I started with a wicked stomach-ache.....UGH!!!! Even sipping ginger ale brought on the pain. Thank goodness that is gone this morning!!!

Okay, onto happier things. I want to show you this valentine card I designed for the ladies from the Feisty Women's Network. Hi ladies!!!! I wanted to show the women from this fun group how easy it is to make your own cards. They LOVED the card!!!

This card starts with a base of Rose Red cardstock stamped with the Paisley background stamp. When I demo'd to the group, I changed the BG to the Floral stamp. It looked equally as nice. The band is a layer of Regal Rose cardstock sponged with Rose Red ink. The sentiment, from Holidays & Wishes stamp set, is also stamped in Rose Red ink. I dotted the edges with my white gel pen. The focal image comes from the Simply Said stamp set. The solid heart is stamped in Regal Rose ink. The flower detailed image is stamped in Rose Red ink. Using my white gel pen, I colored in the smaller flowers and dotted the centers of the larger flowers. The image is punched out with my scallop circle punch. Each of the scallops are pierced with my piercing tool and sponged with my Rose Red ink pad. I used a dimensional to adhere the circle to the card. A length of Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon tied in a simple knot finishes this card.

I love simple yet beautiful cards!!!! I think this card fits right in this category!!!

I probably won't post tomorrow. It's Superbowl Sunday, and my guys are HUGE Giants fans!!!! I am SO hoping they win, and if they don't win, just don't let the Patriots crush them!!!!

P.S. I still didn't get a new camera......so the quality of this picture is still really poor. I apologize!!!

Until Monday.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!