I'm Still Here

I apologize for my lack of posting, but the kids have been off from school this week, and we've been busy!!! There hasn't been much time for stamping this week!!!


Next week is even crazier. I will try to post a few times, but I can't make any promises!!!


I hope you understand how crazy life is for me......don't give up on me!!!


Happy Stamping everyone!!

Tranquility

I love the tranquility of lighthouse images. I guess the reason could be that lighthouses are meant to lead you home with their beacon of light.

It's been a few years since Stampin' Up! offered a beautiful lighthouse image. I will never tire of my beloved Coast to Coast stamp set. This brand new stamp set, A Light Unto My Path, is another beauty. It's great for those people who do not like to color in their images. You see, since it's a solid image stamp it takes on the color of whatever ink it is inked up in.

For today's card, I decided to participate in this week's Color Challenge on SCS. The colors of the week are Soft Sky, Basic Gray and Whisper White.

The base card is Basic Gray. The Soft Sky layer is stamped with the sentiment (in Basic Gray ink) and then overstamped with Print Pattern in Soft Sky ink. I used the direct-to-paper technique to ink up the edges of the cardstock.

I added a band of Soft Sky, this time inked heavily with Soft Sky ink. A length of white Taffeta ribbon tied in a simple knot was the only embellishment needed on this layer.

The lighthouse is stamped in Soft Sky ink on Soft Sky cardstock. I also used to direct-to-paper technique to darken up the edges. I matted it twice....first in Basic Gray and then finally in Whisper White. I apologize for the quality of the photo. It's really hard to see the lighthouse in the photo. The result in person is stunning!!

Oh well, off to start another day with kiddos. We are expecting more snow tonight....only a few inches this time. The robins have finally arrived.......when will Mother Nature get the clue that it's supposed to be Spring (i.e. No More Snow!!!)!!

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

You Might Be My Lucky Star

Whoa.....80's flashback!! I was updating my Ipod, and I came across my Madonna playlist. Boy, does that bring back memories!!!

Anyway, the kids have off from school this week. That means my stamping play time is going to be here and there all week. I try to post in the mornings, but we'll see how that goes with the troops being home.

Today's card is another "guy" card. The combination of "In the Stars" and the Classic Stars jumbo wheel make a guy card a "no brainer".

The base card is Brocade Blue rolled with the Classic Stars jumbo wheel in Brocade Blue ink. The layers on the right are a combination of So Saffron (stamped with the Canvas BG stamp in Bravo Burgandy ink) and Bravo Burgandy. I added two lengths of Bravo Burgandy narrow grosgrain to add some "oomph" to this side of the card. The star (from In the Stars) is stamped on a scrap of Whisper White using Brocade Blue ink. I punched it out with the Large Star punch and mounted it with a dimensional. The final touch was adding the sentiment (stamped in Bravo Burgandy) and some brads. Voila.....another quick guy card!!!

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

The Quest

Did you ever taste a dish at a restaurant or bakery and decide that you wanted to recreate that dish at home?


As many of my blog readers know, my family moved from NY to MN in the summer of 2006. There were many NY foods that cannot be found here in MN: Drakes products (Yodels, Drakes Cakes, Devil Dogs), fabulous pizza, hard rolls. One of the items we miss the most is our birthday cakes. You see, there was a FABULOUS bakery in Poughkeepsie called The Pastry Garden. They had the most delicious buttercream frosting!!! So, since I've moved and they won't ship cakes (yes, I called), my quest has been to recreate Pastry Garden's Buttercream Frosting.


I am proud to say that after almost 2 years of trying, I have found a most delicious Pastry Garden-like frosting. I am going to share this awesome recipe with all my blog readers.


Best Buttercream Frosting EVER

1 stick Crisco
2 sticks unsalted butter, left at room temperature overnight
5 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp pure lemon extract
6 oz. whipping cream


Using your mixer (I have a Kitchen Aid stand mixer), whip the Crisco and unsalted butter at high speed for 5 minutes.


Slowly add the confectioner's sugar one cup at a time.


Add the salt, vanilla extract and lemon extract


Add the whipping cream.


Mix on high for at least 5 minutes until very fluffy.




I used this frosting on white cupcakes filled with lemon pie filling. I found that the icing tastes better when made the day before serving.


Since there is butter and whipping cream in the recipe, please refrigerate your leftover frosting and cakes.


I hope you give it a try......it really is delicious!!!!

Looking for a Sign of Spring

Things are always a little hectic the day before Easter. I have to hardboil all the eggs so we can get ready to dye them. I have to remember to take a picture of my husband's ugly egg (I spoke about this the other day). You can decide if you think its as hideous as I think it is.......

I'm also in charge of dessert. I am planning on making a lemon layer cake with buttercream frosting.

After the big drop of snow yesterday, I NEEDED to make a springy card. I decided to pull out one of my least used current stamp sets: Heartfelt Thanks.

I inked the flowers with Bashful Blue ink and stamped on a strip of Whisper White cardstock. I drew in the stems with my Certainly celery marker. I sponged the edges with Bashful Blue ink, pierced the two long sides and mounted on a strip of Certainly Celery cardstock.

The Bashful Blue basecard measures 4.25"x4.25". I stamped the base card with my Weathered BG stamp and heavily sponged the edges in Bashful Blue ink.

The sentiment is from Warm Words. It is stamped in Apricot Appeal ink on Apricot Appeal cardstock. I punched it with my large Oval punch, and ran the edges along my Apricot Appeal inkpad. I added some dots with my Apricot Appeal marker.

The final touch is a little flower from my Pretties Kit. I added a dab of mono multi in the center and put in some celery glass seed beads.

I hope everyone has a blessed Easter......enjoy the day!!!

March Comes in Like a Lion.......

and looks like it's going to go out an even

BIGGER lion. LOL!!!

Here is a picture of what my family woke up to this morning in Chaska, Minnesota. Yowza!!! At lunchtime, DH (still sick with pneumonia, mind you) trodded in the snow to measure. We are at 8 inches and still snowing strong!!! Of course, the kids have off from school today. DD would have liked to have a snow event like this on a schoool day (haven't had one snow day so far this year). Of course, she is sulking because we can't go to the mall!!! Such is the turmoil of a teenager!!

Yesterday was spent galavanting to Burnsville. Since we knew the snowstorm was coming, I picked up the ham from Honeybaked Ham so we would be all set for Easter dinner. Of course, while I was in Burnsville, I decided to explore Anchor Paper. I heard they had the Nestabilities in stock and wanted to see them in person. As you can see, I purchased some.

Here is the first card I made with my Nestabilities!! This Cutie Pie designer series paper is adorable. To think, I have owned this paper for months and didn't open it. SHAME ON ME!!!

This card was SO easy to make. It's a Certainly Celery base card. I kept it plain (versus using a BG stamp) so it wouldn't compete with the pattern in the Cutie Pie paper. The striped paper is mounted on a mat of Apricot Appeal. The bottom of the cupcake is stamped in Close to Cocoa ink on Whisper White cardstock. The frosting is half of a Scallop Circle punch. I sponged the edges of the frosting to make it look more 3D. I added a white gel pen highlight too. The focal image is sponged with Certainly Celery, some dots are hand-drawn along the edges and mounted on a slightly (1/8") larger piece of Apricot Appeal cardstock. All of that is mounted on a Rose Red rectangle scallop cut with my Nestabilities. A small bow of Apricot narrow grosgrain in attached in the upper right corner.

The buttons add a final touch to this adorable card!!!

Well, let's hope that the pizza delivery guy can make it to my house tonight. Otherwise, the troops will have to suffice with some macaroni and cheese.

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!

Whoa Oh! Livin' On a Prayer!!!

Oh yes! One of my dreams came true last night. I FINALLY got to see Bon Jovi in concert. I basically have a 1-900 phone number voice today from screaming my head off. It was THAT good.

Daughtry was the opening act. DS and I saw them when they opened for Nickelback in the fall of last year. We had a hard time hearing him the first time. They were completely awesome last night!!!

Bon Jovi then came on. Oh......he is still gorgeous. He has the best personality. A lot of the concerts nowadays are just loaded with curse words and inferences of sex. I think Jon swore once last night saying "he was too old for this %^$*" (after dancing around the stage like a crazy man). It was, by far, the best concert I have been to!!!

Thanks for letting me talk about my dream concert.

Make Your Own Easter Placecards

I {heart} the Food Network. Although Paula Deen is my favorite, I am also drawn to Sandra Lee's tablescapes. I have followed her advice and placed food trays on different levels on my serving table. It really does make a difference!!!

Sandra is also famous for making each place setting special for the guest. What's more special than a personalized homemade placecard? This one's specialer (as my niece would say) because it has chocolate tucked inside. YUM-O!!! I designed it to hold Hershey nuggets, but I don't have any of those in the house. So, I tucked in some Hershey Truffle Kisses instead. DOUBLE YUM-O!!

Here's the instructions to make the placecard:

1. Cut your Soft Sky cardstock to 3 1/8" x 6"

2. Score you cardstock at 2 ", 3 1/2" and 5 1/2"

3. On the center of the 2 1/2" panel, use your piercing tool to punch a hole about a 1/4" down

4. Punch a 1/2" circle out of a Certainly Celery scrap

5. Pierce a hole in the center of that 1/2" punched circle

6. Insert an Apricot Appeal brad in the hole in the punched circle and the hole in the placecard. Secure the brad.

7. Cut a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock to 7/8" x 3 1/8"

8. Pierce the top and bottom using your piercing guide and piercing tool

9. Write the name of your guest on the left side of this layer

10. Attach layer to placecard base

11. Stamp the focal image on watercolor paper with Black StazOn ink (I used the Easter basket image from Bunny Hugs. I apologize for using a retired stamp set, but I don't own any current Easter sets that would fit this design)

12. Watercolor the image with your aquapainter and reinkers

13. Punch focal image with 1 3/8" circle punch

14. Punch a Scallop Circle from a scrap of Pretty in Pink cardstock

15. Layer the circles together and attach left side of Scallop Circle to placecard base

16. Tie a length of Pretty in Pink narrow grosgrain around the 1/2" scored area

17. Use mini glue dots to secure the chocolates inside the placecard holder

The best part about this placecard design is that I can easily adapt it to any occasion I am having. I can completely picture it with the cherries from "Tart & Tangy" (Occasions mini catalog stamp set) and the coordinating "Summer Picnic" designer series paper. Oooohhh!!! Imagine the possibilities!!!!

I hope you found this tutorial helpful. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of my latest tutorial.

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping Everyone!!

Hippity Hoppity...Easter's On Its Way

Can you believe it is Easter this Sunday? Wow, it sure it early this year!!! I love Easter!!! I love coloring the eggs the night before. DH always gets the last egg to make the "ugly egg". You know, the egg that gets dipped in EVERY color. Every year it comes out to a disgusting brown or olive green. Ick!!!


I was playing around in my Stamping Studio today, and this is what popped into my mind. Everyone at Easter dinner is going to have one of these little placecards on their plate. The best part is what you can't see......three Hershey kisses tucked inside as an after-dinner treat!!


Tonight is a crazy night for me!! I will post the instructions for this little beauty tomorrow!!


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

An Oldie But Goodie

I didn't get a chance to stamp today as I am working on a tutorial.

So rather than leave you with nothing, I thought I would post an older creation.

Roses in Winter, although now retired, continues to be one of my all-time favorite stamp sets. I keep hoping a similar set will appear in the new catalogs.

recipe

stamp sets: Roses in Winter, Linen, Sincere Salutations

paper: Mellow Moss, Cameo Coral, Whisper White

ink: So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Pumpkin Pie, Mellow Moss

After a weekend of thawing snow piles, Mother Nature is once again gracing us with another snowstorm. I really just want it all to melt away!! I need flowers and budding trees.....soon!!!

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

It's So, So Sad

It's such a sad day. I can't believe Sale-a-bration is over tomorrow!!! Wow! Where did the time go?


It's also the final day to order my "Stamps by Mail" kit. All of the details can be found HERE. It really is a fabulous deal. You get all the Stampin' Up! product ($60 worth of product), the tax and shipping/handling and ALL the instructions/photos to make the SIX projects all for a class price of $75.00. Remember, you will get a second email a month later to make six more projects using a stamp set rather than the rub ons.


If you haven't made your Sale-a-bration purchases yet, there is still time. Simply email me your order, and I will send you a PayPal invoice. Once payment is received, I will place your order for you!!!


Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

My Turn to Take a Challenge

Everyone loves a good challenge!! Yesterday, I challenged my blog readers to use patterned paper on their cards. Today I took someone else's challenge. Beate Johns always posts a weekend sketch challenge. I often do not get a chance to play, but today I did!!

Once again, I found myself drawn to some of my new patterned paper. As I was looking at the different patterns in the Bali Breeze pack, I was drawn to this geometric pattern. Now, to find a stamp set to use with it. I knew the rocket from Pun Fun would look amazing so I got down to business.

I pulled out my watercolor paper and stamped the image with Black StazOn. I used the colors from the patterned paper for my focal image. Coloring is easy and vibrant when using my reinkers and aquapainter. After the image dried, I sponged the edges with Pumpkin Pie ink. The focal image was then mounted on a piece of Rose Red cardstock.

The base card is Taken with Teal. Following the sketch, I added a layer of the geometic paper matted on a layer of Pumpkin Pie. I added some 1/2" circle punches with Old Olive brads in the center and a sentiment all using Rose Red to pull the card together.

A few touches of that fabulous Old Olive Polytwill ribbon was all that was needed to finish off the card.

I'm off to the mall with my friend Kim, her daughter and my lovely DD. We're on the quest for decent fitting jeans.....see ya in a month!!!

The Evolution of a Stamper

Have you noticed a natural progression in how you stamp? As you become more comfortable with the hobby you also start to become more adventurous.

I've been scrapbooking for 10 years (although I don't really don't scrap for myself as much as I should) and stamping for 5 years. So that means I have accumulated A LOT of patterned paper over the years. Although I own all that gorgeous paper, I really didn't start using it in my card projects until this past year.

This is where the progression comes in. My stamping friend April and I were just discussing this very topic at my Techniques class last week. She never used patterned paper on her cards until she started attending my classes. I guess as a stamper you assume that you need to stamp everything. As you get more comfortable and get exposed to different parts of the art, you try new things (i.e. adding patterned paper to your projects). It's amazing to see what happens.....we go wild with ribbon, paper flowers, Hodgepodge Hardware kits, brads, buttons, etc.....

So, here's your homework.....make a card using all that patterned paper that you are hoarding. Post a link so I can take a peek.

recipe

stamp sets: True Friend, One of a Kind, Canvas

ink: More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

paper: More Mustard, Bravo Burgandy, Bali Breeze DSP

accessories: markers, Vintage brads, ticket corner punch, Coluzzle, Crafter's Tool Kit, sponges

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Ready, Stamp, Recycle

I admit it. I am one of those "naggy" people who get annoyed when you run the faucet when brushing your teeth, when DH shaves and especially when you run the shower and you're not ready to get in. Wanna put me over the edge? Yup, just go playing with excess water!!!

I'm not a total "go green" nut, but I believe that we can take simple steps to help out. One of those ways is recycling!!

Did you know that we can recycle everyday items into fabulous gifts? Just think of all those Frappucino bottles that were cleaned, altered and filled with all that candy over the holidays!!!

The recycled item I am showcasing today came from Walmart. It holds a calendar very much in the "Thomas Kinkade" style. I went to Walmart hoping that they would sell just the refills for the calendar, but they didn't. You have to buy a whole new set every year. So, I decided to keep the old "frame" and stamp an insert!!!

I started by measuring the insert (4"x6"). I then needed to go through my stamp stash to find a stamp that would match the style on the little note pad. I just purchased "Always" and thought it would be a perfect fit for my project!! I started with my Whisper White piece of cardstock for my focal image. I stamped the large flourish from Baroque Motifs with Versamark. I sprinkled on some White Embossing Powder and heated it. The embossed white on white almost gives it a dry embossed look. It is VERY elegant!! You have to try it!!!

I then took a scrap of Bashful Blue and heat embossed the large heart from "Always" also using my white embossing powder. I handcut the heart and attached to the focal image with dimensionals. I wrapped a length of Bashful Blue narrow grosgrain and added a dangling charm made from a 3/4" Bashful Blue circle, a flower stamped in Bashful Blue ink and embellished with a tiny pearl.

I debated about adding more, but decided to keep it simple. There is so much "going on" in the note pad that I didn't want to compete with it, KWIM?

I think stampers are the best kind of recyclers!! Our minds are always looking at things and seeing how we can make them pretty. We are the queens of the $1 spots, aren't we?

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

Stamping and Scrapbooking in Chaska

There's still time to sign up for my "Chips and Dip" Stamp Camp. The class is this Friday, March 14th at 7:00pm in my Chaska, MN home. If you live near the Twin Cities and want a fun Girls' Night Out, send me an email.

The projects are fabulous if I do say so myself (two of the projects are shown on the two previous posts). We'll be learning all about chipboard, sticky letters, glitter, embossing powders, etc......

I hope to hear from you!!!!!

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

Do You Feel Chipper About Chipboard???

Isn't this little tote bag adorable? We made something very similar to this at Convention. I tweaked it a little bit to make it a little more "Patti" style.


One of the benefits of attending Convention is the ability to purchase kits to share with our stamping friends. The boxes and the chipboard were both part of these kits we were offered. I know.....it took me long enough to use them, right?


My goal is to teach my customers (aka my stamping friends) how to use items they wouldn't necessarily use. I think the big catalog is very overwhelming to most people. Let's face it, there are a lot of products that people may not know how to use. That's where your demonstrator comes into the picture. It's our job to answer your questions and teach you how to use these fabulous products that may not look so fabulous in the catalog.


One of the products that look kinda boring in the catalog is the chipboard collection. I know what a lot of people think......"Great, what in the heck do I want with shapes cut into paper that looks like the inside of a cereal box?". First of all, the material is fabulous. It is WAY better than any kind of cardboard material. It's wonderfully thick!!! Second of all, there's so many different ways to use it. If you explore each of these, you will never be bored with using your chipboard.


For this project I chose to "paint" it with my So Saffron craft pad. It's a matter of using my sponge daubers to apply the color. After the ink dried, I showed how I could "grunge" it up with sponging on some Close to Cocoa ink. I even added some dots using my Stampin' Write markers.


See, it no longer looks like the inside of the cereal box!!! If you are in need of a demonstrator that will show you how to use the products you purchase, I would be honored to be that demonstrator. If you are using all the items you purchase time and time again, then I know I've done a good job!!! I'm here to help!!! Send me an email so we can touch base.


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

Chippin' and Dippin'

Oh.....chips and dip......what a diet killer!!!! It's a good thing this week's Stamp Camp is dealing with zero calorie chips and dip.

That's right......my "Chips and Dip" Stamp Camp is all about:

• chipboard
• new glitter
• sticky letters
• embossing powder

Sounds like fun, right? Well, if you live near the Twin Cities and you're available on Friday night, send me an email. I'd love to "talk" to you!!!

This project is one of the projects we are making. It is so sparkly in real life. Of course, the glitter is my favorite color!!! This card just screams "Spring". We're supposed to be in the 40's tomorrow!!! Wahoo.....break out the tank tops and shorts!!!!

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

Make your St. Paddy's Day "Unfrogettable"

I'm a "wee" bit Irish, but I don't own any St. Patrick's Day stamps. I wanted to make an unfrogettable card celebrating my heritage. This is what I came up with.


Isn't he cute?????


This is actually the card we made at last week's Technique Class. We learned many techniques that night....masking, faux clouds, paper piecing, how to make shamrocks with hearts and direct-to-paper.


The Barely Banana base card is stamped with my Polka Dot BG stamp using Barely Banana ink. I used the direct-to-paper technique on the edges of the base card.


The Certainly Celery layer was stamped with the little heart from the Unfrogettable set multiple times to make the shamrock. I used my marker to draw in the little stem. I overstamped this layer with my Canvas BG stamp and sponged the edges in Certainly Celery ink. I punched two Cameo Coral photo corners, dotted the edges with the white gel pen and adhered to the top and bottom left corners of the layer.


I used the Faux Clouds technique to start the design of my focal image. I then stamped the frog, masked him, and stamped the mushroom. The frog is actually paper pieced with some Certainly Celery Designer Prints paper. The googlie eyes were added to give him some animation.


The ladies loved the froggie!!!


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

Stamp Sets for Sale

My Stampin' Up! Garage Sale is over, and I still have lots of stuff left over.

I posted everything on sale HERE.

If you are interested in something, let me know!!!!

Enjoy the rest of your evening!!!

A Pocket Full of Posies

I love pocket cards. Is it the surprise factor.....not knowing what's the hidden message on the insert? Who knows?

This card is one of the designs from my Stamps by Mail kit. I just love the flexibility of the rub ons. Did you notice how fabulous the rub-ons look on ribbon? I am SO excited about this product. There are really some garbage rub-ons on the market. I am PROUD that Stampin' Up! is carrying such an easy to use and trendy product. Way to go!!!

There is still time to order my Stamps By Mail kit. Due to the use of the Sale-a-bration rub-ons, this class is only available until March 16th.

Today is my Stampin' Up! garage sale. Whatever I do not sell, I will list here on my blog for my readers.

Enjoy your weekend!!!!

If It Would Only Look Like Spring

Let's be brutally honest......it's STILL really cold here in MN. Weather Channel reminded me that it was -12 when I clicked on the tv. I just want Jack Frost to hear this message okay......

THIS MINNESOTAN WANTS HIM TO LEAVE.....NOW!!!!

I've been making all these Spring cards to drop a hint.....and nothing!!!!

Okay, enough of the cold-weather whining!!! Onto this springy card.

I went back to the basics.....to a tried but true technique....Poppin' Pastels.

I just purchased this awesome Pretty Petals background stamp. I inked it up with Versamark and started pouncing on some color using my sponge daubers and chalk pastels. I started with the flowers (Almost Amethyst) followed by the butterflies (So Saffron) and finally the foliage (Certainly Celery).

The focal image is stamped on Whisper White using my So Saffron ink pad. The edges are sponged with the So Saffron ink pad as well. The sentiment is stamped with Basic Black.

I added a touch of narrow Celery grosgrain and some tabs using my Word Window punch. A few So Saffron brads finish this springy card!!!

Easy yet beautiful is a wonderful thing..........

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

My First "Stamps By Mail" Kit....Check It Out!!!

Do you love to make cards and fabulous gift projects but hate to design them yourselves?

If your answer is "yes", I have the solution for you. Purchase my first "Stamps By Mail" kit. Unfortunately, this offer is only available to those people living in the United States. Stampin' Up! does not allow us demonstrators to sell to people outside of our own country.

The details for this kit can be found on my Classes and Events page. As one of the main design elements are the Sale-a-bration Love and Happiness rub ons, the only way to purchase this class is through PayPal. A "Buy Now" button is provided for you in the right sidebar on my Classes and Events blog page.

This is truly a limited class......all orders need to be placed by March 16th!!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

When You Dream....Dream Big!!!

Everyone loves to dream big!! For some people that means winning the lottery for others that dream can be getting a good grade on a Geometry quiz. Well, for whatever your dream may be, this card helps you celebrate it!!!

Stampin' Up's theme at last year's Convention was "Dream Big". With thousands of demonstrators all together, all celebrating the same passion for stamping, trust me.....we were all dreaming big!!! I can't wait for Convention this year. My roomie isn't pregnant this time, and I already warned her that I wanted to tour Salt Lake City. That means you Jenn!!!

Have you ever thought about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and joining us at Convention? During Sale-a-bration, signing up has never been easier. The starter kit is on special for $159. Wow!!! You also get to pick an additional stamp set (your choice, any price) for FREE!!! Wow times two!!! I would love for you to join my team. I am used to being a long-distance demo as the rest of my team in in NY. I reside in MN. I can provide references if you want to speak to my downline. If you have any questions at all, feel free to email me. My email is plchesky@comcast.net.

This card is all about dreaming big. It uses my brand new "In the Stars" stamp set. This stamp set is in the Occasions Mini, and it is DIE CUT. Woo hoo!! Talk about dreaming big....I can assemble these stamps lickety-split and stamp within minutes!!!!

Now onto how I made this beauty...........

The base card is Bordering Blue. I wheeled the Bravo Burgandy layer with my Classic Stars wheel (love this wheel) with Bravo Burgandy ink. The edges of the layer were sponged with Bravo Burgandy ink as well. A brad was added to the top left corner.

The So Saffron layer was stamped with the polka-dotted star stamp and sponged with So Saffron ink. A brad was added to the top right corner.

I laid some twill under the two layers before adhering to the card. The twill tape was then tied in a simple knot.

I added a Night of Navy layer (pierced along the top and bottom edges). A length of Bravo Burgandy narrow grosgrain is wrapped around this too!

The "dream big" star was stamped with Bordering Blue ink on a scrap of Very Vanilla. I cut it out and used dimensionals to pop it off the card.

Well that's enough of the jibba jabba for today.......I need to vacuum up all this dog hair......I wish she would let me vacuum her!!!!

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

Have You Seen the New Occasions Mini Catalog?

I {heart} this new mini catalog!!! The new additions to the Stampin' Up! family are FABULOUS!!!!

What's not to love?

- gorgeous rubber stamps

- easy to transfer rub ons

- soft supple PolyTwill ribbon (in both Olive and CHOCOLATE....yeah!!!)

- brand new Hodgepodge Hardware kit

- amazing die cut blooms

- beautiful double-sided patterned paper

What's your favorite item from the mini catalog? I can't wait to show you all the things this catalog has to offer!!!

If you do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like to place an order, send me an email. I would love to be your demonstrator!!!!

My First Official "Stamps By Mail" Kit

I am SO excited about my first official "Stamps By Mail" offering. This offer is only available to people living in the U.S. and only until March 16th as one of the design elements is the Sale-a-bration Love and Happiness Rub Ons.

For a price of $75 (including shipping and tax), you receive the following Stampin' Up! products:

One full pack of Kraft 8.5" x 11" cardstock (40 sheets)

One full pack of Chocolate Chip 8.5" x 11" cardstock (24 sheets)

One full pack of Rose Red 8.5" x 11" cardstock (24 sheets)

One roll of Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

One "Build a Flower" Accents and Elements tin

One "Flower Fusion" Accents and Elements tin

One container of Silver Brads

FREE: Sale-a-bration Love and Happiness Rub-ons

(Some items I used on the projects are not included in the price (i.e. sponges, Ticket Corner punch, Crafter's Tool kit, mini glue dots, Close to Cocoa Classic Stampin' Pad). If you do not own these items, you do not need to use them or feel free to substitute items you already own. You can also add these items to your order as well. If your merchandise total is $100 or over, you will qualify for another Sale-a-bration set. Any merchandise order of $150 or over entitles you to hostess benefits and a third Sale-a-bration set!!!

These products will be sent directly to your home from Stampin' Up!

You will also receive an email from me containing all directions and tons of photos to make SIX different cards and projects all lovingly and creatively designed by me. These projects all focus on the Sale-a-bration Love and Happiness Rub Ons.

I realize that the Rub Ons will eventually run out and you will have LOTS of leftover cardstock, ribbon, Accents and Elements and brads. So, the following month, anyone who purchases this kit will receive a second email containing EVEN MORE projects using the same cardstock colors and embellishments but with the use of a stamp set. If you do not own the stamp set, I would be more than happy to order it for you and have it sent directly to your home. Just send me an email when the time comes.

If I have piqued your interest, please send me an email to sign up. As there is a time constraint with the end of Sale-a-Bration quickly approaching, my preferred method of payment is PayPal. I am also available to answer any questions you may have. My email is plchesky@comcast.net.

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

I'm Sorry.....So Sorry!!!!

I am a bad, bad blogger this week. I haven't been posting, but I have some really valid excuses. First, we got a new car this week. The Honda dealership we worked with does not install the accessories you order until after you purchase the vehicle. So, my brand new Pilot was in the shop getting all the accessories in. That means I was stuck with a rental car for a day and a half. The kids had off yesterday due to teacher's workshops......so you know NO stamping was accomplished yesterday!!! We had a great time...so it was all worth it!!! We even came home and watched an old Disney movie yesterday. I haven't seen Hercules in years. So much fun!!!

Then it's been a crazy Tae-kwon-do week so far. A midterm testing and a tournament for DS. DS did a fantastic job on both. He's within a few months of testing for his 2nd degree black belt, and he placed 1st in Forms and 3rd in Sparring. He chose not to compete in weapons at this tournament!!!!

Finally, I've been working REALLY hard on revamping how I run my business. I am reformulating my newsletters. That has been a full time job for the past couple of days. I don't think I have stamped since Wednesday (yes, I AM going through withdrawal).

I am also currently working on a fabulous Stamps By Mail offering. It is so completely gorgeous I just can't stand it. I will have all the details announced by the beginning of the week.

I will have something to post tomorrow.........I pinky swear!!!!

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!