Happy 2014!

I happen to be pretty glad that 2013 is over. It was a rough year personally for me. I am ready to put that year behind me and press on into this year with a renewed spirit and hopeful outlook.

One of my goals this year is to put some effort into my Stampin' Up! business and see what happens. This blog will be a large part of that effort, so in the coming weeks, I hope to refresh the look of this site as well as make sure I am up to date on all the features and techy aspects of a blog. I considered deleting many of the past posts, as they all seem to say "I'm really going to do it this time" and then it's months before another post just like that. But it's nice to see where I've come from. And honestly, it would be hard to post less than I have in the past, so that's an easy win right there.

I have a card to post as soon as I get the picture from the camera to the computer...something I am horrible at doing!

What are your crafty or business goals for 2014?

Coming Soon...part 2!

I did it... I signed up with Stampin' Up! again and will be having a workshop soon. My home office/stamp space is still a work in progress, but it's getting there. I should have some new projects posted soon.

I hope to start inspiring some papercrafting in my friends soon.

Coming soon...

I have been going crazy! All my stamping stuff is still packed up, my home office in an uproar. I took a break from being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator this summer. I am still deciding what is best for me and my family. I will be stamping again soon, whether I re-sign with SU! or not. I miss that creative outlet. Plus, my youngest is now in school, so I actually have some time at home alone! This next week will be an organizing frenzy, so then I can get back to crafting! See you soon.

Yay for 2010!

I love each and every new year. It is like January 1 is the official day that I can put the last 365 days behind me and move forward. So far, I'm not sure I've made much forward progress. But, it's only been 11 days, so I'm going to cut myself some slack and move on.



One of my stamping goals this year is to take part in the Scripture Challenge that is hosted by Patter at Triple the Scraps. There is a beautiful button she designed on the right side of this blog, so click it and read all about this amazing woman and see what she does with pretty paper! I actually started one of Patter's challenges last year. I made a 6x6 page. Everyone loved it. Guess I figured I should go out in style and didn't do any more! This year....progress. Just a little progress.



Another goal is to hold more workshops. Last year, I held a grand total of ONE. Shouldn't be too hard, except that I can't find a few hours that aren't booked up until next January.



And yes, if I've said it once..... well. I am going to blog more. We'll see.



Don't anyone hold your breath. Oh wait....maybe one of my goals should be to have an actual follower on this blog!!!

CC247 Elegant New Year

I made this card for the CC247 Color Combo challenge, which you can find HERE. Soft Suede, Basic Black, and Very Vanilla combine for such a warm, elegant feeling. Makes me want to dress up for a winter Ball and sip hot cocoa all at once.

This is the first time I have layered papers, then run them through the Big Shot with the Top Note Die. I've seen many cards on SCS and on blogs that use this technique, but had not tried it. It was super easy and makes such a great card layer. I'll be doing this more often. The Soft Suede layer was sent through the Big Shot beforehand with the Perfect Details Texturz plate. Again, not something I use a lot, but I'm going to start. I love the simple elegance an embossed layer adds.

Christmas will be here soon. I will be finishing up our Christmas cards, which I am making with My Digital Studio. I will also be stamping some gift tags and tins, which I will post soon.

Sketch Challenge 255

I submitted this card for the SC255. This card reminds me of my Grandma Little's kitchen when she lived in Arkansas. Very warm and country. I love the wood paper (Autumn Meadows DSP). The ribbon and the copper hardware were some I found in my accessories drawer, but it really made a difference in the look of the card.

The main image is from the Country Morning stamp set, which is one of our Level 1 Hostess sets. A qualifying workshop means this set is free!

Sketch challenges are a great way to try something different on your cards. I don't normally use this many layers, but it was fun to make this all work together and it turned out great!

Here is the sketch.....try it!

Color Challenge 245

Here is my submission for the Color Combo challenge #245 on SCS which you can find out more about HERE.

This combo uses Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, and Real Red. While this is a perfect color combo for Christmas, I am just not ready for that yet!!

I used the Seasons of Friendship stamp set, along with a sentiment from the Hope Happens set. The main image panel is popped up on dimensionals for depth. And I love the yummy Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon!

My Digital Studio now available!

Stampin' Up! has gone digital! Click HERE to learn more.

Visit my Stampin' Up website (link on the right) to see our August promotions! The Growth Chart is new from our Decor Elements line. And you'll love the Designer Buttons for all your crafting!

CAS25

This was my submission for the SCS challenge for Clean And Simple cards. We were to make a card based on the sketch card. I used the new SU! set Greenhouse Garden and love the images the 2-step stamping produced. This was a quick card to make, which for me, is a must for the CAS challenges. Find out more about this challenge HERE.

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden

Ink: Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo Stampin' Write markers

Paper: Whisper White (textured and smooth), Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP

Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot grosgrain ribbon (I used reversed side)

DC114 Let's CASE It!

I submitted this card for the SCS Demonstratable Cards challenge. We were to CASE a card from a current SU! catalog or mini. Find out more about the challenge HERE. I like how this turned out.

Stamps: Wild West Alpha, Baroque Motifs

Ink: Soft Suede and Melon Mambo Stampin' Write markers

Paper: Soft Suede, Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay cardstock

Accessories: Circle Rhinestone brad, Basic Black grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/4" Circle Punch

My 10 year old daughter liked my card so much that she CASE'd it. She used the Seriously Sassy stamp set and So Saffron and Lavender Lace cardstock. She did a great job!

CC226...again!

Ok, I did the color challenge again! Here is my newest creation, which uses a retired Stampin' Up! set called Seaside. This color combo really reminded me of the beach. Thanks for looking!

Color Combo creation- CC226

I am going to try to take part in more online challenges. Shouldn't be hard to do "more" since as of now, I take part in zero challenges.

This is the Splitcoast Stampers Color Combination #226. You can find out more about this challenge at CC226. This week's colors are Tempting Turquoise, Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel, and Apricot Appeal. I made a very quick and easy 4x4 card using two new sets: Medallion and Teeny Tiny Wishes. I did not use Apricot Appeal, and used a turquoise rhinestone brad in the center of the popped-up medallion. I may try this combo again, as I really think these are beachy colors and would look great with my retired Seaside set. I'm anxious to play with my new stuff though, so we'll see!

New stampin' stuff is here!

New stuff!







Yummy Polka-Dot ribbon







Medallion and Greenhouse Garden







Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

New Catalog Stuff

Some of my new goodies from the new 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog arrived! I love the ideas in this new catty. I sat down and created a card with the new Circle Circus set and the new In Colors.

And yes, those are Stampin' Write Markers in the new In Colors!!

My Hodgepodge Hardware is the old finish....I need the new Styled Silver finish. It would look great with this card.

Stamp sets: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive and Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pads; Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo and
Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write markers
Accessories: Crushed Curry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware

I love my blog. I can't prove it....but I do!

Guess it's time for a little love for my stamping blog. Seems I started this in 2007. I'll try not to wait two years between every project!

Tons has happened in two years. So much, in fact, that I'm not even going to try to post a bunch of stuff from the past. I'll just start over. I'll try to do some challenges and get some personal projects done. For now, I'll just give my blog some love by posting. :)

First order!

I got my first SU! order tonight. Yea! I have another friend that is supposed to come over later to put an order in too!! Since these orders were from a "sort of" open house I had, I will get the hostess bennies.

Lovin' this job!

Recipe box

I made this for the silent auction basket Maddy's class did at their school's Spring Fest. Their basket had a kitchen theme. I had so much fun making this!

MY blog

Ok, I have a website for Abby and a blog for the family, but now I am making one for ME!! I'm not really that selfish...I just needed a place to post some stamped stuff!!