BIG NEWS!!!!!

HUGE...GIGANTIC...SUPER FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!!

OK ~ I'm calm now. I can finally let the cat out of the bag and tell you about a new stamp company called OUR CRAFT LOUNGE. The launch of their first 14 stamp sets will be this Friday, November 14th! Woohooo!

Sooooooooo...wanna have a sneak peek of a few sets? {Like I didn't know that answer would be yes}...

This first set is called Pat the Good Dog ~ isn't he totally adorable (actually she in this case)? There are ton's of great supporting images and sentiments in this sweet set!

Here is another larger image from the same set ~ the dog bone is empty so you can put whatever sentiment you want inside. HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!

The next set is called Pat the Dog ~ it totally matches Pat the Good Dog and all the pieces and sentiments work together.

So there are my first three sneak peeks ~ totally FUN! If you want to see more cards from this great new company, check out the following blogs that will be posting at some point today:
Cambria ~ Bevie ~ Heather ~ Pam ~ HB ~ Kisa ~ Lisa ~ Lana ~ Lila ~ Joanne ~ Joy ~~ and I'll have a few more blogs to add as the day goes on...

OH WAIT ~ THERE'S MORE! ~ Don't miss out on the grand opening prize drawings!! If you make a purchase the grand opening weekend of Our Craft Lounge (Friday, Saturday and Sunday ~ November 14, 15 & 16th), you will get one pink ticket included in your order for each stamp set you purchase! Hold on to these tickets because OCL will start choosing winners the following weekend (November 21st to 23rd), and every weekend until December 1st. You never know when a new ticket number winner will show up on the front page of our site so check in to see what the prizes are, but trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Blog Candy Alert...

Don't forget to check the following Design Team blogs for some delicious candy! Merry, Sarah, and Cathleen all have candy going on this week from Kate over at i{heart}papers! I'll have candy next week...shhhhhhhhh, but you didn't hear that from me! LOL!

Christmas Cheer...

AAAAACCCCCCKKKKK...I can't tell you how much I don't like this time of year! It's freezing cold here & it's dark and gloomy. Because of that, my pictures are not turning out very well these past few days ~ sorry about that! If anyone can recommend a good light box for photography, please leave me a comment ~ I would really appreciate it.

OK ~ on to the post. My cards for today were actually make and take projects last summer at CHA. I was thrilled to be able to sit there with Jennifer McGuire of Hero Arts ~ one of my stamping heroes! We made both of these cards and then she had leftover supplies so today I decided to make this cute little nugget tin to match.

The stamp set is by Hero Arts and is called Jolly Christmas. The Nugget tin uses snowflakes from the Winter's Butterfly set also by Hero Arts. These items are all available from i{heart}papers!

Excuse the cross-eyed penquin please! The eyes got all messed up and I just couldn't get him to look right. He's kind of silly isn't he?

Supplies from i{heart}papers ~

Ink ~ Palette Noir and New Canvas

Stamps ~ Hero Arts Jolly Christmas & Winter's Butterfly

Nugget Tins

10 Easy Steps ...

...to making great personalized Christmas gifts! Isn't that what we all need right now? Easy and inexpensive gifts for the upcoming gife giving season. Well, I whipped up these super easy (and pretty) monogram cards in about 30 minutes yesterday.

These fabulous monogram stamps are by Just Rite Stamps from i{heart}papers. The boxed set is called the Elegant Font and comes with 3 borders, 2 sizes of the font and a wood stamp holder ~ all for only $19.95! These stamps are so easy to use and would make the perfect wedding set, thank you note, or some pretty note cards. Just click on the link above and you can see the entire set!

The beautiful paper is by Daisy D's (Snowflakes & Holly 8x8 pad) from i{heart}papers. The pad of paper comes with 12 different designs & a total of 24 sheets (2 of each design). The papers are so soft and pretty; just perfect for those who love vintage.

So I'll bet you are just dying to know those 10 easy steps ~ well here you go:
1. Cut a standard card base in blue cardstock and score at 4 1/4".
2. Trim a white piece of cardstock 5 1/4" x 4".
3. Trim pattern paper just a bit smaller than the white cardstock & attach it to the white cardstock.
4. Tie a white ribbon around the pattern paper and tie a nice knot on the front of the card.
5. Attach to the card base.
6. Stamp the Just Rite monogram image on white cardstock with pigment ink & emboss with clear embossing powder.
7. Cut out the stamped image with a 2" circle Nestabilities & Cut scallop circle with Nestabilities & attach to stamped image.
8. Attach image to card with foam dots.
9. Stamp matching monogram on to envelope.
10. Make 6 to 8 cards total & box them up in a clear card box.

There you have it ~ 10 easy steps to making a personalized Christmas present.

Supplies are from i{heart}papers!

Clear Card Boxes
Stamps: Just Rite Elegant Monogram set
Paper: Daisy D's Snowflakes & Holly 8x8 paper pad
Nestabilities: Classic Circles Small & Scallop Circles Large

So are ya interested in a little CANDY???? Hop on over to Cathleen's blog for an assortment of gorgeous ribbon from i{heart}papers!

Family Calendar...part 2

And here is part 2 of my family calendar post...

April had to be an Easter page!

May's page uses the beautiful new Bella Rose paper.

And a fun June page to commerate Matt's favorite thing ~ ride the coasters as Cedar Point!

Tomorrow ~ another post using some great products from i {heart} papers!

Family Calendar...part 1

It's that time of year again when I begin working on our family calendars for this year's Christmas presents. Well this time around, I had an added bonus. I incorporated my family calendar with my stamp club project. Woohooo!

Last night I had 8 ladies over to work on their own calendars. They all enjoyed the class and left with 12 completed scrapbook pages (minus the photos) and a preprinted 2009 calendar to put them on. I kept the stamping to a minimum so they could finish all 12 pages (and they did). I have a great group of ladies who come to stamp ~ thanks ladies, I had a blast!

This first page (for January) uses the new Baja Breeze textured cardstock and the Designer series Ski Slope paper from Stampin' Up! I also added a felt snowflake and rhinestone brad.

February's sweet page includes just a few pieces of the Bella Rose pattern paper on the new Pink textured cardstock and highlights the large wide oval and small oval punch. As a nice touch, I used 2 stacked flowers from the new Flower Fusion felt flowers set & attached them with a pink brad.

The page for March was super simple too. I used the new In Color Kiwi Kiss with the Hawaii Papaya Designer Series paper. Then using the 5-petal flower punch I punched out two flowers, stacked them and added a stamped flower to the center. Easy Peasy...

A note about my calendars ~ I always make scrapbook pages and add them on the calendar pages later. Why? 1) They are easier to work with; 2) I like using textured cardstock; and 3) when the year is over, the pages can be taken off the calendar and put inside a scrapbook. I give my calendars as gifts each year and every few years I give the recipiant a new scrapbook so they can add the pages to it. It's a great way to save the work & it will be enjoyed for years to come.

Tune in tomorrow for the next three calendar pages...

Inchie Friday ~ It's an Inchie Book for Fall!

Welcome back to Inchie Friday! Today's Inchie Arts project is a mini fall photo album. Well "album" is probably a stretch, but it does have some fun photos inside! I used the Mini Accordion Book Kit from Inchie Arts (product information is below).

This cute little photo book was super fast and easy to put together. I found four photos that I took during the month of October & actually printed them all on one 4"x6" sheet. Then added them to every other page of the little accordian book. On the opposite sides, are four fall images on Inchie squares.

This first page is a photo I took of some mums in my front yard on a bright sunny day. For the Inchie square, I used the leaf border stamp and the Itty Bitty acorn.


Next we have a photo of some of the apple sauce and apple~tomato relish we canned this fall. For the Inchie, I used a full size stamp and stamped just a portion onto the Inchie square.

Well I had to use this picture of the "Pumpkin Guts" for 2008! On the Inchie square, I again used the leaf borner and the Itty Bitty pumpkin.

And on the last page of the accordian book, I used a picture from last week's Halloween festivities. On the Inchie square, I used the cute little Itty Bitty scarecrow.

This is how the book looks when it's opened up. I used the Mini Accordion Book Kit from Inchie Arts. Included in this book kit: the supplies to create 3 pre-folded accordion books. 2 in khaki; each with 16 panels and 1 in black with 32 panels. Each panel measures 1 5/8” wide X 2” tall. There are also 6 pre-cut covers included. Create your own inchie alphabet or use images to tell a story or create a visual narrative. Decorate the cover boards with papers, beads, ribbons and other mini embellishments. Note: The photo and description of the Mini Accordion Book Kit were taken directly from the Inchie Arts Product discription.

Supplies Used: Inchie squares ~ Inchie Arts; Mini Accordion Book ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ Bazzill; Ink ~ Palette & Copics; Stamps ~ Hero Arts (alphabet) & Lockhart Stamp Company; Ribbon ~ Michael's; Scallop Square Punch ~ SU.

New Riley Stamps...

Wooohoooo... two new Riley Moose stamps will be released tomorrow along with 4 new Hanna sets. First off, Riley is totally overdosing on Chocolate ~ I think that was all of us last week with Halloween.


And then on the second card, Riley is sooooooo not happy about doing the ironing. Yes that would be me! I DON'T iron. In fact, about only time I get my iron out is if a craft project is involved. Now don't get me wrong, I don't like wrinkled clothes. I practically pounce on my dryer when the buzzer goes off so I can get the clothes out and hung up and neatly folded. You won't find piles of clean, unfolded clothes in my house or in my dryer. Yes, all because I hate to iron!

Don't forget tomorrow is Inchie Friday!

Supplies Used: Stamps ~ Hanna Stamps (Riley Collection, Things Riley Would Say); Card #1: Cardstock ~ SU; Pattern Paper ~ The Paper Studio; Nesties; Palette Ink & Copics; Ribbon/Flower/Brad ~ SU. Card #2: Cardstock ~ SU; Pattern Paper & Buttons ~ SEI; Nesties; Ribbon ~ SU.

It's a boy...

Well, it's for a boy! No babies here ~ that's for sure! Here is another new set that Hanna Stamps will be releasing this Friday, November 7th. Cute, cute, cute!

Don't forget to check out the other Hanna Stamps Designers blogs & the Splitcoast gallery for more sneak peeks & fabulous creations.

Supplies Used: Stamps ~ Hanna Stamps (B is for Baby & Everyday Sentiments); Cardstock ~ SU & PTI; Ink ~ Palette & Copics; Brads ~ SU; Ribbon ~ May Arts; Safty Pin ~ Chatterbox.

BLOG CANDY ALERT! And don't forget this week's blog candy for i {heart} papers ...take a look at Carolyn's AND Amber's blogs.

Groovy Hanna...

Far out, Groovy, Get Out! It's a flashback Hippy Hanna!! This week Hanna Stamps will release this super fun retro Hippy Chick set ~ complete with Lava Lamp, Peace sign & of course a totally groovy Hanna!

Supplies Used: Stamps ~ Hanna Stamps (Hippy Chick); Cardstock ~ SU; Pattern Paper & Buttons ~ SEI (Hippy Chick); Ink ~ Palette & Copics.

GO VOTE TODAY!!!

Get Well Hanna...

Well Hanna may be sick, but I think she still looks pretty good! This is one of the new sets being released this Friday from Hanna Stamps! Isn't she cute?

Don't forget to check out the other Hanna Stamps Designers blogs & the Splitcoast gallery for more sneak peeks & fabulous creations.

Supplies Used: Hanna Stamps (Get Well Hanna); Ink ~ Palette & Copics; Cardstock ~ Stampin' Up!; Pattern Paper ~ American Crafts; Buttons ~ SEI.

BLOG CANDY ALERT! And don't forget this week's blog candy...take a look at Carolyn's AND Amber's blogs.

Quick, Fun Cards...

Well here is a rare surprise...two posts in one day!

This week I received my first i {heart} papers package & I really wanted to get something posted using my fun new toys.

This fun Hero Arts set is called Playful Animals ~ you should see all the fun little animals and sentiments in this set!

i {heart} papers Supplies:
Stamp set - Hero Art (Playful Animals) ;
Oval Nestabilities; Ink ~ Palette Noir;
Glitter Pen ~ atyou Spica Clear Glitter Pen.


BLOG CANDY ALERT! ~ my fellow Design Team member, Carolyn Mustopa, is giving away some blog candy from i {heart} papers ~ it's a gorgeous stamp set from Inkadinkadoo called Winter Shapes. Her candy runs through Friday, November 7th. ALSO, there will be LOTS more blog candy this month ~ so keep checking back for announcements.

One Last BOO!

I should have put these up yesterday, but I needed to share my Thanksgiving table setting for Lizzie Anne Designs. So today, one last Halloween post for this year!

I love Halloween, so I was excited to find time to make some special treats. We had a neighborhood potluck supper before the kids went trick-or-treating & the my kids helped me make some fun BOO Cupcakes.


Here are my little gobblins ~ Matt was Anikin Skywalker & Megan was Elphaba (aka The Wicked Witch of the West) from the musical WICKED.

She's about the prettiest witch I've ever seen!

I couldn't get much of a smile out of this guy!

Hot Cocoa Packets using my Lizzie Anne Designs Spooked stamp set. However, it was 60 outside, so we sure didn't need them this year!

Fun little BOO TO YOU! Cupcakes

Some cupcake boxes for friends!

Thanksgiving Table...

I'm super happy with today's project! I made this Thanksgiving table setting back in September for Lizzie Anne's project of the month and needed to wait until today to post everything. That was a super long wait!!!!

Included in my table setting are: A paper pumpkin centerpiece, place cards, a menu and napkin rings. I made everything using the Happy Harvest stamp set by Lizzie Anne.

Napkin Ring

Supplies: Stamps -Happy Harvest; Cardstock – Bazzill; Ink – Palette & Copic Markers; Brads – Making Memories.
Instructions:
1. Cut vanilla cardstock 1” x 6” – 1 piece for each guest you are expecting.
2. Stamp leaf border on each piece of vanilla cardstock in dark brown ink & color with Copic markers.
3. Cut textured rust cardstock 1 ¼” x 6”
4. Cut textured dark brown cardstock 1 ½” x 6”
5. Attach vanilla to rust and then to dark brown cardstock.
6. Use strong adhesive to the inside end of one site and attach to the other end so it makes a circle.
7. Punch 2 holes with 1/8” punch and attach brads to make sure the napkin ring holds together.



Menu
Supplies: Stamps – Happy Harvest; Cardstock – Bazzill; Ink – Palette & Copic Markers; Font – Papryus (Word); Brads – Making Memories; Ribbon – May Arts.

Instructions:
1. Type menu in word processing program and print on vanilla cardstock leaving enough room to stamp images between a few of the lines. Trim to 8 ¼” x 5”
2. Stamp images on menu in dark brown ink and color with Copic markers.
3. Cut two pieces of vanilla cardstock (1 ¼” x 5”) & stamp leaf border in dark brown ink. Color with Copic Markers.
4. Attach leaf border to dark brown textured cardstock & rust textured cardstock.
5. Attach leaf borders to the menu with square brads to the corners of each border.
6. Mat menu on rust and dark brown textured cardstock.
7. Attach a knotted brown ribbon to the top of the menu with a glue dot.

Paper Pumpkin Centerpiece - PULLED FOR PUBLICATION
Pumpkin Supplies: Pattern Paper: Heidi Grace (4 different patterns of 2-sided paperJ); Brads – Making Memories; Ribbon & Linen Thread – May Arts.
Tag Supplies: Stamps -Happy Harvest; Cardstock – Bazzill; Ink – Palette & Copic Markers; Eyelet - Making Memories

Pumpkin Instructions:
1. Cut 12 strips of pattern paper 1 ½” x 12” (use 4 different patterns of 2-sided pattern paper).
2. Stack them in the order you want so that the patterns alternate. Make sure the first and last pieces are not the same pattern.
3. Using a Crop-a-dile, punch one hole at each end through the entire stack.
4. Use brads through the punched holes attach them.
5. Slightly bend them in the middle and fan them out until they form a perfect pumpkin shape. The brads will be at the top & base of the pumpkin.

Pumpkin Stem:
1. Take 2 pieces of ribbon each about 8” long.
2. Make a loop in the ribbon and wrap linen thread around the ribbon about 2” down from the loop.
3. Knot the linen thread & then take 2 more longer pieces of thread and knot them around the stem.
4. Attach the stem to the top of the pumpkin with glue dots. Let the threads drape down the pumpkin for the vines.

Tag:
1. Cut a scalloped rectangle (dark brown) from Nestabilties & a vanilla rectangle.
2. Stamp leaf in dark brown ink & color with Copic Markers & attach to the dark brown piece.
3. Stamp “Happy Harvest” sentiment.
4. Punch a 1/8” hole in the corner of the tag & set a matching eyelet. Attach the tag with the linen thread already on the pumpkin.

Place cards
Supplies: Stamps -Happy Harvest; Cardstock – Bazzill; Ink – Palette & Copic Markers; Font – Papryus (Word); Hardware/Brads – Making Memories; Linen Thread – May Arts; Scallops and Circles – Nestabilities.

Instructions:
1. Cut circles (vanilla and rust) and scalloped rectangle (dark brown) from Nestabilties for the number of guests you are expecting.
2. Stamp leaf border on dark brown scalloped rectangle with dark brown ink.
3. Stamp pumpkin in dark brown ink & color with Copic Markers then attach to rust circle.
4. Add hardware to the top of the stamped image. Using four pieces of linen thread, tie a knot at the top of the hardware. Trim edges and attach to dark brown scalloped rectangle.
5. Print guest names on the computer and punch out with oval punch. Attach to rectangle.
6. Cut a piece of vanilla cardstock 5 ½” x 3 ½” and score at 2 ¾”. Attach to the back of the dark brown rectangle for a stand.

I am fast approaching the 100,000 mark for blog guests & I'm super excited! I wondered when I started this blog if anyone would be interested in looking at my work. Well, I guess there are! Now there is no way for me to tell who will be my 100,000 guest; however, the first comment I receive after I hit that mark, will of course get a prize from me! So keep visiting and keep posting. Who knows, I may even decided to add some other prizes to the mix.