It's hard to believe, but this year I will celebrate 8 years as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Some of my nearest and dearest friends are those I met as a result of Stampin' Up!  Whether they are customers or fellow demonstrators, my life is rich with people I adore all because of some paper and ink.  Who knew? 

Today's card celebrates one of my fabulous friends, Kelley.  Kelley is also a demonstrator and although several hundred miles separate us we have become great friends.  Her joyful spirit and infectious comedic nature causes people to love her immediately.  Wouldn't it be great if everyone could find more joy in their lives?  I love how she reminds me not to take everything so seriously.  I'm so glad to have her in my life!  Happy birthday to my fabulous friend!

Have a great weekend!

Supplies:

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Celebrate You,

Ink: Rose Red Craft and Basic Black

Paper: Sweet Pea DSP, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Taken with Teal and Whisper White

Accessories: Pink corduroy brad, filigree brad, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, white satin ribbon, scallop die, circle die

I pulled out my Big Shot the other day and for the first time ever used material other than paper.  Seems strange that I've had the Big Shot this long and have never been adventurous.  Felt was on sale at my local craft store and it was too cheap to pass up.  Today's projects aren't original and it's probably not the first time you've seen something similar.  It was a first for me though!

You'll notice I also pulled out the sewing machine.  I have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine but I was determined to make it work with these projects.  I was too lazy to change the thread so everything that I've sewn on has had white thread.  Could be worse, I suppose.

Like I said, this idea is not new, but I love how the petal card die is perfect for making a unique chocolate holder.  Ghiradelli chocolates fit perfectly in the pouch.  Typically I have seen ribbon or a belly band around the center, but I really wanted the heart to be the focal point.  The heart is the Sizzix Embosslit called Heart of Hearts.  I was concerned about the felt with the embosslits but it cut with no problem at all.  For some added dimension I added a clear button back with some Kaleidoscope designer paper.  The heart is adhered to the pouch with mini glue dots.

So as not to get into a Valentine rut, I also made a scalloped envelope with a birthday message.  So cute!  The flower not only acts as the focal point, but it also keeps the envelope closed (see top photo).  I am able to tuck the edge of the flap behind the flower and it stays closed without a problem.  The flower is from the Baskets and Blooms die and is secured with a epoxy brad found in the new Stampin' Up! mini catalog.

Thanks for stopping by!

I did it again and didn't even realize it...I made another PINK card.  I love the color pink, but c'mon already!  I promise the next card will NOT be pink.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am challenging myself to use sets that aren't "feelin' the love" lately.  New promotions or the release of a new catalog always seems to trump those sets that have been out awhile but are certainly no less deserving of a little ink.  Today uses the set called Fun and Fast Notes.  I enjoyed playing with this set again because I got to pull out my markers.  I've noticed so many of the sets on my shelf don't allow me to color so this was a real pleasure.

While the set itself isn't new, the designer paper and ribbon are.  The designer series paper called Welcome Neighbor has some awesome colors and patterns.  Apparently, I was drawn to the pink stripes :)

I'll be back tomorrow to show you a few Big Shot projects.

Have a great day.

Recipe:

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White and Welcome Neighbor DSP; Ink: Black; Accessories: Pink satin ribbon, piercing needle and mat, soft subtle brads (ret) and sewing machine.

I have a really bad habit of neglecting my not-so-new stamps and embellishments.  That might explain the huge stash of retired (and current) designer paper and piles of stamp sets begging to be used and loved.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in the new releases and to use all the new, cool embellishments.  I have to keep reminding myself that at one point I thought the "old stuff" was cool too otherwise I wouldn't have purchased it!  So for the next few weeks, I'm issuing myself a challenge.  I'll call it the "What's Old is New Again Challenge".   I will attempt to use stamps that are still current but maybe aren't able to share the spotlight with the new releases.  I'll start with today's card.

This card uses the set Pun Fun.  I love this little coffee cup image and the sentiment makes me laugh.  It's perfect for Valentine's Day (or any day for that matter!).

Time for me to sift through some stamp sets.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Pun Fun

Ink: Black, Copic markers

Paper: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Whisper White, Kaleidoscope DSP

Accessories: Jumbo brads, Ribbon Originals (Fairy Tale - ret), Oval Scallop die, Scallop Trim punch, Textured Impressions Folder, and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Today's card is my attempt at creating a shabby chic valentine.  I had to pull out a few retired Stampin' Up! items from my stash to help complete the card, but I'm happy with the result.  This valentine will be sent to my daughter who is the epitome of "Girly Girl".  She love all things bling and feminine.  She is away at school trudging through her second semester of her freshman year, so I hope this will give her a reason to smile between exams.

I blew off the dust on my sewing machine and added a few stitches to my card.  I don't know how those talented card makers do it, but I can never get my stitches straight.  The sad thing is I use to do a lot of sewing in my youth so it's not as if I am a stranger to the sewing machine.  I can't figure it out.  To cover up my mistakes I simply tell people, "I wanted it that way".  Ummm...yeah, right.

The other talent I lack in is picture taking.  I don't have any formal education in photography but one would think that capturing a decent picture of a still object wouldn't be that hard.  I beg to differ.  I'm embarrassed to say that my husband bought me an awesome camera a couple of years ago.  I'm certain it has the capability to make any picture I take into a work of art.  But, do I know how to use it?  Nope.  He could have saved himself a lot of money by investing in one of those point and shoot models, but NOOOO.  I'm pretty sure he was thinking the more attachments and do dads the camera has the better, when in reality, what all those extra things do is complicate my already complicated life.  I'm a simple girl who needs a simple camera.  But I digress.

The supplies for this card are mainly Stampin' Up! with the exception of the striped paper and the hemp.  The recipe is below.

Have a great day!

Supplies:

Stamps: A Happy Heart

Ink: Chocolate Chip, White craft

Paper: Very Vanilla, Thoroughly Modern DSP (both SU) and scrapbook paper (by All My Memories)

Accessories: On Board Accents (ret), Soft Subtle buttons (ret), Pretty in Pink epoxy brads, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Ribbons Original - Flirty, and hemp.

I have really enjoyed being back in my stamp room.  In fact, it's something I look forward to now.  There was a time when it felt like one of my many daily obligations, but my stamping hiatus is exactly what my mind and spirit needed.  It's SO good to be back and feeling refreshed.

I have had to make a number of cards over the last couple of days, particularly sympathy cards.  These are always so difficult to make.  I prefer to keep the card simple for this type of "occasion" because I feel my message is more important than my card design.  Here is one of the cards I made.  The other card (not shown) is the same design with different designer paper.  All supplies are Stampin' Up!

 Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Paper: Bella Bleu DSP, Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Kraft taffeta ribbon, SU! Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die, corner rounder, and pearls (non SU)

I've been relying on the help of various sketch challenges to help jump start my starmping mojo.  After such a long hiatus from stamping, the sketches provide me the perfect foundation to create something that I would have otherwise struggled with.  Today's card uses the help of Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #56.  I really like Mercy's sketches.  She uses lots of layers and I love the look of multiple layers.

I needed something simple and, more importantly, something without a lot of bulk.  I'm mailing this card out today and I have found out the hard way that the post office is not a big fan of bulky cards.  I love the look and dimension of ribbon and embellishments and all those other neat things that make cards and scrapbook pages so fun to feel and look at, but after paying 3-4 times of what it would cost to mail a "normal" card, I realized the family budget does not include mailing bulky cards to my friends.  So, going forward, bulk is reserved for hand delivery only.

Here's what the sketch looked like:

With my Stampin Up! Sale-a-bration items in hand this is what I came up with. 

Recipe:

Stamps: Whimsical Words (SAB)

Paper:Sweet Pea DSP, Old Olive, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive and Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Paper piercing tool and mats, XL Fancy Flower Punch, Sponge DauberScallop Trim Border Punch, Rhinestone brad, Embossing folder and Jumbo eyelets.

Thanks for stopping by.

I recently came across an advertisement for Sizzix in a scrapbooking magazine.  It showcased a notepad made with various Sizzix products.  It was so darling, but I really didn't have a need for another notepad.  Instead, I decided to "convert" it to a mini photo album.  My husband and I recently took a trip to North Carolina with our friends and thought this would be a perfect gift to send my friend to highlight the events of our vacation.

I used all Stampin' Up! supplies and Big Shot dies.  This was SO fun and easy to make.  Take a look:

I haven't added any of the pictures yet, only the white card stock that the pictures will be mounted on.

The finished album size is 4.25" x 4.25".  The pictures will be cut to 4x4.

To make the covers sturdier, I glued the designer paper to some light chipboard.  I actually use recycled cereal boxes - they are the perfect weight and very easy to come by!

Supplies: (All Supplies are from Stampin' Up!)

Paper: Tea Party Designer Paper, Tempting Turquoise, Certain Celery and Whisper White card stock

Big Shot Dies: SU! Scallop Square, Swirly, SU! Flower Folds, and SU! Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die

Other Accessories: 5/8" Pink Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, Sherbet Designer Buttons, 1 1/4" round circle punch.

Have a GREAT day!

Mary Ann
 

For Christmas my BFF sent me a book titled, "Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog" by Lisa Scottoline.  It is a HILIARIOUS book and it literally made me laugh out loud.  My friend and I share a passion for dogs, particularly our own, but we rarely meet a dog we don't like. While the basis of the book revolves around the author's everyday adventures, the author also has dogs and speaks of them at length in her book.  The bottom line is this: my friend and I are dog people.  We love everything dog.  So, when it came to sending a thank you note, it was pretty easy to determine what the image on the card would be.

Recipe:

Stamps: Stamps by Judith

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!) and Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah paper)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers

Embellishments and Tools: corduroy button, Scallop Trim border punch, Linen Thread, Oval punch, corner rounder, Mat pack and paper piercing tool (all SU!), and Cuttlebug paisly embossing folder.

It's been so long since I've blogged I've nearly forgotten how to.  So many things have changed on Typepad I've had to reteach myself how to manage this blog.  I'm still learning so please bear with me.

In addition to a vacation from blogging, I took a fairly substantial break from stamping too.  I stamped occasionally but not nearly as much as I use to. Since I am no longer actively holding SU classes, stamp camps or workshops, I am now able to create because I want to and not because I feel pressure to prepare for an event or to showcase a particular product or project.  Truth be told, it's been rather liberating!  I've actually found "the joy of stamping" again. (How apropos given the blog title.)

So, going forward, this blog will serve as my "playground".  I'll post my stamping projects and probably talk a lot about my family. I like to talk about other non-stamping things too like "The Bachelor" and other reality TV shows that I have strong opinions about (I'll address Jake as the new Bachelor in an upcoming post). Basically, it will be a hodge-podge of content.  This is a hobby for me now.  No selling, no pressure, just pure, unadulterated blogging joy.  I recognize this blog won't appeal to a lot of people and that's okay.  For those of you who will stop by - thank you.  My hope is to entertain you with some stories and to share my love of paper crafting.

My daughter leaves to go back to school this afternoon, so as soon as I become an "empty-nester" again, I will post a few cards I've been working on...that is, of course, if I can remember how to post pictures!

It's good to be back.

Mary Ann