Wowsers...what a week!

Okay...were you worried about me? Where have I been or what happened to my promise of posting?? Sometimes I really wonder where the time goes! So...even though it's a BEAUTIFUL day out there, I am in the basement stamping and working on a few other things. Can you blame me?? The A/C is not on...it's 90 degrees outside and so nice and cool down here! When you walk upstairs it's like walking into a sauna! Maybe I'll sleep down here too! Well...just wanted to share with you a terrific blog I came across: http://www.eatsleepstamp.com/ . I made these boxes after seeing them on her sight.. they kind of remind me of the new Sizzix Matchbox Die (114890) from the Occasions Mini Catalog. So while making them I was saying over an over in my head "Momma had a baby and her head popped off!" Do you remember that? Finding and collecting all the dandelions in the yard...or bringing them in to your mommy so she could put those darn 'weeds' in a nice little vase? Okay...did that make any sense? I was thinking that I would make a mini-version (using the Matchbox die) with the same paper and butterfly...post a picture of them side by side and..that's where the song/saying came from. Maybe the Weed-N-Feed is getting to me! On to the deets of the picture:

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, Walk in the Park DSP (115123), window sheets (114323)

Accessories: Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Top Note Bigz Die, Sticky Pages, Pink Duo beads, white organza ribbon, glue dots

I love the Sticky Pages (114300) they were so easy to use...I knew I wanted to use the beads, so first attempt was vellum cardstock which I embossed with Heat & Stick powder (not a personal fave) and then applied the beads...it was okay. So like 'Winnie the Pooh' I said 'think... think ...think' and I tried the same vellum but ran through my Zyron machine...which then made me realize...DUH!! Our sticky sheets...I bought them awhile ago and forgot all about them! Voila~so easy! The inside of the box has a sheet of the Walk in the Park DSP and the drawer slides out to reveal a mini-manicure set. Hope you all have a great day! ~Erin

Cute RAK!!

RAK...Random Act of Kindness. I started a group with my downline and upline to start swapping RAKS. This was made for me by Shanan Hambrick (click here for her blog). Isn't it cute?? I knew she had dropped it off...because the kids told me she stopped by returning some borrowed items and I HAD to call her right away to say thanks!! I love it SO much!! Now normally...the 'RAK' is to remain anonymous..everyone likes to be surprised every now and then. I also thought it would be a nice-n-easy way to keep each other motivated and stampin'. I then begged her to pick up some more of the paint containers for me Saturday that were a bargain deal at a local hardware store here in town. I know that Lowes has them...not sure how much they are there. The inside was filled with some goodies found at Target located in their dollar bin section...perfect for this time of year! So try making one and give that special someone a 'RAK'..you know they will love and appreciate it as much as I did (thanks again Shanan!!)

Here is a close up of the front:

Isn't it cute??

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Urban Garden DSP

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Baja Breeze 1" double -stitched grosgrain ribbon, Flower Fusion Too, Hodgepodge Hardware Styler Silver, Circle Scissor Plus

Happy Stampin'~Erin

Happy Dreary Monday!!

That title sounds weird huh? Well...it is raining here in Va...started lastnight and has lasted all day so far. I think I am already starting to mold! So...I am staying inside and stamping..good idea right? Here are the projects that we made at my Saturday Workshop:

This purse I created a template for: make two copies (here on Whisper White CS) stamped the flowers with the Dream a Little (hostess level 3 113435) in Basic Black, added brads and double stiched ribbon for the handle. The monogram was cut using the Big Shot and Serif Essentials Alphabet (113464) with Rose Red CS. Here is another photo from the side to show the craft bag was attached (cut to 3 1/2"). We then added some basket filler and a cute manicure set!

Then we made two cards/envelopes. The first one uses the new Oval All Stamp Set (113790)and scallop oval punch (114889) and from the Occasions Mini. Hard to see from the photo but the brown DSP has the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I (114512) on it.

Stamp Sets: Oval All (113790), Echoes of Kindness (hostess level 2 113230)

Paper: Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Basic Brown, Sage Shadow, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: Sage Shadow Stampin' Write Marker, Color Spritzer Tool, Blender Pens, Dimensionals, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Big Shot, Texturx Plates

This next card was inspired from Jody Morrow (aka Texasjodylynn on SCS). Check out her beautiful blog and talent! I love what she did with her 'Notes Board' using the Great Friend stamp set (113792) that I made it into a card:

Stamp Sets: Great Friend (113792) Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Walk in the Park DSP (115123) Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray Accessories: vintage brads, 5/8" striped pink pirouette grosgrain ribbon Hope you all stay dry (local Virginians) and everyone else have a great day!! ~Erin

Forgive me...I have my reasons!!

Okay...yesterday was Friday..one would think TGIF? Not I! No no no...April 17th, the day I have to return my Nissan Armada to the dealership because my 5 year lease is up...do you think the car started?? NOPE! Trust me..I will spare you all the details about that darn car... and to make a long story short..thank-goodness it was just a dead battery!! Let's just say that I got the lemon...EVERYTHING has gone wrong with that car...good riddence! So..that was partly my reason for not posting yesterday, please forgive me!!

Here is how I will make up for it...2 posts today? Sound fair? I have a workshop this afternoon, so later this evening I will post what we made at the workshop!

So for starters...here is what everyone will receive just for coming...my thank-you treat. YUM!

Then for the door prize I made this cute little box from the Big Shot scallop envelope die and inside the container are a variety of embellishments (rhinestone brads, corduroy buttons,fleurettes and vanilla hodgepodge hardware) I also made a bookmark which was inspired from the bookmarks made at Convention 2008. Now...see how I was using the Sweet Always DSP?? You see why now?? These are all items that will be given away at the workshop...see previous posts for the Card Holder/pen (hostess thank-you) and the sticky note holders are given to those that brought a friend. Cool huh? It is a great bunch of ladies (thanks Joyce!) and I will praise them all for coming today...it is one of the first real beautiful sunny Saturdays...and I know I for one should be working out in the yard! So enjoy your day...stampin' or pulling weeds!! I'll post again later this evening! ~Erin

Just a short post today...

As promised...I mentioned in my previous post I would show you what I made to go along with the card holder...here it is!

I know you are probably thinking...that's it?? I waiting all night and half a day biting my nails for this?? SORRY!! But yup...this is it! I made a beaded pen. I did it a bit differently than the SCS tutorial, I only had SU! brand sticky strip tape (104294). I also found that it was easier 'my way' than what was suggested on wax paper. I un-assembled the pen (Pentel RSVP brand) took the barrel and started at the top and ran the tape straight down to the bottom stopping just above the threads. Continue all around the barrel and remove protective layer to expose the sticky tape. My beads stuck fine without using a heat gun, (TIP: I keep my microbeads in an empty stamp case) stick the pen in and roll around pressing the beads genty into the tape. Voila!! Now..it's hard to see from the picture but I rolled a piece of the matching Sweet Always DSP (112468) inside the barrel of the pen. Have a great day! Until tomorrow...

Card Holder

Okay...so I can't call this a card organizer right?? I already posted one of those and this only holds about 4 regular sized cards. Would make a great gift. It also doesn't have the months (I almost typed moths..that would be bad, they would eat the paper right??) (So no moths here)...posted on any of the pockets. Want to see the inside?? As you can see I used the Sweet Always DSP like in the previous post...hey it was already out on my desk...it's 'springy' and my Walk in the Park DSP from the Occasions Mini has not arrived yet!! So here ya go:

Start first by taping togther 4 large envelopes (these are retired SU! large envelopes that measure 4 3/4" x 6 1/2") overlapping the flap (the yucky part you lick??) BUT DON"T LICK IT...trust me use the tape!! Then as you see in the photo on the far right envelope fold back the flap and tape it to the backside. Sound good?? Still with me??

Now you need two pieces of DSP measured at 6 1/2" x 7 3/4". On top of that place a thin piece of chipboard or cardboard measured at 5" x 6 3/4" (TIP: save the white pieces that come with the DSP...those work great!) Cover with tape or mono adhesive. Flipped back over it will look like this: (Note I liked using complimentary colors, but be adventurous!) You can use anything!!

Then flip it over to cover where you folded and taped the DSP, here I used Chocolate Chip Textured CS measured at 6 10/16"x 4 14/16".

Now you can attach the envlopes which will fold up accordian style. See below: decorate and embellish adding the ribbon to close it shut, inside you can add the cards in each pocket! Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions! Stay tuned for tomorrow's post to see what I made to go with this card holder..I can't show you everything today..I promised myself and you all that I would be posting daily!! Have a great day!~Erin

Technique Tuesday: Post-It Note Holder

So...I have to say I am very proud of myself! Over the past few days I have posted on my blog consistently!! I think I need to pat myself on the back for a job well done...and perhaps order some more SU! goodies!! Yes..that is what I should do to celebrate my big accomplishment! I get so bummed when I check my favorite blogs and there is nothing new to see! So I decided...for my fellow bloggers 'whoever you may be' I will try to post something new EVERY DAY!! I will begin a Technique Tuesday too! Where every Tuesday I will post either a technique/tutorial. So after seeing these cute little Post-It Note Holders on SCS I knew I wanted to try one. Check out there step-by-step instructions and try one for yourself!! The little pencils I found at Staples (they are called golf pencils). BTW...the only thing I changed from the tutorial was that I added DSP to all sides like a book. Have a great day!! Until tomorrow....~Erin

Oops...I totally CASED this one!

You know SCS is a love & hate thing for me...I love it for inspiration and sometimes spend more time looking on the sight than I could be stamping!! So for that I hate it...just think of all the goodies I could have made and come up with!! Has that ever happened to you? Please tell me I'm not the only one!! This card is what I made for a swap group I participate in. We had to make 12 cards and the theme was Sympathy. Normally I don't like like making 'sympathy' cards...because it's never for a good reason. So I headed to SCS for inspiration and landed at the Thoughts & Prayers section. I had borrowed this stamp set from a friend (thanks Shanan!!)...then after seeing SO many cute ideas...I realized I was out of time... and decided to CASE one..these two cards are different...can you tell?? Hmmmm. Give up? It's the buttons and flowers...gotcha!! It's also hard to tell from the picture, but the rose red background piece has a textured background from the Big Shot and Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I (114512).

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Thoughts & Prayers (113252)

Paper: Whisper White, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red and Pumkpin Pie Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories: Linen thread, large oval punch, Big Shot, SU! Backgrounds I, Designer Buttone button latte, Glue Dots

Have a great day!!

~Erin

Happy Easter!!

Just a quick post for you all today! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday and Happy Easter to each and every one of you!! The kids woke up early to see what Mr. EB left for them...they then woke me up complaining that the house was FREEZING!! It has been fairly nice here for the past few days (c'mon...it is the middle of April!). So I had turned the heat off...OOPS!! This morning it was 58 degrees!! Their jelly beans had frozen!! Now let's talk Stampin' Up! (I love SO many things about the Occasions Mini Catalog!) I ordered this Paperweight Kit from http://www.photoweights.com/ and they are so fun!! What a cool way to showcase your art or precious photos! Here I used the Great Friend stamp set (113792). I stamped the leaves with Kiwi Kiss on Basic Gray CS and the butterfly with Kiwi Kiss on Kiwi Kiss CS and cut that out. The embossing was done on a piece of acetate with Basic Black craft ink (YES I SAID CRAFT INK) with clear EP. This was the first time I have ever opened my black craft pad (didn't even know we sold it...until a few years ago!) I love it so much better than black EP with Versamark!! Such a bold image...and no boo-boos!! I then layered the acetate over the CS and used the Big Shot with the Circles # 2 die (114526) and I hald those two together with a square ice rhinestone brad (109113). The gift box uses the 4-pack Sizzlits Lots of Tags (114508). The rest of assembly was easy with the paperweight kit...enclosed in the box were a few dies cut out with the Beautiful Burretflies (114507) and Urban Garden DSP (112042). Off to smell the hubby cookin' in the kitchen and put a puzzle together with the kids!! Enjoy your day!~Erin

This is my 'Scrapbook In A Box'. Very simple to complete:

Directions: Cut three 12x12 pieces of cardstock: 12 x 12 scored at 4 inch intervals and cut out corners 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 scored at 3 1/2 inch intervals and cut out corners 9 x 9 and scored at 3 inch intervals and cut out corners For the lid: cut at 7 x 7 and scored at 1 3/8 intervals (to fit the 12 x 12 layer closed) Stamp and decorate each layer for either journaling or a photo No gluing, the entire box folds up and held shut with the lid

Inside you can even add a small gift...be sure to check out http://www.ustamp4fun.com/ . I found this idea there...and so much more! For the box I used Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Brocade Blue, Whisper White and Very Vanilla CS, Bella Blue DSP (113974), Hodgepodge Hardware, chocolate chip and very vanilla grosgrain ribbon and the Friends 24-7 stamp set (113218) Have a great day!!

What would you call this??

All I know is that I like it!! We will be making these at my next Stamp Camp (April 24th) check out my calendar for scheduled events and see if you can make it..all are welcome!! Bring some photos to add...choose your paper and ribbon. These are covered on both sides with DSP and I sanded the edges using a sanding block (103301). Punched the holes with the Crop-A-Dile (108362). For these I used the Urban Oasis DSP (113978). Tied together with black grosgrain (109027). How fun would this be for kids to make and use to decorate with their friends pictures. The coasters I purchased from www.stamponthis.com You get a whole bunch for a great price and there are so many things to create using them! Hope you all have a great day!! ~Erin

Okay...I know Easter is only a few days away but this is my dog Charlie a SPCA rescue cutie! This is how he looked on St. Patty's Day! I just woke up... and there he was...'glorious green' the Leprachauns must have done it! The funny thing is..he is now a pale pretty green almost like 'gable green' and mu hubby thinks we should add some more pale pastel colors and die him like an Easter egg! Just look at that face!! Well..off to move the laundry around. Have a great day! ~Erin

Sanded Manhattan Flower

I love this card...for a couple of reasons:

1. EASY!!
2. FAST!!
3. BEAUTIFUL!!

Stampin' Up! DSP (all kinds have a white core, soif you tear your paper you get a nice accent) This card uses the Textured Impressions Die Manhattan Flower (114517) LOVE IT!! You then just take our sanding block (103301) and gently rub over the impression. It really makes the image pop (I almost typed poop) LOL think the coffee I had this morning is getting the better of me! Other accessories used for this card: Echoes of Kindness (level 2 hostess 113230), chocolate chip Stampin' Write marker, ribbon originals Valet (114318), whisper white CS, chocolate chip CS, hodgepodge hardware Styled Silver (111325), Parisian Breeze DSP (113993). This paper is so fun, it's hard to tell from the catalog but it's textured cover-weight card stock.

Silly Chocolate bunnies...

Okay...I promised to post my version of the 'bitten chocolate bunnies' a few days ago...surprised they have not melted!! I have been so busy lately...and I can't even believe that Easter is only 5 days away!! YIKES!! Luckily I have gotten a head start and most of my goodies are already completed. Today it actually snowed (here in Va) Think it might be time to head south...cuz this is gettin' ridiculous!! Hard to believe that it's spring! This set uses a retired Stampin' Up! set called Bunny Hugs, it was featured in the 2007 Spring Mini-Catalog..and I thought these bunnies were the perfect shape to recreate the bitten butt and ears!! They could probably have been a bit darker brown...to look more like chocolate, but when I chose the colors and layout of the card...they needed to be lighter (perhaps they tastle like white chocolate!!) The words were just typed out on the computer. Thanks for looking, hope you all have a very Happy Easter and don't eat to many chocolate bunnies! ~Erin

My Butt Hurts...

So...I saw this on a T-shirt in a catalog awhile ago and have since seen it here and there on the internet. I thought these chocolate bunnies were just too cute (not to mention yummy!). Stampin' Up! had a stamp set that was perfect for these bunnies and thought I had to make it into a card. So later today I will post my version...sadly with a retired stamp set. Any guesses on which set I will use??

And The Winner Is....

Congratulations to Tish Thompson!!! She has won a $40 Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate from my promotion during Sale-A-Bration!! I promised that I would post the Card Organizers that were made at my last Stamp Camp..OOPS!! Well here is one that I made for my daughter Regan and she loves it!! I think the Rockability Specialty DSP (114039) is so fun!! There is a tutorial on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ for the Card Organizer and a PDF calendar print out for the months. The others we made used textured card stock for the front and back covers to everyone could use the remaining DSP they purchased to make another organizer. The pockets are great for take out menus, coupons...or how cute would a recipe book be with the Good Morning Sunshine DSP (113966)?? Add some tabs using the round tab punch (108340) and From the Kitchen of Stamp Set (114964)...oh...I might have to try that next!! For Regan's book, I did use the DSP glued to one side of the white sturdy cardboard piece that comes with the DSP (cut that in half and you have your front and back covers) Then on the back I used a piece of Kiwi Kiss textured CS. So remember to save those white pieces from your packs of DSP....run them through the Big Shot with some Bigz Dies~Voila!! I also added a little pocket on the back of the cover for phone #'s from her friends. Contact me if you have any questions!