Spring really did 'SPRING'!!

You know that saying "Ask and you shall receive"? Well...you all know that I have been asking~ AND asking....for a LONG time and FINALLY!! This past weekend was beautiful and even though I was a wee bit under the weather...I really think it's just allergies. You just had to get out there to enjoy it!! Yesterday we did some work in the yard....until I thought my head was going to fly off from all my sneezing!! I shot this quick pic of the kids playing with the hose after a bike ride...they said they were hot and wanted to go in the sprinkler...are they crazy?? (Mine are the two on the right, Regan and Aiden)

Don't worry...I was a good mommy and said "no". Do allergies bother you?? A few years ago I suffered a little bit...not even enough to take anything for it. But not now...I am loving my Zyrtec. I suppose it's just another little love of aging....Ugh!

Last Friday I noticed that along our back fence the forsythia was beginning to bloom. I read in this month's Better Homes and Gardens 'Country Gardens' (Spring March 2013 Vol. 22, no.2) that you can force bloom by bringing blooming branches inside. It's a great article with lots of pictures for inspiration.Well...I was not that adventurous~ I bought some of the fake stuff. Don't judge me~ I have a serious BLACK thumb (maybe it's from Staz-On ink).
So since I love the bright 'yellow' so cheerful and bright...I bought forsythia.
Here is above our kitchen cabinets:

In the bathroom:

Family room:

and aren't these nests the cutest???

I think that even the fake stuff is making me sneeze~ perhaps I need to dust!!



So...now you know I had to incorporate some 'spring' Stampin' Up! style~


Here is a banner that I made...hard to tell from the pictures because the glitter is so shiny and pretty and elegant and sparkly and pretty...and well~ you get the idea!! (I love it!!)

Close-up:

I kept it fairly simple because all you need to see are the pretty sparkly letters!! I cut the banner using the Perfect Pennants Bigz L die(123126) and Soft Suede CS. Then I applied some Gesso on the edges to give it a white-washed look. Using the same die, I used the smaller pennant and the Tea for Two DSP (129311). For the letters I attached a piece of our Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (120805) to some Very Vanilla CS and cut the letters out using the Typeset Alphabet Bigz die (127553). Once they were cut out, peel off the protective film and press down into the glitter. Here I used the Champagne Glass glitter (120997). This is honestly the first time I used our Adhesive Sheets....shame on me!! They are awesome!! I didn't stop there...check this beauty out~

Isn't she pretty?? I used the Elegant Bird Bigz die (125593). I attached the wing to body with the antique brad and hot glued it to the wreath. The flowers were made using our Tea for Two Designer Fabric (129308). Click here for a link to a video that I made a few years ago on how to create the flowers. Very easy....so I made and extra one and stuck it to my lantern!

Next in the kitchen and speaking of easy....I added some of the same DSP to some battery lit candles and tied a strip of the fabric around one of them.

Lastly I have some lollies...or medallions to share. I love the colors of this paper...it didn't really make me want any tea (Remember it's called Tea for Two). Just a glass of wine~ or two to enjoy as I glance around my home and smile!!

These were both created using the Designer Rosette Bigz XL die (125594) for the larger one I cut the DSP down to 4" x 12" and it used 3 strips. The smaller Gumball Green one was made using (3) 3" x 11" pieces and trimming as needed from the score lines on the die. Decorated the fronts and attached them to a dowel...that I stained using a Stampin' sponge and Soft Suede ink. Found the glass marbles at a local craft store and voila!

Here are close-ups:

Hope it is warming up where you are...and if not~ make some 'spring' creations to make you smile!! Please let me know if you have any questions, or leave  me a comment and let me know what you think! Thanks!!

BIG stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
website: www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Founder's Circle Elegant Bird 'CASE'

I feel like I have been on vacation~ the last few days have been HORRIBLE....not the kind of vacation anyone would want to take!! I have felt so nasty...that I have remained mostly in bed since Thursday! It took everything in me to try go out Friday evening (mind over matter) I kept telling myself that I was okay...will be even better the next day...but all I wanted to do was stay in bed and watch sappy movies. I did however get a few things accomplished; cleaned my room/bathroom, caught up on the laundry, cleaned the kids bathroom, straightened up in my closet (this girl has some shoes!!).
Even though there are a few times when it's nice to stay in bed and relax. I always feel so guilty and lazy when I do! I should have done some reading...'50 Shades of Gray' anyone?? My girlfriend Mary lent me her copy and I have only read about half...I think I like it...still unsure. It's definetly a different kind of read!
Today I am feeling much better..YAY!! I wanted to share with you my latest creation/CASE from none other than Shelli Gardner...CEO & cofounder of Stampin' Up!. While I was stuck in bed I perused websites and blogs of other demonstrators and I loved seeing/reading their posts about adventures from Founder's Circle. Stampin' Up's Founder's Circle recognizes the top demonstrators in the US and Canada and awards them with fun filled days of treats, relaxation, inspiration and much more! Here is a photo of one of the 'pillow' gifts...left with a card made by Shelli.

I LOVE the use of the 'leaf' as the wing...very shabby chic!
So here is my re-creation:

I added a basic pearl to his eye and sprizted it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772).
Here is a close-up:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Gently Falling (123804 C), Loving Thoughts (125845 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, So Saffron
Ink: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron
Access: linen thread (104199), 2-way glue pen (100425), basic pearls (119247), stamping sponges (101610), Big Shot (113439), Elegant Bird Bigz die (125593), soft suede marker, color spritzer tool (107066)

I also made a coordinating tag for a bottle of 'bubbly' (champagne or bath). Or a bottle of vino~ as shown here where I have added a small strand of white lights. I think the addition of the leaf celebrates the season of thanks...this would make a very 'thoughtful' hostess gift.
Additional supplies for the tag:
Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (120175), antique brads (117273)

Now here is one more amazing creation...again done with the same die...you already know that I LOVE me some crows~ check this out:

I was considering trying to make this little guy into one~ wondered just how it would look. I think it's AMAZING!! It was part of a Halloween banner that I saw posted on Stampin' By The Sea's facebook wall.

Please let me know if you have any questions!!
Shop online at my store 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s) for the supplies mentioned and create your own piece of art!
Take care,
Erin