Brrr......what happened to global warming?

This weather is crazy!! First of all...I have a quick update on my running...Monday's are my BIG ones...and last Monday I ran 8 miles...a personal best~ it was crazy but better than the 7! I must be making progress!! During quick moments I would stop and take a drink of water or stop to get a rock out of my shoe I would feel my muscles tighten up...it was better to just keep going~ I heard over and over in my head "Run, Forrest, Run!" I wonder now if I could have kept going!! My husband actually passed me on the road in his truck, rolled down the window to cheer me on...asked how I was doing and he could see in my face "not good" but I assured him I would make it....and that is such an incredible feeling!!

It feels so good to be able to get outside! I am feeling "meh" about winter...the snow is pretty and we haven't had too much of it~ but the kids were home from school ALL week (due to the colder temps and bad roads). It's making me crazy!!
Yesterday and today I ran indoors...had to~ with the windchill I think my face would have broken into little bits of porcelain!
Today I am looking forward to meeting up with some girlies and perhaps we'll craft away to stay warm!! What do you do when you are stuck inside and trying to keep warm??

So...as promised...last post I mentioned that I would share my 'revised' moose~ I had hoped to post it sooner but things have been CRAZY!!
Here he/she is...besides the 'obvious' how can you tell?? (hee hee)

I like this one better...and this will be the one that we will be making at next Friday's Stamp Camp (1/31). I changed it a wee bit~ I think however I may lose the vellum piece~ what do you think?

Now...here is the 3-D gift holder that we will be making:

I am IN LOVE with the new Spiral Flower die (129379)...this is a MUST!! I followed Patty Bennett's tutorial using only one sheet of CS.
Supplies
Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants (133230 C), Happy Watercolor (133191 C)

Card Stock: Soho Subway DSP (130140), Very Vanilla, Soft Suede Core'dinations (from the Neutrals pack 129956)
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Summer Starfruit
Access: Big Shot (113439), Magnetic platform (130658), Banners Framelits Dies (132173), Spiral Flower die (129379)

Here was the first one I made for my girlfriend Anne (this is the Sweater Weather DSP) from the last Holiday Catalog.

Inspired by these. Cute!! I will also have treats to put inside. These babies are addicting!!

Well...that's it for me today~ I hope that you all are safe, warm and ready for Sale-A-Bration!! (Starts Jan.28th!)

BIG hugs,
Erin

CC443, SCS Color Combo and Stampin' Up! Promo

True story~ I currently do not own one of the classics that Stampin' Up! has sold for years now...Lovely As a Tree (W 128655, C 127793). I know what you are thinking...what?? How is that even possible? Well...my friend Cindy does (she used to be my direct up-line) and lived in the same neighborhood. Why would I?? We share~ which is fabulous!! Actually a bunch of the surrounding demonstrators and several of my customers do, so when we all keep track of who has what...it's fantastic!

Well...sadly Cindy moved to Kentucky about 5 weeks ago. I went and visited her a few over the Labor Day weekend.  We shared laughter, stories and a few bottles of wine! Anyway...I realized today when I was placing an order that I should purchase that...after all it's a classic!!


So...silly me~ I entered my goodies and clicked 'submit'. Oopsy!! I quickly realized that I had forgotten to order the jumbo wheel Butterfly Collection (130112). Earlier this morning I fell in love with this card:

Isn't it a beauty? I will be ordering it...but will wait until Thursday when we can all order the new magnetic platform for the Big Shot (pg. 184). If you already own it..what do you think?? I am SO excited...with the framelits it will be so easy to get keep them perfectly placed! It wasn't available for awhile now...due to back orders (HOT item!!) So...since I fell in love with this card...I had to use it as inspiration for todays Color Combination on SCS.

Here is my version:

Close-up:

Supplies
Stamp Set: Papillon Potpourri (123759 C), Loving Thoughts (125845 C), Background Builders (129150 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Baked Brown Sugar, Vellum
Ink: Midnight Muse, Baked Brown Sugar, Pear Pizazz, Strawberry Slush
Access: Bitty Butterfly punch (129406), sticky strip (104294), Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker, Color Spritzer tool (retired), Rhinestones Basic Jewels (119246), Baked Brown Sugar 3/8" ruffle trim (130022), glue dots (103683), 1" square punch (124094), Big Shot (113439), Framelits Bitty Banners (129267), VersaMarker (retired), silver embossing powder (109131), Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (127555), Tea Lace Paper Dolies (129399)

Stampin' Up! is currently offering the following promotion:

When you order both the stamp set Papillion Potpourri & coordinating Bitty Butterfly punch you save 15%!! Click here for details! Clear-Mount (135311) Wood-Mount 135312

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see my Halloween goodies for this year!!  I actually started decorating two weeks ago when the kids went back to school!! (hee hee)

Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Raining Flowers Color Combo CC421

Another beautiful 'spring' day, I was able to turn off the heat yesterday...and the windows and doors can now be open to allow a nice warm breeze, it's so soothing! Today is a relaxing day~ decided I was not going to clean the house, workout or mow the grass. Can you believe it's time to mow already? I could probably get away with it for a few more days. Honestly we mostly have weeds in the yard but what is healthy and is actually 'grass' has turned a lush green and thriving. So I guess the higher patches are what need to be mowed. I think I'll wait for the hubby to take care of it over the weekend (I'm nice like that).

Today's share~ is another Color Combo from SCS, it's called 'Black Coral Breeze' or CC421. Basic Black, Calypso Coral and Baja Breeze. You can use a neutral color of choice and add optional dessert which is either burlap or the use of triangles. I decided to add dessert...hey there aren't any calories...what could be better??

Here is my card:

I knew that I wanted to try making a 'chalk' board looking card....not sure if this qualifies looking like a chalkboard but I liked it and it worked. Think this one will be sent to my sister-in-law Lisa. Hope she'll like it!

Inside:

Supplies
Stamp Set: En Francais (109521), Loving Thoughts (125845 C), Raining Flowers (122767 C)
Card Stock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Calypso Coral
Ink: Whisper White, Calypso Coral and Crumb Cake
Access: Big Shot (113439), Fun Flowers Bigz L die (121812), linen thread (104199), sponge daubers (102892), 3/4" circle punch (119873), Sycamore Street Designer button (130923), burlap

Thinking about going to go and get a pedicure...but that would require me shaving my legs (that's not relaxing). Thought earlier about scheduling a hair appt. (need to cover the grays). But that too would require me getting dressed in something I can be seen in (too much effort) Instead...I think I will soak up some sun and catch up on my book!! I hope that today you too were able to find some relaxation.

Take care and see you next time!!
-Erin

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

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

Nature Walk Birthday card and gift

Ummm...first of all~ where is Spring? Have you seen it? Felt it? Not here!! Here in Virginia our warmest day on record was actually in January...can you believe that??

So...they say that if we make it through this week...warmer weather is just around the corner...keeping fingers and toes crossed (no not really...I need my fingers to STAMP!!)

Hope you enjoyed the previous post about Easter treats, just a few more to share with you that I had hoped to post sooner. Oopsy!! The kids went back to school today so Momma's been busy!

Here are a few more sweet treats:

These are marshmallow rabbit Peeps, that were covered in chocolate and sprinkled. My daughter Regan and I made them for some friends.
Here is a close-up:

I also wanted to share with you some cookies made with our Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps (sold on pg. 161 in the Idea Book & Catalog).

These cookies used the Occasions set (127081) that includes a rabbit, flower and shamrock.
My friend/downline Anne Butterfield made these...aren't they cute?? They were delicious too!!
When you order the Cookie press stamps, recipes and tips are included. The size of the stamp measures 2 3/4". I want to share with you the recipe that she used..enoy!

Annie Pugh's Sugar Cookies
1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon
salt, 1 cup butter, 1 egg, 3 tsp evap milk, 1 tsp vanilla

Cream sugar and butter, add wet ingredients and then flour,powder and salt...of course butter is at room temperature
Just add colored sugar on them if desired

Butter frosting recipe (for cut- outs)
6tbs butter (room temp)
1lb powdered sugar (which is a box or 4 3/4 cups)
1/4 cup evap milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Note: if you are making reindeer..the perfect color combo for food coloring...we call it "toast" is
1 drop green food coloring
4 yellow drops
3 red drops of food colors = toast

Now you have all our Sugar Cookie secrets....it wasn't a secret though!

(Thanks Anne!!!)

Now...Easter is over and as I have said it before (a million times)...it's SPRING!! Isn't it???

We are all anxious to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine. The flowers start blooming and trees start budding. Animals too awaken. We look forward to longer days, planting our flowers and vegetable gardens and walking on the lush carpet of green grass, barefoot! Doesn't that sound just about right??

It inspired me for my next creation..my girlfriends birthday is today (Happy Birthday Shelly!!)

So..I went to my stash of stamp sets and grabbed Nature Walk (121997 C).
Here is the first card I came up with~ icky..I hate it.

Thought it might have been neat in the beginning...to sort of sew the two ripped sides together..but when I added ribbon..all I could see were laces (and that was even before I added the eyelets!!) Remember those?? Eyelets that is?? I have a stash of them...at least I used a few here (lol). So I used my Pool (almost wrote 'poop') Party Seam binding ribbon along the top and added the linen thread and a tag....not sure if I will trash it..or let Regan give to one of her friends. Like the old Life commercials...give it to Mikey...he'll eat it. In this case...give it to Regan~ she'll like it!

Then it was back to the drawing board...I still knew I wanted to use this set.
Well....my determination paid off...never give up!!

Supplies
Stamp Set: Nature Walk (121997 C), From My Heart (126557 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, First Edition Specialty DSP (121878)
Ink: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Versamark
Access: Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (127555), Big Shot (113439), Framed Tulips embossing folder (121809), dimensionals (104430), basic pearls (119247), glue dots (103683), heat tool (129053), pewter embossing powder (124114), linen thread (104199), Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon (120999), stamping sponges (101610), sticky strip (104294), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772), Color Spritzer tool (107066), Crumb Cake stampin' write marker

Here is an angled shot to show the popped up cage:

Can you tell I was feeling the blue tones?? So....after I sat back and smiled I remembered something else I had wanted to try...it would be the perfect matching gift!!

I ran out to the fabric store...with card in hand and found some pretty darn close synthetic fabrics to Not Quite Navy. Here is the beauty I made....and the little eggs inside are our basic pearls!!

CUTE!!
Here it's on my hand...so you can see IRL the size:

Click here for a tutorial.
NOTE: I didn't use a lighter....I used something even easier...our heat tool!!! You're welcome!!
Here is the box I made using the Bigz XL Bitty Box & Envelope die (retired)

Inside:

That's it for me today...hope you enjoyed. Leave me a comment and make a girl smile :)
Let me know if you have any questions..take care and happy stampin'!

-Erin

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

Easter Treats, let the daffodils bloom!!

Spring?? Easter??
Maybe you have been trapped under blankets of snow~ugh! Or perhaps living in the warmer climates where flowers and trees are already in bloom. (If so...I am incredibly jealous!!)
Here in Virginia the weather has hopefully made up it's mind and will concentrate on warming up. Just this past Monday we had another quick storm that left about 6" of that white stuff in its wake.

Whichever the case...'SPRING' has officially SPRUNG!! (YAY!!)
This Sunday is Easter Sunday and I have some treats to share with you, the kids are now on spring break and I have a cute little project that I had them make, I'll share that with you tomorrow. 

First are these adorable Peep pops! They are almost too cute to eat...well almost!!

CUTE!!!
These were CASED/inspired by the wonderful Shelli Gardner.
Here are a few more pictures..

Close-up:

Note: This supply list contains ingredients used in all of these projects, let me know if you have any questions!!

Supplies
Stamp Set: Everybunny (122707 C), Spring Sampler (125512 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White
Access: Big Shot (113439), First Edition Specialty DSP (, Large Oval punch (119855), Scallop Oval punch (119856), 1/16" circle handheld punch (101227), linen thread (104199), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch pack (118309), 1/8" Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon, basic rhinestones (119246), dimensionals (104430), glue dots (103683), stampin' sponges (101610), 1" circle punch (119861), 1 3/4" scallop circle punch (119854), 1"x8" cello bags (124134), 4"x6" cello bags (102757), Vanilla Flower trim (126869), small oval punch (120908)


Here is another quick treat using our 1"x8" cello bags. (124134)

 Quick and easy!!

You know mason jars are everywhere and being used for all sorts of handmade gifts. Check out this idea found on Pinterest (LOVE that site!)

I shredded some CS and stuffed it down into the bottom of the jar, added my chocolate bunny and held the ears while I dropped in some robins eggs. Voila!!

Here is the tag:

Lastly I made some cute little boxes.

Here is a video tutorial on how to make the box, they hold a Reeses Peanut Butter Egg perfectly!!

As you can see...the common element used in all of these projects is the Daffodil Delight 1/8" taffeta ribbon. The inspiration came from the yellow peeps...but hopefully now the daffodils can bloom!! I hope that wherever you live..that you are surrounded by warmth from either sunshine, family or friends!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

~Erin

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

CC417 'Get Whale Soon'

Hope this post finds that you are doing well...no illnesses to speak of, no injuries and hopefully NO MORE COLD WEATHER!! It was a beautiful weekend here in Winchester, Va. Both Saturday and Sunday were close to 60 (give or take a couple degrees) and SUNNY!!! Before you know it..it will be allergy season and time to start mowing the grass!! Yay(well...not the allergy part)!

Yesterady I didn't get any stamping done...was kinda pooped after a visit from my personal trainer. Then my maid came and cleaned the house...then a chef made came and made a delicious dinner...Ha! Then I woke up!! So when the evening had ended..I enjoyed a glass bottle of red and watched the finale to the Bachelor.

Today however is a different story, I decided it was time to make some St. Patty's treats. Those I will share with you tomorrow. Along with a video perhaps...we'll see. I visited SCS and looked up the color combo for some inspiration.

CC417 is the 'Color Combo' for the day: 'A Certain, Bashful Delight'...cute!!! Yes, they are indeed some 'springy' colors but as I started thinking about what I was going to make, I first thought 'baby'. Funny how you start with an idea and it goes in a completely different direction! The dessert option was to add a critter of sorts (butterfly, dog, cat etc.), so I went with a whale~ that's a critter right??

This card I made for my mom, she broke her foot/ankle and is in a cast and wheelchair. Ouch! 
Supplies
Stamp Set: Oh, Whale (129132 C)
Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Ink: Bashful Blue, Cerainly Celery, Whisper White
Access: Big Shot (113439), Happy Whale Clearlits die (129403), linen thread (104199), Basic pearls (119247), Vintage Faceted Designer buttons (127555), stamping sponges (101610), glue dots (103683), dimensionals (104430), Needlepoint Textured impressions folder (129383), 3/4" circle punch (119873), large oval punch (119855), scallop oval punch (119856), scallop edge border punch (119882)~ and one more thing...can you guess??

Ahhh yes...you guessed it..I used the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz AGAIN!!

Until next time,
Erin

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

To 'CASE' or not to 'CASE'...is the question

Hello there and welcome~ can't wait to share with you today's post. In my personal collection of blogs that I LOVE to follow is Elizabeth Price's blog. Be sure to add it to yours~ she is AMAZING!!

I will get to her and my 'CASE' in just a moment...but first let me explain.
The past couple of weeks months have been trying. Since before Christmas, a time that everyone should be celebrating with family and friends is often the worst time of the year for me and my family. My husband is a self-employed contractor/carpenter and this time of year is always slow. Lately is has been extremely difficult finding work and he has been home quite a bit. If you live locally....call me!! He is great~ has TONS of references and can do just about anything!!

Anyway...a few weeks ago can't even remember when, Aiden my youngest came to inform me that there was a leak in the basement...the ceiling. Ughhh!! After holes were cut we discovered that it was 'minor' (thank-goodness!) Then a week later, the toilet in the half bath started making funny sounds, it would run all the time, gurgle and gasp as if it were coming alive! It's also the only toilet we have not yet replaced in the house (what does that mean???) We had a hard time finding the guts to fix what was wrong...not sure of the exact 'toilet' lingo~ but anyway John fixed that yesterday and started repainting the walls and ceiling in the basement because he was home. So...for that I am grateful that he is as 'handy' as he is...and could help me put the basement back together for Stamp Camp this Friday (yup...tomorrow!!)

Well...wouldn't you know it, I went into the storage closet late last night and noticed water under the water heater...SERIOUSLY????
I think I have kept my sanity throughout this time with stamping...and a few glasses bottles of wine.
Luckily it doesn't seem to be anything major...it has to do with the water pressure coming into the house and since we replaced the guts in the toilet...the pressure seemed to be building in the water heater and was coming out of the overflow pipe. So... we need to install an expansion tank?? I just nod and agree...sip more wine and stay out of the way holding a flashlight when asked. So at some point over the weekend, he'll try to tackle the water heater. In the meantime...momma had to get ready for Stamp Camp!!

That is when I decided that the easiest thing to do was to get on the computer and search for inspiration...I came across Elizabeth's beauty (click here)and the light bulb went on...angels were singing...you get the idea!

To CASE means to (C) copy (A) and (S) steal share (E) everything. So...I did and thank-you to Elizabeth for creating such a beauty and making my life a wee bit less stressful!!

We will also make a coordinating gift:

It's a 2 1/2"x 3 1/2" frame I found and I'm sure it will brighten someones day. For Valentine's or any other occasion.

Supplies (for both)
Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter (129252 C), Tiny Tags (118592 C), Sale-a-Bration Bloomin' Marvelous (129654 C)
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Baja Breeze Core'dinations (129321), More Amore DSP (129301)
Ink: Crumb Cake
Access: Basic Pearls (119247), linen thread (104199), 5/8" crochet trim (118481), Big Shot (113439), Honeycomb embossing folder (129378), sticky strip (104294) , jewelry tag punch (117190), small heart punch (117193), Hearts a Flutter framelits dies (130159)

Note: you can save $$ and purchase the Hearts a Flutter Bundle (131098 W, 131097 C)

Please let me know if you have any questions, leave me a comment and let me know what you think and remember to check out all of Elizabeth's beauties!!

BIG hugs,
~Erin

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

Election Day!!! (and some pretty projects too!!)

Today is election day...did you vote??
I did...my husband and I ran out today after lunch and was glad (surprised really) to see that there wasn't a line!
I look forward to the next four years...hoping for a better country. May the best man win! I am also looking forward to no more commercials and ads!! Yikes...is it me or was it really bad this year??

Over the weekend I had a Workshop at my hostess/friend Gloria's home...it was so much fun! It was a small group (we had 6 people including myself). I think smaller groups are more intimate and we enjoyed a nice lunch. It was funny~we had taken a break for lunch and drinks (it's never too early for a glass of wine)and while we were just sitting there...with drinks in hand, her hubby Norman walked into the room....BUSTED!! It was cute~ he thought we were stamping...or supposed to be but nope!!

For a hostess "thank-you" gift~ I made another 'etched' glass vase. I used the leave image from the new die in the Holiday Catalog. I had thought about ordering this die...but then decided not to because I had the retired Leaves #2 die...very similar...but I LOVE this one more and the acorn??
So cute!!! Thank God my downline Beth had ordered it and let me borrow it (thanks Beth!). I filled with some decorate grassy stuff (not sure what it's called) and placed some acorns on top. Didn't think flowers would travel well in the car! Click here for a video tutorial I did on etched glass.

Here is a close-up:

We made 2 cards and a set of 4 coasters. The holidays are upon us~ crazy!!! But it's never too early to start thinking of gift giving...this one you might want to add to your fav's!

Here are the coasters:

Here is a close-up:
(front)

(back)

Directions: dust off tiles, stamp image that you plan on using with Staz-On ink and heat set the tile in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and apply cork backing.

Here is the coolest part~ I bought the tiles from a home center store. They are tumbled marble tiles that come 9 to a box for less then $4.00 for the box! You can't get anything better than that for a beautiful handmade gift! You have to look through them to see which ones would be best for stamping on~ since it's tumbled marble...there are a few that have more imperfections than others and certain ones that are just...too pitted to stamp on.

Here is the card that we made to accompany the gift~

Close up:

It's prettier in person...because I added shimmer!! Hee hee...of course I did!! You just can't tell from this photo :(
Supplies:
Stamp Set: Sunflower (123606 W, 123608 C)
Card Stock: River Rock, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Ink: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, River Rock, More Mustard
Access: stamping sponges (101610), Color Spritzer tool (107066), Early Espresso marker, Pool Party Seam binding ribbon (125582), Brushed Bronze Designer buttons (127833), Champagne Mist Shimmer paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol) (116806)

This next card was so easy~ no stamping!! It was inspired (practically CASED) by the ever so wonderful Shelli Gardner (Stampin' Up! CEO) . If you have not checked out her blog www.soshelli.com then make that a top priority...she has some beautiful projects posted!! Click here for the link to her beauty.

Supplies:
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty DSP (121878), Champagne Glimmer Paper (127885)
Access: Big Shot (113439), Autumn Accents Bigz die (127812), linen thread (104199), Square Lattice folder (119976)

See?? Not many materials needed and it can be for any occasion! Make something similar but smaller for place setting/name tags. Perfecto!

That's it for me today~ feels good to be a little caught up at home. I took down the Halloween decorations (sad, sad, sad) and put out the Thanksgiving ones...I even have bins in the attic for good ol' turkey day!! I think I need a bigger attic~yikes!!

 I was tempted to put up the tree...since we have two artificial trees what does it matter?? But I held back and gladly~ we are hosting Thanksgiving this year and it feels good to have a little change of scenery around the house...wanna a sneak peek?

Check out my mice~

Take care and happy stampin'~ let me know if you have any question, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Erin