Desiree at play!

Art banner

2011-06-03T17:34:00.008-07:00

Creating a banner was a bonus project in the She Art Workshop that I took recently online. Christy used canvas fabric pages and spelled out dream. I used paint canvas and I only had three, so I spelled art. Take a look:

Ha, you can see my toes in the bottom of the photo, heeheehee. Each of the canvases is 6” x 8” and since I live in a rental, I will use the Command Strips to place them on the wall in my little studio.

I started out with a light sky blue paint as a base. Then I sprayed olive Glitter Mist over a doily. I stamped with Stazon and distressed with Ranger distress ink. I used stamps, rubons, and paint to add texture and color.

I didn’t have any templates for the letters so I jumped on my laptop and made my own. I experimented with different fonts till I found one that I liked.

I printed it and cut it out. Perfect. I used purple paint and then outlined with black ink. I used Mod Podge over the rubons and I also used a spray sealant. Then I covered the entire canvas with Mod Podge.

So not quite a banner since they will hang separately although I could use my Crop-a-dile to punch holes and string it up. Perhaps…

Have a great weekend!
Happy crafting,
Desiree

Get ‘em before they are gone forever!

2011-06-02T18:09:00.001-07:00

Stampin’ Up! has just released their annual retiring stamps and products lists. Please take a moment to check out the lists of retiring products. Many items have been discounted up to 40%!
If there is anything you want please order online. Stamps are available until July 1, however all other products are "while supplies last" and they go fast!

Looking forward to the new catalog… One perk of being a demonstrator is preordering some of the new goodies. And wow – if the preview is any indication of what’s in the new catalog, we are all in for a real treat!

Happy crafting!
Desiree

I’m amazed….

2011-05-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

As you know I am such a sporadic poster, it amazes me that I ever have any visitors. So today I opened Blogger and just for funzies I clicked on the Stats tab and this is what I saw for visits last week…United States 53, France 15, Colombia 9, Canada 4, Ukraine 3, Germany 1,Israel 1, Japan 1, Netherlands 1, New Zealand 1.

Yep, I’m amazed especially because I hadn’t posted since March. People actually do come to my blog. Folks looked at lots of different posts, some as far back as January 2009.

So a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who comes here to take a peek at my occasional projects.

I’ve been taking a great class called the She Art Workshop. It’s over now but if Christy offers it again, you should take it. It’s a great way to learn mixed media, as I did, or to have fun learning techniques using products that you haven’t used before. I’ve just begun her next workshop She Had Three Hearts.

Here is my latest She Art girl. The style for this lesson was vintage. So I used a drawing of a 1950s woman on a McCall’s sewing pattern as my guide. Definitely the hair is all wrong, it should be lots shorter and closely cropped. I haven’t come up with a four letter word I want to put on the banner either. I like the overall coloring and enjoyed figuring out how to create a pattern from an image.

Here are some close up shots.

Creating the backgrounds is my favorite part. Papers, paint, stamps, rubons, ink, texture, sprays, pens. All on a 6” x 8” canvas. All supplies are from my stash and are things that I’ve picked up over the years.
Christy’s videos are so fun to watch. Not only are they informative but she has such a fun personality and it really comes through as she is working on her examples.

I hope that you have all had a wonderful and thoughtful Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all who serve our country in the military; past, present and future. Thank you Dad, and thank you in advance Lauren (my niece)!

Happy crafting!
Desiree

A little ATC challenge

2011-03-30T19:42:00.003-07:00

I haven’t created an Artist Trading Card in ages. However on the Our Creative Corner blog the challenge was to use a particular color palette and use it to create an ATC. This was a fun challenge. At first I felt intimidated because the canvas area seemed tiny. What can you do with such a small space???

So I gathered supplies in the color palette: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla plus one other color. I chose Old Olive. Pretty quickly I knew what I wanted to do with the paper. Then I pulled out Pocket Silhouettes stamp set. Small images, perfect! So it almost put itself together.

Those little rosettes are so stinkin’ cute! I am so glad that I bought that die. I used the First Edition DSP to make them but I sprayed the paper with Olive Glimmer Mist first. I also sponged the doily in the lower left corner and the doily tape at the top before adhering to the ATC. The Crumb Cake banner is raised up on dimensionals.

Maybe I’ll make a few more of these.

Not all of the supplies are Stampin’ Up! on this ATC. ATC card is by Strathmore, the music notes paper is from 7 Gypsies, the rosettes die is a MFT Dienamics die, Glimmer Mist, Miss Elizabeth’s doily tape, generic doily and mini rick rack.

Happy Crafting!
Desiree

Edited to add: I received a Top Trio Award from Our Creative Corner!!!

Stampin’ Up! Supplies Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake and Basic Black cardstock, First Edition Designer Series Paper, and a scrap of retired dsp
Ink: Old Olive, Basic Black
Embellishments: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Fabric flower

2011-03-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

I saw this card on Schwoo!’s blog and decided to CASE it. I love the flower and I watched the video on how to make one with Gluber. I don’t have Gluber, so I cut a circle out of a piece of Stampin’ Up! Sticky Cuts adhesive sheets. The fabric strip that I had in my ribbon box was hand dyed with walnut ink and stamped with a leaf image. I got it at my local scrapbook store, Arts and Scraps.

The flower is fairly easy to make and will get even easier with practice. Using a Gluber would be better then the sticky cut circle I think because it seems that it’s more gluey. Maybe I am imagining that since I’ve only seen it in the video. I did end up adding a bit of glue here and there under some pieces of fabric as I went along.

The card is simple with the focus on the flower. I really like how it turned out. Besides the base, all other pieces are from my scrap pile.

I am still having fun with my SheArt Workshop. Here’s one of my recent canvases. The head is a bit too big, but she’s in Paris so who cares, right?

Can you see the texture? Underneath her is a crumpled sheet of a McCall’s pattern, there are doilies, journal paper, textured paint, rub ons, and stamped images.

Tomorrow I am meeting a guy I’ve been matched with on eHarmony. Wish me luck!

Happy crafting!
Desiree

Supplies - Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Just Believe, Vintage Vogue
Paper: Naturals, scraps of designer series paper
Ink: Soft Suede
Embellishments: Antique Brad, fabric strip

Driving in my jammies

2011-03-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

So on days when I am not going to work but still need to drive Emily to school I just go in my jammies. After all, no one is going to see me right? And as long as my hair isn’t crazy wild, it’s all good.

This morning I’m driving along and end up behind a woman who's car had stalled in a left turning lane. She was sitting in her car and didn’t have her blinkers on and we all ended up going around her. A few minutes later on the return trip I saw that she was still stalled and was now standing outside her car directing people around her. Poor gal was in a pink floral robe and slippers! I felt so bad for her, she must have been mortified! And just like me, I am sure that she thought she was just making a quick trip so why get dressed.

Now that I’ve seen that I’m thinking slipping on a pair of jeans is the way to go. No telling know when the old truck is going to put me in an awkward situation!

Recently I held my Spring Stamp-a-Stack. Everyone made four cards of four designs so I kept it really simple. Some of the products, like the Spring Vintage designer series paper, seam binding, and the Nature Walk stamp set are from the Occasions Mini.

Sunday I was out in Washougal with the Sew Desperate ladies for a card class. They are such a hoot! Over the next couple of days I’ll be working on my SheArt canvases. The last one I made looked awful! Maybe it was the beverage I was drinking, heeheehee! Since it's mixed media artwork, I have been able to use lots of my Stampin' Up! ink pads, stamps, reinkers, paper, ribbon and rub ons.

Sale-a-bration is still going on for about another two weeks! Don’t miss out on getting free products, LOTS to choose from including stamps in the regular catalog.

Also for those interested in joining Stampin’ Up!, you get 15% off the price of your starter kit and a free bonus package worth $50. Take a look!

That's it for today. It's my mom's birthday (she passed away 9 years ago) and so I will toast to her with a good glass of wine. She would have been 69. I also thought it would be fun to find an age progression tool online and scan in a photo of her to see what she might have looked like today. Something fun and silly!

Have a great crafty day!
Desiree

Supplies (for top card)
Stamp sets: Nature Walk, Occasional Quotes (hostess)
Paper: Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper
Inks: Not Quite Navy, River Rock
Embellishments: Basic Pearls
Tools: sponge

Five months…

2011-02-23T23:30:00.000-08:00

…have gone by in a blink…. I last posted in September when I was very excited about the letterpress plates and fabric in the Winter Mini.

Fast forward through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day, and here we are…

In nutshell, for Halloween we dressed up at work as a group and our theme was 1920s flappers. We had so much fun with that.

For Thanksgiving, Emily and I traveled up to Jennifer’s in the Shelton area for a wonderful and relaxing weekend. I love it there.

Just before Christmas we moved into a great little house with a huge finished basement that I’ve made into my craft room. It’s so nice to have a space all of my own, with my own TV, away from the rest of the hubbub of the house. HA! It’s my woman cave!

New Year’s Eve and day were fairly uneventful. The following weeks were not. Emily is pregnant. Luckily she is determined to stay in school and plans on doing an open adoption. The best choice for her and her baby. After wrapping my little head around that, my other daughter dives into some health troubles and is now headed toward a minor surgery in March.

So Feb. 17 was the 9th anniversary of my mom’s sudden death. Always a hard day for me and my brothers. No time to wallow though because the house I had moved out of in December was torched by arson. That was freaky. The next day I fell twisting my back and landing on top of some heavy glass vases (my craft room is big but not yet organized) and bruised up my arms and legs.
In between there has been “fixin” the pets, days without electricity, lots of appointments, my dog Sugar disappeared and my dog Chloe died, book club get togethers, stolen DVDs, failing grades, colds, parties, etc. I can hardly believe that I made it to work with any regularity!!! Life, gotta love it, or cry.

So I ended up not making any holiday cards this year. I couldn’t even get to a point where I could think about creating them. Maybe spring cards… I have been doing other crafting though. I am in a circle journal group and have created 6 different layouts for that. Over the last couple of days I’ve made “Book Paraphernalia” kits – book plate, bookmark, and library card with pocket. They will be available at Arts and Scraps and will be a great addition when giving a book.

I’ve also been taking classes at Arts and Scraps. Love Denise’s creativity. I wish I was at that level. I will keep at it till I am!

I have scheduled some classes including a monthly technique class. March I’ll feature masking and April will be embossing. I hope that those attending will come away having learned something new.

Ok, so this has been a really long post. I would like to think that I’ll be on the ball and post at least once a week. However every time I think about doing that I fall off the wagon.

Happy crafting!!!!
Desiree

Stampin' Up! Letterpress and Fabric!!!!

2010-09-13T12:35:00.001-07:00

The Winter Mini is full of great new products. Take a look at these two videos. The first one features Stampin' Up! new letterpress plates that you use with the Big Shot. There are 4 plates available in the Winter Mini that coordinate with other products in the mini catalog.

This next video features fabric. Stampin' Up!'s new fabric offering matches stamp sets, designer paper, button, etc. What a great new medium to incorporate into your crafting!

I hope you enjoyed these two Stampin' Up! videos! Have a great day and make time for crafting!

Desiree

My Play Date is over….

2010-09-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

Here’s the last of my Play Date creations. I made several items and used them to change my display at Arts and Scraps. Things I have for sale are notepads, bookmarks, matchboxes, cards and the metal/cork/calendar from this post.

Here are the cards that I made:

I have completely depleted my Play Date Collection. Nothing left! I can hardly believe that I used it all up.

So, later this month I’ll be teaching a class at Arts and Scraps. It’s a canvas class. I am really looking forward to it! We’ll be covering a canvas and then adding handmade flowers to it. The class is really all about creating the flowers. I’ll be teaching how to make 6 different ones.

I am preparing another class sample to present to Denise, who owns Arts and Scraps, for a second class on the same day. Usually Denise would be teaching however, she will be at Uncovered Ruby in Battle Ground for a Vintage Fair.

I’m feeling very vintage-y myself these days and have more projects rolling around in my mind.

Now would be a great time to join my team. Here’s why:

Free Craft Tote Promotion
September 1 through October 18, receive a FREE craft tote—a $39.95 value—when you join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator!
Imagine sharing your love of Stampin’ Up! with this stylish and practical tote, patterned after our Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper and large enough to carry 12" x 12" card stock and a Paper Cutter, as well as punches, ink pads, and accessories. And with two Starter Kits* to choose from—Standard and Digital+—at a new lower price, there’s never been a better time to join the Stampin’ Up! family.

Contact me TODAY to get started with this tote-ally awesome opportunity.

*Sample Starter Kit contents pictured in tote

I’ve also been selling my retired Stampin’ Up! sets on eBay. My seller id is desireesellsstamps. I really need to add more items to my Etsy shop as well. It’s hard to find the time to do everything!!!

Have a great day!
Desiree

More Play Date….

2010-08-24T23:14:00.002-07:00

Here is a better photo of the metal/cork board with the calendar hanging from the bottom. The actual size is 10” wide by 12” high.
As I said in the last post, I love the Play Date collection of designer series paper, accents, rub ons and the super cute owl punch. That owl is just precious!
This photo is a close up of the top portion. You can see the magnets and push pins a lot better. The cork is 4x4 and fits perfectly on the Real Red cardstock that I cut with the Sizzix scallop square die.

I made a little pencil pot and two cutie little owls as pencil toppers. I also covered some blocks with squares from the dsp.
Next I’ll be working on more pieces that coordinate with these organizational projects.
All supplies are listed in this post.
Have a great crafty day!
Desiree

Getting ready for school!

2010-08-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

This photo is a bit small… hopefully you can see it ok. These projects are the class samples for next Tuesday’s class. This would make a great set for a student just starting the school year!

I used the Play Date collection: designer series paper and accents. The top portion is a metal sheet covered with paper with a square of cork board. Below that is a monthly calendar hanging on rings with a decorative piece next to it that can be changed out.

Additional projects include a pencil holder with two owl pencil toppers and number blocks. You can barely see them, but there are three magnets and 2 push pins as well. Not pictured are a set of lunch notes to include in the student’s lunch box. How fun is that?

The Play Date Accents sheet comes with a bunch of adhesive die cuts to use with the calendar.

The second class, Play Date #2, will follow along the same organizational theme with folders, labels, binder clips, notepad, and a frame for the first day of school photo.
Needless to say I am loving this collection and playing with it. I’ll be giving all of these class samples to my sweet Lunch Buddy at Hough Elementary School.

Have a great day!

Desiree

Supplies
Paper: So Saffron, Real Red, Early Espresso, Tempting Turquoise, Play Date Designer Series Paper
Embellishments: Play Date Accents, buttons, Early Espresso 1/8” taffeta

Vegas Baby!

2010-08-13T18:13:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! My kids and I are just wrapping up a week in Las Vegas. My dad has a timeshare here in a fabulous resort just a few blocks from the strip. We have been having a blast!

We’ve seen the free shows at the Bellagio, Treasure Island and the Mirage. Last night we went to the Chris Angel/Cirque du Soleil show at the Luxor and it was fantastical. The kids went on the roller coaster at New York, New York. We also went to the Shark Reef in Mandalay Bay.

We had a moment of panic when we lost Dad in the Luxor just moments before the show. He has mild Alzheimer’s and really can’t be left alone in unfamiliar places at all. Not even for a second. Luckily security located him within minutes. The whole episode gave me flashbacks to the Phoenix incident – lost Dad for 2 days.

So today is about relaxing and packing. and migrating back to real life!

Just before vacation, I created these cute cards using the Love Birds Simply Scrappin’ Kit. The kits are wonderful for scrapbooking and awesome for card making as well.

These cards are part of the 15 Lovely Cards class I’ll be having on Tuesday.

The colors featured in this kit are Blushing Bride, So Safron, Certainly Celery and Early Espresso. I added various embellishments and ribbons. Lots of sentiments are used so the card set can be used throughout the year.

After class this set will be available for purchase at Arts and Scraps.

Have a great day!!!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamp set: Kind Thanks, Tiny Tags, All Holidays
Cardstock: Love Birds Simply Scrappin’ Kit, Whisper White
Ink: Blushing Bride, So Safron, Certainly Celery and Early Espresso
Embellishments: Mix and Match On Board Chipboard, white organza ribbon, Subtles buttons
Tools: Jewelry Tag Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, corner rounder

Hello again!

2010-07-15T19:55:00.001-07:00

So, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted… Since then the new Stampin’ Up! catalog has been release and it is gorgeous! There isn’t a page in it that I don’t have something marked for my wish list!

There are so many project ideas that I can’t wait to start creating. I love that Stampin’ Up! has a supply list available for every project. It makes it really easy to CASE the catalog.

I’m loving the new Definitely Decorative catalog too. The chalkboard elements are so cool. And the new styles are really fun. Just look at this cover… perfect for over a desk. What a fun and inexpensive way to add whimsy and practicality to your home. There are some holiday pieces from Halloween to Christmas that you will remember from last year.

Every year I have a fun Catalog Celebration at my house. Besides the catalog, everyone will receive a catalog kit, and special coupons. We will do a couple of Make and Take projects and have munchies. It’s not a party without games and prizes, right?

There is still a few weeks left for the Summer Mini. Here’s a card I made recently to thank some brides for their business.

The card base is Almost Amethyst with layers of Whisper White and Blush Blossom. The stamp sets are Blissful Bride and Vintage Labels (which was a Sale-a-Bration set).

You can just barely see the glitter on the ribbons of the wedding dress. I used markers to color the flowers and border along the bottom.

Meanwhile, I am impatiently awaiting my first order from this catalog… I focused on the Play Date collection. Love it!!! I will be designing a class or two around these products. My next order will be all about the vintage items. I am just drooling over that catalog…. can you tell?

Next week I will be getting crafty since it’s my week off. I will really try to get some more posts up on the blog too!

I’ve started selling my cards and other papercrafts at a local scrapbooking store, Arts and Scraps. This is my favorite shop and Denise (owner) and Lisa, her right hand gal, are fabulous! If you live in Clark County or the Portland Metro area, you gotta stop by. She also sells antiques and vintage goodies.

Thank you for visiting!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Blissful Bride, Vintage Labels (SAB), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Blush Blossom
Ink: Black Stazon
Embellishments: White ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds
Tools: Scallop Edge punch, large Oval punch, Almost Amethyst and Blush Blossom markers, glue pen

Razzleberry Trio

2010-06-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

This trio of cards were the projects for a class I taught at my local scrapbooking shop, Arts and Scraps. It was during an awesome two day crop! Anyway, I had some extra supplies from that event and decided to make up the card sets and sell them in my new Etsy shop. You can visit it here.

I have a few other items there as well. I plan on adding something every week. Hopefully you will stop by and take a look, perhaps something will appeal to you!

The set that I used for these cards is Vintage Vogue. The colors look awesome together: Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery and Whisper White.

Of the three, the bird card is my favorite. I love the bird punch! I punched the bird out of textured cardstock. I used the color spritzer with the Rich Razzleberry marker on the Whisper White cardstock, then I added the Vanilla Smooch Spray over that. It gives a beautiful sparkly finish. LOVE IT!!! Love it so much that my bottle is now empty!

The next card is the "friends" card. I used clear emossing on the "F" and on the border along the bottom. I wrapped celery satin ribbon around the cardstock and left a tail in the front. The flowers are white paper flowers with a purple gem in the center. I couldn't believe I had the perfect match for the gem, found it in one of those many unopened craft bags in my craft storage area.

I used the Faux Silk technique on the third card. I rolled the Very Vintage wheel in Certainly Celery on tissue. Then I stamped the flowers in Rich Razzleberry. For this technique you wad up the tissue into a tiny ball. I had to wait a few minutes before doing this because the ink doesn't dry immediately like it does on cardstock. Anyway, next you unwad the tissue being very careful not to tear it. Spread gluestick on your cardstock and then careful lay down the tissue, leave the wrinkles. Then trim your tissue to the size of the cardstock.

I used the Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon, placing a knot in the front. The sentiment says "Life happens. Love helps."

In my Etsy shop, I've bundled the cards along with envelopes and tied them with pretty celery satin ribbon. They are just waiting to zoom out in the mail.

The rest of this evening I am working on card designs for the Card Buffet happening later this month.

Thank you for visiting and have a fabulous day!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage wheel
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Celery satin ribbon, Rich Razzleberry polka Dot grosgrain ribbon, paper flowers, rhinestone gem, clear embossing, Vanilla Smooch Spray
Tools: Bird punch, color spritzer, paper distressor, five petal punch, Rich Razzleberry marker.

Elegant cards set

2010-06-04T00:01:00.015-07:00

This trio of cards is a sampling of the fifteen cards we'll be making in my Elegant Cards class on June 17. For details check out my Facebook page or my Stampin' Up! Web site.

I used the Guest Book Simply Scrappin' Kit and while it is wonderful for scrapbooking a wedding event, it is also great for making cards.

I used a variety of sentiments and embellishments. All the main layers of the cards are the textured cardstock which gives them a nice and luxe feel. The color palette is Basic Black, Basic Grey, Very Vanilla and Whispr White. I really enjoyed working with these elements.

In the class we'll be using ribbon, hodgepodge hardware, pearls, buttons and brads. Sentiments vary from birthday, thank you, sympathy and general friendship.

Would love to see you in class! Sign up by dropping me an email!

Desiree

Supplies
Guest Book Simply Scrappin' Kit, various stamp sets and embellishments

2010 Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products

2010-06-01T08:00:00.003-07:00

This is it!!! Stamp sets and product that are retiring are listed here on my web site. Don't wait, these items will sell out FAST!

You can shop directly from my web site by clicking on the "SHOP NOW" button in the upper right corner. Items will be delivered to your home.

Some retiring cardstock colors have sold out already - some items are on backorder. I fully expect many embellishments to sell out within the first week.

Have fun shopping!!!!
Desiree

Elements of Style - Leaves

2010-05-31T22:30:00.014-07:00

Another Elements of Style card. I used a Sketch For You To Try sketch by Jen Del Muro. This was fun to put together.

I colored the stamp with Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, and So Safron markers, then stamped on Very Vanilla. I also used the Color Spritzer and a Soft Suede marker. Plus I sponged with So Safron too.

I distressed the edges of the Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and More Mustard pieces. The card base is Not Quite Navy. There is vanilla satin ribbon over the mustard cardstock.

I used the Little Leaves sizzlit and cut leaves out of Old Olive. The sentiment is stamped in Soft Suede on More Mustard and punched with the 1" punch to fit in Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware.

On a side note, my lovely daughter Emily received an award for Tolerance at the Clark County Youth Achievement Awards. She is also a Clark County Youth Commissioner and presented the awards for Family Life. She gave a speech to about 1,000 people and did very well. This year we could actually hear her! I am a proud mama!

Thanks for visiting!

Desiree

Supplies

Stamps: Elements of Style

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Ink: Soft Suede, So Safron

Markers: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, So Safron, Soft Suede

Embellishments: Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware, Vanilla Satin Ribbon

Tools: Sponge, Color Spritzer, paper distresser, Sizzix Big Shot, Little Leaves sizzlit

Elements of Style - Butterflies

2010-05-29T23:15:00.001-07:00

This pretty card is one I case'd from the catalog, page 110. Don't you just love the Beautiful Wings embosslit???

I used the same color palette as the other cards I made using this stamp set. This was the third card for my Very Vintage class.

I stamped the image in Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and sponged So Safron on it as well. I layered that on a piece of Not Quite Navy that was punched with the spiral punch. Then I layered all of that onto Old Olive that I pierced along the edges. I wrapped linen thread around this three times. The card base is So Safron. The butterflies are Not Quite Navy.

I've finally put this set aside, I need to do some stamping with some other sets!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you are having a fabulous day!!!
Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Elements of Style
Cardstock: So Safron, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Soft Suede, So Safron
Embellishments: linen thread
Tools: paper piercer, sponge, spiral punch, Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit

Elements of Style Flower

2010-05-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

I just love the Elements of Style stamp set. This is the first card that we made at my Very Vintage class. The tissue flower really makes the card!

I used Versamark to stamp the floral background on the Old Olive base and the torn More Mustard layer to add some interest. I used a wrinkled Soft Suede scallop border at the top and bottom of the Very Vanilla panel. Besides stamping in Soft Suede I also sponged in So Safron. I added Vanilla satin ribbon which is folded into pleats.

The flower is made of four layers of tissue cut with the Flower Layers die. I separated them and offset the petals. I used the three larger flowers. Next I put a brad in the center and crunched up the flowers. That took the most time because it's fun to squish the tissue and make it look just so. I ran a So Safron sponge over the tissue to give it a
I used a sketch from The Shabby Tea Room. That is such a lovely blog. little color. The I put a So Safron button threaded with linen thread in the middle.

Have a great day!
Desiree

Supplies
Stamps - Elements of Style
Cardstock: Old Olive, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Versamark
Embellishments: tissuer, So Safron button from Button Latte, linen thread, brad, vanilla satin ribbon
Tools: paper distresser, scallop edge punch, Sizzix Big Shot, flower layers die

Summer Mini - now through August 31

2010-05-07T20:48:00.000-07:00

Summer 2010 Mini catalog products - check out this Stampin' Up! video to see all the awesome products they created.

I have to tell you about my favorite items in the Summer Mini!

Stampin' Around Builder Wheel and Triple Cell Cartridge (pages 8-9) - Mix and match 1, 2, or 3 builder wheels and use with three colors in the triple cell cartridge for a fun look on cards, scrapbook pages or giftwrap!
Elements of Style stamp set (pages 12-13) - This lovely stamp set is so versatile and pretty. See my Very Vintage class pictured at right.
Smooch Spritz (page 15) - Available in 4 colors, this spray adds a cool shimmer to your project. Add dimension by layering different colors.
Favorite Thoughts stamp set (page 19) - I love the quotes in this set. Four very true statements to add fun to your cards, letters and pages.
Tropical collection (pages 26-27) - Okay, this isn't one product but once you see it you won't blame me for loving it all! Tropical Party stamp set, Island Floral Bigz Die, Party Favor boxes, Designer Album, and Island Oasis Designer Series Paper all with a tropical great theme. I am definitely going to use this for a fun stamping event at my house this summer!

Take a gander at this great little catalog: Summer 2010 Mini

Have a great day!
Desiree

Retiring colors! Get them now!!!

2010-05-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

Quite a few of the Stampin' Up! colors are retiring to make way for new and exciting colors. I personally can't wait until this Color Renovation takes place. I've seen the new colors and they are fabulous!!!!

Some of the retiring product is on backorder, so don't wait to order!!!

Here are the colors that are going away - any associated products (ribbon, stamp pads, reinkers, designer series paper, etc) will also be retiring.

Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Do you love Stampin' Up! as much as I do????

2010-04-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

This isn't my usual type of post - generally I have a card or other project to show - but today I wanted to share the exciting benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

I recently finished my third year as a demonstrator and I love it as much today as I did when I first started. I've met lots of really cool people, I've used my craft supplies like never before, I've challenged myself creatively and I've earned some extra cash. But that's not why I signed up!

I already loved Stampin' Up products, I already enjoyed stamping with Barb (my upline), and I already had a close-knit group of stamping buddies so that's not why I signed up either!

I signed up so that I could order goodies from the catalogs before customers, so that I could get the monthly Stampin' Success magazine, so that I could go to Convention, and so that I could develop more fabulous friendships and share my love of crafting!

So why am I posting all this???? I want to share this great company with you! You can experience all this too!

There are all levels of demonstrators, from those that just want the discount for themselves and their friends to those that become million dollar sellers. You choose your level!

You can live anywhere in the US and be part of my team! Living in the age of technology makes sharing a breeze over long distances. As part of my team, I'll share a lot with you! Contact me anytime with any questions that you have.

You will get a 20% discount on supplies (30% on your first order). You can earn incentive trips and free stamps. You can go to Convention, which is a blast! You can participate as much or as little as you want in Stampin' Up! promotions. You control your level of activity!

Check out my web site for a video, benefits, compensation, and more. If you decide to sign up, use this password: desiree http://www.desiree.stampinup.net/ Take a look at the catalog and the retiring colors list because you can customize your kit!

And remember, you are in business for yourself, NOT by yourself!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Desiree

Elemental Circles

2010-04-25T19:58:00.001-07:00

I used the Fall To Layout #86 for this card. I've been meaning to use the sketches for some time but haven't had time.

Blush Blossom and Sage Shadow are retiring colors and I love them. So these may be the only two colors that I keep around.

I clear embossed the flower stamp on the Blush Blossom first. Next I stamped it in Basic Grey ink on Shimmery White and used pastels to color the flowers in. I also stamped the flowers in Basic Grey ink on Basic Grey cardstock and Sage Shadow cardstock. I punched out different sized circles and fit them in the corresponding area on the Blush Blossom. I used dimensionals to raise the Shimmery White layers.

Let me know what you think!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, Basic Grey, Shimmery White
Ink: Basic Grey, Versamark
Other: Stampin' Pastels, clear embossing powder, dimensionals
Tools: Circle punches (3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8"), heat gun

Soft Suede Bird

2010-04-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

The Elements of Style stamp set is beautiful. I just love it! Here I combined So Safron, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla.

For the Top Note layer, I sponged the edges with both So Safron and Soft Suede. I also used the Color Spritzer with the Soft Suede marker. The background stamp was stamped in So Safron and then I used the thumping technique with the Soft Suede marker, then I misted it with water.

The bird is stamped in Soft Suede and cut out, then adhered with dimensionals. The sentiment is stamped in Soft Suede and the ribbon is Very Vanilla satin.

Besides playing with this stamp set I've been working on some items that I've created with the Cog Chipboard coming in the summer mini.

Speaking of minis, you only have a little over a week left to order from the Occasions mini catalog. There are some wonderful products available in it.

I need to give my daughter a ride to the store and get back to my craft table so I'm off. Have a great day!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: So Safron, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: So Safron, Soft Suede
Other: Very Vanilla 5/8" satin ribbon, Soft Suede marker, dimensionals
Tools: Sizzix, Top Note die, color spritzer, water mister, sponges

Very Vintage

2010-04-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun creating this card. I cased if from the front of the summer mini catalog that has just been released. Several of my best customers received theirs already! If you didn't, let me know and I'll get one to you.

My card is a different color combo, uses different stamps and a embellishments. First I used a texture plate for the Barely Banana base but only embossed the front. Then I sponged a very light coat of Sahara Sand to bring out the detail. I layered a piece of Cameo Coral on that. Next I took a piece of Certainly Celery and distresed the edges a little and layered it on the Cameo Coral. I set that aside to work on the next layer.

The next part was to use a piece of Blush Blossom and age it. First I used Blush Blossom ink and the En Francais background stamp and stamped a very light background. Then I used the color spritzer with a Close to Cocoa marker. After that I embossed with clear embossing powder and the filigree stamp in the Frineds 24-7 set. I sponged a little Sahara Sand over that. Lastly I really distressed the edges but good! Tearing, separating paper layers, a little ripping, rolling, etc. I did a little sewing in one corner - by hand, not machine. I stamped the sentiment in Chocolate Chip.

Now on to the embellishments....

I stamped flowers from Friends 24-7 on Very Vanilla cardstock with Sahara Sand ink and then used Stampin' Pastels to give them some color. Next I covered the entire piece with Versamark and clear embossing powder to give it a nice shine. I used the Sizzix and Beautiful Butterflies die to die cut it. In retrospect, I think I should have sponged the edges a bit. I tied a bit of linen thread around the butterfly for a body and antenae.

I stamped the sentiments in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla and cut them out. I adhered "FRIENDS" over the same word on the Blush Blossom layer and adhered "24-7" where I would put the Very Vanilla Hodgpodge Hardware over it. I added a little fold of Certainly Celery satin ribbon under the hardware.

I love how the layers of texture look on this card so I decided to make a second one. It is very similar however I used the bird punch instead. And I added a pearl in the middle of the stitching.

Again, I love how both cards turned out. It is really nice to be able to case something, change it up a bit and make it yours.

I did use some soon-to-be-retired colors: Barely Banana and Cameo Coral. Stock up before they are gone!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Friends 24-7, En Francais
Paper: Barely Banana, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, Very Vanilla
Ink: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, VersaMark
Other: Close to Cocoa marker, Cameo Coral and Certainly Celery pastels, linen thread, pearl, Very Vanilla Hodgepodge hardware, Certainly Celery satin ribbon, clear embossing powder
Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Harlequin texture plate, Bird punch, distressing tool, paper piercer, needle & thread, sponge color spritzer

A little two-step stampin'

2010-04-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

Just in case you aren't familiar with two-step stamping, or need a refresher, I put together this little photo "how-to" for you. The only stamp set that I have handy is a retired set however there are several great sets in the catalog and some of them are ON SALE NOW! For this project I am using the masking technique along with two-step stamping.

First, I am stamping the outline stamps on a post-it and then cutting them out to create the masks. I stamped near the top of the post-it so that the sticky part is underneath my mask. That way they stay in place while I am stamping over them.

I stamped a row of leafy stems in Chocolate Chip ink along the bottom of my Very Vanilla cardstock.

Covering the stems with the mask allows me to stamp the next row of flowers without stamping on the leaves. I only cut two leaf masks so I'll have to move them over.

I've stamped the solid part of the leaves in Certainly Celery. You can see how the row of flowers appears behind the leaves.

Using the leaf masks again, I am stamping in Cameo Coral for the solid part of the flowers. You will notice that the solid part and the outlines do not exactly match up, they are designed that way.

Here I am using the flower masks that I cut out so that I can add another row of flowers.

Here you see the second row of flowers with Blush Blossom centers.

I trimmed the cardstock down a bit and sponged Chocolate Chip around the edges as well as adding a sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink. This piece is layered on Certainly Celery and Cameo Coral and adhered to a Kraft base. The ribbon is Certainly Celery twill, from Sale-a-Bration 2009.

Here is the end result. Thanks for stopping by. I hope that this inspires you to do a little two-steppin' yourself!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Botanical Blooms (retired)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Certainly Celery Twill (SAB 2009)

April 1st brings new offers from Stampin' Up!

2010-04-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

Two-Step into Spring!
From April 1-30 only, you can buy the brand-new Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stampin' set—or get it FREE when you host a $350 workshop!

117062 Awash with Flowers (wood-mount) $39.95
120549 Awash with Flowers (clear-mount) $27.95

Plus, get 20% off a selection of springy Two-Step Stampin' sets:

Item #113824 Page 94 Greenhouse Garden Stamp Set, Regular Price: $25.95 Sale Price: $20.76
Item #113734 Page 98 Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set, Regular Price: $24.95 Sale Price: $19.96
Item #111578 Page 101 Flower Fancy Stamp Set, Regular Price: $36.95 Sale Price: $29.56
Item #113258 Page 112 Trendy Trees Stamp Set, Regular Price: $17.95 Sale Price: $14.36

View the flyer to see the beautiful creations you can make with the Awash with Flowers set—then contact me to place your order or schedule your workshop.

Free Technique DVDs Special Offer

From April 1-May 31, join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator and receive two FREE technique DVDs.

Free Technique DVD Details:

Workshop Wow DVD 2008-2009 (140 min.): Includes 19 demonstrator presentations of “WOW” techniques. Retail value is $24.95
Workshop Wow 2007-2008 DVD (117 min.): Includes 18 demonstrator presentations of “WOW” techniques for use in preparing for workshops. Retail value is $17.47
Total value for over 250 minutes of stamping and paper crafting ideas! $42.42

*DVDs are in English only

Contact me, or click Start Your Own Business, to learn more.

Have a great day!!!
Desiree

Sunny Days

2010-04-02T01:12:00.038-07:00

Happy sunny days! Well, that's what I am wishing for. Here in the Pacific Northwest our sunny days are valued and beautiful! We don't get enough of them! It's really not that we get rain all the time, we just have grey skies all the time.

So the Sunny Days Simply Scrappin' Kit was just the thing to cheer up a bleery day!

I'll be having a class to make cards from this kit on May 6. So if you would like to join us, send me an email!

My class offerings are on my Facebook page and my Stampin' Up! Web site.

Here are just three cards I made of fifteen using about 1/2 a kit, some Whisper White cardstock and various embellishments. The cards have a variety of sentiments and I always include envelopes as a courtesy to my class attendees.

Hope to see you in class!
Desiree

Supplies
Sunny Days Simply Scrappin' Kit, Whisper White cardstock, various stamp sets, various embellishments

Safron SFYTT bird and blooms

2010-03-31T13:12:00.001-07:00

Hi all... Isnt' this little bird punch adorable???? I just love it.

One of my brides has requested that it is featured on her wedding stationary and I am having so much fun with it. Think Not Quite Navy with Brushed Silver birds... beautiful!

This card is loosely based on the Saturday Sketch for You To Try on Jen del Muro's blog. It was a great starting point.

My girls unexpectedly spent the night away from home last night and so I had a night all to myself! No dinner to make (YAY) but I had to take out the trash for trash day (YUCK). Anyway, I turned on the boob tube and sat at my craft table. I worked on class samples and after quite some time I looked up and glanced at the clock... 2:30 am!!! Wow! So I crafted for a bit more then off to read for an hour before sleep. I am so tired today.

This is my non-working week from my real job and my goal is to get a start on organizing my craft stuff. I have too much of it, I keep buying and not using. Then since it isn't organized I rebuy stuff I already have. Do you do that too???? I see some gorgeous craft rooms out there and they leave me drooling.

Enough blathering on... Have a great end of the week! And go have some fun at your craft table!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Vintage Labels
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, So Safron, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Tools: Sizzix, Top Note Die, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Bird Punch

Frame it up!

2010-03-13T23:56:00.000-08:00

I love altering frames! Taking a blank frame and then creating something that either compliments your décor or a specific photo is such a cool thing.

On Thursday, 3/25, I'll be having a class where we do just that, altering a frame. This is my sample but class attendees will be able to select the designer series paper that suits them.

Here I used Bella Birds Designer Series Paper. I stamped En Francais in Not Quite Navy in the lower right area. I clear embossed in the upper left corner with Baroque Motifs. Next I used a Stampin' Up! stencil and white embossing paste for a textured embellishment in the center along the bottom. The last photo shows this in close up.

The last bit of personalizing is the white taffeta ribbon that I tied around one side. I embossed a one inch square with several layers of silver. When it was pretty thick I stamped in Versamark using a stamp from Lovely Letters.

The frame ended up being very subtle and will not distract from whatever photo I place in it.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are having a great weekend!

Desiree

Supplies:

Stamps: En Francais, Baroque Motifs, Lovely Letters

Paper: Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Versamark

Embellishments: White and silver embossing powder, white embossing paste, Elegant Trio stencils, white taffeta ribbon, silver cord

Bird and bloom

2010-03-08T23:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a little birdhouse card that I cased from this card. This will be one of three cards we'll be making at a class I am having in early April. I am adding another project as well that will be made from the bird On Board chipboard available in the Occasions Mini catalog.

The Old Olive strip is a bellyband that holds the card closed. The roof flips up and the front of the card flips down to reveal an area to write your note. This is the first time that I've used the new bird punch. I love the new punch design that Stampin' Up! now offers. Great spacesaver and easy to use.

Just home from bookclub. We had a great discussion about Moloka'i. It was a really good book. We all learned a lot about a subject that we didn't know much about. It also spans almost 100 years so it was interesting to read about the progression of inventions and how they came to this leper colony. The Hawaiian culture was something I didn't know much about either and I enjoyed reading about that too.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find some time to be creative!

Desiree

Supplies

Stamps: Whimsical Words

Paper: Chocolate Chip and Old Olive cardstock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Tools: Bird Punch, Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Scissors

Kind Thanks

2010-02-21T18:36:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks - I'm all wrapped up in my Inspired Invitations venture.

First it was all about getting ready for the Firstenburg Bridal Fair, then it was all about getting my web presence put together (still in the works), now I am working on a set of cards like this one to give to one bride that signed up at my table, next I will start contacting everyone that signed up at my table to meet for consultations. I could be VERY busy this wedding season! Wish me luck!

Check out Inspired Invitations at http://www.ins-inv.blogspot.com/.

Thanks for visiting!
Desiree

Supplies
Stamp sets: Vintage Vogue, Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Shimmery White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Almost Amethyst
Embellishments: white taffeta ribbon
Technique: Faux Silk

Elegant Vintage

2010-02-04T01:08:00.000-08:00

I think I am in love with this Vintage Vogue set.... First of all, I cased the layout from susiestampalot (see the second card in this post). I've been thinking about this color combo a lot lately too. I am working on wedding stuff for the bridal fair that I have a table at soon. Wouldn't this be a great bridal shower card?

Wow, I just looked at the clock, no wonder I am pooped! Plus I have a lot to get done tomorrow - a big list.

Have you checked out the 29gifts.org web site? It is really a cool concept - give a gift for 29 days. It's easy but thought provoking and when you think about the giving it makes you feel really good. Then you want to give more. There's also the receiving because that happens too. Go check it out!

Ok, back to the card... I used the faux silk technique - you can see it in the background also - for the four smaller boxes. The white that I used is Shimmery White so it looks really pretty.

Thanks for stopping by! I am really tired so I am going to hit the sack!
Desiree

Supplies
Vintage Vogue Stamp Set
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Whisper White, Shimmery White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive
Embellishments: White Organza Ribbon
Tools: paper piercer

Heart to Heart book

2010-01-31T21:41:00.001-08:00

I have been working hard on this book. I love how it turned out! This is for a class on Feb. 11, just in time for Valentines!

Last day to sign up is Feb. 4, class is $15, contact me at desdm@msn.com if you want to attend!

The heart is about a 5x5 size though it looks smaller in the photos. I used lots of different embellishments and ribbons. ETA: Perfect size for photos and journaling!

I also played around with a watermark. I have to think about whether I like it or not - may not be readable enough. I know what it says but will anybody else????

It's Sunday night and I hope Desperate Housewives is on. That show cracks me up.

My next project is going to have some faux silk on it. I need to create a wedding ensemble sample and the colors I plan on using are Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Old Olive and Silver. We'll see what I come up with. Hmmmm...

So off to the craft table, and thank you for stopping by!!!

Desiree

Supplies:
On Board Heart Book
Various stamp sets
Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Regal Rose
Ink: Real Red, Regal Rose
Ribbon: 5/8 Very Vanilla Grosgrain, 1/4 Real Red and Pretty in Pink Grosgrain, 1/4 Chocolate Chip Tafetta, 5/8 Pretty in Pink Satin
Embellishments: Sweet Pea Felties, Pretties Kit, Very Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware

Sending Love

2010-01-24T14:10:00.001-08:00

Moving into the Valentine's mode with this card. Its a SCS sketch challenge card. I generally don't make too many Valentine's cards but I really liked Stampin' Up!'s Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper. It's all glittery on one side and I really like the patterns. Pretty, pretty!

I had a great birthday - my friends are the best!!! My kids did nice things for me too and my dad remember my birthday and called me! YAY!

Today I need to get busy but I am so tired! I stayed up until 5am reading Outlander. Then my brother called me at 8am. Three hours of sleep is not enough!!!! He forgets about the time change. When my mom was alive she used to wake me up every Sunday morning to chat, also not thinking about the time change. Hearing from faraway family is a nice way to wake up though, isn't it?

A quick word about what Stampin' Up! is doing for Haitian Relief: For every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set that is purchased between now and Feb. 28, Stampin' Up! will give $2 to the American Red Cross specifically for Haiti. The set is fabulous and can be used for so much more than just Valentine's. I'll post some samples as soon as my set arrives. Go to this web page to learn more.

I'm off to the grocery store and then I need to plant my bottom at my craft table!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Desiree

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Simply Said, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper: Sending Love
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scalloped Edge Punch, Real Red marker

The sun is not out yet...

2010-01-20T07:30:00.001-08:00

I thought I would throw up a quick post since my Em is in the shower and I gotta take her to school in a few minutes. Not enough time for me to get ready so I'll do that when I get back. Poor Lilly woke up barfign this morning. ACK!!!! My stomach is still roiling...

This is another card for class Thursday evening's class. I cased it somewhere, probably on Splitcoast. I really should jot down notes about what I make because I never remember.

Anyway, I purchased a lovely Lemon Divine Bistro Cake. My mouth is just watering!!!

It just dawned on me that I am not sure that I've created all the components for the class. Did I put together all four cards? I know I still need to come up with the box and clean off my craft table. It has to be all set up before I hit the hay tonight because I work all day and I'm having lunch with a friend tomorrow.

Well, I better go yell at Em, she going to be LATE! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Desiree

Supplies:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Kaliedoscope
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Embellishments: Filigree brad, Playground button, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon, whtie floss
Tools: Sizzix Bigshot, Top Note Die, Curly Label Punch

You take the cake!

2010-01-16T20:08:00.000-08:00

Here's another card we'll be making in my "It's my birthday so let's have cake" class. We will make four birthday cards using the Kaliedoscope DSP plus a cute box to put them in. I love that paper!!! It is so colorful and fun!

We will also be munching on cake! Anyone who knows me knows that I have a huge sweet tooth, so any time there's a reason to have goodies, I'll jump on it. Of course, I am turning 46 and that means that all those sweets have taken their toll, darn it!

Today I spent the day at my favorite local scrapbooking store and we decorated these awesome metal cases (I think that they are for packing around video cameras. We used papers and embellishments from a variety of companies and they turned out so cool. That got my creative juices flowing so I think I'll be hanging out at my craft table for the rest of the evening.

If you don't have plans, why don't you make a stop at your craft table!

Thanks for visiting!
Desiree

Supplies:
Stamps: Party Hearty
Paper: Barely Banana, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White cardstocks; Kaliedoscope Designer series Paper
Ink: Melon Mambo
Ribbon: Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain
Tools: Scallop Circle Punchm Scallop Edge Punch, Word Windo Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

Almost finished with Christmas gifts!

2010-01-12T21:40:00.000-08:00

Isn't this little house cute??? I made two similar houses for Christmas gifts this year.

There is a bit of Stampin' Up! supplies but alot of stuff came directly from my stash and a quick trip to my favorite local scrapbooking shop.

I really enjoyed making this and seeing it come from a papier mache house to this. It actually came together very quickly.

Inside (the roof comes off) there are dividers for each month and then a card for each week. These can be used to jot down notes, memories, happenings, musings, quotes or whatever on a weekly basis. Then at the end of the year you have a great little box filled with little bits and pieces of your whole year.

Right now American Idol is on in the next room. The singers are either really good or really bad. Some people are like watching (hearing?) a train wreck. This is the only part of the season that I really like because the girls and I just laugh and laugh!

So I better get back to it, there's only 20 minutes left.

Thanks for stopping by, leave comments if you like! It's always fun to read them!

Happy crafting!
Desiree

Wow.... It's January!!!

2010-01-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

What a fun month for me! The beginning of a new year (and hopefully the best of the last four) plus my birthday (#46) and my third year as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator (WooHoo!) and Sale-a-Bration (free stuff) and the Occasions Mini (you gotta check it out).

I want to make this a fun month for you too!

The Occasions Mini was just released and it has some awesome products in it. Here are a few of my favorites:

Clear mounted stamps in addition to our traditional wood mounted stamps
New punch design for easier use and storage
Sweet Pea felties and paper
Recipe box kit and egg decorating kit
New Build-a-Bear products
Satin ribbon

This is the best time of the year for Stampin' Up! customers because it's Sale-a-Bration!!! That means free stuff for you! The list of rewards is even greater this year because it includes sets from the regular catalog.

This is also my birthday month so when you place a $25 order via phone or email between January 17 and January 23 you can select a set of epoxy brads (page 13 of the Ocassions Mini) for free! Place a $50 order and you will also get a Sale-a-Bration item too! Check out the Sale-a-Bration brochure.

This is my third anniversary as a demonstrator and I want to celebrate that by giving you a free class! When you take three classes with me by March 31, you get a fourth class free!

I've updated my class list on my web site: http://www.desiree.stampinup.net/.

New Decor Elements have been released as well. The fab new thing is chalkboard vinyl wall decor. Write and erase! Check it out!

Lastly, I've just had a Blog-o-versary (#2) so I need to come up with some blog candy! I'll do that real soon.

So, what are your resolutions? I have a ton - probably too many - and some that involve stamping... Participating in more challenges and blogging more consistently.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamp sets: Good Friend, Party Hearty
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Kaliedoscope
Ink: Dusty Durango Classic, Summer Sun Classic
Embellishments: 5/8" White Jumbo Brad
Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Flower Layers die, Word Window punch, Five Petal punch, sponge

Don't miss the Online Extravaganza!!!

2009-11-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

For one week only, you can get amazing discounts....up to 50 percent off....on over 40 products and product bundles!

Click here to go to my Stampin' Up! website to view them.

Things to Remember:

Use the Gift Giving Guide for ideas
Orders may be placed online or through me.
The sale ends Monday November 30, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
Discounts range between 30 percent and 50 percent.
For online orders, discounts will be shown in the shopping bag at checkout.

One of my lucky shoppers will win a Holiday Best level 1 hostess set and some goodies (including the ornament stencil) to make the card from my Christmas Stenciling post!

Have fun shopping!

Desiree

Cards and Coffee!

2009-11-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

This year's Cards and Coffee event will be on Saturday, November 14 from 10 am to 1 pm. We'll be making holiday cards - as many as you want or need.

Mugs offers great coffee and wonderful pastries. It's locally owned and operated and has a very comfy atmosphere. Fresh VooDoo donuts arrive every Saturday morning!

Mugs is located at 9230 HWY 99 next to Blind Onion (between Walmart and Winco).

Cards will cost $2 each and that includes the envelope!!!

The designer series paper on the Sahara Sand/Ruby Red card will vary with other patterns in the Holiday Lounge DSP package and a Taken with Teal combination will also be offered.

Get your Holiday card list out and put this on your calendar now!

See you tomorrow!!!

Desiree

Christmas stenciling!

2009-11-05T23:14:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I've have been in the christmas crafting mode for days now. I signed up for a bazaar in December so I have a lot of stuff to make. Plus I have classes and a My Digital Studio presentation coming up. I absolutely love the MDS software! It is so cool. I've had some cards printed already and very soon I will have a photo album done as well. Very exciting!

Here's a little project for you. If you need any of the supplies, click on the Shop Now link on the right. Enjoy!

	First step was to make a stencil using the ornament punch and acetate (transparency). You can get that at any office supply store. I laid my new stencil over a piece of Whisper White cardstock that measures 4 x 5.25".
	I masked the top of the ornament and sponged the rest with Sahara Sand. I added more color to the left and lower left and very little color to the center and upper right to give the ornament some depth.
	I moved the mask so that I could sponge the top with Soft Suede. I sponged it heavily to give it lots of color.
	Next I stamped one of the stamps from the Holiday Best Hostess Level 1 set in Old Olive. I used a blender pen to remove the color from the cardinal at the top.
	Here I used a Real Red marker to color in the cardinal. I used the huffing technique to moisten the stamp. Yes, huffing is a technique - have you ever gotten the stamp too close to your mouth and ended up with ink on your lips?
	Take a look at the ornament all stamped up and pretty. You can use a Stamp-a-majig but I just eyeballed it.
	The base of the card is 5.5 x 8.5 Old Olive textured cardstock. There is also a piece of Old Olive that is 1.25 x 4". Embellishments are a vintage brad, a mini library clip and ribbon from the Masterpiece Ribbon Originals.
	In this photo the card is put together but it's missing a little something.
	I punched a 1" circle out of Whisper White cardstock. Then using the same stamp and Old Olive ink I added a little flourish to the bottom of the circle. I used my Sizzix Bigshot and the Merry Details Sizzlit to cut this cute little bird out of Real Red cardstock. It's clipped to the strip of Old Olive.

Viola! The finished card! Simple, easy, yet so pretty!

I hope you enjoyed this step-by-step guide. I am thinking of doing them more often. I'd love to get inot video like some of the other bloggers out there however I don't have a video camera nor the funds to buy one. So for now it'll just be one photo at a time!

Have a great weekend!

Happy crafting!

Desiree

Halloween Hoot - Acetate Box

2009-10-24T20:10:00.001-07:00

This is a great box to make for Halloween. Although mine is filled with kisses, imagine it filled with chocolate eyeballs or gummy fingers!

The instructions to make this box are on Splitcoaststampers. The bottom of the box is Basic Black cardstock. I stamped the sign and frog in black stazon then colored them with markers. I cut them out and glued them on to the box.

The top of the box is Old Olive cardstock witha ribbon tied around the top. I made a crunched up flower for the very top. Cut a 2x6 inch strip of Cast-a-Spell dsp. Then cut fringe all along the long edge about 1 1/2 in. Roll it up and glue the end. Bend the fringe outward then crunch it up. Next I used an x-acto knife to cut a criss-cross in the top (I pushed a pencil through to make it easier to insert the fringe flower).

The green ooze is made with Crystal Effects. Lay out a piece of wax paper and glob out the CE in the shape of ooze. I made sure to make it about 8 inches. Then I sprinkled it with Dazzling Diamonds and colored it with drops of Old Olive reinker. Let it dry overnight. Peel it off and glue it on to the acetate just below the Old Olive lid.

Isn't it a cute box?

Thanks for taking the time to stop by. I enjoy sharing with you.
Desiree

Halloween Hoot - Triangle Box

2009-10-22T19:57:00.005-07:00

Here's a cute little treat box!

The triangle box and acrylic smash technique instructions are on Splitcoaststampers. The box is made from Basic Black cardstock and uses plum grosgrain ribbon to tie it closed.

To do the acrylic smash, take a piece of acetate (transparency) and stamp it with stazon. Here I used the Halloween Hoot stamp set. Flip the acetate over and use a sponge bruch to dab acrylic paint on it. Before it dries lay it on a piece of glossy white cardstock. The acetate will stick to the glossy paper. I also added silver brads in each of the corners.

Next I stamped the witch on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and colored her in with markers. Punched her out with a 1 1/4 circle and then adhered that to a 1 3/8 black circle. Lastly, I adhered the entire triangle to the box. It's plenty big enough to fill with a handful of mini candy bars.

Have fun making your own triangle boxes!

Thanks for visiting!

Desiree

Halloween Hoot - Tri-Shutter Card

2009-10-20T19:50:00.001-07:00

Check out this tri-shutter card that is part of my Halloween Hoot class. I've never made one before and it's fun! It looks harder than it really is - just two cuts and four scores. Then you decorate each panel. The base of the card is the Day and Night Specialty dsp and I used Cast-A-Spell dsp for three panels. For cardstock I used Perfect Plum, Only Orange and Whisper White. I used black stazon and markers for all the stamped images. I also used my Sizzix and the Billboard alphabet for the "BOO!" on the front. The bats are black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

Have a great day!

Desiree

Halloween Hoot!

2009-10-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I can't believe that I let an entire month go by without posting....

Here are some Halloween projects for a class that I have coming up. We'll be making decorating a clipboard for this year's fab costume photo, a tri-shutter card, an acetate box and a triangle box using the acrylic smash technique.

All projects use the Halloween Hoot stamp set. Other supplies are Cast-A-Spell designer paper, Night and Day specialty designer paper, Black Stazon, acetate, Basic Black cardstock, Old Olive cardstock, Ony Orange cardstock, Perfect Plum cardstock and Whisper White cardstock, acrylic paint (banana, kiwi, purple) and markers in Old Olive, Only Orange, Sahara Sand, Perfect Plum, Creamy Caramel, and grosgrain ribbon in black, plum, orange and olive and lastly, silver brads.

Making all these things was super fun especially with a pile of Halloween candy at my finger tips!

I hope that you had a great weekend and got lots of crafting done! Thanks for stopping by!
Desiree

Emma's getting married!

2009-09-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

Wow, it feels like a century since I last posted... Of course high school has started, college starts tomorrow. Lots of stuff going on in my family life, I haven't even been creative lately. I'm behind in my class samples and generally behind in all of my crafty pursuits!

Ok, so I don't know who Emma is but that's the name I picked for my wedding swap. I might have mentioned a while ago that I was doing this with some other SU! demonstrators... We were to make a save the date card, bridal shower invitation, wedding invitation, rsvp card and a thank you card. Here is what I made:

My thoughts were that this would work well for a garden wedding in the summer. I tried to keep my supplies to a minimum.

For All You Do stamp set
Whisper White, So Safron, Ruby Red cardstock
So Safron, Ruby Red, Old Olive and Versamark ink
Whisper White 1/4 grosgrain dyed with Ruby Red reinker
Very Vanilla 5/8 grosgrain
Clear rhinestone brads
Silver brads
Clear embossing powder
Curly Lable Punch
Sizzix Big Shot and textured plates and butterfly die

I need to get to bed early tonight to get a good start on the week. Have a great Monday!!!

Desiree

The Holiday Mini has arrived!

2009-09-04T20:00:00.001-07:00

Without further ado... I present the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog!

You can see it here. A couple of things I would like to point out to you:

Two new exclusive hostess sets
Sweet Treats and Sweet Centers - make some super cute cards full of goodies (see photo below)
Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper - metallic and flocked!
Ornament Punch, coordinating set and rubons!
More exclusive Sizzix dies: Table Setting and O Christmas Tree Pop Up
Make your own jewelry (see photo below)
Build a Bear!!! Stamps, paper and Sizzix dies (see photo below)
My Digital Studio - available Oct. 1

Yeah, I pretty much want one of everything! Look!!!!

These sweet treats will be fabulous for all kinds of cards and projects! Fill them with candy, buttons, glitter, beads, etc. The coordinating stamp set includes stamps to make a flower, hot air balloon, Halloween scene, heart and ornament. Use these products all year long!

I can't wait to make necklaces and ornaments with these beautiful jewelry findings! They come in three sizes with two lengths of chains. Or use ribbon to hang them on. The beveled glass front opens so you can change out your handcrafted creation whenever you want. Too cool!

Who doesn't love these awesome little bears? SU convention goers had the opportunity to buy exclusive Stampin' Up! bears dressed in cute SU aprons. These little cuties can be dressed up for Halloween, Christmas, school or playdates. Choose from stamps, dies and paper. Use the dies and magnetic sheets to make a set of bears and clothes for the kids in your life!

So, go download your catalog now! Here's the link: www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Holiday09_US.pdf

Enjoy!
Desiree

Flowers and trucks and bears, oh my!

2009-09-02T22:34:00.000-07:00

Pretty soon I'll be teaching a 3D card class. These are my samples. This one is my favorite! I used the Live with Passion set which was perfect to make a garden scene. The base is Old Olive cardstock.

It's an 8x8 square scored at 4" both ways. Score a diagonal line from the center to one corner. Then cut one of the score lines from the edge to center - see diagram.

The background is Kraft stamped with Old Olive and the flowers are stamped on Confetti White. I inked the flowers in Crushed Curry, then colored the stems with an Old Olive marker and sponged the flower centers with Chocolate Chip.

After cutting out the flowers, I played around with the placement and which ones will be popped out. I cut thin little strips (1/8 x 1") of Kraft and folded thim in a zigzag shape then adhered them to the backs of the leaves/flowers.

Adhere the two flaps together to make the sides. Now the diagonal score line will fold up and the card will now fit into an A2 envelope.

The second card was made with the Look Here Sizzix die in Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry. I used the Loads of Love set for the image and colored with chalks and markers. There is a spot that will hold a gift card or in this case a truck! In this case, the cardstock is so bright that the truck is lost - it looks much better in person.

Since this will be a class, I tended to keeping this one simple in the interest of time. However I can imagine all kinds of fun things that could be done to spice up a card made with this die.

The third card is a shadow box card. Take two equal sized cardstock pieces and score at .5 and 1" on each side. Create your scene - I used the Under the Stars set and colored with watercolor crayons. I wish that I had used Creamy Caramel for the front piece of cardstock. I used Confetti White for the back piece of cardstock.

That's it for tonight! Oh, and Stampin' Up! softened it's restriction just a bit so I don't have to delete as many blogs off my blogroll as initially required. Regardless, the post where I've listed my favorite blogs will always be just a click away in the "labels" section.

Have a great day!!! Happy crafting!
Desiree

Great blogs to visit

2009-09-01T14:23:00.003-07:00

These are just a few of the blogs I love to gaze at. Enjoy!

Changes

2009-09-01T00:28:00.001-07:00

The truly great thing about the web is the ability to click from place to place and see so many different things. We can all connect in so many ways (blogs, twitter, facebook, communities, etc) and create great friendships. The internet has brought a lot of joy to many people through this fabulous ability to share.

Today I learned that Stampin' Up! has just started a new policy for all demonstrators that participate in electronic media (blogs, twitter, facebook, etc). We are no longer allowed to promote competitive products by providing pricing or retail information. Completely makes sense businesswise and I had been doing this for awhile already.

Unfortunately, we cannot have links to web sites or blogs that promote competitive products. So, that means that I will be removing most if not all of the links in my "What's New?" section. So now is the time to add those to your favorites if you haven't already or subscribe so you get their posts directly in your email. There are some great SU demonstrators out there and I will be adding their blog links instead.

I will also be removing the badges for the sketch blogs since they are attached to competitive companies.

Hmmmm. Not too happy about this. I can imagine that lots of others are disappointed as well.

Meanwhile I will continue to post projects since I primarily use Stampin' Up! products so all is well there.

Nighty night,
Desiree

Nouveau Chic Book

2009-08-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is the Nouveau Chic book that my Crafter's Club gals made. It was fairly easy with no a bunch of steps or supplies. It's 6x6 which is such a nice size for a scrapbook about a single event or person. And I LOVE the Nouveau Chic dsp from Stampin' Up! It's a departure from their usual styles. It features a nice color palette: Sage Shadow, Basic Grey, Apricot Appeal (a color I havent' used in ages). It's the same paper I used for my banner, twitter page and SU web site. So this book is a CASE from a project in the Stampin' Success magazine that demonstrators receive every month.

For the cover I used textured Basic Black because it has such a nice feel to it. It's 6x12 with a half inch spine in the middle. The Sage Shadow wraps around it to give extra strength.

The inside pages are divided into three "signatures" which is a grouping of pages. You can kinda see that at the bottom edge of the binding in this photo. If you look in your book collection at a hardbound book, you will see the signatures in the binding - paperbacks are not bound in the same way. The are individual pages glued into the cover.

The pages are Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla and Nouveau Chic cut to 11.5 x 5.25 and folded in half.

Anyway, each signature is pierced about half an inch in and threaded with black embroidery floss which is tied with a bow inside. When I bound the middle signature I added a button and to hold it in place I used a glue dot.

For the front we added our monogram with the Lovely Letters alphabet stamp set in black ink. The we used Versamark and a stamp from the For All You Do set and clear embossed that. The chipboard frame is naked and it's a chipboard collection that is retired. On the side we looped black grosgrain and tied with apricot grosgrain.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for sharing a few minutes of it with me!

Desiree

A safron embrace

2009-08-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

I loved making this card! Its a bit different with the recessed center but oh so easy to make. Instructions are on SCS Resources page. I pulled out the Embrace Life stamp set which I love and don't use ofter enough and some Chocolate Chip cardstock. I used the Bella Birds designer series paper and cut it so that the bird is partially in the framed area and partially in the recessed area. I also used a stamp from the Friends 24-7 set to add to teh background. The flower was stamped on watercolor paper with Timber Brown stazon and then colored with Watercolor Crayons. I colored, cut and curled (sounds like a hairdresser, heehee) two flowers and popped them out with lots of dimensionals. For embellishments, I used chocolate tafetta and clip from the retired antique copper HodgePodge Hardware and in the upper corner are some gems - I think from K & I. I wish that Stampin' Up! would bring on gems to match their colors. Wouldn't that be fun?

This Sunday is brunch for my hostesses from the past year. We'll also make a couple of projects. That reminds me... I need to share the book we created in Crafter's Club. We used the Nouveau Chic papers, Sage Shadow, Basic Black and Very Vanilla cardstock. It turned out pretty cool. I'll post it tomorrow.

So, for those interested in Stampin' Up! August specials, you only have a few more days. Check out the details on my Web site http://www.desiree.stampinup.net/!

Country Living Cookout Kit - 40% off

The Country Living Summer Cookout Kit gives you everything you need to hold a fantastic summer party, including:

Creative invitations

Fun food wrappers

Customizable coasters

And more!

Now only $14.95 (refill $9.95), the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit will ensure your summer party is a hit. Available through August 31, or while supplies last.

Button, button who's has the button? YOU!

Get a free package of buttons when you purchase $35 of merchandise from the Growing Up section of the Stampin' Up! catalog.

Last but not least.... I would love for you to be a part of my team. As your upline I will help you with creativity, business ideas, group events and lots more! Stampin' UP! offers flexibility and fun. I can't imagine a better way to connect with friends, share what I love and express my creativity!

You can choose from just saving money on personal purchases, earning some Holiday cash or starting to build a business that will generate steady income. All are possible!

There are no requirements except $300 in sales a quarter if you wish to remain active - and your own purchases count. No mandatory training, no mandatory recruiting, no mandatory starter shows, no nothing. JUST lots and lots of options for stamping, scrapping, crafting and home decor.

As a demonstrator you can choose to focus on:

1. Supporting your personal habit
2. Just stamping
3. Just scrapping
4. Just Digital Scrapbooking
5. Just Home Decor
6. Just crafting
7. Building a business
8. Dabbling around your priorities
9. One day at a time
10. Or any combination there of - again there are NO requirements other than $300 a quarter.

With our $85 and $199 low priced starter kits, Our Buy Back Guarantee on anything new and used within 12 months and me - what do you have to lose?? You only have great product that you select in your starter kit to gain, as well as friends, fun, pre-public access to product, discounts, tax benefits, travel, full color monthly magazine, 2 FREE months of your demonstrator website, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Again I personally invite you to give Stampin' UP! a try. Consider it a gift to yourself that will keep on giving.

$85 Kit Special Ends August 31. Sign up today on-line and let the fun begin!

http://www.desiree.stampinup.net/ and click on "join now" - Recruiter Authorization Password: desiree

Have a great day and see you here tomorrow!

Desiree

Beautiful pink

2009-08-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

This is the card I sent out to my hostesses from the past twelve months. Every year I invite them over for a free Annual Hostess Appreciation Brunch plus we make two projects. This year I have also encouraged them to bring a guest. Everyone deserves a really nice stress-free Sunday!

For this card I decided to use the latest sketch from Sheetloads of Cards. The paper is retired SU dsp called Bella Birds and I used a stamp from Thoughts and Prayers and a sentiment from A Beautiful Thing. I also used Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip cardstock and Chocolate Chip double stitched grograin ribbon. I stamped in Chocolate Chip ink on Whisper White and used rectangle nestabilitiesfor cutting, embossing and masking. You can just barely see the embossed edge. I masked that same edge and used the color spritzer tool and a Pretty in Pink marker to give the center panel just a bit of color. I rushed through the photography - sorry about the crappy photo!

I have been working on my class schedule and have September and October classes on my Web site now (http://www.desiree.stampinup.net/) so take a look and sign up to create something new! New this quarter are classes during the day and special class discounts for purchasing products at sign up. Fun class for kids and their favorite adult - Animal Crackers - on August 31.

On Thursday night I joined several of my fellow demonstrators at my upline's house for a Stamp Together. It featured MANY of the new products from the Winter Mini which starts September 1. There are so many cool items!!! I don't know what to order first!

Just a few exciting things: jewelry, Build-a-Bear, Digital Design Studio, holiday stamps, paper, embellishments! Forty pages of faschination! Need a mini? Contact me!!!! {desdm at msn dot com}

I am pooped! I opened at Mugs today ***Sunday, 8/23 is acoustic music night from 6-9pm *** and then spent the day cleaning and cooking for a small BBQ celebrating Lil's birthday. Yeah, it was supposed to be last weekend but the weather wasn't cooperating so we moved it. I am just going to crawl into bed and CRASH!

Have a creative day and thanks for visiting!
Desiree

Grrrrr!

2009-08-18T22:05:00.003-07:00

It's about time that I ink up this cute stamp set. It's called Under the Stars. I think it's just an adorable set and I've seen so many cute things that have been created with it. I put together a really simple card with minimal stamping.

The card base is Tempting Turquoise, stars are So Safron, bear is Close to Cocoa and grass is Certainly Celery. The tree was cut free-hand and is Chocolate Chip.

I stamped the bear and stars in Versamark and used black embossing powder. Then I cut them out.

It's a cute card, not sure what I would do with it... Any ideas?

Keeping it short tonight, too much to do not enough time! Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Tiaras, strawberries and pretty teeth

2009-08-13T19:07:00.005-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted... Yikes! I have been really busy lately. My hours were reduced at my day job so I work 3 weeks then have a week off. The first week I spent camping with my dear friend Jennifer and her daughter. It was a girl's trip so my girls came along with my sweet Chloe dog. We had a ton of fun, crazy campfires, floating in the lake, eating so much, and no phones, computers or tv. Very relaxing. We also bring puzzles so we got a few of those finished and I worked on a very small craft project.

I've been thinking of my Stampin' Up! business and how I can make it better. Offering more classes and more opportunities for stamping to my customers. Plus I'd love to have my stamping team expand (now's a great time with the $85 mini kit) and help others have as much fun as I am having! I am looking forward to my next off week do work on lots of craft projects that I have in the works.

Yesterday, Lil turned 18 so I took the afternoon off and we had a great day. This photo isn't the best (I forgot my camera so all the photos for the day were taken on Em's cell phone). She had an eye appointment so we ordered new glasses. We went out to lunch, I paid for her first tattoo (small Leo sign on the back of her neck), we went to the movies (GI Joe), a feasted on a fruit tart for dessert. She was a happy girl! Saturday evening we are having a BBQ for a couple friends to continue the celebration and I've asked her best friend to take her to one of those under 21 clubs in Portland. She doesn't know about that part yet. Gotta keep her guessing!

I made the BBQ invitations using the faux silk technique and a "hippie" look that Lil wanted. I love how colorful they are. First I swiped Summer Sun, Bermuda Bay, Dusty Durango and Old Olive horizontally along a piece of glossy white with a sponge. Then I used the same colors to stamp on white tissue paper using the Wanted and A Beautiful Thing stamp sets. This is the first time I've tried the faux silk technique and I love it! Check out the tutorial on SCS. Other cardstock was Basic Black and Summer Sun. I used Really Retro for the words and a black brad and three eyelets as embellishments.

Not too long ago I made this super cute basket filled with strawberries. The supplies are all Stampin' Up! but the templates are from Papertrey (Lauren Meader) and DigiChicks (Kelleigh Ratzlaff). Very easy to put together. You can't see the diagonal scoring all over to give it more of a basket texture. The basket is made out of Kraft cardstock with Real Red grosgrain ribbon and small gold brads. I used the small basket template which probably holds about 4 strawberries. I used the Oval All stamp set and oval punch plus oval scalloped punch. The strawberries are Real Red and Certainly Celery. I used a background punch in Versamark to give the berries a little texture. The leaves are sponged with Always Artichoke and tied with a bit of embroidery floss. The strawberries are great for tucking a little treat inside, like those awesome strawberry candies. You know the ones!!!

On Monday Em got her top braces off. I can't stop looking at her beautiful teeth. Lovely, huh?

Ok, that's it for me today. Whew, I'm tired! Thank you for stopping by!

Have a great crafty weekend!

Desiree

Catalog Celebration!

2009-07-26T11:55:00.008-07:00

Last Tuesday I had a Stampin' Up! new catalog celebration! We had a lot of fun. Besides munching on yummy snacks and drinking alittle bubbly we made three projects. Two of them were in the latest Stampin' Success, which is a monthly magazine that SU demonstrators get chock full of ideas, inspiration and business tips.

We made a Matchbox with the Sizzix die in Bermuda Bay and Whisper White using Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry inks. We punched a window and adhered acetate inside so that we could fill it with jelly beans! Embellishments include Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, white tafetta ribbon and the new Rich Razzleberry dotted grosgrain. Then card is a project from Stampin' Success. We started with Crushed Curry textured cardstock and scallop punched one edge. We stamped a sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes on the Old Olive strip and used Chocolate Chip for the stems. Then we used a variety of punches, stamps and Felt Fusion for the flowers. Quick and easy card.

Everyone who attended received the brand new catalog! And I gave out the retired catalog for a new little promotion that I am having... Pass It On -- Give the old catalog to a friend and when they place a $25 product order with me, YOU get a $5 gift certificate. Let me know if you'd like a new and old catalog by emailing me at desdm@msn.com.

The Rich Razzleberry project in the middle is actually a bookmark. It is so stinkin' easy and makes a great giveaway to bookclub friends, kids who love to read (and even those who don't), and anyone else that are book lovers. Here are the easy instructions:

Cut a piece of cardstock 4"x4", score at 2" both ways. I used Rich Razzleberry. Crease well with your bone folder.

Punch lower right corner using the 5-Petal Punch and cut out the top left corner.

Stamp a 2.5"x2.5" Whisper White cardstock randomly with complementary inks. I used the leaves from the Branching Out set with Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo.Then use the Scallop Edge Punch to punch two adjoining sides. Adhere it behind the punched corner.

Next fold in the flaps and adhere them together. Do not adhere to the Whisper White.

Your bookmark should open like this...

I added a Mellon Mambo punched flower to the center. Here it is on my daughter's book. Cute, huh?

I am off to work on tomorrow's Crafter's Club project. We'll be using two cool templates. It's going to be a super fun to put together.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week and be sure to add some creativity to it!

Desiree

Beautiful and ON SALE!

2009-07-15T21:05:00.003-07:00

Square Fire Rhinestone Brads are just $6.99 - that's 30% off of the regular price of $10.95. Sale price ends on July 19 so don't wait!

Shop here: www.desiree.stampinup.net

CASEing Mish

2009-07-10T11:01:00.002-07:00

One of the blogs that I visit often is Michelle Wooderson's blog. I love her style and she makes everything seem so easy. Many times she photographs her pieces before photographing the final product. Today I decided to copy her. Take a look at this post. I thought it would be so fun to follow along. So I made the bottom strip just like she did, with inks and embossing, and pretty much copied her right along.

Here are my pieces. Kraft cardstock, patterned paper, little birdie scalloped circles, the embossed strips, ribbon, linen thread and buttons.

And here is my finished product. The base of the card is Kraft and I sponged a little Whisper White craft ink along the edges. I used a piece of SAB Delicate Dots paper in the middle. Of course I used my favorite Cheep Talk stamp set stamped in Baja Breeze with a little glitter on the wing. The ribbon is the SAB So Safron 5/8 grosgrain. The buttons are the retired In Color buttons and retired Not Quite Navy buttons. And Not quite Navy is the other color I used on this. Cute cards! It was fun to totally CASE another designer. I'll be doing it again soon!

Right now I am visiting Jennifer in Shelton. Very relaxing! Her daughter took me for a ride on the go cart - yeah, I saw my life flash before my eyes as we traveled through the woods on the crazy little go cart trail!

Hope you are having a GREAT weekend!!!

Desiree

A tart envelope scrapbook

2009-07-05T19:53:00.004-07:00

This is the project that I had for my Crafter's Club. Isn't it cute? I found the instructions here. All the gals loved it! We used the Raspberry Tart DSP which is now retired. The color palette is Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White.

While I kept it simple so that we could finish in a reasonable amount of time, I have seen some really beautiful samples on SCS. Our embellishments were Kiwi satin ribbon, a Kiwi corduroy button and a square rhinestone brad.

This morning I worked at Mugs. We have been selling VooDoo donuts the past couple of weeks but we were out of them today. Over the course of about 3 hours I had 4 customers come in asking for VooDoo donuts. I thought that was really odd because two of those customers just walked out when I told them we didn't have any today. Then a women came in asking and she mentioned that earlier in the week there was a full page article in the newspaper that VooDoo donuts were coming to Vancouver (from Portland). And VooDoo donuts had chosen 4 shops with the right mojo as retailers. Mugs is one of those shops! {So it probably would have been a great idea to have us stocked up.} I called the owner and found out that we get our delivery on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So if you have a hankering... you know where - and when - to go!

Off to my craft table...

Thanks for stopping by... Desiree

Curry and Suede

2009-07-04T23:48:00.002-07:00

Fireworks are going off all around me! The girls and I had dinner at our friends' house and watched the neighbors set off fireworks. All around us were beautiful lights in the sky!

Earlier today I finally broke out some of my new In Color cardstock, ink and ribbon. I used an SFYTT sketch from Jen. It's been a long time since I used sketches or participated in any challenges...

For this one, I used Curry and Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy and Whisper White. The stamp is from the Close as a Memory set. The DSP is retired Bella Birds. Such a pretty package of paper. The only embellishment is the ribbon which is the Curry Polka Dot grograin using the backside. Also used the Top Note Sizzix die. A Simple and easy card.

I'm off to bed now to read for an hour before I sleep. I have been called into Mugs to open. So, I'll be there from 9-1 or 2. Stop in for coffee if you are in Hazel Dell!

Sweet Dreams!

Desiree

'Bella Bleu' Birds

2009-06-27T17:58:00.008-07:00

This is an upcoming class I will be having on July 7. I used the Friends 24-7 set with Bella Bleu DSP. We'll be making four cards and a cute box to put them in.

The color palette of the DSP is Not Quite Navy, Kraft and Very Vanilla. I also added Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and a smidge of Mellow Moss for the flower stem and leaves on one of the cards.

I also used En Francais background stamp on one card. At first I thought it was difficult to work with this set because the stamps don't seem to really go together. However as I stamped and created I ended up really enjoying the set and I love how the cards turned out.

The box is using a pattern by Lauren Meader from Papertrey. Other items that I used for embellishing are tafetta ribbon dyed Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla 5/8 grosgrain, button from Button Latte, chalks and VersaMark. There is one card stamped with a greeting from All Holidays.

Here are close up photos of the cards and box:

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are having a great weekend and have a little time to spend in your crafty spot!

Desiree

Clearly, it's your birthday

2009-06-23T21:29:00.004-07:00

Ok, it's clearly not the best photo... How do you photograph a clear card??? You can see my fingers in reflection. Hmmmm.

I used Ski Slope DSP on this card. I have lots of it left beccause I hardly used it when it was current. I don't know why, it's really cute. Love the color combo and patterns. The sentiment comes from the On Your Birthday stamp set.

I used the Matchbox Sizzix die for the label in Whisper White (on the outside of the front) and layered that on to Chocolate Chip (on the inside of the front). That's on the top of the card. Then the inside has a piece of Whisper White directly behind the Chocolate Chip layer for a personal note. Did I describe that clearly?

On the front I also added a button and a couple gems. It's a cute card and looks way better in person! But I hope you like it anyway.

Lately I've been crafting, tweeting, planning classes, working, reading.... Kinda busy.

Lil is registered for a class at Clark College. How did she grow up so fast???? Now if only she would get a job! One good thing is that she is really stepping up as far as chores and keeping the house clean. Today she mowed the yard too.

Em and the other Youth Commissioners presented recommendations to the Board of Clark County Commissioners regarding the county's diversity policy. I watched for a bit. Part of the presentation was a song using the tune for YMCA with lyrics they came up with related to diversity. They passed out the lyrics to everyone, even the Board and asked them to sing along (and they did!). There's only one week left to order fabulous retiring product. Don't miss out cuz you know you'll be sad if you don't get that one set that you've wanted all year!

Well, back to the craft table! Making samples for my next class. Thanks for stopping by! Chat soon!

Desiree

Branching Out

2009-06-13T18:07:00.003-07:00

Love this set! It's called Branching Out and is really cute. Besides the tree and leaves it includes a tire swing, boots, bird, birdhouse, butterflies and snowflakes. I thought it was perfect to use for this sketch from the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site (site is closed until next year). I used DSP from a SU mini catalog about a year ago. The color scheme is Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip. I also used Summer Sun and Basic Black inks. The ribbon is Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain and brads are antique copper.

Not a lot going on at the home front these days. Lil is busy reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I think there are six books now. My mom turned me on to these awesome books about 10 years ago. I want to read them again!

Emily is off with her friend Josh at his family reunion. Tomorrow she'll be working with the Youth Commission on their diversity policy report. I think they will be going before the Board of Clark County Commissioners with their recommendations soon. Fabulous experience for her.

I've received my preorder package from SU and the new In Colors are AWESOME! I haven't opened everything up yet and I gotta get craftin with that yummy stuff!

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty good weekend!

Desiree

Chocolate embrace

2009-06-09T12:41:00.002-07:00

I am so excited my SU! preorder package is arriving today!!! I can't wait to see the new In Colors in real life!

I made this card a few days ago with the Embrace Life set and Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Paper. I am sad to see that paper go. Really pretty.

The sketch was from the Stampin' Out Alzheimers site. If you didn't get in on it this year, you need to next year!!!

I used vellum over a layer of dsp, and stamped on it with brown stazon. The flowers were stamped on Whisper White and watercolored using reinkers. Whisper White taffeta ribbon and pearls were added as embellishments.

Back to work now! Thanks for visiting!

Desiree

Take a look at Last Chance products!

2009-06-04T12:57:00.001-07:00

Click on this link (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryID=310) to see photos of last chance products! Many are 25% and 50% off! They are selling out FAST!

Last Chance!!!

2009-06-03T00:28:00.002-07:00

It's PAST the last chance to get this awesome Designer Series Paper however there is still time to get paper from this year's outgoing catalog! It is selling out fast so don't wait!

This card features Haiku dsp which I really liked! The colors are vibrant. This was a fun sketch from the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site from last week. Can't wait till next year - it was a fun event and the fundraising goal was exceeded. So that is truly wonderful.

I pulled out my favorite little Cheep Talk set and Tangerine Tango and Old Olive inks. The base is Whisper White and a little So Safron layered under the stamped image. Old Olive is layered underneath the dsp. Flowers were made from Felt Fusion, a So Safron button and a bit of linen thread. The ribbon is So Safron 5/8 grograin from Sale-a-bration.

My Crafter's Club order came in yesterday so I gave it out to my club members today. It is always so fun to see what everyone orders! I also placed my order for new catalog items. The new In Colors are divine. Wait till you see them!

For now though, be sure to check out the Last Chance List to make sure you are not going to miss out on that one thing you haven't purchased yet.... when it's gone, it's gone forever.

June also brings increased Hostess Benefits! So now is a really good time to host a class, party or catalog/virtual party. I have evenings throughout the week open. Weekends are already booked, sorry!

Last but not least, follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/desireeatplay

Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Daddy's Day project

2009-05-28T20:00:00.004-07:00

I am not very good at masculine projects... but I think this project turned out cute and manly. I love Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip and Sahara Sand together. Once I fugured out the colors and what I wanted to do it all came together. The Good Morning Sunshine dsp worked great, there is a bit on the top of the box and also as layers on the card and gift card holder. Seeing Spots is the stamp set along with All Holidays. I used the Stamping Success online extras template for the box. It's way cuter in person. Inside is a cello bag filled with candy. LOVE the grommets - the Sahara Sand ones were perfect and I added Sahara Sand eyelets. It's finished off with Chocolate Chip ribbon: 1/4 grosgrain and double stitched. Hope my dad likes it! Here's a photo of him...

My dad is Alvin and he lives in Amarillo, that's about 2,000 miles away. So I don't get to see him very often. My brothers live in Texas as well. Not being close to family is my only regret about living in the Northwest. We do gab on the phone fairly often so that almost makes up for it.

If you were planning on joining SU as a demonstrator with the fabulous deal they have going, now's the time. Offer ends on Sunday. Other specials ending on Sunday as well... See them all on my Web page!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Desiree

Cupcakes!

2009-05-25T11:43:00.006-07:00

Ok, so it's not a cupcake, it's a cupcake box! Isn't it just super cute? The template was a freebie on the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site. For a small donation, you can join in on the fun, freebies, prizes and more!

Speaking of cupcakes, Mugs (the coffee shop I work at on Saturdays) is now serving Saint Cupcakes. YUMMY! Mugs is on HWY 99 right next to Blind Onion.

Last night I had fun making different Party Favors! I used the Big Shot and exclusive SU! dies. Once I started I was really on a roll. They hardly use and supplies and went together easily.

In this photo you can't see how pretty the little wedding match box is. I used Shimmery White cardstock and the butterfly is made of textured Parisian Breeze paper and then glittered on the edges of the wings. Really pretty!

Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy the sun! Thanks for stopping by! ~Desiree

Stamp Out Alzheimers!

2009-05-23T22:59:00.003-07:00

Jen Tapler, a fellow SU demonstrator and blogger, is hosting a wonderful online event to STAMP OUT ALZHEIMER'S! Check out the details on her blog. Then donate and join in on the fun!

Speaking of memories, last weekend my girls and I made some great ones - or rather they did! The Clark County Youth Achievement Awards were on May 17. Emily (in the purple dress) is a Youth Commissioner and with a fellow commissioner presented the awards for Courage. In her first public speaking opportunity Emily spoke in front of a crowd of over 1,000 people! She did so beautifully.

Lillianna (in the blue dress) received an award for Family Life for the fabulous changes that she has made over the past several months. She is a joy to have in our family. Emily recieved an award for Inspiration and I believe that was for being instrumental in coming up with the overall theme for the event ~ Adventure. I am a proud mama!

Mother's Day project

2009-05-14T12:35:00.003-07:00

Wow... where have I been? Obviously not here! It seems like forever since I've posted. I am busy learning Twitter and plan to be on that soon too. My Crafter's Club met for the first time and our next get together is coming up next week. I am busy planning projects for them! Could be we'll do the projects that are on the cover of this month's Stampin' Success magazine.

Exciting weekend ahead... my daughter Emily is a Clark County Youth Commissioner, which is an advisory board to our Clark County Board of Commissioners. They work on county policies that relate to youth. She is also on the Youth House Visionary Team. The Youth House provides a teen hotline and a suicide hotline as well as other services. Anyway, the Youth Commission also presents the Youth Achievement Awards that recognize about 300 young people for the good things they do in several categories. The commissioners design the pins given to the awardees as well as come up with the theme (adventure which Emily suggested) and all the speeches. Both of my girls will be receiving recognition. As a commissioner, Emily will be presenting the courage category. She will be speaking in front of a crowd of about 1000 people. We bought a really cute formal dress (the boys will be in tuxedos). Can you tell I'm a proud mama???

Ok, on to a recent project! I volunteer at a nearby elementary school as a Lunch Buddy. So every week I meet my buddy for lunch and we read or play games or just talk. We decided to do a Mother's Day project together over the last few weeks. This is how it turned out!

We made a card, gift bag and stamped candle. Love this technique and I do it fairly often for gifts. It really has the WOW factor!

We used the Season of Friendship stamp set and several colors: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red and Summer Sun. We used two bits of ribbon: 5/8" red grosgrain ribbon and red gingham.

My lunch buddy really enjoyed this project and couldn't wait to give it to her mom. I can't wait to find out how much her mom liked it!

Next up, Father's Day.....

Have a great day! Thanks for dropping by!

Desiree

Wish me luck!

2009-04-29T23:06:00.009-07:00

I have decided to try out for a design team for Sheetloads of Cards. Remember how I raved about this publication in a previous post? I decided to use the February 2009 issue and create these 3 cards (plus an additional card) and a framed photo of Lilly as my "beyond the card" project based on the sketch. Wish me luck!

For this card I closely followed the sketch along with the suggestions of which layers should be cardstock and which should be patterned paper. This card was created with the Botanical Blooms SAB set. The printed papers are from the Basic Grey Lilykate collection. I love how pretty those papers are. I used Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa and Whisper White cardstocks and Chocolate Chip and Pink Pirouette inks. The flowers were made with the Bojo Blossoms punch and a flat backed pearl from the Pretties kit. I also used the Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla satin ribbon. The sentiment is very tiny and reads "to thine own self be kind" which is something I completely agree with!

I pulled out some paper and embellishments from a kit I bought at the Portland CKU Scrapbooking convention. What a crazy shopping day that was! I turned the sketch on its side for this card. The printed paper is from the Crate Paper Lemongrass line. I don't know about you, but I love lemongrass! I used vellum as one of the layers because the paper is too cool to hide. Besides the base I eliminated cardstock completely. In this one the patterned paper strip (the flower border) is in front of the image rather than behind. The image is from the Good Friend set and I watercolored inside the letters with Kiwi Kiss. The floral border is glittery although you can't see it. I used Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon and HodgePodge hardware with a bit of ribbon tied to it for embellishments.

This card would have been a great one for Valentine's. I used Verve stamp sets called Sweet Valentine and Hearts on Fire for this one. The heart on top is popped up with a dimensional. The paper is from the Kiss and Tell collection by My Mind's Eye. Cardstock colors are Rose Red and Shimmery White. Again I substituted patterned paper for a cardstock layer. Ink colors are Rose Red and Basic Gray. I used Fancy Pants flowers with center pearls from K by Marcella. The flourish, which takes the place of the slim patterned piece along the side, is a Tim Holtz Grunge chipboard piece. There is a pattern embossed on it but it's really hard to see. I painted it white with Making Memories scrapbooking paint. There are little mini pearl in the curves of the flourish... can you see them? I used the label punch to punch out the sentiment and cut it in half. I was just thinking I could have put Crystal Effects on the stamped hearts, that would be pretty. I guess I still can do that, huh?

This is such a pretty photo of Lil. She was going out to a school dance so I had to take some photos. I used Basic Grey Marrakesh collection here for the patterned papers and embellishments. Really Rust and Pacific Point cardstocks matched wonderfully for the two layers. I used Making Memories rubon letters for her name. I like to layer the pieces in back and in front of the glass for a different look. Also, the pieces look as though they are floating on the glass. The frame is from Target and the easel is from Fred Meyer. I really lilke how it turned out. I wish you could see the paper in the background better though. LOVE the Marrakesh line! I want to go to Morocco now (isn't that where Marrakesh is?). I think I gotta take another geography class or at least get a globe or something, heeheehee.

This last card is an extra that I made. It's cute. At first I was not so in love with these penguins, but they've grown on me. They'll never replace my little Cheep Talk birdies though! There is no stamping at all on this card... Just layers and vellum and cardstock stickers and rubons. Easy Peasy! Everything here is from Imaginesce except the base which is Not Quite Navy.

So that's it for me tonight! I have to put in some Stampin' Up orders and get myself to bed! Goodnight!

Desiree

Glittery red cotton

2009-04-27T12:56:00.003-07:00

Here is my card for Mojo Monday #83. I used the Soft Summer stamp set and Basic Grey Lilykate paper. The colors are Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White. When I look at this card I think of cotton.

I added a pretty Fluerette and ribbon from the Dress Up package. I stamped the sentiment in Whipser White craft and punched it out. Plus I glittered up the flowers with Christmas Red Stickles. Really an easy card. I actually forgot that I had made it last Tuesday night until I was looking at some card photos last night... and there it was.

Tonight is Crafter's Club night - our first get-together and we'll be doing the For the Love of Chocolate class that I posted a couple weeks ago. Yummy! This is the first club I've tried with my Stampin' Up! business so I am anxious to see how it goes over the next six months.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Desiree

Hey girlfriend!

2009-04-26T21:59:00.003-07:00

Isn't this crazy lady cute? I whipped out this 3x3 card just perfect for leaving on a friend's desk to invite them out of coffee. The colors I used are Real Red, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise and Basic Black. Colors are inspired by the Pink Flamingo dsp from SU!. I cut out some flower petals from the dsp and layered them behind the image. This stamp is from the Emerson Quillin collection at Amercian Art Stamps. Kinda cute don't you think?

I can hardly believe how busy I've been.... I haven't even looked at any blogs lately... and I haven't participated in any challenges in awhile except for a MoJo Monday last week, but silly as I am I forgot to post the card. I'll show it to you in the next post.

I guess that's it for today. I'm pooped! I hope you had a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Anniversary Man...

2009-04-23T22:25:00.003-07:00

Here's another card featuring an American Art Stamps image by Emerson Quillan. This guy is really funny. He says "Everything you eat will get you in the end... especially wedding cake!" and I pared that with a Happy Anniversary sentiment. heeheehee

I gave him a scotch to drink while he sits at the bar, or maybe his desk... lamenting his wonderful marriage... The card colors are Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black, Blush Blossom with a smidge of Real Red for his tie and More Mustard for his drink. Close to Cocoa for the furniture. The dsp is from SAB and is Delicate Dots. Embellishments are black grosgrain (you can barely see it) and brads.

I've been working on a project for my lunch Buddy to make for her mom for Mother's Day and a project for a SU party on Saturday. So I better get back to my craft table cuz it's already late!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a Fabulous Friday!

Desiree

For the love of chocolate

2009-04-19T12:48:00.005-07:00

I've been wanting to do a chocolate class for awhile now. Here it is... The projects are a chocolate book with chocolate sayings inside (lower right corner), a scratch and sniff card, a ghirardelli box, and stamping onto chocolate (you can't see it well here).

All of the instructions are found on Splitcoast Stampers - some in the resources section and some in the forums - do a search for chocolate.

I used the Pink Flamingo designer series paper - which I love!!! Plus Whisper White, Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, Real Red and Summer Sun cardstocks. For ribbons, there are white organdy, black grosgrain and linen thread.

Several stamps sets are used here as well: Crazy for Cupcakes, Oval All, Sweet Serendipity, Say it with Scallops, All Holidays and Embrace Life (this was used to stamp in the chocolate).

Stamping in chocolate is a bit tricky. First you have to sanitize your stamps - several gals on the SCS forums helped me out with that. Wipe down well with rubbing alcohol and then clean well with dishsoap and toothbrush. I applied a bit of vegetable oil to the stamp to keep it from sticking to the chocolate. Chill your chocolate, then with a heat gun melt it just a touch till you see a sheen. This is like 3 seconds, seriously. Then I carefully pressed the stamp into the chocolate and lifted. Here you might have to ease the chocolate off. Next go clean your stamp again.

I went through SEVERAL Hershey's bars to get one image to look halfway decent. But it was fun and yummy!

Have a great day and thanks for visiting!!!

Desiree

Too late for Verve....

2009-04-19T12:33:00.002-07:00

Verve had a great challenge but the deadline was Friday. On SCS they posted three sketches and a color combo to follow, then you post them to the forum for a chance to win the new release. Yeah, I didn't make it.... but I did make two cards.

I used the SAB Botanical Blossoms set and the colors So Safron, Baja Breeze and Close to Cocoa. I am not sure what I was thinking on this first card. I think I was moving in a good direction until I added the flower in Baja with the Baja layer. It jsut doesn't go. What do you think???

The dsp is Delicate Dots which is also from SAB and so is the ribbon, So Safron 5/8" grosgrain. The buttons are from the Latte Button Bouquet. I also added 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is a hostess set from the fall, I think.... Looks like I am going to have to peal that Baja flower off and do something different. It's bugging me.

Now this card came together much better. I like it. It's very soft and simple. I stamped the leaf outline in Whisper White on the Baja Breeze cardstock. Hmmm... not a single embellishment or ribbon on this card. Is it too simple????

Maybe this card needs a second look too. I made these cards on Thursday night after a long day. Maybe I was more brain dead then I thought I was.

Well, that's all I have for now. Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I'll have something better to look at later. :)

Desiree

American Art Stamps!

2009-04-19T12:22:00.002-07:00

A while back I answered a design team call for American Art Stamps and I was selected as the April Guest Designer!!! I've been impatiently waiting for my new stamps (sorry Michelle) and they came on Friday! So I've been busy stamping!

This is the first card that I made. I love the saying "I met him in group therapy. We share the same anxieties." I can just imagine that will be me at some point! The stamp is by Emerson Quillin. I'm not the greatest at coloring but for this it was easy. I also wanted the card to be really bright and summery - we have sun - so I picked some Bold Brights: Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore. The dsp is Rainbow Sherbet. Added a little Apricot Appeal as well. Very simple card but just what I needed on a Friday night after a really long week.

I'll be posting more form this fun stamp company ver the next two weeks.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Desiree

Hello there!

2009-04-12T21:06:00.003-07:00

Yeah, it's me and the birdies again. This is from the Good Friend set. I used Jen's sketch for you to try on this one. I started with a piece of dsp paper from the Sunshine Morning Simply Scrappin Kit. I chose Baja Breeze, Old Olive and So Safron to go along with. The base is textured Baja Breeze. I stamped the bird in Not Quite Navy, beak in So Safron and legs in Close to Cocoa. The flowers are punched using the Boho Blossoms punch.

Please excuse the crookedness of this photo. What was I doing???

I hope that you all had a great Easter weekend!

Desiree

Pieced and pierced

2009-04-09T22:56:00.005-07:00

I think this is the first time I've pieced a stamped image. I kept it really simple just creating one layer. When stampers piece images like florals with several layers, they turn out so beautiful! I was hoping to get this one in for Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Inspiration Challenge but I was late. I didn't touch my craft table at all last night. This will get into the Flourishes challenge and Mojo Madness 81.

I only have a few stamps sets that I can even do this technique with so I was really limited. So I pulled this one out and thought, who doesn't love a cupcake? The frosting was done with Basic Grey Lilykate and the bottom with SU Bella Bleu. The pattern in the background is from that retired paper that everyone loved so much - it went with Embrace Life and had lots of Groovy Guava and River Rock in it, you know the one.....

Blush Blossom, Ruby Red and Whisper White are the cardstocks and Chocolate Chip is the ink. I used that cute scalloped oval punch and a stamp from the Oval All set. For embelishments I used a bit of linen thread and three gems from Imaginesce. I added a few beads to the frosting. I also pieced the little cupcakes. Cute, huh?

Off to read a few more pages of Infinite Jest. I may be reading that thing for the next year.... ugh! Yeah I know, why don't I just put it down then... Well I did that once and that is really not my MO. I have to start what I finished. Plus it's an interesting book, just a slow read.

Have a great Friday! We are just hours away from the weekend!!!! I'll be at Mugs from noon to 3 on Saturday, so if you're in Hazel Dell stop in and say hi!

Desiree

Pretty floral card

2009-04-08T21:43:00.004-07:00

WooHoo! I won the Baby Photo Challenge on Papercraft Planet!!! I wasn't even going to try it but on the last day I found a few hints and so then I thought, well, I'm a third of the way there I might as well try it. So I opened all of the blogs to see current photos of gals and I spent quite a bit of time comparing. It was a bit of guess work too. Anyway only 8 people had them all correct and I was picked out of that 8. So the prize was a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com and the Mom and Me stamp set from Clean and Simple Stamps.

I was in a floral mood so I created this card the other night. The main stamp set is Soft Summer from the SU Occasions Mini Catalog. Check it out in the side bar ====>>>>> to see lots of great sets and accessories. Plus there is a way cool Matchbox Sizzix Die in there. I haven't tried it yet but I think I'll break it in this weekend. Check out what Lynn did with her Matchbox die here!

The card base is Very Vanilla with a layer of Close to Cocoa. The first step was to ink up En Francais with Close to Cocoa all over then bits of Chocolate Chip here and there. I stamped off on scrap paper before stamping on Very Vanilla. I lightly sponged the edges of that with Chocolate Chip. I used markers to color the large floral stamp in the set - Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Blush Blossom, So Safron, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst and Bashful Blue then I misted and stamped. I used the leaf outline from Botanical Blooms (SAB set) in Kiwi Kiss in the lower left corner. The stamp in the upper left is from Embrace Life. The main image is from Soft Summer and again I colored with markers, misted then stamped on Whisper White. I used Nestabilities to cut the image and Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip layers. The ribbon is 5/8" Very Vanilla grosgrain. The last thing to do was add a smidge of Dazzling Diamonds here and there on the pretty little blossoms. It's too bad you can't see the glitter because it makes the image pop and look way better then in this photo.

I'm off to bed. I'm reading this book called Infinite Jest that my brother Misha gave me 10 years ago for my birthday. He must have been 18 then. He had included a great retro postcard inside and there was my mom's handwriting for my address. Mom died 7 years ago in a car accident (I still haven't gotten over it) so it was really a surprise to see her distinct scrawl. Anyway, this book is really daunting, about 1000 pages plus 200 pages of footnotes. It is not an easy read and basically it's about how entertainment dominates our lives and how it affects who we are. The main characters are a crazily dysfunctional family. Anyway, I read for an hour before lights out every night.

So goodnight all. Have a crafty good day tomorrow!!!

Desiree

Hearts of Blue!

2009-04-06T12:32:00.006-07:00

Once again reaching for my Cheep Talk set... If you don't already have it, you need to get it! I love these little birdies!!!

For this card I combined the Weekend Sketch Challenge #75 with Kristina's Color Inspiration #48. The colors are a wonderful combination and I kept the card very simple. The colors are Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. The dsp is from the Ski Slope pack from last winter. The ribbon is Kiwi Kiss satin and the hearts are from the So Tweet Onboard Chipboard collection. I inked them up with Baja Breeze and then glittered them up with Art glitter. I used the liquid glue from SU so that glitter is stuck on there but good. Don't you hate it when glitter comes off everywhere as you handle a card??? Here's a closer look at those little hearts...

Tomorrow evening is my Funky Folds class, I might come up with a bonus card... maybe the Never-ending card would do the trick. I've never made one so now's as good a time as any!

Back to work for me. This making a living thing really cramps my real life, heeheehee! Have a great day!

Desiree

Shout Out for Sheetloads!

2009-04-04T19:51:00.008-07:00

As I was blurfing (blog surfing) I came across this publication called Sheetloads on a blog called Sheetload of Cards. The issue that I took a gander at features a cute sketch and then cutting diagrams to make several of the same card. What a great way to get the maximum use out of your paper! I hate it when I have lots of scraps left over and they end up in my ever growing scraps box -- usually never to be heard from again.... Take a look at the April issue pictured here:

The idea is to use up your stash of supplies while building up a stash of cards! The sketch and cutting diagrams are well illustrated with a special supply list if you only want to make one card instead of six. There are quite a few examples and also some instructions for various techniques.

I couldn't resist trying this out and I wanted to go with some bright colors. I pulled out my Bali Breeze DSP and Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White cardstock. Following the cutting diagram I had all my pieces ready for assembly in minutes.

Here is my project part way through... For embellishments I pulled out my Sizzix Big Shot and SU Butterfly die. I used the Rounded Tab punch to make the butterfly bodies and then drew on the antennae. I used glue to adhere the butterfly along the fold line and then dimensionals underneath the wings to raise them a bit off the paper. The little flowers are punched out with the Boho Blossoms punch and a rhinestone brad is in the middle.

Take a look at the end result... I stamped the sentiment in Basic Black on Whisper White. It's from the Soft Summer set in the Occasions Mini Catalog and the only stamping on this card. I really enjoyed this process, it was quick and easy and now I have 6 more cards to add to my card box. Yeah, at some point I am actually going to have to send some cards out. I haven't reached that part in my stamping addiction therapy. However, with 6 matching cards I should be able to part with 5 of them and still have one left over to hoard, right?

Ok, now it's your turn to get on over to Sheetloads and give this a try! Thanks for stopping in and I hope your weekend has been going along wonderfully!

Desiree

Use a little, keep a little...

2009-04-03T18:31:00.007-07:00

Hello fellow paper hoarders... you know who you are! Susan Roberts (Rainy) is a self-admitted paper hoarder... just like the rest of us she buys oh-so-pretty papers and then can't bear to use them. Yeah, that's why I have a gajillion papers packed into my craft area! Well, Susan posted this blog about dividing those gorgeous 12x12 sheets into four 6x6 pieces. Now she can use some and still have some left over to keep for that "very special project in the future." She came up with a great one sheet wonder using a 6x6 sheet and a sketch to go with it and created 4 great cards --- take a look at her blog!

Here are my cards based on her formula. They are definitely not as beautiful as her cards. The first set I worked on was Real Red, Whisper White and Sahara Sand. It was late and I really didn't put much thought into it. I used a Cuttlebug paisley embossing folder (I like them WAY better then the Sizzix texture plates) and a sheet of 6x6 DSP from last year's Level 1 Hostess Paper pack. The stamp set is called Lovely Labels stamped in Real Red on Whisper White then punched with a circle punch and layered on Sahara Sand that was punched with the scallop circle. I also punched little 1/16" holes all around. Linen thread and a white eyelet were used for embelishments.

The second card is much better I think. I used Bella Bleu DSP and Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla and Bordering Blue cardstocks. Here I did use the Damask Sizzix texture plate. I love this stamp from the Cute and Curly set and I stamped it in Not Quite Navy then punched it out using the corresponding punch. The Not Quite Navy layer was handcut. I added Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon as the final touch.

Happy Friday!!!

Desiree

More cards to benefit Alzheimer's

2009-04-01T17:58:00.005-07:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, Jen Tapler is collecting cards to auction off and she will donate the money to Alzheimer's. Since my dad was recently diagnosed I sent in a card. Well, I was playing around and made four cards that go together as a set and sent those off today as well. I actually CASE'd Andrea Walford, her card is infinitely better looking than mine, but I tried.... :)

I pulled out my Fun and Fast Notes set. I rarely use it. But when I saw Andrea's card it was the closest set I had to recreate her card. All the cards are on a Basic Gray base, use white eyelets, watercolor paper for the images and white ribbon from the Dress Up set. For the focal point used a chipboard frame, Whisper White Craft Ink, Heat & Stick powder and Dazzling Diamonds. Behind the chipboard frame is a piece of vellum that I stamped the sentiment on to. The sentiments are from the All Holidays set. An additional embellishment is a scalloped edge in Whisper White.The first card uses retired patterned paper and I can't remember what it's called... The other card use paper from the Level 1 Hostess Patterned Paper package from last year. I used various SU markers and a tiny paintbrush to color the images.

There's still time to enter a card and win on Jen Tapler's blog. Deadline is April 3.

Thanks for stopping by! Now go make that card!

Desiree

It's a beautiful day!

2009-03-29T11:14:00.003-07:00

This layout is for my Life Well Crafted class taught by Kolette Hall at Big Picture Scrapbooking. The album we are creating is called Life Tunes and each month we create a layout that includes lyrics from an uplifting song. The song for March is by U2 (one of my most favorite bands) and the song is Beautiful Day. I'll have to compile a CD of all the songs to listen to.

I've been using Heidi Grace Winifred Street papers and embellishments throughout this album. I love the soft color palette. I just hope that I have enough of it to finish the album since it's not available anymore.

The bird is handcut out of a transparency and painted with Making Memories paint and his eye is gem from KI. The arrow is Tim Holtz grunge board also painted. I also used the gems on the vellum strips. They hold my journaling.

The strip along the middle says "if I had my life to live over..." and my reponses were:

... I would think things through
... I would take things slowly
... I would value every minute more

Those are my lessons learned and I hope I can keep them in mind throughout the rest of my life.

Thanks for joining me this morning! I hope you have a creative day!

Desiree

Life's too short

2009-03-28T23:46:00.002-07:00

Here's another card we'll be making at my Funky Folds class on April 7. This is the first "Spring Card" (instructions on SCS) that I've made. I actually think of it as a "Frog Card" though!!! I inked up my Branch Out set from SU! and it is a great set. I loved Season of Friendship so much that I wasn't sure how I would feel about this set and when I finally ordered it I realized that I like it just as much.

The base is Really Rust and I layered Kiwi Kiss and Very Vanilla on that. The tree is stamped in Chocolate Chip, with Certainly Celery, Kiwi Kiss and Always Artichoke leaves. The tire swing is Basic Grey, bird is Baja Breeze and butterflies are Pumpkin Pie.

I added a saying from Many Happy Returns plus some vintage brads. A simple card but I really like how it turned out.

Thanks for visiting! I need to get back to my own blurfing now... heeheehee

Desiree

Little yellow birdie

2009-03-28T16:35:00.003-07:00

Isn't this little bird just a cutie??? I am so in love with the coordinating stamps, designer paper and chipboard that Stampin' Up! put together. The chipboard set is called So Tweet, the dsp is Sunshine Garden and the stamp sets are Cheep Talk and Good Friend. I made this card using Jen del Muro's sketch and for Jen Tapler's challenge. In a nutshell, Jen Tapler is celebrating her blogaversary by challenging people to create a card that she can auction to raise money for a cure for Alzhiemer's. Well, my dad was recently diagnosed so this challenge is something that I wanted to participate in. It's very reminiscent of the challenge that Cammie had a few months ago on her blog.

This card uses Kiwi Kiss, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla cardstock. I covered a chipboard birdie with Sunshine Morning dsp. That was glued on with my favorite PVA glue, available at Arts and Scraps - the BEST local scrapbooking store around! - and sprinkled with a tiny bit of glitter. You can see that better in the second photo. His beak is Only Orange and feet are Chocolate Chip. His eye is a blue rhinestone brad. Next I cut out the leafy branch from the reverse side of the same dsp and adhered it to a piece of Always Artichoke cardstock that I punched with the scallop edge punch. Along the bottom I added three pears. The sentiment is from the Cheep Talk set. I think I'll be using these stamps for a long time!

You can just barely see the glitter in this detail shot. I wanted just a bit so that it wasn't too glittery. So now this card is off in the mail to Jen Tapler. I hope she raises ALOT of money - we need a cure now!

I'll be back after a while with more cards. I actually have more to post!

Have a great weekend!!! And thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Sweet raspberry!

2009-03-25T22:54:00.002-07:00

I just love this Raspberry Tart DSP from Stampin' Up! Isn't it sweet? This is a double fold pocket card. I haven't made one before and I wanted to include this in my Funky Folds class coming up in April. The colors included here are Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss. The front is adorned with the Sweetest Stem Sizzlet ( a SU exclusive).

These are the cute tags that go in the pockets. The coordinating stamp set is called Sweet Stems and I used it on the large tag. The bottom of the tag is sponged with Kiwi Kiss and I watercolored the petals with Pink Pirouette reinkers. The center is Rose Red. Then I used Pink Pirouette striped ribbon. The smaller tag was stamped with Yummy and Warm Words. I decided to cut the Yummy stamp apart so the curly brackets are separate from the words that were inside. Yummy is a Sale-a-Bration set.

That's it for me tonight1 I gotta go to bed and read. I am almost done with the fourth Twilight book, the movie is playing in the background....

Summer Sun

2009-03-23T12:24:00.003-07:00

I was in the mood for some summer sun! Unfortunately I don't have that ink color yet... Weird, because I keep thinking that I do have it and then I go look for it and alas... find that I really don't. Next order!!!

So instead I picked up Tempting Turquoise and Pumpkin Pie. After a visit to SCS, I found the instructions to make this cute card... It's called a Pop Up Card. When you pull the pumpkin tag out then the middle section of the card folds up and reveals a message inside. I thought this was very clever. The dark blue fish are stamped in Pacific Point with Whisper White bubbles. For the inside, I also used Cameo Coral (shells) and Chocolate Chip (sentiment and sunglasses). I also sponged a little to make it look like sand, sortof. The ribbon is Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon and you can't really see it but I tied that with linen thread.

The first photo is the card closed, and the second photo is open.

This is the last week for Sale-a-Bration. If you haven't placed a $50 order to get free stamps, dsp or ribbon, don't delay! You can easily order online at www.desiree.stampinup.net!

I am almost finished with the fourth book in the Twilight series. I can't decide if I like them or not. I am having issues and questions.... What are your thoughts?

Well, that's it for me today. I'm on my lunch hour so I better head back to the office.

Little birdie, birdie

2009-03-10T22:19:00.003-07:00

I came up with these cute projects this evening for a class I am having next week. The Good Friend card is a CASE of this card by Dig This Stamper on SCS and the card with the bird on it is a CASE of this card by juls716 on SCS. The tea bag holder was based on one I saw on SCS by paperball. The fourth project is an owl magnet. I have a few more ideas to make him even cuter!

If you'd like to join me for class on March 17 at 5:30pm in Vancouver, WA, drop me an email. I might have some St. Patrick's luck for you!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Desiree

I {heart} life

2009-03-05T23:16:00.005-08:00

In February we created heart albums for our Life Well Crafted class. Here are a few photos of mine. I used a clear acrylic album by 7 Gypsies, paper from Basic Grey, and embellishments from here and there. The idea behind it was to see hearts where they occur naturally or accidently. At first it seemed like I lived in a heartless world, it took awhile to see them and I really didn't see very many.

This was only about half the pages. I really enjoyed making it. Our next project looks really fun too!

This weekend I am joining my best friends Jennifer, Susan and Donna for a girl's weekend. We have a suite in town and we'll be spending our days at the Creating Keepsakes expo at the Portland Convention Center. We've signed up for several classes and the Friday Night Crop Party. That will be loads of fun.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your weekend and find some time to get creative!!!

Desiree

Embrace life!

2009-03-01T21:25:00.003-08:00

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since my last post... So much has been going on! Most notably is that Lillianna has come home after being at her dad's for 3 months! I am so glad that she is back home. I've also been helping Emily repaint her room. That has been taking longer then it should have... I have been finding bits of time here and there to craft, I just haven't had time to get to the computer.

I made this card for the Sketch For You To Try over at Jen's blog. This week she is also giving away some goodies! I started out with a Very Vanilla base then I pulled out my Sizzix Big Shot and Top Note die for a Ruby Red and Blush Blossom layer. I used the Embrace Life stamp set and Cameo Coral ink for the blossoms then I used Barely Banana pastels to color in the littl buds. The ribbon is Very Vanilla 5/8 grosgrain and the strip of DSP is really old, so I can't remember the pack it came from. The main flower was created in three levels. I stamped it twice in Timber Brown Stazon and watercolored with Ruby Red. After they dried I cut the flowers out. The first one I left whole and the second one I cut into separate petals and then using stampin' dimensionals I layered them. You can't really see it but I added yellow glitter on the stamens. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment in the inside.

I have more to share this week... a heart album and another progressive page layout. Thanks for visiting and happy stamping!!!

Desiree

Spring is near!

2009-02-12T21:41:00.003-08:00

I love these delicate little flowers! This set is Sweet Stems. The colors I chose for this card are Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, and Almost Amethyst (which I haven't used in ages). After I stamped the flowers in Basic Black I colored them with chalks and then used markers for the small dots. I really like the soft look. I used the Swiss Dots embossing folder with my Big Shot for the Whisper White layer. I added Certainly Celery twill ribbon (fron Sale-a-Bration), a silver hodgepodge ribbon slide, a silver mini library clip and a pink rhinestone brad. The sentiment is from the set All Holidays. I used Mojo Monday 73 sketch for this one. A pretty little spring card!

Next up is a bright red butterfly! This is a really simple card that I made from Jen's SFYTT. The set is Garden Whimsy and I just stamped and cut and popped on dimensionals. I used Real Red, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, So Safron and Chocolate Chip. The only embellishing is piercing. Maybe too simple....

So I have been so looking forward to Survivor starting tonight.... and wouldn't you know it... I FORGOT!!! I didn't even set up my TIVO... Now I gotta watch it online, I am thankful for that option. How could I forget??? I mean, really....

And to all my friends and family, I did not make any Valentine's cards, not one. Such a shame really. So don't be looking in your mailbox. I still have a Christmas gift to finish up. Am I a procrastinator or what???

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Go be creative!

Desiree

Trees and flowers

2009-02-08T22:04:00.004-08:00

Here's a cute little card using Basic Grey paper as the background. I used Sweet Stems and one line from Many Happy Returns. For embellishments I used felt flowers, So Safron button, a Real Red brad and linen thread. Color palette includes So Safron, Old Olive, and Real Red. I pulled out a snippet of Soft Sky for a flower punch.

The sketch that I used is a Mojo Monday sketch. Check it out here. The designers create awesome cards.

So does it matter that the stamp is a flower and the background is full of trees? It's so dreary outside that I must have forgotten how to tell the two apart. heeheehee

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

Desiree

Rustic Rooster

2009-02-08T20:35:00.002-08:00

I just had to have this set! It's Rustic Rooster and its a Level 2 Hostess set from Stampin' Up! Let me know if you want it and we can start planning your party!

I made this card for the dot-to-dot challenge on Papertrey. The cardstock colors are Creamy Caramel, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Coffetti White and Really Rust. The ink is So Safron, Chocolate hip and Jet Black Stazon. The markers I used are More Mustard, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red and Old Olive. I also used a blender pen and linen thread. I cut out the rooster and popped him up on dimensionals. Cock-a-doodle-doo!

So I have to tell you about Sale-a-Bration.... for each $50 you purchase in SU product, you may select an item for free out of the Sale-a-Bration catalog. Really cute stuff in there!!! Hostesses get a bonus as well as new demonstrators. Email me for info!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Big Blue Butterfly!

2009-02-07T19:45:00.004-08:00

I created this card for a color challenge on Nichole Heady's blog. I used Stampin' Up! colors rather then PaperTrey colors. Here they are: Real Red, Old Olive, So Safron and Soft Sky (with Baja Breeze ink for the sentiment).

I used a new Sizzix for SU butterfly die cut. It's cool! For the background I embossed a piece of watercolor paper with a Cuttlebug embossing folder in my Big Shot. Then I watercolored the flowers with the colors I mentioned above. After that I used my SU spritzer to add a little Close to Cocoa and Sahara Sand.

This card looks fresh and springy! I like it. So really, are there blue butterflies??? I have no idea...

and a partridge in a pear tree....

2009-02-05T19:14:00.002-08:00

Well, not exactly a partridge... maybe it's a bluebird? Anyway I made these cute little notepad booklets for my guests at last week's open house. I think they turned out so cute!!! I love this set - Cheep Talk - I was so ithing to ink it up especially after a couple of weeks of Always.

So I had to pull out Kiwi Kiss, So Safron and Confetti White paper. I stamped the branches in Kiwi Kiss and the bird in Pacific Point. I used a marker on his beak and legs (Summer Sun and Chocolate Chip). The pear is from teh So Tweet On Board Chipboard. The leaves are Kiwi, stem is Chocolate Chip and for the pear I colored it with Summer Sun first and then rolled the edges in Kiwi Kiss. Then I embossed it with clear to give it a nice little shine.

The ribbon is available through the Sale-a-Bration promotion going on right now (for each $50 purchase you can select an item from the Sale-a-Bration catalog for FREE). I added a cute paperclip too. It has a chocolate chip flower underneath and a felt flower with brad on top.

The next photo is the inside. I found these short mechanical pencils that worked perfectly. I used the ribbon as a holder. Opposite the paper pad is a littl pocket for notes or whatever. I decorated that with a strip of Good Morning Sunshine designer series paper.

I am making more of these to sell at Mugs, the coffee shop I work at on Saturdays. Maybe I'll bring a few to my day job too. It's a cute little gifty thing.

Have a great day! Happy stamping!

~Desiree

Progressive scrapbook pages

2009-01-28T22:01:00.004-08:00

Wow, I've been away for over a week.... Well, in my defense, it was my birthday week! I was super busy every night with massage, bunco, dinner out, and my sweet friend, Jennifer's 40th surprise party! What a fun and busy week! I am 45 now and this past Sunday I called my best friend from junior high/high school, Sigrid. Way back when we were 20, 45 seemed like a million years away and people (our parents) that age were so old! I love chatting with her because it really brings me back to my younger, carefree years. I've spent the last few nights getting ready for Saturday's open house. Yep, I am still working on that. I will be happily putting away my Always stamp set soon and breaking out some NEW rubber!!! Mr. Brown visited today!

Meanwhile, here is a progressive scrapbooking set of pages. First I started out with a 3x6 card. Very simple. The color combo I used is Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White and Basic Black.

Next, I expanded that to a 6x6 scrapbooking page. I love this size for smaller albums for single events or short periods of time. I added Pink Pirouette wide grosgrain ribbon in the corners of the photos.

Then I placed the 6x6 onto an 8.5x11 page and added embellishments and a title. The title is stamped with the Contempo Alphabet. I also added a journaling block. The patterned paper is the Rose Red Designer Series Paper. I also added more Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon.

Last of all, I incorporated the 8.5x11 page into a 12x12 page which is my favorite size for albums. The Whisper White base is textured cardstock. Of course, I wasn't paying attention and adhered everything to the wrong side.... What a dork!Luckily it peeled off fairly easily. I used three chipboard frames that are inked in Rose Red for the smaller photos and the dahlia flower. I had this irritating gap that I could not get rid of so it grew a black grosgrain stem. At the bottom are chipboard letters covered in more Rose Red DSP.
So, I have a couple more cards to make, goody bags for my guests, put my display together, and a few more odds and ends. Then Saturday it will just be fun, fun, fun!!! Thanks for stopping by!!! Happy stamping! Desiree

New Stampin' Up Catalog is here!!!

2009-01-20T21:59:00.003-08:00

And it's beautiful!!! I made up my wish list and it came up to about $500!!! Gosh! There is so much to look at... I love so many of the new sets and all the new accessories! Catalogs are $9.95, let me know if you want one. Well worth the money!

There are also new Decor Elements. Lots of new designs and colors.

I also put together my class list for February thru April. If you live in the Vancouver or Portland area, shoot me an email and I'll get my class list to you!

Love You Much Promotion is still going on and I'll be having a class on February 5 featuring this fabulous bundle. Email me if you would like to join me!

Thanks for visiting!