More mini notebooks

After Danny got his notebook, nothing would do except that Jake and Maddy each got one, too! Hafta be fair when you can, in a big family! I think I'll be making a LOT of these as we get closer to Christmas!

Let it snow!

Ok, first we should establish that when it comes to scrapbooking, I am the worst mother in the world. Really. The only time I scrapbook is for samples. LOL So here it is, my yearly attempt at using pictures of my children to entice people to buy stuff. (See, I told you I was the worst mother!)

My husband's boss very kindly allowed us to use her cabin last winter. (I stayed home, that's why I'm not in the pics!) It was one of the snowiest winters ever, and the kids had a blast. Oh, Dad did, too! Did you notice the not-so-subtle use of Big Shot dies???? Didja? I bought that snowflake die last winter, so I was thrilled to see it in the new SU catalog of Sizzix dies. I used the snowflake die on some sparkly white felt from Michael's. The alphabet is the Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale alpha (don't have an SU alpha die yet).

Hibiscus

I know summer is coming to an end when my hibiscus blooms start slowing down. These gorgeous flowers only last one day, but they are 9-10 inches across! My grandpa always had hibiscus growing, so I needed one, right? The really expensive ($45!) hibiscus gave up the ghost this year, but the "run of the mill" hibiscus that was only supposed to get 30 inches tall is still going strong. Almost five feet tall instead of three--guess I shouldn't have planted it in the front of the garden?? {wink} At least it's on a corner, and the way it grows, it's staying!

Just B Mine

I love this little album! It's made from badge holders, and it was my swap for the Mini Album Swap at Convention. Can you believe nobody at my Card Buffet wanted to make it????

Beautiful Boy

This is my Jakey. He's 7 today! He was a HUGE baby--2 weeks late, 9 and a half pounds! After 4 tiny baby girls, he was quite a change. He loves basketball, baseball, and swimming. He has a very gentle spirit inside that great big athletic body! He loves his Mama and takes great care of her.

Happy Birthday, Jake!

Upsy Daisy Again

I'm stuck on this set! I was a gardener (not a Shelli type Gardiner, the FLOWER kind LOL) for many, many years before I became a stamper. My mother's parents were both flower gardeners and I tend to take after their side of the family, anyway. These flower silhouette stamps are killing me! Love 'em! And of course, chocolate, well, that goes without saying, right? Do you love that new Ridinghood Red Taffeta or what??? Yummy!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Ridinghood Red, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Very Vanilla Craft
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Ridinghood Red Taffeta

Double Challenge Card!

I'm still in love with Julee's sketch challenge which can be found here MTVD07. And THEN, I found Belinda's color challenge and had to try that, too!

I hadn't tried the spotlighting technique before, and I received so many beautiful swaps with that technique, I wanted to attempt it. Ok, it was EASY! LOL What was I afraid of???? And I did some funky scoring with my Scor-Pal. I'm getting a better result using my embossing stylus these days instead of my Scor Tool. I think I wore it out. {oops}

Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Taken with Teal, Black, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Scor Pal, Cropadile, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, dimensionals

Shelli's Cake

Shelli called this a diaper cake. I have never heard of such a thing before, but it's gorgeous! The decorations use some of the new Big Shot dies. She made it for the centerpiece at a baby shower for her daughter, and then it will be a decor piece in the sweet baby's room. Awwww.

Off to the right, you can get a peak of some Christmas tree decorations made from the new Pennant die. There were so many things to see, it was impossible to remember anything!

Verve Diva Sketch Challenge

These colors are a little bright for me, but they seemed like Dr. Seuss colors to match the quote! Julee at Verve Stamps posted a sketch challenge today, and I finally had time to play! Just trying to channel Dr. Seuss was fun--and so I went a little crazier than usual. Looking at the photo, I think I need to add something to the bottom of the ribbon--maybe I'll get to that later, if the kids take awhile longer at the library. {grin} I kinda wanted the quote image to look like it could slide up and down the ribbon, but didn't want to upload a video. LOL And the line of Dew Drops actually looks straighter in real life, but maybe "skeewumpus," as my mother would say, is more Seussian.

Stamps: Beautiful You from Verve, Polka Dot BG from Stampin Up
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Garden Green (I KNOW!)
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Papaya ribbon, Petite Scallops Nesties, SU 1 3/4" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, dimensionals, Dew Drops

Sweet Saffron

I had to order Parisian Summer paper on my first new catalog order! So Saffron is my favorite color in the world! This pack of paper is supposed to go with Bravo Burgundy, but this pattern just looks more like Perfect Plum to me. I think it works with both colors.

Stamps: Say it with Scallops, Eastern Blooms
Paper: Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla
Ink: So Saffron, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Parisian Summer DSP, Scallop Square Punch, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, dimensionals

Four Friends

Aren't we cute???? This is a picture of me and my Convention Buddies: Paula (scrapshappen), Angie (Finger'sInkyGirl), and Amanda (bluebearry). It was a first Convention for all of us except Amanda. We had such a wonderful time!

The boy loves his Froot Loops

Getting 6 kids going in the morning can be--complicated. {laugh} Danny woke up cranky as usual, but when he discovered that someone else had eaten the last of the Froot Loops, he had a meltdown. He's quite the charmer when he's happy, but if he's cranky LOOK OUT! I guess that's like most of us, right?

When we took a trip this past summer, I bought one of those multi-packs of cold cereal as a treat. My girls and I decided the boxes would make adorable mini notebooks, so the cut down boxes have been living in my craft room for awhile. I used my Carl cutter to slice up a whole bunch of printer paper, and my sweet little Bind-It-All helped me make this notebook in about 5 minutes! Problem solved! Just call me Super Mom! {giggle} I told him he had to let me take a picture of the notebook, but he wanted to be in it. He told me, "Mom, you're good!" So I think I'll make it through another day.

Here's a close up (without the adorable boy).

The notebook is only about 4 1/2" x 2 1/2"! I used a 7/8" BIA wire.

So, you think you're a Big Shot!

Stampin Up has announced a partnership with Sizzix to bring you
{drum roll, please}


Can you believe it? I'm *so* excited! Stampin Up exclusive dies and the ability to cut cardstock, designer paper, foam, leather, thin metals, felt, and more!

To celebrate, I'm having a Big Shot Party! Come and try out the new Big Shot and some of the exclusive new dies! You'll also get to make 2 projects for free, and there will be a special for anyone who places an order that night!

Mark your calendars now for Wednesday, August 27 at 6:30. Space is limited, so sign up now! See you there!

So Faux

Sorry I am late today--I had my Card Buffet last night and then had to watch the Olympics. LOL If you are local and haven't been to a Card Buffet before, check out the link.------>

Have you tried the faux metal technique yet? I was probably the last person on earth to try it, and now I'm in love with it!


I keep petting the pieces, I like them so much!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Big Flowers, In the Spotlight (retired), Boho BG
Paper: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Basic Gray, plain typing paper
Ink: Pacific Point, Versamark
Accessories: Silver embossing powder, heat tool, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, Cropadile, silver cord, white taffeta ribbon

Convention Make-n-Takes, Part 3 (and last)

I still haven't finished one of the make-n-takes (the ribbon bookmark), but I'll try to get to it sometime. LOL Here are the remaining 3.


Thank U card.


Scrap page 8.5 square


Cute bag I did wrong. LOL But I'm sure you've seen the correct version all over, right? I still love this set, and I do love the bag, despite my mistakes!

Convention Make-n-Takes, Part 2

Ok, these are not my best stamping! LOL These are the rest from Thursday, when I had a really bad migraine. I didn't finish everything, but here is what I got done!


Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Thank You Kindly
Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Chocolate Grosgrain, Floral Frenzy Classy Brass Template, Stylus, Light Table, brayer, Rhinestone Brads, corner rounder



Stamps: Eastern Blooms
Paper: Tangerine Tango Textured
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Cropadile, Vanilla 3x3 envelopes, Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain, Crystal Effects, Orange beads, Blender Pens

Convention Make-n-Takes, Part 1

The make-n-takes at Convention were wonderful! My friend Kathy was a "helper" and did her best to guide me through.


Inspired by Nature 3 x 6
Stamps: Inspired by Nature
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: NEW large oval punch, NEW clips assortment, distresser


Eastern Blooms box and card set
Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Thank You Kindly
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Hidden Garden Rub-ons, Rhinestone brads, 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette Grosgrain, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Tandra's Don--I mean Llama

So for a long time--more than a year!--there has been a joke that SU needed a llama image--a freakin' llama, to be exact. My friend Tandra was so excited to find this "llama" in the new Spanish supplement catalog. Then someone had to burst her bubble and tell her what it really was. :-) So here, for Tandra, is the freakin' llama. Along with one of the Convention make-n-takes for those who are looking for real stamping stuff. Sorry it's so blurry--the llama wouldn't hold still!

Shelli's Die Cut Projects

If you weren't at Convention, I'm not sure you can fathom the wild cheering that took place when Shelli announced a partnership with Sizzix. Sah-weet!

Here are some of the projects she demonstrated using the new Stampin Up dies. Sorry some of the photos aren't that great! You had to shoot and move along!



These are the projects she did for her grandson's birthday party. I wonder if she'd adopt me???? Masks use the new SU SIzzix Pennant die. The basket is from the SU Basket and Blooms die.





These are quiet book pages she made for her grandchildren. I {heart} quiet books, so it was fun to imagine making more with my fancy schmancy new Big Shot and dies. :-) Probably be a few years, though. Not really in the market till there are grandchildren for me!




So beautiful! One of Shelli's daughters is expecting her first girl, and these are the shower decorations/favors and the nursery decor. The flowers are made of fabric and lace, all cut with dies in the Big Shot. To the left you can see part of the ruffled apron Shelli sewed *from the Baskets and Blooms dies* if you can even imagine! I would never have thought of such a thing! Along the right side, you can see some of the Christmas decorations made from the Pennant die.

Decor Elements

One of the exciting things we got to see at Convention was Phase 2 of the Decor Elements line! These will be available for customers to order on October 1. You'll notice some familiar images, as well as some new ones. Many of these were two-step elements! I was really loving all the colors, too!

Convention Fog

We got home from Convention late Saturday night--so late it was practically Sunday. ;-) I am still in a fog, which is 3 parts exhaustion and 2 parts Convention withdrawal. I didn't have to do any laundry or cleaning or chauffeuring or . . . well, you get the picture. Now I can't seem to gather up all the threads that make up my regular life! Swimming lessons, 2 teens with jobs, school registration, play dress rehearsals, planning for group voice lessons--oh, and I should pay some bills and go grocery shopping! LOL It's amazing how much 6 kids eat!

I have to brag on my husband a little bit--ok, a LOT. Events like Convention are really not my thing. I suffer from migraines, and I'm not terribly fond of large crowds. But he drove me to Salt Lake, kept me fed and cared for, picked us up (hi Angie and Amanda!) at the end of Convention days, and just generally was amazing! I could never have done it without him! Thanks, honey!

You know how everyone always says you HAVE to go to Convention?? Well, I admit I just thought they were Kool-Aid drinkers. :-) (I mean that in the nicest way possible!) But I have to tell you

You HAVE to go to Convention!

It was wonderful, fabulous, amazing, crazy fun! I learned so much, swapped like crazy, met IRL so many great people I had only known online, swapped some more, waited in line for 2 1/2 hours to buy everything in Memento Mall (please note the "e"--sorry, you can take the girl out of the spelling bee, but you never take the spelling bee out of the girl!), learned that the Salt Palace does not have great cell reception, did I mention swapping????

I promised Tandra a couple pictures from the new catalog, so here they are!

Just Jawin!



Crazy for Cupcakes!

Keychain, part 2

Here is another version of my sticky note keychains.


Stamps: Window Dressing
Paper: DSP Bella Rose, Ridinghood Red, Naturals White
Ink: Staz-On Brown, Elegant Eggplant marker, Ruby Red marker, Pumpkin Pie Marker, Old Olive Marker
Accessories: sticky notes, Cropadile, binder ring, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Crystal Effects, various 1/4" grosgrain ribbons

A Light unto My Path

I can't believe I owned glossy cardstock for years without using it! Love this sunset look. I think I cased the colors from someone somewhere, but I can't remember. Let me know if it was you.



Stamps: Light unto My Path, Absolutely Fabulous
Paper: Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Brocade Blue, Glossy White
Ink: Black Craft, Cameo Coral re-inker, Brocade Blue re-inker, Creamy Caramel re-inker
Accessories: Clear EP, Vintage brads, rubbing alcohol, ticket corner punch

Convention Dreams

Love this new Dreams du Jour set! One of my general swaps.



Stamps: Dreams du Jour
Paper: Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Naturals White, DSP Bella Rose
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette re-inker, Kiwi Kiss re-inker, Pacific Point re-inker
Accessories: Stampin Sponge, silver brads, 1/16" punch, Aquapainter, Crystal Effects, dimensionals