A little Razzle Dazzle

This is a stamp set you have to see in action to appreciate, I think. It just doesn't "show" that well on the page. But stamp it, and it really comes to life!

I love this kind of card--simple, but lovely, and good for any occasion. Another August Card Buffet card!

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Stamps: Razzle Dazzle
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Stampin Sponge, dimensionals

A tisket, a tasket, a Crushed Curry basket

Who wouldn't love a basket of cupcakes??? This fun basket-fold card is perfect for the next birthday in your life! Come to Card Buffet and make it with us!

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Stamps: Party Hearty, Cupcakes Wheel
Paper: Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Dusty Durango, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Dusty Durango Ribbon, Cropadile, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, dimensionals

Luggage Tags

I love luggage tags! They make me feel purposeful--if I have one, I must be going someplace *important*, right???

We'll be making these luggage tags at the August Card Buffet. These two in particular were made for 2 of my daughters who attended a church youth camp recently. They stood up pretty well to the rigors of teenage travel!

I am actually going someplace *very* important, *very* soon! Stampin Up's Demonstrator Convention is next week! Woohoo! Be sure to check out Stampin Addicts for all the best swaps and Friday's Meet N Greet at the Shilo!

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Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Tall Tales DSP, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Cropadile, rectangle coasters, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies, Flower Fusion, Brown felt, Build A Flower Bigz Die, Soft Subtles Brads, Glue Dots, binder rings

Smore summer

I have to admit that I appreciate a perfectly roasted marshmallow. We have a fire pit out back, and it gets a fair amount of use this time of year!

This smores kit is inspired by a Stampin Up project. We'll be making it at our August Card Buffet. I think it would make a great party favor, go well in a care package for a missionary or college student, or just be a fun treat to leave on a co-worker's desk.

A whale of a card

My friends have been trying to convince me to try this card, but it looked too complicated to me! It's not, though! Go make one NOW! LOL

We made this card at Club last night, and it was really fun! I love that it fits in a standard envelope. Here are the instructions I gave my Club members:

1. Cut cardstock to 5 ½ x 12.
2. Score at 2, 4, 8, and 10 inches.
3. Turn, and cut at 1½ inches in from each edge, from the 2 inch score mark to the 10 inch score mark.
4. Fold on score lines as in sample.

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Stamps: Animal Stories, A Little Birthday Cheer
Paper: Chocolate Chip 12x12, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP, Tall Tales DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic and Craft
Accessories: Clear EP, Apricot 1/4" grosgrain, 1 3/4" circle punch

Thoughts of Trees

I really love this set, Thoughts and Prayers! The tree is one of my favorites, and this set has just about every sympathy/thinking of you sentiment you'd ever need!

Blogging could get a little sparse this time of year--I'm busy stamping, but it's all for Convention swaps! Two weeks left! Only one organized swap left to complete, but a few little giftable things are in the making, as well!

Tomorrow is club night! Get to know your catalog, because there will be a prize for the stamper who answers the new catalog questions the fastest!

Just ducky

I think my ducks are my favorite animals we have here on the mini-mini farm. They make me laugh! They have such an enjoyment of life--especially life with water. We flood irrigate every 10 days, and they have SUCH fun with it!

The brown duck on the far right is a Khaki Campbell duck. They are great egg layers! And yes, we eat duck eggs. LOL They are slightly richer than chicken eggs, generally, but you'd never know the difference unless someone told you. Fresh eggs taste so much different from store-bought eggs! Yummy!

The white and brown ducks are Fawn Runner ducks. They are my special favorites! They are known for looking like a champagne bottle on legs! The gray ducks are Blue Swedish. They are the largest of our ducks. This is the first time we've tried that particular breed, but they are very sweet natured.

Punch Art Matchboxes

These adorable punch art animals are all the rage! I've collected ideas and inspiration from all over the internet, and I'm sorry to say I can't remember which I got from where!

Anytime you add googlie eyes to a project, you've got a winner, in my experience! Add a little treat inside the matchbox, and these make great party favors!

Saffron and Apricot

This color combination is inspired by the now-retired Walk in the Park DSP, which I never actually bought. Another July Card Buffet for your stamping entertainment! The flowers on the branch are colored with Apricot Appeal, as the So Saffron just wasn't bright enough. I love this layout, and I want to use it again!

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Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, Three for You (retired)
Paper: Basic Gray, So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray, Always Artichoke marker, Apricot Appeal marker
Accessories: White Organza ribbon, stampin sponge, dimensionals

Whatcha got in your purse???

Who remembers Let's Make a Deal with Monte Hall??? LOL

These purses are MUCH more stylish, and smaller! This is a gate-fold card we made last week at Card Buffet. We used the Round Tab Punch on DSP scraps and made the cutest purses ever!

What's the funniest thing you've ever had in your purse???

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Stamps: Really Retro
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, various DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Crimper, Silver Brads, Real Red 1/4" grosgrain, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain, More Mustard 1/4" grosgrain, dimensionals

If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow

I first saw a birdie card like this on one of the funniest blogs on the internet--Understand Blue.

We made the bluebird version this week at Card Buffet. Lots of punches involved in this card, but honestly, it's easy!

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Paper: Pacific Point (retired), Summer Sun, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Pacific Point (retired), White Gel Pen
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle #1, 5-petal flower punch, Dbl Slot Punch, Mustard 1/4" grosgrain, 1" circle, 3/4" circle, Boho Blossoms punch, Sticky Strip

Faux Alligator Purse

Isn't this the cutest purse??? Faux Alligator Technique was originated by Jackie Topa. I think the first one to do the purse was Gretchen Barron.

Anyway, this is my version! I used 2 partial Top Notes (for the front and back of the purse) and 1 full Top Note (scored in the middle) for the "flap." A Box #2 die cut forms the inside of the purse. The handle is attached through a jumbo eyelet, and the flap closes with a clear velcro dot.

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Paper: Chocolate Chip
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Clear EP, Big Shot, Top Note die, Box #2 die, 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain, Jumbo Eyelet, Cropadile, Sticky Strip, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Today my daughter Sarah turns 17. Hard to believe. I could tell you about how she was almost a 4th of July baby, but who wants to hear ugly labor stories??? LOL I keep trying to convince my kids that they should give *me* gifts on their birthdays. After all, I'm the one who did all the hard stuff, right? No success on that front yet. I'll keep ya posted.

When she was a baby, Sarah was extremely shy. Extremely. But she has more than made up for that in the last few years! She loves to dance, loves to be on stage, loves to make people laugh. Sarah is a singer, an animal lover, a flirt, a comedian, an actor, a landscaper, a house painter, a math-avoider, and a great friend.

You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag

Happy Independence Day! We'll celebrate with a barbecue, homemade rootbeer, and some fireworks. Have a great weekend!

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Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Pacific Point
Accessories: Big Shot, Box #2 die, Top Note die, Star Punch, Gold Brads

Freedom

Thought you might enjoy this little video as you celebrate your freedoms this weekend.

I'm a Stampin Addict!

You've all heard (read!) about StampinAddicts here on my blog. It's a great place to chat, share, and get inspired by people who love Stampin Up products as much as you do!

Stampin Addicts has tons of ideas using the Stampin’ Up! Big Shot and is giving away a Big Shot Die Pack as part of the Stampin’ Up! Summer Celebration.

Seriously! FREE DIES! You don't wanna miss it! To enter, all you have to do is write about it on your blog. Like I just did! LOL

Come on over, meet some new (and old) friends, and see what Stampin Addicts is all about!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream

Welcome to July! Is it hot enough for you??? :smile: We'll be making this card at next week's Card Buffet--join us for some cool fun! The cone is actually textured, but it's hard to see in the photo. What's your favorite flavor???

The new Stampin Up catalog is LIVE, baby! Get your order in! http://amybell.stampinup.net


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Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Paper: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic, Chocolate Chip marker
Accessories: Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch, Big Shot, Texturz Plates, Color Spritzer Tool, dimensionals