Valentine's Day projects using P.S. I Love You

When it rains, it pours! First we found out from the guy who reads the water meter that our meter was spinning out of control last week. Turns out there was a big leak between the house and the meter. Fortunately, the leak was quickly located (by luck) at the front corner of our house. My hubby picked up the necessary pipe and asked our plumber neighbor to hook it up. All good there. It didn't even wreck our yard!

Then last night, I was in the bathroom getting ready to brush my teeth, I noticed water on the tile floor. I figured the kids must've been really messy while brushing their teeth and mopped up the mess. While doing that, something wet hit my head. Our skylight was leaking. I laid a towel on the tile floor, let my hubby know about it and he got up on the roof and fixed it today before I had to leave for class. Thank goodness it's not raining today!

We originally built our house 20 years ago, so I can't complain things are breaking down now. My hubby might tell you differently though. lol I just feel blessed I'm married to someone who can fix the problems! So onto my projects...

I'm posting this between classes (2) and clubs (2) today. So far, so good. I prepped seven Valentine's Day projects, including this twist container with Sweet Shop dsp (above), and a P.S. I Love You card that uses Everyday Enchantment dsp (an SAB free item you may select when you order $50). Four Hershey kisses fit well inside this 4" x 6" piece of specialty dsp. Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon holds the container closed at the top, while a little Sticky Strip and paper crimper keep the bottom securely closed.

This card is CASE'd from Connie Babbert here. I love the Pool Party and Lucky Limeade colors together. I used the Full Heart punch, corner punch, and Early Espresso ink too.

Take It to Heart with Monkey Challenge 93: Love!

Love is in the air! I love this image from the Take It to Heart stamp set in the Occasions Mini. I stamped it in Calypso Coral ink, sponged it with Pool Party ink, and punched it out with the 1-1/4" circle punch, layering it on a 1-3/8" circle of Early Espresso, which is then layered on two Blossom punched flowers.

I'm crazy about the Everyday Enchantment dsp in the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog. This is just one of the fabulous patterned pieces, and best of all, you may choose it for FREE with a $50 order! Free is always the right price!!! I love those little Calypso Coral Baker's Twine bows too.

This close-up shows the embossed little hearts on the pennants, which were punched. Aren't they cute?

Here's the sketch I used. I love that little kitty's face! It's the best.

Stamps: Take It to Heart, Fabulous Phrases;

Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Early Espresso;

Paper: Everyday Enchantment dsp, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Whisper White card stocks;

Accessories: Blossom punch, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches, Pennant punch, Adorning Edges, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Oval Scallop punch, dimensionals, Big Shot.

Available: General Contractor for your Home Improvements

Here's the deal: My hubby, a general contractor of 17+ years, is out of work. He can build a house from the ground up, and has primarily worked on high-end homes. The guy has skills. You can view some of his work at http://blaisconstructioninc.com.
I'm looking to keep him busy. So if you have a question about how to do something around the house (or your hubby does), make a request and I'll have my hubby provide answers, or even make a video showing how to do it. He loves making videos! The cost: Free. Can't beat that.

Thanks!

New digital downloads from Oh Baby Photobook Template to Candy Conversations

The easiest way to see what Stampin' Up! offers for digital downloads is by visiting our customer site at http://stampinup.com and clicking on Digital Designing. You'll see the digital downloads available are arranged by date (there are a only a handful each week). Don't forget that you get the Preferred Pricing when you shop through my Online Store here. Thanks!
Here's a direct link to this week's new digital downloads:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/MDS_Downloads_-_Jan_24.pdf

Sale-a-Bration is here!

Our Sale-a-Bration Event is underway as of TODAY!!! If you don't have an SAB Mini, you can see all of the wonderful products you can earn for free by clicking on the graphic in the right column of this blog.

Just so you know, you'll get a pretty, reusable bag for any order/party of at least $150! (Does not apply to Online Orders, so email me with your order.) That's in addition to your free item at every $50 you order. Contact me today at ericandterry@comcast.net if you'd like to pick a date for your friends to get together for a couple hours of FUN!



A look at the Leadership bag and folio, as well as a Secret Stampin' Sister card

This fabric looks so bright and refreshing - perfect for a Leadership 2012 bag! And it's a Sneak Peek at what you can expect from the new big catalog on June 1. Everyone at Leadership found the matching folio when we showed up to stamp the make & takes. Check out the tag - Shelli signed ALL of ours herself, and there's a bauble there that is so cute. Here's a photo of the folio open:

It's hard to tell with the pattern, but there are pockets on each panel, either from the side or a bottom pocket. I love it!

My American Ink group's Secret Stampin' Sister program is still underway. One of my downline has taken it upon herself to brighten my weeks with SSS cards. I don't have a SSS because I'm coordinating the whole thing, so this is really sweet. The SSS program ends on February 11 at our downline meeting with a gift valued at no more than $10. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!





A handful of Leadership swaps; ice cold roads

It's a new week and we're only a day away from when Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration Event begins! I started today by postponing my clubs from meeting today to next week because there are a few inches of snow and ice at the studio, and no running water. It's just not safe to drive there!

I was at Leadership Conference in San Antonio, TX, last Wednesday through Saturday, and it was great! I always get pumped to try so many new ideas. But I needed some rest first. I took a nap when I got home, then slept for 10 hours that night. On Sunday, I took to my computer, churning out emails to downline and customers for Opportuni-Tea events and so much more!

Half of my suitcase on the way home was filled with free stamps and paper, ribbon and buttons and more from Leadership. It's exciting just looking at all that stuff! As I was going through it today, I came across a handful of swaps. I didn't have time to make swaps for the conference, but one woman shared while we were waiting in line together, and another gave me three of hers when I sat next to her at lunch! Everyone was so sweet. So here are they:

This beautiful card was given to me by Mary Ellen Scheiber. It uses the Messages for Mom and Fresh Vintage (SAB set) stamps, along with embossing folders, rhinestones, and White Organza ribbon.

The card above and the two below were given to me by MaryAnn Hougendobler of Coppell, TX. The glimmer birds are amazing in real life.

MaryAnn said this card was inspired by the sample on page 183 of the big catalog. I love Mocha Morning Specialty dsp with the natural hemp. It's so pretty!

This card uses Raining Flowers, Best Friends Forever, and Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set). I love the Concord Crush color with Pear Pizzazz. I don't own the first two stamp sets (one of the reasons swapping is so wonderful), but love the combination above.

One of the neatest changes coming up: Stampin' Up! is reducing the big catalog size to 208 lighter-weight pages (from approx. 240), and reducing the COST to about half of what it is currently. Also, the 2012-2013 Catalog will go live on June 1, not July 1, as has been the case in the past. What does this mean for you? Well, it'll be alot easier to get a FREE catalog out of me, that's for sure! For now, though, if you'd like a free catalog, all you have to do is host a party with your friends. With a free item from the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog for every $50 you order (thru March 31), it's a great way to get anything from buttons and brads to ribbon and fabric for FREE. You can even have your party at my studio, once it thaws out.

It's Anything Goes for A La Card Monkey Challenge #92

I love this week's sketch for my A La Card Monkey blog! Grab some scraps from a couple of patterned papers (Everyday Enchantment dsp from Sale-a-Bration Mini) and add an image and you've got a birthday card, or whatever kind of card you need since the theme is "Anything Goes." I need lots of those, and so I'll be using this sketch again and again.

 

For this card, I stamped the polar bear from Zoo Review in Jet Black StazOn, and used an aqua painter and ink pads to watercolor the image with Pool Party, Lucky Limeade and Sahara Sand inks. Here's the sketch:

Final day: American Ink swaps and make & take

Michelle's make & take

American Ink swaps: From giftcard holder to valentines

Brandy's Everyday Enchantment giftcard holder

Inside: 1/2 of a sealed Whisper White envelope to hold the giftcard.

Mary Ann's swap with Sweet Shop dsp, and red glimmer hearts

Kathy M's swap

Occasions Mini items highlight of swaps

All of the demonstrators in my American Ink group seem to be enjoying the great new products in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Below, are a few swaps and make & takes. More will be posted in the next couple of days, so come back soon!

Cindy's swap

Frankie's make & take

Frankie's swap with Take It to Heart stamp set

Kim's Tea Shoppe make & take

Sprinkled Expressions for a sweet Valentine

This Valentine's card features a few new items available to you on January 24 in the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog - the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set, Everyday Enchantment dsp, and Everyday Enchantment ribbon (part of a ribbon and brad pack). Also featured on this card is the Occasions Mini embossing folder Adorning Accents. The hearts is just one of the three folders in the pack for $8.95.

Timeless Treasures with the Attic Boutique dsp

I offered a free card class as an activity at an assisted care living facility near my home. This is one of the two cards I prepped. It uses Attic Boutique dsp, 3/8" Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon, 8mm pearls, and stamps from the Timeless Treasures set.

Mouthwatering cherries with Sweet Shop Specialty dsp

Have you smelled the new embossing powders in the Occasions Mini Catalog? There's cherry, melon and vanilla,and they complement the Mouthwatering stamp set. Of course the cherry stamp on the card was embossed with the cherry-scented powder. I first inked the stamp with markers and stamped it on Whisper White, then punched it with the 2" circle punch. I used a VersaMark pad to ink up the entire circle, then poured the Cherry-scented embossing powder on it, tapping off the excess before heating. It smelled great!

Stamps: Mouthwatering, Perfect Words;

Ink: Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, VersaMark;

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Sweet Shop Specialty dsp;

Accessories: Cherry-scented embossing powder, Modern Label Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Tasteful Trim die for the Big Shot, pearls, dimensionals, heat gun, sponge dauber.

You're My Type: Get Twitterpated!



My club members will be making this card this month. It uses the new You're My Type stamp set, Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon, and Twitterpated dsp and button. All of these products are available in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I hosted an American Ink gathering yesterday. There were some fabulous swaps and make & takes. I'll be posting those this coming week!

It's nothing but love for Monkey Challenge #91

I think these words just about say it all! I am loving the new P.S. I Love You stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog. There are so many terrific stamps in it.

Here's the full card, which uses Riding Hood Red pleated satin ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds in Cherry Cobbler, and a new label framelit. I think my hubby will love this for Valentine's Day! This card is for an A La Card Monkey Challenge #91: Bundle of Love + Sketch.

Stamps: P.S. I Love You;

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Everyday Enchantment;

Accessories: Riding Hood Red pleated satin ribbon, wide oval punch, dimensionals, label framelit, Dazzling Diamonds - Cherry Cobbler, Vintage Trinkets, 1" and 1-3/8" circle punches, hobby blade, Tasteful Trim die and Big Shot, full heart punch.

Gnome Sweet Gnome sprinkling happiness card



It was fun to paper piece this little gnome's hat and apron with Cheery Treat dsp (hostess paper). The watering can, bunch of flowers, gnome and sentiment are all in the Gnome Sweet Gnome stamp set, featured in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This was one of the four cards I made for a class last week. I used an aqua painter and ink pads to color the images.
Stamps: Gnome Sweet Gnome;
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo;
Paper: Whisper White, Cheery Treat dsp, Melon Mambo;
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, aqua painter, Stampin' Dimensionals; Everyday Enchantment brad (SAB item); Old Olive Dotted Scallop Ribbon

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punched Secret Stampin' Sister card

Here's another Secret Stampin' Sister card received this week. When you want a quick card, you can make fun flowers with the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch. The punch gives you different punched images. Then did you notice the Paper Doily Large Sizzlit die for the Big Shot? Pretty cool! This is a new product in the Occasions Mini Catalog, which started last week.

Dry erase photo frame and candy heart votive

I've been feeling all kinds of crafty today! I made flubber, a candy heart Valentine decoration, and a photo frame dry erase board.

My daughter and I made the flubber using warm water, Borax, Elmer's glue and food coloring (she chose green). She loves it. It's feels cool - I think it'd be fun to use for Halloween. You know, when you have the kids stick their hands in things to feel what they might be. It'd feel like just about any organ. Oooh! I got the recipe off of Pinterest.com.

I picked up a couple of glass containers today and a bag of candy hearts. I don't have much in the way of Valentine's decorations, so I thought I'd make some. I set the smaller glass container in the bigger one, then poured the candy hearts around the outside. The last step is adding the candle. It's sitting on my washstand right now, but it'll be going to my studio with me tomorrow. I got this idea after watching "The Chew" on TV one day awhile ago. They used candy corn (must've been a Halloween show!).

I used a piece of 5" x 7" Beau Chateau dsp in an inexpensive photo frame as a message board for my family. Then I gathered up a strip of Candy Cane fabric to make a flower, added a big designer button, and hot glued it to the frame. I bought dry erase markers that I covered with Beau Chateau paper. You can see the black marker in the photo. Now it's really easy to get my message across. Ha! Another Pinterest idea.

I hope you've been enjoying your Sunday! I've got a busy week ahead. I really should be prepping for my clubs, a 10-card class, my downline meeting, and more. Soon....

Pop tab jewelry: A little bit of recycling and Stampin' Up!

One of my favorite things to do right now is to visit http://Pinterest.com for new craft ideas, recipes, home decor, etc. It's fun to see all of the great ideas everyone shares. I like to "pin" items to try, including items like Pop Tab Jewelry. The bracelet took 17 tabs (the model is my 11-year-old daughter, so it might take a few more for an adult). The necklace took 60 tabs. Both pieces use 1/8" taffeta ribbon from Stampin' Up! - Regal Rose and Old Olive. What a cool way to recycle!

Take It to Heart on Designer Cuts card

I love this image from the Take It to Heart stamp set, so I paired that with other products from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

The design on the bottom front of the card is laser-cut (there are eight cards total, four each of two designs in each Designer Cuts Cards & Envelopes Set). Blushing Bride envelopes are included in the set.

I created this card for a class featuring Occasions Mini products. Each one uses at least 3 things! Also on this card, I added a strip of Blushing Bride inside the card so that when it's closed, the color peeks through the holes. We used sticky strip to hold on the ribbon; hand-cut the first heart, then used the hearts framelit for the larger Regal Rose heart. There are a couple of new 8mm pearls on the card, as well. I finished it with a Tiny Tags saying and Early Espresso/Whisper White Baker's Twine.

I thought this card would be perfect for The Paper Players challenge, which is all about love. I think the boy and girl on the bike are so sweet!

Pin It

Love & Laughter for Monkey Challenge #90: New to You

If you have something new you haven't used yet, pull it out for the A La Card Monkey Challenge #90: New to You + Sketch. I mounted this new Love & Laughter set from the Occasions Mini Catalog to use with new Attic Boutique dsp, also in the mini. There's some new Blushing Bride 3/8" pleated satin ribbon on the card too. I love this stuff! And it comes in three other colors - Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, and Baja Breeze.

Oh my, I love this happy bunny. He makes my heart sing! I keep hoping for snow, but for now we have fits of rain with mostly blue skies. See what an easy sketch it is? So you try it! Upload your card to http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com and I'll leave you some nice comments!

Stamps: Love & Laughter;
Ink: Soft Suede, Regal Rose;
Paper: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Attic Boutique dsp, Very Vanilla;
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon; 3-1/2" Circle Die for the Big Shot; dimensionals