My Favorite Things #1

Have I mentioned how much I love Stampin' Up! before, maybe in passing conversation? Yeah, I'm a Stampin' Up! groupie! I love everything they have, but some more than others. Starting today, I am going to start showcasing my favorite item every week, and maybe it will become your favorite too!



In my excitement over the Spring/Summer Mini catalog, I completely overlooked the Love Bots Personalized Name Stamp on page 17. One day while on the phone, on hold and flipping through the mini, I came across it. Wow, how cute, I thought, I NEED this! So, I ordered one, and now I can stamp my name on the back of my finished projects, and wherever I need a personalized touch. Love it. Where else can you get such happiness for just $9.95? That is why it is one of my favorite things! If you would like to have one too, let me know. The catalog runs through April 30.

SALE-A-BRATION ENDS WEDNESDAY!

Place an order of $50 in merchandise and get free stuff! But only until Wednesday, March 31, when Sale-a-bration is going, going, GONE!

I Almost Forgot This One!

I almost forgot this card! It's so bright, I don't know how I could have! The pretty designer paper is from the Cottage Wall package. The stamp is from the Birthday Bliss set. I am not a big purple fan, but this card changes my mind. The Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Orchid Opulence come together with a big POP! I think this covers both feminine and masculine categories. Who doesn't love thick frosting?

I found this at http://twofriendsstamping.typepad.com. The artist is Karin Menghini.

Easter Stamp Camp Samples

Look familiar? Yep,straight out of the mini catalog! I was drawn to the Top Note piece at the bottom of the card. The soft colors are so Easter and fresh looking to me. Plus, I got to use a bunch of punches!


When I saw this little note card on Heather Summers' blog, stampwithheather.typepad.com, I couldn't wait to make him too. In case you are confused about the sentiment, it's 'Just chicken In'. He seemed appropriate for an Easter camp.


Don't ya just want to take a bite out of this chocolate bunny? He was heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I love the way the ribbon lays above him like a cross. You may not be able to tell, but the Chocolate Chip card stock was run through the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. Such a pretty card.


I stole this card from my sister, Penny, who stole it from Kimberly Van Diepen. (See, I come from a long line of stealer's!) I just love the tone on tone. Notice that the top panel was run through the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder for the Big Shot. The stamp comes from the set called Birthday Bliss. It is part of the Sale-a-bration additional options for Free when you spend $50!


This little bunny is supposed to be filled with jelly beans. I didn't have any when I made her, (no, I didn't eat them!), so I used filler paper. The punched pieces are attached to our Cellophane Bags, page 159 of the big catalog, which I always keep on hand. They are great for filling with little note cards or treats. I think I used just about every punch I have to make her, but like I said, I have a thing for bunnies, and she was worth it. There are several versions floating around. This one is from Dianna Cartwright.

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cottontail

I guess I have a 'thing' for bunnies! =P I made these little 'baskets' last year after seeing them on Splitcoast. They are so cute, I thought they should hop on over to my blog. I made the 'grass' using my crimper and tabletop cutter with scrap card stock.

Crayon Box of Goodies

Stampin' Up! demonstrators are some of the most sharing, giving, and HAPPIEST people I have ever been around. I can't imagine my life without these lovely women or the fulfillment they and this company bring me. (Why wouldn't you want that in your life? Join my team!)
I am part of a monthly 3-D swap, and was sent an adorable box of goodies by my Stampin' Buddy, Diane Burns, (her blog: To Stamp or Not to Stamp...what a silly question), and posted it March 8. I couldn't wait to use the template for my version below:


I used the Sending Love Designer Specialty Paper, #117153. The designs are just yummy and has a raised, glittery look to it. For the 'frill' under the monogram, I used the Pinking Hearts Border Punch, #117649, then ran it through the Crimper, #101618. That makes it easy to gather and take on the look of lace. I used the Filigree Designer Brads, #112577, and Linen Thread, #104199 wrapped around them to keep it closed.


Inside, I tucked four little note cards made with the same paper and Very Vanilla card stock, #101650. Also, accented the envelopes with that pretty paper. Thank you, Diane. Once again, you have inspired me!

Clean and Simple

You know I love a clean and simple card. Here are a couple of examples. They both have a 'WOW' factor, but are not difficult at all to put together. My kind of card!


When I saw this card by Tracy McCrae, I knew I wanted to make one too. There is absolutely no stamping on it, but I don't think it needs any. The birds say it all. The designer paper is called Sweet Pea. (Hello! Why wouldn't I love it?) It has two each of 24, 12" X 12" double-sided cute, cute designs, #117161. It could take you forever to use it up! The accent card stock colors are Sahara Sand, #105328, and Chocolate Chip, #102128, with Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain, #111367. What an easy, quick card to send to someone who might need a smile.


I am VERY ready for Spring, and with Spring comes, Strawberries! This is from Dawn Olchefske, (DOstampingwithdawn), who was inspired by a card done by my sister, Penny, (penguinstamper), last fall. The stamp set is Tart and Tangy, #111514. The ribbon is Old Olive 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain,#115618. All it needs is some whipped cream!

WARM AND FUZZY ALERT!

Every time I see this little fella, I just have to smile. He is so sweet, you just want to hug him.
His ears are from the Pick a Petal stamp set that I have found is one of the most versatile sets ever. His face is the Large Heart punch turned upside down. The nose is the small heart from the Heart to Heart punch. His feet and arms are made from the oval punches. All that is layered on top of the 1 3/4 Circle punch for his tummy. I sponged Pretty in Pink all over to soften him up a bit. His whiskers are actually Whisper White card stock that I was able to cut that tiny with my Tabletop Paper Cutter. Love that tool. Makes such nice crisp cuts, especially with the Whisper White paper. Black brads and a ribbon around his neck finishes him off.
Believe me, I had real trouble giving him away. Thank goodness I remembered to take a picture. Now I can 'visit' him whenever I need a warm and fuzzy feeling!

Answering the Stampin' Up! Challenge!

As part of a challenge from them, I have been asked to tell my Stampin' Up! story. I think most of you know how much I love what I do, but you may not know how I got started.

My sister, Penny, is a demonstrator. Back then, she would call and tell me what she was learning and making. She told me I needed to become a demonstrator too. She kept trying to get me interested. I resisted. So, she started sending me little 3-D projects and cute cards in the mail. I was intrigued...but still resisted. Then, she started sending me stamp sets and ink pads. Hmmmmm. (She plays hard-ball!) Pretty soon I was stamping with them and sending her cards. I was having fun! One day, it just made sense to become a demonstrator and I shocked her when I told her "I want to do this!" When she picked herself up off the floor, I told her "I am only doing this for the discount". (Yes, you get a DISCOUNT for having fun!) That satisfied me ~ for a while. But, Penny lives in Texas, and I couldn't show her the cute things I was making. I started fantasizing about stopping cars coming down my street to show them what I had made! That's when I decided I needed to have a Stamp Camp so I can show others the cute things they can do with Stampin' Up! products. At my first camp, I had two people...my daughter and her friend. My next camp, I had three people...my daughter, her friend and her friend's mother. I was off and running! That was about five years ago! I have not regretted a single day and love every minute. It just makes me so happy to get up every morning with the realization that I can, once again, create and share what I do with others who love it too! Stampers are a special group and I love being with them.

If you would like to bring this kind of fulfillment to your life, I would love to talk to you. You can become a part of my group, The Pieces of Heart Stampers, for 15% off the regular starter kit price until the end of March! Plus, Stampin' Up! will throw in a stamp set of your choice of $47.95 or less, for FREE!

LET'S TALK! pamdurso@sbcglobal.net

Lucky Me!

I had a great weekend! Not only was my youngest daughter in town for a few days, but I received these surprises from friends too! Lucky Me!


I have such talented stampers in my downline! I received this punch art note card from Judy Sumner. Isn't he just the cutest little puppy you have ever seen? I have him sitting on my desk and he makes me smile everytime I see him. If you would like the recipe for him, let me know by email and I will send it to you. pamdurso@sbcglobal.net


Sometimes the smallest things just make me happy. This little note was given to me by Theresa Tesson, a very sweet, talented stamper. I love receiving cards as much as I love giving them, and this little one grabbed me right away. I plan to use it as a bookmark too. So sweet.


This adorable little box was made for me by my Stampin' Buddy, Diane Burns, www.diburns.blogspot.com. I think it is perfect for a set of little note cards and envelopes. The corduroy buttons hold the hemp twine to keep it closed. Once again, it is all about the 'packaging', and I am all over this one! Thank you, Diane, you are the best!

Not Quite a Pot 'O Gold But Cute None the Less

I have no idea who originally came up with this variation of a box. I have used this pattern so many times and it never occurred to me to use it this way. The points in the center were to be taped down inside for a nice little cube. But some clever person went 'outside the box' (sorry I couldn't resist that pun!) and came up with a basket. So, of course, I have to jump on board and make it a St. Pat's basket. The dimensions I used were 8 1/4" x 8 1/4", scored at 2 3/4" on all four sides. Score each corner square diagonally in the center stopping at the center square. Then simply fold on scored lines.


I wanted to place a shamrock on the panel, but didn't have a stamp that big. So...I pulled out my nifty new Small Heart Punch, from the Occasions Mini catalog, and made my own!


You can see how the points come together in the center. I punched a small hole in each one and threaded the ribbon through and tied with a bow. Now each little compartment is ready to fill with 'gold' or chocolate...same difference!

Bunches of Punches February Stamp Camp

Every project in this camp used a punch of some kind. We had great fun Saturday! I will be picking up little punched hearts for weeks!

All I can say is OH MY GOSH! I could eat this card it is so cute. There is so much going on here, but it all works so nicely. The original card was brought to my attention by my downline, Judy Sumner, who shares my obsession with cards. She found it on Kirsty Brown's blog, http://kirstyscardnscrap.wordpress.com. Kirsty used the treat cup as if it were a magnifying glass with a (Flight of the) Butterfly inside! AEIGH!!!!!!!!! I can't hardly stand to give it away. Mine has a couple changes, but I stayed pretty true to hers. Love it.

Isn't this the cutest card? I saw it on Jan Tink's blog, http://stampspaperscissors.typepad.com and couldn't wait to make it. It uses the Sale-a-Bration Good Neighbors stamp set, and Welcome Neighbor paper pad. (Just two of the items you can get FREE! Contact me and I will tell you how!) What a cute card to say hello, or welcome to the neighborhood, or congrats on your new home. So bright and cheery.

The all-time, most requested card I get is one for a man. I think they are the hardest to come up with too. My 'thing' is whimsical and girly-girl. So trying to find a masculine card that appeals to me is not easy. I found a similar one on a Stampin' Up! website that I changed just a smidgen. (That is a technical term.) That awesome paper is from the Sweet Pea Paper Stack. You will never run out with that pad! It's huge. The Scalloped Border is just enough to soften the dark colors. I like it. Very manly-man.

I CASEd my CASE! I had a version of this card on my blog in December. Andrea Walter, my very clever downline, suggested it would make a great St. Pat's card. She was right! We watercolored the beer steins using Blender Pens and added a little Dazzling Diamonds to the foam on top. The sentiment inside is the single stamp from the Occasions mini that says "Go Green". Perfect for this card!

I have had these flowers on my blog before. But I had such fun making them with the Scallop Circle punch, that I knew everyone at the camp would too. So I pulled out some older designer paper pads to use. To make some look 'vintage', I needed an old, yellowed book. So I went to man who refuses to throw anything away, (yes, Steve), and asked him if he might have any books I could use. DUH! Of course he did! I think Webster has added a couple thousand new words since the printing of this dictionary. Anyway, it worked wonderfully. (And there is one less old book in the basement!) We soon had flowers all over the place. The combinations were beautiful. We spritzed them with a mixture of alcohol and a few drops of the shimmer paints. The effect was so pretty. Of course it would be hard to mail a card with these, but imagine the addition of one to a tag or wrapped gift. It's that whole 'packaging' thing again!