Sending You Love

Love the stamp set called Easy Events.
The top of this tree is popped up using
Stamping Dimensionals.
Such a cute all purpose card.

Clean & Simple Christmas Card

Since I didn't have much time to make Christmas cards this year,
I needed a design that would be quick and simple.
This card fit that criteria for me.
The stamp sets used were Pines & Poinsettias
and Bells & Boughs on
Crumb Cake card stock.
What you can't see is a sprinkling of
Dazzling Diamonds on the pine cone.
A bit of a vintage look this Christmas.

I'M BACK!

Whew!
What an interesting few weeks I have had!

We FINALLY moved into our new house in Illinois.
While unpacking, I realized something was really wrong.
I wasn't feeling like I should.
I was extremely tired.
I even turned down invitations from Steve for dinner out
because I couldn't walk from the car to the table
without stopping several times to catch my breath!
Now you KNOW something was wrong with me.
So I found a doctor who told me I had congestive heart failure,
and I needed to get to the emergency room ASAP!
Once there, I was bombarded with all kinds of tests which confirmed her diagnosis.
I was admitted to the hospital and stayed five days while more tests were done,
including a heart cath.
They were suspecting a blocked artery.
Luckily, there wasn't one and my problem can be treated with
medication (lots), a low sodium diet (ugh),
and regular monitoring by my new best friends,
my family doctor and cardiac doctor.

It is such a blessing to feel good again.
I have taken it easy lately,
but also slowly putting my new home together.
My stamping 'studio' is coming together too.
I'm still missing things like my punches and designer paper.
I suspect they are outside in the garage underneath more boxes.
But for the first time in weeks,
I pulled out some stamps and paper and made some cards yesterday.
A little smile crept up on my face and I felt whole again.

I was sent so many beautiful cards.
In the next few days I hope to get them on my blog.
I am looking for the cord to download them from my camera!
Thanks for the good wishes and prayers.
I so appreciate them all.

HOME

This is our new home.
Steve and I are excited to begin a new chapter in our lives, in Illinois.
But we are also sad to leave so many wonderful friends who
have been a huge part of our lives in St. Louis.
I already miss the camaraderie, the fellowship, the laughter, the tears,
and, of course, (!) stamping, with you all!

This last weekend I was completely touched by the
surprise lunch given for me.
I never suspected!
Thanks to all of you who were a part of it.
I would love to send each of you a pretty card, but as you can imagine,
all my 'stuff' is packed away.
Give me some time, and I will get that stamping groove going again!

We won't be far, it's only a three hour drive.
Conducive to a stamping weekend!
I will stay in touch and hope that you will too.
Continue to check my blog.
It will keep you posted as to what we are up to.

Thank you, sweet ladies.
You will always be in my heart.

:o)

Are you missing a golden opportunity?

Friday, November 11!

That's the last day to take advantage of the Free Big Shot or $100 in Stampin' Up! merchandise when you become a demonstrator, and a member of my
Pieces of Heart Team.
I sure would hate for that day to pass without you finding out how much fun,
and how satisfying being a part of the Stampin' Up! Company can be.

Why not give it a chance?

HAVE FUN
GET CREATIVE
DO WHAT YOU LOVE!

Contact me and I will fill you in on all the details.
stamppad@sbcglobal.net
314-831-3265

Medallion Stamp

Isn't this a great way to use the Medallion Stamp?
The base card is Poppy Parade, along with the ink.

The Medallion is stamped and then trimmed around the edges,
cut into halves, (ready to make a second!),
and then popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.
The embossing around the edge of the Whisper White card stock
is called Framed Tulips.
Imagine this done with Christmas colors and accented with
Dazzling Diamonds!
Lovely!


Nancy Berg

Spice Cake Designer Fabric

I took Home Ec in high school and was pretty good at sewing my own clothes.
That was then,
this is NOW!
Now I like my projects quick and easy.
My sister, Penny Thomas, made some of these awhile back,
and I just loved how it looked.
For this little bag,
(which I found at a large craft store),
I used the Spice Cake Designer Fabric, the Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll,
the Flower Folds Bigz XL Die, and my Big Shot.
The Adhesive Roll is so easy to use.
Simply iron the adhesive onto your fabric, die cut the fabric using the Big Shot
and peel the transfer sheet off, then iron fabric die cut onto the purse.
Add one of our Jumbo Designer Buttons, maybe a Simply Adorned Bauble to
the zipper and you will look
FABULOUS!

JUST IN TIME!

I just attended the Louisville, Kentucky Regional with my Pieces of Heart Team. We had a blast. (We've decided that what happens in Louisville, stays in Louisville, but we definitely made our presence known while watching the last game of the World's Series in the hotel lobby...with towels, the wave and all!)

Here is the good news for you. Because I attended, I am able to give you a free stamp, from the Mini Occasions Catalog no one else has seen yet, when you become a member of my team by November 13. AND SU has extended the free Big Shot or $100 in SU merchandise promotion until November 11. Fantastic! That means you get a free Big Shot or $100 in SU merchandise plus, a new stamp just for becoming a demonstrator. Cool!

Don't wait any longer!

Join now, and you can SALE through the new year with the Sale-a-bration promotion starting in January! You can show your friends how they can receive FREE products then. That will get them excited and wanting more! The rest is icing on the cake.

If you like to stamp, if you like to stamp with a fun group of ladies, if you like to save money with discounts, if you'd like to be a part of a company that really cares about you, then please call or email me and let's get you started now.
stamppad@sbcglobal.net
314-831-3265

Road Trip for the Pieces of Heart Team

I must apologize right off the bat.
My photography skills are not the best.
That being said, here are some photos of our group,
The Pieces of Heart Team,
attending the Louisville, Kentucky Stampin' Up! Regionals.

Above is very excited Mary Ellen Cope,
(a bit bleary, my fault.)
She is about to start card swapping.
Her excitement is infectious!

Above, looking at swaps, are
Jayne Singleton, Judy Sumner, and Susan Fields.

One of our favorites at Stampin' Up! is
Bonnie Thurber.
She is so funny and gets the morning started with a few
tips and Christmas tag ideas.

We were in a big comfortable room full of card-swapping,
idea demonstrations, make and take tables, and display boards.

How fun to see your name on the screen that you've won a free stamp set!
Our friend, Diane Mikles did!

Here she is with her prize.

Stampin' Up! is so generous with us.
They gave all of us prizes.
Mary Ellen is showing off the On Board Journal we received.

And how about this for a snack?
We were given a very fulfilling box lunch,
and this pretty cupcake for an afternoon snack.

Some of the wonderful people who make Stampin' Up!
the company we love to be a part of.

The Pieces of Heart team had a blast together.
We even watched the Cardinals win the World Series
in the hotel lobby, right down to the rally towels and
The Wave!
I'm already looking forward to the next
Pieces of Heart Road Trip!

Happy Halloween!

'Nuff said!


Debra Currier

Talented & Spooky Friends

I love receiving cards just as much as I love to send them.
Here are a few from my very talented and spooky friends.
Above is from Pieces of Heart member, Judy Sumner.
The 'skirts' are popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.
What a cute idea.

This one is from Patty Schnell, another Pieces of Heart member.
(Why don't you be a part of our very talented and fun team!)
Love that background paper and the punched bat.
(The Bat Punch, by the way is on the Clearance Rack on my website:
www.pamdurso.stampinup.net)

Mary Strande, my sweet friend,
who has recently turned me onto Thia food,
sent this one to me.
That little girl sitting on the pumpkin just makes me smile.

All I can say is
OH MY GOSH!
This is a pop-up card sent to me by my very dear friend,
Phyllis Phegley.
When you open it, all those little spooky things
jump up at you.
My favorite is the skeleton.
Doesn't he look like he is coming out of the grave?
YIKES!

Thank you ladies, for sending me a smile
in the mail.

BOO! Cuteness

Love this card!

Step away from the candy!

Is it just me, or are those eyes FREAKY?
Yikes!

Look Into My Eyes!

Halloween is so much fun to decorate for.
This is a little coffin candy box made from a template I
found on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website.
(Yet another reason to become a demonstrator!)
I used the Spider Web Embossing Folder on our
Basic Gray Card Stock and sponged Basic Black over it.
My camera didn't pick up the
Champagne Shimmer Spray
that gives the whole coffin an eerie effect.

Those very spooky eyes were made by using a
red Sharpie pen on our Rhinestone accents.
The little spider has one too made with a black Sharpie.
Kinda creepy, huh?
Not sure I would want to stick my hand in there to retrieve candy!

Homage to an Artisan

I feel very blessed to be able to call Heather Klump a friend!
(http://hlkdownstairsdesigns.blogspot.com)
She has to be one of the most talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators
I have ever met.
And I am not the only one to feel this way.
Just recently, at the 2011 Convention in Salt Lake City,
Heather was named one of the Artisan Winners for her beautiful work.
We were all very happy for her, but knew there was no contest!
She is amazing and her sense of humor is just as unique!
She gave me a little dress made of the fabric from Sew Suite,
found in the Summer mini catalog,
especially for the Stampin' Up! bear.
I don't have that bear, but found one to show you how cute it is.

It came packaged in this cute little 'bag' in the Sew Suite designer papers.
Just adorable.

I also feel VERY lucky to have received this swap from her.
I think it is one of the prettiest Christmas cards I have seen.
Thank you, Heather,
and congratulations on your well-deserved award!

Have Your FREE Big Shot Yet?

If not, then you can't make this cutie!

To make this little birthday box,
I used the Fancy Favor Die and the
Finial Press Impressions Folder,
(say that fast five times!).

There are actually two.
One made with
Textured Pumpkin Pie Card Stock,
and one made with acetate.
Stick a little gift inside,
and you will make someone happy.

Make yourself happy by becoming a part of the Stampin' Up! family
and my Pieces of Heart team!
Get a Free Big Shot or
$100 in merchandise!
Contact me: stamppad@sbcglobal.net

Spooky Milk Carton

When is a milk carton spooky?

When you put two of them together to form a little treat box!
And, of course, it doesn't hurt to use Halloween colors,
(Basic Black and Rich Razzleberry)
scary stamps, (Wicked Cool),
and a little shimmery Smooch!

GOT BIG SHOT?

October Calendar

Penny's October Mini Calendar insert.

Scallop Envelope Treat Holder

I stole this from my sister, Penny Thomas.
It makes my heart just melt, it's so cute.
Using the Big Shot,
(Have I given you enough reasons to sign up with Stampin' Up!
and get your FREE Big Shot these last few days?
I don't know how you can live without this stuff!)
cut two pieces from the Scallop Envelope Die. You will need to trim
the bottom so that they will fit together and form a little treat holder.
I have a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup tucked inside.
The texture on the front is from the new
Snow Burst Embossing Folder
found in the Holiday Mini Catalog.
The pumpkin is formed with three 3/4" Circles and
the leaves are from the Bird Builder Punch.
It's sitting on the Modern Label Punch.
Love the font on the sentiment, it's from the
Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.
Melt, melt, melt.

Recycled Treat Bag

I am not very good at recycling. I have to remind myself to do it.
This little treat bag made me feel like I was being 'green-conscious'.
When we receive orders from Stampin' Up! (love those days!),
the boxes are filled with a cushioning paper to keep everything safe
during shipping. It's a kraft/paper bag color and perfect for making
these Halloween treat bags.
I used the Scallop Square Clear Die.
The piece of paper is doubled and folded just before the bottom so that it is not
cut when run through the Big Shot.
I put adhesive on either side and then used the Crimper.
Decorate the front, slip in a treat and there ya go!

Birthday in a Box!

The Big Shot box dies have become my new favorite toys!
This one is called the Bitty Box & Envelope Die.

Inside is a balloon, birthday candle and two pieces of chocolate
covered with an address label stamped with the set called
It's a Wrap Occasions.
A little birthday party waiting to happen!

Awwwww!

This little lamb is so stinkin'
CUTE!
It would be pretty in Bashful Blue as well.
Made with these punches:
Scallop Circle
Word Window
Itty Bitty Shapes
Oval
Modern Label
The background is made using the
Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
and the
Big Shot
(Free this month when you become a member of my team!)

Awash with Flowers

I have always struggled with this two-step stamp set called
Awash With Flowers.
I think I was trying to make it line up perfectly, and it's not supposed to.
That's it's appeal.
I pulled it out recently, to give it another chance,
and found that I really like it after all.
The fact that it doesn't 'fit' took a lot of pressure off.
It ended up being a really pretty effect.
Change the colors and it will work for any season.
Just might be one of my favorite sets now!

Scaredy Cat Owl

Recently, I attended an all day event for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. We had so much fun, (thank you Sally and all!). We learned new techniques, saw lots of great ideas, talked about our businesses, ate a great lunch, and of course...STAMPED!
The card above is one of the fun make and takes we made.
I have always loved that little owl, but how cute is he in his witch hat?
It's made using an oval punch and the Petite Pennants Builder Punch.
The paper behind him is from the Frightful Sight package.
Whooooo wants some candy!

GET A FREE BIG SHOT OR $100 IN MERCHANDISE!

An offer to DIE for! If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20 discount on your favorite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.* Use the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies** to create uniquely beautiful projects in a flash. In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--contains over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies-everything you need to start your new business. There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including A 20 percent product discount! A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success! Sneak peeks at brand-new products! Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events! Regular get-togethers to stamp! Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples! Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot! Don't miss this BIG deal! Contact ME (stamppad@sbcglobal.net or 314-831-3265) today to learn how you can take advantage of this great opportunity and get your FREE Big Shot! *Or up to $100 in FREE Stampin' Up! products **Big Shot dies sold separately

Self Portrait?

After yelling at the poor tree service guys,
(see previous post),
they might be thinking this is a portrait of me!
And, there might be some truth to that.
After my little 'discussion' with them,
I came inside and put my heart into this little card.
It uses the stamp set called Wicked Cool, (kinda the way I felt!).
The cauldron is made using the Ornament and Jewelry Tag Punches.
Our new Simply Scored tool was used to pleat my, I mean her skirt.
Kinda fun to be Wicked Cool every now and then!
I recommend it!

Julie Arvin

"Because I'm Older and I Have More Insurance" *

Okay, maybe I had one cup of coffee too many....

I knew a tree service would be arriving soon to 'trim' my beautiful Pin Oak in the front yard away from the power line. That's a good thing. I would be the first to complain if a storm took out a limb and we lost power. BUT, I have seen the work of these tree cutters and it's not pretty. We have a street nearby that is a main thoroughfare between two busy streets. I travel it often. The trees along that road have been made absolutely ugly by their 'trimming'. The limbs above the line are cut way back and they leave a limb underneath, it just looks awful.
So when the cutters started in on MY tree, I put on my clothes, (kinda hard to be effective in a ratty looking robe), and marched out there and gave them a piece of my mind. The poor clean-up guy got it first. He looked like a deer in the headlights when I started in on him. Then the guy in the cherry-picker-thing lowered himself down with his back to me, (probably because he was rolling his eyes thinking, "Great, another gray-haired hen whose feathers I have to smooth."). I let him have it too. I told him we have lived here 27 years and we love that tree and he better take special care trimming it. I was kinda surprised at myself! I've never done anything like that before! I felt like Kathy Bates in Fried Green Tomatoes, when she turns into her alter ego, Towanda! He let me rant and and nodded his head and assured me they would take care with the tree.
I don't know if my hissy fit made a difference. I do know that they stopped 'trimming' after that. And I think they were especially mindful of cleaning up my yard. I came in the house feeling empowered! Maybe I should blow up more often!
I have a special place in my heart for my trees. Check out my blog from September 11, 2010.
Don't mess with my trees!

*When two snippety young girls ace Towanda, aka Kathy Bates, out of a parking spot she had been waiting for, they laughingly tell her they are younger and quicker. She then rams their car with hers and takes the spot anyway. That's when she tells them off!
Thank goodness I wasn't driving!

This is my world, and welcome to it!

This is my kitchen!
As you can imagine, not much cooking goes on in here anymore.
Not that I'm heartbroken about that,
but it does take some maneuvering to get around.
Notice all the Stampin' Up! boxes?
And, nicely packed inside, are all my dishes
cushioned by that lovely brown packing paper.
Steve and I looked at our calendars and decided we are just too
busy the month of October to move!
So, it looks like I will be maneuvering around these boxes
until November.
In between packing boxes, I still find time to stamp.
See how smart I was....I packed the kitchen first.
My stamping room will be the last packed!
Tee-hee
:o)

Look What We've Got!

I attended a Stampin' Up! demonstrator event recently,
and received this pretty tag as a swap
from Deanna Schultz, (who I steal ideas from all the time!).
But what was really exciting was what the tag was attached to!

A COOKIE!
But not just any cookie!
One made using our new Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps!
The easy to use cookie stamp has a solid wood handle with three
interchangeable stamp images:
a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake!
It comes with two shortbread recipes that are deelish!
This item will be available October 1, and at the price of

$16.95!
What a fun way to 'dress up' your cookie-giving this holiday season!
On October 1 you can order them from my online 24/7 store:
www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
or
send an email and I will be happy to place the order for you:
stamppad@sbcglobal.net.
HAPPY BAKING FROM STAMPIN' UP!

Boo Box

Once I started making these little
Boo Boxes,
I couldn't stop!
I had to hurry because Steve kept stealing the candy
I was putting inside.

The stamp set is called
Spooky Bingo Bits.
The top and bottom is made with the
Petal Card Punch.
The
Postage Punch
was used to accent the top.
I used the new
Simply Scored tool
(love it!)
to make the four sides.
A little strip of
Window Sheet
makes the candy pop out at you
when the box is opened.
How cute is that?

Brenda Quintana