Graduation Stars

We have a family member graduating from
the University of Illinois.
(GO ILLINI!)
I just love the look of the embedded technique and applied it to this card for her.
It's so simple and really gives you that 'WOW' factor you want in a card.
After adhering the punched stars and strips at the bottom on
the Whisper White card stock, I placed it in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder
and ran it through my Big Shot.
I even tried it on the flap of the envelope!
This layout would work for a new baby, Fourth of July, birthday
and all kinds of situations when you need a quick, WOW-ful card!

So Many Shopping Bags, So Little Time!

Do you have sheets of Scrapbook or Designer Paper that you would like to use?
Make a shopping bag!
Once I started, I couldn't stop making them.
They are perfect for a small, lightweight gift.
You can coordinate the colors in your card as well.
They are cute to give as gifts too, with a little tag hanging
from the ribbon handles.
I am always searching for the right packaging,
but from now on I'll just dig through my designer papers!
An Angie Juda tutorial.

Tooth Fairy - Treat Cup

When showing you the Pieces of Heart Stampers answer to the latest challenge,
I forgot to show you mine.

It's a little container to hold the tooth in anticipation
of the Tooth Fairy's arrival.
That's exactly what the single stamp is called too, Tooth Fairy!
I added Chunky Glitter and Basic Pearls and Basic Rhinestones to really
'Bling' it up.
On top is one of our Treat Cups with some 'Fairy Dust',
otherwise known as Chunky Glitter.

You need a soft place for that tooth,
so I used our Circles # 2 Die on several pieces of felt,
and sprinkled a little more 'Fairy Dust'.

I guess you could say this is a GREEN project since I repurposed a throw away container.
But I like to think it is more of a PINK project!
:o)
I Love My Job!

Spring Is Blossoming Sneak Peek

Many times, less is more, as in this sample.
I used the new stamp set Four Frames that will be offered in the new catalog in July!
Would you like one?
Check out the details here:
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryID=791
But hurry, the promotion only lasts until April 30!

Vintage Kind of Mood

I was so lucky to be able to attend the Leadership Conference in Nashville last January.
We were given the stamp set called
Clearly For You.
I liked the vintage look to it, but never pulled it out to use until now.
(You can still order this lovely set from the Occasions Mini Catalog until the 30th.)
The card layout is from Julie Marshall.

Wrap Up In This!

The colors in the Springtime Vintage Designer Paper are so pretty.
I love how they soften after being run through the
Square Lattice Embossing Folder.
The punches used were the
1 1/4" Square Punch, Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch
and the Decorative Label Punch.
Look closely at that little butterfly.
He is wearing his 'bling' today!

Clean & Simple

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!

Judy Sumner CASE

I said when I started this blog business that I
Copy And Steal Everything!
This sample is no exception.
I stole this idea from Judy Sumner.
This card looks like a chest of drawers
with a floppy bunny sitting in front.
The card stock is folded Tepee style, and
the legs are formed by using the Curly Label Punch
twice at the bottom.
Unfortunately, the bunny is retired,
but there are so many possibilities to use instead.
Cute for a new baby, or a child's birthday.
Imagine a piece of our new fabric peeking out of one
of those drawers.
Too cute!

Sew Suite!

When attending a Stampin' Up! Event in Branson recently,
I saw a swap that I fell in love with.
I don't have the name of the demonstrator who made it,
but while there, she was recognized for her creativity.
I came home and immediately ordered the stamp sets
Pattern Pieces and Sew Suite
to make it.

It is a little book or folder that keeps an
emergency sewing kit inside.
We can all use one of those. So sweetly packaged!
The wide clip (Clips Assortment) that keeps it closed actually looks like one of those
measuring gages from years ago,
(remembering my Home Ec days).
She used a real button, but I used the Embosslits Sweet Buttons to make mine.
The designer paper is called Sweet Stitches.
All of the Sew Suite items can be ordered from the Occasions Mini Catalog,
but only until April 30!
It never ceases to amaze me how such a simple little gift
can be made so much more with just the right packaging!

Congrats, Kristine!

This is Kristine Thurber.
SHE IS ON FIRE!
She is wearing the Queen's Broach because not only was she the top Demonstrator
for the month of March,
she was the top Demonstrator for the first quarter this year!
We are so proud of you, Kristine.
YOU GO GIRL!

She is also wearing our new tee-shirt.
Thanks to Patty Schnell, who did all the legwork,
and her brother's local printing business,
S-n-S Promotions
(please patronize his business in Florissant)
we now have our own tees!
They are awesome, Patty!

Pieces of Heart Stampers April Challenge (and a margarita....or two)

Every month the Pieces of Heart team gets together for a dinner out.
Recently, we have added a monthly challenge to that dinner.
This month's challenge was to alter the empty plastic container that holds Stampin' Up! brads.
Below, you will find the result of that challenge.

This is Judy's bunny container.
How clever is she? She turned the container on it's side to form the body.
I wish I had gotten a picture of the back because he has a fluffy tail and cute padded feet.
Take a look at her blog to see it:
http://www.judysstamppad.blogspot.com

Next is Jayne's container.
This is a bit of a 'sneak peek' of what you will find in the Summer Mini Catalog!
Look very carefully at that punched flower in the middle!
It is so cute, and you will soon see how it is made!

Patty has used those wonderful pearls to add a sweet touch to her container.
I find that I add them to everything now.
Love those colors.
If you look closely you can see a little piece of chocolate inside!

Mary Ellen's container is next.
By shading the larger flower, it makes it look like two.
Such a soft look.

Here is Kristine's container.
When I saw it I immediately thought, vintage!
Kristine is crazy for cupcakes and this little container reminded us of one.
All fluffy and soft.

This fella requires an explanation.
As demonstrators, we are so blessed to have husbands who understand our passion for stamping.
Patty is doubly blessed.
Her husband, Don, is not only understanding,
but he took our challenge with his own entry!
That's his bunny above!
We have adopted him as our Pieces of Heart Stampers Mascot!

From left is Patty, Jayne, Judy, Mary Ellen, me and Kristine.
Our beloved mascot, Don, is in front.

We have such fun all month long together.
How could you not want to be a part?
Come on! Join our team!

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cottontail

Variation on the Easter basket.
HAPPY EASTER, ALL!

Bunny Boy

When I see this little guy, he just makes me smile.
He looks like he might have had just one too many chocolate Easter eggs.

Punch Bunny

This little cutie might look familiar.
She was a project made at one of my camps last year.
I thought it would be fun to bring back some of my favorite bunny projects.
So, for the next few days, some of those cuties will hop back over for another look.

Embedded Square Lattice

Doesn't this look like a quilt?
It's done by using the
Square Lattice Embossing Folder in the Big Shot!
I adhered my squares of designer paper on a piece of Whisper White card stock.
Placed that into the embossing folder and ran it through.
I think it completely changes the pattern of the designer paper
and seems to intensify the colors.
The technique is called Embedded Embossing.
I just love a cozy quilt!

Sloppy Joes Without the Sloppy Part!

A very nice lady, Mary Ellen Cope, invited the
Pieces of Heart Stampers
to her house for an afternoon of stamping.
She was so accommodating and hospitable, while we were there.
Her husband, Randy, even made us Sloppy Joes to munch on while we stamped!
How nice is that?
I wanted to send her a very heartfelt thank you.
When I saw the cookies and milk card that Carrie Gaskin made,
I thought, hmmm,
I wonder if I can turn those cookies into Sloppy Joes
and that milk into tea?
Once it started evolving, I thought,
CHIPS!

I almost had as much fun putting this card together as I did spending the afternoon with the newest Pieces of Heart adoptee, Mary Ellen!
Thank you and Randy both for making us feel so welcome!

April Easter Blossoms

My sister,
the amazing Penny Thomas,
sent this little calendar to me recently.
She chose the Easter Blossoms stamp for her April page.
Inside those little blossoms are tiny pearls.
It sits inside a 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" zip drive (?) case,
which opens up and sits ready to show you how cute it is.
When I refer to it for a date, I often find myself admiring it once again.
Just so sweet.

Birthday Bakery

I love pink,
but I haven't used our Blushing Bride ink
or card stock much lately.
After playing with it a bit, I've decided I really like it!
It has a 'dusty' quality to it that softens the pink part.
The stamp set is Birthday Bakery which is a Hostess Level One choice.
The sentiment is from the Curly Cute set,
something else I haven't had a chance to use until now.
The Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
and Eyelet Border Punch work very well together, don't you think?

You can earn that Hostess set for free, by the way,
with an order or party of $150!
If you would like to schedule a party with me
I will be happy to talk with you!
Contact me today!

Happy Birthday, Toni!

Friday is my friend, Toni's, birthday.
I whipped up something really quick and really cute for her.
The cards, shown above, are stamped using recent Sale-a-bration sets.
You could use the same idea with any occasion sentiment and stamps.
I love the look of a clean and simple card.
I made the little bag in the background too! Just the right size to package them in.
The colors of the paisley pattern in the paper,
(sorry, retired, I mean REALLY retired. Back before we had two-sided designer papers!)
was used with markers on the cards.
I also added some of that paper to the flap of the envelope.
Cute!
It was quick and fun to make and I think Toni will like it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TONI!
Inspired by Robin Merriman

Embossing Folder Magic!

This little girl is from the same stamp set I posted a couple of days ago,
called Easter Blossoms.
The finished card size is a 4 1/4" square.
How on earth did I get the rectangle sized Tulip Embossing Folder
to give me a square?
EASY!
Start by putting your card stock into the folder,
lining it up at the top as you would before.
Run it through the Big Shot.
You will see that you have an embossed border on three sides.
Now bring that piece down to the bottom of the folder,
fitting it into the design until you feel it lock into the pattern.
Place it into the Big Shot once again and run it about half way,
then back it out again.
(If you go all the way through, you will flatten the other side of your design.)
Open the folder and you will find that you have a bottom embossed edge!
You could do this technique with other dimensions,
you are not limited to just one size!
Try it!
CASED from Julie Edmunds.

My Talented Friend - Deana

I am in a monthly 'Buddy Swap'.
How exciting to open this month's envelope and see that the swap I'm receiving is from my friend,
Deana Schultz.
We attended the Branson Regional together recently, and had such a good time.
She is a special person and I just love being around her.

She attended my Demonstrator Stamp Camp last week. Once everyone had left, and I was tidying up, I found this little gem along with a sweet note from her in my stamping room.
It's a birthday cake made with paper covered chocolate nuggets attached to a Styrofoam form. It is just the cutest thing and what a great idea for a birthday gift or baby shower.
It has all kinds of possibilities.
I'm going to be CASING this, Deana!
Thank you!
And thank you for your friendship!

Nature Walk With a Clear-Mount Block Background

Did you know you can use our Clear-Mount Blocks as a background stamp?
Clever, huh?
The 'D' size block was used for the image above.
I loaded the block with Crumb Cake Classic Ink, then stamped off once.
I lightly darkened the edges with Early Espresso Classic Ink and then stamped!
I love the look.
With all the different sizes we carry,
you can have a different look whenever you need one!
Inspired by Kelly Acheson.

GRAB BAGS OF DISCONTINUED STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS!

Beginning April 1, and continuing while supplies last, you will be able to purchase special "grab bags" in my Online Store. These grab bags will come in three sizes: the $5, the $10, and the $15 grab bag. Each bag will contain a variety of discontinued products that could include a combination of any of the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Grab bag orders can only be placed in my Online Store: http://www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
  
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.
• There is no limit to the number of grab bags you may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last.
• All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
• Not all grab bags will be unique.
• You should use the following item numbers when ordering grab bags:

Item	Description
125873	$5 Grab Bag (containing at least $20 worth of products!)
125874	$10 Grab Bag (containing at least $40 worth of products!)
125875	$15 Grab Bag (containing at least $60 worth of products!)

Easter Blossoms

This has to be one of the most beautiful cards I have seen in a long time.
The stamp is from the set called Easter Blossoms found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.
It was stamped in Basic Black on Bashful Blue card stock.
The blossoms were filled in with a Signo White Gel Pen,
and then Basic Pearls randomly placed.
The embossing folder, called Square Lattice,
makes that background piece of Whisper White set off the whole card.
What a dramatic effect.
Inspired by Lisa Young.

Spring Is Blossoming Promotion

Spring is Blossoming Promotion: April 1 - 30, 2011

The Stampin' Up! Spring is Blossoming Promotion offers you the opportunity to purchase two sneak peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. You can get these brand-new products in one of two ways:

1) Online Order

• Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
• Both items can be purchased once the $20 minimum is met; there is a limit of five per product once the $20 minimum is met. Ordering another $20 of Stampin' Up! products resets the limit and allows you to purchase another five Designer Series Papers and/or stamp sets.

2) Host a Workshop

• Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE! If you would like to place a combined order with friends or place a single order through me to earn these products free, let me know!
• There is a limit of one Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper per workshop.

*Net sales before tax and shipping

Click here to view/print the Four Frames stamp set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

Border Punch Frame

By using a Border Punch to form a 'frame',
you can add a whole new look to your cards.
This frame is made by using the Scallop Border Punch
on a 3 x 3 piece of Whisper White Card Stock.
Those scallops work so well with the scallops on the top of the cupcake,
and the little Pompoms below.
I love Pretty In Pink and Melon Mambo together.