My Valentine!

My Valentine Steve, bless his heart, is standing out in a snow storm grilling a steak because that is what I wanted for Valentine's Day. I don't know if you can see the thermometer behind him, but it is 20ish with a wicked wind. So with the wind chill, it has to be in the teens. (What you can't see is the glass of wine on the table to 'get him through it'.) Looking at him through the window, while I'm inside, nice and warm, I couldn't help but feel this was the epitome of love. He's a keeper! The steak was fantastic, by the way!

Quick Valentine

Did you receive a Valentine from someone you forgot to make one for? AEIGH! Quick, go get your Heart to Heart Punch and some pretty designer paper (from Stampin' Up! of course!) and start punching! Pretty soon you will have a sweet card that will make them feel very special. For an added detail, crimp the bottom, add some ribbon and you are done. This would be pretty for Mother's Day too.

I 'borrowed' this idea from my sister, Penny, who always keeps me on my toes with ideas. If you become a demonstrator with Stampin' Up!, we can both 'borrow' from her together! Join my Pieces of Heart Stampers team! = ^ ]

Snow Day!

Today is a snow day, otherwise known as a STAY HOME AND STAMP DAY!!! I think it is a law somewhere, so I HAVE to comply! It's a tough job, but someone has got to do it.

Love You Much

I love making cards for Valentine's Day. The colors seem to get my attention, especially the Pretty In Pink and Close To Cocoa combination. I found this bright design on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator's 'Stamper's Showcase', originally by Susan Gillespie, on the front of a cookie bag she made. I thought it would work great for a card too. It uses the stamp set called Love You Much, which I think is a forgotten Valentine set. It also uses the textured designer paper called Sending Love. Each sheet has a glittery design that you can feel. Really pretty. I love the different size panels, and the pretty taffeta ribbon.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

As a demonstrator for Stampin' Up!, I am very lucky to have access to a website where fellow demonstrators post their ideas. I never have to worry about my next card, because I can search this website and find just what I need. (Makes being a demonstrator just that much more attractive!!)
While looking through the awesome samples the other day, I came across these sweet flowers made by Mary Director, http://kreateskards.blogspot.com. I had to try them, and soon I had flowers all over the place! They are made using the scallop punch!
I needed a WOW effect for my mom's birthday gift (she turns 80 on February 6!). Using the pretty Tea Party Designer Paper and Pretty In Pink satin ribbon I think I got what I was looking for. I think they have that "Shabby Chic" look I love. Thank you Mary. I know my mom will love it too.

Valentine Camp

Here are a few of the projects we made at my last stamp camp and the wonderful, talented people who inspired me. We had a great time. If you weren't there (why???), we missed you.


How cute is this card? My all time favorite Stampin' Up! color is Rose Red. And lucky me, the new Sweet Pea (love that name) felt accents are in that pretty color. I saw a version of this on Julie Davison's great blog. The designer paper is called Sending Love, and with this card, I am!

This card, originally done by Tiffany Bauer in Real Red, is so romantic to me. My favorite stamp set, Well Scripted, from the new mini Occasions catalog, was used in Pretty in Pink. The edge of the card was made with the Pinking Hearts Border punch found in the same mini catalog.

One of my newest toys is the Big Shot Movers and Shapers. I used it with the heart window die to cut an opening on the front of this card. The sentiment, Sale-a-bration's Whimsical Words, peeks through it. Another awesome Sale-a-bration goody, the Scallop Trim Border punch was used under the satin ribbon. With Sale-a-bration you can get those items FREE!!!! This card was one I saw on the Stampin' Up! website, where demonstrators can go to get all kinds of ideas.

This idea came from Beth Beard. She used the Big Shot Petal Die with Christmas paper and ribbon. I knew it would be perfect for Valentine's Day too.

If you are thinking of becoming a demonstrator, Sale-a-bration is a great time to do it! The starter kit is reduced 15%! Plus, you will receive a stamp set of your choice valued at $47.95 or less for free! Don't delay any longer! Contact me now and we will get you started today. What could be more fun than by being surrounded by people who love to do the same thing you do...STAMPING!

Anniversary Card

Do you ever have one of those days where all the planets are aligned just right and everything falls into place without effort? I don't either. But I came close. This card practically made itself. I always struggle coming up with my own designs. That is why I consider myself a thief. If I see a card that appeals to me, I can then 'adapt' it to what I have on hand. Thank goodness there are lots of talented people out there that I can 'adapt' from!
This card, I am proud to say, is my own. I used Very Vanilla and Pretty In Pink card stock. I used my Big Shot Movers and Shapers Bigz Die (fun tool!) to make a large heart in Very Vanilla. Using the Big Shot again, I ran the Pretty In Pink card stock through with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (gives you 'in your face' dots!). Punched that with the Full Heart punch and popped them up with Dimensionals. At the bottom, I used our new Pinking Hearts Border, so pretty. I used Pretty in Pink gingham ribbon around the heart and the length of the card. I know, it is retired, but in addition to being a thief, I am a ribbon hoarder, and it looked so pretty on the card so I used it. The Sale-a-bration Whimsical Words stamp set seemed to fit the feel of this card and I used Melon Mambo ink to make it pop.

Brayered 'Chocolate' Card

I came across a card on Robin Merriman's blog, Trinity Designs, at Christmas, where she used the brayer on our beautiful white Bride Specialty Paper. If you haven't considered using this paper, you really should check it out, (page 158). It is just beautiful. It has a design that gives you a crayon resist effect when you brayer it. I must have been hungry, because I immediately thought of CHOCOLATE and Valentine's Day. I used Close to Cocoa ink (of course, more chocolate!), and layered it with Whisper White and Blush Blossom card stock. The Chocolate Chip (Duh!) Satin ribbon brings it all together without taking away from the soft effect of the design. The Curly Label punch was used twice to elongate my sentiment. I cut one of the punched images in two and adhered it to the first one to give it a bit of definition.
I think the possibilities are endless. You can use any color ink you want to get the effect you are looking for.

Mini Candy Topper

Here is a super easy way to make a 'topper' for individually wrapped candy. It can be adapted for any occasion. How cute for a baby or wedding shower favor!
I used the Curly Label Punch, #112208, Shimmery White Card Stock, #101910, Real Red Card Stock, #102482, Heart to Heart Punch, #119694, White Signo Gel Pen, #105021, and the Tiny Tags stamp set, #118592.
I just folded the punched piece in half and adhered to the cellophane of the candy.
I think they pack a big punch even though they are so small. (Inspired by my good friends, Josh and Carrie! Thanks, guys!)

Little Artist Thank You

To all you generous, kind people. This is for you from Megan, Steve and me.
'Nuff said.

Clean and Simple

Someone once called me the "Queen of Clean & Simple". I took that as a compliment, (at least I hope she meant it as a compliment). That is the style I am particularly drawn to. Sometimes it's fun to pile the embellishments, glitter and paper on a card. But basically a clean card makes me happy. This one is a sympathy card using the Close as a Memory stamp set. I 'borrowed' the popped up tone-on-tone idea from my sister, Penny, another Queen! Please check out her blog, www.penguinstamper.blogspot.com. You will see why I always steal from her. She has to let me, I am older!

Delightful Dates Calendar

This cute little calendar was offered in the Holiday Mini Catalog. I had a workshop today where we put it together along with the magnetic box. Just thought I would put it on my blog because it is so cute. Love the little Mini Library Clips.

I CASED the magnet box idea from one of my favorite blog sites, Trinity Designs - Robin Merriman. Love the ribbon and Hodgepodge Hardware embellishments. No wrapping paper needed with this little box.

My Stampin' Pal, Diane

Woo-Hoo! Goodies in the mail for me! I am part of a group of stampers called the TOPICS, and monthly we exchange 3-D stamped items. My Stampin' Pal is Diane Burns who lives in Katy, Texas. I was so tickled to open the envelope and see what she sent me. She put chocolate hearts into a nugget box she made and embellished with little punched hearts. I'm in love with the Scallop Trim Border!

That's not all! She made me the cutest bookmark THAT STAYS IN PLACE with magnets. You just wrap it over the top of the page and the two magnets grab. LOVE IT! Isn't that Sweet Pea paper adorable? I have to confess, Diane, that I saw this on your blog and did pirouettes of joy when I saw the initial 'P'! I was hoping it would make it's way up here! Thank you so much, I love them!

By the way, the book is 'Julie & Julia - My year of Cooking Dangerously'. I haven't seen the movie yet. I like to read the book first. So far it is hilarious.

I'm Extremely Excited!

How would you like to have this sitting on your front porch waiting for you? Sale-a-bration is such a exciting time at Stampin' Up! Getting FREE merchandise is always exciting! The warning on the top of the box is so true. My wonderful Mr. Brown knows how happy I get when he brings me one of these big boxes. To get yours, go get your catalog and place an order today! Don't have a catalog? Call me and I'll get one to you. Find out how you can get free stuff, plus one of these fantastic boxes of your very own!

New Toys!

Mr. Brown brought me some new toys from the Occasions Mini Catalog and I just love them. Honestly, everything in this mini is delicious!

I started out with a 3" x 6" piece of Very Vanilla card stock (101650), folded in half to make it 3" x 3". I used the Pinking Hearts Border Punch (117649) on the bottom. Then placed a 1/2" x 3" piece of Pretty In Pink Card Stock to show off the pretty edge. The Scallop Circle Punch (109043) was used on Chocolate Chip card stock (102128). I put a tiny detail around it using the 1/16" Handheld Punch (101227). I love the Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch (117191) and used it three times to make the body of the bird in Pretty In Pink, the wing (Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper 117153), and the branch on Mellow Moss (102898). He needed to see where he was going, so I added a dot for his eye with the Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker (100071). I traced the flap of the envelope with the Sending Love DP and adhered it with the 2-Way Glue Pen (100425) for a little bit of a surprise when you turn it over. A couple of hearts found their way on the front from the Heart To Heart Punch (113694). The whole thing is just so soft and pretty. Makes me happy!

If you would like to have the current Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, please let me know, and I will make sure you get one!

Voila' - It's What's For Dinner!

One of my favorite blogs to visit is Inking Idaho, with Becky Roberts. She is so talented and her projects always catch my eye. So, of course, I have to steal from her!

On her post of October 11, she used the chef from the Voila' (115102) stamp set to make a cute recipe card holder. I have always liked that little guy, but he is kind of hard to use. Becky's idea fit him to a tee! I used designer paper for his chef outfit (hey, I'm a girl, it's an outfit!) and attached him to a jumbo binder clip with Stampin' Dimensionals (104430). His platter was stamped on Brushed Silver card stock (100712). His cheeks are flushed because he has been working so hard in the kitchen for me (Blush Blossom Ink pad 102080 and marker 100037). When I placed a recipe in the binder clip, it kept slipping and falling. So I grabbed my Dotto (love that Dotto! 103305) and ran it over the metal a couple of times and now the recipe stays where I want it. Wouldn't this be a cute hostess gift? I can just hear him singing "O Sole Mio"! Thanks, Becky! I am a loyal groupie!

My Best Guy

This is Steve, who I love with all my heart! He is the only one on earth who can 'handle me' and believe me, I am a handful at times. He just takes it in stride while giving me that loving smile. After all these years, I still melt.

Paula Deen Where Are You?

Our original vacation plan was to fly the kids back home after our family cruise and Steve and I could park ourselves on a nice warm beach in Florida somewhere and read, read, and read. But Old Man Winter had other plans. Turns out the week we chose to do this is the same week the entire country is blanketed with a record-breaking cold front. So we went to plan B...oops we don't have a plan B! I know, let's go up to pretty Savannah, Georgia and look around. And while there, we can stop by Paula Deen's 'Lady & Sons' restaurant for lunch. We are foot-loose and fancy-free! We don't need a plan, we can just go wherever we want. Sounds fun.

Paula has a STORE too! After a nice lunch in her restaurant I can shop! I am all over shopping in Paula Deen's store!

Oh no! The one week I can visit with Paula, she is nowhere to be found! I learned that I do best with a plan, and maybe even a plan B. Oh well, we will go back someday to Savannah. It is a pretty little town. Someday when it is WARM!