My Favorite Things #2

You know I'm gonna love something with the name 'Sweet Pea'! But I really do love using these Sweet Pea Stitched Felts #117266. The colors are so pretty, (love me some Rose Red!), and coordinate perfectly with the Designer Series Paper Pack with the same name, #117161. Both available until April 30, in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Add them to your project and you have added something really special. That is why they are my favorite things.

Happy Easter To You!

I am just in awe at the creativity and ingenuity of my fellow stampers. Who would have ever thought of adding ears and a tail to the 'E' on Easter? Julie Pitta! (http://www.thoughsthatstick.blogspot.com) When I originally saw her card, I wanted to hug it. (Okay, maybe I get a little too involved with my cards, but don't we all?) I think it has the beautiful feeling of Easter and the whimsical side all wrapped up into one. She used the corduroy buttons on hers. Since I didn't have any, (drat), necessity being the mother of invention, I pulled out my Big Shot and using my Buttons #5 die, I think I came pretty close to pulling it off. The paper is from the ginormous pad of designer papers, called Sweet Pea (!), available until April 30. The card stock used was Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, and Kraft. And of course, the Sweet Pea (!) Felts, which I just can't get enough of. I made a Pretty in Pink version too. The stamp set, which I think is gorgeous, is called Well Scripted, also available until the 30Th.
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter. And after cleaning up the ham and sweet potatoes, and trying to find that last hidden egg that didn't get found, I hope you get a chance to stamp a card you want to hug too!

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!

It's All About The Packaging!

I am constantly telling my sweet customers, that it is not about the gift, but all about the packaging! Okay, maybe the thought should be considered too. But in my opinion you could put a single chocolate Kiss in this lovely little box and get away with it. What sets it off is the 'flower' made from, once again....the Circle Scallop Punch. If you don't have this punch, you are missing out! (Call me and I will order one for you!)

Using the punched circle as your base, punch at least four more. (Designer Paper works a bit better since it is not as stiff as card stock.) You will cut those in half and fold them to form a cone shape. Glue Dots are perfect for keeping them together. You can easily fit seven of those cones onto the base. I placed a flat back pearl from our Pretties Kit in the center to finish it off, but the possibilities are endless. Maybe another row of cones, or a die-cut butterfly from the new Beautiful Wings Embosslits, or a button. You get the idea.

I think the person receiving this will overlook the fact that the gift inside is less important than all the 'love' that went into the packaging. If not, then scratch them off your list, they are not worthy!

I'm a Proud Sister and Mom!

Pardon me for a few moments while I brag just a bit. If any of you have spent any time with me at all, you have heard me talk about my family. They are all so important to me. This photo, taken last October, allows me to brag about two of them. My youngest daughter, Kim, is not only a fantastic teacher, but a cake decorator too! Standing next to her is my sister, Penny Thomas, who is holding a cake by Kim, celebrating Penny's accomplishment of making #21 in Stampin' Up's Top 100! What incredible talent they have! I am in awe of them both!

Versatile Template

Since I am not very creative, (see, if I can be a demonstrator, so can you!), I love having a template that I can change for any occasion and still have that 'WOW' factor that I love. Here are two versions of the same template, which I think is just perfect for that. I used this idea for a Christmas card too! Popping up the stars gives it dimension, and makes your eyes take in the whole card. Whoever you send it to will feel like you spent extra time making this just for them. And isn't that why we make cards?

Awesome Pieces of Heart Stampers

Here are some pretty cards for your viewing and CASE-ing pleasure! (Please forgive the yellow lighting. My bad!) Like it says under my Blog name up there, Sharing What I Love...I love these!


This Valentine was made by Judy Sumner. It is a Criss-Cross envelope with a note card that pulls out. The designer paper, called Sending Love, is sparkly and textured. So pretty. Her talent blows me away. Notice her signature...not only is she a talented demonstrator, but a calligrapher too!


I have a bad habit of making my mind up about something before giving it a chance. That is what I did with the little scalloped die-cut notes, called Hugs, that Becca Sadler used on her sweet card. Now that I see what can be done with it, I have to order some. What a soft statement it makes with the pretty sentiment. Hugs to you, Becca!


This one was made by Patty Schnell. Have I mentioned that Rose Red is my FAVORITE Stampin' Up! color? I think this paper is so romantic. The Whisper White accent really makes it POP!

I think the first thing a stamper loves is making a pretty card. The second thing has to be receiving one! I have said before that our Pieces of Heart Stampers group is very special and very talented. They have MY heart!

Vintage or Dirty?

I'm not quite sure where I was going with this card. It started with the scalloped rose. I was stamping with my friend, (and awesome downline), Judy Sumner, who was using an old, yellowed dictionary for one of her projects. Her version of the 3-D flowers were so pretty and would be much easier to mail. But I have to make things harder and more complicated, so I tried it with the technique I showed on an earlier post, (February 4). I fell in love with the vintage look of those old pages once I had my 'rose', but I needed a card to go with it. Believe it or not, that is Pretty In Pink and Whisper White that I sponged with Soft Suede to give it that 'old' look. But I think I took it too far and now it just looks dirty to me. I had this idea that a Mr and Mrs were celebrating their 50Th wedding anniversary and were lovingly looking through all the cards they had received at their wedding while reminiscing their many years of being together. (I might watch the Classic Movie Channel too much. They really made great romantic movies back then!) Anyway, there is no way you could mail this, and I am not sure the recipient would understand the route I was taking. But I kinda like it and might just keep it for myself and pull it out years from now (I'm not telling you how many) on my 50Th anniversary and tell Steve it must have gotten stepped on.

By the way, if you would like to know how to make these flowers, you must come to my next camp, February 27th, where we will be making some 'cleaner' ones. Email to reserve a spot. pamdurso@sbcglobal.net

Like the real roses? My Valentine gave me those. I told you he was a keeper.

Top 'O The Mornin' To Ya!

With the Valentine candy eaten (OK, I had a little help), and the roses looking kinda droopy, it's time to think about...St. Patrick's Day!

This is a card I made last year using a stamp set that has since retired, but what I really wanted to focus on is the Leprechaun. Isn't he cute? He looks like he could be guarding the pot 'o gold at the end of the rainbow.

Punch art is all the rage right now and looking at the blogs these days, you can make ANYTHING using punches. This is a simple one. The punches I used were the scalloped circle, 5-Petal Flower, Key Tag, Word Window and various circles, and squares. I used the Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen to bring out the mischievousness in his eyes. All of that is held together with the 2-Way Glue Pen, which is a staple for any stamper. When applied right away, it will adhere immediately. If you let it sit until the blue tint of the glue turns clear, it allows you to reposition your piece until you are happy with it and then adheres tight. Wonderful stuff.

Hope you find your pot o' gold! If not, hope you find your glasses. I'm always losing mine.