June (Happy Birthday Penny!) Stamp Camp Samples

Love this Designer Paper - Island Oasis - it's so bright. The Bitty Shapers punches and Bitty Buttons were added to the top. Gretchen Barron's inspiration.

My style tends to be whimsical, but I love a classy card too. The stamp set, Watercolor Trio, is so elegant when used with the Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry ink. Linda Grames inspired this card.

Saw this layout on Karen Graff-Povis' blog and thought the new July Fourth stamp set would work great with it. Reminds me of watching fireworks!

I love a new technique! This card is made by stamping with bleach on the outside panels! It's a really cool effect if you can handle the bleach fumes! Next time I'll get the scentless bleach. Whew! The middle image is stamped with Soft Suede and Sahara Sand, then punched with the Curly Label punch, and popped up with dimensionals. A tiny little clip is added at the top. Taunya Thurman Rivers.

Pink and orange are so dramatic together. Since Only Orange and Green Galore are retiring, I thought this happy little card would be a great fond farewell. Andrea Walford.

My motto is "Less Is More". How much cuter could you get than this card? It is so simple, but so perfect. Less is more! Used Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, and Regal Rose ink and card stock. Sweetness.

Guest Stamper - Phyllis Phegley

My good friend, Phyllis Phegley, is an awesome stamper. Recently, she needed a special birthday card for her son, who likes to fish, and found this 'fisherman's vest' card on Splitcoast Stampers. She immediately set to work on recreating it. I am just blown away at how adorable it came out. Those are real lures, which her husband, Dave, removed the hooks for her to attach on the front. In the second photo, you can see the little card that comes out with a hemp pull. On the back of that, she made a pocket for a gift card or check or money.

She has given me her recipe for this, and if you would like to have it, let me know, and I will email it to you.

Thank you, Phyllis! This card is just as cute as it can be!

Flower For All Seasons Note Card Holder

I recently attended my family reunion in Texas. It was so nice to see everyone. The kids are growing like weeds, and really fun to be around. My parents (ages 80 and 85!) were able to attend too, and we enjoyed having them with us.

I wanted to bring something special to the McClung ladies, and found these note cards and holder on the Studio 52 blog. Too cute! It uses the Flower For All Seasons stamp set, and was perfect for showing them how much I love them. Hopefully, when they use the note cards, it will remind them of our 2010 McClung Family reunion!

'Sweet' Firecrackers

Who knew Lifesavers could be explosive? I saw these little cuties on the demonstrator sharing website. They are made using the Red, White & Blue Jumbo Wheel on Kraft card stock, with Night of Navy underneath, all wrapped around a roll of Lifesavers! The 'explosion' is made by fraying a 1/2" Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon. The 'fuse' is Hemp Twine.
This is a 'sweet' and safe way to enjoy firecrackers!

Summer Means....Lemonade...Yeah, That's It...Lemonade!

I just love this card. You have probably seen it before, but because it is so flippin' cute, I am posting it again. It's made using the Card Stock Vellum, and takes a bit of maneuvering to place it just right, but the results are worth it. The lemon and strawberry are from the Tart & Tangy stamp set. You can just see them peeking out of the glass that has been sponged with Summer Sun. The salt, I mean sugar, at the top of the glass is made with Sticky Strip and Chunky Glitter. Doesn't it make you want to go make yourself a margar....lemonade?

Summer Means Flip-Flops!

I am a big fan of the Flip-flop! If it didn't get so darn cold here in the winter, I would wear them all year long. So these two samples really appealed to me.

The top one is a card I copied from Splitcoast last year. It is so bright and cheery using the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper. The 'flops' were traced from a template and then outlined with a Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen to give it punch. The polka-dotted Bermuda Bay grosgrain ribbon was used for the straps. The little flower accents were made with the Trio Flower punch. Love it, love it, love it!

The next example is using the Big Shot (you really need this little gizmo!). With the Daisies #2 Die and Fun Foam, you can take a boring pair of cheap flops and jazz them up! I used the Build-a-Brad in the center to give it a little color. What a cute little summer gift.

May Stamp Camp

I really need to get some better lighting in my stamping room. This card is made with Pretty in Pink satin ribbon and card stock, along with Tea Party Designer paper. I used the new stamp set, Sweet Scoops, and heat-embossed my vanilla ice cream scoop. Cutting it out was a bit tricky, being white on white, but worth the effort. Looks good enough to eat. The cherry was finished off with Crystal Effects. Both the scallop corner and border punches were used to make it just a bit frilly.

Graduation time! The stamp set called Starring You is so versatile for this kind of celebration. The base card is Sahara Sand and the punched stars are Crushed Curry. There is some Soft Suede peeking out too. Stole it from Nancy Riley.

One of my favorite In Colors is Crushed Curry. It looks so pretty and bright when matched with Dusty Durango. (Doesn't that name sound like an old cowboy movie star?) Notice the scalloped circle looks just like the sunflowers? To get that effect, after you punch your scalloped circle, place it either on a post-it note or Dotto on paper, slip it back into the scallop punch. Line it up, then slightly turn so that the points are on the scallop. Then punch! Voila, a sunflower! Found this on the Demonstrator's website by Paula Fats Cannon.

I get bored with standard size cards and thought this one would be fun to make. It uses the Wellness Wishes bandaid stamp popped up with Dimensionals and a small, punched heart popped on top of that. The original was a square and made by Crystal Lenssen. So cute.

I got the idea of a magnetic memo board from my stampin' friend in Texas, Diane Burns. She made one for me and I knew I wanted to demonstrate them at a camp. My version uses a 5 x 7 sheet of galvanized 'step flashing' (don't ask me!) from True Value Hardware. (I truly believe I bought all there was in North St. Louis County!) We used the Sweet Pea Designer Papers and felts. (Gonna miss those!) I love the results. Used the Crop-o-dile Corner Chomper to round the edges and Crop-o-dile hole puncher for the Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon. Now, I need some memos!

Happy Birthday, Bunny!

May 28Th is my youngest daughter's 26Th birthday! She is so far away and it's hard not to be with her to help her celebrate her special day. So a very special card was in order. I don't ordinarily like busy cards, but this one had Kim's name all over it. It's bright, it's fun, it's happy and colorful and that is everything she is. It comes from Mary Fish's blog: http://stampinpretty.com.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday, Bunny. We love and miss you very much.

Short and Sweet

Sometimes, just a little note is all you need. I love making 3" x 3" note cards. Here are a couple that really caught my eye.
This little bird was originally done in blue, but hey, I come from Cardinal Nation, so of course I am going to make him red! He is made using the 1 3/4" circle punch and the Scallop punch, then popped up and sitting on the branches made from the bird punch. He is a very well-fed budgie! (I saw him on the demonstrator's sharing website and have misplaced the artist's name. When I find it I will certainly give her credit.)

This little cutie was designed by Jacqueline Nimrichter (blog: scrapsoflife). The little flower is simply made by punching several circles and crumbling them together, then held in the center by a designer brad.

While The Cat's Away, The Mice Will Stamp!

While Steve was away camping and 'fishing' with his buddies, I was stamping my little heart out with my buddies! I CASED these cards of some very talented, awesome demonstrators from the Stampin' Connection, a website for demonstrators.

Love those camping weekends!

Beautiful Blogger Award!

Getting awards is always fun, but when they are given to you by someone you respect and admire, that is even better. My sweet friend, Robin Owen, in California (another misplaced Texan!), is responsible for this. Her blog (http://inkbug.blogspot.com) is so fun to check out. She has the cutest personality and her stamping talent is awesome. Thank you for this honor, Robin!
By receiving this award, I have to tell you 10 things you may not know about me....Hmmm, here goes:
1. I am a reality TV fan -- there -- I said it! But I don't get to see it much. I am not the designated remote holder. So I see a lot of cable news TV.
2. When I was little, I wanted a horse. Dad always told me he would get me one as soon as we moved to a place big enough to keep it. I am guilty of using that psychology myself. Pretty much brilliant on my dad's part.
3. I would love a house on the beach. Yeah, I know, dream on, here in land-locked mid-west.
4. For my birthday, every year, my mom used to make her peach cobbler instead of cake. It is to die for! No one can make it like she does. Put some Blue Bell vanilla ice cream on top. Yum! You will never miss the cake.
5. I will NOT eat sushi. Uh-uh, no way.
6. I had a panic attack while watching the Exorcist when it first came out in the movie theater. (About a million years ago) To this day, I cannot watch scary movies with devil themes.
7. I must have a book waiting for me as I read another.
8. I pushed my daughter, Kim, to work at Fritz's Frozen Custard, when she was in high school, so we could get the mistakes and leftover frozen custard. I'm not exactly proud of that, but it only lasted a couple of months anyway. Kim just wasn't into the whole smelling like milk thing.
9. I don't like showers, I like to soak in the hot tub - forever. Also, I hate pajamas, love short gowns. TMI?
10. I want to go to Hawaii with Steve. (Maybe buy a house on the beach?)

I will pass this award on to Deb at http://artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com. Her cards are so clean and fresh. I love her style.

Thirty-Seven Years of Wedded Bliss!

Okay, maybe not 'Bliss', but definitely 'wedded!'
Seriously, Steve and I have been married 37 years today! He still fills my heart when I hear him walk through the door. We finish each other's sentences, and better yet, conversation is no longer necessary. We know what the other is thinking. He asked me this morning if I wanted to go for another 37. My answer? In a heartbeat!
Oh yeah, the card...I used the new Awash With Flowers, and the Three Little Words stamp set. It's very 'girly' with Pretty In Pink card stock, ribbon and Dazzling Diamonds, but he doesn't care. After all this time, the card needn't say much more than it does.
Here's to 37 more.

Happy Mother's Day!

This little paper box (yes, it's a box!) is filled with chocolate Kisses for mom! Just the right amount of calories. Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Upsy Daisy Notebook

I love my little Notebook computer. Because it is small and compact, I can take it with me wherever I go. At first, Steve pooh-poohed the whole idea of such a small computer, trying to persuade me to get a larger one. Nope, I knew what I wanted! Once I had it, and he could see how convenient it was, he started making comments about how he might want to take it out of town when he goes on business. Uh-Oh! I knew how to fix that! I pulled out my PINK Upsy Daisy Decor Elements and applied them to the front. Now it is ALL mine! Plus, I think it looks really neat! So easy to use and so many possibilities. I have the Decor Elements word happiness, in white, on my wall in my stamping room. And that's just how I feel when I walk there.

Get Ready To Play In The Water!

Is this not adorable? I have used the Treat Cups before. They are so fun to use and add such interest to a card. But look at this! That is actually WATER in there, with a sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds!!!! I originally saw this made by Leslie Sollars on the March 14th post of Julie Davison's blog, http://wwwjuliedavison.blogspot.com. I dropped everything, grabbed my Treat Cups and ran for the sink! After punching a hole (1 3/4" punch) on the front of the card and inserting the cup, I poured water into it, careful not to drip on the adhesive, then sealed the opening with a piece of window sheet. I stamped the little fish on card stock and placed him on top of that. It looks like he is swimming in there!

See the Dazzling Diamonds? I wish I had filled it just a tad bit more, but this little card is just so cute, who cares? You wouldn't mail this, of course. It should only be handed to the recipient. Possibly in one of our pretty, padded envelopes! These fish always make me hungry for the cheesy Goldfish crackers. And I don't even like those! But I love these! Glub, glub!

Blog Award!

I have been given a blog award! The Sunshine Award was given to me by my sister, Penny Thomas. Her blog http://penquinstamper.blogspot.com/ is just amazing. So for her to say that mine makes her smile is such a compliment! Thank you, Penny.

The rules are that once you receive this award, you must continue spreading the sunshine by giving it to other bloggers who inspire you and who's blogs you admire ( or are addicted to! ).
So my choices are:
Andrea Walter - http://creativelycrazy.blogspot.com/
Diane Burns - http://diburns.blogspot.com/
Kim and Hemali - http://katycakegirls.blogspot.com/

Thank you, ladies, for bringing sunshine to my life everyday!

YOU Design It! April Stamp Camp

I have to admit, I am L - A - Z - Y. I came up with a wonderful idea to have the stampers design the camp this month! I received some great suggestions. Here are the projects I came up with for those requests. FYI ladies, you all would make wonderful Demonstrators! Hint, hint!

Didn't I say I was through with punch art? Well, I saw this fella and pulled those punches right back out again. I had a request for a child's birthday card. I'm not sure a child is going to get mine! I like him too much! We used some of the retiring colors and about 90 punches! He is just too cute. Sorry, I misplaced the name of the artist. I will post it when I find it.

One of the requests was for a patriotic card and how timely! The new Summer Mini catalog has an excellent stamp set, July Fourth and wheel, Red White and Blue, perfect for the task. I took the idea straight from the catalog itself. This would be great for thanking a military hero or sending someone 4th of July greetings.

A very observant stamper saw a magnet similar to this on my fridge and requested them for this camp. Using the laminate samples from one of the big home improvement stores, we made these mini clipboard magnets. Love those colors.

I love the look of stenciling. I thought this card could do double duty for both requests of a sympathy and get well card. Using the Bird Punch to make a template, we sponged ink on the card stock and placed that little bird on his limb. The front edge is torn slightly to show the designer paper from the Sweet Pea paper stack peeking out underneath. I saw a variation of this card on the blog chicnscratch.

Of course we needed a Mother's Day card and the new Two-Step Awash With Flowers was perfect for Mom. Melon Mambo ribbon and ink with Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper set it off for a card that Mom will love to receive.

This one was made in response to the request for a masculine birthday card. We used the Big Shot Polka Dots embossing folder and the Little Leaves die. I just love the Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware and ribbon together. Found a version of this card on Mary Fish's blog.

Happy April Stamp Campers!

Are these happy campers or what? From left is Cathy, center, Sara, and at right is Donna. The camps are just not the same if these ladies can't attend! They make it such fun for me.

More happy campers, even though they are very serious at the moment. Making cards is very serious business! Bottom left is Dulce, then Lynn, and at top is Phyllis, and Ruth at right. I love these ladies because they keep me on my toes. Ruth is famous for helping me out of a jam when I make a mistake. She is so sweet to tell everyone I did that on purpose so they won't do the same! Love that!

Caught Josh concentrating. That's hard to do in that seat...notice the food just over her shoulder?

Sweet, sweet ladies. I feel like they are just as much family as campers. Bottom left is Michelle, next to her is Kelly, then Stephanie, and Karen. Before the camp started I asked Karen to help me remember to take pictures. As I was demonstrating, I found notes at each project reminding me. It really became funny. Thank you, Karen!

I love you all! Knowing each of you has made it so rewarding for me. I knew I would have fun, but I never dreamed the wonderful friendships that would come along with this job. Bless you.

Sweet Pea Matchbox

I am sending this cute little Matchbox filled with mini tags to my Stampin' Pal in Texas. I just love putting together little items like this. I used my Big Shot with the Matchbox die along with the wonderful Sweet Pea Designer Paper. I saw this little gem on the blog, chicnscratch, made originally by Danielle. Anyone would love to receive this and find little trinkets in each drawer. For example...Simply Adorned charms? I think so!

My Favorite Things #4

I am a woman, so, therefore, I love jewelry. I am a stamper, so, therefore, I love stamping! How perfect is this...Stamped Jewelry! That is why the Simply Adorned Charms are my favorite things this week. I have stamped images in mine, but they would be so special with a photo inside for your mom for Mother's Day. You can change the image whenever you feel like it or any holiday. It's like getting a new piece of jewelry whenever you feel like it! These can be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Hurry, Mother's Day is coming!!!!!


Pictured above is the Simply Adorned Bracelet with both the 5/8" circle and 5/8" square charms. I used the stamp set, Tiny Tags, colored with markers to bring out the tiny flowers.


This is the 1" x 1" beveled square Simply Adorned Charm that I have hanging from the 34" chain. On the front I used the Sweet Pea Designer Paper as background and placed a Sweet Pea felt flower on top. Needless to say, it is sweet.