A Funny Story

Meet Ugly Santa.
He was made by my youngest daughter when she was a Brownie, so many years ago, (she is now almost 27)! When she brought him home, she was so proud of him and wanted him displayed. So, I stuck him in the bathroom. As far as I was concerned, it was not an insult to put him there, because I decorate the bathroom at Christmas. But she was very insulted. Somehow, Ugly Santa started showing up in odd places around the house, and it became a game between the two of us to see if we could surprise the other with his appearance throughout the year. Over the years he has traveled to and from Texas several times, and been in the most unlikely places. It always generates a smile and a feeling of "OK, game on...now where can I put it this time?"
Kim, who now lives in Katy, Texas, visited over the Christmas holiday, and I worried about where I might find Ugly Santa. After she left, I searched everywhere and couldn't find him, until I reached into the refrigerator for a drink, and there he was with that silly little smile, waiting for me. I have to admit this was the best hiding place ever for him, and for some reason I just can't remove him. I think he has finally, after all these years, found his home. Whenever I reach into the fridge, I see him and he makes me smile and makes me a bit sad too.
Kim is so far away, but yet I feel her presence with that silly thing.
Touche', Kim.
I love you, and miss you like crazy.
I'll take good care of Ugly Santa.

Punch Bunch Owl Bookmark

Every time I see this little owl guy, I have to smile.
He is just too cute.
He is from the Sale-a-bration stamp set called Punch Bunch.
Placed on a piece of Old Olive card stock that has been folded
and inserted in the Decorative Label Punch #120907.
In order to get the continuous piece,
place the folded card stock just under the top of the opening,
so it is not being cut when you punch it.

Inside are two magnets which,
when placed over the book page,
will adhere
and keep your place.
Inspired by Jenny Young.

Hello Baby

Doesn't this card just melt your heart?
I CASEd it from Heather Klump's blog,
www.hlkdownstairsdesigns.blogspot.com.
Using the free Sale-a-bration stamp set called
Punch Bunch,
that little mobile seems to be hanging there waiting
for a baby's smile.
Ahhhh!

Melon Mambo Birthday

This cheery birthday card has so much going on, I don't know where to start.
I usually gravitate toward a more clean and simple look.
But this card makes me happy and reminds me of a party.
The FREE Designer Paper is called Ice Cream Parlor,
from the Sale-a-bration mini catalog.
The ribbon and buttons coordinate!
They are FREE too!
The Pacific Point Scall0p Square sentiment is from the
Sale-a-bration set called Punch Bunch,
and also FREE.
The sentiment 'birthday wishes' is from the SAB set called So Happy for You, and
...did I mention the word
FREE?
You need to take advantage of this fun promotion before it's too late to get your
FREE stuff!

Shamrocks, Irish Lace and a Bit O'Gold!

Here is another card made from the FREE Sale-a-bration stamp set called Punch Bunch.
(Do you have yours yet?)
In honor of St. Patrick's Day in March,
I thought this layout had all the elements to wish someone Good Luck!
The base card is Wild Wasabi #108641,(I like to say that with gusto - WASABI!).
The layer on top of that is Brushed Gold, #102935.
I don't get to use that very often and fun to work with.
Versa-Mark was used to create a soft background for the popped-up shamrocks.
The 'lace' was done with the Eyelet Border Punch, #119853.

Poppies in Poppy Parade

I guess I need a new camera.
The vivid colors are just not coming through in this picture.
Poppy Parade does just that, it POPS!
This is from the FREE Sale-a-bration set called Punch Punch.
To get it, place an order of $50 and you can add it free!
Inspired by Twila Davis.

Jayne's Regional Swap

I stated in an earlier post that I got home from the Branson Regional without getting Jayne's cute 3-D swap. So when I saw her recently, I stole one from her to show you.
It's a little 'test-tube', filled with jelly beans. She matched those jelly bean colors to coordinate with the Sale-a-bration ribbon and designer paper called Ice Cream Parlor. The owl is from the SAB set called Punch Bunch.
Isn't he a cutie-patootie?

As Demonstrators, we love to 'demo' to others,
but sometimes it's fun to get together and stamp! That's just what we did recently!
From left to right is: Donna, Patty, Jayne, me, Kristine, Judy, and Mary Ellen, not shown, Theresa.
Had fun with you ladies, and those jello shots had nothing to do with it!
:o)

Plane & Simple Masculine Card

My sweet husband, Steve, is an aeronautical and astronautical engineer.
So whenever Stampin' Up! releases an airplane stamp, I snatch it up.
He told me what kind of plane this is, but I don't retain that kind of information.
I just thought it was cool.
It is from the set called Plane & Simple #121903, in the Occasions Mini Catalog.
That newsprint designer paper in the background is called First Edition #121878.
I don't make nearly enough masculine cards, but I think this one works very well!
Inspired by Mary Davidson.

Nature Walk

Here are the make and takes we made at the Branson Regional recently,
using the stamp set, Nature Walk.
I'm in love with this set!

I thought this folder holding 3 x 3 cards was so clever.

By making a few scores and cuts you are ready to insert the cards.

I think it would make such a thoughtful little gift.

With markers and the Aqua-Painter, we were able to bring variations in the color of that little Rosette.

This is my least favorite. Those eggs and I just did not get along.

Love this banner made with the new Petal Cone Die

Sweet little touches to make it personal.

Birthday Cupcake

If it was possible to eat this card, I would!
I saw the original card made by my fellow demonstrator, Diane Burns.
www.diburns.blogspot.com,
Since I kept going back to it, I decided I would make one too.
I changed a few things simply because I had to work with what I had on hand,
but I like the results just as much as I like Diane's.
If you click on the picture, you can see the Tiny Tags (#117190 Punch, #115370 Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set) held by Linen Thread (#104199) on the pin. The new Build a Cupcake Punch (#121807) is just plain fun to use. When paired with the stamp set, Create a Cupcake, (#121915) the result is bound to bring a smile.
Thanks for inspiring me once again, Diane!

Stamp Case Notebooks

At the Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee,
we made this 'notebook' using the Clear Mount Stamp Cases.
(#119105, 4 for $4.95!)

I thought it was such a cute idea, and since I was attending the Regional in Branson with my downline, I thought it would be perfect and compact to use while taking notes there.

So here is the version I made for them to use.
(Click on the pictures for a closer view.)

Inside, I placed a calendar, (so important for scheduling those workshops!),
and a few Post-It Notes along with a pad of paper for note taking.
I had trouble finding notepads that would fit,
but my local office supply store was happy to cut it to my specifications for a nominal fee.
A skinny ink pen (without the cap) fits nicely inside too.
This makes such a cute, compact and inexpensive gift that can be personalized for the receiver.
Mine will be making the trip to the Convention in July!
If you become a part of my team, I'll make one for you too!

Pieces of Heart Branson Swaps

I received a lot of swaps at the Branson Regional, but some of my favorites were the ones I received from the ladies I traveled with!

Judy Sumner is known for her 'classy' cards. And this one did not disappoint.
Look at all the work that was put into this card.

This little cutie was made by Patty Schnell. Whenever I see this stamp set I think of her.
I told her it has become her 'signature' set.
See the rhinestones on that little bee?

What a rich looking card.
It is not showing very well because my camera leaves much to be desired, but the colors are Concord Crush and Very Vanilla, along with a 'pop' of Daffodil Delight.
My new friend, Mary Ellen Cope stamped this one.

The bright colors in this card just make you happy!
Deana Schultz ran the Naturals White panel with the stars through the Big Shot
using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.
Reminds me of a party!

Somehow I got home without Jayne Singleton's cute 3-D swap
using test tubes filled with jelly beans. It was so cute.
I will post it as soon as I get one.

Thanks for the ideas, ladies! I love swapping with you!

How would you like a free stamp set?

Because I attended the Stampin' Up! Regional in Branson,
I get to offer you a
FREE stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog!
From now until March 6, when you become a part of my team,
The Pieces of Heart Stampers,
you will receive the new set called Sunny Fun!
Above are several examples of that very cute set.
(Click on the picture to see a bigger view.)
BUT wait, there's more!
The starter kit has been reduced by 15%! That makes it only $148.75!
Plus you will receive a Bonus Bundle worth over $50!
~And~
you can attend great Stampin' Up! events with us!
Let's talk!

Stampin' fun in Branson!

The Pieces of Heart Team is back from the Branson Regional full of ideas and throwed rolls!
(I'll explain that part in a minute.)
Put five Stampin' Up! demonstrators in a car for four hours down and four hours back and they are going to talk non-stop stamping! Although it was a quick overnight trip, we came home pooped, but revitalized at the same time!


Pieces of Heart Team plus two!

From left is Judy Sumner, Patty Schnell, Jayne Singleton, me, Kristine Thurber, Mary Ellen Cope, and Deana Schultz.
Mary Ellen and Deana are demonstrators from our area and attended with us. I'm so glad they did. Two very sweet ladies.

Jayne, swapping her adorable test tubes with jelly beans.

Kristine with her finished banner made with the Petal Cone Die.

Deana and Mary Ellen working on the Make and Takes.

Here are the staff presenters that made it so much fun and informative for us. On the left is Holly Linford, then Brian Pilling, and Carrie Cudney. I didn't get a picture of Ellen Richardson, and I wish I had. She is one of the warmest, sweetest people I have met. She always had a bright smile, and made us feel like she had known us forever.

Okay, here is the 'throwed roll' explanation.
On the way home, we wanted to have lunch at the famous Lambert's Restaurant in Ozark, Missouri. One of the reasons they are famous is because of their home-style, comfort food, which is awesome. The other reason they are famous is because they THROW rolls at you! They are huge and hot, and oh so good. Believe me, we filled up on them too. We caught them every time!
Thank you, ladies, for attending with me and making it so fun!

Pieces of Heart Team off to Branson Regional!

We are so excited to be attending the Stampin' Up! Regional
in Branson, Missouri, Friday, February 18.
We will hear guest speakers on how to make our businesses better.
See product demonstrations.
And STAMP!
But best of all we get to spend time together talking stamping!
Every demonstrator likes to do that, plus
SWAPPING!
Here is my swap.
The colors are so vivid, they just POP!
I used Poppy Parade, Old Olive and Whisper White Card Stock.
The stamp set is called Tiny Teacup from the a 'la Carte selection.
It's been embossed with Clear Embossing Powder to give it a shiny teacup look.
The 'steam' coming from the cup is actually from a Christmas set called Season of Joy.
I just love it when you can incorporate holiday sets onto a regular card.
The Whisper White Card Stock was embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.
Makes me want to sit down with a cup of coffee and talk stamping with a friend!

Have a Seat!

Wouldn't you just love to find this sitting on your bench?
I have always used Very Vanilla and Whisper White separately, not together. But putting them together makes the card look so rich and classy. The bench is from the stamp set called Have A Seat # 116696, and the cake is from the Hostess Level One set called Birthday Bakery #117034. That second stamp set could be yours! Just host a Stampin' Up! party of a few of your friends and according to your sales, you could receive free merchandise!
Especially now, during Sale-a-bration!
So contact me now and let's get YOUR party started!
pamdurso@sbcglobal.net

Top 'O the Mornin' to Ya!

I was part of a calendar shoebox swap where I was responsible for the month of March.
I thought this idea was a perfect way to reflect St. Patrick's Day.
By using just three punches,
you can fashion a Leprechaun's Derby hat right down to the lucky shamrock!
I used the 1 3/8" Circle Punch and the Word Window Punch for the Derby.
Then used the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch for the Shamrock,
which is tucked into the 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon.
A little rhinestone spot of 'dew' sits on that shamrock.
The calendar page fits into a CD case which, when opened, sits up nicely on your desk.
Luck 'O the Irish to ya!
Inspired by Linda Callahan.

Inspired by Nature

This is just a soft, quiet card using the stamp set called Inspired by Nature #111656, and Tiny Tags #118592. I like the way the flower is popped up on top of the grass so that it looks like it is growing there.
Inspired by Linda Keal

Yep, I Did It Again!

I just can't seem to help myself.
I have once again, shamelessly, CASED a card
made by Heather Klump,
one of my favorite stampers.
www.hlkdownstairsdesigns.blogspot.com
I am part of a letter-writing group called Soldier's Angels, www.soldiersangels.com. Weekly, I send cards to military. So I am always looking for a card that will, hopefully,
bring a smile to a hero, and get my appreciation across.
This little card does all of that and more.
What makes it so special is that I know Heather, in another life,
actually drove a tank!
The tank stamp set, Words By Wilson, is retired.
The other set is called Thank You Kindly.
And that is exactly what I would like to do, Heather/Hero.
Thank you Kindly!

January T.A.L.K. of the Town Shopping Expo

I was recently asked to be a vendor in an area Shopping Expo
along with several other women with direct sales businesses.
The theme was to be Valentine's Day,
and boy, did I ever have fun putting these projects and cards together!

This little treat pouch was my Make-n-Take. It is made using one of our Crumb Cake envelopes! Tucked inside are two candy bars that have been covered in our Designer Series Paper. The stamp set is Valentine Defined from the Occasions Mini.

This is a 3 X 3 card and I just love how it turned out. The designer paper is called Love Impressions. The little dots accent the Embosslits Scalloped Heart of Hearts Die cut from our new Glimmer Paper from the Occasions Mini. I love this paper so much as you will see with several other projects shown here. The banner was taken from the 'a la Carte stamp called Be My Valentine. It's popped up with Dimensionals.

Love Impressions Paper again, on this 3x3 card,
along with that Glimmer Paper for the little punched heart inside a Treat Cup.

I think the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Embossing Folder
really picks up the dots in the designer paper.

The Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
is used around the edge of this pretty card.
The stamp set is Valentine Defined and the little hearts on stems look like flowers, don't ya think?

Eat Chocolate is the name of this stamp set and I couldn't resist taking a 'bite' out of that candy bar with the Scallop Circle Punch. The little bon-bons have been topped with Crystal Effects to mimic a chocolate ganache. Yum!

This technique is called Faux Irish Twist. It has the look of quilting.
Inspired by Julie Davison

Can you believe this card was made using the My Digital Scrapbooking program?
We received it at the Leadership conference in Nashville.
All I added was the ribbon. It's so cute, right down to the staple underneath the love!
That program is not just for scrapbooking!

I saw this design on Becky Robert's blog, (she is simply amazing). It uses the new Create a Cupcake stamp set and the Build a Cupcake Punch that goes with it. Nothing says love more than a cupcake!

I think this card comes close to being almost perfect. I love clean and simple.
Angie Juda used the Love You Much set.
Pretty In Pink and Baja Breeze are so pretty together.

This embossed paper is from the Love Impressions specialty package. It contains two each of two single-sided embossed designs that have a thicker, rich feel. And two each of four double-sided designs on text-weight paper. The ribbon is Rose Red Seam Binding. It's gathered by fraying one end and pulling one of the strands in the middle. I adhered it by using Sticky Strip. The sentiment, Watercolor Trio, is retired, but how perfect for all those little hearts above it?
Inspired by Nancy Littrell

Black and Real Red are so dramatic together for Valentine's Day. And there's that Glimmer Paper again! Stamp set is Things I Love.

Top Note Die as a treat topper for little cello bags
filled with chocolate goodies.

Love this Springtime Vintage Designer Paper,
and yes, that's FABRIC to match!

Matchbox Die two ways.
On the right, the center was punched out using our Full Heart Punch.
I covered the opening with a piece of transparency sheet.
Then filled it with conversation hearts.
The one on the right.....
scroll down to see what I did with it!

When you pull open the little drawer, up pops a Glimmer heart!
I saw this as a Christmas treat box and thought it would be so cute for Valentine's Day.

Mini paper bag ready for goodies.
The top edge is done with the Eyelet Border Punch.

Sour cream containers in both designer paper and transparency sheet.
The Glimmer Paper is punched with the Scallop Square and Small Heart.

Milk Carton Die. This should be filled with Red Hots!

These are clothes pins covered in Real Red Designer Paper and topped off with.....GLIMMER PAPER hearts! I just can't get enough of it!

So many nice ladies stopped by my table, and to thank them, I gave them one of these little tubes of M & M's with a heart on top. They looked so pretty in the basket.