Monkey See, Monkey Do

As I stated in yesterday's post,
the members of the Pieces of Heart team
were given a challenge this month by
Don to make a card using at least ten circles
of at least two different sizes.
This card is my answer to that challenge.
I remembered seeing a version of this monkey on the display boards
at this year's convention.

There are even Window Sheets inside his glasses!
In case you're counting, there are 16 circles of various sizes.
His nose started as a circle too!

I'm not sure how someone would feel receiving
this monkey card
since the sentiment says
Thinking of You!
But he was fun to make.

Great challenge, Don.
You made us think outside of the.....
Circle!

Pieces of Heart August Dinner & Challenge

Time for the Pieces of Heart monthly dinner out and challenge!
This month we were challenged by our handsome mascot, Don,
to make a card using at least ten circles of at least two different sizes.
That one really made us scratch our heads.
But as you can see by these pictures, we met that challenge head on!

The cute card above was made by Jayne Singleton.
That little frog is sitting on a Lily pad...CUTE!

Diane Mickles turned her circles into a sunflower.
(I counted...exactly ten circle and two sizes!)

Judy Sumner's card is, appropriately for this time of year, a bookworm!

I believe this one is also Judy's.
(I am so sorry for the bad photo.)
The owl's feathers are made from circles.

Kristine Thurber added 'Bling' in Pearls to her card,
along with some pretty designer paper and embossed polka dots.

How pretty is this card from Patty Schnell?
She ran it through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder in the Big Shot.

In this photo, what you can't see because of the bad photography, (me),
is that the tree is made up of embossed card stock buttons from the
Sweet Buttons Embosslits folder.
Made by Deanna Schultz.

Theresa Tesson added a little interest to her card
by inking up a texture she found in her kitchen!
Love that idea.

Another cutie made by Deanna.
I've stolen ideas from her many times.
Thanks Deanna.
Keep 'em coming!

This is our famous Mascot, Don Schnell, and his card.
He participates in our challenges every month, and we love him for it.
His card is interactive in that when you open it up,
you see that the 'back end' of that little worm!
How clever!
Thanks for the challenge, Don.

Wouldn't you like to be a part of a Demonstrators group that has as much fun as we do?
Come on!
We would love to have you join us!

S'Mores To Go!

You just never know when you might come across a campfire.
With this little box of 'S'mores To Go' you are always ready.
The friendly bear, here, thinks he is sneaking away with two under each arm.
All the more reason to have your own stash!
He is from the stamp set called
Under The Stars.

Did you know they now make flat marshmallows?
How convenient!
What a cute way to invite someone over for a snack
in front of the fire.
But watch out for that bear!

Becky Roberts

Sally Sunshine!

As I mentioned in an earlier post,
I attended an area demonstrator card swap.
What a fun day!
The main reason for that fun has to be
Sally Nusbaum.
One of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet.
She, and members of her team put the event together.
This is her swap and I was tickled to get it.
It reminds me of her,
happy
and full of sunshine!
Thanks, Sally, for all you do!

Jayne's Swap

Recently, the Pieces of Heart Team participated in a day of stamping
and swapping cards with area demonstrators.
We came home with some fantastic samples.
This one comes from our very own
Jayne Singleton!
I don't have this stamp set, but after seeing her card,
it is now on my list.
The sentiment is is perfect.
Great job, Jayne

Wouldn't you like to be a part of a group that enjoys the
same things you do....
STAMPING!
Come be a part our group!
Let's talk!

GASP!

I haven't been able to stamp much lately.
Trying to find a house in another state is starting to get in the way!
I have been so lucky to be the recipient of some really pretty cards recently.
This one is from a fellow TOPICS member, Carolyn Gray.
She has a way of taking my breath away with her work.
This card is a very good example of that.
Unbelievably beautiful.
Thank you Carolyn!

Stolen Love & Care

When I saw this layout on my friend and downline,
Judy Sumner's blog,
I melted and had to reproduce it.
The stamp set is called Love & Care.
I changed the colors just a bit.
I love Rose Red and checked my handy
Color Coach
and found that Elegant Eggplant
is a complimentary color.
I am not a purple fan, but I decided to try it.
LOVE IT!
I have come to trust the Color Coach for a reason.
It helps me when I am stumped and gives me just that little push
I need to work outside of my comfort zone.
It's a 'must have' tool!

August Calendar Insert

Penny's August Calendar Insert.
Go back to school, kids!

Less Is More With Love & Care

It is so hard for me to make a card without all the bells and whistles.
But sometimes less is more.
Here I used the Summer Mini Hostess Set called
Love & Care.
It's an explosion of color and that didn't need
any more than a few
tiny Basic Pearls to accent the little flowers.
Very summery!

Missouri Tax-Free Weekend!

The following items are tax-exempt during the Missouri sales tax holiday, August 5, 6 & 7. Go to my online 'store' to place your orders at that time. http://www.pamdurso.stampinup.net

Item Number	Description	Price
100425	2-Way Glue Pen	$ 3.50
100902	Dotto Refill	$ 6.50
101879	Watercolor Pencils (24)	$ 19.95
102845	Blender Pens (3)	$ 9.95
103179	Craft & Rubber Scissors	$ 19.95
103305	Dotto	$ 12.95
103579	Paper Snips	$ 9.95
103683	Mini Glue Dots	$ 4.95
104045	Anywhere Glue Sticks (2)	$ 3.95
104294	Sticky Strip	$ 6.95
104331	SNAIL Refill	$ 4.50
104332	SNAIL Adhesive	$ 6.95
104430	Stampin' Dimensionals	$ 3.95
105021	Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen	$ 3.95
105394	Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler	$ 3.50
108360	Craft Scissors	$ 29.95
110755	Multipurpose Liquid Glue	$ 3.95
Varies	Stampin' Write Marker	$ 3.50
119700	Subtles Collection Stampin' Write Markers (10)	$ 28.95
119701	Regals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (10)	$ 28.95
119702	Brights Collection Stampin' Write Markers (10)	$ 28.95
119703	Neutrals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (8)	$ 22.95
119801	2010-2012 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (5)	$ 14.95
119802	Subtles Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)	$ 16.95
119803	Regals Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)	$ 16.95
119804	Brights Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)	$ 16.95
119805	Neutrals Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons (10)	$ 16.95
120962	Stampin' Pastels	$ 24.95
123002	2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (5)	$ 14.95

August Promotion: Buy three, get one FREE!

Click the box above.
It will take you to my website where you can see what Designer Papers
are included in this month-long promotion!
You're gonna wanna stock up now!

Retirement = Dreams

Retirement is very close to my heart these days
since my husband has just retired from one job to take the job of his dreams.
To me, retirement should be the fulfillment of your dreams,
and what a perfect card to relay that message!
It uses the Word Play stamp set with
Night of Navy and Pear Pizzazz card stock and ink.

Julie Marshall

Promotions & New Pieces of Heart Members!

Oh my gosh!
My, my, my, but we have been busy this last month!
We have three new members to add to the Pieces of Heart Team.

Debra is Judy Sumner's new recruit.
Margaret is Kristine Thurber's new recruit.
Kim is my new recruit.
Welcome ladies!

With Judy's new recruit comes a promotion for her to Supervisor!
Congratulations Judy!
With the addition of these new members I promoted to Manager!
Thanks to everyone for all your hard work.

The Pieces of Heart Team is growing and doing great things.
Don't you want to be a part of an active, happy, successful group too?
Come on! We want you a part of our team!
Contact me for details.
pamdurso@sbcglobal.net

Big Change For Me

There have been lots of changes going on in this house the last few months.
My husband has retired from one company and is starting
a new job with a university in another state!
So that means a major move for the two of us.
We have been looking at houses and will decide soon where we will be calling home.
Steve is working hard at the university during the week
and travels home over the weekend
to help me pack and get this house ready to sell.
(Bless his heart!)
Since I am knee deep in packing peanuts,
that doesn't leave much time or room
(boxes on top of boxes)
for me to hold stamp camps.
I miss them,
and the people who attended them.
They became such good friends.
But,occasionally,
I will take a much needed break to stamp something fun.
When I do,
I will post it here.
In the meantime, don't give up on me!
I'll get back to normal when
my life gets back to normal.
Just in a different town.

How Does Your Garden Grow? With the Big Shot!

The Big Shot can cut more than just card stock!
These garden stakes are made using aluminum flashing!
I ran them through the Big Shot first with the
Scallop Square Die. Then the Polka Dot Embossing folder.
Then the Daisies Die for the center flower.

The picture doesn't do them justice.
They are shimmery shiny.
When a breeze hits them,
they dance,
and make my heart smile!

Pieces of Heart Altered Pail

Time for the Pieces of Heart dinner out and
the challenge of the month.
This month we were challenged by Donna Althoff to alter a metal pail.
Wow, you have no idea how hard that is!
But I found a very cute round card on a blog and the light bulb came on!
The pail is actually Melon Mambo, so I went with the whole watermelon thing.
Once the pail was finished, I felt it needed something inside.
So how about some little 3 x 3 cards and envelopes?
Love it!
Inspired by Lynn Pratt

'Floating' Pieces of Heart

I have the honor of being a part of an awesome team.
Both recruited and adopted.
I wanted to give them something that would show how special they are.
We are the Pieces of Heart Team and what better than a sparkling,
floating heart in a 1" x 1" Simply Adorned Charm?
After punching the heart from Red Glitter Paper,
I added a tiny Basic Pearl and inserted it into the square charm.
It's as if it is floating.
So cute.

Tied up with a pretty Real Red Satin Bow,
accented with the Victoria Crochet Trim,
and topped off with a 'jeweled' crown from the
Tiny Tags set.

Thanks ladies for making an already fun ride
even more fun!

I'm B-A-A-C-K-!

The theme for the Stampin' Up! convention this year is GROW!
That's the founder and our hero, Shelli Gardner, standing in front of the R.
She's getting things started in our first day, general session.
It was just awesome.
The kind that gives you goose bumps awesome!
(Click on any of the pictures for a closer look.)

This is my sister, Penny Thomas, beaming because she's just found out
she made Founder's Circle.....again!
She is proudly showing the very coveted purse
given to each Founder's Circle recipient.
Out of 50,000 demonstrators, Penny is ranked #41!
We are so proud of her.
She deserves all the perks that come with that distinction.

Have you ever heard of a "feeding frenzy'?
Well, this is a 'Memento Mall Frenzy'.
This is a 'store' where we demonstrators shop each year,
grabbing all kinds of SU logo stuff.
When the doors open, get out of our way!

The first night we had a party to get things rolling.
Since the theme is GROW,
we were encouraged to wear something pertaining to a growing garden.
And, of course, more likely than not,
you will find Garden Gnomes there!
They happened to be from Canada, but that's okay.
The very sweet lady in the middle is a demonstrator
from my neck of the woods,
Sally Nusbaum.
(Love her!)

The displays were over the top unbelievable.

This is my kind of ironing board!

Once you take advantage of the $99 STARTER KIT
(now through July 31),
you will receive
the kit to make this adorable Christmas box.
Come on, get one!
We can make it together!

Besides having award-receiver-Penny in our group,
we had an Artisan Award winner too!
Heather Klump was one of just a handful
to receive that award.
Her work is unbelievable, She is one of the funniest,
sweetest ladies you will ever meet.
We stared addressing her as Heather Klump...Artisan.
Here she is giving me a raspberry.
To her left is Julie Kasper, (love her!)
and barely visible in yellow is Vicki Skillman (sweetheart!).


Suffice it to say, I had so much fun and laughed until I cried.
(Note to self...next year bring along some Depends!)
Seeing old friends and making new ones.
(Hello Nicole and Nicole and Wendy!)
Sharing and hugging.
It just fills me up and inspires me.

Thank you Stampin' Up!
You have added so much to my life.

I'm Off To Salt Lake City!

One of the most anticipated events of the year
is the Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah!
It is so much fun making new friends, seeing old ones, watching exciting new
ideas in stamping, and having one heck of a good time!
That's where I'll be this week.
When I get back I'll fill you in on all the fun.

In the meantime,
for every order of $25 you place with me
either by email,
pamdurso@sbcglobal.net
or my online store,
www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
Tuesday - Sunday,
you will receive TWO numbered tickets for a drawing
of a brand new stamp set from the new catalog!
So have some fun of your own while I'm gone!

And next year...
plan on going with me!
The Starter Kit is only $99 until the end of July!
Let's get YOU started!

I Punched Uncle Sam In The Face!

I punched him,
but in the most loving way!
After assembling him from Stampin' Up! punches,
(see below for the list)
I placed him on a
3 x 3 card.
Love how that Real Red Glimmer Paper sparkles on his hat.
I think he is quite the Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Punches used were:
1 3/8" Square Punch
1 1/4" Circle Punch
Scallop Circle Punch
1/4" Circle Punch (retired)
Word Window Punch
Small Star Punch (retired)
Bird Builder Punch

Inspired by Dawn Olchefske