In Memory

It's All About the Packaging!

Inside this box is a single stamp and an Ink Spot
for a nice lady.
She would have been thrilled to receive it in a little cello bag,
but I wanted to 'jazz' it up a bit.
To me, the packaging is just as important as the gift.
It shows how special you think someone is by taking the time
to make it pretty.
I used my Big Shot and the Box #2 Die on a sheet of
Crumb Cake card stock to make this versatile little box.
To make the belly band,
I wrapped a strip of Basic Black card stock
and a strip of Real Red Designer Series Paper
around the box.
Then used Black Satin Ribbon and added a
coordinating tag to finish it off.
Pretty darn cute!
Yep! She's gonna like it a lot!

Inspired by Mary Fish

Clean & Simple

Sometimes a messy work space pays off!
I had the base part of this card sitting on my table along with a few other pieces.
It was partially stamped and never finished.
I looked down and immediately saw possibilities!
I love how it turned out.
I just randomly stamped the flourish from the set called
Vintage Vogue with White Craft Ink on
Crumb Cake and Soft Suede card stock.
Tied it up with White Organza Ribbon and
voila'
a pretty, clean & simple card!

Riding Hood Red and Black All Over!

I was given the stamp set, Best Friends Forever, at the convention this year.
I hadn't used it until I saw this great card on
Diana Gibbs blog.
The Wide Black Grosgrain Ribbon is cut down the middle which causes it
to fray a bit and give the card a really cool look.
It uses the designer paper called First Edition.
I used Riding Hood Red card stock with Basic Black.
Love it!

Redbird Thinking of You

This cheery card is just a bit 'outside of the box.'
The little bird, on a punched Jewelry Tag, is attached using a brad.
I also used my new
Textured Impressions folder called Stripes
on the Daffodil Delight card stock.
The stamp sets used were
Trendy Trees and Itty Bitty Bits.

Welcome Baby Brooke!

A friend's daughter, whom I've know all her life,
recently delivered her second baby girl.
And she is a cutie!
(I got to hold her. I wanted to eat her little hands!)
I wanted to give her something different and remembered the little
Christmas scrapbook I posted here, November 18th, 2010.
It would work perfectly to hold gift cards and then pictures of the baby.
There are three inserts where I placed six different gift cards
I thought the family could use during this busy time.
For instance, McDonalds, Walgreen's, grocery stores, etc.
And yes, it is made using toilet paper rolls!
(Don't tell anyone I like to eat baby hands!)

Holiday Mini Halloween Crow

When I saw the new Holiday Mini Catalog, I was so happy because it is
filled with so many fun items I want to try.
Then I turned to page 10 and saw this spooky crow all
dressed up for Halloween.
I knew I was going to do my best to recreate him.

Since I didn't have everything used on the model in the catalog,
I had to improvise. But I think that is a good thing.
It makes me stretch my imagination.
I think he turned out just fine.
Click on the photos to get a closer look.
If you don't have a copy of the Holiday Mini,
let me know and I will get one to you.
I think you will agree with me,
it's FANTASTIC!

Good-bye Summer Mini Catalog

August 31 is the LAST day to order from the Summer Mini Catalog!
Let me know if there is something you would like from this great little catalog
and I will be happy to help you!
pamdurso@sbcglobal.net
www.pamdurso.stampinup.net

Buh bye August!

Wow!
We are fast approaching the end of August!
And with the end of August comes the end of the
Buy Three Get One Free
Promotion.
Now is the time to stock up on the holiday papers for
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Email me with your order
or go to my website store at
www.pamdurso.stampinup.net
and order anytime you like!

Something else to think about is that the
Summer Mini Catalog
ends on August 31 too!
Be sure to grab that item you have been putting off ordering
NOW!

Pinkness

Jayne Singleton is at it again!
She made this card using the new stamp set called
Button Buddies.
All the characters in the set have a spot for you to place a button.
This little guy has to be my favorite.
His little pearl eyes are just so stinkin'
CUTE!
Thanks, Jayne!

Circle Birthday

This is a quick card that let's you showcase
several textures, while giving a fun, happy birthday feeling too.
I've included a polka dot embossed circle, a designer paper circle,
a textured card stock circle, a smooth card stock circle and a
Glitter Paper circle tied up with a bow.

Thank You in a Pizza Box

Since I will be moving soon,
I wanted to thank my club members for sticking with me
through these last few months of my $25 Club.
I made a few 3 x 3 cards and placed them in a mini pizza box
to show my appreciation.
I think that little tag says it all!
Thanks, ladies!

Love & Care One More Time

I have been using this set a lot lately.
It is a Hostess set found in the Summer Mini Catalog called
Love & Care.
The Designer Paper is called
First Edition.
The colors used are
Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, and Crumb Cake.
I will be sad to see this set retire at the end of this month.

Hello Blossoms

This little single stamp called
Hello Blossoms
can be found in the Summer Mini Catalog which will expire
the last day of this month.
Don't put your order off any longer!

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!