Here's one of the Make-n-Takes from my last chance event last night.  Don't you wish you were there?  Today is your LAST CHANCE to get in on the best sale of the year – Sale-a-Bration!  Email or call me with your order by 7pm – there will be a surprise for you – let's just say you'll be doing the happy dance when you get off the phone! 

This card was inspired by one I saw posted recently.  I changed it up a bit.  It sure is a cute and quick card though!  I love the cupcake stamp set and punch from the mini catalog – you have a month left to get it – but why not get it today because it's the last day of Sale-a-Bration!

Jim got the boat out of storage yesterday and was busy getting it cleaned and ready for the fishing season – a sure sign of spring at the Peters house.  Now the garage is officially stuffed again with 2 vehicles, boat, 4 wheeler (can't put that in summer storage as it requires driving over wet grass – and we wouldn't want to ruin Jim's lawn!) and of course the grill along with a lot of other man things (mess).

So, this is a quick post today as it is a BUSY day!  Work, then put in the last of the Sale-a-Bration orders, then pack for my trip to Illinois this weekend.  I also have to put the finishing touches on my presentation. . . . good thing I hit the gym early this morning!

Blessings!

You are going to LOVE – love several things about todays post. . . . First – it is a sneak peak of the April special – which in itself is a sneak peak from the new catalog.  Second – this is a super quick gift idea (hostess, teacher, friend, etc).  Imagine your friend receiving this cool gift!  Won't you feel sooooo great!

So, check it out.  It is made using our stamp cases.  Don't worry, you don't have to empty out one of your stamp sets to do this – they are available to purchase ( 119105 p 192 in the Idea Book & Catalog).  These cases have a sleeve built into them so, they are perfect for this easy project!  Next, you'll see the tag on the front – it is one of the 4 stamps in the new Four Frames stamp set which is the sneak peak from the new IB &C. . . . you can purchase it when you have a $20 order in April!  All 4 frames punch out using the Decorative Label punch (120907) in the Occasions Mini Catalog – -it's a MUST have in my humble opinion! 

Inside are 4 notecards and envelopes.  These are just the PERFECT size.  Did you know that you can buy them as a set?  Check them out on p 171 of the IB & C (107311).  You can make these from any of our Designer Series Papers – I used the Springtime Vintage from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Here's another little bonus – this whole set is made from 1 sheet of DSP – yep – pretty cool huh!  Want to know how to cut that DSP just right?  Well stay tuned – there may be a class in your near future!

Here are 2 of the cards sitting next to the case. . . . isn't it soooo cute!!!!   My downline made these last Saturday at our meeting – they LOVED them!   Your chance is on April 16 at 9:30am.  Based on the comments at my card class last night, I would expect rsvp's to come in quickly – so make sure you get your spot! 

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!   Blessings today!

Here's another sample of a card that you can make at my card class tonight – have 2 spots left so, let me know! 

This card was inspired by Dawn Olchefske.  I loved her idea so much – that I actually changed very little on it.  You're going to be surprised when I tell you how the cross was made . . . . it is made with the lattice die.  I used it recently on this Fun Flowers card.   I like the versatility of this card. . . from Baptism, birthday, wedding, sympathy and so much more! 

Here are the ingredients;

• cardstock & ink:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree DSP. Baja Breeze
• Sizzix;  Lattice, Finial Press embossing folder
• Punches;  Scallop oval, large oval, 1 3/8" circle, Boho Blossoms, 1/4" circle
• Accessories;  Pearls

Enjoy your day!  Many Blessings!

Isn't this gorgeous?  I love this card.  So much so that we will be making it at my card class this week!  Yes – since it is the last week of Sale-a-Bration – we ladies must get in on the last bit of the best special of the year!  So, I added two classes this week;

• Card class – just like Chicks, Chocolate & Cards – we will focus on sympathy and masculine cards.  You'll make 12 gorgeous cards with envelopes.  You'll be able to customize your cards with a greeting that you can choose.  Cost is $25 with a $10 credit on your class fee with an order.   Tuesday, March 29  4:30pm or 6:30pm
• Last chance workshop – Just like a workshop that I would do for you and your friends.  I will show 4 projects – and you will have 2 make-n-takes (hint:  you'll love them!!!).  One of the demonstrations will be watercoloring!!!   Wednesday, March 30 6:30pm
  

So, let's talk about this card – in all of it's gorgeosness!   It was made by one of my downline – Jan Ledman – I just love her work!   Jan has been a demo since August of 2006.  She holds some classes but, I am going to guess would identify herself as a hobby demonstrator.  I always admire her talent.

The most striking part of the card is how the images stand out from the background – it is all made possible by the crumb cake square – guess how it is stamped?  With an acrylic block!  Yep – just that simple – stamp your block directly onto the ink pad and then onto your paper – voila!  a great focal point for your images!  yep – pretty cool! 

So, onto other things, it's Monday – I am excited for this week even though I am thinking it will be VERY busy!  Isn't it great to start the week celebrating the exciting things to come this week?  Here's what I am celebrating!

• Tuesday and Wednesday classes!   I am very excited about the cards and ideas that I am going to share – PLUS if you come I have something VERY, VERY special planned on top of the current sale-a-bration special!!!!   You'll LOVE it!
• I am excited about my continued journey to loose a little weight – I am a smidgen away from the 20 pound mark!  I purchased a heart rate monitor this weekend and am looking forward to my workouts this week.  I feel so energized after working out. 
• I am prepping for a talk I am giving this weekend – I am flying to another awesome demonstrators meeting on Saturday in Champagne Illinois. . . . it will be a BLAST.  So, have to get some prep time in for that!
• It's also the 5th week of the month – what that means in my full time job is that I have no regularly scheduled meetings and can get some much needed research and policy development time in. 
• I'm also at peace with whatever my husband finds out about his job this week. . . . it will be nice to have things known and settled. 
• the weekend was awesome and I am reflecting back on a fun, inspiring weekend that was very enjoyable.  Downline meeting Satruday am, shopping with my sis on Saturday afternoon, dinner with hubby on Saturday night at a place where we have fun memories, a quiet Sunday with a bunch of customer care calls. 

So, I am hoping you''ll celebrate what you are excited about for this week – and have a great one!   I hope you are able to share a bit of your week with me at one of my classes!

Blessings!

Here's when 2 things come together to make a thing of beauty!   There was a DSP I LOVED awhile back, so I purchased 3 square frames thinking I was going to frame some of the DSP for a collage in my living room. . . . hmmmm the time flew by and that just didn't happen.    Enter Botanical Gazette DSP from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  This paper really grew on me and I really loved both sides of the paper and wanted to find a way to showcase the two sides.  So – here is where the Frame and the paper came together – what do you think?  This could be a very cool gift.  And you could adapt it for any size of frame. 

This frame happened to be 10 x 10 – so my squares are 2 x 2.  Of course I had to add a few trinkets and treasures. . . . got to love those accessories!   I wouldn't be a female if I didn't!   Here's a list of accessories along with a little explanation (when needed);

• Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzaz markers – I used them to color in the flower in the lower right corner.  This was cut out form the DSP.
• Champagne Mist Shimmer paint – I added some to the flowers, plus to a few of the images in the background – it just adds to the vintage feel .
• Pearls – gotta have them if you don't already!!!!!!
• Neutrals buttons
• Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzaz seam binding
• Tinket Crowns – from the mini catalog
• Vintage Trinkets p 187 if the IB &C.  I used the brads and a safety pin
• Rosettes from mini catalog
• Tinket Key from mini catalog hung from 1/8" taffeta ribbon
• Antique Brads
• Paper Daisy

Whew!  a fun little list of accessories!   What is your favorite accessory from the list? 

Blessings!

Here's another bit of Vintage.  Look at the background very closely (OK, so not that the words go sideways – but the embossing that is highlighted by the outlining).   The red flower really stands out too!  So, how did I do it?  First, here's the products you will need;

• Cardstock;  Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Real Red, First Edition DSP from the Occasions Mini Catalog
• Ink:  Basic Black, White Craft
• Big Shot:  Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Fun Flowers Die, Petal Cone Die
• Accessories:  Neutrals Glimmer Brad
• Stamp Set:  Three Little Words (you can get free during Sale-a-Bration)

Now for a few details.  Interestingly enough, when you coat the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder with Basic Black ink, it highlights the embossing vs, coating the paper like it does with other colors.  Don't ask me why because I just don't know!  I used the largest and the second to largest flowers on the Fun Flowers die (it's from the Occasions Mini). . . . I texturized them with the embossing folder AND did a little crumpling to make them stand out just a bit.  I added them to my project with Dimensionals.

Hope you are liking the vintage flavor lately!  Let me know!

Blessings!

I decided I wanted to do a little pick me up for my hubby.  He's just the best!  As I mentioned in yesterday's post, work is a little stressful for him right now. . . . and I wanted to let him know that I'm there to support him.  I had purchased this chunky frame from the Definately Decorative Catalog (117599) after seeing what Shelli Gardner had shown at the Minneapolis Regional.  I'm super excited at how it turned out!   What do you think?

I am thinking this would be an awesome gift for many occasions;  weddings, birthday, someone who is difficult to buy for, etc. . . . I think I might just have to purchase another frame or two! 

Here's a couple of close up shots;

Here's the ingredients;

• Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Woodland Walk DSP (117389)
• Ink:  Craft ink used – Garden Green, Early Espresso, Soft Suede
• Stamp Set:  Inspired by Nature
• Big Shot:  Tasteful Trim, Beautiful Wings embosslet
• Accessories:  Clear embossing power, Metallic Brads, Glue Dots, Decorative Label Punch, Antique Brads, Scallop Ribbon border punch, 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Early Espresso

A few details – cuz I know you are thinking that you would love to try this project out!

• the DSP is glued onto the frame with our Tombo multi-purpose adhesive
• the ribbon is made using a technique I learned from Cherie Manderscheid (an awesome upline) at the Minneapolis Regional.  I simply sewed elastic onto the back of the ribbon!
• The flowers are stamped with craft ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder
• The butterflies stand out just a bit – I made that happen by using the brads to give the back a shape – instead of having the "legs" of the brad flat, have them end up in a "V" shape – then use glue dots to adhere to your project.
• Can't find the Tasteful Trim die?  It was in the Holiday mini and is still available!

I also want to take a moment to thank my customers and friends for the words of encouragement you have sent.  We're at peace with whatever happens. . . prayer is powerful.  One of the things we have talked about is perhaps working our Stampin' Up! business just a bit more!  I love having a business that I can do that with! 

Blessings! 

OK, in looking at the title of this post, I want to make something pretty clear. . . . I am not feeling Vintage – but, was on a bit of a roll recently with my card making.  Now I could be feeling vintage personally – I am working VERY hard at loosing a bit of weight and exercising has become a big part of that.  So far about 16 pounds have been shed. . . but so much more to go.  I've never felt this motivated before, the only difference is that I am exercising very regularly.

So exercise?  Yep, I have found (against my firmest beliefs) that my body LOVES exercising in the morning – so 5:30 every M, W, F you will find me at Body Pump!  On the other days, I have alternated between walking on the treadmill, a core conditioning class and working on a machine that I call "killer".   haha!  I tried a boot camp class and decided this body couldn't do the things I asked of it!      

So, let's tackle the other question I hinted at last week and perhaps a bit of why I have had a few days hiatus from posting. . . . My dear best friend and husband is having a life challenge right now.  The job he has held for almost 38 years may be going away. . .    So, we have been looking into options, doing some financial planning, etc.  Nothing definate yet but, we are praying hard, trying to be positive and taking good care of ourselves and each other right now. 

Alright – now for the fun stuff like this card!   I think it is very simple and cute!!!!!  And it could be for a guy.  Here's what I used;

• Cardstock;  Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Botanical Gazette DSP from spring mini
• Ink:  Early Espresso, Kraft
• Accessories:  Neutrals buttons, Crumb Cake Seam Binding (spring mini), Champagne Shimmer Paint, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Linen thread
• Big Shot:  Petal Cone Die (the "for you" tag), Finial Press embossing folder (I coated with crumb cake ink prior to embossing)

This will be one of the cards at my sympathy and man card class on Monday, March 28!   RSVP today!

If you're looking for what's hot  – have you seen any cupcakes?  Or perhaps you've been to one of my workshops this month – because almost everyone is ordering the Create a Cupcake Stamp Set with the coordinating punch!  (plus just a bit more and you get FREE products from the Sale-a-Bration brochure!)

The size of this card is 4 1/4" x 9 3/4".  If you score at 5 1/2" (the normal score line if you were making a "regular" card) you'll have a square area for the card front a a peek-a-boo piece on the bottom edge.  The Create a Cupcake stamp set, coordinating punch and layered on a couple of punches create a great focal point for this card! 

Here's what I used;

Paper & Ink

• Soft Suede cardstock and ink
• Pretty in Pink cardstock, ink and DSP from the subtles Designer Series Paper pack
• Very Vanilla cardstock

Stamp Set

• Create a Cupcake

Punches

• Build a Cupcake punch
• 1 3/4" circle punch
• 2 3/8" scallop circle punch
• Modern Label punch
• Word Window punch
• Dotted Scallop Ribbon border

Accessories

• Rhinestones
• 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon – pretty in pink
• Dimensionals
• Paper Piercer

Too cool, huh?  The Occasions Mini Catalog has this cupcake set. . . . you won't want to delay in getting yours as there is only a few weeks left in your opportunity to get your free products during Sale-a-Bration!

I just realized, this is my third post today. . . . I guess the creativity is flowing at the Peters house!  Or perhaps its a sign of stress. . . . big changes coming for us.  More to come on that. 

Blessings everyone!

Oh, this is soooo stinkin' cute!   After you learn what this is made of, you should start wondering if I am sleeping with my Petal Cone die – because I am obviously having a hard time using anything else these days!   Check out the inside of this card. . . . it pulls out!   

When I was done making this – I just couldn't stop smiling!  I remembered that after I showed my Ice Cream Cone invitation at the Minneapolis Regional that Shelli had asked my why I never submitted my ideas to the Creative Challenge of her blog.  So, I went out there and checked it out. . . the challenge this month was cupcakes!  Yep, think I need to send this one!

Aren't you just dying to see how it's made?  Want one of your own?  Imagine the smiles on the face of your friends when they receive this delicious card on their package.  Come to my last chance for Sale-a-Bration workshop on March 30 (you'll need to RSVP) and you'll make this card as your make-n-take! 

Are you ready for the ingredients?  Here they are;

Paper

• Rose Red cardstock
• Whisper White
• Sweet and Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper (p 172 IB &C)
• Glimmer Paper

Sizzix

• Petal Cone die (duh! – it's the card base)
• Scallop Square Die  (gives you the scallop at the bottom of the cupcake top – I wanted something bigger than the scallop on our scallop edge punch)
• Square Lattice embossing folder (texture on the bottom part of the cupcake)

Accessories

• 3/4" circle punch
• Certainly Celery 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
• Pumpkin Pie 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon
• Jewelry Tag Medium punch

Stamp Sets

• Tiny Tags
• Something to Celebrate (Hostess set from Occasions Mini Catalog)

Hope you enjoyed this delicious posting!  Blessings to everyone!