I love how this turned out!   I played with the new Gingham Garden DSP from the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  I love a little gingham and with this DSP – I love the other patterns it is paired with!   This DSP is available to you on May 31!   If you don't yet have your new 2013-2014 Stampin' Up! catalog, they are available now – email me for your copy!  

If you are liking this frame and would like to make one as well as learn the tips and tricks to making them, sign up for my Sunshine Fram class on Saturday, June 8 at 9:30am.  Cost is $17.  Only 5 spots remaining!

Blessings!

My niece and my daughter are both getting married this fall.  Actually within 2 weeks of each other.  It should be a very fun time!  So, when I made a couple of these plaques for a couple of bestie friends to commemorate a shopping trip, I thought it would also be a great plaque for my sister to commemorate the wedding dress shopping trips that she has made with her daughter.  I knew she would have pics of the trip because she takes lots of pictures. . . . really she does.  So, when I got the plaque done, I called her – no picture!   She couldn't believe that she had missed that opportunity!   Oh, well.  It's still a cute plaque that she can add a pic to. 

I started with a purchased wood plaque and added a piece of First Edition DSP.  Then using the All Dressed Up framelits, I added just a bit of decoration.  It hangs with just a bit of ribbon – the black dotted scallop – just perfect for this plaque!

The pearls and the ribbon flower make such a great accent – or in our female world – accessories!  In fact, I'm sure accessories are bought on most shopping trips!  Imagine if you have this stamp and framelit set – you would have all the tools you need to create this beauty yourself!

Blessings!

These would make super fun party favors for an upcoming bridal showers. . . what do you think?  Super cute and quick.  Alright, I do have to admit something. . . I looked at the All Dressed Up Bundle in the Spring Catalog and thought – ummm no – not my style.   Then as it happens with many of us, you see cute samples and then you are hooked!   And so it happened with me.  And what I found was once I started playing, I had a ton of ideas popping into my head.  Now mind you, that doesn't always happen so!  

Are you wondering what you would do with this?  Here's what is inside the "box". 

So, I was laughing a bit as I put these together. . . . Of the 2 yards of my favorite accessory in the spring catalog – the Flower Trim, I have 6 inches left!  Yes, I have used 66 inches of it!   I can tell you that I will be getting more before it is gone!    Yes, I might hoard just a wee bit of it!  

Blessings!

Today, I ran across a saying in my stamp collection and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.  The saying is:  "Each one of us is God's special work of art."  I had been seeing the All Dressed Up stamp set and framelit collection used to make some beautiful frames.  But, it wasn't quite right for me. . . until I married it with this saying.  We all have our own talents and gifts. . . . and are unique in God's eyes. 

Check out the All Dressed Up collection in the Spring Catalog – it has been super fun to play with!  So much you can do!   (stay tuned for a few fun things in the near future!)

I used a variety of DSP's and accessories to make this frame.  I think it is pretty fun and cute!  The saying that I used is in a stamp set called "Trust God." 

I am thinking this stamp set will be super cute for wedding shower invites and so many other fun things. . . just watch my blog to see!

Blessings!

Today was a day where I received so many gifts that I can't begin to explain.  What was the occasion you say?  Well – I had a downline meeting for my North Starz team.  Think about a team that you have been on where everyone truly cares for everyone else – and there is unending love and respect for everyone.  That is how I feel about my team – and I know it is how it is for them. 

Today, we had a small group.  So we stamped.  I had created 6 projects for them.  Yes, they were delighted at each one.  Yes, they loved the gifts I had for them.  But the gift that we all received and cherished the most was the time we spent sharing our joys and current challenges in life.  We laughed, cried, hugged and went on our ways feeling refreshed.  Yes, the meeting lasted longer than I had planned but, it didn't matter.  After everyone was gone, I relaxed and smiled thinking of our time together.  Then my husband came home and brought in the mail.  There was a package from a downline member who couldn't make it last minute.  I almost didn't open her package thinking I would just return it to her. . . but, I did and there was this beautiful gift for me!  I love it.  The note with it shared a heartfelt sentiment that I had been feeling all day.  Thank you to my wonderful downline member!

This beautiful friend hanger was the gift.  It is so adorable I can't stand it!  I just wish I could have photographed it better!  What a wonderful, wonderful memory it will bring of my day and my cherished friends.  This is what I love about Stampin' Up! – caring and sharing.  (if you are looking for this in your life – give me a call!)

Blessings!

Here is a Valentine Doily with yesterday's project displayed on top!   You are going to be amazed at how simply this is to make!  Plus, it's made with a napkin!  uh huh!

Start by folding a napkin in half diagonally.  This is a cocktail size napkin.  But, any size will work.

Next fold point to middle.  You will then use your heart framelits – pick a size of heart framelit that will work.  You will want to line the center of your heart up on the fold line.  The outside of your heart has to be off the edge of the napkin.  This was a step that I had to figure out – and it took me awhile as I had a wastebasket full of napkins hearts!  Now send your heart framelits through the big shot -and voila!  You have a heart doily!  Don't you love how many ways that you can use Stampin' Up! products?  I am sure you didn't buy the heart framelits for this but, it's oh so fun that it works so well. 

Here are several.  The pink ones are from a cocktail napkin and the Red one is from a dinner size napkin.  Enjoy making these and putting them as decorations for your favorite Valentine!

Blessings!

I

Here is a cute, quick and easy box I made that will hold my Valentine treats for my co-workers and family.  It's very easy to make. . . Check it out.

Start with a 5 x 5 inch piece of cardstock.  Using the diagonal score plate (a freebie during Sale-a-Bration!), score on each side at 1 5/8 and 2 3/8. 

Cut on inside score line to second line on all 4 sides.  This creates the flaps that go inside the box. 

Here is a close up so that you can see the score lines.  If you look closely, you can see the flaps on the top and bottom.  You also need to cut out the triangles made by the overlapping score lines.  If you look at the right side of this picture, I have cut out the two triangles. You are cutting on the score lines – and any score line that intersects with another and creates a triangle needs to be cut out.

Here you can see all the triangles cut out.  Plus, I stamped the Hello Doily stamp on the outside of the box for additional interest. 

Score all of the folds.  Add some chocolates – yum!

I added a belly band to close.  6 1/2" x 1/2"  I layered on 2 hearts from the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits – oh and just a little bling!  The greeting is form the Ciao! Baby stamp set from the Spring Mini Catalog.  Notice it is punched out with the petite label punch.  I added a small heart from silver glimmer paper.  This heart is from the Owl punch (I know – I use it all the time!). 

I learned how to make this box at Stampin' Up!'s leadership conference.  The box they showed was bigger but, I resized it so that I could get several on a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock.  When you use the diagonal score plate for this, you actually use much less cardstock!  Try it and you'll see!

Blessings!

Need a special Doilie to highlight a Valentine Treat?  Here is a super simple one – made with a Napkin and the Heart Framlits!  Any napkin, any size will do. 

Here are the quick steps.  Start with your square napkin. 

Fold it in half.  Then bring the left side of the fold to the left side matching edges.

Next place the size of heart framelit on your napkin.  You want to have the center of the heart on the folded side.  It is also important that there the rounded side of the heart is off the edge of the napkin.  If it isn't – you'll get lots of hearts but, they won't stay together in a circle. Once you die cut your heart, you'll get your doilie!

I hope you've enjoyed this brief tutorial.  If you don't yet have the heart framelits, you need to get them – they certainly are awesome for many things! 

Blessings!

The Artisan Embellishment kit in the spring mini catalog caught my eye and I knew it would be super fun to play with.  Right away I thought of those special Valentine Cards and gifts.  Check this out!

The details of the contents of this kit are AMAZING!!!

I used a few pieces from the More Amore' DSP to add a few touches.  The kit contents are made to coordinate so perfectly that combining them is easy and the result is not only amazing but, you'll feel like an accomplished artisan!

Are you ready to make your Artisan inspired projects?  Register for my Artisan Kit class by Feb 1.  Cost is $15.  You'll get your own kit and make 3 projects of your choice (I have lots of samples to copy from if you need it!).  The class is Saturday, February 9 at 9:30am – perfect timing for Valentines Day!

So which one is your favorite?  Now, call or email me to get registered for this class!  It's obviously too cute to miss! 

Blessings!

I love celebrating.  There are so many times in our lives when we "celebrate".  It could be;

• a birthday or anniversary
• an accomplishment or special achievement
• new baby
• end of school year
• etc, etc

I saw this idea at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership conference and decided it was a quick banner that I could make – basically from a kit.  I could bring it out any time that I wanted to celebrate or make someone feel special.  So, what Stampin' Up! kit did I use? 

Check out the Pop Up Posies Kit on page 18 in the Spring Mini Catalog.  I used the tags and some of the flowers along with 6 brads and the thick bakers twine.  Now I have a whole bunch of flowers left to use on cards or whatever else I would like!

It was quick and easy to make this banner.  And it wouldn't be any different for you. . . Check it out and let me know what you think.

Blessings!