I know – this could be rushing it a little but, I wanted a few fall things to inspire my customers at my booths this month.  This decoration was inspired by something I saw at my favorite quilt shop last weekend.  (For those of you who have asked – Bay Windows Quilt Shop in Perham, Minnesota) 

You can make this very simply.  First have your husband cut a scrap piece of 2 x 4 into a square. . . . my wonderful hubby even sanded them a bit for me!    mmmmwahhh!  Then I applied a little stain to the block and let it dry (that took awhile in this humidity!).  Then came the fun part – and it was surprisingly easy!

Here are the supplies you need to gather;

Sizzix;  Serif Essentials alphabet set, Leaves #2, Scallop Squares Duo

Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Quilted ribbon and BIG button from upcoming holiday mini, brads (I used the filigree ones but, the antique brads would look cool too!), embroidery thread and a glue gun

The fabrics I used were scraps I found in my stash – some were woven and one was a knit.  The leaves were cut from felt. 

There is one other element that I wanted to add – and that is a wrapping the edges in some of our new fall fabric – you'll love it from the holiday mini.   But, alas it appears that I forgot to pre-order it!  darn it anyway! 

Well, I hope you enjoyed this bit of inspiration. . . I have another similar project in mind – or actually maybe 2!  So make sure you stay tuned! 

The fair has been good. . . today you'll see Sue at the booth – a day off for me.  I've got a big day planned. . . . first a second job interview (I think they like me!).   Then I am taking a class at the YMCA on making a bird bath type thing – forgot the name of the class but, I am really excited about it.  Then I am going to the Twins game tonight. . . .taking by sis in law, Bevy.  Bevy is my sis in law who recently lost her husband very unexpectedly.  She has never been to the Twins in their new park – nor has she ridden the light rail. . . it will be truly an adventure!   In fact her and I have been on several adventures lately.  She's not truly a home body – but, she's been out more in the last 6 weeks than she has in the last year!   We're working on expanding her horizons!  It will be fun!

Have a great day everyone!  Blessings! 

I had a great night last night with my downline.  We get together to chat and stamp once a month and this is one of the projects we made last night.  I love chatting with the girls – and seeing how excited they get when we do really cool projects together.  This windowpane project was one of the make-n-takes from Meg Loven's meeting that I attended last weekend.  I can't remember the name of the person who designed them 0 but, this is a fabulous project!

Check out the windowpanes in the Occasions Mini Catalog - they are on page 28.  I sincerely thought I had posted pics of some samples with them before – and I just checked – NOTHING!!!   oops.  So, stay tuned for a couple of days of pics using these windowpanes.  You will be inspired!  The Occasions Mini Catalog is in it's last few weeks so, make sure you check these out and get them soon!

The windowpanes come in a package of 12 with 4 each of 3 difference sizes. . . . they really showcase a focal point on a card – or as shown here create a great artwork necklace!

I also used one of my favorite letter sets on this project – Lovely Letters.  The style is just sooo cool!  And that's the first edition DSP behind the pane – another Occasions Mini Catalog item.

So, as I mentioned, it is almost time to say goodbye to the Occasions Mini Catalog – that means that the Summer Mini Catalog will be hitting a mailbox near you in the next week.  Make sure you watch for it!   I got my box of pre-order things yesterday – I'm so excited about the punches!!!!!  New embossing folder.  Stamp sets.  Colored embossing powder!  Woo Hoo!  Sneak Peaks coming soon!

Blessings!

My friend Christy created this class while we spent some time together last Monday.  It's the perfect class for several reasons;

• Many of youreceived Forest Friends as a free stamp set during Sale-a-Bration
• You'll learn several different layouts including 3 D items – I love it anytime I can use 1 stamp set in many different ways
• Several of the projects have an Easter theme – imagine how excited your kids will be with these little treats! – they'll be even more excited if they help make them!
• Moms and kids can do this class
• you'll have a bunch of fun!

Join me on Saturday, April 16 at 11am for this class. .. . .but you must RSVP soon!   I am providing 2 options for you – just in case you weren't one of the people who got Forest Friends free during Sale-a-Bration

• Class only – includes all materials for the class  Cost $10
• Class by mail – If you are interested in this class by mail, I will send you the supplies with the directions.  There will be materials like stamp pads and punches you will need to provide.  This class can be with or without the stamp set.  Simply add the postage it will take to send to you.
• Best Value - includes class materials with stamp set.  Cost $22

My Class liine up for this month has been adjusted to accomodate a delay in materials for one class – so check this out closely!

• Wednesday, April 13 6:30m Big Shot Class 4 projects $7  (or free if you purchased the Big Shot from me – 4 times)
• Thursday, April 14 Chicks Chocolate & Cards  12 cards $25 or $15 with an order  6:30pm
• Saturday, April 16 9am  Four Frames Class (great deal!)  12 cards 7 envelopes $25 or $15 with an order
• Saturday, April 16 11am  Forest Friends – moms or moms & kids!  $20 or $10 with an order
• Saturday, April 30  2pm  Clearly For you – stamp case and notecard set 

Join me for at least one of these classes!  You will be thrilled you did!

Yum Yum!   Don't you love what you can do with paper, sizzix die cuts, embossing folders and a little creativity?  LOVE it!   Check out the house. . . . seen it before?    Nope – sneak peak of what is coming in the awesome Holiday Mini catalog!    This house reminds me sooo much of ones my grandma used to make – of course her's were made of hardened frosting and she had an entire village – I am excited about this one. . . . can't wait for my pre-order to arrive!

My oldest grandson turned 6 and I had to come up with the appropriate wrapping for his new game. . . so I took my Big Shot Box frog and expanded it. . . . It was toadally a fun thing to make!  I had to create the box in a size to fit the game and beyond that with the circle scissors plus, I was set!  

Now, I think the game was the hit of the present – but, I did notice the frog made it to the shelf to observe the remainder of the activities!

He turned 6 years old – and is a great, inquisitive and active kid.  He got to go with his dad to Texas for a week of dog training so, I think the game came in handy!

If you want to learn more about the Circle Scissors Plus – give me a call!

BJ

What do you think of the door banner you'll see on arriving at the Peters house?  Do you think spring has sprung!   I do – and am sooo ready!   As you know, the Stampin' Up! cruise is in April this year – so my vacation is 33 days away!    Not that I'm excited or anything!

OK, back to the spring banner. . . I know that you've heard that I have had a great time with the scallop square die and some quilting (SU style! – easy!).   This banner is easy peasy if you have some basic sewing skills.  The Big shot cuts 8 layers of fabric at a time – and you sew all of the layers at once!  I used these die's;

• Scallop square
• scallop oval
• Flower (clear)
• Blossom party (center of flowers)

Other items I used are fun buttons (they've got to be fun!), scraps of fabric (the blue, flowers and the back I used fabric scraps).  I purchased the multi-colored striped fabric and the ric rac. 

This is the last week to purchase your Big Shot while getting 2 FREE Sale-a-Bration items!!!!    You see the value to your papercrafting and home decor projects. . . how much longer can you not have yours?

I am loving the Occastions Mini Catalog.  get a load of this VERY cute box shown at our recent Stampin' Up! leadership conference.  It uses 2 of the chipboard hearts (On Board Heart Book – $4.95!)and the new jumbo flower punch and the sweet pea felt flowers.  A perfect gift for valentines day for that someone special.  Here's another sample using the book – a great gift for Valentines Day that is quick and easy!

If you haven't yet checked out the Occasions Mini Catalog, click on the link in the left sidebar.   You won't be disappointed! 

You'll also see and make some awesome ideas at my upcoming events!

• Jan 18 Stampin' Up! class – just 4U!
• Jan 20 Chicks, Chocolate and Cards!
• Jan 21 Scrapbooking Club
• Jan 23 North Starz Get Together
• Jan 24 Fun with Fabrics
• Jan 25 Big Shot Box class
• Jan 30 Birthday Card Bonanza

This is a great project – especially for kids.  This tree ornament opens up to reveal a picture inside!  What a prefect gift for grandparents, aunts and uncles.  This project uses the scallop square die as the foundation.  This is another project you will make at my Holiday Gift Giving class on Sunday, Oct 25.  RSVP!

Here’s another fun Pumpkin Box – I saw the idea (sorry don’t remember where) and just had to make one. . . . are you ready to hear which die I used?  The pillow box!   Yes, we’ve made some fun things with this die.  You use 3 of them to make this box!  Sorry you missed my Big Shot Night this week – or you could already have one of these at home!  The eyes are 2 circle punches. . . . the nose is a free hand triangle.   The mouth – a punch of course!  It is 3 of the photo corner punches put together! 

Here’s a quick and easy Halloween decoration.  Isn’t it boootiful!       I used the Scallop square die and the Serif Essentials alphabet.  The finishing touches from the Eat, Drink and be Scary stamp set.   Give me a call if you are interested in making this quick and easy banner!

Do you belong to Twitter or Facebook?  If you do, look for me and follow my posts.  I am "stampinbj" on both of these social networking sites. 

Are you checking the weekly specials from Stampin’ Up!  There are some fantastic deals out there!  This weeks specials are;

• Perfect Setting Die – Sale $25.99
• Flower Burst Embosslet Die – Sale $5.99
• Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Die – $25.49