Yes, I know that one shouldn't spotlight spider webs, but, I couldn't help myself!  These 4 cards showcase the Spider Web textured embossing folder found in the new Holiday Mini Catalog (120889 p 6).  Check them out and let me know what you think by leaving me a comment.

BOO card:  To get the spider web look on this card, brayer black ink in your embossing folder on the "valley" side and then run your cardstock through your sizzix as usual.  Isn't this a cute look?  The "eyes" are easy to create with our oval punches and the B is from the Serif Essentials alphabet.  If you have school age kids that are creating projects – the Serif Essentials alphabet (p 207) is worth the money – it's a great investment!

Tasty Sweet card:  Katie used several new colors here:  Pear Pizzaz, Concord Crush and Peach Parfait.  Notice the In color ribbon – I still have a ribbon share with room – check out this post.  Notice the bat punch. . . have you bought yours yet?

Spooky card:  This is one of my favs!!!!  You will most likely see this at my hostess club this week!  Created by Sue Hood, I love the combination of the Wicked Cool stamp set, punches and colors in this card.  What you don't see so clearly is the shimmer paint misted on the Elegant Eggplant portion of the card.  – it adds just the right touch.  If you haven't tried this technique I guess you'll just have to come to my hostess club this week!

Pumpkin Card:  This card is simple but very cute.  The base is Peach Parfait with accents in Pear Pizazz, naturals cream and whisper white.  The set is Paisley Prints from  p 11 of the Holiday Mini Catalog. 

Can you tell the holiday mini catalog is chock full of awesome stamp sets, decor, dies and more?  If you don't have your holiday mini yet, give me a call or leave me a comment with your address.

It's Haunted!!!!   OMG!   This was soooooo much fun to make – and easy enough for you to copy!  It's called Design-a-House Decor accents from the Holiday Mini Catalog (p 37).

First, I have to tell you that I was kept in suspense and couldn't wait to get my hands on this house!  It was presented on stage at convention but, we couldn't get it until Sept 1!.  OK, I was at my computer bright and early sending off my order.  Once the order arrived, I created this immediately!  One of the reasons I was so excited about this (besides that I like decorating for the holidays) is that it reminds me of my childhood.  My grandma (the one who turns 100 this year) always created Christmas villages from hardened frosting that she had on display in her front window.  I could spend hours looking at it as a child and playing with the small figurines she had around it.  I also recall that my Grandma loved to decorate for other holidays – one Halloween she had a party that involved us walking to her basement in the dark over a cardboard that snapped and crackled with each step (we were walking on macaroni!). 

Now, for the house.  I was wondering how it would go together and was very surprised at the simplicity of it all.  The house came with awesome instructions.  I put it together, put it in my newly emptied Stampin' Up! box and with a little black spray paint and drizzled dazzeling diamonds, I was set!  Wondering about the dazzeling diamonds?  While the spray paint was wet, I dropped or drizzled a light layer of dazzeling diamonds over the house to give it the irridescent look.  Easy peasy. 

Next, the decorating;  I used the bat punch again with the Wicked Fun specialty paper (117400 p 172)  (told you that you would want this – wait till you see one of the next projects!)  I strung them on some linen thread.  Covered the windows with vellum cardstock.  Used the greeting from the Grateful Greetings stamp set (116511 p 27 of big catalog), a little DSP and ribbon, cotton ball in the chimney and I was set!   I was soooo excited with the finished product!  Aren't you?  Let me know if you would be interested in a Halloween decorating class – I think I have plenty of things to put together for the class!

I paired the house with a shadow box frame that uses the definately decorative elements left over form the pumpkins I posted yesterday.  What do you think of this?

Pretty cute, huh?  OK, off to do some more creating!  See ya soon!

You will be “wow’d” by this fabulous project! Use for any occasion, since spring colors coordinate with any event. Not a scrapbooker? TRY IT ANYWAY!! This is a quick and easy way to test-run the hobby!  Plus, I think the simply scrappin' kits are one of the best values in the catalog.  Check them out on page 178 of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog!  Not a scrapbooker?  Here are several reasons why you should attend this class;

• Thinker – if you are thinking of doing some scrapbooking for a trip, a special event (wedding, birth, etc) – this is a quick and easy way to get started.  Everything is provided for you in the Simply Scrappin' Kit
• Gifter – This makes a FABULOUS gift for a wedding or baby shower.  With the holidays coming up, you could create yours with the Chrismas Cheer simply scrappin' kit.  This would be a perfect place to put those picture Christmas cards!
• Scrapbooker - a mini album that is soooo stinkin' cute, you'll love the pattern you'll receive as part of the class. 

Are you excited?   Here are the class details;  Monday, August 23 6:30pm   Cost is $22 and you'll get a Simply Scrappin' Kit with your class fee.  Please note that I have to order your Simply Scrappin' Sets in advance so, late registrations will not work!  Please register no later than Aug 17. 

Today my baby is 25!   Yes, precious little Chrissy has grown up!   I am very proud of her.  Here we are at my Grandma's 100th birthday celebration a couple of weeks ago.  Chrissy is the one on the far right.

From left to right;  Mandy, Grandson Joey, Jim and I, Chrissy.  We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Grandma's birthday.  I got to see all of my siblings – which was very special!

From left to right;  Bonnie from Hastings, Sally from Fort Collins, Dad from Otter tail, MN, me, Bob from Indianapolis, Jim from Terra Haute.

And the queen for the day was Grandma – doesn't she look awesome at 100?

I am about exactly half of grandma's age.  Both of our birthday's are in November – we celebrated early to cooincide with a family reunion and everyone's travel plans.  So, yes – I'll have a BIG birthday this year. 

Yes, this is the name of one of my favorite new stamp sets.  Here is a card showcasing it's talents!

I love this card!  It just looks so sophisticated!  Ingredients used;

• Pear Pizzaz – yep a new In Color, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, and DSP from Greenhouse Gala
• Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder – p 214 – you know I love them!
• 1/8" taffeta ribbon!  Yes it's narrow but it sure adds the perfect touch to this card!  Check out the colors its available in on p 191
• Friends Never Fade stamp set – p 99

Now if you were going to convention with me – you could get one of these cards as a swap!  Now, you probably aren't going to believe this but, I leave for convention on Tuesday (July 20), and as I am writing this, it is Friday (July 16) . . . . .My SWAPS ARE DONE!!!!   yes, there is a first for everything.  My swaps are finished, packed and ready to go!   Yes, I need to thank my Sis-in-law Carol and my niece Molly – they gave me a little help!   I can't wait to share with you the exciting swaps I get in return!

This goooorgeous card uses the new Elegant Lines embossing folder (p 214) and the "hi" embosslet from p 215.  Very yummy!  This card was one of the samples made at my Big Shot class this month.  It uses vellum cardstock.  When using vellum cardstock in your big shot with an embossing folder, use tab 2.  If you don't know what I'm talking about perhaps you should check out my next Big Shot class on the second Wednesday of every month! 

Also check out the color of the cardstock – it is an In Color called Blushing Bride.  Remember the In Colors are now here for 2 years!!  yep – we'll still get new ones but, they'll last longer (kind of like the tootsie pop commercials of old!). 

Yes, I know time has gotten away from me – a bit of a hiatus from posting.  However, my classes have gone on and the NEW catalogs are HERE!  Yes sirreeee.  I really don't know how Stampin' Up! does it – each catalog seems to get better and better.  To say I am thrilled is understating the obvious!  

First if you haven't yet received your catalog, you can come visit me at Rivertown Days this weekend.  Yep – a good supply of those precious things.  There will be a little gift for you in it too!  If you are ready to schedule your fall show – don't forget the 10 Terrific Temptations!   

Hostess Club – yes – the clubs met in July and are organized, recharged and excited about a new season!   There are always openings, so let me know if you want to get in on this exclusive deal!

OK, so do you want to know my top Accessory favs in the new catalog?   Here they are!

• New sizzix dies!  my favorite new embossing folder is Elegant Lines on page 214.  Yummy!
• Die storage!  Yes, I can finally get my dies organized so that I know what I have!   I found I have 2 of some    page204
• New punches and punch design – 2 pages! p 200-204!  Woo Hoo!
• PUNCH storage!  Yep – gotta love it!  p 200
• Bling and Pearls – ok – so I don't know why this wasn't tops on my list – but it is one of my favs!  p 188
• Clear block storage caddy – I don't have this yet – but, one of my customers ordered it and wowza – it is great!  p 192
• Ribbons – p 190,  Brads p 187, Buttons – 186 (they are goooorgus!)
• scrapbooking albums in printed colors!  yea! p 180
• quick accents p 176 – I am imagining the possibilities!
• Designer papers – yep – I am lovin' Greenhouse Gala p 172-175
• OK, you have to check out the deal on the patterned DSP packs on p 175 – I can't believe the price compared to last year!

Are you ready for a few samples?  Check these out!

This stamp set is Awash with flowers.  It uses the new Cherry Cobbler color as well as the Daffodil Delight marker.  You can't see it well but the popped up flowers are sprayed with shimmer paint (yep- it's back!).  This card was inspired by my downline Jan Ledman.  Love it!  and so did my customers at my Hostess Club this month!