Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Everyone! Here are two photos of Lukas, after he had his first bath and trim.

Wow - I didn't get much crafting done this Christmas. I've been working a lot with the new puppy. But, I'm excited about some upcoming Valentine's Day projects so please stay tuned.

Christas Gift to Me!

I was out doing some last-minute Christmas Shopping today, and stopped in Michael's. I decided to get myself a Christmas Gift - two Martha Stewart punches!

I thought it would be fun to ask you out there in blogland...did you buy yourself a fun paper crafting Christmas Gift this year?

Christmas Gift Tags

I hope you enjoy the two Christmas Gift Tags I made tonight. BOTH can be used 1 of 3 ways.
1) Ornament for your tree
2) Hang on a bottle of wine or bottle of sparkling cider to make a lovely Christmas gift.
3) Tape to a gift-wrapped box or gift bag, and use as a gift tag.
I'll post the supplies list tomorrow. I have to go work on my painting - due in class tomorrow.

See a new photo of Lukas the Dog below. I can't believe how much he grew in just one week! He is literally growing right before my eyes. I took this photo today. He loved his first snow. He saw it and started bouncing up and down - it was hilarious!

Snowman Card - made from punches

Hopefully, we will be making this one at our next Girl's Night Out (Make and Take)!
Well, I normally don't made cards assembled from punches (I usually use stamps) - but this one really caught my eye. It is a case from Creating Keepsakes magazine - although I did add the snowflakes on the banner, and I also changed a couple minor details, such as the stamp set (sentiment) and DSP. Well, this looks better in person. In my photo, it looks like the reds don't match. Well, in person, I didn't even notice - honestly! :D If I do say so myself - it is really cute in person.

Supplies:
Cardstock: S*E*I DSP (blue), ivory plain, ivory linen, brown linen, Riding Hood Red Stampin Up, Pumpin Pie Stampin Up for the nose
Punches: Martha Stewart Border Punch (down the sides), Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Marvy heart punch, SU Scallop Circle, 1 3/8 Circle, 1 3/4 Circle, Word Window Punch (hat), Key Tag Punch (hat), corner rounder punch
Other: Spellbinders Double Ended Tags, Cuttlebug Machine, Red Dew Drops, Dimensionals, small glue dots, glue pen, Red Stickles (on heart), tiny copper brads (Recollections)
Ink: Black Stazon
Stamp Set: Hampton Art Clear Stamps

Note: For the nose, I punched another snowflake out of orange cs, and cut the tip off. That is the nose.

New Puppy and an 8th Birthday!

First of all, I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving!
Wow! It has been QUITE THE WEEK at the Reusch home! Here is a photo of Eli getting ready for the KU/MU game. One of his birthday presents was attending the game today. Eli and daddy said it was one of the best games they have ever seen!
Here is a painting I did for my watercolor class. We FINALLY got to paint a flower! Yay! My favorite! I sat in the greenhouse and sketched. Then, I went home and painted it.
And, THIS is the biggest news of ALL! New Puppy! New Puppy! Our very first dog! I am 40, and have never owned a dog. His name is Lukas. He is just a doll! We got him yesterday, and he has already been such a joy! He is a standard poodle. He is like a big teddy bear! He is a real gentleman, too! Our cat doesn't know what to think, as expected, but he will be fine. He sleeps in the day, and comes out at night (the kitty). Well goodness, he was doing that anyway. :D Hope you enjoy our photos!

Halloween Goody Bags from Taylored Expressions

Here are the treat bags I made for Eli's classmates. I just returned from the school parade and party - it was so much fun! I think the treat bags were a hit, too.
These were a LOT easier than they looked. They were precut for me! (The bags, not the tags)
I ordered them from Taylored Expressions. I really love that place. They also included little cello bags, and I just taped the cello bags inside the boxes, so the candy could show through the window.
Supplies
Precut goody bags from Taylored Expressions
Ribbon: Pumpkin Pie from SU, black embroidery thread from DMC
Cardstock for tag: Pumpkin Pie from SU
Ink: Elegant Eggplant from SU
Stamp Set: Spooky Expressions from Taylored Expressions
Other: 1 3/4" Circle Punch and crop-o-dile, Red sticky tape, double slit punch (so I could slide the ribbon through the top)

This Week's Watercolor Painting

Here is the painting I turned in today at college. This week's assignment was a silhouette / dual panels / one in the primary triad / one in the secondary triad. I tried to get my inspiration from Blue's posters. I love the Blues - and I wanted to capture the poster feel. It is kinda funny I used hardly any blue in the painting. Irony?
I was up until 3 painting. Again. I am so worn out from this class. Yes, I love it - but it is a lot more work than I ever imagined. Only 1 1/2 more months, and the class will be over. Yay! :D
Anyway...just wanted to share!

Witch Hats - A Comment to all the Comments

Thank you for all the nice comments - but I totally had a duh moment and forgot to say these were not my original idea. I totally forgot to say I had seen the idea on a few different blogs - but failed to write down which blogs I had spotted them on. I always try to give credit where credit is due - I don't know how I forgot to mention that it wasn't my original design. Anyway...I'll try to always remember from now on!

Witch Hats with Reese's Cups

Here is a super, super fast craft for you today! Witch hats made with Reese's Peanut Butter cups.

Instructions:
Cut 3 5/8 inch circles. I don't have the coluzzle - I use the EK Success Circle Cutter.

Cut each circle straight down the center, so you have 2 half circles.
Each half circle will become the top to a witch hat (2 witch hats per circle). Make the half circle into a cone and fit it over the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. There is no exact science to it. You really have to adjust the circle as you go along, until you get a good fit over the candy. Use red sticky tape along the side to adhere. Don't use snail, or they will pop open later.
Place 3 small glue dots around the top side of the Reese's candy, so the hat will stick on it when you put it on.
Punch out some scallop circles with your scallop punch. These are the base (rim of the hat).
Place 2 dimensionals on the bottom of the Reese's cup. Attach the bottom to the scallop circle.

You can tie a ribbon around them as well. I've seen this done, and it looks cute, but I had a very hard time with the ribbon. So, I chose to leave the ribbon off the hats. Enjoy!

Supplies:
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Cardstock: Black linen, DSP from Recollections (Michael's)
Other: Scallop Punch, Red sticky tape, small glue dots, dimensionals, circle cutter

Potion Bottles

What a project! I've been working on my Potion Bottles for 2 days! I hope you enjoy them! April came over last night and made some for herself, too. It was a lot of fun!
I'm giving some to E's teachers, and some to a couple friends.
I've filled them with Russian instant tea. I'm not sure if this is a "true" Russian recipe, but I found it online, and it looked like fun. It is not the most gourmet tasting stuff on the planet (not exactly fine British tea), but it sure is fun. I think kids would like it. It looks pretty in the bottle. I had to make 2 batches to fill 8 bottles.
These potion bottles are actually plastic, even though they look like glass. So they will be easy to mail. There were 3 for $5 plus shipping from Taylored Expressions. I love that place!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Punchy Potions from Taylored Expressions
Paper: Black, Confetti white, and DSP from Taylored Expressions on bottle; elegant eggplant, black, white, and Taylored Expressions DSP on recipe card. DSP for spiders is sei.
Ink: Black Stazon, watercolor pencils on cauldron, except bubbles and water done in stampin write markers in green galore and pumpkin pie. Orange stickles on bubbles. Chalked around the cauldron in orange and chalked 3 varying colors around the border. Corks in SU CRAFT ink - only orange, black, and elegant eggplant.
Other: Oval Nestabilities (plain and scalloped - both) by Spellbinders, Ribbon from Taylored Expressions, except the 1 in gingham (other), scallop punch and circle punch plus Martha Stewart spider punch on recipe cards, jewels from Michael's on recipe card.

Halloween Gift Bag (Bigz XL Die Scallop Circle Bag)

Just more of the Halloween Scallop Bags featuring the owl cat! Thought I'd finally put the instructions on my blog (sorry...I kept forgetting to do that!)
I am giving one of these to a great teacher tomorrow. The bag is on the small side. But, it is perfect to hold a gift card. I got the teacher a Border's Gift Card and found these extra large York "Batty" Halloween patties at the grocery store. It is a perfect fit! It slides inside perfectly with the gift card.

Supplies:
Sizzix Bigz XL Die Scallop Circle Bag
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, White, and Black (the fence is black)
Ink: The owl cat is Elegant Eggplant, the sentiment is Black Stazon
Ribbon: Drinking Jar (Basic)
Punch: Martha Stewart Fence
Spellbinders: Labels Three (Nesties)
Rhinestones on the eyes (crystal stickers)
Stamp Set: Happy Owl-oween by Hero Ars; Sentiment is from the stamp set Spooky Expressions by Taylored Expressions
Cuttlebug Folder: Pumpkins (I think that is the name...the one with a bunch of pumpkins)

Halloween Make and Take - A Success!

The Halloween Make and Take Girl's Night Out was a success! Thank you, ladies, for coming out! You don't know how much I appreciate it! And thank you, Peggy, for letting me use your home! You don't know how much I appreciate THAT! :-)

We are having another one next month - a Christmas Make and Take Girl's Night Out. I hope you can come!

The bottom photo is random. :-) This is a photo of me and Eli at Eli's very first Chief's game!

College Watercolor Course

I am taking Watercolor at a local college this semester. It is so hard! I thought it would be relaxing, and it is not! I have homework all the time. It has left very little time for card making. So much for relaxing! But, the good news is...I'm learning. I have an accounting and a business major, and let me tell ya....art is way more difficult! Most of the kids in my class are art majors, so I am not up to their level by any means. But, the good thing about surrounding yourself with talented people is that hopefully you learn.

Just wanted to show a few of the assignments I completed in August and September. I did three pieces in October, but forgot to take photos of them, and they are at school right now.

This is my very first art class. I didn't have art in High School, either. I think that is why I find it so difficult. I will post pics of the other stuff after I go fetch it. Hope ya'll are enjoying your day.

Halloween Make and Take Preview - Oct 15th

Set the date, ladies! October 15th at 6:30 PM. Please come to our Girl's Night Out and make 4 cards (2 of each design...Autumn and Halloween theme), 2 Halloween Goody Bags (shown in photo...the one that is a big scallop circle...is PERFECT to hold a gift card or some candies), 1 Popcorn Sleeve (shown in photo), and 2 Witch Hats (Reece's...yummmmm)!

I will be sending out the invites tomorrow. If you don't get one, and wanna come...please let me know! I am hosting this Girl's Night Out (Make and Take) with Peggy (at her house)! There are door prizes as well. Wine and crackers will be served. Class fee is $18.

I will post the materials / supplies list tomorrow.

This Gives New Meaning to Anything But a Card

Should I put this in the "Anything But a Card" category, lol?
JK.
Well...this doesn't really fit with the other stuff on my blog...but wanted to share what I worked on all night!
My son is Star Student, and his poster is due at school tomorrow. Enjoy!

Halloween Popcorn Sleeve

Here is a nice gift you can make for Halloween or anytime of the year.
I am chuckling to myself how shocked I am that I made something without bling!
The first layer (6 x 9 1/2) just wraps around the microwave popcorn bag and you want to adhere it with red sticky tape, so it doesn't come undone. The top is the same as making a card front - but at 6x4 (I think) - instead of 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 - so you really don't have to do much adjusting to your layout. You can use any image or sentiment! I just typed "Just Popping By to wish you a Happy Halloween!" into a Word document and used a cute font (a free font download from Creating Keepsakes). Then I stuck white linen in my printer and printed it out.
Enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, White Linen, Black Linen, and Black and White paper by "me and my big ideas" in Mambi from Michael's
Stamps: Hero Arts "Happy Owl-oween" (but, NOT the sentiment...that was printed out on my printer)
Ink: Black Stazon
Punches: Wide Oval and Scallop Oval (Stampin Up)
Ribbon: American Crafts - I bought this at Archiver's and now it is all gone and I could kick myself for not getting two!
Other: POPCORN! (stuffed inside the sleeve)

Where Do You Shop?

Besides Stampin Up, that is...
Since I'm not sure if I'm going to sign the new IDA with Stampin Up - I'm just wondering where you guys shop. I'm sure I'll continue to buy some Stampin Up stuff, even if I'm not a demo anymore. But, I'm just not a "shop all in one place" type person anymore (like I used to be).
I don't think I'm going to buy paper from Archiver's anymore. I went there today, and I wasn't paying attention to the price of my Halloween designer paper. They have a list of prices up on a plate above the big, tall racks...but you have to look up whether it is glossy, shimmery, flocked, plain, etc... and I thought, "oh, I'll just get it...surely it isn't more than a buck a piece." WRONG! *gasp* Goodness. I checked out, and each sheet was $2.00 or $2.29 - I about died. But, I didn't return it either b/c by that point I already had a project in mind for that particular paper. Ugh.
I am sure I'll return to Archiver's for a little this and that....but for the most part....I'm kinda getting over that store. They also don't have very much Sizzix and a lot of their stamp sets seem kind of boring to me (although they do have some cute ones...but just not tons of cute ones).
I have been noticing some online stores that are really cute - and seem to have better deals. My friend April told me about Taylored Expressions yesterday - and their stuff is really cute.
So...where do you shop?

Top Note Purse with Bling in Pink and Black

Inside of purse

This was my project for today. I wanted to make a little purse / box with the top note die. What a perfect Box to gift a pretty new bracelet. The original template from Inking Idaho used a large scallop die for the top flap which was sooooo cute, but I don't have that die. I need to get it! It is on my list! So, I had to improvise. So, as you can see, the top flap is just another top note die.
This is a CASE from the Inking Idaho blog. Here is the link:
http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com/2009/03/top-note-purse-instructions.htmll

Supplies:
Top Note Bigz Die Cut and Big Shot Machine
Card Stock: Black Linen, SU Pink Passion, Black and White patterned paper by "me & my big ideas" in Mambi from Michael's
Ribbon: Michael's "Dashes, Dots, and Checks"
Bling: Rhinestone Brad by "Spare Parts" from Hobby Lobby
Other: Red sticky strip, magnets, snail adhesive, 1/4" circle punch

Winner

April is the winner of Free Card Friday! Congrats! Sorry, Peggy...I'm sure you will win one of these days! I'll mail the card soon.

Free Card - Please Enter to Win

Here is my next Free Card Friday contest!

Leave a comment about my Recollections Halloween Card (the one with the purple shoes) between now and Friday, the 11th - and one lucky person will win the card! You can leave the comment on this post, or on the post that has the photo of the card. Either one is fine.

Please leave me your email address, though - so I can email you to get your address if you win.

Thanks and good luck!

CC235, Recollections Halloween Stamp Set

This is my very first time participating in a challenge (CC 235 on Splitcoast). But - I'm 1 or 2 days late! Well, I had the idea for this card after looking at the color challenge cards and then buying this stamp set at Michael's on Tuesday, so thought I'd follow through.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: "Recollections" Halloween from Michael's ($6.99 and there are other cute stamps in this set!)
Cardstock: Black Linen, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Last Year's SU Halloween DSP
Ribbon: SU Ribbon Originals Valet
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Purple Stickles on the shoes
Die Cut: Quickutz Scallop Circle in my cuttlebug machine
Punch: Martha Stewart Bats on the EE paper, and then covered in purple Stickles
Other: Black Brads, Dimensionals, tape, and glue dots to hold the bats down
Enjoy!

Very First Splitcoast Stampers Download

I downloaded my VERY FIRST photo on Splitcoast today. Wow! Can you believe it???!!!
I've always wanted a gallery there - just never got around to it.
Well - this is the highlight of my day. Unfortunately, I'm not kidding. ;-)
I'm working on another card right now for the color challenge posted yesterday on Splitcoast. How very like me to be a day late. That's how I roll.
I will post a photo soon to my blog, so please stay tuned.

Congrats, Holly!

You are winner of Free Card Friday! I will mail you your free card sometime next week. Enjoy!

To everyone who didn't win,
Thank you for entering my contest! You guys are great! Try again next week. I hope to have a new giveaway - so stay tuned!

Free Card Friday

I will announce the winner tomorrow of the Halloween Spider and Flower Card! It will be mailed to you if you win.

Stampin Up's New Demo Agreement - I'd Like to Hear Your Opinion

What does everyone think about SU's New Rules / New Demo Agreement?
I have only heard a couple comments about this, b/c my Yahoo Group is very heavily moderated. I just don't know how I feel about it yet.
For those of you who don't know...since I am a demonstrator, I won't be able to list on my blog where I purchased my non-Stampin Up items, since I am sort-of like a Stampin Up Employee. I sell their stuff...even though I don't have any customers yet, lol, because I do this just as a hobby. Although I would like to have a customer or two (or three)...it just hasn't happened yet. So, they are saying when I list out something such as "I bought this embossing powder at Archiver's" - that is pointing people to a different store, and that is now a "no no".
So, in the future, when I make a card, and if one of my card ingredients is from Michael's or Archiver's, I will just say "embossing powder - other retailer."
And, I am confused about Split Coast Stampers. Someone said we can't put stuff on there now. Does anyone know if that is true?
I am also hoping I don't have to go back to all my old posts and take out all the retailers I have listed, since the posts were made prior to this rule. If I have to do that - I will be pretty upset.
Please feel free to leave me your comments. I won't judge you for your opinions. I am not sure how I feel about all this yet.
Thank you.

There is Blog Candy on Janice Webb's Blog

Here is someone else's blog - she is offering a chance to win blog candy.
http://www.sunnysideofcrafting.com
I am posting this in hopes of winning!
Good luck!

Free Card Friday!!!

This Friday I will give away a card to one of the people who is so kind as to leave me a comment between the dates of August 31st to Sept. 4!
I will announce which card I'm giving away soon.
Please leave your email directly after your comment so I can email you to ask for your address (so I can mail the card). US only, please.
Hope you win!

Eat, Drink, and Be Scary Spider Card

I am excited about this one! I thought of the idea when I was laying in bed last night. I am really hoping I am the first that thought to use Daisies 2 Bigz Die on a Halloween flower. Probably not, with all the millions of creative people out there - but, wouldn't that be so cool?!
I really like this one! Enoy!

Supplies (all Stampin Up, except the cuttlebug folder and spider punch):
Flower Daisies 2 Bigz Die (in Stampin Up Catalog toward the back) and Big Shot machine
Sizzix Embosslits Sweetest Stem (the black leaf)
Top Note Bigz Die
Cuttlebug folder: I think it is called spider web
Stamp Set: Eat, Drink, and Be Scary
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Grey, and Black Linen
Ink: White Craft Ink sponged on the spider web, Black stazon for the sentiment, and Black classic sponged on the flower
Other: Martha Stewart Spider Punch - and then I covered it in Crystal Effects to make it shiny, dimensionals, snail adhesive, pop-up glue dot (to hold down the flower)

Hostess Promotion

We're excited to bring you this sweet deal for hostesses September through November:
Host a workshop totaling $250 or more and choose any one item* from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10!
*Offer excludes hostess sets and My Digital Studio
You would also get the usual additional $25 in free stuff and a free Hostess Level 1 stamp set as well, with a $250 order.
This includes a catalog party, single order, or party order - any way you can reach $250.
Call or email me if you are interested.
To view a catalog, either call me, or log on to http://www.stampinup.com

My New Zing Embossing Powder

Wow - can you believe it? Two consecutive posts? I am shocked, myself.
I wanted to try my new Zing embossing powder tonight. I went to Archiver's on Thursday or Friday, and they had buy 2 Zing ep's, get 1 free. It is used on the "Halloween" in Orange. It is much sparklier and prettier in person. Photographs never do our crafts justice. And the two shades of orange look nice together in person...but in the photograph they look a little "off".
Enjoy!

Supplies Used:
Skull Scrolls Cuttlebug Folder and Cuttlebug Machine (after embossing the paper, I hand trimmed out the middle design)
Top Note Bigz Die Cut (in the back pages of the Stampin Up catalog)
Stamp Set: Scary Words by Dimensions Crafts (in the $1.99 Hot Spot at Archiver's)
Ink: Versamark and Zing Embossing Powder in Orange. Also used Back Stampin Write (marker) to "stitch" around the edge, and white craft ink (Stampin Up) to sponge on the black cardstock.
Cardstock: Black Linen and Last Year's DSP by Stampin Up
Other: Jewels by Doodlebug Designs (from Archiver's)

Happy Owl-Oween

Inside of card:

Wow - can you believe I made something? FINALLY. Sorry for this very long delay. My son did go back to school...but has already missed several days of school due to the flu. So, I have not been crafting yet again. Until tonight.

Well, I finally broke out the papercrafting supplies! I promise to make lots of things for Halloween. It is sooooo much fun to make little Halloween goodies! Although Christmas is my favorite holiday by far...Halloween is perfect for little gifts and little goodies - so I always make lots of Halloween things. Plus, it is more quirky - perfect for papercrafting.

Supplies Used:

Hero Arts Stamp Set: Happy Owl-oween

Paper: White linen, black linen, last year's DSP Stampin Up, Basic Grey

Cuttlebug folder (I think it is called Haunted House) and cuttlebug machine - also the Top Note Bigz Die Cut

Ink: Whisper White applied with a sponge on the bats and haunted house, Basic Black sponged on the moon, variety of markers and metallic pencils on the owl and broom, Black Stazon for the sentiment, Black embossing powder and versamark for the owl.

Punches: 1 1/4" circle punch for the moon, Martha Stewart Bat Punch

Other: Dimenstionals and snail adhesive

Halloween Make and Take

Yes, April - we will definitely do that! Thank you for your comment!
I will start working on fun Halloween treats for kids and teachers soon and then I'll email you on what day or night works for you.
I'm sure Jess will want to come, too (and anyone else who wants to come).
We are finally back from our summer vacation. And, Eli starts school on Thursday. I can finally start stamping, soon!

Summer Vacation

OK - I obviously can't get any stamping done this summer, with my son home from school.
I am so sorry I haven't made any new creations!
Please stay with me and don't stop following my blog.
I promise once my little man is back in school, I will post some good stuff.
We are just having too much fun this summer!
I do miss stamping, though - and can hardly wait to make some great stuff once he is back in school. Just a couple more weeks...

Stay Tuned...

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a month! We were out of the country. Please stay tuned...I promise I will get back to blogging very soon. I turn 40 tomorrow, and we get to go to a Royals game. Hopefully, after that, things will calm back down, and I can get back to making cards.

Thank you for being patient!

In the meantime, here is photo of my son with KU Basketball player Cole Aldridge, 6'11"! It was quite the exciting weekend for my little guy - we got to meet lots of KU players and the coach at KU Basketball camp. He is a really great guy, and the camp was fantastic!

My 100th Post! Daisies #2 Card

I hope you enjoy my 100th Post!
Oh - I just love daisies!
We are having a Shoebox Swap at noon tomorrow, and here is my creation for our swap. We will also be sharing a Cinco De Mayo potluck lunch (although a week early)...complete with Margaritas! Yay!
I am pleased with this creation...the colors are very sweet and perfect for Spring.
Supplies (All Stampin Up except the Cuttlebug Folder)
Daisies #2 Sizzix Bigz Die
Top Note Sizzix Bigs Die
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder
Big Shot Machine
Sweetest Stem Embosslits Folder, Sizzix
Stamp Set: Oval All
Card Stock: Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, DSP for Sale-A-Bration (but just use any So Saffron DSP to get this look)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss and So Saffron to sponge onto the daisy and oval
Punches: Oval and Oval Scallop
Other: Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Button, Pop-up Glue Dot, Snail Adhesive, Dimensionals, Sponge, Scissors to trip out Top Note Die

Happy Good Friday! Bunnies Made With Punches

I made these chocolate bar wrappers (chocolate bars inside) for Eli's 1st grade class. There are 22 in the bottom photo.

I learned how to make these at my upline, Jeri's, make and take! Thank you, Jeri!

The nose is supposed to be made with the 1/2" circle punch. I got all my supplies together yesterday - and guess what? I don't have a 1/2" punch. It was too late to place a SU order. So, I ran to Michael's AND Hobby Lobby. UGH! They didn't have one - can you believe that? So, I went home and I was forced to improvise. I used the Trio Flower Punch...and as you can see, all of the bunnies (except for the two I made at Jeri's) have a flower for a nose!

Eli said the kids loved them. He came home and said "Thank you for the cute bunnies, Mom." Wow. TOTALLY WORTH IT (even though I was up until 2:00)!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Stampin Up Various DSP (all of this DSP is from the free hostess 6x6 set), Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Pink Pirouette

Google Eyes and mini glue dots

Trio Flower Punch (or 1/2" Circle Punch), Both of the Oval Punches, Little Square Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Various Ribbon

Snail and Tombow Glue

Spring Topiary - Our Make & Take Craft

I hope you like my little Spring Topiary! We get to make 1 of these at our Make & Take next Thursday night! I hope you join us!
This is the best craft ever! Know why? It took 5 minutes! That is it! You will see how easy it is. There is no stamping involved.
These would be great for little place settings around a table. They would be so cute if you are having a formal Easter Dinner on Sunday. Then each guest could take one home. Well - you could make them for a Shower, a Tea, a Brunch...the list goes on. And you could write each guest's name on the little terracotta pot, if you would like.

Supplies:
Terracotta Pot - Michael's $.75 each
Styrofoam in Base of Pot - Michael's
Lollipop Stick - Michael's
Cardstock and Ribbon - Stampin Up! Celebration Paper and Ribbon
Sizzix Bigz Die - Flower Layers #3
Pop up Glue Dot
Snail Adhesive
Crystal Stickers Elements in Orange from Archivers (Mark Richards)
Prisma Flower

Spring Fling Make & Take Card #2 - Echoes of Kindness

Front of Card
Inside of Card

This is Card #2 that we will be making at our Make and Take! I hope you like it, and are able to attend our class next Thursday night!!! You will get to make 2 of these, in addition to 2 of the cards I posted yesterday, a card Peggy is designing, and 2 crafts. WOW!!!

*If you don't want your card to say "Happy Mother's Day", we can certainly use a different stamp with a different saying at the class.

Supplies (All Stampin Up except the Bigz Die and Nesties)

Sizzix Bigz XL Die - Card, Scallop & Big Shot Machine

Nestabilities Scalloped Circle (for the inside of the card)

Ink: Black Stazon, SU Watercolor Pencils, Perfect Plum Stampin Pad, Versamark

Cardstock: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Perfect Plum DSP, Watercolor Paper, Very Vanilla Paper

Stamp Sets: Echoes of Kindness (Hostess Set), All Year Cheer II (sentiment), Great Friend (the leaves that are versamarked in the circle)

Other: Blender Pen (to watercolor the flower), Vanilla Tafetta Ribbon, Adhesive

Note:

When Peggy and I met to discuss this card, we were originally going to use the long stem of flowers in the Echoes of Kindness stamp set. However, since the Bigz Die made the card a little smaller than an A2...I decided to use the shorter stem of flowers. Also...I am VERY NEW to watercoloring. Peggy will be at our Make & Take to show you how to watercolor - and I am sure I can learn a lot, too.

The Case of the Missing Peeps

Here are the cupcakes I made for our family Palm Sunday luncheon. When I was making them, my thought was, "The kids will just love these!" After church, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's (ie the in-laws) for lunch. Everyone seemed to enjoy my dessert, and the rest of the food that Grandma made was wonderful. I noticed there were a few cupcakes left, so I thought I would take them home on our way out.
When it was time to leave, Matt and I went out to the car, when suddenly I realized we forgot the leftover cupcakes. I knocked on the door and told Grandpa I came back to retrieve them.
He had a funny smirk on his face.
I said "What's wrong?"
He said, "You came to get the cupcakes?"
That's what I said, isn't it?
I said, "Well, you can have them - but I need my dish!"
He looked really uncomfortable, and said "OK. But you may not like what you see."
Hmmmm....
So, I went downstairs and found my cupcakes.
I peeked into the dish. There were four left... but there was one "little" problem. All the peeps had been pulled off!
OF COURSE, my first thought was, "I wonder which grandchild pulled off the peeps?"
Hmmmmm....
So, I went upstairs and saw Grandpa standing there at the top of the stairs. He had the guiltiest look on his face I had ever witnessed! It was literally like catching a child with his hand in the cookie jar. With one glace, I knew who the Peep Thief was. :-)
I thought it was hilarious. Seriously.
He sheepishly said, "I'm sorry."
I said, "Oh, goodness...I don't care...I can buy more Peeps! I just wanted my dish."
Cracks me up.
So, I said my good-byes, and then went out to the car. I got in and told Matt the story. He laughed so hard...I think we laughed the entire way home.
Happy Easter, Everyone!

Longing for Spring

I am in Kansas, and it is currently 39 degrees at noon. It felt a lot colder than that this morning. We've had frost on our lawn and flowers. It has been this way for far too long. I'm longing for Spring! I'm having a hard time motivating myself to make Easter cards and Easter crafts. I had all my stuff planned out...but I'm not feelin it! And I have some beautiful Spring Flower digi stamps to color in...and it is hard to get motivated when it is still freezing out.
Well...maybe the only flowers we get this Spring are the ones we create... so, I will try to make some tonight.

Our Spring Fling Make and Take Card - Manhattan Flower

Here is a look at what we'll be making at our Spring Fling Make and Take! I hope you like it! It looks even better in person - very soft, with lots of wonderful texture. We will make two of these at our class. I will post some of the other things we will be making, also. The great thing is...if you come to this class you will learn a new technique...how to sand designer paper to get this look. It is quick and easy.
BTW - Peggy and I will be doing this class together at her wonderful craft grotto! You will love it. And if you don't like the "Friend" sentiment, you can change it - we'll have lots of stamps to choose from.
Supplies:
Textured Impressions Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder
Big Shot Machine
Stamp Set: Oval All
Paper: Chocolate DSP, Whisper White, Pink Piroutte
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Punches: Oval Scallop, and Large Oval
Ribbon: Pink Piroutte Stripe
Other: Pretties Kit, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Scissors, Snail, Sanding Block

Note: This is a Mary Fish case. Well, Peggy and I did change the paper colors, the ribbon, and we changed the dew drops to pretties. But, I came up with the general idea for this layout from taking a look at her blog.

Great Friend Card in Baja Blue and Basic Gray

Here is the card I designed for the downline Swap! I hope everyone liked it! I made 10 cards...1 for each person in Jeri's group.
This stamp set is from our Occasions Mini Catalog. If you would like a mini catalog - please let me know! Right now, with any $40 order from this catalog, you get to chose a stamp set from pg. 208 from the Idea Book for free!

Supplies (All Stampin Up, except the Cuttlebug Folder)

Stamp Set: Great Friend

Cardstock: Baja Blue, Basic Gray, Walk in the Park DSP (mini catty), Whisper White

Ink: Baja Blue, Basic Gray

Other: Pearls from Pretties Kit, Dimensionals, Glue Dot (for the pearl), Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Cuttlebug Folder

Note:

I had to hand trim out the butterfly, and both "frames", because I didn't own the die cut that goes with the "frame" (Matchbox Bigz Die).

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Here is a little chick we made at Jeri's make-and-take. She is my upline. If you'd like to see her cards, here is her blog: http://coloringourworld.blogspot.com/

Isn't this a cute little chick?



Supplies:
Bigz Die Box with Scallops & Big Shot Machine
Punches: Scallop Circle (for bill), Scallop Border Punch (for feet), Oval Punch (for feet and wings)
Paper: I don't know if this is summer sun or yo-yo yellow, Only Orange
Other: Google Eyes, Orange Stampin Write Marker (for detail on feet and bill), Chalks (for cheeks), scissors (to make lots of little snips "feathers" on the wings), Jelly Beans, Cello Bag

Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Card

We made this at Jeri's make-and-take. (She is my upline). If you'd like to see her cards, here is her blog: http://coloringourworld.blogspot.com

Supplies (All Stampin Up!)
Stamp Set: Best Yet (Hostess Set)
Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die (page 202 of catty)
Cardstock: Glossy White, Rose Red
Ink: Rose Red, Basic Black
Ribbon: Rose Red Double Stitch (my favorite!)