The Shabby Tea Room Challenge

I found this great blog through my friend Dawn. It's called the Shabby Tea Room. Every Monday they post a challenge to create a card based on different requirements and/or inspirations. I was so excited to find this blog because of all the wonderful shabby goodies that are in the Occassions Mini 2011. Today our challenge was to create a card based on a beautiful shabby chic nursery. This is what I came up with:

More Bliss!

Here is one more sample made with the Sale-a-bration stamp set "Bliss." Love that birdie!!

Sale-a-bration Preview!

All of these cards feature one of our new Sale-a-bration stamp sets. Sale-a-bration is the wonderful time of year Stampin' Up offers a free product of your choosing with every $50 purchase. There is no limit to how many free things you can earn!! Sale-a-bration begins January 25, 2011. Stay tuned for more previews and more details!

Filled with LOVE!

It's never too early to start thinking about Valentine's Day. Click on the picture below to visit my site for more info.

New MDS Product Preview!

As I've said before, I love, love, LOVE the new Occassions Mini Catalog! It's chock full of vintage and shabby chic goodies.

Today I have a special sneek peek for you from My Digital Studio. This theme continues through the catalog with Designer Series Paper, Stamps and Embellishments. I can't wait to get my new goodies to play with!!

If you are on my mailing list, you should be receiving your own free copy of the new catalog very shortly! These fabulous products will be available for purchase starting January 4, 2011.

Digital Scrapbooking

Have you ventured into the fabulous world of digital scrapbooking yet? I have happily taken the plunge into nearly 100% digital. I love it for many reasons. I get to skip the step of selecting, printing and cropping photos all on my own before I scrap. All of my photos are already right where they need to be: on my computer! My husband loves digital scrapbooking because there aren't 87 pages of paper, 38 packages of stickers, adhesive, cutting tools and scraps of photos laying all over the house!! (I admit I kind of like that too!!) It is all neatly organized right on my computer. I LOVE it!

My Digital Studio is a wonderful program to invest in when you are ready to take the digital step. It is entirely user friendly and fun. It also comes packed with over 2000 of Stampin' Ups images, papers, punches and embellishments. You can use them over and over and never run out of any supplies! It is a beautiful thing.

Here is a page I created today with My Digital Studio.

FANTASTIC deal on the Starter Kit! Two weeks only!!

Normally priced at $175,  the Starter Kit is already a great deal. With it, you get over $310 worth of paper and/or digital crafting supplies. From November 15 through November 30, Stampin' Up! is offering the Starter Kit for an amazing price of $87.50!! This is absolutely the lowest it has ever been!!

Stampin' Up! has already blessed my life with an easy, fun job and creative outlet. Whether you'd like to start your own business today or just take advantage of the amazing deal on the BEST crafting supplies, make sure you get your Starter Kit before November 30!

Here is a list of exactly what is included in the Starter Kit:

• Any stamp set valued up to $33.95
• Any stamp set valued up to $28.95
• Any stamp set valued up to $18.95
• Any a la Carte stamp valued up to $9.95
• Any standard size Stampin' Around wheel valued up to $6.50
• Clear block C (or any other block valued up to $6.95)
• Your choice of Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack
• Your choice of Assorted Color Smooth Card Stock (8.5 x 11)
• Your color choice of Card Stock (8.5 x 11)
• Your color choice of 5/8" Satin Ribbon
• VeraMark pad
• Your color choices of 4 Classic Stampin' Pads
• Your color choices of 2 Stampin' Write Markers
• Classic Ink Refill in your color choice
• Snail Adhesive
• Stampin' Mist
• Your choice of Decor Elements up to $7.95
• Stampin' Around Self Inking Handle
• Uninked Cartridge
• Blender Pen
• Stampin' Sponge
• Stampin' Scrub
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Decor Elements Applicator Tool
• The following business supplies: Getting Started DVD
  
  Getting Started Guide
  Guest Invitation Postcards (100)
  Catalogs (8)
  Mini Catalogs (8—when available)
  Definitely Decorative brochure (1)
  Recruit Folders (5)
  Recruit Brochures (20)
  To My Hostess Envelopes (10)
  Hostess Benefits Forms (10)
  Project Sample Sheet
  Hostess Brochures (20)
  Customer Order Forms (50)
  Stampin’ Up! Logo Decor Elements

Parisian Paperistas

Well, it's official. I finally named my Stampin' Up! team: The Parisian Paperistas. What do you think? My new team name served as inspiration for today's card.

Have you checked out the clearance rack lately??

Do you have a birthday of a special boy or girl coming up? Our fabulous Pirate and Princess birthday kits are a STEAL at $2.99. Each of them include invitations, favors and food toppers for up to 8 guests and decorations!

Valentine's Day is closer than you think! These little girl lovebots boxes are perfect for classmates, neighbors and friends. And they are only $2.99 for 30 boxes!

These deals go super fast, so click the Shop Now button on the right and get yours today!

Handmade Holiday

Starting tomorrow through December 16, Stampin' Up! is offering several bundles at a discounted price. All of these bundles can be used to create beautiful handmade gifts for the holidays including jewelry, picture frames, handmade packaging and of course, cards!

Craft show... here we go!

I'm hoping to participate in a local craft show here in a couple of weeks. I think it will be fun and a good way to get meet new stampin' friends! Today I created this fall banner:

So you don't care for pastels....

I get that and I totally respect it. While I tend to lean towards everything vintage and shabby chic, I do love to see some funky dots and bright colors here and there. Today I created a card using the same stamp I did yesterday. It is called "Baby Steps" and is available a-la-carte. It's such a cute stamp! I love elephants!! Anyhow, today's card shows how versatile a single stamp can be. I just love that about Stampin' Up!

Sweet Baby Steps!

I found the inspiration for this sweet baby card while in Strasbourg, France over the weekend. One of the many benefits of military life is living abroad and the wonderful travel! My girls were riding the most beautiful carousel and I noticed the sweetest pink and green elephant on it. My only regret is not having a camera of any sort with me at the moment. I committed that elephant to memory though and today we have a sweet baby card! Of course the elephant on the carousel was much, much more ornate and elaborate!

A few of my favorite things............

Oh, fall. It has been my favorite season for as long as I can possibly remember. France. That obsession began in my early adulthood. I love Parisian decor and style! Combine those two faves with the color purple and vintage accessories and I've got a match made in heaven!

Today I combined all of these favorite things to make a card for my favorite person, my sweet hubby. Believe it or not, it has already begun to feel like fall here in Germany... and I am NOT complaining! Our family just settled on a home this week and we are ecstatic! I wanted to thank my hubby for all the work he has put into finding our family the perfect home. I am so lucky to have him!

And a closeup so you can see the dimension and the fabulous accessories!

Just because.....

I don't have much to share about today's card. Just needed a little stamping therapy.

More In Color fun!

I have to admit, my In Colors are getting more mileage than I expected. I should have known with Stampin' Up! though. They do exhaustive research on color trends, etc before they even consider putting new colors out there! These cards were made with a Crumb Cake base and use Designer Series Paper in Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz. I then added lots of vintage accessories including Mini Vintage tags, Vintage Trinkets and Vintage Brads. Don't you also just love the new Chantilly Crochet Trim? It adds such a delicate touch to my projects. Stamps sets used were Curly Cute and Tiny Tags. Both some of my faves! Hope you have  wonderful Thursday!

In Color Mini Cards

Looking through my last posts, I realize I have a fondness of the Crumb Cake and Poppy Parade combo! They just look so nice together, I couldn't help myself. I find myself naturally drawn to subdued, mellow colors, so today I decided to step out of the box just a bit. I made these mini cards out of the new In Colors. They are all so bright and fun and take almost zero time at all! Hope you enjoy them. {I apologize for the poor quality of the photos. Someone under the age of five got ahold of my good small camera and the lens isn't opening! I didn't want to drag out the giant camera, so I used my iphone!}

Japanese Book Binding

I did this little book for a demonstrator challenge using Japanese book binding. The technique is easy and the result is fabulously elegant. I love the simplicity of this project, yet it still looks so chic. These little books are quick and easy to make and would be wonderful gifts!

You can find a tutorial on Japanese book binding here.

Encouragement.

As most of you probably know, moving can be quite stressful. Moving overseas is even more stressful. Add to that the facts that you are seven years old, this is your fifth home, you're stuck in a hotel for three months and your mom is going to be having another baby! Yikes! Needless to say, my sweet Clairebear is a wee bit stressed. She's done great for the most part, but like all of us, she has moments where she really needs some encouragement. So, I thought I'd make her a card. She can be a girly girl and she appreciates pretty things. She also LOVES to do Stampin' Up with me, so I know she will love that I actually made something just for her. I wish I had started doing this much sooner!

Friday Fun!

Claire has been lucky enough to participate in VBS this year on post. Today is her last day and I wanted to make a little something special for her crew leader and the assistant crew leader. Claire and I came up with these:

This single milk carton is for the teenager helping out with Claire's crew. It will be filled with  yummy German chocolates!

This cute little package of milk cartons is for the crew leader.

I'm Back!

Wow, it has been a long time. Our family has seen quite a few transitions in the last several months. We have arrived at Stuttgart, Germany; our home for the next three years. We are actually still living in a hotel and will continue to do so for the next two months as we await our new home. It has been.... interesting. Thankfully, I thought ahead and had my essential stamping supplies shipped with our hold baggage. That means these three and a half months of hotel living can be happily punctuated with a creative outlet! Phew!

I finally stamped something worth showing yesterday. It has taken me a while to get situated and back into the swing of things. I made this card for a friend who was kind enough to send a batch of homemade cookies to our family. What a welcome change anything homemade was!

This card contains several great elements and stamp sets from our fabulous new Idea Book & Catalog. If you haven't checked it out yet, you can click on the picture it on the left and you can view the entire catalog online! And as always, if it tickles your fancy to purchase anything right away, click on the "Shop Now" button to have an order shipped directly to you!!

The Summer Mini is here!

And it is full of delicious vintage-ness! I love it! If you'd like your free copy, send me an email with your address and I will get it out to you right away.

May is National Scrapbooking Month!

Of course, Stampin' Up is running a fabulous promotion! Purchase a qualifying stamp set or My Digital Studio and receive a package of designer brads for free! You get to choose from four designs of the brads. Click here for more information on specific stamps and brads.

May is National Scrapbooking Month!

And I will be doing a mini scrapbook class. I only have one problem.... I can't decide which scrapbook to do. Even if you live far away and you cannot attend... I still appreciate your opinion, so pleae vote! {Poll is on the right column at the very top!}

Mini Tin Album

Bird Board Book Album {Totally got this idea from one of my fave demonstrators, Kimberly Van Diepen!}

For You say if I will come and will pray to You......

I'll be doing a card making session at our Ladies' Retreat coming up in May. This is one of our projects.

Tin Album Progress!

Last chance for Sale-a-bration!

If you'd like to get in on Sale-a-bration, you have 36 hours left! Click here to place an order before midnight March 31!! 

Tin Album in Progress....

Most of my friends know that we are preparing to move overseas. It is a crazy time in this household right now! Medical appointments, passports and packing, oh my! I had planned on getting a card kit together to sell. I may still do that. My brain is basically all over the place. Right now I am planning two major projects. One is going to be for the Ladies Retreat at my church, West Kingston. I am super excited for that, but I think I will keep that one a surprise.

The other project is a mini scrapbook class. It is one last chance to get together with the wonderful friends I've made here and spend the day creating something fun and beautiful. Here is a preview:

Edit.

I had to edit my Birthday card a little bit. It drove me crazy. Here is the real version and what you will be making when you order the April Card Kit.

Address Stamp Special

From now until March 31, order any one of these address stamps and take 15% off of your entire order.
And! If your order is $50 or more before taxes and shipping, you get free shipping and a free Sale-a-bration product!! You can view the Sale-a-bration products here. This order is only available directly through me, so you must contact me to place your order. Happy Shopping!

Would you like to try your hand at creativity?

Consider my soon to be released card kit for spring! Here is a sneak peek of one of the cards you can create yourself!

A Note of Thanks

This afternoon I had two dear friends over for a mini thank you note class. Here is what we made: