Hey there, Stampin’ Friends!

I know it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted and for good reason.  I’ve been working hard on some new ideas for you and really getting things accomplished.  I also just returned from Stampin’ Up’s North American Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Whew!  What a fun and busy time!  While I was there I managed to squeeze in a local 10k race too.  LOL  I know….CRAZY, right??  Here’s a photo of me and my friend, Linda, after the “Deseret News Classic 10k” race.  It was rough getting to that finish line but we did it!

Convention was incredible as always.  SO many terrific presentations, new products and project ideas and seeing SU friends was simply the icing on the cake.  We were treated to the debut of the brand new “Holiday Catalog” and all I can say is, “WOW!”.  You will be blown away.  I’ve arranged for a direct mailing of the catalogs to all of my regular customers and I’d love to send one to you.  Please email me at shellsuit@verizon.net to get your very own copy.  The catalog goes “LIVE” to the public the first week of September.  I will be sharing projects made using products from it very soon so be sure to stay tuned.

Now for today’s card share…. I absolutely LOVE “The Open Sea” stamp set.  It was one that really caught my eye right away.  Here’s the card I designed with it this week…

Somehow I always forget how much I love “collage” stamping.  I started with a Cherry Cobbler card base measuring 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ and added a layer of Island Indigo measuring 5 1/4″ x 4″.  The stamped layer is a piece of Naturals Ivory measuring 5″ x 3 3/4″.  I then randomly stamped all of the images in various colors including Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, Tip Top Taupe and Early Espresso.  I love the way it looks.  The focal point (circle) with the ship and greeting were stamped on Naturals Ivory in Island Indigo and Tip Top Taupe.  I backed it with a circle that’s just a tad larger in Early Espresso.  The embellishments include some Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine and a button from the Neutrals Button Collection.  It’s hard to tell from the photo but the circle with the ship etc. is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals to give it some texture and the button is adhered using a Mini Glue Dot.
It really is a quick and easy card that gives you lots of “bang for your buck”.

Since masculine cards are not as “easy” for me, I’m always SO happy to have this versatile stamp set in my collection to use.  A complete list of products used is below for your easy ordering convenience.  Just click on the items you need and they will be added right to your Shopping Cart.  You’ll be redirected to my Online Store where you can shop for any other supplies you may need.  Be sure to check out the Weekly Deals and Clearance Rack while you’re there.

First…here are the Weekly Deals….

And now for the supply list….

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope to see you again soon!

Stamped Blessings,

Happy New Year!

Yep!….You heard me….The brand NEW Stampin’ Up! Catalog is hot off the press and it’s a DOOZY!
There are SO many amazing products!  My copy of the catalog is dog eared and full of sticky notes already.  If you haven’t gotten your very own copy yet, just send me a quick email and I’ll get one in the mail to you jiffy quick.  My email is shellsuit@verizon.net.

Alrighty….now for the first post with a NEW stamp set….
This is seriously stinkin’ cute!  This set is called, “You’re Sublime”.
The set has five adorable stamps with the sentiments included with the images.  It’s full of fun and whimsy and it’s perfect for making cards for all occasions.

Check out the set of five cards I created today.  They would be great as stand alone cards or also to make as a set to give as a gift to another card loving friend.

Don’t you just love the images?  They are super quick to create.  I just stamped the images on Whisper White card stock in Tuxedo Black Momento Ink and then colored the images with my Stampin’ Up! Markers.  These would also be perfect to use in projects with the kids in your life.  I mean…who doesn’t love to color??

The set is available in both Wood Mount (Item # 138372  $27.00) and Clear Mount (Item #139309  $19.00).  These are all made using the Crumb Cake Note Cards & Envelopes and the DSP (Designer Series Paper) is the NEW “Cherry on Top” 6″x6″ Paper Stack.  All of the supplies used are listed below.  Just click on the items you’d like to add to your shopping cart and you’ll auto”magically” be taken right to my Online Store.  Cool, huh?

Here are all of the products I used….

Okay….now that we’re off and running with the NEW catalog, make sure to stop by often to see all of the fun, new projects I’ll be sharing with you.

Wishing you a magical day!

Happy Wednesday, Peeps!

Boy, oh boy, those April showers are here for sure today.  I don’t mind though.  I’m nice and dry here in the studio this morning and trying to get caught up a bit.  I’ve been spending time with Brittany and Jason and helping out as much as I can.  I feel incredibly blessed to have a job that gives me the flexibility to put family first.  This is such a special time and I don’t want to miss a second of it.

I created some new card designs for the recent “Burgers and Cards” class and I thought I’d share one of them with you today.  I absolutely love the color scheme and the Designer Series Paper just makes me so happy.  Let me show you the card and then we’ll chat about the supplies I used.

The colors are just yummy.  The card base is Sahara Sand and it is accented with Blackberry Bliss.  That deep purple is just….well…YUMMY!  LOL  The Designer Series Paper is from the “Something Borrowed” DSP Pack.  You get 12 sheets of 12″x12″ paper in the pack with 4 ea. of 3 double-sided designs.

I love that the DSP color scheme gives you the option to either keep it soft and simple or you can do what I did and add a POP of color and it really comes to life.  Below you will find all of the stamps, ink and other supplies used to create this card. 

Don’t forget….you only have until this Friday, April 10th to take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING offer.  It’s a GREAT time to order and save!

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday,
Michelle

Happy Spring, Peeps!

There’s so much to share and we’d better get right to it.

First, this week only Stampin’ Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING!  WOOT!
Now is the perfect time to stock up on those “must haves” for your craft/stampin’ room.
I’ll let you in on a little secret….I am filling my cart with tons of goodies from the Clearance Rack and also from the Weekly Deals.  I love saving money and man oh MAN am I ever saving some this week.
**Note:  Free Shipping is not applicable on Expedited option.**

 I gotta tell you….there’s not anything I don’t love on the deals this week.
And last but not least….the Clearance Rack!

There are some terrific deals just waiting for you on the Clearance Rack.  Just CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE CLEARANCE RACK NOW

It’s just a GREAT time to shop all of the wonderful deals from Stampin’ Up.  Be sure to place your order no later than this Friday, April 10th at midnight (MST)

Stamped Blessings,
Michelle

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Whew!  I feel like I haven’t blogged in forever!  Okay…that would be because I haven’t.  Ugh.
We are still on “Baby Watch”.  My daughter, Brittany, has had lots of starts and stops.   We go to the doctor today and see how things are progressing and if he doesn’t come on his own by Sunday, they will induce on Monday.  Woot!  One way or the other we’ll have a baby by next week at this time!!

I haven’t had much time to be in the studio creating (and that’s okay since it was for a good reason) but I had a chance to create the other night and these two new “critters” are what came out of it all.
I saw a project in a magazine at WalMart that I really liked and I came home and tried to create something similar.  (FYI…I’m a magazine junkie!!)  Please say “Hello” to “Bouncing Bella” and “Jumping Jason” – the Bunny Treats!

These two cuties are so quick and easy to make and they are perfect for personalizing too.  Here are the measurements for you…

Okay….I remember being excited when I first saw the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits in the Occasions Catalog but I had NO idea just how much I was going to LOVE them!

I’ve seen lots and lots ideas for projects for Valentine’s Day, party favors and more using these little beauties….

Not only can you make some stinkin’ cute treat bags with them….but look at all of the extras!!  Wahoo!  So, I started trying to think of other ways to use them and here’s what I came up with…

I always collect park maps when we’re at Disney and I love adding them to our trip scrapbooks.  Since I started using Project Life by Stampin’ Up! I’ve tried thinking “outside the box” and this fit the bill perfectly.  I added a photo of us from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and framed it using the “On Film” Framelits ( the one that looks like a Polaroid).  It fits in the pocket perfectly.  LOVE it!

I have to say…I have SO many other ideas for ways to use the Mini Treat Bags now.  The “Very Merry” stamp is from the “And Many More” stamp set and it was a perfect fit for this project.  The “2014” stamps are from one of the Project Life stamp sets called “Day to Day”.  The belly band is a piece of Basic Black Card Stock that was punched with the “Confetti Stars Border Punch” and is backed with a strip of Daffodil Delight.  How magical is THAT?  The Mickey “head” is made with both the 1 3/8″ and 3/4″ circle punches and the highlights were made using the White uni-ball Signo Gel Pen.

Yep…my brain is racing with other project ideas!  I’m betting the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits are going to be well loved in my studio!  What will YOU make with them?

Here’s your supply list…just click on the products you’d like to add to your Shopping Cart and you’ll be redirected to my Online Store.  Woot!  Be sure to send me photos of your Mini Treat Bag creations!

Wishing you a magical day,
Michelle

Hello, My Friends,

I know you’re probably wondering where I’ve been.  Me too!  LOL
My days have been filled with lots and lots of activity…lots and LOTS of activity.  Don’t misunderstand…I have loved it because I’ve been busy taking care of my sweet girl and grandson-to-be.  You see, she was put on strict bed rest at 24 weeks.  Not JUST bed rest…completely horizontal bed rest.  She is allowed to get up and use the restroom and take a quick (and I do mean QUICK) shower.  I’ve become quite the hairdresser.  If you ever need your hair dried and fluffed…I’m your gal.

She and Jason are doing well.  She will be 32 weeks on Thursday.  She’s had the two steroid shots that have been helping his lungs mature and get ready just in case he decides that he just can’t wait any longer to meet us.  I have been incredibly moved by all of the friends who have sent notes, cards and emails to show their support and let us know that they are praying for our family and a happy, healthy baby boy.  “Thank You” just doesn’t seem adequate.  Please know that it has meant more to use than you can possibly imagine.  I promise to keep you posted and rest assured you will be among the first to see Jason’s sweet face in the TONS of photos I will be sharing when he arrives.

Here are a couple of sweet photos to make you smile…

I’ve been trying to fit in as many stamp classes and time permits and it’s what has kept me going.  Creating and stamping for me is what feeds my soul.  I thank God each and every day for Stampin’ Up! and the gift of creativity.  Now….let me show you one of the projects I’ve been working on.

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?  I’m not exactly “ready” per se, but I’ve made some fun projects to share with you.  Here’s the first one…

This little Valentine ensemble was created with a sweet, little mailbox that I found at the Target Dollar Spot.  It seems that all things “Chalkboard” are all the rage this year and this mailbox fits the bill perfectly I’d say.  I love rummaging through all of the goodies at the Target “Dollar Spot”.  When I found this little treasure I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it.

I used the “You Plus Me” stamp set and embossed directly onto the mailbox using Versamark ink and White embossing powder.  I used my Heat Tool to set it and it worked out great.  I made a matching card to go along with it.  It would be great for valentines of all ages I think.

Here’s the suppy list for you.  Remember…to add any of these items to your shopping cart, you just need to click on them and you’ll be taken to my Online Store for your shopping convenience.

**Remember…For every $50 you spend, you can choose one FREE item from the SaleABration catalog**  Check out the freebies by clicking the link below…

SALE A BRATION CATALOG…CLICK HERE

Alrighty…I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s projects and I want to thank you again for hanging in there with me.  It won’t be long now til we see that sweet baby boy and I can’t wait to share him with you.

Stamped Blessings,
Michelle

Happy New Year, my friends!

I hope you are safe, happy and healthy and ready for a wonderful new year ahead.  Last year was one that I will always treasure and never ever forget.  There were SO many blessings in my life.  I feel like my heart is simply overflowing.  I’ve seen how God definitely IS in control and knows my heart like no one else.  I’m a grateful each and every day and I can’t wait to see what he has in store next.

If you follow my here or on Facebook, you know by now that I’m going to be a Mimi very soon.  Wahoo!!  Brittany has been on strict bed reset since week 25.  She is supposed to remain flat…no sitting up etc…just trips to the bathroom and the shower.  It’s not easy but she’s being a trooper.  Yesterday she hit 27 weeks and she will be on bed rest until week 35.  After that…all bets are off.  Our lil man will make his appearance whenever he’s ready after that.

So since I’ve been in the “baby” frame of mind, I created a fun, new Suitably Punched Critter to share with you.  Even better…it’s also a gift card holder with a matching bag envelope.  Please say, “Hello” to “Casey”…

Here’s Casey peeking out of the envelope…

 This is a perfect project when you need a quick, last minute gift.  It uses up those pesky scraps of card stock you have laying around too.  Here are the punches, framelits and dimensions I used…

Directions for “Casey”:

Cut one of the Ovals that measures approximately 4 3/8″ across at the widest point out of Daffodil Delight card stock..  This is Casey’s body.  

Next, cut 2 circles that measure approximately 2 1/4″ across at the widest point from Daffodil Delight card stock.  These will be for Casey’s head.

Next, cut 2 small Ovals that measure approximately 2 1/8″ across at the widest point from Daffodil Delight card stock.  These will be Casey’s wings.  Refer to the completed picture and trim wings to make them look like wings on one end of each small oval.

Next, using the Bow Builder Punch and Pumpkin Pie card stock, punch out 2 each of the pieces as shown in the photo above.  Then you will take your paper snips and round the edges to create the two pieces for Casey’s beak.  You’ll want to trim one a little smaller to use for the upper beak as shown.  Glue to one of the circles as shown.

Next, using the Owl Builder Punch, punch out two of the largest circles from Whisper White card stock and two from the medium sized circles from Basic Black card stock.  These are for Casey’s eyes.  Glue the black circles to the white ones as shown and adhere to the head above the beak as shown.

Next, apply adhesive of your choice to the bottom edge of the face piece you just finished and adhere it to the top of the body piece.  Add a small piece of yellow feather to the back side of the face circle and then adhere the second face piece to the back of the head to complete.

Next, adhere Casey’s wings by using adhesive just at the top edges so you’ll leave the bottoms of them free to tuck the gift card under.

Using a White Chalk Marker, add stitching around Casey’s body, face and wings.  Voila!  All done!

Directions for Envelope/Bag:

Using one of the “Polka Dot” Tag a Bags, fold the top edge down about 2 1/2″ and set aside.

Cut a strip of Daffodil Delight card stock 1 1/2″ x 11″.  This will be wrapped around the folded flap of the bag to keep it closed.  This is the belly band.  I added stitching with the chalk marker on it too just to help it coordinate. I added a piece of the Calypso Coral Pom Pom Trim for fun and made a couple of balloons with a 1 1/4″ circle punch and various card stock.

The “Happy New Baby” tag is made with the “One Tag Fits All” stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog that debuts on January 6th, 2015.  The border is stamped in Calypso Coral and is punched out jiffy quick using the Note Tag Punch.

The rubber duck is stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored in with the Daffodil Delight Blendabilities Markers and it’s attached with a little safety pin and finished off with a bow made from Whisper White Seam Binding.

Casey will fit right down in there and you’re then ready to party!  Have fun!!

Here’s your list of supplies.  Click on the items you’d like to order to create your own Casey(s).  It will add them to your Shopping Cart and you’ll then be redirected to my Online Store where you’ll be able to check out.  Simple as that!

I hope you have tons of fun and that you try some punch art to get your year started off with a smile.

Wishing you blessings beyond measure this year,

Hey there, Peeps!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying time with family and those you love.  We had a quiet Christmas but it was wonderful.  Our daughter, Brittany, has been put on strict bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy.  She has to be laying flat at all times (other than the bathroom and shower).  It’s been rough on her but the contractions have stopped for now and she has 13 weeks to go.  We are all praying for a happy, healthy, full term baby boy.

While she’s been in bed, she’s been just itching to get me organized and ready for the new stampin’ year.  Woot!  The January class calendar is full and I can’t wait to share it all with you.  I will be offering some “Stamps in the Mail” class options this year.  We are working on all of the logistics and will be letting you know the details soon.

Please be sure to click on the “Class Sign Up” tab at the top of the blog and check out all of the details for each class.  If you find ones you are interested in, please let me know or just go ahead and sign up.  It’s going to be a fun filled month for sure.

Here’s one of my favorite projects that I’m offering this month.  This one is definitely one that can be offered to all of my long distance customers.  It’s SO stinkin’ cute!!  It’s the Perpetual Birthday Calendar.  You will get all of the supplies to create the calendar kit and the Perpetual Calendar stamp set too.  They are great to make and keep for yourself and also to make and give as gifts.  Do you like crafting with friends?  You could all order your own kits and make it a “Girls’ Night Out” project.  How fun!!

These are just two of the products that will debut in the NEW Occasions Catalog.  Did you get a copy in the mail from me yet?  If not, send me a note and I’ll get one out to you right away.  You won’t want to miss it.  The catalog goes LIVE on January 6th.

Remember…you can check out all of the January classes by either clicking the “Class Schedule” tab or the “Class Sign Up” tab.  Both are at the top of the blog.

I can’t wait for a brand new year of stampin’ fun with you!

Stamped Blessings,

BB