Oh, Easter is this weekend!

Well, I didn't forget that Easter was coming up, but I did let it jump out at me. I had meant to share some cute Easter treat ideas this whole week, but never got to it!

So, this is the treat that I made for Kyle's preschool class. It uses the Big Shot Top Note die, (in Mini catalog), and the Scalloped Oval punch, Small Oval Punch, and the 1/2" Circle punch. I used the Enjoy Every Moment stamp set for the eyes. My hand-drawn whiskers and mouth look a little funny, though!

These next two pictures show the Easter baskets I put together for my nephew and my cousin's daughter. I bought the tubs at Big Lots for $2.50 each and added their names using the Big Shot Serif Essentials alphabet and our Raw Decor Elements vinyl. You can purchase the vinyl in White, Chocolate, or Dark Gray. The Bigz dies are best when cutting the vinyl.

I left Taylor's basket plain since he is a boy, but put a bunch of ribbon on the handles of Mallory's basket. You can't see them very well, but I used blue, green, pink, and white ribbons.

I hope you all have a fantastic Easter. Kyle is so excited for the Easter Bunny to come this year. Although, he didn't want to go and get his picture taken with the bunny. I think my baby's growing up! Sniff... Sniff...

Punch Art--Part 3

Here are the last of the Punch Art samples:

Images copyright Stampin' Up!

Punch Art--Part 2

Here are some more Punch Art samples:

Images copyright Stampin' Up!

Punch Art--Part 1

A while ago, I posted that my club ladies were working on using Stampin' Up's fantastic punches to make punch art cards and also showed you The Little Mermaid layout, the punched fish layout ,and the Sesame Street layout--all containing punch art.

I have almost all of the punches in the catalog and use most of them quite a bit. I love how easy they are to use and how many of them have stamp sets that coordinate with them. If I had to narrow down my favorites, here would be my Top 5 Must Have Punches:

1. Scallop Circle punch


2. Scallop Edge punch


3. 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 Circle punches


4. Round Tab punch


5. Oval punches--all 3!

Okay, it's actually my Top 8, but it was a hard task!

Here are some more samples of super cute animals and such that use our punches.

Images copyright Stampin' Up!

Where oh Where is the Newsletter?

Okay, a few of you have been asking about my newsletters. I have been a big ol' slacker in that department! I decided to skip March because I was getting ready for SSW. I will be sending out my April News very soon.

I do have classes that I am planning, but have not quite finished all of the details. Here are some classes you can look forward to in April - June:

• Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin' Kit class--May


• Stamp-a-Stack--June


• Sunshine Garden Note Card Class


• Scrapbook in a Box (shown above)
  


• Celebrate Summer

If your are not on my email list and wish to receive my newsletters, just send me an email. I don't spam you. I send no more than two emails a month and you can unsubscribe at any time.

SSW Swaps--Part 3

Finally, here are the last 4 swaps from the Super Stampin' Weekend:

Layout by Jennifer:

These next 3 layouts were made by customers of my downline Christine, so I'm not sure of their names!

SSW Swaps--Part 2

Here are 4 more of the swaps from the Super Stampin' Weekend.

Layout by Shannon (as soon as I got this one, I knew I had the pictures to put on it!)


Layout by Diane:

Layout by Pam:
Layout by Kimberly:

Hoppy Memories Class Sign Ups

I wanted to remind you all about my Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin' Kit Class. RSVP's were due today, but shipping times from SU have improved, so I am able to keep sign ups open until April 10.

Class Details:
Date: Tuesday, April 28
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: $30
RSVP & Payment: April 10
We will use the Simply Scrappin' Kit "Hoppy Memories" to make 4 two-page layouts. You will go home with the rest of the kit that we don't use. Please bring a paper cutter and adhesive.

Drop off or mail payment to:
Carrie Clary
961 Cottage Avenue
Miamisburg, OH 45342

SSW Swaps--Part 1

One new thing we added to the Super Stampin' Weekend was an optional layout swap. Twelve of us signed up for the swap. The layouts were wonderful! Everyone really did a great job. Here are 4 of the layouts. I'll share the rest over the next couple days.

This first layout is mine. As you can see, I've already put my pictures on it. When I work on my swaps, I almost always have pictures in mind that I can use for it. I used my Big Shot and the Stars #2 die to make the chipboard star. I smooshed the star into my Whisper White craft pad and embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.


Layout by Debbi:

Layout by Christine:

Layout by Chris:

Last Days for Sale-a-Bration!

Sale-a-bration is coming to an end. March 31 is the last opportunity to earn your free rewards. Remember, with each $50 purchase, you can choose 1 of 6 SAB rewards. Choose from 4 stamp sets, a bundle of ribbon, or a pack of fabulous Designer paper.

This card made by fellow demonstrator Dawn Olchefske uses the Botanical Blooms stamp set. Earn this set for free by spending $50!

You can view the Sale-a-Bration brochure by clicking here.

The 31st is also the last day to earn an additional free stamp set and get 15% off the Starter Kit when you sign up to become a demonstrator. Some people choose to sign up for the good deal that the starter kit provides, some sign up for the 20% discount, other sign up to build a business. Any way is fine with me and I would love to help you reach your goals. You can view my FAQ about becoming a demonstrator in the right hand column under "Special Download Forms". Feel free to contact me with any questions.

SSW Layout #2

This is the second layout from the Weekend. I fell in love with the Game Night stamp set as soon as I saw it. We love to play board games. Kyle has a closet full of them. It's nice as he's getting older and likes to play grown-up games. There is only so many times I can play Candy Land!

This color scheme is based on the Sorry game. I had tried to use the colors in the coordinating Jackpot designer paper---Real red, Basic Black, So Saffron--- but I didn't like the look of it. If you've gone to Vegas or Atlantic City or any place that you gambled, the stamp set and designer paper is a must! The color scheme in the designer paper is much more grown up than my Bold Bright colors, but I had kids in mind when I designed it.

I used the Big Shot and the Serif Essentials alphabet for my title. The Big Shot got a huge workout over the weekend as most of the ladies used it numerous times.

SSW Layout #1

This is one of the two layouts we did as part of the Super Stampin' Weekend. Based on past years' feedback, I decided to keep the make and takes pretty simple so that they didn't take too long to complete. This layout uses chipboard from the On Board So Tweet pack. It uses the designer paper from the SAB catalog as well as the ribbon. I thought this would be a perfect layout for some outdoor pictures.

There are many ways to work with chipboard (you can find additional ideas here), but this time I chose to use sponge daubers to ink the pieces and then stamped on top of them with a darker ink using the scallop stamp in the Polka Dot Punches stamp set also found in the Sale-a-Bration brochure.

SSW gift

This is the gift that I hinted at in a previous post about getting ready for the Super Stampin' Weekend. I found the pink bags at Flower Factory and thought they were perfect to hold odds and ends like markers, scissors, ink pads, and other tools of the trade.

I made monogrammed tags for each person using my Big Shot and dies. I also put bags of chocolate inside the pink bags. The ladies were greeted with their happy pink bags on their tables when they arrived.

Throughout the weekend, we gave away lots of door prizes--stamp sets, Stampin' Around wheels, ribbon, layouts, cards, etc. We also had little challenge prizes for various things--who arrived first, stayed up latest, messiest table, etc.

Back from Super Stampin' Weekend!

What a fantastic weekend! I had so much fun at the Super Stampin' Weekend! We had good food, lots of space to crop, and great music (all thanks to Delilah :o)). We had a total of 16 ladies join us at King's Domain Lodge in Lebanon. Nine of us stayed the entire weekend, while 7 could only join us on Saturday.

While I had a lot of things to do to keep the weekend rolling, I was able to finish 28 two-page layouts! That's 56 pages. I am so excited. I am almost completely finished with my 2008 pictures. Most of those pages were swaps that I've received over the years. I never would have been able to get as much finished without them. I will share some of my pages over the next few weeks.

I still haven't unpacked--it's going to take a while. I don't have pictures to show you because I left my camera at home, naturally!

MOPS Easter Layout

My MOPS group (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) meets on the 3rd Mondays of the month. After the planned craft didn't turned out as expected, I was asked if I could come up with an Easter layout for the group. Because I was short on time, I decided to take a layout that I'd already used and modify it so that I could use the Sale-a-bration Designer Paper and ribbon. You can see the orginal layout here.

When I did the orginal layout as part of my Club, we didn't have the Scallop Edge punch, yet. We used the corner rounder to make the scallops. It's a long and tedious process that most of the ladies disliked--immensely! The edge punches make the effect much easier! This new layout uses the Eyelet Edge punch found in the current catalog.

Don't forget---Sale-a-Bration ends March 31! Don't miss out on earning your free Sale-a-Bration rewards. With each $50 order (before shipping and tax), you can choose one of the 6 rewards for free. You can find the Sale-a-Bration brochure to the right (it's the pink one!).

Getting Read for SSW--Part 3

What in the world is this you ask? This is me getting organized for the Super Stampin' Weekend coming up March 20 -22. I use the 12x12 Craft Keepers to organize my pictures and swaps. I sort through my pictures and match the up with any swaps I might have. If I don't have any swaps, I still put them into a craft keeper and add some coordinating cardstock so that I can go back and make pages for them. Sometimes, I might add coordinating cardstock to the swap pages to--if I have enough time.

By doing this, I save a ton of time when I work at the weekend. I just grab a folder and get started. Most swaps don't need much added to them---some matting for pictures and a title. On other swaps, I may move things around a bit or add more stamping. It just depends on the swap and the pictures I'm putting on it.


This picture shows how I organize my swaps. I forget where I purchased the bins--maybe Michael's? Anyway, I bought the 12x12 Dividers that can be used in Stampin' Up's Paper Holders and organized the swaps by Baby/Kid, Christmas/Winter, Spring/Flowers, Sports, etc.

Are you wondering where I got all of these swaps? I've been swapping with my Scrappin' Clubs since I started them over 4 years ago. Before that, I was a member of my upline's Club. I have given a ton of swaps away to friends and family, but always have enough to do my own books. Having the swaps saves me a TON of time when I do my own scrapbooking! If you want more information about my Clubs, read more by clicking here!

Join the SU family with 3 easy payments!

Sounds like an infomercial, doesn't it? But, it's actually a fantastic promotion Stampin' Up! is offering to anyone who would like to become a demonstrator!

Right now during Sale-a-Bration is the perfect time to join. Not only do you get a 15% discount on the cost of the starter kit, you also get to choose ANY stamp set from a current catalog for FREE!

Here is how the 3 payment plan would work out when you sign up during Sale-a-Bration:

Starter Kit Payment	Payment Charged*	Payment with Stampin' Memories Add-On*
Payment 1 (charged at time kit is entered)	$56.34 (+ sales tax)	$106.34 (+ sales tax)
Payment 2 (charged around April 15th)	$56.33	$56.33
Payment 3 (charged around May 15th)	$56.33	$56.33
Total Payment	$169.00	$219.00

Here is how the payments work out April 1 - 30:

Starter Kit Payment	Payment Charged*	Payment with Stampin' Memories Add-On*
Payment 1 (charged at time kit is entered)	$66.34 (+ sales tax)	$116.34 (+ sales tax)
Payment 2 (charged around May 15th)	$66.33	$66.33
Payment 3 (charged around June 15th)	$66.33	$66.33
Total Payment	$199.00	$249.00

Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is so much fun! I've met lots of really wonderful ladies because of Stampin' Up!

Here are some answers to some common question--be sure to read my FAQ about Becoming a Demonstrator that can be found in the right hand side under "Special Download Forms."

How much do I have to sell? The sales requirement is only $300 in sales every 3 months. One average workshop would usually cover that. Your sales requirement can be met through a workshop, catalog orders, or your own personal orders.

What discount would I get? Every demonstrator earns a 20% instant income from every merchandise order. If you placed a $200 order, you would receive $40 in instant income. Based on your sales and title, you also have the potential to earn an additional 20% in Volume Rebate.

Do I have to do in-home "parties"? No. While workshops are important for building your business and meeting new people, you don't have to do any. Some people sign up to become a demonstrator just for the discount while sell periodically to their friends and family.

What if I decide I don't want to be a demonstrator anymore? Then you just stop placing orders. There are no penalties and you can quit at any time. Once you don't make your sales quota, you are finished.

Would you help me get started? I will support you as much as you need me! I will train you on how to place orders, use the business website, and even help you plan your first workshop, if you'd like. If you want to do it all on your own and don't want my help, that is fine, too!

Again, be sure to ready my FAQ sheet under "Special Download Forms" to the right. Call or email me with any questions about becoming a demonstrator. If you decide you want to do the 3 payment option, you will need to mail in this form found here. You cannot sign up through my SU website. I will give you the other forms you will need.

If you want to sign up and don't want to use the 3 payment option, then you can sign up directly through my website. My password to sign up online is SUDEMO.

Getting Ready for SSW--Part 2

Look what I found on my doorstep today! We pulled into our driveway and Kyle saw the boxes and said "holy cow!" These boxes hold the orders for the Super Stampin' Weekend. If you turned in your order late, then your goodies will arrive on Friday.

Look at all this stuff! Doesn't it make you happy just looking at it? It looks like the popular Sale-a-Bration items are the Polka Dot punches set and the Delicate Dots designer paper. I see a lot of cardstock and designer paper, Big Shot dies, and a few stamp sets. It looks like everyone will have plenty to keep them busy!

I can't wait for the Super Stampin' Weekend! I still have so much to get ready, but I am looking forward to having a weekend away from home. I bought some more of the craft keepers I use to organize my photos and swaps at Michael's today, so I can sort some more of my pictures. I still have to do my swap, but now that my order is here I can get started!

Club Card

Tomorrow is my Mixed Club meeting. This is a group of ladies ( a few relatives, too!) who have been stamping with me for a long while. This is the last meeting of the Club round, and we will be making cards. One of the cards we'll be making is this stair step card. It is a really neat card to make and doll up because it can sit on a shelf as remembrance of the sentiment or occasion.

I had never made one of these and was really surprised at how easy it was to make. This card uses the Big Shot and some dies. I used the "Scallop Circle" (which is my absolute favorite die) and the "Bird w/ Leaves and Flower" die which is my newest die. I am not a bird person, but I have just caught on to the bird trend that Stampin' Up seems to be on. I bought both of the silly bird sets on pages 90 and 91 and now I have the Big Shot die.

This club starts a new session on April 9 and has room for 2 more members. It will be a Scrappin' Club this round. The club meets on the 2nd Mondays of the month at 7:00 pm. We meet at 6:30 for those who want to do dinner. Each month's hostess takes turns picking up dinner (we all pay for our own!). This is an optional part of club. Our club also swaps layouts which makes keeping up with your own scrapbooking so much easier. Please contact me if you have any questions!

Directions for the Stair Step Card:

1. Start with a 5 x 8 1/4" piece of cardstock for the base of your card.
2. Score at 1 1/4, 2 1/2, 4 1/4, 6, 8 1/4.
3. Accordion fold it so that you have 3 stairs of varying heights. Start the fold so that the first small stair is facing down.
4. Cover your stairs with designer paper or cardstock of your choice. Mine measure 1 x 4 3/4", 1 1/2 x 4 3/4", and 2 x 4 3/4".
5. Decorate the 3 stairs with various die cuts or cut-out images. Be sure that when you fold the card, your pieces don't stick out to far to prevent the card from fitting into a standard envelope!

I will share the 2nd card-a spiral pop-up card---tomorrow!

Getting Ready for SSW--Part 1

What a mess! I am so excited that I have finally settled on what the make and takes will be for the Super Stampin' Weekend. It has been a huge source of stress for me lately. I had to hurry up and figure out what I needed so that I could place an order and have it arrive on time. I am still waiting on the rest of the order, but I thought I'd start getting ready what I have.

The Weekend fee includes 3 make and takes this year. We will be doing 2 scrapbook layouts and one 3D item. This picture shows me getting the materials ready. This is some of the pieces for two of the projects. We have 15 people joining us this year which isn't too bad to prepare for.

If you look closely, you will spot my gift to the participants of the Super Stampin' Weekend! I am very pleased with what I found this year. I will post pictures of the final projects after the weekend takes place so that I can keep them a surprise for the ladies attending.

Card Swaps

I think I've mentioned before that I am part of a group of demonstrators that swaps cards periodically. This lets us get a variety of samples to show our customers without having to purchase all of the stamp sets. Our group is called Quality Control Swappers or QC Swappers. The ladies in this group do fantastic work and I'm very honored to be included with them! Anyway, here are two cards I made recently for a "New Catalog Set" card swap for this group.

This first card uses A Good Friend stamp set found on page 91 in the current catalog. I am not a bird person (ask me about the time I found myself in Lorikeet Landing in San Deigo), but I just LOVE this bird in the stamp set. I also bought the coordinating set Cheep Talk on page 90.

I took the color combination from the Rainbow Sherbert designer paper--Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Green Galore, and Gable Green. This is such a fun, happy combination! I used my Big Shot Texturz plates to give some texture to the popped up wing.

Recipe
Stamp Sets: Good Friend, Wow Flowers (sentiment)
Paper: Rainbow Sherbet DP, Apricot Appeal, Gable Green, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Big Shot Texturz SU BG 1, Large Oval punch, Apricot Appeal grosgrain ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Cutter Kit


This second card uses the Lots of Thoughts stamp set. This is a set we've needed for a long time! No one likes having to make Sympathy cards, but there are times that we all need them. I fell in love with the tree in this set the minute I saw it. I was so very excited to see that we had a matching Decor Element. I haven't had a chance to put it up, but will share a picture once I do.

Recipe:
Stamp Set: Lots of Thoughts
Paper: Chocolate Chip Patterns DP, Sage Shadow, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip (craft and classic), Sage Shadow
Accessories: Iridescent Ice EP, Heat Tool, Kraft Tafetta Ribbon, Large Oval punch, Eyelet Border punch, 5/16 Neutral Brads, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Glitter Windows

Have you ever made a Glitter Window card? This was the first card technique I ever tried when I first started stamping. Below is the actual card I made over 4 years ago. I had just started stamping. It is a very simple, easy card--but definitely not my style now! :O)

The Glitter Window is made by adding a piece of clear packaging tape to the back and then sprinkling Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on top. While working on some cards the other day, I decided to give Glitter Windows another try. Here are two that I made:

This first card uses the Big Shot Snowflake die. The rest of the card is very simple because the snowflake window is so huge! I love that the Baja Breeze background shows through the window and gives a nice color to it.

This second card is made using two punches--the Scallop Circle and the Snowburst punch. I saw another card like this one and thought it was such a neat take on the glitter window.

Glitter Window Technique:
1. Use a punch or die or paper cutter to make some type of window in the base of your card.
2. Add packaging tape to the back of the cardstock so that the sticky of the tape is on front.
3. Sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds to the sticky side and brush off excess.
4. Finish your card as you like!

Class by Email: Sweet Stems Faux Silk Purse & Cards Set

I've had quite a few of you ask if I would be offering a class for the Valentine treat box and cards that I shared the other day. Well, I will not be doing an in-home class, but I will offer you the chance to get the directions in a Class by Email format. This means that you will receive a file with step by step directions to make the project. The directions will feature the colors and paper you see above. This Class by Email features the Faux Silk technique. Included in the file are step by step directions to complete the technique.

Option #1: Place a an order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) from now until March 31 and get the directions for FREE. You can place your order through my online store or directly with me. Club orders/SSW orders do not count. Once your order is placed, I will email you the 20 page step by step instruction file, complete with lots of pictures.

Here is a sample of the direction sheet:

Main products you will need to complete project as shown: Sweet Stems stamp set, Raspberry Tart designer paper, Wide Oval Punch, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Markers--Cameo Coral, Real Red, Pretty in Pink. Find the full list of products at the end of this post. Keep in mind that you can substitute what you have on hand like I did for the teachers' gifts in my previous post.

Option #2: You can purchase the 20 page instruction file for only $7. You can use the Buy Now button below to purchase this option. Once payment is received, I will email you the file.

ETA: The Paypal link is working now! Thanks to those of you who let me know it wasn't working!

ETA #2: Okay, I'm not sure what is going on with the Buy Now Paypal link. It is supposed to take you to a checkout screen that will allow you to use your Paypal account (if you have one) or pay with a credit card, but it seems some of you are having trouble with it. If it doesn't work for you, you can use Paypal to send the payment to me by using my email address: carriestamps@aol.com or email me and I can send an invoice through Paypal. Sorry for the trouble!

Price Options

Regular Price $7.00 Clubbers $5.00

This Class by Email is not available to Demonstrators.
If you wish to have more information, please contact me directly.

This Class by Email is available now until March 31.

Full List of Products Used:

Stamps
• Sweet Stems
(113726; Set of 4)
• Kind Thanks
(111700; Set of 4)

Paper
• 102544 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Rose Red
• 100475 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Cameo Coral
• 101650 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Very Vanilla
• 111353 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Kiwi Kiss
• 100459 Card Stock – 8 ½” x 11” – Pretty in Pink
• 113975 Designer Series Paper – 12” x 12” – Raspberry Tart

Ink
• 101179 Classic Ink – Basic Black
• 111835 Classic Ink – Kiwi Kiss
• 102283 Classic Ink – VersaMark Ink
• 105216 Classic Ink – Pumpkin Pie
• 100074 Stampin’ Write Marker – Cameo Coral
• 100052 Stampin’ Write Marker – Real Red
• 100045 Stampin’ Write Marker – Pretty in Pink

Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• 111879 Satin Ribbon – Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla
• 104045 Anywhere Glue Stick
• 104430 Stampin’ Dimensionals
• 104331 SNAIL Refill
• 104294 Sticky Strip
• 103683 Mini Glue Dots
• 107300 Medium Envelopes – Very Vanilla
• 103954 Aqua Painter
• 108362 Crop-A-Dile
• 112082 Wide Oval Punch
• 109047 3/16” Corner Rounder Punch
Adhesive, scissors and paper trimmer

Non Stampin' Up! Products Used
• Velcro™ Dot w/ sticky backing
• Tissue Paper (gift wrap) - White

Valentine Treats for Kyle's Teachers

The night before Kyle's little Valentine exchange at school, I stayed up late working on his teachers' gifts. I decided to make this adorable accordion box and set of matching cards. I used the Candy Lane designer series paper and the Sweet Stems stamp set. I included envelopes, of course, and a little cello bag of Hershey Kisses.

I just love the Sweet Stems stamp set. We will be using it in my Stamp-a-Stack on the 24th. I still have spots available, so let me know if you'd like to join us.

Yummy!

This is a super quick project that uses the Top Note die for the Big Shot. I found this idea on Dawn Griffith's blog and fell in love with it because of its simplicity. The stamped image you see is from the Yummy stamp set found in the Sale-a-Bration catalog. You can earn it as well as 5 other items for free with each $50 order from now until March 31. If you haven't see the catalog, check out the pink catalog to the right.


I took the above idea and came up with this idea for Kyle's school Valentines. He stamped them himself and wrote his name on the back of all 22 of them! I stamped the greeting and the ants to help him out. I was surprised at how quickly he did them. I thought we would need 2 days, but we finished in a little over an hour, I think.

A few of them have some shadow stamping (tapping the stamp a couple of times or dropping the stamp) and quite a few inky fingerprints. This one actually has the greeting in the top right, where as most of them had the greeting in the bottom right. I had planned on using mini glue dots to attach the Hersey kisses, but they wouldn't work. I had to use Sticky Strip instead.

February Newsletter Valentine Project

Here is an easy little Valentine treat you can make super quickly! This treat holder holds a little cello bag of candy. I used my new candy obsession---Sweethearts.

1. Cut a Real Red piece of cardstock to 3 1/4 x 8 1/2.
2. Score at 1, 4 1/2, and 5".
3. Use Scallop Edge punch to scallop the edge of the 1" section.
4. Stamp this piece as you wish.
5. Cut a small cello bag to 3 3/8".
6. Fill the bag with candy (you don't want it to be too full!).
7. Place the bag inside your pouch so that the open end is near the crease of the 1" flap.
8. Close the pouch and use your Crop-a-dile or hole punch to punch two holes in center of the 1" section---these punched holes will go through all layers--bag included.
9. Use ribbon to tie the pouch closed.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Happy Heart Day
Inks: Real Red, markers
Paper: Real Red, More Mustard, Whisper White
Other: Crop-a-dile, White grosgrain ribbon, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Versamark, heat tool, Scallop Edge punch

Candy Heart Purse

This is another project the ladies made at my Valentine Treats Class. It uses one clear envelope, a velcro dot and Coluzzle ovals. Easy and so cute! If I had a daughter, this is what she would be passing out for Valentine's Day!

1. Use Coluzzle to cut a large oval from cardstock and the next size oval from Designer Paper.
2. Adhere to ovals together and fold along the long side.
3. Use Crop-a-dile or hole punch to punch two holes along crease for your ribbon handle.
4. Tie a 10” piece of ribbon through the holes.
5. Use a bone folder to make sharp creases on the clear envelope flap. Fold up the bottom of the envelope so that it touches the flap creases—use bone folder to get a sharp crease.
6. Apply a strip of Sticky Strip at the top back of your envelope pouch. Adhere it to the inside of the cardstock oval at the crease.
7. Insert candy of your choice in the envelope. Fold up the bottom.
8. Adhere a Velcro dot to the inside flap of your cardstock oval and close your purse. When you are ready to give this as a gift, you can pull of the envelope flap covering and close the “bag.”
9. Decorate as you wish.

Scrapbooking Part 2

Okay, here is my 2nd layout for this week. These pictures are also from a few years ago. We bought some goldfish right before Christmas one year. Kyle has always loved animals and he loved watching the fish swim around. As you can see, Minnie the cat like them, too! Kent was dismayed that the fish lasted as long as they did. He got a bit tired of changing and cleaning the tank!

I used the Big Shot swirly die like I did for the Little Mermaid layout I posted a while back. Have I told you that I LOVE my Big Shot? I do.

Scrapbooking Part 1

I have vowed to do more of my own scrapbooking this year, so I am going to try to post a Scrapbooking layout each week. I won't promise, though! :)

My goal this year is to finish all of 2008, even though I have plenty of earlier photos I'd like to scrap. Well, just recently I veered off course and have started scrapping photos from 2 and 3 years ago. This is what I'll be sharing with you today and tomorrow.

Every good scrapper knows that you are supposed to journal your pages. Your supposed to tell the story that your photos can't tell. To be honest, I'm horrible about journaling. It's not that I don't write well or can't come up with something to say, but rather, I just don't take the time to do it! I know, I know---bad demonstrator! I will work on this. I do still plan to journal this page, though!

I have recently fallen in love with making punched art images. I have been a doing Stampin' Up! for over 4 years and have rarely bought anything that isn't SU! I find that photos I have of characters or very specific events are hard for me to scrap if I don't have matching stamps. So, I have now discovered how awesome it is to be able to make almost anything with our fabulous punches! Aren't the Sesame Street characters adorable?! I love them!

Scrapbooking Club

This is the layout that my club will be making this month. It uses the Love You Much stamp set and the Candy Lane designer paper.

If you are looking to make scrapbooking easier, you will want to join one of my Scrappin' Clubs! Each month, you will meet at my house to make a 12x12 layout like this. You will also swap layouts with your club members each month. This means that each person will make a two-page layout and duplicate it for every member in the group. Each month you will go home with up to 7 two-page layouts that only need your pictures to complete them. It is much easier to replicate a layout 6 times than coming up with 6 different layouts!

I have spots available for a Monday night Scrappin' Club. This club will meet on the 2nd Mondays of the month beginning in April. You will take turns one month to receive the Hostess Benefits---at least $15 to spend and a level 1 Hostess-only stamp set. I am also starting a waiting list for an additional night, but will need 6 people to get it started. Let me know if you are interested!

Stay tuned over the next few days for additional Scrapbooking samples!