On your Special Day

Good Afternoon everyone! I have been up all night with the CRAZY weather here in the Midwest, and so have the kiddos. There was so much excitement here ya think it was Christmas Eve. In Fact, they were up SO early asking if they could go outside and play in all that wonderful snow... Ahh to be a kid again and really appreciate a snow day! :) So What does one do until all hours of the night besides watching the blizzard outside? Well Stamp Of Course! Being wide awake I took advantage, and got to some creating with a set from the SU Occasion's mini catty called Sew Suite. At first I wasn't too sure about the versatility of the set, but, I am really warming up to it now! Lots of Possibilities really...Like......

a wedding card. Clean and classy if I do say so myself! *wink* Needless to say it was a long but productive night. I have plenty more samples to show you so stay tuned, OK? Details below, and thanks for stopping by!

Heather :)

Stamps - Sew Suite, Occasional Quotes

ink - Basic Black

Paper - Textured Basic Gray, Sahara Sand

Access - Black Satin Ribbon, White Satin Ribbon, a Small piece of tulle (non-SU), Basic Pearls, Dimensional Dots, Sm Heart punch, Paper piercing tool

PCS February Issue is almost here!

Good Morning! Is everyone in the Midwest gearing up for the Blizzard of 2011? I know I am. I made sure I had all the proper provisions yesterday....card stock, check,... adhesive, check...current addition of Paper Crafters Sampler, check! :) What is Paper Crafters Sampler you ask?  It is a monthly online subscription to beautiful cards and 3D projects made exclusively with Stampin' Up! products, that are based on a monthly theme -
Each monthly issue includes:

•Step-by-step instructions for 8 projects
•Full color images
•Complete supply list
•Paper dimensions for recreating each project
All projects shown in the Paper Crafters Sampler (PCS) are designed exclusively by experienced Stampin’ Up! demonstrators. Each design team member brings to the sampler her own personal style, allowing the sampler to showcase unique and interesting projects.


Samplers are based on monthly themes, allowing subscribers a one-stop resource for beautiful paper crafting ideas. Demonstrators will also find each monthly theme from Paper Crafters Sampler a useful asset when preparing for monthly workshops. Samplers are planned well in advance to allow time to recreate the projects well before the season and holidays. Each issue provides a variety of projects ideas ranging from cards, to 3D items and Scrap booking projects.

The February 2011 sampler arrives February 10th. The theme is "Easter Wishes" and focuses on ideas for the upcoming Easter holidays.  You'll find sweet baskets and treat boxes along with beautiful themed cards and box sets.

As a member of the PCS (Paper Crafter Sampler) design team, I got to preview some of this months projects. All I can say is AMAZING! Here is a sneeky peek at my project in the upcoming issue - 

So Cute! Oh! I almost forgot..Melanie, our faithful leader designed an exclusive template in this issue just for our awesome subscribers! So you won't want to miss out! Use PCSHK when subscribing, or just mention my name!

Thanks for stopping by!

Heather :)

The Love Boat

Love, exciting and new, come aboard, we're expecting you...(I can hear you now... singing along.) I will admit I sang the whole time I put this cutie together. :)

I ran across a larger version of this "Love Boat" while sitting at the Dr. office flipping through the Valentine edition of Family Fun magazine. Their version used an Orange Juice carton, so I said to myself, why not try it out on our own Big Shot Milk Carton die. Yes, .... underneath  those layers of paper is the SU little ol' Milk Carton diecut box. Isn't it the Bees Knees?!! Here is a picture of the underside -

Here are the deets. Cut your milk carton out of cardstock, I used Whisper White. I assembled it,  and just left the bottom open so I could fill it.  I traced around the assembled milk carton, on whisper white, cut out leaving about 1/4 inch around the outside. This is the top of my boat.  I cut little slits up to the traced lines and folded these down, then added adhesive to the tabs and fit around the assembled milk carton. (You can repeat this step for the bottom of the carton if you choose). I cut a strip of whisper white 1 5/8 x 7 3/8, applied sticky strip to the top and bottom edge of the long sides, and wrapped around the milk carton.  I cut  pieces of Real Red, Pretty in pink, and Marina Mist the same length as my whisper white piece, 7 3/8" long. (I used my 1/2 circle punch to make the waves on my Marina mist layer).  To make the port holes, I punched circles in black using the circle from the ity bity shapes punch pack. I used a standard hole punch and basic gray stock for the outer layer, and then punched around those holes with the ity bity circle punch. To make the smoke stacks, I rolled black stock around a pencil, and secured with sticky strip. I hand cut the cloud and punched the hearts out of a scrap that I had previously ran through the bigshot using the square lattice embossing folder. I attached them to OLD SU wire that I still have in my stash, to make them appear as if they were coming from the stacks. I made the flag from a scrap of whisper white and a real red punched heart, and wrapped it around a toothpick. 

...Viola! A love boat!

Heather :)

Bright WT307

Hello All! Finally done with what needed to be done today, and got a chance to play. I took a quick peek at the ways to use it challenge over at Splitcoaststampers, and the challenge was to use a rainbow, or four colors on our project. I don't have anything traditional rainbow, so I chose to use four colors. I still have quite a bit of the Good Neighbor 6x6 paper from last Sale-a-bration, so I decided to use some of the cute papers for my card today. The stack has quite a few papers that have little hearts on them, so I made a valentine today. I really {heart} these papers and even with as much as I have, I find it very hard, painful almost, to use them. I know, I know, pathetic right? I AM a sap for the pretty pinks, and girly things considering I am the only female in my household. Anyhoo, enough of my yammering, details are below. Thanks for taking a peek!

Heather :)

Stamps - Grateful Greetings

Paper - Pretty in pink, Whisper white, Melon Mambo, Good Neighbor DSP

Ink - Bermuda Bay

Acess - Big shot, Perfect polka dot EF, Scallop rectangle clearlit, Scallop trim border, pink gingham ribbon, ity bity shapes punch, basic pearls, dimensional dots

Whale of a wish

Good morning all! What another crazy weekend in my little corner of the world! Football games, Birthdays, and Stamping with friends, and to top it all off Today SALE-A-BRATION kicks off! WhoooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!

I had the pleasure of celebrating my 40th birthday with my family this weekend, and was sad to see that my sweet brother-in-law could not make the gathering. We have not seen him since Thanksgiving, and has been sick this entire time. He is fighting a virus that is really kickin' his butt! Needless to say, my sister-in-law has assured us all that he has NEVER lost a fight that he didn't think he could win! I do miss him dearly, and wanted to let him know that he is in our thoughts, and wish him well! So I pulled out a set that I thought would bring a smile to his face, Pun Fun! I seldom use this set, not quite sure why....( maybe because Stampin' Up! keeps coming out with all this new yummy stuff! *wink* ) I used some scraps from the Sweet Pea DSP pack from last Spring, and a piece of non SU craft card stock for the base, as I wait for more from my favorite UPS man. Turned out Uber cute in my book, am I right? Off to the post office....Thanks for taking a peek! Details below -

Stamps - Pun Fun, Dot, Dot, Dot

Paper - Non SU craft, Whisper white, Soft Sky, Sweet Pea DSP, Always Artichoke, Taken with teal

Ink - Versamarker, Versamark, going gray, black, pink pirouette

Access- 2 1/2, 1 3/4 circle punches, sm oval punch, paper piercer, coluzzle, two way glue, dazzling diamonds, soft suede ribbon, dimensional dots

Heather :)

Hello Baby

Happy Wednesday! I have a quick one for you today... I have been playing with some new Sale-a-bration goodies this week. YEP! it's that time of year again! SU's SALE-A-BRATION! Starting January 25th you can place a $50 net order with me and earn your choice of a free product from the Sale-a-bration catalog. The stamp I used for this cute card is from a set called Punch Bunch. There are so many fabulous sets and other goodies this Sale-a-bration! So don't miss out! Thanks for taking a peek! :) Details below -

Stamps - Punch bunch, (Avail. 1/25)  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper - Whisper white, white textured, Pear Pizazz, Pear Pizazz DSP
Ink - Marina Mist, Daffodil delight, Pear Pizazz
Access - open scallop border punch, Certainly Celery satin ribbon, Paper Piercer, corner rounder

Heather :)

Bold Valentine

Happy Monday! What a weekend right?! I am still spinning... Today I am sharing a Bright and Cheery card with you. I had these colors in scraps on my table, and REALLY liked them together. Not your typical valentine colors, but what the hay! Super Cute right?! Well I think so. :) Thanks for stopping by. Details below -

Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper - Melon Mambo textured, Old Olive, Whisper white, Concord crush DSP, Pink Pirouette

Ink - Concord Crush

Acess - Heart to Heart punch, open scallop border punch, petal card punch, dimensional dots, big shot, perfect polka dot EF, stapler, two way glue, Dazzling diamonds

Heather :)

One by one

Afternoon all! I have a quick post for you today, really busy today. I want to share a birthday card with you for my Niece Lorelei. She is turning 5. She is such a spitfire! Wise beyond her years really, and I {heart} her to bits! The birthday sentiments and layout for this card are from the SU Occasions mini catalog. The set is called Bring on the Cake. Super Fun! Gotta run! Thanks for taking a peek. Details below -

Paper - Peach Parfait, Whisper white, Chocolate chip, Sweet always DSP (retired), Pretty in pink

Stamps - Bring on the Cake

ink - Chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, pink pirouette, creamy Carmel, regal rose, pretty in pink

Access - scallop edge border punch, punch pack, med oval punch, paper piercer, rick rack, dimensional dots, mini glue dots, 1/4 and 1/16 circle punches, versamarker

Happy Thoughts

Hi! Today is a happy day! The kiddo's are back in school!!!!! Now don't get me wrong, I was perfectly happy spending the holiday break with them, it's my couch that is super relieved they are back to the grind!

I am at home today... the snow is getting deep, and I decided that this is where I need to be. YEP..Playing!!
I checked the color challenge over on Splitcoaststampers today, and the colors were inspiring. ALL reds and pinks. I rarely sit down and pull out these colors. I used a new goodie too! The tulip frame embossing folder from the occasions mini catty. It is so dainty and feminine!..... Ahhh, Happy Day! Details below -

Stamps - Apple Blossom, Fabulous Phrases, Party hearty
Paper - Pink Pirouette, whisper white, pretty in pink
Ink - Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo, pretty in pink, versamark
Access - big shot, Framed Tulip EF, Punch pack flower, essential pearls, white EP, dimensional dot, mini glue dots

Thanks for taking a peek! :)

Heather

A Sweet Surprise

A Few days ago I received an email from one of my biggest heros Penny Thomas. I met her a few years ago at an SU Convention. My first Convention to be exact. My upline had talked about her on the plane while traveling to SLC, and said she is a real sweetheart. Well Penny is that and more! She surprised me with my first blog award:

I think I blushed a little. I said to myself, "An award? Little ol' me? What do I do now? Who do I thank? (Well Penny Of COURSE!) What shall I wear?" Penny dear, Thank you for this wonderful award, and finding my blog inspiring. As the receiver of this award I am supposed to share 8 things about myself with you, and list 8 blogs that inspire me everyday. OK, are you ready?? Here it goes :

1.) My Mom is one of my best friends. She IS all that and a bag of chips! She makes me laugh, shares my love of crafting with me, and is always there when I need her. (HI MOM!!!!!)

2.) I OBSESS over a clean house, almost to a fault. I need horizontal surfaces, and books on shelves. A clean palette for my kids to mess up again.

3.) I CAN NOT and WILL NOT make it one day with out coffee or chocolate. Resistance is futile in my eyes! And to put the record straight, if the coffee and the chocolate are together there is nothing holding me back! *wink*

4.) I love to cook and bake. A long time ago I had wanted to be a pastry chef, but life took me in other directions. Now I just bake because it goes so well with my coffee!

5.) After 11 years, I am still madly in love with my husband, Tim. My heart still skips a beat when he is near me.(Especially when he is holding a delivery from Stampin' Up! HA! )

6. Thanks to my husband I am a Locksmith. (We have a locksmith business)

7. I  really like to do the laundry.  No problem! But putting it away when it's done is a completely different job in my book.

8. I do all my own stunts. (Do you know how hard that really is?)

Whew.... Are ya still with me?? Thanks for hanging in there!  Finally, the good stuff, the blogs that I find inspiring and visit on a regular basis are : in no particular order - Penny Thomas  - as a demonstrator that has made Founder's circle 3 times, she inspires me to give it my best! I wish I didn't live so far away from this truly sweet and incredible woman! (It must be something in that family because her sister Pam D'Urso is just as sweet as can be too!) Brandi Wiggins-Cote' -Her card making and scrapping style is SO funky and fresh! She inspires me with all the awesome pictures she takes of her boys, and reminds me to write those little moments down. Amy Sheffer - Gosh where do I start, her work is out of this world! She really inspires me to think outside the box. Kelly Lunceford - When I first started stamping, and lurking around Splitcoaststampers, her art work jumped out at me, and I fell in love with her incredible style, and I still feel the same way today, Krystie Lee - She has such a clean and free style. She inspires me to get back to the basics, paper and ink. Splitcoaststampers - Well, it's not a blog really. I have to admit, that is where all the inspiration started for me. There has not been a day for as long as I can remember, that I have not gone through the gallery and not find someones/everyones work AWE inspiring. I feel the same way about Stampin' Connection (demo only site) - Just AWE inspiring everyday! I honestly and truly do not need to go anywhere else for inspiration than there! You can google search any of the above mentioned names, and see for yourself why I find these ladies, and places full of inspiration. :)

Pucker UP!

Hi Again! I wanted to share a project with you that my club girls and I will be making at our gathering this month. When I got the preview SAB catalog, I looked over the stamp sets from the main catalog in the back that can be earned with a $50 purchase. Low and behold Tart and Tangy was on the list! What a perfect set to showcase. I found these little paint cans at my LSS, decorated them with Daffodil Delight and Real Red accents, used the citrus slice from the set and of course Lemon Drops and Viola! A Sweet & Cute Valentine treat! (I hand wrote the sentiment to go with my candy choice. ) Thanks for taking a peek! Details are below

Stamps - Tart & Tangy

Paper - Whisper White, Real red, Daffodil Delight

Ink - Daffodil delight, black marker

Access - full heart punch, heart to heart punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch,  pinking heart border punch, daffodil delight stripe ribbon, real red grosgrain ribbon,  two way glue, dazzling diamonds, dimensional dots, glue dots, sticky strip

*ETA - I found the cans at my local Michael's Store.

**ETA - I have had quite a few people contact me regarding where to find these little paint cans. These were quite new to my local store, so I would suggest keeping a look out for them as they update their stock regularly with the changing holidays. I have suggested to some to contact Michael's Corporate office, to have them check the quantity at your local store. The skew number for the can is - 400100778159. They are part of their "Wrap it Up" line of products. Good Luck. 

Heather :)

A gift from a dear friend

Hi! Today I have a non- SU card for you. Like most of you out there, we have friends that LOVE to stamp. I have a dear friend who loves ALL things paper and stamping related. She is a really good stamper and friend. For Christmas this year, she gifted me this EVER so cute MFT pure innocence stamp called Start your day with  WHEE!  She is SO super sweet! I needed to make her a thank you card, so why not use the  image she gave me. I used some non SU papers from my stash, paper pieced her dress,  and colored her with my copic markers. ( I am really breaking the rules today! *wink*) I just love the outcome, and I am sure that she will too! Thanks for taking a peek! Details below -

Stamps - MFT Pure Innocence

Paper - Crumb cake, Whisper white, Cosmo Cricket Material Girl

Ink - Memento tuxedo black, early espresso. copics to color

Access- Big shot, lg scallop oval frame die, square lattice Embossing Folder, dimensional dots

A banner day

Hello! In an earlier post I said I was going to share what I was up to while the kids were playing with their new goodies from Santa. I am starting to get my samples together for my club girls this month, and this is one of them. My inspiration came from a recent issue of Paper Crafts magazine. I used some new goodies, and some oldies but goodies for this one. For the banner I cut out X's & O's with my Timeless Type Jr. alphabet to create my pennants, and used my perforating tool to create the string for then added brads to the ends.  I replaced one "O" for a punched heart, and added a little bling with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I Just love the simplicity, and the clean lines. I am sure the girls are going to love it! Thanks for stopping by, and taking a peek! Details are below -

Stamps - All Holidays

Ink - black, Poppy Parade

Paper - Poppy Parade, Blushing bride, Black, Whisper White, Poppy Parade DSP

Access - Big Shot, Timeless type Jr. Alpha. Perfect polka dot EF, Perforating tool, brads, Sm heart punch, two way glue, Dazzling diamonds, Dimensional dots.

Don't fix it if it's not broken

Good Morning All! I was contacted by a lovely lady named Linda, a fellow Demo, who let me know that my recent changes to my blog were making it very hard to read. Sorry about that. I was in the mood for some change, and some bright and cheery colors considering we are in the throws of winter. But as the saying goes, "don't fix it if it isn't broken", I will revert back to something that you are able to read. ( Duh? isn't that why I started this whole thing in the first place?) Thank you Linda from the bottom of my toes for letting me know! :)

Some news to share

Happy New Year Everyone!! I am super excited to announce that I have been asked to be a part of Ms. Melanie Schulenberg's Paper Crafters Sampler Design team! It is a monthly online publication of projects made exclusively with Stampin' Up! products! What a GREAT resource of ideas to use your SU! supplies! You can subscribe to receive each month's editions, which includes 8 projects created with a monthly theme in mind and all the templates and instructions to all of these wonderful projects! I have seen some of the wonderful and inventive creations from past editions, and it is definitely worth the while. You can check out a trial sampler on the PCS (Paper Crafter Sampler) website to see what I mean! I promise you will not be disappointed.... Here is a sneak peek at my project in this January's issue, available starting Jan. 11, 2011

Just click on the PCS link on my sidebar to check out the Early Bird Special that is going on right now too!

Hurry the special ends

Jan. 9, 2011

If you decide to subscribe, please us my referral code PCSHK or let them know Heather sent ya! :)

Sweet Love Frame

Hi! Long time no see! I do remember saying that I was not going to be back until the New Year, but to be honest, I couldn't make it! I have been busy, and have been spending time with the kiddos, it's just that new toys from Santa have seem to take precedence lately! *wink* Sooooo, I decided to play too! I will be showing you what I have been up to over the next couple of days, but for now I want to share a frame that I submitted to Stampin' Up! for their February Stampin' Success art contest. Needless to say, it did not make the cut, but it's all good! Just have to try again! I made this sweet frame with various DSP's that are available in the current catalog. ( Yes you read that right, I used current DSP! HA! I think I shocked myself a little too!) The middle of the frame was cut using the scallop square die for the big shot. I cut a piece of acetate the same size as the vanilla border, secured the two with sticky strip, then added some foam tape to pop it up so I could change the picture. Super cute! Thanks for stopping by! Details are below -

Stamps - Fabulous phrases
Paper - Play date, Newsprint, Pear Pizazz, Garden Gala DSP's, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Real Red
Ink - Early Espresso
Access - Big shot, Scallop Square die, Full Heart punch, Heart to Heart punch, Lg and Sm corner rounders, Acetate, Paper piercer, hole punch, early espresso 1/8 ribbon, Dimensional dots, foam tape, sticky strip, Timeless Type alphabet, Chipboard, linen thread

Make it Merry

Hello, and happy Monday! Can you Believe it... less than a week to Christmas..Yikes! I finally finished all my Christmas cards. YEAH!! I hope they get to their destinations on time! I decided I was going to make this card a year ago, and ya think I would have had finished them all a long time ago. Sometimes I have the best intentions, but then I get a *little* distracted.. (Hey look some new stamps to play with! HA!)



So with that said, this will be my last post for 2010, as I plan to take some time to spend with family and kiddos, and to recharge those creative juices! I have lots to share in the New Year, so I hope you will join me! I hope the holidays bring you Joy and Peace, and all the best for the New Year!

Heather :)

A welcome break

Happy Friday all! I am forcing myself to sit down and play with some new goodies today. (Did ya ever notice how hard it is to twist your own arm! HA!!) I am taking a welcome break from those last minute holiday cards to play along in today's Free 4 all challenge on Splitcoaststampers. And the challenge was to do just that! Take a break from those last minute things, and remember to BREATHE! We were asked to make a birthday card and that's it! How easy peasy! I actually got my youngest son Ian birthday card done a day ahead of time too! I hope you join in, and take a break today too! Thanks for taking a peek. Details below -

Stamps - Bring on the Cake ( available Jan. 4th, 2011)

Paper - Crumb cake, in color prints pack, whisper white, daffodil delight

ink - crumb cake, black, daffodil delight

Access - big shot, perfect polka dot folder, daffodil stripe ribbon, yellow embroidery floss, dimensional dots



Snowed in.....

Afternoon! Just wanted to share another project that I have made for myself, with one of my FAVORITE wheels from Stampin' Up!, Neighborhood. I made something similar to this for a friend quite awhile ago when she was buying her first home, and I always wanted to make one for myself. I just Love it! I water colored my row houses, cut them out, and added some Liquid applique to the eaves, and the stoops. I know that it is no longer a SU product, but Dazzling diamonds just wasn't doing the trick for me. I used chipboard letters from lots of letters, sponged them with crumb cake, and added a little snow to the letters too! The frame is from my LSS, and the opening is for a 5x7 picture. Details below -

Stamps - Neighborhood wheel
Paper - whisper white, wintergreen DSP (retired)
ink - real red, daffodil delight, old olive, Cajun craze, basic gray, crumb cake
access - lots of letters chipboard, sponge, two way glue, dazzling diamonds glitter, liquid applique, frame, dimensional dots, aqua painter

Thanks for taking a peek. :)

A S(n)ewy day project.....

Hello! I first want to apologize for not posting in such a long time. Life really got in the way of things for me for a while, and as much as I wanted to come downstairs and play, I could never find the time. My youngest, Ian, broke his foot and I have been really preoccupied with him, and trying to get ready for the holidays. I know you can all relate in some fashion, so thanks for understanding. I did find the time to finally play with the Designer fabric from the SU Holiday mini, and make a pillow for myself. This sewing thing is really new to me, and I think I did a pretty good job this being my first pillow and all. I kept it simple, adding a little trim to the edges of my pillow wrap. Can't wait to show my Mom.. she is the sewing guru in our family. she will be so proud! Details and directions to make your own pillow wrap are below -

fabric - SU Deck the halls Designer fabric

ribbon - Early Espresso satin ribbon, crochet trim

Directions -

Materials -

your choice of SU designer fabrics (enough to cut (8) 6 1/2 squares

3/8 yard lining fabric

1- 12x16 pillow form

Decorative button (optional)

thread to match

Cut from SU designer fabrics :

Eight 6 1/2" squares . Note that the seam allowance is on four sides for easy cutting

Cut from lining fabric:

One 12 1/2" x 24 1/2" rectangle

Instructions -

*1/4" seam allowance is used throughout

Sew four rows of two 6 1/2" squares together. Press seams.

Sew four rows together to create one 12 1/2" x 24 1/2" pieced pillow wrap.

Place pieced wrap and lining right sides together. Sew the two long edges. Turn right sides out and press.

On one short open end, press under 1/4", wrong sides together.

Fold the wrap in half with pieced sides together. Insert the unpressed short end into the pressed short end. Pin. Top stitch through all layers to form wrap.

Top stitch outer edges.

Press and slide over pillow.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day everyone. :)