My Favorite Chick

For today's post, I'm sharing my last, and probably most favorite, chick.  I love this little guy.  He reminds me of an embroidery project I did years ago.  They both look like they just got out of bed:)

Well goodbye, darling little chick.  We'll miss you.

I've now finished reorganizing my stamps that will remain for the new catalog year and I'll be focusing on them a lot during the month of May, along with making a few fun projects with the stamps and products that demonstrators may order in May.  Stay tuned because it's going to be a fun ride.

Also, if you're in the area, don't forget to sign up for my next Scraps and Prayers class ... Monday, May 8.  We're going to make a super fun little plant decor project.  I'll be sharing some sneak peeks in one of my posts in the next few days.

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Chick Talk and Stamp Organization

I'm going to take a couple of days to say goodbye to our SAB chicks.  I think they're sooooo cute!  They may have to move into my 'keep for a while longer' pile of stamps.  This was a super chaotic week in my studio.  I pulled out every single stamp and stacked them in piles on my studio table.  Then I pulled out all the retiring stamps and put them into banker boxes for future sales days.  Then, I referred to the new catalog online (on our Demonstrators' website) and reorganized the remaining stamps into the new catalog categories.

I organize my stamps according to the table of contents categories in the catalog.  Then I number the back of each set.  This is super important.  After a busy class, which involves having out many, many stamp sets, I stack them all behind the bar (where I store them) and put them away quickly, using the numbers I've written on the back of each.  I keep them in large baskets and boxes in pull-out drawers in the lower cabinets -- very handy.  When a new catalog comes out, I can change any numbers that need a new number to align with the latest catalog.  It use an alcohol wipe and then I dry it with a paper towel, so I can add the new number with a black Sharpie.

When my catalog preorder comes in this week, the first thing I'll do is to get the numbers onto the new stamp sets.  They won't be put away right then though, because I'll want to start working with them right away:)

Now, let's say goodbye to two of our cute little chicks.

Don't ask where I got the wonderful chicken wire background stamp because I can't find a label on it and I don't remember.  I bought it a long, long, long time ago (before I'd even heard of Stampin' Up!) and knew I should keep it for a future project.  It was perfect for this one.

I love the little egg, too!

I think these two chicks are in deep conversation.  I hope they're not going to gossip or plan an attempted escape!

Goodbye for now, cute little chicks.  We'll say goodbye to one more chick in my next post and then we'll move on.  The creative fun just never ends!

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Let's Go Over My 'Two' Reminders Once More

Yes, lets go over it all once more because, after all, it's all about the TWO.  Here's a super important reminder from my previous post.

I've been thinking that I wanted to do something fun and new for my April and May classes.  I think I've figured out what I want to do!  It's all about the TWO and the fun lasts for TWO months.  Here's the scoop: 
 
BRING A FRIEND - 
During April and May, get a friend to sign up with you for a class and you'll each get $5.00 off the class.  Don't forget, you'll need to pay to register at least 2 days prior to the class.  TWO -- more fun than one.
ORDER SOME FUN GOODIES -
During April and May, place an order of $50. or more (before tax and shipping) and you'll earn TWO tokens instead of one!!!  Remember, once you've earned 10 tokens you can exchange them for a $25.00 gift certificate.  You can use it for catalog items of your choice, ordering through me.

Scroll on down and see what's up next.  I've added events for May and June, so you can plan ahead and mark your calendars.
I've been thinking that I wanted to do something fun and new for my April and May classes.  I think I've figured out what I want to do!  It's all about the TWO and the fun lasts for TWO months.  Here's the scoop: 
 
BRING A FRIEND - 
During April and May, get a friend to sign up with you for a class and you'll each get $5.00 off the class.  Don't forget, you'll need to pay to register at least 2 days prior to the class.  TWO -- more fun than one.
ORDER SOME FUN GOODIES -
During April and May, place an order of $50. or more (before tax and shipping) and you'll earn TWO tokens instead of one!!!  Remember, once you've earned 10 tokens you can exchange them for a $25.00 gift certificate.  You can use it for catalog items of your choice, ordering through me.

Scroll on down and see what's up next.  I've added events for April, May and June, so you can plan ahead and mark your calendars.

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

A Few More Spring Treats and Projects

Before I get too much further along into moving toward the new catalog transition, I thought I'd share a few more Spring projects I've made over the past month or so.

My mission style library table was filled with all things Spring.

I found this little 3-tier holder recently and had to bring it home.  It matches the new accent colors in my studio (Pool Party/Coastal Cabana and Pear Pizzazz/Lucky Limeade).

I have seen a lot of these cute little baskets online.  I guess great minds think alike.  Whenever you have a die like this, it's easy to imagine using it for a 3-D project.  These tiny bunnies fit very nicely and look so cute!

I made a lot of different colors of mini egg cartons.

The cards in my cute little 'bird cage' are from an SAB kit.  They were super fun and easy to make.

... a close-up ...

These cute little mini Spring treat holders were inspired by Lisa (click here).  They are filled with foil wrapped chocolate eggs.  (Yum!!!)

I love this little Spring bunny!  The bow is a tuxedo bow.  It's on page 15 in my ribbons album.  The bow holds the box closed so the eggs don't escape and no one has to tear up your cute little box to get to the treats inside.

I put robin's eggs (malted milk!!!) in these cute little mini coffee cups.  If you're inspired by any of these projects, be sure to check out the Occasions Catalog, before the sales period ends.  Some items are gone already and others are available at a reduced price.

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Stepping It Up With Bermuda Bay ... Note Card to Full-Sized Card

Let's grab our Bermuda Bay ink, CS and glimmer paper and step up to a full-sized card from our previous note card design.  Let's look at the note card first.  I think it's actually my favorite of the two sizes of cards.  It's just cute and fun.  The front of the card has 1/2 inch trimmed off, to allow the pretty glimmer paper to show through ... which is a strip on the bottom of the inside of the note card.

Here's the full-sized card. Extra stars, glimmer paper in the middle, and same stenciling as the note card.

You can see just a simple punched star to add a little fun to the inside of the card.

So ... Which design do you like the best?

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Good News / Bad News ... Shocking!

Which should I share first?  Let's do the bad news first and get it over with for good.  The bad news is quite shocking, actually.  I've had a death in my studio -- an old and faithful friend -- my first Big Shot!  Gasp!!! Yes, it's been with me since it first became available through Stampin' Up!  I took the handle off to save it (in case of emergency or in case I wanted a keepsake from my dear old friend) but I can't seem to throw my old faithful friend away.  My husband said he would be able to do it today.

Goodbye old friend.  (Sniffle, sniffle.)  You've cut and embossed thousands (maybe millions) of wonderful projects.  I'll miss you.

Welcome to my studio, new friend.

Now, sniffle, sniffle, let's get to the good news!  First of all, I have a new Big Shot.  Yay!  I'm sure it will try it's best to live up to my fond memories of my old friend, so I gave it a big welcome.
But wait...
There's more!  You may have noticed a mention of our Eastern Palace Suite on my class schedules.  It's coming soon!!!  My preorder arrived recently.  It's awesome!  The coordinating thinlits dies are amazing and I can't wait to create with them.  This is one of those times when a new and wonderful product preempts my previous class schedules I'd planned.  Trust me.  It's worth it!

AND MORE CREATIVE FUN ... UP NEXT: 
May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Butterfly Birthday Card

This card uses the same technique as the card in my previous post.  I just switched out the dies I used and switched out the color I used.  We made this one at my creative stenciling class.  Super easy and super fun!

In my previous post, I die cut my dragonfly from vellum, colored the back, and then heat set it.  I did the same with the two butterflies in this card.

UP NEXT:
April Events:
April 22 / Saturday Stampers / Birthday Bonanza / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Birthday treats, too! / REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Dragonfly Birthday Card

Here's a card we'll be making at my Saturday Stampers class.  It's going to be so much fun!  Actually, as of today, registration for this class is closed.  Be sure, if you have a class you'd like to take, sign up early, so you don't miss out.  I do limit class size, so I can give help, as needed, as well as have plenty of materials for each one in the class.
Now, back to today's card.  This card actually uses dies as stencils.  The only time you need to use the Big Shot is to cut out the attached dragonfly.  

I used Pool Party for my spritzing.

The butterfly is cut from vellum.  I added color to the vellum by sponging the back of the dragonfly and then heat set the ink.

I think this technique makes for a really pretty card.

You can easily change your design by varying the color you use to spritz and/or varying the die you use for your stencil.

UP NEXT:
April Events:
April 22 / Saturday Stampers / Birthday Bonanza / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Triple Dragonfly Birthday ... Stepping It Up

I had a version of today's card posted previously.  Today's card is a stepped up design for my triple dragonflies card. 

I added some gold speckles, changed the sentiment and added another layer to my card, to coordinate with the Island Indigo that I sponged into the three little squares.

Here are both card designs.  Honestly, I love them both.

UP NEXT:
April Events:
April 22 / Saturday Stampers / Birthday Bonanza / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / NOTE:  NEW DATE / Birthday treats, too!!!

May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Happy Easter

Plaid Stenciling and A Colorful Egg

This is another card we made at my creative stenciling class.  This one was my favorite.  I just loved how fun and easy it was to create the plaid background.  I used a retired striped stencil from Stampin' Up! and 2 different colors for the plaid.  I chose Pear Pizzazz and Bermuda Bay.  These work well together for a fun Spring look.

The cute little bunnies are attached with dimensionals.

I used our new watercolor pencils to color my bunnies and then 'smoothed' out the coloring using my Aqua Painter ... and .... must have coordinating envelope:)

The 3 eggs are cut from our Glimmer Papers.

So cute!

Now for the egg.  This is a Simon Says Stamp die that I used to create a stenciled design for the egg.  The die cuts the oval (egg) shape and the flower, leaf, and dot designs all at one time.  I sponged my bright colors onto a piece of CS and attached it inside the front of the card.  I added lots of bright, Springy colors ... simple but very pretty.  I don't often veer from using only SU products, but seek other sources when SU does not offer what I want to use for a particular project.

UP NEXT:
April Events:
April 22 / Saturday Stampers / Birthday Bonanza / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / NOTE:  NEW DATE / Birthday treats, too!!!

May Events:
May 8 / Scraps and Prayers / Plant Decor Project / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Prepare for some super fun!

May 20 / Saturday Stampers / Eastern Palace Suite Projects / 3 cards + a layout / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / THIS IS ALL NEW -- NEW PRODUCTS / NEW PROJECTS / SUPER FUN!!!

June Events:
June 12 / Scraps and Prayers / All Occasions Cards / 5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Make some beautiful cards to add to your stash to send to special friends and/or family.

June 17 / Saturday Stampers /  Mixed Media Patriotic Project / 1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / Make a project that you can use every year as a part of your decor.

June 22 / EARLY BIRD GARAGE SALE / 5:30-6:30
June 23 + 24 / GARAGE SALE / 8:00-5:00

June 25 / Open House New Catalog Party / 2:00-5:00

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.