Good morning everyone! Here's another Stamp Buffet card offering for you! This one's really simple and easy to make! As you can see, I cut slits in the artichoke cardstock to make the grass, and I used craft ink for the flower. For the flower center, I used a Summer Sun marker to color the yellow dots on the big flower directly on the stamp, stamped it, then punched out a chocolate chip circle for the center. I then used a close to cocoa marker to draw lines from the circle to the spots.

Very busy week this week. Work at the preschool, misc family stuff, then on Thursday, I'm off on a retreat with my Stampin' Up! demonstrator buddies! I'm really hoping that I can make time to do some challenges over at Splitcoast. I used to do those challenges regularly, and I even was a stalker and chatted with the ladies there a lot! Then, life got busy (and I got a little overwhelmed) with Chris not here, and I just dropped it all. I really miss chatting and doing the challenges, so I hope to at least stamp a few challenges! If you've never done the splitcoast challenges, they really help you stretch your creativity and improve your stamping. Some really great stampers participate in the challenges, and I always learn something new from them!

So, I'll see you all later hopefully with some new samples for your viewing pleasure! : )

Supplies:
Stamps: Big Blooms, Much Appreciated
Ink: Real Red Craft, Artichoke classic
Cardstock, Kraft, Artichoke, Naturals White, Choc chip
Accessories: markers, hole punches

Happy Monday everyone!

More Stamp Buffet Cards

Here's yet another Stamp Buffet Card that I offered at my class this week. I love this patterned paper by SU!

Not much time to chat today. My husband is irritated at how the craft supplies seem to have taken over the whole house, so I'll be straightening and organizing, laundry, etc today!

Supplies used on this cards are: In the Wild and Flannel BG stamps, Buckaroo Blue, Cranberry Crisp and Chocolate Chip cardstock and ink. SU patterned paper, brads and ribbon.

Have a happy Saturday!

Buffet Table

Hi everyone, here's the final display for my stamp buffet. I lined up the card choices along with the boxes of supplies, and everyone enjoyed picking out which cards they wanted to make. I then made up the leftovers for myself!

I'm having a few blog issues right now, so I'm going to take a break from trying to upload photos and sit down and stamp a bit!

Happy Friday everyone!

Stamp Buffet #2

Here's another Stamp Buffet card. I kept wanting to add something to the bottom Orchid Opulence panel like a background stamp or something, but I have to keep these cards relatively simple so they can get them all made during the class! I must give credit to Liz Thayer for this card. I got a swap from her last summer at the Stampin' Up! convention, and I've been admiring her card all year long! So, I changed up the colors and the stamps, but it's basically her card layout. I have no idea where she's from, but I did get her name off the back of the swap! Thanks Liz, wherever you are!

I'm patting myself on the back right now because I NEVER use Orchid Opulence. In fact, I rarely use purple! I'm starting to like it! And from my recent splurge on all of those flowers at Michaels, I do have some purple flowers I could incorporate into some future cards. Hmmm, the wheels are turning...

As for today's Stamp Buffet class, it's a keeper! The participants liked being able to choose the cards they made and how many they made of each design. The only drawback is that we could all have just stamped all day long, but the class was only three hours and each person had places to go, things to do, etc.

I've got another class session tonight, and then I'll post some more of the stamp buffet cards.

Supplies:
Stamps: Eat Cake
Cardstock and Ink: Orchid Opulence, White, Celery, Basic Black (I used markers on the cake)
Accessories: various beads and tacky tape, you can't see here, but I used a Sakura stardust pen on the candle flames

Stamp Buffet Card 1

Here's one of the cards I'm offering at the Stamp Buffet class tomorrow at my house. I rarely use this stamp set, and it's growing on me.

Supplies:
Stamps: Be Happy, Rough Texture wheel
Ink: Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow
Cardstock: Sage Shadow, Bashful Blue, Choc Chip, White
Accessories: Seaside Ribbon Originals, staple, SU button, linen thread, glue dots

After I took the pic, I realized that I ought to use a sanding block to smooth the cut edges of the flower. I rushed when I cut it out!

Gotta go clean the house for tomorrow!

It's still busy around here. Usually, during the week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are a blur of school, work, (I work at a preschool a few mornings) and carpool, etc.

So, I'd like to name at least one blog that I'd like to tag. I've been reading Natasha Trupp's for some time now. She makes great projects, and she posts often, so there's always something new to see on her blog.

There are gazillions of blogs out there that I love that have been tagged a zillion times, so I won't tag them, but I'll mention that I love Valerie Stangle's blog, and I also love Michelle Wooderson's blog.

I'll keep posting blogs that I love and I'll tag a few more after I get back from the preschool later today. I've also got some cards to post for ya!

Oh, and by the way, I'm trying to figure out how to put a blogroll on the side, so someday I hope to post blogs for you to click on. I'd like to share the love!

See you later!

Tag!

Hi everyone! Cheryl tagged me and that means it's time for me to share seven things you might not know about me.

Hmmm, what to tell...

1. I'm from Hickory, NC and I moved all the way to Charlotte as soon as I graduated from college. (it's only one hour away. I didn't venture far away from home!)
2. I'm a big homebody. I just love being home with my family.
3. I used to sing in the church choir from age 3 - about 23. I miss it!
4. My mom owns a dance studio and I thought I was going to move to NY and be a famous broadway star. Somewhere along the way I decided to just get married and enjoy the simple life. I couldn't be happier!
5. I still sing in the shower and in the car, and my 8 yr old daughter suggested that I try to get on American Idol. Of course, I'm too old and too chicken to ever sing in front of Simon Cowell! So sweet that my daughter thought I could carry a tune!
6. I just figured out how to insert a link into my blog posts! See above where I link to Cheryl's blog?
7. My big secret -- I have a stash of girl scout cookies hidden where no one can find them! What kind you ask? Thin Mints of course!

Now, who to tag next? I'll have to try to narrow it down to five I think. I'll get back to you on that.

Thanks Cheryl for tagging me and commenting on my blog! I love making new blog friends!

Less is More!

I'm posting Tuesday's post on Monday night simply because I've got a slammed schedule tomorrow! At 7:15 in the morning I've a parent-teacher conference with my son's teachers, at 9:30 I've got my BSF bible study class, and then I'm taking a jewelry-beading technique class at noon. I'm totally psyched to take that class! I've got tons of beads but no skills! LOL!

Anywho, here's a card to tide us all over 'til I can post my Stamp Buffet cards and move onto more fun projects!

Each month I have a Stamp and Crop night at my house. My friends and customers are invited to come over and stamp the night away. I always start the night off with a quick and simple make n take to get the creative juices flowing. Here's the card we made last Friday.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron
Ink: Always Artichoke
Stamps: Small Sayings
Accessories: 1/8" hole punch, rose SU grosgrain

I got the layout simply from the measurement of the patterned DP. I just started by cutting a 5 1/2" strip of 12 x 12 patterned paper. Then I cut about 2" strips to get as many cards as I can out of one sheet of my precious patterned paper! The rest of the card just evolved from there. Not much planning went into this card. I really need to make more simple cards. I waste a lot of time trying to make the perfect card. This was so much easier! (I must admit, though, I'm thinking that maybe a BG stamp would be nice on this card. What do you think?)

See you Wednesday!

Clippie Craze!

I just had to make one of these when I saw them on Splitcoast. So, here's my version!

Here's how I did it. I ran 3" strips of the patterned DP and cardstock through my xyron. I then adhered the strips to recycled chipboard from the back of an old desk calendar also cut into 3" strips. I then cut all of the strips down to little squares just the right size to fit over the Accucut flower die. Very little waste of my paper and chipboard. The pieces of chipboard have patterned DP on one side and solid on the other so you can see both papers.

I finally topped off the flower with a jeweled brad from Making Memories. You know I love the bling! I then adhered all of the pieces together using an adhesive called Goop. I prefer Goop to E6000. Goop is thicker and the pieces don't move around much once you put them together.

I found the Goop at Hobby Lobby, the grosgrain is from SU, and the clips are from Wal Mart.

I've gotta say that the xyron and the Big Shot are handy tools/toys to have around! I love mine!

I'm still working on my Stamp Buffet cards. I got most of it done yesterday, and will post the cards as soon as I'm finished! Happy Monday everyone!

In the Meantime...

While I'm working hard on my class, here's a card that I found in my sample basket. I made it last year and I still love it!

The paper is from SU and the Stamps are from SU, but I added in some other punches which I love (of course they are flower punches!). The bookplate is from SU's pockets and pieces die cut sheets and I brayered some Pretty in Pink over it to get the color I wanted. The little flower punch is from SU and I just cut a second punches flower apart to get the leaves. The ribbon is a variety of Michaels and SU ribbon.

Have a great day everyone, and I'll start posting my Stamp Buffet cards later on this evening for the coming week!

Workin' Hard!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to check in and say hi! A few people emailed me and asked me about my Stamp Buffet class that I'm offerring later this week. This is a pic of my stamp room as a prep for this class.

Here's how the Stamp Buffet works:

1. I plan about 8 different cards. In this picture, I'm pulling out a wide variety of different styles of stamps, sentiments, colors, etc. Although I try to mix it up a bit, I can't seem to stay away from Certainly Celery!

2. I cut for a base number of cards for each card design, then I'm prepared to cut more on the spot if I need to. At the class, the participants have prepaid for a minimum of 10 cards to reserve their spot. Once they're at the class, they can make more cards if they'd like. Then, they just pay the difference at the end of the class if they end up making more than 10 cards.

3. It's called a Stamp Buffet because the participants can choose the cards they want to make. Normally, I offer Stamp a Stack classes with a preset number of cards, so this class offers more selection.

4. As for the design of each card, sometimes I go through my swaps for inspiration; sometimes the stamp set dictates the layout of the card; sometimes the patterned paper dictates the card design; you get the idea.

5. Finally, in my home, I'll have several tables set up depending on how many RSVP. I'll have these boxes lined up on another table. The participants will pick the box they want to work with and get to it. Then, they'll put the box back when they move on to another card. It's just like visiting the buffet at a restaurant!

This is what I'll be working on all day today! Hopefully, I can get to Sunday School and church too!

PS, notice the stack of extra lunch tins in the background. Teacher gifts for the end of the year maybe? So many projects....sigh....

Yet Another Lunchtin

Yes, here's the obligatory lunchtin. I know, everyone's been there and done that. I just wanted to share with you all another way to use a silk flower on a project. We made these in my stamp club. It's funny, some of my club members just loved making these, while others thought it was just too much work. Makes me wonder, what kind of stamper am I? Do I love to alter things and do lots of different techniques? Or am I a stamp and go kind of girl? I think I fall somewhere in between. What kind of stamper are you? Do you love the process or do you prefer more simple projects?

On this tin, I took the flower apart and added a white Prima for the center and a Making Memories rhinestone brad. I love the bling!

This weekend, I'll be planning a Stamp Buffet class. I'll be offerring about 8 different card choices, so I'm looking forward to playing with my stamps all weekend! I'll post my card selections later on this weekend. (Assuming the kids and the DH will leave me alone so I can stamp!)

Have a happy Friday everyone!

Doodle Challenged

I struggle to pull off the current doodle style of stamping and papercrafting. It's not my usual style of stamping, but I love the look and I hope I can learn to use it in my scrapbooks and cards.

Having said that, I really liked making this card. I started with a bunch of pieces of Summer Sun cardstock that I had left over from a class I had taught. I really am not fond of Summer Sun, but I was determined to use it up. I stamped Canvas BG with More Mustard ink to tone down the yellow. Then I stamped the flourish from Doodle This in black and used a gel pen to highlight it. I love that gel pen from SU!

Finally, I added a band of cardstock and ribbon and topped it off with the SU Designer Label Punch box kit. I stamped a sentiment from Just So Sayings to finish it off. Of course, I had to add a flower that I got from a cheap bunch of white flowers at AC Moore. I did use a Making Memories tiny yellow flower to bring in the yellow and used a black SU brad to hold the flowers together.

I do want to give credit to Rachelhope13 over at splitcoast for inspiring this layout. Her card is different, but her layout inspired this card.

Happy Birthday Liz!

One of my stampin' buddies is having a birthday! Liz, are you out there? There are some goodies coming out your way! I hope you have a great day!

I embellished this cute tin from Michaels with some of those flowers I bought at Michaels. I LOVE these flowers! I love primas too, but it's so fun to take the silk flowers apart and layer the petals and add brads and more! Here, I added a big brad from Hobby Lobby. Sorry, I can't remember the brand. I used glue dots to adhere the ribbon and I used tacky tape to adhere the black cardstock to the tin.

Finally, in the window, I stamped friend from the Noteworthy stamp set from SU.

Have a great day everyone!

What's with all the flowers?

Some of my friends might tell you I'm a bit compulsive. Well, I am! Michaels has had lots of good sales lately, and I noticed that they had all of their flowers on sale, so I picked up several bunches. (Ok, a LOT of bunches) I love all of the flowers I'm seeing on cards and layouts these days, so I thought I'd take them apart and add brads, bling, etc.

The next few posts will show what I've been doing with these flowers!

Another Swap Card!

Here's another swap card I recently made for a Spring Mini swap. I really like this card because it uses some of my current fav stamps and I just love that slit punch/scallop border trick! I made a stack of cards like this for myself as well to keep thank you's on hand!

No chatter today, gotta get to work! Have a great Monday everyone!

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!)

Stamps: Petals wheel, Office Accoutrement, Much Appreciated

Ink and Cardstock: Cool Carribean, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, W. White

Accessories: Spiral Punch, flower punch, ribbon, brad, slit punch, distressing tool

Swaps!

This card is a simple card that I made for a card swap recently. I just love this giraffe! Basically, I stamped Dotted BG on So Saffron, wheeled the Petals wheel in Ballet Blue on Ballet Blue cardstock, stamped the giraffe from Wild About You in So Saffron and added Chocolate Chip antlers tail with a marker. Add a few brads and a sentiment, and it's done! The Boy oh Boy stamp is from Just So Sayings stamp set in the SU Spring mini. I buy almost all of Stampin' Up's sentiment stamps. I love the small sentiment stamps that they've had in the last two mini catalogs. I use those stamps a lot!

I sponged a little grass with Almost Artichoke and then used a marker of the same color to make sprigs of grass. I'm so not artsy and can't draw to save my life, but the grass turned out ok I think!

Where have I been?

Hi everyone! After a long absence I'm back!!! Before I tell all about the last several crazy months, let's chat about this card!

This card has little-to-no stamping! I used Stampin' Up's Little Reminders Accents and Elements tin along with So Saffron cardstock for the card base, plus a few pieces of Petals and Paisleys DP which I LOVE! Finally, I used an SU flower punch, ribbon and brad to top it off!

I'm totally into flowers these days, and my next few posts will show that!

So, where have I been for the past few months? Without going into the boring details, I'll just list the highlights:

1. My son was having trouble in school, so I spent several agonizing weeks touring schools and we took the plunge and switched to private parochial school mid-year. It was a stressful decision, but the kids are happy now and doing well! I had to make this decision on my own since DH was in Iraq at the time.

2. Speaking of Iraq, my DH managed to get injured over there by an IED. Long story short, he was hit by debris, knocked out and suffered from a head injury including a few skull fractures and a wrist fracture. Fast forward to today, he's home and doing well, but I was a mess for several weeks because I wasn't able to speak to him or see him for a while before I could go see him when he was evacuated out of Iraq and eventually back to the states! This all happened right as the kids were entering a new school. It was crazy! I will say that the new school was a God send. On the kids first day, the school was praying for us and I received so much love and support from the whole school!

3. With DH's homecoming, I'm getting adjusted to having another adult living in the house again. It was weird at first, but overall fabulous! I'm so happy he's home! I'm sleeping better for the first time in a year, and I'm just happy that he's back. I'm stamping for fun again, and I love it!

That's it for now. I've got several projects to post over the few days and then I'll start posting about the fun I'm having with some of the new toys I've bought recently!

Have a great day everyone!

Vera