Tips on Bows & Knots

I think we all struggle with bows and knots at times.  Mary Fish has a very helpful video on her blog to help make that task a little easier and neater.  Watch her video on YouTube Tying a Pretty Knot.  Thanks for all your helpful tips Mary!

Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

Here are a couple cards made with the new Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper coming in the new 2011-2012 Catalog.  (Sorry for the hazy images)  You can purchase this lovely paper early as a special offer during April with a $20 order.  Visit my Stampin' Up! Website for more details about the new Spring is Blossoming promotion!

 I made the Sympathy card with Old Olive as the base color and Cajun Craze as the highlight color for this card as my first sample, then made additional cards using Not Quite Navy as the base and Peach Parfait as the highlight color.  I liked the Not Quite Navy version much better, but sent them out in the mail without photographing them!

This card was actually one I quickly threw together for a friend's birthday.  The flower on the For You sentiment is raised, as well as the Not Quite Navy Scallop Circle.  I also cut out and raised the lovely drooping flower in the upper left corner.  Basic Rhinestones are used to highlight the flower center and the scallop on the bottom.  I love this one!  (It really looks much better in real life.)  It has sparkle and pop!!  :)

STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD, OH MY!

I was astounded to find an email in my box from Chanda Stehlik saying that she had bestowed upon me the Stylish Blogger Award!  In no way do I feel deserving of such an award when there are so many lovely blogs out there and I am very new to this; but, Chanda, I sincerely thank you for this and am so very pleased that you enjoy my blog.  I always LOVE going to Chanda's blog to see her adorable creations.  You can visit her blog to see her beautiful work at http://www.onecraftymommy.com/.

When you receive this award you are to pay it forward and follow these rules:

1) thank the person who gave this award to you and link it back to their blog (see above link)

2) share 8 things about yourself

3) pass this award to 8 other individuals that you have recently discovered

4) leave a comment so that they can pass along the recognition!

Well, here goes . . .Eight things about me that you may not know:

1 - I have always considered myself uncreative and do not like crafts (until I discovered Stampin' Up!).

2 - I was a SAHM for 9 years and LOVED IT!!!  Spending time with my children is the very best thing I have ever done and truly was my biggest ambition in life.  Currently I work at Schnucks (a local grocery store chain) at the Schnucks Cooks station cooking food and offering samples to people, while helping them learn about healthy eating and cooking skills.

3 - While I was home with my children, I also sold Christmas Around the World products and earned 3 fabulous FREE trips with my sales - Hawaii, Alaskan Cruise, and Egypt/Israel.  I just love Christmas and around our house is was Christmas 6 months out of the year!  Thanks for the opportunity, Harry Lloyd!

4 -  I am a perfectionist.

5 - Dharma and Greg makes me laugh out loud!

6 - I love old movies, especially musicals like Singing in the Rain and White Christmas.  Beach Party movies with Frankie and Annette are way up there for me, too!

7 - I own the complete series of I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched and watch them frequently.

8 - Maltese is my favorite breed of dog, and I took my beautiful Mandy through obedience trials and titled her with a CD and a CDX of which I am very proud!  I also love cats and birds!  OK, all animals, . . . but currently have 3 cats, a beautiful Maltese, and fish!

Now, to offer this lovely award to 8 others.  Oh, there are so many wonderful blogs out there, and many of my choices had already received the award, but I have selected the following:

http://stampingforsanity.blogspot.com/
http://reneevs.blogspot.com/
http://dianesdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://www.stamppattys.com/
http://vanessascardstudio.blogspot.com/
http://debbiesdesignsblog.blogspot.com/
http://stampingwithlulu.blogspot.com/
http://heartsdelightcards.blogspot.com/

I have awarded these based on the following:  They must have posted recently, I find their blog/work creative, inspirational, and classy, and they have not received this award in the past.  (Or at least I didn't see it posted on their blogs) Most importantly, they make me smile!  Stop on by these lovely ladies' sites and have a look around. Leave them a comment while you're there. We demos just love that! :) Thanks again for the award, Chanda.  I am so honored!

Christmas in February???

It will be Christmas in February for my hostess tomorrow when she receives her Stampin' Up! party order!  With all the wonderful Sale-A-Bration extras, she earned over $300 in free merchandise!  She has many lovely friends who attended and enjoyed cute projects and helpful tips last Sunday afternoon.  Congrats, Phyllis!  Enjoy!

Great New Ideas

Here's a great use for the Blossom Petals Punch--It's not just for flowers!  Check out what Jackie Topa has done with her imagination . . .  Meet the Garden Gnome.

For directions visit http://www.jackietopa.typepad.com/

Thanks for sharing Jackie!

Paper Crafter's Library!

Check out the new Paper Crafter's Library with the link on the right sidebar!  It's filled with great new ideas and projects for you, along with instructional videos.  New items are constantly being added.  It's a great way to find some inspiration and instruction right in your own home!  You'll love it!

Please contact me with your order if you need any new products to complete the wonderful projects you will surely be inspired to make.

Christmas Greetings

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season!  There is so much going on at this time of year--I am still trying to get to the bottom of piles and sort through boxes of stuff!  I have yet to get my stampin' area cleaned up enough to use.  :(    That is my goal, though, so I can play with all the great new goodies from the spring mini-catalog!   What cute stuff!!!  Check back soon for samples.