Happy Easter Every Bunny!

There is this Easter Stamp set in the main catalogue, called "Everybunny".

As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it.  You may be wondering if it's worth your money to buy a stamp set that you'll only use once a year.  

Well I say it IS worth it!
There are several things you can use it for:
Easter displays
Easter Cards
Spring Cards (birthdays, anniversaries)

and the most important, in my opinion, is it would be so cute for scrapbooking!  I'm in the process of scrapbooking my girls baby books, and how cute would this set look for their first Easter pages?

Cute.
Well, here's what we did with it last night in Club:

This is a tri-shutter card.
Here are the instructions I found here: http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2010/02/cardmaking-301-trifold-shutter-card.html.  I love how simply she explains it.

I used:
Stamp Set: Everybunny
Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party, So Saffron
Accessories: Subtles brads, Wisteria Wonder Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, In Color DSP, Every Egg Stampin' Wheel
Tools: Watercoloring with Aqua painters, Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Trifold Shutter Card
Instructions starting with a standard 8 ½” by 11” piece of cardstock and, when folded, this fits in a regular A2 envelope (standard size for handmade cards).

Cut the cardstock to 5 ½” by 10 ½”. 
Scores are from the short end and run edge to edge at 1 ¾”, 3 ½”, 7” and 8 ¾”. This just shows you how the cardstock should be on your cutter (I’m a very visual person – descriptions don’t work well for me!!!)

Next cut a slit 1 ½” from each edge and run between the first score line and the last score line. And here’s a shot of how it looks once your slit is cut. As you can see, I was supervised the whole time I did this to make sure I got it right!!

Now the folds – a series of “peak” and “valley” folds. They are a bit tricky! First “peak” fold the top and bottom thin sections but DO NOT fold the middle section at all where there are not score lines (look at the next picture to see the unfolded middle section):

At the next score, “valley” fold the top and bottom thin sections, and peak fold the middle section:

The next score is peak folded on top and bottom thin sections and valley folded in the middle:

And at the last score, valley fold top and bottom sections; again, do not fold middle section at all. This is a finished look:

Here it is folded up, and how it looks as it opens:

Thanks for visiting!

Inspired to Scrapbook

One of the reasons I started as a demonstrator for Stampin' Up (besides the discount, and to be able to build relationships with others) was to build up enough product to scrapbook.  Unfortunately, now I have all the stuff, but significantly less time to scrapbook.  However, every once and I while, I get really inspired, and start plowing through my pictures.
I saw this layout by Denise Cox on Stampin' Connection, which is a place for demonstrators to show off our projects.
This is what she made:



I am so truly inspired by this layout!  What a beautiful job she did.  It uses the DSP from sale-a-bration.  I love the colors, the simplicity, and yet details she used.

Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP (sale-a-bration)
           Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Chocolate Chip, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla
Stamp Set: Fresh Vintage (sale-a-bration)
Big Shot: Top Note, Beautiful Butterflies and Beautiful Wings

I hope to upload some samples of my scrapbooking soon, but unfortunately both of my computers are not working, and are being fixed, so that makes things a little more difficult.

Hope you are as inspired by me to get out that scrapbook!

Swaps, swaps, and more swaps!

I attended my first quarterly upline meeting with Kristina Koch... it was a great night of seeing demos, and learning some new techniques.
I participated in the circle swap, with about 10 others.
I thought I'd share with you all of the samples!

This is my swap.  I wanted to use Sale-a-bration stuff, so I used the stamp set Elementary Elegance, with the new Designer Series Paper Everyday Enchantment.    The colors are basic black, very vanilla, and poppy parade.... I thought the neutrals really mellowed out the poppy parade.  Very elegant card, don't you think?

This is by Ethel De Temple.  The stamp set is Rue Des Fleurs, and the colors are whisper white and calypso coral.

This is by Annette Renfrey, and it's using a stamp set I highlighted below from the Occasions Mini Catalogue.

This is by Maureen Pollock, and I'm going to guess this is also Calypso Coral.

Made by Carol Arbour.

I love the colors used in this one!  This is riding hood red, pacific point and baja breeze.... an unusual color combo, but I love it!  Very refreshing.  Got to love the pleated ribbon from the Occasions Mini!  Made by Kellie Ohlmann.

This is by Wendy Anderson.  I like the way she used the punch behind to make it look a little like a doilie.

I was super pleased to get this one, because I just love the technique!  Very fun for Summer time, you may see this come up again around July!  This was by Allison Day.

This is super elegant and pretty.  It's by Jenillee Pauls, using products completely from the Occasions Mini as well.

This is by Sandia Farrell, and it's actually using My Digital Studios!  Very smart.

And this is using two stamp sets from Sale-a-bration.... very fun and Springy!  It is by Kim Knight.

This one is by Rina Laforges-Girard.  And I think I saved my favorite for last.... everything about this is pretty to me, yet super simple!  Once again, we're seeing calypso coral used here, and the Tea Shoppe set that is a must have from the Occasions Mini!

Thanks for looking, which is YOUR favorite swap?

Valentine Fever and other things

I love Valentine's Day!  Really, I think I just love all holidays.  This one is fun for me, because my mom always went all out on Valentine's Day for my sisters and me.  Heart shaped pizza and sparkling apple cider for dinner, pink dyed bread for school lunches, that sort of thing.  It was super fun.
Here's a display my sister and I made with various current Stampin' Up! products:

Stamp sets: I (heart) hearts
                   Outlined occasions (new for sale-a-bration!)
                   Forever Hearts (retired: on sale for $18)

Ink and paper: Perfect Plum
                        Real Red
                        Pretty in Pink

the tins are from target.

Finally, my club cards:

The hearts card is inspired by the one and only Mary Fish.  
Stamp sets: I (heart) hearts
                   Short and Sweet


Ink and Paper: Chocolate chip
                        Crumb Cake
                        Real Red
                        Tempting Turquiose
                        Pacific Point
                        Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: mini library clips
                    Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon
                    pinking hearts border punch
                    Brights collection buttons
                    3 heart punch

The penguin is inspired by my upline, Ann Driscoll.    SO CUTE!!!!  It is with the owl punch. 
Stamp sets: Merry Winter
                   Serene Snowflakes

Ink and Paper: Marina Mist
                        Baja Breeze
                        Blushing Bride

Accessories: Owl punch
                     Modern Label punch
                     Pinking hearts border punch
                     Dazzling Diamonds
                     2 Way Glue pen
                    Crimper
                     Big Shot
                    Snowflake embossing folder

I hope you enjoyed looking, and have a wonderful Valentine's season!

Final Occasions Mini shoutout....

My last favorites are the whole product line of the sweet shoppe product suite.

 Everything is so divine for spring/summer, and so cheerful!  You can see all these products starting on page 32 of the catalogue, or here to link to the entire catalogue.
I love the baker's twine that comes in different colors... it will add to so many projects!
And then the embossing powder that smells!
 Unbelievable! Here's a super sweet card made with the scented emboss powder!

I hope you enjoy this mini as much as I do!

Occasions Mini Walkthrough Part 2

Don't you just love a cup of tea?  I have always been more of a coffee person, but I was recently introduced to this wonderful Canadian Tea company called Davids Tea (no, I don't work there, it's just really awesome!)  I love that we have the new stamp set Tea Shoppe.  It is a must have for us tea lovers! 

(tea shoppe wood: 125545 $42.95 clear: 125547 $33.95)
There is just so much you can do with this stamp set!
Here's a sample:

Another stamp set that is bound to be popular is You're my Type.   So retro to me, I can't wait to use it with browns and yellows.... (check out page 27 of the mini for a classic look with this set).
Here's a sample by the fabulous Mary Fish (yet again).

(You're My Type Wood 125564 $21.95 Clear: $16.95 125650)
just so stunning, right?

If you know a bride, or are one yourself, it has been years since we've had this lovely of a Wedding set.  Check out Love and Laughter on page 29:

(love & laughter wood: $27.95 125475 clear $21.95 125477 )
another must have!

I truly think Loved Ones is a pivital set, because you will be able to use this over and over again:

(Loved Ones: Wood $38.95 125465 Clear: $31.95 125467 )

And then, just for fun, check out Totally A-maze-ing.  I find it really hard to find stamp sets or cards that amuse guys.  If my brother and law says "that's really cool!" and has a hard time putting it down, I know it's a gooder.  This will definitely pass his test:

(totally A-maze-ing: wood $35.95 125505 clear $27.95 125507)

I can't believe I've run out of time already!  Guess you're going to have to wait for my last bits of favorites.

A Walk through the New Occasions Mini : Part 1

I'm like a little kid at Christmas when a new Catalogue is released!  And the Occasions Mini is no exception!
I thought to get back in the saddle of blogging, I would highlight a few of my favorite things about this new mini....
The first thing is on Page 6, the new framelits dies for the Big Shot.  If you've got a Big Shot, this is an absolute MUST!  Each of the collections include 6 dies... perfect for scrapbooking, and card making, in seconds!  Don't forget to check out the stamp set Apothecary Art, that coordinates perfectly with the labels collection dies!

Here's a card using the labels collection by Sandi Maciver (http://www.sandimaciver.com/).  Isn't it stunning?
And one using the hearts collection, by Mary Fish... I just absolutely LOVE anything that Mary Fish does... here's a link to her blog: http://www.stampinpretty.com/2011/12/i-heart-stampin-up-framelits.html

The next thing I have to point out is the stunning pleated satin ribbon (page 12).
Here's an example of the pleated ribbon, once again by Sandi Maciver:

 

 I love that this card also uses the beautiful stamp set Take it to heart (page 14) available in clear or wood mount. 

I have completely ran out of time to show more of my favorites... come back soon for the rest!