A BIG BUNCH OF THANKS!!

Welcome to my brand new blog! I hope you enjoy what I share and are inspired to create something of your own. I will try to post new things every day, so check often to see what's new. Become a "follower" to be notified when new posts are made. Thanks for taking a look at my addiction, and I hope you visit often.

My blog would not have been possible without the help of my dear friend MaryAnn Sansonetti, self-proclaimed "Technology Dork!" MaryAnn has spent countless hours showing me the ropes of this blogging stuff, and although there's still much to learn, I can at least post a pretty good picture now. MaryAnn, thanks so much for everything - especially the close friendship that I truly treasure. This hobby took on a whole new life when you joined me. Thanks for helping to make this so much fun every day!

Beth Feverston this is all your fault! I had never heard of Stampin' Up! until I met you. Not only were you my earliest inspiration, but I consider you my greatest mentor in the SU business. I learned so much by observing how you conducted your workshops and I strive to conduct my business "just like Beth." You might recognize some card designs from time to time as I still frequently refer to my big box of "Beth cards!' Thanks so much!

Tanjalee Vance, you helped "kick-start" my business by introducing me to so many of your friends who later became my customers (and my friends too!) Thanks for helping me grow a sizable business in a not-so-sizable town! For this I will be forever grateful. You are so awesome!

Lori Gladders - Thanks for helping me get started with the business end of SU and for your continued techniques coaching.

Hope you enjoy.....

Sweet Stems

Don't you just love the spring flowers in the new Sweet Stems set?! I used Naturals White as the card base, and made the Top Note with Pretty in Pink cardstock. The flowers are colored with markers and finished with 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon. The phrase "because nice matters" is from the new hostess set "Sweet Little Sentiments."

Raspberry Tart and Lovely Labels

These might have been the favorite cards from February's Stamp-A-Stack. The Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper is beautiful against Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss cardstock. Laura suggested the paper has a "Vera Bradley" look to it, and I have to agree! The centerpiece is stamped from Lovely Labels, and the Signo white gel pens really make the scallop circle "pop."

Botanical Blooms

Botanical Blooms is one of the free sets offered in this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion. I used baja breeze and mellow moss and very vanilla cardstock. The new Eyelet Border Punch adds a delicate touch to any card and is very easy to use. Baja Breeze Designer Series Paper is used on the bottom, and an open leaf is stamped with Versamark to make a subtle background.

Sale-A-Bration Goodies!

These cards feature three of the free gift choices from the current Sale-A-Bration promotion. The Polka Dot Punches stamp set was used to create the hearts and scallops, which fit perfectly into the Full Heart and Scallop Circle punches. Delicate Dots Designer Paper and the So Saffron and Certainly Celery Ribbon Bundle finish the design. The stamped phrases on the bottom are from Really Retro. For more info regarding Sale-A-Bration, click on the catalog on the left!

My New Craft Room!

I am so proud of the craft room that my wonderful husband, John, built for me last Christmas (I love you, Santa!), and I wanted to share it with you. These beautiful storage cabinets are actually custom closet organizers from Home Depot. The four vertical sections are sold with a few shelves and clothing rods, and you add doors and drawers to customize any way you want. I love the way it turned out and I now have so much room to organize all my stuff....with room to grow!

Ribbon and Punches Galore!

Other crafters have posted pics of this creative peg-board storage idea so I had John make one for me. The bars for the punches are actually the clothing bars from the closet units in the photo above. My ribbon is stored in spice racks. Other little pantry containers are used to store my Stampin' Mist, StazOn Cleaner and Crystal Effects, and scissors hang from various hooks. The floor lamp was $25 from Target. (I saved room for the new scallop oval punch coming soon!)

Creative Domain

I found this kitchen table at Big Lots for $99 and it's the perfect size for crafting. The tall storage drawers fit perfectly underneath. My adhesives, pastels, pencils, projects-in-progress and miscellaneous supplies are at a very convenient arm's reach.

Organized paper!

These shelves were also part of the Home Depot closet collection. The adjustable and very sturdy shelves makes paper organization a breeze. I can tell at a glance what paper is running low....hmmm....not much of anything at the moment! My computer stand is new too - only $40 from Staples.

Did you notice the curtains?

My mom had this great idea that I should STAMP my curtains, and the minute she suggested it, I knew I had to do it! The curtains are plain white muslin from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I bought sponge stamps and paint at Michaels. Mom made the lavender bow tie-backs (I don't sew!) and that's all there was to it. Very whimsical and cute!

Simply Pretty!

The simplicity and bright colors in this card makes it one of my favorites. I used Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White cardstock. The flowers are from various sets: Priceless, Eastern Blooms and Seeing Spots. The greeting is from Sincere Salutations.

MaryAnn's Pocket Silhouettes

This is a case from my dear friend MaryAnn using Pocket Silhouettes and Much Appreciated. The background ferns are from Organic Grace in our last catalog. The cardstock is Really Rust, Sage Shadow and Very Vanilla.

Say it with Scallops

Baja Breeze and Old Olive cardstock were used to coordinate with our retired Green Tea designer paper. "Say it with Scallops" fits perfectly in the scallop square punch....imagine that.....and the card is finished with baja breeze 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon.

Doodle This

"Doodle This" is one of my favorite sets and I'll miss it when it retires. I love the swirls! The big flower was made by stamping one on Whisper White cardstock, stamping a second on scrap paper to cut out and attach with a jeweled brad. The cardstock colors are Lavender Lace and Bashful Blue and the sentiment is from "Sincere Salutations."

Tweet Birthday Card

This bright and cheery birthday card highlights our "A Little Birdie Told Me" set and one of last year's Sale-A-Bration sets, "Lots of Thoughts." I used Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White paper and the retired "Bali Breeze" designer paper. My favorite scallop circle punch was used along with 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon.

To Thine Own Self Be Kind

I saw this card on SCS by Regina Cornelius and couldn't wait to copy it! I changed some colors, but Regina gets all the credit here. Really Rust, Old Olive, More Mustard and Very Vanilla cardstock are used. It's hard to see in the photo, but I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the rust background. The stamp set is Botanical Blooms from the current Sale-A-Bration catalog. I stamped some blooms and leaves in the background on the vanilla paper. Three blooms are cut out and attached with Stampin' Dimensionals. The flower pot was made with the large oval punch and cutting off the ends. The pot is made with More Mustard paper, and rubbed in Really Rust ink.