Thankful for my Friends

I decided I would show some gratitude to some of my friends. I am going through a tough time as I struggle to find a teaching job in Michigan. I am very thankful for everyone who has helped me and shown me the support I need at this time. I have found that the stamping has been a great escape and a wonderful therapy for me. It is one reason I got into this business. I would love to share with my story with you, so if I haven't, be sure to click on My Story on the home page.
Now for the card: This card uses my favorite stamp set "Vintage Vogue." It's a MUST HAVE if you don't have it. And it is now in the big 2010-2011 catalog, YEAH! Get it in clear mount or on wooden blocks. This set is SOOOOO GREAT! It has so much to it that can be used in so many ways. A border, swirly leafy design (yes, that is the technical term for it :)), big flower, small flower, leaf, two sets of words, and a big F with the word friend. It also has a coordinating jumbo wheel. I'm with Shelli on this one, <3.
The paper colors are Regal Rose and Real Red. The ink colors are Melon Mambo, VersaMark, Chocolate Chip, and Soft Suede. I sponged the outside of the Real Red with Soft Suede and I added a Chocolate Chip Corduroy button to the inside of the flower. These buttons are no longer available, but I still like them.
I know that the last two cards I used are in almost the same colors, but I have discovered I LOVE browns with pinks. In Stampin' Up! we would refer to them as Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, and Regal Rose.

Going to Relay...

and I thought I would feature my new favorite fabric craft. I love these fabulous flower barrettes. They are so fast, easy, inexpensive, and no sewing required! They are made with my Big Shot and the Flower Folds die. I just add a button or brad of my choice in the middle.

Although my daughter said that the flower barrette looked goofy with my Relay For Life bright orange shirt, I didn't care! Nothing makes conversation like a great big, mismatched flower on your head!!

Here's a little secret: I can't wait to order some of the Stampin' Up! holiday fabric to make me some holiday pins as gifts and barrettes for the girls! YES...I did just say that Stampin' Up! will have something for my fabric friends! Can't tell you anymore than that, but be sure to check your mail boxes for the upcoming Holiday Mini! I know I will be!

Birthday Thank You

After the party was all done, it was time to start considering what to do for a thank you. Since I had already purchased the Simple Birthday Wishes stamp, I wanted to use it again. So after I looked for some ideas, I found this one online. Create a one sided sheet and people open the bottom to find the hidden message. I liked that I didn't have to write an entire message, but was able to make it personal by adding a few words. To make the bottom open up I decided to put a slit with my hobby blade in the side of the cupcake holder. As my sister and daughter cut out the bottoms, they left a flap attached to slide into the slit. Add a little glue and use the bone folder to make a nice, crisp fold to open. I did discover that a few words telling the person to open might be helpful, or they might think they just got a cupcake in the mail!

The colors for the paper I used are Lavendar Lace (retired), Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Tempting Turquiose, Very Vanilla, and Crushed Curry (retired).

The ink color I used is Elegent Eggplant.

My daughter colored in the cherry with a Blender Pen and Real Red.

My favorite part of this card though is the bottom. I love my Big Shot texture plates! It really

makes this cupcake look extra good!

The design was CASEd from Michele Moran.

A Money Saving Tip

When I created my daugther's birthday invitations, I decided to help the guests out by saving them some money and time of buying a birthday card. The front was a cupcake with a removable piece that said, "You're Invited." I used my temporary adhesive, Dotto, and applied it to the top of the paper which I wanted to apply on the inside of the card. On the bottom, I wrote a message that said, "Take off this paper and reuse as a birthday card." Give it a try to allow people to reuse your nice, handmade cards. GO GREEN!

An Invitation for Happy, Simple Birthday Wishes

My baby girl just turned 3 and of course yours truly made the invitations. I purchased the Simple Birthday Wishes stamp from Stampin' Up! and looked for some ideas on splitcoaststampers. Although I can't remember where I got this idea from, it is CASEd from someone else. I am working on using up my retired product for personal use, so the designer paper, is no longer available. Although the cutting got to be tedious by the time I got to card number 3, it was well worth it. I loved how they turned out! I have now added the crimper to my wish list due to the many ways I've learned to use it, including for the cupcake holder. I will definately be hosting a class that features the crimper.

The paper colors I used are Real Red, Bravo Burgendy, and Regal Rose.

The ink color I used is Real Red.

I added glitter to the cherry, colored the stem with Chocolate Chip, colored in the sprinkles with YoYo Yellow (retired), and then added glitter to the sprinkles. I used the 2 Way Glue Pen as an adhesive with the glitter.

Already Experiencing Difficulties

Hello there friends! I was hoping to have some pictures of some cards which I have created, but my computer is not cooperating at this time and it will have to wait for another time. Hopefully soon! Keep checking back!

Why Stamping on the Bay?

Most people might wonder where I came up with this idea for my blog. Well, the answer is simple. All my upline have developed names for their teams that have to do with water. I am proudly apart of the "Stamping by the Sea" team, as well as apart of the "Lakeshore Stamper" family. It only made sense that because I'm on the Bay (actually Lake Huron), I should continue with tradition!
BTW, did I mention that not only is my team the best, but they were just recently recognized at the 2010 Stampin' Up! Convention? A great big congrats goes out to my direct upline, Jenny Peterson, who was recognized as being one of the top first year demonstrators! #4 in the entire US! And guess who was Demonstrator of the Year and #1? Jenny's direct upline! That just goes to prove that I have some great people showing me the ropes and teaching me what I need to know. If you are interested in learning how to become apart of my fabulous team, contact me. The image above shows some of the fabulous products you could get.

Finally up and running!

Hello there stamping friends! I've finally done it! I've got myself a blog. Now you can all see some great project ideas, as well as keep up to date with my events, promotions, and opportunities I have to offer through my Stampin' Up! business. Hope you come back to see more of what I have to offer! Pictures to come.