Love Your Blog!!

I received this award on Tuesday from Chat (aka nitestamper on SCS) and a special friend of mine. I am finally getting around to accepting this wonderful award from Chat.
You can check out her blog Me, My Stamps & I

Thanks Chat for giving me this wonderful award.














Now to keep with the rules of receiving this award:
1) The winner can put the logo on their blog
2) Link the person you received your award from
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Put links of those blogs on yours
5) Leave a message on the blogs of the blogs you’ve nominated.

I love looking at blogs of talented stampers and the following deserve to receive this award:

Karen - Karen's Kreations
Connie - Inkspired Treasures
Jessie - Can You Say...Addicted to Stamps?
Nancy - iStamp
Lorri - Confessions of a Stamping Addict
Toni - Ink, inc.
Diana - Di's Handmade Creations

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

September Downline Meeting

We made 3 Make & Take projects last night. These were so much fun and what great ideas to show everyone. I just love to stamp doesn't it show!! Here are my completed make & take projects.

Bag in a Box - Provided by Pam Hegarty



















Halloween Acetate Treat Box - Provided by Pam Hegarty



















Double Folded Pocket Card with Tags - provided by Anita



















I was lucky enough to win the door prize at our meeting. How exciting!!! Diane made this adorable stationery box. It is filled with stamped note cards & envelopes, stamps, address book, and much more. Now I will have to bring the door prize to the next meeting.

Stationery Box Closed















Here it is open:















Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Swaps, Make & Takes & a Door Prize...

...all of this and more are a part of the downline meetings which are held the second Thursday of each month. Last night was our meeting for September. We made 3 make & take projects, had a short business meeting, a door prize drawing and the card swap. The swap is always a highlight of the meetings and this month was no exception. The swap theme was fall/Halloween card fronts.
Here are the swap cards we received:

Tammy's card



















Sharon's card



















Jean's card



















Pam H.'s card



















Grace's card



















Anita's card




















Michele's card



















Chat's card















My card:



















Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Defining Alphabet, Define Your Life
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
Access: Aqua Painter, Old Olive Brads, Dimensional Adhesive, Chocolate Chip Marker
Tools: 1/6" Hole Punch, Paper Snips

I hope you enjoyed looking at all the swap cards from my group. If you would like to join my group, please contact me and ask about becoming a demonstrator.

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Always "Using White Gel Pen"

Today's Ways to Use It Challenge over on SCS was to use the White Gel pen on your card. I love using the white gel pen. The card I created uses the White gel Pen to make dots all around the layers of the card.














Stamps: Always
Paper: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Regal Rose, Perfect Plum, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Brocade Blue, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Perfet Plum, Regal Rose
Access: Silver Brad, So Saffron Poly-Twill Ribbon, Dimensional Adhesive
Tools: 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Square Punches, 1/16" Hole Punch

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Combined Challenges

Today's Sketch Challenge combined with yesterday's Color Challenge is featured on the card that I created. I used the Fresh Cuts set and the colors Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red and Green Galore... I have never used this combo before and was a little concerned about the Green Galore. I think it turned out okay, what do you think?



















Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Paper: Bella Rose DSP, Basic Gray, Green Galore, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red, Green Galore
Access: Silver Brads, White Signo Gel Pen, Dimensional Adhesive
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Paper Piercing Tool

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

N.M.B.S. Challenge #12

Fall is my favorite season and this challenge seemed like it was just for me. Thanks Vonda for a super challenge this week to make a Fall/October themed single serving goody bag, box, container, whatever!

Here is the what I came up with. A Bag in a Box using Haiku Designer Series Paper.



















Stamps: Sweet Serendipity
Paper: Haiku DSP, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Ink: Tangerine Tango
Access: Earth Elements Buttons, DMC Floss, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Old Olive 5/8" Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Large and Wide Oval Punches, Rounded Tab Punch, Crop-A-Dile

You can check out our group blog here!

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Celebrating Denise as Featured Stamper

Congrats to Denise!!
Denise (aka card crazy) on SCS was selected as Featured Stamper today. The challenge is to go to her gallery and choose a card to CASE and change at least 2 things when you create your card.

So here is the card I created for the challenge today. It is a pocket card, measuring 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" finished. I took an 8-1/4" x 4-1/4" piece of cardstock and scored at 1-1/4", and 4" from the left side, then folded on the score lines and secured the ends with sticky strip and brads to form the pocket. I loved using some of my favorite colors for fall.















Stamps: Eastern Blooms, A Little Birthday Cheer
Paper: Always Artichoke, Really Rust, So Saffron, Mellow Moss
Ink: So Saffron, Really Rust, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip
Access: Gold Brads, Dimensional Adhesive, Sticky Strip
Tools: 1/2" Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, 1/16" Hole Punch

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Friday night stamping

Thank you Karen (aka imastampin) for a wonderful evening of fun, friends and stamping. I was invited to Karen's home for dinner, and a shoebox swap with some of her stampin' friends. We had great food and then got down to stamping.

Here are a couple of group pics with names and (aka on SCS)














Front row: Me (aka barbara welch), Melissa (aka toknighton), Karen (imastampin)
Back row: Kathleen (aka defoe), Heather, Julee, Connie (aka cmc2stamp)















Front row: Wendy (aka wonniegirl), Melissa (aka toknighton), Karen (aka imastampin)
Back row: Kathleen (aka defoe), Heather, Julee, Connie (aka cmc2stamp)


I made these stampin' treats to give everyone. Karen put them at each place setting on the dinner table.
To make the topper I used the Big Shot, Top Note Die and 20th Anniv. Embossix Die. Other items used: Haiku DSP, Med. cello bag, Small & Large Oval punches, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive and Whisper White Cardstock.



















Close-up of the Treat bag topper:















Here are the awesome projects we stamped:

Wendy's card - Snow Swirled Stamp Set















Melissa's Bag in a Box - Bella Rose DSP and Eastern Blooms Stamp Set



















Kathleen's card - Big Flowers Stamp Set















Heather's card - Season of Joy Stamp Set
















My card - Crazy for Cupcakes and Bashful Blue DSP Prints















Julee's card - A Flower for All Seasons Stamp Set and Bella Rose DSP















Karen's card - Flight of the Butterfly Stamp Set















Connie's card - Pocket Silhouette's Stamp Set















Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Eastern Blooms Sketch

I made this card for the sketch challenge today on SCS. I love the new In Colors and the way they coordinate with other colors as well.














Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Absolutely Fabulous
Paper: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Access: Markers: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie; Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensional Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Three For You Punch, Stylus, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Birthday Balloons for the Color Challenge

It's Tuesday, that means my day to clean house and also the color challenge on SCS. But before I mopped the floors and dusted the furniture today, I created this card for the Color Challenge using the colors Rose Red, Basic Black and Kraft.
I love this new set from the new catalog, hope you like the card I created with it. I love the paper piecing technique and I used it here to create the balloons with Rose Red DSP. Also, I used the large oval punch to create the layer for the white sentiment panel by punching two of rose red and offsetting them underneath the white to create a border.



















Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Paper: Rose Red DSP, Kraft, Basic Black, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Access: Black grosgrain ribbon, Dimensional Adhesive,
Tools: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Snips

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Faux Dry Embossing

Technique Challenge today on SCS is Faux Dry Embossing. This technique is quick and easy. To create your faux dry embossing look - first stamp your bold image in White Craft Ink and let that dry. Take the same image and using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, stamp just to the right or left of the white stamped image with a darker color ink, creating a slight shadow. Then complete the card as desired.
Here is the card I created for today's challenge using this technique. I stamped Riding Hood Red image over the White Craft image slightly to the right. Isn't this just so clever. I love this!! I used the Scallop Edge Punch and the Paper Piercing tool to give some added touches to the finished card. Also, love the SU! New In Colors and the matching Kiwi Kiss Grosgrain Ribbon.














Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red
Ink: White Craft Ink, Riding Hood Red Classic Ink
Access: Kiwi Kiss Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensional Adhesive
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

N.M.B.S. Challenge #11

Here is the card I created for today's challenge on the NMBS group blog. The challenge was to use one layer to create a card.....it is a real challenge for me as most of my cards end with at least 6 layers. I did the best I could. I used the Big Shot Top Note Die to cut the DSP and then cut that in half for an embellishment on the card front. I also used the new 1-3/4" circle punch.









Stamps: Dreams du Jour
Paper: Night of Navy, So Saffron, Real Red DSP Prints, White
Ink: So Saffron, Night of Navy
Access: Silver Brads, Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensional Adhesive
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Top Note Die

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

NMBS Challenge #10

Today I was so excited to be the host of the NMBS group blog challenge.
My challenge was to use the following when creating your card:

1. Make a card using a background stamp
2. Use a punch to create an accent for your card
3. Use ribbon and embellishments as needed

My sample card features a new set from Convention, Flight of the Butterfly. It is hard to see in the photo but I also did three vertical rows of paper piercing on the left side of the raised panel.
Click on the photo for a closer look.









Recipe:
Stamps: Canvas Background, Flight of the Butterfly
Paper: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tangelo, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point
Access: Silver Brads, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensinal Adhesive
Tools: Three for You Punch, Paper Piercing Tool

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Blog Award

I was given this award from my friend and downline Lorri, she is so talented. Thanks Lorri for thinking of me. You can see Lorri's amazing blog here.

The rules for this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you've nominated.

Here are the talented ladies I am nominating:

Patty - Patty's Stamping Spot
Chat - Me, My Stamps & I
Tandra - A Little Inkalicious
Kelly Jean - Dancing with Stamps
Toni - Ink, Inc.
Diana - Di's Handmade Creations
Jean - Bear Hugs & Inky Paws

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

NEW Idea Book & Catalog

The new catalog is available now. If you would like your own copy of this wonderful book, please contact me. You can earn one for FREE by booking your own hands-on workshop! I have several dates available.

Tote Bag for Convention

It is so good to be back home. I had a great time at convention and wanted to share with you some of the gifts I made to give to my group & downline.

I made 8 of these tote bags for my group & downline. They were a hit!! So many people stopped us and asked where we got them.....I made them from placemats! And of course added some embellishments to them, and a name tag. Inside the tote bag were a few goodies to help get through convention, including gum & tissues.














Placemats (2), Belting for handles, Computer generated Convention logo printed on Whisper White Cardstock, Buttons, Swarovski Crystals,

If you would like to have some totes made for a group event, please contact me for colors & pricing.

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day.

Convention Gifts

I made these frames for my group & downline to give at Convention. I also made one to donate for a door prize at the SCS Dinner. Here is the finished frame from the sneak peek photos below:














Wood Frames, Acrylic Paints, Computer generated logo from SU! website printed on Whisper White cardstock, Ginormous Flowers & One of a Kind Stamp Sets, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Apricot Appeal Ink and Cardstock, 5 Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Glue Dots

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day.

Convention Bound

I am sooooo excited to be going to Salt Lake City for Convention 2008. I will be leaving today (Tuesday) and returning on Sunday evening. I am so happy that some of my downline and sideline
will be attending. I will not be posting much while I am away as I am not taking my laptop. If I get a chance to post, I will definitely keep you updated.

But as soon as I return, I look forward to sharing with you many things from convention, including the swaps I made and the roommate gifts.

Have a great week.
Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!

Sneak Peek....

...at what I did this past weekend. I have all my organized swaps ready for convention and some swaps for general swapping too. Now with only 8 days before I leave, I am working on gifts. I make a gift for my roommates and some online friends that I will see at convention.














I stamped, punched and cut out all the elements



















Check back to see the finished projects.

Have a creative day and thanks for stopping by!

Soooo Busy......

I am so sorry for not posting anything here for the past month, but I have been extremely busy. I was helping my son move to his new apartment, and getting settled in. The next week I helped my best friend Vicki move from her house to an apartment. She asked me to do some major organizing of her stuff...mainly the craft room. I will have to show you the end result when I am done. The temperatures here have been between 105 and 110 degrees every day, so needless to say I am exhausted by the end of the day.

Yes, I have been stamping but nothing I can show you just yet. I have been working on my convention swaps, gifts for my roommates, downline/sideline gifts, etc. I will show these as time gets closer. 13 days from today I leave for Salt Lake City. I am getting soooooooooooo excited!!

Thanks for stopping by and Have a creative day.