After Christmas Shopping

I just love after Christmas Shopping. 1) I like saving money 2) my son's birthday is Jan 2 and daughters birthday is Feb 11) I like the challenge of bargin hunting. My dear friend and I call ourselves Marden's babies.

For out of staters-Marden's is a small chain of salvage stores where we grew up. You never knew what they would have, and most of the time there would only be one or two of an item. And their prices were a fraction of the cost of a "real store". Now they tend to buy more over stock items than true salvage; but it can still be fun.

Well, the past few days I have gone shopping (still have yet to find my son that special gift). I did, however, find great stuff to great to craft with. I found a huge roll of cork board material for $2.00! That's right TWO DOLLARS! (and the ten cents tax) Recently I saw someone who made coasters out of cork and stamp on it. Handy dandy Big Shot and the scallop square and circle dies. Whala 50 coasters made in a matter of minutes. It comes out to four cents a coaster. Of course now I need to stamp on them but hey...I can't rush these things.

I found RSVP style pens, a package of 50 for $3. that works out to $.06. I see some decorated pens and notebooks in my future.

Ghiradelli chocolates were on sale at the grocery store for $1.80 a bag.

I also found some cute Christmas serving platers that I am going to put away and use as part of my display at the craft fairs next year. So I am feeling pretty good about shopping.

My SU order for my club in two weeks is shipped and will be here at the beginning of next week. I can't wait to get the new Eat Chocolate set. I also found a coffee mug for my girlfriend's birthday. It says "Forget love, I'd rather fall into Chocolate". I want to make her a card with the Eat Chocolate set and fill the mug with chocolates for her. I will have to look for Lyndt truffles-those are her favorite. Who knows, maybe I can find those on sale too.

I see lots of crafting in my future....Not that it is a bad thing

Until next time.

Warm and Cozy

It isn't the greatest picture but you get the idea. I know coffee cozies are popping up everywhere. I have seen them made with felt with the SU basket die and felt. It didn't work trying to use regular material and batting. It looked like a skinny worm! This pattern came from here.

Does the material look familiar? It is the same material I used on rag bags I had made. This coffee cozy is a present for my son's girlfriend. She got one of the bags for a present. The cozy was suppose to be for Christmas present but I didn't get to sew before the holiday.

The cozy has two buttons on it to make it adjustable. Just in case she gets the XL drink from the coffee shop that is down the street from her apartment.

Well I am off to the fabric store to look for some more material.

Until next time,

Vacation & Cleaning

So school vacation is here once again. And I am spending it cleaning my craftroom once again. I am trying to reorganize it for being a real SU demo. I have been busy cleaning all my left overs from the craft fairs I have done this year. *Note to self-just send a large basket to work with my Mom. She sold more for me than I did at most of the craft fairs put together. She is such a great sales lady. I have organized all my craft fair items into things that can be saved for next fall, general displays, things that I want to have on clearance sale this spring.

I have separated my retired/current products. Boy do I need current paper! I have placed my first real business order. I did place an order when they had free shipping-was I smart business woman and order things like adhesives and basic supplies for my club members to use. No! I just went crazy buying myself Christmas presents "from my hubby".

Did you notice I said club members???? Already I have 6 friends/co-workers who are willing to join a monthly club! Yippee for me! I have January and February club ideas all sketched out in my notebook. And supplies for January's club all ordered.

I am really looking forward to having club with such a great group of ladies. I think they will really challenge my stamping. I have one lady who has been stamping longer than me (and I fell in love with stamping 10 years ago), and one who has never stamped at all. So I am working to make things simple enough for a new mom who doesn't have much time and have some things complex enough for the experienced stampers.

Also, in the craft fair dept., I am participating in a spring time craft fair. So I have been trying to come up with ideas that aren't Christmas/winter related. (Which isn't easy when there is a blizzard here.) And my friend/coworker is helping the young man who does our school craft fair prepare for next year.

Years ago, our school craft fair was huge! It has been slowly dwindling the past few years (no fault of the young man in charge of it now). But my friend wants to try to get it back to what it used to be. She has volunteered to help out. While we were chit-chatting at work we brained stormed several ideas-so I think I may be part of this new committee of 3. :)

As I said, we are in the middle (hopefully nearing the end) of a blizzard here. Yesterday I spent the best day ever with my daughter. We stayed, not only in our pj's, but in bed as well, crafting. We took out the little "breakfast in bed tables". She colored and made bracelets & necklaces with all her Christmas presents. I took out my big shot and cut enough squares for several rag bags and coffee cozies. I was hoping to get to sew today but with laundry and teenagers-it didn't happen. Tomorrow if it is not snowing, I plan on doing clearance shopping since I have a two children with winter birthdays.

Until next time.

It's Here!!!

My Stampin Up starter kit has arrived. Oh so much fun!. I am off to play with my new toys.

Until next time!

Elf Shoe Gift Box

Isn't this stinkin' cute?!?!?! I wish I could say I was clever enough to say I designed this but I am not. I found it here. Valita is a very talent woman and has so many cute ideas on her blog.

I used Taken with Teal and some retired DSP from Stampin Up.
White ribbon and a blue brad. I embossed snowflakes on the boot with snowflakes and added dazzling diamonds to the ruby red pompon.

Here is a close up of the DSP , ribbon and rhinestone.

I have been trying to find something cute to put a gift card in for my brother in law and now I have it. (I think these would be cute with a few chocolates in them for coworkers as well.) The one for my brother in law is a little more plain. I made it without the embossing, or brad. He is a very outdoorsy person-he is not "all about the bling." Hahaha.

Tomorrow I will be working on casing an idea I saw at a craft fair....cupcake socks.

Until next time,

Black Friday

I have yet to hear the news on how Black Friday went here locally. It was a freezing mixture for the weather. I am not sure how many people still went out or if it effected sales or not. I know I didn't go out! I did my shopping online.

I ordered my youngest son some dvd's that are hard to find for his movie collection he has. So hopefully he will be happy with those. My darling husband wont be getting presents under the tree this year. Through my job we were able to purchase flat screen tv's at a very low price. So he already has his present. LOL. So that is half my family done.

The five year old wants everything in sight! But I hate to say clothing will be a major part of the gift giving this year since growing spurts keep happening! Last but not least, the oldest son, who is hard to buy for. He too will be getting some clothes but other than that I am not sure what the heck Santa will bring!!!

I know Santa will be shopping the Stampin Up Online Spectacular!! With such sales like that Santa will help me get ready for when I start doing workshops! What a wonderful Santa! I am so excited to be a Stampin' Up demo. I think I am going to be my own best customer.

Until next time,

I Placed My First Order!!!

I placed my first Stampin Up order today. I feel like I am going to jump out of my skin I am so excited. I ordered items that I wanted to make Christmas presents with; I ordered items I wanted but they were a little pricey; and I ordered items I could use to demo with!

Last night I worked on my craft area so I could work on some Christmas projects. My aunt has asked me to make some Build A Bear tins for her granddaughters (I believe they would be considered my second cousins). I have some tins made up from the craft fair but I am going to add special outfits for the girls. I am going to make some Santa suits and Halloween costumes for them. I might even get out my Big Shot to put the girls names on the bags-that way they can't fight LOL.

Well I am off to facebook (I'm Stace Coombs if anyone wants to find me) and then I will be working on organizing my craft room to have a section for my Stampin Up Business!!!!

Until next time,

Count Down

One week from today my demo kit will be here! I can hardly stand it. I am so upset that I will be at work when it comes probably. It will be torture knowing it is sitting on my front step. I guess until then I will have to keep myself busy cleaning my craft room (it is such a mess after scrambling to do the craft fairs that I did this year). I need to organize for all my goodies I will be getting.

Not that I am trying to wish time away since normally I am complaining I dont have enough time to finish what I need too. However, I will be looking forward to Christmas vacation where I can plan all my ideas for an open house I will be having at the beginning of the year.

As always until next time!

I Am Now a Stampin" Up! Demonstrator

I guess the title says it all! I joined the Stampin Up family. This is something I have been thinking about on and off for some time; and I have never done it. Well with the massive sales they have going on right now, I decided what the heck I don't have anything to lose. I have mentioned to a few co workers and they seem interested. Now I have to wait for my kit to arrive.

Until then,

A Business Card Design

Here is a business card I had made just in case people anything from me at one of the craft fairs. I still have 3 more to go this year. Then I will have a whole year to prepare. I was only planning on doing one this year and I will do 6 or 7 by the time I am done. The back is close to the same, but it is done in gray scale and it says Thank You For Your Business. I think I will try to have a custom stamp similar to this with the copyright info for Stampin Up.

I am very excited for next year. I may not have sold a lot at every craft fair but I have had fun, met interesting people and learned many things to better prepare me for the future.

Until next time.

Craft Fair Results

Well, I completed 3 craft fairs in two weeks. The first one I did really well. The second, I didn't sell much (what little I sold it was so people could case it) but my girlfriend did well making custom rings. A local "rock shop" owner brought a piece of his peridot over for her to wrap for him! And sadly, the third craft fair was a bust for both of us. Lots of people came into the building but not many were buying. We spoke to other crafters and they did not do well either.

The only bright side to the third craft fair was that my girlfriend knew another person there who does many craft shows all over the state. She was kind enough to share the information with us.

Not much else is going on in my stamping life at the moment. Until then....

A Couple More Craft Fair Items

Here are a few more items I made for the craft fair. Peppermint snowmen and stamped tea-lights. I also made the boxes for the tea-lights. I have two craft fairs I am working this weekend so hopefully my supply will go down.

Mini Me

Here is a basket of Frankenstein and Dracula Hershey Bar and Kit Kat Bar wrappers from the craft fair. It was very tempting not to reach over and eat one myself!

Don't You Hate When You Can't Remember!?!

During the craft fair I had some people ask if I sold Stampin' Up! Which I don't, but I must admit I have thought of it from time to time. So I started thinking what if I sold SU-what would I name my "team" if it ever got that far. I see so many team names on peoples blogs such as the Stars, the Queens etc. I couldn't think of anything. While I was dozing off lastnight something came to me in a dream that I really liked while I was dreaming. I couldn't remember it when I woke up.

Tonight I thought of Stampin' Cats since I have a little cat on my blog in memory of "Fattest Boy" a cat I owned once that was cute and loving but not the brightest cat in the bunch. Then tonight I was thinking about chocolate, since I stamp many projects including chocolate. Maybe I will have another dream.....

Big Stars at the Craft Fair

Here are the two biggest hits at the craft fair. I always make Frankie every Halloween. Dracula was new this year. They are filled with a dozen "eyeballs". I found the cutest truffles wrapped in fail that looked like eyeballs. I sold almost all of these. And now I have to make some more before my next craft fair on Saturday. I am hoping they will be a big hit again considering Saturday is also "Ghostport" day.

I had many mixed emotions at the craft fair. I mean, it's sort of sticking your neck out and sometimes it feels like if they don't like your work, then you aren't a good crafter. Which part of me knows that is completely silly to think that, but still.

The first people to come in came over asked my all kinds of questions. They knew I had used Stampin' Up! products, commented on how they had never thought to use some of the products the way I had. Did I go to Splitcoaststampers....on and on and on. And they didn't buy a thing :( Ok so in my heart I knew they were like me, collecting idea for later. Which I am glad they liked my things and they probably will case me.

Then a bunch of people came to my table to see my girlfriend who makes wire wrapped jewelry (totally awesome stuff she make with beach glass, wire & beads). And she made rings while the customers waited. She had people waiting in line for these rings! So she was selling rings like crazy, I had sold a photo of my mom's (she is a great photographer who has never had a photo class in her life and doesn't think her photos are good enough to sell-yeah right people were drooling over her photos) and at this point I had only sold one peppermint patty snowman. Woopdie doo.

Well a little later in the day my stuff was selling like crazy too. Not much of the Christmas items went, but lots of Halloween items. And in the end I was happy and proud of the things I made and sold.

I'm So Excited

I'm excited that I am doing two craft fairs for the next two weekends! I am also so nervous. These will be the first craft fairs that I have done that aren't a school craft fair where I know most of the other crafters and people walking in. Our school fair is also a big social event.

One of them I feel very honored to be part of. Photos of my work had to go before a committee and I was selected! Now I am nervous because it wasn't something I originally planned on doing and it is before Halloween, so I am scrambling to get small Halloween items done as well. I am glad it is a three day weekend for me this weekend.

I also need to make more candle holders. Oh boy a busy weekend for me.

On a more personal note; my new job is finally at the point that I am not staying late every night, and I am not tired to the point of falling asleep as soon as I get home for the most part. I am hoping to enjoy more time with my family. My son has a track meet on Friday and dance starts for my darling daughter as well.

I am also trying to become more organized all the time to get all the things done that I want to do. It seems if I have the time I don't have the money. And if I have the money I don't have the time. (Isn't that so typical???)Until next time...

Photography Class

I have decided I am going to learn to use the camera we bought when my daughter was born. She is almost 6. The only button I know how to use is the auto focus. I found an online class here. I think I am nuts on some level to take on one more thing at the moment. I mean isn't a new job with lots of training and paperwork enough? Apparently not.

What I liked about this website is that not only are there daily emails, and assignments; but I can access my account online any time I want-even after the class is over. Also, it has little videos to watch (I am a visual and hands on learner so this is great). And another thing I like, there are audio files to go with the class and you can listen to them on an ipod. I am an audio book junkie so this is another cool little feature.

I may not get to craft much now that school has started but with any luck, occasionally I will get to post crafts or photos.

No Crafting Time-How Sad

School has started off with a bang! We have been back two weeks and I still don't have a list of kids that I am suppose to work with yet. New school year, new building, new job it is all so fun. NOT!! Can you hear the sarcasm oozing out :)

I am excited, it's just exhausting at this point. My daughter (who just started Kindergarten this year) and I have had several naps after school. At this point I am not sure which of us is more tired.

I haven't had any time to stamp, however, I am trying to be positive, so I am glad that I have been able to play with and cut card stock this past week. The only down part is it has been to make hundreds of flash cards.

I do plan on visiting my BFF this weekend and we are going to stamping club this weekend. I should have some neat things to share. Our demo, Cindi, has said we will be using stuff out of the new mini catalog! I can't wait!! It should be fun playing with new toys and getting away from the job. Until next time....

Rag Bags x Two

Here are two purse I made the same and they are reversible. One is a gift for my son's girlfriend. I really hope she likes it. He told me that her favorite colors are purple and green. I hope he is right he is red and green color blind. I happen to love jewel tones and black and white. Once again the Big Shot comes thru cutting all the pieces quickly and easily.

Just a side note, I have a watermark with my cute little cat! I know it takes so little to amuse me.

More Flower Pins

Well, of course, my daughter had to have her own material to make her own flower pins. She picked out her own material and I helped a little bit on the last color so she would have 4 colors that sort of went together.

Once they were done she wanted them glued onto a headband that she had. I hate to tell her the headband didn't really match the flower's patterns. Yes, it did have pink in it but that was about the only color the same and it was striped. So, I decided if it made her happy to have them on the headband she wants; I would make them into pins like I had the other one and just pin it to the headband of her choice. Of course if there was a little more material, I could make two more and just glue them all around the headband and no one would see the color of the headband LOL.

I always try to have two different projects in mind that I can make before I buy one of the extra large dies from Stampin' Up! And with wonderful Yahoo groups, people are helping my addiction. Which is fine by me. September's order will have another XL die. Then I will have to show you those creations. Stay tuned.

Happy Stampin"

New Cat Design

Here is my new cat design. Do you like it? I have had this image from a personalized address stamp. It reminds me of my cats so much; especially Marky who we have not had for many years. He was our cat that could get lost in the basement that only has one staircase and not much down there because it gets very wet in the spring.

I had the same image made into a stamp that says handmade by Stace and copyright Stampin' Up! so I can sell my creations. Then I have spent more time than I care to admit to get him onto a background that matches my blog, with text that also matches. Then I had to ask for help to get all the little links to work....so hopefully everything works well and I will never be able to change my background again! LOL

Cupcakes or Candles

Never leave candles burning unattended*

Have you ever seen something and said "I HAVE TO HAVE THAT!"  Well that's what I said when I saw this.  And it is becoming more and more common with the Big Shot and all the SU dies.  I see the cutest things made and then I have to have it. 

So, the metal part of the candle holder is cut with the Perfect Setting die. I bought a large roll of aluminum that is copper coated.  I used the cupcake holder part of the die and once the holders were cut; I embossed them with a Sizzix folder I got at the craft store. (I don't remember the name of it.  (I need to start writing the name on them before I throw the packaging away.) Once embossed, I used some extra fine sandpaper and sanded off the copper coating.  I warn you, this can get a little messy, so you may want a damp paper towel near you to clean as you go.

The glass votive was from Dollar Tree. One of my all time favorite stores for craft projects.

I plan on selling these at our school craft fair as well.  You will be seeing many projects soon of what I am doing.  Hopefully, people will like my creations as much as I do.   For this photo I have one of those battery operated tea lights. I think they are just great for when kids are around.

August VC Rocks Swaps

I joined two swaps in August during the last bit of VC Rocks. My favorite holiday to make things for is Christmas and I love when I worked in the elementary school because the young children love Halloween. So guess what two swaps I joined? You guessed it!



The tricky part of these swaps was the fact so many colors from Stampin' Up retired, it was hard to find enough card stock in current colors that I had. I only see my demo once a month since we live so far from each other. (But stamp club is a great excuse to go see old friends where we used to live.)

Not only will a receive great swaps in return, but my Christmas card was the first one the hostess received so I got $20 of FREE Stampin Up product!!!! I couldn't believe it. So I am getting the new dress for the BAB! I will be having a ball with that!

Happy Stampin

Snowflake Tealights

I saw this candle here first. And it said snowflake #2 in her directions. I thought for sure it was a sneak peak at the holiday mini that is coming out. I mean SU had a snowflake already and this "is #2" I thought. Well someone else made them as well (sorry I can't remember who it was) but they listed the catalog page number. OMG I felt sooo stupid for not realizing it was the snowflake I already had!

So out came the roof flashing from the hardware store and tadah! A tea light with some snowflake paper from the craft store and instant cute gift item for the craft fair.

I must admit I was obsessed with finding a container to put it in. And of course I just had a transparent box stuck in my head. So I looked at Sizzix online and the measurements for box #3 seemed like they might work but it would have to wait. I didn't want to order anything online.

Well, I got a coupon from JoAnn's for teacher appreciation day, get an extra 20% off your entire order even if things were on sale. Well guess what they had. Box #3 with several embossing folders all in a package! AND ALL SIZZIX ITEMS WERE ON SALE 40% OFF! Not only did I get that, I got paper that was on sale and misc small things, went to the checkout, showed my school ID and got another 20% off everything. I was as happy as a pig in mud let me tell you! I walked away with a recycle bag ( a free gift to school employees while supplies lasted) filled with goodies and only spend $34 and change. It was like Christmas to me.

So here is the packaged candle. If you click on the photo the embossing on the transparency may show better.
So I was busy for a day making 15 candle holders, wrapping the tea lights with paper. Then cutting and embossing all the parts (4 parts/box) for 15 boxes. I was tired after all that, but I sure had fun in my craft room with Harry Potter (a standard series of movies for me while I craft)

Happy Stampin'

Rag Bags and Quillows

I told you I have been working on a quillow (a small quilt that folds up into a pillow) and rag bags.  I have  photos today.  The quillow was my first sewing project in 8 years.  And the last project I made was a Winny the Pooh quillow for my friend who was pregnant at the time.

So here is my daughter being ever so helpful!  She wouldn't smile nicely and finally she let me take this photo with her face covered.  The quillow is folded in half so you can see the material.  One side is sparkly, swirly purple.  The other has ballerina's all over it.  She has had one year of ballet.  I would like to take her to a different school soon since she can walk on her toes without pointe ballet shoes.  The tops of her toes have calluses from walking on her toes like that so much.

So here is her little ballerina rag bag that Marisol taught us how to make online.  I think I may make one with more layers, at some point in time, so it will be a tote bag to hold all her dance clothes.  The closure is actually a pink castle but my daughter liked it and it matched in pink dresses the little girls are wearing.

Here is the other side of the rag bag with a matching shabby chic pin.  I can't believe most of the pieces of the big and everything on the pin were made with my Big Shot!  It just amazes me all the things people have made using Sizzix dies.  And I am even more amazed most of these people are willing to share how to make these awesome projects.





Finally, here is a close up of the pin.

Happy Stampin'

Rag Bags by Marisol

Marisol, who I met on VC Rocks this year, she jumped in like a real trooper. Not only did she chat & join swaps, she taught a few classes.  Here is one example of her work that she taught us. Well, she was so inspiring I dug out my sewing machine after 8 years of it being in a hallway closet.

I have made a quillow this week for my daughter.  And now I am working on cutting the pieces for a matching bag.  Along with the material for some bags to make as gifts.  So today I don't have any photos to share.  I did cut over 200 squares to make bags.  Hopefully tomorrow the sewing will begin.  I am hoping to get at least two finished this week.

I hope to see Marisol next year on VC Rocks,  she has inspired so many women on there (and even made some of us work on our Spanish!)

Happy Stampin'

Hoo Is Going to Miss VC_Rocks?

I'm glad you joined me after visiting Nancy. Or if you are joining our hop with me, you can start at www.vcrocks.blopspot.com


So,  Hoo is going to miss VC ROCKS! Frankly, ALL of the members-that's "hoo". And this weekend is our final bloghop for 2010. Our group only has a few more weeks and then it will be closed until next year. Many of us will have email withdrawals.

Too bad I didn't know how to videos, the little owl is mounted on a penny and he swivels back and forth (that's why his eyes are like that LOL)

The owl is punched in Soft Suede and Peach Parfait DSP. The large scallop was cut & embossed with the Big Shot. His branches are from the bird punch. And he is wearing his heart on his sleeve (or should I say vest) with a little rhinestone bling. The background is the new Pear Pizazz which I think is just gorgeous! And it is all wrapped up with Peach Parfait ribbon.

The verse is from Word Play. And to everyone on VC Rocks, "You're in my thoughts, You're in my heart!"

Now you can continue on to visit Veronica and all her great creations.

Happy Stampin'

First Flower Pin

Still keeping with my Big Shot theme that seems to be going on, I have finally made a flower pin.  I used some patterned Christmas material.  I think I may get a little bit of black netting to put in here and there just to give it a little more pizazz.I used a retired real red corduroy button.  It just happen to match the material perfectly.

These were quite easy to make; much quicker than I thought.  I may have to make some more of these.

Happy Stampin'

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Ok, so it's a little chilly not really cold, but I worked on a couple dozen of the cutest little key-chains. I just love this little snowman. He was from one of the clear sets you get at the LSS for a dollar! I think it is the eyes that makes me just melt over him LOL!

I put them in individual baggies with a little tag and on the back it is stamped with To & From from an old Stampin Up set. I am hoping to sell these at our schools Christmas craft fair this year. Hopefully people will think they are as cute as I do.

Spa Day at VC Rocks Hotel

I know you have heard me talking about VCRocks before as being the best yahoo group ever. During this Virtual Convention, not only do we get to chat, participate in swaps & bloghops; but we also can join the hotel where we get a real roommate!

You need to email each other, send each other cards and then you send each other a good box just like you would at the real convention. Well my roomie has been very busy this summer so I sent her down to the spa for a mani & pedi. What girl doesn't need pampering at the spa?

I found these cute little manicure/pedicure sets at Target. And we all know I just love my Big Shot! So here is what I came up with.

I had bought this set from my LSS a year or so ago because it had a lot of girlfriend things in it along with spa items and chocolate (the only thing I love more than my Big Shot!)

So here are two best friends headed to the spa for a little polish, gossip and relaxation.


Happy Stampin'

Thankful Medallion

Nothing too fancy but it could be for a man if I took out the pearl in the middle.

Happy Stampin'

Bookmark

Here is a bookmark I made with the petal card die from Sizzix.  It is embossed with a SU embossing folder.  The flower was from a hostess set and then punched after being clear embossed.

Happy Stampin'

One Sad Little Swap

I was so excited for the Gifts for $1.00 swap at VC Rocks! I made three swaps.  However, there were not enough people joining for me to mail in three swaps.  So here is my sad swap that didn't get mailed.

I did give one away, but I decided not to mail these in because I plan to take them apart and making something with a winter theme for the school craft fair this fall. Maybe a small snowman and a verse about being cold out or friends being flakes.

I can't believe how quickly this summer is going by.  School will be starting at the end of August!  I better get going on craft fair items.

Happy Stampin'

Bookmark CASE

I hosted the VC Rocks bookmark swap. Many times the bookmark swaps are just two layers of paper that has been stamped and embellished some how. Well this year I said they could be any size,shape, etc.  I ended up with 40 sets of 10+1 bookmarks.  That is A LOT of bookmarks! 

As they came in the mail I opened them to get a sneak peek.  Here is one I cased as soon as I opened it!    It was so stinking cute and I had just received my order that had my butterfly die in it.  Can you say excited! So I went and dug out some paper and ribbon along with coasters that I had my husband bring home from his job.  And here is my version of Debbies cute bookmark.  I added some eyelets for the holes where I was putting my ribbon through.  I was only making one bookmark not eleven.







Happy Stampin'

Gifts For $1.00

Who doesn't love getting teacher gift ideas?  I always need them since  I work with a few dozen teachers!  Surprisingly, my creations for this swap did not include chocolate.  I know you are shocked right?!?!

The first swap items I made was an altered mini clipboard that hold mini post it notes. Teachers go through post it notes like there is no tomorrow.  During the group VC Rocks, we have virtual everything-even a hotel with pool boys.  So with the computer I printed a little check list that I put over the post it notes.  It says:

VC Rocks 2010 Check List
Stamps
Ink
Paper
Scissors
Snacks & Beverages
Pool Boy

The second item I made was a clear ruler that I decorated with designer paper.  These may be more of a hostess type gift or just for the teacher gift and hope the kids don't use it. The paper is cut the width of the ruler and glued on using crystal effects.

Happy Stampin"

Who Wants Maine Lobsters?

Ok so they are not caught right of the coast...but I think they are stinkin cute!  And forgive the artistic impression...we all know (or Mainer's do) that lobsters are black with speckles when they are fresh and red once they cook.  My husband thought they didn't look like lobsters because "Lobster eyes don't bug out like that".  However, when I was making them he said they were cute (just goes to show men never listen)

I made seven of these little guys (I had to keep one for my own punch book).  What was I thinking? That is a lot of punching.  It took me two nights to punch and assemble.  I am hoping people in the VC Rocks Punch Swap enjoyed them. 

I took a punch art class with Heather and this was one of the great projects she did.  I just never got "around to it" so I made myself join this great swap and I had 5 punch pages for my book when I was done.

Happy Stampin' or punching in this case

Mini Purse Swap

Another VC Rocks! swap was a mini purse swap. Again my Big Shot had to come out (I think I am addicted to that things LOL)  Only my color combination, the embossing folder, and the clasp were my idea.  For instructions on how to make one of these purse visit Tami White she has a great video!

What amazed me was not only was my swap the first one to arrive to the swap hostess; it won a prize for the cutest purse!  Can you believe it?  I can't.  She let her family judge all the swaps.  So I think I need to give a big shout to Tami for such a great video.

Note** In Tami's video, I believe she put in some 3x3 gift cards (a great gift by the way) but this purse also fits two Lindt truffles perfectly with a tiny bit of tissue paper.  I always stock up when I go out of state-there is a Lindt outlet store.  I feel I have hit the jackpot if the extra dark chocolate truffles are on sale.



Happy Stampin'

VC Rocks Big Shot 3D Swap

Once again I had to make something that would include chocolate. Unfortunately, the people who received my swap will have to buy their own chocolate.  Sorry, but I was afraid it would melt and wreck the project.  It is a Ghirardelli chocolate holder.  All the supplies are Stampin Up.  It is made with the scallop envelope die, the butterfly embosslet, some paper and ribbon for a belly band a little white gel pen and a rhinestone and there you have it!

Kids!!!!

My oh so wonderful son that lives far away, scared the heck out of me & my husband along with the rest of my family.  We don's know all the details, the only witness was a small boy (I hope the little boy is ok)  Any how, here is the story (this happened in June & my son is perfectly fine by the way-so don't panic)  So my son & his girlfriend were at her sisters house (first time he was meeting girlfriends family).  My son & his girlfriend were playing with the nieces and nephews.  My son fell off a skateboard (this the part we don't know what happened since my son can't remember and his girlfriend was in-front of him so she didn't see it.  Her nephew did but he wasn't big enough to explain why my son fell).  My son fell and hit his head on the ground.  He was rushed to the hospital because he was knocked out for a minute.  So we were panicked waiting to hear the results from a CAT scan.  It turned out he just had a concussion.

Once all was said and done after a few days we could joke about it and teased him that he is a graceful as I am. So here is his card that I made him.  On the inside I printed a verse on the computer.  It says "We always told you life was tough, get a helmet.....You should have listened better!"

Happy Stampin'

Graduation

My sister in law graduated this year.  Her school colors are green and gold.  Here I used the Sizzix doll and graduation outfit. I am not sure which company made the stamps but they were purchased at AC Moore.  The bottom was Stampin Up's border punch.

Happy Stampin'

RAK Challenges

During VC Rocks! there are weekly RAK challenges.  I made a bunch of these cards for all the different challenges.  We have one Rockers who doesn't like pink so I made one slightly different.  The clock stamp was from Inkadinkadoo I believe, and the verse is a retired stamp from The Angel Company.  I just love my Big Shot and dies and punches.

Happy Stampin'

Oops Forgot to Post for Mother's Day & Father's Day

I Even Impressed My Son

Here is a photo of one of the candle holders I made my son for his new apartment with he moved into this weekend.  I used two Arizona Ice Tea cans-the flavor my son drinks all the time.  I used the Big Shot and the Flower Folds die.  Embossed it with a embossing folder and held everything together with a jumbo eyelet.

I curved the petals around the tea light and a pencil to give them a little dimension. I would strongly recommend using gardening gloves or some type of gloves to protect your hands during this project.  The edges of a cut can are very sharp.  They aren't nearly as sharp after cutting it with the Big Shot but I would still be careful, it is metal after all.

When I gave them to my son, he said "Mom, these are the coolest things ever.  Seriously, I'm impressed!"  What could melt a moms heart more than that?

Happy Stampin'

Mom's Birthday

Here is a quick card that  I made for my Mom.  I had to hand deliver it since it had a 3D flower made with the extra large flower punch.

Happy Stampin"

Here Comes Santa Claus

When I had made my Uncle Sam card, my daughter thought I was making Santa Claus so then I thought :well why not?"  So here is my attempt at Santa.  I don't think I like it but she was happy.







Happy Stampin'