Well I'm halfway caught up with Nora's book! I've scrapped the first 3 1/2 months of her life and she's 7 months old. Not bad, huh? I have decided to cut down the number of two page layouts I'm doing in hopes of getting more stuff in the book. I'd like to end up with her whole first year in one book...so instead of taking 5 pictures and doing a two page layout, I'm going to think about doing the 5 pictures on one page. More pictures and less cardstock filler, right? Of course there will be instances where a 2 page LO is necessary...

Anyhow, this is the LO for her three month old pictures. I did the journaling around each photo...really like how that turned out! I'm not sure the name of the stamp set (possibly Favorite Teddy Bear)...it's retired, I think. I used the subtles family. The three in the wagon is supposed to be for the 3 months thing...not sure how I feel about it, but Mom and Larry both said it looks fine. I stamped the teddy bear in Amethyst ink through the middle of the pages...it's hard to see in the picture. I used gingham ribbon...Caramel, I think. I also used two mini safety pins that Erica sent me. Nothing like getting a stabbing hazard in the mail! Seriously, I think those mini pins look perfect on baby pages!

Posted by Courtney at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

and you came true!

I saw that quote somewhere and thought it would be perfect for a scrapbook page title! The pictures on this page are some of my favorites of Nora. I loved this outfit and it sure got plenty of wear while it fit her. I used YoYo Yellow, Pink Passion, and Lovely Lilac. The stamp set is retired (I gotta get some new stamps). I cut out the flowers and used gold brads for the center. The journaling is written along the curve at the bottom of the pages. These two pages took a long time between cutting out flowers and getting the curves "just right"...but I am happy with the results...which as any scrapper knows is not always the way it turns out!

Posted by Courtney at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just loved how these two photos turned out and wanted to make sure they were scrapped. The colors I used are Pink Passion, Lovely Lilac, Only Orange, and Marigold. Stamps: It's a Date, Canvas BG, Print Pattern BG

Posted by Courtney at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've heard from several people that they wished that they had had a picture taken while they were breastfeeding...that it was too late to get one once they decided that they wanted one. I kept that in mind while I was nursing Nora, and made sure to get at least one good shot. Of course it meant asking Larry to take a photo of my exposed breasts...a job he didn't take lightly. We not only ended up with one good shot (this one that I scrapped)...we ended up with several breastfeeding pictures. I chose this one because the angle of the light makes the photo look soft and beautiful...not raunchy and full of nipple.

I used an old hostess set from last year for the stamping along the bottom. The colors are Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, and Confetti White.

Posted by Courtney at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This page is all about Baby Nora's First Ouchie. I just had to scrap it, of course! I used a white gel pen on Glorious Green to write "I will not cut Nora's nails too short" so that it looks (hopefully) like it's written on a chalkboard. I accessorized with a red paper clip and some Lavender Lace buttons tied on with twine. The colors I used are: Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Lavender Lace, and Glorious Green. The journaling is actually the blog post from that day re-written with SU! markers.

This blog is coming in handy now that I'm going back to catch up on scrapping. While I can't remember every detail, it's been fun and helpful to be able to re-read the entires and it jogs my memory. At the time that things were happening it was quick to type up a post and now that I want to preserve those memories in her book it's easy to make sure I get the details down!

Posted by Courtney at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Another layout from my scrap-a-thon yesterday afternoon. The pictures range from 5 weeks to 10 weeks. There weren't enough from each week to devote a page to each picture (not to mention the cardstock that would use)...so I grouped them together and noted her age at the bottom of the journal snippet tag that goes with each photo.

I used Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, and Barely Banana. The abc ribbon was from Pat Catan's. I also used the feet wheel with celery ink.

Posted by Courtney at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The title page I finished earlier this week:

I used Perfect Plum and Pale Plum...or the Plums as I like to call them...which strangely sounds like a rock band or something. Anyhow. I printed the lyrics to the Rascal Flatts song "My Wish" and put that at the top with journaling at the bottom. Even before Nora was born I thought of her whenever that song came on the radio. I would rub my belly and say, "Here's your song, Baby." It just seems like that song says perfectly what I want for her.

Posted by Courtney at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

All five layouts for the week got finished! This meant scrapping for approximately four hours off and on all afternoon yesterday. By the end I was really in a groove and getting things done quick!

The Sleeping Beauty pages use Taken With Teal, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, and Close to Cocoa. I took an up close picture of one of the title circles so you could see the detail that I put around the outside of the circle. It was tedious but definitely one of those finishing touches that makes it look complete! I actually added that when I went back to do the journaling...looked like it just needed a little sumthin sumthin!

Posted by Courtney at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think I'm a little behind my goal of five layouts for the week, but I did manage to get another one finished today. I did the title page yesterday...which was only one page and not technically a layout...but I think it should count for something! I now have two layouts and a title page complete. I'm not doing too badly but it looks like I'll have to get crackin' the next few days if I'm going to get three more layouts done before Sunday. I guess that's only one layout a day...which doesn't sound totally impossible!

The pictures on these pages are from my family holding Nora after she was first born, along with a few from her first bath when she was 3 weeks old. I used some SU! designer paper down the sides of the pages and I'm not entirely sure which collection it's from. That's what I based the color scheme on. It was Regal Rose, Tempting Turqoise, Pretty In Pink, and Close to Cocoa. I did the title and the journaling with the Chocolate Chip SU! marker so that it would show up. I used Whimsical Alphabet and Paint Prints for the stamping.

Posted by Courtney at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Let me apologize for my lack of posting. We've been getting situated in our new place...which my family and I completely redecorated before Larry and I moved in. We've been here for almost a week now and are starting to get a schedule down. I was anxious to get back to stamping and scrapping and finally had the chance today. I'm only 6 1/2 months behind on Nora's scrapbook...not too bad, right?! It was so much fun to finally be playing with all of my goodies again! I'd like to get 4-5 layouts done a week so I can get caught up. Think that's too much to shoot for? Well anyhow, here is a 2 page layout from Nora's big debut:

Through the center of both pages I stamped the hands from the I'm Here stamp set. The striped paper is from Pat Catan's.

You can't tell from the picture, but the title is stamped in Perfect Plum and then re-stamped in Pale Plum...as a shadow to the original stamping. Another detail that doesn't show in the picture is the basket of goodies embellishment (from Swell News) has a Pretty in Pink brad as the center of the bow. Looks really cool in person! The vellum sentiment says "She will fill our lives with sunshine and our hearts with love." Nora's birth details are handwritten on the box in the middle right of the page.

The journaling on this page is actually the "Birth Timeline". It turned out better than I thought it would. I stamped the feet from the I'm Here set in Pale Plum and wrote the details directly over the stamping with the Perfect Plum SU! marker. I'm sure glad my mom took such good notes because I never would've remembered everything! The picture on this page that has the doctor holding Nora with the clock in the background is one of my favorites! I think it's neat to see the actual time in the picture!

Stamps: I'm Here, Whimsical Alpha, Swell News
Colors: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Pink Gingham Ribbon, Pretty in Pink and Apricot Appeal brads

Posted by Courtney at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I intended to compose an eloquent posting to pass on the following information, but there's no long drawn out way to say this...I'm no longer a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. A few months before Nora was born preparing for workshops became more of a chore than the fun it used to be. I always said that when being a demo became more work than fun that would be the time to reevaluate whether I should continue being a demonstrator. Add that to the fact that I knew I'd be super busy once Nora arrived, and I came to the conclusion that this would be the point to discontinue my demonstratorship. I thoroughly enjoyed being a demo and may rejoin the Stampin' Up! demo family in the future, but for now I've had to put it to rest. As horrible as it sounds, I've only picked up a stamp once since before Thanksgiving...at that was at a workshop this past weekend.

In an effort to make some space for Nora's stuff I have listed 36 stamp sets on the Bay. Some are sets that were purchased mostly to demo with...a few sets are retired...many of them are close to other sets I already have. I'm including a link to the auction below if you are interested in purchasing them it will direct you to the listing.

EBAY STAMP SET LISTING LINK:
Ebay Listing

I will continue to stamp once Nora is on a better schedule and will be uploading samples as I do them...it may still be a little while...but I am definitely still a stamper...just a stamper on hiatus right now...

Posted by Courtney at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know it's been forever since I've uploaded new stuff. I've been busy spending my time being impatient about my upcoming ultrasound! Actually, we've been pretty busy since the start of the Stampin' Up! year in July and have only had time to prepare for parties! Also...one of us...me...signed us up for a 115 card demo swap...so that's kept us busy in our down time. I'm happy to report that the swap is done and scheduled to be mailed to the hostess on Monday. The following are samples from a workshop I did this weekend...along with the stamps, cardstock, and inks used.

Stamps: Whimsical Alphabet, A Greeting For All Reasons

Cardstock: Garden Green, Rose Red, Ballet Blue, Vanilla

Ink: Garden Green, Rose Red, Ballet Blue

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Silver Brads

Stamps: Circus Train, Birthday Best

Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Vintage Violet, Confetti Natural

Ink: Black, White Craft Pad

Accessories: Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware

Stamps: Celebrate In Style

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Black, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: 1.5" Punch, Stitched Bashful Blue Ribbon, Pink Brad (even though the scan makes it look not-pink)

Stamps: Riveting

Cardstock: Cranberry Crisp, Merigold, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Summer Sun

Accessories: Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, Hemp Twine, Paper Piercing Tools

Stamps: Time With You

Cardstock: Summer Sun, Green Galore, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Vanilla

Ink: Black

Accessories: Brilliant Blue Button, Linen Thread

Stamps: All I Have Seen

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Elegant Eggplant, Really Rust, Mellow Moss, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain, Staples, Silver Brad, Stampin' Pastels (chalks)

Posted by Courtney at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

of a new Stampin' Up! catalog! Mom and I placed our first new catalog order on Saturday morning. Did we order one or two new things? Oh no. That's not the way we do it. We just had our own little $150 party...because we had to get a new hostess set...right?!? Well, that and we have a workshop on the 16th and want to be able to show off some new stuff. So, you're just dying to know what made the cut, aren't you? Here goes:

Time With You-This is Mom's number one, new favorite stamp set. I think it's because she can see herself as one of the ladies at the table, and my Aunt Carole as the other lady...just chitty chatting. I think the first thing she'll use it for is to make a card for Aunt Carole.

Happy Everything-We both liked this one and thought it looked pretty versatile.

Stinkin Cute-My fav fav favorite new set! I'm not exactly sure what all I'll use it for, but it's just too...well...stinking cute! The best stamp is the "Big Stinkin Deal" one...a little snarky, but I love it!

Word Search Background-Both of us liked this one. I think it's so cool that it has all of the different phrases hidden in the word search. I can see where it would be cute to use on children's cards and things.

Jumbo Wheel Spot On-This one just looked like it would be fun...and we haven't bought any new wheels in a while, so it made the cut.

Riveting (Hostess Set)-I like all of the new hostess sets, but I especially am liking this one because you can punch out the middle...so we had to buy the punches, too, of course!

The other things we bought were accessories, and a bottle of Stampin' Mist Refill. The accessories that made the cut are: the new colored brads in Soft Subtles, the new In Color line of cardstock, Fresh Favorites II buttons, the new patterned ribbon in Seaside, a new package of Designer Paper in Recollections, a Cool Caribbean ink pad, and a Cranberry Crisp ink pad.

Those are the things that made the cut for the first order...but truthfully, we're already plotting a second order that is to be put in after we get back from vacation. Ah, a stamper's buying habit is never done...

Posted by Courtney at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Isn't it BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL?!?! My favorite perk of being a demonstrator comes at this time of year, when we anxiously await our previewing of the new catalog! Last night I checked my shipping status of the two boxes of catalogs I had on order (since May, might I add). Imagine my intense delight when I did indeed have a ship date...and a scheduled delivery date...of TODAY!

Posted by Courtney at 6:44 PM | Permalink

I have officially pre-ordered my 2006-2007 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog...two boxes of them to be exact! That's definitely one of the demonstrator perks...being able to order things early. I have also viewed a few of the new stamp sets and hostess sets...I know that this is so we'll be able to pre-order and have samples made up and stuff...but it seems like torture. It's like Stampin' Up! is telling us, "We know you're excited to see the new catalog, so we're going to let you order them a month in advance...oh yeah, and we'll show you seven or eight of the new sets...and that's all you get for another month." I'm sure with all of the craziness that the summer brings it'll fly by!

Speaking of summer...our pool is open...we swam yesterday...and I guess the chemicals must be right because neither one of us has a rash or anything! It's so fun and by far my favorite part of our house! Now we're in the market for a reel for the solar cover. I had no idea how heavy those damn things are...and how uneasy to fold up they are. I think the pool store people just love to see us coming...we're probably the most clueless pool owners they've ever met!

Posted by Courtney at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ah, here we are...May 1st...the big day. Every May 1st Stampin' Up! announces the retirement list. Items on this list will no longer be available after June 30th. I, for one, am glad they do this...now I can be sure and order any sets that I just have to have. Without further delay, here's the list in .pdf form:

Click Here to get 'the list'!

Last year I only 'lost' six stamp sets. This year, however, I am losing 24 sets. As a demo I tend to only have 'demonstratable' sets...so once things retire I get rid of them...to make room for new stuff, of course! There are a few exceptions, Quirky Alphabet for example, that I keep even after they're retired. I have the retired shelf in my stamp room that contains all retired sets that I want to hang on to. Of the ones I'm losing this year, I think there was only one that I plan on keeping. The rest will be auctioned off at a hostess appreciation party...giving past hostesses the first chance at getting them at a discounted rate.

To all of this year's hostesses, you can expect to see the following sets in the auction part of the hostess appreciation party: Very Merry, Sweet Seasons, Stipple Celebrations, The Fine Print, Mini Messages, Quick & Cute, Good Times, Something to Celebrate, Sketch An Event, Framed Greetings, Perfect Party, Birthday Banter, I Like Your Style, Oh So Sweet, Paris in the Spring, Sweet of You, Crayon Kids, Perfect Petals, Stipple Rose, Smorgasborders, Bitty Blossoms, Soft Swirls, and Just Journaling I.

I am happy to report that none of my alphabet sets are on the retired list, although Tidy Alphabet was on my wish list. I think I still may get that one so I can have it for scrapbooking. I'm also considering Travel Time and Time for Fun to have for future scrapbooking pages, too. I keep telling myself that since they're getting rid of all these great sets the new catalog ought to be fantastic! I can't wait to see the new catty...only 61 more days to go! Heaven help my UPS guy if my catalog shipment is delayed an extra day like last year...I know it's not his fault, but I just don't think he understood the gravity of the situation!

Posted by Courtney at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I went to a baby shower today for Larry's sister-in-law. She's having a girl...hopefully, because she got TONS of pink outfits! I made her a baby 6x6 scrapbook with one of the Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' Kits. It was the talk of the shower! Everyone wanted to see it. Now all she'll have to do is put in the pictures and she'll be all set. Following are a few of the pages...a brief description follows each:

This is the Mini Card I made for her. It's 2.75" square. All I did was use one of the left over hand stickers, stamp in the middle with a phrase from Tiny Talk, and add some pink gingham ribbon. It's tiny and cute!

I stamped on the cover of the book. It's a linen album...the stamps I used are the Giant 'B' Monogram and the Whimsical Alphabet. I stamped using Rose Red and Certainly Celery Craft Pads. When stamping on an album cover you need to use the Craft Ink...Classic Ink won't show up on the linen albums. It takes a few minutes to dry (I actually just left it over night). Then I added some celery grosgrain that is secured with Sticky Strip.

This is the inside front cover. I figured the best use of this space was to attach a clear envelope that she can use to put the hospital band and newspaper announcement...that kind of stuff. I just chopped off the top of the envie so it would fit, and added a 'Memories' tag with a sticker from the Scrappin' Kit.

I wanted to post this page because I really like how the Hodgepodge Hardware turned out. It took four hands (I had to enlist Larry's help to hold the ribbon ends), and a few pieces of Sticky Strip, but the results were too cool! I wish I could just buy a ton of these little 'S' clips...they're my favorite piece of Hodgepodge!

This is the left side of a 2-page layout...I used Whimsical Alphabet...I just love the title strips that come in the Scrappin' Kits! If you do a 6x6 book you actually get twice as many title strips!

This would be the right side of the layout. I had to use the Classical Alphabet for the 'and' symbol because I don't have that symbol in the Whimsical Alphabet...it comes with the Lower Case, and that's still on my wish list!

So there you have a few ideas for 6x6 layouts...and a simple, but cute, stamped cover! Now that I've gotten up the nerve to actually stamp on the album cover, I am totally lovin' it! I've done a few now, and I just think that stamping on the cover really makes each one look special. I urge you to try it...just be sure you use Craft Ink...and I'd recommend using a piece of scrap paper to practice your layout. After that, it's just stamp and go...of course it's one time placement, so I usually go with a 'non-perfect' type-of-thing...you know, I don't try stamping letters in a perfectly straight line or anything...do it messy on purpose and you'll be fine!

Posted by Courtney at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I have another exciting scoop for you, my faithful readers. Now I'm not going to draw it out and force you to read a whole paragraph before I give you the details...not at all like I did with the information about the new colors that are being added. I'll give it to you straight. You know those giant Monogram Alphabet letters that are in the Spring Mini Catalog? The ones that are very cool? Yeah, those ones. They'll be included in the 2006-2007 Idea Book and Catalog! Stampin' Up! has had such a good response to them, that they're going to carry them over into the new catalog (available July 1st)...and even better, they decided to tell us in advance! Keep in mind that now through April 30th they're included in the Bargain Background promotion (see www.stampinup.com for details). However, if you're looking to buy more than your pocketbook will allow you to buy at this time...it's great news that you'll be able to spread out your purchases over the course of the next catalog, too! Heck, why not go crazy and buy the whole alphabet?! Now I'm not saying that I'll be doing that...but I will probably be purchasing more in the future now that I know I don't have to rush to buy them all before the end of May. So there you have it folks, another scoop on the new catalog. It's only the 13th of April...we still have a whole 79 days (yes, I counted) until it's new catty time...and I already can't wait!

Posted by Courtney at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Have I got a SCOOP for you...from the 2006-2007 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog. About this time of year, SU! demos (and customers alike) start anxiously awaiting the retirement list...which is given out May 1st. Then shortly after that, we all begin pacing the floor (and the walls sometimes) waiting for the big brown truck to bring our new catalogs. I don't have any info on the retiring stamp sets, yet. But I do have some info about the new catalog. Okay, I've kept you waiting long enough...

The new catalog (available July 1st) will be offering...drumroll please...new colors! Now it's not gonna be like last time where color families are discombobulated, colors are added, colors are taken away, colors are reformulated. It's not like that this time...thankfully, because I just finally collected a good stock of papers and inks in the newly added (last year) colors. This year there will be six new colors that will be in addition to the ones we already have. The names are as follows: True Thyme, Marigold Morning, Cranberry Crisp, Vintage Violet, Buckaroo Blue, and Cool Carribean. Once again, these are additional and are not replacing any existing colors. So now we just all have to wait around for a few months until we can actually see the new colors. That, combined with the anticipation of the retiring sets and new incoming stamps and accessories is enough to drive a stamper crazy!

Posted by Courtney at 8:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This summer layout is a little early, I know. I couldn't resist, though...after a whole day of sunshine and dreams of opening the pool (in 5 1/2 weeks)...it just seemed right. I did this one last year as a sample layout. I followed the rule of the triangles...notice the embellishments (the yellow eyelets), and the main focal points of the page (the two photo spots and journaling box) form triangles amongst themselves. At a Stampin' Up! regional event last year we were taught that using the rule of the triangles really forces the eye to sweep in a triangle pattern, thus making the viewer really cover the whole page. I think it's a subliminal thing...anyhow, I try to follow it when scrapping. So here you have it...my wishful thinking that summer will hurry itself along:

Cardstock: Pink Passion, Green Galore, YoYo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Ink: Black, Pink Passion, Pretty in Pink Jumbo Wheel Cartridge

Stamps: Flitting By Jumbo Wheel, Journaling Fun, Classic Alphabet

Accessories: YoYo Yellow Eyelets, Green Galore Eyelets, Silver Cord

The Flitting By Jumbo Wheel has a coordinating stamp set that has the giant butterflies in it...I however, do not have that set, so I just wheeled and cut out the butterflies I wanted to use. This is an example of an entire scrapbook page being completed with a simple wheel and an alphabet set.

As a side note, the weather here was so beautiful today that not only did I get some much needed weeding done of the side flowerbed...but Larry and I also went to the reservoir to play on the kids' toys. Let me tell you, we were really glad no kids came along to chase us off of their playground equipment. It was so fun! We kept going down the slide headfirst on our backs...which makes you go super fast...I bet we each went down at least ten times! The next time you're feeling stressed out by your daily life, I'd highly recommend taking a few trips down the slide at the playground. At the playground there are no bills to pay, no ringing phones, no demanding jobs to be done, no laundry, and no dishes...just pure fun. It's amazing how carefree you'll feel when you act like a kid again!

Posted by Courtney at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Along with the argyle card that I posted yesterday, we are doing the following cards at a workshop this weekend. We're also doing the Monogram C card that I previously uploaded. (It's the first one pictured in this post.) Following each one is a brief description. We tried to go with a pretty springy theme without being overly Easter themed since it's kinda close to order stuff for Easter cards. Plus this is the first time we've got to use Looks Like Spring because we didn't preorder it and decided later that we wanted it! It's been heavily inked since then!

Ah, the ever popular, and very versatile, Loads of Love and Loads of Love Accessories! I also stuck in a few eggs (on the Barely Banana) from Tag Time because they match so well. My favorite part of this card is the ribbon that's attached with the little paperclip...it's a little different than a "normal" accessory...but paperclips and staples gotta be the cheapest embellishments ever! The colors used are: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, and Whisper White. The truck and eggs are colored in with the Stampin' Up! colored pencils and blender pens.

This is another quick and simple card that allowed us to bust out and use that slit punch that we bought but haven't given much attention to. After seeing this one, I definitely think we'll be reaching for it more often! Stamps involved are: Looks Like Spring and Everyday Flexible Phrases. Colors used are: Mellow Moss, Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red, and Whisper White. Embellishments are: one clear button (attached with Crystal Effects) and a tiny swatch of Moss Gingham Ribbon. I particularly like the paper piercing...kinda forces the eye to scan the card.

This 6x6 will be a demo...our hostess has several grandbabies, so I'm thinking she'll be able to use it in one of her books of her grandchildren. I used another spring color theme for this one, including: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, and Confetti White. If you have boy children (or grandchildren) and like this layout, simply change up the colors and use Bashful Blue instead of Pretty in Pink...you might change the flower stamp to something more boy-like, too! The stamps involved in this one are: Island Blossoms, It's a Date, Whimsical Alphabet Upper, and Everyday Flexible Phrases. The Flexible Phrases set is used to make the little polka dot lines. It's the points of ellipsis...just lined up really carefully.

Remember, if you like the layout of a card or scrapbook page, but the colors don't work for you...or maybe you don't have the stamp sets I used...you can easily substitute stuff you do have to create your own works of art!

Posted by Courtney at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I did some stamping on Wednesday for an upcoming party and came up with a pretty cool card. This is one that I am particularly proud of...one of the first in a while that I really wowed myself over. It uses the Print Pattern background stamp, which is one of the many stamps on sale during this month's Bargain Backgrounds promotion (view the promo at www.stampinup.com). The argyle effect is done by using the Print Pattern background stamp, and hand draw in the thin lines using a Stampin' Around marker and a ruler. Just draw the lines so that where they intersect is in between the diamonds.

Changing the colors to something from the Soft Subtles family would make it a very springy card, or try mixing up the stamp set and use something other than Smorgasborders to create a masculine card. Here's the one I came up with (using a color combo I was hesitant to use at first):

Stamps: Print Pattern and Smorgasborders

Inks: Night of Navy and Always Artichoke

Papers: Night of Navy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, and Whisper White

Accessories: Wide Navy Organdy Ribbon, Pewter Hodgepodge, Dimensionals

I am liking the Hodgepodge on the Wide Organdy...this is the first time I tried it like this and plan to do it this way again. I attached the flower rectangle with Stampin' Dimensionals to give it a little 3D thing going on. If Print Pattern isn't on your wish list, you may want to make some room for it because it's quite a diverse stamp...from masculine themed cards and scrapbook pages to this cool argyle look...I'm sure yours will be well used like mine!

Posted by Courtney at 6:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The following card samples are from a swap I hosted recently. The instructions were to create card samples using the new giant Monogram letters from the Spring Mini Catalog:

Designer: Courtney

Designer: Trisha Smith
I love the simplicity of this card! Quick and fabulous! I am also liking the turquoise and brown combo...never would have thought to put the two together.

Designer: Peggy Lucas
Totally diggin' the color combo! This is also another great example of how much several different stamp sets coordinate for a great look.

Designer: Teresa Shaw
I can't imagine how long it took to cut out the frog! Love it! Once again, perfect coordination among a few different stamp sets...the versatility that stamp sets offer is wonderful.

Designer: Consuelo Banks
I like the reverse monogram! It's like getting two stamps in one. The flower punch (along with the big flower being cut out) looks so cool when it's stacked to make one big flower like this...love love love it!

Designer: Jackie Victorson
The use of these two backgrounds (French Script & Floral) really makes this card look quite elegant. I also enjoy the color combo...the pinks and browns looks very nice.

Designer: Christine Lotz
What a cute kitty card! The eyelet is non-SU, but matches the Hodgepode Hardware so well that it really completes the look! The K also has Crystal Effects on it...really makes it shine in person!

Designer: Sarah Pendergrast
I can't begin to imagine the work that went into this sample! From the glitter, to the embossed polka dots, to the punched out flowers, to the dry embossed flower...fantastic all the way around!

Designer: Karen Foltz
I enjoy the use of the ribbons on this card, along with the Linen background, which is done with the Vanilla Craft Ink...so subtle but so perfect! The way the F is raised with pop dots really makes it pop at you!

Posted by Courtney at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

In the big Idea Book & Catalog there are clear checkbook covers...and they are way cool! You can just stamp and/or decorate a piece of cardstock, slip it in the clear cover, and you have a fabulous (and personalized) checkbook cover! It makes me happy to pay bills because that means I get to look at my cool checkbook cover. *Please note that this is the point at which I am falling out of my chair laughing hysterically at the absurdity of being happy about paying bills*. Okay, so they don't make you deliriously happy about paying bills...but they are fun!

They're not all that expensive, and you actually get two in the package...perfect to make one for yourself and a friend! The other awesome thing about having a handmade checkbook cover is that when I get tired of the one I have, I simply stamp a new one, and I'm good to go! That's precisely what happened a few days ago...I got bored with the one I had had for the past six months, so I got to workin' on a new one. Here it is:

Even though there's no stamping involved, I think this turned out very cute and quite 'spring-like'. I used some leftover pieces parts from the Island Blossoms Simply Scrappin' Kit (Level One Hostess). Let me say, I love love love these scrappin' kits! I made a 25 page 6x6 book, several cards, and this checkbook cover with one kit...and I still have more stickers and a few 6x6 sheets of the designer printed paper. What a deal! The colors I used are: Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, and Barely Banana. I used the Crafter's Tool Kit to do some paper piercing around the little squares, and a silver brad in the center of the big flower. There's also the direct to paper technique in celery around the edges. This went together really quick...and it makes me smile a little when I pull it out of my purse...but only for a second...until I realize that getting it out of my purse means I'm paying yet another bill...

Posted by Courtney at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

We all love the look of stitching, right? But, how many of you actually take the time to thread a needle and stitch something on a stamping project? I can promise you that I will find a million other ways to embellish a card or scrapbook page before I'll bust out a needle and thread. I've also seen those handy paper stitchers...a friend of mine had one, but it just never worked quite right for her. Let's not even get started on the odds that I'd dig my sewing machine out of hibernation just to do a little stitching on a scrapbook page. The odds of that? Nil. A technique that can be your new best friend? Faux Stitching. I recently learned it and am lovin' it! Here are some step by step directions on how to fake your stitching:

The items you'll need are: the paper piercer, piercing template, and squishy (technical term, I know) mat from the Crafter's Tool Kit, and the white uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (page 223). The gel pen can be used for this technique along with being a great way to write on dark cardstock!

Line up the template and poke holes following the template. You can do a zig zag stitch or a straight stitch...a short stitch or a long stitch. Just poke the holes where you want it to look like it's the end of the stitch.

In the example I'm doing a zig zag stitch...this is what it looks like when all the holes are poked. I did every other hole in two neighboring lines on the template.

Now simply connect the dots with the white gel pen!

This is how it looks when all the stitches are drawn in. Sometimes it's necessary to go back and re-poke the holes if the gel pen has settled any ink in the holes. That will make it look all the more authentic because it looks like the stitching actually goes into the paper.

Here's the finished card! I used some leftover pieces parts from the Island Blossoms Simply Scrappin' Kit (Level One Hostess Freebie). The card base is Tempting Turquoise and is stamped with the speckle background from Itty Bitty Backgrounds in turquoise ink. The stitching is done on Certainly Celery. The flower is a self-adhesive sticker from the Scrappin' Kit. I put a silver brad in the middle to give it a little somethin' (another technical stamping term), and added some turquoise grosgrain on the side.

You'll want to be careful to allow the gel pen to dry completely...it only takes a few minutes. I do the stitching part, finish the card, and then go back and adhere everything. Smeared gel pen lines will not look like stitches, I promise!

Posted by Courtney at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here you have the projects we did at a workshop this weekend. Following each one is a description which includes the products and colors that were used. To follow (later today in a separate post) will be detailed directions on the Faux Stitching technique that is mentioned on a few of the samples.

This project uses an empty mint tin that's covered in designer paper in the inside and stamped paper on the cover. I used Only Orange paper with Real Red (Direct to Paper technique), a strip of designer paper, and a Pink Passion stamped C from the Whimsical Alphabet. I also used a silver brad to add a little embellishment! The card was measured to fit directly inside the tin so it can be given as a gift...then the tin can be reused by the recipient. The card is done in Green Galore, Pink Passion, and Whisper White. The stamp set used is Festive Four. The basket and eggs are colored in with the Stampin' Around Markers. To accessorize the card I added Crystal Effects to the eggs and sprinkled some Microbeads on while it was wet. The stitching on the card is done using the Faux Stitching technique.

I love how this card turned out...it uses three different stamp sets, but in true Stampin' Up! style, they all coordinate perfectly! The stamps used are: Favorite Teddy Bear, Tag Time (egg at the bottom), and Loads of Love Accessories (the eggs in the wagon). Since buying the Favorite Teddy Bear set I have had so much fun finding things from different stamp sets to put in the little wagon! If you own this set I encourage you to experiment with your other stamps...who knows what you'll come up with? The colors involved are Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White. It also uses the Layer Ease to do the matting of the bear picture.

This one uses designer paper for the majority of the background...these packages of paper can go a long way if you're using them on cards! I used the stamp set Birthday Banter (which I only bought for the "floral moo moo"). The accessories involved on this one are silver brads and google eyes which were attached with Crystal Effects.

My mom did this card. I felt the need to clear that up right away because it uses Cameo Coral which is NOT my favorite Stampin' Up! color. Luckily having two of us means we can show off a variety of colors instead of always gravitating to one color combo (or avoiding a certain color combo...like coral and tan). She used the Seaside Sketches and Wonderful Words stamp sets. The colors are: Barely Banana, Cameo Coral, and Close to Cocoa. She used the heavy duty watercolor paper because when coloring in the sketch she used the Wonderful Watercolor Crayons and Aquapainter. This card also features the Faux Stitching technique.

This is a 6x6 scrapbook page we did as a demo...our hostess has a son named Carter (hence the tag). It uses So Saffron, Taken With Teal, and Certainly Celery...along with a piece of designer printed paper from the Level One hostess Simply Scrappin' Kit. I did direct to paper in the Taken with Teal around the edge of the page, and 'Carter' is stamped in Taken with Teal using the Classic Alphabet...it's then framed with a piece of pewter Hodgepodge Hardware. The giant C is one of the Spring Mini Catalog monogram stamps, and it's stamped in Certainly Celery on Certainly paper.

Posted by Courtney at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Want a look at the projects we did at a workshop earlier today?? I knew you did! The demos were the 6x6 page, the smile card, and the topiary card. The other two were the make-n-takes along with a jelly bean bag topper. The jelly bean bag topper is in bright springy colors and uses the bunny from Tags & More. Following the photos are the recipes for the projects.

Artwork © 1990-2005 Stampin' Up!

Posted by Courtney at 9:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

One of the dangers I've run into since becoming a Stampin' Up! demo is that if I'm not careful, my "stamping time" turns into my "prepare for a party" time. Sometimes I'll end up spending all of my spare time doing things for parties (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE to do), and find I miss the excitement and fun of stamping...the excitement I felt which caused me to sign up as a demo. Don't get me wrong, I totally love being a demo...I've made some great friends and totally look forward to their upcoming parties so I can see how everyone is doing. It is nice to be able to work on my own scrapbooking and stuff...which can get pushed aside at times. That's one of the great things about being a demo, though! I set my own schedule and can take "time-off" as needed. Anyhow, I'm getting somewhere with this....

I placed an order yesterday for supplies for an upcoming scrapbooking class I'm having...and I was like a stamper in a stamp store! This is the first time in, I'd say, at least six months that I've ordered stuff for myself...just because I wanted it! The things that I've been ordering have been for workshops, my Christmas cards, etc. There are quite a few stamp items that I've had on my constantly growing wish list for a long time, and I just haven't had the chance to order them. Well I was feeling quite generous yesterday because I ordered more than I intended to, and I find that I'm feeling that excitement I used to feel as a customer. It's that I-can't-wait-for-UPS-to-arrive-because-I-ordered-fun-stuff-for-me excitement!

I just checked and the order is picking...woo hoo! The things in that box that are 'just because I want them':

Tag It personalized stamp (it says hand-stamped by Courtney)
Whimsical Alphabet Upper
Whimsical Alphabet Numbers
Celery Grosgrain Ribbon (I'm loving this color)
Bold Brights 12x12 (my stash is really low)
Paw Tracks Stampin' Around Wheel
Noteworthy (SAB freebie)
Giant Monogram 'C' from the upcoming Spring Mini Catalog
(available March 1st)

I'm anxiously awaiting the Big Brown Truck's delivery of my loot! Notice I said anxiously...not patiently...

Posted by Courtney at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's Saturday and I am proud to announce that I spent much of the day scrapping! I finally had the chance (last week) to get some pictures of Pixel printed...so today was the perfect opportunity to catch up my book. Here's the goods on each page:

Bath Time: I used the Headline Alphabet, Loads of Love Accessories, and Bubble Queen stamp sets, the colors are Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White. Please note: The bathtub at the top of the page normally has a lady inside, not dogs. I used the black marker to stamp only the bathtub, and the puppy dogs are from Loads of Love Accessories. I am so proud of how absolutely freakin' cute the bathtub puppies turned out! I used Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the bubbles and the flowers that surround the title. The ribbons involved are the blue and red gingham.

Pixel Perfect & Sleepy Girl: These pages use that new color combo I was talking about, Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant, and Certainly Celery. The stamping on these two is done with the retired stamp set, Quirky Alphabet, the Just Journaling lines, and the speckled background stamp from Itty Bitty Backgrounds. The titles are done on a preprinted strip from the She's Too Cool Simply Scrappin' Kit...the sticker embellishments are from there, too. Ribbon accents on these pages are silver cord and eggplant grosgrain.

Goofin' Off with dad: This page was fun to make because all of the pictures are playful! I used the retired color Positively Pink (because my 12x12 paper is from the pre-color-change days), and YoYo Yellow. The stamps used are the Headline Alphabet, Classic Alphabet, the Just Journaling lines, and the confetti is from Perfect Party. I used YoYo Yellow and Pixie Pink (close enough, isn't it?) ink. Embellishments on this page are yellow grosgrain ribbon and 3 left-over Positively Pink eyelets (glad I had those stashed away!).

Artwork © 1990-2005 Stampin' Up!

Posted by Courtney at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you ever find yourself in a color rut? Do you have your "go to" color combinations? I'm sure we all do! To help with that you could consider purchasing the Stampin' Up! Color Wheel which offers tons of color combinations for all of the Stampin' Up! exclusive colors. Another thing that helps me when I find I'm constantly reaching for the Brocade Blue (one of my favorite colors) is to browse the catalog and find a card or scrapbook page that catches my eye. Then I can just look at the recipe in the back and I've got a new color combo to try. See, those catalogs really are a great value!

I have to tell you about my most recent "color combo I never would have thought to try if I hadn't seen it in the Stampin' Up! catalog". I was working with the Simply Scrappin' Kit "She's Too Cool" (more about how absolutely awesome these kits are is coming at a later date). The combo in that kit is: Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, and Rose Red. I must say I've never even used Rose Red before. My mom and I were trying everything we could to even see what color it was because it didn't look familiar to either of us. I really wouldn't have thought to put those colors together and am glad I found that combo through that Scrappin' Kit because it looks very nice. It's an interesting girl's color combination that I urge you to try in your scrapping and card making alike!

Posted by Courtney at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For our first date we went to a baseball game. Larry suggested we "catch a game sometime" while we were talking during psychology class. I called him the next day to see if he was available. He said that he was, and so everything was set up. He then promptly called off of work for that night. Why didn't he just tell me he had to work? I didn't find out until much later that he had lied about being sick to go on a date with me. It's a good thing he did...he found $20 laying on the ground at the ballpark...that came in handy since drinks are $3.50 each! We had a good time, and great seats behind homeplate with a head-on view of the 1st baseline...when it wasn't obstructed by the "fathead" in front of us. They had fireworks after the game but it was raining lightly so we watched them in the car in between the windshield wipers. Oh yeah, and when we got to the game the ever so helpful parking lot attendant told me to back into the space he was directing me to...it was the first time I've ever had to back a car into a space...I was terrified, and even said "Oh my gosh, I've never backed up my car before,". Of course I meant I had never backed it into a space...either way it probably wasn't my most shining moment! We took our first ever photo together, ourselves. This is the scrapbook page I did to showcase that evening:

I used a now retired Stampin' Up! sports stamp set (I can't even remember the name of it now), and the now retired Quirky Alphabet stamp set (one of my favorites). The colors are Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Creamy Caramel, and White. I accessorized with twine and some Real Red star eyelets.

Posted by Courtney at 9:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Like any stamper or scrapper I have lots of embellishments which of course includes ribbon. Trying to find the ideal way to store all this ribbon has created quite a problem. If any of you have found a nice and organized way to store your ribbon, I'd be forever in your debt if you shared it with me.

My first attempt to solve this problem is what I like to call "Ribbon Box Fiasco #1". It all started when I saw a really cool ribbon box that someone had conjured up. It was a plastic box (from WalMart, I believe) with a snap on lid. This person then drilled holes in the side of the box, which she then used to feed out the end of each spool of ribbon. It looked something like this:
So off I went to WalMart in search of my new ribbon box that was going to be so fabulous when it was finished. I had my uncle drill the holes in the side and I was good to go...or so I thought. The problem I had with this box was that the ends of my ribbon kept slipping inside the box. What's the dang point of having the holes if I had to keep pulling the lid off to retrieve the color I wanted? That became tiresome very quickly. My mom and I then set out in search of a new ribbon solution...

This past November we hit the jackpot at Bed, Bath, & Beyond....the "Even Worse Than Ribbon Box #1" jackpot that is. Our new and improved ribbon box was acutally supposed to be for Christmas ribbons and bows. It had a compartment on top (with a lid) that had a stick that you could feed the center of each spool through. It also had a snap-on bottom compartment that we thought we could use for twine and other non-spooled ribbon-like fibers. Sounds great, right? Wrong-O. One problem was that the Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon is kind of a big thing of ribbon...the cardboard that surrounds the spool was too big to allow the ribbon to turn and unwind. So we promptly grabbed the scissors and mangled the crap out of our pretty rounded cardboard ribbon spools. It was still not all that it cracked up to be, and as you can see from the following picture, we were no better off than we were before.

Cute, isn't it? A tangled up mess. Out of anger we tried to throw the dumb box away, but Grandma or Aunt Leslie saved it from the landfill...which is right where I was going to send it...after smashing the heck out of it, that is. I'm currently in search of a new (and hopefully last) ribbon box. Right now I'm using a plastic shoe box (WalMart, $.97) and am taping down the ends of each mutilated spool so as to aviod the nasty tangled up mess.

Posted by Courtney at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

When I began stamping I was a card only type-of-girl. I've now made my way over into the scrapbooking side of the galaxy, and it's been pretty fun! I went with a 12x12 because I'm also an anal retentive type-of-girl and I prefer a square work surface. Plus I can get more pictures on a 12x12. I started out with only the page protectors so as I completed a page I could protectorize it. I did eventually save up my pennies (and dollars) to get a bee-you-tee-ful Real Red Stampin' Up! 12x12 linen album. It was worth every single penny and dollar! It's a "you have to wash your hands and put it right back when you're done because it was expensive" type-of-album, but it's absolutely gorgeous.

The following page is the introduction page of my scrapbook. I wanted to do a page that explained what was going on inside of the album. I began this scrapbook now because I don't have children yet. I used to say "I don't scrapbook because I don't have anything to scrap." Now I've decided that I want to scrap the things that are going on now (our first date, our wedding, our new puppy, etc.) so my children will be able to look back at those things. I felt the need to explain the journaling point of view (my own), along with whatever else I felt like saying about me. I titled the Word document "the hardest page ever", and it truely was difficult to do an intro to what I wanted the entire scrapbook to be about. The supplies and journaling text follow the photo. And yes, it was hard to line up (and space out) those paper rectangles on the left side of the page...very hard.

Paper: Green Galore, Brilliant Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink: Brilliant Blue, So Saffron
Stamps: Mini Mates
Accessories: Clear Button (on middle square)
Techinique: Direct to Paper in Brilliant Blue around edges of whole page

The text reads as follows:

Contained on the pages of this scrapbook are the things that are near and dear to my heart. Some pages are funny and some pages are serious, but all were created to illustrate the events in my life. The journaling is meant to reflect my thoughts.

I try to be: Honest, Thoughtful, & The Kind of Friend I’d like to have.
I try not to be: Judgmental, Cynical, & Overbearing
I hope to one day be: A mommy

Posted by Courtney at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, how do ya like it?! This is my new stamping and scrapping haven! When we bought our house a month ago this room was a toddler's room...it was full-on Pooh Bear...all the way to the fan blades. My mom and I painted it the lovely plummy roseish (yes I made that up) color that it is now. Then I totally copied the clothesline idea from another stamp room I saw. It's just a regular clothesline hung with eyelet hooks (I'll have to tell you the eyelet hook search turned fiasco at a later date). Then card samples are hung with clothespins. This is extra fun because when we get sick of looking at the same old same old border I can just switch in new card samples!

Corner #1 is obviously one corner of the room (clever, aren't I?!) with the clothesline. The view by the door shows off our lovely new dry-erase/thumbtack board so we can keep track of all the stuff we have going on. It's a 10x12 room with a mirrored closet so it's not the easiest thing to photograph. Plus the closet is all messy! The end of the room that's opposite the clothesline features a unit with five shelves of stamps and the closet has another cabinet with all of the necessary accessories. Oh yeah, and on the table (just in the corner of the Corner #1 picture) is our brand new Stampin' Up! Ink Caddy! It's so awesome to have all of our ink pads at our fingertips! No more digging through plastic shoeboxes looking for that one pad you can't find!

Also, check out the very cool flower arrangement in the corner. We got the vase as a wedding gift and I didn't want to put fresh flowers in it because they die so quickly. The best $38 I ever spent was taking that vase to a florist in town and telling them "I don't have a clue about flower arrangements, can you just do whatever it is that you flower people do?" Okay maybe I didn't say it exactly like that, but it did turn out beautiful none-the-less. It's been over a year and one move and it still looks brand new.

It's so nice to have a completely separate area that's totally devoted to stamping! Now my mom and I can stamp without having to disrupt the entire household by using the kitchen table! Plus we can just close the door if we get too involved in stamping and don't have time to clean up. Now I must tell you that this rarely ,if ever, happens...it's usually completely sparkling clean...ha! Those of you with your own stamping or scraping area know that that’s a complete LIE! The best part of having my own stamping room is that it can be as unorganized as I want it to be and it doesn’t matter because it’s my room and I can just close the door!

I highly encourage all of you to lobby for your own stamping and/or scrapping haven if you don’t already have one! After all, it is your right as a stamper to have an area that is totally yours, totally disorganized, and totally inspiring to you as you work!

Posted by Courtney at 8:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The much anticipated Sell-A-Brations promotion is here! It actually started yesterday, but I felt the need to post that brown sugar chicken recipe first. (If you're completely confused by that sentence, make sure you read the post that follows this one...)

I am patiently awaiting the delivery of my 2 pre-ordered sets. When I say patiently I mean stalking the UPS website to see if they have an expected delivery date yet...which, by-the-way, they don't. I'm working on some samples (in my head since I don't have the sets yet) and will be sure to post them as soon as I get them together.

You can officially see the Sell-A-Brations freebies at www.stampinup.com. Just click "view the online catalog" and then choose the SAB mini. If you haven't used the online catalog feature yet, I urge you to check it out. It's kinda neat how it flips