It's a Stinkin' Cute Day!

Good morning all! I finally did some stamping last night that I can share with everyone! The sketch challenge on SCS was to use a critter that isn't normally in a holiday set for a holiday card. I had just gotten out my Stinkin' Cute set earlier that day to make a card with it so I decided to try a holiday card with my skunk! Wanna see? I used Whisper White, Real Red, Glorious Green, and Basic Black Card Stock. The sets are Stinkin' Cute, Hung up on the Holidays (the candy cane), Tiny Talk, and Background Basics. The ribbon is, of course, red gingham. After I loaded this card on SCS I noticed that someone had a swap set up with this set and needed one more player so I've joined that swap. Know why that is good? 'Cuz it means you guys will get to see more cards made with Mr. Stinky!

Today I get to spend some time in Kyler's classroom. I do that every Thursday morning. It's such a privilege to help out! Then, I'll be making those swap cards and sending them out. Hopefully I'll still have some time to do some more stamping.

So...that is it for today! I hope everyone makes today the best Thursday possible! Hugs and smiles!!!

Yay, it's Wednesday!

Good morning! It was another day full of stamping yesterday and it was so much fun! I love it when a project starts out in your head and then ends up on paper exactly how you imagined AND it looks great! That was me yesterday....TWICE!!! Can you believe it? Unfortunately...you can't see. Are you guys getting sick of hearing that yet? I have been hard at work getting things ready for my club brunch on Saturday and my chemo patients gift and now they are done. Today, I'm going to do some fun stamping. Stamping just for the pure joy of it and something I can share. If I remember I need to borrow a stamp set from my friend Kathy and I can work on a teachers gift. He'll get a note card set and post it holder with the retired Fly Fishing set since that is his favorite past time.

You know what? I Did find one that I could share with you. I joined a swap on a demo only group during the world series (go cards!) and my team won. So, I was to send her one item and she was to send me 3. I will take pictures of what she sent me today 'cuz you guys will love them! Anyway, here is one of the cards I sent her. So here we go...this is Frosty. He is made with bashful blue, night of navy, confetti white, and snowflake designer paper (from the holiday mini...last day to order is tomorrow!). I used my giga scallop punch from Marvy for the circle and the oval punches from stampin up for this card. I used my aqua painters and watercolor crayons to color him. A little bit of stickles and he was all done. I think he turned out kinda cute!

Alright ladies...I'm starving and off to eat some breakfast! Hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Another day,

Another project I can't show you! I'm almost finished up with my secret Santa's gift. And, I still can't show ya...sorry! I will tell you that I'm especially happy with them! They turned out even better than I imagined! I will share with you though another post it note holder I made last night. This one is with SU!'s Flowers and Friends Simply Scrappin' Kit which is a Level 1 hostess item. I have been using 3X3 post it notes and have decided to try and find 2x2 instead. I like the overall size of 6X4 but there just isn't enough room for the decoration and the 3x3. I'm off to find 2x2's today. Hopefully they have something like that. I love the cheery colors of this post it holder. Hopefully the intended receiver's home colors won't clash with this too much!

I have to tell you all about a great deal that Todd and I got. For some reason (that I still don't understand) we decided to buy a new stove. We have one that works just fine but we thought a double oven range would be really nice to have. So...we started looking around our home town and found the one that we wanted was around $1300 which is a little steep for our blood. Then, I looked online at AAFES (you military people will know what that is) and in the end we got the range for under just over $900. Can you believe that? Unreal, great buy! It isn't here yet but it shipped yesterday so hopefully I'll have it next week. Basically this is what we are getting. Ours will be a smooth top with some neat burner features but it is not convection.

So, I think that is it for today. Hope you all have a great Tuesday and happy stamping!

Excitement abounds!

I'm so excited about a couple of neato things! On Sunday Todd and I decided we were going to take a short trip for his 40th birthday. Guess where we are going? Don't know? Okay, Las Vegas! Woohoo! We have planned some fun things to do with time in the in between for relaxing a little. Todd has never been to Vegas and I've only been one other time so it should be lots of fun. I really want to make sure to see the art museum at the Bellagio. We are going to stay at The Signature on MGM..very nice place it looks like! For extras we are going to tour Hoover Dam, take a helicopter ride over the strip at night, and go to the Improv club at Harrah's. We'll be busy but we like it that way.

I did quite a bit of stamping yesterday but it's all for my chemo patients Christmas present (getting her present done is the second thing I'm excited about) and I really don't want her to see it ahead of time. Tonight, hopefully I'll receive my order, I'll work on a couple of other things I can share. Okay, I did find a post it note holder that I made for a friend of mine. It was her birthday and I totally missed it so I made her this holder and the frog card that you saw on the 17th. She seemed really pleased with it! I will tell you that it is a toadal (get it?) CASE from SCS. However, when I used this set that day I made masks for both the mushroom and the frog so using this set will be much easier in the future!

Well, I hope you all have a great Monday! See you tomorrow!

And it's snowing!

Well, officially our trip is off. Not only is it snowing pretty good here but the pass is traction tires suggested and no over sized vehicles (which isn't as bad as I thought it would be!). I'm not going to risk anyone getting hurt just for a train ride...maybe next year!

I did some stamping yesterday but it's all a secret! Don' t you hate that? I've gotten a good start on so many things and have a ton of ideas swirling in my head. Since I won't be going to North Bend today I'll probably get some stamping done today for my chemo patients Christmas gift. (check it out here if you don't know what that is.) She loves roses so I'm going to do something with the new Wild Rose set from SU!. I'll post that set eventually but I don't want her to look at this blog and know what she is getting. She has 9 children ranging from 18 to 9 so I'll send a little something for them to. I need to get on the stick...I'm telling ya!

I hope everyone has a great Sunday...see you tomorrow!

I'm a little bummed today.

Morning all! I'm bumming a little this morning because the front page of the newspaper says to "Avoid travel on mountain passes this weekend." Not normally a big deal for us we don't use the passes much but tomorrow we were going to go to North Bend and surprise Kyler with a trip on the Santa Train. The train takes a 20 minute ride from North Bend to Snoqualmie where the kids get to see Santa, Mrs. Clause and eat cookies and cocoa. I KNOW he would have loved it! Because of Todd's schedule we won't be able to go any other time. I'm so glad we didn't tell Kyler about it because he would then be disappointed too! Oh, well..maybe next year.

Today is a really low key day. I have lots of stamping to get done this weekend and I want to enjoy my family. It's not often on Saturday that we don't have anything planned so we are all looking forward to it! I did make something I think is really neat yesterday! We were going to our friend's house to share lunch and birthday time with them and needed to get one last thing made for Nancy. I decided that maybe a post it note holder would be good ('cuz I'm loving them right now) so here is what I came up with. This is made with papers and embellishments from SU!'s At Home Simply Scrappin' Kit. I made one little change before I took it to her but overall it looks the same.

So, that is it for today, girls. I hope you have a great Saturday...see you tomorrow!

Now what was I thinking?

First, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday! I know we filled up on our feast! We made a 19 lb turkey this year...yep, 19 lbs for 6 of us. We like to have leftovers for open face sandwiches and stuff like that. I think I'll do some soup this year too! It was so nice having the whole family here this year. I had a great time at a friend's house last year but I had really missed our family Thanksgiving. I'm so blessed that Todd is home safely! One thing that was fun last night is that I was talking with my dad on the phone and I had said we didn't have any snow and that really surprised me. A little later Kyler looks outside and what do we see? HUGE snowflakes! Jon and Kyler went outside right away and played a little bit. Here is a photo.

Anyway, yesterday I told you that I had shown you the last project from our stamp club. Well, I lied...sorry! I didn't show you the scrapbook page we did. I had a stamp club member ask that we do one page a month so this is the page for November and you club ladies will be happy to know that at the brunch you'll get to do your December page! Anyway, here it is! I wish I could take credit for this beautiful page's layout and technique but I totally CASE'd (Copy and share everything) it from SCS.

So this morning I need to finish up some note cards and a post it note holder for a friend's birthday. We'll be going to their house to actually celebrate a couple of our birthdays today but both of their birthdays are in just a couple of weeks so we thought we'd take their stuff with too. Now did that make any sense? I'm sure you get it!

So, have a great Friday all! See you tomorrow!

Well, I keep plugging away...

I keep plugging away at my blog hoping that at some point people will want to check it on a daily basis AND comment, too.

Anyway, believe it or not Todd and I have got the turkey ready to go in, the stuffing in the crock pot and the rest on hold until the appropriate time! I'm thrilled that it is going so well right now!

Now, I'd like to share the last project we did at the Christmas Gifts and Giving Stamp Camp. It is a gift card holder. I LOVE this gift card holder and once again need to thank Dawn for the spectacular idea. By the way...her blog link is to the right if you'd like to check it out! Anyway, this is made with Cranberry Crisp and some of the Holiday Thyme paper, Perfect Endings (the merry stamp) and Snowflurries from the holiday mini which you can place orders from until the end of November. Very simple cut and fold with the placement of the paper really wherever you'd like. If you don't have the oval punches yet...you need to get them! I love those punches so much! Isn't the "donut" type of window neat on this? And the ribbon? The fantastic Cranberry Crisp stitched ribbon from the Holiday Mini as well! If you'd like exact measurements for this just e-mail me and let me know!

Today I will be working on my gift for the gift exchange our hostess club will be having at the appreciation brunch on the 2nd. I can't, *of course*, say who I have but I'm hoping she will be pleased! I don't even want to tell you what it is but I will post pictures of the project after the brunch...promise!

Well, ladies...that is it for today. I'm off to find a counter that I can post of this site. I hope you all have a very...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

It's the day before Thanksgiving...

It's the day before Thanksgiving and the prep work is on! Today I'll spend some time preparing for tomorrow. I'll be baking our pie, cutting up celery and onions, preparing the dry ingredients for the stuffing, and just double checking to make sure we have everything! I love Thanksgiving. It is a very laid back day for us even with the prep of an entire, large dinner. Todd and I are also very excited to get the sale flyers in the paper tonight...can't wait to see what we can't live without! NOT!! I wish we had a Wal-Mart closer than 45 minutes away because there are a couple of things I'd like to get there!

I did a little stamping yesterday. I joined an ATC (Artistic Trading Card) swap on SCS. I've been a bit afraid to try this little cuties because...well, they are new to me. I joined this specific swap because of two reasons...1. they needed one more person and 2. it's a technique ATC card swap. That means when I get my swaps back each of the cards will have a different technique with directions on how to do it on the back. That will give me more resources for my stamp club! These are a very cute 3 1/2 X 2 1/2 size and fit perfectly into Stampin' Ups! On Board ATC Book in the Holiday Mini. Can't wait to show everyone! So...would you like to see what I did? It's very simple because I really wanted the faux mother of pearl to show. I used the new Like It A Latte set from the Winter Mini. The colors are Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, Glossy White, and Whisper White. I also used Stickles glitter glue on the candy cane and the sprinkles.

Over the next couple of days I need to prepare for my Hostess Appreciation Brunch on December 2nd. We are also doing a gift exchange so I have to get my persons gift done and help a club member do her stuff too. It's gonna be busy but fun!

Oh, I have to share...I closed a VeggieTales Mom show last night and although it wasn't a huge one I helped a couple of people get a great deal! We have right now a special for a DVD that has both of the VT Christmas movies on it. The cost is $9.99...to buy both movies it would be almost $30. It's a steal! With that deal both ladies where able to buy even more with their money which is a great idea this time of year! We have some really neat stuff for Christmas this year! Go check it out at www.vtmoms.com/LorieAmes.

Okay, ladies...I'm off and running for the day! I'm not sure if I'll be blogging tomorrow with all the prep and stuff but go ahead and check back 'cuz you just never know!

I did NOTHIN' yesterday!

Yep, that's right...I did no housework, no church work, no Stampin' Up! work, no VeggieTale work (okay...a little VTM's work) and no kiddo work! Guess what I did? I went and got a 1 1/2 massage and a pedicure. My DH surprised me with it and it was heavenly! We have a new little spa place here in town that I went to and I'm tellin' ya...it is so nice! Jenn, when you come back we are going there!

So...I have no new, new cards to show you but I'll show you a couple of items from Saturday's stamp camp. How about the note card holder. This idea was, once again, inspired by my friend Dawn. She even sent me a sample so that I could visually see how to do it...thanks girlie! It took me forever to figure out how to put the flowers on the front of the envelopes but the single blossom on the note card was easy...go figure! The stamp set I used is Blossoms Abound and a couple of different sayings sets with this. I used Rose Red (stamped off), Garden Green, and Certainly Celery. Everyone who came to the stamp camp used purples though. I still like my pink! Oh, and how is that for the perfect bow?

Today is the Thanksgiving Feast at Kyler's school. Todd, Grandma Nancy, Papa Al, and I are going to have lunch with Kyler and then stay for their little reading presentation. Should be cute. I'll have to take some picture and maybe post one. I'm a little skittish about putting my kiddos pictures on the net. I also have Bible Study this morning and Parent Group meeting this evening so the day is gonna be a busy one!

Well, the kids are up and going so I must run! I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Happy Monday!

Good Morning my blogging friends! My Sunday was busy as usual and quite productive! I did drag my husband to the store with me to buy the stuff for Thanksgiving. Our $156 bill was brought down to $105 with all the coupons and such that I had...neato!

So, I made a couple of things yesterday. The pattern for so very cute Candy Cane Mice have been floating around recently so I thought they were cute and would be good for Kyler's classmates so I decided to try them. Here is my result! I think my guy turned out well (I have one or two tweaks to make when I mass produce.) so I'll be making about 30 of them over the next month!

Yesterday, I had asked which set I should use stamping and Jennifer said from both catties BUT I just didn't have the time and lacked the patience to do that. So, I made a card from the Winter Mini with a set call Love Matters. The layout is from SCS's card sketch challenge. I think I like how it turned out...some elements more than others but overall it's a nice card. So, this is with the set Love Matters. The cardstock is Close to Cocoa, Taken with Teal, Designer Paper from Love Me and Whisper White. The ribbon is from the Winter Mini and is called Flirty Ribbon Originals (cute, huh?). I'm not sure you can see it but on the top right corner are 3 hearts stamped in taken with teal.

Hope you all have a great Monday! See you tomorrow!

Wow! Did I have fun yesterday!

Well, the Christmas Gifts and Giving Stamp Camp is done and I must say...I had a great time watching everyone put their projects together! Everyone left with a smile on their face and a bag in their hand. The bag to put their projects in was thanks to my friend Carol. I had totally spaced that everyone would need something to put their stuff in so THANK YOU CAROL! Now, on to some pictures! Here are my four lovely ladies with their projects!

The first picture is the beautiful Carol (Christmas Carol as she is now known at church!) . Carol came to this stamp camp with lots of previous stamping experience although it's the first time she has stamped with us. She is just a fantastic stamper and a wonderful person!

Next are Kathy and Janel. Both ladies have been stamping with me almost since the inception of my SU! business and DARN they are GOOD! And beautiful too!

The fourth stamper is our friend Lianne. She stamped with us last year and had decided she wouldn't be able to fit club in this year. We miss her but and are THRILLED that she came to join us at stamp camp!

I've post two of the projects from the stamp camp so far so over the next couple of days I'll post pictures from the other three.
Excuse the silly way the pictures are...I haven't figured out all of this bloggin' stuff yet!

So, today is Sunday and as usual we are off to church this morning. I have a confession to make...I haven't shopped for our groceries for Thanksgiving yet so guess what I'll be doing this afternoon? Then, hopefully, I'll get some time to stamp this afternoon. Hmmm...what stamps should I use? Stamps from the Winter Mini or the brand new 2007-2008 set that I received from a trade? What would you like to see? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Okay, kiddos are getting up so I must run and officially start my day! Have a fantastic Sunday everyone!

Today is the day!

It's here! Today is the day of my Christmas Gifts and Giving Workshop. Okay, have to stop for a second because I think I should really be calling this a Stamp Camp BUT it's all just semantics, right? Okay, back to my excitement! Today at 10 a.m. four of my wonderful friends will be coming to my house to make 5 fun Christmas gifts or giving type of projects. I say giving because one of the items they will make will be a gift card holder (again, inspired by my friend, Dawn, who by the way has a great blog herself!). So...you wanna see another project? Yes? Okay, here you are! Isn't he a cute little snowman?

Okay, this needs to be short as I have some last minute prep for stamp camp today!

Have a FANTASTIC Saturday everyone!

It's Friday! Woohoo!

Yay! It's Friday! I've spent the day so far preparing for my SU! Christmas Gifts and Giving Workshop and it's been fun! I also took some time to make a birthday card for a friend. It's with the set Unfrogettable. I love the fun bright colors and neat layout! I've seen cards with this set dressed up for Christmas, too, so it's very versitile!

Tomorrow is my very first Christmas Gifts and Giving Workshop. We will be making 5 fun projects. I'll give you one example here real quick...ready? Okay, how about the Santa Candy Bar wrapper. I got this idea from a friend of mine Dawn...It is so cute and I think many people will love it!

Anyway, have a great Friday night and I hope to see you tomorrow!

It's the 2nd Tuesday of the month!

And, you all know what that means! That's right...it's stamp club night! Tomorrow I will post some more pictures but tonight I'll see if I can find one card we are making!

This is the cute shadow box card we are making with the Flaky Friends set from SU! Please note that all images are copywrite SU!. I keep forgetting to put that on the photos before I upload them....darn it!

Today is the first post...

but it's not much...I'll be back to work on it more later!