High School Graduation Banquet - 2012

We have one of the nicest ways to encourage our high school graduates at our church.  Every year our church has a very special candlelight dinner for the graduates, family and friends.  We've been going for the past three years and I wouldn't miss it.  This is the card, from the Stampin' Success magazine, that I made (or should I say David and I made) this year.  The bottom picture is the envelope I made for the girls.  The boys was just plain black.  I LOVE MAKING HANDMADE ENVELOPES!

Thanks for stopping by - Shari

Family Fun Creating Medallion Wreaths

What a DAY!  Yep - it took the better part of 6 hours to do this project.  I learned that the more prep I do for this class, the less time it take to create!  My second class (sadly I didn't take pictures), went faster as I scored all 20 of the medallions - actually David scored one set and I scored the second one).  We had so much fun together.  It is a blessing to have two very artists taking this class.  Observe the mess!  One cannot create without messing up a surface.  Or in my case several surfaces!

I probably would never attempt such a challenging project again, but to listen to the four who've taken this class as they left with a completed project made it all worth while.  The paper we used was the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper WHICH IS IN THE NEW 2012-2013 STAMPIN' UP! CATALOG!   Did I say that loud enough.  I love, love, love this paper.

Thanks for stopping by - Shari

Ladies Retreat, Liberty Baptist Church, Newport Beach, California

I had the privilege of doing a small part in our Ladies Retreat this year.  I made two packets of cards to be placed in the welcome basket for our guest speakers Francie Taylor and Penny Gibbs.  The third picture is a beautiful cross that was given to all the senior pastors' wives.  I wish I could take credit for the word placement - but I am Word challenged!  One of our pastor's wives, Morgan Reece, did this part.  What a sweet blessing to be a part of this retreat.

You can actually hear the sessions on our church website http://libertybaptistchurch.org/lrr12.  You will surely be blessed!

Thanks for stopping by - Shari

Surprise!!!! Lady Bugs at Stampin' Brunch Bunch, 4-28-12

This project was so fun to create and teach.  Now if I would just give the instructions right everything would be OK!  But in the end everyone did what I should have taught!  Love my ladies - they put up with so much brain sleeps in my class!

This project came together from two wonderful stamp artists - Mary Fish found HERE for the lady bug.  The other stamp artist is Kimberly Morris at Procrastistamper found HERE where I got the directions for the delightful teabag and cookies pouch.  Please stop by the have a peek at their blogs - sensational.

The instructions for dimensions and scoring, etc. are found nicely written out on Kimberly's blog along with a video tutorial.  I chose to use the Island Indigo 12 x 12 paper which means one must use the bone folder extra strong for the creases.  I had fun with the cookie part of this project.  I went to my local Trader Joe's and found butter wafer cookies and I was so happy because on the package they look thin so we could probably get 2-3 cookies in a bag.  Opened the box and they were at least 3 1/2" long - but they were thin!  And OOOOO do they taste good!  Then I went to my local craft store looking for cellophane bags and they were either way too small or gigantic.  But one of the clerks said that they had some small paper bags up by the gift bags.  So we trooped up there and found these ADORABLE 2 1/2 x 4" paper sacks by Celebrate It - ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!  So now I could use the wonderful new Bright Blossoms stamp set to decorate the front and back of the bags.  We found Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies and one fits perfectly inside this little bag.  And by the way - YUM!!!

I love how the Summer Smooch DSP pops off the Island Indigo textured paper.  And the lady bug!  Oh my stars - how cute is she!  The front pocket is holding that teabag and the back has a space to put a little note.  These would make adorable favors on a table or Christa's idea of place cards with the name on the flap.  The sky is the limit for this little project!

Let's go see . . . .

What's cookin:
Stamps:  Bright Blossoms
Paper:  Island Indigo Textured 12 x 12; Basic Black; Whisper White; Summer Smooch DSP
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Crop-a-dile; Decorative Label punch; Celebrate It Paper Sacks; Score Board; Real Red Grosgrain ribbon; Tea Bag; Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies; 1 3/4" Circle punch; 1/8 and 1/4 office punches

Thanks for stoppin' by - Shari

Medallion Wreath for May Classes

I am so very excited to have completed this wreath.  Much thought and creativity went into it and some much needed help from my upline and friend Jody Nakashima.  Thank you so very much Jody for coming and helping me make a huge mess in my dining room and for your thoughts and suggestions. 

I used a 12" circle base from one of the large craft stores.  My husband actually has the same thickness of plywood or masonite (can't remember which) and he is going to make the bases for me.  I learned to use the glue gun really fast after burning myself a couple of times!  The paper used in this wreath is the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up and a few plain card stock colors that match the paper.  I am so pleased with the way this turned out and hope that the ladies who have signed up for the class are as well.  My class, which meets tomorrow, will have the inaugural viewing in person. 

David also made the cutest (don't tell him they are cute!) pegs to mount the small medallions on so that they don't adhere lopsided AND they go on straight.  Here is a picture (note the sawdust in the black container - he puts the lid on and shakes them to "dust" them off):

 They each measure about 1".  He's so smart. :))))

Let's go see . . . .

What's cookin':

Punches:  1/2", 3/4" and 1" circles; Blossom; Spring Bouquet; Blossom Bouquet; Pinking Hearts Border; Scallop Border, Eyelet Border and Lace Ribbon Border

Papers:  Twitterpated; Robin Hood Red; Pear Pizzazz; Whisper White; Baja Breeze; Blushing Bride; Island Indigo; Silver Glitter Paper

Accessories:  Score board; Island Indigo Baker's Twine; Large Pearls; Rhinestones; Designer Buttons; Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder; Snow Burst EF; Daisies #2 Die; Beautiful Wings Embosslit; Glue Gun; Wooden pegs; Circle Fire Brads; Antique Brad; Filigree Brads

Stampin' Brunch Bunch Class, April 28, 2012

Good morning everyone!  I have finally completed both of the cards that Stampin' Brunch Bunch will be making this Saturday the 28th.  The bird card is already up on my blog.  But the top one is the new one and is so simple to make and yet striking in real life.  Let's go see . . . . 

What's cookin' for the top card:

Stamps:  Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts

Paper:  Whisper White; Basic Black; Twitterpated DSP

Ink:  Versifine Onyx Black; Baja Breeze

Accessories:  Stampin' Writers in Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery and Daffodil Delight; Lace Ribbon Border punch; Clear embossing powder; Quickie glue pen; Labels Framelit; Heat tool; Stamp-a-ma-jig; 3M mounting tape; sponge

Storage Case for Framelits and Edgelits

Hi everyone.  I haven't been around for a while - but there will be more coming as I get closer to my next Stampin' Brunch Bunch class.

Today I am showing the four cases that I've decorated to store my Framelits/Edgelits and Nestabilities.  I've seen many great ideas for doing this but Patty Bennett's is my favorite.  HERE is the video that she did showing just exactly how to do this.  You will need the stamp storage cases that Stampin' Up! sells, #119105 in the present SU catalog, found on page 205, bottom right, right next to the flower pot :)!  This is the only place I've found completely empty storage cases.  Patty puts the instructions on the outside of the case, but I want mine to look pretty so I put them showing on the inside of the box.  This is a GREAT way to use up retired designer paper.  I used my label maker to make the labels for each case and will store them upright.

Here is the inside of one of the cases:

Notice that, as Patty showed in her video, that I covered the piece of magnet with more DSP.  These look so pretty lined up and if you are able to store them upright, so accessible for use.

Let's go see . . . .

What's cookin':
Paper:  Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  Framelits; Clear-Mount Stamp Cases; magnet sheets; double-sided tape to adhere DSP to magnet; Label Maker

Thanks for stopping' by - Shari

Fellowship Bible Class - 4/1/12

Here are two cards that I made today for the Bible class I attend on Sunday mornings.  These two cards will be going to two of our shut-ins.  Please pray for Shirley and Geri.  I actually CASEd this card from THIS wonderful site which was featured on Mary Fish's site which is right HERE.  Both are wonderful sites to have a look at.  I used two different colors and I have a favorite, do you?  Let's go see . . . 

What's cookin':

Stamps:  Language of Friendship; Blessings from Heaven

Paper:  Very Vanilla; Basic Black; Cherry Cobbler; Pacific Pointe; Always Artichoke; Mocha Morning DSP

Ink:  Black

Accessories:  2-Step Bird Punch; Corner Rounder; Scallop Trim Border Punch; 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon; Sticky Tape; Mounting Tape; Stamp-a-ma-jig

Miss You Katy

This card has come together is stages.  When I was exploring on how best to use the new Paper Doily Sizzlit I found this great tip to put a piece of waxed paper on top of the die and then the paper which makes all the little pieces come off the die.  I am now in love with making doilies out of waxed paper!  I then tried my hand at outlining a circle with the pleated ribbon from Stampin' Up! and I love it.  Today, I put it on a piece of black card stock to show off the doily and finished off the card.  I probably would do a bit more to the frame but I wasn't even sure I was going to use the layer until I put the waxed paper doily under it.  Lots can be done to improve this card, but simple will do!  Let's go see . . .

What's cookin':
Stamps:  Hero Arts retired
Paper:  Basic Black; white; Waxed paper
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz
Accessories:  Circle die; Paper Doily Die; Scalloped oval punch; Pear Pizzazz Pleated Ribbon; sponge; mounting tape to mount the main layer because of the thickness of the ribbon; bling

Anna's Sweet 16 Birthday Gift, 3-25-12

I received my Stampin' Up! order on Thursday and by Friday night I had this project almost completed!  I LOVE this new die.  My "granddaughter" turned sweet 16 yesterday and she IS so sweet.  I used the Simply Scored Diagonal score board to make the teeny tiny envelope that you see here!  If I could just figure out how to create things on my computer and not have to use and ENTIRE 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper to print it out.  

As soon as I made my first purse as a sample for myself I immediately ran into a problem with being able to put the little tab into the slot.  I still haven't figured it out yet.  I put a teeny little shim right behind the slot and still heeded to use a craft knife to open it up.  With the DSP it is more difficult to get the tab in as the paper is thinner.  

But on to my story!!!!  A light bulb went off in my brain - how about a "patent leather" purse!  I have lots of glossy paper and oh my this picture doesn't do this purse justice.  It really looks like patent leather!  I included a tiny gift certificate to Stampin' Up! for her to choose whatever she wants from the catalog.  I folded it into quarters and MADE THE ENVELOPE FOR IT!  It is theeeeee cutest envelope.  One thing I did learn is that one better figure out the right adhesive to keep the purse closed before you are leaving the house!  I tried everything including magnets and nothing worked.  I finally put some Tacky Tape and hoped she would be able to open it!  Next time it is going to be velcro!

When Anna opened her gift, there were three of her friends sitting on the floor right in front of her and one of them said - "Oh Anna this is so you - little tiny cute!"  Made Gramma feel good!  However, when the gifts were placed on the floor in front of her, I noticed that this little purse was missing and immediately panicked.  I asked where it was and someone said it was on the floor.  It wasn't!  Why?  Because the cutest little three year old princess found it and was about to open it up!  Whew!!!!  Another disaster averted!  

Let's go see . . . . 

What's cookin':

Stamps:  Greeting unknown; Fabulous Florets

Paper:  Black glossy paper; Blushing Bride; computer paper

Ink:  Regal Rose; Black

Accessories:  Simply Scored Diagonal score board; Petite Purse Die; Basic Rhinestones; 1" Circle Punch; Boho Blossom Punch; Computer; Itty Bitty Shapes; 1/4" hole punch; Pleated Satin Ribbon, Blushing Bride; Tacky Tape

Jennifer's Lingerie Bridal Shower, March 24, 2012

It took two days of designing and redoing, but I finally finished the card and envelope for this dear future "daughter-in-law".  As I have mentioned earlier on my blog, I am the adopted American mom for her soon-to-be husband who lives in Scotland.  Today I have been invited to a lingerie shower and am so looking forward to it.  

I am so in love with the new diagonal score board as it has allowed me to make perfectly sized envelopes for whatever I want.  This card is 6" square and the envelope can actually be made from an 8 1/2 x 11" piece of paper.  I chose to use the lacy designer series paper, Flirtatious Specialty.  Her colors for the wedding are Wisteria, white with a splash of yellow.  This paper is perfect!  Since the gift is a gift card I decided to make the envelope look like a package.  By the way, I cut a thin strip of Daffodil Delight Seam Binding for the string of the gift tag.  On to the next two photos:

Here is the custom made envelope which holds the gift card.  Because the shower is a tea (oh I can hardly wait to go this afternoon), I used one of the samples I showed Jennifer when designing the invitations.  And finally the card:

Thank you Jane for your wonderful idea of using the tiny envelope decorating the card and So Saffron.  I've been wanting to use the idea for a square using the Lace Ribbon Border and what a perfect occasion.  I had the time of my life putting bling all over the place!  Let's go see . . .

What's cookin':
Stamps:  Tea Shoppe; unknown greeting
Paper:  Whisper White; Wisteria Wonder; So Saffron; Flirtatious DSP
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder
Accessories:  Fashionable Hearts Embosslit; Lace Ribbon Border Punch; Basic Rhinestones; Basic Pearls; Daffodil Delight Seam Binding; Elegant Lines EF; Bitty Box and Envelope Die; Simply Scored Diagonal Board; Petite Pennants Builder Punch

Stampin' Brunch Bunch March, 2012 Thank You

Here is the thank you note I am giving my ladies for their orders this month.  They really came through and helped me to reach $1000 for this quarter! :)  I am using some of the new products that will be coming out in the new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! catalog.  Let's go see . . .

What's cookin':
Stamps:  Loving Thoughts
Ink:  Real Red
Paper:  Textured white; Summer Smooches DSP
Accessories:  Summer Smooches Fabric Brad; Simply Scored Diagonal Score Board

Thanks for stoppin' by - Shari

Another Addition to My Craft Room

I now have a home for all of my dies!  YIPPEEEEEEE!  This little cabinet is getting used almost as much as my Sizzix Texture Boutique cabinet!  I finally have one place to keep all of these things.  Don't you just love the little bench on the top!  I could not see the dies in the top drawer - so David made me a bench to fit my feet and height!  Pretty cool. :))))  I have loads of space to grow.  Right now I am also keeping my glue guns in there as well - but those need a new home!  This little baby sits right on top of my 46 drawer cabinet which is the very first piece he made for me when we moved in in 2001.  I now have 17 pieces in my craft area that David made for me.  He is one talented man.

Thanks for stoppin' by - Shari

Stampin' Brunch Bunch Surprise Project - 3-17-12

Here it is - the surprise project for my last class - a corner bookmark.  This is so simple!  I got the idea from the Stampin' Success magazine which we as demonstrators receive once a month.  Each piece is 4" x 4".  You measure 2" on top and on each side putting a little pencil dot and then using your score board of choice score from the top center to each side center and fold back.  The back flaps are held closed with a piece of triangular card stock and held in place with double-sided tape.  I did all the stamping before adhering the back.  Fun project and so easy.  Let's go see . . .

What's cookin':
Stamps:  Mixed Bunch
Ink:  Certainly Celery
Accessories:  Itty Bitty Shapes; 1/8" circle punch; Eyelet Border Punch

Thanks for stoppin' by - Shari

Thank You Notes for February Stampin' Brunch Bunch Orders

Here are the cards that I included with my orders from the February Stampin' Brunch Bunch.  I also made an envelope using the new Simply Scored Diagonal Score Board.  This is a WONDERFUL new tool.  My favorite - at the moment! :))))   I used the Fresh Vintage stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog to make the background and the center of the "flower".  I wish I could remember what set all of the eetsy beetsy stamps come from.  I have several of them scattered throughout my drawers.  Oh well!

Let's go see . . . .

What's cookin':
Stamps:  Fresh Vintage; greeting unknown
Paper:  White; Sahara Sand; Island Indigo
Ink:  Island Indigo
Accessories:  Scallop circle punch; Printed Designer Brads-In Colors

Thanks for stopping by - Shari