Butterfly Bundle

 We have been seeing a lot of butterflies around our yard this summer.  Guess Stampin' Up has too - now you can as well!!  Stampin’ Up! announced a new bundle - it’s available starting NOW and through September.  While they were at it, the little elves over at Stampin’ Up! also released their September Best of…set a little early.

Click HERE to see the details on the flier.
 

While you are snatching up this bundle offer, you can pick up September’s Best of stamp set … Best of Autumn.  It's a really good one this month.  For just $14.95, you don’t want to miss this deal.  Click HERE to see the images of this month’s set:

PAPER PUMPKIN $10 DEAL ENDS SATURDAY!

There's still time to sign up for Paper Pumpkin for just $10 a month!  You just have until Saturday to get this deal.

What a deal!!  It's a surprise each month—anticipation for the surprise is seriously half the fun! No worries, though, you'll have everything you need to complete the project: paper, stamps, ink, accessories, and more! (You will need adhesive.) 

You can cancel it any time - no questions asked.  So give it a try - the first two months will only cost you $10 so it's a "win-win"!!  After 2 months the price will return to $19.95 a month (with the option to cancel your subscription). 

To start your Paper Pumpkin subscription, click on PAPER PUMPKINS SUBSCRIPTION at the top of this blog post.  Go to the bottom of that page and click on Join Here.  

BE SURE TO USE THE PROMO CODE PUMPKINDEAL in order to get the $10 deal.
 

I'm Paper Pumpkin . . . a Stampin' Up! Monthly Kit Program

I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun, perfect for a beginner or those short on time!

I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:

All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!

What are you waiting on?  Quite blog surfing and join up!!

Topsy Turvy Paper Players Sketch Challenge

It's time for the Paper Players Sketch challenge this week.  I made a digital birthday card this week.  It's fun and colorful!!

     Background
     Color = White
Embellishments
    Grosgrain Ribbon\Marina Mist Grosgrain Ribbon (re-colored)
    Grosgrain Ribbon - bow\Marina Mist Grosgrain Ribbon - bow (re-colored)
    _Designer Kits\Topsy Turvy Celebration - embellishments\Topsy Turvy Celebration - cake

Stamps
    Under the Big Top\Under the Big Top - happy birthday
    Under the Big Top\Under the Big Top - happy birthday
Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Big Top Birthday - designer series paper\Big Top Birthday - 8
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Big Top Birthday - designer series paper\Big Top Birthday - 6
    Extras\Flag Punch, 
    Basics\Medium Oval Punch, Fill Color = 230,WATERMARK 
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch, Fill Color = 230,WATERMARK 


Check out what the other players have done with the sketch this week HERE.

Butterflies

I think this week is going to go too fast for me!  Ashley arrived Thursday night and we have been on the go ever since!  Friday she and I went with the Newcomers group and toured the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  We even got to go around the speedway (80 mph) in a van.  It was really cool!  I'm not into racing these days but I grew up going to races, camping in the infield and knowing a little bit about racing.  My dad and uncle used to drag races and I can remember going to those dirt tracks on Friday nights to watch them.  We had lunch at the Speedway Club which was really nice.  What a great view of the track while we were eating!!

View from window next to our table while eating lunch.

Stands  - doesn't it look like there are people in the stands?  That's the way they planned it.

Ashley in the Winners Circle!

Ashley and I

Later on Friday, Marianne came over after she got off work and spent the night.  Sonny and I took our guests to the best places in Sherrills Ford!  First we went to Drum's for dinner .... catfish and shrimp!!  And after dinner, we had a few beers at Horsefeathers before returning home. 

Saturday we picked up Mom (who was excited to see her granddaughter!).  Ashley, Mom and I had our pictures made and then came home and changed into our swim suits.  Sonny had the boat ready and we went out for a ride.  The rest of the family joined us later - Marianne's husband and boys and Angela.  We came back to the house and Sonny grilled chicken and veggies for us.  It was a great family time.  Just always wishing ALL our family could be here - my brother and his family and my son and his family!  I miss them so much!

On Sunday, our plans got changed a little bit!   We had planned on taking the boat over to the Rusty Rudder in the afternoon.  There was a couple of guys playing from 4-8 that will be on our Alabama cruise and who have also been on Ashley's Rock Boat cruises in the past.  BUT, Sonny got a call from a friend of his who lives in our neighborhood who was on the lake and needing a tow back home.  His prop had hit something and broke.  It turned out that he was way on the other side of the lake from our house.  We left our dock at 1:00 pm and it was about 2:30 when we finally found them.  By the time we hooked up the two boats and towed him back, it was 6:30 pm!!  Luckily, Ashley and I decided to ride along with Sonny on the rescue mission so we enjoyed the sunshine and were able to visit with each other.  We decided to hurry up and try to make it to Cornelius to hear the band.  Well, wouldn't you know it .... we were 1/2 mile from our exit when we got stopped by a terrible accident on I-77.  A Ford Explorer flipped several times on the highway with a woman and 5 children having to be air lifted to the hospital.  By the time we got to the restaurant, Scott (Mumms) was just tearing down his set!  Oh well, Ashley visited with him a few minutes and we headed to another restaurant for dinner.

Monday we all went to the "Y" for a workout.  Ashley ran the track, Sonny walked the track and used the equipment and I took a swim exercise class.  Afterwards, Ashley and I had appointments for a massage.  We both got 90 minute massages and didn't want it to end!!  Then we met Marianne and went to a local "paint your own pottery" shop and visited while each painting our masterpieces!!  A stop at the Blue Star Café for dinner and we headed home.

Tuesday we plan on heading over to Ikea while Sonny is out at the shooting range.

I have had a little bit of time to be crafty (but not much!)  Last Thursday, I made a Butterfly picture that I have been wanting to do ever since I saw it in a friend's home.  It was soooo easy - didn't take me much more than an hour to do it.  I hung it in my guest bathroom.  I used the Sizzlit butterfly die as well as two Butterfly punches and embossing folders to cut all the different sized butterflies.

Coppell and Gig Harbor

I have been fortunate to live in some great places in my life - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Washington and Texas.  Most of our married life was spent in the Dallas/Ft Worth area of Texas in Coppell.  That is where my children grew up and where they called home.  I recently came across a very uplifting article about Coppell High School.  Not only did my children graduate from CHS but I worked there for 10 years.  This article is about a recent happening in Coppell but it shows the sense of community Coppell was when we were there and still is today.  It was a great place to raise a family and I still miss that town!

Read the article HERE.


Another place we lived was Gig Harbor, Washington where we saw spectacular views of Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound every day.  I miss these views!

Happy Things Pocket Card Sketch Challenge

My digital card for the Paper Players Sketch this week is a pretty simple card.  I used elements from a Pocket Card download and it came together pretty quickly.  You don't have to make a pocket card - just use bits and pieces to make your own creation.

Background
     Color = SOFT SKY 
Embellishments
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - White
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - White
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - White
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - White knot
    Antique Brads\Antique Brads - brad 4
    Antique Brads\Antique Brads - brad 4
    Antique Brads\Antique Brads - brad 4

Stamps
    OVERLAYS\Hip and Handsome Overlays\Hip and Handsome Overlays   Color = PISTACHIO PUDDING 
    OVERLAYS\Hip and Handsome Overlays\Hip and Handsome Overlays -
    Designer Kits\Happy Things Pocket Cards\Happy Things Pocket Cards - whatever you are be a good one
   Designer Kits\Happy Things Pocket Cards\Happy Things Pocket Cards - airplane

Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = 230,WATERMARK
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = SOFT SKY
    Basics\Small Photo Corner Punch, Fill Color = PISTACHIO PUDDING

We are leaving in a few minutes to pick Ashley up at the airport.  I am so excited to see her again!!  We have lots planned for the next week.

Flip It

I am loving the new Flip Card Thinlits!  Paired it with the Magnetic Platform and you have a home run!  I know .... some of you are still waiting for that platform but it should be coming to you soon from what I heard at CKC this weekend!  I just got the Circle Flip It Card Die this weekend and made 3 cards with it in about an hour!  I'm telling you, they are so easy to use.  It cuts your card and scores it for you. I find myself searching my stamps (and the catalog) to see what stamps will work for this flip method!  It's addicting. 

Plus you get a lot of other dies in the packet.  Here is my Circle Die.  You get different dies in the Label Die packet.

HERE is the flier with info about the die.


Here are my cards:

Front of card using Tasteful Trim for the "rick rack" on side and Polka Dot Parade DSP.  The scallop circle is included in the Thinlit Die pack



Card Open



Pool Party and DSP from Winter Frost Stack (pg 29 in holiday mini)  The stamp set is a "carry-over" item from last year's catalog - Ornament Keepsakes and has matching framelits.

 To see the other "Carry Over" stamp sets and accessories, click HERE

This card did not photograph well.  I used Wisteria Wonder and Blushing Bride DSP (retired stack)  The scallop is pink - not orange!!  The stamp set is Field Flowers. 

On this card, I added an additional flap making it a tri-fold card. 

When I was at convention, this die was demo-ed and they even made a little mini scrapbook using the die.

 And here is a card using the Label Card Die (I don't have this one .... YET!!

 

Rain, Rain Go Away!

(OOPS - thought I posted this last night!)

Rain, rain go away!!  I think we are going to float away.  I have never seen so much rain.  This whole summer has been a rain out.  Ashley is coming to visit Thursday night so I hope the rain clears out the week she is here.  I know we'll have fun anyway - we always do - but she wants to go out on the boat a few times while she's here and a few dry days would help that plan.

Marianne and I  headed down to CKC Friday morning.  I was signed up for a Button Farm Mini Album class at 11:30 and she was able to sign up for an SEI class at the same time.  After class, we called our hotel shuttle man and had him take us to Mertz Heart and Soul for lunch.  YUM!  I had catfish and veggies and it was so good!  We decided that will be a yearly tradition from now on.  After lunch, we did a little shopping in the vendor mall before heading to our next class.  We took a Creative Keepsakes class making a destination mini album.  I hope to use mine for my New Zealand trip or maybe my cruise. Marianne decided to make hers for her sister in law who is just returned from London and Paris.  Marianne was one step ahead of me and brought us small bottles of Moscato wine which we drank while having our own scrapping party in the hotel lobby.  We were able to spread out and work on the albums from our earlier classes.  Saturday we had an 8:30 class so we were up bright and early to catch our shuttle over to the convention center again.  We took a morning class, did some more shopping before our last class. 

Sonny and I went to the movies on Sunday to see The Butler.  It was really good and I highly recommend it.  It is based on a true story of Cecil Gaines who served eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House.  No matter your politics, it makes you understand how far this country has come to have a black president.

Last Thursday and this Tuesday are my Stamp Club days.  Here are a couple of the cards we are making this month.

 This is a great man's card, don't you think?  I love it!  I CASE'd it from the very talented Kathryn Lovell.  We did this card at a recent shoebox swap and I thought it would be great using the DSP, Sweater Weather.

 This was also a CASE from Dawn Griffith.  She has a video on her website that shows how to make this card.  I love it!

New Single Stamps

A new, holiday-themed collection of single stamps from Stampin' Up is now available! The holidays will be here before you know it, and these holiday-themed single stamps may be just you need. There are eight different stamps to choose from, six of which coordinate with Framelits dies or punches.

Check them out here:

 Details:

• See the flyer here
• Available until January 31, 2014
• You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyer above.
• Single stamps will be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy Clear-Mount Stamp cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).
• These single stamps are available in clear-mount only.
• The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to buy a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyer.
• There's no limit on how many pieces you can buy.

I'm headed to CKC (Creating Keepsakes Convention) in Charlotte this weekend.  Marianne are taking a few classes and doing a little shopping.  We're headed down this morning and will be back Saturday afternoon.  We are both looking forward to lunch .... we are going to Mert's Heart and Soul - a great little soul food restaurant downtown!!

Yippee Skippee!

I had a nice day today.  Sonny and I met friends for breakfast at the Boat House this morning.  We went by car and the rest of the group came by boat.  We were expecting workers at our house so didn't have time to boat over and back.  We had our gutters cleaned today and boy, did they need it!! 

Today was my grandson's 7th  birthday.  I called him to wish him happy birthday.  He was so cute.  He is really into chess - second grade and he is loving chess - that's all he could talk about!  He is even in the chess club at school.  How many of you played chess in the second grade?  Not me - I have never played chess in my life.

This is one of the club cards we will be making this week.  I saw a card similar to this one on Pinterest but it was not using Stampin' Up product.  I borrowed the sketch and used Stampin' Up products to make this card.  I don't usually use pink and orange together but I really like it.  Try Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie on your next creation!  The stamps I used are Oh Hello and Yippee Skippee. 

 

Yippee Skippee was given to us at Convention but it was already on my bucket list.  It is such a fun set.  I love the "carbs, schmarbs, eat the cake"!!  I also saw a cute card on Brian King's blog where he used the coffee cup from Perfect Brew and used the sentiment of "Never underestimate the power of two and put the word "CUPS" under it.  I don't drink coffee but I love the way he expanded on the meaning of the sentiment.

 

 

 

Paper Crew Sketch

Thought I'd share this cute cartoon -
My box man will be here on Friday!!


It's Wednesday and time for the Paper Players Sketch Challenge.  It's still a few months until Fall but I couldn't resist doing a fall card.  I think our weather is going to be fall like at the end of this week.   Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all supposed to be in the mid-70s and of course, rainy!!  This rain better be moving out of here soon.  Ashley is coming to visit Aug. 22 and she has requested no rain!!  We aim to please!  OK - on to my card.

I used the Wonderfall DSP and elements.  The banners are from the Convention 2013 kit.  How do you like the little owl in the top corner?  That's actually a square punch filled with Wonderfall DSP and cropped so just the owl is centered in the punch! 

What a day I had today.  I co-captained at the Soup Kitchen this morning.  We made baked spaghetti and prepared about 16 pans!  There was plenty left over that they will package up for the evening meals that they make for the local churches.  I was exhausted when I left.  But I wanted to get my drivers license renewed.  I went to the DMV office in Mooresville and it was packed out.  People were sitting outside on the grass and inside every chair was taken.  The line to check in was out to the door.  So I did a U turn and left!   I headed up to Statesville where I figured I'd have better luck.  Not so.  I signed in with no problem.  There were about 20-25 people in the waiting room.  But there was no one manning the desk.  I waited an hour and they only called one person to come back.  A lady came out once and told a young person that there was a 3 hour wait.  I figured that the 3 hour wait was for getting a new license - driving test and all.  There was one guy in there that said he'd been there since 11:30 - and it was 1:30.  So after sitting there for an hour with no sign of any one calling my name, I left. In that hour, no one ever came to the window to help us or just to say what kind of wait we could expect.  I guess that's why they let you get your license 3 months early - it will take 3 months to get it!!MD  What a waste of time!

Bags for the Beach and for Baby

I had a very productive weekend in my stamp room.  I am trying to figure out what to do in Stamp Club this week but I have too many choices!  So, I keep playing around with different sets and techniques.  I need to make a decision!!

We got some good news this weekend that our family will be growing next year.  My nephew and his wife, Katrina, are expecting their second child in February.  They already have a precious little boy.  I'm hoping for a little girl but we'll have to wait a few weeks before they know the sex.  I made this little baby bag card to send to them to congratulate them.  I found the pattern on-line (Pinterest probably).  I think we will be making a similar bag in club this week too!

I also think I was in a pastel mood this weekend.  Seems most of the cards I made were with pastel colors which is unusual for me.  I usually go for the Brights and Regals.  But I love the new in colors and the way they seem to go together. 

This little bag opens on the side.  The little closure is punched with the Ticket Punch and has a bit of Velcro to keep it closed.  The mosaic background piece is from the DSP packet, Quadrefancy Specialty.  It is a clear window sheet with the quadrefoil design in white.  The sentiment is from That's the Ticket.  I used a few pearls and my white gel pen to dress it up.

On the inside, I punched 4 little hearts to cover up where the straps were glued down.








Here is another bag I made.  This time I used the DSP from a Christmas pack!  This DSP is in the Holiday catalog - Winter Frost (pg 29).  So, you can use winter DSP for a summer bag, can't you!?!  I really like this paper.  This time for the bag closure I used the Oval Punch.  The sentiment is from Oval All that I just realized is retired!  Oops - I had it on the wrong shelf.  The little flower is from Secret Garden - hard to tell but it is stamped in Pool Party and I used the dauber and Island Indigo for the edges.  Instead of a pearl on the closure, I used one of the Candy Dots (I love these things!)

 And how about a beach bag tote?  Again, this DSP is from a Christmas stack.  This time the DSP is Season of Style (pg 22 of Holiday mini).  I am a polka dot gal and love this Soft Suede polka dot bag with the pretty Blushing Bride card stock.  I stamped and heat embossed the anchor from Open Sea and added a little bit of twine to it.  The flowers are punched using the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch (but you could also use the Boho Blossom flower.)  Again I used the Candy Dots for the closure and for the center of the flowers. 

So what did you do this weekend?  Productive or just lazing around?  Both are fine with me!!  Oops gotta run - Sammie wants to play straws.  (I throw her straw down the stairs and she runs down and fetches it just like a dog!)

Masculine Birthday Card

My nephew had a birthday last week - wow! where did 24 years go??  I think most people struggle with making masculine cards.  We like to add all the glitz, glitter and flowers to our cards and I don't know many guys who would care for that!  So I set about working on a manly card for Derek.  Here's what I came up with.  (This card uses mostly retired Stampin' Up product but I don't think the recipient cares!)

I used the Woodgrain embossing folder on the retired Not Quite Navy card stock and layered it onto a River Rock (retired) card base.  I found a piece of River Rock ribbon in my stash and a Ribbon Slide (all retired).  I found a piece of DSP in River Rock that has a subtle swirl on one side and punched it out with my 2 1/2" circle punch.  The button is secured with a couple of glue dots and I tucked two tickets under it from That's the Ticket (NOT retired!). 

What do you think?  Does this card meet the masculine criteria?  I'm sure all he cared about was the check that was tucked inside!

Coming home this week, I spotted this momma and two babies next door to our house.  One of the babies ran in the woods before I could get stopped and click their picture.  So cute!

Halloween Canvas

I'm ready for Halloween!  I had so much fun making these mixed media Halloween canvases this week.  Carrie Cudney demonstrated some that she had made when we were at Convention.  They are 6x6 artist canvas that I purchased from a local arts and crafts store (on sale!)  It's hard to tell but each one of them started out with a layer of the retired newsprint DSP.  I used Modge Podge to adhere them to the canvas and then put a coat of Modge Podge over them.  I mixed a little paint and reinkers and had fun kinda finger painting!  The ghost and pumpkin are also cut from the DSP.  On the owl, I used cardstock.  I pretty much free handed the figures.  I used a Sharpie marker to outline everything.  I just went through some of my scraps and found bits and pieces to add to each one.  I really like how they turned out and think they will look cute on my mantel in October!

Paper Crew Challenge 53

Welcome to Paper Craft Crew Challenge #53!!   Did you check out our sketch challenge last week, as voting is now open.   We would love you to play along with this one.  Here is this week's sketch challenge:



No surprise that I used MDS to create my card.  Have I told you lately how much I love the program?  HA!!

This card uses the DSP from Sunshine Garden (I think that's the name!) and the little birds and ribbon are from the Love Birds kit.

Yesterday we had a girls day as a continuation of Mom's birthday.  When Marianne got off work, we picked Mom up and went to the nail salon.  Both of them had mani's and pedi's and I got a pedi.  (I use my fingers too much and chip polish off so I don't waste my $$!)  Angela met us when she got off work and we went to a local Mexican restaurant.  Marianne and I ordered fajitas for two as did Mom and Angela.  We should have just asked for one order!  I have enough for Sonny and I to have for 2 more dinners I think!  It's ok with me!

Wetlands

 Hope you had a good weekend!  I did.  We finally had a weekend with NO rain!!  Sonny and I went to Hickory on Saturday.  He was looking for ammo at a good price and I was just looking!  He dropped me at the mall where I bought a new pair of shoes (that I don't need but they were on sale and really cute!) and then over to AC Moore where I bought some canvases to try my hand at some mixed media Halloween pictures.  On Sunday, I met Angela and Mom for brunch after church and brought Mom back home with me.  We went out on the boat for the afternoon.  We found a nice shady area on one of the small islands on the lake and beached the pontoon.  That way Mom could get in the water easily.  It was really enjoyable.  After lounging around, we boated over to a restaurant on the lake and had dinner before heading home.  When we got home, Mom took a bath in my tub.  She loves my garden tub with the jets beating on her!

It's funny how you can look at a stamp set in the catalog and think to yourself, what would I do with that set?  That's the way I felt about the set, Wetlands (pg 69).  Well, after convention, I have a new found respect for the set! 

I received several swaps using this set that I just loved.  And after further evaluation, I have decided that this would make a good masculine card.  Like many others, I struggle with making masculine cards.  So .... this set may just be finding a home in my craft room in the near future!

Here are a few of the swaps that I received with this stamp set:

Halloween Canvas

Carrie Cudney taught a class during convention where she showed some samples of mixed media art that she created using Stampin' Up products and DSP.  These were photos I took of Carrie's samples. They were done on a 6" canvas but she made into the ghost into a card also, They were just too cute not to share.  I plan on getting some canvas-es (??) and making my own soon!

Holiday Catty Live Today!!

The Holiday Catalog goes live TODAY!!  You'll notice the layout is a little different than what you're used to....I like that the front of the catalog is like a magazine, and the back is the catalog.  Took me a few times to get used to this, but I love the inspiration that is in the magazine!!!




To view PDF, Click HERE
Download the Stampin’ Supplies List HERE 

The Holiday catalog is LIVE and available to order from!  If you have ordered from me in the past year, you should have received one in the mail.  They do get lost or thrown out by husbands so if you have not received yours, please email me with your name and mailing address so I can mail you one! 

See the catalog come to life!  See page 5 of Holiday catalog for details.  You can download the free app called LAYAR in your APP store  or Google Play.  When you see the red icon in the catalog, scan the catalog page and it unlocks a special video showing you more about that product!  (for me, I had to touch my screen when I saw a video come up then it played)   If you don’t have a mobile device, you can visit www.stampinup.com/showmehow

 I’m over the top excited for these new THINLITS card dies!  They’ve been called flip cards, flip flop cards, swing cards, and more-but they have always been a bit tricky to create. Not anymore! Our amazing new Thinlits Card Dies cut and score to create a card that flips in just one step. 2 sets to choose from, Label and Circle.  (Check out my previous blog posting about them HERE)

Here they are in action - 



 
 There is great coordinating stamp and measurements info on the flier.

With a new month, we have a new "BEST OF" stamp set.  For August, we have best of Halloween.  I don't know about you, but I love that spooky tree with the owl in it!!





I have started a hostess code for a Holiday Catalog OR a Thinlit Die order!  Anyone that orders between NOW and August 20 should use the HOSTESS CODE J9ZVVFJS.