Happy Easter!

May the glory

and the promise

of this joyous time of year

Bring peace

and happiness to you

and those you hold most dear,

And may Christ,

Our Risen Saviour,

always be there by your side

To bless you

most abundantly

and be your loving guide.

Read more at http://www.theholidayspot.com/easter/easter_blessing.htm#2triRei93ZZTb9f5.99

In Texas

We arrived in San Antonio safe and sound Wednesday afternoon.  It was an interesting flight - at least the beginning was.  We arrived at the airport - looking like traveling gypsies!   When we put our suitcases on the scales, Angela and mine were both overweight - Marianne had about 4 pounds to spare.  So we opened up our cases and started rearranging things.  I had 2 12 packs of Cheerwine in my suitcase and Angela had 1 in hers so that was a lot of the weight.  After moving things around, then the gate attendant told us that our carry-ons were too bulky.  So .... a little more rearranging.  Then we discovered that because I had a Delta credit card, we got all our luggage for free.  I knew mine would be free but didn't know everyone traveling with me would be free also.  So, we ended up checking one of the carry on bags since Mom and Angela were sharing a suitcase.   Luckily we had arrived at the airport really early so got everything switched around with lots of time to spare.  As it turned out, when we got to our gate, the airplane was full so they checked our carry on bags for free to our final destination.  That has happened for me the past 2-3 times I have flown.  Our plane was late leaving Charlotte which cut into our layover time in Atlanta.  We were supposed to have an hour but it ended up being only about 40 minutes and of course, as luck would have it, we landed at Terminal A and were departing from Terminal E.  We had Mom in a wheelchair and were racing her through the Atlanta airport!!

We have been busy since we've been here.  We had some good Mexican food Wednesday night.  Yesterday we went to the outlet malls in San Marcos and were there for 7 hours!  Oh my!  We laid all our purchases out when we got home and Ashley is now trying to decipher all our receipts so we can all "settle up."  We combined some of our purchases because of coupons or military discounts.

Our Vera Bradley and Bath and Body Loot

Part of our loot!

Probably a good thing Sonny doesn't read my blog!!  And Marianne's husband told her not to come home with another Vera purse.  Well, she didn't buy one - she bought several!!  It was a fun and successful day.  Angela, our non-shopping sister, was a good sport about it.

Today we went to the Alamo and to the Riverwalk.  The weather has been nice - in the 70s, low 80s today.  Tomorrow and Sunday is supposed to be in the mid 80s. 

All of us in front of the Alamo

MDS Downloads and Paper Craft Crew Card

This is the FREE April desktop download available from Tuesday's downloads!

I also love a couple of the other downloads on Tuesday and will be making something with them on the plane to Texas!  Check out - APRIL SHOWERS KIT and THIS and THAT EPIC KIT!!

Here is my card for the Paper Craft Challenge this week:

This card was made using the Hello There Kit download from February 19.  It is a really great spring-y kit.

Make sure you check out the other cards made by my fellow Paper Craft Crew HERE.  There are a log of really cute Easter cards!

Petite Pocket Die Box AND Fabric On Sale!!

Here is a cute little box I made a couple of weeks ago using the Petite Pocket Die.  I think this die is my favorite to make little boxes and envelopes to go on cards.

Box open

box closed

I used Pool Party card stock and stamped a background all over the paper after die cutting it.  I put the box together using Sticky Strip (red line tape).  I distressed a small piece of Core'd'nations brown card stock to make a belly band.  Then I tore the edges of a small piece of Newsprint DSP to go around the belly band.   Next I tied some Bakers Twine around the belly band with a couple of Tiny Tags hanging off.  The finishing touch was to stamp a ticket from That's the Ticket to adhere to the front and added a punched flower.  Pretty shappy chic, don't you think?

I'm trying to get packed for my upcoming trip to Texas.  We were hoping for 80 degree days while we were there but it's looking like it's only going to be in the mid to high 70s for next week.  Anything is better than the cold weather we are having here!  Snow was even sighted this morning in Mooresville!!  Crazy!  I don't mind the cold weather but enough is enough!  I'm ready for spring!!

I have to brag on my wonderful daughter!  She called me a week ago and asked me if I'd like to go on a trip with her .... to Australia and New Zealand!!  Would I???  Is the Pope Catholic???  When and where?  Let me pack my bags!  Ashley and her friend, Courtney decided to take their mothers on this trip and make it a mother-daughter trip.  I can't wait!  We'll probably be going at the end of the year.  What a wonderful child I have.

I want to alert you to another special Stampin' Up is having this week.  If you like to create with fabric, this deal is for you!  All Stampin' Up's FABRIC is 50% off!  Quantities are limited so if you want it, you better run .... not walk .... to my store and put your purchase in now.  Click on Shop Now at the top of my blog.

Check out some ideas on this video:

On Line Basic Stamping Class

Stampin' Up has an on-line stamping class!


This Online Stamping Class is Basic Stamping for 14.95.  You can download it HERE.

There will be a variety of topics that will include videos, Step Out's and supply lists for 30+ projects!

WOW! This sounds like a fun Stampin' Party!

PERFECT FOR THE BUSY STAMPER! Learn innovative ways to get the most out of your Stampin' Up! supplies (from stamps to the Big Shot) with clever tips and all the techniques you need to start creating with success. Divided into six sections focused on a variety of topics, Stampin' Up! on-line classes include videos, pdfs, and supply lists for 30+ projects.

This class offers innovative ways to get the most out of your supplies (from stamps to the Big Shot) with clever tips and all the techniques you need to start creating with success. Divided into six PDF documents this class includes written instructions, step out photos, a few videos, and supply lists for 30+ projects.

The following topics are covered in the class:

* Basic Stamping
* Embossing
* Masking
* Stamp-a-ma-jig
* Watercoloring and Markers
* Big Shot Basics
THESE ARE DOWNLOADABLE ZIP FILES. YOU DO NOT NEED MY DIGITAL STUDIO TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CLASS! After purchasing and downloading the class, open "Stampin' Class--The Basics" folder and there will be 6 individual "sessions" folders inside. Click on each and enjoy!

PC Instructions
The files will be downloaded as archive files that you can then extract and save on your computer. When you click on the download link, an extraction program will automatically launch. Choose the location where you would like to save the files (be sure to note where you save them). Follow the prompts on the extraction program, then navigate to the location where you saved the files. Click on the file and open.

Mac Instructions
When you click on the download link, the file will be mounted as a drive. Once it is mounted, open the drive and drag and drop the files to the location of your choice on your hard drive. The files can then be opened.

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Better late than never!  These are a couple of cards I made using a couple of the Sale-a-bration stamps.  Even though you can't get these stamps any longer, these cards will give you ideas if you got them during Sale-a-bration.


Madison Avenue

I embossed the Summer Starfruit panel with various embossing folders (some were SU, the middle circles was not) to create a different look.  I stamped the images on white cardstock and used the Postage Punch to punch them out.  Then I layered them onto colored cardstock squares (punched with 1 1/4" Square Punch).   These were then layered onto a strip of whie cardstock.  The "happy birthday" is from the That's the Ticket stamp set and punched out with the Ticket Punch.  It makes it so easy to use punches!! 


Madison Avenue

Another Madison Avenue stamped card.  I didn't use this set much until the end of the promotion!  But don't you love these ribbon flowers?  I made them using the ribbon that also came with Sale-a-bration.  I punched out a circle of Sticky Strip and wrapped the ribbon in a tight circle.  The sentiment is also from the Vintage Verses set.

Help Me Win a Trip to San Diego!

Help me win a trip to San Diego!!  Or maybe you will win!  To enter CLICK HERE  For every friend who enters by clicking, I get an extra entry!


Your life is: Awesome. Quirky. Exciting. Perfectly messy. And happening really fast. So we’re happy to introduce our newest product line that lets you capture it all on-the-go. Get our This and That products today. (In Canada? Click here.)

Two Great Promotions!

Sale-a-Bration is over, but that doesn’t mean all the fun has to stop! Am I right?!? I want to tell you about two awesome promotions.

This and That

Stampin’ Up! is introducing a new product line in the 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog, but some of these products are available TODAY! The This and That product line is for people on the go, a way for them to scrapbook their day-to-day lives – stick your movie tickets here, stick a magazine tear-out there.   Looks fun!

There’s a journal, a brand new Designer Series Paper, washi tape, a rotary time stamp. These are great products! And you can buy them in a bundle. Click HERE to see a bit more about the new product lines and the products currently available to you (through April 30):

There’s even a super-cute video that Stampin’ Up! released during the middle of the night to show some of the things you can do with this kit. 

Another great special -


Fabric Frenzy

Seamstress or not–you’ll love using our high quality Designer Fabric–especially at 50 percent off! Our Designer Fabric is designed to coordinate with Stampin’ Up! inks, paper, and other accessories, and is perfect for adding a stylish touch to traditional paper projects. Available in an extra-wide fat quarters (18″ x 26″). Use it for quilting, clothing, home décor, and more!
The sale starts Monday, so get ready to jump into the spring Fabric Frenzy!

• Promotion dates: Monday, March 25-Sunday, March 31, 2013
• No minimum purchase required to receive the discount
• All items are limited quantity at the discounted price; the discount will be removed once the limit is reached

In summary - 
 

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	Sale Price
170	126892	Essentials Designer Fabric	$29.95	$14.98
171	126893	Floral District Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
171	126894	Comfort Café Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
171	125411	Summer Smooches Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
171	125412	Twitterpated Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
171	122337	Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
171	122336	Beau Chateau Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
171	124066	Spice Cake Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
171	122335	Flirtatious Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
6*	129308	Tea for Two Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
13*	129307	More Amore Designer Fabric	$9.95	$4.98
*spring catalog

Last Chance for Sale-a-Bration AND to get a great deal!

Oh no!!

Sale a Bration ends this Friday, March 22nd!

If you have a long wish list you should do one of two things:

•Place an order before Friday to get FREE STUFF!   Each $50 gets you one free choice from the Sale-A-Bration catalog

•Sign up to be demonstrator! Why?

It's the best deal!

For just $99 you get $156 in SU product! I think it's just crazy not to become a SU Demo right now!

Not sold yet? Here are a few more reasons:

1.Pick your product - that's right - anything you want under $156. That means you could get a Big Shot, any dies or embossing folders and have everything you need to get going!

2.You do not have to order anything else ever - just get the kit at a great deal. It's up to you if you stay in as a demonstrator or not. No pressure from me or Stampin' Up!

3.Get 20% off any more product - forever, as long as you order $300 a quarter! But you don't have to order anything more to stay in until the end of June! Your very first order is 30% off though!

4.Get a brand new big catalog in May - one month before everyone else! And pre-order from it on May 1st too!

I could go on and on, but these are some of my favorite reasons to join right now.   I can assure you, you will NOT regret it!

Go HERE to sign up and join my team.

Big Changes / PPCC #34

Welcome to another Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch.  We were supposed to do a spring or Easter card this week.  I think my little bunnies meet that criteria!

I love the little bunnies from the Storybook Kit!

If you visited the Stampin' Up digital website (http://www.mydigitalstudio.net/home) today, you saw a BIG change!  I was surprised when I went there.   Here is the news from SU:

MDS.net Redesigned!

Here's a review of what's new:

• A new Homepage
• The old homepage can now be found under the Inspiration tab
• A new Learning page replaces the old Training sections (SU is still working on updating the content there, but you can expect to see all of Holly's new training videos there shortly.)
• A new footer so that you can navigate the site easier, with links to the old Resources and Q/A pages

There are still more changes to be made but go visit and see how different it looks!  Happy designing!

Another Free Download

Digital Download Tuesday!!!  And another FREEBIE! 

Are you constructing a birthday party soon? Let the BDAY Under Construction Ensemble help you create:

•Invitations
•Cupcake holders
•Candy bar wraps
•Water bottle labels
•A banner
•Thank you cards
•And more!

AND a FREEBIE construction cone favor!  How easy it is to plan a party with MDS!!

Free Download

BDay Under Construction Ensemble

Top Notch Woodcut - Digital Download  $3.95 - #133896

BIG CHANGES WITH MDS!!

1.  The name of the software is now MDS. Now, you might be asking yourself, didn’t it just change to MDS 2 last year? Yep, it sure did.


2.  SU is lowering the price! What has been known as MDS 2+ is now $19.95 US/$24.95 CAN and will be called . . . yes, you guessed it, MDS. It’s the same great software and content at a fantastic new price.

3.  Coming soon: all of you who have been holding onto the original My Digital Studio software will be able to upgrade for FREE.

Also -

■  SU will still offer a free 30-day trial version of the MDS software for anyone who had not previously tried the MDS 2 Trial.


■  The original My Digital Studio software (not the product line) is going away, including support for it. The free upgrade will be available soon!

■  MDS 2 (the software that didn’t have much content) is going away.

■  You can still get the software on a disc (item 130647) or as a download (item 130646).  Just keep in mind the disc will say MDS 2+ on it because it will take SU awhile to switch everything out.