Oh Hello! It's Download Tuesday!!

What a fun name for a stamp set.  This one makes me smile - Oh Hello!!  I mainly ordered this set because I like the chevrons.  Chevrons are so "in" right now and I thought this was a very useful set.  But then I fell in love with the little flower in the set!!  So pretty and delicate.  See what you think:

For this one, I cut away the oval in the middle and stamped the chevrons with my markers - Daffodil, Red, Turquoise and Olive on the top and bottom of the oval.  I stamped the large oval on the inside  and stamped the flower in the center.  I made a flower using the new crepe paper and the Scallop Punch.  I sponged the flower with Red lightly.

This card is very simple.  The card base is Elegant Eggplant and the DSP is from the FREE Sale-a-bration pack.  I again made a crepe paper flower, sponged with Saffron and edged with Eggplant. 

And let's not forget that today is Tuesday ..... Digital Download Tuesday to be exact!  Here are the new downloads announced today:

LABEL THIS FOR THE PLAYROOM - label your kids toy area and make clean up a learning game.

LABEL THIS GARAGE - Get your garage tidy with these labels!

HELLO THERE KIT - Download includes:
* 17-piece SVG stamp brush set*
* 13 Designer Series Papers
* 26 embellishments

SERENE SILHOUETTES 4 piece stamp set

THINK BACK PHOTOBOOK TEMPLATE -  Get to know your grandma, mom, and dad with these interactive photobooks full of fun questions Download includes:
* 4, 24-page designer photobook templates (8" x 8")
* 39-piece SVG stamp brush set*
* 12 Designer Series Papers
* 2 embellishments
* 3 punches

 

Swap Cards from Spring Mini

Here are the swap cards that I came home with.  I also came home with a bunch of my own swaps back since several ladies canceled that were participating in the swaps.    Enjoy!!

by Marianne using Hearts A Flutter

by Debbie M using Feels Good

from Kathy (I think) using Feels Good stamped on canvas

from Nancy Carr using Everything Eleanor, Hearts a Flutter, Lovely Little Labels & Teeny Tiny
Wishes

from Marcia using Cross My Heart

from Karen using Oh Hello & Needlepoint Border embossing folder

Great Weekend

What a great weekend!  Debbie, my downline, and myself drove to Kernersville Friday afternoon.  We stopped along the way at Enchanted Cottage, a huge stamp/scrapbook store in Lewisville.  I did pretty good .... only spending about $10!!  Friday night we had dinner at Macaroni Grill with a few of the gals who were taking my MDS class the next day.   We discovered a delicious wine that I hope to be able to find around here called Seven Sisters Moscato wine.  Delish!

We woke up this morning to a beautiful snow falling fast and furious.  It snowed all morning, not stopping until around 2 pm.  But luckily, none of it stuck.  The place where we held our class was a beautiful old house on several acres with a pond in front.  The room we were in upstairs had windows on all three sides so it was really nice to watch the snow falling.  I really enjoyed sharing my knowlede of MDS with the gals who were there.  It was most fulfilling to hear the ahh's and ohhh's going around the room when I showed them different things they could do with the program.  I really think everyone who was there left with the knowledge that they could open the program at home and play with it, trying different things, with not blowing up the program.  My favorite tool in the program is the "undo" and delete button and I use them regularly.

At the end of the day, Debbie and I started the ride back home. I was at ease since the snow had stopped and the roads were only wet and not icy. But the closer we got to home - driving mostly south - the more snow we saw. We both felt like we were in the Twilight Zone! Starting about in Statesville, with is about 30 miles from Mooresville, it was like a winter wonderland! The snow was in the trees and looked beautiful. After I dropped Debbie off at her house, I pulled over several times to take pictures. I even took pictures as I was driving from the front windshield. Enjoy the pictures!




Pagoda at our local library



Valentine / Anniversary Swap Card

Hope you had a happy Valentine's Day.  When I was little, I think Valentine's Day was one of my favorite holidays.  I loved to make the Valentine boxes for school and then hope whom ever I had a secret crush on would put a special Valentine in the box on my desk.  But today Valentine's Day makes me a little sad because my son and daughter are not close enough for me to give them a big fat Valentine hug.  Sonny bought me a really sweet card and I made him one.  We decided not to go out to dinner and fight the crowds.  Instead, we used a Groupon that we had for a meat store in Mooresville and bought a Porterhouse steak.  Sonny grilled it outside and I made scalloped potatoes, salad, and mushrooms to go with the steak.  It was yummy!! 

I made Valentine sucker holders last weekend to send to my grandchildren.  Since I had to buy a whole bag of heart suckers, I decided to make enough for my bridge group.  I used the Scallop Envelope die to make them.  I just love that die - it is so versatile!

I am finally going to be teaching the MDS class this weekend in Kernersville to my NC demo friends.  I was scheduled to do it a few weeks ago when the weather did not cooperate.  Friday is supposed to be ok but the cold weather is moving in on Saturday.  It is supposed to be a high of 60 Friday and 42 on Saturday and Sunday!!  Crazy but it is February!!  We are doing a card swap in the afternoon after my class.  The card I made for the swap was a Valentine's card but now I have changed it to an anniversary card! 

I stamped Happy Anniversary and punched it out with the Label Punch and just glued it over the Happy Valentine's Day tag!  I love this two tone ribbon from the Spring Mini - it is great for making bows!  I like the mix of Pink Pirouette and Raspberry Ripple.

Feeling Sentimental!

When I first saw this set in the Sale-a-bration catalog, I wasn't sold on it.  But as time as gone on, I have seen so many great cards using it.  So, since it was free ..... I decided to give it a try.  Most of these cards are CASE'd and I've added my own little touches.

This first one with the bicycle is made with the Naturals Ivory and Early Espresso card stock.  I used the retired Weathered background stamp for the background and stamped it in Soft Suede - stamping it off first.  The stamped tickets are from the set, That's the Ticket held in place with a Glimmer Brad and Baker's Twine. 

The next image is of the English postal box.  I remember seeing those on our trip across the ocean.   I tried to make this card real vintage'y.  I stamped all the images in Early Espresso and sponged all the edges.  The bottom of the card stock is torn with a piece of Espresso card stock torn and sandwiched in.  I stamped some images from French Foilage (the script and the droplets)  all over the card stock.  The twill tape is frayed on one end and sponged with brown ink and anchored with a Designer Brad.

The final card uses all the stamps in the set!  I stamped them on panels of Naturals card stock and adhered the panels to Early Espresso card stock and then to the Crumb Cake card.  Easy!!

Yesterday was Download Digital Tuesday!!  And SU gave us another FREEBIE!!  So make sure you hurry over and download your free Label This template.
There is also a Planner Template for sale also that looks pretty neat.  Check out all the downloads for this week.

A Valentine Challenge

Hearts are in the air!  Are you ready for Valentines Day?  I will be making my honey a card today.  We don't have real romantic plans for the special holiday but we will be celebrating it together.  I purchased a Groupon last weekend for a Meat Market in Mooresville - spend $15 for $25 worth of meat.  So Sonny is going to stop by on Thursday and pick up some steaks.   He will grill them while I made potatoes, salad and rolls.  What are your plans?

Here is my MDS2 card for the sketch challenge with the Paper Craft Crew. 

Here is the Supply List for this card:

Background     Color = BLUSHING BRIDE 
Embellishments
    Soft Blooms - embellishments\Soft Blooms - 1 blushing bride (re-colored)
    Soft Blooms - embellishments\Soft Blooms - 2 blushing bride (re-colored)

Stamps
    Designer Kits\Tea Time II\Tea Time II - doily, Color = WHISPER WHITE 255,255,255
    Valentine Defined\Valentine Defined - love

Punches
    Pinking Hearts Corner Punch,
    Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Fill Color
    Extras\Flag Punch, Fill Color = WHISPER WHITE 
    Labels & Tags\Get It Done - punch 1, Fill Color = BLUSHING BRIDE
    Extras\Full Heart Punch, Fill Color = WHISPER WHITE
    Extras\Full Heart Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Stacks of Millions - designer series paper\Stacks of Millions - 10
    Extras\Full Heart Punch, Fill Color = BLUSHING BRIDE

Photos
    Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Stacks of Millions - designer series paper\Stacks of Millions - 7

 To check out the other cards made by the crew, check them out here - http://www.papercraftcrew.com/

Happy Birthday Cupcake

How about another Patterned Occasions card? These little images are great and there is so much you can do with them.  For this card I used the Clouds embossing folder (love it!) for the background on this card.  I also used the Hearts A Flutter die for the pennants.  I tied them to the card with the Bakers Twine - at least that is the way it looks!  Looks can be deceiving though.  I actually adhered the pennants to the card on top of the twine that is wrapped around the card on the sides.  I just used scraps of DSP that I found - a good way to use up bits and pieces.

I played bridge today and was really got some great cards for a change!  Did you watch the Grammy's Sunday night?  Well, I watched most of it and got a few of the songs stuck in my head.  So, this morning I was singing "This Girl Is On Fire" after hearing it sung by Alicia Keyes with Maroon 5 while I was getting dressed.  So it was only fitting that while I was playing bridge, "this girl was on fire!!"  haha!!

I have to tell you how sweet my dear hubbie is!  Wednesday I forgot to close the sunroof on my Durango and it rained all day and night on Thursday.  I didn't realize I had left it open until I got in the car Friday morning!  Oh, it was wet!!  I sat on 3 folded up beach towels in order to drive to play mahjong and they got wet through too.  So all weekend, Sonny worked on drying out my car!  What a guy!

Well, gotta cut this short and hit the hay!  Early day tomorrow at the Soup Kitchen!

Sammie's New Spot!

I have had a very productive weekend!  I made several cards, a Card Storage Tote and spent a lot of time pinning favorite things to Pinterest!   That site is great but is very addicting!!

It's a good thing Sammie does not weigh much because this afternoon she found a new spot.  We would hate for her to get too far from me, you know? 

Guess she will be helping me make cards next!  I do a lot of my card making standing up at that messy desk above.  Sammie will come in the room and jump from the floor onto my back if I am bending over!   She scares me to death sometimes if I am not expecting it.

So do you want to see some of the cards I made?  I am trying out my Saleabration sets and trying to use them in different ways. 

This set is Patterned Occasions and I made a card using each of the images!!  (I've even mailed a couple of them!!)

This cute little elephant card is made with Crumb Cake and Island Indigo.  I embossed it with the Vine Street folder that you can get FREE with Sale-a-bration!  I used the de-bossed side of the folder for this card.  The banners were made using strips of scraps that I had in my scrap box.

This card is my favorite!  It was sent to Ashley last week so I can post it now.  I stamped the jeans in various colors and even tried to make the blue ones look worn by rubbing a little white ink at the knee area.  Then I inserted a brad in each one and tied a piece of twine around the card for the clothesline.   The sun is a 1 1/4" circle with glitter.  But can you guess how I made the "rays" coming out of the sun?  I used the Itty Bitty Banner punch (also FREE during Sale-a-bration).  Genius, huh?  I hand drew the squiggly frame around the card.

I have a friend who had back surgery last week and this card was sent to her.  The DSP is non SU.  I punched out three circles from the paper and stuck them sticking out the side.  The ribbon is also retired SU - Bermuda Bay I think.

I made this into a birthday card.  The card is made from Crumb Cake and sprayed with the Color Spritzer Tool.  I love the bright colors in this DSP (banners).  It is Sycamore Street ..... again FREE during Sale-a-bration.

I sometimes have trouble mixing and matching Designer Series Paper.  But I decided to go for it with this card.  The DSP is again the Sycamore Street (FREE ..... you know the drill!)  The card base is Island Indigo.  All of the DSP pieces are sponges in Island Indigo.  The Tangerine Tango large circle mats the cupcake circle.  I used my markers to color the cupcake.  The shapes in this card were made using some templates I bought at CKC last year by Kiwi Lane Designs.

So, there, what do you think?  Was I productive or what?!!  I challenge you to pick one of your stamp sets and make several cards using ALL the images in the set!!

Happy Birthday!

My great nephew turned 1 Sunday and his parents went all out with his party!

 Isn't he a cutie pie?  Wish I lived closer to pinch those sweet cheeks.

 
So, I hope they liked this cute birthday card I made for him. 

I'm loving making banners and flags lately it seems!  With the Perfect Pennents Punch, this banner was easy. 

Supplies used:
Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Whisper White, DSP stack (green polka dot), Polka Dot Parade DSP, non SU plaid paper
Stamp:  Elebration Single Stamp (retired), Whimsical Alphabet stamps (retired)
Ink:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Island Indigo
Accessories:  2 3/8" Scallop Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Perfect Pennents Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Bakers Twine, SU Markers, Aqua Brush, Heart Buttons (non SU), Crystal Effects

Paper Craft Crew Challenge #28

I'm a little late in posting my Paper Craft Crew Challenge card today.  So sorry!  I ended up not doing the color challenge part and only the sketch challenge this month.  But after seeing the great cards made with the color challenge (Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron), maybe I should have given it a go.  The main reason I didn't do the color challenge was that I wanted to make a Valentine so that is what I did.

So - how do you like it?

Ahhhh Chooo!

Got a cold?  This project's for you!

Here is another little 3D project I made Sunday while watching all the pre-Super Bowl interviews. 

The DSP is non Su - some paper I found in my closet where I have my stash!!  The ribbon flower is one I made months ago and never used.  I found it on my desk and it matched!   This little tissue box was much less complicated than yesterday's project.  I found a "how to" video on You Tube that I watched to make this tissue box.  Here is the link to the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0cducd4pcw&feature=related

What did you think of the commercials during the Super Bowl?  My favorite was the Chrysler Dodge Ram's tribute to the farmer and my least favorite was the GoDaddy.com commercial - really tasteless and revolting!  I also liked the Tide commercial and the Budweiser Clydesdales.  What was your favorite?  Watch them all here -   http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=super+bowl+commercial+2013
 I think Sonny was fast forwarding through some of them because I don't remember seeing a lot of the commercials that I saw at that link.  I really like this Coke one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGkD8uIqCGU but don't remember seeing it either.

Get Well

Whoo Hoo!  The Ravens won the Super Bowl tonight.  I was pulling for them rather selfishly.  I didn't want San Francisco 49ers to win because they would have had as many Super Bowl Rings as the Steelers did.  It was a really good game and at the end, I was on pins and needles pulling the Ravens through.  In the last 20 seconds, the Ravens scored a safety which I didn't like.  See, I was playing in one of those football squares games and I had the winning score UNTIL they scored that safety.  I would have won $250!!!  Grrrrrr .... I was P.O'd!  But Sonny and I did win the football pool we have been playing all year.  Sonny came in first and I came in tied with 2nd place.  We had to guess what the total points were going to be at the end of the game and I came closer than the gal I was tied with so I got second and she got third.  I think I get $40 but beggers won't be choosy!  Sonny gets $200 for first place!!  Quite a difference in pay out for 1st and 2nd, huh?  At least we are keeping it in the family.

I spent today working on a couple of projects.  I am going to NC Demos Quarterly in March and am participating in a 3D Swap.  So, I tried out a couple of things today.  I just love this Get Well Box that I made but I think it is too involved for a swap.  It will depend on the number I would have to make.  We'll see.  Right now, I'm just auditioning projects!

I found the tutorial for this cute box here -  http://kingsonpaddington.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/get-well-kit.html

I used a sheet of DSP from Sale-a-Bration, Madison Avenue and paired it with Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, and Sahara Sand cardstock.  The band-aide stamp on the front is also from Sale-a-Bration - Patterned Occasions.

Here is the inside:

There is supposed to be a throat lozenge holder next to the kleenex holder but I didn't have any to measure so I could make the holder for it.  I will have to buy some and add them later.  This might be something cute to make in Stamp Club.  I'll keep that in mind.

Have a great week!

Bootiful Thanks

Punxsutawney's famous groundhog predicts spring will come early this year.  Yay!!  With thousands watching on Gobbler's Knob in west-central Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his lair Saturday but didn't see his shadow.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-predicts-early-spring-article-1.1253756#ixzz2JmPSXeNy

I've been working on my thank you cards and have even gotten them mailed!  Yay for me.  This one uses the Bootiful Occasions and some retired DSP.  The DSP is Well Worn and is on the Clearance rack so if you want it, scurry over there and put it in your cart.  The "thank you" is stamped with the Itty Bitty Banners set which is available FREE for Sale-a-bration.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!  Who do you predict will win the Super Bowl tomorrow?  From everything I am hearing, it is a hard one to predict.  I will be pulling for the Ravens for a couple of reasons.  This is the final game for Ray Lewis, a veteran player for Baltimore, and I would like to see a win for him.  Also, if San Francisco wins, they would have the same number of Super Bowl rings as the Steelers and I don't want that to happen!!  Whatever happens, I hope it is a good close game.

Get Whale Soon!

Just a quick share for you today.  Another Oh Whale card for you.  This time I made a gray and orange card.  It would cheer you up if you were sick, wouldn't it?  The corduroy button is retired but I stocked up on them when they retired because I loved them.

I got a Stampin' Up box today filled with more SAB and Mini stamp sets.  So I will trying them out this weekend!!   It's great how new toys will get your "mojo" going again!

Have a great weekend!  I know I will.  I am playing Hand & Foot Friday and then celebrating my sister, Angela's birthday with a family dinner that night.  Saturday my sister, Marianne and her husband are coming over for dinner and Greg is going to work some magic on my computer and get it to run faster (I hope.)  My computer is about 5 years old and getting bogged down with too much stuff so Greg is going to install a new disk drive to see if that will help instead of me buying a new 'puter yet.  Sunday will find me watching the Super Bowl.  Can't believe how fast football season is!  I actually watch the game and don't tune in just for commercials!   But I enjoy watching them too. 

Clearance Plus ....Thanks A Ton

 EDITED TO ADD :  I used Circle Nestabilities for the circles in this card.  The card measures 4 1/2 x 11".  Score the long side at 2 3/4" - flip and score again @ 2 3/4".  I just used the "Nestie" circles that would fit the card.

I just checked out the Clearance page and there are some great buys there.  Some of my favorite Designer Paper is on sale - Everyday Enchantment (my all time fav!) and Well Worn.  Also there is some great ribbon (Bashful Blue Satin and Pear Pizazz Seam Binding) as well as Twitterpated Buttons, Neutral Brads and some punches.  The other GREAT deal if you have My Digital Studio is the Content Discs for $1.00!!!  Yep - $1.00  - not a typo but I imagine these will go fast so if you are interested, better not wait.  Order them now.  One of the CD's (Express Booster Pack) includes 400 Designer Papers and originally sold for $39.95.  Either contact me and I can put in an order for you or you can order online at my Online Store HERE.

I am having such fun with the Oh Whale stamp!  I just love this card I made this weekend with a little different fold. 



Oh Whale closed - front view



Opening up



The cut out circle is adhered to the top of the card and the solid white circle is adhered to the bottom half of the card.




Inside of card

 The colors I used are white and Marina Mist.  It is easy to cut the little whale out using the Clear Sizzlit and the little water that is spouting out of the whale in the inside picture also is punched out with the sizzlit.  I am also loving the Cloud Embossing Folder!

Get Creative With MDS2 Templates

Already Wednesday?  How time flies.  I've been on the go all week.  Monday I played bridge (and got high score!), then met Sonny at Discount Tire so they could repair my flat tire.  We shopped around a bit for a new TV for his room.  There was a 32" Magnavox advertised at Target at a good price.  But of course, we get there and they don't have any in stock.  The ad just came out on Sunday - good old "bait and switch!"  Tuesday I went to the dentist for my cleaning.  Ugh, I need 2 small fillings.  I'll be going back again next week for that.  After meeting a friend to give her Stampin' Up order, I headed over to the Huntersville Target.  They had one tv in stock but one was all I needed so now Sonny isn't having to watch tv with a magnifying glass tonight.  After a quick lunch, I headed to the body shop to get my bumper fixed and to WalMart. 

So are you anxious to see my creation this week?  Here is the sketch we had to work with:



And here is my card:

I created this card using MDS2 and worked from a template. If you are new to My Digital Studio, I suggest you start with a template and just change things around. This particular template is from the Smitten Alphabet and is for a 8x8 page (I think). Here is what the template looked like before I started altering it:

So give it a try - find a template you like on MDS2 and play around with it.  There are probably a lot of templates you don't even know you have.  That is the case with me.  I spent some time the other day just looking at all the templates and jotting down some of my favorites that I want to play around with.

Check out the rest of the cards from the Paper Craft Crew HERE.

Chalkboard Thanks

I think I am hooked!  I just love this chalkboard technique.  I have been seeing it a lot so I decided to give it a try this weekend.  Love it!!  And thought it really went well with this designer paper I found in my stash (non SU).

Here's how to do it:


Card Stock:  Basic Black (or use Garden Green or Not Quite Navy for the look of old green and blue chalkboards)

Ink: VersaMark, Whisper White Craft ink, ink matching the colour of your card stock

Other: Heat Tool, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Embossing Buddy, Watercolor Pencils (White Pencil), Stamping Sponges, ruler (clear is best)

Step 1: Rub card stock with Embossing Buddy. Stamp images with VersaMark ink. Heat emboss with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.
 
Step 2: Sponge edges of card stock with matching color to create contrast. Wipe off excess ink with tissue. Lightly sponge around embossed images and in blank areas with Whisper White Craft ink. Sponge some areas darker and some lighter to create the look of chalk dust.

Step 3: Use a ruler or freehand, draw lines through or above and below stamped images with the White Watercolor Pencil.  Draw a border 1/4″ from each edge of the card stock with the White Watercolor Pencil to create a frame around the chalkboard. Remember this is all “chalk” drawing on a board so being perfectly neat isn’t necessary!

OPTIONAL: If desired go back and shadow stamp over embossed images with Whisper White Craft ink. By stamping over, but slightly off center of the original image you create a blurred shadow effect. Allow craft ink to dry

Swallowtail Beauties

I guess I've complained about the cold enough!  We are starting to warm up.  Sunday, noon and it is 30 degrees with the sun shining.  By Tuesday or Wednesday, it is supposed to be in the 60s!!  Whoooo Whooo!!  Sonny is obsessed since our trip to Alaska with their weather this time of year.  Every day he tells me what the temps are going to be in Fairbanks.  Today I think he told me the high was supposed to be something like minus 40 degrees. I can't even imagine what that feels like.  Guess I won't complain about NC's highs and lows!

Despite the cold outside, I have been warm inside and working away with my new toys!  One of the stamp sets I didn't think I would get was the huge Swallowtail Butterfly single stamp.  I kept seeing some really pretty samples using it so I caved.  I am so glad I did.  I just love the cards I made with it this weekend.  What do you think?  Which one is your favorite? 

This one I stamped the butterfly on Whisper White card stock with Versamark and then sprinkled Melon Mambo embossing folder all over and heated it up.  Just gorgeous!  The little "thank you" uses the stamp, Pretty Petites and the small Label Punch (both items FREE in the Sale-a-bration catalog!

This butterfly was stamped on Naturals Ivory card stock with Versamark.  I sprinkled Classy Copper (retired) embossing powder over the little guy and heated him up.  Then I used my daubers to daub Baja Breeze and More Mustard on the wings.  Just daub the ink on lightly - you can always go back and add more.  Very lightly, in the background, I stamped the swirl stamp from Everything Eleanor.  (I'm not sure if "daub" is a word but you know what I mean!)

My final beauty is this black and white Swallowtail.  Make sure you remember to wipe the cardstock with the Embossing Buddy before stamping!!  I stamped the butterfly with Whisper White Craft ink (which is now retired BUT you can use Versamark and get the same effect.)  Next I sprinkled White embossing powder all over and heat set it.  I don't know if you can see it, but I used the Needlepoint Border embossing folder from the Spring Mini (pg. 5) on the Pool Party card stock.  The sentiment comes from one of my favorite sets, Word Play.

Last night Sonny and I went to the movies.  You've probably figured out by now that going to the movies is one of our favorite things to do.  Sonny had not seen Lincoln and I have been wanting to see Silver Lining Playbook and knew that was not his kind of movie.  So my movie stated at 7:05 and his at 7:15 so it worked out completely - except we couldn't share popcorn, which we don't do anyway!!  Truth be told, I usually pop my popcorn at home and take it in with me in my purse - much less calories!!  I really enjoyed my movie.  I wasn't too sure at first - it started rather slow and was kind of bizarre at first, but by the end I had a big smile on my face and was rooting for Bradley Cooper.  I don't think it will win the Academy Award but it was entertaining. 

.Big Shot Info

I guess we made the right decision last night to cancel the MDS training in Kernersville because Wow - did we have some COLD weather today!!   Our high was about 27 degrees!  I got dressed this morning to go play Hand & Foot and was just fixing my lunch to take with me when I got the phone call that it had been canceled.  I truthfully think they panicked and "jumped the gun" a bit.  It didn't even start doing any precipitation until around 1 pm and even then, it wasn't much.  The craziest thing to me was the school dismissal.  The schools in our county was dismissed at 8:45!!  What a waste of money in my opinion.  Why did they even go to school?   Charlotte schools did it smart - they dismissed 2 hours early.  That makes sense.   We didn't get anything to speak of where I live.  The worst of the sleet and freezing rain moved through Charlotte around 3:30 p.m. and cleared the area two hours later. Precipitation from the storm system was relatively light, as meteorologists had expected.  But with temperatures in the mid-20s throughout the day – about 25 degrees below the average high for the date – the light sleet and freezing rain quickly coated roads with a sheet of ice and causing numerous traffic accidents.
The high temperature of 27 degrees Friday was the coldest in Charlotte since 2004, according to the National Weather Service.

I know sometimes it get confusing using the Big Shot and trying to decide on the "sandwiches" to use.  So, hopefully this will solve all your problems!  Print it out and put it handy so the next time you use your Big Shot, you will know what to do.

Also, I have a good tip for you.  I bought a pack of square Post-It notes at Staples that have the sticky on the whole square.  They are about 3" square.  They work great in holding the framelits and edgelits in place on your paper and you can reuse them several times.

  Embossing Folders  paper only, one piece at a time (although I have done multiple pieces before)

platform, both tabs open

cutting pad

folder w/paper in it, open end goes in machine first

cutting pad

Tips: Some folders make very deep impressions and might "crack" your paper; over time they thin down with use so you might not notice cracking after many uses; in the meantime, try adding a piece of vellum or extra piece of thin card stock (whisper white or DSP) on top of the other piece of paper INSIDE the folder; this additional piece will take some of the brunt of the pressure. Also, experiment with different weights of paper; designer paper, whisper white and very vanilla are the thinnest ones we have; confetti, naturals, etc., are heavier and should crack less. I get best results by lightly spritzing water on my card stock before embossing it--the water softens the paper to help prevent cracking and it dries quickly.

Edgelits  (long thin metal borders) paper only, one piece at a time

platform, both tabs closed

cutting pad

paper

edgelit, bump side down, placed horizontally across the width of the cutting pad (cutting with it lengthwise can cause it to bend out of shape); use tape or Post-Its to hold in place

cutting pad

Framelits  (thin metal shapes)  paper only, one piece at a time

platform, both tabs closed

cutting pad

paper

framelit, bump side down; use tape of Post-Its to hold in place

cutting pad

Sizzlits and Clearlits  (thin dies)  paper only, one piece at a time

platform, one tab open

cutting pad

sizzlit, face up

paper

cutting pad

Embosslits  (thin hinged dies)  paper only, one piece at a time; these cut and emboss your images

platform, one tab open

cutting pad

embosslit (pay attention to the side that says "this side down"); open end goes in machine first

paper

cutting pad

Bigz Dies w/o score lines  (inch thick dies)  cuts a variety of materials (metal, chipboard, fabric, paper, etc.); cut multiple pieces at a time

cutting pad

die, face up

paper

cutting pad

Bigz Dies w/score lines  (inch thick dies)  cut one piece at a time

cutting pad

die, face up

paper

crease pad

add a shim of card stock if needed (if your cut lines don't go all the way through, add a shim; if your score lines are cut through, remove the shim)