Spring into Action Class Featuring the BIG SHOT

I can't wait for class tonight. It is going to be fabulous. I have 4 people - including myself- demonstrating. We all have some great projects. Katie Ford will be demonstrating the Manhattan Texturz Embossing Folder, Hsiao-hui Lin will be using Big Shot box number 2 and the Top Note as well as one of the flower embosslets to make an adorable little purse - she is also doing a surprise Big Shot jewelry piece (sneak peak to her upcoming June SU! jewelry class - to put inside the purse; Sue Erhardt is using the top note to make a really remarkable box with lid, and I have 3 cards. I'm going to give you a sneak peak of 2 of the cards I'm doing.

This first card uses a top note die cut to make a purse. I modified this from a card my friend and co-demonstrator Blaney Spinelli made for a Leadership swap this past January. Isn't this just too cute? I used the SU! designer series paper Good Morning Sunshine to die cut the top note with my BIG SHOT. This die is exclusive to Stampin Up! and probably their most versatile die. It is certainly their most popular. The top note is folded over and since it has two great sides, this is the perfect type of paper for this project. The card base is pacific point blue from our IN COLOR series. I also used a pacific point corduroy button to close the purse and give it some more dimension. The ribbon is apricot appeal grosgrain also from SU! and the sentiment and flowers were stamped in white craft ink.This next card is a direct case from Barb Mann on SCS. I modified it only a little. What I love is that it uses the new scallop oval die cut. I love this die. It has so many possibilities. The card base is kiwi kiss and that is the same card stock that I die cut the scallop oval. The ribbon is striped grosgrain - also in kiwi kiss and a SU! exclusive. The stamp set is Forest Friends and is a new stamp set in the Occasions Mini that is very reasonably priced. In fact it is one of the most inexpensive sets I own. I colored the tree stamp with kiwi kiss ink and chocolate chip and stamped it on an ultra smooth white sheet of card stock that I had die cut with the Big Shot ovals die. It was perfect for this card because it still leaves the designer paper showing. This paper is also from the Good Morning Sunshine pack. The deer is stamped in chocolate chip on close to cocoa card stock. The owl is also stamped in chocolate chip on ultra smooth white cs and then cut out with a 1 1/4 inch circle punch, mounted on a 1 3/8 circle in chocolate chip card stock and popped up with dimensionals onto the card. I did not stamp a sentiment on the inside of the card, but this card is good for thinking of you, get well, birthday, etc. I'm going to let the class attendees decide what sentiments, if any -they want on their cards. I did stamp on the envelope just so I can show an example.
That is it for sneak peaks. I have one more card to show and then all of the projects the other demos will do. We have 19 attendees including myself and we will be at the home of Sue Ehrhardt. She and her husband had their garage finished and it is amazing. It looks like a showroom - I'll have to take photos of it to show you. I also understand that Sue made her famous butter cream chocolate covered eggs for Easter and that she is possibly sticking an egg in each of our surprise take home gifts. She is amazing and I am going to go ahead and publicly thank her now for all of her efforts, not only on this class but all of the classes. She is very inspirational to the group.

another DECOR ELEMENT STENCIL CARD

Here is another stencil sample I did for Saturday's Team Meeting in York. I used a different stencil (I love these so much) called Flowing Flowers. The card base is rose red with natural SU! card stock. I first placed the stencil on the cardstock and then used a dauber by SU! to color the flower. I used cameo coral ink first and then added rose red on top. Next I ran the card stock through the Big Shot to get the polka dot texture. I also die cut one of Shelli's exclusive butterflies from the BIG SHOT also. You can only get this die from SU! The ribbon was ivory taffeta from SU! that I sponged with rose red so it would match the card perfectly. That is a great thing about SU! ribbons. Just take your sponge and ink it up with the color you like and rub it onto the ribbon. Nice results. The stamp set is absolutely fabulous. I love the handwritten script font for this set. The butterfly was also texturized with the Big Shot.
More stencil samples coming soon!

DECOR ELEMENTS STENCILS

We have our REMARKABLES TEAM MEETING in York, Pa. this Saturday and I volunteered to do a display board of our BRAND NEW DECOR ELEMENTS STENCILS. I ordered a few different kinds, but by far my favorite is the one I used on this card called Kind Thoughts Flourish. I always thought stencils were for painting and decorating the walls. Then I stumbled on some samples by Patti Bennett and saw how she adapted them to cards. In fact, I have to admit, I somewhat cased this design from her. She used different stamps but had a very similar design to this. For this card, I used chocolate chip card stock as the base. Next I placed Parisian breeze specialty designer paper on top of that. I love that paper. It has the weight of card stock and it has texture to it. I stamped Sense of Time stamp set with chocolate chip classic ink on that paper and also on the BIG SHOT creamy caramel scallop circle die cut. I added crystal effects to the hands on the clock and dotted the center of the inner wheel. The stencil was actually done before the clock. I stenciled using a SU! sponge dauber and baja breeze classic ink. I really began to go to town with this stencil and I also tried the flowing flowers stencil. Tomorrow I'm going to do something with cheap talk stencil. I promise to photograph the other samples I'll be showing at the meeting and put them on my blog soon.

STENCILS - the ones I got
Kind Thoughts Flourish Small 7" by 5 3/4" (116572) $9.95 small (also comes as large for $13.95 11-1/8" by 9" - I used the small on the card)
Flowing Flowers 6 by 10-7/8" (7 stencils) $27.95 - not used in above sample, but will show
you a sample soon
Cheep Talk Branch 14-3/4" by 11-3/8" (10 stencils) $27.95 - not used in above sample, but will show you a sample soon.

I am really liking these stencils, so most likely I will be getting all of them. We will also be using the flourish at an upcoming class.

MORE BIRTHDAY CARDS

I've heard some people say that you celebrate not only your birthday but your birthday week. Others say you celebrate your birthday for a month. OK, I go with those who say celebrate your birthday for a month. So in keeping with that, here are some more homemade cards that I received for my birthday March 30th!

This first card is by Tara Bouldin. She is in my down line and a recent recruit during saleabration. Tara is hoping to build her business this year. For a beginner this card is top notch!

Eileen Sumner is a longtime friend of mine. I've known Eileen for many years since my days of training at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Eileen is a wonderful person and a great friend. I love this card so much. She used some hodgepodge on her card and some buttons. I love it! Notice how she decorated her envelope very similar to Tara.

This next card is by my dearest friend Linda Kincaid. Linda and I have known each other many years. She is the sweetest and the kindest person I know. She is extremely talented. I cried when I got this card in the mail. It is just so beautiful. I am so lucky to have a friend like Linda. I can't even imagine her not in my life! Linda, if you are reading this, know that I treasure you immensely!

This is the inside of Linda's card. Note how she used the Big Shot leaves on the outside. I love that extra touch on cards. She also hand cut the flowers and leaves. Great job! I still have lots more to share, so since this is my birthday month (I'll consider it from March 30th until April 30th), I will post more during the month. If you sent me a card, watch for your card soon!

Maria

AN EASTER RECIPE FROM CATHY WEIR

A few months ago several of us went over to Cathy Weir's home in Street Maryland. We had a great time crafting, but an even better time being together and of course sharing lunch together. Cathy made the most delicious Chicken Divan. I asked her for the recipe and she gave it to me awhile ago. I thought it might be fun to make this week. Here you go:

Chicken Divan by Cathy Weir

5 to 6 boneless chicken breast cubed and cooked.

One large head of broccoli or one large bag of frozen broccoli spears cooked.

2 cans of cream of chicken soup

2/3 cup of mayo

1 tsp lemon juice and a two cup bag of shredded cheddar cheese.

Mix cream of chicken soup, the mayo,lemon juice, put chicken in 9x 13 pan spoon mayo and soup mixture over chicken, mix about two cups of pepperidge farms stuffing mix with 1/2 stick of melted butter. Sprinkle cheese over soup mixture and top WITH STUFFING MIX AND BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 30 MINUTES

MMMmmmmm good! Thanks Cathy!

MY EASTER PUPPY AND JP COLORING EGGS

Luigi loves to go for walks and he loves to see other dogs. Today, Easter, we went out for a walk in the neighborhood and we found this older adorable dog. He came out from his backyard to the front to greet Luigi. They sniffed each other but Luigi really wanted to play a little. This dog said hello and then went to his backyard. Note that Luigi is on his retractable leash and this dog is not on one. They probably have an invisible fence. These neighbors are several blocks over, so I don't really know them, but we see this good looking dog a lot. In fact, one day, this dog got out and followed Luigi and I all the way home.

JP had do much fun - as he usually does - dying Easter Eggs. Look at the Big Smile on his face as he shows the egg he colored.

Here is one of the eggs he dyed for me. JP loves to mix colors. This was first pink and then got dipped in some blue for just a little bit. Love it!

My next favorite color dyed egg after blue is green. In the Paas pack this year there were some neon colors. The package said if you first dissolved the dye tablet in white vinegar (3 tbsp) and then add water, the colors would be more vibrant. I think that is so cool. We have always added vinegar but usually to the water directly, not the tablet. This is neon green and although the picture is light, the egg was really intense.
I hope you enjoyed this quick second post from Easter. These are all photos I took on my iphone. I'll be uploading the ones from my camera later.

Have a Blessed Easter Week Everyone!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Happy Easter to all! Allelulia! Allelulia! Allelulia! I love when they say that three times in church! Today is one of the most beautiful church days. We are headed to 7:30 am mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Cockeysville, Md. The church will be decorated with beautiful Easter Lillies and it will be nice and bright and we will sing Allelulia. When we get home I have an easter egg hunt for JP and Luigi planned in the back yard - that is - if it is nice weather. It rained most of Saturday, but then got very sunny with a little bit of wind. I keep missing the forecast for Easter, so at this point, I guess I will just be surprised. In any case, the Easter Bunny was here and he left some great treats. I'll post pics later after JP sees what he left. He even left Luigi a present. Of course, I couldn't go a day without stamping, so I took out my inkpads and went to it. This is the card I made for my husband. I really like how springtime it looks. For the card base, I used whisper white card stock. On top of that I put some SU! Apricot Appeal designer series double sided paper. I then diecut a scallop circle with my BIG SHOT out of baja breeze card stock and layered it with a whisper white diecut circle cut from the BIG SHOT. The butterfly is an exclusive die from SU! for the BIG SHOT and I used a different sheet of apricot appeal designer series paper. The sentiment is from a stamp set from last year called Glorious Gift that is since retired. I really love that sentiment and will probably hold onto that set for some time. The butterflies and the flower are stamped in apricot appeal and really add to the card. The ribbon for the butterfly is 1/4 inch apricot appeal grosgrain. I gently brushed baja breeze classic ink around the edges of the card with a dauber (my new favorite tool) and also onto the white circle. I hope Bill likes the card. He will most certainly have a nice Hallmark card for me and I can't wait to read what he wrote.

MY EASTER PRESENT and one for you too!

This has to be one of the BEST gifts I ever received! I was so happy when this brand new box of SU! stampinwrite markers came today. There are 48 gorgeous colors in the 4 main color groups -Bold Brights, Rich Regals, Earth Elements and Soft Subtles. I was truly doing the happy dance. These markers are hands down the BEST! in my book. The reason I bought this set is that they last!!!! I have a set I bought about 6 or 7 years ago that is still going strong and the markers are as wet today as they were back then. The older set even has different caps on the ends, but the same brush marker side and the same fine point. They have taken a lot of abuse over the years, especially from my younger son JP, who also loves to craft. He colors pretty hard with them. However, they are still going great. I've been telling my stamping group however, that I was going to get a set that were all mine. Yes, all mine. The first color I used was only orange. Don't know why I chose that one, but I had to try them out. The colors color so smoothly and evenly. I might even color on some of my easter eggs that we are going to try to dye tonight. No, not really, but I could if I wanted to. What I'll probably do is do some stamping and coloring with them. The other set I'm going to keep and see just how many years they last. So far as I mentioned they are at least 6 years old because they were one of my first purchases ever. I'm going to shoot for at least 10 and maybe 15 yrs. or longer. Happy Easter to me!
Do you want a set of markers - brand new of course - email me and I'll order you a set with my next order or I'll ship directly to you! Order this coming week and I'll give you a $25 in Free Merchandise. Make your order at least $150 and you will also get $15 in free merchandise and a level 1 hostess set FREE!

Good for email orders and online orders through my website.

DONNA SHADOAN'S BIRTHDAY IS TODAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GOOD FRIEND DONNA! Today is her birthday! I think she is only about 35, but I could be off by a year or two. At stamp camp a week ago we used the bella bloom to do our technique card with daubers. I knew when I saw Diana Hnat do hers in the blue family that I had to make one too. I decided to make it as my card for Donna to wish her a great day. First I colored the blossom on the stamp with baja breeze and the stem with certainly celery classic inks by SU! Next, I took my sponge dauber and dabbed pacific point to highlight and give some depth to the blossom. I took another sponge dauber and dabbed old olive on the edges of the leaves and a little bit on the stem. I really like how this turned out. My good friend Jill Hilliard did a tutorial on this awhile back. If you go back to her blog you will be able to go to past posts and see exactly how she does this. The card stock I used is pacific point and I also used the daubers to ink the same color along the edges of my whisper white ultra smooth card stock - which is the absolute best card stock in the world. I hope you like this card. If you do and would like to see the technique card I demonstrated for my stamp campers go back to a few posts. I did a 6 by 6 technique card with the same stamps and used cameo coral and rose red. I think I love that color combination.

OK, again, Happy Birthday Donna!

MORE STAMP CAMP PROJECTS - YEAH!

OK, as promised....here are the other stamp camp projects we did. The first one posted here is the new Matchbox die, exclusive to SU! It is the die to have, if you have to choose one box die. Sandi Haertig, a demonstrator friend of mine, whom I met last Summer, made this box and demonstrated it for the group. "It was really easy to put together," said Sandi. She used the bella bleu double sided papers from SU! and they are just gorgeous. The ribbon is ivory taffeta. 4 nuggets fit nicely inside. What I like about the box is that minimal adhesive is needed.

This project was wonderful. Sandi took one of our vanilla hodgepodge metal label holders and made it a pendant for this necklace. She added crystal effects after she stamped the flowers and it was such a nice touch. Again, she used ivory taffeta ribbon, and she found these wonderful silver clasps to hold the necklace together. I've worn mine around quite a bit and have gotten the nicest comments about it. Great job Sandi! This was her first stamp camp and it was a unanimous decision...she did an awesome job!

Of course, we had to have a bonus project and since it was Easter, I had everyone decorate this tins that I got at the dollar spot at Target. We used our cropadile to punch extra holes and then thread ribbon through. On the front, we placed a decor element flower. I wanted everyone to see how easy they are to apply and to show that they can be used on projects also. Most people are using them on their walls, but I've seen them on so many frames and cabinets and even on cars. They apply like rub-ons, but they are made from strong vinyl. They are not permanent. At stamp camp, the attendees used a pink flower and pink ribbon, but I didn't photograph that one, and all I had left was brown - so that is the one I made at home. I actually like the brown flower. Everyone also made a tag from eggcellent easter stamps. The chick is my favorite. We stamped on watercolor paper and painted/colored the images. Everyone also got all the goodies that go inside. I'm surprised at how good the popcorn Easter egg was. It was really delicious. My dog liked it too.

Did you notice this adorable bunny? Diana Hnat, who was our wonderful hostess, made these as stamp camp favors for everyone. They turned out great. She used designer paper to cover the candy bar and then using different SU! punches she made the parts to make up the bunny. The eyes are goodly eyes. This was such an adorable project that everyone loved!
Stay tuned for tomorrow's post. Donna Shadoan Smith has a birthday and I'll show you the card I made for her.