Best. Day. Ever.

Happy Saturday!!!  I'm off to play with Papers, Stamps and Ink with Lorri Heiling and a room full of great gals!  It's going to be a great day!

I made this card earlier this week after our team meeting.  It was the perfect card to make after the great fun we had at our meeting! 

If you've ever thought of joining Stampin' Up!, you should definitely think about joining my team!  We have great fun at our monthly get together and on our facebook page.  Give it some thought and check out the JOIN NOW page on my blog.

On to today's card.

 

 

Recipe: 

• Whisper White - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored and folded at 4 1/4"
• Bermuda Bay - 4 1/2" x 3 1/2"
• Birthday Bash DSP - 4 5/8" x 3 5/8"

 

• Die Cut Word Bubbles in Whisper White and Bermuda Bay
• Using Night of Navy, stamp BEST. DAY. EVER. on each bubble (for the EVER. stamp, I turned the bubble the other direction so the speech point is facing IN to the center)
• Attach the Bermuda Bay bubble behind the Whisper White and pop them up with Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Easy peasey!  And such a CUTE card.  I can't tell you who this is for, since it's been mailed, but may not have arrived yet... I'll be we'll know in the comments section soon though!

 

Thank you for checking in today.  Hope you have a great one!

 

~ Donna

 

 

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Irresistably Yours

Have you tried the Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Papers yet?  If not, why NOT?  The Irresistibly Yours DSP can be yours for FREE from the 2015 Sale-a-Bration catalog with any $50.00 order(before shipping and tax). 

Simply sponge over the paper with your favorite color and the color behind the resist embossed areas will color up beautifully!

Can you see the shiny white on the flowers - that's the embossed area that will stay white, no matter what.  So pretty!

Today's cards are a couple of sympathy cards needed for people we know who lost loved ones this week.  Always so sad when a sympathy card is needed.

Recipe:

• Wisteria Wonder - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored and folded at 4 1/4"
• Whisper White - 5 1/4" x 4
• Irresistibly Yours DSP - 5" x 3 3/4" - sponged with Wisteria Wonder ink.
• Cut oval from the Ovals Thinlits
• Ink the flower and leaves from Love & Sympathy with your Stampin' Write Markers - Wisteria Wonder and Wild Wasabi
• Sponge edge with Wisteria Wonder
• Stamp sentiment from Love & Sympathy
• Punch with Extra Large Oval
• Sponge edge with Wisteria Wonder
• Pop up ovals with Stampin' Dimensionals
• Inside Whisper White - 5 1/4" x 4

 

 

Get ready for some great projects coming up.  Tomorrow will be spent with the weSTAMP Team for our Spring Extravaganza.  I'm so excited to have another Saturday of stamping and crafting with the girls I can hardly wait!  Lorri Heiling always has great projects for us and I know these will be fabulous!

 

Thank you for looking in today!

 

~ Donna

 

 

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Birthday Boy Number 2

Happy Birthday Robert!

Wednesday, February 25th my baby turned 29 years old.  That simply can't be possible!!  I can't be old enough for a 29 year old child!  Tonight I'm meeting him for dinner and we'll spend some nice quality time together!  I can hardly wait (is it 5 p.m. yet?)

So today, here is his birthday card for you to see.

Recipe:
Bermuda Bay:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4"
Whisper White: 5 1/4 " x 4
Bermuda Bay:  4 5/8" x 3 3/8"
Birthday Bash DSP:  4 1/2" x 3 1/4"

Sentiment:  from B.Y.O.P. on Whisper White:  2 1/2" x 1 1/2"
Bermuda Bay:  2 5/8" x 1 5/8"

Inside:  Whisper White 5 1/4" x 4"

 

 

Now all I need is to get some cash for him to spend!  Thank goodness it's payday week!

 

Thank you for looking in today!

 

~ Donna

 

 

 



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Sale-a-Bration - New Items Soon Available!

Check out the great new Sale-a-Bration items available beginning March 1 through March 30.

To celebrate the final weeks of our biggest sale of the year, Stampin' Up is releasing FOUR brand new, exclusive rewards to choose from when you spend $50 before shipping and tax.

Available for ONE month only, March 2015, these four products--two stamp sets, a vellum paper stack, and a button/twine combo accessory pack can be added to your orders beginning March 1st!



I know I can hardly wait to get my hands on the Sheer Perfection Designer Vellum Stack.  I think it will be great fun to play with and color!

Thank you for looking in today.  Have a great Wednesday!

~ Donna

Weekly Deals - February 24th

Hello Friends!  This is my 2nd post today so you won't miss the Weekly Deals!  Check them out!

Weekly Deals

We hope you enjoy this week's Weekly Deals!

	Simply Created Banner Item # 132699 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$11.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.46 US/$8.96 CAN
	Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker'S Twine Item # 135636 Regular Price: $3.50 US/$4.95 CAN Discounted Price: $2.63 US/$3.71 CAN
	2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment Item # 133631 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.50 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.88 CAN
	Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon Item # 134549 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$9.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$7.13 CAN
	Basic Black Baker'S Twine Item # 134576 Regular Price: $2.95 US/$3.95 CAN Discounted Price: $2.21 US/$2.96 CAN
	Night Of Navy 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon Item # 134571 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$9.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$7.13 CAN
	Tangerine Tango Baker'S Twine Item # 134578 Regular Price: $2.95 US/$3.95 CAN Discounted Price: $2.21 US/$2.96 CAN
	Celebrate Easter Ensemble - Digital Download Item # 133474 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.77 US/$8.37 CAN

STOP - before you use that stamp!

Did you know that there is one step you need to do to all of your stamps before you use them?
 
When you first open your stamps, you'll sometimes notice a bit of film residue or dust from the manufacturing process.  If you stamp immediately onto your ink pad and then onto your paper, you will find that you won't have a great image.
 
I tell all my new stampers and remind my regular stampers to always clean your brand new stamps before using them.  Now, don't run off to the kitchen sink, we don't want to clean them that way (although, you might find yourself cleaning your Photopolymer stamps that way in time).
 
Just clean your stamps with our Stampin' Scrub (126200) and Stampin' Mist (102394).
 
 

 

This not only cleans off the residue and makes your stamps ready for perfect stamping, but it also helps to condition your stamps.  Just the other day I used a stamp that hadn't been used in a long time, one of my old favorites (from my pre-SU days) that I have out on display and it was in need of some moisture.  Let me tell you, the Stampin' Mist brought that baby back to life and it stamped just as good as when it was new. 
 
I know some girls like to lightly sand or scuff up their stamps, especially the solid ones first, but I've never been brave enough to try that!  Maybe in desperation.  LOL.

If you have a technique that you like best, please share it below in the comments.  I'd love to hear from you and what works for you.

Happy Tuesday!

~ Donna

Borrowed Butterflies

If I would have thought of making a black butterfly and having it turn out pretty, I would have probably not done it.  However, this card we made at Diana Gibbs' Spring Fling came out beautifully, don't you think?

This card is made with Basic Black and Sahara Sand with Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper.  Adding the roses from the Artisan Embellishment Kit really brings the beauty to the card.

Thank you for looking in today.  I hope you had a great weekend.  Tonight is Team Meeting night and I love getting together with the other girls in our Family Team!

Happy Monday!
~ Donna

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Artisan Embellishment Projects

Yesterday, a group of friends and I participated in Diana Gibbs' Spring Fling.  We all had a good time and enjoyed crafting together.  It is really nice to be on the crafting side instead of the designing side!  Next week I get craft again with my awesome team at Lorri Heiling's Spring Extravaganza. 

In the first two cards here, we used the Artisan Embellishment Kit from the Occasions Catalog (pg. 27, item 137909).  For this card we used the adorable rose stencil as is.  The other side is white, but I chose to use the Sahara Sand side.  I thought it was beautiful with the pink background.  We added half of a doily and the beautiful roses from the kit on the side.

 

For the 2nd card, we used the stencil as a stencil and with a Sponge Dauber we dabbed on the Rose Coral Chalk Ink.  I really like the way the chalk in looks.  It has a nice soft look to it.  I may have to try the other two colors (Aquamarine and Yellow Citrus) as well, although, I have to say, my preference is the Rose Coral.

Well, this girl has had a very long day (fyi - I write this the night before and generally post at midnight, so technically, it's still Saturday!).  On top of stamping and crafting all day (so stressful... LOL) after I returned home we had a neighborhood Chili Cookoff and Movie Night at the neighbor's house on the street behind us.  It was fun, but I'm whooped!

Thank you for looking in today!  Have a Blessed Sunday!

~ Donna

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Vellum Butterflies

I spotted this beautiful card by Deb Valder and fell in love with it!  I just knew I had to make some and now I want to make even more.  Aren't they beautiful?  I changed up the sentiment - nearly anything will work with this card and I changed up the gold by adding the Gold Sequins.  Deb used the Gold Dazzling Details.  Thanks Deb for the great card idea!  I love it!

I started with Whisper White card stock cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4".  The Pistachio Pudding layer is 5" x 3 3/4" and the top layer of Whisper White is 4 7/8" x 3 5/8".

 

 

I stamped the two flowers from Painted Petals with Strawberry Slush and the leaves in Pistachio Pudding.

The butterfly is attached down the middle with two small glue dots and left loose everywhere else.  Add a pretty bow using Strawberry Slush Thick Baker's Twine and sequins trimmed off the Gold Sequin Trim with a dot of Liquid Tombo (aka Green Glue).

I also added Stampin' Dimensionals under the Pistachio layer to pop it up from the main card base.

Being Whisper White, there's plenty of room on the inside to write a nice letter or note to someone special or just as a simple thank you or hello.

Thank you for looking in today.  It's FRIDAY!!

~ Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Billy's Birthday Bash Card

Last night my birthday boy and I went out to dinner to celebrate his birthday.  It is always so nice to get together with my boys on their birthday and have time to just visit.  We met at Oregano's for dinner and the food was excellent as always!  We had a good waiter, but goodness, he checked on us way too much, it became a little annoying, but at least it's better than them just disappearing and forgetting about you!

One of Billy's early jobs was as a bartender and of course he and his friends enjoy getting together and enjoying beverages, so of course, I thought of this sentiment for his card.  He LOVED it!  I think this was the first card he actually expressed an enthusiastic reaction to.  I think he got it too!  It sure made me happy!

Of course, the inside included CASH!  That always gets a good reaction, right?   Thankfully the reaction was to the front of the card, so the bribe - er, I mean gift inside was additional to the card reaction.  LOL

 

 

Thank you for looking in today.  Tomorrow I'll share a beautiful card I made after dinner with Billy.  I cased the idea but made a few little changes.  I think you'll like it as much as I do!

 

Have a great day!

 

~ Donna

 

 

 

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Goodwill Find!

I love going to the Goodwill Thrift shops around Phoenix.  You never know what you're going to find!  This weekend I found the perfect portable work station for stamping and watching t.v. with the Hubs.  I like being able to stamp and craft while we watch our favorite shows, but a t.v. tray just isn't strong enough for stamping and certainly not enough room for all the tools we use to craft.

So I've been hoping to find a sturdy table of some kind, preferably with wheels and shelves to hold everything I need and be comfortable to sit at from my rocking chair.  I know, sounds impossible, right?

Well, I found it!  It actually looks almost exactly like the t.v. stand we have now, except not nearly as pretty, but oh boy, it works perfectly.  It has wheels, so I can load it up in my dining (crafting) room and wheel it into the family room.

 
The back side is completely open and room for my knees without bumping them on anything.

The VERY best thing... I got it for $4.99 - yup... four dollars and ninety-nine cents!  Is that great or what?

 

It perfectly holds my Stampin' Trimmer, my Stampin' Score and all the tools I want to get to without having them stacked up on top.  I used it to make my swaps for our next teem meeting and it worked out perfectly!

What special storage or stamping helpers do you have?  I'd love to hear about them!

Happy Hump Day!  I love short weeks!

~ Donna

Tip Day Tuesday

Before I start today's post, I must say Happy Birthday to my son, Billy who turns 33 today!  How did that happen??  LOL  Happy Birthday Son!  I'm so proud of the man you've become!

Now, on to Tip Day Tuesday!  This is one that I wish I would have thought of sooner - now you can benefit from it . . .

When working with thinlits, I like to put a little of our Multipurpose Liquid Glue on the back and let it set up a bit before adhering it to the project.  This keeps the glue from oozing out.  My tip to you is, when you set it aside to set up, set it out of the way, like AWAY from your arms...

. . . before this happens to you!  Thankfully it came off easily and nearly painlessly.  Ha!

After that, I placed the sticky words up higher than my arm and away from any other tragedy! 

Now, on to the card.  I just love making these cards with the word thinlits.  They turn out so nice.  You may be wondering though, where did I find the word "thank"?  It is actually "thanks" and I cut off the "s".  Perfect!

 

Thank you for stopping in today.  If you like what you see, please let me know!  I love to hear comments and feedback!

Happy Tuesday - and don't forget to come back later and check out the Weekly Deals or just click on my link at the top of the blog to the weekly deals available!

~ Donna

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy Birthday Brittney!

These stamps are going to get a LOT of use between now and new catalog time!  I just love them and they are so much fun to use.

Today is Brittney's

 

 

Thank you for looking in today!  Have a great week!  Monday is a holiday for me, so a short week at the office!  Wooo Hooo!

 

~ Donna 

 

 

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Arizona / Happy Valentine's Day

Just a quick review of this year's Valentine's Cards - Wishing you all a very fun Valentine's Day!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for looking in today!

~ Donna