It's Been a Long Time!

So i'm thinking about moving this blog to a new one...one that highlights everything I'm learning as a new mom...all the changed perspectives about life I have since hearing the words "the cyst was malignant," and all the creative ventures I make along the way...still thinking about it...

Let the cleaning commence!

OK, so it's time to clean out that craft room tonight...have to catalog my stamps at the same time, so i'll check back in later with a method to my madness...might have to do some research on SCS to see how others have done the trick. My husband gave me a huge storage bin to fill up with stuff that has to go to the attic...guess i'll pack the stuff i use the least, ha ha. Also, all the old fabric could go upstairs from the sewing half of the room...i wish it would lay off the humidity so i could finish cleaning out the attic.

This baby is just coming too quick!! She'll be here in four months!

I'm taking the day off work tomorrow (mental health day) so i hope to accomplish a lot then too...we shall see.

A Break from Cleaning

Well, I cleaned most of the day yesterday and it looks as if I haven't touched a thing! I did take a break, however to make a bridal shower card that I think came out really cute. I was inspired by one of the stampers on Splitcoast with a bridal shower card she had made. Here's my version:

Her wedding colors are dark pink and navy blue, so I wanted to do something in those colors. I used Whisper White cardstock for base, and cut it down to 11" by 5.5", then scored lines at 4.25 and 8.5, leaving 2.5 inches on one side to cut the dress from to complete the tri-fold. I hand drew the dress and just cut it with my Paper Snips. I then put the background design (a random piece of DSP scrap I found while cleaning!) on the flap that folded under the dress. The band on the dress is Regal Rose, and the flower was hand cut from Night of Navy with a pink rhinestone in the middle. Of course, a scallop oval punch and small oval punch finished off the sentiment from the *** set.

The shower was beautiful, and the food was good...everyone had a good time, but alas, I must return to my cleaning!

Happy Stampin'!

-jen

Once Again...

I've let this blog slip up so many times...so let's try this again! I'm really going to make an effort to keep this updated, at least once or twice a week. Really, I'm not doing anything much MORE productive with my time after work, and I really need to get going in cleaning out that craft room to make room for the baby, so maybe this will keep me on track.

I'm also trying to get ready for another craft show on July 31st right here in Atlas. It's the first annual Atlas Community Yard Sale and Craft Show. My friend Angie and I were put in charge of it. I think this year is kind of a trial to see how we could do it better next time. That's part of the fun. So i'm trying to decide on what to make to sell, and will probably do some cruising on Splitcoast later to see.

For now, however, I have an unopened box of Stampin' Up! goodies that's calling my name...I'll be back later to update my cleaning progress! Wish me luck!

Two-Step Into Spring with this great sale!

Take advantage of a special preview set from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! From April 1-30 only, you can purchase the brand new "Awash with Flowers" set before the catalog debuts!

The "Awash with Flowers" set is one of Stampin' Up!'s "Two Step Stampin'" sets. These sets allow you to take creativity to the next level by layering your stamps to create soft watercolor-look images. This set is available in wood mount (117062) for $39.95 or clear mount (120549) for $27.95. Hurry, this set is only available as a special pre-order until April 30th!

Want to earn this set free? Host a workshop and earn it free with a $350 workshop! Plus, you still get all the other great hostess benefits!

Want more spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets? From April 1-30, you can take advantage of savings on a selection of perfectly springy Two-Step Stampin' sets from the current Idea Book and Catalog:

• Greenhouse Garden (113824, page 94, on sale for $20.76)
• Fifth Avenue Floral (113734, page 98, on sale for $19.96)
• Flower Fancy (111578, page 101, on sale for $29.56)
• Trendy Trees (113258, page 112, on sale for $14.36)

These sets are PERFECT for getting started on your upcoming Spring projects! Give me a call today to place your order, schedule a workshop, or get more information!

Yours in Creativity,

-jen

A New Year, A New Goal

Hello stampers, scrappers and general crafters!

It is one of my goals for the new year to keep this blog more updated, even if it's only to get online and offer some wisdom or uplifting words for those times when my creative mojo is fizzling. I'd like to add in some posts showcasing the things I've been sewing as well as the papercrafting projects, since most of us aren't single-genre crafters in the end of it all!

I'm hoping to make this a year of inspiration and creativity, and I thank you all for joining me along the way. Who knows what 2010 will bring...i hope it will be lots of happiness, hope and strength. Blessings to all of you!

Happy Stampin'!
-jen

Christmas Cards

OK, so it's a little late to get started on my Christmas cards, but i'm a procrastinator at heart, and no one who knows me should be surprised that I waited till a week before Christmas to start making and mailing my cards. So I thought this year instead of assembly-lining a stack of cards, I'd make a few different kinds. Here are two:

This card was inspired by one made by Beth McAlexander that I found on Splitcoast. Hers was a bit different, but the layout is basically the same. I used the Merry Moments DSP and Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Cardstock. This stamp set is one of my favorites. It's from the Holiday Mini (order now...time is running out for that catalog!) called "Berry Christmas." It's so versatile. I punched out the sentiment from that set with the Word Window punch. Fits perfectly. The ribbon is Old Olive grosgrain ribbon. I used Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Ruby Red ink.

The next one was inspired by Lisa Mekeel at http://www.creativecucina.com/. Again, I used Old Olive and Ruby Red, but with Very Vanilla this time. I stamped the holly branch, the berries and the bird and thought the space just needed something, so I used the snowflake in the set and some clear Stampin' Emboss powder to give it a texture of snowflakes. It was a neat touch. The sentiment is from Holiday Punch hostess set, stamped in Old Olive ink on Old Olive paper and punched out with the wide oval punch. The DSP is from the Merry Moments pack.

I will be working on more tomorrow, actually did make another one tonight, but because it's a special card for Ms. Patti, I can't post it here until she gets it!! :)

Happy Stampin'!

-jen