Check out This Cute Little Purse by Selene Kempton!

Isn't this little purse the cutest? Selene Kempton has this pattern on her blog for sale to help raise money for her daughter.

Its so easy to make. You can print the pattern right onto your card stock and cut it out. Add your Designer Series paper, (I used Paisley Petals, which will be on special starting April 1st and then it will be available when the new BIG catalog comes out in July), and then of course the flower on the lid. You know which die I used, don't you??? It has to be the Fun Flowers die, #121812, I should know that number by heart! After cutting out the flowers I embossed them with the Square Lattice embossing folder, #119976 and then sponged them. I made the leaves from the 5-petal flower punch, #119880 in Old Olive. A button with linen thread finishes it off. You can fit 8 Hershey Nuggets inside.

The design is so clever. You only need a small amount of adhesive to hold it together.

This is a side view. Now go help out Selene!

Thank You Card!

Here is a thank you card I made for some of my customers who placed an order this month with me. Everything except the Whisper White card stock is from Sale-a-bration and you can get for FREE!

You only have a few more days and Sale-a-bration is a memory. Sale-a-bration ends, Thursday, March 31st so don't miss out on your FREE items, place your order NOW!

Also, if you are thinking about joining my TEAM, now is a great time to sign up. You'll receive 15% off your starter kit and a special bonus bundle with over $50 in free products. That breaks down to over $350 worth of product for only, $148.75.

Contact me today! This also ends on Thursday, March 31st. I would love to have you on my team! (cindee@pacbell.net or 925-778-8266)

Designer Papers, #122242

Ribbon & Button pack, #123529

Sweet Summer, #123214, Clear mount

Hodgepodge Happiness, #123929, clear mount (saying)

More Frames!

My daughter went to get my grandsons 2 year photos done and he wouldn't cooperate, so my granddaughter, Gianna got hers done instead.

All of these frames are from my "stash" of stuff (don't we all have a stash?) and I'm sure I didn't pay but $1 or $2.50 for each frame. I jazzed them up by adding the flowers to each one, using the Fun Flowers die, (#121812). This is my favorite flower die we have, which I'm sure you can tell since I've used it on so many projects..........

This first one I added the smallest flower using Perfect Plum & Elegant Eggplant card stock and then embossing them with the Elegant Lines embossing folder, (#11927). To finish it off I added one of the Vintage Flower Adornments, (#121879, Occasions mini) to the center of the flower. The leaves I cut by hand, probably the ONLY thing I can do without a pattern. I just took some scrap Old Olive and folded it in half, ran it through my paper crimper and cut them out. Everything was sponged to make it POP!

Here is a close up of the flower. Don't you love the embossed petals?

This photo I added some Rich Razzleberry card stock for the center flower, and used a button with Linen Thread.

Used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, (#120175).

For this last one I used embossing paste and a stencil on half of the frame, then added the flowers. The center Rose Ribbon was dyed with Rich Razzleberry re-inker.

The flowers were put together and attached with hot glue. The top flower is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder, (#117335) and the bottom flower is embossed with the Square Lattice folder, (#119976).

Spider Man 2nd Birthday Party for my Grandson!

My grandson, Anthony turned 2 years old on Sunday and my daughter and son-in-law had a big party for him.

Here is Mom & Dad, and Jocelyn & Gianna before the cake was cut.

Check out this cake! OMG!! A friend of my daughters made the cake and the cupcakes. They were soooooo good. Can you believe the cake?

The cupcakes were red velvet, yummy! And check out the cute invitations my daughter sent out. They look like concert tickets.

And this is the card I made for him. I forgot to take a photo at home, so this one is blurry, but you get the idea. Got lots of oooh & ahhhh's.

Funny thing, I forgot I saved it and was looking for something else when I came across it. So special thanks to Lynn from Stamping with Lynn.

I cut the head with the Oval die and embossed it with the Spider Web embossing folder, then took black ink and my brayer and very carefully inked up the raised edges. I cut the eyes free hand and layer them on black. It took me a couple of tries to get them the right size. I started with a 1 3/8" circle punch and went from there. Then just mounted the head on black with a Real Red card base.

Bliss Scrapbook Page

Last week at Clarice's work-shop they all made this scrapbook page, which they loved. I have the hardest time making up pages if I don't have photos. So I went to the Stampin' UP! website for demos and found a layout that I liked and sort of made it my own. But it gave me the general layout. As I started to do all the elements, I knew I needed a photo before I could finish it though. So, looking through the photos I had already printed, I found this 5 x 7 photo of my husband and grandson. This was taken a year ago, since Anthony will be 2 tomorrow. Where does the time go? Anthony was having so much fun playing with Grandpa!

Here are the supplies you need to make this layout:

Bliss stamp set (Sale-a-bration 2011, #123217, clear mount)

Scallop Circle die (#113468)

Fun Flowers die (Occasions mini #121812)

Extra Large Oval (#119859)

Scallop Trim Border punch, (#118402)

Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper, (Occasions mini, #121782)

Big Buttons, (Holiday Mini leftovers)

Beveled Windowpanes, (Occasions mini, #121881)

Very Vanilla, 12x12

Night of Navy, 8 1/2 x 11, (#100867)

Always Artichoke, 8 1/2 x 11 (#105119)

3/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, (#109071)

Linen Thread, (#104199)

Always Artichoke Classic Ink, (#105219)

Tea & Chocolate!

I recently received this stamp set, Morning Cup, (page 60). I love all of the stamps in this set.

You can view the tutorial here on how to make this Tea Bag Holder.

Here I used Melon Mambo for my base and the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper that you can get for FREE during Sale-a-bration. I've also given you a sneak peak of the Four Frames stamp set that will be in the new Catalog in July. You can earn this set for FREE and some awesome Designer Series Paper with a qualifying work shop of $350 or spend $20 to be eligible to purchase the Four Frames set and/or Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper starting April 1st.

This is the inside. I put a tea bag on one side and a Ghirardelli Chocolate on the other side. Who wouldn't want a cup of tea with Chocolate?

Here is my second one. I used the new Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper on this along with the 4 Frames stamp set. For the mugs, I stamped it twice, once on the front and then again on a piece of the dsp. I used a marker because the mug has a heart on it that I didn't want on my cup. Then cut it out and added it with a dimensional to my project.

Here is the inside. Isn't that dsp to die for? So much prettier in person. Contact me now to book your work shop for April.

Easter Boxes Using the Petal Card Punch!

I don't know about you, but I bought the Petal Card Punch when it first came out last July. I couldn't get it to work properly. Apparently is was "operator error", go figure..... Then I came across Mary Fish's blog and she had the cutest little boxes for Easter.

Mary's Tip: Put your card stock into the punch, punch face up, setting on the table, using the palm of your hand, punch. It works every time, cuts it, and scores it perfect!

Punch 4 Petal Cards.

Then you cut off one scallop on each piece.

Fold on all the score lines and add adhesive to the scallop across from the one you punched.

Adhere them together. This will be the inside of your box.

The adhere the last one to form the box. Then fold the petals down to close, like you would a big box without tape. Add your treat, and fold the top the same way.

And this is what they look like when decorated. Thanks Mary for this GREAT little project!

Punches I used for the Bunny:

5-petal flower (ears)

Oval, 3/4" x 15/16" this punch carried over from the Holiday Mini, (butt)

3/4" circle punch, (body)

Heart to Heart punch, (tail) I used the smallest heart

I added a piece of Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon to stabilize the box.

Chick:

large oval (body)

1" circle punch (egg)

Owl Punch, (eye)

I added a piece of So Safron Taffeta Ribbon to this box.

You can see in the photo I also sponged both boxes with Sahara Sand ink.

And the Winner Is? Carrot From the Petal Cone Die!

I want to thank all of you who took advantage of my "Anniversary Sale". Susan & Tammy will receive a Fabric Flower Pin, FREE shipping & Sale-a-bration items.

Aren't these Carrots & Bunnies the cutest? I saw these on Sandy Hancock's blog. She was posting some of the items from her recent Downline Meeting. Theresa Vargas is the one who originally created these cute little bunnies!

Petal Cone Die (carrot)

#2 Large Scallop Circle Die (used to make the top of the carrot, so clever!)

Polka Dots embossing folder (carrot)

2 1/2" Scallop Circle Punch (green by the top of the carrot)

Ornament Punch (face and body)

Small & Medium Oval punches (ears)

3/4" circle punch (cheeks)

1/2" circle punch (paws & nose, cut down to a triangle)

Owl Punch (eyes)

I've already made about 4 of these guys and plan to make many more. I found the Chocolate Marshmallow bunny at the grocery store. The ones I found fit perfect inside the cone.

TIP: After you cut your cone out, cut off one of the scallops, fold your cone in half and put in the embossing folder face up. This way you get the dots on the front of the cone and also on the inside top piece.

My Anniversary is Today! Thank You Card!

Don't forget about my "special" today and tomorrow. FREE shipping on any orders over $50, plus you can choose a Sale-a-bration item and I will also put your name in a drawing for a Flower pin. Contact me to place your order. This offer ONLY good through me!

Here is the thank you cards I've sent out this month. Kind of a case of this card. I made this card 4" x 8" scored in half in Crumb Cake. I used the Love Letter Designer Series Paper and the Cherry Cobbler seam binding. You can hardly see it in my photo, but I used the Fine Flourish stamp in the center of the card with Crumb Cake Ink. This is one of the stamps you can get for FREE during Sale-a-bration. I gathered the tails on my bow and added a Vanilla Rosette.

One More Stamp-a-Stack Card!

This is the last card we did in my Stamp a Stack a couple of weeks ago. Its basically the same as this card. Here we used the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Ribbon and the Punch Bunch stamp set all in the Sale-a-bration catalog. You can get these all FREE with a $50 order. Isn't it nice that these stamps coordinate with our punches? Way to go Stampin' Up!

I should also mention that I ran the Top Note through the Polka Dots embossing folder before attaching it to my card.

Don't forget about my Anniversary Special that starts tomorrow at 6am. Get FREE shipping on any orders over $50 (before shipping and tax), plus a Sale-a-bration item & your name goes into a hat for a free Flower Pin. Starts 6 am Friday, March 11th through Saturday, 6pm March 12th.

Ornament Punch is now Available!

This just in from Stampin' Up!'s home office: Ornament Punch Available for Ordering March 9, 2011 We're happy to announce the Extra-Large Ornament punch (item 119847) is available to order. The quality problems we were experiencing with the punch have been resolved and our supply is ready to go. Thank you for your patience as we work to provide you with high-quality products.

2 Year Anniversary!

Friday, March 11th is my 2 year Anniversary with Stampin' Up! So, I thought I would celebrate by offering FREE shipping on any orders over $50. Plus you will get to choose an item from the Sale-a-bration catalog. Then I will put everyone who places an order over $50 into a hat and pick 2 people to receive one of my fabric pins. This offer only good through me! You must either email me your order or call me. (cindee@pacbell.net or 925-778-8266). This offer good from 6am, Friday, March 11th through 6pm, Saturday, March 12th. The 1st person who places an order will also receive a special gift from me.

Help me make this a FABULOUS anniversary!

More Stamp-a-Stack Cards!

Two more cards from a couple of weeks ago. This first one uses the Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper, (page 21 of the Occasions Mini), The Sew Suite stamp set, (page 33), the Sweet Buttons Embosslit, (page 36), Sweet Stitches Brads, (page 36), & the Daffodil Delight Pompom Trim, (page 35). I love how the embosslits, cut & emboss with one pass on the Big Shot. Isn't this a fun card?

Next up: Another Bliss card, (page 10 of the Sale-a-bration catalog). You still have until March 31st to get this set FREE with a $50 order (before shipping and tax). I also used the Framed Tulips Embossing folder, (page 28 of the Occasions mini), and that fabulous 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, (page 191) in Pretty in Pink.

Don't forget, tomorrow I will post my 2 year Anniversary with Stampin' Up! Special! You don't want to miss it!

Friday is my 2 Year Anniversary with Stampin' Up!

Since Friday is my anniversary, I thought I might have a special. So stay tuned, I will share my special Thursday morning.

Team Meeting, Part Two!

These are the last two projects we did on Saturday. The Fun Flowers die, (Occasions Mini catalog, page 39) is another one of my most FAVORITE dies. This in kind of a condensed version of the one we did at Leadership. 3 flowers in each size & fabric, (I used our Sweet Stitches & Springtime Vintage fabrics), use spray starch to make them a bit stiff. Scrunch each flower up in a ball and then carefully open to dry. I also added 2 of the 2 1/2" Scallop circles punched out of the First Edition Designer series papers. These seem to help the flower be more stable, and 1 of our Paper Daisies. Stack your fabric, scallop circles and daisy and then hot glue them together. While the glue is still warm, cup the flower in your hand and squeeze, this gives the flower more shape. (got this great tip from: Patty Bennett). For the Sweet Stitches Brad I cut the legs off and hot glued into the center of the flower. Its too hard to put a hole in the center of the flower after you have hot glues so many layers together. Then add your pin to the back. I just love how full the flowers looks with so many layers.

Next up: Necklace using our Beveled Windowpanes. Patty made the Black one for me & I made the Early Espresso one. You can view the directions on Patty's blog. I added the Vanilla Rosette in place of the Antique Brad and I used the Decorative Label punch to punch out my inital.

Team Meeting

This is the first project we did at my Team Meeting on Saturday. The Girl's loved it, simple but nice. Hi, Girl's. Those of you who couldn't come, your packet is in the mail. Tomorrow I will share the other two things we made.

This is the front with the belly band on. We used Baja Breeze (you know, my favorite)

This is the inside middle.

These are the two left side pages of my husband and myself & my Sister & Brother-in-law.

My Sister, BIL & Niece's meet us in Nashville after Leadership. They live in Ohio, it was a 5 hour trip to Nashville. It was just so nice to see them. Its been a couple of years since we've been together. But, we will get to see them in May, when my oldest niece graduates from college, (now I'm feeling really old).

The embellishments are simple. Many thanks go out to Kim Assaly. This was her original idea. You can view her video here. The only thing I did different was added more photos to the back of these photos. I'm going to send this album to my Sister.

Fun Flowers Card!

I love the simplicity of this card. Not much stamping, but oh so pretty!

My card base is Baja Breeze (you know my favorite right now!) and embossed it with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. Cut out the flowers in Vanilla using the Fun Flowers die (another favorite) and sponged them in Soft Suede, so pretty. Added a brown button and instead of using Linen Thread like I always do, I took a skinny piece of c/s and put it through the button and curled it using a skewer. Before adding the flower I used a piece of Chantilly 1/2" lace around the card and then layered my flower using dimensionals. The Thanks is stamped in Soft Suede on Vanilla and sponged then layered onto a Soft Suede Scallop Oval. The "thanks" is from the Sale-a-bration set, So Happy for You.

Less than a month left to take advantage of Sale-e-bration! Place a $50 order and pick anything in the Sale-a-bration catalog for FREE!

Edited to add: I don't know where the photo went. It was there when I first published this post. Thanks to all of you for letting me know.

Birthday Wishes Card

At my last Stamp-a-stack, my grandkids stopped by. My oldest granddaughter, Jocelyn wanted to make a card like my customers were making. So I set her up at my station and gave her a few supplies, glue stick and she had her scissors. This is the card she made. Now that wasn't good enough, she had to have a stand to put it in and then she put it with all my Stamp-a-stack cards. She was so cute, I wish I had taken a photo of her working on her card, very focused.

So here is one of 5 cards we did last week-end. I started off with a Whisper White base and embossed it with the Elegant Lines embossing folder. Added a piece of the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Papers and ribbon, (page 7 of the Sale-a-bration mini) then added the Ribbon Punch in Melon Mambo. Punched out a 2 1/2" Whisper White Circle, sponged it in Melon Mambo and stamped the cupcake base from the Create a Cupcake stamp set, (page 22 of the Occasions mini) in Soft Suede and then used the Cupcake Punch to punch it out and the frosting. The frosting I ran through the Elegant Lines embossing folder, it really gives it so much texture. The banner is from the Petal Cone die, (you really need this die.....) The birthday wishes is from So Happy for You, (page 4 in the Sale-a-bration mini) & stamped it in Melon Mambo. Added my buttons with linen thread. You can curve the banner using your bone folder. I used mini glue dots to attach to my card.

Don't forget, you can get this Designer Paper, Ribbon & Buttons for FREE in the Sale-a-brations catalog. For every $50 you can choose an item in this catalog for FREE, no limit.

Petal Cone Die!

I made this cone for a friend. I cut the Petal Cone (page 15 of the Occasions Mini catalog) out of Crumb Cake card stock and embossed it with the Elegant Lines embossing folder. You can't really see it in this photo. I also used the Fun Flowers die, (page 39 of the mini) and cut some out of Crumb Cake and some from Elegant Soiree dsp. I embossed a couple of the flowers with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. I love the extra texture. Added a button with Linen Thread to the center of the flower. Then I added the 1 1/4" Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon for the handle. I put some Rolos in a cello bag to go inside the cone. My friend loved it!