Happy Bug Day!

Today I have a fun scrapbook page to share with you!  Each month my scrapbook clubs complete a double lage layout based on a sketch.  This month, I was looking back through some old pictures (I don't scrapbook in order!) and came across some pictures from my youngest's first birthday!  I can't believe how little all three of my boys looked in these pictures!

As I often do, I based the theme of the party on a stamp set!  I do this becuase it's easy for me to coordinate everything, and this party was no exception!  I based this one on the retired "Bugs & Kisses" stamp set.  See how I even made the cakes match!!!

My title is a combination of stamping and chipboard letters (both of which have been retired).  I also did some stamping with the Bugs & Kisses stamp set.  I loved this set and got lots of use out of it...you can see how i stacked the bugs when I stamped them (bottom left corner).  I did so many stacked bug cards for birthdays when this set was current!

If you click on the picture to make it bigger, you will see the scalloped black edge on the left hand page.  That was done with the Scallop Dotted Ribbon...I just stuck the polka dot side down so the dots don't show.

And, finally, my journalling was done on a die cut shape.  It's one of the shapes in the Apothecary Accents Framelits (which you can find in the current Catalog on page 191!).

I have so many printed pictures to scrapbook!  I think this summer I'm going to try and get a lot of them onto pages and into albums!

Have an inspired day!

The Getting Started Challenge!

Yesterday I mentioned that at my downline Stamp & Share last week we talked about the Getting Started Collection.

Did you even know we had a Getting Started Collection...or what the Getting Started Collection is?  Let me enlighten you!  The Getting Started Collection is a group of colors that Stampin' Up! has put together by pulling colors from all the other color collections.  This special group of colors go great together and work well for many different occasions.  For the new stamper, the Getting Started Collection is the perfect and easy way to get strated (hence the name...Stampin' Up! is good like that!!).  You can order Getting Started packs of cardstock, a set of Stampin' Spots in those colors and even some of the new Stitched Grosgrain ribbon comes in the Getting Started Collection.  I think the Getting Started Collection is fantastic for all stampers!

We focused on beginning stampers at our Stamp & Share night and put together a little bundle of products that is perfect if you're just getting started.  I included the getting started colors as well as the Easy Event stamp set beucase it's a perfect set for all occasions and includes an assortment of images and words.

With this in mind, I challenged my downline in attendance to create a notecard with the limited supplies I had out on the table (the Getting Started Collection ink and cardstock, Easy Events, 3 colors of stitched ribbon, Brights Buttons, a couple Big Shot dies and Embossing Folders).  Here's what they came up with....

Here's where you come in!  I've numbered the samples (top right hand corner of each one) and I need you to vote for your favorite.  I love them all and am so excited with how different they all look!!!  To vote all you need to do is leave a comment on this post with the number of the one you like best.  For your vote to count, you MUST include your name.  You can only vote once and voting will be open until 11:59pm on July 4, 2012.  I will announce the winner on July 5 and the winner will receive a package of Polka Dot Parade DSP at our next Stamp & Share night!

Have an inspired day!

Time Flies

Wow!  Has it really been that long since I last posted?  This spring has been so busy for us this year with all three of our boys being in baseball.  We were at the ball diamonds 4-5 days a week with two of those days one of us going one direction with kids and the other going a different direction with the other kid!  Crazy!  It was a good season though...here's a peek!

That's what has been keeping me away from my office and my blog!!!  Well, that and end of school year craziness.  I'm starting to think that June is busier than Christmas time!  I actually ran out of space on my calendar with all the school stuff going on that I've had to remember this month!!!  I do have some stuff to share with you though...and I have some posts set up for the next little while.  So, without further adieu, here's my project for today!

Last week at my downline Stamp & Share, we talked about the Getting Started Collection and did some stamping and creating with it.  I did a mini mock workshop using just he getting started colors and showed some fun and simple projects.  This was one of them...and everyone who came that night got one of these to take home (cause I appreciate them taking time out of their busy lives to come to our downline events). 

I filled one of our 1x8 cello bags with some Easter Candy Corn and then made a simple wrap to go around part of the bag.

I made the wrap with the Two Tags die (you know how much I love that die!) and embellished with some stamping, punching and a little piece of our new stitched grosgrain ribbon (in Daffodil Delight).  Super cute!

At the Stamp  & Share, I also had a challenge for my downline members.  You will want to check back tomorrow to see what their challenge was and how you can help me with their challenge!

Have an inspired day!

Starting at the Start!

I'm working on our camping scrapbook and I decided to go with a digital scrapbook.  I went digital for a couple of reasons...I can take my laptop camping with me and work on my pages as I take the pictures, and by going digital, I can get it done faster (cause I'm still working on last year's book...and loads of other traditional scrapbooking waiting for me)!  And, I've got to say, scrapbooking by the fire is kinda fun!

Today I'm going to share the cover to my book (this is where the start comes in from my post title!).  I started with a template that was available in the last set of downloads released last Tuesday.

The template I used is from the "The Great Outdoors" download, which includes a stamp set and a template.  This particular template is for an 8x8 page.  Before I made my changes, I changed the size of my template to make it 12x12.  These are the steps I did to make this change:

-First find the template by opening a new project, selecting Photobook & Individual Pages/Designer; choose your desired template and follow the steps (I then chose "Pick & Click as my photo adding option)

-Before making any changes, click on the Edit drop down menu at the top and choose "Change Project Size/Type

The program will tell you which sizes you can choose to change your project to.  For example, because my original template was 8x8, I only had options to change it to another square size (12x12 or 5x5).  Once my size was changed, I turned on the Guides (View/Guides/Book Cover Bleed Area).  I chose this one because this is the cover of my book.  Had I been doing a page, I would have chose the appropriate guide for my pages.  This is important because it shows you what could be cut off during the printing process.  It would be tragic for an important part of your project to get cut off...so always have the guides on!!!!

Now, onto the changes I made.  I only changed the title and I used a sentiment from the download Happy Camper Memories.  I chose two pictures from our last camping trip (the first of the season!) because those are the only camping pictures I have from this year!  But, if I take other pictures that I like better during the camping season, I can change it out before sending it to the printer very easily!

So what do you think?  I'm excited to work on this throughout the camping season and show you the final project in the fall!  In fact, I'm already excited about getting it printed!!!!

Did you know that you can try My Digital Studio for FREE????  That's right, you can download a free 30 day trial of the software and try it out (make a project, get some extra downloads, print something).  The free trial works just like the software except it's only good for 30 days!  If you want to learn more about the program and how it works, come to my MDS Tips & Tricks Class on June 21.  I offer this class for FREE because I want you to feel successful with this program and there's so much it can do!  You're welcome to bring along a laptop with the program on it and follow along with me in the class or just come see what it's all about.  Either way, you're going to have some digital fun with me that evening!  If you're interested, please RSVP quickly because I have limited space.

Have an inspired day!

Bloom

I'm so excited to share my project today!  I think it's a perfect summery home decor piece.

Banners are all the rage right now.  I'm seeing them everywhere and for any occasion and all different shapes.  I used a pretty traditional banner shape and it says bloom.  With it's rich color scheme, it's perfect for summer.  It's a little bit rustic, a little bit fancy, and a whole lot pretty!

And here's a look at it hanging on my mantle...

So, how would you like to make one to hang at your house?  I'm offering this project as a class on Monday, June 11 @ 7:30.  Cost is $30 which includes EVERYTHING you need to make it (including a full pack of pearls/participant!).  I have two spaces left, so if you're interested in coming for a fun evening of crafting let me know!

Have an inspired day!

Stampin' & Campin'

We went off to Writing on Stone for May Long this year for some camping and relaxing.  We have learned to go East on May Long to avoid snow, and this year was no different!  We had wonderful weather and had a blast hanging out together.

I had some new stamps and stuff to play with, so I packed a little (sort of!) bag to bring with me and one afternoon got to work playing!

First I had to put my new stamps together!

And, it's stamping time!

Yep, I'm stamping with a glass.  I forgot my blocks, so I used a glass...works great in a pinch...but don't look too close or you'll see all my gray hairs!!!!

All done!

Here's a closer look at my card.  I used one of the Notecards with envelopes and just did a simple one layer card with new In Colors.

I actually stamped a few cards before I got too hot and packed my stuff up.  I will share those in the coming days.  For now, I will leave you with a little photo collage of our camping trip that weekend.

That's all for today!  Have an inspired day!

Rubber Boots & Puddles

Well, what a 24 hours it has been...4 confirmed tornadoes touched down, severe thunderstorms, hail, flooding, IN-SANE rain (like couldn't see across the street downpour at one point) in Southern Alberta last night.  Thankfully Lethbridge didn't see a tornado and from what I hear we didn't have flooding or hail, but we sure did get an awesome lightening show!  At one point I don't think the thunder even stopped...just lots of rumbling.  In our house we had restless dogs and kids and we were checking the weather channel frequently for updates in case we needed to head to the basement for cover.

With all this crazy weather going on, I think it's appropriate to share my card for the day...

I made this card for a swap I recently participated in.  I saw a similar design on Pinterest a while back and filed it away in my brain for future use!  There's a a few new products used on this card...the rubber boot image is from one of our new hostess sets, Happy You, and all the little banners were cut with the new Framelits set "Bitty Banners".  I colored my boot and the flowers with my Stampin' Write Markers, which for some reason is something I don't usually do!  I think I'm more of a watercolor colorer, but the markers were perfect to make this image bright!  I used a combination of textured cardstock and DSP for the banners...Soft Suede (cardstock), Pink Pirouette and Rose Red (DSP).  The tops of the banners are finished off with two layers of ribbon...Rose Red Seam Binging on the bottom and Pink Pirouette Taffeta on the top.

I purposely left a sentiment off this card because I think it could be used for a number of different occasions.  And, this swap was a full card swap so I figured if the recipients wanted to use this card in the future, they could stamp whatever sentiment they needed!

So, what do you think?  Do you love it?

Yesterday was Tuesday which means there was new digital downloads.  You can check them out here.  There are some on there that I will be getting...the new In Color DSP and the camping stamp set brush.  What about you?  And, before I forget, make sure you update your MDS to the latest version so you can get the new In Colors and start creating with them!

Have an inspired day!

Simple Father's Day

Wow!  Where does the time go?  Between baseball 4 nights a week with  my boys, a Catalog Kick Off Party, and the Women's Fair I feel like I need another holiday!!!  It's been a crazy couple of weeks, and I haven't had a lot of stamping time while I was preparing everything for my sale.  I totally purged my office and found a lot of old stamping supplies that I forgot I had!  It's so clean and organized now, I feel so inspired when I walk in there.

Today I was at the Lethbridge Women's Fair.  Sherri and I had a blast meeting some new people and sharing stamping with them.  We had a super quick and cute make & take at our booth for everyone to make.  At our last show, Sherri designed a quick Mother's Day card, so since Father's Day is coming up, she thought we should do a quick Father's Day card.  Have a look...

Cute, eh?  It's a 3x3 card embellished with some punched circles in a variety of sizes.  I love how they are all a bit different, but work so well together.  To finish it off, there's some Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine wrapped around the Designer Label Punched piece and a stamped sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Quick, cute and fun!

Over the next few days, I will be updating the Classes & Events Page with some new classes that I am super excited about so keep checking back for that information.  That's all for today.  Have an inspired day!