Leadership was soooo fun!

Well, I've been absent for a while now, haven't I?  Between being sick over the holidays and then being away for Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference, it's been a busy time.  I do have some fun stuff to share though!

Near the end of last year, Stampin' Up! came out with their first ever app...the Simply Sent app (and, it's FREE!!!).  My travel buddy and stampin' sistah, Rose, downloaded it while we were in Orlando and here's one of the "cards" she made....

Right now the app is only available for iPhones :( (I don't have an iPhone), but I do know that Stampin' Up! is working on having it available for androids soon.  In the mean time, if you have an iPhone, be sure to download the app and start sending your friends and family cards!

Anyway, on to the project I want to share with you today.  I originally saw this project on Pinterest (are you on Pinterest yet?  If you are, you should follow me!) and I thought it was a perfect project.  So, I set out to "Stampin' Up!" it and here's what I came up with.

It's a memory jar!  Throughout the year we will write our memories down on the little slips of paper in the tin and pop them into the jar.  Then at the end of the year we will read through them all and remember what an amazing year we had!  I placed our jar on our side table in the main living room and so far everyone in the family is on board and excited about it.  As you can see, we even have some memories in there already!

The jar is a big ole pickle jar from the pickles my Grandma sent for us...which sadly makes our memories smell like pickles right now (despite me washing it multiple times!).  After washing, I spray painted the lid with some vanilla spray paint.  The focal point of the jar was actually pretty simple.  I started with a piece of DSP from the Tea for Two suite and cut it with one of the framelits from the Apothecary Arts set.  I also cut out 2013 from Basic Gray cardstock and stuck it on.  Over top of that is a piece of vellum that I cut with the Oval framelits and stamped on it.  It's attached to the jar with a piece of the luscious two toned ribbon from the Spring Catalog.  I LOVE this ribbon!  And to finish it off, I added one of the Tea Time charms.

Yes, I stamped all those letters...it's easier than you think!  After it was done, I thought we needed a cute container to hold some paper close by and of course a matching pen!

I covered an empty soup can and prettied it up!  The stamps, DSP and flower trim are all from the Tea for Two suite.  Check it out...it's awesome!

Well, that's all for today!  Have an inspired day!

Album in a Tin

Today is Scrapfest and right now, I'm scrappin' the day away with some fabulous people!  All the Scrapfest participants get to do a project in addition to the scrapbooking they brought to do and today I'm going to share the project they're making...an album in a tin!

So sparkly and pretty!  We used the Silver Skinny Tins that are available in the online store here...they're on clearance right now and are a super fabulous price!  Here's a closer look at the belly band.

I used a bunch 'o punches and the Printed Petals and Fabulous Phrases sets to create the belly band.  The Printed Petals set is part of the National Scrapbooking Month special and for the month of May you can get it for 30% off!  Check out the details of the special here and you can see an image of the set here (it comes in both wood and clear mount!).  That little white flower is from one of the sizzlits (I can't remember the name right now!).  Check out all those rhinestones!

The inside has accordion style pages...here's a look.

I used a variety of punches, dies and embellishments (ribbon, buttons, rhinestones) in my color scheme (Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso & Whisper White).  I'm not going to give more details because this project was part of the registration fee for the Scrapfest participants.

Well, that's all for today!  I will be sure to share some pictures of Scrapfest next week.  Have an inspired day!

It's only one short month until Valentine's Day!  Do you need a fun packaging idea for a little gift for someone special?  Check this out...

It's an altered soup can.  You need the kind with the pop top and then you cut the bottom off with a special can opener.  Eat the soup, clean the can, fill it with a special treat and then glue the bottom back on with some Crystal Effects.  Then it's on to the fun part...decorating!

I wrapped my can with Basic Gray cardstock stamped with the little heart from Every Little Bit.  Then I wrapped a layer of DSP around the can.  You can find this DSP in the Occasions Mini!  To hide the "seam" between the papers, I tied a piece of Real Red Taffeta ribbon around it.  Check out that bow...it's a good bow day people!!!!!

The top has a circle of Real Red cardstock on it (tucked under the tab) and it's finished off with some gathered ribbon and then I tied some scraps of ribbon on the tab.  My colors were taken right out of the DSP....Real Red, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink and Basic Gray (I wish we still had Basic Gray ribbon!!!).

My favorite part of the project is this...

Isn't it cute?  I punched some hearts from Real Red cardstock and made a little border out of them!

Have an inspired day!

G is for...

...gift and Gaven!  Some friends of ours had their fourth boy (yikes!) way back in August.  So exciting!  We haven't been able to get together since he was born, until tonight.  So, I've had this little project waiting to be posted (I didn't want them to see it before I gave it to them!).

I covered a paint can with some Soft Suede textured cardstock and some of the Elegant Soiree DSP.  The Soft Suede was stamped with the sweet little puppy from the Every Little Bit set with Soft Suede ink.  I chose that little puppy because I don't really have any "baby" sets and it reminds me of the "Snips & snails..." rhyme!

I finished off the can with some Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon.  And, since the wee one was named Gaven, I stuck g's around the can.  Each of the g's is from a chipboard set (some of which are retired) and I colored them with my Stampin' Write Markers in colors that coordinate with the DSP (Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake & Basic Gray).

Here's a look at the lid...

I used the Designer Label punch in Soft Suede and stamped little g's all over it.  The puppy was stamped on Very Vanilla and then matted with Baja Breeze.  So cute! I *heart* that little puppy!

One sleeper rolled up fits nicely in the can.

Of course, I had to make a coordinating card.

It's pretty self-explanatory and is basically the same as the can except for this...

Those itty bitty safety pins in the Vintage Trinkets are the perfect accent for baby cards and projects!

I'll be back tomorrow with Week 5 of my Countdown to Christmas.  Have an inspired day!

Meet Buddy!

Good morning! Today is a great day! Kevin got a call from his surgeon with a new surgery date. YAHOO!!!!! January 26 is the big day. Cross your fingers for us that nothing will interfere this time and he will be on the road to recovery on Jan 27.

I have a super cute project to share with you today. I want you to meet Buddy...

Buddy is my youngest son's favorite toy right now...and I made it! I took a metal DVD tin and altered it a bit (with Sawyer's help, of course!). He loved punching and using my Big Shot! We cut out bears and clothes from both cardstock/DSP and magnet sheets with my Big Shot. We also made a little scene for Buddy. Buddy lives on one side of the tin and Buddy's wardrobe lives on the other side of the tin. Sawyer plays with Buddy almost everyday and it's one of those toys that he will not share!

As you can see from the pictures of Sawyer wearing shorts, we did this project pre-snow this year! But, Buddy has added to his wardrobe with the seasons...he has a Jack-O-Lantern Halloween costume and Christmas clothes now. And, I'm going to see if the Valentine's and Easter Sizzlits will cut through magnet sheets so Buddy can have bunny ears and valentine's stuff!

Buddy is a great toy that Sawyer brings on road trips and plays with during quite time. In fact, I found Buddy under Sawyer's pillow when I changed his sheets! Buddy fits perfectly in my purse, so he also comes to appointments sometimes!

Have a great day!

Santa Clause is Coming...

Hello! It's the Eleventh Week of Christmas and I have an awesome, quick and easy last minute gift packaging idea for you.


Ever since I went to my last upline meeting, I have had a small obsession with Santa Belly projects! I totally blame my upline for this because she had some ca-ute Santa Belly projects. What can I say...she totally inspired me!


Supplies: Whisper White, Basic Black & Brushed Silver cardstock; 3/4" Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch; Ribbon-Whisper White & Real Red Narrow Grosgrain, Whisper White Taffeta, Real Red Wide Grosgrain, Real Red Striped, Real Red Polka Dot, Whisper White & Real Red Satin, Real Red Gingham, Real Red Double-Stitched, Whisper White Organza, Mistletoe Ribbon Originals


I found some cute little paint cans at my local dollar store quite a while ago and, of course, had to pick up a few...or a lot! They had a variety of colors, and I've had them sitting on my desk for a long time just waiting for them to inspire me. And, what do you know, it happened! I choose a red can for this project...and then made it into a Santa belly! Love it!!!

It was so easy to do. I took two strips of Whisper White cardstock and tore them, then attached them around the bottom of the can with Sticky Strip. Then I took a scrap of Whisper White and tore it down both sides, and stuck it at the top of the can. And, finally I made a belt by taking a Basic Black strip of cardstock and wrapping it around the middle of the can. The buckle is Brushed Silver cardstock punched with the 3/4" Square and then the 1 1/4" Square.

I thought the handle needed a little pizazz! So, I opened my ribbon cupboard and cut pieces of every red and white ribbon I had and then tied the ribbon all around the handle.

Watch for more little paint can projects, because you know I bought all the colors! *wink*


As always, any of the products I used to make this project (except for the can) can be ordered through my website or by contacting me.


Also, watch for the Twelfth Week of Christmas project a little earlier next week. It's a great project that you can do during the Christmas break.


Until next time my friends!