Rainbows & Butterflies

Nothing says cheerful like rainbows and butterflies.  I had some scraps left over from the MANY projects I worked on this weekend and was able to whip up this quick card. 

The "rainbow" was created with the Tasteful Trim die and the Big Shot.  I used Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point, and Rich Razzleberry card stocks. 

The butterfly was created with the Beautiful Butterflies die.  I lightly sponged Pacific Point ink around the edges, then applied a thin layer of Dazzling Details.  The body of the butterfly is a paper "bead" made from the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper.

This wonderful greeting is from the Word Play stamp set.  To get the multi-color image, I used markers directly on the stamp.  The image was then punched out with the Decorative Label punch.

I entered this card in a contest with Michelle's Memory Loft.  If you can take a moment and LIKE this card on her Facebook page, I would really appreciate it. 

And if I win the contest, I'll take all of you with me!  Well, maybe nine of you.  ;0)

Happy Stampin'

Weekend Stamping

Thanks to everyone that checked out the Ustamp Blog Hop!  Those were some great scrapbooking projects and I feel very inspired to get some stamping and scrapping done this long holiday weekend.  I've still got a few Artisan Award projects to finish.

Many of you have asked about how my daughter and I are doing with our health issues. I finally updated her blog this morning and I'm happy to report that she is doing very well.  It has been 3 weeks for me with Bell's Palsy and I'm definitely improving a little bit every day.  I plan to return to work on Tuesday on a reduced schedule and I still plan on having my new catalog open house next weekend.  It may be another month before the Bell's is completely resolved, but I'm confident that it will only get better.

If you've been waiting to order those retiring stamp sets and accessories, don't wait any longer!  You can get Free Shipping on orders of $25 or more (see below).

Here are a few samples from my recent Going, Going, Gone Stamp-a-Stack.

Cards created with Eat Cake Designer Series Paper and Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

 

UStamp Blog Tour--Blooming Canvas

Welcome to the UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! 3rd Anniversary Celebration Edition 2012 World Showcase Blog Hop.

If you have been following the Blog Hop from the beginning, you have just been wowed by Katie Resop's Family Fotos layout.  What a great way to showcase pictures of her beautiful family!   Katie is a FABULOUS Designer and always shares something special for UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!

If you are just joining the Blog Hop, no problem, as you can start at any point. All the Designer's Blogs are linked together so you will be able to see ALL the FANTASTIC projects we have for you.

 Hand-crafted flowers are all the rage in the scrapbooking world, but let's face it....they aren't very practical for placing in an actual scrapbook.  I know in my scrapbooks, these would end up being a flattened mess.  If I'm going to make something this pretty, I want to show it off!

I started with a 12" x 12" Canvas and added simple paper strips to create an interesting background.  These papers are from the new Floral District Designer Series Paper pack that will be available June 1st.

I created the flowers with more Designer Series Paper and the blossom punch.  I've got easy to follow directions in my tutorial.  Once you make one, you'll definitely be addicted.  They are so simple to make!

The title was created with the Big Shot and Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Dies.  This set of dies will be retiring at the end of this month.

• You have the opportunity to get the downloadable PDF Tutorial for my project FREE!! It's a GIFT from UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Woohoo!!


• Click below to access the FREE BLOG to get your FREE PDF Download.

Ready to get hopping again??!!

Of course YOU are!!

Click below to check out what 

FABULOUSNESS

Rachel Ricks has waiting for YOU on her blog to share!! 

 

If you would like to hop back to Katie's Blog, please click below

Thanks again for the opportunity to share my creativity with you!!

 

 

 

Masculine Mojo

My Stamp-a-Stack customers have been asking me to offer a masculine cards class in the future, so I'm trying to get some masculine mojo brewing.  I used the Mojo Monday sketch, along with a new stamp set and some lovely papers to create this man-friendly card.

There are quite a few sneak peek products* shown on this card.  You'll be able to order these new products on June 1st.

STAMP SET:  Memorable Moments*

INK:  Soft Suede, Midnight Muse*

PAPER:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Midnight Muse*, Gumball Green*, Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper*

ACCESSORIES:  Big Shot, Labels Framelits, Strips Embossing Folder, Houndstooth Embossing Powder, 3" Circle Bigz Die, Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon*

The new catalog will be arriving any day now.  If you would like to be first in line to receive your copy, simply place an online order of $50 or more (before tax & shipping).  For those that have already placed an order within the last month, you should receive your copy by the end of this week.

I want to thank everyone that has left comments, sent emails, and called to check in on me.  I'm doing a little better each day, and very hopeful for a full recovery.  My speech has improved and my face isn't quite as droopy.  The pain is less, but still very uncomfortable.  The most irritating thing is the vision problems.  If some of my projects are a bit cock-eyed, you'll understand.  ;0)

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Where's your happy face?

When Bella gets in trouble or she knows I'm not pleased with what she is doing, she will turn to me and say "Where's your happy face?".  She is hoping that I will smile and everything will be all better with a smile.  Despite her illness, there have been a lot of smiles around our house these past few months.

Unfortunately, my "happy face" is broken.  Last week, I was battling a cold/flu virus....you know, the scratchy throat, body aches, stuffiness, numb tongue.  Okay, so numb tongue isn't a typical symptom, but it was my first sign that something was wrong.

I first noticed it last Thursday at lunch time.  My tongue just didn't feel right while I was eating.  I felt really sick on Friday with a fever and all the fun things that normally occur with a bad cold.  On Friday night, I was watching TV with my hubby and kids when I thought my face was starting to feel funny, too.  I went into the bathroom, smiled in the mirror, and sure enough.....the right side of my face was paralyzed.

Yep!  It's called Bell's Palsy.  I knew exactly what it was because I've treated patients with the condition in my practice.  Needless to say, I wasn't happy.  For the most part, it is temporary and usually resolves within a few weeks to months.  My husband was able to start acupuncture and chiropractic treatments on me immediately.  I have also started taking some nutritional supplements to speed the healing process.

My mom asked, "What does it look like?".  Well, it looks like I've had a stroke.  The right side of my face droops, I have difficulty closing my right eye, and I'm unable to smile.  There are no fine lines or wrinkles on that side either.  For the last 2 days, I've had quite a bit of pain with headaches, face, and ear pain.  My speech isn't great and my "bad" eye is sensitive to light and fatigues easily.  This makes it harder to do any computer work or stamping (and I have a ton of new stamping supplies just begging to be used).

Obviously my posting schedule may be a little erratic for awhile until this gets better.  I'm hopeful that this will resolve quickly and I'll be able to return to doing all the things I love.  I have taken at least 2 weeks off from work, and will be revamping my upcoming stamping events.  I'll post an update when that is ready.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

MDS Fun!

I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so my posts may be a little sporadic until I start feeling better.  On the bright side, we took Bella to her GI specialist yesterday and she is doing very well.  She has grown 2 inches since January, so we are thrilled!  She will have to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy in 2 weeks to check her levels of inflammation.  We are very hopeful that the inside looks as good as her outward appearance.  Fingers & toes crossed!

Every year, Stampin' Up has an Artisan Award contest.  I entered the first year (didn't win) and I swore I would never, ever enter again.  It was a lot of work and I put so much pressure on myself.  Stampin' Up must have liked my work, though.....all of my contest entries were displayed at convention that year.

So even though I swore I wouldn't enter again, I have succumed to the lure of winning FREE stamps.  To enter, you must submit 3 scrapbook pages, 2 3-d items, and 5 cards.  It doesn't sound like much, but these really need to be the best of the best.  Therefore, as the creative process is moving along, I'll be sharing some of my "rejects" with you.  Sometimes, things just don't work out the way you plan and sometimes you create something better.  This is a project that I rejected because it was very similar to another project and I liked the other one better.

I also thought it would be a great project to enter into this week's Stampin' Royalty challenge.  Sandra Farrell has another wonderful layout made with the same digital kit, so be sure to check it out!

This page features the On the Go Kit (Item #129360 $9.95) and the Hexagon punch.  I added multiple punches and filled the punches with the various cute papers and the adorable picture of my nephew, Colin.  He's a cutie, isn't he?

MDS Tip:  To add a photo to punched shape, start by filling the punch with any paper pattern.  Double-clicking on the punch will then bring up a new window.  Click on the "replace image" button and select the picture file from your computer.  Your photo will be placed within the punch.  Click OK when finished.

You can use the downloads in My Digital Studio or many other photo editing software programs.  If you don't own My Digital Studio, you can try it out for FREE for 30 days.  Here is how:

1. Click here to go to my Stampin' Up! webiste and click on the SHOP NOW button.


2. You'll see the FREE trial in the upper right corner of the shop.  Click on it and add the FREE trial to your bag.


3. Check out, then immediately download your FREE trial.


4. Visit www.mydigitalstudio.net for more inspiring layouts, tutorials, and a fabulous forum with lots of helpful tips for getting started.

As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  I'm happy to help!

Happy Stampin'