Love Notes ...

These little Love Notes are just darling! They are 3.5 x 5.5 post card size. The fronts are embellished with DSP from Fancy Pants - Vintage Valentine - plus lots of embellies and ribbons, glitter and bling from Making Memories, K & Co, PTI! The backs are blank and would be perfect for a sweet Valentine note or special greeting to a friend for a birthday or just to say 'hi'!

They were super fun to make!!! I've posted them all in my Etsy shop in packets of 3 cards and 3 envelopes each. There are only 3 sets, so get your's today ... they won't last long!

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday next to Christmas ... so much pink, frilly, lacey, flowerly, bling and love!

Enjoy :)

Family Banner

I couldn't let the day go by without a post and a little peek at today's project! This sweet, little Victorian and shabby banner is scrumptious!!! I'm simply in love with the soft colors, vintage trims, beautiful papers, vintage accents, embellishments, bling and glitter :)

This yummy creation has found a precious home in my design room so I can enjoy it daily and remind me of what is important in life ... my family! I'm so thankful for my hubby and two wonderful sons. We are blessed!

The gals at Just Us Girls have issued a challenge this week to make a banner, so here is my submission.

ENJOY :)

Supplies: Postcards From Paris papers, vintage trims (Webster's Pages); paper flowers and trims (Prima); framed fonts alpha chips, blue and pink glimmer mist (Tattered Angels); glittered chipboard, rhinestones (Melissa Frances); very vanilla satin ribbon (SU!); satin flowers (Offray); buttons (PTI); chipboard bases (Maya Road).

CHIC OF THE WEEK @ JUGS - Darling Valentine Dwelling!

YIPPIEE!!!!! How COOL is this? The sweet, little Valentine House I made this past week and submitted to the JUGS gals for their challenge was picked as #1 and I earned the CHIC OF THE WEEK button you see here. WOWOWOWOWOW!! I'm beyond excited. Those who know me well know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lauren Meader's templates, so this was a very easy peesy challenge for me to complete!

I just found out that I also earned a $25 gift certificate to spend in Lauren's *new* store - My Time Made Easy - could this day get any better???!!!???!!!!???

ENJOY these pics :)

How ADORABLE is this little Valentine's Day themed house? It's one of Lauren Meader's templates - 'Homemade'. I'm just in love with this sweet creation ... wouldn't it make a darling gift for someone special this Valentine's Day filled with chocolates or cookies??!!

This is my submission for the challenge over at JUGS this week - create a project using one of Lauren's templates. What do ya' think??

I'm a Lauren Meader template junkie -- I've made just about every single one that she's designed since back in the fall of 2008 :) Just love 'em!!!

Recipe: Blush Blossom CS, Soft Suede ink, *new* scallop border punch, scalloped edge punch (SU!); Vintage Valentine DSP (Fancy Pants); glittered chipboard heart, pearls (Melissa Frances); buttons, twine (PTI); pink glittered chipboard (Pebbles), gingham ribbon (Making Memories); paper lace doilie, pink satin flower.

Sweet Sugar Cottage

Oh my ... I know I say this every time I finish a project, but WOW! This HAS to be one of my all-time favorites :) I just love everything about it ... from it's pink polka dot roof and aqua blue gutters, to it's glittered and curtained windows and crushed silk ribbon bows acting as finials atop the roof. All I can say is -... YUM-O! The pics do not even do it justice -- simply delicious in real life!!!

Enjoy ... xoxoxoxo

Supplies: DSP (Basic Grey, Fancy Pants, Amy Butler); paper mache house & chipboard accents (Maya Road); buttons, twine (PTI); vintage trims (Webster's Pages); pearls, keyhole (Melissa Frances); flowers (Prima); regal glimmer chips(Tattered Angels); satin & velvet flowers (Offray); Pretty in Pink CS, glitter (SU!).

COMING SOON TO ETSY SHOP ...

Okay, so I just have to bite the bullett and do it! I am someone who makes a card and holds onto it for-EVER! Every single sweet lovely I create becomes my new 'favorite' and I have to keep it for all eternity. The pile of completed projects and cards is about a mile high and I've come to the realization that I must begin to part with some of these pretties!

Stay tuned in the next day or so for brand new postings in my Etsy shop of some beloved cards and projects that I feel I must part with to make room for new creations!!

Some of these will be old favorites and some may be brand new creations just posted recently.

If there is anything that you see on my blog that you're interested in, please contact me via e-mail and if I can reproduce it for you, I'd be happy to :)

I appreciate your time and thanks for stopping by the shop ... have fun and enjoy browsing!

Melissa's Photo Challenge

I LOVE a challenge! One of my favorite paper crafters, Melissa Phillips, is hosting a photo color challenge over at her blog this week! I love Melissa's vintage and shabby style -- everything I adore so much :)

For this challenge, I decided to make a set of 4 of my own vintage cards to submit for Melissa's challenge. It was so much fun digging into my bins, baskets and canister of delicious embellishments to find 'just the right' ones to adorne these beautiful cards.

I just got an order delivered the other day with some Webster's Pages papers, trims and embellies, so this was the perfect opportunity to get them out and have some fun play time in the studio!

Supplies: Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom, Rich Razzleberry CS, Tiny Tags/With All My Heart stamp sets, glitter, Vanilla satin ribbon, Soft Suede ink, scalloped border punch (SU!); designer papers, journaling cards, trims (Webster's Pages); regal glimmer chips, framed fonts alpha chips, various colors of glimmer mist (Tattered Angels); buttons (PTI); paper flowers, trims (Prima); brad (K & Co); mica flakes (Martha Stewart); pearls (Melissa Frances); sheet music (Heartwarming Vintage); trinket pins (Maya Road); vintage images.

What do ya' think?

Shabby Chic 'Things I Love' Mini Album Class!

Well, here it is ... the official announcement and launch of my design classes at AC Moore!!! We dotted the i's and crossed the t's this afternoon, I signed all the paperwork and turned in my first project to be offered at AC Moore!

This is SO EXCITING ... I can hardly believe it :)

I've included a couple of photos here as a sneak peek for you all on what we'll be making in February in the AC Moore Design Studio! It is the sweetest and prettiest Shabby Chic Mini Album! It would make a great gift to give or keep for yourself! How about a shower or wedding present? Maybe a Grandma's brag book? How about a Mommy and Me book? Maybe it's something you can add some of your most favorite, treasured photos and keepsakes to and display it in your home where you'll see it and enjoy it daily! It's an easy-peesy project - we'll be covering chipboard with designer papers and then embellishing with stickers, ribbons, chipboard & buttons!

The album has heart shaped front and back covers and 4 pages inside decorated on each side, so we'll be creating 8 complete mini album pages in the class. You can find a complete supply list and class details at AC Moore.

It's easy to register, just visit AC Moore, ask about the Shabby Chic Mini Album class at the front desk and sign up. You'll receive a project supply list giving you the items you'll need to create this stunning album plus a few simple things you probably already have on hand at home (scissors, adhesive, dimensionals, plastic bowl/spoon - for glittering). You may purchase your supplies at ANY AC Moore store location, order at acmoore.com or order direct from the companies whose products we'll be using.

If this shabby chic style does not appeal to you, you are more than welcome to substitute any papers and/or embellishments to your liking to personalize this album to suit YOUR needs! Maybe baby papers for a shower present; colorful primary papers for an album for your children; wedding papers for a wedding or anniversary present. The sky's the limit on your creativity :)

Class Details (one day time and one night time class offered):

• Thursday, February 11th, 1 - 3 pm
• Monday, February 22nd, 5:45 - 7:45 pm
• Class fee - $12 plus supplies
• Where: AC Moore, 1041 Beaver Creek Commons Drive, Apex, NC

So much fun ... looking forward to seeing YOU at a paper crafting class in February :)

The Promise

This sweet little card just melts my heart! Isn't that vintage image simply adorable? Just love those little, chubby, Victorian children!

This is my submission for this week's 2 Sketches 4 You card challenge.

I hope you're having a wonderful, stampy day - xoxoxoxoxo!

Recipe: Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom CS, tea stained twill, Soft Suede ink, glitter, heart border punch (SU!); Vintage Valentine DSP (Fancy Pants); chipboard heart (Melissa Frances); button & twine (PTI); sentiment sticker (K & Co).

*Sweet* Vintage Valentine Cottage Class!

Well, it's been a while, but here we go! I will be offering the first paper crafting class of 2010 and here are the details:

• When: Monday, February 8th, 6 - 8 pm
• Where: Debbie's house
• Cost: $25
• Included: pre-painted paper mache house form, Sending Love designer paper, cardstock, stain ribbon, On Board Essentials Chipboard, buttons, twine, pretties pearls, crocheted flower, vintage image, silk flowers, Melissa Frances hardware, glitter, dimensionals, glue dots and all tools needed to assemble the cottage.
• Refreshments provided by Tastefully Simple!

This sweet vintage cottage would be perfect to give as a gift or keep for yourself! I'm keeping mine and plan to make one for every season/holiday!!! It would make a great Valentine gift, birthday gift, new baby gift, wedding or shower gift. You can fill with candy, cards, cookies, etc.

It's full of beautiful details and lots of sugar and spice! It's very feminine and sweet and sure to be a treat for one and all :)

This class will fill quickly, so please reserve your spot today. DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS SATURDAY, JANUARY 30TH. I'll have to order the house forms and wait on shipping/delivery, so the earlier you reserve your spot, the better!

*Note, we will be working with the Sending Love DSP from SU! ... because the paper pack has 6 different prints, the actual prints and embellishments in your kit may vary slightly from the picture. All kits will be prepared with DSP from the Sending Love line and coordinating embellishments will be added to each kit accordingly.

It's COLD ... AGAIN!

Gosh darn it ... I'm so ready for spring! This week has teased us with temps in the low 60's and now today it's back to unseasonable temps in the 30's - UGH!

In light of the chilly weather, I thought I'd share another creation from my craft world with you all! This is a sweet, little applique snowman that I stitched up a few years back. He was fun and quick to make and I just love the hand done blanket stitching I did all around his outline. He makes me smile and I hope he'll do the same for YOU :)

Stay warm and I hope you get some happy paper crafting time in today!!!

COMING SOON ...

Hip, hip hooray! Such FUN news ... I'm excited to announce that I will begin teaching paper crafting classes at the *new* AC Moore store in Apex, NC beginning in February :)

I'm working on the very first project that will be offered as we speak. Just a little hint, it's a shabby, vintage, beautiful, 6 page, double sided chipboard album -- suitable for giving or keeping! It would make a wonderful Mother's Day, birthday, shower, wedding, anniversary or 'just because' present to give to someone you love ... OR, you can fill it with great photos of your own that make you smile and keep it as a treaured keepsake! Would make a wonderful brag book too!!

I'll be posting info soon about dates this class will be offered and all the details, so stay tuned!! I'd be honored for you to be among one of the very first participants at this fun and new adventure I'll be embarking on!!!

Snow is Glistin' card FEATURED ON MELISSA FRANCES BLOG!

Oh My Goodness ... one of my FAVORITE IN THE WORLD manufacturers took a peek at one of my recent card creations using MELISSA FRANCES products and has featured my project on their company's blog!!! You can view the posting HERE.

How fun is that? Happy stamping :)

For a FRIEND ...

This card is for a very special friend of mine who has a very sick little boy right now. My heartfelt thoughts, prayers, love and huge hugs go out to her and her family every day. I hope it brings a smile to her face ...

Supplies:

Vintage Creme CS, vintage buttons, button twine (PTI), With All My Heart stamp set, scallop edge punch, Soft Suede ink, Sending Love Epoxy Brad, Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, On Board Essentials chipboard (SU!), vintage frame (K & Co), mica flakes (Martha Stewart), pearls (Melissa Frances).

Drum Roll ... and the WINNER IS:

Thanks to those that participated in my BLOG CANDY contest this past week. I loved all your sweet comments! So lucky to have you all as followers!

And the winner of the fun little blog candy surprise is: Sharon!

Sharon, please contact me via e-mail (on left side bar) to claim your surprise package :)

WOW - TIME FOR SOME BLOG CANDY AGAIN!

It's hard to believe that just 15 months since beginning this sweet and fun little blog of mine, today it hit more than 10,000 visits to the site - WOW!!

I think a party is in order!!! I thought for a while on what would be the BEST way to party with all my wonderful blog friends from across the miles, and then it came to me ... I think by offering some treats :) YIPPIEE!!

I really appreciate all your visits and comments! They mean the world to me ... as you know, I love, love, love my paper crafting!!

Leave me a comment here and tell me what your favorite thing to do with paper is ... cards, alterable items or scrapbooking. Then let me know what you like best about my blog as well. Any suggestions on how to make it better will be greatly appreciated too :)

Thanks again for stopping by and have a wonderful stampy day :)

PS - we'll hold the blog contest open for one week and the winner will be announced next Friday, the 15th!

It's STILL Cold Outside!

The weather man keeps promising that a 'warm up' is coming. Yesterday on the news, they reported 17 days in a row of sub-normal temps here in NC - UGH! I can't stand the cold ... I'm a warm weather, fun in the sun, beachy girl for sure!!!

So, with that said, I thought I'd share a few friends of mine scattered around my house. If it has to be this cold outside, I guess I can enjoy my snow buddy friends for a while longer :)

The top photo is the newest edition to my ever-growing snowman collection. These cute little Victorian themed snow people were purchased at Home Goods back in November and I just love them to pieces ... so cute :)

The middle photo is one of the favorites in my collection -- the 'melting snowman'! How clever is that little fellow???

The last photo is a family of snow people I made many moons ago when I was sewing 'for a living'! They are so cute, pudgey and fun :) They represent my hubby, myself, and my two sons ... see the little guy in the pocket of the smallest snowman???

Have a warm and happy day :)

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!!!

Sssshhhh ... can you keep a secret??? I hardly can! I have some *BIG* news to announce, but I can't do it quite yet! It's one of the biggest things that's happened to me to date in my paper crafting 'career' and it's going to be so much fun. I'm very excited ... can you tell?????

All I can let you know right now is that it involves a major paper crafting company in the industry. It's very exciting and so fun! It'll involve a Valentine's Day themed project. The announcement will be made sometime shortly after 2/1.

Are you curious?????? STAY TUNED TO MY BLOG TO FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS :)

Until then, happy stamping!!!

Love Express Train!!

I cannot take any credit for this adorable project ... you can find the owner's blog here! Gretchen did a fabulous job with this sweet Valentine Train :) She used all the *new* SU! products:

Heart Sweet Treats Cups

Pinking Hearts Border

Sending Love Epoxy Brads

Sending Love Specialty Papers

Sweet Heart Stamp Set

Mini Milk Carton Box Die

#2 Box Die

What an awesome job, Gretchen ... thanks for the inspiration!!!!!

NEW Sweet Heart Cups and Set ...

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Stampin' Up's! *new* Heart Treat Cups coordinate perfectly with the Sweetheart stamp set and the Full Heart punch. The heart treat cups are sure to be your 'go to' supply for your upcoming Valentine’s Day projects!!!

Full Heart Punch 113693 $15.95 IBC page 186
Heart Treat Cups (12) 120435 $2.95
Sweet Treat Padded Envelopes (3) 116911 $2.95 Occasions Mini page 21

And ... the adorable matching Sweetheart Stamp set --

Sweetheart Wood mount #120415 $21.95
Sweetheart Clear mount #120780 $15.95

Say Sugar ...

When I found this *sweet* little vintage image, I just had to make a really special card with it! I found the perfect stamp sentiment to coorinate with it ... added a few embellies and bling and wha la -- CUTENESS personified!!! I love how the pink glitter dome stickers coordinate with the pink polka dots in the Melissa Frances and My Minds Eye DSP! How adorable is that cutie pie bear??!!

This is also my submission for this week's sketch challenge over at 2 Sketches 4 You! Click on over to view Laura's sketch and play along ... it's so much fun :) Link back here in the comments so I can see your creation!!

Recipe:

Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red (SU!)

DSP - Melissa Frances & My Minds Eye

Stamp Set: Crazy For Cupcakes (SU!)

Ink - Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede (SU!)

Embellishments: vintage image, paper doilie, Tattered Rose Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), die cuts (K & Co), Glitter Dome Stickers (Mark Richards), Very Vanilla tafetta ribbon (SU!).

January Club Project #1

The *new* Sending Love Specialty Designer papers from SU! are SO BEAUTIFUL I could almost eat them! Hold on to your hats gals ... they are GLITTERED! Yep, you heard me right ... each sheet of paper has glittered elements on it ---- ooooohhhhhhh, YUM!!! Love me some glitter!! One of my all time favorites with SU! for sure!

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!):

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Real Red

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage jumbo wheel

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Read Red, Soft Suede

DSP: Sending Love

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Corduroy Buttons, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die, Scallop Trim Border punch.

*Cream Vintage Button (PTI).