Organization is KEY!

A few of you have seen my 'lovely' closet that is dedicated to my Stampin' Up! supplies and for those that have not, some have asked to see it! It's amazing that I run BOTH of my businesses out of CLOSETS in my house! The closet dedicated for SU is the smallest closet in our entire house and it's in a guest bedroom ... that we need when we have guests sleep over. Unfortunately, they no longer can hang their clothes in the closet (the horror!) ... it's filled to the brim with all my toys!

I had to get quite creative on how to best use the space I have to work with. It's surprising how much stuff I really have jammed in there! My stamp sets are stacked in hanging shoe organizers from Target - their Shabby Chic Collection! All my cardstock is in hanging file folders, labeled and then hung in a large plastic bin with top from Office Max. I have one of those put together two-shelf bins that houses designer paper and overflow cardstock. I love the SU ribbon keepers - as you can see, I'm completely addicted to RIBBON! I even have more in the rectangular plastic bins on the top shelf! When I was out of room, but still had more stuff, I resorted to small plastic boxes with lids and handles and just hung them on the wooden rod with pretty ribbon!

All of my Big Shot dies and embossing folders are either in the white handled caddy or in an album stacked on the top shelf. I got a neat rolling cart with drawers that pull out from Target and that is where I keep all the odds and ends - little stuff - accessories, punches, glue, etc.

Yep, I'm gonna say it again, it's mind boggling how much stuff I have jammed into that tiny, little closet! I have 95% of my SU items in this closet and only a small amount of overflow stuff elsewhere. This closet is in a guest room that we will actually need to sleep guests for my son's up-coming graduation. We have family coming in from NY, FL and Charlotte, so I actually need the bedrooms for people ... not paper! I had to remove all the piles of 'stuff' from the bed in this room so my brother-in-law and his wife could sleep there!

I decided to spend today organizing and cleaning in preparation for the company heading our way. Since everything was neat and tidy, and since I've been asked by a few of you (Chrissy, Megan and Joanie - giggle!!!) to see my room, I thought I better hurry up and take a few pictures while it was still neat and organized -- it won't stay that way for very long!

I hope you might see some ideas you like and want to incorporate into your stamping spaces! I'd love to hear about what you do to keep organized ... send me pictures! For the time being and until my boys move out totally for college, the closet is where you can find me stamping my little heart out! Eventually, I'll be able to move into the 5th bedroom that they are now using for their 'man room'. Until then ... happy stamping to all!!! Enjoy!!!

Organization is KEY!

Organization is KEY!

2009 - 2010 NEW Catalog Pre-Orders NOW!

Only one short month until the lauch of Stampin' Up's new 2009 - 2010 Idea Book and Catalog! I am taking pre-orders now for the new catalog. If you are a member of one of my clubs, your cost is only $5 (50% off retail!). If you are not a member of one of my clubs, I'd be happy to order you a catalog for $10.

The new catty will officially launch on July 1st and will run through June 30, 2010 - back to one year for the catty - yeah! I can't wait to see what the new 'in colors' will be along with all the new Designer Series Papers, accessories and stamp sets ... how about you???

Graduation Greetings!

These are a couple of cards I made today for some June High School Grads that I know. I seems like a lot of my friends are having children graduate from school this year ... hum, we all started in pre-school and kindergarten together and BAM -- it seems like overnight, and now the kids are graduating and heading off to college! The flower-y one is for a girl (obviously!) and the black and white card is one of several that I made for some young men I know who are graduating! They were fun and I hope the kids like them!!!

Recipe(s):

Flower Card -

Stamp Set: Great Grad

Cardstock: Summer Picnic DSP, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, gold

Accessories: Scallop edge punch, scallop circle punch, dimensionals, Flower Die Cuts, 1/16" punch, Real Red brad, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie stripped grosgrain ribbon.

Masculine Card -

Stamp Set: Great Grad

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Gold

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, tab punch, small star punch, Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, corner rounder.

FIRST IN FASHION!

This is SUCH a 'Debbie' card ... don't you agree? It's a belated birthday greeting for a friend. It's so cute ... hopefully Susan won't mind that it's a bit late!

Recipe:

Stamp Set: First in Fashion

Cardstock: Pixie Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, miscellaneous DSP

Ink: Pixie Pink, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Square Scallop Punch, 1/16" punch, stickles, glitter brad, dimensionals, miscellaneous ribbon.

Just Bee-Cause We're Friends!

I went to Archiver's for the first time with a friend yesterday ... WOW ... what a place! I think I could LIVE there!! After three wonderful, blissful hours, my basket was spilling over with lots of goodies to take home and play with! I just love new (stamping) toys -- don't you??

I made this as a thank you card to send to my friend for introducing me to such a fun place! The card stock is SU Whisper White, Basic Black and Summer Sun. Everything else is an embellishment from Archiver's. The black glitter polka dot paper is handmade. The words are double sticky and I glittered them. The Sunflowers and little bumble bee are just the cutest! The ribbon reads: happiness, friendship, memories ... which I thought was very appropriate for this card!

What a GOOD DAY!

June Club Challenge!

For my clubers and stamping friends ... if you wish to accept this challenge, create one card, 3-D object or anything else using the inspiration colors from the front cover of the May issue of the Southern Living Magazine. My favorite flower in the whole world is the Hydrangea! I just love them in all colors, but especially pink! I have approximately 25 bushes planted throughout my yard ... so gorgeous!

Suggested colors:

Baja Breeze

Pink Pirouette

Pixie Pink

Lovely Lilac

Brocade Blue

Ballet Blue

Regal Rose

Pretty in Pink

Bashful Blue

Almost Amethyst

Lavendar Lace

Clubers - bring your challenge creation to June club! Stamping friends, e-mail me a picture of your creation and I'll post here to share with all!

Good luck and have fun with this!!

Card Swap!

The stamp group I am in is particapting in a card swap tonight ... what FUN! Here is the card I made to swap with my friends. It's very pretty - don't you think? I was able to use a couple of new sets I earned free during the Sale-A-Bration promotion! I used the stamp-a-ma-jig since I don't like to color! I'm happy with how it turned out!!

Recipe:

Stamp sets: Wonderful Watercolors, Define Your Life

Cardstock: SAB DSP, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Confetti Cream

Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Old Olive

Accessories: Certainly Celery ribbon, 1/16" punch, miscellaneous designer brad, scallop edge punch, stamp-a-ma-jig.

Pretty Flowers ... Inspire Pretty Cards!

We held our neighborhood stamping club today at Barb Regan's home -- those that know her well, know she has quite the green thumb ... especially when it comes to roses! She must have nearly 30 rose bushes or more in her front gardens. The roses come in all different colors and are just breathtaking. It's so much fun to walk from room to room in her home and find fresh cut roses in vases EVERYWHERE! The smell is so yummy! She treated me by sending me home with a fresh-cut bouquet of some of her prized roses ... yellow is one of my favorite colors! I'm enjoying them on my windowsill by my kitchen sink. They smell so pretty each time I walk by! Thanks, Barb!!!

CANDY FLOWERS!

This is another May club card that is so pretty! I must have been in a very 'floral mood' while coming up with ideas for cards this month! This is an adaptation of one I made with my club friends two months ago - I changed the colors, stamp set and ribbon, but basically the same technique applied. What you do is after you emboss the DSP with the Manhatten Flower embossing folder, you'll take a SU sanding block and run it lightly over the raised image to 'sand off' some of the color. This will give it a two-tone effect - very pretty!

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Great Friend

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Candy Lane DSP

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, rhinestone brads, 1/16" punch, dimensionals, sanding block, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Manhatten Flower Embossing Folder, Bigz XL Matchbox die.

BELLA BLUE BEAUTY!

Okay ... this is my NEW favorite Designer Series Paper! Isn't it just GORGEOUS??!!?? This is one of the cards we will make in club for May. The catalog does not do this paper justice - so beautiful in person! This card can be suitable for many occasions - even pretty on a stand as art in your home! Just LOVE it!

Recipe:

Stamp set: Friends 24-7

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Bella Blue DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: BS oval scallop die, ex-large, large and small oval punches, eyelet border punch, Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

Such a beauty and so, so easy!

APRIL STAMP CAMP CLASS!

RASPBERRY TART CLASS!

Back by popular demand … I’ve just penciled in a date for the next Stamp Camp here at my home! This one will be Sunday, May 17th at 12:30 pm. Reserve your spot today!!
We will be making a beautifully decorated card case which will hold six lovely all-occasion cards and decorated envelopes. These will be great to have on hand to send to family and friends when you need a card or wonderful to give away as a gift to that special person on your list!

TWO SPOTS LEFT!!

What this Camp will include all pre-cut supplies to make:
* One decorated card case suitable to hold all your completed projects
* Six standard size decorated cards to coordinate with the Raspberry Tart paper
* Six standard size decorated envelopes to coordinate with cards

* Snacks/refreshments!

This lovely project is suitable for gift giving … perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, college bound students, teacher appreciation or any other occasion you need a special gift for!

Cost of this class which includes 13 items is $25 and your spot will be secured when I receive payment for your supplies.

Guests are welcome … please feel free to share this invitation with your friends! Limited spots available – contact me today if you’re interested!

HOPE YOU CAN JOIN IN ON THE FUN!!!

Hurrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

By complete accident, I found out what was making my pictures post sideways and I fixed the problem ... all on my own! Today is a good day! Now you all won't have to crick your necks sideways to view all these weirdly posted pictures. Hurray!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM A FRIEND!

This card is right up my alley and so, so pretty! It was a Mother's Day card given to me by a great stamping friend, Joan Davidson ... she really knows me, huh? Can't go wrong with anything pink, frilly or bling-y for me!!! I just LOVE it -- and the stamp is ADORABLE!

Blog picture posting HELP needed!

This shout out goes to anyone out there who has a blog or knows how to navigate through a blog! I am having difficulty with some picture postings. I take the picture on my digital camera the right way (horizontal) and after saving it and posting to my blog, it automatically shows up in a vertical position. I don't see anywhere where I can edit a photo after it's posted on my blog page.

I've asked a few people for help, but no one can seem to figure this out. I contacted the Google Blog administrator, but they suggested I download some special type of Microsoft Picture Editing program ... don't really want to start messing around with that. I contacted a few other bloggers that I follow rountinely to no avail.

I was hoping that there is someone out there who blogs and may have had this happen ... who may have a simple and easy fix!

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Until I can fix it, I apologize to you who view my blog and have to endure the sideways pictures ... I'm so technically challenged! BLAH!

HAPPY GRADUATION FOR MY SON!

Thanks to some great ideas I found on Splitcoast Stampers and my great stamping friends, I was able to come up with a design for my son's graduation party invitation that I think he will be happy with. I had a hard time with this card since it needed to be masculine ... not PINK with ribbons like my usual cards. Thanks to Beverly, Cathy, Val, Mary Sue and Nicole for their advice and inspiration at stamp night last night -- they helped me come up with something that both me and my son can be happy with! I can hardly believe I have a child who is graduating from high school in 4 weeks! Where did all those years go ... I blinked and he was all grown up!