This is the banner on the front of the food table.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a shot of the table completely decorated and full of food…everyone started filling their plates before I could grab my camera! 

I carried out the theme of using the Yellow Chevron pattern in Parkers Patterns Designer Paper and added the Punch Art Rubber Ducky on the last pennant.  Luckily, I had one Rubby Ducky left from the Shower Invitations (SEE the invitations here for a closeup of the punch art!)  The background of each pennant is Daffodil Delight cardstock and I made a template of the flag bottom so that they all were uniform.  I threaded the Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon thru each banner…it look's gray so worked out great!  The BABY letters are cut from the retired Serif Essentials Bigz Dies…I'm SO glad I purchased them.  Oh…came from the retired Alphabet Simple dies.  All letters were cut from Basic Gray cardstock with a 2 1/2" Whisper White Circle behind.  I added some Pumpkin Pie buttons tied with Baker's Twine and some Rhinestones, too!

These were the centerpieces on each of the tables.  After this picture, I added some blue/white marble gems around the outside of the glass bowl on the yellow placemat…it looked like sparkling drops of water and was too cute!  I was surprised that the styrofoam balls floated and didn't soak up the blue color of the water!  My sister-in-law found these cute boxes and filled them with candy for the favor.

She also made this DARLING punch with ice cream floating at the top…it was YUMMY, too!  The blue color came from two packets of regular Kool-aid, along with a bottle of White Grape Juice and bottle of Sprite with French Vanilla ice cream scoops.  There was only a little bit left over!

OK…I think I have one more day of photos left…so make sure to check back!

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PREORDER NEW catalog Ribbon Shares!!!

See details CLICK HERE!!!

BONUS:  Get a free package of Candy Dots in your choice of family color with each $50 ribbon share purchase (before shipping)!

I used Easy Events, one of the stamp sets that will be retiring.  I've used this little rubber ducky the most out of all the images in the set…it is perfect for a quick baby card and it can be non-gender specific…or specific as you choose!  You saw the Rubber Ducky Theme Diaper Cake I made for my daughter-in-law's shower yesterday…how about a card to go along with it?  We don't know the sex of the baby yet…so a little pink AND blue to go along with the yellow!

Here are the details:

1. The base is 4 1/4 x 11 Basic Gray, folded in half.
2. A 4 x 5 1/4 layer of Whisper White is next.
3. I added a 3 3/4 x 5 layer of Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Paper with the yellow print.
4. I used a 2 x 3 1/4 piece of Basic Gray and cut the flag end, over top of it is a 2 1/4 x 2 3/4 piece of Sunshine & Sprinkles patterned DSP, also cut with the flag end to match.
5. I stamped the little rubber ducky from Easy Events in Black Stazon on Whisper White and used So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Marina Mist and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers to color.  It was punched with the 1 3/4" Circle and layered onto a 2" Circle of Marina Mist.
6. Finally, I tied a bow from Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon and attached with a Mini Glue Dot.

Isn't it fun?  You need to check over on Create with Connie and Mary to see all the different looks the Challenge Team did with this sketch!  Lovely ideas!

One of things I've been wanting to make is a diaper cake!  It was SO much fun and easier than I expected!  Since we don't know the sex of the baby yet, we went with a Rubber Ducky theme with yellow, blue and gray!

and here is the back:

I used a silver charger plate for the bottom.  I wrapped each diaper with a rubber band, then made the layers by combining them in a circle.  I attached rattles, and teething rings, little onesies, a ducky hat, a ducky wash mitt, and a rubber ducky with heat sensor (for testing bath water) at the top!

Around each layer, I added 1 3/4 strips of the Summer Starfruit Chevron Paper in Parker's Patterns Designer Paper, layered on 2" strips of Basic Gray.  I had JUST enough of the DSP left over from the Shower Invitations that I made.  (See them HERE!)  I rolled and tied on all the little toys and items with Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon.

I thought it turned out DARLING!!!  She loved it and so did everyone else in attendance.  My husband was especially enthralled with it…saying that I could easily sell them!  He was going to show pictures off around the office!  lol!  I'll be showing off some of the other baby shower decorations later in the week, so check back!

Don't forget…PREORDER RIBBON SHARES going on NOW! 

PREORDER NEW catalog Ribbon Shares!!!

See details CLICK HERE!!!

BONUS:  Get a free package of Candy Dots in your choice of family color with each $50 ribbon share purchase (before shipping)!

******************************************************

PREORDER NEW catalog Ribbon Shares!!!

See details CLICK HERE!!!

BONUS:  Get a free package of Candy Dots in your choice of family color with each $50 ribbon share purchase (before shipping)!

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I also used some leftovers from the retiring Pinwheels on Parade Scrappin' Kit!  Here are the details!

1. The base card is 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 of Midnight Muse cardstock, folded in half to make base card.
2. I added a 1 1/2 x 3 3/4 piece of Summer Starfruit print and 3 1/2 x 3 3/4 piece of pinwheel multi print from the Pinwheels on Parade Scrappin' Kit.  In between the two, I added the stripped ribbon sticker from the kit.
3. I cut the oval from Whisper White with the Oval Framelits, then stamped the boy/girl image with Black Stazon on top.  I used my Markers in Real Red, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse and Baja Breeze and AquaPainter to color in the image.  To make the green, I combined the blue and yellow colors!
4. I cut one of the Decorative Label shaped stickers in half and placed on each side of the Oval, then popped up only the oval with Stampin' Dimensionals.
5. I added the Baja Breeze print Oval Label from the Kit to the top right, then stamped the Teacher greeting from Family Reunion (also retiring!) in Midnight Muse ink on scrap Summer Starfruit and cut flag ends.

So sweet…what teacher wouldn't like this card???  I love the prints in this Kit, too!  I still have a little over 1/2 kit left…need to use it up!

Make sure to check out what the other members of the Design Team did this week over on SUO Challenges with their favorite retiring stamp sets!

It's time for the May 2013 Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  We have a small (but mighty!) tour for you this month, featuring the PREVIEW projects for the NEW catalog!  Are you excited?  We are!  Follow the buttons to go around to all the stops on the tour…until you return to my blog!  You've probably just come from Wendy Weixler's blog…weren't her projects fun?

I used the Mosaic Punch to make my Punch Art flowers…the details are the piercing and a peek at two new colors…Crisp Cantaloupe and Pistachio Pudding!  LOVE the new In Colors!  I've made a card with a matching little favor.  The favor will really hold something larger than the Ghirardelli Chocolate, but I didn't have anything else to put in it!

Here is closeup of the card.  As I mentioned, I used the Mosiac Punch and the new Soho Subway Designer Paper.  It also features the greeting set, Really Good Greetings…a super fun set!  I free-hand pierced around the ends of each flower petal, then scored the "leaves" in half to make them pop up a little more.  The two sizes of Scallop Circles, 1 1/4 and 7/8, make a great center for the flower.

My second project is the candy pouch.  I used the Designer Label Framelit to cut out the back top of the pouch.  Then used the same flower and Designer Paper on the front.  The greeting is from the new Label Love stamp set that has the matching punch, but I just free-hand cut out the greeting portion.

So, what do you think?  I love how the flower turned out using Calypso Coral and Crisp Cantaloupe with Pistachio Pudding leaves!  OK…time to continue on to the next stop on the tour…the famous Justin Krieger!  I'm sure you will enjoy his projects!

• Please EMAIL ME at iluvstamping@gmail.com with your preorder
  

• I will send you a Paypal Invoice for the total amount, plus shipping if necessary or direct you on other payment arrangements. Please identify the Paypal Email that I should use. 
  

• Shares are 2 yards each color in each ribbon family (see pages 172-173 in the new catalog!)
  

And here is my card…quick and basically easy.  It uses the fun Soda Pop Top, too!  Those are available in the Spring Mini, but will NOT be in the main catalog…so make sure to grab some before they go away.  They are fun to flatten in your Big Shot!  Yep!  It's as easy as pie to smash them!  I'm also on a mission to use up my retiring Designer Paper!

Here are the details:

1. The base card is 4 1/4 x 11 Very Vanilla, folded in half.
2. I added a 3 3/4 x 4 piece of Tea for Two Designer Paper to the bottom of a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Soft Suede cardstock.
3. I added a piece of Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon to hide the seam and adhered in the back.
4. The Apothecary Accent Framelit was cut from Sahara Sand, then added a 1/4 strip of So Saffron, cut with flag ends on both sides.
5. I stamped the For You from A Round Array twice, once in So Saffron and once in Soft Suede.  The So Saffron was punched with the 7/8 Scallop Circle and the inside For You was punched with the 1/2" Circle punch.  Both were layered in a 1" Circle of Sahara Sand.
6. I flattened the Soda Pop Top with the Big Shot and added the stamped images inside, then popped it up with a Stampin' Dimensional on the front of the card!

Fun and easy with lots of pizzazz!!!  Love it!  Make sure to check out the rest of the Challenge Team over on Create with Connie and Mary, then grab your stamps and play along!

Another couple photos from Fiji.  We caught them setting up for our Stampin' Up! dinner buffet (which was WONDERFUL!)  Lots of prep work!

Lorri Heiling took the closeup of the table in this next photo!  For some reason, my flash didn't work and it turned out really dark.  Thanks, Lorri!

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NEW Bloomin' Bouquet Kit

Stampin' Up!'s NEW Bloomin' Bouquet Project Kit is now available, while supplies last!

  Thank you.  Teacher appreciation. Just because. Say thank you with this no-maintenance bouquet. This easy-to-assemble kit comes complete with the petals, stems, and buttons to create the flowers, as well as four different tags to make this the perfect gift for any occasion. All you need is some paper, ribbon or a vase to add the finishing touches to the bouquet.

As if that weren't enough, the kit contains a "baker's dozen"! This means you can create and give (or keep) a dozen flowers, and have a bonus flower left over to pass along to someone new! Give it to someone you wouldn't normally think of: a teller at the bank, a grocery store clerk, or the librarian at your local library. Anyone you encounter on your way that you'd like to give a little "thank you" to.

See the video on how easy it is to put together the Bloomin' Bouquet project kit.

Ordering information:
Item# 134542, $12.95
Available starting April 29, while supplies last.
Kit contents:

• 2 sheets of preprinted and precut flowers on 12" X 12" card stock; makes 13 flowers using Pool Party, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Rich Razzleberry
• 13 Vintage Faceted Buttons
• 13 green floral wire stems

Adhesive not included. (Glue gun or strong adhesive recommended.)

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Dolled Up Birthday Kit

The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

• Dolled-Up Happy Birthday Photopolymer Stamp (1)
• 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
• 2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
• Dress Up die-cuts (6)*
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot (1)
• Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim (6 pieces)
• Sponge Dauber (1)

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 133913)!**

To assemble one card, follow the instructions below:

1. Place the stamp on clear-mount block D or H rubber side up and ink with the Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot.
2. Stamp "Happy Birthday" at the bottom of the card front.
3. Ink the Sponge Dauber with Soft Suede ink and gently antique the doily and the edges of the dress form.
4. Adhere the pieces to the card front in this order:
   • Doily
   • Very Vanilla Cardstock
   • Dress form
   • Flower

*Created using the Dress Up Framelits Die designed by Karen Burniston

**Adhesive not included

SPECIAL NOTE:  I just put up my thermometer for the last few points I need to earn the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip Cruise for NEXT year!  I'm SO close!  Every order helps…make sure to check out the retired lists and get those items you want before they go away!  Go to my blog to watch my thermometer go RED!  Everyone who orders will be entered to win HOSTESS CREDITS!  Please use Hostess Code #WFYSJB9W with your Online Order!

This is the wing on the right where we stayed…our room is on the top third floor, completely on the left of this picture closest to the water.  Yesterday, I showed you the view from our room, so this is the view from the water of the little chapel.

Our first day, we dropped off our swaps at the Hospitality Room, they sorted them and returned them to us on Share Day.  Here is the swap I made.  I limited myself to using only products that I knew would be available in the new catalog, so that was a real challenge!  I had received this set, Sketched Birthday, at Leadership so decided to use it!  I'm happy that the Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper will be back, too!  And yes, I'm quite taken with the Apothecary Frame look, but added the circles inside, this time, instead of another oval.

Here are the details!

1. The base 4 1/4 x 11 of Daffodil Delighted, folded in half.
2. 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper in Marina Mist (I had several sheets of this, so built my color scheme around it!)
3. I cut the Apothecary Accent from Real Red and cut the oval out of the center.
4. I used the Piercing Tool around the edges again for a little accent, it is placed on the front with Stampin' Dimensionals.
5. Inside I cut 2" Circles from Daffodil Delight with the Circles Dies.  I stamped the Happy Birthday Cupcake image from Sketched Birthday once in Real Red and once in Marina Mist on Whisper White cardstock.  The Real Red was punched with the Scallop Circle Punch and the Marina Mist was punched with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch.  I popped up the Marina Mist circle with Stampin' Dimensionals and colored it with Real Red and Daffodil Delight markers.
6. I added Rhinestones to the top of the cupcake and on the top and bottom of the Apothecary Accent.
7. Finally, I stamped the Celebrate greeting in the Sketched Birthday set with Marina Mist and cut it out, then layered on the front.

Hope you like this card!  I think it makes a bright and colorful birthday card for someone special!

SPECIAL NOTE:  I just put up my thermometer for the last few points I need to earn the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip Cruise for NEXT year!  I'm SO close!  Every order helps…make sure to check out the retired lists and get those items you want before they go away!  Every little order helps!  Go to my blog to watch my thermometer go RED!  Everyone who orders will be entered to win HOSTESS CREDITS!  Please use Hostess Code #WFYSJB9W with your Online Order!