Stamp Some Smiles

Roots and Leaves

2009-10-04T21:09:47-04:00

Dinner is served. What is it? Roots? Yes, we had roots with dinner! When the kids asked what was for dinner. I simply told them Pork Loin with roasted Roots (Root Vegetables is much better sounding then parsnip, turnip, and potatoes if you live with your mom and have to eat what she cooks for you.) They had no clue what I was talking about, I just said "you know, like potatoes are a root, and they are in there too." "Oh." They said, and proceeded to EAT them! YES, they ATE those veggies I have never been able to force them to eat EVER in their entire lives. My "kids" tastes are growing up (so are my husband's, he ate them too! lol)

I used fresh Rosemary, grated ginger, and roasted garlic as a rub, then I used my homemade spiced Peach Jam with some orange juice, more garlic, a touch of soy sauce and ginger to make the glaze. OMG it was so very yummy! Add tossed salad and Wa-La, a complete and Delicious meal!

So that is the root story. Here are the Leaves:

Aren't these colors beautiful?! This was on the cover of my Stampin' Success magazine, I get one every month...all demonstrators do. I wanted to share this idea with you because I LOVE it! This designer paper called Autumn Meadows is so beautiful. The leaf set is called Autumn Splendor and I love how you can stamp it using just the color of the ink to make a skeleton leaf or you can stamp it on designer paper, or even water color it in and it looks so natural, and so beautiful!

So those are the roots, and the leaves, I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!

Holiday mini scrapbook class info

2009-10-04T03:10:17-04:00

I know that it is way too early to talk about Christmas, but when you are making gifts it is the perfect time to start celebrating the Holiday Season,and I have created a class for you! Come and create a mini scrapbook to capture your favorite holiday memories.

This unique scrapbook is a 6″ x 8″ mini scrapbook album that has room for various size pictures and some journaling.

It will make a wonderful gift for a friend or family member. Or choose to keep the album for yourself! You can add photos and journaling once you get home...or after the holidays. It's not your typical RED and GREEN colors, so you can custom design the album for any occassion!

I find that this is the perfect time of year to offer a scrapbooking class because everyone is looking for affordable, yet unique Christmas ideas for all those hard-to-shop for people in our lives – parents, grandparents, long-distance relatives. Who wouldn’t love this little album filled with the gift of memories? Dates and times for this class are listed below. Let me know if you are interested in attending so I can make a kit for you. Class fee is $10 due on the day of the class. Pre-paid Kit fee is $15. (for a total of $25)

Would you love to make the album but can't find the time to come to class? For just $20 you can get the kit and I will email instructions to you! You must see this in person to appreciate just how nice it is, so be sure to check it out when you are at my October Stamp Camp. Sign ups and pre-payments due by October 17th.

October

Friday 23rd -1pm till 4 and/or 6 to 9
Saturday 24th - 9am till 12

November

Friday - 6th - 1pm till 4 and/or 6 to 9
Saturday - 7th - 9am till 12
Sunday - 8th - 9am till 12

This is my dad, or Papa-Claus as the kids like to call him, no matter how old they get they still sit on his lap every year ever since the only grandchildren where Bobby, Mat, and Kyle. I have proof that my kids are still into it, want to see?

LOL, okay, I can't get too close to these pics or my kids will be mortified, this was from last Christmas, and believe me, they all have huge smiles on their faces. I am sure you have fantastic memories you could put in this book too! I hope you can join me this month!

Turkey stock transformed and ornament punch transformation

2009-09-30T00:05:52-04:00

Okay, YUM, my turkey stock was transformed to tortellini soup....

Look at how rich that broth is, OMG it was good!

With garden veggies and herbs, mmmmm, perfection.

I also made a card, transforming the shape of the ornament punch into an acorn. I figured out how to do this as soon as I got my punch, and thought I made up the idea myself...then I saw it in a couple other places on blogs and realized I share my creative eye with other paper crafters!

I punched the ornament twice, once in rust and once in choc chip, then trimmed the "stem" and used the scallop oval to shape the top. Isn't this pretty? Would you like to make one? You should join us at my next Stamp Camp on October 17! You will notice it uses a set from the fabulous Holiday mini, as well as a big shot die, and can you tell what that circle is on top of the ribbon? It is something we haven't used at my camps or classes yet....it's a build a brad! All kinds of goodies on this card, twine, ribbon, use of the crimper, background stamping, sponging. You name it! You can simplify your own card or go for it and use it all! I love to "step it up" and this is definitely the stepped up version! When I look at this card it brings me right into the season. I love the feel of the breeze in fall (and boy was it blowing today!), with the leaves rustling and crunching under foot. I think Fall is my most favorite season of all.

Turkey Dinner, turkey card re-do

2009-09-28T14:09:14-04:00

We had turkey for dinner yesterday, YUM. It is a ton of work,but we eat it more then once (leftover Turkey becomes meat in soup and salad toppings, or turkey salad, or casserole, or Turkey and gravy over toast) and then I make stock by roasting the carcass and veggies and then transferring them and all the yummy brown bits over to a stock pot simmering it for hours and hours. Now I have the makings of a really good soup, or two! Plus I freeze some in muffin tins for adding into my rice, veggies, or other dishes, it really adds so much flavor...I am glad I took the time!

I also took the time for these Turkey card makeovers (using leftovers as well of course, from my last stamp camp):

Look closely, it is different...and here are two more:

How fun! Sometimes I like the "do-overs" better then the originals! I believe I got the original Turkey card layout from a mojo challenge (not that I participated, that would mean meeting a deadline, which there was no way I could do! LOL) I can't believe that Halloween is coming and that October starts THIS WEEK! How did THAT happen?! UGH...

I wanted to plan an event for National card making day, but that is this Saturday and I suppose it is too late to be asking people to come stamp at my house on Saturday. Once I get past this sinus infection I had better be able to think straight!

Must go get tea, chat with you all soon,

Lori

Apple pie, two kinds, and leftover re-dos from stamp camp

2009-09-27T00:11:45-04:00

Guess what I did today? I made apple pie! Or should I say apple PIES?! I couldn't decide (are you SURPRISED?) what kind to make, so I made regular and crumble...using the apples we picked at Holmburgs.

Okay, now that is an odd looking pie, where is the pretty edge, you know the crust part that helps you lift the pie out and hold onto it? Well my pies are too heavy to hold and eat and no one except ME really likes crust and although both of those reasons are true, another reason this pie doesn't have an edge on it is that I ran out of pie dough! LOL, okay...the reason I ran out is because I was going to make one regular pie and one crumble pie, but I ended up making two crumble pies and one regular pie and you can only stretch dough for two pies just so far, even if you end up making three! LOL

By the way, both of these are very good, I couldn't decided what one to eat, so I ate a slice of the regular first... this afternoon after lunch, and the crumble tonight after dinner. YUM.

I also worked on getting my "extra" cards made up so I can put away the supplies from LAST Saturday's stamp camp! (Yes, sadly they are still out.) I always cut an extra card or two just in case someone needs a re-do, and then after stamp camp if I feel like stamping I will leave everything set up and go around making those cards up to have on hand. Well, we went over to the fall festival in town after stamp camp, so I left it until Sunday, and we went apple picking on Sunday, so I left it for Monday, but I haven't been feeling well (bad cold) and between errands, appointments, and work, it stayed out waiting for me. Twice I almost just put everything away ... throwing those card kits into the scrap bin...but I didn't. I am so glad I decided to make them because I was feeling creative today. I will show you my Ornament card...here is the original.

Got this Idea from Heather S., I will have to find out how to spell her last name ... a Stampin' Up! demo friend of mine who is in Jan's Stampadilly group. This is the card we made at stamp camp. Here is what I made today, using basically the same base with a few new supplies:

Here is a close up of the ornament:

I just sponged over my felted paper!!!! Check this out:

did the same for the background paper here, and added crystal effect to make the ornament shine:

How cool is that?!

I will show you the "Turkey" re-do tomorrow! Have a great night

September stamp camp was Sweet, and so is the Hostess Special!

2009-09-23T22:20:25-04:00

September Stamp camp was SWEET! We made some Fantastic cards, Check them out:

I got this dress pattern from Splitcoaststampers, they have so many wonderful templates! I used a beautiful Stampin' Up! Big Shot Die: Elegant Boquet. Can you see it?

I got this idea from my fellow demo...an adoptee in our group...Heather, she made one like this for her class.

This card is almost exact case from Dianna Gibbs, I love her use of colors and layers and couldn't wait to copy this card! I spot beautiful layouts and ideas all over SplitCoast stampers, in my group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators, and on the Stampin' Up! demo website. This month I made the most of the layouts I found!

I can't begin to tell you how much I love the Le Jardine Botanique set. Every stamp in it is beautiful. This stamp in particular makes such a fantistic simple card... Check out the close up, spectacular stamp to "thump"...with markers.

We always stamp the inside of our cards as well as the outside. If you are interested in purchasing any of these sets from me, just follow the link to my demo web site and click on Shop Now...they will be on their way to you in no time!

There is a SWEET Hostess special going on right now, check it out and keep in mind that I give private classes for your group of friends, and for a limited time if they order $250 you will get This Special Deal:

September Special: Stampin' Up! Hostess Special Bonus my WEBSITE

September through November 2009

Host a $250 Stampin' Up! workshop, and choose any one item* from the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalog for just $10! (By selecting a Holiday Mini Catalog product as one of your free choices, you actually be earning more hostess benefits!)

On October 1-November 30, when My Digital Studio is released, this offer will become even sweeter:

Host a workshop of at least $400 and in addition to the above, get My Digital Studio for 50 percent off the retail price (retail price: $79.95; promotional price: $39.97)!

Choose from our award-winning stamps, beautiful new Simply Adorned jewelry, exclusive Build-A-Bear Workshop products, or latest dies for the Sizzix Big Shot. With so much to choose from, you'll feel like a kid in a candy shop!

Best of all, this amazing offer is in addition to the

already fantastic hostess benefits we offer.
Make plans today to host your own Stampin' Up! workshop and enjoy this sweet reward., contact me today to hold your own personal class or workshop.

*Offer does not include My Digital Studio or hostess sets

Stamp Camp Christmas Shaker Card

2009-09-13T10:52:42-04:00

Here i s a card we will be making at Stamp Camp, it is a shaker card. A friend of mine I met at work (HI CHERYL!) was kind enough to bring me the directions for making this card and was also sweet enough to provide the base of the shaker! I want to find out when she is coming so we can make these at stamp camp.

Isn't it neat? When you shake it "snow" and "ice" make a pretty sound as the swooosh and rattle inside the card. It looks like we are peeking into the night sky by the light of the moon! (Okay, that's how I see it, LOL)

It wasn't easy to design this card for some reason. I had a picture in my head but it just wouldn't come out onto paper. I asked my husband his opinion after the first one was made, he said it needed to be red and green to look like Christmas, so I made a red one. I wasn't happy with either one and I worked on changing them for hours. I finally gave up ... creative block was holding me back, and went to the most talented people I know, my fellow demonstrators in my group. I am so happy I have Stampin' Up! demonstrator friends, we all help each other and it is such a blessing! As I was saying this card took me about half a day to figure out, colors, textures, shaker stuff, layers, ribbon, size, how to make it easy. When I hit my creative block I decided I would bounce the final two designs off of them, asking them what they thought I could change and how, and what color they liked best... I got some good imput: "fill in the sky" was one, so the deer moved up and it looked much better. "white ribbon on the corner like a present instead of green ribbon straight across" That was a great idea, "How about a strip of designer paper?" I added the textured paper that I tore to look like snow, and then I decided to add the tree in front of the scene. What do you think? Do you like it? Want to see a couple of the before pictures?

They aren't even CLOSE to as pretty as my final product. Thank goodness for friends and email! I sent these side by side in an email and asked their opinions, got ideas emailed back right away, and went to work on it this morning when I was fresh with creativity and I am so glad I changed it! My group ROCKS!

My Digital Scrapbook (MDS) Bobby's Love for skateboarding

2009-09-12T11:47:42-04:00

I have to admit, I am definitely a "hold it in your hands" person. Ever since I could hold a crayon in my hand and scribble on paper I have been a paper crafting LOVER! When I young I could sit for hours doodling and coloring! Paper crafting is my number one love. When I saw the new digital scrapbooking from Stampin' Up! called My Digital Scrapbook (MDS)I was excited, I wanted to try it, it's new and different, I didn't expect to love it. You will probably NOT see many cards created with MDS here on my blog but you CAN expect to see more scrapbook pages - because I LOVE digital scrapbooking. Never thought I would, but I do! Now it is all still VERY new to me. I opened the package and popped it in and started to play without reading or following directions, that is how excited I was. BUT, I will be getting certified and know all the quick hints and tips and be able to teach you in the very near future!(for instance, the pictures were taken in doors, from far away and are very grainy. I am sure there is a way to fix this but I didn't want to take the time, I wanted my finished page! LOL)

Here is my very first scrapbook page, it's Bobby and his love for Skateboarding: Click for a bigger view...

I LOVE IT! Here are just a few of the reasons:

REUSABLE PRODUCT
Think about it: How much do you spend to create ONE 12x12 scrapbook page. (Okay, if you are like me you make it over and over and over, this is the 6th version of this page to finally get the one I love, you spend a lot more than you should. I will figure out how to show you all of them side by side and we will see if I end up liking one of the other ones better, but this is my favorite for right now, and this will be the one I have printed) I can RE-USE these items over and over and never run out...of the color I need, the pattern I need, the embelishments I need, the ribbon I need, the dimensionals and adhesive I need, and it NEVER costs me more than the origianal purchase price. I can easily give this page to friends and family without ever having to create it again (You know me, can't make the same thing twice! lol)

COST
What about printing? My home printer doesn't allow me to print 12x12 (some do) but I CAN print 8.5x11 or 8x8 or 6x6 scrapbook pages on it. But if I don't WANT to print at home or I want 12x12 size pages, with the purchase of MDS I have access to professional printing services that can actually print all my pages into a hardbound book and STILL have less money invested than if I were buying the actual materials. Even printing at home the cost of purchasing the ink cartridge is MUCH LESS and LESS FREQUENT than purchasing the materials and embellishments. The results are much better than anything I could ever get at home. You know those alphabet stickers you purchase for $2-$3 a pack? How many times have you needed a specific color in a specific letter and realized that you've already used it? Or been left with x's (because really how often do we use the letter x?). With a digital program you can change the color, pattern, and size of an image. You can do the same with any of the images - you need a 1" butterfly but only have a 2" stamp or sticker - you won't have that problem with MDS. Shrink it to size, change it to the color you need, presto!

PORTABILITY
I went to Maine last weekend and due to bad planning (mostly because of lack of time) I ended up dragging along all my tools, embellishments, papers, cardstock, stamps, ink etc. I am not kidding you, EVERYTHING. But with MDS all I need is my laptop and I can design away in where ever I am, even at night while hubby watches t.v./sleeps! LOL

NO RETIRING IN-COLORS!
I still think SU has come up with some FANTASTIC In-Colors (think Pink Pirouette, River Rock, etc) and then retires it in 12 months and I am so sad! With MDS you will ALWAYS have access to even the retired colors in both solids and patterned papers. MDS has ALL of the current In-colors as well as a few of the retired ones. As new colors are released they will also be available for download. Wooooooo WHooooo!

NO MESS TO CLEAN UP!!!!!
For me this is a BIG plus. My craftroom is usually a mess because I'm not a "clean as you go" kind of gal. It has been said (by my husband) that I spread and spread until I have taken over the kitchen, sunroom and stamping room before eventually taking over the living room too! (OMG, don't ever visit me the Saturday before a stamp camp!) But after creating this scrapbook page over and over using different colors and embelishments, all I had to do was close my computer down....no mess! It takes me hours to clean up after any creative session, but not in this case!

LOVIN' IT! Couldn't wait to share this with you, even though I don't know what I am doing yet. If I can create THIS without even knowing what I am doing, I can't wait to see what I can do after looking into what this program can really do! I look forward to sharing more with you!

Back from Maine, swap for Jan's

2009-09-07T22:45:10-04:00

I am back from a long weekend in Maine (at Aunt Donna's) and a LONGER drive home then we have ever had! Traffic wasn't stop and go, it was stop and wait, then go slow and wait, then stop and wait...OMG! Although we did take a few extended pit stops just to stretch our legs (and browse through stores) it took us 10 hours to get home! (It is usually about a 61/2 hour drive) It was all worth it, ever minute of the horrible drive home...look at the stampin studio I enjoyed, I stamped outside on the porch!

Here was my view:

Here is a sneak peak at the swap I made for my meeting at Jan's (My upline).

The theme was quick Christmas cards that could be used for a class. I was so taken with the view that I truely enjoyed every moment of stamping time I had. The funny thing was this was a spur of the moment trip and I didn't have time to plan...but I needed to get some stamping work done, so instead of knowing just what to take...I had no idea what I would need. I broke the news to my husband that I was going to need to pack my entire studio in order to go...he said fine. Good thing we have the Explorer! I brought every punch, every color paper, all of my inks, embossing powder, heat gun, tools, fall and christmas stamps, new stamps, every piece of designer paper, a scrapbooking kit, a Christmas Card kit, adhesive, scissors, you name it and I had it! LOL Don't ask me how much I got accomplished or if it was worth all of the work to pack it all, drag it all to the truck, drag it all into her house, bring it in and out from the deck, load it all back up, bring it all home and carry it all in the house, I haven't unpacked it yet. It is nearly 11 and we just got in. I have to WORK tomorrow! AND one of our girls is on vacation in the office so I will be working Extra Hours...I don't know how I will survive this week...but I have more to show you so please check back and I will do my best to post, for now ... I need to see if I can iron my scrubs before Rob's head hits the pillow. Chat with you soon!