Kayla's Turn

From Adriel:

Of course, the Kayla girl has to have a turn sharing her Build-a-Bear card! =) Again, I can't move my pics... very annoying (wonder if it will ever work normally again?). Anyway, Kayla made this card as a "window card". She said she had been dreaming about making one. (I guess she's already a card-making addict!) I had to help her with the coluzzle and cutting out the square, but she did the rest. She dimensioned the white cardstock behind the frame. She even embossed the bear! I'm not kidding you, she's really into card-making! =D

We had a nice lunch today and I have to correct myself... the place was called "The Olive Mill" not "press", like I thought. We ate lunch outside... it was a bit too warm, but they had misters and we sat fairly close to those so it was alright outside. The food was different, but it was tasty and that is fun to try something new and have it be yummy. =) Forgot the camera, so no pics! Sorry!

My mom and I are just busy working away at our little business! Yesterday I created a couple cards for a class in November... I know that seems far away, but having it done ahead of time gives you time to keep creating and is also nice for ordering. Because we order most of our supplies through Stampin' Up!, we have to have our projects planned at least a couple of weeks ahead of time to allow for delivery of our supplies. We have a white board with the upcoming classes over the next few months listed, and it really helps to plan and create. My mom is a pretty organized person and I'm blessed to be working with her, because I'm not naturally organized. I really do appreciate organization and I just need to practice it more. =)

I guess the only other thing to add to this post is that we have been included in a fun treasury on Etsy called "Funky Fresh and Fun". Be sure to check it out by clicking HERE! =)

Have a wonderful Wednesday! =)

Fun with Build-a-Bear & a Happy Birthday!!

From Adriel:

Some of you may know this, but Stampin' Up! just recently started selling a cute Build-a-Bear stamp set. They combined forces together with Build-a-Bear and created a stamp set, DS paper and some cute Sizzix dies for the Big Shot. The other day my kids played with the Build-a-Bear set and I wanted to share the two cards my son, Jacob, made... okay, only one. Blogger is still being dumb and only letting me post pics to the top of the post! Argh! I'll have to share the other photo later. =)

This new set is so cute and my kids both have something new to stamp with now that is right up their alley. And it's Build-a-Bear... how could you go wrong with that? Even the sentiment set has the Build-a-Bear type, so it matches! =)

Oh, just have to mention that it's my mom's birthday today!! Happy Birthday, Mom!! My dad made (yes, I said made) my mom a really nice birthday card. Hopefully she will post a picture of it so you all can see it. He did a great job on it and I thought it was very thoughtful of him. =)

Anyway, going to take my mom out to lunch today at some place nearby called the Olive Press... it sounds quaint. It will be fun to go somewhere new and try something different... we don't do a whole lot of that. I should bring my camera so I can share some pics...

Icy Blue Cracked Glass Christmas

From Heidi...Yesterday I shared with you a card I made using the Cracked Glass Technique. I used the "Medallion" stamped in black as the focal point. I used the Cracked Glass Technique on the card I'm sharing today, only I used the little Christmas tree from "Loads of Love" and stamped off with the 3 Brocade Blue background trees and 1 Night of Navy center tree. The Cracked Glass Technique gave this card an icy, wintry look. (I could go for some of the icy cold right now...it's been very hot here in AZ). I hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by and taking time to visit us.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Brocade Blue (101166 - $5.50), Whisper White (100730 - $7.50), Night of Navy
Ink: Brocade Blue (101102 $5.95), Night of Navy (102977 - $5.95)
Stamp Set: Christmas Punch (115366 - Level 2 Hostess Set); Loads of Love (115022 - $22.95)
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch (112082 - $15.95); Silver Brad (104336 - $6.95); Glassy Glaze Enamel (100477 - $4.75), Heat Gun (100005 - $29.95), Dimensionals (104430 - $3.95), Snail

All Cracked Up

From Heidi...
Creating time seems to be coming in bursts these days. Most of our classes take place towards the last half of the month, then we have the monthly newsletter to publish, so creating new items have to wait until we have another breather, usually the first part of the month. I'm glad to say that we had some "creating time" yesterday, which was fun. We have a class coming up in a few months at Tumbleweed Recreation Center using the Cracked Glass technique. I thought I'd share with you one of the cards I came up with for this class. I used the new "Medallion" stamp set as the focal point. Thanks for letting me share!

Stamp Set - Medallion (115223 - $17.95); Fundamental Phrases (114968 - $37.95)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla (101650 -$7.50); Basic Black (102851 - $7.50); Basic Gray (108692 - $7.50)
Punches: 1" Circle (109046 -$10.95); Designer Label (107590 - $15.95); Bojo Blossom (110711 - $15.95)
Ink: Basic Black (101179 - $5.95); Versamark (102283 - $7.50)
Accessories: Glassy Glaze Enamel (100477 - $4.95); Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon (109064 - $6.95); Silver Brad (104336 - $6.95)

What's New With You?

From Adriel:

Well, as ambitious as my plans yesterday sounded, I actually did get most of them done! Yay! =) I just have to finish up my meal-planning and shopping list. I may be able to reward myself this afternoon with some creative time...

Just to let you know, September's newsletter is now up! All of this month's classes are listed in there, along with a classes at the Tumbleweed Rec. Center. There's a fun tutorial in there and specials from Stampin' Up!. You can view this month's newsletter HERE or by clicking on the special newsletter button on the side of our blog.

The big news is the Tropical Stamping Bunco Night on September 29th! All the details are in the newsletter! We have a limited number of spots for this event, so if you are planning on coming, let us know. =)

I'm sharing another gift tag with you today that I made with the new set from Stampin' Up! called "Charming". It's so pretty and it's now available for ordering!

Thanks for stopping by today! =)

Another Gift Tag

From Adriel:

Today I'm busy catching up on life that got ahead of me while I have been doing other life! =) Laundry, statbook for our restaurant, checkbook, dinner menu for the next week or two... not sure if I'll get it all done today, but I'm going to try!

With that being said, I don't have much time for a lengthy post today, so I'll just share another gift tag I created last week while I was experimenting. Still have some gift tag ideas that I'm going to play with soon. =) Blogger is still being a pill, so I'm only sharing one pic today! Thanks for stopping by and come back soon! =)

New in our shop!

From Adriel:

We've had the panels done for this organizer for a couple of weeks now and finally got it all assembled! We used the beautiful Razzleberry Lemonade DSP from Stampin' Up! and it has a bright, rich, autumn look to it. My mom found that super fun button and it adds some fun to it! =) You can find this new coupon organizer in our Etsy shop HERE. Thanks for looking! =)

I've Been Creating!

From Adriel:

In the last post that I authored, I was expressing my feelings of missing being creative. Well, I've had some time this past week to do some creating and I've really enjoyed it! My mom and I have a fun event planned for our stamping friends next month that will include smoothies, gift tags and Bunco! All the details are going to be in September's newsletter, so look for that on our blog soon!

I've been working on an assortment of gift tags and have just been playing around with some ideas. The one above I made using the new set, Charming, that will be available to order on Sept. 1st out of the Mini Catalog. I really like this set and the mini medallion that I used on this tag. I have more tags to show you, but blogger is acting up again and won't let me move my pictures around. They all get stuck at the top! I'll have to save the others for another time. Anyway, happy Saturday to you and thanks for stopping by! =)

Misting with Markers

From Heidi...I was making tags today using the new Hostess Stamp Set "Of the Earth." This little set creates a very organic look. Since the stamps are solid stamps, not outline, they're great for embossing, or using with techniques like Misting, which is what I used to create the soft watercolor look on these tags. I used the Earth Elements Stampin' Write markers: Old Olive, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, and Not Quite Navy. The "Thank You" is from last year's "Note of Thanks," which was stamped in the new In-Color, Soft Suede onto Kraft CS. Thanks for letting me share!

Another Flip Book Album

From Heidi...
We have a fun class coming up next month creating a Flip Book Album, so I've been working on a prototype for it over the last few days. I didn't want to get bogged down with a lot of stamping, but I still wanted it to look fun and worth the time people would put into making it. So I turned to my computer and designed some graphic lines on my computer for the journaling. I also created several themed announcement pages, as we want to offer various themes for the books, like Birthday, Travels, Friends, etc. I then created words in various fonts, colors, and sizes that would fit within our punches. This took a bit of time, but now it's done and we can use these graphic templates over and over.
We're using punched flowers and corners...my husband came up with the cutest idea to use for the corners on this book. He took the 5-petal flower punch and punched 2 of the petals at a right angle. The petals make a fun photo corner.
I hope you enjoy a couple of pictures I took of the Flip Book. Using some of the retired DS paper we've had for awhile helped us use up most of our old In-Colors CS - Blue Bayou and Baja Breeze. The only stamping done on this album is the center of the Belly Band. Thanks again for looking :-)

Too Busy to Create...

From Adriel:

Sadly, it's true! It's not that I wouldn't like to be creating. Sometimes there are just those seasons in life that aren't condusive to a "creative" outlet. But I must express and confess that I've been missing being creative.

My husband and I own a Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurant in Tempe, AZ. (If you live nearby or visit the area, stop by and say "hi" sometime!) I have been helping out at the store more than in the past. Don't get me wrong, 1 or 2 days a week for a few hours isn't all that bad. The work there and interracting with the crew and keeping my feet wet in the operations can be enjoyable at times, even! Somehow, though, creating a smoothie or a wrap or sandwich just doesn't satisfy my creative side. The closest thrill I get in "creating" there is adding something different to a smoothie recipe, or putting a King Caesar on a flatbread. I must admit that it was quite exciting today when a lady called 10 to noon wondering if her catering order was on its way for a delivery at noon... we thought we were delivering it at 1pm! Talk about a major food fight as we feverishly assembled 40 sandwiches in as little time as possible. Exciting may not be quite the right word in that instance... stressful is a better description. =P I don't know exactly how this story fits in with what I'm trying to say, but I just had to share that! LOL!

I'm looking forward to some time coming up soon to create again. That being said, I wanted to share some fun ideas I've seen using the new Medallion stamp from Stampin' Up! We just recently got this stamp and have yet to play with it! Enjoy the ideas! =)

Medallion Christmas Card by Kris from Kween Bee Kreations:

Medallion Love Card by Anthonette of Chavez Designs:

Medallion Butterfly Card by Andrea from Supercraftygirl:

I'll be sharing some of my own creations with you soon! Have a great day! =)

Happy Hello

From Heidi...The picture says it all...Hope you have a great day!

Just a Hi

From Heidi...
We've not been able to post as much as we'd like over the last few weeks...but we're still here and still stamping and creating. Sometimes I wish I had 3 extra days in a week. I've been busy getting my son enrolled in the community college for this semester. What started out as going in and simply taking a placement test for one class, turned into a full 2-year scholarship and enrollment. It's a surprise and a great blessing at the same time! So, between that and life and our stamping classes, it's not left much extra time. Stay tuned because we've got more fun stuff coming! Hope you all have a great day :-)

Enjoyable Class

From Adriel:

We had a great time stamping with our stamping friends this past Thursday at our afternoon and evening classes. The response to our celebrate summer cards was very positive and our ladies enjoyed getting creative and making those "yummy" cards! It was fun and I enjoyed seeing everyone, especially some of those whom I hadn't seen for a couple of months. =)

We'll be seeing a lot of our ladies again this coming Tuesday for our special Stamp-a-Technique class where we will be doing brayering. I haven't done all that much with brayering, so this was fun to try something new and create for. Here's the card I will be teaching.

I used a circle template and brayered ink over the card stock and then stamped with a couple of the stamps from Circle Circus, along with some sponging. I don't usually stick to such a limited color combo, but it really worked nice for this card and I like the results. =)

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a nice day. =)

Flip Album Details

From Heidi...

Great news! I posted my Baby Boy Flip Album on Etsy yesterday and it's already sold! That was fast. Whoever gets it is really getting a cute photo scrapbook, I loved the decorative papers that are on it. I kind of hate to part with it, which is a great incentive to make another one. I picked up some really sweet Baby Girl decorative papers last week, so will create a Baby Girl Album this time.

Here's the general dimensions and pictures. I started with a tutorial created by Sue Jones, a Stampin' Up Demo, and changed the dimensions and folds to economize on card stock.

Supplies: (1) 12x12 CS 1; (2) 8-1/2x11 CS 2; (2) 8-1/2x11 CS 3 (you'll need extra CS for decorating pages); Sticky Strip, Snail Adhesive

1. CS 1 - 6x12", score at 2-1/2, 3, 9, 9-1/2, fold on score lines. This creates the Base. NOTE: THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE LEFT BLUE PANEL AS CS 1, BUT IT'S REALLY CS 2...sorry!

2. CS 2 - Cut 2, 5-1/2x11", score each piece at 5-1/2", fold on score line, attach folded pieces to the album base flaps, this creates the front and back covers and front and back inside pages. NOTE: THESE PICTURES ARE OUT OF ORDER..Picture 1 goes with Step 3 and Picture 2 goes with Steps 1 and 2...also in picture 2 the left blue panel should be labeled CS 2 not CS 1...I would change all of this, but blogger won't let me move my pictures...frustrating! Sorry!

3. CS 3 - Cut 3, 4-1/4x11", score each piece at 2-3/4, 8-1/4, and fold at score lines. Attach these 3 pieces of cardstock together end to end. This creates the Inside of album

4. Attach the Inside CS 3 to the center panel of your CS 1 Base.

5. You've finished the basic album and you can now decorate the pages.

It's Thursday Already?!

From Adriel:

Hi to all of you! This week has gone by quickly... it's Thursday already! Has this week gone by fast for you, too? =)

Right now we're a couple hours away from our afternoon card making class! I'm looking forward to making these fun summer cards with our gals. I think they will enjoy making them! =) Here's what we'll be making today!

My mom and I have been working on some fun stuff that I'm looking forward to showing you! We got our new stuff from Stampin' Up! earlier this week... the Build-a-Bear stamp set (so cute and it got us planning a new class!), the Gobble, Gobble stamp and the Autumn DS paper (can't remember the name)... my mom and I spent part of Tuesday evening designing for our Thankful Table class. We were very happy with our results and will share those soon! =)

We were also contacted by our city's Park & Rec. to see if we were interested in doing a nature journal class at a nature park near us. We've got a couple of dates for that class scheduled now and will be working on the design for that soon. Should be fun!

How about you? What's been happening with you this week? Let us know and thanks for stopping by! =)

Stamp-A-Technique Card Trio Class

Join us this coming Tuesday, 8/18, for our Brayer class. We'll be making this trio of cards using the brayer and ink.We're offering this class at two different times:

1-3 PM (6 spots available)

7-9 PM (4 spots available)

Cost: $10

Hope you can make it!

Baby Boy Flip Album

From Heidi...I'm still here...I've been busy writing instructions for our upcoming classes and also creating this adorable Flip Album for my son's guitar teacher's new baby boy. This little book has 7 to 8 separate photo pages with places for journaling and special notes, along with an announcement page. I found some cute girl DS paper that I can't wait to use on the Baby Girl Flip Album I've got planned. I'll pass on more details throughout the week. Until then I thought I'd share a couple of pictures with you.

Elegant Favor Box

From Adriel:

I usually can move my pictures around, but Blogger has been acting up on me lately, namely with pictures, and the picture is stuck at the top of this post. (I don't know why I feel the need to explain the placement of the photo, but I just do). I made this box using my Matchbox die for the Big Shot. I also used a stamp from the Matchbox Messages set. My daughter, Kayla, likes to make these little boxes. She's becoming quite the stamper and paper crafter!

Speaking of my daughter, she was fine the day after her day of being sick with the flu. We prayed for her and I really believe the Lord touched her body and helped her get well quickly. She was pretty sick on Saturday, with vomiting a few times in the early AM and not eating very much for the entire day and just sitting with the fever & chills and a stomach ache. She was not herself at all, as she is very energetic and perky and cheerful most of the time. Sunday she was hungry and was back to herself. I was surprised at such a quick recovery. I thanked the Lord with her Sunday evening. =) I know that God's answer is sometimes "no" and we don't always understand and He is still worthy of our praise and worship. But sometimes His answer is "yes" and I just wanted to give God the credit and glory He deserves. God is a good God, no matter what His answer is. =)

Not Much Going On...

From Adriel:

Well, today definitely looks different than I would've thought it would look like.

My 8-year-old daughter woke me up at 3:40am this morning letting me know she had thrown up. What a way to wake up... after asking her a few questions, I found out she had thrown up in her bed. Yuck! Okay, I needed to get up and change the bedding. Then she told me she was sorry, but she had missed the toilet. What?! I tackled the bedding first... red colored vomit is not a pretty sight, let me tell you. Threw the soiled linens in the washer and started it. Took a peek at the bathroom. OH MY GOODNESS!!! It was all over the toilet seat, and was sprayed on the shower curtain, the floor and the wall. I guess we were dealing with projectile vomit! I wanted to cry. I didn't even know where to start cleaning it up! I left the bathroom to compose myself and process the mess... I also needed to spray the carpet by Kayla's bed, because, yes, the mess was on the carpet, too. Where wasn't it? =P My husband woke up around that time and helped me out with the mess. Cleaning up vomit is not on his top favorites (is it on anyone's?), so this was very nice of him. =) Well, got the mess cleaned up, but the poor thing threw up a couple more times during the early morning and I think she must have the flu. Anyway, I know you wanted to know all of this, so that's why I'm sharing! =D

Really, this is just what's going on... for real! I'm sure you feel like eating that yummy lunch or dinner you were planning on making right after you were done on the computer. Sorry! =P

Have a nice weekend! If you go out, wash your hands! I guess there's something going around. =)