Stamp Set of the Month Club---Unfrogettable!

Unfrogettable is truly an unforgetable set. I will miss it grandly. You can check out my feelings about this set here. This month's Stamp Set of the Month Club set is UNFROGETTABLE.

Here's how it works:

You can attend the Stamp Set of the Month Club Class on

Wednesday, July 23

from 10-12 pm or 6-8 pm.

You choose the time that works for you. You can also opt for a kit to mailed to you.

At the class, you will receive all the materials you need to complete 4 cards, a 3D item, and a scrapbook page plus instruction. By mail, everything is precut and ready to go. If a part needs a tool, I'll prepare it for you. Stampers fee is $30 with $8 if you choose shipping. Email me to register by July 9th for the class or July 31st for stamps by mail.

A Bit of Scrapbooking

Last Friday night at the Pack-n-Play in Green Bay, I also did a bit of scrapbooking. These pages aren't my usual style. They feel a bit more haphazard. I also didn't add any bling, but hope to later, when I figure out what will look right. The top page looks finished to me. This was my home away from home last school year. You see, I met Bubba and fell in love, but still hold my job 1 1/2 hours away in Neopit. My friend Carmen generously allowed me to stay here, at her house along the Wolf River, the entire school year. We had great times laughing and processing our day, maple syruping, baking friendship bread, hauling wood, cleaning, reading, walking, shopping at Walmart and Goodwill, eating out at the Farm Inn on Main, and sleeping. She is an amazing person and I will forever be grateful for her generosity. Plus, aren't Storm and Rags the cutest? Whenever they looked at me, they got whatever they wanted! I used the Western Sky Paper and Short Order Alphabet for the title.

Here are some more pics:

This is double page spread for the family scrapbook. Bubba and I have a family that's a bit unusual--Ron and Don (AKA, the GUYS). This double page spread is from going to the CLUB in Marshfield for a Muzzleloading Shoot in April. Again, I used the Western Sky paper and dollied it up with as many rub-ons as fit. I have a feeling they might be retiring to make way for new designs and wanted to try them out. It got a bit busy for me, but it's fun. That's what stamping and scrapbooking are all about for me...FUN.

Fresh Cuts-a Fresh and Easy Idea

In June Stampin' Up! offered a Sneak Peek at a set from the upcoming Fall Idea Book and Catalog. I ordered the Fresh Cuts promotion with my last order. I was trying to wait to spend money on new sets from the new catalog when I became convinced that I HAD to have it from seeing samples on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website. Here are the ones I did:

These cards took less than an hour with interruptions as I welcomed the stampers and scrapbookers at the Pack 'n Play last Friday night in Green Bay. Added BONUS: the set is die cut! No more trimming stamps! I am way to impatient to trim stamps.

To create these cards, I used basic techniques to create a cool look:

TOP LEFT: I stamped Basic Brown with the brown stamp. I then used an aquapainter and a bashful blue watercolor crayon to create a wash over the top.

TOP RIGHT: I stamped the image in Almost Amythest and placed a 3 3/4 by 3 3/4 piece of Almost Amethyst on the inside to show through. I punched a 3/4 inch circle in Almost Amethyst to add dimension to the center.

BOTTOM LEFT: I stamped the image in Basic Brown, created a 3 3/4 by 3 3/4 piece of Summer Sun on the inside similar to the other card. I used my 5 petal flower punch in Old Olive to create a flower layer, and a blossom from the Boho Blossom punch for the center.

BOTTOM RIGHT: I used some Almost Amethyst prints paper for the inside matte. I used the small flower stamp to create the center. I also used the berry stamp to create the background of Almost Amethyst on white.

These cards are cute, easy and will be fun to send!

They're Here! (and on my wall)

Yippee! I was working on my convention swaps when the doorbell rang. Yipeeee! It was Mr. Brown with my brown box of new stuff. On June 18, Shelli, the founder and owner of Stampin' Up! announced a new product line called decor elements. These are vinyl rub-ons for walls. The cool part, is the images will be Stampin' Up!, so they match the home decor stuff I've made and fit right into my samp room. As soon as I saw the flyer, I knew I had the solution for my stamp room wall I'd been looking for.
You, see, my stamp room is upstairs in a Cape Cod style house. Thus, the walls are slanted from about 5 feet up to the ceiling. All of my stamping gear has to to be hung below this. So, there's a very visual area (all my junk) and then a blank space. It's always bugged me, but I couldn't figure out how and what to hang there. NOW I KNOW!


Disclaimer: I try to keep my room clean and neat, but often find that creativity and cleanliness as well as too many things and not enough space, keep my room a bit messy. Be aware and understanding as you view these pictures.


Here is a photo essay of my journey over the last hour:

I was working on my swaps for convention..Party Pails. I have 48 umbrellas, 48 cards, and now, 6 luminaries in process on my table:




The Box opened:

Yes. That's them! In the tubes! Ahhh.. Which one is for the stamp room? Oh my gosh!

Here it is!

I found it so easy apply! After searching for the recommended painter's tape in the garage, I put it up, measured for level, and decided the right place. Next, you rub the vinyl onto the front paper, repost and rub it onto the wall. It was fun and easy.

The finale! It's getting dark outside, so the natural light isn't there to get a great picture. I will try again tomorrow. I also have another image to put next to it, but am thinking about how...umm...the possibilities.

Click here to see the Decor Elements Brochure. These can be ordered after July 1.

Inspiration Sunday

A friend of mine used to have what she called "church time" on Sundays while she was in graduate school. She would set aside an hour or two and do something just for her...write a letter, mediate, take a walk, whatever would help her gain her spirituality back after a long week. On Sunday morning, I had my own "church time" here in my stamp room and planned to blog about it, but then "family time." got in the way. SOOOOOO.....here it is...

Sundays have always been a time of rejuvenation for me...I love a quiet Sunday morning. After so many things went on last week, (For those of you who don't know the intimate dealings of my life...every single plan I made last week went from Plan A to ZZ instantly. My flexibility and positivity were stretched to the max). Sunday was a perfect morning. I awoke before the Guys (hard to do), made coffee, and escaped to my stamp room. I worked on cards and ideas for my upcoming Retiring Sets Stamp Camp. I had wanted to use So Much, the stamp set, but it didn't really work with design I had in mind. I still had this image in my head...where I got it, I don't remember. I look at a lot of websites, blogs, and galleries randomly to get ideas and I do forget where they come from. I wanted to put the flower in the middle of the circles. But, I was out of cards for this event! I needed to think up a 3D item. Now what?

Off to the cupboard! I have way too many items in this room to alter. I purchase things on clearance and stash them. The stash gets too big and I forget I own them. I run out of time to use them.....we all know the excuses! Anyway, I found these candle tins I bought somewhere at some time that were just waiting to be altered. I only had 3, so I can't use them as a project for my event. Instead, I will use these as prizes and treats for those attending!

Enough explanation....here they are!

Stamps: So Much

Paper: So Saffron Prints Designer Series Paper, Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Very Vanilla 1/4 grosgrain ribbon, coluzzle, Fresh Favorites Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Rich Regals Buttons, Paper Snips

Wild About a Birthday

What I have I been up to lately? Check this out:

The nitty gritty:

Stamps: Wild About You, Big Deal Numbers, Hugs and Wishes (inside)

Paper: Wild Wasabi Textured Cardstock (cut into 6" squares and folded), Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Jersey Shore Designer Series Paper

Ink: Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Dimensionals, Tombow Multi Adhesive, Paper Snips

A few weeks ago a friend at a vendor fair asked me if I would create invitations for her son's 3rd birthday in July. She really loved an idea from the Spring-Summer Collection. Look carefully at the picture, the image she liked is in the back. I don't own the set used, but had Wild About You (and love it), so asked if she would be cool with animals. She thought it would be great.

I had to make a few other changes from the original as I needed to make 20 invites. One, the original used rub-ons. To mass produce that image, I would have needed to buy 4 sets of rub-ons. As that would be cost prohibitive, I looked in my stash of another of my favorite accessories-- Designer Series Paper. The Jersey Coast Paper had just what I needed! I cut strips of about 1/2 inch by 3 inches to create the accent I needed. Another change I made to the design was the "3". The original used On Board Chipboard and I would have to buy 20 packs to create that look! Instead, I used the Big Deal Numbers. I love my alphabet sets!

Trimming the alligators and 3's turned out to be tough, but my grandma helped me when I visited her! In the end, I love how they turned out and hope my friend likes them when I drop them off tomorrow!

Happy Stampin'

An Ode to Unfrogettable

Dragonflies, flowers, snails, and shrooms,

Never was there enough room,

for all of the cutness within!

Frogs in love and a kissin'

Frogs jumping for joy,

Such fun! Oh what a stampin' toy!

Bold Brights, Soft Subtles, and all the rest,

For all occasions, Unfrogrettable was the best,

Cute sayings and jokes,

It's hard to say goodbye, folks!

A moment of silence, please!

A quick wipe to my tears, jeeze.

I will miss you, funny frogs,

Happy retirement in the the bogs!

See what happens when a vacation gets cancelled and demonstrator's patience gets tested? A little creativity to soothe the blues!

The Retirement List is Here!

This is an exciting time for me, as the retirement of stamps means new ones are around the corner. At the same time, it is sad, as I hate to see them go!

If you've always wanted one of these stamp sets, now's the chance to buy it. Retired stamps will no longer be available after August 10th.

Here is a link to a pdf of the RETIREMENT LIST!

I've only been away for a half hour and need to go catch my plane, but I have to look! Any of my stamp sets that will be retiring will be available for purchase from me directly after August 10th. Be sure to check my blog for updates!

Just so you know, I am mourning the loss of Happy Camper and Touch of Nature the most! Wait...UNFROGETTABLE is leaving! Oh not! I love those frogs! Peaceful Wishes has been my favorite Christmas set! Oh what will I do? I need a few days to accept reality. When the new catalog comes out, I know I will be thrilled once again!

Happy Stamping!

Party Pail Class

I know that some of you are just finding my blog after my enewsletter announcement yesterday. Welcome! I hope you find you get more in depth information and ideas than I could provide with just a newsletter. Be ready for June 15 and the retirement list. I hope to post it before I leave for New Mexico for 6 days. I will have internet access and will do my best to post the list as I travel. Wireless Internet here I come! Although, I will be gone, you can still contact me via my new cell phone as printed in my newsletter or email to place an order or sign up for a class.



Back to the reason for the post--- Party Pails! I've had this idea running around in my head for a while, since I bought a bunch of these pails at a closeout store. I knew I wanted to create a kit for a party...to show how easy and fun it is to create decorations using Stampin' Up! products. Then, the Spring-Summer Collection had this FABULOUS paper called Bali Breeze. I knew that was my focus. My goal was to create an easy way for you to set up for a small, summer party.



After sifting through ideas after ideas after ideas and thinking about cost and time involved, I created this kit. (DRUMROLL).

The colors are way cooler in person. My camera and I have worked all week to get one good picture and this is the best I could do. If you have any photography tips, leave a comment. They just all turned out blue! I did enhance it as much as possible!

This kit contains: a decorated bucket with tag, 8 invitations (only one showing), 8 drink umbrellas with different floral patterns so that they can be used as drink charms, 8 napkin rings, a cute centerpiece holder, which house the umbrellas, and a luminarie.

I had so much fun! This uses less than 1/2 a package of Bali Breeze paper, so you can create more luminaries, thank-you notes, treats and more!

I also used the Flower Fusion felt flowers to tie it all together! I love how easy they coordinate with the Bali Breeze Paper. As I worked on which projects to include from all that ran around in my head, I felt like I was going back to my summer camp days...paper luminaries, paper umbrellas. It was fun.

If you want to learn how to create these items, sign up for one of my Party Pail classes on June 24. I have reserved two time slots for about 4 stampers each. Please indicate whether you will attend the 10-12 time slot or the 1-3 time slot. The cost is $15. Please register by email or phone by June 22, so I can cut your supplies.

One final note, for those of you from Splitcoaststampers who are in the "Over the Top" Stamp Camp Swap by shannacourt in my group, this is the project. I hope I'm not spoiling the beans too early!

Crab and Company...What fun!

It's my first week of summer vacation and I have a stamping to do list a mile long...well, maybe more of a wish list. My creative juices were flowing strong as I designed and chose designs for the Stamp Set of the Month Club projects.

I've loved Crab and Company since it first came out in the Spring 2007 mini catalog. Summer is here and I am inspired to create with it again. You can check it out in the Stampin' Up! online Spring Summer Collection 2008 by clicking here. There are so many great ways to use this set! I tried to limit myself, but got crazy when writing up my newsletter information, so...there are 6 cards, count them SIX! for this month, along with a 12 x 12 scrapbook page, a sucker holder, and a photo album. Whew! Enough words...here is a picture!

I know. There is one card hiding. It's a surprise for those that attend. Here are the deets (details):

I need to thank three great stampers on splitcoaststampers (my inspiration), as I CASED their ideas. CASING is copying, basically, but changing it up a bit. The first one is the kickstand card, The one with Crabby in the circle. I changed the DSP, but loved the color combo and changed the ribbon. You gotta use what you have! hsummers inspired that one! The second One is the apron card. My inspiration was from inkpad. She got her inspiration from a set of linens! I changed the color combo to Earth Elements and had to create my own template for the apron. Finally, my last CASE was the 6 square card. I loved it the moment I saw it. mrsparker used more layers and a different background. Mine is much, simpler and more to my style. I used glossy cardstock, which really makes it shine. Yes, I am proud of it and not afraid to say it!

One reason, and just one of millions, that I love Stampin' Up! is that everything coordinates, from the papers to the designer papers, to the ribbons, brads, buttons, inks, punches, glitter, embossing powders, everything! I recently bought the Jersey Shore Designer Series paper and haven't had time to use it. The package was out on my desk, so I decided it was time to make a trifecta for this month. First the aforementioned kickstand card, second the sucker holder, and third, the photo album. I love the idea of a sucker holder. It's a cute treat. They are fun and easy to make. Crabby needed a home! I started with a swap I got at Regionals for the basic design (my other sucker covers were way more complicated). I found colors and papers I loved and Voila' a great treat for a birthday package to match the card I had already made! Then, I needed another 3D item, that was simple...I was expecting these projects to take less than two hours to create. I dug around my full cupboards of STUFF, and found....a photo album to alter. This used to have some ugly flower pattern on the cover. I took out the inserts, measured my cardstock, and created a new cover. I thought this would be a good pre-teen gift. (Yes, I am still on middle school teacher mode).

One of my favorite cards for this month took a while to design. I had an idea, changed it over and over and over and over and....ended up with....

So fun. I love these In Colors- Blue Bayou and Soft Sky.

Here's how I did it. I cut a matte out of blue bayou, punched 1 1/4 circles where I wanted my images. I then created frames of soft sky to SNAIL around my frames. I added some smaller circles for accents. How fun and all from me!

If you want to recreate my creations, join my stamp set of the month club.

You can attend the class or choose the by mail option, but your class kit will include the supplies for the projects in the picture above as well as the stamp set PRECUT and READY TO GO! I will also provide an add-on list of accessories and inks we will use. The cost for this month's membership is $30.

The dates of the club meeting are: Sunday, June 29, 2008 from 1-3 pm or Monday, June 30, 2008 from 10-12 or 6-8 pm. You can choose the best time for you! I need registration (including payment) by June 18, so I can make sure the sets arrive! I can accept cash, credit card, checks, or paypal.

Off to go shopping for new shorts....! Have a great day!

Day One

I've done it! I've created a blog. I've joined the dark side.

Actually, I was looking for a better way to create newsletters and share all that I have going on in my head, creative-wise. Don't get worried that you will get more than that. As I work to always improve my Stampin' Up! business, I realized that I needed to find better ways to share!

I plan to create many, many posts this summer, design some monthly or weekly features, and explain stuff that I can't explain well in a traditoinal enewsletter or on my awesome Stampin' Up! Website.

Be sure to check out lilyinkpad.stampinup.net for great stuff from Stampin' Up!, my calendar, some other creative projects, promotions, and more.

Hang on...more will be coming....lots more!