How busy is too busy??

Hard to define "too busy" other than I think I am there! LOL!! I have not touched my stamps for over a week because of my "real" job...but that's ok. At our clinic, we have helped 6 women choose life instead of abortion this month! That is outstanding for our small-but-growing operation!

This Sunday is Sanctity of Life Sunday, so I am busy with that. I have a grant proposal due next Friday...and I am busy with plans for the spring banquet! Plus, one of my key staff members has been on vacation for 2 weeks, meaning I have covered a few appointments not usually on my schedule.

All that...and my craft room is being redecorated! The painting is nearly comlete...just some work on the trim left to do. Tomorrow, my dear hubby and the friend who is painting will be installing my slat board for displaying projects. My next Stampin' Up order is schedule to arrive on Monday with my Definitely Decorative vinyl pieces for the walls. (Thought I expedited the order...oops!)

This upcoming week will be intense...super busy...and super fun! (Well, grant writing isn't exactly "fun!") It won't be long until I can settle into my newly decorated space, with my new stamps to create new stuff! Keep your eyes open!

Valentine Girls' Night Out

So...I am mostly a "hobby demo" for Stampin' Up. Like thousands of stampers, I LOVE the quality of products, and so I buy a lot...maybe more than I need...Nah! Well, after my hubby got a better paying job in the summer of '08, I signed on as a demonstrator so I can get a 20% discount on everything I order! I say to him "Honey, I spent your overtime today." LOL! Bless his heart, he supports my habit, I mean hobby. After all, I make cards for the family, cards for the ministry...truly it is something I love.

I do have some stampin' friends from years ago who wanted me to start a monthly club. We met once a month for 10 months in my home. I showed them new techniques, and they purchased supplies like stamps and card stock. We also take time to eat, 'cuz, well, why not?? I love having customers and sharing this hobby with them.

Here it is 2010, and my club will be starting in February...I can't wait! But before that, I actually will host a Stampin' Workshop for a friend and her co-workers on February 1st!! I am so excited, because I get to introduce people to this great craft! Let's face it...with electronic communication like email, Twitter, Facebook and blogs (like this one!), the personal hand written note is nearly extinct! I love making someone a card, then writing a note...sloppy penmanship and all. Now I get to encourage others to do the same!!

So. let me show you what we're gonna make...

This first card uses Stampin' Up's In-Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo, including the designer series paper Razzleberry Lemonade. It features the Mini Occasions stamp set I {heart} Hearts, plus Teeny Tiny wishes. This will be a fun card to make with new stampers!

I admit, it is a toss-up for the second card. Here are 2 samples...I am letting the hostess pick...

The first was for a splitcoaststampers "Clean and Simple" challenge. I wanted something for a man. I used black craft ink, versamark and red classic ink, and clear embossing powder. The images are from Baroque Motifs...a must-have set in my book! I stamped on sahara sand card stock, and added the new black satin ribbon at the fold.

This next card has just basic black and very vanilla card stock. I stamped the flower from "Three Little Wishes" in Stazon Black, but decided not to color it in. The sentiment is stamped in real red. Add dry embossing with my Big Shot Texturz Plates, oval punch, scallop oval punch, ticket corner punch and satin ribbon, and you have a simple, but classic looking Valentine. This stamp set is in the regular Idea Book & Catalog (IBC), but from Jan-March, it is available for free as a Sale-a-Bration item with a $50 order! How cool is that??

Finally,I wanted to make a non-card item. Well, using my Big Shot, along with the Bigz XL Fancy Favor die, and I have this CUTE bag! I added the strap, using my new scallop trim border punch (another FREE Sale-a-bration item, with a $50 order.) The paper is Sending Love designer series paper...LOVE the patterns! I added a cute sentiment from All Holidays, stamped in chocolate chip. It's hard to se, but the strap is attached by ADORABLE pretty in pink corduroy button brads! I have these corduroy embellishments in about 6 colors! Circle and scallop circle punches come in handy for cute little projects like this too!!

So...if any of this stuff looks like fun (of course it does!) but you are not gonna be at the Girls' Night Out, you can contact me, or even order online by clicking HERE

Happy Stamping!!

I'm a Bad Blogger!

I was supposed to post "tomorrow"...and that was a week ago...oops! Life got hectic! Who am I kidding? Life is always hectic, right??

So, before I get into any long story, I want to post a card (very cute,if I do say so myself!) made with NEW Stampin' Up Stamps!! As you know, I work at a prolife pregnancy ministry...so baby cards are a MUST! Well, the new Mini Occasions catalog has two sets that are perfect for baby cards...Fox and Friends and Little Angel.


Check this out... I used a Color Challenge on splitcoaststampers...Bermuda bay, certainly celery, and handsome hunter...perfect for alittle boy card, dontcha think?

















I'm gonna call it a night...but I have more to post tomorrow...really, I do! Nighty-night!

New Year, New Computer, New Stuff!!!

Well, I am finally up and running again on a home computer! I feel like I have returned to the present day...it is amazing to realize how much we rely on these gadgets!

And none too soon, either! Stampin' Up is having loads of promotions! The annual Sale-a-Bration is here (LOVE it!), plus a NEW Mini Occasions catalog, PLUS a NEW Definitely Decoritive catalog for those who want to add some pizazz to your home!

As a demo, I was able to preorder some goodies...and I LOVE them! Satin ribbon, a new punch, adorable stamps that will be perfect for baby cards for the ministry...I could go on and on!

So...tomorrow, I hope to upload some pictures of new projects. In the meantime you can check out the new stuff by clicking on the catalog pictures to the left. You can check out my demo business site too...

I'll see you tomorrow...with PICTURES!!