First tri-shutter card

Life has been so busy lately.  It seems that no matter how hard I try to plan crafting time something always comes up and pulls me in another direction.  I promised myself that whether the laundry remained unfinished, the dishes undone ... I was going to complete one card today.  After carting my daughter around to find African ingredients for a project on Madagascar, spending two hours in the grocery and dropping some groceries off to my mom - I was exhausted.  Still, I pulled out the crafts and tried my first tri-shutter card.  I was so happy with how it came out.  If I ever had some quality crafting time I might surprise myself with what I might be able to do! 
    Thanks for taking a peek!  Happy crafting!

Mom and Me Club fun

What a great day.  I was up early and ready to get things in order for my first Mom and Me club meet.  The guys got up and headed out for a "man's breakfast" and my two daughters were still gone from their sleepovers so I had the house to myself.  I danced around sweeping and dusting while blasting Casting Crowns ... I'm not sure my dog will ever recover from that visual.   I had five mother/daughter teams arrive for a fun crafting afternoon.  The house was filled with laughter and bonds were created.  The club was a hit and we booked our date for February!  I am so excited!  I needed a boost to get my business up and going.  Now if only I could book a workshop.  My goals for 2010 inlcude getting my first workshop booked and at least six to follow that!  I know to many that sounds like such a small number but it would be enough to give me the confidence I need to keep going! 
     The treat bag I'm sharing in this blog were inspired by Chic n Scratch.  I love this little treat bag! It was a 'hit' with the girls today! The chocolate bar "book" was inspired by Connie Babbert Inkspired Treasures


Thanks for visiting! 

Craft Night with 'da Girls'

I've just been having too much FUN!  Two nights of crafting with the girls - that's right 2 nights in a row.  Thursday night I attended a Demontrator workshop and 3D swap which ended with a Show and Tell. 

My upline, my "mom", Michelle Deslandes shared this top note bunny treat bag.  At first glance, I thought this was 'above me' but a few punches, some paper tears ... and guess what - I can do it!  My upline knows how to give me the confidence I need as a Demonstrator.  That's what makes Stampin' Up the best!

I also borrowed her fancy favor box die and made a cute little bag - don't you just love the color combination.

The sale-a-bration products rock!  They are so versatile and there is so much you can do with them.  I wish every night could be girls night!

Happy crafting fellow bloggers!

Ever have a card that you just can't get right?

Today was just one of those "off" days.  I knew it the moment I rolled off the couch, tripped over my computer cord and landed on one of my cats who jumped up screeching and dashed to the table knocking over my morning coffee my husband had set there for me.  Why I didn't just turn around and jump back under the covers still baffles me!  It is now after 10 p.m. and I am finally settling down drained of all enthusiasm for card making.  I played and played with DSP and these treat cups but have not come up with anything that really satisfies me.  I am actually sharing a card that I made that I do not like at all.  I suppose after a good nights sleep (yeah right) that I will wake with a fresh attitude and perhaps be able to put together something that makes me grin and say "that is it!" 

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest! If you must-but never quit.

Life is queer, with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might of won if he'd stuck it out;

Stick to your task, though the pace seems slows-

You may succeed with one more blow.

Success is failure turned inside out-

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt-

And you may never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-

It's when things seem worse that YOU MUSN'T QUIT.

Who'd I case?

You would think that I have been out of school for years rather than just a month's hiatus.  I can not seem to get back into the routine of homework.  I am usually a woman full of energy and known for my 'bubbly' personality.  So why feeling so drag?  I have so much to do to prepare for my very first Mom and Me club this Sunday as well as a demonstrator meeting at my upline Michelle Deslandes.  I could not come up with a quick 3d project to swap.  In searching the files on my computer, I found these cute little bunnies from last year.  It was before my blogging days and I do not know who in the world I cased them from.  I was pleased with how they turned out and managed to get them all finished tonight.  My (almost 16 yr old) daughter fell in love with them and wants me to make some for her friends... in my "spare" time.  It seems that since SU introduced their new website the blogging world has slowed down a bit.  I have made a commitment to allow myself only ten to twenty minutes a day to sign in, see what's new and maybe add a quick post.  All of you were my first inspiration and I am thankful for all the support I have found among you!  Now ... to tackle a quick load of laundry and a chapter of homework.
Blessings,
     ~Samie

Stepping outside ...

The house was so quiet this afternoon.  My husband was in his usual spot in the house (his computer chair), my oldest daughter was shopping with a friend, my youngest daughter was gone to a sledding party and sleepover at one her classmates houses and my youngest son was spending the weekend with my sister.  It was just my 12 year old and I moving about the house.  After doing some paperwork and then settling down for some reading time (we are reading MAUS together) he begged for some PS3 time so I found myself weighing my options ... crack open a textbook and get a jump on the weeks homework, put the finishing touches on my year end paperwork, housework ...  as I sat there I kept looking at my Stamping supplies.  On a whim I decided to try to figure out how to stamp on a candle.  I had seen some candles on Booth #32 while blogging and voila ... my creations.  I love this technique.  What quick and easy gifts you could make for people.  Of course having great products (Vintage Vogue and Priceless stamp sets) win-win color combinations (Stampin' Up makes it so easy) how can you go wrong?!
    Happy Crafting!

Simply Said with Vintage Vogue

I'm not doing well in keeping up here.  The stomach bug has been running rampant around here.  As soon as I get my house healthy one of the daycare families comes down with it and the fun starts all over again.  I have a Mom and Me club beginning on the 24th of this month and I am NOT ready for it.  Mother and daughter (grandmother/grandaughter or aunt/ niece etc.) will be making a Valentine card, a 12x12 page and a special 'treat'.  Here's what I whipped up today.  I used Real Red, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink Cardstock.  Vintage Vogue and Simply Said stamp set, Real Red and Pretty in Pink ink and the new DSP Flamingo paper.  I had a few ideas I would have loved to add but really needed to keep it simple for those who are new to stamping!  Now off to play with a couple of card ideas.  Thanks for stopping!

My Mojo Monday ....

A few more douses of cold medicine and I'll be back in full swing!  The kids are having snack before we finish up our preschool day so I thought I would take the fifteen minutes (literally) and whip up a quick Mojo card.  I can't for the life of me get my photos to come out today!  I guess I am going to have to invest in a photo box or find a new spot in the house to take my pictures.  If I had more time I would have used the Big Shot and flower dies to add a layered flower to the top right instead of a brad ... this will have to do.  Enjoy and here's to a crafty week my friends!

The FAB FOUR ...

The FAB FOUR ...   I talk about them all the time... my sisters!  They are such a blessing in my life.  From left to right - my youngest sister Jessica, Me, my sister Marie (you all know her from IsomCreations.blogspot.com) and the oldest Valerie.  We are quite a team!  A bond that is so strong it can't be broken.  Though miles keep us apart we are always in each others hearts!

        Just wanted to let you all know that I've been hibernating on the couch all weekend with lots of soup, tissues and cold medicine.  It seems that the lovely flu has decided to  creep through the cracks in this old house and take company with me.  I hope it decides that to find a new home soon!  (It has been nice getting waited on ... too bad I know all the messes will be waiting for me when I'm on the up and up).  My kids got me my favorite Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream so I can let the mess go ... LOL  I have visited many blogs while I've been 'down' and can not believe the amazing projects evolving from all of the new SU products!  Congrats to everyone for their amazing work! 

Can't sleep? Must craft!

I just can't sleep.  My friend Deanna came over tonight to check out all of my new goodies form the Occasions mini catalog.  We had good intentions to get some crafting done but ended up chatting and going through the catalog and idea book.  Deanna will become my "SU sister"  within the next couple of days.  We compared our inventories and decided to team up.  I did manage to whip up a card while we were chatting.  The sentiment is really hard to see but I absolutely loved the finished product!!  Have a great night and keep warm!

Guilty as .... CASE'd !!

I could feel my heart beating faster ... so much on my 'want to do' list and so little time.  I made a commitment to a card / post a day and here I was crunching time.  What to do?  Easy answer ... just case a card.  I became  a member of this group called Late Night Stampers and my inbox is filled with hundreds of ideas from some very talented women.  While browsing I saw a card made with four hearts punched out of the new DSP from SU.  Since I'm patiently awaiting for the arrival of my goodies I decided to take some Very Vanilla cardstock and stamp a background image.  I then used an old heart punch that I had collecting dust in the other room to punch out the hearts.  I believe her card used die cut leaves but again ... my supply cupboard was void of any such item so I just used the same stamp from Vintage Vogue and added some color in Old Olive around the hearts.  Then a Firestone brad in the center and a sentiment at the bottom with a strip of stamped paper and three colored gems I had in storage.  Voila ... a ten minute card and I could stop holding my breath because I wasn't disappointing myself!  Thanks for the inspiration LNS!
Enjoy and stop back soon!

Quick Post ....

My household is battling the stomach bug so a quick hop on the blog and then off to get a few zzzz's while I can.  Months ago I saw a similar card on the internet while "playing" at a friends.  She let me borrow her Flight of the Butterfly SU set and butterfly punch.  Now these are on must have list.  After placing my Sale-a-Bration order today I'm afraid hubby is going to Pay It Forward by parking a new ATV in my yard or something!  LOL  Thanks for stopping!

MOJO 120 with a twist?

I'm so proud of myself.  Posting three days in a row is like reaching the top of Mount Everest for me.  Looking back on 2009, I realized that I have to have more faith in myself.  If I want to be truly loved then first I must truly love myself.  Too often I remained invisible - afraid of not being good enough.  I found myself comparing my cards and creative works to others constantly feeling as though mine 'weren't good enough' to share.  One of things I've come to accept is that I am who I am.  I create for me and I like what I create!  I've accepted that my work, my values, and everything about who I am may differ from those around me and that's okay!    Here is my twist on the first Mojo of 2010.  I do wish that the picture were a bit clearer to show the detailed embossing and highlighting.  I love SU's embossing folders!  Of course I love anything SU!    Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Snowed In ...

What a blustery day in Vermont.  We have 24 inches of snow thus far today and it is still coming down hard.  Stuck in the house should have allotted the perfect opportunity to accomplish something ... however, the stomach bug blew in with the snow and I was running children back and forth between bathrooms!  I had hoped to get some housework done and then spend an hour or two crafting Higher Powers had something else in mind for me!  I'm not complaining - I loved lounging with my daughter watching American Girl with her head nestled on my shoulder.  Bitter sweet!

My card:  Asian Artistry stamp set, So Saffron and Mellow Moss Ink and Paper!

Vintage Vogue share and more

The holidays were a true blessing for me.  My sister Marie flew in from Colorado, my sister Valerie flew in from Virginia and my brother and sister in law drove up from Myrtle Beach.  It has been so long since we have all been together.  My time with them made me realize how truly wealthy I am when it comes to love and support.   Though all six children in the family (yes there are six of us!) are very different from one another we truly compliment in each other and bring such a harmony to the surface.  I have decided that 2010 will bring a sincere determination to appreciate and value our individuality and to maintain regular communication with those who mean so much to me ... including my blogging friends.  I am going to try my best to post a card or project a minimum of once a week.  (My first goal was to post a card a day but decided I had better revamp my goals to ones more realistic since school starts back up for me in two weeks).  I hope to blog hop and compliment others work as well build my business from hobbyist to active demonstrator!  I know that I love the new clear blocks and stamps and hope my enthusiasm shows through my creative outlet.  Best to all ... I'm off to blog hop!