Stamp With Mary

BBQ was huge success!

I wanted to take a quick moment to post a couple lines...the BBQ Benefit Saturday was a huge success.  We fell a little short of our goal both in $$ raised and in people served, but there was nothing about the day to call a failure.  Help streamed in from every direction - we had volunteers for serving, for beverages and desserts, and tons of people (both known and unknown) who stopped for lunch or dinner.  For those of you who where there - a ginormous thank you!  I'll be back to stampin' in a day or so...I need to create a few thank you cards, and some thinking of you cards....as well as set a date and post it for my July new catty kick off!  Check back tomorrow!

Tragedy touches us...

Graduation is over and we had a fabulous weekend of celebration.  While I normally try to make sure my posts involve stamping in some fashion, I am instead posting to appeal to any and all who might be willing to eat BBQ next weekend (June 23rd) in the Creve Coeur area. 

The 19 year old that drowned in the Missouri River last week was the son of a good friend.  This loving family is living any parent's worst nightmare, and of course there are financial implications.  In an effort to provide assistance we have organized a benefit for next Saturday.  If you will be in the area, please, please come eat BBQ.  If you cannot attend but would like to make donations, contact me.

Graduation is coming!

Well, in spite of thinking I was done with the graduation announcements and party invitations last weekend, I found the pieces to make one last invitation and remembered to photograph it before I sealed the envelope.

All stamps and CS are SU! - used basic black and glorious green.  The ribbon is generic and the star brads are from Mike's.

I thought this turned out pretty cute...and the real challenge was to find a design that was masculine enough for my "he-man" boy child....hard to believe my YOUNGEST is graduating.  In fact, right now he is beginning his last of three days of school, one of which is for a graduation ceremony practice.

My next challenge with him will be to design and produce a thank you card that he can send.  I gave it some thought yesterday, but didn't come up with anything I could get excited about...sometimes its like that.  Those creative juices just weren't exactly FLOWING.  Something will pop into my head, and I'll be off an running.  I just have to be patient.

So, yesterday's class was "lightly attended."  I suppose the whole graduation thing coupled with May being THE single busiest month of the year (yes, even busier than December, with ball, and rainouts and make ups, and end of school, and gardening, and weddings and showers, and so on, and so on, and so on).

No worries, though.  I'm going to tell you now that I will not be hosting a traditional class in June either.  Our calendar is completely full until the last weekend, and I hate to wait until the last minute for orders on the retiring sets.  You'll want to watch my SU website (www.stampwithmaryd.stampinup.net) in June for a special. 

I'll post the project we made yesterday in a couple days...mine is still not quite finished as I'm just not convinced the embellishments were enough...stay tuned! 

Happy May

Well, the door is here for the fridge.  Its been nearly three weeks with the door precariously perched, held up only by the seal.  The repairman will be back to install the new door on Wednesday! Funny how little things excite you but when you can't open the door wide enough to get anything bigger than a gallon of milk out you begin to miss the "simple" luxuries of life (that I've become so dependent on).

Next Sunday is class...yep, May 20th.  I know, I know, I was supposed to go camping.  But, with so much going on (Jake's graduation, Mother's Day TOMORROW, Six Flags last week, Memorial Day weekend approaching like a freight train) we decided to stay home, and if I'm home, why not stamp?  Especially since last month was such a debacle!

Obviously, we won't be making a Mother's Day Card (held over from last month) but I think I will use the same techniques.  I'm going to try to throw in a Father's Day Card, but those masculine cards are always a bit challenging for me.  Graduation is also a consideration!  We'll just have to see what those creative juices bring!

SU! has released the retired list...it is long and lovely.  There are a few sets I will HAVE to have.  Some are no surprise, others are shocking!  But, that wonderful long list means there will be tons of new sets in the July "Collection" and I can hardly wait.

SU! has a special promotion to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month and to give you a sneak peak at a some of the fabulous pattern paper they will offer in the Fall/Winter Collection (the new name for our July 1 release of what we used to know as the Idea Book and Catalog).

Ok, ok, enough words.  Time for some "eye-candy"...

This adorable notebook is 3x3 and is super easy and fast.  I used my Rubi-Coil binding system to bind the CS and everyday printer paper. 

I have made these cute little paint can gifts for baby showers that include a notebook which I purchase and cover to decorate - I think I have found an alternative! Can't you see a themed set using Buggies and Booties for an antiqued look?

This is a technique I had slotted for last month...it creates a really unique and interesting look that reminds me of a Hawaiian shirt.  If you wanted to make this for a special something, I think it would be great, but mass production here is out of my realm...the mulberry paper gets wet, has to be dried, and then you iron the paper to remove the EP...too many steps for more than one.

This one is my favorite...glittery, spring!  I used Watercolor Garden SS from SU! and a reverse mask to create the oval.  Stamp the "scene" inside the oval, and when complete cover the entire opening with a light sponging of color, then Versa-Mark Ink and Irridecent Ice EP.  Heat set, and viola!

I think this would also be amazing with some Stamp Tapestry stamps...if you haven't seen them, they are tiny little flowers and greenery, and make really cool looking "wreaths" on cards.

Ok, well, I guess that is all for now!  Happy Stamping!

Today is cancelled!

Sorry for the late notice but we had a huge mess!  I just didn't think I could deal with it, and the class, so I had to make a choice.  I'm considering rescheduling, so if you can make it next week, please let me know.

My refridgerator door FELL OFF and everything went everywhere.  The milk cartons split, so there was milk running all over, and at least one of the door shelves broke.  It looks like something in the bottom of the door (where it pivots) is broken.  Now I have to figure out what to do with everything that was in the door (of course it won't ALL fit). I didn't think to get a picture while the door was laying down and EVERYTHING was on the floor.  This is about half-way through the clean up.

It doesn't do justice to the amount of milk that ran into the living room carpet (uggh...isn't that a pain to clean up?), or the shock of walking (actually running) into the kitchen after a loud crash and finding the whole mess laying there. 

Now we get to see what the warranty will take care of!

On a lighter note, I am posting one of the projects we would have done today...it is a card that I thought could be for Mother's Day, but doesn't have to be!  I used stamping over a background (there are little clusters of flowers in the canvas - tough to see in the picutre), and the focal point is stamped with Black Staz-On on water color paper using the Both Way Blossoms hostess stamp set, then watercolored with watercolor crayons and an aquapainter.  I used Lovely Lilac for the base, and So Saffron for the mat.  The crayon colors  are the same, plus Old Olive.  I used the distressing tool from the cutter kit to distress the edges (no sore fingernails!!!), a round black brad from the vintage brads, and black gingham ribbon for the accent.  The last little "umph" was to use the color spritzer tool to apply some little speckles of Lovely Lilac...I thought it turned out pretty, and made me really think of all the yard work we have waiting outside!

I'm going to close for now, so I can get this posted and hopefully stop anyone who might be surfing before coming over!  Enjoy this beautiful weather...and I promise not to be so long before I post again!

I'm back!

At least I think I'm back.  Work got a little out of control in March, and then I needed some R & R to get over how out of control it was!  So, I went camping - those of you who know me, know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to camp...I'm not really sure why, 'cuz I don't like bugs and I don't like to sweat.  One of the great mysteries of the world, I suppose! 

But I'm home now, and catching up on all the things that went whirling out of control while I was so absorbed in my work (like stamping, bills, housework, yardwork, laundry - though that's nothing new, etc). 

Be sure to flip over to my website for my calendar...I have scheduled my April class for the 21st.  And, if you didn't get my e-mail, there is also a fantastic special from SU! this month.

This is one of the projects we made at my March class...I wish I could remember where I saw this, but cannot.  It was from Splitcoast Stampers web.  This adorable little guy is all punched...used the small and large ovals,  three sizes of round punches, and a flower cut into fourths for the toes!  Here are a couple other punchy cards I thought worth saving...also case'd from Splitcoast.

More to come...I have to charge my camera battery to take more pic's.  Happy Spring!

Friday Night Class

I thought I would take a quick minute this morning to post pic's of the box featured this Friday night...you know, the chipboard thing! It is perfect for spring, whether that is Easter or Mom's Day or just Happy Spring...this will fit!  Can't you see it with eggs and candy?  What about a blooming plant?  Or overflowing with seed packets and tools for planting?   If you are planning to come and haven't let me know, please do so to be sure I have enough supplies. 

Be sure to check out my calendar for additional class offerings...next one is March 11.

Honey, I'm home!

OMG!  I couldn't believe it when I opened my blog to post last weekend's projects!  I knew I was a bit behind, and that I "owed" some pics, but I had no idea it had been just over TWO weeks since my last post!  Life can just get away from you sometimes!

But, I'm home (which I really wasn't for the entire last week)!  I've had some fun hanging out with John, who DIDN'T work overtime this weekend, and I was able to do a little catching up!

So, I have pictures (she said with a taunting, sing-song inflection).  We made three absolutely FABULOUS projects last weekend, even if I do say so myself!  These were surprisingly quick, too!  I'm going to be hard pressed to surpass the WOW-factor next month!

Enough jibba-jabba (remember that crazy doll thing???). 

Our first project was to use masking, stippling and to try the amazing and exciting CUTTLEBUG!  We used an embossing folder to dry emboss the "frame" and used the 1 3/8" square punch for the insert.  The NEMO was stamped with basic black, then masked with a post-it cut out while Tempting Turquiose was stippled around him.  This design, I must confess, was an original thought that was brought to life by someone else prior to my actual creation...her version is a bit different, but the same idea...the wonderful JanTink...if you haven't seen her blog, you should look.  She is funny and entertaining in addition to creative!

The featured technique for the class was the "rainbow flip strip" created with glossy cardstock, a spectrum pad and brayer.  I had this great idea to use the cotton candy spectrum pad, and a valentine motif with Happy Hearts stamp set...but the colors in the pad repeat, and the effect of the flip was lost.  I thought (at the suggestion of a friend...thank you Sally) the couple was a possible Valentine them, yet provided option if that wasn't a viable use for the card!  Highlights were placed with our Signo gel pen.

The final project (and the real draw of the day) was supplied by fellow SU! demo Sally Nusbaum!  Her creativity never seems to end!  I attended a class she held on Friday night, and was able to use her project for my class too.

This is a "paper bag album" - a bit different than the first album I tried back in August.  This one did not require any bindings.  And there was very little stamping as we used a Simply Scrappin' kit called Party Pieces...love those bright, happy colors!  This was a tri-fold variety with pull outs in the pockets.  What a fun project.  This also afforded an opportunity to introduce the raging chipboard...the flower on the front is from the on-board accents with patterned paper adhered!  Sally taught me that while I had read about the virtues of Mod Podge for this application, a glue stick with a little burnishing and heat (warmed by the ever-present tool called a "tushy") is wonderfully effective and much LESS messy (thank you Sally).  Here are some more pic's...other views:

January Newsletter

I wanted to get my newsletter posted in case any of you somehow didn't get it by e-mail...Download january_2007.doc I'm working on my next class (which is my Feb technique class) for samples.  I also have succumbed to the Cuttlebug fever which is running rampant on other blogs and on SCS.  It is absolutely wonderful, and I expect to have some of those completed soon too...I had to wait for some of the embossing folders to arrive via the mail, and I have to say it has been the biggest exercise in patience I have had to endure for a long time (patience is NOT one of my virtues)!  I am posting a picture from SCS...this is the sample from the tutorial, and is done using our designer series papers from the winter mini for valentines day by Taylor VanBruggen.  My class on the 23rd will be more of a spring motif...perfect for Easter, Mother's Day, or whatever.  Check out my calendar at www.stampwithmaryd.stampinup.net for details!

Well, I know this is a short post...I'm off to work!  Thanks for looking and hope to hear from you soon!

Simplicity was the word of the day...

I was inspired by a multitude of posts, all originating from a challenge and sample by JulieHRR (from Splitcoaststampers) with a simple, no-layer card that caught my eye and was absolutely gorgeous!  I knew I HAD to do that!  And, why not make the entire class about simplicity?  How many people have stamps and don't use them? It took me two years to actually stamp after my first purchase of nearly $200.  They all just sat in a box because every time I tried, I was frustrated at the outcome (by the way, the perfect solution, if your suffering from this ailment is a) the Simply Sent kits that SU! is offering now - check out the mini) or b) attend classes to get ideas).  So, I thought this would be the perfect class!  Simple for me.  Simple for you.  Reproducable.  And, January is always hectic...that whole idea that the holidays are over and things settle down is really only a half-truth.  There is football, un-decorating the house, the white sales and clearance sales to shop, and all the resolutions of exercise and eating right which require TONS more time than a quick jaunt through the drive through...make simple sound WONDERFUL! 

And so, I was on a quest to have three SIMPLE projects.  The first was the CASE'd idea from surfing blogs, and so was really just a matter of selecting the stamp set and execution.  I did stamp on Shimmery White cardstock to add a little zing, and I couldnt resist a ribbon.  I thought about bling on the flowers, but the glitter I had on hand didn't add to the card...it took away.  So here is the final sample:

Next, I thought, wouldn't some little love notes or cute, tiny cards be sweet.  And surely those could be made simply!  I didn't have any small envies on hand, so I was prepared to fall back on my templates, and we could make our own envies (and use that greeting glue I've had and never used!).  I fell in LOVE with the Small Sayings set from the Winter mini...and used the sample in the catty as inspiration for:

So here's where it wasn't so simple.  I thought with Valentine's Day so close, I would like to make a little something with that in mind.  And I usually try to make one 3-D item.  I was purusing my supplies (and the one's at Mike's) and decided that small "take out boxes" would be adorable with Happy Hearts all over them.  I had it all figured out...ribbons on the handles, and a tag with Tagger's Dozen from the Winter mini!  I was excited.  So I bought a dozen boxes and charged home to tackle the task, confident that this was, indeed, a simple class. 

While I collected inks and stamps and ribbons, I had this great thought about eyelets followed closely by that little butterfly skip in my belly at the thought of a project for my crop-a-dile...I still had large heart-shaped eyelets (now retired)!  I began stamping with classic ink (don't do this at home, girls) - but it wouldn't dry. When I hit it with a heat tool, the color changed.  So, I thought I would clear emboss over it...and when I tried it I first thought there was a problem and someone must have mixed my clear EP with white EP!  The colors became milky and cloudy. Refusing to succomb, I tried craft ink, which also changed colors.  I was not happy.  My class was in less than two hours (ever the Queen Procrasinator) and this was anything BUT simple.

That's when DH (former Prince, and now elevated to King status) offered to run to get the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge for my Cricut!  I feined resistance of the cost and frivolity...but of course, gave in and (you guessed it) am not the proud owner of said cartridge!  I used a scalloped edge box, stamped it as discussed above (Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink Classic Ink; Happy Hearts Stamp Set).  I took the wire handles off the purchased boxes and attached to each finished box, embellished, and viola!

What do you think?  Didn't it turn out gorgeous?  So we stuffed it with pink and red paper shreds, and lots of pretty V-Day candy.  Closed the flaps with Sticky Strip.  You could make these (except the handle) in about five minutes.  The handles take longer, but you could do them while watching Jack Bauer (what a perfect evening that would be!). 

Well, I think I've done enough for one day.  I'll check back in a day or two!  Happy Stamping!