Unexpected Gifts

Today I had something totally unexpected happen that I wanted to share with you. This event absolutely turned my day from a mad hectic rush to a "savor the moment" time. Here's what happened.

Susan Hoare from our Colourful Impressions Group in Langley was looking for some 12 x 12 Textured In Colour from the old cattie. Since I had an unopened package that I wasn't sure I would use, I contacted her and we made arrangements to do a trade. Susan agreed to order me a package of Neutrals cardstock to replace my In Colours one.

Simple right. Well a lot has gone on for both of us in the past few weeks so it wasn't until last night that we were able to connect and arrange the switch. So this morning while I was on business in Langley I drove to Susan's home to pick up the paper but when I arrived, there was no one home and no paper to be found.

A quick call to Susan confirmed that her hubby must have forgotten to leave the package on the front step for me this morning. We talked a bit about alternatives as I wouldn't be able to come in to town again for a while, but Susan who was on her way home from work across the river suggested she come home pick up the Neutrals paper and meet me in Walnut Grove where I was heading for another appointment. How's that for going the extra mile............. man was I impressed.

Susan met me at the appointed time and this bright cheerful gal handed me a Stampin Up' bag with my paper and casually mentioned she had put some "extra's" in the bag for my "inconvenience". We chatted briefly about blogs and stamping and then said our farewells.

As I was dashing off for another appointment I never looked in the bag. So, imagine my surprise and pleasure when I opened the bag tonight and found these two beautiful cards and a fresh package of Delicate Dots 12 x 12 DSP.

I just had to phone her right away and thank her for this beautiful gift and for being there for me. What a thoughtful gal! So Susan here is another thank you as I show off your beautiful handiwork.

Now if I could only figure out how to rotate this card you might be able to see it correctly. It is beautiful

Final Deal of the Week July 27th to Aug 1st, 2009

Well here it is the final week of July................ where has the summer gone? And with that announcement here is the final Stampin' Up Deal of the Week the Heart to Heart Punch.

This is a really great opportunity to add to your punch collection with the Heart to Heart punch. You can purchase this terrific deal for only $15.99....... that's 30% off the regular price of $22.95.

This punch will really come in handy for making quick and simple birthday, anniversary and of course Valentines cards.

If you're interested in purchasing this final Deal of the Week, please go to my online shopping service on my website, and select deal of the week. Happy Punching!

Origami Box and Gift Card - UStamp with Dawn & Friends

Jenny Moors, the United Kingdon Dream Team Member for UStamp with Dawn and Friends designed a fabulous Origami Gift Box and Matching Gift Card for her second project. Her design used Washington Apple DSP and Ruby Red, Bashful Blue, and Pumpkin Pie ink and Card Stock. Petal Pizzazz and Stem Sayings stamps were used for the flower and sentiment. It was gorgeous!

Since I'm still in between orders and didn't have the DSP Jenny used, I decided to use some more of my retired designer paper (DSP). I made mine using Haiku DSP, and Old Olive cardstock for the base of the box and a combination of Tangerine Tango and Old Olive cardstock for the matching gift card.

Now I absolutely love the Petal Pizzazz stamp set, so you can imagine just how thrilled I was when I could use it for this sample. What I love about Petal Pizzazz is that there are so many ink colour combinations and mounting configurations that can be used with this set.

I have made up several sheets (I'll post a sample later) of stamped flower images in various inks and I cut out these images when I've some downtime watching tv or sitting in my garden. That way I have them on hand to make a quick card or embellish a scrapbook page as needed. These are great for making card candy samplers too for door prizes and gifts.

Here is a side view of the origami box I made. Although you can't see it in these pictures I lined the inside squares of the lids with Tangerine Tango DSP paper for contrast (same as the one on the card band). The flower is mounted with dimensionals and a yellow Circle of Fire brad was used for the center of the flower.

The sentiment "Just for You" is from the Oval All stamp set (got to love that one too).

I hope you enjoyed this fun project ........ I know I did. In fact, my friend's granddaughter's eighth birthday is coming up next week and I think I'll make her one of these sets and put a little set of earings in the gift box for her .........shhhhhhhhh don't tell!

Stationary Card Purse - UStamp With Dawn and Friends

Tracey Old, the New Zealand Dream Team member for UStamp with Dawn and Friends demonstrated a Stationary Purse with four gift cards for her second round. She chose Urban Oasis and Urban Garden for her Designer Series Paper and her card stocks were in Basic Gray and Baja breeze. What a fabulous combinaton. Tracey used the One of a Kind and Short and Sweet stamp sets for her sentiments.

I've discovered through the chat forums on UStamp with Dawn that New Zealand is a season behind Canada and the United States with their SU Idea Book and Catalogue so they are currently using last year's (for us) In Colours, DSP and stamps.

Another of the wonderful benefits I've found in participating in the UStamp with Dawn and Friends session has been the opportunity to chat with many of the marvellous demos from around the globe, and in particular from New Zealand and Austrailia. These gals just rock! They are funny, sweet and nice and willing to share ideas. Because of them I think I'm going to move my "Trip to Down Under" higher on my bucket list ......... have to talk to hubby about that. LOL!
For my sample, I recreated Tracey's project using the "To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper" from last years IB&C. This paper is very thick - almost like cardstock and very wonderful to work with.

Since I love, love, love (did I say love?) Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip together, card stock choice and DSP choice was a no brainer. Because the pattern on the medallion stamp wouldn't show up on Chocolate Chip unless it was embossed, I used Close to Cocoa card stock.

Even though there is a lot of cutting and scoring in this project it was well worth the time, as it came together quickly and easily and would make a great class. The finished project would make a great incentive gift for a workshop hostess (think wow!) or a special gift for a bridal shower or how about for a secret swap sister!

This is an inside view of the stationary purse. The two pockets which are raised hold 2 cards and 2 envelopes on either side. In this example I have pulled the cards out of the pockets so you can see the design, however to close the purse you need to push the cards right into the pockets. I used two pearl brads on the lid and front of the card and a strip of 1/8" ribbon for the closure. A piece of Chocolate Chip 5/8" ribbon was tied onto the handle to give it some extra Pizzazz. When the stationary purse is fastened closed, it stands up nicely on its base.



Here you can see the four gift cards - 2 of each design. I swapped up the DSP on tops and bottoms and changed the embellisments on the flowers to give some variety.

I used the medallions from the SU True Friends Stamp Set (retired). I made three layers and cut the medallions out by hand. Recollections pearl brads and Making Memories bronze brads were used for the flower center pieces and Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon and Sage Shadow satin 1/8" ribbon (non SU) were used for added embellishments.

Hope you've enjoyed this project........ I know I did! Happy Stamping.

Double Treat Gift Basket - UStamp with Dawn and Friends Project

Makeesha Byl, Dream Team Member from Austrailia for UStamp with Dawn and Friends created a simple basket called "Triple Treat Gift Basket". Her design used the new Rich Razzleberry card stock and Dotted Swiss Ribbon, and Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (DSP).

I made mine into a "Two Treat Gift Basket" ...... I only had two candles so what the heck. LOL! I used the Raspberry Tart DSP from last year and Rose Regal Card Stock for my base. This was a very quick and easy project and would be perfect for one of those last minute gifts. Enjoy.

Top Note Mini Album

Here's a beautiful little project created by Irene Wendlandt, a design team member from German for the UStamp with Dawn and Friends stamp group.

How quick and how cute this little album is. Irene's version used the Simply Scrapbook Kit called "Pretty Petals".

Pages and Chipboard are cut out using the Top Note Die Cut, and held together with a binder ring.

I improvised again and used paper and accents from the Sunshine Garden Simply Scrappin' Kit ( retired) and I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. These color coordinated Scrappin Kits are such an inexpensive way to make cards and small albums and 3D items. Great value for the money.

The die cuts are all self-adhesive, and you get patterned paper and matching cardstock in the kit. These kits are ideal for making cards or full 12" x 12" scrapbook pages. You can also trim the double-sided designe paper and card stock to create 6" x 6" or 8 1/2" x 11". All materials are lignin free pages, and are safe for your photos and other mementos.

Check out the kits on pages 164 to 167 in the new SU Idea Book and Catalogue for 2009/10, there is a nice variety to choose from. I especially like the Happy B-Day (115695), Guest Book (115697) and Christmas Jingle (115696. All 3 of these would make perfect mini albums.

The theme for my album is "Memories". When I decided to make this album I remembered I had pictures sitting around from a trip my mom and I made to my sister's place in Vernon a few years ago. I knew they would be perfect for this project.

This was such a fun trip and my mom was like totally relaxed and enjoying herself in Heather's fabulous garden and back yard. They always say "good times are meant to be cherished". Isn't that true and what a simple and nice way to do it.

Card Stock is Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana.

Hope you've enjoyed this little Album.

July 20 -26 Stampin Up Deal of the Week

Wow this is a sensational Deal of the Week! I know I am going to be ordering one. The Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware is on page 178 of the Idea Book and Catalogue (09/10). This 200 piece set will add beauty and grace to your projects, and give them that real "wow" factor. To order this item please visit my website.