Congratulations Sharon!

I'm excited to announce the winner of the "Sharing the Love" Stampin' Up Give Away, Congratulations Sharon from Fairview, NC. Your package will be on it's way to you tomorrow!!!

Give Away Items

Thank you for all your comments on yesterdays posts.....the reason I blog is to share what I do with others and hopefully inspire at least one person. I really stepped up my blogging in the last six months to help my downline with ideas and share things they can use for classes, since I have moved so far away. (This is my link to them). So, yes I am honored when I see my work reproduced, I just was shocked to see it in that context. I have used other people's ideas, and I hope I have given credit when credit is due. Like someone posted yesterday, its hard when you think your idea is your own, but after looking at so many cards its hard to know what is your idea or a mixture of something we have seen. I think if we went back far enough on any card, it would eventually be someone else's idea or layout.....I think the best policy is, if you make an exact copy, give credit. Thank you again for all your kind words. I hope all my rambling makes sense.

Here is what I was busy working on tonight, same layout two different cards. Have a great night and Happy Stamping! Congratulations again to Sharon!

Project Supplies: Pun Fun Stamp Set, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Whisper White and So Saffron cardstock, SU Ribbon and Brads, Markers and Cutie Pie Designer Paper.

Project Supplies: Just Celebrate Stamp Set (Occasion's Mini), Wild Wasabi, Whisper White and Regal Rose Cardstock, Rose Red Designer Prints Paper, Wild Wasabi Stitched Ribbon, Regal Rose Eyelets (Retired), Eyelet tool kit, Markers and Blender Pen.

Sharing the Love.....Give Away #4

Another crazy, crazy day at the Sagaser house. I can't believe it is 9pm already, where has my day gone! I did get a lot done....my landscape crew came today and drew up plans for my big landscaping project, so I of course was so excited tonight I had to head to Plant Perfect right away and begin buying. (Those of you that know me, know I love plants....greenhouses especially) I got two trees in the front planted and four grape vines in the back. (Yeah!) Tomorrow I have plenty more to do!!!

Yesterday browsing through various Stamping Blogs, (I always have to keep an eye on my favorites) I was shocked to see my card that I designed for my mom. I'm sure some of you remember, it was a lemon card. Well, I was at first honored that they liked my card enough to copy it and then I started having mix emotions at why this person wanted to passed it off as her own. Are my feelings out of line? I guess my policy is, if I duplicate or get a major portion of an idea from someone I give credit. In doing this I feel the person would feel honored and know I was inspired by their work. I hope a few of you can help me understand this better!!! I'm pretty new at blogging.........Let me know what you think?

Anyway, enough of that nonsense.....on to the good part. I am adding to the Stampin' Up box give away, a sampler of Stampin' Ups Brads. You will get Rich Regals, Soft Subtles, Earth Elements and Bold Brights brads. I believe there are 6 of each color in a nice container so they are still sorted in there color family. I will be announcing the winner tomorrow around 9pm, as I have another very full day. I will then contact you by e-mail and you will have 2 days to respond with your snail mail information or another name will be drawn. Good Luck and Happy Stamping!

Gotta Love a Quickie

Today as I had only a few moments to stamp in between running to the gym, getting Ashton to school and preparing for the big Spring Dance Show the girls are putting on tonight, I created a simple journal for my sister in law. I talked to her last week and she wanted three journals, so here is number one!

Tomorrow I will be showing of the last item going into the give away box and then Wed. I will be announcing the winner. Should be an exciting day! Enjoy....Happy Stamping!


Project supplies: Pun Fun Stamp Set, Cricut Base Camp Font, East Coast Prep Designer Paper, Real Red, SU Ribbon, Markers, Crystal Effects (On Space ship), and Dimensionals.

May Day Baskets

I didn't mean to leave everyone hanging....Things have been busy around here!!! So, today I sat in my craft room all day working on May Day Baskets for Ashton's Kindergarten Class. I hope the kids enjoy them....They took me about 6 hours and all my sticky strip. The pattern I used was a 5x5 piece of cardstock, scored at 1 1/2 all sides. The strips of designer paper were 1 1/2 x 2. I put the scallop punched image up a little bit on the box to hold in all the goodies. Ashton picked out these rolls of sweet tarts and they wouldn't fit otherwise. Enjoy......Happy Stamping!

Basket for the Girls

Project Supplies: Just Celebrate Stamp Set, Real Red, Whisper White, Bashful Blue Cardstock, Markers,Sticky Strip, Summer Picnic Designer Paper, SU Ribbon, Brads & Punches and Yellow Shredded Paper (Dollar Store)

Basket for the Boys

Project Supplies: Wild About You Stamp Set, Summer Picnic Designer Paper, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue and Whisper White Cardstock, Black Marker, Glue Stick, Sticky Strip, SU Ribbon, Punches and Brads.

Side View


All 17 May Day Baskets

Ahoy Matey!

When my daughter started to plan her Birthday Party we were thinking about a boy/girl party (Ashton's kindergarten class is 80% boys) and we wanted a theme that both boys and girls could enjoy. Things changed when we found out we were moving the day after her party so we decided to mix a Birthday Party and Farewell Party into one and just have girls. (Making my job easier I went from 24 kids to 9 girls) Everyone had a blast, the Mom's included!! I am proud to finally be done with her scrapbook page tonight!!

The girls enjoyed*:

• Visiting the Musical Islands
• Diving for Treasure in the Bubbling Sea (AKA Hot Tub)
• Walking the plank
• Buried Treasure Hunt
• Making There own Treasure Chests

*This is what is written inside the Treasure Chest. I saw this treasure chest on Kirsten's web site Confessions of a Nighttime Stamper and I knew I just had to use it on my scrapbook page and turn it into a journal box. I also added in an extra necklace from the party. Another element that is hard to see, is the Rhinestone brads I added in the treasure chest on the opposite page. I love the dimension it adds to the page along with the magic mesh. Enjoy!

Project Supplies: Ahoy Matey Stamp Set, Matey's Map Jumbo Wheel, Cricut Paper Doll & Base Camp Cartridges, Hobby Lobby Gold Coin Stickers, Stampin Up Rhinestones (Inside the treasure chest), Magic Mesh (Netting), SU Ticket and Circle Punches, and Misc. Items from the party.

Keeps Getting Better

I tried something a little different tonight....I inked up my Dotted Emboss Folder for my Cuttlebug. I ran my Pumpkin Pie Ink Pad right over it. This is how it turned out! I put it on the card inverted.....I liked it so much I couldn't stop playing this this card design. Let me know what you think?

Project Supplies: Blooming with Love & Everyday Flexible Phrases Stamp Sets, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Rose Red Cardstock, Jersey Shore Designed Paper, Gel Pen, SU Brads and Rhinestone, SU Stripped Ribbon, Flower Fusion (Felts), Old Olive Marker, Cuttlebug and Dotted Emboss Folder, and Dimensionals.

Arte y Pico Award

This afternoon I was shocked an honored to receive the Arte y Pico Award from Giovana. Thank you! (http://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/) You made my day! After a long night of driving home after the Bon Jovi/Daughtry Concert...This was a nice treat. (Thank You, Again)

The award was originally designed by Eseya at arte y pico . You pick five blogs that you think earned this award based on their creativity, design, interesting material, and contribution to the blogging community. List the names on your blog and link to their blogs. Leave a comment on one of their posts to let them know of the award! Each winner has to show the award and put the name of the person who gave them the award with a link to their blog. Also show the link to http://arteypico.blogspot.com/.

Here are my nominations:

• Missy~ http://3brats.blogspot.com/
• Heather~ http://www.stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather
• Pam~ http://www.stampingpam.blogspot.com/
• Edee~ http://www.edeejohnson.blogspot.com/
• Shelly~ http://www.momentsinthemaking.blogspot.com/
  

Tonight I am trying to get in mode to get my Mother's Day projects started. This card opens left to right, something different and fun! (Sorry the picture didn't take well and the words look lighter and darker....they don't in person??) Hope you enjoy!


Project Supplies: All In The Family, Jumbo Outline Alphabet & Amazing to Zany Stamp Set, SU Ribbon, Markers, Rose Red, Blue Bayou & Certainly Celery Prints Designer Papers, Corner Rounder and Small Hole Punch.

Sharing The Love....(Give Away Item #3)

Today is the big day...In a couple hours I will be heading (3 hour drive) to the Bon Jovi Concert with my cousin, Dorinda. YEAH!! This morning as I was trying to get ready, I thought it is time to share another item that will be in the Stampin' Up box give away. (as it is fast approaching~April 30th) If you are just stumbling onto this blog, check out previous Sharing the Love posts for details and other items. The item going into the box today is a sampler set of Stampin' Up Buttons. I love Stampin' Up buttons because they match our papers perfectly and as you can see previously this week when I work with non-stampin' up products I seem to run into "MANY" problems. So, I have this set of sampler buttons (6-7 buttons of each Earth Elements & Naturals, Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Rich Regals, Soft Subtles and Clear.) Hope you have a great weekend!

One Thing Leads To Another.....

Ashton has to school today, so I decided to also take a day off from going to the gym and catch up on things here. I wanted finish up her scrapbook page I was working on and get the house cleaned. Plus also I wanted to treat the kids to the zoo and park this afternoon....called my cousin to see if she wanted to join us and before I knew it, we are going to the Bon Jovi Concert tomorrow!!! Yeah!!! I completed my to do list and now we are heading off the the zoo. Will tomorrow ever come!!!

When a Good Idea Goes Wrong

I don't even know why I'm posting tonight, as I'm having a "off" night. I saw this cute doted paper at Hobby Lobby yesterday and I thought that would be cute with my new "Pun Fun" Stamp Set. Boy was I wrong.....I couldn't get it to work and before I knew it I was not having fun and I felt a headache brewing. That's when you know enough is enough. I hope I'm not the only one that has those nights!!! I proud of the fact I dusted off my embossing powder a gun! I hope tomorrow is a better "creative" day! (Next time I'll only use SU paper....that will help!)



Project Supplies: Pun Fun (Occasion Mini) Stamp Set, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Yo Yo Yellow and Whisper White Cardstock, Non SU Designer Paper, SU Ribbon, Brads, Silver Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Matt Pack and Markers

My Tulips Are Emerging

With the weather being close to 80 degrees today my tulips are finally 6 inches tall. (Yeah!) All we need now is some rain, which we might get tomorrow or I'll be turning on the sprinklers. I meet tomorrow with the landscape team at Plant Perfect to begin the much needed curb appeal. The previous owners made these great flower beds all the way around the house and dumped tons of river rock, I have only 3 shrubs and 2 rose bushes in the front....which still look dead! So, I'm hoping they have some great ideas to add some BLING! Tonight's card is inspired by my "new" burgundy" tulips!!!



Project Supplies: Pick a Petal, Lots of Thoughts (Retired SAB 2008) & Garden Whimsy Stamp Set, Certainly Celery Prints Designer Paper, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White and Certainly Celery Cardstock, White Gel Pen, SU Ribbon (Retired), Bravo Burgundy Ink, Dimensionals, Scallop, Circle and Rectangle Punch and Cuttlebug Circle and Swirl Emboss Folders.

Simplify Life and Enjoy It More

I'm trying so hard to stay focused on what "really" matters in life, missing my stamp clubs and Directing VBS. (I would be waist high in that by now) I'm blessed that we were able to move to a larger community and I could start over...What I mean by that is; before I had myself booked 24 seven with Volunteer Events, Stampin' Up Parties and Open houses, Preschool for the kids, Sunday School Teacher & VBS Director, Advocate for the Abuse Resource Network and running the Park. In a small town it doesn't take much for you to get involved in everything and slowly get the life sucked out of you....I was that person. I was living in a fog, I forgot who I was or how I got to this point. I came to realize I was the type of person that couldn't say NO! I'm slowly finding myself and enjoying spending my days "mostly" uninterrupted with my children. I'm getting to know my extended family and treasure my daily visits to my grandma. This is what life is about.....The Simple Life! That is what inspired my "Simple" card layouts tonight.

Project supplies: Fancy Flexible Sayings (Retired) & Tart & Tangy Stamp Set, Real Red, Whisper White and Garden Green Cardstock, Ticket Punch, SU Ribbon, Cuttlebug Circle Emboss Folder, and Markers.

Project Supplies: Lots of Thought (2008 SAB) Stamp Set, Whisper White Cardstock, Certainly Celery Prints and Cutie Pie Designer Paper, Dimensionals, SU Ribbon, Black Marker, Circle Punches and Cuttlebug Swirl Emboss Folder.

When Life Gives You Lemons.....

I haven't posted for a few days as the "Lemon" tree in the backyard decided to drop all it's lemons in one day! I'm sure your wondering how a lemon tree can even survive a ND winter.....I've come to realize in life anything is possible!! So, this week I've lived the saying "When Life Gives You Lemons, make lemonade!"

• My "new" hairdresser decided I looked better with Pink Passion/Ruby Red Hair.....(my husband said "Maybe that is suppose to be your new Stampin' Up color combination) I wasn't thrilled....but after a few days of my kids saying "Why is your hair pink, Mom?" I realized it can be fixed and turn out better then I could have hoped for! My next questions is how can we duplicate it without going Pink first?

• My youngest daughter must have decided with all of mom's hair drama that she should become a hairdresser. She chopped off her hair on one half of her head. (She's a flower girl in a wedding in July, should be interesting). The crazy and sad thing about it was....it took me two days to realize it was her hair!!! My son came up with hair all over his winter gloves, (his new fetish, he won't take them off!!!) and I asked where did you get the hair from? He didn't know, so I asked where were you? He said downstairs in my craft room....this should have been a clue, except in a baggie I had my oldest daughter's hair from when she played beautician at age 3 also, in the closet in with my scrapbook stuff I've been saving. He pointed to it, so I let it go. My youngest daughter has curly out of control hair....so it wasn't until I put her hair up did I realize, it was half gone. I said "What happened?" She replied real quiet.....I cut it!

• I found out my mom is having "MAJOR" back surgery, without this surgery she could become paralyzed. I've gone through all the emotions this week trying to get a handle on how I feel about this. My mom is my everything, she is my rock! It is hard not to be there for her as she is thousand of miles away, at their winter home in Arizona. The doctor says if she drives home any little bump could be life changing, something that they may not be able to fix. With many prayers and good connections (Thanks Nancy), we got her into a fantastic surgeon in California....he's one of the best in the United States. Now I just pray for no turbulence on the plane ride and that surgery goes well!! (May 12th)
  

So, here is my little Lemon inspired card...."Life is what happens when your busy making other plans." I love that saying, I'll be sending this card to mom tomorrow in hopes to lighten her day. (The picture of her grown up daughter with pink hair, should also help!)

Project Supplies: Tart & Tangy & Full of Life Stamp Set, Green Galore, Yo Yo Yellow, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock, SU Ribbon, SU Black Brads, Cuttlebug Dotted Emboss Folder, Dimensionals, Corner Punch and Mat Pack.

Sending Cheer 2 You

I got an e-mail this morning from my friend (& down line) Treena that another gal in our group Lucille ended up in the hospital this week. I got busy this afternoon to make something extra special.....it took me about 2 hours to get it together, but it turned out oh so cute. I hope she likes it as much as I do!

Lucille....A bright and cheerful get-well wish especially meant to say, that many warm and friendly thoughts are with you every day. Get well soon!

Instructions:

• Cut two 12"x4 1/2" strips of Cardstock (I used Certainly Celery)
• Score every 3 1/2"
• Adhere second strip to excess of first strip. Trim off extra panels. (Note: You should have 5 panels total. Accordion-fold)
• Cut five rectangles of Cardstock (Regal Rose) slightly smaller then each panel; I then cut white cardstock slightly smaller then the Regal Rose. (I also ran the white through my cuttlebug dotted embossing folder)
• Adhere monograms to each panel to spell "Cheer" (I cut mine out with my cricut-Base Camp Font with retired Stampin' Up Designer Paper)
• Stamp small letters (Rough Edge Alphabet) and cut them out by hand or with a small square punch~ adhered them on with small glue dots.
• Added embellishments (Misc. flowers, brads, heart and ribbon)
  

Couldn't Be More Grateful

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." ~ Marcel Proust

I needed to come up with something extra special for Matt's sister, Heather for watching our kids last weekend. To make things worse she ended up getting the flu, I felt horrible. So, I wanted to make Heather a card set and was inspired by a recipe box I saw on splitcoast, thank you No Time to Stamp (http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoas...chen-gift-set/). I turned her recipe box into a card box. (Birthday, Thank You, Misc. and Note Cards)

My Card box is made out of a Pop Tart Box, cut in half and covered with red cardstock and matted with Summer Picnic Designer Paper. I made the inserts out of the white cardboard found in Stampin' Up Designer Papers. I covered the inserts with the Summer Picnic Designer Paper, rounded the corners and added the tab to the top. It worked perfect! I then filled with about 25 hand stamped cards & envelopes. I hope she likes it!!

Spring Bugs

"The day the Lord created Hope was probably the same day he created Spring."~ Bern Williams

3x3 Purse

This sweet little purse I made is from a Pop-up Glue Dot box. I cut the top off and covered the box with Certainly Celery Designer Paper. It is a perfect size box for a set of 3x3 cards or covered candy treats. I want to cover some candy to put in my little purse for one of Ashton's friends. I just can't seem to find any candy in the house tonight! (Funny.....the three little mice in my house only eat candy). I will have to get more at the store tomorrow. The stamp set I used is retired (sorry), Ladybug Picnic. When I think of spring this set comes to mind.....all the bugs start coming out!

Today's Inspiration

We didn't end up leaving town as fast as I thought we would this morning....as my husband was getting ready, I got inspired by my shirt. This idea popped into my head and I had to quick create....I used Love and Happiness Rub On's. (Black and White)



Project Details: Love & Happiness Rub On's (Black & White), Basic Black, Whisper White and Pomegranate Cardstock.

Sharing the Love....(Give Away Item #2)

Happy Friday Everyone! Hope everyone is having a great day. I have to admit I am having a fabulous day!!

• My brother is moving into his new house, I am relieved of being taxi driver!!!
• I get to back "home" to see all my wonderful friends in "Lisbon" tomorrow.
• Matt's grandma is home and is doing great!!! (Miracles do happen!!)
• The weather is so beautiful, I'm being dragged back on the golf course.
• I'll finally get see if Blonde's do have more fun.....Yes, I'm talking about you Missy!
• I get to go shopping for new clothes for the Banquet tomorrow....I love Bobcat!
• A great weekend away, just Matt and I.

Just like I promised your #2 item in the Stampin' Up Box Give Away. You will get 1 yard of the orange, red and blue striped ribbon. These ribbons are one of my favorite things.....I just have to share! For the #1 item and give away details, look at my previous post.

Feeling a Little Tart N' Tangy

What can I say I have Spring Fever....in my cards I made tonight you can sure tell! Tomorrow I'm revealing one more of my "favorite" items that is going into the Stampin' Up Box that I will be giving away April 30th. For those of you just stumbling upon my blog. The first item and give away details are located under "Sharing the love" post. Have a great night.....Happy Stamping!

Project Supplies: Tart N' Tangy Stamp Set, Love and Happiness Rub On's (Sale-a-Bration), Summer Picnic Designer Paper, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White Cardstock, White SU Ribbon, SU Square Punches, Dimensionals and Cuttlebug Dots Emboss Folder. Still having a hard time getting good lighting when I take pictures this late, hard to see the details....sorry! All three of the orange slices are put on with dimensionals, which really POP!

Project Details: Tart N' Tangy, Every Day Flexible Phrases & Jumbo Outline Alphabet Stamp Sets, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Whisper White Cardstock, SU Striped Ribbon, SU Markers, Real Red Brads, Square Punches, Hodgepodge Hardware, and Slit Punch.

Spring Cleaning

This week has just flown by me, I can't believe today is Thursday. I finally got my oldest daughters room back together, after framing the "Cricut" Mickey Mouse figures and hanging them up. I realized I could use a couple more for the other side of her bed, so for the last two days I'm searching the web for not only the Mickey Mouse Cartridge, but for the Cricut Expression as my "OLD" cricut only cuts a 6x12. (Real issues I'm dealing with). My husband thinks I'm completely crazy! (Someday's I would agree with him) With Spring in the air I've cleaned out closets, cupboards and finally got about half of my uppercase living things put up on our walls. I still have two more rooms I would like to paint before I start working on the landscaping....life around here never slows down. I'm happy to say today...my house is clean and laundry caught up! YEAH!

Ashton's Mickey & Mini Pictures, done with the Cricut Expression. I then painted the frames black and matted the Mickey Mouse scrapbook paper and glued these cute little guys on. Very Simple!

My "Favorite" Gate and wreath by my front door, with my new uppercase living right below. This gate is right above a bench.

This Uppercase Living I have right above our front door.

This Uppercase Living is one of my favorites. I put it in the corner of our mud room, this is where the chaos happens in our house....right before walking out the door. This is a great reminder to myself.....to count my blessings. This window with the quilt behind it is another one of my fav antique pieces, it is above an antique church bench my auntie gave me!

This Uppercase Living is in the "Twins" room. There room is pink on top and bright blue on the bottom. I love how this turned out!!

Sorry, I just had to share!!! Anyway, while the kids played outside today in the 50+ degree weather I made up a few Sympathy cards to have on hand. Hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful Spring weather also!

Project Details: Brighter Tomorrow & Flower Garden Stamp Set, (Retired) Cuttlebug Emboss Folder (Swirls), Whisper White, Perfect Plum and Basic Black Cardstock, SU Black Ribbon, Stampin' Pastels with blender pen for coloring.