Couldn't Help Myself

Looking through my Paper Crafts Magazine yesterday I spotted a cute little Easter Surprise Card I just had to try. I sometimes feel I am constantly doing the same things, so I thought this was a little out of the box for me, why not try it. My challenge to myself was to use current Stampin' up papers, which after looking I don't have many on hand. I'm still waiting for my HUGE order to arrive, I hope any day!!!) So, this card was more of a challenge then I thought it would be. Plus the twins got up early from their nap so they were also invading my space, asking to stamp and pushing buttons on my cricut, which was about putting me over the edge. Today has just been one of those days, Thank God It's Friday! I'm excited about the weekend ahead.....I have some fun things planned with some dear friends, plus Monday is my day off. YEAH! Every stay at home mom needs one day off a week, it should be a law! I always come back refreshed and ready to deal with the challenges ahead......At this moment I'm thinking 2 more hours until my weekend begins!

Anyway, back to the Easter Card: If you don't get the Paper Craft Magazine and you're interested in trying my "Easter Challenge" here are the directions.....

Chick

1) To make each chick, punch circle from cardstock
2) Adhere eyes punched from Cardstock, I used a black marker
3) Cut beak from Cardstock; adhere

Card

1) Make card from cardstock. Cut block from cardstock to fit card front.

2) Cut slightly smaller piece from cardstock.

3) Cut egg; adhere to piece

4) cut piece two, with jagged line along egg. (See figure A) Adhere bottom piece to block along side and bottom edges. Adhere chicks.

5) To make brad tracks, cut two 1/16" slots in block (See figure B) To attach top egg piece, insert brads through piece and tracks; spread prongs horizontally so pieces slide along tracks. (See figure C) Note: Insert brads when egg is closed for correct positioning. Staple ribbon loop to top of piece.

6) Stamp or print Easter saying on cardstock, trim and mat with cardstock. Adhere.

A: 5" Square x3 and 2 B:1/2" Down and across, make 1 1/2" slit both sides.

C: Just shows how to adhere brads into slots.

Surprise!

Many of you that know me, know I hate surprises. I hate secrets and it drives me crazy not knowing. I admire anyone that can go 9 months without knowing the sex of your child; I of course had to know the moment it was humanly possible to know. (Lucky for me I had about 20 ultrasounds with each of my pregnancies, so I got to check and double check to make sure there were no surprises.) I've gotten a little better about this over the years, as a child Christmas was more like torture, all these neatly wrapped surprises under the tree....I would sneak upstairs after school and try to peek into the packages. My mom wised up and started using everyday boxes to wrap my gifts, I then would resort to shaking the gifts.....it never ended, not knowing what was inside drove me crazy. So, this is what brings me to today....Surprise "Peek a Boo" Boxes! (and a short walk down memory lane)

I have added the instructions to make these boxes under "my link" section. They are fun to make and a great way to surprise someone in your life!

You Make Me Happy!

"You make me happy"....I love that saying. It is a short little phrase that says so much. It makes me think about everything, I have to be "Happy" about. I was sure happy today that the weather was nice and the kids could play outside for awhile, burn off some of that extra energy they have been storing. They got to go sledding in the backyard and play on the swing set, while I watched all warm and cozy from my craft room. I have a perfect birds eye view of the backyard....I love it. This summer it will come in handy, when I'm not working in the yard that is. I have tons of outdoor projects planned....one more thing I have to be "happy" about, a yard that needs landscaping. Oh, the fun I'm going to have!!! Another thing that makes me happy is a cup of coffee with a friend. (Now I am sad, missing my friends & Hodenate's) On a lighter note I am happy to be heading downstairs to stamp some more......Enjoy!

It's Fixed

After having one of those days....I wandered downstairs to my craft room to fix my 3x3 that haunted me all night until the wee hours of the morning. Anyway, here is my new revised 3x3 that I am going to use for Make & Takes at Treena's Open house next Monday in Lisbon. I'm also working on some extra special things that I will not post until after her Open House......

Here is another Birthday card I made with my sale-a-bration set So Many Scallops, gotta love it. I also used Bali Breeze Designer Paper, Metal Edge Tags and my new wide Old Olive Ribbon.

Manic Monday

It is 11am and I am already tired and stressed. Had to help my brother out this morning and drive him to the "court house". It was a new experience, let me tell you. Came home and the kids were all out of sorts, Dad was home with them this morning and they were off schedule a little! I thought I better post my 3x3 Scallop card before the day gets away from me.

Project Supplies: Purely Pomegrante cardstock, ink and stitched ribbon, Cutie Pie Designer Paper, Scallop and Cirlce Punches and I can't forget Basic Black Ink.

Sunday Morning Project

Since everyone in the house was up early this morning, Ashton and I decided we better finish decorating her lunch sack for school. They are exchanging bags at their Valentine's Day party on the 14th, her job was to decorate it and fill it full of goodies. Well, I helped her get an idea and she just went to town. She is getting pretty crafty and boy is she getting good at Stamping....I did help her with the hearts a little as I think my close to coco stamp set is going dry. (Time to buy another re-fill) It was her idea for the ribbon and she picked out all the colors, pretty cute. It is fun to be able to have a "built" in stamping buddy. Adison gets a little jealous and next thing you know she is downstairs stamping and digging through stuff on her own.....(Pretty Cute)

Project Supplies: Lunch bag, Close to Coco, Regal Rose Whisper White Cardstock, Stazon Black and Close To Coco Ink, Retired Stampin' Up Ribbon and Paper. Oh, I can't forget the window punch to make the handle and for added bling, Glitter!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Time to Sale-A-Brate!

Well, sale-a-bration in upon us once again....another exciting time of year. What can be more perfect then buying things that you love and getting something free. Yup, every $50 spent during Sale-a-Bration (Feb. 1st-March 15th) you get a free Sale-a-Bration stamp set. If you haven't gotten a catalog I have one under the link section on this web site. Anyway, I just got an e-mail that makes me smile even more for all my friends that are on the fence about becoming a hobby demo, like me. We'll Stamin' Up is offering during Sale-a-Bration 20% off the fee to sign up, so it is only $159 to get $330 in Stampin' Up stuff for free. Yeah! Then to make it even sweeter you also get to pick a free stamp set valued up to $47.95 for free. Again, this is a perfect time to sign up if you are a regular stamper looking for a great way to save money on your stamping. Contact me for more details, but I was so excited about this....I just had to share.


Happy Stamping!