Final Salute

Saying Goodbye soon to some old friends and Hello to some new ones.
First the Goodbyes, then check back each day for the next 5 days for the Count Down!

Gorgeous Grunge.   Background stamps are often overlooked but those of you who attended classes with me know that this is a Go-To Favorite of mine.  You can still get one if you've missed it.

Just 5 stamps but oh, the beauty they can create...below are some background ideas.

Wow, it sure looks different in color doesn't it!

So, you can still get this, I hope.  Here's the number:   

Gorgeous Grunge #130517...It's $18 for the clear set.

Click on the cart at the bottom of this post to go to my store

Please use  hostess code: VQUXNN6U when checking out.  

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Balloon Adventures Bundle.  I'm truly shocked that this set and dies did not get carried into the big catalog.  It is a beautiful set.  and i love that the balloons even coordinate with our balloon punch for more ease of cutting lots of balloons.

 And here are some really fun ideas for this set.  I think you'll agree that it definitely packs a WOW!

As of now, it is still available for purchase either just the stamp set or as a bundle with the 10% discount.  Balloon Adventures Bundle #144708  price $53

Please use  hostess code: VQUXNN6U when checking out.

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Traveler.  An oldie but goodie.  this is one of my favorite masculine stamp sets and it has stayed around for a few years. Those who've attended classes have gotten to use this several times. But just in case you've missed it...you can still get it.

Below are some really handsome ideas using this set!  You can see how versatile it is.

If you still need this set, it is available for very limited time...

Traveler  #134513  $20

Please use  hostess code: VQUXNN6U when checking out.

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From land to Sea.  Just used this one in class this month!  Isn't that sea turtle just the cutest?  And thel lighthouse makes a great accent for many cards.

Here are some cards created with this stamp set!  

If you haven't added this to your collection, it's still available for a day or two. 

It's only available yet in wood...but hey, at least it's available.  

From Land to Sea #138720  $27

Please use  hostess code: VQUXNN6U when checking out.

Back on Track--Highlights

Yes, I am still stamping and enjoying it but life has been filled with many blessings and some not so blessed.  I thought I'd give you a quick overview of the first part of 2017-I'll try to make it quick :)

First 3 months of the year are Sale a Bration with Stampin' Up! so i usually work really hard during those months, in addition to homeschooling, FACE co-op Vice president activities, track meets, and housework.
Our families love to spend time together but the older our children become, the harder that is to make happen..here are a few events from this past Christmas.  Top pic is Joel's family, then Dad's 80th birthday dinner with his brother's, and Christmas Dinner at Joel's Mom and Dads.
The bottom photos are from my families' time at the mountains for Christmas.  The left pic is some of the 12 oldest grands of my parents 54 grandchildren...they also have 4 greats now.  On the right is the pyramid that just about maimed my brother LOL. We always seem to do something crazy.

In January, Tyler and Steph did a Gender Reveal Party!  It's a boy!

A 5th Birthday Party for Kale...yes, I made the dinosaur cake!  pretty proud of that...

 Baby shower for Steph.  Her Mom and I organized this.  It was a work of heart.  We had so much fun!   Tash did this elephant cake...adorable!  

 

We got together with Joel's family to cut up a steer...it's a family tradition after all, and Dad had to get in there for a little bit and show everyone how it's done.

I held my 28th semi-annual Scrapbooking/Getaway retreat. We meet at Camp Eder in Fairfield in the Spring and the Fall.  The scrap fairies provided bubbles for everyone.  Guess they thought we needed to get rid of some hot air!  It was alot of fun; I love how everyone comes together from all walks of life and makes friends that look forward to seeing each other and catching up.  

Our Joyful Heart Stampers group attended OnStage Local, in Richmond, VA

How fun to stamp together, get the new catalog and meet up with friends!  Very grateful for this group of ladies and their friends.

 In the midst of all this excitement, we've had some trials...one of the biggest being car failure.  Joel's car has been under the weather and that's what malachi has been driving while Joel drives his dads old pick up.  Then, my car blew it's engine on the way home from church about 2 months ago...we bought a used engine online, had a relative put the engine in, it lasted for 3 days...all the oil leaked out...got that fixed and the engine started rapping.  We found out that the warranty on the engine was not going to hold because it took too long for the mechanic to put the engine in...only had 10 days.  So, we just got the car back last night...it runs, doesn't sound too terrible so we are thinking of running it til it dies...but we spent so much money trying to fix it that there was nothing left to think of getting another vehicle.  Yes, it has 165,000 miles but everything else on the car has been fabulous. Happy to say that Joel and Malachi fiddled with his car til they got it back on the road so hopefully we can return all family vehicles that have been borrowed.   Please pray that we make it a few more months with these vehicles!  We are very curious to see what God is teaching us through this...we have definitely learned to lean on Him in a new way.

 For the last 3 months, we prepared for this event, the EBAHS (East Berlin Area HomeSchoolers) graduation/program.
The singing was rapturous and the skit was amazing.  Malachi was Officer C.O.P. with his rival, Mr. Sherlock Hemlock.  Malachi had to charge Judy and the Phalanges with an # ID10TS and haul them off to jail.

And I saved the very best til last...The arrival of little Rhett, just last week.  He weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz.
and is a very happy little man.  He's finally sleeping better at night for mommy who is an amazing mom. Kale's a great big brother and always happy to spend time teaching his little brother! Not to forget Dad...Rhett is pretty attached to his Daddy.

 So, that catches us up til now!  I'm so excited about the new catalog and very frustrated with the discontinued list...because just when someone wants something, it's gone.  Well, I'm still gonna give a final salute to some of my favs and give you some sneak peeks at what is to come in about 5 days.

Stamps in the Mail--they're BACK!

"Who couldn't use more Stampin Up! products?!! I, too, am addicted to Stampin Up! Thank goodness for your Stamps In The Mail club!"  This is what one of our Stamps in the Mail Club members said during my last SIM.

Here are a few thoughts on life...We have just come off an incredibly hectic time of year over the holidays.  Okay, so I don't know how it was for you but I think that every year it gets more hectic no matter how we try to be organized, relaxed, prepared,  and in the moment with family....we want to do it all. Sometimes we have to do it all.  Now, it's time for some relaxation and while I know that my classes in person are lots of fun and hopefully relaxing, I realize that there's not always the time you need to be running around. And face it...who loves to be out after dark, in the cold? So, while the weather outside is 'frightful', let a little warmth and sunshine in with these fun kits.

Another reason for my Stamps in the Mail is get some of these new supplies from the Occasions Catalog as well as fabulous Free items from Sale A Bration...I know you won't want to miss them. And not just to sit them on a shelf or put them in a container but you'll have everything cut for you and ready to stamp and assemble, then just make a couple more while you're at it.
Sounds perfect, right?
Here are all the details and benefits:

Details/Benefits:

• These kits are all put together by me but I used the gorgeous images from Stampin' Up! to make up the kit pictures below. 

• The supplies are ordered by the 15th of the month and sent directly to your home. Then I follow that with the FREE cards and thank you gifts to reach you by the end of the month.

• 6 month subscription required to receive the FREE gifts from me and a FREE hostess set

• month to month subscriptions are available but the FREE gift from me, the FREE hostess set and the FREE Sale a Bration Sets after March will not be included. But this option allows you to pick and choose the kits that work best for you.

• I tried to keep orders around $50 order each month so that you could earn FREE Sale a Bration items during SAB (Jan-Mar)

• Your credit card is kept on file and charged each month when orders are shipped...you only pay for the stamps and supplies listed in the kit....the rest comes to your FREE from me.

• FREE hostess set of your choice during 6 month membership period

• You are welcome to change up items in order by letting me know a week before order goes in...if there is something you already have or don't wish to own

If you have no interest in this Mail Club but would rather just order the items that you like, please just go to my website now..and click shop now, or check out the monthly items below to see if it's for you.

Either way, thank you for reading this far!  I'd love to hear your comments below....let me know what you're loving.

Cindy

January Stamps in the Mail Kit

February Stamps in the Mail Kit

March Stamps in the Mail Kit:

April Stamps in the Mail Kit

May Stamps in the Mail Kit:

June Stamps in the Mail Kit:

Stitched Shapes Dies--So Excited

I wanted to get this info out to you...

We have new dies available this month, along

with our specials on particular stamps. 

Here's a video showing you the dies and how they look.

If you'd like to place an order for the dies and any of these specials, Shop Here

and please try to use code: 3B7SNAMK

Sheltering Tree for Fall

I love Fall: the cooler weather, the gorgeous leaves, the fluttering leaves.  It's as though all God's nature takes a deep breath and relaxes. So, when I saw this card idea, I was in love.  The way the tree peeks out of the leaf cut out is just sweet!  This is our card for class this month.

And I also found this idea...I stamped the leaves in Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie.

Isn't that fun?

Here are the products I used:

Sheltering Tree Photopolymer Stamp Set  #137163
Price: $25.00

Leaflets Framelits Dies  #138283
Price: $25.00

Acorn Builder Punch  #139681
Price: $18.00

Acorny Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set  #139718
Price: $15.00

Duet Banner Punch  #141483
Price: $18.00

You can get the items you need for this and any other project Here.  When you place an order of $40 or more, please post below and ask for your FREE gift (the cards from class for the month)

Paisleys and Emboss Resist

When some gals from our Joyful Heart Group got together to swap ideas,

Sondra mentioned this idea: emboss resist with Copper. 

Copper embossing powder and copper foil is so beautiful and I was thrilled when it came back.
I decided to make this card right away and use it for class.

The coloring technique is called burnishing.  Let me explain:

Positioning: I placed the paisley stamps where I wanted them on the card, then put my largest block down on top of them to secure their location.  

Embossing: Rub Embossing Buddy over your piece of Whisper White Cardstock.

Ink all stamps on the block with Versamark ink.  This stamp set is photopolymer so be sure to use the Piercing Mat for better images when you stamp. After stamping, dust with Copper Embossing Powder, turn paper over  (holding it above a piece of clean scrap paper) and tap excess off with a firm flick. Heat with heat tool on high til copper is shiny.  (hint: hold the tool about 1 inch from your cardstock and heat in one area until you see change, then begin to move slowly then as quickly as you see the change, you can continue to cover your whole paper, then remove heat immediately).  Be sure to look over your piece and make sure there are no areas that still appear "grainy".  If you find any, reheat those areas before touching because the powder will fall off if not heated properly

Begin burnishing with Flirty Flamingo ink (tap a piece of the sponge on ink pad, then tap on scrap paper, then begin on your design to rub gently in a circular motion, then keep rubbing harder til you get a good, bright covering.  Just do this color in spots, then repeat the same thing in open spots using Rich Razzleberry.  Completely fill in the white using these 2 colors, blending the colors together.

Versamark Pad   #102283
Price: $8.50

Embossing Buddy  #103083
Price: $6.00

Heat Tool   #129053               Price:   $30.00
Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder  #141636 Price: $5.00

Stampin' Pierce Mat    #126199
Price: $5.00

Stamping Sponges  #141337
Price: $3.50

Copper Foil Sheets  #142020 these are available now!  yeah!
Price: $4.00

Paisleys & Posies Photopolymer Bundle  #143515
Price: $45.00

You can order any of these items Here

When you place an online order of $40 or more, please just post a comment below and say Please send me the class cards for this month as my gift!

Freehand and Stamps

I found this idea on Pinterest and I just love this bird cage...

So....the outline is free-hand.  

It's not that hard, really.

 Mark your corners to keep you on track. I used our Project life Pens...love them.

 Then just let your hand go.  

You will seriously feel a little crazy...I think this is a personality test :)

It is very fun.  Everyone at class panicked but then they had fun!

I added some rhinestones that I colored black with a sharpie marker.

So, if this random scribble makes you nervous, check back here for next month's project doing a similar Freehand that is more controlled.
 Here are the other stamps and projects that I used on this card..

Rhinestone Basic Jewels  119246
Price: $5.00

Happy Happenings Clear-Mount Stamp Set #139381
Price: $20.00

Flourish Thinlits Dies #141478
Price: $29.00

Badges & Banners Clear-Mount Stamp Set  #141610   Price: $19 Best Badge Punch  #140633  $18
Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine #141682 Price: $3.00 Project Life Journaling Pens  #135304 Price: $5.00