Finally a weekend getaway!

As much as I love that we run our own IT service business it makes it VERY hard to plan to get away- even for a weekend. So when I got a call from Paul Friday at 4 asking if I felt adventurous I was elated!

We drove up to Helen, GA on Friday and spent the night. We have been a couple of times before but never at night. It was very pretty all lit up.
It was also super crowded and seemed smaller than I remember it being. We had reserved the very last hotel room available and of course it was a smoking room. Luckily we bought along some Febreeze so it wasn't too bad, but we were glad to check out.

Saturday morning we headed up to Hiawasee for the Georgia Mountain Fair. I had no idea what to expect and while it was a little small there were some very interesting crafters there and tons of history. It has been running for 58 years! Unfortunately you weren't allowed to take photos of the craft items but you could take them in the permanent exhibit hall. There was a phenomenal camera collection someone had donated. They also had home made jams and jellys and relishes and we bought several. After the fair we drove to the Dillard House for lunch. This place is famous and people travel from all over to eat there. Its an all you can eat restaurant served family style. They set out tons of vegetables and meats and then you can just order more of what you like. Paul was in seventh heaven! The vegetables were great but the meat left something to be desired. I was super adventurous and even tried the peach relish which I actually really liked.

Feeling mighty stuffed we drove over to Tallulah Gorge and Falls to walk off some of our lunch. Unfortunately it was getting late and we had already had a long day so we just walked to the first overlook and then headed home.

It was so nice to get a mini vacation as we haven't been able to get away for months. I think it did both of us a world of good!

My studio my sanctuary...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my studio. Even more so now that it has air conditioning! And of course that means I can start having people over! Well 2 people anyways. lol

I had this little mini album that I was going to use for some Disney pictures (I know how IN-side the box. lol). Instead being nice and cool I felt inspired to create a little ode to my joy!

As soon as I get photos back from the printer I will add them and upload a completed project.






SU SALE on retiring accesories

The full list will be released on Monday- but they have released a smaller list of items that are 25% off! Once these items are gone they are gone forever so get your orders in quickly as I am sure these items won't last!

Don't forget the Hodge Podge Hardware kits are also retiring and on sale for 25% off!

SU is already sold out of the retiring in color double stitched grosgrain in Blue Bayou and Purely Pomegranate!

Item # Pg. # Description Regular Price 25% Off Price
109117 167 Pocket Notes assortment $9.95 $7.46
110479 168 Jersey Shore Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110699 168 East Coast Prep Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109159 169 Flowers For You Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110273 169 Spring Fling Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110748 170 Notebook Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109153 170 Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110751 171 Azure Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109164 171 River Rock Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109175 171 Almost Amethyst Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109168 171 Groovy Guava Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
109169 171 Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper $9.95 $7.46
110284 182 Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110285 182 Urban West Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
110281 182 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons $10.95 $8.21
109185 190 Jersey Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
109187 190 District Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
109189 190 Beachfront Ribbon Originals $12.95 $9.71
110716 191 Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon $7.95 $5.96
109062 191 River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon $8.95 $6.71

hoisted on my own petard.

So I constantly complain to my mom that no one sends me pictures of my adorable nephew. She kindly reminded me that I hadn't sent pictures from his second birthday (Sept 07).

My problem is I take a gazillion and three photos- especially on that trip as it was my first time taking pictures with my DSLR, and just never got around to editing them.

I vowed to my mom to try to get through some so she could have pics. I hadn't realized since she told me that she didn't really take ANY since I was running around like a one woman paparazzi show.

So here are a few that I have gotten through. Please forgive the focus/sharpness problems. Like I said it was my first time using my camera.



In Color Button Sneak Peak!!!!


Here is a sneak peak at the new Button Bouquet coming out in the Fall Winter Catalog on August 11th. These buttons are designed to perfectly match the new In Color assortment.

Can time drag by any slower between now and then??????

BABY CRAZY!

My wonderful friend Theresa just had a beautiful baby girl and bought her to visit our stamp club meeting this Saturday. There is nothing that brings such inner peace as snuggling with a newborn!

I made her a little tin to store photos and mementos from. It has a divider for every month for Bella's first year. And of course a matching card :)


Tin Supplies: Patterned Paper Basic Grey Sultry, matching Bazzill cardstock, tons of assorted ribbon, Basic Grey monograms, Glitter Mod Podge, Making Memories paint, Prima pink flowers and the clear ones are from Joanns.

Card Supplies: Patterned Paper Basic Grey Sultry, matching Bazzill cardstock,Card sentiment stamp is from SU colored in with Copic Spica markers. The edges were distressed with the Tonic distresser and the scalloped edge punch is from Martha Stewart.


I can't wait to watch this little girl grow!

Stampin Up's New In Colors- Part 2

My second favorite color out of the new in colors is the new green- Kiwi Kiss. Its beautiful light yellowish olive color that will be great for all sorts of projects from Halloween through Christmas and into next spring!

Supplies: Stampin Up Kiwi Kiss Cardstock and ink (on the edges), SU patterned paper Bella Rose, Fresh Cut Notes stamp image and as always my beloved Tonic edge distresser and Copic Spica glitter pens.

A Birthday Card for my wonderful Father-in-law

I see people complain all the time about various in-law trauma, and count my blessings that I wound up with a wonderful set of in-laws.

My Father-in-law has been so welcoming, generous and supportive that I immediately felt like part of the family right from the get go.

So I made this little birthday card for him.

Supplies: Stampin UP Voila stamp set, Stampin Up real red cardstock, and Paper Studio patterned paper. It doesn't read well in the photo but the white horizontal cardstock strip is scored to make it look like molding. And the tray and candle are colored in with Copic Spica glitter pens.

Good Mail Day

Today I didn't get stamps, or embellishments or even more paper. Not even computer goodies.

Today I received the best mail a gal could get! Pictures of her adorable nephew!

Of course I think he is the cutest little boy in the world! He is wearing his first set of Mickey ears I bought in January 07. I figure the picture was taken not too long after that. And my mom even managed to get a little piece of herself in the photo!

Have I mentioned that getting to see pictures of my nephew is like pulling teeth?

I absolutley hate living so far from the rest of my family. I am missing my nephew's childhood. And now that my SIL is expecting again I am even more sad.

I wish I was a gazillionaire and could move them closer or fly to New York once a month. Right now I am lucky if I see them all once a year which just breaks my heart.

Still a good day and now I have his smiling little face sitting on my desk just brightening my day!

Stampin Up's New In Colors


I have to say that I am very very sorry to see the current crop of In Colors be retired. I am absolutely in LOVE with them and didn't know how I would ever bear the loss of my favorites -Wild Wasabi and River Rock.

Well I figured out how. By getting my hands on the stunning new In Color Collection!
The colors are so rich and beatiful and will work beautifully for the coming year. These colors are super trendy and can be found in all aspects of fashion and home decor right now.

Here is the first card I made using Red Riding Hood and Chocolate Chip. They compliment each other perfectly!
Supplies: SU Fresh Cute Note card, SU Red Riding Hood ink and cardstock, Chocolate Chip ink and cardstock, American Crafts ribbon (only because the matching SU ribbon wasn't available for pre-order and I can't seem to make a card without it.) SU Fresh Cut Stamp Set. I colored the bold red and the brown cardstock in with a Spica Glitter Pen for added shine.

After I took the pic i realized it was missing something so I added a rhinestone brad to the middle of the flower.

I am just in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this new palette. This red will be perfect for Christmas, Valentines etc.

I can't wait to play more and get my hands on the matching ribbon!




I have always...

I am working on a small mini album that my friend Jessica designed. By combining two of Cosmo Cricket's Blackboard albums (Abby & Ethan) you get this really adorable mini book with bracket mini pages.

I got about 5 pages more or less done and I am loving the way its come out so far. I need to go back and add some touches here or there but here is what I have so far...
(sorry the I photographed sort of funny)Supplies: Making Memories 5th Ave Sophia line, TONS of American Crafts Thickers and stickers and some Maya Road Chipboard.

If life gives you lemons...

don't stress...Blog about it and take an extra vacation day :)

Stupid UPS.
Our usual delivery is shortly before noon. They must have been very far behind with the holiday as my ginormous package of SU goodies didn't arrive until 3pm. I could have cried. I lost almost the entire day I had set aside for working on my class this coming Saturday, as well as all sorts of other projects I am in the middle of.

So my DH encouraged me to take an extra day off today! While I lost a good chunk of my day off to some unexpected errands I did manage to get some work done. I precut and assembled all of the materials for my class this weekend. We will be making a Carte Postale gift set designed by this wonderful stamper.


Supplies: SU Bashful Blue and Very Vanilla cardstock, SU Le Jardin DSP, SU Carte Postale Stamp Images

I also worked on some cards using some of the retiring in colors and stamps, as well as trying out some brand new stuff from the upcoming catalog. I am in LOVE with the new in colors so much- they will get their own post!
One of the sets that is retiring is called block party- and it makes super easy, pretty cards. Here are two I worked on today.

Supplies: SU Wild Wasabi and Chocolate Chip Cardstock, SU Block Party Stamp Image, SU Wild Wasabi striped ribbon, and my new favorite tool- SU Scallop border punch!!!!!!

And because Christmas will be here before I realize...
Supplies: SU Purely Pomegranate and Wild Wasabi Cardstock, SU Block Party Stamp Image, SU Wild Wasabi Double stitched ribbon.

I am also working on an scrapbook album titled: "I Have Always..." that my phenomenally talented friend Jessica designed.

So not bad for making the best of plans gone awry :)

Some work from this weekend...

I made these on Friday and will have more updates tomorrow. I wanted to get out and make some samples for my stamp club showing how wonderfull some of the retiring stamps are. Eat Cake and French flair are two of my absolute FAVORITES!!! They will be sorely missed!
Supplies: Stampin Up Eat Cake stamp, Stampin Up Flower Fusion flowers, American Crafts Ribbon. Faux stitching using SU Mat Pack to punch holes then stitching drawn with white gel pen. The Rhinestones are from Michael's dollar bin.



Supplies: Stampin Up Eat Cake stamp, Basic Grey Recess Paper, the edges were distressed with the tonic edge distresser. LOVE that little tool!!!

Here is that same card done in pinks for a feminine look. Basic Grey Infuse Paper.

Supplies: Black cardstock, SU River Rock cardstock, SU French Flair background stamp (birds), Baroque Motifs (medallions). The Images were stamped in black then gone over using Copic's Spica Glitter pens to add some subtle shine.

Hodgepodge Hardware Closeout Special!

Stampin Up just announced this Super Special! I am sure these will be flying off the shelves so get your orders in ASAP! These finishes will no longer be offered in future catalogs so this is your last chance to buy them!

Each kit contains 138 pieces of hardware PLUS 100 matching brads. This is a fantastic price on these kits!

Hodgepodge Hardware Discount

Dates: July 1-August 10 (or while supplies last)

Promotion Details:

The following Hodgepodge Hardware finishes are being offered at a special 25 percent discount:

Item # Page # Item Description Regular Price Limited Time 25% off Discount
105532 188 Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware $27.95 $20.96
105531 188 Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware $27.95 $20.96
105515 188 Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware $27.95 $20.96

  • There is no minimum purchase requirement to receive the 25 percent discount.