Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps by Stampin' Up!

Hello friend!

Doesn't this look like fun?  I'm excited for my stamps to arrive!

Happy (cookie) Stamping!
Wendy

A Friendly Bat

Hello friend!

When I have a few moments, I have an addiction (in addition to stamping, scrapping, and quilting)... I love to blog hop.  Somedays it doesn't inspire me at all, but then there are days when I'm overwhelmed with ideas.

The other day I came across this blog:
 http://apopofpretty.com/2011/10/googly-eyed-bat-wreath-too-cute-to-spook/
and fell in love with the friendly bats on her wreath.  It only took me a few seconds to realize I could re-create the look with our punches... so here is what I did:

He's made with circle punches and the 5 petal flower punch (for the ears).  Very simple.  (and my apologies for the glue that was smeared across his face--it didn't look so bad til I took the photo!)

Natalie was going to a birthday party and needed a quick card:

 More punches--this time our wonderful Pennant punch--to the rescue!

Happy Stamping!

Wendy

An Offer to 'Die' For!

How would you like to get the Big Shot (or $100 in products) for free? Thought that would get your attention! This month, StampinUp! is giving every new demonstrator a FREE Big Shot--or the choice of $100 in free products!


Call if you have any questions!
Wendy








Learn more about it here

A fun birthday card

Hello friend!

This is a card I made for my brother, Scott.  The idea came to me last year, but since I didn't have time, it had to wait til this year.  Scott is very talented in fixing pinball machines and video games, so I made him a pinball machine card.  This is the front:

And this is the inside--where cupcakes attack!

You can't see it in this photo, but I even found a silvery marble and put it inside.  It rolls around and everything!  (wish I could have figured a spring to set in in motion... but that would take Scott's talent)

This card went to Hannah yesterday. 

I used the "Hand-Penned Holidays" and "Gently Falling" stamp sets and the Spice Cake Designer Series Paper--all from the Holiday Mini catalog. 

By the way, I noticed something today.  When I was listening to my IPod, a Christmas song came on.  Usually I would just skip it without thinking, but not today... which made me realize something.  I'm thinking Christmas!  If you are, as well, you can look forward to my "Twelve Days of Christmas Projects" which will begin on November 1.  Check back here often!

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

All-Day Stamp & Scrap Report & More!

Hello friend!

Wow, I think I've recovered from the All-Day Scrap & Stamp last Saturday, and I'd like to tell you a little about it..... unfortunately I can't show you much because  I forgot to take pictures.  Guess we were having too much fun and I just didn't think about it.

If you've been to one of my events, you know I always ask everyone to bring food to share.  (thanks everyone!)  When Victoria Duckworth brought her snack, I just HAD to take a photo of it:

 She used some of Stampin' Up's Halloween stamps, punches & cardstock, and made these adorable cupcake picks.  Cute & delicious! 

This little fella showed up and really wanted to join us.  He was really friendly, and Natalie Simmons named him Buddy.

 

In their gift bags, everyone received several projects, one of which was this pumpkin.  It is made with one of the Decor Blocks from Stampin' Up.  (It was inspired by another demonstrator named Wendy Knowles--thank you!)  It would have been cool to take a picture of all 16 pumpkins lined up together, but of course I didn't think of that til later. (sigh)

If you would like to make your own pumpkin (and a turkey and a snowman), I am having a "Block Buddies" class on Thursday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m.  We'll use punches and the Big Shot to turn four blocks into these three creatures.  They are adorable, and I'd love to have you join the class.  The cost is only $20, and I'll need your RSVP by November 1 so I can have all the supplies here.

Happy Stamping!
Wendy



Scrap & Stamp is full!

Hello friend!

Today I received the final registration for the Scrap & Stamp.  And then I received another.... so I've sold my own table!  There isn't any more space to sell, so hopefully I don't have to disappoint anyone.  You might wonder what I will do without a table.  I'll be working on my computer--trying to finish the digital vacation scrapbook I started--so I don't need much space....  This will be interesting!
 

My family has a lot to celebrate in the fall.  We started with my brother Mark's birthday last week, so here is his card:

I used the Totally Tool stamp set (love it for guy cards--you can find it on page 54 of the Idea Book) and the "floorboards" are 1/2 inch strips of our Wood Sheets (page 216 of the Idea Book) "stained" with various brown inks.  I punched holes and added Silver Brads for nail heads for a final touch.

Happy Stamping!

Wendy

Final call!

Hello friend!

Well, today I have good news and I have bad news--and they are the same thing... there is only one spot left for the All-Day Scrap & Stamp.  This is tough for me, because my heart wants EVERYONE to come--but my brain knows there is a limit!

This reminds me that I also need to start work on the Overnight Scrap & Stamp in February...

If you want this last spot, don't delay.
Wendy

Warning!

Hello friend!

Today I have several things to show you.  First though, I must warn you that there are only five four spots left for the All Day Scrap & Stamp.  If you are planning to attend, you must register immediately!

Ok, so now let me show you some fun from earlier today:

I call this fun block "Easy as Pie"!  My quilt class made this one today.  They also made a card using the Spice Cake color scheme (and a half inch strip of Spice Cake DSP).  And if you are wondering what I'm talking about when I say "Spice Cake", click on the link to the right to see the Holiday Mini Catalog.  (and go to pages 16-18)

The colors are Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, and Soft Suede.

It isn't easy to see, but the little oak leaf was die cut from our Wood Sheets. 

This fun block was shared by Cristiy Switzer.  (Last month we talked about a pinwheel, and I sorta had it in my head, but couldn't remember what it looked like.  She went home & figured it out!)  Pardon the pins, it isn't sewn yet...

Do you like the button?  It is an inch and a half wide!  (and these are also in the Spice Cake colors)

Happy Stamping!

Wendy

The schoolhouse!

Hello friend!

This last week I planned a project for the All-Day Scrap & Stamp (sorry, no photos cause it has to be a surprise, but its an awesome fall idea!) and made purchases of "goodies" for you!  I'm really happy with what I've got so far--including 7 registrations.  That means we are almost half-way filled.  Don't delay if you want to register.

Here are some photos I took of the school today. 

 It is so darn sweet, I want one of my own. (Shhhh, don't tell my husband I said that/)


Inside, looking from the kitchen area to the front.  (don't worry, we'll be using 6 foot tables, not the schoolhouse desks!)

From the stage to the entrance.

The view from the parking area.

There is a nice bit of land around the school.  I'm hoping for a beautiful fall day.  And if you want to bring a lawn chair so you can go outside & take a break, that's a good idea.

Happy Stamping!

Wendy

I'm feeling like "fall"!

Hello friend!

This morning when I left for work I was surprised at how cold it was. There was definitely a feeling of fall in the air--and I loved it!  Fall is my favorite season.  Cool, crisp weather... the kids are back to school ... birthdays... trick or treat... Thanksgiving... and its almost Christmas!  (I know, I know, I'm jumping the gun a little, but Christmas is less than 4 months away!)

My mind has turned to fall projects.  In the Holiday Mini (which starts on Thursday!) we have a product line called "Spice Cake".  While I'm not a fan of real spice cake, I am a very big fan of this line!  I've got the Spice Cake Designer Series Paper and Spice Cake fabric as well as a beautiful leaf set (Gently Falling) and Designer Buttons--they are 1 1/2 inches wide!  The colors are totally yummy: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, River Rock & Very Vanilla.  They are not necessarily what I might think of as "fall colors", but they work together wonderfully. 

If you are in a club or attend a workshop in September, you'll be using some of these products, but here is a preview:

If you do not have your Holiday Mini yet, please let me know.

Another of my most favorite fall activities is pumpkin carving.  (every year we have a "contest" in my family--and we get pretty stinking serious about it!)  Not all pumpkins need to be carved, however.  Here is a little one that is made of fabric:

I've gotta try this with that Spice Cake fabric....

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

All-Day Stamp & Scrap!

Hello friend!

You are invited to attend my All-Day Stamp & Scrap on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.!  It will be held at a darling little schoolhouse (built in the 1800's) at the corner of County Roads 1600 and 655.  (Montgomery Township map)

Each attendee will have a 6-foot table, but the first five attendees who register and promise to bring their own table will save $5 off the registration fee. (Thank you for your help with this—there are not quite enough tables there for us!) I’ll have many of my supplies for you to borrow and a couple small projects for you to play with.


We will have a potluck lunch (with a sign-up sheet so we have a wide array of foods) that we can snack from all day long. To keep the costs down, I won’t be providing an evening meal—but there are plenty of fast food places close by if you need a sandwich later for supper. (Of course, a lack of food has never been a problem before, and I don’t anticipate it this time either.)

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll get you a registration form. Space limits us to a smaller number, so don’t delay getting your reservation to me.

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

It is too hot out there!

Hello friend!

I'm "hiding" in my house from this heat.  It wasn't bad last week when we had an ocean to go jump in... but this is ridiculous!

Gotta show you a couple of things.  Our friend Amanda is getting married next month, and we had an informal shower for her last night.  I made this bag and card for her in about 10 minutes flat cause I was running behind--as always.

The bag decor should look familiar--I needed something large to quickly fill the space,

so I used the flashing to create an ornament.

 This is one of our notecards, so its small.  I was able to fun it through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips Folder to create this fun border on the edge of the card.  Her wedding is purple & silver, so I used Elegant Eggplant & Wisteria Wonder with a little silver ribbon. 

This is special.  Just before we left on vacation I received my 10-year anniversary pin in the mail from Stampin' Up!  Pretty cool.  (I also received 3 free stamp sets the same week that I earned by my activity during Sale-A-Bration.  Free is good!)

Stay cool out there!

Happy Stamping!

Wendy

We're back from vacation!

Hello friend!

Yes, we went on vacation to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.  WE LOVED IT!  (everything except that 12 hour drive)

Our condo was on the beach.  Only thing that separated us from the ocean was a pool and the sand dunes:

The weather was perfect.

The seafood was wonderful.

Every morning I would wake up and spend about 2 hours on the deck, listening to the ocean as I pieced a quilt top--actually, I'm taking one apart because I just wasn't happy with the way it was put together 18 years ago.  I'll keep you updated because I can't wait to finish it:

The white blocks in between are history....

One night we spotted a doe in the sand dunes.  She was making a great meal of that grass:

At night, the girls and I would go out and walk the beach with flashlights.  We'd find these little guys:

On the beach right behind our condo was a sea turtle nest.  It is all roped off, with a notice that states there is a $100,000 fine if you disturb the nest.  Every morning as I sat on the deck, an official on an ATV would come down the beach and check it.

(Our condo is the second on the right.)

Driving over the causeway to the island, we could "see" our condo, because it was two buildings from the only high rise building on the island--way over there on the west:

But of course the best thing was the ocean:

I've never used our My Digital Studio for more than little things, but I believe I will make a book from our vacation.  If you are not familiar with My Digital Studio, you can go to the web site:  

http://mydigitalstudio.net/

Tonight I will finally mail my Hostess Club Cards from July on the way to see the new Harry Potter movie!  I can't wait--have you seen it yet?  I desperately want to see the battle between Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix--and so help me if they messed that part up I will think they messed the whole thing up!  (my apologies to those of you who think I just went a little crazy)

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

Happy 4th of July!

Hello friend!

Hmmm... this post should be red, white & blue and wildly patriotic... but I have something else to show you.
If you read this blog, you know I'm having fun with quilting with the Big Shot.  Here is a block I made  for the Block of the Month group.

This block is based on one I received in a swap a while back.  I wish I could give you the name of the woman who made the original--but I don't have it.  So, to whoever you are out there--thanks!  (this was one of my favorites in the swap)
It is going to be so much fun to show you the finished quilt!   I started out with a pretty simple, basic layout, but now I'm getting ideas, and I think its morphing into something else.  We'll see.  

Also, I've had several more women express an interest in quilting, and the current class doesn't want to stop with 6 blocks.  We're working on keeping the fun going, so let me know if you are interested in joining us.  (Quilting experience is not necessary--just a desire to create something special!)

Remember, if you ordered a 2011/2012 Idea Book and Catalog, you can pick them up!  Just call and you can let me know when you are coming by.

  :)

See you soon!
Wendy

Projects from the brunch

Hello friend!

One of the best parts of the Hostess Appreciation Brunch is always the stamping.  We always make two projects, and I search for at least one idea of something very different to show... and boy did I find it!  The first project I gave them was a card made with "The Open Sea" from the Occasions Mini.  (love this set!)

Of course this is lovely, and a great masculine card, but the reaction to the second project (which was my wildly "different" project) was MUCH more vocal.  In fact, there were (yes I'm gonna say it) there were SQUEALS when I showed it!  :)  Just the kind of reaction I like! 

Garden Markers!

I wish the photo did them justice. They look great in a flower bed, vegetable garden, or a flower pot.  In fact, I think they'd even be neat in a potted plant in your house--then you could enjoy them all year long!  If you could see the square one a little better, you'd notice the center is not embossed.  You can use a permenant marker to write on, so you can mark the name of a plant.

So far, I've shown these to two groups, and gotten such a fabulous reaction that now I'm offering to teach everyone how to make them.  Schedule a party today!  One of the really neat things about these is that they don't blow away--so we can have a party outside, in your backyard!  (Sometimes it can be difficult to stamp outside... card stock has a tendancy to blow around!)

Let me know when you and your friends want to get together!

Wendy

the new Idea Book is here!

Hello friend!

See the link on the right?  Click to see the new 2011/2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

And if you want your own copy, let me know!
Wendy

My Award-Winning Hostesses!

Hello friend!

At the Hostess Appreciation Brunch, I love to pamper and spoil my hostesses.  (they are so sweet, though, that it is easy to do)  Here they are (including Pat, one of my downline!)

And these ladies had the top workshops last year!

From the top left: Cristiy, Laura, Melissa (top workshop of the year!), Jessica, and me!

We had a great morning, and I can't wait to show you the swaps and projects.  (I plan on posting them tomorrow)

Happy Stamping!
Wendy

Award-Winning Quilter Lives Here!

Hello friend!

I have to brag a little--there is an "award-winning" quilter living in my house!  And it is not me!  It is Natalie!

Last night at our monthly meeting of the Old Uniontown Quilt Guild, we presented our challenge quilts for voting.  It was a blind vote, so no one knew who made the quilts.  Natalie came in third place!

Isn't this cool?  If you would like to see it--and many more quilts-- you can go to the guild's quilt show this weekend.

The quilt show is at Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland. 

Friday, July 1:  10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 2:  10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I hope you stop by!  Natalie and I will be selling raffle tickets Saturday morning, starting at 10.  Come see us!

Happy Stamping (and quilting)!

Wendy

I love going to Home Depot!

Hello friend!

First of all, if you are in the Hostess Appreciation Brunch swap, there are 10 of us in it at this point. 
Ok, so I'm just back from a successful trip to Home Depot, and yes, I do LOVE shopping there!  Its like there are so many possibilities sitting on those shelves... and I'm excited when I find something that was made for one use, and we use it for something totally different!  We are not remodeling, I was there shopping for my Hostess Appreciation Brunch!  Yep, one of your projects again involves fun stuff from the hardware store....

Remember the fun flower candle holders from last year?  Well, I can't say any more, but I think I like this project even better!  After Saturday I'll post those photos here--don't want to spoil the surprise!

Here are a couple photos I can share with you:

Natalie is having a Pirate Party next week with her friends, and these are the invitations!  There is a rolled up paper inside that we stamped, burned, tore and sponged to make it look like an old treasure map.

Here is a close-up of the label.  I wanted it to say "Yo, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum!"  (Isn't that what pirates say? haha!)  but Natalie thought it was too much....  or too weird?  Don't know!

I love this stamp set--but it is on the retiring list!  (boo-hoo!)  If you have a pirate fan or just want to have a fun party, better get it before it is gone! 

Here is the card I made for Natalie.  Love that cupcake punch!

Have you ordered your 2011/2012 Idea Book & Catalog?  Well, you can pick it up starting on Saturday!  Brunch attendees will get their copy at the brunch, and if you cannot attend you may stop by after 1:00 p.m.

I think I'm safe to say you will LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!

Happy Stamping!

Wendy

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

Hello friend.

I have a problem!  I can't find my camera cord, so I can't take photos and download them!

 :(

Today is Natalie's birthday, but I can't show you her card....

And I can't show you the Brunch invitation....

I am sad.....


Oh!  No, wait!  Now I am happy!  THE UPS MAN JUST DELIVERED A BOX FROM STAMPIN' UP! 
I'll be right back!


I am back!

This box contains the 5 new In Colors: pads, markers and cardstock!  New stamps and punches and ribbon!   There are also door prizes and awards for the brunch! 

I wish I could show them to you.  Better go offer my kids a reward to help me find that camera cord....

Wendy

(By the way, only 9 days til the Brunch!  Is your reservation in?  So far, there are seven swappers, plus me.  I'll keep you updated.)