Sorry – again – for the sporadic posting to my blog. Not enough hours in the day to make things and write about them and, let’s face it, making them is so much more fun!

First are a couple of projects we made at my recent Mommy & Me classes focused on Valentine’s day.  The sweet treat cups are just prefect for making “flowers”.

Stamp sets – Love You Much, Friends Rock

Cardstock & DP – Real Red, Very Vanilla, Sending love DP (current mini)

Inks – Read Red

Accessories – Red gingham ribbon, Horizontal slot punch, Scallop edge punch, Heart to Heart punch, Big Shot Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit (current mini), Corner rounder punch

 Sorry for the not-so-great photo of this project. I was too lazy to take another one. For the class we used Valentine m&ms  and candy conversation hearts  instead of the beads.

 Stamp Sets – Sweet Centers (holiday mini), Simply Said (heart on tag)

Cardstock & DP – Real Red, Whisper White, Sending love DP

Inks - Real Red

Accessories – Red polka dot ribbon, Sweet treat cup, Silver cord (holiday mini), Full heart punch, 1/16″ circle punch, popsicle stick, mini pail, tissue paper, florist’s foam, red glass beads.

 Last thing to share for now is the “practice” card for the one sent out for the monthly swap I was participating in. The final version had some paper piercing and the sentiment was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock, punched out and popped up  using dimensionals. Love this new patterned paper – it just screams “spring”.

Stamp Sets – Great friend, Vintage Labels (SAB set)

Cardstock & DP – Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Orchid Opulence, Vellum, Shades of Spring DP (current mini)

Inks - Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Versamark

Accessories – White embossing powder, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Half preals (pretties kit)

I’ll try and share some of the trial cards for my spring stamp-a-stack later this week once I’ve finished up the Valentine’s goodies for my girls to give their friends.

I finally got a chance to play with some of the new stuff from the Occasions mini and decided to use them for a swap that was due. I love the new Embosslit heart for the Big Shot and I have decided that I am addicted to brads. Who could pass those cute little flowers up though?

Stamp Sets – Love you Much

Cardstock & DP – Naturals ivory, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip. Sending love sepcialty DP (occasions mini)

Inks – Chocolate Chip. Pretty in Pink & Chocolate Chip markers.

Accessories – Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, Heart of hearts embosslit (mini), Chocolate Chip Sending Love epoxy brads (mini), Scallop trim border punch (sale-a-bration 2010), dimensionals, corner rounder punch.

Steve’s aunt requested more photos of the Dougal dog. Not crafty, but he is cute. This was taken after he had his drastic haircut before the holidays. He was really, really, really unhappy with me, as you can tell by the look on his face. Oh well, it’ll grow back and maybe it will discourage  him from getting so tangled in plant matter again.

Back soon with some stamping stuff.

I owe the group 7 SCS bloggers an apology. I knew I hadn’t posted or checked out blogs in a while but didn’t realize it had been that long! The last few months have been really busy and, although I have been crafting myself silly, I haven’t had much time to share or to take a peek at what others have been up to.

So, enough grovelling and on to the “stuff”. I’m going to post a few things and will try, where I can, to not only post the recipes but also to give credit wherever I can for the wonderful ideas. If I forget to acknowledge someone, please let me know as my brain doesn’t always retain what I would like it to!!

This idea was CASEd from Stacey Carter on SCS and miniaturized for fun size Kit Kat bars. They were a hit for my daughter’s daycare class.

Close to Cocoa for the sleeve. Real Red nose covered with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Punched white and black circles for eyes with white gel pen details. Hair is half a flower in Creamy Caramel (from Boho Blossoms punch). The antlers were made from Chocolate Chip snowflakes (punch).

This was made for my mum. I really love the medallion stamp and I think it would look good no matter what!

Stamp Sets – Medallion background stamp, Christmas Greetings

Cardstock & DP – Old Olive, Riding Hood Red (retired), Whisper White, Riding Hood Red DP (retired)

Inks – Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

Accessories – Wide Old Olive striped ribbon, Build -a- brad (pewter), retired hodgepodge hardware ribbon slider, circle punch.

I can’t share some of the others that I made as they are still waiting to go to their recipients but will be back later to post more that aren’t top secret

I had promised to share pictures of the cards made for my holiday stamp-a-stack but, being a bit dozy, I forgot to take photos of them. I am too lazy to go take them now so, instead, I’ll share what I made with the leftovers! When I get a chance I’ll also post pics of the original cards for comparison.

Single layer Autumn Days Wreath card

I got this idea from a number of cards on SCS and I loved the simplicity of it.  It made a perfect project for my first time stampers.

Stamp Sets – Autumn Days,  Sincere Salutations

Cardstock & DP – Naturals White

Inks – Real Red, Always Artichoke, Old Olive

Accessories – Sleigh Bells ribbon (holiday mini catalog), Old Olive buttons from Playground collection.

Cardinal Top Note Card

I love this stamp set, love the DP and the shimmer paint is so cool. This was my definite favorite.

 Stamp Sets – A Cardinal Christmas

Cardstock & DP – Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Christmas Cocoa DP (Holiday mini)

Inks – Close to Cocoa, Read Red (marker and ink).

Accessories – Champagne Mist shimmer paint (Holiday Mini), Read Red 1″ double stitched ribbon, Scallop Oval punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Big Shot Top Note Die, Dimensionals.

In-color Patterned Pines

I wanted to do a card in non-traditional colors and I think the Patterned Pines Hostess set from the Holiday Mini works really well for that.

 Stamp sets – Patterned Pines, Warm Words

Cardstock & DP – Confetti White, Bermuda Bay

Inks – Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo (same color markers)

Accessories – Big Shot Scallop circle and Scallop square dies,  Dimensionals,  Clear rhinestone brad, sponge

Sparkly & Bright embossed card

I had to try out the new technique of dry embossing while leaving a flat center. I love the way this looks and it is so simple to do.

 Stamp Sets – Sparkly & Bright

Cardstock & DP – Naturals White, Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue, Brushed Silver, Whisper White

Inks – Close to Cocoa, Read Red marker, Versamark

Accessories  - Big Shot Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder (Holiday mini), Corner Rounder punch, Scallop circle punch, Horizontal slot punch, Circle punch, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, Silver embossing powder, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Sorry for the lack of posting and for not visiting the group 7 demo blogs as often as I should. The last few weeks have been so busy, getting ready for the daycare craft fair and then I held my first stamp-a-stack over the weekend. All of this has meant that I have been busily crafting but not getting round to sharing.

The craft fair went pretty well. Unfortunately, my friend Jill & I were really the only people who made items to sell and so the center didn’t make as much money as we had hoped. However, it was great to know that people liked our paper crafts so much. It was also a great learning experience as it helped us discover the things that people really wanted and the things that they didn’t.  If we do more  craft fairs in the future, we will be able to focus our efforts better.

So, I finally have some time to sit down and share some of the  fruits of my labor – it might take a while!

Top Note Gift Card Holder: I got this idea from my Upline, Nancy, and changed the colors  and stamps.

Stamp Set – Snow Swirled

Cardstock & DP – Riding Hood Red, Kraft, Whisper White

Inks - Versamark, Craft White

Accessories – White EP, Riding Hood Red striped wide ribbon, Petals-a-plenty Big Shot embossing folder, Big Shot Top Note Die, clear Rhinestone brad, Scallop circle punch, Corner rounder punch, Dimensionals.

The Peppermint Patty Snowmen  made using the Scallop Circle and Curly label punches, were a huge hit and really easy to make.

The magnetic coaster calendars also went over well, especially those with Grandma/Grandpa on them.

The little stamped paper cubes didn’t sell well but I can easily use them for gifts so I’m not too upset about that.

These little pocket photo albums were another big hit – I still love this DP (Washington Apple).

I’ll try and post again soon  and share the cards from my very first stamp-a-stack, held on November 15th. That was fun and I loved seeing the enthusiasm from friends who had never stamped before.

I really love using this set to make cards for the little girls we know. This and my crazy for cupcakes set are my staples!

This card was made for one of Anwyn’s friends for her 4th birthday. I like the way the Irridescent Ice looks on the wings.

Stamp Sets – Pony party and Dream wheel

Cardstock & DP – Pink Pirouette (retired), Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White. Razzleberry Lemonade DP

Inks – Black stazon, Melon mambo, SU markers

Accessories – Melon Mambo ribbon, Scallop and large oval punches, Scallop edge punch, Dimensionals, Irridescent Ice embossing powder, Dazzling Diamonds

My blog has been sadly neglected of late. At the moment, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. I have been prepping for a Halloween mommy & me class on Saturday, planning for a class the following Sunday, getting ready for the craft fair and planning for my very first stamp-a-stack. Chaotic but fun!

I did manage to get all the cards finished up for my sister so they will be mailed next week. I don’t have time to post all the recipes right now but, if anyone has any questions about a particular card, feel free to ask me. The first two cards were made using the Big on Christmas set, the third the Flower for all Seasons set and the last two Snow Swirled.

I will try and get back to posting more regularly and sharing recipes etc. I also need to visit all the group 7 demo blogs.