The Christmas version of my studio...The Gramcrafter's Cafe..Fun & so much S'Maur!

So - FINALLY I have a slide show of my most beautiful crafting studio that my DH Bob made for me...it was my bribe to move yet again one more time....I love it and my friends and customers love it! I can see everything I want to use - stamps, punches, ribbons, accessories, inks...you name it and its out...Although, a wee funny story....I finished putting the room together - and Bob was so proud of the shelves (they are like 1 or 1 1/2 inches wide with a bit of trim on the front so they don't fall...) - I unpacked my stamps...and we both had big smiles on our faces as we looked at his handiwork and my "stuff"...when I noticed his smile fade...and he looked around the room from end to end and I realized HE NOW KNOWS HOW MANY STAMP SETS I HAVE!!! That's the only bad thing about seeing everything so you can use it....HE can see it too!!! Muwahaaaahaaaa!! Oh well...he just looked at me and shook his head and went upstairs....I gulped, decided to stay in the studio and work - but I knew all was ok when he brought me down hot cookies and milk...WHEW!! Passed that hurdle...thank God he didn't know I hadn't unpacked it all...and thats not even my NON SU stamps!! HEHEHEHEHEHE ...we'll just keep that our lil secret, eh?!

Another lil thing to share with y'all is my other addiction...my doll and Tinker Bell collections....Yes, there are American Girls, Engel Puppen (German dolls), Tonner dolls, Kish dolls, Anne Estelle's, Stardust Classics and antiques - my 1930's Shirley Temple and my 1960's Baby First Step...I don't have all my tinks downstairs, nor do I have them all out yet...so lets just say that I am a little obsessive/compulsive...but in a good way!! LOL

My room has 2 tables in this view, but I can get 5 in reasonably comfy...and I also, due to the Tree, have 2 displaced bookshelves...but they will be back where the tree is......Well anyway, enjoy the show....






by the way...if you want the captions of the pics and you want to see bigger photos...you should be able to click right on the middle of the slide show and see my public photo album of my room...happy viewing!

Here's another birthday card....plus a thank you!

Hey Natalie....Happy Birthday!



I must admit Natalie, that I made your card both for you and for my friends to make tomorrow at a lil Stamp a Stack...I think its colorful and bright...so I hope you (and my friends) enjoy it! I'll have to edit this post tomorrow and add the recipe for the card...





Now for the stamp a stack, I was trying to come up with a more masculine thank you, as I realized I almost always use flowers...not that men don't like flowers, but ....you know....so I thought I would give this a shot...gluing the lil box around the dragonfly was a bit of a challenge, as I used the glue stick - and it was sticking everywhere on me and not the card for the longest time!! But as you can see, I got it! I am nothing if not stubborn! So I was going to win over that dang glue! LOL So let me know what you think....I think maybe it needs something....hmmmmm

True Confessions...

ok - time for me to 'fess up...I JUST mailed my Christmas cards!!! I know, I know....I am sooooo bad! However, one of my newer "ways of life" is to not stress on the small stuff...I knew I couldn't get them out before Christmas, so I just sent them after... Bob and I have been through too much in the 15 years of our marriage, that just being with him is enough and everything else is just gravy...so while I do feel a twinge of guilt....I am not beating myself up over it...so here is a picture of what I sent...I started them last year, but Bob had heart issues at the end of the year which put a crimp in my style...no biggie....I finished them this past November at my friend Jacqui's during our annual card fest, eating marathon (oh my DO WE have fun!) - and I just got them mailed now...due to Bob's knee surgery the beginning of December. So - enjoy!!

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes, Flannel Plaid BG; Paper: is 06-07 In Color, Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme and Very Vanilla; Ink: Close to Cocoa, Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Versa Mark Accessories: Crystal effects with red pearl, copper twine, copper embossing powder

Here's a birthday card ...

So Stephanie came home and we played last night in the craft room...She made several valentine's 3X3 cards, several of the heart candy packages I have posted previously, and she made some sample's for her girlfriend's daughter's 1st birthday...not done yet, but can't wait to snap a picture! Hopefully, before she takes them with her, LOL! I missed the lil 3X3 cards, as Stef made them, wrote them out and sealed them....the "noive" (in brookynese - nerve)... Anywho - here is a card I made for one of my SBS9 sisters, Amber...it was her birthday yesterday...so this one is for her! "Amber, hope you had a great day!"

So I lied...I have 3 posts tonight!!!

I was reading my INKredible Impressions forum from my lovely up-up-up-lineTina - and on it the gals talked about sending our Queen Mother of SU, Shelli Gardner, sympathy cards, as her mother, a fellow stamper, passed from this life right before the holidays. Since I felt such an ache for her and her family - I had to send one, too, even though mine will be later than my inky sisters....but OMG - WHAT do you send The Queen Mother? So I said - "dope, this ain't about you - so shut up and stamp!". So I did...I did not take a picture of Shelli's card, but I made the following card I have posted for my girlfriend Maura's birthday - made one for Shelli and made some extra because I loved it so much...I really feel like divine intervention was a-goin' on, as when I rely on my own self for a creation, it takes me FOREVER to move this, add this, remove that, change the color, and on and on..until I can't really decide if I like what I made or not... but this time, I just loved the card outright...scared myself a bit ... So hopefully, this card has done its duty for all... Here are the two versions...

Here are the cards from my PA shoebox meeting...

I went to a shoebox swap with my daughter this past Sunday - and this is a set of 4 all SU! product cards... this is my creation that I shared.....

I used the same kind of layout I did with the Zoofari children's card...

This is from my Stephanie - she cased a case I had from last years Friends set...sorry but I can't remember the name of that talented stamper....cute, eh?

This is from a new found demo friend, Sally...I totally DIG these colors!

This is from my other new demo friend, Liz ...we chose the same set of DS paper 'cuz this paper is the best!!

My cards from my other new demo friend, the host, Alli, I must not have saved to the same file and can't find at the moment so will post later...but she had us doing several great cards and projects (now in my mind I am saying PRO-jects....Alli has this totally bangin' British accent!!! LOVE YA ALLI!) So when my projects are complete they too will get posted. Alli was such an excellent and generous hostess - it made for a great day....new friends (and my "baby"), great food and stampin' - what more could a gal ask for, I tell ya....

I have been sooooo busy!!! Yi-haaa!

Ok guys - I was bad and ignored everything else this weekend and stamped my brains out....OMG did that feel GOOD!!!!! So let me have two posts here today - and once I get all my pics of my room uploaded to a slide show - you can see my fab-u stamp room....ok - get on with it you said!! OK- here goes...first, I wanted to create some special valentine's gifts for my DDSS9 for her reveal gift, and then a regular altered item and then I decided that I NEEDED an altered item for my very own all pretty...you can let me know what you think...

This is my pretty notebook, 8.5 X 11 size, using my left over Christmas DS paper...


Here is my baggie of peppermint patties - an idea I got from my big sis in DDSS9...



This lil gem is some Hershey's extra CREAMY milk chocolate hearts in a cello...



And this lil bugger is a small memo pad for your purse, using our NEW DS paper and many samples of our lovely ribbon....I like this and then I am nervous that it isn't as good as I think...of course my husband has American Idol on - and many of those nuts THINK THEY CAN SING! Makes me nervous when I THINK I CAN CRAFT!!!! Y'all will need to leave a comment to let me know whatcha think!

I know its past Christmas - but I LIKED this!! enjoy!

I found this on Misti Stamps 4 Fun blog and thought it was cute!

Super Sweet Stampin' Up!® Deals!!!

Stampin' Up!® is just FAB-U-LOUS!!! There is a great deal for the month of January and Febuary 1st starts our SALE-A-BRATION season!! Take a look below for more info...You can also go to the Stampin' Up!® US website link by clicking the following link...Stampin' Up! Website

Valentine's Day Bundle
January 2-31, 2008

Promotion Details:
Customers: Purchase the Valentine's Day Bundle (item #111903) for just $33.40 and get Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon--FREE!


Hostesses: Hold a workshop of $350 or more and choose any one stamp set from the Spring-Summer 2008 Preview Brochure for FREE!


The Valentine's Day Bundle includes:
Item Description Price
111089 Happy Heart Day stamp set $20.95
109052 Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon $7.95
102757 Medium cellophane bags $4.50
109056 Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon FREE!

111903 Valentine's Day Bundle $33.40

AND THEN WE HAVE:

February 1-March 17, 2008 Our Sale-A-Bration promotion gives everyone a reason to celebrate! Promotion Details: Customers: For every $50 purchase they make, customers will receive a free Sale-A-Bration product. Hostesses: In addition to our regular hostess benefits, hostesses will receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set for workshops that reach $300 or more. Recruits: Anyone who joins as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from the current catalog.

I've been added!! YIPPEE!!

I just checked back on the Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers 9 and saw that I am an official member!! Woo hoo! Although after going over my fellow SBS9'ers blogs - I feel a wee bit nervous...you guys are FABULOUS!

So a lil about me...totally crazy busy like many of you...I teach high school about 45 miles from where I live at a vocational high school. I am currently finishing my doctoral dissertation & this is my last semester unless they give me an extension through the summer! GULP! So unfortunately, I had to put my SU! business off to the side burner (NOT back burner LOL) to focus on my studies. But I CANNOT totally put away my SU! business - and why you ask? Its because I say it all the time....stamping is my therapy....and when my girlfriends come over and stamp I usually laugh until my stomach hurts! So - how can you live life without that?

I asked to join this group as I have had this blog for a bit, but I never really tell anyone about it and that has to change. And the thought that I will have a more global group of friends is great! I so look forward to learning more about you all. I can already tell that I am going to have to be on my toes...and I also know that I will be able to increase my stamping ability AND my blogging ability with the support of you all. I am also using y'all as a means to make SURE I post at least every week...which is also a 2008 resolution....And my daughter Stephanie, 22, may also post here...as we do like working together...She is a scrapbooker, and I am just starting that, whereas I am the card maker and she is just starting that!

OK - well I can also tell I have different things in common with all of you, which is (according to my students) "bangin" - which is very good... [SIGH]...so I have to get off this site and get back to my books.....ttyl!

"Maur" to share...

So here is a pic of me and my big sister, Jeanne...we were are at the baby shower of her oldest son's wife, Kelly, held on December 3rd...and a marvelous time was had by all!! Just thought I would throw this pic in...unfortunately it isn't often that we see each other...so here we are! Proof that I am not an ONLY CHILD! Now for a picture with my big brother! There's a 2008 goal!!

This little guy is one version of the recent child's birthday card I designed...I love this set and I LOVE those punches...This card was developed for Shannon and Aryn got one just a bit different (they are our two December babies)...but I really like this one! I need to make up a bunch more for my "stock" and then I can show you the different versions using the same layout and set. Hope you like it!
Lastly, this was the first card I made when I was learning the "Dahlia folding" technique - for the flower accent. I also don't often use my cuttlebug for SU! samples, but I didn't want a stamped background, nor a Designer Paper background...this seemed to fit just right. Then I realized that the flower did not stand out well on the red so hence the green....Although this is not my favorite card, I do LOVE this technique...which is what I used on a previous posted card for my friend Judy.

Happy New Year!!!

Well hello and Happy New Year's to ya! Wanted to share some of what I wrapped up the end of 2007 with....here is a SPECIAL Christmas card for my stampin' buddies....

Of course, I have only posted it NOW because I loaded Adobe Photoshop onto my computer so I could make and use the watermark you see.....I cannot tell you HOW MANY hours that took! And of course, I gave my Kodak digital camera to my daughter as I got a new one...never really thinking that I had to figure THAT out as well! I tell ya, this high tech stuff is going to kill me yet! But I am keeping up - slowly but surely! LOL Actually, I wanted the new camera so I could SEE the bigger display screen on the back of the camera! Shhh! Don't tell! I love the thing, but loading the new software took some doing and I HATE having to read the manuals...(hmmm, maybe in a past life I was a man??!!??) Shouldn't all this high tech stuff be pretty simple? Oh I forgot - it is - to teenagers!! LOL I also got a Shuffle (baby) iPod - who knows when I'll figure that out! I also have a new printer/scanner awaiting me - but again...too many hours spent on the J-O-B!! Ah, well, when I win the lottery...

Ok - nuff bout high tech gadgets and the lack of time! Here is a project my buddies and I did during Christmas break....

Next - I had to make my friend Judy's birthday card, as her birthday is 12-31...so since two of my girlfriends used this pin wheel that I showed them, I wanted to do something a lil different....AND my other girlfriend whose daughter has a pre-Christmas birthday stressed to me that birthday and Christmas HAVE TO BE different...just like it is for all of us who do not have a birthday close to the holiday...so you can see from the attached picture that I used bright and springy colors for Jude...I am very pleased with how it came out...I hope the picture does the card justice....


So you can see how busy stamping I was? IT WAS GREAT!!! My therapy....although, it would probably be cheaper to see the famous Dr. Phil!!! tee heee.....but we don't ever mention that to the DH do we?!?!?! Speaking of DH (dear husband!), here are the very late thank you cards from his surprise party in November!! I guess the late cards are the guests surprise!! I should write "back at 'cha!" Ok - can you tell I am tired! Now I am getting punchy - and when I think I'm funny - I know its BAAADDDD!!! Sorry! LOL So - you think these are masculine enough??



Then lastly - the other special card I made for my secret sis - who is going to know who I am if she sees this!! I made it casing a project I made at a Demo class...I think I should have used white as the base rather than the Blue Bayou,and I should have used a red jewel brad in the star/snowflake accent....but I still like it....I will need to snap a pic of the project that was made by by my ....hmmmm....up-line-ish INKredible sister....Jackie M....If I weren't so tired I would be able to spell that last name, but I daresn't right now...


OK - off to bed with me! Hope you all have a great 2008! (OOOOHHH a poet and didn't know it!!!) I plan on one! Apply the Secret!!! Good health, good cheer, good friends, good vibes, good business, good good good everything to y'all!!!!!

Stephanie's birthday card

I almost forgot to show you Stephanie's birthday card!! Since she is also a demo, the game was on and I had to come up with something she hasn't seen me do yet!! Hope you like it! Its a tent card, and I used the Apple Cider Designer paper and River Rock. Its funny, but at first River Rock was my least favorite paper....and now, I can't stop using it!!!

Bob's Surprise Party

So - in order to get Bob to his surprise party, we told him we were going to a surprise party for our DIL Lisa....and since she stamps....the card HAD to be good and Bob knew I would be stressing out over the card, so here is what I made for Lisa on the day of Bob's party....and by the way - it was her birthday week so she needed a card anyway ;-).....

I have to say, I have fallen in love with this set from the mini catalog....so let me show you two of the other creations I have made with this...the bottom one I pretty much CASE'd from SCS...

What I have been working on...

So - here are two of Bob's birthday cards...The top card uses a retired set of trucks and a new Background stamp set called SANDED. I CASE'd the layout and color scheme from one of my secret sisters....I just changed it up some for my honey....Next is a card for Bob from Scruffy - a quick made card using the YAPPY DAY set...again I CASE'd - this time from from my Convention secret sister, Suzanne...since I ADORED the set of cards she made me using this set....cute huh? You see - you do not need to be a genius to CASE (copy and share everything!) cards or scrapbook pages...you can rely on other talented people to come up with the idea and then use it...as long as you give those people credit. Many people worry that they cannot make great cards...but you can! And then from CASE-ing, you learn new techniques and start coming up with your own ideas...and it is so rewarding! TRY IT - YOU'LL LIKE IT!

Next - onto scrapbooking projects....Now - Stef is 22 as of 10-25, so as you can see, this first day of kindergarden was a LONGGGG time ago. However, I promised myself I would learn this art and start somewhere...and these were the first pictures I found after we moved last September. I just found the photo boxes and this was on top all separated out - so it was karma or fate that led me to the first day of her schooling. I used the Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' kit called Primary Colors...it included all the paper, both textured color and designer series, as well as stickers. I used stamps and real handwriting - making it real. I also used this layout of the flap that I learned from our INKredible leader Tina Rosenkrans at one of her many classes that I attend...since I am a perpetual student, I always take classes, knowing that I will always learn something new, even in subjects I have already studied. Anyway - enjoy the pages....I sure do!!! I must say - stef was pleased too!