I Deviated!!!

Well, all good plans sometimes just don't come to fruition, but you know, that's okay! My plan was to come home and work on the Mojo Monday sketch. But then, I started thinking about the upcoming Stamp, Play and Create this weekend and had a couple of ideas, so I decided to work on those projects. I am so darn glad I did because here it is, Thursday night, and I have them done! Sometimes stamping just goes the way you want it and sometimes it doesn't! I guess when we have those nights that we just can't stamp anything right, it really helps us appreciate those nights we just stamp and actually create something we like! While I don't want to share the projects with you because I know how much you love surprises, I will give you a few hints as to what products we will be using . . .

Watercolor Crayons
Stazon Jet Black Ink
Fancy Favor SU Die
Lattice SU Die
Medallion Background Stamp

I do have a few openings for this weekend's Stamp, Play and Create. For specific times and info, CLICK HERE! Please email me by Friday if you would like to come and haven't already signed up!

It's gonna be a great stamping weekend!!!!

I feel like I have so much in common which this little witch!! He he!!! She is my alter ego! Isn't that an interesting way to start off a blog post!

Actually, when I saw the Halloween Hoot stamp set, I thought it was too cute. It has so many different stamps that can be used over and over again. I really do love the witch! Check out her smile - you just gotta love anyone that smiles like that! This card, another one that we did at this past weekend's Stamp-A-Stack (see all the goodies you missed by not attending!), is a pouch card. You can stick a little treat in the pouch or a card. The background paper is Cast-A-Spell which goes perfect with Pumpkin Pie cardstock.

Below is a picture of the Halloween Hoot stamp set so you can check it out!!! It sells for $29.95. Oh, and at the Stamp-A-Stack, many people stamped the broom in the witch's hand! She also holds the sign and goodness knows, that sign can be used with so many other different stamp sets. Really, I love seasonal stamp sets that are versatile that I can use them all year long!!!

Hope you have a non-witchy day! I hope my alter ego stays put - she tends to get me in trouble sometimes!! :-)

Flower Power

I'm sharing with you another card made this past weekend at our Stamp-A-Stack. We used the Flower Folds XL Die to make the flowers. There are four different sized flowers on this die and the ones on the card are the two smallest flowers! Can you believe that! I think the flowers would look great on a scrapbook page and you could punch out photos to put in the centers of the flowers.

Today was a much better day, I actually had some time to stamp and made up some of the extra cards from this past weekend's Stamp-A-Stack. I stamped the envelope to coordinate with the card which came out really cute. I'm giving these to my boss because (a) she's only been asking me for a sympathy card for two weeks (I'm so bad) and (b) she doesn't have time to even shop for a card and (c) she loves my hand stamped cards!

Next week at this time if all my flights go as planned, I will have landed in Salt Lake City for the Stampin' Up! Annual Convention. They always have a ton of stuff planned and many many ideas that I can't wait to come home and share with you!!!! You know how trips are though, they kinda sneak up on you!!!

I'm finally sitting down to relax a tad before heading off to bed. Tomorrow I'm hopeful to get a card done using the Mojo Monday sketch .... then I will prepare for this weekend's Stamp, Play and Create! Hope you can make it!

It's a Busy Monday!!

Monday . . . Monday ... la la . . . la la la la .. okay, I'm not sure if I got those lyrics right, but you are telling me your age if you started humming the song. See, I have this ability to make up my own lyrics to songs! Ask Mickey and my son, Kirk. I'll be singing songs and my words don't match with the actual words of the song and they tease me! I tell them if the singers would annunciate clearly, I wouldn't have a hard time making out the words!!! If you are thinking what song is she talking about, just ignore me! he he!!! It's a busy day and I have quite a few things to share, so let's get started!

First of all, this is the last Deal of the Week (oh darn). Starting today through Sunday, you can purchase the Heart to Heart punch for only $10.99 (normally sells for $15.95). It such a cute punch!!! Check in out in the column to the right!!! Remember this is only good through August 2, 2009!!! So, if you would like to order this, just let me know!

Secondly, I wanted to share another card we did at this past weekend's Stamp-A-Stack. This card was so quick and easy and we used the Simply Thanks stamp found on page 208 of the Idea Book and Catalog on the under $10 page! The stamps on the under $10 page really do make perfect gifts, plus they are a great addition to your stamping collection. Now, there is a reason why I'm sharing this card with you. If you click on the card, it should open up in another screen and you should see the embossing on the Ruby Red cardstock. We used the Finial Press Embossing Folder and the Big Shot. One of the other things you can do after embossing your cardstock, is to punch out your images with .. you know where I'm going, the Heart to Heart punch! Well, actually you can use any punch, but the opportunity was so there I just had to say it!!! I'm really "impressed" with the impression the embossing folders give. Oh my gosh, I'm so killing myself here. I swear, I'm not thinking this stuff up, it just comes out of my mouth .. well, actually fingers!!!! Okay, I'll move on!

Third, it's Mojo Monday! Here's the sketch for this week and oh, I like it so much!! As I sit here looking at it, I already have a few things in mind! Hopefully, tomorrow will be the day! Maybe, I'll do this card and we'll do my creation at Stamp, Play and Create scheduled for August 1 and August 2! For more details on Stamp, Play and Create, CLICK HERE!

Welp, I guess that's all for tonight. I must be tired because I get giddier than normal and I know as I go back and read this, you guys must be thinking I've completely lost it!!! Ha ha!!!!

I hope your Monday was a good one and I'm hoping to get to stamp tomorrow!!!

They Have Courage

I'm so excited about the upcoming Stamp-A-Stack class on Sunday. I had all the projects planned by Friday evening; boy am I ahead of the game! I don't normally share any of the projects ahead of the class, but I am making an exception. This card is made using the new Courage Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I live in Norfolk which houses the largest military base in the United States. I have grown up surrounded by the military since my dad served 28 years in the Navy. My husband served four years in the Navy after he graduated from high school. He currently works at the Naval Base. Matter of fact, I can't imagine NOT having the military close by. I love this stamp set because it captures the different aspects of the armed forces, all in one stamp set. I really do love it!

I hope the participants of Sunday's Stamp-A-Stack class enjoy making this card as much as I did preparing it! It's unforgettable!

I Dazzle with Rich Razzleberry

I really really really really love Rich Razzleberry! I don't know if you remember, but when I first saw this color on the SU Hawaii Incentive Trip, it popped right out. I think it was speaking to me!!! So, of course, I really want to use it all the time!

I wanted to share this card with you. We did this card this past weekend with the Bold Brights and Rich Regals Stamp Clubs. We do three projects at the stamp club meetings, with one project usually being a 3-D item. You probably recognize some of the products used on this card, now don't you! Notice the look of the embossed flowers from the Elegant Bouquets Embossing Folder. Well, after the DSP was embossed, we just took a sanding block and sanded the embossed images. This technique works so well with SU DSP. You will not get this effect sanding our cardstock, just the DSP. Too fun, huh! Listed below is all the products used on this card:

Stamp Set: Eight Great Greetings
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Classic Rich Razzleberry
Other: Elegant Bouquets Embossing Folder, Movers & Shapers Curley Label Die, Extended Cutting Pads, Dimensionals, Polka Dotted Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, Curly Label Punch

I think I've included everything!!! Hope you like this project as much as I do.

Woo Hoo!!!!

Can you believe it???? I actually created my card for Mojo Monday. I'm soooo happy! And, I've used one of my favorite new stamp sets . . . "C is for Cat"! Below is my card, along with the supplies I used on this project. Gotta love 'dem kitties!!!

Stamp Set: C is for Cat
Cardstock: Rose Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Tall Tales DSP
Classic Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Other: Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Crop-O-Dile, Circle Scissor Plus and Glass Mat, Stamping Sponges, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads

In addition, there is a dynamite Deal of the Week! For only $18.99, you can purchase the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware! It normally sells for $29.95. Now is the perfect time to make your purchase. Did you know that you can color the Hodgepodge Hardware by using Craft ink and embossing with Clear Embossing Powder. You'll also find that many of our punches coordinate with the Hardware! You'll love it! This deal of the week runs through Sunday, June 26, 2009. Let me know if you would like to order this!

Hope your Monday was great!!!

I'm REALLY Still Here!!

I really have to tell you that the past few weeks, I feel like my life has been a tad out of control! I know you all can probably relate to that, huh. It's certainly not a feeling that I like nor do I thrive on. After my last post, unfortunately, I spent more time working on a trial that zapped every bit of time I had. And that's okay because as I've said before, I love my job at the law office and it's a very important part of my life. My job entails so many different aspects and it definitely keeps my brain power going. But when I get home, I leave my brain power at the office ... ha ha!!

Anyhow, things are now settling down a bit and I'm starting to get back to a somewhat normal life. My husband is home after being gone for two weeks and you guys know how much he takes care of me. I'm excited that I can get back to stamping this week also. We did have the Bold Brights and Rich Regals Stamp Clubs this weekend and had an absolute blast!!! I so look forward to my stamping events - just as you guys do! There is nothing more relaxing than stamping with you guys!

There are a couple of things I need to mention for today. At noon, Stampin' Up! will be announcing the fourth Deal of the Week. All you need to do it click on the tab above this post which says "SU Promotions" and you'll see the Deal of the Week which is good through Sunday, July 26.

In addition, on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., I have a Stamp-A-Stack scheduled. This did not make it on my blog but was on my SU website. While the deadline to pay is today, if you would like to attend, please shoot me an email and you can pay on Sunday. The cost is $15.

Today is Mojo Monday (yikes - I still haven't done my project for last Monday's Mojo Monday). The sketch will be up later this morning so go take a peek and see what you can create - when you get a chance!!!

I hope your Monday is great!!!

Playing Catch Up

Hellllloooooooooo everyone!!! Gosh, I so miss it when I don't get a chance to post! As many of you know, I'm a paralegal and bookkeeper at a law firm during the week and really do love my job. I'm off on Fridays which really helps me plan for upcoming workshops and run errands. While I'm only supposed to work until 1:30 Monday through Thursday, that just hasn't happened lately. We've had a killer trial schedule and it seems like a trial every week that requires my brain power (yikes - isn't that scary!) and many hours of work. Why am I telling you this? Well, I'm excited to say that we finished trial prep on our last trial during this hectic time period and I'm soooo thrilled!!!! And, my husband and son come home tomorrow! Oh gosh, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Yee haw!!! So, now, I can get back to spending more time in stamping land which I haven't been able to do! :-)

Let's see -- ah yes, the Deal on the Week! This is a good one!! You can get 30% off a package of Square Fire Rhinestone Brads. They normally sell for $10.95, but you can get them for $6.99. I love the Rhinestone Brads as they add a gorgeous element to your projects! Also, you can pop out the Rhinestone by bending back the prongs on the brad and attach to your project using a Mini Glue Dot!!! Please feel free to let me know if you would like to take advantage of this awesome opportunity!!! You always order on line any time by clicking on the "SU Online Ordering" tab above. Also, you can check out ANY SU promotions by clicking on the "SU Promotions" tab above! :-)

Now, Monday is the day for the Mojo Monday Sketch. which is to the right of this paragraph. WOW -- don't you think it's a good one!!! I'm not sure who the brainchild is that comes up with these sketches, but they are awesome!! I'm hoping to be able to complete my Mojo Monday card this afternoon so stay tuned for that!!!

I'm looking forward to my Downline Meeting tonight. I always love when we get together as the outpouring of ideas never ceases to amaze me!!! I'm so proud of my downline because they really do a wonderful job and I have five of my downline attending the Stampin' Up! Convention with me in August! Woo hoo! I can't wait!!!!

See you guys later -- promise!

My Wonderful Friend

Before I zip off to work today, I wanted to share with you another card that I created for this past weekend's Stamp, Play and Create. I love the bright colors of this card! I used some of the new In Colors - Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo and tossed in some Green Galore for the leaves. I used the Sizzix Die - Build a Flower. I'll tell you, that die is too cool! I've had it for I know over 6 months and never used it. Can you relate? You know, like those stamp sets that you have ... some of which are not even mounted? wink wink!!! Anyway, you can make so many flowers with that die, you'll come up with a ton of different looks! Now, I didn't have a die to make the leaves so all I did was punch out a circle using the 1-3/4" Circle Punch, then insert the punched circle into the die and punch out a portion of the circle - making the leaves! Yo baby .. quick and easy leaves!

Hope you enjoy this card .. I need to zip off to the day job, but don't worry, I'll be back (I can hear Arnold's voice saying that as I type it! .... are you thinking what is she talking about -- think movies!)

See ya later!

Elephants DO Forget!

There is something that makes me giggle when I stamp animals - especially when I apply those googly eyes! I swear I don't know what it is!! I wanted to share with you today one of the cards we made this past weekend at the Stamp, Play and Create.

When I first saw the Tall Tales DSP and the Animal Stories stamp set, I looked at that elephant and thought about doing a belated birthday card. I know people say that elephants don't forget, but hey - they do in my world! So, I came up with this card. Isn't it just adorable!!! The colors used are Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron and Very Vanilla. It's really a quick and easy card to complete!

If you are like me, you might have a use for alot of these cards! But then, you probably get all your cards out on time -- or in advance! I need to be more like you! :-)

Enjoy your day!!!

It's All in the Bag!

The Big Shot "Doctor's Bag" is the SU Deal of the Week! Woo hoo - this is such a savings for sure! Many of you have purchased the Big Shot, but have no place to store it, so here is the solution. The Big Shot fits perfectly in this bag and you have some room to carry some of your favorite dies and accessories such as your cutting pads and platform. Also, when you go to someone's house to stamp or attend a crop, you can now carry your Big Shot conveniently and in style! Wait, you say you don't have a Big Shot, so you don't need this? How many times did you need just an overnight bag? or a bag to carry some goodies!!! This is perfect! You'd be surprised at how much you can fit in here and its very stylish! The lining is a pretty pink and the bag is built to hold! You know it would have to be since it was designed for the Big Shot!

This bag normally sells for $69.95. This week, through Sunday, July 12, you can purchase the Doctor's Bag for only $49.99!!!! Woo hoo!!! I'll be placing an order on Sunday, so would be more than happy to include your bag in my order! This saves you on shipping and handling!!!

Hope you can take advantage of this awesome opportunity!

Seclusion with Mojo Monday

After taking a nap when I got home from work due to kitty play time at 4:00 a.m. and then running errands, I decided to "hold up" in my stamp room and create! I was creating two things ... my Mojo Monday card and, well, it's not really creating, but I bought an IPOD last week and have been busy uploading all my favorite songs. I guess if you watched me tonight, you would see me working between two tables, one downloading songs and the other stamping, and then trying to keep the children a/k/a the new kitties out of my stuff! So now, it's 10:00 p.m. and it is my bedtime, but I wanted to upload my creation which I think is sooo cool. I decided though that if it took me this long to create all my projects, I'd be in big trouble! Here is the sketch and the card!

I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone, which is something I've tried to do with the Mojo Monday sketches. I used alot of things from the new 2009-2010 Idea and Catalog and will list them below. I did want to point out that I used one of the white Fleurettes and dyed it using Melon Mambo reinker! I did this on Saturday and showed it at Stamp, Play and Create. Little did I know it would come in handy today!!! I do love the end result!! Here are the supplies:

Stamp Sets: Nature's Nest, Hard to Say
Cardstock: Green Galore, Pixie Pink, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Only Orange
Ink: Classic Melon Mambo, Green Galore and Basic Black
DSP: Kaleidoscope
Other: Dimensions, White Circle Metal Edge Tags, Fleurettes II, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, Stamping Sponge, 1" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch

I think I've got everything covered! Hope you enjoy!!!

Shower in Melon Mambo

Happy Monday to you all! Oh gosh, when I typed that I realized that we'll be having another Mojo Monday sketch later today! Woo hoo! It gives me a whole new outlook on Mondays!!!

But, before I get started on Mojo Monday, I wanted to share a project that I did this weekend which is so summery (is that a word??) This card uses one of the new Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - Elegant Bouquet. Isn't this beautiful? All I did was add a greeting from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp set punched out using the Modern Label punch, inserted silver brads on each end of the Modern Label Punch and attach using Dimensionals. For the finishing touch, I used the Melon Mambo Dotted Grosgrain Ribbon! Simple, quick, yet elegant and gorgeous!!!

I'm looking forward to coming home from work tonight and working on my Mojo Monday sketch project. I'll be sure to post it!

Become a Demonstrator for ONLY $85.00

One of the things that I love in my life is being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Who would have thunk that after 8 years, I still doing it and still loving it. Yes, my business has changed so much during those years but the one constant is how I feel about it! You guys know the story but in brief, I signed up for the discount with NO intent to do workshops or classes, after a couple of months decided to have an open house and the rest is history. You would laugh at me right now as I'm trying to remember all the incentive trips I've earned since becoming a demonstrator and it's hard because there have been quite a few. Nope, I'm not bragging, but want to share with you what I've been able to accomplish.

But, in all honestly, the thing that I've cherished the most is the relationships and friendships that I share with my friends (customers). It's like that credit card .. priceless!

With all that said, there is a wonderful opportunity starting on July 15 to become a demonstrator. As a demonstrator, you can get FREE and discounted products, plus extra income which is always nice. The special, limited-time Mini Starter Kit contains many of the items you need to get started in your new business, including:

For All You Do stamp set
In Color Classic Stampin' Pads (6)
Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
Business forms and tools

You can also choose the standard $199 Starter Kit! In addition to the supplies listed below, you'll get all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads and one pack of In Color assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")--a $43 value! The standard Starter Kit includes:

Four stamp sets
A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
Stampin' Pastels
Card stock
Eastern Blooms Décor Elements and applicator tool
Five Classic Stampin' Pads
VersaMark Pad
Stampin' Scrub and Mist
Blender pens
Business forms and tools

These special offers--the Mini Starter Kit and the In Color add-on to the standard Starter Kit--are only available for a limited time, so you must act fast!

The Benefits of Becoming a Demonstrator:

Whether you just love to stamp, or you want to grow a successful, thriving business, the Stampin' Up! opportunity is the right fit for you. Stampin' Up! demonstrators enjoy many benefits, with just a few listed below:

Product discount. Demonstrators get a 20 percent discount MINIMUM on all Stampin' Up! products, including stamp sets, paper, and accessories. It's a great way to support your love of stamping and paper crafting.

Extra income. You'll earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting--how much extra income is up to you. Maybe you just want enough income to pay the electric bill every month, or maybe your goal is bigger--the monthly payment for your new car--it's your decision! See the Compensation Table for more information.

Flexible schedule. This is your business, so you can put in as much (or as little) time as you'd like.

Support from Stampin' Up AND ME!! Stampin' Up! loves their demonstrators and it shows through their demonstrator support materials, including a monthly magazine, workshop ideas, and audio and video trainings on all kinds of topics available on our Demonstrator Web Site.
So what are you waiting for? Contact me TODAY to join the Stampin' Up! family!

Call me at 757-587-1005 or e-mail me to learn more about the Stampin Up! opportunity. Or if you are ready to sign up then head on over to my website and sign up on-line. You will need a password to sign up. That password is letsstamp.

Remember, this starts on July 15 and ends on August 30.

Life at the Johnson Home

Okay, this is not stamping related, but it's too cute. You know, while I think that the cats sleep all day while Mickey and I are at work, I have realized that this is not the truth! I can't stress just how many toys Dugan and Darci have and how they like to make sure they create a mess in EVERY room in the house! A couple of weeks ago, the figured out how to unroll the toilet paper. I'm wondering if they are trying to unroll it so it reaches out to their litter box (okay, maybe that IS too much information). There is a reason that God made kittens so cute -- because you can't get mad at them for doing these things because they look at you with that look (cat lovers - you know what I mean)!!!!

Then, last night, I was doing some updating to my Stampin' Up! website and My Blog (boy did that take a long time) with dates for upcoming events. Dugan has become such a mama's boy and he likes to lay beside me and put his head on the edge of my laptop or my arm. Anyway, he starts playing and before I knew it, he jumped from the edge of the sofa on top of my laptop to the other side of the sofa! I always cringe when this happens because I'm very protective of my laptop! The screen goes black, the it comes back and everything is sideways! What's up with that????? Really, I never knew that the display could look like that. It was weird. Fortunately, it only took me about 5 minutes to figure out how to make it go back to the way it was. It was really comical though as I had to turn my laptop sideways so I could read the screen! Oh goodness!!!

And yes, the picture is my teeny bathroom .. and it is the ONLY bathroom in my house! Boy, what would I ever do with a two bathroom house!!!