A Little Swappin'

This is for a 6x6 calender swap I joined. Pull out the white inserts in the sleeping bags to add photos and journaling. It has a matching month topper. My month was August so I chose a camping theme.
This is for another swap. This months theme was any set in the mini catalog. I chose a Halloween theme using Eat Drink & Be Scary.

An Eventful Weekend So Far

It's only Saturday afternoon and it's already been an eventful weekend! It all started last night when Nicholas came down the banister and landed into the wall. No he wasn't hurt in the accident...just after! Kidding, I didn't kill him Ü The boys have been sliding down the banister since they were really little. Benjamin started at about 4-5 when he first saw Mary Poppins come sliding down the banister. Nicholas being the adventurous kind was about 2 when he got his stool from the bathroom, climbed up and slid down for the first time. After than, it became a game, then a battle, then they won, I wasn't going to fight it anymore. They've NEVER fallen, NEVER had an accident and NEVER done anything too wild or crazy. Through 2 houses and 8 years it had been their mode of transportation down the stairs...ahhh, the life with boys! Last night on a normal trip down the stairs, Nicholas tripped up somehow for the 1st time ever and landed his knee in the wall. It's only about 8" in diameter, nothing a little spackle won't fix...NOT!!!

Today we went to the corn maze. This year's theme was called 'The Left or the Right'...any guesses? Yes, it was a maze of Obama and Mc Cain. You can see it here It was pretty amusing, we got lost a couple of times but not bad.

After that we went into the pumpkin patch. It was OK, nothing like our beloved Bishop's Pumpkin Farm in CA, but I guess a pumpkin is a pumpkin after all.
And of course the Pig Races! I think this one was with Arnold Schwartzhogger, Kevin Bacon, Squeely Nelson and Miss Piggy. Arnold won, he is the second one in line here.
I have been stamping! I have 2 swap things to share with you tomorrow, but I would never want the focus taken off these oh so exciting events. Oh, it's a wonderful life, isn't it?? *Ü*

More Humor In High Heels

I'm doing my best trying to work with these wild colors and papers. They are far from my comfort zone! It all looks like the 60's and 70's again and I've already done that once. I love this set and had to have it, but I must tell you it is kind of hard to work with. All the pieces are so small and stamp so light. It's still fun though, I love the dress! I used Crystal Effects this time with the glitter instead of the 2-Way Glue Pen and for some strange reason I sat them up and walked away instead of laying them flat...so it kind of ran a bit. Plus glitter never photographs well anyway, at least with my camera. Or perhaps it is the operator *Ü*

Cardstock: Tangarine Tango, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Stamp Set: Humor in High Heels, Warmest Wishes, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Ink Pads: Staz-On Jet Black, Tangarine Tango

Accessories: Hawaii Papaya DSP, Small, Large andWide Oval Punches, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Coluzzle Oval Template and Cutting System, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Rhinestone Circle Brads

Flower Fancy

Here is the other card from Monday. I guess I was laughing so hard at my cat pictures I forgot to post it! Eric is doing fine by the way, thank you for all your fun comments. He's done with his medicine and is so much happier...so am I!

Flower Fancy and a Cranky Cat

It's been a busy week here. I've finished my 12 Days of Christmas and I am so excited to share it with all of you starting October 1st!! But mostly I am so glad to have a break from the Holiday Treasures DSP that is on every project...of course that was the idea *Ü*, and get to stamp with some of my other new Designer Series Papers like this one, Sweet Always. It's kind of busy for me, but it's NOT a Christmas project!!

Cardstock: Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Blush Blossom, More Mustard, Apricot Appeal and Certainly Celery. Sweet Always DSP

Stamp Sets: Flower Fancy and Best Yet

Ink Pads: Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Fire Circle Brads, Tag Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you don't like cats, don't look below!!___________________________________________

Poor sweet Eric who is 7 years old now, decided to try a bladder infection for the first time. He's been pretty sick unfortunately but I've been taking good care of him. He spent 2 days in the hospital and was discharged with the same pink liquid bubblegum antibiotics my kids used to have. I don't know if he dislikes bubblegum, dislikes the swaddling George gives him so he doesn't claw me or maybe just me, but after taking his medicine pretty well for a week.... he's decided to develop this shaking of the head thing thing to get loose. I think the newness has worn off and he is just plain sick of this twice a day torture! Anyway, this is a hillarious picture. Poor kitty looks possessed!!! He eventually swallows it and I clean him up and love on him a bit before he gets let loose, don't worry. >^..^<

More Inspired By Nature

I've been working like crazy on my 12 Days Of Christmas and man, is it ever shaping up! It's going to be so fun! I needed a break from all those Christmas colors and retreated into my comfort zone of Bella Rose. Plus I wanted to do more with Inspired By Nature as I have so many cool ideas from convention. Gotta work on some of them before they disappear from my brain...

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose DSP

Stamp Sets: Inspired By Nature

Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Oval Colluzle, Wide Old Olive Grosgrain, Ticket Corner Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Write Markers in Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Rose Red

Cinderella's Shoes

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP
Stamp Sets: Humor In High Heels
Accessories: Scallop Edge, Scallop Circle, Boho Blossoms, 1/4" Circle Punches. Acetate paper for the window, Paper Piercing Tool, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain, Flower Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

You've seen 3 of these cards before but needed a 4th to complete a gift set.

HERE ARE A FEW UPDATES FOR YOU TO KEEP IN MIND

October 1-12, I will be posting my 12 Days Of Christmas. Each day you can view and copy what is posted, OR if you want the entire 12 days of information including color tutorial photos, cutting measurments and detailed instructions for personal use or a class, you can purchase it for $12.95 on the 12th day.

It will be sent directly to your inbox, nothing will be mailed.

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Stampin' Up! On Line Ordering goes LIVE September 9th!!!

But you may want to wait to order until the 10th when the bugs are worked out :o)

You can order Stampin' Up! products on line anytime of the day or night from the convenience of your own home. Select ME as your demonstrator from the web page and order away!! How cool is that?

Now you can order exclusive Stampin' Up! products 24 hours a day, it's so easy! ...or send that spouse off to do some Christmas shopping like ordering the new Big Shot!

Remember to select ME as your demonstrator! Simply go to www.stampinup.com, click on my name or follow the link on my sidebar.

Stampin' Up! 20th Anniversary Goodies

Stampin' Up! is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year and offered demonstrators the opportunity to buy this little 20th anniversary embossing template...to use in our new Big Shot, which I told myself I DID NOT need and then accidently ordered it. Such restraint I have! I made these little do-dads for my catalog, then found this darling idea for the flower pot on Laura's Splitcoast gallery. Yesterday I stumbled upon the directions for this business cards and box designed my Stampin' Up!'s own Artisian Award winner, Mary Jo Albright! You can see her blog and instructions here. I absolutely LOVE her work.

Cardtock: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss
Stamp Set: Little Flowers
Accessories: Big Shot, Bella Rose DSP, Holiday Treasures DSP, 1/4" and 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbons, 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Slit Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch.

Another Mini Backpack & One That Went Seriously Bad!

I've been so pleased and overwhelmed by the response to my little backpack that I have made a tutorial instead of trying to explain it in each e-mail. Thank You!!

The original idea came from Stampin' Library Girl on Splitcoast Stampers. I put the link to that on my original post but for some reason not everyone is able to access the directions. Maybe it was a demo only challenge that day, I don't know. My directions are in no way meant to copy hers or override her wonderful creation. In fact, mine are different measurments and the entire backpack is only 3 1/2" x 3" x 1 3/4", much shorter than hers. I like little things and when making multiples, I didn't want to have to buy three tons of candy to put in them, so I made them smaller :o). I'm not cheap...just creative.

Which brings me to my next picture... You know how sometimes the ideas in your head really suck when you put them on paper? Take this one for example--- After seeing the darling demo at convention with the bear set, Under The Stars, and combining that thought with overnight backpacking in the woods...this is what a morning stamper does when stamping after 10 pm while the idea is still fresh in her head... my darling and ever supportive husband said..."What the hell were you thinking and is that a bear? What's wrong with him and what is that on his arm, why are his arms in the air like that? Oh Becky, you would laugh at that if you saw someone post that!! You better start over if you're thinking of including that photo in your tutorial!" Lucky for him, I still love him even though he turned 50 on Saturday (sorry George, you deserved that)...and I have to agree, the idea did not materialize to paper!Enjoy the tutorial and please let me see your creations with this pattern!!!

Mini Backpack Tutorial

Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 10 1/4" x 5 1/4". Score lengthwise at 3 1/2". Turn and score the short side at 3", 4 3/4", 7 3/4" and 9 1/2". Cut the sections for the bottom of the box, up to the score line, as shown above.

You'll need additional pieces of cardstock for the pocket, pocket flap and backpack flap.

Pocket is 3" x 2". Score at 1/4" and 1/2" on three sides. Cut corners off as shown above.

Pocket flap is 1 1/2" x 2". Score at 1/4" and 1/2" on one long side only.

Backpack flap is 2 15/16" x 2 1/2. Score at 1/2" on long side only. (Not to confuse you, but you could cut this piece 3" x 2 1/2" if it is easier, then cut a fraction of the edge off so it fits inside the backpack).

This little backpack is basically a 2,4,6,8 box with a flap and a little pocket added to the front. If knowing that is makes this project easier for you, it won't be so overwhelming. You know how easy a 2,4,6,8 box is, this one is 3, 1 3/4, 3, 1 3/4! You CAN make this!

Upclose of the oval Coluzzle template cutting the backpack flap on the 6th line from the center.Backpack flap needs 1/8" holes at the score line for a ribbon, about 1" from each edge. You'll also need to punch holes on the section that you adhesive to the backpack so the ribbons will go through both sections.

Upclose of the oval Coluzzle template cutting the pocket flap on the 4th line from the center. Pocket should look similar to this before you put it together.
Lay a piece of DSP over the flap and pocket tops. Add adhesive and cut around the half circle to cover.

Fold on all score lines. Gently bend the sides in so you can close the backpack at the top, you know, squish the tops of the sides!

Use your 1/8" hole punch to punch 2 holes at the top, side by side in the center about 1/2" down and 2 holes at the bottom, about 1/2" from the edge and bottom equally.

You'll need about 6" of ribbon for the backpack straps x2 and about 8" of the ribbon you use for the top loop. Make sure you have enough ribbon to get your fingers in there and tie a knot! I don't know, maybe I learned that from experience :o)

This is what it looks like on the inside with the ribbons through the holes.

Attach with a little piece of Sticky Strip.

Back view

This is the back of the little pocket, nice and blurry :o), just before you attach it.

This is the finished backpack. Now you can accessorize it anyway you want! enjoy!