Chocolate Favors

Have you seen the "Eat Chocolate" stamp set in the Occasions Mini yet? Too fun!

The first project is Daffodil Delight and Chocolate Chip with a smidge of Naturals White - all wrapped around a Hershey bar. Also used were both the Tag Punches and the XL Round Tab Punch. The Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon looks like liquid chocolate to me! There's a touch of Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.

The second project uses the Big Shot, Top Note die (fold the Top Note in half) and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder for the Small Cello Bag topper in Real Red. Along with the 1 3/4" XL Scallop Circle Punch for the sentiment. I inked the stamp using the Early Espresso and Real Red Stampin Write Markers. ENJOY!

Easel Gift Card

This is project three of three from my December THO (totally hands on) workshop. Maybe you've been seeing 'easel' cards all over the web like I have? I've been wanting to make one - again, easier than you think just to look at them! But I wanted my easel card to also hold a gift card - so my workshop participants could use this project right away.

The only change I made to the standard easel card directions, is that I cut my base from 12" card stock - so 4 1/4" x 12" - then scored at 5 1/2" and 1". the 1' score becomes your gift card pocket when you fold it up and the edges/corners with Mini Glue Dots folded in half.

This design uses Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White along with several stamp sets: "Christ is Born", "Heard from the Heart" and "All Holidays" - as well as the Scallop Trim Border, Ornament and 2 Step Bird XL Punches; the Big Shot with the Movers and Shapers Holiday Windows. ENJOY!

Top Note Treat Purse

This is project two of three, from my December THO (totally hands on) workshop. Another simple and fun way to dress up a small gift or treat. Using the Big Shot, I die cut the top Notes in Bravo Burgundy, then embossed them with the Vintage Wallpaper folder and finished them off with some Gold Smooch Spritz. They are attached to a simple box pattern with Mini Glue Dots, and then I added a Pear Pizzazz Ribbon for a handle, using Gold Brads.

I chose a sentiment from the "Fundamental Phrases" stamp set that could be used for Christmas or another occasion and layered using four different punches: Decorative Label, Large Oval, Modern Label and Word Window. Punches are so much fun - and layering them makes them SUPER FUN!
ENJOY!

Ornament and gift Box

I made these ornaments with gift boxes for our Marriage Encounter Presenting Team Community couples. I LOVE making these glittery ornaments as they are relatively easy to make and are a Wow! when finished. The box is also fairly simple to make.

For the ornament - you use StazOn ink to stamp your image on the clear window sheet or acetate. I have made these in the past using the now retired "Holy Triptych" stamp set and colored in the images using Sharpie markers. Then - coat the entire back of the window sheet circle with Crystal Effects and sprinkle copious amounts of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the entire surface. Tap off the excess, and allow to dry. When dry, punch a 1/16" hole in the top of the window sheet circle and thread through a piece of silver cord (or clear thread or whatever matches your ornament top). Remove the ornament hanger top, use a funnel to add fake snow, glitter, ribbon pieces, etc. to the bottom of the ornament. Roll up the circle, glitter on the inside so it doesn't get scratched when you insert it into the ornament, and insert into the ornament, making sure the cord/thread ends remain outside the ornament. the window sheet circle will automatically unfurl, and the cord/thread allows you to position the circle. Replace the ornament top, sticking the ends of the cord/thread through the top - and tie it off around the ornament hanger loop - this will help keep your stamped image in place. Add bow with Mini Glue Dot if desired.

The Box uses Garden Green, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White - as well as the the "Lovely Letters" stamp set and the Decorative Label and Ornament Punches. ENJOY!

Glowing Daisy Silhouette

This lovely candle holder was a joint demonstration for the Spring Open House I did with my sister-in-law Jen, who is a PartyLite consultant. This is a beautiful candle holder currently available through PartyLite, that you can change out the insert on. For our Open House, I heat embossed the Upsy Daisy floral image in black on some SU! vellum card stock. I cut two 3 1/4 " x 6 " pieces to do this. After heat embossing, I used some of the absolutely luscious SU Black Satin Ribbon (currently in the Occasions Mini) to hide the connecting spots of the two pieces.

Wouldn't this make a great gift? Quality candle holder and candles + made from the heart, hand-stamped insert - you can't wrong with this gift! Click on Jen's name above to go to her website for more information on PartyLite. Contact me anytime, or check out My Website, for more inspiration for inserts and to order your own supplies to make them!

The possibilities for inserts and different gift occasions are endless! ENJOY!

Cinema Saturday #54 - "Finding Nemo"

I am so excited to be a Guest Designer for this week's Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge! This week, CSCC also has a Special Sponsor and Guest Designer - Taylor Van Bruggen. I am familiar with Taylor's site, and her awesome weekly Cupcake Sketch Challenges! Taylor is offering some yummy Blog Candy for the CSCC this week - so be sure to play along for your chance to win!

As you can see, Taylor's pick for our movie inspiration this week is "Finding Nemo", and she included a special Color Challenge (shown on the right side of the banner above). I used Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise, Brilliant Blue, Only Orange & Whisper White on my design.

My first thought for "Finding Nemo"was the love of a father for his children, which reminded me of the "Mrs. Doubtfire" Challenge two weeks ago! But that SU! "Summer By the Sea" (retired) image is so 'two weeks ago'! (heehee) My next thought was the same stamp set, but the image of the little boy building a sand castle. This image reminds me not only of the beach and the sea, but also of the 'home' Nemo leaves behind in search of adventure. Then I thought about a clown fish made out of punches. So how to incorporate the two ideas? Why a birthday card with a 'gift' attached - a clown fish jumbo clippie bookmark! I went to the Disney "Finding Nemo" website and looked at gallery pictures there to try to re-create a clown fish for the clippie bookmark. I like the outcome, and it got thumbs up and smiles from my kids too!

Here is a look at how the inside of the card looks, for those paper-crafters like me who need to have a visual to "understand" a concept. The oval was cut out of the folded over Tempting turquoise card stock, using a Nestabilities and my Big Shot. In order to keep the card the standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" - I needed to trim about an inch off the bottom - so that when the clippie bookmark was attached - it would still be the correct size, and fit in the standard A2 envelope. I used Mini Glue Dots in the corners of the inside layer, so the clippie could easily slide in and out.

The clippie bookmark 'Nemo' fish was made using SU! punches - Wide and Small Oval for the body and fins and hand punchs 1/4" and 1/8" for the eyes. I also used the Modern Label Punch for the tail fin. The background scallop ovals are Nestabilities. A Pop Up Glue Dot holds everything to together on the jumbo clippie.

Retired SU! stamp sets "It's Your Birthday" and "God's Blessings" in Brilliant Blue Classic Ink finish off the card, along with some sponging of Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink on the cover.

Thanks to Taylor for the color combo challenge - I always enjoy trying new color combinations, especially when they are still inside my comfort zone! THANK YOU Sankari and Brooke for awarding me the Audrey Award, and giving me the chance to be a guest designer this week! I look forward to seeing everyone's creations...ENJOY!

St. Valentine's Day Top Note Treat

Need a sweet treat idea for your kids or your sweetie? St. Valentine's Day party at school? How about for your paper-crafting buddies and/or co-workers? Grab the Love You Much Bundle and the Bigz Top Note Die and get started!

Note: Did you know you can use the Bigz Dies not only with the Big Shot, but with the Cuttlebug and other similar machines? If you don't have any of these fun tools yet, I suggest the Big Shot (instant Hostess credit when you purchase the Starter Kit!) However, do you have one of these tools, but have been holding off on purchasing these fun dies - wait no more!


Stamps: Love You Much
Card Stock: Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Bigz Top Note Die, Heart to Heart & Scallop Circle Punches, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, small Cello Bags
ENJOY!

Have You Seen It Yet?

Why - the NEW Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog of course! :) It is Bea - u - ti - ful! Oh, and lots of great new stamps, embellishments and tools too! heehee These baskets were all done with the NEW Raspberry Tart DSP (Designer Series Paper) - isn't it yummy? The paper I mean, not the chocolates inside the basket. ;) I used the Big Shot and the Bigx XL Baskets and Blooms Die to make these.

Let me tell you - that Big Shot "works like butter". With this die, the basket pieces are cut, along with the tag I used and several different flower which I am hoping to have show up on near future designs. I used Mini Glue Dots to adhere the bottom piece to the two side pieces - easy peasy and quick too. Stamped and sponged a Curly Label punch to layer on the die cut tag, and attach with a bow of Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Just imagine the possibilities of this fabulous die..... St. Valentine's Day treats, shower and party favors, May Baskets, Secret Santa, Girls Shopping Day Out, Just Because...... What would you use these adorable little purse baskets for?





Stamps: Love You Much
Cardstock: Raspberry Tart DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose and Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Bigz XL Baskets & Blooms Die, Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Curly Label Punch, Mini Glue Dots & Sponge Dauber. ENJOY!

Wine Gift

Need a QUICK gift? I try to keep gift bags of different sizes on hand for just such an occasion - a quick gift. This was a prize for the TrulyWed Game we played at our WWME Community Christmas party this past weekend. It literally took a few minutes to get together. The wine bottle decor was an image from the retired SU! set So Many Scallops stamped in Encore Silver Metallic ink. I then stamped the same image in Riding Hood Red and used the 3/4" Circle Punch so I could get the just the middle snowflake image, and attached it on a half a Stampin' Dimensional. (Tip: I always cut these in half so they last twice as long. Most projects don't require a full one anyway.) The poinsettia image is from the beautiful set Christ is Born.

Stamps: Christ is Born, So Many Scallops (retired)
Card Stock: Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red & Encore Silver Metallic
Accessories: Scallop and 3/4" Circle Punches, Riding Hood Red 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals
ENJOY!

Scallop Peppermint Spiders

So how cute are these?! These would make cute treats for school or other Halloween parties. You could do these on suckers too, similar to these I did last year. Or how about as a little Secret Spook treat dropped unseen on a co-workers desk?
I found this idea on Lisa Freeman's site - thanks for the great idea Lisa! I still have some of the Peppermint Patties left in a bag on my stamp table from the Batty for You Bouquet I did a few weeks ago. So when I saw these, I *had* to make some to share with you all. No stamps necessary - just a few of the awesome Stampin' Up! punches! Give it a try and let me know how it turns out and what you use it for.

Cardstock: Basic Black, YoYo Yellow, Lovely Lilac, Green Galore, Only Orange, Pink Passion,
Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Circle, Photo Corners & 1/2" & 1/4" Circle Punches.

ENJOY!

Upsy Daisy Favor

This is a favor I made for our Women at the Well (WATW) program at my parish. This program occurs about four times during the school year, and this is our sixth season. We provide a light dinner of soup, bread and dessert (getting donations for these if possible), and then have a presentation by an inspirational speaker. It is an evening of spiritual renewal, so when I found this little "kit", I knew it would be perfect for a WATW evening. I made the "poem" so that it fit the cello bag topper. What you see in the picture is a closed topper with the cello bag and it's contents, plus an open topper (bag is tucked underneath). The fold over Confetti Cream hides the staples that keep the topper closed over the cello bag. I do not know where the words originated from, but as usual I didn't do a straight CASE either. ;). Here's what it says...

To: My Beautiful Woman
From: The Lover of Your Soul

A Loving Gift of Everyday Reminders:
♥ Toothpick – Pick out the good qualities in yourself and others. Matt 7:1
♥ Rubber Band – Be flexible. Things may not always go the way you want,
but it will work out. Romans 8:28
♥ Band-Aid – Heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s. Col. 3:12-14
♥ Pencil – List your blessings everyday. Eph 1:3
♥ Eraser – Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s okay. Gen 50:15-21
♥ Chewing Gum – Stick with it. There is nothing WE cannot accomplish TOGETHER. Phil 4:13
♥ Mint – You are worth a mint to Me. John 3:16-17
♥ Candy Kiss – Everyone, including you, needs a kiss or hug everyday. 1 John 4:7
♥ Tea Bag – Meet me daily for intimate conversation in the Living Room. It is our R&R (reconciliation and rejuvenation). I’m there every day, longing for your company. John 4:4-30

My Love – Together, We can Live Every Day Fully and Joyfully!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Confetti Cream
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red and Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Small Cello Bags, Slot Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, staples
ENJOY!

A Batty Bouquet (Tutorial Included)

If you've been following along with the StampinJewels Blog this month, you have noticed I've been in a Halloween mood. Click on the 'Halloween" Label to easily find the other Halloween projects - (Frankie and His Bride are especially cute!) Better yet - subscribe to this blog and you won't miss any posts! :) Though I like the cutesy Halloween decor (can't stand the ugly, macabre stuff), I don't usually do much for Halloween. I've been having fun with my Halloween mood and my latest fun is this adorable little Batty For You Bouquet! Wouldn't this look cute as a table centerpiece? Or on a teacher's desk? Or on your spouse's, a co-worker's or your own desk? The best thing is how simple it is to make! Just a few punches, some lollipop sticks and some of the awesome SU! punches - Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle. I bought a small, square candle holder for $0.97 from Wal-Mart. I had some styrofoam cones on hand - so rubbed that with a black ink pad to reduce the white glare from the inside. You'll also need a bag of fun size Peppermint Patties.
Here's a brief tutorial...
Grass: Use a strip of Kiwi Kiss CS and run it through the SU! Crimper, then cut it into narrow strips. Fold the crimped strips in half at a slight angle and stick them loosely in with the styrofoam base to create the "grass".
Flowers: Stamp your chosen images from the Batty for You Stamp Set - then punch them out using the 1 1/4" Circle Punch. Use the 1 3/8" Circle Punch to punch out your choice of coordinating background layer. Punch TWO Scallop Circles for each flower. Adhere all layers of the front of the "flower". Use Mini Glue Dots (or Sticky Strip) to adhere the completed "flower" front to a Peppermint Patty. Use another Mini Glue Dot to adhere the non-layered "flower" back to the Peppermint Patty. Insert lollipop stick (these may be found wherever Wilton supplies are sold.) Tie a bit of Black Gingham Ribbon around the stick, under the "flower". Poke stick into styrofoam base to create the bouquet. Repeat this step for as many "flowers" as you want to make.
"Vase": Measure your chosen "vase" and cut a strip of Tangerine Tango CS to wrap around it, securing with Mini Glue Dots (or Sticky Strip). Measure and cut TWO pieces of Black Gingham Ribbon, and ONE piece of Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped Grosgrain. Adhere to cardstock strip with Mini Glue Dots.
"Vase" Label: You may want to use the Stamp-a-ma-ji here if you are not good at eyeballing lining up images. Ink up the "Happy" from the"Happy Halloween" stamp in the All Holidays set and stamp on Whisper White CS. Clean stamp. Ink up the "Halloween" from the same stamp, and position under the "Happy" you just stamped. Then punch out with the Curly Label Punch, using the direct-to-paper technique to add Kiwi Kiss ink to the edges of the punched out cardstock. Punch out TWO more Curly Labels in a contrasting cardstock color - I used Basic Black. Turn one vertically, and adhere to the back of your punched sentiment. Holding the other one horizontally, use your Paper Snips to cut it in half. Layer and adhere one piece to each end of your punched sentiment. This create the 'faux layering' you see on my sample. Here's a close up of the "flower" for you..

Stamps: Batty for You & All Holidays (SU!)
Cardstock: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, Summer Sun
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Black StazOn, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Lovely Lilac
Accessories: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle Punches and Curly Label Punches; Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon: Black Gingham Ribbon; Crimper; Mini Glue Dots; Dimensionals; Non-SU! - glass square,votive holder, styrofoam cone, lollipop sitcks, Peppermint Patties.
ENJOY!

Witch's Broom Favor

This ADORABLE Witch's Broom Favor is shown on pg. 29 of the Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog. I had some smaller than normal kraft paper lunch bags so I used those for this project. I literally went outside and found a stick to use. :) One of the SU! small Cello Bags holds a treat inside the broom.

Stamps: Haunting Halloween
Cardstock: Tangerine Tango
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Tangerine Tango 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Paper Snips, Small Cello Bag, Ticket Corner Punch.
ENJOY!

Frankenstein & His Chocolate Bride

Isn't Frankie cute? And how about his Chocolate Candy Bar Holder Bride, including her beauty mark? :) These were inspired by samples from SU! demo Mandy Sutton(aka Mandy625 on SCS). Apparently there are several "Frankie's" out there - these are my interpretations. You all know I love to CASE (copy and share everything), but that I also do not usually CASE exactly! I wanted my guy to be a standard size card, even with his side screws. As I thought about it, I said to myself, "Well, Frankie's head is usually portrayed as more square at the top." Sooo, I cut at an angle on each side (the card opens from the top). I like the big eyes, even though that means his side screws end up coming out of his jaw, rather than his neck - hhhmm, maybe I'll make another one just to see..... ;)

Below, you'll find most of the details, a faux tutorial, I guess! ;)

Candy Bar Holder: I began with a 6" x 6 1/2" piece of Kiwi Kiss, and scored it at 1-3/4" and 4 -1/4" so it would fold around the Hershey bar better. I made eyelashes by cutting into the side of the 1/4" Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, and attaching it under the punched half circle eyelids with Mini Glue Dots. For both projects, I used the technique of direct-to-paper with my ink pads to add a little texture and interest to the edges and a little further in, as well as around the eyelids and nose so they stood out a bit more.
Cardstock
• Kiwi Kiss card stock: Card: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"; Candy Bar Holder: 6" x 6-1/2"
• Lovely Lilac card stock: 1-3/4" x 4-1/4"; 3/4" x 4-1/4"
• Basic Black
• Whisper White
• Scraps of all card stock colors

Ink
• Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Lovely Lilac Classic Stampin' Pad
• Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad

Stampin’ Up! Accessories
• Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
• Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
• Basic Black Stampin' Write
• 1-3/8" Circle Punch
• 1-1/4" Circle Punch
• 1" Circle Punch
• 3/4" Circle Punch
• 1/2" Circle Punch
• Corner Rounder (the one that SU! reitred, not the current one, which I also like!)
• Signo Gel Pen
• Paper Snips
• Craft & Paper Scissors
• Sticky Strip
• Mini Glue Dots
• Screw Brads (non-SU!) [I will admit, that I *could* have devised a way to make faux screw brads - but I'd rather keep stamping new projects!]
ENJOY!

Bridal Shower Favor

What a week! We were in the midst of 5 funnel cloud spottings, lost power for 18 hours (so I trudged the contents of our freezers to two different peoples homes for safe-keeping - (THANKS Sylvia and Brigid!) and British Soccer Camp was this week for our two oldest. I guess this is my sign that I will not be posting daily to my blog anymore - big sigh. So I am now shooting for every other day with Sundays off.

The Bridal Shower last Sunday went very well, and the bride & groom-to-be are doing well for stocking their new home! Here is the favor we used - a sour cream container made out of vellum card stock. These are quick and easy, and oh so cute!

Stamps: Sketch an Event (retired SU)
Cardstock: SU Vellum, Basic Black and Very Vanilla
Ink: StazOn Black
Accessories: Crimper, 1/8" Circle Hand Punch & Black, Narrow Organdy Ribbon (retired SU), Candy inside was large wedding conversation hearts by Wilton. ENJOY!

Priscilla's Journal

I received this beautiful, hand-made journal from a new friend I met yesterday when a small group of us went for Copic Marker Certification Training. Priscilla made one of these for each of us in our group - you can find her blog here.

She used CreativePlayStamps Swirl Garden for the main image. I love the pearlized, textured cardstock she used too - that's the green under the butterfly, the pink under the green, and the beige journal covers. Priscilla used StazOn for the letters stamped on the acetate. She paid such attention to detail on this with the punch, the Cuttlebugging and the pink rhinestone bling! Simply Beautiful Priscilla! THANK YOU!
ENJOY!

Pretties Kit Clippie

Another Pretties Kit Clippie Bookmark - isn't it lovely? My dear friend Mindy was the recipient of one of my Scripture Chick bookmarks before her open heart surgery a couple months ago . She liked it so much that she asked me to create some Scripture bookmarks for her to give as a gift, and some to keep for herself. So I'll be posting them over the next couple of days. Choosing bookmarks as my Scripture Chick project (aka Bible Verse Challenge BVC08 on SCS or Divine Design on the original Chicks blogs) was definitely Holy Spirit inspired. I am so enjoying creating these bookmarks!

This time I used the Summer Sun Stampin' Write Marker to polka-dot the Pretties Kit large flower. The Scripture verse is printed on Barely Banana, and punched out using the 1 3/8" Circle Punch. This time around, I tied the bow FIRST, SU! Black Gingham Ribbon for this one, then adhered the bow with a Mini Glue Dot. I like this much better than tying it around the clippie. That's how designing goes isn't it? You keep tweaking it until you hit the perfect combination. That's part of what makes it fun for me, how about you? ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - April Bookmark

Whew! April and May are CRAZY in our house with dh's work schedule. So though I worked on memorizing my verse for April - the bookmark actually got made last night! May and June are both in the works too, so hopefully with June's I will be caught up and stay that way! :)

This verse struck a chord in my heart when I heard it while watching the movie "The Gospel of John" with dh during Lent this year. If you haven't seen this movie, it really is 99% word for word the gospel of St. John. I followed along in my Bible!

Such a simple verse, and yet so much truth and power. As a Catholic, and as Christians in general, we are all called to this 'dying to self' process. When I struggle with this, I use this verse from His all-powerful Word to redirect my thoughts and thus my actions.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

The inspiration for this simple design took two extra months to come to me - but I love the result. I think it goes with the Scripture verse perfectly! I used a jumbo paper clip (found in Wal-Mart business supply aisle) and attached a Pretties Kit large flower that had been polka-dotted with the writing tip of my Real Red Stampin' Write. Well, my polka-dots quickly turned into little crosses, (though our dd said they looked more like starts to her) as the ink soaked and spread on the fabric of the flower. Not the effect I was trying for, but I still like it.

I mounted the Pretties Flower with Mini Glue Dots to a Whisper White 1 3/8" Circle before mounting it to the jumbo clippie with a Pop Up Glue Dot and attaching another 1 3/8" Whisper White Circle to the back of it. Then a Real Red 1 3/8" Circle and the verse on a 1 1/4" Circle - all with Mini Glue Dots. My BVC08 April Bookmark is finished off with a bow of Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and a Clear Brad (also from the Pretties Kit) that I clipped the prongs off of and attached to the middle of the bow with another Mini Glue Dot. Have I told you lately how much I adore the SU! Mini Glue Dots?! They are a staple!!
ENJOY!

Project #2 - Lunch Bag Purse

Stamps: All Holidays
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Summer Picninc DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Crop-a-Dile, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive Twill Ribbon, Red Gingham Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals and Small Lunch Bags.

Putt'n on the Ritz

Yep - that' s me and my hubby. We clean up pretty well huh? ;) This pic isn't the best because it is a Polaroid - so sad Polaroids are almost down for the count. They really were a GREAT invention!

I designed this fun Top Hat frame for the Putt'n on the Ritz Dance sponsored by the Rockford/Milwaukee/Madison Marriage Encounter. This was our fourth year attending, and second year coordinating this dance. It is a wonderful, inexpensive Date Night for married couples. Couples attending pay a low registration fee to cover the DJ cost, plus bring an appetizer or dessert to share. We make a dinner out of it, because there is always plenty to choose from! You can also add to the fun by donating a raffle item and buying raffle tickets. There were several packages of hand-stamped cards donated by yours truly, and they were quite popular! So all you stampers out there take heart - recipients of your cards DO APPRECIATE receiving your lovely, handmade creations!

If you see what looks like specks on the Basic Black part of the Hat, and the Whisper White Designer Label Punch (from SU!) it's really Silver Glitter Mist Spray by Tattered Angels. It was perfect to make my top hats look satiny! You can find it CreativePlayStamps.com in many colors! And I believe they are ON SALE now through April 18th too! Haven't used this yet? You'll LOVE it! I have received some lovely cards that used the Glimmer Mist. It gives such a lovely, all-over, light coating of glitter. I think of it like hairspray - the PERFECT finishing touch, or in this case embellishment. Buzz on over to CreativePlayStamps and get some to play with for yourself and a friend! :)

Cardstock: Basic Black, Metallic Brushed Silver and Whisper White.

Accessories: Silver Glitter Mist, Designer Label Punch and whisper White Taffeta Ribbon(both SU!),and the Creative Memories Oval Cutting System.