Rubber Room Stampin'

LAST CHANCE for FREE DESIGHER SERIES PAPER

Today is the last day to take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s "buy three DSPs, get one FREE offer".  Just click on the Designer Series Paper Sale on the right and you'll have all the information you need. 

Buy three packs of Designer Series Paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12" x 12" textured card stock, and get one FREE!

I'll be back tomorrow with some fun surprises for June 1st.  The retiring list of stamps will be released and I'll be sharing it with you as soon as I get on line.

Have a great Sunday.  I'm away from home and can't get on my own computer (wireless issue) so this is just a quickie without my normal resources.  Very weird.  :)

STAR WARS CARDS FOR KIDS

Monday was my grandson's 5th birthday and he had a STAR WARS birthday party, complete with 'half-noodle' light sabers (which were a hit!--swimming pool 'noodles', cut in half, handles wrapped with black electrical tape).  

Among his birthday cards were 4 made with Stampin' Up! components and I think they're worthy of sharing, especially for you moms with kids into the Star Wars phenomenon.  

This card is from Luca and was made by his mommy who is a customer of my downline, Christy Tyler.  They made this card at a Stamp Club Meeting a month or so ago.

STAMP SET:  Pun Fun        ACCESSORIES:  Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die

TECHNIQUE:  Watercoloring topped with Crystal Effects

 

This card was from Dylan and Cameron, made by their mommy, Christy.

STAMP SET:  Pun Fun, On your Birthday        ACCESSORIES:  Big Shot, Texturz Plates: SU! Backgrounds I (large circles), Scallop Edge punch, Coluzzle (discontinued sadly), Dimensionals

TECHNIQUE:  Watercoloring topped with Crystal Effects

 

This card is from Mommy and Daddy and brother and sister.  Made, of course, by Mommy.  It matches the party invitations.

STAMP SET:  none        ACCESSORY:  Large Star Punch

TECHNIQUE:  Not a lot-----glittery cardstocks were purchased 'somewhere', greeting font from her computer, but the gold star was punched with her SU! Large Star punch! 

 

Finally, this card, stamped by Oma (that's me).  It had to follow the Star Wars theme of course.

STAMP SET:  Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel (and handle), very retired Birthday set     CS:  Brushed Silver, Brilliant Blue   ACCESSORIES:  Big Shot, Go Go Boots Alphabet Set, Large & Small Star punches, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Dimensionals

TECHNIQUE:  Although the birthday stamp set is retired, the technique is valuable:  I inked up the word 'happy' with a Silver Encore Pad (p. 190), and embossed with Silver EP.  Then cleaned the stamp very well, and inked the word 'birthday' following the same procedure as above but being sure to leave space between the words for the '5th'.  For the punched out star on the lower left of the card I punched a small star out of the Brushed Silver CS and then centered and punched the large star around it, creating this outline of a star.  Pretty cool huh?  Try it, you'll like it.  You can do the same with Stampin' Up!'s small and large oval punches or circle or square punches as well.

 

I must say that I love how my customers, previous and current, all made their own cards for my grandson.  They've got the message that 'hand-stamped' is the best!

Feel free to ask any questions you might have about these cards (just leave a comment below this article) or ask how you can get supplies to make your own by either leaving a comment, emailing me or clicking here to go directly to my online store on my Stampin' Up! website.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.  End of Jedi Training for today.

CARDS FOR HEROES BLOG-HOP.....THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!

I participated in a "blog-hop" this Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-25, 2009) that places the focus on our soldiers, serving overseas or state-side, active or retired, healthy or injured or fallen.  There is only one person in my family (my cousin's son) currently serving in the military:  Scott is a graduate of West Point and has served two tours in Iraq and is now stationed in Germany and about to be discharged.  I think.  His grandfather, my uncle, was in the Air Force and had many interesting assignments as I was growing up.  My cousin 'got to go live' in many interesting places, especially to a little girl (me) from Indiana and later, California.  My dad was classified as 4-F and did his service (WW II) to our country in a munitions factory in Virginia.  I am extremely patriotic and supportive of our men and women who give their all for our country.  So, I decided to join the 'blog-hop' which is the brainchild of Cards for Heroes, http://cardsforheroes.ORG.  Cards for Heroes is an organization that supports our nation’s armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. There have been more requests for cards than donations, so this blog hop is to raise awareness among crafters and card makers and hopefully drum up some new donations. There is always a need for cards for our soldiers.  There were over 100 participants in this 'hop' so you can either continue from my blog, www.stampinwithblythe.com, or go to http://cardsforheroes.org to get a list that will now take you directly to each of the blogs.  I think my blog-hop position is fairly near the end.  

My card is a variation of a card I posted last week when I was focusing on the Thoughts & Prayers, from Stampin' Up!, stamp set.  I loved this layout, especially the stamped Texture plate, and figured out a way to convert it to this challenge.  The Apricot grosgrain ribbon is as close as I could get to yellow, a request to please bring our soldiers home safely.  And I know---it's not an oak tree but the idea is there.

Ingredients:  All products are from Stampin' Up!
Stamp Set:  Thoughts & Prayers
Cardstock:  Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad:  Not Quite Navy; Markers:  Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery
Accessories:  Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Texture Plates Kit #4, Scallop Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponge, Apricot grosgrain ribbon

Judy Hayes, followed me on the Blog Hop. She lives in Tracy, Minnesota, on a farm which has been indirectly in her family for nearly 100 years.  She is a wife, a mom and a grandmom, and she loves to create and then share her creations.  This is the direct link to Judy's blog entry for the 'hop', since the Blog Hop is now officially over. You should be able to get a link to the exact blog entry for the next person from Judy's blog.

I thank each of you who stopped at my blog and especially those of you who left such heartwarming comments.  I hope you'll stop by in the future.  I'm an exclusively Stampin' Up! blogger/demonstrator and have many ideas, tips and samples to share with you throughout the weeks. This blog hop was a fabulous idea and I hope it incentivized many of you to create cards for our troops and send them to Cards for Heroes.  That's what it's all about.

Be watching for a post soon sharing what I plan to continue to do for Cards for Heroes.  Hint:  You'll be a part if you choose to be.  

I hope you had a safe Memorial Day Weekend and that you took a moment to honor those who preserve our freedom by serving in the military.  Thank you one and all.

This Tour is Over But There Will Be Another One in July

I hope you enjoyed the Blog Tour. The links are gone, so I hope you bookmarked all your favorites. I hope to participate in the next tour which will be July 27 and 28.  It will coincide with the launch of Stampin' Up!'s  yearly catalog, so be sure to stop back here in July for updates!

My projects  remain--as a memory of that "tour" and as great ideas for this stamp set.  It was a first for me......focusing on one stamp set, Thoughts & Prayers, and share all originally designed samples of cards and 3-D items.  All supplies are from Stampin' Up! and all items are created with the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set, p. 59 in Stampin' Up!'s 2009 Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog, item # 113252, $25.95

I love this candle (which was the only new one I could find in my candle stash) :

Ingredients:
CARDSTOCK:  Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip
INK: Stampin' Write Markers:  Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss
ACCESSORIES:  Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Snail adhesive, Sticky Strip
TIP:  Before wrapping your cardstock around the candle, gently slide it across the edge of your table to break down the fibers slightly and put a 'bend' into the cardstock.  It won't 'fight' you then as much when you want to secure it around the candle.  I used Sticky Strip where my cardstock overlapped on the back side of the candle; Snail adhesive to attach the scalloped piece to the stamped piece of cardstock.

This card uses one of the Specialty Designer Series Papers:

 

Ingredients:
CARDSTOCK:  Whisper White, To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper
INK: Stampin' Write Markers:  Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss;  Classic Stamp Pad:  Always Artichoke
ACCESSORIES:  Vintage Brads (Antique Brass), Stampin' Sponge, Dimensionals, Snail adhesive

I saw a technique, a ribbon "frame", that I just had to try:

 

Ingredients:

STAMP SET:  Hugs & Wishes, Filagree Background                                            CARDSTOCK:  Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss, Kraft
INK: Stampin' Write Markers:  Mellow Moss, Regal Rose; Versamark, Classic Stamp Pads: Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa
ACCESSORIES:  Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Linen Thread, Vintage Brads (Antique Brass), Snail Adhesive

TIP: I saw this ribbon treatment on a card and just had to try it.  Not real easy but not that hard either.  Cut a piece of ribbon the length of the perimeter of your image plus about 10" more.  Start with a knot in the center and then work your way around to the left and the right.  Corners:  With a 4" piece of linen thread, gather the ribbon and secure with a knot--wrap the linen thread around the brad (that is already in position), snug it up, tie the knot, and trim ends very short.  Do the next ribbon knot and then repeat with the corner brads.  Overlap your ends at the lower left (or right) corners, secure with linen thread wrapped around the brad and trim both the linen thread and the ribbon ends.  Believe me, if I could do this, you can do it!  :)  Just be patient.

I really wanted to use these In-Colors but there's no marker for them.  So I used an Aqua-Painter and picked up color from the stamp pad lid.

 

Ingredients:
CARDSTOCK:  Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Urban Garden Designer Series Paper
INK: Blender Pen, Class Pads: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip
ACCESSORIES: Eyelet Border Punch, 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon: Kiwi Kiss, Urban Garden Designer Series Paper, Dimensionals, Snail adhesive

TIP:  I picked up the color for the branch by using the Blender Pen and the lid of the Class Stamp Pad.  When your stamp pad is closed, squeeze the upper lid (using your thumb and middle finger) into the stamp pad itself.  When you open the pad, there will be a generous amount of ink on the lid.  Use that as your color palette.  You do have to load the blender pen frequently to have enough color to apply to the stamp.  Huff on the stamp before applying it to the cardstock.

This Bag-in-a-Box is one of the warmest gift bags I've ever seen:

 

Ingredients:
CARDSTOCK:  Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper (11" x 5-1/2"), Ruby Red, Whisper White
INK: Stampin' Write Markers:  Ruby Red, Old Olive
ACCESSORIES: Punches: Boho Blossoms, Eyelet Border, Round Tab & 1/16" Circle; Fresh Favorites II Buttons, Vintage Brads (Antique Brass), Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Paper Snips, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Tape, Snail adhesive

TIP:  I would not suggest using a 'speciality' DSP (Designer Series Paper) for this project.  It's pretty strong and doesn't want to stay where you have placed it with adhesive.  But, here's a suggestion to get around this:  Place brads in the lower area of each Round Tab punch out to keep them in place.  On the back of your bag, carefully (ha!) position a brad at the top of the border piece where it overlaps.  Use a bone folder to flatten out the brad since it's so far down inside the bag.  It will then stay in position.

I brushed the edges of the stamped Boho Blossom flowers with the Ruby Red marker to make the pieces stand out a bit.  Buttons were attached with Mini Glue Dots.

There is a box inside the bag, hence the project name!!!  The box is 4-1/2" square, scored at 1" on each side, and then scored on the diagonal at each corner.  Then secure the box into shape using Sticky Strip.  Place Sticky Strip along one short and one long edge of the DSP, being sure to burnish (rub firmly with Bone Folder) it into the paper.  Lay the box so that the bottom of the box is at the edge of the DSP with the box opening facing the remaining DSP.  You want the end edge of the DSP to be in the middle of a side of the box so that the final overlap will be in the the middle of the back, rather than at a corner.  Once you have the box wrapped on all sides, secure the back seam. 

I really had fun trying out some new-to-me techniques with this stamp set.  This one uses the big Shot Texture plate (#4) and some Chocolate Chip classic ink.

 

Ingredients:
CARDSTOCK:  Mellow Moss, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla
INK: Stampin' Write Markers:  Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip; Classic Stampin' Pad:  Chocolate Chip
ACCESSORIES:  Mellow Moss 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Oval and Large Oval Punches, Dimensionals. Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Texture Plates Kit #4, Stampin' Sponge, Snail Adhesive

TIP:  For the first time, I tried using the Big Shot texture plate by inking it up before running it through the Big Shot.  I covered it with Chocolate Chip ink.  I absolutely love the look and feel of it!

Finally, a total switch to a Birthday Calendar and April's entry.  The rest of this calendar is a part of my April and May stampin' classes.



Ingredients:
CARDSTOCK:  Whisper White (Birthday Calendar)
INK: Stampin' Write Markers:  Mellow Moss, Regal Rose, Blush Blossom; Classic Pad: Blush Blossom
ACCESSORIES:  Perpetual (Birthday) Calendar (p. 157 of the Spring/Summer SU! Idea Book & Catalog), Stampin' Sponges

And, there you have it.  I hope you've had a grand time in Mi Wuk Village, tucked away at a wide spot in the road along Hwy 108, as it heads up towards Sonora Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern California.  Be sure to come back and visit another time.

If you would like to purchase any of the ingredients used in these projects, and don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can either email me (box up upper left of this page) or click on my Shop 24/7 button at the upper right, click shop now, and follow the bouncing ball.  You'll have your supplies in almost no time!  I am always available to share tips and help you out with a project you've seen in My Country Loft.

A SCRAPBOOK FROM PAPER BAGS??? SCRAPBOOKING #4

I love the fact that there are so many ways to present a gift of memories to someone.  This paperbag photo album was given to me by my Stampin' Up! [former] downline (Hi Shelly) and weekend stamping retreat trooper.  Why do I call her a trooper?  It snowed buckets that weekend in March 2006.  That much snow isn't normal for our area in March!!!  Then Shelly offered another twist on a scrapbook:  the title for each page had a definition that was totally appropriate for each photo.

 

This is a wonderfully easy scrapbook to create. 

• Gather up 3 same-sized brown (or white) paper lunch bags. 
  
• Fold them in half, alternating the open end with the closed end. 
  
• With a 1/4" hand held punch, punch 5 holes along the folded edge.
• Tie them securely with decorative ribbons.  Be sure to tie your ribbon into knots.
• Now comes the hard part!  No, not really.  Add your photos.  Be sure to tuck some photos into the open end of the bags.
• You're done.  Now how easy was that? 
  

Enjoy the following photos so you can see how Shelly added them.  Remember, she used a 'definition' of some sort to describe the moment.  

Definition, L: Sanc*tu*ar*y, noun, a place of refuge.  That's my garage up behind the sign.

 

Definition, R (above and right): Men*tor, noun, a trusted counselor or guide.  L: Shelly, the stamper/downline/artist who created the paper bag scrapbook; R: me

Inside the bag (photo on right):  dogs romping in the snow; Bea organizing my months and months worth of scraps.  I have never let them build up like that again!!!

Definition.  L (below): Fun, adjective, full of fun, (a _____ person)  My daughter, Andrea, on left; Bea the-scrap-organizer on right with college friend of Andrea's, Linda.

R (below): Sup*port, verb, to hold up or serve as a foundation for.   My husband, Russ, who waits on us hand and foot during the weekend:  snacks, popcorn, wine, dinner, sometimes lunch.  Breakfast is usually on our own.  Darn!

Definition.  L: Art, noun, the use of skill and imagination in the production of things of beauty.  Bea, Linda, Ashley and Andrea are artistic divas!

R: Snow, noun, crystals of ice formed from water vapor in the air.  Bea and Ashley are digging out Russ's truck which had been parked across the road for the weekend.

Final definition, on the back page.  Friend, noun, one attached to another by respect or affection.

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had.

Friends fill your life with joy, your soul with sunshine and your heart with love.

The better part of one's life consists of her friendships.

 

This simple little paper bag scrapbook of a stampin' weekend will hold a place in my heart for a long time to come.  What a nice thank you remembrance!

Jacob's Ladder--Scrapbooking #3

Do you remember, as a kid, having the wooden blocks with ribbon woven in and out, and it would miraculously click clack from one block to the next?  Well, that's the Jacob's ladder.  It's also one of the most ancient folk toys.  Again, this takes a little attention to detail to make, but in the end it is sooooo easy!  Let's go try it!

Here's mine:

Supplies:

• Twelve 4" x 4" coasters medium weight


• Twelve 4" x 4" pieces of patterned paper


• Ink


• Three 46" strips of ribbon (organdy works well)
• (nothing here---can't get rid of button!)
• SU! Glue Stick
  


• Sanding block


• Ruler and pen


• Sticky Strip

How to: 
--Cover one side of each coaster with Designer Series Paper using Stampin' Up!'s Glue Stick.  Trim the corners with your SU! Paper Snips and then sand all side smooth with the Sanding Block.

--Draw vertical lines at 3/4", 2" and 3-1/4" on the back of 6 of the coasters.
--Add Sticky Strip over the tops of the lines as well as the top and bottom of each coaster.  That would be to the left and right of the three penciled lines.
--Decorate one of the squares with the intention that it be the TOP of your ladder.  I did mine with the photo.
--Flip the front piece over and remove the 3 center pieces of Sticky Strip. Line up the end of the ribbon pieces with the end of the coasters. The middle ribbon will run left, the top and bottom ribbons will run right.
--Take one of the coasters without Sticky Strip and attach it with the covered side facing up. Press down hard on top and bottom to make it stick.
--Fold the ribbon pieces across the coaster piece in the opposite directions (to the opposite side).
--Take a coaster with Sticky Strip, remove the red liner and place it face down on the coaster sandwich. Make sure the ribbon underneath is not twisted, or the ladder won't work later on.
--Pull ribbon tight and press down, running it to the opposite side of the coaster again.
--Repeat this pattern.
--On the last coaster with Sticky Strip, cut the excess ribbon off at the end of the coaster.
--Tape the last coaster on top of the ribbon covered one. You are done!

Now it's time to attach your pictures as desired and ENJOY!  Be sure to place your pictures under the ribbons.

Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions -- or need any supplies.  :)

MOTHER'S DAY GREETINGS......SCRAPBOOK #2

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Moms, Grandmas, Omas, Aunts, Sisters, Friends and Neighbors who serve in a mom-like capacity to someone.

Last year I gave this 'purse' to my daughter for Mother's Day, honoring memories of Mother's Days or mom/daughter events from years past.  It's made from Designer Series Paper and Carousel Notes, both retired in 2008. 
 

It opens up to reveal photos, comments, and hidden pages.

You can see where the pockets are that reveal the hidden pages.

My daughter, Andrea, and I took a fun and silly spin on a fast moving ride at an amusement park a few years ago.  It most definitely was standing still as we posed for our mother/daughter photo op.

This slightly out of focus photo honors a Mother's Day in 1976 or '77.  That's Andrea in the center, flanked by me on the left and my Mom on the right.  It's my all time favorite Mother's Day photo.

Take a moment out today to remember your Mother or the woman who raised you or who was most influential in your life.  They are very special people.

Amazing Folding Album--Scrapbooking #1

This past week has been quite a week!  Hence you haven't heard from me.  But, I'm back, with the album I wanted to show you first since it's so much fun, so versatile, and so compact.  Some call it a squash book but I don't quite 'get' that name so I just call it what it is:  an Amazing Folding Album.
A few days ago I posted my album titled Sanctuary.  I made it several years ago and (don't tell anyone) I've never put my photos inside.  I have made and completed many of these and given them away as gifts.  So, here is one my daughter made AND completed!  She used a very old Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' Kit but that doesn't take away from it's cuteness. 

 

Supplies:

• Cover:
  • 2 pieces of patterned (Designer Series or Simply Scrappin' Kit) paper, 8-1/2" square
  • 2 pieces of chipboard, 6-1/4" square
  • 1 yd ribbon
• Album:
  • 3 pieces of 12x12 card stock
  • 4 squares of solid paper, 5-1/2" square
  • 6 squares of coordinating Designer Series Paper, 5-1/2" square, then cut in triangles
• General:
  • Bone Folder
  • adhesive
  • 16 photographs -- or more
  • stamp set for front cover art, inkpads, etc.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Album

1. Take 12x12 cardstock and fold in half carefully, matching corners. Using Bone Folder, crease one way, unfold and crease opposite way for mobility.
2. Unfold and fold in half in other direction, repeating above.
3. Unfold, then fold on one diagonal only. Crease one way, unfold and crease opposite way for mobility. Set aside.
4. Repeat above on other two pieces of 12x12 cardstock. 
5. Place all three pieces of creased cardstock vertically with the diagonal crease perpendicular to your work surface. Adhere each piece on top of the other, placing the bottom square (which is now a "diamond" by its vertical placement) under the top "diamond" of the next piece of cardstock.
6. Fold in and out to form "backbone" of album. Set aside, folded, with weight on top.

Cover

1. Lay one piece of patterned paper face down and place one piece of chipboard in the center. Fold and adhere with adhesive, "wrapping" the chipboard in the DSP.
2. Repeat with second piece of patterned paper and chipboard. 
3. Lay ribbon across wrong side of bottom cover and tape to center of chipboard.
4. Place folded album with its opening to the bottom right-hand corner in the center of the bottom piece of album cover. Put adhesive on the bottom piece of album and lay firmly in the center of the bottom album cover. Flip and repeat to adhere the album to the top cover.
5. Add desired stamped design, embellishments, dimension, to front cover. 
6. Glue in photographs. 
7. Tie ribbon.

TRUST is the necessary word when you start to fold your 12 x 12 cardstock pieces and then layer them.  Just do exactly as the instructions say, slowly and carefully and you'll be amazed.  When you have your 2 folded 12 x 12 pieces layered atop each other, the pointed side pieces will be the ones to fold UP and allow the book to close flat. 

So, go ahead and try it. You'll like it!

IT'S MAY! IT'S MAY! IT'S NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING MONTH!

Stampin' Up! is honoring May in style, offering opportunities for you to connect with friends and family through the art of scrapbooking.  They have three super deals that you are sure to love.

MIX & MATCH PAPER:  Buy 3 packs of Designer Series Paper (from either/or) the Spring Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog (p. 158 - 161) or the 2009 Occasions Mini (p. 9).  Then, select a fourth pack and receive it for FREE! 

JUMBLE ALPHABET:  For a limited time, buy this exclusive alphabet set before it's in the catalog.  Photo tomorrow!

And this is the bestest........

SCRAPBOOKING STARTER KIT PROMOTION

Dates: May 1-31, 2009

Promotion Details

In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator for only $75 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set*   $42.95

Simply Scrappin' Petal Party:                $19.95

Earth Elements Textured Assorted CS    $11.95

Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad         $7.50

*Substitutable for any stamp set up to $43.95 value.  Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.   The business supplies included in the kit are the same as for the regular starter kit (p. 14 of the Spring Summer IB&C).

This is a rather phenomenal offer if you've been thinking how nice it would be to purchase your scrapping and stamping supplies for 20% off.  Consider joining my team by clicking on the link to the left (Join my Team) and using the word "blossom" as your code link to me.

Now, let me tell you about my scrapping habits:

I'm more of a card maker than a scrapbooker but, when I looked around my County Loft Stampin' Studio I realized that my scrapbooks just look different than the main stream ones.

I'm going to show you a few of them today and then throughout the month I'll be sharing detailed instructions for each.  I have a few more that I was "unable to locate" but I'll find them and walk you through them during the month as well.

Affectionately known as a 'squash book' this tidy little album opens up, stretches out and holds many photos!

This is a "Jacob's Ladder" made out of paper coasters and Designer Series Paper.  It holds my special photos from Stampin' Up!'s convention 2007.

 

This is a 'star book', made by my good friend Kathy Chono-Herring, for my birthday a few years ago.

 

How about lunch bags?  This is a "lunch bag" album made by my downline, Shelly Havlik, after a weekend stamp-a-thon a few years ago.  We had a ton of snow that March!

 

Here's another "star book", obviously larger than the earlier one.  My daughter made this for me for Mother's Day last year. 

Finally, a "scrapbook in a box".  I made these two 3-4 years ago and when I walk you through one it'll be made with a Simply Scrappin' Kit.

 

"Scrapbook in a box" open. 

I'm off for the weekend now (babysitting) so I'll be back on Monday with our first scrapbook project.  Have a great May Day!

FIRE AUXILIARY FASHION SHOW DONATION DOORPRIZES

Mi Wuk Village has a wonderful fire department, the Mi Wuk / Sugar Pine Fire Protection District. I'm a part of the Auxiliary for the department.  We're involved in various fundraisers throughout the year.  Coming up on May 1st is the annual Fashion Show, this year being held at Mt. Calvary Lutheran church's social hall in Sugar Pine, the next village 'down the hill' from Mi Wuk. 

I've been holding on to a few projects I've made in classes throughout the year as my doorprize donations.  You might recognize a some of them.

Two magazine files with 6 hand-stamped cards (what else??) in each.

This beautiful set of cards below was created outside of a class situation from directions from a kit created by another Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

This beautiful set of cards was created mostly from a packet of Tea Party Designer Series Paper.  It makes a lovely gift.  The embellishment flowers are from the Pretties Kit, colored with Stampin' pastels or sponge daubers and Classic Stampin' Pads, So Saffron 5/8" grosgrain ribbon from Sale-a-Bration, and a few punches. 

If you'd like to create this box and cards as a class, either in person, or as a Kit-to-Go, just email me, blythe@stampinwithblythe.com, or leave a comment at the end of this post, and we'll make arrangements.  Fee is $30 + postage.  Details upon request (since I'm truthfully not prepared at this moment!).

I led classes in making this darling purse and set of 4 cards last year, using the Fresh Cuts stamp set and co-ordinating gift card set. I had 3 sets left from those that I made in each class and I decided that they'd make a great doorprize for the luncheon/fashion show.

I'll be gone for the weekend, taking care of one family of grandkidlets, while my son-in-law 'kidnaps' my daughter for her birthday.  It'll be their first n-i-g-h-t away from them in almost a year.  I'm sure they're both looking forward to the opportunity for a good night's uninterrupted sleep.  And I always look forward to time with the kidlets.

See you soon!