My Country Loft

A BASKET FULL OF *THANK YOU*

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know our family has circled and is doing everything it can to offer help and support for my 17 year old grandniece Annika.  She experience a 'brain bleed' due to an AVM (congenital malformation of arterial veins) in early October 2013.  She's been in a coma ever since but is responding to therapy in little ways now.  At home. 

A friend of my sister's is hosting two fundraising dinners in a week or so, so Janet has made book mark thank you tokens so the donors/diners can remember, as they are reading, how much their kindness means to the family.

She made the banner (once cut out) text in My Digital Studio:

And then she cut out bookmarks using the Angled Tag Topper and Scalloped Tag Topper punches and retired bits of Designer Series Papers and ribbon.  Each guest can choose the bookmark of his/her choice.

It's very hard to offer a large enough thank you to folks who have offered such kindness to Annika and her family.  And for this group:  the hostes, Gayle, is an excellent cook.  It's a win-win for all.

Thanks for stopping in on this lovely Friday.  I'm always happy when you do!  :)

 

XOXO + M&Ms

I've just finished filling 17 1" x 8" Cellophane Bags with a 12.6 oz (yeah, really) bagfull of Valentine M&Ms. 

Here's my first tip:  use a skewer (I always have one in my tool round-about on my work desk) to hold the bag open.  The M&Ms slip in so much easier although you still have to feed them one by one.

One bag of M&Ms (12.60 oz) will fill 17 1" x 8" cello bags.

Since I couldn't locate the stamp set I wanted to use (hmmmmm), I decided to use the 'xoxo' from the Circle Card Thinlits Dies set.  Yes, it took awhile to cut the amount I needed.  TIP:  Perhaps put waxed paper between the die and your card stock and they will pop out cleaner and easier.  I'm going to try this on my next bag of M&Ms,

Below:  I put two rolled up Glue Dots on the back of the 'xoxo'.

Assembly is not rocket science.  I stapled a 3" piece of coordinating ribbon, folded, to the Silver Glimmer Paper punched scalloped circle and then stapled that piece to the bag.  You could probably do that in one step but I was lazy and did it in two.  Then I attached the xoxo to the ribbon and the glitter paper.  It's hard to get things to stick to the Glitter Paper so I'm hoping at least the Glue Dot will stay stuck to the ribbon.

 

What do you think?  As I mentioned several weeks ago, I'm going to keep these with me and have them available for random acts of kindness/surprise.  I'm also mailing several off to my local grandkids today.  You still have time to make a bunch of these to "make someone's day".  

Please let me know if you actually make any.  And share a photo if you're willing.  It's always nice to see what others make.

Have a great day.  I'm off to a Fire Auxiliary lunch/meeting.  It's not at the top of the excitement list but we do wholy support our local fire fighters and participate as we can.  See you tomorrow.  :)

 

In the sunshine again today.  Come on rain!!!

PRETTY PACKAGING FOR 15 CARD SET

I saw this large Kraft Box and Gift Bow Bigz Die combination several times during the Christmas season but never for just an all occasion purpose. And I knew I wanted to use it for the cards I gave Sarah on the 25th of January.  I shared them in this post.

I used the Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper on the Extra Large Kraft box -- which, sadly has been retired (I just figured out) with the 2013 Holiday Catalog.  But if you do have some in your 'stash' be sure to use them!!!  They're really quite nice and make a great presentation.

 

 

 

I cut the bottom Raspberry Ripple card stock layer to 1/8" shorter than the box on each side, approximately 5-5/8" x 4-1/8".  The next layer, the balloons, I made 1/8" smaller on each side, approximately 5-3/8" x 3-7/8".  Are you following those measurements?  The top card stock layer is a 5-5/8" square layered with a 5-3/8" square.  Attach the layer with snail adhesive.  But attach the card stock layer to the Kraft Box with Sticky Strip that you have burnished into the card stock (with a bone folder) and then into the box itself.  It will stick better.

For the BOW, use the Gift Bow Bigz Die.  You'll need two of the large pieces (bottom layer), two of the smaller pieces, and an embellishment of choice. 

Attach the ends of the bow with several Glue Dots---they stay stuck.  Then attach the finished bow to the box with at least 3 Glue Dots.  Let me know if you have questions and I'll make a video with the steps.  It's easy but maybe intimidating the first time.  Ask me how I know!  :)  Once I figured it out my first time, it's been easy every since.

Have a great day.  I'm cleaning in my stampin' studio and reorganizing a bit after (yes still) the Christmas mess.  I say that because I'm just not sure what the next post might be about since I have quite a few new tools, accessories and papers and I don't know what to use first. 

 

It's a beautiful sunny day between storms here at 4500'

 

NEW PERSONALIZED NAME STAMP AVAILABLE!

Stampin' Up! showed us a preview of their new personalized name stamp at Leadership and it's finally available for purchase.  I LOVE IT!  And just think, it comes in at least 48 colors!

While the layout and fonts remain the same you can substitute what you see for what you'd like to see.  You can use it for letters, gifts, labeling, thank you notes.....whatever you choose.  How creative can you get with your stamp?  I know I'll be thinking hard and then ordering several, including a basic return address stamp.  I'm also looking forward to giving these stamps as gifts.  They're great and they're going to be fun.  I'll show you mine as soon as I get them.

This Circle Monogram Stamp comes in photopolymer only and the 'B' clear block is recommended for use.  It also coordinates with the 1-3/8" Circle Punch.

What will you put on your stamp?  I'd love to know so just leave a comment below and share with all of us.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who would welcome ideas.  Thanks.  :)

 

TODAY---JURY DUTY!

Welcome home........now welcome to the Tuloumne County courthouse.  I have a 3 hour reprieve right now so I can do a post and say HI again.  :)

I've been wanting to share these cards I made from Happenings Simply Created Card Kit for a friend who just celebrated her 40th birthday.  The cards were quick and easy to put together and now Sarah will have 15 cards at her fingertips for that last minute need.

You get these pieces in the kit:

• 15 card bases (5-1/2 x 3)
  
• 15 sheets of single sided designer series paper paper backgrounds, 5 each of 3 designs
• 15 die cut accents, 5 each of 3 designs
• 15 silver glitter banners
• 15 white banners
• 15 pieces of Baker's Twine, 10" each
• 15 buttons

Here are Sarah's cards:

This saying has to be my favorite greeting in the set:  Geometrical

The For your shower greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

Once you get going with putting these cards together you'll see how easy it is to take an embellishment, a small or large glimmer banner and/or a white banner and just mix and match. 

TIP for the Baker's Twine:  make your bow and then attach it to the button with a Glue Dot.  Attach the button to the card front with another Glue Dot or two.

This Happenings Simply Created Card Kit great to have on hand for either making a last minute gift of a full set of 15 cards or for putting together a quick card for a need you have yourself.  Why not order one today.  Send me an email and I can help you with your order or click here to go directly to my Stampin' Up! store where you can order it yourself.

Tomorrow:  packaging for the cards!  Have a great day........

 

AS PROMISED.........

YESTERDAY I promised to show you a way to move the 8" x 8" Seasonal Stripes Designer Ring Album (on special this week) from a Christmas type album into one with a more universal look.  I finally found the photo I was looking for among my 1500 Convention 2013 pictures.

Use a linear type image and stamp in the white stripe area and you'll wipe away any idea that this was initially offered as a holiday type album.  I know it's a bit hard to get the idea from this quite close up photo but it's really there.......an entirely different look with lines of simple stamping.

Here's a Christmas-y look:

You'll have to just ignore the 'heads' between my camera and the overhead screen.  :)

You can purchase this $14.95 album Seasonal Stripes Album this week only for $11.21.  10 divided pages, 2 each of 5 styles, are included with this album.  It would make a great family gift.  Hmmmmmmm.  Guess what I'm off to do right now!?

AT LAST! A PHOTO ORNAMENT

DID YOU HAPPEN TO SEE THE photo Christmas Tree ornament on Stampin' Up!'s home page on December 19th?  It was made by Cindy Schuster, one of this year's Artisan Award winners.  

I love photo ornaments and have been thinking of making some for my children and grandchildren but I just haven't been fully inspired----until seeing Cindy's ornament.  So, Thursday afternoon, after Stampin' at the Library with my friends, I came home and made 7 ornaments in just a few hours.  Now I have to find photos to put inside.

SUPPLIES:

• STAMP SETS: A Banner Christmas, Memorable Moments
  
• CARD STOCK:  Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Season of Style Designer Series Paper (various patterns, 5" x 10", folded at 5", Red Glimmer Paper

• INK: Old Olive, Early Espresso
• TOOLS:  Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelit Dies, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Owl Punch (tiny circles), Dimensionals, Tombow Multi Liquid Glue, Paper Snips, Sticky Tape, Paper Piercing Tool
• ACCESSORIES:  Soft Suede 3/8" Stretch Ruffle Trim, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Glimmer Brads, Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon--retired (sorry, I am out of 1/8" Old Olive Tafetta Ribbon)

TIPS:

• Cut Designer Series Paper to 5" x 10" and fold at 5". 

• Open DSP to die cut the second to larger plain circle (not counting the scalloped circle) in one half of the piece of paper.
• Place brads about 5/8" from upper right corners.  Cut a 5/8" square and set it in the corner, marking point with pencil.

• Poke through ribbon with Paper Piercing Tool before placing ribbon between brad and paper.
• Punch 'berries' using smallest circles in the Owl Punch and Red Glimmer Paper.  Secure with tiny dots of Tombow Adhesive.
• Position '2013' on a clear block (if you're using the clear mount stamps!).  Line them up with the grid clings that are designed for each block.

• Secure 2013 piece (3-3/4" wide) with 3 Dimensionals placed barely above Soft Suede Stretch Ruffle trim so they aren't in the space for the photo.  If you do get one in that space, just cover the sticky part with a scrap of paper.
• Secure the "Holly Jolly" piece with half Dimensionals.
• Cut a template with the large circle Framelit for trimming your photo of choice.
• Place Sticky Strip along the bottom edge and a 2" piece on each side and remove the protective layer after the photo has been positioned

• Add protective covering over the brads on back side of ornament as desired.  My little punched pieces (largest circles on Owl Punch) are a tad small and I will be improving them.
  

More samples:

 

 

 

These are really easy to make.  Just follow the finished photo ornament slowly and methodically.  As always, if you have questions, please ask!

By the way, we are VERY limited in what we can do with a Christmas tree this year because of 3-1/2 and a 5-1/2 pound now-neutered "monsters".  Holy toledo!  Because of where we live, we've put up a large artificial tree for years (we use a fireplace for heating and a live tree is not recommened for safety reasons).  We also have the little skinny artificial funky tree shown at the top of this page that I use for display.  Won't work this year either!!  So, we're going to decorate a tree in our backyard and enjoy it through the window!  What one does for cute little kitties.

WHAT GREAT WEEKLY DEALS THIS WEEK

I JUST LOVE THE DEALS THIS WEEK and hope you go check them out!  They're all very timely so stock up for some last minute fun.  Hover over each items for ordering details.

 

 

 

Above:  Ooops, re the 'benner'/banner typo!

Above:  this is the box I used for yesterday's 12th issue of this years 12 Weeks of Christmas project.

 

 

 

Above:  Order today to send out for Christmas or use them for a New Year's greeting and photo.

 

Above:  One of my favorite FUN FUN FUN stamps!

Above:  Quick and easy package, box or bag embellishments!

ABOVE:  Weird, the info doesn't show up!  Raspberry Ripple 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, 126845, $6.71

 

Above:  These tags are designed to slip right into the pockets of the pages in the Designer Album below.

Above:  You can easily morph this album from a holiday album to an anytime album.  Check back later today for the quick and easy details!

 

Above:  I'm stamping the back of each of these ornaments with the Rotary Stamp to commemorate the year they will be added to my tree.

Be sure to order yours in time to have them in time to use for Christmas.  It's going to be right but you might be able to do it.  Otherwise, plan ahead and have them ready for next year!  Click here to order today.

 

 

5" x 7" DESIGNER SERIES PAPER ENVELOPE

I was waiting for Andrea to send me a photo of her collection of 5" x 7" envelopes before I shared mine. 

First my lovely envelope.  Do you remember this beautiful paper from several years ago?  I still really like it. Our card was 'hand-delivered' after Andrea finished addressing it. 

And now her collection of envelopes:

Such a fun variety and such a good use of retired papers.

Do you own Stampin' Up!'s Envelope Punch Board?  You might really want it after you see the cute and simple Gift Card Holder (envelope of course) I'll be making this morning and sharing with you this afternoon.  I have a few other ideas as well so check back in later today.  

 

PEPPERMINT HAND & FOOT SCRUB........ahhhhhhhh......

The day I've been cleaning for (oh my) has finally arrived.  My stamp room is CLEAN, bedrooms are set up to accommodate 9 extra sleepers, grocery shopping has been done.  It's very cold for so early in the season in our part of northern California.  We're in that orange county (Tuolumne) in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Yosemite is also in the orange highlighted county.  :)  Beautiful area.

Most of the stampers are driving about 125-175 miles, east, from various parts of the San Francisco Bay Area:  San Jose, Dublin and Santa Rosa.  They hit the floor stamping, stop to eat and then return to stamping.  They're each going to get a Hand & Foot Scrub at their individual 'stations' when they arrive:

The tags were made with the Mosaic and 3/4 Circle Punches and the single word Joy from the Endless Wishes Photopolymer stamp set (which is unfortunately sold out!).  Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine was wrapped around the jar lid 3 times.

 

I made the labels using My Digital Studio.

This Peppermint Hand and Foot Scrub was one of my 12 Weeks of Christmas posts.  I hope you've tried to make it.  It's yummy.  However the label template was not as it should have been.  If you would like a pdf of this template, please let me know and I'll send it to you.

If you'd like to receive the last two installments of my 12 Weeks of Christmas email-list-only newsletter, please sign up for my mailing list in the upper left corner.

  Now I have some last minute lights to put up and cooking to do so my day is going to be b-u-s-y.  I'll see you tomorrow with some of our creativity!  Wish us luck--we're supposed to get slammed with a snowstorm tomorrow.  What better place to be than 'stuck in a mountain cabin, stamping and being catered to by a great butler, aka Russ'.

Have a great day.

11-12-13 FESTIVE FLURRY ORNAMENTS

When meeting with my upline, Debra Godfrey, and others of her extensive downline, we used several of the products from the Holiday Catalog (pages 28-31):

• Banner Simply Created Kit
• Festive Flurry Framelits
• Festive Flurry Stamps
• Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit
• Build a Banner Simply Created Kit
• Winter Frost Designer Series Paper Stack
• Frosted Finishes Embellishments
• Silver 1/8" Ribbon
• Big Shot
• Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder
  

We made several beautiful things, plus Debra had some others on display.  And now, Stampin' Up! has made creating at least the ornament very easy--and affordable.  Imagine making 10 ornaments for $14.95 using the Festive Flurry Ornament Kit.  All you need to add is adhesive. 

Here are some of the finished items from our October gathering:

Debra presented two of these lovely candles to lucky attendees.  It's one of those battery operated candles.

Below, a packaged ornament--what a lovely presentation!  You could do that with your Festive Flurry Kit ornaments.

Now the ornament enhances a package:

Can you see the use of the Gift Bow Bigz L Die, Winter Frost Designer Series Paper Pack and Tag a Bag Gift Boxes?  Beautiful!

Another packaged ornament, ready for presentation:

I just realized that I never shared the JOY BANNER, our main project, from this fun gathering.  That's probably because I finished mine at home, a few weeks later.  Be on the lookout in a day or two.  I am thrilled with how cute it is!  (she says modestly)

Have a great day!

11-12-13 >>> FESTIVE FLURRY ORNAMENT KIT AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Available starting 11/12/2013 -- that's today.......11-12-13!

Add a little festive flare to your holiday decorating with Stampin' Up!'s new Festive Flurry Ornament Kit! Top presents, embellish cards, create a wintery garland, or trim the tree. How you use them is up to you!

The kit includes everything you need (minus adhesive) to create 10 snowflakes, including

** 10 feet of Soft Sky Ribbon
** Printed cardstock - die cut and scored, ready to be assembled (Soft Sky, Crumb Cake,  Whisper White Cardstock and Silver Glimmer Paper)
** Large Rhinestone Basic Jewells (40)

Festive Flurry Ornament Kit    135813    $14.95

These are only available while supplies last so get your order in early, giving you plenty of time to make them for Christmas gifting--or for your family tree!

Watch the video below for instructions on making these ornaments.

 

In case you can't see the video, copy and paste this YouTube Video Link:

http://youtu.be/zVh-iekXIoc

ITEMS you might want to add to your order:

• Shaker Frames (124155, $4.95)
• Silicone Craft Sheet (127853, $5.95)

Next post will show some of the variations I made when stamping with my upline and friends in early October.  Rather than hot glue, we used the Shaker Frame rings to secure the layers.  Easy-peasy!

This is a great, quick, easy, flashy, fun, rewarding eye-catching project so........go for it while supplies last.  You can get yours from my Stampin' Up! store right here or by clicking on the shopping cart in the upper right corner.

Enjoy!

HEDGEHOGS! BEST OF NOVEMBER! (one of my old old favorites is included!!!)

I am so excited to be able to use one of my favorite favorite images soon.  Hedgehogs!  Oh my gosh!!!

 

I actually still have this stamp set but now you'll get to play with it too if the hedgehogs 'talk' to you the way they do to me. 

You can order the Best of November BEST OF SNOW clear mount stamp set right here.

I can just see this pair on a gift tag, a gift card, a Christmas card, the back of my hand!  Anywhere.  :)  Order yours today!

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

BARELY 3 MORE HOURS UNTIL..........

UNTIL...........Week 1 of my exclusive Twelve Weeks of Christmas newsletter goes live.  I want to give you this one last chance to receive Week 1.  It's a card that will ...........  well, it will make you smile.  I can't give it away beforehand.  :)

Here's a little peek though:

Now doesn't that just inspire you?  If you're already a subscriber to my email list -- and newsletter -- you saw this sneak peak in October's Newsletter yesterday afternoon.  Later today you'll get to see the whole enchilada.  Well, the whole card.

Go over to the left side bar, upper corner, a.s.a.p. and sign up for my mailing list.  Remember, I do NOT share your information with anyone.

Have a great Wednesday.

JUST 24 HOURS LEFT TO SIGN UP FOR MY MAILING LIST SO YOU CAN RECEIVE *ALL ISSUES* OF MY TWELVE WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS 2013 NEWLETTERS

WHEW!  That was a long title.  But.........you do have only 24 hours to sign up for my mailing list.  Why would you want to do that?

• So you can receive my newsletter/email-list-subscriber-only 2013 Twelve Weeks of Christmas newsletter.

Why would you want to receive this newsletter?

• Each week has a great project that is easily duplicate-able and, of course, delightful!
• Projects will be cards, gifts, bags/tags and wrapping ideas.
  

So what are you doing right now?  You can totally ignore this post if you've already signed up for my mailing list.  BUT---if you haven't, come on.........  Move on over to the left side bar and sign up for my newsletter.  I do not share your email address with anyone, anytime, for any reason!

My October monthly newsletter will be going out in a few hours, today, and in it is a teeny weeny sneak peak of Week 1's card project for the Twelve Weeks of Christmas.  You'll be able to receive that monthly newsletter as well when you sign up for my mailing list!

OK, off my soap box.  I have a newsletter to get sent out...........  (Now, what is is that you're going to do in the next five minutes???  Don't miss out!)

MY ANNUAL 12 WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN IS COMING TO TOWN!

Begining Wednesday, October 2nd (yes realllllly), my annual 12 Weeks of Christmas exclusive newsletters will start coming to your email inbox.  Only those who are mailing list subscribers will receive the weekly project idea for a holiday card, gift, tag or gift wrapping along with the steps necessary to assemble it! 

You have 48 hours before the first email goes out -- so sign up now for my mailing list now!   Week 1 will be sent out on Wednesday, October 2nd at 1:00 p.m. my time.  .  And where do I live?  California!  Pacific Standard Time.

All you have to do is go over to the left sidebar, if you haven't already, to sign up for my mailing list.  I do not share your email address with anyone for any reason.  I only send out a monthly newsletter, a mid-monthly blub of some sort depending on the time of year, and my annual 12 Weeks of Christmas project ideas.  Once in a while I'll send out a random announcement but that's not often for sure.

You're going to love this year's projects.  An itty bitty sneak peak: this year's banner comes from right outside my kitchen window and it's an annual joy for me. 

 

 

WHAT A WAY TO SEE YOUR NAME IN 'LIGHTS'

TODAY'S PROJECT TOOK A LOT OF TIME and an even bigger LOT OF HEART!  Daughter Andrea has been friends with Sari, the 40th birthday girl, since they were in the 5th grade.  Amazing.  And here's her final tribute to her friend.  As stampers and crafters, we could all attempt to undertake a name project like this one.

It's a little hard to see against the bricks but I can tell that it's a lifetime of fun times.

All you need is papier maché letters, adhesive and a boatload of photos.

 

In the middle of prepping for our Chief Fuller Craft Fair on Saturday and a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at our fire station also on Saturday evening (I'm chairman!!!!) we are experiencing the Rim Fire, one of California's largest ever.  We are on a phone answering team for the fire as well as experiencing the smoke and valor.  What a fabulous team of nearly 3800 crewmen we have in our area.  Hundreds of fire rigs, bull dozers, planes and helicopters, sheriff's cars and officers..........the list is endless.  The fire is 15% contained after 10 days.  You can find out more and see some very local pictures on the local homeowners' blog that I run:  http://www.miwukareahomeowners.blogspot.com

I hope to see you on Thursday.  :)

Ryan, John, moi and Joe, all from the Roseville Fire Dept., here in Tuolumne County on Mutual Aid.  We're actually on the court next to my house in this photo.  These guys had been up in back, Stanislaus National Forest, of our house guiding a bull dozer crew.  Learning lots!

ANOTHER CHIEF FULLER DAY CRAFT FAIR PROJECT

AT STAMPIN' UP!'S CONVENTION IN JULY, stamper/friend, Laurie Sego, gave me this cute set of binder clips:

 

I just love the sassy sayings on them!  Well, I couldn't find any like them so I just went ahead and created my own, my way!  They'll be a part of my display and for-sale-items at the Chief Fuller Day craft fair here in Mi Wuk Village, CA on August 31st.

And then I went for polka dots:

What do you think? 

I've only participated in one craft fair before and that was 5-6 years ago.  So I'm trying hard to figure out what to offer.  Of course I'll have cards.  I'm running out of prep time so I have to put the brakes on soon and just concentrate of quality over quantity.  (Not a problem!)

Tomorrow I'll share another of my favorites that I've made a 'mini-bunch' of.  Magazine, aka CARD, files.  I just have to photograph them.

Locally, we're dealing with a large forest fire close enough to be creating problems with heavy smoke in the air.  It's unfortunately made the national news since it's along to route to Yosemite National Park.   I 'run' a blog for our Mi Wuk Area to keep part time/vacation homeowners as well as permanent residents aware of what's happening locally.  Often those posts are extreme weather--like winter 3 seasons ago or this current Rim Fire.  Check it out if you'd like to see what's up where I live! 

CRAFT FAIR PRODUCT

I'VE BEEN BUSY THESE PAST WEEKS CREATING ITEMS TO SELL AT A LOCAL CRAFT FAIR, Chief Fuller Day, August 31st, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., here in Mi Wuk Village.

(Don't' miss the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to follow, 4-7 p.m., at the Mi Wuk/Sugar Pine Fire Department, just a mile 'down' the highway!  Would you believe I'm chairman of that event?  Never a dull moment in my life!)

A few months ago I made three cute little flower pot smilers, aka smiley-sticks, and decided they would make great items to sell at Chief Fuller Day.  What do you think?  The only difference between the ones I made in June (click on the link above to see them as well as the directions) and the ones for Chief Fuller Day, is that I embossed the sentiments with Black Embossing Powder.  They show up so much better!

 

 

I found a 1" x 10" x 6" piece of styrofoam in my stampin' studio, covered it with retired Designer Series Paper that was garden-like, and then poked holes for placing the individual smiley-sticks.

My next concern is what to charge for them?  I want them to sell but I don't want to give them away.  What would you pay for one at a Craft Fair?

Thanks for your input.  :)

I'M BACK FROM NEW JERSEY!

My hubby, Russ, and I just snuck away for 5 days in Phillipsburg NJ to attend a Klipple family reunion.  It's the first time we've made it back in five years and it was important to both of us to get there.

Problem:  no wireless internet where we were staying and none that I could find within easy distance from the house.  There was a Starbucks kiosk in a grocery store--no internet.

So, I left you all high and dry.  I never think that internet won't be available when I leave home-----because I'm so spoiled with it almost always at my fingertips.

I realized this morning that I never showed you the completed frame, using the This & That Epic Design Designer Series Paper, that I made for my great roommates at Stampin' Up!'s convention in July.  You can see the group of frames here.  And now here's the frame that's living at my house.

Moi from California, Sue from Indiana, Janet from California and Katie from upstate New York.  Except for my sister Janet we all met via Sudsol (click on the link to the left if you're a Stampin' Up! demo and would like to know more about this awesome group), the online business-only list for Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  As a reminder, I wanted to keep the frames simple so that the photo would be the standout visual.
 

And here is an alternate photo to place in the frame!

I had to set the timer on the camera and then jump over to the bed and pile on to be in the photo.  Hard to always keep that straight face!

See you tomorrow.  I promise!  I'm home for the foreseeable future.