Issues with Blogger

I'm having issues with Blogger. For some reason my music won't play, my background & the text on the sidebar won't display. I'm trying to get help, so hopefully we'll be back to normal as usual very soon! Please be patient with me! I really hope I don't have to start a new blog. If anyone out there knows how to fix these issues, please share! You'll have to email me though, because the commentor isn't working sometimes either. chelscraps (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Hodgepodge of Cards

These are the cards we made at my Hodgepodge of Cards class a little over a week ago.

Supplies: On Your Birthday stamp set; Very Vanilla & Sage Shadow cardstock, Chocolate Chip Prints DSP; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow; Accessories: White flower (from the Pretties Kit), Aqua Painter (to paint the flower), button (from the Button Latte kit), corner rounder, Linen thread, glue dots.



supplies: Great Friend & Thank You Kindly stamp sets; Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Real Red & Whisper White cardstock; Rockabilly Specialty DSP; Real Red, Basick Black, Kiwi Kiss inks; Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals.

supplies: Priceless stamp set; Kraft, Not Quite Navy & Baja Breeze cardstock; Accessories: White Organza ribbon, Curly Label punch, Stampin' Dimensionals. I did the Faux Shaving Cream Technique on this one.

It's your last chance...UPDATED!!!

updated 7/7/09

For Sale...

Here are my "retired supplies" that Stampin' Up! has just retired! The price that I am charging are next to each item, all stamps are significantly discounted. If you are not local in the Mesa/Gilbert area, shipping will be added to your total.

All Designer Series Paper (DSP) is 12x12 & double-sided

Bella Rose DSP ~3 full sheets, one 3/4 full sheet plus scraps~(retail $3.96) your price $2

Last year's In Color's

Purely Pomegranate Cardstock~20 sheets $4 (ink pad sold below)

Wild Wasabi Cardstock~15 sheets $3

(this one didn't photograph well, it's a little bit brighter than this picture)

Key Tag Punch~$8 (retailed for $15.95 plus s & tax)

Congrats Stamp Set~ set of 7~$5 (retail $10 plus s & tax)

Yummy Stamp Set~Unmounted, never used $6 (retail $10 plus s & tax)

Darling Dots~set of 8 ~$7 (retail $10 plus s & tax)

Say It With Scallops~set of 4~ $8 ~ (originally $17.95 plus s & tax)

Wonderful Words~set of 4~ $8 (originally $20.95 plus s & tax)
Heartfelt Thanks~set of 9 $15 (originally $32.95 plus s & tax)

Sweet Shapes $8~ set of 12

Eat Cake $8~set of 11

Perfect Plaids $5

(these are about 5 in. in length & are great for making patterns or just a fun border)

Ink Pads retail for $5.95 plus shipping & tax. Ink refills retail for $2.95 plus s & tax.

2009-2010 In Color Ink Pads are $4 each! Ink Refills (which are all full-never been used) are $2 each. You can purchase these together or seperately!

Kiwi Kiss~ink pad $4, ink refill $2

Riding Hood Red~ink pad $4, ink refill $2

Pink Pirouette~ ink pad $4, ink refill $2

Baja Breeze ~ink pad $4, ink refill $2

Pacific Point ~ink pad $4 (this ink refill is sold)

Tangerine Tango~ink pad $4 (this ink refill is sold)

These two were last year's In Color ink pads

Purely Pomegranate (matches paper above) $3

Blue Bayou ink pad $3

Blue Frost Spectrum pad $4

this is like a rainbow type pad. The inks are stored seperated so they don't bleed into each other, but you push them together when you're ready to use them.

If you'd like to purchase any of these items please contact me at chelscraps (at) yahoo (.) com ASAP. They will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and payment will be due within one week.

Happy Birthday Nie Nie!

picture is from Conversations with a Cupcake!

Tomorrow is Stephanie Nielson's 28th birthday!

If you'd like to help her celebrate go to Conversations with a Cupcake!

I have been uplifted, blessed and inspired in so many way by Nie Nie! She is an amazing woman and has blessed the lives of so many people across the whole world.

For those that don't know, Stephanie & her husband, Christian were in a terrible plane crash that took the life of one of their friends, in St. Johns, AZ last August. This accident happened right across the street from my Aunt & Uncle's home. My uncle was able to run out and help Stephanie when this happened. If you haven't visited Stephanie's blog before, please take some time to do so, Nie Nie Dialogues! Take some time to read her past posts (pre-accident) and those since. She is a true inspiration to me & I'm sure she will change your life for the better as well.

Stephanie, I'm very grateful that you survived your biggest trial in life. I hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow and many more to come after.

Ladybug pj bottoms

Here's the reveal from my little sneak peek yesterday...

I made these cute pj bottoms for my Cammi & her friend L. They wanted matching pj pants for girl's camp & they wanted to do camoflauge (to go with the Girl's Camp theme) but I talked them into doing this much cuter print instead. The camo fabric was twice as expensive (& no where near as cute)! I think the polka-dot cuff at the bottom makes them even cuter!

Here's the close-up again!

I made matching headbands for them too, but my pics didn't turn out good! So I'll retake that pic tomorrow!

a letter & a sneak peek

It's almost time for Girl's Camp (we leave later this week)! Those that have followed my blog for awhile have seen the projects that I did last year! If you are fairly new here, you can click here & here to see those fun projects. I made some 2 years ago, but I wasn't into blogging yet, so of course I didn't take pictures of those. For those that don't know, in our church we take the Young Women (girls ages 12-18) camping each summer & they work on certification (learning to tie knots, first-aid, survival skills, etc.) When I was a Young Woman, we would go for a whole week. Now they only get to go for 2-3 days. I think it's a shame, because I honestly loved being there the whole week. I have so many great memories from Girl's Camp. We actually aren't taking all of our girls this year, which I'm pretty sad about, because all of the girls 14 & older just went on the Pioneer Trek a few weeks ago. So I'm sad that my oldest daughter can't go, but excited to be with Cammi again!

Anyways, now as a leader I still get to have some fun! I am in charge of a craft this year (that'll come in a later post). I'm also making the beaded pens that I posted yesterday! I also get to take hundreds of pictures (there probably won't be hundreds this year since we'll only have half the girls that we normally would have)! Another fun part is our parent letters. They ask each of the parents to write a letter to the girls, expressing our love & bearing our testimonies to our girls & whatever else you want to write. They give them to the girls the last night at camp. This is something that the girls really look forward to, after a few days away from home they are usually a little homesick & welcome any part of home they can get. Well, I like to have a little fun with my letters, of course, being the creative person I am I can't just hand over a plain envelope! So the picture at the top is one side of the envelope/letter. I chose a paper that was a light color & faint print on one side, so I wrote the letter on that side & then just folded it & cut the edge cute to make it an envelope as well!

My Cammi loves to read, so I found this little bookmark for her & distressed it & I'm adding this in the letter! I'm also going to add a little bag of plain m&m's in there too...shhh!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a little sneak peek of something fun coming tomorrow! I did a little more sewing today! So check back tomorrow night (hopefully) to see what this is in whole! Isn't it cute even though you can't tell what it really is?

A Simple Book & some Beaded Pens

I made this book (& the yellow & turquoise pens) about 2 months ago, for my last Stamp Club group's last party. I love this paper, it's the Pink Flamingo DSP. There's actually Pink Flamingo's on some of the papers~I think they are so cute!

These are beaded pens. Click here to see the tutorial on how to make them. I used Designer Series Paper instead of stamping on labels. I also used Micro Beads, & Sticky Strip. They are quite simple & make a fun addition to a plain ball point pen! I used Alias ball point pens, that I bought in a 4 pack at Walmart. I made 12 of these brown pens for Girl's Camp next week to give to the girls with a journal that another leader is making for them!

The yellow & the turquoise papers are from the Pink Flamingo DSP (link is above). The brown paper is from the Bella Rose DSP (no longer available). I also used Whisper White & Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbons.

A Cute Basket Tutorial

supplies: Rose Red, Whisper White & Kiwi Kiss cardstock (no longer available), Raspberry Tart DSP, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Rose Red Stampin' Ink.

I found the idea for this cute basket at Elaine's Creations, she is a very talented fellow SU!demonstrator. So here's my tutorial on how to make this basket. When you click on the name of the product that is highlighted a different color, it will take you to the page in the online catalog, to see what that product looks like or to order it online if you'd like to!

Pic A

1. Start by cutting one 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock in half width-wise, so you'll have two 8.5 x 5.5 sheets of cardstock. With one 8.5 x 5.5 piece of cardstock cut out both basket pieces from the Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL Die. These are the 2 ends of the basket. The other piece you'll use for the sides & bottom of the basket (see below). Cut off the small scored piece on both basket pieces (see Pic A).

Pic B

(where I'm pointing in Pic B is where the 3/8" mark is~directly half way between the 1/4" mark & the 1/2" mark~see next step below)

2. Now with the 5.5" side at the top, using the 2nd 8.5 x 5.5 piece of cardstock score at 3/8". Then turn the sheet around & do the score on the opposite side.

Tip: I like to score with my Bone Folder. I've used the scoring blade for my cutter & most of the time it just cuts through my paper, so I have learned to love the bone folder & it's great to have one more use for this handy tool as well. It's a little awkward to get used to at first, but once you get used to it you may never want to go back.

Pic C

3. Next with the 8.5" side at the top, score 2-3/4" from the edge on the short side (see Pic C). Then turn your cardstock around & score the same on the opposite side.

Pic D

Your cardstock should now look like Pic D

Pic E

4. Now fold all the of scored lines in & make a nice crease.

Pic F

Pic G

5. Using Snips, on the short ends (see Pic F) snip the four corners into the score line so that you can fold the box easier (see Pic G).

Tip: I highly recommend Stampin' Up!'s Snips. They are so sharp, cut more precise & are small enough to get into tiny spaces. They are the best pair of paper scissors I've ever owned.

Pic H

6. Adhere Sticky Strip to the sides & bottom of each basket end piece as shown in Pic H.

Tip: It is very important to use something stronger than regualar Snail or Tombow Adhesive, like the Sticky Strip, to adhere the sides of this basket (or any basket or box). Regular tape adhesive will not hold together for long on a project like this.

Pic I

7. It's time to assemble the box. Start by only removing the red film off the Sticky Strip on the bottom. If you remove all of them you will no doubt end up sticking something where you don't want it to end up & this stuff is really sticky. You will tear your paper if you try to pull it apart & reapply it. So please believe me, I've made that mistake too many times.

Pic J

8. Now line up the side of your basket with the two bottom corners of the sides & bottom piece (see pic J). Once you have them lined up stick them together.

Pic K

9. Next pull the red film off of one side piece & line it up with the side of the box & adhere (see pic K). Repeat on the other side.

Pic L

Pic M

10. Your box is assembled, Pic L & M is what it should look like.

Pic N

11. (I'm sorry I forgot to take a picture of this part). Punch out the Scallop Circle & apply adhesive around the outside edge of it. Adhere to the side right over the oval that is already punched out there. Tip: turn your punch over so you can see exactly what you're punching.

12. Next, using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch, turn your punch over so you can see the funny shaped oval inside the circle & punch it out (centering the oval in the circle). Add ribbon to one or both sides (as shown in Pic N).

Pic O (that flowere is from the Baskets & Blooms die cut that I cut the sides out with)

13. You can decorate this anyway you'd like, but this is what I did. Cut the side pieces. The inside piece (chocolate print) measures 3-3/4" x 2". I used the Bella Rose DSP for this inside piece.

The red layer measures 4" x 2-1/4". Next punch the corners using the Ticket Corner Punch. Then adhere each piece together.

I also used the Large Oval Punch, the Scallop Oval Punch, the Great Friend Stamp Set, Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip & Pink Pirouette cardstock, Chocolate Chip & Riding Hood Red inks. If you have any questions about this tutorial or any products, please feel free to contact me at : chelstamps (at) yahoo (dot) com.

To order 24/7 click here!

FREE Photo Editing Class!

If you've been wanting to learn more about editing your photos, this is the class for you & best yet...it's FREE! Jessica Sprague is extremely talented in this area & I'm definatley going to be joining in. I thought I'd spread the word & share the wealth. If you'd like to know more, click on the link below.

FREE Photo Editing Class!

Thank You's

Here are a few cards that we'll be making tomorrow night at my Stamp Club. I have one more project coming...I'll post that one later.

I really love how this one turned out & I can't believe I don't even have ribbon on it! For those that don't know I am addicted to ribbon!!!!

I used the Rockabilly Specialty DSP (black stripes) for the first time.

Can you see the shiny stripes? Love that paper!

I also did the Faux Shaving Cream technique on the butterfly, although it's hard to see that.

Other supplies: Great Friend & Thank You Kindly stamp sets, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Real Red & Basic Black cardstocks & inks & Stampin' Dimensionals (another favorite of mine)!

Great Friend Stamp Set (above). All images copyrighted by Stampin' Up!

Thank You Kindly set (above). All images copyrighted by Stampin' Up!

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My host, & best friend Tabatha wanted me to make a thank you card that we could send to soldiers, since her daugther is serving our country in the Army right now. So I came up with this card...Supplies: The Free & The Brave & Thank You Kindly stamp sets. Riding Hood Red, Kraft & Night of Navy cardstock. Rockabilly Specialty DS Paper. Versamark & Night of Navy inks. Large star, small star & slot punches, Stampin' Dimensionals. Whisper White Organza ribbon.

The Free & the Brave stamp set. All images copyrighted by Stampin' Up!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To shop online 24/7 click here

Daisy bag

This is not my first bag now, but it was my first experience making my own pattern. What do you think? I really like how it turned out. I'm planning to make more of these & put them on my Etsy shop.

There are 2 large interior pockets & a smaller one that I made specifically for my cell phone. The daisy material you see inside are the large pockets & the small cell phone pocket is solid black. I also put a magnetic snap in. I love this! I also made just one shoulder strap, which I saw on another person's bag so I thought I'd try it. I really like this, because I don't have one strap always falling off.

Birdie Sling tutorial

If you love this bag but don't want to make one yourself, please contact me for prices for a finished one.

Just to warn you this is a really long post. Please be patient with me, this is my very first sewing tutorial & there are a lot of steps here, so I hope I don't leave anything out or confuse you. Disclaimer: try not to get confused with the difference in patterns. I was actually making 3 bags at once (in an assembly line format). These bags are for my daughters to use as book bags next year, so I wanted them each to be a little different, but they are all using the same fabric.

This is an Amy Butler pattern so I can't share the actual pattern with you but if you do decide to purchase the pattern there may be some helpful hints here that aren't in the pattern instructions. I purchased my pattern from Henrietta's Handbags (great customer service-I had my pattern within 3 days of when I purchased it). There were a few things that were somewhat confusing for me, so I hope I can clear things up a little for you.

One tip before getting started...I used just regular iron-on interfacing on my first bag & then I went to the store & bought some nicer stuff (by the yard) which was a lot thicker & much more sturdy for making bags with. I would definately recommend the thicker interfacing for bags. It was only $1.97/yd. at Walmart.

Another tip: I found this material at Goodwill (a second hand store) in the form of king size sheets. I paid a total of $8 for both & made these three bags plus I have enough material for at least one possibly two more bags. My point here is to keep your options open, sometimes one persons trash is another's treasure. Sometimes you can find great deals in places you wouldn't expect.

Ok, here we go...
1. Cut out all pattern pieces from material & interfacing. Then iron-on all interfacing to pattern pieces.

2. Sew the pockets together with the right sides together (the interfacing should be on the outside so when you flip it it will be on the inside~as shown in Pic. A), leaving a 4 inch opening on one long end. Snip the corners off, being careful not to cut into your stitching (Pic B). Then turn the pocket right sides out.

hint: I use the end of my scissors (closed of course) to stick inside the pocket & poke into the corners to push the fabric out so it makes a nice corner.

Pic A

Pic B

3. Next, stitch your pocket to the lining 2-1/2 in. from the top of the lining & centering it. If it's a large pocket & you want it a little smaller you can stitch right down the center (Pic C) to make 2 pockets. This made the large pocket perfect for my wallet on one side & I put my sunglasses case on the other side with my keys. Make sure to back-stitch on both sides at the top of each pocket for extra reinforcement.

Pic C

Pic D

4. Make the pleats in the main exterior panel. Patterns always say to baste these down but I usually don't ever do this. I jsut keep them pinned & sew them down when it's time.
Pic E

5. Pin & sew the band to both main exterior panel & to both lining pieces.

Pic F

6. Press the seam allowance open.

Pic G

7. Stitch the main panels together, right sides together. Repeat with the lining. When stitching the lining, leave a 4" opening at the bottom (see pic I).

Pic H

Pic I

8. Clip out at the seam edge where the band & the main panel meet (also on the lining), making sure not to cut into your stitching. This may seem like a pointless step, but it's important for seams to lay right in the end.

Pic J

9. Ok, here's the tricky part. I hope I can explain this in a way that you can understand. Time to make the gussets. At each corner (in the main panel & the lining) lay the corners down flat into a triangle, matching the seams together (see Pic K). You can pin it, but I just hold it together & then turn the material right side out (while still holding the seams together) & check to make sure the seams are lined up (see Pic L). Then pin it 1-1/2 in. from the corner.

Pic K

Pic L

10. With the material still laying flat measure 4 in. up on both sides (Pic M) & make a little tick mark with a pen.

Pic M

Pic N

11. Now make a slightly rounded line connecting where the pin is to each tick mark (see Pic O).

Pic N

12. Now stitch along this line, making sure to backstitch at each end.

Repeat on the other corner of the purse.

Pic O

13. Cut excess corner off, leaving 1/2 " seam.

Pic P

14. Time to make the handle. Put both pieces right sides together, then stitch all the way up one side, back stitching at each end. Then stitch the other side leaving an 8" opening in the center, making sure to backstitch at each end. Then turn right side out pulling through that 8" opening (sorry I forgot to take a pic of this). Once you have this turned right side out, press & then edge stitch along each side, leaving the short ends open.

Pic Q

15. Turn the main exterior right side out. Then find the middle of the handle & pin it to the side (see Pic R) of the main exterior, matching the middle of the handle with the side seam.

Pic R

16. Repeat to attach handle to other side. Make sure you keep the handle straight & wrap it under the bag (see Pic S).

Pic S

17. Stuff the exterior panel inside the lining. Pin together, then stitch pieces together (pic T.1, T.2).

Pic T.1

Pic T.2

18. Through the opening at the bottom of the lining reach in & pull the main exterior panel through (see pic U & V) until the whole bag is through until it looks like pic W.

Pic U
Pic V

Pic W

19. Once the bag is all the way through, top stitch the lining closed. Then push the lining inside the main exterior panel until it looks like the bag you want. Top stitch over the edge at the top of the band giving the bag a finished look (pic X).
Pic X

I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Last Chance Lists & New In Colors!

Here it is...Stampin' Up!'s Last Chance list. This is the time we wait for every year...out with the old, in with the new! For those that don't know Stampin' Up! retires several stamp sets, & accessories & this year there's an added list of Decor Elements that are retiring. Click on the links below to see what is going. This is an exciting time because this means that lots of new, exciting products are coming. The new catalog is coming out July 1st! If you join my Stamp Club you'll receive a catalog FREE when they come in. Otherwise if you preorder your catalog by June 20th you pay just $8 (that's a savings of $3.85).



Last Chance Stamp Set List

Last Chance Decor Elements List

Last Chance Accessories

So moving on to the new...here's a sneak peek of the new In Colors!

Watch very soon for my very short list of products I'm selling (from these lists). I don't have much but there will be great prices for the things that I do have!

Free blog goodies!!!

If you haven't already you should go over the Shabby Blogs blog & their website to see the beautiful blog backgrounds, buttons & blinkies, & some extras. I love their stuff!

Right now they are giving away a free customer header & matching grab button, so head on over & see what they have to offer & more about this giveaway!

Menu Plan Monday-June 1st-6th

On the menu this week is (click on the links to see the recipe~if there is no link that means I haven't posted that recipe yet):

Monday: Chicken Enchilada's, rice & veggies (sorry I don't have a picture yet, I'll try to remember to take one tomorrow night)

Tuesday: Ziti Pasta Casserole, homemade dinner rolls & veggies

Wednesday: Pizza melts (I haven't tried this recipe yet so I'll link it when I post it)

Thursday: Navajo taco's (one of my favorite's)

Friday: leftovers

Saturday: Homemade Pizza (this is my #1 favorite)

My first purse

This last week I've gotten a sewing but & decided that I wanted to sew a purse, so here's the first one I've made. Yes, I plan to make a few more. My 3 older girls want me to make them one like this for them to use as a bookbag for school & it's the perfect size for that. So I'll show you those when I get them done (they're cut out, just need to be sewn)!

This is C, my second oldest posing with my bag!

There are 3 pockets inside, these 2 (one is perfect for my wallet & the other I use for my sunglass case & a pen. then there's a little bit larger one on the other side, perfect for all the little doo-dads (lotion, advil, etc.)

Ps. It looks like I have a request for a tutorial when I sew the next one, so I'll work on that!

1st year Bib giveaway

Over at Fabulously Fun Finds they are having yet another giveaway! She is featuring Espie May Crafts, who makes some really cute 1st birthday baby bib's & some other really cute stuff. I really like to support other crafters who make handmade items so take a few minutes to visit her blog & go visit Heather at Fabulously Fun Finds

Want some cupcakes?

Here's another great giveaway from Fantabulously Frugal. Go here to see today's Cupcake Giveaway from Layer Cake Shop. They have some really cute stuff for making cupcakes!

Another great giveaway

this one I found on I Heart Faces, click here to see the details! I just found this blog & it looks like a lot of fun...if you love photography like I do! Go check out their giveaway for a FREE canvas photo from allpopart.com, they have some really fun stuff!

Menu Plan Monday--May 17th - 23rd

This week's menu looks like this...

Tonight we have our Family Potluck & we're having Baked Potato Bar...yum!!!

Monday...Spaghetti Sauce Casserole, crescent rolls & veggies
Tuesday...Beef Stew (with carrots & potatoes) & homemade rolls
Wednesday...frozen pizza
Thursday...Yogurt chicken & funeral potatoes
Friday...Leftovers (this is our 16th Anniversary)
Saturday...hot dogs & french fries

I can't believe I haven't posted the recipe for my yogurt chicken yet. I will make sure to take pictures this week & add that to our sisters blog! This is the yummiest chicken I've ever had!

Photo of the day...SOS!

Today's challenge is...SOS...Show Off Something (you're proud of).
This was the first time I used the panoramic option on my camera. I thought it was pretty cool, it wasn't the best but it turned out pretty good for being the first time I've ever done it.


I took this photo back in Michigan in March. I went there to visit my Grandma & see where my dad grew up. It wasn't the best time of year to go there (it was pretty cold & not much green), but it was great to finally be able to go.

If you ever get to the Detroit area you've got to go to Frakenmuth, it is a German town & it was great. There are many, many shops to go to & they even dress up in German attire. They have a huge Christmas store (year round). It says it's the largest Christmas store in the world & after going there I believe it. It was absolutely enormous! There was a huge room just for ornaments, one for trees & lights, one for nativities, etc. It was amazing! This town was so cool that we went there 2 days in a row. That's where I took this picture. Right behind a lot of the shops at the Cass River, beautiful...even without the green.

Great Giveaways

You've got to check out the 31 Days of Giveaways at Fantabulously Frugal! Some are already past, but there's still many to go. Go here to see today's giveaway.

Here's a sneak peak

picture from Fantabulously Frugal

Menu Plan Monday-May 11-16th

Dinner time at our house this week is going to be pretty crazy. Monday night I have a PTSO meeting/dinner, Tues. night is our 15 yo daughter's choir concert, Wed. night is our 13 yo daughter's band concert. Then Thursday night is our 15 yo's choir banquet, our 13 yo's Academic Night (where she'll be recieving an award) & our 11 yo daughter's band concert. Can you tell me how we are supposed to be in 3 places at once, I thought they were supposed to coordinate these things with the others schools since they are all in the same district? Crazy huh, so maybe now you'll understand the very simple meals we'll be having this week.

If you'd like to see how I run my menu planning system go here. I've been doing it this way since November of last year & it has helped me tremendously. I have saved so much more money at the grocery store since I've been doing this.

Monday: Bow-tie Alfredo (my boys absolutely love this & it's the simplest thing to make)

Tuesday: Spaghetti/garlic bread/veggies

Wednesday: Fried chicken/rice/veggies (nothing fancy here, just frozen fried chicken & minute rice)

Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches

Friday: Homemade pizza

Saturday: Navajo Taco's

The recipes that I've linked here are from the blog that my 4 sisters & I share. Feel free to head on over to Table for 5 to see lots of other great recipes & a few other fun things.

You may notice that I don't include Sunday's on my menu plan. This is because we have dinner with my family & rotate amongst my siblings who makes dinner, so I only have to make dinner on Sunday nights every 6 weeks.

May Stampin' Up! Promotions

May is National Scrapbooking Month & Stampin' Up! brings us 3 great promotions that you can take advantage of.

1. Buy three packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12" x 12" textured card stock, and get one FREE! That's for ever 3 you'll get one FREE. So if you purchase 6 packages you'll get 2 FREE. You can also mix & match the 12x12 Designer Series paper & the 12x12 textured cardstock.

2. Buy a sneak peek stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog--Jumble Alphabet

(set of 52; double-mounted)--at a 20 percent discount.

3. 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

(which can be substituted for any stamp set valued up to $43.95).
**Simply Scrappin' Petal Party

**Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12")
**Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad

Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.

The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:
Getting Started DVD
Getting Started Guide
Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
Idea Book & Catalog (8)
Occasions Mini Catalog (8)
To My Hostess Envelope (10)
Recruit Folders (5)
Recruit Brochures (20)
Hostess Brochure (20)
Hostess Benefits Form (10)
Customer Order Form (50)

This kit is normally

for you

I made this card last week for my Stamp Club that met Friday night. This is a new stamp set called Great Friend in the Occasions Mini Catalog. We also made a journal & beaded pen, those pictures will be up soon, so check back.

Happy Birthday To You!

These cards were ones I made for my Birthday Card Class last week.

This first one I semi-cased from Ashley at A New Design!

I changed the stamp sets & colors but the sketch is the same.

This one I just cased myself from this card. I did the Faux Silk technique on the top part.

I don't really like this one. It feels like it's missing something, just not sure what.

I don't really like this one either. The placement is weird. This is usually what happens when I wait until the last minute to make cards just before my class.

This is another one that I cased from myself here.

I changed the stamp set, colors & Designer Series paper.

Photo of the day...Purple

Over at HSMYHS the photo of the day is Purple. This is my oldest daughter's favorite color, it's my brother's favorite & all his children's (i think he's brain-washed them). Go figure. He even bought a purple van several years ago.

I shot these photo's a few weeks ago when my Little C man & I went walking around the neighborhood. I didn't realize how many flowers we had around our community until I went looking for them.

I'm back...

Woo hoo...I'm back to stamping. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted something to do with stamping. I've been very busy with so many things. I made this card yesterday for my nephew & new niece that just got married. They were so beautiful!

Photo wall

I just found a great post by Tara Whitney. It has a great idea for a photo wall. Check it out here.

photo of the day...Hide.

This one is for 2 days ago. The photo of the day over at HSMYHS on Monday was...Hide.

Hide: To put out of sight or obscure from vision, show us 'Hide' in your space today.

I don't know why most of my pics are of my baby...I do have 5 other children. Well, really I do know why, because all the other 5 are in school & C is home with me.

This was last week when we went on a fieldtrip with C's preschool class to a supermarket. He was hiding from his friend when we were going through the produce department. It's not the best picture but he moved too quickly before I could re-shoot.