Too Stinkin' Cute!

I'm back! Since we moved, I've been slowly but surely finding more time to create, and over the weekend, I'll be taking pictures of some of the things I've been working on. I've been so blessed to meet a new girlfriend who loves to scrapbook, and we've gotten together a few times to do just that. How FUN to get together with a friend and do what you love -- it's just good for my soul! Thanks, Julie, for keeping me motivated and helping me get started on the girls' scrapbooks, and thanks also to Kirk, Julia, and Maddy for allowing Mommy some time to "be creative."

In the meantime, I just had to share with you this latest special from Stampin' Up! For a limited time, they're offering the CUTEST new Decor Element -- a growth chart so you can record how big your kiddos are getting. Time flies so quickly, and I love the idea of tracking the girls' growth with this super-cute chart. I can see the scrapbook pages now!

So, what's the special, you ask?

1. Get the exclusive Décor Elements™ Growth Chart — plus, receive a free applicator tool!

2. Spend $35 on stamp sets* from the Growing Up section of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog (pages 74-90), and choose a FREE package of Designer buttons—a $7.95 value!

*Stampin’ Around® wheels not included.

Take advantage of these great deals -- place an order with me by August 21st! When the total of everyone's orders reaches $150, I'll raffle off the hostess benefits and SOMEONE will win FREE STAMPS!!!

To place your order, you can register at http://stampinupjustforkids.eventbrite.com. Once you register, I'll contact you for your order (of course you can add additional products if there's something else you've been dying to get). Or you can e-mail me directly with your order.

Project of the Week - Love You Much Card and Scrapbook Page

Here's an easy project using the Love You Much stamp set, Candy Lane DSP, and a few fun embellishments. I designed the card with my husband in mind, and he really liked it! The scrapbook page uses the same components. I was honored to be able to share this project last Monday at our MOPS meeting...hope everyone enjoyed it!

New Arrival and Other (Fun) Stuff

It's been awhile since my last post, primarily because the last couple of weeks have been so crazy busy! We welcomed our second daughter, Madeleine Joy, into the world on January 27th. She was born at 7:43 am, at 8 lbs 12 oz and 20 in long. She's been a wonderful baby thus far, and we've been amazed at how easily Julia has fallen into the role of big sister. We are truly blessed to have two beautiful little girls! Here are a couple of photos of Maddy and Julia.

Then, just to make life a little more interesting, last Tuesday night, I broke my elbow and had to have surgery yesterday to repair the fracture. So, needless to say, I won't be doing much stamping over the next few weeks. However, I will be keeping you updated on any promotions and specials that come up, and don't forget...it's SALE-A-BRATION time!

Project of the Week - Butterfly Pillow Box

Well, I received my new catalogs on Tuesday from the UPS man, and let me tell you, they are AWESOME! This week's project was inspired by a color combination highlighted in one of our new style watches and would be perfect as a little pick-me-up gift for a friend or coworker or as shower/wedding favors.

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Paper: So Saffron cardstock (5 1/2" x 8 1/2"), Baja Breeze cardstock (scrap)
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Pad
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Sticky Strip, Sizzix Big Shot, Pillow Box die, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (1/4"), 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter
Non-Stampin' Up Accessories: Acetate/Transparency Sheet (purchased at Staples)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut out pillow box from So Saffron cardstock using Sizzix Big Shot and Pillow Box die. Fold along score lines, but then lay flat.
2. On front of box, stamp sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink.
3. Position oval punch above sentiment and punch window.
4. Stamp flower image above window.
5. Cut out a rectangular piece of acetate and adhere it using Sticky Strip on back side of box front.
6. Assemble box using Sticky Strip.
7. Fill box with desired contents (I used Butter Mints here, but M&M's would be great also), and tie closed with Chocolate Chip ribbon.
8. Stamp 2 small butterflies using Chocolate Chip ink on scrap piece of Baja Breeze cardstock. Cut out, and apply Dazzling Diamonds using 2-way Glue Pen. Fold wings of butterflies up to create a 3-D effect. Adhere to box using small amount of Sticky Strip down the body of each butterfly.

January Booking Special!

With the new catalog coming on January 19th and with Sale-a-Bration beginning February 1st, now is the time to schedule your workshop for February or March. In addition to the great offers available through Stampin' Up!, I'm also running a great booking promotion. If you book a workshop by January 31st to be held in February or March, you'll receive FREE SHIPPING on your workshop order (a savings of 10%), AND you'll get to choose a FREE STAMP SET from my basket on the day of your workshop! E-mail me now to choose a date...this is a promotion you don't want to miss!

Project of the Week - Always Thank You Card

Now that the holidays have passed, our family is ready to get started on sending out Thank You notes. I found a wonderful inspiration card on the SU! demonstrator site, and altered the color scheme a bit and changed the greeting to say Thank You. The inspiration card uses one of my FAVORITE stamp sets, called Always, and was designed by fellow demonstrator, Rebekah Carafa (thanks, Rebekah!). Hope this inspires you to create and send a few hand stamped and heartfelt thank you's of your own!


SUPPLIES
Stamps: Always, All Holidays
Paper: Chocolate Chip CS – 4 ¼” x 11”, Not Quite Navy CS – 3” x 3”, Bordering Blue CS – 4 ¼” x 1 ½” plus scrap, Rose Red CS – 4 ¼” x 1 ½”
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Build-a-Brad (Gold), ½” Circle Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Scallop Edge Punch, Heat Tool, Mini Glue Dots, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon – 5/8", Crafter’s Tool Kit, Snail Adhesive

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Score and fold Chocolate Chip cardstock at 5 ½”. Using Versamark, stamp twigs on left hand side of card.
2. Stamp the heart from the Always stamp set on the Not Quite Navy cardstock using Versamark. Emboss with clear embossing powder, cut out and set aside.
3. Stamp one of the small flowers from the Always stamp set on the Bordering Blue scrap using Versamark. Emboss with clear embossing powder and set aside.
4. Stamp “thank you” from the All Holidays stamp set on the Rose Red cardstock using Versamark. Emboss with clear embossing powder and and set aside.
5. Punch the edge of the Bordering Blue strip using the scallop edge punch, and adhere to card. Layer the Rose Red strip onto the Bordering Blue strip.
6. To assemble your Build-a-Brad, punch out the small flower with the ½” circle punch and attach it to the brad base using a mini glue dot. Position the acrylic bubble on top of the flower and press to adhere.
7. Attach the brad to the Not Quite Navy heart, and adhere the heart to the card.
8. Using the paper punch and guide from the Crafter’s Tool Kit, punch faux-stitching along the top and bottom of the card and add holes in each scallop of the Bordering Blue cardstock to create an eyelet lace effect.
9. Tie Old Olive Ribbon to card.

Announcing "Love You Much" Stamp Camp

What better time of year is there to express your love and appreciation to your family and friends than Valentine’s Day? In this class you’ll create four love & friendship cards, four 3” x 3” friendship notes and 9 tags that can be used when packaging up Valentine’s treats for your kids, teachers, friends &/or co-workers. The whole collection is packaged in a one-of-a-kind Stationery Purse.

All materials will be pre-cut, scored, and ready to assemble, and lunch WILL BE provided. All you have to do is show up and stamp...a great "Girls Day Out" activity as you make your preparations for Valentine's Day!

Date: Saturday, January 24th
Time: 10 am to 2 pm (lunch provided)
Location: My House (Mattoon, IL)

There are 2 registration options:

OPTION 1 - $30 : Class only

OPTION 2 - $65 : Class plus Love You Much Bundle (Bundle includes the Love You Much stamp set, Candy Lane Designer Series paper, and Heart to Heart punch...a retail value of $51.85)

If you have questions, please feel fee to contact me at christa_donald@yahoo.com or 217.552.3356.

A New Year...A New Blog!

Happy New Year! 2009 is sure to be a busy year for the Donald family, and one of my resolutions is to take my Stampin' Up! demonstratorship to the next level. As part of this, I'm launching a renewed effort to maintain and update my blog, bringing to you the most up-to-date info on current products and promotions and sharing with you tips and techniques for creating fun and wonderful projects. As such, you'll notice a couple of new areas in the righthand sidebar -- Upcoming Events and Current Promotions. Also, I'll be posting a new technique or project each Friday, complete with a list of supplies and instructions, to help you make the most of your collection of stamps and accessories. Lastly, you won't want to miss my monthly challenge, which I'll issue on the 15th of each month -- you can win FABULOUS stampin' prizes just by participating (and the best part is that you'll have yet another excuse to get out your stamps and play! HAPPY STAMPING!!!