Spring Break!

Some people chose to enjoy the beach in Florida for spring break, but I would much rather paint, sew, or create something--with the occasional cup o' coffee/read a book/take a nap break.  I have had a rather busy, but productive break.  Some of the things I have been working on are a surprise, so I won't have many pictures yet.  Here are a few things I have been up to:

Here is the before picture of my dining room.  Honestly, it probably doesn't look that bad (well, perhaps the light is a bit tacky) but the paint was flat paint.  There were tons of holes and scratches on the wall, and it just had to go.

 And these are the two after pictures.  I had the paint color matched to Stampin' Up's! Pear Pizzaz--which looks great on card stock.  However, I am not totally lovin' the color on the walls.  The pictures don't tell the real story, it is much more bright green/yellow than I wanted.

 

  

The second project involves this wonderful material I ordered from Fort Worth Fabric Studio.  I was so excited to play!  It is the Robotics collection by Moda.  So cute....and a soon to be something for my friend Amy.

 Third up is my new shower curtain for my bathroom.  Now, I wasn't thrilled with putting up a shower curtain, however, I couldn't take any more tacky brass fixtures.  (And FYI, our house was built in '97, so they must have gotten a great deal on all the tacky brass here!)  I found this cutie pie at Target.  And while it was kinda pricey ($30) I think it does wonders to brighten up the space and give my master bath a "spa" feel.

 And last, these are a set of cards that are going in a silent auction basket for an event in a couple of weekends.  They are a multipurpose set of cards that combines the In Colors, Bliss stamp set, and So Happy For You set.  I found some that were similar on Splitcoast Stampers and had to give them my own twist.  I think they are kinda cute!

Exciting News!

Hello All!  I have exciting Stampin' Up! news.  Here are two of the latest deals that I am pumped to share!

First:
Grab a Bag of Stampin' Up! Products!

Beginning today, April 1, and continuing while supplies last, you will be able to purchase special "grab bags" in my Online Store. These grab bags will come in three sizes: the $5, the $10, and the $15 grab bag. Each bag will contain a variety of  products that could include a combination of any of the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools.

Please keep the following in mind:
There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.
There is no limit to the number of grab bags a customer may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last.
All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.
Not all grab bags will be unique.

 $5 Grab Bag (containing at least $20 worth of products!)
 $10 Grab Bag (containing at least $40 worth of products!)
 $15 Grab Bag (containing at least $60 worth of products!)

Second:

Spring is Blossoming

Promotion details:  Spring is Blossoming with Sneak Peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. You can get these brand-new products in one of two ways:

• Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
• Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE!

*Net sales before tax and shipping
Start planning your spring workshops now so can get their hands on these exciting, new products in April--three months before the debut of the new Idea Book & Catalog!
 
Four Frames Stamp SetW: item 123440 | $20.95
C: item 123442 | $15.95
Paisley Petals Designer Series Paperitem 122367 | $9.95


So I am really excited about both these offers.  And I must say, I preordered the Paisley Petals DSP and it is bea-u-ti-ful!  I am actually going to frame some of it and use it for artwork in my new dining room.

My first Quilt!

Ok, so I understand that I am a total nerd...and I am totally OK with that.  You should want to be as nerdy as me.  Really.  I am serious.

So, I told you that my friend Kelly created a monster.  I am obsessed.  I finally finished my first ever quilt, and can't wait to start my next one.  I know, you just want to see pictures.....

 

So this is how it all started.  I found this super cute pack of receiving blankets at Walmart for $10.  I really wanted to get some regular material, but couldn't find anything I really liked.  These colors are perfect for Campbell's "big girl" room she is getting for her birthday.  I cut the blankets into 6 inch squares.  

Next, I sewed an X across each flatbread sammie (I wouldn't consider it a sandwich since this was flannel material and didn't need batting).  After what seemed like doing that 4,345,783 times, I had a stack of squares that I sewed together.  All in all (can you see I am not that great--and patient--at doing tutorials??), it was fairly easy.  Once I was finished sewing everything together, I snipped the edges, washed it, and dried it to begin fraying the seams.  Totally awesome effect!

Here is a picture of the front.....

 

And one of the back...

For being only the second time in my life I have used a sewing machine, I am fairly impressed with myself....and you should be too!  Whatcha think???

I also want to give a shout out to two awesome fabric websites:

Fort Worth Fabric Studio

and

Hawthorne Threads

Check them out!

She created a monster...

My friend Kelly, that is.  Yep.....that monster is me.  She showed me this really awesome baby quilt she made and that night I was out buying fabric and cutting squares.  Ok...so I am sure you are anxious to see it...and I would love to show it off, but it is not quite finished yet.  Hopefully soon.

In the meantime, please enjoy this new blog I found.  She has awesome quilts and is a great inspiration!

Candles

A while back ago, I saw the neatest thing with candles.  It looked simple enough and after searching online for tutorials and youtube videos, I was able to figure out how to do it.  It has taken me a while to collect all my supplies (heat tool, white tissue paper, candles, and wax paper) but I finally did and attempted my project.  I was very surprised by the results. 

I bought three white candles to go around my whirlpool tub in the bathroom.  I chose Early Espresso ink and some hemp twine for an accessory.  I picked out vintage type stamps to help tie into the paint color of the bathroom.  I was pretty happy with how they turned out.  Here are a few pictures of the final products.

I used the Very Vintage wheel on the first one, the Medallion stamp on the middle one, and a stamp from the Bliss set for the third.  You can see where I did the twine, and then on the medallion one I used a brad for a little bling.

Here is one tutorial I found on SCS.  There are also some good videos on YouTube if you search for "stamping on candles."

Blog Design

If you are a reader of my blog (and I give you a very big thank you!), you might have noticed a lot of changes in the look lately.  I am having a hard time figuring out what I want my blog to look like.  I subscribe to many different blogs and they all to seem to have their own "personality" and reflect that of their owner.  I have tried to find a blog background that is already created (wouldn't that just be easiest to do???) but nothing seems to be a good fit yet.  Also, I kinda want to show off my creative side by just making my own (but who has time for that?).  Anyway, I might drive you crazy changing the look of the blog over the next few weeks, and for that I truly apologize. Here's to finding my perfect match soon!

Edit:  Ok--so I played around this morning, and this is what I came up with.  Tell me what you think?

Ribbon Wreath Lust.....

Ok, so I need to wipe the drool off my chin.  I stumbled across this picture today and now I MUST have it.  Can't wait for spring break because I am totally going to attempt this.  My front door needs some decor love!

Oh, and if you think that is cute, you really need to visit her blog to check out her other crafty projects!

Some more digital scrapin'

Two more pages I have done recently:

Super Saturday

What a beautiful day outside!  I am so tickled to finally see some sunshine.  I really thought I would go crazy if it didn't come out soon.  So, what more than a little vitamin D to inspire my creativity!

First up is a baby blanket that I sewed for my friend that is expecting a girl.  This is the first thing that I have ever sewn in my life.  With a mini-lesson from my mom-in-law, and a great deal at Jo-Ann's on fabric, I present to you my finished product.

I realize the picture is dark (darn you iphone 3Gs....) but on one side it is abc fabric in bright colors and the back is a beautiful turquoise.  I also added a cute elephant on the back since she loves them!

Next is a birthday card I made for my brother-in-law.  I used my newest embossing folder and the inlaid embossing technique found here.  I think this is so cool and adds a unique element to an otherwise simple card. 

Anyway, I thought it turned out cute.  I am excited about using this technique more in the future.

Digital Scrappin'

I must admit--the main reason I started as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator was because I could get the digital starter kit for half price.  Anyone that knows me understands my need for a good bargain....and common sense told me I just couldn't pass this up!

After getting the My Digital Studio and playing around with it, I absolutely love it!  (I would add extra exclamation points, but I know how that bothers some people!)  Anyways....I have been playing with it more and more lately--really looking at samples, and knowing that there is a ton of stuff out there dealing with digital scrappin'.  Here are two of my latest creations using the software.  The first one uses all Stampin' Up items that are included in the software.  The second has some free downloads I found online. 

I think the more time I spend playing the better I will get.  Come on spring break....I want to play!