PICK A PETAL RAK

Today's mail brought a beautifully decorated envelope addressed to ME! Naturally, I ripped it open and ignored all the bills and junkmail in my mailbox. This gorgeous thank you card was inside from Lorri Heiling (Confessions of a Stamping Addict)! This photo does not do this beautiful card justice ... I must have taken 40 photos of it in different lighting and just couldn't capture the soft sky ... trust me, it's way better in person! Lorri wrote the nicest note inside thanking me for a birthday gift I had given her. She even used some of the items I gave her for her birthday to make the thank you card! How cool is that?! I just love the combination of Soft Sky with Chocolate Chip! Here is my attempt at a recipe for Lorri's card:

Stamps: Pick A Petal, Stem Sayings

Paper: Chocolate Chip and Soft Sky CS, Soft Sky Prints DP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery

Embellishments: Soft Sky Double Stitched Grograin Ribbon

AUGUST STAMP CLASS PROJECTS

Yesterday I had a morning and evening stamp class for my local stampin' friends ... five ladies in the morning class, and 15 in the evening! I can't tell you how rewarding it is to see someone new to stamping come to their first class and fall in love with the craft just like I did several years ago! Equally rewarding is having returning friends get excited over and over again about the projects you offer! I am so blessed to know so many wonderful people through my craft, personally and through cyberspace!

Here are my August Class Projects:

ZOOFARI BIRTHDAY CARD This card was designed to fit a standard #10 envelope, and measures 9" x 8", scored at 4". RECIPE
Stamps: Zoofari (pg. 90), It’s Your Birthday (pg. 145)
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Basic Black and Whisper White CS, Darling Doodles DP, Groovy Guava/Certainly Celery/Rose Red PRINTS DP
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad, Groovy Guava/Certainly Celery/Rose Red Classic Ink Refills & Pads, Basic Black Marker
Accessories: Rose Red Brads
Tools: 1 3/8” Circle Punch, Aqua Painter, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, 1/16” Handheld Circle Punch

BASIC GRAY and SOFT SKY BIRTHDAY CARD This card was cased from Kricki's card on SCS HERE...just changed up the colors.

RECIPE
Stamps: Priceless (pg. 117), “Birthday Hugs & Kisses” from All Holidays (pg. 143)
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky & Basic Gray CS, Soft Sky Prints DP
Ink: Soft Sky & Basic Gray Classic Ink Pads
Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Brads
Tools: Scissors
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals or Foam Tape

BAROQUE MOTIFS SYMPATHY CARD This card was cased from jrek's card on SCS HERE. In the photo, it looks quite green, but it is River Rock and Chocolate Chip! Jrek embossed the medallion on her card. On mine, I just stamped the larger medallion in Chocolate Chip onto River Rock cardstock, and stamped the smaller star-like medallion in River Rock on River Rock CS - no embossing. The large swirl design is stamped in Chocolate Chip then shadowed in River Rock.

RECIPE
Stamps: Baroque Motifs (pg. 126), Sentiment from As Close As A Memory (pg. 58)
Paper: Chocolate Chip and River Rock CS, Brocade Background DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip and River Rock Classic Ink Pads
Accessories: Antique Brass Brad
Tools: 1/16” Handheld Punch, Scissors, Sponge for sponging borders with Chocolate Chip Ink.
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals

GARDEN WHIMSY CARD This card is a case of one by tayloredexpressions on SCS HERE and Heather Summers of Stamp With Heather HERE. Both created a card similar to the card on the right. I didn't have enough Groovy Guava CS for 20 cards so changed up the colors to create the one on the left with Purely Pomegranate, Old Olive & Blue Bayou. Those attending class could choose to create the color scheme of their preference. The butterfly is stamped in Blue Bayou on the Whisper White Cardstock, then stamped again on another piece of WW CS, cut out, folded in the center, and adhered with a glue dot for a 3-D look.
RECIPE
Stamps: Garden Whimsy (pg. 101)
Paper: Groovy Guava/Blue Bayou/Soft Sky/Whisper White ~or~ Purely Pomegranate/Old Olive/Blue Bayou/Whisper White
Ink: Purely Pomegranate/Blue Bayou ~or~ Groovy Guava/Blue Bayou
Accessories: Groovy Guava ~or~ Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Horizontal Slot Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Template/Mat
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals or Foam Tape, White Gel Pen, Glue Dots


3 x 3 THREE FOR YOU PUNCH BOX NOTECARDS You've all probably seen these before because I posted them about a week ago (well, MOST of my projects were a surprise for those attending class yesterday!) but wanted them included in this post for easy reference for my local customers to refer to. (Hopefully, they'll go home and want to make 10 of every card they made at class! LOL!) For more information, see previous post HERE.

I discovered that the Three For You Stamp Set that is part of the Three For You Punch Box (August Special) requires an extra light touch when stamping with it! You'll want to TAP your stamp to the cardstock or you'll get a bleeding-like image!

RECIPE
Stamps: Three For You (pg. 183) *August Special*
Paper: 3 x 3 Textured Note cards (Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron), Basic Black, Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron CS
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black Classic Ink Pads
Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Black Brads
Tools: Trio Flower Punch, 1/16” Handheld Punch
Supplies: Glue Dots
Note: The Three For You Punch Box is the Stampin’ Up! August Promotion. Purchase the Punch Box and receive 30 FREE textured note cards (10 ea. Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, and So Saffron) + envelopes!

BIRTHDAY RAK FROM KAREN

Yesterday I received this cool birthday card from Karen Laub! Isn't it just so-o-o cute?! Karen (nikesmom on SCS) and Sandy Braddock (doublesmom on SCS) are both stampin' friends of mine AND fellow band moms! Karen and Sandy are in charge of marching band uniforms (among other band parent duties), and I'm one of their helpers. They are relentless in their pursuit of fitting the band kids perfectly and do an incredible job!!!! They've got my vote for vounteers of the year!

Karen and Sandy came to a stamp class with me about a year ago, and were immediately hooked! What is so unique about Karen and Sandy is that they stamp together and make a great team! (something I've never been able to do ... I'm a solo stamper!). It is so fun watching them bounce ideas off of each other! They just crack me up! I really enjoy seeing their work ... they've both developed into very talented stamp artists!

CAN YOU STAND ONE MORE?

Can you STAND one more Altered Lunchbox Tin from me? This is the end of the road for my Lunchbox Tin Card Organizer KICK (for now)! This particular tin is very similar to the one I gave away as blog candy last week, using the CUTIE PIE DP. I'm offering this particular tin as a class next week for my local stampin' friends.

Tomorrow, I have a morning and evening 5 Card Class. I'll be sharing those projects with you on Wednesday!

RECIPE FOR CUTIE PIE ALTERED LUNCHBOX TIN and DIVIDERS:

Stamps: None

Paper: Cutie Pie DP, So Saffron Prints DP (for smaller chipboard flower), Bashful Blue and So Saffron CS (for dividers), Whisper White & Certainly Celery CS for "Cards" label

Ink: White CRAFT Ink for Chipboard Pieces

Embellishments: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, On Board Blossoms, Certainly Celery Brads, Silver Brad.

Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch (for cut-out around latch), Word Window Punch (for cut-out around handle), Round Tab Punch (for dividers), Sanding Block for Chipboard, 1 3/8", 1" & Scallop Circle Punches for center of lg. chipboard flower, Trio Flower Punch for center of small chipboard flower.

Supplies: Lots and lots and lots of Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Tape.

Notes: The word "CARDS" and the words on the dividers are printed from the computer. The DP for the lid is TWO pieces to fit around the handle.

LORRI'S BIG BOLD BIRTHDAY

It has been a CRAZY two weeks at the Riley house! I thought I'd have all this extra time when school started ... NOT! My DH and I are constant taxi cabs to and from the schools. Our days start early with our first trip to the high school for my daughter's 6:30 a.m. marching band practice. Allie's at band camp this weekend, and our season is in full swing! You'll probably be hearing alot about our OUTSTANDING Marching Band in the coming months! I'm one PROUD Band Mom!

Drew (7th grade) is trying out for the Boy's Volleyball team on Monday. Oh, I so hope he makes it! He needs something right now that he can be excited about! More running for me and DH, but am so thankful Allie and Drew are active in things that interest them!

Back to school time ... Open Houses, unexpected school supply shopping, and homework for ME! (I just might scream if my kids bring home one more form that needs signed, or one more thing that requires me writing a check!) I think I've had more homework than Allie and Drew have!

All this activity has made me behind on many things, especially getting ready for my classes. I normally have my class projects ready one to two weeks in advance. I finally got some free time last night to prepare, and I can't WAIT to share them with you!!! I like my local friends to be surprised when they come to class, so I'll be sharing the projects with you later in the week.

Another thing I've been behind on is ackowledging birthdays. My good friend, and fellow SU Demonstrator, Lorri Heiling celebrated her birthday on 8/21, and I still haven't gotten her gift to her! Visit Lorri's blog and leave her a Happy Birthday comment (it'll make her day!). This is the birthday card I made for Lorri. It was cased from mudflapmamma HERE and starofmay HERE and HERE. I found the color combination of Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, and Pumpkin Pie irresistable and just HAD to try it! I changed the stamp set to Big Bold Birthday, and the gifts are cut out and popped up on dimensionals. Don't you wish SU would come out with the double stitched grosgrain ribbon in ALL the 48 colors too? I love it!
RECIPE
Stamps: Big Bold Birthday, Polka Dot Background Stamp
Paper: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Pumpkin Pie, and Basic Black Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

...and the WINNER of the Cutie Pie Altered Lunchbox IS...

On Monday, I offered blog candy for a chance to win a lunchbox tin, altered with Cutie Pie DP, specially made to organize handmade greeting cards (see post HERE) in celebration of 10,000 hits. I asked readers to guess the number of buttons in a glass jar and let me know how they came across my blog. After reading 86 comments, I am completely overwhelmed with joy! Us stamping people are nice folk, aren't we?! Oh my, I felt like it was my birthday on steroids! Your kind comments are so encouraging and inspiring!!! THANK YOU !!!!

Let me tell you, buttons in a jar are deceiving! I didn't even know how many buttons there were until I counted them this afternoon. While reading your guesses, I was thinking that most of you were guessing too high .... NOT! There were 601 buttons in that small little jar!

Melissa had the winning guess of 613. Here is Melissa's comment:

Congratulations on 10,000 hits, I LOVE your blog! I have my husband to thank for finding you! We are re-modeling our home and while trying to find an office/craft room design he sent me your blog and told me he would like to see me with an office like yours! :) Thanks for the great photos and ideas! My guess for the buttons is 613. Melissa

Melissa, please contact me at nrileycm@cox.net. Please include your U.S. mailing address so I can mail your tin right away!

Thanks to all of you who visit and/or subscribe! This has been, and will continue to be, a very fun adventure for me!

SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE 138

This is my attempt at today's SKETCH CHALLENGE 138 on SCS. Kind of plain, but I really like the Basic Gray and Soft Sky together! I also chose to flip the sketch for a vertical card.RECIPE
Stamps: Bud Basics, "for you" from All Holidays
Paper: Basic Gray and Whisper White CS, Soft Sky Prints DP
Ink: Basic Gray and Soft Sky
Embellishments: Stick-On Rhinestones (non-SU)
Note: The petals of the flowers are curled around a pencil for dimension.

3 x 3 THREE FOR YOU PUNCH BOX NOTECARDS

Just playing around with my new Three For You Punch Box. These 3 x 3 notecards were cased by Julie at Paper Pleasing Ideas and Michelle at The Stamp Link ...just changed up some of the colors.

I used the FREE textured 3 x 3 notecards that you receive this month when you purchase the Three for You Punch Box. Honestly, this wasn't something I originaly thought I needed out of the new idea book and catalog, but couldn't resist the August Promotion! Now that I have it, I'm so glad I do! The Trio Flower Punch offers so many possibilities when used with other stamp sets, and the Three For You Stamp Set is just about the cutest set I own!


The Three For You Punch Box contains 1 Trio Flower Punch, 9-piece die-cut stamp set (Three For You), and 1 each Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, and Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Spots. When you order this Punch Box in AUGUST, you'll receive 30 FREE textured 3 x 3 notecards in Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron, and Wild Wasabi (10 ea.) + 30 vanilla mini envelopes!

10,000 HITS BLOG CANDY - ALTERED LUNCHBOX TIN

It looks as though my counter will be reaching the 10,000 mark today ... woohoo! That calls for some BLOG CANDY, don't ya' think?! When starting this blog on June 18, I had no idea what to expect. I have found this adventure to be incredibly rewarding, inspiring, and another element of excitement to my craft! Thanks to all of you who read my blog, subscribe, and leave me nice comments that just MAKE MY DAY! You are truly motivating!

If you've been reading my blog lately, you know I've been on an Altered Lunchbox Tin kick. (See other tins HERE and HERE). I've been saving this one just for this occasion! Yep, you can WIN this CUTIE PIE Altered Lunchbox Tin and Dividers ... specially made for organizing your handmade greeting cards!

The dividers are labeled: Birthday, Thank You, Holidays, Get Well/Sympathy, Friendship, Congrats, and Misc.

So how do you WIN? See this jar of buttons? It's a jar I have on a shelf in my craft room .... all my miscellaneous buttons get put in that jar -- buttons from new clothing, buttons found in the laundry -- you name it, it goes in there! It's used more for decorative purposes than anything else.

Leave me a comment on THIS POST .... include your guess as to how many buttons are in the jar. I'd also love to hear how you found my blog! Was it through Splitcoast Stampers? another stamper's blog? (if so, who?), are you a local customer of mine? Whatever it is, I'd love to hear how you found me!

The button jar measures approximately 4" x 4" square and 3" tall without the lid.

I will end the blog candy on Wednesday 8/22 evening. Only U.S. shipping addresses please. In the event of a tie(s), each correct number will be assigned a number in order of post and a number will be selected by random.org. GOOD LUCK !!!

RECIPE FOR CUTIE PIE ALTERED LUNCHBOX TIN:

Stamps: None
Paper: Cutie Pie DP, So Saffron Prints DP (for smaller chipboard flower), Certainly Celery and So Saffron CS (for dividers)

Ink: White CRAFT Ink for Chipboard Pieces
Embellishments: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, On Board Blossoms & Basics, On Board Accents, Bashful Blue Brads, So Saffron Brad, Bashful Blue Button, Embroidery Floss
Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch (for cut-out around latch), Word Window Punch (for cut-out around handle), Round Tab Punch (for dividers), Sanding Block for Chipboard
Supplies: Lots and lots and lots of Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Tape.
Notes: The word "CARDS" under the Label Holder and the words on the dividers are printed from the computer. The DP for the lid is TWO pieces to fit around the handle.

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS28 mwohlers

This week's SCS Featured Stamper is Melissa aka mwohlers on SCS. Check out her gallery and blog. This is Melissa's card I chose to CASE. Melissa uses this layout several times in her gallery, and I just LOVE it! I find it to be very easy to work with and appealing to the eye.

Although I LOVE to stamp, I really like these cards that use the Simply Scrappin' Kits. The stickers can be used as a substitute for stamps and make for super easy and quick cards!

RECIPE
Stamps: None
Paper: Happy Me Simply Scrappin’ Bundle/Kit (Level Three Hostess), Purely Pomegranate and Soft Sky TEXTURED CS from same kit
Ink: None
Embellishments: Soft Sky Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1 ½” Circle Punch, Anywhere Hole Punch, Green Rhinestone Ice Circle Brad
Note: Card measures 5 ¼” x 5 ¼”.