Stampin' Sweet

In my household we believe in the magic of Santa. My son is 12 years old and my daughter is 10 years old. We believe in the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy too! (Coincidentally, the Tooth Fairy will also be making a stop at my house tonight, and I am guessing my daughter will leave the Tooth Fairy a treat along side Santa's cookies and milk!) I am sure my son is old enough to understand how Santa works, but I think he understands our unspoken Christmas tradition. I knew the magic of Santa would not be revealed in my household, I pretty much figured it would be leaked at school........ As my daughter and I were driving to the store last week she asked me if Santa was real. Sigh. I told her that I believe in Santa. She thought about it for a few minutes quietly. I then asked her why she was asking and if she heard something different. She said yes, a girl at her school told her Santa was not real. My heart sunk. I asked her how she responded to that remark. My daughter replied,

November 22, 2013: "Mom, how long until Christmas"? Me: "A lil over a month away." November 25, 2013: "Mom, what day is Christmas again"? Me: "Silly goose! December 25th"! "Oh yay, I forgot, one more month." December 1, 2013: "It is almost Christmas"! Me: <mentally freaking out just a little> December 5, 2013: "Twenty more days." Me: <noooooooo> December 8-11, 2013: (We finally decorate our Christmas tree) December 17, 2013: "Mom, one more week til Christmas Eve"! Me: "Yes ma'am, you are correct." Mommy is not quite ready for Christmas. Did I mention I have not made my Christmas cards yet? I like to think I work well under pressure! Stay tuned. Let me me share My Pumpkin Challenge card for this week. I added some Real Red card stock to make this card. The kit alone is lovely, so it does not take much to step it up a notch. I hope you are having fun with your My Pape

So this past weekend the girls in my Dessert Club  had a Cookie Exchange. This was my first Cookie Exchange ever. Check out our lovely samples below. My photo is not the best, but hey, I was there to eat some cookies not have a cookie photo shoot! 1. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies by Rosalynda 2. Chocolate Cake Cookies with peanut butter frosting by Kady 3. Earl Grey Tea Cookies by Jessica 4. Pecan Linzer Cookies with Razberry Jam by my sister (the hostess with the mostess) 5. Chocolate Truffle Cookies with Sea Salt by Your's Truly 6. An assortment of Bon Bons by Karyn (I should have unwrapped them!) We had a lot of fun. My sister also made us a supper yummy meal to eat before our sugar high. All of the cookies were amazing. I would definitely participate in another one. So my only questions is, are Cookie Exchanges only done around the Holidays? I want another one, like in the summer, only with no bake cookies! Have you ever participated in a Cookie Exchange? If so

I am really loving this My Paper Pumpkin kit!! It is lovely. The garland is my favorite. I think I will learn how to use a sewing machine so I can make more garland! Here is the card I created this week. I was able to make this card using only the items that came with the kit! I just cut the bottom off the pre-cut NOEL banner and made chevrons. I also sponged the edges of the NOEL with the Real Red ink that was included in the kit. Have you been busy making Christmas cards? Or maybe you have already sent yours out! I am behind and need to get moving! I will share my card soon. I hope you will head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge to see what else the talented Design Team has shared this week! I also wanted to share a couple of stories I read online this week. The first story is about a Christmas list written by a young boy in 1915. Read the story here .  The second story is about a Christmas list written by a little girl this year, her father recaps her list. I thought it

Not long ago I was pinning away (if only I got paid to pin) and I came across this great technique by Deb Valder and I knew I had to try it. It is called the Stained Crystal Technique and it is stunning! Below is the card I made using her technique. As you can see I stamped the Dahlia using the Jet Black Stazon on a Window Sheet, then I painted the Crystal Effects mixed with a few drops of ink refill (you can use any color) and then while it is still wet you pour Dazzling Diamonds all over the painted area. Let it dry and the effect is stunning!  Be sure to check out Debs video for step by step instructions. My photo does not do it justice. I hope you will give it a try! Thanks for stopping by!

I had to share this adorable card that I made. The punch art Yoda first caught my eye on Pinterest . It was created by Stampin' Up Demonstrator Sarah-Jane . Be sure to check out her blog for the wonderful tutorial she put together. I am a huge Star Wars fan and when I noticed her card I knew I had to try it! Sarah-Jane you are brilliant! I had a lot of fun making this card! I usually make feminine cards so I was excited to change it up! I really do not make many punch art cards and now I think I am hooked! Why not make one for your Star Wars fan? I sent this one to My Man and he loved it! Thanks for stopping by!

December is here! Are you getting ready to celebrate the Holidays? The November My Paper Pumpkin kit was perfect for Christmas. So this month we will "Celebrate Christmas" at the My Pumpkin Challenge ! The kit was so lovely, be sure to follow us all month long for Christmas inspiration! I am in love with the stitched star garland! It is so pretty and festive! I deconstructed the NOEL banner to make my card. Be sure to head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge to see what the Design Team has created today! P.S. Are you ready for Cyber Monday? The following items will be on sale tomorrow only. 30% off Don't miss out on these amazing deals. Plus, you still have time to take advantage of the Holiday Sale!  Envelope Liners Framelits Dies (item 132172)  $26.95  $18.87  Expressions Thinlits Dies (item 132171)  $24.95  $17.47  Holly Jolly Greetings Simply Sent (item 132159)  $14.95  $10.47  Snowflake Season Simply Sent  (item 132176)  $14.95  $10.47

Have you been following the My Pumpkin Challenge this month? The Challenge this month is to Make a Gift. It has been fun to think outside the box! This week I made a dry erase board for the Challenge. The October My Paper Pumpkin kit included some great items for notes and reminders. The "notes" stamp made me think of different ways to take notes. I had an extra picture frame gathering dust that I thought would be perfect for this weeks Challenge! (I actually picked this frame up at the thrift store. Think upcycling!) I slipped a piece of notebook paper in the frame, then I stamped "notes" on the glass with Jet Black StazOn Ink so it would not smear. I made a flower with some of the paper from the October kit and added a button and twine I had left over from past My Paper Pumpkin kits. I can now add hand written notes with a dry erase marker! This would make a great gift for a teacher or maybe I will take it to my office. For now, we are using it at home, and

I am on a roll with envelopes lately! This will be my third post in a row involving envelopes. Our Challenge this month at the My Pumpkin Challenge is to "Make a Gift." I found these treat holders on Pinterest and knew I had to give it a try! Inspired by Beth ! This project used the Envelope Punch Board  and it is so easy! I used a 4x4 piece of Designer Series Paper from one of the past My Paper Pumpkin Kits and then lined up my paper at the 1 3/4" mark on the Envelope Punch Board (for the first punch/score) to make the envelope holder. (then line up the score line for the remaining punch/scores as you normally would to complete the envelope) The "how sweet it is" banner was also remnants from a past kit. You can customize them for any Holiday or event. I made a bunch of Christmas themed holders for a craft fair I was in last weekend! Everyone loved them!  Have you played with the Envelope Punch Board yet? It is my new favorite tool! Besides en

Thank you to everyone who is participating in the My Pumpkin Challenge . It is wonderful to see all the creative ideas everyone has! Since today is November 1st we begin a new challenge. This month the Challenge is "Make a Gift." I used the stamps that came in the October kit to decorate my gift. I got the idea to make a mini album from Maggie Peterson . It is such a great idea and you can change it up for any occasion. I decided to make my album a little note holder. I used wide ruled notebook to decorate my gift. Most of us have notebook paper lying around right? I placed notepaper inside each envelope sleeve so you can pull it out and write notes. You can also stash receipts and coupons in the pockets!   I also decorated the outside of the gift with notebook paper. On the front I stamped "jots & thoughts" from the Try It kit. I also used some of the buttons and white bakers twine leftover from past kits to tie the front closed. The three envelopes I

Hello and Happy Wednesday! It is the end of October, have you started your Christmas shopping yet? hehe. Just kidding! Halloween has not even passed and some stores already have Christmas items on display. One holiday at a time for me! We are still preparing for Halloween. My kids have finally decided on their costumes. My son wants to be a zombie and my daughter has decided to be a nerd. I will post some photos Friday! Do you or your kids dress up for Halloween? I would love to hear about your costumes! With the end of October comes the end of another My Pumpkin Challenge . This is the last week for the "Owls and/ or Textures" Challenge. I hope you are having fun with your My Paper Pumpkin kits. I am always looking for new ways to create with the items that are included in the kit. Since I had popped out all the die cut chevron pieces that came in the kit this month, I realized I now had a perfect chevron stencil. I sponged the chevron on the background of my card. I

Are you looking for ways to change up your My Paper Pumpkin kit? How about using your envelopes to make cute little gift card holders! It is such a fun idea and I was able to make one for the My Pumpkin Challenge this week! I was inspired to make this card from Dawn Griffith . I mixed and matched My Paper Pumpkin kits to decorate the card. I put the file note card from the September kit in the gift card pocket so I can add a little message. It was so easy to make, I hope you will try it! Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to go check out more My Paper Pumpkin samples at the My Pumpkin Challenge ! We would love for you to share your creations.

It is getting cold in Denver. The temperature is dropping and yesterday light snow flurries fell around town. It is time to bust out my winter coat, sweaters, boots and I cannot forget my gloves. My little monkey has even been wearing her footie pajamas! Since I am yearning for more sunny days I decided to incorporate the sun into the My Pumpkin Challenge sample this week! I played with textures running the front of my card through the chevron embossing folder and the orange ring of the sun through the polka dots embossing folder. I also pierced the edges of the scallop to add some more texture. How do you add texture to your cards? Have you seen the latest My Pumpkin Challenge creations? Be sure to head over for some inspiration. We would also love for you to share your creations! You see, the sun does always shine!  Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are staying warm and the sun is brightening your day!

Are you ready for another week of My Paper Pumpkin fun? The Team over at the My Pumpkin Challenge is ready! The Challenge this month is to "Add Owls and /or Textures." Take a peek to see what some of the Design Team created this week.  Here is my lil owl looking out his window!  I really look forward to getting My Paper Pumpkin kit in the mail each month. The kit is so easy to assemble as is, or of course if you have more supplies you can step up your creation. Don't forget to think outside the box! As always please feel free to share your creations with us at the My Pumpkin Challenge ! 

With time going by so fast it is nice to know we have memories to keep special moments alive. Even with my cell phone in my hand, like 70% of the time, I forget to take pictures. So silly!! To break this habit of mine I have been trying  to participate in the Fat Mum Slim Photo A Day Challenge .  The lovely Chantelle provides a daily prompt for you to photograph. See the prompts for October below. View details of her challenge here Here is my photo for Day 1. Something colorful I post my photos to my Instagram account. I would love for you to check them out. If you are on Instagram be sure to follow me! It is a fun way to interact with others. You can also see my Instagram photos on the sidebar to the left. Do you already participate in this Challenge? If so, I would love to see your Photo A Day pictures.  Do you take lots of photos? Do you share them or do they stay in a memory stick or on your computer? This post just made me realize I have a lot of scrapbookin

It is time for a NEW Challenge over at the My Pumpkin Challenge ! Are you ready to play? This month the challenge or theme is to add owls and/or textures. What a fun twist this month! Let me show you what I made this week: I made my own owl using the design pre-printed on the card. I punched some circles for his eyes, a triangle for his nose and cut down a scallop circle for the wing. I used the chevron die cut shapes that were included in the kit for his ears! Hoo does not like owls? Be sure to head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge to see some more fun creations or to link up your sample. I cannot wait to see what everyone makes this month! Enjoy the beautiful day! I hear we might get snow on Friday here in Denver. Yikes! I don't think I am ready for snow.

So little time! I cannot believe it is the last week of September. That means it is the last week of the "All About Shapes" challenge over at the My Pumpkin Challenge . Since I have already done squares, circles and rectangles this week I chose hearts! I was able to find some bits and pieces from past My Paper Pumpkin kits to make this card! All of the product shown is from the kits, the only items I used that do not come with the kits is the heart punches. This was a fun way to use some scraps and make a quick card. What are you enjoying most about the My Paper Pumpkin kits? If you have a moment head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge to see more lovely creations! Be sure to check back on Monday for a new challenge! Thanks for stopping by!

I have the perfect little notebook to jot your thoughts! Take a look at this little gem! It is the cutest notebook, it is 3.5" x 5.5" and it will fit perfect in your purse. It is full of grid paper. Perfect for notes and doodles and don't forget sketches! This notebook is part of the the My Paper Pumpkin Try It Kit . It comes with two notebooks and some embellishments so you can get an idea of what the My Paper Pumpkin subscription is all about! This month we are playing with shapes at the  My Pumpkin Challenge  so I decided to use some rectangles to decorate this notebook. I also used the butterflies, bakers twine and grid paper all from the kit, the only thing I added was the Summer Starfruit paper to add a frame to the grid paper. Did I mention this kit includes a clear block for your stamps! Score! This is a great deal for only $16.95 (plus shipping). Do you want to see what others are creating with the My Paper Pumpkin kits? Head over to the My Pumpkin Challe

Like the tire on a bike. Like the cycle of life. Like the ring on your finger. Like the Olympic Rings. It is a symbol. It is a shape. The circle was my inspiration for the My Pumpkin Challenge sample. cir·cle ˈsərkəl/ noun 1. a round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the center). 2. a group of people with shared professions, interests, or acquaintances. When I looked up the definition of a circle (above) I was fascinated by the second meaning. It made me realize I have an awesome CIRCLE! Whether it is my friends, family, Stampin' Up family, coworkers, or you, the reader who stops by to see what I am creating. All of these people are part of my circle and I thank you! Heather, Jessica and Glenn Ann are part of the My Pumpkin Challenge Team ! They are in my circle. We share an interest in creating beautiful My Paper Pumpkin samples each week for the My Pumpkin Challenge blog. It is so fun to work

I really do! Everyday I am lucky enough to see the mountains. I live in Denver, but just to the west are the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Each night the sunsets atop them. I love the mountains and it only takes about 25-30 minutes to get there from my house. Last weekend me and My Man took a quick drive to Empire Colorado.   I was craving a burger from Dairy King . It is a small lil restaurant that makes the best burgers and has the best ice cream. My sister mentioned they have awesome peach shakes when the Colorado peaches are in season, so I figured this was the perfect time to head over and try one. I am so glad we did! The drive was beautiful and the food was great. I had a regular cheeseburger with all the fixin's, My Man tried the buffalo burger and we shared fries. It was delicious. For dessert we each got a peach shake, all I could say is yum! I could see the ladies in the back cutting up the fresh peaches. They are perfect in the shake. This shake is spoon worthy due to the

That is my new motto, at least for today! This month we are celebrating shapes for the My Pumpkin Challenge.  It is "All About Shapes." This week I decided to focus on squares. See my sample below. Is anyone else in love with this cute stamp? That bicycle is adorable! I used squares to "spotlight" areas on the bicycle with the Bermuda Bay ink spot that came in the kit. I also used the dimensionals that came in the July kit to pop up the squares. I hope you will share your My Paper Pumpkin creations over at the My Pumpkin Challenge . It is a fun place to see what others are making with their kits. SOOO MANY IDEAS! Seriously, go take a peak!

I have the Back to School blues. I do not remember getting them in the years past. Maybe it is because this is our last year of elementary school. Whew, it is hitting me hard. I have been looking back at my kids first day of school photos and I am freaking out. They have grown so much. It makes me wonder, what I am feeding them? They are smart and funny. Plus, I think they have matured more than I realize and I need to let them be more independent. It is hard to face that reality. Have you ever had the Back to School Blues? Look at that kid! He is in 7th grade, yikes. He is almost as tall as me. I even scheduled him to get braces the day before school started. What a bad mom I am! He took it all in stride and has impressed me with his good attitude about the whole thing! Plus, I think he has finally realized he will soon have perfect teeth to go with his killer smile! See this little girl, she is my baby! Fifth grade means the last year of elementary school in our district. Nex

This week, for the My Pumpkin Challenge I tried something a little different. I was trying to think outside of the box. I did not use the banners from the August Kit, but I did use the bamboo skewer-like sticks that were included in the kit. When I saw those sticks with the pointed tip I thought of a knitting needle. Then, I used the bakers twine from the kit to make a little ball of yarn.  I do not knit, however I know lots of ladies who do! I bet they would love to receive a fun card like this. Do you knit? Maybe I should give it a try, it looks complicated! I would love to know your thoughts. It is something a little different! I hope you enjoy it. If you have My Paper Pumpkins cards and projects be sure to link up over at the My Pumpkin Challenge.  We would love to see what you are creating. Inspire others! I hope you are having a great week. In my house we are trying to get back into the school routine! Fun times. Thanks for stopping by! 

I have a a slight obsession with "grab bags." I know have mentioned it before and I will say it again, I love surprises! I subscribe to  Ipsy  and  Birchbox  and I even send Birchbox Man to My Man! We love getting them in mail each month. Who does not like to get little presents in the mail. (Even if I buy them for myself, I deserve it!) The subscription I really look forward to each month is My Paper Pumpkin . Once a month a cute lil orange box gets delivered to my door and it is full of paper crafting fun! Have you ever wanted to give it a try? Well now is your chance! There is a great deal going on right now. If you sign up before August 31, 2013 you can get the My Paper Pumpkin kit for $10 a month (for your first two months), that includes shipping! (after the first two months the price goes back to the normal price of $19.95) If you are looking for some My Paper Pumpkin kit inspiration please go check out the My Pumpkin Challenge . Each week the Design Team  po

The July Paper Pumpkin kit is a unique one. It is all about banners. At first sight it seems like it is set up to decorate a cake perhaps. I wanted to think outside of the box and create a card with this kit. Plus, I love making projects for the My Pumpkin Challenge  that inspire others. As I sat on my couch determined to create something fun, I found myself challenged. I stared at the banners and the stamps and I was stumped. I really like this kit so I was getting bummed I could not think of something to make. I was getting ready to put my stuff away to take a break when My Man (oh yeah, he was sitting next to me the whole time, I think watching me from the corner of his eye, he knew I was getting frustrated) leans over and asks if I can make the "celebrate" banner pop out of the card. Hmm. That was what I needed!! He must learn a thing or two at Stampin' Class every month. God love him! I knew exactly how to proceed. I made two little paper accordions and attache

Once a month I get together with a group of amazing women for Dessert Club aka Mommy's Night Out. We share kid stories, we share life stories, we eat and we drink and we make dessert together. Yes, my friend Rosalynda is pretty brilliant, she is the founder of our group. We tried book club once, no way jose, that requires homework. Plus, I do not have time to read a whole book in one month. (I have cards to make!) Unless they change it to magazine club, I know I can crank out a Glamour, Everyday with Rachael Ray and my Women's Health much faster than I can read an assigned book. Whew. We prefer immediate satisfaction. At dessert club we know we will make a yummy dessert and then devour it before we part ways. Sometimes if our kids, husbands, moms, boyfriends etc are lucky we have some leftover and we share with them. Each month we rotate houses and last month Jessica was the hostess. The hostess gets to choose what dessert we make and Jessica chose Almond Bars.  We had been o

Good morning! I hope you are having a great week. I have been slowly cleaning my craft area. It is usually contained to one room but it has exploded into my living area and I need to put everything back in its place. Do you have those moments? I hope it is not just me! Today begins a new Challenge over at the My Pumpkin Challenge . Please be sure to head over there for inspiration and to share your Paper Pumpkin creations. I can't wait to see what you are making! This week I made a card using some of the items in the June kit. I used the empty banner "skeleton" as a template to stamp the banner at the top of the card. (see below) Sometimes you have to think outside the box!  This is a fun kit and I am excited to see what can be created with it! Head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge for more creations! Dont' forget: If you sign up for  My Paper Pumpkin  before August 31, 2013 you can get your kit for $10 (plus tax) for the first two mon

Every month I say the same thing, time is flying by.....too fast!   Where the heck did July go? I feel like I have been on the go since my kids got out of school. I think I will finally have a break in between sports and other activities for a week or two. It will be nice to breathe and um, clean my house! Wait, I take that back, I have a birthday party to prepare for this weekend. My son will turn 12, where the heck did those 12 years go? They went by so fast. My son will be a preteen, that excites me and scares me all that the same time! He is growing like a weed and he is getting ready for braces, but for now, I will enjoy this weekend. I will watch him swim, laugh, blow out his candles and open up his birthday presents and if I am lucky, time will slow down, just for one day! I hope you are enjoying the beautiful My Paper Pumpkin creations that we share each week at the My Pumpkin Challenge. Please be sure to check in tomorrow for new creations with the July My Paper

Whew! This past week has been a whirlwind. I think I am finally recovered from my trip to the Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City. Stampin' Up! celebrated its 25th year and it was amazing. I will share some photos and stories tomorrow! For today I wanted to share my sample for the My Pumpkin Challenge ! This week I added the colors Night of Navy and Primrose Petals. I cut a piece off the original card that was in the kit and created a flower with the hexagon shapes. Then I used some pieces from an old Paper Pumpkin kit to make the leaves and stem. (see photo below) Have you been creating with your My Paper Pumpkin Kits? Please head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge and share your creations! You can win a prize and get lots of inspiration. Don't be shy, link up your photos today. Everyone is welcome! Do you need a My Paper Pumpkin kit? Check out this great deal going on now! If you sign up for My Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013 you can get yo

Today I wanted to share what one of my dear friends has been creating with one of her My Paper Pumpkin Kits. Didn't she do a great job! They are quick and fun to make. QUICK QUESTION: Do you buy your cards or do you make your own? And just thought I would share a picture of my kids after their trip to the dentist! Yes, I can read their minds! I hope you have a great day. Thanks for stopping by!