Birthday Wishes Four You

Why does this time of year always get me motivated for home improvement projects? I’m not sure but it seems that this time of year my husband and I are always getting into something. This weeks project – Finishing the pantry downstairs. Now don’t get me wrong I’m really excited about getting some more storage space in my house to organize things. I’m just not nuts about painting trim – which I guess is why it wasn’t done last fall. My excuse was I couldn’t find what I needed and the holidays were coming, thus the newly built shelves sitting in our garage still.

So since my friend Rosemary from Leadership could paint her bathroom during a northeastern winter storm I could paint my trim, right? Here is what I’ve learned during the process of my painting the latest trim.

1. I really don’t believe it is cheaper to have painted trim. (This was our builders reason for going with white trim, verses the stained trim I wanted. I’m not sure he included the fact it has to be painted, repeatedly. But it sounded good to my husband at the time and it does pop and look nice when the paint is fresh.)

2. I’m not very neat at caulking. It seems like I end up getting more on me and the rag that the trim. Thus the pile of rags – that reminds me I need to locate more rags for tomorrow. (However, since I’ve taught myself through trial and error and the end project looks ok, I guess caulk and soap are cheap.)

3. I really hate caulking and painting the trim around framed openings and doorways. There are waaay too many corners and edges and some how I always need to lean on the wall next to me. Thus the paint on the right side of my body and hair – I forgot the fact I just painted that wall – LOL!

4. I reeeally really dislike painting an exterior door – why did they make those gaskets black anyway? And what was I thinking wanting all those doors?

5. If anyone were to tell you I’m a perfectionist, they are wrong and they obviously haven’t seen me paint trim. A good enough job is perfectly okay with me! Shhh… don’t tell my husband.

6. Being able to frost and decorate cakes does not mean you’ll be good at mudding sheetrock, caulking, or painting trim. This is the logic my husband has used since 1987 for the reason I do the detail and trim work when painting. Personally, I just think he hates doing those things more than me. But since he does the hanging, sanding, spackling, and rolling which I’m REALLY bad at it works out, right?

7. Bifocals make detail work a bear – especially when you’re blind as a bat! I’m sure my husband would have been howling with laughter if he were watching me paint today holding my glasses in my one hand while painting with the other! Thus the paint on the left side of my head – hopefully I got it all when I showered, that way he’ll never have to know!

Of course, all of this is like childbirth right? When you’re done you forget all the pain involved. And I’m really looking forward to the finished result – a new storage space to organize!

So now to treat myself, I’m off to stamp in my classroom. (Even though my video space is covered in wet trim, I made sure I left enough space to stamp. Priorities – seriously:) But first I wanted to share this fun card I made.

Four You

The color pallet for this card was pulled from the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper. Don’t you love our Designer Series Paper Stacks? They are so great for card making and since there are 12 different designs to choose from they’re great for all kinds of projects! I’m reaching for mine all the time.

Just a tip when recreating this card you’ll want to attach your Designer Series Paper to your card stock before you punch the two ends – it will make things a lot easier, ask me how I know.  And since the base layer is Whisper White you won’t have a problem with your punch.

And do you recognize the ribbon used on this card? It’s the Coastal Cabana 3/8″ Ruffle Stretch trim that can currently be found on our Weekly Deals list. How cool is that right?

Coastal Cabana  Ruffle Stretch Ribbon

Click HERE to see all our Weekly Deals for this week.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Four You (130535/130538) and Petal Parade (Sale-a-bration 133599/133602)

Inks: Coastal Cabana (131175) and Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad (126949)

Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996), Coastal Cabana (131297), Crumb Cake (120953), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Coastal Cabana 3/8″ Ruffle Stretch Trim (130024),  Scallop Tag Topper Punch (133324), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (132187), and Arrows Embossing Folder (132187)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 10th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

paper pumpkin promotion header image

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014). Make sure you forward me your confirmation email so I can send you your FREE gift!

Best Of Stamp Sets (Only available through March 31st, 2014

New Digital Downloads

Scallop Tag Topper Treats Tutorial

As promised yesterday here is my latest tutorial for the Scallop Tag Topper Treats that my Hostesses received during the Hostess Appreciation Brunch this past weekend.

Scallop Tag Topper Treats

They are so much fun to make using the Scallop Tag Topper Punch, and the basic design can be customized for any occasion. Quick and easy to make – I think you’re friends will love them too, since they hold 2 Hershey’s Nuggets.

Everyone needs a little chocolate sometimes and when it’s in a treat there are no calories, right? LOL

Check out my latest video tutorial – Scallop Tag Topper Treats

What event will you make your Scallop Tag Topper Treats for?

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Petite Petals (133152/133155) and Banner Greetings (Hostess Set 129711/129714)

Inks: Real Red (126949)

Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996) and Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Scallop Tag Topper Punch (133324),  Real Red 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (126875),  Petite Petals Punch (133322), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), and Glue Dots (103683)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code UQJ7HZ76

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 3rd, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014)

Texture Boutique Embossing Machine Flyer

Seasonal Sayings

Today’s card is one that I made during my Shoebox Swap at Leadership. It is a quick and easy design that uses our Angled Tag Topper Punch. There are two of these tag punches in our Occasions Catalog and both of them are a lot of fun to use – you can find so many different things to do with them!

Seasonal Sayings Leadership 2014 swap

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Seasonal Sayings (131937/128009)

Inks: Real Red (126949)

Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996), Early Espresso (119686), Crumb Cake (120953), Real Red (102482), and Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Gold Baker’s Twine (132975), Natural 5/8″ Chevron Ribbon (132982), and Angled Tag Topper Punch (133323)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code UQJ7HZ76

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends February 3rd, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10th, 2014)

2014 SAB FREE Event-banner

Sale-a-bration Saturday – Click HERE to see a flyer with details

Fresh Prints meets Delightful Dozen

Check out this great Valentines card using the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996) from the Occasions Catalog (page 33) that I received from Jackie during the Shoebox Swap at Leadership in Houston.

Delightful Dozen  Leadership Swap 2014

Jackie, used the Hearts a Flutter Framelits to cut out the heart shape in the Whisper White layer and then layered a piece of the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper behind it.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen (128547/122652)

Inks: StazOn Jet Black (101406)

Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996), Real Red (102482), and Whisper White Card Stock (100730)

Accessories: Real Red 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119251), Small Heart Punch (117193), Hearts a Flutter Framelits (130159), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858), and Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code UQJ7HZ76

Whole Lot of Love Products Still Available to Order

Whole lot of love banner

The Whole Lot of Love promotion has ended, but we still have some products in stock. Available until 11:59 PM (MT) on February 14, 2014 or while supplies last.

  • 131850: Love You More Stamp Set (wood-mount)
  • 131853: Love You More Stamp Set (clear-mount)
  • 134611: Follow My Heart Stamp Set (wood-mount)
  • 134617: Flowerfull Heart Stamp
  • 132862: Toujours + d’amour Stamp Set
  • 134610: Sweetheart Treat Bags
  • 132162: Monster Hugs Boy
  • 132163: Monster Hugs  Girl
  • 134609: Sweet Sayings Cards and Envelopes

Find them in the Online Store.

Want to earn free stuff?

Saleabration hostess banner image

Have you ever thought about being a hostess and earning FREE merchandise? Sale-a-bration is a great time of year to do this, since you get to earn an extra $30 merchandise FREE!

Check out our chart and then contact me today to set up your party date.

Saleabration hostess chart

Snow Storm Update

Snow Storm January 2014

On a personal note, while the snow storm has shut down Atlanta, I’m happy to say that here in my neck of the woods things aren’t so bad. My yard stick shows that we got about 1″ here in our yard and I’m always thankful that Habersham County has such a great handle on storms like this. With all these small, curvy mountain roads I know it takes a lot of work and planning. And while I haven’t seen a plow yet on my side road I know that they’ve been here and the main highway is fine since both my guys made it into work today.

I’m not sure why Atlanta says that the storm moved in faster than expected, since from what I can tell it was exactly what the news told us to expect. Maybe I missed something? (And yes, it stills amazes me how they can predict even the right time for things like this now a days.) But unfortunately things are a mess in metro Atlanta for now.

My heart goes out to those families (in Atlanta) who spent hours on the road last night trying to get to their children (who were not released from school early enough) and are still trying to get home or at school. Cars and buses were stranded in the bitter cold and on the ice (as the sun went down) for hours trying to get where they were going.

It’s suppose to be a cold one today – so they don’t expect much, if any melting of the ice on the roads. And now there is a lot of ice, so it will be a long day for those clearing cars that were abandoned, some after running out of gas.

This momma hen is still not real comfortable to have her chicks spread out and not under our own roof at times like these. Larry thankfully made it home with just one close call on a icy hill coming down our road. Armed with Dads advice our oldest took a different route home and made it safely.

Our youngest, Kaitlin thankfully has had her college trip to Savannah for the Georgia Music Educators Conference postponed until tomorrow when things are suppose to be warmer. She’s enjoying the snow days at school .Finally getting to play in snow late last night with her friends. Since she is a lot farther south, the snow didn’t arrive until after 8 p.m. last night.

We are thankful we missed the brunt of the storm, but are thinking of our neighbors and praying everyone stays safe – thankfully there were no deaths reported from the accidents so far here in Georgia.

On a lighter note I thought you might enjoy the view that I woke up to here at the house this morning.

Snow Storm January 2014 (4) Snow Storm January 2014 (3)

My son took this shot of the front as he warmed up his truck to get to work this morning. I’m staying in today – no point in going out if you don’t have to, right? I’m waging the battle of keeping my feet warm. Shhh don’t tell my husband but hot chocolate, one of my biscotti, and the fire sounds like a good thing today. LOL

Snow Storm January 2014 (2)

And here is another photo of the back yard – the tracks of course were from the fun my son and his friend had playing in the snow together – It never stays pretty long.

Snow Storm January 2014 (5)

And for those of you reading this across the states dealing with the bitter cold and snowfall of this winter – hang in there and stay warm.

I know you’re probably shaking your head right now, thinking, “really? that ‘s crazy for so little snow on the ground.” As a transplant from Wisconsin I used to think the same thing when I first moved here. It’s a southern thing – and you learn to embrace it as you run to the store to load up on bread, eggs and milk to prepare for these things. LOL

Have a great day – and leave me a comment to let me know what you’re planning to do this “snow day”. I’d love to hear from you.

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code UQJ7HZ76

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals Jan 28 2014 image

Weekly Deals (Special ends February 3rd, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

paper pumpkin promotion header image

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10th, 2014)

2014 SAB FREE Event-banner

Sale-a-bration Saturday – Click HERE to see a flyer with details

Texture Boutique Flyer image