beautiful gift ideas

Just wanted to share some of the fun and beautiful crafts we did at my Kids Can Craft class last night.  The idea was to make crafts that would work as gifts for teachers since the end of the school year is coming up fast.  As usual, the class was a blast.  Kids bring such enthusiasm and energy.

I case'd this idea from my friend Nancy Williams a demo in the U.S.  She gave it as a gift to me when she saw me at convention last year.  I saved it because I knew it would be a perfect class project.  Although it had several parts to it, the kids did a great job!  Here's the outside:

Then you open it up and this is the inside:

We also made coasters using some simple tiles and the summer smooches dsp (which is available for purchase again on June 1st!)  Of course we packaged them up real cute using the large cellophane bags and some ribbon.  The stamp from the creatively yours set finished it off!  This is a picture of my daughters creation.

These projects are not just for classes in my home!  You can host your own mommy and me class or an adults only girls night out class and I will bring the supplies and the projects to you!  Wouldn't you and your friends love to make these projects too?  Make sure to e-mail me to set a date!

Okay, here's the final project I want to share.  It's one of the make n takes from my last team meeting.  It uses the everything eleanor stamp set coming out in the new catty.  I love the flourish! 

It's so great to receive a card!

Tis the season when I start receiving cards in the mail.  I love opening mail at this time of year because sometimes the mail is a handmade card for me and not a bill!  It's fabulous!  Of course I have received a few Christmas cards already (shame on me for not getting mine out yet) but this one seemed peculiar because the return address was from Stampin' Up!

Of course, with Stampin' Up!'s track record, I couldn't help but wonder "wow, what free thing are they giving me now?" (Did I tell you I won a contest where they gave me a $130 shopping spree? I LOVE stampin' up.  Anyway, I digress)

Well, I didn't get any free product but this is what I got.

A beautiful handstamped card. It just made my day. 
Don't worry if you didn't get a handstamped card from Stampin' Up!.  Stampin' Up! is dying to give you something free too...Sale-a-bration is around the corner.  This means you will get free stamps and accessories with every $60 purchase.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  It's not too early to be booking your sale-a-bration classes and workshops.  I'm already booking for the new year.  Don't hestiate to contact me! I love stamping with you and your friends.

A little bit of beauty

I wanted to share this card with you.  I case'd it right off the facebook page of my team stic girl Paula.  Isn't she talented?  I loved this card so much when I saw it like a month ago but it took until now for me to make it.  No matter how busy we all are, making time to make something beautiful is always worth it.  It's like a little pick me up in an otherwise busy, long day. 
Making something beautiful brightens my spirit.  I hope it brightens yours.  Just take a moment for yourself and craft a little something.  I know you'll be glad you did!
I actually made this card as a demonstration with my church small group friends.  One of our activities was to share our life story, significant events etc so that we could get to know each other better.  Kevin came up with the idea for me to share my life story while making a card, with the elements being metaphors for my significant life events.  Because this card had so many elements: the tearing, ribbon, embossing, sponging etc, it was a good choice.  If you want to hear about my life journey, just ask!  I'd be happy to share with you.
Recipie:
River rock , soft suede, pink pirouette, rose red, naturals ivory cardstock
first edition dsp
textured embossing frame
beautiful butterfly embosslit
pretty in pink satin ribbon

Workshop Wow's from stamp camp

As promised, here are pictures of some of my favourite workshop wow things that I showed at stamp camp.

Creating the fringe on the ribbon is so easy. Just cut along the length of the ribbon (this is the 1 1/4" striped grosgrain) and then pull. You can make the fringe as longor short as you want. (as an aside, I am so bummed that this is the last month for Nature's nest. I am seriously hoping it will make it into the big catalogue in July so I can demo it more.)

Here is a mini scrapbook or a fancy card. All it takes is cardstock and you fan fold the top portion. Then cover as desired with dsp and attach small cardstock pieces to the folds. Voila. You've got a mini scrapbook to house the kids pictures. Perfect to give to grandparents. It could also be a card and you could just put different images or sentiments on the little flaps.

Creating something fun doesn't have to be complicated. Just do it!