Die Cutting Machine Comparison

I have so many people ask me what the real difference is between die-cutting machines. Here is a wonderful article that shows the differences, perks and cons to four of the major die-cutting machines on the market: Spellbinders, Cuttlebug, Big Shot, & Cricut Expression. I hope this helps some of you out there who are trying to decide what machine will work for you!

Valentine Journal

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

This is a super fun and easy project to do. We took a basic, black & white, composition notebook and covered it with kraft paper. Than we stamped and sponged and decorated to our hearts' content. This is the last gift for Chloe's secret Valentine-Jacquline, which is not a secret any longer.



Sorry, the picture turned out a little dark. Definitely time to start camera shopping!!

Mouse Love

I actually made this box (and a matching card which I forgot to photograph before I sealed it into the envelope, smart, I know) at my recent MOPS meeting. My upline Becca Jung is also a member of MOPS so she came up with the cute craft for all of us to do. I didn't get to watercolor the mouse so I left it blank to do at home. Chloe got to color in the mouse for another gift for her secret Valentine. I love that little mouse, it is so stinkin' cute!

Lovebirds

Chloe insisted that one of the cards had the lovebirds on it from the "Love You Much" stamp set. She is getting very good at properly using my blender pens as well. She loves to stamp and had a blast making all of these projects (with help from Mom of course).

New Goodies!!

I finally ordered some goodies out of the new catalog. I am so excited!! The ideas are rolling around in my brain. Is it 8:00PM yet? I can't wait for the kids to go to bed so I can play and stamp uninterrupted. So keep you eyes peeled in the next few days (after Valentine's) I will have some fun projects to share with you using....

Classy & Fabulous Stamp Set (Got to LOVE it)

Texturz Plates and the Big Shot (Dry Embossing without the stylus)

Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits (Exclusive to SU! & will be featured at my Birthday Card Stamp-A-Stacks)!!

New Flower Brads (These are some heavy duty brads)

and Textured Designer Paper!! (This paper feels so nice and it is heavy duty which is great for 3-D projects)

So keep checking back!!

Love Note Punch

Here is a simple little Love Note that I made to go with two mini-puzzles for Chloe's secret Valentine. It was super easy. Just punch, stamp and align. I love cards like that!!

A Little Kiss

Chloe's school (yes she is home schooled but she also attends a school provided by our school district where the parents are the primary teachers) does a Secret Valentine Gift Exchange every year. This year Chloe helped me make some fun projects for her secret friend. This is one of the gifts we will be giving her. We have something for every day up until Valentine's. So I thought I would share them with you as you get ready for Valentine's Day!!



Not super creative I know. But I wanted to show you that anything-even generic packaging can be given a small, personal touch.

Lotus Flower

This is another CASE from page 114 in the S/S catalog. I liked how they used the pointed end of the petals. I am not always great at thinking out of the box so turning the stamp around never occurred to me.



RECIPE: CS-Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, & Whisper White; Stamps-Pick A Petal & Warm Words; Ink-Baja Breeze & Basic Gray; and a sewing machine with white thread.

Have to Share!!

I am bummed that I had to cancel the ladies Stamping Night Out but my family had a day of rest that went a long way towards beating this cold. It doesn't look like I am going to be able to reschedule this event this month. But I hope you will join me at my Birthday Card Stamp-A-Stack on February 18th or the 21st.

Since I don't know when we will be able to make this card, I thought I would share it anyway. Since I love it so much it will pop up at one of my events, don't worry! I CASEd this card from page 114 of the S/S Catalog. The actual card was a love note but I wanted to make a full-sized card. I wanted you to see that you can take the basic concept of a card and truly make it your own. I wanted to play with colors from the Manhatten Style Watch so I changed the colors from the catalog as well.

The stamp set I used...Pick a Petal. I bought this set when SU! first introduced it. I have recently rediscovered it and am having a blast playing with it again. Be sure to look for more samples of this stamp set this week.

So here is the full-sized picture of your sneak peek...


RECIPE: CS-Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Basic Grey, & Kiwi Kiss; Stamps--Pick a Petal & Absolutely Fabulous; Ink-Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss & Basic Gray.

CANCELLATION!!!

I am so sorry ladies but it looks like I have to cancel Ladies Night Out!! My kids are sick and I don't want to share with you all! I will let you know if I am able to reschedule it or not at a later date. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and can get some stamping time in!!