Hello Kitty Party - Updated with a picture and some text on 4/5/12!

So like I shared earlier - Zamarah had a "Hello Kitty" party - it was so cute seeing all the little girls in their "HK" clothing.  I love "Hello Kitty" so this was right up my alley.  The kids played Pin the Nose on the Kitty as one of their games - and Heidi made up this poster for them to "pin" on.

Here's a picture of the tables before everyone arrived.  Heidi has been doing some new party stuff through her company "The Sweete Buffet" a new business offering custom candy buffets and party favors. She and Jenee spent a lot of time putting everything together for an amazing party for an amazing little girl.  The make a great team and did a great job!  In case you can't tell - they decorated drink bottles, put out little HK favors, and the take out boxes are for filling candy before the kiddos leave!

  Here's Jenee with our 2 year old princess (and cousin Solo) - blowing out her candle  -

And here is our birthday girl Zamarah, with her siblings - brother Prince and sister Paisley -

I love this picture of them!  Thanks for stopping by - see you soon!! ~Maureen

Hello Kitty

Yesterday we celebrated Zamarah's 2nd birthday (she turned two on the 15th) - so today I'm sharing the packaging of her gift.  She wanted LEGOS like big brother Prince - so I got her a cute little set of the Duplo Legos and a Lego Friends set.  So glad they've extended this cute toy to more girlie styles. Her party theme was "Hello Kitty" and I'll share more on that in days to come, but here is the present wrapped for her - note the cute bows I added all over the bag.

And here's her card - Isn't it cute!! I saw this idea on a blog or somewhere and just had to try it.  It's all punches - the bow is made with the SU butterfly punch cut in half and connected with a circle - cute idea huh!

Zamarah LOVED it - and that is really what matters.  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Maureen

Quick and Easy - what I need right now

I absolutely cannot believe that the last time I blogged was Monday.  I had all intentions of getting on here and blogging every day this week -and then life got in the way.  I had tooth problems (still not really resolved); a conference to go to; and just - life!  So today I'm going to share some quick and easy cards I made with the FREE DSP from Sale-a-bration.  I know I've mentioned it before - but it is worth repeating - I LOVE THIS PAPER - and it's FREE with a $50 purchase - so email me now to place your order. 

I needed a bunch of cards on Monday, so I made up about 20 of these in 30 minutes - and guess what - I've mailed them all except three.  Not a bad week's work.  I love sending cards, and try to average one a day.  To me there is nothing better, than being able to pray for someone while I make the card; think of them while I jot down a note; and then hope they'll be delighted when they open it.  And from what people tell me - they are!  Let me know what you think. 

Hope you all get some time to stamp this weekend.  See you soon.  ~Maureen

Featured Stamper for February -

Welcome back to a feature of my blog that I love - that I have not done for quite a while.  Spotlighting one of the amazing ladies in my Stampin' Up! downline - the Crazy Stamping Ladies.  I ask them to provide a picture, a bio and several examples of their style in stamping.  I'll include any contact info (such as blog, email, etc.) that they'd like me to provide.  I'm so blessed to have these ladies in my life - and privileged to share their talents on my blog. This month please enjoy my spotlight of  Crazy Stamping Lady - Kathy Baffone -

What stamping means to me ~

My stamping journey began about 5 or 6 years ago.  I invited myself to Kathy W’s house for her Stampers 10 event and was hooked immediately.  I always joke that I never met a craft I didn’t like but nothing has overtaken me like this inky one.  I joined S10 the following year and it took me another year to become a hobby demo with SU.  

Because my family is on the East coast I wanted a way to keep connected to brothers & sisters, nieces & nephews, and thought a special card from California would be perfect.  After a while I found that my nieces were comparing the cards I sent to each one, arguing which card was better!  My stamping allowed me to support a very sick sister through her terminal illness in a special way.  Not only did I send Joanne cards on a regular basis, all of my stampy friends did too.  These greetings really lifted her up during difficult times.

I found my way to SplitCoast Stampers and then my card-making really took off as I participated in the daily challenges.  Now I send about 8 cards a month out for family birthdays, do one challenge card a day most weeks, and sell my cards to raise money for charity.   My daughter and I made a visit to Ronald McDonald House with other SU people which was very gratifying.  Now she wants to start a group at her high school to continue those efforts.

In the end, I found that not only is stamping a great stress reliever and a way to connect with my creative side.   I have made some amazing friendships over an ink pad and I have celebrated & supported people I care about through this addictive artistic hobby. 

Here are some samples of Kathy's artistry - I could not get the pictures she sent to load larger - so be sure to check out the link to more of her work at the end of this post.

Blocking using square stamp from SU's distressing tool.

Elegant flower using Bird Punch from SU!

Masculine Nautical theme.

Masculine Happy Birthday.

Clean sympathy with an embossing folder.

Another clean and simple sympathy card.

Beautiful card using reflection technique.

Birthday card with reverse masking and embossing.

You can see more of Kathy's work on Splitcoaststampers - her user name is CAKath. 

Thanks for stopping by - see you soon! -Maureen

Upcoming Stamp Camps!

Come join us for some stamping FUN!!

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Cards, Cards, Cards Stamp Camp

Tuesday, February 21 - 7:00 - 9:30 PM (or so)
Cost is $15 or FREE with a $40 in merchandise purchase that evening.*
Maureen's Home in Simi Valley

Come join us as we make six cards - two each of three different designs. We'll be using an assortment of products out of the Sale-a-bration and mini-catalog!! BONUS - $40 in purchases this evening will get you the stamp camp FREE. $50 in purchases will get you the Stamp Camp FREE and a FREE Sale-a-bration item. All supplies and refreshments are provided. Limit 12 - Must RSVP to hold your spot.
Here's one of the cards we'll be making!!

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Christmas Card Making Stamp Camp
Sunday, February 26 - 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (or so)
Cost is $20 *
Maureen's Home in Simi Valley
In keeping with my New Year's resolution to get my cards all stamped and done for Christmas 2012 I'll be offering a series of these stamp camps throughout this year. Each time you attend you will make 10 simple but wonderful Christmas cards (5 each of 2 different designs). You can see samples of previous cards here - http://crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/2011/02/february-christmas-cards.html If you do not do Christmas cards and would like an alternative winter or holiday design - let me know when you RSVP. If you attend each month you could have quite a stash!! Light refreshments served. No additional purchase required. Limit 12. Must RSVP to hold your spot.

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*Stamp Camp/Class Cancellation Policy - If you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours in advance of the event there will be no cost to you. If you cancel within that 48 hours I will try and place someone from the waiting and if that works there will be no charge to you; otherwise you will be responsible for the class fee but you will receive the material packet with pictures (by email) to make your projects.  Stamping will not be done for you, so you may need to adjust the project slightly using what stamps you have available.  Or you can choose to purchase the purchase requirement for the event in merchandise from Maureen.

Gramma Day with Kamili

Last weekend I had Gramma Day with Kamili - we went to the Mall where she got a giant gumball (note the lump in her cheek) -

 

 Then to Build a Bear where she got this cute little green leopard she named Lucy -

 Then we sent out and played on the toy area in another mall - 

Where we also ate lunch at Red Robin - it was a great lunch - but her favorite part was the cherry on top of her shake.

 Then we went home and played in the backyard - here she is on the slide with Lucy.  It was pretty cool out so she's wearing one of my daughter's jackets - a bit big - but adorable on her.

We had a great day together - my only regret is I did not get a picture of us together - which I always try to do - don't know how that got away from us, but it did.  See you soon! ~Maureen

Valentine's Day

I am so blessed with so many people I love and so many that love me - so Valentine's day is very special.  Paul had a meeting Valentine's night, but was off the day before so I came home to a candlelight steak dinner and a dozen yellow roses - my fav!!!  I love yellow and the first rose he ever gave me - 38 years ago - was yellow - so they are special to me.  Thanks Honey - I think I'll keep you :)

Aren't they beautiful!

Also wanted to share a basket of treats.  These were the little pouches I made for my co-workers to show them a little "love".  See yesterday's post for a close up of one of the pouches.

Stop back soon!  ~Maureen

Club Project

Some month's depending on the difficulty of the card we create at Club - we have time for an additional project so this month we made these adorable little diaper fold pouches.  It is amazingly easy to make and so cute.  The instructions are simple - a 6x6" piece of DSP - lay it in front of you like a diamond.  Fold the bottom peak to the top peak - fold the bottom right peak over to the middle of the opposite side - then fold the bottom left peak over to the middle of the other side.  Take the front piece of the top peak and fold down, and your pocket should stay with no adhesive!!  Love it.  Then we added the cute little punched flower.  Everything on this project is from items you can get FREE in the Sale-a-bration catalog with a $50 purchase.

Here's the pouch.

Then we filled a little cello bags with conversation hearts and tied with the SAB ribbon.

Here it is all together - how sweet is that!

Just as a PS - I saw a heart garland made on Pinterest - and had to try it.  Here is my version using the SAB DSP - so simple and so cute!!

Stop back soon!! ~Maureen

Black Magic Technique

So my current club is a technique club where each  month we learn a new technique.  This month it was Black Magic - we create a 6x6" technique card that goes in our binder that shows a sample and instructions for the technique.

Then we use that technique to create a card - and this month this is the card we made.  I love it.  This technique is very folk-artsy to me - way outside my comfort zone - but I really like how the card turned out and I think the group did too.

Here is a close-up of the image.  You stamp with white craft ink on a dark color, let it dry completely, then color over the white with colored pencils.  At the end you add dots and squiggles with the white gel pen that really make it pop.

I'm forming clubs that will start in the next few months, so if you live in the Simi Valley, CA area and would like more info - let me know.  -Maureen

February Club Hostess Gift

Each month the hostesses in my Club get a special Hostess Gift from me and this month Jen was my hostess and this was the notebook I gave her.  I used page 6 of the current Sale-a-bration catalog as my inspiration for the cover.  Isn't it beautiful - when you have a Stampin' Up! catalog of any sort you have an abundance of ideas to use.  Anyway I just love the way it turned out and hope that Jen liked it.

This cover is inside the CD cases that SU sells - and inside lookie - a post-it note tablet, a little pocket for receipts, business cards, etc.; and a jr.legal pad - cute and practical. 

I'm forming new clubs that will be starting soon, so if you live in the Simi Valley, CA area and would like more info - let me know. Who knows what the Hostess gift will be for the next round :)
~Maureen

Christmas Cards!

So these are WAAAAYYYY over due - I got some wonderful Christmas cards from my stamping friends and have been meaning to share them - but time just got away from me - so I'll share some today and some more soon!

Carole's card

Outside of Karen's card

Inside of Karen's card

Kathy B's card

Lisa's card

Everytime I open a hand-made card - I get all warm and fuzzy! ~Maureen

Valentine's Stamp Camp

Last week Heidi and I and some stamping friends spent the evening making these adorable Valentine Projects -

LOVE Banner

Here it is hanging on my door

I'll show each letter up close so you can see the details - little heart, button and Bakers twine.

Heart, "be my valentine flag", gems

Seam Binding, heart

Jewelry tag, Bakers Twine, Gem, Cupid!!

We also made this cute heart candy box using the new Heart Framelits from Stampin' Up!

Here it is partially open.  I used the matchbox die, and cut two of the bottoms for the box.  I altered one of the bottoms a bit to tape it together to make the box top.

Inside - four adorable wrapped Hershey's nuggets!  Yum!!

We also made this Valentine's card to go with the set.  Note the Staz On flower stamped on the clear envelope!

See you soon!! ~Maureen

Sets for Sale....

So recently I had an Open House and sold a bunch of my discontinued Stampin' Up! sets - and it was great!!  But I still have a TON left - so over the coming weeks, months, years :)  I'm going to offer a few for sale on my blog.  The cost is as is and if you pick up that is the straight cost - you can pay at pick up.  If you'd like me to ship, I will go to the post office and find the cost for the least expensive shipping and then email you what the full cost will be.  I must receive your payment before I will ship and will ship to the U.S. and Canada ONLY.  My email is crazystampinglady@gmail.com

Hostess Only Set - Peaceful Season. Clear. Set of six. $8.00

Hostess Only Set - Silhouette Sentiments.  Clear.  Set of eight.  Brand new.  $7.00

Sock Monkey.  Wood. Mounted.  Set of 10.  $7.00

The Snowflake Spot. Wood. Mounted. Set of 7. $8.00

So here's just a sampling of what I have left - see - a TON!!  So watch for more to come, and if there is a set you're looking for - let me know - I just might have it!!

 ~Maureen