Paper Pumpkin with the Grandkids

Paper Pumpkin - that's right - Stampin' Ups! Creative Kit that is complete, ready to go, and delivered right to your door.  It is sooooo much fun!  Below is a picture of the May 2015 kit and it was amazing!

And right now SU! has an even more amazing special so you can try it out. 

If you haven't tried Paper Pumpkin, now is a great time to sign up and get 50% off your first two months. With a deal like this, you'll want to invite everyone you know to give it a try too!
Offer Dates: May 12-June 10, 2015

Offer Details: Use the code SAVE50 to join Paper Pumpkin before June 10, 2015, and get 50% off the first two months! After that, keep the creativity coming for only $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included).
The Fine Print:

• For new subscribers only.
• Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions.
• Discount applied to one kit per month for the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.
• You and your customers need to visit PaperPumpkin.com to join.
• Enter the Promo Code, SAVE50 when you sign up.
• New subscribers must join by Wednesday, June 10, 2015; 11:50 PM (MT).

So my May kit came right before a trip to Prescott, AZ - so I brought it with me to stamp with my grandkids and it was a hit! Here I am with Paisley, Prince and Zamarah - having a stamping party!

The one glitch - I forgot my clear block for the stamp (you will receive a block with your first Paper Pumpkin kit that can be used for that and subsequent kits - just remember to bring it with you when your kit travels with you - lol).  But never fear - we put our heads together and came up with a solution.   We used the clear cover from my IPhone and it worked perfectly.  Here it is with the Happy Birthday stamp clinging to it.

And you can see Paisley checking it out before stamping below.

So - success - here are the three of them with their finished projects -

Paisley

Prince

And Zamarah with the "thumbs up" - great endorsement :)

They all did great - and Zam who is only 5 - was able to make the projects with very little help.  Just such a fun crafting experience with your kids or grandkids each month.  Reasonably priced, all inclusive - perfect for an hour or so of CREATIVE fun and every month is a surprise!  So what are you waiting for - try it now during this great special and sit back and wait for June's kit to arrive!!!  ~Maureen

Painted Petals--

Here is the second card we made at the Cards Stamp Camp this week - it uses one of my very favorite sets that is going away - Painted Petals.  It's still available - but will not be returning in the new catalog that begins June 2.  It is just such a fun and amazing set - and even though it has some cute phrases in it - I chose to use sentiments from another of our sets - Lovely Amazing You - the font is just so adorable.

And then to add a bit of character we added splatters from quite possibly my MOST used set - Gorgeous Grunge.  Just so many fun elements in that set - that it is out on my creative table pretty much all the time.  Here's the inside of the card- since the base was so dark we added a layer with a cute little floral accent in the corner.

The colors used are Pistachio Pudding (one of the current in-colors that is retiring), plus Hello Honey and Rich Razzleberry - I CASED a similar card I saw on Pinterest and changed it up a bit. 

Beautiful set - if you haven't gotten yours - contact me NOW to buy it before it's gone!! See you soon! ~Maureen 
Here are the products used for this project -

Painted Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set

$23.95

Lovely Amazing You Photopolymer Stamp Set

$14.95

Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set

$17.95

Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Rich Razzlebberry Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Pistachio Pudding Thick Baker's Twine

$3.50

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Birthday Wishes --

Here's the first card we made at this week's Cards Stamp Camp - it uses a new stamp set "Build a Birthday" that is in the NEW catalog and not available for purchase till June 2, 2015.  It is a super cute set and was so fun to create with.  It's very versatile - change up the colors for so many different occasions - and the strips that make up the cake layer can be stood up and made into candles with the little flame stamp that comes in the set.

We also used three of the new Stampin' Up! In-colors - Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, and  Watermelon Wonder.  They worked great together on this card.I don't know if you can see it or not, but those attending were able to use either pearls or gems on their flowers.  The card above has the pearls, the one laying down below gems, but either way it's cute.

So be ready to order yours on June 2 and if you don't already have a catalog please be sure to let me know and I'll get you one (must live in the U.S., and please, if you already have a demonstrator ask them how to get a catalog.)  Here are a couple pictures of the creative process in action - hope you can join me in the future!

 

Stop back soon!  ~Maureen

Memorial Day Fun!

This week we had a little backyard BBQ at our home here in Southern California- and it will likely be the last we host here.  Our house has sold and if all goes as planned we'll be moving officially to our home in Prescott, AZ the last weekend in June.  It is all so exciting - but lots of work to do.  We have been packing and most of my cute and personal stuff is put away already so our house seems a little cold and less like home to me - so I was thrilled when my daughter Heidi brought me this adorable little decorated basket of candies as a hostess gift to put out. The red-white and blue significant on this day of remembrance.

Also, my friend Elaine, brought me this pretty bouquet - so I was able to have some color in the house.  Even without all the extra normal personal stuff I'd have it out - it was a wonderful day of celebration.  Once we move we'll be farther way from our girls their families and that is going to be tough - so will just have to make the most of every moment we do have together.

Hope you had a great day of remembrance and celebration also!  ~Maureen

Personal post Monday - Gramma Day with Zavian

So a week ago I got to have a fun "Gramma" day with this little guy - my 5 year old grandson Zavian.  He is just such a sweetheart.  The plan was to drive up to the Camarillo airport, have lunch and watch the airplanes ..... but when we got there the restaurant was closed for kitchen renovation.  I felt so bad, but when I told him he said that's okay - let's just go to McDonalds.  How great was that!

The best part was that they were giving out Skylander characters in the Happy Meals - and Zavian's favorite thing in the world right now is Skylander - so at McDonald's he got "Wally" (above).

Our next stop was Target for a look at what they had in the Skylanders Dept. - and we picked up this trio of characters on sale - needless to say he was a HAPPY boy!  After that I asked what he wanted to do, and he just wanted to go to Toys R Us and look at "the stuff" so that's what we did - 40 minutes of checking out toys and seeing what they would do and dreaming of what he's gonna ask for, for Christmas, lol.

Our last stop was for ICE CREAM - and he got his trademark Cotton Candy flavor with sprinkles - not appealing at all to me - but he loves it.

Back home his Mom snapped this picture of us together as I forgot to get one when we were out and about.  It was a change in plans, but none the less a great day full of fun memories.  Thanks Zavian for being such a great kid - and making it a great day!!!  Can't wait till next time. Love you buddy!  ~Gramma

Just a few thank yous.....

Many of you know I recently retired from working with International Students at our local community college.  But even after I left I owed a few people special thank yous - so today I'm sharing some quick and "sweet" thank yous I made!  The first was for six of my students who helped me out by being on a special panel for our Multicultural day event. 

Here's a close up of the clip I attached the thank you with - just a little banner and decorated clothespin.

Then I decorated several different packages of candy for all of my student workers to thank them for all their help and support when I was there.

I'm really going to miss them all and hope they enjoy their little treats of appreciation.

See you soon!!! ~Maureen

Mother's Day gifts....

Finally getting around to posting my Mother's Day gifts.  This year Paul and I went out to dinner earlier in the week to avoid the crowds, and then on the actual day, for the first time ever I did not see my kids or grandkids - so it was all a bit sad :(   But I was not forgotten - besides the dinner out from hubby, my daughter Heidi gave me these gifts - 1) an amazing "cloche" that she picked up at a local swap meet.  It is so vintage looking and she filled it with a pot of succulents to grace my table. The first picture is without a flash and the second with so you can see the detail a little more.

 

She also made me this rustic ball jar wall hanging for our new house.  It can be used for art pencils, pens, etc. or even fresh flowers.  Looking forward to finding just the right spot to place it.

And my other daughter, Jenee, sent me a beautiful card with a Spa Finder gift card - once we get settled I plan to find the perfect place to pamper myself with that.  I was planning to take pictures of the cards and post - but realized I had already packed them - lol.  This living between two homes if for the birds!  So even though I was a little lonesome - I am abundantly blessed!!!  ~Maureen

Girls Night Out -- Cards Stamp Camp

May Stamping Fun!!  Still a few spots left - 

but we're over half full so this Party is a go!!

 

NOTE DATE CHANGE: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 ~ 7:00 – 9:30 PM

Crazy Stamping Lady’s Night Out Card-making Party!! 

Maureen’s Home in Simi Valley*

 

Cost: $15 or get the Stamp Camp FREE with a $35 in SU merchandise purchase at the event.

 

We'll make 6 cards - 3 each of 2 cute and clean designs using exclusive Stampin’ Up! sets and embellishments!  

Plus you can get a SNEAK PEEK of some of the NEW CATALOG products, and your new catalog if you haven't gotten one yet!!!

 

 This stamp camp is fun and easy for all crafting levels.  Light refreshments, coffee, tea and wine served.  No additional purchase required.   All materials to make cards provided. 

 

Doorprize drawing!

Limit 10.  Must RSVP to hold your spot.  Email me at crazystampinglady@gmail.com if you are in my area and I'll confirm if I still have openings!

Class must be ½ full to avoid cancellation – so grab a friend and come make something wonderful! 

*Stamp Camp/Class/Club Cancellation Policy - PLEASE READ TILL END OF 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 (If a stamp camp - you will receive the material packet with pictures (by email or on my blog) to make your projects.)  Stamping may 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 Heidi or Maureen. If no purchase requirement is listed for the specific event, you must purchase 2 1/2 times the cost of the class/stamp camp/event or pay for the event. If event is cancelled by me - full refund will be given of any pre-payment. All events must be half-full to avoid possible cancellation. Check your emails to be sure events have not been cancelled.

NOTE: If a different cancellation date is listed in event description it supersedes this policy.

** must be 18 years or older to attend this event

Challenge from our downline meeting...

Trying to catch up on my posting - so far behind.  This retiring and packing is hard work - lol!  So the creative challenge at our last downline meeting was to create a card using an image designed for coloring and show an alternative way to color it now that blendabilities are no longer available.  So here were the entries - 

Heidi's card with a broad-stroke watercolor wash and a few splatters.

Paula's card with watercolored image of tulips.

Sarah's flowers using a puddling watercoloring technique.

Close-up of Sarah's image.

All of these cards are beautiful and show that using Stampin' Up's inks, pads, brushes, and aqua painters you can achieve amazing looks on your hand-crafted cards.  Hope you enjoyed and got some inspiration!  ~Maureen

Heidi's Creations

Today I want to share with you a couple creations made by my daughter, Heidi.  The first I should have shared a while back when I shared the Ninja Birthday party she gave - but somehow I missed it.  Here is the adorable invitation she created for the boys' party.  To see more of the Ninja party stuff she created -click here.

But what I really wanted to share are these amazing flowers - she made them for a wall display for the teacher's lounge for teacher appreciation week and I think they are simply, as I already said  - AMAZING!!

 

You can order your own flowers in any color combination from her directly at her Etsy shop - LavendarLaceLemonade.  To see more of her work visit her blog - www.stampinking.blogspot.com  Thanks for stopping by - see you soon!  ~Maureen

Personal Post Monday .....

Had an amazing Gramma Day with this pretty girl - my grand-daughter, Makai.  We had such a fun time together - we went to the mall where she got these cute earrings that glow in the dark.  When we got home we quickly went to a dark closet to check out the claim, and sure enough - they glow!  Isn't she adorable!

She wanted lunch from one of her favorite places - Jersey Mike's subs  - so Jersey Mike's it was.

Then we went off to paint at a local creative store - she picked out this heart placque for her room and painted it in vibrant neon colors -finishing it off with a glaze of sparkles!  Turned out great!

Then finished the day by getting some frozen yogurt that was really, really yummy.  She was so much fun to be with and talk to and just hang out.  Can't wait to do it again - love you baby!!! ~Gramma